Slepian-Wolf-Cover theorem for networks of channels

Given a general network of discrete memoryless independent channels with multiple supply nodes and a single sink node, a Slepian-Wolf-Cover type of problem of transmitting multiple correlated informations through the network from the supply nodes to the sink node is considered from the source-channel matching point of view. By introducing the concept of achievable network, we give the necessary and sufficient condition for a network to be achievable, while making full use of the polymatroidal property of the capacity function of the network as well as the co-polymatroidal property of the correlated sources

Distributed Generalized Low-Density Codes for Multiple Relay Cooperative Communications

As a class of pseudorandom error correcting codes, generalized low-density (GLD) codes exhibit excellent performance over both additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) and Rayleigh fading channels. In this paper, distributed GLD codes are proposed for multiple relay cooperative communications. Specifically, using the partial error detecting and error correcting capabilities of the GLD code, each relay node decodes and forwards some of the constituent codes of the GLD code to cooperatively form a distributed GLD code, which can work effectively and keep a fixed overall code rate when the number of relay nodes varies. Also, at relay nodes, a progressive processing procedure is proposed to reduce the complexity and adapt to the source-relay channel variations. At the destination, the soft information from different paths is combined for the GLD decoder thus diversity gain and coding gain are achieved simultaneously. Simulation results verify that distributed GLD codes with various number of relay nodes can obtain significant performance gains in quasistatic fading channels compared with the strategy without relays and the performance is further improved when more relays are employed

The Role of SnO2 on Electrocatalytic Activity of PtSn Catalysts

In our previous paper, we described in detail studies of Sn influence on electrocatalytic activity of PtSn catalyst for CO and formic acid oxidation (StevanoviAc et al., J. Phys. Chem. C, 118 (2014) 278-289). The catalyst was composed of a Pt phase, Pt3Sn alloy and very small SnO2 particles. Different electrochemical treatment enabled studies of PtSn/C having Sn both in surface and subsurface layers and skeleton structure of this catalyst with Sn only in subsurface layers. The results obtained revealed the promotional effect of surface Sn whether alloyed or as oxide above all in preventing accumulation of CO and blocking the surface Pt atoms. As a consequence, in formic acid oxidation, the currents are not entering the plateau but increasing constantly until reaching a maximum. It was concluded that at lower potentials the effect of Sn on formic acid oxidation was predominantly electronic but with increasing the potential bi-functional mechanism prevailed due to the leading role of SnO2. This role of SnO2 is restated in the present study. Therefore, CO and formic acid oxidation were examined at PtSnO2/C catalyst. The catalyst was synthesised by the same microwave-assisted polyol procedure. According to XRD analysis, the catalyst is composed of a Pt phase and SnO2 phase. The reactions were examined on PtSnO2/C catalyst treated on the same way as PtSn/C. Comparing the results obtained, the role of SnO2 is confirmed and at the same time the significance of alloyed Sn and its electronic effect is revealed

RPGRIP1L mutations are mainly associated with the cerebello-renal phenotype of Joubert syndrome-related disorders

Joubert syndrome-related disorders (JSRDs) are autosomal recessive pleiotropic conditions sharing a peculiar cerebellar and brainstem malformation known as the 'molar tooth sign' (MTS). Recently, mutations in a novel ciliary gene, RPGRIP1L, have been shown to cause both JSRDs and Meckel-Gruber syndrome. We searched for RPGRIP1L mutations in 120 patients with proven MTS and phenotypes representative of all JSRD clinical subgroups. Two homozygous mutations, the previously reported p.T615P in exon 15 and the novel c.2268_2269delA in exon 16, were detected in 2 of 16 families with cerebello-renal presentation ( approximately 12%). Conversely, no pathogenic changes were found in patients with other JSRD phenotypes, suggesting that RPGRIP1L mutations are largely confined to the cerebello-renal subgroup, while they overall represent a rare cause of JSRD (<2%)

Nonlinear Quantum Mechanics

We model the dynamics of electrons in doped quantum wells driven by terahertz radiation and a superlattice biased by a dc voltage. We compute coherent, self-consistent electron states, density matrix equations of motion, and dipole absorption spectra. The model simultaneously accounts for intersubband transitions and many nonlinear phenomena that have been observed in these systems. We predict a bistable response for strong terahertz fields and bifurcations to coherent time-periodic quantum states. These bifurcation include, period-doubling bifurcations, producing a subharmonic response, Hopf bifurcations producing an incommensurate frequency response, and a cascade of period doubling bifurcations to a strange attractor. We also see a cascade of quasi-periodic orbits on the Hopf torus to a strange attractor. These bifurcation have been difficult to measure in single quantum wells. Therefore we design super-lattice heterostructures of quantum wells where these bifurcations occur and are easier to measure.Non UBCUnreviewedAuthor affiliation: Univ. of California, Santa BarbaraFacult

Expanding CEP290 mutational spectrum in ciliopathies.

Ciliopathies are an expanding group of rare conditions characterized by multiorgan involvement, that are caused by mutations in genes encoding for proteins of the primary cilium or its apparatus. Among these genes, CEP290 bears an intriguing allelic spectrum, being commonly mutated in Joubert syndrome and related disorders (JSRD), Meckel syndrome (MKS), Senior-Loken syndrome and isolated Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). Although these conditions are recessively inherited, in a subset of patients only one CEP290 mutation could be detected. To assess whether genomic rearrangements involving the CEP290 gene could represent a possible mutational mechanism in these cases, exon dosage analysis on genomic DNA was performed in two groups of CEP290 heterozygous patients, including five JSRD/MKS cases and four LCA, respectively. In one JSRD patient, we identified a large heterozygous deletion encompassing CEP290 C-terminus that resulted in marked reduction of mRNA expression. No copy number alterations were identified in the remaining probands. The present work expands the CEP290 genotypic spectrum to include multiexon deletions. Although this mechanism does not appear to be frequent, screening for genomic rearrangements should be considered in patients in whom a single CEP290 mutated allele was identified