In this paper, we present a novel approach for the design of rate-maximizing channel shortening detectors with soft feedback side information for frequency-selective channels. The detector is a soft-input soft-output detector and constitutes one of the components of an iterative receiver. The design optimization is performed from an information-theoretic perspective where we maximize the achievabl

We study simulated annealing algorithms to maximise a function psi on a subset of R-d. In classical simulated annealing, given a current state theta(n) in stage n of the algorithm, the probability to accept a proposed state z at which psi is smaller, is exp(-beta(n+1)(psi(z) - psi (theta(n))) where (beta(n)) is the inverse temperature. With the standard logarithmic increase of (beta(n)) the probab

The resolution and fidelity of global chronostratigraphic correlation are direct functions of the time period under consideration. By virtue of deep-ocean cores and astrochronology, the Cenozoic and Mesozoic time scales carry error bars of a few thousand years (k.y.) to a few hundred k. y. In contrast, most of the Paleozoic time scale carries error bars of plus or minus a few million years (m. y.)

Using double-label in situ hybridization, we have explored the possibility that individual CNS neurones can co-express mRNAs for the high-affinity receptors of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-3, TrkB and TrkC, respectively. The vast majority of TrkC mRNA-containing neurones in the hippocampal formation and cerebral cortex were also labelled for TrkB mRNA. Cells expressing only T

The therapeutic application of siRNA shows promise as an alternative approach to small-molecule inhibitors for the treatment of human disease. However, the major obstacle to its use has been the difficulty in delivering these large anionic molecules in vivo. In this study, we have investigated whether siRNA-mediated knockdown of p38 MAP kinase mRNA in mouse lung is influenced by conjugation to the

The aim of the present study was to compare cellular and noncellular components of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) in a group of children with a diagnosis of chronic diffuse parenchymal lung disease (cDPLD) and a group of children without parenchymal lung disease undergoing BAL for various clinical indications (control group). We evaluated cellular and non-cellular components (total proteins, a

Introduction P-32 phosphate was the first therapeutic radioisotope, used in leukaemia about 70 years ago. Since then, many new agents for haematological proliferations have been introduced successfully. Today there remains a distinct subgroup of elderly patients with polycythaemia vera and essential thrombocythaemia for whom P-32 is the most optimal treatment option, an assertion supported by two

The salamander Ensatina eschscholtzii Gray is a classic example of a ring species, or a species that has expanded around a central barrier to form a secondary contact characterized by species-level divergence. In the original formulation of the ring species scenario, an explicit biogeographical model was proposed to account for the occurrence of intraspecific sympatry between two subspecies in sou

Shifting the resource base for chemical production from fossil feedstocks to renewable raw materials provides exciting possibilities for the use of industrial biotechnology-based process tools. This review gives an indication of the current developments in the transition to bio-based production, with a focus on the production of chemicals, and points out some of the challenges that exist in the la

Interpenetrating polymer systems based on crosslinked polyurethane (PU) and polystyrene (PS) were prepared at room temperature by a one-shot (in situ) method, starting from an initial homogeneous mixture of reagents via noninterfering mechanisms. Both polymerizations were performed either simultaneously or one after the other. True simultaneity at every stages of the process is not possible. Despi

We present azimuthal angle correlations of intermediate transverse momentum (1-4 GeV/c) hadrons from dijets in Cu+Cu and Au+Au collisions at root s(NN)=62.4 and 200 GeV. The away-side dijet induced azimuthal correlation is broadened, non-Gaussian, and peaked away from Delta phi=pi in central and semicentral collisions in all the systems. The broadening and peak location are found to depend upon th

The aim was to study the metabolic pathway for N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) in humans. Three healthy male volunteers were administered 100 mg NMP orally. All urine was collected during nine consecutive days. The identification and quantification of the metabolites were performed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). NMP, 5-hydroxy-N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (5-HNMP), N-methylsuccinimide (MS

The use of the phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) composition of microorganisms to detect previous self-heating events was studied in naturally self-heated peat and in peat incubated under temperature-controlled conditions. An increased content of total PLFAs was found in self-heated peat compared to that in unheated peat. Two PLFAs, denoted T1 and T2, were detected only in the self-heated peat. Incub

Phenoxyacetic acids are widely used herbicides. The toxicity of phenoxyacetic acids is debated, but high-level exposure has been shown to be hepatotoxic as well as nephrotoxic in animal studies. An inter-species difference in toxic effects has been found, with dogs particularly susceptible. In this study a method using liquid chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) is describ

Measurement of mental workload has been widely used for evaluation of aircraft design, mission analysis and assessment of pilot performance during flight operations. Heart rate is the psychophysiological measure that has been most frequently used for this purpose. The risk of interference with flight safety and pilot performance, as well as the generally constrained access to flights, make it diff

The role of intercellular tight junctions in breast epithelia[ cells is traditionaliy thought to be in maintaining polarity and barrier function. However, claudin-4, a tight junction protein, is overexpressed in breast tumour cells compared to normal epithelial cells, which generally corresponds to a loss in polarity. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution and potential clinical

1. The extensive loss of species-rich grasslands in Europe as a result of agricultural intensification has triggered a desire to recreate more diverse and natural grassland systems in set-aside fields. Appropriate management and species introductions are necessary to overcome residual soil fertility, lack of suitable plant propagules and dominance of undesirable invasive species. 2. A field experi

A new control strategy has been introduced for operating anaerobic digestion processes efficiently at high load. The control system includes a cascade controller embedded into a rule-based supervisory system based on extremum-seeking control. Three process parameters, considered to be the most realistic variables for monitoring of the bioprocess, were selected (pH, biogas production rate, and the