136 research outputs found
Self-organisation in LTE networks : an investigation
Mobile telecommunications networks based on Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology
promise faster throughput to their users. LTE networks are however susceptible
to a phenomenon known as inter-cell interference which can greatly reduce the
throughput of the network causing unacceptable degradation of performance for cell
edge users.
A number of approaches to mitigating or minimising inter-cell interference have
been presented in the literature such as randomisation, cancellation and coordination.
The possibility of coordination between network nodes in an LTE network is
made possible through the introduction of the X2 network link.
This thesis explores approaches to reducing the effect of inter-cell interference on
the throughput of LTE networks by using the X2 link to coordinate the scheduling
of radio resources. Three approaches to the reduction of inter-cell interference were
developed. Localised organisation is a centralised scheme in which a scheduler is
optimised by a Genetic Algorithm (GA) to reduce interference. Networked organisation
makes use of the X2 communications link to enable the network nodes to
exchange scheduling information in a way that lowers the level of interference across
the whole network. Finally a more distributed and de-centralised approach is taken
in which each of the network nodes optimises its own scheduling in coordination
with its neighbours.
An LTE network simulator was built to allow for experimental comparison between
these techniques and a number of existing approaches and to serve as a test
bed for future algorithm development. These approaches were found to significantly
improve the throughput of the cell edge users who were most affected by intereference.
In particular the networked aspect of these approaches yielded the best initial
results showing clear improvement over the existing state of the art. The distributed
approach shows significant promise given further development.EPSR
Table_1_Bilirubin and postpartum depression: an observational and Mendelian randomization study.xlsx
BackgroundPostpartum depression (PPD) is one of the most common complications of delivery and is usually disregarded. Several risk factors of PPD have been identified, but its pathogenesis has not been completely understood. Serum bilirubin has been found to be a predictor of depression, whose relationship with PPD has not been investigated.MethodsObservational research was performed followed by a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. From 2017 to 2020, the clinical data of pregnant women were retrospectively extracted. Logistic regression and random forest algorithm were employed to assess the risk factors of PPD, including the serum levels of total bilirubin and direct bilirubin. To further explore their potential causality, univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MVMR) were conducted. Sensitivity analyses for MR were performed to test the robustness of causal inference.ResultsA total of 1,810 patients were included in the PPD cohort, of which 631 (34.87%) were diagnosed with PPD. Compared with the control group, PPD patients had a significantly lower level of total bilirubin (9.2 μmol/L, IQR 7.7, 11.0 in PPD; 9.7 μmol/L, IQR 8.0, 12.0 in control, P ConclusionOur results suggested that decreased total bilirubin was associated with the incidence of PPD. Future studies are warranted to investigate its potential mechanisms and illuminate the pathogenesis of PPD.</p
Comparison of the extent of pulmonary abnormalities in pMDR and DS TB <sup>a</sup>.
<p>Comparison of the extent of pulmonary abnormalities in pMDR and DS TB <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0176354#t003fn001" target="_blank"><sup>a</sup></a>.</p
Subgroup analysis for association between biospecimen long-chain n-3 PUFA and risk of colorectal cancer.
<p>Abbreviations: LC n-3: long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (C20: 5n-3+C22: 5n-3+C22: 6n-3); SRR: summary risk ratio; PC: prospective cohort study; CC: case-control study.</p>a<p><i>N</i>, number of included studies.</p>b<p><i>P</i> value for heterogeneity within subgroup.</p>c<p><i>P</i> value for heterogeneity between subgroups with meta-regression analysis.</p><p>Subgroup analysis for association between biospecimen long-chain n-3 PUFA and risk of colorectal cancer.</p
Primary multidrug-resistant tuberculosis versus drug-sensitive tuberculosis in non-HIV-infected patients: Comparisons of CT findings
<div><p>Background</p><p>Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis has emerged as a global threat. The aim of this work was to compare the CT findings of primary multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and drug-sensitive tuberculosis in non-AIDS adults.</p><p>Material and methods</p><p>From January 2012 to February 2016, 89 patients with primary multidrug-resistant tuberculosis were retrospectively reviewed, and 89 consecutive drug sensitive TB patients with no history of anti-tuberculous chemotherapy from January 2014 to November 2014 were enrolled as control group. All patients were seronegative for HIV. The patients’ demographic data and the locations, frequency and patterns of lung lesions on chest CT were compared.</p><p>Results</p><p>Gender and frequency of diabetes were similar between the two groups. The mean age of primary multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients was younger than that of drug-sensitive tuberculosis (39.0 vs 47.5, P = 0.005). Lung cavitary nodules or masses were more frequently observed and also showed greater extent in primary multidrug-resistant tuberculosis compared with drug-sensitive tuberculosis. The extent of bronchiectasis was significantly greater in primary multidrug-resistant tuberculosis than in drug-sensitive tuberculosis. Calcification, large nodules and calcified lymph nodes were more frequent in drug-sensitive tuberculosis.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Characteristic chest CT findings may help differentiate between primary multi-drug resistant tuberculosis and drug-sensitive tuberculosis in patients without HIV infection.</p></div
Primary multidrug-resistant TB in a 29-year-old man.
<p>A lung window of a transverse thin-section CT scan (1.25-mm-section thickness) showing multiple cavities in both lungs.</p
PRISMA Flow Diagram for included prospective cohort and case-control studies.
<p>PRISMA Flow Diagram for included prospective cohort and case-control studies.</p
Demographics of patients with primary MDR TB and DS TB<sup>a</sup>.
<p>Demographics of patients with primary MDR TB and DS TB<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0176354#t001fn001" target="_blank"><sup>a</sup></a>.</p
Effects of resveratrol supplementation on risk factors of non-communicable diseases: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
<p>The results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating resveratrol supplementation on risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have been inconsistent. The present meta-analysis aimed to quantitatively evaluate the effects of resveratrol intervention on risk factors of NCDs. PubMed and Scopus databases were searched up to June 2017. Weighted mean differences were calculated for net changes in risk factors of NCDs by using a random-effects model. Pre-specified subgroup and univariate meta-regression analyses were carried out to explore the sources of heterogeneity. Twenty-nine studies (30 treatment arms) with 1069 participants were identified. Resveratrol supplementation significantly reduced the concentrations of fasting glucose (−4.77 mg/dL; 95% CI: −9.33 to −0.21 mg/dL; <i>P</i> = 0.040), total cholesterol (TC) (−9.75 mg/dL; 95% CI: −17.04 to −2.46 mg/dL; <i>P</i> = 0.009), and C-reactive protein (CRP) (−0.81 mg/L; 95% CI: −1.42 to −0.21 mg/L; <i>P</i> = 0.009). Resveratrol intervention exerted significant reductions in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Subgroup analysis also showed that the trials with resveratrol intervention ≥3 months significantly reduced the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), DBP, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values. The results did not support that resveratrol intervention had favorable effects in altering high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride (TAG), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The present study provides substantial evidence that resveratrol supplementation has favorable effects on several risk factors of NCDs.</p
Pooled effect size of n-3 PUFAs supplementation on CRP in chronic autoimmune disease.
<p>WMD, weighted mean difference.</p
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