An improved genetic algorithm for cost-effective data-intensive service composition

The explosion of digital data and the dependence on data-intensive services have been recognized as the most significant characteristics of IT trends in the current decade. Designing workflow of data-intensive services requires data analysis from multiple sources to get required composite services. Composing such services requires effective transfer of large data. Thus many new challenges are posed to control the cost and revenue of the whole composition. This paper addresses the data-intensive service composition and presents an innovative data-intensive service selection algorithm based on a modified genetic algorithm. The performance of this new algorithm is also tested by simulations and compared against other traditional approaches, such as mix integer programming. The contributions of this paper are three folds: 1) An economical model for data-intensive service provision is proposed, 2) An extensible QoS model is also proposed to calculate the QoS values of data-intensive services, 3) Finally, a modified genetic algorithm-based approach is introduced to compose data-intensive services. A local selection method with modifications of crossover and mutation operators is adopted for this algorithm. The results of experiments will demonstrate the scalability and effectiveness of our proposed algorithm

N-(3-Bromo-5-methyl-2-pyrid­yl)-4-methyl­benzene­sulfonamide

In the mol­ecule of the title compound, C13H13BrN2O2S, the dihedral angle formed by the pyridine and benzene rings is 66.87 (3)°. An intra­molecular N—H⋯Br hydrogen bond is observed. In the crystal structure, N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, C—H⋯π inter­actions and aromatic π–π stacking inter­actions [centroid–centroid distance = 3.757 (14) Å] link the mol­ecules into a three-dimensional network

Involvement of TNF-alpha and IL-10 in breast cancer and patient survival

Purpose: To investigate the involvement of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) in the pathogenesis of breast cancer in vivo as well as the activity of ten Chinese herbal compounds in human breast cancer (MCF-7) cell proliferation in vitro.Methods: In the in vivo study, the association of serum TNF-α and IL-10 with breast cancer cell invasiveness and prognosis was determined in female patients (n = 192) with breast cancer, while in the in vitro study, ten herbal Chinese compounds were screened for their effectiveness against MCF-7 cells. The levels of TNF-α, IL-10, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2/neu) were assayed using their respective enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Molecular docking was used to determine the lead compound(s) that can effectively inhibit TNF-α and IL-10.Results: Raised serum levels of TNF-α and IL-10 were significantly associated with breast cancer cell invasiveness and poor prognosis (p < 0.05). Moreover, there was a strong association between breast cancer prognosis and the expression levels of ER, PR and HER2/neu. Serum TNF-α and IL-10 levels were significantly elevated in stages II and III patients and in those with lymph node metastasis. Treatment of MCF-7 cells with the herbal compounds significantly reduced the synthesis and release of TNF-α and IL-10 (p < 0.05). The results of molecular docking showed that baicalein and oridonin significantly inhibited TNF- α and IL-10. The two herbal compounds had the highest docking scores for inhibition of cytokines, as well as favorable interaction energies.Conclusion: These results indicate that TNF-α and IL-10 are involved in the pathogenesis of breast cancer, and that baicalein and oridonin effectively inhibit the proliferation of the cells. Keywords: Baicalein, Breast cancer, Interleukin 10, Oridonin, Tumor necrosis factor alph

Beneficial effect of fluid warming in elderly patients with bladder cancer undergoing Da Vinci roboticassisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy

OBJECTIVES: The enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol recommends prevention of intraoperative hypothermia. However, the beneficial effect of maintaining normothermia after radical cystectomy has not been evaluated. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of fluid warming nursing in elderly patients undergoing Da Vinci robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy. METHODS: A total of 108 patients with bladder cancer scheduled to undergo DaVinci robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy were recruited and randomly divided into the control group (n=55), which received a warming blanket (43o C) during the intraoperative period and the warming group (n=53), in which all intraoperative fluids were administered via a fluid warmer (41o C). The surgical data, body temperature, coagulation function indexes, and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the warming group had significantly less intraoperative transfusion (p=0.028) and shorter hospitalization days (po0.05). During the entire intraoperative period (from 1 to 6h), body temperature was significantly higher in the warming group than in the control group. There were significant differences in preoperative fibrinogen level, white blood cell count, total bilirubin level, intraoperative lactose level, postoperative thrombin time (TT), and platelet count between the control and warming groups. Multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated that TT was the only significant factor, suggesting that the warming group had a lower TT than the control group. CONCLUSION: Fluid warming nursing can effectively reduce transfusion requirement and hospitalization days, maintain intraoperative normothermia, and promote postoperative coagulation function in elderly patients undergoing Da Vinci robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy

Disinfection efficacy of green synthesized gold nanoparticles for medical disinfection applications

Background: In recent times, biosyntheses of metal nanoparticles were used for several life rescue applications. In this study, Dillenia indica leaf aqueous extract was utilized for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles.Objective: To test anti-microbial properties of biologically fabricated gold nanoparticles.Methods: Gold nanoparticles were efficiently prepared by making use of aqueous leaf extract of Dillenia indica. The excitation of formed AuNPs was confirmed using UV–Vis spectrophotometer. In particular, absorption spectra of AuNPs exhibited a well-defined SPR band centered at around 530 nm.Results: The high-resolution Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) results of the obtained AuNPs confirmed the formation of particles with a size range of 5–50 nm. The ultra-high resolution TEM (UHRTEM) images displayed clear lattice fringes on the particle surfaces. Single crystalline nature of the biosynthesized AuNPs was represented by means of selected-area electron diffraction pattern.Conclusion: The antibacterial activity of AuNPs revealed significant activity towards both gram negative and gram positive bacteria signifying their potential disinfection related applications in medicine and biology.Keywords: Dillenia indica leaves, disinfection, AuNPs

The trajectories and correlation between physical limitation and depression in elderly residents of Beijing, 1992-2009

Background Physical limitation and psychological distress have been reported to be related, but studies describing the change of instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) and depression syndrome over time or exploring the link pattern for their development are limited. The study was to assess distinctive patterns for the development of physical limitation and depression and to explore their correlation to form a proper prevention strategy. Methods Dual trajectory analysis was conducted using data from the Beijing Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) 1992–2009 hosted by Xuanwu hospital for subjects with full information on depression and physical limitation for all available visits. Physical limitation was measured by the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale and depression by the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale (CES-D). The covariates were gender, age at baseline and number of chronic conditions. Results Three heterogeneous trajectories for physical limitation and two distinct groups for an increase in depression were detected. Among them, 10.13% of subjects experienced an increase in physical limitation, while 13.22% demonstrated a high, stable level of depressive mood. In all, 80.4% of the subjects enjoyed a relatively low, stable level of IADL and CES-D scores. People in the late increase group for IADL score were more likely to have depressive mood when adjusted for gender, age and number of chronic conditions (OR = 3.900, 95%CI = 1.347–11.290). Conclusions The development of physical limitation among the elderly may significantly increase the risk for depressive symptom

Changing Patterns of Spatial Clustering of Schistosomiasis in Southwest China between 1999–2001 and 2007–2008: Assessing Progress toward Eradication after the World Bank Loan Project

We compared changes in the spatial clustering of schistosomiasis in Southwest China at the conclusion of and six years following the end of the World Bank Loan Project (WBLP), the control strategy of which was focused on the large-scale use of chemotherapy. Parasitological data were obtained through standardized surveys conducted in 1999–2001 and again in 2007–2008. Two alternate spatial cluster methods were used to identify spatial clusters of cases: Anselin’s Local Moran’s I test and Kulldorff’s spatial scan statistic. Substantial reductions in the burden of schistosomiasis were found after the end of the WBLP, but the spatial extent of schistosomiasis was not reduced across the study area. Spatial clusters continued to occur in three regions: Chengdu Plain, Yangtze River Valley, and Lancang River Valley during the two periods, and regularly involved five counties. These findings suggest that despite impressive reductions in burden, the hilly and mountainous regions of Southwest China remain at risk of schistosome re-emergence. Our results help to highlight specific locations where integrated control programs can focus to speed the elimination of schistosomiasis in China

Central Roles and Regulatory Mechanisms of Dual-Specificity MAPK Phosphatases in Developmental and Stress Signaling

Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) cascades are conserved signaling modules that integrate multiple signaling pathways. One level of control on the activity of MAPKs is through their negative regulators, MAPK phosphatases (MKPs). Therefore, MKPs also play an integrative role for plants responding to diverse environmental stimulus; but the mechanism(s) by which these phosphatases contribute to specific signals remains largely unknown. In this review, we summarize recent advances in characterizing the biological functions of a sub-class of MKPs, dual-specificity phosphatases (DSPs), ranging from controlling plant growth and development to modulating stress adaptation. We also discuss putative regulatory mechanisms of DSP-type MKPs, which plants may use to control the correct level of responses at the right place and time. We highlight insights into potential regulation of cross-talk between different signaling pathways, facilitating the development of strategies for targeting such cross-talk and to help improve plant resistance against adverse environmental conditions without affecting the growth and development