Minimize MIMO OFDM interference and noise ratio using polynomial-time algorithm

In the distributed transmit antenna MIMO OFDM system, each transmitting antenna has different frequency offset between each transmitting antenna and receiver due to the use of independent crystal oscillator. This paper proposes Polynomial-time algorithm for correcting the frequency offset in a received signal by maximizing the conditional average signal. The algorithm focus on reducing to interference and noise ratio of each subcarrier on the receiving antenna by frequency offset. The simulation result shows the performance of the proposed algorithm is slightly improved compared with the existing frequency offset correction algorithm, and the complexity is reduced by 50% or more

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: Current Understanding and Clinical Status

Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) represent a rare heterogeneous subset of pluripotent stromal cells that can be isolated from many different adult tissues that exhibit the potential to give rise to cells of diverse lineages. Numerous studies have reported beneficial effects of MSCs in tissue repair and regeneration. After culture expansion and in vivo administration, MSCs home to and engraft to injured tissues and modulate the inflammatory response through synergistic downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines and upregulation of both prosurvival and antiinflammatory factors. In addition, MSCs possess remarkable immunosuppressive properties, suppressing T-cell, NK cell functions, and also modulating dentritic cell activities. Tremendous progress has been made in preclinical studies using MSCs, including the ability to use allogeneic cells, which has driven the application of MSCs toward the clinical setting. This review highlights our current understanding into the biology of MSCs with particular emphasis on the cardiovascular and renal applications, and provides a brief update on the clinical status of MSC-based therapy

STUDI SIFAT MEKANIK DARI CAMPURAN BAHAN SERAT TANDAN KELAPA SAWIT DENGAN POLYPROPYLENE DAN POLYSTYRENE PADA PROSES INJECTION MOULDING

Penggunaan produk dengan bahan baku plastik cukup tinggi, dimana dapat dilihat dari banyaknya produk yang dijual di pasaran dengan berbagai model atau bentuk dan juga harga yang terjangkau. Bahan baku plastik tersebut dapat diolah kembali menjadi berbagai macam bentuk dengan cara mencairkan dan kemudian dicetak dengan proses injection moulding. Untuk mengurangi biaya bahan baku cukup tinggi yang dalam pembuatan produk, maka dilakukan penelitian dengan beberapa alternatif bahan baku. Salah satu alternatif yang dapat digunakan adalah serat tandan kelapa sawit. Salah satu kandungan yang terdapat pada serat tandan kelapa sawit adalah selulosa, dimana selulosa memungkinkan untuk digunakan sebagai campuran bahan baku dalam pembuatan produk dengan bahan plastik. Proses pencetakan menggunakan serat tandan kelapa sawit, polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS). Campuran bahan baku ini akan dicetak melalui proses injection moulding dan selanjutnya dilakukan proses uji tarik sehingga dapat diketahui sifat kekuatan mekanik dari spesimen tersebut

Chemical Precipitation and Coatings of Tin Selenide

Tin selenide were prepared chemically in alkaline aqueous solution. The crystalline powder was coated onto microscope glass slides using polyvinyl alcohol solution. The coatings were subjected to annealing at various temperatures to study the effect towards the structure, morphology and composition of the material. The product prepared was characterised using various techniques. The photoresponse for the samples were also studied. The photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell configuration was p-SnSe | (0.01 M K4Fe(CN)6¾0.01 M K3Fe(CN)6.3H2O¾0.1 M Na2SO4| Pt)

Perioperative Teaching and Feedback: How are we doing in Canadian OTL-HNS programs?

Background: Discrepancies between resident and faculty perceptions regarding optimal teaching and feedback during surgery are well known but these differences have not yet been described in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (OTL-HNS). The objectives were thus to compare faculty and resident perceptions of perioperative teaching and feedback in OTL-HNS residency programs across Canada with the aim of highlighting potential areas for improvement. Methods: An anonymous electronic questionnaire was distributed to residents and teaching faculty in OTL-HNS across Canada with additional paper copies distributed at four institutions. Surveys consisted of ratings on a 5-point Likert scale and open-ended questions. Responses among groups were analysed with the Wilcoxon-Mann Whitney test, while thematic analysis was used for the open-ended questions. Results: A total of 143 teaching faculty and residents responded with statistically significant differences on 11 out of 25 variables. Namely, faculty reported higher rates of pre and intra-operative teaching compared to resident reports. Faculty also felt they gave adequate feedback on residents\u27 strengths and technical skills contrary to what the residents thought. Both groups did agree however that pre-operative discussion is not consistently done, nor is feedback consistently given or sought. Conclusion: Faculty and residents in OTL-HNS residency programs disagree on the frequency and optimal timing of peri-operative teaching and feedback. This difference in perception emphasizes the need for a more structured approach to feedback delivery including explicitly stating when feedback is being given, and the overall need for better communication between residents and staff

Face and content validity of a novel, web-based otoscopy simulator for medical education.

BACKGROUND: Despite the fact that otoscopy is a widely used and taught diagnostic tool during medical training, errors in diagnosis are common. Physical otoscopy simulators have high fidelity, but they can be expensive and only a limited number of students can use them at a given time. OBJECTIVES: 1) To develop a purely web-based otoscopy simulator that can easily be distributed to students over the internet. 2) To assess face and content validity of the simulator by surveying experts in otoscopy. METHODS: An otoscopy simulator, OtoTrain™, was developed at Western University using web-based programming and Unity 3D. Eleven experts from academic institutions in North America were recruited to test the simulator and respond to an online questionnaire. A 7-point Likert scale was used to answer questions related to face validity (realism of the simulator), content validity (expert evaluation of subject matter and test items), and applicability to medical training. RESULTS: The mean responses for the face validity, content validity, and applicability to medical training portions of the questionnaire were all ≤3, falling between the Agree , Mostly Agree , and Strongly Agree categories. The responses suggest good face and content validity of the simulator. Open-ended questions revealed that the primary drawbacks of the simulator were the lack of a haptic arm for force feedback, a need for increased focus on pneumatic otoscopy, and few rare disorders shown on otoscopy. CONCLUSION: OtoTrain™ is a novel, web-based otoscopy simulator that can be easily distributed and used by students on a variety of platforms. Initial face and content validity was encouraging, and a skills transference study is planned following further modifications and improvements to the simulator

Do Imports and Exports Adjust Nonlinearly? Evidence from 100 Countries

A country is said to live within its international budget constraint if its exports and imports are cointegrated. Previous studies that tried to verify the cointegration between exports and imports used linear models and supported the theory in almost 50% of countries. In this paper, when we use the nonlinear ARDL approach and asymmetry cointegration method, we support the long-run link between imports and exports in 94 out of 100 countries in our sample. This study is not only the most comprehensive study in the literature, but it is also the first to show that, indeed, trade flows adjust in a nonlinear fashion

Dural plasmacytoma mimicking meningioma in a young patient with multiple myeloma

Intracranial involvement in multiple myeloma (MM) is rarely found, especially with dural involvement. There are only a few cases found concerning MM with intracranial involvement. MM usually involves an older group of patients. Cases involving young patients are very rare. The differential diagnosis of a dural plasmacytoma includes meningioma, metastasis, lymphoma and sarcoma of the dura mater. We present a young patient, 33 years old, with MM presenting an intracerebral mass mimicking meningioma on MRI. MM was diagnosed the previous year. The patient presented with headache, balance disturbance and back pain. MRI revealed an occipital extra-axial mass with a dural tail. Histopathological examination after excision showed MM. Published literatures on intracranial involvement of MM are also discussed. Plasmacytoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a solitary dural mass, particularly in a patient with MM