Building information modelling integration into Public-Private Partnership (PPP) risk management

Public Private Partnership (PPP) method has been applied in numerous countries for procuring infrastructures. It focuses on the cooperative arrangement between two or more public and private sectors which endeavor towards the life cycle of its project. Most of the PPP failures are resulted from the adjoining risks in the projects. Therefore, risk management is critical to ensure the success of projects. This research investigates the risk factors in PPP projects as well as the critical risk factors that influencing the effectiveness and efficiency of PPP implementation. In addition, the relative importance of BIM n-D functions and the relative importance of beneficial factors of integrating BIM for risk management in PPP has been investigated through a comprehensive literature review and a quantitative survey. The purpose of this investigation is to propose a strategic framework for BIM-based risk management in PPP. Data of the survey are collected from 36 PPP participants with extensive BIM experience in Malaysia. Each respondent is requested to assign an agreement of one-to-five rating for each of the critical risk factors of PPP, adoptable BIM n-D functions and the benefits of integrating BIM in PPP risk management identified from the literature review. The results of priority ranking of these factors indicate that only 7 PPP risk factors, 8 BIM n-D functions and 5 benefits of BIM integration in PPP risk management are regarded by the respondents from PPP industry in Malaysia. The application of the proposed BIM-based risk management framework can be used to monitor and control PPP projects’ risks and it will also enable PPP participants to consider the corresponding prevention and mitigation strategies

Long-term results of clear lens extraction combined with piggyback intraocular lens implantation to correct high hyperopia

<b>AIM:</b> To assess the refractive outcome of clear lensectomy combined with piggyback intraocular lens implantation in highly hyperopic patients.<b>METHODS:</b> This case review included 19 eyes of 10 patients with high hyperopia and axial length less than 21mm. Intraocular lens power was calculated for emmetropia using the Holladay II formula in 17 eyes, and SRK/T formula in 2 eyes following clear lens extraction and piggyback intraocular lens implantation. Patients were examined periodically over 24 months for visual acuity and spherical equivalent (SE).<b>RESULTS:</b> The mean postoperative SE at 24 months was 0.20±1.39D (range, -3.00 to 2.50D), better than preoperative 9.81±2.62D (range, +6.00 to +14.50D) (<i>P</i><0.001). Five eyes had SE within ±0.5D of emmetropia and 11 eyes within ±1.00D at postoperative 24 months. The mean postoperative uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) at 24 months was 0.60±0.36, significantly improved compared to preoperative 1.39±0.33 (<i>P</i><0.001). The mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 24 months was 0.49±0.35, not statistically different compared to preoperative 0.38±0.30 (<i>P</i>=0.34). Twelve eyes maintained and 1 gained 1 or more Snellen line of BCVA, 4 eyes lost 1 line, and 2 eyes lost 2 lines at 24 postoperative months. Twelve eyes best-corrected near visual acuity (BCNVA) achieved J1 at postoperative 24 months compared to preoperative 7 eyes and the other 7 eyes better than J3.<b>CONCLUSION:</b> Clear lens extraction combined piggyback intraocular lens implantation appears to be an effective procedure to correct high hyperopia but mild overcorrection and intralenticular opacification may require secondary procedure

Protection of big data privacy

In recent years, big data have become a hot research topic. The increasing amount of big data also increases the chance of breaching the privacy of individuals. Since big data require high computational power and large storage, distributed systems are used. As multiple parties are involved in these systems, the risk of privacy violation is increased. There have been a number of privacy-preserving mechanisms developed for privacy protection at different stages (e.g., data generation, data storage, and data processing) of a big data life cycle. The goal of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of the privacy preservation mechanisms in big data and present the challenges for existing mechanisms. In particular, in this paper, we illustrate the infrastructure of big data and the state-of-the-art privacy-preserving mechanisms in each stage of the big data life cycle. Furthermore, we discuss the challenges and future research directions related to privacy preservation in big data

Combined 3D-QSAR Modeling and Molecular Docking Studies on Pyrrole-Indolin-2-ones as Aurora A Kinase Inhibitors

Aurora kinases have emerged as attractive targets for the design of anticancer drugs. 3D-QSAR (comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA)) and Surflex-docking studies were performed on a series of pyrrole-indoline-2-ones as Aurora A inhibitors. The CoMFA and CoMSIA models using 25 inhibitors in the training set gave r2cv values of 0.726 and 0.566, and r2 values of 0.972 and 0.984, respectively. The adapted alignment method with the suitable parameters resulted in reliable models. The contour maps produced by the CoMFA and CoMSIA models were employed to rationalize the key structural requirements responsible for the activity. Surflex-docking studies revealed that the sulfo group, secondary amine group on indolin-2-one, and carbonyl of 6,7-dihydro-1H-indol-4(5H)-one groups were significant for binding to the receptor, and some essential features were also identified. Based on the 3D-QSAR and docking results, a set of new molecules with high predicted activities were designed

Heat Shock Protein 70 Protects the Heart from Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury through Inhibition of p38 MAPK Signaling.

BackgroundHeat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) has been shown to exert cardioprotection. Intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) overload induced by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) activation contributes to cardiac ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, whether Hsp70 interacts with p38 MAPK signaling is unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the regulation of p38 MAPK by Hsp70 in I/R-induced cardiac injury.MethodsNeonatal rat cardiomyocytes were subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation for 6 h followed by 2 h reoxygenation (OGD/R), and rats underwent left anterior artery ligation for 30 min followed by 30 min of reperfusion. The p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB203580), Hsp70 inhibitor (Quercetin), and Hsp70 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) were used prior to OGD/R or I/R. Cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI), [Ca2+]i levels, cell apoptosis, myocardial infarct size, mRNA level of IL-1β and IL-6, and protein expression of Hsp70, phosphorylated p38 MAPK (p-p38 MAPK), sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase2 (SERCA2), phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription3 (p-STAT3), and cleaved caspase3 were assessed.ResultsPretreatment with a p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, significantly attenuated OGD/R-induced cell injury or I/R-induced myocardial injury, as evidenced by improved cell viability and lower LDH release, resulted in lower serum cTnI and myocardial infarct size, alleviation of [Ca2+]i overload and cell apoptosis, inhibition of IL-1β and IL-6, and modulation of protein expressions of p-p38 MAPK, SERCA2, p-STAT3, and cleaved-caspase3. Knockdown of Hsp70 by shRNA exacerbated OGD/R-induced cell injury, which was effectively abolished by SB203580. Moreover, inhibition of Hsp70 by quercetin enhanced I/R-induced myocardial injury, while SB203580 pretreatment reversed the harmful effects caused by quercetin.ConclusionsInhibition of Hsp70 aggravates [Ca2+]i overload, inflammation, and apoptosis through regulating p38 MAPK signaling during cardiac I/R injury, which may help provide novel insight into cardioprotective strategies

Non-coding RNAs participate in the regulatory network of CLDN4 via ceRNA mediated miRNA evasion

AbstractThousands of genes have been well demonstrated to play important roles in cancer progression. As genes do not function in isolation, they can be grouped into “networks” based on their interactions. In this study, we discover a network regulating Claudin-4 in gastric cancer. We observe that Claudin-4 is up-regulated in gastric cancer and is associated with poor prognosis. Claudin-4 reinforce proliferation, invasion, and EMT in AGS, HGC-27, and SGC-7901 cells, which could be reversed by miR-596 and miR-3620-3p. In addition, lncRNA-KRTAP5-AS1 and lncRNA-TUBB2A could act as competing endogenous RNAs to affect the function of Claudin-4. Our results suggest that non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulatory network of Claudin-4. As such, non-coding RNAs should be considered as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets against gastric cancer.</jats:p

Characterisation of volatile components of red and sparkling wines from a new wine grape cultivar 'Meili' (Vitis vinifera L.)

'Meili' (Vitis vinifera L.) is a new wine grape cultivar from China. Volatile profiles of red and sparkling wines made from 'Meili' grapes were analysed using stir bar sorptive extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in this study. Fiftyfive volatile compounds were quantified in both wines, and quantitative differences for most of the volatile compounds between 'Meili' wines were observed. 'Meili' sparkling wine had a greater content of esters, fatty acids and shikimic acid derivatives than 'Meili' red wine, although 'Meili' red wine had higher concentrations of alcohols, terpenoids and C13-norisoprenoids. On the basis of odour activity values, ethyl acetate, ethyl butanoate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl octanoate, isoamyl acetate, ethyl 2-methylpropanoate, ethyl 3-methylbutanoate, octanoic acid, isoamyl alcohol, 2-phenyl ethanol, linalool, β-damascenone and β-ionone were considered as important aroma compounds in 'Meili' wines. For these compounds, 'Meili' sparkling wine had higher content of ethyl acetate, ethyl butanoate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl octanoate and isoamyl acetate than 'Meili' red wine, while 'Meili' red wine had higher levels of isoamyl alcohol, 2-phenylethanol, linalool, β-damascenone and β-ionone. The concentration differences of aroma compounds due to the differential vinification procedures suggested the differences in sensory characteristics of the two types of wines. In particular, 'Meili' red wine had more rose aroma than 'Meili' sparkling wine.