Finite Blocklength Analysis of Gaussian Random coding in AWGN Channels under Covert constraints II: A Viewpoint of Total Variation Distance

Covert communication over an additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel with finite block length is investigated in this paper. The attention is on the covert criterion, which has not been considered in finite block length circumstance. As an accurate quantity metric of discrimination, the variation distance with given finite block length n and signal-noise ratio (snr) is obtained. We give both its analytic solution and expansions which can be easily evaluated. It is shown that K-L distance, which is frequently adopted as the metric of discrimination at the adversary in asymptotic regime, is not convincing in finite block length regime compared with the total variation distance. Moreover, the convergence rate of the total variation with different snr is analyzed when the block length tends to infinity. The results will be very helpful for understanding the behavior of the total variation distance and practical covert communication

Finite Blocklength Analysis of Gaussian Random Coding in AWGN Channels under Covert Constraint

This paper considers the achievability and converse bounds on the maximal channel coding rate at a given blocklength and error probability over AWGN channels. The problem stems from covert communication with Gaussian codewords. By re-visiting [18], we first present new and more general achievability bounds for random coding schemes under maximal or average probability of error requirements. Such general bounds are then applied to covert communication in AWGN channels where codewords are generated from Gaussian distribution while meeting the maximal power constraint. Further comparison is made between the new achievability bounds and existing one with deterministic codebooks.Comment: 18 page

CXCL5/NF-κB Pathway as a Therapeutic Target in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treatment

Background. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant cancer worldwide. CXCL5 has a role in inhibiting cell viability and metastasis in many tumors. In the present study, we investigated the role of CXCL5 in HCC and explored the underlying mechanism. Material and Methods. RT-qPCR and western blot were performed to evaluate the mRNA and protein levels of CXCL5. CCK-8 and transwell assay were applied to measure the proliferative and invasive abilities. Meanwhile, the Kaplan–Meier method was used to assess the survival of HCC patients. Results. CXCL5 was upregulated in HCC tissues, which predicted a shorter overall survival in HCC. CXCL5 was a target gene of miR-577, and its expression was mediated by miR-577 in HCC. Knockdown of CXCL5 suppressed HuH-7 cell proliferation, invasion, and EMT and inhibited the NF-κB signaling pathway in cells. Moreover, knockdown of CXCL5 inhibited the xenograft growth of HuH-7 cells. Conclusion. Overexpression of CXCL5 predicts poor prognosis in HCC patients. Knockdown of CXCL5 inhibits cell proliferation and invasion through the NF-κB signaling pathway in HCC. The newly identified role of the CXCL5/miR-577/NF-κB axis provides novel insights into the targeted therapy of HCC

Dose-response relationship between maternal blood pressure in pregnancy and risk of adverse birth outcomes: Ma'anshan birth cohort study

Objectives: This study depicts the dose-response relationship between blood pressure (BP) during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes in different trimesters. Study design: We used restricted cubic spline to quantify the dose-response relationship between maternal BP in different trimesters and risk of adverse birth outcomes (small for gestational age, SGA; and pre-term birth, PTB). The data were from the Ma'anshan birth cohort study in China (N = 3273). Main outcome measures: Risk of SGA and PTB. Results: There were dose-response associations of both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) with risk of SGA in the third trimester and with PTB in both second and third trimesters. In the third trimester, compared with SBP of 120 mmHg, the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of SGA were 1.12 (1.01–1.19), 1.32 (1.10–1.60), 1.65 (1.20–2.27) and 2.05 (1.30–3.24) for SBP of 125, 130, 135 and 140 mmHg, respectively. The corresponding ORs and 95% CIs of PTB were 1.15 (1.00–1.32), 1.59 (1.28–1.98), 2.35 (1.66–3.33) and 3.47 (2.10–5.73), respectively. Compared with DBP of 70 mmHg, the ORs and 95% CIs of SGA were 1.44 (1.16–1.78) and 3.04 (2.06–4.50) for DBP of 80 and 90 mmHg, respectively. The corresponding ORs and 95% CIs of PTB were 1.32 (0.93–1.90) and 3.58 (2.21–5.78), respectively. Conclusions: A consistent set of dose-response relationships between maternal BP and adverse birth outcomes were observed. Most importantly, we found that moderately elevated maternal BP, even within a normal range, increased the risk of adverse birth outcomes.</p