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The recognition of named entities in the field of water conservancy is of great significance for the building of water conservancy knowledge graphs and intelligent question answering systems. However, in the current field of water conservancy, there are shortcomings in named entity recognition, such as a lack of annotated corpus, low recognition accuracy of traditional methods and inability to solve polysemous entities. Aiming at the characteristics of water conservancy texts, a Named Entity Recognition Model for Machine Reading Comprehension (MRC) based on data (vocabulary and entity type labels) enhancement, namely the MRC-WLE model was put forward. Mainly, the vocabulary feature information and entity type label feature information in water conservancy texts were injected into the model as "knowledge". It introduced models such as BERT-CRF, BERT-CRF-Word, BERT-BILSTM-CRF and BERT-BILSTM-CRF-Word as controls to evaluate the performance of the MRC-WLE model. The results show that compared with the BERT-CRF and other models mentioned above, the micro average F1 value of the MRC-WLE model has been improved. Compared with the MRC model, the micro average F1 value of the MRC-WLE model has been increased by 0.85%, reflecting the effectiveness of data augmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing deep learning for data mining in biomedicine often falls short in leveraging prior knowledge and adapting to the complexities of biomedical literature mining. Entity recognition, a fundamental task in information extraction, also provides data support for Natural Language Processing (NLP) downstream tasks. Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) results in considerable economic losses in the cattle industry due to calf diarrhea, bovine respiratory syndrome, and cow abortion. This study aims to extract information on BVDV from relevant literature and build a knowledge base. It enhances feature extraction in the BioBERT pre-trained model using the Machine Reading Comprehension (MRC) framework for information fusion and bi-directionally extracts corpus information through the Bi-LSTM network, followed by a CRF layer for decoding and prediction. The results show the construction of a BVDV Corpus with 22 biomedical entities and introduce the BioBERT-Bi-LSTM-CRF Integrated with MRC (BBCM) model for Named Entity Recognition (NER), combining prior knowledge and the reading comprehension framework (MRC). The BBCM model achieves F 1 -scores of 78.79% and 76.3% on the public datasets JNLPBA and GENIA, respectively, and 67.52% on the BVDV Corpus, outperforming other models. This research presents a targeted NER method for BVDV, effectively identifying related entities and exploring their relationships, thus providing valuable data support for NLP's downstream tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To better combat the devastation of the protected forests in Côte d'Ivoire, a study was conducted to create a technique for detecting the acoustic signals produced by chainsaws deployed to fell trees in these areas. To improve the recognition rate of chainsaw sounds in a forest environment and increase the detection range of the recognition system, we are implementing the maximum ratio combining (MRC) technique on a microphone array. Therefore, the employment of an identification system is compared using one (01) microphone against the outcomes obtained by adopting system with three (03), six (06), and twelve (12) microphones. The use of MRC is then contrasted with an alternative recombining approach, designated as simple summation (SS). The SS is characterised by the simple addition of the signals acquired by the microphone array in the frequency domain. The MRC was employed on various microphone arrangements, accounting for varying degrees of attenuation experienced by chainsaw sounds. The K-Nearest Neighbors, in combination with Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCC), was employed to detect chainsaw sounds within the 16 kHz central frequency octave band. MRC applied to microphone arrays provided superior outcomes than simple summation. The enhancement in terms of classification rate ranged from [18; 51], favouring MRC. Moreover, it extended the chainsaw detection range from 520 m (using one microphone) to 1210 m (using a 12-microphone array). Taking into account the criteria for selecting an optimum microphone array, including classification rate, number of microphone nodes, information processing time and detection range, the six-microphone array was chosen as the best configuration. This configuration boasts a theoretical detection range of 1040 meters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Machine Reading Comprehension (MRC) is a task that enables machines to mirror key cognitive processes involving reading, comprehending a text passage, and answering questions about it. There has been significant progress in this task for English in recent years, where recent systems not only surpassed human-level performance but also demonstrated advancements in emulating complex human cognitive processes. However, the development of Arabic MRC has not kept pace due to language challenges and the lack of large-scale, high-quality datasets. Existing datasets are either small, low quality or released as a part of large multilingual corpora. We present the Arabic Question Answering Dataset (ArQuaD), a large MRC dataset for the Arabic language. The dataset comprises 16,020 questions posed by language experts on passages extracted from Arabic Wikipedia articles, where the answer to each question is a text segment from the corresponding reading passage. Besides providing various dataset analyses, we fine-tuned several pre-trained language models to obtain benchmark results. Among the compared methods, AraBERTv0.2-large achieved the best performance with an exact match of 68.95% and an F1-score of 87.15%. However, the significantly higher performance observed in human evaluations (exact match of 86% and F1-score of 95.5%) suggests a significant margin of possible improvement in future research. We release the dataset publicly at https://github.com/RashaMObeidat/ArQuAD to encourage further development of language-aware MRC models for the Arabic language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deployment of cooperative communication inside a cell-Free mMIMO system can improve both the spectral efficiency SE performance as well as the energy efficiency EE performance. This increase is due to the increase in the signal to interference plus noise ratio SINR. In fact, the SINR can be greatly improved when the cognitive radio theory is applied due to its capability of interference mitigation. In this manuscript, the cognitive intelligent reflecting surfaces IRSs are distributed inside a cell-Free mMIMO system in order to improve the SE as well as the EE performance. Moreover, the cognitive radio can raise each user SINR. In this manuscript, the authors try to carry out the suitable mathematical model for the fore-mentioned system. Moreover, the system will be simulated. Subsequently, the simulation results will be explained. It is obvious that the implantation of cognitive IRSs inside, cell-Free mMIMO systems can greatly increase the system performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Machine reading comprehension is introduced to improve machines' readability and understandability of human languages. This sophisticated version of natural language processing is used for testing and improving the machine's efficiency for reading and responding to the input texts for appropriate queries. In this article, a persistent comprehensive model using query reconstruction is introduced to address the "Cloze Style" issue in text reading. This issue results in multiple output delivery that serves as irrelevant for different input queries. Therefore, the query reconstruction using the possible combination, reducing the aforementioned issue, is introduced in this model. The possible query keywords are replaced using the maximum individual combinations. The combinations are swapped using deep learning through keyword training and substitution processes. This process is persistent until the maximum text output (answer/ response) is obtained from the machine. The output is used for analyzing the understandability of the machine based on which the training intensity is tuned for successive iterations. Therefore, the proposed model scrutinizes output accuracy by reducing errors under controlled combination time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Implementation of an eRehabilitation intervention named Fit After Stroke @Home (Fast@home) – including cognitive/physical exercise applications, activity-tracking, psycho-education – after stroke resulted in health-related improvements. This study investigated what worked and why in the implementation. Implementation activities (information provision, integration of Fast@home, instruction and motivation) were performed for 14 months and evaluated, using the Medical Research Council framework for process evaluations which consists of three evaluation domains (implementation, mechanisms of impact and contextual factors). Implementation activities were evaluated by field notes/surveys/user data, it's mechanisms of impact by surveys and contextual factors by field notes/interviews among 11 professionals. Surveys were conducted among 51 professionals and 73 patients. User data (n = 165 patients) were extracted from the eRehabilitation applications. Implementation activities were executed as planned. Of the professionals trained to deliver the intervention (33 of 51), 25 (75.8%) delivered it. Of the 165 patients, 82 (49.7%) were registered for Fast@home, with 54 patient (65.8%) using it. Mechanisms of impact showed that professionals and patients were equally satisfied with implementation activities (median score 7.0 [IQR 6.0–7.75] versus 7.0 [6.0–7.5]), but patients were more satisfied with the intervention (8.0 [IQR 7.0–8.0] versus 5.5 [4.0–7.0]). Guidance by professionals was seen as most impactful for implementation by patients and support of clinical champions and time given for training by professionals. Professionals rated the integration of Fast@home as insufficient. Contextual factors (financial cutbacks and technical setbacks) hampered the implementation. Main improvements of the implementation of eRehabilitation are related to professionals' perceptions of the intervention, integration of eRehabilitation and contextual factors. To increase the use of eRehabilitation by patients, patients should be supported by their healthcare professional in their first time use and during the rehabilitation process. To increase the use of eRehabilitation by healthcare professionals, healthcare professionals should be (1) supported by a clinical champion and (2) provided with sufficient time for learning to work and getting familiar with the eRehabilitation program. Integration of eRehabilitation in conventional stroke rehabilitation (optimal blended care) is an important challenge and a prerequisite for the implementation of eRehabilitation in the clinical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an advanced wireless communication system, a smart receiver trims down the fading effect. From a practical point of view, performance such receiver depends not only on the estimation of channels but also system accuracy. This paper derives the general expression of average bit error rate (BER) and outage probability for dual-branch Maximum Ratio Combining (2-MRC) over Fluctuating Two Ray (FTR) fading channels with Imperfect Channel Estimation. Communication channels encountered in Fifth-Generation Millimeter-Wave communication is represented accurately by the FTR fading channels. A 2-MRC receiver is considered because of its performance advantage and less complexity. The probability density function of the output signal-to-noise ratio is obtained for 2-MRC receiver with channel estimation error over the FTR fading model. The mathematical description of average BER for both non-coherent and binary coherent modulation is derived. The impact of the fading parameters and the error estimation on the system efficiency are assessed through numerical analysis of the generated equations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to meet the growing needs of the world economy for biotechnology, culture collections must transform the way they operate from passive storage of microbial resources to active microbial resource centers whose services should go beyond the provision of microbes. The protection and conscious use of microorganisms aims to co-create a strategy for responsible and sustainable development, based on expert knowledge. This article deals with the subject of the recently developed panel of biobank-specific standards and the requirements that must be met by culture collections to transform into modern microbial biobanks.

Towards the 5Gnetworks and beyond, there are a lot of emerging technologies. These technologies include but not limited to; multiple input multiple output (MIMO), cell-Free networks, and millimeter wave bands. The cellular MIMO can provide a satisfied performance for users except the shadowed and the cell-edge ones. In order to overcome this disadvantage, the cell-Free networks are deployed. Through applications of distributed access points (APs), the cell-Free networks can provide a ubiquitous coverage for users as whole. Therefore, they can provide a high throughput for users. Moreover, the applications of millimeter wave bands can provide a high bandwidth and hence, a high throughput for users. In other words, the application of the cell-Free technology combined with the millimeter wave bands can extremely enlarge the users' throughput. This is the motivation of our manuscript. The purpose of this manuscript is to provide mathematical model and simulation for the cell-Free mMIMO network, operating in the millimeter wave bands. The performance metrics can include; the spectral efficiency (SE), bit error rate (BER), and energy efficiency (EE). It is observed that the centralized cooperation among the APs can let users have a satisfied throughput even the system employs the maximal ratio combining (MRC). Furthermore, all cooperation levels, among APs, can perform well even for non-light of sight (NLOS) environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implementation of massive multiple input multiple output systems mMIMO can greatly enhance the spectral efficiency SE performance for users. Although, the cell-edge users as well as indoor users still have a bad performance. The cell-Free network, wherein the large number of existing antennas is replaced by the same number of distributed access points APs, can enlarge the SE performance even for shadowed users. The performance can be further enhanced after application of cooperation. When a Cell-Free mMIMO system is enriched with intelligent reflecting surfaces IRS, its performance may be improved. In this manuscript, the authors will carry out the mathematical model and simulation for the Cell-Free networks employing IRSs. The performance metrics can include the SE as well as energy efficiency EE. From the simulation results, it can be observed that implementation of IRSs inside the cell-Free networks can greatly increase the SE and EE of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Passive radar is an interesting approach in the context of non-cooperative target detection. Because the signal source takes advantage of the so-called illuminator of opportunity (IoO), the deployed system is silent, allowing the operator cheap, portable, and practically undetectable deployments. These systems match perfectly with the use of antenna arrays to take advantage of the additional gains provided by the coherent combination of the signals received at each element. To obtain these benefits, linear processing methods are required to enhance the system's performance. In this work, we summarize the main beamforming methods in the literature to provide a clear picture of the current state of the art. Next, we perform an analysis of the benefits and drawbacks and explore the chance of increasing the number of antenna elements. Finally, we identify the major challenges to be addressed by researchers in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In the remote sensing monitoring of conservation tillage, the acquisition of remote sensing data with high spatial and temporal resolution is critical. The current optical remote sensing images cannot realize both temporal and spatial resolution, especially under cloud and rain interference. Thus, this study employs the enhanced spatial and temporal adaptive reflectance fusion model (ESTARFM) to obtain the normalized difference tillage index (NDTI) with both temporal and spatial resolution estimated by Sentinel−2 and MODIS using the Index−then−Blend (IB) and Blend−then−Index (BI) fusion schemes. After comparison, the IB scheme was better than the BI scheme in predicting results and prediction efficiency. The NDTI predicted by ESTARFM and Sentinel−2 on June 12, 2020 was compared. A coefficient of determination R2 of 0.73 and RMSE of 0.000117 was obtained, indicating a high prediction accuracy, which meets the prediction requirements. Based on the predicted ESTARFM NDTI of the study area on May 17, 2021, the maize residue cover (MRC) of the study area was estimated using the previously constructed MRC unary linear regression model. The MRC of the sampling points of the remote sensing images was estimated by verifying the predicted ESTARFM NDTI with the MRC of the sampling points taken in the field extracted by the maximum likelihood classifier, which has a coefficient of determination R2 of 0.78 and RMSE of 0.00676, signifying better prediction results. The proposed method provides considerable data sources for the remote sensing monitoring studies of conservation tillage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: chronic idiopathic demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is an acquired, immune-mediated neuropathy characterized by weakness, sensory symptoms and significant reduction or loss of deep tendon reflexes evolving over 2 months at least, associated with electrophysiological evidence of peripheral nerve demyelination. Recently, subcutaneous immunoglobulins (SCIg) have been introduced in clinical practice as a maintenance therapy for CIDP; nevertheless, electrophysiological and efficacy data are limited. Methods: to evaluate SCIg treatment efficacy, we retrospectively reviewed data from 15 CIDP patients referring to our clinic, receiving SCIg treatment and who performed electrophysiological studies (NCS) and clinical scores (MRC sumscore, INCAT disability score and ISS) before starting the treatment and at least one year after. Results: NCS showed no significant changes before and during treatment for all the nerves explored. Clinical scores did not significantly change between evaluations. Correlation analysis evidenced a positive correlation of cMAPs distal amplitude with MRC sumscore and a trend of negative correlation with the INCAT disability score. Conclusions: SCIg maintenance therapy preserves nerve function in CIDP with a good efficacy and safety. Treatment effectiveness can be assessed with ENG, which represents a useful instrument in the follow-up and prognostic assessment of CIDP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hand tendon reconstruction is required in both acute and chronic tendon injuries. A number of donor sites have been described; one such novel donor site is semitendinosus tendon used a graft for hand tendon reconstruction. Based on data reviewed, only a few cases are described up till now. Objective: Utility of semitendinosus tendon graft with adequacy of tendon material for hand tendon reconstruction and minimal donor site morbidity Methods: Semitendinosus tendon was utilized in total of 18 patients undergoing tendon reconstruction for chronic tendon injuries and for tendon transfer to achieve adequate length. All cases were performed during January 2019 To December 2020. Full length uni/bilateral semi-tendinosus tendon was harvested using a tendon harvester. Tendon was used as a single slip or was split into further slips as needed for tendon reconstruction. Post operatively splints were continued as per protocol (keeping splint for 6 weeks, encouraging active physiotherapy at 8 weeks, continuing night splintage for total of 10 weeks and advising patient to avoid lifting heavy weight for at least 12 weeks). Patients were followed with assessment of strength via MRC (Medical Research Council) grading scale, and tendon excursion measurements via tip to palm distance. Results: Patients had a mean age for 27.5±2.3 with a predominant male population (72.2%). Post-operative assessment showed finger strength of MRC 5 in twelve patients and MRC 4 in three and MRC 3 in three patients. Tendon excursion was documented measuring a tip to palm distance. Three patients developed tendon adhesions which were treated with tenolysis. Conclusion: Semitendinosus is a recommended option for hand tendon (both flexor & extensor) reconstruction, providing adequate length & strength for reconstruction with high predictable availability and reliability. Although Palmaris longus remains the recommended option for single tendon reconstruction, it is absent in a few cases or is rudimentary, making it difficult to be utilized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cell-Free massive multiple input multiple output "mMIMO" networks can provide a satisfied performance for the fifth generation "5G" systems and beyond even there are shadowed users or indoor ones. The performance of the cell-Free mMIMO systems was mathematically analyzed and simulated in a lot of previous works. However, this work aims to provide a complete mathematical model and simulation for a cell-Free mMIMO system that applies relays which operate with the cognitive radio theory. The proposed work can provide novel contributions on two axes. Firstly, the relays can improve the coverage performance of a cell-Free mMIMO network especially at shadowed users, indoor users, and the cell-edge ones. Secondly, the cognitive radio can mitigate the interference in a cell-Free mMIMO network. The interference mitigation results in performance enhancement. Therefore, the cell-Free mMIMO network, based on cognitive relays, is studied. The proposed system is mathematically analyzed and simulated. The spectral efficiency "SE" and signal to interference plus noise ratio "SINR" is deduced. They are given in a closed form formula. It can be concluded that the cognitive relays can improve; SINR, SE, and Energy Efficiency "EE" of a cell-Free mMIMO system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We experimentally demonstrate the transmission of 20-Gbaud QPSK millimeter-wave signals within a 1.2-km wireless range at 128-GHz using constant-modulus-algorithm (CMA) and the maximum ratio combining (MRC) technology with over 2.2-dB gain in a photonics-assisted millimeter wave (MMW) 1 × 2 Single Input Multi Output (SIMO) communication system. MRC is applied for SIMO signal merging which leads to Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) enhancement and significant Bit Error Rate (BER) reduction. The comparison which is performed for Single Input Single Output (SISO) and SIMO system, demonstrates the BER improvement. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first experimental demonstration of high gain in a D-band MMW 1 × 2 SIMO system by using these technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A stack distance of a reference is the depth from which the reference must be extracted from a stack. It has been widely applied to a variety of applications utilizing temporal locality information. However, calculating an exact stack distance requires significant computational complexity that is impractical for online production systems. This paper proposes an efficient algorithm that approximates a stack distance based on workload characteristics. The proposed algorithm utilizes two simple reference metrics: inter-reference distance and a quasi-unique reference count. More importantly, its approximation algorithm requires surprisingly simple calculation. Consequently, it significantly reduces computational overhead while exhibiting exceptional accuracy and runs extremely fast. Moreover, it allows configurable parameters for performance optimization by making optimal use of workload characteristics. Our extensive experiments with diverse realistic workloads demonstrate our stack distance approximation algorithm outperforms the current state-of-the-art algorithm with higher accuracy ( $3.7\times $ ), lower memory footprint ( $3.05\times $ ) and fast execution (less than 0.05 seconds) on average. In addition, with configuration parameters, our refined algorithm can achieve a 28% average additional accuracy improvement.

Intervention development frameworks offer the behavioral sciences a systematic and rigorous empirical process to guide the translation of basic science into practice in pursuit of desirable public health and clinical outcomes. The multiple frameworks that have emerged share a goal of optimization during intervention development and can increase the likelihood of arriving at an effective and disseminable intervention. Yet, the process of optimizing an intervention differs functionally and conceptually across frameworks, creating confusion and conflicting guidance on when and how to optimize. This paper seeks to facilitate the use of translational intervention development frameworks by providing a blueprint for selecting and using a framework by considering the process of optimization as conceptualized by each. First, we operationalize optimization and contextualize its role in intervention development. Next, we provide brief overviews of three translational intervention development frameworks (ORBIT, MRC, and MOST), identifying areas of overlap and divergence thereby aligning core concepts across the frameworks to improve translation. We offer considerations and concrete use cases for investigators seeking to identify and use a framework in their intervention development research. We push forward an agenda of a norm to use and specify frameworks in behavioral science to support a more rapid translational pipeline.

Olga Kennard (née Weisz, 1924–2023) was a true pioneer in crystallography. She left a lasting mark on scientific research with the establishment of the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre (CCDC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the authors provide a direct comparison made between whole tree-harvesting (WTH) and cut-to length (CTL) methods, which was conducted in two sites in the Slovak Republic and applied to poplar plantations. Both systems, WTH and CTL, have been employed at the highest mechanization level in two sites: "Nivky" and "Skalica". Two different strategies, namely, "mass handling" and "small-scale mechanization", have been used for WTH and CTL, respectively. The study results showed that the level of productivity (ODT SMH−1) in the felling operation was almost double for WTH than for the CTL method in Nivky (+84%) and more than double in Skalica (+113%). The extraction operation under WTH showed a productivity increase from one fifth (+20%) to more than double (104%) that of the CTL method in the Nivky and Skalica sites, respectively. Regarding cost-efficiency (EUR ODT−1), the WTH system offers a similar trend except with respect to extraction in Nivky (higher productivity site), in which the CTL extraction was 4.5% less expensive than the WTH extraction. The study results show that the mass-handling technique deployed in the WTH system offers very good performance in poorer plantations since the very small tree size and low-growing stock challenge the CTL system more than the WTH system. The total operation (felling, bucking, and extraction) costs (EUR ODT−1) recorded by the study in commercial conditions (as contractors perform for revenue purposes) were 32.50 and 45.80 EUR ODT−1 for CTL and 43.30 and 53.60 EUR ODT−1 for WTH for the higher-yield site (Nivky) and lower-yield site (Skalica), respectively. Regarding the WTH System, the researchers found that the drop in efficiency (and the consequent rise in the costs-per-ton of product) depends largely on the bucking phase conducted using the harvester at the landing of the stacked piles of interlocked trees. The main results of this study demonstrate the promising strategy of mass handling associated with the WTH system in medium rotation coppice (MRC) harvesting and shows that bucking is the weaker phase. Future efforts must be made to ensure feasibility of the "mass handling" strategy alongside the entire workflow by means of finding suitable mobile machinery that can delimb, debark, and crosscut tree bunches instead of single trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mulberry (Morus species) leaves are the sole source of food for the silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) hence, high-quality foliage is the key to the productivity of the silk industry. Rapid water loss from the harvested leaves is one of the major reasons for quality loss affecting silkworm feeding behaviour. Previous research in our laboratory indicated that epicuticular wax is essential in maintaining leaf moisture in harvested leaves of mulberry. In the present study, an agronomic approach was designed and tested to increase the cuticular resistance and enhance moisture retention capacity in the harvested leaves in two genotypes of mulberry, Dudia white (DW) and Matigara white (MW). Controlled irrigation and mild drought stress increased leaf epicuticular wax and drought-stressed plants had a significantly higher wax load (465.31 and 556.29 μg dm-2 in Dudia white and Matigara white, respectively) at 40 per cent soil field capacity (FC) when compared to the plants grown at 100 per cent FC. The harvested leaves showed higher moisture retention capacity (MRC) of 92 and 84.74 per cent at 40 per cent FC compared to 62.55 and 57.10 per cent at 100 per cent FC in Dudia white and Matigara white, respectively. Leaves from water-limited plants had significantly lower water loss of 3.4 and 5.9 per cent under 40 per cent FC compared to control plants (6.6 and 9.1%). The technique used in this study increased MRC and helped in preserving leaf quality. The approach developed is cost-effective and can be easily adopted in farmer’s fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we have formulated a novel expression of the probability density function (PDF) of the L-MRC receiver over correlated η − μ channel considering the existing error in the estimation of the channel coefficients. The derived PDF is used to calculate the average bit error rate of the Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) scheme and further performance analysis of the receiver has been done with respect to this modulation. The performance of the receiver in terms of different channel and receiver performance parameters has been plotted and discussed in the results section. The results are verified with the help of the Monte Carlo simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Passive radar is an interesting approach in the context of non-cooperative target detection. Because the signal source takes advantage of the so-called illuminator of opportunity (IoO), the deployed system is silent, allowing the operator cheap, portable, and practically undetectable deployments. These systems match perfectly with the use of antenna arrays to take advantage of the additional gains provided by the coherent combination of the signals received at each element. To obtain these benefits, linear processing methods are required to enhance the system’s performance. In this work, we summarize the main beamforming methods in the literature to provide a clear picture of the current state of the art. Next, we perform an analysis of the benefits and drawbacks and explore the chance of increasing the number of antenna elements. Finally, we identify the major challenges to be addressed by researchers in the future.

This paper develops three low-complexity detection schemes for the spatial modulation (SM) Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) systems. We first propose a reduced complexity maximum likelihood (RC-ML) detection scheme. For the practical values of the modulation index, the proposed RC-ML method is simpler than the existing hard-limiting-based ML schemes. The two other proposals are based on a suboptimal Maximum Ratio Combining (MRC) detection method. We present a new analysis of the MRC detector in the uncorrelated Rayleigh fading channel and identify the system operational scenarios for which the MRC performance is nearly identical to the ML performance. Our proposals — a hybrid MRC-ML method and an MRC scheme with rank reduction — are inspired by this analysis. The analytical and simulation results show that the proposed MRC-based schemes can attain a near-optimal performance while reducing the complexity of the ML-based SM receiver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellular networks have been evolving at a great pace recently to keep up with the rapidly increasing demand for wireless data services. To cater for this demand, advanced technologies will be implemented in the next generation of cellular network. A promising technology, known as Massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), will satisfy the high data rate requirement of wireless services. The concept of massive MIMO is based on installing hundreds or thousands of antenna elements at the BS and only one antenna at the user terminal. The beneficial effect of employing such large antenna elements is that unprecedented antenna gains and a spatial resolution that allows multi-user massive MIMO communication to a large number of users per cell can be obtained while maintaining robustness to inter-user interferences. The problem of finding theoretical sum-rate and efficiency under imperfect CSI (Channel State Information) for each mobile user that matches closely to realistic 5G models reduces to the application of these theoretical analysis to practical 5G spatial model with both the Line-Of-Sight and Non-LOS propagation paths. To this end, we propose a solution to this problem by applying an uplink theoretical analysis of a Multi-User massive MIMO system under imperfect CSI, with multiple cells, to the 5G spatial channel model. Also, we formulate an optimization problem for our analysis and maximize the spectral efficiency per unit cell of the massive MIMO system. In this paper, two commonly used linear receivers namely the Maximum Ratio Combining and Zero-Forcing (ZF) are considered. The Signal and Noise Interference Ratio analysis for our proposed Multi-User massive MIMO system is described and closed-form expressions are derived for the sum-rate, spectral and energy efficiencies for each mobile user with random displacement in the multi-cell network. Our analysis takes into account the effect of inter-cell interference. It is shown through simulations that with only 200 BS antennas a Zero Forcing (ZF) receiver, under maximum inter-cell interference, can attain an uplink spectral efficiency of around 76 bps/Hz/cell for the 5G spatial channel whilst for the uncorrelated Rayleigh channel case this figure drops drastically to around 20 bps/Hz/cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A biomedical implant (BMI) is a device that allows patients to monitor their health condition at any time and obtain care from any location. However, the functionality of these devices is limited because of their restricted battery capacity, such that a BMI may not attain its full potential. Wireless power transfer technology–based magnetic resonant coupling (WPT–MRC) is considered a promising solution to the problem of restricted battery capacity in BMIs. In this paper, spider web coil–MRC (SWC-MRC) was designed and practically implemented to overcome the restricted battery life in low–power BMIs. A series/parallel (S/P) topology for powering the BMI was proposed in the design of the SWC-MRC. Several experiments were conducted in the lab to investigate the performance of the SWC-MRC system in terms of DC output voltage, power transfer, and transfer efficiency at different resistive loads and distances. The experimental results of the SWC-MRC test revealed that when the Vsource is 30 V, the DC output voltage of 5 V can be obtained at 1 cm. At such a distance (i.e., 1 cm), the SWC-MRC transfer efficiency is 91.86% and 97.91%, and the power transfer is 13.26 W and 23.5 W when 50- and 100- $\Omega $ resistive loads were adopted, respectively. A power transfer of 12.42 W and transfer efficiency of 93.38% were achieved at 2 cm for when a 150- $\Omega $ resistive load and a Vsource of 35 V were considered. The achieved performance was adequate for charging some BMIs, such as a pacemaker.

In this paper, we examine the end-to-end average pairwise error probability (PEP) and output probability (OP) performance of the maximum ratio combining (MRC) based selective decode and forward (S-DF) system over an η–µ scattering environment considering additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN). The probability distribution function (PDF) and cumulative distribution function (CDF) expressions have been derived for the received signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio and the moment generating function (MGF) technique is used to derive the novel closed-form (CF) average PEP and OP expressions. The analytical results have been further simplified and are presented in terms of the Lauricella function for coherent complex modulation schemes. The asymptotic PEP expressions are also derived in terms of the Lauricella function, and a convex optimization (CO) framework has been developed for obtaining optimal power allocation (OPA) factors. Through simulations, it is also proven that, depending on the number of multi-path clusters and the modulation scheme used, the optimized power allocation system was essentially independent of the power relation scattered waves from the source node (SN) to the destination node (DN). The graphs show that asymptotic and accurate formulations are closely matched for moderate and high SNR regimes. PEP performance significantly improves with an increase in the value of η for a fixed value of µ. The analytical and simulation curves are in close agreement for medium-to-high SNR values.

In this paper, we examine the end-to-end average pairwise error probability (PEP) and output probability (OP) performance of the maximum ratio combining (MRC) based selective decode and forward (S-DF) system over an η-μ scattering environment considering additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN). The probability distribution function (PDF) and cumulative distribution function (CDF) expressions have been derived for the received signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio and the moment generating function (MGF) technique is used to derive the novel closed-form (CF) average PEP and OP expressions. The analytical results have been further simplified and are presented in terms of the Lauricella function for coherent complex modulation schemes. The asymptotic PEP expressions are also derived in terms of the Lauricella function, and a convex optimization (CO) framework has been developed for obtaining optimal power allocation (OPA) factors. Through simulations, it is also proven that, depending on the number of multi-path clusters and the modulation scheme used, the optimized power allocation system was essentially independent of the power relation scattered waves from the source node (SN) to the destination node (DN). The graphs show that asymptotic and accurate formulations are closely matched for moderate and high SNR regimes. PEP performance significantly improves with an increase in the value of h for a fixed value of m. The analytical and simulation curves are in close agreement for medium-to-high SNR values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In IEEE 802.11p-based wireless access in vehicular environments (WAVE) communication systems, channel estimation (CE) is one of the important issues to provide stable communication service. It is hard to apply conventional CE schemes based on data pilot to real systems, because error propagation occurs in high mobility and modulation order environments, resulting in degrading the CE performance. In this paper, we propose one data pilot using multiple receive antennas (ODPM) CE scheme based on the weighted sum using update matrix (WSUM) with time-domain averaging (TDA) to overcome this problem. Within the process of WSUM-TDA in the proposed scheme, the maximum ratio combining (MRC) technique is applied so as to create more accurate one data pilot. Moreover, a new reliability test criterion is proposed as the fashion of utilizing MRC, which makes it possible to apply selective TDA that guarantees performance improvement. In simulation results, the packet error rate (PER) performance of the proposed ODPM is compared with that of conventional CE methods and its superiority is demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Stroke can affect any portion of the central nervous system leading to a wide variety of symptoms depending on the part that is involved. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is an emerging neuroimaging technique that allows measuring the integrity of white matter tracts. Objectives The objective of this study is to find out if the diffusion tensor tractography technique can provide prognostic information regarding clinical outcome following ischemic stroke. Subjects and methods Forty patients with acute ischemic stroke were studied with DTI. Size of infraction, degree of reduction of fractional anisotropy (FA), and pattern of corticospinal tract (CST) affection were identified. We assessed our patients according to the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Medical Research Council (MRC) scale at onset of stroke and 3 months later. Results FA reduction was correlated with MRC and NIHSS on admission (P < 0.001, 0.004 respectively) and after 3 months (P < 0.001, 0.013 respectively). The pattern of CST affection was associated with NIHSS and MRC after 3 months (P = 0.035, 0.001 respectively). Conclusion DTI may be an indirect indicator of the ischemic stroke outcome.

In the remote sensing monitoring of conservation tillage, the acquisition of remote sensing data with high spatial and temporal resolution is critical. The current optical remote sensing images cannot realize both temporal and spatial resolution, especially under cloud and rain interference. Thus, this study employs the enhanced spatial and temporal adaptive reflectance fusion model (ESTARFM) to obtain the normalized difference tillage index (NDTI) with both temporal and spatial resolution estimated by Sentinel−2 and MODIS using the Index−then−Blend (IB) and Blend−then−Index (BI) fusion schemes. After comparison, the IB scheme was better than the BI scheme in predicting results and prediction efficiency. The NDTI predicted by ESTARFM and Sentinel−2 on June 12, 2020 was compared. A coefficient of determination R2 of 0.73 and RMSE of 0.000117 was obtained, indicating a high prediction accuracy, which meets the prediction requirements. Based on the predicted ESTARFM NDTI of the study area on May 17, 2021, the maize residue cover (MRC) of the study area was estimated using the previously constructed MRC unary linear regression model. The MRC of the sampling points of the remote sensing images was estimated by verifying the predicted ESTARFM NDTI with the MRC of the sampling points taken in the field extracted by the maximum likelihood classifier, which has a coefficient of determination R2 of 0.78 and RMSE of 0.00676, signifying better prediction results. The proposed method provides considerable data sources for the remote sensing monitoring studies of conservation tillage.

In this study, the authors provide a direct comparison made between whole tree-harvesting (WTH) and cut-to length (CTL) methods, which was conducted in two sites in the Slovak Republic and applied to poplar plantations. Both systems, WTH and CTL, have been employed at the highest mechanization level in two sites: “Nivky” and “Skalica”. Two different strategies, namely, “mass handling” and “small-scale mechanization”, have been used for WTH and CTL, respectively. The study results showed that the level of productivity (ODT SMH−1) in the felling operation was almost double for WTH than for the CTL method in Nivky (+84%) and more than double in Skalica (+113%). The extraction operation under WTH showed a productivity increase from one fifth (+20%) to more than double (104%) that of the CTL method in the Nivky and Skalica sites, respectively. Regarding cost-efficiency (EUR ODT−1), the WTH system offers a similar trend except with respect to extraction in Nivky (higher productivity site), in which the CTL extraction was 4.5% less expensive than the WTH extraction. The study results show that the mass-handling technique deployed in the WTH system offers very good performance in poorer plantations since the very small tree size and low-growing stock challenge the CTL system more than the WTH system. The total operation (felling, bucking, and extraction) costs (EUR ODT−1) recorded by the study in commercial conditions (as contractors perform for revenue purposes) were 32.50 and 45.80 EUR ODT−1 for CTL and 43.30 and 53.60 EUR ODT−1 for WTH for the higher-yield site (Nivky) and lower-yield site (Skalica), respectively. Regarding the WTH System, the researchers found that the drop in efficiency (and the consequent rise in the costs-per-ton of product) depends largely on the bucking phase conducted using the harvester at the landing of the stacked piles of interlocked trees. The main results of this study demonstrate the promising strategy of mass handling associated with the WTH system in medium rotation coppice (MRC) harvesting and shows that bucking is the weaker phase. Future efforts must be made to ensure feasibility of the “mass handling” strategy alongside the entire workflow by means of finding suitable mobile machinery that can delimb, debark, and crosscut tree bunches instead of single trees.

Numerous devices are expected to upsurge profoundly in the proximate future with an estimated figure exceeding the 50 billion benchmark of connected devices by 2020. There are some rudimentary demands of the subscribers like system capacity, improved data rates with reduction in the latency and secure transmission of data in an unsecured media and to meet these demands, the cellular network has to go under suitable progression. As a building prospective for fulfilling these demands, to overcome the threats and challenges in the transmission of the data and to provide security to the information from the possible attacks, 5G is emerging as an optimal solution. For the demands of the tremendous count of subscribers, Device-to-Device Wireless Communication Network is an operative technology. The escalating content sharing amongst the users has been resulting in an exponential intensification in the wireless data traffic, coercing networks of cellular users to experience a suitable cataclysm. For allocating the resources to the Cellular Users under an attack scenario, numerous advances have been made till now. In this paper, an adaptive resource block allocation algorithm using HMM with beamforming approach has been projected to achieve high values of secrecy rate and low secrecy outage probability in 5G Wireless Communication Networks with the consideration of different applications demanded by Cellular Users and the priority of the applications (video, voice and data) in accord with enhanced Quality of Service of the channel. As the study of inherent secrecy rate for secure transmission of data in Wireless Communication Networks, random techniques are currently in great interest over the communication field. In this paper, it is to explore a multi-user scenario demanding different applications from BS under threat scenario of multi- eavesdropper. In this paper, different types of Beamforming are studied and different techniques involved for secure communication. An architecture has been provided for the security aspect in accordance with beamforming approach. As for better channel capacity, beamforming approach with diversity is an optimal solution for the secure transmission of information for Next Generation Networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the motivations towards the 5G cellular networks and beyond is the large increase in the supported data rate in both uplink and downlink. Deployment of small size cells, massive MIMO, wherein a large number of antennas are deployed at transmitters and receiver, are effective tools in these networks. Users under cell massive MIMO networks "mMIMO" can provide high data rate. However, the cell-edge user and users, under shadowing, can have a poor performance. Cell-Free networks can provide a satisfied data rate even for shadowed and cell-edge users. In this paper, cell-Free mMIMO networks are mathematically analyzed applying different cooperation mechanisms among the access points APs. Moreover, a new mathematical formula for the throughput, based on BER, is derived. Furthermore, closed formulas for the throughput-BER as well as energy efficiency (EE) performance are derived. Finally, the cognitive radio concept is proposed in order to limit the interference among users accessing the same resources in uplink. Simulation results show that the fully centralized cell-Free mMIMO network has a higher spectral efficiency and energy efficiency than the cellular mMIMO networks at different BER values especially when MMSE is applied. Furthermore, the cognitive radio theory can increase the SE and EE performance of the cell-Free networks when all cooperation mechanisms are applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient wireless power transmission to a designated location can reduce the size of implantable device and save source energy, but the receiver coil and rectifier circuit still occupy a large area. This paper proposes a novel magnetic resonant coupling (MRC)-based double figure-of-eight coil sensor system to induce and monitor heat. Implantable devices could obtain energy from the surrounding electric field or heating effect. The fundamental of generating the heating effect by the proposed coil-based sensor system is derived, and conceptual system architecture is built. Then the radiating coil is analyzed in terms of Litz-wire coil optimization, lumped parameter extraction, impedance-matching network, equivalent circuit model, and coupling coefficient. Considering the current ratio, operating frequency, and designated location, the triple-mode operation mechanism is analyzed for the first time to adjust superposed electromagnetic fields at the designated location. At the odd-mode resonance, the electric field intensity in the middle between two figure-of-eight coils is significantly improved. Finally, the physical prototype of proposed coil-based sensor system is built up and experiments are conducted to test the currents in both figure-of-eight coils as well as the induced voltage and temperature change in the in-vitro sample by using the electrode sensor and thermocouple sensor. Measurements validate the feasibility of the proposed coil-sensor system. It also provides essential guidance on designing sensors for deep-tissue stimulation and hyperthermia treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes receive diversity with power adaptation for a non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) system in a multi-user circumstance. Since the basic concept of power domain NOMA divides user data by the difference of power, successive interference cancellation (SIC) is necessary to extract user data. In the process of SIC calculation, the error propagation has occurred. Therefore, signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) decreases as the number of user entity increases in a power domain NOMA system. In order to mitigate the inter-user interference, data are allocated to subcarriers with an instantaneous user grouping scheme. With the subcarrier structure of the instantaneous user grouping scheme, this paper proposes receive diversity to improve the bit error rate (BER). However, since the diversity method decreases the sum capacity of the system, a power adaptation method is also proposed to compensate the sum capacity. The simulation results show that the proposed method improves the BER performance than the conventional scheme and increases sum capacity that is decreased by the receiver diversity scheme.

In this paper, the average symbol error rate (ASER) with rectangular quadrature amplitude modulation (RQAM) scheme has been analyzed over Rayleigh fading channels considering exponential correlation among the input branches of an MRC receiver. Exponential correlation is noticed by the antennas placed in a linear array at the receiver. The effect of correlation on the ASER for various levels of fading parameter as well as with different diversity order has been observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the performance of applying maximal ratio combining (MRC) in a single-input-multiple-output (SIMO) system with a Poisson field of interferers. Due to the correlated interference powers across different antennas, the derivation of the exact outage probability is highly involved. To tackle this problem, we take advantage of the mathematical property of the sub-Gaussian $\alpha $ -stable interference signal vector, and then derive an analytical lower bound of the outage probability, which is shown to be very tight through Monte Carlo simulations. Our results can be used to assist performance analysis and design of SIMO MRC receiver with random interferers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we thoroughly elaborate on the impact different transmit-antenna selection (TAS) strategies induce in terms of the outage performance of incremental cognitive multiple-input multiple-output relaying systems employing receive maximum-ratio combining (MRC). Our setup consists of three multi-antenna secondary nodes: a transmitter, a receiver and a decode-and-forward relay node acting in a half-duplex incremental relaying mode whereas the primary transmitter and receiver are equipped with a single antenna. Only a statistical channel-state information is acquired by the secondary system transmitting nodes to adapt their transmit power. In this context, our contribution is fourfold. First, we focus on two TAS strategies that are driven by maximizing either the received signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) or signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), and extend their operating mode into an incremental relaying setup where MRC is carried jointly over both relaying hops. Second, given the inherited complexity, we proceed by the exact outage analysis of the direct (first-hop) transmission as a preliminary yet innovative step pertaining to the SINR-driven TAS strategy. Third, the end-to-end (second-hop) transmission outage performance is also evaluated although shown to entail an involved derivation roadmap for both TAS strategies. Fourth, we simplify our exact derivations by means of the asymptotic analysis which reveals that the detrimental effect of mutual interference on the secondary system is originated from the primary transmitter (i.e., co-channel interference) and not from the primary receiver (i.e., interference threshold). That is, even if the secondary system operates at a high tolerated amount of interference, an outage floor will still occur because the primary system will pump a high amount of co-channel interference in return. The SINR-driven TAS shows up as an optimal interference-aware strategy in this regard. It achieves the same diversity gain but a better coding gain compared to its SNR-driven counterpart. The correctness of our results is confirmed by Monte Carlo simulations and the actual outage gap between both TAS strategies is reflected.

It remains unknown whether variation of scores on the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale for muscle strength is associated with operator-independent techniques: dynamometry and surface electromyography (sEMG). This study aimed to evaluate whether the scores of the MRC strength scale are associated with instrumented measures of torque and muscle activity in post-stroke survivors with severe hemiparesis both before and after an intervention. Patients affected by a first ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke within 6 months before enrollment and with complete paresis were included in the study. The pre- and post-treatment assessments included the MRC strength scale, sEMG, and dynamometry assessment of the triceps brachii (TB) and biceps brachii (BB) as measures of maximal elbow extension and flexion torque, respectively. Proprioceptive-based training was used as a treatment model, which consisted of multidirectional exercises with verbal feedback. Each treatment session lasted 1 h/day, 5 days a week for a total 15 sessions. Nineteen individuals with stroke participated in the study. A significant correlation between outcome measures for the BB (MRC and sEMG p = 0.0177, ρ = 0.601; MRC and torque p = 0.0001, ρ = 0.867) and TB (MRC and sEMG p = 0.0026, ρ = 0.717; MRC and torque p = 0.0001, ρ = 0.873) were observed post intervention. Regression models revealed a relationship between the MRC score and sEMG and torque measures for both the TB and BB. The results confirmed that variation on the MRC strength scale is associated with variation in sEMG and torque measures, especially post intervention. The regression model showed a causal relationship between MRC scale scores, sEMG, and torque assessments.

Recent years have witnessed an incipient shift in science policy from a focus mainly on academic excellence to a focus that also takes into account "societal impact". This shift raises the question as to whether medical research has given proper attention to the diseases imposing the greatest burden on society. Therefore, with the aim of identifying correlations between research funding priorities and public demand in health, we examine grants issued by the major medical research funding bodies of China and the UK during 2006–2017 and compare the focus of their funded projects with the diseases that carry the highest burden of death, risk, or loss of health. The results indicate that the funding decisions of both nations do correspond to the illnesses with the highest health impact on their citizens. For both regions, the greatest health concerns surround non-communicable diseases, and neoplasms and cardiovascular disease in particular. In China, national health priorities have remained focused on these illnesses for the benefit of its own population, whereas the UK has funded a wider variety of research, extending to projects with impacts outside its borders to some developing countries. Additionally, despite an increased incidence of mental illness and HIV/AIDs in China, there is evidence that less priority has been given to these conditions. Both of these health areas seem to require more attention from China's national funding agencies and the society in general. Methodologically, this study can serve as an example of how to conduct analyses related to public health issues by combining informetric methods and data with the tools and data from other fields, thereby inspiring other scientometrics studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stroke can affect any portion of the central nervous system leading to a wide variety of symptoms depending on the part that is involved. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is an emerging neuroimaging technique that allows measuring the integrity of white matter tracts. Objectives: The objective of this study is to find out if the diffusion tensor tractography technique can provide prognostic information regarding clinical outcome following ischemic stroke. Subjects and methods: Forty patients with acute ischemic stroke were studied with DTI. Size of infraction, degree of reduction of fractional anisotropy (FA), and pattern of corticospinal tract (CST) affection were identified. We assessed our patients according to the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Medical Research Council (MRC) scale at onset of stroke and 3 months later. Results: FA reduction was correlated with MRC and NIHSS on admission (P < 0.001, 0.004 respectively) and after 3 months (P < 0.001, 0.013 respectively). The pattern of CST affection was associated with NIHSS and MRC after 3 months (P = 0.035, 0.001 respectively). Conclusion: DTI may be an indirect indicator of the ischemic stroke outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers power domain based multiple access (PDMA) in cognitive radio network to serve numerous users who intend to multiple access to core network. In particular, we investigate the effect of signal combination scheme equipped at PDMA end-users as existence of direct link and relay link. This system model using relay scheme provides performance improvement on the outage probability of two PDMA end-users. We first propose a simple scheme of fixed power allocation to PDMA users who exhibit performance gap and fairness. Inspired by PDMA strategy, we then find signal to noise ratio (SNR) to detect separated signal for each user. In addition, the exact expressions of outage probability are derived in assumption that receiver can cancel out the interference completely with successive interference cancellation (SIC). By exploiting theoretical and simulation results, both considered combination schemes (Maximal Ratio Combining (MRC) and Selection Combining (SC) can achieve improved performance of two PDMA users significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of this article is to analyse the role of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC)) and to explore current milestones and challenges in the context of regional water cooperation. The LMC represents a specific form of a sub-regional platform which has been established in 2016 by China's government. The purpose of this intergovernmental organization is to promote regional cooperation between six riparian states (China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam) and ensure sustainable development of the Lancang-Mekong Sub-region. The results show that despite the LMC does not meet all the criteria to become a proper River Basin Organization (RBO), it still remains highly progressive and widely popular among the riparian states. Currently, according to RBOs database from Oregon State University (2019) there can be identified only three inter-basin RBOs which together ensure transboundary water cooperation in Southeast Asia. The author concludes that despite the LMC offering many opportunities for further river development, the LMC still did not reach its full potential and face several challenges. Data has been collected by process-tracing analysis of official documents and from secondary literature related to the LMC and Mekong River development. The author applied the concept of multi-track water diplomacy and compare the current performance of the LMC with other RBOs to illustrate the role of RBOs in TWM. The findings of this article therefore can be applied to other case studies where RBOs possess a strong position in shaping TWM and where China builds up viable regional cooperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé: Le pharmacien d'officine est reconnu comme un acteur de la prévention et de l'éducation thérapeutique. Un projet pédagogique mené dans les officines du Nord-Pas-de-Calais et coordonné par la faculté de pharmacie de Lille avec le réseau Néphronor nous a permis de collecter des données permettant d'évaluer l'intérêt d'une évaluation pharmaceutique officinale de la MRC. Nous rapportons ici le résultat de l'intervention réalisée dans 109 pharmacies d'officine. Les entretiens pharmaceutiques ont concerné 2 populations de patients. Le groupe A concerne des patients se connaissant porteurs d'une IRC (entretien pharmaceutique d'optimisation thérapeutique). Le groupe B regroupe des patients à risque de MRC pour lesquels est proposée une stratégie de dépistage. Ainsi, 354 patients ont été inclus dans le groupe A, majoritairement des femmes (51,2 %), en stade 3 d'IRC, d'âge moyen 73 ans, diabétiques (44 %). Environ 70 % des patients avaient déjà été vus par un néphrologue et 45 % d'entre eux présentaient une bonne adhésion thérapeutique selon le questionnaire de Morisky Green. Par ailleurs, 20 % des patients n'avaient pas de traitement néphroprotecteur en stades 3 et 4 de la MRC et plus de la moitié ne connaissaient pas les situations à risque d'insuffisance rénale aiguë. Le groupe B a inclus 532 patients (âge moyen 70 ans). L'intervention pharmaceutique a permis de dépister 10 % de patients avec un DFG < 60 mL/min/1,73 m2. L'entretien pharmaceutique en officine a permis d'optimiser la prise en charge thérapeutique et l'information des patients IRC, ainsi que le dépistage précoce chez certains patients à risque. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major concern of public health. The pharmacist is known as a health practitioner involved in prevention and therapeutic education. Our study aimed at defining the impact of community pharmacists' interventions for preventing and screening CKD. In our observational prospective study of 5 months conducted in 109 community pharmacy, we included 2 groups of patients: A (therapeutic optimization): CKD patients and B (CKD screening): population at risk. In group A, we included 354 patients, mainly women (51.2%), in stage 3 of CKD, mean age 73 years old, with hypertension alone (40.6%) or associated with diabetes (44%). About 70% of the patients had a follow up by a nephrologist and 45% of them were good adherent according to the Morisky Green self-report. However, approximately 20% of patients did not have nephroprotective treatments in their regimen although they were on stage 3 or 4 CKD patients, and about half of them were not aware of medical situations at risk. Concerning group B, 532 patients were included. The pharmaceutical interventions screened 10 % of patients with a GFR < 60 mL/min/1.73m2. The community pharmacists' interventions helped to optimize the therapeutic management of CKD patients and in the early screening of patients at risk. More studies are needed to extrapolate our observations to a larger population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Channel estimation is an essential component, in which channel state information playing very important role in wireless communications. But acquiring CSI in practice is a challenging issue for massive MIMO systems. To reduce the over burden for obtaining channel impulse response of huge Multi input multi output system channel reciprocity in TDD domain is suggested, because the forward link channel data can be derived from the reverse link signal without any feedback involvement. Because of mismatches at uplink, downlink channels maintaining reciprocity in TDD systems is impractical. We study the impact of multiplicative reciprocity error for precoders (Zero forcing, MMSE and MRT) performance along with channel estimation error. In this paper effect of RF mismatches impact on linear precoders is analyzed and simulated in terms of SINR versus SNR under additive white Gaussian noise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the performance of filter bank multicarrier (FBMC) signaling in conjunction with offset quadrature amplitude modulation (OQAM) in multi-user (MU) massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. Initially, closed form expressions are derived for tight lower bounds corresponding to the achievable uplink sum-rates for FBMC-based single-cell MU massive MIMO systems relying on maximum ratio combining (MRC), zero forcing (ZF) and minimum mean square error (MMSE) receiver processing with/without perfect channel state information (CSI) at the base station (BS). This is achieved by exploiting the statistical properties of the intrinsic interference that is characteristic of FBMC systems. Analytical results are also developed for power scaling in the uplink of MU massive MIMO-FBMC systems. The above analysis of the achievable sum-rates and corresponding power scaling laws is subsequently extended to multi-cell scenarios considering both perfect as well as imperfect CSI, and the effect of pilot contamination. The delay-spread-induced performance erosion imposed on the linear processing aided BS receiver is numerically quantified by simulations. Numerical results are presented to demonstrate the close match between our analysis and simulations, and to illustrate and compare the performance of FBMC and traditional orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)-based MU massive MIMO systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]