One of the most important technologies used in modern communication systems is channel coding. Channel coding dates back to a paper published by Shannon in 1948 [1] entitled “A Mathematical Theory of Communication”. The basic idea behind channel coding is to send redundant information (parity) together with a message to make the transmission more error resistant. There are different types of codes that can be used to generate the parity required, including block, convolutional and concatenated codes. A special subclass of codes consisting of the codes mentioned in the previous paragraph, is sparse graph codes. The structure of sparse graph codes can be depicted via a graphical representation: the factor graph which has sparse connections between its elements. Codes belonging to this subclass include Low-Density-Parity-Check (LDPC) codes, Repeat Accumulate (RA), Turbo and fountain codes. These codes can be decoded by using the belief propagation algorithm, an iterative algorithm where probabilistic information is passed to the nodes of the graph. This dissertation focuses on noisy decoding of fountain codes using belief propagation decoding. Fountain codes were originally developed for erasure channels, but since any factor graph can be decoded using belief propagation, noisy decoding of fountain codes can easily be accomplished. Three fountain codes namely Tornado, Luby Transform (LT) and Raptor codes were investigated during this dissertation. The following results were obtained: <ol> <li>The Tornado graph structure is unsuitable for noisy decoding since the code structure protects the first layer of parity instead of the original message bits (a Tornado graph consists of more than one layer).</li> <li> The successful decoding of systematic LT codes were verified.</li> <li>A systematic Raptor code was introduced and successfully decoded. The simulation results show that the Raptor graph structure can improve on its constituent codes (a Raptor code consists of more than one code).</li></ol> Lastly an LT code was used to replace the convolutional incremental redundancy scheme used by the 2G mobile standard Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE). The results show that a fountain incremental redundancy scheme outperforms a convolutional approach if the frame lengths are long enough. For the EDGE platform the results also showed that the fountain incremental redundancy scheme outperforms the convolutional approach after the second transmission is received. Although EDGE is an older technology, it still remains a good platform for testing different incremental redundancy schemes, since it was one of the first platforms to use incremental redundancy. / Dissertation (MEng)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering / MEng / unrestricted

The deleterious effects of MPO make it a new target for medicinal research. The aim of our study is to find promising inhibitors of MPO for using them as starting point of new anti-inflammatory drugs. Depending on previous researches on MPO inhibitors, we selected 5-fluorotryptamine as starting compounds. Using docking experiments, we designed a series of compounds derived from 5-fluorotryptamine. Two modifications were proposed: <p>& / Doctorat en Sciences biomédicales et pharmaceutiques / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Este trabajo contribuye a la organización estudiada a mejorar los procedimientos del proceso de laminación (compuestas por BOPP y PEBD) para así reducir las mermas y los productos defectuosos, estas representan un 15% de desperdicios del total de materia prima que ingresa al proceso, sin embargo, con la aplicación de las metodologías se logró reducir a un 6.2% de desperdicios, resultando en ahorros operacionales en el rango de s/. 46,580 al año. La utilización de las fases DMAIC y Lean, cada uno a su manera, son las principales técnicas estratégicas de resolución de problemas en el mundo industrial. La integración de los dos métodos de calidad traerá la herramienta necesaria para eliminar las mermas y mejorar la productividad a través del comportamiento de los trabajadores, el trabajo en equipo y optimizando los procesos. Los gerentes e ingenieros encargados de mejorar las operaciones y los procesos pueden beneficiarse de este documento, ya que puede servir de guía para dirigir la realización de futuros proyectos y la aplicación empírica de sus principios y herramientas. / This work contributes to help the organization studied to improve procedures for the lamination process (compound of BOPP and LDPE) to reduce waste and defective products, represent 15% of waste of all raw material entering To the process, however, with the application of the methodologies was reduced to a 6.2% of waste, resulting in operational savings in the range of s /. 46,580 per year. The use of the DMAIC and Lean phases, each in its own way, are the main strategic techniques for solving problems in the industrial world. The integration of the two quality methods will bring the necessary tool to eliminate the losses and improve the productivity through the behavior of the workers, the team work and optimizing the processes. Managers and engineers in charge of improving operations and processes can benefit from this document as it can guide future projects and the empirical application of their principles and tools. / Trabajo de Suficiencia Profesional

Esta tesis estudia la distribución de ficheros en redes inalámbricas, analizando diferentes mecanismos que permiten optimizar la transmisión en términos de ancho de banda y calidad de experiencia. Concretamente, la tesis se centra en la transmisión de ficheros en canales multicast. Dicha transmisión resulta adecuada en ciertos entornos y tiene múltiples aplicaciones, algunas de las cuales se presentan en este trabajo. La tesis analiza en profundidad FLUTE (File Delivery over Unidirectional Transport), un protocolo para el envío fiable de ficheros en canales unidireccionales, y presenta algunas propuestas para mejorar la transmisión a través de dicho protocolo. En este sentido, una de las bases de este protocolo es el uso de un mecanismo llamado Tabla de Envío de Ficheros (FDT), que se utiliza para describir los contenidos transmitidos. Este trabajo analiza cómo la transmisión de la FDT afecta al funcionamiento del protocolo FLUTE, y proporciona una metodología para optimizar el envío de contenido mediante FLUTE. Por otro lado, en la transmisión de ficheros por multicast resulta esencial ofrecer un servicio fiable. Entre los distintos mecanismos utilizados por FLUTE para ofrecer fiabilidad, este trabajo analiza principalmente los códigos de corrección AL-FEC (Application Layer ¿ Forward Error Correction), los cuales añaden redundancia a la transmisión para minimizar los efectos de las pérdidas en el canal. Al respecto, esta tesis evalúa los códigos LDPC Staircase y LDPC Triangle, comparando su funcionamiento bajo diferentes condiciones de transmisión. Además, en el caso de tener un canal de retorno, una de las principales contribuciones de esta tesis es la propuesta de códigos LDPC adaptativos para servicios de descarga de ficheros. En esta clase de códigos, el servidor de contenidos cambia dinámicamente la cantidad de protección FEC proporcionada en función de las pérdidas que detectan los usuarios. La evaluación demuestra el buen funcionamiento de estos códigos en distintos entornos. / De Fez Lava, I. (2014). Evaluation of a content download service based on FLUTE and LDPC for improving the Quality of Experience over multicast wireless networks [Tesis doctoral]. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/37051 / TESIS / Premios Extraordinarios de tesis doctorales

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / As our population ages, treating bone and joint ailments is becoming increasingly important. Both osteoporosis, a bone disease characterized by a decreased density of mineral in bone, and osteoarthritis, a joint disease characterized by the degeneration of cartilage on the ends of bones, are major causes of decreased movement ability and increased pain. To combat these diseases, many treatments are offered, including drugs and exercise, and much biomedical research is being conducted. However, how can we get the most out of the research we perform and the treatment we do have? One approach is through computational analysis and mathematical modeling. In this thesis, quantitative methods of analysis are applied in different ways to two systems: osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. A mouse model simulating osteoporosis is treated with salubrinal and knee loading. The bone and cell data is used to formulate a system of differential equations to model the response of bone to each treatment. Using Particle Swarm Optimization, optimal treatment regimens are found, including a consideration of budgetary constraints. Additionally, an in vitro model of osteoarthritis in chondrocytes receives RNA silencing of Lrp5. Microarray analysis of gene expression is used to further elucidate the mode of regulation of ADAMTS5, an aggrecanase associated with cartilage degradation, by Lrp5, including the development of a mathematical model. The math model of osteoporosis reveals a quick response to salubrinal and a delayed but substantial response to knee loading. Consideration of cost effectiveness showed that as budgetary constraints increased, treatment did not start until later. The quantitative analysis of ADAMTS5 regulation suggested the involvement of IL1B and p38 MAPK. This research demonstrates the application of quantitative methods to further the usefulness of biomedical and biomolecular research into treatment and signaling pathways. Further work using these techniques can help uncover a bigger picture of osteoarthritis's mode of action and ideal treatment regimens for osteoporosis.

Amongst its numerous functions, the liver is responsible for the synthesis and secretion of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). VLDL particles play the important role of facilitating the transport of lipids within the aqueous environment of the plasma; yet high plasma concentrations of these particles result in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, while low VLDL secretion from the liver results in hepatic steatosis. VLDL synthesis in the hepatocyte is completed in the Golgi apparatus, which serves as the final site of VLDL maturation prior to its secretion to the bloodstream. The mechanism by which VLDL’s targeted transport to the plasma membrane is facilitated has yet to be identified. Our lab has identified this entity. Our findings suggest that upon maturation, VLDL is directed to the plasma membrane through a novel trafficking vesicle, the Post-Golgi VLDL Transport Vesicle (PG-VTV). PG-VTVs containing [3H] radiolabeled VLDL were generated in a cell-free in vitro budding assay for study. First, the fusogenic capabilities of PG-VTVs were established. Vesicles were capable of fusing with the plasma membrane and delivering the VLDL cargo for secretion in a vectorial manner. The next goal of our study is to characterize key regulatory molecular entities necessary for PG-VTV biosynthesis. A detailed analysis was undertaken to determine the PG-VTV proteome via western blot and two-dimensional difference in gel electrophoresis. The identification of key molecular regulators will potentially offer therapeutic targets to control VLDL secretion to the bloodstream.

No / The in-line development of crystalline morphology and orientation during melt extrusion of low density polyethylene (LDPE) tape at nil and low haul-off speeds has been investigated using Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering (SAXS). The processing parameters, namely haul-off speed and distance down the tape-line have been varied and the resulting crystalline morphology is described from detailed analysis of the SAXS data. Increasing haul-off speed increased orientation in the polymer tape and the resulting morphology could be described in terms of regular lamellar stacking perpendicular to the elongation direction. In contrast, under nil haul-off conditions the tape still showed some orientation down the tape-line, but a shish-kebab structure prevails. The final lamellae thickness (similar to 50 angstrom) and bulk crystallinity (similar to 20%), were low at, for all processing conditions investigated, which is attributed to the significant short-chain branching in the polymer acting as point defects limiting lamellae crystal growth. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

<p> The effect of capillary dimensions on the die swell of molten polymers is investigated. Low and high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene are used to make investigation It is found the die swell decreases vii th L/D. The plot of die swell index (d/D) vs. L/D has the shape of anexponential decay curve. </p> <p> Bagley's decaying equation is used to fit the data. The effect of Deborah number on die swell phenomenon is also studied. 'I'he relationship between the recoverable shear strains of infinitely long capillary and the one with dimensions ratio L/D is obtained. This relationship could be used to estima te the die swell of short capillary from its value at equilibrium and polymer characteristics. </p> / Thesis / Master of Engineering (MEngr)

Ph. D. (Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology), Vaal University of Technology. / Investment casting process is the most suitable technique for producing high quality castings which are dimensionally accurate with excellent surface finish and complex in nature. Recently with the ever-changing manufacturing landscape, the process has been increasingly used to produce components for the medical, aerospace and sports industry. The present study looked at three investigative scenarios in the development of a pattern material for investment casting process: (i) the development of wax/ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) and wax/linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) blends as the carrier vehicle materials for the development of pattern material for investment casting; (ii) the development of wax/EVA/polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) based investment casting pattern and lastly (iii) the development of wax/LLDPE/PMMA based investment casting pattern material. The first part of the studies elucidates the effects in terms of the thermal, mechanical, surface and rheological properties when paraffin wax in blended with poly EVA and LLDPE. The developments involved the extrusion of seven formulations for EVA and also LLDPE using a twin-screw extrusion compounder. The paraffin wax weight percent investigated ranged from 33% to 87% thus encompassing both low and high wax loading ratios. The thermal properties of the developed binary blends were characterized via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The mechanical properties were characterized using three-point bending test. The thermo-mechanical and rheological properties were determined using thermomechanical analysis (TMA) and a rheometer respectively. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to study the surface texture of the extruded blends. The thermal properties indicated that the thermal stability of paraffin wax is improved when it is blended with both EVA and LLDPE. DSC curves showed two endothermic melting peaks and two exothermic crystallisation peaks. In the case of wax/EVA blends, there was no distinct peak showing the independent melting of neat wax and EVA. The peak at a temperature of 50 – 72 °C corresponds to the melting of the wax/EVA blend. In the case of wax/LLDPE blends, the peak at 50 -66 °C corresponds to the melting of wax whereas the large peak at 112 - 125°C corresponds to the melting of the LLDPE. Wax/EVA and wax/LLDPE had improved mechanical properties as compared to that of neat wax. The rheological properties of both the EVA based and LLDPE based blends indicated that the viscosity of the blends increased as compared to that of neat wax. SEM confirmed that EVA alters the wax crystal habit at higher concentrations. In the case of wax/LLDPE blends, at 20-30 % wax content, a heterogeneous surface was observed, indicating the immiscibility of the paraffin wax within the LLDPE matrix. At a high wax content, there was agglomeration of wax. LLDPE allows amorphous structure of wax to disperse easily between the chains. The second part of the studies focussed on the wax/EVA filled with poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microbeads. TGA behaviour on the pyrolysis of wax/EVA/PMMA showed that the compounds volatilise readily with virtually no residue remaining above 500 °C. The DSC curves indicated that, the incorporation of PMMA reduced the crystallinity of wax/EVA blend. A distinct endothermic peak and another small peak was observed in all the formulations. The mechanical properties of wax/EVA/PMMA improved significantly. The methylene group present in both wax and EVA combined to form a blend with enhanced mechanical properties whereas the PMMA microbeads improved the needle penetration hardness. The melt viscosity of wax/EVA/PMMA increased as the EVA and/or the PMMA content is increased. The rheological experimental data fitted with the data predicted using the modified Krieger and Dougherty expression. The maximum attainable volume fraction of suspended PMMA particles was at max = 0.81. The SEM micrograph of wax/EVA/PMMA revealed a near perfect spherical nature for the filler particles in the wax/EVA polymer matrix. It further shows that the PMMA microbeads were weakly bonded and well distributed in the wax/EVA matrix. The third part of the studies focussed on the wax/LLDPE filled with Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microbeads. The incorporation of LLDPE and PMMA into paraffin wax had a strong influence on the thermal properties, tensile properties, flow properties and its morphology. The TGA analysis showed that there was a slight observable decrease in the melting onset temperatures when the wax content was increased. From the DSC curves, the corresponding values of onset temperatures observed are between melting and crystallization temperature of neat paraffin wax and neat LLDPE. The short chains of the paraffin wax and the fragments formed by scission of wax chain have sufficient energy to escape from the matrix at lower temperatures. The slight decrease in peak temperatures associated with melting and crystallization could be attributed to the decrease in the average lamellar thickness of the blends. The tensile properties by three-point bending tests indicated an increase in the stress with an increase in the LLDPE content. This can be attributed to the formation of paraffin wax crystals in the amorphous phase of the blend which may influence the chain mobility. Since the paraffin wax used for this study had a low viscosity as compared to LLDPE, both LLDPE or PMMA had an influence on the viscosities of the blends. The data obtained from the experiments fitted with the data predicted obtained from the modified Krieger and Dougherty expression. The maximum attainable volume fraction of suspended PMMA particles was at max = 0.74. Similar observation with that of wax/EVA/PMMA was made in terms of the morphology of the wax/LLDPE/PMMA blends. The excellent thermal stabilities, the superior mechanical strength of wax/EVA/PMMA and wax/LLDPE/PMMA and the flow properties with relatively high EVA and also with high PMMA loadings, open new opportunities for EVA and LLDPE based pattern material for in investment casting process. It is worth pursuing further comprehensive studies since it offers a strong potential for realizing further technological improvement in the field of investment casting and rapid prototyping technologies.

Low-Density Parity-Check (LDPC) codes are linear error-correcting codes used to establish reliable communication between units on a noisy transmission channel in mobile telecommunications. LDPC algorithms detect and recover altered or corrupted message bits using sparse parity-check matrices in order to decipher messages correctly. LDPC codes have been shown to be fitting coding schemes for the fifth generation (5G) New Radio (NR), according to the third generation partnership project (3GPP).  TietoEvry, a consultant in telecom, has discovered that optimizations of LDPC decoding algorithms can be achieved/obtained with the use of a parallel computing platform called Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA), developed by NVIDIA. This platform utilizes the capabilities of a graphics processing unit (GPU) rather than a central processing unit (CPU), which in turn provides parallel computing. An optimized version of an LDPC decoding algorithm, the Min-Sum Algorithm (MSA), is implemented in CUDA and in C++ for comparison in terms of CPU execution time, to explore the capabilities that CUDA offers. The testing is done with a set of 12 sparse parity-check matrices and input-channel messages with different sizes. As a result, the CUDA implementation executes approximately 55% faster than a standard, unoptimized C++ implementation.