BIG DATA IN SMART CITIES: A SYSTEMATIC MAPPING REVIEW

Big data is an emerging area of research and its prospective applications in smart cities are extensively recognized. In this study, we provide a breadth-first review of the domain “Big Data in Smart Cities” by applying the formal research method of systematic mapping. We investigated the primary sources of publication, research growth, maturity level of the research area, prominent research themes, type of analytics applied, and the areas of smart cities where big data research is produced. Consequently, we identified that empirical research in the domain has been progressing since 2013. The IEEE Access journal and IEEE Smart Cities Conference are the leading sources of literature containing 10.34% and 13.88% of the publications, respectively. The current state of the research is semi-matured where research type of 46.15% of the publications is solution and experience, and contribution type of 60% of the publications is architecture, platform, and framework. Prescriptive is least whereas predictive is the most applied type of analytics in smart cities as it has been stated in 43.08% of the publications. Overall, 33.85%, 21.54%, 13.85%, 12.31%, 7.69%, 6.15%, and 4.61% of the research produced in the domain focused on smart transportation, smart environment, smart governance, smart healthcare, smart energy, smart education, and smart safety, respectively. Besides the requirement for producing validation and evaluation research in the areas of smart transportation and smart environment, there is a need for more research efforts in the areas of smart healthcare, smart governance, smart safety, smart education, and smart energy. Furthermore, the potential of prescriptive analytics in smart cities is also an area of research that needs to be explored

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Assessment of Fe3+ Inclusion Complex of p-tert-Butylcalix[4]arene Diamide Derivative

Present study deals with the synthesis of the p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene diamide derivative as ligand (L) and its Fe3+ complex, followed by its characterization using TLC and FT-IR, while UV-Vis and Job’s plot study were performed for complex formation. Antimicrobial activity of the derivative (L) and its metal complex was carried out by the disc diffusion method against bacteria (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus albus) and fungi (R. stolonifer). Different concentrations of the derivative (L) (6, 3, 1.5, 0.75, and 0.37 μg/mL) and its Fe3+ complex were prepared, and Mueller–Hinton agar was used as the medium for the growth of microorganisms. Six successive dilutions of the derivative (L) and Fe3+ complex were used against microorganisms. Two successive dilutions (6 and 3 μg/mL) of the derivative (L) showed antibacterial action against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In addition, three successive dilutions (6, 3, and 1.5 μg/mL) of the derivative (L) showed antifungal activity. However, all of six dilutions of the Fe3+ complex showed antimicrobial activity. Derivative (L) showed 3 and 1.5 μg/mL minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against bacteria and fungi, respectively. On the contrary, its Fe3+ complex showed 0.37 μg/mL value of MIC against bacteria and fungi. Hence, Fe3+ complex of the derivative (L) was found to be a more effective antimicrobial agent against selected bacteria and fungi than the diamide derivative (L)

Novel VPS13B Mutations in Three Large Pakistani Cohen Syndrome Families Suggests a Baloch Variant with Autistic-Like Features

Abstract Background Cohen Syndrome (COH1) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder, principally identified by ocular, neural and muscular deficits. We identified three large consanguineous Pakistani families with intellectual disability and in some cases with autistic traits. Methods Clinical assessments were performed in order to allow comparison of clinical features with other VPS13B mutations. Homozygosity mapping followed by whole exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing strategies were used to identify disease-related mutations. Results We identified two novel homozygous deletion mutations in VPS13B, firstly a 1 bp deletion, NM_017890.4:c.6879delT; p.Phe2293Leufs*24, and secondly a deletion of exons 37-40, which co-segregate with affected status. In addition to COH1-related traits, autistic features were reported in a number of family members, contrasting with the “friendly” demeanour often associated with COH1. The c.6879delT mutation is present in two families from different regions of the country, but both from the Baloch sub-ethnic group, and with a shared haplotype, indicating a founder effect among the Baloch population. Conclusion We suspect that the c.6879delT mutation may be a common cause of COH1 and similar phenotypes among the Baloch population. Additionally, most of the individuals with the c.6879delT mutation in these two families also present with autistic like traits, and suggests that this variant may lead to a distinct autistic-like COH1 subgroup

Novel VPS13B Mutations in Three Large Pakistani Cohen Syndrome Families Suggests a Baloch Variant with Autistic-Like Features

BACKGROUND: Cohen Syndrome (COH1) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder, principally identified by ocular, neural and muscular deficits. We identified three large consanguineous Pakistani families with intellectual disability and in some cases with autistic traits. METHODS: Clinical assessments were performed in order to allow comparison of clinical features with other VPS13B mutations. Homozygosity mapping followed by whole exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing strategies were used to identify disease-related mutations. RESULTS: We identified two novel homozygous deletion mutations in VPS13B, firstly a 1 bp deletion, NM_017890.4:c.6879delT; p.Phe2293Leufs*24, and secondly a deletion of exons 37-40, which co-segregate with affected status. In addition to COH1-related traits, autistic features were reported in a number of family members, contrasting with the “friendly” demeanour often associated with COH1. The c.6879delT mutation is present in two families from different regions of the country, but both from the Baloch sub-ethnic group, and with a shared haplotype, indicating a founder effect among the Baloch population. CONCLUSION: We suspect that the c.6879delT mutation may be a common cause of COH1 and similar phenotypes among the Baloch population. Additionally, most of the individuals with the c.6879delT mutation in these two families also present with autistic like traits, and suggests that this variant may lead to a distinct autistic-like COH1 subgroup. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12881-015-0183-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Geoeconomic variations in epidemiology, ventilation management, and outcomes in invasively ventilated intensive care unit patients without acute respiratory distress syndrome: a pooled analysis of four observational studies

Background: Geoeconomic variations in epidemiology, the practice of ventilation, and outcome in invasively ventilated intensive care unit (ICU) patients without acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remain unexplored. In this analysis we aim to address these gaps using individual patient data of four large observational studies. Methods: In this pooled analysis we harmonised individual patient data from the ERICC, LUNG SAFE, PRoVENT, and PRoVENT-iMiC prospective observational studies, which were conducted from June, 2011, to December, 2018, in 534 ICUs in 54 countries. We used the 2016 World Bank classification to define two geoeconomic regions: middle-income countries (MICs) and high-income countries (HICs). ARDS was defined according to the Berlin criteria. Descriptive statistics were used to compare patients in MICs versus HICs. The primary outcome was the use of low tidal volume ventilation (LTVV) for the first 3 days of mechanical ventilation. Secondary outcomes were key ventilation parameters (tidal volume size, positive end-expiratory pressure, fraction of inspired oxygen, peak pressure, plateau pressure, driving pressure, and respiratory rate), patient characteristics, the risk for and actual development of acute respiratory distress syndrome after the first day of ventilation, duration of ventilation, ICU length of stay, and ICU mortality. Findings: Of the 7608 patients included in the original studies, this analysis included 3852 patients without ARDS, of whom 2345 were from MICs and 1507 were from HICs. Patients in MICs were younger, shorter and with a slightly lower body-mass index, more often had diabetes and active cancer, but less often chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure than patients from HICs. Sequential organ failure assessment scores were similar in MICs and HICs. Use of LTVV in MICs and HICs was comparable (42·4% vs 44·2%; absolute difference -1·69 [-9·58 to 6·11] p=0·67; data available in 3174 [82%] of 3852 patients). The median applied positive end expiratory pressure was lower in MICs than in HICs (5 [IQR 5-8] vs 6 [5-8] cm H2O; p=0·0011). ICU mortality was higher in MICs than in HICs (30·5% vs 19·9%; p=0·0004; adjusted effect 16·41% [95% CI 9·52-23·52]; p<0·0001) and was inversely associated with gross domestic product (adjusted odds ratio for a US$10 000 increase per capita 0·80 [95% CI 0·75-0·86]; p<0·0001). Interpretation: Despite similar disease severity and ventilation management, ICU mortality in patients without ARDS is higher in MICs than in HICs, with a strong association with country-level economic status