On the error performance of network-coded error-prone DF-relaying in multiple access relay channel

This paper deals with bit error performance analysis of network-coded (NC) multiple access relay channels that operate in the decode and forward mode with error-prone relaying under quasi-static Rayleigh fading channels. It shows that the combination of channel coding and NC relaying can be regarded as a distributed coding scheme (DCS) if the error propagation problem is adequately addressed. For this purpose, methods based on NC soft information relaying (NC-SIR) and NC hard information relaying (NC-HIR) are investigated. In the framework of NC-SIR, the recently proposed Rayleigh-Gaussian log-likelihood-ratio-based Model is used for modelling the soft estimated symbols at the output of the relay soft encoder. The resulting scheme is referred to as NC-SIR-DCS. On the other hand, two NC-HIR-based schemes are studied and analyzed. The first employs automatic repeat request (ARQ) protocols between the relay node and each source node to ensure error-free propagation and is referred to as NC-ARQ-DCS, while the second performs a limiter function at the destination during iterative decoding as introduced in Thobaben (1) distributed and is referred to as NC-LFD-DCS. The SNR of the one-hop link, the equivalent to the sources-relay-destination links, is estimated in the case of NC-SIR-DCS and is lower bounded in the case of NC-LFD-DCS, while in the case of NC-ARQ-DCS, the average SNR cost per information bit due to the ARQ protocol is estimated. These processes allow tractable analysis of the bit error rate performances of the presented network-coded DCSs. Simulation results are carried out to assess the accuracy of the proposed bounds for different relay positions between source nodes and destination.     

On the feedback error compensation for adaptive modulation and coding scheme

In this paper, we consider the effect of feedback error on the performance of the joint adaptive modulation and diversity combining (AMDC) scheme which was previously studied with an assumption of perfect feedback channels. We quantify the performance of two joint AMDC schemes in the presence of feedback error, in terms of the average spectral efficiency, the average number of combined paths, and the average bit error rate. The benefit of feedback error compensation with adaptive combining is also quantified. Selected numerical examples are presented and discussed to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed feedback error compensation strategy with adaptive combining. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Congenital choledochal cysts

Cystic dilation of the common bile duct is a rare congenital anomaly. The cases of two patients, 2 1/2 and 18 years old, respectively, illustrate the difficulty in preoperative diagnosis, as well as the value of long-term postoperative follow-up. Ascending cholangitis developed in one of the patients after a Roux-en-Y cystojejunostomy nine years after operation. A follow-up of three years after cystoduodenostomy and 14 years after a hepaticojejunostomy is reported. In infants and small children, a cystoduodenostomy is usually done; otherwise, cystojejunostomy should be the preferred initial operation. Excision may be attempted if the cyst is very small, and in selected cases.     

Some Results on Convolutional Coupled Codes: Distance Properties, Performance, and Design

The class of Convolutional Coupled Codes is a promising alternative to classical Turbo-Codes. A Convolutional Coupled Code consists of a cascade of ν identical recursive systematic convolutional (RSC) outer codes and k inner block codes with parameters (2ν, ν, d_i). The codes are linked together such that only the systematic part of the outer codes is encoded with the inner block encoders. Only the redundancy from the inner and outer codes are transmitted. An estimation of the minimum distance is derived. The influence of number, code memory and code polynomials of the outer RSC codes on the distance properties and the convergence behavior of the iterative decoding scheme is studied. With respect to this results, we present a guideline for the optimal design of the RSC outer codes.     

ABCG2 Is Overexpressed on Red Blood Cells in Ph-Negative Myeloproliferative Neoplasms and Potentiates Ruxolitinib-Induced Apoptosis

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a group of disorders characterized by clonal expansion of abnormal hematopoietic stem cells leading to hyperproliferation of one or more myeloid lineages. The main complications in MPNs are high risk of thrombosis and progression to myelofibrosis and leukemia. MPN patients with high risk scores are treated by hydroxyurea (HU), interferon-α, or ruxolitinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Polycythemia vera (PV) is an MPN characterized by overproduction of red blood cells (RBCs). ABCG2 is a member of the ATP-binding cassette superfamily transporters known to play a crucial role in multidrug resistance development. Proteome analysis showed higher ABCG2 levels in PV RBCs compared to RBCs from healthy controls and an additional increase of these levels in PV patients treated with HU, suggesting that ABCG2 might play a role in multidrug resistance in MPNs. In this work, we explored the role of ABCG2 in the transport of ruxolitinib and HU using human cell lines, RBCs, and in vitro differentiated erythroid progenitors. Using stopped-flow analysis, we showed that HU is not a substrate for ABCG2. Using transfected K562 cells expressing three different levels of recombinant ABCG2, MPN RBCs, and cultured erythroblasts, we showed that ABCG2 potentiates ruxolitinib-induced cytotoxicity that was blocked by the ABCG2-specific inhibitor KO143 suggesting ruxolitinib intracellular import by ABCG2. In silico modeling analysis identified possible ruxolitinib-binding site locations within the cavities of ABCG2. Our study opens new perspectives in ruxolitinib efficacy research targeting cell types depending on ABCG2 expression and polymorphisms among patients.     

Comparative quality analysis of gluten strength and the relationship with high molecular weight glutenin subunits of 6 Tunisian durum wheat genotypes

Six Tunisian durum wheat genotypes (4 landraces and 2 improved) were evaluated for protein content, gluten strength, rheological characteristics, and HMW-GS patterns using a LabChip system. Variance analysis identified genotypic variation. The landraces Azizi, Mahmoudi, Chili, and Arbi exhibited the highest protein concentrations and gluten contents, and best dough tenacity and extensibility values. The Mahmoudi and Chili varieties had the highest protein contents (17.06 and 17.32% dry mass, respectively). Arbi and Chili had the highest gluten contents (60.88 and 60.59%, respectively). Azizi, Mahmoudi, and Chili were characterized by higher dough tenacity, lower dough extensibility, and a greater alveograph configuration ratio P/L. The high molecular weight glutenin subunits 6+8 (Azizi and Mahmoudi) and 7+15 (Chili), coded by the Glu-B1 locus, improved gluten strength and viscoelastic dough properties. Calculated HMW to LMW-GS ratios were within a narrow range of 0.17–0.29. Some genotypes have potential to be used as parents in breeding programs.     

Experimental study of the salt gradient solar pond stability

Many natural systems such as oceans, lakes, etc.…, are influenced by the effect of double-diffusive convection. This phenomenon, which is a combination of heat and mass transfer, can destroy the stability of system-flows.In the case of solar ponds the middle layer, that is linearly stratified, acts as a thermal and mass insulator for the lower layer. This middle layer, called the Non-Convective Zone (NCZ), needs special care to avoid convection and to maintain its stability. In fact, due to an excess of heat stored, a thermal gradient occurs within the NCZ. A convective movement appears at the bottom of the stratified-layers and then grows to a double-diffusive convection movement. This movement transforms the stratified-layers into a well mixed layer, reducing the storage capacity of the pond.Laboratory small-scale pond and middle-scale outdoor solar ponds were designed and built to provide both quantitative data and to study the dynamic processes in solar ponds, including the behavior of the gradient zone.Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) visualization-experiments carried out in the mechanical and energetic laboratory in the engineering school of Tunisia and experiments in the field showed that the instability of solar ponds could be limited by using porous media placed in the lower layer of the stratification.     

Nutritional constituents,phytochemical profiles, <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> antioxidant and antimicrobial properties,and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of various solvent extracts from grape seeds (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitis vinifera</Emphasis> L.)

The present study revealed that the nutritive value of grape seeds (Vitis vinifera L.) was 383.55±0.13 Kcal/100 g, with magnesium as the most abundant mineral element (70.44±0.88 mg/L). The maximum phenolic (392.58±1.70mg of GAE/g), flavonoid (256.16±1.60 mg of QE/g), and tannin (30.95±0.17mg of CE/g) contents were also found in the ethanol, dichloromethane, and hexane extracts, respectively. The major phytochemical compounds in the ethyl acetate extract were identified via gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis. The ethanol extract has the highest antioxidant activity (IC₅₀=140±1.20 μg/mL for DPPH, 145.28±0.45mg α-tocopherol/g for total antioxidant capacity, and EC₅₀=80±1.41 μg/mL for ferric-reducing power assays). For β-carotene test, the highest antioxidant activity was obtained in the hexane extract. A satisfactory antimicrobial activity was found against a panel of microorganisms with the ethyl acetate extract as the best antimicrobial agent. Additionally, it was found that the bactericidal concentration required for the grape seed extract to kill Listeria monocytogenes should be less than 12.50 mg/mL (minimum inhibitory concentration=4).     

Feature construction as a bi-level optimization problem

Neural Computing and Applications - Feature selection and construction are important preprocessing techniques in data mining. They allow not only dimensionality reduction but also classification...