Utility greedy discrete bit loading for interference limited multi-cell OFDM system

In this contribution we present the solution of the utility greedy discrete bit loading for interference limited multicell OFDM networks. Setting the utility as the sum of consumed power proportions, the algorithm follows greedy way to achieve the maximum throughput of the system. Simulation has shown that the proposed algorithm has better performance and lower complexity than the traditional optimal algorithm. The discussion of the results is provided

Associations between Chinese adolescents subjected to traditional and cyber bullying and suicidal ideation, self-harm and suicide attempts

Background: The incidence of bullying is high among adolescents. Adolescents who were victims of bullying have a higher risk of self-harm and suicidal behavior than adolescents who were non-victims. However, research on suicide and both traditional and cyber bullying was limited in China. Therefore, this study examined the associations between Chinese adolescents who were the victims of traditional and cyber bullying and the prevalence of suicidal ideation, self-harm and suicide attempts.Methods: This was a population-based study of 2647 students (51.2% girls) with a mean age of 13.6 +/- 1.1 years from 10 junior high schools in Shantou, China. Information on bullying victimization, suicidal ideation, self-harm and suicide attempts were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and the psychopathology of the students was assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The associations were examined with multinomial logistic regression, adjusted for covariates.Results: Traditional bullying victimization was reported by 16.7% of the adolescents, cyber bullying victimization by 9.0% and both by 3.5%. The prevalence of suicidal ideation was 23.5%, self-harm was 6.2% and suicide attempts was 4.2%. Psychopathology symptoms were risk factors for suicide ideation only, ideation plus self-harm, self-harm only and suicide attempts. Victims of both traditional and cyber bullying had the highest risk of suicidal ideation only, ideation plus self-harm and suicide attempts, compared to those reporting one form of bullying. Victims of cyber bullying only had the second highest risk of suicidal ideation only and suicidal ideation plus self-harm compared to non-victims.Conclusions: Adolescents who were victims of both traditional and cyber bullying had greater risks of adverse outcomes of suicidal ideation only, suicidal ideation plus self-harm and suicide attempts. The results of the current study suggest that those exposed to both forms of bullying should be routinely screened for suicidal risk. In addition, school-based anti-bully interventions should also target cyber bullying

Enzyme-Free and Amplified Fluorescence DNA Detection Using Bimolecular Beacons

In this work, we propose a simple and enzyme-free strategy for sensitive and selective DNA detection by using two different types of molecular beacons (MBs), MB1 and MB2. In this method, the target DNA binds with and restores the fluorescence of MB1 first. Then, MB2 hybridizes with MB1 and free the target, which is used to trigger another reaction cycle. The cycling use of the target and the employment of bi-MBs amplify the fluorescence intensity for sensitive DNA detection. The detection limit of MB 2 this method was obtained as 10 pM, which is about 2 orders of magnitude sensitive than the conventional MB-based approaches

Enzyme-Free and Amplified Fluorescence DNA Detection Using Bimolecular Beacons

In this work, we propose a simple and enzyme-free strategy for sensitive and selective DNA detection by using two different types of molecular beacons (MBs), MB1 and MB2. In this method, the target DNA binds with and restores the fluorescence of MB1 first. Then, MB2 hybridizes with MB1 and free the target, which is used to trigger another reaction cycle. The cycling use of the target and the employment of bi-MBs amplify the fluorescence intensity for sensitive DNA detection. The detection limit of this method was obtained as 10 pM, which is about 2 orders of magnitude sensitive than the conventional MB-based approaches

Early Mesozoic tectonic transition of the eastern South China Block: constraints from Late Triassic Dashuang complex in eastern Zhejiang Province

<p>The Mesozoic tectonic transition from the Palaeo-Tethys tectonic regime to the Palaeo-Pacific tectonic regime in the eastern South China Block has long been debated. Geochemical and zircon U–Pb–Hf isotopic studies were conducted on the Dashuang complex in the eastern Zhejiang Province. The Dashuang complex consists mainly of quartz syenite in the northwestern part and quartz monzonite in the southeastern part. New laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry zircon U–Pb data show that the quartz syenite, the quartz monzonite, and its chilled margin (fine-grained granite) crystallized at 235 ± 4 Ma, 232 ± 3 Ma, and 230 ± 1 Ma, respectively. The Dashuang complex intrudes into the Chencai Group gneiss that postdated ~646 Ma and underwent anatexis at 443 ± 14 Ma. The quartz monzonite shows A-type granite affinity, characterized by high K₂O + Na₂O and Zr + Nb + Ce + Y, high FeO_T/(MgO + FeO_T) and Ga/Al ratios, an enrichment in light rare earth elements, and depletions in Ba, Sr, and Eu. The quartz monzonite has zircon ε_Hf(<i>t</i>) values of −14.2 to –11.9 and two-stage model ages of 1788–1922 Ma. Zircon ε_Hf(<i>t</i>) values of the chilled margin (fine-grained granite) and wall rock (gneiss) are scattered (−18.2 to –6.3 and −19.5 to 10.2). The corresponding two-stage model ages are 1482–2133 Ma and 1184–2471 Ma, respectively. The Dashuang complex was derived mainly from partial melting of Neoproterozoic clastic rocks in the Cathaysia Block. Geochemical data indicate that the quartz monzonite formed in a post-collision extensional environment. These results, considered with previous data, indicate that the transition from the Palaeo-Tethys to the Palaeo-Pacific tectonic regimes of the eastern South China Block occurred during the Late Triassic (225–215 Ma).</p

Individuals at risk of beta-blocker discontinuation: a cohort study in 19,177 Chinese patients

Purpose: This cohort study evaluated the factors associated with discontinuation of antihypertensive pharmacotherapy among Chinese patients who were prescribed beta-blockers. We tested the hypothesis that patients’ age, gender, socioeconomic status, clinical settings and the number of comorbidities were significantly associated with the discontinuation of beta-blockers. Methods: From a validated clinical database we included all adult patients 18 years or older who were prescribed a beta-blocker in any government primary care clinic in one large territory of Hong Kong during 01 January 2004–30 June 2007. We evaluated the cumulative incidence of drug discontinuation within 180 days of the prescriptions and the factors associated with discontinuation of beta-blockers by multivariable regression analysis. Results: From a total of 19,177 eligible patients (mean age = 59.1 years), 20.8% discontinued their medication. Younger patients [aged &lt;50 years; adjusted odds ratios (aOR) 0.41–0.52 for patients aged ≥50 years; p &lt; 0.001], female gender (aOR 0.87 for males, p = 0.001), fee-waivers (aOR 0.78 for fee-payers, p &lt; 0.001), attendances in family medicine specialist clinics (FMSC) (aOR 1.49, p &lt; 0.001) and staff clinics (aOR 2.32, p &lt; 0.001), residence in more urbanized areas (aOR 0.80 for North District, p &lt; 0.001), new visits (aOR 0.55 for follow-up visits, p &lt; 0.001) and absence of concomitant comorbidities (aOR 0.60 for one comorbidity, p &lt; 0.001; aOR 0.56 for two comorbidities, p = 0.002) were positively associated with drug discontinuation. Conclusions: Patients who were prescribed beta-blockers with these associated factors should be monitored more closely for antihypertensive drug adherence

Curcumin Inhibits Acute Vascular Inflammation through the Activation of Heme Oxygenase-1

Curcumin has several therapeutic properties such as anti-inflammatory effect. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) has been showed to have cytoprotective effects in some pathological conditions. However, the role of HO-1 in anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin is unknown. In this study, we investigate whether the anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin in vascular may be involved in the activation of HO-1. New Zealand white rabbits were fed regular control diet or control diet added with 0.3% curcumin (wt/wt) for four weeks. Acute vascular inflammation of rabbits was induced by putting a collar on the left common carotid artery for 24 hours. HO-1 inhibitor and siRNA were used to investigate the role of HO-1 in the anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin in collared vascular. We also explored the mechanism of curcumin-induced activation of HO-1 in vitro. The serum bilirubin and vascular, liver, and spleen HO-1 mRNA levels were significantly increased in curcumin-treated rabbits. The vascular inflammation was significantly decreased in the curcumin-treated animals compared with the control. Treatment of the rabbits with an inhibitor of HO or HO-1 siRNA to knock down the carotid artery HO-1 abolished the ability of curcumin to inhibit vascular inflammation. Treatment of cultured human artery endothelial cells with curcumin induced the HO-1 expression through the activation of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and an antioxidant responsive element via the p38 MAPK signalling pathway. In conclusion, curcumin inhibits vascular inflammation in vivo and in vitro through the activation of HO-1