Analysis of handoff in distributed mobile communications system based on remote antenna unit selection

A remote antenna unit （RAU） selection model is presented, and two kinds of handoffs, intra-cell handoff （HO） and inter-cell HO, are defined in distributed mobile communications systems （DAS）. After that, an inter-cell HO model is proposed, in which the average power of the active set （AS） is used to predict the position of the mobile station （MS）. The total power of the AS and the handoff set （HOS） are utilized to determine whether an inter-cell HO is necessary. Furthermore, the relationship between HO parameters and performance metrics is studied in detail based on RAU selection. Simulation results show that both the intra-cell HO and the inter-cell HO can achieve oerfect performance by aoprooriate settings of HO parameters.

Proximal and distal esophageal sensitivity is decreased in patients with Barrett’s esophagus

AIM: To investigate sensations to multimodal pain stimulation in the metaplastic and normal parts of the esophagus in patients with Barrett’s esophagus (BE). METHODS: Fifteen patients with BE and 15 age-matched healthy volunteers were subjected to mechanical, thermal and electrical pain stimuli of the esophagus. Both the metaplastic part and the normal part (4 and 14 cm, respectively, above the esophago-gastric junction) were examined. At sensory thresholds the stimulation intensity, referred pain areas, and evoked brain potentials were recorded. RESULTS: Patients were hyposensitive to heat stimulation both in the metaplastic part [median stimulation time to reach the pain detection threshold: 15 (12-34) s vs 14 (6-23) s in controls; F = 4.5, P = 0.04] and the normal part of the esophagus [median 17 (6-32) s vs 13 (8-20) s in controls; F = 6.2, P = 0.02]. Furthermore, patients were hyposensitive in the metaplastic part of the esophagus to mechanical distension [median volume at moderate pain: 50 (20-50) mL vs 33 (13-50) mL in controls; F = 5.7, P = 0.02]. No indication of central nervous system abnormalities was present, as responses were comparable between groups to electrical pain stimuli in the metaplastic part [median current evoking moderate pain: 13 (6-26) mA vs 12 (9-24) mA in controls; F = 0.1, P = 0.7], and in the normal part of the esophagus [median current evoking moderate pain: 9 (6-16) mA, vs 11 (5-11) mA in controls; F = 3.4, P = 0.07]. Furthermore, no differences were seen for the referred pain areas (P-values all > 0.3) or latencies and amplitudes for the evoked brain potentials (P-values all > 0.1). CONCLUSION: Patients with BE are hyposensitive both in the metaplastic and normal part of esophagus likely as a result of abnormalities affecting peripheral nerve pathways.

Development and Implementation of GSM-Based Distribution Automation System with Graphic User Interface in Nigeria Electric Power Distribution Network

Lack of up-to-date information on efficient operation and maintenance of EPDS （electric power distribution systems）, Nigeria is addressed by designing and implementing an indigenous real-time monitoring and diagnosis system. The system encompasses the development of software driven hardware positioned at the remotely located sub-stations at the low voltage level to keep track of the network in real-time. The detection of faults exploits threshold passing algorithm through continuous monitoring of the network power quality. Communication between the RTU （remote terminal unit） and the DCC （distribution control center） which is based on GSM is initiated by disturbance. The DCC performs fault evaluation processing using the received data and predetermined faults signatures to determine the nature of disturbance and presents the result in graphic user interface environment. A fault reporting time of 2 s was achieved. The developed system exhibits a high degree of accuracy and manifests no spurious reports during testing. The resultant system limits the effects of interruption and increases power availability by reducing the down time. The system strengthens engineering and management capabilities required to enhance reliability by providing information about the network health status.

Locking internal fixator with minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis for the proximal and distal tibial frac- tures

Objective： To investigate the efficacy of the locking internal fixator （LIF）, which includes the locking compression plate （LCP） and the less invasive stable system （LISS）, in the proximal and distal tibial fractures. Methods： We did a retrospective study on a total of 98 patients with either proximal or distal tibial fractures from January 2003 to January 2007, who had received the opera- tion with LIF by the minimally invasive plate osteosynthe- sis （MIPO） technique. The data consisted of 43 proximal tibial fractures （type AO41 C3） and 55 distal tibial fractures （type AO43C3）. Results： No complications were observed in all patients after operation. The mean healing time was 8.4 months （range 5-14 months）. Only two cases of delayed union oc- curred at postoperative 10 months. No infections were re- ported after the definitive surgery even in the cases of open fractures. All patients reached a full range of motion at post- operative 6 to 9 months and regained the normal functions of knee and ankle joints. Conclusion： Using LIF in MIPO technique is a reliable approach towards the proximal and distal tibial fractures that are not suitable for intramedullary nailing.