Hybrid Truck Platooning Network Design

The scope of this research is to benchmark the various parameters that affect the implementation of truck platoon concept and the quantification of (any) monetary savings under the assumption that technological advancements and new or updated infrastructure (e.g., dedicated truck corridors) will allow implementation. Cost savings considered in this research are easily verifiable as they are solely derived from driver compensation savings (i.e., fuel savings, emissions reduction, and insurance savings are not considered). At this direction, they are proposed two platoon scheduling problems. The initial mathematical model considers a restrictive case of truck platooning (a.k.a. Caravanning Network Problem), where all trucks must form caravans to reach the destination. Additionally, a hybrid truck platoon scheduling problem (a.k.a. Capacitated Hybrid Truck Platooning Network Problem) is developed, where a truck is given the option to not participate in a caravan and follow the traditional shortest origin-destination path. The proposed models further consider monetary penalties from truck late arrivals at the destinations. Multiple network instances are developed and used to evaluate the proposed models. Results indicate that significant cost savings can be achieved from the platooning network when compared to the shortest path origin-destination counterpart and suggest that the optimal hybrid truck platoon capacity is between four and six

Pre-Congestion Notification marking

Pre-Congestion Notification (PCN) builds on the concepts of RFC 3168, "The addition of Explicit Congestion Notification to IP". However, Pre-Congestion Notification aims at providing notification before any congestion actually occurs. Pre-Congestion Notification is applied to real-time flows (such as voice, video and multimedia streaming) in DiffServ networks. As described in [CL-DEPLOY], it enables "pre" congestion control through two procedures, flow admission control and flow pre-emption. The draft proposes algorithms that determine when a PCN-enabled router writes Admission Marking and Pre-emption Marking in a packet header, depending on the traffic level. The draft also proposes how to encode these markings. We present simulation results with PCN working in an edge-to-edge scenario using the marking algorithms described. Other marking algorithms will be investigated in the future

Pre-Congestion Notification marking

Pre-Congestion Notification (PCN) builds on the concepts of RFC 3168, "The addition of Explicit Congestion Notification to IP". However, Pre-Congestion Notification aims at providing notification before any congestion actually occurs. Pre-Congestion Notification is applied to \ud real-time flows (such as voice, video and multimedia streaming) in DiffServ networks. As described in [CL-DEPLOY], it enables "pre" congestion control through two procedures, flow admission control and flow pre-emption. The draft proposes algorithms that determine when a \ud PCN-enabled router writes Admission Marking and Pre-emption Marking in a packet header, depending on the traffic level. The draft also proposes how to encode these markings. We present simulation results with PCN working in an edge-to-edge scenario using the marking algorithms described. Other marking algorithms will be investigated in the future. \u

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome Associated with Oxaliplatin Use for Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

The posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) was first described by Hinchey’s group in 1996 as a reversible vasogenic brain edema on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Hypertension represents the most frequent manifestation associated with PRES. In the present report, we present a patient diagnosed with locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma who received 3 cycles of a 5-fluoruracil plus oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy regimen and developed PRES after the third cycle. Several days after receiving the second cycle of FOLFOX chemotherapy, the patient started having episodes of hypertensive crisis (systolic pressure = 180, diastolic pressure = 100), that was controlled with amlodipine, irbesartan, and hydrochlorothiazide. After the administration of the third cycle, this time with the FOLFIRINOX regimen, he appeared lethargic and disoriented in place and time. MRI revealed bilateral areas of signal hyperintensity in the thalamus, hypothalamus, fibers of reticular formation, anterior section of cerebral vermis and a mild edema of left parahippocampal gyrus, with no signs of brain metastases. Ultimately, the patient was diagnosed with PRES syndrome, and he was treated with glucose, 5% saline, thiamine supplementation, levetiracetam (Keppra®), and i.v. dexamethasone. Three weeks later, he gradually became conscious, with cognitive function recovery, and capable of executing movements

Association between Helicobacter pylori Infection and Nasal Polyps: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has definite or possible associations with multiple local and distant manifestations. H. pylori has been isolated from multiple sites throughout the body, including the nose. Clinical non-randomized studies with H. pylori report discrepant data regarding the association between H. pylori infection and nasal polyps. The aim of this first systematic review and meta-analysis was the assessment of the strength of the association between H. pylori infection and incidence of nasal polyps. METHODS We performed an electronic search in the three major medical databases, namely PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane, to extract and analyze data as per PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS Out of 57 articles, 12 studies were graded as good quality for analysis. Male-to-female ratio was 2:1, and age ranged between 17-78 years. The cumulative pooled rate of H. pylori infection in the nasal polyp group was 32.3% (controls 17.8%). The comparison between the two groups revealed a more significant incidence of H. pylori infection among the nasal polyp group (OR 4.12), though with high heterogeneity I$^{2}$ = 66%. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that in European studies, the prevalence of H. pylori infection among the nasal polyp group was significantly higher than in controls, yielding null heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis based on immunohistochemistry resulted in null heterogeneity with preserving a statistically significant difference in H. pylori infection prevalence between the groups. CONCLUSION The present study revealed a positive association between H. pylori infection and nasal polyps

An edge-to-edge Deployment Model for Pre-Congestion Notification: Admission Control over a DiffServ Region

This document describes a deployment model for pre-congestion notification (PCN) operating in a large DiffServ-based region of the Internet. PCN-based admission control protects the quality of service of existing flows in normal circumstances, whilst if necessary (eg after a large failure) pre-emption of some flows preserves the quality of service of the remaining flows. Each link has a configured-admission-rate and a configured-pre-emption-rate, and a router marks packets that exceed these rates. Hence routers give an early warning of their own potential congestion, before packets need to be dropped. Gateways around the edges of the PCN-region convert measurements of packet rates and their markings into decisions about whether to admit new flows, and (if necessary) into the rate of excess traffic that should be pre-empted. Per-flow admission states are kept at the gateways only, while the PCN markers that are required for all routers operate on the aggregate traffic - hence there is no scalability impact on interior routers

Real-Time In Vivo Imaging of Early Mucosal Changes during Ischemia-Reperfusion in Human Jejunum

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Small intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) is a frequent, potentially life threatening phenomenon. There is a lack of non-invasive diagnostic modalities. For many intestinal diseases, visualizing the intestinal mucosa using endoscopy is gold standard. However, limited knowledge exists on small intestinal IR-induced, early mucosal changes. The aims of this study were to investigate endoscopic changes in human jejunum exposed to IR, and to study concordance between endoscopic appearance and histology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 23 patients a part of jejunum, to be removed for surgical reasons, was isolated and selectively exposed to ischemia with 0, 30 or 120 minutes of reperfusion. In 3 patients, a videocapsule was inserted in the isolated segment before exposure to IR, to visualize the mucosa. Endoscopic view at several time points was related to histology (Heamatoxylin & Eosin) obtained from 20 patients. RESULTS: Ischemia was characterized by loss of villous structure, mucosal whitening and appearance of punctate lesions. This was related to appearance of subepithelial spaces and breaches in the epithelial lining in the histological view. Early during reperfusion, the lumen filled with IR-damaged, shed cells and VCE showed mucosal erosions, hemorrhage and intraluminal debris. At 60 minutes of reperfusion, the only remaining signs of IR were loss of villous structure and small erosions, indicating rapid mucosal healing. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows a unique, real-time in vivo endoscopic view of early mucosal changes during IR of the human small intestine. Future studies should evaluate its usefulness in diagnosis of patients suspected of IR