1. |
- Prusti, T., et al.
(author)
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The Gaia mission
- 2016
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 595
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Gaia is a cornerstone mission in the science programme of the European Space Agency (ESA). The spacecraft construction was approved in 2006, following a study in which the original interferometric concept was changed to a direct-imaging approach. Both the spacecraft and the payload were built by European industry. The involvement of the scientific community focusses on data processing for which the international Gaia Data Processing and Analysis Consortium (DPAC) was selected in 2007. Gaia was launched on 19 December 2013 and arrived at its operating point, the second Lagrange point of the Sun-Earth-Moon system, a few weeks later. The commissioning of the spacecraft and payload was completed on 19 July 2014. The nominal five-year mission started with four weeks of special, ecliptic-pole scanning and subsequently transferred into full-sky scanning mode. We recall the scientific goals of Gaia and give a description of the as-built spacecraft that is currently (mid-2016) being operated to achieve these goals. We pay special attention to the payload module, the performance of which is closely related to the scientific performance of the mission. We provide a summary of the commissioning activities and findings, followed by a description of the routine operational mode. We summarise scientific performance estimates on the basis of in-orbit operations. Several intermediate Gaia data releases are planned and the data can be retrieved from the Gaia Archive, which is available through the Gaia home page.
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2. |
- Casolino, M., et al.
(author)
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Cosmic ray measurements with Pamela experiment
- 2009
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PAMELA is a satellite borne experiment designed to study with great accuracy cosmic rays of galactic, solar, and trapped nature hi a wide energy range (protons: 80 MeV-700 GeV, electrons 50 MeV-400 GeV). Main objective is the study of the antimatter component: antiprotons (80 MeV-190 GeV), positrons (50 MeV-270 GeV) and search for antinuclei with a precision of the order of 10(-8)). The experiment, housed on board the Russian Resurs-DK1 satellite, was launched on June, 15(th) 2006 in a 350 X 600 km orbit with an inclination of 70 degrees. In this work we describe the scientific objectives awl the performance of PAMELA in its first two years of operation. Data oil protons of trapped, secondary and galactic nature - as well as measurements of the December 13(th) 2006 Solar Particle Event - are also provided.
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3. |
- DeAngelis, Nicola, et al.
(author)
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2020 WSES guidelines for the detection and management of bile duct injury during cholecystectomy
- 2021
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In: World Journal of Emergency Surgery. - : BMC. - 1749-7922. ; 16:1
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Bile duct injury (BDI) is a dangerous complication of cholecystectomy, with significant postoperative sequelae for the patient in terms of morbidity, mortality, and long-term quality of life. BDIs have an estimated incidence of 0.4-1.5%, but considering the number of cholecystectomies performed worldwide, mostly by laparoscopy, surgeons must be prepared to manage this surgical challenge. Most BDIs are recognized either during the procedure or in the immediate postoperative period. However, some BDIs may be discovered later during the postoperative period, and this may translate to delayed or inappropriate treatments. Providing a specific diagnosis and a precise description of the BDI will expedite the decision-making process and increase the chance of treatment success. Subsequently, the choice and timing of the appropriate reconstructive strategy have a critical role in long-term prognosis. Currently, a wide spectrum of multidisciplinary interventions with different degrees of invasiveness is indicated for BDI management. These World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) guidelines have been produced following an exhaustive review of the current literature and an international expert panel discussion with the aim of providing evidence-based recommendations to facilitate and standardize the detection and management of BDIs during cholecystectomy. In particular, the 2020 WSES guidelines cover the following key aspects: (1) strategies to minimize the risk of BDI during cholecystectomy; (2) BDI rates in general surgery units and review of surgical practice; (3) how to classify, stage, and report BDI once detected; (4) how to manage an intraoperatively detected BDI; (5) indications for antibiotic treatment; (6) indications for clinical, biochemical, and imaging investigations for suspected BDI; and (7) how to manage a postoperatively detected BDI.
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4. |
- Di Felice, Marco, et al.
(author)
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Adaptive Sensing Scheduling and Spectrum Selection in Cognitive Wireless Mesh Networks
- 2011
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In: Proceedings of 20th International Conference on Computer Communications and Networks (ICCCN). - : IEEE conference proceedings. - 9781457706370 ; , s. 1-6
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Cognitive Radio (CR) technology constitutes a promising approach to increase the capacity of Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs). Using this technology, Mesh Routers (MRs) and the attached Mesh Clients (MCs) are allowed to opportunistically transmit on the licensed band, but under the constraint not to interfere with the Primary Users (PUs) of the spectrum. Thus, the effective deployment of CR- WMNs require that each MR must be able to: sense the current spectrum, select an available PU-free channel and perform the spectrum handoff to a new channel in case of PU arrival on the current one. How to coordinate these actions in the optimal way which maximizes the performance of the CR-WMNs while minimizing the interference to the PUs constitutes an open research issue in CR systems. In this paper, we propose an adaptive spectrum scheduling and allocation scheme which allows a MR to identify the best schedule of (i) when to sense the current channel, (ii) when to transmit, (iii) when to perform a spectrum handoff. Due the large number of parameters involved, we propose Reinforcement Learning (RL) techniques to allow a MR to learn by itself the optimal balance between spectrum sensing-exploitation- exploration actions based on network feedbacks coming from the MCs. We perform extensive simulations which confirm the adaptivity and efficiency of our approach in terms of increased throughput when compared with non-learning based schemes for CR-WMNs.
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5. |
- Di Felice, Marco, et al.
(author)
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End-to-end Protocols for Cognitive Radio Ad Hoc Networks : An Evaluation Study
- 2010
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In: Performance evaluation (Print). - : Elsevier BV. - 0166-5316 .- 1872-745X. ; 68:9, s. 859-875
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Cognitive radio ad hoc networks (CRAHNs) constitute a viable solution to solve the current problems of inefficiency in the spectrum allocation, and to deploy highly reconfigurable and self-organizing wireless networks. Cognitive radio (CR) devices are envisaged to utilize the spectrum in an opportunistic way by dynamically accessing different licensed portions of the spectrum. To this aim, most of the recent research has mainly focused on devising spectrum sensing and sharing algorithms at the link layer, so that CR devices can operate without interfering with the transmissions of other licensed users, also called primary users (PUs). However, it is also important to consider the impact of such schemes on the higher layers of the protocol stack, in order to provide efficient end-to-end data delivery. At present, routing and transport layer protocols constitute an important yet not deeply investigated area of research over CRAHNs. This paper provides three main contributions on the modeling and performance evaluation of end-to-end protocols (e.g. routing and transport layer protocols) for CRAHNs. First, we describe NS2-CRAHN, an extension of the NS-2 simulator, which is designed to support realistic simulation of CRAHNs. NS2-CRAHN contains an accurate yet flexible modeling of the activities of PUs and of the cognitive cycle implemented by each CR user. Second, we analyze the impact of CRAHNs characteristics over the route formation process, by considering different routing metrics and route discovery algorithms. Finally, we study TCP performance over CRAHNs, by considering the impact of three factors on different TCP variants: (i) spectrum sensing cycle, (ii) interference from PUs and (iii) channel heterogeneity. Simulation results highlight the differences of CRAHNs with traditional ad hoc networks and provide useful directions for the design of novel end-to-end protocols for CRAHNs.
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6. |
- Esposito, Marco, 1965, et al.
(author)
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Posterior atrophic jaws rehabilitated with prostheses supported by 5 x 5 mm implants with a nanostructured calcium-incorporated titanium surface or by longer implants in augmented bone. Five-year results from a randomised controlled trial
- 2019
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In: European Journal of Oral Implantology. - 1756-2406. ; 12:1, s. 39-54
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: To evaluate whether 5 x 5 mm dental implants with a novel nanostructured calcium-incorporated titanium surface could be an alternative to implants at least 10-mm long placed in bone augmented with bone substitutes in posterior atrophic jaws. Materials and methods: Forty patients with atrophic posterior (premolar and molar areas) mandibles having 5- to 7-mm bone height above the mandibular canal, and 40 patients with atrophic maxillae having 4- to 6-mm bone height below the maxillary sinus, were randomised according to a parallel-group design to receive one to three 5-mm implants or one to three at least 10-mm long implants in augmented bone at two centres. All implants had a diameter of 5 mm. Mandibles were vertically augmented with interpositional bovine bone blocks covered with resorbable barriers. Implants were placed after 4 months. Maxillary sinuses were augmented with particulated porcine bone via a lateral window covered with resorbable barriers and implants were placed simultaneously. All implants were submerged and loaded after 4 months with provisional prostheses. Four months later, definitive screw-retained or provisionally cemented metal-ceramic or zirconia prostheses were delivered. Patients were followed to 5 years post-loading and the outcome measures were: prosthesis and implant failures, any complication and pen-implant marginal bone level changes. Results: Sixteen patients dropped out before the 5-year evaluation (four short mandibles, three short maxillae, six augmented mandibles and three augmented maxillae). In mandibles, two grafted patients were not prosthetically rehabilitated because of multiple complications, and three implants failed in the same patient (one was a replacement implant) versus one patient who lost his short implant and crown 2 years after loading. In maxillae one short implant failed with its provisional crown 3 months post-loading. There were no statistically significant differences in prostheses (difference in proportion = -0.003; 95% CI: -0.14 to 0.13; P= 1.000) and implant failures (difference in proportion = -0.03; 95% CI: -0.17 to 0.09; P = 0.609) up to 5 years after loading. Significantly more complications occurred at mandibular grafted sites: 17 augmented patients were affected by complications versus nine patients treated with short implants in mandibles (difference in proportion = 0.39; 95% CI: 0.10 to 0.62; P = 0.013). In the maxilla seven sinus-elevated patients versus two patients treated with short implants were affected by complications, the difference not being statistically significant (difference in proportion = 0.25; 95% CI: -0.04 to 0.49; P = 0.128). Patients with mandibular short implants lost on average 1.22 mm of peri-implant bone at 5 years and patients with 10-mm or longer mandibular implants lost 1.70 mm. Patients with maxillary short implants lost on average 1.25 mm of peri-implant bone at 5 years and patients with 10-mm or longer maxillary implants lost 1.73 mm. Longer implants showed a greater bone loss up to 5 years after loading than short implants both in maxillae (mean difference: -0.48 mm; 95% CI: -0.89 to -0.07 mm; P = 0.024) and in mandibles (mean difference: -0.48 mm; 95% CI: -0.79 to -0.18 mm; P = 0.004). Conclusions: Five years after loading, 5 x 5 mm implants achieved similar results to longer implants placed in augmented bone. Short implants might be a preferable choice to bone augmentation especially in posterior mandibles since the treatment is faster, cheaper and associated with less morbidity; however, 10-year post-loading data are necessary before making reliable recommendations.
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9. |
- Kim, Wooseong, et al.
(author)
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Cognitive Multi-Radio Mesh Networks on ISM Bands : A Cross-Layer Architecture
- 2010
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In: Proceedings of the 29th IEEE International Performance Computing and Communications Conference. - : IEEE. - 9781424493302 ; , s. 34-41
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A wireless mesh network (WMN) has been popularly researched as a wireless backbone for Internet access with off-the-shelf and inexpensive equipments. Nowadays, several applications like contents sharing, multicast video streaming, vehicular networks encourage to build mesh networks in urban areas. However, the deployment of WMNs in unlicensed bands of dense urban areas imposes many challenges. While previous research has mostly focused on optimal channel allocation under inter or intra-flow interferences within mesh nodes, the practical deployment of WMNs also requires to consider the interference caused by external entities such as residential access points that do not belong to the WMN. To address this issue, we propose Urban-X which is a first attempt towards a new architecture for Multi-Radio Cognitive Mesh Networks. Based on a cross-layer scheme, we develop novel routing and forwarding schemes reflecting the residential traffic state of external users. Through an extensive simulation analysis using the ns-2 simulator, we demonstrate the feasibility of our routing scheme and we show its robustness to the variations of channel environment and external traffics.
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10. |
- Kim, Wooseong, et al.
(author)
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Urban-X : A Self-Organizing Cognitive Wireless Mesh Network for Dense City Environments
- 2011
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In: Proceedings of the Wired/Wireless Internet Communications (WWIC). - Berlin, Heidelberg : Springer Berlin/Heidelberg. - 9783642215599 - 9783642215605 ; , s. 398-409
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The practical deployment of Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs) using unlicensed ISM band within dense urban scenarios is difficult due to the increasing number of wireless devices operating in those licensed exempt frequencies. For this reason, current research on WMN is directed towards novel and more flexible network paradigms which would allow the WMN to dynamically adapt to the environmental interference conditions. Here, we propose Urban-X, which is a novel cross-layer architecture for self-organizing WMNs over urban scenarios. Urban-X combines elements from classical Multi-Radio Multi-Channel (MC-MR) technology with novel Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) mechanisms. The self-organizing behavior is achieved through a novel distributed channel assignment scheme, an adaptive multi-path routing scheme and a flexible layer 2.5 channel and path scheduler algorithm. Based on the current interference on each channel, Urban-X performs channel allocation among the nodes of the WMN, updates the available paths towards the gateways and distributes the internal traffic among the paths/channels in order to maximize the network throughput while minimizing interference to the external networks. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of our cross-layer approach in terms of increased throughput compared to traditional routing schemes for WMNs, and its adaptiveness to the variation in channel conditions and external user traffic.
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11. |
- Kim, Wooseong, et al.
(author)
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Urban-X : Towards Distributed Channel Assignment in Cognitive Multi-Radio Mesh Networks
- 2010
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In: 2010 IFIP Wireless Days (WD). - : IEEE conference proceedings. - 9781424492282 - 9781424492305 ; , s. 1-5
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Researches about multi-radio mesh networks have mostly focused on channel allocation under internal interference. However, the deployment of WMNs in unlicensed bands of dense urban areas imposes many challenges regarding co-existence with residential access points. In this paper, we propose Urban-X, which is a first attempt towards a new architecture for MultiRadio Cognitive Mesh Networks. We develop a novel channel assignment that reflects channel and residential traffic state of external users to maximize network throughput. We evaluate our approach using an enhancement of the ns-2 simulator. Urban-X demonstrate the feasibility of our approach and show robustness to variation of channel environment and external user traffic.
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12. |
- Nammouchi, Amal, et al.
(author)
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Integration of AI, IoT and Edge-Computing for Smart Microgrid Energy Management
- 2021
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In: 2021 21St Ieee International Conference On Environment And Electrical Engineering And 2021 5Th Ieee Industrial And Commercial Power Systems Europe (Eeeic/I&Cps Europe). - : IEEE. - 9781665436137
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Towards zero CO2 emissions society, large shares of renewable energy sources and storage systems are integrated into microgrids as part of the electrical grids for energy exchange aiming to effectively reduce the stress from the transmission grid. However, energy management within and across microgrids is complicated due to many uncertainties such as imprecise knowledge on energy production and demand, which makes energy optimization challenging. In this paper, we present an open architecture that uses machine learning algorithms at the edge to predict energy consumption and production for energy management in smart microgrids. Such predictions are aggregated across different prosumers at a centralized marketplace in the Cloud using Kafka Streams and OpenSource IoT platforms. Using pluggable optimization algorithms, different microgrids can implement different strategies for real-time optimal energy schedules. The proposed architecture is evaluated in terms of scalability and accuracy of predictions. Our heuristics can effectively optimize medium-sized microgrids.
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13. |
- van Ree, R, et al.
(author)
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The CREATE project: development of certified reference materials for allergenic products and validation of methods for their quantification.
- 2008
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In: Allergy. - : Wiley. - 1398-9995 .- 0105-4538. ; 63:3, s. 310-26
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Allergen extracts have been used for diagnosis and treatment of allergy for around 100 years. During the second half of 20th century, the notion increasingly gained foothold that accurate standardization of such extracts is of great importance for improvement of their quality. As a consequence, manufacturers have implemented extensive protocols for standardization and quality control. These protocols have overall IgE-binding potencies as their focus. Unfortunately, each company is using their own in-house reference materials and their own unique units to express potencies. This does not facilitate comparison of different products. During the last decades, most major allergens of relevant allergen sources have been identified and it has been established that effective immunotherapy requires certain minimum quantities of these allergens to be present in the administered maintenance dose. Therefore, the idea developed to introduce major allergens measurements into standardization protocols. Such protocols based on mass units of major allergen, quantify the active ingredients of the treatment and will at the same time allow comparison of competitor products. In 2001, an EU funded project, the CREATE project, was started to support introduction of major allergen based standardization. The aim of the project was to evaluate the use of recombinant allergens as reference materials and of ELISA assays for major allergen measurements. This paper gives an overview of the achievements of the CREATE project.
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14. |
-
Wired/Wireless Internet Communications
- 2019
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Editorial proceedings (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This book constitutes the proceedings of the 17th IFIP WG 6.2 International Conference on Wired/Wireless Internet Communications, WWIC 2019, held in Bologna, Italy, in June 2019.The 20 full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 35 submissions. The papers address various aspects of next generation data networks, such as design and evaluation of protocols, dynamics of integration, performance tradeoffs, the need for new performance metrics, and cross-layer interactions. They are organized in the following topical sections: the Internet of Things and WLANs; security and network management; 5G and beyond 5G networks; forwarding and congestion control; and distributed applications.
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