An approach for the identification of targets specific to bone metastasis using cancer genes interactome and gene ontology analysis

Metastasis is one of the most enigmatic aspects of cancer pathogenesis and is a major cause of cancer-associated mortality. Secondary bone cancer (SBC) is a complex disease caused by metastasis of tumor cells from their primary site and is characterized by intricate interplay of molecular interactions. Identification of targets for multifactorial diseases such as SBC, the most frequent complication of breast and prostate cancers, is a challenge. Towards achieving our aim of identification of targets specific to SBC, we constructed a 'Cancer Genes Network', a representative protein interactome of cancer genes. Using graph theoretical methods, we obtained a set of key genes that are relevant for generic mechanisms of cancers and have a role in biological essentiality. We also compiled a curated dataset of 391 SBC genes from published literature which serves as a basis of ontological correlates of secondary bone cancer. Building on these results, we implement a strategy based on generic cancer genes, SBC genes and gene ontology enrichment method, to obtain a set of targets that are specific to bone metastasis. Through this study, we present an approach for probing one of the major complications in cancers, namely, metastasis. The results on genes that play generic roles in cancer phenotype, obtained by network analysis of 'Cancer Genes Network', have broader implications in understanding the role of molecular regulators in mechanisms of cancers. Specifically, our study provides a set of potential targets that are of ontological and regulatory relevance to secondary bone cancer.Comment: 54 pages (19 pages main text; 11 Figures; 26 pages of supplementary information). Revised after critical reviews. Accepted for Publication in PLoS ON

Statistical Properties of Turbulence: An Overview

We present an introductory overview of several challenging problems in the statistical characterisation of turbulence. We provide examples from fluid turbulence in three and two dimensions, from the turbulent advection of passive scalars, turbulence in the one-dimensional Burgers equation, and fluid turbulence in the presence of polymer additives.Comment: 34 pages, 31 figure

ICAR: endoscopic skull‐base surgery

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Using an equity-based framework for evaluating publicly funded health insurance programmes as an instrument of UHC in Chhattisgarh State, India

Universal health coverage (UHC) has provided the impetus for the introduction of publicly funded health insurance (PFHI) schemes in the mixed health systems of India and many other low- and middle-income countries. There is a need for a holistic understanding of the pathways of impact of PFHI schemes, including their role in promoting equity of access. Methods: This paper applies an equity-oriented evaluation framework to assess the impacts of PFHI schemes in Chhattisgarh State by synthesising literature from various sources and highlighting knowledge gaps. Data were collected from an extensive review of publications on PFHI schemes in Chhattisgarh since 2009, including empirical studies from the first author's PhD and grey literature such as programme evaluation reports, media articles and civil society campaign documents. The framework was constructed using concepts and frameworks from the health policy and systems research literature on UHC, access and health system building blocks, and is underpinned by the values of equity, human rights and the right to health

Convalescent plasma in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised controlled, open-label, platform trial

Background: Many patients with COVID-19 have been treated with plasma containing anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma therapy in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Methods: This randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy [RECOVERY]) is assessing several possible treatments in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in the UK. The trial is underway at 177 NHS hospitals from across the UK. Eligible and consenting patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either usual care alone (usual care group) or usual care plus high-titre convalescent plasma (convalescent plasma group). The primary outcome was 28-day mortality, analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. The trial is registered with ISRCTN, 50189673, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04381936. Findings: Between May 28, 2020, and Jan 15, 2021, 11558 (71%) of 16287 patients enrolled in RECOVERY were eligible to receive convalescent plasma and were assigned to either the convalescent plasma group or the usual care group. There was no significant difference in 28-day mortality between the two groups: 1399 (24%) of 5795 patients in the convalescent plasma group and 1408 (24%) of 5763 patients in the usual care group died within 28 days (rate ratio 1·00, 95% CI 0·93–1·07; p=0·95). The 28-day mortality rate ratio was similar in all prespecified subgroups of patients, including in those patients without detectable SARS-CoV-2 antibodies at randomisation. Allocation to convalescent plasma had no significant effect on the proportion of patients discharged from hospital within 28 days (3832 [66%] patients in the convalescent plasma group vs 3822 [66%] patients in the usual care group; rate ratio 0·99, 95% CI 0·94–1·03; p=0·57). Among those not on invasive mechanical ventilation at randomisation, there was no significant difference in the proportion of patients meeting the composite endpoint of progression to invasive mechanical ventilation or death (1568 [29%] of 5493 patients in the convalescent plasma group vs 1568 [29%] of 5448 patients in the usual care group; rate ratio 0·99, 95% CI 0·93–1·05; p=0·79). Interpretation: In patients hospitalised with COVID-19, high-titre convalescent plasma did not improve survival or other prespecified clinical outcomes. Funding: UK Research and Innovation (Medical Research Council) and National Institute of Health Research

Estimating reflection and transmission losses for link-obstructing objects at 70 GHz for 5G wireless backhauling

Wireless backhauling at 70 GHz maybe a viable option for 5G small cells densification. Whether indoors or outdoors, the millimeter-wave (mm-wave) backhaul links in an obstructed-line-of-sight (OLOS) or a non-LOS (NLOS) condition require a thorough investigation on reflection and transmission losses caused by various objects in the environment. In this paper, we evaluate the reflection and transmission loss due to link-obstructing objects at 70 GHz frequency band, ranging from human body to various building materials and vegetation. For this purpose, we employed a free-space wideband mm-wave channel sounding setup in the anechoic chamber and outdoors. The results indicate that building materials, human beings and trees cause significant attenuation of the 70 GHz radio signals, which is on average 45 − 50 dB. On the other hand, building materials such as, windows, and laminated or painted plywood, medium-density fiberboard and plasterboard are good reflectors. This extends an opportunity of establishing stable communication links through reflections from the materials in NLOS conditions using beamforming.Peer reviewe

Joint Characterization of MM-Wave and CM-Wave Device-to-Device Fading Channels

Device-to-Device (D2D) wireless communications has many envisioned applications such as proximity-based networking, tactical communications and situation awareness of military personnel in a battlefield. The joint use of multiple frequency bands could provide further enhancement to existing D2D wireless system and localization architectures. However, the development of any suitable communication system with this capability will requires accurate propagation channel measurement and modeling to understand channel frequency dependencies in an environment in which the system will operate. In this paper, we present a detailed description of a propagation channel measurement campaign performed in an outdoor environment within the millimeter wave (mm-wave) 59 - 63 GHz and centimeter wave (cm-wave) 2 - 6 GHz frequency bands. The measurements were conducted for both line-of-sight (LOS) and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) scenarios. We extracted (and compared) propagation channel parameters such as distance-dependent pathlossexponent (γ), shadowing gain (ξσ), root-mean-square (rms) delay spread (T rms ) and amplitude fading statistics to motivate a suitable channel model in both bands. The model developed can be used for realistic performance evaluations of devices operating in the cm-wave and/or mm-wave bands.Peer reviewe

Validating FR2 MIMO OTA channel models in 3D MPAC

Abstract Fifth Generation (5G) technology is about to set its global footprint. Its success relies heavily on the standardization process, which is rapidly progressing to specify verification metrics and test methodologies for 5G New Radio (NR) device certifications. For this purpose, three-dimensional (3D) multiprobe anechoic chamber (MPAC) has been selected as a reliable reference solution for creating an accurate test environment. This paper reports first ever FR2 MIMO over-the-air (OTA) channel models validation measurements according to 3GPP specified verification procedure. The evaluated validation metrics include power-delay profile (PDP) and power-angular spectrum (PAS) similarity percentage (PSP). The measurement results closely follow the simulated and theoretical references, thereby demonstrating the feasibility of FR2 MIMO OTA channel models validation procedure adopted by 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)

Indoor Wireless Communications and Applications

Chapter 3 addresses challenges in radio link and system design in indoor scenarios. Given the fact that most human activities take place in indoor environments, the need for supporting ubiquitous indoor data connectivity and location/tracking service becomes even more important than in the previous decades. Specific technical challenges addressed in this section are(i), modelling complex indoor radio channels for effective antenna deployment, (ii), potential of millimeter-wave (mm-wave) radios for supporting higher data rates, and (iii), feasible indoor localisation and tracking techniques, which are summarised in three dedicated sections of this chapter