As a typical Internet of Things application, network traffic prediction (NTP) plays a decisive role in congestion control, resource allocation, and anomaly detection. The trend of network traffic is different at different scales, so multiscale is an important characteristic of network traffic. In addition, the network traffic is nonlinear on each scale and dependent between scales. The existing NTP methods cannot comprehensively consider these characteristics, which limits their performance. In view of the characteristics of network traffic, such as multiscale, nonlinearity, and scale dependence, this article proposes a new multiscale NTP method based on a deep echo-state network (ESN). First, a multiscale parallel layered structure based on deep ESN is designed to fully consider the influence of each scale on the prediction result and then reduce the prediction error. Second, a feature extraction algorithm is proposed to improve the nonlinear approximation ability by extracting more abundant dynamic features with multiple reservoirs. Third, an NTP model based on scale dependence is proposed to reduce the influence from partial scale missing and then improve the prediction accuracy. Finally, simulation results demonstrate that compared with the state-of-the-art NTP methods, the proposed method significantly improves the prediction performance of network traffic with a slight increase in running time.

Abstract We compared the impact of performing dual-task walking on gait quality and prefrontal cortical activation assessed by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). We hypothesized a greater increase in fNIRS averaged over the left prefrontal cortex during dual-task walking would be associated with a greater decrease in gait quality (increased step-time variability; decreased gait speed, cadence, smoothness, and adaptability). In older adults (n=60, 75±5.8 years, 57% female), we quantified the change in fNIRS and gait metrics from single-task walking (even surface) to walking with attentional (reciting every-other letter of the alphabet) and physical (uneven surface) dual-task challenges using four 15m repetitions of each task. Gait metrics were computed from a tri-axial accelerometer at the lower-back. Changes in fNIRS from single to dual-task walking were not associated with changes in gait quality for both attentional and physical challenges (Spearman correlations, all p>0.08). Variability in response across individuals may contribute to our findings.

Background: Our recent study has shown that pomegranate peel extract (PEx) showed significant immunomodulatory activity, which might be caused by ellagitannins. The aim of this work was to test the hypothesis that ellagitannin components act synergistically in the modulation of cytokine production. Methods: Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin and treated with different concentrations of PEx or punicalagin (PG), punicalin (PN), and ellagic acid (EA), alone or with their combinations. Cytotoxicity, cell proliferation, and cytokine production were determined. Results: Non-cytotoxic concentrations of all compounds significantly inhibited cell proliferation. IC50 values (μg/mL) were: EA (7.56), PG (38.52), PEx (49.05), and PN (69.95). PEx and all ellagitannins inhibited the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8, dose-dependently, and their combinations acted synergistically. PEx and all ellagitannins inhibited Th1 and Th17 responses, whereas the lower concentrations of PEx stimulated the production of IL-10, a Treg cytokine, as did lower concentrations of EA. However, neither component of ellagitannins increased Th2 response, as was observed with PEx. Conclusions: The combination of PG, PN, and EA potentiated the anti-inflammatory response without any significant synergistic down-modulatory effect on T-cell cytokines. The increased production of IL-10 observed with PEx could be attributable to EA, but the examined ellagitannins are not associated with the stimulatory effect of PEx on Th2 response.

Aim: The aim of article was to present a patient with heart failure symptoms caused by prosthetic mechanical valve endocarditis. Case presentation : 44-years-old male patient was admitted because of dyspnea and swelling of lower extremities. The patient is a long-standing heroin addict who had an aortic valve replacement done 8 years ago due to endocarditis. The implanted valve was a mechanical aortic valve – Edwards MIRA bi-leaflet valve No 32 (Edwards Lifesciences; Irvine, California). He also was already diagnosed with hepatitis C years before. At admission the patient had heart failure signs with sinus tachycardia on the electrocardiogram. During physical examination

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Voltage–current characteristics of free burning arcs in SF6 and air have been known for decades. As the demand for an SF6-free solution is increasing, there is an accompanying need to determine arc parameters in the alternative gases. An unblown arc experiment has been established to determine the voltage–current characteristics of SF6 alternative gases, which have not yet been thoroughly studied. In this experiment, free burning arc measurements were performed in a number of gases under consideration of SF6 alternatives, including CO2 and mixtures of CO2/O2 with and without C4F7N or C5F10O additives at the concentrations of up to 10 %. Measurements were also performed in air and SF6 for comparison. Arc voltage was measured in each gas at pressures ranging from 1- to 5-bar absolute, and electrode separations ranging from 20 to $95 \mathrm {~mm}$ . Voltage–current characteristic measurements for air and SF6 show good agreement with previously published results. A linear relationship of the arc voltage to the arc length is shown as well as the fourth root dependence of the arc voltage on the gas pressure. It was shown that neither the O2 nor the fluorinated additives to CO2 have any significant influence on the voltage–current characteristic. The minimum arc voltage in all measured gases was slightly higher than in SF6, but the arc in SF6 was the least stable and had the highest elongations resulting in high-voltage peaks. The arc voltage in air had a similar minimum value to the CO2-based gases, but the arc was much more stable, resulting in lower effective voltage, especially at low currents.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a non-enveloped double-stranded DNA virus capable of infecting skin and mucosa epithelial cells. Commonly, HPV infection is associated with sexually transmitted diseases and is considered the leading cause of cervical cancer and other carcinomas of the anogenital tract. However, several studies reported their involvement in cancers of non-sexual regions, including colorectal, head and neck, and breast cancers. There are several studies from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions on the potential association between high-risk HPVs and cancer; nevertheless, there are limited studies that address the significance of HPV vaccination as a potential guard against these cancers. In the current review, we present a comprehensive description of the current HPV-associated cancers prevalence rates in the MENA region, demonstrating their steady increase with time, especially in African regions. Moreover, we discuss the potential impact of vaccination against HPV infections and its outcome on human health in this region.