A Radon-Multiwavelet Based OFDM System Design and Simulation Under Different Channel Conditions

Finite Radon transform (FRAT) mapper has the ability to increase orthogonality of sub-carriers, it is non sensitive to channel parameters variations, and has a small constellation energy compared with conventional fast Fourier transform (FFT) based orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). It is also able to work as a good interleaver which significantly reduces the bit error rate (BER). Due to its good orthogonality, discrete Multiwavelet transform (DMWT) is attractive for implementation in OFDM systems which reduces inter-symbol interference (ISI) and inter-carrier interference (ICI) and eliminates the need for cyclic prefix and increases the spectral efficiency of the design. In this paper both FRAT and DMWT are implemented in a new design for OFDM. The new structure was tested and compared with conventional FFT-based OFDM, Radon-based OFDM, and DMWT-based OFDM for additive white Gaussian noise channel, flat fading channel, and multi-path selective fading channel. Simulation tests were generated for different channels parameters values. The obtained results showed that proposed system has increased spectral efficiency, reduced ISI and ICI, and improved BER performance compared with other systems.     

Pharmacological Mechanisms Underlying Gastroprotective Activities of the Fractions Obtained from Polygonum minus in Sprague Dawley Rats

The leaves of Polygonum minus were fractionated using an eluting solvent to evaluate the pharmacological mechanisms underlying the anti-ulcerogenic activity of P. minus. Different P. minus fractions were obtained and evaluated for their ulcer preventing capabilities using the ethanol induction method. In this study, Sprague Dawley rats weighing 150-200 g were used. Different parameters were estimated to identify the active fraction underlying the mechanism of the gastroprotective action of P. minus: the gastric mucus barrier, as well as superoxide dismutase, total hexosamine, and prostaglandin synthesis. Amongst the five fractions from the ethanolic extract of P. minus, the ethyl acetate:methanol 1:1 v/v fraction (F2) significantly (p < 0.005) exhibited better inhibition of ulcer lesions in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, rats pre-treated with F2 showed a significant elevation in superoxide dismutase (SOD), hexosamine and PGE2 levels in the stomach wall mucosa in a dose-dependent matter. Based on these results, the ethyl acetate:methanol 1:1 v/v fraction was considered to be the best fraction for mucous protection in the ethanol induction model. The mechanisms underlying this protection were attributed to the synthesis of antioxidants and PGE2.     

Aluminum silicate fibers impregnated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber composites: Ablation,thermal transport/stability,and mechanical inspection

Variant concentrations of ceramic fibers (CerFs) were incorporated into acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) to fabricate elastomeric ablative composites for ultrahigh temperature applications. The CerFs introduction into the polymer matrix has enhanced the ablation resistance up to 59% and successfully reduced the backface temperature of the polymer composite up to 110^oC during the ultrahigh temperature ablation investigation. Thermal decomposition of the polymer composites was diminished up to 10% with increasing fiber concentration in the rubber matrix. Thermal conductivity was reduced equal to 63% while thermal impedance was enhanced up to 84% with the utmost fiber incorporation into the NBR matrix. The CerFs have adversely affected the mechanical properties of NBR matrix due to their brittle/inert nature and weak interface bonding with the host matrix. Scanning electron microscopy along with the energy dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy was used to examine the ablated specimens and the fiber dispersion within the host matrix. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 4392–4400, 2013     

Cardiomyocyte Proliferation as a Source of New Myocyte Development in the Adult Heart

Cardiac diseases such as myocardial infarction (MI) can lead to adverse remodeling and impaired contractility of the heart due to widespread cardiomyocyte death in the damaged area. Current therapies focus on improving heart contractility and minimizing fibrosis with modest cardiac regeneration, but MI patients can still progress to heart failure (HF). There is a dire need for clinical therapies that can replace the lost myocardium, specifically by the induction of new myocyte formation from pre-existing cardiomyocytes. Many studies have shown terminally differentiated myocytes can re-enter the cell cycle and divide through manipulations of the cardiomyocyte cell cycle, signaling pathways, endogenous genes, and environmental factors. However, these approaches result in minimal myocyte renewal or cardiomegaly due to hyperactivation of cardiomyocyte proliferation. Finding the optimal treatment that will replenish cardiomyocyte numbers without causing tumorigenesis is a major challenge in the field. Another controversy is the inability to clearly define cardiomyocyte division versus myocyte DNA synthesis due to limited methods. In this review, we discuss several studies that induced cardiomyocyte cell cycle re-entry after cardiac injury, highlight whether cardiomyocytes completed cytokinesis, and address both limitations and methodological advances made to identify new myocyte formation.     

Modification of cotton fabric for textile dyeing: industrial mercerization versus gamma irradiation

The current research is intended to investigate the effect of gamma radiation on the cotton fabric and compare the dyeability of gamma irradiated fabric with that of chemically mercerized fabric using reactive dye, Reactive Violet H3R. The gray cotton fabric samples were desized and bleached, before being mercerized or irradiated, followed by dyeing with reactive dye. The cotton fabric was exposed to variable absorbed doses of 2–10 kGy. The color strength values at various levels of temperature, pH, dyeing time, and salt concentration were evaluated using optimal conditions of mercerization and gamma-ray treatment. The comparison of color strength values for the mercerized and the gamma irradiated cotton fabric showed that the irradiated fabric had high color strength at 60 °C using dye bath of pH10 in the presence of 6 g/L of exhausting agent while dyeing for 40 min. Both mercerization and irradiation increased the surface area of fibers that substantially elevated the dyeing performance and fastness properties.     

Foliar epidermal anatomy of some selected wild edible fruits of Pakistan using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy

The present study is focused on the detailed foliar epidermal anatomy of some selected wild edible fruits (WEFs) from Pakistan using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The studied species are Ficus racemosa L., Solanum nigrum L., Capparis spinosa L., Physalis divaricata D.Don, Rosa moschata Herrm. and Ribes orientale Desf. collected from various localities of Pakistan. The objective of the present study is to investigate qualitative and quantitative anatomical characters for the identification and differentiation of collected wild edible fruits. The characters studied are shape and size of epidermal cells, anticlinal wall pattern, trichome type and shape, average number of stomata, length and width of stomata and pore. The detailed microscopic investigation and variations in the characters recorded have a key role in the determination and authentication of wild edible fruits. This study possesses great potential for plant taxonomists to further evaluate the species at molecular and genetic levels.     

Experimental study of melting ice cylinders in a warm air cross-flow

An experimental study is reported which investigates the melting of ice cylinders transverse to a warm humid flow, under controlled conditions in an air-conditioned wind tunnel. This work was initiated prior to a more general study of warm air defrosting of a complete heat pump evaporator. Tests were conducted with air at various temperatures, relative humidities and velocities. Similarly, the temperature of the core tube, on which the ice cylinders were mounted, was varied by alteration of the water-glycol mixture flowing through it. Two diameters of ice cylinder, 20 and 27 mm, were used. For core temperatures below the melting point of ice, the melting rate was shown to be a strong function of air humidity and temperature. With the core temperature above 0°C, the melting process was dominated by this factor so that air conditions were relatively unimportant.     

Fine Mapping of qTGW7b,a Minor Effect QTL for Grain Weight in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Grain weight is a key trait that determines rice quality and yield, and it is primarily controlled by quantitative trait loci (QTL). Recently, attention has been paid to minor QTLs. A minor effect QTL qTGW7 that controls grain weight was previously identified in a set of chromosomal fragment substitution lines (CSSLs) derived from Nipponbare (NPB)/93-11. Compared to NPB, the single segment substitution line (SSSL) N83 carrying the qTGW7 introgression exhibited an increase in grain length and width and a 4.5% increase in grain weight. Meanwhile, N83 was backcrossed to NPB to create a separating population, qTGW7b, a QTL distinct from qTGW7, which was detected between markers G31 and G32. Twelve near-isogenic lines (NILs) from the BC₉F₃ population and progeny of five NILs from the BC₉F_3:4 population were genotyped and phenotyped, resulting in the fine mapping of the minor effect QTL qTGW7b to the approximately 86.2-kb region between markers G72 and G32. Further sequence comparisons and expression analysis confirmed that five genes, including Os07g39370, Os07g39430, Os07g39440, Os07g39450, and Os07g39480, were considered as the candidate genes underlying qTGW7b. These results provide a crucial foundation for further cloning of qTGW7b and molecular breeding design in rice.     

Enabling multimedia aware vertical handover Management in Internet of Things based heterogeneous wireless networks

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Enabling seamless connectivity in Internet of Things (IoT) based heterogeneous wireless networks and pervasive use of smartphones in daily life require high data...