Ruin Theory for Dynamic Spectrum Allocation in LTE-U Networks

LTE in the unlicensed band (LTE-U) is a promising solution to overcome the scarcity of the wireless spectrum. However, to reap the benefits of LTE-U, it is essential to maintain its effective coexistence with WiFi systems. Such a coexistence, hence, constitutes a major challenge for LTE-U deployment. In this paper, the problem of unlicensed spectrum sharing among WiFi and LTE-U system is studied. In particular, a fair time sharing model based on \emph{ruin theory} is proposed to share redundant spectral resources from the unlicensed band with LTE-U without jeopardizing the performance of the WiFi system. Fairness among both WiFi and LTE-U is maintained by applying the concept of the probability of ruin. In particular, the probability of ruin is used to perform efficient duty-cycle allocation in LTE-U, so as to provide fairness to the WiFi system and maintain certain WiFi performance. Simulation results show that the proposed ruin-based algorithm provides better fairness to the WiFi system as compared to equal duty-cycle sharing among WiFi and LTE-U.Comment: Accepted in IEEE Communications Letters (09-Dec 2018

A randomized controlled clinical study to evaluate efficacy and safety of a topical Unani formulation in the management of Nār Fārsī (Eczema)

644-650Nar Farsi (Eczema) is a very common skin inflammatory disorder. Its prevalence varies according to age groups and country to country. The Unani system of medicine offers its successful management. In this study, efficacy and safety of a topical Unani formulation was assessed and compared with a standard drug. A prospective, non inferiority, randomized, active controlled and parallel group study was designed to study 60 participants of eczema (30 participants in each group). The Unani formulation Marham Safeda Kafoori was studied as a test drug for 6 weeks versus allopathic medicine Clobetasol Propionate in the study. The study findings suggested that the Unani formulation was non inferior to Clobetasol Propionate in terms of percentage of reduction in itching, oozing, exudation, erythema, lichenification and cracking at 6 weeks of treatment. It was observed that the difference of the mean±SD of SASSAD Score was measured as 12.83±4.76 and 14.13±5.27 in test and control groups respectively. The result was analysed as per protocol and it was found that the efficacy of the Unani formulation was statistically significant (p<0.001). This study concluded that the Unani formulation was safe and effective in the treatment of eczema

Evaluation of efficacy and safety of a polyherbal Unani formulation in diabetes mellitus type 2 (Zayābīṭus Sukkari Qism Sāni) - a randomised controlled clinical study

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (Zayābīṭus Sukkari Qism Sāni) is a major health concern in 21st century. Despite tremendousadvances in modern sciences, there is a lack of relatively safe and effective drug for its management.The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a polyherbal Unani formulation containingGurmar booti (Gymnema sylvestre), Gilo (Tinospora cordifolia) and Jamun (Syzygium cumini) in the management of DiabetesMellitus Type 2 (DMT2). It was a randomised controlled clinical study conducted on 60 participants of DMT2 inadequatelycontrolled by diet and exercise. The test drug was given to group-A participants (n=30) 6 g twice daily orally for 12 weeks andthe standard drug metformin (500 mg) was given twice daily orally to group-B participants (n=30).It was observed that the difference between the Mean (± SD) value of fasting blood glucose (FBG), postprandial bloodglucose (PPBG) and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in Test and Control groups at the end of the study in comparison tobaseline was significant (p&lt;0.05). This study concludes that the test drug was effective in reducing FBG and PPBG significantlyin diabetic participants’ at 12 weeks of treatment

Evaluation of efficacy and safety of a polyherbal Unani formulation in diabetes mellitus type 2 (Zayābīṭus Sukkari Qism Sāni) - a randomised controlled clinical study

15-20Diabetes mellitus type 2 (Zayābīṭus Sukkari Qism Sāni) is a major health concern in 21st century. Despite tremendous advances in modern sciences, there is a lack of relatively safe and effective drug for its management. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a polyherbal Unani formulation containing Gurmar booti (Gymnema sylvestre), Gilo (Tinospora cordifolia) and Jamun (Syzygium cumini) in the management of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (DMT2). It was a randomised controlled clinical study conducted on 60 participants of DMT2 inadequately controlled by diet and exercise. The test drug was given to group-A participants (n=30) 6 g twice daily orally for 12 weeks and the standard drug metformin (500 mg) was given twice daily orally to group-B participants (n=30). It was observed that the difference between the Mean (&plusmn; SD) value of fasting blood glucose (FBG), postprandial blood glucose (PPBG) and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in Test and Control groups at the end of the study in comparison to baseline was significant (p&lt;0.05). This study concludes that the test drug was effective in reducing FBG and PPBG significantly in diabetic participants&rsquo; at 12 weeks of treatment

Efficient Excitation of Micro/Nano Resonators and Their Higher Order Modes

We demonstrate a simple and flexible technique to efficiently activate micro/nano-electromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS) resonators at their fundamental and higher order vibration modes. The method is based on the utilization of the amplified voltage across an inductor, L, of an LC tank resonant circuit to actuate the MEMS/NEMS resonator. By matching the electrical and mechanical resonances, significant amplitude amplification is reported across the resonators terminals. We show experimentally amplitude amplification up to twelve times, which is demonstrated to efficiently excite several vibration modes of a microplate MEMS resonator and the fundamental mode of a NEMS resonator

Living bioethics, clinical ethics committees and children's consent to heart surgery

This discussion paper considers how seldom recognised theories influence clinical ethics committees. A companion paper examined four major theories in social science: positivism, interpretivism, critical theory and functionalism, which can encourage legalistic ethics theories or practical living bioethics, which aims for theory–practice congruence. This paper develops the legalistic or living bioethics themes by relating the four theories to clinical ethics committee members’ reported aims and practices and approaches towards efficiency, power, intimidation, justice, equality and children’s interests and rights. Different approaches to framing ethical questions are also considered. Being aware of the four theories’ influence can help when seeking to understand and possibly change clinical ethics committee routines. The paper is not a research report but is informed by a recent study in two London paediatric cardiac units. Forty-five practitioners and related experts were interviewed, including eight members of ethics committees, about the work of informing, preparing and supporting families during the extended process of consent to children’s elective heart surgery. The mosaic of multidisciplinary teamwork is reported in a series of papers about each profession, including this one on bioethics and law and clinical ethics committees’ influence on clinical practice. The qualitative social research was funded by the British Heart Foundation, in order that more may be known about the perioperative views and needs of all concerned. Questions included how disputes can be avoided, how high ethical standards and respectful cooperation between staff and families can be encouraged, and how minors’ consent or refusal may be respected, with the support of clinical ethics committees

Ascorbate-enhanced chondrogenesis of ATDC5 cells

The ATDC5 cell line exhibits the multistep chondrogenic differentiation observed during endochondral bone formation. However, it takes up to two months to complete the process of cell expansion, insulin addition to promote differentiation and further changes in culture conditions effectively to induce hypertrophy. We sought to produce consistent chondrogenesis with significant hypertrophic differentiation with simpler conditions in a more practical time period. By adding ascorbate, the prechondrogenic proliferation phase was shortened from 21 to 7 days, with production of cartilaginous nodules during the chondrogenic phase, after insulin addition, that were greater in number and larger in size. Immunohistochemistry indicated much greater matrix elaboration and the mRNA expression of sox9, aggrecan and collagen type II were all significantly increased earlier and to a much higher degree when compared with controls. Moreover, there was a robust induction of hypertrophy: Col10a1, Runx2 and Mmp13 were all induced within 7-10 days. In conclusion, addition of ascorbate to ATDC5 cultures shortened the prechondrogenic proliferation phase, produced earlier chondrogenic differentiation, heightened gene expression and robust hypertrophic differentiation, abrogating the need for extended culture times and the changes in culture conditions. This simple modification considerably enhances the practicality of this cell line for studies of chondrogenesis