Relay Selection for Bidirectional AF Relay Network with Outdated CSI

Most previous researches on bidirectional relay selection (RS) typically assume perfect channel state information (CSI). However, outdated CSI, caused by the the time-variation of channel, cannot be ignored in the practical system, and it will deteriorate the performance. In this paper, the effect of outdated CSI on the performance of bidirectional amplify-and-forward RS is investigated. The optimal single RS scheme in minimizing the symbol error rate (SER) is revised by incorporating the outdated channels. The analytical expressions of end-to-end signal to noise ratio (SNR) and symbol error rate (SER) are derived in a closed-form, along with the asymptotic SER expression in high SNR. All the analytical expressions are verified by the Monte-Carlo simulations. The analytical and the simulation results reveal that once CSI is outdated, the diversity order degrades to one from full diversity. Furthermore, a multiple RS scheme is proposed and verified that this scheme is a feasible solution to compensate the diversity loss caused by outdated CSI.Comment: accepted by IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technolog

2-(2,3-Difluoro­phen­yl)ethyl toluene-4-sulfonate

In the title compound, C15H14F2O3S, the dihedral angle between the aromatic rings is 6.19 (13)°. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, generating [110] chains

Advances in PNP-ligated rare-earth-metal complexes: Reactivity and catalytic performances

Due to the large ionic radius and high electro-positivity nature, rare earth metal complexes are difficult to stabilize and undergo pathways like ligand redistribution and intramolecular C-H activation. To solve such problems and retain reactive versatility, rare earth complexes supported by a variety of tridentate PNP pincer ligands have been explored. Such complexes can serve as perfect precursors for preparing ultra-active rare earth species containing two metal-carbon bands, let alone Ln=N and Ln=P multiple bonds. In addition, the combined stability and activity of the cation rare earth mediates made them the best catalysts for the polymerization of olefins and other non-polar hydrocarbon monomers, especially conjugated dienes. The practical utilization of rare earth metal catalysts for new materials production have also extensively explored by experts from the academic and industries

Effects of force–load on cortical activity preceding voluntary finger movement: Whole-scalp magnetoencephalography of the Bereitschaftsfeld

Neural activity preceding force-loaded voluntary finger movement (the Bereitschaftsfeld) was recorded using 143-channel whole-scalp magnetoencephalography (MEG) in order to determine how the level of force produced during voluntary finger movement is represented in activity over different premovement time intervals localized to different cortical areas. Eighteen healthy subjects performed voluntary right index-finger extension movements against an inertial load of either 0, 100, or 200 g. Results showed that the earliest component of premovement activity, beginning between 1.5 and 1.0 s prior to movement and localized to the central midline around the region of supplementary/cingulate motor areas, was not modulated by the level of force required for movement. However, later premovement activity, occurring between 500 and 200 ms prior to movement onset, was significantly greater for the highest force movements compared with both intermediate (p < 0.05) and no weight-load conditions (p < 0.01). This component was localized to primary sensorimotor cortical areas, with greater source strength on the left side contralateral to movement. Results indicate that, although early premovement activity of the supplementary/cingulate motor areas does not appear to encode movement force, later premovement activity of the primary motor cortex is significantly greater for movements made with more force, not only during movement execution but also up to 500 ms prior in readiness for intended movements of greater force

Pf-Rel could bind to the promoter of <i>Nacrein</i> (EMSA).

<p>Nuclear proteins extracted from the gills of <i>P</i>. <i>fucata</i> were incubated with oligonucleotide probes labelled with DIG-ddNTP to perform EMSAs. Lane 1: labelled DNA probes, nuclear protein and antibody of Pf-Rel. Lane 2: labelled DNA probes and nuclear protein. Lane 3: labelled DNA probes. Lane 4: unlabelled DNA probes and nuclear protein. Lane 5: positive control. Band a: free DNA. Band b: DNA and Pf-Rel. Band c: DNA, Pf-Rel and antibody of Pf-Rel. Band d: DNA, Pf-Rel and other interactive nuclear protein. Band e: positive control band. Compared to Lane 2, there is a super shift after Pf-Rel antibody was added in Lane 1, suggesting that Pf-Rel present in the total nuclear protein extracts is capable of binding to the <i>Nacrein</i> promoter probes.</p

The Effect of NF-κB Signalling Pathway on Expression and Regulation of Nacrein in Pearl Oyster, <i>Pinctada fucata</i>

<div><p>Nacrein is the first identified and widely investigated molluscan matrix protein and is considered to play an important role in the shell formation of the pearl oyster, <i>Pinctada fucata</i>. Here, we investigate the effect of the NF-κB signalling pathway on <i>Nacrein</i> gene expression in <i>P</i>. <i>fucata</i> to elucidate the mechanisms involved in shell formation. Inhibition of NF-κB signalling decreased <i>Nacrein</i> promoter-dependent luciferase activity. However, co-transfection of the <i>Nacrein</i> promoter vector with Pf-IKK or Pf-Rel expression plasmids could enhance luciferase activity, thus proving NF-κB signalling could regulate the transcriptional activity of the <i>Nacrein</i> promoter. Gene silencing by RNA interference and subsequent observation of the inner surface of the nacreous layer of oyster shells by SEM, showed that suppression of the gene <i>Pf-Rel</i> lead to a partial inhibition of Nacrein expression, not only at the mRNA level but also at the protein level. The inner surface of the shells became abnormal. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) revealed that Pf-Rel could directly bind to the relative sites of the <i>Nacrein</i> promoter. These results confirm that an important component of the NF-κB signalling pathway, Pf-Rel, can directly bind the <i>Nacrein</i> promoter in <i>P</i>. <i>fucata</i>, and regulate its transcription and shell formation.</p></div

<i>Nacrein</i> promoter is transcriptionally active.

<p>Different amounts of pGL3-<i>Nacrein</i> plasmid (0, 0.4 μg, 0.8 μg, 1.6 μg) was transfected into Hela cells and promoter-dependent Luciferase activity was measured. We used Renilla as an internal reference. Empty pGL-3 Basic plasmid was used to keep the total amount of plasmid the same in each group. Each reaction was completed in triplicate. Luciferase activity increased as the dose of pGL3-<i>Nacrein</i> luciferase vector increased, confirming that the constructed pGL3-<i>Nacrein</i> promoter plasmid is transcriptionally active. Significant differences were identified by One-way ANOVA. The symbol “*” indicates a significant reduction (P < 0.05), compared to control, which was transfected with pGL-3 Basic alone.</p