151 research outputs found
Distributed Schemes for Crowdsourcing-Based Sensing Task Assignment in Cognitive Radio Networks
ODTC: An online darknet traffic classification model based on multimodal self-attention chaotic mapping features
Darknet traffic classification is significantly important to network management and security. To achieve fast and accurate classification performance, this paper proposes an online classification model based on multimodal self-attention chaotic mapping features. On the one hand, the payload content of the packet is input into the network integrating CNN and BiGRU to extract local space-time features. On the other hand, the flow level abstract features processed by the MLP are introduced. To make up for the lack of the indistinct feature learning, a feature amplification module that uses logistic chaotic mapping to amplify fuzzy features is introduced. In addition, a multi-head attention mechanism is used to excavate the hidden relationships between different features. Besides, to better support new traffic classes, a class incremental learning model is developed with the weighted loss function to achieve continuous learning with reduced network parameters. The experimental results on the public CICDarketSec2020 dataset show that the accuracy of the proposed model is improved in multiple categories; however, the time and memory consumption is reduced by about 50. Compared with the existing state-of-the-art traffic classification models, the proposed model has better classification performance
Inactivation of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5 in Hair Cells Causes Hearing Loss in Mice
Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) is abundantly expressed in post-mitotic cells including neurons. It is involved in multiple cellular events, such as cytoskeletal dynamics, signaling cascades, gene expression, and cell survival, et al. Dysfunction of CDK5 has been associated with a number of neurological disorders. Here we show that CDK5 is expressed in mouse cochlear hair cells, and CDK5 inactivation in hair cells causes hearing loss in mice. CDK5 inactivation has no effect on stereocilia development in the cochlear hair cells. However, it affects stereocilia maintenance, resulting in stereocilia disorganization and eventually stereocilia loss. Consistently, hair cell loss was significantly elevated by CDK5 inactivation. Despite that CDK5 has been shown to play important roles in synapse development and/or function, CDK5 inactivation does not affect the formation of ribbon synapses of cochlear hair cells. Further investigation showed that CDK5 inactivation causes reduced phosphorylation of ERM (ezrin, radixin, and moesin) proteins, which might contribute to the stereocilia deficits. Taken together, our data suggest that CDK5 plays pivotal roles in auditory hair cells, and CDK5 inactivation causes hearing loss in mice
Rational Design of Synergistic Structure Between Single-Atoms and Nanoparticles for CO2 Hydrogenation to Formate Under Ambient Conditions
Single-atom catalysts (SACs) as the new frontier in heterogeneous catalysis have attracted increasing attention. However, the rational design of SACs with high catalytic activities for specified reactions still remains challenging. Herein, we report the rational design of a Pd1-PdNPs synergistic structure on 2,6-pyridinedicarbonitrile-derived covalent triazine framework (CTF) as an efficient active site for CO2 hydrogenation to formate under ambient conditions. Compared with the catalysts mainly comprising Pd1 and PdNPs, this hybrid catalyst presented significantly improved catalytic activity. By regulating the ratio of Pd1 to PdNPs, we obtained the optimal catalytic activity with a formate formation rate of 3.66 molHCOOM·molPd−1·h−1 under ambient conditions (30°C, 0.1 MPa). Moreover, as a heterogeneous catalyst, this hybrid catalyst is easily recovered and exhibits about a 20% decrease in the catalytic activity after five cycles. These findings are significant in elucidating new rational design principles for CO2 hydrogenation catalysts with superior activity and may open up the possibilities of converting CO2 under ambient conditions
Postoperative radiotherapy for completely resected Masaoka stage III thymoma: a retrospective study of 65 cases from a single institution
Abstract
Background
The role of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) for patients with stage III thymoma after complete resection is not definite. Some authors have advocated postoperative RT after complete tumor resection, but some others suggested observation. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the effect of postoperative RT on survival as well as tumor control in patients with Masaoka stage III thymoma.
Methods
Between June 1982 and December 2010, 65 patients who underwent complete resection of stage III thymoma entered the study. Fifty-three patients had adjuvant RT after surgery (S + R) and 12 had surgery only (S alone). Of patients who had adjuvant RT, 28 had three-dimensional conformal RT (3D-CRT)/intensity modulated RT (IMRT) and 25 had conventional RT. A median prescribed dose of 56 Gy (range, 28–60 Gy) was given.
Results
The median follow-up time was 50 months (range, 5–360 months). Five- and 10-year overall survival (OS) rates were 91.7% and 71.6%, respectively, for S + R and 81.5% and 65.2% for S alone (P = 0.5), respectively. In the subgroup analysis, patients with 3D-CRT/IMRT showed a trend of improved 5-year OS rate compared with conventional RT (100% vs. 86.9%, P =0.12). Compared with S alone, the 5-year OS rate was significantly improved (100% vs. 81.5%, P = 0.049). Relapses occurred in 15 patients (23.1%). There was a trend of lower crude local recurrence rates for S + R (3.8%) compared with S alone (16.7%) (P = 0.09), whereas the crude regional recurrence rates were similar (P = 0.9). No clear dose–response relationship was found according to prescribed doses.
Conclusions
Adjuvant 3D-CRT/IMRT showed potential advantages in improving survival and reducing relapse in patients with stage III thymoma after complete resection, whereas adjuvant RT did not significantly improve survival or reduce recurrence for the cohort as a whole. Doses of ≤ 50 Gy may be effective and could be prescribed for adjuvant RT. To confirm the role of adjuvant 3D-CRT/IMRT in patients who undergo a complete resection of thymoma, a multicenter randomized study should be performed.
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Phthalate metabolites and sex steroid hormones in relation to obesity in US adults: NHANES 2013-2016
BackgroundObesity and metabolic syndrome pose significant health challenges in the United States (US), with connections to disruptions in sex hormone regulation. The increasing prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome might be associated with exposure to phthalates (PAEs). Further exploration of the impact of PAEs on obesity is crucial, particularly from a sex hormone perspective.MethodsA total of 7780 adult participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2013 to 2016 were included in the study. Principal component analysis (PCA) coupled with multinomial logistic regression was employed to elucidate the association between urinary PAEs metabolite concentrations and the likelihood of obesity. Weighted quartiles sum (WQS) regression was utilized to consolidate the impact of mixed PAEs exposure on sex hormone levels (total testosterone (TT), estradiol and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)). We also delved into machine learning models to accurately discern obesity status and identify the key variables contributing most to these models.ResultsPrincipal Component 1 (PC1), characterized by mono(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP), mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP), and mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP) as major contributors, exhibited a negative association with obesity. Conversely, PC2, with monocarboxyononyl phthalate (MCNP), monocarboxyoctyl phthalate (MCOP), and mono(3-carboxypropyl) phthalate (MCPP) as major contributors, showed a positive association with obesity. Mixed exposure to PAEs was associated with decreased TT levels and increased estradiol and SHBG. During the exploration of the interrelations among obesity, sex hormones, and PAEs, models based on Random Forest (RF) and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) algorithms demonstrated the best classification efficacy. In both models, sex hormones exhibited the highest variable importance, and certain phthalate metabolites made significant contributions to the model’s performance.ConclusionsIndividuals with obesity exhibit lower levels of TT and SHBG, accompanied by elevated estradiol levels. Exposure to PAEs disrupts sex hormone levels, contributing to an increased risk of obesity in US adults. In the exploration of the interrelationships among these three factors, the RF and XGBoost algorithm models demonstrated superior performance, with sex hormones displaying higher variable importance
The prognostic significance of circulating plasma cells in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients
ObjectiveMultiple myeloma (MM) is a highly characteristic tumor that is influenced by numerous factors that determine its prognosis. Studies indicate that the presence of circulating plasma cells (cPCs) is a detrimental factor that significantly impacts the prognosis of patients with MM.MethodsThis study retrospectively analyzed the prognostic value of cPCs quantified by 10-color flow cytometry in 145 newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) cases in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from November 2018 to February 2021. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the hospital (2021 No. 93).ResultsOf the 145 patients, 99 (68.2%) were detected cPCs. Through receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis, an optimal threshold of 0.165% was identified as a predictor for overall survival (OS). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 33 months in patients with cPCs ≥0.165%, whereas those with cPCs <0.165% had a PFS of <33 months (p=0.001). The median OS was not reached for two groups; the 3-year OS for patients with cPCs ≥0.165% was 71% compared with 87% for those with cPCs <0.165% (p=0.003). In transplant patients, cPCs ≥0.165% also predicted worse prognosis. Similarly, when considering cytogenetic risk factors in conjunction with cPC levels, comparable results were obtained. To evaluate whether the Revised International Staging System (R-ISS) groups could be further stratified based on different prognostic factors related to cPCs, our study revealed similar median PFS and OS rates in R-ISS II stage patients with cPCs ≥0.165% compared to those in the III stage (p=0.659 and 0.249, respectively).ConclusionThis study demonstrates that a high ratio of cPCs serves as a reliable indicator for predicting a poorer prognosis in MM cases. Furthermore, incorporating the R-ISS system and cytogenetic risk factors alongside the level of cPCs enhances the accuracy of prognostic predictions for patients with MM
Gadolinium-enhanced intracranial aneurysm wall imaging and risk of aneurysm growth and rupture: a multicentre longitudinal cohort study
Objectives: In patients with an unruptured intracranial aneurysm, gadolinium enhancement of the aneurysm wall is associated with growth and rupture. However, most previous studies did not have a longitudinal design and did not adjust for aneurysm size, which is the main predictor of aneurysm instability and the most important determinant of wall enhancement. We investigated whether aneurysm wall enhancement predicts aneurysm growth and rupture during follow-up and whether the predictive value was independent of aneurysm size. Materials and methods: In this multicentre longitudinal cohort study, individual patient data were obtained from twelve international cohorts. Inclusion criteria were as follows: 18 years or older with ≥ 1 untreated unruptured intracranial aneurysm < 15 mm; gadolinium-enhanced aneurysm wall imaging and MRA at baseline; and MRA or rupture during follow-up. Patients were included between November 2012 and November 2019. We calculated crude hazard ratios with 95%CI of aneurysm wall enhancement for growth (≥ 1 mm increase) or rupture and adjusted for aneurysm size. Results: In 455 patients (mean age (SD), 60 (13) years; 323 (71%) women) with 559 aneurysms, growth or rupture occurred in 13/194 (6.7%) aneurysms with wall enhancement and in 9/365 (2.5%) aneurysms without enhancement (crude hazard ratio 3.1 [95%CI: 1.3–7.4], adjusted hazard ratio 1.4 [95%CI: 0.5–3.7]) with a median follow-up duration of 1.2 years. Conclusions: Gadolinium enhancement of the aneurysm wall predicts aneurysm growth or rupture during short-term follow-up, but not independent of aneurysm size. Clinical relevance statement: Gadolinium-enhanced aneurysm wall imaging is not recommended for short-term prediction of growth and rupture, since it appears to have no additional value to conventional predictors. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] Key Points: • Although aneurysm wall enhancement is associated with aneurysm instability in cross-sectional studies, it remains unknown whether it predicts risk of aneurysm growth or rupture in longitudinal studies. • Gadolinium enhancement of the aneurysm wall predicts aneurysm growth or rupture during short-term follow-up, but not when adjusting for aneurysm size. • While gadolinium-enhanced aneurysm wall imaging is not recommended for short-term prediction of growth and rupture, it may hold potential for aneurysms smaller than 7 mm
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