Field Programmable Gate Array based Readout for Surface Acoustic Wave Portable Gas Detector

Surface acoustic wave (SAW) is one of the most promising technology in the field of gas sensing at low concentrations. Field deployable portable SAW detectors are, however, prone to noise, there by limiting the detection at low concentrations. To meet the current requirements of gas detection at low concentrations, the readout methodology needs to be based on minimal hardware and better noise management. In this paper we describe a readout scheme for portable SAW gas detectors incorporating a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The developed readout system includes a modified reciprocal frequency counter for differential SAW sensor, median noise filtering and moving averages smoothing for noise management, peak detection and interfacing with external display, all implemented in FPGA. The developed readout was tested against VOCs using a lab developed vapour generator and the results have been presented in the paper. The readout system is compact, low power consuming and expandable through software thus ideal for portable handheld applications

Resonator to Laser Cavity Decoupling Interface for Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser

In the present work, the conventional chemical oxygen iodine laser (COIL) source has been technologically upgraded and successfully tested after implementation of decoupling interface between laser cavity and resonator. In the technique, anti-reflection coated fused silica windows mounted in suitable mechanical assemblies are placed between resonator mirrors and laser cavity in such a way that the generated laser beam is out coupled through the resonator during the laser operation. The implemented decoupling assemblies isolate the caustic environment produced in low pressure laser cavity from that of resonator mirrors. Thus requirement of using isolation valves and cavity limbs between laser cavity and resonator as in conventional COIL source is eliminated. Such decoupling mechanism therefore effectively reduces the number of associated components as well as overall length of the laser source which in turn further reduces the overall weight of the laser making it suitable for use onto a mobile platform. Moreover the technique provides accrued benefits in terms of reduction in readiness time and checking of optical alignment of the laser source at will in practical operation scenarios

Drug-Survival Profiling of Second-Line Biologic Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Choice of Another TNFi or a Biologic of Different Mode of Action?

OBJECTIVES: Aiming to assess the best choice of second-line therapy between second-line TNF-inhibitor (TNFi) and biologics of different mode of action (BDMA-rituximab/tocilizumab/abatacept) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by assessing their drug-survival spanning more that 10years, after discontinuation of the first-line TNFi. METHODS: This retrospective-observational drug-survival study was performed across 2-different hospitals in UK by conventional-statistics and machine-learning approach. RESULTS: From a total of 435-patients, 213 [(48.9%); TNFi-n=122 (57.3%), BDMA-n=91(42.7%)] discontinued their second-line biologic [median-drug-survival: TNFi-27months (95%CI 22-32months) vs BDMA-37months (95%CI 32-52months)]. As second-line, BDMA was likely to reduce the risk of treatment-discontinuation [Hazard-ratio/HR-0.63 (95%CI 0.48-0.83)] compared to TNFi, but only in seropositive-patients [HR-0.52 (95%CI 0.38-0.73)], not in seronegative-RA. Uncovered by the survival-tree and adjusted by propensity-score, drug-survival benefit of BDMA over TNFi was not observed if the seropositive-patients were previously exposed to monoclonal-TNFi (HR-0.77, 95% CI 0.49-1.22) versus soluble TNFi (etanercept or its biosimilar) or if first-line TNFi was terminated within 23.9months of initiation (HR-0.97, 95%CI 0.56-1.68). CONCLUSION: BDMA, as second-line biologic, is more likely to be sustained in seropositive-patients particularly if they were previously not exposed monoclonal TNFi. Drug-survival benefit of BDMA was not observed in seronegative-patients or if the first-line TNFi was stopped within 2 years

Emphysematous pyelonephritis

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is an acute necrotizing infection of the renal parenchyma, prompt diagnosis and early treatment is crucial because of the high rate of mortality. We report a case of a 55-year-old female patient with ten-year history of diabetes mellitus presented with pain in right flank, fever and malaise. She was diagnosed as a case of emphyse­matous pyelonephritis, and was successfully treated in our department. The case is presented along with a literature review

Prevalence and associated risk factors for mental health problems among young adults in Fiji Island during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on mental health globally. To understand the impact of the pandemic on mental health in Fiji, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of anxiety disorder and depression among the young adults.MethodAn online survey was conducted to assess the prevalence of anxiety disorder and depression among the general population in Suva, Fiji during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 1,119 Fiji adults participated in the study. The study was conducted between May 20 to June 30, 2022, using a snowball sampling via social media platforms. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scales were used to measure anxiety and depression, respectively. The COVID-19 related stressors was evaluated using the adapted SARS stressors assessment. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors influencing mental health among respondents.ResultsThe result shows that a significant portion of individuals experienced each of the stressors, with the highest prevalence seen for hearing information about the severity of COVID-19. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was found to be 45% and 49%, respectively. Being female, having pre-existing illness and COVID-19 stressors were a risk factor to develop anxiety and depression. On the other hand, employed individuals and having high BMI was a protective factor against developing depression during COVID-19 lockdown.ConclusionThese findings highlight the importance of addressing the mental health needs of the Fijian population during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond

Serum lipid profile and its association with hypertension in Bangladesh

BACKGROUND: Hypertension and dyslipidemia are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, accounting for the highest morbidity and mortality among the Bangladeshi population. The objective of this study was to determine the association between serum lipid profiles in hypertensive patients with normotensive control subjects in Bangladesh. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 234 participants including 159 hypertensive patients and 75 normotensive controls from January to December 2012 in the National Centre for Control of Rheumatic Fever and Heart Disease in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Data were collected on sociodemographic factors, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and lipid profile including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and high density lipoprotein (HDL). RESULTS: The mean (± standard deviation) systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure of the participants were 137.94±9.58 and 94.42±8.81, respectively, which were higher in the hypertensive patients (P<0.001). The serum levels of TC, TG, and LDL were higher while HDL levels were lower in hypertensive subjects compared to normotensives, which was statistically significant (P<0.001). Age, waist circumference, and body mass index showed significant association with hypertensive patients (P<0.001) but not with normotensives. The logistic regression analysis showed that hypertensive patients had 1.1 times higher TC and TG, 1.2 times higher LDL, and 1.1 times lower HDL than normotensives, which was statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Hypertensive patients in Bangladesh have a close association with dyslipidemia and need measurement of blood pressure and lipid profile at regular intervals to prevent cardiovascular disease, stroke, and other comorbidities

Yield response, nutritional quality and water productivity of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) are influenced by drip irrigation and straw mulch in the coastal saline ecosystem of Ganges Delta, India

In the coastal zone of the Ganges Delta, water shortages due to soil salinity limit the yield of dry season crops. To alleviate water shortage as a consequence of salinity stress in the coastal saline ecosystem, the effect of different water-saving (WS) and water-conserving options was assessed on growth, yield and water use of tomato; two field experiments were carried out at Gosaba, West Bengal, India in consecutive seasons during the winter of 2016–17 and 2017–18. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with five treatments viz., surface irrigation, surface irrigation + straw mulching, drip irrigation at 100% reference evapotranspiration (ET0), drip irrigation at 80% ET0, drip irrigation at 80% ET0 + straw mulching. Application of drip irrigation at 80% ET0 + straw mulching brought about significantly the highest fruit as well as the marketable yield of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). The soil reaction (pH), post-harvest organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N, P and K) status and soil microbial population along with the biochemical quality parameters of tomato (juice pH, ascorbic acid, total soluble solids and sugar content of fruits) were significantly influenced by combined application of drip irrigation and straw mulching. Surface irrigation significantly increased the salinity level in surface and sub-surface soil layers while the least salinity development was observed in surface mulched plots receiving irrigation water through drip irrigation. The highest water productivity was also improved from drip irrigation at 80% ET0 + straw mulched plots irrespective of the year of experimentation. Such intervention also helped in reducing salinity stress for the tomato crop. Thus, straw mulching along with drip irrigation at 80% ET0 can be recommended as the most suitable irrigation option for tomato crop in the study area as well as coastal saline regions of South Asia. Finally, it can be concluded that the judicious application of irrigation water not only increased growth, yield and quality tomatoes but also minimized the negative impact of soil salinity on tomatoes grown in the coastal saline ecosystem of Ganges Delta

Prevalence of risk factors for hypertension: a cross-sectional study in an urban area of Bangladesh

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a major risk factor for several cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The prevalence of hypertension is increasing in Bangladesh, especially in urban areas. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hypertension and its risk factors in an urban area of Bangladesh. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey involving participants aged &ge;&nbsp;25 years in an urban area in Dhaka between June-December 2012, using multi-stage random sampling. Data on socioeconomic status, tobacco use, physical activity, diet, extra-salt use, family history of hypertension, CVD, anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were collected using modified WHO-STEPS protocol. Hypertension and pre-hypertension were defined according to JNC-7. Multiple logistic regressions models were used to identify risk factors associated with hypertension. RESULTS: The overall age-adjusted prevalence hypertension and pre-hypertension among 730 participants was 23.7% and 19%, respectively, which was higher among males compared to females (23.6% vs 21.71% and 21.7% vs 17.0%, respectively). Bivariate analysis showed significant relationship of hypertension with age, BMI, no physical activity, tobacco use, extra salt intake and family history of stroke/cardiovascular disease. In the multivariate model, factors significantly associated with hypertension were older age (OR 19.18, 95% CI 13.58-28.11), smoking (OR 3.47, 95% CI 2.85-5.19), extra salt intake (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.04-2.21), and high waist circumference (OR 3.41, 95% CI 2.81-5.29). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of hypertension and pre-hypertension was high among our study participants. Population-based intervention programs and policies for increased awareness about the risk factors, and life-style modification are essential for prevention of hypertension