Iterative decoding with a hamming threshold for block turbo codes

This work introduces a novel approach to increase the performance of block turbo codes (BTCs). The idea is based on using a Hamming threshold to limit the search for the maximum-likelihood (ML) codeword within only those codewords that lie within this threshold. The proposed iterative decoding approach is shown to offer both significant coding gain and complexity reduction over the standard iterative decoding methods.     

Co-ordinated control of synchronous generator excitation and staticVAR compensator

The application of multivariable control to a synchronous generator excitation and static volt-ampere reactive (VAR) compensator system is described to design a coordinated excitation and firing angle discrete controller. It is based on a reduced-order linearized model, obtained by system identification, which represents the nonlinear dynamics around a specified operating point. The model structure was investigated by simulation studies indicating that a third-order representation was suitable. Direct comparisons of identified model responses with corresponding results from the nonlinear model show that accurate modeling can be achieved by this approach. Quantitative assessments also established that the models are satisfactory. The controller was evaluated by simulation of a nonlinear generator model, involving comparisons between the coordinated controller with several different controllers, over a wide range of operating conditions and disturbances. It is shown that the coordinated control arrangement can provide better stability, voltage control, and damping than the other schemes     

The use of spray-dried buffalo milk as a potential infant food

Four different formulae have been used to modify buffaloes' milk. These formulae shared the basic modifications of dilution with rennet whey, addition of sucrose and starch and fortifying with vitamins. Formula B differed from A by replacement of butter fat with liquid butter fat at 23 °C; formula C one-third of its fat content was replaced with corn oil, while formula D was acidified with citric acid to pH 5.7 before processing. The chemical properties of formula A, B and C were nearly the same, while formula D differed considerably. The rate of peptic and tryptic digestion of the different formulae were comparable to spraydried buffalo milk. Milk powder with different formulae were stored under nitrogen for 6 months at room temperature. The samples were analysed every month for moisture, free fat, pH, solubility and wettability. The changes in these properties were slight being in the same order in formula A, B and C while formula D showed slightly greater changes. Formula A and D showed good oxidative stability, while formula B and C became oxidised in the fifth month.     

Nanoparticle-Aided Detection of Colorectal Cancer-Associated Glycoconjugates of Extracellular Vesicles in Human Serum

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are found in all biological fluids, providing potential for the identification of disease biomarkers such as colorectal cancer (CRC). EVs are heavily glycosylated with specific glycoconjugates such as tetraspanins, integrins, and mucins, reflecting the characteristics of the original cell offering valuable targets for detection of CRC. We report here on europium-nanoparticle (EuNP)-based assay to detect and characterize different surface glycoconjugates of EVs without extensive purification steps from five different CRC and the HEK 293 cell lines. The promising EVs candidates from cell culture were clinically evaluated on small panel of serum samples including early-stage (n = 11) and late-stage (n = 11) CRC patients, benign condition (n = 11), and healthy control (n = 10). The majority of CRC cell lines expressed tetraspanin sub-population and glycovariants of integrins and conventional tumor markers. The subpopulation of CD151 having CD63 expression (CD151^CD63) was significantly (p = 0.001) elevated in early-stage CRC (8 out of 11) without detecting any benign and late-stage samples, while conventional CEA detected mostly late-stage CRC (p = 0.045) and with only four early-stage cases. The other glycovariant assays such as CEA^Con-A, CA125^WGA, CA 19.9^Ma696, and CA 19.9^Con-A further provided some complementation to the CD151^CD63 assay. These results indicate the potential application of CD151^CD63 assay for early detection of CRC patients in human serum.     

Optical properties of lithium titanate as a potential layer in light harvesters

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - Various solar cell architectures and materials are currently studied, seeking enhanced photon management mechanisms. Herein, we provide an...     

Optimized microvessel density analysis improves prediction of cancer stage from prostate needle biopsies

During angiogenesis in the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of the chick, capillary proliferation occurs primarily by intussusceptive growth. Previously, we reported that such growth in the CAM proceeded without substantial macromolecular extravasation. Neovascularization involving capillary sprout formation, on the other hand, has been associated with a concomitant loss of endothelial selectivity. Thus, the present study tested the hypothesis that endothelial selectivity during angiogenesis is dependent on the mode of microvascular growth. Capillary sprout formation occurs in peripheral regions of the CAM, in addition to the more centrally located areas of intussuceptive growth. In this study, angiogenic endothelial permselectivities were evaluated in these respective areas of CAM microvascular growth by intravital fluorescent microscopy of a graded series of FITC-dextrans. In both cases, the angiogenic endothelia restricted extravasation of macromolecules > or = 20 kDa. Furthermore, capillary sprout endothelia, like the intussusceptive CAM endothelia, remained tightly sealed at the junctional clefts. Thus, angiogenic endothelial permselectivity in the CAM is not dependent on the mode of microvascular growth. Whether distinct cellular mechanisms are operable in capillary endothelial sprouts of the CAM, relative to those of other proliferating sprout endothelia, remains to be tested.     

Adaptive Chase algorithm for block turbo codes

A new adaptive implementation of the Chase algorithm for binary block codes is proposed. Compared to the two efficiently used algorithms for iterative decoding, the standard Chase and Kaneko algorithms, the proposed algorithm can give the same performance with significant complexity reduction.