Simple algorithm for judging equivalence of differential-algebraic equation systems

Mathematical formulas play a prominent role in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) documents; understanding STEM documents usually requires knowing the difference between equation groups containing multiple equations. When two equation groups can be transformed into the same form, we call the equation groups equivalent. Existing tools cannot judge the equivalence of two equation groups; thus, we develop an algorithm to judge such an equivalence using a computer algebra system. The proposed algorithm first eliminates variables appearing only in either equation group. It then checks the equivalence of the equations one by one: the equations with identical algebraic solutions for the same variable are judged equivalent. If each equation in one equation group is equivalent to an equation in the other, the equation groups are judged equivalent; otherwise, non-equivalent. We generated 50 pairs of equation groups for evaluation. The proposed method accurately judged the equivalence of all pairs. This method is expected to facilitate comprehension of a large amount of mathematical information in STEM documents. Furthermore, this is a necessary step for machines to understand equations, including process models

CCKAR is a biomarker for prognosis and asynchronous brain metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer

BackgroundNon-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common histological type of lung cancer, and brain metastasis (BM) is the most lethal complication of NSCLC. The predictive biomarkers and risk factors of asynchronous BM are still unknown.Materials and methodsA total of 203 patients with NSCLC were enrolled into our cohort and followed up. The clinicopathological factors such as tumor size, T stage, lymphatic invasion, metastasis and asynchronous BM were investigated. CCKAR expression in NSCLC and resected BM was assessed by IHC, and CCKAR mRNAs in NSCLC and para-tumor tissues were estimated by qRT-PCR. The correlations between CCKAR expression, BM and other clinicopathological factors were assessed by chi-square test, and prognostic significance of CCKAR was estimated by univariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsCCKAR was highly expressed in NSCLC tissues compared with para-tumor tissues. CCKAR expression in NSCLC was significantly associated with asynchronous BM. The BM percentages for NSCLC patients with low and high CCKAR were surprisingly 5.2% and 66.6%, respectively. CCKAR expression and BM were unfavorable factors predicting unfavorable outcome of NSCLC. Moreover, CCKAR expression in NSCLC was an independent risk factor of asynchronous BM.ConclusionsCCKAR is a prognostic biomarker of NSCLC. CCKAR expression in NSCLC is positively associated with asynchronous BM, and is a risk factor of asynchronous BM from NSCLC

Semi-Supervised Deep Kernel Active Learning for Material Removal Rate Prediction in Chemical Mechanical Planarization

The material removal rate (MRR) is an important variable but difficult to measure in the chemical–mechanical planarization (CMP) process. Most data-based virtual metrology (VM) methods ignore the large number of unlabeled samples, resulting in a waste of information. In this paper, the semi-supervised deep kernel active learning (SSDKAL) model is proposed. Clustering-based phase partition and phase-matching algorithms are used for the initial feature extraction, and a deep network is used to replace the kernel of Gaussian process regression so as to extract hidden deep features. Semi-supervised regression and active learning sample selection strategies are applied to make full use of information on the unlabeled samples. The experimental results of the CMP process dataset validate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Compared with supervised regression and co-training-based semi-supervised regression algorithms, the proposed model has a lower mean square error with different labeled sample proportions. Compared with other frameworks proposed in the literature, such as physics-based VM models, Gaussian-process-based regression models, and stacking models, the proposed method achieves better prediction results without using all the labeled samples

A simple copper-catalyzed two-step one-pot synthesis of indolo[1,2-a]quinazoline

A convenient CuI/L-proline-catalyzed, two-step one-pot method has been developed for the preparation of indolo[1,2-a]quinazoline derivatives using a sequential Ullmann-type C–C and C–N coupling. This protocol provides an operationally simple and rapid strategy for preparing indolo[1,2-a]quinazoline derivatives and displays good functional group tolerance. All the starting materials are commercial available or can be easily prepared

Facile hydrophobic modification of hybrid poly(urethane-urea)methacrylate aqueous dispersions and films through blending with novel waterborne fluorinated acrylic copolymers

Aqueous dispersions of fluorinated particles (PBF) based on copolymers of butyl acrylate (BA) with 2-(perfluorononenyloxyl)ethyl methacrylate (FNEMA), 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl acrylate (TFPA), and 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoropentyl acrylate (OFPA), respectively, were synthesized by emulsion polymerization in the presence of unfluorinated and fluorinated anionic surfactant binary mixtures. These fluorinated dispersions showed good to excellent colloidal stability, as determined by freeze-thaw, centrifugation, and critical coagulation concentration measurements. Blending of small amounts (1-10 wt%) of PBF latex particles with a waterborne hybrid poly(urethane-urea)-methacrylate (PUUA) resulted in a series of slightly fluorinated modified PUUA (MPUUA) with good film forming properties and low surface energy. The precursor PUUA had been synthesized separately by simultaneous chain extension of a poly(ester-urethane)-diisocyanate with ethylenediamine and soapless free radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) swelling the resulting branched or slightly crosslinked poly(urethane-urea) (PUU) self-dispersible ionomer particles. The results of dynamic light scattering and Zeta potential measurements suggest that merging of PUUA and PBF particles and either engulfing or interdiffusion of the incompatible macromolecular phases occurred to some extent already in the colloidal state. Highly hydrophobic films with surface energy as low as 17 mJ/m2 were obtained upon hybridization of PUUA with the FNEMA copolymer. Thermal annealing allowed to minimize the effects of fast surface dynamics leading ultimately to water absorption, and to promote synergistic enhancement of the resulting hybrid film hardness, as required for coating applications

Comparison on different strategies for treatments of hypertensive hemorrhage in the basal ganglia region with a volume of 25 to 35ml Comparação de diferentes estratégias no tratamento da hemorragia hipertensiva da região dos gânglios da base com volume de 25 a 35ml

PURPOSE: To compare curative effect of different treatments for hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage of 25 to 35ml. METHODS: In this study, 595 cases were enrolled and grouped regarding treatments including conservative treatment, evacuation with microinvasive craniopuncture technique within 6h and 6-48h after the attack. RESULTS: After follow up for three months after the attack, the assessment based on the Activity of Daily Living (ADL) indicated no significant difference among conservative treatment and surgical interventions (p>0.05). However, surgical interventions showed advantages of shorter hospitalization, quick removal of hematoma and obvious reduction of cost. CONCLUSION: The microinvasive craniopuncture technique to drain the hematoma within 6-48h may be a good way in treating hypertensive hemorrhage of basal ganglia region.<br>OBJETIVO: Comparar o efeito curativo de diferentes tratamentos da hemorragia hipertensiva cerebral de 25 a 35ml. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados 595 casos agrupados segundo tratamento conservador e evacuação com técnica de punção transcraniana dentro de 6h ou de 6 às 48h do início do quadro clínico. RESULTADOS: O seguimento após três meses e avaliado pelo Escore de Atividade de Vida Diário, indicou que não houve diferenças significantes entre os tratamentos conservador e cirúrgico (p>0.05) O tratamento cirúrgico mostrou vantagem com hospitalização mais curta e redução de custos. CONCLUSÃO: A técnica de punção transcraniana para drenagem de hematoma dos núcleos da base pode ser uma boa alternativa de tratamento

GPBAR1 promotes proliferation and is related to poor prognosis of high-grade glioma via inducing MAFB expression

Background. Glioma is the most prevalent brain tumors with extremely poor prognosis, but the prognostic biomarkers of high-grade (grade III and IV) gliomas (HGG) are still insufficient. Materials and methods. In our study, we investigated the expression of GPBAR1 in HGG by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC), and evaluated the clinical significance of GPBAR1 with univariate and multivariate analyses. By retrieving the data from TCGA, we screened the genes significantly associated with GPBAR1, and identified the correlation between GPBAR1 and MAFB. By experiments in vitro, we showed the pivotal role of MAFB in GPBAR1-induced proliferation of HGG. Results. GPBAR1 expression in HGGs was significantly higher than that in normal brain tissues. GPBAR1 was an independent prognostic biomarker of HGG. GPBAR1 promoted the proliferation of HGG by inducing MAFB expression. MAFB was also a prognostic biomarker of HGG, and patients with coexpression of MAFB and GPBAR1 had worse prognosis. Conclusions. GPBAR1 promoted the proliferation of HGG by inducing MAFB expression. Both GPBAR1 and MAFB were prognostic biomarkers of HGG, and patients with co-expression of MAFB and GPBAR1 had worse prognosis than those with only GPBAR1 or MAFB expression

Sophoridine induces apoptosis and S phase arrest via ROS-dependent JNK and ERK activation in human pancreatic cancer cells

Abstract Background Pancreatic cancer is generally acknowledged as the most common primary malignant tumor, and it is known to be resistant to conventional chemotherapy. Novel, selective antitumor agents are pressingly needed. Methods CCK-8 and colony formation assay were used to investigate the cell growth. Flow cytometry analysis was used to evaluate the cell cycle and cell apoptosis. The peroxide-sensitive fluorescent probe DCFH-DA was used to measure the intracellular ROS levels. Western blot assay was used to detect the levels of cell cycle and apoptosis related proteins. Xenografts in nude mice were used to evaluate the effect of Sophoridine on pancreatic cancer cell in vivo. Results Sophoridine killed cancer cells but had low cytotoxicity to normal cells. Pancreatic cancer cells were particularly sensitive. Sophoridine inhibited the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells and induced cell cycle arrest at S phase and mitochondrial-related apoptosis. Moreover, Sophoridine induced a sustained activation of the phosphorylation of ERK and JNK. In addition, Sophoridine provoked the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in pancreatic cancer cells. Finally, in vivo, Sophoridine suppressed tumor growth in mouse xenograft models. Conclusion These findings suggest Sophoridine is promising to be a novel, potent and selective antitumor drug candidate for pancreatic cancer

A Weighted Mean Value Analysis to Identify Biological Pathway Activity Changes during Poplar Seed Germination

Poplar (Populus &times; xiaohei T. S. Hwang et Liang) is an excellent model plant, with a known genome sequence, for studying woody plant developmental processes, such as seed germination. Here, we report the transcriptional profiling of poplar seeds at five germination stages using RNA-Seq technology. We focused on identifying biological pathway activity changes during seed germination and transcription factors that play important roles in different stages. Among the 16 significantly changing clusters obtained using the STEM method, transcription was significantly enriched in five different clusters, 8, 21, 25, 27, and 35. The oxidative phosphorylation-related genes were only enriched in cluster 9, and expression patterns decreased in 6 and 24 HAI, while ubiquitin-dependent protein catabolic processes were only enriched in cluster 16, and expression patterns increased in 6 HAI. A weighted mean method analysis determined that most primary metabolism-associated categories, such as major carbohydrate metabolism, glycolysis, oxidative pentose phosphate, tricarboxylic acid cycle, lipid metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and protein metabolism, were elevated between 6 and 48 h after imbibition (HAI). ATP synthesis and C1 metabolism had highly active expression patterns between 0.75 and 48 HAI. The photosynthesis category-associated genes that were identified appeared highly active at 144 HAI. The homogenization of transcription factors in each cluster revealed that the HAP2, C3H zinc finger family, and C2C2(Zn) GATA transcription factors were present in relatively high numbers in cluster 8, while HAP5, Zn-finger (CCHC), FHA, and E2F/DP transcription factor families, as well as SNF7, were present in high numbers in cluster 25. Thus, we identified a series of biological pathway activity changes that occur, and transcription factors that are active, during poplar seed germination. Moreover, this study provides an integrated view of transcriptional regulation that can reveal the molecular events occurring during seed germination