Theoretical analysis of REM-based handover algorithm for heterogeneous networks

© 2013 IEEE. Handover has been a widely studied topic since the beginning of the mobile communications era, but with the advent of another generation, it is worth seeing it with fresh eyes. Data traffic is expected to keep growing as new use cases will coexist under the same umbrella, e.g., vehicle-to-vehicle or massive-machine-type communications. Heterogeneous networks will give way to multi-tiered networks, and mobility management will become challenging once again. Under the current approach, based uniquely on measurements, the number of handovers will soar, so will the signaling. We propose a handover algorithm that employs multidimensional radio-cognitive databases, namely radio environment maps, to predict the best network connection according to the user's trajectory. Radio environment maps have been extensively used in spectrum-sharing scenarios, and recently, some advances in other areas have been supported by them, such as coverage deployment or interference management. We also present a geometric model that translates the 3GPP specifications into geometry and introduce a new framework that can give useful insights into our proposed technique's performance. We validate our framework through Monte Carlo simulations, and the results show that a drastic reduction of at least 10% in the ping-pong handovers can be achieved, thus reducing the signaling needed

Optimal Mode Selection for Full-Duplex Enabled D2D Cognitive Networks

© 2019 IEEE. Full-Duplex (FD) and Device-to-Device (D2D) communications have been recognized as one of the successful solutions of spectrum scarcity in 5G networks. Significant advancements in self-interference-to-power-ratio (SIPR) reduction have paved the way for FD use to double the data rates and reduce the latency. This advantage can now be exploited to optimize dynamic spectrum sharing among different radio access technologies in cognitive networks. However, protecting the primary user communication has been a challenging problem in such coexistence. In this paper, we provide an abstract level analysis of protecting primary users reception based on secondary users FD enabled communication. We also propose optimal mode selection (Half-duplex, Full-duplex, or silent) for secondary D2D users depending on its impact on primary users. Our analysis presents the significant advantage of D2D mode selection in terms of efficient spectrum utilization while protecting the primary user transmission, thus, leading the way for FD enabled D2D setup. Depending on the location and transmit power of D2D users, the induced aggregate interference should not violate the interference threshold of primary users. For this, we characterize the interference from D2D links and derive the probability for successful D2D users for half-duplex and full-duplex modes. The analyses are further supported by theoretical and extensive simulation results

A Study of the Formal Architectural-Sculptural Characteristics of El Tajin

El Tajín was an ancient metropolis in which rituals such as the Mesoamerican ball game were carried out, later to be recorded in the sculptural bas-reliefs of its architecture. The study of its morphologies is the recognition of the ways in which an ancient civilization is expressed, thus contributing to the characterization of a culture whose past belongs to World Heritage. This paper proposes a case-sample analysis of the bas-reliefs in the South Ballcourt based on reticular geometry and fractal dimension analysis. It was found that the geometry of the RA (golden rectangle), RR2 and RR3 are prevalent, in addition to the identification of iconographic naturalist and symbolic elements; from the box-counting fractal dimension, it was found that the elements, though of different sizes or composition, show similar complexities, with a value of around 1.7

In vitro PGPR properties and osmotic tolerance of different Azospirillum native strains and their effects on growth of maize under drought stress

Osmotic variations in the soil can affect bacterial growth diminishing the number ofinoculated bacteria. In a scenario of water deficit having tolerant bacteria would bebeneficial to achieve a better response of the plant to stress. Thus, selection of moreresistant bacteria could be useful to design new inoculants to be used in arid zones. In thissense, a group of Azospirillum isolates deposited in INTA collection was characterized inorder to select strains tolerant to osmotic stress. The results obtained demonstrated that Az19 strain has similar in vitro PGPR characteristics to Az39, the most used strain inArgentina for inoculants industries, with the advantage of a better tolerance to osmotic andsalt stress. Inoculation of maize plants with this strain resulted in a better response againstwater deficit compared to Az39 strain, encouraging us to further study the behavior of thisstrain in greenhouse and field trials in view of developing new inoculants suitable for areaswith water deficit.Fil: García, Julia E.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronomicas. Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola; ArgentinaFil: Maroniche, Guillermo Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Sur. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Creus, Cecilia Mónica. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Sur. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Suarez Rodriguez, Ramón. Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos; MéxicoFil: Ramirez Trujillo, José Augusto. Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos; MéxicoFil: Groppa, María Daniela. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Current Status of the Insecticide Resistance in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) from Mexico

The mosquito Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) is the primary vector of dengue in Mexico and lately virus Chikungunya, although Aedes albopictus is widely distributed; its role in both diseases’ transmission has not been confirmed. The control of mosquitoes in Mexico includes source reduction consisting in the elimination of containers that are favorable sites for oviposition and development of the aquatic stage. The use of insecticides is to control larvae and adulticides as outdoor ultra-low volume applications and indoor residual spray and more recently impregnated materials. The health department regulates the use of insecticides, and such regulations are revised and adapted over time. Since 1999, the vector control regulations gave preference to the use of pyrethroids, a permethrin-based formulation to control adult forms. This insecticide was used as the only adulticide in Mexico for more than 10 years. The consequences of this actions have evolved in a widespread and strong resistance to other insecticides, mainly pyrethroids. We include in this revision evidence of resistance reported in Ae. aegypti in Mexico

Harm reduction for the treatment of patients with severe injection-related infections: description of the Jackson SIRI Team

Introduction: Hospitalizations for severe injection-related infections (SIRI), such as endocarditis, osteomyelitis, and skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) are increasingly common. People who inject drugs (PWID) experiencing SIRIs often receive inadequate substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and lack of access to harm reduction services. This translates into lengthy hospitalizations with high rates of patient-directed discharge, readmissions, and post-hospitalization mortality. The purpose of this study was to describe the development of an integrated “SIRI Team” and its initial barriers and facilitators to success. Materials and methods: The Jackson SIRI Team was developed to improve both hospital and patient-level outcomes for individuals hospitalized with SIRIs at Jackson Memorial Hospital, a 1550-bed public hospital in Miami, Florida, United States. The SIRI Team provides integrated infectious disease and SUD treatment across the healthcare system starting from the inpatient setting and continuing for 90-days post-hospital discharge. The team uses a harm reduction approach, provides care coordination, focuses on access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), and utilizes a variety of infection and addiction treatment modalities to suit each individual patient. Results: Over the initial 8-months of the SIRI Team, 21 patients were treated with 20 surviving until discharge. Infections included osteomyelitis, endocarditis, bacteraemia/fungemia, SSTIs, and septic arthritis. All patients had OUD and 95% used stimulants. All patients were discharged on MOUD and 95% completed their prescribed antibiotic course. At 90-days post-discharge, 25% had been readmitted and 70% reported taking MOUD. Conclusions: A model of integrated infectious disease and SUD care for the treatment of SIRIs has the potential to improve infection and addiction outcomes. Providing attentive, patient-centered care, using a harm reduction approach can facilitate engagement of this marginalized population with the healthcare system.KEY MESSAGES Integrated infectious disease and addiction treatment is a novel approach to treating severe injection-related infections. Harm reduction should be applied to treating patients with severe injection-related infections with a goal of facilitating antibiotic completion, remission from substance use disorder, and reducing hospital readmissions