60 research outputs found
Ambient Backscatter Communication Enabled Narrow Band Radio Frequency Inference
No full textBackscatter communication (BSC) can enable the narrowband radio frequency inference (RFI) operated in the industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band that coexists with other radio transmission schemes, superior to conventional RFI systems because of its low-power consumption and low system complexity. The research of this thesis aims to design a backscatter communication based sensing system for RFI, to derive and update the three-state received signal strength (RSS) model under the ambient BSC scenario, as well as to develop a device-free localisation and tracking (DFLT) system based on the derived models. The performance of designed backscatter device is validated by simulation and measurement equipment, and the derived RSS models are validated by measurement collection in a real indoor corridor scenario. The results indicate the models, software, and hardware of the designed system allow one to monitor the state of radio links, and to localise as well as track the human in an indoor corridor scenario
Nanoparticles Mediated circROBO1 Silencing to Inhibit Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression by Modulating miR-130a-5p/CCNT2 Axis
No full textHongyu Meng,1,2,* Ruixi Li,3,* Yuankang Xie,1,* Zhaohong Mo,2 Hang Zhai,2 Guangquan Zhang,3 Guohui Liang,4 Xianjie Shi,3 Boxuan Zhou1,2 1Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China; 4School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Boxuan Zhou; Xianjie Shi, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are becoming vital biomarkers and therapeutic targets for malignant tumors due to their high stability and specificity in tissues. However, biological functions of circRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are still not well studied.Methods: Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and qRT-PCR were used to evaluate expression of circROBO1 (hsa_circ_0066568) in HCC tissues and cell lines. CCK-8, colony formation, EdU staining, flow cytometry for cell cycle analysis, and xenograft model assays were performed to detect the circROBO1 function in vitro and in vivo. RNA pull-down, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), and Luciferase reporter assays were used to investigate the relationship among circROBO1, miR-130a-5p, and CCNT2. More importantly, we developed nanoparticles made from poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains as the delivery system of si-circROBO1 and then applied them to HCC in vitro and in mice.Results: circROBO1 was obviously upregulated in HCC tissues and cell lines, and elevated circROBO1 was closely correlated with worse prognosis for HCC patients. Functionally, knocking down circROBO1 significantly suppressed HCC cells growth in vitro and in mice. Mechanistically, circROBO1 acted as a competing endogenous RNA to downregulate miR-130a-5p, leading to CCNT2 expression upregulation. Furthermore, miR-130a-5p mimic or CCNT2 knockdown reversed the role of circROBO1 overexpression on HCC cells, which demonstrated that circROBO1 promoted HCC development via miR-130a-5p/CCNT2 axis. In addition, we developed nanoparticles loaded with si-circROBO1, named as PLGA-PEG (si-circROBO1) NPs, which significantly prevented the proliferation of HCC cells, and did not exhibit apparent toxicity to major organs in vivo.Conclusion: Our findings firstly demonstrate that circROBO1 overexpression promotes HCC progression by regulating miR-130a-5p/CCNT2 axis, which may serve as an effective nanotherapeutic target for HCC treatment.Keywords: nanoparticles, hepatocellular carcinoma, circROBO1, cell proliferation, drug deliver
Disruption of outdoor activities caused by wildfire smoke shapes circulation of respiratory pathogens
No full textAs climate change accelerates, the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, such as wildfires, are increasing, with profound impacts on human health. While much attention has been paid to the direct health consequences of these events, such as chronic diseases from poor air quality, less is known about how behavioral shifts induced by such events can influence the transmission of infectious diseases. This study investigates how wildfire-induced changes in human behavior during the U.S. West Coast wildfires of 2020 may affect the spread of airborne diseases. Using a mobility data-driven indoor activity index, we find that the wildfire-induced deterioration of air quality led to a substantial increase in indoor activities, fostering conditions conducive to airborne disease transmission. Specifically, counties in Oregon and Washington experienced an average 10.8% and 14.3% increase in indoor activity, respectively, during the wildfire events, with major cities like Portland and Seattle experiencing increases of 11% and 16%, respectively. We quantify these behavioral changes and integrate them into an SIR epidemic model to characterize the increased indoor activity and disease dynamics. The model predicts the greatest impact on diseases with shorter generation times, such as RSV and influenza. Our results show that even a modest increase in indoor mask-wearing (as low as 10%) could significantly reduce the risk of disease spread in these settings, with higher compliance needed for more substantial reductions. As wildfires and other climate-related events become more frequent, integrating behavioral responses into public health policies will be crucial to mitigate the compounded risks of climate change and its secondary health impacts.[Author summary] The effects of climate change on human health are becoming more evident, but we often overlook one crucial factor: how extreme weather events influence our behaviors and, in turn, the spread of infectious diseases. In this study, we explore the role of wildfire-induced behavioral changes on the transmission of airborne diseases, focusing on the U.S. West Coast wildfires of September 2020. Our findings show that wildfires led to a dramatic increase in indoor activities, creating the ideal conditions for respiratory diseases such as influenza to spread. But—by incorporating simple measures like indoor mask-wearing, we can reduce this risk. This research underscores the importance of considering human behavior responses when tackling health risks associated with climate change. As we face more frequent extreme events, public health strategies must evolve to address not just the environmental impact, but also the ways we adapt, react to the emergency. By understanding and planning for this behavioral response, we can better protect public health in a warming world.Research reported in this publication was supported by the Fritz-Family fellowship program to SB and GP.Peer reviewe
Formation and Chemical Structure of Carbon-13 Tracer Lignin-Carbohydrate Complexes (LCCs) During Kraft Pulping
No full textIn this study, a modified synthetic method for labeling a lignin dimer (guaiacylglycerol-β-guaiacyl ether-[α-13C]) was developed. The chemical structure of the target compound was analyzed using 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and other analytical techniques. Then, the 13C-labeled phenolic lignin model compound was subjected to kraft pulping in the presence of xylose. Finally, the resulting reaction products were fractionated using acid precipitation and ethyl acetate extraction, and each fraction was analyzed by carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (13C-NMR) and two-dimensional heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence (HMQC) spectroscopy. This aimed to investigate the occurrence of lignin–carbohydrate complexes (LCCs) during the conventional kraft pulping process. Employing ethanol as the reaction medium facilitated the bromination of 4-acetylguaiacol-[α-13C], resulting in a homogeneous reaction and significantly improving the yield of the brominated product to over 90%. Additionally, kraft pulping of the phenolic lignin model compound in the presence of xylose led to the occurrence of minor quantities of benzyl ether-type lignin–carbohydrate complex (LCC) structures, which were predominantly detected in the ethyl acetate extractive
A Study of the Initial System of the Yongle Nanzang 永乐南藏 Based on Phonological Correlations and Their Relationship with the Qishazang 磧砂藏
No full textThis study investigates the initial consonant system of the Yongle Nanzang 永乐南藏, the second officially printed edition of the Chinese Buddhist canon of the Ming dynasty, and its relationship to the Qishazang 磧砂藏. Based on a digital and quantitative analysis of 27,832 phonetic entries—including Fanqie 反切 and Zhiyin 直音—we apply correlation coefficients (with significance tests), hierarchical clustering, and data mining methods. The results show the following: (1) In the labial series, contrasts between aspirated and unaspirated sounds are weak; Bang 幫 and Pang 滂 are occasionally confused; and Fei 非 and Fu 敷 are merged. Voiced and voiceless initials are sometimes mixed, but full devoicing has not occurred. (2) In the coronal series, Duan Zu 端組 shows high internal interchange and Zhi Zu 知組 tends to mix with Zhang Zu 章組 and Zhuang Zu 莊組. (3) In the sibilant and affricate series, Jing 精 and Zhuang 莊 are merged; Chuan 船 and Shan 禪 also merge, while Cong 從 and Xie 邪 only occasionally alternate. (4) In the velar and laryngeal series, fully voiced Qun 羣 is close to voiceless initials, while Yun 云 and Yi 以 are closely related. Nasal and lateral initials maintain independence. The findings suggest that Yongle Nanzang 永乐南藏 is not a direct reprint of the Qishazang 磧砂藏, but rather a revised edition adapted to editorial or regional considerations. This study demonstrates the value of digital phonological methods in historical phonology and the significance of the Ming–Qing Chinese Buddhist canon
Low-cost thin film patch antennas and antenna arrays with various background wall materials for indoor wireless communications
No full textFunding Information: The authors appreciate Matti Vaaja, Timi Lehtola, Clemens Icheln, Jan Bergman, and Bing Xue for their support in experiments and discussions. The authors also acknowledge the funding through Academy of Finland BESIMAL (Decision No. 334197), WALLPAPER (Decision No. 352912), and Aalto University, Department of Information and Communications Engineering. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Author(s). Published by IOP Publishing Ltd.The present study introduces an inkjet-printed flexible coplanar waveguide patch antenna array concept. Single antenna and four-element antenna arrays were characterized, which were attached to a subminiature version A connector via an innovative solderless, 3D-printed ‘plug-and-play-type’ tightener. Furthermore, indoor wireless communication and Internet of Things scenarios with commonly used wall materials including gypsum and plywood boards, on which patch antennas and antenna arrays can be attached, were also presented. In order to validate the concept, design and fabrication iterations in parallel with numerical and experimental investigations were executed. To elaborate, single antenna and antenna array configurations without and with wall materials were characterized to see their functionality at 2.4 GHz resonance frequency and beyond 300 MHz bandwidth, respectively. The results demonstrate that the investigated configurations fulfill short-range radio transmission and can be utilized, e.g., for indoor backscattering-type communications and wireless sensing applications, as an affordable and versatile alternative to their conventional counterparts. Being attached to their corresponding background materials, single-antenna specimens were measured to have return losses beyond 18 dB and peak gains around 1 dBi, while higher peak gains above 6 dBi were detected for antenna arrays. Moreover, the antenna arrays can enable multiple-input and multiple-output communication. The proposed arrays had diversity performance in terms of return losses higher than 15 dB, isolation of more than 20 dB, envelope correlation coefficient 9.95 dB, mean effective gain < − 3 dB, power ratio factor < 0.5 dB, and channel capacity loss < 0.4 bits/s/Hz.Peer reviewe
Dynamic UAV Deployment in Multi-UAV Wireless Networks: A Multi-Modal Feature-Based Deep Reinforcement Learning Approach
No full textPublisher Copyright: © 2014 IEEE.The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as aerial base stations has attracted increasing research interest in recent years. A key challenge in this field is determining how to deploy multiple UAVs in dynamic environments, particularly where mobile user demands fluctuate. To address this challenge, this article presents an adaptive UAV deployment scheme in a dynamic multi-UAV wireless network, considering the mobility of UAVs and users, state variability, and adjustable UAV transmission power. By jointly optimizing the UAVs’ operational modes, transmission power levels, and movement strategies, our objective is to achieve a tradeoff between minimizing power consumption and maximizing ground user coverage. A deep reinforcement learning (DRL) approach is proposed to address these challenges. To capture the dynamic variations of users and UAVs in the environment, a multimodal feature state space is designed, consisting of both a multichannel image and vectors. The image component integrates real-time data on user distribution and the UAV coverage area, while the vectors represent UAV operational modes, position data, and system temporal information. These multimodal features are processed using a combination of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and multilayer perceptrons (MLPs) for advanced feature extraction. To enhance training stability and efficiency, the proposed approach updates parameters using the proximal policy optimization (PPO) method. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme in balancing power consumption and coverage while effectively managing system dynamics.Peer reviewe
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