Discrete interferences optimum beamformer in correlated signal and interfering noise

This paper introduces a significant special situation where the noise is a collection of D-plane interference signals and the correlated noise of D+1 is less than the number of array components. An optimal beamforming processor based on the minimum variance distortionless response (MVDR) generates and combines appropriate statistics for the D+1 model. Instead of the original space of the N-dimensional problem, the interference signal subspace is reduced to D+1. Typical antenna arrays in many modern communication networks absorb waves generated from multiple point sources. An analytical formula was derived to improve the signal to interference and noise ratio (SINR) obtained from the steering errors of the two beamformers. The proposed MVDR processor-based beamforming does not enforce general constraints. Therefore, it can also be used in systems where the steering vector is compromised by gain. Simulation results show that the output of the proposed beamformer based on the MVDR processor is usually close to the ideal state within a wide range of signal-to-noise ratio and signal-to-interference ratio. The MVDR processor-based beamformer has been experimentally evaluated. The proposed processor-based MVDR system significantly improves performance for large interference white noise ratio (INR) in the sidelobe region and provide an appropriate beam pattern

Quantitative Analysis of Various B-ring Unsubstituted and Substituted Flavonoids in Ten Australian Species of Eucalyptus

Flavonoids (in particular unsubstituted B ring flavanones) in Eucalyptus foliage play an important role in mediating animal plant interactions, and there is a need for methods to analyse the diverse profiles found in leaves. A simple, high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with in-line connected photodiode-array (PDA) detection was developed and validated to identify and quantify nine B-ring unsubstituted and three B-ring substituted flavonoids in ten Australian species of Eucalyptus. Of these, eight compounds were detected and quantified in the crude methanolic extracts of leaves of various Eucalyptus species (E. sieberi, E. rossii, E. fastigata, E. macrorhyncha, E. fraxinoides, E. agglomerata, E. consideniana, E. pauciflora, E. dives and E. obliqua) based on comparison with the retention times and λmax values of pure compounds. This rapid and sensitive HPLC/PDA method was coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS) for qualitative analysis to corroborate the identification of compounds by HPLC/PDA analysis

Evaluating a mobile-based short virtual course on family planning for frontline health workers in India

One of the ways to address the critical gap of trained human resources in health is to train frontline workers (FLW) on health prevention and health promotion. The FLW play an important role in community mobilization, outreach activities, and service delivery at the last mile. In rural India, the number of internet and smartphone users is rapidly increasing, presenting an opportunity to reach and virtually train FLW. The current evidence base shows progress towards creating and using mobile-based training, but significant work is needed to improve the quality of mobile-based training programs. This study showcases Project *Samvad*’s experience in creating and rolling out a virtual training course for FLW, highlighting the feasibility of virtual training at scale and the quality of engagement of the participants with the course content. The method for this descriptive study is divided into two broad categories: (i) course development, promotion, and rollout processes, and (ii) course evaluation. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to collect and analyze data. We found that the overall average course completion rate was 82% (992 out of 1211 registrants). The average increase in the endline question accuracy was around 15 percentage points from the baseline. We conclude that mobile-based virtual training of FLW is feasible and program managers and policymakers should consider creating hyperlocal course content, ensure participation of partners at various stages of development and rollout of the course and use a peer-to-peer and community-led system to support the learners

Inhibitor of Sarco/Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-ATPase Impairs Multiple Steps of Paramyxovirus Replication

Sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase (SERCA) is a membrane-bound cytosolic enzyme which is known to regulate the uptake of calcium into the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum. Herein, we demonstrate for the first time that SERCA can also regulate virus replication. Treatment of Vero cells with SERCA-specific inhibitor (Thapsigargin) at a concentration that is nontoxic to the cells significantly reduced Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) replication. Conversely, overexpression of SERCA rescued the inhibitory effect of Thapsigargin on virus replication. PPRV and NDV infection induced SERCA expression in Vero cells, which could be blocked by Thapsigargin. Besides inducing enhanced formation of cytoplasmic foci, Thapsigargin was shown to block viral entry into the target cells as well as synthesis of viral proteins. Furthermore, NDV was shown to acquire significant resistance to Thapsigargin upon long-term passage (P) in Vero cells. As compared to the P0 and P70-Control, the fusion (F) protein of P70-Thapsigargin virus exhibited a unique mutation at amino acid residue 104 (E104K), whereas no Thapsigargin-associated mutations were observed in HN gene. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing the virus-supportive role of SERCA and a rare report suggesting that viruses may acquire resistance even in the presence of an inhibitor that targets a cellular factor

Chyle Leak following Open Donor Nephrectomy: A Rare Complication—A Case Report

Introduction. Donor workup in renal transplantation is extensive. Despite this, chyle leakage following donor nephrectomy, a rare complication, has been reported in the literature. We encountered two cases of chyle leak in kidney donors in our series of open donor nephrectomies. Summary of Cases. After complete workup, standard open retroperitoneal donor nephrectomy with drain placement was performed in 684 living renal donors. We encountered chyle leak in two cases. The first case was a 33-year-old female who underwent an otherwise uneventful left donor nephrectomy but continued to have high drain output (upto 300–400 mL/24 hrs) in the postoperative period. The drain fluid was milky, raising the suspicion of chyle which was confirmed on biochemical analysis. The second case was a 42-year-old female with a similar case history. Both were managed conservatively with low-fat diet. The leak subsided spontaneously in three weeks and one week in the first and second patients, respectively. The drain was removed, and the patients remained symptom-free on followup. Conclusions. Both of our cases of chyle leak following open donor nephrectomy were managed successfully with conservative management. The management options and the experience of other centers are reviewed and discussed

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Not AvailableTheileria equi, a haemoprotozoan of equids, is responsible for endemic infection/latency in tropical/subtropical parts of the world. The present study investigated the immunokinetics of T. equi infection in experimental animals and the diagnostic applicability of single dilution ELISA vis-à-vis conventional serial dilution ELISA. Sequential serum samples were collected up to 90 days postinfection (PI) from 4 donkeys experimentally infected with T. equi. Immunokinetics of T. equi antibodies end titre were determined by serial and single dilution ELISA. A significant rise in initial ELISA antibody end titre (1:800 in serial dilution ELISA and from 1:600 to 1:650 in single dilution ELISA) was observed from day 9 PI in all 4 donkeys, which plateaued between days 66 and 73 PI (end antibody titre varied between 1:6400 to 1:25,600 and 1:6050 to 1:22,100). The efficacy of these ELISAs was also determined by testing 256 field serum samples at 1:200 dilution, collected from apparently healthy animals. Sample analysis revealed overall seroprevalence of 91.01% in the horse population. The frequency distribution of antibody titre of these field samples by single dilution ELISA exhibited that most of the positive horses had high levels of specific antibodies. This study has emphasised the usefulness of single dilution ELISA as a diagnostic assay in determining the end antibody titre by testing it at a single dilution of 1:200.Not Availabl

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 Tat exerts its neurotoxic effects by downregulating Sonic hedgehog signaling

We previously showed that HIV-1 can alter the expression of tight junction proteins by downregulating Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling, thereby disrupting blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity. In this study, we employed a conditional, CNS specific, Tat transgenic murine model to investigate if HIV-Tat exerts its neurotoxic effects by downregulating Shh signaling. Results indicate that Tat + mice exhibit significantly reduced expression of Shh and Gli1. HIV-Tat induced downregulation of Shh signaling correlated with disruption of BBB function and induced infiltration of peripheral leukocytes into the brain tissue. Further, our in vivo and in vitro experiments suggest that activation of Shh signaling can rescue detrimental effects of Tat on endothelial function by inducing the expression of junctional proteins and by decreasing the levels of inflammatory cytokines/chemokines