806 research outputs found
Synchronization of a WDM Packet-Switched Slotted Ring
In this paper, we present two different strategies of
slot synchronization in wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM)
packet-switched slotted-ring networks. Emphasis is given to the
architecture behind the WDM Optical Network Demonstrator
over Rings (WONDER) project, which is based on tunable
transmitters and fixed receivers. The WONDER experimental
prototype is currently being developed at the laboratories
of Politecnico di Torino. In the former strategy, a slotsynchronization
signal is transmitted by the master station on a
dedicated control wavelength; in the latter, slave nodes achieve
slot synchronization aligning on data packets that are received
from the master. The performance of both synchronization strategies,
particularly in terms of packet-collision probability, was
evaluated by simulation. The technique based on transmitting a
timing signal on a dedicated control wavelength achieves better
performance, although it is more expensive due to the need for an
additional wavelength. However, the technique based on aligning
data packets that are received from the master, despite attaining
lower timing stability, still deserves further study, particularly
if limiting the number of wavelengths and receivers is a major
requirement. Some experimental results, which were measured on
the WONDER prototype, are also shown. Measurement results,
together with theoretical findings, demonstrate the good synchronization
performance of the prototype
High-Speed Communications Over Polymer Optical Fibers for In-Building Cabling and Home Networking
This paper focuses on high-speed cabling using polymer optical fibers (POF) in home networking. In particular, we report about the results obtained in the POF-ALL European Project, which is relevant to the Sixth Framework Program, and after two years of the European Project POF-PLUS, which is relevant to the Seventh Framework Program, focusing on their research activities about the use of poly-metyl-metha-acrilate step-index optical fibers for home applications. In particular, for that which concerns POF-ALL, we will describe eight-level pulse amplitude modulation (8-PAM) and orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) approaches for 100-Mb/s transmission over a target distance of 300 m, while for that which concerns POF-PLUS, we will describe a fully digital and a mixed analog-digital solution, both based on intensity modulation direct detection, for transmitting 1 Gb/s over a target distance of 50 m. The ultimate experimental results from the POF-ALL project will be given, while for POF-PLUS, which is still ongoing, we will only show our most recent preliminary results
Targeting metabolic reprogramming in metastatic melanoma: The key role of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT)
Cancer cells rewire their metabolism to support proliferation, growth and survival. In metastatic melanoma the BRAF oncogenic pathway is a master regulator of this process, highlighting the importance of metabolic reprogramming in the pathogenesis of this tumor and offering potential therapeutic approaches. Metabolic adaptation of melanoma cells generally requires increased amounts of NAD+, an essential redox cofactor in cellular metabolism and a signaling molecule. Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) is the most important NAD+ biosynthetic enzyme in mammalian cells and a direct target of the BRAF oncogenic signaling pathway. These findings suggest that NAMPT is an attractive new therapeutic target, particularly in combination strategies with BRAF or MEK inhibitors. Here we review current knowledge on how oncogenic signaling reprograms metabolism in BRAF-mutated melanoma, and discuss how NAMPT/NAD+ axis contributes to these processes. Lastly, we present evidence supporting a role of NAMPT as a novel therapeutic target in metastatic melanoma
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