On the Role of 5G and Beyond Sidelink Communication in Multi-Hop Tactical Networks

This work investigates the potential of 5G and beyond sidelink (SL) communication to support multi-hop tactical networks. We first provide a technical and historical overview of 3GPP SL standardization activities, and then consider applications to current problems of interest in tactical networking. We consider a number of multi-hop routing techniques which are expected to be of interest for SL-enabled multi-hop tactical networking and examine open-source tools useful for network emulation. Finally, we discuss relevant research directions which may be of interest for 5G SL-enabled tactical communications, namely the integration of RF sensing and positioning, as well as emerging machine learning tools such as federated and decentralized learning, which may be of great interest for resource allocation and routing problems that arise in tactical applications. We conclude by summarizing recent developments in the 5G SL literature and provide guidelines for future research.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures. To be presented at 2023 IEEE MILCOM Workshops, Boston, M

The optimization of emergency call systems using simulation modeling

Using computer simulation modeling, this research assessed the effectiveness and response times when using a mobile safety system versus an emergency call box when reporting an emergency at Purdue University, West Lafayette\u27s Engineering Mall area, attempting to answer the first question What emergency call system is more effective: a mobile safety system or an emergency call box? The second question asks What emergency call system has a faster response time: a mobile safety system or an emergency call box? A discrete event simulation model of the emergency call service is used. The outcome of the study was that the mobile safety solution resulted in being more effective than the emergency call box. This study shows that the arrival time to reach an emergency call box is a major factor in lowering the average effectiveness time when using an emergency call box to report an emergency. This study shows that the emergency call box results in an average overall faster response time when reporting an emergency versus using a mobile safety system. This study uses a simulation approach that produces a decision tool for campus security officials to assess emergency call systems effectiveness and response times on a college campus

Influence of psoas muscle area on mortality following elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Background: The effect of sarcopenia based on the total psoas muscle area (TPMA) on CT is inconclusive in patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) intervention. The aim of this prospective cohort study was to evaluate morphometric sarcopenia as a method of risk stratification in patients undergoing elective AAA intervention. Methods: TPMA was measured on preintervention CT images of patients undergoing elective endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) or open aneurysm repair. Mortality was assessed in relation to preintervention TPMA using Cox regression analysis, with calculation of hazard ratios at 30 days, 1 year and 4 years. Postintervention morbidity was evaluated in terms of postintervention care, duration of hospital stay and 30‐day readmission. Changes in TPMA on surveillance EVAR imaging were also evaluated. Results: In total, 382 patient images acquired between March 2008 and December 2016 were analysed. There were no significant intraobserver and interobserver differences in measurements of TPMA. Preintervention TPMA failed to predict morbidity and mortality at all time points. The mean(s.d.) interval between preintervention and surveillance imaging was 361·3(111·2) days. A significant reduction in TPMA was observed in men on surveillance imaging after EVAR (mean reduction 0·63(1·43) cm2 per m2; P < 0·001). However, this was not associated with mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 1·00, 95 per cent c.i. 0·99 to 1·01; P = 0·935). Conclusion: TPMA is not a suitable risk stratification tool for patients undergoing effective intervention for AAA

Type II endoleak after endovascular aneurysm repair

Background: The aim was to assess the risk of rupture, and determine the benefits of intervention for the treatment of type II endoleak after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). Methods: This systematic review was done according to PRISMA guidelines. Outcome data included incidence, spontaneous resolution, sac expansion, interventions, clinical success, and complications including conversion to open repair, and rupture. Results: Thirty-two non-randomized retrospective studies were included, totalling 21 744 patients who underwent EVAR. There were 1515 type II endoleaks and 393 interventions. Type II endoleak was seen in 10·2 per cent of patients after EVAR; 35·4 per cent resolved spontaneously. Fourteen patients (0·9 per cent) with isolated type II endoleak had ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm; six of these did not have known aneurysm sac expansion. Of 393 interventions for type II endoleak, 28·5 per cent were unsuccessful. Translumbar embolization had a higher clinical success rate than transarterial embolization (81 versus 62·5 per cent respectively; P = 0·024) and fewer recurrent endoleaks were reported (19 versus 35·8 per cent; P = 0·036). Transarterial embolization also had a higher rate of complications (9·2 per cent versus none; P = 0·043). Conclusion: Aortic aneurysm rupture after EVAR secondary to an isolated type II endoleak is rare (less than 1 per cent), but over a third occur in the absence of sac expansion. Translumbar embolization had a higher success rate with a lower risk of complications