FPGA-based architecture and implementation techniques of a low-complexity hybrid RAKE receiver for a DS-UWB communication system

In this paper, the architecture of a low-complexity Direct Sequence Ultra-Wideband (DS-UWB) receiver subsystem which incorporates a Channel Estimator (CE) and a novel hybrid Partial/Selective (HPS) maximal ratio combining (MRC) RAKE receiver is presented. Three different design techniques followed by FPGA implementation are investigated and compared and system performance results are provided. The proposed architectures combine the benefits of both partial and selective RAKE receiver algorithms and the obtained results demonstrate the trade-off between energy capture, performance and receiver complexity. All design approaches focus on a highly parallel, modular and optimized for high performance system which is necessary for demanding and low-cost applications of UWB communications.     

Fluorouracil and leucovorin with or without interferon alfa-2b in advanced colorectal cancer: analysis of a prospective randomized phase III trial. Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group

PURPOSE: To investigate if double modulation of fluorouracil (5-FU) with leucovorin (folinic acid [FA]) and interferon alfa-2b (IFN 2b) improves responses and survival in comparison to single modulation of 5-FU with FA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred six patients with histologically confirmed advanced colorectal cancer, measurable disease, and without previous chemotherapy were prospectively randomized into two groups. Patients in group A received 5-FU 450 mg/m2 as an intravenous bolus in the midinfusion of FA weekly. FA was given at a dose of 200 mg/m2 in 500 mL 0.9% normal saline solution in 2-hour infusion. Patients in group B received exactly the same regimen plus IFN 2b 5 million units subcutaneously three times weekly. RESULTS: All patients were well balanced in both groups regarding age, sex, performance status, number, and site of metastasis. One hundred two patients were assessable. All patients have died. There was no difference in response between the two groups (7.8% v 9.8%). Median survival was 10.1 months in group A, and 7.2 months in group B (P = .00189). Median time to progression was 8.4 and 5.2 months, respectively (P = .00196). Overall, better performance status and older age had a positive impact on survival. Toxicity was the most important and catastrophic aspect of this study. Patients who received IFN 2b had significantly worse anemia, neutropenia, diarrhea, anorexia, weight loss, flu-like syndrome, and psychological reactions. CONCLUSION: Based on this final analysis, the addition of IFN 2b to the combination of 5-FU and FA enhances toxicity and contributes to decreased survival.     

Pipelined recurrent fuzzy neural networks for nonlinear adaptive speech prediction.

A class of pipelined recurrent fuzzy neural networks (PRFNNs) is proposed in this paper for nonlinear adaptive speech prediction. The PRFNNs are modular structures comprising a number of modules that are interconnected in a chained form. Each module is implemented by a small-scale recurrent fuzzy neural network (RFNN) with internal dynamics. Due to module nesting, the PRFNNs offer a number of desirable attributes, including decomposition of the modeling task, enhanced temporal processing capabilities, and multistage dynamic fuzzy inference. Tuning of the PRFNN adaptable parameters is accomplished by a series of gradient descent methods with different weighting of the modules and the decoupled extended Kalman filter (DEKF) algorithm, based on weight grouping. Extensive experimentation is carried out to evaluate the performance of the PRFNNs on the speech prediction platform. Comparative analysis shows that the PRFNNs outperform the single-RFNN models in terms of the prediction gains that are obtained and computational efficiency. Furthermore, PRFNNs provide considerably better performance compared to pipelined recurrent neural networks, for models with similar model complexity.     

Efficient and flexible anonymization of transaction data

Transaction data are increasingly used in applications, such as marketing research and biomedical studies. Publishing these data, however, may risk privacy breaches, as they often contain personal information about individuals. Approaches to anonymizing transaction data have been proposed recently, but they may produce excessively distorted and inadequately protected solutions. This is because these approaches do not consider privacy requirements that are common in real-world applications in a realistic and flexible manner, and attempt to safeguard the data only against either identity disclosure or sensitive information inference. In this paper, we propose a new approach that overcomes these limitations. We introduce a rule-based privacy model that allows data publishers to express fine-grained protection requirements for both identity and sensitive information disclosure. Based on this model, we also develop two anonymization algorithms. Our first algorithm works in a top-down fashion, employing an efficient strategy to recursively generalize data with low information loss. Our second algorithm uses sampling and a combination of top-down and bottom-up generalization heuristics, which greatly improves scalability while maintaining low information loss. Extensive experiments show that our algorithms significantly outperform the state-of-the-art in terms of retaining data utility, while achieving good protection and scalability.     

Characterization of anisotropic permeability from flow front angle measurements

Textile permeability is a generally anisotropic material property, which characterizes the ease of establishing a resin flow through the fibrous reinforcement in Liquid composite molding (LCM) processes. Unidirectional injection experiments are commonly performed to determine in‐plane permeability. Effective permeability values have to be measured along three different textile directions to calculate the full in‐plane permeability tensor. This article presents a strategy to reduce the number of the required unidirectional experiments to two or even one by considering the angle that the flow front forms with the measurement direction. The relationship between this flow front angle and the permeability tensor elements was derived theoretically and verified by both simulations and experiments with various textile reinforcements. In addition, two methods were investigated to measure the flow front angle and the effective permeability during the experiments: a standard approach based on visual observations and a new method that relies on three pressure sensors, applicable also in the case of nontransparent tooling. The results show that: (I) the two methods provide consistent measurements and are substantially equivalent; (II) the strategy devised to characterize permeability by measuring the flow front angle is effective and accurate; (III) the proposed procedure allows reducing considerably the time and the material samples required for permeability characterization by unidirectional experiments. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:2037–2052, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 Response in a Preclinical Alcohol Model of Acute-on-Chronic Liver Injury

Background and Aims: Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 21 has recently been shown to play a potential role in bile acid metabolism. We aimed to investigate the FGF21 response in an ethanol-induced acute-on-chronic liver injury (ACLI) model in Abcb4^−/− mice with deficiency of the hepatobiliary phospholipid transporter. Methods: Total RNA was extracted from wild-type (WT, C57BL/6J) and Abcb4⁻/⁻ (KO) mice, which were either fed a control diet (WT-Cont and KO-Cont groups; n = 28/group) or ethanol diet, followed by an acute ethanol binge (WT-EtOH and KO-EtOH groups; n = 28/group). A total of 58 human subjects were recruited into the study, including patients with alcohol-associated liver disease (AALD; n = 31) and healthy controls (n = 27). The hepatic and ileal expressions of genes involved in bile acid metabolism, plasma FGF levels, and bile acid and its precursors 7α- and 27-hydroxycholesterol (7α- and 27-OHC) concentrations were determined. Primary mouse hepatocytes were isolated for cell culture experiments. Results: Alcohol feeding significantly induced plasma FGF21 and decreased hepatic Cyp7a1 levels. Hepatic expression levels of Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (Fgfr1), Fgfr4, Farnesoid X-activated receptor (Fxr), and Small heterodimer partner (Shp) and plasma FGF15/FGF19 levels did not differ with alcohol challenge. Exogenous FGF21 treatment suppressed Cyp7a1 in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. AALD patients showed markedly higher FGF21 and lower 7α-OHC plasma levels while FGF19 did not differ. Conclusions: The simultaneous upregulation of FGF21 and downregulation of Cyp7a1 expressions upon chronic plus binge alcohol feeding together with the invariant plasma FGF15 and hepatic Shp and Fxr levels suggest the presence of a direct regulatory mechanism of FGF21 on bile acid homeostasis through inhibition of CYP7A1 by an FGF15-independent pathway in this ACLI model. Lay Summary: Alcohol challenge results in the upregulation of FGF21 and repression of Cyp7a1 expressions while circulating FGF15 and hepatic Shp and Fxr levels remain constant both in healthy and pre-injured livers, suggesting the presence of an alternative FGF15-independent regulatory mechanism of FGF21 on bile acid homeostasis through the inhibition of Cyp7a1.     

On a generalized approach to manufacturing energy efficiency

Energy efficiency has become a very significant factor, requiring its inclusion in the manufacturing decision-making attributes. This paper proposes a generalized approach to manufacturing energy efficiency. The basic element of the approach is the division of energy efficiency definition and study into four manufacturing levels, namely process, machine, production line, and factory. Process-level definitions are provided for the majority of manufacturing processes. A machine-level study indicates and solves difficulties, generated by the workpiece geometry, and points out the interaction with the process level through factors, such as the process time. Moreover, machine tool peripherals are responsible for a significant portion of the consumed energy, and classification based on the dependence of their consumption on process variables is required. Studies made on the production line and factory levels show that energy efficiency, at these levels, is heavily dependent on production planning and scheduling and can be improved through the appropriate utilization of machines, with the inclusion of shutdown and eco-modes. Finally, a case study is presented, showing that many of the difficulties towards the optimization of energy efficiency can be dealt with successfully, using the proposed generalized approach.     

On the selection and design of the proper roof pond variant for passive cooling purposes

The present paper aims to fully summarize the current scientific and technological experience focusing on the comparative characteristics of roof pond variants. The design guidelines and pond characteristics provide the opportunity to make the proper decision of a roof pond variant for cooling purposes. The following systems are under detailed investigation: covered/uncovered pond with/without sprays, skytherm, energy roof, coolroof, walkable pond, wet gunny bags, cool-pool shaded and ventilated pond. A brief background of the motivation behind the creation of the above variants is provided. The advantages and disadvantages of ponds as well as the design considerations and state of the art are discussed. Additionally, in the present study a detailed comparison is performed in terms of effectiveness and cooling demand reduction. A complete set of criteria affecting the choice of the proper roof pond are also analyzed. Finally, a decision support flowchart, is provided based on the various criteria and parameters.     

A genetic algorithm solution approach to the hydrothermal coordination problem

In this paper, a genetic algorithm solution to the hydrothermal coordination problem is presented. The generation scheduling of the hydro production system is formulated as a mixed-integer, nonlinear optimization problem and solved with an enhanced genetic algorithm featuring a set of problem-specific genetic operators. The thermal subproblem is solved by means of a priority list method, incorporating the majority of thermal unit constraints. The results of the application of the proposed solution approach to the operation scheduling of the Greek Power System, comprising 13 hydroplants and 28 thermal units, demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.     

Hydrology and Nutrient Enrichment at Two Coastal Lagoon Systems in Northern Greece

The lagoons of N.E. Greece, located on the western side of NestosRiver, and of N.W. Greece, located at the lower reaches of Kalamas River, are among the most important shallow, semi-enclosed ecosystems in Northern Greece. The temporal variability of nutrients at both lagoonal systems shows the strong influence of fresh water discharge on water quality. Nutrient enrichment factors showed that nitrites and ammonium were six times higher at the lagoons of N.W. Greece than those observed at N.E. Greece, while phosphates were forty times higherat Nestos River lagoons. The flushing half-life was calculatedbased on a combination of hydrological and tidal processes, foreach lagoon of these two systems, allowing for the assessment ofwater quality changes. Proper management measures for both systems should focus on the control of fresh water quality entering the lagoons, the reduction of phosphoric fertilizers used by agriculture and the better oxygenation of the water column. One way to eliminate massive fish deaths during the winter in N.E. Greece is also the transfer of fresh, warm groundwater, while bathymetric modifications and channel wideningare needed at the lagoons of N.W. Greece.