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Uninterpreted predicate solving is a fundamental problem in formal verification, including loop invariant and constrained horn clauses predicate solving. Existing approaches have been mostly in symbolic ways. While achieving sustainable progress, they still suffer from inefficiency and seem unable to leverage the ever-increasing computility, such as GPU. Recently, neural relaxation has been proposed to tackle this problem. They treat the uninterpreted predicate-solving task as an optimization problem by relaxing the discrete search process into a learning process of neural networks. However, two bottlenecks keep them from being valid. First, relaxed neural networks cannot match the original semantics of predicates rigorously; second, the neural networks are difficult to train to reach global optimization. Therefore, this article presents a novel discrete neural architecture with the Abstract Gradient Decent (AGD) algorithm to directly solve uninterpreted predicates in the discrete hypothesis space. The abstract gradient is for discrete neurons whose calculation rules are designed in an abstract domain. Our approach conforms to the original semantics of predicates, and the proposed AGD algorithm can achieve global optimization satisfactorily. We implement the tool Dasp in the Boxes abstract domain to solve uninterpreted predicates in the QF-NIA SMT theory. In the experiments, Dasp has outperformed seven state-of-the-art tools across three predicate synthesis tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibacterial coordination compounds have attracted tremendous attention ascribed to their excellent designability. However, how the morphological evolution of these complexes influences their antibacterial and physicochemical properties has never been investigated based on proposed mechanisms. Thus, a series of Co–HOAT coordination compounds synthesized from inorganic to organic cobalt sources were prepared. We propose that with the same HOAT ligand, inorganic Co–HOAT nanosheets possess higher sterilization rates compared with organic Co–HOAT nanoparticles. This is explained by the different steric hindrance of cobalt sources. Relatively small steric hindrance could lead to ample active positions for inorganic cobalt ions to coordinate with both N and O atoms in HOAT. Meanwhile, organic Co2+ ions could only unite with N atoms in HOAT. Furthermore, by theoretical calculation, cobalt ions with adequate coordination sites are beneficial for developing nanosheet morphologies. Meanwhile, the Co–HOAT complexes with a lower density of electron clouds present higher sterilization rates due to the anchoring effect of electrostatic attraction. The proposed mechanism is that Co2+ released from compounds could cause multiple toxic effects to bacteria anchored by Co–HOATs. Finally, Co–HOATs' behaviors have excellent antimicrobial properties without environmental limitations. In conclusion, the Co–HOATs appear to be a potential antibacterial catalyst in the antimicrobial field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the upstream regulators and specific mechanisms of metastasis‐associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) in the odontoblastic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). Methodology: Human dental pulp stem cells were isolated and cultured, followed by conducting loss‐ or gain‐of‐function experiments on ATF4 and loss experiments on MALAT1 to elucidate their respective biological functions in odontoblastic differentiation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays and RNA immunoprecipitation were performed to uncover the interaction between ATF4‐MALAT1 and MALAT1‐JMJD3, respectively. The odontoblastic differentiation was estimated by the mRNA and protein of DSPP and DMP1, as well as alkaline phosphatase staining. Results: Expression of MALAT1 was upregulated in the hDPSCs cultured in an odontoblastic medium, and MALAT1 downregulation suppressed the odontoblastic differentiation of the hDPSCs. Subsequent experiments confirmed that ATF4 promoted odontoblastic differentiation and induced MALAT1 expression by binding to the MALAT1 promoter region. Further experiments revealed that nuclear MALAT1 interacted with JMJD3. MALAT1 knockdown decreased the JMJD3 protein level and demethylase activity, and it enhanced H3K27me3 occupancy of the promoter region of DSPP and DMP1, resulting in the inhibition of DSPP and DMP1 transcription. Importantly, JMJD3 overexpression significantly attenuated the inhibition of odontoblastic differentiation induced by MALAT1 knockdown. Conclusions: ATF4‐regulated MALAT1 plays a positive regulatory role in odontoblastic differentiation of hDPSCs through JMJD3‐mediated H3K27me3 modifications of the DSPP and DMP1 promoters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel monometallic (μ-LL′)Ru, Ru(μ-LL′), homobimetallic Ru(μ-LL′)Ru, and heterodimetallic Ru(μ-LL′)Os and Os(μ-LL′)Ru complexes based on two asymmetrical ligands LL′ (where LL′ = L1L1′, L2L2′) have been synthesized and characterized. Spectroscopic analysis indicates that all complexes exhibit intense spin-allowed ligand-centered (LC) transitions at 288 nm and Ru-based moderate spin-allowed MLCT absorption between 440–450 nm. The Ru(μ-LL′)Os and Os(μ-LL′)Ru dinuclear complexes show Os-based unit absorption in the range of 565–583 nm. The Ru-based units of the complexes present different emission intensities due to differing steric hindrance at the coordination sites of the two bridging ligands. The Os(μ-LL′)Ru dinuclear complexes present weaker emission intensity than their parent monometallic complexes (μ-LL′)Ru. These results indicate that the emission of Os(μ-LL′)Ru dinuclear complexes is quenched by the Os(II)-based units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly chemoselective route to aryl methyl sulfones via an unexpected C–S bond formation between sulfonylhydrazides and dimethyl phosphite catalyzed by NaI under mild conditions has been established. This transformation provides an alternative and metal-free pathway to acquire various aryl methyl sulfones in good to excellent yields. Notably, dimethyl phosphite was employed as a stable and readily available alkyl source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetation encroaching on overhead power lines can cause short circuit faults and pose a major threat to the security and stability of power grids. Therefore, establishing an effective visual detection algorithm to oversee potential circuit failures of the power lines is critical to the ongoing inspection of vegetation encroachment. This paper establishes a deep learning-based detection framework that utilizes the images obtained from vision sensors mounted on power transmission towers. The proposed detection framework includes three cascaded modules: (1) detection of vegetation regions based on the Faster Region Convolution Neural Network (Faster R-CNN), (2) detection of power lines based on the Hough transform, and (3) detection of vegetation encroachment based on an advanced stereovision (SV) algorithm. In particular, the proposed SV algorithm converts the detected two-dimensional (2D) image data of the vegetation and power lines to three-dimensional (3D) height and location results in order to obtain precise geographical locations. Case studies using field captured images provided by a Transmission System Operator (TSO) demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework in detecting vegetation failures, thus improving overall reliability and reducing economic loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that destroys the tooth‐supporting tissues and eventually leads to tooth loss. As one of the most prevalent oral conditions, periodontitis endangers the oral health of 70% of people throughout the world. Periodontitis is also related to various systemic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis, which not only has a great impact on population health status and the quality of life but also increases the social burden. Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is a gram‐negative oral anaerobic bacterium that plays a key role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. Porphyromonas gingivalis can express various of virulence factors to overturn innate and adaptive immunities, which makes P. gingivalis survive and propagate in the host, destroy periodontal tissues, and have connection to systemic diseases. Porphyromonas gingivalis can invade into and survive in host tissues by destructing the gingival epithelial barrier, internalizing into the epithelial cells, and enhancing autophagy in epithelial cells. Deregulation of complement system, degradation of antibacterial peptides, and destruction of phagocyte functions facilitate the evasion of P. gingivalis. Porphyromonas gingivalis can also suppress adaptive immunity, which allows P. gingivalis to exist in the host tissues and cause the inflammatory response persistently. Here, we review studies devoted to understanding the strategies utilized by P. gingivalis to escape host immunity. Methods for impairing P. gingivalis immune evasion are also mentioned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sialidase has an important role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis and Porphyromonas gingivalis is a sialidase-producing organism implicated in periodontitis development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-virulence and anti-inflammatory properties of the sialidase inhibitor, 2-deoxy-2,3-didehydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid (DANA), in vitro and in vivo.Methods: The effects of DANA on P. gingivalis sialidase and cell viability were determined, and the effects of DANA on P. gingivalis virulence were evaluated by assessment of growth curves, cell morphology, biofilm formation, fimbriae gene expression, and gingipains and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activity. Anti-inflammatory effects of DANA on LPS-induced macrophages were assessed by measurement of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL-1β), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) secretions. The effect of DANA on P. gingivalis-induced periodontitis in rats was analyzed by radiography, stereoscopic microscopy, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry.Results: Sialidase inhibition rate of 1mM DANA was 72.01%. Compared with untreated controls, treatment with DANA inhibited P. gingivalis growth and biofilm formation, and significantly decreased expression of the fimA, fimR, and fimS genes, as well as gingipains activity. DANA did not influence macrophage viability, but significantly inhibited TNF-α, IL-1β, and iNOS production in LPS-stimulated macrophages. In the periodontitis rat model, DANA prevented alveolar bone absorption and inhibited TNF-α and IL-1β production.Conclusion: DANA can reduce the growth, the biofilm formation and the virulence of P. gingivalis and exhibits anti-inflammatory effects, as well as effects against rat periodontitis, suggesting that DANA should be considered for development as a new adjunctive treatment for periodontitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To gain more comprehensive understanding of metabolic syndrome (Mets) among in general Chinese population.Design: Cross-sectional study. Mets was defined by three widely accepted definitions including modified Adults Treatment Panel (ATP) III criteria, International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria and harmonized definition. Risk factors were evaluated by using multivariate logistic regression.Setting: Nineteen rural villages in northeast China.Participants: The survey was conducted in September 2017 and May 2018 on 10 926 individuals.Results: According to modified ATP III criteria, IDF criteria and harmonised definition, the overall prevalence of Mets was 41·3 % (95 % CI 40·3, 42·2), 34·2 % (95 % CI 33·2, 35·1) and 44·1 % (95 % CI 43·1, 45·1), respectively. Females had a higher prevalence, and elevated blood pressure was the most frequent. Age, female sex, non-peasant worker, higher BMI and lower-annual income were independent risk factors of Mets in all three definitions (all ps < 0·05). Based on modified ATP III criteria and harmonised definition, heavy drinking was positively correlated with Mets. In contrast, former drinking was inversely associated with Mets.Conclusions: Mets is highly prevalent in rural areas of northeast China. Its independent risk factors include higher age, female sex, non-peasantry worker, higher BMI and lower-annual income. Modified ATP III criteria and harmonised definition may be superior definitions of Mets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrostatic gates by ion liquid (IL) or ion gel (IG) have allowed the exploration of intriguing material properties that are related to heavy charge doping in low‐dimensional materials. However, the obtained gate modulation is usually volatile at room temperature due to the recovery of ion position when removing the gate bias, which hinders their application in practical functional devices. Herein, the electrochemical IG gate is explored, and a nonvolatile modulation of the doping polarity of MoTe2 (from n to p and reversibly to n) by exploiting the electrochemical hydrolysis of residual water in IG and the subsequent chemical ion adsorption on MoTe2 is demonstrated. Further, based on the asymmetrically coupled gate bias to source and drain terminals, a lateral pn diode is prepared with long‐term stability >5 × 104 s and a self‐powered responsivity >85 mA W−1 at the near‐infrared wavelength of 1050 nm. The performance of diode is further optimized by applying a slight gate bias that tunes the width, position of space charge region in junction, and the overall charge collection efficiency. The nonvolatile electrochemical IG gate thus offers a viable pathway toward 2D low‐power photodetectors in the infrared spectra range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: We recently noted a dramatic increase in the number of patients with accelerated silicosis associated with exposure to artificial stone dust. Therefore, the natural history of artificial stone‐associated silicosis was compared with that of natural stone‐associated silicosis. Methods: A total of 18 patients with artificial stone‐associated silicosis and 63 with natural stone‐associated silicosis were diagnosed sequentially in 2018 and followed up for a period of 6–12 months. Data were collected from clinical charts. Results: The median duration of exposure prior to onset of symptoms of silicosis was shorter for patients who had been exposed to artificial stone dust (6.4 vs 29.3 years, P < 0.01). Four of the 18 patients experienced rapid deterioration in lung function over the follow‐up period, with declines in pre‐bronchodilator FVC of 587 (210–960) mL/year and FEV1 of 625 (360–860) mL/year. GGO, PMF, emphysema and pulmonary artery widening were more frequently observed on computed tomography scans of patients with artificial stone‐associated silicosis than of those with natural stone‐associated silicosis. Approximately 38.9% of the patients with artificial stone‐associated silicosis were lung transplant candidates and 27.8% died, both rates being significantly higher than in patients with natural stone‐associated silicosis (3.2% and 0%, both P < 0.01). Conclusion: Compared to natural stone‐associated silicosis, artificial stone‐associated silicosis was characterized by short latency, rapid radiological progression, accelerated decline in lung function and high mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Endo-periodontal lesions are bacterial infectious diseases involving both the periodontal and pulp tissues with poor outcomes. It is hard for clinicians to predict their prognosis. The aim of this study is to investigate the factors affecting the prognosis of endo-periodontal lesions. Methods. A total of 140 teeth diagnosed with grade 2-3 endo-periodontal lesions in patients with periodontitis were recruited in this study. They were divided into high and low responder groups, according to the clinical symptoms and parameters of the teeth involved after nonsurgical treatment of both the endodontic and periodontal components. Clinical parameters and symptoms were compared before and after treatment, and gender, age, smoking, and all clinical parameters were compared between high and low responder groups using univariate analyses. Logistic regression was applied to evaluate the independent effects on endo-periodontal lesion prognosis. Results. Compared with the clinical parameters at baseline, the values of tooth mobility (TM), periapical index (PAI), and discomfort when chewing were decreased after endodontic therapy, and the values of periodontal probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), sulcus bleeding index (SBI), TM, simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S), full-mouth periodontitis severity, PAI, and discomfort when chewing were decreased after periodontal therapy. Univariate analysis revealed that smoking, PD, CAL, TM, PAI, clinical crown-root ratio (CR), full-mouth periodontitis severities, and the number of root canals were significantly different between the high and low responder groups (P < 0.05). The logistic regression analysis showed that smoking, PD, CAL, full-mouth periodontitis severities, and the number of root canals remained significantly associated with grade 2-3 endo-periodontal lesions in patients with periodontitis (P < 0.05). Conclusionsand Practical Implications. High PD and CAL, multirooted teeth, smoking, and serious full-mouth periodontitis indicated a poor prognosis for teeth with grade 2-3 endo-periodontal lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: First-degree atrioventricular block (AVB) has traditionally been regarded as a benign condition but recent studies have challenged this conception. Prevalence of 1-2% have been reported in developed countries in Asia. However, no epidemiologic studies have established the prevalence of first-degree AVB in developing countries. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of first-degree AVB in rural northeast China and identify the associated risk factors.Methods: This cross-sectional study was undertaken from September 2017 to May 2018 in rural areas of Liaoning Province. It involved 10,926 participants aged ≥40 years (85.3% of those who were eligible). First-degree AVB was confirmed by at least two independent cardiologists. Risk factors were evaluated using stepwise logistic regression.Results: The prevalence of first-degree AVB was 3.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.0-3.8%). Males had a higher prevalence than females (5.1% vs. 2.2%, p < 0.001). The regression model involving all participants showed that age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.32; p <0.001), male sex (OR: 1.72; p = 0.001), height (OR: 1.25; p = 0.008), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (OR: 1.15; p = 0.003), triglycerides (TG) (OR: 1.10; p < 0.001), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (OR: 0.73; p < 0.001), heart rate (OR: 0.78; p < 0.001), and exercising regularly (OR: 0.73; p = 0.030) were independent risk factors.Conclusions: First-degree AVB is highly prevalent in rural areas of northeast China. The associated independent risk factors include being male, older, and taller, higher SBP and TG, lower HDL-C and heart rate, and lack of exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To investigate the epidemiological features of obesity in rural Northeast China. Design. This was a 2017–2018 cross-sectional study of 10,891 participants aged ≥40 years that was designed to investigate the prevalence of obesity in rural areas of Liaoning Province. Demographic data, biochemical parameters, and physical examinations were completed by well-trained personnel. Logistic regression analyses were then carried out to investigate independent risk factors and associated cardiometabolic comorbidities of obesity. Results. The proportions of general obesity only, central obesity only, and combined obesity were 1.0%, 31.3%, and 17.4%, respectively. Overall, 49.8% of our subjects were obese. Female gender, being married, being separated/divorced/widowed, or eating more meat were significantly associated with obesity. Smoking, higher family income, or regular physical exercise were negatively associated with obesity. General obesity only was significantly correlated with hypertension, diabetes, and high triglycerides (OR = 2.79, OR = 2.79, and OR = 3.37, resp.). General obesity only was irrelevant to high total cholesterol, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, although central obesity only, or combined obesity, was relevant to these factors. Prehypertension and prediabetes showed a positive association with different types of obesity. Conclusions. We identified a high prevalence of general and central obesity in rural Northeast China, with similar independent risk factors. Participants with combined obesity had the highest risk of cardiometabolic comorbidities, indicating that the combined use of both waist circumference and body mass index is useful in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]