Convergence of millimeter-wave and photonic interconnect systems for very-high-throughput digital communication applications

In the past, radio-frequency signals were commonly used for low-speed wireless electronic systems, and optical signals were used for multi-gigabit wired communication systems. However, as the emergence of new millimeter-wave technology introduces multi-gigabit transmission over a wireless radio-frequency channel, the borderline between radio-frequency and optical systems becomes blurred. As a result, there come ample opportunities to design and develop next-generation broadband systems to combine the advantages of these two technologies to overcome inherent limitations of various broadband end-to-end interconnect systems in signal generation, recovery, synchronization, and so on. For the transmission distances of a few centimeters to thousands of kilometers, the convergence of radio-frequency electronics and optics to build radio-over-fiber systems ushers in a new era of research for the upcoming very-high-throughput broadband services. Radio-over-fiber systems are believed to be the most promising solution to the backhaul transmission of the millimeter-wave wireless access networks, especially for the license-free, very-high-throughput 60-GHz band. Adopting radio-over-fiber systems in access or in-building networks can greatly extend the 60-GHz signal reach by using ultra-low loss optical fibers. However, such high frequency is difficult to generate in a straightforward way. In this dissertation, the novel techniques of homodyne and heterodyne optical-carrier suppressions for radio-over-fiber systems are investigated and various system architectures are designed to overcome these limitations of 60-GHz wireless access networks, bringing the popularization of multi-gigabit wireless networks to become closer to the reality. In addition to the advantages for the access networks, extremely high spectral efficiency, which is the most important parameter for long-haul networks, can be achieved by radio-over-fiber signal generation. As a result, the transmission performance of spectrally efficient radio-over-fiber signaling, including orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and orthogonal wavelength division multiplexing, is broadly and deeply investigated. On the other hand, radio-over-fiber is also used for the frequency synchronization that can resolve the performance limitation of wireless interconnect systems. A novel wireless interconnects assisted by radio-over-fiber subsystems is proposed in this dissertation. In conclusion, multiple advantageous facets of radio-over-fiber systems can be found in various levels of end-to-end interconnect systems. The rapid development of radio-over-fiber systems will quickly change the conventional appearance of modern communications.PhDCommittee Chair: Gee-Kung Chang; Committee Member: Bernard Kippelen; Committee Member: Shyh-Chiang Shen; Committee Member: Thomas K. Gaylord; Committee Member: Umakishore Ramachandra

MCP-1, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 are present in early aneurysmal dilatation in experimental rats.

Recent studies have suggested that inflammation actively participates in ascending aortic aneurysm formation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression changes of adhesion molecules and MMPs in an experimental model of ascending aortic aneurysm induced by ascending aorta banding in Wistar rats. Twelve rats developed aortic dilation after ascending aorta banding treatment, while nine normal animals underwent surgery without banding were used as controls. Light microscope and scanning electron microscope showed that the wall of the ascending aorta became disorganized as well as infiltration by inflammatory cells in aneurysmal rats. By using immunohistochemical techniques, a significant increase in the immunostaining of MCP-1 was observed in the aneurysmal wall as compared to the normal aortic wall. Under similar experimental conditions, we also found that the immunostaining of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 was markedly increased in the aneurysmal wall. In addition, gelatin zymographic analysis showed that the expression and activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were remarkably enhanced in the ascending aorta of ascending aortic aneurysmal rats as compared to normal rats. These results demonstrate that MCP-1, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 are involved in the pathogenesis of ascending aortic aneurysm and an increase in the immunostaining and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 may promote the progression of ascending aortic aneurysm

Gaussian quantum steering in multi-event horizon spacetime

We study Gaussian quantum steering in the Schwarzschild-de Sitter (SdS) spacetime which is endowed with both a black hole event horizon (BEH) and a cosmological event horizon (CEH), giving rise to two different Hawking temperatures. It is shown that the Hawking effect of the black hole always reduces the quantum steering, but the Hawking effect of the expanding universe not always plays the same role. For the first time, we find that the Hawking effect can improve quantum steering. We also find that the observer who locates in the BEH has stronger steerability than the observer who locates in CEH. Further, we study the steering asymmetry, and the conditions for two-way, one-way and no-way steering in the SdS spacetime. Finally, we study the Gaussian quantum steering in the scenario of effective equilibrium temperature. We show that quantum steering reduces monotonically with the effective temperature but now increases monotonically with the Hawking temperature of the black hole, which banishes the belief that the Hawking effect can only destroy quantum steering.Comment: 18 pages, 5 figure

Research on temporal−spatial relationship between ground fracturing wells and underground drilling for substitution drainage of during extraction exhaustion period

In order to make use of the favorable extraction conditions formed by ground fracturing to carry out the underground borehole replacement extraction in the drainage exhaustion period of ground fracturing wells, and form the advanced treatment of ground fracturing wells + underground borehole replacement extraction mode of underground borehole replacement extraction, the temporal－spatial relationship between ground fracturing wells and underground drilling for substitution extraction of during drainage exhaustion period was studied. Through the analysis of the distribution law of fracturing fractures, the investigation of the effect of ground fracturing on enhancing permeability and promoting extraction, and the numerical simulation of the variation law of coal reservoir parameters, the influence and effective range of ground fracturing wells in Lu ’an Mining Area are mastered. Numerical simulation method is used to analyze and determine the optimal temporal－spatial relationship between ground fracturing wells and underground drilling for substitution extraction. Based on the drainage curve of surface fractured wells and the demand of drilling in the drainage exhaustion period, the definition and division method of the drainage exhaustion period of surface fractured wells are discussed, and the discriminant indexes and key time nodes of the drainage exhaustion period of surface fractured wells are put forward. The results show : The effective influence range of ground fracturing wells is 80 m. In this area, the reservoir pressure can be decreased by about 50%, the permeability coefficient can be increased by 0.77−1.40 times, and the average pure volume of single underground drilling for substitution extraction can reach 53.68−131.67 m3/d, which improves the extraction efficiency of downhole drilling. When the position of ground fracturing wells is fixed along the axis of the underground drilling, the shorter the normal distance between the underground drilling and the ground fracturing wells, the better the extraction effect.When the normal distance between the ground fracturing wells and the underground drilling is constant, the best extraction results are achieved when the ground fracturing wells is located in the middle of the axial direction of the underground drilling.The gas production rate of ground fracturing wells is used as an indicator of drainage exhaustion period.And the critical value of the indicator of drainage exhaustion period of surface fractured wells in the Lu'an mine area is 200 m3/d, and the corresponding failure period time node is 8~10 years

Effect of Microwave Heating on the Dielectric Properties and Components of Iron-Fortified Milk

With the iron-fortified milk as research object, this paper makes a research on the influence of iron on the dielectric properties and wave absorption properties and effect of nutritional components, such as casein and whey protein in milk, and thermostability in the process of microwave heating, and rapid heat transfer method in ferrous gluconate–milk and ferrous chloride–milk, respectively. The results show that the iron of ionic form has greater influence to convert microwave to heat energy and the effect of microwave absorption properties was greater for ferrous chloride than for ferrous gluconate at high concentration. The effect of different forms of iron on the composition of milk was different, and the composition of milk systems was more stable by microwave heating, but the rapid heat transfer method is superior in the aim of increasing the nutritional value of milk. The ferrous gluconate–milk system has a better thermal stability than ferrous chloride–milk system. From the aspect of dielectric induction, the paper discovers the response rules of iron and evaluates the microwave thermal safety of the traditional and the iron-fortified products by microwave heating

Targeting USP1-dependent KDM4A protein stability as a potential prostate cancer therapy

The histone demethylase lysine-specific demethylase 4A (KDM4A) is reported to be overexpressed and plays a vital in multiple cancers through controlling gene expression by epigenetic regulation of H3K9 or H3K36 methylation marks. However, the biological role and mechanism of KDM4A in prostate cancer (PC) remain unclear. Herein, we reported KDM4A expression was upregulation in phosphatase and tensin homolog knockout mouse prostate tissue. Depletion of KDM4A in PC cells inhibited their proliferation and survival in vivo and vitro. Further studies reveal that USP1 is a deubiquitinase that regulates KDM4A K48-linked deubiquitin and stability. Interestingly, we found c-Myc was a key downstream effector of the USP1-KDM4A/androgen receptor axis in driving PC cell proliferation. Notably, upregulation of KDM4A expression with high USP1 expression was observed in most prostate tumors and inhibition of USP1 promotes PC cells response to therapeutic agent enzalutamide. Our studies propose USP1 could be an anticancer therapeutic target in PC

Case report: Recurrent pontine stroke and leukoencephalopathy in a patient with de novo mutation in COL4A1

This report presents a case of pontine autosomal dominant microangiopathy with leukoencephalopathy (PADMAL) in a 35 year-old male patient. The patient exhibited a consistent history of recurrent ischemic strokes, concentrated primarily in the pons region, accompanied by concurrent manifestations of leukoencephalopathy and microbleeds. Genetic evaluation revealed a heterozygous missense mutation consistent with c.3431C>G, p. Thr1144Arg substitution within exon 40 of the COL4A1 gene. This mutation was also identified in the patient’s mother, affirming an autosomal dominant inheritance model. Our findings serve as testament to the potential role of mutation in the exon 40 of COL4A1 in the pathogenesis and progression of PADMAL, contributing to ongoing efforts aimed at better understanding the genetic basis of this debilitating disorder

Nrf2, a Potential Therapeutic Target against Oxidative Stress in Corneal Diseases

Corneal diseases are one of the major causes of blindness worldwide. Conservative medical agents, which may prevent sight-threatening corneal disease progression, are urgently desired. Numerous evidences have revealed the involvement of oxidative stress in various corneal diseases, such as corneal wound healing and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2)/Kelch-like erythroid-cell-derived protein with CNC homology- (ECH-) associated protein 1 (Keap1)/antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling is well known as one of the main antioxidative defense systems. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review to elucidate the different expression profiles of Nrf2 signaling as well as the underlying mechanisms in corneal diseases, implicating that Nrf2 may serve as a potentially promising therapeutic target for corneal diseases