On the performance of densified DVB-H single frequency networks

The broadcasting of TV programmes to mobile phones can be enabled by the newly developed technology called Digital Video Broadcasting-Handheld (DVB-H). Because of the scarcity and cost of frequency resources, frequency reuse needs to be considered when rolling out DVB-H networks. By simulcasting the same content from several transmitters, a Single Frequency Network (SFN) can provide good coverage and good frequency efficiency. In this paper, the performance of densified DVB-H SFN networks is analysed in terms of the coverage probability under different coverage requirements with and without frequency reuse. A dichotomy searching approach is used to determine the optimal cell radius for a cell in a densified DVB-H SFN for a given network topology. Based on the optimal cell radius map and a SFN gain map generated from the simulation results, guidelines are proposed on how to avoid the potential pitfalls in configuring the parameters of a densified DVB-H SFN network and optimise its parameters in terms of minimising the cost of the network for a range of predefined network parameters

Immunomodulatory and antioxidant activity of a Siraitia grosvenorii polysaccharide in mice

The aim of this present study was to investigate the immunomodulatory and antioxidant activities of Siraitia grosvenorii polysaccharide (SGP) using a mouse model. The roles of regulation of SGP were investigated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, fluorescence method and ELISA method. The chemical structures were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and gas chromatography (GC). The results show that SGP promoted the proliferation of spleen cells and regulated the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vitro. Furthermore, it significantly raised spleen and thymus indices and superoxidase dismutase activity and regulated the cytokine levels of spleen and thymus in mice in vivo. These findings suggest that SGP possesses immunomodulatory and antioxidant effects.Key words: Siraitia grosvenorii polysaccharide (SGP), cell proliferation, reactive oxygen species, superoxidase dismutase, cytokines

Fano resonances in plasmonic core-shell particles and the Purcell effect

Despite a long history, light scattering by particles with size comparable with the light wavelength still unveils surprising optical phenomena, and many of them are related to the Fano effect. Originally described in the context of atomic physics, the Fano resonance in light scattering arises from the interference between a narrow subradiant mode and a spectrally broad radiation line. Here, we present an overview of Fano resonances in coated spherical scatterers within the framework of the Lorenz-Mie theory. We briefly introduce the concept of conventional and unconventional Fano resonances in light scattering. These resonances are associated with the interference between electromagnetic modes excited in the particle with different or the same multipole moment, respectively. In addition, we investigate the modification of the spontaneous-emission rate of an optical emitter at the presence of a plasmonic nanoshell. This modification of decay rate due to electromagnetic environment is referred to as the Purcell effect. We analytically show that the Purcell factor related to a dipole emitter oriented orthogonal or tangential to the spherical surface can exhibit Fano or Lorentzian line shapes in the near field, respectively.Comment: 28 pages, 10 figures; invited book chapter to appear in "Fano Resonances in Optics and Microwaves: Physics and Application", Springer Series in Optical Sciences (2018), edited by E. O. Kamenetskii, A. Sadreev, and A. Miroshnichenk

Large area laser scanning optical resolution photoacoustic microscopy using a fibre optic sensor

A laser scanning optical resolution photoacoustic microscopy (LS OR-PAM) system based on a stationary fibre optic sensor is described. The sensor comprises an optically resonant interferometric polymer cavity formed on the tip of a rounded single mode optical fibre. It provides low noise equivalent pressure (NEP = 68.7 Pa over a 20 MHz measurement bandwidth), a broad bandwidth that extends to 80 MHz and a near omnidirectional response. The latter is a significant advantage, as it allows large areas ( > 1cm 2 ) to be imaged without the need for translational mechanical scanning offering the potential for fast image acquisition. The system provides a lateral resolution of 8 µm, an axial resolution of 21 µm, and a field of view up to 10 mm × 10 mm. To demonstrate the system, in vivo 3D structural images of the microvasculature of a mouse ear were obtained, showing single capillaries overlaying larger vessels as well as functional images revealing blood oxygen saturation

Cirmtuzumab inhibits Wnt5a-induced Rac1 activation in chronic lymphocytic leukemia treated with ibrutinib.

Signaling via the B cell receptor (BCR) plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). This is underscored by the clinical effectiveness of ibrutinib, an inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) that can block BCR-signaling. However, ibrutinib cannot induce complete responses (CR) or durable remissions without continued therapy, suggesting alternative pathways also contribute to CLL growth/survival that are independent of BCR-signaling. ROR1 is a receptor for Wnt5a, which can promote activation of Rac1 to enhance CLL-cell proliferation and survival. In this study, we found that CLL cells of patients treated with ibrutinib had activated Rac1. Moreover, Wnt5a could induce Rac1 activation and enhance proliferation of CLL cells treated with ibrutinib at concentrations that were effective in completely inhibiting BTK and BCR-signaling. Wnt5a-induced Rac1 activation could be blocked by cirmtuzumab (UC-961), an anti-ROR1 mAb. We found that treatment with cirmtuzumab and ibrutinib was significantly more effective than treatment with either agent alone in clearing leukemia cells in vivo. This study indicates that cirmtuzumab may enhance the activity of ibrutinib in the treatment of patients with CLL or other ROR1+ B-cell malignancies

Re: the role of radiology in anatomy teaching in UK medical schools: a national survey. A reply.

Sir – We thank Raja and colleagues1 for their interest in our article and share their enthusiasm for the integration of radiology in anatomy teaching. This is something that we feel passionate about. Two of our authors are full-time practicing consultant radiologists with additional roles as medical educators in anatomy teaching at the University of Cambridge medical school

Rapid detection of adulterated drugs in herbal dietary supplements by wooden-tip electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Version of RecordPublishe

Cancer incidence in British vegetarians

Background: Few prospective studies have examined cancer incidence among vegetarians. Methods: We studied 61 566 British men and women, comprising 32 403 meat eaters, 8562 non-meat eaters who did eat fish ('fish eaters') and 20 601 vegetarians. After an average follow-up of 12.2 years, there were 3350 incident cancers of which 2204 were among meat eaters, 317 among fish eaters and 829 among vegetarians. Relative risks (RRs) were estimated by Cox regression, stratified by sex and recruitment protocol and adjusted for age, smoking, alcohol, body mass index, physical activity level and, for women only, parity and oral contraceptive use. Results: There was significant heterogeneity in cancer risk between groups for the following four cancer sites: stomach cancer, RRs (compared with meat eaters) of 0.29 (95% CI: 0.07–1.20) in fish eaters and 0.36 (0.16–0.78) in vegetarians, P for heterogeneity=0.007; ovarian cancer, RRs of 0.37 (0.18–0.77) in fish eaters and 0.69 (0.45–1.07) in vegetarians, P for heterogeneity=0.007; bladder cancer, RRs of 0.81 (0.36–1.81) in fish eaters and 0.47 (0.25–0.89) in vegetarians, P for heterogeneity=0.05; and cancers of the lymphatic and haematopoietic tissues, RRs of 0.85 (0.56–1.29) in fish eaters and 0.55 (0.39–0.78) in vegetarians, P for heterogeneity=0.002. The RRs for all malignant neoplasms were 0.82 (0.73–0.93) in fish eaters and 0.88 (0.81–0.96) in vegetarians (P for heterogeneity=0.001). Conclusion: The incidence of some cancers may be lower in fish eaters and vegetarians than in meat eaters

Homogeneous metamaterial description of localised spoof plasmonics in spiral geometries

It has been recently shown that ultrathin spiral metamaterials can support localized spoof plasmon modes whose resonant wavelength is much larger than the size of the structure. Here, an analytical model is developed to describe the electromagnetic properties of the two-dimensional version of these devices: a perfect conducting wire corrugated by spiral grooves. The emergence of localized spoof plasmons in this geometry is quantitatively investigated. Calculations show that these modes can be engineered through the spiral angle and the number of grooves. The theory also allows us to elucidate the contribution of magnetic and electric localized spoof plasmons to the optical response of these metamaterial devices. Finally, experimental evidence of the existence of these modes in extremely thin textured copper disks is also presented