Search

In military operations, battlefield sensor systems and various solutions supporting reconnaissance and surveillance are increasingly important. Networked battlefield and military devices deployed in the operational theatre can be the best solution to this, ensuring that they are designed to collect all the data generated in their environment, which they are programmed to acquire. These devices continuously share the information they collect with each other and with a central storage and processing server. The required interconnections are typically two-way communications with all the criteria necessary to share the collected data in the shortest possible time. The data collected and analysed in this way can contribute significantly to the near real-time monitoring of the real operational situation and environment. This capability will enable the acquisition and maintenance of information superiority and can significantly speed up decision-making processes. Therefore, networked battlefield intelligent devices are essential for achieving operational objectives and successfully executing operations. In this paper, the author examines the integration of various levels of military IoT devices into the cloud environment and the use of 5G technology as a possible future solution for developing the communication environment. To achieve the research objectives, the author performs a comparative analysis between relevant international academic publications and technical reports on the topic, based on which he formulates his research results.

Napjaink katonai műveleteiben kiemelt szerepet kapnak a harctéri érzékelő rendszerek, valamint a felderítést, megfigyelést támogató különböző megoldások. Ezek felhőalapúösszekapcsolásának lehetősége hozzájárulhat a nagymennyiségű információ közel valós idejű, folyamatos megosztásához. A tanulmány célja a Katonai Egységes Felhőalapú Eszközrendszer fogalmának meghatározása. Ennek eléréséhez a szerzőösszehasonlító elemzést végzett a témában megjelent releváns nemzetközi tudományospublikációk és szakmai jelentések vonatkozásában, amelyek alapján megfogalmazta kutatási eredményeit.

There are many benefits of combining IoT devices with cloud computing, which can help exploit each service’s potential better and increase computing and storage capacity. However, there are also several threats in this area that pose serious security challenges. In this paper, the author has searched for the vulnerabilities and threats specific to the Cloud of Things through keyword analysis, and then completed a deeper analysis of the relevant literature, has identified the security solutions that can contribute to maintaining adequate security of data and services. The focus was on the scientific publications in Elsevier’s Scopus database, in which the author sought answers to the following questions: “What are the most common vulnerabilities that threaten the interconnection of IoT solutions and cloud computing?” and “What are the most effective security solutions that can be applied to protect data, devices, and systems in a Cloud of Things solution?”. The research results have shown that there are strong links between the threats, which can only be mitigated by a complex and comprehensive security architecture.

BACKGROUND Viscosity measurement is challenging due to the internal properties of blood and the artifacts deriving from the various viscometer systems. OBJECTIVE We aimed to determine the pitfalls of a cone-plate viscometer (Brookfield DV-III Ultra LV) before starting measurements and compare it to our capillary type model (Hemorex Hevimet 40). Effects of sample storage and thermal calibration were assessed as well. METHODS AND RESULTS Intra-observer variability was studied by 10 replicate measurements of 7 blood samples, mean coefficients of variation were less than 5%. Instruments were compared by measuring 26 blood samples, an average difference of 7% in WBV and 10% in PV was observed. 9 blood samples were stored at 4°C, 22°C and 37°C up to 48 hours to study the effect of storage on viscosity values. WBV at 50 and 100 s-1 became significantly lower after 3 hours at 37°C (p

BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus is frequently associated with vascular pathologies and hemorheological disorders. METHODS 105 patients with diabetic retinopathy (DRP) (mean age 64.64±9.01 years, 56 males, 49 females), 35 age-matched non-diabetic (mean age 61.65±7.6 years, 14 males and 21 females) and 42 young healthy volunteers (mean age 25.52±3.32 years, 22 males, 20 females) were recruited. Lower extremity artery disease (LEAD) and microcirculatory alterations were screened by hand-held Doppler, transcutaneous partial tissue oxygen tension (tcpO2), tuning fork test, 6-minute walk test, erythrocyte aggregation and deformability. RESULTS High prevalence of LEAD was detected in diabetic population: 55.3% fulfilled the criteria of LEAD based on ankle-brachial index; severely impaired tcpO2 was measured in 18.6%. The results of non-invasive measurements of the diabetic patients were significantly worse than those of the control groups (p

Standard toilets often do not meet the needs of a significant number of older persons and persons with disabilities. The EU funded iToilet project aims at design and development of a new type of ICT enhanced modular toilet system which shall be able to support autonomy, dignity and safety of older persons living at home. Methodologically the project started with gathering user requirements by means of questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussion involving a total of 74 persons, thereof 41 subjects with movement disorders (primary users), 21 caregivers (secondary users) and 12 healthcare managers (tertiary users). Most important wishes were bilateral removable handrails, height and tilt adjustment, emergency detection, simplicity. In parallel to the ongoing technical development participatory design activities have been carried out at user test sites in order to continuously involve users into the design process and to allow quick feedback with regards to early prototype parts. The project currently is working on the finalization of the first prototype ready to enter the lab trial stage in spring 2017. The experiences will be used for redesigning a prototype 2 which is planned to be tested in real life settings early 2018.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a frequent manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis. In PAD hemorheological parameters were defined as risk factors in a number of studies and several therapeutic agents were tried in these conditions. Our study aims to investigate and compare the in vitro hemorheological effects of various drugs generally used in the parenteral treatment of intermittent claudication and critical limb ischemia. Blood samples of healthy male volunteers were incubated with iloprost, alprostadil, pentoxifylline, sulodexide or pentosan polysulfate at calculated therapeutic serum concentration. Hematocrit (Hct) was determined by microhematocrit centrifuge. Plasma and apparent whole blood viscosities (WBV) were evaluated by capillary viscometer. Red blood cell aggregation was measured by LORCA (laserassisted optical rotational cell analyzer) aggregometer, and LORCA ektacytometer was used for measuring erythrocyte deformability at 37°C. Iloprost, alprostadil, and pentoxifylline incubation did not have any significant effect on plasma and apparent WBV. Elongation index increased in samples incubated with alprostadil at low shear stresses 0.95 and 0.53 Pa (p < 0.05). Sulodexide significantly improved WBV and Hct/WBV ratio (p < 0.05). Incubation with pentosan polysulfate resulted in higher WBV, lower Hct/WBV ratio and deterioration in the aggregation parameters (p < 0.05). Sulodexide may have beneficial effect on a macrorheological parameter; alprostadil may improve a microrheological parameter. Hemorheological alterations could be important in PAD patients with hampered vasodilator capacity.

International surveys have shown that the leading cause of death after kidney transplantation has cardiovascular origin with a prevalence of 35–40%. As a preventive strategy these patients receive aspirin (ASA) therapy, even though their rate of aspirin resistance is still unknown. In our study, platelet aggregation measurements were performed between 2009 and 2012 investigating the laboratory effect of low-dose aspirin (100 mg) treatment using a CARAT TX4 optical aggregometer. ASA therapy was considered clinically effective in case of low (i.e., below 40%) epinephrine-induced (10 μM) platelet aggregation index. Rate of aspirin resistance, morbidity and mortality data of kidney transplanted patients (n = 255, mean age: 49 ± 12 years) were compared to a patient population with cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases (n = 346, mean age: 52.6 ± 11 years). Rate of aspirin resistance was significantly higher in the renal transplantation group (RT) compared to the positive control group (PC) (35.9% vs. 25.6%, p < 0.002). Morbidity analysis demonstrated significantly higher incidence of myocardial infarction, hypertension and diabetes mellitus in the RT group (p < 0.05). The subgroup analysis revealed significantly higher incidence of infarction and stroke in the ASA resistant RT group compared to the RT patients without ASA resistance (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the incidence of myocardial infarction and hypertension was significantly higher in the non-resistant RT group than in the group of PC patients without ASA resistance (p < 0.05). These results may suggest that the elevated rate of aspirin resistance contributes to the high cardiovascular mortality after kidney transplantation.

This paper deals with the surface modification of reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) for electrodes production. RVC samples were exposed to air-DBD plasma for 5.0 and 10.0 min. Following the treatment, the specimens were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), contact angle measurements, and electrochemical analyses [cyclic voltammetry (CV)]. The SEM images show an alteration of the RVC surface morphology because of the surface etching during the DBD processing. This finding is in agreement with the enhanced specific electrochemical surface area of RVC electrodes, which is related to an increase of its surface roughness. In addition, a slight increase of the oxygen content on the surface was confirmed by XPS analysis. Therefore, the RVC surface became more hydrophilic as detected by water contact angle measurements. For corroborating this statement, a solid monolithic vitreous carbon was used for this test. An increase in the anodic charge of the RVC electrodes due to the surface oxidation was also observed. Raman spectra showed insignificant changes in the material crystalline structure.

During the past decades, our group have investigated the hemorheological parameters (HPs) of more than 1,000 patients with various forms of ischemic heart disease (IHD). Our data indicate that HPs are altered in patients with IHD and the extent of the alterations is in good correlation with the clinical severity of the disease. Our findings have also proven that HPs play a critical role in the pathogenesis of myocardial ischemia.The lack of regular exercise is an important cardiovascular risk factor. Regular physical activity - as part of the cardiovascular rehabilitation training program (CRP) - is recommended for the treatment of IHD and the prevention of first or further cardiovascular events. To estimate the beneficial hemorheological effects of CRP, compared to patients after a coronary event or intervention and not participating in CRP, the data of four of our prospective studies (three non-CRP and one CRP-participating) were evaluated.Hematocrit (Hct), plasma and whole blood viscosity (WBV), Hct/WBV ratio significantly (p

Raynaud's phenomenon is an episodic, painful attack of the acral parts caused by local diminished blood supply. The aim of our study was to examine hemorheological parameters, cold agglutinins, cryoglobulins and their relationship in patients suffering from Raynaud's phenomenon.Blood was taken from 74 patients (mean age: 48 years, female/male: 56/18). Cold agglutinins and cryoglobulins were determined. Hemorheological parameters were also measured such as hematocrit, plasma and whole blood viscosity, red blood cell aggregation and deformability. Results were compared to a group of 58 healthy controls (mean age: 31.5 years, female/male: 24/34).Cold agglutinins were positive in 70%, cryoglobulins in 43% of patients. When compared to healthy controls, increased red blood cell aggregation (64.54 ± 8.93 vs. 61.11 ± 7.05) and decreased red blood cell deformability (0.669 ± 0.002 vs. 0.681 ± 0.001) was observed in Raynaud's patients (p < 0.05), but there were no differences in hematocrit (43.27% ± 3.85 vs. 44.10% ± 3.70), plasma (1.27 mPas ± 0.08 vs. 1.24 mPas ± 0.09) and whole blood viscosity (4.12 mPas ± 0.52 vs. 4.26 mPas ± 0.46). No differences were found between the hemorheological profile of cold agglutinin/cryoglobulin positive and negative patients. Also primary and secondary Raynaud's patients had similar rheological profile.Erythrocyte aggregation and deformability seems to be unfavorable in Raynaud's patients that can play a role in the disturbance of the microcirculation.

Leading causes of mortality and morbidity after kidney transplantation are cardiovascular diseases. One of the fundamentals of their prevention is the inhibition of platelet aggregation. Resistance to anti-platelet agents is a well-established phenomenon; however, its causes are yet to be clarified.Forty post-transplant patients, who received 75 mg clopidogrel q.d. as a prophylactic measure, were examined using optical aggregometry. Subsequently, logistic regression analysis was performed with 24 variables in order to expose possible causes of resistance.Sixty percent of patients (24) were resistant to clopidogrel therapy; effective thrombocyte inhibition could only be shown in 40% of them (16). Significant correspondence between resistance and variables could not be found.Clopidogrel resistance is expected to occur on a large scale in patients who underwent kidney transplant surgery. Thus, a key component of preventive therapy, which stresses the importance of discovering the cause of resistance so as to decrease mortality rates, is missing.

Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of mortality after kidney transplantation. According to guidelines, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) must be given as preventive antiplatelet therapy, but resistance to this drug is also well-known.A total of 214 renal transplant patients were included in our study and took 100 mg of ASA q.d. Aggregometry was performed to determine resistance. Twenty-four variables were examined using logistic regression analysis as possible causes of resistance.ASA resistance was observed in 40.18% of the patients. Resistance reduced concomitant statin therapy and significantly increased simultaneous cyclosporine therapy.Our study assessed the post-transplant ASA resistance in a large population. Clarification of this matter is crutial, since one of the major preventive pharmacological therapies of cardiovascular mortality is not effective in a significant number of patients.

A silent process involving both neural and vascular structures in diabetic retina persists for several years before clinically detectable retinopathy. Recordings of the electroretinogram (ERG) and visual evoked potential (VEP) provide early warning of abnormalities in the visual pathway of diabetic patients and animal models. Treatment of streptozotocin-diabetic rats for 1 or 2 months with the heat-shock protein coinducer bimoclomol, a drug ameliorating experimental neuropathy, prevented and corrected the abnormal increase in latency and reduction of amplitude of ERG and VEP waves both in acute and chronic experiments. Improvements may be explained by cytoprotective effect of bimoclomol on retinal glia and/or neurons against diabetes-related ischemic cell damages. These findings suggest that bimoclomol may have future therapeutic use in diabetic retinopathy.

NADH fluorescence at tissue sites 15–20 μm in diameter and red blood cell velocity in adjacent capillaries were measured in resting sartorius muscle of the anesthetized cat during a 3-min period of sympathetic trunk stimulation. At stimulation frequencies of 2 and 4 Hz, red blood cell velocity fell briefly to 30–40% of control and then returned to ∼75% of control values (vascular escape). No change in NADH fluorescence was observed. With stimulus frequencies of 6–12 Hz, flow reduction was greater and led to an increase in fluorescence when the flow reduction was >50% and was sustained for >30 s. NADH changes were more pronounced at tissue sites near venous capillaries than at sites near arterial capillaries. Hyperemia ensued after the end of sympathetic stimulation only when NADH fluorescence rose during stimulation. Resting blood flow in this muscle appears to be well above the minimum required to support oxidative metabolism. A shift to anaerobic metabolism does not appear to cause vascular escape during sympathetic stimulation but appears to be required for poststimulation hyperemia. These observations suggest that two separate oxygen-dependent mechanisms elicit vasodilation during and after sympathetic trunk stimulation.

IN THE EARLY 1970s Hungarian sociologists recognised that private production (the so-called second economy) played an important role in the Hungarian economy and society, mostly in the form of supplementary work after working hours in the main job and first of all in agriculture.1 The importance of the agricultural second economy was shown by the fact that, in 1972 for example, it numbered 1 700 000 small agricultural units. More than 5 million persons-about half the Hungarian population-lived in households having and cultivating a small agricultural unit. The second economy produced 31% of the gross agricultural output and 23% of the total marketed output. An important part of production was consumed by the producing households themselves. A subsequent time-budget survey of members of households having a small plot found that the men aged over 15 worked on average more than 2.5 hours daily and the women about 2 hours. The survey also showed that: (1) this small-scale agricultural production was performed after the regular working hours in the socialist sector; (2) among the members of the households operating in the agricultural second economy there were more commuting workers than peasants.2 Sociologists pointed out that the consequence of the second economy was the

Elevated blood flow (reactive hyperemia) is seen in many organs after a period of blood flow stoppage. This hyperemia is often considered to be due in part to a shift to anaerobic metabolism during tissue hypoxia. The aim of our study was to test this hypothesis in skeletal muscle. For this purpose we measured NADH fluorescence at localized tissue areas in cat sartorius muscle during and after arterial occlusions of 5–300 s. In parallel studies, red blood cell (RBC) velocity was measured in venules. Tissue NADH fluorescence rose significantly with occlusions of 45 s or greater, reaching a maximum of 44% above control at 180 s. Peak RBC velocity rose to four times control as occlusion duration was increased from 5 to 45 s, but hyperemia duration was stable at ∼70 s. With occlusions of 45–240 s, hyperemia duration increased progressively to 210 s while peak flow was unchanged. However, after 300-s occlusions, peak flow rose to six times above control and hyperemia duration fell to 140 s. With occlusions of 45–300 s the time integral both of increased NADH fluorescence and of reduced fluorescence following occlusion release showed a high degree of correlation with the additional hyperemia. We conclude that in this muscle anaerobic vasodilator metabolites are responsible for the increase in reactive hyperemia with arterial occlusions longer than 45 s. Since the durations of reactive hyperemia and reduced fluorescence are substantially different, vasodilator metabolite removal may be due to washout by the bloodstream rather than metabolic uptake.

We tested the hypothesis that blood flow is distributed among capillary networks in resting skeletal muscle in such a manner as to maintain uniform end-capillary Po2. Oxygen tension in venules draining two to five capillaries was obtained by using the phosphorescence decay methodology in rat spinotrapezius muscle. For 64 postcapillary venules among 18 networks in 10 animals, the mean Po2was 30.1 Torr (range, 9.7–43.5 Torr) with a coefficient of variation (CV; standard deviation/mean) of 0.26. Oxygen levels of postcapillary venules within a single network or single animal, however, displayed a much smaller CV (0.064 and 0.094, respectively). By comparison, the CV of blood flow in 57 postcapillary venules of 17 networks in 9 animals was 1.27 with a mean flow of 0.011 ± 0.014 nl/s and a range of 3.7 × 10–4to 6.5 × 10–2nl/s. Blood flow of postcapillary venules within single networks displayed a lower CV (mean, 0.51), whereas that in individual animals was 0.78. Results indicate that among venular networks, heterogeneity of oxygen tension is less than that of blood flow and within venular networks the heterogeneity of oxygen tension is much less than that of blood flow. In addition, postcapillary Po2was independent of flow among venules in which both were measured. Results of this study may be attributable to three factors: 1) O2diffusion between adjacent capillaries and venules, 2) structural remodeling in regions of lower Po2, and 3) O2-dependent local control mechanisms.

It has been well established that oxytocin (OXT) increases intracellular free calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) by targeting both intracellular and extracellular stores, but the mechanisms involved in the increase through activation with prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) are still incompletely understood. This study was designed to elucidate the source(s) of increased [Ca(2+)](i) in response to PGF(2alpha) (10(-6) M) or OXT (10(-8) M) administration in the near-term rat myometrium.The animals were divided into an in vitro group (n= 8), where the developed tension of uterine strips was assessed, and an in vivo group (n= 5), where a lobe of the uterus with intact innervation and circulation was loaded with the fluorescent indicator Indo-1 AM to assess [Ca(2+)](i).PGF(2alpha) and OXT induced a 30.1% and 35.9%, respectively, increase in developed tension in the potassium chloride-depolarized myometrial strips. Nifedipine reduced the PGF(2alpha) and OXT increased tension by 65.8% and 49.4%, respectively. In vivo, both PGF(2alpha) and OXT increased [Ca(2+)](i) in the potassium chloride-depolarized uterine muscle by 35.7% and 44.6%, respectively, increases similar to the rises in tension in vitro. Nifedipine reduced these effects of PGF(2alpha) and OXT by 45.3% and 39.6%.These findings indicate that in near-term myometrium the source of increased [Ca(2+)](i) after administration of PGF(2alpha), similar to OXT, is both extracellular and intracellular.

Background and Design In this study we set out to determine the effects of long-term physical training on hemorheological, laboratory parameters, exercise tolerability, psychological factors in cardiac patients participating in an ambulatory rehabilitation program. Methods Before physical training, patients were examined by echocardiography, tested on treadmill by the Bruce protocol, and blood was drawn for laboratory tests. The enrolled 79 ischemic heart disease patients joined a 24-week cardiac rehabilitation training program. Blood was drawn to measure hematocrit (Hct), plasma and whole blood viscosity (PV, WBV), red blood cell (RBC) aggregation and deformability. Hemorheological, clinical chemistry and psychological measurements were repeated 12 and 24 weeks later, and a treadmill test was performed at the end of the program. Results After 12 weeks Hct, PV, WBV and RBC aggregation were significantly decreased, RBC deformability exhibited a significant increase (p

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are local regions in resting skeletal muscle in which the oxygen delivery is insufficient to support oxidative metabolism. This hypothesis was tested by stopping the blood supply to the exteriorized cat sartorius muscle for 5 min while monitoring NADH fluorescence in localized tissue areas 15–25 microns in diameter. A rise in fluorescence was taken to indicate a shift to anaerobic metabolism. Tissue sites in the arteriolar and venular regions of the capillary network were selected for study. After flow stoppage, fluorescence did not change for an average of 48 +/- 22 (SD) s and then rose over a period of 61 +/- 27 s to an average value 55 +/- 19% above control for arteriolar and venular sites combined. Fluorescence began to rise within 5 s of flow stasis in only 1 of 61 sites and within 10 s in 2 sites. There was no difference in the time course or magnitude of fluorescence changes at arteriolar and venular sites. The data indicate that in resting skeletal muscle, oxygen supply appears sufficient to support oxidative metabolism in over 95% of the tissue.

Findings from whole organ studies in which blood flow and/or oxygen consumption have been varied have led some investigators to suggest that there are localized regions of resting skeletal muscle in which blood flow is not sufficient to fully support oxidative metabolism. To test this hypothesis we have examined changes in NADH fluorescence of localized tissue areas in the exteriorized sartorius muscle of the anesthetized cat during reduction and stoppage of blood flow, induced by occlusion of arterial inflow or stimulation of the sympathetic nerve supply to the muscle. A special microscope system which measures fluorescence at 450 not in a 15 to 25 micron area during transillumination at 366 nm was used to monitor tissue fluorescence in small avascular regions of the muscle. The microscope also allows continuous observation and video recording of the adjacent microcirculatory vessels for measurement of red cell velocity. Tissue sites in the arteriolar and venular regions of the capillary network were chosen for study. Under control conditions the fluorescence signal was stable and did not vary during short term periodic variations in blood flow (vasomotion) occasionally seen in adjacent capillaries. With complete occlusion of inflow, fluorescence began to rise 47 + 25 sec after flow stopped (range 5–105 sec). Fluorescence rose within 5 sec at only 3% of sites and within 15 sec at 10% of sites. The percentage rise in fluorescence during a 5 min occlusion was not significantly different from that in total tissue NADH as determined from quick frozen tissue samples. The latter observation suggests that the rise in fluorescence is due principally, if not entirely, to an increase in tissue NADH. When capillary blood flow was reduced by sympathetic nerve stimulation (2 to 12 Hz), a 50% reduction in flow, sustained for at least 30 seconds, was necessary to elicit a rise in fluorescence. There was no difference between arteriolar and venular regions in the duration of flow stoppage or degree of flow reduction required to elicit a rise in fluorescence. Assuming that a rise in tissue NADH reflects a shift from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism, these findings suggest that the blood supply to all but a small fraction of local tissue areas is more than sufficient to support oxidative metabolism in resting cat sartorius muscle. Our findings may be reconciled with whole organ studies if oxygen consumption varies with oxygen availability even when the latter is above the “critical” PO2.