Reliability-based coded modulation with low-density parity-check codes

In this letter, we consider the interleaver design in bit-interleaved coded modulation (BICM) with low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes. The design paradigm is to provide more coding protection through iterative decoding to bits that are less protected by modulation (and are thus less reliable at the output of the demodulator). The design is carried out by an ad hoc search algorithm over the column permutations of the parity-check matrix. Our simulations show that the proposed reliability-based coded modulation scheme can improve the error-rate performance of conventional BICM schemes based on regular LDPC codes by a few tenths of a decibel, with no added complexity.     

Effects of potential antimicrobial ingredients used to control Listeriamonocytogenes on quality of natural casing frankfurters

Listeriosis concerns have led to increased antimicrobial use; reformulation may affect quality. The objective was to determine the effects of potential antimicrobials on quality of natural casing frankfurters. Eleven treatments were used: no antimicrobials (control); 3.0% sodium lactate and sodium diacetate blend (SL+SD); 1.0%, 2.5%, and 3.5% buffered sodium citrate (SC); 1.0%, 2.5%, and 3.5% buffered sodium citrate and sodium diacetate blend (SC+SD); and 1.0%, 2.5%, and 5.0% whey protein peptides (WP). Trained and consumer panelists analyzed sensory characteristics. Cooking yield was unaffected by treatment (P>0.05). Addition of SC and SC+SD decreased pH (P<0.05). Texture profile analysis was conducted. Hunter color values and growth of aerobic bacteria and lactic acid bacteria were monitored over 15 weeks of storage. No samples reached spoilage. SL+SD 3% caused few changes; WP caused changes perceived as negative; and SC and SC+SD caused changes often perceived as positive.     

Making medical recruitment practices fair

The fact that in the past each medical student was assured of a post when qualified has led many in medicine to believe that selection for recruitment is merely a formality based on qualification and accreditation. Consequently little thought has gone into developing detailed person or post selection criteria. As a result most recruitment panel members are unclear on what basis to discriminate between equally qualified candidates and invariably plump for 'the face that fits'. This practice discriminates against women, black doctors and those white men not quite acceptable in manner, dress or attitudes. In this article, advice is offered on the development of equality strategies for public sector organisations and on the implementation of fair practices.     

Effects of lorazepam on the distribution of spatial attention

A left persistent primitive sciatic artery was observed in a Japanese male cadaver. The sciatic artery arose from the internal iliac artery and perforated the ventral division of the sacral plexus. The sciatic artery did not anastomose with the perforating arteries nor the popliteal artery. The left femoral artery was incompletely developed, attenuating and terminating as the saphenous artery. Instead of the femoral artery, direct continuation of the profunda femoris artery, which probably corresponded to the fourth perforating artery, became the popliteal artery. Other vessel anomalies were observed in various regions. They included; (1) the retroesophageal right subclavian artery; (2) the left vertebral artery entering the transverse foramen of the 4th cervical vertebra; (3) bilateral occurrence of the superficial brachial artery; (4) the left gastric artery independently arising from the abdominal aorta; (5) a hepatolienomesenteric trunk; (6) three accessory renal arteries; (7) double testicular arteries; (8) the arteria intermesenterica; (9) a venous ring termed the 'renal collar', and (10) paired thoracic ducts. The present cadaver was considered to be a very rare case in which many primitive vascular systems had extensively persisted in various parts of the body.     

Mesohabitat use by brown trout (Salmo trutta) in a small groundwater‐dominated stream

Groundwater‐dominated streams have particular flow regimes that commonly support populations of trout. Meso‐ and micro‐habitat surveys were carried out on a reach of the river Tern that drains a Triassic sandstone aquifer in the English West Midlands, to investigate brown trout (Salmo trutta) habitat use with varying flows. Mesohabitats were mapped over a range of summer and autumn flows and coupled with direct underwater observation (snorkelling) of fish locations together with point measurements of velocity and depth. The number of habitat types recorded was low and dominated by glides, runs, and backwaters. Brown trout showed a strong association with glides and runs with adults being more associated with runs and parr with glides. General habitat use curves showed brown trout to favour depths between 0.30 and 0.40 m and velocities below 0.40 m s^?1. A clear preference was shown for sand and gravel bed materials. However, the differentiation of hydraulic habitats was weak and there was no trend in mesohabitats or change in trout use of mesohabitats with discharge. The study raises limitations of the mesohabitat survey approach when linking fish ecology, flow and physical habitat in small streams with low flow variability and low habitat diversity. In these situations, other factors (especially cover features) appear to strongly influence brown trout distribution. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Examining the role of drinking motives in college student alcohol use and problems.

A motivational model of alcohol involvement (M. L. Cooper, M. R. Frone, M. Russell, & P. Mudar, 1995) was replicated and extended by incorporating social antecedents and motives and by testing this model cross-sectionally and longitudinally in a sample of college students. Participants (N = 388) completed a questionnaire battery assessing alcohol use and problems, alcohol expectancies, sensation seeking, negative affect, social influences, and drinking motives. Associations among psychosocial antecedents, drinking motives, and alcohol involvement differed from those found by M. L. Cooper et al. (1995). These findings point to the importance of social influences and of positive reinforcement motives but not to the centrality of drinking motives in this population. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Nuclear energy in the Soviet Union

Despite abundant supplies of fossil fuels in the Soviet Union, electricity from nuclear power increased dramatically in the 1970s. Plans for future expansion are also optimistic. The institutions of central planning theoretically allow coordination of different sectors and facilitate policy decisions of such magnitude. The inefficiencies of the planning process in practice, however, have meant failure to meet targets. Pressure groups have not influenced policy decisions and safety and environmental protection standards are lower than in the West. There is little overt disagreement with the decision to expand the nuclear sector but some scientists advocate new siting policies. For the moment, however, the expansion of the nuclear industry in the Soviet Union is secure.     

The Effect of Ethoxyquin and Vitamin E Supplementation on the Display Life of Beef Steaks

Steaks from cattle supplemented with 150 ppm ethoxyquin, an antioxidant, plus 150 or 250 IU of vitamin E per day, or 500 IU of vitamin E per day were evaluated for display life versus control steaks. Readings of a* indicated supplementation with vitamin E with or without ethoxyquin increased the display life of steaks compared with the controls. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were measured following 0, 3, and 7 d of retail display. All treatments had similar TBARS values on Day 0. On Days 3 and 7 control steaks had more lipid oxidation than the other treatments, with 500 IU of vitamin E having the least amount of oxidation. These data indicate supplementation with vitamin E improved the display life of steaks with no apparent interaction between vitamin E and ethoxyquin.