We present an optically powered, intrinsically safe gas monitoring system to measure four essential environmental gases (CH4, CO2, CO and O2), together with ambient temperature and pressure, for underground mines. The system is based on three key technologies developed at UNSW: (1) power-over-fibre (PoF) at 1550 nm using a single industry-standard, low-cost single-mode fibre (SMF) for both power delivery and information transmission, (2) liquid–crystal-based optical transducers for optical telemetry, and (3) ultra-low power consumption design of all electronics. Together, this approach allows each gas monitoring station to operate with less than 150 mW of optical power, meeting the intrinsic safety requirements specified by the IEC60079-28 standard. A 2-month field trial at BMA’s Broadmeadow underground mine proved the cabling compatibility to the mine’s existing optical network and the stability of the system performance. Compared with conventional electrically powered gas sensors, this technology bypasses the usual roadblocks of underground gas monitoring where electrical power is either unsafe or unavailable. Furthermore, using one fibre for both power delivery and communication enables longer distance coverage, reduces optical cabling and increases multiplexing possibilities and data throughput for better awareness of underground environment.

ALL (Acute lymphoblastic leukemia) is the most common pediatric malignancy and T-ALL (T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia) comprises about 15% cases. Compared with B-ALL (B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia), the prognosis of T-ALL is poorer, the chemotherapy is easier to fail and the relapse rate is higher. Previous studies mainly focused in Notch1-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in T-ALL. Here, we intend to investigate lncRNAs involved in T-ALL covering different subtypes. The lncRNA PPM1A-AS was screened out for its significant up-regulation in 10 T-ALL samples of different subtypes than healthy human thymus extracts. Besides, the PPM1A-AS expression levels in 3 T-ALL cell lines are markedly higher than that in CD45+ T cells of healthy human. We further demonstrate that PPM1A-AS can promote cell proliferation and inhibit cell apoptosis in vitro and can influence T-ALL growth in vivo. Finally, we verified that PPM1A-AS can regulate core proteins, Notch4, STAT3 and Akt, of 3 important signaling pathways related to T-ALL. These results confirm that lncRNA PPM1A-AS can act as an oncogene in T-ALL and maybe a potential clinical target of patients resistant to current chemotherapy or relapsed cases.

Background: Intracranial photoplethysmography (PPG) signals can be measured from extracranial sites using wearable sensors and may enable long-term non-invasive monitoring of intracranial pressure (ICP). However, it is still unknown if ICP changes can lead to waveform changes in intracranial PPG signals.Aim: To investigate the effect of ICP changes on the waveform of intracranial PPG signals of different cerebral perfusion territories.Methods: Based on lump-parameter Windkessel models, we developed a computational model consisting three interactive parts: cardiocerebral artery network, ICP model, and PPG model. We simulated ICP and PPG signals of three perfusion territories [anterior, middle, and posterior cerebral arteries (ACA, MCA, and PCA), all left side] in three ages (20, 40, and 60 years) and four intracranial capacitance conditions (normal, 20% decrease, 50% decrease, and 75% decrease). We calculated following PPG waveform features: maximum, minimum, mean, amplitude, min-to-max time, pulsatility index (PI), resistive index (RI), and max-to-mean ratio (MMR).Results: The simulated mean ICPs in normal condition were in the normal range (8.87–11.35 mm Hg), with larger PPG fluctuations in older subject and ACA/PCA territories. When intracranial capacitance decreased, the mean ICP increased above normal threshold (>20 mm Hg), with significant decreases in maximum, minimum, and mean; a minor decrease in amplitude; and no consistent change in min-to-max time, PI, RI, or MMR (maximal relative difference less than 2%) for PPG signals of all perfusion territories. There were significant effects of age and territory on all waveform features except age on mean.Conclusion: ICP values could significantly change the value-relevant (maximum, minimum, and amplitude) waveform features of PPG signals measured from different cerebral perfusion territories, with negligible effect on shape-relevant features (min-to-max time, PI, RI, and MMR). Age and measurement site could also significantly influence intracranial PPG waveform.

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