Search

Chenopodium quinoa is a crop with outstanding tolerance to saline soil, but long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) expression profile driven by salt stress in quinoa has rarely been observed yet. Based on the high-quality quinoa reference genome and high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), genome-wide identification of LncRNAs was performed, and their dynamic response under salt stress was then investigated. In total, 153,751 high-confidence LncRNAs were discovered and dispersed intensively in chromosomes. Expression profile analysis demonstrated significant differences between LncRNAs and coding RNAs. Under salt stress conditions, 4,460 differentially expressed LncRNAs were discovered, of which only 54 were differentially expressed at all the stress time points. Besides, strongly significantly correlation was observed between salt-responsive LncRNAs and their closest neighboring genes (r = 0.346, p-value < 2.2e-16). Furthermore, a weighted co-expression network was then constructed to infer the potential biological functions of LncRNAs. Seven modules were significantly correlated with salt treatments, resulting in 210 hub genes, including 22 transcription factors and 70 LncRNAs. These results indicated that LncRNAs might interact with transcription factors to respond to salinity stress. Gene ontology enrichment of the coding genes of these modules showed that they were highly related to regulating metabolic processes, biological regulation and response to stress. This study is the genome-wide analysis of the LncRNAs responding to salt stress in quinoa. The findings will provide a solid framework for further functional research of salt responsive LncRNAs, contributing to quinoa genetic improvement.

ABSTRACT: The circadian misalignment (CM) disordered circadian rhythms exert adverse effects on animals. Poultry as one of animals suffers health and welfare problems due to long-term lighting photoperiods caused by CM. However, the roles of CM on organ development, cell growth, metabolism and immune are still unclear in chickens. In this study, a Chinese dual-purpose native breed, was used to explore the effects of CM on transcriptomic pattern of brain and cell energy biogenesis, and further fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was applied to investigate its “therapy” effect from CM suffering. Our results showed that the CM led to stunting in brain and small intestine of chicken. CM decreased of cell proliferation, and energy production, mtDNA copies and expression of genes related to cell cycle or mitochondrial biogenetics, while it upregulated the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and the sensitivity to inflammation. Interestingly, FMT rescued the organ developmental defects and cell dysfunctions induced by CM. Circadian misalignment brought about abnormal tissue and cell developments, energy biogenesis, and immune response in birds. This study provided a comprehensive perspective on understanding the regulation of CM and FMT on bird development and welfare.

A spatiotemporal optical vortex (STOV) has a transverse orbital angular momentum (TOAM) perpendicular to its direction of propagation. We propose the generation of intense spatiotemporal vortical high harmonics with tunable TOAM using two strong STOV beams that simultaneously interact with a solid thin foil from both sides. Theoretical predictions of harmonic order and topological charge were validated using particle-in-cell simulations. The results show that harmonics originate from the reflection and transmission of the two driving beams and that the ‘monochromaticity’ of the harmonics in the topological charge domain depends on the topological charges of the two driving beams.

Abstract The fast-growing terahertz technologies require high-performance terahertz absorber for suppressing electromagnetic interference. Since the dissipation mechanism in terahertz band usually focuses on electronic conduction loss, almost all terahertz absorbers are constructed with electronically conducting materials being opaque, which limits their applications in scenarios requiring high visible transmittance. Here, we demonstrate a transparent terahertz absorber based on permittivity-gradient elastomer-encapsulated-organohydrogel. Our organohydrogel-based terahertz absorber exhibits a high absorbing property (average reflection loss of 49.03 dB) in 0.5–4.5 THz band with a thin thickness of 700 μm and a high average visible transmittance of 85.51%. The terahertz absorbing mechanism mainly derives from the ionic conduction loss of the polar liquid in organohydrogel. Besides, the hydrophobic and adhesive elastomer coating endows this terahertz absorber high absorbing stability and interfacial adhesivity. This work paves a viable way to designing transparent terahertz absorbers.

Abstract With the development of mobile edge computing technology, edge caching provides a feasible solution for low‐latency and high‐reliability data forwarding in the Internet of Vehicles (IoV). Due to the limited number and storage capacity of the edge servers, and the limited communication range of a single vehicle, the delay and connection requirements are hard to be satisfied. A vehicle clustering based edge caching scheme is proposed in this paper, aiming at minimizing the content acquisition delay of the requesting vehicles (RVs) within the communication range of the edge servers. After getting the optimal vehicle association results, the minimization of content acquisition delay is transformed into a knapsack problem, which is then solved by a dynamic programming algorithm to obtain the optimal cache decisions. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme reduces task acquisition delay by at least about 100 s and increases the cache hit rate by about 50%, compared with the random cache scheme.

This study explores the influence on urban sustainable development performance of residents’ resettlement as a result of urban renewal activities, aiming to develop a system dynamics model to simulate the performance of urban sustainable development performance at the perspective of urban renewal. The system dynamics model consists of four subsystems, which are urban economic sector, social service sector, demolition and resettlement sector, and industrial development sector. It was used to simulate the sustainable development performance of Guangzhou city. In the seven scenarios simulated, it is found that increasing the ratio of in-site rehousing and off-site rehousing at the same time can help to promote the sustainable development of the city. The results show that the system dynamics model can effectively simulate the impacts of urban renewal on sustainable development performance, and provides a reference for decision makers to formulate urban sustainable development strategies.

Abstract On-chip spatial mode operation, represented as mode-division multiplexing (MDM), can support high-capacity data communications and promise superior performance in various systems and numerous applications from optical sensing to nonlinear and quantum optics. However, the scalability of state-of-the-art mode manipulation techniques is significantly hindered not only by the particular mode-order-oriented design strategy but also by the inherent limitations of possibly achievable mode orders. Recently, metamaterials capable of providing subwavelength-scale control of optical wavefronts have emerged as an attractive alternative to manipulate guided modes with compact footprints and broadband functionalities. Herein, we propose a universal yet efficient design framework based on the topological metamaterial building block (BB), enabling the excitation of arbitrary high-order spatial modes in silicon waveguides. By simply programming the layout of multiple fully etched dielectric metamaterial perturbations with predefined mathematical formulas, arbitrary high-order mode conversion and mode exchange can be simultaneously realized with uniform and competitive performance. The extraordinary scalability of the metamaterial BB frame is experimentally benchmarked by a record high-order mode operator up to the twentieth. As a proof of conceptual application, an 8-mode MDM data transmission of 28-GBaud 16-QAM optical signals is also verified with an aggregate data rate of 813 Gb/s (7% FEC). This user-friendly metamaterial BB concept marks a quintessential breakthrough for comprehensive manipulation of spatial light on-chip by breaking the long-standing shackles on the scalability, which may open up fascinating opportunities for complex photonic functionalities previously inaccessible.

The isoquinoline alkaloid berberine, derived from Coptidis rhizoma, exhibits antibacterial, hypoglycemic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Canagliflozin is a sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor. We synthesized compounds B9OC and B9OBU by conjugating canagliflozin and n-butane at the C9 position of berberine, aiming to develop antimicrobial agents for combating bacterial infections worldwide. We utilized clinically prevalent pathogenic bacteria, namely Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, to investigate the antibacterial efficacy of B9OC. This was accomplished through the determination of the MIC80 values, analysis of bacterial growth curves, evaluation of biofilm formation using crystal violet staining, assessment of impact on bacterial proteins via SDS-PAGE analysis, and observation of alterations in bacterial morphology utilizing field emission scanning electron microscopy. Meanwhile, the ADMET of compound B9OC was predicted using a computer-aided method. The findings revealed that B9OC exhibited lower minimal inhibitory concentrations against all three bacteria compared to berberine alone or in combination with canagliflozin. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of B9OC against the three experimental strains were determined to be 0.035, 0.258, and 0.331 mM. However, B9OBu exhibited a lower level of antimicrobial activity compared to berberine. The compound B9OC exhibits a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity by disrupting the integrity of bacterial cell walls, leading to cellular rupture and the subsequent degradation of intracellular proteins.

5-Demethylnobiletin is the active ingredient in citrus polymethoxyflavones that could inhibit the proliferation of several tumor cells. However, the anti-tumor effect of 5-Demethylnobiletin on glioblastoma and the underlying molecular mechanisms are remains unknown. In our study, 5-Demethylnobiletin markedly inhibited the viability, migration and invasion of glioblastoma U87-MG, A172 and U251 cells. Further research revealed that 5-Demethylnobiletin induces cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase in glioblastoma cells by downregulating Cyclin D1 and CDK6 expression levels. Furthermore, 5-Demethylnobiletin significantly induced glioblastoma cells apoptosis by upregulating the protein levels of Bax and downregulating the protein level of Bcl-2, subsequently increasing the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9. Mechanically, 5-Demethylnobiletin trigged G0/G1 phase arrest and apoptosis by inhibiting the ERK1/2, AKT and STAT3 signaling pathway. Furthermore, 5-Demethylnobiletin inhibition of U87-MG cell growth was reproducible in vivo model. Therefore, 5-Demethylnobiletin is a promising bioactive agent that might be used as glioblastoma treatment drug.

Chemical looping (CL) technology is a novel technology for the clean and efficient use of energy. Oxygen carriers (OCs) are the cornerstone of CL technology. The development of low–cost, high–performance OCs is crucial for the application of CL conversion. Hematite, one of the natural Fe–based OCs, has several advantages (e.g., low cost and environmental friendliness), but its low reactivity limits its application in CL. The performance of hematite can be effectively improved by modifying some of its active components. This study explored the improvement of hematite reactivity by adding alkaline (earth) metals (K, Na, and Ca) and transition metals (Ni, Cu, and Mn). The crystal phases of the OCs were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the results revealed that the addition of metals significantly changed the phase of the original hematite. The active solid solution of K–Fe–O and Na–Fe–O species exhibited strong catalytic activity to facilitate lignite char conversion. The addition of CaO promoted the devolatilization of lignite, while the formation of a solid CaFe2O4 solution with low reactivity inhibited the lattice oxygen release. The presence of CuO/CuFe2O4 in the Cu–modified sample could release a small amount of free O2 to promote volatile conversion. The high activity phases of NiO and NiFe2O4 in the Ni–modified OCs could improve the reaction activity of hematite. However, the MnFeO3 phase with low reaction activity was generated in the Mn–modified OC, decreasing the reaction rate of the Mn–modified OC with lignite char.

Chemical looping gasification (CLG) technology is an effective approach to converting wood waste into high-quality syngas. In the present work, the reactivity of natural hematite is enhanced by doping with nickel oxide (NiO), and the effects of various operating parameters upon the CLG of wood waste are investigated using the NiO-modified hematite as an oxygen carrier. The NiO-modified hematite gives a significantly increased carbon conversion of 79.74%, and a valid gas yield of 0.69 m3/kg, compared to 68.13% and 0.59 m3/kg, respectively, for the pristine (natural) hematite, and 54.62% and 0.55 m3/kg, respectively, for the Al2O3, thereby indicating that the modification with NiO improves reactivity of natural hematite towards the CLG of wood waste. In addition, a suitable mass ratio of oxygen carrier to wood waste (O/W) is shown to be beneficial for the production of high-quality syngas, with a maximum valid gas yield of 0.69 m3/kg at an O/W ratio of 1. Further, an increase in reaction temperature is shown to promote the conversion of wood waste, giving a maximum conversion of 86.14% at reaction temperature of 900 °C. In addition, the introduction of an appropriate amount of steam improves both the conversion of wood waste and the quality of the syngas, although excessive steam leads to decreases in the reaction temperature and gas residence time. Therefore, the optimum S/B (mass ratio of steam to biomass) is determined to be 0.4, giving a carbon conversion and valid gas yield of 86.63% and 0.94 m3/kg, respectively. Moreover, the reactivity of the NiO-modified hematite is well-maintained during 20 cycles, with a carbon conversion and valid gas yield of around 79% and 0.69 m3/kg, respectively. Additionally, the XRD and SEM-EDS analyses indicate no measurable change in the crystal phase of the re-oxidized oxygen carrier.

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) documented transplanting a donor fecal sample to a receipt individual for a desired physiologic effect. However, whether the gut microbiota construction, intestinal maturation, and behavioral plasticity are modulated by FMT during the early life of broilers is waiting for verification. To evaluate the role of transfer of fecal microbiota from aged broilers donor (BD) to another individual, 96 birds were equally divided into a check (CK, control) group and a broiler recipient (BR) group. FMT was conducted daily from 5 to 12 days of age to determine the future impact on body weight, behavior, intestinal development, and gut microbiota. Results indicated that fearfulness in the CK group was higher than the BR group in both the behavioral tests (p < 0.05). The muscularis mucosa, thickness of muscle layer, and thickness of serous membrane layer in the BR group were higher compared with those of the CK group in the jejunum (p < 0.05). In the gut microbiota, Shannon diversity showed no difference, while beta diversity presented a difference in principal coordination analysis (PCoA) between the CK and BR groups. At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Lentisphaerae in the CK group was lower than the BR (p = 0.052) and BD (p = 0.054) groups. The relative abundance of Tenericutes in the BD group was higher than that in the CK and BR groups (p < 0.05). At the genus level, Megamonas in the CK group was higher than the BR (p = 0.06) and BD (p < 0.05) groups. In the BR group, the functional capabilities of microbial communities analyzed by the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway were increased in the glutamatergic synapse and N-glycan biosynthesis pathways in comparison with the CK and BD groups (p < 0.05). Some characteristics of gut microbiota in the donor chickens could be transferred to recipient chickens by FMT. In conclusion, exogenous FMT as a probiotic-like administration might be an efficient way to improve the physiology and behavior of chickens. Notably, the role of microbiota for various individuals and periods remains undefined, and the mechanism of microbiota on behaviors still needs further investigation.

The domestication process exerts different phenotypic plasticity between slow- and fast-growing breeds of chicken. Feed restriction has a critical role in production performance, physiological plasticity, and stress response. Our study aimed to explore how feed restriction programed the organ index, dopamine, and hippocampal transcriptome profile between slow- and fast-growing chickens, which were fed either ad libitum (SA and FA), or feed restricted to 70% of ad libitum (SR and FR), for 30 days. Results showed that feed restriction influenced the brain organ index (P < 0.05), but not the organ index of the heart, liver, and spleen. The slow-growing breed tested had a higher brain organ index than the fast-growing breed (P < 0.05). Under feed restriction conditions, both the slow- and fast-growing breeds had significantly elevated dopamine concentrations (P < 0.05) compared to those fed ad libitum. In the GO term, upregulated genes in the FA group were enriched in the mitochondria, respiratory chain, and energy metabolism compared to the SA group (P < 0.05). Membranes and ribosomes were enriched in the cellular component between the SR and FR groups (P < 0.05). In the KEGG functional pathways, upregulated DEGs in the FR group were enriched in the cardiovascular disease category and neurodegenerative disease category compared to the FA group (P < 0.05). Downregulated DEGs in the FA group were enriched in the oxidative phosphorylation and neurodegenerative disease categories (Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease) compared with the SA group (P < 0.05). Upregulated DEGs in the FR group were enriched in the cardiovascular disease category, neurodegenerative disease category, and energy metabolism than the SR group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, feed restriction had profound effects on the brain organ index and plasma dopamine in the slow- and fast-growing chickens. Feed restriction may result in issues relating to cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases in the fast-growing breed tested, but not in the slow-growing breed.

Ever‐growing demands of bandwidth, computing speed, and power consumption are now accelerating the transformation of computing research, as work‐at‐home becomes a new normal. Brain‐inspired photonic neuromorphic computing for artificial intelligence is raising an urgent need, and it promises orders‐of‐magnitude higher computing speed and energy efficiency compared with digital electronic counterparts. Photonic neuromorphic networks combine the efficiency of neural networks based on a non‐von Neumann architecture and the benefits of photonics to constitute a new computing paradigm. Herein, some recent advances in photonic neural networks are reviewed, including the concept, principle, key photonic components, and architectures that construct the neuromorphic systems, hoping to provide a better understanding of this emerging field.

A noise reduction strategy was proposed for Panyu District of Guangzhou City based on its traffic noise map, which considered both road and railway traffic noise. Commercial software was applied to compute the noise maps with and without noise barriers based on the field traffic flow measurements. Noise compliance maps were further developed to assess the effects of noise barriers on the quality of the sound environment. The change in populations exposed to unhealthy traffic noise with noise barriers was calculated, and the group noise indicators Gdn and Gnight, which indicate the populations of highly annoyed and sleep-disturbed people, were evaluated. The results showed that the traffic noise level was significantly decreased after the implementation of noise barriers. It was predicted that with the strategy of applying suitable noise barriers, the overall areas under heavy noise pollution could be reduced by 24.5 and 24.3 km2 during daytime and nighttime, respectively. Meanwhile, the total areas that could meet the regulated standard for noise levels were increased by 97.4, and 66.9 km2, corresponding to compliance rate increments of 18.38% and 12.62%, respectively, in daytime and nighttime. The results further revealed that the installation of noise barriers could significantly reduce the population of highly annoyed people, while the reduction of the population experiencing sleep disturbances was insignificant.

In pigs, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymorphism and the correlation to reproductive performance across breeds and individuals have been largely reported, however, experimental proof has never been provided. In this study, we analyzed 807 sows for correlation of total number born (TNB) and mitotype, which presented the maximum of 1.73 piglets for mtDNA contribution. Cybrid models representing different mitotypes were generated for identification of the mtDNA effect. Results indicated significant differences on cellular and molecular characteristics among cybrids, including energy metabolic traits, mtDNA copy numbers and transcriptions, mRNA and protein expressions on mitochondrial biogenesis genes and reproduction-related genes. Referring to mitotypes, the cybrids with prolific mitotypes presented significantly higher oxygen consumption rate (OCR) productions, mtDNA transcriptions and copy numbers than those with common mitotypes, while both mRNA and protein expressions of PPARA, TFAM, ER1, ER2, and ESRRG in prolific cybrids were significantly higher than those with common mitotypes. Cybrid models reflected the mtDNA effect on pig litter size, suggesting the potential application of mtDNA polymorphism in pig selection and breeding practices.

In this study, we hypothesized that complex early-life environments enhance the learning ability and the hippocampal plasticity when the individual is faced with future life challenges. Chicks were divided into a barren environment group (BG), a litter materials group (LG), and a perches and litter materials group (PLG) until 31 days of age, and then their learning abilities were tested following further rearing in barren environments for 22 days. In response to the future life challenge, the learning ability showed no differences among the three groups. In the hippocampal KEGG pathways, the LG chicks showed the downregulation of neural-related genes neuronal growth regulator 1 (NEGR1) and neurexins (NRXN1) in the cell adhesion molecules pathway compared to the BG (p < 0.05). Immune-related genes TLR2 in Malaria and Legionellosis and IL-18 and IL18R1 in the TNF signaling pathway were upregulated in the LG compared to in the BG (p < 0.05). Compared to the BG, the PLG displayed upregulated TLR2A in Malaria (p < 0.05). The PLG showed upregulated neural-related gene, i.e., neuronal acetylcholine receptor subunit alpha-7-like (CHRNA8) in the nicotine addiction pathway and secretagogin (SCGN) gene expression, as compared to the LG (p < 0.05). In conclusion, early-life environmental complexities had limited effects on the learning ability in response to a future life challenge. Early-life perches and litter materials can improve neural- and immune-related gene expression and functional pathways in the hippocampus of chicks.

Local resonant sonic crystals (LRSCs) window as a novel design has recently been proposed to achieve a good balance between noise mitigation, natural ventilation and natural lighting. In an effort to explore the feasibilities of such designs in civil residential buildings, an optimization methodology was proposed to develop a more compact LRSCs window with high noise attenuation performance in the present study. Specifically, the Taguchi method was adopted for the design of experiments on the parameters of interest and their corresponding levels, and SN ratio analysis was then applied for the parametric evaluations on the noise attenuation on specified frequencies in traffic noise (concentrated sound energy frequency range: 630–1000 Hz). Three optimal sets of design parameters on the interested frequencies, namely, 630 Hz, 800 Hz and 1000 Hz were obtained. ANOVA analysis was conducted to quantificationally identify the design parameters with statistical significance and remarkable contribution to the desired performance. Results indicate that the slit size has the most significant influence on the overall noise attenuation performance, followed by cavity width. An optimal set of design parameters to achieve the overall best noise reduction performance in the frequency range of 630–1000 Hz was finally determined by combining the SN ratio and ANOVA analysis. A prototype of the final optimized LRSCs window was then fabricated and tested in a semi-anechoic chamber. Good agreement was found between the experiment and numerical simulation. In comparison to the benchmark case, the final optimized design can achieve a further noise reduction by 2.84 dBA, 3.48 dBA and 5.56 dBA for the frequencies of 630 Hz, 800 Hz and 1000 Hz, respectively. The overall noise reduction for the interested frequency range can be promoted by 3.28 dBA. The results indicate that the proposed optimization methodology is practical and efficient in designing a high-performance LRSCs window or improving similar applications.

At present, the design and manufacturing technology of mechanically dithered ring laser gyroscope (MDRLG) have matured, the strapdown inertial navigation systems (SINS) with MDRLG have been widely used in military and business scope. When the MDRLG is working, high-frequency dithering is introduced, which will cause the size effect error of the accelerometer. The accelerometer signal has a time delay relative to the system, which will cause the accelerometer time delay error. In this article, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem: (1) we model the size effect error of the mechanically dithering of the MDRLG and perform an error analysis for the size effect error of the mechanically dithering of the MDRLG; (2) we model the time delay error of accelerometer and perform an error analysis for the time delay error of accelerometer; (3) we derive a continuous linear 43-D SINS error model considering the above-mentioned two error parameters and expand the temperature coefficients of accelerometers, inner lever arm error, outer lever arm error parameters to achieve high-precision calibration of SINS. We use the piecewise linear constant system (PWCS) method during the calibration process to prove that all calibration parameters are observable. Finally, the SINS with MDRLG is used in laboratory conditions to test the validity of the calibration method.

This study aimed to explore the difference between two Chinese local broilers, one slow- and one fast-growing, in their response to a stress challenge. We conducted the study on slow- (Weining chicken) and fast-growing (Jinlinghua chicken) breeds, with 50 chickens from each breed either feed restricted to 70% for 30 days as a stress or given ad libitum to evaluate the effects on behavior, corticosterone, and microbial programming. Standing behavior was more frequent while exploration was less common in fast-growing breeds compared to slow-growing breeds. Food seeking and ingestion, exploration, and drinking increased, while resting decreased in the feed restricted treatments. There was no difference in corticosterone concentration between slow- and fast-growing chickens, but the level was affected by feeding treatments, and the interaction of breed and feed restriction. At the genus-level, the relative abundance of Bacteroides and Lactobacillus was higher, while Cloacibacillus and Megasphaera was lower in the slow-growing breed compared to the fast-growing breed. Feed restricted birds had a higher abundance of Mucispirillum, but lower abundance of Cloacibacillus, Clostridium XlVa and Clostridium IV. In conclusion, feed restriction to 70% for 30 days as a chronic stress stimulation caused more activity, elevated the stress response, and altered gut microbiota composition, but some changes were only evident in slow- or fast-growing chickens.

In the present study, a conventional plenum window was incorporated with perforated thin box in order to enhance its performance at frequency range which centralized at 1000 Hz as most of the common noise sources at city nowadays are centralizing around this frequency. The entire studies were conducted in a reverberation room. The effectiveness of jagged flap on mitigating diffracted sound was also studied. Three types of noises were examined in the current study—white noise, traffic noise and construction noises. The experimental results showed that the plenum window with perforated thin box could reduce 8.4 dBA, 8.7 dBA and 6.9 dBA of white, traffic and construction noises, respectively. The jagged flaps did not have significant effect on the plenum window’s noise mitigation performance. When frequencies were ranging from 800 Hz to 1250 Hz, when compared with the case of without perforated thin box, it was found that the perforated thin box had good acoustic performance where it was able to reduce additional 1.6 dBA, 1.6 dBA and 1.2 dBA of white, construction and traffic noises, respectively.

This paper proposes two novel phase-based algorithms for the passive localization of a single source with a uniform circular array (UCA) under the case of measuring phase ambiguity based on two phase difference observation models, which are defined as the unambiguous-relative phase observation model (UARPOM) and the ambiguous-relative phase observation model (ARPOM). First, by analyzing the varying regularity of the phase differences between the adjacent array elements of a UCA, the corresponding relationship between the phase differences and the azimuth and elevation angle of the signal is derived. Based on the two phase observation models, two corresponding novel algorithms, namely, the phase integral accumulation and the randomized Hough transform (RHT), are addressed to resolve the phase ambiguity. Then, by using the unambiguous phase differences, the closed-form estimates of the azimuth and elevation angles are determined via a least squares (LS) algorithm. Compared with the existing phase-based methods, the proposed algorithms improve the estimation accuracy. Furthermore, our proposed algorithms are more flexible for the selection of an array radius. Such an advantage could be applied more broadly in practice than the previous methods of ambiguity resolution. Simulation results are presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of intermittent lighting (IL) on broiler growth and slaughter performance as well as serum biochemical and tibia parameters. Two hundred and eighty 7-d-old Ross 308 broilers were selected and reared from 8 to 42 d under IL photoperiods of either 2 hours of light:2 hours of dark (2L:2D) or 4 hours of light:4 hours of dark (4L:4D), or under continuous lighting (CL). On day 42, body weight of broilers raised in the 4L:4D photoperiod was significantly increased compared to those reared in the 2L:2D photoperiod. The average daily feed intake (ADFI) of broilers in IL was significantly less than broilers in CL. The feed conversion of broilers raised in the 4L:4D photoperiod was significantly more efficient than broilers in CL. The intestinal tract weight was greater in birds raised in the 4L:4D photoperiod compared to birds in CL. Similarly, the eviscerated yield with giblet and eviscerated carcass weights in birds reared in the 4L:4D photoperiod were significantly higher than corresponding weights observed in broilers raised in CL. Serum total protein concentration was distinctly higher in birds raised in the 4L:4D photoperiod than that in the 2L:2D photoperiod. In addition, the bone elastic modulus of birds reared in the 4L:4D photoperiod was greater than measurements observed in the 2L:2D photoperiod. Accordingly, we concluded that the 4L:4D photoperiodic lighting schedule was superior to both the 2L:2D photoperiod and CL in broiler production.