Small Footprint Multilayered Millimeter-Wave Antennas and Feeding Networks for Multi-Dimensional Scanning and High-Density Integrated Systems

This paper overviews the state-of-the-art of substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) techniques in the design and realization of innovative low-cost, low-profile and low-loss (L3) millimeter-wave antenna elements, feeding networks and arrays for various wireless applications. Novel classes of multilayered antenna structures and systems are proposed and studied to exploit the vertical dimension of planar structures to overcome certain limita-tions in standard two-dimensional (2-D) topologies. The developed structures are based on two techniques, namely multi-layer stacked structures and E-plane corners. Differ-ent E-plane structures realised with SIW waveguide are presented, thereby demonstrating the potential of the proposed techniques as in multi-polarization antenna feeding. An array of 128 elements shows low SLL and height gain with just 200g of the total weight. Two versions of 2-D scanning multi-beam are presented, which effectively combine frequency scanning with beam forming networks. Adding the benefits of wide band performance to the multilayer structure, two bi-layer structures are investigated. Different stacked antennas and arrays are demonstrated to optimise the targeted antenna performances in the smallest footprint possible. These structures meet the requirement for developing inexpensive compact millimeter-wave antennas and antenna systems. Different structures and architectures are theoretically and experimentally studied and discussed for specific space- and ground-based appli-cations. Practical issues such as high-density integration and high-volume manufacturability are also addressed

A comparative study of hysteroscopy and transvaginal ultrasonography in diagnosis of endometrial pathology in abnormal uterine bleeding

Background: Abnormal uterine bleeding is the most common complaint in gynaecology and an important source of morbidity. The ideal diagnostic tool to determine the cause for the same continues to be debated. Objective of this study was to compare accuracy of hysteroscopy and transvaginal sonography in diagnosis of endometrial pathology in abnormal uterine bleeding.Methods: A total 100 women attending gynaecological outpatient in hospital attached to J. J. M. Medical College, Davangere with abnormal uterine bleeding fitting into the inclusion criteria during November 2014 to August 2016, were admitted and evaluated with Transvaginal sonography (TVS) and hysteroscopy. Data was collected and analysed.Results: Among 100 patients of AUB in this study, majority of the patients were in perimenopausal age group. Menorrhagia is the most common presentation (45%) followed by postmenopausal bleeding (20%). Anaemia was detected in 79% of patients. Hysteroscopy was taken as gold standard and TVS findings were compared. The sensitivity of TVS in detecting polyps, submucous fibroid were 22.2%, 11% respectively and for the normal variants like proliferative and secretory it was 50% and 79.2% respectively. TVS showed good correlation with hysteroscope findings for normal variants of endometrium, but poor correlation for intracavitary pathologies.Conclusions: Hysteroscopy is a rapid, safe, well tolerated and highly accurate means of diagnosing the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding in perimenopausal age group. Thus, it is advised as a first line investigation in evaluation of AUB

Prevalence and correlates of depressive disorders in people with Type 2 diabetes: results from the International Prevalence and Treatment of Diabetes and Depression (INTERPRET‐DD) study, a collaborative study carried out in 14 countries

Aims To assess the prevalence and management of depressive disorders in people with Type 2 diabetes in different countries. Methods People with diabetes aged 18–65 years and treated in outpatient settings were recruited in 14 countries and underwent a psychiatric interview. Participants completed the Patient Health Questionnaire and the Problem Areas in Diabetes scale. Demographic and medical record data were collected. Results A total of 2783 people with Type 2 diabetes (45.3% men, mean duration of diabetes 8.8 years) participated. Overall, 10.6% were diagnosed with current major depressive disorder and 17.0% reported moderate to severe levels of depressive symptomatology (Patient Health Questionnaire scores >9). Multivariable analyses showed that, after controlling for country, current major depressive disorder was significantly associated with gender (women) (PPPPP<0.0001). The proportion of those with either current major depressive disorder or moderate to severe levels of depressive symptomatology who had a diagnosis or any treatment for their depression recorded in their medical records was extremely low and non-existent in many countries (0–29.6%). Conclusions Our international study, the largest of this type ever undertaken, shows that people with diabetes frequently have depressive disorders and also significant levels of depressive symptoms. Our findings indicate that the identification and appropriate care for psychological and psychiatric problems is not the norm and suggest a lack of the comprehensive approach to diabetes management that is needed to improve clinical outcomes

Progress and prospects in harnessing wild relatives for genetic enhancement of salt tolerance in rice

Salt stress is the second most devastating abiotic stress after drought and limits rice production globally. Genetic enhancement of salinity tolerance is a promising and cost-effective approach to achieve yield gains in salt-affected areas. Breeding for salinity tolerance is challenging because of the genetic complexity of the response of rice plants to salt stress, as it is governed by minor genes with low heritability and high G × E interactions. The involvement of numerous physiological and biochemical factors further complicates this complexity. The intensive selection and breeding efforts targeted towards the improvement of yield in the green-revolution era inadvertently resulted in the gradual disappearance of the loci governing salinity tolerance and a significant reduction in genetic variability among cultivars. The limited utilization of genetic resources and narrow genetic base of improved cultivars have resulted in a plateau in response to salinity tolerance in modern cultivars. Wild species are an excellent genetic resource for broadening the genetic base of domesticated rice. Exploiting novel genes of underutilized wild rice relatives to restore salinity tolerance loci eliminated during domestication can result in significant genetic gain in rice cultivars. Wild species of rice, Oryza rufipogon and Oryza nivara, have been harnessed in the development of a few improved rice varieties like Jarava and Chinsura Nona 2. Furthermore, increased access to sequence information and enhanced knowledge about the genomics of salinity tolerance in wild relatives has provided an opportunity for the deployment of wild rice accessions in breeding programs, while overcoming the cross-incompatibility and linkage drag barriers witnessed in wild hybridization. Pre-breeding is another avenue for building material that are ready for utilization in breeding programs. Efforts should be directed towards systematic collection, evaluation, characterization, and deciphering salt tolerance mechanisms in wild rice introgression lines and deploying untapped novel loci to improve salinity tolerance in rice cultivars. This review highlights the potential of wild relatives of Oryza to enhance tolerance to salinity, track the progress of work, and provide a perspective for future research

Altered Auditory Feedback In-The-Ear Devices

Purpose: This study examined objective and subjective measures of the effect of a self-contained ear-level device delivering altered auditory feedback (AAF) for those who stutter 12 months following initial fitting with and without the device. Method: Nine individuals with developmental stuttering participated. In Experiment 1, the proportion of stuttering was examined during reading and monologue. A self-report inventory inquiring about behavior related to struggle, avoidance and expectancy associated with stuttering was examined in Experiment 2. In Experiment 3, naive listeners rated the speech naturalness of speech produced by the participants during reading and monologue. Results: The proportions of stuttering events were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced at initial fitting and remained so 12 months post follow-up. After using the device for 12 months, self- reported perception of struggle, avoidance and expectancy were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced relative to pre-fitting. Naive listeners rated the speech samples produced by those who stutter while wearing the device significantly more natural sounding than those produced without the device for both reading and monologue (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: These findings support the notion that a device delivering AAF is a viable therapeutic alternative in the treatment of stuttering

Aerosolized Surfactant in Adults with Sepsis-Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have a deficiency of surfactant. Surfactant replacement improves physiologic function in such patients, and preliminary data suggest that it may improve survival. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving 725 patients with sepsis-induced ARDS. Patients were stratified according to the risk of death at base line (indicated by their score on the Acute Physiological and Chronic Health Evaluation [APACHE III] index) and randomly assigned to receive either continuously administered synthetic surfactant (13.5 mg of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine per milliliter, 364 patients) or placebo (o.45 percent saline; 361 patients) in aerosolized form for up to five days. RESULTS: The demographic and physiologic characteristics of the two treatment groups were similar at base line. The mean (+/- SD) age was 50 +/- 17 years in the surfactant group and 53 +/- 18 years in the placebo group, and the mean APACHE III scores at randomization were 70.4 +/- 25 and 70.5 +/- 25, respectively. Hemodynamic measures, measures of oxygenation, duration of mechanical ventilation, and length of stay in intensive care unit did not differ significantly in the two groups. Survival at 30 days was 60 percent for both groups. Survival was similar in the groups when analyzed according to APACHE III score, cause of death, time of onset and severity of ARDS, presence or absence of documented sepsis, underlying disease, whether or not there was a do-not-resuscitate order, and medical center. Increased secretions were significantly more frequent in the surfactant group; the rates of other complications were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The continuous administration of aerosolized synthetic surfactant to patients with sepsis-induced ARDS had no significant effect on 30-day survival, length of stay in the intensive care unit, duration of mechanical ventilation, or physiologic function

Prevalence and correlates of depressive disorders in people with Type 2 diabetes: results from the international prevalence and treatment of diabetes and depression (INTERPRET-DD) study, a collaborative study carried out in 14 countries

AIMS: To assess the prevalence and management of depressive disorders in people with Type 2 diabetes in different countries. METHODS: People with diabetes aged 18-65 years and treated in outpatient settings were recruited in 14 countries and underwent a psychiatric interview. Participants completed the Patient Health Questionnaire and the Problem Areas in Diabetes scale. Demographic and medical record data were collected. RESULTS: A total of 2783 people with Type 2 diabetes (45.3% men, mean duration of diabetes 8.8 years) participated. Overall, 10.6% were diagnosed with current major depressive disorder and 17.0% reported moderate to severe levels of depressive symptomatology (Patient Health Questionnaire scores >9). Multivariable analyses showed that, after controlling for country, current major depressive disorder was significantly associated with gender (women) (P<0.0001), a lower level of education (P<0.05), doing less exercise (P<0.01), higher levels of diabetes distress (P<0.0001) and a previous diagnosis of major depressive disorder (P<0.0001). The proportion of those with either current major depressive disorder or moderate to severe levels of depressive symptomatology who had a diagnosis or any treatment for their depression recorded in their medical records was extremely low and non-existent in many countries (0-29.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Our international study, the largest of this type ever undertaken, shows that people with diabetes frequently have depressive disorders and also significant levels of depressive symptoms. Our findings indicate that the identification and appropriate care for psychological and psychiatric problems is not the norm and suggest a lack of the comprehensive approach to diabetes management that is needed to improve clinical outcomes