Time-Free Solution to SAT Problem by Tissue P Systems

Tissue P systems are a class of computing models inspired by intercellular communication, where the rules are used in the nondeterministic maximally parallel manner. As we know, the execution time of each rule is the same in the system. However, the execution time of biochemical reactions is hard to control from a biochemical point of view. In this work, we construct a uniform and efficient solution to the SAT problem with tissue P systems in a time-free way for the first time. With the P systems constructed from the sizes of instances, the execution time of the rules has no influence on the computation results. As a result, we prove that such system is shown to be highly effective for NP-complete problem even in a time-free manner with communication rules of length at most 3

Effects of Multi-stage Grinding Process and Grinding Fineness on Desulfurization Separation of High-sulfurous Iron Ore

AbstractThe complex disseminated relationship between pyrrhotite and magnetite as well as poor liberation of finely disseminated sulfurous pyrrhotite was revealed through the mineralogy investigation of certain high-sulfurous iron ore. Grinding process and fineness have been found as significant factors influencing the flotation desulfurization performance of high-sulfurous iron ore. Moreover, the separation tests of multi-stage grinding as well as direct one-stage fine grinding were conducted. The results show that desulfurization effect of the former is much better in comparison with the latter. For one thing, sliming losses and slime influences on the separation process were relieved when the separation process of multi-stage grinding was adopted. For another, the grinding circulating load was effectively reduced while the number of high quality particles was increased, which benefits the liberation of valuable minerals. In conclusion, a technological flowsheet was presented. As a first step, one-stage low intensity magnetic separation of mineral particles to produce rough concentrate of magnetic iron was applied under the condition of grinding fineness 65% -0.074mm. The next step was a fine regrinding of the obtained rough concentrate to 90% -0.045mm. In succession, an activation of ore pulp with combined activators, as well as a reverse flotation of pyrrhotite with combined collectors to produce magnetite concentrate was employed. The reverse flotation consisted of one-stage roughing, three stages of cleaning and one-stage scavenging. Lastly, another low intensity magnetic separation step on the obtained magnetite concentrate was applied to produce the final iron concentrate. The obtained iron concentrate reaches 64.28% Fe and 0.42% S respectively with iron recovery of 53.62% and desulfurization rate of up to 90%. Technical basis can be provided for the industrial desulfurization application of high-sulfurous iron ore due to the favorable separation efficiency

Editorial: Advances in Haptic Feedback for Neurorobotics Applications Research Topic

This Research Topic aims to highlight the most advanced achievements in motion intention decoding, haptic sensing, and haptic feedback for Neural-Machine Interface (NMI)-based neurorobotics research, which can be applied for teleoperation, human robot interaction with prosthetics, assistive and rehabilitative robots, and other relevant circumstances. The novel neural decoding methods, novel haptic feedback modalities, and new control strategies reported in this Research Topic should inspire and guide the future direction of this field

Identifying predictors of response to oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and paracetamol in osteoarthritis: a hypothesis-driven protocol for an OA Trial Bank individual participant data meta-analysis

Introduction Symptomatic treatments for osteoarthritis (OA) provide only small-to-moderate efficacy over placebo in randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Treatment guidelines therefore have emphasised the need to identify predictors of treatment response through subgroup and multiple regression analysis. Individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis is recommended as an efficient approach for this purpose. To our knowledge, this has not been undertaken for oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including paracetamol, in OA. In this IPD meta-analysis, we aim to identify RCTs with specific mechanistic features related to OA pain, such as joint inflammation. We hypothesise that NSAIDs may work better for participants with joint inflammation, whereas paracetamol may not. Methods and analysis A comprehensive literature search will be conducted on the databases of Web of Science, Embase, Medline, CINAHL, AMED and the Cochrane Library from 1 January 1998 to 1 December 2020. All RCTs related to oral NSAIDs or paracetamol including placebo-controlled trials in people with OA that have evaluated pain-related peripheral risk factors (eg, clinically detected knee effusion, synovial hypertrophy or effusion on imaging, knee morning stiffness, elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level) and/or central pain risk factors (eg, pain elsewhere, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance) will be retrieved. The outcome will be change in pain from baseline. Change in function and patient global assessment will also be included as outcomes if available. Investigators of all eligible trials will be contacted for IPD. Multilevel regression models will be used to identify predictors for the specific (active-placebo) and the overall treatment effect (change from baseline in active group). Ethics and dissemination No identifiable data will be included in this study and no formal ethics approval is required as no new data collection will be processed. Results of this hypothesis-driven IPD meta-analysis will be disseminated through conference presentations and publication in peer-reviewed journals. PROSPERO registration number CRD42020165098

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor may play a protective role in osteoarthritis

Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent form of arthritis and the major cause of disability and overall diminution of quality of life in the elderly population. Currently there is no cure for OA, partly due to the large gaps in our understanding of its underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a procytokine that mediates pleiotropic inflammatory effects in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, data on the role of MIF in OA is limited with conflicting results. We undertook this study to investigate the role of MIF in OA by examining MIF genotype, mRNA expression, and protein levels in the Newfoundland Osteoarthritis Study. Methods One hundred nineteen end-stage knee/hip OA patients, 16 RA patients, and 113 healthy controls were included in the study. Two polymorphisms in the MIF gene, rs755622, and -794 CATT5-8, were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and PCR followed by automated capillary electrophoresis, respectively. MIF mRNA levels in articular cartilage and subchondral bone were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Plasma concentrations of MIF, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results rs755622 and -794 CATT5-8 genotypes were not associated with MIF mRNA or protein levels or OA (all p ≥ 0.19). MIF mRNA level in cartilage was lower in OA patients than in controls (p = 0.028) and RA patients (p = 0.004), while the levels in bone were comparable between OA patients and controls (p = 0.165). MIF protein level in plasma was lower in OA patients than in controls (p = 3.01 × 10−10), while the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in plasma were all significantly higher in OA patients than in controls (all p ≤ 0.0007). Multivariable logistic regression showed lower MIF and higher IL-1β protein levels in plasma were independently associated with OA (OR per SD increase = 0.10 and 8.08; 95% CI = 0.04–0.19 and 4.42–16.82, respectively), but TNF-α and IL-6 became non-significant. Conclusions Reduced MIF mRNA and protein expression in OA patients suggested MIF might have a protective role in OA and could serve as a biomarker to differentiate OA from other joint disorders

Improving detection and notification of tuberculosis cases in students in Shaanxi province, China: an intervention study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cooperation between different public and private health institutes involved in tuberculosis (TB) control has proven to enhance TB control in different settings. In China, such a mechanism has not been set up yet between Centers for Disease Control (CDCs) and university hospitals despite an increased TB incidence among students. This study aims to improve arrival of TB suspects identified by universities at the CDCs in order to manage them under standardized, directly observed treatment-short course (DOTS) conditions according to the National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP) guidelines.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Five matched pairs of universities were randomly assigned to the control and intervention group. After a baseline survey, a cooperation mechanism between local CDCs and university hospitals was set up in the intervention group. The effects on referral of TB suspects to the local CDC, tracing by the local CDC, and arrival at the local CDCs were assessed. Differences were tested by means of the chi-square test.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>During the baseline survey, the referral, tracing and arrival rates were between 37% and 46%. After implementation of the cooperation mechanism, these rates had not changed in the control group but increased significantly in the intervention group: the referral, tracing and arrival rates were 97%, 95%, and 93%, respectively.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>It is feasible and effective to set up cooperation between CDCs and university hospitals to increase the number of TB suspects examined by CDCs and increase the number of TB patients treated under DOTS conditions. These public-public mix (PPM) activities should be expanded to cover all other university hospitals in China.</p

Time-Free Solution to SAT Problem by Tissue P Systems

Tissue P systems are a class of computing models inspired by intercellular communication, where the rules are used in the nondeterministic maximally parallel manner. As we know, the execution time of each rule is the same in the system. However, the execution time of biochemical reactions is hard to control from a biochemical point of view. In this work, we construct a uniform and efficient solution to the SAT problem with tissue P systems in a time-free way for the first time. With the P systems constructed from the sizes of instances, the execution time of the rules has no influence on the computation results. As a result, we prove that such system is shown to be highly effective for NP-complete problem even in a time-free manner with communication rules of length at most 3