Accurate and real-time prediction of short-term traffic flow plays an increasingly vital role in the successful deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems. Although existing studies have been ...done for traffic flow prediction problem, their efficacy relies heavily on traffic data. However, collected traffic data are usually affected by various external factors (e.g, weather, traffic jams and accidents), leading to errors and missing data. This makes it difficult to pick a single method that works well all the time. This paper concentrates on investigating ensemble learning that benefits from multiple base methods and presents an effective and robust ensemble method by using the bagging ensemble technique averaging to improve the traffic flow prediction performance. To enhance the robustness of constructed ensemble method, three improved least squares twin support vector regression methods are proposed based on robust L1-norm, L2,p-norm and Lp-norm distance to alleviate the negative effect of traffic data with outliers. In addition, a pruning scheme is utilized to remove anomalous individual components. This makes the proposed method more effective for traffic flow prediction. Further, a comprehensive traffic flow indicator system based on speed, traffic volume, occupancy and ample degree is utilized to forecast the traffic flow. To promote the prediction performance, we optimize the parameters of each component in ensemble method with the adaptive particle swarm optimization. The results on real traffic data demonstrate that the proposed ensemble method yields better prediction performance and robustness even when the standalone components and other competitors make unsatisfactory predictions.
•A robust ensemble model is proposed to ease the effect of traffic data with outliers.•An iterative algorithm is designed to solve non-smooth terms of proposed base method.•A comprehensive prediction indicator system is built to forecast the traffic flow.•The parameters of each base method are optimized by particle swarm optimization.
In this study, 16 new ent-labdane-type diterpene glycosides, designated as goshonosides J1–J16 (1–16), along with nine previously known diterpene glycosides (17–25) were extracted from the fruits of ...Rubus chingii Hu. The structures of goshonosides J1–J16 were elucidated using various analytical techniques, such as nuclear magnetic resonance, electron capture detector ECD, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry HREIMS, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and hydrolysis. Furthermore, the isolates' efficacy in inhibiting the activity of phosphodiesterase type 5 A was evaluated. Goshonosides J1, J2, and G effectively inhibited the activity of the aforementioned enzyme (IC50 values: 6.15 ± 1.76, 3.27 ± 0.65, and 9.61 ± 2.36 μM, respectively). Our findings highlight the remarkable structural diversity of bioactive compounds in R. chingii Hu and offer insights into the use of this shrub.
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In order to tackle climate change and build a low-carbon economy, China has selected seven provinces and cities as carbon trading pilots and plans to establish the national emissions trading scheme ...(ETS) in 2017. However, since China has not yet reached peak carbon emissions, and as a major developing country, the conflict between increasing energy demand and the requirement to reduce emissions brings challenges to the design of a national ETS suitable for China's development. In this paper, we summarize the current situation of China's seven ETS pilots with respect to coverage, allowance allocation, transactions, punishment mechanisms and especially the market performance. By analyzing the common practice of three international mandatory schemes, combined with China's current circumstances and characteristics of market construction and regulation, we emphasize China's own economic reality, and propose several recommendations for building a suitable and effective national ETS. This paper could provide new perspectives towards scheme design for China and other similar countries.
As one member of the Ras super family, Rheb is an upstream regulator of mTOR signaling pathway, which regulates the process of cell-growth, proliferation and differentiation. In order to study the ...relationship between Rheb and mTOR in Inner Mongolian Cashmere goat (
Capra hircus) cells, Ras homolog enriched in brain (Rheb) gene cDNA was amplified by RT-PCR. It is 555 bp in length and includes the complete ORF encoding 184 amino acids (GenBank accession no. HM569224). The full cDNA nucleotide sequence has a 99% identity with that of sheep, 98% with cattle and 93% with human while their amino acids sequence shares identity with 98, 97 and 97% of them, correspondingly. The bio informatics analysis showed that Rheb has a Ras family domain, two casein kinase II phosphorylation sites, two ATP/GTP-binding sites motif A (P-loop), a prenyl group binding site (CAAX box). Tissue-specific expression analysis performed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The Rheb gene was expressed in all the tested tissues and the highest level of mRNA accumulation was detected in brain, suggesting that Rheb played an important role in goat cells.
Abstract Purpose The study was aimed to determine and optimize the parameters for the MR fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition (FIESTA) sequence, which was to obtain an acceptable image to ...evaluate the value of the movement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Methods In this investigation, 20 volunteers were examined to determine and optimize the parameters of the FIESTA sequence. Then, 160 TMJs from 80 patients with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) of clinical suspicion were consecutively performed by both static MRI and dynamic FIESTA MRI on the oblique sagittal position. The FIESTA MR images of TMJs were obtained from a slow, consecutive, free and open–closed movement. Based on the cycles of TMJ movements during the process of FIESTA MRI (90 seconds), we classified all TMJs into 2 groups: cycles of open–closed mouths less than or equal to 3 (group 1) and more than 3 (group 2). Each image was marked level 1–3 by its quality. Meanwhile, the location of articular disc, mandibular condyle, motive artifact, “jumping sign” and the joint effusion in each TMJ were assessed respectively. Results By dynamic FIESTA MRI among 160 TMJs, 92 TMJs (57.50%) were in group 1, and 68 TMJs were (42.50%) in group 2. There were statistically significant differences between group 1 and group 2( p < 0.05). It was shown that the number of “level 3” in group 1 was greater than group 2, and the number of “level 1” in group 1 was less than group 2. The phenomenon of motion artifact and “jumping sign” were much significantly higher in group 2 than those in group 1 ( p < 0.01). Furthermore, in all of the “jumping sign” cases, the phenomenon of “jumping sign” was significantly higher in group ADDwR than in group ADDw/oR ( p < 0.01). There was a statistically significant correlation between disc-condyle complex in “jumping sign” phenomenon and group ADDwR (r = 0.621, p < 0.05). The data with the false matching rate of 31.52% showed that the maximum motion range on the dynamic imaging was greater than the static imaging. Among 160 TMJs, joint effusions of 37 TMJs (23.13%) were identified by dynamic FIESTA-MRI. Among 79 TMJs with ADDw/oR(anterior disc displacement without reduction), 42 sides were operated with Maxillofacial arthroscopy surgery. The surgical result was in agreement with the MR result. Conclusion Most TMJs images with a slow free open–close movement (cycles≦3) could be successfully obtained by the dynamic FIESTA MRI. The FIESTA MRI might be considered as an additional method to evaluate the movement of the articular disk and the mandibular condyle.
Vitamin D plays a major role primarily in bone mineral homeostasis; however, the action of vitamin D on male reproduction of boars remains unknown. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of ...dietary vitamin D3 supplementation on reproductive performance of boars. Twenty-four Yorkshire boars with eighteen months were randomly allocated to one of three vitamin D3 levels diets: 200 IU/kg (C), 2000 IU/kg (T1) and 4000 IU/kg (T2) of vitamin D3 for a 16-week period. Results showed that sperm motility, effective sperm number per ejaculate, acrosome intactness ratio, and membrane intactness ratio in T1 group were significantly higher than those in C group. The sperm membrane intactness ratio was higher in T1 group than in T2 group, whereas the deformity ratio was significantly lower in T1 than in C and T2 groups. Dietary supplementation with vitamin D3 significantly increased 25-OHD3 concentration in the blood and seminal plasma, but there was no significant difference in its concentration in the seminal plasma between T1 and T2 groups. The concentrations of blood testosterone and aromatase activity increased following vitamin D supplementation. Seminal plasma Ca2+, fructose concentration, and acid phosphatase activity were higher in T1 group than in C group, but not significantly different from the corresponding values in T2 group. Furthermore, expression of CYP19, CYP24A1, and VDR mRNAs in sperm was up-regulated in T1 group compared to that in C group. In conclusion, supplementation of boar diets with 2000 IU/kg vitamin D3 increased the sperm motility and effective sperm number, which was in line with the elevated concentrations of vitamin D, hormone secretion and gene expression.
•Appropriate vitamin D requirements of boar were investigated.•2000 IU/kg vitamin D supplementation in boar diet improved the sperm quality.•4000 IU/kg vitamin D supplementation in boar diet may have a negative on the sperm production and deformity.•The possible mechanism of vitamin D action on boar performance was explored.
Narrowband circular dichroism (CD) has aroused wide concerns in high-sensitivity detections of chiral molecular and chiral catalysis. Nevertheless, the dynamical adjustment of ultra-narrowband (UNB) ...CD signals is hard to achieve. In this work, single-layer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), vanadium dioxide (VO2), and a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) are introduced into X-shaped chiral nanostructures (XCNs) for overcoming the above challenge. The simulation results show that XCNs can generate four strong UNB CD signals in the near-infrared band, and XCNs/MoS2 can further enhance the UNB CD signals. The full width at half-minimum of UNB CD signals can reach 0.14 nm. The electric field distributions of XCNs/MoS2 show that the four CD signals originate from the coupling between the guided mode resonances along the x and y axes in the VO2 layer and the Tamm plasmon polaritons along the x and y axes in the DBR layer. Four UNB CD peaks can be actively tuned by varying the structural parameters, the number of MoS2 layers, and the environmental temperature. The FOM of XCNs/MoS2 can reach 1487 by changing the refractive index of the DRB layers. These findings contribute to the design of UNB chiral devices and provide new possibilities for environmental monitoring and ultrasensitive detection of chiral molecules.
BackgroundHigh-grade bladder cancer (HGBC) has a higher malignant potential, recurrence and progression rate compared to low-grade phenotype. Its early symptoms are often vague, making non-invasive ...diagnosis using urinary biomarkers a promising approach. MethodsThe gene expression data from urine samples of patients with HGBC was extracted from the GSE68020 dataset. The clinical information and gene expression data in tumor tissues of HGBC patients were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Multivariate Cox analysis was used to predict the optimal risk model. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis was performed via the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) database and visualized using Cytoscape. Overall survival (OS) was evaluated in the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) online platform. Competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network was also visualized using Cytoscape. The expression levels of specific genes were assessed through quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Moreover, co-expressed genes and potential biological functions related to specific genes were explored based on the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) database. ResultsA total of 560 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified when comparing the urine sediment samples from HGBC patients with the benign ones. Using these urinary DEGs and the clinical information of HGBC patients, we developed an optimal risk model consisting of eight genes to predict the patient outcome. By integrating the node degree values in the PPI network with the expression changes in both urine and tissue samples, eighteen hub genes were selected out. Among them, DKC1 and SNRPG had the most prominent comprehensive values, and EFTUD2, LOR and EBNA1BP2 were relevant to a worse OS in bladder cancer patients. The ceRNA network of hub genes indicated that DKC1 may be directly regulated by miR-150 in HGBC. The upregulation of both SNRPG and DKC1 were detected in HGBC cells, which were also observed in various tumor tissues and malignant cell lines, displaying high correlations with other hub genes. ConclusionsOur study may provide theoretical basis for the development of effective non-invasive detection and treatment strategies, and further research is necessary to explore the clinical applications of these findings.
Narrowband circular dichroism (CD) has attracted wide attention for its high sensitivity in detecting chiral molecules and catalysis. However, designing a chiral metasurface with excellent sensing ...performance that can be dynamically tuned still poses challenges. This paper introduces lithium niobate, an electrically tunable material, and a distributed Bragg reflector into chiral nanorod structures to form multilayer chiral nanorod arrays (MCNAs). Simulation results show that MCNAs can generate four strong ultra-narrowband (UNB) CD signals in the visible light spectrum. The UNB CD signal intensity was up to 0.86, and the minimum full width at half-maximum (FWHM) was up to 0.21 nm. The surface electric field and current distribution of MCNAs indicate that the four UNB CD signals mainly originate from the x and y direction Tamm resonances in the chiral nanorod layer. The refractive index of lithium niobate can be tuned by changing the electric field, allowing the active tuning of UNB CD signals. In addition, the sensing performance of MCNAs in the SARS-CoV-2 solution was analyzed, and the figure of merit (FOM) can reach an astonishing 2092. These findings not only assist with the design of UNB chiral devices but also offer new possibilities for the environmental monitoring and ultrasensitive detection of chiral molecules.
Abstract Smartphones deliver light to users through Light Emitting Diode (LED) displays. Blue light is the most potent wavelength for sleep and mood. This study investigated the immediate effects of ...smartphone blue light LED on humans at night. We investigated changes in serum melatonin levels, cortisol levels, body temperature, and psychiatric measures with a randomized, double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled design of two 3-day admissions. Each subject played smartphone games with either conventional LED or suppressed blue light from 7:30 to 10:00PM (150 min). Then, they were readmitted and conducted the same procedure with the other type of smartphone. Serum melatonin levels were measured in 60-min intervals before, during and after use of the smartphones. Serum cortisol levels and body temperature were monitored every 120 min. The Profile of Mood States (POMS), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and auditory and visual Continuous Performance Tests (CPTs) were administered. Among the 22 participants who were each admitted twice, use of blue light smartphones was associated with significantly decreased sleepiness (Cohen's d = 0.49, Z = 43.50, p = 0.04) and confusion-bewilderment (Cohen's d = 0.53, Z = 39.00, p = 0.02), and increased commission error (Cohen's d = −0.59, t = −2.64, p = 0.02). Also, users of blue light smartphones experienced a longer time to reach dim light melatonin onset 50% (2.94 vs. 2.70 h) and had increases in body temperature, serum melatonin levels, and cortisol levels, although these changes were not statistically significant. Use of blue light LED smartphones at night may negatively influence sleep and commission errors, while it may not be enough to lead to significant changes in serum melatonin and cortisol levels.
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