Channel characterisation for indoor wearable active RFID at 868 MHz

Active radio-frequency identification systems that are used for the localisation and tracking of people will be subject to the same body centric processes that impact other forms of wearable communications. To achieve the goal of creating body worn tags with multiyear life spans, it will be necessary to gain an understanding of the channel conditions which are likely to impact the reader-tag interrogation process. In this paper we present the preliminary results of an indoor channel measurement campaign conducted at 868 MHz aimed at understanding and modelling signal characteristics for a wrist-worn tag. Using a model selection process based on the Akaike Information Criterion, the lognormal distribution was selected most often to describe the received signal amplitude. Parameter estimates are provided so that the channels investigated in this study may be readily simulated.

K&C局部损伤混凝土材料模型在精细有限元模拟中的应用

This paper presents a study on concrete fracture and the associated mesh sensitivity using the finite element (FE) method with a local concrete model in both tension (Mode I) and compression.To enable the incorporation of dynamic loading, the FE model is developed using a transient dynamic analysis code LS-DYNA Explicit.A series of investigations have been conducted on typical fracture scenarios to evaluate the model performances and calibration of relevant parameters.The K&C damage model was adopted because it is a comprehensive local concrete model which allows the user to change the crack band width, fracture energy and rate dependency of the material.Compressive localisation modelling in numerical modelling is also discussed in detail in relation to localisation.An impact test specimen is modelled.

Clathrin is spindle-associated but not essential for mitosis

BACKGROUND: Clathrin is a multimeric protein involved in vesicle coat assembly. Recently clathrin distribution was reported to change during the cell cycle and was found to associate with the mitotic spindle. Here we test whether the recruitment of clathrin to the spindle is indicative of a critical functional contribution to mitosis.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Previously a chicken pre-B lymphoma cell line (DKO-R) was developed in which the endogenous clathrin heavy chain alleles were replaced with the human clathrin heavy chain under the control of a tetracycline-regulatable promoter. Receptor-mediated and fluid-phase endocytosis were significantly inhibited in this line following clathrin knockout, and we used this to explore the significance of clathrin heavy chain expression for cell cycle progression. We confirmed using confocal microscopy that clathrin colocalised with tubulin at mitotic spindles. Using a propidium iodide flow cytometric assay we found no statistical difference in the cell cycle distribution of the knockout cells versus the wild-type. Additionally, we showed that the ploidy and the recovery kinetics following cell cycle arrest with nocodazole were unchanged by repressing clathrin heavy chain expression.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: We conclude that the association of clathrin with the mitotic spindle and the contribution of clathrin to endocytosis are evolutionarily conserved. However we find that the contribution of clathrin to mitosis is less robust and dependent on cellular context. In other cell-lines silencing RNA has been used by others to knockdown clathrin expression resulting in an increase in the mitotic index of the cells. We show an effect on the G2/M phase population of clathrin knockdown in HEK293 cells but show that repressing clathrin expression in the DKO-R cell-line has no effect on the size of this population. Consequently this work highlights the need for a more detailed molecular understanding of the recruitment and function of clathrin at the spindle, since the localisation but not the impact of clathrin on mitosis appears to be robust in plants, mammalian and chicken B-cells.

Structural basis for the nuclear import of the human androgen receptor

Ligand-dependent nuclear import is crucial for the function of the androgen receptor (AR) in both health and disease. The unliganded AR is retained in the cytoplasm but, on binding 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone, it translocates into the nucleus and alters transcription of its target genes. Nuclear import of AR is mediated by the nuclear import factor importin-alpha, which functions as a receptor that recognises and binds to specific nuclear localisation signal (NLS) motifs on cargo proteins. We show here that the AR binds to importin-alpha directly, albeit more weakly than the NLS of SV40 or nucleoplasmin. We describe the 2.6-angstroms-resolution crystal structure of the importin-alpha-AR-NLS complex, and show that the AR binds to the major NLS-binding site on importin-alpha in a manner different from most other NLSs. Finally, we have shown that pathological mutations within the NLS of AR that are associated with prostate cancer and androgen-insensitivity syndrome reduce the binding affinity to importin-alpha and, subsequently, retard nuclear import; surprisingly, however, the transcriptional activity of these mutants varies widely. Thus, in addition to its function in the nuclear import of AR, the NLS in the hinge region of AR has a separate, quite distinct role on transactivation, which becomes apparent once nuclear import has been achieved.

Functional expression of thermo-sensitive TRP channels in human odontoblasts

Introduction: Accumulating evidence supports a role for odontoblasts in initiating tooth pain, however direct ionic mechanisms underlying dentine nociceptive function remain unclear. The transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels are directly related to cellular mechanisms of nociception and thermo-sensitive function but their expression by human odontoblasts remains to be determined. Objectives: To investigate the expression and functionality of the thermo-sensitive TRP channels TRPV1, TRPV4, TRPM8 and TRPA1 in human odontoblasts. Methods: Human odontoblasts were derived from dental pulp of immature permanent third molars by explant method. Cell lysates of odontoblasts were subject to SDS- polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and proteins were blotted onto nitrocellulose membranes. Blots were probed with primary antibodies to TRPA1, TRPM8, TRPV4 and TRPV1. Detection of bound primary antibodies was achieved using appropriate anti-species antibody conjugates and chemiluminescent substrates. Functionality of the channels was determined with Ca2+ microfluorimetry, where cells grown in cover slips and incubated with Fura 2AM prior to stimulation with capsaicin (TRPV1 agonist), 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (4áPDD) (TRPV4 agonist), icilin (TRPA1 agonist) and menthol (TRPM8 agonist). Emitted fluorescence was measured and the fluorescence ratio (R) was calculated as F340/F380 to determine the level of [Ca2+]i. Results: Western blotting confirmed the molecular localisation of thermo-sensitive TRP channels in human odontoblasts. Functionality assays revealed increase in [Ca2+]i in response to capsacin, icillin, methanol and 4áPDD indicating functional expression of TRPV1, TRPA1, TRPM8 and TRPV4 respectively. Conclusions: Functional expression of thermo-sensitive TRP channels in human odontoblasts may indicate a crucial role for odontoblasts in thermally induced dental pain. (Supported by a Research Grant from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh)

Protease activated receptor 2 expression and functionality in caries

Introduction: Protease activated receptors (PARs) are G-protein-coupled transmembrane receptors that are expressed on many cell types and implicated in various inflammatory processes in vivo. The induction of PAR2 as a result of the inflammatory response associated with dental caries remains to be determined. Objectives: The aim was to localise the expression of PAR2 in human dental pulp from carious teeth and to confirm receptor functionality using an in vitro assay. Methods: Dental pulp sections from decalcified carious teeth were examined by immunocytochemsitry. Membrane preparations from cultured pulp fibroblasts were subject to SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting to confirm fibroblast-associated immunoreactivity. The functionality of PAR2 on dental pulp fibroblasts was studied using calcium imaging in the presence of several potential activators including a PAR2 agonist (PAR2-AP), trypsin and pulpal enzymes from a carious tooth. Results: Immunocytochemistry revealed intense PAR2 immunoreactivity on pulpal fibroblasts subjacent to carious lesions but not in surrounding regions of the dental pulp. Pulp specimens from a dental injury model showed no expression of PAR2, suggesting its expression was related to cellular changes associated with ongoing caries. The localisation of PAR2 staining to pulpal fibroblasts in carious teeth was confirmed by Western blotting which revealed PAR2 immunoreactive bands in membrane fractions prepared from pulp fibroblasts. In functional studies, challenge of cultured pupal fibroblasts with PAR2-AP, trypsin and an extract of proteolytic enzymes from a carious dental pulp, showed specific activation of PAR2. Conclusions: This work demonstrates that PAR2 is functional and inducible in human dental pulp fibroblasts in response to caries and that endogenous pulpal enzymes can activate PAR2.

Immunocytochemical Localization of Substance P Receptors (NK-1 Receptors) in Human Gingival Tissue

Substance P (SP) is a member of the structurally related family of neuropeptides known as the tachykinins. In addition to neurotransmitter roles, the tachykinins are also known to modulate local inflammation which depends on signalling between the neuropeptide molecules and target cells and tissues. SP mediates its effects through a specific receptor, known as the substance P receptor or the neurokinin 1 (NK-1) receptor. The NK-1 receptor is a G-protein associated integral membrane protein and although it has been studied in a wide range of tissues, to date there has been no published data on the localisation of the NK-1 receptor in human gingival tissue. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the distribution of the NK-1 receptor in human gingival tissue using immunocytochemistry. Method: Gingival tissue was obtained from patients undergoing periodontal surgery. Tissue was fixed in paraformaldehyde and embedded in wax for sectioning. Sections were dewaxed in xylene and then rehydrated in alcohols and phosphate buffered saline. Rehydrated sections were probed with rabbit polyclonal antibody to human NK-1 receptor which was subsequently detected using anti-rabbit horseradish peroxidase conjugate and diaminobenzidine as substrate. Results: Immunocytochemistry revealed that the NK-1 receptor was distributed along nerve fibres and blood vessel endothelial cells, suggesting these areas are main targets for the actions of SP via the NK-1 receptor. Conclusion: This is the first immunocytochemical report of NK-1 receptors in human gingival tissue and provides evidence for possible NK-1 mediated biological effects of SP in human gingival tissue from periodontitis patients.

Numerical considerations for the implementation of a comprehensive composite damage model

A comprehensive continuum damage mechanics model [1] had been developed to capture the detailed
behaviour of a composite structure under a crushing load. This paper explores some of the difficulties
encountered in the implementation of this model and their mitigation. The use of reduced integration
element and a strain softening model both negatively affect the accuracy and stability of the
simulation. Damage localisation effects demanded an accurate measure of characteristic length. A
robust algorithm for determining the characteristic length was implemented. Testing showed that this
algorithm produced marked improvements over the use of the default characteristic length provided
by Abaqus. Zero-energy or hourglass modes, in reduced integration elements, led to reduced
resistance to bending. This was compounded by the strain softening model, which led to the formation
of elements with little resistance to deformation that could invert if left unchecked. It was shown,
through benchmark testing, that by deleting elements with excess distortions and controlling the mesh
using inbuilt distortion/hourglass controls, these issues can be alleviated. These techniques
contributed significantly to the viability and usability of the damage model.

Extended Energy Vector Prediction of Ambisonically Reproduced Image Direction at Off-Centre Listening Positions

This paper presents an extension to the energy vector, well known in the Ambisonics literature, to improve its predictions of localisation at off-centre listening positions. In determining the source direction, a perceptual weight is assigned to each loudspeaker gain, taking into account the relative arrival times, levels, and directions of the loudspeaker signals. The proposed model is evaluated alongside the original energy vector and two binaural models through comparison with the results of recent perceptual studies. The extended version was found to provide results that were at least 50% more accurate than the second best predictor for two experiments involving off-centre listeners with first- and third-order Ambisonics systems.

Robust indoor speaker recognition in a network of audio and video sensors

Situational awareness is achieved naturally by the human senses of sight and hearing in combination. Automatic scene understanding aims at replicating this human ability using microphones and cameras in cooperation. In this paper, audio and video signals are fused and integrated at different levels of semantic abstractions. We detect and track a speaker who is relatively unconstrained, i.e., free to move indoors within an area larger than the comparable reported work, which is usually limited to round table meetings. The system is relatively simple: consisting of just 4 microphone pairs and a single camera. Results show that the overall multimodal tracker is more reliable than single modality systems, tolerating large occlusions and cross-talk. System evaluation is performed on both single and multi-modality tracking. The performance improvement given by the audio–video integration and fusion is quantified in terms of tracking precision and accuracy as well as speaker diarisation error rate and precision–recall (recognition). Improvements vs. the closest works are evaluated: 56% sound source localisation computational cost over an audio only system, 8% speaker diarisation error rate over an audio only speaker recognition unit and 36% on the precision–recall metric over an audio–video dominant speaker recognition method.

Quantum-limited estimation of continuous spontaneous localization

We apply the formalism of quantum estimation theory to extract information about potential collapse mechanisms of the continuous spontaneous localisation (CSL) form.
In order to estimate the strength with which the field responsible for the CSL mechanism couples to massive systems, we consider the optomechanical interaction
between a mechanical resonator and a cavity field. Our estimation strategy passes through the probing of either the state of the oscillator or that of the electromagnetic field that drives its motion. In particular, we concentrate on all-optical measurements, such as homodyne and heterodyne measurements.
We also compare the performances of such strategies with those of a spin-assisted optomechanical system, where the estimation of the CSL parameter is performed
through time-gated spin-like measurements.