Direct Conversion of Fibroblasts to Neurons by Reprogramming PTB-Regulated MicroRNA Circuits

SummaryThe induction of pluripotency or trans-differentiation of one cell type to another can be accomplished with cell-lineage-specific transcription factors. Here, we report that repression of a single RNA binding polypyrimidine-tract-binding (PTB) protein, which occurs during normal brain development via the action of miR-124, is sufficient to induce trans-differentiation of fibroblasts into functional neurons. Besides its traditional role in regulated splicing, we show that PTB has a previously undocumented function in the regulation of microRNA functions, suppressing or enhancing microRNA targeting by competitive binding on target mRNA or altering local RNA secondary structure. A key event during neuronal induction is the relief of PTB-mediated blockage of microRNA action on multiple components of the REST complex, thereby derepressing a large array of neuronal genes, including miR-124 and multiple neuronal-specific transcription factors, in nonneuronal cells. This converts a negative feedback loop to a positive one to elicit cellular reprogramming to the neuronal lineage

The ethics of employment relations in China: a meta-analysis

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to critically evaluate the extant literature on ethics of employment relations in China. Toward that goal, a meta-analytic approach is employed to conclude the business ethical issues from different results and lay foundation for further research by deeply understanding ethics of employment relation in China. Design/methodology/approach - A systematic literature review procedure is developed to identify all relevant articles and meta-analytic procedures are used to identify issues related to ethics of employment relations in China. Findings - The results suggest there are not many researches on business ethics, especially ethics of employment relations in China. The authors examine the researches about business ethics in research methodology, research perspective, ethical dimensions of employment relations and relationship between variables and find some disadvantages. The authors feel ethics of employment relations in China should cause more concern, in both the theoretical and practical areas. Originality/value - The paper explores academics' perceptions towards ethical issues related to employment relations and shows the importance of ethics during the development of Chinese companies

Machine learning-driven optimization of plasma-catalytic dry reforming of methane

This study investigates the dry reformation of methane (DRM) over Ni/Al2O3 catalysts in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) non-thermal plasma reactor. A novel hybrid machine learning (ML) model is developed to optimize the plasma-catalytic DRM reaction with limited experimental data. To address the non-linear and complex nature of the plasma-catalytic DRM process, the hybrid ML model integrates three well-established algorithms: regression trees, support vector regression, and artificial neural networks. A genetic algorithm (GA) is then used to optimize the hyperparameters of each algorithm within the hybrid ML model. The ML model achieved excellent agreement with the experimental data, demonstrating its efficacy in accurately predicting and optimizing the DRM process. The model was subsequently used to investigate the impact of various operating parameters on the plasma-catalytic DRM performance. We found that the optimal discharge power (20 W), CO2/CH4 molar ratio (1.5), and Ni loading (7.8 wt%) resulted in the maximum energy yield at a total flow rate of ∼51 mL/min. Furthermore, we investigated the relative significance of each operating parameter on the performance of the plasma-catalytic DRM process. The results show that the total flow rate had the greatest influence on the conversion, with a significance exceeding 35% for each output, while the Ni loading had the least impact on the overall reaction performance. This hybrid model demonstrates a remarkable ability to extract valuable insights from limited datasets, enabling the development and optimization of more efficient and selective plasma-catalytic chemical processes

Joint task allocation and hybrid beamforming for mmWave D2D MEC systems

Mobile edge computing (MEC) and millimeter wave (mmWave) communications are capable of significantly reducing the network's delay and/or enhancing its capacity. Hence we investigate a mmWave device-to-device (D2D) MEC system, in which user A carries out some computational tasks and shares the results with user B with the aid of a base station (BS). In order to minimize the system's delay, the task can be partitioned into two portions: the first part is computed locally at user A, while the second part is transmitted to the BS and computed by the MEC server. The computational results are then sent to user B through a D2D link and via the link from the BS to user B, over orthogonal time slots. To support computation offloading, both the users and the BS are equipped with multiple antennas and employ A/D hybrid beamforming for their transmission. We develop a novel algorithm for jointly optimizing the offloading ratio and the hybrid beamformers. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm significantly reduces the system's delay compared to the existing algorithms.</p

The impact of masticatory dysfunction caused by occlusal disharmony on cognitive function

As the world’s population ages, age-related cognitive decline and dementia are becoming important challenges for geriatric care. Despite the ongoing search for solutions to address cognitive decline, effective interventions have not yet been established. There is increasing evidence from clinical, epidemiological, and animal studies that masticatory dysfunction due to occlusal disharmony is a risk factor for cognitive decline and an increased incidence of dementia. The mechanisms may involve altered nutritional intake, decreased cerebral blood flow, chronic stress, and hippocampal morphological function. These findings suggest that maintaining and adequately restoring the entire masticatory system has a positive impact for the prevention of cognitive decline

Green construction technology of Sanming section of Puyan Expressway in Sanming

Based on the demonstration application and integrated innovation of green highway construction in Sanming section of Puyan expressway, this paper comprehensively implements the new concept, new technology and new system of green highway construction, promotes the transformation and application of scientific and technological achievements of green highway, and improves the management level of highway construction