Design of Cognitive Radio Database using Terrain Maps and Validated Propagation Models

Cognitive Radio (CR) encompasses a number of technologies which enable adaptive self-programing of systems at different levels to provide more effective use of the increasingly congested radio spectrum. CRs have potential to use spectrum allocated to TV services, which is not used by the primary user (TV), without causing disruptive interference to licensed users by using appropriate propagation modelling in TV White Spaces (TVWS). In this paper we address two related aspects of channel occupancy prediction for cognitive radio. Firstly, we continue to investigate the best propagation model among three propagation models (Extended-Hata, Davidson-Hata and Egli) for use in the TV band, whilst also finding the optimum terrain data resolution to use (1000, 100 or 30 m). We compare modelled results with measurements taken in randomly-selected locations around Hull UK, using the two comparison criteria of implementation time and accuracy, when used for predicting TVWS system performance. Secondly, we describe how such models can be integrated into a database-driven tool for CR channel selection within the TVWS environment by creating a flexible simulation system for creating a TVWS database

The Effect of Alignment Objectives on Code-Switching Translation

One of the things that need to change when it comes to machine translation is the models' ability to translate code-switching content, especially with the rise of social media and user-generated content. In this paper, we are proposing a way of training a single machine translation model that is able to translate monolingual sentences from one language to another, along with translating code-switched sentences to either language. This model can be considered a bilingual model in the human sense. For better use of parallel data, we generated synthetic code-switched (CSW) data along with an alignment loss on the encoder to align representations across languages. Using the WMT14 English-French (En-Fr) dataset, the trained model strongly outperforms bidirectional baselines on code-switched translation while maintaining quality for non-code-switched (monolingual) data.Comment: This paper was originally submitted on 30/06/202

Effective Capacity of Cognitive Radio Links: Accessing Primary Feedback Erroneously

We study the performance of a cognitive system modeled by one secondary and one primary link and operating under statistical quality of service (QoS) delay constraints. We analyze the effective capacity (EC) to quantify the secondary user (SU) performance under delay constraints. The SU intends to maximize the benefit of the feedback messages on the primary link to reduce SU interference for primary user (PU) and makes opportunistic use of the channel to transmit his packets. We assume that SU has erroneous access to feedback information of PU. We propose a three power level scheme and study the tradeoff between degradation in EC of SU and reliability of PU defined as the success rate of the transmitted packets. Our analysis shows that increase in error in feedback access causes more interference to PU and packet success rate decreases correspondingly.Comment: Accepted for publication in International Symposium on Wireless Communication Systems (ISWCS) 201

The contemporary reception of Mrs. Gaskell as novelist and biographer with special reference to reviews of her work

This study sets out to cover the contemporary reception of Mrs .Gaskell 's major works: Mary Barton, Ruth, Cranford, North and South, The Life of Charlotte Bronte, Sylvia's Lovers and Wives and Daughters.The first chapter shows that Mrs.Gaskell's contemporary readers fully appreciated Mary Barton for treating a still largely unexplored subject, industrial life in Manchester, with sympathy, understanding and considerable literary skill. Few critics objected to the author's message of social reconciliation.In the second chapter we follow the largely favourable reception of Ruth, treating a very sensitive issue, the social and spiritual redemption of an unmarried mother and her illegitimate child. By largely following contemporary notions about the social and religious meaning of sexual transgression, Mrs.Gaskell reassured most reviewers, and enhanced the effectiveness of her message that a fallen woman's child could be his mother's incentive to seek social rehabilitation.In the third chapter we review the unanimous delight in Cranford as a minor masterpiece, full of deep moral and social significance, behind its facade of humour and compassionate irony.North and South, the subject of the fourth chapter, was favourably received, though not as widely or enthusiastically as Mary Barton. Contemporary readers liked it better than Dickens's Hard Times, finding that Mrs.Gaskell's knowledge of the industrial scene was without parallel. A number of critics began to consider Mrs.Gaskell, after the death of Charlotte Bronte in 1855, the most outstanding lady novelist of the time.In the fifth chapter we trace the reception of Mrs.Gaskell's sensationally successful, though controversial, Life of Charlotte Bronte.The critical response to Sylvia's Lovers, the subject of the sixth chapter, is less exciting and more sombre. many reviewers failed to appreciate Mrs.Gaskell's attempt to present the prosaic shopkeeper Philip Hepburn as a tragic hero.In the last chapter, treating the reception of the posthumously published Wives and Daughters, we find the reviewers almost unanimously recognizing Mrs.Gaskell as a first-class realist, worthy to be compared with Jane Austen and George Eliot.Besides her artistic genius, Mrs.Gaskell's greatest assets for her contemporary readers were her optimistic vision, her celebration of the value of tradition and culture, and her unshaken faith in the value and meaning of human life

Network load and packet loss optimization during handoff using multi-scan approach

Handoff is a critical function that enables mobile nodes to stay connected to the wireless network by switching the data connection from one WLAN to another. During handoff the communication may be degraded or interrupted due to the high packets loss. To prevent packet loss during handoff, a handoff management scheme that employs a transport protocol has been proposed. It supports multiple connections for Voice Over IP communication and makes handoff decision based on the number of frame retransmission on the MAC layer. Moreover, the handoff scheme uses the multi-scan technique that enables mobile nodes to use two WLAN interfaces for channel scanning and multi-path transmission rather than single WLAN interface. This technique introduces extra network overhead during multi-path transmission. This work optimizes the network overhead and packet loss and keeps VoIP communication at an acceptable level

Evaluation Of Statin Association With Hba1c Control, Cognitive Function And Healthcare Professional's Awareness Of Statin Usage Among Diabetic Patients In Penang

Due to the challenging nature of teaching English as second language (ESL) learners, ESL instructors are constantly looking for fresh idea and innovative teaching materials as one of the means to enhance the teaching and learning. In harmony with today’s technology driven world, the incorporation of video into the lessons is one of the instances. As the leading and web’s largest video sharing website, YouTube is increasingly being used by ESL instructors as a pedagogical resource. In this research, an advocate of this practice was identified and her experience in using YouTube as a resource to facilitate ESL teaching and learning in a Malaysian higher learning institution context was explored. Since her ESL learners were also directly involved, their experiences of undergoing lessons which incorporated YouTube were discovered as well. Conducted in a full qualitative manner, the experiences were uncovered through a series of journal entries by the ESL instructor and seven of her learners as well as in-depth interviews with them. A number of classroom observations of the lessons were also carried out to further examine the implementation. Through thematic data analysis, the findings demonstrated the potential of YouTube incorporation in the lessons in fostering a creative, borderless and authentic ESL teaching and learning. Moreover, the impacts as perceived by the participants indicated the potential of its incorporation in enhancing the ESL learners’ language skills as well as the motivation in learning the language. Unexpectedly, the learners were found to learn not only content based knowledge yet also technological and life related skills. Furthermore, another unique finding is the continuous practice despite the challenges and difficulties faced by the participants. The drawbacks discovered in this very research, in a way, suggested rooms for improvements. The recommendations drawn from the conclusions and implications of the study would hopefully implicate the ESL pedagogical practice and future research positively

The effects of size and period of administration of gold nanoparticles on rheological parameters of blood plasma of rats over a wide range of shear rates: In vivo

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Blood viscosity appears to be independent predictor of stroke, carotid intima-media thickening, atherosclerosis and most cardiovascular diseases. In an attempt to understand the toxicity and the potential threat of GNPs therapeutic and diagnostic use, an array of rheological parameters were performed to quantify the blood plasma response to different sizes and administration periods of GNPs over a wide range of shear rates.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Healthy, thirty male Wistar-Kyoto rats, 8-12 weeks old (approximately 250 g body weight) were divided into control group (NG: n = 10), group 1 (G1A: intraperitoneal infusion of 10 nm GNPs for 3 days, n = 5 and G1B: intraperitoneal infusion of 10 nm GNPs for 7 days, n = 5), group 2 (G2A: intraperitoneal infusion of 50 nm GNPs for 3 days, n = 5 and G2B: intraperitoneal infusion of 50 nm GNPs for 7 days, n = 5). Dose of 100 μl of GNPs was administered to the animals via intraperitoneal injection. Blood samples of nearly 1 ml were obtained from each rat. Various rheological parameters such as torque, shear stress, shear rate, viscosity, plastic velocity, yield stress, consistency index (k) and flow index (n) were measured in the blood plasma of rats after the intraperitoneal administration of 10 and 50 nm GNP for 3 and 7 days using Brookfield LVDV-III Programmable rheometer.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The relationship between shear stress and shear rate for control, G1A, G1B, G2A and G2B was linearly related. The plastic viscosity and the yield stress values for G1A, G1B, G2A and G2B significantly (p < 0.05) decreased compared with the control. The n and k values calculated from equation (1). The k values for G1A, G1B and G2B decreased compared with the control; however the means were not significantly different. While G2A indicates no significant change compared with the control. The values of the flow behaviour index (n) were equal ≤ 1 for all the different GNPs sizes. The viscosity values measured for 10 and 50 nm GNPs (G1A, G1B, G2A and G2B) decreased compared with the control; however the means were not significantly different. The decrease in blood plasma viscosity values observed with all GNPs is particle size and administration period independent.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>At these particular shear rates, the estimated rheological parameters are not influenced by GNPs size and shape, number of NPs, surface area and administration period of GNPs. This study demonstrates that the highly decrease in blood plasma viscosity was accompanied with the smaller 10 nm GNPs compared with the 50 nm GNPs. The decrease in blood plasma viscosity induced with 10 and 50 nm GNPs may be attributed to decrease in hematocrit and haemoglobin concentration in addition to erythrocyte deformability. This study suggests that histomorphologcal, histochemical and ultrastrucural investigations are needed to evaluate the inflammations and tissue injuries, in relation to the application of GNPs as a therapeutic and diagnostic tool.</p

Exposure to gold nanoparticles produces cardiac tissue damage that depends on the size and duration of exposure

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Current research focuses on cancer therapy, diagnostics and imaging, although many challenges still need to be solved. However, for the application of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in therapy and diagnostics it is necessary to know the bioaccumulation and local or systemic toxicity associated to them. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of intraperitoneal administration of GNPs on the histological alterations of the heart tissue of rats in an attempt to cover and understand the toxicity and the potential role of GNPs in the therapeutic and diagnostic applications.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Animals were randomly divided into 3 GNPs-treated rats groups and one control group (CG). The 10, 20 and 50 nm GNPs were administered intraperitonealy at the rate of 3 or 7 days as follows: Group 1: received infusion of 100 μl GNPs of size 10 nm for 3 or 7 days; Group 2: received infusion of 100 μl GNPs of size 20 nm for 3 or 7 days; Group 3: received infusion of 100 μl GNPs of size 50 nm for 3 or 7 days. Control group: received no GNPs.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In comparison with the respective control rats, GNPs-treated rat received 100 μl of 10 and 20 nm particles for 3 days or 7 days demonstrating congested heart muscle with prominent dilated blood vessels, scattered and extravasations of red blood cells, focus of muscle hyalinosis, disturbed muscle fascicles, dense prominent focus of inflammatory cells infiltrate by small lymphocytes and few plasma cells while GNPs-treated rat received 100 μl of 50 nm particles for 3 or 7 days demonstrating benign normal looking heart muscle with normal muscle direction and fascicles, and very few scattered small lymphocytes.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The histological alterations induced by intraperitoneal administration of GNPs were size-dependent with smaller ones induced more affects and related with time exposure of GNPs. This study suggests that interaction of GNPs with proteins and various cell types might be evaluated as part of the toxicological assessment in addition to further experiments related to tissues antioxidant enzymes, oxidative parameters, lipid peroxidation, production of free radicals and/or ROS and cytokine, histomorphologcal and ultrastrucural will be performed to cover and understand the toxicity and the potential use of GNPs as therapeutic and diagnostic tool.</p

Gold nanoparticles administration induces disarray of heart muscle, hemorrhagic, chronic inflammatory cells infiltrated by small lymphocytes, cytoplasmic vacuolization and congested and dilated blood vessels

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Despite significant research efforts on cancer therapy, diagnostics and imaging, many challenges remain unsolved. There are many unknown details regarding the interaction of nanoparticles (NPs) and biological systems. The structure and properties of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) make them useful for a wide array of biological applications. However, for the application of GNPs in therapy and drug delivery, knowledge regarding their bioaccumulation and associated local or systemic toxicity is necessary. Information on the biological fate of NPs, including distribution, accumulation, metabolism, and organ specific toxicity is still minimal. Studies specifically dealing with the toxicity of NPs are rare. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of intraperitoneal administration of GNPs on histological alterations of the heart tissue of rats in an attempt to identify and understand the toxicity and the potential role of GNPs as a therapeutic and diagnostic tool.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 40 healthy male Wistar-Kyoto rats received 50 μl infusions of 10, 20 and 50 nm GNPs for 3 or 7 days. Animals were randomly divided into groups: 6 GNP-treated rats groups and one control group (NG). Groups 1, 2 and 3 received infusions of 50 μl GNPs of size 10 nm (3 or 7 days), 20 nm (3 or 7 days) and 50 nm (3 or 7 days), respectively.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In comparison with the respective control rats, exposure to GNPs doses produced heart muscle disarray with a few scattered chronic inflammatory cells infiltrated by small lymphocytes, foci of hemorrhage with extravasation of red blood cells, some scattered cytoplasmic vacuolization and congested and dilated blood vessels. None of the above alterations were observed in the heart muscle of any member of the control group.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The alterations induced by intraperitoneal administration of GNPs were size-dependent, with smaller ones inducing greater affects, and were also related to the time exposure to GNPs. These alterations may indicate scattered cytoplasmic vacuolization, which may induce the toxicity effect through an inability to deal with the accumulated residues resulting from metabolic and structural disturbances caused by these NPs. These histological alterations were more prominent with 10 nm size particles than with the larger ones. The interaction of GNPs with proteins and various cell types should be considered as part of the toxicological evaluation. Additional experiments related to plasma, tissues cytokine, antioxidant defense mechanism, lipid peroxidation, histomorphologcal and ultrastructure will be performed to identify and understand the toxicity and the potential use of GNPs as therapeutic and diagnostic tools.</p

Modeling the Bat Spatial Navigation System: A Neuromorphic VLSI Approach

Autonomously navigating robots have long been a tough challenge facing engineers. The recent push to develop micro-aerial vehicles for practical military, civilian, and industrial use has added a significant power and time constraint to the challenge. In contrast, animals, from insects to humans, have been navigating successfully for millennia using a wide range of variants of the ultra-low-power computational system known as the brain. For this reason, we look to biological systems to inspire a solution suitable for autonomously navigating micro-aerial vehicles. In this dissertation, the focus is on studying the neurobiological structures involved in mammalian spatial navigation. The mammalian brain areas widely believed to contribute directly to navigation tasks are the Head Direction Cells, Grid Cells and Place Cells found in the post-subiculum, the medial entorhinal cortex, and the hippocampus, respectively. In addition to studying the neurobiological structures involved in navigation, we investigate various neural models that seek to explain the operation of these structures and adapt them to neuromorphic VLSI circuits and systems. We choose the neuromorphic approach for our systems because we are interested in understanding the interaction between the real-time, physical implementation of the algorithms and the real-world problem (robot and environment). By utilizing both analog and asynchronous digital circuits to mimic similar computations in neural systems, we envision very low power VLSI implementations suitable for providing practical solutions for spatial navigation in micro-aerial vehicles