A hybrid performance evaluation approach for urban logistics using extended cross-efficiency with prospect theory and OWA operator

Urban logistics performance evaluation can provide reference for further improving its level. However, most performance evaluation for urban logistics premises that decision-makers (DMs) are completely rational, which may not conform to the actual situation. Therefore, this article aims to consider the DMs’ psychological factors in the performance evaluation of urban logistics. Specifically, the cross-efficiency evaluation (CEE) method with the DMs’ psychological factors is used to measure the urban logistics efficiency in the central area of Yangtze River Delta (YRD) urban agglomeration in China in 2019. The main contributions in this article are to propose a hybrid CEE method with prospect theory and ordered weighted average (OWA) operator for urban logistics industry and to expand the evaluation perspectives of urban logistics performance. The main conclusions are obtained: (1) The DMs’ optimism level can indeed affect the efficiency value and ranking of urban logistics. (2) The aggregation based on the OWA operator is fair and reasonable because it can make all self-evaluation efficiencies play the same role. (3) To make the efficiencies and rankings of urban logistics in the central area of the YRD have credibility and discrimination, the DMs’ optimism level range is best between 0.8 and 0.8177

Cryo-EM structure of a fungal mitochondrial calcium uniporter.

The mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) is a highly selective calcium channel localized to the inner mitochondrial membrane. Here, we describe the structure of an MCU orthologue from the fungus Neosartorya fischeri (NfMCU) determined to 3.8 Å resolution by phase-plate cryo-electron microscopy. The channel is a homotetramer with two-fold symmetry in its amino-terminal domain (NTD) that adopts a similar structure to that of human MCU. The NTD assembles as a dimer of dimers to form a tetrameric ring that connects to the transmembrane domain through an elongated coiled-coil domain. The ion-conducting pore domain maintains four-fold symmetry, with the selectivity filter positioned at the start of the pore-forming TM2 helix. The aspartate and glutamate sidechains of the conserved DIME motif are oriented towards the central axis and separated by one helical turn. The structure of NfMCU offers insights into channel assembly, selective calcium permeation, and inhibitor binding

Histological features of the gastric mucosa in children with primary bile reflux gastritis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bile reflux is one of the primary factors involved in the pathogenesis of gastric mucosal lesions in patients with chronic gastritis; however, little is known about the exact histological features of bile reflux and its contributions to gastric mucosal lesions in this disease, especially in children with primary bile reflux gastritis (BRG). The aim of this study was to investigate the classic histological changes of the gastric mucosa in children with primary BRG.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The Bilitec 2000 was used for 24 h monitoring of gastric bile in 59 children with upper gastrointestinal symptoms. The histological characteristics of the gastric mucosa were examined and scored.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Thirteen of the 59 patients had a helicobacter pylori infection and were excluded; therefore, 46 cases were included in this study. The positive rate of pathological duodenogastric reflux was significantly higher in patients with foveolar hyperplasia than those without foveolar hyperplasia; however, the rate was significantly lower in patients with vascular congestion than those without vascular congestion. The longest reflux time and the total percentage time of bile reflux were significantly lower in patients with vascular congestion than those without vascular congestion. A total of 9 types of histological changes were analyzed using a binary logistic regression. Foveolar hyperplasia and vascular congestion in the superficial layer became significant variables in the last step of the stepwise regression.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Foveolar hyperplasia was associated with the severity of bile reflux, suggesting that it is a histological feature of primary BRG in children, while vascular congestion may be a protective factor.</p

Induction of cytopathic effect and cytokines in coxsackievirus B3-infected murine astrocytes

BACKGROUND: Coxsackievirus commonly infects children and occasionally causes severe meningitis and/or encephalitis in the newborn. The underlying mechanism(s) behind the central nervous system pathology is poorly defined. METHODS: It is hypothesized that astrocytes may be involved in inflammatory response induced by CVB3 infection. Here we discuss this hypothesis in the context of CVB3 infection and associated inflammatory response in primary mouse astrocytes. RESULTS: The results showed that coxsackievirus receptor (CAR) was distributed homogeneously on the astrocytes, and that CVB3 could infect and replicate in astrocytes, with release of infectious virus particles. CVB3 induced cytopathic effect and production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and chemokine CXCL10 from astrocytes. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that direct astrocyte damage and cytokines induction could be a mechanism of virus-induced meningitis and/or encephalitis

Computational Analysis of Drought Stress-Associated miRNAs and miRNA Co-Regulation Network in Physcomitrella patens.

miRNAs are non-coding small RNAs that involve diverse biological processes. Until now, little is known about their roles in plant drought resistance. Physcomitrella patens is highly tolerant to drought; however, it is not clear about the basic biology of the traits that contribute P. patens this important character. In this work, we discovered 16 drought stress-associated miRNA (DsAmR) families in P. patens through computational analysis. Due to the possible discrepancy of expression periods and tissue distributions between potential DsAmRs and their targeting genes, and the existence of false positive results in computational identification, the prediction results should be examined with further experimental validation. We also constructed an miRNA co-regulation network, and identified two network hubs, miR902a-5p and miR414, which may play important roles in regulating drought-resistance traits. We distributed our results through an online database named ppt-miRBase, which can be accessed at http://bioinfor.cnu.edu.cn/ppt_miRBase/index.php. Our methods in finding DsAmR and miRNA co-regulation network showed a new direction for identifying miRNA functions

Anion Dependent Self-Assembly of Polynuclear Cd-Ln Schiff Base Nanoclusters: NIR Luminescent Sensing of Nitro Explosives

Two types of polynuclear Cd-Ln complexes [CdLnL(NO3)Cl2(DMF)2] [Ln = La (1) and Nd (2)] and [Ln2CdL2(NO3)2(DMF)2](OH)2 [Ln = La (3) and Nd (4)] were constructed using a new Schiff base ligand which has a long backbone with two phenyl groups. The Schiff base ligands show a “twist” configuration in 1–4. The crystal structures show that the molecular dimensions of 3 and 4 are about 6 × 10 × 15 Å. The Cd-Nd complexes 2 and 4 exhibit the typical NIR luminescence of Nd3+. Interestingly, 4 shows the luminescent sensing of nitro explosives and exhibits a high sensitivity to 2-nitrophenol at the ppm level

Response of Carex breviculmis to phosphorus deficiency and drought stress

IntroductionThe drought and phosphorus deficiency have inevitably become environmental issues globally in the future. The analysis of plants functional trait variation and response strategies under the stress of phosphorus deficiency and drought is important to explore their ability to respond to potential ecological stress.MethodsIn this study, Carex breviculmis was selected as the research object, and a 14-week pot experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, with two phosphorus treatment (add 0.5mmol/L or 0.05μmol/L phosphorus) and four drought treatment (add 0-5%PEG6000), totaling eight treatments. Biomass allocation characteristics, leaf anatomical characteristics, biochemical parameters, root morphology, chemical element content, and photosynthetic parameters were measured.ResultsThe results showed that the anatomical characteristics, chemical elements, and photosynthetic parameters of Carex breviculmis responded more significantly to main effect of phosphorus deficiency. Stomatal width, leaf phosphorus content and maximum net photosynthetic rate decreased by 11.38%, 59.39%, 38.18% significantly (p&lt;0.05), while the change in biomass was not significant (p&gt;0.05). Biomass allocation characteristics and root morphology responded more significantly to main effect of drought. Severe drought significantly decreased leaf fresh weight by 61% and increased root shoot ratio by 223.3% compared to the control group (p&lt;0.05). The combined effect of severe drought and phosphorus deficiency produced the highest leaf N/P ratio (291.1% of the control) and MDA concentration (243.6% of the control). Correlation analysis and redundancy analysis showed that the contributions of phosphorus and drought to functional trait variation were similar. Lower epidermal cell thickness was positively correlated with maximum net photosynthetic rate, leaf phosphorus, chlorophyll ab, and leaf fresh weight (p&lt;0.05).DiscussionIn terms of response strategy, Carex breviculmis was affected at the microscopic level under phosphorus deficiency stress, but could maintain the aboveground and underground biomass well through a series of mechanisms. When affected by drought, it adopted the strategy of reducing leaf yield and improving root efficiency to maintain life activities. Carex breviculmis could maintain its traits well under low phosphorus and moderate drought, or better conditions. So it may have good ecological service potential in corresponding areas if promoted. This study also provided a reference for plant response to combined drought and phosphorus deficiency stresses