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With the rapid growth ofthe telecommunications market, the hunger for greater bandwidth and higher data rates hss become unrelenting. Together wilh the congestion of the frequency bands below 12 GHG frequency planning has become increasingly difficult. The use of the upper portion of k-band for terrestrial communication systems is inevitable due lo the better spectrum availability of this frequency region and the inherent ability lo provide higher data rates. The frequency band from 18 GHz to 20 GHz hss been identified as a suitable candidate for short-haul line-of sight (LOS) links. As a consequence, a 6.73 km terrestrial LOS link centered at 19.5 GHz has been recently established between the Howard College and Westville campuses of the University of KwaZuluNatal (UKZN). In this paper the research into the modeling and measurements ofthe proposed LOS link will be discussed Index Termspropagation measurements, multipath fading, channel transfer function modeling, terrestrial lineofsight links, path profiling. INTRODUCIIONN the planning of terrestrial LOS systems, quantitative I data relating to the fade margin, fade duration as well as the flat and frequency selective characteristics of the channel are required. Therefore to examine the feasibility of an alternative broadband carrier, the necessary propagation measurements and channel models are required. In this paper the research into the modeling and measurement of a terrestrial LOS link operating at 19.5 GHz will be discussed.The research aims to characterise the performance of the link by evaluating the effects of multipath propagation under various meteorological conditions. The discussed LOS link was recently established between the Howard College and Westville campuses of UKZN and passes over both hilly and suburban terrain. The channel response will be examined over a 200 MHz bandwidth centered at 19.5 GHz.In the mid 70s the Wave Propagation StandardsCommittee of the IEEE sponsored several mini-reviews into the absorption of radio waves in the atmosphere. The work by [I] focused on the effect of oxygen and water vapour in the atmosphere and [2] on rain attenuation. From these mini-reviews, the following conclusions were arrived at, I) Radio frequencies above 15 GHz were attractive because of their limited use at the time and since they could provide larger bandwidths. The presence of water vapour and oxygen in the lower atmosphere resulted in peak absorption attenuations near 22 GHz and 60 GHz, respectively. 3) There were three regions of lesser attenuation around This work i s partially SuppoRed by Alcalel SA and Telkom SA Ltd as 2) pan ofthe Cenw of Excellence. 35 GHz, 90 GHz and 225 GHz. 4) However in near-earth conditions the attenuation at the 90 GHz and 225 GHz regions were even greater than that for the maximum loss from the 22 GHz vapour line. This made such frequencies more suitable for satellite-earth communication systems. When rainlosses were considered, the 35 GHz region was even more opaque than the 22 GHz region. This motivates the idea of...

Background: Feedback is essential for effective postgraduate medical training. There are limited studies that focus on the feedback culture in anaesthesiology training. This study aims to explore the anaesthesiology trainer's challenges and perceptions of knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of feedback to anaesthesiology trainees. The influence of gender and level of experience of the trainer on giving feedback are also explored.Methods: A mixed methods study was conducted. The sample consisted of all anaesthetists involved in training in the Department of Anaesthesiology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Data was collected using an electronic survey consisting of both open-ended and closed-ended questions. Quantitative data was statistically analysed using R Statistical Computing software version 3.6.3. Differences between gender groups were assessed using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Correlation plots were used to determine a correlation between the level of experience and giving feedback. All statistical tests were conducted at a 5% significance level. Qualitative data was thematically analysed.Results: Of 70 trainers, 56 completed the questionnaire. The majority of trainers rated their KAP perceptions of feedback highly, though half admitted to having difficulty giving negative feedback. Significantly more male trainers were confident about their feedback skills and set time aside for giving feedback as compared to female trainers (p = 0.037). No significant correlation was found between the level of experience and KAP perceptions. Five major themes related to the challenges were: time constraints and lack of frequency, lack of consistency, lack of follow-up, inadequate feedback tools, and a lack of feedback training. Conclusion:Although trainers rated their KAP perceptions of feedback highly, this conflicted with some of the actual current feedback practices and challenges reported. Faculty development, continuous professional development, revised feedback tools and formal feedback policies were suggested to strengthen the feedback culture in anaesthesiology training.

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BACKGROUND Neonatal hypothermia is increasingly recognized as a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Warmth care is an essential component of newborn interventions to reduce neonatal mortality. The present study deals with the knowledge, attitude and neonatal warmth care practices among postnatal mothers/care givers in the postnatal ward and aims to assess the level of understanding, acceptance and implementation of warmth care practices among mothers/care givers. As ThermoSpot is proven to be useful in detecting hypothermia in newborn babies, mothers were taught to detect hypothermia and take necessary steps by observing the colour changes of ThermoSpot. We wanted to assess the knowledge, attitude and neonatal warmth care practices among postnatal mothers/care givers in the postnatal ward. We also wanted to educate the mothers to detect hypothermia in the newborn with a simple tool like ThermoSpot and to educate them regarding correct neonatal warmth care practices. METHODS This is a hospital based interventional study, conducted among 108 post-natal mothers for a period of 6 months. Sociodemographic details of mothers were collected in a proforma. Neonatal warmth care practices followed by mothers were noted. ThermoSpot was applied to all 108 babies and any change in the colour of ThermoSpot was recorded on day 1, at 48 hours and at 72 hours. All mothers were educated about interpretation of change in colour of the ThermoSpot in detecting hypothermia or fever in the newborn baby. Data was analysed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS (Version 20) software. RESULTS Out of 108 mothers, majority were in 20-24 years age group. Literacy and multiparity of the mothers were found to have statistical significance (p<0.05) regarding the knowledge of drying the baby and wrapping with warm clothes. Mothers of nuclear family, higher socioeconomic status, higher parity, and who had normal vaginal delivery, had shown higher knowledge about skin to skin contact which was statistically significant (p<0.05). Knowledge about rooming in had shown statistical significance among educated mothers, mothers belonging to higher socioeconomic status, higher parity and who had normal vaginal delivery (p <0.05). There was no statistical significance between knowledge of mothers about timing of new-born's first bath and demographic profile of mothers. Out of 108 mothers, 86 (79.6%) had knowledge to initiate breast feeds immediately after delivery where as 20.4% of mothers thought that breast feeds can be fed only when baby cries. Out of 648 ThermoSpot readings, 4 mothers reported PALE GREEN once, and one mother reported RED colour once. Data was analysed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS (Version 20) software. CONCLUSIONS In the present study, lack of maternal education on essential newborn care during antenatal (5%) and postnatal periods (13%) by health personnel was found to be one of the important factors contributing to poor knowledge and implementation of essential newborn warmth care practices. As ThermoSpot is not costly (Rs. 7 p...