Simplified Metrics Calculation for Soft Bit Detection in DVB-T2

The constellation rotation and cyclic quadrature component delay (RQD) technique has been adopted in the second generation terrestrial digital video broadcasting (DVB-T2) standard. It improves the system performance under severe propagation conditions, but introduces serious complexity problems in the hardware implementation of the detection process. In this paper, we present a simplified scheme that greatly reduces the complexity of the demapper by simplifying the soft bit metrics computation having a negligible overall system performance loss

Searching for star-forming dwarf galaxies in the Antlia cluster

The formation and evolution of dwarf galaxies in clusters need to be understood, and this requires large aperture telescopes. In this sense, we selected the Antlia cluster to continue our previous work in the Virgo, Fornax, and Hydra clusters and in the Local Volume (LV). Because of the scarce available literature data, we selected a small sample of five blue compact dwarf (BCD) candidates in Antlia for observation. Using the Gemini South and GMOS camera, we acquired the Halpha imaging needed to detect star-forming regions in this sample. With the long-slit spectroscopic data of the brightest seven knots detected in three BCD candidates, we derived their basic chemical properties. Using archival VISTA VHS survey images, we derived K_S magnitudes and surface brightness profile fits for the whole sample to assess basic physical properties. FS90-98, FS90-106, and FS90-147 are confirmed as BCDs and cluster members, based on their morphology, K_S surface photometry, oxygen abundance, and velocity redshift. FS90-155 and FS90-319 did not show any H{\alpha} emission, and they could not be confirmed as dwarf cluster star-forming galaxies. Based on our data, we studied some fundamental relations to compare star forming dwarfs (BCDs and dIs) in the LV and in the Virgo, Fornax, Hydra, and Antlia clusters. Star-forming dwarfs in nearby clusters appear to follow same fundamental relations in the near infrared with similar objects in the LV, specifically the size-luminosity and the metallicity-luminosity, while other more fundamental relations could not be checked in Antlia due to lack of data.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A (early 2014

Influence of oxygen content on the antibacterial effect of Ag-O coatings deposited by magnetron sputtering

Ag and AgOx thin films were deposited by pulsed DC magnetron sputtering, for medical devices, in order to provide antibacterial properties. During the deposition process, oxygen flow, and, consequently, oxygen fraction, was varied (0â15 sccm) to understand the influence of oxygen species in the physical, chemical and structural properties of thin films. Coatings morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and their nanostructure and composition were assessed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), respectively. XRD and XPS analyses revealed that Ag thin films are composed by metallic Ag, which crystallizes in fcc-Ag phase; whereas AgOx showed a mixture of Ag2O and AgO phases for low oxygen fraction that became single AgO with the increase of oxygen fraction in the discharge. Surface wettability and surface tension of the coatings were also determined showing hydrophobic character. Halo inhibition zone tests were performed against Staphylococcus epidermidis, in order to evaluate the antibacterial behavior of coatings, and silver ion release was measured. Only AgOx presented antibacterial behavior, showing that the presence of silver oxide are the main reasons for the antibacterial effect, probably due to the increased production of ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species),making these coatings promising for medical applications.The authors acknowledgments the financial support of FCTFundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia through grant SFRH/BD/90321/2012. Also thank support by FEDER through the COMPETE Program and by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the framework of the Strategic Funding UID/FIS/04650/2013, and projects ERA-SIINN/0004/2013 through the “Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional” (FEDER)

Systematic review of approaches to using patient experience data for quality improvement in healthcare settings

Objectives: Explore how patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) are collected, communicated and used to inform quality improvement (QI) across healthcare settings. Design: Systematic review. Setting: Various primary and secondary care settings, including general practice, and acute and chronic care hospitals. Participants: A full range of patient populations from (children through to the elderly) and staff (from healthcare practitioners to senior managers). Methods: Scientific databases were searched (CINAHL, PsycINFO, MEDLINE and Cochrane Libraries) as was grey literature. Qualitative and quantitative studies describing collection of PREM data and subsequent QI actions in any healthcare setting were included. Risk of bias was assessed using established criteria. Of 5312 initial hits, 32 full texts were screened, and 11 were included. Results: Patient experience data were most commonly collected through surveys and used to identify small areas of incremental change to services that do not require a change to clinician behaviour (eg, changes to admission processes and producing educational materials). While staff in most studies reported having made effective improvements, authors struggled to identify what those changes were or the impact they had. Conclusions: Findings suggest there is no single best way to collect or use PREM data for QI, but they do suggest some key points to consider when planning such an approach. For instance, formal training is recommended, as a lack of expertise in QI and confidence in interpreting patient experience data effectively may continue to be a barrier to a successful shift towards a more patient-centred healthcare service. In the context of QI, more attention is required on how patient experience data will be used to inform changes to practice and, in turn, measure any impact these changes may have on patient experience

Electrochemical vs antibacterial characterization of ZrCN-Ag coatings

Nowadays, antibacterial properties are becoming a viable feature to be introduced in biomaterials due to the possibility of modifying the materials' surface used in medical devices in a micro/nano metric scale. As a result, it is mandatory to understand the mechanisms of the antimicrobial agents currently used and their possible failures. In this work, the antibacterial activity of ZrCNAg films is studied, taking into consideration the ability of silver nanoparticles to be dissolved when embedded into a ceramic matrix. The study focuses on the silver release evaluated by glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy and the effect of the fluid composition on this release. The results revealed a very low silver release of the films, leading to non-antibacterial activity of such materials. The silver release was found to be dependent on the electrolyte composition. NaCl (8.9 g L? 1) showed the lowest spontaneously silver ionization, while introducing the sulfates in Hanks' balanced salt solution (HBSS) such ionization is increased; finally, the proteins incorporated to the (HBSS) showed a reduction of the silver release, which also explains the low ionization in the culture medium (tryptic soy broth) that contains high quantities of proteins.This research is partially sponsored by the FEDER funds through the program COMPETE - Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade and by the Portuguese national funds through FCT-Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia, under the projects ANTIMICROBCOAT - PTDC/CTM/102853/2008 and in the framework of the Strategic Projects PEST-C/FIS/UI607/2011, PEST-C/EME/UI0285/2011 and SFRH/BD/80947/2011.This work has also been supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion of Spain through the Consolider-Ingenio 2010 Programme (CSD2008-00023) and through project RyC2007-0026