Distributed Transmit Antenna Selection (DTAS) Under Performance or Energy Consumption Constraints

Motivated by the transmit antenna selection (TAS) concept, used in Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output systems, we argue for distributed transmit antenna selection (DTAS), which corresponds to a method of selecting a subset of available relays in cooperative diversity systems. Assuming amplify and forward relays, the proposed selection method represents a low-complexity tool for determining the optimum relaying set. Two optimization problems are studied: the error probability minimization subject to total energy consumption constraints, and the dual one, the total energy consumption minimization under error performance constraints. Numerical examples verify the advantage of the proposed method in adapting the number of relaying terminals to the desired performance-consumption tradeoff.     

Differential expression and distribution of focal adhesion and cell adhesion molecules in rat hepatocyte differentiation

The present study has examined the distribution of axons of differing sizes in the optic pathway of the ground squirrel. Axon diameters were measured from electron micrographs at various locations across sections of the optic nerve and tract, and total distributions and numbers were estimated. In both the nerve and tract, roughly 1.2 million optic axons were present. The population of optic axons had a unimodal size distribution, peaking at 0.9 microm in diameter and having an extended tail toward larger diameters. Local axon diameter distributions in the optic tract indicated distinct (though partially overlapping) axon diameter classes, including one of fine sizes peaking at 0.8-0.9 microm, a second of medium sizes peaking around 1.7-1.8 microm, and a third composed of the larger fibers with diameters up to 4.8 microm. The fine-caliber axons were found at all locations in the tract, and were the only axons present immediately adjacent to the pia, while the medium- and coarse-caliber axons were found at deeper locations. Curiously, the larger axons were found primarily in the medial parts of the tract, where axons from the dorsal retina normally course. A similarly restricted distribution of the larger axons was observed in the dorsotemporal parts of the optic nerve, suggesting that this difference in the tract may relate to an asymmetric distribution of ganglion cells on the retina giving rise to these axons. Measurements of axonal size taken within the optic fiber layer in dorsal and ventral parts of the retina confirmed this asymmetry, consistent with previous demonstrations of soma size differences in the dorsal versus ventral retina. The partial segregation of axons by size in the optic tract of the ground squirrel then reflects both the asymmetric distribution of retinal ganglion cell classes and the chronotopic reordering of optic axons that occurs within the chiasmatic region.     

Mechanical Properties of Reinforcing Steel and Fatigue Behavior in Corrosive Environment

Corrosion of reinforcing steel has a great impact on the mass reduction and high- and low-cycle fatigue. An experimental study showed that the mass loss, the fatigue limit and the life expectancy were reduced by approximately 1.50-3.00%, 20-40%, and 55-75%, respectively, according to the level of corrosion. Low-cycle strain controlled fatigue testing under ±1% and ±2.5% constant amplitude strain, indicated that the corroded steel bars exhibit gradual reduction in available energy, number of cycles to failure and the load-bearing ability. Formation of pits and notches took place on the corroded steel surface and stress concentration points were developed which are highly localized at imperfections and especially at the rib bases. The fatigue limit was reduced considerably since the existence of ribs and the formation of pits and notches combined with the mass loss led to reduction of the exterior hard layer of martensite and drastic drop in the energy density of the corroded specimens. Antiseismic design that does not take into account the maximum and cumulative plastic deformation demands and the strain history that a structure will suffer under severe ground motion could lead to unpredictable performance.     

Semi-blind amplify-and-forward with partial relay selection

The performance of the dual-hop semi-blind amplify-and-forward relay channel, where the intermediate relay node is selected depending on the instantaneous and partial channel knowledge, is investigated. Using closed-form expressions for the cumulative distribution function of the end-to-end signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), outage probability, SNR moments and average bit error rate are derived.     

Secondary prevention of ischemic heart disease after coronary revascularization

This study was aimed to assess the compliance with policies for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD) one year after coronary artery revascularization with special attention to the management of hyperlipidemia. One year after coronary revascularization during the year 1994, patients were contacted by letter to determine the modification of their risk factors, the treatment patterns for hypercholesterolemia and to have their plasma lipid level and blood pressure measured. Of the 245 consecutive patients contacted (110 after coronary artery bypass grafting, and 135 after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty), 186 (76%) provided the information required for further analysis. Excluding the patients older than 65 years, only 29 out of 97 patients (30%) with a total cholesterol of more than 5.2 mmol/l, and only 20 out of 52 patients (38%) with a total cholesterol of more than 6.2 mmol/l were receiving lipid lowering therapy 1 year after coronary artery revascularization. In contrast, 97% (n = 180) of the entire population studied were taking antiplatelet drugs and/or coumadine. Participation in an in-house rehabilitation program yielded a positive influence on smoking, but not on treatment of hypercholesterolemia. In conclusion, only a small proportion of patients with documented CHD and hypercholesterolemia were being treated for their lipid disorder 1 year after coronary artery revascularization. In contrast, the great majority of patients received antiplatelet and/or coumadine therapy: These results indicate that the compliance with published treatment guidelines for hyperlipidemia in patients with CHD is still highly inadequate, irrespective of the participation in a rehabilitation program.     

New Products

A new optical mark reader system that checks and grades test papers at the rate of 7000 answer sheets an hour has been introduced by National Computer Systems of Minneapolis.     

New Products

Advant's Model 1400 portable EPROM programmer uses satellite devices for programming all standard, commercially available PROM families.     

New Products

By using the Constellation multiplexer, the system designer can transform two to 64 microcomputers into a multiuser/multifunction network for business, financial, and educational applications, according to Corvus Systems.     

New Products

Hewlett-Packard's Model 64005S emulation terminal system lets mainframe users augment existing microprocessor product development tools for their computers with the real-tine, transparent emulation of the HP 64000 logic development system. With RS-232C (V. 24) or current loop interfaces for serial data links to the computer, the HP 64100A development station can be used as an ASCII terminal or as a stand-alone emulation station. Logic analysis is optionally available.     

New Products

The first standardized modular function for generating images on CRT screens, the DT212 Point Plotter, has been announced by Data Translation Inc. The point plotter allows minicomputers and microprocessors to readout digital informiation onto CRT displays and analog recorders. The module, part of Data Translation's growing DATAX series, is $245 in 100 quantity. Delivery is two weeks.