Two-stage artificial neural network-based burst-subcarrier joint equalization in nonlinear frequency division multiplexing systems.

We propose an artificial neural network (ANN)-based scheme to improve the performance of nonlinear frequency division multiplexing (NFDM) optical transmission systems in both time and frequency domain. Through two-stage ANN equalization at the receiver side, time-domain distortions between adjacent bursts and frequency-domain cross talk between neighboring subcarriers can be jointly mitigated. Burst ANN and Subcarrier ANN equalizers are characterized and validated by numerical simulations of a dual-polarization NFDM transmission system. Compared with the basic detection scheme, the proposed two-stage ANN achieves a Q-factor gain of 3.01 dB for an NFDM system with 256 Gb/s gross data rate transmitting over 960 km standard single-mode fiber (SSMF). The two-stage ANN approach offers an effective way to jointly equalize the signal in multiple dimensions.

SnO2 highly sensitive CO gas sensor based on quasi-molecular-imprinting mechanism design.

Response of highly sensitive SnO2 semiconductor carbon monoxide (CO) gas sensors based on target gas CO quasi-molecular-imprinting mechanism design is investigated with gas concentrations varied from 50 to 3000 ppm. SnO2 nanoparticles prepared via hydrothermal method and gas sensor film devices SC (exposed to the target gas CO for 12 h after the suspension coating of SnO2 film to be fully dried, design of quasi-molecular-imprinting mechanism, the experiment group) and SA (exposed to air after the suspension coating of SnO2 film to be fully dried, the comparison group) made from SnO2 nanoparticles are all characterized by XRD, SEM and BET surface area techniques, respectively. The gas response experimental results reveal that the sensor SC demonstrates quicker response and higher sensitivity than the sensor SA does. The results suggest that in addition to the transformation of gas sensor materials, surface area, and porous membrane devices, the Molecular Imprinting Theory is proved to be another way to promote the performance of gas sensors.

Inhibition of pseudo-allergic reactions by vitamin K3 directly targeting GAB1 in mast cells.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin K3 (VK3), a fat-soluble synthetic analog of the vitamin K family, has coagulant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anticancer properties. Pseudo allergy is a IgE-independent immune response associated with mast cells. This study investigated the role of VK3 in IgE-independent mast cell activation. METHODS: Substance P (SP) was used to induce LAD2-cell activation in order to analyze the effects of VK3 in vitro. Cutaneous allergy and systemic allergy mouse models were used to analyze the anti-pseudo-allergic effects of VK3. Proteome microarray assays were used to analyze VK3-binding protein. Biolayer interferometry and immunoprecipitation were used to verify interaction between VK3 and its key targets. RNA interference was used to determine the role of GAB1 in LAD2cell activation. RESULTS: VK3 inhibited SP-induced LAD2-cell activation, and resulted in the release of ß-hexosaminidase, histamine and cytokines; VK3 inhibited SP-induced pseudo allergic reactions in mice, and serum histamine and TNF-α levels decreased. Degranulation of skin mast cells was reduced; GAB1 in mast cells was stably bound to VK3. GAB1 participated in SP-induced LAD2-cell activation. GAB1 knockdown in LAD2 cells prevented SP-induced ß-hexosaminidase release, calcium mobilization and cell skeletal remodeling. VK3 directly binds to GAB1 and reduces its expression to inhibited SP-induced LAD2 cell activation. CONCLUSION: The anti-pseudo-allergic activity of VK3 was confirmed in vitro and in vivo. VK3 can inhibit SP-induced mast cell activation by directly targeting GAB1. This study provides new insights on the activity of VK3 and the mechanism of pseudoallergic reaction.

The Impact of Oil Type on the Performance of ß-Amyrin-Based Oleogels: Formation, Physicochemical Properties, and Potential Correlation Analysis.

Pentacyclic triterpenes show potential as oleogelators, but their combination with various vegetable oils has limited research. This study selected linseed, rapeseed, sunflower, coconut, and palm oils to combine with the triterpenoid compound ß-amyrin for the preparation of oleogels. The stability, crystal network structure, and other properties of each oleogel were evaluated. The correlation between different oil types and the properties of corresponding oleogels was explored. The results showed that ß-amyrin formed stable oleogels with five vegetable oils under suitable temperature conditions, wherein especially the LO-based oleogel not only exhibited higher oil-binding capacity and hardness, but also demonstrated excellent stability at the microscopic level and notable rheological properties. Further analysis revealed a close correlation between the physicochemical properties of the oleogels and lipid characteristics, indicating that oleogels prepared from long-chain highly unsaturated fatty acids exhibit high stability. The above results indicate that ß-amyrin can be a novel candidate oleogelator and that the oil type can modify the properties of ß-amyrin-based oleogels. This study provides the latest reference for the application of pentacyclic triterpenoids in food.

Circ8199 encodes a protein that inhibits the activity of OGT by JAK2-STAT3 pathway in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is an invasive malignant tumor with a high incidence rate and mortality. It is imperative to study its tumorigenesis and development for better treatment. CircRNA has been proven to play an important role in various cancers. Our previous studies found that the circ8199 gene is associated with tumor prognosis. To further clarify the role of circ8199 in ESCC, we performed functional experiments and found that overexpression of circ8199 significantly inhibited the proliferation of ESCC cells and the activity of O-linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase (OGT) simultaneously. Further experiments demonstrated that circ8199 could interact with OGT, leading to a decrease in OGT's activity. The reduction of circ8199 expression stimulated the binding activity between OGT and its downstream gene JAK2, promoting the O-GlcNAc glycosylation modification of JAK2 and activating the JAK2-STAT3 pathway. Our study indicated that circ8199 regulates the JAK2-STAT3 pathway through OGT, providing a candidate mechanism for drug discovery and development.

Quantitative investigations on moving chelation boundary within a continuous EDTA-based sample sweeping system in capillary electrophoresis.

Recently, the EDTA-based sweeping of metal ion that combines chelate formation and in-line sample pre-concentration was advanced. However, the moving chelation boundary (MCB) existing in the sweeping system has not been investigated for the quantitative illumination of the mechanism of metal ion sweeping yet. In this paper, the model of MCB was developed from the EDTA-based sweeping. The theoretical studies were performed for boundary movements and controllable sweeping of metal ion. The theoretical studies show that the sweeping system contains the MCB boundary and chelate boundary, and the difference between the MCB and chelate boundary velocities plays a key role in the stacking efficiency of metal ion. To demonstrate the validity of the theoretical conclusion, the experiments of continuous EDTA-based sweeping were performed with CE and a home-made apparatus of a large tube. The home-made apparatus consisted of a glass tube used for the run of continuous EDTA-based sweeping and two peristaltic pumps used for the supply of solution. The experimental results were in accordance with the theoretical conclusions above. The developed theory holds evident for significance for the mechanism of controllable stacking of metal ions in EDTA-based sweeping system in CE.