Fast Iterative Semi-Blind Receiver for URLLC in Short-Frame Full-Duplex Systems with CFO

IEEE We propose an iterative semi-blind (ISB) receiver structure to enable ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC) in short-frame full-duplex (FD) systems with carrier frequency offset (CFO). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work to propose an integral solution to channel estimation and CFO estimation for short-frame FD systems by utilizing a single pilot. By deriving an equivalent system model with CFO included implicitly, a subspace based blind channel estimation is proposed for the initial stage, followed by CFO estimation and channel ambiguities elimination. Then refinement of channel and CFO estimates is conducted iteratively. The integer and fractional parts of CFO in the full range are estimated as a whole and in closed-form at each iteration. The proposed ISB receiver significantly outperforms the previous methods in terms of frame error rate (FER), mean square errors (MSEs) of channel estimation and CFO estimation and output signal-tointerference- and-noise ratio (SINR), while at a halved spectral overhead. Cramér-Rao lower bounds (CRLBs) are derived to verify the effectiveness of the proposed ISB receiver structure. It also demonstrates high computational efficiency as well as fast convergence speed

A WSN approach to unmanned aerial surveillance of traffic anomalies: Some challenges and potential solutions

Stationary CCTV cameras are often used to help monitor car movements and detect any anomalies - e.g., accidents, cars going faster than the allowed speed, driving under the influence of alcohol, etc. The height of the cameras can limit their effectiveness and the types of image processing algorithm which can be used. With advancements in the development of inexpensive aerial flying objects and wireless devices, these two technologies can be coupled to support enhanced surveillance. The flying objects can carry multiple cameras and be sent well above the ground to capture and feed video/image information back to a ground station. In addition, because of the height the objects can achieve, they can capture videos and images which could lend themselves more suitably for the application of a variety of video and image processing algorithms to assist analysts in detecting any anomalies. In this paper, we examine some main challenges of using flying objects for surveillance purposes and propose some potential solutions to these challenges. By doing so, we attempt to provide the basis for developing a framework to build a viable system for improved surveillance based on low-cost equipment. © 2013 IEEE.t.published_or_final_versio

Enhancement on the performance of eco-friendly solution-processed InO/AlO thin-film transistors via lithium incorporation

Solution-processed fabrication of thin-film transistors (TFTs) has low cost and roll-to-roll capability. Indium oxide is one of the promising materials for the metal oxide semiconductor layer in TFTs. Early works used high temperature (~700 C) anneal, which is not suitable for flexible substrates. The toxic solvents, such as 2-methoxyethanol (2-Me), have been widely used in the preparation of precursor solutions. To overcome these challenges, we propose a low temperature ( 250 C) and an eco-friendly process through the incorporation of lithium. Both X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electrical characterizations were carried out to optimize the process. The best result was obtained with 10 at.% lithium incorporation. The high field-effect mobility, averaged over 30 devices, is 21.6 cm2 V 1 s 1, which is 380% higher than the groups without lithium incorporation and is higher than or comparable with those reported by early works for the low-temperature solution prepared InO films. They were used to build an inverter successfully. Moreover, the bias stability of the transistors was also proved to be improved through lithium doping. This eco-friendly solution process has the potential for low-cost fabrication of TFTs on the flexible substrate

Head-to-head comparison of amplified plasmonic exosome Aβ42 platform and single-molecule array immunoassay in a memory clinic cohort

Background: Various blood biomarkers reflecting brain amyloid‐β (Aβ) load have recently been proposed with promising results. However, to date, no comparative study among blood biomarkers has been reported. Our objective is to examine the diagnostic performance and cost effectiveness of three blood biomarkers on the same cohort. Methods: Using the same cohort (n=68), we compared the performance of the single‐molecule array (Simoa)‐Aβ40 and Aβ42, Aβ42/Aβ40 and the amplified plasmonic exosome (APEX)‐Aβ42 blood biomarkers using amyloid PET as the reference standard. We also determined the extent to which these blood tests can reduce the recruitment cost of clinical trials by identifying Amyloid positive (Aβ+) participants. Results: Compared to Simoa biomarkers, APEX‐Aβ42 showed significantly higher correlations with amyloid PET retention values and excellent diagnostic performance (sensitivity=100%, specificity=93.3%, AUC=0.995). When utilized for clinical trial recruitment, our simulation showed that pre‐screening with blood biomarkers followed by a confirmatory amyloid PET imaging would roughly half the cost (56.8% reduction for APEX‐Aβ42 and 48.6% for Simoa‐Aβ42/Aβ40) as compared to the situation where only PET imaging is used. Moreover, with a 100% sensitivity; APEX‐Aβ42 pre‐screening does not increase the required number of initial participants. Conclusions: With its high diagnostic performance, APEX is an ideal candidate for Aβ+ subject identification, monitoring, primary care screening, and could efficiently enrich clinical trials with Aβ+ participants while halving recruitment costs

Widespread translational control of fibrosis in the human heart by RNA-binding proteins

BACKGROUND: Fibrosis is a common pathology in many cardiac disorders and is driven by the activation of resident fibroblasts. The global post-transcriptional mechanisms underlying fibroblast-to-myofibroblast conversion in the heart have not been explored. METHODS: Genome-wide changes of RNA transcription and translation during human cardiac fibroblast activation were monitored with RNA sequencing and ribosome profiling. We then used an RNA-binding protein-based analyses to identify translational regulators of fibrogenic genes. The integration with cardiac ribosome occupancy levels of 30 dilated cardiomyopathy patients demonstrates that these post-transcriptional mechanisms are also active in the diseased fibrotic human heart. RESULTS: We generated nucleotide-resolution translatome data during the TGFβ1-driven cellular transition of human cardiac fibroblasts to myofibroblasts. This identified dynamic changes of RNA transcription and translation at several time points during the fibrotic response, revealing transient and early-responder genes. Remarkably, about one-third of all changes in gene expression in activated fibroblasts are subject to translational regulation and dynamic variation in ribosome occupancy affects protein abundance independent of RNA levels. Targets of RNA-binding proteins were strongly enriched in post-transcriptionally regulated genes, suggesting genes such as MBNL2 can act as translational activators or repressors. Ribosome occupancy in the hearts of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy suggested the same post-transcriptional regulatory network was underlying cardiac fibrosis. Key network hubs include RNA-binding proteins such as PUM2 and QKI that work in concert to regulate the translation of target transcripts in human diseased hearts. Furthermore, silencing of both PUM2 and QKI inhibits the transition of fibroblasts toward pro-fibrotic myofibroblasts in response to TGFβ1. CONCLUSIONS: We reveal widespread translational effects of TGFβ1 and define novel post-transcriptional regulatory networks that control the fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition. These networks are active in human heart disease and silencing of hub genes limits fibroblast activation. Our findings show the central importance of translational control in fibrosis and highlight novel pathogenic mechanisms in heart failure

Risk factors for multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii bacteremia in patients with colonization in the intensive care unit

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Epidemic outbreaks of multi-drug resistant (MDR) <it>Acinetobacter baumannii </it>(AB) in intensive care units (ICUs) are increasing. The incidence of MDR AB bacteremia, which develops as a result of colonization, is increasing through widespread dissemination of the pathogen, and further colonization. We sought to determine risk factors for MDR AB bacteremia in patients colonized with MDR AB in the ICU.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted a retrospective, observational study of 200 patients colonized with MDR AB in the ICU at Severance Hospital, South Korea during the outbreak period between January 2008 and December 2009.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 200 patients colonized with MDR AB, 108 developed MDR AB bacteremia, and 92 did not. APACHE II scores were higher in bacteremic than non-bacteremic patients at the time of ICU admission and colonization (24.0 vs. 21.6; <it>P </it>= 0.035, 22.9 vs. 16.8; <it>P </it>< 0.001, respectively). There was no difference between the two groups in the duration of time from ICU admission to colonization (7.1 vs. 7.2 days; <it>P </it>= 0.923), but the duration of time at risk was shorter in bacteremic patients (12.1 vs. 6.0 days; <it>P </it>= 0.016). A recent invasive procedure was a significant risk factor for development of bacteremia (odds ratio = 3.85; 95% CI 1.45-10.24; <it>P </it>= 0.007). Multivariate analysis indicated infection and respiratory failure at the time of ICU admission, maintenance of mechanical ventilation, maintenance of endotracheal tube instead of switching to a tracheostomy, recent central venous catheter insertion, bacteremia caused by other microorganism after colonization by MDR AB, and prior antimicrobial therapy, were significant risk factors for MDR AB bacteremia.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Patients in the ICU, colonized with MDR AB, should be considered for minimizing invasive procedures and early removal of the invasive devices to prevent development of MDR AB bacteremia.</p