The analysis of energy consumption in 6TiSCH network nodes working in sub-GHz band

The 6TiSCH communication stack enables IPv6 networking over the TSCH (Time Slotted Channel Hopping) mode of operation defined in IEEE 802.15.4. Lately, it becomes an attractive solution for Low power and Lossy Networks (LLNs), suitable for Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications. This article introduces a credible energy consumption model for the 6TiSCH network nodes, operating in the 863-870 MHz band. It presents the analysis leading to the construction of the model as well as detailed verification through experimental measurements which showed 98% accuracy in determining power consumption for two different network topologies. The article includes reliable battery lifetime predictions for transit and leaf nodes along with other parametric study results

Comparison of wireless data transmission protocols for residential water meter applications

This article provides a comparison of various wireless data transmission protocols, such as Wireless M-Bus, LoRaWAN, Sigfox, NB-IoT and a newly developed proprietary protocol, studying their performance in the application of battery-powered residential water meters. Key aspects of the comparison include energy consumption, which is analyzed through comparing unitary amount of charge required to conduct a single, bi-directional data transaction between the meter and base station, and maximum coupling loss which effectively defines the range and coverage in the system. For completeness, the study includes also a brief cost analysis and ends with a conclusion, stating when each of the particular standards should be favored

Structure and thickness of Y2O3 coatings deposited by plasma spray physical vapour deposition (PS-PvD) method on graphite

Graphite is one of materials used in metallurgical applications; however, it is characterized by low oxidation resistance. In the article, an yttrium oxide coating was deposited using Plasma Spray Physical Vapour deposition method (PS-PVD) on graphite. Next, the influence of selected process parameters (power current, powder feed rate, or plasma gasses composition) on coating thickness and structure were discussed. The obtained coatings were characterized by hybrid structure with partially formed columns. The linear relationship between power current and coating thickness was observed. There was no significant influence of other analyses’ process parameters on coating thickness or microstructure

Structure and thickness of Y2O3 coatings deposited by plasma spray physical vapour deposition (PS-PvD) method on graphite

Graphite is one of materials used in metallurgical applications; however, it is characterized by low oxidation resistance. In the article, an yttrium oxide coating was deposited using Plasma Spray Physical Vapour deposition method (PS-PVD) on graphite. Next, the influence of selected process parameters (power current, powder feed rate, or plasma gasses composition) on coating thickness and structure were discussed. The obtained coatings were characterized by hybrid structure with partially formed columns. The linear relationship between power current and coating thickness was observed. There was no significant influence of other analyses’ process parameters on coating thickness or microstructure

Comparison of Wireless Data Transmission Protocols for Residential Water Meter Applications

This article provides a comparison of various wireless data transmission protocols, such as Wireless M-Bus, LoRaWAN, Sigfox, NB-IoT and a newly developed proprietary protocol, studying their performance in the application of batterypowered residential water meters. Key aspects of the comparison include energy consumption, which is analyzed through comparing unitary amount of charge required to conduct a single, bidirectional data transaction between the meter and base station, and maximum coupling loss which effectively defines the range and coverage in the system. For completeness, the study includes also a brief cost analysis and ends with a conclusion, stating when each of the particular standards should be favored

Inflammation, insulin resistance, and diabetes-mendelian randomization using CRP haplotypes points upstream

Background Raised C-reactive protein (CRP) is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. According to the Mendelian randomization method, the association is likely to be causal if genetic variants that affect CRP level are associated with markers of diabetes development and diabetes. Our objective was to examine the nature of the association between CRP phenotype and diabetes development using CRP haplotypes as instrumental variables. Methods and Findings We genotyped three tagging SNPs (CRP + 2302G > A; CRP + 1444T > C; CRP + 4899T > G) in the CRP gene and measured serum CRP in 5,274 men and women at mean ages 49 and 61 y (Whitehall II Study). Homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were measured at age 61 y. Diabetes was ascertained by glucose tolerance test and self-report. Common major haplotypes were strongly associated with serum CRP levels, but unrelated to obesity, blood pressure, and socioeconomic position, which may confound the association between CRP and diabetes risk. Serum CRP was associated with these potential confounding factors. After adjustment for age and sex, baseline serum CRP was associated with incident diabetes (hazard ratio = 1.39 [95% confidence interval 1.29-1.51], HOMA-IR, and HbA1c, but the associations were considerably attenuated on adjustment for potential confounding factors. In contrast, CRP haplotypes were not associated with HOMA-IR or HbA1c (p=0.52-0.92). The associations of CRP with HOMA-IR and HbA1c were all null when examined using instrumental variables analysis, with genetic variants as the instrument for serum CRP. Instrumental variables estimates differed from the directly observed associations (p=0.007-0.11). Pooled analysis of CRP haplotypes and diabetes in Whitehall II and Northwick Park Heart Study II produced null findings (p=0.25-0.88). Analyses based on the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium (1,923 diabetes cases, 2,932 controls) using three SNPs in tight linkage disequilibrium with our tagging SNPs also demonstrated null associations. Conclusions Observed associations between serum CRP and insulin resistance, glycemia, and diabetes are likely to be noncausal. Inflammation may play a causal role via upstream effectors rather than the downstream marker CRP

Patient with bilateral, adrenal pheochromocytoma and neurofibromatosis type 1 - case report

Nerwiakowłókniakowatość typu 1 (NF1, neurofibromatosis type 1) jest stosunkowo często występującym zaburzeniem o charakterze autosomalnym dominującym, występującym u około 1 na 3000 osób. Do najbardziej charakterystycznych objawów NF1 należą przebarwienia skórne typu "kawa z mlekiem", piegi w okolicach pach i pachwin, nerwiakowłókniaki oraz guzki Lischa zlokalizowane w tęczówkach. U chorych z NF1 częściej niż w populacji ogólnej obserwuje się nowotwory łagodne i złośliwe. Częstość występowania guza chromochłonnego u tych osób ocenia się na 1-10%. Przebieg kliniczny pheochromocytoma w NF1 jest podobny do przypadków sporadycznych. W niniejszej pracy przedstawiono przypadek 48-letniego chorego przyjętego do Kliniki Nadciśnienia Tętniczego Instytutu Kardiologii w Warszawie w celu diagnostyki ciężkiego nadciśnienia tętniczego. W badaniu przedmiotowym stwierdzono obecność plam cafe au lait, piegi w okolicy pach i pachwin, liczne nerwiakowłókniaki skóry oraz guzki Lischa widoczne w lampie szczelinowej. Dobowe wydalanie katecholamin z moczem było podwyższone. W tomografii komputerowej odnotowano obustronne guzy nadnerczy, potwierdzone w scyntygrafii znakowanej 131I-metajodobenzylguanidyną (131I-MIBG, 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine). Po 2-tygodniowym przygotowaniu chorego skojarzonym leczeniem fenoksybenzaminą i metoprololem wykonano laparoskopową obustronną adrenalektomię. Badanie histopatologiczne potwierdziło rozpoznanie pheochromocytoma. W dyskusji omówiono patogenezę i obraz kliniczny nerwiakowłókniakowatości typu 1 oraz diagnostykę i sposób postępowania.Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is one of the most common autosomal dominant disorders in man, affecting 1 in 3000 people. Café au lait spots, axillary freckling, dermal neurofibromas and Lisch nodules of the iris are the most frequent manifestations of the disease. Affected persons are also at risk of developing benign and malignant tumors. The association between NF1 and pheochromocytoma is present in 1-10% of cases. Clinical features of pheochromocytoma in neurofibromatosis 1 patients are similar to those in patients with sporadic pheochromocytomas, unlike pheochromocytomas associated with other hereditary syndromes. Here we report a case of pheochromocytoma associated with NF1. 48-year-old man with NF1 was admitted to our hospital because of uncontrolled hypertension. On physical examination, cafe-au-lait spots and neurofibromas were observed. Lisch nodules were visible in split lamp. 24-hour urine catecholamine excretion was elevated. Computed tomography revealed two small tumors in both adrenal glands which was confirmed by 131I-MIBG scintigraphy. After diagnosis of pheochromocytoma had been established, medical management was initiated using phenoxybenzamine with concomitant using of metoprolol and was continued for two weeks preoperatively. Bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed. Histopathological examination confirmed diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. The authors discuss the pathogenetic aspects of this rare pathological association and clinical manifestation of NF1