On LDPC Codes for Gaussian Interference Channels

In this paper, we focus on the two-user Gaussian interference channel (GIC), and study the Han-Kobayashi (HK) coding/decoding strategy with the objective of designing low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes. A code optimization algorithm is proposed which adopts a random perturbation technique via tracking the average mutual information. The degree distribution optimization and convergence threshold computation are carried out for strong and weak interference channels, employing binary phase-shift keying (BPSK). Under strong interference, it is observed that optimized codes operate close to the capacity boundary. For the case of weak interference, it is shown that via the newly designed codes, a nontrivial rate pair is achievable, which is not attainable by single user codes with time-sharing. Performance of the designed LDPC codes are also studied for finite block lengths through simulations of specific codes picked from the optimized degree distributions.Comment: ISIT 201

Effects of processed recycled poultry bedding with tannins extracted from pomegranate peel on the nutrient digestibility and growth performance of lambs

The aim of this experiment was to decrease the rumen degradability rate of recycled poultry bedding (RPB) protein using pomegranate peel extract (PPE) as the tannin source. Furthermore, to study the effects of this processing method on nutrient digestibility, rumen and blood parameters, nitrogen retention, growth performance, carcass characteristics of male Arabi lambs, and the economic value of diets and production. Thirty-two Arabi lambs (19.7 ± 2.45 kg bodyweight, 90 ± 12 days old) were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments including a control and RPB treated with 20%, 25% and 30% PPE on a dry matter basis. Compared with the control, treatment of RPB with PPE did not affect apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fibre or acid detergent fibre. However, apparent crude protein digestibility decreased significantly. Dietary treatments had no effect on ruminal pH, although ammonia-nitrogen and blood urea nitrogen concentration decreased in diets containing RPB treated with PPE. All lambs were in a positive nitrogen balance and the highest nitrogen retention was observed in the dietary group that was fed RPB treated with 25% PPE. Adding PPE to RPB up to 25% significantly increased final bodyweight, total gain, average daily gain and warm carcass weight, and improved the economic values of production as it decreased the price of each kilogram diet and cost per unit of production (each kilogram bodyweight). The dry matter intake and gain efficiency were unaffected by treatments. Therefore, treatment of RPB with 25% PPE in the finishing diets of Arabi lambs improved growth performance and nitrogen metabolism without affecting feed intake and gain efficiency, and warm carcass weight, and improved the economic values of production.Keywords: ammonia nitrogen, blood urea nitrogen, carcass characteristics, economic analysis, nitrogen balanc

Double Relaxation via AdS/CFT

We exploit the AdS/CFT correspondence to investigate thermalization in an N=2 strongly coupled gauge theory including massless fundamental matter (quark). More precisely, we consider the response of a zero temperature state of the gauge theory under variation of an external electric field leading to a time-dependent current. The holographic dual of the above set-up is given by introducing a time-dependent electric field on the probe D7-brane embedded in an AdS_5 X S^5 background. In the dual gravity theory, due to a time-dependent electric field an apparent horizon forms on the brane which, according to AdS/CFT dictionary, is the counterpart of the thermalization process in the gauge theory. We classify different functions for time-dependent electric field and study their effect on the apparent horizon formation. In the case of pulse functions where the electric field varies from zero to zero, apart from non-equilibrium phase, we observe that two apparent horizons form on the brane. On the gauge theory side, it means that the state of the gauge theory experiences two different temperatures during the time evolution.Comment: 28 pages, 13 figures, published versio

Susceptibility of Leishmania major to Veronica persica Poir. extracts - In vitro and in vivo assays

Leishmania major is an intracellular parasite generally responsible for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), one of the most encountered skin diseases especially in Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. Current treatment options are not ideal, due to unwanted side effects and increasing resistance and availability is often limited in developing countries. Medicinal plants continue to attract attention because of their beneficial effects in the prevention or/and accelerating the healing process of various diseases. In this study, in vitro and in vivo susceptibility of L. major to Veronica persica Poir. extract, a medicinal plant with many applications, has been evaluated. Antileishmanial activity of plant extract was investigated both on cultured L. major promastigotes and in mice challenged with L. major. Animals were divided into three groups including control (without any treatment), test (treated with plant extract) and glucantime (the reference drug) treated groups. After treatments, skin lesion sizes and body weights of animals were checked during 4 weeks. The potential of the plant extract in decreasing the number of parasites in spleen cells of animals as well as inducing the nitric oxide (NO) production by macrophage cells was also investigated. In vitro tests showed that the plant extract was able to reduce the survival time of promastigotes in a concentration-dependent manner. In vivo experiments also revealed a significant influence of V. persica extracts on accelerating the healing process as well as reducing the overall disease burden in animal model by inducing NO production in macrophage cells. Our findings indicated the promising potential of V. persica extract as an ideal candidate in the treatment of CL caused by L. major

Physarum Inspired Dynamics to Solve Semi-Definite Programs

Physarum Polycephalum is a Slime mold that can solve the shortest path problem. A mathematical model based on the Physarum's behavior, known as the Physarum Directed Dynamics, can solve positive linear programs. In this paper, we will propose a Physarum based dynamic based on the previous work and introduce a new way to solve positive Semi-Definite Programming (SDP) problems, which are more general than positive linear programs. Empirical results suggest that this extension of the dynamic can solve the positive SDP showing that the nature-inspired algorithm can solve one of the hardest problems in the polynomial domain. In this work, we will formulate an accurate algorithm to solve positive and some non-negative SDPs and formally prove some key characteristics of this solver thus inspiring future work to try and refine this method

Is Connectivity a Desirable Property in Urban Resilience Assessments?

Acknowledgements Marta Olazabal acknowledges funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 653522 (RESIN—Climate Resilient Cities and Infrastructures project). Marta Olazabal holds a fellowship by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) (grant no. FPDI-2013-16631). The authors also acknowledge support from the National Institute for Environmental Studies. Marta Olazabal acknowledges funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 653522 (RESIN—Climate Resilient Cities and Infrastructures project). Marta Olazabal holds a fellowship by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) (grant no. FPDI-2013-16631). The authors also acknowledge support from the National Institute for Environmental Studies

Heavy metal flocculation at Pirbazar River, Banadar Anzali, south west Caspian Sea

Heavy metal flocculation process was studied in the year 2002 in order to determine the interaction of water in Pirbazar River with Caspian Sea water. The effects of various salinity concentrations of Caspian Sea water were studied on determined heavy metals including Fe, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd and Cr level of Pirbazar River using APHA method of extraction and measurement. The results illustrated that the level of heavy metal concentration in Pirbazar River were above standard limits and the extent of flocculation depended on both the salinity level and the heavy metal itself. The maximum flocculation for Cd and Cr were recorded at 7.65ppt, for Zn and Fe at 9.35ppt while for Pb and Cd were at 2.55ppt salinity. The order of flocculation with respect to percentage of original concentrations was found to be Zn > Fe > Cr> Cu > Cd> Pb

In vitro and in vivo assessment of free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities of Veronica persica Poir

With the appearance of new disorders along with inability of some conventional therapies for the treatment of diseases without any side effects, the discovery of safe and efficient therapeutic agents is of utmost importance in the medical area. In this context, medicinal plants as promising therapeutic candidates can provide a reliable and efficient profile. Since free radicals are at the center of various disorder pathways, reducing their production or complete removal of these chemical species could be advantageous for prevention and treatment of many diseases. In this experiment, free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities of Veronica persica Poir., a known medicinal plant, were evaluated using in vitro and in vivo assays. Chemical characterization results showed a high phenolic content in the V. persica methanol extract. In addition, in vitro assays including DPPH radical-scavenging assay, nitric oxide-scavenging activity assay, hydrogen peroxide scavenging test and bleomycin-dependent DNA damage test revealed significant antioxidant power and radical scavenging capacity of this plant. In accordance, in vivo experiments showed inhibitory effects of the methanol extract on lipid peroxidation, a main cause of cell damage. Our findings revealed the promising potential of this plant in reducing free radicals through different pathways. Moreover, our data suggested a correlation between the high phenolic content of the V. persica extract and its free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities

Reduced Phagocytic Capacity of Blood Monocyte/Macrophages in Tuberculosis Patients Is Further Reduced by Smoking.

Tuberculosis (TB) and tobacco use are two major alarming global health issues posing immense threats to human populations. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) by activation of macrophages could induce the sequences of cells activation and releases of inflammatory cytokines such as CXCL-8, Il-12 and TNF-α which in turn induces the immune system network. However no information is available on other activity of cells by MTB and smoking. In the current study we aimed to investigate the serum levels TNF-a, CXCL-8 and phagocytosis capacity in tuberculosis patients with and without smoking. 103 subjects entered the study including 61 new diagnosed pulmonary TB patients (23 smokers and 38 nonsmokers) and 42 control healthy subjects. The phagocytosis of fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran (FITC-dextran) in blood monocytes/macrophages through flowcytometry was assessed. Serum levels of TNF-a and CXCL-8 were analyzed by ELISA methods. A lower percentage of cells from TB patients who smoked [50.29% (43.4-57.2), p<0.01] took up FITC-dextran after 2h compared to non-smoking TB subjects [71.62% (69.2-74.1)] and healthy cases [97.45% (95.9-99.1). Phagocytic capacity was inversely correlated with cigarette smoking as measured by pack years (r=-0.73, p<0.001). The serum levels of TNF-a and CXCL-8 were significantly higher in the TB patients who smoked compared to the TB non-smoker group (p<0.001, p<0.01 respectively). Blood monocytes/macrophages from TB patients have reduced phagocytic capacity which is further reduced in TB patients who smoke. Smoking enhanced serum levels of TNF-a and CXCL-8 suggesting a greater imbalance between the proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors in these patients