DFB active filter/detector for multichannel FSK optical transmission

In a DFB laser amplifier, used simultaneously as narrow band optical filter and detector in O-FDM systems the increase of the input optical power induces distortion of the filter transfer function. The effect of such a distortion on the receiver sensitivity and dynamic range has been investigated in a 155 Mbit/s FSK direct detection experiment. A two-channel experiment is also reported for the first time. Owing to the effect of interference between the two channels, it has been found that a minimum channel spacing of about 15 GHz is required to maintain the bit error rate below 10/sup -9/.<>     

Tracking social provenance in chains of retweets

Knowledge and Information Systems - In the era of massive sharing of information, the term social provenance is used to denote the ownership, source or origin of a piece of information which has...     

Role of Btg2 in the Progression of a PDGF-Induced Oligodendroglioma Model

Tumor progression is a key aspect in oncology. Not even the overexpression of a powerful oncogenic stimulus such as platelet derived growth factor-B (PDGF-B) is sufficient per se to confer full malignancy to cells. In previous studies we showed that neural progenitors overexpressing PDGF-B need to undergo progression to acquire the capability to give rise to secondary tumor following transplant. By comparing the expression profile of PDGF-expressing cells before and after progression, we found that progressed tumors consistently downregulate the expression of the antiproliferative gene Btg2. We therefore tested whether the downregulation of Btg2 is sufficient and necessary for glioma progression with loss and gain of function experiments. Our results show that downregulation of Btg2 is not sufficient but is necessary for tumor progression since the re-introduction of Btg2 in fully progressed tumors dramatically impairs their gliomagenic potential. These results suggest an important role of Btg2 in glioma progression. Accordingly with this view, the analysis of public datasets of human gliomas showed that reduced level of Btg2 expression correlates with a significantly worse prognosis.     

Transparent optical packet switching: network architecture anddemonstrators in the KEOPS project

This paper reviews the work carried out in the ACTS KEOPS (Keys to Optical Packet Switching) project, describing the results obtained to date. The main objective of the project is the definition, development, and assessment of optical packet switching and routing networks, capable of providing transparency to the payload bit rate, using optical packets of fixed duration and low bit rate headers in order to enable easier processing at the network/node interfaces. The feasibility of the KEOPS concept is assessed by modeling, laboratory experiments, and testbed implementation of optical packet switching nodes and network/node interfacing blocks, including a fully equipped demonstrator. The demonstration relies on advanced optoelectronic components, developed within the project, which are described     

Cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders: expression of bcl-2 and proteins of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily

The spectrum of CD30+ cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders is characterized by the histology of a high-grade lymphoma but frequent clinical regression of skin lesions in lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) and occasional regression in CD30+ large cell lymphomas (LCLs). A recent study shows that apoptosis may be a significant mechanism of regression of LyP (Arch Dermatol 133:828-833, 1997). Therefore, we studied expression of proteins that induce apoptosis, including CD27, CD40, CD95, and nerve growth factor receptor (NGF-R), as well as anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2 in skin lesions from 25 patients within the spectrum of CD30+ cutaneous lymphoma. Our results show consistent expression of CD95 (APO-1/Fas), but rare or absent expression of CD27, CD40, and NGF-R on tumor cells from both regressing LyP lesions and nonregressing CD30+ lymphomas. Bcl-2 was expressed at low levels in LyP and at high levels in pleomorphic CD30+ lymphomas. These results indicate that, in addition to CD30, CD95 expression is preferentially expressed at high levels in all cutaneous CD30+ lymphomas and suggest that CD95 may play a role in the regression of CD30+ skin lesions. Expression of bcl-2 appears to protect tumor cells from apoptosis in CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders.     

Low-Power Successive Approximation Converter With 0.5 V Supply in 90 nm CMOS

We report on the design and characterization of an ultralow-power converter, designed for use in baseband digitization in wireless sensor network radio receivers. The converter uses a successive approximation architecture and operates robustly with a supply voltage as low as 450 mV, overcoming charge leakage limitations. Implemented in a 90 nm CMOS process, this design achieves a figure of merit of 0.14 pJ/Conv.Step for the converter core and shows the integration of a complete data-conversion subsystem, including reference generation, from a 0.5 V supply.