Routing and fast protection in networks of long-reach PONs

This paper reports on proposed solutions to the recovery from faults in a generic class of networks, where customer access is achieved via long-reach passive optical networks (LR-PONs), with the majority of customers enjoying protection in the backhaul regime to two separate metro nodes. Initial modelling studies suggest that in the event of a cable failure or single equipment element failure, redirected data will almost always leave the transmitting node in under 50 ms. For more catastrophic failures (such as router failure or loss of a metro node), recovery might take between 100–200 ms. Reachability information for each LR-PON is discovered over each area of the network, and used to inform the redirection of traffic via tunnels. The scheme uses IP signalling to enable traffic re-routing, although the underlying services may be of any type (e.g. private line) — making the scheme separate from the service, customer or provider.     

Grouping and partner selection in cooperative wireless networks

Various results to date have demonstrated the advantages of one or several relay nodes assisting transmissions in a wireless network. In many practical scenarios, not all nodes in the network are simultaneously involved in every transmission; therefore, protocols are needed to form groups or subsets of nodes for the purposes of cooperation. We consider this problem in the context of regenerative nodes and non-altruistic cooperation (all nodes have data of their own to transmit). For a network-wide diversity advantage, the protocol must provide each transmitting node with enough "partners" that can decode its message with high-enough probability. Assuming that the nodes cannot communicate their control decisions (distributed scenario), and that each node chooses to help n other nodes, we point out a simple, static selection strategy that guarantees diversity n+1 for all transmissions. We then consider centralized control strategies and study the additional gains that arise from a central control, under various amounts of information being available to the central controller     

Tunable microwave photonic passive delay line based on multichannel fibre grating matrix

A discretely tunable passive microwave photonic delay line based on a multichannel grating matrix is demonstrated. This topology demonstrates high-speed high-resolution time delaying of microwave signals, along with requiring a reduced number of discrete gratings for any given delay range. High channel isolation and low insertion loss are also features of this topology, making this suitable for many wideband applications.     

A photonic technique for microwave frequency measurement

A novel photonic technique for microwave frequency measurement utilizing dispersion in a multichannel chirped fiber Bragg grating is presented. The technique is based on the amplitude comparison of power fading functions generated by double sideband modulated optical carriers propagating through a dispersive medium.     

An improved closed-form approximation to the inverse black body radiation problem at microwave frequencies

A function is derived which approximates Planck's black body radiation law more closely at microwave frequencies than either the Rayleigh-Jeans or the recent Hamid-Ragheb approximations. The function leads to an improved closed-form approximation to the inverse black body radiation problem in the microwave region.     

Cell Type-Specific Induction of Inflammation-Associated Genes in Crohn’s Disease and Colorectal Cancer

Based on the rapid increase in incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the identification of susceptibility genes and cell populations contributing to this condition is essential. Previous studies suggested multiple genes associated with the susceptibility of IBD; however, due to the analysis of whole-tissue samples, the contribution of individual cell populations remains widely unresolved. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) provides the opportunity to identify underlying cellular populations. We determined the enrichment of Crohn’s disease (CD)-induced genes in a publicly available Crohn’s disease scRNA-seq dataset and detected the strongest induction of these genes in innate lymphoid cells (ILC1), highly activated T cells and dendritic cells, pericytes and activated fibroblasts, as well as epithelial cells. Notably, these genes were highly enriched in IBD-associated neoplasia, as well as sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC). Indeed, the same six cell populations displayed an upregulation of CD-induced genes in a CRC scRNA-seq dataset. Finally, after integrating and harmonizing the CD and CRC scRNA-seq data, we demonstrated that these six cell types display a gradual increase in gene expression levels from a healthy state to an inflammatory and tumorous state. Together, we identified cell populations that specifically upregulate CD-induced genes in CD and CRC patients and could, therefore, contribute to inflammation-associated tumor development.     

Start-Up and Optimization of the Ozone Disinfection Process At the Sebago Lake Water Treatment Facility

The purpose of the ozone process at the Sebago Lake Water Treatment Facility (SLWTF) is to meet the disinfection requirements of the Surface Water Treatment Rule with ozone and without filtration. The start-up experience is presented including initial operating strategies to meet disinfection requirements. An ozone system performance test conducted during the first month of plant operation is described and the results are reviewed. The initial and proposed activities of an ozone optimization project are discussed.     

A Structural Rationale for N-Methylbicuculline Acting as a Promiscuous Competitive Antagonist of Inhibitory Pentameric Ligand-Gated Ion Channels

Bicuculline, a valued chemical tool in neurosciences research, is a competitive antagonist of specific GABA_A receptors and affects other pentameric ligand-gated ion channels including the glycine, nicotinic acetylcholine and 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 receptors. We used a fluorescence-quenching assay and isothermal titration calorimetry to record low-micromolar dissociation constants for N-methylbicuculline interacting with acetylcholine-binding protein and an engineered version called glycine-binding protein (GBP), which provides a surrogate for the heteromeric interface of the extracellular domain of the glycine receptor (GlyR). The 2.4 Å resolution crystal structure of the GBP:N-methylbicuculline complex, sequence and structural alignments reveal similarities and differences between GlyR and the GABA_A receptor–bicuculline interactions. N-methylbicuculline displays a similar conformation in different structures, but adopts distinct orientations enforced by interactions and steric blocks with key residues and plasticity in the binding sites. These features explain the promiscuous activity of bicuculline against the principal inhibitory pentameric ligand-gated ion channels in the CNS.