Data Concurrent Transmission MAC Protocol for Application Oriented Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks

With the increasing demand for marine exploration, underwater acoustic sensor networks (UASNs) are prone to have the characteristics of large-scale, long term monitoring, and high data traffic load. Underwater media access control (MAC) protocols, which allow multiple users to share the common medium fairly and efficiently, are essential for the performance of UASNs. However, the design of MAC protocols is confronted with the challenges of spatial unfairness, data eruption, and low energy efficiency. In this paper, we propose a novel data concurrent transmission (DCT) MAC protocol, which is able to exploit long propagation delay and conduct concurrent transmission. Specifically, we present the theoretical performance analysis of the proposed MAC protocol in detail and give an analytical solution of the success concurrent transmission probability between nodes. In addition, simulation results are provided to demonstrate that our proposed protocol is appropriate for UASNs and can significantly improve the performance in terms of network throughput and energy consumption. Finally, we give some typical future applications of UASNs and discuss the demands on MAC protocol design.

Peptide nanotube loaded with a STING agonist,c-di-GMP,enhance cancer immunotherapy against melanoma

The activation of the stimulating factor of the interferon gene(STING)pathway can enhance the immune response within the tumor.Cyclic diguanylate monophosphate(c-di-GMP)is a negatively charged,hydrophilic STING agonist,however,its effectiveness is limited due to the poor membrane permeability and low bioavailability.Herein,we introduced KL-7 peptide derived from Aβamyloid fibrils that can self-assemble to form nanotubes to load and deliver c-di-GMP,which significantly enhanced c-di-GMP’s effectiveness and then exhibited a robust“in situ immunity”to kill melanoma cells.KL-7 peptide nanotube,also called PNT,was loaded with negatively charged c-di-GMP via electrostatic interaction,which prepared a nanocomposite named c-di-GMP-PNT.Treatment of RAW 264.7 cells(leukemia cells in mouse macrophage)with c-di-GMP-PNT markedly stimulated the secretion of IL-6 and INF-βalong with phospho-STING(Ser365)protein expression,indicating the activation of the STING pathway.In the unilateral flank B16-F10(murine melanoma cells)tumor-bearing mouse model,compared to PNT and cdi-GMP,c-di-GMP-PNT can promote the expression of INF-β,TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β.At the same time,up-regulated CD4 and CD8 active T cells kill tumors and enhance the immune response in tumor tissues,resulting in significant inhibition of tumor growth in tumor-bearing mice.More importantly,in a bilateral flank B16-F10 tumor model,both primary and distant tumor growth can also be significantly inhibited by c-di-GMP-PNT.Moreover,c-di-GMP-PNT demonstrated no obvious biological toxicity on the main organs(heart,liver,spleen,lung,and kidney)and biochemical indexes of mice.In summary,our study provides a strategy to overcome the barriers of free c-di-GMP in the tumor microenvironment and c-di-GMP-PNT may be an attractive nanomaterial for anti-tumor immunity.

1,4-硼氮杂芳烃在中国的研究进展

稠环芳烃及其衍生物在有机光电材料领域具有广泛应用,杂原子掺杂可有效调节稠环芳烃的物理化学性质.硼氮杂芳烃是稠环芳烃的重要成员.基于硼原子和氮原子的相对位置,硼氮杂芳烃可以分为三种异构体:1,2-硼氮杂芳烃、1,3-硼氮杂芳烃和1,4-硼氮杂芳烃,由于合成上的困难,1,3-硼氮杂芳烃的研究相对较少.近年来,得益于1,4-硼氮杂芳烃在多重共振热活化延迟荧光材料方面潜力的发掘,1,4-硼氮杂芳烃在国内外都取得了飞速发展.我国有机化学及材料化学领域的学者们积极参与并推动了1,4-硼氮杂芳烃的快速发展,在1,4-硼氮杂芳烃的结构开发和应用拓展方面开展了一系列原创性的工作,取得了瞩目的成绩.以1,4-硼氮芳烃的结构作为线索,按照杂原子二元掺杂(B/N)骨架和三元掺杂(X/B/N)骨架分别进行论述,综述了1,4-硼氮杂芳烃的合成发展历史和应用研究拓展,最后对硼氮杂芳烃领域的未来发展与应用进行了展望.

Evolving field of cardio-oncology

Therapy development for cancer and cardiovascular disease(CVD)to prolong lifespan makes the relationship between these two conditions more complex.Drug interactions in cardiology and oncology are associated with metabolism and drug transportation.Advances in biomarkers and imaging provide novel methods for detecting cardiotoxicity,including cardiac injury and inflammation.The new concept of CVD-related cancer risk is leading to a new direction of progression termed“reverse cardio-oncology.”

Prevalence and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and psychological distress among female scientists and technicians

This study aimed to explore the prevalence and risk factors of cardiovascular disease(CVD)and psychological distress among female scientists and technicians in China.Accordingly,we included scientists and technicians from representative research institutions,medical institutions,colleges,universities,and businesses in China,and the data were collected from July 1,2019 to March 31,2021 via online questionnaires.The parameters evaluated in this study included age,sex,marital status,educational background,monthly income,sleep hours,sleep problems,smoking,alcohol consumption,work-related stress,work burnout,cardiovascular symptoms,CVD,family history,and depressive and anxiety symptoms.A total of 14530 scientists and technicians were included,comprising 7144 men and 7386 women.We found 34.9%men and 16.6%women with CVD,35.1%men and 21.4%women with depressive symptoms,28.7%men and 13.8%women with anxiety symptoms,and 22.0%men and9.5%women with CVD combined with depressive or anxiety symptoms.This study focused on the details of women.Younger women(age≤35 years)had the highest prevalence of depressive symptoms(24.9%),anxiety symptoms(16.2%),and comorbidity(11.2%).It was established that,despite traditional risk factors,unmanageable work burnout,depressive symptoms,and anxiety symptoms were associated with a higher risk of CVD in women;insomnia,overwhelming work stress,unmanageable work burnout,and CVD were linked to a higher risk of depressive symptoms and anxiety;insomnia,overwhelming work stress,and unmanageable work burnout were related to CVD combined with depressive or anxiety symptoms.A bidirectional relationship was noted between CVD and depression or anxiety in female scientists and technicians,and insomnia and overwhelming work stress were positively associated with comorbidity.It is suggested that effective measures should be taken to protect female scientists and technicians from CVD and psychological distress.