Learnable digital signal processing: a new benchmark of linearity compensation for optical fiber communications.

The surge in interest regarding the next generation of optical fiber transmission has stimulated the development of digital signal processing (DSP) schemes that are highly cost-effective with both high performance and low complexity. As benchmarks for nonlinear compensation methods, however, traditional DSP designed with block-by-block modules for linear compensations, could exhibit residual linear effects after compensation, limiting the nonlinear compensation performance. Here we propose a high-efficient design thought for DSP based on the learnable perspectivity, called learnable DSP (LDSP).

Cyclization Engineering of Electron-Deficient Maleimide Unit for Nonfused Ring Electron Acceptors Enables Efficient Organic Solar Cells.

Nonfused ring electron acceptors (NFREAs) have emerged as promising materials for commercial applications in organic solar cells due to their straightforward synthesis process and cost-effectiveness. The rational design of their structural frameworks is crucial for enhancing device efficiency. In this study, we explore the use of maleimide and thiophene as key building blocks, employing cyclization engineering techniques.

Competitive Risk Analysis of Prognosis in Older Adults with Sigmoid Colon Adenocarcinoma: A Population-Based Study.

Background: The purpose of this study is to employ a competing risk model based on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database to identify prognostic factors for elderly individuals with sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma (SCA) and compare them with the classic Cox proportional hazards model.

Methods: We extracted data from elderly patients diagnosed with SCA registered in the SEER database between 2010 and 2015. Univariate analysis was conducted using cumulative incidence functions and Gray's test, while multivariate analysis was performed using both the Fine-Gray and Cox proportional hazards models.

Automatic Detection of Feral Pigeons in Urban Environments Using Deep Learning.

The overpopulation of feral pigeons in Hong Kong has significantly disrupted the urban ecosystem, highlighting the urgent need for effective strategies to control their population. In general, control measures should be implemented and re-evaluated periodically following accurate estimations of the feral pigeon population in the concerned regions, which, however, is very difficult in urban environments due to the concealment and mobility of pigeons within complex building structures. With the advances in deep learning, computer vision can be a promising tool for pigeon monitoring and population estimation but has not been well investigated so far.

Application of hybrid improved temporal convolution network model in time series prediction of river water quality.

Time series prediction of river water quality is an important method to grasp the changes of river water quality and protect the river water environment. However, due to the time series data of river water quality have strong periodicity, seasonality and nonlinearity, which seriously affects the accuracy of river water quality prediction. In this paper, a new hybrid deep neural network model is proposed for river water quality prediction, which is integrated with Savitaky-Golay (SG) filter, STL time series decomposition method, Self-attention mechanism, and Temporal Convolutional Network (TCN).

Oncogenic role and potential regulatory mechanism of topoisomerase IIα in a pan-cancer analysis.

Topoisomerase IIα (TOP2A) plays an oncogenic role in multiple tumor types. However, no pan-cancer analysis about the function and the upstream molecular mechanism of TOP2A is available. For the first time, we analyzed potential oncogenic roles of TOP2A in 33 cancer types via The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database.

The Predictive Competing Endogenous RNA Regulatory Networks and Potential Prognostic and Immunological Roles of Cyclin A2 in Pan-Cancer Analysis.

Although accumulating evidence has verified the relationship between CCNA2 and cancers, no pan-cancer analysis about the function and the upstream molecular mechanism of CCNA2 is available. For the first time, we analyzed potential oncogenic roles of CCNA2 in 33 cancer types The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Overexpression of CCNA2 is widespread in almost all cancer types, and it is related to poor prognosis and advanced pathological stages in most cases.

Analysis of Radial Peripapillary Capillary Density in Patients with Bietti Crystalline Dystrophy by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.

Objective: We wanted to investigate the radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) network in patients with Bietti crystalline dystrophy (BCD).

Methods: We compared RPC densities in the disk and different peripapillary regions, obtained using optical coherence tomography angiography in 22 patients with BCD (37 eyes) and 22 healthy subjects (37 eyes). The BCD group was then divided into Stage 2 and Stage 3 subgroups based on Yuzawa staging, comparing the RPC densities of the two.

Combined pollution of arsenic and Polymyxin B enhanced arsenic toxicity and enriched ARG abundance in soil and earthworm gut microbiotas.

Polymyxin B (PMB) is considered as the last line of antibiotic defense available to humans. The environmental effects of the combined pollution with PMB and heavy metals and their interaction mechanisms are unclear. We explored the effects of the combined pollution with PMB and arsenic (As) on the microbial composition of the soil and in the earthworm gut, as well as the spread and transmission of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs).

Ulnar nerve decompression and transposition with versus without supercharged end-to-side motor nerve transfer for advanced cubital tunnel syndrome: a randomized comparison study.

Objective: The objective of this prospective randomized study was to compare ulnar nerve decompression and anterior subfascial transposition with versus without supercharged end-to-side anterior interosseous nerve-to-ulnar motor nerve transfer for advanced cubital tunnel syndrome, to describe performing the nerve transfer through a small incision, and to investigate predictive factors for poor recovery following the procedure.

Methods: Between January 2013 and October 2016, 93 patients were randomly allocated to a study group (n = 45) and a control group (n = 48). Patients in the study group were treated with supercharged motor nerve transfer via a 5-cm incision following decompression and anterior subfascial transposition.

Arg-Vasotocin Directly Activates Isotocin Receptors and Induces COX2 Expression in Ovoviviparous Guppies.

Oxytocin (OT) is a crucial regulator of reproductive behaviors, including parturition in mammals. Arg-vasopressin (AVP) is a nonapeptide homologous to Arg-vasotocin (AVT) in teleosts that has comparable affinity for the OT receptor. In the present study, ovoviviparous guppies () were used to study the effect of AVT on delivery mediated by the activation of prostaglandin (PG) biosynthesis isotocin (IT) receptors (ITRs).

[Primary Study on Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in NCG Mice from Qinba Mushroom].

Objective: The present study was to evaluate the anti-tumor effects of acidic RNA protein complex (FA-2-b-β) extracted from the wild edible Qinba mushroom in inducing of apoptosis and immunoregulation of tumor cell.

Methods: Cell proliferation inducing rate of FA-2-b-β to K562 cell was measured using CCK-8. Apoptosis rate was detected by using flow cytometry.

Use of a Reverse Metacarpal Bone Flap for the Treatment of Segmental Bone Defects of the Proximal Phalanges.

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study was to report the results of reconstruction of segmental bone defects of the proximal phalanges using a reverse metacarpal vascularized bone flap harvested from the third metacarpal bone.

Methods: From August 2012 to May 2017, 17 patients with segmental osteomyelitis or necrotic bone of the proximal phalanges were treated. There were 15 male and 3 female patients, with a mean age of 36 years (range, 19-65 years).

AKR1B10 (Aldo-keto reductase family 1 B10) promotes brain metastasis of lung cancer cells in a multi-organ microfluidic chip model.

Brain metastasis (BM) is a leading cause of mortality in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying BM of NSCLC remain largely unknown because of the lack of models to accurately investigate such a dynamic and complex process. Here we developed a multi-organ microfluidic chip as a new methodological platform to study BM.

[Sustainability science revisited: Recent advances and new opportunities].

During the past decade, sustainability science has rapidly developed into a globally well-recognized and important new science of the 21st century. However, sustainability science has not received much attention from scientists and practitioners in China where sustainable development and ecological civilization have been prominent themes. To promote the development of sustainability science in China, Wu, et al.

Anaerobic digestion of tobacco stalk: biomethane production performance and kinetic analysis.

Tobacco stalk, a common agricultural waste derived from the harvest of tobacco, caused serious environmental pollution in China. In this study, the performance of biomethane production and characteristics of four varieties of tobacco stalk were investigated for the first time. The results showed that the highest cumulative methane yield of 130.

Dexmedetomidine attenuates traumatic brain injury: action pathway and mechanisms.

Traumatic brain injury induces potent inflammatory responses that can exacerbate secondary blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, neuronal injury, and neurological dysfunction. Dexmedetomidine is a novel α2-adrenergic receptor agonist that exert protective effects in various central nervous system diseases. The present study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective action of dexmedetomidine in a mouse traumatic brain injury model, and to explore the possible mechanisms.

Selective NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor reduces neuroinflammation and improves long-term neurological outcomes in a murine model of traumatic brain injury.

The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated inflammatory response has emerged as a prominent contributor to the pathophysiological processes of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Recently, a potent, selective, small-molecule NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor, MCC950, was described. Here, we investigated the effect of MCC950 on inflammatory brain injury and long-term neurological outcomes in a mouse model of TBI.

Use of diffusion kurtosis imaging and quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI for the differentiation of breast tumors.

Background: Breast MRI is a sensitive imaging technique to assess breast cancer but its effectiveness still remains to be improved.

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI), and quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI in differentiating malignant from benign breast lesions independently or jointly and to explore whether correlations exist among these parameters.

Study Type: Retrospective.

Cemented K-wire fixation for the treatment of shaft fractures of middle phalanges.

Background: The objective of this report is to introduce an external-fixation technique using the combination of K-wires and cement.

Methods: From February 2009 to January 2015, 51 patients with shaft fractures of middle phalanges were treated with cemented K-wire fixation. The mean age of patients at surgery was 41 years.