Modeling and optimization techniques for advanced vehicular networking

This thesis deals with optimization techniques and modeling of vehicular networks. Thanks to the models realized with the integer linear programming (ILP) and the heuristic ones, it was possible to study the performances in 5G networks for the vehicular. Thanks to Software-defined networking (SDN) and Network functions virtualization (NFV) paradigms it was possible to study the performances of different classes of service, such as the Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC) class and enhanced Mobile BroadBand (eMBB) class, and how the functional split can have positive effects on network resource management. Two different protection techniques have been studied: Shared Path Protection (SPP) and Dedicated Path Protection (DPP). Thanks to these different protections, it is possible to achieve different network reliability requirements, according to the needs of the end user. Finally, thanks to a simulator developed in Python, it was possible to study the dynamic allocation of resources in a 5G metro network. Through different provisioning algorithms and different dynamic resource management techniques, useful results have been obtained for understanding the needs in the vehicular networks that will exploit 5G. Finally, two models are shown for reconfiguring backup resources when using shared resource protection

A Resource Sharing Method for Reliable Slice as a Service Provisioning in 5G Metro Networks

This paper proposes a dynamic slice provisioning analysis in a 5G metro network with reliability guarantees and possible sharing of backup resources. Performance of dedicated (DP) and shared (SP) protection solutions are evaluated with respect to slice resource allocation (i.e., bandwidth and processing units). The main results show a remarkable saving, in terms of slice acceptance rate, by applying SP solutions with respect to conventional DP ones

A diagnostic trap for the dermatopathologist: granulomatous reactions from cutaneous microimplants for cosmetic purposes.

We present a case of late granulomatous reactions from silicone that first appeared in a site different from that of the injection causing an incorrect diagnosis of liposarcoma in the beginning. The histological picture was a cystic-macrophagic granuloma in both the injection site (upper lip) and the migrating site (paranasal regions). We think that the foreign body has undergone an antigravity migration from the upper lip to the right paranasal region. To our knowledge, such a phenomenon has not been yet reported in literature

Morpho-functional analysis of the early changes induced in retinal ganglion cells by the onset of diabetic retinopathy: The effects of a neuroprotective strategy

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are highly susceptible to diabetes-induced metabolic stress. This study describes the early responses of RGCs to hyperglycemia and examines the effects of the neuroprotective somatostatin analog octreotide (OCT)

Accuracy of Predictive Equations for Estimating Resting Energy Expenditure in Obese Adolescents

ObjectiveTo compare resting energy expenditure (REE) measured by indirect calorimetry with REE predicted using different equations in obese adolescents.Study designWe recruited 264 obese patients (body mass index ranging from 30.0-70.0 kg/m2) between 14 and 18 years of age. Data were obtained comparing measured and predicted REE derived from published equations for normal weight and obese adolescents. The average differences between measured and predicted REE, as well as the accuracy at ±10% level, were evaluated.ResultsEvaluating the mean REE in 109 males (1938 ± 271 kcal/d) and 155 females (2569 ± 459 kcal/d), we found that the Lazzer equation in males had the smallest difference between measured and predicted REE; in females the Henry-1, Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization/United Nations University, Schmelze, and Lazzer equations were the most accurate. The prediction accuracy was considered adequate within ±10%.ConclusionsREE predictive equations developed in obese patients and for specific age groups are more suitable than those for the general population. Inaccuracy of predicted REE could affect dietary prescription appropriateness and, consequently, dietary compliance in this age group

Alteration of the Growth Hormone Axis, Visceral Fat Dysfunction and Early Cardiometabolic Risk in Adults: The Role of The Visceral Adiposity Index

The aim of the study is to clarify the relationship between adipose tissue dysfunction, metabolic profile and growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I secretion in healthy adult subjects. We investigated the metabolic profile in a cohort of 231 consecutive healthy subjects in relation to GH, IGF-I levels, and visceral adiposity index (VAI). Anthropometric measures, lipid profile, and glucose and insulin levels during oral glucose tolerance test, Homa-IR and ISI Matsuda, IGF-I and GH peak after GHRH plus Arginine test were analyzed. The subjects with high VAI showed lower GH peak (22.8 ± 11.1 vs. 42.2 ± 21.3 µg/L; p = 0.049) and lower IGF-I (presented as IGF-I under normal range, UNR) (0.54 ± 0.14 vs. 0.64 ± 0.12; p = 0.005) than group with normal VAI. ROC curve analysis identified the cut-off, able to detect subjects with high VAI, i.e., 31.8 µg/L for GH peak and 0.63 for IGF-1 UNR. The subjects with GH peak and IGF-I UNR under the cut-off showed significantly higher levels of VAI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, glucose and insulin levels, Homa-IR, and lower ISI Matsuda, with a concomitant worse lipid profile (all p < 0.001). A strong relationship between GH axis, VAI and metabolic risk has been demonstrated. A percentage of apparently healthy subjects show a degree of visceral adipose dysfunction associated with GH and IGF-I levels that do not meet the criteria of overt GH deficiency (GHD). Long-term prospective studies could help to clarify and confirm whether a hypothetical condition of subclinical GHD could be taken into account as a new clinical entity

Short commentaries on data published by Petit et al. on locoregional risk after lipofilling in breast cancer patients

Lipofilling is becoming part of the breast reshaping after quadrantectomy or mastectomy in breast cancer patients, but there are open questions of its safety

A Systematic Error in the Internal Friction Measurement of Coatings for Gravitational Waves Detectors

Low internal friction coatings are key components of advanced technologies such as optical atomic clocks and high-finesse optical cavity and often lie at the forefront of the most advanced experiments in Physics. Notably, increasing the sensitivity of gravitational-wave detectors depends in a very large part on developing new coatings, which entails developing more suitable methods and models to investigate their loss angle. In fact, the most sensitive region of the detection band in such detectors is limited by the coating thermal noise, which is related to the loss angle of the coating. Until now, models which describe only ideal physical properties have been adopted, wondering about the use of one or more loss angles to describe the mechanical properties of coatings. Here we show the presence of a systematic error ascribed to inhomogeneity of the sample at its edges in measuring the coating loss angle. We present a model for disk-shaped resonators, largely used in loss angle measurements, and we compare the theory with measurements showing how this systematic error impacts on the accuracy with which the loss model parameters are known

Gut Microbiota Features in Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Proliferation and/or depletion of clusters of specific bacteria regulate intestinal functions and may interfere with neuro-immune communication and behavior in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Consistently, qualitative and quantitative alteration of bacterial metabolites may functionally affect ASD pathophysiology. Up to date, age-restricted cohort studies, that may potentially help to identify specific microbial signatures in ASD, are lacking. We investigated the gut microbiota (GM) structure and fecal short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) levels in a cohort of young children (2–4 years of age) with ASD, with respect to age-matched neurotypical healthy controls. Strong increase of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria and decrease of Actinobacteria was observed in these patients. Among the 91 OTUs whose relative abundance was altered in ASD patients, we observed a striking depletion of Bifidobacterium longum, one of the dominant bacteria in infant GM and, conversely, an increase of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, a late colonizer of healthy human gut and a major butyrate producer. High levels of F. prausnitzii were associated to increase of fecal butyrate levels within normal range, and over representation of KEGG functions related to butyrate production in ASD patients. Here we report unbalance of GM structure with a shift in colonization by gut beneficial bacterial species in ASD patients as off early childhood