RBCP-WSN: The Reliable Biderectional Control Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks

This paper presents the Reliable Bidirectional Control Protocol (RBCP) protocol, which is a transport protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN), focused on managing sensors’ behaviour. It aims to be a utility for reliable control data transferring from source to destination unit in the network. Considering the related studies on transport protocols, which are mostly dedicated to a single-direction reliable data transport, RBCP is the answer for the lack of control mechanisms in WSNs based on bidirectional communication. The first part of this paper is focused on general presentation of the proposed solution. In the next part, evaluation of the idea and final functionality are discussed. It will finally show the results of undergone testing stage

The channel for hidden data transmission in WSN

This paper describes an idea and realisation of hidden data transmision using Tiny Aggregation Covert Channel (TAGCC)in Wireless Sensor Networks. Our solution uses data aggregation mechanism called Tiny Aggregation (TAG). The protocol is based on idea of hidden messages sending without generate additional data packets and encryption. The paper describes details of proposed algorithm and simulation results obtained during testing of the sensor networks with hidden channel TAGCC

Home parenteral nutrition a life-saving therapy in a primary intestinal lymphangiectasia patient affecting the entire GI tract - 3 year follow-up case report

Introduction and Importance: Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia (PIL) is a rare protein-losing gastroenteropathy of unknown etiology, characterized by impaired lymphatic vessels drainage. The pathological changes in PIL result in usually localized or diffuse dilatation of intestinal lacteals, leading to leakage of lymphatic fluid rich of proteins, lymphocytes, and immunoglobulins into the intestinal lumen. PIL may be asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic in moderate forms of the disease. In some patients, though, the outcome may be poor or even life-threatening. This case report demonstrates the severity of protein malnutrition, in some cases, and the extent of GI tract affected, requiring to start PN early and the need for its continuation as home parenteral nutrition (HPN). Case presentation: We present a case of 39-year-old male with Factor V Leiden deficiency, who presented initially with symptoms of malnutrition and anasarca. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological findings pathognomonic for PIL from biopsies of the stomach, small intestine and colon. Clinical discussion: The patient was started on low fat, high protein parenteral nutrition from the beginning of the treatment and required a long-term HPN for 3 years, because trials of tapering off and discontinuation of PN led to worsening of the biochemical results and recurrence of symptoms. Patient gradually improved and stabilized with persistent nutritional support. Conclusions: The presented case report shows the magnitude of nutritional support (HPN) needed for severe PIL patients. HPN offers PIL patients with poor outcome and life-threatening complications a chance to improve and lead a normal life

Usefulness of Endoscopic Indices in Determination of Disease Activity in Patients with Crohn’s Disease

Background. Assessment of endoscopic activity of Crohn’s disease (CD) is of growing importance both in clinical practice and in clinical trials. The study aimed to assess which of the endoscopic indices used for evaluation of mucosal changes correlates with the currently used clinical indices for determination of disease activity and with the results of histopathological examination. Study. A group of 71 patients with CD and 52 individuals without a diagnosis of GI tract disease as a control group were investigated, considering clinical and histological severity of the disease and the severity of inflammatory changes in the bowel. Evaluation was conducted with the use of clinical, endoscopic, and histopathological indices. Endoscopic indices were then correlated with different clinical and histopathological indices with the aim of finding the strongest correlations. Results and Conclusions. Correlation between the clinical disease activity and the severity of endoscopic lesions in CD was shown in this study to be poor. The results also indicate that the optimal endoscopic index used in the diagnostic stage and in the assessment of treatment effects in CD is Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn’s Disease (SES-CD)

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Księga poświęcona Profesorowi Hieronimowi Kubiakowi w 75. rocznicę urodzin. Tom ofiarowany przez przyjaciół i uczniów

Why Are Outcomes Different for Registry Patients Enrolled Prospectively and Retrospectively? Insights from the Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF).

Background: Retrospective and prospective observational studies are designed to reflect real-world evidence on clinical practice, but can yield conflicting results. The GARFIELD-AF Registry includes both methods of enrolment and allows analysis of differences in patient characteristics and outcomes that may result. Methods and Results: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and ≥1 risk factor for stroke at diagnosis of AF were recruited either retrospectively (n = 5069) or prospectively (n = 5501) from 19 countries and then followed prospectively. The retrospectively enrolled cohort comprised patients with established AF (for a least 6, and up to 24 months before enrolment), who were identified retrospectively (and baseline and partial follow-up data were collected from the emedical records) and then followed prospectively between 0-18 months (such that the total time of follow-up was 24 months; data collection Dec-2009 and Oct-2010). In the prospectively enrolled cohort, patients with newly diagnosed AF (≤6 weeks after diagnosis) were recruited between Mar-2010 and Oct-2011 and were followed for 24 months after enrolment. Differences between the cohorts were observed in clinical characteristics, including type of AF, stroke prevention strategies, and event rates. More patients in the retrospectively identified cohort received vitamin K antagonists (62.1% vs. 53.2%) and fewer received non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (1.8% vs . 4.2%). All-cause mortality rates per 100 person-years during the prospective follow-up (starting the first study visit up to 1 year) were significantly lower in the retrospective than prospectively identified cohort (3.04 [95% CI 2.51 to 3.67] vs . 4.05 [95% CI 3.53 to 4.63]; p = 0.016). Conclusions: Interpretations of data from registries that aim to evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of patients with AF must take account of differences in registry design and the impact of recall bias and survivorship bias that is incurred with retrospective enrolment. Clinical Trial Registration: - URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier for GARFIELD-AF (NCT01090362)

Risk profiles and one-year outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in India: Insights from the GARFIELD-AF Registry.

BACKGROUND: The Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF) is an ongoing prospective noninterventional registry, which is providing important information on the baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and 1-year outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). This report describes data from Indian patients recruited in this registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 52,014 patients with newly diagnosed AF were enrolled globally; of these, 1388 patients were recruited from 26 sites within India (2012-2016). In India, the mean age was 65.8 years at diagnosis of NVAF. Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor for AF, present in 68.5% of patients from India and in 76.3% of patients globally (P < 0.001). Diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) were prevalent in 36.2% and 28.1% of patients as compared with global prevalence of 22.2% and 21.6%, respectively (P < 0.001 for both). Antiplatelet therapy was the most common antithrombotic treatment in India. With increasing stroke risk, however, patients were more likely to receive oral anticoagulant therapy [mainly vitamin K antagonist (VKA)], but average international normalized ratio (INR) was lower among Indian patients [median INR value 1.6 (interquartile range {IQR}: 1.3-2.3) versus 2.3 (IQR 1.8-2.8) (P < 0.001)]. Compared with other countries, patients from India had markedly higher rates of all-cause mortality [7.68 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval 6.32-9.35) vs 4.34 (4.16-4.53), P < 0.0001], while rates of stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding were lower after 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Compared to previously published registries from India, the GARFIELD-AF registry describes clinical profiles and outcomes in Indian patients with AF of a different etiology. The registry data show that compared to the rest of the world, Indian AF patients are younger in age and have more diabetes and CAD. Patients with a higher stroke risk are more likely to receive anticoagulation therapy with VKA but are underdosed compared with the global average in the GARFIELD-AF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION-URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01090362

Analiza wybranych elementów gospodarki Ghany w latach 2005-2011

W artykule skupiono się na analizie gospodarki Ghany w latach 2005 – 2011. Głównymi obszarami badań były: struktura PKB oraz wymiana handlowa z zagranicą. Analizując wymianę handlową zajęto się głównie strukturą przedmiotową eksportu i importu oraz najważniejszymi partnerami handlowymi. W artykule wskazano również czynniki dzięki, którym Ghana znalazła się w gronie najszybciej rozwijających się gospodarek świata w 2011 roku. W ostatniej części zaprezentowano mocne i słabe strony gospodarki. Szczególne miejsce w analizie poświęcono ropie naftowej oraz wpływie rozpoczęcia jej eksploatacji na różne sfery gospodarki. Zwrócono również uwagę na wzrost zaangażowania Chin w Ghanie, realizujących swoją politykę surowcową.Ghana, country in western Africa, former British colony, is one of the top–ten fastest growing economies in the world, and the fastest growing economy in Africa.Oil production at Ghana's offshore field began in mid-December, 2010, and it caused boost economic growth.Ghana is rich in natural resources, including gold, diamonds, manganese ore, and bauxite, and has significant oil reserves. Further, Ghana is the world’s second-largest producer of cocoa. Ghana’s strengths are: Political and institutional stability, considerable agricultural (cocoa) and mineral (oil, gold) resources, Support of financial backers (United Kingdom, USA, China) and the International Monetary Fund. But there is also a lot of weaknesses, such as: proximity to weak Ivory Coast, dependence on cocoa, gold and, now, oil (little diversification), inadequate transport and energy infrastructures. But new investments in infrastructure and capital from China should sustain growth in the near decade

Zużycie powłoki samosmarującej podczas testu poślizgu kuli po tarczy

In present paper we show results of ball-on-disk wear experiment of MoS2 film deposited on Ti6Al4V substrate. The ball material is aluminium oxide. The tests are performed for different surrounding temperature conditions: 20°C, 200°C and 350°C. It is shown that depth of the wear groove increases with increasing surrounding temperature. A finite element modelling approach is next developed to mimic the experimental observations of ball-on-disk wear process. It is based on the assumption of steady state condition developed during short time scale at contact region. The steady state results can next be applied to long time scale in which wear process is numerically simulated. Model results are compared with experimentally obtained wear groove and show satisfactory agreement.Artykuł prezentuje wyniki testu zużycia powłoki samosmarującej MoS2 nałożonej na podłoże wykonane z materiału Ti6AI4V. Powłoka obciążona jest kulką szafirową w ruchu rotacyjnym. Badania wykonano w trzech różnych temperaturach otoczenia: 20°C, 200°C oraz 350°C. Wykazano, że głębokość rowka zużyciowego wzrasta wraz ze wzrostem temperatury otoczenia. Zaproponowano model metody elementów skończonych za pomocą którego zasymulowany został proces zużycia warstwy. Punktem wyjścia dla tej części pracy było założenie stanu ustalonego, powstającego w obszarze kontaktu pomiędzy kulą a warstwą. Warunki odpowiadające temu stanowi przyjęto do matematycznego opisu procesu zużycia z wykorzystaniem równań Archarda. Na zakończenie eksperymentalny profil zużycia porównany został z wynikami otrzymanymi metodą elementów skończonych