New Precoded Spatial-Multiplexing for an Erasure Event in Single Frequency Networks

In this paper, we propose a new spatial-multiplexing(SM) scheme employing an orthogonal precoder over Rayleigh-fading channels for an erasure event in single frequency networks(SFN). To optimize the precoder, the average bit error rate(BER) is evaluated and minimized through a mathematical analysis. Compared to an ordinary SM, the proposed scheme guarantees identical BER performance under non-erasure fading channels and achieves a greatly improved performance under erasure fading channels, especially for a higher erasure-ratio and SNR values. This improvement is mainly due to the increase in the diversity gain incurred by the optimized precoder over the erasure event. We also compare the performance of the proposed SM to that of the conventional constellation-rotation(CR) scheme applied to the single antenna SFN systems. The results of a computer simulation show that the performance of the new scheme is more effective than that of a conventional CR across all simulation cases.

Symptoms Burden and Health-related Quality of Life in Chinese Patients with Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Background and Aims:Primary biliary cholangitis(PBC)is a chronic liver disease that negatively affects the health-related quality of life(HRQoL)of patients.Furthermore,the HRQoL of Chinese patients has been neglected for a long time.The present study aimed to assess the HRQoL of Chinese patients with PBC and explore the clinical variables correlating to the improvement of itch and fatigue.Methods:This was an observational,cross-sectional study.The PBC-40 and itch numerical rating scales were used to evaluate the symptoms and HRQoL of patients.Results:A total of 383 patients were recruited,and 86.4%were female,with a median age of 55 years(range:49-63 years).We found that females had significantly higher scores than males in symptoms(p=0.033)and cognitive domains(p=0.021),and the fatigue domain was higher in elderly patients(p=0.007).Meanwhile,patients whose body mass index was<18.5 had the highest scores in the symptoms(p=0.009),fatigue(p=0.010),and cognitive(p=0.019)domains.Age at participation(odds ratio[OR]=1.068,p=0.015)and albumin level at 12 months after ursodeoxycholic acid treatment(OR=208.807,p=0.025)were independent factors that affected the improvement of the itch and fatigue domains,respectively.Conclusions:The HRQoL of Chinese patients with PBC was significantly impaired depending on sex,age,and body mass index.Age and albumin level were significantly associated with the improvement of itch and fatigue,respectively.Therefore,treatment and support aimed at these two factors can be provided to improve the HRQoL of patients.

Primary biliary cholangitis: personalized medicine for optimal therapeutic opportunities

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease that is characterized by inflammation of the interlobular bile ducts. Although PBC is a slowly progressive disease, with a natural history of 10–15 years leading to end-stage liver disease, highrisk cases may rapidly progress to decompensated cirrhosis or even death. As the most common autoimmune liver disease, the prevalence of PBC has been increasing globally, largely due to increased disease awareness, improved diagnosis, and treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). PBC is more likely to occur in middle-aged women, with a female-to-male ratio ranging from 1.6 to10;however, men have a higher disease severity [1,2].