Improved Whale Optimization Algorithm Based on Inertia Weights for Solving Global Optimization Problems

Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) is a new kind of swarm-based optimization algorithm that mimics the foraging behavior of humpback whales. WOA models the particular hunting behavior with three stages: encircling prey, bubble-net attacking, and search for prey. In this work, we proposed a new linear decreasing inertia weight with a random exploration ability (LDIWR) strategy. It also compared with the other three inertia weight WOA (IWWOA) methods: constant inertia weight (CIW), linear decreasing inertia weight (LDIW), and linear increasing inertia weight (LIIW) by adding fixed or linear inertia weights to the position vector of the reference whale. The four IWWOAs are tested with 23 mathematical and theoretical optimization benchmark functions. Experimental results show that most of IWWOAs outperform the original WOA in terms of solution accuracy and convergence rate when solving global optimization problems. Accordingly, the LDIWR strategy produces a better balance between exploration and exploitation capabilities for multimodal functions

Rupture of Renal Pelvis in an Adult with Congenital Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction After Blunt Abdominal Trauma

Isolated injury to the renal pelvis following blunt abdominal trauma is very rare. However, a pre-existing renal abnormality will increase the risk of rupture. We present a 24-year-old man with rupture of the left renal pelvis following blunt abdominal trauma. He had pre-existing left ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction. Delayed computed tomography scan with excretory phase revealed contrast medium extravasation from the left UPJ, and left renal pelvis rupture was diagnosed. He was managed successfully with ureteral double-J stenting for 2 months

Evodiamine Induces Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid-1-Mediated Protective Autophagy in U87-MG Astrocytes

Cerebral ischemia is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, which results in cognitive and motor dysfunction, neurodegenerative diseases, and death. Evodiamine (Evo) is extracted from Evodia rutaecarpa Bentham, a plant widely used in Chinese herbal medicine, which possesses variable biological abilities, such as anticancer, anti-inflammation, antiobesity, anti-Alzheimer’s disease, antimetastatic, antianoxic, and antinociceptive functions. But the effect of Evo on ischemic stroke is unclear. Increasing data suggest that activation of autophagy, an adaptive response to environmental stresses, could protect neurons from ischemia-induced cell death. In this study, we found that Evo induced autophagy in U87-MG astrocytes. A scavenger of extracellular calcium and an antagonist of transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV-1) decreased the percentage of autophagy accompanied by an increase in apoptosis, suggesting that Evo may induce calcium-mediated protective autophagy resulting from an influx of extracellular calcium. The same phenomena were also confirmed by a small interfering RNA technique to knock down the expression of TRPV1. Finally, Evo-induced c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) activation was reduced by a TRPV1 antagonist, indicating that Evo-induced autophagy may occur through a calcium/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway. Collectively, Evo induced an influx of extracellular calcium, which led to JNK-mediated protective autophagy, and this provides a new option for ischemic stroke treatment

Novel G9 rotavirus strains co-circulate in children and pigs, Taiwan

Molecular epidemiologic studies collecting information of the spatiotemporal distribution of rotavirus VP7 (G) and VP4 (P) genotypes have shown evidence for the increasing global importance of genotype G9 rotaviruses in humans and pigs. Sequence comparison of the VP7 gene of G9 strains identified different lineages to prevail in the respective host species although some of these lineages appear to be shared among heterologous hosts providing evidence of interspecies transmission events. The majority of these events indicates the pig-to-human spillover, although a reverse route of transmission cannot be excluded either. In this study, new variants of G9 rotaviruses were identified in two children with diarrhea and numerous pigs in Taiwan. Whole genome sequence and phylogenetic analyses of selected strains showed close genetic relationship among porcine and human strains suggesting zoonotic origin of Taiwanese human G9 strains detected in 2014–2015. Although the identified human G9P[19] and G9P[13] rotaviruses represented minority strains, the repeated detection of porcine-like rotavirus strains in Taiwanese children over time justifies the continuation of synchronized strain surveillance in humans and domestic animals

Alkaloids from Oxytropis ochrocephala and antiproliferative activity of sophoridine derivatives against cancer cell lines

Ten alkaloids (1-10), with sophoridine (1) as the most abundant component, were obtained from the whole plants of Oxytropis ochrocephala Bunge. Furthermore, eight new sophoridine derivatives (11-16, 20, 21), with modification on the C-14 position of 1 were synthesized. All compounds (1-16, 20, 21) were evaluated for antiproliferative activity against five human tumor cell lines. Among them, the newly synthesized derivative 20 exhibited the best inhibitory activity against the tested cell lines. Its activity was increased by more than fourfold as compared with parent compound 1

Clinical Study of Uric Acid Urolithiasis

Uric acid urolithiasis develops from various causes. To investigate the clinical and biochemical presentation of patients with uric acid urolithiasis, a retrospective study was designed. A total of 46 cases were enrolled between January 2004 and December 2005. The compositions of the stones were analyzed by infrared spectrophotometry. There were 39 males (84.8%) and seven females (15.2%), with a mean age of 61.5 ± 10.6 years and mean body mass index (BMI) of 26.7 ± 3.1 kg/m2. The stone location was kidney in 10 (21.7%), ureter in 22 (41.8%), and bladder in 14 (30.5%). Multiple stones were diagnosed in 36 patients (78.3%). Pre-existing comorbidities included diabetes mellitus in 11 patients (23.9%), hypertension in 23 (50%), gout in 13 (28.2%), and benign prostatic hyperplasia in 14 (30.4%). Mean serum creatinine and uric acid was 1.6 ± 0.6 mg/dL and 7.6 ± 1.8 mg/dL, respectively. There were 27 patients (58%) with creatinine > 1.4 mg/dL. The mean urinary pH was 5.42 ± 0.46. Patients with uric acid urolithiasis were predominantly male, older, with higher BMI, multiple stone presentation, with lower urinary pH, and hyperuricemia. Exacerbation of the renal function should also be of concern because of the high proportion of patients with renal insufficiency diagnosed in this study

AMiBA: Broadband Heterodyne CMB Interferometry

The Y. T. Lee Array for Microwave Background (AMiBA) has reported the first science results on the detection of galaxy clusters via the Sunyaev Zel'dovich effect. The science objectives required small reflectors in order to sample large scale structures (20') while interferometry provided modest resolutions (2'). With these constraints, we designed for the best sensitivity by utilizing the maximum possible continuum bandwidth matched to the atmospheric window at 86-102GHz, with dual polarizations. A novel wide-band analog correlator was designed that is easily expandable for more interferometer elements. MMIC technology was used throughout as much as possible in order to miniaturize the components and to enhance mass production. These designs will find application in other upcoming astronomy projects. AMiBA is now in operations since 2006, and we are in the process to expand the array from 7 to 13 elements.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, ApJ in press; a version with high resolution figures available at http://www.asiaa.sinica.edu.tw/~keiichi/upfiles/AMiBA7/mtc_highreso.pd

Synthesis of novel spin-labeled derivatives of 5-FU as potential antineoplastic agents

Chemotherapy is a general treatment option for various cancers, including lung cancer. In order to find compounds with superior bioactivity and less toxicity against lung cancer, novel spin-labeled 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) derivatives (3a–f) were synthesized and evaluated against four human tumor cell lines (A-549, DU-145, KB, and KBvin). Two promising compounds 3d and 3f exhibited IC50 values of 2.76 and 2.38 μM, respectively, against non-small cell lung carcinoma cell line A-549. These compounds were twofold more cytotoxic than 5-FU and less toxic against other tested cell lines. Compound 3f exhibited seven times more selective cytotoxicity against A-549 than 5-FU. Our results suggest that compounds 3d and 3f merit further investigation for development into clinical trial candidates for non-small cell lung cancer