In this paper, we investigate the performance of cooperative spectrum sensing (CSS) with multiple antenna nodes over composite and generalized fading channels. We model the probability density function (PDF) of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) using the mixture gamma (MG) distribution. We then derive a generalized closed-form expression for the probability of energy detection, which can be used efficiently for generalized multipath as well as composite (multipath and shadowing) fading channels. The composite effect of fading and shadowing scenarios in CSS is mitigated by applying an optimal fusion rule that minimizes the total error rate (TER), where the optimal number of nodes is

BackgroundBronchiolitis is considered one of the earliest and most common causes of hospitalisation in young children. Development of molecular technologies allowed a better understanding of bronchiolitis aetiology. Results from cohort studies evaluating the association between single, multiple viral infections and clinical outcomes are conflicting. Data on viral bronchiolitis in children were found to be limited in Qatar. This study aimed to determine frequency and seasonal trends of viral pathogens causing acute bronchiolitis, and to explore association between viral pathogens, disease severity and length of stay (LOS).MethodsThis is a retrospective descriptive study, including children admitted in 2010 and 2011 with acute bronchiolitis. Presenting history, physical examination and respiratory viral co-infections as detected by molecular assays were analysed.ResultsAt least one virus was detected in 315/369 (85.4%) of included children with single and multiple viruses in 67 and 33% of cases respectively. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was the most detected virus, accounting for 51.2% followed by rhinovirus (RV) in 25.5% of cases. Fall and summer admissions were associated with longer LOS. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, retraction (OR 3.96; 95% CI 1.64,9.59) and age group 1–3 months (OR 3.09; 95% CI 1.06,9.05) were associated with longer LOS. Crepitation (OR 9.15; 95% CI 1.58,53.13), retraction (OR 4.10; 95% CI 1.05,16.12) and respiratory rate (OR 1.46; 95% CI 1.28,1.66) were associated with moderate to severe bronchiolitis. Identifying the viral agent did not influence disease severity or LOS.ConclusionClinical presentation is of more relevance to LOS and disease severity than the detected viruses. Future studies should investigate the interplay between climate characteristics, population’s factors and the most detectable circulating viruses.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-017-2225-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

We present a case of a primigravid woman who presented with nearly 3 years after she last visited a malaria-endemic region. We review the literature to identify case reports of recrudescent malaria during pregnancy, including those with prolonged latency. Reports of recrudescence of during pregnancy are limited. infection can persist for years. Recrudescence can occur with waning of immunity following departure from endemic areas. Pregnancy, particularly the primigravid state, is a risk factor for severe infection.

This paper proposes a general framework for the energy efficiency analysis of a hybrid visible light communication (VLC) and Radio Frequency (RF) wireless system, in which both VLC and RF subsystems utilize non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) technology. The proposed framework is based on realistic communication scenarios as it takes into account the mobility of users and assumes imperfect channel-state information (CSI). In this context, tractable closed-form expressions are derived for the corresponding average sum-rate of NOMA-VLC and orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA)-VLC. It is shown extensively that incurred CSI errors have a considerable impact on the average energy efficiency of both NOMA-VLC and OFDMA-VLC systems. Hence, they should be taken into detailed account in the design of practical systems. We further demonstrate that the average energy efficiency of the hybrid NOMA-VLC-RF system outperforms the NOMA-VLC system under imperfect CSI. Respective computer simulations corroborate the derived analytic results, and interesting theoretical and practical insights are provided, which will be useful in the effective design and deployment of conventional VLC and hybrid VLC-RF systems.

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