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MCP-1 has been shown to be elevated in endometriosis. ILK functions in several cellular events and interacts with MCP-1-signaling. In the current study, we evaluated the role of MCP-1-ILK signaling in human endometriotic cell's (Hs832(C).TCs) potential for colonization, invasion, adhesion, etc. and differentiation of macrophage along with inflammation in an endometriosis mouse model. A mouse model of endometriosis with elevated levels of MCP-1 was developed by injecting MCP-1. We examined the migration, adhesion, colonization and invasion of Hs832(C).TCs in response to MCP-1-ILK signaling. We also examined the differentiation of THP-1 cells to macrophage in response to MCP-1-ILK signaling. We observed that MCP-1 increased Ser246 phosphorylation of ILK in Hs832(C).TCs and enhanced the migration, adhesion, colonization, and invasion of Hs832(C).TCs. In the mouse model of endometriosis, we found elevated chemokines (CCL-11, CCL-22 and CXCL13) levels. An increased level of MCP-1 mediated ILK activation, leading to increased inflammatory reaction and infiltration of residential and circulatory macrophages, and monocyte differentiation, but suppressed the anti-inflammatory reaction. The inhibitor (CPD22) of ILK reversed the MCP-1-mediated action by restoring Hs832(C).TCs and THP-1 phenotype. ILK inhibition in a mouse model of endometriosis reduced the effects of MCP-1 mediated pro-inflammatory cytokines, but increased anti-inflammatory response along with T-regulatory and T-helper cell restoration. Targeting ILK restores MCP-1 milieu in the peritoneal cavity and endometrial tissues, reduces the inflammatory response, improves the T-regulatory and T-helper cells in the endometriosis mouse model and decreases the migration, adhesion, colonization and invasion of endometriotic cells. [Display omitted] • MCP-1 via ILK increases the endometriotic cells colonization, adhesion and invasion. • MCP-1 promotes inflammatory response in mouse model of endometriosis. • ILK inhibition reverses the MCP-1 mediated inflammatory responses. • The altered T-cells by MCP-1 are restored by ILK inhibition in endometriosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, there is growing interest in Ag 2 O doping in oxide glasses through optimal selection of excitation wavelengths to achieve efficient luminescence via either up or down-conversion processes. In this present work, we report the influence of Ag nanoparticles/aggregates on the structural and spectroscopic characteristics of melt-quenched Ag 2 O - co-doped (19.5-x)Li 2 O+70B 2 O 3 +10CaO+0.5Nd 2 O 3 +xAg 2 O glasses. Systematic studies were conducted using XRD, Raman spectroscopy, HR-TEM, MAS-NMR, UV–Visible–NIR, Photoluminescence, and decay kinetics techniques. The XRD analysis conclusively indicates the absence of crystalline peaks. However, HR-TEM analysis showed a reduction in the size of AgNPs from 14 nm to 11 nm with an increase of Ag 2 O concentration from 0.25 mol% to 0.5 mol%, respectively. The RAMAN and MAS-NMR (11B and 7Li) revealed the modification in the local structure induced by the Ag 2 O as revealed by the predominant borate structural units, and silver (Ag) acted as a modifier in the glass matrix. The absorption spectra of all samples exhibit a characteristic peak of Nd3+ ions. Interestingly, the LCBNd0.5Ag0.5 glass sample exhibits the SPR peak at 416 nm, indicating that the lower limit of Ag 2 O in LCBNd0.5 is <0.5 mol%. Luminescence studies at different excitation wavelengths (350, 525, and 584 nm) reveal the predominant emission at 877 nm and 1058 nm, whose emission intensity increased with Ag 2 O concentration. Samples with Ag 2 O-doped LCBNd glasses exhibit identical lifetime values, indicating the absence of luminescence-quenching and the presence of Ag aggregates leading to the SPR effect. Based on our findings, the LCBNd0.5Ag0.5 sample demonstrated superior performance to other samples, with the highest emission under an excitation of 350 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autoimmune diseases are the highly heterogeneous at cellular and molecular level. The causes and consequences of most of the autoimmune diseases are not well explored. However the researches focusing on the development of biomarkers for the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases are seems to be inadequate and given treatment are insufficient to control or cure the disease properly. It is a big obstacle to develop any therapy without knowing the actual cause and molecular event playing role in disease onset. In this article we are raising the involvement of LINE or other transposition as a first trigger and cause for autoimmune disease. Further we are proposing a novel hybrid aptamers based biocapturing model which would help in the investigation of genome-wide LINE transposition in pristane induced SLE mice model. Importantly the effect of new LINE movements at the expression pattern of neighboring genes would be used as novel molecular prognostic biomarkers for onset of SLE and related autoimmune diseases. We are also proposing that the differential expression either inductive or suppressive pattern of expected several candidate genes would be implicated in the defective biochemical or cellular defects, and targeted therapy would be employed to such life threatening disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lanthanide doped nanocrystalline fluoride optical materials have been explored for diverse applications in the solar energy harvesting, industry, medical, forensic and biological fields because of high photoluminescence quantum yield and low phonon energy. In this manuscript, Er3+/Yb3+:BaYF 5 nanocrystals were synthesized by hydrothermal process. These nanocrystals were investigated through X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM/TEM, Raman, quantum yield, photoluminescence upconversion (UC) and downconversion (DC) studies. XRD patterns exhibited the cubic phase and no phase deviation with the addition of Er3+ and Yb3+ ions. The TEM images illustrate the cubic-like morphologies of the obtained nanocrystals. Raman spectrum unveils the characteristic vibrational bands with an intense band at 498 cm−1, which is considered the phonon energy of the BaYF 5 matrix. Under 488 nm excitation, the near infrared (NIR) emission of Er3+ increases up to 5 mol% and then decreases for a 10 mol% doped sample. Photoluminescence DC quantum yield of Er3+/Yb3+:BaYF 5 sample is measured by using integrating sphere in the visible region under 488 nm (Xe flash lamp) excitation, is 4.25%. Under 900 nm laser excitation, intense NIR emissions at 978 and 1550 nm corresponding to Yb3+ (2F 5/2 → 2F 7/2) and Er3+ (4I 13/2 → 4I 15/2) ions, respectively, were observed. With the increase of Yb3+ concentration, the NIR emissions of both Er3+ and Yb3+ increase to 5 mol% and then decrease to 10 mol%. The strength of green UC emission of Er3+ decreases with increase of Er3+ concentration, whereas it enhances with the rise of Yb3+ concentration under 980 nm laser excitation. Two-photon UC process is confirmed as the slopes of the green, and red intensities are 2 and 2. These nanocrystals exhibit intense UC and DC emissions under 980 nm and 480 nm, respectively, which can be suitable for improving the efficiency of solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper addresses dynamic classification of different ranges of ballistic missiles (BM) for air defense application based on kinematic attributes acquired by radars for taking appropriate measures to intercept them. The problem of dynamic classification is formulated using real-time neural network (RTNN) and hidden Markov model (HMM). The idea behind these algorithms is to calculate the output in one pass rather than training and computing over large number of iterations. Besides, to meet the conflicting requirements of classifying small as well as long-range trajectories, we are also proposing a formulation for partitioning the trajectory by using moving window concept. This concept allows us to use parameters in localized frame which helps in handling wide-range of trajectories to fit into the same network. These algorithms are evaluated using the simulated data generated from 6 degree-of-freedom (6DOF) mathematical model, which models missile trajectories. Experimental results show that both the networks are classifying above 95% with real-time neural network outperforming HMM in terms of time of computation on same data. The small classification time enables the use of real-time classification neural network in complex scenario of multi-radar, multi-target engagement by interceptor missiles. To the best of our knowledge this is the first time an attempt is made to classify ballistic missiles using RTNN and HMM. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ho3+-doped lead phosphate (P2O5 +K2O+Al2O3 +PbO+Na2O+Ho2O3) glasses have been prepared by conventional melt quenching technique. The optical properties have been characterized through absorption, emission and gain spectra and decay rate analysis. A strong dependence of the Ω 2 parameter on the hypersensitive transition has been noticed. Using the Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters, various radiative properties like transition probabilities, branching ratios and radiative lifetimes for various emission levels has been evaluated. The radiative lifetime for the 5S2(5F4) fluorescent level and peak stimulated emission cross-section for the 5S2(5F4)→ 5I8 transition are found to be 330μs and 1.43×10−20 cm2, respectively. Using the McCumber theory, absorption and emission cross-sections for the 5I7 → 5I8 transition (∼2.0μm) of the Ho3+ ion have been obtained and gain spectra are also computed as a function of population inversion. The peak stimulated emission cross-section and gain coefficient for Ho3+-doped lead phosphate glasses have been compared with other reported Ho3+:systems. The analysis indicates that these Ho3+:glasses exhibit relatively better properties for application in mid-infrared lasers at a wavelength of about 2.0μm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: When outliers are present in the desired data, the conventional distributed adaptive estimation algorithms exhibit poor performance. To alleviate this shortcoming a novel distributed robust incremental strategy based on QR decomposition and the Wilcoxon score is proposed which convergence speed is faster than the other previous techniques. To demonstrate the potential of this algorithm simulation study is carried out for the distributed estimation of parameters in the presence of weak to strong outliers in the desired data. The results show that the performance of the new algorithm is robust against outliers compared to conventional incremental RLS algorithm. Further to achieve low communication overhead, a new scheme is introduced and its performance has been assessed through simulation study. It is observed that the proposed scheme even though exhibits slightly inferior performance but offers substantially reduction in terms of communication overhead. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Eu2O3-doped phosphate-based bioactive glasses have been prepared by varying the calcium/potassium to phosphate ratio and their luminescence properties have been studied through absorption and emission spectra and decay rate analysis. Second and fourth rank crystal-field (CF) parameters and the CF strength parameters have been calculated by assuming the C2V symmetry for Eu3+ ions in the present glasses. Judd–Ofelt analysis has been used to derive radiative properties such as transition probabilities, branching ratios, radiative lifetimes and peak-stimulated emission cross-sections for 5D0 → 7FJ (J =0–4) transitions. The relative luminescence intensity ratio of 5D0 → 7F2 and 5D0 → 7F1 transitions has been evaluated to estimate the local site symmetry around Eu3+ ions. The observed 5D0 → 7F0 transition for higher calcium content indicates two distinct sites for Eu3+ ion. Decay rates for the 5D0 level of Eu3+ ions in these glasses have been measured by monitoring the 5D0 → 7F2 transition. The lifetimes of the 5D0 level are found to decrease with increase in calcium contents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Optical and fluorescence properties of Dy2O3-doped P2O5+K2O+MgO+Al2O3 and P2O5+K2O+MgO+MgF2+Al2O3 glasses have been investigated at room temperature. From the optical absorption measurements and using Judd–Ofelt (JO) theory, JO parameters have been obtained which are used to predict the radiative properties of 4F9/2 level of Dy3+ ion. A strong yellow (Y) and blue (B) emissions corresponding to 4F9/2→6H13/2 and 4F9/2→6H15/2 transitions of Dy3+ ions were observed in these glasses. A good correlation between the intensity ratio (Y/B) and was identified. The CIE colour coordinates were evaluated from the emission spectra to simulate white light emission from the title glasses. Fluorescence decay curves of the 4F9/2→6H13/2 transition have been measured and analysed. The product of reveals the possibility of using these glasses for yellow laser. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Retinal images are low contrast, complex, suffer the problems of blurring and uneven illumination. So, it is very difficult to identify the vascular abnormalities. Some of the existing fundus sensors result noisy information, which makes scientific evaluation and diagnosis more complicated. So, for detecting the vascular abnormalities and for evaluating the early stages of Diabetic Retinopathy (DR), a robust retinal image enhancement technique (SIAGC) is proposed in this paper. To enhance the contrast of retinal images effectively and to make the detection process easier, the object of the retinal image is 1st extracted from the background. To avoid the over enhancement, plateau limit is applied separately to both regions. Then mapping function and adaptive gamma parameter have been evaluated using modified weighted probability density function (PDF) for enhancing the image quality. The plateau thresholds and exponentiation parameters used for gamma correction are automatically selected using swarm intelligence in order to maximize the proposed fitness function. It improves the adaptive-ness of the proposed technique. A multi-objective fitness function is proposed in this paper, which includes entropy, edge contents, AMBE and PSNR. Experimental results indicate the robustness of the proposed SIAGC based enhancement technique over other state of the art techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Fluorescence spectra of Tb3+ ions in 55.5P2O5–17K2O–14.5BaO–8Al2O3–4AlF3–1.0Tb4O7 (PKBAFTb) glass have been measured as a function of high pressures up to 35GPa at room temperature. A strong red shift of 5D4 → 7F J (J =3, 4 and 5) transitions with different rates is observed under pressure, which is attributed to the increasing spin–orbit coupling constant, ζ 4f. There is a considerable pressure effect on the magnitude of the crystal-field splittings observed for the 5D4 → 7F4 and 7F5 transitions. The increase in Stark splittings observed under pressure is due to pressure induced electrostatic interaction between the 4f electrons and their ligands. Decay times of the emission from the 5D4 level fit to a single exponential function for the entire pressure range studied. Analyses indicate that the luminescence properties under pressure are more or less reversible, which shows the absence of considerable hysteresis in the present studied glass. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• To handle impulsive noise environments, robust cost functions derived from the theory of robust statistics and special functions of residual error should be utilized. • The study of robust techniques in impulsive noise contaminated distributed scenarios is not available in the literature, and a literature review is much needed for further development of novel robust algorithms to tackle outliers. • The manuscript reviews robust distributed algorithms available in the literature for parameter estimation and it mainly focuses on robust distributed estimation using loss functions. Distributed estimation strategies over wireless sensor networks are one of the active areas of research due to the wide range of applications in a variety of fields ranging from agriculture to surveillance. The classical least squares based algorithms are simple and effective when the noise follows Gaussian distribution. In practical scenarios, the noise may have heavy tailed distributions unlike the Gaussian distribution. The presence of outliers or impulsive noise in distributed networks is unavoidable in practical scenarios due to atmospheric phenomena, electric machinery, saturation effects, link or node failures, etc. To handle such impulsive noise environments, robust cost functions derived from the theory of robust statistics and special robust functions of residual error should be utilized. The study of such robust techniques in distributed scenarios is not available in the literature, and such a literature review is much needed for the further development of novel robust algorithms to tackle outliers. A review of such robust distributed algorithms available in the literature for parameter estimation is presented in this manuscript. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), the poor quality images may not provide the sufficient information for the visual interpretation of the affected locations of human body. So, to improve the image visions and to provide computational support, a novel adaptive image enhancement technique has been proposed in this paper, named as genetic algorithm based adaptive histogram equalization (GAAHE) technique. The proposed framework includes genetic algorithm, histogram sub-division and modified probability density function (PDF). A novel approach of subdivision is applied to the histogram using the exposure threshold and optimal threshold for preserving the brightness and reducing the information loss. To make the proposed technique more adaptive, the threshold parameters are optimized by utilizing the concept of genetic algorithm, guided by the proposed multi-objective fitness function. Then, the PDF of each sub-histogram is modified to enhance the image quality. The experimental results show that, the proposed GAAHE technique performs superior over other existing enhancement techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a novel particle swarm optimized texture based histogram equalization (PSOTHE) technique is proposed to enhance the contrast of MRI brain images. In general, medical images are of low contrast and affected by noise. So the diagnosis process is inaccurate. To eliminate this problem, it is required to reduce the effect of the artifacts, improve the contrast and minimize the information loss. To achieve this, a novel framework for image enhancement is proposed. As per the proposed framework, the effect of non-texture region in the image is suppressed to reduce the artifacts. Probability density function (PDF) is modified to control the enhancement rate. The threshold for identification of texture region and constraint parameters for modification of PDF are selected using PSO algorithm, guided by proposed fitness function. The selection of these parameters occurred automatically without human intervention which make our proposed framework more adaptive. A novel multi-objective fitness function is proposed in order to get an optimal balanced enhanced image which includes four different objective functions such as entropy, edge contents, contrast, peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) and each of equal weightage. The demonstration results show the supremacy of the proposed method over other existing methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Embryo implantation is a very complex process and several factors play important roles. Using a mouse model, we investigated the functions of PARP-2 and caspase-8 during endometrial receptivity for blastocyst implantation. We found that PARP-2 was upregulated at the receptive stage's implantation region and predominantly expressed in the endometrial stromal region, but downregulated during pregnancy failure and pseudopregnancy. To reinforce the necessity of PARP-2 for embryo implantation, we pharmacologically inhibited PARP-2 'before' & 'after' embryo arrival and observed a reduction in blastocyst implantation. Conversely, elevated caspase-8 expression and activity during pseudopregnancy, delayed implantation, and embryo implantation failure conditions and decreased levels in the decidualization exhibited an inverse pattern with PARP-2, suggesting caspase-8 as a negative regulator for embryo implantation. In vitro caspase-8 downregulates the PARP-2 activity in the mouse endometrial epithelial and stromal cells. These data suggest that PARP-2 and its negative regulation by caspase-8 constitute a crucial step in embryo implantation. Image 1 • PARP-2 positively and caspase-8 negatively associates with endometrial receptivity. • Poor blastocyst implantation is seen because of PARP-2 intraluminal inhibition. • PARP-2 is decreased, but caspase-8 increased during pregnancy failure model. • Caspase-8 negatively regulates PARP-2 in the mouse endometrial epithelial and stromal cells. • In decidualization, PARP-2 is strongly associated whereas caspase-8 poorly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Emission spectra and decay properties of the 4G5/2 level of Sm3+ ions in TeO2+K2O+Nb2O5 glass have been measured as a function of pressure upto 14.6GPa at room temperature. A progressive red shift in the barycentres of 4G5/2→6HJ (J=9/2, 7/2 and 5/2) emission bands and increase in splitting of these bands have been observed with increasing pressure. The luminescence decay profile of the 4G5/2 level at ambient condition shows a nearly single exponential nature and with increase in pressure it becomes gradually non-exponential associated with a decrease in lifetime. The non-exponential decay curves are well-fitted to the Inokuti–Hirayama model for S=6, indicating that the interaction for cross-relaxation energy transfer between Sm3+ ions is of dipole–dipole type. The results obtained after release of pressure reveal that there is a small hysteresis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new triaryl-borane-BODIPY based electron acceptor (BDY) for the bulk hetero-junction solar cell is reported. The electron acceptor property of BDY was fine-tuned by introducing the triphenylamine moieties. The electron mobility value of BDY was found to be of the order of standard PC 61 BM. BHJ solar devices were fabricated using BDY as the electron acceptor and maximum PCE of 4.46% is achieved. [Display omitted] • First example of triaryl-borane-BODIPY based bulk heterojunction solar cells (BHJ). • Introducing the TPA, the acceptor properties of the triaryl-borane-BODIPY is tuned. • We have fabricated different devices (conventional BHJ, Inverted BHJ). • The maximum PCE of 4.46% is achieved and there is a lot of room to improve the PCE. • This concept can be used to develop diverse TAB-BODIPY based acceptors for OPV cell. A new X-type, structurally twisted, highly soluble TAB-BODIPY based electron acceptor (BDY) is designed and synthesized. Organic solar devices are fabricated using poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) as donor polymer and BDY as an electron acceptor. A promising power conversion efficiency of 4.46% is obtained for this new class of acceptor, which is the first-ever reported on TAB-BODIPY as a non-fullerene acceptor in organic solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]