RF low power subsampling architecture for wireless communication applications

AbstractWith the increasing demands of wireless communication, flexible, complex, and diversified wireless communicationapplications are required. However, the difficulty of enabling new wireless communication applications is the lack oflow power radio frequency (RF) transmission devices, especially the RF receiver. In order to alleviate this problem,an RF low power subsampling architecture for wireless communication applications is proposed in this paper. Thissubsampling architecture adopts a single-ended to differential configured balun low noise amplifier (balun-LNA),a subsampling mixer with high sampling ratio and a finite input response (FIR) filter and infinite impulse response(IIR) filter achieving frequency down-conversion, avoiding using high power-hungry blocks. Based on a subsamplingtheory, an optimum sampling frequency for the subsampling architecture is necessary to relax the complexity ofthe system. For the application of internet of things (IoT) wireless communication, the paper provides theimplementation of the subsampling receiver solutions to get a tradeoff between power consumption, gain,noise, and sensitivity. It can achieve ?85 dBm sensitivity for an amplitude shift keying (ASK) modulation at thedata rate of 1 Mbps with the clock sampling frequency of 40 MHz. Finally, the theoretical analysis and simulation resultsshow that the performance of the subsampling architecture has several advantages over others

Rac1/β-Catenin Signalling Pathway Contributes to Trophoblast Cell Invasion by Targeting Snail and MMP9

Background/Aims: Preeclampsia is an idiopathic and serious complication during gestation in which placental trophoblast cells differentiate into several functional subtypes, including highly invasive extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs). Although the cause and pathogenesis of preeclampsia have remained unclear, numerous studies have suggested that the inadequacy of EVT invasion leads to imperfect uterine spiral artery remodelling, which plays a crucial role in the development of preeclampsia. Rac1, or Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1, was found to be a key regulator of the migration, invasion uand apoptosis of various tumour cells. Because EVTs share similar invasive and migratory biological behaviours with malignant cells, this study aimed to determine whether the Rac1 signalling pathway affects trophoblast invasion and is thus involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Methods: We measured the activity of Rac1 and its downstream targets, β-catenin, Snail and MMP9 in placental tissues from patients experiencing a normal pregnancy and those with preeclampsia. Furthermore, we treated HTR-8/SVneo cells with a shRNA Rac1 vector and the β-catenin inhibitor IWP-2 and explored Rac1 signalling pathway activation as well as the effects of Snail and β-catenin on trophoblast invasion. Results: In placental samples from patients experiencing a normal pregnancy and those with preeclampsia, active Rac1 levels and MMP9 protein and mRNA levels were significantly decreased in term pregnancy samples compared to early pregnancy samples. Lower levels were found in preeclampsia samples than in normal term pregnancy samples, and these levels significantly declined in severe preeclampsia samples compared with mild preeclampsia samples. Further analyses demonstrated that both Rac1 shRNA and the β-catenin inhibitor significantly suppressed MMP9 and Snail activation in trophoblasts, thus impairing trophoblast invasion. Notably, silencing Rac1 down-regulated the expression of β-catenin in HTR-8/SVneo cells, demonstrating that β-catenin is a downstream effector of Rac1 in trophoblast invasion. Conclusion: Our data suggest that Rac1-mediated activation of β-catenin might regulate Snail and MMP9 expression subsequently promoting trophoblast invasion in pregnancy

Data from: Assessment of disability among the elderly in Xiamen of China: a representative sample survey of 14,292 older adults

Background: The unprecedented number of elderly individuals in China presents a serious public health challenge. Limited data are available on the prevalence of disability or factors resulting in disability among the elderly in China. Objective: We aimed to assess the prevalence of disability and related risk factors among the elderly of Xiamen, China. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on individuals who were ≥60 years of age. The subjects were recruited by multi-stage sampling; a total of 14,292 valid questionnaires were received. Study measurements included activities of daily living (ADL), demographics, and health status. The ADL was assessed by the Katz Index Scale to evaluate disability. Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with disabilities. Results: Among the valid participants, 4.27% had at least one disability. Bathing was the most frequently reported disability and feeding was the least frequently reported disability. Disabilities were significantly associated with female gender, older age, unmarried status, living with family, urban residence, illiteracy, poor economic status, self-rated bad health, chronic illnesses, lower life satisfaction, bad mood, and feelings of loneliness. Conclusion: Functional disability among the elderly requires more public attention. Culturally appropriate policies and programs are also needed to address the care for the disabled elderly

Assessment of Disability among the Elderly in Xiamen of China: A Representative Sample Survey of 14,292 Older Adults.

The unprecedented number of elderly individuals in China presents a serious public health challenge. Limited data are available on the prevalence of disability or factors resulting in disability among the elderly in China.We aimed to assess the prevalence of disability and related risk factors among the elderly of Xiamen, China.A cross-sectional study was performed on individuals who were ≥60 years of age. The subjects were recruited by multi-stage sampling; a total of 14,292 valid questionnaires were received. Study measurements included activities of daily living (ADL), demographics, and health status. The ADL was assessed by the Katz Index Scale to evaluate disability. Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with disabilities.Among the valid participants, 4.27% had at least one disability. Bathing was the most frequently reported disability and feeding was the least frequently reported disability. Disabilities were significantly associated with female gender, older age, unmarried status, living with family, urban residence, illiteracy, poor economic status, self-rated bad health, chronic illnesses, lower life satisfaction, bad mood, and feelings of loneliness.Functional disability among the elderly requires more public attention. Culturally appropriate policies and programs are also needed to address the care for the disabled elderly

Assessment of disability among the elderly in Xiamen of China a representative sample survey sample of 14,292 older adults

Assessment of disability among the elderly in Xiamen of China a representative sample survey sample of 14,292 older adult

The distribution of elderly participants by multistage stratified sampling.

<p>^a If the number of communities in each sub-district were not divisible by three, the quotients were ceilinged. For example, there were 3 sub-districts (a, b and c) in D district, and the number of communities in a, b and c sub-district were 19, 4 and 13, respectively. The number of sampled communities in D district would be calculated as follow: 19*1/3+4*1/3+13*1/3≈7+2+5 = 14.</p><p>The distribution of elderly participants by multistage stratified sampling.</p

ADL prevalence of disability (n = 14,292).

<p>Bars show the disabled prevalence of each ADL item among 14,292 participants. ADL refers to activities of daily living.</p

Binary Logistic Regression analysis of elderly disability (<i>N</i> = 14,091).

<p>Binary Logistic Regression analysis of elderly disability (<i>N</i> = 14,091).</p

Characteristics of the elderly and disability prevalence.

<p>Characteristics of the elderly and disability prevalence.</p