Performance Evaluation of RAKE Receiver for UWB Systems using Measured Channels in Industrial Environments

The industrial environments are an important scenario for ultra wideband (UWB) communication systems. However, due to large number of metallic scatterers in the surroundings, the multipath offered by UWB channels is dense with significant energy. In this paper, the performance of RAKE receivers operating in a non line-of-sight (NLOS) scenario in these environments is evaluated. The channels used for the evaluation are measured in a medium-sized industrial environment. In addition, a standard IEEE 802.15.4a channel model is used for comparison with the results of the measured data. The performance of partial RAKE (PRake) and selective RAKE (SRake) is evaluated in terms of uncoded bit-error-rate (BER) using different number of fingers. The performance of maximal ratio combining (MRC) and equal gain combining (EGC) is compared for the RAKE receiver assuming perfect knowledge of the channel state. Finally, based on the simulation results, conclusions are drawn considering the performance and complexity issues for system design in these environments

Growth and Production Performances of Crossbred Climbing Perch Koi, Anabas testudineus in Bangladesh

The study was performed for evaluating the growth and production performances of crossbred climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) during August to October 2009. The crossbred groups of fish were produced by crossing between native climbing perch and Thai climbing perch (A. testudineus). Growth and production performances was compared at grow out condition between crossbred groups in the two reciprocal crosses of treatments viz. T1: Native climbing perch (?) × Thai climbing perch (?) and T2: Thai climbing perch (?)×Native climbing perch (?. At the same time, they were compared also with their respective control F1 pure line groups i.e. T3: Native climbing perch (?) × Native climbing perch (?) and T4: Thai climbing perch (?) × Thai climbing perch (?). It was evident from the results that among the treatments in grow out system, the highest mean harvesting weight was 69.25±9.01 g found in T4 (Thai climbing perch), which was significantly different (P<0.05) from all other treatments. Whereas, T3 (native climbing perch) also showed the lowest mean harvesting weight 33.38±8.74 g and showed significant differences (P<0.05) among all the treatments. The mean harvesting weight of both the crossbred groups i.e. T1 and T2 were 50.83±6.65 and 59.94±7.83 g, respectively and these results were statistically insignificant (P>0.05) between them but significant among all other treatments. The highest (93.60%) and lowest (83.06%) survival rates were observed in Thai koi (T4) and native Koi (T3) parental stocks, respectively. Wider variations in terms of productions performances were observed among the treatments, where the gross production of T1, T2, T3 and T4 were 2,753±96.67, 3,401±73.26, 1,733±168.47 and 4,051±185 kg/ha, respectively. The productions obtained from crossbred groups were at intermediate compared to their control pure line groups. Higher FCR mean value was observed in native control line (T3), while, lower FCR mean value was observed in Thai control line (T4). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v2i1.13990 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 2 (1): 19-25, June, 201

Reproductive Biology of Feather Back, Chital (Notopterus chitala, Ham.) Cultured in a Pond of Bangladesh

Studies on Gonadosomatic index (GSI), ova diameter and histology of the gonad were performed to understand reproductive biology of Feather back, Chital (Notopterus chitala) for a period of 6 months from January to June 2010. Thirty live chital fish were used in this study. The mean GSI values for female chital were found to range between 0.20±0.013 and 4.63±0.50. The highest GSI value was found in June. The smallest diameter of ovum was recorded 0.04 mm (January) and the largest was 4.00 mm (June). During the experimental period, the fecundity was ranged from 8,238 to 18,569 (mean 13,052±4607) in fish samples with body weight range from 1,296 to 2,360 (mean 1,742.50±474.44 g) while the relative fecundity was 5.65 to 14.33. Histological study revealed that the percentage of late perinucleolus (LPN) stage was highest in April and Cortical alveoli (CA) stage appeared from April and reached to maximum in May. Vitellogenic stage (VG) appeared in the month of May and chronologically increased through June. Vitellogenic stage (VG) of oocyte as well as highest ova diameter reached to the peak in June. The variations in the gonad weight and GSI of the female fish reached to the peak during June indicating maturity of ovary and definite spawning season. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v2i1.13991 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 2 (1): 26-31, June, 201

Associating polymer-surfactant systems

Some recent illustrations of the phase behavior of polymer-amphiphile systems in solution are presented. Surfactant-polymer association is demonstrated for various amphiphilic synthetic and biological polymers both on a macroscopic and on a single molecular level

Medicolegal Cases in Bariatric Surgery in the United Kingdom.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To evaluate the current state of bariatric medicolegal activity and explore the reasons of litigation in bariatric surgery. The underlying legal principles in bariatric medicolegal cases and most frequent pitfalls will also be discussed. RECENT FINDINGS: There is a growing number of litigations in bariatric surgery, particularly relating to complications and long waiting lists for bariatric surgery within the public-funded health systems. The main issues are related to consent, lack of follow-up, delayed identification of complications and lack of appropriate emergency management of complications, involving bariatric surgeons, clinicians, general practitioners and multidisciplinary team members. Appropriate multidisciplinary involvement pre- and postoperatively and robust follow-up protocols can help to mitigate the risks. Bariatric surgery requires a unique paradigm with a multidisciplinary approach both pre- and postoperatively to improve the long-term functional outcomes of patients. There is a rising incidence of medicolegal claims following bariatric surgery. The underlying reasons for this are multifactorial including an increase in the volume of surgery, high patient expectations, the incidence of long-term postoperative complications and the requirement of long-term follow-up

A New Three-Dimensional Subsulfide Ir₂In₈S with Dirac Semimetal Behavior

Dirac and Weyl semimetals host exotic quasiparticles with unconventional transport properties, such as high magnetoresistance and carrier mobility. Recent years have witnessed a huge number of newly predicted topological semimetals from existing databases; however, experimental verification often lags behind such predictions. Common reasons are synthetic difficulties or the stability of predicted phases. Here, we report the synthesis of the Type-II Dirac semimetal Ir2In8S, an air-stable compound with a new structure type. This material has two Dirac crossings in its electronic structure along the Γ-Z direction of the Brillouin zone. We further show that Ir2In8S has a high electron carrier mobility of ~10,000 cm2/Vs at 1.8 K, and a large, non-saturating transverse magnetoresistance of ~6000% at 3.34 K in a 14 T applied field. Shubnikov de-Haas oscillations reveal several small Fermi pockets and the possibility of a nontrivial Berry phase. With its facile crystal growth, novel structure type, and striking electronic structure, Ir2In8S introduces a new material system to study topological semimetals and enable advances in the field of topological materials

Are survival and mortality rates associated with recruitment to clinical trials in teenage and young adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia? A retrospective observational analysis in England

Objective: Participation rates in clinical trials are low in teenagers and young adults (TYA) with cancer. Whilst the importance of clinical trials in informing best practice is well established, data regarding individual patient benefit are scarce. We have investigated the association between overall survival and trial recruitment in TYA patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Design: Retrospective. Setting: National (England) TYA patients treated for ALL. Participants: 511 patients aged 15–24 years diagnosed with ALL between 2004 and 2010 inclusive, of whom 239 (46.7%) participated in the UKALL2003 trial. Outcome measures: Patients were identified using National Clinical Trial (UKALL2003) and Cancer Registry (National Cancer Data Repository, English National Cancer Online Registration Environment) Databases. Relative survival rates were calculated for trial and non-trial patients and observed differences were modelled using a multiple regression approach. The numbers and percentages of deaths in those patients included in the survival analysis were determined for each 3-month period, p values were calculated using the two-tailed z-test for difference between proportions and 95% CIs for percentage deaths were derived using the binomial distribution based on the Wilson Score method. Results: Patients treated on the trial had a 17.9% better 2-year survival (85.4% vs 67.5%, p<0.001) and 8.9% better 1-year survival (90.8% vs 81.9%, p=0.004) than those not on the trial. 35 (14.6%) patients recruited to the trial died in the 2 years following diagnosis compared with 86 (32.6%) of those not recruited (p<0.001). Conclusions: TYA patients recruited to the clinical trial UKALL 2003 in England had a lower risk of mortality and a higher overall survival than contemporaneous non-trial patients. These data underline the potential for individual patient benefit in participating in a clinical trial and the importance of international efforts to increase trial participation in the TYA age group. Trial registration number: ISRCTN07355119

Adherence to Tuberculosis Therapy among Patients Receiving Home-Based Directly Observed Treatment: Evidence from the United Republic of Tanzania.

\ud \ud Non-adherence to tuberculosis (TB) treatment is the leading contributor to the selection of drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and subsequent treatment failure. Tanzania introduced a TB Patient Centred Treatment (PCT) approach which gives new TB patients the choice between home-based treatment supervised by a treatment supporter of their own choice, and health facility-based treatment observed by a medical professional. The aim of this study was to assess the extent and determinants of adherence to anti-TB therapy in patients opting for home-based treatment under the novel PCT approach. In this cross-sectional study, the primary outcome was the percentage of patients adherent to TB therapy as detected by the presence of isoniazid in urine (IsoScreen assay). The primary analysis followed a non-inferiority approach in which adherence could not be lower than 75%. Logistic regression was used to examine the influence of potentially predictive factors. A total of 651 new TB patients were included. Of these, 645 (99.1%) provided urine for testing and 617 patients (95.7%; 90%CI 94.3-96.9) showed a positive result. This result was statistically non-inferior to the postulated adherence level of 75% (p<0.001). Adherence to TB therapy under home-based Directly Observed Treatment can be ensured in programmatic settings. A reliable supply of medication and the careful selection of treatment supporters, who preferably live very close to the patient, are crucial success factors. Finally, we recommend a cohort study to assess the rate of adherence throughout the full course of TB treatment

The effect of distance on reaction time in aiming movements

Target distance affects movement duration in aiming tasks but its effect on reaction time (RT) is poorly documented. RT is a function of both preparation and initiation. Experiment 1 pre-cued movement (allowing advanced preparation) and found no influence of distance on RT. Thus, target distance does not affect initiation time. Experiment 2 removed pre-cue information and found that preparing a movement of increased distance lengthens RT. Experiment 3 explored movements to targets of cued size at non-cued distances and found size altered peak speed and movement duration but RT was influenced by distance alone. Thus, amplitude influences preparation time (for reasons other than altered duration) but not initiation time. We hypothesise that the RT distance effect might be due to the increased number of possible trajectories associated with further targets: a hypothesis that can be tested in future experiments

Estimation of proteinuria as a predictor of complications of pre-eclampsia: a systematic review

Background Proteinuria is one of the essential criteria for the clinical diagnosis of pre-eclampsia. Increasing levels of proteinuria is considered to be associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. We aim to determine the accuracy with which the amount of proteinuria predicts maternal and fetal complications in women with pre-eclampsia by systematic quantitative review of test accuracy studies. Methods We conducted electronic searches in MEDLINE (1951 to 2007), EMBASE (1980 to 2007), the Cochrane Library (2007) and the MEDION database to identify relevant articles and hand-search of selected specialist journals and reference lists of articles. There were no language restrictions for any of these searches. Two reviewers independently selected those articles in which the accuracy of proteinuria estimate was evaluated to predict maternal and fetal complications of pre-eclampsia. Data were extracted on study characteristics, quality and accuracy to construct 2 × 2 tables with maternal and fetal complications as reference standards. Results Sixteen primary articles with a total of 6749 women met the selection criteria with levels of proteinuria estimated by urine dipstick, 24-hour urine proteinuria or urine protein:creatinine ratio as a predictor of complications of pre-eclampsia. All 10 studies predicting maternal outcomes showed that proteinuria is a poor predictor of maternal complications in women with pre-eclampsia. Seventeen studies used laboratory analysis and eight studies bedside analysis to assess the accuracy of proteinuria in predicting fetal and neonatal complications. Summary likelihood ratios of positive and negative tests for the threshold level of 5 g/24 h were 2.0 (95% CI 1.5, 2.7) and 0.53 (95% CI 0.27, 1) for stillbirths, 1.5 (95% CI 0.94, 2.4) and 0.73 (95% CI 0.39, 1.4) for neonatal deaths and 1.5 (95% 1, 2) and 0.78 (95% 0.64, 0.95) for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit admission. Conclusion Measure of proteinuria is a poor predictor of either maternal or fetal complications in women with pre-eclampsia