Concatenated Space Time Block Codes and TCM, Turbo TCM Convolutional as well as Turbo Codes

Space-time block codes provide substantial diversity advantages for multiple transmit antenna systems at a low decoding complexity. In this paper, we concatenate space-time codes with Convolutional Codes (CC), Turbo Convolutional codes (TC), Turbo BCH codes (TBCH), Trellis Coded Modulation (TCM) and Turbo Trellis Coded Modulation (TTCM) schemes for achieving a high coding gain. The associated performance and complexity of the coding schemes is compared

Neurohumoral stimulation in type-2-diabetes as an emerging disease concept

Neurohumoral stimulation comprising both autonomic-nervous-system dysfunction and activation of hormonal systems including the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) was found to be associated with Type-2-diabetes (T2D). Therapeutic strategies such as RAAS interference proved to be beneficial in both T2D treatment and prevention. In addition to an activated RAAS, hyperleptinemia in obesity, hyperinsulinemia in conditions of peripheral insulin resistance and overall oxidative stress in T2D represent known activators of the sympathetic component of the autonomic nervous system. Here, we hypothesize that sympathetic activation may cause peripheral insulin resistance defined as partial blocking of insulin effects on glucose uptake. Resulting hyperinsulinemia or hyperglycemia-related oxidative stress may further aggravate sympatho-excitation. This notion leads to a secondary hypothesis: sympathetic activation worsens from obesity towards insulin resistance, and further towards T2D. In this review, existing evidence relating to neurohumoral stimulation in T2D and consequences thereof, such as oxidative stress and inflammation, are discussed. The aim of this review is to provide a rationale for therapies, which are able to intercept neuroendocrine pathways in T2D and precursor states such as obesity

Behavior and the Response of Cancer Cells on Anticancer Drug Treatment Monitored with Microelectrode Array

AbstractA cell-based impedance biosensor using microelectrode array has been developed for monitoring cellular activities of MCF-7 breast cancer cells and evaluating drug-induced apoptosis. Using this device, different activities of cells such as cell attachment, adhesion, and spreading are monitored by measuring impedance spectra and interpreting the data using an electrical equivalent circuit. In order to demonstrate pharmaceutical relevance, the cells were treated with 25μM of anti-cancer drug Cisplatin. It was found that cell spreading caused a significant increase of impedance magnitude in the frequency range between 10kHz and 100kHz during 23h of incubation, which is reversed after 24h treatment with Cisplatin. This reversal is attributed to cell apoptosis, which is confirmed by microscopic observation of the cells

Plasmapheresis leading to remission of refractory nephrotic syndrome due to fibrillary glomerulonephritis: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Fibrillary glomerulonephritis (FibGN) is characterized by extracellular deposition of Congo red-negative microfibrils within the glomerular mesangium and leads to gross proteinuria or nephrotic syndrome. After diagnosis of FibGN, end-stage renal disease occurs within four years in 50% of patients.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 36-year-old Caucasian woman with proteinuria and intermittent nephrotic syndrome due to FibGN intermittently received immunosuppressive therapies, including glucocorticoids, mycophenolate mofetil, and rituximab, for 10 years. However, disease remission was not achieved and progressive kidney injury developed. Ultimately, in stage IV of chronic kidney disease (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes), three cycles of plasmapheresis of five to seven sessions each were performed every three to four months, reducing steady-state proteinuria from 7 to less than 1 g/day. Here, plasmapheresis led to a remission of nephrotic syndrome associated with FibGN.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Plasmapheresis therapy is proposed as a further option for immunosuppressant-refractory FibGN.</p

Label-free detection and characterization of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)-like antibodies

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) antibodies (Abs) can mediate and activate blood cells, forming blood clots. To detect HIT Abs, immunological assays with high sensitivity (≥95%) and fast response are widely used, but only about 50% of these tests are accurate as non-HIT Abs also bind to the same antigens. We aim to develop biosensor-based electrical detection to better differentiate HIT-like from non-HIT-like Abs. As a proof of principle, we tested with two types of commercially available monoclonal Abs including KKO (inducing HIT) and RTO (noninducing HIT). Platelet factor 4/Heparin antigens were immobilized on gold electrodes, and binding of antibodies on the chips was detected based on the change in the charge transfer resistance (Rct). Binding of KKO on sensors yielded a significantly lower charge transfer resistance than that of RTO. Bound antibodies and their binding characteristics on the sensors were confirmed and characterized by complementary techniques. Analysis of thermal kinetics showed that RTO bonds are more stable than those of KKO, whereas KKO exhibited a higher negative ζ potential than RTO. These different characteristics made it possible to electrically differentiate these two types of antibodies. Our study opens a new avenue for the development of sensors for better detection of pathogenic Abs in HIT patients

Graphical diagnostics to check model misspecification for the proportional odds regression model

The cumulative logit or the proportional odds regression model is commonly used to study covariate effects on ordinal responses. This paper provides some graphical and numerical methods for checking the adequacy of the proportional odds regression model. The methods focus on evaluating functional misspecification for specific covariate effects, but misspecification of the link function can also be dealt with under the same framework. For the logistic regression model with binary responses, Arbogast and Lin ( Statist. Med. 2005; 24 :229–247) developed similar graphical and numerical methods for assessing the adequacy of the model using the cumulative sums of residuals. The paper generalizes their methods to ordinal responses and illustrates them using an example from the VA Normative Aging Study. Simulation studies comparing the performance of the different diagnostic methods indicate that some of the graphical methods are more powerful in detecting model misspecification than the Hosmer–Lemeshow-type goodness-of-fit statistics for the class of models studied. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/61528/1/3386_ftp.pd

In situ impedance measurements on postmortem porcine brain

The paper presents an experimental study where the distinctness of grey and white matter of an in situ postmortem porcine brain by impedance measurements is investigated. Experimental conditions that would allow to conduct the same experiment on in vivo human brain tissue are replicated

Energy-efficient biomass processing with pulsed electric fields for bioeconomy and sustainable development

Fossil resources-free sustainable development can be achieved through a transition to bioeconomy, an economy based on sustainable biomass-derived food, feed, chemicals, materials, and fuels. However, the transition to bioeconomy requires development of new energy-efficient technologies and processes to manipulate biomass feed stocks and their conversion into useful products, a collective term for which is biorefinery. One of the technological platforms that will enable various pathways of biomass conversion is based on pulsed electric fields applications (PEF). Energy efficiency of PEF treatment is achieved by specific increase of cell membrane permeability, a phenomenon known as membrane electroporation. Here, we review the opportunities that PEF and electroporation provide for the development of sustainable biorefineries. We describe the use of PEF treatment in biomass engineering, drying, deconstruction, extraction of phytochemicals, improvement of fermentations, and biogas production. These applications show the potential of PEF and consequent membrane electroporation to enable the bioeconomy and sustainable development