A Joint Doppler Frequency Shift and DOA Estimation Algorithm Based on Sparse Representations for Colocated TDM-MIMO Radar

We address the problem of a new joint Doppler frequency shift (DFS) and direction of arrival (DOA) estimation for colocated TDM-MIMO radar that is a novel technology applied to autocruise and safety driving system in recent years. The signal model of colocated TDM-MIMO radar with few transmitter or receiver channels is depicted and “time varying steering vector” model is proved. Inspired by sparse representations theory, we present a new processing scheme for joint DFS and DOA estimation based on the new input signal model of colocated TDM-MIMO radar. An ultracomplete redundancy dictionary for angle-frequency space is founded in order to complete sparse representations of the input signal. The SVD-SR algorithm which stands for joint estimation based on sparse representations using SVD decomposition with OMP algorithm and the improved M-FOCUSS algorithm which combines the classical M-FOCUSS with joint sparse recovery spectrum are applied to the new signal model’s calculation to solve the multiple measurement vectors (MMV) problem. The improved M-FOCUSS algorithm can work more robust than SVD-SR and JS-SR algorithms in the aspects of coherent signals resolution and estimation accuracy. Finally, simulation experiments have shown that the proposed algorithms and schemes are feasible and can be further applied to practical application

Fault diagnosis of refrigerant charge based on PCA and decision tree for variable refrigerant flow systems

Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems are easily subjected to performance degradation due to refrigerant leakage, mechanical failure or improper maintenance after years of operation. Ideal VRF systems should equip with fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) program to sustain its normal operation. This paper presents the fault diagnosis method for refrigerant charge faults of variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems. It is developed based on the principal component analysis (PCA) feature extraction method and the decision tree (DT) classification algorithm. Nine refrigerant charge schemes are implemented on the VRF system in the laboratory, which contain the normal and faulty refrigerant charge conditions. In addition, data of the online operating VRF systems are collected in this work. Firstly, data from both experimental VRF system and online operating systems are pre-processed by outlier cleaning, feature extraction and data normalization, because the original data of the VRF system usually has poor quality and complex structure. Secondly, the fault diagnosis model based on the PCA-DT method is built using the data of the experimental VRF system. In this step, the PCA method is used to obtain a new data sample which includes four comprehensive features, then the new data sample are randomly split into training and testing sets as the input of DT classifier for fault diagnosis. Thirdly, the advantages of the PCA-DT method is validated using the experimental data of different fault severity levels. Results show that the combined use of PCA and DT methods can achieve better fault diagnosis efficiency than the single decision tree method. Further, the robustness of the PCA-DT method in online fault diagnosis is verified using the data from online VRF systems. The online VRF systems have the same or different number of indoor units as the trained (experimental) VRF system. The PCA-DT method also shows desirable goodness on the online fault diagnosis process. In this sense, this work provides a promising fault diagnosis strategy for refrigerant charge faults of VRF system application

Dynamic distribution and expression in vivo of the human interferon gamma gene delivered by adenoviral vector

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We previously found that r-hu-IFNγ exerts a potent anti-tumor effect on human nasopharyngeal carcinoma xenografts <it>in vivo</it>. Considering the fact that the clinical use of recombinant IFNγ is limited by its short half-life and systemic side effects, we developed a recombinant adenovirus, Ad-IFNγ.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Dynamic distribution of the adenovirus vector and expression of IFNγ were evaluated by Q-PCR and ELISA after intratumoral administration of Ad-IFNγ into CNE-2 xenografts.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Ad-IFNγ DNA was mainly enriched in tumors where the Ad-IFNγ DNA was injected (<it>P </it>< 0.05, compared to blood or parenchymal organs), as well as in livers (<it>P </it>< 0.05). Concentrations of Ad-IFNγ DNA in other organs and blood were very low. Intratumoral Ad-IFNγ DNA decreased sharply at high concentrations (9 × 10⁵copies/μg tissue DNA), and slowly at lower concentrations (1.7–2.9 × 10⁵copies/μg tissue DNA). IFNγ was detected in the tumors and parenchymal organs. The concentration of IFNγ was highest in the tumor (<it>P </it>< 0.05), followed by the liver and kidney (<it>P </it>< 0.05). High-level intratumoral expression of IFNγ was maintained for at least 7 days, rapidly peaking on day 3 after injection of Ad-IFNγ DNA.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>An IFNγ gene delivered by an adenoviral vector achieved high and consistent intratumoral expression. Disseminated Ad-IFNγ DNA and the transgene product were mainly enriched in the liver.</p

Characterization of the Autocrine/Paracrine Function of Vitamin D in Human Gingival Fibroblasts and Periodontal Ligament Cells

Background: We previously demonstrated that 25-hydroxyvitamin D-3, the precursor of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3, is abundant around periodontal soft tissues. Here we investigate whether 25-hydroxyvitamin D-3 is converted to 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 in periodontal soft tissue cells and explore the possibility of an autocrine/paracrine function of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 in periodontal soft tissue cells. Methodology/Principal Findings: We established primary cultures of human gingival fibroblasts and human periodontal ligament cells from 5 individual donors. We demonstrated that 1 alpha-hydroxylase was expressed in human gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells, as was cubilin. After incubation with the 1 alpha-hydroxylase substrate 25-hydroxyvitamin D-3, human gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells generated detectable 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 that resulted in an up-regulation of CYP24A1 and RANKL mRNA. A specific knockdown of 1 alpha-hydroxylase in human gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells using siRNA resulted in a significant reduction in both 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 production and mRNA expression of CYP24A1 and RANKL. The classical renal regulators of 1 alpha-hydroxylase (parathyroid hormone, calcium and 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3) and Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide did not influence 1 alpha-hydroxylase expression significantly, however, interleukin-1 beta and sodium butyrate strongly induced 1 alpha-hydroxylase expression in human gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells. Conclusions/Significance: In this study, the expression, activity and functionality of 1 alpha-hydroxylase were detected in human gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells, raising the possibility that vitamin D acts in an autocrine/paracrine manner in these cells.http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000305781700070&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=8e1609b174ce4e31116a60747a720701Multidisciplinary SciencesSCI(E)PubMed13ARTICLE6e39878

Genome Characterization of the Oleaginous Fungus Mortierella alpina

Mortierella alpina is an oleaginous fungus which can produce lipids accounting for up to 50% of its dry weight in the form of triacylglycerols. It is used commercially for the production of arachidonic acid. Using a combination of high throughput sequencing and lipid profiling, we have assembled the M. alpina genome, mapped its lipogenesis pathway and determined its major lipid species. The 38.38 Mb M. alpina genome shows a high degree of gene duplications. Approximately 50% of its 12,796 gene models, and 60% of genes in the predicted lipogenesis pathway, belong to multigene families. Notably, M. alpina has 18 lipase genes, of which 11 contain the class 2 lipase domain and may share a similar function. M. alpina's fatty acid synthase is a single polypeptide containing all of the catalytic domains required for fatty acid synthesis from acetyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA, whereas in many fungi this enzyme is comprised of two polypeptides. Major lipids were profiled to confirm the products predicted in the lipogenesis pathway. M. alpina produces a complex mixture of glycerolipids, glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids. In contrast, only two major sterol lipids, desmosterol and 24(28)-methylene-cholesterol, were detected. Phylogenetic analysis based on genes involved in lipid metabolism suggests that oleaginous fungi may have acquired their lipogenic capacity during evolution after the divergence of Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Chytridiomycota and Mucoromycota. Our study provides the first draft genome and comprehensive lipid profile for M. alpina, and lays the foundation for possible genetic engineering of M. alpina to produce higher levels and diverse contents of dietary lipids

Passengers' likely behaviour based on demographic difference during an emergency evacuation in a Ro-Ro passenger ship

By examining the characteristics of passengers on a ship route between the Shandong and Liaodong Peninsula, through a questionnaire survey, this paper aims to address the likely behaviours of passengers during emergency evacuation and the demographic differences among these behaviours. A questionnaire survey of 1380 passengers shows that passengers on board are more alert and are more likely to proactively respond to evacuation alarms (62.5%), observe others’ actions (59.1%), follow evacuation instructions (67.9%), obey the crew (66.2%), queue patiently (63%), return to the cabin when their families are left behind (65.1%), and be cooperative (59%) rather than competitive (44%). The multinomial logistic regression results show that passengers who are older, with limited mobility, that have more experience aboard ships and are part of a larger group, will be more likely to proactively confirm the authenticity of evacuation events. Men, elderly individuals, people who are part of a larger group and with less experience in evacuation education are more likely to follow others. When the family is left behind, elderly individuals and people who are part of a larger group are much more likely to choose to return to their cabins. Similarly, elderly passengers with larger groups are much more likely to choose to help others. Although questionnaire research has some limitations, such as a hypothetical response and closed questions, the research results are of great significance for helping passenger ship managers to develop appropriate management rules, and conduct effective evacuation education activities

How Proactive Environmental Strategy Facilitates Environmental Reputation: Roles of Green Human Resource Management and Discretionary Slack

Based on natural resource-based theory, we examined how firms&rsquo; environmental strategies and environmental reputation depended on their green human resource management and discretionary slack. From the perspective of human resource management, we hypothesized that proactive environmental strategy predicted firms&rsquo; environmental reputation through the mediation of green human resource management. We further proposed that slack resources, which can be used discretely by managers for environmental management, enhanced the hypothesized relationships. Using data from firms in environmentally sensitive industries in eastern China, we provided empirical support for our hypotheses. The findings highlight the vital roles played by managers and green human resource management in implementing firms&rsquo; environmental strategies and promoting firms&rsquo; environmental reputation

Characteristics of Ground Pressure Disaster and Rockburst Proneness in Deep Gold Mine

AbstractTo obtain rockburst characteristics at rock engineering, the rockburst event, in situ stress characteristics, and rockburst proneness are studied in a deep gold mine. The severity of rockburst increases with cover depth at the mine. The main locations of spalling and rockburst events include roof and sidewall. The in situ stress measurement results show this area that is controlled by horizontal constructional pressure, and the self-weight stress also has an important influence. The rockburst mechanism is analyzed from the principal stress and tangential stress. When the maximum tangential stress (MTS) does not exceed 0.4 times UCS of surrounding rock, no obvious disaster in tunnel is found. When the MTS of tunnel is between about 0.4 ~ 0.55 times UCS of rock, the tunnel may suffer spalling. When the MTS of tunnel exceeds 0.55 times UCS of rock, serious failure may occur in tunnel, such as rockburst and large roof collapse. When surrounding rock is relatively hard and complete (high impact energy index, elastic strain energy index, linear elastic energy index, and RQD index), the tangential stress plays a very important role in the rockburst at the mine