Temporal knowledge discovery in big BAS data for building energy management

With the advances of information technologies, today's building automation systems (BASs) are capable of managing building operational performance in an efficient and convenient way. Meanwhile, the amount of real-time monitoring and control data in BASs grows continually in the building lifecycle, which stimulates an intense demand for powerful big data analysis tools in BASs. Existing big data analytics adopted in the building automation industry focus on mining cross-sectional relationships, whereas the temporal relationships, i.e., the relationships over time, are usually overlooked. However, building operations are typically dynamic and BAS data are essentially multivariate time series data. This paper presents a time series data mining methodology for temporal knowledge discovery in big BAS data. A number of time series data mining techniques are explored and carefully assembled, including the Symbolic Aggregate approXimation (SAX), motif discovery, and temporal association rule mining. This study also develops two methods for the efficient post-processing of knowledge discovered. The methodology has been applied to analyze the BAS data retrieved from a real building. The temporal knowledge discovered is valuable to identify dynamics, patterns and anomalies in building operations, derive temporal association rules within and between subsystems, assess building system performance and spot opportunities in energy conservation.Department of Building Services EngineeringDepartment of Computin

Peculiar properties in quasi-normal spectra from loop quantum gravity effect

We investigate the quasi-normal mode (QNM) spectra for scalar and electromagnetic fields over a covairant loop quantum gravity black hole (LQG-BH). For the fundamental modes, the LQG effect reduces the oscillations in the scalar field, however it induces stronger oscillations in the electromagnetic field, comparing to the classical case. Under the scalar field perturbation, the system enjoys faster decaying modes with more oscillations than the electromagnetic field. Some peculiar phenomena emerge in the scalar field's QNM spectra with high overtones for the angular quantum numbers $l>0$. It is that the LQG-BH has a larger real part of QNM with high overtones than the Schwarzschild black hole (SS-BH). Such an anomalous phenomenon results in the oscillation of the scalar field in the LQG-BH to be nearly identical to that in the SS-BH. Therefore, the high overtone modes of the scalar field in LQG-BH play an important role in the modes with $l>0$. This anomalous phenomenon, however, does not occur in the electromagnetic field's QNM spectra.Comment: 28 pages,10 figure

Uniparental disomy for chromosome 1 with POMGNT1 splice-site variant causes muscle-eye-brain disease

POMGNT1, encoding protein O-mannose beta-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 1, is one of the genes responsible for dystroglycanopathy (DGP), which includes multiple phenotypes such as muscle-eye-brain disease (MEB), congenital muscular dystrophy with intellectual disability, and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy Here, we report a case of MEB that is the result of a homozygous variant of POMGNT1 that is revealed through uniparental disomy (UPD). An 8-month-old boy was admitted with mental and motor retardation, hypotonia, esotropia, early onset severe myopia, and structural brain abnormalities. A panel testing of genetic myopathy-related genes was used to identify a homozygous c.636C>T (p.Phe212Phe) variant in exon 7 of POMGNT1 in the patient, a heterozygous c.636C>T variant in the father, and the wild type in the mother. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) revealed no abnormal copy numbers in exon 7. Trio-based whole-exome sequencing (trio-WES) revealed a possible paternal UPD on chromosome 1 of the patient. Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) revealed a 120,451 kb loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on 1p36.33-p11.2, encompassing POMGNT1, and a 99,319 kb loss of heterozygosity on 1q21.2-q44, which indicated UPD. Moreover, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) verified that the c.636C>T variant was a splice-site variant, leading to skipping of exon 7 (p.Asp179Valfs*23). In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, we present the first case of MEB caused by UPD, providing valuable insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying this condition

In-vivo imaging of oral squamous cell carcinoma by EGFR monoclonal antibody conjugated near-infrared quantum dots in mice

Kai Yang, Fu-Jun Zhang, Hong Tang, Cheng Zhao, Yu-An Cao, Xiao-Qiang Lv, Dan Chen, Ya-Dong LiDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, ChinaObjectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate in-vivo visible imaging of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) by targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) with near-infrared quantum dots.Materials and methods: Quantum dots with an emission wavelength of 800 nm (QD800) were conjugated to monoclonal antibodies against EGFR, resulting in the probe designated as QD800-EGFR Ab. OSCC cell line (BcaCD885) expressing high levels of EGFR was transplanted subcutaneously into nude mice cheeks to develop an OSCC animal model. QD800-EGFR Ab containing 100 pmol equivalent of QD800 was intravenously injected into the animal model, and in-situ and in-vivo imaging of cheek squamous cell carcinoma was analyzed at 10 different time points.Results and conclusion: In-vivo imaging and immunohistochemical examination of the tumors showed that intravenously injected QD800-EGFR Ab probe could bind EGFR expressed on BcaCD885 cells. Fluorescence signals of BcaCD885 cells labeled with QD800-EGFR Ab probe could be clarly detected, and these fluorescence signals lasted for 24 hours. The most complete tumor images with maximal signal-to-noise ratio were observed from 15 minutes to 6 hours after injection of the probe. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that has obtained clear in-situ and in-vivo imaging of head and neck cancer by using QD800-EGFR Ab probe. The authors conclude that the combination of near-infrared quantum dots that are highly penetrating for tissues with EGFR monoclonal antibody has promising prospects in in-vivo imaging of OSCC and development of personalized surgical therapies.Keywords: oral cancer, head and neck cancer, near-infrared fluorescence, visual in-vivo imaging, epidermal growth factor receptor, nanotechnolog

ROS Promote Ox-LDL-Induced Platelet Activation by Up-Regulating Autophagy Through the Inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway

Background/Aims: Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) promotes unregulated platelet activation in patients with dyslipidemic disorders. Although oxLDL stimulates activating signaling, researchers have not clearly determined how these events drive accelerated thrombosis. Here, we describe the mechanism by which ROS regulate autophagy during ox-LDL-induced platelet activation by modulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Methods: For in vitro experiments, ox-LDL, the ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine (NAC), the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin and the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA were used alone or in combination with other compounds to treat platelets. Then, platelet aggregation was evaluated on an aggregometer and platelet adhesion was measured under shear stress. The levels of a platelet activation marker (CD62p) were measured by flow cytometry, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were then quantified by measuring DCFH-DA fluorescence intensity via flow cytometry. Nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide (O2·-) levels were determined by the nitric acid deoxidize enzyme method and lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence (CL), respectively. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the autophagosome formation, immunofluorescence staining was employed to detect LC3 expression and western blotting was used to measure the levels of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway- and autophagy-related proteins. Results: Ox-LDL-induced platelets showed a significant increase in platelet aggregation and adhesion, CD62p expression, ROS level and O2·- content, with an elevated LC3II/LC3I ratio and Beclin1 expression, but a dramatic reduction in the levels of p62 and pathway-related proteins (all P < 0.05). However, platelet activation and autophagy were aggravated by the Rapamycin treatment, and decreased following treatment with NAC, 3-MA, or NAC and 3-MA, together with increased activity of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Additionally, decreased platelet activation and autophagy were observed in platelets treated with NAC and Rapamycin or Rapamycin and 3-MA compared with platelets treated with Rapamycin alone, suggesting that both NAC and 3-MA reversed the effects of Rapamycin. Conclusion: Inhibition of ROS production may reduce autophagy to suppress ox-LDL-induced platelet activation by activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway

Blood Glucose Fluctuations in Type 2 Diabetes Patients Treated with Multiple Daily Injections

To compare blood glucose fluctuations in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients were treated using three procedures: insulin intensive therapy which is continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), MDI3 (three injections daily), and MDI4 (four injections daily). T2DM patients were hospitalized and were randomly assigned to CSII, aspart 30-based MDI3, and glargine based MDI4. Treatments were maintained for 2-3 weeks after the glycaemic target was reached. After completing the baseline assessment, 6-day continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) was performed before and after completion of insulin treatment. Treatment with CSII provided a greater improvement of blood glucose fluctuations than MDI (MDI3 or MDI4) therapy either in newly diagnosed or in long-standing T2DM patients. In long-standing diabetes patients, the MDI4 treatment group had significantly greater improvement of mean amplitude glycemic excursion (MAGE) than the MDI3 treatment group. However, in patients with newly diagnosed diabetes, there were no significant differences in the improvement of MAGE between MDI3 and MDI4 groups. Glargine based MDI4 therapy provided better glucose fluctuations than aspart 30-based MDI3 therapy, especially in long-standing T2DM patients, if CSII therapy was not available

Development and application of software system for dynamic analysis of grain condition cloud map

Based on the theory of grain storage ecosystem, multi-field coupling and ventilation window, the dynamic analysis software of grain condition cloud map is researched and developed by WU model,sinusoidal model of grain temperature change, heat and mass transfer model and related empirical model.By drawing visual dynamic cloud maps of grain condition, combining with the warehouse types, grain storage characteristics and regional environment, the state and change of grain storage can be analyzed and predicted,then the quantity and quality can be distinguished.In addition, the software system has been applied and improved in the national warehouse inventory in 2018 and 2019.It provides effective technical support and tool services for the realization of the whole process of grain storage quantity and quality safety management

Synthesized Attributes of Water Use by Regional Vegetation: A Key to Cognition of “Water Pump” Viewpoint

Recently, the frequent seasonal drought in Southwest China has brought considerable concerns and continuous heated arguments on the “water pump” viewpoint (i.e., the water demand from Hevea spp. and Eucalyptus spp. can be treated as a water pump) once again. However, such viewpoint just focused on water consumption from vegetation transpiration and its ecoenvironment impacts, which had not considered other attributes of vegetation, namely, water saving and drought resistance, and hydrological regulation (water conservation) into consideration. Thus, in this paper, the synthesized attributes of regional vegetation water use had been mainly discussed. The results showed that the study on such aspects as the characters of water consumption from vegetation transpiration, the potential of water saving and drought resistance, and the effects of hydrological regulation in Southwest China lagged far behind, let alone the report on synthesized attributes of water utilization with the organic combination of the three aspects above or the paralleled analysis. Accordingly, in this paper, the study on the synthesized attributes of water use by regional vegetation in Southwest China was suggested, and the objectives of such a special study were clarified, targeting the following aspects: (i) characters of water consumption from transpiration of regional typical artificial vegetation; (ii) potential of water saving and drought resistance of regional typical artificial vegetation; (iii) effects of hydrological regulation of regional typical artificial vegetation; (iv) synthesized attributes of water use by regional typical artificial vegetation. It is expected to provide a new idea for the scientific assessment on the regional vegetation ecoenvironment effects and theoretical guidance for the regional vegetation reconstruction and ecological restoration

DNA-PKcs plays a dominant role in the regulation of H2AX phosphorylation in response to DNA damage and cell cycle progression

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>When DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) are induced by ionizing radiation (IR) in cells, histone H2AX is quickly phosphorylated into γ-H2AX (p-S139) around the DSB site. The necessity of DNA-PKcs in regulating the phosphorylation of H2AX in response to DNA damage and cell cycle progression was investigated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The level of γH2AX in HeLa cells increased rapidly with a peak level at 0.25 - 1.0 h after 4 Gy γ irradiation. SiRNA-mediated depression of DNA-PKcs resulted in a strikingly decreased level of γH2AX. An increased γH2AX was also induced in the ATM deficient cell line AT5BIVA at 0.5 - 1.0 h after 4 Gy γ rays, and this IR-increased γH2AX in ATM deficient cells was dramatically abolished by the PIKK inhibitor wortmannin and the DNA-PKcs specific inhibitor NU7026. A high level of constitutive expression of γH2AX was observed in another ATM deficient cell line ATS4. The alteration of γH2AX level associated with cell cycle progression was also observed. HeLa cells with siRNA-depressed DNA-PKcs (HeLa-H1) or normal level DNA-PKcs (HeLa-NC) were synchronized at the G1 phase with the thymidine double-blocking method. At ~5 h after the synchronized cells were released from the G1 block, the S phase cells were dominant (80%) for both HeLa-H1 and HeLa-NC cells. At 8 - 9 h after the synchronized cells released from the G1 block, the proportion of G2/M population reached 56 - 60% for HeLa-NC cells, which was higher than that for HeLa H1 cells (33 - 40%). Consistently, the proportion of S phase for HeLa-NC cells decreased to ~15%; while a higher level (26 - 33%) was still maintained for the DNA-PKcs depleted HeLa-H1 cells during this period. In HeLa-NC cells, the γH2AX level increased gradually as the cells were released from the G1 block and entered the G2/M phase. However, this γH2AX alteration associated with cell cycle progressing was remarkably suppressed in the DNA-PKcs depleted HeLa-H1 cells, while wortmannin and NU7026 could also suppress this cell cycle related phosphorylation of H2AX. Furthermore, inhibition of GSK3β activity with LiCl or specific siRNA could up-regulate the γH2AX level and prolong the time of increased γH2AX to 10 h or more after 4 Gy. GSK3β is a negative regulation target of DNA-PKcs/Akt signaling via phosphorylation on Ser9, which leads to its inactivation. Depression of DNA-PKcs in HeLa cells leads to a decreased phosphorylation of Akt on Ser473 and its target GSK3β on Ser9, which, in other words, results in an increased activation of GSK3β. In addition, inhibition of PDK (another up-stream regulator of Akt/GSK3β) by siRNA can also decrease the induction of γH2AX in response to both DNA damage and cell cycle progression.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>DNA-PKcs plays a dominant role in regulating the phosphorylation of H2AX in response to both DNA damage and cell cycle progression. It can directly phosphorylate H2AX independent of ATM and indirectly modulate the phosphorylation level of γH2AX via the Akt/GSK3 β signal pathway.</p