General Skeleton Research Articles

The Potential of Natural Diterpenes Against Tuberculosis: An Updated Review.

Every year, 10 million people are affected by tuberculosis (TB). Despite being a preventable and curable disease, 1.5 million people die from TB each year, making it the world's top infectious disease. Many of the frontline antibiotics cause painful and disagreeable side effects. To mitigate the side effects from the use of chemically synthesized or clinical anti-tubercular drugs, there are many research studies focussed on natural products as a source of potential anti-tuberculosis drugs. Among different phytoconstituents, several classes of diterpenoids exert significant antimicrobial effects. This review explores diterpenoids as potential anti-tubercular drugs from natural sources. A total of 204 diterpenoids isolated from medicinal plants and marine species are discussed that inhibit the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The literature from 1994-2018 is reviewed, and 158 diterpenoids from medicinal plants, as well as 40 diterpenoids from marines, are alluded to have antituberculosis properties. The antitubercular activities discussed in the review indicate that the type of diterpenoids, the Mtb strains, substituents attached to diterpenoids and their position in the diterpenoids general skeleton can change the compounds antimycobacterial inhibitory effects.

Semi-automatic general approach to achieve the practical number of clusters for classification of remote sensing MS satellite images

The main objective of this research is to find a semi-automatic method to determine the practical number of clusters in MS satellite images. This study puts a general skeleton for determining the practical number of classes in multi spectral (MS) remote sensing images. The sequence of the research starts with input the reference data, proposed classes’ samples and the MS image of the study area. The unsupervised classification is carried out using Envi software many times with different excessive number of classes. Fuzzy K-means method is applied as an unsupervised classification algorithm. A comparison between the classified image and the proposed classes’ samples is carried out using ADIPRS software to testify if the classification is reliable or not based on appearance. The process continues until the condition of the appearance is satisfied then the comparison with the reference is carried out to test the accuracy limit of the classes.

Chromatography and mass spectrometry-based approaches for perception of polysaccharides in wild and cultured fruit bodies of Auricularia auricular-judae

Auricularia auricular-judae polysaccharides (AAPs) have been accepted as one important biological constituent. Quality analysis of A. auricular-judae is generally difficult due to technical issues in separating and detecting AAPs. Here, we describe a stepped chromatographic and mass spectrometric approach for discrimination and characterization of AAPs. HPSEC-MALLS-RID and GC–MS techniques have earlier been shown to be ineffective in evaluating wild and cultured AAPs based on molecular weight distributions and monosaccharide compositions. Nevertheless, direct ESI−-MS oligosaccharide fingerprints coupled with PCA have the remarkable ability to discriminate wild and cultured ones. HILIC-UPLC-ESI−-MS has indicated that wild and cultured AAPs have distinct peak number and intensities in mild acid hydrolysates. HILIC-UPLC-ESI−-HCD-MS/MS was further applied in deducing interglycosidic linkages and sequence of monosaccharide residues in oligosaccharides. We demonstrate that linear GlcAw → Hexm → GlcAx → Hexn → GlcAy → Hexp → GlcAz → Hexq → (w, x, y, z = 0, 1; m, n, p, q ≥ 0; Hex1 → 6Hex, GlcA1 → 4Hex, Hex1 → 4GlcA) was constructed as the general skeleton of AAPs based on C– and B-type ions as well as cross-ring cleavage A-type series ions. The established workflow has been confirmed to be a feasible approach for comprehensive characterization of polysaccharides in foods and plants.

A general and efficient divide-and-conquer algorithm framework for multi-core clusters

Divide-and-conquer is one of the most important patterns of parallelism, being applicable to a large variety of problems. In addition, the most powerful parallel systems available nowadays are computer clusters composed of distributed-memory nodes that contain an increasing number of cores that share a common memory. The optimal exploitation of these systems often requires resorting to a hybrid model that mimics the underlying hardware by combining a distributed and a shared memory parallel programming model. This results in longer development times and increased maintenance costs. In this paper we present a very general skeleton library that allows to parallelize any divide-and-conquer problem in hybrid distributed-shared memory systems with little effort while providing much flexibility and good performance. Our proposal combines a message-passing paradigm at the process level and a threaded model inside each process, hiding the related complexity from the user. The evaluation shows that this skeleton provides performance comparable, and often better than that of manually optimized codes while requiring considerably less effort when parallelizing applications on multi-core clusters.

Deviations in skeletons of radiolarians

Deviations in the skeleton structure of radiolarians are extremely rare in the fossil record. They are known from the Devonian to Recent. This is a very ancient and periodically repeated phenomenon, which should be regarded as a regularity or “lost chance” rather than exotic or accident. Emergence of deviant “mutants” in radiolarians is probably connected with two main causes, i.e., disturbance during reproduction and mutations in particular modules. From the point of view of the morphogenesis of skeletal structures, deviancy facilitates the recognition of relatively “weak” modules–blocks in the general skeleton pattern, which are subject to structural changes. Nonheritable deviant variants have been revealed in skeletons of 61 radiolarian in all of three subphyla of the phylum Radiolaria: Polycystina, Phaeodaria, and Collodaria. Three deviant types are recognized: multiplicative, posterioric and supplemental.

Construction of level of details in garment image skeleton

Purpose – Skeleton plays an important role in representing the essential feature of garment in image. General skeleton extraction methods often yield many short skeletal branches. Though short branches reflect the geometric details of the garment, they are obstacles in extracting the essential features. The purpose of this paper is to provide an approach to hierarchically remove them to reveal the level of details (LOD) of the skeleton, thus both the essential skeleton and the geometric skeletal branches can be definitely extracted and separated. Design/methodology/approach – First, the initial garment image skeleton is extracted and smoothed. Then, the hierarchically removing mechanism is established on scoring the importance of each skeletal branch by an altered PageRank method and computing the symmetry among skeletal branches. Findings – Experimental examples show that this method can extract and separate garment essential skeleton as well as geometric skeletal branches hierarchically. Garments in same class have a similar essential skeleton with detailed differences, so this approach can be potentially applied in garment recognition and style specification. Originality/value – Traditionally, there is almost no work attempts to build LOD in skeleton of planar shapes. This paper provide an automatic device for building LOD skeleton for garment image. In another word, hierarchic skeletons with details in different prominence level are gradually established. And pairs of symmetric skeletal parts are found by taking advantage of symmetry characteristic of garment. This method is efficient in garment image skeleton extraction.

A heuristic optimization method inspired by wolf preying behavior

Optimization problems can become intractable when the search space undergoes tremendous growth. Heuristic optimization methods have therefore been created that can search the very large spaces of candidate solutions. These methods, also called metaheuristics, are the general skeletons of algorithms that can be modified and extended to suit a wide range of optimization problems. Various researchers have invented a collection of metaheuristics inspired by the movements of animals and insects (e.g., firefly, cuckoos, bats and accelerated PSO) with the advantages of efficient computation and easy implementation. This paper studies a relatively new bio-inspired heuristic optimization algorithm called the Wolf Search Algorithm (WSA) that imitates the way wolves search for food and survive by avoiding their enemies. The WSA is tested quantitatively with different values of parameters and compared to other metaheuristic algorithms under a range of popular non-convex functions used as performance test problems for optimization algorithms, with superior results observed in most tests.

Validity of Hounsfield Units from computed tomographic images of mandibular bone in detection of osteoporosis

The figure for the clinical application of computed tomography have been increased significantly in oral and maxillofacial field that supply the dentists with sufficient data enables them to play a main role in screening osteoporosis, therefore Hounsfield units of mandibular computed tomography view used as a main indicator to predict general skeleton osteoporosis and fracture risk factor. Material and Methods: Thirty subjects (7 males &23 females) with a mean age of (60.1) years underwent computed tomographic scanning for different diagnostic assessment in head and neck region. The mandibular bone quality of them were determined through Hounsfield units of CT scan images and were correlated with the bone mineral density values obtained from t-scores of lumbar spine using dual x-ray absorptiometry scans (DEXA). Results: There was a highly significant positive correlation (p-value 0.000 (HS)) of bone mineral density that measured by t-score of dual x-ray absorptiometrical scan and Hounsfield units with very strong relation in measuring the bone density (r test) = 0.969, this close relation lead to predict osteoporosity and the chance of fracture occurrence using a statistical equation that classified the patients as osteoporotic. Conclusion: Hounsfield units obtained from computed tomography scans that are made for any purposes can provide an alternative clinical parameter to predict osteoporosis at no additional cost to the patient and no additional radiation.

Association of cortical shape of the mandible on panoramic radiographs with mandibular trabecular bone structure in Japanese adults: a cone-beam CT-image analysis

The purpose of this study was to assess the association between the cortical shape of the mandible, as detected on panoramic radiographs, and trabecular bone structure, as assessed by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), in Japanese adults. Panoramic radiographs and CBCT images of the mandibles of 50 subjects (18 men, 32 women), aged 45–86 years, were evaluated. An experienced oral and maxillofacial radiologist categorized the cortical shape of the mandible as detected on panoramic radiographs as normal, mildly to moderately eroded, and severely eroded cortices, respectively. All mandibles were scanned using CBCT. Four bone structure parameters of the basal portion of the mandible were calculated in three dimensions using an image-analysis system: total bone volume (mm3); cortical bone volume fraction (%); trabecular bone volume fraction (%); fractal dimension. One-way analysis of covariance with Bonferroni correction was employed to evaluate differences in the four bone parameters among the three cortical shape groups. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was calculated to examine correlations between age and cortical and trabecular bone volume fractions. Progression of cortical bone erosion was significantly associated with increased trabecular bone volume fraction (P < 0.001) and increased fractal dimension (P = 0.01). Cortical bone volume fraction decreased significantly with age (P = 0.04). However, trabecular bone volume fraction tended to increase with age (P = 0.06). The change in the trabecular bone structure of the mandible may differ from that of the general skeleton in Japanese adults.

Motion Control of Piezoelectric Positioning Stages: Modeling, Controller Design, and Experimental Evaluation

In this paper, a general skeleton on modeling, controller design, and applications of the piezoelectric positioning stages is presented. Toward this framework, a general model is first proposed to characterize dynamic behaviors of the stage, including frequency response of the stage, voltage-charge hysteresis and nonlinear electric behavior. To illustrate the validity of the proposed general model, a dynamic backlash-like model is adopted as one of hysteresis models to describe the hysteresis effect, which is confirmed by experimental tests. Thus, the developed model provides a general frame for controller design. As an illustration to this aspect, a robust adaptive controller is developed based on a reduced dynamic model under both unknown hysteresis nonlinearities and parameter uncertainties. The proposed control law ensures the boundedness of the closed-loop signals and desired tracking precision. Finally, experimental tests with different motion trajectories are conducted to verify the proposed general model and the robust control law. Experimental results demonstrate the excellent tracking performance, which validates the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Molecular Docking and QSAR Studies: Noncovalent Interaction between Acephate Analogous and the Receptor Site of Human Acetylcholinesterase

Twelve new compounds of acephate (Ace) analogues were synthesized and characterized by (31)P, (13)C, and (1)H NMR and IR spectroscopy. The probable insecticide potential of these compounds as well as 23 previously prepared molecules with a general skeleton of RC(O)-NH-P(O)X1X2 was predicted by PASS software. Docking analysis showed that hydrophobic interaction and hydrogen bonding were created between the functional groups of Ace derivatives and the receptor sites of acetylcholinesterase. PCA-QSAR indicated that the electronic descriptors are dominated in comparison with the structural descriptors. The experimental-QSAR (R(2) = 0.903 and VIF < 2.997) and DFT-QSAR (R(2) = 0.990 and VIF ≤ 10) models clarified that the net charge of functional groups contributes an important function in an inhibition mechanism. Validity and integrity of this model were confirmed by the LOO cross-validation method with q(2) = 0.940 and low residuals between the training and testing sets. The correlation matrix of DFT-QSAR model confirmed the molecular docking results.

Experimental hysteretic behavior of in-plane loaded reinforced grouted multi-ribbed aerated concrete blocks masonry walls

In order to analyze the experimental hysteretic behavior of the in-plane loaded reinforced grouted multi-ribbed aerated concrete blocks masonry walls (RGMACBMW), we have carried out the pseudo static testing on the six specimens of RGMACBMW. Based on the test results and shear failure characteristics, the shear force hysteretic curves and displacement envelope curves of the models were obtained and discussed. On the basis of the hysteretic curves a general skeleton curve of the shear force and displacement was formed. The restoring model was adopted to analyze the seismic behavior and earthquake response of RGMACBMW. The deformation capacity of the specimens was discussed, and the formulas for calculating the lateral stiffness of the walls at different loading stages were proposed as well. The average lateral displacement ductility factor of RGMACBMW calculated based on the test results was 3.16. This value illustrates that if the walls are appropriately designed, it can fully meet the seismic requirement of the structures. The quadri-linear restoring models of the walls degradation by the test results accurately reflect the hysteretic behaviors and skeleton curves of the masonry walls. The restoring model can be applied to the RGMACBMW structure in earthquake response analysis.

Synthesis of the benzene analogue of vitamin A.

Abstract The successful synthesis of pure crystalline vitamin A by Arens and van Dorp1 and by Isler et al.2 opened a new field in the chemical study of vitamin A. Thus, it is possible to synthesise various analogues of vitamin A in order to establish the relationship between chemical structure and vitamin A activity. A survey of recent publications on synthetic compounds bearing modified side chains led to the conclusion that although the terminal hydroxyl group might not be of utmost importance, the length and the general skeleton of the side chain could not be altered without a complete loss of activity. (cf. Table I.)

Osteochondromas of the mandibular condyle: variance in radiographic appearance on panoramic radiographs

Osteochondromas are frequently found in the general skeleton, but are rare in the mandibular condyle. Radiographically, most reports describe osteochondromas as a mushroom-shaped bony enlargement capped with cartilage on the condylar surface. However, the radiographic appearance of this lesion on the panoramic radiograph has rarely been studied. The purpose of this article is to increase the radiographic knowledge of mandibular condylar osteochondroma and facilitate making an exact diagnosis through observing the lesional appearance on panoramic radiograph. The panoramic radiographs of 12 cases of mandibular condylar osteochondromas were reviewed. All cases were obtained from the Department of Oral Radiology, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, between 1988 and 2006. The final diagnoses of all cases were based on pathology. Osteochondromas may arise on different areas around the mandibular condyle and present diverse appearances on panoramic radiograph. The mandibular condylar osteochondromas may show different growth positions encircling the condyle and exhibit varying shapes on panoramic radiograph. These features will help us to increase cognition of the lesion and make an exact diagnosis.

HIGH LEVEL PARALLEL SKELETONS FOR DYNAMIC PROGRAMMING

Dynamic Programming is an important problem-solving technique used for solving a wide variety of optimization problems. Dynamic Programming programs are commonly designed as individual applications and software tools are usually tailored to specific classes of recurrences and methodologies. That contrasts with some other algorithmic techniques where a single generic program may solve all the instances. We have developed a general skeleton tool providing support for a wide range of dynamic programming methodologies on different parallel architectures. Genericity, flexibility and efficiency are basic issues of the design strategy. Parallelism is supplied to the user in a transparent manner through a common sequential interface. A set of test problems representative of different classes of Dynamic Programming formulations has been used to validate our skeleton on an IBM-SP.

Non-Gaussian Complex Random Fields, their Skeletons and Path Measures

This work investigates complex random fields Z, which have a rotation invariant path measure. Fields of this type are constructed and analyzed in terms of (pathwise convergent) L 2-expansions, and quasi invariance properties of their path measures are studied. The results are used to investigate ℋL 2(Z), the space of holomorphic L 2-functionals of Z. Conditions are given such that every F∈ℋL 2(Z) admits an L 2-power series expansion, and a general skeleton theorem is proved, which justifies the notion ‘holomorphic’.

Do stages belong at the center of developmental theory? A commentary on Piaget's stages

It is my conviction y that I have drawn a quite clear general skeleton, but one still full of gaps of such a kind that, in filling them, one will be lead to differentiate its connections, in various ways, without at the same time altering the main line of the system y. My secret ambition is that the hypotheses one could oppose to my own will finally be seen not to contradict them but to result from a normal process of differentiation (Piaget in Bringuier, 1980, p. 144).

Significance map pruning and other enhancements to SPIHT image coding algorithm

This paper proposes several enhancements to the Set Partitioning in Hierarchical Trees (SPIHT) image coding algorithm without changing the original algorithm's general skeleton. First and foremost, a method for significance map pruning based on a rate-distortion criterion is introduced. Specifically, the (Type A) sets of wavelet coefficients with small ratios of estimated distortion reduction to estimated rate contribution are deemed insignificant and effectively pruned. Even though determining such sets requires the computational complexity of the encoder to increase considerably with respect to the original SPIHT encoder, the original SPIHT decoder may still be used to decode the generated bitstream with a low computational complexity. The paper also proposes three low complexity enhancements by more sophisticated use of the adaptive arithmetic coder. Simulation results demonstrate that all these enhancements yield modest compression gains at moderate to high rates.

Association between bone mineral density of the general skeletons and jaw bones

Associations between bone mineral density (BMD) of the general skeletons and jaw bones have been investigated to clarify the influences of skeletal low BMD or osteoporosis on periodontitis and tooth loss, especially in women. Some studies reported the significant associations between general skeletal BMD and BMD (or bone mass) of the jaw bones, however, the others failed to find this association. It is likely that the differences in the methods and regions in measuring BMD (or bone mass) of the jaw bones and in study sample size may contribute to this contradiction. Further systematical investigation in the large populations would be necessary in cooperation with medical professionals.

Osteosarcoma of the jaw bones

Currently, it has been established that osteosarcoma (OS) of bone is not a stereotyped disease, and several varieties have been identified by clinical findings, radiographic and histopathologic appearances. Generally, it is the most common primary malignant bone neoplasm that accounts for at least 30% of all primary tumours of bone. In the jaw bones, OS accounts for about 4% of all the primary malignant neoplasms. In the general skeleton, the highest incidence is observed in the second decade of life; the neoplasm is said to be unusual before the age of 5 years and very rare after age 50 years. The aetiology and precise pathogenesis of this disease remain unknown. A diagnosis of clinically and radiologically suspicious OS requires meticulous histologic examination. However, histologic diagnosis may also be difficult since the different varieties of OS may have different morphological patterns in different sample sites. Currently, the two therapeutic modalities used in the primary treatment of OS include radical surgery and cytotoxic chemotherapy. In the general skeleton, the use of surgery alone results in a 90% rate of recurrence of OS. Notably, the advent of adjuvant and neoadjuvant cytotoxic chemotherapy as an adjunct to radical surgery has greatly improved the prognosis of many cases of OS of the jaw bones.