Optimisation avancée pour la recherche et la composition des itinéraires comodaux au profit des clients de transport

Nowadays, the environment impact of transport is significant. In an attempt to address these problems, in this work, we are interested in the implementation of a transport information system, which integrates the existing means of transport to respond users' requests, including public transport and the shared transport like carpooling and car-sharing. In this context of application, we elaborate algorithms to provide attractive paths with respect to the imposed constraints, even for simultaneous requests. Different acceleration techniques for path planning are used to reduce the search space for a better performance. The attractive paths are divided into route sections on which the available offers are allocated to different requests, which is treated as one resource allocation problem using metaheuristics algorithms. With consideration of the distributed and dynamic aspects of the problem, the solving strategy makes use of several concepts like multi-agents system and different optimization methods. The proposed methods are tested with realistic scenarios with instances extracted from real world transport networks. The obtained results indicate that our proposed approaches can efficiently solve the itinerary planning problems by providing good and complete solutions.Avec les problèmes présents dans le secteur de transport, qu'ils soient financiers ou environnementaux, la mobilité avancée peut y remédier avec la mise à profit de la complémentarité entre les différents modes de transport. Dans ce contexte, nous nous focalisons dans cette thèse à la mise en œuvre d'un système d’information de transport avec la recherche et la composition des itinéraires comodaux pour les clients. L'enjeu est d'être capable de répondre aux attentes des usagers avec des solutions satisfaisantes permettant de proposer des itinéraires optimaux pour gérer efficacement l’intermodalité. Dans un souci pratique, nous fournirons des itinéraires attractifs respectant les contraintes imposées même pour les requêtes simultanées. Nous utilisons des techniques d'accélération permettant de réduire l'espace de recherche pour la planification d’itinéraire. Les itinéraires attractifs sont décomposés en sections de route sur lesquelles les différentes demandes et les offres disponibles sont mises en relation. Les combinaisons des sections de route permettent d'aboutir à un ensemble de solutions intéressantes. L’aspect distribué et dynamique du problème nous a permis d'employer une modélisation basée sur le paradigme agent. Ainsi, l’alliance entre les systèmes multi-agents et les algorithmes génétiques que nous avons mis en place s'avère très utile pour gérer l’articulation de l’intermodalité entre ces différents modes de transport. Les résultats de simulation présentés montrent l’efficacité des méthodes proposées

Identification and characterization of two critical sequences in SV40PolyA that activate the green fluorescent protein reporter gene

Alu repeats or Line-1-ORF2 (ORF2) inhibit expression of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene when inserted downstream of this gene in the vector pEGFP-C1. In this work, we studied cis-acting elements that eliminated the repression of GFP gene expression induced by Alu and ORF2 and sequence characteristics of these elements. We found that sense and antisense PolyA of simian virus 40 (SV40PolyA, 240 bp) eliminated the repression of GFP gene expression when inserted between the GFP gene and the Alu (283 bp) repeats or ORF2 (3825 bp) in pAlu14 (14 tandem Alu repeats were inserted downstream of the GFP gene in the vector pEGFP-C1) or pORF2. Antisense SV40PolyA (PolyAas) induced stronger gene expression than its sense orientation (PolyA). Of four 60-bp segments of PolyAas (1F1R, 2F2R, 3F3R and 4F4R) inserted independently into pAlu14, only two (2F2R and 3F3R) eliminated the inhibition of GFP gene expression induced by Alu repeats. Deletion analysis revealed that a 17 nucleotide AT repeat (17ntAT; 5′-AAAAAAATGCTTTATTT-3′) in 2F2R and the fragment 3F38d9 (5′-ATAAACAAGTTAACAACA ACAATTGCATT-3′) in 3F3R were critical sequences for activating the GFP gene. Sequence and structural analyses showed that 17ntAT and 3F38d9 included imperfect palindromes and may form a variety of unstable stem-loops. We suggest that the presence of imperfect palindromes and unstable stem-loops in DNA enhancer elements plays an important role in GFP gene activation

CS nerve growth factor regulates sevoflurane anesthesiainduced nerve injury in nerve cells

Purpose: Sevoflurane is the most commonly used anesthetic agent for surgery. However, it is associated with deficiency in learning and memory abilities. The study was aimed at investigating the role of nerve growth factor (NGF) in sevoflurane anesthesia-induced nerve injury.Methods: RT-qPCR assay was applied to measure expressions of NGF, miR-98-5p and other factors related to apoptosis. CCK-8 assay was used for detecting cell viability while luciferase reporter assay was employed to measure binding condition between miR-98-5p and NGF. Expressions of proteins in PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway was measured with western blot.Results: Sevoflurane reduced cell viability of RGC-5 cells, promoted apoptosis and reduced the expression of NGF. In sevoflurane-induced RGC-5 cells, over-expression of NGF promoted cell viability with reduced apoptosis. Also, there was reduction in the protein expression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway by sevoflurane, while up-regulation of NGF promoted the expressions of these proteins. In the presence of PI3K inhibitor, reduction cell viability was reduced but apoptosis increased. Luciferase reporter assay detected MiR-98-5p as the target gene of NGF and its overexpression restored high cell viability in the over-expressed NGF. The rate of apoptosis and expressions of proteins was also restored with up-regulation of miR-98-5p.Conclusion: Sevoflurane caused damage to nerve cells, while over-expression of NGF reduced the injury through PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and suppression of miR-98-5p. Keywords: Nerve growth factor, Sevoflurane, Nerve injury, Anesthesia, miR-98-5

Nitrooleic Acid Attenuates Lipid Metabolic Disorders and Liver Steatosis in DOCA-Salt Hypertensive Mice

Nitrooleic acid (OA-NO2) is endogenous ligands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors. The present study was aimed at investigating the beneficial effects of OA-NO2 on the lipid metabolism and liver steatosis in deoxycorticosterone acetate- (DOCA-) salt induced hypertensive mice model. Male C57BL/6 mice were divided to receive DOCA-salt plus OA-NO2 or DOCA-salt plus vehicle and another group received neither DOCA-salt nor OA-NO2 (control group). After 3-week treatment with DOCA-salt plus 1% sodium chloride in drinking fluid, the hypertension was noted; however, OA-NO2 had no effect on the hypertension. In DOCA-salt treated mice, the plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were significantly increased compared to control mice, and pretreatment with OA-NO2 significantly reduced these parameters. Further, the histopathology of liver exhibited more lipid distribution together with more serious micro- and macrovesicular steatosis after DOCA-salt treatment and that was consistent with liver tissue triglyceride and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) content. The mice pretreated with OA-NO2 showed reduced liver damage accompanied with low liver lipid content. Moreover, the liver TBARS, together with the expressions of gp91phox and p47phox, were parallelly decreased. These findings indicated that OA-NO2 had the protective effect on liver injury against DOCA-salt administration and the beneficial effect could be attributed to its antihyperlipidemic activities

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the mitochondrial displacement loop and outcome of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Backgroud</p> <p>Accumulation of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the displacement loop (D-loop) of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been described for different types of cancers and might be associated with cancer risk and disease outcome. We used a population-based series of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients for investigating the prediction power of SNPs in mitochondrial D-loop.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The D-loop region of mtDNA was sequenced for 60 ESCC patients recorded in the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University between 2003 and 2004. The 5 year survival curve were calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test at each SNP site, a multivariate survival analysis was also performed with the Cox proportional hazards method.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The SNP sites of nucleotides 16274G/A, 16278C/T and 16399A/G were identified for prediction of post-operational survival by the log-rank test. In an overall multivariate analysis, the 16278 and 16399 alleles were identified as independent predictors of ESCC outcome. The length of survival of patients with the minor allele 16278T genotype was significantly shorter than that of patients with 16278C at the 16278 site (relative risk, 3.001; 95% CI, 1.029 - 8.756; <it>p </it>= 0.044). The length of survival of patients with the minor allele 16399G genotype was significantly shorter than that of patients with the more frequent allele 16399A at the 16399 site in ESCC patients (relative risk, 3.483; 95% CI, 1.068 - 11.359; <it>p </it>= 0.039).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Genetic polymorphisms in the D-loop are independent prognostic markers for patients with ESCC. Accordingly, the analysis of genetic polymorphisms in the mitochondrial D-loop can help identify patient subgroups at high risk of a poor disease outcome.</p

Cr3_3X4_4 (X=Se, Te) monolayers as new platform to realize robust spin filter, spin diode and spin valve

Two-dimensional ferromagnetic (FM) half-metals are promising candidates for advanced spintronic devices with small-size and high-capacity. Motivated by recent report on controlling synthesis of FM Cr$_3$Te$_4$ nanosheet, herein, to explore the potential application in spintronics, we designed spintronic devices based on Cr$_3$X$_4$ (X=Se, Te) monolayers and investigated their spin transport properties. We found that Cr$_3$Te$_4$ monolayer based device shows spin filtering and dual spin diode effect when applying bias voltage, while Cr$_3$S$_4$ monolayer is an excellent platform to realize a spin valve. The different transport properties are primarily ascribed to the semiconducting spin channel, which is close to and away from the Fermi level in Cr$_3$Te$_4$ and Cr$_3$Se$_4$ monolayers, respectively. Interestingly, the current in monolayer Cr$_3$Se$_4$ based device also displays a negative differential resistance effect (NDRE) and a high magnetoresistance ratio (up to 2*10$^3$). Moreover, we found thermally induced spin filtering effect and NDRE in Cr$_3$Se$_4$ junction when applying temperature gradient instead of bias voltage. These theoretical findings highlight the potential of Cr$_3$X$_4$ (X=Se, Te) monolayers in spintronic applications and put forward realistic materials to realize nanosale spintronic device

Roles of DNA damage in renal tubular epithelial cells injury

The prevalence of renal diseases including acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing worldwide. However, the pathogenesis of most renal diseases is still unclear and effective treatments are still lacking. DNA damage and the related DNA damage response (DDR) have been confirmed as common pathogenesis of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced DNA damage is one of the most common types of DNA damage involved in the pathogenesis of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. In recent years, several developments have been made in the field of DNA damage. Herein, we review the roles and developments of DNA damage and DNA damage response in renal tubular epithelial cell injury in acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. In this review, we conclude that focusing on DNA damage and DNA damage response may provide valuable diagnostic biomarkers and treatment strategies for renal diseases including acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease

Replacing Traditional Plastics with Biodegradable Plastics:Impact on Carbon Emissions

In recent years, a great deal of attention has been focused on the environmental impact of plastics, including the carbon emissions related to plastics, which has promoted the application of biodegradable plastics. Countries worldwide have shown high interest in replacing traditional plastics with biodegradable plastics. However, no systematic comparison has been conducted on the carbon emissions of biodegradable versus traditional plastic products. This study evaluates the carbon emissions of traditional and biodegradable plastic products (BPPs) over four stages and briefly discusses environmental and economic perspectives. Four scenarios—namely, the traditional method, chemical recycling, industrial composting, and anaerobic digestion—are considered for the disposal of waste biodegradable plastic product (WBBPs). The analysis takes China as a case study. The results show that the carbon emissions of 1000 traditional plastic products (plastic bags, lunch boxes, cups, etc.) were 52.09–150.36 carbon emissions equivalent of per kilogram (kg CO2eq), with the stage of plastic production contributing 50.71%–50.77%. In comparison, 1000 similar BPPs topped out at 21.06–56.86 kg CO2eq, approximately 13.53%–62.19% lower than traditional plastic products. The difference was mainly at the stages of plastic production and waste disposal, and the BPPs showed significant carbon reduction potential at the raw material acquisition stage. Waste disposal plays an important role in environmental impact, and composting and anaerobic digestion are considered to be preferable disposal methods for WBBPs. However, the high cost of biodegradable plastics is a challenge for their widespread use. This study has important reference significance for the sustainable development of the biodegradable plastics industry.</p

New Yellow Ba\u3csub\u3e0.93\u3c/sub\u3eEu\u3csub\u3e0.07\u3c/sub\u3eAl\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3eO\u3csub\u3e4\u3c/sub\u3e

Phosphor-converted white light-emitting diodes for indoor illumination need to be warm-white (i.e., correlated color temperature \u3c4000 \u3eK) with good color rendition (i.e., color rendering index \u3e80). However, no single-phosphor, single-emitting-center-converted white light-emitting diodes can simultaneously satisfy the color temperature and rendition requirements due to the lack of sufficient red spectral component in the phosphors’ emission spectrum. Here, we report a new yellow Ba0.93Eu0.07Al2O4phosphor that has a new orthorhombic lattice structure and exhibits a broad yellow photoluminescence band with sufficient red spectral component. Warm-white emissions with correlated color temperature 80 were readily achieved when combining the Ba0.93Eu0.07Al2O4 phosphor with a blue light-emitting diode (440–470 nm). This study demonstrates that warm-white light-emitting diodes with high color rendition (i.e., color rendering index \u3e80) can be achieved based on single-phosphor, single-emitting-center conversion

Absolute frequency measurements with a robust, transportable ^{40}Ca^{+} optical clock

We constructed a transportable 40Ca+ optical clock (with an estimated minimum systematic shift uncertainty of 1.3*10^(-17) and a stability of 5*10^(-15)/sqrt{tau} ) that can operate outside the laboratory. We transported it from the Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan to the National Institute of Metrology, Beijing. The absolute frequency of the 729 nm clock transition was measured for up to 35 days by tracing its frequency to the second of International System of Units. Some improvements were implemented in the measurement process, such as the increased effective up-time of 91.3 % of the 40Ca+ optical clock over a 35-day-period, the reduced statistical uncertainty of the comparison between the optical clock and hydrogen maser, and the use of longer measurement times to reduce the uncertainty of the frequency traceability link. The absolute frequency measurement of the 40Ca+ optical clock yielded a value of 411042129776400.26 (13) Hz with an uncertainty of 3.2*10^(-16), which is reduced by a factor of 1.7 compared with our previous results. As a result of the increase in the operating rate of the optical clock, the accuracy of 35 days of absolute frequency measurement can be comparable to the best results of different institutions in the world based on different optical frequency measurements.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figure