Algorithm to Estimate Direction of Arrival with Interpolated Array Elements for Coprime Array Holes

A novel method for adding antennas in the coprime arrays is introduced in this study, in order to solve the problem of the reduced degree of freedom of the array in the hole-existing coprime arrays. The minimum number of antennas interpolated in the algorithm maximizes the available degrees of freedom of virtual arrays, and the number of interpolated antennas does not change the original aperture size of the coprime arrays. With the proposed algorithm, the estimate of the direction of arrival is more accurate for a given signal-to-noise ratio. The scheme first finds the regular pattern of hole positions in virtual array elements, and then, according to the regular pattern, the position of the hole of the partial virtual array element is interpolated with the array element antenna at the position of the corresponding coprime arrays. The holes of the virtual array element are filled, giving virtual uniform continuous array elements with maximum degrees of freedom. We use the ESPRIT, and the simulation results show that the proposed algorithm improves the accuracy and resolution of estimates of the direction of arrival

Cooperative Spectrum Sensing Algorithm to Overcome Noise Fluctuations Based on Energy Detection in Sensing Systems

In sensing systems, nodes must be able to rapidly detect whether a signal from a primary transmitter is present in a certain spectrum. However, traditional energy-detection algorithms are poorly adapted to treating noisy signals. In this paper, we investigate how rapid energy detection and detection sensitivity are related to detection duration and average power fluctuation in noise. The results indicate that detection performance and detection sensitivity decrease quickly with increasing average power fluctuation in noise and are worse in situations with low signal-to-noise ratio. First, we present a dynamic threshold algorithm based on energy detection to suppress the influence of noise fluctuation and improve the sensing sensitivity. Then, we present a new energy-detection algorithm based on cooperation between nodes. Simulations show that the proposed scheme improves the resistance to average power fluctuation in noise for short detection timescales and provides sensitive detection that improves with increasing numbers of cooperative detectors. In other words, the proposed scheme enhances the ability to overcome noise and improves spectrum sensing performance

Concentric Triple-Hop of Node Communication Range Location Discovery

Abstract: In order to locate the geographic positions of random distributed nodes in wireless sensor networks more efficiently, a new localization algorithm C3HR (concentric triple-hop of node communication range) is proposed in this study. C3HR aggressively extracts both positive and negative geographic constraints from the wireless link layer. The algorithm then simultaneously sets up and solves these constraints to determine node locations with the aid of a small number of anchor nodes. The result of analysis and simulation shows that the proposed C3HR algorithm can optimize the constraints on nodes' positions prominently, increase the estimation accuracy and localization coverage significantly with sparse and non-uniform anchor distribution, decrease the energy consumption of sensor nodes accordingly

Channel Estimation Performance Analysis of FBMC/OQAM Systems with Bayesian Approach for 5G-Enabled IoT Applications

A filter bank multicarrier (FBMC) with offset quadrature amplitude modulation (OQAM) (FBMC/OQAM) is considered to be one of the physical layer technologies in future communication systems, and it is also a wireless transmission technology that supports the applications of Internet of Things (IoT). However, efficient channel parameter estimation is one of the difficulties in realization of highly available FBMC systems. In this paper, the Bayesian compressive sensing (BCS) channel estimation approach for FBMC/OQAM systems is investigated and the performance in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) scenario is also analyzed. An iterative fast Bayesian matching pursuit algorithm is proposed for high channel estimation. Bayesian channel estimation is first presented by exploring the prior statistical information of a sparse channel model. It is indicated that the BCS channel estimation scheme can effectively estimate the channel impulse response. Then, a modified FBMP algorithm is proposed by optimizing the iterative termination conditions. The simulation results indicate that the proposed method provides better mean square error (MSE) and bit error rate (BER) performance than conventional compressive sensing methods

miR-455 Inhibits the Viability and Invasion by Targeting RAB18 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been regarded as the fifth most common cancer worldwide with a low prognosis. miR-455 usually played the role of a tumor suppressor in multiple cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of miR-455 in HCC. Materials and Methods. Cell viability and invasion were measured by CCK8 and Transwell assays. Luciferase reporter assay was performed to verify that miR-455 directly binds to the 3′-noncoding region (UTR) of RAB18 mRNA in Huh7 cells. Results. The expression of miR-455 was lower in HCC tissues and cell lines than in nontumor tissues and normal cell line, and downregulation of miR-455 was connected with worse outcome of HCC patients. miR-455 suppressed cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo, and it inhibited the abilities of cell invasion and EMT in HCC. RAB18 was upregulated in HCC tissues and cell lines, and the expression of RAB18 was regulated by miR-455. RAB18 reversed partial roles of miR-455 on cell viability and invasion in HCC. Conclusion. miR-455 inhibited cell viability and invasion by directly targeting the 3′-UTR of RAB18 mRNA of hepatocellular carcinoma

Process Biochem.

Recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (rhIL-1ra) was chemically conjugated with succinimidyl carbonate monomethoxyl polyethylene glycols of 5 kDa (SC-PEG(5k)) and 10 kDa (SC-PEG(10k)) molecular weight. A facile purification of the conjugates was achieved by one-step cationic exchange chromatography. The purity of mono-PEGylated protein was greater than 95%. The purified conjugate was characterized by multi-angle laser light scattering (MALLS) for determining the apparent gyration radius (r(g)) and hydrodynamic radius (rh). MALLS results showed that the conjugation of PEG markedly enhanced r(g) and r(h) of parent protein (r(g): from 15.7 to 48.2 nm for the PEG(5k) and 81.9 nm for the PEG(10k); r(h): from 4.2 to 5 8.4 nm for the PEG(5k) and 102.3 nm for the PEG 100. The PEGylated rhIL-1ra retained 44.6% of binding activities to the cell receptor for PEG(5k) and 40.2% for PEG(10k), compared to the original protein. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (rhIL-1ra) was chemically conjugated with succinimidyl carbonate monomethoxyl polyethylene glycols of 5 kDa (SC-PEG(5k)) and 10 kDa (SC-PEG(10k)) molecular weight. A facile purification of the conjugates was achieved by one-step cationic exchange chromatography. The purity of mono-PEGylated protein was greater than 95%. The purified conjugate was characterized by multi-angle laser light scattering (MALLS) for determining the apparent gyration radius (r(g)) and hydrodynamic radius (rh). MALLS results showed that the conjugation of PEG markedly enhanced r(g) and r(h) of parent protein (r(g): from 15.7 to 48.2 nm for the PEG(5k) and 81.9 nm for the PEG(10k); r(h): from 4.2 to 5 8.4 nm for the PEG(5k) and 102.3 nm for the PEG 100. The PEGylated rhIL-1ra retained 44.6% of binding activities to the cell receptor for PEG(5k) and 40.2% for PEG(10k), compared to the original protein. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Bioorg. Med. Chem.

Although PEGylation is a potential approach to prolong the half-lives and reduce the dosing frequency of therapeutic proteins, conjugation behaviors of polymer have pivotal effects on the remaining bioactivities of the derivatives. In this study, the PEGylation strategy of recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist was investigated. The random conjugation of polyethylene glycol to amino groups on the protein resulted in a severe loss of activity and only retained 9.8% of the activity. In contrast, the PEGylation at the thiol groups had moderate effects on the bioactivity of protein and 40% of activity was conserved. The results suggested that the thiol-target PEGylation was more beneficial for IL-1ra. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Although PEGylation is a potential approach to prolong the half-lives and reduce the dosing frequency of therapeutic proteins, conjugation behaviors of polymer have pivotal effects on the remaining bioactivities of the derivatives. In this study, the PEGylation strategy of recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist was investigated. The random conjugation of polyethylene glycol to amino groups on the protein resulted in a severe loss of activity and only retained 9.8% of the activity. In contrast, the PEGylation at the thiol groups had moderate effects on the bioactivity of protein and 40% of activity was conserved. The results suggested that the thiol-target PEGylation was more beneficial for IL-1ra. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Microbial Communities Shaped by Treatment Processes in a Drinking Water Treatment Plant and Their Contribution and Threat to Drinking Water Safety

Bacteria play an important role in water purification in drinking water treatment systems. On one hand, bacteria present in the untreated water may help in its purification through biodegradation of the contaminants. On the other hand, some bacteria may be human pathogens and pose a threat to consumers. The present study investigated bacterial communities using Illumina MiSeq sequencing of 16S rRNA genes and their functions were predicted using PICRUSt in a treatment system, including the biofilms on sand filters and biological activated carbon (BAC) filters, in 4 months. In addition, quantitative analyses of specific bacterial populations were performed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The bacterial community composition of post-ozonation effluent, BAC effluent and disinfected water varied with sampling time. However, the bacterial community structures at other treatment steps were relatively stable, despite great variations of source water quality, resulting in stable treatment performance. Illumina MiSeq sequencing illustrated that Proteobacteria was dominant bacterial phylum. Chlorine disinfection significantly influenced the microbial community structure, while other treatment processes were synergetic. Bacterial communities in water and biofilms were distinct, and distinctions of bacterial communities also existed between different biofilms. By contrast, the functional composition of biofilms on different filters were similar. Some functional genes related to pollutant degradation were found widely distributed throughout the treatment processes. The distributions of Mycobacterium spp. and Legionella spp. in water and biofilms were revealed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Most bacteria, including potential pathogens, could be effectively removed by chlorine disinfection. However, some bacteria presented great resistance to chlorine. qPCRs showed that Mycobacterium spp. could not be effectively removed by chlorine. These resistant bacteria and, especially potential pathogens should receive more attention. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that turbidity, ammonia nitrogen and total organic carbon (TOC) exerted significant effects on community profiles. Overall, this study provides insight into variations of microbial communities in the treatment processes and aids the optimization of drinking water treatment plant design and operation for public health