Impacts from initialization techniques – An optimal computational resource allocation problem

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New tricks for KDEL receptors

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Experimental observation of chiral phonons in monolayer WSe2

Chirality characterizes an object that is not identical to its mirror image. In condensed matter physics, Fermions have been demonstrated to obtain chirality through structural and time-reversal symmetry breaking. These systems display unconventional electronic transport phenomena such as the quantum Hall effect and Weyl semimetals. However, for bosonic collective excitations in atomic lattices, chirality was only theoretically predicted and has never been observed. We experimentally show that phonons can exhibit intrinsic chirality in monolayer tungsten diselenide, whose lattice breaks the inversion symmetry and enables inequivalent electronic K and -K valley states. The time-reversal symmetry is also broken when we selectively excite the valley polarized holes by circularly polarized light. Brillouin-zone-boundary phonons are then optically created by the indirect infrared absorption through the hole-phonon interactions. The unidirectional intervalley transfer of holes ensures that only the phonon modes in one valley are excited. We found that such photons are chiral through the transient infrared circular dichroism, which proves the valley phonons responsible to the indirect absorption has non-zero pseudo-angular momentum. From the spectrum we further deduce the energy transferred to the phonons that agrees with both the first principle calculation and the double-resonance Raman spectroscopy. The chiral phonons have significant implications for electron-phonon coupling in solids, lattice-driven topological states, and energy efficient information processing

Gaussian Process Surrogate Models for Neural Networks

Not being able to understand and predict the behavior of deep learning systems makes it hard to decide what architecture and algorithm to use for a given problem. In science and engineering, modeling is a methodology used to understand complex systems whose internal processes are opaque. Modeling replaces a complex system with a simpler, more interpretable surrogate. Drawing inspiration from this, we construct a class of surrogate models for neural networks using Gaussian processes. Rather than deriving kernels for infinite neural networks, we learn kernels empirically from the naturalistic behavior of finite neural networks. We demonstrate our approach captures existing phenomena related to the spectral bias of neural networks, and then show that our surrogate models can be used to solve practical problems such as identifying which points most influence the behavior of specific neural networks and predicting which architectures and algorithms will generalize well for specific datasets

Multiple criteria data envelopment analysis for full ranking units associated to environment impact assessment

Author name used in this publication: Chun-Tian ChengAuthor Gang LI, Department of Civil Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian.2006-2007 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalAccepted ManuscriptPublishe

Oxyresveratrol supplementation to C57bl/6 mice fed with a high-fat diet ameliorates obesity-associated symptoms

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Class II ADP-ribosylation factors are required for efficient secretion of Dengue viruses

This article is available open access through the publisher’s website.Identification and characterization of virus-host interactions are very important steps toward a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for disease progression and pathogenesis. To date, very few cellular factors involved in the life cycle of flaviviruses, which are important human pathogens, have been described. In this study, we demonstrate a crucial role for class II Arf proteins (Arf4 and Arf5) in the dengue flavivirus life cycle. We show that simultaneous depletion of Arf4 and Arf5 blocks recombinant subviral particle secretion for all four dengue serotypes. Immunostaining analysis suggests that class II Arf proteins are required at an early pre-Golgi step for dengue virus secretion. Using a horseradish peroxidase protein fused to a signal peptide, we show that class II Arfs act specifically on dengue virus secretion without altering the secretion of proteins through the constitutive secretory pathway. Co-immunoprecipitation data demonstrate that the dengue prM glycoprotein interacts with class II Arf proteins but not through its C-terminal VXPX motif. Finally, experiments performed with replication-competent dengue and yellow fever viruses demonstrate that the depletion of class II Arfs inhibits virus secretion, thus confirming their implication in the virus life cycle, although data obtained with West Nile virus pointed out the differences in virus-host interactions among flaviviruses. Our findings shed new light on a molecular mechanism used by dengue viruses during the late stages of the life cycle and demonstrate a novel function for class II Arf proteins.Research Fund for Control of Infectious Diseases of Hong Kong and BNP Paribas Corporate and Investment Banking

Improvised bubble continuous positive airway pressure (BCPAP) device at the National Hospital Abuja gives immediate improvement in respiratory rate and oxygenation in neonates with respiratory distress

Background: Prematurity accounts for 25% of Neonatal mortality in Nigeria and Respiratory Distress Syndrome is responsible for half of these deaths. Introducing continuous positive airway pressure for the treatment of RDS in Nigeria where health care financing is predominantly out-of-pocket is quite challenging. It was hypothesized that applying the principle of under-water-seal pressure generation could convert a simple oxygen delivery system into an effective Bubble CPAP device.Objectives: To provide evidence in support of the immediate clinical effectiveness of the NHBCPAP device.Design/Methods: At the neonatal unit of the National Hospital Abuja, we assembled a circuit of tubing connecting a gas source (oxygen concentrator or cylinder) through an interface (nasal prongs) to the baby and this was further connected through an expiratory tube to an under-waterseal bottle to generate CPAP. The device is activated by turning on the oxygen source. The device was applied to preterm babies with RDS as well as some term babies with respiratory distress admitted into the neonatal intensive care units. Respiratory rate, SPO2 and other signs of respiratory distress were monitored before and at 1 hour, 6 hours and 12 hours after the application.Results: Forty eight newborn babies with respiratory distress were treated with the device out of whom twenty three (48%) were very low birth weight with respiratory distress syndrome. The mean respiratory rate dropped from 64.5 (19.2)/min before commencement of CPAP to 59.5(11.6)/min, 56.6 (10.5), and 56.6(10.7) at 1, 6 and 12 hours respectively, p<0.05. The corresponding values for SPO2 were 84.5(14) before and 95.9 (5.3), 95.9(6.5) and 96.9(6.4) at 1, 6 and 12 hours respectively, p<0.05. The respiratory changes were however less marked among very low birth weight babies.Conclusion: The simplified customized device produces clinical responses similar to those reported for the conventional CPAP devices

Tankyrase Inhibitors Target YAP by Stabilizing Angiomotin Family Proteins

SummaryAs the key effector in the Hippo pathway, YAP was identified as an oncoprotein whose expression is elevated in various human cancers. However, the development of potentially therapeutic compounds targeting YAP has been slow and limited. Here, we find that tankyrase inhibitors suppress YAP activity. This effect is mediated by anigomotin (AMOT) family proteins. Tankyrases associate with AMOT family proteins and promote their degradation through E3 ligase RNF146. By antagonizing tankyrase activity, tankyrase inhibitors stabilize AMOT family proteins, thereby suppressing YAP oncogenic functions. Together, our studies not only demonstrate the tankyrase-RNF146-AMOT axis as an upstream pathway regulating YAP but also reveal a therapeutic opportunity in targeting YAP for cancer treatment

Correlation between biomarkers of exposure, effect and potential harm in the urine of electronic cigarette users.

ObjectivesTo determine if urinary biomarkers of effect and potential harm are elevated in electronic cigarette users compared with non-smokers and if elevation correlates with increased concentrations of metals in urine.Study design and settingThis was a cross-sectional study of biomarkers of exposure, effect and potential harm in urine from non-smokers (n=20), electronic cigarette users (n=20) and cigarette smokers (n=13). Participant's screening and urine collection were performed at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, and biomarker analysis and metal analysis were performed at the University of California, Riverside.ResultsMetallothionein was significantly elevated in the electronic cigarette group (3761±3932 pg/mg) compared with the non-smokers (1129±1294 pg/mg, p=0.05). 8-OHdG (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine) was significantly elevated in electronic cigarette users (442.8±300.7 ng/mg) versus non-smokers (221.6±157.8 ng/mg, p=0.01). 8-Isoprostane showed a significant increase in electronic cigarette users (750.8±433 pg/mg) versus non-smokers (411.2±287.4 pg/mg, p=0.03). Linear regression analysis in the electronic cigarette group showed a significant correlation between cotinine and total metal concentration; total metal concentration and metallothionein; cotinine and oxidative DNA damage; and total metal concentration and oxidative DNA damage. Zinc was significantly elevated in the electronic cigarette users (584.5±826.6 µg/g) compared with non-smokers (413.6±233.7 µg/g, p=0.03). Linear regression analysis showed a significant correlation between urinary zinc concentration and 8-OHdG in the electronic cigarette users.ConclusionsThis study is the first to investigate biomarkers of potential harm and effect in electronic cigarette users and to show a linkage to metal exposure. The biomarker levels in electronic cigarette users were similar to (and not lower than) cigarette smokers. In electronic cigarette users, there was a link to elevated total metal exposure and oxidative DNA damage. Specifically, our results demonstrate that zinc concentration was correlated to oxidative DNA damage