Energy Accounting Support in TinyOS

Energy is the most limiting resource in sensor networks. This is particularly true for dynamic sensor networks in which the sensor-net application is not statically planned. We describe three components of our energy management system for nodes in such dynamic sensor networks: A flexible energy model and an accounting infrastructure for making sensor nodes energy-aware, and Resource Containers for managing the energy accounting information

Non-linear frequency response analysis for assessment of the ageing history of lithium ion batteries:A combined simulation and experimental approach

In this work, we present a novel approach for identifying the ageing history of lithium-ion batteries based on experimental nonlinear frequency response analysis (NFRA) measurements. A regression model, trained on simulated NFRA data, is shown to be capable of quantifying degradation modes such as solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) growth, lithium plating, and loss of active material (LAM) with no a-priori knowledge of the cell’s historical duty. Our analysis, combining experimental and simulation approaches, demonstrates NFRA’s potential as a powerful tool for ageing diagnosis by capturing various degradation modes. Changes in NFRA response through life exhibit strong correlations with ageing paths, particularly in the frequency range of 0.2 to 10 Hz. Observations highlight a strong influence of the state of charge on the resultant NFRA response, emphasizing that measurements at a single open circuit voltage (OCV) and harmonics values from a single frequency are insufficient for comprehensive characterization. This analysis underscores the need for correlating NFRA at multiple OCVs and frequencies for detailed ageing assessment. Evaluation on commercially relevant cells enhanced the models’ reliability for industrial applications. This quantitative, data-driven approach using NFRA holds potential to enhance battery management strategies, extend lifespan and improve confidence in second-life applications of batteries. Future work should focus on improving regression analysis robustness, reducing dimensionality, and broadening testing conditions

Towards a Realistic Energy Model for Wireless Sensor Networks

Energy consumption is one of the most critical protocol properties in a wireless sensor network. Therefore, a precise energy model is required for the evaluation of protocols. In addition to evaluation, an energy model can also be used for on-line energy accounting. After processing user queries, nodes aware of the energy model can send an energy bill towards the network\u27s sink. This allows the user to adjust future queries to be more energy efficient. The contribution of this paper is twofold: First, a theoretical energy model based on simple finite automata is presented. This model can be used for on-line accounting, simulation and generation of a-priori knowledge. Second, the proposed theoretical model is backed up by practical measurements using a new measurement device called SNMD that also offers management functions for sensor-net testbeds. Therewith, output of the theoretical model can be compared to and justified by real-world measurements

Macrosystems ecology: Understanding ecological patterns and processes at continental scales

Macrosystems ecology is the study of diverse ecological phenomena at the scale of regions to continents and their interactions with phenomena at other scales. This emerging subdiscipline addresses ecological questions and environmental problems at these broad scales. Here, we describe this new field, show how it relates to modern ecological study, and highlight opportunities that stem from taking a macrosystems perspective. We present a hierarchical framework for investigating macrosystems at any level of ecological organization and in relation to broader and finer scales. Building on well-established theory and concepts from other subdisciplines of ecology, we identify feedbacks, linkages among distant regions, and interactions that cross scales of space and time as the most likely sources of unexpected and novel behaviors in macrosystems. We present three examples that highlight the importance of this multiscaled systems perspective for understanding the ecology of regions to continents

Venetoclax enhances the efficacy of therapeutic antibodies in B-cell malignancies by augmenting tumor cell phagocytosis

Immunotherapy has evolved as a powerful tool for the treatment of B-cell malignancies, and patient outcomes have improved by combining therapeutic antibodies with conventional chemotherapy. Overexpression of antiapoptotic B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) is associated with a poor prognosis, and increased levels have been described in patients with "double-hit" diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, a subgroup of Burkitt's lymphoma, and patients with pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia harboring a t(17;19) translocation. Here, we show that the addition of venetoclax (VEN), a specific Bcl-2 inhibitor, potently enhanced the efficacy of the therapeutic anti-CD20 antibody rituximab, anti-CD38 daratumumab, and anti-CD19-DE, a proprietary version of tafasitamab. This was because of an increase in antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis by macrophages as shown in vitro and in vivo in cell lines and patient-derived xenograft models. Mechanistically, double-hit lymphoma cells subjected to VEN triggered phagocytosis in an apoptosis-independent manner. Our study identifies the combination of VEN and therapeutic antibodies as a promising novel strategy for the treatment of B-cell malignancies

Philadelphia-negatív krónikus Myeloproliferativ Neoplasia Magyarországi Regiszter. Polycythaemia verás betegeink adatainak elemzése | Hungarian Philadelphia negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasia registry. Evaluation of the polycythemia vera patients

Absztrakt: Bevezetés és célkitűzés: A HUMYPRON munkacsoport által 2013-ban létrehozott Philadelphia-negatív myeloproliferativ neoplasiás betegek magyar regiszteréből a polycythaemia verás betegek adatait elemezzük. Módszer: A 15 hematológiai centrumból regisztrált 351 JAK2V617F- és exon-12-mutációpozitív polycythaemia verás beteg epidemiológiai, klinikai, diagnosztikus és kezelési jellemzőit, vascularis és transzformációs eseményeit dolgoztuk fel. A diagnózist megelőző és azt követő thromboemboliás eseményeket a Landolfi szerinti rizikófelmérés alapján értelmeztük. Eredmények: A diagnózist megelőzően 106 betegben 116, a diagnózist követő időszakban 106 betegben 152 thromboemboliás eseményt regisztráltunk. A major artériás események szignifikánsan csökkentek (p<0,0001), a minor vénás események szignifikánsan fokozódtak (p<0,0001) a diagnózist követően. A betegség transzformációját 26 esetben, a major vérzést 25 esetben észleltük. Következtetések: Online regiszterünk könnyen kezelhető, lehetővé teszi a hazai betegek jellemzőinek felmérését és az eredmények gyors kiértékelését. A Landolfi-rizikóbecslés eredményesnek bizonyult. Kérdőívünket a kiértékelést követően pontosítottuk. A diagnosztikus kritériumok, a rizikóbecslés és az ennek megfelelő kezelési ajánlás pontosabb betartása szükséges, amelyre ajánlásokat tettünk. Orv Hetil. 2017; 158(23): 901–909. | Abstract: Intruduction and aim: The Hungarian National Registry for Philadelphia chromosome negative myeloproliferative neoplasms has been developed. The aim of the recent study is to assess the clinical characteristics of Hungarian patients with polycythemia vera. Method: Data of 351 JAK2V617F and exon 12 mutation positive polycythemia vera patients were collected online from 15 haematology centres reporting epidemiologic, clinical characteristics, diagnostic tools, therapeutic interventions, thromboembolic complications, disease transformations. Vascular events prior to and after diagnosis were evaluated upon the Landolfi risk assessment scale. Results: 116 thromboembolic events were reported in 106 PV patients prior to diagnosis and 152 occasions in 102 patients during follow-up. The frequency of major arterial events were significantly reduced (p<0.0001) and the minor venous events were significantly elevated (p<0.0001) after the diagnosis. Major hemorrhagic complications were found in 25 and transformation in 26 cases. Conclusions: Our registry allows to collect and evaluate the features of patients with polycythemia vera. The Landolfi risk stratification was proven to be useful. Based on evaluated data, accuracy of diagnostic criteria and compliance to risk-adapted therapeutic guidelines are needed. Orv Hetil. 2017; 158(23): 901–909

Preliminary evidence for an increased likelihood of a stable trajectory in mild cognitive impairment in individuals with higher motivational abilities

BACKGROUND: Motivational abilities (MA), that describe skills in relation to goal-oriented behavior, have recently been found to be associated with neuropathological aging. Here we examine the impact of MA on the long-term course of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS: We followed-up N = 64 individuals diagnosed with MCI (M = 73 years, 44% female) for 3 years. MA were assessed by long-term informants of the participants using two scales: motivation and decision regulation [Volitional Components Questionnaires, VCQ, (Kuhl and Fuhrmann, Decomposing self-regulation and self-control: the volitional components inventory, 1998)]. Cognitive abilities were assessed with the Mini Mental State Examination (J Psychiatr Res 12:189-98, 1975). Survival analyses and multilevel modeling (MLM) were applied to determine the predicting effect of informant-rated MA at baseline on the likelihood of MCI stability and on the trajectory of cognitive abilities. RESULTS: Fifty percent (n = 32) of the MCI participants remained stable, while 32.8% (n = 21) and 17.2% (n = 11) converted to Alzheimer's disease (AD) or dropped-out, respectively. Survival analyses revealed that MCI cases with higher-rated MA at baseline were more likely to exert a stable course in MCI over 3 years (p = 0.036) when controlling for demographic characteristics and executive function. MLM analyses indicated that higher informant-rated MA at baseline were significantly related to higher cognitive abilities, even when controlling for MCI subtype (p = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides preliminary longitudinal evidence for a lower risk of conversion to AD and higher cognitive abilities by higher rated MA at an early stage of MCI

Further Reflections on the “Postmodern Turn” in the Social Sciences: A Reply to William Outhwaite

I am immensely grateful to William Outhwaite for commenting on my book The ‘Postmodern Turn’ in the Social Sciences (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2015). I should stress at the outset that I agree with most of the points he makes in his commentary, which I find very insightful, thought-provoking, and constructive. Hence, any reader expecting to be entertained by a cockfight between book author and book reviewer will be disappointed. Let me take this opportunity to reflect on some of the main issues raised in Outhwaite’s inspiring review