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In this paper, the design and fabrication of a large array antenna with three required, Sum, Difference and Control beams for a monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) is presented. A special array element, which is a high gain dual dipole structure, is designed and tested. This element has 9.6 dB gain in 1060 MHz and does not need any balun. The main challenge of extracting three beams out of one beam feeding networks (BFN) has been resolved efficiently by maximum integration of all three in one network, reducing the number of required modules to one half. The complete 33-element array, working in 1030 MHz and 1090 MHz is designed based on the Taylor array factor. The complex feed network of this 6-meter long array has successfully been synthesized as modular as possible. Sum pattern was designed for 2.7° azimuth beam width and -20 dB side lobe level and Diff pattern with a deep null in the boresight of the Sum pattern. The Ctrl beam was also designed in order to cover the Sum beam except in the direction of the main lobe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual activity is an important aspect of life in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), rated as one of the top priorities for recovery of function. This study was conducted to establish an understanding of the severity of erectile dysfunction (ED), a major component of male sexual activity, and its correlates in patients with SCI in our community. In a cross-sectional study, 37 male veterans with SCI admitted for regular follow-up at our center were recruited. Demographic and SCI-related descriptive information was gathered through a self-administered questionnaire. Sexual Health Inventory for Men was used to assess the presence and severity of ED. Euro Quality of Life questionnaire and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) were also administered. The mean age of the participants was 45.7 ± 6.5 years with injury duration of 24.7 ± 6.2 years. Mean GHQ-12 score of 3.65 ± 3.38 and mean Sexual Health Inventory for Men score of 11.57 ± 5.28 were measured. All participants had ED, and 27% were suffering from severe ED. Sleep deprivation, worse GHQ-12 score, and hypertension were significantly associated with higher risk of much severe ED (p < .05). In conclusion, ED is a common problem in veterans with SCI and is inversely associated with their general health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to determine the overall incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) following shoulder arthroscopy and to define potential risk factors associated with its development that may help define guidelines for the use of thromboprophylaxis ., Methods: A systematic review was performed using PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases per PRISMA guidelines. The search terms consisted of variations of "Venous Thromboembolism" and "Shoulder Arthroscopy." Information regarding arthroscopy indication, risk factors, outcomes, and patient demographics was recorded and analyzed, and pooled odds ratios were reported for each variable., Results: Six hundred eighty-five articles were identified in the initial search, and 35 articles reported DVT, PE, or VTE incidence following shoulder arthroscopy. Seventeen nonoverlapping articles with a unique patient population incidence rates. Four articles were then used for subgroup meta-analysis. The incidence rate of VTE was 0.24%, ranging from 0.01% to 5.7%. BMI >30 (OR = 1.46; 95% CI = [1.22, 1.74]; I 2  = 0%) and hypertension (OR = 1.64; 95% CI = [1.03, 2.6]; I 2  = 75%) were significant risk factors ( P < .05) for developing VTE following shoulder arthroscopy. Diabetes (OR = 1.2; 95% CI = [0.97, 1.48]; I 2  = 0%), insulin-dependent diabetes (OR = 5.58; 95% CI = [0.12, 260.19]; I 2  = 85%), smoking (OR = 1.04; 95% CI = [0.79, 1.37]; I 2  = 12%), male sex (OR = 0.95; 95% CI = [0.49, 1.85]; I 2  = 86%) and age over 65 (OR = 4.3; 95% CI = [0.25, 72.83]; I 2  = 85%) were not associated with higher VTE risk., Conclusion: The VTE incidence following shoulder arthroscopy is low at 0.24%. Patients with BMI >30 and hypertension are at a higher risk for VTE after shoulder arthroscopy., Level of Evidence: Level IV, systematic review and meta-analysis of Level I-IV studies., Competing Interests: The authors report the following potential conflicts of interest or sources of funding: The authors report no conflicts of interest in the authorship and publication of this article. Full ICMJE author disclosure forms are available for this article online as supplementary material., (© 2023 The Authors.)

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the treatment outcomes of perilunate dislocations (PLDs) and transscaphoid perilunate fracture dislocations (TSPLDs) treated with operative volar approach without ligament repair or reconstruction., Methods: A total of seven patients (10 hands) were studied during 2017-2018. We fixed scaphoid fractures thorough a volar approach and 3 k-wires were inserted to stabilize the scaphoid to the adjacent bones. We evaluated patients' range of motion by VAS and grip strength, sensitivity assessment, and radiographs. Mayo and DASH scores were also recorded for wrist evaluation., Results: All fractures united well. The mean Mayo wrist score was 81.5. Five patients scored good and excellent results (90-100). Excellent DASH scores (˂20) were observed in 4 patients and there was no poor DASH score (˃50)., Conclusion: Treatment of PLDs and TSPLDs with k-wire and screw fixation using a volar approach and without any ligament repair or reconstruction results in minimal manipulation and has favorable short-term outcomes., (2020 © BY THE ARCHIVES OF BONE AND JOINT SURGERY.)

After the COVID-19 outbreak worldwide, we will sooner or later encounter trauma patients with COVID-19 in the developing countries. It is a challenging decision-making process for an orthopedic surgeon to provide the patients with the best practice in the crisis. Here we discuss the issue in terms of clinical severity of COVID-19 pneumonia, priority of orthopedic surgical trauma procedures and standard of care for the treatment of trauma injuries. We finally propose an algorithm for better management of trauma patients in the setting of COVID-19 mass spread.

Objectives: Cardiovascular events are a major cause of mortality and morbidity of chronic renal failure causing 40% to 50% of all deaths in these patients. The intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery is used to predict atherosclerosis. To assess the effect of early renal transplant on the vascular atherosclerosis, we compared the common carotid intima-media thickness between dialysis and transplant patients., Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 75 kidney transplant recipients and 75 dialysis patients were assessed in a subspecialized renal and urethral diseases center from April 2008 to March 2010. Demographic characteristics, smoking history, and information on comorbid and kidney diseases were recorded through a checklist. The common carotid intima-media thickness was measured using ultrasonography. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to find any correlation between duration of dialysis and intimamedia thickness., Results: In all, 79 patients (53%) were male. The mean age (SD) of dialysis and transplant patients was 55 ± 11 and 51 ± 15 years. The 2 groups had no statistically significant sex or age differences (P > .05). Considering all patients, 54 (36%) had a history of hypertension, 30 (20%) had a history of diabetes mellitus, 15 (10%) had a history of hyperlipidemia, and 41 (27.3%) had a history of smoking. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups when these variables were considered (P > .05). The mean thickness of the common carotid intima-media was 1.2 mm (0.35 mm) in the dialysis patients, which was higher compared with 0.73 mm (0.18 mm) in the transplanted group (P < .001). There was a significant correlation between duration of dialysis and intima-media thickness (P < .001, r=0.882) in the dialysis group., Conclusions: Common carotid intima-media thickness in dialysis patients is significantly higher compared with kidney transplant recipients. Carotid intima-media thickness increases by prolongation of dialysis duration.