Seed selection for information cascade in multilayer networks

Information spreading is an interesting field in the domain of online social media. In this work, we are investigating how well different seed selection strategies affect the spreading processes simulated using independent cascade model on eighteen multilayer social networks. Fifteen networks are built based on the user interaction data extracted from Facebook public pages and tree of them are multilayer networks downloaded from public repository (two of them being Twitter networks). The results indicate that various state of the art seed selection strategies for single-layer networks like K-Shell or VoteRank do not perform so well on multilayer networks and are outperformed by Degree Centrality

Retraction Note: An apoptosis-enhancing drug overcomes platinum resistance in a tumour-initiating subpopulation of ovarian cancer.

This Article has been retracted; see accompanying Retraction Note

Peach witches’-broom, an emerging disease associated with ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma phoenicium’ and ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia’ in Iran

During field surveys carried out from 2013 to 2017 in the eight main peach producing provinces of Iran, symptoms of a phytoplasma-like peach witches'-broom disease (PWIB), inducing severe yellowing, little leaf, internode shortening, crown and stem witches\u2019-broom, decline, and death, were observed. The aim of this work was to identify and characterize the agent(s) associated with PWIB by biological assays and molecular analyses. PWIB agents were successfully transmitted under controlled conditions from scions of in field-affected peach trees, exhibiting severe or mild symptoms, to peach and bitter almond seedlings inducing phytoplasma-like symptoms. A 16S rDNA fragment of 1250 bp was amplified by nested-PCR from all PWIB-affected trees and grafted seedlings. Nucleotide sequence identity, presence of species-specific signature sequences, in silico RFLP, single nucleotide polymorphisms, and phylogenetic analyses of 16S rDNA allowed the assignation of the phytoplasma strains identified in seven Iranian provinces in peach trees with severe PWIB symptoms to four SNP genetic lineages of \u2018Ca. P. phoenicium\u2019 (subgroup 16SrIX-B and its variant). PWIB phytoplasma strains identified in Abarkooh (Yazd province) in peach trees with mild symptoms were attributed to the species \u2018Ca. P. aurantifolia\u2019 (subgroup 16SrII-C). This report of a wide spread of \u2018Ca. P. phoenicium\u2019 in association with PWIB in Iran supported its capability of adaptation to a broad range of fruit tree species, such as peach, nectarine, and apricot. As \u2018Ca. P. phoenicium\u2019 and \u2018Ca. P. aurantifolia\u2019 are the etiological agents of other important plant diseases in Iran and neighbouring countries, further investigations are needed to determine the role played by peach in their epidemiological pathways

Pan-PPAR Agonist, Bezafibrate, Restores Angiogenesis in Hindlimb Ischemia in Normal and Diabetic Rats

Introduction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bezafibrate as a pan-PPAR agonist on angiogenesis and serum nitrite, the main metabolite of nitric oxide (NO), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) concentrations in hindlimb ischemia model of normal and type I diabetic rats. Methods. 28 male Wistar rats were divided into control and diabetic groups. Then, all rats underwent unilateral hindlimb ischemia. After recovery, they were randomly assigned to one of the following experimental groups: (1) control; (2) control + bezafibrate (400 mg/kg/day); (3) diabetic; (4) diabetic + beztafibrate. After three weeks, blood samples were taken and capillary density was evaluated in the gasterocnemius muscle of ischemic limb. Results. Bezafibrate increased capillary density and capillary/fiber ratio in ischemic leg of diabetic and control rats (P < 0.05). Serum VEGF and VEGFR-2 concentrations did not alter after bezafibrate administration, however, serum nitrite concentration was significantly higher in bezafibrate-treated groups than non-treated groups (P < 0.05). Discussion. It seems that bezafibrate, as a pan PPAR agonist, restores angiogenesis in hindlimb ischemic diabetic animals and is useful for prevention and/or treatment of peripheral artery disease in diabetic subjects