Enhanced Trellis Coded Multiple Access (ETCMA)

We propose an enhanced version of trellis coded multiple access (TCMA), an overloaded multiple access scheme that outperforms the original TCMA in terms of achieved spectral efficiency. Enhanced TCMA (ETCMA) performs simultaneous transmission of multiple data streams intended for users experiencing similar signal-to-noise ratios and can be employed both in the uplink and in the downlink of wireless systems, thus overcoming one of the main limitations of TCMA. Thanks to a new receiver algorithm, ETCMA is capable of delivering a significantly higher spectral efficiency. We show that ETCMA approaches the capacity of the Additive White Gaussian Noise channel for a wide range of signal-to-noise ratios.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

First report of the ticks Haemaphysalis punctata Canestrini et Fanzago, 1878, Haemaphysalis parva (Neumann, 1897) and Dermacentor marginatus (Sulzer, 1776) (Acari, Amblyommidae) from humans in Lebanon

Purpose: Knowledge on ticks infesting humans is scarce for the middle East. In this work, tick specimens (Acari: Amblyommidae) infesting humans in Lebanon were identified. Methods: Ticks that were found on humans were received in the Lebanese University, Faculty of Sciences. The specimens were preserved in alcohol for their further morphological identification morphological identification. Results: Three tick species were identified: a red sheep tick Haemaphysalis punctata Canestrini et Fanzago, 1878, a Mediterranean ear tick H. parva (Neumann, 1897), and an ornate sheep tick Dermacentor marginatus (Sulzer, 1776); all isolated from human hosts. Conclusion: This is the 1st report of Haemaphysalis punctata, H. parva and Dermacentor marginatus from central and North Lebanon infesting humans

First record of Poecilochirus mrciaki Mašán, 1999 (Acari, Parasitidae) and its phoretic carriers in the Iberian peninsula

We report for the first time the presence of Poecilochirus mrciaki Mašán, 1999 in the South of Europe, in the Iberian peninsula and on new carrier insects. Mites were collected from carrion insects, during a decomposition experiment carried out in the natural park “Aiako Harria” (Errenteria, Gipuzkoa). Most deutonymphs were found on the body of the necrophagous beetle Necrodes littoralis (Coleoptera, Silphidae). Other species of insects in families Geotrupidae, Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) and Calliphoridae (Diptera) were also transporting mites. All carriers were colonising or visiting the pig carcasses. Sampling lasted 3 months in the summers 2009 and 2010. Most mites were sampled from bloat to advanced decay. This is also the first record of P. mrciaki phoretic on flies (Diptera)

Graduate Internship Report in AgEd: Heritage High School

This document represents a compilation of responses addressing the Quality Criteria in Agricultural Education, and the required documentation. The forty-eight sections of this document cover the following three major areas. Heritage High School\u27s program information in meeting the Quality Criteria in Agricultural Education. Verification and supporting documentation in meeting the quality criteria. Project emphasis repor

Advanced Ground Systems Maintenance Functional Fault Models For Fault Isolation Project

This project implements functional fault models (FFM) to automate the isolation of failures during ground systems operations. FFMs will also be used to recommend sensor placement to improve fault isolation capabilities. The project enables the delivery of system health advisories to ground system operators

Advanced Ground Systems Maintenance Prognostics Project

The project implements prognostics capabilities to predict when a component system or subsystem will no longer meet desired functional or performance criteria, called the end of life. The capability also provides an assessment of the remaining useful life of a hardware component. The project enables the delivery of system health advisories to ground system operators. This project will use modeling techniques and algorithms to assess components' health andpredict remaining life for such components. The prognostics capability being developed will beused:during the design phase and during pre/post operations to conduct planning and analysis ofsystem design, maintenance & logistics plans, and system/mission operations plansduring real-time operations to monitor changes to components' health and assess their impacton operations.This capability will be interfaced to Ground Operations' command and control system as a part ofthe AGSM project to help assure system availability and mission success. The initial modelingeffort for this capability will be developed for Liquid Oxygen ground loading applications