Data Lifetime Estimation in a Multicast-Based CoAP Proxy

In this work we consider kernel-based record lifetime estimation in a proactive Internet of Things (IoT) proxy with multicast based cache management. Multicast refreshment requests were based on lifetime expiration for a predefined number of records. To reduce the traffic volume in the IoT domain, we assume that only nodes where the observed physical variable has changed its value will respond to the multicast request. For estimating the data lifetime at the proxy, we use Gaussian kernels, assuming that the intrinsic data lifetime probability distribution was taken from Erlang-k family of sub-exponential distributions. In this setup, we consider that the proxy connects to the IoT domain using an IEEE 802.15.4-compatible wireless network. Results indicate that narrow and symmetrical lifetime probability distributions require more frequent multicasting refreshments compared to wider and asymmetric ones. This increases traffic intensity and energy consumption in IoT domain. We quantify finding with numerical results

Comparison of Feedback Influence on Ring Oscillator Performance for IR-UWB Pulse Generator in 0.13 μm and 0.18 μm CMOS Technologies

Part 20: Electronics: RF ApplicationsInternational audienceA CMOS three-stage ring oscillator is examined in UMC 0.13 μm and 0.18 μm technologies. The influence of PMOS transistor and resistor, as inverter feedbacks, on the ring oscillator frequency and the peak-to-peak amplitude is investigated in both technologies. Furthermore, as the ring oscillator usually drives a buffer in pulse generator/transmitter chain, dependence of its Figures of Merit on the buffer feedback is presented in the paper. Simulation results showed that the ring oscillator frequency is strongly dependent on the inverter feedback. The presented techniques can be used to increase (resistive feedback) and control (PMOS transistor feedback) the ring oscillator frequency. As the ring oscillator is a part of an IR-UWB (Impulse Radio Ultra Wide Band) pulse generator, its oscillating frequency determines the spectrum central frequency and has significant effect on spectrum fitting within UWB FCC mask

Preserved respiratory chain capacity and physiology in mice with profoundly reduced levels of mitochondrial respirasomes

The mammalian respiratory chain complexes I, III 2, and IV (CI, CIII 2, and CIV) are critical for cellular bioenergetics and form a stable assembly, the respirasome (CI-CIII 2-CIV), that is biochemically and structurally well documented. The role of the respirasome in bioenergetics and the regulation of metabolism is subject to intense debate and is difficult to study because the individual respiratory chain complexes coexist together with high levels of respirasomes. To critically investigate the in vivo role of the respirasome, we generated homozygous knockin mice that have normal levels of respiratory chain complexes but profoundly decreased levels of respirasomes. Surprisingly, the mutant mice are healthy, with preserved respiratory chain capacity and normal exercise performance. Our findings show that high levels of respirasomes are dispensable for maintaining bioenergetics and physiology in mice but raise questions about their alternate functions, such as those relating to the regulation of protein stability and prevention of age-associated protein aggregation

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Performance of Bluetooth Bridges in Scatternets with Exhaustive Service Scheduling

The performance of two Bluetooth piconets linked through a bridge device is analyzed using the tools of queueing theory. We analyze both the Master/Slave (MS) and Slave/Slave (SS) bridge topologies; in both cases, the piconet master polls its slaves according to the exhaustive scheduling policy. Analytical results are derived for the probability distribution of access delay (i.e., the time that a packet has to wait before being serviced) and end-to-end delay for both intra- and inter-piconet bursty traffic. SS bridge has been found to offer lower access delay and local end-to-end delay than its MS counterpart. MS bridge provides lower non-local end-to-end delay, due to the smaller number of hops (three, instead of four) for such traffic. All analytical results have been confirmed through simulations

On Bluetooth Piconet Traffic Performance

The performance of a single Bluetooth piconet is analyzed using the theory of M/G/1 queues with vacations. Analytical results for probability distributions of packet access time and service cycle time are derived. Two scheduling policies, limited and exhaustive service, are considered. In general, exhaustive scheduling was found to perform better than limited service. We also discuss the impact of an SCO link on piconet performance. All analytical results are confirmed through simulations

Adaptive Management of Bluetooth Slave/Slave Bridge

International audienceThis paper discusses the minimization of end-to-end delays in a small Bluetooth scatternet with a Slave/Slave bridge. We assume that both piconets operate under exhaustive scheduling policy, that slaves generate packet bursts, that burst arrivals follow Poisson distribution, and that the size of packet bursts follows geometric distribution. Using the theory of queues with vacations, we investigate the possibility of choosing scatternet parameters so as to minimize the aforementioned delays. We show that the minimization of delay should use the time interval between bridge exchanges in order to minimize inter-piconet traffic, since the intra-piconet traffic delay is less sensitive to the actual value of the time interval between bridge exchanges. Then, we present a load adaptive algorithm that would change this time dynamically, and show how the end-to-end delay is indeed minimized in this manner. Simulation results confirm that the algorithm is able to achieve minimum endto- end delay for inter-piconet traffic under a wide range of traffic loads