Cell-to-cell communication

Cell-to-cell communication has become a hotspot in biological research. By means of genetic engineering, different cell components are able to exchange messages and collaborate to achieve more complicated tasks that are difficult to achieve by a single cell components. To develop the cell-to-cell communication, sender-receiver quorum sensing systems and precisely controlled gene expression, supported by communication theory, are necessary. In this project, gene sequences are expressed in different time slots with the help of regulated blue-light devices. This blue-light regulated system can synchronize the gene cells to perform various control functions, thus achieving the goals of cell-cell communications. Simulink block in MATLAB is used to develop mathematical models and guide the design of the sender-receiver system (gene circuits) with hypothetical initial gene parameter values. Then experimental results are used to estimate and optimize the gene parameters in simulation. Gene circuit like this may become a fundamental component for constructing more complex biological systems that are not previously achieved.Master of Science (Communications Engineering

Design of a web-based personality profiling assessment system

Individuals require a self-awareness of their personality traits in order to empower them in their career. However, analytical tools which can scientifically and statistically predict their behaviours could be marketed to them with greater reach. There is a need to develop these precise tools to enable individuals to succeed better using a systematic analysis of themselves. ! To address this need, this project aims to deliver an efficient Web-based Personality Profiling Assessment System through the use of modern website structure, client- server functions, survey methodologies, and Enneagram psychology studies. ! This report elaborates on the background studies; life cycle of website development covering the process of requirements gathering, design, implementation, testing, deployment and maintenance; followed by data analysis and future recommendations.Bachelor of Engineerin

A Novel, Simple, and Low-Cost Approach for Machine Learning Screening of Kidney Cancer: An Eight-Indicator Blood Test Panel with Predictive Value for Early Diagnosis

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) accounts for more than 90% of all renal cancers. The five-year survival rate of early-stage (TNM 1) ccRCC reaches 96%, while the advanced-stage (TNM 4) is only 23%. Therefore, early screening of patients with renal cancer is essential for the treatment of renal cancer and the long-term survival of patients. In this study, blood samples of patients were collected and a pre-defined set of blood indicators were measured. A random forest (RF) model was established to predict based on each indicator in the blood, and was trained with all relevant indicators for comprehensive predictions. In our study, we found that there was a high statistical significance (p < 0.001) for all indicators of healthy individuals and early cancer patients, except for uric acid (UA). At the same time, ccRCC also presented great differences in most blood indicators between males and females. In addition, patients with ccRCC had a higher probability of developing a low ratio of albumin (ALB) to globulin (GLB) (AGR < 1.2). Eight key indicators were used to classify and predict renal cell carcinoma. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of the eight-indicator model was as high as 0.932, the sensitivity was 88.2%, and the specificity was 86.3%, which are acceptable in many applications, thus realising early screening for renal cancer by blood indicators in a simple blood-draw physical examination. Furthermore, the composite indicator prediction method described in our study can be applied to other clinical conditions or diseases, where multiple blood indicators may be key to enhancing the diagnostic potential of screening strategies

A Novel Red-Eye Correction Method Based on AdaBoost Algorithm for Mobile Phone and Digital Camera

Caused by light reflected off the subject's retina, red-eye is a troublesome problem in consumer photography. Correction of red eyes without any human intervention is an important task. There are some algorithms existing for red-eye detection, but almost all of them have less accuracy, in addition, they cannot support both high pixel and single red-eye. In this paper, a novel approach is proposed to eliminate red-eyes in the digital images automatically with a satisfactory result. This method gets the face region first by AdaBoost algorithm and then defects the red-eye on the lop part of the face region, corrects the red-eye in the eye region for recovering the image's original color at last. Experiments in the platform of mobile phone and digital camera show that this method can eliminate the red-eye with high accuracy of 87%, which is higher than the best known technology of face detection base on complexion by 7%, and it can also support 8 million pixels image, moreover, the method has advantages of robustness and real-time computability.Computer Science, Hardware & ArchitectureComputer Science, Information SystemsEngineering, Electrical & ElectronicTelecommunicationsEICPCI-S(ISTP)

Targeted screening and identification of chlorhexidine as a pro-myogenic circadian clock activator

Abstract Background The circadian clock is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism that exerts pervasive temporal control in stem cell behavior. This time-keeping machinery is required for orchestrating myogenic progenitor properties in regenerative myogenesis that ameliorates muscular dystrophy. Here we report a screening platform to discover circadian clock modulators that promote myogenesis and identify chlorhexidine (CHX) as a clock-activating molecule with pro-myogenic activities. Methods A high-throughput molecular docking pipeline was applied to identify compounds with a structural fit for a hydrophobic pocket within the key circadian transcription factor protein, Circadian Locomotor Output Cycles Kaput (CLOCK). These identified molecules were further screened for clock-modulatory activities and functional validations for pro-myogenic properties. Results CHX was identified as a clock activator that promotes distinct aspects of myogenesis. CHX activated circadian clock that reduced cycling period length and augmented amplitude. This action was mediated by the targeted CLOCK structure via augmented interaction with heterodimer partner Bmal1, leading to enhanced CLOCK/Bmal1-controlled transcription with upregulation of core clock genes. Consistent with its clock-activating function, CHX displayed robust effects on stimulating myogenic differentiation in a clock-dependent manner. In addition, CHX augmented the proliferative and migratory activities of myoblasts. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of a screening platform to discover clock modulators with myogenic regulatory activities. Discovery of CHX as a pro-myogenic molecule could be applicable to promote regenerative capacities in ameliorating dystrophic or degenerative muscle diseases

Establishing grading indices of available soil potassium on paddy soils in Hubei province, China

Abstract Soil testing is an important diagnostic tool for assessing crop-available soil potassium (K) and hence making appropriate fertilizer recommendation. This study was aimed at correlating grain yield response data to soil-test K extracted with ammonium acetate (NH4OAc), cold nitric acid (HNO3), sodium tetraphenylboron (NaTPB) and boiling HNO3 solution, based on 54 field trials conducted during 2011 to 2015 across 15 counties in Hubei province, China. The specific objectives were to establish abundance and deficiency indices of available soil-K (ASK) for rice (Oryza sativa L.) and make accurate K fertilizer recommendations. Potassium extracted with NaTPB and boiling HNO3 was 1.47 times and 3.61 times higher respectively than that extracted with cold HNO3, while K extracted with cold HNO3 was 1.32 times higher than that extracted with NH4OAc. There were significant logarithmic relationships between crop response and soil-test K. The R2 values for cold HNO3-K and NaTPB-K methods were much higher than for NH4OAc-K method. In order to calibrate the application, the abundance and deficiency indices of ASK categorized by cold HNO3-K in low, medium, high and very high ranges were 200 mg kg−1 respectively, and that defined by NaTPB-K were 330 mg kg−1, respectively. These values could be used to evaluate soil K supplying capacity and make appropriate K fertilizer recommendations for rice