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In the present era of technology, it is quite fascinating to design a system capable of transmitting information from one end to another by using the optical spectrum. This system differs from optical fibre communication in terms of channel medium. Optical fibre technology uses the end-to-end physical connection via fibre. In contrast, Light-based wireless communication networks, also known as wireless optical communication (WOC) networks or fibreless optical communication networks, use light as a carrier and air as an unguided propagation media for transmission. Fibreless optical communication eliminates the need for Licensing and Buried Fibre Cables; also, its installation is relatively easy. This survey article describes the evolution of WOC technologies right from the old methods of communication to today's deep-space optical satellite communication. This article briefly describes the WOC system working principle, categorization of wireless optical systems (based on the carrier frequency wavelength, distance covered, and application), different modulation techniques adopted for wireless optical communication, challenges associated with channel medium and channel modelling, performance analysis of WOC system, various application areas of WOC network, commercial developments in the field of WOC, and some other emerging trends associated with WOC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Distress is very common in patients with cancer but it often goes unidentified. Sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables have been identified as major risk factors for distress and it extends along a continuum, ranging from common feelings of vulnerability, sadness, and alarming to problems that can become disabling. Objectives: To determine the level of distress among cancer patients and sociodemographic factors affecting distress among the cancer patients. Materials & Methods: The study was a cross sectional study using purposive sampling technique. All the patients above 18 years who were admitted from 1st March 2021 to 31st August 2021 were included in the study. The information was collected from patients using NCCN Distress Thermometer (DT) and problem checklist, a validated tool to assess the distress levels and their association of distress with problems. The data was compiled and statistically analysed using Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS Software 23.0 version) IBM Chicago. Results: out of 567 participants, 64.6% study subjects were above 50 years. This shows that the number of patients were increasing with increasing age. In all, 60.5 % were females and 39.5% were males. Majority of patients were having moderate to severe distress (50.6%) followed by 37.9% who had mild stress and 11.5% had no stress. It was observed that education, occupation and socio-economic status were significantly associated with the level of distress while age, sex and marital status had no association. Conclusion: Holistic approach in cancer treatment including psychological, spiritual and emotional evaluation and its solution for the same at appropriate time enhances the quality of life of the patients. It is recommended that all health care providers should address these as a part of their routine practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Food is a basic thing without which, life is impossible. Without proper food, body will not thrive to its optimum potential and Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED) is the state, where there is a lack of food intake over a prolonged period of time. Aims & Objectives: To find the association of dietary habits with CED in ethnic Punjabi population. Methodology: The study was a cross-sectional study using simple random sampling technique. Taking the prevalence of CED as 30% in India, the sample size came out to be 336 but, 400 subjects were selected equally from rural and urban areas for convenience. Results: Subjects having lesser calorie intake than RDA, developed CED more 62(82.9%) than meeting RDA 13(17.1%). Subjects who skipped meals had higher CED rates. Pure vegetarians had higher rates of CED 71(93.4%) than non-vegetarians 5(6.6%). People consuming milk or milk products more than once daily developed lesser CED 1(1.3%) than those taking once daily 15(19.7%) and ones taking only once a week 60(79.0%). Conclusion: According to the study, persons with adequate calorie intake, who do not skip meals, take some kind of non-vegetarian food, and consume milk on daily basis have lesser tendency to develop CED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Chronic Energy Deficiency is a condition characterized by a long-term insufficient intake of calories and/or nutrients relative to a person’s energy expenditure, leading to a negative energy balance. It is typically associated with inadequate nutrition and can result in various health issues. Objectives: 1) To find out prevalence of CED in ethnic Punjabi population. 2) To determine the sociodemographic factors affecting CED the study subjects. Materials & Methods: The study was a cross sectional study using simple random sampling technique. Taking the prevalence of CED as 30%, sample size came out to be 336, but for ease of convenience, 400 subjects were selected. Results: The study subjects comprised of 183 males and 217 females and there were 24 cases of CED in males and 52 in females. Maximum cases of CED were found in the age group of 20-29 years, in lower castes and low-income groups and in illiterates. Conclusion: According to this study, maximum number of CED was found in the age group of 20-29 years. Prevalence was significantly higher in females than males and its was maximum in lower castes at 35.8%. In lower income group and in the illiterate group, it was maximum and the results were statistically significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]