Intelligent monitoring using wireless sensor networks

Abstract. Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) enable smart environments to provide pervasive and ubiquitous applications, which give contextaware and scalable services to the end users. In this paper, an agent-based architecture is proposed for knowledge discovery and the variation in received signal strength indicator (RSSI) is used for knowledge extraction. Several experiments are conducted in an in-door environment to demonstrate the application of RSSI for ubiquitous monitoring. For instance, a WSN, which consists of Moteiv's Tmote Sky sensors, is deployed in a bedroom to determine the sleeping behavior and other physical activities of a person. Similarly, a WSN is used to identify the occupied chairs in a room, as well as the mobility of a person

Evaluation of Extreme Programming Method With Cmmi Staged Model

DergiPark: 246010trakyafbdGünümüzde yazılım sistemlerinin iş alanlarının temel ve vazgeçilmez bir bileşeni olmasıyla yazılım geliştirme de kritik bir önem kazanmıştır. Son yirmi yılda yazılım geliştirmede kullanılan kalite sistemlerini ve süreçlerini değerlendirmek, yazılımda kalite sertifikasyonunu sağlamak, süreçleri iyileştirmek ve yetenek belirlemek için çeşitli modeller geliştirilmiştir. Son birkaç yıl içinde bunlar arasında en yaygın kullanılanı CMMI modeli olmuştur. Geliştirilen bu süreç değerlendirme modelleri ile büyük ölçekli birçok yazılım firması yazılım ürünleri geliştirmek için süreç odaklı yaklaşımlar benimsemişlerdir. Ancak bu modeller, özellikle küçük ölçekli yazılım firmaları için yerine getirilmesi zor görünen şartlar içermektedirler. Bu nedenle 1990’lı yılların sonuna doğru, yazılım geliştirme süreçlerine alternatif bir bakış açısı olarak daha esnek ve uygulama kolaylığı var gibi görünen Çevik Metotlar geliştirilmiştir. En belli başlısı Extreme Programming olan çevik metotlara Scrum, RUP, Crystal Family gibi diğer örnekler verilebilir. Bu çalışmada, CMMI yazılım süreç değerlendirme modeli çerçevesinde bir yazılım geliştirme metodu olan Extreme Programming değerlendirilmiştir. Bu değerlendirme, CMMI 2. düzey süreç alanlarının Extreme Programming’in özel uygulamaları ve yaşam döngüsünün özellikleri tarafından karşılanıp karşılanmayacağı sorusuna cevap aramaktadırAs a consequence of software systems becoming an integral and indispensable component of business operations, software development has attained critical importance. Several models have been developed in the last 20 years or so, to aid in the establishment and assessment of quality systems for software development, as well as improving processes and determining capability. CMMI is currently the most widely accepted and adopted one of these models. Many large scale software development firms have based their development operations on well defined processes, derived from such models as CMMI. However the requirements of comprehensive models such as CMMI may be difficult to meet by smaller firms which prefer more informal ways. For this reason the so called agile methods have gained popularity among small scale firms since the late 1990s. Perhaps the most popular of the agile methods is Extreme Programming or XP, other examples being Scrum, RUP, and Crystal Family. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the XP, which is a software development method, in terms of CMMI which is a process assessment model. In other words, we will try to answer if and to what extent XP practices can meet the CMMI level 2 specifications, and what additional practices may or may not be necessary for full complianc

Surgical techniques to preserve continence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy

Radical prostatectomy significantly impacts the inherent anatomy of the male pelvis and the functional mechanisms of urinary continence. Incontinence has a considerable negative influence on the quality of life of patients, as well as their social and psychological wellbeing. Numerous surgical techniques have been demonstrated to support the preservation of continence during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). In this in-depth analysis, we give a general summary of the surgical techniques used in RARP and their impact on incontinence rates

ACTN3 polymorphism prevalence in general population of six Balkan countries

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of RR, RX and XX genotypes of rs1815739 single nucleotide polymorphism of ACTN3 gene in general population of six Balkan countries. This SNP is currently thought to give genetic predisposition for advantageous sport performance, with its R allele positively correlating with better performance in strength/power sports, and X allele being present in higher frequency in elite athletes in endurance disciplines. A total of 483 individuals (281 males and 202 females) from seven populations from six countries was tested. Samples were collected by buccal swabbing method, DNA was isolated according to salting-out protocol and genotyping was performed using PCR and RFLP analysis. Obtained results suggest that RR and RX genotypes (43.7% and 44.1%, respectively) are overrepresented when compared to XX genotype (12.2%). The XX genotype in the study samples is present in lower frequency when compared to the global (16-18%) and European (18%) average. This study reports the first population data on genotype prevalence in sports-related genes for this part of Europe and is the beginning of research interests that intend to investigate genetic predispositions of elite athletes from this region competing internationally in different disciplines

Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis Induced by Etanercept: Another Dermatologic Adverse Effect

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is a skin eruption that is primarily drug induced and characterized by the formation of numerous acute and sterile pustules on an erythematous background as mentioned by Weinblatt et al. (1999). We present a case of AGEP, following administration of etanercept, an antitumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) antibody, in a patient with psoriasis. Recognition of this reaction pattern is important given the frequent reliance on etanercept in treating psoriasis

Survival following laparoscopic adrenalectomy for solitary metastasis of lung cancer

To determine if L/S ADX is a safe and effective procedure for the management of solitary adrenal metastasis of lung cancer, and if it improves survival in lung cancer patients

30-Day Morbidity and Mortality of Bariatric Surgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Multinational Cohort Study of 7704 Patients from 42 Countries.

BACKGROUND There are data on the safety of cancer surgery and the efficacy of preventive strategies on the prevention of postoperative symptomatic COVID-19 in these patients. But there is little such data for any elective surgery. The main objectives of this study were to examine the safety of bariatric surgery (BS) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to determine the efficacy of perioperative COVID-19 protective strategies on postoperative symptomatic COVID-19 rates. METHODS We conducted an international cohort study to determine all-cause and COVID-19-specific 30-day morbidity and mortality of BS performed between 01/05/2020 and 31/10/2020. RESULTS Four hundred ninety-nine surgeons from 185 centres in 42 countries provided data on 7704 patients. Elective primary BS (n = 7084) was associated with a 30-day morbidity of 6.76% (n = 479) and a 30-day mortality of 0.14% (n = 10). Emergency BS, revisional BS, insulin-treated type 2 diabetes, and untreated obstructive sleep apnoea were associated with increased complications on multivariable analysis. Forty-three patients developed symptomatic COVID-19 postoperatively, with a higher risk in non-whites. Preoperative self-isolation, preoperative testing for SARS-CoV-2, and surgery in institutions not concurrently treating COVID-19 patients did not reduce the incidence of postoperative COVID-19. Postoperative symptomatic COVID-19 was more likely if the surgery was performed during a COVID-19 peak in that country. CONCLUSIONS BS can be performed safely during the COVID-19 pandemic with appropriate perioperative protocols. There was no relationship between preoperative testing for COVID-19 and self-isolation with symptomatic postoperative COVID-19. The risk of postoperative COVID-19 risk was greater in non-whites or if BS was performed during a local peak

Effect of BMI on safety of bariatric surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic, procedure choice, and safety protocols - An analysis from the GENEVA Study

Background: It has been suggested that patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of > 60 kg/m2 should be offered expedited Bariatric Surgery (BS) during the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The main objective of this study was to assess the safety of this approach. Methods: We conducted a global study of patients who underwent BS between 1/05/2020 and 31/10/2020. Patients were divided into three groups according to their preoperative BMI -Group I (BMI < 50 kg/m2), Group II (BMI 50-60 kg/m2), and Group III (BMI > 60 kg/m2). The effect of preoperative BMI on 30-day morbidity and mortality, procedure choice, COVID-19 specific safety protocols, and comorbidities was assessed. Results: This study included 7084 patients (5197;73.4 % females). The mean preoperative weight and BMI were 119.49 & PLUSMN; 24.4 Kgs and 43.03 & PLUSMN; 6.9 Kg/m2, respectively. Group I included 6024 (85 %) patients, whereas Groups II and III included 905 (13 %) and 155 (2 %) patients, respectively.The 30-day mortality rate was higher in Group III (p = 0.001). The complication rate and COVID-19 infection were not different. Comorbidities were significantly more likely in Group III (p = < 0.001). A significantly higher proportion of patients in group III received Sleeve Gastrectomy or One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass compared to other groups. Patients with a BMI of > 70 kg/m2 had a 30-day mortality of 7.7 % (2/26). None of these patients underwent a Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass. Conclusion: The 30-day mortality rate was significantly higher in patients with BMI > 60 kg/m2. There was, however, no significant difference in complications rates in different BMI groups, probably due to differences in procedure selection