Investigation on the PAPR performance of odd-bit QAM constellations for DFT spread OFDM systems

Adaptive quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) is a crucial scheme that enables the modern communication systems to overcome the adverse effects of channel fluctuations and maintain an acceptable spectral efficiency. In order to enhance adaptive modulation even further, adoption of odd-bit QAM constellations alongside even constellations had been suggested to improve the transmission efficiency of adaptive QAM modulation. Hence, odd-bit QAM had been extensively studied, analyzed, and tested by many researchers for various patterns, sizes, and communication systems in terms of bit error rate (BER) and peak to average power ratio (PAPR). However, the PAPR performance of odd-bit QAM constellation with single carrier transmission systems adopted in the uplink of the 4G long term evolution (LTE) standards caught almost no research interest. In this paper, the PAPR performance of both cross and rectangular odd-bit QAM constellations are investigated for DFT-S-OFDM systems. Complementary cumulative distribution functions (CCDFs) and probability density functions (PDFs) curves for PAPR are also obtained. Finally, an equation for PAPR PDF is empirically derived for odd-bit cross QAM based DFT-S-OFDM. The results show that cross odd-bit QAM outperforms the rectangular odd-bit QAM in terms of PAPR by 1.02 dB for 8-QAM and 1.3 dB for 32-QAM. This proves that cross odd-bit QAM is a better choice in terms of PAPR for DFT-S-OFDM systems.

Quantifying the Microvascular Origin of BOLD-fMRI from First Principles with Two-Photon Microscopy and an Oxygen-Sensitive Nanoprobe

The blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) contrast is widely used in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies aimed at investigating neuronal activity. However, the BOLD signal reflects changes in blood volume and oxygenation rather than neuronal activity per se. Therefore, understanding the transformation of microscopic vascular behavior into macroscopic BOLD signals is at the foundation of physiologically informed noninvasive neuroimaging. Here, we use oxygen-sensitive two-photon microscopy to measure the BOLD-relevant microvascular physiology occurring within a typical rodent fMRI voxel and predict the BOLD signal from first principles using those measurements. The predictive power of the approach is illustrated by quantifying variations in the BOLD signal induced by the morphological folding of the human cortex. This framework is then used to quantify the contribution of individual vascular compartments and other factors to the BOLD signal for different magnet strengths and pulse sequences.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant P41RR14075)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant R01NS067050)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant R01NS057198)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant R01EB000790)American Heart Association (Grant 11SDG7600037)Advanced Multimodal NeuroImaging Training Program (R90DA023427

Early detection of Aspergillus carbonarius and A. niger on table grapes: a tool for quality improvement

Aspergillus carbonarius and A. niger aggregate are the main fungal contaminants of table grapes. Besides their ability to cause black rot, they can produce ochratoxin A (OTA), a mycotoxin that has attracted increasing attention worldwide. The objective of this work was to set up a simple and rapid molecular method for the early detection of both fungi in table grapes before fungal development becomes evident. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays were developed by designing species-specific primers based on the polyketide synthases (PKSS) sequences of A. carbonarius and A. niger that have recently been demonstrated to be involved in OTA biosynthesis. Three table grape varieties (Red globe, Crimson seedless, and Italia) were inoculated with A. carbonarius and A. niger aggregate strains producing OTA. The extracted DNA from control (non-inoculated) and inoculated grapes was amplified by PCR using ACPKS2F-ACPKS2R for A. carbonarius and ANPKS5-ANPKS6 for A. niger aggregate. Both primers allowed a clear detection, even in symptomless samples. PCR-based methods are considered to be a good alternative to traditional diagnostic means for the early detection of fungi in complex matrix for their high specificity and sensitivity. The results obtained could be useful for the definition of a 'quality label' for tested grapes to improve the safety measures taken to guarantee the production of fresh table grapes

The Effectiveness of an Educational Program for Developing Tolerance Values and Resistance to Intellectual Extremism at Secondary Level in Jordan

This study aimed to establish an effective educational program based on the rights of non-Muslims in Islamic principles of the development of religious tolerance values and the intellectual resistance of extremism among high school students in Jordan. The study was conducted on a sample of 48 students in 11th grade from Al-Arqam Islamic School, during the second semester of the academic year 2017-2018. A descriptive method was used for gathering the principles of rights for non-Muslims. A semi-empirical method was also used to measure the effectiveness of the educational program on two dependent variables (religious tolerance values, resistance of intellectual extremism), measured with two tools prepared by the researchers: the measure of religious tolerance values, and the measure of resistance to intellectual extremism. The results showed a statistically significant difference between the average performance of both the experimental and control groups in the measures for religious tolerance and resistance to intellectual extremism due to the experimental method of teaching designed for this study

The educational behavior of teachers and its relationship to academic adjustment among middle school students

The aim of the current research is to measure the level of educational behavior among middle school teachers and its relationship to the academic adjustment of their students. The first aim was to measure the level of educational behavior among middle school teachers, while the second aim was to measure the level of educational behavior among middle school teachers according to the gender variable (male-female) While the third objective is to measure the level of academic adaptation among middle school students, and the fourth aim is to find the relationship between the educational behavior of middle school teachers and the academic adaptation of their students. As for the study sample, two samples were selected (the first of the teachers (80) and the second Of the students (80), the apparent honesty and consistency were verified by using the re-test method and using the Pearson correlation coefficient of the educational behavior scale (0.83) and the coefficient of the academic adaptation scale was (0.87), and the measures were applied to the research sample and the results were extracted using T-Test for one, two samples and Pearson correlation coefficient. The results showed the following

Synthesis of some benzimidazole derivatives endowed with 1,2,3-triazole as potential inhibitors of hepatitis C virus

New derivatives of 2-thiobenzimidazole incorporating triazole moiety were synthesized, characterized and tested in vitro for antiviral activity against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV). Their cytotoxicity was determined by the reduction in number of viable cells. All of the synthesized compounds are inactive against HBV and some showed activity against HCV. In particular, two compounds showed significant activity, 2-{4-[(1-benzoylbenzimidazol-2-ylthio)methyl]-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl}-N-(p-nitrophenyl)-acetamide (13) and 2-(4-{[1-(p-chlorobenzoyl)-benzimidazol-2-ylthio)methyl]-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl}-N-(p-nitrophenyl)-acetamide (17). The results give an insight into the importance of the substituent at position 2 of benzimidazole for the inhibition of HCV

SPARC 2018 Internationalisation and collaboration : Salford postgraduate annual research conference book of abstracts

Welcome to the Book of Abstracts for the 2018 SPARC conference. This year we not only celebrate the work of our PGRs but also the launch of our Doctoral School, which makes this year’s conference extra special. Once again we have received a tremendous contribution from our postgraduate research community; with over 100 presenters, the conference truly showcases a vibrant PGR community at Salford. These abstracts provide a taster of the research strengths of their works, and provide delegates with a reference point for networking and initiating critical debate. With such wide-ranging topics being showcased, we encourage you to take up this great opportunity to engage with researchers working in different subject areas from your own. To meet global challenges, high impact research inevitably requires interdisciplinary collaboration. This is recognised by all major research funders. Therefore engaging with the work of others and forging collaborations across subject areas is an essential skill for the next generation of researchers

Investigation of the erosive potential of sour novelty sweets

Provides a background about the link between acidic beverages and dental erosion. Discusses the potential risk of developing dental erosion upon the frequent consumption of novelty sweets. Provides information which could be used by dental personnel in counselling patients who consume novelty sweets or at risk of developing dental erosion. Abstract Background The expansion of the novelty sweets market in the UK has major potential public health implications in children and young adults as they may cause dental erosion. Objective To investigate the erosive potential of the novelty sweets in term of their physiochemical properties and amount of enamel loss. Subjects and methods The pH of a variety of novelty sweets was tested in vitro using a pH meter and the neutralisable acidity was assessed by titrating the sweets against 0.1M NaOH. The viscosity of the novelty sweets was measured using a rotational viscometer. The wettability of enamel by each sweet was measured using dynamic contact angle analyser. Enamel loss was assessed using contact profilometry. Results The pH ranged from 1.8–3.2, the neutralisable acidity ranged from 9–201 ml of 0.1 NaOH. The viscosity of the novelty sweets that come in liquid form ranged from 2–594 mPa s. The surface enamel erosion ranged from 1.95–15.77 μm and from 2.5–17.6 μm with and without immersing in saliva for 1 hour before immersing in acidic solution respectively. The amount of subsurface enamel loss was ranged from 0.75 to 2.3 μm following ultrasonication at 0 min of acidic attack and from 0.23 to 0.85 μm at 60 minutes of acidic attack while immersed in saliva. The contact angle between enamel surface and four sweet was less than the angle formed between the orange juice and the enamel which caused more wettability of enamel. Conclusion The pH is lower than the critical value for enamel erosion (5.5), high neutralisable acidity and high sugar content strongly suggest that these sweets may cause significant amount of dental erosion clinically. In addition, the degree of wettability of enamel by solution is an important factor to consider in determining the enamel loss caused by acidic solution. Immediate tooth brushing would cause further enamel loss as a result of the mechanical removal of softened enamel. However, it has been suggested that postponing brushing after erosive attack should be reconsidered

Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) from Iraq: a new record for the Arabian Gulf, with a highlight on it genetic origins and description of two skeletal deformities

The natural distribution of Lates calcarifer (barramundi or Asian sea bass), ranges from western India, around Sri Lanka to the Bay of Bengal, and through the whole of Southeast Asia to Papua New Guinea and northern Australia. It is not known to be native to the Arabian Gulf, although the species has recently been introduced for aquaculture production in Iran. In 2019, 12 adult barramundi were caught from freshwater in the Shatt al-Arab River, its estuary and marine waters bordering Iraq. This is the first wild-capture record of this species for Iraq’s inland waters and the northern Arabian Gulf. The specimens were morphologically described, while genetic structure analyses indicated that the specimens likely originated from Australian and Thailand genetic stocks and thus probably were aquaculture escapees from farmed populations. Among the L. calcarifer collected from the freshwater environment on the Shatt al-Arab River, one specimen exhibited saddleback syndrome, and another showed abnormality in the left operculum. The results are interesting and useful in reminding people to prevent aquaculture escapees. The aim of this study was to morphologically describe the specimens and undertake a genetic analysis to determine the likely provenance of the fish

INVESTIGATING THE ACTIVE CHEMICALS IN BAY LEAVES IN SUPPRESSING MICROBES AND IMPROVING THE SENSORY PROPERTIES OF CHILLED CHICKEN MEAT

This study aimed to qualitatively identify the active components in bay leaf extracts and their inhibitory function. While saponins and glycosides were absent, the research did find flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, phenols, steroids, and terpenes. The investigation showed that the alcoholic extract (ethanol 99.8%) outperformed the aqueous extract in preventing the development and activities of four different types of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The space created by the alcoholic extract was surrounded by a clear zone measuring 18.8, 15.5, 19.48, and 16.8 mm in diameter for the Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus culture media, respectively compared to the 10.5, 8.5, 9.4, and 9.1 mm for the aqueous extract. In that order, 1.5% of the alcoholic extract was added at a rate of 0.5, 0.57, and 1.0%. The study's findings also showed that, after 12 days of refrigeration, adding varying amounts of alcoholic extract to chicken meat greatly enhanced its microbiological quality. In the treatment containing 1.5% of the alcoholic extract, the total count of microorganisms, psychrophilic and coliform, reached 7.470, 4.950, and 3.823 cfu\gram, while in the control it was 9.695, 5.873, and 5.386 cfu\gram, respectively. Also, after 12 days of refrigerated storage, the addition of the alcoholic extract enhanced all sensory aspects of the chicken meat as well as its overall level of acceptability