bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Voltage Stabilizing Control Strategy of Off-Grid Microgrid Cluster Bus Based on Adaptive Genetic Fuzzy Double Closed-Loop Control
Authors: Zhang Yu , Yang Hongwan , Wang Peng
Published: June 2021

In the off-grid microgrid cluster, the energy storage device is mainly charged and discharged to maintain the stability of the bus voltage and the system power balance. Generally, the voltage and current double closed-loop control and fuzzy control are adopted for the energy storage converter. The traditional double closed-loop control parameters and the scale factor and quantization factor in fuzzy control cannot be adjusted in real time during system operation, resulting in slower dynamic response and weak anti-interference ability of the system. In response to the above problems, this paper proposes an adaptive genetic fuzzy double closed-loop control, which can adjust the PI control parameters in real time by adjusting the quantization factor and the scale factor to optimize the control effect. The simulation platform is built in MATLAB/Simulink and the simulation results show that the adaptive genetic fuzzy double closed-loop control combines the advantages of fuzzy and PI control. Under different working conditions, the system has not only a fast dynamic response, small overshoot, and strong anti-interference ability but also good robustness.
A Traceability Public Service Cloud Platform Incorporating IDcode System and Colorful QR Code Technology for Important Product
Authors: Zhang Shaqing , Liao Jinhui , Wu Shuangcheng , Zhong Junrui , Xue Xiaoping
Published: June 2021

At present, the epidemic situation of COVID-19 is raging rampantly in the whole world, affecting the hearts of billions of people. The new coronavirus has been detected in many foods and agricultural products. At the same time, vaccines and medicines to prevent or treat COVID-19 are also stepping up research and development and gradually put into use. The quality and safety of foods, medicines, and agricultural products are directly related to the lives and health of people. There are many potential dangers and hidden risks of accidents in the production, sale, and transportation of dangerous goods and special equipment. Therefore, it is necessary to effectively monitor and record the workflow of the above productions or goods. In this paper, we developed an important product traceability public service cloud platform (IPTPSCP) based on batch identification and record keeping with International Two-Dimensional Code Object Identifier System (IDcode) coding rules. Through a case study of the tea factory that produces and sells Xinyang Maojian tea, a test and implementation of IPTPSCP was shown by designing a colorful QR code to prevent the traceability information from being forged in batches. Judging from the overall effect of the practical application of more than a dozen settled enterprises, IPTPSCP has improved the efficiency of data collection and monitoring by about 13%. The results show that the IPTPSCP can be considered as an effective tool to guarantee the quality and safety of products. Besides, since it is not required for the enterprise to invest much money and manpower to develop software, IPTPSCP reduces the cost of implementing product traceability by about 36%.
Protective Effect of Quercetin Nanoemulsion on 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Oral Mucositis in Mice
Authors: Lotfi Mandana , Kazemi Sohrab , Ebrahimpour Anahita , Shirafkan Fatemeh , Pirzadeh Marzieh , Hosseini Mohammad , Moghadamnia Ali Akbar
Published: June 2021

The target of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, histopathological, oxidative stress, and molecular effects of quercetin (QRC) in mice with oral mucositis induced by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Thirty-six albino male mice with oral mucositis induced by 5-FU as a chemotherapeutic agent were used in this study. The animals were randomly divided into 6 groups: control group, mucositis (MUC) group, pretreatment group, posttreatment group, and two last groups including nanoemulsion form of QRC with a dose of 5 mg/kg in both pretreatment and posttreatment. In the present evaluation, fewer oral lesions were observed in the QRC posttreatment groups compared to the pretreatment and nanoemulsion receiving groups. In the SOD assay, the most significant difference was observed in the posttreatment nanogroup (41.073 ± 1.24) and pretreatment nanogroup (43.453 ± 2.60) in comparison to the 5-FU group (30.897 ± 1.93). The results of CAT assay also showed a significant difference in nano-posttreatment (124.60 ± 10.85), posttreatment (135.4 ± 9.82), and nano-pretreatment groups (128.80 ± 7.20) compared to the 5-FU group (55.07 ± 8.91). The expression of inflammatory genes such as Hif-1α and NfκB in this group was lower than in the other groups, although this difference was not significant. It seems that the use of QRC can improve the treatment process of oral mucositis induced by 5-FU.
Hydrogeochemical Characteristics and Water–Rock Interactions of Coalbed-Produced Water Derived from the Dafosi Biogenic Gas Field in the Southern Margin of Ordos Basin, China
Authors: Bao Yuan , An Chao , Wang Chaoyong , Guo Chen , Wang Wenbo
Published: June 2021

The hydrogeochemical characteristics of coalbed-produced water can provide insights into the sources of ions and water, the groundwater environments, hydrodynamic conditions, and water-rock interactions of depositional basins. To study the water-rock reaction process and reveal whether there is a microbial activity in the groundwater, a case of the Dafosi biogenic gas field was chosen by testing the ionic concentrations and hydrogen and oxygen isotopic compositions of coalbed-produced water and employing R-type cluster and principal component analyses. The results showed that Na+,

Cl

−

, and HCO3- are the principal ions in the coalbed-produced water, while the water type is mainly a Na–Cl. Due to the hydrolysis of HCO3-, the pH in this region was controlled primarily by HCO3-. As the main cation in water, Na+ contributed substantially to the total dissolved solids. Na+ is also related to the exchange between rock-bound Na+ and Ca2+ and Mg2+ in water or surrounding rocks. The coalbed-produced water’s oxygen isotopes displayed a characteristic 18O drift and enrichment, indicating that the 16O isotope in the water was preferentially exchanged with the coal organic matter. Early evaporation is also contributed to the enrichment of TDS (total dissolved solids) and 18O in the water. The central part of the study area, including the Qijia anticline, was affected by the Yanshanian uplift and denudation and subsequently developed a water-conducting fissure zone and was recharged atmospheric precipitation; these conditions were conducive to the formation of secondary biogenic gas.
Nutritional Analysis of Five Wild Edible Vegetables Traditionally Consumed by the Orang Asli in Perak
Authors: Tharmabalan Rachel Thomas
Published: June 2021

The significance of wild edible plants may be traced back to antiquity, and methodological studies are the focus of present food movements to restore culinary traditions. Ethnobotanical appraisal was first done to determine the names and the significance of the five wild edibles used by the Orang Asli, which were Erechtites valerianiaeolia (Link ex Spring) DC, Dendrocalamus asper (Schult.) Backer, Solanum nigrum L., Gomphandra quadrifida (Blume) Sleumer, and Pleocnemia irregularis (C. Presl) Holttum collected from Sungkai, Perak in Malaysia. These wild edibles were then assessed for their proximate and mineral compositions. The present study revealed that the fiber content present in these wild edibles ranged from 2.7 to 12.5 g/100 g, whereas the protein content ranged from 1.8 to 6.8 g/100 g with Gomphandra quadrifida containing the highest amount of fiber and Solanum nigrum recording the highest protein content among the 5 wild edibles. In regard to the micronutreint content, iron was the highest in Gomphandra quadrifida, followed by Pleocnemia irregularis. Calcium and magnesium contents were the highest in Solanum nigrum. The results obtained in this study echo the urgency to conserve these plants in order to promote consumption as well as to improve the health and nutritional status of the Orang Asli.
Stepped Frequency Multiresolution Digital Signal Processing
Authors: Chen Qunying
Published: June 2021

With the rapid development of radar industry technology, the corresponding signal processing technology becomes more and more complex. For the radar with short-range detection function, its corresponding signal mostly presents the characteristics of wide bandwidth and multiresolution. In the traditional data processing process, a large number of signals will interfere with the signal, which makes the final signal processing difficult or even impossible. Based on this problem, this paper proposes a principal component linear prediction processing algorithm based on clutter suppression processing on the basis of traditional signal processing algorithm. According to the curve characteristics of the data returned by the target detected by the signal, through certain image signal measurement and transformation, the clutter can be effectively suppressed and the typical characteristics of the corresponding target curve can be enhanced. For the convergence problem of signal processing and the corresponding image chromatic aberration compensation problem, this paper will realize the chromatic aberration compensation of the corresponding target echo image based on the radial pointing transverse mode algorithm and enhance the convergence speed of the whole algorithm system. In the experimental part of this paper, the optimization algorithm proposed in this paper is compared with the traditional algorithm. The experimental results show that the algorithm proposed in this paper has obvious advantages in the convergence of signal processing and antijamming performance and has the promotion value.
Modeling and Analysis of Network Control System Based on Hierarchical Coloured Petri Net and Markov Chain
Authors: Li Jingdong , Wang Zhangang , Sun Liankun , Wang Wanru
Published: June 2021

This paper investigates a modified modeling of networked control systems (NCSs) with programmable logic controller (PLC). First, the controller-to-actuator and sensor-to-controller network-induced delays are investigated by a modeling tactics based on hierarchical coloured petri net (HCPN) in a structure-conserving way. Comparing with the recent result, the signal transmission delay is set in a random interval instead of a fixed mode; moreover, the data packet drop out and disorder are also taken into consideration. Second, delays captured form CPN tools are analyzed with a strategy based on Baum–Welch algorithm and statistics science. Besides, time delays are modeled as a Markov chain and the transition probabilities is calculated using the consequent from the previous operation. Finally, a comparison verification illustrates the equivalence property between proposed models.
Identification of Critical m6A RNA Methylation Regulators with Prognostic Value in Lower‐Grade Glioma
Authors: Zheng Jianglin , Wang Xuan , Qiu Yue , Wang Minjie , Yu Hao , Zhou Zijie , Wu Zhipeng , Jiang Xiaobing
Published: June 2021

Increasing evidences have revealed that N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation regulators participate in the tumorigenesis and development of multiple tumors. So far, there has been little comprehension about the effects of m6A RNA methylation regulators on lower‐grade gliomas (LGG). Here, we systematically investigated the expression profiles and prognostic significance of 36 m6A RNA methylation regulators in LGG patients from the TCGA and CGGA databases. Most of the m6A RNA methylation regulators are differentially expressed in LGG tissues as compared with normal brain tissues and glioblastoma (GBM) tissues. The consensus clustering for these m6A RNA methylation regulators identified three clusters. Patients in cluster 3 exhibited worse prognosis. In addition, we constructed an m6A‐related prognostic signature, which exhibited excellent performance in prognostic stratification of LGG patients according to the results of the Kaplan‐Meier curves, ROC curves, and univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. In addition, a significant correlation was observed between the m6A‐related prognostic signature and the immune landscape of the LGG microenvironment. The high‐risk group exhibited higher immune scores, stromal scores, and ESTIMATE scores but lower tumor purity and lower abundance of activated NK cells. Moreover, the expression level of immune checkpoints was positively correlated with the risk score. To conclude, the current research systematically demonstrated the prognostic roles of m6A RNA methylation regulators in LGG.
Bilateral Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty and Reconstruction of the Medial Tibial Plateau by an Asymmetric Cone in a Patient with Charcot Arthropathy
Authors: Tsamassiotis Spiros , Windhagen Henning , Ettinger Max
Published: June 2021

Charcot arthropathy of the knee is an extremely rare orthopedic disease that is very challenging for the treating physician and is associated with many complications, especially if it is occurring on both knees. Meanwhile, in the advanced stage, despite many potential complications, TKA is recognized as the gold standard. However, destruction of the medial tibial plateau is typical for the disease, which makes a stable anchorage of the prosthesis much more difficult. Therefore, we present a case in which sufficient primary stability could be achieved with an asymmetrical second-generation tibial cone with an anatomical design and implantation instruments adapted to the bony anatomy in the presence of severe tibial destruction on both sides. In the two-year follow-up, the patient showed good mobility and stability on both sides. In advanced Charcot arthropathy of the knee, the use of asymmetric tibial cones appears to be an appropriate solution for secure fixation and stability of the implant.
Muli‐UWB Antenna System Design for 5G Wireless Applications with Diversity
Authors: Daghari Marwa , Essid Chaker , Sakli Hedi
Published: June 2021

In this paper, we propose a compact Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antenna system with high isolation for wireless applications in 5G connected devices. This MIMO antenna system with the size of 92 × 88 mm2 consists of two elliptical antennas symmetrically arranged next to each other. Two decoupling methods which are neutralization and Defected Ground Structure (DGS) are applied to ensure diversity of the proposed MIMO antenna. The single and MIMO antennas are simulated and analyzed then fabricated and measured. A good agreement between measurements and simulations is obtained. These configurations, dedicated to covering the 3.4 GHz band ‐3.8 GHz, have shown very satisfactory performances more than ‐30 dB in terms of reduction of mutual coupling between the antennas constituting our system. MIMO diversity parameters, such as Envelope Correlation (ECC), Diversity Gain (DG), and total efficiency, are also studied for each proposed MIMO system. Thus, results demonstrate that our two proposed antenna configurations are very suitable for 5G MIMO applications.
Heterogeneity in NECTIN4 Expression Across Molecular Subtypes of Urothelial Cancer Mediates Sensitivity to Enfortumab Vedotin
Authors: Chu Carissa E. , Sjöström Martin , Egusa Emily A. , Gibb Ewan A. , Badura Michelle L. , Zhu Jun , Koshkin Vadim S. , Stohr Bradley A. , Meng Maxwell V. , Pruthi Raj S. , Friedlander Terence W. , Lotan Yair , Black Peter C. , Porten Sima P. , Feng Felix Y. , Chou Jonathan
Published: June 2021

Purpose:

Enfortumab vedotin (EV) is an antibody–drug conjugate (ADC) targeting NECTIN4 (encoded by the PVRL4/NECTIN4 gene) approved for treatment-refractory metastatic urothelial cancer. Factors that mediate sensitivity or resistance to EV are unknown. In this study, we sought to (i) examine heterogeneity of NECTIN4 gene expression across molecular subtypes of bladder cancer and (ii) determine whether NECTIN4 expression mediates EV sensitivity or resistance.

Experimental Design:

Molecular subtyping and NECTIN4 expression data from seven muscle-invasive bladder cancer clinical cohorts (n = 1,915 total specimens) were used to assess NECTIN4 expression across molecular subtypes. The outcome of the transcriptomic analysis was relative NECTIN4 expression in the consensus molecular subtypes of bladder cancer. Expression of NECTIN4 was validated in bladder cancer cell lines. NECTIN4 was stably overexpressed or knocked down in basal and luminal bladder cancer cell lines and EV drug sensitivity assays were performed, as measured by cell proliferation and clonogenic assays.

Results:

NECTIN4 expression is heterogenous across molecular subtypes of bladder cancer and significantly enriched in luminal subtypes. NECTIN4 expression is positively correlated with luminal markers GATA3, FOXA1, and PPARG across all cohorts. NECTIN4 expression is both necessary and sufficient for EV sensitivity in luminal and basal subtypes of urothelial bladder cancer cells. Downregulation of NECTIN4 leads to EV resistance.

Conclusions:

Sensitivity to EV is mediated by expression of NECTIN4, which is enriched in luminal subtypes of bladder cancer. These findings may have implications for biomarker development, patient selection, and the inclusion of molecular subtyping in ongoing and future EV clinical trials.

See related commentary by Teo and Rosenberg, p. 4950
International Consensus on Minimum Preclinical Testing Requirements for the Development of Innovative Therapies For Children and Adolescents with Cancer
Authors: Vassal Gilles , Houghton Peter J. , Pfister Stefan M. , Smith Malcolm A. , Caron Huib N. , Li Xiao-Nan , Shields David J. , Witt Olaf , Molenaar Jan J. , Colombetti Sara , Schüler Julia , Stancato Lou F.
Published: June 2021

Cancer remains the leading cause of disease-related death in children. For the many children who experience relapses of their malignant solid tumors, usually after very intensive first-line therapy, curative treatment options are scarce. Preclinical drug testing to identify promising treatment elements that match the molecular make-up of the tumor is hampered by the fact that (i) molecular genetic data on pediatric solid tumors from relapsed patients and thus our understanding of tumor evolution and therapy resistance are very limited to date and (ii) for many of the high-risk entities, no appropriate and molecularly well-characterized patient-derived models and/or genetic mouse models are currently available. However, recent regulatory changes enacted by the European Medicines Agency (class waiver changes) and the maturation of the RACE for Children act with the FDA, will require a significant increase in preclinical pediatric cancer research and clinical development must occur. We detail the outcome of a pediatric cancer international multistakeholder meeting whose output aims at defining an international consensus on minimum preclinical testing requirements for the development of innovative therapies for children and adolescents with cancer. Recommendations based on the experience of the NCI funded PPTP/C (www.ncipptc.org) and the EU funded ITCC-P4 public private partnership (https://www.itccp4.eu/) are provided for the use of cell-based and mouse models for pediatric solid malignancies, as well as guidance on the scope and content of preclinical proof-of-concept data packages to inform clinical development dependent on clinical urgency. These recommendations can serve as a minimal guidance necessary to jumpstart preclinical pediatric research globally.
Peptidoglycan Salvage Enables the Periodontal Pathogen Tannerella forsythia to Survive within the Oral Microbial Community
Authors: Hottmann Isabel , Borisova Marina , Schäffer Christina , Mayer Christoph
Published: June 2021

Tannerella forsythia is an anaerobic, fusiform Gram-negative oral pathogen strongly associated with periodontitis, a multibacterial inflammatory disease that leads to the destruction of the teeth-supporting tissue, ultimately causing tooth loss. To survive in the oral habitat, T. forsythia depends on cohabiting bacteria for the provision of nutrients. For axenic growth under laboratory conditions, it specifically relies on the external supply of N-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc), which is an essential constituent of the peptidoglycan (PGN) of bacterial cell walls. T. forsythia comprises a typical Gram-negative PGN; however, as evidenced by genome sequence analysis, the organism lacks common enzymes required for the de novo synthesis of precursors of PGN, which rationalizes its MurNAc auxotrophy. Only recently insights were obtained into how T. forsythia gains access to MurNAc in its oral habitat, enabling synthesis of the own PGN cell wall. This report summarizes T. forsythia’s strategies to survive in the oral habitat by means of PGN salvage pathways, including recovery of exogenous MurNAc and PGN-derived fragments but also polymeric PGN, which are all derived from cohabiting bacteria either via cell wall turnover or decay of cells. Salvage of polymeric PGN presumably requires the removal of peptides from PGN by an unknown amidase, concomitantly with the translocation of the polymer across the outer membrane. Two recently identified exo-lytic N-acetylmuramidases (Tf_NamZ1 and Tf_NamZ2) specifically cleave the peptide-free, exogenous (nutrition source) PGN in the periplasm and release the MurNAc and disaccharide substrates for the transporters Tf_MurT and Tf_AmpG, respectively, whereas the peptide-containing, endogenous (the self-cell wall) PGN stays unattached. This review also outlines how T. forsythia synthesises the PGN precursors UDP-MurNAc and UDP-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc), involving homologs of the Pseudomonas sp. recycling enzymes AmgK/MurU and a monofunctional uridylyl transferase (named Tf_GlmU*), respectively.
Pesa, logo existe: por uma antropologia que corra (perigo)
Authors: Horta Amanda , Jacques Renato
Published: June 2021

Este artigo se dá na interseção entre dois trabalhos de campo, um entre indígenas do Território Indígena do Xingu que habitam a cidade de Canarana, Mato Grosso, outro com grupos de danças contemporâneas na cidade de São Paulo. Nossa intenção é ressaltar os importantes efeitos de se levar a sério a possibilidade de que outros mundos levem a outros modos de conhecimento, estabelecendo, desde a perspectiva do corpo e de seus poderes modulatórios, uma crítica a abordagens estritamente intelectuais de saberes que chamam à experiência direta. O que sugerimos aqui é uma radicalização da proposta de se levar a sério a verdade de nossas interlocutoras e interlocutores de pesquisa, não apenas escutando suas verdades como verdades para elas, mas escutando-as como verdades que definem, ela mesmas, os limites de sua extensão.
A Prototype Analysis of the Cultural and Evolutionary Construction of Romantic Love as a Synthesis of Love and Sex
Authors: de Munck Victor C. , Kronenfeld David B. , Manoharan Christopher
Published: June 2021

Our goal is to use prototype analysis to distinguish the folk or culturally held understandings of love, romantic love, and sex and to specify, from the obtained data, the semantic relationship among these three associated concepts. By considering the semantic distinctions between these three concepts, we come to an unintended insight: if romantic love is a socio-cultural universal it does not appear to have the same evolutionary history as love or sex and this may account for its somewhat ambiguous status in the scholarly literature on romantic love. We demonstrate that, in the United States, sex, in and of itself, is seldom conceived of as a relationship while love and romantic love are primarily viewed as relational. Our findings, though preliminary, strongly suggest that romantic love is a synthesis of two evolutionary drives: love (or bonding) and sex.
Silence Is Not (Always) Golden: A Criticism of the ECJ’s Approach towards Integration Conditions for Family Reunification
Authors: Ganty Sarah
Published: June 2021

Over the past 20 years, integration duties imposed on third-country nationals have spread and become more rigid in EU Member States. They increasingly restrict the conditions for obtaining residence permits as well as the benefit of social rights. These integration conditions take on singular forms and raise particular issues in relation to the Association Agreement concluded between the European Union and Turkey, in particular with regard to so-called ‘standstill clauses’. The present article begins from the A v. Udlændinge-og Integrationsministeriet case and criticises the Court’s silence about the elephant in the room on the issue of integration conditions towards third-country nationals: racial and/or ethnic discrimination. The case is about an integration condition imposed by the Danish Government as a prerequisite for a ‘family reunion’ residence permit for the spouse of a Turkish worker: the spouses must prove that they have a stronger link with Denmark than with Turkey. The solution adopted by the Court of Justice in striking down this integration condition is not surprising. However, its reasoning suggests more tolerance – or even laxity – about the way the concept of integration is used by the Member States. This situation is problematic insofar as these integration conditions, the very principle of which is questionable per se, conceal increasingly discriminatory and exclusionary measures which the Court is reluctant to denounce, as opposed to the European Court of Human Rights.
Beyond the Church and the Poor: Expanding the Subject of Ethnographic Theology
Authors: Grigoni Michael R.
Published: June 2021

The use of ethnography for theological inquiry is no longer novel. Yet, as the introduction to this special issue indicates, the ethnographic turn in Christian theology is animated by distinct postliberal and liberationist trajectories, each with their own theological presumptions and methodological aims. Should the future development of this turn favour one trajectory over another? This paper explores this question in conversation with Todd Whitmore’s Imitating Christ in Magwi: An Anthropological Theology. Through a sustained engagement with Imitating Christ in Magwi, I unearth both postliberal and liberationist inheritances to show that Whitmore’s text exceeds a postliberal-liberationist binary. I then ask what the dual inheritance of his work signifies for the future of the ethnographic turn. Drawing from cultural anthropology’s mode of ‘studying up,’ I suggest that the turn should orient itself more broadly to the care of our common life by expanding attention to subjects with power.
Notes on the diatom collection of the Natural History Museum, London (BM) V: (a) ‘Stictodiscus manillensis’ nom. nud., (b) Stictodiscus pantocsekii and ‘Stictodiscus pantocsekii var. minor’, (c) a note on the name ‘Stictodiscella’; and (d) some comments on Jósef Pantocsek’s Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Fossilen Bacillarien Ungarns

Authors: WILLIAMS DAVID M. , SIMS PAT A. , WITKOWSKI JAKUB
Published: June 2021

This short paper is comprised of four notes on, or related to, the genus Stictodiscus Greville (1861a: 39) based, for the most part, on specimens in BM (Natural History Museum, London) and a correction to the type designation of Aulacodiscus madagascarensis Tempère noted in a previous publication (Williams 2021: 158)
Long-Lead Seasonal Prediction of Streamflow over the Upper Colorado River Basin: The Role of the Pacific Sea Surface Temperature and Beyond
Authors: Zhao Siyu , Fu Rong , Zhuang Yizhou , Wang Gaoyun
Published: June 2021

We have developed two statistical models for extended seasonal predictions of the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB) natural streamflow during April–July: a stepwise linear regression (reduced to a simple regression with one predictor) and a neural network model. Monthly, basin-averaged soil moisture, snow water equivalent (SWE), precipitation, and the Pacific sea surface temperature (SST) are selected as potential predictors. Pacific SST Predictors (PSPs) are derived from a dipole pattern over the Pacific (30°S–65°N) that is correlated with the lagging streamflow. For both models, the correlation between the hindcasted and observed streamflow exceeds 0.60 for lead times less than four months using soil moisture, SWE, and precipitation as predictors. This correlation is higher than that of an autoregression model (correlation ~0.50). Since these land-surface and atmospheric variables have no statistically significant correlations with the streamflow, PSPs are then incorporated into the models. The two models have a correlation of ~0.50 using PSPs alone for lead times from six to nine months, and such skills are probably associated with stronger correlation between SST and streamflow in recent decades. The similar prediction skills between the two models suggest a largely linear system between SST and streamflow. Four predictors together can further improve short-lead prediction skills (correlation ~0.80). Therefore, our results confirm the advantage of the Pacific SST information in predicting the UCRB streamflow with a long lead time, and can provide useful climate information for water supply planning and decisions.
Analysis of unsteady flow and fluid exciting forces of multistage centrifugal pump based on actual size
Authors: Cui Baoling , Zhang Yingbin , Huang Yakun , Zhu Zuchao
Published: June 2021

The unsteady flow and fluid exciting force inside the multistage centrifugal pump were analyzed on the basis of large eddy simulation (LES). The reliability of the numerical simulation was verified by the experimental performance. The performance of pump calculated was closer to the experimental one than that by the Reynolds time average turbulence model, and the errors were 0.36% and 1.14% at the design flow rate, respectively. The results showed that the different distribution and magnitude of the inlet velocity at each stage impeller contributed to the difference of the head for each one. With the increase of flow rates from 0.4Q to 1.2Q, the rule of axial forces for each stage was roughly the same but the total axial force increased from 25.02kN to 29.92kN. The radial force in the Z direction was smaller than the one in the Y direction, and the amplitude of the main frequency in the Z direction changed more gently for the double tongue. Adopting back-to-back impeller distributions can effectively reduce the axial force. The symmetric distributed double tongue can reduce the radial force and play a key role in reducing the vibration of the centrifugal pump.
Exploring the Relationship Between Impairment and Disability in Great Britain: Evidence From the Life Opportunities Survey
Authors: Jones Melanie , Saloniki Eirini-Christina
Published: June 2021

Academic and government policy evidence that quantifies the disadvantage experienced by people with disabilities in the United Kingdom relies on “global” self-reported measures of disability available in large-scale national surveys. Understanding who is captured by such measures and the “process of disablement” is therefore vital. This article applies multivariate regression analysis to nationally representative and uniquely rich data for Great Britain from the Life Opportunities Survey (2009–2011) to investigate the relationship between a well-established measure of activity-limiting disability and the type and severity of impairment. Conditional on personal characteristics, the risk of disability is found to increase with the presence and severity of impairment. It also varies dramatically by impairment type, being highest for those with impairments relating to mobility and mental ill-health, and lowest for impairments relating to vision and hearing.
Challenges and Opportunities of AI-Enabled Monitoring, Diagnosis & Prognosis: A Review
Authors: Zhao Zhibin , Wu Jingyao , Li Tianfu , Sun Chuang , Yan Ruqiang , Chen Xuefeng
Published: June 2021

Prognostics and Health Management (PHM), including monitoring, diagnosis, prognosis, and health management, occupies an increasingly important position in reducing costly breakdowns and avoiding catastrophic accidents in modern industry. With the development of artificial intelligence (AI), especially deep learning (DL) approaches, the application of AI-enabled methods to monitor, diagnose and predict potential equipment malfunctions has gone through tremendous progress with verified success in both academia and industry. However, there is still a gap to cover monitoring, diagnosis, and prognosis based on AI-enabled methods, simultaneously, and the importance of an open source community, including open source datasets and codes, has not been fully emphasized. To fill this gap, this paper provides a systematic overview of the current development, common technologies, open source datasets, codes, and challenges of AI-enabled PHM methods from three aspects of monitoring, diagnosis, and prognosis.
Genomic insights into body size evolution in Carnivora support Peto’s paradox
Authors: Huang Xin , Sun Di , Wu Tianzhen , Liu Xing , Xu Shixia , Yang Guang
Published: June 2021

Background

The range of body sizes in Carnivora is unparalleled in any other mammalian order—the heaviest species is 130,000 times heavier than the lightest and the longest species is 50 times longer than the shortest. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these huge differences in body size have not been explored.

Results

Herein, we performed a comparative genomics analysis of 20 carnivores to explore the evolutionary basis of the order’s great variations in body size. Phylogenetic generalized least squares (PGLS) revealed that 337 genes were significantly related to both head body length and body mass; these genes were defined as body size associated genes (BSAGs). Fourteen positively-related BSAGs were found to be associated with obesity, and three of these were under rapid evolution in the extremely large carnivores, suggesting that these obesity-related BSAGs might have driven the body size expansion in carnivores. Interestingly, 100 BSAGs were statistically significantly enriched in cancer control in carnivores, and 15 of which were found to be under rapid evolution in extremely large carnivores. These results suggested that large carnivores might have evolved an effective mechanism to resist cancer, which could be regarded as molecular evidence to support Peto’s paradox. For small carnivores, we identified 15 rapidly evolving genes and found six genes with fixed amino acid changes that were reported to reduce body size.

Conclusions

This study brings new insights into the molecular mechanisms that drove the diversifying evolution of body size in carnivores, and provides new target genes for exploring the mysteries of body size evolution in mammals.
Transcriptome analysis of embryonic muscle development in Chengkou Mountain Chicken
Authors: Ren Lingtong , Liu Anfang , Wang Qigui , Wang Honggan , Dong Deqiang , Liu Lingbin
Published: June 2021

Background

Muscle is the predominant portion of any meat product, and growth performance and product quality are the core of modern breeding. The embryonic period is highly critical for muscle development, the number, shape and structure of muscle fibers are determined at the embryonic stage. Herein, we performed transcriptome analysis to reveal the law of muscle development in the embryonic stage of Chengkou Mountain Chicken at embryonic days (E) 12, 16, 19, 21.

Results

Diameter and area of muscle fibers exhibited significant difference at different embryonic times(P < 0.01). A total of 16,330 mRNAs transcripts were detected, including 109 novel mRNAs transcripts. By comparing different embryonic muscle development time points, 2,262 in E12vsE16, 5,058 in E12vsE19, 6139 in E12vsE21, 1,282 in E16vsE19, 2,920 in E16vsE21, and 646 in E19vsE21differentially expressed mRNAs were identified. It is worth noting that 7,572 mRNAs were differentially expressed. The time-series expression profile of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) showed that the rising and falling expression trends were significantly enriched. The significant enrichment trends included 3,150 DEGs. GO enrichment analysis provided three significantly enriched categories of significantly enriched differential genes, including 65 cellular components, 88 molecular functions, and 453 biological processes. Through KEGG analysis, we explored the biological metabolic pathways involved in differentially expressed genes. A total of 177 KEGG pathways were enriched, including 19 significant pathways, such as extracellular matrix-receptor interactions. Similarly, numerous pathways related to muscle development were found, including the Wnt signaling pathway (P < 0.05), MAPK signalingpathway, TGF-beta signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and mTOR signaling pathway. Among the differentially expressed genes, we selected those involved in developing 4-time points; notably, up-regulated genes included MYH1F, SLC25A12, and HADHB, whereas the down-regulated genes included STMN1, VASH2, and TUBAL3.

Conclusions

Our study explored the embryonic muscle development of the Chengkou Mountain Chicken. A large number of DEGs related to muscle development have been identified ,and validation of key genes for embryonic development and preliminary explanation of their role in muscle development. Overall, this study broadened our current understanding of the phenotypic mechanism for myofiber formation and provides valuable information for improving chicken quality.
Multi-ethnic genome-wide association analyses of white blood cell and platelet traits in the Population Architecture using Genomics and Epidemiology (PAGE) study
Authors: Hu Yao , Bien Stephanie A. , Nishimura Katherine K. , Haessler Jeffrey , Hodonsky Chani J. , Baldassari Antoine R. , Highland Heather M. , Wang Zhe , Preuss Michael , Sitlani Colleen M. , Wojcik Genevieve L. , Tao Ran , Graff Mariaelisa , Huckins Laura M. , Sun Quan , Chen Ming-Huei , Mousas Abdou , Auer Paul L. , Lettre Guillaume ,   the Blood Cell Consortium, Tang Weihong , Qi Lihong , Thyagarajan Bharat , Buyske Steve , Fornage Myriam , Hindorff Lucia A. , Li Yun , Lin Danyu , Reiner Alexander P. , North Kari E. , Loos Ruth J. F. , Raffield Laura M. , Peters Ulrike , Avery Christy L. , Kooperberg Charles
Published: June 2021

Background

Circulating white blood cell and platelet traits are clinically linked to various disease outcomes and differ across individuals and ancestry groups. Genetic factors play an important role in determining these traits and many loci have been identified. However, most of these findings were identified in populations of European ancestry (EA), with African Americans (AA), Hispanics/Latinos (HL), and other races/ethnicities being severely underrepresented.

Results

We performed ancestry-combined and ancestry-specific genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for white blood cell and platelet traits in the ancestrally diverse Population Architecture using Genomics and Epidemiology (PAGE) Study, including 16,201 AA, 21,347 HL, and 27,236 EA participants. We identified six novel findings at suggestive significance (P < 5E-8), which need confirmation, and independent signals at six previously established regions at genome-wide significance (P < 2E-9). We confirmed multiple previously reported genome-wide significant variants in the single variant association analysis and multiple genes using PrediXcan. Evaluation of loci reported from a Euro-centric GWAS indicated attenuation of effect estimates in AA and HL compared to EA populations.

Conclusions

Our results highlighted the potential to identify ancestry-specific and ancestry-agnostic variants in participants with diverse backgrounds and advocate for continued efforts in improving inclusion of racially/ethnically diverse populations in genetic association studies for complex traits.
PINIR: a comprehensive information resource for Pin-II type protease inhibitors
Authors: Yadav Nikhilesh K. , Saikhedkar Nidhi S. , Giri Ashok P.
Published: June 2021

Background

Serine protease inhibitors belonging to the Potato type-II Inhibitor family Protease Inhibitors (Pin-II type PIs) are essential plant defense molecules. They are characterized by multiple inhibitory repeat domains, conserved disulfide bond pattern, and a tripeptide reactive center loop. These features of Pin-II type PIs make them potential molecules for protein engineering and designing inhibitors for agricultural and therapeutic applications. However, the diversity in these PIs remains unexplored due to the lack of annotated protein sequences and their functional attributes in the available databases.

Results

We have developed a database, PINIR (Pin-II type PIs Information Resource), by systematic collection and manual annotation of 415 Pin-II type PI protein sequences. For each PI, the number and position for signature sequences are specified: 695 domains, 75 linkers, 63 reactive center loops, and 10 disulfide bond patterns are identified and mapped. Database analysis revealed novel subcategories of PIs, species-correlated occurrence of inhibitory domains, reactive center loops, and disulfide bond patterns. By analyzing linker regions, we predict that alternative processing at linker regions could generate PI variants in the Solanaceae family.

Conclusion

PINIR (https://pinir.ncl.res.in) provides a web interface for browsing and analyzing the protein sequences of Pin-II type PIs. Information about signature sequences, spatio-temporal expression, biochemical properties, gene sequences, and literature references are provided. Analysis of PINIR depicts conserved species-specific features of Pin-II type PI protein sequences. Diversity in the sequence of inhibitory domains and reactive loops directs potential applications to engineer Pin-II type PIs. The PINIR database will serve as a comprehensive information resource for further research into Pin-II type PIs.
Association between successful aging transitions and depressive symptoms among older Korean adults: findings from the Korean longitudinal study of aging (2006–2018)
Authors: Nari Fatima , Jang Bich Na , Kim Selin , Jeong Wonjeong , Jang Sung-In , Park Eun-Cheol
Published: June 2021

Background

The importance of SA (Successful aging) has been emphasized in recent years, with focus shifting towards attaining healthier aging rather than longevity. However, the influence of SA and its changes on mental health such as depression remains a relatively unexplored area in gerontology. Therefore, we investigated the longitudinal association between changes in SA and depressive symptoms in Korean older adults.

Methods

This study comprised a longitudinal sample of older adults aged ≥ 45 years, drawn from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (2006–2018). Changes in SA status was determined using the Rowe and Kahn model over two consecutive years. Using an adjusted generalized estimating equation model, we examined the association between changes in successful aging status, namely SA and NSA (Non-successful aging), and depressive symptoms.

Results

Compared to the SA→SA group, depressive symptom risk in the NSA→NSA and SA→NSA groups were higher in men [(OR, 1.16; 95 % CI, 1.13–1.18), (OR, 1.11; 95 % CI, 1.08–1.13), respectively] and in women [(OR, 1.15; 95 % CI, 1.13–1.18), (OR, 1.11; 95 % CI, 1.09–1.14), respectively]. Subgroup analysis of the dimensions of successful aging revealed that low or worsening criteria of successful aging status in men and women were associated with depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

Korean older adults who continuously failed to attain or maintain successful aging status had the highest risk of depressive symptoms. These results could further assist in establishing policies and interventions that promote successful aging and subsequently protect the mental health of the Korean older adult population.
Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of social robots for older adults and people with dementia: a scoping review
Authors: Koh Wei Qi , Felding Simone Anna , Budak Kübra Beliz , Toomey Elaine , Casey Dympna
Published: June 2021

Background

Psychosocial issues, such as social isolation and loneliness among older adults and people with dementia, continue to pose challenges with a rapidly aging population worldwide. Social robots are a rapidly emerging field of technology, developed to help address the psychosocial needs of this population. Although studies have reported positive findings regarding their psychosocial benefits, their implementation in real-world practice remains a challenge. Nevertheless, little is known about the factors affecting their implementation. The purpose of this review is to provide a systematic overview of the barriers and facilitators affecting the implementation of social robots for older adults and people with dementia.

Method

The Arksey and O’Malley approach with methodological enhancement by Levac et al. was used to guide the conduct of this review. Seven electronic databases were searched. In addition, hand searching and backward citation tracing was conducted. Three independent reviewers were involved in the screening and data charting process. Findings were synthesised and categorised into the five domains outlined in the Consolidated Framework of Implementation Research (CFIR).

Results

A total of 53 studies were included in the final review. Most of the included studies were based in participants’ homes and in care facilities. Barriers and facilitators were mapped onto 18 constructs in the five domains of the CFIR. The most frequently cited barriers were mapped to the constructs within the domain of “Intervention characteristics”, where issues such as the complexity of using the technology and technical obstacles impeded implementation. Most facilitators were mapped onto the domain “Patient needs and resources”. Overall, existing research are disproportionately focused on the internal validity (i.e. characteristics) of social robots, and there is significantly less research investigating their external validity, such as organisational or wider contextual factors that can affect their implementation in real-world practice.

Conclusion

This review has identified and synthesised the breadth of evidence on the barriers and facilitators to the implementation of social robots for older adults and people with dementia. Future research should pay more attention to investigating the contextual factors, using an implementation framework, to identify barriers and facilitators to guide the implementation of social robots.
Association of life course socioeconomic status and adult height with cognitive functioning of older adults in India and China
Authors: Selvamani Y. , Arokiasamy P.
Published: June 2021

Background

Cognitive functioning is an important measure of intrinsic capacity. In this study, we examine the association of life course socioeconomic status (SES) and height with cognitive functioning among older adults (50+) in India and China. The age pattern of cognitive functioning with measures of life course socioeconomic status has also been examined.

Methods

Cross-sectional comparative analysis was conducted using the WHO’s Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) data for India and China. Multilevel mixed-effect linear regression analysis was used to examine the association of life course socioeconomic status and adult height with cognitive functioning.

Results

In both India and China, parental education as a measure of childhood socioeconomic status was positively associated with cognitive functioning. The association between adult socioeconomic status and cognitive functioning was positive and significant. Height was significantly and positively associated with improved cognitive functioning of older adults in India and China. Furthermore, the age-related decline in cognitive functioning score was higher among older adults whose parents had no schooling, particularly in China. The cognitive functioning score with age was much lower among less-educated older adults than those with higher levels of education in China. Wealthier older adults in India had higher cognitive functioning in middle ages, however, wealth differences narrowed with age.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest a significant association of lifetime socioeconomic status and cumulative net nutrition on later-life cognitive functioning in middle-income settings.