Energy-Aware QoS MAC Protocol Based on Prioritized-Data and Multi-Hop Routing for Wireless Sensor Networks.

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have received considerable interest in recent years. These sensor nodes can gather information from the surrounding environment and transmit it to a designated location. Each sensor node in WSN typically has a battery with a limited capacity. Due to their large number and because of various environmental challenges, it is sometimes hard to replace this finite battery. As a result, energy-efficient communication is seen as a critical aspect in extending the lifespan of a sensor node. On the other hand, some applications that require large coverage and generate various sorts of data packets require multi-hop routing and quality of service (QoS) features. Therefore, in order to avoid network failure, these applications need an energy-efficient QoS MAC protocol that can support multiple levels of data packet priority and multi-hop routing features while focusing on energy conservation. An energy-aware QoS MAC protocol based on Prioritized Data and Multi-hop routing (EQPD-MAC) is proposed in this article. The EQPD-MAC protocol offers a simple yet effective cross-layer communication method. It provides timely delivery of multi-priority packets, uses an adaptive active time to limit idle listening, and integrates a robust routing protocol. Finally, the EQPD-MAC protocol's performance was evaluated and compared to three other well-known QoS MAC protocols. The simulation findings show that the proposed protocol significantly decreases sensor node energy consumption by up to 30.3%, per-bit energy consumption by up to 29.6%, sink node energy consumption by up to 27.4% and increases throughput by up to 23.3%.

Screening of Endophytic Bacteria Isolated from Weed Plant to Biocontrol Stem Rot Disease on Pitaya (Hylocereus undatus)

Abstract Endophytic bacteria from weed are emerging as valuable alternatives for biochemical pesticides in sustainable agriculture. This study aims to discover the antagonistic effects of some endophytic bacteria isolated from weed (Lactuca indica) against A. alternata, a casual of stem end rot disease of pitaya. A total of 14 endophytic bacteria were isolated and four of them presented in vitro antagonistic activity against A. alternata. Of four, strain L115 significantly inhibited the pathogenic growth with a mean inhibition diameter of 12.67 ± 0.02 mm, while the other three (strain L110, L111, and L114) showed a weak inhibition. The results indicated that strain L115 could belong to the Bacillaceae family while the other three (strain L110, L111, and L114) had characteristics of the Pseudomonadaceae family. Interestingly, strain L115 showed positive results for phosphate solubilization, indole acetic acid (IAA), and biofilm production, whereas three other strains presented weak capabilities for phosphate solubilization, biofilm production and IAA production. In addition, the filtrate of strain L115 presented antifungal activity on biocontrol tests in vitro. Especially, strain L115 significantly increased seedling biomass of pitaya and tomato compared to the control. Hence, these results suggest strain L115 has the potential to be used as biocontrol agents against A. alternata. More studies should be done in the future to evaluate their efficiency in field conditions.

Normal Values and Associated Factors in Highresolution Anorectal Manometry in Healthy Vietnamese Adults / Valores normais e fatores associados na manometria anorretal de alta resolução em adultos vietnamitas saudáveis

Abstract Introduction The present study aims to identify normal high-resolution anorectal manometry (HRAM) values and related factors in healthy Vietnamese adults. Methods The present cross-sectional study was conducted at the Viet Duc hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam, during April and May 2019. Healthy volunteers were recruited to participate in the study. Anorectal measurement values from the digestive tract, including pressure, were recorded. Results A total of 76 healthy volunteers were recruited. The mean functional anal canal length was 4.2 ± 0.5 cm, while the mean anal high-pressure zone length was 3.4 ± 0.5 cm. Themean defecation index was 1.4 ± 0.8, with values ranging from 0.3 to 5.0. The mean threshold volume to elicit the rectoanal inhibitory reflex (RAIR) was 18.1 mL. The mean rectal sensation values were 32.4mL, 81.6mL, and 159 mL for first sensation, desire to defecate, and urge to defecate, respectively. Dyssynergic patterns occurred in ~ 50% of the study participants and included mainly types I (27.6%) and III (14.6%). There were significant differences between male and female patients in terms of maximum anal squeeze pressure, maximum anal cough pressure, maximum anal strain pressure, maximum rectal cough pressure, and maximum rectal strain pressure (all p<0.01). Conclusions The present study establishes normal HRAM values in healthy Vietnamese adults, particularly regarding normal values of anorectal pressure and rectal sensation. Further studies that include larger sample sizes should be conducted to further confirm the constants and their relationships.

Resumo Introdução O presente estudo tem como objetivo identificar valores normais de manometria anorretal de alta resolução e fatores relacionados em adultos vietnamitas saudáveis. Métodos O presente estudo transversal foi conduzido no hospital Viet Duc, Hanói, Vietnã, durante abril e maio de 2019. Voluntários saudáveis foram recrutados para participar do estudo. Valores de medição anorretal, incluindo pressão do trato digestivo, foram registrados. Resultados Um total de 76 voluntários saudáveis foram recrutados. O comprimento funcional médio do canal anal foi de 4,2 ± 0,5 cm, enquanto o comprimento médio da zona anal de alta pressão foi de 3,4 ± 0,5 cm. O índice médio de defecação foi de 1,4 ± 0,8, com valores variando de 0,3 a 5,0. O volume limite médio para eliciar o reflexo inibitório retoanal (RAIR, sigla em inglês) foi de 18,1 mL. Os valores médios da sensação retal foram 32,4mL, 81,6mL e 159 mL para a primeira sensação, o desejo de defecar e a urgência de defecar, respectivamente. Os padrões dissinérgicos ocorreram em aproximadamente 50% dos participantes do estudo e incluíram principalmente os tipos I (27,6%) e III (14,6%). Houve diferenças significativas entre homens e mulheres na pressão de compressão anal máxima, pressão de tosse anal máxima, pressão de distensão anal máxima, pressão de tosse retal máxima e pressão de distensão retal máxima (todos p<0,01). Conclusões O presente estudo estabelece valores normais de HRAM em adultos vietnamitas saudáveis, particularmente no que diz respeito aos valores normais de pressão anorretal e sensação retal. Mais estudos que incluam tamanhos de amostra maiores devemser realizados a fim de confirmar melhor as constantes e suas relações.

Distribution of Serological Response to Burkholderia pseudomallei in Swine from Three Provinces of Vietnam.

(1) Background: Burkholderia pseudomallei is an environmentally mediated saprophytic pathogen that can cause severe disease in humans. It is well known that B. pseudomallei survives in tropical moist soil environments worldwide, but melioidosis is gaining recognition as a public and veterinary health issue in Vietnam. The contribution of animals to human disease is unknown, necessitating further investigation. (2) Methods: Swine sera were collected from two populations, one grazing and one commercially farmed, from three provinces in Vietnam. ELISAs utilizing B. pseudomallei capsular polysaccharide (CPS), outer polysaccharide (OPS), and Hcp1 protein were used to screen serum samples. Positive samples were mapped to the commune level. Seroprevalence calculations and pig population estimates were used to approximate number of swine exposures per commune. (3) Results: Grazing pigs from Hoa Binh had significantly higher seropositivity levels (11.4%, 95% CI: 9.7-13.1) compared to farmed pigs from Ha Tinh and Nghe An (4%, 95% CI: 3.3-4.7). Average swine seropositivity rates were ~6.3% (95% CI: 5-7.9), higher than previously identified in Vietnam (~0.88%). (4) Conclusions: Initial serological sampling identified a significant number of seropositive and potential melioidosis infections occurring in swine in Vietnam. This work is a critical step in understanding the role swine may play in the epidemiology of human melioidosis in Vietnam.