A Two-Stage Decoder for Pragmatic Trellis-Coded M-PSK Modulation Using a Symbol Transformation

A two-stage decoding procedure for pragmatic trellis-coded modulation (TCM) is introduced. It applies a transformation from the received I-channel and Q-channel samples onto points in a two-dimensional (2-D) signal space that contains a coset constellation. For pragmatic TCM over M-PSK signal sets with ν coded bits per symbol, ν=1, 2, the signal points in the coset constellations represent cosets of a B/QPSK signal subset-associated with the coded bits-in the original M-PSK signal constellation. A conventional Viterbi decoder operates on the transformed symbols to estimate the coded bits. After reencoding these bits, the uncoded bits are estimated in a second stage, on a symbol-by-symbol basis, with decisions based on the location of the received symbols. In addition to requiring no changes in the Viterbi decoder core, it is shown that the proposed method results in savings of up to 40% in the memory required to store (or in the size of the logic required to compute) metrics and transformed symbols

Diffusion coefficients in leaflets of bilayer membranes

We study diffusion coefficients of liquid domains by explicitly taking into account the two-layered structure called leaflets of the bilayer membrane. In general, the velocity fields associated with each leaflet are different and the layers sliding past each other cause frictional coupling. We obtain analytical results of diffusion coefficients for a circular liquid domain in a leaflet, and quantitatively study their dependence on the inter-leaflet friction. We also show that the diffusion coefficients diverge in the absence of coupling between the bilayer and solvents, even when the inter-leaflet friction is taken into account. In order to corroborate our theory, the effect of the inter-leaflet friction on the correlated diffusion is examined.Comment: 10 figure

Mitigating supply and production uncertainties with dynamic scheduling using real-time transport information

Supply and production uncertainties can affect the scheduling and inventory performance of final production systems. Facing such uncertainties, production managers normally choose to maintain the original production schedule, or follow the first-in-first-out policy. This paper develops a new, dynamic algorithm policy that considers scheduling and inventory problems, by taking advantage of real-time shipping information enabled by today’s advanced technology. Simulation models based on the industrial example of a chemical company and the Taguchi’s method are used to test these three policies under 81 experiments with varying supply and production lead times and uncertainties. Simulation results show that the proposed dynamic algorithm outperforms the other two policies for supply chain cost. Results from Taguchi’s method show that companies should focus their long-term effort on the reduction of supply lead times, which positively affects the mitigation of supply uncertainty

Factors associated with central overweight and obesity in students attending the University for Development Studies in Tamale, Ghana: a cross-sectional study

Objectives: This study assessed the prevalence of central overweight and obesity in students of the University for Development Studies in Tamale, Ghana. Lifestyle factors associated with central overweight and obesity were also investigated in this study population.Design: A cross-sectional study design was employed.Setting: School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana.Subjects: A sample of 552 students was randomly selected to participate.Method: Waist and hip circumference was measured with appropriate tools and computed into a waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Demographic and socio-cultural factors, such as age, sex, smoking status and coffee and alcohol consumption, were recorded. Physical activity was assessed using the World Health Organization Global Physical Activity Questionnaire.Results: Generally, 29.3% of the participants had a normal WHR (44.1% males, 3.0% females). 60.9% (55.9% males, 69.7% females) were centrally overweight and 9.8% (0.0% males, 27.3% females) centrally obese. Age and smoking status were not associated with central overweight and obesity. Being female was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of central obesity. The prevalence of central obesity was 13.9% in non-coffee drinkers, 6.7% in coffee drinkers, 11% in non-alcohol drinkers and 0% in alcohol drinkers. Almost 95% of centrally obese participants engaged in light or moderate physical activity, and 5.6% in vigorous physical activity (p-value < 0.0001). Conversely, 55% of normal weight participants engaged in light or moderate physical activity and 44% in vigorous physical activity (p-value 0.0008).Conclusion: Physical activity, female gender, alcohol and coffee consumption were associated with central obesity.Keywords: alcohol consumption, central obesity, coffee consumption, Ghana, physical activity, Tamale, University students, WH

Water Consumption and its Determinants Among Women in Ghana: 2008 Demographic and Health Survey

Water is one of the most critical nutrients for humans in ensuring good health and well-being. Interestingly, majority of the vulnerable subpopulations of women in Ghana do not meet the daily recommended water intake set by the Ghana’s Ministry of Health yet the socio-economic/ demographic factors and dietary patterns influencing water intake are lacking. This study investigated the socio-economic/ demographic factors and dietary patterns influencing water intake. A total of 1,548 women with water and food intake data from the 2008 Ghana Demographic Health Survey (GDHS), which is a representative nationwide cross-sectional study, was used. 83% of the women did not meet the recommended daily water intake. Of four dietary patterns (‘Beverage & sugary based’, ‘Meat based’, ‘Indigenous- tuber based’ and ‘Indigenous- grain based’) emerging, meat based dietary pattern, seasonality, body mass index (BMI), and alcohol consumption emerged as key determinants of water intake. In summary, seasonality, dietary patterns and some key socio-economic/ demographic factors were identified as determinants of water intake. The identified determinants can serve as a basis for nutrition intervention and policies for women in Ghana

Generalised Staphylococcal Pustulosis In A Neonate: A Case Report.

Pustular eruptions in a neonate are mostly benign, but several are serious and have infectious aetiology. A detailed history, complete physical examination and careful assessment of the lesions are essential for diagnosis. The need to investigate every neonate with pustules for an infectious aetiology is emphasized. This case of generalised pustulosis in a neonate is reported as it is an uncommon presentation of Staphylococcus aureus infection, diagnostic difficulty caused by atypical skin lesions and similarity of clinical features with other causes of neonatal pustular diseases