A Review of Cognitive Hybrid Radio Frequency/Visible Light Communication Systems for Wireless Sensor Networks.

The development and growth of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) is significantly propelled by advances in Radio Frequency (RF) and Visible Light Communication (VLC) technologies. This paper endeavors to present a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art in cognitive hybrid RF-VLC systems for WSNs, emphasizing the critical task of seamlessly integrating Cognitive Radio Sensor Networks (CRSNs) and VLC technologies. The central challenge addressed is the intricate landscape of this integration, characterized by notable trade-offs between performance and complexity, which escalate with the addition of more devices and increased data rates. This scenario necessitates the development of advanced cognitive radio strategies, potentially facilitated by Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) approaches, albeit introducing new complexities such as the necessity for pre-training with extensive datasets. The review scrutinizes the fundamental aspects of CRSNs and VLC, spotlighting key areas like Energy Efficient Resource Allocation, Industrial Scenarios, and Energy Harvesting, and explores the synergistic amalgamation of these technologies as a promising pathway for enhanced spectrum utilization and network performance. By delving into the integration of cognitive radio technology with visible light, this study furnishes valuable insights into the potential for innovative applications in wireless communication, presenting a balanced overview of the current advancements and prospective avenues in the field of cognitive hybrid RF/VLC systems.

MoS2 and MoS2 Nanocomposites for Adsorption and Photodegradation of Water Pollutants: A Review.

The need for fresh and conveniently treated water has become a major concern in recent years. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanomaterials are attracting attention in various fields, such as energy, hydrogen production, and water decontamination. This review provides an overview of the recent developments in MoS2-based nanomaterials for water treatment via adsorption and photodegradation. Primary attention is given to the structure, properties, and major methods for the synthesis and modification of MoS2, aiming for efficient water-contaminant removal. The combination of MoS2 with other components results in nanocomposites that can be separated easily or that present enhanced adsorptive and photocatalytic properties. The performance of these materials in the adsorption of heavy metal ions and organic contaminants, such as dyes and drugs, is reviewed. The review also summarizes current progress in the photocatalytic degradation of various water pollutants, using MoS2-based nanomaterials under UV-VIS light irradiation. MoS2-based materials showed good activity after several reuse cycles and in real water scenarios. Regarding the ecotoxicity of the MoS2, the number of studies is still limited, and more work is needed to effectively evaluate the risks of using this nanomaterial in water treatment.

Submucosal hematoma: a new distinctive sign during emergency upper digestive endoscopy for ammonia ingestion.

BACKGROUND: Submucosal hematoma has never been associated with caustic injuries. Long-term follow-up of patients who ingested ammonia is not well known and ammonia ingestion is rare. METHODS: In a Single-center observational study, prospective data were collected from 2009 to 2013, in patients over the age of 14 years old referred for ammonia ingestion. The emergency and follow-up endoscopic data and the outcome were reported. RESULTS: Ammonia ingestion occurred in 43 patients. Submucosal hematoma of the gastric wall was a distinctive endoscopic sign observed in 15 (34.8%) cases. Oropharyngeal lesions were present in 30 (69.8%) patients, which was associated with ingestion with suicidal intent in 18 cases. Mild and severe endoscopic lesions (grade IIB to IIIB) were found in 16 (37.2%) cases with 10 (23.3%) cases presenting submucosal hematoma at initial endoscopy. A complete spontaneous gastric healing was frequently observed in 36 (83.7%) cases. In 11 cases with submucosal hematoma, a favourable outcome was observed with a medical treatment, however 6 of these patients had severe endoscopic lesions initially. CONCLUSIONS: Submucosal hematoma of the gastric wall is an endoscopic sign occurring frequently in ammonia ingestion. Submucosal hematoma should be distinguished from necrosis in order to avoid false misclassification in favour of more severe lesions, which would lead to an abusive surgery.

A new transmission methodology for quality assurance in radiotherapy based on radiochromic film measurements.

Despite individual quality assurance (QA) being recommended for complex techniques in radiotherapy (RT) treatment, the possibility of errors in dose delivery during therapeutic application has been verified. Therefore, it is fundamentally important to conduct in vivo QA during treatment. This work presents an in vivo transmission quality control methodology, using radiochromic film (RCF) coupled to the linear accelerator (linac) accessory holder. This QA methodology compares the dose distribution measured by the film in the linac accessory holder with the dose distribution expected by the treatment planning software. The calculated dose distribution is obtained in the coronal and central plane of a phantom with the same dimensions of the acrylic support used for positioning the film but in a source-to-detector distance (SDD) of 100 cm, as a result of transferring the IMRT plan in question with all the fields positioned with the gantry vertically, that is, perpendicular to the phantom. To validate this procedure, first of all a Monte Carlo simulation using PENELOPE code was done to evaluate the differences between the dose distributions measured by the film in a SDD of 56.8 cm and 100 cm. After that, several simple dose distribution tests were evaluated using the proposed methodology, and finally a study using IMRT treatments was done. In the Monte Carlo simulation, the mean percentage of points approved in the gamma function comparing the dose distribution acquired in the two SDDs were 99.92% ± 0.14%. In the simple dose distribution tests, the mean percentage of points approved in the gamma function were 99.85% ± 0.26% and the mean percentage differences in the normalization point doses were -1.41%. The transmission methodology was approved in 24 of 25 IMRT test irradiations. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the proposed methodology using RCFs can be applied for in vivo QA in RT treatments.

Reinforcement of starch film with Castanea sativa shells polysaccharides: Optimized formulation and characterization.

Chestnut (Castanea sativa) shells, generated from the peeling process of the fruit, contains appreciable amounts of lignin and cellulose. In this work, a starch-based film reinforced with these polysaccharides was developed. Response Surface Methodology was employed to optimize the composition of the film with improved elongation, tensile strength, and elasticity modulus properties. The optimal film was characterized regarding structural, optical barrier and thermal properties. The optimum composition was obtained with 10% (w/w) fibers and 50% (w/w) glycerol; the elongation responses, tensile strength and modulus of elasticity reached values of 34.19%, 7.31 N and 4.15 N, respectively. The values of tension strength and modulus of elasticity were approximately 3.5 times higher than those obtained for the control film. The reinforced film was opaque and exhibited improved water solubility, UV-barrier capacity, and thermal stability compared to control. The optimized starch film based on chestnut shells fibers' has the potential to produce biodegradable food packaging with improved properties.

Evaluation of infrared thermography, force platform and filmed locomotion score as non-invasive diagnostic methods for acute laminitis in zebu cattle.

This study aimed to characterize oligofructose-induced laminitis in zebu cattle and comparatively evaluate four different diagnostic methods for laminitis. A total of 29 rumen-cannulated Nelore heifers, weighing 474.5 ± 58.5 kg were used. Laminitis was experimentally induced by intraruminal administration of 0.765 g/kg oligofructose twice daily for three consecutive days, followed by a single dose of 10.71 g/kg oligofructose on the fourth day. The animals were evaluated before administration of the highest dose of oligofructose (basal) and every six hours for up to 24 hours (6, 12, 18, 24 hours) and thereafter, every 12 hours for up to 72 hours (36, 48, 60, 72 hours) post-induction. The following diagnostic methods were used: hoof pain sensitivity test (hoof-testing), locomotion scoring, hoof infrared thermography, and force platform. Diagnosis of laminitis was confirmed after two positive responses to hoof pressure testing. Using a receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve, we defined the appropriate cut-off for infrared thermography and force plate as 30 °C and < 24%, respectively. From the 29 heifers, 27 developed laminitis (93.1%) which occurred between 24 h to 72 h in the digits from two limbs, with more frequent sensitivity in the lateral digits. Locomotion analysis detected twenty-eight heifers with laminitis and showed that a greater (P = 0.006) number of animals had lameness in two limbs (n = 13; 56%). Using hoof-testing as gold standard for the diagnosis of laminitis the locomotion score displayed 100% sensitivity, 97% specificity and 98% accuracy; infrared thermography showed 96% sensitivity, 63% specificity, and 75% accuracy whilst force plate had 76% sensitivity, 82% specificity and 79% accuracy. This suggests that, for the diagnosis of laminitis in cattle, pain evaluation is more efficient. Considering the difficult to evaluate pain sensitivity in Nelore animals, filmed locomotion score, infrared thermography and force plate methods can be indicated for non-invasive lameness detection in beef farms.

Surgical correction of pulmonary artery aneurysm with extrinsic compression of the left main coronary artery: A case report.

Pulmonary artery aneurysm (PAA) is a rare disease, with a poorly known natural history, complex diagnosis and may evolve with serious complications, such as compression of adjacent anatomical structures. In some cases, the presence of such complications is what determines the symptoms and is the initial manifestation of the disease. This paper aims to report the case of a patient with typical angina, submitted to cardiac catheterization, which showed, among other lesions, severe left main coronary lesion with characteristics that led to the suspicion of extrinsic compression, which was identified as caused by a PAA. The treatment chosen in this case was surgical, reported concurrently with a literature review that guided the medical team in their decision-making. RELEVANCE FOR PATIENTS: Surgical correction of PAA may provide resolution of coronary symptoms in affected individuals.

Characterization of Oligofructose-Induced Acute Rumen Lactic Acidosis and the Appearance of Laminitis in Zebu Cattle.

The objective of this study was to characterize oligofructose-induced acute rumen lactic acidosis and its consequences in zebu cattle. We used 29 Nellore heifers which were submitted to experimental induction of laminitis by oligofructose excess. During the induction period, the animals underwent clinical examination, including laminitis diagnosis (hoof pressure testing and locomotion score) and blood and ruminal fluid sampling every six hours (over the initial 24 h) and every 12 h (up to 72 h), after the highest dose. Almost half of the animals (48.1%) required treatment with bicarbonate and saline to correct metabolic acidosis and dehydration. Due to this treatment, the animals were analyzed in treated (n = 13) and non-treated (n = 14) groups. The induction model promoted marked reduction in rumen pH, rumen anaerobiosis, carbon dioxide pressure, and increase in rumen lactate, blood osmolarity, and cortisol concentration. The animals treated had lower values of rumen pH and marked dehydration, evidenced by the increase in globular volume and serum urea. The clinical condition caused by excess oligofructose is severe, with the differential of the appearance of ephemeral fever and respiratory compensation against systemic acidosis, in addition to the frequent appearance of laminitis.

Seroepidemiology of chronic hepatitis B and C in the French Caribbean Island of Guadeloupe.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of chronic hepatitis B and C was evaluated some twenty years ago among specific populations in Guadeloupe. The present study was designed to update these data and determine epidemiological features of chronic hepatitis B and C infections in the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe. FINDINGS: The present study was carried out at the Sainte Genevieve Health and Prevention Center (Guadeloupe), between May 2006 and July 2007. This is a medical center where patients can attend a free medical check-up paid for by the Social Security system. Data on hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) status and epidemiological factors were collected for this study.A total of 2,200 patients were included in the study. The prevalence of HBV surface antigen was 1.41% (95% CI: 1.0-2.0), and 0.55% (95% CI: 0.28-0.96) for HCV. The vaccination rate against HBV was 42.0%. HBV transmission was associated with piercing (12.9%, p = 0.014) and familial exposure (6.4%, p < 0.001) and HCV transmission with gynecological surgery (50.0%, p = 0.01). The HBV profile was generally hepatitis B e antigen-negative (94.5%). No hepatitis delta was found. For HCV, genotype 1 was predominant (80%). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study on the prevalence of HBV and HCV among a general clinic based population in Guadeloupe and the Caribbean islands. This study reveals that Guadeloupe is an area of low endemicity for HBV and low HCV prevalence. The reasons for these low prevalence rates are mainly related to the vaccination campaigns carried out during the past twenty years for HBV and the decrease of nosocomial transmission for HCV.

Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for patients of the Brazilian unified health system (SUS): an analysis of 508 treatments two years after the technique implementation.

The Bosniak classification for renal cysts was developed in the late 1980s in an attempt to standardize the description and management of complex cystic renal lesions. Alterations were made to such a classification in the 1990s and, the last one, in 2005. Currently, five categories of cystic renal lesions are defined - namely, I, II, II-F, III and IV -, according to their degree of complexity and likelihood of malignancy. Despite being initially described for computed tomography, this classification has been also utilized with some advantages also for magnetic resonance imaging. The present article reviews the different phases of this classification, its diagnostic efficacy and the most controversial features of its use.

OBJETIVO: A oferta de radioterapia de alta tecnologia para população atendida pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) é limitada, por não pertencer ao rol de procedimentos e, muitas vezes, pela capacidade instalada frente à demanda e dificuldade de retenção de recursos humanos especializados. Dessa forma, o acesso à radioterapia de intensidade modulada (IMRT) é restrito a poucos serviços no Brasil. Pretendemos apresentar as características dos primeiros 508 tratamentos de IMRT durante os primeiros anos de instalação da técnica em um hospital universitário. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram analisados 508 tratamentos de IMRT, de maio de 2011 a setembro de 2013, que completaram a radioterapia. A técnica empregada foi multilâminas estático. RESULTADOS: De um total de 4.233 pacientes tratados no período, 12,5% realizaram IMRT. As principais indicações foram para crânio, cabeça e pescoço, e próstata. Aproximadamente 30% das radioterapias de crânio e 50% das de próstata foram por IMRT. A toxicidade total foi 4%. CONCLUSÃO: Em razão das restrições de acesso à radioterapia e da não cobertura deste procedimento, as indicações de IMRT para pacientes do SUS devem ser apoiadas nos protocolos clínicos das instituições em acordo com sua realidade, com especial atenção à redução da toxicidade.

Protegemed2: an extended platform based on RFID to identify EME and improve the detection of microshocks.

The use of electromedical equipment (EME) throughout the years has brought benefits in the aid of diagnosis and therapies as well as in surgical interventions. However, the equipment may fail and can cause health hazards, for example, the passing of a small but dangerous electric current through the patient (microshock). To prevent and minimize the risk of failure we propose the Protegemed2, an extension of the previous version called Protegemed, addressed in 2009. This system uses radio frequency identification to automatically identify EME and increases the performance of the system allowing a large-scale supervision of EMEs. Protegemed2 was built embedded into the gas and electric power panel of surgical rooms and uses an ARM 32-bit microcontroller.

Tolerance of apple rootstocks to short-term waterlogging / Tolerância de porta-enxertos de macieira ao encharcamento temporário

ABSTRACT: Until few years ago there were limited options of apple rootstocks commercially available for Brazilian growers; although, new series of Geneva® rootstocks introduced recently present desirable features such as vigor control and wider lateral branch angle. On the main apple producing regions of Brazil, intermittent rainfall eventually occurs and waterlogged condition is frequent especially in high clay oxisols; in addition, little is known about the tolerance of rootstocks M.9, Marubakaido/M.9 interstock, G.202, G.213 and G.814 to waterlogging. Thus, the objective of this experiment was to evaluate the tolerance of these rootstocks to short-term waterlogging on root and aerial parameters. Potted 'Maxi Gala' apple plants were kept under 48 hours of waterlogging weekly throughout 19 weeks to be compared with a normal hydric condition control. The evaluated variables were: leaf, stem and root dry matter, number and length of new root emission, and number of leaves, mean leaf size and chlorophyll content. Rootstocks G.202, G.814 and Marubakaido/M.9 interstock presented more tolerance to waterlogging, and the main defense mechanism was the emission of new adventitious roots.

RESUMO: Até pouco tempo, haviam poucas opções de porta-enxertos de macieira disponíveis comercialmente para produtores brasileiros. Contudo, com a nova série de porta-enxertos Geneva® introduzidos recentemente, características desejáveis foram apresentadas como, controle de vigor e ângulo de ramo aberto. Nas principais regiões produtoras de maçã no Brasil, chuvas intermitentes ocorrem eventualmente levando muitas áreas ao encharcamento, especialmente em locais com latossolos com elevados teores de argila. Em adição, pouco se sabe sobre a tolerância dos porta-enxertos M.9, Marubakaido com inter-enxerto de M.9, G.202, G.213 e G.814 ao encharcamento. Assim, o objetivo deste experimento foi avaliar a tolerância destes porta-enxertos ao encharcamento temporário através de parâmetros de raiz e parte aérea. Macieiras 'Maxi Gala', cultivadas em vasos, foram mantidas sob encharcamento semanalmente durante 48 horas por 19 semanas, para serem comparadas com o controle em condição hídrica normal. As variáveis analisadas foram: massa seca das folhas, caule e raiz, comprimento e número de raízes novas, número de folhas, tamanho de folha e teor de clorofila. Os porta-enxertos G.202, G.814 e Marubakaido com filtro de M.9 apresentaram maior tolerância ao encharcamento, sendo que o principal mecanismo de defesa para isso foi a maior emissão de raízes adventícias novas.

PROSPECTIVE STUDY ON SEVENTY-SIX CASES OF FRACTURED ACETABULUM WITH SURGICAL TREATMENT.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a prospective study on unstable and incongruent fractures of the acetabulum, in comparison with the literature, covering the type of access, fixation materials, degree of reduction, type of fracture and results after surgery. METHODS: The authors evaluated 76 patients with unstable and incongruent fracture of the acetabulum between January 1999 and December 2009. The Marvin Tile classification was used, and all cases were treated surgically using the technique recommended by the AO-ASIF group. RESULTS: The radiological evaluation was done in accordance with the Ruesch criteria, and good, excellent or perfect results were obtained for 64 patients (84.2%). The clinical evaluation was done in accordance with the Harris criteria, and good or excellent results were obtained for 62 patients (81.6%). The complications were assessed and, in comparison with the literature, were shown to be compatible with previous reports even after the statistical analysis. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that anatomical reduction and stable fixation are important for good results.

Radioterapia de intensidade modulada (IMRT) para pacientes do SUS: análise de 508 tratamentos em dois anos de instalação da técnica / Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for patients of the Brazilian unified health system (SUS): an analysis of 508 treatments two years after the technique implementation

Objetivo: A oferta de radioterapia de alta tecnologia para população atendida pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) é limitada, por não pertencer ao rol de procedimentos e, muitas vezes, pela capacidade instalada frente à demanda e dificuldade de retenção de recursos humanos especializados. Dessa forma, o acesso à radioterapia de intensidade modulada (IMRT) é restrito a poucos serviços no Brasil. Pretendemos apresentar as características dos primeiros 508 tratamentos de IMRT durante os primeiros anos de instalação da técnica em um hospital universitário. Materiais e Métodos: Foram analisados 508 tratamentos de IMRT, de maio de 2011 a setembro de 2013, que completaram a radioterapia. A técnica empregada foi multilâminas estático. Resultados: De um total de 4.233 pacientes tratados no período, 12,5% realizaram IMRT. As principais indicações foram para crânio, cabeça e pescoço, e próstata. Aproximadamente 30% das radioterapias de crânio e 50% das de próstata foram por IMRT. A toxicidade total foi 4%. Conclusão: Em razão das restrições de acesso à radioterapia e da não cobertura deste procedimento, as indicações de IMRT para pacientes do SUS devem ser apoiadas nos protocolos clínicos das instituições em acordo com sua realidade, com especial atenção à redução da toxicidade. .

The Bosniak classification for renal cysts was developed in the late 1980s in an attempt to standardize the description and management of complex cystic renal lesions. Alterations were made to such a classification in the 1990s and, the last one, in 2005. Currently, five categories of cystic renal lesions are defined - namely, I, II, II-F, III and IV –, according to their degree of complexity and likelihood of malignancy. Despite being initially described for computed tomography, this classification has been also utilized with some advantages also for magnetic resonance imaging. The present article reviews the different phases of this classification, its diagnostic efficacy and the most controversial features of its use.

Estudo prospectivo de 76 casos de fratura do acetábulo tratados cirurgicamente / Prospective study on seventy-six cases of fractured acetabulum with surgical treatment

OBJETIVO: Fazer estudo prospectivo sobre fratura instável e incongruente do acetábulo, comparativo com a literatura, abordando o tipo de acesso, material de fixação, grau de redução, tipo de fratura e seus resultados após cirurgia. MÉTODOS: Os autores avaliaram 76 pacientes com fratura instável e incongruente do acetábulo entre janeiro de 1999 e dezembro de 2009. A classificação utilizada foi a de Marvin Tile e todos foram tratados cirurgicamente segundo a técnica preconizada pelo grupo AO-ASIF. RESULTADOS: A avaliação radiológica foi feita segundo os critérios de Ruesch; foram obtidos resultados bons, ótimos e perfeitos em 64 pacientes (84,2 por cento). Quanto à avaliação clínica, segundo os critérios de Harris, os resultados foram bons e ótimos em 62 pacientes (81,6 por cento). As complicações foram avaliadas e, quando comparadas com a literatura, mostraram-se compatíveis mesmo após a análise estatística. CONCLUSÃO: Os autores concluem que a redução anatômica e a fixação estável são importantes para um bom resultado.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a prospective study on unstable and incongruent fractures of the acetabulum, in comparison with the literature, covering the type of access, fixation materials, degree of reduction, type of fracture and results after surgery. METHODS: The authors evaluated 76 patients with unstable and incongruent fracture of the acetabulum between January 1999 and December 2009. The Marvin Tile classification was used, and all cases were treated surgically using the technique recommended by the AO-ASIF group. RESULTS: The radiological evaluation was done in accordance with the Ruesch criteria, and good, excellent or perfect results were obtained for 64 patients (84.2 percent). The clinical evaluation was done in accordance with the Harris criteria, and good or excellent results were obtained for 62 patients (81.6 percent). The complications were assessed and, in comparison with the literature, were shown to be compatible with previous reports even after the statistical analysis. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that anatomical reduction and stable fixation are important for good results.

Angiorressonância magnética do crânio: revisão de 100 casos / Magnetic resonance angiography of the brain: review of 100 cases

Neste trabalho foram analisados, retrospectivamente, os exames de 100 pacientes que se submeteram a angiografia por ressonância magnética (angio-RM) do crânio com diferentes indicações clínicas. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram discutir as vantagens e desvantagens da técnica 3D TOF em exames de angio-RM cerebral e verificar as principais indicações de angio-RM na avaliação das lesões vasculares intracranianas e a freqüência dos principais achados nestes exames. As principais indicações para a realização de angio-RM neste trabalho foram cefaléia (n = 29), acidente vascular encefálico (n = 14) e ataque isquêmico transitório (n = 11). Em 11 casos não havia indicação clínica e os demais tiveram indicações diversas. Cinqüenta e dois por cento dos exames apresentaram alguma alteração. Os principais achados foram estenose vascular (n = 30), aneurisma (n = 10), variações anatômicas (n = 6), malformações vasculares (n = 4) e trombose dos seios durais (n = 2). A técnica 3D TOF, única utilizada neste trabalho, mostrou-se eficiente na maioria dos casos, com um tempo relativamente curto para sua aquisição. Como desvantagem, não se mostra eficaz para cobrir grandes volumes.

Xantoastrocitoma pleomórfico; relato de um caso / Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma: a case report

Os autores relatam o caso de uma mulher de 20 anos de idade, cujo primeiro sintoma foi cefaléia intensa, seguida de crise convulsiva generalizada. Foram realizadas radiografias simples, tomografia computadorizada e ressonância magnética do crânio, que revelaram formação expansiva parietal à direita, em íntimo contato com o corno occipital do ventrículo lateral. Observava-se, ainda, lise da tábua interna com expansão da tábua externa da calota craniana. Após a cirurgia e análise histopatológica da lesão, foi feito o diagnóstico de xantoastrocitoma pleomórfico.