Search

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a persistent neurological dysfunction, has an increasing prevalence with the aging of the world and seriously threatens the health of the elderly. Although there is currently no effective treatment for AD, researchers have not given up, and are committed to exploring the pathogenesis of AD and possible therapeutic drugs. Natural products have attracted considerable attention owing to their unique advantages. One molecule can interact with multiple AD-related targets, thus having the potential to be developed in a multi-target drug. In addition, they are amenable to structural modifications to increase interaction and decrease toxicity. Therefore, natural products and their derivatives that ameliorate pathological changes in AD should be intensively and extensively studied. This review mainly presents research on natural products and their derivatives for the treatment of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To effectively decrease emissions and pollution emitted by equipment in container ports, many ports began to update equipment using diesel fuels to achieve the aim of green ports. This paper studies an internal truck renewal problem in container ports and proposes a two-stage stochastic programming model to optimally determine internal truck composition optimization adjustment including three renewal modes, i.e. purchasing, retrofitting, and chartering. An exact solution procedure based on Benders decomposition accelerating by Pareto-optimal cuts is developed for the proposed model. Given the problem background of Shanghai Yangshan Deep Water Port, comprehensive computational experiments are carried out to verify the effectiveness of the proposed mathematical model and the performance of the solution approach. According to the numerical experiments, some suggestions for the management of renewing internal trucks in green ports are summarized at the end of the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study optimal variance reduction solutions for count and ratio metrics in online controlled experiments. Our methods apply flexible machine learning tools to incorporate covariates that are independent from the treatment but have predictive power for the outcomes, and employ the cross-fitting technique to remove the bias in complex machine learning models. We establish CLT-type asymptotic inference based on our estimators under mild convergence conditions. Our procedures are optimal (efficient) for the corresponding targets as long as the machine learning estimators are consistent, without any requirement for their convergence rates. In complement to the general optimal procedure, we also derive a linear adjustment method for ratio metrics as a special case that is computationally efficient and can flexibly incorporate any pretreatment covariates. We evaluate the proposed variance reduction procedures with comprehensive simulation studies and provide practical suggestions regarding commonly adopted assumptions in computing ratio metrics. When tested on real online experiment data from LinkedIn, the proposed optimal procedure for ratio metrics can reduce up to 80% of variance compared to the standard difference-in-mean estimator and also further reduce up to 30% of variance compared to the CUPED approach by going beyond linearity and incorporating a large number of extra covariates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a type of response token that involves emotional displays, interjections have received a substantial amount of scholarly interest in linguistics. Yet a paucity of research focuses on how emotion is displayed via interjections in interactions in situ. This article focuses on how surprise and other associated emotions are accomplished via wow in Mum's turn when interacting with the child. Using Conversation Analysis and prosody analysis, we show three major functions of wow in mothers' turns: showing/inviting alignment and affiliation, indicating high and low engagement, and making compliments. Importantly, we argue that although affiliation-invitation/display is a generic function of wow, it could be designed as part and parcel of other actions, indicating that something more is going on here. Data are in English. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competitive sports has always been the front line of high-tech applications, from electronic timers to "shark skin" swimsuits, from "bird's nest" and "water cube" to blood lactic acid detectors; from electronic science to material science, from architecture to biology chemistry. To find more suitable sports equipment materials, we prepared the composite multiferroic material 0.2NiFe2O4/0.8BaTiO3 by solution casting, spin coating, and hot pressing, and used various instruments to understand its various properties. The study found that the two exothermic peaks of the material in the range of 110–220 °C are attributed to the large amount of adsorbed water and the degradation of hydroxyl compounds. The 20% weight loss associated with the strong exothermic peak at 300 °C is due to the degradation of inorganic salts and citric acid. What is more worth mentioning is that there is almost no weight loss when the temperature exceeds 340 °C, which proves that 80% of the total mass of organic species (such as: citric acid), inorganic nitrates, and other adsorbents (such as: water, ethanol, etc.) have been completely removed. In addition, the heat treatment process can change the crystallinity and physical and chemical properties of the material. In competition sports, 0.2NiFe2O4/0.8BaTiO3 material has the characteristics of good bounce and excellent balance. It can be applied to ski poles. Its good ductility and light weight make it very useful in bow, arrow and hull design space. In folk sports, 0.2NiFe2O4/0.8BaTiO3 composite sports equipment can be widely used in various sports and various types of sports equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep learning applications in shaping ad hoc planning proposals are limited by the difficulty of integrating professional knowledge about cities with artificial intelligence. We propose a novel, complementary use of deep neural networks and planning guidance to automate street network generation that can be context-aware, learning-based, and user-guided. The model tests suggest that the incorporation of planning knowledge (e.g., road junctions and neighborhood types) in the model training leads to a more realistic prediction of street configurations. Furthermore, the new tool provides both professional and lay users an opportunity to systematically and intuitively explore benchmark proposals for comparisons and further evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of Bacillus licheniformis derived-protease, alone or in combination with valine to low protein diet on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and carcass quality grade in growing-finishing pigs. A total of 180 crossbred ([Landrace × Yorkshire] × Duroc) growing pigs with an initial body weight of 22.56 ± 1.59 kg were used in a 17-week feeding trial. Pigs were randomly allotted into three treatments: CON, basal diet; PROT, low protein diet with 0.05% protease; PROTV, PROT diet with 0.08% valine. During the finishing phase (wk 7–17) and overall period (wk 0–17), gain: feed (G:F) ratio was increased (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the PROTV diet compared with those fed the CON diet. Although the supplementation of B. licheniformis derived-protease in combination with valine to low protein diet increased the G:F ratio of finishing phase and overall, compared with CON, other indexes of growth performance, nutrient digestibility and carcass quality grade were not impacted. Dietary supplementation with a combination of B. licheniformis derived-protease and valine in a low crude protein diet had no deleterious effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and carcass quality grade in growing-finishing pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of fetal intracranial hemorrhage in pregnancy and to improve the level of diagnosis and treatment. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of eight cases of fetal intracranial hemorrhage in our hospital from 2014 to 2017, including the clinical manifestations, etiology, imaging features, treatment and prognosis. Results: All the cases were diagnosed by prenatal color ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); one of the cases had decreased fetal movements and abnormal fetal heart rate monitoring, and the remaining seven cases had no special clinical symptoms. No clear cause was found in all the cases. Two patients with grade I fetal intracranial hemorrhage and 1 patient with grade II had a cesarean delivery, and no neurological sequelae were found in these neonates after 6months of follow-up. There was one patient with grade III and four patients with grade IV fetal intracranial hemorrhage; one of the patients with grade IV was stillborn at the time of the discovery, and cesarean section was selected due to scarring of the uterus; intraamniotic injection of ethacridine lactate was selected to induce labor in three cases, and vaginal delivery was selected; one of the patients with grade IV chose vaginal delivery, and the neonatal cranial brain magnetic resonance imaging after delivery showed no increase in intracranial lesions but showed incomplete development of the remaining nervous system. Conclusion: Fetal intracranial hemorrhage can be diagnosed by prenatal color ultrasound and MRI, yet it is often impossible to determine the cause. The prognosis of fetal intracranial hemorrhage is related to grade, and the prognosis of cerebral hemorrhage in patients with grades III-IV is poor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractCompressive tests, tensile tests, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests were performed on polypropylene fiber recycled concrete (PFRC) after freeze–thaw cycles. The effects of the replacement percentage of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) and the addition percentage of fiber on strength characteristics were analyzed. The variation rules of strength and failure modes after freeze–thaw cycles were described. The development of stress–strain curves and deformations were observed at different times of freeze–thaw cycles. The experimental results showed that the compressive and tensile strength both present a trend of first increasing and then decreasing with the increase addition percentage of fiber or the replacement percentage of RCA. The optimum mix proportion of RCPP30-0.1 was obtained. The tensile and compressive strength both reduced as the times of freeze–thaw cycles increased. After 75 times, the strength dropped by 6.37% and 4.52% compared with that at 0 time of cycles, respectively. Overall, freeze–thaw cycles have adverse effects on the mechanical properties of PFRC. Based on the theoretical analysis of experimental data, prediction models on macroscopic and microscopic properties were established in this study, which can help promote more extensive applications of RAC and realize persistent development strategy of building, resources, and environment to a certain extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Denitrifying bacteria play critical roles in enhancing biological biofilm denitrification for nitrogen removal in industrial and municipal wastewater treatment and groundwater remediation. Evidence intensively confirms that exogenous quorum sensing (QS) bacteria prompt biofilm formation and denitrification. Yet, exogenous bacteria forfeiting during bioaugmentation may occur despite of its priority effect and improved community function, because of open, intricate traits in wastewater treatment system. Critical topics include regulating signal-based microecological structure, effectively assembling 3D biofilm, and regulating carbon and nitrogen metabolization of denitrifiers to reduce CO2 and N2O emissions. This review demonstrates classifications of denitrifiers and the vital role of QS in regulating biofilm denitrification. Furthermore, the ecological principles of microbial community construction with the addition of exogenous denitrifiers are summarized. Moreover, the effects of signaling molecules on carbon and nitrogen transcription and metabolization are discussed. In conclusion, technologies based on quorum sensing for enhanced denitrification have high application potential and challenges. Herein, we provide a guideline for enhancing nitrogen removal by exogenous quorum-sensing bacteria and synthetic biofilms design during upgrading of municipal wastewater treatment plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we present the syntheses, crystal structures, vibrational spectra, optical and antibacterial properties of two new organic-inorganic hybrids, [Py(CH2)3TPP][CoCl4]·H2O (1) and [Py(CH2)3TPP][CuCl4] (2), where [Py(CH2)3TPP]2+ was 1-(1′-pyridyl-propyl)-3-triphenyl phosphonium. Two hybrids were crystallized in the monoclinic space group P21/n. The hybrids consisted of a [Py(CH2)3TPP]2+ cation and a tetrahedral [CoCl4]2−/[CuCl4]2− anion, where the crystal structure was stabilized by C−H···Cl, O−H···Cl, and C−H···O hydrogen bonds due to the presence of a water molecule in 1, and the crystal structure of 2 was stabilized by C−H···Cl hydrogen bonds. Experimental vibrational bands (IR and Raman) have been discussed and assigned. The intermolecular energy, the energy gap between HOMO and LUMO orbitals, as well as the first hyperpolarizabilities were predicted based on DFT calculations. The low energy gaps (1.26 eV for 1 and 1.20 eV for 2) were responsible for the charge transfer interactions that eventually occur between the cation and anion. The first hyperpolarizabilities (βtot) of 1 and 2 were 82 and 237 times as high as that of the standard KDP crystal, respectively, indicating that the as-prepared hybrids were excellent materials for NLO applications. Furthermore, it was found that both salts exhibit good bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first-line anti-rheumatic drug methotrexate (MTX) is used in the combination. Because of the unpredictable adverse reactions, optimization of relevant regimens is necessary and meaningful. This study aimed to study the possible interaction between Securidaca inappendiculate Hassk. Derived xanthones and MTX. We established adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) model, which was treated with MTX and MTX + xanthone-rich fraction (XRF). The clinical efficacy was evaluated by histopathological examination, and LC-MS was used to monitor the blood concentration of MTX. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to detect protein expression. In vitro, we assessed the activity of related transporters by cellular uptake assay based on HEK-293T cells. Compared with MTX-treated rats, inflammation in the immunized rats in the MTX + XRF group was obvious, indicating that XRF antagonized the anti-rheumatic effect of MTX. Meanwhile, XRF reduced liver and kidney injuries caused by MTX in addition to MTX. Results from immunohistochemical and nappendiculat assays suggested that XRF may reduce uptake of MTX by down-regulating reduced folate carrier 1 (RFC1). This study indicated that XRF could reduce the plasma concentration of MTX by inhibiting the expression of RFC1, antagonize the therapeutic effect of MTX on AIA rats, and reduce its oral bioavailability. The combination of S. inappendiculate and MTX should be further optimized to achieve the goal of increasing efficiency and reducing toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high-temperature oxidation behaviour of SPS-prepared Mo and Mo–5Ta alloys are investigated under the temperature range 300–700°C for 0–120 min in static air condition. The oxidation weight gains of Mo and Mo–5Ta conform to parabolic law at different oxidation times of 500°C and all remain at low levels. At low temperature (≤ 500°C), the oxidation resistance improves with Ta addition. However, at 600°C and 700°C, the oxidation of Mo–5Ta increases and the weight gain is obvious. Compared with pure Mo, a continuous and dense oxide scale can be formed quickly on the surface of Mo–5Ta alloys during the oxidation process at 500°C, which improves the oxidation resistance of the alloys. The volatile MoO3 and generated Ta2O5 above 500°C cause more voids to form in the matrix, resulting in the deterioration of the oxidation resistance of the alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing deep-learning tools for road network generation have limited applications in flat urban areas due to their overreliance on the geometric and spatial configurations of street networks and inadequate considerations of topographic information. This paper proposes a new method of street network generation based on a generative adversarial network by designing a pre-positioned geo-extractor module and a geo-merging bypath. The two improvements employ the complementary use of geometric configurations and topographic features to automate street network generation in both flat and hilly urban areas. Our experiments demonstrate that the improved model yields a more realistic prediction of street configurations than conventional image inpainting techniques. The model's effectiveness is further enhanced when generating streets in hilly areas. Furthermore, the geo-extractor module provides insights from the computer vision perspective in recognizing when topographic information should be considered and which topographic information should receive more attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]