A Chemistry-Inspired Framework for Achieving Consensus in Wireless Sensor Networks

The aim of this paper is to show how simple interaction mechanisms, inspired by chemical systems, can provide the basic tools to design and analyze a mathematical model for achieving consensus in wireless sensor networks, characterized by balanced directed graphs. The convergence and stability of the model are first proven by using new mathematical tools, which are borrowed directly from chemical theory, and then validated by means of simulation results, for different network topologies and number of sensors. The underlying chemical theory is also used to derive simple interaction rules that may account for practical issues, such as the estimation of the number of neighbors and the robustness against perturbations. Finally, the proposed chemical solution is validated under real-world conditions by means of a four-node hardware implementation where the exchange of information among nodes takes place in a distributed manner (with no need for any admission control and synchronism procedure), simply relying on the transmission of a pulse whose rate is proportional to the state of each sensor.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figures, submitted to IEEE Sensors Journa

Fertilitätsprotektion bei Krebspatientinnen: Die psychologische Dimension

Zusammenfassung: Krebsbehandlungen führen nicht selten zu einer Beeinträchtigung der Fruchtbarkeit. Für die weitere Lebensperspektive vieler junger Krebspatientinnen wäre es deshalb von großer Bedeutung, wenn im entscheidenden Moment Maßnahmen zur Erhaltung ihrer Fruchtbarkeit getroffen würden. Die Entscheidung für oder gegen eine fruchtbarkeitserhaltende Maßnahme bedeutet jedoch eine zusätzliche Belastung für alle Beteiligten. Das enge Zeitfenster zwischen Diagnosestellung und Beginn der Krebsbehandlung bedingt, dass die Entscheidung unter beträchtlichem Zeitdruck gefällt werden muss und oft mit einem Chaos der Gefühle - von existenzieller Todesangst bis hin zu Hoffnung und Euphorie - verbunden ist. Wird den Patientinnen diese Möglichkeit aber nicht angeboten, kann die psychische Belastung, die durch den Verlust der Furchtbarkeit entstehen kann, möglicherweise ein Leben lang bestehen. Basierend auf den zur Verfügung stehenden Studienresultaten werden psychologische Aspekte im Zusammenhang mit der Fertilitätsprotektion bei jungen Krebspatientinnen dargelegt. Insbesondere wird auf den Stellenwert der Fruchtbarkeit, die Haltung gegenüber fruchtbarkeitserhaltenden Maßnahmen, auf Konflikte bei der Entscheidungsfindung und auf Unterstützungsmöglichkeiten eingegange

Self-Healing Protocol Implementations

Current studies on self-configuring and adaptive networks aim at developing specific and fixed protocols which are able to optimize their configuration in a variable network environment. In this talk we study the problem where the protocols need to cope with a defective execution, including the lossy execution or the injection of foreign code. One guiding question will be the creation of robust execution circuits which can distribute over a network and which continue their service despite parts of the implementation being knocked out. The ultimate goal is to enable protocol implementations to detect by themselves that they are malfunctioning and to let them correct their own operation mode and code base. As a show case, we present a protocol implementation which is robust against deletion (knock-out) of any single instruction, regardless whether this deletion affects the core protocol functionality or the resilience logic. The technique used in this first of its kind example is the self-modification of the running program, which can be naturally situated in an active networking context. Ultimately, a self-correcting protocol implementation has to constantly rewrite itself according to the (self-)observed performance. In this talk we will also point to related fields like self-correcting software, fault tolerant quantum computing and self-healing properties of biological systems. This is joint work with Lidia Yamamoto, Hitachi Europe

Psychological aspects of fertility preservation in men and women affected by cancer and other life-threatening diseases

BACKGROUND With advances in treatment, the number of young cancer survivors who may benefit from fertility preservation is growing. The aim of this study was to review the literature investigating psychological aspects of fertility issues and fertility preservation in patients undergoing fertility-compromising therapy for cancer or other life-threatening diseases, previous to or during their reproductive lifespan. METHODS Articles were identified in PubMed, Embase and PsycLIT as well as manually retrieved from literature citations for the time period from 1999 to 2008. Inclusion criteria were (i) qualitative or quantitative design, (ii) focus on patients previous to or during their reproductive lifespan and (iii) dealing with aspects such as (1) impact of fertility issues in cancer patients or (2) health professionals' and/or patients' attitudes towards fertility preservation or (3) counselling. RESULTS Twenty-four studies were identified. According to the studies on aspect (1), fertility is an important issue for cancer patients. Health professionals as well as patients and parents consider fertility preservation as an important option for young cancer patients; all parties involved, however, were noted to have knowledge and information deficits. Patients recalling counselling about the impact of cancer treatment on fertility ranged from 34% to 72%. Counselling is far from being offered globally to all patients at risk, and providing information seems to be selective. CONCLUSIONS The existing literature demonstrates the need for and the limits of current counselling. Future research should target the means to facilitate the decision-making process for patients and health professional

Prevalence and predictors of premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder in a population-based sample

The study aimed at assessing the prevalence of premenstrual symptoms and of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in a population-based sample of women of the entire reproductive age range, as well as to analyse predictors of PMS and PMDD in terms of socio-demographic, health status and health behavioural factors. A set of questions on PMS-based on the premenstrual syndrome screening tool developed by Steiner et al., translated into German and piloted—was integrated into the written questionnaire of the 2007 Swiss Health Survey. Weighted prevalence rates and multivariable regression analysis for the outcome variables PMS and PMDD were calculated. A total of 3,913 women aged 15 to 54years answered the questions on PMS symptoms, and 3,522 of them additionally answered the questions on interference of PMS with life. Ninety one percent of the participants reported at least one symptom, 10.3% had PMS and 3.1% fulfilled the criteria for PMDD. The prevalence of PMS was higher in non-married women, in women aged 35-44years and in women of the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland. Both PMS and PMDD were strongly associated with poor physical health and psychological distress. Socio-cultural factors seem to determine the prevalence, perception and handling of PMS. Considering the association with poor physical health and high psychological distress, a broader underlying vulnerability in women qualifying for PMDD must be assumed and should be taken into account in clinical management as well as in future research in this fiel

Probing a spin transfer controlled magnetic nanowire with a single nitrogen-vacancy spin in bulk diamond

The point-like nature and exquisite magnetic field sensitivity of the nitrogen vacancy (NV) center in diamond can provide information about the inner workings of magnetic nanocircuits in complement with traditional transport techniques. Here we use a single NV in bulk diamond to probe the stray field of a ferromagnetic nanowire controlled by spin transfer (ST) torques. We first report an unambiguous measurement of ST tuned, parametrically driven, large-amplitude magnetic oscillations. At the same time, we demonstrate that such magnetic oscillations alone can directly drive NV spin transitions, providing a potential new means of control. Finally, we use the NV as a local noise thermometer, observing strong ST damping of the stray field noise, consistent with magnetic cooling from room temperature to $\sim$150 K.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, plus supplementary informatio