227 research outputs found
Membrane property and biofunction of phospholiposome incorporated with anomeric galactolipids
Minimizing the Deployment Cost of UAVs for Delay-Sensitive Data Collection in IoT Networks
In this paper, we study the deployment of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to collect data from IoT devices, by finding a data collection tour for each UAV. To ensure the \u27freshness\u27 of the collected data, the total time spent in the tour of each UAV that consists of the UAV flying time and data collection time must be no greater than a given delay B, e.g., 20 minutes. In this paper, we consider a problem of deploying the minimum number of UAVs and finding their data collection tours, subject to the constraint that the total time spent in each tour of any UAV is no greater than B. Specifically, we study two variants of the problem: one is that a UAV needs to fly to the location of each IoT device to collect its data; the other is that a UAV is able to collect the data of an IoT device if the Euclidean distance between them is no greater than the wireless transmission range of the IoT device. For the first variant of the problem, we propose a novel 4-approximation algorithm, which improves the best approximation ratio 4 4/7 for it so far. For the second variant, we devise the very first constant factor approximation algorithm. We also evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithms via extensive experiment simulations. Experimental results show that the numbers of UAVs deployed by the proposed algorithms are from 11% to 19% less than those by existing algorithms on average
IL28B is associated with outcomes of chronic HBV infection
Purpose
The role of IL28B gene variants and expression in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are not well understood. Here, we evaluated whether IL28B gene expression and rs12979860 variations are associated with HBV outcomes.
Materials and Methods
IL28B genetic variations (rs12979860) were genotyped by pyrosequencing of DNA samples from 137 individuals with chronic HBV infection [50 inactive carriers (IC), 34 chronic hepatitis B (CHB), 27 cirrhosis, 26 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)], and 19 healthy controls. IL28A/B mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was determined by qRT-PCR, and serum IL28B protein was measured by ELISA.
Results
Patients with IL28B C/C genotype had greater IL28A/B mRNA expression and higher IL28B protein levels than C/T patients. Within the various disease stages, compared to IC and healthy controls, IL28B expression was reduced in the CHB, cirrhosis, and HCC cohorts (CHB vs. IC, p=0.02; cirrhosis vs. IC, p=0.01; HCC vs. IC, p=0.001; CHB vs. controls, p<0.01; cirrhosis vs. controls, p<0.01; HCC vs. controls, p<0.01). When stratified with respect to serum HBV markers in the IC and CHB cohorts, IL28B mRNA and protein levels were higher in HBeAg-positive than negative individuals (p=0.01). Logistic regression analysis revealed that factors associated with high IL28B protein levels were C/C versus C/T genotype [p=0.016, odds ratio (OR)=0.25, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.08-0.78], high alanine aminotransferase values (p<0.001, OR=8.02, 95% CI=2.64-24.4), and the IC stage of HBV infection (p<0.001).
Conclusion
Our data suggest that IL28B genetic variations may play an important role in long-term development of disease in chronic HBV infections.</p
Model Predictive Control for Connected Hybrid Electric Vehicles
This paper presents a new model predictive control system for connected hybrid electric vehicles to improve fuel economy. The new features of this study are as follows. First, the battery charge and discharge profile and the driving velocity profile are simultaneously optimized. One is energy management for HEV for Pbatt; the other is for the energy consumption minimizing problem of acc control of two vehicles. Second, a system for connected hybrid electric vehicles has been developed considering varying drag coefficients and the road gradients. Third, the fuel model of a typical hybrid electric vehicle is developed using the maps of the engine efficiency characteristics. Fourth, simulations and analysis (under different parameters, i.e., road conditions, vehicle state of charge, etc.) are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the method to achieve higher fuel efficiency. The model predictive control problem is solved using numerical computation method: continuation and generalized minimum residual method. Computer simulation results reveal improvements in fuel economy using the proposed control method
Blocking interaction between SHP2 and PD‐1 denotes a novel opportunity for developing PD‐1 inhibitors
Small molecular PD‐1 inhibitors are lacking in current immuno‐oncology clinic. PD‐1/PD‐L1 antibody inhibitors currently approved for clinical usage block interaction between PD‐L1 and PD‐1 to enhance cytotoxicity of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL). Whether other steps along the PD‐1 signaling pathway can be targeted remains to be determined. Here, we report that methylene blue (MB), an FDA‐approved chemical for treating methemoglobinemia, potently inhibits PD‐1 signaling. MB enhances the cytotoxicity, activation, cell proliferation, and cytokine‐secreting activity of CTL inhibited by PD‐1. Mechanistically, MB blocks interaction between Y248‐phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine‐based switch motif (ITSM) of human PD‐1 and SHP2. MB enables activated CTL to shrink PD‐L1 expressing tumor allografts and autochthonous lung cancers in a transgenic mouse model. MB also effectively counteracts the PD‐1 signaling on human T cells isolated from peripheral blood of healthy donors. Thus, we identify an FDA‐approved chemical capable of potently inhibiting the function of PD‐1. Equally important, our work sheds light on a novel strategy to develop inhibitors targeting PD‐1 signaling axis
Nonlinear dynamic modeling and fuzzy sliding-mode controlling of electromagnetic levitation system of low-speed maglev train
The electromagnet levitation system (ELS) of low-speed maglev train is taken as the research object. The nonlinear dynamics and control law of ELS are discussed. Specifically, by employing the Euler-Lagrange’s method, a nonlinear dynamic model is constructed for the single-ELS. Then, the linear control law is studied, which has a disadvantage of weak robustness. To improve the performance of the controller, a fuzzy sliding-mode control law is proposed. According to the dynamic nonlinear model, a novel sliding surface which can make the system reach the stable point within the finite time is presented. Moreover, the fuzzy inference method is utilized to slow down the speed of the states crossing the sliding surface. The simulation results demonstrate that the global robustness of external disturbance and parameter perturbation can be achieved through the proposed control law. And the chattering phenomenon can be reduced significantly. Finally, the experiments are also implemented to examine its practical dynamic performance of the proposed control law
Copolymer micelles function as pH-responsive nanocarriers to enhance the cytotoxicity of a HER2 aptamer in HER2-positive breast cancer cells
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