An Overview on Application of Machine Learning Techniques in Optical Networks

Today's telecommunication networks have become sources of enormous amounts of widely heterogeneous data. This information can be retrieved from network traffic traces, network alarms, signal quality indicators, users' behavioral data, etc. Advanced mathematical tools are required to extract meaningful information from these data and take decisions pertaining to the proper functioning of the networks from the network-generated data. Among these mathematical tools, Machine Learning (ML) is regarded as one of the most promising methodological approaches to perform network-data analysis and enable automated network self-configuration and fault management. The adoption of ML techniques in the field of optical communication networks is motivated by the unprecedented growth of network complexity faced by optical networks in the last few years. Such complexity increase is due to the introduction of a huge number of adjustable and interdependent system parameters (e.g., routing configurations, modulation format, symbol rate, coding schemes, etc.) that are enabled by the usage of coherent transmission/reception technologies, advanced digital signal processing and compensation of nonlinear effects in optical fiber propagation. In this paper we provide an overview of the application of ML to optical communications and networking. We classify and survey relevant literature dealing with the topic, and we also provide an introductory tutorial on ML for researchers and practitioners interested in this field. Although a good number of research papers have recently appeared, the application of ML to optical networks is still in its infancy: to stimulate further work in this area, we conclude the paper proposing new possible research directions

Human chitotriosidase helps <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> in the <i>Anopheles</i> midgut

High levels of plasma chitotriosidase (Chit) represents a marker of macrophage activation in human malaria infection. Plasmodium falciparum during its maturation cycle in the Anopheles midgut produces an analogue of Chit for the digestion of peritrophic matrix (PM). Our results confirm the hypothesis that Chit contained in blood of malaria patients could help P. falciparum to complete its cycle in the Anopheles midgut and to produce a bigger number of oocysts/sporozoites. This could balance the different genetic protection in humans conferred by the heterozygous Hb beta (S) gene, which seems to be associated with an increasing effect on P. falciparum transmission from humans to mosquitoes

Low-Voltage GaN Based Inverter for Power Steering Application

In the paper, an experimental evaluation of a low voltage Gallium Nitride (GaN) based inverter suitable for power steering application is presented. The inverter switches belong to the last generation of low voltage enhancement-mode normally-off GaN Field-Effect Transistor (FET). The main advantage in the usage of these devices is the high switching frequency capability with consequently volume reduction of the passive components. On the other hand, the layout and the device packaging solution are a challenge to reduce the parasitic inductances. Furthermore, the dv/dt increasing with the switching frequency need a deep investigation in a motor drive application. The paper deals with the advances and drawbacks of the GaN FETs in two-level Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) motor drive applications providing a piece of detailed experimental evidence and design guidelines

Anticancer Ruthenium(III) Complexes and Ru(III)-Containing Nanoformulations: An Update on the Mechanism of Action and Biological Activity

The great advances in the studies on metal complexes for the treatment of different cancer forms, starting from the pioneering works on platinum derivatives, have fostered an increasingly growing interest in their properties and biomedical applications. Among the various metal-containing drugs investigated thus far, ruthenium(III) complexes have emerged for their selective cytotoxic activity in vitro and promising anticancer properties in vivo, also leading to a few candidates in advanced clinical trials. Aiming at addressing the solubility, stability and cellular uptake issues of low molecular weight Ru(III)-based compounds, some research groups have proposed the development of suitable drug delivery systems (e.g., taking advantage of nanoparticles, liposomes, etc.) able to enhance their activity compared to the naked drugs. This review highlights the unique role of Ru(III) complexes in the current panorama of anticancer agents, with particular emphasis on Ru-containing nanoformulations based on the incorporation of the Ru(III) complexes into suitable nanocarriers in order to enhance their bioavailability and pharmacokinetic properties. Preclinical evaluation of these nanoaggregates is discussed with a special focus on the investigation of their mechanism of action at a molecular level, highlighting their pharmacological potential in tumour disease models and value for biomedical applications

Energy-efficient caching for Video-on-Demand in Fixed-Mobile Convergent networks

The success of novel bandwidth-consuming multimedia services such as Video-on-Demand (VoD) is leading to a tremendous growth of the Internet traffic. Content caching can help to mitigate such uncontrolled growth by storing video content closer to the users in core, metro and access network nodes. So far, metro and especially access networks supporting mobile and fixed users have evolved independently, leveraging logically (and often also physically) separate infrastructures; this means that mobile users cannot access caches placed in the fixed access network (and vice-versa), even if they are geographically close to them, and energy consumption implications of such undesired effect must be investigated. We define an optimization problem modeling an energy-efficient placement of caches in core, metro and fixed/mobile access nodes of the network. Then, we show how the evolution towards a Fixed-Mobile Converged metro/access network, where fixed and mobile users can share caches, can reduce the energy consumed for VoD content delivery

Yield of bone scintigraphy screening for transthyretin-related cardiac amyloidosis in different conditions. Methodological issues and clinical implications

Background Transthyretin-related cardiac amyloidosis (TTR-CA) is thought to be particularly common in specific at-risk conditions, including aortic stenosis (AS), heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and left ventricular hypertrophy or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (LVH/HCM). Methods We performed a systematic revision of the literature, including only prospective studies performing TTR-CA screening with bone scintigraphy in the above-mentioned conditions. Assessment of other forms of CA was also evaluated. For selected items, pooled estimates of proportions or means were obtained using a meta-analytic approach. Results Nine studies (3 AS, 2 HFpEF, 2 CTS and 2 LVH/HCM) accounting for 1375 screened patients were included. One hundred fifty-six (11.3%) TTR-CA patients were identified (11.4% in AS, 14.8% in HFpEF, 2.6% in CTS and 12.9% in LVH/HCM). Exclusion of other forms of CA and use of genetic testing was overall puzzled. Age at TTR-CA recognition was significantly older than that of the overall screened population in AS (86 vs. 83 years, p = .04), LVH/HCM (75 vs. 63, p &lt; .01) and CTS (82 vs. 71), but not in HFpEF (83 vs. 79, p = .35). In terms of comorbidities, hypertension, diabetes and atrial fibrillation were highly prevalent in TTR-CA-diagnosed patients, as well as in those with an implanted pacemaker. Conclusions Screening with bone scintigraphy found an 11-15% TTR-CA prevalence in patients with AS, HFpEF and LVH/HCM. AS and HFpEF patients were typically older than 80 years at TTR-CA diagnosis and frequently accompanied by comorbidities. Several studies showed limitations in the application of recommended TTR-CA diagnostic algorithm, which should be addressed in future prospective studies

Disc Regeneration Using MSC Transplanted via the Endplate Route

IntroductionStem cell based intervertebral disc (IVD) regeneration is quickly moving toward clinical applications.1 However, many aspects need to be investigated to routinely translate this therapy..

Caching Placement Strategies for Dynamic Content Delivery in Metro Area Networks

Video-on-Demand (VoD) traffic explosion has been one of the main driving forces behind the recent Internet evolution from a traditional connection-centric architecture towards the new content-centric paradigm. To cope with this evolution, caching of VoD contents closer to the users in core, metro and even metro-access optical network equipment is regarded to be a prime solution that could help mitigating this traffic growth. However, the optimal caches placement and dimensioning is not univocal, especially in the context of a dynamic network, as it depends on various parameters, such as network topology, users behavior and content popularity. In this paper, we focus on a dynamic VoD content delivery scenario in a metropolitan network implementing different caching strategies. We evaluate the performance of the various caching strategies in terms of network-capacity occupation showing the savings in resource occupation in each of the network segments. We also evaluate the effect of the distribution of the storage capacity on the overall average number of hops of all requests. The obtained numerical results show that, in general, a significant amount of network resources can be saved by enabling content caching near to end-users. Moreover, we show that blindly providing caching capability in access nodes may result unnecessary, whereas a balanced storage distribution between access and metro network segments provides the best performance