Removing Barriers, Integrating Research, Spreading Excellence: The European Satellite Communications Network of Excellence "SatNEx"

Within the recently launched 6th Research Framework Programme of the European Commission, 21 major players in satellite communications research have joined forces to implement the European Satellite Communications Network of Excellence (SatNEx). The primary goal of SatNEx is to achieve long-lasting integration of the European research in satellite communication and to develop a common base of knowledge, thus contributing to the realization of the European Research Area. This paper discusses the background and motivation for implementation of the network and highlights the SatNEx mission and key objectives. A top-level overview is then provided including a description of the consortium, the Joint Programme of Activities (JPA) and the time schedule with deliverables and milestones. Finally, an update of ongoing work is presented

Epidemiology, practice of ventilation and outcome for patients at increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications

BACKGROUND Limited information exists about the epidemiology and outcome of surgical patients at increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs), and how intraoperative ventilation was managed in these patients. OBJECTIVES To determine the incidence of surgical patients at increased risk of PPCs, and to compare the intraoperative ventilation management and postoperative outcomes with patients at low risk of PPCs. DESIGN This was a prospective international 1-week observational study using the ‘Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia risk score’ (ARISCAT score) for PPC for risk stratification. PATIENTS AND SETTING Adult patients requiring intraoperative ventilation during general anaesthesia for surgery in 146 hospitals across 29 countries. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was the incidence of patients at increased risk of PPCs based on the ARISCAT score. Secondary outcomes included intraoperative ventilatory management and clinical outcomes. RESULTS A total of 9864 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The incidence of patients at increased risk was 28.4%. The most frequently chosen tidal volume (VT) size was 500 ml, or 7 to 9 ml kg1 predicted body weight, slightly lower in patients at increased risk of PPCs. Levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) were slightly higher in patients at increased risk of PPCs, with 14.3% receiving more than 5 cmH2O PEEP compared with 7.6% in patients at low risk of PPCs (P < 0.001). Patients with a predicted preoperative increased risk of PPCs developed PPCs more frequently: 19 versus 7%, relative risk (RR) 3.16 (95% confidence interval 2.76 to 3.61), P < 0.001) and had longer hospital stays. The only ventilatory factor associated with the occurrence of PPCs was the peak pressure. CONCLUSION The incidence of patients with a predicted increased risk of PPCs is high. A large proportion of patients receive high VT and low PEEP levels. PPCs occur frequently in patients at increased risk, with worse clinical outcome

Epidemiology, practice of ventilation and outcome for patients at increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications: LAS VEGAS - An observational study in 29 countries

BACKGROUND Limited information exists about the epidemiology and outcome of surgical patients at increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs), and how intraoperative ventilation was managed in these patients. OBJECTIVES To determine the incidence of surgical patients at increased risk of PPCs, and to compare the intraoperative ventilation management and postoperative outcomes with patients at low risk of PPCs. DESIGN This was a prospective international 1-week observational study using the ‘Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia risk score’ (ARISCAT score) for PPC for risk stratification. PATIENTS AND SETTING Adult patients requiring intraoperative ventilation during general anaesthesia for surgery in 146 hospitals across 29 countries. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was the incidence of patients at increased risk of PPCs based on the ARISCAT score. Secondary outcomes included intraoperative ventilatory management and clinical outcomes. RESULTS A total of 9864 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The incidence of patients at increased risk was 28.4%. The most frequently chosen tidal volume (V T) size was 500 ml, or 7 to 9 ml kg−1 predicted body weight, slightly lower in patients at increased risk of PPCs. Levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) were slightly higher in patients at increased risk of PPCs, with 14.3% receiving more than 5 cmH2O PEEP compared with 7.6% in patients at low risk of PPCs (P ˂ 0.001). Patients with a predicted preoperative increased risk of PPCs developed PPCs more frequently: 19 versus 7%, relative risk (RR) 3.16 (95% confidence interval 2.76 to 3.61), P ˂ 0.001) and had longer hospital stays. The only ventilatory factor associated with the occurrence of PPCs was the peak pressure. CONCLUSION The incidence of patients with a predicted increased risk of PPCs is high. A large proportion of patients receive high V T and low PEEP levels. PPCs occur frequently in patients at increased risk, with worse clinical outcome.</p

Sex difference and intra-operative tidal volume: Insights from the LAS VEGAS study

BACKGROUND: One key element of lung-protective ventilation is the use of a low tidal volume (VT). A sex difference in use of low tidal volume ventilation (LTVV) has been described in critically ill ICU patients.OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether a sex difference in use of LTVV also exists in operating room patients, and if present what factors drive this difference.DESIGN, PATIENTS AND SETTING: This is a posthoc analysis of LAS VEGAS, a 1-week worldwide observational study in adults requiring intra-operative ventilation during general anaesthesia for surgery in 146 hospitals in 29 countries.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Women and men were compared with respect to use of LTVV, defined as VT of 8 ml kg-1 or less predicted bodyweight (PBW). A VT was deemed 'default' if the set VT was a round number. A mediation analysis assessed which factors may explain the sex difference in use of LTVV during intra-operative ventilation.RESULTS: This analysis includes 9864 patients, of whom 5425 (55%) were women. A default VT was often set, both in women and men; mode VT was 500 ml. Median [IQR] VT was higher in women than in men (8.6 [7.7 to 9.6] vs. 7.6 [6.8 to 8.4] ml kg-1 PBW, P &lt; 0.001). Compared with men, women were twice as likely not to receive LTVV [68.8 vs. 36.0%; relative risk ratio 2.1 (95% CI 1.9 to 2.1), P &lt; 0.001]. In the mediation analysis, patients' height and actual body weight (ABW) explained 81 and 18% of the sex difference in use of LTVV, respectively; it was not explained by the use of a default VT.CONCLUSION: In this worldwide cohort of patients receiving intra-operative ventilation during general anaesthesia for surgery, women received a higher VT than men during intra-operative ventilation. The risk for a female not to receive LTVV during surgery was double that of males. Height and ABW were the two mediators of the sex difference in use of LTVV.TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01601223

Satellite communications systems: systems, techniques and technology

About this bookThe revised and updated sixth edition of&nbsp;Satellite Communications Systems contains information on the most recent advances related to satellite communications systems, technologies, network architectures and new requirements of services and applications. The authors – noted experts on the topic – cover the state-of-the-art satellite communication systems and technologies and examine the relevant topics concerning communication and network technologies, concepts, techniques and algorithms. New to this edition is information on internetworking with the broadband satellite systems, more intensive coverage of Ka band technologies, GEO high throughput satellite (HTS), LEO constellations and the potential to support the current new broadband Internet services as well as future developments for global information infrastructure.&nbsp;The authors offer details on digital communication systems and broadband networks in order to provide high-level researchers and professional engineers an authoritative reference. In addition, the book is designed in a user-friendly format.</p

Removing Barriers, Integrating Research, Spreading Excellence: The European Satellite Communications Network of Excellence "SatNEx"

Within the broad field of communications, satellites are successfully used for broadcast, mobile, and broadband communication. They play an important role for the competitiveness of the European Union (EU) in the field of communication technologies and support the autonomy of Europe in space matters. Beside the players in the US and Asia, European space industry, satellite operators and space-related organizations constitute a world leading force. Europe has always retained a major presence in both manufacturing satellites (Alcatel, EADS/Astrium, Alenia Aerospazio, . . . ) as well as launching and operating satellites (Arianespace, . . . ) and providing satellite services (SES Global, Eutelsat, Inmarsat, . . . ). Satellite communications has been an area in the satellite field that has been commercially successful so far and this has been helped and pump primed by the research and development (R&D) programs of the European Space Agency (ESA) and by the EU framework programmes. European research carried out a large number of successful activities in satellite communications (ESA and EU projects, European co-operation in the field of scientific and technical research (COST) actions1, the task force on advanced satellite mobile systems (ASMS-TF), etc.). Their efforts have made it possible to create a solid industrial base and to give Europe recognized capabilities and capacities. However, these actions show only limited collaboration and lack of critical mass. Compared to the leading power in space, the United States, where the use of space systems is not only a technological instrument, but a strategic, political and economic instrument guaranteeing the American leadership, Europe in the past has shown only limited interest in developing a common European approach to put its resources together and cooperate intensively even without the support from ESA. In latter years, satellite communications has been viewed as a mature area that is more the responsibility of industry and commerce and less that of the R&D agencies. This has resulted in reduced staff support for R&D in the area in preference to the science and navigation/positioning areas. At the same time we have seen a rationalization of the industrial business due to economic pressures manifested in mergers of the large industrial companies both within Europe and globally. The growth has been in the smaller and medium size companies that have sprung up in abundance in the applications and services area

Desarrollo de modelos de tráfico de constelaciones de satélites no geoestacionarios para un servicio mixto a usuarios fijos y móviles.

IP 1210-14-595-97Colombiana de Telecomunicaciones CINTEL. -- Vol. 6, no. 18(abr.'-jun- 1999); p. 34-44. -- ISSN 01231057.;a satellite-fixed cell system / Gerard Maral ... [et.al].'-- en:IEEE Transactions on vehicular technology. --;Vol. 41, no. 4 (Nov. 1998); p. 1200-1214. -- ISSN 00189545. --Comunicaciones moviles basadas en;constelaciones de satelites no geostacionales (MSS) / JoaquinG.RestrepoM., David Rivera O. -- En: Revista;ARTICULO(S) EN REVISTA: Performance analysis for a guaranteedhandover service in an LEO constellation wit

Guidelines for a preliminary dimensionning of a transaction oriented VSAT network

SIGLEAvailable at INIST (FR), Document Supply Service, under shelf-number : RP 10324 / INIST-CNRS - Institut de l'Information Scientifique et TechniqueFRFranc

SatNEx, the European Satellite Communications Network of Excellence: Air Interface Activities

The SatNEx project has brought together twenty-two partners from European research organisations and academia to form a pan-European research network. A major objective of SatNEx is to rectify the fragmentation in satellite communications research by bringing together leading European academic research organisations in a durable way. Furthermore, the Network aims to establish critical mass and allow access to a range of expertise currently distributed across Europe. In this respect, mobility is an important aspect of SatNEx’s work, with academic staff and research students being encouraged to move between institutions to allow access to specialised research equipment and to facilitate research integration. Training represents an important part of SatNEx’s remit and is supported through a number of initiatives including the hosting of internship projects, the establishment of summer schools and the dissemination of papers of a tutorial nature This paper discusses the background and motivation for implementation of the network and highlights the SatNEx mission and key objectives. A top-level overview is provided including a description of the consortium and the Joint Programme of Activities (JPA). Details of the activities carried out under the Work Package 2400 “Access”, dealing with the Air Interface system components (physical and access layers) are provided