Precoder-Aided Iterative Detection Assisted Multilevel Coding and Three-Dimensional EXIT-Chart Analysis

A novel three-dimensional (3D) EXIT chart is developed for investigating the iterative behaviour of Multilevel Coding (MLC) invoking Multistage Decoding (MSD). The extrinsic information transfer characteristics of both the symbol-to-bit demapper used and those of the differentprotection constituent decoders suggest that potential improvements can be achieved by appropriately designing the demapper. The proposed 3D EXIT chart is then invoked for studying the precoder-aided multilevel coding scheme employing both MSD and Parallel Independent Decoding (PID) for communicating over AWGN and uncorrelated Rayleigh fading channels with the aid of 8PSK modulation. At BER=10?5, the precoder was capable of enhancing the achievable Eb/N0 performance by 0.5dB to 2.5dB over AWGN and Rayleigh channels, respectively

Luby Transform Coding Aided Bit-Interleaved Coded Modulation for the Wireless Internet

Bit-Interleaved Coded Modulation using Iterative Decoding (BICM-ID) is amalgamated with Luby Transform (LT) coding. The resultant joint design of the physical and data link layer substantially improves the attainable Bit Error Rate (BER) performance. A Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) combined with a novel Log-Likelihood Ratio (LLR) based packet reliability estimation method is proposed for the sake of detecting and disposing of erroneous packets. Subsequently, bit-by-bit LT decoding is proposed, which facilitates a further BER improvement at a lower number of BICM-ID iterations. Finally, we revisit the pseudo random generator function used for designing the LT generator matrix

Attribution styles as correlates of technical drawing task-persistence and technical college students’ performance

Technical drawing is a means of communicating between the designer and the manufacturers to bring ideas into reality by means of drafting. This study investigated attribution styles as collates of students’ technical drawing task-persistence and academic performance using correlational research design. The population for this study consisted of 864 students of year II and the sample study comprised of 150 (93 males and 57 females) randomly selected from six technical colleges in Edo State, Nigeria. Three instruments, Academic Performance Attribution Style Questionnaire (APASQ), Technical Drawing Taskpersistent Rating Scale (TDTPRS); and Technical Drawing Performance Test (TDPT) were developed and used for data collection. Cronbach Alpha reliability method was used to determine the reliability of the instruments and the results were obtained: SAASQ = .87; TDTPRS=.79; AND TDAT = .85. The findings of the study revealed that the technical drawing task-persistence of students was positively correlated by functional attribution style; and was negatively correlated by dysfunctional attribution style; functional attribution style positively correlated academic performance of students. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that technical drawing teachers should model and teach the students the right attribution style that will enhance their learning of technical drawing

Strategies for managing the structural and dynamic consequences of project complexity

In this paper we propose a theoretical framework that highlights the most important consequences of complexity for the form and evolution of projects, and use it to develop a typology of project complexity. This framework also enables us to deepen the understanding of how knowledge production and flexibility strategies enable project participants to address complexity. Based on this understanding, we advance a number of propositions regarding the strategies that can be most effective for different categories of complexity. We hope these results will help integrate various strands in the research on project complexity, and provide a roadmap for further research on the strategies for addressing it

Specialist Nursing Improves Outcomes in Heart Failure

The paper, Specialist Nursing Improves Outcomes in Heart Failure considers the question What is Heart Failure? and examines the symptoms, global incidence and typical interventions alongside the emergent role of the Heart Failure Nurse Specialist and their positive impact on patient care. Three clinical case studies are explored examining the treatment and management of a patient with 1. Non-Ischaemic viral heart failure, 2. Non-Ischaemic alcohol related heart failure and 3. Ischaemic heart disease causing heart failure. The case studies illustrate the complex interventions made by specialist heart failure nurse specialist and provide 10 reasons why Heart Failure Nurse Specialists are an important and impactful addition to the nursing workforce

Web-based Visual Analytics for Social Media Data

Social media data provides valuable information about different events, trends and happenings around the world. Visual data analysis tasks for social media data have large computational and storage space requirements. Due to these restrictions, subdivision of data analysis tools into several layers such as Data, Business Logic or Algorithms, and Presentation Layer is often necessary to make them accessible for variety of clients. On server side, social media data analysis algorithms can be implemented and published in the form of web services. Visual Interface can then be implemented in the form of thin clients that call these web services for data querying, exploration, and analysis tasks. In our work, we have implemented a web-based visual analytics tool for social media data analysis. Initially, we extended our existing desktop-based Twitter data analysis application named “ScatterBlog” to create web services based API that provides access to all the data analysis algorithms. In the second phase, we are creating web based visual interface consuming these web services. Some major components of the visual interface include map view, content lens view, abnormal event detection view, Tweets summary view and filtering / visual query module. The tool can then be used by parties from various fields of interest, requiring only a browser to perform social media data analysis tasks

Modelling of atmospheric boundary layer: Generation of shear.

Roughness length, z0 and friction velocity, u* are the defining parameters of wind log profile that must be matched in wind tunnel simulation. To fully understand the role of these parameters, the basics and review from the primitive equations and its relation to the logarithmic profile obtained for wind tunnel conditions were discussed. The problem of roughness, although well known, still needs to be addressed more rigorously especially when determining values of z0 and u* from wind tunnel data and their relation to the roughness element geometry. A review of classic literature and new published material were carried out, focusing on the applicability to wind tunnel modelling

Managing the mutations: Academic misconduct Australia, New Zealand and the UK

Academic misconduct is a problem of growing concern across the tertiary education sector. While plagiarism has been the most common form of academic misconduct, the advent of software programs to detect plagiarism has seen the problem of misconduct simply mutate. As universities attempt to function in an increasingly complex environment, the factors that contribute to academic misconduct are unlikely to be easily mitigated. A multiple case study approach examined how academic misconduct is perceived in universities in in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom via interviews with academics and administrators. The findings show that academic misconduct is a systemic problem that manifests in various ways and requires similarly diverse approaches to management. Greater consistency in policies and procedures, including a focus on preventative education for both staff and students, is key, to managing the mutations of academic misconduct that continue to plague the higher education sector globally

Determination of Vitamin C in Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Using the Dye-titration and Microfluorometric Methods

The vitamin C content of19 types of fresh fruits and 24 vegetables was determined by the official AOAC methods of dye-titration and microfluorometry. As expected, values obtained by the latter method, which estimated ascorbic acid plus dehydroascorbic acid (DHAA), were clearly higher than those given by the titration method, which determined only ascorbic acid. There were considerable differences in the values obtained by the two methods, depending on the concentration ofDHAA in the foods. Larger differences were obtained for the vegetables. The mean recovery value obtained by the dye-titration method was significantly higher than that given by the fluorometric method (p <0.01). Reproducibility studies showed that the two methods did not give significantly different variances (p < 0.05). If only ascorbic acid values were required, the titrimetric procedure would give good results, and it may be ca"ied out rapidly using simple laboratory equipment. If a fluorometer was available, total vitamin C values, which would be more useful from the nutritional point of view, could be determined