Improving NOMA Multi-Carrier Systems with Intentional Frequency Offsets

In this letter, we investigate the possible benefits of asynchrony in the frequency domain for the non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) schemes. Despite the common perspective that asynchrony in transmission or reception of multi-stream signals is harmful, we demonstrate the advantages of adding intentional frequency offset to the conventional power domain-NOMA (P-NOMA). We introduce two methods which add artificial frequency offsets between different sets of sub-carriers destined for different users. The first one uses the same successive interference cancellation (SIC) method as the conventional P-NOMA except that it enjoys reduced inter-user interference (IUI) between interfering sub-carriers. The second scheme adopts a precoding at the base station and a linear preprocessing scheme at the receiving user. It decomposes the broadcast channel into parallel channels circumventing the need for SIC. As a result, it fully exploits the advantages provided by the frequency asynchrony and enables the interference-free transmission to the users. The numerical results show that both methods can outperform the conventional P-NOMA

Effect of metformin on the spatial memory in aged rats

Background: Aging process is often accompanied with some degree of decline in all the abilities, including learning and memory. One of the attracting research fields has been devoted to finding antiaging drugs. Metformin has shown some memory-enhancing features in aged humans and laboratory animals. Aims and Objective: To evaluate the effects of 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg of metformin on the spatial memory performance of aged rats in the Morris water maze. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two male 24-month-old rats were divided randomly into four groups (n = 8) including control group and 50-, 75-, and 100-mg/kg metformin groups. After 36 days of treatment, the learning process was assessed by the reference memory task in the Morris water maze. All the rats received water maze training (four trials/day for 5 days) to assess the hippocampal-dependent spatial learning and, then, received a 60-s probe trial test of spatial memory retention 24 h after the twentieth trial. Result: Over 5 days of training, metformin (50, 75, and 100 mg/kg/day) treatment significantly reduced the latency and path length to find the escape platform (P < 0.01). In probe trials (without platform), on the last day of training, the metformin-treated groups spent significantly longer time in the platform quadrant when compared with the control group. Among the treated groups, 100 mg/kg dosage of metformin induced the best rehearsals memory (P < 0.05). Conclusion: These results showed that, in the old rats, 36-day orally administered metformin showed a positive influence on the spatial memory performance in the Morris water maze. © 2015 Farzaneh Ganji

Effect of short time captopril administration on spatial memory in aging rats

Introduction: The brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been reported having a pathological role in age-related impairment in learning and memory. Therefore, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) are expected to have positive ef fects on memory. Longtime treatment with captopril (an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor) significantly attenuates the age-related impairment in learning and memory. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 24 month old male Wistar rats were divided into four experimental groups (n=8). Captopril treated groups received daily ip injections of captopril at doses of 5, 10, 15 mg/kg/day for one week, the forth group served as control and remained untreated. Learning process was assessed by the reference memory task in the Morris water maze. All rats received water maze training (4 trials/day for 5 days) to assess hippocampal dependent spatial learning and then received a 60-s probe test of spatial memory retention 24 h after the 20th trial. Results: Over 5 days of training, captopril 5, 10, 15 mg/kg/day treatment signi ficantly reduced the latency and path length to finding the escape platform. In probe trails (without platform), on the last day of training, the captopril -treated group spent significantly longer time in the platform quadrant than control animals. Among treated group, 10 /mg/Kg dosage of captopril induced the best rehearsals memory. Conclusion: These results confirm the previous studies that ACEi have a positive influence on memory and it was noticeable that even short time treatment by captopril can improve spatial memory in the aged rats. © 2015, Iranian Society of Physiology and Pharmacology. All rights reserved

Trellis-Coded Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access

In this letter, we propose a trellis-coded non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) scheme. The signals for different users are produced by trellis coded modulation (TCM) and then superimposed on different power levels. By interpreting the encoding process via the tensor product of trellises, we introduce a joint detection method based on the Viterbi algorithm. Then, we determine the optimal power allocation between the two users by maximizing the free distance of the tensor product trellis. Finally, we manifest that the trellis-coded NOMA outperforms the uncoded NOMA at high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)

Effect of vitamin C and quercetin treatment on the liver histopathologic profile in congenital lead exposed male rat pups

Introduction: Lead is one of the most important environmental pollutants due to its vast use in various industries. Lead accumulation in different organs, especially the brain, liver and kidneys can cause serious health problems. Lead exposure is more dangerous during fetal period and childhood. Materials and Methods: Timed pregnant female rats divided into 6 groups. Group 1served as control group and received tap water, group 2 received 500 mg/liter lead acetate in the drinking water from 5th day of gestation up to 25th day post-partum, group 3 received the same dose of lead acetate along with daily IP injection of 40mg/kg quercetin, Group 4 received the same dose of lead acetate along with 2g/liter vitamin C, groups 5 and 6 received vitamin C and quercetin respectively like groups 2 and 3 but without lead acetate. On the 25th day postpartum, 6 male pups in each group were deeply anesthetized by chloroform; livers were removed and processed for Hematoxyline- Eosin staining. The microscopic slides were photographed and liver tissue morphological characteristics were evaluated. Results: Lead exposure caused extensive histopathologic changes in liver tissue including hepatocyte degradation, cell nucleus bifurcation and inflammation around hepatic veins. Quercetin and vitamin C treatment could prevent these pathologic changes to a considerable extent. Conclusion: Vitamin C in drinking water and quercetin via IP injection could protect the liver tissue against lead hepatotoxic effects. © 2015, Iranian Society of Physiology and Pharmacology. All rights reserved

Effects of N-acetyl cysteine on serum lipoprotein (a) and proteinuria in type 2 diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND About 30-40% of diabetic patients who developed nephropathy have lipoprotein disorders, especially lipoprotein a [Lp(a)], which is related to atherosclerosis. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) on the serum levels of Lp(a) and amount of proteinuria in a group of type 2 diabetic patients with diabetic nephropathy. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 40, type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients, patients with proteinuria, were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group was treated by NAC (1200 mg/day) for two months in conjunction with conventional treatment for diabetes and hypertension. Control group received routine medications. RESULTS No significant change was identified in serum Lp(a) during treatment with NAC (P >0.05). However, NAC decreased the amount of proteinuria, serum triglyceride (TG) level and systolic blood pressure in experimental group compared to the control group (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that treatment with NAC has no significant effect on the serum level of Lp (a). However, it has beneficial effects on the reduction of proteinuria, serum TG level and systolic blood pressure in T2D patients with nephropathy. Further prospective studies are needed to determine its full role

DIFFUSING CAPACITY FOR LUNG CARBON MONOXIDE (DLCO) IN CHEMICAL LUNG INJURIES DUE TO THE USE OF MUSTARD GAS IN THE POISONED SOLDIERS OF IRAN-IRAQ WAR 2006

Objectives: To assess the Mustard gas exposure effects on pulmonary system, particularly on diffusing capacity for lung carbon monoxide (DLCO) and simple spirometry. Methodology: Sixty-five sulfur mustard-poisoned soldiers from Mostazafan and Janbazan organization were referred to our center in 2005. Complete history, physical examination, chest X ray, Echocardiography, Arterial blood gas, high - resolution computerized tomography, diffusion capacity for lung carbon monoxide and spirometry of these were performed and compared this result with normal value. Results: The mean value of indices in studied injured subjects was: Spirometry: forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) = 70.4, Forced vital capacity (FVC) = 66.5, EFE 25-75=81.1, FEV1/FVC=101.9, Flow 25% = 28.7, Flow 50%=72.9, Flow 75%=100.1, Sample volume: Functional residual capacity of lungs (FRC) = 131.5, residual volume (RV) = 157.3, RV/TLC=169.1, Total lung capacity (TLC) = 91.3, KCO=131.6, TLCO=116.3. No significant correlation was observed between TLCO values with HRCT, echocardiography, ABG and spirometry values (P>0.05). Conclusion: We recommend TLCO & RV/TLV tests to assess severity of Injuries as there is no a suitable criterion to measure the real consequences of mustard gas on affected combatants. and Biological markers are also needed to determine cause-effect relations

Prevalence of fungi in patients with allergic rhinitis in Shahrekord, Iran (2009)

Background and Objective: The identification of fungi agents causes allergic rhinitis is crucial for the appropriate diagnosis prophylaxis and treatment of patients suffering from the disease. This study was done to evaluate the prevalence of fungi in patients with allergic rhinitis in Shahrekord, Iran. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was done on 124 patients whom referred to Kashani hospital in Shahrekord, Iran during 2009. 62 patients with allergic rhinitis were selected as case group and 62 patients without allergic rhinitis were considered as controls. Direct smear and culture of nasal secretion were performed to identify the fungi. Also IgE level's were measured for all participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16, Chi-Square and independent t-tests. Results: The fungi from culture medium of nose exeretion were isolated from 15 (24%) cases and 5 persons (8%) in control group. The most common isolated fungi were Aspergillus (8%) and Penicillinum (6.5%). In direct smear the fungi agent were found in 23% and 8% in case and control groups respectively. The IgE titre in 31% of cases with allergic rhinitis was higher than 100 IU/mL, but this titre of IgE only was seen in 4.8% of control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that the fungi can be considered as induce of allergic rhinitis

The response of tinea capitis to treatment with a two-week oral terbinafine

زمینه و هدف: درماتوفیتوز سر عبارت‌ است‌ از عفونت‌ قارچی‌ پوست‌ سر که‌ در اثر تهاجم‌ درماتوفیت‌ها به‌ ساقه‌ مو ایجاد می شود. از میان‌ درماتوفیت‌های‌ پاتوژن‌ فقط انواع‌ میکروسپوروم‌ و ترایکوفایتون‌ باعث‌آلوده‌ شدن‌ موها می شوند. یکی‌ از داروهای‌ مصرفی‌ برای‌ درمان‌ عفونت های‌ قارچی‌، تربینافین‌ می‌باشد که‌ تداخلات واضح با سایر داروها و مصرف غذا ندارد و بسته‌ به‌ حساسیت‌ گونه‌ قارچ‌ و شدت‌ عفونت‌ طول‌ درمان‌ با آن‌ 2 تا 6 هفته‌ پیشنهاد شده‌ است‌. ولی ‌بهترین‌ دوره‌ درمانی‌ مشخص‌ نشده‌ است‌. لذا این مطالعه با هدف تعیین‌ پاسخ‌ عفونت های قارچی سر به درمان‌ 2 هفته‌ای‌ تربینافین‌خوراکی‌‌ انجام‌ گرفت‌. روش ‌بررسی: در‌ یک مطالعه کارآزمایی‌ بالینی‌ روی 29 بیمار با تشخیص‌ بالینی‌ ابتلا به‌ عفونت‌ قارچی‌ سر، آزمایش‌ مستقیم‌ با محلول پتاس‌ 10 و کشت‌ روی‌ محیط سابورو و دکستروز آگار به عمل‌ آمد. سپس‌ این‌ بیماران‌ تحت‌ درمان‌ دو هفته‌ای‌ با تربینافین‌ خوراکی قرار گرفتند و در سه نوبت (قبل از درمان، بعد از درمان و ده هفته بعد از شروع درمان) تحت معاینه و آزمایشات تشخیصی قرار گرفتند. داده‌ها با استفاده‌ از آزمون‌ دقیق‌ فیشرتجزیه و تحلیل‌ شدند. یافته ها‌: ارگانیسم‌های‌ مولد عفونت‌ در 9 مورد میکروسپوروم‌ و 20 مورد ترایکوفایتون‌ بودند. بعد از دو هفته درمان و گذشت ده هفته از شروع درمان، در آزمایش‌ مستقیم‌ از نمونه‌ بالینی‌ 29 بیمار مراجعه‌ کننده‌ 7 مورد اکتوتریکس‌ یافت ‌شد و بقیه‌ موارد منفی‌ بودند. نتایج به دست آمده از کشت نمونه ها همه 20 مورد بیمار مبتلا به گونه ترایکوفایتون درمان شدند در حالی که 100 میکروسپوروم ها (9 مورد) به درمان جواب نداده و درمان نشدند. نتیجه‌گیری‌: جهت‌ درمان‌ بیماران‌ مبتلا به‌ درماتوفیتوز‌ سر در گونه‌های‌ ترایکوفایتون‌ می‌توان از تربینافین ‌خوراکی‌ به مدت 2 هفته استفاده‌ کرد. ولی این رژیم درمانی برای میکروسپوروم ها مؤثر نیست