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Objective: The aim of this study was to identify hub genes associated with immune cell infiltration in breast cancer through bioinformatic analyses of multiple datasets. Methods: Nonparametric (NOISeq) and robust rank aggregation-ranked parametric (EdgeR) methods were used to assess robust differentially expressed genes across multiple datasets. Protein-protein interaction network, GO, KEGG enrichment, and subnetwork analyses were performed to identify immune-associated hub genes in breast cancer. Immune cell infiltration was evaluated with the CIBERSORT, XCELL, and TIMER methods. The association between the hub gene-based risk signature and survival was determined through Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, multivariate Cox analysis, and a nomogram with external verification. Results: We identified 163 robust differentially expressed genes in breast cancer through applying both nonparametric and parametric methods to multiple GEO (n = 2,212) and TCGA (n = 1,045) datasets. Integrated bioinformatic analyses further identified 10 hub genes: CXCL10, CXCL9, CXCL11, SPP1, POSTN, MMP9, DPT, COL1A1, ADAMDEC1, and RGS1. The 10 hub-gene-based risk signature significantly correlated with the prognosis of patients with breast cancer. Moreover, these hub genes were strongly associated with the extent of infiltration of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, neutrophils, macrophages, and myeloid dendritic cells into breast tumors. Conclusions: Integrated analyses of multiple databases led to the discovery of 10 robust hub genes that together may serve as a risk factor characteristic of the immune microenvironment in breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the leader-following consensus problem for multi-agent systems with Markovian switching topologies in a sampled-data setting. We study two algorithms corresponding to the case where the leader׳s state is time varying or time invariant. With a time-varying leader׳s state, we present necessary and sufficient conditions for boundedness of the tracking error systems. With a time-invariant leader׳s state, we present necessary and sufficient conditions for mean-square stability of the tracking error systems. An optimization algorithm is given to derive the allowable control gains or the feasible sampling period. Simulation examples are presented to show the usefulness of the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the couple-group consensus problem for multiagent systems via output feedback control. Both continuous- and discrete-time cases are considered. The consensus problems are converted into the stability problem of the error systems by the system transformation. We obtain two necessary and sufficient conditions of couple-group consensus in different forms for each case. Two different algorithms are used to design the control gains for continuous- and discrete-time case, respectively. Finally, simulation examples are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel 3D porous MOF [Cd3(ABTA)2(DMF) (H2O)2] (1) (ABTA = 3, 4′, 5-azobenzenetricarboxylate) has been successfully synthesized by solvothermal reaction of Cd(NO3)24H2O with ABTA. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction result reveals that complex 1 possesses a complicated 3D open framework with two intercrossed 1D channels along [200] and [11–1]. The photoluminescence experimental results of the complex in different solvents indicate that complex 1 has potential application in recognizing small linear conjugated molecule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve path-tracking control of articulated tracked vehicles (ATVs), a control system is designed according to the structural characteristics of the ATVs. The distance deviation and heading angle deviation between the vehicle and the pre-set trajectory are employed as input variables to the controller to control the relative deflection angle of the hinge of the vehicle and the velocity of the sprockets and realize the function of the path tracking control. The effects of two control algorithms are simulated with a RecurDyn/Simulink co-simulation; the results show that the fuzzy proportional-integral-derivative (PID) has a better control effect and precision when compared with the PID method. To verify the effect of the proposed controller, a scaled model test platform that is based on visual navigation is developed. Physical experiments were conducted to show the efficacy of the proposed path-tracking control system, which can effectively track the pre-set trajectory and achieve an optimal control outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human rhomboid-5 homolog-1 (RHBDF1) is a multi-transmembrane protein present mainly on the endoplasmic reticulum. RHBDF1 has been implicated in the activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)–derived cell growth signals and other activities critical to cellular responses to stressful conditions, but details of this activation mechanism are unclear. Here, we report a RHBDF1 mRNA transcript alternative splicing variant X6 (RHBDF1 X6 or RHX6) that antagonizes RHBDF1 activities. We found that while the RHBDF1 gene is marginally expressed in breast tumor-adjacent normal tissues, it is markedly elevated in the tumor tissues. In sharp contrast, the RHX6 mRNA represents the primary RHBDF1 variant in normal breast epithelial cells and tumoradjacent normal tissues but is diminished in breast cancer cells and tumors. We demonstrate that, functionally, RHX6 acts as an inhibitor of RHBDF1 activities. We show that artificially overexpressing RHX6 in breast cancer cells leads to retarded proliferation, migration, and decreased production of epithelial–mesenchymal transition-related adhesion molecules. Mechanically, RHX6 is able to inhibit the maturation of TACE, a protease that processes pro-TGFα, a pro-ligand of EGFR, and to prevent intracellular transportation of pro-TGFα to the cell surface. Additionally, we show that the production of RHX6 is under the control of the alternative splicing regulator RNA binding motif protein-4 (RBM4). Our findings suggest that differential splicing of the RHBDF1 gene transcript may have a regulatory role in the development of epithelial cell cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The DC bus voltage stability control is one key technology to ensure that Active Power Filter (APF) operates stably. The external disturbances such as power grid and load fluctuation and the system parameters changing may affect the stability of APF DC bus voltage and the normal operation of APF. The mathematical model of DC bus voltage is established according to power balance principle and a DC bus voltage piecewise reaching law variable structure control algorithm is proposed to solve the above problem, and the design method is given. The simulation and experiment results proved that the proposed variable structure control algorithm can eliminate the chattering problem existing in traditional variable structure control effectively, is insensitive to system disturbance, and has good robustness and fast dynamic response speed and stable DC bus voltage with small fluctuation. The above advantages ensure the compensation effect of APF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

─ To address the uncertainties of the radiated susceptibility of multiconductor transmission lines (MTLs), a surrogate model of the MTLs radiated susceptibility is established based on generalized polynomial chaos (gPC), and the gPC is made sparser by combining the adaptive hyperbolic truncation (AHT) scheme and the least angle regression (LAR) method. The uncertainties of the radiated susceptibility of transmission lines are calculated using the adaptive-sparse polynomial chaos(AS-PC)scheme. The parameters related to the incident field, such as elevation angle θ, azimuth angle ψ, polarization angle η, and field amplitude E, are inevitably random. Therefore, these four variables are taken as random input variables, and each of them is subject to different variable distributions. The MTLs model with infinite ground as the reference conductor is adopted, different impedances are used and the AS-PC scheme is combined with transmission line theory to calculate the average, standard deviation and probability distribution of the radiated susceptibility of MTLs. Sobol global sensitivity analysis based on variance decomposition is adopted to calculate the influence of random input variables on the MTLsradiated susceptibility model. The calculation results are compared with the results of the Monte Carlo (MC) method, proving that the proposed method is correct and feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CXCR4 is a seven-transmembrane receptor expressed by hematopoietic stem cells and progeny, as well as by ≥48 different cancers types. CXCL12, the only chemokine ligand of CXCR4, is secreted within the tumor microenvironment, providing sanctuary for CXCR4+ tumor cells from immune surveillance and chemotherapeutic elimination by (1) stimulating prosurvival signaling and (2) recruiting CXCR4+ immunosuppressive leukocytes. Additionally, distant CXCL12-rich niches attract and support CXCR4+ metastatic growths. Accordingly, CXCR4 antagonists can potentially obstruct CXCR4-mediated prosurvival signaling, recondition the CXCR4+ leukocyte infiltrate from immunosuppressive to immunoreactive, and inhibit CXCR4+ cancer cell metastasis. Current small molecule CXCR4 antagonists suffer from poor oral bioavailability and off-target liabilities. Herein, we report a series of novel tetrahydroisoquinoline-containing CXCR4 antagonists designed to improve intestinal absorption and off-target profiles. Structure-activity relationships regarding CXCR4 potency, intestinal permeability, metabolic stability, and cytochrome P450 inhibition are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is considered as a promising power source, because of its abundant fuel source, high energy density and environmental friendliness. Among DMFC anode materials, Pt and Pt group metals are considered to be the best electrocatalysts. The combination of Pt with some specific transition metal can reduce the cost and improve the tolerance toward CO poisoning of pure Pt catalysts. In this paper, the geometric stabilities of PtFe/PdFe atoms anchored in graphene sheet and catalytic CO oxidation properties were investigated using the density functional theory method. The results show that the Pt (Pd) and Fe atoms can replace C atoms in graphene sheet. The CO oxidation reaction by molecular O2 on PtFe-graphene and PdFe-graphene was studied. The results show that the Eley-Rideal (ER) mechanism is expected over the Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism for CO oxidation on both PtFe-graphene and PdFe-graphene. Further, complete CO oxidation on PtFe-graphene and PdFe-graphene proceeds via a two-step ER reaction: CO(gas) + O2(ads) → CO2(ads) + O(ads) and CO(gas) + O(ads) → CO2(ads). Our results reveal that PtFe/PdFe commonly embedded in graphene can be used as a catalyst for CO oxidation. The microscopic mechanism of the CO oxidation reaction on the atomic catalysts was explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional wheel loader is built without any axle suspension and experiences severe vibration. Three different layouts of hydropneumatic suspension, namely, unconnected strut (UCS), interconnected in roll plane (IC-R) and interconnected in roll and pitch plane (IC-RP), are installed on the wheel loader to improve ride comfort. This study mainly focuses on the damping effect of different layouts of suspensions and investigates whether the suspensions will affect the driving and operation stability of the wheel loader. The multibody model of the wheel loader with hydropneumatic suspension is developed by RecurDyn in co-simulation with MATLAB/Simulink. Detailed analysis was performed as the wheel loader was traveling on a C-class road, turning on a flat road, and scooping and unloading crushed rocks. Results showed that (1) the three layouts of suspensions can greatly reduce the vector sum of weighted acceleration; (2) the UCS suspension affects both the driving and operation stability of the wheel loader, and the IC-R suspension affects the operation stability when the wheel loader scoops and unloads crushed rocks, (3) the IC-RP suspension with anti-roll and anti-pitch functions has little effect on the driving and operation stability of the wheel loader. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Response patterns to nivolumab differ from those seen with other approved targeted therapies. Objective: To investigate the efficacy of nivolumab in previously treated patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma who were treated beyond (Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors) RECIST progression. Design, setting, and participants: This was a subgroup analysis of patients treated with nivolumab in the phase 3 CheckMate 025 study. Patients continuing to tolerate therapy and exhibiting investigator-assessed clinical benefit were eligible to be treated beyond RECIST progression (TBP) and received therapy for =4 wk after first progression; patients not treated beyond RECIST progression (NTBP) received 0 wk to <4 wk of therapy after progression. Interventions: Nivolumab 3 mg/kg intravenously every 2 wk. Results and limitations: Of 406 nivolumab-treated patients, 316 (78%) progressed by RECIST criteria. Of those who progressed, 48% were TBP, 52% were NTBP. Before being TBP, objective response rate (95% confidence interval) was 20% (14-28) and 14% (9-21) in patients TBP and NTBP, respectively. Differences in clinical characteristics assessed at first progression between patients TBP versus NTBP included better Karnofsky performance status, less deterioration in Karnofsky performance status, shorter time to response, lower incidence of new bone lesions, and improved quality of life. Postprogression, 13% of all patients TBP (20/153) had ≤30% tumor burden reduction including patients with preprogression and postprogression tumor measurements (n = 142) and complete/partial response (28%, 8/29), stable disease (6%, 3/47), and progressive disease (14%, 9/66) as their best response before being TBP. Incidence of treatment-related adverse events in patients TBP was lower after (59%) versus before (71%) progression. Limitations included potential bias from the nonrandomized nature of the analysis. Conclusions: A subset of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma and RECIST progression experienced tumor reduction postprogression with nivolumab, and had an acceptable safety profile. Clinical judgment remains essential when switching therapy. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01668784. Patient summary: A subset of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma and disease progression may continue to benefit from nivolumab treatment beyond progression as evidenced by tumor reduction postprogression and an acceptable safety profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distant soft tissue tumor metastasis isolated in the digit, presenting as a primary esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is considered extremely rare. Herein, we present a rare case of a 44-year-old male patient with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus associated with the clinical symptoms of progressive dysphagia and hoarseness in the course of 2 days. During the second course of chemotherapy, the patient sustained a fall with scald to his right ring finger, while the swelling in the right ring finger was soft, cystic and 2.0×1.8 cm in size. Then, phalangectomy was performed in his right ring finger and pathologic diagnosis was considered metastasis from the esophagus. Unfortunately, the patient succumbed to this disease within 2 months of diagnosis of metastasis. In conclusion, detection of soft tissue metastasis may have prognostic implications, providing more accessible biopsy sites and helping avoid invasive procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new chiral cationic amphiphile has been synthesized. Sol-gel transcriptions were carried out to control mesoporous silica nanostructures using the organic self-assemblies of this amphiphile as templates. Left-handed coiled mesoporous silica nanoribbons were obtained in the mixture of 1-propanol and 2.5 wt% NH3 aq. at the ratio of 2:8 and 0 °C. However, right-handed coiled mesoporous silica nanoribbons were prepared in 2.5 wt% NH3 aq. at 25 °C. The organization of the low-molecular-weight gelators plays an important role in this handedness inversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]