Improved decoder metrics for DS-CDMA in practical 3G systems

While 4G mobile networks have been deployed since 2008. In several of the more developed markets, 3G mobile networks are still growing with 3G having the largest market -in terms of number of users- by 2019. 3G networks are based on Direct- Sequence Code-Division Multiple-Access (DS-CDMA). DS-CDMA suffers mainly from the Multiple Access Interference (MAI) and fading. Multi-User Detectors (MUDs) and Error Correcting Codes (ECCs) are the primary means to combat MAI and fading. MUDs, however, suffer from high complexity, including most of sub-optimal algorithms. Hence, most commercial implementations still use conventional single-user matched filter detectors. This thesis proposes improved channel decoder metrics for enhancing uplink performance in 3G systems. The basic idea is to model the MAI as conditionally Gaussian, instead of Gaussian, conditioned on the users’ cross-correlations and/or the channel fading coefficients. The conditioning implies a time-dependent variance that provides enhanced reliability estimates at the decoder inputs. We derive improved log-likelihood ratios (ILLRs) for bit- and chip- asynchronous multipath fading channels. We show that while utilizing knowledge of all users’ code sequences for the ILLR metric is very complicated in chip-asynchronous reception, a simplified expression relying on truncated group delay results in negligible performance loss. We also derive an expression for the error probability using the standard Gaussian approximation for asynchronous channels for the widely used raised cosine pule shaping. Our study framework considers practical 3G systems, with finite interleaving, correlated multipath fading channel models, practical pulse shaping, and system parameters obtained from CDMA2000 standard. Our results show that for the fully practical cellular uplink channel, the performance advantage due to ILLRs is significant and approaches 3 dB

A New Approach In The Screening For Cervical Cancer Using Fourier Transform Infrared (Ftir) Spectroscopy.

Pap smear telah digunakan untuk mengesan petanda awal dan kanser serviks sejak 1940-an dan terdapat bukti yang jelas bahawa ujian Pap telah menurunkan kadar mortaliti/kematian disebabkan kanser serviks. Pap smear has been used successfully to detect precursor and cancer lesions of the uterine cervix since 1940s. There is clear evidence that Pap test has reduced mortality from cervical cancer

Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage among outpatients attending primary health care centers: a comparative study of two cities in Saudi Arabia and Egypt

AbstractEpidemiological and molecular data on community acquired methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) are still scarce in both Egypt and Saudi Arabia. There is almost no data regarding methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) prevalence in both countries. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of S. aureus and MRSA nasal carriage among outpatients attending primary health care centers in two big cities in both countries. A total of 206 nasal swabs were obtained, 103 swabs from each country. S. aureus isolates were characterized by antibiotic susceptibility, presence of mecA and PVL genes, SCCmec-typing and spa typing, the corresponding Multi locus sequence typing clonal complex was assigned for each spa type based on Ridom StaphType database. MRSA was detected in 32% of the Egyptian outpatients while it was found in 25% of the Saudi Arabian outpatients. All MRSA isolates belonged to SCCmec type V and IVa, where some isolates in Saudi Arabia remained nontypeable. Surprisingly PVL+ isolates were low in frequency: 15% of MRSA Egyptian isolates and 12% of MRSA isolates in Saudi Arabia. Two novel spa types were detected t11839 in Egypt, and t11841 in Saudi Arabia. We found 8 spa types among 20 isolates from Egypt, and 12 spa types out of 15 isolates from Saudi Arabia. Only two spa types t008 and t223 coexisted in both countries. Four clonal complexes (CC5, CC8, CC22, and CC80) were identified in both Egypt and Saudi Arabia. However, the data collected lacked a representation of isolates from different parts of each country as only one health center from each country was included, it still partially illustrates the CA-MRSA situation in both countries. In conclusion a set of control measures is required to prevent further increase in MRSA prevalence

Similar and Additive Effects of Ovariectomy and Diabetes on Insulin Resistance and Lipid Metabolism

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is among the leading causes of death in postmenopausal women. The disruption of ovarian function may contribute to the incidence of T2DM. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ovariectomy and T2DM on glucose and lipid homeostasis, perilipin levels in adipose tissues, as a lipolytic regulator, and levels of certain adipokines. Ovariectomized (OVX) rats were used as a model for postmenopausal women. The study was performed on sham, OVX, sham diabetic, and OVX diabetic female rats. The results indicated that ovariectomy alters adipose tissue metabolism through reducing perilipin content in white adipose tissue (WAT); however it has no effect on perilipin level in brown adipose tissue (BAT). OVX diabetic females suffer from serious metabolic disturbances, suggested by exacerbation of insulin resistance in terms of disrupted lipid profile, higher HOMA-IR, hyperinsulinemia, higher leptin, and lower adiponectin concentrations. These metabolic derangements may underlie the predisposition for cardiovascular disease in women after menopause. Therefore, for efficient treatment, the menopausal status of diabetic female should be addressed, and the order of events is of great importance because ovariectomy following development of diabetes has more serious complications compared to development of diabetes as result of menopause

Phytochemical analysis and evaluation of anti-hyperlipidaemic effect for ethanolic leaf extract of Equisetum ramosissimum L.: in vivo study on rats’ models

This study aims to investigate the anti-hyperlipidaemic effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Equisetum ramosissimum. 2,2-Diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl assay for antioxidants, Folin-Ciocalteu, AlCl3, and UHPLC-MS/MS analysis, focusing on phenols and flavonoid content were performed. Anti-hyperlipidemic effect of the extract on lipid profile and body weight was evaluated alone or in combination with Atorvastatin in rats. The extract was shown to contain phenols (0.032±0.001 µg/g, equivalent to gallic acid), flavonoids (0.044±0.003 mg/g, equivalent to quercetin), and antioxidant IC50 value of (1000.00±0.78 µg/mL). UHPLC-MS/MS analysis revealed the presence of 8 different phenols and flavonoids. An in vivo study on healthy standard diet-fed animals and an induced hyperlipidaemic model showed a significant (P < 0.05) reducing effect of the extract alone and in combination with Atorvastatin on serum lipid profile. These findings revealed the potential advantages of the extract alone and in combination with statins for preventing or treating hyperlipidaemia, but need to be further explored

Methodology for design decision support of cost-optimal zero-energy lightweight construction

peer reviewedThe interest to find cost-optimal zero-energy solutions for building, using multi-objective optimization, has risen dramatically over the last decade. Accordingly, several studies have been carried out, proposing new methods and tools. None, however, has introduced a simplified approach that is viable by a broader range of users. This study addresses this lack, offering a methodology that supports the decision making process on cost-optimal zero energy building, using a novel approach, namely Multi-Objective Parametric Analysis (MOPA), rather than optimization algorithms. This study adds to the domain of roof stacking construction by setting the weight of construction as a third objective. The current methodology is applied to a newly developed theoretical Reference Building (RB) for a Belgian passive roof stacking house. Different options of the building’s superstructure components (walls, roof, and windows) have been examined. MOPA follows three consecutive steps: modeling setup, parametric simulation, and ends up with evaluation and selection. The results show cost-optimal zero-energy and lightweight packages of design variables for the building envelope.DenCity Prototype: Concepts of Zero Energy 28 Lightweight Construction Households for Urban Densificatio

ZC3H11A loss of function enhances NF-κB signaling through defective IκBα protein expression

ZC3H11A is a cellular protein associated with the transcription export (TREX) complex that is induced during heat-shock. Several nuclear-replicating viruses exploit the mRNA export mechanism of ZC3H11A protein for their efficient replication. Here we show that ZC3H11A protein plays a role in regulation of NF-kappa B signal transduction. Depletion of ZC3H11A resulted in enhanced NF-kappa B mediated signaling, with upregulation of numerous innate immune related mRNAs, including IL-6 and a large group of interferon-stimulated genes. IL-6 upregulation in the absence of the ZC3H11A protein correlated with an increased NF-kappa B transcription factor binding to the IL-6 promoter and decreased IL-6 mRNA decay. The enhanced NF-kappa B signaling pathway in ZC3H11A deficient cells correlated with a defect in I kappa B alpha inhibitory mRNA and protein accumulation. Upon ZC3H11A depletion The I kappa B alpha mRNA was retained in the cell nucleus resulting in failure to maintain normal levels of the cytoplasmic I kappa B alpha mRNA and protein that is essential for its inhibitory feedback loop on NF-kappa B activity. These findings indicate towards a previously unknown mechanism of ZC3H11A in regulating the NF-kappa B pathway at the level of IkB alpha mRNA export

Higher nitric oxide levels are associated with disease activity in Egyptian rheumatoid arthritis patients

AbstractBackgroundOxidative stress generated within inflammatory joints can produce autoimmune phenomena and joint destruction. Radical species with oxidative activity, including reactive nitrogen species, represent mediators of inflammation and cartilage damage.ObjectivesTo assess serum nitric oxide as a marker of oxidative stress in Egyptian patients with rheumatoid arthritis and its relation to disease activity.MethodsEighty patients with rheumatoid arthritis were divided into 2 groups, according to the DAS-28 score: Group I: 42 patients with disease activity, and Group II: 38 patients with no disease activity. Forty age- and sex-matched individuals were included as control group (Group III). Routine laboratory investigations were done, and nitric oxide was measured using Elisa. Hand plain radiographies were done for radiological status scoring using the Sharp method.ResultsA comparison between nitric oxide in all three groups showed a highly significant difference (p < 0.001), significantly higher levels were obtained among rheumatoid arthritis patients in comparison to controls, and higher levels were obtained in patients with active disease (mean±SD 82.38±20.46) in comparison to patients without active disease (35.53±7.15). Nitric oxide in Group I showed a significant positive correlation with morning stiffness (r=0.45), arthritis (r=0.43), platelet count (r=0.46), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r=0.83), C-reactive protein (r=0.76) and Disease Activity Score (r=0.85). Nitric oxide showed a significant positive correlation (r=0.43) with hand radiographies (Sharp score) in Group I.ConclusionThere are increased levels of nitric oxide in the serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Nitric oxide correlates significantly with disease activity, inflammatory markers and radiological joint status