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Due to long-term exposure to outdoor environments, stone artifacts exhibit complex and varying degrees of disease that need to be conserved urgently in order to perpetuate their historical, artistic and scientific values. Owing to the varying degrees of damage inflicted upon cultural relics, discrepancies exist in intervention strategies and conservation materials employed. Hence, it is considerably crucial to conduct a scientific and precise assessment of the preservation status of cultural relics at an early stage for the advancement of cultural relic conservation efforts. In this research, three masonry components of the Hailongtun Fortress site were selected as study objects. A secondary fuzzy comprehensive evaluation system was established through selecting a total of 12 indicators from four aspects, namely, surface change, rock mass structure, physical properties and matrix weathering. The weight of each indicator was determined by using an improved AHP-EWM weight coupling model. The membership degree was calculated by selecting a modified ridge function. The asymmetric nearness method was employed in the final decision-making process so as to correct the error caused by the principle of maximum membership degree. The research shows that the results of the improved evaluation method are in line with the real damage degree of each masonry component, which provides a scientific and quantitative basis for determining the priority of the conservation of masonry components in the Hailongtun Fortress Site. This method is also a reference for carrying out the disease assessment and conservation of other types of cultural relics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RHOH, an atypical small GTPase predominantly expressed in hematopoietic cells, plays a vital role in immune function. A deficiency in RHOH has been linked to epidermodysplasia verruciformis, lung disease, Burkitt lymphoma and T cell defects. Here, we report a novel germline homozygous RHOH c.245G > A (p.Cys82Tyr) variant in a 21-year-old male suffering from recurrent, invasive, opportunistic infections affecting the lungs, eyes, and brain. His sister also succumbed to a lung infection during early adulthood. The patient exhibited a persistent decrease in CD4+ T, B, and NK cell counts, and hypoimmunoglobulinemia. The patient’s T cell showed impaired activation upon in vitro TCR stimulation. In Jurkat T cells transduced with RHOHC82Y, a similar reduction in activation marker CD69 up-regulation was observed. Furthermore, the C82Y variant showed reduced RHOH protein expression and impaired interaction with the TCR signaling molecule ZAP70. Together, these data suggest that the newly identified autosomal-recessive RHOH variant is associated with T cell dysfunction and recurrent opportunistic infections, functioning as a hypomorph by disrupting ZAP70-mediated TCR signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To solve the problem of low recognition accuracy and long recognition time in conventional methods for digital moving image feature recognition, a method for digital image feature recognition on mobile platforms based on machine learning is proposed. The support vector machine method is used to cluster the dataset, and then the weight reconstruction method is used to reduce the dimension of digital moving image data. The reduced dimension of the digital moving image is embedded in the coordinates to obtain the reduced dimension of the image data information and complete the feature recognition of the digital moving image. The simulation results show that the recognition accuracy of this method in recognizing features of moving digital images is basically stable at more than 95% and the running time is 0.42s. The recognition effect of the proposed method is good, the recognition efficiency is high, and it has some practical application value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Identity-based proxy re-encryption (IB-PRE) can convert the ciphertext encrypted under Alice's identity to Bob's ciphertext of the same message by a semi-trusted proxy with the proper transformation key. The main purpose of our work is to enhance the security of IB-PRE. For outside attacks, all existing IB-PRE constructions from lattices have only achieved a limited or weak security model called IND-sID-CPA security. Therefore, by embedding re-encryption key generation and re-encryption algorithms appropriately in Agrawal et al.'s identity-based encryption scheme from lattices, we construct an IND-ID-CPA secure IB-PRE scheme over decisional learning with errors (LWE) under the standard model. For inside attacks, we propose a new primitive IB-VPRE by extending the basic IB-PRE scheme with a new functionality called re-encryption verifiability, meaning that a re-encrypted ciphertext receiver or a third party can verify whether the received ciphertext is correctly transformed from an original ciphertext or not, and thus can detect illegal activities of the proxy. We realize re-encryption verifiability using the homomorphic signature technique as a black box, making the resulting scheme non-interactive and quantum-immune after instanced by a lattice-based homomorphic signature scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the cost, power requirements and capacity, data are mainly stored off-chip rather than on-chip in embedded systems. The data exchanged between the processor and off-chip memory might be sensitive, security and efficiency of off-chip memory is a major concern in embedded systems. However, existing protection solutions often require significant overhead to achieve adequate protection. This paper proposes a security management method which can guarantee stronger data confidentiality and integrity with a reduced overhead in area, memory footprint, and performance cost. To reduce on-chip memory consumption and latency cost, protection scheduling and storage strategy are carefully studied, then our security management architecture is formed. Afterwards, confidentiality and integrity modules are designed respectively. Data confidentiality is protected through a Binary Additive Stream Cipher-AES-Time Stamp based on circuit and addresses scrambling network of Benes, and data integrity is safeguarded through an integrity checking module based on SHA3-TAH and MSet-XOR-Hash tree. Hardware implementation is designed and synthesized in a 0.18 µm process. The experiment area is about 1.1 mm2 while frequency reaches 563 MHz. The attack complexity is more than 2224 while additional storage consumption is limited in about 26.6%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distortion in steganography that usually comes from the modification or recoding of the cover image during the embedding process. And it is the embedding distortion that leaves the steganalyzer with possible discrimination. Therefore, we propose generative steganography with Kerckhoffs' principle (GSK) in this paper. In GSK, the secret messages are generated by a cover image using a generator rather than embedded into the cover, which results in no modifications to the cover. To ensure security, the generators are trained to meet Kerckhoffs' principle based on generative adversarial networks (GANs). Everything about the GSK system is public knowledge for the receivers, except the extraction key. The secret messages can be outputted by the generator if and only if the extraction key and the cover image are both inputted. In the generator training procedures, there are two GANs (Message-GAN and Cover-GAN) that are designed to work jointly, making the generated results under the control of the extraction key and the cover image. We provide experimental results for the training process. We present an example of the working process by adopting a generator trained on the dataset MNIST, which demonstrates that GSK can use a cover image without any modification to generate messages. Furthermore, only meaningless results would be obtained without the extraction key or the cover image. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been found to play important regulatory roles in various physiological and pathological processes. MiRNAs also exhibit high stability and are present at high concentrations in human bodily fluids. Consequently, miRNAs may represent attractive and novel diagnostic biomarkers for certain clinical conditions. Recently, the capacity for extracellular vesicles, including microvesicles and exosomes, to carry miRNAs that participate in cell-to-cell communication has been described. In the present study, the miRNA expression patterns for three kinds of pleural effusions that were obtained from patients with pneumonia (group A), pulmonary tuberculosis (group B), and lung cancer (group C) were detected with high-throughput sequencing. When the expression levels of these miRNAs were compared among the three groups, three differentially expressed miRNAs were detected between groups A and B, while 27 differentially expressed miRNAs were detected between groups A and C. Notably, miR-378i was significantly elevated only in group B, while miR-205-5p and miR-200b were markedly increased only in group C ( p < 0.01). Further studies are needed to confirm whether these differentially expressed miRNAs may serve as prospective diagnostic markers for pulmonary diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Senior medical students, who are future doctors, should be prepared to use antimicrobials appropriately and will be important partners in antimicrobial stewardship. This survey was designed to investigate the attitudes and perceptions of senior medical students regarding antimicrobial use and resistance. Methodology: We performed a multi-center survey involving a questionnaire handed out to all fourth year medical students from five representative teaching hospitals in Central China. The survey was completed within 1 month (October to November, 2015). Antimicrobial stewardship programs were taught in all of the teaching hospitals, yet only part of the respondents took part in it. Results: A total of 611 out of 728 students completed our survey. The majority of the respondents (92 %) believed that inappropriate use of antimicrobials causes antimicrobial resistance and agreed with the importance of a strong knowledge of antimicrobials in their medical careers. Most students (67 %) rated their education concerning antimicrobial use and resistance as useful or very useful, but only 25 % recalled having courses on this subject. The overall mean number of correct answers on a section of 11 knowledge questions was 3.78 (standard deviation 1.57, P value for score between hospitals <0.001). Conclusions: We should make an effort to optimize curriculum system in Chinese institutions, and this may contribute to making our future doctors better prepared for antimicrobial stewardship and prudent antimicrobial prescribing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural Heritage Systems Tourism (AHST) has increased considerably in the past ten years and is projected to continue growing in the future. Despite such growth, there is not a shared understanding of many aspects of the tourism development framework for all kinds of agricultural heritage sites. Given that meanings and characteristics are critical to determining the appeal of a particular activity among tourism consumers and because the development directions of AHST are essential for achieving heritage conservation goals, a study was conducted in 2014-2015 to assess stakeholder preferences for definitional phrases and their perceptions. This manuscript summarizes the characteristics of AHST in four aspects, taking agricultural heritage systems in China as examples: 1) synthesis of agritourism, cultural heritage tourism, and ecotourism; 2) annual variation of tourism attractions and activities; 3) the dominant role of artisan farmers; 4) the unique gastronomic experiences of traditional food. Finally, there are some objectives offered by this research from economic, environmental, cultural, social and political perspectives to build a framework of AHST according to its features and characteristics. Based on environmental and cultural objectives, with political and social support, through reaching the core objectives of economic development, AHST will be sustainable and agricultural heritage systems will be well conserved. This study carries important implications for the further applications of AHST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer progression often involves the disorder of the cell cycle, and a number of effective chemotherapeutic drugs have been shown to induce cell cycle arrest. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively investigate the effects of imatinib on the expression profile of cell cycle genes in the chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) K562 cell line. In addition, we also investigated alternative splicing of the cell cycle genes affected by imatinib, since an important relationship has been shown to exist between RNA splicing and cell cycle progression. Exon array analysis was performed using total RNA purified from normal and imatinib-treated K562 cells. We identified 185 differentially expressed genes and 277 alternative splicing events between the two cell groups. A detailed analysis by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) of key genes confirmed the experimental results of the exon array. These results suggested that treatment of K562 cells with imatinib shifts the expression and alternative splicing profiles of several cell cycle-related genes. Importantly, these findings may help improve imatinib treatment strategies in patients with CML and may be useful for imatinib resistance research and CML drug development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional eco-agriculture provides many ecosystem services which are important for the local environment, especially in mountain areas. In order to encourage the farmers to engage in eco-agriculture, it is necessary to establish an eco-compensation mechanism for them. As the compensation standard is one of key issues in establishing eco-compensation mechanism, this paper calculated the standard based on the farmers' willingness to accept (WTA) and the input-output analysis of eco-compensation. We took the traditional rice-fish eco-agriculture as the research object, conducting field surveys in Hani Terrace of Honghe County. Through the questionnaires in 2011, we obtained the farmers' willingness to accept government compensation and market compensation. Then, the research evaluated the output of eco-compensation, the economic value of rice-fish paddy ecosystem services. Finally, under different market compensation standards, we compared the input and output of government compensation. The results show that, in 2011 the government should to pay farmers 7462 yuan·ha·a to meet their willingness, but the output (ecological benefit) was only 7393 yuan·ha·a. However, when the rice price increases 1 yuan·kg because of the limited use of chemicals in the next year, the government just has to pay farmers 4062 yuan·ha·a and the surplus will be 3331 yuan·ha·a. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community plays an important role in the preservation of agricultural heritage system (AHS). Recently, many AHS have been valorized as interesting resources for rural tourism. The expectations are that tourism development (TD) can be supportive for the conservation of AHS while creating benefits for local communities. In this study, two mountainous pilot villages (Longxian and Xiaohuang) in a global conservation project for traditional agricutural systems — Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) were selected to identify the relationship between AHS conservation and TD. The study undertook in-depth interviews, and questionnaires of village residents and informal discussions with local villagers. A t-test and a linear regression model were implemented to explore the comparative dimensions of the two communities with different geographical location, economic situation, and stage of TD. The research found some similarities and differences in the two mountainous communities during AHS conservation and TD. Firstly, AHS are preservaed well in both villages unconsiously, while the residents in Xiaohuang value more highly the heritage elements than the respondents in Longxian, and the villagers in Xiaohuang are more worried about their heritage system; Secondly, both villages expect lots of benefits from TD and they clearly perceive more positive than negative impact from tourism and thus approve TD, while the huge different perception on transportation and accessibility in the two villages reflects the bottleneck of TD in Xiaohuang village. At the same time, the respondents from Xiaohuang perceive more positive and fewer negative impact from tourism than the respondents from Longxian. Thirdly, the respondents in the two villages all show positive attitudes towards participation in tourism mostly motivated by the high income expectation. The main factors to determine the community perception in two villages were also analyzed based on the data process. A location-based conceputal framework of AHS conservation in partnership with TD at community scale is proposed at the end of the paper. The dynamics of tourism development, that could enhance a better understanding of the complex relationship between conservation objectives and tourism development are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Longitudinal and horizontal vibration must both be reduced in an effective vibration isolation system. We present a cylindrical shell vibration isolator as a dynamic system composed of four springs and dampers. Vibration is directly produced by the motion of machinery, and more is subsequently generated by harmonic frequencies within their structure. To test the effectiveness of our isolator, we first determined equations for the transmission of vibration from the machine to its cylindrical shell. Damping effects produced by the vibration parameters of our system are then analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-purity sample of methyl phenyl carbonate (MPC) was obtained by developing a novel reaction route followed by a series of separation and purification procedures. Identification and quantification of the MPC sample (98.32%) was performed by a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and Karl Fisher titration. The laboratory-prepared MPC was then used as a standard to optimize quantitative analysis of the products synthesized by transesterification of dimethyl carbonate and phenol. The advantage of the improved method was that MPC can be quantified directly rather than being calculated by subtracting the yield of diphenyl carbonate (DPC) and by-product anisole from the conversion of dimethyl carbonate (DMC). The resulting method was validated for linearity, precision, accuracy, detection limit, and quantification limit. With the improved method, simultaneous accurate quantification of DMC, MPC, DPC, phenol, and anisole in the transesterification products can be achieved. This enables evaluation of the activity and selectivity of different catalysts and control of the reaction processes. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human antigen R (HuR) is a member of the Hu family of RNA-binding proteins and is involved in many physiological processes. Obesity, as a worldwide healthcare problem, has attracted more and more attention. To investigate the role of adipose HuR, we generate adipose-specific HuR knockout (HuRAKO) mice. As compared with control mice, HuRAKO mice show obesity when induced with a high-fat diet, along with insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, hypercholesterolemia and increased inflammation in adipose tissue. The obesity of HuRAKO mice is attributed to adipocyte hypertrophy in white adipose tissue due to decreased expression of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL). HuR positively regulates ATGL expression by promoting the mRNA stability and translation of ATGL. Consistently, the expression of HuR in adipose tissue is reduced in obese humans. This study suggests that adipose HuR may be a critical regulator of ATGL expression and lipolysis and thereby controls obesity and metabolic syndrome. Human antigen R (HuR) is a RNA-binding protein. Here the authors investigate its role in adipose tissue and find that it protects mice from diet-induced obesity, prevents adipocyte hypertrophy, and promotes lipolysis, which may at least in part be due to HuR-dependent ATGL mRNA stability regulation demonstrated in-vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]