642 research outputs found
Performance Analysis of RIS-assisted MIMO-OFDM Cellular Networks Based on Matern Cluster Processes
Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) technology are a promising
physical-layer candidate for sixth-generation (6G) cellular networks. This
paper provides a system-level performance assessment of RIS-assisted
multi-input multi-output (MIMO) cellular networks in terms of downlink coverage
probability and ergodic rate. To capture the inherent randomness in the spatial
deployments of both Base Stations (BSs) and RISs, we propose a new stochastic
geometry model for such systems based on the Matern Cluster Process (MCP). This
model consists in randomly distributed RISs around BSs, whose placement is
according to a Poisson Point Process (PPP). The RISs provide the multipath
diversity and the multiple antenna receiver provide the antenna diversity. The
system is assumed to use the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)
technique to modulate the former and employ the maximal ratio combining (MRC)
technique at the receiver to exploit the latter. We show that the coverage
probability and the ergodic rate can be evaluated when considering RISs operate
as batched powerless beamformers. The resulting analytical expressions provide
a generic methodology to evaluate the impact of key RIS-related parameters,
such as the size of RIS and the density of nodes, on system level performance.
Numerical evaluations of the analytical expressions and Monte-Carlo simulations
jointly validate the proposed analytical approach and provide valuable insights
into the design of future RIS-assisted radio cellular networks
Stereotactic body radiation therapy for abdominal oligometastases: a biological and clinical review
Advances in imaging and biological targeting have led to the development of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) as an alternative treatment of extracranial oligometastases. New radiobiological concepts, such as ceramide-induced endothelial apoptosis after hypofractionated high-dose SBRT, and the identification of patients with oligometastatic disease by microRNA expression may yet lead to further developments. Key factors in SBRT are delivery of a high dose per fraction, proper patient positioning, target localisation, and management of breathing–related motion. Our review addresses the radiation doses and schedules used to treat liver, abdominal lymph node (LN) and adrenal gland oligometastases and treatment outcomes. Reported local control (LC) rates for liver and abdominal LN oligometastases are high (median 2-year actuarial LC: 61 -100% for liver oligometastases; 4-year actuarial LC: 68% in a study of abdominal LN oligometastases). Early toxicity is low-to-moderate; late adverse effects are rare. SBRT of adrenal gland oligometastases shows promising results in the case of isolated lesions. In conclusion, properly conducted SBRT procedures are a safe and effective treatment option for abdominal oligometastases
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Chrysolcolla Redefined as Spertiniite
XAFS and {mu}-XAFS spectra were collected at the Cu K-edge for seven chrysocolla samples (Peru, USA, and Congo). The results suggest that the local structure around Cu is similar to that in Cu(OH){sub 2} (spertiniite). Cu-L{sub 3} STXM imaging and spectroscopy confirm that the chrysocolla samples examined here consist of mesoscopic Cu(II)-rich domains surrounded by Si-rich domains (in agreement with results from infra-red spectroscopy). Hence, we suggest that chrysocolla, which is generally considered to be orthorhombic with composition (Cu,Al){sub 2}H{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 5}(OH){sub 4} {center_dot} nH{sub 2}O, is in actually a mesoscopic assemblage composed dominantly of spertiniite (Cu(OH){sub 2}), water and amorphous silica (SiO{sub 2})
Cohort profile: molecular signature in pregnancy (MSP): longitudinal high-frequency sampling to characterise cross-omic trajectories in pregnancy in a resource-constrained setting
A successful pregnancy relies on the interplay of various biological systems. Deviations from the norm within a system or intersystemic interactions may result in pregnancy-associated complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Systems biology approaches provide an avenue of unbiased, in-depth phenotyping in health and disease. The molecular signature in pregnancy (MSP) cohort was established to characterise longitudinal, cross-omic trajectories in pregnant women from a resource constrained setting. Downstream analysis will focus on characterising physiological perturbations in uneventful pregnancies, pregnancy-associated complications and adverse outcomes.; First trimester pregnant women of Karen or Burman ethnicity were followed prospectively throughout pregnancy, at delivery and until 3 months post partum. Serial high-frequency sampling to assess whole blood transcriptomics and microbiome composition of the gut, vagina and oral cavity, in conjunction with assessment of gene expression and microbial colonisation of gestational tissue, was done for all cohort participants.; 381 women with live born singletons averaged 16 (IQR 15-18) antenatal visits (13 094 biological samples were collected). At 5% (19/381) the preterm birth rate was low. Other adverse events such as maternal febrile illness 7.1% (27/381), gestational diabetes 13.1% (50/381), maternal anaemia 16.3% (62/381), maternal underweight 19.2% (73/381) and a neonate born small for gestational age 20.2% (77/381) were more often observed than preterm birth.; Results from the MSP cohort will enable in-depth characterisation of cross-omic molecular trajectories in pregnancies from a population in a resource-constrained setting. Moreover, pregnancy-associated complications and unfavourable pregnancy outcomes will be investigated at the same granular level, with a particular focus on population relevant needs such as effect of tropical infections on pregnancy. More detailed knowledge on multiomic perturbations will ideally result in the development of diagnostic tools and ultimately lead to targeted interventions that may disproportionally benefit pregnant women from this resource-limited population.; NCT02797327
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Adsorption and Precipitation of Aqueous Zn(II) on Hematite Nano- and Microparticles
As part of a study of the effect of particle size on reactivity of hematite to aqueous metal ions, the sorption of Zn(II) on hematite nanoparticles and microparticles was examined over a wide range of Zn(II) concentrations using Zn K-edge EXAFS. When reacted with nanoparticles at pH 5.5 and low Zn(II) sorption densities (0.04 {le} {Lambda} < 2.76 imol/m{sup 2}), Zn(II) formed five-coordinated or a mixture of four- and six-coordinated surface complexes with an average Zn-O distance of 2.04({+-}0.02){angstrom}. At pH 5.5 and high Zn(II) sorption densities (2.76 {ge} {Lambda} {le} 3.70 mol/m{sup 2}), formation of surface precipitates is suggested based on the presence of second-shell Zn and multiple scattering features in the Fourier transform (FT) of the EXAFS spectra. EXAFS fitting of these high {Lambda} samples yielded an average first-shell Zn-O distance of 2.10({+-}0.02){angstrom}, with second-shell Zn-Fe and Zn-Zn distances of 3.23({+-}0.03){angstrom} and 3.31({+-}0.03){angstrom}, respectively. Qualitative comparison between the EXAFS spectra of these sorption samples and that of amorphous zinc hydroxide and Zn-bearing hydrotalcite indicates the development of surface precipitates with increasing {Lambda}. EXAFS spectra of Zn(II) sorbed on hematite microparticles under similar experimental conditions showed no evidence for surface precipitates even at the highest Zn surface coverage ({Lambda} = 4 {micro}mol/m{sup 2}). These results indicate that reactivities of hematite nanoparticles and macroparticles differ with respect to Zn(II)aq, depending on Zn(II) sorption density. We suggest that the degree of hematite crystallinity affects the reactivity of hematite surfaces toward Zn(II)aq and the formation of the Zn(II) surface complexes
Interstitial Lung Abnormalities Detected by CT in Asbestos-Exposed Subjects Are More Likely Associated to Age
OBJECTIVE: the aim of this study was to evaluate the association between interstitial lung abnormalities, asbestos exposure and age in a population of retired workers previously occupationally exposed to asbestos. METHODS: previously occupationally exposed former workers to asbestos eligible for a survey conducted between 2003 and 2005 in four regions of France, underwent chest CT examinations and pulmonary function testing. Industrial hygienists evaluated asbestos exposure and calculated for each subject a cumulative exposure index (CEI) to asbestos. Smoking status information was also collected in this second round of screening. Expert radiologists performed blinded independent double reading of chest CT-scans and classified interstitial lung abnormalities into: no abnormality, minor interstitial findings, interstitial findings inconsistent with UIP, possible or definite UIP. In addition, emphysema was assessed visually (none, minor: emphysema 50% of the lung). Logistic regression models adjusted for age and smoking were used to assess the relationship between interstitial lung abnormalities and occupational asbestos exposure. RESULTS: the study population consisted of 2157 male subjects. Interstitial lung abnormalities were present in 365 (16.7%) and emphysema in 444 (20.4%). Significant positive association was found between definite or possible UIP pattern and age (OR adjusted =1.08 (95% CI: 1.02-1.13)). No association was found between interstitial abnormalities and CEI or the level of asbestos exposure. CONCLUSION: presence of interstitial abnormalities at HRCT was associated to aging but not to cumulative exposure index in this cohort of former workers previously occupationally exposed to asbestos
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Selenium Speciation in Biofilms from Granular Sludge Bed Reactors Used for Wastewater Treatment
Se K-edge XAFS spectra were collected for various model compounds of Se as well as for 3 biofilm samples from bioreactors used for Se-contaminated wastewater treatment. In the biofilm samples, Se is dominantly as Se(0) despite Se K-edge XANES spectroscopy cannot easily distinguish between elemental Se and Se(-I)-bearing selenides. EXAFS spectra indicate that Se is located within aperiodic domains, markedly different to these known in monoclinic red selenium. However, Se can well occur within nanodivided domains related to monoclinic red Se, as this form was optically observed at the rim of some sludges. Aqueous selenate is then efficiently bioreduced, under sulfate reducing and methanogenic conditions
Deep Learning for the Automatic Quantification of Pleural Plaques in Asbestos-Exposed Subjects
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop and validate an automated artificial intelligence (AI)-driven quantification of pleural plaques in a population of retired workers previously occupationally exposed to asbestos. METHODS: CT scans of former workers previously occupationally exposed to asbestos who participated in the multicenter APEXS (Asbestos PostExposure Survey) study were collected retrospectively between 2010 and 2017 during the second and the third rounds of the survey. A hundred and forty-one participants with pleural plaques identified by expert radiologists at the 2nd and the 3rd CT screenings were included. Maximum Intensity Projection (MIP) with 5 mm thickness was used to reduce the number of CT slices for manual delineation. A Deep Learning AI algorithm using 2D-convolutional neural networks was trained with 8280 images from 138 CT scans of 69 participants for the semantic labeling of Pleural Plaques (PP). In all, 2160 CT images from 36 CT scans of 18 participants were used for AI testing versus ground-truth labels (GT). The clinical validity of the method was evaluated longitudinally in 54 participants with pleural plaques. RESULTS: The concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) between AI-driven and GT was almost perfect (>0.98) for the volume extent of both PP and calcified PP. The 2D pixel similarity overlap of AI versus GT was good (DICE = 0.63) for PP, whether they were calcified or not, and very good (DICE = 0.82) for calcified PP. A longitudinal comparison of the volumetric extent of PP showed a significant increase in PP volumes (p < 0.001) between the 2nd and the 3rd CT screenings with an average delay of 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: AI allows a fully automated volumetric quantification of pleural plaques showing volumetric progression of PP over a five-year period. The reproducible PP volume evaluation may enable further investigations for the comprehension of the unclear relationships between pleural plaques and both respiratory function and occurrence of thoracic malignancy
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On the Coordination of Actinides and Fission Products in Silicate Glasses
The local structure around Th, U, Ce and Nd in leached silicate glasses was examined using XAFS spectroscopy at their L3 edges and also at the K edge of Fe, Co, Ni, Zr and Mo. Pellets of inactive borosilicate glasses with a simplified or a complex composition were leached statically at 90 C, at pH buffered to 0 or 6 for 28 days (surface/volume, S/V, ratios of 0.1 cm{sup -1}). These glasses are compared to another SON68 sample (denoted ''SP1'' in this paper) that was statically leached for 12 years under similar conditions, except for a higher S/V of 12 cm{sup -1} and a higher unconstrained pH of 9.6. The speciation of Fe, Co, Ni, Zr and Mo in the simple and the complex unleached are similar. In the statically leached glasses, the speciation of these transition metals is mostly identical to in the unleached glasses, except in the gels formed at the surface of the glasses leached at low pH, where large speciation differences are observed. Surface precipitates, especially for Fe (as ferrihydrite), Mo (possibly sidwillite) and Th (as ThO{sub 2}) were detected. Finally, the drying of the gels considerably affects the metal speciation by enhancing metal polymerization
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