Multi-dimensional multiplexing optical secret sharing framework with cascaded liquid crystal holograms

Secret sharing is a promising technology for information encryption by splitting the secret information into different shares.However,the traditional scheme suffers from information leakage in decryption process since the amount of available information channels is limited.Herein,we propose and demonstrate an optical secret sharing framework based on the multi-dimensional multiplexing liquid crystal(LC)holograms.The LC holograms are used as spatially separated shares to carry secret images.The polarization of the incident light and the distance between different shares are served as secret keys,which can significantly improve the information security and capacity.Besides,the decryption condition is also restricted by the applied external voltage due to the variant diffraction efficiency,which further increases the information security.In implementation,an artificial neural network(ANN)model is developed to carefully design the phase distribution of each LC hologram.With the advantage of high security,high capacity and simple configuration,our optical secret sharing framework has great potentials in optical encryption and dynamic holographic display.

Study on Distribution of Four Pseudomonas Species in Living Environment Using Multiplex PCR

Purpose: The genus Pseudomonas is a ubiquitous microorganism frequently detected from immunocompromised patients. The inherent resistance to numerous antimicrobial agents contributes to the opportunistic character of this pathogen exhaustive monitoring of this pathogen is considered of critical importance to public health organizations. The reliable identification method able to distinguish genetic close Pseudomonas species is needed, because these organisms are difficult to differentiate by phenotypic or biochemical methods. The purpose of the present study was to design species-specific primers in order to identify and detect four Pseudomonas species which are frequently detected from the human oral cavities, and to investigate the distribution of these organisms in the living environment using a multiplex PCR. Methods: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers were designed based on partial sequences of the rpoD gene of four Pseudomonas species. Swab samples were collected from fifty washstands, and the distribution of Pseudomonas species was investigated using a conventional PCR at genus level and a multiplex PCR at species level. Results: Multiplex PCR method developed in this study was able to distinguish four Pseudomonas species clearly. The genus Pseudomonas was detected from all samples (100%), whereas P. putida, P, aeruginosa, P. stutzeri and P. fluorescens were detected at 44%, 8%, 4% and 2% in fifty swab samples, respectively. Conclusion: Our developed one-step multiplex PCR method is accurate, specific, cost-effective, time-saving, and works without requiring DNA extraction. It was indicated that washstands were the uninhabitable environment for P. putida, P, aeruginosa, P. stutzeri and P. fluorescens.

Real-Time 4-Mode MDM Transmission Using Commercial 400G OTN Transceivers and All-Fiber Mode Multiplexers

Weakly-coupled mode division multiplexing(MDM)technique is considered a promising candidate to enhance the capacity of an optical transmission system,in which mode multiplexers/demultiplexers(MMUX/MDEMUX)with low insertion loss and modal crosstalk are the key components.In this paper,a low-modal-crosstalk 4-mode MMUX/MDEMUX for the weakly-coupled triple-ring-core few-mode fiber(TRC-FMF)is designed and fabricated with side-polishing processing.The measurement results show that a pair of MMUX/MDEMUX and 25 km weakly-coupled TRC-FMF MDM link achieve low modal crosstalk of lower than−17.5 dB and insertion loss of lower than 11.56 dB for all the four modes.Based on the TRC-FMF and all-fiber MMUX/MDEMUX,an experiment for 25 km real-time 4-mode 3-λwavelength division multiplexing(WDM)-MDM transmission is conducted using commercial 400G optical transport network(OTN)transceivers.The experimental results prove weakly-coupled MDM techniques facilitate a smooth upgrade of the optical transmission system.

The Applicability and Productiveness of a Systematic Literature Review Methodology in Volcanology Research: Case of the Magma Pathway at the Mount Cameroon Volcano

The presented research illustrates the applicability and productiveness of the systematic literature review methodology, a non-empirical methodology in the geological sciences, particularly volcanology. The systematic literature review methodology is a replicable, rigorous, and transparent methodology for synthesizing existing literature to answer questions on a specific topic. The synthesis allows for knowledge consolidation, such as identifying knowledge gaps. In our illustration of this methodology, we focused on the expanding knowledge about the magma pathway at Mount Cameroon, one of Africa’s active volcanoes. Our synthesis of the relevant international geoscience research literature is based on the framework of knowledge about the magma pathway beneath a typical basaltic volcano. The framework has three primary components: magma supply, storage, and transport to erupting vents. Across these components is a total of twelve secondary components. The result is a previously non-existent and fragmented overall understanding of the magma pathway at Mount Cameroon. The gaps in the understanding (such as in the magma supply rates, timescales of chamber processes, and magma ascent rates) may be addressed in future research. Another key implication of the presented research lies in the proof of concept of the systematic literature review methodology as an applicable qualitative research methodology in the study of volcanoes.

Detection of a mud volcano in the Weitan Banks area of the northern South China Sea

Situated between the petroliferous Cenozoic Zhujiang(Pearl)River Mouth Basin and the mud volcano-rich Mesozoic Dongsha Basin in the middle sector of the northern South China Sea,the Weitan Banks area has been previously mapped as a basement high that is composed of Mesozoic magmatic rocks.In this study,we present several favorable indicators for petroleum geology that were detected from geophysical profiling and benthic sampling in the area.A conspicuous hill was discovered,named“Zhongwei Hill”,~80 m high above the~340 m deep seafloor and~1 km broad,in a depression with more than 7 km thick sedimentary strata.The Zhongwei Hill was seismically imaged with a mushroom-shaped structure and containing a cake-like crown,fluid flow pipes,and an~10 km broad anticline at depth.Thus,the hill represents a source-plumbing-eruption system.Shallow gas zones linked to deep fracture were found at or near the hill.Stratigraphic correlation indicates that the deep strata comprise the Jurassic and Paleogene strata,the major hosts of hydrocarbon source rocks.In addition to the hill,there are number of mounds from which three bottom water samples were collected and the samples are rich in dissolved methane with concentrations high up to~900 nmol/L,much higher than the background level(0.5–2 nmol/L).The benthic samples are rich in coarse sediment clastics,authigenic carbonate nodules,and deep-water habitats likely feeding on methanotrophic community.Given these observations and the context,we propose that the Zhongwei Hill represents a mud volcano,likely thermally driven,that seeps methane from Jurassic and Paleogene source layers,thus poses a favorable clue for significant hydrocarbon generation capacity in transitional zone of the Zhujiang River Mouth Basin and the Dongsha Basin.

A Study of Radiation-Induced Telomere Instability Using Multiplex Ligation-Dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA)

The integrity of the chromosomes for two WIL2-derived lymphoblastoid cell lines (TK6 and WTK1) in the presence and absence of ionizing radiation was analyzed by Multiplex Ligation-Dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA). The TK6 cell line has the native p53 tumor-suppressor gene, whereas WTK1 cells contain a p53 mutation. Each cell line was isolated pre- and post-irradiation (2 and 3 Gy) and analyzed by MLPA. The impact of irradiation on these two cell lines was investigated using probes that target specific regions on chromosomes associated with subtelomeric regions. Results indicate that WTK1 and TK6 are impacted differently after irradiation, and that each cell line presents its own unique MLPA profile. The most notable differences are the appearance of a number of probes in the post-irradiated MLPA profile that are not present in the controls, and two unique probe signals only seen in WTK1 cells. These results build on our previous studies that indicate how different human cell lines can be affected by radiation in significantly different ways depending on the presence or absence of wild type p53.

Combining Polarization-Division Multiplexing and Ferromagnetic Nonreciprocity to Achieve In-Band Ultra-High Isolation for Full-Duplex Wireless Systems

The in-band full-duplex(IBFD)wireless system is a promising candidate for 6G and beyond,as it can double data throughput and enormously lower transmission latency by supporting simultaneous in-band transmission and reception of signals.Enabling IBFD systems requires a substantial mitigation of a transmitter(Tx)’s strong self-interference(SI)signal into the receiver(Rx)channel.However,current state-ofthe-art approaches to tackle this challenge are inefficient in terms of performance,cost,and complexity,hindering the commercialization of IBFD techniques.In this work,we devise and demonstrate an innovative approach to realize IBFD systems that exhibit superior performance with a low-cost and lesscomplex architecture in an all-passive module.Our scheme is based on meticulously combining polarization-division multiplexing(PDM)with ferromagnetic nonreciprocity to achieve ultra-high isolation between Tx and Rx channels.Such an unprecedented conception has become feasible thanks to a concurrent dual-mode circulator—a new component introduced for the first time—as a key feature of our module,and a dual-mode waveguide that transforms two orthogonally polarized waves into two orthogonal waveguide modes.In addition,we propose a unique passive tunable secondary SI cancellation(SIC)mechanism,which is embedded within the proposed module and boosts the isolation over a relatively broad bandwidth.We report,solely in the analog domain,experimental isolation levels of 50,70,and 80 dB over 340,101,and 33 MHz bandwidth at the center frequency of interest,respectively,with excellent tuning capability.Furthermore,the module is tested in two real IBFD scenarios to assess its performance in connection with Tx-to-Rx leakage and modulation error in the presence of a Tx’s strong interference signal.

A simple and efficient CRISPR/Cas9 system permits ultra-multiplex genome editing in plants

The development and maturation of the CRISPR/Cas genome editing system provides a valuable tool for plant functional genomics and genetic improvement.Currently available genome-editing tools have a limited number of targets,restricting their application in genetic research.In this study,we developed a novel CRISPR/Cas9 plant ultra-multiplex genome editing system consisting of two template vectors,eight donor vectors,four destination vectors,and one primer-design software package.By combining the advantages of Golden Gate cloning to assemble multiple repetitive fragments and Gateway recombination to assemble large fragments and by changing the structure of the amplicons used to assemble sg RNA expression cassettes,the plant ultra-multiplex genome editing system can assemble a single binary vector targeting more than 40 genomic loci.A rice knockout vector containing 49 sg RNA expression cassettes was assembled and a high co-editing efficiency was observed.This plant ultra-multiplex genome editing system advances synthetic biology and plant genetic engineering.

Frequency-modulated continuous-wave multiplexed gas sensingbased on optical frequency comb calibration

Laser absorption spectroscopy has proven to be an effective approach for gas sensing, which plays an important rolein the fields of military, industry, medicine and basic research. This paper presents a multiplexed gas sensing system basedon optical frequency comb (OFC) calibrated frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) tuning nonlinearity. Thesystem can be used for multi-parameter synchronous measurement of gas absorption spectrum and multiplexed opticalpath. Multi-channel parallel detection is realized by combining wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) and frequencydivision multiplexing (FDM) techniques. By introducing nonlinear optical crystals, broadband spectrum detection is simultaneouslyachieved over a bandwidth of hundreds of nanometers. An OFC with ultra-high frequency stability is used asthe frequency calibration source, which guarantees the measurement accuracy. The test samples involve H13C14N, C_(2)H_(2)and Rb vapor cells of varying densities and 5 parallel measurement experiments are designed. The results show that themeasurement accuracies of spectral absorption line and the optical path are 150 MHz and 20 m, respectively. The schemeoffers the advantages of multiplexed, multi-parameter, wide spectrum and high resolution detection, which can realize theidentification of multi-gas components and the high-precision inversion of absorption lines under different environments.The proposed sensor demonstrates great potential in the field of high-resolution absorption spectrum measurement for gassensing applications.

Establishment and performance analysis of a new multiplex detection method for influenza an and B virus antigen

BACKGROUND Influenza A and B virus detection is pivotal in epidemiological surveillance and disease management.Rapid and accurate diagnostic techniques are crucial for timely clinical intervention and outbreak prevention.Quantum dot-encoded microspheres have been widely used in immunodetection.The integration of quantum dot-encoded microspheres with flow cytometry is a well-established technique that enables rapid analysis.Thus,establishing a multiplex detection method for influenza A and B virus antigens based on flow cytometry quantum dot microspheres will help in disease diagnosis.AIM To establish a codetection method of influenza A and B virus antigens based on flow cytometry quantum dot-encoded microsphere technology,which forms the foundation for the assays of multiple respiratory virus biomarkers.METHODS Different quantum dot-encoded microspheres were used to couple the monoclonal antibodies against influenza A and B.The known influenza A and B antigens were detected both separately and simultaneously on a flow cytometer,and the detection conditions were optimized to establish the influenza A and B antigen codetection method,which was utilized for their detection in clinical samples.The results were compared with the fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR)method to validate the clinical performance of this method.RESULTS The limits of detection of this method were 26.1 and 10.7 pg/mL for influenza A and B antigens,respectively,which both ranged from 15.6 to 250000 pg/mL.In the clinical sample evaluation,the proposed method well correlated with the fluorescent quantitative PCR method,with positive,negative,and overall compliance rates of 57.4%,100%,and 71.6%,respectively.CONCLUSION A multiplex assay for quantitative detection of influenza A and B virus antigens has been established,which is characterized by high sensitivity,good specificity,and a wide detection range and is promising for clinical applications.

Multiplex Rapid Test with Acceptable Diagnosis Performance as a Solution to Increase Diagnosis of Hepatitis B and C Viruses in Pregnant Women in an Area of High Prevalence of Both Hepatitis Viruses Associated with HIV

Background and Objective: HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are very widespread in the world, however, less than 20% of the people affected are diagnosed and treated. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HIV, HCV and HBV co-infections in pregnant women at Bangui Community University Hospital and the cost of screening. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving consenting pregnant women who came for antenatal care was performed. HIV, HCV antibodies and HBV antigens were detected using Exacto Triplex? HIV/HCV/HBsAg rapid test, cross-validated by ELISA tests. Sociodemographic and professional data, the modes of transmission and prevention of HIV and both hepatitis viruses were collected in a standard sheet and analyzed using the Epi-Info software version 7. Results: Pregnant women aged 15 to 24 were the most affected (45.3%);high school girls (46.0%), and pregnant women living in cohabitation (65.3%) were the most represented. Twenty-five (16.7%) worked in the formal sector, 12.7% were unemployed housewives and the remainder in the informal sector. The prevalence of HIV, HBV, and HCV viruses was 11.8%, 21.9% and 22.2%, respectively. The prevalence of co-infections was 8.6% for HIV-HBV, 10.2% for HIV-HCV, 14.7% for HBV-HCV and 6.5% for HIV-HBV-HCV. All positive results and 10% of negative results by the rapid test were confirmed by ELISA tests. The serology of the three viruses costs 39,000 FCFA (60 Euros) by ELISA compared to 10,000 FCFA (15.00 Euros) with Exacto Triplex? HIV/HCV/AgHBs (BioSynex, Strasbourg, France). Conclusion: The low level of education and awareness of hepatitis are barriers to development and indicate the importance of improving the literacy rate of women in the Central African Republic (CAR). Likewise, the high prevalence of the three viruses shows the need for the urgent establishment of a national program to combat viral hepatitis in the CAR.

Semi-implantable device based on multiplexed microfilament electrode cluster for continuous monitoring of physiological ions

Modern medicine is increasingly interested in advanced sensors to detect and analyze biochemical indicators.Ion sensors based on potentiometric methods are a promising platform for monitoring physiological ions in biological subjects.Current semi-implantable devices are mainly based on single-parameter detection.Miniaturized semi-implantable electrodes for multiparameter sensing have more restrictions on the electrode size due to biocompatibility considerations,but reducing the electrode surface area could potentially limit electrode sensitivity.This study developed a semi-implantable device system comprising a multiplexed microfilament electrode cluster(MMEC)and a printed circuit board for real-time monitoring of intra-tissue K^(+),Ca^(2+),and Na^(+)concentrations.The electrode surface area was less important for the potentiometric sensing mechanism,suggesting the feasibility of using a tiny fiber-like electrode for potentiometric sensing.The MMEC device exhibited a broad linear response(K^(+):2–32 mmol/L;Ca^(2+):0.5–4 mmol/L;Na^(+):10–160 mmol/L),high sensitivity(about 20–45 mV/decade),temporal stability(>2weeks),and good selectivity(>80%)for the above ions.In vitro detection and in vivo subcutaneous and brain experiment results showed that the MMEC system exhibits good multi-ion monitoring performance in several complex environments.This work provides a platform for the continuous real-time monitoring of ion fluctuations in different situations and has implications for developing smart sensors to monitor human health.

Development of a multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay for detection of hepatitis C virus,hepatitis B virus,and human immunodeficiency virus 1

BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus(HCV),hepatitis B virus(HBV),and human immunodeficiency virus 1(HIV-1)are the most epidemic blood-borne viruses,posing threats to human health and causing economic losses to nations for combating the infection transmission.The diagnostic methodologies that depend on the detection of viral nucleic acids are much more expensive,but they are more accurate than sero-logical testing.AIM To develop a rapid,cost-effective,and accurate diagnostic multiplex polymerase chain reaction(PCR)assay for simultaneous detection of HCV,HBV,and HIV-1.METHODS The design of the proposed PCR assay targets the amplification of a short conserved region featured with a distinguishable melting profile and electro-phoretic molecular weight inside each viral genome.Therefore,this diagnostic method will be appropriate for application in both conventional(combined with electrophoresis)and real-time PCR facilities.Confirmatory in silico investigations were conducted to prove the capability of the approached PCR assay to detect variants of each virus.Then,Egyptian isolates of each virus were subjected to the wet lab examination using the given diagnostic assay.RESULTS The in silico investigations confirmed that the PCR primers can match many viral variants in a multiplex PCR assay.The wet lab experiment proved the efficiency of the assay in distinguishing each viral type through high-resolution melting analysis.Compared to related published assays,the proposed assay in the current study is more sensitive and competitive with many expensive PCR assays.CONCLUSION This study provides a simple,cost-effective,and sensitive diagnostic PCR assay facilitating the detection of the most epidemic blood-borne viruses;this makes the proposed assay promising to be substitutive for the mistakable and cheap serological-based assays.

番茄抗根结线虫基因(Mi)和抗叶霉病基因(Cf5)的Multiplex-CAPS检测

建立了同时检测番茄抗根结线虫基因(Mi)和抗叶霉病基因(Cf5)的Mutiplex-CAPS技术,并利用该技术检测了12份番茄材料含有的抗性基因。

Studies on the Extraction Methods of Metagenomic DNA from Mud Volcano in Xinjiang

[Objective]To seek one effective extraction method of metagenomic DNA from mud volcano.[Method]The metagenomic DNA from mud volcano was extracted by CTAB extraction method,SDS-enzyme method,improved method,reagent kit method.The extraction of four kinds of methods were compared.[Result]The extracted rate in reagent sets method was the highest,next was improved method,the extracted quantity in SDS-enzyme method was maximum.DNA extracted by the improved method was diluted ten times for PCR.[Conclusion]Considering economy and purity,the improved method can be used as one effective extraction method of metagenomic DNA from mud volcano.

Multiplexer Design Applied to High-Speed Signal Transmission

A multiplexer with a low-distortion high-bandwidth analog switch is presented. The gate-to-source voltage of the switch is set by the combined on-voltage of a pMOS and an nMOS,and the difference between its gate-source voltage and the threshold voltage （VGST） is guaranteed to be constant with input variation. Thus, the body effect is nearly canceled. Implemented in a TSMC 0.18μm CMOS process, results from HSPICE simulation show that the VGST is nearly constant with an input range from 0.3 to 1.7V,and the - 3dB bandwidth is larger than 10GHz;the SFDR （spurious free dynamic range） of the output is 67. lldB with 1GHz input frequency; the turn-on time is 2.98ns,and the turn-off time is 1.35ns, which indicates a break-before-make action of the multiplexer. The proposed structure can be applied to high speed signal transmission.

Designing Primers for H5 and H7 Subtypes of Avian Influenza Virus and Multiplex RT-PCR Amplification

[Objective] The research aimed to design primers that are suitable for detecting H5 and H7 subtypes of avian influenza virus （AIV） ; [Method] DNAStar was used to analyze the homology of the sequences of H5 and H7 subtypes of AIV accessed in GenBank, and design primers（ by Primer Premier 5.0） on high homologous region of these sequences, and then amplified by RT-PCR. [Result] The multiplex RT-PCR amplification, agarose gel electrophoresis and sequencing results showed that the self-designed primers are successful for detecting AIV. [Conclusion] It is feasible to rapidly diagnose AIV through this method.

Multiplex-CAPS技术及其在番茄遗传鉴定中的应用

应用Multiplex-PCR和CAPS(Cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence)原理研究建立了Mutiplex-CAPS技术。该技术包括:(1)在PCR扩增反应体系加入2对、3对或多对核苷酸引物,经30～40个扩增循环后得到每对引物的特异扩增片段;(2)应用同一种限制性内切酶消化这些不同引物经扩增后获得的特异片段;(3)琼脂糖凝胶电泳溴化乙锭染色检测酶切片段长度的多态性。利用该技术对番茄(Lycopersicon es-culentum)TA517及其近等基因系的分析表明,Multiplex-CAPS能同时检测2个、3个或多个CAPS标记的多态性,其效果等同于每个CAPS标记的多态性的叠加,重复性好,分析效率高,降低成本数倍。

Establishment and Application of a Multiplex PCR System for the Detection of Blast Resistance Genes Pi-ta and Pi-b in Rice

Rice blast is one of the important diseases in major rice producing areas of China. The main blast resistance genes Pi-ta and Pi-b showed broad-spectrum and durable resistance to rice blast in many rice growing areas of China, which have been widely utilized in rice breeding and commercial production. In this study, on the basis of detection and verification of the genotypes of 22 rice varieties har- boring known blast resistance genes （Pi-ta and Pi-b） and blast susceptibility genes （pi-ta and pi-b）, two multiple PCR systems for these genes were established by us- ing the functional markers of blast resistance genes Pi-ta and Pi-b as well as blast susceptibility genes pi-ta and pi-b, respectively. Specifically, multiple PCR system I could simultaneously detect blast resistance genes Pi-ta and Pi-b, while system II could detect simultaneously blast susceptibility genes pi-ta and pi-b. In addition, the genotypes of 336 high generation breeding materials were detected with these two multiple PCR systems. The results were highly consistent with those of conventional single mark detection, indicating that these two multiplex PCR systems were stable, reliable and time-saving. The established multiplex PCR systems may serve as a rapid and efficient method to identify and screen rice germplasm resources and can be applied in marker-assisted selection to polymerize multiple genes for blast resis- tance in rice breeding.

Establishment of a Multiplex PCR System for Detecting Transgenic Ingredients from Citrus

[Objective] This study aimed to establish a multiplex PCR system for de- tecting transgenic ingredients from Citrus. [Method] Based on the pBI121 plasmid sequences published in GenBank and actin gene sequence of Citrus, the primers specific to CaMV35S promoter, NOS promoter, NOS terminator and actin gene were designed, to establish a multiple PCR system which could detect four types of sequences. In addition, orthogonal tests were performed to determine the optimal concentrations of all the components in PCR reaction system, as well as the optimal PCR cycle parameters. [Result] The optimal PCR reaction system should contain 2.5μl of 10xPCR buffer, 2.0μl of MgCI2 （25 mmol/L）, 2.0 μl of dNTP mixture （2.5 mmol/L of each dNTP）, 1.0 μl of actin gene primers （10μmol/L）, 1.0μl of 35S promoter primers （10 μmol/L）, 1.5 μl of NOS promoter primers （10 μmol/L） and 0.5 μl of NOS terminator primers （10μmol/L）, 0.1 μg of template DNA, 1.25 U of Taq DNA polymerase; ddH20 was added to the total reaction system of 25μl. The PCR reaction program consisted of pre-denaturing at 94℃ for 5 min; 31 cycles of denaturing at 94℃ for 30 s, annealing at 64.1℃ for 45 s and extension at 72℃ for 50 s; final extension at 72℃ for 10 min. The reaction system optimized with the orthogonal tests could detect as less as 0.1% transgenic component in the tested samples. [Conclusion] The MPCR detection system established in this study can meet the requirements in theory for detecting the genetically modified ingredients in Citrus or the deep-processed products.