Improved Recursive Algorithms for V-BLAST to Reduce the Complexity and Save Memories

Improvements I-IV were proposed to reduce the computational complexity of the original recursive algorithm for vertical Bell Laboratories layered space-time architecture (VBLAST). The existing recursive algorithm with speed advantage and that with memory saving incorporate Improvements I-IV and only Improvements III-IV into the original algorithm, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, the algorithm with speed advantage and that with memory saving require the lowest complexity and the least memories, respectively, among the existing recursive V-BLAST algorithms. We propose Improvements V and VI to replace Improvements I and II, respectively. Instead of the lemma for inversion of partitioned matrix applied in Improvement I, Improvement V uses another lemma to speed up the matrix inversion step by the factor of 1.67. Then the formulas adopted in our Improvement V are applied to deduce Improvement VI, which includes the improved interference cancellation scheme with memory saving. In the existing algorithm with speed advantage, the proposed algorithm I with speed advantage replaces Improvement I with Improvement V, while the proposed algorithm II with both speed advantage and memory saving replaces Improvements I and II with Improvements V and VI, respectively. Both proposed algorithms speed up the existing algorithm with speed advantage by the factor of 1.3, while the proposed algorithm II achieves the speedup of 1.86 and saves about half memories, compared to the existing algorithm with memory saving

Skewed X-chromosome inactivation in patients with esophageal carcinoma

ABSTRACT: Skewed X-chromosome inactivation (SXCI) was found in some apparently healthy females mainly from Western countries. It has been linked to development of ovarian, breast and pulmonary carcinomas. The present study aimed to observe the SXCI frequencies in apparently healthy Chinese females and patients with esophageal carcinoma. DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood cells from 401 Chinese females without a detectable tumor and 143 female patients with esophageal carcinoma. Exon 1 of androgen receptor (AR) gene was amplified, and the products of different CAG alleles were resolved on denaturing polyacrylamide gels and visualized after silver staining. The corrected ratios (CR) of the products before and after HpaII digestion were calculated. As to the healthy females, when CR ≥ 3 was used as a criterion, SXCI was found in two (4.3%) of the 46 neonates, 13 (7.8%) of the 166 younger adults (16–50 years) and 37 (25.7%) of the 144 elderly females (51–96 years), with the frequency higher in the elderly subjects than in the two former groups (P < 0.05). When a more stringent criterion (CR ≥ 10) was used, SXCI was found in one (2.2%), two (1.2%) and 16 (11.1%) of the subjects in the three age groups, respectively, itsfrequency being higher in the elderly than in the younger age groups (P < 0.05). Occurrence of SXCI was detected in both the patients and controls at similar frequencies. However, the phenomenon, as defined as CR ≥ 3, was more frequent in the patients aging <40 years (35.7%) compared to the corresponding reference group (7.6%, P = 0.006). When CR ≥ 10 was adopted, the frequencies were 7.1% and 1.2%, respectively. Their difference did not attain statistical significance (P = 0. 217). SXCI also occurs in apparently healthy Chinese females, and is associated with age. It may be considered as a predisposing factor for the early development of esophageal carcinoma. VIRTUAL SLIDES: The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/154236433792765

Aberrant Expression of N-Methylpurine-DNA Glycosylase Influences Patient Survival in Malignant Gliomas

Aim. To examine the expression of N-methylpurine-DNA glycosylase (MPG) gene and protein in glioma samples with different WHO grades and its association with patients' survival. Methods. Immunohistochemistry assay, quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analysis were carried out to investigate the expression of MPG gene and protein in 128 glioma and 10 non-neoplastic brain tissues. Results. MPG gene expression level in glioma tissues was significantly higher than that in non-neoplastic brain tissues (P < 0.001). Immunohistochemistry also showed that MPG protein was over-expressed in glioma tissues, which was consistent with the resutls of Western blot analysis. Additionally, the expression levels of MPG gene and protein both increase from grade I to grade IV glioma according to the results of real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. Moreover, the survival rate of MPG-positive patients was significantly lower than that of MPG-negative patients (P < 0.001). We further confirmed that the over-expression of MPG was a significant and independent prognostic indicator in glioma by multivariate analysis (P < 0.001). Conclusions. Our data showed the over-expression of MPG gene and protein in human gliomas, and also suggested for the first time that MPG be an unfavorable independent prognostic indicator for glioma patients

Human Personality Is Associated with Geographical Environment in Mainland China

Recent psychological research shown that the places where we live are linked to our personality traits. Geographical aggregation of personalities has been observed in many individualistic nations; notably, the mountainousness is an essential component in understanding regional variances in personality. Could mountainousness therefore also explain the clustering of personality-types in collectivist countries like China? Using a nationwide survey (29,838 participants) in Mainland China, we investigated the relationship between the Big Five personality traits and mountainousness indicators at the provincial level. Multilevel modelling showed significant negative associations between the elevation coefficient of variation (Elevation CV) and the Big Five personality traits, whereas mean elevation (Elevation Mean) and the standard deviation in elevation (Elevation STD) were positively associated with human personalities. Subsequent machine learning analyses showed that, for example, Elevation Mean outperformed other mountainousness indicators regarding correlations with neuroticism, while Elevation CV performed best relative to openness models. Our results mirror some previous findings, such as the positive association between openness and Elevation STD, while also revealing cultural differences, such as the social desirability of people living in China’s mountainous areas

Modeling and simulation of equivalent second-order pendulum model of casting crane based on liquid slosh

Because the load of the foundry crane is the molten metal of high temperature liquid, the liquid in the load will produce different amplitude sloshing during the operation process, showing a complex solid-liquid coupling phenomenon. The conventional modeling method of treating the load as a solid can no longer meet the control requirements. In order to solve this problem, the equivalent second-order pendulum model of liquid sloshing is established in this paper. On this basis, the dynamic equation of casting bridge crane is derived by Lagrange method. Then a sliding mode variable structure controller is designed and simulated. The experimental results verify the dynamic characteristics and effectiveness of the nonlinear model, and realize the precise positioning of the trolley and the effective anti-swing of the load

Promoter Methylated Tumor Suppressor Genes in Glioma

Epigenetic silencing of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) is critical for glioma initiation and progression. Emerging reports suggest that increased numbers of TSGs, which are critical to cell cycle, proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, DNA repair, and signaling pathways, were silenced in gliomas. Tumor-specific methylation of TSGs in glioma indicates that they could be used as epigenetic biomarkers for molecular diagnosis and therapeutics. This review summarizes the recent discoveries of epigenetically silenced TSGs in human gliomas, providing better understanding of disrupted epigenetic regulation in glioma progression

Research on Optimization of Production Decision Based on Payment Time and Price Coordination

This paper focuses on the coordination and optimization between a manufacturer and multiple retailers in a supply chain. The manufacturer makes product quotes and delivery deadlines for all retailers, and each retailer selects product offers and delivery deadlines based on their own needs. Manufacturers maximize their own total profits by setting optimal quotes and delivery deadlines. This paper constructs the mathematical model of the optimal quotation and delivery deadline and proposes a scheduling algorithm that is different from the general M/M/1 and then studies the production scheduling problem and explores the effective implementation of quotation policy in management practice

A Time-Varying PD Sliding Mode Control Method for the Container Crane Based on a Radial-Spring Damper

For the multi-rope structure of the container crane system and its large mass payload anti-swing positioning problem, an equivalent double-swing model based on radial spring-dampers is established and a time-varying PD sliding mode controller (TVPD-SMC) with improved transient performance is proposed. In particular, the dynamics of the container crane system are first analyzed using the Lagrange method, and an equivalent double pendulum dynamics model of the crane is established. Compared with the traditional double pendulum model, this model ensures the accuracy of modeling without measuring the second pendulum angle. On this basis, an enhanced coupled time-varying sliding mode control method is designed to eliminate the sliding mode control method’s reaching phase and improves the robustness of the controller. Finally, the convergence and stability of the closed-loop system are proved using the Lyapunov technique and the Lasalle invariance theorem, and the simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the method