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With the gradual normalization of the COVID-19, unmanned delivery has gradually become an important contactless distribution method around China. In this paper, we study the routing problem of unmanned vehicles considering path flexibility and the number of traffic lights in the road network to reduce the complexity of road conditions faced by unmanned vehicles as much as possible. We use Monte Carlo Tree Search algorithm to improve the Genetic Algorithm to solve this problem, first use Monte Carlo Tree Search Algorithm to compute the time-saving path between two nodes among multiple feasible paths and then transfer the paths results to Genetic Algorithm to obtain the final sequence of the unmanned vehicles fleet. And the hybrid algorithm was tested on the actual road network data around four hospitals in Beijing. The results showed that compared with normal vehicle routing problem, considering path flexibility can save the delivery time, the more complex the road network composition, the better results could be obtained by the algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2-(phosphonomethyl)pentanedioic acid (2-PMPA) appears to prevent ischemic brain injury during stroke by inhibiting NAALADase. This enzyme hydrolyzes N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate (NAAG), which in turn produces the excitatory amino acid glutamate. Excessive glutamate levels can be toxic to the brain.

The multiple traveling salesman problem (mTSP) is an extension of the traveling salesman problem (TSP), which has wider applications in real life than the traveling salesman problem such as transportation and delivery, task allocation, etc. In this paper, an improved genetic algorithm (VNS-GA) that uses polar coordinate classification to generate the initial solutions is proposed. It integrates the variable neighbourhood algorithm to solve the multiple objective optimization of the mTSP with workload balance. Aiming to workload balance, the first design of this paper is about generating initial solutions based on the polar coordinate classification. Then a distance comparison insertion operator is designed as a neighbourhood action for allocating paths in a targeted manner. Finally, the neighbourhood descent process in the variable neighbourhood algorithm is fused into the genetic algorithm for the expansion of search space. The improved algorithm is tested on the TSPLIB standard data set and compared with other genetic algorithms. The results show that the improved genetic algorithm can increase computational efficiency and obtain a better solution for workload balance and this algorithm has wild applications in real life such as multiple robots task allocation, school bus routing problem and other optimization problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fertility degradation of Mollisols affects world food security. Understanding the degradation mechanisms of Mollisols is essential in order to restore the soils' productivity. A long-term field experiment was conducted to assess soil phosphorus (P) concentrations and fractions in a Mollisol at its early development stage under different cropping systems in Northeast China. Parent material (PM) and mature Mollisol (OM) were used for comparison. Organic P (Po) concentrations under natural fallow (Pnat), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) (Palf) and soybean-maize (S-M) rotation without fertilizer application (PCS-F) increased by 68-74% after 10 years. S-M rotation with mineral fertilizer (PCS + F), organic matter amendment (PCS + F + OM), or crop straw return (PCS + F + BM) increased Po concentrations by 74.1-108 mg kg-1, which is equivalent to 33% of total Po in the OM; and increased Ca2-P, Ca8-P, Al-P and Fe-P concentrations by 0.9-1.3, 7.1-8.8, 2.1-2.7 and 1.6-1.7 times, respectively. 67% of the applied fertilizer P was transformed to Pi for the treatments with chemical fertilizer. The results indicate that return of crop residue combined with chemical fertilizers enhances the accumulation of P in soils at their early development stage, which has important implications for the fertility restoration of a Mollisol in Northeast China and elsewhere in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A strong and reproducible effect of an external electric field (EEF) on liquid films confined within a nanogap between a highly polished steel ball and a smooth glass disk is described. Induced by the EEF, microbubbles were observed at the edge of the contact region. This phenomenon is more obvious in polar liquid films than that in nonpolar ones. A stronger EEF causes a decrease in the film thickness in the contact region initially, and then the variation becomes much smaller. When the ball is applied with a positive EEF, the emergence of microbubbles is stable over time, while it becomes much less as time progresses. Different mechanisms of these experimental phenomena have been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Recently, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been widely studied for their vital roles in human diseases. In this study, we investigated the effect of lncRNA AB073614 on the metastasis of gastric cancer (GC), and explored the possible underlying mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: AB073614 expression in GC tissue samples was detected by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The roles of AB073614 in GC metastasis were identified through wound healing assay and transwell assay, respectively. Moreover, RT-qPCR and Western blot assay were used to explore the potential mechanism. RESULTS: AB073614 expression level in GC samples was significantly higher than that of adjacent ones. Besides, the migration and invasion of GC cells were obviously repressed after AB073614 was knocked down. After AB073614 was knocked down in vitro, the mRNA and protein expressions of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) was remarkably down-regulated. Furthermore, a negative correlation was found between the expression level of IGF-2 and AB073614 in GC tissues. CONCLUSIONS: AB073614 could promote GC cell migration and invasion via up-regulating IGF-2. Our findings might provide a potential therapeutic target for GC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have revealed that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a crucial role in tumor progression. Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the common types of malignancies worldwide. This study aimed to identify the exact function of lncRNA LINP1 in the progression of GC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: LINP1 expression in paired cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues of GC patients was detected by Real-Time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR). The effect of LINP1 silence on proliferation and apoptosis of GC cells was detected. Meanwhile, the underlying mechanism of LINP1 function was explored by RT-qPCR and Western blot assay. Furthermore, tumor formation assay was performed to examine the ability of LINP1 in tumor formation in vivo. RESULTS: LINP1 expression was remarkably up-regulated in GC tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. The growth ability of GC cells was significantly inhibited after silencing of LINP1 in vitro. Besides, the apoptosis of GC cells was markedly induced after silencing of LINP1. The silence of LINP1 significantly up-regulated the expression of RBM5 in GC cells. Meanwhile, RBM5 expression in GC tissues was remarkably lower than that of the adjacent normal tissues. Furthermore, tumor formation assay showed that knockdown of LINP1 markedly inhibited tumor formation in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that LINP1 could down-regulate RBM5. Meanwhile, LINP1 remarkably promoted growth ability and suppressed apoptosis of GC in vitro and in vivo. Our findings might provide a novel regulator and therapeutic strategy for GC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser processing is a promising method for the modification and micro/nano structuring of solid surfaces. The key factors which greatly affect the quality of laser processing are the size of heat-affected zones (HAZ) and surface debris. A water droplet assisted laser processing method on carbon nanotube (CNT) coated surfaces is proposed in this paper. The static contact angle (CA) and fragmentation induced by laser of the water droplet on the surface of the system are conducted by experiment. The results reveal that the surface of silicon can be changed from hydrophilic to hydrophobic by introducing CNT coatings and the CA of water droplet increases with the coating layers of CNTs. The water droplets, which behaved as a focusing lens, could obviously enhance the laser intensity underneath the water droplet. It was found that the smaller water droplets show a much better focusing effect. The experimental results show the proposed method has great potential to reduce the size of HAZ and removes the spatter generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Mounting evidence suggests that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) function in multiple cancers. This study aimed to determine the expression, clinical significance, and possible biological function of a novel lncRNA LINC00265 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expression levels of LINC00265 were systematically evaluated in TCGA datasets. RT-PCR was performed to examine the expression level of LINC00265 in bone marrow and serum obtained from AML patients and healthy controls. The clinical data were interpreted by x2 test, Kaplan-Meier analyses, univariate analysis, and multivariate analysis. The functional role of LINC00265 was verified using cell experiments. Western blotting was used to examine the modulatory effect of LINC00265 on AKT/PI3K pathway in AML. RESULTS: LINC00265 was significantly highly expressed in the bone marrow and serum of AML patients. High serum LINC00265 was significantly associated with FAB classification and cytogenetics. ROC analyses showed that serum LINC00265 levels were reliable in distinguishing patients with AML from normal controls. Clinical assay indicated that AML patients with higher serum LINC00265 expression suffered poorer overall survival. Functionally, overexpression of LINC00265 suppressed the capability of proliferation, migration and invasion in AML cell lines. By using Western blot, we further illustrated that LINC00265 activated PI3K/AKT signaling in AML cell lines. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings not only demonstrated that LINC00265 contributes to AML proliferation, migration and invasion via modulation of PI3K/AKT signaling, but also suggested the potential value of LINC00265 as a clinical prognostic and a diagnostic marker for AML. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) regeneration frequency to a large extent depends on its genetic structure and its recalcitricity. In present study, the influence of silver nitrate (AgNO3) in combination with cytokinins such as 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP) and kinetin (KIN) to regenerate multiple shoots from cotyledonary node explants of A. esculentus were optimized. Cotyledonary node explants were excited from 10-days old okra in vitro seedlings and incubated on Murishage and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentration and the combination of BAP alone and in combination with KIN. The highest percentage of shoot bud regeneration (75%) was achieved on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mgL-1 BAP. Highest percentage of shoot multiplication and proliferation (85%) with 6.75 shoots per explant having 3.75 cm length was obtained on MS medium containing 1.5 mgL-1 BAP + 1.5 mgL-1 KIN + 3.0 mgL-1 AgNO3. On the other hand, non-containing AgNO3, the combination of 1.5 mgL-1 BAP + 1.5 mgL-1 KIN, a maximum of 53% shoot multiplication with 2.3 shoots per explant having 3.75 cm length was recorded. Individual shoots were elongated on MS medium supplemented with 1.5 mgL-1 BAP + 1.5 mgL-1 GA3 (Gibberellic acid) (shoot length 5.60 ± 0.70a cm) and rooted on half strength MS medium + 1.0 mgL-1 IBA (Indole 3-butiric acid) + 200 mgL-1 AC (Activated charcoal), with highest root formation 83% with 5.20 roots per shoot having 4.8 cm length was achieved. The current protocol will be useful for the development of okra transgenic plant as a result of genetic transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The lung adenocarcinoma is a type of lung cancer. This research is to investigate the effects of miR-222 on the proliferation, migration and invasion of the lung adenocarcinoma cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: At the beginning, MiR-222 and the controls were transfected to the lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 for CCK-8 proliferation, transwell migration and Matrigel invasion, and then observed the effect of miR-222 on the proliferation, migration and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells. The miR- 222 target was regulated by ETS1 downwards to participate in the regulation of the process by using the luciferase reporter assay, the Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and the Western blotting. RESULTS: According to CCK-8 proliferation assay, the Transwell migration and the Matrigel invasion assay, it discovered that MiR-222 can promote the proliferation, migration and invasion of the lung adenocarcinoma cells. Luciferase reporter assay, RT-qPCR and Western blot assay showed that miR-222 could regulate the expression of ETS1 downwards and ETS1 participated in the regulation of the process CONCLUSIONS: ETS1 promotes proliferation, migration and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells by targeting the regulated miR-222 downwards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The cerebral vasospasm, delayed ischemic neurological deficit (DIND), mortality and poor neurological outcome induced by aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) remain the major causes of morbidity and mortality in aneurysmal SAH patients. The effects of statin-treated for aneurysmal SAH patients were not comprehensively assessed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A systematically literature search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, ScienceDirect and Web of Science to identify relevant studies update to March 2015. Data were extracted and appraised independently by two authors. Moreover, fixed or random effects models were applied to calculate pooled results based on the degree of heterogeneity. RESULT: Nine RCTs and three observational studies with a total of 1957 patients met the inclusion criteria. The results showed that statin treatment was not associated with a decrease in the occurrence of DIND (RR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.66-1.00, p = 0.05), mortality (RR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.69-1.18, p = 0.46) and poor neurological outcome (RR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.86-1.20, p = 0.84), nonetheless, had a potential effect on reducing the incidence of vasospasm (RR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.66-0.89, p = 0.0006). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis indicated that the use of statins decreases the occurrence of cerebral vasospasm, whereas did not support a beneficial effect of statins on the occurrence of DIND, death or poor neurological outcomes in patients with aneurysmal SAH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]