65 research outputs found
Potential destination discovery for low predictability individuals based on knowledge graph
Travelers may travel to locations they have never visited, which we call
potential destinations of them. Especially under a very limited observation,
travelers tend to show random movement patterns and usually have a large number
of potential destinations, which make them difficult to handle for mobility
prediction (e.g., destination prediction). In this paper, we develop a new
knowledge graph-based framework (PDPFKG) for potential destination discovery of
low predictability travelers by considering trip association relationships
between them. We first construct a trip knowledge graph (TKG) to model the trip
scenario by entities (e.g., travelers, destinations and time information) and
their relationships, in which we introduce the concept of private relationship
for complexity reduction. Then a modified knowledge graph embedding algorithm
is implemented to optimize the overall graph representation. Based on the trip
knowledge graph embedding model (TKGEM), the possible ranking of individuals'
unobserved destinations to be chosen in the future can be obtained by
calculating triples' distance. Empirically. PDPFKG is tested using an anonymous
vehicular dataset from 138 intersections equipped with video-based vehicle
detection systems in Xuancheng city, China. The results show that (i) the
proposed method significantly outperforms baseline methods, and (ii) the
results show strong consistency with traveler behavior in choosing potential
destinations. Finally, we provide a comprehensive discussion of the innovative
points of the methodology
Mediating Roles of PPARs in the Effects of Environmental Chemicals on Sex Steroids
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are ligand-activated nuclear receptors that are widely involved in various physiological functions. They are widely expressed through the reproductive system. Their roles in the metabolism and function of sex steroids and thus the etiology of reproductive disorders receive great concern. Various kinds of exogenous chemicals, especially environmental pollutants, exert their adverse impact on the reproductive system through disturbing the PPAR signaling pathway. Chemicals could bind to PPARs and modulate the transcription of downstream genes containing PPRE (peroxisome proliferator response element). This will lead to altered expression of genes related to metabolism of sex steroids and thus the abnormal physiological function of sex steroids. In this review, various kinds of environmental ligands are summarized and discussed. Their interactions with three types of PPARs are classified by various data from transcript profiles, PPRE reporter in cell line, in silico docking, and gene silencing. The review will contribute to the understanding of the roles of PPARs in the reproductive toxicology of environmental chemicals
Polymer-stabilized blue phase liquid crystal with a negative Kerr constant
A polymer-stabilized blue-phase liquid crystal (BPLC) with a negative Kerr constant is reported. In a voltage-on state, the double-twist BPLC molecules within the lattice cylinders are reoriented perpendicular to the applied electric field because of their negative dielectric anisotropy. As a result, the induced birefringence has a negative value, which leads to a negative Kerr constant. The negative sign of Kerr constant is experimentally validated by using a quarter-wave plate and a vertical field switching cell. Such a BPLC shows a negligible (similar to 1%) hysteresis and fast response time (similar to 1ms) at the room temperature, although its Kerr constant is relatively small because the employed host has a small Delta epsilon
Probing the Buried Magnetic Interfaces
Understanding magnetism in ferromagnetic
metal/semiconductor (FM/SC) heterostructures is important to the development
of the new-generation spin field-effect transistor. Here, we report
an element-specific X-ray magnetic circular dichroism study of the
interfacial magnetic moments for two FM/SC model systems, namely,
Co/GaAs and Ni/GaAs, which was enabled using a specially designed
FM<sub>1</sub>/FM<sub>2</sub>/SC superstructure. We observed a robust
room temperature magnetization of the interfacial Co, while that of
the interfacial Ni was strongly diminished down to 5 K because of
hybridization of the Ni d(e<sub>g</sub>) and GaAs sp<sup>3</sup> states.
The validity of the selected method was confirmed by <i>first-principles</i> calculations, showing only small deviations (<0.02 and <0.07
μ<sub>B</sub>/atom for Co/GaAs and Ni/GaAs, respectively) compared
to the real FM/SC interfaces. Our work proved that the electronic
structure and magnetic ground state of the interfacial FM<sub>2</sub> is not altered when the topmost FM<sub>2</sub> is replaced by FM<sub>1</sub> and that this model is applicable generally for probing the
buried magnetic interfaces in the advanced spintronic materials.
Enhancing the Spin–Orbit Coupling in Fe3O4 Epitaxial Thin Films by Interface Engineering
10.1021/acsami.6b0947884027353-2735
Synthesis of Fe and N Co-doped Bi2Ti2O7 Nanofiber with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity Under Visible Light Irradiation
Genomic analysis of oesophageal squamous-cell carcinoma identifies alcohol drinking-related mutation signature and genomic alterations
Approximately half of the world's 500,000 new oesophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC) cases each year occur in China. Here, we show whole-genome sequencing of DNA and RNA in 94 Chinese individuals with ESCC. We identify six mutational signatures (E1–E6), and Signature E4 is unique in ESCC linked to alcohol intake and genetic variants in alcohol-metabolizing enzymes. We discover significantly recurrent mutations in 20 protein-coding genes, 4 long non-coding RNAs and 10 untranslational regions. Functional analyses show six genes that have recurrent copy-number variants in three squamous-cell carcinomas (oesophageal, head and neck and lung) significantly promote cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. The most frequently affected genes by structural variation are LRP1B and TTC28. The aberrant cell cycle and PI3K-AKT pathways seem critical in ESCC. These results establish a comprehensive genomic landscape of ESCC and provide potential targets for precision treatment and prevention of the cancer
Single-cell immune profiling reveals immune responses in oral lichen planus
IntroductionOral lichen planus (OLP) is a common chronic inflammatory disorder of the oral mucosa with an unclear etiology. Several types of immune cells are involved in the pathogenesis of OLP.MethodsWe used single-cell RNA sequencing and immune repertoire sequencing to characterize the mucosal immune microenvironment of OLP. The presence of tissue-resident memory CD8+ T cells are validated by multiplex immunofluorescence.ResultsWe generated a transcriptome atlas from four OLP biopsy samples and their paired peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and compared them with two healthy tissues and three healthy PBMCs samples. Our analysis revealed activated tissue-resident memory CD8+ T cells in OLP tissues. T cell receptor repertoires displayed apperant clonal expansion and preferrential gene pairing in OLP patients. Additionally, obvious BCR clonal expansion was observed in OLP lesions. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells, a subtype that can promote dendritic cell maturation and enhance lymphocyte cytotoxicity, were identified in OLP. Conventional dendritic cells and macrophages are also found to exhibit pro-inflammatory activity in OLP. Cell-cell communication analysis reveals that fibroblasts might promote the recruitment and extravasation of immune cells into connective tissue.DiscussionOur study provides insights into the immune ecosystem of OLP, serving as a valuable resource for precision diagnosis and therapy of OLP
Validation of Potential Reference Genes for Real-Time qPCR Analysis in Pharaoh Ant, <i>Monomorium pharaonis</i> (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Ants are highly diverse social insects living in colonies consisted of up to millions of individuals with reproductive division of labors. Due to the interests in disclosing the genetic and epigenetic regulation mechanisms underlying the distinct developmental trajectories between castes and division of labor in colonies, many ant species have recently been established as laboratory models for evolutionary development and social behavior studies. These functional studies often request a precise quantification of the relative gene expression level, which relies on a stably expressed reference genes for normalization. A core set of reliable reference genes for this purpose however has not been established yet in ants. In the present study, we tested the expression patterns and amplification efficiencies of 12 abundantly expressed candidate genes in Monomorium pharaonis, one of the few ant species that are suitable for laboratory rearing and experimentation. We quantified the expression levels of these genes by RT-qPCR in seven different conditions: embryo development, sexual development, worker development, adult phenotypes, tissues, and two abiotic manipulative treatments in pharaoh ant. Finally, five genes, elongation factor-1 alpha (EF1A), glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), TATA-box-binding protein (TATA), tubulin gamma-2 chain-like (TBLg2), heat shock protein 67B2-like (HSP67) were found to be the most stable reference genes across seven conditions. We also identified the most stable reference genes applicable for each distinct condition and the optimal number of reference genes entailed were evaluated. Our study validates reliable reference genes for RT-qPCR analysis which lays the foundation for future studies in pharaoh ant
The inhibitory effect of 15-R-LXA(4) on experimental endometriosis
Objective: To determine the pro-resolution actions of 15-R-LXA(4) (LXA(4)) on endometriotic lesions and on the expression of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in the murine endometriosis model. Study design: In a prospective, placebo-controlled experimental study, endometriosis was induced in thirty BALB/c mice, and fifteen sham-operated mice served as negative controls. Among the thirty mice with induced endometriosis, fifteen were administered 15-R-LXA(4) and acted as study group (LXA(4) group) and the other fifteen were used as positive controls (EM group). Then all the mice were sacrificed and the endometriotic lesions were weighed. The mRNA and protein levels of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha in the peritoneal fluid were quantified by using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). Result(s): Compared with the positive controls, 15-R-LXA(4) reduced the weight of the endometriotic lesions, decreased the concentrations of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha, and lowered the mRNA levels of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha in peritoneal fluid cells. Conclusion(s): These findings suggest that 15-R-LXA(4) inhibits the progression of endometriosis possibly by suppressing the gene and protein expression of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.Ministry of Health of Fujian Province, PR China [2007-1-43]; Science & Technology Planning Project of Xiamen City, PR China [3502 Z 20077047
- …