Node Density Estimation in VANETs Using Received Signal Power

Accurately estimating node density in Vehicular Ad hoc Networks, VANETs, is a challenging and crucial task. Various approaches exist, yet none takes advantage of physical layer parameters in a distributed fashion. This paper describes a framework that allows individual nodes to estimate the node density of their surrounding network independent of beacon messages and other infrastructure-based information. The proposal relies on three factors: 1) a discrete event simulator to estimate the average number of nodes transmitting simultaneously; 2) a realistic channel model for VANETs environment; and 3) a node density estimation technique. This work provides every vehicle on the road with two equations indicating the relation between 1) received signal strength versus simultaneously transmitting nodes, and 2) simultaneously transmitting nodes versus node density. Access to these equations enables individual nodes to estimate their real-time surrounding node density. The system is designed to work for the most complicated scenarios where nodes have no information about the topology of the network and, accordingly, the results indicate that the system is reasonably reliable and accurate. The outcome of this work has various applications and can be used for any protocol that is affected by node density

Adaptive Transmission Techniques for Mobile Satellite Links

Adapting the transmission rate in an LMS channel is a challenging task because of the relatively fast time variations, of the long delays involved, and of the difficulty in mapping the parameters of a time-varying channel into communication performance. In this paper, we propose two strategies for dealing with these impairments, namely, multi-layer coding (MLC) in the forward link, and open-loop adaptation in the return link. Both strategies rely on physical-layer abstraction tools for predicting the link performance. We will show that, in both cases, it is possible to increase the average spectral efficiency while at the same time keeping the outage probability under a given threshold. To do so, the forward link strategy will rely on introducing some latency in the data stream by using retransmissions. The return link, on the other hand, will rely on a statistical characterization of a physical-layer abstraction measure.Comment: Presented at the 30th AIAA International Communications Satellite Systems Conference (ICSSC), Ottawa, Canada, 2012. Best Professional Paper Awar

Excess Loss Model for Low Elevation Links in Urban Areas for UAVs

In this paper we analyze the link between an UAV and a ground control station in an urban area. This link shows a unique geometry which is somewhere in between the purely terrestrial (e.g., a macro-cell channel) and the land mobile satellite case (LMS). We describe a measurement campaign which reproduces the UAV link conditions and shows how the excess loss is mainly dependent on the elevation angle and fairly independent of the distance. Finally, we propose a simple physical model for predicting the excess loss based on a combination of diffracted and reflected components. Results from this model are in good agreement with the measurements

Generalized Propagation Channel Model for 2GHz Low Elevation Links Using a Ray-tracing Method

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) will increasingly be used for responding to emergencies or for law enforcement in civil surveillance applications. Transferring the enormous amounts of information from UAV-mounted cameras or sensors will require large bandwidths, unlike the information required for remotely controlling a UAV, thus necessitating higher frequency bands typically in the vicinity of 2 or 5 GHz. Novel hardware developments will need to rely on a versatile propagation channel model for the envisaged scenarios ranging from deep shadow urban areas to open fields. This paper studies more complex intermediate scenarios, which fall between the aforementioned ones, and which are more difficult to model. A semi-deterministic model, first developed for open, flat areas, has been generalized to accommodate any possible operational scenario and was tested in built-up areas. The model involves a stochastic part and a determinist which is a ray-tracing based part used to compute the long term mean (LTM) of the signal's coherent component

A propagation model for trees based on multiple scattering theory

Based on the multiple scattering theory, we derive a point scattering propagation model which allows an efficient computation of the diffuse component of the electromagnetic field scattered by a vegetation canopy. We show that our mode is in good agreement both with the original multiple scattering predictions and with measurements

Estimation of the Radio Channel Parameters using the SAGE Algorithm

This paper presents the problem of estimating the parameters of a given number of superimposed signals, as is the case of the received signal in wireless communications. Based on the description of the received signal in the frequency domain, one version of the SAGE (Space-Alternating Generalized Expectation-Maximization) algorithm is presented, allowing the estimation, for each impinging ray, the delay, azimuth, elevation and complex amplitude. Ray retrieval results are presented in synthetic channels, using data generated with the extended Saleh Valenzuela (ESV) model, and also in real channels

Lymphoma stem cells: enough evidence to support their existence?

While leukemia-originating stem cells are critical in the initiation and maintenance of leukemias, the existence of similar cell populations that may generate B-cell lymphoma upon mutation remains uncertain. Here we propose that committed lymphoid progenitor/precursor cells with an active V-D-J recombination program are the initiating cells of follicular lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma when targeted by immunoglobulin (IG)- gene translocations in the bone marrow. However, these pre-malignant lymphoma-initiating cells cannot drive complete malignant transformation, requiring additional cooperating mutations in specific stem-cell programs to be converted into the lymphoma-originating cells able to generate and sustain lymphoma development. Conversely, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and sporadic Burkitt’s lymphoma derive from B lymphocytes that acquire translocations through IG-hyper-mutation or class-switching errors within the germinal center. Although secondary reprogramming mutations are generally required, some cells such as centroblasts or memory B cells that have certain stem cell-like features, or lymphocytes with MYC rearrangements that deregulate self-renewal pathways, may bypass this need and directly function as the lymphoma-originating cells. An alternative model supports an aberrant epigenetic modification of gene sets as the first occurring hit, which either leads to retaining stem-cell features in hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells, or reprograms stemness into more committed lymphocytes, followed by secondary chromosomal translocations that eventually drive lymphoma development. Isolation and characterization of the cells that are at the origin of the different B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas will provide critical insights into the disease pathogenesis and will represent a step towards the development of more effective therapies

A Model for the Detailed Analysis of Radio Links Involving Tree Canopies

Detailed analysis of tree canopy interaction with incident radiowaves has mainly been limited to remote sensing for the purpose of forest classification among many other applications. This represents a monostatic configuration, unlike the case of communication links, which are bistatic. In general, link analyses have been limited to the application of simple, empirical formulas based on the use of specific attenuation values in dB/m and the traversed vegetated mass as, e.g., the model in Recommendation ITU-R P.833-8 [1]. In remote sensing, two main techniques are used: Multiple Scattering Theory (MST) [2][5] and Radiative Transfer Theory (RT), [5] and [6]. We have paid attention in the past to MST [7][10]. It was shown that a full application of MST leads to very long computation times which are unacceptable in the case where we have to analyze a scenario with several trees. Extensive work using MST has been also presented by others in [11][16] showing the interest in this technique. We have proposed a simplified model for scattering from tree canopies based on a hybridization of MST and a modified physical optics (PO) approach [16]. We assume that propagation through a canopy is accounted for by using the complex valued propagation constant obtained by MST. Unlike the case when the full MST is applied, the proposed approach offers significant benefits including a direct software implementation and acceptable computation times even for high frequencies and electrically large canopies. The proposed model thus replaces the coherent component in MST, significant in the forward direction, but keeps the incoherent or diffuse scattering component present in all directions. The incoherent component can be calculated within reasonable times. Here, we present tests of the proposed model against MST using an artificial single-tree scenario at 2 GHz and 10 GHz

Renal abscess after the Fontan procedure: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>The Fontan procedure is an intervention that helps to correct single ventricle physiology. There are many known long-term complications of 'Fontan physiology'. However, the occurrence of renal abscess in such patients has not yet been reported in the literature. The first generation of adults has now undergone the procedure and it is necessary to be aware of the long-term outcomes and complications associated with it.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report the case of a 22-year-old South Indian man who had developed a staphylococcal renal abscess against a background of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis, nine years after Fontan surgery. He presented to our hospital with a high-grade fever of 25-days duration but with no other symptoms. Physical examination identified costovertebral angle tenderness and pedal edema. An ultrasound scan revealed a mass in his left kidney. The results of a computed tomography scan were consistent with a renal abscess. Despite treatment with the appropriate parenteral antibiotics, there was no change in the size of the abscess and a left nephrectomy was performed as a curative procedure.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The learning points here are manifold. It is important to be aware of the possibility of renal abscess in a post-procedural patient. The early diagnosis of a septic focus in the kidneymay help to prevent the rare outcome of nephrectomy.</p