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1. Activity Detection for Massive Random Access using Covariance-based Matching Pursuit

Author

Marata, Leatile, Ollila, Esa, and Alves, Hirley

Subjects
Electrical Engineering and Systems Science - Signal Processing
Abstract

The Internet of Things paradigm heavily relies on a network of a massive number of machine-type devices (MTDs) that monitor various phenomena. Consequently, MTDs are randomly activated at different times whenever a change occurs. In general, fewer MTDs are activated at the same time relative to the whole network, which resembles targeted sampling in compressed sensing. Therefore, signal recovery in machine-type communications is addressed through joint user activity detection and channel estimation algorithms built using compressed sensing theory. However, most of these algorithms follow a two-stage procedure in which a channel is first estimated and later mapped to find active users. This approach is inefficient because the estimated channel information is subsequently discarded. To overcome this limitation, we introduce a novel covariance-learning matching pursuit algorithm that bypasses explicit channel estimation. Instead, it focuses on estimating the indices of the active users greedily. Simulation results presented in terms of probability of miss detection, exact recovery rate, and computational complexity validate the proposed technique's superior performance and efficiency., Comment: submitted to IEEE TVT

Published
2024

2. Joint Activity Detection and Channel Estimation for Clustered Massive Machine Type Communications

Author

Marata, Leatile, López, Onel Luis Alcaraz, Hauptmann, Andreas, Djelouat, Hamza, and Alves, Hirley

Subjects
Electrical Engineering and Systems Science - Signal Processing
Abstract

Compressed sensing multi-user detection (CS-MUD) algorithms play a key role in optimizing grant-free (GF) non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) for massive machine-type communications (mMTC). However, current CS-MUD algorithms cannot be efficiently parallelized, leading to computationally expensive implementations of joint activity detection and channel estimation (JADCE) as the number of deployed machine-type devices (MTDs) increases. To address this, the present work proposes novel JADCE algorithms that can be applied in parallel for different clusters of MTDs by exploiting the structure of the pilot sequences. These are the approximation error method (AEM)-alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM), and AEM-sparse Bayesian learning (SBL). Results presented in terms of the normalized mean square error and the probability of miss detection show comparable performance to the conventional algorithms. However, both AEM-ADMM and AEM-SBL algorithms have significantly reduced computational complexity and run times, thus, facilitating network scalability., Comment: Submitted to TWC

Published
2023

3. Statistical Tools and Methodologies for Ultrareliable Low-Latency Communications -- A Tutorial

Author

López, Onel, Mahmood, Nurul, Shehab, Mohammad, Alves, Hirley, Rosabal, Osmel, Marata, Leatile, and Latva-aho, Matti

Subjects
Computer Science - Networking and Internet Architecture, Computer Science - Information Theory, Statistics - Applications
Abstract

Ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) constitutes a key service class of the fifth generation and beyond cellular networks. Notably, designing and supporting URLLC poses a herculean task due to the fundamental need to identify and accurately characterize the underlying statistical models in which the system operates, e.g., interference statistics, channel conditions, and the behavior of protocols. In general, multi-layer end-to-end approaches considering all the potential delay and error sources and proper statistical tools and methodologies are inevitably required for providing strong reliability and latency guarantees. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge in the latter aspect by providing a tutorial on several statistical tools and methodologies that are useful for designing and analyzing URLLC systems. Specifically, we overview the frameworks related to i) reliability theory, ii) short packet communications, iii) inequalities, distribution bounds, and tail approximations, iv) rare events simulation, vi) queuing theory and information freshness, and v) large-scale tools such as stochastic geometry, clustering, compressed sensing, and mean-field games. Moreover, we often refer to prominent data-driven algorithms within the scope of the discussed tools/methodologies. Throughout the paper, we briefly review the state-of-the-art works using the addressed tools and methodologies, and their link to URLLC systems. Moreover, we discuss novel application examples focused on physical and medium access control layers. Finally, key research challenges and directions are highlighted to elucidate how URLLC analysis/design research may evolve in the coming years., Comment: Accepted in IEEE Proceedings of the IEEE. 40 pages, 20 figures, 11 tables

Published
2022
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4. Joint Coherent and Non-Coherent Detection and Decoding Techniques for Heterogeneous Networks

Author

Marata, Leatile, López, Onel Luis Alcaraz, Djelouat, Hamza, Leinonen, Markus, Alves, Hirley, and Juntti, Markku

Subjects
Electrical Engineering and Systems Science - Signal Processing
Abstract

Cellular networks that are traditionally designed for human-type communication (HTC) have the potential to provide cost effective connectivity to machine-type communication (MTC). However, MTC is characterized by unprecedented traffic in cellular networks, thus posing a challenge to its successful incorporation. In this work, we propose a unified framework for amicable coexistence of MTC and HTC. We consider a heterogeneous network where machine-type devices coexist with enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) devices and propose transceiver techniques that promote efficient signal recovery from these devices. For this, we present an eMBB pilot and MTC data generation strategy that facilitates joint coherent decoding of eMBB data and non-coherent decoding of MTC data. Furthermore, we assess the feasibility of coexistence using receiver operating characteristics, outage probability, and normalized mean square error (NMSE). Our numerical results reveal that a harmonious coexistence of the heterogeneous services can be achieved with properly configured average signal-to-noise ratios and pilot length., Comment: This a preprint of a journal accepted for publication in Transactions on Wireless Communications

Published
2022

5. User Activity Detection and Channel Estimation of Spatially Correlated Channels via AMP in Massive MTC

Author

Djelouat, Hamza, Marata, Leatile, Leinonen, Markus, Alves, Hirley, and Juntti, Markku

Subjects
Electrical Engineering and Systems Science - Signal Processing
Abstract

This paper addresses the problem of joint user identification and channel estimation (JUICE) for grant-free access in massive machine-type communications (mMTC). We consider the JUICE under a spatially correlated fading channel model as that reflects the main characteristics of the practical multiple-input multiple-output channels. We formulate the JUICE as a sparse recovery problem in a multiple measurement vector setup and present a solution based on the approximate message passing (AMP) algorithm that takes into account the channel spatial correlation. Using the state evolution, we provide a detailed theoretical analysis on the activity detection performance of AMP-based JUICE by deriving closed-from expressions for the probabilities of miss detection and false alarm. The simulation experiments show that the performance predicted by the theoretical analysis matches the one obtained by the numerical results., Comment: The paper is accepted for publication in Asilomar Conference on Signals, Systems, and Computers 2021

Published
2021

7. WHO's essential medicines and AWaRe: recommendations on first- and second-choice antibiotics for empiric treatment of clinical infections

Author

Moja, Lorenzo, Zanichelli, Veronica, Mertz, Dominik, Gandra, Sumanth, Cappello, Bernadette, Cooke, Graham S., Chuki, Pem, Harbarth, Stephan, Pulcini, Celine, Mendelson, Marc, Tacconelli, Evelina, Ombajo, Loice Achieng, Chitatanga, Ronald, Zeng, Mei, Imi, Monica, Elias, Christelle, Ashorn, Per, Marata, Annamaria, Paulin, Sarah, Muller, Arno, Aidara-Kane, Awa, Wi, Teodora Elvira, Were, Wilson Milton, Tayler, Elizabeth, Figueras, Albert, Da Silva, Carmem Pessoa, Van Weezenbeek, Catharina, Magrini, Nicola, Sharland, Mike, Huttner, Benedikt, and Loeb, Mark

Published
2024
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8. Joint Channel Estimation and Device Activity Detection in Heterogeneous Networks

Author

Marata, Leatile, López, Onel Luis Alcaraz, Tominaga, Eduardo Noboro, and Alves, Hirley

Subjects
Electrical Engineering and Systems Science - Signal Processing
Abstract

Internet of Things (IoT) has triggered a rapid increase in the number of connected devices and new use cases of wireless communications. To meet the new demands, the fifth generation (5G) of wireless communication systems features native machine type communication (MTC) services in addition to traditional human type communication (HTC) services. Some of the main challenges are the heterogeneous requirements and the sporadic traffic of massive MTC (mMTC), which makes the orthogonal allocation of resources infeasible. To overcome this problem, grant free non-orthogonal multiple access schemes have been proposed alongside with sparse signal recovery algorithms. While most of the related works have considered only homogeneous networks, we focus on a scenario where an enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) device and multiple MTC devices share the same radio resources. We exploit the approximate message passing (AMP) algorithm for joint device activity detection and channel estimation of MTC devices in the presence of interference from eMBB, and evaluate the system performance in terms of receiver operating characteristics (ROC) and channel estimation errors. Moreover, we also propose two new pilot sequence generation strategies which improve the detection capabilities of the MTC receiver without affecting the eMBB service., Comment: This paper was accepted for the 29th European Signal Processing Conference, EUSIPCO 2021

Published
2021

10. Synthesis and properties of alginate-based nanoparticles incorporated with different inorganic nanoparticulate modifiers for enhanced encapsulation and controlled release of favipiravir

Author

Sreekanth Reddy Obireddy, Shirisha Bellala, Madhavi Chintha, Akkulanna Sake, Subha Marata Chinna Subbarao, and Wing-Fu Lai

Subjects
Alginate, Sustained release, Silver nanoparticles, Magnetic nanoparticles, Montmorillonite, Drug encapsulation, Chemistry, QD1-999
Abstract

Alginate is a naturally occurring polysaccharide that consists of guluronic and mannuronic acid residues. Although it has been widely exploited in drug delivery because of its favorable properties (biocompatibility, ease of processing, and gelling capability under mild conditions), most alginate-based systems show poor sustained-release drug release because of the high erosion rate of alginate-based hydrogels. This study exploited the effect of three inorganic nanoparticulate modifiers (including montmorillonite clay material, silver nanoparticles, and iron-based magnetic nanoparticles) on the encapsulation and controlled release of favipiravir, which served as a model for poorly soluble drugs. Structures of the generated nanoparticles were characterized by using UV–visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to examine interactions between the loaded drug and the components of the nanoparticles. The incorporation of various nanoparticulate modifiers into alginate-based nanoparticles had little effect on the drug release mechanism, with all modified nanoparticles following a Super Case-II transport mechanism in which the drug release rate was governed by the relaxation of the polymeric chains. However, nanoparticles incorporated with different modifiers show variations in porosity and hydrophilicity. This caused ultimate changes in drug encapsulation efficiency and release sustainability.

Published
2023
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13. Drugs territorialization in the era of PNRR: perspectives, opportunities and considerations from a panel of experts

Author

Anna Maria Marata, Walter Marrocco, Emanuela Arcangeli, Mattia Battistini, Giuliano Buzzetti, Riccardo Candido, Gianluigi Casadei, Francesco Cattel, Arturo Cavaliere, Agostino Consoli, Giovanni Corrao, Guido Didoni, Mauro Di Gesù, Alberto Giovanzana, Matteo Lenzi, Massimo Medaglia, Marta Meloncelli, Stefano Palcic, Marcello Pani, Francesca Patarnello, Emanuele Pria, Dario Scaduto, Valeria Tozzi, Marco Zibellini, and Elisa Crovato

Subjects
Drug territorialization, Panel of experts, PNRR, Medical technology, R855-855.5
Abstract

This document illustrates the results of the work of two interdisciplinary and multistakeholder panels (researchers, public institutions, and industry representatives) on drug territorialization and digitalization, organized as part of a residential seminar held on 30 September and 1st October 2021. Arising from some considerations about the demand for health and the provisions of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), the discussion touched various aspects of managing the transition from current to future management models. The importance of identifying criteria for prioritizing interventions in the area emerged: different methods of drug delivery, scientific information and measurement, re-evaluation of pathologies that can be managed in this area. Finally, the role of digitization within this change was explored. The opinions provided by the experts move towards making the most of the opportunities arising from PNRR, in terms of investments in healthcare and data application, with a view to improve health system efficiency, patient care and related outcomes.

Published
2022
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14. Correction to: Tocilizumab for patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. The single-arm TOCIVID-19 prospective trial

Author

Francesco Perrone, Maria Carmela Piccirillo, Paolo Antonio Ascierto, Carlo Salvarani, Roberto Parrella, Anna Maria Marata, Patrizia Popoli, Laurenzia Ferraris, Massimiliano M. Marrocco-Trischitta, Diego Ripamonti, Francesca Binda, Paolo Bonfanti, Nicola Squillace, Francesco Castelli, Maria Lorenza Muiesan, Miriam Lichtner, Carlo Calzetti, Nicola Duccio Salerno, Luigi Atripaldi, Marco Cascella, Massimo Costantini, Giovanni Dolci, Nicola Cosimo Facciolongo, Fiorentino Fraganza, Marco Massari, Vincenzo Montesarchio, Cristina Mussini, Emanuele Alberto Negri, Gerardo Botti, Claudia Cardone, Piera Gargiulo, Adriano Gravina, Clorinda Schettino, Laura Arenare, Paolo Chiodini, Ciro Gallo, and the TOCIVID-19 investigators, Italy

Subjects
Medicine
Published
2021
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16. Tocilizumab for patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. The single-arm TOCIVID-19 prospective trial

Author

Francesco Perrone, Maria Carmela Piccirillo, Paolo Antonio Ascierto, Carlo Salvarani, Roberto Parrella, Anna Maria Marata, Patrizia Popoli, Laurenzia Ferraris, Massimiliano M. Marrocco-Trischitta, Diego Ripamonti, Francesca Binda, Paolo Bonfanti, Nicola Squillace, Francesco Castelli, Maria Lorenza Muiesan, Miriam Lichtner, Carlo Calzetti, Nicola Duccio Salerno, Luigi Atripaldi, Marco Cascella, Massimo Costantini, Giovanni Dolci, Nicola Cosimo Facciolongo, Fiorentino Fraganza, Marco Massari, Vincenzo Montesarchio, Cristina Mussini, Emanuele Alberto Negri, Gerardo Botti, Claudia Cardone, Piera Gargiulo, Adriano Gravina, Clorinda Schettino, Laura Arenare, Paolo Chiodini, Ciro Gallo, and the TOCIVID-19 investigators, Italy

Subjects
COVID-19, Pneumonia, Coronavirus, Tocilizumab, IL-6, Phase 2, Medicine
Abstract

Abstract Background Tocilizumab blocks pro-inflammatory activity of interleukin-6 (IL-6), involved in pathogenesis of pneumonia the most frequent cause of death in COVID-19 patients. Methods A multicenter, single-arm, hypothesis-driven trial was planned, according to a phase 2 design, to study the effect of tocilizumab on lethality rates at 14 and 30 days (co-primary endpoints, a priori expected rates being 20 and 35%, respectively). A further prospective cohort of patients, consecutively enrolled after the first cohort was accomplished, was used as a secondary validation dataset. The two cohorts were evaluated jointly in an exploratory multivariable logistic regression model to assess prognostic variables on survival. Results In the primary intention-to-treat (ITT) phase 2 population, 180/301 (59.8%) subjects received tocilizumab, and 67 deaths were observed overall. Lethality rates were equal to 18.4% (97.5% CI: 13.6–24.0, P = 0.52) and 22.4% (97.5% CI: 17.2–28.3, P

Published
2020
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17. Correction to: Tocilizumab for patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. The single-arm TOCIVID-19 prospective trial

Author

Perrone, Francesco, Piccirillo, Maria Carmela, Ascierto, Paolo Antonio, Salvarani, Carlo, Parrella, Roberto, Marata, Anna Maria, Popoli, Patrizia, Ferraris, Laurenzia, Marrocco-Trischitta, Massimiliano M., Ripamonti, Diego, Binda, Francesca, Bonfanti, Paolo, Squillace, Nicola, Castelli, Francesco, Muiesan, Maria Lorenza, Lichtner, Miriam, Calzetti, Carlo, Salerno, Nicola Duccio, Atripaldi, Luigi, Cascella, Marco, Costantini, Massimo, Dolci, Giovanni, Facciolongo, Nicola Cosimo, Fraganza, Fiorentino, Massari, Marco, Montesarchio, Vincenzo, Mussini, Cristina, Negri, Emanuele Alberto, Botti, Gerardo, Cardone, Claudia, Gargiulo, Piera, Gravina, Adriano, Schettino, Clorinda, Arenare, Laura, Chiodini, Paolo, and Gallo, Ciro

Published
2021
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18. Monitoring medicine prescriptions before, during and after pregnancy in Italy

Author

Fortinguerra, F, Belleudi, V, Poggi, F, Perna, S, Bortolus, R, Donati, S, D'Aloja, P, Da Cas, R, Clavenna, A, Locatelli, A, Addis, A, Davoli, M, Trotta, F, Rezza, G, Lombardozzi, L, Fortino, I, Mazzone, A, Schiatti, S, Zanforlini, M, Deambrosis, P, Manea, S, Salmaso, L, Scroccaro, G, Marata, A, Puccini, A, Solfrini, V, Attanasio, F, Gini, R, De Giorgi, M, Fran-Chini, D, Rossi, M, Stella, V, Carta, P, Garau, D, Ledda, S, Serra, E, Fortinguerra F., Belleudi V., Poggi F. R., Perna S., Bortolus R., Donati S., D'Aloja P., Da Cas R., Clavenna A., Locatelli A., Addis A., Davoli M., Trotta F., Rezza G., Lombardozzi L., Fortino I., Mazzone A., Schiatti S., Zanforlini M., Deambrosis P., Manea S., Salmaso L., Scroccaro G., Marata A. M., Puccini A., Solfrini V., Attanasio F., Gini R., De Giorgi M., Fran-Chini D., Rossi M., Stella V. M. P., Carta P., Garau D., Ledda S., Serra E., Fortinguerra, F, Belleudi, V, Poggi, F, Perna, S, Bortolus, R, Donati, S, D'Aloja, P, Da Cas, R, Clavenna, A, Locatelli, A, Addis, A, Davoli, M, Trotta, F, Rezza, G, Lombardozzi, L, Fortino, I, Mazzone, A, Schiatti, S, Zanforlini, M, Deambrosis, P, Manea, S, Salmaso, L, Scroccaro, G, Marata, A, Puccini, A, Solfrini, V, Attanasio, F, Gini, R, De Giorgi, M, Fran-Chini, D, Rossi, M, Stella, V, Carta, P, Garau, D, Ledda, S, Serra, E, Fortinguerra F., Belleudi V., Poggi F. R., Perna S., Bortolus R., Donati S., D'Aloja P., Da Cas R., Clavenna A., Locatelli A., Addis A., Davoli M., Trotta F., Rezza G., Lombardozzi L., Fortino I., Mazzone A., Schiatti S., Zanforlini M., Deambrosis P., Manea S., Salmaso L., Scroccaro G., Marata A. M., Puccini A., Solfrini V., Attanasio F., Gini R., De Giorgi M., Fran-Chini D., Rossi M., Stella V. M. P., Carta P., Garau D., Ledda S., and Serra E.

Abstract

Background The use of medications during pregnancy is a common event worldwide. Monitoring medicine prescriptions in clinical practice is a necessary step in assessing the impact of therapeutic choices in pregnant women as well as the adherence to clinical guidelines. The aim of this study was to provide prevalence data on medication use before, during and after pregnancy in the Italian population. Methods A retrospective prevalence study using administrative healthcare databases was conducted. A cohort of 449,012 pregnant women (15-49 years) residing in eight Italian regions (59% of national population), who delivered in 2016-2018, were enrolled. The prevalence of medication use was estimated as the proportion (%) of pregnant women with any prescription. Results About 73.1% of enrolled women received at least one drug prescription during pregnancy, 57.1% in pre-pregnancy and 59.3% in postpartum period. The prevalence of drug prescriptions increased with maternal age, especially during the 1st trimester of pregnancy. The most prescribed medicine was folic acid (34.6%), followed by progesterone (19%), both concentrated in 1st trimester of pregnancy (29.2% and 14.8%, respectively). Eight of the top 30 most prescribed medications were antibiotics, whose prevalence was higher during 2nd trimester of pregnancy in women ≥ 40 years (21.6%). An increase in prescriptions of antihypertensives, antidiabetics, thyroid hormone and heparin preparations was observed during pregnancy; on the contrary, a decrease was found for chronic therapies, such as antiepileptics or lipid-modifying agents. Conclusions This study represents the largest and most representative population-based study illustrating the medication prescription patterns before, during and after pregnancy in Italy. The observed prescriptive trends were comparable to those reported in other European countries. Given the limited information on medication use in Italian pregnant women, the performed analyses provide an up

Published
2023

22. Tocilizumab for patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. The single-arm TOCIVID-19 prospective trial

Author

Perrone, Francesco, Piccirillo, Maria Carmela, Ascierto, Paolo Antonio, Salvarani, Carlo, Parrella, Roberto, Marata, Anna Maria, Popoli, Patrizia, Ferraris, Laurenzia, Marrocco-Trischitta, Massimiliano M., Ripamonti, Diego, Binda, Francesca, Bonfanti, Paolo, Squillace, Nicola, Castelli, Francesco, Muiesan, Maria Lorenza, Lichtner, Miriam, Calzetti, Carlo, Salerno, Nicola Duccio, Atripaldi, Luigi, Cascella, Marco, Costantini, Massimo, Dolci, Giovanni, Facciolongo, Nicola Cosimo, Fraganza, Fiorentino, Massari, Marco, Montesarchio, Vincenzo, Mussini, Cristina, Negri, Emanuele Alberto, Botti, Gerardo, Cardone, Claudia, Gargiulo, Piera, Gravina, Adriano, Schettino, Clorinda, Arenare, Laura, Chiodini, Paolo, and Gallo, Ciro

Published
2020
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24. VISITA DOMICILIAR PARA FAMÍLIA DE JOVEM COM RECIDIVAS DE SUICÍDIO COM MEDICAMENTOS: RELATO DE CASO

Author

Sales, Camila Cristiane Formaggi, primary, Pires, Eloisa Leardini, additional, Oliveira, Jéssica Yumi de, additional, Carvalho, Lisa Bruna Saraiva de, additional, Pontes, Allana Roberta da Silva, additional, Mardegan, Jullye, additional, Gesualdi, Desirée Marata, additional, Guedes, Marcia Regina Jupi, additional, and Oliveira, Magda Lúcia Félix de, additional

Published
2019
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25. Moana

Author

Tamaira, Marata Ketekiri, Hereniko, Vilsoni, Qolouvaki, Tagi, Hopkins, Juluwehi, and Steiner, Candice Elanna

Subjects
Moana (Video recording) -- Clements, Ron -- Musker, John -- Video recording reviews, Video recordings -- Video recording reviews, Regional focus/area studies
Abstract

Moana. Computer-animated feature film, 107 minutes, color, 2016. In English, translated into numerous languages. Written by Jared Bush; directed by Ron Clements and John Musker. Original story. Produced by Walt [...]

Published
2018

26. Intravenous methylprednisolone pulses in hospitalised patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Author

Salvarani, C, Massari, M, Costantini, M, Franco Merlo, D, Lucia Mariani, G, Viale, P, Nava, S, Guaraldi, G, Dolci, G, Boni, L, Savoldi, L, Bruzzi, P, Turrà, C, Catanoso, M, Maria Marata, A, Barbieri, C, Valcavi, A, Franzoni, F, Cavuto, S, Mazzi, G, Corsini, R, Trapani, F, Bartoloni, A, Barisione, E, Jole Burastero, G, Pan, A, Inojosa, W, Scala, R, Burattini, C, Luppi, F, Codeluppi, M, Eldin Tarek, K, Cenderello, G, Salio, M, Foti, G, Dongilli, R, Bajocchi, G, Alberto Negri, E, Ciusa, G, Fornaro, G, Bassi, I, Zammarchi, L, Aloè, T, Facciolongo, N, Salvarani, Carlo, Massari, Marco, Costantini, Massimo, Franco Merlo, Domenico, Lucia Mariani, Gabriella, Viale, Pierluigi, Nava, Stefano, Guaraldi, Giovanni, Dolci, Giovanni, Boni, Luca, Savoldi, Luisa, Bruzzi, Paolo, Turrà, Caterina, Catanoso, Mariagrazia, Maria Marata, Anna, Barbieri, Chiara, Valcavi, Annamaria, Franzoni, Francesca, Cavuto, Silvio, Mazzi, Giorgio, Corsini, Romina, Trapani, Fabio, Bartoloni, Alessandro, Barisione, Emanuela, Jole Burastero, Giulia, Pan, Angelo, Inojosa, Walter, Scala, Raffaele, Burattini, Cecilia, Luppi, Fabrizio, Codeluppi, Mauro, Eldin Tarek, Kamal, Cenderello, Giovanni, Salio, Mario, Foti, Giuseppe, Dongilli, Roberto, Bajocchi, Gianluigi, Alberto Negri, Emanuele, Ciusa, Giacomo, Fornaro, Giacomo, Bassi, Ilaria, Zammarchi, Lorenzo, Aloè, Teresita, Facciolongo, Nicola, Salvarani, C, Massari, M, Costantini, M, Franco Merlo, D, Lucia Mariani, G, Viale, P, Nava, S, Guaraldi, G, Dolci, G, Boni, L, Savoldi, L, Bruzzi, P, Turrà, C, Catanoso, M, Maria Marata, A, Barbieri, C, Valcavi, A, Franzoni, F, Cavuto, S, Mazzi, G, Corsini, R, Trapani, F, Bartoloni, A, Barisione, E, Jole Burastero, G, Pan, A, Inojosa, W, Scala, R, Burattini, C, Luppi, F, Codeluppi, M, Eldin Tarek, K, Cenderello, G, Salio, M, Foti, G, Dongilli, R, Bajocchi, G, Alberto Negri, E, Ciusa, G, Fornaro, G, Bassi, I, Zammarchi, L, Aloè, T, Facciolongo, N, Salvarani, Carlo, Massari, Marco, Costantini, Massimo, Franco Merlo, Domenico, Lucia Mariani, Gabriella, Viale, Pierluigi, Nava, Stefano, Guaraldi, Giovanni, Dolci, Giovanni, Boni, Luca, Savoldi, Luisa, Bruzzi, Paolo, Turrà, Caterina, Catanoso, Mariagrazia, Maria Marata, Anna, Barbieri, Chiara, Valcavi, Annamaria, Franzoni, Francesca, Cavuto, Silvio, Mazzi, Giorgio, Corsini, Romina, Trapani, Fabio, Bartoloni, Alessandro, Barisione, Emanuela, Jole Burastero, Giulia, Pan, Angelo, Inojosa, Walter, Scala, Raffaele, Burattini, Cecilia, Luppi, Fabrizio, Codeluppi, Mauro, Eldin Tarek, Kamal, Cenderello, Giovanni, Salio, Mario, Foti, Giuseppe, Dongilli, Roberto, Bajocchi, Gianluigi, Alberto Negri, Emanuele, Ciusa, Giacomo, Fornaro, Giacomo, Bassi, Ilaria, Zammarchi, Lorenzo, Aloè, Teresita, and Facciolongo, Nicola

Abstract

Rationale Pulse glucocorticoid therapy is used in hyperinflammation related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We evaluated the efficacy and safety of pulse intravenous methylprednisolone in addition to standard treatment in COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods In this multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 304 hospitalised patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were randomised to receive 1 g of methylprednisolone intravenously for three consecutive days or placebo in addition to standard dexamethasone. The primary outcome was the duration of patient hospitalisation, calculated as the time interval between randomisation and hospital discharge without the need for supplementary oxygen. The key secondary outcomes were survival free from invasive ventilation with orotracheal intubation and overall survival. Results Overall, 112 (75.4%) out of 151 patients in the pulse methylprednisolone arm and 111 (75.2%) of 150 in the placebo arm were discharged from hospital without oxygen within 30 days from randomisation. Median time to discharge was similar in both groups (15 days, 95% CI 13.0–17.0 days and 16 days, 95% CI 13.8–18.2 days, respectively; hazard ratio (HR) 0.92, 95% CI 0.71–1.20; p=0.528). No significant differences between pulse methylprednisolone and placebo arms were observed in terms of admission to intensive care unit with orotracheal intubation or death (20.0% versus 16.1%; HR 1.26, 95% CI 0.74–2.16; p=0.176) or overall mortality (10.0% versus 12.2%; HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.42–1.64; p=0.584). Serious adverse events occurred with similar frequency in the two groups. Conclusions Methylprenisolone pulse therapy added to dexamethasone was not of benefit in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Published
2022

29. Joint coherent and non-coherent detection and decoding techniques for heterogeneous networks

Author

Marata, L. (Leatile), Alcaraz López, O. L. (Onel Luis), Djelouat, H. (Hamza), Leinonen, M. (Markus), Alves, H. (Hirley), Juntti, M. (Markku), Marata, L. (Leatile), Alcaraz López, O. L. (Onel Luis), Djelouat, H. (Hamza), Leinonen, M. (Markus), Alves, H. (Hirley), and Juntti, M. (Markku)

Abstract

Cellular networks that are traditionally designed for human-type communication (HTC) have the potential to provide cost effective connectivity to machine-type communication (MTC). However, MTC is characterized by unprecedented traffic in cellular networks, thus posing a challenge to its successful incorporation. In this work, we propose a unified framework for amicable coexistence of MTC and HTC. We consider a heterogeneous network where machine-type devices coexist with enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) devices and propose transceiver techniques that promote efficient signal recovery from these devices. For this, we present an eMBB pilot and MTC data generation strategy that facilitates joint coherent decoding of eMBB data and non-coherent decoding of MTC data. Furthermore, we assess the feasibility of coexistence using receiver operating characteristics, outage probability, and normalized mean square error (NMSE). Our numerical results reveal that a harmonious coexistence of the heterogeneous services can be achieved with properly configured average signal-to-noise ratios and pilot length.

Published
2023

34. Prevalence of lumbosacral transitional vertebra among 4816 consecutive patients with low back pain: A computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and plain radiographic study with novel classification schema

Author

Byvaltsev, VadimA, primary, Kalinin, AndreiA, additional, Shepelev, ValeryV, additional, Pestryakov, YuriiYa, additional, Aliyev, MaratA, additional, Hozeev, DmitriyV, additional, Biryuchkov, MikhailY, additional, Kundubayev, RustemA, additional, and Riew, KDaniel, additional

Published
2023
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35. Drugs territorialization in the era of PNRR: perspectives, opportunities and considerations from a panel of experts

Author

Marata, Anna Maria, primary, Marrocco, Walter, additional, Arcangeli, Emanuela, additional, Battistini, Mattia, additional, Buzzetti, Giuliano, additional, Candido, Riccardo, additional, Casadei, Gianluigi, additional, Cattel, Francesco, additional, Cavaliere, Arturo, additional, Consoli, Agostino, additional, Corrao, Giovanni, additional, Didoni, Guido, additional, Di Gesù, Mauro, additional, Giovanzana, Alberto, additional, Lenzi, Matteo, additional, Medaglia, Massimo, additional, Meloncelli, Marta, additional, Palcic, Stefano, additional, Pani, Marcello, additional, Patarnello, Francesca, additional, Pria, Emanuele, additional, Scaduto, Dario, additional, Tozzi, Valeria, additional, Zibellini, Marco, additional, and Crovato, Elisa, additional

Published
2022
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36. An Overview of Key Technologies in Physical Layer Security

Author

Abraham Sanenga, Galefang Allycan Mapunda, Tshepiso Merapelo Ludo Jacob, Leatile Marata, Bokamoso Basutli, and Joseph Monamati Chuma

Subjects
artificial noise, beamforming, intelligent reflective surface, MIMO, optimization, physical layer security, Science, Astrophysics, QB460-466, Physics, QC1-999
Abstract

The open nature of radio propagation enables ubiquitous wireless communication. This allows for seamless data transmission. However, unauthorized users may pose a threat to the security of the data being transmitted to authorized users. This gives rise to network vulnerabilities such as hacking, eavesdropping, and jamming of the transmitted information. Physical layer security (PLS) has been identified as one of the promising security approaches to safeguard the transmission from eavesdroppers in a wireless network. It is an alternative to the computationally demanding and complex cryptographic algorithms and techniques. PLS has continually received exponential research interest owing to the possibility of exploiting the characteristics of the wireless channel. One of the main characteristics includes the random nature of the transmission channel. The aforesaid nature makes it possible for confidential and authentic signal transmission between the sender and the receiver in the physical layer. We start by introducing the basic theories of PLS, including the wiretap channel, information-theoretic security, and a brief discussion of the cryptography security technique. Furthermore, an overview of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication is provided. The main focus of our review is based on the existing key-less PLS optimization techniques, their limitations, and challenges. The paper also looks into the promising key research areas in addressing these shortfalls. Lastly, a comprehensive overview of some of the recent PLS research in 5G and 6G technologies of wireless communication networks is provided.

Published
2020
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37. Statistical Tools and Methodologies for URLLC -- A Tutorial

Author

Matti Latva-aho, Leatile Marata, Osmel Martínez Rosabal, Hirley Alves, Nurul H. Mahmood, Mohammad Shehab, and Onel Alcaraz López

Subjects
Networking and Internet Architecture (cs.NI), FOS: Computer and information sciences, Computer Science - Networking and Internet Architecture, Information Theory (cs.IT), Computer Science - Information Theory, Applications (stat.AP), Statistics - Applications
Abstract

Ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) constitutes a key service class of the fifth generation and beyond cellular networks. Notably, designing and supporting URLLC poses a herculean task due to the fundamental need of identifying and accurately characterizing the underlying statistical models in which the system operates, e.g., interference statistics, channel conditions, and the behavior of protocols. In general, multi-layer end-to-end approaches considering all the potential delay and error sources and proper statistical tools and methodologies are inevitably required for providing strong reliability and latency guarantees. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge in the latter aspect by providing a tutorial on several statistical tools and methodologies that are useful for designing and analyzing URLLC systems. Specifically, we overview the frameworks related to i) reliability theory, ii) short packet communications, iii) inequalities, distribution bounds, tail approximations, and risk-assessment tools, iv) rare events simulation, v) large-scale tools such as stochastic geometry, clustering, compressed sensing, and mean-field games, vi) queuing theory and information freshness, and vii) machine learning. Throughout the paper, we briefly review the state-of-the-art works using the addressed tools and methodologies, and their link to URLLC systems. Moreover, we discuss novel application examples focused on physical and medium access control layers. Finally, key research challenges and directions are highlighted to elucidate how URLLC analysis/design research may evolve in the coming years., Submitted to Proceedings of the IEEE. 40 pages, 24 figures, 10 tables

Published
2022

39. Intravenous methylprednisolone pulses in hospitalised patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Author

Carlo Salvarani, Marco Massari, Massimo Costantini, Domenico Franco Merlo, Gabriella Lucia Mariani, Pierluigi Viale, Stefano Nava, Giovanni Guaraldi, Giovanni Dolci, Luca Boni, Luisa Savoldi, Paolo Bruzzi, Caterina Turrà, Mariagrazia Catanoso, Anna Maria Marata, Chiara Barbieri, Annamaria Valcavi, Francesca Franzoni, Silvio Cavuto, Giorgio Mazzi, Romina Corsini, Fabio Trapani, Alessandro Bartoloni, Emanuela Barisione, Giulia Jole Burastero, Angelo Pan, Walter Inojosa, Raffaele Scala, Cecilia Burattini, Fabrizio Luppi, Mauro Codeluppi, Kamal Eldin Tarek, Giovanni Cenderello, Mario Salio, Giuseppe Foti, Roberto Dongilli, Gianluigi Bajocchi, Emanuele Alberto Negri, Giacomo Ciusa, Giacomo Fornaro, Ilaria Bassi, Lorenzo Zammarchi, Teresita Aloè, Nicola Facciolongo, Salvarani, C, Massari, M, Costantini, M, Franco Merlo, D, Lucia Mariani, G, Viale, P, Nava, S, Guaraldi, G, Dolci, G, Boni, L, Savoldi, L, Bruzzi, P, Turrà, C, Catanoso, M, Maria Marata, A, Barbieri, C, Valcavi, A, Franzoni, F, Cavuto, S, Mazzi, G, Corsini, R, Trapani, F, Bartoloni, A, Barisione, E, Jole Burastero, G, Pan, A, Inojosa, W, Scala, R, Burattini, C, Luppi, F, Codeluppi, M, Eldin Tarek, K, Cenderello, G, Salio, M, Foti, G, Dongilli, R, Bajocchi, G, Alberto Negri, E, Ciusa, G, Fornaro, G, Bassi, I, Zammarchi, L, Aloè, T, and Facciolongo, N

Subjects
Oxygen, Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine, Treatment Outcome, Double-Blind Method, SARS-CoV-2, Humans, COVID-19, methylprednisolone, steroids, pneumonia, Methylprednisolone, Glucocorticoids, COVID-19 Drug Treatment
Abstract

RationalePulse glucocorticoid therapy is used in hyperinflammation related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We evaluated the efficacy and safety of pulse intravenous methylprednisolone in addition to standard treatment in COVID-19 pneumonia.MethodsIn this multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 304 hospitalised patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were randomised to receive 1 g of methylprednisolone intravenously for three consecutive days or placebo in addition to standard dexamethasone. The primary outcome was the duration of patient hospitalisation, calculated as the time interval between randomisation and hospital discharge without the need for supplementary oxygen. The key secondary outcomes were survival free from invasive ventilation with orotracheal intubation and overall survival.ResultsOverall, 112 (75.4%) out of 151 patients in the pulse methylprednisolone arm and 111 (75.2%) of 150 in the placebo arm were discharged from hospital without oxygen within 30 days from randomisation. Median time to discharge was similar in both groups (15 days, 95% CI 13.0–17.0 days and 16 days, 95% CI 13.8–18.2 days, respectively; hazard ratio (HR) 0.92, 95% CI 0.71–1.20; p=0.528). No significant differences between pulse methylprednisolone and placebo arms were observed in terms of admission to intensive care unit with orotracheal intubation or death (20.0%versus16.1%; HR 1.26, 95% CI 0.74–2.16; p=0.176) or overall mortality (10.0%versus12.2%; HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.42–1.64; p=0.584). Serious adverse events occurred with similar frequency in the two groups.ConclusionsMethylprenisolone pulse therapy added to dexamethasone was not of benefit in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Published
2022

40. Correction to: Tocilizumab for patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. The single-arm TOCIVID-19 prospective trial (Journal of Translational Medicine, (2020), 18, 1, (405), 10.1186/s12967-020-02573-9)

Author

Perrone F., Perrone, F, Piccirillo, M, Ascierto, P, Salvarani, C, Parrella, R, Marata, A, Popoli, P, Ferraris, L, Marrocco-Trischitta, M, Ripamonti, D, Binda, F, Bonfanti, P, Squillace, N, Castelli, F, Muiesan, M, Lichtner, M, Calzetti, C, Salerno, N, Atripaldi, L, Cascella, M, Costantini, M, Dolci, G, Facciolongo, N, Fraganza, F, Massari, M, Montesarchio, V, Mussini, C, Negri, E, Botti, G, Cardone, C, Gargiulo, P, Gravina, A, Schettino, C, Arenare, L, Chiodini, P, Gallo, C, Vitale, M, Trojaniello, C, Palla, M, Bianchi, A, De Feo, G, Miscio, L, Chiodiniy, P, Froldi, M, Menicanti, L, Cuppone, M, Gobbo, G, Baldessari, C, Valenti, V, Castelvecchio, S, Poli, F, Giacomazzi, F, Piccinni, R, Annnunziata, M, Biondi, A, Bussolari, C, Mazzoleni, M, Giachi, A, Filtz, A, Manini, A, Poletti, E, Masserini, F, Conforti, F, Gaudiano, G, Favero, V, Moroni, A, Viva, T, Fancoli, F, Ferrari, D, Niro, D, Resta, M, Ballotta, A, Poli, M, Ranucci, M, Tebaldi, A, Gritti, G, Pasulo, L, Gaglio, L, Del Fabbro, R, Alborghetti, L, Giustinetti, G, Columpsi, P, Cazzaniga, M, Capici, S, Sala, L, Di Sciacca, R, Mosca, G, Pirozzi, M, Perrone F., Piccirillo M. C., Ascierto P. A., Salvarani C., Parrella R., Marata A. M., Popoli P., Ferraris L., Marrocco-Trischitta M. M., Ripamonti D., Binda F., Bonfanti P., Squillace N., Castelli F., Muiesan M. L., Lichtner M., Calzetti C., Salerno N. D., Atripaldi L., Cascella M., Costantini M., Dolci G., Facciolongo N. C., Fraganza F., Massari M., Montesarchio V., Mussini C., Negri E. A., Botti G., Cardone C., Gargiulo P., Gravina A., Schettino C., Arenare L., Chiodini P., Gallo C., Vitale M. G., Trojaniello C., Palla M., Bianchi A. A. M., De Feo G., Miscio L., Chiodiniy P., Froldi M., Menicanti L., Cuppone M. T., Gobbo G., Baldessari C., Valenti V., Castelvecchio S., Poli F., Giacomazzi F., Piccinni R., Annnunziata M. L., Biondi A., Bussolari C., Mazzoleni M., Giachi A., Filtz A., Manini A., Poletti E., Masserini F., Conforti F., Gaudiano G., Favero V., Moroni A., Viva T., Fancoli F., Ferrari D., Niro D., Resta M., Ballotta A., Poli M. D., Ranucci M., Tebaldi A., Gritti G., Pasulo L., Gaglio L., Del Fabbro R., Alborghetti L., Giustinetti G., Columpsi P., Cazzaniga M., Capici S., Sala L., Di Sciacca R., Mosca G., Pirozzi M. R., Perrone F., Perrone, F, Piccirillo, M, Ascierto, P, Salvarani, C, Parrella, R, Marata, A, Popoli, P, Ferraris, L, Marrocco-Trischitta, M, Ripamonti, D, Binda, F, Bonfanti, P, Squillace, N, Castelli, F, Muiesan, M, Lichtner, M, Calzetti, C, Salerno, N, Atripaldi, L, Cascella, M, Costantini, M, Dolci, G, Facciolongo, N, Fraganza, F, Massari, M, Montesarchio, V, Mussini, C, Negri, E, Botti, G, Cardone, C, Gargiulo, P, Gravina, A, Schettino, C, Arenare, L, Chiodini, P, Gallo, C, Vitale, M, Trojaniello, C, Palla, M, Bianchi, A, De Feo, G, Miscio, L, Chiodiniy, P, Froldi, M, Menicanti, L, Cuppone, M, Gobbo, G, Baldessari, C, Valenti, V, Castelvecchio, S, Poli, F, Giacomazzi, F, Piccinni, R, Annnunziata, M, Biondi, A, Bussolari, C, Mazzoleni, M, Giachi, A, Filtz, A, Manini, A, Poletti, E, Masserini, F, Conforti, F, Gaudiano, G, Favero, V, Moroni, A, Viva, T, Fancoli, F, Ferrari, D, Niro, D, Resta, M, Ballotta, A, Poli, M, Ranucci, M, Tebaldi, A, Gritti, G, Pasulo, L, Gaglio, L, Del Fabbro, R, Alborghetti, L, Giustinetti, G, Columpsi, P, Cazzaniga, M, Capici, S, Sala, L, Di Sciacca, R, Mosca, G, Pirozzi, M, Perrone F., Piccirillo M. C., Ascierto P. A., Salvarani C., Parrella R., Marata A. M., Popoli P., Ferraris L., Marrocco-Trischitta M. M., Ripamonti D., Binda F., Bonfanti P., Squillace N., Castelli F., Muiesan M. L., Lichtner M., Calzetti C., Salerno N. D., Atripaldi L., Cascella M., Costantini M., Dolci G., Facciolongo N. C., Fraganza F., Massari M., Montesarchio V., Mussini C., Negri E. A., Botti G., Cardone C., Gargiulo P., Gravina A., Schettino C., Arenare L., Chiodini P., Gallo C., Vitale M. G., Trojaniello C., Palla M., Bianchi A. A. M., De Feo G., Miscio L., Chiodiniy P., Froldi M., Menicanti L., Cuppone M. T., Gobbo G., Baldessari C., Valenti V., Castelvecchio S., Poli F., Giacomazzi F., Piccinni R., Annnunziata M. L., Biondi A., Bussolari C., Mazzoleni M., Giachi A., Filtz A., Manini A., Poletti E., Masserini F., Conforti F., Gaudiano G., Favero V., Moroni A., Viva T., Fancoli F., Ferrari D., Niro D., Resta M., Ballotta A., Poli M. D., Ranucci M., Tebaldi A., Gritti G., Pasulo L., Gaglio L., Del Fabbro R., Alborghetti L., Giustinetti G., Columpsi P., Cazzaniga M., Capici S., Sala L., Di Sciacca R., Mosca G., and Pirozzi M. R.

Published
2021

41. Encapsulation of 5‐Fluorouracil Treated Reduced Graphene Oxide in Sodium Alginate Matrix for Controlled and pH‐Responsive Drug Delivery

Author

Krishna Rao Kummari Subba Venkata, Adilakshmi Boddu, Kummara Madhusudana Rao, Sreekanth Reddy Obireddy, and Subha Marata Chinna Subbarao

Subjects
Graphene, Oxide, General Chemistry, Controlled release, Encapsulation (networking), law.invention, Matrix (chemical analysis), chemistry.chemical_compound, chemistry, Chemical engineering, law, Fluorouracil, Drug delivery, medicine, Cytotoxicity, medicine.drug
Published
2021

46. Tocilizumab for patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. The single-arm TOCIVID-19 prospective trial

Author

Perrone, F, Piccirillo, M, Ascierto, P, Salvarani, C, Parrella, R, Marata, A, Popoli, P, Ferraris, L, Marrocco-Trischitta, M, Ripamonti, D, Binda, F, Bonfanti, P, Squillace, N, Castelli, F, Muiesan, M, Lichtner, M, Calzetti, C, Salerno, N, Atripaldi, L, Cascella, M, Costantini, M, Dolci, G, Facciolongo, N, Fraganza, F, Massari, M, Montesarchio, V, Mussini, C, Negri, E, Botti, G, Cardone, C, Gargiulo, P, Gravina, A, Schettino, C, Arenare, L, Chiodini, P, Gallo, C, Perrone, Francesco, Piccirillo, Maria Carmela, Ascierto, Paolo Antonio, Salvarani, Carlo, Parrella, Roberto, Marata, Anna Maria, Popoli, Patrizia, Ferraris, Laurenzia, Marrocco-Trischitta, Massimiliano M, Ripamonti, Diego, Binda, Francesca, Bonfanti, Paolo, Squillace, Nicola, Castelli, Francesco, Muiesan, Maria Lorenza, Lichtner, Miriam, Calzetti, Carlo, Salerno, Nicola Duccio, Atripaldi, Luigi, Cascella, Marco, Costantini, Massimo, Dolci, Giovanni, Facciolongo, Nicola Cosimo, Fraganza, Fiorentino, Massari, Marco, Montesarchio, Vincenzo, Mussini, Cristina, Negri, Emanuele Alberto, Botti, Gerardo, Cardone, Claudia, Gargiulo, Piera, Gravina, Adriano, Schettino, Clorinda, Arenare, Laura, Chiodini, Paolo, Gallo, Ciro, Perrone, F, Piccirillo, M, Ascierto, P, Salvarani, C, Parrella, R, Marata, A, Popoli, P, Ferraris, L, Marrocco-Trischitta, M, Ripamonti, D, Binda, F, Bonfanti, P, Squillace, N, Castelli, F, Muiesan, M, Lichtner, M, Calzetti, C, Salerno, N, Atripaldi, L, Cascella, M, Costantini, M, Dolci, G, Facciolongo, N, Fraganza, F, Massari, M, Montesarchio, V, Mussini, C, Negri, E, Botti, G, Cardone, C, Gargiulo, P, Gravina, A, Schettino, C, Arenare, L, Chiodini, P, Gallo, C, Perrone, Francesco, Piccirillo, Maria Carmela, Ascierto, Paolo Antonio, Salvarani, Carlo, Parrella, Roberto, Marata, Anna Maria, Popoli, Patrizia, Ferraris, Laurenzia, Marrocco-Trischitta, Massimiliano M, Ripamonti, Diego, Binda, Francesca, Bonfanti, Paolo, Squillace, Nicola, Castelli, Francesco, Muiesan, Maria Lorenza, Lichtner, Miriam, Calzetti, Carlo, Salerno, Nicola Duccio, Atripaldi, Luigi, Cascella, Marco, Costantini, Massimo, Dolci, Giovanni, Facciolongo, Nicola Cosimo, Fraganza, Fiorentino, Massari, Marco, Montesarchio, Vincenzo, Mussini, Cristina, Negri, Emanuele Alberto, Botti, Gerardo, Cardone, Claudia, Gargiulo, Piera, Gravina, Adriano, Schettino, Clorinda, Arenare, Laura, Chiodini, Paolo, and Gallo, Ciro

Abstract

Background: Tocilizumab blocks pro-inflammatory activity of interleukin-6 (IL-6), involved in pathogenesis of pneumonia the most frequent cause of death in COVID-19 patients. Methods: A multicenter, single-arm, hypothesis-driven trial was planned, according to a phase 2 design, to study the effect of tocilizumab on lethality rates at 14 and 30 days (co-primary endpoints, a priori expected rates being 20 and 35%, respectively). A further prospective cohort of patients, consecutively enrolled after the first cohort was accomplished, was used as a secondary validation dataset. The two cohorts were evaluated jointly in an exploratory multivariable logistic regression model to assess prognostic variables on survival. Results: In the primary intention-to-treat (ITT) phase 2 population, 180/301 (59.8%) subjects received tocilizumab, and 67 deaths were observed overall. Lethality rates were equal to 18.4% (97.5% CI: 13.6-24.0, P = 0.52) and 22.4% (97.5% CI: 17.2-28.3, P < 0.001) at 14 and 30 days, respectively. Lethality rates were lower in the validation dataset, that included 920 patients. No signal of specific drug toxicity was reported. In the exploratory multivariable logistic regression analysis, older age and lower PaO2/FiO2 ratio negatively affected survival, while the concurrent use of steroids was associated with greater survival. A statistically significant interaction was found between tocilizumab and respiratory support, suggesting that tocilizumab might be more effective in patients not requiring mechanical respiratory support at baseline. Conclusions: Tocilizumab reduced lethality rate at 30 days compared with null hypothesis, without significant toxicity. Possibly, this effect could be limited to patients not requiring mechanical respiratory support at baseline. Registration EudraCT (2020-001110-38); clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04317092).

Published
2020

50. Indoor Visible Light Communication: A Tutorial and Survey

Author

Amjad Saeed Khan, Joseph Chuma, Reuben Ramogomana, Leatile Marata, Bokamoso Basutli, and Galefang Allycan Mapunda

Subjects
Technology, Computer Networks and Communications, Computer science, Visible light communication, TK5101-6720, 02 engineering and technology, Luminous intensity, law.invention, 020210 optoelectronics & photonics, law, 0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering, Electronic engineering, Wireless, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Incandescent light bulb, business.industry, 020206 networking & telecommunications, Fluorescence, LED lamp, Heat generation, Telecommunication, business, 5G, Information Systems, Light-emitting diode, Data transmission
Abstract

With the advancement of solid-state devices for lighting, illumination is on the verge of being completely restructured. This revolution comes with numerous advantages and viable opportunities that can transform the world of wireless communications for the better. Solid-state LEDs are rapidly replacing the contemporary incandescent and fluorescent lamps. In addition to their high energy efficiency, LEDs are desirable for their low heat generation, long lifespan, and their capability to switch on and off at an extremely high rate. The ability of switching between different levels of luminous intensity at such a rate has enabled the inception of a new communication technology referred to as visible light communication (VLC). With this technology, the LED lamps are additionally being used for data transmission. This paper provides a tutorial and a survey of VLC in terms of the design, development, and evaluation techniques as well as current challenges and their envisioned solutions. The focus of this paper is mainly directed towards an indoor setup. An overview of VLC, theory of illumination, system receivers, system architecture, and ongoing developments are provided. We further provide some baseline simulation results to give a technical background on the performance of VLC systems. Moreover, we provide the potential of incorporating VLC techniques in the current and upcoming technologies such as fifth-generation (5G), beyond fifth-generation (B5G) wireless communication trends including sixth-generation (6G), and intelligent reflective surfaces (IRSs) among others.

Published
2020

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