A Wideband MIMO Channel Model for Aerial Intelligent Reflecting Surface-Assisted Wireless Communications

Compared to traditional intelligent reflecting surfaces(IRS), aerial IRS (AIRS) has unique advantages, such as more flexible deployment and wider service coverage. However, modeling AIRS in the channel presents new challenges due to their mobility. In this paper, a three-dimensional (3D) wideband channel model for AIRS and IRS joint-assisted multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication system is proposed, where considering the rotational degrees of freedom in three directions and the motion angles of AIRS in space. Based on the proposed model, the channel impulse response (CIR), correlation function, and channel capacity are derived, and several feasible joint phase shifts schemes for AIRS and IRS units are proposed. Simulation results show that the proposed model can capture the channel characteristics accurately, and the proposed phase shifts methods can effectively improve the channel statistical characteristics and increase the system capacity. Additionally, we observe that in certain scenarios, the paths involving the IRS and the line-of-sight (LoS) paths exhibit similar characteristics. These findings provide valuable insights for the future development of intelligent communication systems.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figure

Deep Learning on Abnormal Chromosome Segments: An Intelligent Copy Number Variants Detection System Design

Gene testing emerged as a business in the last two decades, and the testing cost has been reduced from 100 million to 1000 dollars for the development of technologies. Preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) is a popular genetic profiling of embryos prior to implantation in gene testing. Copy number variants (CNVs) detection is a key task in PGS which still needs the manual operation and evaluation. At the same time, deep learning technology earns a booming development and wide application in recent years for its strong computing and learning capability. This research redesigns the PGS workflow with the intelligent CNVs detection system, and proposes the corresponding system framework. Deep learning is selected as the proper technology in the system design for CNVs detection, which also fit the task of denoising. The evaluation is conducted on simulation dataset with high accuracy and low time cost, which may achieve the requirements of clinical application and reduce the workload of bioinformatics experts. Moreover, the redesigned process and proposed framework may enlighten the intelligent system design for gene testing in following work, and provide a guidance of deep learning application in AI healthcar

Castration modulates singing patterns and electrophysiological properties of RA projection neurons in adult male zebra finches

Castration can change levels of plasma testosterone. Androgens such as testosterone play an important role in stabilizing birdsong. The robust nucleus of the arcopallium (RA) is an important premotor nucleus critical for singing. In this study, we investigated the effect of castration on singing patterns and electrophysiological properties of projection neurons (PNs) in the RA of adult male zebra finches. Adult male zebra finches were castrated and the changes in bird song assessed. We also recorded the electrophysiological changes from RA PNs using patch clamp recording. We found that the plasma levels of testosterone were significantly decreased, song syllable’s entropy was increased and the similarity of motif was decreased after castration. Spontaneous and evoked firing rates, membrane time constants, and membrane capacitance of RA PNs in the castration group were lower than those of the control and the sham groups. Afterhyperpolarization AHP time to peak of spontaneous action potential (AP) was prolonged after castration.These findings suggest that castration decreases song stereotypy and excitability of RA PNs in male zebra finches

Predict Market Share with Users’ Online Activities Data: An Initial Study on Market Share and Search Index of Mobile Phone

Acquiring accurate and timely market share information is very important for producers to arrange producing plan and design marketing strategy. However the high cost and long period of collecting survey data in survey-based method make it much difficult to easily get latest market shares data. Recently, the emerging online web systems provide users with new and convenient ways of searching, learning, experiencing and buying products. The users’ activities data captured by these web systems can reflect users’ buying intentions and behaviours very well, and contain very valuable information for predicting market shares. In this study, the correlation between Google search index and market shares of mobile phones is analyzed with time series analysis technology. The experiment result shows the statistically significant relationships exist between search index and market shares. This indicates the easily got search index data with low cost has the power of timely forecasting market shares. This study opens a door to apply users’ online activities data to accurately and timely predict market shares, which will bring many benefits to producers and customers

Dopamine modulates synaptic transmission in the premotor nuclei of songbirds

Songbirds, such as zebra finches, contribute to explore behaviors underlying neural activities. Birdsong is controlled by the song system. The robust nucleus of the arcopallium (RA) is a key nucleus for producing birdsong in the song system. The RA receives dopaminergic （DArgic） inputs from the midbrain, however, the function of these inputs involved excitatory synaptic transmission is still unclear. Excitatory synaptic transmission is critical in the signal integration activities of the brain. We examined the effects of dopamine (DA) on excitatory synaptic transmission of the projection neurons in the RA of adult male zebra finches, using whole-cell recording technique. We found that DA (100 μM) decreases the frequency of spontaneous and miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs/mEPSCs). In our further study, these effects of DA were reversed by the D1-like dopamine receptor (D1R) antagonist and stimulated by a D1R agonist. However, a D2-like dopamine receptor (D2R) has no influence on the effects of DA. These results demonstrate that DA can inhibit excitatory synaptic transmission mainly via activation of D1R in adult male zebra finches. PeerJ PrePrints | https://doi.org/10.7287/peerj.preprints.1563v1 | CC-BY 4.0 Open Access

Mechanical overloading induces GPX4-regulated chondrocyte ferroptosis in osteoarthritis via Piezo1 channel facilitated calcium influx

Introductions: Excessive mechanical stress is closely associated with cell death in various conditions. Exposure of chondrocytes to excessive mechanical loading leads to a catabolic response as well as exaggerated cell death. Ferroptosis is a recently identified form of cell death during cell aging and degeneration. However, it's potential association with mechanical stress remains to be illustrated. Objectives: To identify whether excessive mechanical stress can cause ferroptosis. To explore the role of mechanical overloading in chondrocyte ferroptosis. Methods: Chondrocytes were collected from loading and unloading zones of cartilage in patients with osteoarthritis (OA), and the ferroptosis phenotype was analyzed through transmission electron microscope and microarray. Moreover, the relationship between ferroptosis and OA was analyzed by GPX4-conditional knockout (Col2a1-CreERT: GPX4flox/flox) mice OA model and chondrocytes cultured with high strain mechanical stress. Furthermore, the role of Piezo1 ion channel in chondrocyte ferroptosis and OA development was explored by using its inhibitor (GsMTx4) and agonist (Yoda1). Additionally, chondrocyte was cultured in calcium-free medium with mechanical stress, and ferroptosis phenotype was tested. Results: Human cartilage and mouse chondrocyte experiments revealed that mechanical overloading can induce GPX4-associated ferroptosis. Conditional knockout of GPX4 in cartilage aggravated experimental OA process, while additional treatment with ferroptosis suppressor protein (FSP-1) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) abated OA development in GPX4-CKO mice. In mouse OA model and chondrocyte experiments, inhibition of Piezo1 channel activity increased GPX4 expression, attenuated ferroptosis phenotype and reduced the severity of osteoarthritis. Additionally, high strain mechanical stress induced ferroptosis damage in chondrocyte was largely abolished by blocking calcium influx through calcium-free medium. Conclusions: Our findings show that mechanical overloading induces ferroptosis through Piezo1 activation and subsequent calcium influx in chondrocytes, which might provide a potential target for OA treatment

Macrophage polarization states in atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory condition primarily affecting large and medium arteries, is the main cause of cardiovascular diseases. Macrophages are key mediators of inflammatory responses. They are involved in all stages of atherosclerosis development and progression, from plaque formation to transition into vulnerable plaques, and are considered important therapeutic targets. Increasing evidence suggests that the modulation of macrophage polarization can effectively control the progression of atherosclerosis. Herein, we explore the role of macrophage polarization in the progression of atherosclerosis and summarize emerging therapies for the regulation of macrophage polarization. Thus, the aim is to inspire new avenues of research in disease mechanisms and clinical prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis

Anomalous stopping of laser-accelerated intense proton beam in dense ionized matter

Ultrahigh-intensity lasers (10$^{18}$-10$^{22}$W/cm$^{2}$) have opened up new perspectives in many fields of research and application [1-5]. By irradiating a thin foil, an ultrahigh accelerating field (10$^{12}$ V/m) can be formed and multi-MeV ions with unprecedentedly high intensity (10$^{10}$A/cm$^2$) in short time scale ($\sim$ps) are produced [6-14]. Such beams provide new options in radiography [15], high-yield neutron sources [16], high-energy-density-matter generation [17], and ion fast ignition [18,19]. An accurate understanding of the nonlinear behavior of beam transport in matter is crucial for all these applications. We report here the first experimental evidence of anomalous stopping of a laser-generated high-current proton beam in well-characterized dense ionized matter. The observed stopping power is one order of magnitude higher than single-particle slowing-down theory predictions. We attribute this phenomenon to collective effects where the intense beam drives an decelerating electric field approaching 1GV/m in the dense ionized matter. This finding will have considerable impact on the future path to inertial fusion energy.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure

Energy loss enhancement of very intense proton beams in dense matter due to the beam-density effect

Thoroughly understanding the transport and energy loss of intense ion beams in dense matter is essential for high-energy-density physics and inertial confinement fusion. Here, we report a stopping power experiment with a high-intensity laser-driven proton beam in cold, dense matter. The measured energy loss is one order of magnitude higher than the expectation of individual particle stopping models. We attribute this finding to the proximity of beam ions to each other, which is usually insignificant for relatively-low-current beams from classical accelerators. The ionization of the cold target by the intense ion beam is important for the stopping power calculation and has been considered using proper ionization cross section data. Final theoretical values agree well with the experimental results. Additionally, we extend the stopping power calculation for intense ion beams to plasma scenario based on Ohm's law. Both the proximity- and the Ohmic effect can enhance the energy loss of intense beams in dense matter, which are also summarized as the beam-density effect. This finding is useful for the stopping power estimation of intense beams and significant to fast ignition fusion driven by intense ion beams

Expression of alternansucrase in potato plants

Alternan, which consists of alternating α-(1→3)/α-(1→6)-linked glucosyl residues, was produced in potato tubers by expressing a mature alternansucrase (Asr) gene from Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B-1355 in potato. Detection of alternan was performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in tuber juices, revealing a concentration between 0.3 and 1.2 mg g-1 fresh wt. The Asr transcript levels correlated well with alternan accumulation in tuber juices. It appeared that the expression of sucrose-regulated starch-synthesizing genes (ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase subunit S and granule-bound starch synthase I) was down-regulated. Despite this, the physico-chemical properties of the transgenic starches were unaltered. These results are compared to those obtained with other transgenic potato plants producing mutan [α-(1→3)-linked glucosyl residues] and dextran [α-(1→6)-linked glucosyl residues]