X-ray imaging with compound refractive lens and microfocus X-ray tube

Compound refractive lenses (CRL), consisting of a lot number in-line concave microlenses made of low-Z material were studied. Lenses with focal length 109 mm and 41 mm for 8-keV X-rays, microfocus X-ray tube and X-ray CCD camera were used in experiments. Obtained images show intensity distribution of magnified microfocus X-ray source focal spot. Within the experiments, one lens was also used as an objective lens of the X-ray microscope, where the copper anode X-ray microfocus tube served as a source. Magnified images of gold mesh with 5 microns bars were obtained. Theoretical limits of CRL and experimental results are discussed

Transmission Convergence Layer of NG-PON2 in VPIphotonics Tool

Passive optical networks are the most promising solution for access networks. The first standard provided only 155 Mbit/s but current networks work according to ITU-T G.984.3 with 2.5 Gbit/s in downstream. However, NG-PON2 offers up to 40 Gbit/s in downstream by 4 different wavelengths. This article deals with an implementation of transmission convergence layer in VPIphotonics. This tool is dedicated only for simulations of physical layer. The main aim is to present a simulation of physical layer for NG-PON2 in comparison with our implementation of transmission convergence layer and encapsulated frames according to ITU-T G.989.3. Our results confirm expanding the entire system reach with the real encapsulation method of 3 sublayers model and error correction mechanism. The 3 sublayers model can be easily extended to all passive optical networks simulations in VPIphotonics simulation tool

Modified GIANT Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation Algorithm of NG-PON

Gigabit passive optical networks have been widely deployed due to the fact that the cost of their implementation is still decreasing. What is more important, we are facing theproblem with increasing demands on the transmission bandwidth. Regarding this issue, the ITU develops another two standards supporting higher downstream bitrate. The XG-PON standard is the first platform under the developing, and the NG-PON2 is the second standard. The first one provides compatibility and increases the downstream capacity of 10 Gbit/s and the second standard has the same assumptions, but does not have backward compatibility. In this article, we discuss only XG-PON networks. We choose amendment as the dynamic bandwidth allocation algorithms, and we have compared it with the original specification and with our modification. The primary intention of that modification is to reduce the delay of Triple Play (data, video, and voice) services. These services are represented by TCONT (Transmission Container), which is used to improve the PON system upstream bandwidth allocation and transmission status dynamically. As NS-3 simulator does not support the direct mapping of Triple Play services into T-CONT and their labeling. We focus on a delay value for Triple Play services which was reduced by own modification in a GIANT algorithm. On the other hand, we cannot reduce the delay value for VoIP services because it has the highest priority by T-CONT

Juno and CD9 protein network organization in oolemma of mouse oocyte

Juno and CD9 protein, expressed in oolemma, are known to be essential for sperm-oocyte binding and fusion. Although evidence exists that these two proteins cooperate, their interaction has not yet been demonstrated. Here in, we present Juno and CD9 mutual localization over the surface of mouse metaphase II oocytes captured using the 3D STED super-resolution technique. The precise localization of examined proteins was identified in different compartments of oolemma such as the microvillar membrane, planar membrane between individual microvilli, and the membrane of microvilli-free region. Observed variance in localization of Juno and CD9 was confirmed by analysis of transmission and scanning electron microscopy images, which showed a significant difference in the presence of proteins between selected membrane compartments. Colocalization analysis of super-resolution images based on Pearson’s correlation coefficient supported evidence of Juno and CD9 mutual position in the oolemma, which was identified by proximity ligation assay. Importantly, the interaction between Juno and CD9 was detected by co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry in HEK293T/17 transfected cell line. For better understanding of experimental data, mouse Juno and CD9 3D structure were prepared by comparative homology modelling and several protein-protein flexible sidechain dockings were performed using the ClusPro server. The dynamic state of the proteins was studied in real-time at atomic level by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Docking and MD simulation predicted Juno-CD9 interactions and stability also suggesting an interactive mechanism. Using the multiscale approach, we detected close proximity of Juno and CD9 within microvillar oolemma however, not in the planar membrane or microvilli-free region. Our findings show yet unidentified Juno and CD9 interaction within the mouse oolemma protein network prior to sperm attachment. These results suggest that a Juno and CD9 interactive network could assist in primary Juno binding to sperm Izumo1 as a prerequisite to subsequent gamete membrane fusion

Multiscale Analysis of Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in the Failing Heart

Rationale:Cardiac ECM (extracellular matrix) comprises a dynamic molecular network providing structural support to heart tissue function. Understanding the impact of ECM remodeling on cardiac cells during heart failure (HF) is essential to prevent adverse ventricular remodeling and restore organ functionality in affected patients.Objectives:We aimed to (1) identify consistent modifications to cardiac ECM structure and mechanics that contribute to HF and (2) determine the underlying molecular mechanisms.Methods and Results:We first performed decellularization of human and murine ECM (decellularized ECM) and then analyzed the pathological changes occurring in decellularized ECM during HF by atomic force microscopy, 2-photon microscopy, high-resolution 3-dimensional image analysis, and computational fluid dynamics simulation. We then performed molecular and functional assays in patient-derived cardiac fibroblasts based on YAP (yes-associated protein)-transcriptional enhanced associate domain (TEAD) mechanosensing activity and collagen contraction assays. The analysis of HF decellularized ECM resulting from ischemic or dilated cardiomyopathy, as well as from mouse infarcted tissue, identified a common pattern of modifications in their 3-dimensional topography. As compared with healthy heart, HF ECM exhibited aligned, flat, and compact fiber bundles, with reduced elasticity and organizational complexity. At the molecular level, RNA sequencing of HF cardiac fibroblasts highlighted the overrepresentation of dysregulated genes involved in ECM organization, or being connected to TGF beta 1 (transforming growth factor beta 1), interleukin-1, TNF-alpha, and BDNF signaling pathways. Functional tests performed on HF cardiac fibroblasts pointed at mechanosensor YAP as a key player in ECM remodeling in the diseased heart via transcriptional activation of focal adhesion assembly. Finally, in vitro experiments clarified pathological cardiac ECM prevents cell homing, thus providing further hints to identify a possible window of action for cell therapy in cardiac diseases.Conclusions:Our multiparametric approach has highlighted repercussions of ECM remodeling on cell homing, cardiac fibroblast activation, and focal adhesion protein expression via hyperactivated YAP signaling during HF

Current Research into Applications of Tomography for Fusion Diagnostics

Retrieving spatial distribution of plasma emissivity from line integrated measurements on tokamaks presents a challenging task due to ill-posedness of the tomography problem and limited number of the lines of sight. Modern methods of plasma tomography therefore implement a-priori information as well as constraints, in particular some form of penalisation of complexity. In this contribution, the current tomography methods under development (Tikhonov regularisation, Bayesian methods and neural networks) are briefly explained taking into account their potential for integration into the fusion reactor diagnostics. In particular, current development of the Minimum Fisher Regularisation method is exemplified with respect to real-time reconstruction capability, combination with spectral unfolding and other prospective tasks

Characterization of sensitivity of optical fiber cables to acoustic vibrations

Abstract Fiber optic infrastructure is essential in the transmission of data of all kinds, both for the long haul and shorter distances in cities. Optical fibers are also preferred for data infrastructures inside buildings, especially in highly secured organizations and government facilities. This paper focuses on a reference measurement and analysis of optical fiber cables sensitivity to acoustic waves. Measurement was carried out in an anechoic chamber to ensure stable conditions of acoustic pressure in the range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The frequency response, the signal-to-noise ratio per frequency, and the Speech Transmission Index are evaluated for various types of optical fiber cables and different ceiling tiles, followed by their comparison. The influence of the means of fixing the cable is also studied. The results prove that optical fiber-based infrastructure in buildings can be exploited as a sensitive microphone

Distributed Fiber-Optic Sensor for Detection and Localization of Acoustic Vibrations

A sensing system utilizing a standard optical fiber as a distributed sensor for the detection and localization of mechanical vibrations is presented. Vibrations can be caused by various external factors, like moving people, cars, trains, and other objects producing mechanical vibrations that are sensed by a fiber. In our laboratory we have designed a sensing system based on the Φ-OTDR (phase sensitive Optical Time Domain Reflectometry) using an extremely narrow laser and EDFAs

Long-term Perimeter Protection System Monitoring Using State of a Polarization Analyzer

The paper proposes the deployment of a perimeterand data protection system with long-term data storage in anInfluxDB time-series database enhanced by a graphical interfacebased on a Grafana dashboard. The perimeter is protected usinga fiber optic cable, and the transmitted light is analyzed by a stateof polarization analyzer detecting mechanical vibrations. Usinga simple spectrum comparison method and a threshold, it candetect a perimeter breach and generate an alert