Energy efficiency of transmit diversity systems under a realistic power consumption model

We compare the downlink energy efficiency of spatial diversity multiple transmit antenna schemes. We determine the minimum required transmit power for a given outage probability. Our analysis shows that antenna selection is in general the most energy efficient option as it requires a single radio-frequency chain. We also investigate the limiting distances up to which the antenna selection technique outperforms the transmit beamforming scheme for different numbers of transmit antennas

Associations between sleep conditions and body composition states: results of the EPISONO study.

Evidence suggests anthropometric indicators of obesity are associated with changes in sleep quality and quantity, and the presence of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Investigations including diverse and objective evaluations of sleep and body composition are scarce. We aimed to evaluate the associations between indicators of sleep impairment and body composition states in a sample from a population-based study. Participants of the first follow-up of the EPISONO (São Paulo, Brazil) >50 years were cross-sectionally evaluated. Sleep was assessed through questionnaires, actigraphy, and polysomnography. Body composition was evaluated by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass adjusted for body mass index defined sarcopenia (men <0.789 and women <0.512). Total body fat defined obesity (men >30% and women >40%). The overlap between both conditions defined sarcopenic obesity (SO). Final results were obtained by multinomial logistic regression analysis. Three hundred fifty-nine adults [mean (standard deviation) age, 61 (8.8) years; 212 (59.1%) female] were enrolled. Obesity was detected in 22.6% of the sample, sarcopenia in 5.6%, and SO in 16.2%. After controlling for covariates, OSA was associated with SO [odds ratio = 3.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.49-6.61]. Additionally, nocturnal hypoxaemia was associated with both obesity (adjusted odds ratio = 2.59, 95% CI = 1.49-4.49) and SO (odds ratio = 2.92, 95% CI = 1.39-6.13). Other indicators of poor sleep/sleep disorders were not associated with body composition states. Sarcopenic obesity but not obesity alone was associated with OSA. Both obesity and SO but not sarcopenia were associated with nocturnal hypoxaemia. The findings suggest a complex pathophysiologic relationship between adverse body composition states and OSA. Upcoming research on risk factors and therapeutic interventions for OSA should target synchronically the lean and adipose body tissues

The peculiar breeding biology of the Amazonian frog Allobates subfolionidificans (Aromobatidae)

Allobates subfolionidificans is a vulnerable and endemic leaf-litter frog from the state of Acre, Brazilian Amazonia. We monitored a population of A. subfolionidificans through regular censuses and mark-recapture of 181 individuals during an entire breeding season to characterize its reproductive behavior. The space use of A. subfolionidificans individuals differed between sexes, with males using smaller and more segregated spaces. Males defended territories and were aggressive against same-sex individuals, which was not the case in females. The daily cycle of calling activity showed peaks in the morning and in the afternoon, and the occurrence of reproductive events was positively correlated with monthly rainfall. The breeding behavior comprised vocal and tactile interactions, although the species lacked reproductive amplexus. Egg and larvae attendance, as well as tadpole transport to water environments was performed mostly by males but occasionally by females, probably in cases of desertion by the father. This species is characterized by performing courtship, mating, oviposition, as well as egg and larvae attendance exclusively on the under surface of leaves, a unique behavior among members of the superfamily Dendrobatoidea

Electron localization : band-by-band decomposition, and application to oxides

Using a plane wave pseudopotential approach to density functional theory we investigate the electron localization length in various oxides. For this purpose, we first set up a theory of the band-by-band decomposition of this quantity, more complex than the decomposition of the spontaneous polarization (a related concept), because of the interband coupling. We show its interpretation in terms of Wannier functions and clarify the effect of the pseudopotential approximation. We treat the case of different oxides: BaO, $\alpha$-PbO, BaTiO$_3$ and PbTiO$_3$. We also investigate the variation of the localization tensor during the ferroelectric phase transitions of BaTiO$_3$ as well as its relationship with the Born effective charges

A IMPORTÂNCIA DAS MACRÓFITAS AQUÁTICAS NO CICLO DO MERCÚRIO NA BACIA DO RIO TAPAJÓS (PA)

Studies about the mercury (Hg) cycle in the Amazon region indicate that deforestation is a main source of Hg to aquatic systems. The atmospheric Hg deposits in soil have a great affinity with Iron (Fe) and Aluminum (Al) oxyhidroxides that are carried to waters by runoff during rainy season. Constituting the fine particulate matter (FPM), Hg is accumulated in aquatic macrophytes roots, a main site of methylmercury (MeHg) production, permitting biomagnification of the neurotoxic MeHg. During wet season, the organic material, humic and fulvic acids and Hg associated to clayed sediments from inundated forest seem to intensify biotic and abiotic Hg methylation. The reducing and acidic conditions may facilitate the bioavailability of the reactive Hg and a higher transference of the produced MeHg is expected as a function of microbial activity and diversity. During the dry season, Hg may return to the atmospheric and terrestrial systems as a consequence of macrophyte decomposition.Os estudos sobre o ciclo do mercúrio (Hg) na região amazônica durante os últimos 20 anos indicam que a atual fonte de contaminação do meio aquático é o desmatamento. O Hg que se deposita no sistema terrestre tem grande afinidade com os oxihidróxidos de Ferro (Fe) e Alumínio (Al), que são carreados por lixiviação durante o período de chuvas. Esses elementos integram o material particulado fino (MPF) e são acumulados em raízes de macrófitas aquáticas, principal local de formação do metilmercúrio (MeHg), composto neurotóxico biomagnificado na cadeia trófica. Durante o período de cheia, a inundação da floresta fornece material orgânico, ácidos húmicos e fúlvicos e Hg junto com sedimentos argilosos, que formam um ambiente favorável à metilação biótica e abiótica do Hg. As condições reduzidas e de pH ácido podem favorecer a biodisponibilidade do Hg e a diversidade e atividade de microrganismos podem intensificar o processo de transferência trófica do MeHg produzido. Durante o período de seca, as macrófitas se decompõem e o Hg, possivelmente, retorna aos sistemas atmosférico e terrestre.

Maximally-localized Wannier functions for entangled energy bands

We present a method for obtaining well-localized Wannier-like functions (WFs) for energy bands that are attached to or mixed with other bands. The present scheme removes the limitation of the usual maximally-localized WFs method (N. Marzari and D. Vanderbilt, Phys. Rev. B 56, 12847 (1997)) that the bands of interest should form an isolated group, separated by gaps from higher and lower bands everywhere in the Brillouin zone. An energy window encompassing N bands of interest is specified by the user, and the algorithm then proceeds to disentangle these from the remaining bands inside the window by filtering out an optimally connected N-dimensional subspace. This is achieved by minimizing a functional that measures the subspace dispersion across the Brillouin zone. The maximally-localized WFs for the optimal subspace are then obtained via the algorithm of Marzari and Vanderbilt. The method, which functions as a postprocessing step using the output of conventional electronic-structure codes, is applied to the s and d bands of copper, and to the valence and low-lying conduction bands of silicon. For the low-lying nearly-free-electron bands of copper we find WFs which are centered at the tetrahedral interstitial sites, suggesting an alternative tight-binding parametrization.Comment: 13 pages, with 9 postscript figures embedded. Uses REVTEX and epsf macro

Reproductive performance of sows inseminated with semen doses stored for up to seven days in long-term extender in a field condition

This study aimed to evaluate the reproductive performance of sows inseminated with semen doses preserved at 15-18 degrees C for up to seven days in long-term extender (Duragen (R)). Parity one (PO1) to PO7 sows were randomly assigned to the following groups: AI1-3 (n=190), insemination with semen doses stored between one and three days; and AI5-7 (n=124), insemination with semen doses stored between five and seven days. Sows were submitted to estrus detection twice a day. Post-cervical insemination according to weaning-to-estrus interval was performed. The farrowing rate (FR) did not differ between the groups (AI1-3=83.2%; AI5-7=82.2%; p>0.05) nor did the total number of piglets born (TPB; AI1-3=14.2 +/- 0.3; AI5-7=14.5 +/- 0.3; p>0.05). Considering the semen dose most likely responsible for fertilization according to its storage time (1, 2-3, 5, and 6-7 days), the FR (72.7%, 87.8%, 85.7%, and 79%, respectively) and TPB (14.4, 14.0, 14.9, and 13.5, respectively) were similar among the groups (p>0.05). In conclusion, the use of semen doses extended with long-term extender stored for up to seven days did not impair the reproductive performance of sows. Therefore, it''s using could optimize production efficiency and logistics of semen dose deliveries to sow farms

Mapping cell-in-cell structures in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Cell-in-cell (CIC) structures contribute to tumor aggressiveness and poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In vitro 3D models may contribute to the understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of these events. We employed a spheroid model to study the CIC structures in OSCC. Spheroids were obtained from OSCC (HSC3) and cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) lines using the Nanoshuttle-PLTM bioprinting system (Greiner Bio-One). Spheroid form, size, and reproducibility were evaluated over time (EvosTM XL; ImageJ version 1.8). Slides were assembled, stained (hematoxylin and eosin), and scanned (Axio Imager Z2/VSLIDE) using the OlyVIA System (Olympus Life Science) and ImageJ software (NIH) for cellular morphology and tumor zone formation (hypoxia and/or proliferative zones) analysis. CIC occurrence, complexity, and morphology were assessed considering the spheroid regions. Well-formed spheroids were observed within 6 h of incubation, showing the morphological aspects of the tumor microenvironment, such as hypoxic (core) and proliferative zone (periphery) formation. CIC structures were found in both homotypic and heterotypic groups, predominantly in the proliferative zone of the mixed HSC3/CAF spheroids. “Complex cannibalism” events were also noted. These results showcase the potential of this model in further studies on CIC morphology, formation, and relationship with tumor prognosis

Current-Density Functional Theory of the Response of Solids

The response of an extended periodic system to a homogeneous field (of wave-vector $q=0$) cannot be obtained from a $q=0$ time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculation, because the Runge-Gross theorem does not apply. Time-dependent {\em current}-density functional theory is needed and demonstrates that one key ingredient missing from TDDFT is the macroscopic current. In the low-frequency limit, in certain cases, density polarization functional theory is recovered and a formally exact expression for the polarization functional is given.Comment: 5 pages, accepted in PR