Integrating machine learning and open data into social Chatbot for filtering information rumor.

Social networks have become a major platform for people to disseminate information, which can include negative rumors. In recent years, rumors on social networks has caused grave problems and considerable damages. We attempted to create a method to verify information from numerous social media messages. We propose a general architecture that integrates machine learning and open data with a Chatbot and is based cloud computing (MLODCCC), which can assist users in evaluating information authenticity on social platforms. The proposed MLODCCC architecture consists of six integrated modules: cloud computing, machine learning, data preparation, open data, chatbot, and intelligent social application modules. Food safety has garnered worldwide attention. Consequently, we used the proposed MLODCCC architecture to develop a Food Safety Information Platform (FSIP) that provides a friendly hyperlink and chatbot interface on Facebook to identify credible food safety information. The performance and accuracy of three binary classification algorithms, namely the decision tree, logistic regression, and support vector machine algorithms, operating in different cloud computing environments were compared. The binary classification accuracy was 0.769, which indicates that the proposed approach accurately classifies using the developed FSIP.

Aß stimulates microglial activation through antizyme-dependent downregulation of ornithine decarboxylase.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders. Its pathology is associated with the deposition of amyloid ß (Aß), an abnormal extracellular peptide. Moreover, its pathological progression is closely accompanied by neuroinflammation. Specifically, Aß-associated microglial overactivation may have the central role in AD pathogenesis. Interestingly, arginine metabolism may contribute to the equilibrium between M1 and M2 microglia. However, little is known about the involvement of arginine metabolism in Aß-induced microglial neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity. Moreover, the underlying mechanism by which Aß induces the transition of microglia to the M1 phenotype remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of Aß in mediating microglial activation and polarization both in vitro and in vivo. Our results demonstrated that under the Aß treatment, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), a rate-limiting enzyme in the regulation of arginine catabolism, regulates microglial activation by altering the antizyme (AZ) + 1 ribosomal frameshift. Furthermore, the restoration of ODC protein expression levels has profound effects on inhibition of Aß-induced M1 markers and thus attenuates microglial-mediated cytotoxicity. Altogether, our findings suggested that Aß may contribute to M1-like activation by disrupting the balance between ODC and AZ in microglia.

Effects of plasmonic coupling and electrical current on persistent photoconductivity of single-layer graphene on pristine and silver-nanoparticle-coated SiO2/Si.

Effects and mechanisms of conductivity variation of chemically vapor deposited single-layer graphene covering silver nanoparticles on SiO(2)/Si are reported based on blue-light (405 nm) induced plasmonic coupling and electrical current induced annealing and desorption of surface adsorbates. With 1V applied voltage, photoconductivity is positive except a brief negative period when the graphene is first illuminated by light. At 10 mV applied voltage, negative photoconductivity persists for hours. In comparison, negative photoconductivity of graphene on pristine SiO(2)/Si persists for tens of hours. When the applied voltage is increased to 1V, it takes tens of hours of light illumination to change to positive photoconductivity.

Fabrication of compound nonwoven materials for soft body armor.

The primary objective of body armor research is the development of low-cost, lightweight, wearable garments that effectively resist ballistic impact. This study introduces a material intended to reduce nonpenetration trauma by absorbing energy from ballistic impacts. Layers of web were made by low-melting point polyester (LMPET) on unaligned fibers of high-strength polyamide 6 (HSPA6). A compound nonwoven fabric was made by laying high-strength Vectran filaments between two layers of HSPA6-LMPET web. The new fabric underwent needle punching and thermal bonding to form a composite sandwich structure. The new fabric was subjected to a falling weight impact test and a ballistic impact test. The results indicated that the material with the new design reduced maximum indentation depth by 8%. Furthermore, soft body armor made from the material with the new design would cost less to produce and would weigh 22.5% less than conventional soft body armor.

Nasal nitric oxide in infants before and after extubation.

The endogenous production of nitric oxide (NO) in the upper airways is known to be high, but reports of the exact level vary, especially in newborn infants. Currently there is still no standard methodology for nasal NO measurements in neonates. In this study, we compared the levels of NO from the nasal cavity, and from the lower respiratory tracts in intubated infants together with the differences in nasal NO before and after extubation. A total of 35 intubated infants were enrolled in the study. The sampling was conducted with a fast-response chemoluminescence analyzer using the on-line tidal breathing techniques. The levels of NO in the nasal cavity were sampled using two different methods, namely nasal catheterization (Group 1), and nasal occlusion (Group 2). In both groups, the NO levels in the nasal cavity were found to be significantly higher than in the lower airway (P < 0.001). After extubation, the concentration of nasal NO in Group 1 was found to be significantly lower than before extubation (P < 0.05). There was no difference found between the levels of nasal NO in Group 2 before and after extubation (P = 0.95). Generally speaking, the concentrations of nasal NO in Group 2 were significantly higher than in Group 1 after extubation (P < 0.05). For the sample that used nasal occlusion, the nasal NO levels were more stable before and after extubation and the concentration was not affected by the breathing pattern or crying. The infants were more comfortable as well. We therefore conclude that nasal occlusion is a better method for measuring the levels of nasal NO in infants and neonates.

Comparison between bubble CPAP and ventilator-derived CPAP in rabbits.

BACKGROUND: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is used in infants with respiratory distress and apnea. Bubble CPAP (B-CPAP) and ventilator-derived CPAP (V-CPAP) are two of the most popular CPAP modes, and use different pressure sources. However, few studies have been performed to compare their differences and effectiveness. This study was to determine whether B-CPAP and V-CPAP would have different effects on vital signs and arterial blood gas analysis. METHODS: We performed a randomized crossover study to measure vital signs, including mean blood pressure (MBP), heart rate (HR), and respiratory rate (RR), in 12 ketamine-anesthetized healthy rabbits receiving endotracheal intubation by tracheostomy with B-CPAP or V-CPAP. Arterial blood was also sampled and analyzed for PaO2, PaCO2, HCO3 and pH. RESULTS: We observed statistically significant decreases in RR, pH and PaO2 with corresponding incrases in PaCO2 and HCO3 during the V-CPAP; however, no significant changes from baseline were observed for B-CPAP. Neither modality resulted in statistically significant changes in MBP or HR. Both forms of CPAP altered vital signs and arterial blood gases in a similar manner. There was a trend towards a lower percentage of change from baseline in all variables in B-CPAP compared with V-CPAP. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that B-CPAP seems to be superior to V-CPAP in terms of its effect on arterial blood gases and vital signs. We speculate that B-CPAP could have certain protective effects that better preserve both arterial blood gases and vital signs when compared to V-CPAP. However, the results of this study still need to be tested by clinical study.

Endogenous nitric oxide in the nasal airways of healthy term newborn infants in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO) in the respiratory tract is an important regulator of pulmonary homeostasis during the perinatal transition. In humans, much of the nitric oxide is derived from the upper airways, and autoinhalation of nasal NO has been suggested to influence pulmonary function. No standard methods for measuring nasal NO in neonates currently exist, and previous studies have reported varying levels of nasal nitric oxide in infants, due to the different measuring methods used. The use of nasal olives with a central lumen placed securely in the nares was recommended as a standardized procedure for the measurement of nasal NO in adults and children in 1999. We attempted to establish a safe, convenient and practical method for measuring nasal NO in healthy newborn infants, and investigated possible correlations between nasal NO and gender, postnatal age, gestational age, birth weight, and the differences between the right and left nostrils. METHODS: Nasal NO was studied in healthy newborn infants within the first 3 postnatal days. Gas was sampled from the nostril, and NO concentrations were determined using a fast response chemiluminescence analyzer. Each newborn infant underwent NO measurements on the first, second and the third postnatal days. Ninety-one newborn infants completed the study. RESULTS: Peak nasal NO in 91 newborn infants was 42.52 +/- 16.82 (mean +/- SD) parts per billion (ppb) (right nostril) and 40.86 +/- 16.08 ppb (left nostril) on the first postnatal day, 48.75 +/- 17.64 ppb (right nostril) and 49.47 +/- 17.26 ppb (left nostril) on the second postnatal day, and 59.65 +/- 19.72 ppb (right nostril) and 59.29 +/- 20.09 ppb (left nostril) on the third postnatal day. Nasal NO increased significantly with postnatal age (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in nasal nitric oxide between sexes, or in relation to gestational age or birth weight, or between left or right nostrils. CONCLUSION: We conclude that nasal NO increased significantly in the first 3 days of life.