Lattice Coding for the Two-way Two-relay Channel

Lattice coding techniques may be used to derive achievable rate regions which outperform known independent, identically distributed (i.i.d.) random codes in multi-source relay networks and in particular the two-way relay channel. Gains stem from the ability to decode the sum of codewords (or messages) using lattice codes at higher rates than possible with i.i.d. random codes. Here we develop a novel lattice coding scheme for the Two-way Two-relay Channel: 1 2 3 4, where Node 1 and 4 simultaneously communicate with each other through two relay nodes 2 and 3. Each node only communicates with its neighboring nodes. The key technical contribution is the lattice-based achievability strategy, where each relay is able to remove the noise while decoding the sum of several signals in a Block Markov strategy and then re-encode the signal into another lattice codeword using the so-called "Re-distribution Transform". This allows nodes further down the line to again decode sums of lattice codewords. This transform is central to improving the achievable rates, and ensures that the messages traveling in each of the two directions fully utilize the relay's power, even under asymmetric channel conditions. All decoders are lattice decoders and only a single nested lattice codebook pair is needed. The symmetric rate achieved by the proposed lattice coding scheme is within 0.5 log 3 bit/Hz/s of the symmetric rate capacity.Comment: submitted to IEEE Transactions on Information Theory on December 3, 201

A 60 GHz Wireless Network for Enabling Uncompressed Video Communication

Uncompressed high-definition video streaming over wireless personal area networks is a challenging problem because of the high data rate requirement and channel variations. With the advances in RF technology and the huge bandwidth available worldwide in the 57–66 GHz millimeter-wave unlicensed spectrum, mmWave WPANs that can support multigigabit transmission are being developed. However, compared to low-frequency signals (2.4 or 5 GHz), mmWave signals are more fragile; indeed, the propagation losses are significantly higher. In this article we present an mmWave system for supporting uncompressed HD video up to 3 Gb/s. The system includes various efficient error protection and concealment schemes that exploit unequal error resilience properties of uncompressed video. Some of them have been adopted in the emerging 60 GHz WPAN standards such as WirelessHD, ECMA TC48, and IEEE 802.15.3c. Simulations using real uncompressed HD images indicate that the proposed mmWave system can maintain, under poor channel conditions, good average peak-signal-to-noise-ratio and low video quality metric scores

Support of Uncompressed Video Streaming Over 60GHz Wireless Networks

Uncompressed HD (high-definition) video delivery over wireless personal area networks (WPANs) is a challenging problem because of the limited bandwidth and variations in channel. The 60GHz millimeter-wave (mmWave) band has recently drawn much interest because of the huge bandwidth that it can provide from 57-66 GHz unlicensed spectrum available worldwide. However, to date a system design supporting uncompressed HD video over WPAN is still lacking. In this paper, we develop, simulate, and evaluate an mmWave system for supporting Uncompressed Video streaming over Wireless (UVoW). New features of the UVoW system incorporates: (i) UEP (unequal error protection) where different video bits (MSBs and LSBs) are protected differently, (ii) a multi-CRC to determine whether MSB or/and LSB portions are in error, (iii) UV-ARQ, uncompressed video retransmission protocol which allows the receiver to request only those portions of a video packet which have high importance. Simulations indicate that the UVoW system achieves significantly higher video quality than normal systems under various wireless channel conditions. This shows that UVoW is a promising wireless system supporting uncompressed HD video

Supporting Uncompressed HD Video Streaming without Retransmissions over 60GHz Wireless Networks

Uncompressed HD (high-definition) video delivery over wireless personal area networks (WPANs) is a challenging problem because of the limited bandwidth and variations in channel. The most straight forward technique to recover from channel errors is to retransmit corrupted packets. However, retransmissions introduce significant delay/jitter and require additional bandwidth. Therefore, retransmissions may be unsuitable for uncompressed video streaming. In this paper, we develop, simulate, and evaluate an millimeter- wave (mmWave) system for supporting uncompressed video streams up to 3-Gbps without any retransmissions. New features of the mmWave system incorporates: (i) UEP (unequal error protection) where different video bits (MSBs and LSBs) are protected differently, (ii) a multiple-CRC to determine whether MSB or/and LSB portions are in error, (iii) RS code swapping (RSS), an error concealment scheme which can conceal some errors in video pixels. Simulations using real uncompressed HD images indicate that the proposed mmWave system can maintain good average PSNR (peak-signal-to-noise-ratio) under poor channel conditions, achieving what is generally accepted as a good picture quality with PSNR values greater than 40 dB. Moreover, the proposed system results in less fluctuating PSNR values

Autonomous Coordinator Selection in Beamformed 60GHz Wireless Networks

In 60 GHz wireless networks, autonomous coordinator selection is required to find a device to coordinate the transmissions among devices. In order to minimize the power consumption for the coordinator, we utilize the direction information extracted from beamformed transmissions in finding the coordinator automatically. The problem is formulated as a K-center problem, which is a NP-hard problem in general. Analysis is carried out to find optimal solutions in certain tractable topologies. Numerical algorithms and simulation results are further presented for random two dimensional topologies

Short Range Gigabit Wireless Communications Systems: Potentials, Challenges and Techniques

In this paper, we discuss multi-gigabits per second wireless networks in the 60GHz millimeter wave frequency band. Despite the large unlicensed bandwidth offered by the 60GHz frequency band, severe technical challenges exist towards making multi-Gbps a reality. We discuss the challenges in three different layers: PHY, MAC and the application layers. We also discuss some important technologies in overcoming these challenges, including antenna array beamforming, baseband modulation, data aggregation. The worldwide 60GHz regulatory and the ongoing standardization efforts are reviewed as well

Systematic Review of the Relationship Between Autism Stigma and Informal Caregiver Mental Health

Families play a crucial role in determining the mental health of the autistic individual(s) they are caring for. However, the stigma associated with autism can impair caregiver health. To investigate this, empirical evidence pertaining to stigma’s impact on informal caregivers’ mental health was systematically reviewed. All twelve included studies (n = 1442 informal caregivers) consistently reported the impact of autism related stigma upon caregiver mental health to be significant, meaningful and complex. A new theoretical framework describing the relationship between stigma and caregiver mental health is constructed. Moderating variables include those both changeable through intervention (e.g. hopelessness, self-esteem, self-compassion) and not changeable (gender, culture, financial burden and time since diagnosis). Implications and recommendations for professionals, interventions and future research are proposed

Catalytic decomposition of NO2 over a copper-decorated metal-organic framework by non-thermal plasma

Efficient catalytic conversion of NO2 to non-harmful species remains an important target for research. State-of-the-art deNOx processes are based upon ammonia (NH3)-assisted selective catalytic reduction (NH3-SCR) over Cu-exchanged zeolites at elevated temperatures. Here, we describe a highly efficient non-thermal plasma (NTP) deNOx process catalyzed by a Cu-embedded metal-organic framework, Cu/MFM-300(Al), at room temperature. Under NTP activation at 25°C, Cu/MFM-300(Al) enables direct decomposition of NO2 into N2, NO, N2O, and O2 without the use of NH3 or other reducing agents. NO2 conversion of 96% with a N2 selectivity of 82% at a turnover frequency of 2.9 h−1 is achieved, comparable to leading NH3-SCR catalysts that use NH3 operating at 250°C–550°C. The mechanism for the rate-determining step (NO→N2) is elucidated by in operando diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy confirms the formation of Cu2+⋯NO nitrosylic adducts on Cu/MFM-300(Al), which facilitates NO dissociation and results in the notable N2 selectivity

B cell depletion in autoimmune diabetes:insights from murine models

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is rising for reasons that largely elude us. New strategies aimed at halting the disease process are needed. One type of immune cell thought to contribute to T1D is the B lymphocyte. The first Phase II trial of B cell depletion in new onset T1D patients indicated that this slowed the destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. The mechanistic basis of the beneficial effects remains unclear. AREAS COVERED: Studies of B cell depletion and deficiency in animal models of T1D. How B cells can influence T cell-dependent autoimmune diabetes in animal models. The heterogeneity of B cell populations and current evidence for the potential contribution of specific B cell subsets to diabetes, with emphasis on marginal zone B cells and B1 B cells. EXPERT OPINION: B cells can influence the T cell response to islet antigens and B cell depletion or genetic deficiency is associated with decreased insulitis in animal models. New evidence suggests that B1 cells may contribute to diabetes pathogenesis. A better understanding of the roles of individual B cell subsets in disease will permit fine-tuning of therapeutic strategies to modify these populations

Frequent mutation of histone-modifying genes in non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Follicular lymphoma (FL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are the two most common non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs). Here we sequenced tumour and matched normal DNA from 13 DLBCL cases and one FL case to identify genes with mutations in B-cell NHL. We analysed RNA-seq data from these and another 113 NHLs to identify genes with candidate mutations, and then re-sequenced tumour and matched normal DNA from these cases to confirm 109 genes with multiple somatic mutations. Genes with roles in histone modification were frequent targets of somatic mutation. For example, 32% of DLBCL and 89% of FL cases had somatic mutations in MLL2, which encodes a histone methyltransferase, and 11.4% and 13.4% of DLBCL and FL cases, respectively, had mutations in MEF2B, a calcium-regulated gene that cooperates with CREBBP and EP300 in acetylating histones. Our analysis suggests a previously unappreciated disruption of chromatin biology in lymphomagenesis