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- Alexander, Paul D., et al.
(författare)
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Filter structure for iterative signal processing
- 2002
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Patent (populärvet., debatt m.m.)abstract
- The present invention relates to improved multiple access communications. In one form, the invention relates to an improved signal processing method and apparatus for an iterative method of determining the reception of a signal in a multi user packet based wireless OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) communication system. In other forms the present invention provides recursive filtering for joint iterative decoding in a variety of systems and functions such as linear multiple access channel decoders, iterative equalisation, iterative joint channel estimation and detection/decoding, iterative space-time processing, iterative multi user interference cancellation and iterative demodulation.; In one particular form the present invention provides an iterative decoding circuit for a wireless multiuser communications receiver comprising a first signal processing means for receiving at least one received signal, said first signal processing means comprising at least two linear iterative filters such that the first linear iterative filter provides an estimate of a selected received signal to an estimated signal output and a second linear iterative filter provides estimates of at least one other received signal, delayed by one iteration cycle, to an input of said first linear iterative filter, a second signal processing means for receiving the estimated signal output of the first linear iterative filter and providing a further received signal estimate to the input of the first signal processing means in a succeeding iteration cycle of the decoding circuit.
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| 4. |
- da Silva, Giovanna M, et al.
(författare)
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The efficacy of a nerve stimulator (CaverMap) to enhance autonomic nerve identification and confirm nerve preservation during total mesorectal excision.
- 2004
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Ingår i: Diseases of the colon and rectum. - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 0012-3706. ; 47:12, s. 2032-8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: Sexual dysfunction after total mesorectal excision may be caused by injury to the autonomic nerves. During surgery, nerve identification is not always achieved, and, to date, there has been no method to objectively confirm nerve preservation. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a nerve-stimulating device (CaverMap) to assist in the intraoperative identification of the autonomic nerves during total mesorectal excision, and objectively confirm nerve preservation after proctectomy is completed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sexually active consecutive male patients undergoing total mesorectal excision were prospectively enrolled in this study. During pelvic dissection, the surgeon attempted to localize the hypogastric and cavernous nerves. CaverMap was used to confirm these findings and to facilitate the identification in cases of uncertainty. At the completion of proctectomy, the nerves were restimulated to ensure preservation. Factors that could affect the surgeon's ability to localize the nerves and CaverMap to confirm this were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-nine male patients with a median age of 58 years were enrolled in this study. An attempt to visualize the hypogastric nerves during dissection was made in 26 patients; the surgeon was able to identify the nerves in 19 (73 percent) patients. CaverMap successfully identified the nerves in six of the seven remaining patients, and failed to identify them in only one case. An attempt to localize the cavernous nerves during dissection was made in 13 patients, of which localization was successful in 8 (61.5 percent) patients. CaverMap improved the identification rate in four of the remaining five patients. After proctectomy, CaverMap successfully confirmed the preservation of both hypogastric and cavernous nerves in 27 of 29 (93 percent) patients. A history of previous surgery statistically correlated with failure to identify the hypogastric nerves by the surgeon (P = 0.005). There were no adverse events related to use of the device. CONCLUSION: CaverMap may be a useful tool to facilitate identification of the pelvic autonomic nerves during total mesorectal excision and to objectively confirm nerve preservation.
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| 5. |
- Dollery, Clare M., et al.
(författare)
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Neutrophil elastase in human atherosclerotic plaques : production by macrophages
- 2003
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Ingår i: Circulation. - : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. - 0009-7322 .- 1524-4539. ; 107:22, s. 2829-2836
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Catabolism of the extracellular matrix (ECM) contributes to vascular remodeling in health and disease. Although metalloenzymes and cysteinyl proteinases have garnered much attention in this regard, the role of serine-dependent proteinases in vascular ECM degradation during atherogenesis remains unknown. We recently discovered the presence of the metalloproteinase MMP-8, traditionally associated only with neutrophils, in atheroma-related cells. Human neutrophil elastase (NE) plays a critical role in lung disease, but the paucity of neutrophils in the atheromatous plaque has led to neglect of its potential role in vascular biology. NE can digest elastin, fibrillar and nonfibrillar collagens, and other ECM components in addition to its ability to modify lipoproteins and modulate cytokine and MMP activity.METHODS AND RESULTS: Fibrous and atheromatous plaques but not normal arteries contained NE. In particular, NE abounded in the macrophage-rich shoulders of atheromatous plaques with histological features of vulnerability. Neutrophil elastase and macrophages colocalized in such vulnerable plaques (n=7). In situ hybridization revealed NE mRNA in macrophage-rich areas, indicating local production of this enzyme. Freshly isolated blood monocytes, monocyte-derived macrophages, and vascular endothelial cells in culture produced active NE and contained NE mRNA. Monocytes produced NE constitutively, with little regulation by cytokines IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, or IFN-gamma but released it when stimulated by CD40 ligand, a cytokine found in atheroma.CONCLUSIONS: These findings point to a novel role for the serine protease, neutrophil elastase, in matrix breakdown by macrophages, a critical process in adaptive remodeling of vessels and in the pathogenesis of arterial diseases.
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| 7. |
- Isaksson, Ola, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluation of design process alternatives using signal flow graphs
- 2000
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Ingår i: Journal of engineering design (Print). - : Informa UK Limited. - 0954-4828 .- 1466-1837. ; 11:3, s. 211-224
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The introduction of new design activities into an established product development process may involve more work in the initial stages of development, yet this extra effort may reduce the need for more expensive and time-consuming redesign activities later in the project. Wehave studied a case where more intensive use of computational simulations in the early design phase means that fewer hardware tests are needed because the designs can be analytically evaluated in advance of physical testing. Total development lead time and cost can thus be significantly reduced. This paper addresses how to evaluate alternative design strategies and methods with respect to their impact on the development process time. This is achieved by analysing the design process using signal flow graphs. The technique has been applied to jet engine component development projects at Volvo Aero Corporation in Sweden. We have found that evaluating alternative processes using signal flow graphs not only is helpful to assess the effect of introduction of new or improved design activities on the development process, but also is a means to facilitate the discussion of process improvement alternatives and trade-offs for an organization.
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| 8. |
- Johnson, Steven D., et al.
(författare)
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Pollination success in a deceptive orchid is enhanced by co-ocurring rewarding magnet plants
- 2003
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Ingår i: Ecology. - : Wiley. - 0012-9658 .- 1939-9170. ; 84:11, s. 2919-2927
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- It has been debated whether pollination success in nonrewarding plants that flower in association with nectar-producing plants will be diminished by competition for pollinator visits or, alternatively, enhanced through increased local abundance of pollinators (the magnet species effect). We experimentally evaluated these effects using the nonrewarding bumblebee-pollinated orchid Anacamptis morio and associated nectar-producing plants at a site in Sweden. Pollination success (estimated as pollen receipt and pollen removal) in A. morio was significantly greater for individuals translocated to patches of nectar-producing plants (Geum rivale and Allium schoenoprasum) than for individuals placed outside (20 m away) such patches. These results provide support for the existence of a facilitative magnet species effect in the interaction between certain nectar plants and A. morio. To determine the spatial scale of these interactions, we correlated the visitation rate to flowers of A. morio with the density of sympatric nectar plants in 1-m2 and 100-m2 plots centered around groups of translocated plants, and at the level of whole meadows (0.5–2 ha). Visitation rate to flowers of A. morio was not correlated with the 1-m2 patch density of G. rivale and A. schoenoprasum, but showed a significant positive relationship with density of these nectar plants in 100-m2 plots. In addition, visitation to flowers of A. morio was strongly and positively related to the density of A. schoenoprasum at the level of the meadow. Choice experiments showed that bees foraging on the purple flowers of A. schoenoprasum (a particularly effective magnet species) visit the purple flowers of A. morio more readily (47.6% of choices) than bees foraging on the yellow flowers of Lotus corniculatus (17% of choices). Overall similarity in flower color and shape may increase the probability that a pollinator will temporarily shift from a nectar-producing “magnet” plant to a nonrewarding plant. We discuss the possibility of a mimicry continuum between those orchids that exploit instinctive food-seeking behavior of pollinators and those that show an adaptive resemblance to nectar-producing plants.
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| 9. |
- Li, Jian-Liang, et al.
(författare)
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A genome scan for modifiers of age at onset in Huntington disease : The HD MAPS study.
- 2003
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Ingår i: American Journal of Human Genetics. - : Elsevier BV. - 0002-9297 .- 1537-6605. ; 73:3, s. 682-7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Huntington disease (HD) is caused by the expansion of a CAG repeat within the coding region of a novel gene on 4p16.3. Although the variation in age at onset is partly explained by the size of the expanded repeat, the unexplained variation in age at onset is strongly heritable (h2=0.56), which suggests that other genes modify the age at onset of HD. To identify these modifier loci, we performed a 10-cM density genomewide scan in 629 affected sibling pairs (295 pedigrees and 695 individuals), using ages at onset adjusted for the expanded and normal CAG repeat sizes. Because all those studied were HD affected, estimates of allele sharing identical by descent at and around the HD locus were adjusted by a positionally weighted method to correct for the increased allele sharing at 4p. Suggestive evidence for linkage was found at 4p16 (LOD=1.93), 6p21-23 (LOD=2.29), and 6q24-26 (LOD=2.28), which may be useful for investigation of genes that modify age at onset of HD.
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| 10. |
- LoRusso, Patricia M, et al.
(författare)
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Improvements in quality of life and disease-related symptoms in phase I trials of the selective oral epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor ZD1839 in non-small cell lung cancer and other solid tumors
- 2003
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Ingår i: Clinical Cancer Research. - 1078-0432. ; 9:6, s. 2040-2048
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: The feasibility and utility of assessing quality of life (QoL) and disease-related symptoms in patients with advanced cancer have been evaluated in two Phase I clinical trials of p.o. administered ZD1839 ('Iressa'), an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in patients with advanced cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT) questionnaires, including disease-specific subscales for lung, head and neck, colorectal, prostate, and ovarian cancer, were completed by patients in two open-label, Phase I, escalating multiple-dose safety and tolerability trials. RESULTS: In 157 patients, 92% of whom had received prior therapy, compliance in returning FACT questionnaires was 87% (European/Australian trial) and 57% (United States trial). This did not appear to be influenced by dose level or tumor type. For patients with colorectal, prostate, or ovarian cancer, median QoL [FACT and Trial Outcome Index (TOI)] scores deteriorated over time. In contrast, for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or head and neck cancer, median FACT and TOI scores did not deteriorate significantly, and in the United States trial, head and neck cancer scores improved significantly over time. In patients with NSCLC, symptom-related scores measured by the Lung Cancer Subscale of FACT-L appeared sensitive to clinical change. CONCLUSIONS: QoL (FACT-L) questionnaires were used successfully in the Phase I clinical trials of ZD1839. They appeared to be a sensitive tool to monitor clinical changes for the five tumor types in these trials and showed that ZD1839 has the potential to improve patients' QoL.
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