Resource Allocation for a Secure SWIPT Network Based on a Quantitative Energy Harvesting Mechanism.

Simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) technology can effectively extend the lifecycle of energy-constrained networks. In order to improve the energy harvesting (EH) efficiency and network performance in secure SWIPT networks, this paper studies the resource allocation problem based on the quantitative EH mechanism in the secure SWIPT network. Based on a quantitative EH mechanism and nonlinear EH model, a quantified power-splitting (QPS) receiver architecture is designed. This architecture is applied in the multiuser multi-input single-output secure SWIPT network. With the goal of maximizing the network throughput, the optimization problem model is established under the conditions of meeting the legal user's signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), EH requirements, the total transmit power of the base station, and the security SINR threshold constraints. Due to the coupling of variables, the problem is a nonconvex optimization problem. To deal with the nonconvex optimization problem, a hierarchical optimization method is adopted. Firstly, an optimization algorithm based on the optimal received power of EH circuit is proposed, and a power mapping table is constructed through the optimization algorithm, from which the optimal power ratio to meet the user's EH requirements is obtained; then, the nonconvex problem is transformed into a convex problem by using variable substitution, semidefinite relaxation, dichotomous optimization, etc. The simulation results show that compared with the power splitting receiver architecture, the input power threshold range of the QPS receiver architecture is larger, which can avoid the EH circuit falling into the saturated working area and maintain high network throughput.

Sterically Hindered Quaternary Phosphonium Salts (QPSs): Antimicrobial Activity and Hemolytic and Cytotoxic Properties.

Structure-activity relationships are important for the design of biocides and sanitizers. During the spread of resistant strains of pathogenic microbes, insights into the correlation between structure and activity become especially significant. The most commonly used biocides are nitrogen-containing compounds; the phosphorus-containing ones have been studied to a lesser extent. In the present study, a broad range of sterically hindered quaternary phosphonium salts (QPSs) based on tri-tert-butylphosphine was tested for their activity against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus faecalis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria and fungi (Candida albicans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. gypseum). The cation structure was confirmed to determine their biological activity. A number of QPSs not only exhibit high activity against both Gram-positive and -negative bacteria but also possess antifungal properties. Additionally, the hemolytic and cytotoxic properties of QPSs were determined using blood and a normal liver cell line, respectively. The results show that tri-tert-butyl(n-dodecyl)phosphonium and tri-tert-butyl(n-tridecyl)phosphonium bromides exhibit both low cytotoxicity against normal human cells and high antimicrobial activity against bacteria, including methicillin-resistant strains S. aureus (MRSA). The mechanism of QPS action on microbes is discussed. Due to their high selectivity for pathogens, sterically hindered QPSs could serve as effective tunable biocides.

Quadripulse stimulation (QPS).

Quadripulse stimulation (QPS) is a newly developed stimulation method to induce neural plasticity in humans. One stimulation burst consisting of four monophasic pulses is given every 5 s for 30 min. A total of 360 bursts (1440 pulses) are given in one session. Short-interval QPS potentiates the target cortical excitability and long-interval QPS depresses it. QPS at an inter-pulse interval of 5 ms (QPS5) induces long-term potentiation (LTP)-like effects most efficiently and QPS50 induces long-term depression (LTD)-like effects most effectively in the primary motor cortex. In this mini-review, we briefly introduce QPS: (i) principle and cortical plasticity (stimulators and protocols, synaptic plasticity, underlying mechanisms, meta-plasticity, axonal plasticity, and drug effects), (ii) robust and strong neural plasticity induction (variability, influence of phasic muscle contraction, independency of BDNF polymorphism, sensory cortical plasticity, neural plasticity in the contralateral hemisphere, on-line effects on the brain networks, studies of normal brain physiology, and visuomotor sequence learning), (iii) therapeutic applications to neurological and psychiatric disorders (Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, cerebrovascular disease, and major depression), (iv) safety, and (v) future issues. Based on this evidence, we propose that QPS is currently the most powerful and reliable non-invasive brain stimulation method to induce neural plasticity in humans.

Effects of rTMS of pre-supplementary motor area on fronto basal ganglia network activity during stop-signal task.

Stop-signal task (SST) has been a key paradigm for probing human brain mechanisms underlying response inhibition, and the inhibition observed in SST is now considered to largely depend on a fronto basal ganglia network consisting mainly of right inferior frontal cortex, pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA), and basal ganglia, including subthalamic nucleus, striatum (STR), and globus pallidus pars interna (GPi). However, causal relationships between these frontal regions and basal ganglia are not fully understood in humans. Here, we partly examined these causal links by measuring human fMRI activity during SST before and after excitatory/inhibitory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of pre-SMA. We first confirmed that the behavioral performance of SST was improved by excitatory rTMS and impaired by inhibitory rTMS. Afterward, we found that these behavioral changes were well predicted by rTMS-induced modulation of brain activity in pre-SMA, STR, and GPi during SST. Moreover, by examining the effects of the rTMS on resting-state functional connectivity between these three regions, we showed that the magnetic stimulation of pre-SMA significantly affected intrinsic connectivity between pre-SMA and STR, and between STR and GPi. Furthermore, the magnitudes of changes in resting-state connectivity were also correlated with the behavioral changes seen in SST. These results suggest a causal relationship between pre-SMA and GPi via STR during response inhibition, and add direct evidence that the fronto basal ganglia network for response inhibition consists of multiple top-down regulation pathways in humans.

Bidirectional effects on interhemispheric resting-state functional connectivity induced by excitatory and inhibitory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Several recent studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have shown that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) affects not only brain activity in stimulated regions but also resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) between the stimulated region and other remote regions. However, these studies have only demonstrated an effect of either excitatory or inhibitory rTMS on RSFC, and have not clearly shown the bidirectional effects of both types of rTMS. Here, we addressed this issue by performing excitatory and inhibitory quadripulse TMS (QPS), which is considered to exert relatively large and long-lasting effects on cortical excitability. We found that excitatory rTMS (QPS with interstimulus intervals of 5 ms) decreased interhemispheric RSFC between bilateral primary motor cortices, whereas inhibitory rTMS (QPS with interstimulus intervals of 50 ms) increased interhemispheric RSFC. The magnitude of these effects on RSFC was significantly correlated with that of rTMS-induced effects on motor evoked potential from the corresponding muscle. The bidirectional effects of QPS were also observed in the stimulation over prefrontal and parietal association areas. These findings provide evidence for the robust bidirectional effects of excitatory and inhibitory rTMSs on RSFC, and raise a possibility that QPS can be a powerful tool to modulate RSFC.

Assessment of the feed additive consisting of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DSM 18113 for all animal species for the renewal of its authorisation (Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.).

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the assessment of the application for renewal of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (formerly Lactobacillus plantarum) DSM 18113 as a technological additive (functional group: silage additive) for all animal species. The applicant has provided evidence that the additive currently on the market complies with the existing conditions of authorisation. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that the additive remains safe for all animal species, consumers and the environment. Regarding user safety, the Panel concluded that owing to the nature of the additive, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DSM 18113 should be considered a potential skin and respiratory sensitiser, and that any exposure through the skin and respiratory tract is considered a risk. The Panel could not conclude on the eye irritation potential of the additive due to the lack of data. There is no need for assessing the efficacy of the additive in the context of the renewal of the authorisation.

Assessment of the feed additive consisting of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei ATCC PTA-6135 for all animal species for the renewal of its authorisation (Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.).

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the assessment of the application for renewal of authorisation of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei ATCC PTA-6135 as a technological additive (functional group: silage additive) for all animal species. The applicant has provided evidence that the additive currently on the market complies with the existing terms of the of authorisation. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that the active agent L. paracasei ATCC PTA-6135 remains safe for all animal species, consumers and the environment. Regarding user safety, the panel concluded that owing to the nature of the additive, L. paracasei ATCC PTA-6135 should be considered a potential skin and respiratory sensitiser, and any exposure through the skin and respiratory tract is considered a risk. In the absence of data, no conclusion could be drawn on the eye irritation potential of the additive. There is no need for assessing the efficacy of the additive in the context of the renewal of the authorisation.

Assessment of the feed additive consisting of Limosilactobacillus fermentumNCIMB 30169 for all animal species for the renewal of its authorisation (Microferm Ltd.).

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the assessment of the application of renewal of Limosilactobacillus fermentum NCIMB 30169 as a technological feed additive (functional group: silage additives) for all animal species. The applicant has provided evidence that the additive currently on the market complies with the existing terms of the authorisation. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that the additive remains safe for all animal species, consumers, and the environment. Regarding user safety, the additive should be considered a skin and respiratory sensitiser. No conclusions can be drawn on the eye irritancy potential of the additive. There is no need for assessing the efficacy of the additive in the context of the renewal of the authorisation.

Assessment of the feed additive consisting of Lentilactobacillus buchneriATCC PTA-6138 for all animal species for the renewal of its authorisation (Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.).

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the assessment of the application for renewal of Lentilactobacillus buchneri ATCC PTA-6138 as a technological additive (functional group: silage additives) for all animal species. The applicant has provided evidence that the additive currently on the market complies with the existing terms of the authorisation. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that the additive remains safe for all animal species, consumers and the environment. Regarding user safety, the additive should be considered as a skin and respiratory sensitiser. No conclusions could be drawn on the eye irritancy potential of the additive. There is no need for assessing the efficacy of the additive in the context of the renewal of the authorisation.

Assessment of the feed additive consisting of Lentilactobacillus buchneriATCC PTA-2494 for all animal species for the renewal of its authorisation (Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.).

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the assessment of the application for renewal of Lentilactobacillus buchneri ATCC PTA-2494 as a technological additive (functional group: silage additives) for all animal species. The applicant has provided evidence that the additive currently on the market complies with the existing terms of the authorisation. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that the additive remains safe for all animal species, consumers and the environment. Regarding user safety, the Panel considers that any exposure through skin and respiratory tract is considered a risk. The Panel cannot conclude on the eye irritation potential of the additive due to the lack of data. There is no need for assessing the efficacy of the additive in the context of the renewal of the authorisation.