Integrated Expert System Development Environment With an Automatic Verification Feature: An Application To Grinding Process

The concerns of this Master degree project are the implementations of an expert system development environment and an application to manufacturing. The environment is given the name of IDEA (Integrated expert system Development Environment with Automatic verification feature), and it integrates an expert system shell with a rule base verification facility and a rule base builder into a single program. The interface of IDEA has the look of a general purpose computer language. The knowledge bases referenced by IDEA consist of LF-THEN rules with the syntax of Object-Attribute-Value (O-A-V) triples and confidence factors. An application is developed for grinding chattering diagnosis problems using the IDEA. The verification facility of IDEA realizes the main functions of CHECK, a verification tool, developed by T. Nguyen et al, 1987, so that it can identify some major problems of inconsistency and incompleteness. Different from CHECK, IDEA uses a unique approach based on rule tree algorithm to check for some logic problems in a rule base. IDEA also has the ability to draw the rule tree on a computer screen. This report discusses the problems of inconsistency and incompleteness in detail, including the influence of introducing confidence factors. Some problems identified in this report are not reported before. The rule base builder of IDEA uses some techniques that can greatly reduce errors in a rule base during its input phase and greatly speed up the input work. First, the builder uses templates for rule input to eliminate the possible syntax errors of rules. Second, it uses an O-AV file for declared O-A-V triples. By checking the O-A-V file and the O-A-V triples used in the rule base, the problems of illegal O-A-V triples and unreferenced O-A-V triples can be identified. Finally, it has the ability to automatically generate the ask-part of the rule base, so that no errors will exists in the ask-part and the input work can be efficient. Grinding chattering is a kind of abnormal phenomenon in a grinding process, which greatly degrades the surface quality of the workpiece ground. The grinding chattering diagnosis rule base gives complete answers for the causes of chattering for external cylindrical grinding. This report describes the rule base development work and its related grinding knowledge

Advances in the Application of Pulsed Field Ablation for Arrhythmia Treatment

The increased application of catheter ablation to treat cardiac arrhythmias has contributed to continued exploration of safe and effective tissue ablation tools in the field of electrophysiology. Pulsed field ablation (PFA), a novel recently developed non-thermal energy-based technique, uses trains of microsecond duration high-amplitude pulses to ablate target cells. Several preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that PFA is a promising tool for cardiac ablation to treat arrhythmia. In addition to being an effective tissue ablation technique, PFA is safe, because it avoids damage to the surrounding cells/tissues. This review focuses on efficacy and safety outcomes reported in preclinical and clinical studies evaluating the effects of PFA on arrhythmia, and discusses limitations and potential future directions of PFA

Dementia with Lewy bodies research consortia: A global perspective from the ISTAART Lewy Body Dementias Professional Interest Area working group

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) research has seen a significant growth in international collaboration over the last three decades. However, researchers face a challenge in identifying large and diverse samples capable of powering longitudinal studies and clinical trials. The DLB research community has begun to focus efforts on supporting the development and harmonization of consortia, while also continuing to forge networks within which data and findings can be shared. This article describes the current state of DLB research collaborations on each continent. We discuss several established DLB cohorts, many of whom have adopted a common framework, and identify emerging collaborative initiatives that hold the potential to expand DLB networks and diversify research cohorts. Our findings identify geographical areas into which the global DLB networks should seek to expand, and we propose strategies, such as the creation of data-sharing platforms and the harmonization of protocols, which may further potentiate international collaboration.publishedVersio

Incremental Metabolic Benefits from Cryoablation for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: Insights from Metabolomic Profiling

Background: Cryoablation (CRYO) is a novel catheter ablation technique for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, uncertainty persists regarding the role of metabolic modifications associated with CRYO. This study was aimed at exploring whether CRYO influences the metabolic signature – a possibility not previously investigated. Methods: Paired serum samples from patients with AF (n = 10) were collected before and 24 h after CRYO. Untargeted metabolomic analysis was conducted with LC-MS. Univariate and multivariate analyses were applied to identify differential metabolites between samples. Pathway enrichment and Pearson correlation analyses were performed to reveal the perturbed metabolic pathways and potential interactions. Results: Levels of 19 metabolites showed significant changes between baseline and 24 h after CRYO. Pathway analysis revealed that the perturbed metabolites were enriched in unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, retrograde endocannabinoid signaling, and neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions. Pearson correlation analysis indicated strong correlations among differential metabolites, biochemical markers, and clinical indicators. Conclusions: CRYO induces systemic changes in the serum metabolome in patients with paroxysmal AF and provides potential metabolic benefits. Our findings might enable enhanced understanding of the pathophysiology and metabolic mechanisms involved in catheter ablation

Needs and views on healthy lifestyles for the prevention of dementia and the potential role for mobile health (mHealth) interventions in China: A qualitative study

Objectives Over the coming decades, China is expected to face the largest worldwide increase in dementia incidence. Mobile health (mHealth) may improve the accessibility of dementia prevention strategies, targeting lifestyle-related risk factors. Our aim is to explore the needs and views of Chinese older adults regarding healthy lifestyles to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) and dementia through mHealth, supporting the Prevention of Dementia using Mobile Phone Applications (PRODEMOS) study. Design Qualitative semi-structured interview study, using thematic analysis. Setting Primary and secondary care in Beijing and Tai’an, China. Participants Older adults aged 55 and over without dementia with an increased dementia risk, possessing a smartphone. Participants were recruited through seven hospitals participating in the PRODEMOS study, purposively sampled on age, sex, living area and history of CVD and diabetes. Results We performed 26 interviews with participants aged 55–86 years. Three main themes were identified: valuing a healthy lifestyle, sociocultural expectations and need for guidance. First, following a healthy lifestyle was generally deemed important. In addition to generic healthy behaviours, participants regarded certain specific Chinese lifestyle practices as important to prevent disease. Second, the sociocultural context played a crucial role, as an important motive to avoid disease was to limit the care burden put on family members. However, time-consuming family obligations and other social values could also impede healthy behaviours such as regular physical activity. Finally, there seemed to be a need for reliable and personalised lifestyle advice and for guidance from a health professional. Conclusions The Chinese older adults included in this study highly value a healthy lifestyle. They express a need for personalised lifestyle support in order to adopt healthy behaviours. Potentially, the PRODEMOS mHealth intervention can meet these needs through blended lifestyle support to improve risk factors for dementia and CVD

Prevention of dementia using mobile phone applications (PRODEMOS): protocol for an international randomised controlled trial.

IntroductionProfiles of high risk for future dementia are well understood and are likely to concern mostly those in low-income and middle-income countries and people at greater disadvantage in high-income countries. Approximately 30%-40% of dementia cases have been estimated to be attributed to modifiable risk factors, including hypertension, smoking and sedentary lifestyle. Tailored interventions targeting these risk factors can potentially prevent or delay the onset of dementia. Mobile health (mHealth) improves accessibility of such prevention strategies in hard-to-reach populations while at the same time tailoring such approaches. In the current study, we will investigate the effectiveness and implementation of a coach-supported mHealth intervention, targeting dementia risk factors, to reduce dementia risk.Methods and analysisThe prevention of dementia using mobile phone applications (PRODEMOS) randomised controlled trial will follow an effectiveness-implementation hybrid design, taking place in the UK and China. People are eligible if they are 55-75 years old, of low socioeconomic status (UK) or from the general population (China); have ≥2 dementia risk factors; and own a smartphone. 2400 participants will be randomised to either a coach-supported, interactive mHealth platform, facilitating self-management of dementia risk factors, or a static control platform. The intervention and follow-up period will be 18 months. The primary effectiveness outcome is change in the previously validated Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Ageing and Incidence of Dementia dementia risk score. The main secondary outcomes include improvement of individual risk factors and cost-effectiveness. Implementation outcomes include acceptability, adoption, feasibility and sustainability of the intervention.Ethics and disseminationThe PRODEMOS trial is sponsored in the UK by the University of Cambridge and is granted ethical approval by the London-Brighton and Sussex Research Ethics Committee (reference: 20/LO/01440). In China, the trial is approved by the medical ethics committees of Capital Medical University, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Beijing Geriatric Hospital, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Taishan Medical University and Xuanwu Hospital. Results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.Trial registration numberISRCTN15986016

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Gynura cusimbua (D. Don) S. Moore

Gynura cusimbua (D. Don) S. Moore is a favorite food vegetable and traditional folk medicine. The chloroplast genome information, of G. cusimbua, was introduced and released in this study. The complete chloroplast genome was characterized as 156, 684 base pairs (bp) in length. The circle gDNA contained four segments, namely LSC (large single copy), SSC (small single copy) and two IRs (inverted repeats), which was 86, 834 bp and 18, 414 bp and 25, 718 bp in length separately. The total GC content was 36.88%. A total of 125 genes were characterized in the chloroplast genome, where 84, 33 and 8 genes were for coding-proteins, tRNA and rRNA respectively. The phylogeny tree demonstrated that G. cusimbua was clustered with Jacobaea valgaris and Senecio valgaris. This study would fill a vacancy of chloroplast genome information involving G. cusimbua, and provide new genetic resources for the study on Senecioninae

Mir-142-5p inhibits the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by targeting Lhx8

Osteoporosis (OP), a common systemic bone metabolism disease with a high incidence rate, is a serious health risk factor. Osteogenic differentiation balance is regulated by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and plays a key role in OP occurrence and progression. Although, LIM homeobox 8 (Lhx8) has been identified to affect BMSCs osteogenic differentiation, its roles in OP and the associated mechanism remains unclear. Here, we aimed to elucidate the role and mechanism of Lhx8 in the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. BMSCs isolated from wild type and OP Sprague–Dawley rats were cultured and confirmed via flow cytometry and microscopy. Based on dual-luciferase reporter assay, BMSCs were transfected with miR-142-5p mimics and miR-NC (negative control). Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses were performed to determine the role of Lhx8 in BMSCs osteogenic differentiation. Lhx8 expression was significantly reduced in OP, whereas that of miR-142-5p, a possible Lhx8 regulator, was significantly upregulated. Dual-luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that miR-142-5p exerted a direct targeted regulatory effect on Lhx8. Moreover, miR-142-5p mimics significantly inhibited BMSCs osteogenic differentiation as well as Lhx8 expression in vitro, indicating that miR-142-5p may be involved in BMSCs osteogenic differentiation via Lhx8 expression regulation and may serve as a potential diagnostic target for OP. Overall, these findings indicated that miR-142-5p inhibits BMSCs osteogenic differentiation by suppressing Lhx8. These may serve as a foundation for further studies on OP treatment based on miR-142-5p targeting

LMP2-mRNA lipid nanoparticle sensitizes EBV-related tumors to anti-PD-1 therapy by reversing T cell exhaustion

Abstract Background Targeting EBV-proteins with mRNA vaccines is a promising way to treat EBV-related tumors like nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We assume that it may sensitize tumors to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Results We developed an LMP2-mRNA lipid nanoparticle (C2@mLMP2) that can be delivered to tumor-draining lymph nodes. C2@mLMP2 exhibited high transfection efficiency and lysosomal escape ability and induced an increased proportion of CD8 + central memory T cells and CD8 + effective memory T cells in the spleen of the mice model. A strong synergistic anti-tumor effect of C2@mLMP2 in combination with αPD-1 was observed in tumor-bearing mice. The mechanism was identified to be associated with a reverse of CD8 + T cell exhaustion in the tumor microenvironment. The pathological analysis further proved the safety of the vaccine and the combined therapy. Conclusions This is the first study proving the synergistic effect of the EBV-mRNA vaccine and PD-1 inhibitors for EBV-related tumors. This study provides theoretical evidence for further clinical trials that may expand the application scenario and efficacy of immunotherapy in NPC. Graphical Abstrac