On the Performance of Underlay Device-to-Device Communications.

This paper comprehensively investigates the performance of the D2D underlaying cellular networks where D2D communications are operated concurrently with cellular networks provided that the aggregate interference measured on licensed users is strictly guaranteed. In particular, we derive the outage probability (OP), the average rate, and the amount of fading (AoF) of the D2D networks in closed-form expressions under three distinct power allocation schemes, i.e., the path-loss-based, equal, and random allocation schemes. It is noted that the considered networks take into consideration the impact of the intra-D2D networks, the inter-interference from the cellular networks and background noise, thus involving many random variables and leading to a complicated mathematical framework. Moreover, we also reveal the behavior of the OP with respect to the transmit power based on the rigorous mathematical frameworks rather than the computer-based simulation results. The derived framework shows that increasing the transmit power is beneficial for the OP of the D2D users. Regarding the cellular networks, the coverage probability (Pcov) of the cellular users is computed in closed-form expression too. Monte Carlo simulations are given to verify the accuracy of the proposed mathematical frameworks. Our findings illustrate that the power allocation method based on prior path-loss information outperforms the other methods in the average sum rate.

Detection of beta-thalassemia mutations by PCR with vent DNA polymerase

Beta-Thalassemia is a blood disease with beta-globin deficiency caused by a directly down-regulation in the synthesis of structurally normal beta chains. Vent DNA polymerase is a high-fidelity thermophilic DNA polymerase, and the fidelity 5 - 15 times higher than Taq DNA polymerase (1/31,000 vs. 1/290 - 1/2,400). Using ARMS PCR (Amplification Refractor Mutation System-PCR) with Vent DNA polymerase, we found that 9/28 (32%) of the tested beta-Thalassemia patients had the mutation at codon 17 and 4/28 (14%) at codon 41/42. This method can be applied for a rapid prenatal diagnosis of beta-Thalassemia disease and has public health significance.

Detection of mutations of hemophilia A by PCR-RFLP with Vent DNA polymerase

Study on blood samples of 29 patients with hemophilia A and 25 normal people to determine the mutation of intron 18 and 19 of factor VIII by PCR-RFLP using Vent DNA polymerase assay. PCR and RFLP methods were used. Results: 16/29 (55%) of haemophilia A patients has the mutation in intron 18 of factor VIII gene and none of them has the mutation in intron 19. This PCR-RFLP assay can be applied for detection of mutations and these methods can be used for carrier analysis and prenatal diagnosis of hemophilia A.