Quasi-offline fair scheduling in third generation wireless data networks

In 3G wireless data networks, network operators would like to balance system throughput while serving users fairly. This is achieved through the use of fair scheduling. However, this approach provides non-Pareto optimal bandwidth allocation when considering a network as a whole. In this paper an optimal offline algorithm that is based on the decomposition result for a double stochastic matrix by Birkhoff and von Neumann is proposed. A utility max-min fairness is suggested for the derivation of a double stochastic matrix. Using a numerical experiment, new approach improves the fairness objective and is close to the optimal solution

Cooperative games with incomplete information for secondary base stations in cognitive radio networks

Cognitive radio (CR) technology is considered to be an effective solution for enhancing overall spectrum efficiency. Using CR technology fully involves the providing of incentives to Primary Radio Networks (PRNs) and revenue to the service provider so that Secondary Base Stations (SBSs) may utilize PRN spectrum bands accordingly. In this paper, a cooperative games with incomplete information for SBSs in a CR network is presented. Each SBS can cooperate with neighboring SBSs in order to improve its view of the spectrum. Moreover, proposed game-theory models assume that the devices have incomplete information about their components, meaning that some players do not completely know the structure of the game. Using the proposed algorithm, each SBS can leave or join the coalition while maximizing its overall utility. The simulation results illustrate that the proposed algorithm allows us to reduce the average payoff per SBS up to 140% relative to a CR network without cooperation among SBSs

Quasi-Offline Fair Scheduling in Third Generation Wireless Data Networks, Journal of Telecommunications and Information Technology, 2013, nr 3

In 3G wireless data networks, network operators would like to balance system throughput while serving users fairly. This is achieved through the use of fair scheduling. However, this approach provides non-Pareto optimal bandwidth allocation when considering a network as a whole. In this paper an optimal offline algorithm that is based on the decomposition result for a double stochastic matrix by Birkhoff and von Neumann is proposed. A utility max-min fairness is suggested for the derivation of a double stochastic matrix. Using a numerical experiment, new approach improves the fairness objective and is close to the optimal solution

Cooperative Games with Incomplete Information for Secondary Base Stations in Cognitive Radio Networks, Journal of Telecommunications and Information Technology, 2013, nr 3

Cognitive radio (CR) technology is considered to be an effective solution for enhancing overall spectrum efficiency. Using CR technology fully involves the providing of incentives to Primary Radio Networks (PRNs) and revenue to the service provider so that Secondary Base Stations (SBSs) may utilize PRN spectrum bands accordingly. In this paper, a cooperative games with incomplete information for SBSs in a CR network is presented. Each SBS can cooperate with neighboring SBSs in order to improve its view of the spectrum. Moreover, proposed game-theory models assume that the devices have incomplete information about their components, meaning that some players do not completely know the structure of the game. Using the proposed algorithm, each SBS can leave or join the coalition while maximizing its overall utility. The simulation results illustrate that the proposed algorithm allows us to reduce the average payoff per SBS up to 140% relative to a CR network without cooperation among SBSs

Coronary microcirculation dysfunction in patients with arterial hypertension

The number of articles regarding microcirculation dysfunction in the literature increases. One should bear them inmind especially in case of patients, who declare typical angina, and in whom during coronary angiography we donot reveal significant lesions in coronary arteries. Arterial hypertension is one of diseases, which may contribute tomicrocirculation dysfunction and vessels remodeling. In this short review, we discuss possible mechanism of abovementioneddisturbances.The number of articles regarding microcirculation dysfunction in the literature increases. One should bear them in mind especially in case of patients, who declare typical angina, and in whom during coronary angiography we do not reveal significant lesions in coronary arteries. Arterial hypertension is one of diseases, which may contribute to microcirculation dysfunction and vessels remodeling. In this short review, we discuss possible mechanism of above-mentioned disturbances

Identification of iron-bearing minerals in basalts and pillow lavas of the Kaczawa Mountains using 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy

The Kaczawa Mountains along with the Kaczawa foothill comprise a complicated geological unit that is called the Kaczawa metamorphic (Sudetes, SW Poland). The aim of our work was to identify the iron-bearing minerals in samples of basalts and pillow lavas from the Kaczawa metamorphic using 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. Based on the preliminary results, the Fe3+/Fe2+ ratio in the samples was determined

Cancer patients and their caregivers in the face of opioid analgesic treatment — opportunities and threats to the treatment process

Failure to alleviate cancer pain may deteriorate mental functioning, increase depression symptoms, result in the clinical diagnosis of demoralization syndrome nonadherence of treatment, functioning discipline, which together, may precipitate desire for euthanasia. Increased incidence of pain in patients with advanced or terminal disease has been reported to range from 39% to 66.4% depending on the stage of the cancer being experienced. Further, the progressive aging of societies and increased life expectancy in cancer patients has changed the dynamics of modern treatment processes. Despite their efficacy, the use of opioids as an analgesic treatment during terminal disease has been affected by the quality, availability, and negative reputation of these scheduled drugs. This review aims to describe the specific factors and limitations of opioid pain management from the perspective of patients and their caregivers. Further, we aim to identify and discuss the key factors which determine the success or failure of opioid use for the treatment of pain with links to internationally recognized recommendations and current research

The clinical significance of electronic fetal heart rate monitoring in twins

Objectives: Fully effective intrapartum cardiotocographic (CTG) fetal heart monitoring is still missing. Visual analysis is far from credibility. Additional, computerized analysis techniques were proposed however they did not substantially decrease possible risks of fetal asphyxia. In twin pregnancies the problem is even more complicated. Our goal is to find the most valuable parameters in intrapartum CTG surveillance in twins, based on actual FIGO criteria. Material and methods: Study included 58 women in labor who had been admitted to Delivery Department of tertiary care hospital with twin pregnancy in a period of one year. The features of the CTG (e.g., baseline, oscillation, decelerations, brady- or tachycardia) were grouped to create three variables that were closest to the FIGO CTG scale. All three groups were compared according to neonatal status (Apgar score at 5 min ≥ 7 or < 7; pH value in umbilical artery ≥ 7.20, < 7.20 or < 7.10 and BE (base excess) > or ≤ –12). Fetal status and its acid — base equilibrium was compared either with long term variability (LTV), short term variability (STV), or percentage of the signal loss. Results: Out of 58 twin pregnancies, a total of 116 babies were born. One baby was born dead. From this group, 11 deliveries were natural births and 47 deliveries were C-sections. None of the analyzed features (pH, BE, Apgar, CTG features except tracing length, CTG FIGO categories) were statistically different between groups of singleton and twin pregnancies, except percentage of C-sections. No differences were found either for STV or LTV and fetal status.org CTG categories. Conclusions: Prior to cardiotocographic tracing of twins during labor, ultrasound examination should be mandatory. Considerable loss of signal in CTG tracing in twins should provoke ultrasonographic confirmation of the fetal status

Between “opioidophobia” and the opioid crisis: a cross-sectional comparison of opinions on opioid analgesic treatment between palliative care patients with cancer and physicians in Poland

Introduction. Inadequate pain control may contribute to a desire to die. Early use of opioid analgesics could improve pain treatment. On the other hand, opioids are associated with risk of addiction. We aimed to compare the opinions on opioid analgesic use between palliative care patients and physicians.  Material and methods. Data on the opinions of hospice and palliative care patients (n = 104) and physicians of different specialties (n = 216) were collected using a survey with closed-ended questions scored on a 5-point Likert scale.  Results. The majority (87.5%) of cancer patients experienced pain during their illness (mean intensity: 7.01±2.44).More than half (53.3%) of physicians had concerns that patients overuse opioid drugs. Negative connotations associated with the word “morphine” were expressed in both study groups. Survey responses of both patients and physicians were consistent with the phenomenon of “opioidophobia”.  Conclusions. We found a high degree of consensus between cancer patients’ and physicians’ opinions on opioid analgesic use. However we also found some discrepancies in opinions and they were mostly related to medical knowledge, which may indicate poor patient education about opioid use and poor communication between patients and physicians. It is concerning to note these significant discrepancies concerning opioid use since patients considered opioids useful in ensuring pain relief and improving their quality of life. The majority (almost 90%) of patients surveyed struggled with pain over the course of their illness and treatment.