Programmable Data Plane Applications in 5G and Beyond Architectures: A Systematic Review.

The rapid evolution of 5G and beyond technologies has sparked an unprecedented surge in the need for networking infrastructure that can deliver high speed, minimal latency, and remarkable flexibility. The programmable data plane, which enables the dynamic reconfiguration of network functions and protocols, is becoming increasingly important in meeting these requirements. This paper provides an overview of the current state of the art in programmable data planes implemented in 5G and beyond architectures. It proposes a classification of the reviewed studies based on system architecture and specific use cases. Furthermore, the article surveys the primary applications of programmable devices in emerging telecommunication networks, such as tunneling and forwarding, network slicing, cybersecurity, and in-band telemetry. Finally, this publication summarizes the open research challenges and future directions. In addition to offering a comprehensive review of programmable data plane applications in telecommunication networks, this article aims to guide further research in this promising field for network operators and researchers alike.

B5GEMINI: AI-Driven Network Digital Twin.

Network Digital Twin (NDT) is a new technology that builds on the concept of Digital Twins (DT) to create a virtual representation of the physical objects of a telecommunications network. NDT bridges physical and virtual spaces to enable coordination and synchronization of physical parts while eliminating the need to directly interact with them. There is broad consensus that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are among the key enablers to this technology. In this work, we present B5GEMINI, which is an NDT for 5G and beyond networks that makes an extensive use of AI and ML. First, we present the infrastructural and architectural components that support B5GEMINI. Next, we explore four paradigmatic applications where AI/ML can leverage B5GEMINI for building new AI-powered applications. In addition, we identify the main components of the AI ecosystem of B5GEMINI, outlining emerging research trends and identifying the open challenges that must be solved along the way. Finally, we present two relevant use cases in the application of NDTs with an extensive use of ML. The first use case lays in the cybersecurity domain and proposes the use of B5GEMINI to facilitate the design of ML-based attack detectors and the second addresses the design of energy efficient ML components and introduces the modular development of NDTs adopting the Digital Map concept as a novelty.

IoT Platform for Energy Sustainability in University Campuses.

University campuses are normally constituted of large buildings responsible for high energy demand, and are also important as demonstration sites for new technologies and systems. This paper presents the results of achieving energy sustainability in a testbed composed of a set of four buildings that constitute the Telecommunications Engineering School of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. In the paper, after characterizing the consumption of university buildings for a complete year, different options to achieve more sustainable use of energy are presented, considering the integration of renewable generation sources, namely photovoltaic generation, and monitoring and controlling electricity demand. To ensure the implementation of the desired monitoring and control, an internet of things (IoT) platform based on wireless sensor network (WSN) infrastructure was designed and installed. Such a platform supports a smart system to control the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and lighting systems in buildings. Furthermore, the paper presents the developed IoT-based platform, as well as the implemented services. As a result, the paper illustrates how providing old existing buildings with the appropriate technology can contribute to the objective of transforming such buildings into nearly zero-energy buildings (nZEB) at a low cost.

A review on architectures and communications technologies for wearable health-monitoring systems.

Nowadays society is demanding more and more smart healthcare services that allow monitoring patient status in a non-invasive way, anywhere and anytime. Thus, healthcare applications are currently facing important challenges guided by the u-health (ubiquitous health) and p-health (pervasive health) paradigms. New emerging technologies can be combined with other widely deployed ones to develop such next-generation healthcare systems. The main objective of this paper is to review and provide more details on the work presented in "LOBIN: E-Textile and Wireless-Sensor-Network-Based Platform for Healthcare Monitoring in Future Hospital Environments", published in the IEEE Transactions on Information Technology in Biomedicine, as well as to extend and update the comparison with other similar systems. As a result, the paper discusses the main advantages and disadvantages of using different architectures and communications technologies to develop wearable systems for pervasive healthcare applications.

Effects of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation on the Muscle Function of Children with Congenital Heart Disease: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Critical medical and surgical advances have led to a shift in the care and management of children with congenital heart disease (CHD). These patients present with muscle deconditioning, which negatively influences their response to exercise, functional capacities, and quality of life. This study evaluates the influence of a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program (CPRP) on the function of peripheral musculature of children with CHD. A single-center prospective cohort study was designed. Fifteen CHD subjects, between 12 and 16 years of age, with reduced aerobic capacity on a cardiopulmonary exercise test, were included in a three-month, 24-session CPRP. Measurements of the subjects' handgrip strength, biceps brachii and quadriceps femoris strength, and triceps surae fatigue process were collected at the beginning of the program, after completion, and six months after the end of the intervention. A substantial and statistically significant improvement was observed in the subjects' handgrip strength (kg) (p < 0.001), biceps brachii and quadriceps femoris strength (N) (p < 0.001), as well as triceps surae fatigue process (repetitions) (p = 0.018), with a maintenance of the results six months after the intervention. These results suggest that a CPRP could potentially improve the peripheral muscle function of children with CHD. Additional research is needed to confirm and expand on this hypothesis.

Spanish registry of percutaneous VSD closure with NitOcclud Lê VSD Coil device: lessons learned after more than a hundred implants.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The NitOcclud Lê VSD Coil was specifically designed for transcatheter occlusion of ventricular septal defects (VSD) and became available for this purpose in August 2010. Our objective was to describe the Spanish experience of this technique and analyze its reliability and short- to mid-term efficacy. METHODS: National multicenter observational study, which retrospectively recruited all patients (of any age) with VSD (of any location or type) who underwent percutaneous NitOcclud occlusion, using an intention-to-treat analysis, until January 2019. RESULTS: A total of 117 attempts were made to implant at least 1 NitOcclud in 116 patients in 13 institutions. The median [range] age and weight was 8.6 [0.4-69] years and 27 [5.8-97] kg, respectively. In 99 patients (85%), the VSD was an isolated congenital defect. The location was perimembranous in 95 (81%), and 74 (63%) of them were aneurysmatic. The mean fluoroscopy time was 34 [11.4-124] minutes. Of the 117 attempts, 104 were successful (89%) with a follow-up of 31.4 [0.6-59] months. At the last review, final complete occlusion of the defect without residual shunt or with only a minimal shunt was achieved in 92.3% (no shunt, n=73; trivial shunt, n=23). Four patients required a second procedure for residual shunt occlusion. Two devices had to be surgically explanted due to severe hemolysis. There were no deaths or other major complications. CONCLUSIONS: The NitOcclud device can be used successfully for a wide anatomical spectrum of VSD. The main issue is residual shunt, but its incidence decreases over time. The incidence of hemolysis was very low and no permanent changes were detected in atrioventricular conduction.

Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Improves Respiratory Muscle Function and Functional Capacity in Children with Congenital Heart Disease. A Prospective Cohort Study.

Critical surgical and medical advances have shifted the focus of congenital heart disease (CHD) patients from survival to achievement of a greater health-related quality of life (HRQoL). HRQoL is influenced, amongst other factors, by aerobic capacity and respiratory muscle strength, both of which are reduced in CHD patients. This study evaluates the influence of a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program (CPRP) on respiratory muscle strength and functional capacity. Fifteen CHD patients, ages 12 to 16, with reduced aerobic capacity in cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) were enrolled in a CPRP involving strength and aerobic training for three months. Measurements for comparison were obtained at the start, end, and six months after the CPRP. A significant improvement of inspiratory muscle strength was evidenced (maximum inspiratory pressure 21 cm H2O, 23%, p < 0.01). The six-minute walking test showed a statistically and clinically significant rise in walked distance (48 m, p < 0.01) and a reduction in muscle fatigue (1.7 out of 10 points, p = 0.017). These results suggest CPRP could potentially improve respiratory muscle function and functional capacity, with lasting results, in children with congenital heart disease, but additional clinical trials must be conducted to confirm this finding.

[Giant coronary aneurysms in infants with Kawasaki disease]. / Aneurismas coronarios gigantes en lactantes con enfermedad de Kawasaki.

INTRODUCTION: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis of unknown origin and predominant in males. The long-term effects of the disease depend on whether there are coronary lesions, particularly aneurysms. The prognosis of patients with giant aneurysms is very poor due to their natural progression to coronary thrombosis or severe obstructive lesions. OBJECTIVES: A series of 8 cases is presented where the epidemiology and diagnostic methods are described. The treatment of the acute and long-term cardiovascular sequelae is also reviewed. METHODS: A descriptive analysis was conducted on patients admitted to the Paediatric Cardiology Unit of La Fe University Hospital (Valencia) with KD and a coronary lesion. RESULTS: More than one artery was involved in all patients. Although early diagnosis was established in only two cases, none of the patients had severe impairment of ventricular function during the acute phase. Treatment included intravenous gammaglobulin and acetylsalicylic acid at anti-inflammatory doses during the acute phase. A combination of dual antiplatelet therapy and corticosteroids was given in cases of coronary thrombosis. The silent aneurysms continue to persist. CONCLUSIONS: KD is the most common cause of acquired heart disease in children. The delay in diagnosis is associated with a greater likelihood of coronary lesions that could increase the risk of cardiovascular events in adulthood. Thus, this subgroup requires close clinical monitoring for a better control of cardiovascular risk factors over time.

Aneurisma del ductus arterioso: diagnóstico prenatal y evolución / Ductus arteriosus aneurysm: Prenatal diagnosis and outcome

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Aneurismas coronarios gigantes en lactantes con enfermedad de Kawasaki / Giant coronary aneurysms in infants with Kawasaki disease

Introducción: La enfermedad de Kawasaki (EK) es una vasculitis aguda de causa desconocida, predominante en el sexo masculino. Los efectos de la enfermedad a largo plazo dependen de la existencia de lesiones coronarias -aneurismas-, siendo el pronóstico de los pacientes con aneurismas gigantes sombrío, ya que en su evolución natural pueden presentar trombosis coronaria o lesiones obstructivas severas. Objetivos: Describimos las características de una serie de 8 pacientes lactantes con EK y severa afectación coronaria. Se describen la epidemiología y los métodos diagnósticos, y se revisa el tratamiento de la fase aguda, así como las secuelas cardiovasculares a largo plazo. Métodos: Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de pacientes ingresados en el Servicio de Cardiología Pediátrica del Hospital Universitario La Fe (Valencia) por EK con afectación coronaria. Resultados: En todos los casos se objetivó la afectación de más de una arteria. El diagnóstico se instauró precozmente en solo 2 casos, a pesar de ello, ningún paciente presentó deterioro grave de la función ventricular durante la fase aguda. El tratamiento incluyó gammaglobulina por vía intravenosa y ácido acetilsalicílico en dosis antiinflamatorias durante la fase aguda. En los casos de trombosis coronaria se asociaron doble antiagregación y corticoides. Las lesiones aneurismáticas silentes persisten hasta el momento actual. Conclusiones: La EK es la causa más común de enfermedad cardiaca adquirida en niños. El retraso en el diagnóstico se asocia a mayor frecuencia de lesiones coronarias, que podrían incrementar el riesgo de eventos cardiovasculares en la edad adulta, precisando este subgrupo un seguimiento clínico estrecho con control de los factores de riesgo cardiovascular a largo plazo (AU)

Introduction: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis of unknown origin and predominant in males. The long-term effects of the disease depend on whether there are coronary lesions, particularly aneurysms. The prognosis of patients with giant aneurysms is very poor due to their natural progression to coronary thrombosis or severe obstructive lesions. Objectives: A series of 8 cases is presented where the epidemiology and diagnostic methods are described. The treatment of the acute and long-term cardiovascular sequelae is also reviewed. Methods: A descriptive analysis was conducted on patients admitted to the Paediatric Cardiology Unit of La Fe University Hospital (Valencia) with KD and a coronary lesion. Results: More than one artery was involved in all patients. Although early diagnosis was established in only two cases, none of the patients had severe impairment of ventricular function during the acute phase. Treatment included intravenous gammaglobulin and acetylsalicylic acid at anti-inflammatory doses during the acute phase. A combination of dual antiplatelet therapy and corticosteroids was given in cases of coronary thrombosis. The silent aneurysms continue to persist. Conclusions: KD is the most common cause of acquired heart disease in children. The delay in diagnosis is associated with a greater likelihood of coronary lesions that could increase the risk of cardiovascular events in adulthood. Thus, this subgroup requires close clinical monitoring for a better control of cardiovascular risk factors over time (AU)

La maternidad segura, uno de los objetivos del milenio: una mirada desde el imaginario social / Safe motherhood, one of the millennium's objectives: a look from the social imaginary

Los objetivos del milenio son reconocidos como el acuerdo político más grande que se ha dado en toda la historia de la humanidad (1,2). Es en principio una idea muy fácil de concebir, pero demandó titánicos esfuerzos para conseguir poner de acuerdo a los líderes de 189 países en generar esfuerzos conjuntos en 8 aspectos considerados fundamentales para hacer de este mundo un lugar mejor (3). Muchos líderes mundiales coincidieron en que era necesario aunar esfuerzos para lograr objetivos comunes que favorecieran a toda la humanidad. La guerra fría permitió definir un nuevo vínculo entre paz, seguridad y desarrollo orientado a la construcción de la paz (peace building) y a promover la seguridad humana. La lucha contra la pobreza se situó en el centro de las estrategias de prevención de conflictos, de promoción de la paz en situaciones de conflicto, de reconstrucción y desarrollo tras el conflicto armado. Esa visión fue reconocida por Naciones Unidas y por los donantes de ayuda al desarrollo en la Declaración del Milenio de 2000 (4).

LOBIN: E-textile and wireless-sensor-network-based platform for healthcare monitoring in future hospital environments.

This paper describes a novel healthcare IT platform developed under the LOBIN project, which allows monitoring several physiological parameters, such as ECG, heart rate, body temperature, etc., and tracking the location of a group of patients within hospital environments. The combination of e-textile and wireless sensor networks provides an efficient way to support noninvasive and pervasive services demanded by future healthcare environments. This paper presents the architecture, system deployment as well as validation results from both laboratory tests and a pilot scheme developed with real users in collaboration with the Cardiology Unit at La Paz Hospital, Madrid, Spain.

Miocardiopatía hipertrófica intraútero y síndrome de Noonan neonatal: una asociación a recordar / Prenatal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and neonatal noonan syndrome: an association to remember

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Endocarditis sobre válvula de Eustaquio redundante: diagnóstico neonatal / Redundant eustachian valve endocarditis: neonatal diagnosis

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