Blockage Prediction for Mobile UE in RIS-assisted Wireless Networks: A Deep Learning Approach

Due to significant blockage conditions in wireless networks, transmitted signals may considerably degrade before reaching the receiver. The reliability of the transmitted signals, therefore, may be critically problematic due to blockages between the communicating nodes. Thanks to the ability of Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RISs) to reflect the incident signals with different reflection angles, this may counter the blockage effect by optimally reflecting the transmit signals to receiving nodes, hence, improving the wireless network's performance. With this motivation, this paper formulates a RIS-aided wireless communication problem from a base station (BS) to a mobile user equipment (UE). The BS is equipped with an RGB camera. We use the RGB camera at the BS and the RIS panel to improve the system's performance while considering signal propagating through multiple paths and the Doppler spread for the mobile UE. First, the RGB camera is used to detect the presence of the UE with no blockage. When unsuccessful, the RIS-assisted gain takes over and is then used to detect if the UE is either "present but blocked" or "absent". The problem is determined as a ternary classification problem with the goal of maximizing the probability of UE communication blockage detection. We find the optimal solution for the probability of predicting the blockage status for a given RGB image and RIS-assisted data rate using a deep neural learning model. We employ the residual network 18-layer neural network model to find this optimal probability of blockage prediction. Extensive simulation results reveal that our proposed RIS panel-assisted model enhances the accuracy of maximization of the blockage prediction probability problem by over 38\% compared to the baseline scheme

A model of integrated lung and focused heart ultrasound as a new screening examination in infants at risk of respiratory or hemodynamic compromise

Objective: This was a feasibility study to determine whether an edu­cational program conducted over 2 days followed by 25 performed studies under supervision equips physicians with the skills to accurately interpret and perform integrated lung ultrasound (LUS) and focused heart ultrasound (FHUS) as a screening exam in infants at risk of respiratory or hemodynamic compromise. Methods: We conducted a training course over 2 days (total of 16 hours) to teach fellows how to interpret a pre-designed model of LUS and FHUS, as a screening exam for infants at risk of respiratory or hemodynamic compromise. Then trainees performed 25 cases with different neonatal lung and functional heart issues. The screening model included only the basic views required to evaluate common lung parenchymal and functional neonatal heart conditions in sick infants. The accuracy of interpretation during the course was assessed by Kappa. Results: The inter-rater agreement between all trainees and instructor improved on the second day of the course to Kappa 0.86 (95% CI: 0.72-0.97) for LUS views and 0.78 (95% CI: 0.69-0.91) for FHUS views. The inter-rater agreement between trainees themselves improved from Kappa 0.64 (95% CI: 0.47-0.81) for LUS on day one to 0.89 (95% CI: 0.81-0.96) on day two. And from 0.58 (95% CI: 0.44-0.73) on day one to 0.75 (95% CI: 0.68-0.84) on day two. Conclusion: Bedside screening, using integrated LUS and FHUS can be a useful adjunct to clinical examination in infants at risk of respiratory or hemodynamic compromise

Comparative study between great saphenous vein endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) and modified haemodynamic correction (CHIVA) as a treatment for varicose veins

Varicose veins (VV) could be a handicapping condition which may lead to limb swelling, pain and venous stasis ulcer. Prevalence of VV could present from 1% to 73% and from 2% to 56% at women and men respectively. CHIVA has been developed through the last two decades and is currently the second most common surgical procedure for the operative management of VV. Endovenous laser treatment of GSV was approved by FDA in 2002 and SSV was approved in 2003. EVLT allows delivery of Laser energy directly into the blood vessel lumen. EVLT with a 1470-nm diode Laser system is clinically safe, feasible and well-tolerated technique without scar and allows people to return to their normal daily activities rapidly. In a prospective comparative study between January 2018 and January 2020, 40 patients from those attended the outpatient departments complaining from VV were assessed according to the CEAP classification and ultrasonic duplex and arranged into group I (CHIVA) and group II (EVLA). Both CHIVA operation and EVLA were performed under local anesthesia. Cases were reviewed regularly at the outpatient clinic for 6 months for recurrence and complications. The recurrence occurred at 2/20 and 0/20 at CHIVA and EVLA respectively.&nbsp

Comparative Study Between Great Saphenous Vein Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) and Modified Haemodynamic Correction (CHIVA) as A Treatment for Varicose Veins

Varicose veins (VV) could be a handicapping condition which may lead to limb swelling, pain and venous stasis ulcer. Prevalence of VV could present from 1% to 73% and from 2% to 56% at women and men respectively. CHIVA has been developed through the last two decades and is currently the second most common surgical procedure for the operative management of VV. Endovenous laser treatment of GSV was approved by FDA in 2002 and SSV was approved in 2003. EVLT allows delivery of Laser energy directly into the blood vessel lumen. EVLT with a 1470-nm diode Laser system is clinically safe, feasible and well-tolerated technique without scar and allows people to return to their normal daily activities rapidly. In a prospective comparative study between January 2018 and January 2020, 40 patients from those attended the outpatient departments complaining from VV were assessed according to the CEAP classification and ultrasonic duplex and arranged into group I (CHIVA) and group II (EVLA). Both CHIVA operation and EVLA were performed under local anesthesia. Cases were reviewed regularly at the outpatient clinic for 6 months for recurrence and complications. The recurrence occurred at 2/20 and 0/20 at CHIVA and EVLA respectively.&nbsp

Stratification of predictors of major amputation versus limb salvage in Egyptian patients with critical limb ischemia

Aim of the study:  To determine major predictors for limb salvage (or major amputation) in chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) in Egyptian people. Design: Pilot study, observational analytical study. Patients and Methods: This study was conducted on 224 cases in the Department of Vascular Surgery in Kasr Al-Ainy Hospital – Cairo University between March 2018 to February 2019. The clinical, radiological and operative variables were collected and detect patients who need major amputation in 30 days and verify predictors of limb salvage, which was subjected to univariate analysis in order to determine the most important factors of failure of limb salvage. Results: The TLC, total CK, serum urea level and incomplete foot arch are independent factors directly proportional to the possibility of major amputation. Open interventions and presence of inline distal runoff enter the foot are independent factors inversely proportional to the possibility of major amputation. Anemia and active cardiac condition are risk factors for major amputation. Conclusion: We obtained factors that predict the limb salvage by using of univariate and multivariate analysis. These factors can help the practitioners to predict the limb salvage and guides the consumption of health care resources and personnel

Can miRNA712_3p be a promising biomarker for early diagnosis of toxoplasmosis?

Objective: To assess the role of miRNA712_3p as a specific biomarker in early detection of toxoplasmosis in plasma of mice acutely infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Methods: Real-time PCR was used to measure the level of miRNA712_3p in plasma of infected mice. Immune-competent and immune-suppressed mice were examined, three and five days post-infection. Results: Results revealed significant up-regulation of plasma miRNA712_3p in both immune- competent and immune-compromised groups in comparison to the control non-infected group. Additionally, an increase in the level of miRNA712_3p was noticed correspondently in the parasite density detected in liver impression smears. Conclusions: miRNA712_3p can be used as a novel biomarker for the detection of Toxoplasma gondii infection in both immune-competent and immune-compromised host

Superficial femoral artery chronic total occlusion crossing strategies

Objectives: Superficial femoral artery (SFA) endovascular intervention procedures are one of the most common peripheral artery interventions (PAI) in the lower extremities around the world. Chronic total occlusions (CTO) are extremely common in this vascular bed, accounting for approximately 40–50% of all lesions treated. One of the most crucial decisions an operator must make for a good chronic total occlusion (CTO) recanalization is selecting the right catheter vascular access site. Methods: A prospective, cohort, study conducted on 30 patients to evaluate the safety and efficacy of different strategies for crossing the chronic total occlusion of superficial femoral artery. Results: There was statistically significant difference found between crossing techniques regarding DM and combined DM and dyslipidemia. Conclusion: Correlation of CTOP classification with larger sample size may show importance and improve crossing strategies

Vitamin D deficiency and lower urinary tract symptoms in males above 50 years of age

Context: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) in elderly males are usually related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in the majority of cases. It is estimated that BPH affects half of men above the age of 50 years. Recently, a relationship between Vitamin D deficiency and LUTS in elderly males has been reported. Aims: The aim of this study was to analyze Vitamin D levels in males aged above 50 years presenting with LUTS. Settings and Design: This is a prospective case–control study. Patients and Methods: This was a case–control study in which males above 50 years of age who presented with LUTS (Group A) were compared with a control group (Group B) without LUTS. Both groups were investigated regarding Vitamin D level, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), International Prostatic Symptoms Score (IPSS), prostate size, flow rate, serum calcium levels, and abdominal ultrasonography. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical software package (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used for the statistical analyses, performing t-test for quantitative data to compare between the two groups. Pearson's correlation coefficient “r” test was calculated between two quantitative, continuous variables in Group A. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 150 patients were studied. There were 70 and 80 patients in Groups A and B, respectively. The mean age of Group A patients was 60.32 ± 11.93 years versus 58.12 ± 10.55 years for Group B patients (P > 0.05). The mean value of Vitamin D level was 40.82 ± 29.46 nmol/L in Group A and 70.25 ± 22.42 nmol/L in Group B (P < 0.001). The mean value of prostate size was 50.12 ± 23.24 g in Group A and 30.68 ± 4.90 g in Group B (P < 0.001). The mean serum calcium level was 2.4 ± 0.14 mmol/L and 2.50 ± 0.15 mmol/L in Groups A and B, respectively (P < 0.001). The mean value of PSA in Group A was 2.24 ± 1.95 ng/ml versus 2.11 ± 0.45 ng/ml in Group B (P < 0.001). The mean value of IPSS in Group A was 13.38 ± 5.32 ml/s versus 3.41 ± 2.42 ml/s in Group B. The mean value of Q max in uroflowmetry in Group A was 11.5 ± 2 ml/s versus 15.4 ± 1 ml/s in Group B. Conclusions: Men older than 50 years of age with LUTS have lower levels of Vitamin D compared to men without LUTS