A Decision Tree Approach for Assessing and Mitigating Background and Identity Disclosure Risks

The Facebook/Cambridge Analytica data scandal shows a type of privacy threat where an adversary attacks on a massive number of people without prior knowledge about their background information. Existing studies typically assume that the adversary knew the background information of the target individuals. This study examines the disclosure risk issue in privacy breaches without such an assumption. We define the background disclosure risk and re-identification risk based on the notion of prior and conditional probabilities respectively, and integrate the two risk measures into a composite measure using the Minimum Description Length principle. We then develop a decision-tree pruning algorithm to find an appropriate group size considering the tradeoff between disclosure risk and data utility. Furthermore, we propose a novel tiered generalization method for anonymizing data at the group level. An experimental study has been conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach

Fibroblast Mitochondria Dysfunction in Charcot Marie Tooth 2B Peripheral Sensory Neuropathy

Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2B (CMT2B) is a rare inherited autosomal dominant axonal neuropathy of the peripheral sensory system. The disease is characterized by sensory loss, muscle weakness, and atrophy in the body's periphery. Genetically, CMT2B is caused by mutation(s) in Ras-related protein Rab7, a GTP-binding protein that is fundamental for regulating endocytic pathways and trafficking. Recent studies suggested that Rab7 was also associated with mitochondria structure and function. Therefore, our group is interested in studying the link between mitochondrial morphology and the degeneration of the sensory fibers in CMT2B. We generated a Rab7V162M knock-in mouse model and obtained all three genotypes: wt (+/+), heterozygote (KI/+), and homozygote (KI/KI). I cultured mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) for all genotypes and analyzed their mitochondria morphology. I found that the mitochondria in the mutant mice were fragmented, while the wild-type mitochondria were filamentous. One potential explanation is that Rab7 mutation(s) increased dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) activity, a critical regulator that promotes mitochondrial fission. To test this, we found that the DRP1 inhibitor, Mdivi-1, rescued excessive mitochondrial fragmentation. Furthermore, the Rab7 inhibitor, CID, also showed a rescuing effect. We thus conclude that the CMT2B mutation(s) increased the Rab7 activity, leading to enhanced DRP1 activity. As a result, the mitochondria became extremely fragmented in CMT2B

Fibroblast Mitochondria Dysfunction in Charcot Marie Tooth 2B Peripheral Sensory Neuropathy

Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2B (CMT2B) is a rare inherited autosomal dominant axonal neuropathy of the peripheral sensory system. The disease is characterized by sensory loss, muscle weakness, and atrophy in the body's periphery. Genetically, CMT2B is caused by mutation(s) in Ras-related protein Rab7, a GTP-binding protein that is fundamental for regulating endocytic pathways and trafficking. Recent studies suggested that Rab7 was also associated with mitochondria structure and function. Therefore, our group is interested in studying the link between mitochondrial morphology and the degeneration of the sensory fibers in CMT2B. We generated a Rab7V162M knock-in mouse model and obtained all three genotypes: wt (+/+), heterozygote (KI/+), and homozygote (KI/KI). I cultured mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) for all genotypes and analyzed their mitochondria morphology. I found that the mitochondria in the mutant mice were fragmented, while the wild-type mitochondria were filamentous. One potential explanation is that Rab7 mutation(s) increased dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) activity, a critical regulator that promotes mitochondrial fission. To test this, we found that the DRP1 inhibitor, Mdivi-1, rescued excessive mitochondrial fragmentation. Furthermore, the Rab7 inhibitor, CID, also showed a rescuing effect. We thus conclude that the CMT2B mutation(s) increased the Rab7 activity, leading to enhanced DRP1 activity. As a result, the mitochondria became extremely fragmented in CMT2B

Centrosome Defects in Hematological Malignancies: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Insights

Defects in centrosomes are associated with a broad spectrum of hematological malignancies, such as leukemia and lymphoma. Centrosomes in these malignancies display both numerical and structural aberrations, including alterations in the number and size of centrioles, inappropriate post-translational modification of centrosomal proteins, and extra centrosome clustering. There is accumulating evidence that centrosome defects observed in hematological malignancies result from multiple factors, including dysregulation of the centrosome cycle and impairment of centriole biogenesis. In this review, we discuss the plausible mechanisms of centrosome defects and highlight their consequences in hematological malignancies. We also illustrate the latest therapeutic strategies against hematological malignancies by targeting centrosome anomalies

Optimizing Wireless Charging Locations for Battery Electric Bus Transit with a Genetic Algorithm

Electrifying bus transit has been deemed as an effective way to reduce the emissions of transit vehicles. However, some concerns about on-board battery hinder its further development. Recently, dynamic wireless power transfer (DWPT) technologies have been developed, which enable buses to charge in-motion and overcome the drawback (short service range) with opportunity charging. This paper proposes a mathematic model which optimizes the locations for DWPT devices deployed at stops and size of battery capacity for battery electric buses (BEB) in a multi-route network, which considers the battery’s service life, depth of discharge and weight. A tangible solution algorithm based on a genetic algorithm (GA) is developed to find the optimal solution. A case study based on the bus network from Xi’an China is conducted to investigate the relationship among optimized costs, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, battery service life, size of the battery capacity and the number of DWPT devices. The results demonstrated that a bus network powered by DWPT shows better performance in both costs (a 43.3% reduction) and emissions (a 14.4% reduction) compared to that with stationary charging at bus terminals

Relationship between household financial debt and depressive symptoms: a longitudinal study in China

Objectives To examine the impacts of household financial debt on depressive symptoms and its possible mediating mechanisms.Design A nationally representative longitudinal study using the ordinary least squares regression model, fixed-effects model, and instrumental variable approach to explore the relationship between household financial debt and depressive symptoms and further using structural equation models and the Bootstrap method to analyse the mediating effects.Setting The China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) database.Participants Three waves of longitudinal data in 2012, 2016, and 2018 from CFPS were used. A total of 103,247 individuals over the age of 18 were included in our study sample.Outcome measures Depression symptoms were assessed using an eight-item version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D8). We summed these eight items to conduct a depressive symptoms index to measure depressive symptoms.Results Among the sample, 35.3% of the households have financial debt, 49.7% of the sample are male, 73.2% of them have rural hukou, and the average age was 46.6. Regression results showed that household financial debt had a negative effect on depressive symptoms (β=0.655, 95% CI 0.602 to 0.707, p<0.01). This result remained robust after using instrumental variables with fixed effects (β=0.483, 95% CI 0.311 to 0.656, p<0.01). Household financial debt could affect depressive symptoms through mediating variables such as working pressure (p<0.05) and life happiness (p<0.01).Conclusion Our study showed that household indebtedness in China had a negative effect on depressive symptoms. Also, we found some mediating mechanisms for this effect, which might help provide new guidance for psychological interventions to promote the mental health of indebted residents

Novel Insights into Anthocyanin Metabolism and Molecular Characterization of Associated Genes in Sugarcane Rinds Using the Metabolome and Transcriptome

Saccharum officinarum (sugarcane) is the fifth major cultivated crop around the world. Sugarcane rind is a promising source for anthocyanin pigments; however, limited information is available on the anthocyanin and its biosynthesis in sugarcane rinds. In this study, we have quantified 49 compounds including 6 flavonoids and 43 anthocyanins in the rind of 6 sugarcane cultivars by using LCMS/MS approach. Thirty of them were quantified for the first time in sugarcane. The 43 anthocyanins included 10 cyanidin (Cya), 11 pelargonidin (Pel), 9 peonidin (Peo), 5 malvidin (Mal), 4 delphinidin (Del), and 4 petunidin (Pet) metabolites. High contents of Cya derivatives were observed in the rind of YT71/210 (dark purple rind), such as cya-3-O-(6-O-malonyl)-glu 1283.3 µg/g and cya-3-O-glu 482.67 µg/g followed by ROC22 (red rind) 821.3 µg/g and 409 µg/g, respectively, whereas the YT93/159 (green rind) showed a minimum level of these compounds. Among six cultivars, ROC22 rind has high levels of Peo derivatives such as peo-3-O-glu (197 µg/g), peo-3-O-(6-O-malonyl)-glu (69 µg/g) and peo-3-O-(6-O-p-coumaryl)-glu (55.17 µg/g). The gene expression analysis revealed that some genes, including a MYB(t) gene, were highly associated with the color phenotype. Thus, we cloned and overexpressed the gene in Arabidopsis and found the pinkish brown color in the hypocotyl of all transgenic lines compared with the wild type. Hence, we have quantified a wide range of anthocyanins in major sugarcane cultivars, reported many new anthocyanins for the first time, and concluded that Cya and Peo derivatives are the major contributing factor of dissimilar colors in sugarcane. The finding and the verification of a novel MYB gene involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis have demonstrated that our study was very valuable for gene discovery and genetic improvement of sugarcane cultivars to harvest high anthocyanin contents

Data envelopment analysis on the efficiency of vaccination services and its influencing factors in Beijing, China

Abstract Objectives Vaccination is an important part of public health services. We aim to assess the efficiency of vaccination services in Beijing, the capital of China, and to further study the influencing factors of efficiency. Methods Using the immunization service data of Beijing, China in 2020, we firstly developed a data envelopment analysis (DEA) model to calculate the score of vaccination efficiency. Secondly, we used DEA model scenario simulations with different combinations of input–output factors to derive the magnitude of the effect of each input factor on the efficiency. Finally, combined with the data from the Beijing Regional Statistical Yearbook 2021, we developed the Tobit model to examine the effect of external social environmental factors on efficiency. Results The average scores of efficiency of POVs (Point of Vaccination) in different areas of Beijing vary greatly. Different input factors had different degrees of positive effects on the efficiency score. In addition, the number of populations served by POV was positively associated with efficiency, the GDP and financial allocation of the POVs’ district was also positively associated with efficiency score, while the total dependency ratio of the POVs’ district was negatively associated with efficiency score. Conclusion The efficiency of vaccination services varied considerably across POVs. Constrained by limited resources, efficiency scores can be increased by increasing input factors that have a larger impact on efficiency score and reducing those that have a smaller impact on efficiency. In addition, the social environment should be considered in allocating vaccination resources, and more resources should be invested in areas with low levels of economic development, low financial allocation, and high population

Willingness to vaccinate against herpes zoster in Chinese urban population: a mixed-methods study

Objective Although the herpes zoster vaccine has been available in mainland China since June 2020, residents’ knowledge of herpes zoster and the herpes zoster vaccine is poor, and vaccination rates are low, especially among the elderly, who are at high risk for herpes zoster. This study assessed willingness to be vaccinated against herpes zoster and factors associated with vaccination among urban residents in China.Methods A mixed-methods study was conducted in community health centres from August 2022 to September 2022. We used convenience sampling to select 2864 residents from 9 Chinese cities for the quantitative study and 67 adults for the qualitative study. A structured questionnaire was used for the quantitative study, and data were collected through face-to-face interviews. Multinomial logistic regression was used to analyse factors associated with willingness to vaccinate. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis of barriers to herpes zoster vaccination.Results A total of 2864 eligible respondents were included in the study. Of these, 42.67% intended to receive the herpes zoster vaccine, 21.44% refused and 35.89% were hesitant. The results of the quantitative and qualitative analyses showed that the factors associated with respondents’ willingness to be vaccinated against herpes zoster included: personal characteristics such as gender, age and income; knowledge and attitudes about herpes zoster and the vaccine; vaccine characteristics such as efficacy, safety and price; and other factors such as pain tolerance and accessibility to vaccination.Conclusion The low willingness to vaccinate, especially among the elderly, is mainly related to their poor knowledge and negative attitude towards the infection and vaccination. Therefore, health education about herpes zoster, immunisation promotion, and improvement of accessibility and affordability would be valuable in China