Analysis of a Wireless Sensors Dropping Problem in Environmental Monitoring

In this paper we study the following problem: we are given a certain region R to monitor and a requirement on the degree of coverage (DoC) of R to meet by a network of deployed sensors. The latter will be dropped by a moving vehicle, which can release sensors at arbitrary points within R. The node spatial distribution when sensors are dropped at a certain points is modeled by a certain probability density function F. The network designer is allowed to choose an arbitrary set of drop points, and to release an arbitrary number of sensors at each point. Given this setting, we consider the problem of determining the optimal deployment strategy, i.e., the drop strategy such that the DoC requirement is fulfilled and the total number of deployed nodes n is minimum. We study this problem both analytically and through simulation, under the assumption that F is the two-dimensional Normal distribution of parameter s (sigma) centered at the drop point. We show that, for given value of s (sigma) and DoC requirement, optimal deployment strategies can be easly identified. The sensor dropping problem studied in this paper is relvant whenever manual node deployment is impossible or overly expensive, and partially controlled deployment (the network designer can choose the drop points, but the final node deployment is random) is the only feasible choice

Comparison of a Cell-Based Energy Conservation Techniqueand MST Topology Control in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks

Cooperative strategies and topology control protocols have been recently proposed as effective techniques to reduce energy consumption in wireless ad hoc networks. Although these approaches share the same goal of extending network lifetime, they can be considered as orthogonal approaches

k-NEIGHLEV: a Practical Realization of Neighborhood-Based Topology Control in Ad Hoc Networks

Neighborhood-based topology control has been proven to be very effective in reducing energy consumption and increasing network capacity in ad hoc networks. In this paper, we present a practical realization of this approach that does not rely on distance estimation. Instead, the protocols presented in this paper leverage a feature typical of current wireless cards, namely that discrete power levels can be used for transmission. Ours are the first discrete-power-level protocols that do not require changing the power level on a per-packet basis. We demonstrate, through simulation, that the excellent performance of neighborhood-based topology control is maintained in this more practical setting. We also show that significant energy savings can be obtained if the power levels are optimized for topology control, rather than chosen in an ad hoc manner. Finally, we extend our approach to provide a neighborhood-based topology control protocol that is suitable for mobile networks

Predicting the Risks and Occurrence of Extratropical Cyclones

5th Workshop on European Storms: Impacts and Predictability; Bern, Switzerland, 31 August to 2 September 2015</jats:p

A spatial view of ensemble spread in convection permitting ensembles

With movement toward kilometer-scale ensembles, new techniques are needed for their characterization. A new methodology is presented for detailed spatial ensemble characterization using the fractions skill score (FSS). To evaluate spatial forecast differences, the average and standard deviation are taken of the FSS calculated over all ensemble member–member pairs at different scales and lead times. These methods were found to give important information about the ensemble behavior allowing the identification of useful spatial scales, spinup times for the model, and upscale growth of errors and forecast differences. The ensemble spread was found to be highly dependent on the spatial scales considered and the threshold applied to the field. High thresholds picked out localized and intense values that gave large temporal variability in ensemble spread: local processes and undersampling dominate for these thresholds. For lower thresholds the ensemble spread increases with time as differences between the ensemble members upscale. Two convective cases were investigated based on the Met Office United Model run at 2.2-km resolution. Different ensemble types were considered: ensembles produced using the Met Office Global and Regional Ensemble Prediction System (MOGREPS) and an ensemble produced using different model physics configurations. Comparison of the MOGREPS and multiphysics ensembles demonstrated the utility of spatial ensemble evaluation techniques for assessing the impact of different perturbation strategies and the need for assessing spread at different, believable, spatial scales

Protective Effect of Wheat Derived Non-specific lipid-transfer Protein 2 on Vascular Endothelium Inflammation

The important functions of the endothelium and the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and endothelial dysfunction suggest the primary role of this tissue as a target for dietary strategies aimed at the prevention from related diseases. Cereals are key component of a healthy and balanced diet, and the presence of non-specific lipid-transfer protein 2 (nsLTP2) in wheat represents an added value to contribute to maintain the functionality of the vascular endothelium and consequently of the cardiovascular system. Indeed, nsLTP2 downregulates the expression of the main cell adhesion molecules induced by a pro-inflammatory cytokine and, meanwhile, upregulates heme oxigenase-1, exerting a cytoprotective/anti-inflammatory activity. Therefore, nsLTP2 might represent a food-derived tool to protect the vascular system against several pathological condition

Comparison of the clinical usefulness of different urinary tests for the initial detection of bladder cancer: a systematic review

Objectives: The standard initial approach in patients with hematuria or other symptoms suggestive of bladder cancer (BC) is a combination of cystoscopy and urine cytology (UC); however, UC has low sensitivity particularly in low-grade tumors. The aim of the present review was to critically analyze and compare results in the literature of promising molecular urinary tests for the initial diagnosis of BC. Methods: We searched in the Medline and Cochrane Library databases for literature from January 2009 to January 2019, following the PRISMAguidelines. Results: In terms of sensitivity, ImmunoCyt showed the highest mean and median value, higher than UC. All tests analyses showed higher mean and median sensitivity when compared with UC. In terms of specificity, only UroVysion and Microsatellite analyses showed mean and median values similar to those of UC, whereas for all other tests, the specificity was lower than UC. It is evident that the sensitivity of UC is particularly low in low grade BC. Urinary tests mainly had improved sensitivity when compared to UC, and ImmunoCyt and UroVysion had the highest improvement in low grade tumors. Conclusions: Most of the proposed molecular markers were able to improve the sensitivity with similar or lower specificity when compared to UC. However, variability of results among the different studies was strong. Thus, as of now, none of these markers presented evidences so as to be accepted by international guidelines for diagnosis of BC

The role of ceus in the evaluation of thyroid cancer : From diagnosis to local staging

Publisher Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Ultrasound often represents the first diagnostic step for thyroid nodule evaluation in clinical practice, but baseline US alone is not always effective enough to achieve thyroid nodule characterization. In the last decades new ultrasound techniques, such as CEUS, have been introduced to evaluate thyroid parenchyma as recommended by EFSUMB guidelines, for use in clinical research field, although its role is not yet clear. Several papers show the potential utility of CEUS in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules and in the analysis of lymph node involvement in neoplastic pathology. Therefore, we carried out an evaluation of the literature concerning the role of CEUS in three specific areas: the characterization of the thyroid nodule, the evaluation of minimally invasive treatment and loco‐regional staging of the lymph node in proven thyroid cancer. According to evidence reported, CEUS can also play an operative role in nodular thyroid pathology as it is able to guide ablation procedures on thyroid nodule and metastatic lymph nodes, to assess the radicality of surgery, to evaluate disease relapse at the level of the margins of ablated regions and to monitor the clinical evolution of necrotic areas in immediate post‐treatment setting.publishersversionPeer reviewe