487 research outputs found
Clinical profile and risk factors associated in patients of mucormycosis in COVID-19 pandemic: a study in a tertiary centre
Background: The objective of this study was to determine the clinical profile and risk factors associated in patients of mucormycosis in COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: It was a prospective observational study conducted at a tertiary care centre in the month of May and June 2021. It involved all patients of mucormycosis mainly involving paranasal sinuses and orbit. The clinical profile and associated risk factors leading to mucormycosis were studied.Results: Thirty patients of mucormycosis mean age 56.62 years out of them 25 (83.33%) male and 5 (16.66%) female were studied. Twenty-four patients (80%) had COVID-19 infection, out of them 7 (29.2%) were active and 17 (70.8%) had recovered within 4 weeks. Five (16.6%) patients were suspected as they had symptoms of COVID-19 previously but never got tested. One patient had no history of COVID infection. All the patients were diabetic at the time of presentation, out of them 26 (86.6%) of patients were known diabetic and 4 (13.3%) became diabetic after COVID-19 infection. The ethmoids were the most common sinuses affected. Intra-orbital extension was seen in 13 (43.3%) of cases while intracranial extension was seen in 4 (13.3%) patients. Twenty-eight (93.3%) patients gave history of steroids intake. Antibiotics were taken by 76.6% patients while zinc supplement was used by 83.3% patients. Oxygen was used 10 (33.3%) patients, 80% of them using face mask or canula and 4 of them requiring mechanical ventilatory support. Conclusions: The risk factors associated with mucormycosis in COVID pandemic must be given serious consideration as there is sudden increase in the case and mortality is very high. Uncontrolled diabetes and over use of steroids in COVID management are two main aggravating factors, however other factors must also be studied thoroughly
A Novel Method for Obtaining Diffuse Field Measurements for Microphone Calibration
We propose a straightforward and cost-effective method to perform diffuse
soundfield measurements for calibrating the magnitude response of a microphone
array. Typically, such calibration is performed in a diffuse soundfield created
in reverberation chambers, an expensive and time-consuming process. A method is
proposed for obtaining diffuse field measurements in untreated environments.
First, a closed-form expression for the spatial correlation of a wideband
signal in a diffuse field is derived. Next, we describe a practical procedure
for obtaining the diffuse field response of a microphone array in the presence
of a non-diffuse soundfield by the introduction of random perturbations in the
microphone location. Experimental spatial correlation data obtained is compared
with the theoretical model, confirming that it is possible to obtain diffuse
field measurements in untreated environments with relatively few loudspeakers.
A 30 second test signal played from 4-8 loudspeakers is shown to be sufficient
in obtaining a diffuse field measurement using the proposed method. An
Eigenmike is then successfully calibrated at two different geographical
locations.Comment: Accepted to appear in IEEE ICASSP 202
Development and Operation Analysis of Spectrum Monitoring Subsystem 2.4–2.5 GHz Range
The paper presents a substantiation of the effectiveness of IEEE 802.11 wireless network analysis subsystem implementation using miniature spectrum analyzers. Also it was given an overview of firmware work scheme, development process of trial versions, monitoring system development approaches, current development stage, infrastructure for research system, reliability and scan check, our system design and hardware implementation, future work, etc. Paper also provides technical solutions on automation, optimal algorithms searching, errors correcting, organizing software according to the Model-View-Controller scheme, harmonizing data exchange protocols, storing and presenting the obtained results
First and second-order dust-ion-acoustic rogue waves in non-thermal plasma
A nonlinear Schr\"{o}dinger equation (NLSE) has been derived by employing
reductive perturbation method for investigating the modulational instability of
dust-ion-acoustic waves (DIAWs) in a four-component plasma having stationary
negatively charged dust grains, inertial warm ions, and inertialess non-thermal
electrons and positrons. It is observed that under consideration, the plasma
system supports both modulationally stable and unstable domains, which are
determined by the sign of the dispersive and nonlinear coefficients of NLSE, of
the DIAWs. It is also found that the nonlinearity as well as the height and
width of the first and second-order rogue waves increases with the
non-thermality of electron and positron. The relevancy of our present
investigation to the observations in space plasmas is pinpointed.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure
Challenging others when posting misinformation: a UK vs. Arab cross-cultural comparison on the perception of negative consequences and injunctive norms
This study investigates the factors influencing the willingness to challenge misinformation on social media across two cultural contexts, the United Kingdom (UK) and Arab countries. A total of 462 participants completed an online survey (250 UK, 212 Arabs). The analysis revealed that three types of negative consequences (relationship cost, negative impact on the person being challenged, futility) and also injunctive norms influence the willingness to challenge misinformation. Cross-cultural comparisons using t-tests showed significant differences between the UK and the Arab countries in all factors except the injunctive norms. Multiple regression analyses identified differences between the UK and Arab participants concerning which of the factors predicted the willingness to challenge misinformation. The findings suggest that participants’ self-reported injunctive norms play a significant role in shaping their willingness to engage in corrective actions across both cultural contexts. Moreover, UK participants’ reporting of how others perceive negative impact on the person being challenged and injunctive norms were significant predictors, while for the Arabs, only the perceived relationship costs emerged as a significant predictor. This study has important implications for policymakers and social media platforms in developing culturally sensitive interventions encouraging users to correct misinformation
Use of the q-Gaussian mutation in evolutionary algorithms
Copyright @ Springer-Verlag 2010.This paper proposes the use of the q-Gaussian mutation with self-adaptation of the shape of the mutation distribution in evolutionary algorithms. The shape of the q-Gaussian mutation distribution is controlled by a real parameter q. In the proposed method, the real parameter q of the q-Gaussian mutation is encoded in the chromosome of individuals and hence is allowed to evolve during the evolutionary process. In order to test the new mutation operator, evolution strategy and evolutionary programming algorithms with self-adapted q-Gaussian mutation generated from anisotropic and isotropic distributions are presented. The theoretical analysis of the q-Gaussian mutation is also provided. In the experimental study, the q-Gaussian mutation is compared to Gaussian and Cauchy mutations in the optimization of a set of test functions. Experimental results show the efficiency of the proposed method of self-adapting the mutation distribution in evolutionary algorithms.This work was supported in part by FAPESP and CNPq in Brazil and in part by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) of the UK under Grant EP/E060722/1 and Grant EP/E060722/2
Visible light communication using new Flip-FBMC modulation system technique
Filter bank multi-carrier (FBMC) modulation in the visible light communication (VLC) system is one of the most promising modulation systems in optical wireless communications (OWC), especially in 5G and 6G future applications. FBMC has a wide bandwidth compared to other modulation systems. One of the highest degree essential conditions for utilising the signal in VLC is that the signal is real positive, the signal is agreeable with intensity modulation/direct detection (IM/DD), where Hermitian symmetry (H.S) is utilised to get a real signal (RE) and to be unipolar direct current (DC)-bias is used. Here the challenge arises as this method increases complicating, due to the modulation of the N number of frequency symbols, these symbols need 2N inverse fast fourier transform (IFFT) and fast fourier transform (FFT), in addition to energy consumption. This research focused on the time domain and not the frequency domain by using the traditional complex FBMC generation signal, and to obtain the RE signal by placing the RE signal side by side with the imaginary signal (IMs) in a row, and then using new Flip-FBMC technology, which saves more energy. The proposed technologies provide approximately 57% of the number of IFFT/FFT. The use of Flip-FBMC technology consumes less energy than traditional technologies with better bit error rate (BER) performance
Current Situation of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) in Northern Africa: The Sustainable Control Methods and Priorities for Future Research
In North Africa, Tetranychus urticae Koch, 1836 represents one of the most destructive generalists among mite herbivores. Unfortunately, it is a source of important annual casualties in crop production. It is a phytophagous mite that can feed on hundreds of host plants and produces significant damage. The control of T. urticae in North Africa has been principally based on acaricide sprays. However, new alternative methods have shown effective results, such as artificial ultraviolet-B, natural enemies, and the introduction of new genetic methods. This review aims to present a synthesis of information surrounding control methods of T. urticae in North Africa. We highlight the principal findings of previous studies. Then, we discuss current control methods and propose new innovative research and sustainable approaches to controlling this pest. The control method can potentially extrapolate in North African regions due to its positive ecological results. Further, studies proved the use of natural enemies, myco-metabolites, bacteria metabolites, and the introduction of a genetic method in an integrated long-term sustainable program that can successfully defeat the populations of T. urticae. We also discuss high-priority research guidelines to investigate new sustainable management strategies. Setting up an integrated long-term ecological monitoring program in different Northwest African countries and incorporating new technologies into monitoring programs is an urgent need to fight this devastating pest
Current Situation of Tetranychus urticae (Acari : Tetranychidae) in Northern Africa: The Sustainable Control Methods and Priorities for Future Research
In North Africa, Tetranychus urticae Koch, 1836 represents one of the most destructive generalists among mite herbivores. Unfortunately, it is a source of important annual casualties in crop production. It is a phytophagous mite that can feed on hundreds of host plants and produces significant damage. The control of T. urticae in North Africa has been principally based on acaricide sprays. However, new alternative methods have shown effective results, such as artificial ultraviolet-B, natural enemies, and the introduction of new genetic methods. This review aims to present a synthesis of information surrounding control methods of T. urticae in North Africa. We highlight the principal findings of previous studies. Then, we discuss current control methods and propose new innovative research and sustainable approaches to controlling this pest. The control method can potentially extrapolate in North African regions due to its positive ecological results. Further, studies proved the use of natural enemies, myco-metabolites, bacteria metabolites, and the introduction of a genetic method in an integrated long-term sustainable program that can successfully defeat the populations of T. urticae. We also discuss high-priority research guidelines to investigate new sustainable management strategies. Setting up an integrated long-term ecological monitoring program in different Northwest African countries and incorporating new technologies into monitoring programs is an urgent need to fight this devastating pest.Peer reviewe
Current Situation of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) in Northern Africa: The Sustainable Control Methods and Priorities for Future Research
In North Africa, Tetranychus urticae Koch, 1836 represents one of the most destructive generalists among mite herbivores. Unfortunately, it is a source of important annual casualties in crop production. It is a phytophagous mite that can feed on hundreds of host plants and produces significant damage. The control of T. urticae in North Africa has been principally based on acaricide sprays. However, new alternative methods have shown effective results, such as artificial ultraviolet-B, natural enemies, and the introduction of new genetic methods. This review aims to present a synthesis of information surrounding control methods of T. urticae in North Africa. We highlight the principal findings of previous studies. Then, we discuss current control methods and propose new innovative research and sustainable approaches to controlling this pest. The control method can potentially extrapolate in North African regions due to its positive ecological results. Further, studies proved the use of natural enemies, myco-metabolites, bacteria metabolites, and the introduction of a genetic method in an integrated long-term sustainable program that can successfully defeat the populations of T. urticae. We also discuss high-priority research guidelines to investigate new sustainable management strategies. Setting up an integrated long-term ecological monitoring program in different Northwest African countries and incorporating new technologies into monitoring programs is an urgent need to fight this devastating pest
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