TinyTurbo: Efficient Turbo Decoders on Edge

In this paper, we introduce a neural-augmented decoder for Turbo codes called TINYTURBO . TINYTURBO has complexity comparable to the classical max-log-MAP algorithm but has much better reliability than the max-log-MAP baseline and performs close to the MAP algorithm. We show that TINYTURBO exhibits strong robustness on a variety of practical channels of interest, such as EPA and EVA channels, which are included in the LTE standards. We also show that TINYTURBO strongly generalizes across different rate, blocklengths, and trellises. We verify the reliability and efficiency of TINYTURBO via over-the-air experiments.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures. Published at the 2022 IEEE International Symposium on Information Theory (ISIT

Water-drinking test in central serous chorioretinopathy

Purpose: To evaluate choroidal changes in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) patients after water-drinking test (WDT). Methods: This prospective study included treatment-naïve acute and chronic CSCR eyes and healthy controls. Intraocular pressure and optical coherence tomography measurements with choroidal vascular index (CVI) measurements were done at baseline. Patients were asked to drink 1 L of water, and tests were repeated at 15, 30, and 45 min. Results: Fifty-six eyes from 42 patients were enrolled. Choroidal area, luminal area, and stromal area were higher at baseline in eyes with acute CSCR compared to healthy controls. Chronic CSCR eyes showed an increase in choroidal area and stromal area and a decrease in the luminal area at 15 min. There was a significant decrease in CVI at 30 and 45 min in chronic CSCR and CVI at 45 min in fellow eyes of acute CSCR. Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant change in central macular thickness in acute CSCR, choroidal thickness in fellow eyes of acute CSCR, stromal area, and total choroidal area in chronic CSCR. Mixed model ANOVA showed that the change in various choroidal parameters seen had no interaction with the eye type. Conclusion: Although change in various parameters was seen in acute CSCR, chronic CSCR, and fellow eyes of acute CSCR following WDT, the change was not significantly different among the groups

Sunscreen Use Among South Asian Women: A Survey

The purpose of the study was to identify the use of sunscreen in South Asian women and to understand the amount of knowledge they have about sunscreen usage, by means of an online survey. A total of 29 questions were part of the survey, including application of sunscreen, frequency of sunscreen usage, and improvements they would like in their sunscreen, among others. All around 131 responses were collected, out of which 53.8% (n=70) participants stated that they use sunscreen, and 46.2 (n=61) stated the opposite.  Most of the sunscreen users used SPF 30 or above, and also tended to wear it indoors. Unfortunately, 87.1% of the sunscreen users did not consider re-application necessary. Many women  were found to apply an unsatisfactory amount during regular use. When asked about improvements they would like, a majority of the participants expected cost effectiveness, lesser white-cast and lesser greasiness in their sunscreens. Additionally, it was found that other products used by the participants, such as moisturizers and make-up products majorly did not provide SPF protection. However, most of the women were satisfied with their sunscreen, with 68% of women finding sunscreen beneficia. A good lot also agreed that social media had helped eliminate their apprehension towards the product. Through this survey, we would like to steer attention towards the improved, positive outlook of South Asian women with regard to sunscreen, and their willingness to use sunscreen more proactively and efficiently, if more awareness were to be generated, and certain enhancements made by the cosmetic enterprises

Skin-care Routine During The COVID-19 Pandemic: An Online Survey

The COVID-19 pandemic, by causing millions of people to stay locked indoors in quarantine, with more time to focus on lifestyle, has shifted people's health trajectories-changes in daily habits, hygiene and self-care being among the more prominent ones. For many, issues like mask acne flare-ups, made them implement changes in their skin-care routine to control issues related to wearing facemasks. The purpose of this study is to look for connections between the imposition of lockdown measure, changes in skin-care routines of individuals, and the effects of those, respectively. Utilising an unfunded cross-sectional study conducted online, participants were asked a series of questions about their individual skin-care routines before and during the pandemic. 34.1% (n=85) of participants stated that they did make changes in their skin-care routine. Additionally, the study found that among the individuals that did make changes (p=0.002) to their routines, 28.9 %(n=72) claimed that the changes were beneficial. The most common skin-care products discontinued from the routine were found to be moisturizers, cleansers and sunscreen, and the skin-care products most commonly added were toners, exfoliants, actives like retinols and azelaic acids. Some participants also felt (p=0.007) that their skin felt different from before the pandemic, and 23.3% (n=58) found their skin to be better overall. The study, therefore, establishes grounds for a strong correlation between the pandemic, changes in skin-care, and their effects on the skin

Nrf2 Regulates Anti-Inflammatory A20 Deubiquitinase Induction by LPS in Macrophages in Contextual Manner

The aberrant regulation of inflammatory gene transcription following oxidant and inflammatory stimuli can culminate in unchecked systemic inflammation leading to organ dysfunction. The Nrf2 transcription factor dampens cellular stress and controls inflammation by upregulating antioxidant gene expression and TNFα-induced Protein 3 (TNFAIP3, aka A20) deubiquitinase by controlling NF-kB signaling dampens tissue inflammation. Here, we report that Nrf2 is required for A20 induction by inflammatory stimuli LPS in monocyte/bone marrow derived macrophages (MDMΦs) but not in lung-macrophages (LDMΦs). LPS-induced A20 expression was significantly lower in Nrf2−/− MDMΦs and was not restored by antioxidant supplementation. Nrf2 deficiency markedly impaired LPS-stimulated A20 mRNA expression Nrf2−/− MDMΦs and ChIP assays showed Nrf2 enrichment at the promoter Nrf2−/− MDMΦs upon LPS stimulation, demonstrating that Nrf2 directly regulates A20 expression. Contrary to MDMΦs, LPS-stimulated A20 expression was not largely impaired in Nrf2−/− LDMΦs ex vivo and in vivo and ChIP assays showed lack of increased Nrf2 binding at the A20 promoter in LDMΦ following LPS treatment. Collectively, these results demonstrate a crucial role for Nrf2 in optimal A20 transcriptional induction in macrophages by endotoxin, and this regulation occurs in a contextual manner

Wide-field choroidal vascular analysis in central serous chorioretinopathy

Purpose: To report the wide-field choroidal vessel analysis in central serous chrorioretinopathy (CSCR) and their fellow eyes. Methods: Wide-field optical coherence tomography (WF-OCT) images (55°) were obtained using Spectralis HRA + OCT (Heidelberg Engineering, Germany) in extremes of gazes in all quadrants and manual montages were created to obtain wide field images up to equator. Choroidal thickness (CT), large choroidal vessel layer thickness (LCVT), and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) were calculated in macular segment (twice the disc to fovea distance) and all four quadrants. Regression analysis was performed to identify the factors influencing CVI. Results: Thirty-one patients of CSCR including 39 eyes of CSCR (32 chronic, 7 acute) and 23 fellow eyes were analyzed. CT and LCVT were significantly higher in submacular choroid than all extramacular segments in both CSCR and fellow eyes (all p values <0.01). CVI varied significantly in different segments in horizontal (p < 0.01 in both) and vertical meridian (p < 0.01 and p = 0.01 respectively) in CSCR and fellow eyes. Both CSCR and fellow eyes had highest CVI in nasal segment with minimum CVI in macular segment. Age (p = 0.85), gender (p = 0.39), chronicity of the disease (acute vs chronic, p = 0.57), axial length (p = 0.67), SBP (p = 0.81), and DBP (p = 0.94) were not significantly correlated to CVI. Conclusion: CVI shows significant regional variation with macular segment showing the lowest CVI whereas nasal segments have highest CVI in both CSCR and their fellow eyes. On the contrary, submacular segment has highest CT and LCVT with taper towards periphery in both CSCR and fellow eyes