A Joint Tensor Completion and Prediction Scheme for Multi-Dimensional Spectrum Map Construction

Spectrum data, which are usually characterized by many dimensions, such as location, frequency, time, and signal strength, present formidable challenges in terms of acquisition, processing, and visualization. In practice, a portion of spectrum data entries may be unavailable due to the interference during the acquisition process or compression during the sensing process. Nevertheless, the completion work in multi-dimensional spectrum data has drawn few attention to the researchers working in the eld. In this paper, we rst put forward the concept of spectrum tensor to depict the multi-dimensional spectrum data. Then, we develop a joint tensor completion and prediction scheme, which combines an improved tensor completion algorithm with prediction models to retrieve the incomplete measurements. Moreover, we build an experimental platform using Universal Software Radio Peripheral to collect real-world spectrum tensor data. Experimental results demonstrate that the effectiveness of the proposed joint tensor processing scheme is superior than relying on the completion or prediction scheme only

Topological triply-degenerate point with double Fermi arcs

Unconventional chiral particles have recently been predicted to appear in certain three dimensional (3D) crystal structures containing three- or more-fold linear band degeneracy points (BDPs). These BDPs carry topological charges, but are distinct from the standard twofold Weyl points or fourfold Dirac points, and cannot be described in terms of an emergent relativistic field theory. Here, we report on the experimental observation of a topological threefold BDP in a 3D phononic crystal. Using direct acoustic field mapping, we demonstrate the existence of the threefold BDP in the bulk bandstructure, as well as doubled Fermi arcs of surface states consistent with a topological charge of 2. Another novel BDP, similar to a Dirac point but carrying nonzero topological charge, is connected to the threefold BDP via the doubled Fermi arcs. These findings pave the way to using these unconventional particles for exploring new emergent physical phenomena

B-Cell Activating Factor Predicts Acute Rejection Risk in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A 6-Month Follow-Up Study

B cell activating factor (BAFF) belonging to TNF family is a cytokine that enhances B-cell proliferation and differentiation. Recently, It has been suggested that BAFF might be a potential therapeutic target for treating autoimmune disease. However, the relationship between BAFF and allograft rejection is controversial, and the clinical significance of BAFF in predicting allograft rejection need to be further explored. We conducted 6-month follow-up study to confirm the hypothesis that BAFF might be a risk factor for predicting acute rejection in kidney transplant recipients. At the end of the study, a total of 155 kidney transplant recipients were recruited from October 2015 to October 2017, and classified into acute rejection group (n = 34) and stable renal function group (n = 121) according to their clinical course. We demonstrate that the serum BAFF levels when acute rejection occurred was significantly higher than that in the stable renal function group (2426.19 ± 892.19 vs. 988.17 ± 485.63 pg/mL, P < 0.05). BAFF expression was significantly enhanced in the membrane and cytoplasm of renal tubule epithelial cells in the transplant kidney tissue with acute rejection, and a positive correlation between BAFF and C4d expression was also observed (r = 0.880, P = 0.001). ROC analyses highlight the superiority of serum BAFF level before transplant over those on other post-transplant days in prediction of acute rejection episodes. The sensitivity, specificity and AUC (area under curve) were 83.3, 89.5, and 0.886%, respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that recipients with higher pretransplant BAFF levels had higher acute rejection incidence (P = 0.003). In conclusion, we have identified that BAFF levels are associated with the acute rejection and could be a promising biomarker to predict kidney transplant rejection risks

Biofortification of different maize cultivars with zinc, iron and selenium by foliar fertilizer applications

Fertilizer-based biofortification is a strategy for combating worldwide malnutrition of zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and selenium (Se). Field experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of foliar treatments on concentrations of Zn, Fe, Se, N and bioavailability of Zn and Fe in grains of three maize cultivars grown at three locations. We compared the efficacy of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs), Zn complexed chitosan nanoparticles (Zn-CNPs), conventional ZnSO4 and a cocktail solution (containing Zn, Fe and Se). All treatments were foliar-applied at rate of 452 mg Zn L–1, plus urea. Applying ten-fold less Zn (at rate of 45.2 mg Zn L–1) plus urea in the form of ZnO-NPs, Zn-CNPs, or ZnSO4 resulted in no increase, or a negligible increase, in grain Zn concentration compared with deionized water. By contrast, among the different Zn sources plus urea applied by foliar sprays, conventional ZnSO4 was the most efficient in improving grain Zn concentration. Furthermore, foliar application of a cocktail solution effectively improved grain concentrations of Zn, Fe, Se and N simultaneously, without a grain yield trade-off. For example, the average grain concentrations were simultaneously increased from 13.8 to 22.1 mg kg–1 for Zn, from 17.2 to 22.1 mg kg–1for Fe, from 21.4 to 413.5 ug kg–1 for Se and from 13.8 to 14.7 g kg–1 for N by foliar application of a cocktail solution. Because grain yield was significantly negatively correlated with grain nutrient concentrations, the magnitude of increase in grain concentrations of Zn and Fe was most pronounced in the maize cultivar with the lowest grain yield (Zhengdan958 grown in Linyi). Foliar application of a cocktail solution also significantly decreased the phytic acid (PA) concentration, ratios of PA/Fe and PA/Zn in grains, indicating an increased bioavailability of Fe and Zn for human health. In conclusion, we found that a foliar application of a cocktail solution including Zn, Fe, Se and N was most effective for biofortification, but that the grains with the lowest yield contained the greatest concentration of these elements. This finding highlights the need to breed maize varieties that are capable of achieving both high grain yield and high grain nutritional quality to address food security and human health challenges

An Updated Search of Steady TeV γ−\gamma-Ray Point Sources in Northern Hemisphere Using the Tibet Air Shower Array

Using the data taken from Tibet II High Density (HD) Array (1997 February-1999 September) and Tibet-III array (1999 November-2005 November), our previous northern sky survey for TeV $\gamma-$ray point sources has now been updated by a factor of 2.8 improved statistics. From $0.0^{\circ}$ to $60.0^{\circ}$ in declination (Dec) range, no new TeV $\gamma-$ray point sources with sufficiently high significance were identified while the well-known Crab Nebula and Mrk421 remain to be the brightest TeV $\gamma-$ray sources within the field of view of the Tibet air shower array. Based on the currently available data and at the 90% confidence level (C.L.), the flux upper limits for different power law index assumption are re-derived, which are approximately improved by 1.7 times as compared with our previous reported limits.Comment: This paper has been accepted by hepn

Chaihu-Longgu-Muli decoction improves sleep disorders by restoring orexin-A function in CKD mice

IntroductionChaihu-Longgu-Muli decoction (CLMD) is a well-used ancient formula originally recorded in the “Treatise on Febrile Diseases” written by the founding theorist of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Doctor Zhang Zhongjing. While it has been used extensively as a therapeutic treatment for neuropsychiatric disorders, such as insomnia, anxiety and dementia, its mechanisms remain unclear.MethodsIn order to analyze the therapeutic mechanism of CLMD in chronic renal failure and insomnia, An adenine diet-induced chronic kidney disease (CKD) model was established in mice, Furthermore, we analyzed the impact of CLMD on sleep behavior and cognitive function in CKD mice, as well as the production of insomnia related regulatory proteins and inflammatory factors.ResultsCLMD significantly improved circadian rhythm and sleep disturbance in CKD mice. The insomnia related regulatory proteins, Orexin, Orexin R1, and Orexin R2 in the hypothalamus of CKD mice decreased significantly, while Orexin and its receptors increased remarkably after CLMD intervention. Following administration of CLMD, reduced neuron loss and improved learning as well as memory ability were observed in CKD mice. And CLMD intervention effectively improved the chronic inflflammatory state of CKD mice.DiscussionOur results showed that CLMD could improve sleep and cognitive levels in CKD mice. The mechanism may be related to the up-regulation of Orexin-A and increased phosphorylation level of CaMKK2/AMPK, which further inhibits NF-κB downstream signaling pathways, thereby improving the disordered inflammatory state in the central and peripheral system. However, More research is required to confirm the clinical significance of the study

Genome-Wide Association Analyses Identify SPOCK as a Key Novel Gene Underlying Age at Menarche

For females, menarche is a most significant physiological event. Age at menarche (AAM) is a trait with high genetic determination and is associated with major complex diseases in women. However, specific genes for AAM variation are largely unknown. To identify genetic factors underlying AAM variation, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) examining about 380,000 SNPs was conducted in 477 Caucasian women. A follow-up replication study was performed to validate our major GWAS findings using two independent Caucasian cohorts with 854 siblings and 762 unrelated subjects, respectively, and one Chinese cohort of 1,387 unrelated subjects—all females. Our GWAS identified a novel gene, SPOCK (Sparc/Osteonectin, CWCV, and Kazal-like domains proteoglycan), which had seven SNPs associated with AAM with genome-wide false discovery rate (FDR) q<0.05. Six most significant SNPs of the gene were selected for validation in three independent replication cohorts. All of the six SNPs were replicated in at least one cohort. In particular, SNPs rs13357391 and rs1859345 were replicated both within and across different ethnic groups in all three cohorts, with p values of 5.09×10−3 and 4.37×10−3, respectively, in the Chinese cohort and combined p values (obtained by Fisher's method) of 5.19×10−5 and 1.02×10−4, respectively, in all three replication cohorts. Interestingly, SPOCK can inhibit activation of MMP-2 (matrix metalloproteinase-2), a key factor promoting endometrial menstrual breakdown and onset of menstrual bleeding. Our findings, together with the functional relevance, strongly supported that the SPOCK gene underlies variation of AAM

Experimental study on LBL beams

Six specimens were made and tested to study the mechanical properties of LBL beams. The mean ultimate loading value is 68.39 MPa with a standard deviation of 6.37 MPa, giving a characteristic strength (expected to be exceeded by 95% of specimens) of 57.91 MPa, and the mean ultimate deflection is 53.3 mm with a standard deviation of 5.5 mm, giving the characteristic elastic modulus of 44.3 mm. The mean ultimate bending moment is 20.18 kN.m with a standard deviation of 1.88 kN.m, giving the characteristic elastic modulus of 17.08 kN.m. The mean elastic modulus is 9688 MPa with a standard deviation of 1765 MPa, giving the characteristic elastic modulus of 6785 MPa, and the mean modulus of rupture is 93.3 MPa with a standard deviation of 8.6 MPa, giving the characteristic elastic modulus of 79.2 MPa. The strain across the cross-section for all LBL beams is basically linear throughout the loading process, following standard beam theory