Resource Allocation for Capacity Optimization in Joint Source-Channel Coding Systems

Benefited from the advances of deep learning (DL) techniques, deep joint source-channel coding (JSCC) has shown its great potential to improve the performance of wireless transmission. However, most of the existing works focus on the DL-based transceiver design of the JSCC model, while ignoring the resource allocation problem in wireless systems. In this paper, we consider a downlink resource allocation problem, where a base station (BS) jointly optimizes the compression ratio (CR) and power allocation as well as resource block (RB) assignment of each user according to the latency and performance constraints to maximize the number of users that successfully receive their requested content with desired quality. To solve this problem, we first decompose it into two subproblems without loss of optimality. The first subproblem is to minimize the required transmission power for each user under given RB allocation. We derive the closed-form expression of the optimal transmit power by searching the maximum feasible compression ratio. The second one aims at maximizing the number of supported users through optimal user-RB pairing, which we solve by utilizing bisection search as well as Karmarka' s algorithm. Simulation results validate the effectiveness of the proposed resource allocation method in terms of the number of satisfied users with given resources.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figure

Relationship between serum iPTH and peritonitis episodes in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

BackgroundPeritonitis is considered as one of the most serious complications that cause hospitalization in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). There is limited evidence on the impact of the parathyroid hormone (PTH) on the first peritoneal dialysis (PD)-associated peritonitis episode. We aimed to investigate the influence of serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) on peritonitis in patients undergoing PD.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study. Patients undergoing initial CAPD from a single center in China were enrolled. The baseline characteristics and clinical information were recorded. The primary outcome of interest was the occurrence of the first PD-associated peritonitis episode. Five Cox proportional hazard models were constructed in each group set. In group set 1, all participants were divided into three subgroups by tertiles of the serum concentration of iPTH; in group set 2, all participants were divided into three subgroups based on the serum concentration of iPTH with 150 pg/ml interval (<150, 150–300, and >300 pg/ml). Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for each model. The multivariate linear regression analysis elimination procedure assessed the association between the clinical characteristics at baseline and the iPTH levels. Restricted cubic spline models were constructed, and stratified analyses were also conducted.ResultsA total of 582 patients undergoing initial PD (40% women; mean age, 45.1 ± 11.5 years) from a single center in China were recruited. The median follow-up duration was 25.3 months. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that, in the fully adjusted model, a higher serum iPTH level (tertile 3, iPTH >300 pg/ml) was significantly associated with a higher risk of PD-associated peritonitis at 3 years [tertile 3: hazard ratio (HR) = 1.53, 95%CI = 1.03–2.55, p = 0.03; iPTH > 300 pg/ml: HR = 1.57, 95%CI = 1.08–2.27, p = 0.02]. The hazard ratio for every 100 pg/ml increase in serum iPTH level was 1.12 (95%CI = 1.05–1.20, p < 0.01) in the total cohort when treating iPTH as a continuous variable.ConclusionsAn elevated iPTH level was significantly associated with an increased risk of peritonitis in patients undergoing CAPD

Gossypol Inhibits Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Cells Proliferation by Targeting EGFRL858R/T790M

Background: Overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been reported to be implicated in the pathogenesis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Several EGFR inhibitors have been used in clinical treatment of NSCLC, but the emergence of EGFRL858R/T790M resistant mutation has reduced the efficacy of the clinical used EGFR inhibitors. There is an urgent need to develop novel EGFRL858R/T790M inhibitors for better NSCLC treatment.Methods: By screening a natural product library, we have identified gossypol as a novel potent inhibitor targeting EGFRL858R/T790M. The activity of gossypol on NSCLC cells was evaluated by cell proliferation, cell apoptosis and cell migration assays. Kinase activity inhibition assay and molecular docking were used to study the inhibition mechanism of gossypol to EGFRL858R/T790M. Western blotting was performed to study the molecular mechanism of gossypol inhibiting the downstream pathways of EGFR.Results: Gossypol inhibited the cell proliferation and cell migration of NSCLC cells, and induced caspase-dependent cell apoptosis of NSCLC cells by upregulating the expression of pro-apoptotic protein BAD. Molecular docking revealed that gossypol could bind to the kinase domain of EGFRL858R/T790M with good binding affinity through hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. Gossypol inhibited the kinase activity of EGFRL858R/T790M with EC50 of 150.1 nM. Western blotting analysis demonstrated that gossypol inhibited the phosphorylation of EGFR and its downstream signal pathways in a dose-dependent manner.Conclusion: Gossypol inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis of NSCLC cells by targeting EGFRL858R/T790M. Our findings provided a basis for developing novel EGFRL858R/T790M inhibitors for treatment of NSCLC

Fracturing and Damage of 3D-Printed Materials with Two Intermittent Fissures under Compression

The crack propagation and failure of 3D-printed samples with prefabricated K–S fissures (a kinked fissure and a straight fissure) were observed under uniaxial compression, and the strain and displacement of the sample surface were quantified by the digital image correlation (DIC) method. The experimental results show that the branch inclination angle of the kinked fissure is an important factor affecting the crack initial position, and the evolution of the strain field during the failure process of the sample can better reflect the cracking law of the internal fissures. Furthermore, two coalescence modes are classified: Mode I is a tension–shear composite failure formed by the penetration of the tension–shear composite crack; Mode II is a tensile failure that penetrates the whole samples during the failure process without rock bridge damage. In addition, the numerical simulation results were well consistent with the cracking and failure modes

Evaluation of Downward Shortwave Radiation Products Over the Loess Plateau

Downward shortwave radiation (DSR) is a key component of the surface energy budget, influencing atmospheric circulation and climate change. DSR products derived from remote sensing observations or generated from reanalysis systems are commonly used as inputs for ecohydrological and climate models. The Loess Plateau is severely affected by soil erosion and has experienced frequent extreme weather events in recent years. Therefore, an accurate DSR product is crucial for accurately simulating climate change and surface-atmosphere processes on the Loess Plateau. In this study, newly released satellite DSR products CLouds, Albedo and Radiation Edition 3 data (CLARA-A3) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer land surface Downward Shortwave Radiation Version 6.1 data (MCD18A1 V6.1), along with the reanalysis product Land component of the Fifth Generation European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis (ERA5-Land), were evaluated over the Loess Plateau and its surrounding areas. Intraday, daily, monthly, and seasonal DSR were evaluated against ground measurements which were collected from five observation networks. CLARA-A3 outperformed MCD18A1 and ERA5-Land on both monthly and daily scales. The root-mean-square error for monthly (daily) DSR from CLARA-A3, ERA5-Land, and MCD18A1 were 19.31 (31.3) W/m2, 25.36 (39.74) W/m2, and 25.03 (46.14) W/m2, respectively. The study explored potential factors contributing to significant errors in DSR products. Results indicated that snow cover was one possible factor influencing the error in MCD18A1, and CLARA-A3 exhibited greater sensitivity to terrain influence compared to ERA5-Land and MCD18A1. The findings can be the reference for selecting DSR products over the Loess Plateau

Health Status Stability of Patients in a Medical Rehabilitation Program: What Are the Roles of Time, Physical Fitness Level, and Self-efficacy?

Background!#!Individuals' physical and mental health, as well as their chances of returning to work after their ability to work is damaged, can be addressed by medical rehabilitation.!##!Aim!#!This study investigated the developmental trends of mental and physical health among patients in medical rehabilitation and the roles of self-efficacy and physical fitness in the development of mental and physical health.!##!Design!#!A longitudinal design that included four time-point measurements across 15 months.!##!Setting!#!A medical rehabilitation center in Germany.!##!Population!#!Participants included 201 patients who were recruited from a medical rehabilitation center.!##!Methods!#!To objectively measure physical fitness (lung functioning), oxygen reabsorption at anaerobic threshold (VO2AT) was used, along with several self-report scales.!##!Results!#!We found a nonlinear change in mental health among medical rehabilitation patients. The results underscored the importance of medical rehabilitation for patients' mental health over time. In addition, patients' physical health was stable over time. The initial level of physical fitness (VO2AT) positively predicted their mental health and kept the trend more stable. Self-efficacy appeared to have a positive relationship with mental health after rehabilitation treatment.!##!Conclusions!#!This study revealed a nonlinear change in mental health among medical rehabilitation patients. Self-efficacy was positively related to mental health, and the initial level of physical fitness positively predicted the level of mental health after rehabilitation treatment.!##!Clinical rehabilitation!#!More attention could be given to physical capacity and self-efficacy for improving and maintaining rehabilitants' mental health