Direct Signal Detection Without Data‐Aided: A MIMO Functional Network Approach

Functional network (FN) has been successfully applied in many fields, but so far no methods of direct signal detection (DSD) using FN have been published. In this chapter, a novel DSD approach using FN, which can be applied to cases with a plural source signal sequence, with short sequence, and even with the absence of a training sequence, is presented. Firstly, a multiple‐input multiple‐output FN (MIMOFN), in which the initial input vector is devised via QR decomposition of the receiving signal matrix, is constructed to solve the special issues of DSD. In the meantime, the design method for the neural function of this special MIMOFN is proposed. Then the learning rule for the parameters of neural functions is trained and updated by back‐propagation (BP) algorithm. The correctness and effectiveness of the new approach are verified by simulation results, together with some special simulation phenomena of the algorithm. The proposed method can detect the source sequence directly from the observed output data by utilizing MIMOFN without a training sequence and estimating the channel impulse response

Genetic influences on creativity: an exploration of convergent and divergent thinking

Previous studies on the genetic basis of creativity have mainly focused on the biological mechanisms of divergent thinking, possibly limiting the exploration of possible candidate genes. Taking a cognition-based perspective, the present study investigated the genetic basis for both the divergent and the convergent thinking components of creativity. A total of 321 Chinese university students were recruited to complete the Guildford Unusual Using Test (UUT) for divergent thinking capability and the Remote Associates Test (RAT) for convergent thinking capability. The polymorphism of rs2576037 in KATNAL2 was related to the fluency and originality component scores of UUT, and the polymorphism of rs5993883 in COMT, rs362584 in SNAP25 was related to the RAT performance. These effects remained significant after considering the influence of age, gender and intelligence. Our results provide new evidence for the genetic basis of creativity and reveal the important role of gene polymorphisms in divergent and convergent thinking

Printability and Applicability of 3D Printing System Loaded with Chlorogenic Acid Hydrogel

Three-dimensional food printing (3DFP) is an efficient way of food processing in line with the future lifestyle. As a delivery system, hydrogel has become a research hotspot because of its remarkable characteristics such as directed delivery. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of 3DFP on the structure, physical properties and functions of hydrogels containing methylcellulose (MC), chlorogenic acid (CA) and hyaluronic acid (HA) for the purpose of revealing the printability and applicability of hydrogels in 3DFP processing. Texture properties, rheological properties, microstructure, embedding rate and digestive properties of the 3D printed products were measured. The results showed that the best CA-loaded hydrogel system for 3DFP processing consisted of MC, HA and CA at a mass ratio of 8:0.5:0.5. Its printed product showed the smallest width deviation (13.40%), the highest hardness, the maximum elasticity, and the minimum adhesiveness, had compact structure and uniform porosity, was not easy to collapse, and had good supportability and the best printing moldability. 3DFP well optimized the physical structure of hydrogel without changing its chemical properties. The embedding rate of CA was 22.09 percentage points higher than that before 3D printing. In simulated gastrointestinal digestion test, the release rate of CA from the printed product was significantly higher than that of the unprinted samples, showing a good sustained release effect, and the in vitro release of CA was fitted to the Ritger-Peppas model. These results showed that the hydrogel system had good printability and applicability, and 3DFP could significantly improve the targeted release of CA loaded in hydrogel

A novel ultradeformable liposomes of Naringin for anti-inflammatory therapy

Ultradeformable liposomes were formulated using naringin (NA), a flavanone glycoside, at different concentrations (3,6 and 9 mg/mL). Nanovesicles were small size (∼100 nm), regardless of the NA concentration used, and monodisperse (PI < 0.30). All formulations showed a high entrapment efficiency (∼88%) and a highly negative zeta potential (around −30 mV). The selected formulations were highly biocompatible as confirmed by in vitro studies using 3T3 fibroblasts. In vitro assay showed that the amounts (%) of NA accumulated in the epidermis (∼10%) could explain the anti-inflammatory properties of ultradeformable liposomes. In vivo studies confirmed the higher effectiveness of ultradeformable liposomes respect to betamethasone cream and NA dispersion in reducing skin inflammation in mice. Overall, it can conclude that NA ultradeformable liposomes can be considered as a promising formulation for the treatment of skin inflammatory diseases

Sequence context outside the target region influences the effectiveness of miR-223 target sites in the RhoB 3′UTR

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 21–22 nucleotide regulatory small RNAs that repress message translation via base-pairing with complementary sequences in the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) of targeted transcripts. To date, it is still difficult to find a true miRNA target due to lack of a clear understanding of how miRNAs functionally interact with their targeted transcripts for efficient repression. Previous studies have shown that nucleotides 2 to 7 at the 5′-end of a mature miRNA, the ‘seed sequence’, can nucleate miRNA/target interactions. In the current study, we have validated that the RhoB mRNA is a bona fide miR-223 target. We have analyzed the functional activities of two miR223-binding sites within the RhoB 3′UTR. We find that the two miR-223 target sites in the RhoB 3′UTR contribute differentially to the total repression of RhoB translation. Moreover, we demonstrate that some AU-rich motifs located upstream of the distal miRNA-binding site enhance miRNA function, independent of the miRNA target sequences being tested. We also demonstrate that the AU-rich sequence elements are polar, and do not affect the activities of miRNAs whose sites lie upstream of these elements. These studies provide further support for the role of sequences outside of miRNA target region influencing miRNA function

Trace element stoichiometry of submerged macrophytes in Yangtze floodplain lakes and Yunnan plateau lakes (China)

Trace element balance is a key parameter in ecological stoichiometry. However, little is known about trace element stoichiometry of submerged macrophytes. We hypothesized that lake nutrients (N and P) and taxonomy strongly affect tissue trace element (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Li, Pb and Sr) composition and homeostasis of submerged macrophytes in Yangtze floodplain lakes and Yunnan plateau lakes (China). Submerged macrophytes had Co stoichiometric homeostasis in these two sets of lakes. Moreover, submerged macrophytes in Yangtze floodplain lakes had higher Cd stoichiometric homeostasis, whereas submerged macrophytes in Yunnan plateau lakes had higher Cr, Li and Pb stoichiometric homeostasis. Lake nutrients altered trace element composition of submerged macrophytes as shown by canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). Total nitrogen in water (WTN) positively correlated with tissue As and tissue Cd for all lake types, indicating WTN influenced the concentration and composition of tissue As and tissue Cd in submerged macrophytes. Canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) successfully discriminated among submerged macrophyte taxa, revealing there are significant differences in multielement composition of submerged macrophytes among taxonomy. Some similar relationships of taxa and trace elements between Yangtze floodplain lakes and Yunnan plateau lakes indicated that certain families of submerged macrophytes accumulate specific elements. Differences in relationships of taxa and trace elements between Yangtze floodplain lakes and Yunnan plateau lakes indicated that trace element composition of submerged macrophytes could be affected both by taxonomy and the ambient environment

Effect of submerged macrophytes on metal and metalloid concentrations in sediments and water of the Yunnan Plateau lakes in China

Purpose Submerged macrophytes have an ability to absorb metals and metalloids either from the sediments via the roots, from the water by the leaves, or from both sources. The objectives of this study were (1) to test the hypothesis that metal and metalloid concentrations in water and sediments from sampling sites with submerged macrophytes are significantly lower than those from sampling sites without submerged macrophytes, (2) to explore the accumulation potential for metals and metalloids of different submerged macrophyte species, and (3) to discuss the relationships among submerged macrophytes, water, and sediments in the Yunnan Plateau lakes. Materials and methods Twenty Yunnan Plateau lakes with different trophic levels were selected. Concentrations of 16 metals and metalloids (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, and Zn) in submerged macrophytes, water, and sediments were determined by using ICP-AES. Relationships among metal and metalloid concentrations in water, sediments, and submerged macrophytes were carried out by Pearson correlation analysis. The enrichment factor was calculated as the ratio between the concentration of metals and metalloids in a sediment sample and the soil background value. Results and discussion No significant differences were found in metal and metalloid concentrations in water and sediments between sampling sites with submerged macrophytes and sampling sites without submerged macrophytes. Moreover, lake water and sediments were mainly contaminated by As, Cr, and Pb. Potamogeton distinctus is a hyperaccumulator of Fe according to the threshold value for Fe hyperaccumulation. Many significantly positive correlations were found among metals and metalloids in submerged macrophytes due to co-accumulation. We found significant correlation between Cr in submerged macrophytes and Cr in water, and strong positive correlations between As, Cd, and Cu in submerged macrophytes and As, Cd, and Cu in corresponding sediments in the Yunnan Plateau lakes. Conclusions Submerged macrophytes have no significant effects on metal and metalloid concentrations in sediments and water in all the 20 Yunnan Plateau lakes in the study. However, further studies are necessary to understand the interactions of metals and metalloids in submerged macrophytes, water, and sediments