A probabilistic model of computing with words

AbstractComputing in the traditional sense involves inputs with strings of numbers and symbols rather than words, where words mean probability distributions over input alphabet, and are different from the words in classical formal languages and automata theory. In this paper our goal is to deal with probabilistic finite automata (PFAs), probabilistic Turing machines (PTMs), and probabilistic context-free grammars (PCFGs) by inputting strings of words (probability distributions). Specifically, (i) we verify that PFAs computing strings of words can be implemented by means of calculating strings of symbols (Theorem 1); (ii) we elaborate on PTMs with input strings of words, and particularly demonstrate by describing Example 2 that PTMs computing strings of words may not be directly performed through only computing strings of symbols, i.e., Theorem 1 may not hold for PTMs; (iii) we study PCFGs and thus PRGs with input strings of words, and prove that Theorem 1 does hold for PCFRs and PRGs (Theorem 2); a characterization of PRGs in terms of PFAs, and the equivalence between PCFGs and their Chomsky and Greibach normal forms, in the sense that the inputs are strings of words, are also presented. Finally, the main results obtained are summarized, and a number of related issues for further study are raised

Experience in Application of a Three-Dimensional Pulsed Field Ablation System Integrating Mapping and Ablation

Pulsed field ablation (PFA), a promising technology for ablating arrhythmias, has significantly better efficiency and potentially greater safety than traditional ablation techniques using thermal injury. However, most clinical research on PFA for ablation to date has used basket- or flower-shaped catheters, thus requiring a large introducing sheath and catheter location under fluoroscopic guidance. Herein, we describe our initial experience in using a three-dimensional PFA system integrating mapping and ablation, and an annular catheter

Investigation of genetic diversity and population structure of common wheat cultivars in northern China using DArT markers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In order to help establish heterotic groups of Chinese northern wheat cultivars (lines), Diversity arrays technology (DArT) markers were used to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of Chinese common wheat (<it>Triticum aestivum </it>L.).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In total, 1637 of 7000 DArT markers were polymorphic and scored with high confidence among a collection of 111 lines composed mostly of cultivars and breeding lines from northern China. The polymorphism information content (PIC) of DArT markers ranged from 0.03 to 0.50, with an average of 0.40, with P > 80 (reliable markers). With principal-coordinates analysis (PCoA) of DArT data either from the whole genome or from the B-genome alone, all lines fell into one of two major groups reflecting 1RS/1BL type (1RS/1BL and non-1RS/1BL). Evidence of geographic clustering of genotypes was also observed using DArT markers from the A genome. Cluster analysis based on the unweighted pair-group method with algorithmic mean suggested the existence of two subgroups within the non-1RS/1BL group and four subgroups within the 1RS/1BL group. Furthermore, analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed highly significant (<it>P </it>< 0.001) genetic variance within and among subgroups and among groups.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results provide valuable information for selecting crossing parents and establishing heterotic groups in the Chinese wheat-breeding program.</p

Profile and clinical implication of circular RNAs in human papillary thyroid carcinoma

Background Differently expressed circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been reported to play a considerable role in tumor behavior; however, the expression profile and biological function of circRNAs in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) remains unknown. Thus, the study was aimed to characterize the circRNA expression profile to comprehensively understand the biological behavior of PTC. Methods We investigated the expression profile of circRNAs using circRNA microarray in three pairs of PTC and adjacent normal tissues. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to validate eight candidate circRNAs in 40 paired PTC tumors and adjacent normal samples. Next, we employed a bioinformatics tool to identify putative miRNA and circRNA-associated downstream genes, followed by constructing a network map of circRNA-miRNA-mRNA interactions and exploring the potential role of the candidate circRNAs. Results In total, 206 up- and 177 downregulated circRNAs were identified in PTC tissues (fold change >1.5; P < 0.05). The expression levels of eight candidate circRNAs confirmed by qRT-PCR were significantly different between the PTC and normal samples. The downstream genes of candidate circRNAs participated in various biological processes and signaling pathways. The most up and downregulated circRNAs were hsa_circRNA_007148 and hsa_circRNA_047771. The lower expression level of hsa_circRNA_047771 was associated BRAFV600 mutation, lymph node metastasis (LNM), as well as with advanced TNM stage (all P < 0.05). The higher expression level of hsa_circRNA_007148 was significantly correlated with LNM (P < 0.05). The areas under receiver operating curve were 0.876 (95% CI [0.78–0.94]) for hsa_circRNA_047771 and 0.846 (95% CI [0.75–0.96]) for hsa_circRNA_007148. Discussion The study suggests that dysregulated circRNAs play a critical role in PTC pathogenesis. PTC-related hsa_circRNA_047771 and hsa_circRNA_007148 may serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers and prognostic predictors for PTC patients

Genetic Variants at Newly Identified Lipid Loci Are Associated with Coronary Heart Disease in a Chinese Han Population

Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have mapped several novel loci influencing blood lipid levels in Caucasians. We sought to explore whether the genetic variants at newly identified lipid-associated loci were associated with CHD susceptibility in a Chinese Han population. and 0.001, respectively).We identified two novel SNPs (rs599839 and rs16996148) at newly identified lipid-associated loci that were significantly associated with CHD susceptibility in a Chinese Han population

Availability and trend of dissemination of cardiac rehabilitation in China: report from the multicenter national registration platform between 2012 and 2021

The study aimed to evaluate the current status of cardiac rehabilitation programs in China by registering and tracking patients undergoing CR programs in the database. Data were extracted from the online registry platform of the China Society of Cardiopulmonary Prevention and Rehabilitation from February 2012 to December 2021. Overall, data on 19,896 patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) from 159 hospitals in 34 provinces of China were extracted. From a time point of view, the number of patients who had undergone CR and institutions that perform CR showed the first decline in 2009 and then increased until 2021. From a geographic point of view, the degree of participation varied greatly among regions, most of which were concentrated in eastern parts of China. A higher population of patients who underwent CR were male, aged less than 60 years, with low-a risk for coronary heart disease (CHD), and tended to choose the hospital-based CR program among all cases registered in the database. The top three diseases in the patients who participated in CR were CHD, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome (MS). Centers with CR were more likely to be tertiary-level hospitals. After adjusting for baseline values, there were significant differences in post-CR exercise capacity among the three groups (home-based CR group, hospital-based CR group, and hybrid CR group), which were in favor of the hybrid CR group compared with other groups. The underutilization of CR is a global issue, not just in China. Despite the number of CR programs showing an increasing trend in the past years, CR in China is still in the preliminary stage of development. Furthermore, the participation of CR in China shows wide diversity across geography, disease, age, sex, risk stratification, and hospital-level factors. These findings reinforce the importance of the implementation of effective measures to improve the participation, enrollment in, and uptake of cardiac rehabilitation

Molecular analysis of phosphomannomutase (PMM) genes reveals a unique PMM duplication event in diverse Triticeae species and the main PMM isozymes in bread wheat tissues

BACKGROUND: Phosphomannomutase (PMM) is an essential enzyme in eukaryotes. However, little is known about PMM gene and function in crop plants. Here, we report molecular evolutionary and biochemical analysis of PMM genes in bread wheat and related Triticeae species. RESULTS: Two sets of homoeologous PMM genes (TaPMM-1 and 2) were found in bread wheat, and two corresponding PMM genes were identified in the diploid progenitors of bread wheat and many other diploid Triticeae species. The duplication event yielding PMM-1 and 2 occurred before the radiation of diploid Triticeae genomes. The PMM gene family in wheat and relatives may evolve largely under purifying selection. Among the six TaPMM genes, the transcript levels of PMM-1 members were comparatively high and their recombinant proteins were all enzymatically active. However, PMM-2 homoeologs exhibited lower transcript levels, two of which were also inactive. TaPMM-A1, B1 and D1 were probably the main active isozymes in bread wheat tissues. The three isozymes differed from their counterparts in barley and Brachypodium distachyon in being more tolerant to elevated test temperatures. CONCLUSION: Our work identified the genes encoding PMM isozymes in bread wheat and relatives, uncovered a unique PMM duplication event in diverse Triticeae species, and revealed the main active PMM isozymes in bread wheat tissues. The knowledge obtained here improves the understanding of PMM evolution in eukaryotic organisms, and may facilitate further investigations of PMM function in the temperature adaptability of bread wheat

The pattern of late gadolinium enhancement by cardiac MRI in fulminant myocarditis and its prognostic implication: a two-year follow-up study

BackgroundMyocardial fibrosis, as quantified by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), provides valuable prognostic information for patients with myocarditis. However, due to the low incidence rate of fulminant myocarditis (FM) and accordingly small sample size, the knowledge about the role of LGE to patients with FM is limited.Methods and resultsA total of 44 adults with viral-FM receiving the Chinese treating regimen were included in this retrospective study. They were divided into the low LGE group and the high LGE group according to the ratio of LGE to left ventricular mass (LGE mass%). CMR exams and LGE were performed after hemodynamic assistance at discharge in all patients with FM. Routine echocardiography parameters and global longitudinal strain (GLS) at discharge and at 2-year follow-up were obtained and then compared. Both left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and GLS showed no significant difference in both groups at discharge, whereas significant differences were observed at 2-year follow-up between two groups. Moreover, there were significant improvements of LVEF and GLS in the low LGE group, but not in the high LGE group during the 2-year period. Furthermore, LGE mass% was negatively correlated with GLS and LVEF.ConclusionsThere were two distinct forms of LGE presentation in patients with FM. Moreover, the cardiac function of patients with low LGE was significantly better than those with high LGE at 2-year follow-up. LGE mass% at discharge provided significant prognosis information about cardiac function of patients with FM

Optimal discrimination between quantum operations

In this paper, we address the problem of discriminating two given quantum operations. Firstly, based on the Bloch representation of single qubit systems, we give the exact minimum error probability of discriminating two single qubit quantum operations by unentangled input states. In particular, for the Pauli channels discussed in [Phys. Rev. A {\bf 71}, 062340 (2005)], we use a more intuitional and visual method to deal with their discrimination problem. Secondly, we consider the condition for perfect discrimination of two quantum operations. Specially, we get that two generalized Pauli channels are perfectly distinguishable if and only if their characteristic vectors are orthogonal.Comment: 6 pages (revtex4 version); comments are welcom