Mobile edge computing (MEC) enables users to offload computing tasks to edge servers for provisioning low-latency and computation-intensive services. To manage heterogeneous resources and improve ...service flexibility, MEC is entailed by new technologies, i.e., software defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV), which allow services running on common commodity hardware instead of proprietary hardware. However, data processing via software on commodity servers may induce high latency due to limited processing capacity, which impedes the quality of service. Meanwhile, MEC is a resource-sharing system and thus fairness should be considered. In this paper, we propose a network function parallelism (NFP)-enabled MEC (NFPMec) framework for supporting low-latency services. To reap the potential benefits of the NFPMec, we formulate the fairness-aware throughput maximization problem (FTMP) with aim of maximizing the fairness-aware system throughput while satisfying the QoS requirements. We propose a relaxation-based generalized benders algorithm (RGBA) to decouple the FTMP into two sub-problems based on the non-linear convex duality theory. After relaxation, the sub-problems are solved by the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) approach. The convergence of the RGBA is theoretically proved. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed NFPMec outperforms SDN-enabled MEC networks in terms of resource utilization, service latency and system throughput.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most common cause of cancer death worldwide. Chemotherapy has been the major strategy for treating patients with advanced CRC. Oxaliplatin (OXA) is used as both ...an adjuvant and neoadjuvant anticancer agent available to treat advanced CRC. High‐mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) is a critical regulator of cell death and survival. HMGB1 overexpression has been shown to be resistant to cytotoxic agents. In addition, Metformin, a widely used drug for diabetes, has emerged as a potential anticancer agent. In this study, we examined whether HMGB1 plays a role in the OXA‐ and/or metformin‐induced cytotoxic effect on CRC cells. The results showed that treatment with OXA increased HMGB1 expression in the ERK1/2‐ and Akt‐dependent manners in DLD‐1 cells. HMGB1 gene knockdown enhanced the cytotoxicity and cell growth inhibition of OXA. Moreover, OXA‐increased HMGB1 expression was by inducing NF‐κB‐DNA‐binding activity to in DLD‐1 cells. Compared to a single agent, OXA combined with metformin administration resulted in cytotoxicity and cell growth inhibition synergistically, accompanied with reduced HMGB1 level. These findings may have implications for the rational design of future drug regimens incorporating OXA and metformin for the treatment of CRC.
The results of this study suggest that decreasing HMGB1 expression may enhance the therapeutic effect of OXA in patients with CRC and the concept of metformin combined with OXA seems to present a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of CRC.
A proposed model is used to account for both the recovery rate and regime-switching uncertainties for pricing credit-risky bonds. A two-factor hazard rate model (TFHRM) is also considered, where the ...dynamics of both instantaneous forward rates and asset values are modeled using Markov-modulated geometric Brownian motions (MMGBMs). Moreover, a macroeconomic factor is incorporated into the MMGBMs. The model complexity is resolved through the introduction of an endogenous intensity function and a recovery rate under the TFHRM. A semi-closed-form solution for pricing defaultable bonds is derived along with a pricing formula for credit spread. A credit cycle is constructed to reflect changes in industry characteristics and macroeconomic factors. The empirical study demonstrates that the inclusion of a stochastic recovery rate increases the model's pricing accuracy, and the results indicate a close interaction among business cycles, recovery rates, and credit ratings.
Cell entry of anionic nano-objects has been observed in various types of viruses and self-assembled DNA nanostructures. Nevertheless, the physical mechanism underlying the internalization of these ...anionic particles across the negatively charged cell membrane remains poorly understood. Here, we report the use of virus-mimicking designer DNA nanostructures with near-atomic resolution to program “like-charge attraction” at the interface of cytoplasmic membranes. Single-particle tracking shows that cellular internalization of tetrahedral DNA nanostructures (TDNs) depends primarily on the lipid-raft-mediated pathway, where caveolin plays a key role in providing the short-range attraction at the membrane interface. Both simulation and experimental data establish that TDNs approach the membrane primarily with their corners to minimize electrostatic repulsion, and that they induce uneven charge redistribution in the membrane under the short-distance confinement by caveolin. We expect that the nanoscale like-charge attraction mechanism provides new clues for viral entry and general rules for rational design of anionic carriers for therapeutics.
Background Due to negative results in clinical trials of postoperative chemoradiation for gastric cancer, at present, there is a tendency to move chemoradiation therapy forward in gastric and ...gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are currently recruiting subjects to investigate the effect of neo-adjuvant radiotherapy (NRT) in gastric and GEJ cancer. Large retrospective studies may be beneficial in clarifying the potential benefit of NRT, providing implications for RCTs. Methods We retrieved the clinicopathological and treatment data of gastric and GEJ adenocarcinoma patients who underwent surgical resection and chemotherapy between 2004 and 2015 from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. We compared survival between NRT and non-NRT patients among four clinical subgroups (T.sub.1-2N.sup.-, T.sub.1-2N.sup.+, T.sub.3-4N.sup.-, and T.sub.3-4N.sup.+). Results Overall, 5272 patients were identified, among which 1984 patients received NRT. After adjusting confounding variables, significantly improved survival between patients with and without NRT was only observed in T.sub.3-4N.sup.+ subgroup hazard ratio (HR) 0.79, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.66-0.95; P = 0.01. Besides, Kaplan-Meier plots showed significant cause-specific survival advantage of NRT in intestinal type (P < 0.001), but not in diffuse type (P = 0.11) for T.sub.3-4N.sup.+ patients. In the multivariate competing risk model, NRT still showed survival advantage only in T.sub.3-4 N.sup.+ patients (subdistribution HR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.64-0.93; P = 0.006), but not in other subgroups. Conclusions NRT might benefit resectable gastric and GEJ cancer patients of T3-4 stages with positive lymph nodes, particularly for intestinal-type. Nevertheless, these results should be interpreted with caution, and more data from ongoing RCTs are warranted. Keywords: Radiotherapy, Preoperative, Survival, Gastric cancer
Acute hepatitis A is a fecal-oral transmitted disease related to inadequate sanitary conditions. In addition to its traditional classification, several outbreaks in the men who have sex with men ...(MSM) population have resulted in acute hepatitis A being recognized as a sexually transmitted disease. However, few studies have clarified the clinical manifestations in these outbreaks involving the MSM population.
Beginning in June 2015, there was an outbreak of acute hepatitis A involving the MSM population in Northern Taiwan. We conducted a 15-year retrospective study by recruiting 207 patients with the diagnosis of acute hepatitis A that included the pre-outbreak (January 2001 to May 2015) and outbreak (June 2015 to August 2016) periods in a tertiary medical center in Northern Taiwan. Using risk factors, comorbidities, presenting symptoms, laboratory test results and imaging data, we aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of acute hepatitis A in the MSM population, where human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection is common.
There was a higher prevalence of reported MSM (p < 0.001), HIV (p < 0.001) and recent syphilis (p < 0.05) coinfection with acute hepatitis A during the outbreak period. The outbreak population had more prominent systemic symptoms, was more icteric with a higher total bilirubin level (p < 0.05) and had a 7-times higher tendency (p < 0.05) to have a hepatitis A relapse.
The clinical course of acute hepatitis A during an outbreak involving the MSM and HIV-positive population is more symptomatic and protracted than in the general population.
Thymic involution during aging is a major cause of decreased T-cell production and reduced immunity. Here, we show that the loss of CD147 on T cells prevents thymic senescence, resulting in slowed ...shrinkage of the thymus with age and increased production of naive T cells. This phenotype is the result of slowing of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in thymic epithelial cells (TECs), which eventually leads to reduced adipocyte accumulation. In an in vitro coculture system, we found that TGFβ is an important factor in the EMT process in TECs and that it can reduce the expression of E-cadherin through p-Smad2/FoxC2 signaling. Moreover, CD147 on T cells can accelerate the decline in E-cadherin expression by interacting with Annexin A2 on TECs. In the presence of TGFβ, Annexin A2 and E-cadherin colocalize on TECs. However, CD147 on T cells competitively binds to Annexin A2 on TECs, leading to the isolation of E-cadherin. Then, the isolated E-cadherin is easily phosphorylated by phosphorylated Src kinase, the phosphorylation of which was induced by TGFβ, and finally, p-E-cadherin is degraded. Thus, in the thymus, the interaction between T cells and TECs contributes to thymic involution with age. In this study, we illuminate the mechanism underlying the triggering of the EMT process in TECs and show that inhibiting TGFβ and/or CD147 may serve as a strategy to hinder age-related thymic involution.
Inflatable anchors have been applied to reinforce foundations because soft soil deposits have a low bearing capacity. However, previous research on the mechanical behaviors of inflatable anchors has ...focused on a single anchor. Since anchors are always used in a group, the uplift behavior of multiple inflatable anchors in soft soil should be investigated. A series of pull-out tests were conducted in this framework by changing the number, spacing, and layout of inflatable anchors. Additionally, the effect coefficient (ECO) of multiple inflatable anchors is discussed. It is found that the failure behavior of multiple inflatable anchors exhibits a three-stage curve: an initial linear stage, followed by nonlinear, and steady-state stages. In addition, the ultimate bearing capacity of multiple inflatable anchors is maximized if the ratio of the spacing of inflatable anchors to the equivalent expanding section diameter of an inflatable anchor is 6.84. It is recognized that the ECO of this new multiple inflatable anchor group is sometimes greater than 1, unlike that of conventional anchors, which have ECOs of less than 1. In addition, the layout of multiple inflatable anchors in the shape of a cinquefoil is recommended due to its high ECO.
The removal of fluoride from water by Kanuma mud using batch and fixed-bed column adsorption techniques was investigated. In a batch study, maximum fluoride removal was achieved within the pH range ...5.0–7.0, taking about 2
h to attain equilibrium. Equilibration time did not depend upon the initial fluoride concentration. Kinetics data were fitted with a pseudo-second-order model. The experimental data fitted well to a Freundlich adsorption isotherm. Fixed-bed column experiments were carried out for different influent fluoride concentrations, bed depths, and various flow rates. The breakthrough time and exhaustion time decreased with increasing flow rate, decreasing bed depth and increasing influent fluoride concentration. The bed depth service time model and the Thomas model were applied to the experimental results. Both model predictions were in good agreement with the experimental data for all the process parameters studied, indicating that the models were suitable for Kanuma mud fix-bed column design. Column adsorption was reversible and the regeneration operation was accomplished by pumping 0.1
M NaOH through the loaded Kanuma mud column.
►Adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. ►Maximum adsorption of fluoride was achieved within the pH range 5.0–7.0. ►Adsorption capacity was 3.067
mg/g calculated by the Freundlich isotherm model. ►The data obtained from column study fit BDST model well. ►Kanuma mud can be eluted with 0.1
M NaOH.
A design approach for developing microwave bandpass filters (BPFs) with continuous control of the center frequency and bandwidth is presented. The proposed approach exploits a simple loop-shaped ...dual-mode resonator that is tapped and perturbed with varactor diodes to realize center frequency tunability and passband reconfigurabilty. The even- and odd-mode resonances of the resonator can be predominately controlled via the incorporated varactors, and the passband response reconfiguration is obtained with the proposed tunable external coupling mechanism, which resolves the return losses degradation attributed to conventional fixed external coupling mechanisms. The demonstrated approach leads to a relatively simple synthesis of the microwave BPF with an up to 33% center frequency tuning range, an excellent bandwidth tuning capability, as well as a high filter response reconfigurability, including an all-reject response.
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