Fair Coexistence of Scheduled and Random Access Wireless Networks: Unlicensed LTE/WiFi

We study the fair coexistence of scheduled and random access transmitters sharing the same frequency channel. Interest in coexistence is topical due to the need for emerging unlicensed LTE technologies to coexist fairly with WiFi. However, this interest is not confined to LTE/WiFi as coexistence is likely to become increasingly commonplace in IoT networks and beyond 5G. In this article we show that mixing scheduled and random access incurs and inherent throughput/delay cost, the cost of heterogeneity. We derive the joint proportional fair rate allocation, which casts useful light on current LTE/WiFi discussions. We present experimental results on inter-technology detection and consider the impact of imperfect carrier sensing.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures, journa

A new generation of recombinant polypeptides combines multiple protein domains for effective antimicrobial activity

Background Although most of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), being relatively short, are produced by chemical synthesis, several AMPs have been produced using recombinant technology. However, AMPs could be cytotoxic to the producer cell, and if small they can be easily degraded. The objective of this study was to produce a multidomain antimicrobial protein based on recombinant protein nanoclusters to increase the yield, stability and effectivity. Results A single antimicrobial polypeptide JAMF1 that combines three functional domains based on human α-defensin-5, human XII-A secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2), and a gelsolin-based bacterial-binding domain along with two aggregation-seeding domains based on leucine zippers was successfully produced with no toxic effects for the producer cell and mainly in a nanocluster structure. Both, the nanocluster and solubilized format of the protein showed a clear antimicrobial effect against a broad spectrum of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, including multi-resistant strains, with an optimal concentration between 1 and 10 µM. Conclusions Our findings demonstrated that multidomain antimicrobial proteins forming nanoclusters can be efficiently produced in recombinant bacteria, being a novel and valuable strategy to create a versatile, highly stable and easily editable multidomain constructs with a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity in both soluble and nanostructured format.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Exploration of ATR FTIR spectroscopy assisted by multivariate analysis for estimating the time since deposition of human and canine oral fluid on porous substrates

Oral fluid is commonly found at crime scenes, as a liquid sample or more frequently as a stain (i.e., cigarette butts, bottles, chewing gum, cloths, etc.). The study of the time since deposition (TSD) is of great significance in forensics because it allows to collect and analyse only those samples directly related to the criminal case, excluding the occupational traces, and reducing laboratory costs and efforts. In the present study, we evaluated the suitability of attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR FTIR) to establish the TSD of human and canine oral fluid stains on different porous substrates such as paper, cotton, denim, and polyester fabric. We used the ATR FTIR spectra and chemometrics to detect the presence of human and canine oral fluid as stains on these substrates. Our results showed that Orthogonal Partial Least Square-Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) models were able to distinguish human and canine oral fluid stains according to their TSD independently of the substrate.European Commissio

Development of lactoferrin-loaded liposomes for the management of dry eye disease and ocular inflammation

Dry eye disease (DED) is a high prevalent multifactorial disease characterized by a lack of homeostasis of the tear film which causes ocular surface inflammation, soreness, and visual disturbance. Conventional ophthalmic treatments present limitations such as low bioavailability and side effects. Lactoferrin (LF) constitutes a promising therapeutic tool, but its poor aqueous stability and high nasolacrimal duct drainage hinder its potential efficacy. In this study, we incorporate lactoferrin into hyaluronic acid coated liposomes by the lipid film method, followed by high pressure homogenization. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles were evaluated in vitro and ex vivo. Cytotoxicity and ocular tolerance were assayed both in vitro and in vivo using New Zealand rabbits, as well as dry eye and anti-inflammatory treatments. LF loaded liposomes showed an average size of 90 nm, monomodal population, positive surface charge and a high molecular weight protein encapsulation of 53%. Biopharmaceutical behaviour was enhanced by the nanocarrier, and any cytotoxic effect was studied in human corneal epithelial cells. Developed liposomes revealed the ability to reverse dry eye symptoms and possess anti-inflammatory efficacy, without inducing ocular irritation. Hence, lactoferrin loaded liposomes could offer an innovative nanotechnological tool as suitable approach in the treatment of DED.FCT -Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia(2017SGR1477)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A Novel Generation of Tailored Antimicrobial Drugs Based on Recombinant Multidomain Proteins

Antibiotic resistance has exponentially increased during the last years. It is necessary to develop new antimicrobial drugs to prevent and treat infectious diseases caused by multidrug- or extensively-drug resistant (MDR/XDR)-bacteria. Host Defense Peptides (HDPs) have a versatile role, acting as antimicrobial peptides and regulators of several innate immunity functions. The results shown by previous studies using synthetic HDPs are only the tip of the iceberg, since the synergistic potential of HDPs and their production as recombinant proteins are fields practically unexplored. The present study aims to move a step forward through the development of a new generation of tailored antimicrobials, using a rational design of recombinant multidomain proteins based on HDPs. This strategy is based on a two-phase process, starting with the construction of the first generation molecules using single HDPs and further selecting those HDPs with higher bactericidal efficiencies to be combined in the second generation of broad-spectrum antimicrobials. As a proof of concept, we have designed three new antimicrobials, named D5L37βD3, D5L37D5L37 and D5LAL37βD3. After an in-depth exploration, we found D5L37D5L37 to be the most promising one, since it was equally effective against four relevant pathogens in healthcare-associated infections, such as methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant (MRSA) Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) and MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa, being MRSA, MRSE and P. aeruginosa MDR strains. The low MIC values and versatile activity against planktonic and biofilm forms reinforce the use of this platform to isolate and produce unlimited HDP combinations as new antimicrobial drugs by effective means.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Role of theobromine in cocoa's metabolic properties in healthy rats.

Cocoa is rich in polyphenols and methylxanthines and it has been reported that its consumption, among other properties, has beneficial effects on metabolism. This study aimed to investigate the role of theobromine in cocoa's metabolic properties in healthy rats. In addition to morphometric measurements, biochemical markers of lipids and glucose metabolism and gene expression of molecules related to immune cells in adipose and hepatic tissues were assessed after 7 or 18 days of diet. Additionally, a metabolomic analysis was carried out at day 7. This study revealed the presence of six discriminant metabolites in plasma due to the diets. Moreover, the results showed that theobromine is the main responsible factor for cocoa's effects on body weight gain as well as on lipid and glucose metabolism. The effects on body weight and lipids appeared as early as after 7 days of diet, whereas those affecting glucose metabolism required a longer intervention

Aggregation-prone peptides modulate activity of bovine interferon gamma released from naturally occurring protein nanoparticles

Efficient protocols for the production of recombinant proteins are indispensable for the development of the biopharmaceutical sector. Accumulation of recombinant proteins in naturally-occurring protein aggregates is detrimental to biopharmaceutical development. In recent years, the view of protein aggregates has changed with the recognition that they are a valuable source of functional recombinant proteins. In this study, bovine interferon-gamma (rBoIFN-γ) was engineered to enhance the formation of protein aggregates, also known as protein nanoparticles (NPs), by the addition of aggregation-prone peptides (APPs) in the generally recognized as safe (GRAS) bacterial Lactococcus lactis expression system. The L6K2, HALRU and CYOB peptides were selected to assess their intrinsic aggregation capability to nucleate protein aggregation. These APPs enhanced the tendency of the resulting protein to aggregate at the expense of total protein yield. However, fine physico-chemical characterization of the resulting intracellular protein NPs, the protein released from them and the protein purified from the soluble cell fraction indicated that the compactability of protein conformations was directly related to the biological activity of variants of IFN-γ, used here as a model protein with therapeutic potential. APPs enhanced the aggregation tendency of fused rBoIFN-γ while increasing compactability of protein species. Biological activity of rBoIFN-γ was favored in more compacted conformations. Naturally-occurring protein aggregates can be produced in GRAS microorganisms as protein depots of releasable active protein. The addition of APPs to enhance the aggregation tendency has a positive impact in overall compactability and functionality of resulting protein conformers.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Estudio sobre el comportamiento de presas de escollera ante vertidos por coronación.

Como consecuencia del desarrollo de un Proyecto de Investigación, el CEDEX, la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid y el CIMNE han trabajado conjuntamente en el desarrollo de un método para el estudio del proceso de rotura de presas de escollera por sobrevertido combinando técnicas de elementos finitos y partículas. Para ello se han realizado y analizado 80 ensayos en modelo físico en las instalaciones del CEDEX y UPM, utilizando seis tamaños de material, cuatro taludes distintos (1,5H:1V; 2,2H:1V; 3,0H:1V y 3,5H:1V) y tres opciones de impermeabilización (sin pantalla, núcleo interno y pantalla externa). Estos ensayos están permitiendo conocer mejor el fenómeno y calibrar el modelo matemático. El modelo matemático basa su desarrollo en el acoplamiento de dos fenómenos: la filtración del agua en un medio granular (simulada mediante una malla euleriana) y la erosión del propio material granular (simulada mediante una malla lagrangiana). Durante 2010 se prevé finalizar la construcción, en el CEDEX, de un canal de grandes dimensiones que permitirá ensayar presas de hasta 4 m de altura en condiciones de laboratorio, que servirán como prototipo para el análisis del efecto de escala. Este prototipo aumentará considerablemente la fiabilidad de las conclusiones obtenidas

Effect of cocoa’s theobromine on metabolism and on plasma metabolomic profile in young rats

Podeu consultar el III Workshop anual INSA-UB complet a: http://hdl.handle.net/2445/118993Sessió 1. Premis del Programa FRI-INSA