Wireless internet architecture and testbed for wineglass

One of the most challenging issues in the area of mobile communication is the deployment of IPbased wireless multimedia networks in public and business environments. The public branch may involve public mobile networks, like UMTS as 3G system, while the business branch introduces local radio access networks by means of W-LANs. Conventional mobile networks realise mobile specific functionality, e.g. mobility management or authentication and accounting, by implementing appropriate mechanisms in specific switching nodes (e.g. SGSN in GPRS). In order to exploit the full potential of IP networking solutions a replacement of these mechanisms by IP-based solutions might be appropriate. In addition current and innovative future services in mobile environments require at least soft-guaranteed, differentiated QoS. Therefore the WINE GLASS project investigates and implements enhanced IP-based techniques supporting mobility and QoS in a wireless Internet architecture. As a means to verify the applicability of the implemented solutions, location-aware services deploying both IP-mobility and QoS mechanisms will be implemented and demonstratedPeer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Predictive role of node-rads score in patients with prostate cancer candidates for radical prostatectomy with extended lymph node dissection: comparative analysis with validated nomograms

Background and objectives: The Reporting and Data System (RADS) have been used in the attempts to standardize the results of oncological scans in different scenarios, such as lymph nodes, adding configuration criteria to size determination. We analyze the predictive value of preoperative Node-RADS determination at imaging for pelvic lymph node (PLN) involvement in cases of prostate cancer (PC) considered for radical prostatectomy (RP) with extended lymph node dissection (eLND) and we compare it with validate predictive nomograms (MSKCC, Briganti and Gandaglia). Methods: 150 patients with a histological diagnosis of PC (high risk or intermediate with an estimated risk for pN+ higher than 5% using the Briganti or 7% using the Gandaglia nomogram) submitted for RP with an ePLND from 2018 and 2021 were retrospectively examined. Node-RADS determination was performed in all cases using the preoperative magnetic resonance (MR), performed by a radiologist blinded for pathologic results and compared with the MSKCC, Briganti 2012, Gandaglia 2017 and Gandaglia 2019 nomograms. Results: PLN involvement at final pathology (pN+) was found in 36/150 (24.0%) of cases and the mean percentage of positive LNs in pN+ cases was 15.90 ± 13.40. The mean number of PLNs removed at RP was similar (p = 0.188) between pN0 (23.9 ± 8.0) and pN+ (25.3 ± 8.0) cases. Considering a Node RADS 4-5 positive and a Node RADS 1-2 negative, the PPV was 100% and the NPV was 79.6%. A Node RADS score 4-5 showed a lower sensitivity (0.167 versus 0.972, 1.000, 0.971, 0.960 respectively), a higher specificity (1.000 versus 0.079, 0.096, 0.138, 0.186 respectively) and a similar AUC (0.583 versus 0.591, 0.581, 0.574, 0.597 respectively) when compared to MSKCC, Briganti 2012, Gandaglia 2017 and Gandaglia 2019 nomograms. Conclusions: Our evaluation suggests that Node RADS score, combining configuration criteria to size determination could improve specificity in terms of pathologic PLN prediction but a very low sensitivity has been also described

Influence of operative time and blood loss on surgical margins and functional outcomes for laparoscopic versus robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy: a prospective analysis

Introduction: The aim of this article was to analyze whether operative time and blood loss during radical prostatectomy (RP) can significantly influence surgical margins (SM) status and post-operative functional outcomes. Material and methods: We prospectively analyzed prostate cancer (PC) patients undergoing RP, using robot-assisted (RARP) or laparoscopic (LRP) procedures. Blood loss was defined using the variation in hemoglobin (Hb, g/dl) values from the day before surgery and no later than 4 hours after surgery. Results: From a whole population of 413 cases considered for RP, 67% underwent LRP and 33.0% RARP. Positive SM (SM+) were found in 33.9% of cases. Mean surgical operative time was 172.3 ±76 min (range 49-485), whereas blood loss was 2.3 ±1.2 g/dl (range 0.3-7.6). Operative time and blood loss at RP were not significantly correlated (r = -0.028275; p = 0.684). SM+ rates significantly (p = 0.002) varied by operative time; a higher SM+ rate was found in cases with an operative time <120 min (41.2%) and >240 min (53.4%). The risk of SM+ significantly increased 1.70 and 1.94 times in cases with an operative time <120 min and >240 min, respectively, independently to the surgical approach. The rate of erectile disfunction (ED) varied from 22.4% to 60.3% between <120 min and >240 min procedures (p = 0.001). According to blood loss, SM+ rates slightly but significantly (p = 0.032) varied; a higher rate of SM+ was found in cases with a Hb variation between 2-4 g/dl (35.9%). Conclusions: Independently to the surgical approach, operative time, more than blood loss at RP, represents a significant variable able to influence SM status and post-operative ED

Performance evaluation of ATM/AAL2 as switching technology in 3G mobile access networks

In this article we focus on the transport and switching part of third generation mobile access networks. At the moment, the second generation of mobile systems is sufficiently extended everywhere and can provide services to all mobile users. The next challenge in the development of digital mobile networks is the integration of data and voice services in a unique platform. It seems to be that Asynchronous Transfer Mode technology (ATM) will be the transport technology candidate to support both types of services (voice and data) and can therefore offer the flexibility required by the Third Generation Mobile Systems. ATM supports the very-low-bit-rate applications, which are typical of voice services. Used directly, however, it is inefficient. Therefore it is needed an adaptation level for ATM that provides an efficient transmission of variable length packets at low bit rate. The ATM Adaptation Layer type 2 (AAL2) has been chosen for the Third Generation Mobile Systems. Th is article identifies issues related to AAL2 as the gain obtained by multiplexing voice packets from different users on a single ATM connection, buffers requirements and both cell assembly and end-to-end delay

Scheduling a Shared Resource among Synchronous and Asynchronous Packet Flows

(EN)Each synchronous flow (i=1, 2, ..., N¿s?) is associated to a respective synchronous capacity value (H¿i?) that is related the period of time for which a synchronous flow can be serviced before the server moves on. This value can be selected either according to a local allocation criteria or according to a global allocation criteria. Each asynchronous flow (i=1, 2, ..., N¿A?) s is associated to a respective first value indicating the delay to be made up so that the respective queue has the right to be serviced and to another value indicating the instant in which the server visited the respective queue in the previous cycle. Each queue associated to a synchronous flow (h) is then serviced for a period of time that is related to be aforesaid synchronous capacity value, while each queue associated to an asynchronous flow (i) is serviced only if the server's visit occurs before the expected moment. The server's visit (10) to the synchronous queues should preferably take place during two successive cycles in order to optimise the use of the resources available

Handovers in Wireless ATM: An In-Band Signaling Solution

Florence, Ital

PROCEDURE AND SYSTEM FOR SCHEDULING A SHARED RESOURCE BETWEEN MULTIPLE INFORMATION PACKET FLOWS

(EN)Each synchronous flow (h=1, 2, , N¿s?) is associated to a respective synchronous capacity value (H¿h?) indicative of the maximum amount of time for which a synchronous flow can be served before relinquishing the token. Each asynchronous flow (I=1, 2, , N¿A?) is, on the other hand, associated to a respective indicative value of the delay to be recovered so that the respective queue has the right to be served and to another value indicating the instant in which the server visited the respective queue in the pervious cycle. Each queue associated to a synchronous flow (h) is therefore served for a maximum amount of time that is equal to the aforesaid synchronous capacity value, while each queue associated to an asynchronous flow (i) is only served if the server's visit takes place with anticipation with respect to the expected instant. This anticipation is determined as the difference between the expected rotation time, needed by the server (10) to complete a visit cycle (T) of the queues associated to the aforesaid flows (h, i), and the time that has passed since the server's previous visit (10) and the delay accumulated. This difference, if positive, defines the maximum service time for the asynchronous queue. If the queue is empty when the server visits it, the server (10) moves on to the next queue even before the relative maximum service time has passed

Is the platelet serotonin transporter different in venous vs. arterial blood?

none8VILLA E.; ALBANO C.; CAPPELLI A.; FAVALE E.; FUGASSA E.; GERDONI E.; SCARRONE S.; CUPELLO A.Villa, E.; Albano, Claudio; Cappelli, A.; Favale, E.; Fugassa, Emilia; Gerdoni, E.; Scarrone, S.; Cupello, A