Implementation of a Real-Time Beamforming System on Field Programmable Gate Array

Beamforming is an important technique in array signal processing and wireless communication systems. In this project, we investigate the Minimum Variance Distortionless Response (MVDR) beamforming technique and its implementation. The QR-RLS algorithm is chosen because of its advantages of numerical stability and systolic array architecture. The team successfully implemented the real-time beamforming of a linear array with 3 receiving antennas on a Xilinx Virtex-5 FPGA platform. Both the simulation and hardware implementation results are presented in this report

Effect of seminal plasma removal, washing solutions, and centrifugation regimes on boer goat semen cryopreservation

Three experiments were carried out to improve semen quality during cryopreservation process. Total motility, forward motility, acrosome integrity, live spermatozoa, and normal spermatozoa were measured as semen quality. In Experiment 1, the effects of seminal plasma removal were analyzed by using two different extenders (GE and FE). The removal of seminal plasma gave higher and significant (P<0.05) effect in the total motility, forward motility, and live spermatozoa after cryopreservation. For two different extenders, however, the differences were not observed on the semen quality. In Experiment 2, three different washing solutions (namely, phosphate buffered saline, normal saline and Tris-based extender) were tested to evaluate the effects of semen quality after cryopreservation. Tris-based extender (TCG) conferred the highest (P<.05) sperm quality values in the total motility, forward motility, and live spermatozoa after cryopreservation. In Experiment 3, the effects of different centrifugation regimes (3000 × g for 3 min, 1600 × g for 10 min, 800 × g for 15 min) were evaluated on Boer semen quality. Semen quality parameters (namely, total motility, forward motility, acrosome integrity, and live spermatozoa) were significantly (P<.05) higher for cryopreserved spermatozoa centrifuged with 3000 × g for 3 min than the others. In conclusion, the removal of seminal plasma, washing solution TCG, and the use short-term centrifugation with a relative high g-force could contribute to the increased Boer semen quality after cryopreservation

Effect of sugars on characteristics of Boer goat semen after cryopreservation

In order to improve Boer goat semen quality during cryopreservation process, the influence of sugar supplementation on semen characteristics of sperm were investigated. Three experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of (a) addition of two monosaccharides (fructose and glucose) and two disaccharides sugars (trehalose and sucrose) (b) sugar combination (fructose and trehalose, sucrose and trehalose, glucose and trehalose), and control (glucose without trehalose) (c) different concentrations of trehalose on cryopreservation using Tris based extender. The total motility, forward motility, viability, normal spermatozoa, acrosome integrity and membrane integrity were assessed subjectively. Differences were not detected among monosaccharides, but glucose increased (P 0.05) among disaccharide sugar supplementation. Combination of glucose and trehalose significantly improved the characteristics of Boer spermatozoa after cryopreservation (P < 0.05). Supplementation of trehalose (198.24 mM) into the glucose extender significantly increased total motility, forward motility, live spermatozoa, acrosome integrity and membrane integrity following cryopreservation (P < 0.05). In conclusion, glucose had the better ability to support Boer sperm motility and movement patterns. Combination of monosaccharide (glucose) and disaccharide (trehalose) improved semen quality following cryopreservation. Trehalose supplementation at the concentration of 198.24 mM to the glucose extender conferred the greater improvement of semen quality for Boer semen cryopreservation

Observational study of adult respiratory infections in primary care clinics in Myanmar: understanding the burden of melioidosis, tuberculosis and other infections not covered by empirical treatment regimes.

BACKGROUND: Lower respiratory infections constitute a major disease burden worldwide. Treatment is usually empiric and targeted towards typical bacterial pathogens. Understanding the prevalence of pathogens not covered by empirical treatment is important to improve diagnostic and treatment algorithms. METHODS: A prospective observational study in peri-urban communities of Yangon, Myanmar was conducted between July 2018 and April 2019. Sputum specimens of 299 adults presenting with fever and productive cough were tested for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (microscopy and GeneXpert MTB/RIF [Mycobacterium tuberculosis/resistance to rifampicin]) and Burkholderia pseudomallei (Active Melioidosis Detect Lateral Flow Assay and culture). Nasopharyngeal swabs underwent respiratory virus (influenza A, B, respiratory syncytial virus) polymerase chain reaction testing. RESULTS: Among 299 patients, 32% (95% confidence interval [CI] 26 to 37) were diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB), including 9 rifampicin-resistant cases. TB patients presented with a longer duration of fever (median 14 d) and productive cough (median 30 d) than non-TB patients (median fever duration 6 d, cough 7 d). One case of melioidosis pneumonia was detected by rapid test and confirmed by culture. Respiratory viruses were detected in 16% (95% CI 12 to 21) of patients. CONCLUSIONS: TB was very common in this population, suggesting that microscopy and GeneXpert MTB/RIF on all sputum samples should be routinely included in diagnostic algorithms for fever and cough. Melioidosis was uncommon in this population

Economic Analysis on Crop Diversification of Farm households in the Selected Township, Southern Shan State

The purpose of this study was to identify the degree of crop diversification and socio-economic status of farm households to measure marginal analysis on crop diversification in Taunggyi district, Southern Shan State in 2013. A simple random sampling technique was used to sample size of 150 farm households with structured questionnaires. Herfindahl method (Hd) was employed to compute the diversification index. Data were analysed by using descriptive statistics and gross margin analysis to measure the profits of crop production. The results revealed 60% and 40% of farm households in specialized farming and diversified farming, respectively. Finding could be interpreted as decrease intensification of crop diversification among farm households. Crop diversification index showed that an average index was 0.81 and 0.39 in low and high diversified group, respectively. About 77.7% and 83.3% of household heads in low and high diversified groups were males. Average family size in both groups was 5 persons family-1. Most of low farm household heads (76.7%) had only primary education. High farm household heads (35%) had primary education as well as higher education. In addition, 31.3% of low and 29.7% of high farm households received formal credit and 13.1% of low and 9.4% of high farm households received credit from UNDP. Findings indicated that 68% of low farm households cultivated comparatively small land area than high diversified group. Rice-based and maize-based cropping patterns were mainly practiced in the study area. In Nyaung Shwe and Sesai Townships, 60% and 29% of low diversified group mostly practiced mono cropping. In Pindaya Township, 58% of high diversified group mostly practiced multiple cropping. Cropping intensity of low and high diversified groups was 109% and 133%, respectively. In gross margin analysis, the whole year round vegetables cultivation was the most profitable crop in low and high diversified groups (1.99 and 1.96 BCR). Paddy-Oilseed-vegetables cropping was the second profitable pattern with1.81 of BCR in high diversified group. Maize, the second most profitable crop, in mono cropping was the most efficient capacity in labour used

Public Health Services in Mandalay City

In city development, public service is an important role and also plays in the development of economic activities. The functions of public service can support a lot of help to the public who live in the city in pursuing a smart city. The main aim of this study is to emphasize the distribution of health care centers. As primary data, 1375 households are selected for the sample group. The city's population data is based on the 2014 census for secondary data. In the spatial analysis, the location quotient method is also used for health service sufficient or not (Rahaman K. R. and Salauddin Md., 2009). Moreover, qualitative and quantitative data were collected and processed. According to the results of the responses, the requirements or needs of the health care service facilities are found in the micro-level or individual level not only for the physical health in some way but also for the mental one. Besides, in emergency cases, the public relies on private voluntary associations. That is why there is insufficient in health care services and a need to fulfill some facilities to get an improvement in the health sector and to relocate more specific health care centers

Geographical analysis on the development of chain tea shops in Mandalay City

Since practicing of market oriented economy after 1988, private entrepreneurs have been participating in some formerly state controlled economic activities of Myanmar. Existing small scale economic activities have been also transforming into !be form that is more competitive in market economy. Among them, some kinds of spatial and functional transformation patterns of tea shop are witnessing in Mandalay City. Thus, this paper studies chain lea shops with followings research questions. (1) How do chain tea shops emerge in spatial context of Mandalay City? (2) How do locational and business strategies of chain tea shop differ in urban spatial context? (3) What are the major forces that cause the development of chain tea shops in Mandalay City? To answer above questions, chain tea shops were verified based on Mandalay City Directory 2009 and field surveys. Then, both spatial (location) and attribute (function) data of chain tea shops were collected by field surveys and structured interviews conducted to owners of chain tea shops in 2009. Then, their spatial transformation pattern was analysed by using ArcMap 9.2 software. The results revealed that chain tea shops _ emerged in Mandalay City (1) as a practice of spatial expansion based on !be market strategy of parent tea shop, (2) as a systematic development of family business system, and (3) vertical integration of tea shop related businesses under market oriented economy

Investigation of Various Plants Naturally Grown in Yaw Region for the Purpose of Preparation of Myanmar Indigenous Medicine

Some plants naturally grown in the Yaw region located in the northwest of Myanmar were analyzed by the EDXRF spectrometer with a view to understanding of their usefulness in the development of Myanmar indigenous medicines. The results obtained show that the plants of interest are usable in the development of indigenous medicines for the treatment of some diseases

Geographical Analysis on Socio-economic Conditions of Pegado Village Tract in Sagaing Township

The study area, Pegado Village Tract lies to the northwest of Sagaing town and is about 6-miles far from that urban area with easy to access. This research emphasizes the socio-economy of Pegado Village Tract from a geographical point of view as it is located on the highway of Monywa-Mandalay and it has changing livelihood for local people so as to a new institutional service (Sagaing University). By analyzing, both qualitative (by interviewing) and quantitative methods (such as questionnaires survey) with local people, quality of living index method are also applied to assess the socio-economic conditions of the study area. For the study area, (15) indicators of social and economic conditions are considered at the micro-level (i.e. Household-level). (500) questionnaire’s responses are considered, out of (762) total households in Pegado Village Tract (2014). After accomplishing the analytical works, it is found that the socio-economy of Pegado Village Tract under a moderately high level (52.6 %) and high level (12.2 %). The required factors should be fulfilled by considering the facilities of health care, electricity, and upgrade of primary school in order to upgrade and to increase the socio-economic development of households (the rest of medium, moderately low and low levels-35.2 %) within Pegado Village Tract

Burnout Among House Officers in Myanmar: A cross-sectional study

Burnout can result in in a serious negative impact on a doctor's life, the quality of patient care, and the healthcare organization. This study aims to determine the prevalence of burnout and factors affecting burnout among the house officers in Myanmar