Space-Time-Frequency Diversity for OFDM-Based Indoor Power Line Communication

In this paper, full rate space-time-frequency coding applied to orthogonal frequency division multiplexing based power line communication systems. The proposed systems yield both time and frequency diversity and keep transmission rate full. Performances of the systems are evaluated for three conductors of low voltage indoor cables and are compared with space-frequency and space-time-frequency coding applied power line communication systems in the literature. Owing to the higher order diversity level the proposed full rate space-time-frequency systems have an increasing advantage over space-frequency systems as the SNR level above 12.5dB. On the other hand owing to transmission rate advantage the proposed full rate space-time-frequency systems can have more than 6dB gain over the other space-time-frequency coding applied power line communication systems in the literature

Protective effect of leptin against ischemia-reperfusion injury in the rat small intestine

BACKGROUND: The small intestine is extremely sensitive to ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and a range of microcirculatory disturbances which contribute to tissue damage. Previous studies have shown that leptin plays an important physiological role in the microvasculature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of leptin in I/R – induced mucosal injury in the small intestine. METHODS: Forty rats were divided into 5 groups (n = 8). Group I was subjected to a sham operation. Following mesenteric ischemia in group II (control); physiologic saline 1 cm(3), in group III; leptin 100 μg/kg, and physiologic saline 1 cm(3), in group IV; N(G)-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) 20 mg/kg, and physiologic saline 1 cm(3), in group V; leptin 100 μg/kg, L-NAME 20 mg/kg, and physiologic saline 1 cm(3 )were given intra-peritoneally. In these groups, an I/R procedure was performed by occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery for 45 min followed by 120 min reperfusion. After reperfusion, the small intestines were resected for malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) concentration and histopathologic properties. Mucosal lesions were scored between 0 and 5. Tissue MDA and NO concentration and histopathologic grades were compared statistically. RESULTS: Tissue MDA level significantly increased (P < 0.05), tissue NO level significantly decreased in group V animals, compared to group III animals respectively (P < 0.001). Histopathologically, intestinal injury significantly decreased in the leptin treated ischemic group. CONCLUSION: Leptin can be used safely in mesenteric occlusive diseases, since it induces NO formation and release in mesenteric vessels

Non-contrast cardiac computed tomography can accurately detect chronic myocardial infarction: Validation study

BackgroundThis study evaluates whether non-contrast cardiac computed tomography (CCT) can detect chronic myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with irreversible perfusion defects on nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI).MethodsOne hundred twenty-two symptomatic patients with irreversible perfusion defect (N = 62) or normal MPI (N = 60) underwent coronary artery calcium (CAC) scanning. MI on these non-contrast CCTs was visually detected based on the hypo-attenuation areas (dark) in the myocardium and corresponding Hounsfield units (HU) were measured.ResultsNon-contrast CCT accurately detected MI in 57 patients with irreversible perfusion defect on MPI, yielding a sensitivity of 92%, specificity of 72%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 90%, and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 77%. On a per myocardial region analysis, non-contrast CT showed a sensitivity of 70%, specificity of 85%, NPV of 91%, and a PPV of 57%. The ROC curve showed that the optimal cutoff value of LV myocardium HU to predict MI on non-contrast CCT was 21.7 with a sensitivity of 97.4% and specificity of 99.7%.ConclusionNon-contrast CCT has an excellent agreement with MPI in detecting chronic MI. This study highlights a novel clinical utility of non-contrast CCT in addition to assessment of overall burden of atherosclerosis measured by CAC

Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of some mosses from Turkey

Ethanolic extracts obtained from S Byrophyte species (Platyhypnidium riparioides (Hedw.) Dixon, Anomodon viticulosis (Hedw.) Hook & Taylor, Polytrichostrumformosum (Hedw.) G.L.Sm., Plasteurhynchium meridionale (Schimp.) M. Reish. and Ctenidium molluscum (Hedw.) Mitt, were tested against Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus vulgaris, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas putida. Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella typhi, Neisseria gonorhoeae, Candida albicans, Rhodotorula rubra, Kluyveromyces fragilis, Kluyveromyces marxianus and Debaryomyces hansenii by disc diffusion method. The extracts of the plants especially P. meridionale and A. viticulosis were active on all tested microorganisms

Zinc, Cadmium and Lead

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common nutritional deficiency syndrome. Lead and cadmium are major hazard elements to humans in industrialized countries. Zinc and copper are essential and play important roles in different physiologic and pathologic conditions. The aim of our study was to determine levels of serum Cu, Zn, Fe, Cd and Pb in IDA patients, and to investigate the relationship between these elements and IDA.This study was performed on 141 adults (age 18-40 years) living in the Denizli region of Turkey. Iron deficiency anemia was observed in 8 1 individuals; 60 healthy persons (without anemia) were regarded as controls. Blood samples were collected from Subjects into without anticoagulant tubes free from Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and sera were obtained. Element levels of serum were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The study took place in the Pamukkale University Faculty of Medicine in 2005.The levels of lead in serum were significantly (p0.05) differ from the control group. Cadmium level in IDA group appeared to be higher than control, but not significantly (p>0.05) different from that of the control group. Hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, red blood cell, ferritin and iron levels in subjects with IDA were significantly (p<0.001) lower than control.Serum lead concentration is high in IDA subjects versus healthy individuals. So it can be said that lead exposure may be a risk factor for the occurrence of iron deficiency anemia in humans. In addition, it can be said that iron deficiency may increase susceptibility to lead poisoning because it has been speculated that iron deficiency can cause increased absorption of lead