Dual Auction Mechanism for Transaction Forwarding and Validation in Complex Wireless Blockchain Network

In traditional blockchain networks, transaction fees are only allocated to full nodes (i.e., miners) regardless of the contribution of forwarding behaviors of light nodes. However, the lack of forwarding incentive reduces the willingness of light nodes to relay transactions, especially in the energy-constrained Mobile Ad Hoc Network (MANET). This paper proposes a novel dual auction mechanism to allocate transaction fees for forwarding and validation behaviors in the wireless blockchain network. The dual auction mechanism consists of two auction models: the forwarding auction and the validation auction. In the forwarding auction, forwarding nodes use Generalized First Price (GFP) auction to choose transactions to forward. Besides, forwarding nodes adjust the forwarding probability through a no-regret algorithm to improve efficiency. In the validation auction, full nodes select transactions using Vickrey-Clarke-Grove (VCG) mechanism to construct the block. We prove that the designed dual auction mechanism is Incentive Compatibility (IC), Individual Rationality (IR), and Computational Efficiency (CE). Especially, we derive the upper bound of the social welfare difference between the social optimal auction and our proposed one. Extensive simulation results demonstrate that the proposed dual auction mechanism decreases energy and spectrum resource consumption and effectively improves social welfare without sacrificing the throughput and the security of the wireless blockchain network

Topical Halometasone Reduces Acute Adverse Effects Induced by Pulsed Dye Laser for Treatment of Port Wine Stain Birthmarks

Introduction: Pulsed dye laser (PDL) for treatment of port wine stain (PWS) usually causes some acute adverse effects, including pain, erythema, scabbing and swelling. This study aimed to determine whether topical halometasone can be used to reduce these acute adverse effects for post-PDL care of patients.Methods: A total of 40 PWS subjects were enrolled in this study and randomly assigned into two regimens: PDL alone and PDL + halometasone. All subjects were given a single treatment of PDL with wavelength of 595 nm, fluence of 8.0~13.5 J/cm2, pulse duration of 0.45~20 ms (We mainly used purpuric pulse duration for PWS) and spot size of 7 mm. Subjects in the PDL + halometasone group received topical application of halometasone daily for 3 days. Subjects were followed-up on days 3, 7 and one month post-PDL to evaluate the reduction of adverse effects.Results: Subjects in the PDL + halometasone group had significantly improved erythema and scab scores and had less erythema duration days as compared to those in the PDL alone group. Topical halometasone also showed a decrease in pain index among subjects, but was statistically insignificant. Topical halometasone did not affect the ultimate efficacy of PDL treatment for PWS.Conclusion: Topical halometasone can significantly reduce acute adverse effects induced by PDL for treatment of PWS birthmarks, thus providing a safe and efficacious solution for post-PDL care of PWS patients

Kinetic Study on the Effect of Slightly Acidic Electrolyzed Water Immersion on the Storage Quality of Fresh Gastrodia elata Slices

For the purpose of demonstrating the kinetics of immersion in slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) on the storage quality of fresh-cut Gastrodia elata slices. Pretreated fresh-cut slices of Gastrodia elata were dipped in SAWE at solid-liquid ratios of 1:1, 1:3, 1:5 g/mL, and stored at 4 ℃ for comparison with the untreated group. Establish a quality decay dynamics model system based on a 28-day storage observation experiment, recording and analyzing its physical, chemical and nutritional indicators. SAEW impregnation significantly inhibited browning rate, browning degree, and spoilage occurrence. The total number of colonies in the untreated group, the solid-liquid ratio 1:1, 1:3, and 1:5 groups were 8.25, 5.11, 5.13, and 5.10 lg CFU/g, the vitamin C content was 4.42, 5.66, 4.79, and 4.79 mg/100 g, and the gastrodin content was 0.25%, 0.24%, 0.24%, 0.24%. By kinetic fitting, the variation law of the total number of colonies of Gastrodia elata fresh slices by SAEW immersion treatment conformed to the Logistic model. The water activity index change law was derived using Expdec2. The indicator variation rules were derived from the dynamic model system, and R2 was greater than 0.8, which indicated a good match between indicators. Moreover, SAEW dip treatment effectively suppresses browning, browning rate, rot index, and the total number of colonies of Gastrodia elata fresh slices, and gastrodin and vitamin C content were slowed. For application of SAEW dipping in the storage of fresh-cut products, the relevant results might provide technical guidance

USP7: Novel Drug Target in Cancer Therapy

Ubiquitin specific protease 7 (USP7) is one of the deubiquitinating enzymes (DUB) that erases ubiquitin and protects substrate protein from degradation. Full activity of USP7 requires the C-terminal Ub-like domains fold back onto the catalytic domain, allowing the remodeling of the active site to a catalytically competent state by the C-terminal peptide. Until now, numerous proteins have been identified as substrates of USP7, which play a key role in cell cycle, DNA repair, chromatin remodeling, and epigenetic regulation. Aberrant activation or overexpression of USP7 may promote oncogenesis and viral disease, making it a target for therapeutic intervention. Currently, several synthetic small molecules have been identified as inhibitors of USP7, and applied in the treatment of diverse diseases. Hence, USP7 may be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of cancer

Pressured HIV testing "in the name of love": a mixed methods analysis of pressured HIV testing among men who have sex with men in China.

INTRODUCTION: HIV testing has rapidly expanded into diverse, decentralized settings. While increasing accessibility to HIV testing is beneficial, it may lead to unintended consequences such as being pressured to test. We examined the frequency, correlates and contexts of pressured HIV testing among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) using mixed methods. METHODS: We conducted an online survey of MSM (N = 1044) in May 2017. Pressured HIV testing was defined as being forced to test for HIV. We conducted logistic regression analysis to determine the associations between pressured HIV testing and socio-demographic and sexual behavioural factors. Follow-up interviews (n = 17) were conducted with men who reported pressured testing and we analysed qualitative data using a thematic analysis approach. RESULTS: Ninety-six men (9.2%) reported experiencing pressure to test for HIV. Regular male sex partners were the most common source of pressure (61%, 59/96), and the most common form of pressure was a threat to end a relationship with the one who was being pressured (39%, 37/96). We found a higher risk of pressured testing in men who had only used HIV self-testing compared to men who had never self-tested (AOR 2.39 (95%CI: 1.38 to 4.14)). However, this relationship was only significant among men with low education (AOR 5.88 (95% CI: 1.92 to 17.99)) and not among men with high education (AOR 1.62 (95% CI: 0.85 to 3.10)). After pressured testing, about half of men subsequently tested for HIV (55%, 53/96) without pressure - none reported being diagnosed with HIV. Consistent with this finding, qualitative data suggest that perceptions of pressure existed on a continuum and depended on the relationship status of the one who pressured them. Although being pressured to test was accompanied by negative feelings, men who were pressured into testing often changed their attitude towards HIV testing, testing behaviours, sexual behaviours and relationship with the one who pressured them to test. CONCLUSION: Pressured HIV testing was reported among Chinese MSM, especially from men with low education levels and men who received HIV self-testing. However, in some circumstances, pressure to test helped MSM in several ways, challenging our understanding of the role of agency in the setting of HIV testing

Satellite abundances around bright isolated galaxies

We study satellite galaxy abundances in SDSS by counting photometric galaxies around isolated bright primaries. We present results as a function of the luminosity, stellar mass and colour of the satellites, and of the stellar mass and colour of the primaries. For massive primaries the luminosity and stellar mass functions of satellites are similar in shape to those of field galaxies, but for lower mass primaries they are significantly steeper. The steepening is particularly marked for the stellar mass function. Satellite abundance increases strongly with primary stellar mass, approximately in proportion to expected dark halo mass. Massive red primaries have up to a factor of 2 more satellites than blue ones of the same stellar mass. Satellite galaxies are systematically redder than field galaxies of the same stellar mass. Satellites are also systematically redder around more massive primaries. At fixed primary mass, they are redder around red primaries. We select similarly isolated galaxies from mock catalogues based on the simulations of Guo et al.(2011) and analyze them in parallel with the SDSS data. The simulation reproduces all the above trends qualitatively, except for the steepening of the satellite luminosity and stellar mass functions. Model satellites, however, are systematically redder than in the SDSS, particularly at low mass and around low-mass primaries. Simulated haloes of a given mass have satellite abundances that are independent of central galaxy colour, but red centrals tend to have lower stellar masses, reflecting earlier quenching of their star formation by feedback. This explains the correlation between satellite abundance and primary colour in the simulation. The correlation between satellite colour and primary colour arises because red centrals live in haloes which are more massive, older and more gas-rich, so that satellite quenching is more efficient.Comment: 29 pages, 24 figure

Transcriptome Analysis of the Breast Muscle of Xichuan Black-Bone Chickens Under Tyrosine Supplementation Revealed the Mechanism of Tyrosine-Induced Melanin Deposition

The Xichuan black-bone chicken, which is a rare local chicken species in China, is an important genetic resource of black-bone chickens. Tyrosine can affect melanin production, but the molecular mechanism underlying tyrosine-induced melanin deposition in Xichuan black-bone chickens is poorly understood. Here, the blackness degree and melanin content of the breast muscle of Xichuan black-bone chickens fed a basic diet with five levels of added tyrosine (i.e., 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0%; these groups were denoted test groups I-V, respectively) were assessed, and the results showed that 0.8% tyrosine was the optimal level of added tyrosine. Moreover, the effects of tyrosine supplementation on the proliferation and tyrosinase content of melanocytes in Xichuan black-bone chickens were evaluated. The results revealed a dose-dependent relationship between tyrosine supplementation and melanocyte proliferation. In addition, 417 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 160 upregulated genes and 257 downregulated genes, were identified in a comparative analysis of the transcriptome profiles constructed using the pooled total RNA from breast muscle tissues of the control group and test group IV, respectively (fold change ≥2.0, P < 0.05). These DEGs were mainly involved in melanogenesis, the calcium signaling pathway, the Wnt signaling pathway, the mTOR signaling pathway, and vascular smooth muscle contraction. The pathway analysis of the DEGs identified some key genes associated with pigmentation, such as DCT and EDNRB2. In summary, the melanin content of breast muscle could be markedly enhanced by adding an appropriate amount of tyrosine to the diet of Xichuan black-bone chickens, and the EDNRB2-mediated molecular regulatory network could play a key role in the biological process of tyrosine-induced melanin deposition. These results have deepened the understanding of the molecular regulatory mechanism of melanin deposition in black-bone chickens and provide a basis for the regulation of nutrition and genetic breeding associated with melanin deposition in Xichuan black-bone chickens

4-Nonylphenol induces autophagy and attenuates mTOR-p70S6K/4EBP1 signaling by modulating AMPK activation in Sertoli cells

The estrogenic chemical 4-nonylphenol (NP) is known to impair testicular devolopment and spermatogenesis in rodents. The objective of this study was to explore the effects of NP on autophagy induction and AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway in Sertoli cells (SCs), which are the “nursemaid cells” for meiosis of spermatocytes. In this study we exposed 7-week-old male rats to NP by intra-peritoneal injection at 0, 20, 50 or 100 mg/kg body weight/2 days for 20 consecutive days. Our results showed that exposure to NP dose-dependently induces the formation of autophagosomes in SCs, increases the expression of Beclin-1, the conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II and the mRNA expression of Atg3, Atg5, Atg7 and Atg12 in testis, and these effects are concomitant with the activation of AMPK, and the suppression of TSC2-mTOR-p70S6K/4EBP1 signaling cascade in testis. Furthermore, 10 µM Compound C or AMPKα1 siRNA pre-treatment effectively attenuated autophagy and reversed AMPK-mTOR-p70S6K/4EBP1 signaling in NP-treated SCs. Co-treatment with 1 mM AICAR remarkably strengthened NP-induced autophagy and mTOR inhibition in SCs. Together, these data suggest that NP stimulates Sertoli cell autophagy and inhibits mTOR-p70S6K/4EBP1 activity through AMPK activation, which is the potential mechanism responsible for the regulation of testis function and differentiation following NP exposure

Crowdsourcing to expand HIV testing among men who have sex with men in China: A closed cohort stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: HIV testing rates are suboptimal among at-risk men. Crowdsourcing may be a useful tool for designing innovative, community-based HIV testing strategies to increase HIV testing. The purpose of this study was to use a stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effect of a crowdsourced HIV intervention on HIV testing uptake among men who have sex with men (MSM) in eight Chinese cities. METHODS AND FINDINGS: An HIV testing intervention was developed through a national image contest, a regional strategy designathon, and local message contests. The final intervention included a multimedia HIV testing campaign, an online HIV testing service, and local testing promotion campaigns tailored for MSM. This intervention was evaluated using a closed cohort stepped wedge cluster RCT in eight Chinese cities (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Jiangmen in Guangdong province; Jinan, Qingdao, Yantai, and Jining in Shandong province) from August 2016 to August 2017. MSM were recruited through Blued, a social networking mobile application for MSM, from July 29 to August 21 of 2016. The primary outcome was self-reported HIV testing in the past 3 months. Secondary outcomes included HIV self-testing, facility-based HIV testing, condom use, and syphilis testing. Generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) were used to analyze primary and secondary outcomes. We enrolled a total of 1,381 MSM. Most were ≤30 years old (82%), unmarried (86%), and had a college degree or higher (65%). The proportion of individuals receiving an HIV test during the intervention periods within a city was 8.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.2-15.5) greater than during the control periods. In addition, the intention-to-treat analysis showed a higher probability of receiving an HIV test during the intervention periods as compared to the control periods (estimated risk ratio [RR] = 1.43, 95% CI 1.19-1.73). The intervention also increased HIV self-testing (RR = 1.89, 95% CI 1.50-2.38). There was no effect on facility-based HIV testing (RR = 1.00, 95% CI 0.79-1.26), condom use (RR = 1.00, 95% CI 0.86-1.17), or syphilis testing (RR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.70-1.21). A total of 48.6% (593/1,219) of participants reported that they received HIV self-testing. Among men who received two HIV tests, 32 individuals seroconverted during the 1-year study period. Study limitations include the use of self-reported HIV testing data among a subset of men and non-completion of the final survey by 23% of participants. Our study population was a young online group in urban China and the relevance of our findings to other populations will require further investigation. CONCLUSIONS: In this setting, crowdsourcing was effective for developing and strengthening community-based HIV testing services for MSM. Crowdsourced interventions may be an important tool for the scale-up of HIV testing services among MSM in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02796963