A New Formula for the BER of Binary Modulations with Dual-Branch Selection over Generalized-K Composite Fading Channels

Error performance is one of the main performance measures and derivation of its closed-form expression has proved to be quite involved for certain systems. In this letter, a unified closed-form expression, applicable to different binary modulation schemes, for the bit error rate of dual-branch selection diversity based systems undergoing independent but not necessarily identically distributed generalized-K fading is derived in terms of the extended generalized bivariate Meijer G-function.Comment: Diversity schemes, selection combining, dual-branch selection diversity, binary modulation schemes, generalized-K (GK) model, composite fading, bit error rate (BER), and Meijer G-function distributio

Coupling life cycle assessment with process simulation for ecodesign of chemical processes

Because of the central position of the chemical industries along the value chain, process design has a pivotal role, involving many decision makers and multiple levels of decisions. To tackle the environmental concern at source, this article presents a methodological framework for process ecodesign, coupling flowsheeting simulators both for production and energy processes with a Life Cycle Assessment module that generalizes and automates the evaluation of environmental impacts. The life cycle inventory is carried out through the combined use of mass and energy balances resulting both from the global simulation of the process and its associated energy production requirement and from the use of inventory database (i.e., Ecoinvent v3) embedded in the Life Cycle Assessment software tool used (SimaPro). Different process alternatives can thus be evaluated in a systematic way and the energy‐related emissions for any given process that match exactly the real situation can be computed without introducing a bias in the estimation. Through comparisons between a case base and process alternatives, a systematic decision can be made in terms of whether a solution is moving the process towards a more sustainable operation. The effectiveness of the proposed framework is first illustrated through the case study of benzene production and second, by a biodiesel production process from waste vegetable oils which is one of the foremost alternative fuels to those refined from petroleum product

Burnout in health sector: Sample of public hospital

The burnout is an emotionally negative reaction activated in individuals in response to difficulties encountered with in the work place. The aim of study was to ases the presence of burnout levels and related factors among health works in Bingol Public Hospital. This study was carried out in caregivers in Bingol. Of the 230 health workers in the hospital, 161 were surveyed. The socio-demographic guestionnaire form and Maslach Burnout Inventory were used to collect data. The mean age of participants was 32.8±7.5 years. Of the respondents, 62.1% was nurse. The mean scores taken by the respondents in the emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment sub-scales of the burnout inventory were 18.8±6.8, 6.6±3.6, and 21.1±4.1 respectively. The mean depersonalization score of the nurses was 7.0±3.3, whereas the mean depersonalization score of other healthcare workers (technicians, clinical secretary, etc.) was 5.1±3.9 (p [Med-Science 2018; 7(4.000): 821-5

Coexistence of Neurofibromatosis Type-1 and MTHFR C677T Gene Mutation in a Young Stroke Patient: A Case Report

In neurofibromatosis type-1 (NF1), cerebrovascular disorders are rarely encountered although vasculopathy is a well-known complication. Several mutations seen in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) give rise to the formation of hyperhomocysteinemia and homocystinuria, a considerable risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders, by leading to enzymatic inactivation. In the paper, a 31-year-old young stroke female patient with the coexistence of neurofibromatosis and MTHFR C677T gene mutation was presented

Evaluation of Sexual Dysfunction in Females With Ankylosing Spondylitis

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate sexual function in females with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), compare them with healthy controls, and demonstrate the effects of AS on female sexual functions.Patients and methods: Fifty-four AS patients (mean age 39.33±8.57 years; range 20 to 55 years) and 56 similar aged healthy controls were included in the study. Depression levels and sexual functions of all participants were evaluated by the Beck Depression Inventory and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), respectively. Other assessment methods included the visual analog scale for pain, fatigue, and importance of sexual life; Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index for disease activity, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index for functionality, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index for spinal mobility, and Short Form-36 (SF-36) for quality of life.Results: Total FSFI and all FSFI subscale scores and number of weekly sexual intercourse were significantly lower while Beck Depression Inventory score was significantly higher in females with AS when compared to controls. In AS patients with depression, total FSFI score and FSFI subscales scores of desire and arousal were significantly lower than those without depression. In females with AS, there were negative correlations between total FSFI score and duration of complaint, Beck Depression Inventory score, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index score, visual analog scale score, age, and duration of marriage while positive correlations existed between total FSFI score and visual analog scale importance of sexual life score and number of weekly sexual intercourse, SF-36 fatigue, SF-36 social function, SF-36 pain, and SF-36 mental component scores.Conclusion: Sexual dysfunction was more common in female AS patients without marked impairment in body image and hip involvement when compared to normal population. Sexual problems which are generally neglected should be handled regardless of disease activity when evaluating patients with AS and establishing a treatment plan

Coastal Plankton Assemblages in the Vicinity of Galindez Island and Neumayer Channel (Western Antarctic Peninsula) during the First Joint Turkish - Ukrainian Antarctic Research Expedition

WOS: 000422953000009Western Antarctic Peninsula is one of the fastest warming areas on Earth and coastal areas of the region are foremost affected. Here we present the state of coastal plankton assemblages of the Galindez Island and Neumayer Channel, Western Antarctic Peninsula in austral autumn (April 2016). Surface water temperatures were ranged between -0.12 degrees C and -0.97 degrees C and average chlorophyll-a concentrations were 0.65 mu g/l. A total of 50 phytoplankton and 24 zooplankton taxa (15 copepods and 9 meroplanktonic species) were identified during the sampling period. Diatom species (78%) predominated phytoplankton and the highest abundance was 820 cells l(-1), while the highest number of phytoplankton species was 42. Zooplankton was prevailed by the dominance of copepods, except contribution of meroplankton at the Neumayer channel. Highest zooplankton abundance was 101 ind.m(-3). The sampling season was the transition period from the productive spring-summer to dormant winter conditions, which explains the low abundances registered, however, on contrary to low cell abundances, diversity was high within plankton.Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Istanbul UniversityIstanbul University [FOA-2016-20530]; Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Kocaeli UniversityKocaeli University [KOU-BAPB-2016/026]; Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Cukurova UniversityCukurova University [FBA-2016-6205]; first joint Turkish-Ukrainian Antarctic Research ExpeditionThis work is supported by the Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Istanbul University (FOA-2016-20530), Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Kocaeli University (KOU-BAPB-2016/026), Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Cukurova University (FBA-2016-6205) and the first joint Turkish-Ukrainian Antarctic Research Expedition. Authors thank the captain and crew of M/V Ushuaia, as well as the Turkish and Ukrainian authorities for their valuable help and support