Performance Limits of Visible Light-Based Positioning for Internet-of-Vehicles: Time-Domain Localization Cooperation Gain

In this paper, we aim to give a unified performance limit analysis of the visible light-based positioning (VLP) for a vehicular user equipment (UE), which will help to understand the essence of time-domain localization cooperation and gain insights into how to improve the performance limit of the vehicular VLP system. This is challenging due to the complex system models and the complex dependency between UE location performance and orientation performance. To achieve the above goal, we will first characterize the closed-form error bounds of the UE location and orientation at each time slot, respectively, in terms of Fisher information. Generally, the VLP error will propagate over time as the vehicular UE moves, and hence the VLP error at the current time slot is affected by the VLP performance at the previous time slot, the UE mobility and the channel quality. Based on the obtained VLP error bounds, we then reveal the impact of prior UE location knowledge, UE mobility and signal-to-noise-ratio on the VLP performance. Furthermore, the time-domain evolution of the VLP error is studied, where the convergence of the time-domain VLP error evolution is established and its closed-form stable state is quantified, which will shed light on the long-term performance of the vehicular VLP system

Foreign body granuloma in the anterior abdominal wall mimicking an acute appendicular lump and induced by a translocated copper-T intrauterine contraceptive device: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Intrauterine contraceptive devices may at times perforate and migrate to adjacent organs. Such uterine perforation usually passes unnoticed with development of potentially serious complications.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 25-year-old woman of North Indian origin presented with an acute tender lump in the right iliac fossa. The lump was initially thought to be an appendicular lump and treated conservatively. Resolution of the lump was incomplete. On exploratory laparotomy, a hard suspicious mass was found in the anterior abdominal wall of the right iliac fossa. Wide excision and bisection of the mass revealed a copper-T embedded inside. Examination of the uterus did not show any evidence of perforation. The next day, the patient gave a history of past copper-T Intrauterine contraceptive device insertion.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Copper-T insertion is one of the simplest contraceptive methods but its neglect with inadequate follow-up may lead to uterine perforation and extra-uterine migration. Regular self-examination for the "threads" supplemented with abdominal X-ray and/or ultrasound in the follow-up may detect copper-T migration early. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of intrauterine contraceptive device migration to the anterior abdominal wall of the right iliac fossa.</p

The Ribosomal Database Project: improved alignments and new tools for rRNA analysis

The Ribosomal Database Project (RDP) provides researchers with quality-controlled bacterial and archaeal small subunit rRNA alignments and analysis tools. An improved alignment strategy uses the Infernal secondary structure aware aligner to provide a more consistent higher quality alignment and faster processing of user sequences. Substantial new analysis features include a new Pyrosequencing Pipeline that provides tools to support analysis of ultra high-throughput rRNA sequencing data. This pipeline offers a collection of tools that automate the data processing and simplify the computationally intensive analysis of large sequencing libraries. In addition, a new Taxomatic visualization tool allows rapid visualization of taxonomic inconsistencies and suggests corrections, and a new class Assignment Generator provides instructors with a lesson plan and individualized teaching materials. Details about RDP data and analytical functions can be found at http://rdp.cme.msu.edu/

Evaluation of Current Methods to Detect Cellular Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2) Kinase Activity.

Background: Coding variation in the Leucine rich repeat kinase 2 gene linked to Parkinson’s disease (PD) promotes enhanced activity of the encoded LRRK2 kinase, particularly with respect to autophosphorylation at S1292 and/or phosphorylation of the heterologous substrate RAB10. Objective: To determine the inter-laboratory reliability of measurements of cellular LRRK2 kinase activity in the context of wildtype or mutant LRRK2 expression using published protocols. Methods: Benchmark western blot assessments of phospho-LRRK2 and phospho-RAB10 were performed in parallel with in situ immunological approaches in HEK293T, mouse embryonic fibroblasts, and lymphoblastoid cell lines. Rat brain tissue, with or without adenovirus-mediated LRRK2 expression, and human brain tissues from subjects with or without PD, were also evaluated for LRRK2 kinase activity markers. Results: Western blots were able to detect extracted LRRK2 activity in cells and tissue with pS1292-LRRK2 or pT73-RAB10 antibodies. However, while LRRK2 kinase signal could be detected at the cellular level with over-expressed mutant LRRK2 in cell lines, we were unable to demonstrate specific detection of endogenous cellular LRRK2 activity in cell culture models or tissues that we evaluated. Conclusion: Further development of reliable methods that can be deployed in multiple laboratories to measure endogenous LRRK2 activities are likely required, especially at cellular resolution.This research was supported in part by the Intramural Research Program of the NIH, National Institute on Aging and by NIH NINDS grants R01 NS064934 and P50NS108675 (to A.B.W.), the Alexander and Eva Nemeth Foundation and MJFF grant (17358) (to R.J.N. and T.J.M.), MJFF grants (12753 and 18287) (to D.J.M.), MJFF grant (10255.02) (to S.H. and M.C.C.H.) and Intramural Funds from Rutgers University (to S.H.).Peer reviewe

Evaluation of Current Methods to Detect Cellular Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2) Kinase Activity

Background: Coding variation in the Leucine rich repeat kinase 2 gene linked to Parkinson’s disease (PD) promotes enhanced activity of the encoded LRRK2 kinase, particularly with respect to autophosphorylation at S1292 and/or phosphorylation of the heterologous substrate RAB10. Objective: To determine the inter-laboratory reliability of measurements of cellular LRRK2 kinase activity in the context of wildtype or mutant LRRK2 expression using published protocols. Methods: Benchmark western blot assessments of phospho-LRRK2 and phospho-RAB10 were performed in parallel with in situ immunological approaches in HEK293T, mouse embryonic fibroblasts, and lymphoblastoid cell lines. Rat brain tissue, with or without adenovirus-mediated LRRK2 expression, and human brain tissues from subjects with or without PD, were also evaluated for LRRK2 kinase activity markers. Results: Western blots were able to detect extracted LRRK2 activity in cells and tissue with pS1292-LRRK2 or pT73-RAB10 antibodies. However, while LRRK2 kinase signal could be detected at the cellular level with over-expressed mutant LRRK2 in cell lines, we were unable to demonstrate specific detection of endogenous cellular LRRK2 activity in cell culture models or tissues that we evaluated. Conclusion: Further development of reliable methods that can be deployed in multiple laboratories to measure endogenous LRRK2 activities are likely required, especially at cellular resolution

4D corneal tissue engineering: achieving time-dependent tissue self-curvature through localized control of cell actuators

While tissue engineering is widely used to construct complex tridimensional biocompatible structures, researchers are now attempting to extend the technique into the fourth dimension. Such fourth dimension consists in the transformation of 3D materials over time, namely, by changing their shape, composition, and/or function when subjected to specific external stimuli. Herein, producing a 4D biomaterial with an internal mechanism of stimulus, using contractile cells as bio‐actuators to change tissue shape and structure, is explored. Specifically, producing cornea‐shaped, curved stromal tissue equivalents via the controlled, cell‐driven curving of collagen‐based hydrogels. This is achieved by modulating the activity of the bio‐actuators in delimited regions of the gels using a contraction‐inhibiting peptide amphiphile. The self‐curved constructs are then characterized in terms of cell and collagen fibril reorganization, gel stiffness, cell phenotype, and the ability to sustain the growth of a corneal epithelium in vitro. Overall, the results show that the structural and mechanical properties of self‐curved gels acquired through a 4D engineering method are more similar to those of the native tissue, and represent a significant improvement over planar 3D scaffolds. In this perspective, the study demonstrates the great potential of cell bio‐actuators for 4D tissue engineering applications

Distinct TB-antigen stimulated cytokine profiles as redictive biomarkers for unfavorable treatment outcomes in pulmonary tuberculosis

The assessment of tuberculosis (TB) treatment outcomes predominantly relies on sputum culture conversion status. To enhance treatment management, it is crucial to identify non-sputum-based biomarkers that can predict unfavorable outcomes. Cytokines are widely studied as diagnostic biomarkers for active TB. However, their potential as indicators for unfavorable treatment outcomes remains uncertai