The most important issue that must be solved in designing a data gathering algorithm for wireless sensor networks (WSNS) is how to save sensor node energy while meeting the needs of applications/users. In this paper, we propose a novel energy-aware routing protocol (EAP) for a long-lived sensor network. EAP achieves a good performance in terms of lifetime by minimizing energy consumption for in-network communications and balancing the energy load among all the nodes. EAP introduces a new clustering parameter for cluster head election, which can better handle the heterogeneous energy capacities. Furthermore, it also introduces a simple but efficient approach, namely, intra-cluster coverage to cope with the area coverage problem. We use a simple temperature sensing application to evaluate the performance of EAP and results show that our protocol significantly outperforms LEACH and HEED in terms of network lifetime and the amount of data gathered.

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We have previously shown that appropriate modification of the benzocycloheptapyridine tricyclic ring system can provide potent farnesyl protein transferase (FPT) inhibitors with good cellular activity. Our laboratories have also established that incorporation of either pyridinylacetyl N-oxide or 4-N-carboxamidopiperidinylacetyl moieties results in pharmacokinetically stable inhibitors that are orally efficacious in nude mice. We now demonstrate that further elaboration of the tricyclic ring system by introducing a bromine atom at the 7- or the 10-position of the 3-bromo-8-chlorotricyclic ring system provides compounds that have superior potency and selectivity in FPT inhibition. These compounds have good serum levels and half-lives when given orally to rodents and primates. In vitro and in vivo evaluation of a panel of these inhibitors has led to identification of 15 (SCH 66336) as a highly potent (IC50 = 1.9 nM) antitumor agent that is currently undergoing human clinical trials.

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This paper presents an improved approach on identifying users based on three-dimensional gait acceleration signal characteristics produced by walking. When the user carries the wearable gait acceleration acquiring system, acceleration signals are registered by the accelerometer. Through dividing the signals into gait cycles, gait feature code which represents the walking pattern of the user can be extracted. Recognition is based on the general idea of template matching. We use dynamic time warping (DTW) algorithm for matching so that non-linear time normalization could be used to dispose the problems resulted from naturally occurring changes in walking speed. Experiments were performed on 35 healthy subjects walking on their normal speed; Equal Error Rate of 6.7% was achieved. Our preliminary experiments confirm the possibility of recognizing users based on their gait acceleration.

PurposeThis meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety in cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for treating cervical degenerative disc diseases (CDDDs).MethodsThe authors searched RCTs in the electronic databases (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, Embase, Springer Link, Web of Knowledge, OVID and Google Scholar) from their establishment to march 2016 without language restrictions. We also manually searched the reference lists of articles and reviews for possible relevant studies. Researches on CDA versus ACDF in CDDDs were selected in this meta-analysis. The quality of all studies was assessed and effective data was pooled for this meta-analysis. Outcome measurements were surgical parameters (operative time, blood loss, and length of hospital stay), clinical indexes [neck disability index (NDI), neurological success, range of motion (ROM), Visual Analogue Score (VAS)], complications [the number of adverse events, adjacent segment disease (ASD), and reoperation]. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias assessment were also performed, respectively. The meta-analysis was performed with software revman 5.3.Results37 articles (20 RCTs) with a total 4004 patients (2212 in the CDA and 1792 in the ACDF) met inclusion criteria. Eight types of disc prostheses were used in the included studies. Patients were followed up for at least 2 years in all the studies. No statistically significant differences were found between CDA and ACDF for blood loss [SMD −0.02; 95 % CI (−0.20, 0.17)], length of hospital stay [MD −0.06; 95 % CI (−0.19, 0.06)]. Statistical differences were found between operative time [MD 14.22; 95 % CI (6.73, 21.71)], NDI [SMD −0.27; 95 % CI (−0.43, −0.10)], neurological success [RR 1.13; 95 % CI (1.08, 1.18)], ROM [MD 6.72; 95 % CI (5.72, 7.71)], VAS of neck [SMD −0.40; 95 % CI (−0.75, −0.04)], VAS of arm [SMD −0.55; 95 % CI (−1.04, −0.06)], the rate of adverse events [RR 0.72 95 % CI (0.53, 0.96)], the rate of ASD [RR 0.62; 95 % CI (0.43, 0.88)], and reoperation [RR 0.50; 95 % CI (0.39, 0.63)]. Subgroup analysis stratified by different types of disc prostheses was also performed.ConclusionsCDA is associated with higher clinical indexes and fewer complications than ACDF, indicating that it is a safe and effective treatment for CDDDs. However, the operative time of CDA is longer than ACDF. Because of some limitations, these findings should be interpreted with caution. Additional studies are needed. Large, definitive RCTs are needed.

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