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In this work, we propose in-vehicle breathing rate monitoring by exploiting channel state information (CSI) available in WiFi signals. The system uses CSI phase and amplitude extracted from a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) network interface card (NIC). We provide a simple two-path radio signal propagation model to explain the complementary relation between CSI phase and amplitude. Analyzing CSI phase and amplitude separately, we estimate the breathing rate of a person in a stationary vehicle. We conduct measurements using different antenna positions and with single and multiple antennas at the receiver. Verifying the measurement results with real-time counting of the breathing rate, we show that using multiple antennas significantly improve the performance of the system.

Conventional cellular networks are gradually becoming heterogeneous due to deployment of femtocells within cellular networks. Femtocells have been considered by the wireless industry as a promising solution not only to improve indoor coverage and capacity but also to unload traffic from already overburdened macro base stations. Therefore, effective mitigation of both cross-tier and co-tier interference is a major design challenge hetereogenuous cellular networks. In this work stochastic geometry based model is developed for two-tier (macro-femto) heterogeneous cellular networks by using Matern hardcore point process leveraging results on Voronoi tessellations. Complex system level simulations are used to evaluate SIR performance, coverage and capacity of networks. This paper considers fractional frequency reuse to mitigate co-tier and cross-tier interferences. Simulation results confirm significant improvement in coverage, and capacity of the networks using proposed model.

Background During cranioplasty after decompressive craniectomy, the temporalis muscle is firmly attached to the dural patch and intermixed with fibrotic tissue leading to considerable difficulty in dissecting the plane between the dura, galea and the temporalis muscle. This leads to increased surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, risk of complications and also affects rehabilitation. We have developed the "dhaga technique," which aids in preserving the plane between the muscle and dura in order to improve outcomes. Here we describe our technique and also compare the "dhaga technique" with the generally accepted standard procedure. Methods A retrospective review was carried out of all patients undergoing cranioplasty following decompressive craniectomy either through the "dhaga technique" or the institutional standard (control group). Both techniques were compared using intra operative blood loss, duration of surgery and any complications as study variables. Results There were 133 patients were included in the study. The control group included 68 patients who underwent the procedure according to institutional standard, and 65 patients were included in the "dhaga technique group." Both groups were well matched for baseline characteristics. Patients in the "dhaga technique" group had statistically significant lower operating time ( P value = 0.037) and intra operative blood loss ( P value = 0.025). However, there was no significant difference in complications. Conclusion The utilization of "dhaga technique" can potentially improve outcomes and reduce costs by decreasing operative time and blood loss. Moreover, the temporalis muscle preservation in the "dhaga technique" may also enhance aesthetic outcomes and chewing, which were not assessed in this study. There were no differences in complication between the two techniques.

To examine the contribution of flexion and extension radiographs in the evaluation of ligamentous injury in awake adults with acute blunt cervical spine trauma, who show loss of cervical lordosis and neck pain.All patients who presented to our emergency department following blunt trauma were enrolled in this study, except those with schiwora, neurological deficits or fracture demonstrated on cross-table cervical spine X-rays, and those who were either obtunded or presented after cervical spine surgery. Adequacy of flexion and extension views was checked by the neurosurgery and radiology team members. All these patients underwent cross-table cervical spine view followed by flexion/extension views based on the loss of lordosis on cross-table imaging and the presence of neck pain.A total of 200 cases were reviewed, of whom 90 (45%) underwent repeat X-rays because of either inadequate exposure or limited motion. None of the patients with loss of lordosis on cross-table view had positive flexion and extension views of cervical spine for instability.Our results show that in patients who underwent acute radiographic evaluation of blunt cervical spine trauma, flexion and extension views of the cervical spine are unlikely to yield positive results in the presence of axial neck pain and/or loss of cervical lordosis. We can also hypothesize that performing flexion and extension views will be more useful once the acute neck pain has settled.

Gunshot wounds to the cranium are one of the leading cause of death and disability in young adults. Stray bullets are also being increasingly seen in clinical setting. We report a case of a 14-year-old boy who sustained a stray bullet to the cranium during election festivities. He arrived at the health care facility institution nearly 24 hours after the event in good neurological condition. He remained neurologically stable for about 8 hours after his presentation and later on deteriorated due to intracranial bullet migration. This required immediate bifrontal decompressive craniotomy along with right frontal lobectomy. However, the patient could not survive.

A 50 years old male was admitted with sub-arachnoid haemorrhage. Angiographic examination revealed an abnormal origin of the right vertebral artery from the right external carotid artery. Multiple variations in the origin of right vertebral artery have been reported in literatures. Anomalous origin of the right vertebral artery from the right external carotid artery has not been reported earlier.

Study Design: Retrospective case series. Purpose: The objective of our study was to determine the change in management brought about by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine in alert and awake patients with facet dislocation and spinal cord injury presenting within 4 hours after injury. Overview of Literature: Spinal cord injury is a common clinical entity. The role of MRI is well established in evaluating spinal trauma. However, the time at which MRI should be used is still controversial. Methods: Retrospective data from 2002-2010 was evaluated. All of the alert and awake patients with spinal cord injury, based on clinical examination with facet dislocation diagnosed on lateral cervical spine X-rays, were included. A questionnaire was also conducted, the data of which consisted of demographic details including age and sex, the mechanism of injury, clinical examination, X-ray findings, MRI findings, whether or not surgery was performed and the time elapsed since injury. Data was analyzed using SPSS ver. 17.0. Continuous variables such as age were expressed in terms of mean ± standard deviation. Categorical variables such as change in management, X-ray/MRI findings and neurological motor level were assessed in terms of percentage. Results: Fifty patients participated in our study. All these patients had spinal cord injury with defined motor levels. The mean age was 35.5 ± 8.95 years (range, 20 to 52 years). Fifty percent showed a motor level at C6 level. None of the patients required any change in management based on the MRI. Conclusions: MRI of the spine in awake patients within 4 hours after injury does not change the management of patients. However, we can hypothesize that such patients can proceed to traction without waiting for the MRI.

Study D Design: This is a case series. Pupose: We wanted to identify variations in the practice patterns among neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons for the management of spinal disorders. Overview o of L Literature: Spinal disorders are common in the clinical practice of both neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons. It has been observed that despite the availability of various guidelines, there is lack of consensus among surgeons about the management of various disorders. Methods: A questionnaire was distributed, either directly or via e-mail, to the both the neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons who worked at 5 tertiary care centers within a single region of Korea. The surgeons were working either in private practice or in academic institutions. The details of the questionnaire included demographic details and the specialty (orthopedic/neurosurgeon). The surgeons were classified according to the level of experience as up to 5 years, 6-10 years and > 10 years. Questions were asked about the approach to lumbar discectomy (fragmentectomy or aggressive disc removal), using steroids for treating discitis, the fusion preference for spondylolisthesis, the role of an orthosis after fusion, the preferred surgical approach for spinal stenosis, the operative approach for spinal trauma (early within 72 hours or late > 72 hours) and the role of surgery in complete spinal cord injury. The data was analyzed using SPSS ver 16. p-values < 0.05 were considered to be significant. Results: Of the 30 surgeons who completed the questionnaire, 20 were neurosurgeons and 10 were orthopedic surgeons. Statistically significant differences were observed for the management of spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, using an orthosis after fusion, the type of lumbar discectomy and the value of surgical intervention after complete spinal cord injury. Conclusions: Our results suggest that there continues to exist a statistically significant lack of consensus among neurosurgeons and orthopedic spine surgeons when considering using an orthosis after fusion, the type of discectomy and the value of intervention after complete spinal injury.