Design Simulation of Multiple Differential Transceiver at 2.0 GHz for Third Generation Mobile Communication System

Third generation mobile communication system is widely used nowadays. One of its parameter standard, which is QPSK modulation has been adopted by International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to be used in IMT-2000. However, due to amplitude variations introduced in QPSK, a rather robust and reliable data modulation technique, namely the 7c/4-shift Differential QPSK is proposed. For detection purposes, two types of detectors are evaluated for their performance in AWGN and Rayleigh fading channels. A differential detection technique called multiple differential detection technique which uses maximum-likelihood sequence estimation (MLSE) of the transmitted phases is compared with conventional differential detection which uses symbol-bysymbol detection. By using some of the IMT-2000 standard parameters, the simulation results show that multiple differential detection scheme performs much better than conventional differential detection scheme

From aptamer-based biomarker discovery to diagnostic and clinical applications: an aptamer-based, streamlined multiplex proteomic assay

Recently, we reported an aptamer-based, highly multiplexed assay for the purpose of biomarker identification. To enable seamless transition from highly multiplexed biomarker discovery assays to a format suitable and convenient for diagnostic and life-science applications, we developed a streamlined, plate-based version of the assay. The plate-based version of the assay is robust, sensitive (sub-picomolar), rapid, can be highly multiplexed (upwards of 60 analytes), and fully automated. We demonstrate that quantification by microarray-based hybridization, Luminex bead-based methods, and qPCR are each compatible with our platform, further expanding the breadth of proteomic applications for a wide user community

Local authority financial sustainability and the Section 114 regime

This submission provides evidence on all of the key issues outlined in the terms of reference. There are increasing numbers of long-term and complex financial challenges besetting local government, that if not addressed, will continue to make an increasing number of authorities financially unsustainable. Under current financial reporting arrangements this will lead to the issuing of more Section 114 Notices. The scale of the problem is significant, and the long-term unsustainability of local authority finances is fundamentally due to underlying structural issues in the collection, allocation and distribution of revenue raised to support local public service provision. Continuing to provide short term and piecemeal financial support on the basis of the system last revised in 2013 is increasingly inefficient and sub-optimal in terms of distribution, with all parts of the current model becoming demonstrably more regressive in terms of their impact. COVID-19 impacts and authorities’ involvement in risky commercial investments exacerbate and intensify this long-term problem and have accelerated the process, but neither are they the fundamental causes of these problems. There is a long-term need to re-establish a new regime for local authority financing that is fair and sustainable; that reflects the levels of need for local services and the ability of individual local areas to generate revenue. The implementation of the Redmond proposals for local audit, the adoption of CIPFA’s financial resilience index and the provisions of the Fair Funding Review will not resolve these fundamental issues on their own. A new local audit regime and a fairer distribution mechanism are both necessary, but not sufficient to generate long-term stability and a robust new regime. A new regime will require significantly improved data and information, not least for the assessment of need, as the basis of calculating the future property tax component, and for the economic and efficient operation of the re-distributional mechanism. An improved and updated Resilience Index; changes to the oversight of the Prudential Framework, capitalisation and reform of the Public Works Loan Board are necessary in themselves and as part of a new local government financial regime. The submission provides detailed analysis and recommendations on each of these issues

Simple Model of the Transduction of Cell-Penetrating Peptides

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) such as HIV's trans-activating transcriptional activator (TAT) and polyarginine rapidly pass through the plasma membranes of mammalian cells by an unknown mechanism called transduction. They may be medically useful when fused to well-chosen chains of fewer than about 35 amino acids. I offer a simple model of transduction in which phosphatidylserines and CPPs effectively form two plates of a capacitor with a voltage sufficient to cause the formation of transient pores (electroporation). The model is consistent with experimental data on the transduction of oligoarginine into mouse C2-C12 myoblasts and makes three testable predictions.Comment: Seven pages. For a more complete version including the effects of counterions, see arXiv:0810.2358v3 [q-bio.BM

Local authority financial reporting and external audit in England: the Redmond Review and the future of local audit

Academics and auditors have expressed growing concerns about the financial resilience and vulnerability of English local authorities after a decade of funding cuts and growing demand for public services (Barbera et al 2017; CIPFA 2017; Sandford 2020). The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these problems, as local authority income has fallen, demand for services has risen and investments in assets and companies have proven less rewarding in uncertain times. (Murphy et al. 2021). There is a widespread consensus that arrangements for public audit and formal assurance to the public and key stakeholders are no longer fit for purpose thereby increasing uncertainty amongst all key stakeholders and increasing the risk of severe financial problems within local authorities (Murphy and Lakoma 2020). In response to these growing concerns, the UK Government established an independent review of local authority audit (Redmond 2020). This has been complemented by the release of an updated Code of Audit Practice from the National Audit Office (2020), which sought to guide auditors in how to address financial sustainability. The subsequent Redmond report articulated the widespread concerns about the adequacy and transparency of local authority audit and accounts arrangements. It found new local authority activities such as new commercial and hybrid organisations fell outside of the scope of the statutory audit and it acknowledged the widening ‘expectations gap’ in what the public expect from the audit and what it is actually obliged to deliver (ICAEW 2018). In terms of the overall audit regime Redmond (2020) also found an inadequate regulatory framework, delivered by an overly complex and disparate organisational landscape having no single regulatory authority responsible for systemic leadership, oversight and co-ordination. In December the UK Government published its response to the report’s recommendations. This paper reviews the Redmond report, the government’s formal response to its recommendations and subsequent progress with implementation in the period prior to the conference. In so doing it will be cognisant of and review its potential compliance with the INTOSAI Financial Audit Guidelines based on the International Standards on Auditing (ISA) issued by the IAASB

From SOMAmer-Based Biomarker Discovery to Diagnostic and Clinical Applications: A SOMAmer-Based, Streamlined Multiplex Proteomic Assay

Recently, we reported a SOMAmer-based, highly multiplexed assay for the purpose of biomarker identification. To enable seamless transition from highly multiplexed biomarker discovery assays to a format suitable and convenient for diagnostic and life-science applications, we developed a streamlined, plate-based version of the assay. The plate-based version of the assay is robust, sensitive (sub-picomolar), rapid, can be highly multiplexed (upwards of 60 analytes), and fully automated. We demonstrate that quantification by microarray-based hybridization, Luminex bead-based methods, and qPCR are each compatible with our platform, further expanding the breadth of proteomic applications for a wide user community

The effects of mis-centering on radiation dose during CT head examination: a phantom study

There are several factors that may contribute to the increase in radiation dose of CT including the use of unoptimized protocols and improper scanning technique. In this study, we aim to determine significant impact on radiation dose as a result of mis-centering during CT head examination. The scanning was performed by using Toshiba Aquilion 64 slices multi-detector CT (MDCT) scanner and dose were measured by using calibrated ionization chamber. Two scanning protocols of routine CT head; 120 kVp/ 180 mAs and 100 kVp/ 142 mAs were used represent standard and low dose, respectively. As reference measurement, the dose was first measured on standard cylindrical polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) phantom that positioned at 104 cm from the floor (reference isocenter). The positions then were varied to simulate mis-centering by 5 cm from isocenter, superiorly and inferiorly at 109 cm, 114 cm, 119 cm, 124 cm and 99 cm, 94 cm, 89 cm, 84 cm, respectively. Scanning parameter and dose information from the console were recorded for the radiation effective dose (E) measurement. The highest mean CTDIvol value for MCS and MCI were 105.06 mGy (at +10 cm) and 105.51 mGy (at - 10 cm), respectively which differed significantly (p < 0.05) as compared to the isocenter. There were large significant different (p < 0.05) of mean Dose Length Product (DLP) recorded between isocenter to the MCS (85.8 mGy.cm) and MCI (93.1 mGy.cm). As the low dose protocol implemented, the volume CTDI (CTDIvol) were significantly increase (p < 0.05) for MCS (at +10 cm) and MCI (at - 10 cm) when compared to the isocenter. The phantom study revealed a noticeable different in radiation dose between isocenter and experimental groups due to degradation of the bowtie filter performance. It is anticipated that these noteworthy findings may emphasize the importance of accurate patient centering at the isocenter of CT gantry, so that CT optimization practice can be achieved

Gene signature of the post-Chernobyl papillary thyroid cancer

Purpose: Following the nuclear accidents in Chernobyl and later in Fukushima, the nuclear community has been faced with important issues concerning how to search for and diagnose biological consequences of low-dose internal radiation contamination. Although after the Chernobyl accident an increase in childhood papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) was observed, it is still not clear whether the molecular biology of PTCs associated with low-dose radiation exposure differs from that of sporadic PTC. Methods: We investigated tissue samples from 65 children/young adults with PTC using DNA microarray (Affymetrix, Human Genome U133 2.0 Plus) with the aim of identifying molecular differences between radiation-induced (exposed to Chernobyl radiation, ECR) and sporadic PTC. All participants were resident in the same region so that confounding factors related to genetics or environment were minimized. Results: There were small but significant differences in the gene expression profiles between ECR and non-ECR PTC (global test, p &lt; 0.01), with 300 differently expressed probe sets (p &lt; 0.001) corresponding to 239 genes. Multifactorial analysis of variance showed that besides radiation exposure history, the BRAF mutation exhibited independent effects on the PTC expression profile; the histological subset and patient age at diagnosis had negligible effects. Ten genes (PPME1, HDAC11, SOCS7, CIC, THRA, ERBB2, PPP1R9A, HDGF, RAD51AP1, and CDK1) from the 19 investigated with quantitative RT-PCR were confirmed as being associated with radiation exposure in an independent, validation set of samples. Conclusion: Significant, but subtle, differences in gene expression in the post-Chernobyl PTC are associated with previous low-dose radiation exposure

Classification of Light-Induced Desorption of Alkali Atoms in Glass Cells Used in Atomic Physics Experiments

We attempt to provide physical interpretations of light-induced desorption phenomena that have recently been observed for alkali atoms on glass surfaces of alkali vapor cells used in atomic physics experiments. We find that the observed desorption phenomena are closely related to recent studies in surface science, and can probably be understood in the context of these results. If classified in terms of the photon-energy dependence, the coverage and the bonding state of the alkali adsorbates, the phenomena fall into two categories: It appears very likely that the neutralization of isolated ionic adsorbates by photo-excited electron transfer from the substrate is the origin of the desorption induced by ultraviolet light in ultrahigh vacuum cells. The desorption observed in low temperature cells, on the other hand, which is resonantly dependent on photon energy in the visible light range, is quite similar to light-induced desorption stimulated by localized electronic excitation on metallic aggregates. More detailed studies of light-induced desorption events from surfaces well characterized with respect to alkali coverage-dependent ionicity and aggregate morphology appear highly desirable for the development of more efficient alkali atom sources suitable to improve a variety of atomic physics experiments.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figure; minor corrections made, published in e-Journal of Surface Science and Nanotechnology at http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/ejssnt/4/0/4_63/_articl