Block synchronization algorithms for UWB-OFDM systems

Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) is a modulation known by its high spectral efficiency, high tolerance to multipath delay spread in frequency selective channels, and low cost of implementation. However, OFDM systems are extremely sensitive to synchronizations errors. In this paper, we propose an unbiased block synchronization algorithm that uses the structure of the cyclic prefix, the presence of pilot tones in the OFDM block, and an estimation of the channel time impulse response. This algorithm is able to achieve fast synchronization as required, for instance, on Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) multipath fading channels. To quantify the performance of the block synchronization algorithm, we use the start of frame mean square error. Through numerical simulations, we show that our algorithm outperforms previously published synchronization algorithms.Fil: Maya, Juan Augusto. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería. Departamento de Electronica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Galarza, Cecilia Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería. Departamento de Electronica; Argentin

A BCS microwave imaging algorithm for object detection and shape reconstruction tested with experimental data

An approach based on the Green function and the Born approximation is used for impulsive radio ultra-wideband (UWB) microwave imaging, in which a permittivity map of the illuminated scenario is estimated using the scattered fields measured at several positions. Two algorithms are applied to this model and compared: the first one solves the inversion problem using a linear operator. The second one is based on the Bayesian compressive sensing (BCS) technique, where the sparseness of the contrast function is introduced as extit{a priori} knowledge in order to improve the inverse mapping. In order to compare both methods, measurements in real scenarios are taken using an UWB radar prototype. The results with real measurements illustrate that, for the considered scenarios, the BCS imaging algorithm has a better performance in terms of range and cross-range resolution allowing object detection and shape reconstruction, with a reduced computational burden, and fewer space and frequency measurements, as compared to the linear operator.Fil: Zilberstein, Nicolás. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Maya, Juan Augusto. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería. Departamento de Electronica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Centro de Simulación Computacional para Aplicaciones Tecnológicas; ArgentinaFil: Altieri, Andrés Oscar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Centro de Simulación Computacional para Aplicaciones Tecnológicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería. Departamento de Electronica; Argentin

An Exponentially-Tight Approximate Factorization of the Joint PDF of Statistical Dependent Measurements in Wireless Sensor Networks

We consider the distributed detection problem of a temporally correlated random radio source signal using a wireless sensor network capable of measuring the energy of the received signals. It is well-known that optimal tests in the Neyman-Pearson setting are based on likelihood ratio tests (LRT), which, in this set-up, evaluate the quotient between the probability density functions (PDF) of the measurements when the source signal is present and absent. When the source is present, the computation of the joint PDF of the energy measurements at the nodes is a challenging problem. This is due to the statistical dependence introduced to the received signals by the radio source propagated through fading channels. We deal with this problem using the characteristic function of the (intractable) joint PDF, and proposing an approximation to it. We derive bounds for the approximation error in two wireless propagation scenarios, slow and fast fading, and show that the proposed approximation is exponentially tight with the number of nodes when the time-bandwidth product is sufficiently high. The approximation is used as a substitute of the exact joint PDF for building an approximate LRT, which performs better than other well-known detectors, as verified by Monte Carlo simulations.Comment: This is a pre-print version of an article submitted to IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications and it is under revie

Análisis de contenido en medios virtuales relacionados con el proyecto de interconexión eléctrica en el distrito de conservación barbas–Bremen en el depto. Del Quindío

El presente trabajo de grado en el área de medios del programa de Comunicación Social Periodismo de la Universidad del Quindío, busca abrir la discusión acerca de los modelos de comunicación de la ciencia que pueden colegirse del análisis realizado a un conjunto representativo de medios virtuales que abordaron, en un período de tiempo específico, la controversia ambiental arriba mencionada.PregradoComunicador Social - Periodist

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection