Design and Analysis of Wideband In-Band-Full-Duplex FR2-IAB Networks

This paper develops a 3GPP-inspired design for the in-band-full-duplex (IBFD) integrated access and backhaul (IAB) networks in the frequency range 2 (FR2) band, which can enhance the spectral efficiency (SE) and coverage while reducing the latency. However, the self-interference (SI), which is usually more than 100 dB higher than the signal-of-interest, becomes the major bottleneck in developing these IBFD networks. We design and analyze a subarray-based hybrid beamforming IBFD-IAB system with the RF beamformers obtained via RF codebooks given by a modified Linde-Buzo-Gray (LBG) algorithm. The SI is canceled in three stages, where the first stage of antenna isolation is assumed to be successfully deployed. The second stage consists of the optical domain (OD)-based RF cancellation, where cancelers are connected with the RF chain pairs. The third stage is comprised of the digital cancellation via successive interference cancellation followed by minimum mean-squared error baseband receiver. Multiuser interference in the access link is canceled by zero-forcing at the IAB-node transmitter. Simulations show that under 400 MHz bandwidth, our proposed OD-based RF cancellation can achieve around 25 dB of cancellation with 100 taps. Moreover, the higher the hardware impairment and channel estimation error, the worse digital cancellation ability we can obtain

Extracellular Protease and DNase Activities in Clinical and Environmental Isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans Species Complex from Central India

Enzymes are important not only for the growth and multiplication of the microorganism but also in the infection, penetration of the host tissue and encountering host defense mechanisms. This study aims to investigate extracellular protease and DNase activity in clinical (20) and 120 environmental isolates of C. neoformans species complex collected from different localities of central India.  DNase test agar containing toluidine blue and Yeast Carbon Base (YCB) agar medium supplemented with 0.1% BSA + 0.01% polypeptone was employed for the screening of DNase and protease production respectively. DNase and protease production was detected by the appearance of clear zones around the colonies. On the basis of enzymatic activity and their Pz values, high protease production (Pz≤0.6) was observed by 14 (11.6 %) environmental and 4 (11.6 %) clinical strains on 5th day, whereas 35 (29.16 %) environmental and 8 (40 %) clinical strains were screened on 8th day of incubation. Similarly 13 (10.83%) environmental and 3 (15 %) clinical strains on the 5th day, however 32 (26.66%) environmental and 8 (40 %) clinical strains on the 8th day of incubation were found to be high DNase producing strains with low Pz value (Pz≤0.6). In the case of protease activity, no significant difference was observed whereas a significant difference has shown by clinical C. neoformans and C. gattii strains on the 5th day of DNase production (p < .001). Extracellular enzymes play a vital role in the pathogenicity and virulence of C. neoformans species complex, therefore, enzymes are considered as worthy targets for developing therapeutics. Keywords: Cryptococcus neoformans species complex, Extracellular enzymes, DNase, protease, virulence, Pz valu

A study to estimate prevalence and risk factors of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome in a semi-urban Indian population

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) has been recognised as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries like India. There is still a paucity of Indian studies regarding the prevalence of OSAS. The current single centre prospective cross-sectional study was undertaken to know prevalence estimates for key symptoms and features that can indicate the presence of OSAS in an Indian population. A survey was conducted on subjects with age groups ≥ 25 years at King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India from August 2009 to July 2011. Data was recorded during the interview on the basis of Berlin Questionnaire (BQ). Risk factors for OSAS were also evaluated. Risk group categorization for OSAS was done with the help of a questionnaire and overnight polysomnography was performed in each group to measure apnea and hypopnea index (AHI). Out of 1816 subjects, 1512 (response rate 83.3%) finally participated in the survey with mean age 42.6±11.2 years, males 67.9% and females 32.1%. Of them 6.2% were found to be at high-risk OSAS; 12.2% were obese (Body Mass Index ≥30 kg/m2) and 33.5% of the obese population were at high-risk OSAS. Among high-risk patients with OSAS, 62.4% had hypertension. Statistically significant and independent risk factors found for OSAS were obesity, large neck size, alcoholism and use of sedatives/tranquillizers. High-risk category predicted an AHI ≥5 with a sensitivity of 86.3% (95% CI 73.1-93.8), specificity of 93.1% (95% CI 89.1-95.7), positive and negative predictive values of 70.9% (95% CI 57.9-81.4) and 97.2% (95% CI 94.1-98.8) respectively. It can be concluded that BQ questionnaire can still be used as a pre-assessment tool for predicting persons at risk for OSAS in clinical practice. Further studies on estimation of prevalence of OSAS by applying BQ are warranted in near future from other regions of India

Is intraarticular administration of tranexamic acid better than its intravenous administration in reducing blood loss after total knee arthroplasty?

Context: It has been well-established now that intravenous (IV) tranexamic acid (TXA) is a potent agent to control postoperative blood loss following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Recently, intraarticular administration of this agent has also shown good efficacy for the same. Aims: Comparison of postoperative blood loss between IV and topical administration of TXA in TKAs. Materials and Design: Eighty-six TKAs on knees were included in this study. Randomization was done so that 40 TKA received 1 g of IV TXA, while 46 had intraarticular administration of 1 g TXA. Subjets and Methods: We compared the postoperative blood loss by calculating the difference in pre- and postop hemoglobin and need for blood transfusion. Functional assessment was done on basis of Western Ontario McMaster Osteo-Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scores and complications like postoperative infection, oozing from the wound site and thromboembolic manifestations. Results: Blood loss was significantly less in the intraarticular administration group as compared to the IV injection group. Total blood loss, blood transfusion group, and drain output was also less but the difference was not significant. The functional assessment (WOMAC) scores were equivocal and so were the complications including thromboembolic manifestations (two cases each of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and no cases of pulmonary embolism (PE)). Conclusion: Intraarticular administration of TXA to prevent postoperative blood loss in TKA is a safe and effective alternative/adjunct to its IV administration

Is intraarticular administration of tranexamic acid better than its intravenous administration in reducing blood loss after total knee arthroplasty?

Context: It has been well-established now that intravenous (IV) tranexamic acid (TXA) is a potent agent to control postoperative blood loss following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Recently, intraarticular administration of this agent has also shown good efficacy for the same. Aims: Comparison of postoperative blood loss between IV and topical administration of TXA in TKAs. Materials and Design: Eighty-six TKAs on knees were included in this study. Randomization was done so that 40 TKA received 1 g of IV TXA, while 46 had intraarticular administration of 1 g TXA. Subjets and Methods: We compared the postoperative blood loss by calculating the difference in pre- and postop hemoglobin and need for blood transfusion. Functional assessment was done on basis of Western Ontario McMaster Osteo-Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scores and complications like postoperative infection, oozing from the wound site and thromboembolic manifestations. Results: Blood loss was significantly less in the intraarticular administration group as compared to the IV injection group. Total blood loss, blood transfusion group, and drain output was also less but the difference was not significant. The functional assessment (WOMAC) scores were equivocal and so were the complications including thromboembolic manifestations (two cases each of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and no cases of pulmonary embolism (PE)). Conclusion: Intraarticular administration of TXA to prevent postoperative blood loss in TKA is a safe and effective alternative/adjunct to its IV administration

A comparative study on the clinical and polysomnographic pattern of obstructive sleep apnea among obese and non-obese subjects

Objective: This study was designed to compare the pattern of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among obese and nonobese subjects regarding clinical and polysomnographic data obtained for a polysomnographic study. Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective descriptive study was conducted by analyzing polysomnographic data in 112 consecutive patients underwent a sleep study at our sleep laboratory from January 2009 to July 2010. Out of them, 81 were diagnosed to have OSA (apnea-hypopnoea Index ≥5). These patients were classified in two groups with body mass index (BMI) < 27.5 kg/m 2 as nonobese and BMI≥27.5 kg/m 2 as obese. Clinical as well as polysomnographic data were evaluated and compared between the two groups. Patients were also evaluated for other risk factors such as smoking, alcoholism, and use of sedatives. Data were subjected to statistical analysis (χ2 -test, P value <0.05 considered to be significant). The Fisher Exact test was applied wherever the expected frequency for a variable was ≤5. Results: Of 81 patients with OSA, 36 (44.4%) were nonobese with a mean BMI of 26.62 ± 2.29 kg/m 2 and 45 (55.6%) were obese with a mean BMI of 35.14 ± 3.74 kg/m 2 . Mean AHI per hour was significantly more in the obese than in the nonobese group (50.09 ± 29.49 vs. 24.36 ± 12.17, P<0.001). The use of one or more sedatives was more in nonobese as compared to obese (58.3% vs. 24.4%, P=0.002). The obese group had significantly higher desaturation and arousal index (P<</i>0.001). The minimal oxygen saturation was lower in the obese than the nonobese group (68.5 ± 13.00 vs. 80.3 ± 7.40, P<</i>0.001) and was well below 90% in both groups. Overall, the OSA in nonobese patients was mild-to-moderate as compared to that of the obese and no significant differences were observed between them as regard to age, gender, mean neck circumference, excessive daytime sleepiness, adenoid or tonsillar enlargement, smoking, and remaining polysomnographic parameters. Conclusion: Obstructive sleep apnea can occur in nonobese persons though with less severity as compared to obese leading to a concept that OSA is not restricted to obese persons only and there is a high demand of its awareness regarding evaluation, diagnosis, and management in such individuals

Integrating assisted tele-psychiatry into primary healthcare in Goa, India: a feasibility study

BACKGROUND: Tele-psychiatry is an increasingly acceptable and feasible platform to deliver mental health care with the potential to increase access to care in low-resource settings. We aim to examine the acceptability and preliminary impact of the delivery of assisted tele-psychiatry services in primary healthcare settings in Goa, India. METHODS: Before-after uncontrolled treatment cohort study. In total, 161 adults with either a mental or alcohol use disorder were provided tele-consultation by psychiatrists through a customised video conferencing platform, along with medication or counselling (via trained lay counsellors) or both as needed. Data on socio-demographics, clinical outcomes and process indicators were collected at baseline and 3 months post-baseline. Paired t tests were used to assess clinical outcomes pre- and post-treatment using the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) and World Health Organisation Disability Adjustment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0, and logistic regression was used to find associations between changes in these scores and various factors. RESULTS: The most common diagnosis was depression (35%). Post-treatment, there was a significant reduction in both GHQ-12 and WHODAS 2.0 scores. Participants showed high satisfaction with the tele-psychiatry services and technology platform. Improvement in GHQ-12 score was associated with being employed [OR 8.74 (1.92–39.75, p = 0.005)] and being a homemaker [OR 6.42 (CI 1.61–25.57, p = 0.008)]. CONCLUSION: Treatment of mental disorders through a tele-psychiatry platform appears to be highly acceptable and is associated with improved clinical outcomes. Considering its potential for scalability, a model of assisted tele-psychiatry integrated into primary care can be an important strategy to increase access to mental healthcare in low-resource settings