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A finite group G $G$ admits an oriented regular representation if there exists a Cayley digraph of G $G$ such that it has no digons and its automorphism group is isomorphic to G $G$. Let m $m$ be a positive integer. In this paper, we extend the notion of oriented regular representations to oriented m $m$‐semiregular representations using m $m$‐Cayley digraphs. Given a finite group G $G$, an m $m$‐Cayley digraph of G $G$ is a digraph that has a group of automorphisms isomorphic to G $G$ acting semiregularly on the vertex set with m $m$ orbits. We say that a finite group G $G$ admits an oriented m $m$‐semiregular representation (Om $m$SR for short) if there exists an m $m$‐Cayley digraph Γ ${\rm{\Gamma }}$ of G $G$ such that it has no digons and G $G$ is isomorphic to its automorphism group. Moreover, if Γ ${\rm{\Gamma }}$ is regular, that is, each vertex has the same in‐ and out‐valency, we say Γ ${\rm{\Gamma }}$ is a regular oriented m $m$‐semiregular representation (regular Om $m$SR for short) of G $G$. In this paper, we classify finite groups admitting a regular Om $m$SR or an Om $m$SR for each positive integer m $m$. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Libraries are adapting to the changing times by providing mobile services. One hundred fifty-one libraries were chosen based on circulation, with at least one library or library system from each state, to explore the diverse services provided to mobile users across the United States. According to the data, mobile apps, mobile reference services, mobile library catalogs, and mobile printing are among public libraries' most-frequently offered services, as determined by mobile visits, content analysis, and librarian survey responses. Every library examined had at least one mobile website, mobile catalog, mobile app, or webpage adapted for a mobile device. Following the COVID-19 outbreak, services such as mobile renewal, subscriber database access, mobile reservations, and the ability to interact with a librarian were expanded to allow better communication with customers--all from the comfort and safety of their own homes. Libraries are continually looking for innovative methods to assist their mobile customers as the world changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying ADA accessibility at library websites of top universities selected from the U.S. News and World Report, the authors used WAVE and AChecker to assess data in compliance with WCAG 2.0 standards. Almost 8 out of 10 public university academic libraries reported accessibility errors as one of the major findings. Low color contrast was becoming a more commonly occurring accessibility issue, making it difficult for people with vision impairments to perceive the color of the image. The outcomes of the study suggest that academic libraries around the world should continue improving their website accessibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have recently received increasing attention as essential mediators of communication between tumor cells and their microenvironments. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a proangiogenic role in various tumors, especially head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and angiogenesis is closely related to tumor growth and metastasis. This research focused on exploring the mechanisms by which EVs derived from TAMs modulate tumor angiogenesis in HNSCC. Our results indicated that TAMs infiltration correlated positively with microvascular density in HNSCC. Then we collected and identified EVs from TAMs. In the microfluidic chip, TAMs derived EVs significantly enhanced the angiogenic potential of pHUVECs and successfully induced the formation of perfusable blood vessels. qPCR and immunofluorescence analyses revealed that EVs from TAMs transferred miR-21-5p to endothelial cells (ECs). And targeting miR-21-5p of TAMs could effectively inhibit TAM-EVs induced angiogenesis. Western blot and tube formation assays showed that miR-21-5p from TAM-EVs downregulated LATS1 and VHL levels but upregulated YAP1 and HIF-1α levels, and the inhibitors of YAP1 and HIF-1α could both reduce the miR-21-5p enhanced angiogenesis in HUVECs. The in vivo experiments further proved that miR-21-5p carried by TAM-EVs promoted the process of tumor angiogenesis via YAP1/HIF-1α axis in HNSCC. Conclusively, TAM-derived EVs transferred miR-21-5p to ECs to target the mRNA of LATS1 and VHL, which inhibited YAP1 phosphorylation and subsequently enhanced YAP1-mediated HIF-1α transcription and reduced VHL-mediated HIF-1α ubiquitination, contributing to angiogenesis in HNSCC. These findings present a novel regulatory mechanism of tumor angiogenesis, and miR-21-5p/YAP1/HIF-1α might be a potential therapeutic target for HNSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A special case study of a rail transport consist comprised of 11 wagons on three-piece bogies was carried out using advanced multi-body vehicle simulations to evaluate if the safety and stability of the wagons would be compromised by loading 39 continuous welded rails on the wagon decks. Each rail was 139 m long and laterally fastened to the wagon decks. The wagon model components, including a car body, two bolsters, 4 sideframes and 4 wheelsets, were connected by non-linear spring and damping elements. A non-linear coupler was used to connect the adjacent wagon models. A twist simulation for a single wagon model was conducted and the results were compared with experimental data for validation. The lateral stability analysis found that the lowest critical hunting speed was 90 km/h for the empty wagon model, which satisfies the current operational speed range from 0 to 70 km/h. Safety simulations were conducted on the curved track geometry modelled from the actual track alignment and included FRA Class 4 track irregularities. The safety simulation results indicated that the 11-wagon consist performed within the maximum safety criteria limits as stipulated in the AS7509:2017 standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2017, Giudici, Li and the third author constructed the first known family of vertex-primitive 2-arc-transitive digraphs of valency at least 2. The smallest digraph in this family admits PSL 3 (49) acting 2-arc-transitively with vertex-stabilizer A 6 and hence has 30758154560 vertices. In this paper, we prove that this digraph is the vertex-primitive 2-arc-transitive digraph of valency at least 2 with fewest vertices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rotary-concentrating device for thermal conduction is constructed to control and guide thermal energy transmitting in elastic plates. The designed device has the ability of concentrating for thermal conduction and controlling the processes of thermal diffusion in a plate. The multilayered isotropic material properties of the rotary-concentrating device are derived based on the transformation and rotary medium method and a rotation parameter to control the thermal diffusion process is introduced. The efficiency of the rotary-concentrating device for thermal conduction is verified. Stability of temperature fields in a plate with the rotary-concentrating device is analyzed to study the performance of rotary-concentrating. Numerical examples show that the constructed rotary-concentrating device for thermal conduction can effectively rotate and focus on the thermal energy into the device for a wide range of diffusion temperatures, which can enhance the thermal conduction. Therefore, this study can provide a theoretical support for potential applications in fields of energy harvesting and thermal conduction control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An automorphism of a graph is called quasi-semiregular if it fixes a unique vertex of the graph and its remaining cycles have the same length. This kind of symmetry of graphs was first investigated by Kutnar, Malnič, Martínez and Marušič in 2013, as a generalization of the well-known problem regarding existence of semiregular automorphisms in vertex-transitive graphs. Symmetric graphs of valency three or four, admitting a quasi-semiregular automorphism, have been classified in recent two papers (Feng et al., 2019 [11]) and (Yin and Feng, 2021 [42]). Let Γ be a connected symmetric graph of prime valency p ≥ 5 admitting a quasi-semiregular automorphism. In this paper, it is proved that either Γ is a connected Cayley graph Cay (M , S) such that M is a 2-group admitting a fixed-point-free automorphism of order p with S as an orbit of involutions, or Γ is a normal N -cover of a T -arc-transitive graph of valency p admitting a quasi-semiregular automorphism, where T is a non-abelian simple group and N is a nilpotent group. Further, for p = 5 a complete classification of graphs Γ such that either Aut (Γ) has a solvable arc-transitive subgroup or Γ is T -arc-transitive with T a non-abelian simple group is given. Finally, a construction of an infinite family of symmetric graphs admitting a quasi-semiregular automorphism and having nonsolvable automorphism group is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The provenance and tectonic setting of the Middle Triassic siliciclastic rocks from the Malipo basin, western Dian‐Qiong suture, South China have been examined using the detrital mode, geochemistry and detrital zircon U–Pb dating. The petrological and geochemical results indicate increasing degrees of weathering, sorting and sediment recycling from north to south. Given the detrital zircon ages, we suggest that the sediments within the northern and southern Malipo basin have multiple provenances and distinctive tectonic settings, including (1) the former was deposited in a fore‐arc setting with derivation from mixed Late Permian–Middle Triassic volcanic arc and uplifted Palaeozoic sequences and (2) the latter deposited in the passive margin of the Northern Vietnam terrane with the predominate derivation from recycled Early Palaeozoic orogen and uplifted Palaeozoic and Precambrian successions. These sediments should be tectonically juxtaposed during the Late Triassic due to the closure of the Paleo‐Tethys branch ocean and the continued South China‐Indochina collision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A vertex transitive non-complete graph is called 2- distance primitive if the stabilizer of a vertex is primitive on both the first and the second step neighbourhoods. In 2019, Jin, Huang and Liu proved that all connected 2-distance primitive graphs of prime valency must belong to some known families of distance-transitive graphs if the socle of the stabilizer of a vertex is not a 2-transitive linear group with some further restrictions. They posed a problem to determine the connected 2-distance primitive graphs of prime valency when the socle of the stabilizer of a vertex is a 2-transitive linear group. In this paper, we make a crucial progress to this problem by proving that either the graph under consideration in this problem is the folded 5-cube or the socle of the stabilizer of a vertex is PSL (2 , q) and the graph has girth 4 and contains no 5-cycles. We also give a short proof of the main result of Jin, Huang and Liu (2019), and we find some new graphs that are not in the list of Jin, Huang and Liu (2019). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the present situation regarding services provided to mobile users in US urban libraries, the authors surveyed 138 Urban Libraries Council members utilizing a combination of mobile visits, content analysis, and librarian interviews. The results show that nearly 95% of these libraries have at least one mobile website, mobile catalog, or mobile app. The libraries actively applied new approaches to meet each local community's remote-access needs via new technologies, including app download links, mobile reference services, scan ISBN, location navigation, and mobile printing. Mobile services that libraries provide today are timely, convenient, and universally applicable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An explorative survey pertaining to organization and execution of programs and events offered in public libraries across Connecticut revealed that library programs have been steadily increasing in recent years, with most libraries providing one hundred or more programs a year. The types of programs that are most popular vary throughout the library's open hours. Children's programming appears to be more popular during the day while adult programming is more popular in the evening. Program popularity is based on grouping and continuous support from external partners. While this study confirmed that both library space and library staff sizes are adequate for programming, a further investigation would assert that this is the case within nationwide library programming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dipyridamole, apart from its well-known antiplatelet and phosphodiesterase inhibitory activities, is a promising old drug for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. However, dipyridamole shows poor pharmacokinetic properties with a half-life (T1/2) of 7 min in rat liver microsomes (RLM). To improve the metabolic stability of dipyridamole, a series of pyrimidopyrimidine derivatives have been designed with the assistance of molecular docking. Among all the twenty-four synthesized compounds, compound (S)-4h showed outstanding metabolic stability (T1/2 = 67 min) in RLM, with an IC50 of 332 nM against PDE5. Furthermore, some interesting structure–activity relationships (SAR) were explained with the assistance of molecular docking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A vertex triple (u , v , w) of a graph is called a 2 -geodesic if v is adjacent to both u and w and u is not adjacent to w. A graph is said to be 2 -geodesic transitive if its automorphism group is transitive on the set of 2-geodesics. In this paper, a complete classification of 2-geodesic transitive graphs of order p n is given for each prime p and n ≤ 3. It turns out that all such graphs consist of three small graphs: the complete bipartite graph K 4 , 4 of order 8, the Schläfli graph of order 27 and its complement, and fourteen infinite families: the cycles C p , C p 2 and C p 3 , the complete graphs K p , K p 2 and K p 3 , the complete multipartite graphs K p [ p ] , K p [ p 2 ] and K p 2 [ p ] , the Hamming graph H (2 , p) and its complement, the Hamming graph H (3 , p) , and two infinite families of normal Cayley graphs on the extraspecial group of order p 3 and exponent p. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Connecting the ends of girders with a continuous slab-deck to make a multiple-span simply supported girder bridge provides many benefits, but there is no suitable nonlinear analysis model which considers continuous slab-deck cracking under tension and bending. In this article, the rotational spring model is further refined to replace the restraining effects at both ends of the girder by the simplified mechanical model associated with axial stiffness, bending stiffness, and shear stiffness. Then, it is introduced into the analysis of continuous slab-deck. The more accurate rotations and displacements of both ends of continuous slab-deck are obtained to investigate the more precise moment and tension of the continuous slab-deck. Furthermore, this article presents an improved nonlinear analysis model of continuous slab-deck based on a detailed boundary rotational spring model. The displacements of important positions and the strain of key components in continuous slab-deck after cracking are investigated by numerical analysis and full-scale model test to verify the accuracy of the proposed nonlinear analysis model. The result shows that the nonlinear analysis model presented in this article could successfully evaluate the depth of cracks and the stress of rebars in continuous slab-deck, and it is instructional in predicting the cracking state of the continuous slab-deck and the reinforcement design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The provenance and tectonic setting of the Lower–Middle Triassic clastic sediments from the Napo basin, South China, have been examined here using detrital modes, whole-rock geochemistry and detrital zircon U–Pb ages. Field investigations indicate that these sediments consist of fan delta, slope and turbidity fan facies with dominantly southward palaeocurrent directions. Detrital modes and geochemical characteristics of the clastic rocks indicate that they were derived from mixed magmatic arc and Palaeozoic successions in a continental island arc setting, with no significant sediment recycling. The U–Pb age spectra of sandstone detrital zircons from different stratigraphic positions are similar, with one major group (300–230 Ma), two subordinate groups (400–320 Ma and 480–420 Ma, respectively) and two scattered groups (1200–800 Ma and 2000–1700 Ma, respectively). Thus, we consider that the north late Permian – Middle Triassic volcanic rocks and the uplifted Palaeozoic sedimentary/volcanic sequences constituted the predominant sources. The detritus derived from the late Permian Emeishan mafic rocks is subordinate and limited. The pre-Devonian zircons are likely sedimentary-recycled or magmatic-captured instead of directly derived from the early Palaeozoic orogen (e.g. Yunkai massif) and Neoproterozoic Jiangnan orogen because of the topographic barrier of a magmatic arc and carbonate platform. Considering the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of the volcanic arc and ophiolite, we suggest that the Triassic Napo basin was a fore-arc basin within a continental island arc setting, which developed in response to the northward subduction of the Babu–Cao Bang branch ocean beneath the South China Block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The (n,k)‐arrangement graph A(n,k) with 1≤k≤n−1, is the graph with vertex set the ordered k‐tuples of distinct elements in {1,2,...,n} and with two k‐tuples adjacent if they differ in exactly one of their coordinates. The (n,k)‐arrangement graph was proposed by Day and Tripathi in 1992, and is a widely studied interconnection network topology. The Johnson graph J(n,k) with 1≤k≤n−1, is the graph with vertex set the k‐element subsets of {1,2,...,n}, and with two k‐element subsets adjacent if their intersection has k−1 elements. In 1989, Brouwer, Cohen and Neumaier determined the automorphism group of J(n,k), and in 2015, Dobson and Malnič proved that J(n,k) a is Cayley graph if and only if (n,k)=(8,3), (32,3) or (n,2) with n≡3(mod4) being a prime‐power. In this article we prove that Aut(A(n,k))≅Sn×Sk, and as a byproduct, A(n,k) is a normal cover of J(n,k). Furthermore, A(n,k) is a Cayley graph if and only if (n,k)=(33,4), (11,4), (9,4), (12,5), (8,5), (9,6), (32,29), (33,30), (n,1), (n,n−1), (n,n−2), (q,2) or (q+1,3), where q is a prime‐power. Note that the graph A(n,n−1) is called the n‐star graph, and its automorphism group can be deduced from a general result given by Feng in 2006. In 1998, Chiang and Chen proved that A(n,n−2) is a Cayley graph on the alternating group An, and in 2011, Zhou determined the automorphism group of A(n,n−2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we characterize the finite groups 𝐺 of even order with the property that, for any involution 𝑥 and element 𝑦 of 𝐺, ⟨ x , y ⟩ is isomorphic to one of the following groups: Z2, Z22, Z4, Z6, Z2 × Z4, Z2 × Z6 and A4. As a result, a characterization will be obtained for the finite groups all of whose Cayley graphs of degree 3 have integral spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Blood typing is essential for safe transfusions and is performed serologically or genetically. Genotyping predominantly focuses on coding regions, but non‐coding variants may affect gene regulation, as demonstrated in the ABO, FY and XG systems. To uncover regulatory loci, we expanded a recently developed bioinformatics pipeline for discovery of non‐coding variants by including additional epigenetic datasets. Methods: Multiple datasets including ChIP‐seq with erythroid transcription factors (TFs), histone modifications (H3K27ac, H3K4me1), and chromatin accessibility (ATAC‐seq) were analyzed. Candidate regulatory regions were investigated for activity (luciferase assays) and TF binding (electrophoretic mobility shift assay, EMSA, and mass spectrometry, MS). Results: In total, 814 potential regulatory sites in 47 blood‐group‐related genes were identified where one or more erythroid TFs bound. Enhancer candidates in CR1, EMP3, ABCB6, and ABCC4 indicated by ATAC‐seq, histone markers, and co‐occupancy of 4 TFs (GATA1/KLF1/RUNX1/NFE2) were investigated but only CR1 and ABCC4 showed increased transcription. Co‐occupancy of GATA1 and KLF1 was observed in the KEL promoter, previously reported to contain GATA1 and Sp1 sites. TF binding energy scores decreased when three naturally occurring variants were introduced into GATA1 and KLF1 motifs. Two of three GATA1 sites and the KLF1 site were confirmed functionally. EMSA and MS demonstrated increased GATA1 and KLF1 binding to the wild‐type compared to variant motifs. Discussion: This combined bioinformatics and experimental approach revealed multiple candidate regulatory regions and predicted TF co‐occupancy sites. The KEL promoter was characterized in detail, indicating that two adjacent GATA1 and KLF1 motifs are most crucial for transcription. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is the current state of mobile services among academic libraries of the country's top 100 universities, and what are the best practices for librarians implementing mobile services at the university level? Through in--‐depth website visits and survey questionnaires, the authors studied each of the top 100 universities' libraries' experiences with mobile services. Results showed that all of these libraries offered at least one mobile service, and the majority offered multiple services. The most common mobile services offered were mobile sites, text messaging services, e--‐books, and mobile access to databases and the catalog. In addition, chat/IM services, social media accounts and apps were very popular. Survey responses also indicated a trend towards responsive design for websites so that patrons can access the library's full site on any mobile device. Respondents recommend that libraries considering offering mobile services begin as soon as possible as patron demand for these services is expected to increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We construct two infinite families of locally toroidal chiral polytopes of type { 4 , 4 , 4 } , with 1024 m 2 and 2048 m 2 automorphisms for every positive integer m , respectively. The automorphism groups of these polytopes are solvable groups, and when m is a power of 2, they provide examples with automorphism groups of order 2 n where n can be any integer greater than 9. (On the other hand, no chiral polytopes of type [ 4 , 4 , 4 ] exist for n ≤ 9.) In particular, our two families give a partial answer to a problem proposed by Schulte and Weiss in [21]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we are interested in the asymptotic enumeration of bipartite Cayley digraphs and Cayley graphs over abelian groups. Let A be an abelian group and let ι be the automorphism of A defined by aι=a−1, for every a∈A. A Cayley graph Cay(A,S) is said to have an automorphism group as small as possible if Aut(Cay(A,S))=〈A,ι〉. In this paper, we show that, except for two infinite families, almost all bipartite Cayley graphs on abelian groups have automorphism group as small as possible. We also investigate the analogous question for bipartite Cayley digraphs. These results are used for the asymptotic enumeration of bipartite Cayley digraphs and graphs over abelian groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For each d ≥ 3 , n ≥ 5 , and k 1 , k 2 , ... , k d - 1 ≥ 2 with k 1 + k 2 + ⋯ + k d - 1 ≤ n - 1 , we show how to construct a regular d-polytope whose automorphism group is of order 2 n and whose Schläfli type is { 2 k 1 , 2 k 2 , ... , 2 k d - 1 } . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceria-zirconia-alumina composite oxides CZ + A(pm) and CZ + A(mm) (the molar ratio of Ce, Zr and Al was 1 = 1 = 2) were prepared by the mixing precursor of precipitates and the mixing precipitates mechanically methods, respectively. The samples were thermally aged in a flowing air atmosphere and in 10% H2/Ar flow. The structure and performance of the composite oxides were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption-desorption (BET), oxygen storage capacity (OSC) measurements, and H2 temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR). The results show that the XRD patterns of CZ+A(pm)-H2-1 100 exhibited many sharp diffraction peaks attributed to CeAlO3, but CZ + A(mm)-H2-1 100 reductively aged at 1 100 °C did not appear CeAl()3phase. The oxygen storage capacity (OSC) was 157 and 773 µmol/g, respectively, which were far higher than the 23.2 µmol/g of CZA-H2-1 100, and the hydrogen consumption of H2-TPR was 960 and 1 916 µmol/g, respectively, while the hydrogen consumption of CZA-H2-1 100 was significantly reduced to 310 µmol/g. The OSC of CZ+A(pm) was affected by the formation of CeAlO3 during the reductive treatment, which was consistent with the change result of reductive performance. It was found that CeO2 and Al2O3 in CZ+A (pm) samples, with the particles of cerium-zirconium and alumina being small in scale and close in contact with each other, were more likely to produce CeAlO3 through solid-phase combination reaction. However, the reductive treatment of CZ+A(mm) samples, for the cerium-zirconium and alumina particles being larger and farther apart, could inhibit the formation of CeAlO3, thus significantly improving the oxygen storage performance and reductive performance of the material in the reduction atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A graph Γ is symmetric or arc-transitive if its automorphism group Aut (Γ) is transitive on the arc set of the graph, and Γ is basic if Aut (Γ) has no non-trivial normal subgroup N such that the quotient graph Γ N has the same valency as Γ. In this paper, we classify symmetric basic graphs of order 2 q p n and valency 5, where q < p are two primes and n is a positive integer. It is shown that such a graph is isomorphic to a family of Cayley graphs on dihedral groups of order 2 q with 5 | (q − 1) , the complete graph K 6 of order 6, the complete bipartite graph K 5 , 5 of order 10, or one of the nine sporadic coset graphs associated with non-abelian simple groups. As an application, connected pentavalent symmetric graphs of order k p n for some small integers k and n are classified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the use of public library statistical programs by the public library directors in the United States. Features of Federal State Cooperative System for Public Library Data (FSCS) and the Public Library Data Service (PLDS); Frequency in using FSCS and PLDS; Comparison between FSCS and PLDS.

Abstract A non-trivial automorphism g of a graph Γ is called semiregular if the only power gi fixing a vertex is the identity mapping, and it is called quasi-semiregular if it fixes one vertex and the only power gi fixing another vertex is the identity mapping. In this paper, we prove that K 4 , the Petersen graph and the Coxeter graph are the only connected cubic arc-transitive graphs admitting a quasi-semiregular automorphism, and K 5 is the only connected tetravalent 2-arc-transitive graph admitting a quasi-semiregular automorphism. It will also be shown that every connected tetravalent G -arc-transitive graph, where G is a solvable group containing a quasi-semiregular automorphism, is a normal Cayley graph of an abelian group of odd order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we prove that for any positive integers n, s, t such that n ≥ 10, s , t ≥ 2 and n − 1 ≥ s + t, there exists a regular polytope with Schläfli type {2s, 2t} and its automorphism group is of order 2n. Furthermore, we classify regular polytopes with automorphism groups of order 2n and Schläfli types {4 , 2n−3}, {4, 2n−4} and {4, 2n−5}, therefore giving a partial answer to a problem proposed by Schulte and Weiss in [Problems on polytopes, their groups, and realizations, Period. Math. Hungar. 53 2006, 1–2, 231–255]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For any positive integers n , s , t , l such that n ≥ 10 , s , t ≥ 2 , l ≥ 1 and n ≥ s + t + l , a new infinite family of regular 3-hypertopes with type (2 s , 2 t , 2 l) and automorphism group of order 2 n is constructed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The PBDX/XG gene encoding the Xga blood group antigen was described in 1994, but the genetic determinant of XG expression on RBCs was reported only in 2018. However, the frequencies of Xg(a-) individuals could not explain the rarity of anti-Xga makers. We therefore sought to elucidate the molecular basis of the Xg(a-) phenotype in people producing anti-Xga .Study Design and Methods: Two genomic DNA (gDNA) and 13 plasma-derived cell-free DNA (cfDNA) samples from anti-Xga makers were investigated (14 males and one female). PBDX/XG exon sequencing was attempted on one gDNA sample. Polymerase chain reaction assays were developed and bioinformatics used to define a suspected deletion in all samples.Results: Investigation of one gDNA sample revealed a 114-kb deletion (esv2662319) on the X chromosome that spans XG exons 4 through 10 and the downstream GYG2 gene. A 3555-bp fragment bridging this deletion was amplified to confirm its presence. Another deletion-specific polymerase chain reaction of 714 bp enabled identification of esv2662319 in both gDNA samples and eight cfDNA samples while ruling it out in one cfDNA. Males were hemizygous for esv2662319 and the female likely homozygous. Four cfDNA sample results were inconclusive, probably due to poor sample quality. Sanger sequencing recognized the recombination junctions as a heterogeneous LTR6B sequence.Conclusion: We identified a large deletion on the X chromosome, resulting in a true, tissue-wide Xgnull phenotype. This deletion was found in 10 of 11 anti-Xga makers from which DNA could be amplified. One sample remained unexplained, indicating further heterogeneity to be explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most important issues for rail passenger vehicles is on occupant safety through vehicle crashworthiness. Crashworthiness, in terms of rail vehicle designs, is the capability to dissipate the crash energy in such a controlled fashion that the overall damage is inconsequential to passenger space. A case study on a popular city passenger train has been conducted using a multi-body formulation of a three-dimensional, non-linear rigid body dynamic train model. The simulated crash scenario details a one to eight vehicle train in a front-on collision onto a fixed block. The crashworthiness is measured in terms of the degree of impact energy absorption, vehicle deceleration, and passenger injury criteria. The results showed that in a single vehicle, the crash energy management systems (CEMS) adequately compensated for the effects of impact at a crash speed of 44.5 km/h and below. At higher speeds, it is projected that the energy crush zones will need significant structural increases in both its crush length and crush force. An increase in the crush length is normally preferred over the crush force so as to maintain the longitudinal deceleration gradient within a tolerable range to ensure passenger safety. The benefits of computational modelling and simulations should not be underestimated as it allows for a thorough appreciation of a sound appreciation of the crashworthy structures and energy absorbers within any rail vehicle during the initial periods of the design process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Xga blood group is differentially expressed on erythrocytes from men and women. The underlying gene, PBDX, was identified in 1994, but the molecular background for Xga expression remains undefined. This gene, nowdesignated XG, partly resides in pseudoautosomal region 1 and encodes a protein of unknown function from the X chromosome. By comparing calculated Xga allele frequencies in different populations with 2612 genetic variants in the XG region, rs311103 showed the strongest correlation to the expected distribution. The same single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) had the most significant impact on XG transcript levels in whole blood (P = 2.0 × 10-22). The minor allele, rs311103C, disrupts a GATA-binding motif 3.7 kb upstream of the transcription start point. This silences erythroid XG messenger RNA expression and causes the Xg(a-) phenotype, a finding corroborated by SNP genotyping in 158 blood donors. Binding of GATA1 to biotinylated oligonucleotide probes with rs311103G but not rs311103C was observed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and proven by mass spectrometry. Finally, a luciferase reporter assay indicated this GATA motif to be active for rs311103G but not rs311103C in HEL cells. By using an integrated bioinformatic and molecular biological approach, we elucidated the underlying genetic basis for the last unresolved blood group system and made Xga genotyping possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we show that the group Z p 5 is a DCI-group for any odd prime p , that is, two Cayley digraphs Cay ( Z p 5 , S ) and Cay ( Z p 5 , T ) are isomorphic if and only if S = T φ for some automorphism φ of the group Z p 5 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) contribute to the endogenous endothelial repair program during hypercholesterolemia. EPC count and migratory and proliferative capacities remain unchanged in the premenopausal female with hypercholesterolemia. However, the changes of count and activity of circulating EPCs in the hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal females are unknown. Here, we find that the migratory and proliferative capacities of circulating EPCs were decreased in patients with hypercholesterolemia versus normocholesterolemia. No significant differences were found between postmenopausal females and age-matched males. NO production showed positive correlation with the activity and count of circulating EPCs in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) is directly interrelated with EPC counts and function. Our findings reveal that decreased EPC count and endothelial dysfunction lead to less NO production in hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal females. Maintaining the EPC numbers and activity might be emerging as a potential therapeutic strategy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular injury in elder women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let Γ be a graph and let G be a group of automorphisms of Γ . The graph Γ is called G -normal if G is normal in the automorphism group of Γ . Let T be a finite non-abelian simple group and let G = T l with l ≥ 1 . In this paper we prove that if every connected pentavalent symmetric T -vertex-transitive graph is T -normal, then every connected pentavalent symmetric G -vertex-transitive graph is G -normal. This result, among others, implies that every connected pentavalent symmetric G -vertex-transitive graph is G -normal except T is one of 57 simple groups. Furthermore, every connected pentavalent symmetric G -regular graph is G -normal except T is one of 20 simple groups, and every connected pentavalent G -symmetric graph is G -normal except T is one of 17 simple groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given a graph G and a non-negative integer h , the h - extra connectivity (or h - extra edge-connectivity , resp.) of G , denoted by κ h ( G ) (or λ h ( G ), resp.), is the minimum cardinality of a set of vertices (or edges, resp.) in G , if it exists, whose deletion disconnects G and leaves each remaining component with more than h vertices. In this paper, we obtain a tight upper bound of the h -extra connectivity and the h -extra edge-connectivity of n -dimensional balanced hypercubes BH n for n  ≥ 2 and h ≤ 2 n − 1 . As an application, we prove that κ 4 ( B H n ) = κ 5 ( B H n ) = 6 n − 8 and λ 3 ( B H n ) = 8 n − 8 , which improves the previously known results given by Yang (2012) and Lü (2017). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper delivers an in-depth review of the state-of-the-art technologies relevant to rail flaw detection giving emphasis to their use in detection of rail flaw defects at practical inspection vehicle speeds. The review not only looks at the research being carried out but also investigates the commercial products available for rail flaw detection. It continues further to identify the methods suitable to be adopted in a moving vehicle rail flaw detection system. Even though rail flaw detection has been a well-researched area for decades, an in-depth review summarizing all available technologies together with an assessment of their capabilities has not been published in the recent past according to the knowledge of the authors. As such, it is believed that this review paper will be a good source of information for future researchers in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An edge subset F of a connected graph G is called a k-restricted edge cut if G - F is disconnected and every vertex in G - F has at least k neighbours in G - F. The cardinality of a minimum k-restricted edgecut of G is called the k-restricted edge connectivity of G, denoted by λk (G). The alternating group network ANn (n ≥ 3) is defined as the Cayley graph on the alternating group An of degree n with respect to {(1 2 3), (1 3 2), (1 2)(3 i) | 4 ≤ i ≤ n}. In this paper, we prove that λ³(ANn) = 12n - 48 for each n ≥ 5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The varietal hypercube graph $$VQ_n$$ ( $$n\ge 1$$ ) was proposed by Cheng and Chuang (Varietal hypercube-a new interconnection network topology for large scale multicomputer, Proceedings of the International Conference on Parallel and Distributed Systems, pp 703-708, 1994) as a topology for interconnection network that is an improvement over the well-known hypercube network. It was known that $$VQ_n$$ is a Cayley graph on the group $$D_4^s\times {{\mathbb {Z}}}_2^t$$ , where $$n=3s+t$$ with $$s\ge 0$$ and $$0\le t\le 2$$ . In the present paper, we prove that the full automorphism group of the varietal hypercube graph $$VQ_n$$ is $$(D_4^s\times {{\mathbb {Z}}}_2^t) \rtimes (({\mathbb {Z}}_{2}\wr S_s)\times S_t)$$ . An open problem in the literature is to determine whether a given Cayley graph is normal and the result shows that the varietal hypercube graph $$VQ_n$$ is a normal Cayley graph on the group $$D_4^s\times {{\mathbb {Z}}}_2^t$$ . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A graph Γ is said to be symmetric if its automorphism group Aut ( Γ ) is transitive on the arc set of Γ . Let G be a finite non-abelian simple group and let Γ be a connected pentavalent symmetric graph with G ≤ Aut ( Γ ) . In this paper, we show that if G is transitive on the vertex set of Γ , then either G ⊴ Aut ( Γ ) or Aut ( Γ ) contains a non-abelian simple normal subgroup T such that G ≤ T and ( G , T ) is one of 58 possible pairs of non-abelian simple groups. In particular, if G is transitive on the arc set of Γ , then ( G , T ) is one of 17 possible pairs, and if G is regular on the vertex set of Γ , then ( G , T ) is one of 13 possible pairs, which improves the result on pentavalent symmetric Cayley graph given by Fang, et al. (2011). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malaria, despite being one of the world’s oldest infectious diseases, remains difficult to eradicate because the parasite is rapidly developing resistance to frontline chemotherapies. Previous studies have shown that the parasite exhibits features resembling programmed cell death upon treatment with drugs that disrupt its digestive vacuole (DV), providing a phenotypic readout that can be detected using the imaging flow cytometer. Large compound collections can thus be screened to identify drugs that are able to disrupt the DV of the malaria parasite using this high-content high-throughput screening platform. As a proof-of-concept, 4440 compounds were screened using this platform in 4 months and 254 hits (5.7% hit rate) were obtained. Additionally, 25 compounds (0.6% top hit rate) were observed to retain potent DV disruption activity that was comparable to the canonical DV disruptive drug chloroquine when tested at a ten-fold lower concentration from the original screen. This pilot study demonstrates the robustness and high-throughput capability of the imaging flow cytometer and we report herein the methodology of this screening assay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A connected symmetric graph of prime valency is basic if its automorphism group contains no nontrivial normal subgroup having more than two orbits. Let p be a prime and n a positive integer. In this paper, we investigate properties of connected pentavalent symmetric graphs of order 2 p n , and it is shown that a connected pentavalent symmetric graph of order 2 p n is basic if and only if it is either a graph of order 6 , 16 , 250 , or a graph of three infinite families of Cayley graphs on generalized dihedral groups—one family has order 2 p with p = 5 or 5 ∣ ( p − 1 ) , one family has order 2 p 2 with 5 ∣ ( p ± 1 ) , and the other family has order 2 p 4 . Furthermore, the automorphism groups of these basic graphs are computed. Similar works on cubic and tetravalent symmetric graphs of order 2 p n have been done. It is shown that basic graphs of connected pentavalent symmetric graphs of order 2 p n are symmetric elementary abelian covers of the dipole Dip 5 , and with covering techniques, uniqueness and automorphism groups of these basic graphs are determined. Moreover, symmetric Z p n -covers of the dipole Dip 5 are classified. As a byproduct, connected pentavalent symmetric graphs of order 2 p 2 are classified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethno-pharmacological relevance Paridis Rhizoma is a Chinese medicinal herb that has been used in liver disease treatment for thousands of years. Our previous studies found that Paridis Rhizoma saponins (PRS) are the critical components of Paridis Rhizoma which has good liver protection effect. However, the anti-hepatic fibrosis effect and the mechanism of PRS have seldom been reported. Aim of the study To investigate the potential of PRS in the treatment of experimental liver fibrosis and the underlying mechanism. Materials and methods The chemical feature fingerprint of PRS was analyzed by UPLC-PDA. A total of 40 Male Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into the control group, the model group, the PRS high dose group (PRS H) and the PRS low dose group (PRS L) with 10 rats in each group. The model, PRS H and L groups as liver fibrosis models were established with carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) method. PRS H and L groups were adopted PRS (300 and 150 mg/kg d −1 ) treatment since the twelfth week of modeling till the sixteenth week. Pathological changes in hepatic tissue were examined using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and MASSON trichrome staining. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to determine the protein expression of the RASAL1. RT-PCR and western blotting were used to detect the expression of ERK1/2 mRNA and protein. Results Four saponins in PRS were identified from 19 detected chromatographic peaks on UPLC-PDA by comparing to the standard compounds. PRS can improve the degeneration and necrosis of hepatic tissue, reduce the extent of its fibrous hyperplasia according to H&E and MASSON staining detection. As was detected in PRS H and L groups, PRS down-regulated p-ERK1/2 mRNA and RASAL1 protein, and up-regulated the level of p-ERK1/2 mRNA and RASAL1 protein. Conclusion These results demonstrated that PRS can attenuate CCl 4 -induced liver fibrosis through the regulation of RAS/ERK1/2 signal pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A group is called 2 -genetic if each normal subgroup of the group can be generated by two elements. Let G be a non-abelian 2-genetic group of order p n for an odd prime p and a positive integer n . In this paper, we investigate connected Cayley digraphs Cay ( G , S ) for non-abelian 2-genetic groups G of odd order p n , and determine their full automorphism groups A = Aut ( Cay ( G , S ) ) in the case when Aut ( G , S ) = { α ∈ Aut ( G ) | S α = S } is a p ′ -group. It is shown that either Cay ( G , S ) is normal, that is, the right regular representation of G is normal in A , or p = 3 , 5 , 7 , 11 and the largest normal p -subgroup O p ( A ) of A has order p n − 1 with ASL ( 2 , p ) ≤ A / Φ ( O p ( A ) ) ≤ AGL ( 2 , p ) . Furthermore, a non-normal Cayley digraph with smallest order and smallest valency is constructed for each p = 3 , 5 , 7 , 11 , respectively. In particular, the underlying graphs of the above non-normal Cayley digraphs for p = 3 , 7 , 11 are half-arc-transitive, and they are the first constructions of half-arc-transitive non-normal Cayley graphs of order a prime-power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid mycelial growth rate of liquid spawn could suppress contamination, which is significant to the mushroom industry. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of producing liquid spawn of an edible mushroom, Sparassis latifolia SP-C by submerged fermentation under controlled conditions and to evaluate its ability to colonise pine sawdust substrate. Uniform design was adopted to quantitatively analyze the effects of fermentation medium on mycilial biomass production from S. latifolia , three independent variables including glucose, corn flour and glutinous rice flour were studied. The optimal medium for maximum biomass production was glucose 10%, corn flour 3%, glutinous rice flour 3%, fish peptone 0.2% and KH 2 PO 4 0.3%, it was incubated at 23 ± 2 °C with agitation rate of 150 rpm. The maximum S. latifolia SP-C biomass production of 11.96 g/L was achieved after 15 days of fermentation. The liquid spawn led to quick mycelial growth (1.69 mm/d) on sterile pine sawdust substrate compared to the traditionally sawdust spawn (1.23 mm/d). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uncontrolled bleeding and infection following trauma remain a clinical challenge. Here, we developed a synergistic hemostatic and antibacterial aerogel dressing based on oxidized Bletilla rhizome polysaccharide Schiff Base (ORBPS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) by using a combined freeze-drying/cross-linking process. Bletilla rhizome polysaccharide (RBP) was extracted by water extraction and alcohol precipitation. RBP contained mannose and glucose in the molar ratio of 2:1 and its molecular weight was 8.2 × 105 g/mol. ORBPS was prepared via Schiff base reaction between silver sulfadiazine and oxidized RBP (ORBP), and verified by FTIR and NMR spectra. The resultant ORBPS/PVA aerogel exhibited excellent antibacterial and hemostatic capabilities. The aerogel also showed good liquid absorption capacity and biocompatibility. Full-thickness skin defect experiments indicated the aerogel enhanced wound healing by reducing inflammation, promoting angiogenesis, and accelerating epithelialization. Therefore, ORBPS/PVA aerogel may be a potential hemostasis and anti-infection wound dressing. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For any integer n≥2, each palindrome of n induces a circulant graph of order n. It is known that for each integer n≥2, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the set of (resp. aperiodic) palindromes of n and the set of (resp. connected) circulant graphs of order n (cf. [2]). This bijection gives a one-to-one correspondence of the palindromes σ with gcd(σ)=1 to the connected circulant graphs. It was also shown that the number of palindromes σ of n with gcd(σ)=1 is the same number of aperiodic palindromes of n. Let an (resp. bn) be the number of aperiodic palindromes σ of n with gcd(σ)=1 (resp. gcd(σ)≠1). Let cn (resp. dn) be the number of periodic palindromes σ of n with gcd(σ)=1 (resp. gcd(σ)≠1). In this paper, we calculate the numbers an,bn,cn,dn in two ways. In Theorem 2.3, we find recurrence relations for an,bn,cn,dn in terms of ad for d|n and d≠n. Afterwards, we find formulae for an, bn, cn, dn explicitly in Theorem 2.5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A graph is symmetric (or arc-transitive ) if its automorphism group is transitive on the arc set of the graph. Let r < q < p be three distinct primes. In this paper, we give a complete classification of connected pentavalent symmetric graphs of order 2 p q r with r ≥ 3 . It is shown that a connected pentavalent symmetric graph Γ of order 2 p q r is isomorphic to one of 20 sporadic coset graphs associated with some simple groups, a coset graph on the group PSL ( 2 , p ) or PGL ( 2 , p ) with p ≥ 29 and Aut ( Γ ) ≅ PSL ( 2 , p ) or PGL ( 2 , p ) respectively, or a 1-regular graph given in Feng and Li (2011). The connected pentavalent symmetric graphs of order 4 p q have been classified before. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the expression of tribbles homologue 3 (TRB3) and its regulation on endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-induced photoreceptor apoptosis after retinal detachment (RD) using a rat model. Methods: RD animal model was created in Wistar rats by subretinal injection of 1% sodium hyaluronate. At various time points after RD, expression of TRB3 was detected by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting. TRB3 protein distribution in retina was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. RNA interference was used to inhibit TRB3 expression and subretinal injection of lentivirus TRB3 shRNA (LV-TRB3-sh) was performed. The rats were then randomly divided into four groups: normal control group, RD group, vehicle + RD group and LV-TRB3-sh + RD group. The mRNA and protein level of TRB3 as well as Caspase-12 were detected. TdT-mediated fluorescein-16-dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay was used to detect the apoptosis of retinal cells. Retinal outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness was measured to assess retina damage in each group. Results: TRB3 expression and TRB3-positive cell count were significantly increased after RD and peaked at day 3 after RD. The ratio of TUNEL-positive photoreceptors and expression of ERS-induced apoptosis marker Caspase-12 in LV-TRB3-sh + RD group were significantly reduced. The ONL thickness in LV-TRB3-sh + RD group was thicker than that both in RD group and vehicle + RD group. Conclusion: TRB3 expression is up-regulated in retinas after RD and knockdown of TRB3 protects photoreceptors against ERS-induced apoptosis. TRB3 may be a crucial molecule in photoreceptor apoptosis induced by ERS after RD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bi-Cayley graph Γ is a graph which admits a semiregular group H of automorphisms with two orbits. In this paper, the normalizer of H in the full automorphism group of Γ is determined. Applying this, a characterization of cubic edge-transitive graphs of order a 2-power is given. As byproducts, we answer a problem proposed in Godsil (1983) [16] regarding the existence of arc-regular non-normal Cayley graphs of order a 2-power, and construct the first known family of cubic semisymmetric graphs of order a 2-power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]