Showing papers by "Conservatoire national des arts et métiers published in 2011"

APOL1 Genetic Variants in Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis and HIV-Associated Nephropathy

Abstract: Trypanolytic variants in APOL1, which encodes apolipoprotein L1, associate with kidney disease in African Americans, but whether APOL1-associated glomerular disease has a distinct clinical phenotype is unknown. Here we determined APOL1 genotypes for 271 African American cases, 168 European American cases, and 939 control subjects. In a recessive model, APOL1 variants conferred seventeenfold higher odds (95% CI 11 to 26) for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and twenty-ninefold higher odds (95% CI 13 to 68) for HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN). FSGS associated with two APOL1 risk alleles associated with earlier age of onset (P 0.01) and faster progression to ESRD (P 0.01) but similar sensitivity to steroids compared with other subjects. Individuals with two APOL1 risk alleles have an estimated 4% lifetime risk for developing FSGS, and untreated HIVinfected individuals have a 50% risk for developing HIVAN. The effect of carrying two APOL1 risk alleles explains 18% of FSGS and 35% of HIVAN; alternatively, eliminating this effect would reduce FSGS and HIVAN by 67%. A survey of world populations indicated that the APOL1 kidney risk alleles are present only on African chromosomes. In summary, African Americans carrying two APOL1 risk alleles have a greatly increased risk for glomerular disease, and APOL1-associated FSGS occurs earlier and progresses to ESRD more rapidly. These data add to the evidence base required to determine whether genetic testing for APOL1 has a use in clinical practice.

Darwinians, Communitarians and Missionaries: The Role of Founder Identity in Entrepreneurship

Abstract: Drawing on social identity theory, we explore the identities, behaviors, and actions of 49 firm founders in the sports-related equipment industry. Our analysis suggests the existence of three pure types of founder identities and shows how these identities systematically shape key decisions in the creation of new firms, thereby “imprinting” the start-ups with the founders’ distinct self-concepts. We synthesize our findings in a typology that sheds light on the heterogeneous meanings that founders associate with new firm creation and that improves understanding as to why fundamental differences in firm creation processes and outcomes exist.

New determination of the fine structure constant and test of the quantum electrodynamics.

Abstract: We report a new measurement of the ratio $h/m_{\mathrm{Rb}}$ between the Planck constant and the mass of $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ atom. A new value of the fine structure constant is deduced, $\alpha^{-1}=137.035\,999\,037\,(91)$ with a relative uncertainty of $6.6\times 10^{-10}$. Using this determination, we obtain a theoretical value of the electron anomaly $a_\mathrm{e}=0.001~159~652~181~13(84)$ which is in agreement with the experimental measurement of Gabrielse ($a_\mathrm{e}=0.001~159~652~180~73(28)$). The comparison of these values provides the most stringent test of the QED. Moreover, the precision is large enough to verify for the first time the muonic and hadronic contributions to this anomaly.

Noninvasive In Vivo Liver Fibrosis Evaluation Using Supersonic Shear Imaging: A Clinical Study on 113 Hepatitis C Virus Patients

Abstract: Supersonic shear imaging (SSI) has recently been demonstrated to be a repeatable and reproducible transient bidimensional elastography technique. We report a prospective clinical evaluation of the performances of SSI for liver fibrosis evaluation in 113 patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and a comparison with FibroScan (FS). Liver elasticity values using SSI and FS ranged from 4.50 kPa to 33.96 kPa and from 2.60 kPa to 46.50 kPa, respectively. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) shows a good agreement between fibrosis staging and elasticity assessment using SSI and FS (p < 10(-5)). The areas under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for elasticity values assessed from SSI were 0.948, 0.962 and 0.968 for patients with predicted fibrosis levels F ≥ 2, F ≥ 3 and F = 4, respectively. These values are compared with FS area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.846, 0.857 and 0.940, respectively. This comparison between ROC curves is particularly significant for mild and intermediate fibrosis levels. SSI appears to be a fast, simple and reliable method for noninvasive liver fibrosis evaluation.

A Brief History of Fluorescence and Phosphorescence before the Emergence of Quantum Theory

Abstract: Fluorescence and phosphorescence are two forms of photoluminescence used in modern research and in practical applications The early observations of these phenomena, before the emergence of quantum theory, highlight the investigation into the mechanism of light emission In contrast to incandescence, photoluminescence does not require high temperatures and does not usually produce noticeable heat Such a “cold light” was the object of an interesting controversy in the 19th century: does it fit into thermodynamics? The early applications, such as the fluorescent tube, fluorescence analysis, and fluorescent tracers, are described

CD39/Adenosine Pathway Is Involved in AIDS Progression

Abstract: HIV-1 infection is characterized by a chronic activation of the immune system and suppressed function of T lymphocytes. Regulatory CD4+ CD25(high) FoxP3+CD127(low) T cells (Treg) play a key role in both conditions. Here, we show that HIV-1 positive patients have a significant increase of Treg-associated expression of CD39/ENTPD1, an ectoenzyme which in concert with CD73 generates adenosine. We show in vitro that the CD39/adenosine axis is involved in Treg suppression in HIV infection. Treg inhibitory effects are relieved by CD39 down modulation and are reproduced by an adenosine-agonist in accordance with a higher expression of the adenosine A2A receptor on patients' T cells. Notably, the expansion of the Treg CD39+ correlates with the level of immune activation and lower CD4+ counts in HIV-1 infected patients. Finally, in a genetic association study performed in three different cohorts, we identified a CD39 gene polymorphism that was associated with down-modulated CD39 expression and a slower progression to AIDS.

Impact of metformin on the prognosis of cirrhosis induced by viral hepatitis C in diabetic patients.

Abstract: Context: Insulin resistance plays a role in hepatocarcinogenesis and is decreased by metformin treatment. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the influence of metformin treatment on the prognosis of compensated hepatitis C virus (HCV) cirrhosis in patients with type 2 diabetes. Design and Setting: We studied an observational prospective cohort (1988–2007) at a university hospital referral center. Patients: A total of 100 consecutive diabetic patients (53 men, age 61 ± 11 yr) with ongoing HCV cirrhosis and no contraindication for metformin were included in a screening program for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Main Outcomes: The patients were prospectively followed up for HCC incidence, liver-related death, or hepatic transplantation. Results: The level of platelet count was significantly lower in patients treated with metformin (n = 26) compared with those not treated with metformin (n = 74) [117 (interquartile range, 83–166) vs. 149 (105–192) Giga/liter, P = 0.045]. During a median follow-up o...

Research Methods for Non-Representational Approaches to Organizational Complexity: The Dialogical Mediated Inquiry:

Abstract: This paper explores the methodological implications of non-representational approaches to organizational complexity. Representational theories focus on the syntactic complexity of systems, whereas organizing processes are predominantly characterized by semantic and pragmatic forms of complexity. After underlining the contribution of non-representational approaches to the study of organizations, the paper warns against the risk of confining the critique of representational frameworks to paradoxical dichotomies such as intuition versus reflexive thought, or theorizing versus experimenting. To counter this difficulty, we suggest the use of a triadic theory of interpretation, and more particularly the concepts of semiotic mediation, inquiry and dialogism. Semiotic mediation dynamically links situated experience and generic classes of meanings. Inquiry articulates logical thinking, narrative thinking and experimenting. Dialogism conceptualizes the production of meaning through the situated interactions of acto...

Analysis of the Structure-Properties Relationships of Different Multiphase Systems Based on Plasticized Poly(Lactic Acid)

Abstract: Poly(lactic acid) is one of the most promising biobased and biodegradable polymers for food packaging, an application which requires good mechanical and barrier properties. In order to improve the mechanical properties, in particular the flexibility, PLA plasticization is required. However, plasticization induces generally a decrease in the barrier properties. Acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) and poly(ethylene glycol) 300 (PEG), highly recommended as plasticizers for PLA, were added up to 17 wt% in P(D,L)LA. In the case of PEG, a phase separation was observed for plasticizer contents higher than 5 wt%. Contrary to PEG, the Tg decrease due to ATBC addition, modelled with Fox’s law, and the absence of phase separation, up to 17 wt% of plasticizer, confirm the miscibility of PLA and ATBC. Contents equal or higher than 13 wt% of ATBC yielded a substantial improvement of the elongation at break, becoming higher than 300%. The effect of PLA plasticization on the barrier properties was assessed by different molecules, with increasing interaction with the formulated material, such as helium, an inert gas, and oxygen and water vapour. In comparison to the neat sample, barrier properties against helium were maintained when PLA was plasticized with up to 17 wt% of ATBC. The oxygen permeability coefficient and the water vapour transmission rate doubled for mixtures with 17 wt% ATBC in PLA, but increased five-fold in the PEG plasticized samples. This result is most likely caused by increased solubility of oxygen and water in the PEG phase due to their mutual miscibility. To conclude, ATBC increases efficiently the elongation at break of PLA while maintaining the permeability coefficient of helium and keeping the barrier properties against oxygen and water vapour in the same order of magnitude.

Present Estimates of the Differences Between Thermodynamic Temperatures and the ITS-90

Abstract: At the request of the Consultative Committee for Thermometry (CCT), Working Group 4 (WG4) has critically reviewed all available measurements of the differences between thermodynamic and ITS-90 temperatures, (T − T 90), and documented the conversion of older data to the ITS-90. Particular attention has been given to the uncertainties. Based on this review, we provide consensus estimates of T − T 90 for selected measurements from 0.65 K to 1358 K. We provide two analytic functions for T − T 90, one for use from 8 K to the triple point of water (T TPW) and one for use above T TPW. The small discontinuity of the derivative dT 90/d T at T TPW is discussed. We also identify temperature ranges where researchers are encouraged to undertake high-accuracy measurements of T − T 90.

Measurement of the Boltzmann Constant k B Using a Quasi-Spherical Acoustic Resonator

Abstract: There is currently great interest in the international metrological commu- nity for new accurate determinations of the Boltzmann constant kB, with the prospect of a new definition of the unit of thermodynamic temperature, the kelvin. In fact, kB relates the unit of energy (the joule) to the unit of the thermodynamic temperature (the kelvin). One of the most accurate ways to access the value of the Boltzmann constant is from measurements of the velocity of the sound in a noble gas. In the method described here, the experimental determination has been performed in a closed quasi-spherical cavity. To improve the accuracy, all the parameters in the experiment (purity of the gas, static pressure, temperature, exact shape of the cavity monitored by EM micro- waves, etc.) have to be carefully controlled. Correction terms have been computed using carefully validated theoretical models, and applied to the acoustic and micro- wave signals. We report on two sets of isothermal acoustic measurements yielding the value kB = 1.380 647 74(171) × 10 −23 J · K −1 with a relative standard uncertainty of 1.24 parts in 10 6 . This value lies 1.9 parts in 10 6 below the 2006 CODATA value (Mohr et al., Rev. Mod. Phys. 80, 633 (2008)), but, according to the uncertainties, remains consistent with it.

A fermented formula in pre-term infants: clinical tolerance, gut microbiota, down-regulation of faecal calprotectin and up-regulation of faecal secretory IgA

Abstract: Intestinal bacterial colonisation in pre-term infants is delayed compared with full-term infants, leading to an increased risk of gastrointestinal disease. Modulation of colonisation through dietary supplementation with probiotics or prebiotics could decrease such a risk. The present study evaluated clinical tolerance, the effects on gut microbiota, and inflammatory and immunological mucosal responses to an infant formula adapted for pre-term infants that included in its manufacturing process a fermentation step with two probiotic strains, Bifidobacterium breve C50 and Streptococcus thermophilus 065, inactivated by heat at the end of the process. A total of fifty-eight infants (gestational age: 30-35 weeks), fed either the fermented pre-term formula or a standard pre-term formula, were followed up during their hospital stay. Clinical tolerance, faecal microbiota using a culture and a culture-independent method (temporal temperature gel electrophoresis), faecal calprotectin and secretory IgA were analysed weekly. No difference was observed regarding anthropometric data and digestive tolerance, except for abdominal distension, the incidence of which was lower in infants fed the fermented formula for 2 weeks. Bacterial colonisation was not modified by the type of feeding, particularly for bifidobacteria. Faecal calprotectin was significantly lower in infants fed the fermented formula for 2 weeks, and secretory IgA increased with both mother's milk and the fermented formula. The fermented formula was well tolerated and did not significantly modulate the bacterial colonisation but had benefits on inflammatory and immune markers, which might be related to some features of gastrointestinal tolerance.

Performance Analysis in the Downlink of Asynchronous OFDM/FBMC Based Multi-Cellular Networks

Abstract: This paper provides a theoretical performance evaluation of the downlink of asynchronous orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) and filter bank based multicarrier (FBMC) cellular radio communication systems. An accurate derivation, for the interference caused by the timing synchronization errors in the neighboring cells, is developed. The multipath effects on the interfering and desired signal are also considered. Based on computing the moment generating functions of the interference power, exact expressions are derived for average error rates of OFDM and FBMC systems considering the frequency correlation fading in the case of block subcarrier assignment scheme.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis elicits shoot proteome changes that are modified during cadmium stress alleviation in Medicago truncatula

Abstract: Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, which engage a mutualistic symbiosis with the roots of most plant species, have received much attention for their ability to alleviate heavy metal stress in plants, including cadmium (Cd). While the molecular bases of Cd tolerance displayed by mycorrhizal plants have been extensively analysed in roots, very little is known regarding the mechanisms by which legume aboveground organs can escape metal toxicity upon AM symbiosis. As a model system to address this question, we used Glomus irregulare-colonised Medicago truncatula plants, which were previously shown to accumulate and tolerate heavy metal in their shoots when grown in a substrate spiked with 2 mg Cd kg-1. The measurement of three indicators for metal phytoextraction showed that shoots of mycorrhizal M. truncatula plants have a capacity for extracting Cd that is not related to an increase in root-to-shoot translocation rate, but to a high level of allocation plasticity. When analysing the photosynthetic performance in metal-treated mycorrhizal plants relative to those only Cd-supplied, it turned out that the presence of G. irregulare partially alleviated the negative effects of Cd on photosynthesis. To test the mechanisms by which shoots of Cd-treated mycorrhizal plants avoid metal toxicity, we performed a 2-DE/MALDI/TOF-based comparative proteomic analysis of the M. truncatula shoot responses upon mycorrhization and Cd exposure. Whereas the metal-responsive shoot proteins currently identified in non-mycorrhizal M. truncatula indicated that Cd impaired CO2 assimilation, the mycorrhiza-responsive shoot proteome was characterised by an increase in photosynthesis-related proteins coupled to a reduction in glugoneogenesis/glycolysis and antioxidant processes. By contrast, Cd was found to trigger the opposite response coupled the up-accumulation of molecular chaperones in shoot of mycorrhizal plants relative to those metal-free. Besides drawing a first picture of shoot proteome modifications upon AM symbiosis and/or heavy metal stress in legume plants, the current work argues for allocation plasticity as the main driving force for Cd extraction in aboveground tissues of M. truncatula upon mycorrhization. Additionally, according to the retrieved proteomic data, we propose that shoots of mycorrhizal legume plants escape Cd toxicity through a metabolic shift implying the glycolysis-mediated mobilization of defence mechanisms at the expense of the photosynthesis-dependent symbiotic sucrose sink.

Sociotechnical systems analysis in health care: a research agenda

Abstract: Given the complexity of health care and the 'people' nature of healthcare work and delivery, STSA (Sociotechnical Systems Analysis) research is needed to address the numerous quality of care problems observed across the world. This paper describes open STSA research areas, including workload management, physical, cognitive and macroergonomic issues of medical devices and health information technologies, STSA in transitions of care, STSA of patient-centered care, risk management and patient safety management, resilience, and feedback loops between event detection, reporting and analysis and system redesign.

Differential Effects of MYH9 and APOL1 Risk Variants on FRMD3 Association with Diabetic ESRD in African Americans

Abstract: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MYH9 and APOL1 on chromosome 22 (c22) are powerfully associated with nondiabetic end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in African Americans (AAs). Many AAs diagnosed with type 2 diabetic nephropathy (T2DN) have non-diabetic kidney disease, potentially masking detection of DN genes. Therefore, genome-wide association analyses were performed using the Affymetrix SNP Array 6.0 in 966 AA with T2DN and 1,032 non-diabetic, non-nephropathy (NDNN) controls, with and without adjustment for c22 nephropathy risk variants. No associations were seen between FRMD3 SNPs and T2DN before adjusting for c22 variants. However, logistic regression analysis revealed seven FRMD3 SNPs significantly interacting with MYH9—a finding replicated in 640 additional AA T2DN cases and 683 NDNN controls. Contrasting all 1,592 T2DN cases with all 1,671 NDNN controls, FRMD3 SNPs appeared to interact with the MYH9 E1 haplotype (e.g., rs942280 interaction p-value=9.3E 27 additive; odds ratio [OR] 0.67). FRMD3 alleles were associated with increased risk of T2DN only in subjects lacking two MYH9 E1 risk haplotypes (rs942280 OR=1.28), not in MYH9 E1 risk allele homozygotes (rs942280 OR=0.80; homogeneity p-value=4.3E 24 ). Effects were weaker stratifying on APOL1. FRMD3 SNPS were associated with T2DN, not type 2 diabetes per se, comparing AAs with T2DN to those with diabetes lacking nephropathy. T2DN-associated FRMD3 SNPs were detectable in AAs only after accounting for MYH9, with differential effects for APOL1. These analyses reveal a role for FRMD3 in AA T2DN susceptibility and accounting for c22 nephropathy risk variants can assist in detecting DN susceptibility genes.

International Accounting Standardisation: Is Politics Back?

Abstract: In the absence of political legitimacy, international accounting standardisation is founded on procedural and substantial legitimacies, which have been challenged by the current financial crisis. This paper represents a critique of this built up legitimacy. It demonstrates in particular that whilst due process is admittedly a transparent procedure, it is one in which only those players with major financial and intellectual resources can participate. It also highlights the weakness of the theoretical foundation, in particular agency theory and the theory of efficient markets, on which the conceptual framework of the IASB rests. This critical study of the foundations of the legitimacy of the IASC/IASB enables us to understand the extent of recent political intervention in a field that had previously been abandoned. Whilst international accounting standards did not trigger the crisis, some observers have said that they accelerated and even amplified it, mainly as a result of their pro-cyclical nature. This e...

Sedimentary record of metal contamination in the Seine River during the last century

Abstract: The time evolution of heavy metal contamination in the Seine River catchment is documented through the analysis of sediment cores sampled at three different sites: in upstream Seine River where agricultural activity is predominant, in the Oise River (a tributary of the Seine River) characterized by intensive industrial activity, and downstream Seine River where various kinds of activities (agricultural, industrial and urban activities) are mixed. The chronology of the cores is obtained through 137 Cs and 210 Pb dating. Only cores with a clear dating are selected for the study. Concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Cr, As, Sb and Hg are analyzed by neutron activation, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and atomic absorption spectroscopy after sediment dissolution. The maximum of pollution is registered during the 1960–1970 decade in the Oise River site, and 10 years later in the downstream Seine River. The sites are compared, showing some specific signatures. The different occurrence of every metal at each site is discussed. The present level of pollution is lower in the Oise River, compared to that of the downstream site. The decrease of the metallic pollution is discussed in each site considering its origins and history, as well as recent French and EU environmental policy implementation.

Optimal Power Allocation for the Two-Way Relay Channel with Data Rate Fairness

Abstract: This letter studies data rate fairness on the two-way relay channel. It analytically determines the optimal power values at both nodes and at the relay, that lead to a maximization of the sum rate under the fairness constraint. Amplify-and-Forward (AF) and Decode-and-Forward (DF) relaying protocols are considered. For AF, the optimization problem is turned into a single-variable convex optimization problem. For DF, rate balancing between Multiple Access and broadcast phases must be performed prior to setting nodes powers. Both optimized protocols are compared with reference AF and DF in terms of data rates through numerical simulations.

Proposal for an Extension of Traditional Named Entitites: from Guidelines to Evaluation, an Overview

Abstract: Within the framework of the construction of a fact database, we defined guidelines to extract named entities, using a taxonomy based on an extension of the usual named entities defini- tion. We thus defined new types of entities with broader coverage including substantive- based expressions. These extended named en- tities are hierarchical (with types and compo- nents) and compositional (with recursive type inclusion and metonymy annotation). Human annotators used these guidelines to annotate a 1.3M word broadcast news corpus in French. This article presents the definition and novelty of extended named entity annotation guide- lines, the human annotation of a global corpus and of a mini reference corpus, and the evalu- ation of annotations through the computation of inter-annotator agreement. Finally, we dis- cuss our approach and the computed results, and outline further work.

Genome-Wide Association Study Implicates PARD3B-Based AIDS Restriction

Abstract: Background. Host genetic variation influences human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and progression to AIDS. Here we used clinically well-characterized subjects from 5 pretreatment HIV/AIDS cohorts for a genome-wide association study to identify gene associations with rate of AIDS progression. Methods. European American HIV seroconverters (n = 755) were interrogated for single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (n = 700,022) associated with progression to AIDS 1987 (Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, co-dominant model). Results. Association with slower progression was observed for SNPs in the gene PARD3B. One of these, rs11884476, reached genome-wide significance (relative hazard = 0.3; P =3. 370 × 10−9) after statistical correction for 700,022 SNPs and contributes 4.52% of the overall variance in AIDS progression in this study. Nine of the top-ranked SNPs define a PARD3B haplotype that also displays significant association with progression to AIDS (hazard ratio, 0.3; P = 3.220 × 10−8). One of these SNPs, rs10185378, is a predicted exonic splicing enhancer; significant alteration in the expression profile of PARD3B splicing transcripts was observed in B cell lines with alternate rs10185378 genotypes. This SNP was typed in European cohorts of rapid progressors and was found to be protective for AIDS 1993 definition (odds ratio, 0.43, P = .025). Conclusions. These observations suggest a potential unsuspected pathway of host genetic influence on the dynamics of AIDS progression.

Adherence with statins in a real-life setting is better when associated cardiovascular risk factors increase: a cohort study

Abstract: While the factors for poor adherence for treatment with statins have been highlighted, the impact of their combination on adherence is not clear. To estimate adherence for statins and whether it differs according to the number of cardiovascular risk factors. A cohort study was conducted using data from the main French national health insurance system reimbursement database. Newly treated patients with statins between September 1 and December 31, 2004 were included. Patients were followed up 15 months. The cohort was split into three groups according to their number of additional cardiovascular risk factors that included age and gender, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease (using co-medications as a proxy). Adherence was assessed for each group by using four parameters: (i) proportion of days covered by statins, (ii) regularity of the treatment over time, (iii) persistence, and (iv) the refill delay. 16,397 newly treated patients were identified. Of these statin users, 21.7% did not have additional cardiovascular risk factors. Thirty-one percent had two cardiovascular risk factors and 47% had at least three risk factors. All the parameters showed a sub-optimal adherence whatever the group: days covered ranged from 56% to 72%, regularity ranged from 23% to 33% and persistence ranged from 44% to 59%, but adherence was better for those with a higher number of cardiovascular risk factors. The results confirm that long-term drug treatments are a difficult challenge, particularly in patients at lower risk and invite to the development of therapeutic education.

Transmit Processing Techniques Based on Switched Interleaving and Limited Feedback for Interference Mitigation in Multiantenna MC-CDMA Systems

Abstract: In this paper, we propose transmit processing techniques based on novel switched interleaving, chipwise linear precoding, and limited feedback for both downlink and uplink multicarrier code-division multiple access (MC-CDMA) multiple-antenna systems. We develop transceiver structures with switched interleaving, linear precoding, and detectors for both uplink and downlink using limited-feedback techniques. In the proposed schemes, a set of possible chip interleavers is constructed and prestored at both the base station (BS) and mobile stations (MSs). For the downlink, a new hybrid transmit processing technique based on switched interleaving and chipwise precoding is proposed to suppress the multiuser interference. The BS and MSs are also equipped with another codebook of quantized downlink channel-state information (CSI). Each MS quantizes its own downlink CSI and feeds the index back to the BS through a low-rate feedback channel. Then, the selection function at the BS determines the optimum interleaver based on the CSI of all users. Moreover, a transmit processing technique for the uplink of multiple-antenna MC-CDMA systems, which requires a very low rate of feedback information, is also proposed. Codebook design methods for both interleavers and quantized CSI are also proposed. Simulation results show that the performance of the proposed techniques is significantly better than prior art.