Proposed Model for Interference Estimation in Code Division Multiple Access

Cellular CDMA systems are usually affected by interference experienced by users in adjacent cells that decrease the Quality of Services in wireless communication network. Hence, interference is the limiting factor of capacity in CDMA cellular and it is one of the problems fighting against the high efficiency of any mobile network. In this paper, a mathematical model to estimate the average number of users contributing in inter-cell interference at the busy hours of CDMA network is proposed. As the power exponent value has significant affect on interferer signal attenuation and hence other-cells interference, measurements were carried through a drive test to determine the received power level at various distance from CDMA base stations at Baghdad. The results obtained show that the power exponent was 2.71. This value was applied in dual-slop path loss model to determine the expected interference factor, and the number of users that can be hold at each cell. Simulations showed that users at a boundary cell generate more interference than those close to the base station. Furthermore, it was denoted that greater number of users caused to increase the interference factor, and greater power exponent value result in interference factor reduction

Evaluating Distance Learning Experience During Corona Pandemic as Perceived by Media Students in Arab Universities

The main purpose of this study is to investigate and understand the experience of Communication and Media students in Arab countries toward Distance Learning. An online survey questionnaire was used to collect data and investigate students’ perceptions of distance learning. A total of 494 students (293 females and 201 males) affiliated with 54 universities from 12 Arab countries participated in the survey. The findings of the study show that 25 out of 54 participating universities used at least two platforms for distance learning during the Corona pandemic. The top three platforms used by the participants were Zoom, WhatsApp, and Microsoft Teams. The majority of participants indicated that they attended both theoretical and practical courses online during the pandemic

Cyclosporine-A therapy-induced multiple bilateral breast and accessory axillary breast fibroadenomas: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Breast adenoma is common. However, in the setting of post-transplantation immune suppression it may be expressed differently.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 35-year-old Sudanese woman, with a history of renal transplantation two and half years prior to presentation, was on a single immune suppression therapy in the form of cyclosporine-A since the transplantation. During a regular follow-up visit, she was noticed to have gingival hypertrophy and bilateral breast and axillary swellings. She underwent successful surgical resection of the bilateral fibroadenomas.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Cyclosporine-A therapy post renal transplantation is associated with an increased incidence of benign breast changes as fibroadenoma. Regular follow-up and appropriate selection of immunosuppressant therapy are essential in the post transplantation management of these patients.</p

Uptake/Efflux Transport of Tramadol Enantiomers and O-Desmethyl-Tramadol: Focus on P-Glycoprotein

The analgesic effect of tramadol (TMD) results from the monoaminergic effect of its two enantiomers, (+)-TMD and (-)-TMD as well as its opioid metabolite (+)-O-desmethyl-tramadol (M1). P-glycoprotein (P-gp) might be of importance in the analgesic and tolerability profile variability of TMD. Our study investigated the involvement of P-gp in the transepithelial transport of (+)-TMD, (-)-TMD and M1, using a Caco-2 cell monolayer model. The bidirectional transport of racemic TMD and M1 (1-100 microM) across the monolayers was investigated at two pH conditions (pH 6.8/7.4 and 7.4/7.4) in the presence and absence of P-gp inhibitor cyclosporine A (10 microM) and assessed with the more potent and specific P-gp inhibitor GF120918 (4 microM). Analytical quantification was performed by liquid chromatography coupled to the fluorescence detector. A net secretion of (+)-TMD, (-)-TMD and M1 was observed when a pH gradient was applied (TR: P(app)(B - A)/P(app)(A - B): 1.8-2.7; P < 0.05). However, the bidirectional transport of all compounds was equal in the non-gradient system. In the presence of P-gp inhibitors, a slight but significant increase of secretory flux was observed (up to 26%; P < 0.05) at both pH conditions. In conclusion, (+)-TMD, (-)-TMD and M1 are not P-gp substrates. However, proton-based efflux pumps may be involved in limiting the gastrointestinal absorption of TMD enantiomers as well as enhancing TMD enantiomers and M1 renal excretion. A possible involvement of uptake carriers in the transepithelial transport of TMD enantiomers and M1 is suggested

Comparison of Mycotoxin Contamination levels of Local and Imported Corn in Iraq

The study included determining pollution level of mycotoxin (aflatoxin, Ochratoxin, T2 / HT2) in local and imported corn in Iraq because it causes health damage and economic losses. In this study, 100 samples were collected from 50 samples of local corn, and 50 samples of imported corn and assed for mycotoxins test using ELISA technique and the results indicated the presence of the highest infection rates of mycotoxin in the local corn especially aflatoxin, where 28 sample at 56% were ranged between (20.1 - 157) ppb, which is higher than the allowable limits and 22 samples at (44%) were ranged between (5.1 to 2.9) ppb which is within the allowable limits , T2 / HT2 in 16 samples at (32%) of the total samples recorded less than (150) PPb which ranged between lowest value (25.8) ppb and the highest value (74.5) ppb and 34 samples at 68% with the value(0.0)ppb were is within the allowable limits, Ochratoxin, in 33 sample at 66% of the total samples less than(15) PPb recorded readings were  ranged between lowest value (1.5) ppb and the highest value (14.3) ppb, and 17 samples at  34% with the value (0.0)ppb,  which is also within the allowable limits in our country. Imported corn recorded readings in 24 samples at 48% as found by the three toxins and ranged the results of aflatoxin between the lowest value (0.8) PPb and the highest value (5.6) ppb and 26 samples at 52% with the value (0.0)ppb and T2 / HT2 results were ranged between the lowest value (3.1) ppb and the highest value (148) ppb and 26 samples at 52% with the value (0.0) ppb ochratoxin results were ranged between the lowest value (1.1) ppb and the highest value (5.7) ppb, and 26 samples at 52% with the value (0.0)ppb   and all of these results are within the allowable limits in our country. So we conclude from this study that the local corn was highest mycotoxin contamination than imported corn

Uptake/Efflux Transport of Tramadol Enantiomers and O-Desmethyl-Tramadol: Focus on P-Glycoprotein

Abstract: The analgesic effect of tramadol (TMD) results from the monoaminergic effect of its two enantiomers, (+)-TMD and ())-TMD as well as its opioid metabolite (+)-O-desmethyl-tramadol (M1). P-glycoprotein (P-gp) might be of importance in the analgesic and tolerability profile variability of TMD. Our study investigated the involvement of P-gp in the transepithelial transport of (+)-TMD, ())-TMD and M1, using a Caco-2 cell monolayer model. The bidirectional transport of racemic TMD and M1 (1–100 lM) across the monolayers was investigated at two pH conditions (pH 6.8/7.4 and 7.4/7.4) in the presence and absence of P-gp inhibitor cyclosporine A (10 lM) and assessed with the more potent and specific P-gp inhibitor GF120918 (4 lM). Analytical quantification was performed by liquid chromatography coupled to the fluorescence detector. A net secretion of (+)-TMD, ())-TMD and M1 was observed when a pH gradient was applied (TR: Papp(B) A)/Papp(A) B): 1.8–2.7; P &lt; 0.05). However, the bidirectional transport of all compounds was equal in the non-gradient system. In the presence of P-gp inhibitors, a slight but significant increase of secretory flux was observed (up to 26%; P &lt; 0.05) at both pH conditions. In conclusion, (+)-TMD, ())-TMD and M1 are not P-gp substrates. However, proton-based efflux pumps may be involved in limiting the gastrointestinal absorption of TMD enantiomers as well as enhancing TMD enantiomers and M1 renal excretion. A possible involvement of uptake carriers in the transepithelial transport of TMD enantiomers and M1 is suggested. Tramadol hydrochloride (TMD) is a centrally acting analgesi

ROS suppression by egg white hydrolysate in DOCA-salt rats—An alternative tool against vascular dysfunction in severe hypertension

This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Properties and Potential Mechanisms of Protein Hydrolysates.This study aimed to evaluate the potential for lowering blood pressure and beneficial effects on mesenteric resistance arteries (MRA) and conductance vessels (aorta) produced by dietary supplementation of an egg white hydrolysate (EWH) in rats with severe hypertension induced by deoxycorticosterone plus salt treatment (DOCA-salt), as well as the underlying mechanisms involved. The DOCA-salt model presented higher blood pressure, which was significantly reduced by EWH. The impaired acetylcholine-induced relaxation and eNOS expression observed in MRA and aorta from DOCA-salt rats was ameliorated by EWH. This effect on vessels (MRA and aorta) was related to the antioxidant effect of EWH, since hydrolysate intake prevented the NF-κB/TNFα inflammatory pathway and NADPH oxidase-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, as well as the mitochondrial source of ROS in MRA. At the plasma level, EWH blocked the higher ROS and MDA generation by DOCA-salt treatment, without altering the antioxidant marker. In conclusion, EWH demonstrated an antihypertensive effect in a model of severe hypertension. This effect could be related to its endothelium-dependent vasodilator properties mediated by an ameliorated vessel’s redox imbalance and inflammatory state.This work was supported by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development—CNPq [Edital Universal/CNPq No 44181/2014-9 and PQ/CNPq 311834/2020-5]; Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior—Brasil (CAPES); Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Rio Grande do Sul—FAPERGS/Brazil [PQG:19/2551-0001810-0]; Programa Nacional de Cooperação Acadêmica; Pró-reitoria de Pesquisa—Universidade Federal do Pampa [N. 20180615102630]; FAPES/CNPq/PRONEX [N. 80598773], Foundation for Research Support of the State of Sao Paulo (FAPESP 2019/08026-5), and Spanish Goverment by the Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) [AGL2017-89213]; I-COOP+2020 (COOPA 20453). ELA were supported by CAPES/Brazil, CRM by FAPERGS/Brazil and PHD, CTH by Unipampa. LVR are research fellows from CNPq (312237/2021-9).Peer reviewe

Centrality of prefrontal and motor preparation cortices to Tourette Syndrome revealed by meta-analysis of task-based neuroimaging studies

Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by chronic multiple tics, which are experienced as compulsive and ‘unwilled’. Patients with TS can differ markedly in the frequency, severity, and bodily distribution of tics. Moreover, there are high comorbidity rates with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, and depression. This complex clinical profile may account for apparent variability of findings across neuroimaging studies that connect neural function to cognitive and motor behavior in TS. Here we crystalized information from neuroimaging regarding the functional circuitry of TS, and furthermore, tested specifically for neural determinants of tic severity, by applying activation likelihood estimation (ALE) meta-analyses of neuroimaging (activation) studies of TS. Fourteen task-based studies (13 fMRI and one H2O-PET) met rigorous inclusion criteria. These studies, encompassing 25 experiments and 651 participants, tested for differences between TS participants and healthy controls across cognitive, motor, perceptual and somatosensory domains. Relative to controls, TS participants showed distributed differences in the activation of prefrontal (inferior, middle, and superior frontal gyri), anterior cingulate, and motor preparation cortices (lateral premotor cortex and supplementary motor area; SMA). Differences also extended into sensory (somatosensory cortex and the lingual gyrus; V4); and temporo-parietal association cortices (posterior superior temporal sulcus, supramarginal gyrus, and retrosplenial cortex). Within TS participants, tic severity (reported using the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale; YGTSS) selectively correlated with engagement of SMA, precentral gyrus, and middle frontal gyrus across tasks. The dispersed involvement of multiple cortical regions with differences in functional reactivity may account for heterogeneity in the symptomatic expression of TS and its comorbidities. More specifically for tics and tic severity, the findings reinforce previously proposed contributions of premotor and lateral prefrontal cortices to tic expression

Erythropoietin: a multimodal neuroprotective agent

The tissue protective functions of the hematopoietic growth factor erythropoietin (EPO) are independent of its action on erythropoiesis. EPO and its receptors (EPOR) are expressed in multiple brain cells during brain development and upregulated in the adult brain after injury. Peripherally administered EPO crosses the blood-brain barrier and activates in the brain anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory signaling in neurons, glial and cerebrovascular endothelial cells and stimulates angiogenesis and neurogenesis. These mechanisms underlie its potent tissue protective effects in experimental models of stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disease. The preclinical data in support of the use of EPO in brain disease have already been translated to first clinical pilot studies with encouraging results with the use of EPO as a neuroprotective agent