Energy Consumption in Wireless Sensor Network

Energy is a limited resource in wireless sensor networks. In fact, the reduction of power consumption is crucial to increase the lifetime of low power sensor networks. Wireless sensor networks consist of small, autonomous devices with wireless networking capabilities. In order to further increase the applicability in real world applications, minimizing power consumption is one of the most critical issues. Therefore, accurate power model is required for the evaluation of wireless sensor networks. To estimate the lifetime of sensor node, the energy characteristics of sensor node are measured. Research in this area has been growing in the past few years given the wide range of applications that can benefit from such a technology. Based on the proposed model, the estimated lifetime of a battery powered sensor node can be increased significantly. Keywords—Sensor, Wireless Sensor Network, Energy Consumptio

Identity-Based Blind Signature Scheme with Message Recovery

Blind signature allows a user to obtain a signature on a message without revealing anything about the message to the signer. Blind signatures play an important role in many real world applications such as e-voting, e-cash system where anonymity is of great concern. Due to the rapid growth in popularity of both wireless communications and mobile devices, the design of secure schemes with low-bandwidth capability is an important research issue. In this paper, we present a new blind signature scheme with message recovery in the ID-based setting using bilinear pairings over elliptic curves. The proposed scheme is unforgeable with the assumption that the Computational Diffie-Hellman problem is hard. We compare our scheme with the related schemes in terms of computational and communicational point of view

Distinct and shared gene expression for human innate versus adaptive helper lymphoid cells

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are the latest identified innate immune cell family. Given their similarity in transcription factor expression and cytokine secretion profiles, ILCs have been considered as the innate phenocopy of CD4 Th cells. Here, we explored the transcriptome of circulating human ILC subsets as opposed to CD4 Th cell subsets. We describe transcriptomic differences between total ILCs and total CD4 Th cells, as well as between paired innate and adaptive cell subsets (ILC1 vs. Th1; ILC2 vs. Th2; and ILC3 vs. Th17 cells). In particular, we observed differences in expression of genes involved in cell trafficking such as CCR1, CCR6 and CXCR3, innate activation and inhibitory functions, including CD119, 2B4, TIGIT, and CTLA-4, and neuropeptide receptors, such as VIPR2. Moreover, we report for the first time on distinct expression of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in innate vs. adaptive cells, arguing for a potential role of lncRNA in shaping human ILC biology. Altogether, our results point for unique, rather than redundant gene organization in ILCs compared to CD4 Th cells, in regard to kinetics, fine-tuning and spatial organization of the immune response

Analyzing the Environmental Impacts and Potential Health Challenges Resulting From Artisanal Gold Mining in Shango Area of Minna, North-Central, Nigeria

The environmental impact and potential health challenges resulting from artisanal mining in Shango area of Minna, North Central Nigeria was put into perspective. The methodology adopted for the research includes field work and laboratory analysis. Results of field observation reveal that mining activity resulted in physical environmental impact such as land degradation, destruction of vegetation, erosion of soils and degrading water quality. Results from the laboratory analyses show that soils are contaminated with elements such as Cu (27.7ppm), Cd (0.6 ppm), Hg (0.62 ppm) and Ag (0.35 ppm) and generally show high status when compared to published standard for upper continental crust. While, Zn (14.8ppm), Ni (7.17ppm), Mn (207ppm), Pb (0.58ppm), As (0.4ppm), Co (0.55ppm), Mo (0.16ppm), and Zr (129.8ppm) are rated low in line with the published standard; other determined elements such as Cr (37.8ppm), Fe (31.1ppm) and Au (0.2ppm) are high. These elements can easily be absorbed by plants and subsequently accumulate in their tissues. When such plants are eventually eaten by man, it may lead to different health problems such as slow growth rate, liver and kidney problem. High concentration of these elements in plant tissues may causes different problems

Combined CO & Dust Scaling Relations of Depletion Time and Molecular Gas Fractions with Cosmic Time, Specific Star Formation Rate and Stellar Mass

We combine molecular gas masses inferred from CO emission in 500 star forming galaxies (SFGs) between z=0 and 3, from the IRAM-COLDGASS, PHIBSS1/2 and other surveys, with gas masses derived from Herschel far-IR dust measurements in 512 galaxy stacks over the same stellar mass/redshift range. We constrain the scaling relations of molecular gas depletion time scale (tdepl) and gas to stellar mass ratio (Mmolgas/M*) of SFGs near the star formation main-sequence with redshift, specific star formation rate (sSFR) and stellar mass (M*). The CO- and dust-based scaling relations agree remarkably well. This suggests that the CO-H2 mass conversion factor varies little within 0.6dex of the main sequence (sSFR(ms,z,M*)), and less than 0.3dex throughout this redshift range. This study builds on and strengthens the results of earlier work. We find that tdepl scales as (1+z)^-0.3 *(sSFR/sSFR(ms,z,M*))^-0.5, with little dependence on M*. The resulting steep redshift dependence of Mmolgas/M* ~(1+z)^3 mirrors that of the sSFR and probably reflects the gas supply rate. The decreasing gas fractions at high M* are driven by the flattening of the SFR-M* relation. Throughout the redshift range probed a larger sSFR at constant M* is due to a combination of an increasing gas fraction and a decreasing depletion time scale. As a result galaxy integrated samples of the Mmolgas-SFR rate relation exhibit a super-linear slope, which increases with the range of sSFR. With these new relations it is now possible to determine Mmolgas with an accuracy of 0.1dex in relative terms, and 0.2dex including systematic uncertainties.Comment: ApJ accepte

Straighten your back! Self-correction posture and postural balance in 'non rehabilitative instructed' multiple sclerosis patients

BACKGROUD: Patients with MS, regardless of the complexity of the activity or sensory conditions, commonly present a significant postural control deficit compared to healthy subjects. OBJECTIVE: To investigate which postural self-correction strategies are adopted by patients with Multiple Sclerosis versus a group of healthy-subjects and how self-correction can influence the control of postural balance. METHODS: A case-control prospective observational study was conducted. Person with Multiple Sclerosis and a group of healthy volunteers were enrolled. Patients included were instructed with vocal commands, to reach a self-correction posture, and they were compared to healthy subjects. Clinical assessments including Balance, Stabilometry and Postural evaluation of the spine were performed. RESULTS: Sixty patients (30: control-group; 30: treatment-group) were enrolled. In the treatment group, the analysis reported a significant statistical difference between path length and center of pressure speed in self-correction posture with closed-eyes (p=0,049; 0,047) and an improvement in C7 and L3 levels in self-correction posture (p<0,01-C7; p<0,01-L3). There are significant statistical differences about path length between the two groups in all examined conditions (p=0,0001). At sagittal plane evaluation, results show an increase of all measurements in both posture (C7-neutral posture p=0,0001; L3-neutral posture p=0,0001; C7-self-correction posture p=0,0001; L3-self-correction posture p=0,0001). CONCLUSION: Further study should investigate dynamic situations and different Multiple Sclerosis forms to complete balance analysis and to establish a correct rehabilitative program with self-correction exercise as powerful focus

Gadolinium tissue deposition in the periodontal ligament of mice with reduced renal function exposed to Gd-based contrast agents

Gadolinium deposition in tissue is linked to nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF): a rare disorder occurring in patients with severe chronic kidney disease and associated with administration of Gd-based contrast agents (GBCAs) for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). It is suggested that the GBCAs prolonged permanence in blood in these patients may result in a Gd precipitation in peripheral or central organs, where it initiates a fibrotic process. In this study we investigated new sites of retention/precipitation of Gd in a mouse model of renal disease (5/6 nephrectomy) receiving two doses (closely after each other) of a linear GBCA. Two commercial GBCAs (Omniscan\uae and Magnevist\uae) were administered at doses slightly higher than those used in clinical practice (0.7 mmol/kg body weight, each). The animals were sacrificed one month after the last administration and the explanted organs (kidney, liver, femur, dorsal skin, teeth) were analysed by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) at two synchrotron facilities. The XRF analysis with a millimetre-sized beam at the SYRMEP beamline (Elettra, Italy) produced no detectable levels of Gd in the examined tissues, with the notable exception of the incisors of the nephrectomised mice. The XRF analyses at sub-micron resolution performed at ID21 (ESRF, France) allowed to clearly localize Gd in the periodontal ligaments of teeth both from Omniscan\uae and Magnevist\uae treated nephrectomised mice. The latter results were further confirmed by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The study prompts that prolonged permanence of GBCAs in blood may result in Gd retention in this particular muscular tissue, opening possibilities for diagnostic applications at this level when investigating Gd-related toxicities

Characterization of the structure and control of the blood-nerve barrier identifies avenues for therapeutic delivery

The blood barriers of the nervous system protect neural environments but can hinder therapeutic accessibility. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is well characterized, consisting of endothelial cells with specialized tight junctions and low levels of transcytosis, properties conferred by contacting pericytes and astrocytes. In contrast, the blood-nerve barrier (BNB) of the peripheral nervous system is poorly defined. Here, we characterize the structure of the mammalian BNB, identify the processes that confer barrier function, and demonstrate how the barrier can be opened in response to injury. The homeostatic BNB is leakier than the BBB, which we show is due to higher levels of transcytosis. However, the barrier is reinforced by macrophages that specifically engulf leaked materials, identifying a role for resident macrophages as an important component of the BNB. Finally, we demonstrate the exploitation of these processes to effectively deliver RNA-targeting therapeutics to peripheral nerves, indicating new treatment approaches for nervous system pathologies

ABC-tool reinvented: development of a disease-specific 'Assessment of Burden of Chronic Conditions (ABCC)-tool' for multiple chronic conditions

BACKGROUND: Numerous instruments have been developed to assess patient reported outcomes; most approaches however focus on a single condition. With the increasing prevalence of multimorbidity, this might no longer be appropriate. Moreover, a more comprehensive approach that facilitates shared decision making and stimulates self-management is most likely more valuable for clinical practice than a questionnaire alone. This study aims to transform the Assessment of Burden of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (ABC)-tool into the Assessment of Burden of Chronic Conditions (ABCC)-tool for COPD, asthma, and diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2). The tool consists of a scale, a visualisation of the outcomes, and treatment advice. METHODS: Requirements for the tool were formulated. Questionnaires were developed based on a literature study of existing questionnaires, clinical guidelines, interviews with patients and healthcare providers, and input from an expert group. Cut-off points and treatment advice were determined to display the results and to provide practical recommendations. RESULTS: The ABCC-scale consists of a generic questionnaire and disease-specific questionnaires, which can be combined into a single individualized questionnaire for each patient. Results are displayed in one balloon chart, and each domain includes practical recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: The ABCC-tool is expected to facilitate conversations between a patient and a healthcare provider, and to help formulate treatment plans and care plans with personalised goals. By facilitating an integrated approach, this instrument can be applied in a variety of circumstances and disease combinations

Analysis of bi-atrial function using CMR feature tracking and long-axis shortening approaches in patients with diastolic dysfunction and atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVES Atrial function can be assessed using advancing cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) post-processing methods: atrial feature tracking (FT) strain analysis or a long-axis shortening (LAS) technique. This study aimed to first compare the two FT and LAS techniques in healthy individuals and cardiovascular patients and then investigated how left (LA) and right atrial (RA) measurements are related to the severity of diastolic dysfunction or atrial fibrillation. METHODS Sixty healthy controls and 90 cardiovascular disease patients with coronary artery disease, heart failure, or atrial fibrillation, underwent CMR. LA and RA were analyzed for standard volumetry as well as for myocardial deformation using FT and LAS for the different functional phases (reservoir, conduit, booster). Additionally, ventricular shortening and valve excursion measurements were assessed with the LAS module. RESULTS The measurements for each of the LA and RA phases were correlated (p < 0.05) between the two approaches, with the highest correlation coefficients occurring in the reservoir phase (LA: r = 0.83, p < 0.01, RA: r = 0.66, p < 0.01). Both methods demonstrated reduced LA (FT: 26 ± 13% vs 48 ± 12%, LAS: 25 ± 11% vs 42 ± 8%, p < 0.01) and RA reservoir function (FT: 28 ± 15% vs 42 ± 15%, LAS: 27 ± 12% vs 42 ± 10%, p < 0.01) in patients compared to controls. Atrial LAS and FT decreased with diastolic dysfunction and atrial fibrillation. This mirrored ventricular dysfunction measurements. CONCLUSION Similar results were generated for bi-atrial function measurements between two CMR post-processing approaches of FT and LAS. Moreover, these methods allowed for the assessment of incremental deterioration of LA and RA function with increasing left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and atrial fibrillation. A CMR-based analysis of bi-atrial strain or shortening discriminates patients with early-stage diastolic dysfunction prior to the presence of compromised atrial and ventricular ejection fractions that occur with late-stage diastolic dysfunction and atrial fibrillation. KEY POINTS • Assessing right and left atrial function with CMR feature tracking or long-axis shortening techniques yields similar measurements and could potentially be used interchangeably based on the software capabilities of individual sites. • Atrial deformation and/or long-axis shortening allow for early detection of subtle atrial myopathy in diastolic dysfunction, even when atrial enlargement is not yet apparent. • Using a CMR-based analysis to understand the individual atrial-ventricular interaction in addition to tissue characteristics allows for a comprehensive interrogation of all four heart chambers. In patients, this could add clinically meaningful information and potentially allow for optimal therapies to be chosen to better target the dysfunction