Programmable and customized intelligence for traffic steering in 5G networks using open RAN architectures

5G and beyond mobile networks will support heterogeneous use cases at an unprecedented scale, thus demanding automated control and optimization of network functionalities customized to the needs of individual users. Such fine-grained control of the Radio Access Network (RAN) is not possible with the current cellular architecture. To fill this gap, the Open RAN paradigm and its specification introduce an “open” architecture with abstractions that enable closed-loop control and provide data-driven, and intelligent optimization of the RAN at the userlevel. This is obtained through custom RAN control applications (i.e., xApps) deployed on near-real-time RAN Intelligent Controller (near-RT RIC) at the edge of the network. Despite these premises, as of today the research community lacks a sandbox to build data-driven xApps, and create large-scale datasets for effective Artificial Intelligence (AI) training. In this paper, we address this by introducing ns-O-RAN , a software framework that integrates a real-world, production-grade near- RT RIC with a 3GPP-based simulated environment on ns-3, enabling at the same time the development of xApps and automated large-scale data collection and testing of Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL)- driven control policies for the optimization at the user-level. In addition, we propose the first user-specific O-RAN Traffic Steering (TS) intelligent handover framework. It uses Random Ensemble Mixture (REM), a Conservative Q-learning (CQL) algorithm, combined with a state-of-the-art Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architecture, to optimally assign a serving base station to each user in the network. Our TS xApp, trained with more than 40 million data points collected by ns-O-RAN, runs on the near-RT RIC and controls the ns-O-RAN base stations. We evaluate the performance on a large-scale deployment with up to 126 users with 8 base stations, showing that the xApp-based handover improves throughput and spectral efficiency by an average of 50% over traditional handover heuristics, with less mobility overhead

Administration of DNA Plasmid Coding Protein Aggregating Domain Induces Inflammatory Bone Loss.

Background: Plasmids coding protein aggregation polypeptides from different sources have beenproposed as genetic adjuvants for DNA vaccines. We reported that a plasmid (pATRex), encompassing the DNA sequence for the von Willebrand A (vWA/A) domain of the Anthrax Toxin Receptor-1 (ANTXR-1, alias TEM8, Tumor Endothelial Marker 8), acts as strong immune adjuvant by inducing formation of insoluble intracellular aggregates and subsequent cell death. Aims: In the present study we addressed the question of whether there is any substantial immunotoxicity associated with the use of self-aggregating proteins as genetic adjuvants. Results: Here we report, by mean of histology, X-ray and molecular examinations of bone specimens, the unexpected finding that intramuscular injection of pATRex in mice triggers, per se, severe bone loss (osteoporosis) independently from the sex and genotype of the treated animals. Conclusion: Even though the study suggests that proteinaceous “sticky “ adjuvants are unlikely to find their way into practical vaccination, the information gained is of value as ATRex injections could provide an additional, simplified, mouse model of osteoporosis. Moreover, our results provide an experimental support to the hypothesis that proteotoxic aggregates chronically activate the innate immune system in amyloid and aggregosome disorders

INF-γ encoding plasmid administration triggers bone loss and disrupts bone marrow microenvironment

IFN-γ is a pleotropic cytokine produced in the bone microenvironment. Although IFN-γ is known to play a critical role on bone remodeling, its function is not fully elucidated. Consistently, outcomes on the effects of IFN-γ recombinant protein on bone loss are contradictory among reports. In our work we explored, for the first time, the role of IFN-γ encoding plasmid (pIFN-γ) in a mouse model of osteopenia induced by ovariectomy and in the sham-operated counterpart to estimate its effects in skeletal homeostasis. Ovariectomy produced a dramatic decrease of bone mineral density (BMD). pINF-γ injected mice showed a pathologic bone and bone marrow phenotype; the disrupted cortical and trabecular bone microarchitecture was accompanied by an increased release of pro-inflammatory cytokine by bone marrow cells. Moreover, mesenchymal stem cells’ (MSCs) commitment to osteoblast was found impaired, as evidenced by the decline of osterix-positive (Osx+) cells within the mid-diaphyseal area of femurs. For instance, a reduction and redistribution of CXCL12 cells have been found, in accordance with bone marrow morphological alterations. As similar effects were observed both in sham-operated and in ovariectomized mice, our studies proved that an increased IFN-γ synthesis in bone marrow might be sufficient to induce inflammatory and catabolic responses even in the absence of pathologic predisposing substrates. In addition, the obtained data might raise questions about pIFN-γ’s safety when it is used as vaccine adjuvant

A Comparative Study Between the Effectiveness of 980 nm Photobiomodulation Delivered by Hand-Piece With Gaussian vs. Flat-Top Profiles on Osteoblasts Maturation

Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a clinically accepted tool in regenerative medicine and dentistry to improve tissue healing and repair and to restore the functional disability. The current in vitro study aimed to investigate the photobiomodulatory effects of 980 nm wavelength (the real energy at the target: ~0.9 W, ~0.9 W/cm2, 60 s, ~55 J/cm2 and a single energy ~55 J in CW) on MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast, delivered with flattop profile in comparison to the standard profile. The laser groupings and their associated energies were: Group 1 - once per week (total energy 110 J); Group 2 - three times per week (alternate day) (total energy 330 J); Group 3 - five times per week (total energy 550 J). The metabolic activity and the osteoblasts maturation were analyzed by alkaline phosphatase assay, alizarin red S histological staining, immunoblot and/or double immunolabeling analysis for Bcl2, Bax, Runx-2, Osx, Dlx5, osteocalcin, and collagen Type 1. Our data, for the first time, prove that laser irradiation of 980 nm wavelength with flat-top beam profile delivery system, compared to standard-Gaussian profile, has improved photobiomodulatory efficacy on pre-osteoblastic cells differentiation. Mechanistically, the irradiation enhances the pre-osteoblast differentiation through activation of Wnt signaling and activation of Smads 2/3-βcatenin pathway

Fatores associados com a resistência a Ciprofloxacina e Levofloxacina em Bacilos Gram-Negativos isolados de infecções do trato urinário

Background and Objectives: Fluoroquinolones represent a class of amtimicrobials which isfrequently prescribed for the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) of both hospital and community origin. This study aims, to determine the frequency and the factors associated with resistance to ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin in gram-negative bacilli isolated from patients with UTIs treated in a hospital in southern Brazil. Methods: It was performed a transversal and analytical study based on cases of urinary tract infection caused by gram-negative bacteria (GNB) from patients at the Hospital Universitário Dr. Miguel Riet Correa Jr. in Rio Grande/RS from August 2012 to July 2013. Independent variables such as the age and sex of patients, source of infection of the UTI and the characteristics of the bacterial isolates were analyzed. Results: Of the 562 GNB isolated andanalyzed, the total frequencies of ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin resistance were, respectively, 25.5% and 23.3%, 62.6% community origin and 59% in hospital origin. The risk factors associated with ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin resistance were male patients, infections acquired in the hospital, longer hospitalization times, and the presence of extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) in the clinical isolates. Conclusions:The results showed strong association between GNB resistancewith the time spent in the hospital and the presence of ESBLs. To control antibiotic resistance andthe reduction the costs in public health, it is necessary that thehospitals have a strong policy ofcontinues vigilanceof the use of and of the resistance of antibiotics. KEYWORDS: Bacteria. Fluoroquinolones. Cross Infection.Justificativa e objetivos: As fluoroquinolonas representam uma classe de antimicrobianos que é frequentemente prescrita no tratamento de infecções do trato urinário (ITU), tanto de origem hospitalar como originárias da comunidade. Este estudo tem como objetivo,determinar a frequência de resistência à ciprofloxacina e levofloxacina, além de seus fatores associados em bacilos Gram negativos (BGN) isolados de pacientes com ITU em um hospital no Sul do Brasil. Métodos: foi realizado um estudo transversal e analítico, baseado em casos de infecções do trato urinário causadas por bactérias gram-negativas provenientes de pacientes atendidos no Hospital Universitário Dr. Miguel Riet Correa Jr. em Rio Grande/RS, de agosto de 2012 a julho 2013. Foram analisadas variáveis independentes como idade, sexo, origem da infecção e características dos isolados clínicos bacterianos. Resultados:Dos 562 BGN isolados e analisados, foi encontrado uma frequência de resistência à ciprofloxacina e à levofloxacina de 25,5 e 23,3%, respectivamente, 62,6% de origem comunitária e 59% de origem hospitalar. Os fatores de risco associados à resistência a ciprofloxacina e levofloxacina, foram pacientes do gênero masculino, infecções adquiridas no ambiente hospitalar, commaior tempo de internação, e apresença de β-lactamases de espectro estendido (ESBL) nos isolados clínicos. Conclusões:Os resultados mostraram uma forte associação da resistência bacteriana de BGN com a permanência no ambiente hospitalar e a presença de ESBL. A fim de controlar a resistência antimicrobiana e a redução nos custos em saúde pública torna-se necessário que os hospitais tenham uma forte política de vigilância contínua do uso e da resistência de antibióticos

Heat Stress Enhances the Accumulation of Polyadenylated Mitochondrial Transcripts in Arabidopsis thaliana

Background: Polyadenylation of RNA has a decisive influence on RNA stability. Depending on the organisms or subcellular compartment, it either enhances transcript stability or targets RNAs for degradation. In plant mitochondria, polyadenylation promotes RNA degradation, and polyadenylated mitochondrial transcripts are therefore widely considered to be rare and unstable. We followed up a surprising observation that a large number of mitochondrial transcripts are detectable in microarray experiments that used poly(A)-specific RNA probes, and that these transcript levels are significantly enhanced after heat treatment. Methodology/Principal Findings: As the Columbia genome contains a complete set of mitochondrial genes, we had to identify polymorphisms to differentiate between nuclear and mitochondrial copies of a mitochondrial transcript. We found that the affected transcripts were uncapped transcripts of mitochondrial origin, which were polyadenylated at multiple sites within their 39region. Heat-induced enhancement of these transcripts was quickly restored during a short recovery period. Conclusions/Significance: Our results show that polyadenylated transcripts of mitochondrial origin are more stable than previously suggested, and that their steady-state levels can even be significantly enhanced under certain conditions. As many microarrays contain mitochondrial probes, due to the frequent transfer of mitochondrial genes into the genome

KLOE results on rare K0 decays

hep-ex/0402030 eConf C030910