Graph semantic similarity-based automatic assessment for programming exercises.

This paper proposes an algorithm for the automatic assessment of programming exercises. The algorithm assigns assessment scores based on the program dependency graph structure and the program semantic similarity, but does not actually need to run the student's program. By calculating the node similarity between the student's program and the teacher's reference programs in terms of structure and program semantics, a similarity matrix is generated and the optimal similarity node path of this matrix is identified. The proposed algorithm achieves improved computational efficiency, with a time complexity of O ( n 2 ) for a graph with n nodes. The experimental results show that the assessment algorithm proposed in this paper is more reliable and accurate than several comparison algorithms, and can be used for scoring programming exercises in C/C++, Java, Python, and other languages.

Examining the trade-offs in clean energy provision: Focusing on the relationship between technology transfer, renewable energy, industrial growth, and carbon footprint reduction.

Sustainable energy mitigates climate change by reducing reliance on coal and oil for power generation, curbing global warming. It addresses environmental concerns and yields economic benefits-reduced fossil fuel dependence, financial inclusion, productive employment, and economic development. This research examines the impact of regional economic integration on environmental sustainability in 39 high-income European and Central Asian (ECA) nations from 2017 to 2021. Specifically, the study analyzes the influence of green energy demand, technological transfers, and trade openness on carbon emissions. The study employed various estimators, namely, a two-step Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimation, quantile regression, and the cointegration panel approach. These estimators were utilized to capture different aspects and dynamics of the research variables. The study finds that regional green programs and trade agreements effectively reduce carbon emissions, while technological advances and industrial output tend to raise them. Granger causality analyses reveal that emissions-led regional development, technical innovation, and trade openness are interconnected factors, and the deployment of renewable energy contributes to carbon emissions. The inter-temporal analysis suggests that regional economic integration factors will likely impact carbon emissions in the following decade. These findings support neoclassical growth theory, new institutional economics, and ecological modernization theory. Developing renewable energy sources in the region can minimize energy price fluctuations, strengthen energy security, and align with the carbon neutrality agenda. This research emphasizes the need for sustainable energy strategies and regional cooperation to foster a greener and more sustainable future.

The effects of metformin and alendronate in attenuating bone loss and improving glucose metabolism in diabetes mellitus mice.

BACKGROUND: To explore the anti-osteoporosis and anti-diabetes effects and potential underlying mechanisms of treatment with metformin and alendronate in diabetes mellitus mice. METHODS: Eight-week-old C57 BL/KS db/db and db/+ female mice were evaluated according to the following treatment group for 12 weeks: control group, diabetes mellitus group, diabetes mellitus with metformin group, diabetes mellitus with Alendronate group, diabetes mellitus with metformin plus alendronate group. Glucose level, glucose tolerance test, bone mineral density, bone microarchitecture, bone histomorphometry, serum biomarkers, and qPCR analysis. RESULTS: Combined metformin and alendronate can improve progression in glucose metabolism and bone metabolism, including blood glucose levels, blood glucose levels after 4 and 16 hours fasting, glucose tolerance test results, insulin sensitivity and reduces bone loss than the diabetes group. The use of alendronate alone can increase significantly serum glucagon-like peptide-1 levels than the diabetes group. The use of metformin alone can improve bone microstructure such as Tb.Sp and Tb.N of spine in diabetic mice. CONCLUSION: The combined use of alendronate and metformin has an anti-diabetes and anti-osteoporotic effect compared with diabetic mice, but they appear to act no obvious synergistically between alendronate and metformin.

The effect of whole-body vibration in osteopenic patients after total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an important treatment for knee osteoarthritis, but the result of whole-body vibration (WBV) in knee function rehabilitation and bone loss with osteopenia was unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to study whether low-frequency, low-amplitude WBV can improve the clinical outcome of knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: This study was randomized and included 67 osteopenic patients (55-90 years, 85% women) for TKA surgery (control group N = 32, WBV group N = 35). All selected patients after TKA surgery tested clinical results, such as knee function and bone mass in baseline, 3 months after surgery, and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the WBV group improved pain scores, thigh circumference, lower limb muscle strength, joint activity, and joint function in 6 months after surgery. WBV intervention also improves bone density in the spine, the microstructure of the radius and tibia, and the bone turnover marker. At 3 months after TKA surgery, the WBV group had no significant effect on knee function and bone loss. CONCLUSIONS: Whole-body vibration for osteopenic patients with knee arthroplasty showed good therapeutic results in 6 months after TKA surgery, but the long-term therapeutic effect still needs to be further observed.

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Affects the Development of Postmenopausal Osteoporotic Women with Vertebral Fractures.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pain, dysfunction, and significant bone loss may occur after vertebral fractures, which will lead to the occurrence of refractures and shorten the survival time, so postoperative rehabilitation is very important. Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy is noninvasive, pain-relieving, and beneficial to reduce bone loss and is an important treatment for patients to recover after surgery. Therefore, this study analyzed the effect of postmenopausal women's vertebral fracture rehabilitation after pulsed electromagnetic field treatment. METHOD: This study uses a randomized controlled study, respectively, in the pulsed electromagnetic field treatment group (40 cases) and the control group (42 cases), respectively. We studied the results of health-related quality of life scores (HRQOL), back pain, body function, hip bone density, bone microstructure of tibia, and radius after 1 month and 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the pulsed electromagnetic field treatment group (PEMF) can improve significantly the psychological score, 6-minute walk test, and Chair Sit-and-Reach one month after the operation. And at 3 months after surgery, the pulsed electromagnetic field treatment group can improve significantly in health-related quality of life scores (HRQOL), back pain, and body function. Regarding the effect of changes in bone mass, compared with the control group, pulsed electromagnetic field treatment had no significant effect on changes in hip bone density. As a result of changes in bone microstructure, pulsed electromagnetic field treatment can significantly improve the bone microstructure of the radius and tibia three months after vertebral fractures. CONCLUSION: Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy has positive significance for improving pain, body functional changes, and bone loss after vertebral fracture surgery.

Reversal of alopecia areata, osteoporosis follow treatment with activation of Tgr5 in mice.

BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata is an autoimmune hair loss disease with infiltration of pro-inflammatory cells into hair follicles. The role of Tgr5 in dermatitis has attracted considerable attention. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Tgr5 in the development of Alopecia areata. METHODS: The study utilized a comparison control group design with four groups of wild-type group, wild-type+INT777 group, Tgr5-/- group, and Tgr5-/-+INT777 group. The mice were treated with INT777 (30 mg/kg/day) or the carrier solution (DMSO) intraperitoneally for 7 weeks, and the back skin was collected and analyzed by histology and immunohistochemistry staining. The lumbar vertebrae 4 has also been analyzed by DXA and Micro-CT. RESULTS: Tgr5-/- mice displayed the decreasingly significant in hair area and length, skin thickness, and the ratio of anagen and telogen, collagen, and mast cell number and loss the bone mass than WT group. After treating with INT777, the appearance of alopecia areata and bone microstructure has improved. Immunohistochemistry and qPCR analysis showed that activation of Tgr5 can down-regulate the express of JAK1, STAT3, IL-6, TNF-α, and VEGF. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that activation of Tgr5 mediated amelioration of alopecia areata and osteoporosis by down-regulated JAK1-STAT3 signaling pathway.

Patient-Specific Instruments Based on Knee Joint Computed Tomography and Full-Length Lower Extremity Radiography in Total Knee Replacement.

BACKGROUND: Restoring good alignment after total knee replacement (TKR) is still a challenge globally, and the clinical efficiency of patient-specific instruments (PSIs) remains controversial. In this study, we aimed to explore the value and significance of three-dimensional printing PSIs based on knee joint computed tomography (CT) and full-length lower extremity radiography in TKR. METHODS: Between June 2013 and October 2014, 31 TKRs were performed using PSIs based on knee joint CT and full-length lower extremity radiography in 31 patients (5 males and 26 females; mean age: 67.6 ± 7.9 years; body mass index [BMI]: 27.4 ± 3.5 kg/m2). Thirty-one matched patients (4 males and 27 females; mean age: 67.4 ± 7.2 years; mean BMI: 28.1 ± 4.6 kg/m2) who underwent TKR using conventional instruments in the same period served as the control group. The mean follow-up period was 38 months (31-47 months). Knee Society Score (KSS), surgical time, and postoperative drainage volume were recorded. Coronal alignment was measured on full-length radiography. RESULTS: Twenty-three (74.2%) and 20 (64.5%) patients showed good postoperative alignment in the PSI and control groups, respectively, without significant difference between the two groups (χ2 = 0.68, P = 0.409). The mean surgical time was 81.48 ± 16.40 min and 72.90 ± 18.10 min for the PSI and control groups, respectively, without significant difference between the two groups (t = 0.41, P = 0.055). The postoperative drainage volume was 250.9 ± 148.8 ml in the PSI group, which was significantly less than that in the control group (602.1 ± 230.6 ml, t = 6.83, P < 0.001). No significant difference in the KSS at the final follow-up was found between the PSI and control groups (91.06 ± 3.26 vs. 90.19 ± 3.84, t = 0.95, P = 0.870). CONCLUSIONS: The use of PSIs based on knee joint CT and standing full-length lower extremity radiography in TKR resulted in acceptable alignment compared with the use of conventional instruments, although the marginal advantage was not statistically different. Surgical time and clinical results were also similar between the two groups. However, the PSI group had less postoperative drainage.

Economic evaluations of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers in type 2 diabetic nephropathy: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Structured comparison of pharmacoeconomic analyses for ACEIs and ARBs in patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy is still lacking. This review aims to systematically review the cost-effectiveness of both ACEIs and ARBs in type 2 diabetic patients with nephropathy. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE and EMBASE for the period from November 1, 1999 to Oct 31, 2011. Two reviewers independently assessed the quality of the articles included and extracted data. All cost-effectiveness results were converted to 2011 Euros. RESULTS: Up to October 2011, 434 articles were identified. After full-text checking and quality assessment, 30 articles were finally included in this review involving 39 study settings. All 6 ACEIs studies were literature-based evaluations which synthesized data from different sources. Other 33 studies were directed at ARBs and were designed based on specific trials. The Markov model was the most common decision analytic method used in the evaluations. From the cost-effectiveness results, 37 out of 39 studies indicated either ACEIs or ARBs were cost-saving comparing with placebo/conventional treatment, such as amlodipine. A lack of evidence was assessed for valid direct comparison of cost-effectiveness between ACEIs and ARBs. CONCLUSION: There is a lack of direct comparisons of ACEIs and ARBs in existing economic evaluations. Considering the current evidence, both ACEIs and ARBs are likely cost-saving comparing with conventional therapy, excluding such RAAS inhibitors.

Structural insights into the coordination of iron by Thermus thermophilus HB8 ferric binding protein A.

The ferric binding protein belongs to the substrate-binding protein super-family and transports ferric ions across the periplasmic space in gram negative bacteria. This process involves the binding and release of ferric ions through conformational changes of the ferric binding protein, and the assistance of a synergistic anion. Here we report the crystal structure of Thermus thermophilus HB8's (TtFbpA) ferric binding protein A in four different forms, which represent the apo state (apo-TtFbpA), the carbonate-bound state (TtFbpACO3),and the iron- and carbonate-bound state (TtFbpAFeCO3). The ferric ion in TtFbpAFeCO3 is bound by three tyrosine residues from TtFbpA and one synergistic carbonate ion. Structural comparisons among the three different states reveal the molecular mechanisms of iron-binding by TtFbpA. Our results, together with previous studies on other bacterial periplasmic ferric binding proteins, provide a complete understanding of the structural basis for iron binding and release in the periplasm of gram-negative bacteria.

Wheat WRKY genes TaWRKY2 and TaWRKY19 regulate abiotic stress tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis plants.

WRKY-type transcription factors are involved in multiple aspects of plant growth, development and stress response. WRKY genes have been found to be responsive to abiotic stresses; however, their roles in abiotic stress tolerance are largely unknown especially in crops. Here, we identified stress-responsive WRKY genes from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and studied their functions in stress tolerance. Forty-three putative TaWRKY genes were identified and two multiple stress-induced genes, TaWRKY2 and TaWRKY19, were further characterized. TaWRKY2 and TaWRKY19 are nuclear proteins, and displayed specific binding to typical cis-element W box. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing TaWRKY2 exhibited salt and drought tolerance compared with controls. Overexpression of TaWRKY19 conferred tolerance to salt, drought and freezing stresses in transgenic plants. TaWRKY2 enhanced expressions of STZ and RD29B, and bound to their promoters. TaWRKY19 activated expressions of DREB2A, RD29A, RD29B and Cor6.6, and bound to DREB2A and Cor6.6 promoters. The two TaWRKY proteins may regulate the downstream genes through direct binding to the gene promoter or via indirect mechanism. Manipulation of TaWRKY2 and TaWRKY19 in wheat or other crops should improve their performance under various abiotic stress conditions.

Soybean Trihelix transcription factors GmGT-2A and GmGT-2B improve plant tolerance to abiotic stresses in transgenic Arabidopsis.

BACKGROUND: Trihelix transcription factors play important roles in light-regulated responses and other developmental processes. However, their functions in abiotic stress response are largely unclear. In this study, we identified two trihelix transcription factor genes GmGT-2A and GmGT-2B from soybean and further characterized their roles in abiotic stress tolerance. FINDINGS: Both genes can be induced by various abiotic stresses, and the encoded proteins were localized in nuclear region. In yeast assay, GmGT-2B but not GmGT-2A exhibits ability of transcriptional activation and dimerization. The N-terminal peptide of 153 residues in GmGT-2B was the minimal activation domain and the middle region between the two trihelices mediated the dimerization of the GmGT-2B. Transactivation activity of the GmGT-2B was also confirmed in plant cells. DNA binding analysis using yeast one-hybrid assay revealed that GmGT-2A could bind to GT-1bx, GT-2bx, mGT-2bx-2 and D1 whereas GmGT-2B could bind to the latter three elements. Overexpression of the GmGT-2A and GmGT-2B improved plant tolerance to salt, freezing and drought stress in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. Moreover, GmGT-2B-transgenic plants had more green seedlings compared to Col-0 under ABA treatment. Many stress-responsive genes were altered in GmGT-2A- and GmGT-2B-transgenic plants. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that GmGT-2A and GmGT-2B confer stress tolerance through regulation of a common set of genes and specific sets of genes. GmGT-2B also affects ABA sensitivity.

Synthesis of macroporous thermosensitive hydrogels: a novel method of controlling pore size.

Macroporous thermosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels were synthesized in the presence of dodecyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium bromide (DDBAB). Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was involved to control the pore size of the hydrogels. The morphology of the resulting hydrogels was studied by both an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope. Moreover, the pore size and its distribution were examined by mercury intrusion porosimetry. The results indicated that size of the pores decreased with the increase of the amount of PVA added. The mechanism was explained after dynamic light scattering measurement of the size of hydrophobic initiator DDBAPS aggregates that were formed in situ in PVA aqueous solutions of various concentrations as the product of the reaction between DDBAB and the water soluble initiator ammonium persulfate. Swelling ratio and deswelling/reswelling kinetics of the hydrogels were also measured to investigate the response properties of the hydrogels. It would be a promising method of pore size control for synthesizing hydrogels of other vinyl monomers that could be initiated by persulfates.

Soybean WRKY-type transcription factor genes, GmWRKY13, GmWRKY21, and GmWRKY54, confer differential tolerance to abiotic stresses in transgenic Arabidopsis plants.

WRKY-type transcription factors have multiple roles in the plant defence response and developmental processes. Their roles in the abiotic stress response remain obscure. In this study, 64 GmWRKY genes from soybean were identified, and were found to be differentially expressed under abiotic stresses. Nine GmWRKY proteins were tested for their transcription activation in the yeast assay system, and five showed such ability. In a DNA-binding assay, three proteins (GmWRKY13, GmWRKY27 and GmWRKY54) with a conserved WRKYGQK sequence in their DNA-binding domain could bind to the W-box (TTGAC). However, GmWRKY6 and GmWRKY21, with an altered sequence WRKYGKK, lost the ability to bind to the W-box. The function of three stress-induced genes, GmWRKY13, GmWRKY21 and GmWRKY54, was further investigated using a transgenic approach. GmWRKY21-transgenic Arabidopsis plants were tolerant to cold stress, whereas GmWRKY54 conferred salt and drought tolerance, possibly through the regulation of DREB2A and STZ/Zat10. Transgenic plants over-expressing GmWRKY13 showed increased sensitivity to salt and mannitol stress, but decreased sensitivity to abscisic acid, when compared with wild-type plants. In addition, GmWRKY13-transgenic plants showed an increase in lateral roots. These results indicate that the three GmWRKY genes play differential roles in abiotic stress tolerance, and that GmWRKY13 may function in both lateral root development and the abiotic stress response.

Expression of tobacco ethylene receptor NTHK1 alters plant responses to salt stress.

Ethylene has been regarded as a stress hormone involved in many stress responses. However, ethylene receptors have not been studied for the roles they played under salt stress condition. Previously, we characterized an ethylene receptor gene NTHK1 from tobacco, and found that NTHK1 is salt-inducible. Here, we report a further investigation towards the function of NTHK1 in response to salt stress by using a transgenic approach. We found that NTHK1 promotes leaf growth in the transgenic tobacco seedlings but affects salt sensitivity in these transgenic seedlings under salt stress condition. Differential Na+/K+ ratio was observed in the control Xanthi and NTHK1-transgenic plants after salt stress treatment. We further found that the NTHK1 transgene is also salt-inducible in the transgenic plants, and the higher NTHK1 expression results in early inductions of the ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid) oxidase gene NtACO3 and ethylene responsive factor (ERF) genes NtERF1 and NtERF4 under salt stress. However, NTHK1 suppresses the salt-inducible expression of the ACC synthase gene NtACS1. These results indicate that NTHK1 regulates salt stress responses by affecting ion accumulation and related gene expressions, and hence have significance in elucidation of ethylene receptor functions during stress signal transduction.