Epidemic and timer-based message dissemination in VANETs: A performance comparison

Data dissemination is among the key functions of Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks (VANETs), and it has attracted much attention in the past decade. We address distributed, efficient, and scalable algorithms in the context of VANETs adopting the paradigm. We introduce an epidemic algorithm for message dissemination. The algorithm, named EPIC, is based on few assumptions, and it is very simple to implement. It uses only local information at each node, broadcast communications, and timers. EPIC is designed with the goal to reach the highest number of vehicles “infected” by the message, without overloading the network. It is tested on different scenarios taken from VANET simulations based on real urban environments (Manhattan, Cologne, Luxembourg). We compare our algorithm with a standard-based solution that exploits the contention-based forwarding component of the ETSI GeoNetworking protocol. On the other hand, we adapt literature based on a connected cover set to assess the near-optimality of our proposed algorithm and gain insight into the best selection of relay nodes as the size of the graph over which messages are spread scales up. The performance evaluation shows the behavior of EPIC and allows us to optimize the protocol parameters to minimize delay and overhead

CD40 cross-linking induces migration of renal tumor cell through nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) activation

CD40 crosslinking plays an important role in regulating cell migration, adhesion and proliferation in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). CD40/CD40L interaction on RCC cells activates different intracellular pathways but the molecular mechanisms leading to cell scattering are not yet clearly defined. Aim of our study was to investigate the main intracellular pathways activated by CD40 ligation and their specific involvement in RCC cell migration. CD40 ligation increased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun NH (2)-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAPK. Furthermore, CD40 crosslinking activated different transcriptional factors on RCC cell lines: AP-1, NFkB and some members of the Nuclear Factor of Activated T cells (NFAT) family. Interestingly, the specific inhibition of NFAT factors by cyclosporine A, completely blocked RCC cell motility induced by CD40 ligation. In tumor tissue, we observed a higher expression of NFAT factors and in particular an increased activation and nuclear migration of NFATc4 on RCC tumor tissues belonging to patients that developed metastases when compared to those who did not. Moreover, CD40-CD40L interaction induced a cytoskeleton reorganization and increased the expression of integrin β1 on RCC cell lines, and this effect was reversed by cyclosporine A and NFAT inhibition. These data suggest that CD40 ligation induces the activation of different intracellular signaling pathways, in particular the NFATs factors, that could represent a potential therapeutic target in the setting of patients with metastatic RCC

Ultrasonic Cutting Device for Bone Surgery Based on a Cymbal Transducer

AbstractIn this study, we introduce a new prototype ultrasonic cutting device for bone surgery based on a class V flextensional cymbal transducer, configured for use in power ultrasonics applications, which removes many of the geometrical restrictions on the cutting tip of Langevin-based transducers. The benefit of incorporating a cymbal transducer is that since the cutting blade itself does not have to be tuned, blade design can focus more closely on delivering the best interaction with bone to provide a highly accurate cut. Small variations to the geometry of the blade do not affect the final resonance frequency. Also the ultrasonic device can be miniaturised to allow the design of devices for delicate orthopaedic procedures involving minimal-access surgery. The results show how the cymbal transducer, driven by a single piezoceramic disc, can excite sufficiently high vibration displacement amplitudes at lower driving voltages. This is achieved by adapting the configuration of the cymbal to remove the problem of epoxy layer debonding, and by optimising the cymbal end-cap and geometry through finite element modelling supported with experimental vibration characterisation. Preliminary characterisations of the resulting prototype ultrasonic bone cutting device, which operates at around 25kHz, illustrate the success of this novel device design

Discovery privacy threats via device de-anonymization in LoRaWAN

LoRaWAN (Long Range WAN) is one of the well-known emerging technologies for the Internet of Things (IoT). Many IoT applications involve simple devices that transmit their data toward network gateways or access points that, in their turn, redirect data to application servers. While several security issues have been addressed in the LoRaWAN specification v1.1, there are still some aspects that may undermine privacy and security of the interconnected IoT devices. In this paper, we tackle a privacy aspect related to LoRaWAN device identity. The proposed approach, by monitoring the network traffic in LoRaWAN, is able to derive, in a probabilistic way, the unique identifier of the IoT device from the temporal address assigned by the network. In other words, the method identifies the relationship between the LoRaWAN DevAddress and the device manufacturer DevEUI. The proposed approach, named DEVIL (DEVice Identification and privacy Leakage), is based on temporal patterns arising in the packets transmissions. The paper presents also a detailed study of two real datasets: i) one derived by IoT devices interconnected to a prominent network operator in Italy; ii) one taken from the literature (the LoED dataset in Bhatia et al. (2020)). DEVIL is evaluated on the first dataset while the second is analyzed to support the hypothesis under the DEVIL operation. The results of our analysis, compared with other literature approaches, show how device identification through DEVIL can expose IoT devices to privacy leakage. Finally, the paper also provides some guidelines to mitigate the user re-identification threats

Discovery privacy threats via device de-anonymization in LoRaWAN

LoRaWAN (Long Range WAN) is one of the well-known emerging technologies for the Internet of Things (IoT). Many IoT applications involve simple devices that transmit their data toward network gateways or access points that, in turn, redirect the data to application servers. While several security issues have been faced in the LoRaWAN v1.1 specification from the very beginning, there are still some aspects that may undermine the privacy and the security of the IoT devices. In this paper we tackle the privacy aspect in the LoRaWAN device identity. The proposed approach, by monitoring the traffic of a LoRaWAN Network, is able to derive, in a probabilistic way, the unique identifier of the device from the temporal address assigned from the network. In other words, the method identifies the relationship between the LoRaWAN DevAddress and the device manufacturer DevEUI. The proposed approach, named DEVIL (DEVice Identification and privacy Leakage), is based on temporal patterns arising in the packet transmissions by LoRaWAN devices, and it is evaluated on the dataset extracted from real applications scenario deployed in Italy by a network operator. The results of our analysis show how device identification, during the time, can expose users to privacy leakage

Essential oil characterization of Prunus spinosa L., Salvia officinalis L., Eucalyptus globulus L., Melissa officinalis L. and Mentha x piperita L. by a volatolomic approach

In this study a volatolomic approach is proposed for the characterization of the volatile organic compound (VOC) composition of essential oils (EOs) extracted from common aromatic plants. Five species (Prunus spinosa L., Salvia officinalis L., Eucalyptus globulus L., Melissa officinalis L. and Mentha x piperita L.), particularly widespread in Southern Italy, were selected as recognized sources of natural bioactive compounds with beneficial properties. Hydro distillation and solid-liquid extraction with ethanol at different percentages were used to obtain EOs, and their extraction capabilities were compared analyzing chromatographic profiles obtained by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The analytical procedure was optimized in term of SPME fiber, adsorption time and desorption time. GC-MS analyses were performed allowing the profiling of the VOC fingerprint in each plant extract. Experimental data were processed by a statistical multivariate approach (Analysis of Variance and Principal Component Analysis obtained for compounds and chemical classes), confirming that EO aroma profiles were statistically different for each of the selected five plants. The proposed volatolomic approach has proved to be an easy and efficient tool to study the aroma profile, allowing the collection of specific information and opening new perspectives and opportunities for the detection and identification of VOCs in agricultural and ecological applications

Oxidative Stress and Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Kidney Transplantation: Focus on Ferroptosis, Mitophagy and New Antioxidants

Although there has been technical and pharmacological progress in kidney transplant medicine, some patients may experience acute post-transplant complications. Among the mechanisms involved in these conditions, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury may have a primary pathophysiological role since it is one of the leading causes of delayed graft function (DGF), a slow recovery of the renal function with the need for dialysis (generally during the first week after transplantation). DGF has a significant social and economic impact as it is associated with prolonged hospitalization and the development of severe complications (including acute rejection). During I/R injury, oxidative stress plays a major role activating several pathways including ferroptosis, an iron-driven cell death characterized by iron accumulation and excessive lipid peroxidation, and mitophagy, a selective degradation of damaged mitochondria by autophagy. Ferroptosis may contribute to the renal damage, while mitophagy can have a protective role by reducing the release of reactive oxygen species from dysfunctional mitochondria. Deep comprehension of both pathways may offer the possibility of identifying new early diagnostic noninvasive biomarkers of DGF and introducing new clinically employable pharmacological strategies. In this review we summarize all relevant knowledge in this field and discuss current antioxidant pharmacological strategies that could represent, in the next future, potential treatments for I/R injury

Metabolic Fingerprinting of Fabry Disease: Diagnostic and Prognostic Aspects

Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal disease due to a deficiency in the activity of the lysosomal-galactosidase A (GalA), a key enzyme in the glycosphingolipid degradation pathway. FD is a complex disease with a poor genotype-phenotype correlation. In the early stages, FD could involve the peripheral nervous system (acroparesthesias and dysautonomia) and the ski (angiokeratoma), but later kidney, heart or central nervous system impairment may significantly decrease life expectancy. The advent of omics technologies offers the possibility of a global, integrated and systemic approach well-suited for the exploration of this complex disease. In this narrative review, we will focus on the main metabolomic studies, which have underscored the importance of detecting biomarkers for a diagnostic and prognostic purpose in FD. These investigations are potentially useful to explain the wide clinical, biochemical and molecular heterogeneity found in FD patients. Moreover, the quantitative mass spectrometry methods developed to evaluate concentrations of these biomarkers in urine and plasma will be described. Finally, the complex metabolic biomarker profile depicted in FD patients will be reported, which varies according to gender, types of mutations, and therapeutic treatment