Capacity of a POST Channel with and without Feedback

We consider finite state channels where the state of the channel is its previous output. We refer to these as POST (Previous Output is the STate) channels. We first focus on POST($\alpha$) channels. These channels have binary inputs and outputs, where the state determines if the channel behaves as a $Z$ or an $S$ channel, both with parameter $\alpha$. %with parameter $\alpha.$ We show that the non feedback capacity of the POST($\alpha$) channel equals its feedback capacity, despite the memory of the channel. The proof of this surprising result is based on showing that the induced output distribution, when maximizing the directed information in the presence of feedback, can also be achieved by an input distribution that does not utilize of the feedback. We show that this is a sufficient condition for the feedback capacity to equal the non feedback capacity for any finite state channel. We show that the result carries over from the POST($\alpha$) channel to a binary POST channel where the previous output determines whether the current channel will be binary with parameters $(a,b)$ or $(b,a)$. Finally, we show that, in general, feedback may increase the capacity of a POST channel

The Meaning of Sexuality for Javaneese Adolecent at Senior High School, North Surabaya

Introduction: One of reproductive health issues on adolescent in developing countries was sexuality. Issues of sexuality was multifactor, such as cultural factors. Cultural barriers affect the socialization of reproductive health and sexual education in adolescents, because it was considered taboo to talk about it. Method: This study was a qualitative study. The number of informants as many as 10 adolescent students, one community leader, 2 parent of adolescents, 2 teachers. The data shown is obtained from in-depth interviews. Data were then analyzed by using interactive analysis model, including data reduction, data display, and conclusion. Result: The result had shown that 1) perceptions of sexuality was understood as sexual intercourse or physical activity that was driven by the desire to the opposite sex, perceptions about adolescent promiscuity with regard to sexuality was seen as something that very concern because beyond norms and customs, many sexuality information was obtained from school environment such as peers, media, environment (in this case was people around the house) and none got information from the parents, and the norms-values -culture were believed as self-control in activities related to sexuality such as relationship; 2) adolecent\u27s behavior related to sexuality was associated with relationship and still done normatively, infl uenced by eastern culture, there was no informant who had sexual intercourse before marriage; 3) psychosexual of adolescent, were affected by social relationships in their environment at home, including closeness to parents, norms, values learned at home. Discussion: Based on the research results can be given suggestions that one of them needed to talk openly about sex and sexuality information to youth

Evaluasi penggunaan tepung cangkang rajungan sebagai bahan baku pakan juwana udang windu Penaeus monodon

ABSTRACT Feeding trial was conducted to determine the optimum dietary level of the crab shell meal (CSM) for replacement of fish meal (FM) for growth and survival rate of black tiger shrimp larvae. The shrimp (initial weight: 0,0134±0,02 g) were fed with six experimental diet for six weeks which were formulated to replace FM protein by with CSM at various substitution levels: diet A (0% CSM substitution level), diet B (25% CSM substitution level), diet C (50% CSM substitution level), diet D (75% CSM substitution level), diet E (100% CSM substitution level), diet F (commercial diet). Results from the feeding trial indicates that the shrimp fed with all treatment diet were not significantly different in weight gain and FCR. However, survival rate on the shrimp fed with diet F was significantly different to the other groups. The present study conclude that CSM could be used as protein ingredient in the diet of monodon shrimp juvenile. Keywords: replacement, crabs shell meal, fish meal, black tiger shrimp, survival rate  ABSTRAK Penelitian pakan dilakukan untuk menentukan dosis optimum tepung cangkang rajungan (TCR) untuk mengganti tepung ikan (TI) dalam pakan terhadap pertumbuhan dan kelangsungan hidup larva udang windu. Udang windu (berat awal: 0,00134±0,02 g ) diberi pakan uji selama enam minggu yang diformulasi untuk mengganti TI dengan tingkat persentasi penggantian TCR dengan desain formulasi pakan A (0% substitusi TCR), pakan B (25% substitusi TCR), pakan C (50% substitusi TCR), pakan D (75% substitusi TCR), pakan E (100% substitusi TCR), dan pakan F (pakan komersial) sebagai pakan kontrol. Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa udang yang diberi pakan untuk semua perlakuan tidak memberikan pengaruh nyata terhadap pertumbuhan dan laju pertumbuhan harian. Akan tetapi kelompok udang yang diberi pakan F berpengaruh nyata terhadap kelangsungan hidup dibanding dengan perlakuan lainnya. Hasil penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa tepung cangkang rajungan dapat digunakan sebagai bahan pakan sumber protein dalam pakan juvenile udang windu. Kata kunci: penggantian bahan, tepung cangkang rajungan, tepung ikan, udang wind

Preclinical Models of Cancer Therapy-Associated Cardiovascular Toxicity:A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Although cardiovascular toxicity from traditional chemotherapies has been well recognized for decades, the recent explosion of effective novel targeted cancer therapies with cardiovascular sequelae has driven the emergence of cardio-oncology as a new clinical and research field. Cardiovascular toxicity associated with cancer therapy can manifest as a broad range of potentially life-threatening complications, including heart failure, arrhythmia, myocarditis, and vascular events. Beyond toxicology, the intersection of cancer and heart disease has blossomed to include discovery of genetic and environmental risk factors that predispose to both. There is a pressing need to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular toxicity to improve outcomes in patients with cancer. Preclinical cardiovascular models, ranging from cellular assays to large animals, serve as the foundation for mechanistic studies, with the ultimate goal of identifying biologically sound biomarkers and cardioprotective therapies that allow the optimal use of cancer treatments while minimizing toxicities. Given that novel cancer therapies target specific pathways integral to normal cardiovascular homeostasis, a better mechanistic understanding of toxicity may provide insights into fundamental pathways that lead to cardiovascular disease when dysregulated. The goal of this scientific statement is to summarize the strengths and weaknesses of preclinical models of cancer therapy-associated cardiovascular toxicity, to highlight overlapping mechanisms driving cancer and cardiovascular disease, and to discuss opportunities to leverage cardio-oncology models to address important mechanistic questions relevant to all patients with cardiovascular disease, including those with and without cancer.</p

Saudi SCD patients’ symptoms and quality of life relative to the number of ED visits

Background Individuals living with sickle cell disease (SCD) have significantly increased emergency department (ED) use compared to the general population. In Saudi Arabia, health care is free for all individuals and therefore has no bearing on increased ED visits. However, little is known about the relationship between quality of life (QoL) and frequency of acute care utilization in this patient population. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 366 patients with SCD who attended the outpatient department at King Fahad Hospital, Hofuf, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected through self-administered surveys, which included: demographics, SCD-related ED visits, clinical issues, and QoL levels. We assessed the ED use by asking for the number of SCD-related ED visits within a 6-month period. Results The self-report survey of ED visits was completed by 308 SCD patients. The median number of SCD-related ED visits within a 6-month time period (IQR) was four (2-7 visits). According to the unadjusted negative binomial model, the rate of SCD-related ED visits increased by (46, 39.3, 40, and 53.5 %) for patients with fever, skin redness with itching, swelling, and blood transfusion, respectively. Poor QoL tends to increase the rate of SCD-related ED visits. Well education and poor general health positively influenced the rate of SCD-related ED visits. Well education tends to increase the rate of SCD-related ED visits by 50.2 %. The rate of SCD-related ED visits decreased by 1.4 % for every point increase in general health. Conclusion Saudi patients with sickle cell disease reported a wide range of SCD-related ED visits. It was estimated that six of 10 SCD patients had at least three ED visits within a 6-month period. Well education and poor general health resulted in an increase in the rate of SCD-related ED visits

Depression and loneliness in Jamaicans with sickle cell disease

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the commonest genetic disorder in Jamaica, and has life-long implications for those afflicted with it. It is well known that depression and loneliness may exist in those with chronic diseases, but the coexistence of depression and loneliness in people with sickle cell disease is not clear. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with depression and loneliness in the Jamaica Sickle Cell Cohort Study and its age and sex matched controls.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>277 patients with SCD and 65 controls were administered a questionnaire that studied demographics, disease severity, depression, and loneliness. Regression analyses were done to examine relationships between outcomes and associated variables.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Depression was found in 21.6% of patients and 9.4% in controls. Loneliness scores were also significantly higher in patients (16.9 ± 5.1) than in controls (14.95 ± 4.69). Depression was significantly associated with unemployment [OR = 2.9, p-value: < 0.001], whereas unemployment (p-value: 0.002), and lower educational attainment were significantly associated with loneliness.</p> <p>In patients with SCD, depression was significantly associated with being unemployed (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.2,4.6, p-value:0.01), presence of a leg ulcer (OR = 3.8, 95% CI: 1.7, 8.4, p-value: 0.001), frequent visits (OR = 3.3, 95% CI: 1.2, 8.9, p-value: 0.019), and frequent painful crises (OR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.1, 5.8, p-value: 0.035). Not being employed (Coef.: 2.0; p-value: 0.004) and higher educational attainment (tertiary vs. primary education, Coef.: -5.5; p-value: < 0.001) were significant associations with loneliness after adjusting for genotype.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Health workers need to actively look for and manage these problems to optimize their patients' total biopsychosocial care.</p