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In this paper, we study the transmission strategy in a two-way relaychannel. In particular, we propose a new class of log_M1 (M_2)-MA (multi-access) block relay protocols where an M_1-ary modulation is used in the MA phase, and an M_2-ary in the broadcast phase. Lower-order (e.g., BPSK) and higher-order (e.g., 16-QAM, 32-PSK)modulations are used respectively for the multi-access phase and thebroadcast phase, in contrast to the conventional method of using the same modulation type (of either higher or lower order) throughout.To achieve this, the relay buffers the received symbols from consecutive multi-access phases and performs signal combining in conjunction with the decode-and-forward protocol. We derive the theoretical performance bounds for the Rayleigh fading channels and closed formsfor the AWGN channels. Numerical results confirm the advantages of the proposed scheme with an improved throughput in lower signal-to-noise ratio range.

Rational: An experiment is described whose purpose is to extract those image characteristics that radiologists use in diagnostic decision making. It is one phase in the development of a clinical decisionsupport system to assist radiologists using DCE-MRI (dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI) for breast cancer diagnosis. The results of this experiment will be used to develop a case-based reasoning system, whichrelies on presenting prior similar cases with known diagnosis froma database to aid decision making. Methods: Clinical similarity formass lesions was established by four expert radiologists who systematically sorted lesions visualized by DCE-MRI into similarity clusters using a proprietary software tool. Cognitive analysis was used toidentify the relevant perceptual features characterizing each cluster, such that the list of features and clusters define the clinicalsimilarity. There were no constraints on the number or size of clusters that could be created. The radiologists first individually clustered a total of 214 lesions. A subsequent phase required all radiologists to agree on both a cluster designation and assignment of eachlesion into a cluster. Results: Radiologists created individually10, 10, 12, and 16 clusters. Of this initial cluster assignment, there was unanimous agreement in ~20% of the lesions, and majority agreement of ~60%. The final consensus assignment created 16 clusters; two consisted of all malignant lesions; two consisted of a majority of benign lesions, three were large approximately equal mixes of benign and malignant lesions, while the remaining nine were small clusters representing lesions with clinically relevant special characteristics of low clinical prevalence. Conclusions: The cognitive analysis revealed that the image characteristics differentiating the clusters are highly correlated to BI-RADS lesion descriptors. The radiologists were excellent in clustering certain malignant lesions, very good with some benign lesions; while as expected there was large variability in the majority of lesions.