ORIGINAL PAPER mHealthMon: Toward Energy-Efficient and Distributed Mobile Health Monitoring Using Parallel Offloading

Abstract Although mobile health monitoring where mobile sensors continuously gather, process, and update sensor readings (e.g. vital signals) from patient’s sensors is emerging, little effort has been investigated in an energyefficient management of sensor information gathering and processing. Mobile health monitoring with the focus of energy consumption may instead be holistically analyzed and systematically designed as a global solution to optimization subproblems. This paper presents an attempt to decompose the very complex mobile health monitoring system whose layer in the system corresponds to decomposed subproblems, and interfaces between them are quantified as functions of the optimization variables in order to orchestrate the subproblems. We propose a distributed and energy-saving mobile health platform, called mHealthMon where mobile users publish/access sensor data via a cloud computing-based distributed P2P overlay network. The key objective is to satisfy the mobile health monitoring application’s quality of service requirements by modeling each subsystem: mobile clients with medical sensors, wireless network medium, and distributed cloud services. By simulations based on experimental data, we present the proposed system can achieve up to 10.1 times more energy-efficient and 20.2 times faster compared to a standalone mobil

Lightweight Digital Hardware Random Number Generators

Abstract — Random Number Generator (RNG) plays an essential role in many sensor network systems and applications, such as security and robust communication. We have developed the first digital hardware random number generator (DHRNG). DHRNG has a small footprint and requires ultra-low energy. It uses a new recursive structure that directly targets efficient FPGA implementation. The core idea is to place or extract random values in FPGA configuration bits and randomly connect the building blocks. We present our architecture, introduce accompanying protocols for secure public key communication, and adopt the NIST randomness test on the DHRNG’s output stream. I

Efficient Error Detection, Localization, and Correction for FPGA-Based Debugging

Simulations for modern designs are often performed on Field Programmable Gate Array technology in a functional test and debugging process known as emulation, allowing for more complex simulations than possible in software. One drawback to emulation is the lengthy time spent in the back-end CAD tools for each debugging iteration, including debugging changes and the introduction of control and observation logic. We have developed a technique that confines the re-place-and-route area to only the portions of the design affected by the introduction of the test logic and by the debugging changes. Therefore, the back-end CAD effort for error detection, localization, and correction is reduced. This benefit is achieved by partitioning the design at the physical level into independent blocks, and the test logic and design changes are localized to the affected blocks. The result is a shortened time between debugging iterations, and thus a shortened time-to-market for the design

Development of a prototype of an ambient-aware two-arm mobile service robot

This paper describes a prototype of an ambient-intelligent advanced service robot of anthropomorphic characteristics that is intended for operation in indoor environment as well as for safe interaction with people. The robot consists of a wheeled mobile platform with a spinal (segmented) torso, bi-manual manipulation system with hands, and a robot head with capabilities to see, hear and speak. It is equipped with a number of advanced sensors, including indoor laser range finder, several ultrasonic probes as distance sensors and obstacle detectors, 3-axis inertial sensors with gyroscope, stereo vision system, 2 wide-range microphones, and 2 speakerphones. Its operation is autonomous but it may be controlled from a host computer through a wireless link. The robot prototype is expected to express advanced cognitive capabilities including spatial understanding, autonomous motion, affective and social behavior. The development of the robot is a joint effort of four Serbian academic institutions and it is expected to have it fully operational in the second half of 2015

Resistance to antimicrobials drugs and control measures of Salmonella spp in the poultry industry

The worldwide prevalence of multiple resistant Salmonella spp is described. Clonally distributed Salmonella Enteritidis PT4 and Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 are among the most pathogenic strains for humans. Recently there have been reports on the prevalence of ST “like” monophasic 4(5),12:i strains in some countries. Vaccination strategy and antimicorbial agent therapy is also briefly discussed. Products of animal origin must be safe and without the risk of antimicrobial resistance. Subsequently, the good management practice at farm level and HACCP in feed factories are required to cope with salmonella infections. Poultry producers in developed countries have been motivated to participate in salmonella control programs, because of public awareness on safe food and risks in the food chain. Export of poultry and poultry products is more successful in the regions where Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium have been eradicated. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR31071

Isolation and identification of Brucella suis biotype 2 from epididymal puncture performed on a boar affected with brucellosis

The causal agent of swine brucellosis is Brucella suis. Within the scope of the kinds of Brucella suis, there are five biotypes, but only biotypes 1, 2 and 3 lead to swine infections. Human infections with Brucella suis biotype 2 are rarely registered. Swine brucellosis is widespread all over the world. It has been noted that the incidence of swine population infected with Brucella suis in Western Europe has been increasing during the recent years. The goal of this project was to isolate, identify and typify the causal agent from epididymal puncture performed on a boar with conditions suspicious of brucellosis, using standard microbiological methods. The results of the research show that Brucella suis biotype 2 can be successfully isolated and identified from a sample obtained by means of epididymal puncture of live animals. Therefore, epididymal puncture gives us a certain, reliable and important sample derived from a live animal for a direct diagnostic of boar brucellosis. The above mentioned first isolate of Brucella suis biotype 2 epididymal puncture, has been marked as K-1

Effect of degree of lipomobilization on results of glucose test in dairy cows in heat stress

Cows exposed to heat stress exhibit a decreased ability to mobilize lipids due to increased sensitivity to insulin, which is expressed in a decreased concentration of NEFA. However, certain cows can preserve the level of lipid mobilization after adapting to heat stress. We assumed that cows that have a preserved ability to mobilize lipids are less sensitive to insulin and that they have a lower tolerance for glucose. The aim of this work was to compare the results of an intravenous glucose tolerance test in cows that exhibited, in prolonged heat stress, a decreased (NEFA<0.20 mmol/l) or preserved (NEFA>0.30 mmol/l) ability for lipid mobilization. Glucose concentration and NEFA concentration were measured following intravenous application of glucose. The mean glycaemic index value did not differ statistically significantly between the two groups of cows at 10, 15 and 20 minutes after glucose application (p>0.05), but there was a tendency at 10 and 15 minutes for the glycaemia to be higher in cows with preserved lipomobilization (p<0.1). At 30, 60 and 90 minutes after glucose application, glycaemia was statistically significantly higher (p<0.01; p<0.05 and p<0.05) in the group of cows with preserved lipomobilization. The glycaemic index values (mmol/l) shown in the same order (30, 60 and 90 minutes) were as follows 9.91±0.21: 9.23±0.41; 5.41±0.5: 4.67±0.33 and 4.31±0.39: 3.47±0.37. The mean value for NEFA concentration in samples originating from the two experimental groups of cows did not differ statistically significantly following glucose application. The NEFA concentration showed a tendency to be higher in cows with preserved lipid mobilization in comparison with cows with decreased lipomobilization at 20 and 30 minutes after glucose application (p<0.1). Following the intravenous glucose tolerance test, NEFA and glucose concentrations were in a significant negative correlation, and that correlation was more expressed in cows with decreased lipomobilization. Cows with preserved lipomobilization have a lower tolerance for glucose than cows with a decreased lipomobilization during heat stress. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR 31062

Entomological and ecological index for risk of infection causing lyme disease in territory of Vojvodina, Serbia

In Europe, of all the vector transmitted diseases, the occurrence of lyme disease is the one most often registered, and the most significant vector Borrelia burgdorferi is the tick Ixodes ricinus. Both humans and animals contract lyme disease. The risk of the occurrence of lyme disease is in correlation with potential exposure to tick bites and depends on the density of the tick population in the endemic area, the percentage of ticks infected with the cause of lyme disease, the duration and the nature of the activity of the susceptible population in a certain area. The objective of these investigations was to determine the entomological and the ecological risk index, as well as to assess the risk of transmission of the cause of lyme disease in the territory of Vojvodina Province in the Republic of Serbia. Ticks were collected at 12 locations in the South Bačka District of Vojvodina. A total of 1400 ticks were identified up to the level of species. After establishing the infection of ticks with the cause of lyme disease, the entomological and the ecological index was determined for the given regions using microscopic examination in a dark field. Two species of ticks aere identified in this geographic region (Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor marginatus). Examining I. ricinus, the prevalence of infection B. burgdorferi was established, ranging up to 33.1%. The ecological risk index indicates that there is a potential risk of humans and animals becoming infected at 8 localities. It was determined for 3 localities that there is a definite actual risk of the transferrence of causes of lyme disease

Determination of specific antibodies titre to salmonella enteritidis by elisa technique in several selected flocks of laying hens

In this paper, the antibody titre to Salmonella enteritidis (SE) was examined by the ELISA method in two flocks of laying hens, where during routine bacteriological investigations Salmonellae was never isolated, and in one flock where Colysepticemia was diagnosed and Salmonella isolated accidentally. In the flocks were Salmonellae were not isolated, a titre with a high level of specific antibodies to SE was discovered (15 and 45%), while the flock with accidental findings of SE was poorly positive (5%). These results point to the necessity of introducing serological monitoring to SE so that the infection of salmonella may be discovered early and the prevalence in the flock determined, and also for the purpose of applying adequate measures that could reduce the possibility of secretion of SE through eggs

Correlation between the limit values of laboratory and clinical mycotoxicosis

Analysis of feed for the presence of fungi and mycotoxins is a request necessary to meet in order to ensure a healthy and economical production in livestock. These tests are related to legal regulation which prescribes the maximum legislated content (MLC), both for the presence of mycotoxins and the total number of fungi in certain feeds. Health problems that can occur during the production of animals are sometimes caused by the presence of mycotoxins in the feed. Laboratory testing is a good practice to confirm a suspicion, and allows timely treatment of contaminated feed. Potential problems arise under circumstances when there is a clinical outcome of mycotoxicosis and animal and laboratory findings suggest that the obtained values are below the level that is within the MLC. For these reasons, the subject of our research was to investigate the occurrence of mycotoxins and mold in feed, as well as the clinical presentation for animals that were fed with the feed with allowed values of these agents according to the recommended levels. The aim of this paper was to highlight the problems associated with clinical correlation of sick animals and laboratory findings, and suggest their overcoming. In the period of one year, a total of 176 samples of feed (complete mixture for broilers, corn and soy products) were examined for the presence of fungi, 106 samples were examined for the presence of mycotoxins and 26 flocks of broilers and turkeys were clinically observed. Standard methods were used for isolation of molds and the ELISA test was used for the detection of mycotoxins. Clinical and pathomorphological observation of the flocks was done to determine the natural indicators of production. Studies indicated a problem because clinical and pathomorphological findings in some cases were not correlated with laboratory findings of molds and mycotoxins in the feed, and in some cases it did not necessarily mean that the animals were healthy. Synergism and cumulative effects of mycotoxins, on the one hand, and the characteristics of each species and product category on the other hand, can create specific circumstances that can lead to disease and can increase even though the values prescribed by legislation have been met. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR 031071