Energy-Efficient Resource Allocation in Multiuser MIMO Systems: A Game-Theoretic Framework

This paper focuses on the cross-layer issue of resource allocation for energy efficiency in the uplink of a multiuser MIMO wireless communication system. Assuming that all of the transmitters and the uplink receiver are equipped with multiple antennas, the situation considered is that in which each terminal is allowed to vary its transmit power, beamforming vector, and uplink receiver in order to maximize its own utility, which is defined as the ratio of data throughput to transmit power; the case in which non-linear interference cancellation is used at the receiver is also investigated. Applying a game-theoretic formulation, several non-cooperative games for utility maximization are thus formulated, and their performance is compared in terms of achieved average utility, achieved average SINR and average transmit power at the Nash equilibrium. Numerical results show that the use of the proposed cross-layer resource allocation policies brings remarkable advantages to the network performance.Comment: Proceedings of the 16th European Signal Processing Conference, Lausanne, Switzerland, August 25-29, 200

Adaptive Cross-Layer Distributed Energy-Efficient Resource Allocation Algorithms for Wireless Data Networks

The issue of adaptive and distributed cross-layer resource allocation for energy efficiency in uplink code-division multiple-access (CDMA) wireless data networks is addressed. The resource allocation problems are formulated as noncooperative games wherein each terminal seeks to maximize its own energy efficiency, namely, the number of reliably transmitted information symbols per unit of energy used for transmission. The focus of this paper is on the issue of adaptive and distributed implementation of policies arising from this approach, that is, it is assumed that only readily available measurements, such as the received data, are available at the receiver in order to play the considered games. Both single-cell and multicell networks are considered. Stochastic implementations of noncooperative games for power allocation, spreading code allocation, and choice of the uplink (linear) receiver are thus proposed, and analytical results describing the convergence properties of selected stochastic algorithms are also given. Extensive simulation results show that, in many instances of practical interest, the proposed stochastic algorithms approach with satisfactory accuracy the performance of nonadaptive games, whose implementation requires much more prior information

Antimicrobial and antioxidant properties and quantitative screening of phytochemicals of Fraxinus excelsior L. and Eschscholtzia californica Cham. mother tinctures

The antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Fraxinus excelsior L. and Eschscholtzia californica Cham. mother tinctures against a range of foodborne bacteria were investigated to determine the major components and to analyse the action spectrum and antimicrobial effectiveness of the extracts. Results demonstrated a significant antioxidant activity of Fraxinus excelsior L. and a lower activity of Eschscholtzia californica Cham. and a good chemical phenolic composition with the highest content of flavonoids. The Fraxinus excelsior L. and Eschscholtzia californica Cham. mother tinctures demonstrated a middle-high antimicrobial activity against, respectively, 66.67% and 43.33% of all tested bacteria. The inhibitory activity showed a moderate effect on the growth of the sensitive strains in presence of extracts minimum inhibitory concentration. The synergistic actions of bioactive compounds detected in the extracts might be on the basis of antioxidant and biological activities observed and should be used in pharmaceutical, food preservation, alternative medicine and natural therapies fields

A Comprehensive Review on the State of the Art of Breast Cancers in Italy

: Breast cancer (BC) currently represents one of the most prevalent cancers among women worldwide and the leading cause of cancer death among women, also negatively affecting the quality of life (QoL) in patients. Over the past two decades, BC research has led to extraordinary advances in our understanding of the disease, resulting in more effective treatments. However, its occurrence is still increasing. Several new treatments are now under development worldwide, but they are not devoid of well-- known side effects, and a great number of patients develop endocrine resistance. Nevertheless, the design and synthesis of more suitable strategies and new drugs to treat breast cancers, overcome resistance and side effects, and obtain better therapeutic outcomes are needed. In this review, we summarize the therapies and the clinical studies currently ongoing in Italy for the treatment of BCs, mainly HER2+ MBC, HER2-low MBC, and TNBC, focusing on the most recent ones, also in consideration of diverse facets, including some aspects related to QoL. Finally, some studies related to the usefulness of physical activity in BC will be cited

Glucorticoid receptor in human cutaneous melanoma: immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence study

GR is a nuclear receptor which, when activated by its specific ligand, can act as a transcription factor that binds to glucocorticoid response elements (GRE) or negative GRE. It affects inflammatory responses, differentiation and cell proliferation. The ligand activated glucocorticoid receptor induces a G1 cell cycle arrest or apoptosis in immature thymocytes and impairs proliferation of fibroblasts of undifferentiated mammary epithelial cells. It impairs proliferation and differentiation of neural progenitor cells in vivo and in vitro. Glucocorticoids are widely used in cancer therapy and have cell type-specific pro- or antiapoptotic effects. In melanoma, however, the antitumor activity of glucocorticoids remains an open question. A recent report demonstrated that in mouse embryo tissue and in human undifferentiated cells, cytoplasmic accumulation of GR is determined by nestin in conjunction with vimentin, copolymerised into an intermediate filament system, and that this anchoring of GR to the nestin/vimentin etheromeric complex is related to the maintenance of a high proliferation rate. The aim of this study was to analyse the expression of subcellular GR in cutaneous melanoma by immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and laser scanning confocal microscopy and to evaluate any effect in melanoma progression. The results will be discussed

Rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high in-hospital mortality. Alveolar recruitment followed by ventilation at optimal titrated PEEP may reduce ventilator-induced lung injury and improve oxygenation in patients with ARDS, but the effects on mortality and other clinical outcomes remain unknown. This article reports the rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART). Methods/Design: ART is a pragmatic, multicenter, randomized (concealed), controlled trial, which aims to determine if maximum stepwise alveolar recruitment associated with PEEP titration is able to increase 28-day survival in patients with ARDS compared to conventional treatment (ARDSNet strategy). We will enroll adult patients with ARDS of less than 72 h duration. The intervention group will receive an alveolar recruitment maneuver, with stepwise increases of PEEP achieving 45 cmH(2)O and peak pressure of 60 cmH2O, followed by ventilation with optimal PEEP titrated according to the static compliance of the respiratory system. In the control group, mechanical ventilation will follow a conventional protocol (ARDSNet). In both groups, we will use controlled volume mode with low tidal volumes (4 to 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight) and targeting plateau pressure <= 30 cmH2O. The primary outcome is 28-day survival, and the secondary outcomes are: length of ICU stay; length of hospital stay; pneumothorax requiring chest tube during first 7 days; barotrauma during first 7 days; mechanical ventilation-free days from days 1 to 28; ICU, in-hospital, and 6-month survival. ART is an event-guided trial planned to last until 520 events (deaths within 28 days) are observed. These events allow detection of a hazard ratio of 0.75, with 90% power and two-tailed type I error of 5%. All analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion: If the ART strategy with maximum recruitment and PEEP titration improves 28-day survival, this will represent a notable advance to the care of ARDS patients. Conversely, if the ART strategy is similar or inferior to the current evidence-based strategy (ARDSNet), this should also change current practice as many institutions routinely employ recruitment maneuvers and set PEEP levels according to some titration method.Hospital do Coracao (HCor) as part of the Program 'Hospitais de Excelencia a Servico do SUS (PROADI-SUS)'Brazilian Ministry of Healt