A generic radio channel emulator to evaluate higher layer protocols in a CDMA system

Currently, we are involved in the standardisation process to specify the next mobile system generation. A wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system is considered in most of the region versions. It would be very useful to count on a radio channel emulator which allows one to evaluate higher layers protocols within this context. This paper presents a radio channel emulator developed for a code division multiple access (CDMA) based system. Its versatility and low complexity have been exposed, and the validation process to check the model accuracy has also been shown for this system as an example.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

A radio channel emulator for WCDMA, based on the hidden Markov model (HMM)

One of the main development and research subjects within the telecommunications area activity is the 3G mobile systems standardisation. The radio access is, of course, the main trouble in mobile systems, so it is important to investigate its implication. This paper describes a radio channel emulator for the UTRA-FDD made, based on the hidden Markov model (HMM). Since a statistical system behaviour is needed to train the HMM, off-line simulations have been made. The results between simulated and emulated statistics are presented. The use of emulation models implies a loss of accuracy with respect to simulation models, but is adequate to operate in real time. Certainly, the main advantage of using HMM in the emulator is the huge reduction in time, resources and effort with regard to a real simulation of the system. The emulator will allow in future works, for fast testing and comparison of several higher layer protocols and error control schemes.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Comparison of Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug susceptibility using solid and liquid culture in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: This study compares Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture isolation and drug sensitivity testing (DST) using solid (LJ) and liquid (BACTEC-MGIT-960) media in Nigeria. METHODS: This was a cross sectional survey of adults attending reference centres in Abuja, Ibadan and Nnewi with a new diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) or having failed the first-line TB treatment. Patients were requested to provide three sputum specimens for smear-microscopy and culture on LJ and BACTEC-MGIT-960. Positive cultures underwent DST for streptomycin, isoniazid, rifampicin and ethambutol. RESULTS: 527 specimens were cultured. 428 (81%) were positive with BACTEC-MGIT-960, 59 (11%) negative, 36 (7%) contaminated and 4 (1%) had non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM). 411 (78%) LJ cultures were positive, 89 (17%) negative, 22 (4%) contaminated and 5 (1%) had NTM. The mean (SD) detection time was 11 (6) and 30 (11) days for BACTEC-MGIT-960 and LJ. DST patterns were compared in the 389 concordant positive BACTEC-MGIT-960 and LJ cultures. Rifampicin and isoniazid DST patterns were similar. Streptomycin resistance was detected more frequently with LJ than BACTEC-MGIT-960 and ethambutol resistance was detected more frequently with BACTEC-MGIT-960 than LJ, but differences were not statistically significant. MDR-TB was detected in 27 cases by LJ and 25 by BACTEC-MGIT-960 and using both methods detected 29 cases. CONCLUSIONS: There was a substantial degree of agreement between the two methods. However using the two in tandem increased the number of culture-positive patients and those with MDR-TB. The choice of culture method should depend on local availability, cost and test performance characteristics

The Will to Political Power: Rwandan Women in Leadership

Rwanda has one of the highest representations of women in parliament in the world. This article examines, from the perspective of a female MP in parliament, the dynamics behind the process of supporting more women assuming leadership positions in parliament. The article argues that the implementation of an electoral gender quota certainly carves the space necessary to allow more women to enter politics, nevertheless, a constellation of factors is needed to work together in order to create the enabling environment necessary for the quota to be effective. Some of these factors include (but are not restricted to) challenging the hierarchical gender relations in post?genocide Rwanda; the political will on the part of the government to engender politics; the role of national machineries in monitoring and pressing for gender?sensitive national policies, as well as the strategic mobilisation of female parliamentarians backed by the progressive new Rwandan constitution

Promoting Antibiotic Stewardship for UTI Management in Long Term Care Residents through Standardized Clinical Practice Guidelines.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most diagnosed infections requiring antibiotics in long-term care (LTC) facilities. The rising prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens treatment of infections that were once responsive to antibiotic therapy. The inappropriate use of antibiotics in this Midwestern LTC facility provided the impetus for implementing a standardized clinical practice guideline (CPG) for diagnosing UTIs among the LTC residents. A data collection tool was developed for the audit that identified the specific assessment criteria for UTI management and eligibility criteria for antibiotics. Physicians and NPs at the LTC facility were administered a questionnaire prior to implementation of the CPG and education provided to the nursing staff. Data were collected pre- and post-implementation with analysis conducted to evaluate the change in a 12-week period before and after intervention. A total of 27.4% UTI cases was noted in the three-month pre-intervention period compared to 12.9% in the three-month post-intervention period showing a 14.5% reduction in the percentage of UTI cases. The incidence rate per 1000 resident days was reduced by 4.7 from pre- to post intervention. With increased adherence this CPG, the staff at this LTC facility can greatly minimize inappropriate antibiotic exposure among LTC residents over time

The Experiences of Black MFT Doctoral Degree Holders with White Professors: A Phenomenological Study

The purpose of this research is to explore the experiences of Black doctoral degree holders’ interactions with their White professors in a Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) program. There are a number of studies on the effectiveness of White professors and Black graduate students, but few focus specifically on the field of Marriage and Family Therapy. This study employed existential phenomenological methodology to examine Black MFT doctoral degree holders’ perceptions of their White professors. The experiences of six Black doctoral degree holders who attended COAMFTE-accredited programs were examined. The process involved an in-depth semi-structured interview. The study also revealed five major themes describing the meanings of Black doctoral degree holders’ experiences. These five areas of concern were: Perceptions of world: The program; Perception of others: White Professors; Perception of self: Participation; Perception of self: Participants; Implications for Black students; and Implications for White professors. The study suggests implications for future research on the lives of doctoral students, specifically, Black doctoral students’ who are enrolled in marriage and family therapy programs. Recommendations are offered on improving future interactions between Black students and White Professors based on changes by MFT programs, White professors, and Black doctoral students

The Cost of Cutting Corners: Jurisdictional Implications Flowing from Removal Proceedings Commenced by a Defective Notice to Appear

A Notice to Appear (NTA) in removal proceedings is a written notice served on noncitizens that, among other things, alerts them that they must appear in immigration court for a hearing. In 2018, contrary to statute and common sense, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) admitted to issuing almost all NTAs without the accurate date, time, and place of the initial proceeding. In response, the Supreme Court, in Pereira v. Sessions, clarified that an NTA without the date and place of the hearing is statutorily defective and cannot be used to bar noncitizens from cancellation of removal. However, DHS circumvented Pereira by issuing NTAs with “fake dates” and using a two-step notice process, whereby a second notice with the date and place cured an initial defective NTA. In April 2021, the Court sought to address the problem of the issuance of defective NTAs and its consequences once and for all. In Niz-Chavez v. Garland, the Court held that DHS must serve a “single and comprehensive notice,” with the date and place of the proceeding, on noncitizens to trigger the stop-time rule for purposes of cancellation of removal. This note argues that the Niz-Chavez holding has implications beyond the stop-time rule and soundly contests the jurisdiction of immigration courts when they have commenced proceedings with a defective NTA. Removal proceedings should be terminated because Niz-Chavez (1) foreclosed the two-step notice process; (2) affirmed the supremacy of a statute’s clear text over self-serving regulations; and (3) recognized the serious and far-reaching implications of commencing removal proceedings against a noncitizen. To further clarify this stance, this note proposes an amendment to the Immigration and Nationality Act confirming the statutory requirements for the issuance of NTAs and asserting that jurisdiction only vests in immigration courts if those statutory requirements are met. The purpose of this amendment is to prohibit the government from changing the procedural and jurisdictional framework of removal proceedings to serve its shifting interests, thoughtlessly ruining the lives of noncitizens and their families