Search

Federated learning (FL) enables distributed clients to collaboratively train a machine learning model without sharing raw data with each other. However, it suffers from the leakage of private information from uploading models. In addition, as the model size grows, the training latency increases due to the limited transmission bandwidth and model performance degradation while using differential privacy (DP) protection. In this paper, we propose a gradient sparsification empowered FL framework with DP over wireless channels, to improve training efficiency without sacrificing convergence performance. Specifically, we first design a random sparsification algorithm to retain a fraction of the gradient elements in each client’s local model, thereby mitigating the performance degradation induced by DP and reducing the number of transmission parameters over wireless channels. Then, we analyze the convergence bound of the proposed algorithm, by modeling a non-convex FL problem. Next, we formulate a time-sequential stochastic optimization problem for minimizing the developed convergence bound, under the constraints of transmit power, the average transmitting delay, as well as the client’s DP requirement. Utilizing the Lyapunov drift-plus-penalty framework, we develop an analytical solution to the optimization problem. Extensive experiments have been implemented on three real-life datasets to demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed algorithm. We show that our proposed algorithms can fully exploit the interworking between communication and computation to outperform the baselines, i.e., random scheduling, round robin, and delay-minimization algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Rare Metals is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Patients with Idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia (iNOA) can achieve fertility by extracting testicular sperm through microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE). But more than half of iNOA patients still cannot benefit from mTESE. In recent years, some studies had reported that serum hormones may be related to the outcome of sperm retrieval, but few had been verified. We hope to obtain a predictive method that is convenient for clinical application and can help judge the outcome of sperm extraction before implementing mTESE. We performed a retrospective analysis of NOA patients who underwent mTESE in the same andrology center from June 2020 to November 2022. A total of 261 patients with complete data were collected, logistic regression analysis was performed and a predictive model was constructed. Then, from December 2022 to May 2023, one prospective cohort of 48 NOA patients who met the inclusion criteria from the same center was recruited to validate the risk prediction model. We successfully constructed a logistic regression model to predict the outcome of iNOA patients undergoing mTESE and found that higher serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels were associated with failure sperm retrieval, resulting in an AMH cut-off of 2.60 ng/ml. The area under the receiver operating curve was 0.811, the sensitivity was 0.870, and the specificity was 0.705. Decision curve analysis demonstrated that the threshold probability was above 4%, and unnecessary mTESE could be reduced using this model. In a prospective cohort at the same center, 85.42% (41/48) of iNOA patients correctly identified the mTESE outcome using this model. A logistic regression model with AMH as an independent predictor can predict mTESE outcomes in iNOA patients. Preoperative selection of mTESE in patients with iNOA using this model had clinical benefit in reducing unnecessary surgery. The model demonstrated good accuracy in a small prospective cohort validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose and study several inverse problems of identifying/determining unknown coefficients for a class of coupled PDE systems by measuring the average flux data on part of the underlying boundary. In these coupled systems, we mainly consider the non-negative solutions of the coupled equations, which are consistent with realistic settings in biology and ecology. There are several salient features of our inverse problem study: the drastic reduction of the measurement/observation data due to averaging effects, the nonlinear coupling of multiple equations, and the non-negative constraints on the solutions, which pose significant challenges to the inverse problems. We develop a new and effective scheme to tackle the inverse problems and achieve unique identifiability results by properly controlling the injection of different source terms to obtain multiple sets of mean flux data. The approach relies on certain monotonicity properties which are related to the intrinsic structures of the coupled PDE system. We also connect our study to biological applications of practical interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use the quantum version of Chebyshev polynomials to explicitly construct the recursive formulas for the Kronecker quantum cluster algebra with principal coefficients. As a byproduct, we obtain two bar-invariant positive ℤℙ-bases with one being the atomic basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combining Brownian dynamics simulations and self-consistent field theory, we demonstrate that the architectural parameters of core-shell comb-like chains have a decisive influence on their final self-assembled conformations. When the ratio of hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments is Ng,g:Ng,r = 3:1, no core-shell structure is observed, and unsegregated chains or clusters are substituted. When Ng,g:Ng,r = 3:2 or 3:3, the core-shell comb-like chains can be assembled into single micelles or structures where several small micelles are strung together by the backbone, which is similar to the pearl-necklace structure formed by the polyelectrolytes in poor solvent. With the increase of backbone length or grafting density, the probability of forming single micelles becomes lower, but the structures of two, three or more small micelles strung together are more observed. Our results indicate how to obtain the desired self-assembled structures of core-shell comb-like chains by regulating the architectural parameters, which could provide insights for the optimization of molecular design in various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the conformation of an amphiphilic comb-like copolymer in a selective solvent by using Brownian dynamics simulations. Our results demonstrate that, there is an optimal total degree of polymerization to form spherical micelles. Only when the total degree of polymerization is less than the optimal total degree of polymerization, a unimolecular spherical micelle can be formed, otherwise, the spherical micelle will be transformed into a cylindrical micelle. When the total degree of polymerization is less than the optimal total degree of polymerization, the radius of gyration and the stretching factor meet an exponential relationship, where the power exponent decreases with the increase of the length of hydrophilic side chains. The fundamental principles uncovered here afford insights for the optimization of molecular design of amphiphilic comb-like copolymers in various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there is a causal relationship between periodontitis and breast cancer by Mendelian randomization analysis. Materials and methods: We performed a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using publicly released genome-wide association studies (GWAS) statistics. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was used as the primary analysis. We applied complementary methods, including weighted median, weighted mode, simple mode, MR-Egger regression, and MR-pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) to detect and correct for the effect of horizontal pleiotropy. Results: IVW MR analysis showed no effect of periodontitis on breast cancer (IVW OR=0.99, P =0.14). Similarly, no significant causal relationship between breast cancer and periodontitis was found in reverse MR analysis (IVW OR=0.95, P =0.83). The results of MR-Egger regression, weighted median, and weighted mode methods were consistent with those of the IVW method. Based on sensitivity analyses, horizontal pleiotropy is unlikely to distort causal estimates. Conclusions: Although observational studies have reported an association between periodontitis and breast cancer, the results of our MR analysis do not support a causal relationship between periodontitis and breast cancer. Clinical relevance: Mendelian randomization study can more clearly analyze the causal relationship between periodontitis and breast cancer, in order to provide a certain reference for clinicians and deepen the understanding of the relationship between periodontitis and breast cancer, to explore more possible associations between periodontitis and systemic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading rapidly around the world. However, the treatment of vitiligo combined with COVID-19 has not been reported. Astragalus membranaceus (AM) has a therapeutic effect on patients with vitiligo and COVID-19. This study aims to discover its possible therapeutic mechanisms and provide potential drug targets. Using the Chinese Medicine System Pharmacological Database (TCMSP), GEO database and Genecards websites and other databases, AM target, vitiligo disease target, and COVID-19 related gene set were established. Then find the crossover genes by taking the intersection. Then use GO, KEGG enrichment analysis, and PPI network to discover its underlying mechanism. Finally, by importing drugs, active ingredients, crossover genes, and enriched signal pathways into Cytoscape software, a "drug-active ingredient-target signal pathway-" network is constructed. TCMSP screened and obtained 33 active ingredients including baicalein (MOL002714), NEOBAICALEIN (MOL002934), Skullcapflavone II (MOL002927), and wogonin (MOL000173), which acted on 448 potential targets. 1166 differentially expressed genes for vitiligo were screened by GEO. CIVID-19 related genes were screened by Genecards. Then by taking the intersection, a total of 10 crossover genes (PTGS2, CDK1, STAT1, BCL2L1, SCARB1, HIF1A, NAE1, PLA2G4A, HSP90AA1, and HSP90B1) were obtained. KEGG analysis found that it was mainly enriched in signaling pathways such as IL-17 signaling pathway, Th17 cell differentiation, Necroptosis, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway. Five core targets (PTGS2, STAT1, BCL2L1, HIF1A, and HSP90AA1) were obtained by analyzing the PPI network. The network of "active ingredients-crossover genes" was constructed by Cytoscape, and the 5 main active ingredients acting on the 5 core crossover genes acacetin, wogonin, baicalein, bis2S)-2-ethylhexyl) benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate and 5,2′-Dihydroxy-6,7,8-trimethoxyflavone. The core crossover genes obtained by PPI and the core crossover genes obtained by the "active ingredient-crossover gene" network are intersected to obtain the three most important core genes (PTGS2, STAT1, HSP90AA1). AM may act on PTGS2, STAT1, HSP90AA1, etc. through active components such as acacetin, wogonin, baicalein, bis2S)-2-ethylhexyl) benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate and 5,2′-Dihydroxy-6,7,8-trimethoxyflavone to activate IL-17 signaling pathway, Th17 cell differentiation, Necroptosis, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus infection, and VEGF signaling pathway and other signaling pathways to achieve the effect of treating vitiligo and COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Upon transplantation, skeletal stem cells (also known as bone marrow stromal or mesenchymal stem cells) can regulate bone regeneration by producing secreted factors. Here, we identify KIAA1199 as a bone marrow stromal cell-secreted factor in vitro and in vivo. KIAA1199 plasma levels of patients positively correlate with osteoporotic fracture risk and expression levels of KIAA1199 in patient bone marrow stromal cells negatively correlates with their osteogenic differentiation potential. KIAA1199-deficient bone marrow stromal cells exhibit enhanced osteoblast differentiation in vitro and ectopic bone formation in vivo. Consistently, KIAA1199 knockout mice display increased bone mass and biomechanical strength, as well as an increased bone formation rate. They also exhibit accelerated healing of surgically generated bone defects and are protected from ovariectomy-induced bone loss. Mechanistically, KIAA1199 regulates osteogenesis by inhibiting the production of osteopontin by osteoblasts, via integrin-mediated AKT and ERK-MAPK intracellular signaling. Thus, KIAA1199 is a regulator of osteoblast differentiation and bone regeneration and could be targeted for the treatment or management of low bone mass conditions. The levels of a factor secreted by bone marrow stromal cells, KIAA1199, associate with osteoporotic fracture risk. Here, the authors show that KIAA1199 deficiency can lead to enhanced bone formation, accelerated bone healing, and protects from ovariectomy-induced bone loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Zhejiang University: Science B is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Osteoarthritis (OA) mainly occurs in the elderly population and seriously affects their quality of life (QOL). Strontium (Sr) ions have shown positive effects on bone tissue and are promising for OA treatment. However, the adequate treatment dosage and underlying mechanisms are unclear. This study investigated the effects and underlying mechanisms of different concentrations of Sr ions in a mouse model of OA induced by destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) surgery. DMM-induced OA mice received intra-articular injections of different concentrations of Sr ions, and a suitable concentration of Sr ions was found to improve OA. Furthermore, we investigated the mechanism by which Sr ions mediate senescence and autophagy in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) in the synovial tissues of DMM-induced OA mice. OA mice treated with 10 µl of 5 mmol/L SrCl2 showed the greatest improvement in pain-related behavior and cartilage damage. In addition, in vivo and in vitro experiments revealed that Sr ions inhibit senescence and improve the autophagic function of FLSs. We also found that enhancement of the autophagic function of FLSs could effectively slow down senescence. Therefore, we show that Sr ions through the AMPK/mTOR/LC3B-II signal axis improve FLSs autophagy function and delay FLSs senescence, and furthermore, improve OA. These results suggest that senescence and autophagy function of FLSs may serve as promising targets for OA treatment, and that Sr ions may inhibit OA progression through these two targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

F-manifold algebras are focused on the algebraic properties of the tangent sheaf of F-manifolds. The local classification of 3-dimensional F-manifolds has been given in A. Basalaev, C. Hertling (2021). We study the classification of 3-dimensional F-manifold algebras over the complex field ℂ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer. How genetically predicted BMI may be associated with colorectal cancer precursors is unknown. Aims: Our objective was to quantify the association of genetically predicted and measured BMI with risk of colorectal cancer precursors. Methods: We evaluated the association of genetically predicted and measured BMI with risk of conventional adenomas, serrated polyps, and synchronous polyps among 27,426 participants who had undergone at least one lower gastrointestinal endoscopy in the Nurses' Health Study, Nurses' Health Study II, and Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Genetic risk score was derived from 97 BMI-related single nucleotide polymorphisms. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated each polyp subtype compared to non-polyps. Results: For conventional adenomas, the OR per 2-kg/m2 increase was 1.03 (95% CI, 1.01–1.04) for measured BMI and 0.98 (95% CI, 0.88–1.10) for genetically predicted BMI; for serrated polyps, the OR was 1.06 (95% CI, 1.04–1.08) and 1.04 (95% CI, 0.90–1.20), respectively; for synchronous polyps, the OR was 1.10 (95% CI, 1.07–1.13) and 1.09 (95% CI, 0.89–1.34), respectively. Genetically predicted BMI was associated with synchronous polyps in women (OR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.05–1.79). Conclusion: Genetically predicted BMI was not associated with colorectal cancer precursor lesions. The confidence intervals were wide and encompassed those for measured BMI, indicating that null findings may be due to insufficient power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Rare Metals is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We have recently revealed significant differences in microarchitectural properties (i.e. global and local morphometries) and mechanical properties between rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA) and osteoporosis (OP) in cancellous bones. This study compared these properties with those of ageing controls by matching bone volume fraction (BV/TV), the most important determinant for bones' mechanical properties, to investigate whether these bones have similar properties and degenerative potentials. RA, OA and OP femoral heads were harvested from patients undergoing total hip replacement surgery. The selected patients were matched by similar cancellous bone BV/TV, with seven patients in each group. Four samples were prepared from each femoral head and scanned with micro-CT to quantify microarchitectural properties and compression tested to determine mechanical properties. In terms of global morphometry, no significant differences were observed between these diseased bones. In terms of local morphometry, the number of plates in the RA group was significantly greater than that of the OP and control groups. Plate volume density in the RA group was significantly greater than in the control group. Interestingly, the ultimate stresses in the three diseased groups were 77% to 195% lower than in the control group (p < 0.001). Degenerations of global morphometry of cancellous bones in these diseased femoral heads are similar but more severe than in ageing controls matched by BV/TV, as evidenced by pronounced reduction in bone strength. This phenomenon suggests that some local morphometric parameters, along with other factors, such as abnormal collagen, mineralisation, erosion and microdamage, may contribute to further compromising mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incremental algorithms are among the most popular approaches for Delaunay triangulation, and the point insertion sequence has a substantial impact on the amount of work needed to construct Delaunay triangulations in incremental algorithm triangulation. In this paper, 2D adaptive Hilbert curve insertion, including the method of dividing 3D multi-grids and adjusting the 3D adaptive Hilbert curve to avoid the "jump" phenomenon, is extended to 3D Delaunay triangulation. In addition, on the basis of adaptive Hilbert curve insertion, we continue to optimize the addition of control points by selecting control points in every order and every grid level. As a result, the number of conflicting elongated tetrahedra that have to be created and deleted multiple times and the number of search steps for positioning inserted points can both be reduced. Lastly, a new comparison method is used in the point location process to solve the precision problem in 3D Delaunay triangulation. As shown by detailed experiments and analysis, compared with previous adaptive Hilbert curve insertion, CGAL, regular grid insertion, multi-grid insertion and random insertion, the proposed 3D Delaunay triangulation is the most efficient for both artificial and real surface sampling point sets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the recent years, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) because of their ability to be used as aerial base stations for collecting data from IoT devices have attracted substantial interest in Internet of Things (IoT) systems. In this paper, a novel method has been proposed to increase the quality of the uplink IoT communications and to decrease the transmission power of IoT devices. For this purpose, to compute the UAVs' trajectory, association of device-to-UAV and IoT transmission power, a novel objective function has been defined to optimize the link quality and energy consumption in the considered UAV-based IoT system. Then, for optimizing this objective function, a novel constrained version of gravitational search algorithm is proposed, which is an NP-hard problem. In this algorithm, to handle the constraints, a multiple constraint ranking method is used. Moreover, to calculate the value of the parameter of this method, a fuzzy logic controller is used to control the exploitation and exploration abilities and improve the performance of this algorithm. To evaluate the performance of the proposed method, simulations have been performed and the results were compared with those of the other methods. the experimental results show that an increase in system throughput and a decrease in the energy consumption of the considered UAV-based IoT system can be achieved simultaneously using the proposed optimization algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is closely associated with a poor prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), thus making it a promising biomarker for NSCLC diagnosis. Here, we conjugated a single-chain antibody (scFv) targeting EGFR with Fe3O4/Au nanoparticles to form an EGFR-specific molecular MRI bioprobe (scFv@Fe3O4/Au) to better detect EGFR-positive NSCLC tumors in vivo. In vitro, we demonstrated that the EGFR-specific scFv could specifically deliver Fe3O4/Au to EGFR-positive NSCLC cells. In vivo experiments showed that the accumulation of scFv@Fe3O4/Au in tumor tissue was detectable by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the indicated time points after systemic injection. The T2W signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of EGFR-positive SPC-A1 tumors was significantly decreased after scFv@Fe3O4/Au injection, which was not observed in the tumors of mice injected with BSA@Fe3O4/Au. Furthermore, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed the specific localization of scFv@Fe3O4/Au in the SPC-A1 tumor cell cytoplasm. Collectively, the results of our study demonstrated that scFv@Fe3O4/Au might be a useful probe for the noninvasive diagnosis of EGFP-positive NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With recently successful applications of deep learning in computer vision and general signal processing, deep learning has shown many unique advantages in medical signal processing. However, data labelling quality has become one of the most significant issues for AI applications, especially when it requires domain knowledge (e.g. medical image labelling). Besides, there might be noisy labels in practical datasets, which impairs the training process of neural networks. In this paper, we propose a semi-supervised algorithm for training data samples with noisy labels by performing selected positive learning and negative learning. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed scheme, we designed a portable ECG patch-RealCare and applied the algorithm on a real-life dataset. Our experimental results show that we can achieve an accuracy of 91.0%, which is 6.2% higher than a normal training process with ResNet. There are 65 patients in our dataset, and we randomly picked 2 patients to perform validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transgenic and knockout animal models are widely used to investigate the role of receptors, signaling pathways, and other peptides and proteins. Varying results are often published on the same model from different groups, and much effort has been put into understanding the underlying causes of these sometimes conflicting results. Recently, it has been shown that a P2X4R knockout model carries a so-called passenger mutation in the P2X7R gene, potentially affecting the interpretation of results from studies using this animal model. We therefore report this case to raise awareness about the potential pitfalls using genetically modified animal models, especially within P2 receptor research. Although purinergic signaling has been recognized as an important contributor to the regulation of bone remodeling, the process that maintains the bone quality during life, little is known about the role of the P2X4 receptor (P2X4R) in regulation of bone remodeling in health and disease. To address this, we analyzed the bone phenotype of P2rx4tm1Rass (C57BL/6J) knockout mice and corresponding wildtype using microCT and biomechanical testing. Overall, we found that the P2X4R knockout mice displayed improved bone microstructure and stronger bones in an age- and gender-dependent manner. While cortical BMD, trabecular BMD, and bone volume were higher in the 6-month-old females and 3-month-old males, this was not the case for the 3-month-old females and the 6-month-old males. Bone strength was only affected in the females. Moreover, we found that P2X4R KO mice carried the P2X7 receptor 451P wildtype allele, whereas the wildtype mice carried the 451L mutant allele. In conclusion, this study suggests that P2X4R could play a role in bone remodeling, but more importantly, it underlines the potential pitfalls when using knockout models and highlights the importance of interpreting results with great caution. Further studies are needed to verify any specific effects of P2X4R on bone metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prometryne is a widely used herbicide in China to control annual grasses and broadleaf weeds. However, the stability of prometryne makes it difficult to be degraded, which poses a threat to human health. This study presents a bacterial strain isolated from soil samples with a prometryne application history, designated strain DY-1. Strain DY-1, identified as Pseudomonas sp., is capable of utilizing prometryne as a sole carbon source for growth and degrading 100% of prometryne within 48 h from an initial concentration of 50 mg L−1. To further optimize the degradation of prometryne, the prometryne concentration, temperature, pH, and salt concentration were examined. The optimal conditions for degradation of prometryne by strain DY-1 were an initial prometryne concentration of 50 mg L−1, 30 °C, pH 7–8, and NaCl concentration of 200 mg L−1. The same strain also degraded other s-triazine herbicides, including simetryne, ametryne, desmetryne, and metribuzin, under the same conditions. The biodegradation pathway of prometryne was established by isolating sulfoxide prometryne as the first metabolite and by the identification of sulfone prometryne and 2-hydroxy prometryne by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The results illustrated that strain DY-1 achieved the removal of prometryne by gradually oxidizing and hydrolyzing the methylthio groups. A bioremediation trial with contaminated soil and pot experiments showed that after treating the prometryne-contaminated soil with strain DY-1, the content of prometryne was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). This study provides an efficient bacterial strain and approach that could be potentially useful for detoxification and bioremediation of prometryne analogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Central South University is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

There is an urgent demand to explore new approaches of improving the electric breakdown strength of the ferroelectric thin-film capacitor without the degradation of the high dielectric constant. In this work, LaNiO3/Ba0.67Sr0.33TiO3 (LNO/BST) thin film and SrTiO3(STO)/LNO/BST/SrTiO3 (STO) were prepared by using radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering technique and ultrathin STO insulator layers were inserted between the LNO/BST and metal electrodes (Au or Pt) to improve the electric breakdown strength and the leakage current of the LNO/BST thin film. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations revealed that these multilayer thin films show compact, smooth and uniform morphologies. The leakage current density of STO/LNO/BST/STO thin film was decreased by one order of magnitude and breakdown strength of STO/LNO/BST/STO thin film was enhanced from 0.72 to 1.26 MV·cm−1 compared with that of LNO/BST thin film. Moreover, the dielectric constant of the STO/LNO/BST/STO thin film keeps at the same level as that of LNO/BST thin film, and dielectric loss of the STO/LNO/BST/STO thin film was decreased slightly compared with that of LNO/BST thin film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined whether regular television (TV) viewing at ages 3–5 and 5–10 years is related to the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) in adult women. We used data from 34,512 mother-nurse daughter dyads in the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) II and the Nurses' Mothers' Cohort Study. Mothers of NHS II participants completed a questionnaire on their pregnancy with the nurse and her early life experience. During 391,442 person-years of follow-up from 2001 to 2013, 1515 nurses developed T2D. Increasing levels of TV viewing at 3–5 years of age retrospectively reported by the mothers were related to a greater risk of T2D in adulthood: multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for ≤ 1, 2, and ≥ 3 h/day vs. no TV viewing were 1.11 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96–1.28], 1.20 (95% CI 1.02–1.41), and 1.35 (95% CI 1.11–1.65), p trend = 0.002, respectively, after adjustment for early life variables, including childhood physical activity and adiposity. Retrospectively reported TV viewing for ≥ 3 h/day at 5–10 years of age was associated with a 34% greater risk of adult T2D (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.05–1.70, p trend < 0.001). Additional adjustments for adult variables, including adult TV viewing and current BMI attenuated the effect estimates (≥ 3 h/day TV viewing at 3–5 years: HR 1.22, 95% CI 0.99–1.49, p trend = 0.07; TV viewing at 5–10 years: 1.16, 95% CI 0.91–1.49, p trend = 0.09). The present study suggests that TV viewing during early childhood increases risk of T2D in adult women; adult BMI explains part of this association. Further research is required to confirm this observation and understand the mediating pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the most common symptomatic reason to seek medical consultation, pain is a complex experience that has been classified into different categories and stages. In pain processing, noxious stimuli may activate the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). But the function of ACC in the different pain conditions is not well discussed. In this review, we elaborate the commonalities and differences from accumulated evidence by a variety of pain assays for physiological pain and pathological pain including inflammatory pain, neuropathic pain, and cancer pain in the ACC, and discuss the cellular receptors and signaling molecules from animal studies. We further summarize the ACC as a new central neuromodulation target for invasive and non-invasive stimulation techniques in clinical pain management. The comprehensive understanding of pain processing in the ACC may lead to bridging the gap in translational research between basic and clinical studies and to develop new therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) are essential elements for plant growth and crop yield. Thus, improved N and C utilisation contributes to agricultural productivity and reduces the need for fertilisation. In the present study, we find that overexpression of a single rice gene, Oryza sativa plasma membrane (PM) H+-ATPase 1 (OSA1), facilitates ammonium absorption and assimilation in roots and enhanced light-induced stomatal opening with higher photosynthesis rate in leaves. As a result, OSA1 overexpression in rice plants causes a 33% increase in grain yield and a 46% increase in N use efficiency overall. As PM H+-ATPase is highly conserved in plants, these findings indicate that the manipulation of PM H+-ATPase could cooperatively improve N and C utilisation, potentially providing a vital tool for food security and sustainable agriculture. Improved utilisation of nitrogen and carbon could boost agricultural productivity. Here Zhang et al. show that overexpression of a single gene, encoding the plasma membrane H+ -ATPase 1 OSA1, is able to increase both carbon fixation via photosynthesis and nitrogen assimilation via ammonium uptake in rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: We explored themes in recent post-stroke dysphagia literature, focusing on the following questions: (1) What does post-stroke dysphagia look like?; (2) Who gets post-stroke dysphagia?; (3) What are the consequences of post-stroke dysphagia?; and (4) How can we improve treatment of post-stroke dysphagia? Recent Findings: There have been several improvements in quantitative descriptions of swallowing physiology using standard and new evaluation techniques. These descriptions have been correlated with lesion locations, and several factors can predict development of post-stroke dysphagia and its sequelae. Novel treatment paradigms have leveraged post-stroke neuroplastic improvements using neurostimulation and biofeedback techniques. Despite recent findings, the field is limited by lack of standardization and unanswered questions on rehabilitation variables. Summary: Our improved understanding of post-stroke dysphagia will enhance our ability to prevent, identify, and treat it. Future work should be grounded in swallowing physiology and continue refining treatments, particularly in the acute stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let A be the path algebra of a finite acyclic quiver Q over a finite field. We realize the quantum cluster algebra with principal coefficients associated to Q as a sub-quotient of a certain Hall algebra involving the category of morphisms between projective A-modules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid-state diffusion bonding (DB) of TiAl alloy and Ti2AlNb alloy was carried out using pure Ti as an interlayer at 1000 °C under 20 MPa for 60–120 min. The effects of bonding times on the interfacial microstructure and mechanical performance of the TiAl/Ti/Ti2AlNb bonded joints at room temperature (RT) were investigated detailly. The results demonstrated that the diffusion layers (DLs) mainly consisted of four characteristic layers, (I) single coarse α2 phase adjacent TiAl alloy, (II) single refined α2 phase at the bonding interface, (III) equiaxed/acicular α2 phase embedded in β phase adjacent Ti2AlNb alloy and (IV) both equiaxed α2 phase and acicular O phase embedded in β phase adjacent Ti2AlNb alloy, respectively. The thickness of the four layers increased with the increasing of the bonding time. The growth of DLs is controlled by diffusion and the reaction rate constant k for region I, II, III and IV are 1.22 × 10−6, 1.27 × 10−6, 2.6 × 10−7 and 7.7 × 10−7 m·s−1/2, respectively. Meanwhile, the interface α2 grain grows up without texture. The maximum tensile strength of 281 MPa was maintained at 1000 °C for 90 min under the pressure of 20 MPa. Consequently, the phase transformation and dynamic recrystallization behavior of the DLs were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novikov algebras were introduced in connection with the Poisson brackets of hydrodynamic type and Hamiltonian operators in the formal variational calculus. Fermionic Novikov algebras correspond to a certain Hamiltonian superoperator in a supervariable. In this paper, we show that fermionic Novikov algebras equipped with invariant non-degenerate symmetric bilinear forms are Novikov algebras. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electroacupuncture (EA) relieves visceral hypersensitivity (VH) with underlying inflammatory bowel diseases. However, the mechanism by which EA treats ileitis-induced VH is not clearly known. To assess the effects of EA on ileitis-induced VH and confirm whether EA attenuates VH through spinal PAR-2 activation and CGRP release, goats received an injection of 2,4,6-trinitro-benzenesulfonic-acid (TNBS) solution into the ileal wall. TNBS-injected goats were allocated into VH, Sham acupuncture (Sham-A) and EA groups, while goats treated with saline instead of TNBS solution were used as the control. Goats in EA group received EA at bilateral Hou-San-Li acupoints for 0.5 h at 7 days and thereafter repeated every 3 days for 6 times. Goats in the Sham-A group were inserted with needles for 0.5 h at the aforementioned acupoints without any hand manipulation and electric stimulation. Visceromotor responses to colorectal distension, an indicator of VH, were recorded by electromyography. The terminal ileum and thoracic spinal cord (T11) were sampled for evaluating ileitis at days 7 and 22, and distribution and expression-levels of PAR-2, CGRP and c-Fos on day 22. TNBS-treated-goats exhibited apparent transmural-ileitis on day 7, microscopically low-grade ileitis on day 22 and VH at days 7–22. Goats of Sham-A, VH or EA group showed higher (P < 0.01) VH at days 7–22 than the Control-goats. EA-treated goats exhibited lower (P < 0.01) VH as compared with Sham-A or VH group. Immunoreactive-cells and expression-levels of spinal PAR-2, CGRP and c-Fos in the EA group were greater (P < 0.01) than those in the Control group, but less (P < 0.01) than those in Sham-A and VH groups on day 22. Downregulation of spinal PAR-2 and CGRP levels by EA attenuates the ileitis and resultant VH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We employ finite element method to investigate the kinematics of non-axially positioned vesicles through a pore. To complete the coupling between fluid flow and the vesicle membranes, we use the fluid structure interactions with the arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian method. Our results demonstrate that the vesicles show different deformations in migration process, in turn an oblique ellipse-shape, slipper-shape, ovalshape. We find that the rotation angle of non-axially positioned vesicles mainly shows the trend of increase, besides the small fluctuation induced by deformation relaxation. Moreover, when the vesicles move towards the axis of the channel, the rotation angle exhibits a decrease because of the decrease of the shear force. However, rotation of axially positioned vesicles hardly occur due to symmetrical shear force. Our results further indicate that the rotation is faster nearby the pore for non-axially positioned vesicles. Our work answers the mapping between the positions of vesicles and deformed states, as well as the change of rotation angle and rotation velocity, which can provide helpful information on the utilization of vesicles in pharmaceutical, chemical, and physiological processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a hybrid simulation approach that combines a finite difference method with a Brownian dynamics, we investigated the motion of charged polymers. Owing to the fact that polymer-solution systems often contain a large number of particles and the charged polymer chains are in a state of random motion, it is a time-consuming task to calculate the electrostatic interaction of the system. Accordingly, we propose a new strategy to shorten the CPU time by reducing the iteration area. Our simulation results illustrate the effect of preset parameters on CPU time and accuracy, and demonstrate the feasibility of the "local iteration" method. Importantly, we find that the increase in the number of charged beads has no significant influence on the time of global iterations and local iterations. For a number of 80 × 80 × 80 grids, when the relative error is controlled below 1.5%, the computational efficiency is increased by 8.7 times in the case that contains 500 charged beads. In addition, for a number of 100 × 100 × 100 grids with 100 charged beads, the computational efficiency can be increased up to 12 times. Our work provides new insights for the optimization of iterative algorithms in special problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is an integral property of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) to extensively release biological nitrification inhibitors (BNIs) under NH4+ nutrition, in comparison to NO3− nutrition. Our previous research indicated that plasma membrane (PM) H+-ATPase activity was stimulated by NH4+ and low rhizosphere pH, which in turn provided the driving force for BNIs release from sorghum roots. However, the regulatory mechanism of PM H+-ATPase itself in this regard is not fully elucidated. The present study thus aims at post-translational regulation of PM H+-ATPase via phosphorylation in response to NH4+ nutrition and its functional link to the release of BNIs from sorghum roots. Methods: A hydroponic system is used to grow sorghum with 1 mM NH4+ or NO3− as N source at pH 3.0 or pH 7.0 in root medium for the analysis of PM H+-ATPase and BNIs release. The effect of NH4+ on the regulation of PM H+-ATPase was further evaluated by the treatment of NO3−cultivated sorghum roots with different NH4+ concentrations (0.1~1 mM). In addition, fusicoccin (a stimulator of PM H+-ATPase) and vanadate (an inhibitor of PM H+-ATPase) were added to check the effect of PM H+-ATPase phosphorylation on BNIs release. Further, methionine sulphoximine (MSX), which inhibits glutamine synthetase, is used to analyze the effect of ammonium transport/assimilation process on the PM H+-ATPase and BNIs release. Microsomal membrane protein isolated from these roots was used for the test of PM H+-ATPase phosphorylation level by western blot technique. Meanwhile, the root exudates were collected for the analysis of BNIs. Results: Higher amount of PM H+-ATPase protein with higher phosphorylation level were detected in sorghum roots in response to NH4+ and low rhizosphere pH, as compared to NO3− and high pH. Further, PM H+-ATPase protein amount and phosporylation level were dependent on the local supplement of NH4+ (from 0.1 ~ 1 mM) to roots. Nevertheless, the enhanced posphorylation level under all of these treatments was significantly higher than the enhanced protein level of PM H+ ATPase. Unlike protein level, phosphorylation level is closely correlated to the release of BNIs from sorghum roots. In addition, phosphorylation level of PM H+-ATPase adjusted by fusicoccin or vanadate directly affected the release of BNIs, irrespective of the protein level. In addition, ammonium assimilation inhibitor MSX caused decreased phosphorylation level of PM H+-ATPase without affecting the protein level, meanwhile inhibited the release of BNIs from sorghum roots. Conclusion: Our research suggests that phosphorylation of PM H+-ATPase is one of the important regulation mechanisms involved in the release of BNIs from sorghum roots. NH4+ stimulated PM H+-ATPase phosphorylation via excessive H+ generated by NH4+ assimilation in cytoplasm. The up regulation of PM H+-ATPase at post-translational level thus activated the H+ pumping activity to provide the driving force for BNIs release. A new hypothesis is proposed to elucidate the interplay of these functionally inter-linked processes involving ammonium-uptake, −assimilation, and H+-pumps activation in PM on the release of BNIs from sorghum roots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adherence to healthful dietary patterns is associated with lower body mass index (BMI) in adults; however, whether maternal diet quality during peripregnancy is related to a lower overweight risk in the offspring remains to be elucidated. We investigated the associations between the Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), Alternate Mediterranean Diet (aMED) and Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) during peripregnancy and offspring weight outcomes in a study including 2729 mother–child pairs from the Nurses' Health Study II and offspring cohort Growing Up Today Study II. Children, 12–14 years at baseline were 21–23 years at the last follow-up. Overweight or obesity was defined according to International Obesity Task Force (< 18 years) and World-Health-Organization guidelines (18 + years). Maternal dietary patterns were calculated from food frequency questionnaires. Log-binomial models were used to estimate relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals. In models adjusted for sex, gestational age at delivery and maternal total energy intake, greater maternal adherence to aMED and DASH, but not AHEI, was associated with lower overweight risk in the offspring (RRQ5 vs Q1 = 0.82 [0.70–0.97] for aMED and 0.86 [0.72–1.04] for DASH, P for trend < 0.05 for both). After additional adjustment for maternal pre-pregnancy lifestyle factors and socio-demographic characteristic, none of the diet quality scores were significantly associated with offspring overweight risk. Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI did not modify any of these associations. In this population of generally well-nourished women, maternal healthful dietary patterns during the period surrounding pregnancy were not independently associated with offspring overweight risk at ages 12–23 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intrauterine and early life environments have been linked to the etiology of breast cancer in prior studies. We prospectively examined whether maternal and newborn anthropometric factors as reported by the mother are related to an increased incidence of adult breast cancer in the daughter. We used data from 35,133 mother-daughter dyads of the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) II and the Nurses' Mothers' Cohort Study. In 2001, living mothers of NHS II participants who were free of cancer completed a questionnaire on their pregnancy with the nurse and their nurse daughter's early life experience. During 403,786 years of follow-up, 865 daughters developed incident cases of invasive breast cancer. Nurses with a birthweight of ≥4000 g had a 32% greater risk for breast cancer (multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 1.32, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.02–1.71, p-trend = 0.09) compared with those with birthweights of 3000–3499 g. Higher birth length tended to increase risk of premenopausal breast cancer (p for trend = 0.05). We further noted a modest U-shaped relation between maternal weight gain during pregnancy and premenopausal breast cancer incidence in the daughter. Fetal growth may contribute to shaping later life risk for breast cancer, especially prior to menopause. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Acupuncture & Tuina Science is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Boron-nitrogen co-doped graphene nanoarchitectures were synthesized by annealing a freeze-dried precursor containing exfoliated graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets, ammonium borate, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The microstructures and composition of nanocomposites were optimized and characterized systemically. Effects of a doping element on the electrochemical performances and interface compatibility were evaluated. The restacking of exfoliated graphene nanosheets was hindered effectively by the ultra-fine carbon clusters formed via the thermal decomposition of PVA. Such a three-dimensional structure favors the fast mobility of electrolyte ions. In addition, the co-doping of N and B elements not only increases interface compatibility between ionic liquid electrolyte and graphene but also supplies extra pseudocapacitance. Benefiting from the integrated merits, the optimized nanocomposites could deliver a specific capacitance of 35.4 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 and present a maximum energy density of 78.7 Wh kg−1 with a power density of 2043 W kg−1. Due to the formation of more decoupled ions in ionic liquid electrolyte at elevated temperature, the symmetric supercapacitors based on the as-formed nanocomposite exhibit a maximum energy density of 134.6 Wh kg−1 at 60 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: A three-species consortium for one-step fermentation of 2-keto-l-gulonic acid (2-KGA) was constructed to better strengthen the cell–cell communication. And the programmed cell death module based on the LuxI/LuxR quorum-sensing (QS) system was established in Gluconobacter oxydans to reduce the competition that between G. oxydans and Ketogulonicigenium vulgare. Results: By constructing and optimizing the core region of the promoter, which directly regulated the expression of lethal ccdB genes in QS system, IR3C achieved the best lethal effect. The consortium of IR3C- K. vulgare–Bacillus megaterium (abbreviated as 3C) achieved the highest 2-KGA titer (68.80 ± 4.18 g/l), and the molar conversion rate was 80.7% within 36 h in 5 l fermenter. Metabolomic analysis on intracellular small molecules of consortia 3C and 1C showed that most amino acids (such as glycine, leucine, methionine and proline) and TCA cycle intermediates (such as succinic acid, fumaric acid and malic acid) were significantly affected. These results further validated that the programmed cell death module based on the LuxI/LuxR QS system in G. oxydans could also faciliate better growth and higher production of consortium 3C for one-step fermentation. Conclusions: We successfully constructed a novel three-species consortia for one-step vitamin C fermentation by strengthening the cell–cell communication. This will be very useful for probing the rational design principles of more complex multi-microbial consortia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A superluminescent diode (SLD) as an alternative of laser is used to detect optical rotation for atomic spin precession. A more uniform Gauss configuration without additional beam shaping and a relatively high power of the SLD have a potential for atomic magnetometers, which is demonstrated in theory and experiments. In addition, the robustness and compactness enable a more practical way for optical rotation detections, especially for applications in magnetoencephalography systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose an in-situ method to calibrate the coil constants of the optical atomic magnetometer. This method is based on measuring the Larmor precession of spin polarized alkali metal atoms and has been demonstrated on a K-Rb hybrid atomic magnetometer. Oscillation fields of different frequencies are swept on the transverse coil. By extracting the resonance frequency through phase-frequency analysis of electron spin projection, the coil constants are calibrated to be 323.1 ± 0.28 nT/mA, 108 ± 0.04 nT/Ma, and 185.8 ± 1.03 nT/mA along the X, Y, and Z directions, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since quantum coherence is viewed as a valuable resource for quantum information processing, its quantification and application has long been a topic of concern. And in framework of a resource theory of quantum coherence, quantum coherence is a basis-dependent quantity. Accordingly, when a basis is selected ahead of time, a natural question is raised: not all one-qubit systems can evolve to the maximally coherent state, so what determines the coherence of a system can evolve to the maximum? Base on the parameters of Hamiltonian we propose a criterion by which one can easily judge whether the coherence of one-qubit system can evolve to the maximum. Moreover, we show commutation relation between the operators for observation corresponding to pre-selected basis and Hamiltonian can be used to judge whether coherence of one-qubit system can evolve to the maximum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We define a quantum analog of a class of generalized cluster algebras which can be viewed as a generalization of quantum cluster algebras defined in Berenstein and Zelevinsky (Adv. Math. 195(2), 405-455 2005). In the case of rank two, we extend some structural results from the classical theory of generalized cluster algebras obtained in Chekhov and Shapiro (Int. Math. Res. Notices 10, 2746-2772 2014) and Rupel (2013) to the quantum case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/hypothesis: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common complication of pregnancy that has substantial short- and long-term adverse health implications for women and their children. However, large-scale studies on genetic risk loci for GDM remain sparse.Methods: We conducted a case-control study among 2636 women with GDM and 6086 non-GDM control women from the Nurses’ Health Study II and the Danish National Birth Cohort. A total of 112 susceptibility genetic variants confirmed by genome-wide association studies for type 2 diabetes were selected and measured. A weighted genetic risk score (GRS) was created based on variants that were significantly associated with risk of GDM after correcting for the false discovery rate.Results: For the first time, we identified eight variants associated with GDM, namely rs7957197 (HNF1A), rs10814916 (GLIS3), rs3802177 (SLC30A8), rs9379084 (RREB1), rs34872471 (TCF7L2), rs7903146 (TCF7L2), rs11787792 (GPSM1) and rs7041847 (GLIS3). In addition, we confirmed three variants, rs10830963 (MTNR1B), rs1387153 (MTNR1B) and rs4506565 (TCF7L2), that had previously been significantly associated with GDM risk. Furthermore, compared with participants in the first (lowest) quartile of weighted GRS based on these 11 SNPs, the ORs for GDM were 1.07 (95% CI 0.93, 1.22), 1.23 (95% CI 1.07, 1.41) and 1.53 (95% CI 1.34, 1.74) for participants in the second, third and fourth (highest) quartiles, respectively. The significant positive associations between the weighted GRS and risk of GDM persisted across most of the strata of major risk factors for GDM, including family history of type 2 diabetes, smoking status, BMI and age.Conclusions/interpretation: In this large-scale case-control study with women from two independent populations, eight novel GDM SNPs were identified. These findings offer the potential to improve our understanding of the aetiology of GDM, and particularly of biological mechanisms related to beta cell function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]