A Simplified Posteriori Estimator to Cascade Channel based on Amplify-and-Forward Multi-relaying Systems

AbstractThis paper analyzes the cascade channel estimation of Amplify-and-Forward (AF) multi-relaying systems. To improve the accuracy, a maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimator is obtained with the prior probability distribution function (PDF) of the cascade channel. For lessening the computational amount of the MAP method, the complicated generalized-K distribution is approximated with a Gamma PDF based on the moment-matching method. Moreover, a closed-form and simplified MAP (sMAP) estimator is derived. Numerical simulation shows that the proposed sMAP estimator decreases the computational duration sharply than the MAP method with marginal performance loss, and outperforms its least square (LS) counterpart in the low SNR region

Ornithinibacillus composti sp nov., isolated from sludge compost and emended description of the genus Ornithinibacillus

A Gram-stain positive, aerobic, motile, endospore-forming and rod-shaped bacterium, designated GSS05(T), was isolated from a sludge compost sample and was characterized by means of a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Growth was observed to occur with 0-3 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 1 %), at pH 5.5-10 (optimum pH 7.5) and at 15-50 A degrees C (optimum 37 A degrees C). According to the results of a phylogenetic analysis, strain GSS05(T) was found to belong to the genus Ornithinibacillus and to be related most closely to the type strains of Ornithinibacillus halotolerans and Ornithinibacillus contaminans (96.5 and 95.1 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively). The peptidoglycan amino acid type was determined to be A4 beta. The major respiratory quinone was identified as menaquinone-7 (MK-7). The polar lipid profile of strain GSS05(T) was found to contain a predominance of diphosphatidylglycerol, moderate amounts of phosphatidylglycerol and minor amounts of two unknown phospholipids and two unknown lipids. The G+C content of genomic DNA was determined to be 42.1 mol%. The dominant cellular fatty acids were identified as iso-C-15:0 and anteiso-C-15:0. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic and genotypic data indicated that strain GSS05(T) represents a novel species of the genus Ornithinibacillus, for which the name Ornithinibacillus composti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GSS05(T) (=CCTCC AB 2013261(T) = KCTC 33192(T))

Berry Phase of Two Impurity Qubits as a Signature of Dicke Quantum Phase Transition

In this paper, we investigate the effect of the Dicke quantum phase transition on the Berry phase of the two impurity qubits. The two impurity qubits only have dispersive interactions with the optical field of the Dicke quantum system. Therefore, the two impurity qubits do not affect the ground state energy of the Dicke Hamiltonian. We find that the Berry phase of the two impurity qubits has a sudden change at the Dicke quantum phase transition point. Therefore, the Berry phase of the two impurity qubits can be used as a phase transition signal for the Dicke quantum phase transition. In addition, the two impurity qubits change differently near the phase transition point at different times. We explain the reason for the different variations by studying the variation of the Berry phase of the two impurity qubits with the phase transition parameters and time. Finally, we investigated the variation of the Berry phases of the two impurity qubits with their initial conditions, and we found that their Berry phases also have abrupt changes with the initial conditions. Since the Dicke quantum phase transition is already experimentally executable, the research in this paper helps to provide a means for manipulating the Berry phase of the two impurity qubits

Berry Phase of Two Impurity Qubits as a Signature of Dicke Quantum Phase Transition

In this paper, we investigate the effect of the Dicke quantum phase transition on the Berry phase of the two impurity qubits. The two impurity qubits only have dispersive interactions with the optical field of the Dicke quantum system. Therefore, the two impurity qubits do not affect the ground state energy of the Dicke Hamiltonian. We find that the Berry phase of the two impurity qubits has a sudden change at the Dicke quantum phase transition point. Therefore, the Berry phase of the two impurity qubits can be used as a phase transition signal for the Dicke quantum phase transition. In addition, the two impurity qubits change differently near the phase transition point at different times. We explain the reason for the different variations by studying the variation of the Berry phase of the two impurity qubits with the phase transition parameters and time. Finally, we investigated the variation of the Berry phases of the two impurity qubits with their initial conditions, and we found that their Berry phases also have abrupt changes with the initial conditions. Since the Dicke quantum phase transition is already experimentally executable, the research in this paper helps to provide a means for manipulating the Berry phase of the two impurity qubits

Quantum Speed-Up Induced by the Quantum Phase Transition in a Nonlinear Dicke Model with Two Impurity Qubits

In this paper, we investigate the effect of the Dicke quantum phase transition on the speed of evolution of the system dynamics. At the phase transition point, the symmetry associated with the system parity operator begins to break down. By comparing the magnitudes of the two types of quantum speed limit times, we find that the quantum speed limit time of the system is described by one of the quantum speed limit times, whether in the normal or superradiant phase. We find that, in the normal phase, the strength of the coupling between the optical field and the atoms has little effect on the dynamical evolution speed of the system. However, in the superradiant phase, a stronger atom–photon coupling strength can accelerate the system dynamics’ evolution. Finally, we investigate the effect of the entanglement of the initial state of the system on the speed of evolution of the system dynamics. We find that in the normal phase, the entanglement of the initial state of the system has almost no effect on the system dynamics’ evolution speed. However, in the superradiant phase, larger entanglement of the system can accelerate the evolution of the system dynamics. Furthermore, we verify the above conclusions by the actual evolution of the system

Effects of Long-Term Guo Lin Qi-Gong Practice on Cancer Survivors\u27 Quality of Life and Aerobic Capacity: A Preliminary Report

While the positive impact of aerobic and strength exercises on quality of life (QOL) and physical functions among cancer survivors has been well documented, limited efforts have been made to examine the effects of body-mind exercises. PURPOSE: To determine the effects of long-term Guo Lin Qi-gong practice on QOL and aerobic capacity in cancer survivors. Guo Lin Qi-gong is a body-mind exercise that has been practiced by thousands of cancer survivors in China. METHOD: 40 (20 males/females) Chinese long-term cancer survivors, who have practiced Guo Lin Qi-gong since their cancer diagnosis, were recruited in Shanghai, China and a control group (n=40) matched by types of cancer, age, gender and survival years was then recruited. Both groups were administered SF-36, a generic QOL measure (Ware & Donald-Sherbourne, 1992), Beck Depression Inventory (Beck, 1961), and did a 6-min walking test, and all results were compared using paired t-tests. RESULTS: Both groups were well matched by Age in yr., HT in cm, WT in kg, DXA Fat% & Survival yr. (M±SD): Guo Lin Qi-gong (61.98±7.31, 163.92±6.19, 63.04±9.82, 28.30±9.36, 16.54±4.12) vs. Match-Control (60.98±7.75, 164.40±7.49, 64.14±10.95, 29.31±8.37, 15.67±4.61). It was found that long term Guo-Lin Qi-gong practice led to: 1. Better health status and QOL [e.g., Guo Lin Qi-gong group\u27s SF-36 and related subscale scores are all higher than the Control group, and the difference in body pain scores, 91.35±11.33 vs. 84.60±15.61 (note: the higher SF-36 score, the better health) is statistically significant, p \u3c.05]; 2. Less depression (e.g., Guo Lin Qi-gong group 7.55±3.78 vs. Control group 8.91±6.64) although the difference was not statistically different (p \u3e.05); 3. Higher health fitness level (e.g., Guo Lin Qi-gong group walked longer distances, 566.65±70.63 vs. 542.68±85.19 meters, and took more steps, 837.75±81.05 vs. 775.95±71.56 steps, p \u3c.05, in 6-min walking test than the Control group). Furthermore, it was found that Guo Lin Qi-gong group experienced a much lower cancer recurrence rate (4/40 = 10%) than the Control group (12/40 = 30%). CONCLUSION: Guo Lin Qi-gong demonstrated to be an effective means in improving QOL and aerobic capacity for cancer survivors. Its possible effect in preventing cancer recurrence should be further investigated

Energy Expenditure Characteristics of Guo Lin Qi-Gong Exercise in Cancer Survivors: A Preliminary Report

Guo Lin Qi-gong is a Chinese body-mind exercise, which includes a number of standing and walking components using a unique inhale-inhale-exhale breathing pattern and has been practiced by thousands of cancer survivors in China. Yet, its energy expenditure (EE) characteristics have not been studied. PURPOSE: To determine EE characteristics of 9 key components of Guo Lin Qi-gong and compare them with a free-living walking. METHOD: 40 (20 males/females; Age = 61.98±7.31 yr., HT = 163.92±6.19 cm, WT = 63.04±9.82 kg, Fat% by DXA =28.30±9.36) Chinese long-term (16.54±4.12 yr.) cancer survivors, who have practiced Guo Lin Qi-gong since their cancer diagnosis, were recruited for the study. Their resting metabolic rates (RMR) were measured by COSMED FITMAT calorimetry and EE (VO2 ml-1) during Guo Lin Qi-gong practice by component were measured by COSMED K4b2 pulmonary. Components were performed in a counter-balanced order, 10 min per component, with a 5-10 min break between each. The speed of the walking components was recorded. For comparison, their EE during a 10-min free-living walk at a comfortable speed were also measured. MET values of each component were computed. RESULTS: M±SD of RMR are 204.74±34.15 ml/min; therefore, a slightly lower 1-MET value (3.29±.58 ml/min/kg). MET values of Guo Lin Qi-gong components, along with heart rate and walking speed, are summarized below (MET, Heart Rate in beat/min, & Speed in meter/min): 1. Warm-up (1.80, 88.22±12.45, NA) 2. Wind Breath Natural Walking (3.65, 102.06±13.65, 38.77±14.60) 3. Step-in-Place Gong (2.65, 96.28±13.34, NA) 4. Up-and-Down/Open-and-Close (2.72, 97.22±11.65, NA) 5. One-Step Toe Touch Walking (3.21, 98.68±12.07, 12.13±3.69) 6. Two-Step Toe Touch Walking (2.97, 98.55±11.64, 18.20±4.92) 7. Three-Step Toe Touch Walking (3.10, 100.01±12.57, 16.08±4.20) 8. Strong Wind Breath Fast Walking (4.83, 115.49±15.56, 72.90±11.59) 9. Close-up (1.89, 91.30±12.70, NA) 10. 10-Min Free-Living Walking (3.58, 96.09±12.32, 56.56±13.34). CONCLUSION: Guo Lin Qi-gong is a low-to-moderate intensity aerobic exercise. With its unique breathing pattern, relative oxygen intake of several components is rather large considering the slow walking speed employed. Guo Lin Qi-gong is an excellent exercise format for cancer survivorship

Perioperative Allogenenic Blood Transfusion Is Associated with Worse Clinical Outcomes for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis

<div><p>Background and Objective</p><p>The impact of perioperative allogenenic blood transfusion (ABT) on clinical outcomes for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is conflicting and unclear. The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the association between ABT and HCC clinical outcomes. Outcomes evaluated were all-cause death, tumor recurrence and postoperative complications.</p> <p>Methods</p><p>Relevant articles were identified through MEDLINE search (up to November 2012). Meta-analyses were performed by using the fixed or random effect models. Study heterogeneity was assessed by Q-test and I² test. Publication bias was evaluated by funnel plots, Egger′s and Begg’s test.</p> <p>Results</p><p>A total of 5635 cases from 22 studies finally met our inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis indicated HCC patients with ABT had an increased risk of all-cause death at 3 and 5 years after surgery (respectively: OR = 1.92, 95% CI, 1.61–2.29,P<0.001; OR = 1.60, 95% CI, 1.47–1.73,P<0.001 ) compared with those without ABT. The risk of tumor recurrence was significantly higher for ABT cases at 1, 3 and 5 years (respectively: OR = 1.70, 95% CI, 1.38–2.10, P<0.001; OR = 1.22, 95% CI, 1.08–1.38, P<0.001; OR = 1.16, 95% CI, 1.08–1.24, P<0.001). The HCC cases with ABT significantly increased postoperative complications occurrence compared with non-ABT cases (OR = 1.78,95% CI, 1.34–2.37, P<0.001).</p> <p>Conclusions</p><p>The findings from the current meta-analysis demonstrated that ABT was associated with adverse clinical outcomes for HCC patients undergoing surgery, including increased death, recurrence and complications. Therefore, ABT should not be performed if possible.</p> </div