Modelling Load Balancing and Carrier Aggregation in Mobile Networks

In this paper, we study the performance of multicarrier mobile networks. Specifically, we analyze the flow-level performance of two inter-carrier load balancing schemes and the gain engendered by Carrier Aggregation (CA). CA is one of the most important features of HSPA+ and LTE-A networks; it allows devices to be served simultaneously by several carriers. We propose two load balancing schemes, namely Join the Fastest Queue (JFQ) and Volume Balancing (VB), that allow the traffic of CA and non-CA users to be distributed over the aggregated carriers. We then evaluate the performance of these schemes by means of analytical modeling. We show that the proposed schemes achieve quasi-ideal load balancing. We also investigate the impact of mixing traffic of CA and non-CA users in the same cell and show that performance is practically insensitive to the traffic mix.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, submitted to WiOpt201

Modelling Load Balancing and Carrier Aggregation in Mobile Networks

Abstract-In this paper, we propose analytical models to derive the performance of dual carrier mobile HSDPA mobile networks. Specifically, we analyze the flow-level performance of two intercarrier load balancing schemes and the gain engendered by Carrier Aggregation (CA). CA is one of the most important features of HSPA+ networks; it allows devices to be served simultaneously by several carriers. We propose Volume Balancing (VB) and Join the Fastest Queue (JFQ), a load-balancing mechanism that allows the traffic of non-CA users to be distributed over the aggregated carriers. We then evaluate the performance of both CA and non-CA users by means of analytical modeling. We show that the proposed schemes achieve efficient load balancing. We also investigate the impact of mixing traffic of CA and non-CA users in the same cell and show that performance is practically insensitive to the traffic mix

Prise en charge des épanchements parapneumoniques compliqués : état des lieux des pratiques en France [The management of complicated parapneumonic effusions in France.]

International audienceINTRODUCTION: There are no French guidelines for the management of complicated parapneumonic effusions. A national observational study was carried out to assess the main features of current clinical practice for this condition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire was sent by email to the 1500 members of the Société de Pneumologie de Langue Française (SPLF) between 15th November and 15th December 2012. RESULTS: There were 92 responders, i.e. a response rate of 6%. Of these, 87 physicians mentioned that they were involved in the management of patients with complicated parapneumonic effusions with a median number of cases of 10 per year (IQR: 5-20). Chest tube drainage was the main approach used for pleural fluid aspiration (n=51/87), followed by repeated thoracentesis (n=29/87) and early surgery (1/87). Five physicians answered both chest tube drainage or repeated thoracentesis and one physician either chest tube drainage or early surgery. Pleural fibrinolytics were never used by 20% of physicians, only in case of loculations by 70% and by 10% of respondents in all cases. Only 3 physicians combined fibrinolytics with DNAse. A double antibiotic dose was used by one third of physicians. All the physicians used respiratory physiotherapy during hospitalization and to aid recovery. Follow-up practices were heterogeneous. CONCLUSIONS: The management of complicated parapneumonic effusions varies significantly in France. National guidelines may be helpful to define best practice and aid in its implementation

Tetanus in adults: results of the multicenter ID-IRI study

Tetanus is an acute, severe infection caused by a neurotoxin secreting bacterium. Various prognostic factors affecting mortality in tetanus patients have been described in the literature. In this study, we aimed to analyze the factors affecting mortality in hospitalized tetanus patients in a large case series. This retrospective multicenter study pooled data of tetanus patients from 25 medical centers. The hospitals participating in this study were the collaborating centers of the Infectious Diseases International Research Initiative (ID-IRI). Only adult patients over the age of 15 years with tetanus were included. The diagnosis of tetanus was made by the clinicians at the participant centers. Izmir Bozyaka Education and Research Hospital’s Review Board approved the study. Prognostic factors were analyzed by using the multivariate regression analysis method. In this study, 117 adult patients with tetanus were included. Of these, 79 (67.5%) patients survived and 38 (32.5%) patients died. Most of the deaths were observed in patients >60 years of age (60.5%). Generalized type of tetanus, presence of pain at the wound area, presence of generalized spasms, leukocytosis, high alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) values on admission, and the use of equine immunoglobulins in the treatment were found to be statistically associated with mortality (p < 0.05 for all). Here, we describe the prognostic factors for mortality in tetanus. Immunization seems to be the most critical point, considering the advanced age of our patients. A combination of laboratory and clinical parameters indicates mortality. Moreover, human immunoglobulins should be preferred over equine sera to increase survival. © 2017, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

Incidence and characteristics of nosocomial influenza in a country with low vaccine coverage

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Characteristics and outcome of varicella-zoster virus central nervous system infections in adults

International audienceWe conducted an observational retrospective study of all adults hospitalized for documented varicella-zoster virus (VZV) meningitis or encephalitis during years 2000-2015 in one referral centre. Thirty-six patients (21 males, 15 females) were included, with meningitis (n = 21), or meningoencephalitis (n = 15). Median age was 51 years [interquartile range, 35-76], and 6 patients (17%) were immunocompromised. Aciclovir was started in 32 patients (89%), with a median dose of 11 mg/kg/8 h [10-15]. No patient died, but 12 (33%) had neurological sequelae at discharge. Age was the only variable associated with adverse outcome (OR 1.98 [1.17-3.35] per 10-year increment, P = 0.011)