An Extended ISM for Globally Multimodal Function Optimization by Genetic Algorithms

When attempting to optimize a function where exists several big-valley structures, conventional GAs often fail to find the global optimum. Innately Split Model (ISM) is a framework of GAs, which is designed to avoid this phenomenon called UV-Phenomenon. However, ISM doesn't care about previously-searched areas by the past populations. Thus, it is possible that populations of ISM waste evaluation cost for redundant searches reaching previously-found optima. In this paper, we introduce Extended ISM (EISM) that uses search information of past populations as trap to suppress overlapping searches. To show performance of EISM, we apply it to some test functions, and analyze the behavior

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Construction and characterization of the PGN_0296 mutant of Porphyromonas gingivalis

The periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis produces gingipains (Kgp, RgpA, and RgpB), cysteine proteases involved in the organism's virulence, and pigmentation. We previously showed that deletion of the PGN_0297 and PGN_0300 genes reduced the proteolytic activity of gingipains. The role of the PGN_0296 gene, consisting of an operon with the PGN_0297 and PGN_0300 genes, is unclear. Herein, we examined the effect of PGN_0296 gene deletion on the proteolytic activity. Although the proteolytic activity of the gingipains did not decrease in the culture supernatant of a PGN_0296 gene deletion mutant (ΔPGN_0296), the growth was delayed

Neural Structure Fields with Application to Crystal Structure Autoencoders

Representing crystal structures of materials to facilitate determining them via neural networks is crucial for enabling machine-learning applications involving crystal structure estimation. Among these applications, the inverse design of materials can contribute to next-generation methods that explore materials with desired properties without relying on luck or serendipity. We propose neural structure fields (NeSF) as an accurate and practical approach for representing crystal structures using neural networks. Inspired by the concepts of vector fields in physics and implicit neural representations in computer vision, the proposed NeSF considers a crystal structure as a continuous field rather than as a discrete set of atoms. Unlike existing grid-based discretized spatial representations, the NeSF overcomes the tradeoff between spatial resolution and computational complexity and can represent any crystal structure. To evaluate the NeSF, we propose an autoencoder of crystal structures that can recover various crystal structures, such as those of perovskite structure materials and cuprate superconductors. Extensive quantitative results demonstrate the superior performance of the NeSF compared with the existing grid-based approach.Comment: 16 pages , 6 figures. 13 pages Supplementary Informatio

Development of a visible-light-responsive rutile rod by site-selective modification of iron(III) ion on {1 1 1} exposed crystal faces

{1 1 1} exposed crystal faces of shape-controlled rutile titanium(IV) oxide (TiO2) were site-selectively modified with trivalent iron(III) (Fe3+) ions by utilizing adsorption property of iron(III)/iron(II) (Fe3+/Fe2+) ions. The rutile TiO2 with site-selective modification of Fe3+ ions showed high photocatalytic activity under visible-light irradiation as a result of separation of redox sites, i.e., oxidation and reduction proceed over Fe3+ ions on {1 1 1} faces and the bare TiO2 surface on {1 1 0} faces, respectively. Double-beam photoacoustic spectroscopic analyses suggest that the high activity of TiO2 with site-selective modification of Fe3+ ions is attributed to not efficient electron injection from Fe3+ ions but efficient reduction by injected electrons on {1 1 0} faces

Improvement of visible light responsivity of rutile TiO2 nanorods by site-selective modification of iron(III) ion on newly exposed faces formed by chemical etching treatment

Site-selective modification of trivalent iron(III) (Fe3+) ions was applied to rutile titanium(IV) oxide (TiO2) nanorods after chemical etching treatment in order to improve photocatalytic activity under visible-light irradiation. Chemical etching of rutile nanorods with {1 1 0} and {1 1 1} faces using aqueous sulfuric acid (H2SO4) or hydrogen (H2O2)–ammonia (NH3) solution exposed {0 0 1} and {1 1 n} (n < 1) faces, respectively. Fe3+-modified rutile nanorods after chemical etching exhibited higher photocatalytic activity for degradation of toluene in gas phase than that before chemical etching. This improvement of photocatalytic activity was attributed to a large amount of site-selectively-modified Fe3+ ions, resulting in an increase in photoabsorption. Moreover, our results indicate that a rutile nanorod with large {0 0 1} and {1 1 0} exposed crystal faces is the most suitable structure for visible light response by site-selective modification of Fe3+ ions

Construction and Characterization of a PGN_0297 Mutant of Porphyromonas gingivalis: Evidence of the Contribution of PGN_0297 to Gingipain Activity

The periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis shows colonial pigmentation on blood agar and produces gingipains (Kgp, RgpA, and RgpB), cysteine proteases involved in an organism’s virulence and pigmentation. We showed previously that deletion of the PGN_0300 gene abolished the pigmentation activity and reduced the proteolytic activity of gingipains. The role of the PGN_0297 gene, which consists of an operon with the PGN_0300 gene, is unclear. Herein we examined the effect of PGN_0297 gene deletion on the pigmentation and proteolytic activities and transcriptional levels of gingipains. A PGN_0297 gene deletion mutant (ΔPGN_0297) did not exhibit the pigmentation. The proteolytic activity of the gingipains was decreased in the culture supernatant and on the cell surface of ΔPGN_0297. The mutant ΔPGN_0297 failed to attenuate Akt phosphorylation at Thr308 and Ser473, but both phosphorylations were attenuated in the wild-type and its complementation strain. The deletion of PGN_0297 gene did not substantially affect the transcriptional levels of the gingipain genes kgp, rgpA, and rgpB. Taken together, these results indicate that PGN_0297 is closely involved in the secretion and maturation of gingipains

Monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS)-related AL amyloidosis complicated by amyloid myopathy: a case report

BACKGROUND: Lately, monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) has been defined as a group of renal disorders that are strongly associated with monoclonal protein, including amyloid immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis. Amyloid myopathy is rare (1.5% of all patients with amyloidosis) and the prognosis is poor. Furthermore, only approximately 20% of patients with amyloid myopathy are reported to have renal involvement, indicating a lack of data in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: Here, we report a rare case of MGRS-related AL amyloidosis complicated by amyloid myopathy that presented with muscle weakness in the upper and lower limbs, neck and fingers, and nephrotic syndrome. Blood, urine, and bone marrow examination revealed monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) (Bence Jones protein-lambda). Muscle biopsy of the vastus lateralis muscle demonstrated amyloid proteins in the sarcolemma and in the blood vessel walls on Congo red staining, suggesting amyloid myopathy, and tiny inclusions in fibers on modified Gomori trichrome stain. Although we thought they were reminiscent of nemaline bodies, we could not confirm the nature of this structure. Renal biopsy demonstrated amyloid proteins in the mesangial region, part of the capillary walls, and the blood vessel walls on direct fast scarlet staining. As these amyloid proteins were positive for p-component staining and negative for amyloid A staining, β2-microglobulin, and pre-albumin, and as lambda light chains were positive in the mesangial region, we diagnosed the patient with MGRS-related AL amyloidosis. Although he was treated with melphalan and dexamethasone, his symptoms did not improve. CONCLUSIONS: AL amyloidosis involving the kidneys and muscles has a poor prognosis, and a delayed diagnosis of amyloid myopathy is common because of its rarity and frequent misdiagnosis, which increases organ function deterioration. Therefore, early detection, therapeutic intervention, and careful follow-up are crucial