Efficient Resource Allocation and Sectorization for Fractional Frequency Reuse (FFR) in LTE Femtocell Systems

The Fractional Frequency Reuse (FFR) is a resource allocation technique that can effectively mitigate inter-cell interference (ICI) in LTE based HetNets and it is a promising solution. Various FFR schemes have been suggested to address the challenge of interference in femtocell systems. In this paper, we study the scopes of interference mitigation and capacity improvement. We propose a resource allocation scheme that gradually varies frequency resource share with distance from the eNodeB for both macrocells and femtocells in order to attain better utilization of the resources. This is performed effectively using three layers in the cell. The proposal also employs high number sectors in a cell, low interference and good frequency reuse. Monte-Carlo simulations are performed, which show that the proposed scheme achieves significantly better throughput compared to the existing FFR schemes

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy under spinal-epidural anesthesia versus general anaesthesia: a prospective randomized study

Background: The choice between spinal-epidural anesthesia and general anesthesia for laparoscopic cholecystectomy depends on various factors, including patient characteristics, surgical team expertise, and institutional guidelines. While both techniques have their advantages and disadvantages, spinal-epidural anesthesia offers an alternative to general anesthesia, potentially reducing complications and improving patient outcomes. Objective of the study was to compare spinal anesthesia with the gold standard general anesthesia for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy in healthy patients. Methods: This study was conducted at Sheikh Hasina Medical College, Hobiganj, Bangladesh. In this prospective comparative study, we enrolled one hundred patients diagnosed with symptomatic gallstone disease and classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status I or II. These patients were subjected to randomization, with fifty of them assigned to undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy under spinal anesthesia, while the remaining fifty received general anesthesia. Subsequently, we conducted a comprehensive assessment, comparing various intraoperative parameters, postoperative pain levels, incidence of complications, recovery rates, and patient satisfaction during the follow-up period, with the aim of evaluating the differences between these two anesthesia methods. Results: All the procedures were completed by the allocated method of anesthesia, as there were no conversions from spinal to general anesthesia. Pain was significantly less at 4 hours (p<0.001), 8 hours (p<0.001), 12 hours (p<0.001), and 24 hours (p=0.02) after the procedure for the spinal anesthesia group compared with those who received general anesthesia. There was no difference between the 2 groups regarding complications, hospital stay, recovery, or degree of satisfaction at follow-up. Conclusions: Spinal anesthesia is adequate and safe for laparoscopic cholecystectomy in otherwise healthy patients and offers better postoperative pain control than general anesthesia without limiting recovery.

Spatial Distribution and Diversity of Marine Zooplankton Adjacent to the St. Martin's Island, Bangladesh

Bangladesh, a country that lies on the north shores of the Bay of Bengal, has been blessed with a plethora of natural resources. St. Martin’s Island, the only coral-bearing island in Bangladesh, is undoubtedly regarded as one of the most prized possessions. It is rich in biodiversity, but truly scientific information on it is lacking. In the present investigation, 14 stations adjacent to St. Martin’s Island within the Bay of Bengal were sampled for determining the composition, spatial distribution, species richness, and diversity of pelagic zooplankton. Samples were collected in the pre-monsoon hot season. From the community of zooplankton, 34 species were reported. Most of the species belonged to copepods. Besides, Polychaeta and Cirripedia were also present in the community. The most significant species belonged to Oithona, Canthocalanus, Balanus, Euterpina, and Microsetella. Total zooplankton standing crop varied from 45,000–125,000 ind/m3 and the highest number of species (8) were observed at station 7. Strong variability in the distribution of species was observed in the studied stations. The number of genera collected at each station varied from 4–8. Data on species richness (Df) varied from 1.30–3.04 and that of the Shannon-Wiener Index (H) from 1.33–1.93. The species composition of zooplankton and the species richness and the diversity index of the population was comparable to the other studies carried out in the Central and Western Bay of Bengal

A comprehensive review on sustainable coastal zone management in Bangladesh: Present status and the way forward

Bangladesh, a coastal developing nation with a diverse sustainable biodiversity of natural resources is currently focused upon by international communities as a result of its high potential of the coastal zone (CZ) with natural gas. Sustainable Coastal Zone Management (SCZM) is key to its national development. SCZM refers to the management of coastal resources in order to provide secure and alternative livelihoods, as well as to manage all types of coastal hazards and social and cultural well-being in order to ensure long-term productivity and minimize environmental impact. This paper aims to delineate the current initiatives and status of coastal management in Bangladesh, highlighting key issues such as climate changes, sea level rise, tropical cyclones, coastal and marine pollution, coastal erosions, saltwater intrusions, and mangrove degradations as well as the future trend in Bangladesh which will facilitate sustainable development by emphasizing the social, ecological, and economic pillars of sustainability. Unsustainable coastal development practices in Bangladesh are going to damage the coastal ecosystems, particularly mangrove forests and coral reefs, which provide protection against tropical cyclones caused by global climate change and coastal erosions. The paper concludes by outlining a roadmap toward achieving SCZM in Bangladesh. The road to achieving SCZM requires collaboration, integration of scientific research, policy frameworks, community engagement, capacity building, and long-term commitment from all stakeholders involved. So, it is required to address all kinds of coastal issues and reframes all existing coastal management practices to ensure a healthy productive ecosystem to achieve SCZM as well as the sustainable development of the country

Age specific fast breathing in under-five diarrheal children in an urban hospital: Acidosis or pneumonia?

Background Children with diarrhea often present with fast breathing due to metabolic acidosis from dehydration. On the other hand, age specific fast breathing is the cornerstone for the diagnosis of pneumonia following classification of pneumonia recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Correction of metabolic acidosis by rehydrating the diarrheal children requires time, which delays early initiation of appropriate antimicrobials for pneumonia and thereby increases the risk of deaths. We need to further investigate the simple clinical features other than fast breathing which might help us in earliest diagnosis of pneumonia in children with diarrhea Thus, the objective of our study was to identify other contributing clinical features that may independently help for early diagnosis of pneumonia in diarrheal children who present with age specific fast breathing. Methods This was an unmatched case-control study. Diarrheal children aged 0–59 months, admitted to Dhaka Hospital of the International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) during January 2014 to December 2014 having age specific fast breathing (11–59 months ≥40 breaths/min) were studied. The study children with clinical and radiological pneumonia constituted the cases (n = 276) and those without pneumonia constituted the controls (n = 446). Comparison of clinical features and outcomes between the cases and the controls was made. Results The distribution of acidosis among the cases and the controls was comparable (35% vs. 41%, p = 0.12). The cases had proportionately higher deaths compared to the controls, however, the difference was not statistically significant (3% vs. 1%; p = 0.23). In logistic regression analysis after adjusting for potential confounders, the cases were independently associated with cough (OR = 62.19, 95% CI = 27.79–139.19;

Generalized anxiety disorder among Bangladeshi university students during COVID-19 pandemic: gender specific findings from a cross-sectional study.

In the current COVID-19 pandemic there are reports of deteriorating psychological conditions among university students in lower-middle-income countries (LMICs), but very little is known about the gender differences in the mental health conditions on this population. This study aims to assess generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) among university students using a gender lens during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted using web-based Google forms between May 2020 and August 2020 among 605 current students of two universities in Bangladesh. Within the total 605 study participants, 59.5% (360) were female. The prevalence of mild to severe anxiety disorder was 61.8% among females and 38.2% among males. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, females were 2.21 times more likely to have anxiety compared to males [AOR: 2.21; CI 95% (1.28-53.70); p-value: 0.004] and participants' age was negatively associated with increased levels of anxiety (AOR = 0.17; 95% CI = 0.05-0.57; p = 0.001). In addition, participants who were worried about academic delays were more anxious than those who were not worried about it (AOR: 2.82; 95% CI 1.50-5.31, p = 0.001). These findings of this study will add value to the existing limited evidence and strongly advocate in designing gender-specific, low-intensity interventions to ensure comprehensive mental health services for the young adult population of Bangladesh

Results of logistic regression analysis to explore the independent predicting factors of pneumonia in diarrheal children having age specific fast breathing.

<p>Results of logistic regression analysis to explore the independent predicting factors of pneumonia in diarrheal children having age specific fast breathing.</p

Sensitivity and specificity of the clinical predictors of pneumonia in diarrheal children having age specific fast breathing.

<p>Sensitivity and specificity of the clinical predictors of pneumonia in diarrheal children having age specific fast breathing.</p

Clinical characteristics of under-five diarrheal children with (cases) and without pneumonia (controls) on admission and their outcome.

<p>Clinical characteristics of under-five diarrheal children with (cases) and without pneumonia (controls) on admission and their outcome.</p