Self-organisation in LTE networks : an investigation

Mobile telecommunications networks based on Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology promise faster throughput to their users. LTE networks are however susceptible to a phenomenon known as inter-cell interference which can greatly reduce the throughput of the network causing unacceptable degradation of performance for cell edge users. A number of approaches to mitigating or minimising inter-cell interference have been presented in the literature such as randomisation, cancellation and coordination. The possibility of coordination between network nodes in an LTE network is made possible through the introduction of the X2 network link. This thesis explores approaches to reducing the effect of inter-cell interference on the throughput of LTE networks by using the X2 link to coordinate the scheduling of radio resources. Three approaches to the reduction of inter-cell interference were developed. Localised organisation is a centralised scheme in which a scheduler is optimised by a Genetic Algorithm (GA) to reduce interference. Networked organisation makes use of the X2 communications link to enable the network nodes to exchange scheduling information in a way that lowers the level of interference across the whole network. Finally a more distributed and de-centralised approach is taken in which each of the network nodes optimises its own scheduling in coordination with its neighbours. An LTE network simulator was built to allow for experimental comparison between these techniques and a number of existing approaches and to serve as a test bed for future algorithm development. These approaches were found to significantly improve the throughput of the cell edge users who were most affected by intereference. In particular the networked aspect of these approaches yielded the best initial results showing clear improvement over the existing state of the art. The distributed approach shows significant promise given further development.EPSR

Comparison of the extent of pulmonary abnormalities in pMDR and DS TB ^a.

<p>Comparison of the extent of pulmonary abnormalities in pMDR and DS TB <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0176354#t003fn001" target="_blank">^a</a>.</p

Primary multidrug-resistant tuberculosis versus drug-sensitive tuberculosis in non-HIV-infected patients: Comparisons of CT findings

<div><p>Background</p><p>Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis has emerged as a global threat. The aim of this work was to compare the CT findings of primary multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and drug-sensitive tuberculosis in non-AIDS adults.</p><p>Material and methods</p><p>From January 2012 to February 2016, 89 patients with primary multidrug-resistant tuberculosis were retrospectively reviewed, and 89 consecutive drug sensitive TB patients with no history of anti-tuberculous chemotherapy from January 2014 to November 2014 were enrolled as control group. All patients were seronegative for HIV. The patients’ demographic data and the locations, frequency and patterns of lung lesions on chest CT were compared.</p><p>Results</p><p>Gender and frequency of diabetes were similar between the two groups. The mean age of primary multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients was younger than that of drug-sensitive tuberculosis (39.0 vs 47.5, P = 0.005). Lung cavitary nodules or masses were more frequently observed and also showed greater extent in primary multidrug-resistant tuberculosis compared with drug-sensitive tuberculosis. The extent of bronchiectasis was significantly greater in primary multidrug-resistant tuberculosis than in drug-sensitive tuberculosis. Calcification, large nodules and calcified lymph nodes were more frequent in drug-sensitive tuberculosis.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Characteristic chest CT findings may help differentiate between primary multi-drug resistant tuberculosis and drug-sensitive tuberculosis in patients without HIV infection.</p></div

Subgroup analysis for association between biospecimen long-chain n-3 PUFA and risk of colorectal cancer.

<p>Abbreviations: LC n-3: long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (C20: 5n-3+C22: 5n-3+C22: 6n-3); SRR: summary risk ratio; PC: prospective cohort study; CC: case-control study.</p>a<p><i>N</i>, number of included studies.</p>b<p><i>P</i> value for heterogeneity within subgroup.</p>c<p><i>P</i> value for heterogeneity between subgroups with meta-regression analysis.</p><p>Subgroup analysis for association between biospecimen long-chain n-3 PUFA and risk of colorectal cancer.</p

PRISMA Flow Diagram for included prospective cohort and case-control studies.

<p>PRISMA Flow Diagram for included prospective cohort and case-control studies.</p

Primary multidrug-resistant TB in a 29-year-old man.

<p>A lung window of a transverse thin-section CT scan (1.25-mm-section thickness) showing multiple cavities in both lungs.</p

Effects of resveratrol supplementation on risk factors of non-communicable diseases: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

<p>The results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating resveratrol supplementation on risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have been inconsistent. The present meta-analysis aimed to quantitatively evaluate the effects of resveratrol intervention on risk factors of NCDs. PubMed and Scopus databases were searched up to June 2017. Weighted mean differences were calculated for net changes in risk factors of NCDs by using a random-effects model. Pre-specified subgroup and univariate meta-regression analyses were carried out to explore the sources of heterogeneity. Twenty-nine studies (30 treatment arms) with 1069 participants were identified. Resveratrol supplementation significantly reduced the concentrations of fasting glucose (−4.77 mg/dL; 95% CI: −9.33 to −0.21 mg/dL; <i>P</i> = 0.040), total cholesterol (TC) (−9.75 mg/dL; 95% CI: −17.04 to −2.46 mg/dL; <i>P</i> = 0.009), and C-reactive protein (CRP) (−0.81 mg/L; 95% CI: −1.42 to −0.21 mg/L; <i>P</i> = 0.009). Resveratrol intervention exerted significant reductions in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Subgroup analysis also showed that the trials with resveratrol intervention ≥3 months significantly reduced the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), DBP, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values. The results did not support that resveratrol intervention had favorable effects in altering high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride (TAG), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The present study provides substantial evidence that resveratrol supplementation has favorable effects on several risk factors of NCDs.</p

Characteristics of included prospective and case-control studies in the meta-analysis of association between biospecimen long-chain n-3 PUFA and the risk of colorectal cancer.

<p>Abbreviations: H: the highest category; L: the lowest category; F: females; M: males; GLC: Gas liquid chromatography; tFC: total fatty acid; EPA: eicosapentaenoic acid (C20: 5n-3); DPA: docosapentaenoic acid (C22: 5n-3); DHA: docosahexaenoic acid (C22: 6n-3); LC n-3: long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (C20: 5n-3+C22: 5n-3+C22: 6n-3).</p><p>Characteristics of included prospective and case-control studies in the meta-analysis of association between biospecimen long-chain n-3 PUFA and the risk of colorectal cancer.</p

Demographics of patients with primary MDR TB and DS TB^a.

<p>Demographics of patients with primary MDR TB and DS TB<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0176354#t001fn001" target="_blank">^a</a>.</p

Pooled effect size of n-3 PUFAs supplementation on CRP in chronic autoimmune disease.

<p>WMD, weighted mean difference.</p