bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on the whole process evaluation of new energy grid connection based on AHP-entropy weight method
Authors: Wang Xingang , Zhou Zhuan , Sun Licheng , Xie Guohui , Lou Qihe
Published: August 2021

In order to promote the transformation of energy consumption structure to low carbon, in recent years, China has vigorously promoted the development of new energy and increased the proportion of new energy installed capacity in the power sector. However, due to the lack of benefits evaluation of the whole process of new energy grid connection at present, the existing project experience cannot provide reference and guidance for subsequent project construction to improve the benefits of new energy grid connection. Based on the existing operation data of the “New Energy Cloud” platform of State Grid Corporation of China, this study constructed the evaluation index system for the whole process of new energy grid-connection, and evaluated the benefits and quality of the project from the three stages before, during and after the grid-connection. The research results will be applied to the development of the evaluation module of the “new energy cloud” platform of State Grid Corporation of China, and can also provide a reference for the evaluation of the construction of new energy projects in the energy industry.
Research Progress of Electrostatic Water Treatment Technology
Authors: Liu Zhan , Yan Meifang , Gao Yuhua , Li Haihua , Li Na , Liu Zhenfa
Published: August 2021

In recent years, due to the increasing of environmental pressure, the complicated process of chemical treatment and the pollution caused by sewage to the water, it has become the general trend of the current development to search for the treatment technology of industrial circulating cooling water with low energy consumption, water saving and emission reduction. Physical method is simple to operate, non-toxic and pollution-free, no secondary pollution. As one of the commonly used physical water treatment technologies, the study of electrostatic water treatment technology has important significance. This paper studies and summarizes its research, hoping to further clarify the effect and mechanism of electrostatic water treatment technology on the basis of previous studies.
The analysis and discussion on ventilation and energy-saving of the tunnels of Long Highway
Authors: Sitao Li , Zhiqiang Liu , Peifeng Li , Haifeng Jiang , Linglin Bai
Published: August 2021

Along with the construction and development of highways in China, there are more and more tunnels in the highways, and their operational security and energy-saving have been paid wide attention to. The ventilation facilities for road tunnels are very important in the construction of electromechanical facilities in the tunnels of Changda Highway, and they are the important warranting facilities for the safe operation of the tunnels in Changda Highway [1]. The problems of large energy consumption and high operation expenditure of the tunnels in Changda Highway become more and more prominent day by day. Therefore, it is very important to research the secure and economic technology of tunnel energy-saving, especially the ventilation and energy-saving technologies for tunnels. This paper is based on the engineering of extra-long Wulaoshan Tunnel in Mojiang-Lincang Highway, and it researches the ventilation and comprehensive energy-saving of the tunnels in Changda Highway – it performs the detailed analysis and research in many aspects, such as the optimized design of ventilation facilities in the tunnels of Changda Road, the intelligent control of air blower, the energy-saving power supply and distribution facilities for ventilation as well as operation and managements, and it can provide technical references for the future development of energy-saving ventilation measures of the tunnels in Changda Highway.
Intelligent Identification of Convective Cloud Cores and Surrounding Stratiform Clouds
Authors: Wenting Song
Published: August 2021

Convective cloud cores and surrounding stratiform clouds in the same precipitation process were identified by Lagrange tracking method to reveal differences of cloud microphysical processes in areas with different development intensities in the same precipitation system. Firstly, a scale operator was introduced for post-processing of the tracking method to determine the height most appropriate for tracking in 3D data. Secondly, different identification thresholds were set according to the radar reflectivity factor. Regions with the factor greater than 40dBZ were defined as convective cloud cores, and those with the factor more than 20dBZ and less than 40dBZ as stratiform clouds around cores. Finally, analysis was conducted on their differences in the motion trajectory, duration and development range in a weather process. The results showed that changes in the duration and the areas of convective cloud cores and stratiform clouds reflected the intensity of microphysical processes in different regions; the microphysical process of the regions with short-duration but large-area convective cloud cores were more intense, while that of the regions with long-life and small-area cores developed more smoothly.
A review of hybrid electric vehicle energy management strategy based on road condition information
Authors: Meng Zaiqiang , Tang Guoqiang , Zhou Qianlu , Liu Bin
Published: August 2021

Energy management strategy (EMS) plays a vital role in energy saving for hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), which incorporates the advantages of both fuel vehicles and pure electric vehicles. A desirable EMS can not only help the vehicle meet the power demand, but also effectively reduce fuel consumption and realize long-distance driving. At present, most of existing EMSs are optimized based on specific driving conditions, which makes these strategies not adaptive to the dynamic real-world driving conditions. This paper analyses some traditional EMSs of HEV based on fixed road conditions, and points out their shortcomings and future development trends.
Research on Large-scale Air-conditioning Loads Participating in Peak Shaving
Authors: Ding Yifan , Xi Weimin , Ma Yahui , Jiang Haiyan
Published: August 2021

As a type of the elastic load, the demand-side controllable air-conditioning load can respond to electricity demand based on incentives or electricity prices. By adopting a reasonable control strategy for the optimal combination of controllable air-conditioning load groups, the air-conditioning loads of large-scale buildings can be guided to execute various dispatch commands of the power grid in the best response to electricity consumption. This paper constructs an air-conditioning load model. On this basis, a day-ahead dispatch model of the power grid with the extensive participation of central air-conditioning loads is established. The case shows that the participation of large-scale air-conditioning load in demand response can effectively reduce the peak load and realize the economic operation of the system.
Application of CPLEX in beer production planning
Authors: Zhang Jiaqi
Published: August 2021

In order to enhance the competitiveness of the industry, enterprises will continue to improve the production and operation management plan by means of reasonable allocation of internal and external resources, improving production technology, shortening the manufacturing cycle and reducing production costs. In this paper, a complex production planning problem of beer is introduced. Based on the production of beer enterprises, the production processes of beer are analyzed. The production scheduling model of beer enterprises is established, and the production plan is analyzed and solved by CPLEX solver.
Design of Electric Carbon Coordination Trading Mode of Vehicle-to-Grid Subjects under the Background of Carbon Neutrality
Authors: Ying Zhiwei , Zhang Aifeng , Wang Yong , Shang Shanshan , Du Xin , Xi Yue , Liu Dunnan
Published: August 2021

Under the goal of carbon peak and carbon neutral, it is of far-reaching significance to focus on the coordinated trading mode design of the Vehicle-to-Grid subjects in the electricity market and carbon market. However, there are few researches on the Vehicle-to-Grid subjects participating in the trading mode of electric carbon market by predecessors. Therefore, this paper, by combing the basic connotation of the Vehicle-to-Grid subjects, designs the trading mode of the Vehicle-to-Grid subjects in the electricity market and the carbon market, and further discusses how to get through the coordinated trading mode of the Vehicle-to-Grid subjects in the electric carbon market. In this way, relevant suggestions are given to strengthen the technical support of the Internet of Vehicles platform and improve the market trading mechanism.
Prediction of container throughput of Dalian Port Based on factor analysis and ARIMA model
Authors: Yao Weikai
Published: August 2021

With the development of global economy, the competition of container throughput in ports in the world is becoming more and more fierce. Therefore, it is necessary to forecast the container throughput and determine the policies and measures earlier. In this paper, we use factor analysis and regression model to analyze the container throughput of Dalian port from 1985 to 2019 and get the main factor. We use ARIMA prediction model to predict the main factor sub coefficient of 2020-2025 and calculate the container throughput of Dalian port from 2020 to 2025. The results show that the throughput growth rate will slow down in the next six years, which is in line with the expectation of the 14th five year plan.
Efficiency evaluation of main ports in Jiangsu Province Based on DEA model
Authors: Cao HongYuan
Published: August 2021

Jiangsu Province is an important port province close to the river and the coast. Its port efficiency plays an important role in the development of regional economy. This paper analyzes the efficiency of major ports in Jiangsu Province in 2017 and 2019 by using DEA model. The results show that some inland ports have some problems such as excess input, insufficient output and unreasonable resource allocation. On this basis, suggestions for improvement are put forward to promote the efficiency of ports in Jiangsu Province.
Analysis on Flood Control Impact Assessment for Linear Project Involving River and Embankment
Authors: Shi Junjun , Chen Qi
Published: August 2021

Aiming at the common problems on flood control impact assessment of linear projects, combined with practical work experience, this paper summarizes and analyzes the characteristics and main impact types of linear projects involving rivers and embankments in recent years, and puts forward the key points of river and embankment impact assessment of linear projects in Zhejiang Province from the aspects of early site selection, construction mode, control factors and remedial measures. It is helpful to improve the quality of flood control impact assessment report, and provide reference for the design, construction, consultation and review of water conservancy department.
Technology and Application Of laneway Strip Filling Mining
Authors: Wan-dong Hao
Published: August 2021

In view of the high cost of back-filling mining in coal mine, the production capacity and filling capacity are not balanced, and the filling operation space is limited, the paper proposed roadway strip type filling mining technology, and discussed the principle of roadway strip filling mining technology, introduced the ventilation method, typical equipment matching, technical advantages, etc. And the paper further introduces the example of coal mining under buildings by using roadway strip filling mining technology in Cha hasu coal mine.
Research on Urban and Rural Environmental Design and Redevelopment – a Case Study of Chengdu
Authors: Zhou Can
Published: August 2021

There is a term called “Heart Land” in the West, and the Midwestern United States is known as the heart of the US in the English-Chinese dictionary. As the saying goes, “The route into Sichuan is more daunting than climbing the blue sky.” Chengdu, as a major inland city in Southwest China, is located in the so-called “Heart Land.” In the design of architectural environment, it blends the old style with the new, the local features with the international, and the urban characteristics with the rural, showing that the city is exceptionally inclusive and diverse.
Quantitative Analysis of the Economic Impact of the Opening of High-speed Railway on Huangshi and Jiujiang
Authors: Wang Wenkai , Hao Shengyue
Published: August 2021

Transportation has always played a pivotal role in economic development and is an important factor driving the economy along the route. This paper actually calculates and analyzes the economic benefits brought by the opening of high-speed rail to Huangshi and Jiujiang. Using the comparison analysis method, the data predicted by the model when the high-speed rail is not opened and the actual data are compared. The results show that the opening of the high-speed railway has a certain promotion impact on the economic development of Huangshi and Jiujiang. However, the research results also show that its impact on the urbanization index is not significant, which is not consistent with the urbanization impact of high-speed railway.
Investigation and Analysis of Transportation Planning and Design of Shanghai Maritime University
Authors: Wang Weihua
Published: August 2021

With the continuous expansion of the scale of China’s colleges and universities and the creasing number of motor vehicles, campus traffic problems are becoming more and more serious. How to balance the four elements of human, vehicle, road and environment is an important content of campus traffic planning. Taking Shanghai Maritime University as an example, this paper analyzes the existing major traffic problems on campus by investigating the layout of campus roads, traffic flow at major intersections, the distribution of traffic signs and the distribution and quantity of parking spaces on campus, and puts forward the strategies for optimizing the campus traffic system.
Study on ground suitability and construction countermeasures of metro shield in China
Authors: Cheng Chihao , Long Guihua
Published: August 2021

Because of unsuited shield type selection, equipment configuration and construction measures, lots of construction problems appeared like clogging, excessive settlement, spewing, abrasiveness, oversized grains and abnormal working parameters. Ground conditions and construction measures encountered in numerous metro projects across China are categorized in order to improve the selection of shields specific to complex ground conditions. Firstly, according to grain-size distribution, diversity of complex ground is classified as four types. Secondly, oriented by ground suitability problems, the four types are divided into eight sub-classes based on the critical geological parameters or conditions. In order to provide an overall view for planning of shield selection, the map of China consisting of metro cities is regionalized according to the above classification. In the end, construction countermeasures for each types are put forward including shield type selection, equipment configuration, soil conditioning and tunneling parameters. Conclusions drawn from the paper can improve current classification for shield tunneling and provide practically targeted references for engineers.
Construction of the landscape ecological security pattern of the Yellow River Delta based on circuit theory
Authors: Shan Rong , Li JianChun
Published: August 2021

With the rapid development of urbanization, land cover and land use patterns have changed, which damages the landscape structure, affects the transfer of material and energy, and reduces the value of ecosystem services. The construction of landscape ecological security patterns is an important challenge that could promote species exchange between biological groups and material and energy exchange between landscape elements and ensure regional ecological security. Few studies have focused attention on the randomness of species to path selection, thus failing to objectively reflect the process of species migration and diffusion. In this paper, according to the circuit principle, the current value between nodes was used to extract strategic points, and the ecological corridor was screened by the cost weighted distance, which is more in line with the analysis framework of species’ random selection of a migration path. As an important place for human activities, river basins are important areas connecting surface water with groundwater, land cover and ecosystems. Based on the circuit principle, the landscape ecological security pattern of the river basin was constructed in this paper, which provided some new ideas for protection and management. Taking the Yellow River Delta in the lower reaches of the Yellow River in China as an example, the main conclusions were as follows: (1) The ecological sources of the Yellow River Delta were 34, with forest land and lakes as the main sources, and they were crucial to the stability of the regional ecological security pattern. A total of 49 ecological corridors were identified, among which 32 were key corridors and the rest were potential corridors. The key corridors throughout the whole region need priority protection and can be used as a core area for the observation and monitoring of natural resources. (2) Based on the circuit principle, 14 pinch points and 19 barrier points were identified, indicating that regional habitat connectivity must be further improved. Based on the concept of natural resources life community of mountains, rivers, forests, farmland, lakes and grass, the resource optimization strategy is proposed for the ecological security pattern, which is of great practical significance to maintaining the integrity of the river basin ecosystem.
Research on water ecological security in alar section of tarim river basin
Authors: Guona Luo , Xiancan Li , Yanchun Wang , Xiaoyu Zhang , Huailiang Yu
Published: August 2021

As the mother river of southern xinjiang, the tarim river is the lifeline of the economy, natural ecology and the lives of people of all ethnic groups in the southern xinjiang oasis. Alar city is located in the upper reaches of the tarim river, with arid climate, scarce precipitation throughout the year, strong evaporation, lack of water resources, and fragile ecological environment. The deterioration of the water quality in the tarim river basin, the sandification of the revetment, the serious soil erosion, and the deteriorating ecological environment have become the main factors restricting the sustainable development of the social economy and ecological environment of alar city. This research investigates the current situation of the ecological environment of the tarim river basin, and makes the following research on the alar section of the tarim river through GIS spatial analysis:( 1 ) Construct an ecological corridor in the study area;( 2 ) Designate an ecological protection zone; ( 3 ) Shaping the pattern of water ecological security; (4) The task of ecological restoration is determined in order to provide a theoretical basis and scientific basis for the comprehensive development and utilization of resources in the tarim river basin, soil and water conservation, and ecological environment protection.
Analysis of the impact of the urban traffic noise on the vertical distribution of high-rise residential buildings
Authors: Gao Chan , Eunyoung Kim , Zhao Genfeng , Gao Sen
Published: August 2021

With the rapid growth of China’s urban population, the construction of its urban transportation network will be more vigorous than ever. The influence of road traffic noise on urban residential areas has become increasingly prominent. However, most of the current research is limited to the analysis of the flat sound field, leaving the research on high-rise residential vertical sound not so detailed. This study aims to find out the vertical sound field distribution law of traffic noise to high-rise buildings on the sides of the road. We monitored the environmental traffic noise effects in a high-rise residential area in Zhejiang Province and established a high-rise residential model in the SoundPLAN Software to simulate the vertical sound field distribution of traffic noise. The law is that the value rises sharply to the peak in the range of 0-7F (23.0m) then decreases slowly as the height increases. We also made a linear analysis of the noise data to arrive at a linear regression equation. This study provides a new way of taking noise prevention and control into consideration in high-rise housing. Special attention must be given to the isolation of traffic noise on floors by selecting soundproof doors and well-functioning windows. This strategy of creating a high-quality sound environment in a residential area can be put forward to improve people’s lifestyle and environment.
Root hair phenotypes influence nitrogen acquisition in maize
Authors: Saengwilai Patompong , Strock Christopher , Rangarajan Harini , Chimungu Joseph , Salungyu Jirawat , Lynch Jonathan P
Published: August 2021

Background and Aims

The utility of root hairs for nitrogen (N) acquisition is poorly understood.

Methods

We explored the utility of root hairs for N acquisition in the functional–structural model SimRoot and with maize genotypes with variable root hair length (RHL) in greenhouse and field environments.

Key Results

Simulation results indicate that long, dense root hairs can improve N acquisition under varying N availability. In the greenhouse, ammonium availability had no effect on RHL and low nitrate availability increased RHL, while in the field low N reduced RHL. Longer RHL was associated with 216 % increase in biomass and 237 % increase in plant N content under low-N conditions in the greenhouse and a 250 % increase in biomass and 200 % increase in plant N content in the field compared with short-RHL phenotypes. In a low-N field environment, genotypes with long RHL had 267 % greater yield than those with short RHL. We speculate that long root hairs improve N capture by increased root surface area and expanded soil exploration beyond the N depletion zone surrounding the root surface.

Conclusions

We conclude that root hairs play an important role in N acquisition. We suggest that root hairs merit consideration as a breeding target for improved N acquisition in maize and other crops.
Myotomy in sigmoid megaesophagus: is it applicable? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Orlandini Marina Feliciano , Serafim Maria Carolina Andrade , Datrino Letícia Nogueira , Tavares Guilherme , Tristão Luca Schiliró , dos Santos Clara Lucato , Bernardo Wanderley Marques , Tustumi Francisco
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Achalasia may evolve to sigmoid megaesophagus in 10–15% of patients and is usually treated with esophagectomy, which has high morbi-mortality. Many surgeons debate the applicability of the Heller myotomy for treating sigmoid megaesophagus. This study intents to analyze the effectiveness of myotomy for treating patients with sigmoid megaesophagus. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane, Lilacs and Embase alongside manual search of references. The inclusion criteria were clinical trials, cohort, case-series; patients with sigmoid megaesophagus and esophageal diameter ≥ 6 cm; and patients undergoing primary myotomy. The exclusion criteria were reviews, case reports, cross-sectional studies, editorials, letters, congress abstracts, full-text unavailability; previous surgical treatment for achalasia; and pediatric or animal model studies. No restrictions on language and date of publication, and no filters were applied. Subgroups analyses were performed to assess the laparoscopic myotomy perioperative outcomes. Besides, subgroup analyses were performed to assess the long-term outcomes of the studies with a follow-up time > 24 months. To verify heterogeneity, the I2 test was used. The random effects were applied, and the fixed model was evaluated as sensitivity analysis. To assess risk of bias and certainty of evidence, the tools ROBINS-I and GRADE were used, respectively. Registration number: CRD42020199667. Results: Sixteen articles were selected, encompassing 350 patients. The mean age ranged from 36 to 61 years old, and the mean follow-up ranged from 16 to 109 months. Complications rate was 0.08 (CI: 0.040–0.153; P = 0.01). Need for retreatment rate was 0.128 (CI: 0.031–0.409; P = 0.01). The probability of good or excellent outcomes after myotomy was 0.762 (CI: 0.703–0.812; P < 0.01). Postoperative mortality rate was 0.008 (CI: 0.004–0.015; P < 0.01). Conclusion: Surgical myotomy is an option for avoiding esophagectomy in achalasia, with a low morbi-mortality rate and good results. It is effective for most patients and only a minority will demand retreatment.
Coronary artery bypass surgery in the UK, trends in activity and outcomes from a 15-year complete national series
Authors: Ohri Sunil K , Benedetto Umberto , Luthra Suvitesh , Grant Stuart W , Goodwin Andrew T , Trivedi Uday , Kendall Simon , Jenkins David P
Published: August 2021

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to review the UK national trends in activity and outcome in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) over a 15-year period (2002–2016).

METHODS

Validated data collected (2002–2016) and uploaded to National Institute for Cardiovascular Outcomes Research were used to generate summary data from the National Adult Cardiac Surgery Audit Database for the analysis. Logistic European System of Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation was used for risk stratification with recalibration applied for governance. Data were analysed by financial year and presented as numerical, categorical, %, mean and standard deviation where appropriate. Mortality was recorded as death in hospital at any time after index CABG operation.

RESULTS

A total of 347 626 CABG procedures (282 883 isolated CABG, 61 109 CABG and valve and 4132 redo CABG) were recorded. Over this period annual activity reduced from 66.6% of workload to 41.7%. The mean age for isolated CABG was 65.7 years. The mean log European System of Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation was 3.1, 5.9 and 23.2 for elective, urgent and emergency isolated CABG, respectively. There was a decline in the observed mortality for all procedures. Overall mortality for isolated CABG surgery is now 1.0% and only 0.6% for elective operations.

CONCLUSIONS

Quality of care and risk-adjusted mortality rates have consistently improved over the last 15 years despite the increasing risk profile of patients. There have been a consistent decline in overall case volumes and a three-fold increase in elderly cases.
Smooth-threshold multivariate genetic prediction incorporating gene–environment interactions
Authors: Ueki Masao , Tamiya Gen ,   for Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: August 2021

We propose a genetic prediction modeling approach for genome-wide association study (GWAS) data that can include not only marginal gene effects but also gene–environment (GxE) interaction effects—i.e., multiplicative effects of environmental factors with genes rather than merely additive effects of each. The proposed approach is a straightforward extension of our previous multiple regression-based method, STMGP (smooth-threshold multivariate genetic prediction), with the new feature being that genome-wide test statistics from a GxE interaction analysis are used to weight the corresponding variants. We develop a simple univariate regression approximation to the GxE interaction effect that allows a direct fit of the STMGP framework without modification. The sparse nature of our model automatically removes irrelevant predictors (including variants and GxE combinations), and the model is able to simultaneously incorporate multiple environmental variables. Simulation studies to evaluate the proposed method in comparison with other modeling approaches demonstrate its superior performance under the presence of GxE interaction effects. We illustrate the usefulness of our prediction model through application to real GWAS data from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI).
Social Health in the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project
Authors: Waite Linda J , Duvoisin Rebeccah , Kotwal Ashwin A
Published: August 2021

Objectives

In this article, we present the theoretical framework that guided the development of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) including the measures of social health. We discuss the literature that links social measures to other outcomes, and we discuss in detail how researchers might construct common measures of social health, including those that reflect social relationships, sexuality, social networks, social resources, and social participation.

Methods

The NSHAP includes multiple detailed measures of social health, collected in the rounds of data collection carried out in 2005, 2010, and 2015, allowing for study of changes over time and as people age among a nationally representative sample of the community-dwelling population of older adults in the United States.

Results

We define indicators of social health, describe measures of each in the 2015 round of NSHAP, and show the distribution of the measures by gender and age. We present scales of dimensions of social health that have been developed elsewhere and describe their properties.

Discussion

We briefly discuss the distribution of these measures by age and gender in the 2015 round of NSHAP. Simple analyses of these categorized measures reveal differences by age and gender that deserve closer attention in future investigations using the NSHAP data.
Myeloid cell-mediated targeting of LIF to dystrophic muscle causes transient increases in muscle fiber lesions by disrupting the recruitment and dispersion of macrophages in muscle
Authors: Flores Ivan , Welc Steven S , Wehling-Henricks Michelle , Tidball James G
Published: August 2021

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) can influence development by increasing cell proliferation and inhibiting differentiation. Because of its potency for expanding stem cell populations, delivery of exogenous LIF to diseased tissue could have therapeutic value. However, systemic elevations of LIF can have negative, off-target effects. We tested whether inflammatory cells expressing a LIF transgene under control of a leukocyte-specific, CD11b promoter provide a strategy to target LIF to sites of damage in the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, leading to increased numbers of muscle stem cells and improved muscle regeneration. However, transgene expression in inflammatory cells did not increase muscle growth or increase numbers of stem cells required for regeneration. Instead, transgene expression disrupted the normal dispersion of macrophages in dystrophic muscles, leading to transient increases in muscle damage in foci where macrophages were highly concentrated during early stages of pathology. The defect in inflammatory cell dispersion reflected impaired chemotaxis of macrophages to C-C motif chemokine ligand-2 and local increases of LIF production that produced large aggregations of cytolytic macrophages. Transgene expression also induced a shift in macrophage phenotype away from a CD206+, M2-biased phenotype that supports regeneration. However, at later stages of the disease when macrophage numbers declined, they dispersed in the muscle, leading to reductions in muscle fiber damage, compared to non-transgenic mdx mice. Together, the findings show that macrophage-mediated delivery of transgenic LIF exerts differential effects on macrophage dispersion and muscle damage depending on the stage of dystrophic pathology.
Distantly supervised biomedical relation extraction using piecewise attentive convolutional neural network and reinforcement learning
Authors: Zhu Tiantian , Qin Yang , Xiang Yang , Hu Baotian , Chen Qingcai , Peng Weihua
Published: August 2021

Objective

There have been various methods to deal with the erroneous training data in distantly supervised relation extraction (RE), however, their performance is still far from satisfaction. We aimed to deal with the insufficient modeling problem on instance-label correlations for predicting biomedical relations using deep learning and reinforcement learning.

Materials and Methods

In this study, a new computational model called piecewise attentive convolutional neural network and reinforcement learning (PACNN+RL) was proposed to perform RE on distantly supervised data generated from Unified Medical Language System with MEDLINE abstracts and benchmark datasets. In PACNN+RL, PACNN was introduced to encode semantic information of biomedical text, and the RL method with memory backtracking mechanism was leveraged to alleviate the erroneous data issue. Extensive experiments were conducted on 4 biomedical RE tasks.

Results

The proposed PACNN+RL model achieved competitive performance on 8 biomedical corpora, outperforming most baseline systems. Specifically, PACNN+RL outperformed all baseline methods with the F1-score of 0.5592 on the may-prevent dataset, 0.6666 on the may-treat dataset, and 0.3838 on the DDI corpus, 2011. For the protein-protein interaction RE task, we obtained new state-of-the-art performance on 4 out of 5 benchmark datasets.

Conclusions

The performance on many distantly supervised biomedical RE tasks was substantially improved, primarily owing to the denoising effect of the proposed model. It is anticipated that PACNN+RL will become a useful tool for large-scale RE and other downstream tasks to facilitate biomedical knowledge acquisition. We also made the demonstration program and source code publicly available at http://112.74.48.115:9000/.
Evaluation of performance of pelvic CT-MR deformable image registration using two software programs
Authors: Ishida Tomoya , Kadoya Noriyuki , Tanabe Shunpei , Ohashi Haruna , Nemoto Hikaru , Dobashi Suguru , Takeda Ken , Jingu Keiichi
Published: August 2021

We assessed the accuracy of deformable image registration (DIR) accuracy between CT and MR images using an open-source software (Elastix, from Utrecht Medical Center) and a commercial software (Velocity AI Ver. 3.2.0 from Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA, USA) software. Five male patients’ pelvic regions were studied using publicly available CT, T1-weighted (T1w) MR, and T2-weighted (T2w) MR images. In the cost function of the Elastix, we used six DIR parameter settings with different regularization weights (Elastix0, Elastix0.01, Elastix0.1, Elastix1, Elastix10, and Elastix100). We used MR Corrected Deformable algorithm for Velocity AI. The Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and mean distance to agreement (MDA) for the prostate, bladder, rectum and left and right femoral heads were used to evaluate DIR accuracy. Except for the bladder, most algorithms produced good DSC and MDA results for all organs. In our study, the mean DSCs for the bladder ranged from 0.75 to 0.88 (CT-T1w) and from 0.72 to 0.76 (CT-T2w). Similarly, the mean MDA ranges were 2.4 to 4.9 mm (CT-T1w), 4.6 to 5.3 mm (CT-T2w). For the Elastix, CT-T1w was outperformed CT-T2w for both DSCs and MDAs at Elastix0, Elastix0.01, and Elastix0.1. In the case of Velocity AI, no significant differences in DSC and MDA of all organs were observed. This implied that the DIR accuracy of CT and MR images might differ depending on the sequence used.
The reproductive number of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 is far higher compared to the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 virus
Authors: Liu Ying , Rocklöv Joacim
Published: August 2021

The Delta variant is now replacing all other SARS-CoV-2 variants. We found a mean R0 of 5.08, which is much higher than the R0 of the ancestral strain of 2.79. Rapidly ramping up vaccine coverage rates while enhancing public health and social measures is now even more urgent and important.
WALLABY pre-pilot survey: two dark clouds in the vicinity of NGC 1395
Authors: Wong O I , Stevens A R H , For B-Q , Westmeier T , Dixon M , Oh S-H , Józsa G I G , Reynolds T N , Lee-Waddell K , Román J , Verdes-Montenegro L , Courtois H M , Pomarède D , Murugeshan C , Whiting M T , Bekki K , Bigiel F , Bosma A , Catinella B , Dénes H , Elagali A , Holwerda B W , Kamphuis P , Kilborn V A , Kleiner D , Koribalski B S , Lelli F , Madrid J P , McQuinn K B W , Popping A , Rhee J , Roychowdhury S , Scott T C , Sengupta C , Spekkens K , Staveley-Smith L , Wakker B P
Published: August 2021

We present the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) WALLABY pre-pilot observations of two ‘dark’ H i sources (with H i masses of a few times 108 $\rm {M}_\odot$ and no known stellar counterpart) that reside within 363 kpc of NGC 1395, the most massive early-type galaxy in the Eridanus group of galaxies. We investigate whether these ‘dark’ H i sources have resulted from past tidal interactions or whether they are an extreme class of low surface brightness galaxies. Our results suggest that both scenarios are possible, and not mutually exclusive. The two ‘dark’ H i sources are compact, reside in relative isolation, and are more than 159 kpc away from their nearest H i-rich galaxy neighbour. Regardless of origin, the H i sizes and masses of both ‘dark’ H i sources are consistent with the H i size–mass relationship that is found in nearby low-mass galaxies, supporting the possibility that these H i sources are an extreme class of low surface brightness galaxies. We identified three analogues of candidate primordial ‘dark’ H i galaxies within the TNG100 cosmological, hydrodynamic simulation. All three model analogues are dark matter dominated, have assembled most of their mass 12–13 Gyr ago, and have not experienced much evolution until cluster infall 1–2 Gyr ago. Our WALLABY pre-pilot science results suggest that the upcoming large-area H i surveys will have a significant impact on our understanding of low surface brightness galaxies and the physical processes that shape them.
Blue straggler stars in open clusters using Gaia: dependence on cluster parameters and possible formation pathways
Authors: Jadhav Vikrant V , Subramaniam Annapurni
Published: August 2021

Blue straggler stars (BSSs) are the most massive stars in a cluster formed via binary or higher order stellar interactions. Though the exact nature of such formation scenarios is difficult to pin down, we provide observational constraints on the different possible mechanism. In this quest, we first produce a catalogue of BSSs using Gaia DR2 data. Among the 670 clusters older than 300 Myr, we identified 868 BSSs in 228 clusters and 500 BSS candidates in 208 clusters. In general, all clusters older than 1 Gyr and massive than 1000 M⊙ have BSSs. The average number of BSSs increases with cluster age and mass, and there is a power-law relation between the cluster mass and the maximum number of BSSs in the cluster. We introduce the term fractional mass excess ($\mathcal {M}_{e}$) for BSSs. We find that at least 54 per cent of BSSs have $\mathcal {M}_{e}$ < 0.5 (likely to have gained mass through a binary mass transfer (MT)), 30 per cent in the 1.0 < $\mathcal {M}_{e}$ <0.5 range (likely to have gained mass through a merger), and up to 16 per cent with $\mathcal {M}_{e}$ > 1.0 (likely from multiple mergers/MT). We also find that the percentage of low $\mathcal {M}_{e}$ BSSs increases with age, beyond 1–2 Gyr, suggesting an increase in formation through MT in older clusters. The BSSs are radially segregated, and the extent of segregation depends on the dynamical relaxation of the cluster. The statistics and trends presented here are expected to constrain the BSS formation models in open clusters.
STEP survey – II. Structural analysis of 170 star clusters in the SMC
Authors: Gatto M , Ripepi V , Bellazzini M , Tosi M , Cignoni M , Tortora C , Leccia S , Clementini G , Grebel E K , Longo G , Marconi M , Musella I
Published: August 2021

We derived surface brightness profiles in the g band for 170 Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) star clusters (SCs) mainly located in the central region of the galaxy. We provide a set of homogeneous structural parameters obtained by fitting Elson–Fall–Freeman and King models. Through a careful analysis of their colour–magnitude diagrams we also supply the ages for a subsample of 134 SCs. For the first time, such a large sample of SCs in the SMC is homogeneously characterized in terms of their sizes, luminosities, and masses, widening the probed region of the parameter space, down to hundreds of solar masses. We used these data to explore the evolution of the SC’s structural parameters with time. In particular, we confirm the existence of a physical mechanism that induces an increase of the core radius after 0.3–1.0 Gyr. We suggest that cluster mass could be the main parameter driving the inner expansion, as none of the SCs having log (M/M⊙) ≤ 3.5 dex analysed in this work undergoes to such an expansion. We also detected a mass–size relationship almost over the entire range of SCs masses investigated here. Finally, our data suggest that globally the SMC SC system is dynamically evolved.
A phage-encoded nucleoid associated protein compacts both host and phage DNA and derepresses H-NS silencing
Authors: Son Bokyung , Patterson-West Jennifer , Arroyo-Mendoza Melissa , Ramachandran Revathy , Iben James R , Zhu Jingen , Rao Venigalla , Dimitriadis Emilios K , Hinton Deborah M
Published: August 2021

Nucleoid Associated Proteins (NAPs) organize the bacterial chromosome within the nucleoid. The interaction of the NAP H-NS with DNA also represses specific host and xenogeneic genes. Previously, we showed that the bacteriophage T4 early protein MotB binds to DNA, co-purifies with H-NS/DNA, and improves phage fitness. Here we demonstrate using atomic force microscopy that MotB compacts the DNA with multiple MotB proteins at the center of the complex. These complexes differ from those observed with H-NS and other NAPs, but resemble those formed by the NAP-like proteins CbpA/Dps and yeast condensin. Fluorescent microscopy indicates that expression of motB in vivo, at levels like that during T4 infection, yields a significantly compacted nucleoid containing MotB and H-NS. motB overexpression dysregulates hundreds of host genes; ∼70% are within the hns regulon. In infected cells overexpressing motB, 33 T4 late genes are expressed early, and the T4 early gene repEB, involved in replication initiation, is up ∼5-fold. We postulate that MotB represents a phage-encoded NAP that aids infection in a previously unrecognized way. We speculate that MotB-induced compaction may generate more room for T4 replication/assembly and/or leads to beneficial global changes in host gene expression, including derepression of much of the hns regulon.
Entanglements of structure elements revealed in RNA 3D models
Authors: Popenda Mariusz , Zok Tomasz , Sarzynska Joanna , Korpeta Agnieszka , Adamiak Ryszard W , Antczak Maciej , Szachniuk Marta
Published: August 2021

Computational methods to predict RNA 3D structure have more and more practical applications in molecular biology and medicine. Therefore, it is crucial to intensify efforts to improve the accuracy and quality of predicted three-dimensional structures. A significant role in this is played by the RNA-Puzzles initiative that collects, evaluates, and shares RNAs built computationally within currently nearly 30 challenges. RNA-Puzzles datasets, subjected to multi-criteria analysis, allow revealing the strengths and weaknesses of computer prediction methods. Here, we study the issue of entangled RNA fragments in the predicted RNA 3D structure models. By entanglement, we mean an arrangement of two structural elements such that one of them passes through the other. We propose the classification of entanglements driven by their topology and components. It distinguishes two general classes, interlaces and lassos, and subclasses characterized by element types—loops, dinucleotide steps, open single-stranded fragments—and puncture multiplicity. Our computational pipeline for entanglement detection, applied for 1,017 non-redundant models from RNA-Puzzles, has shown the frequency of different entanglements and allowed identifying 138 structures with intersected assemblies.
Deep dive into CO2-dependent molecular mechanisms driving stomatal responses in plants
Authors: Dubeaux Guillaume , Hsu Po-Kai , Ceciliato Paulo H O , Swink Kelsey J , Rappel Wouter-Jan , Schroeder Julian I
Published: August 2021

Recent advances are revealing mechanisms mediating CO2-regulated stomatal movements in Arabidopsis, stomatal architecture and stomatal movements in grasses, and the long-term impact of CO2 on growth.
One-loop $W$ boson contributions to the decay $H\rightarrow Z\gamma$ in the general $R_\xi$ gauge
Authors: Phan Khiem Hong , Hue Le Tho , Tran Dzung Tri
Published: August 2021

One-loop $W$ boson contributions to the decay $H\rightarrow Z\gamma$ in the general $R_\xi$ gauge are presented. The analytical results are expressed in terms of well-known Passarino–Veltman functions such that their numerical evaluations can be generated using $\texttt{LoopTools}$. In the limit $d\rightarrow 4$, we have shown that these analytical results are independent of the unphysical parameter $\xi$ and consistent with previous results. The gauge parameter independence is also checked numerically for consistence. Our results are also well stable with different values of $\xi =0,\ 1,\ 100$ and $\xi \rightarrow \infty$.
Prioritization of persons with special needs in Covid-19 vaccinations in the Philippines
Authors: Maboloc Christopher Ryan
Published: August 2021

The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that vaccinations against Covid-19 are safer than not getting vaccinated. Covid-19 is a severe respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus. In the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) has implemented a prioritization policy framework for its Covid-19 vaccination program. However, upon consideration of the sectors listed in the guidelines, persons with special needs like those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) appear to be omitted or at the very least not specified in the Vaccination Prioritization Policy. This is a policy gap that needs to be corrected.
Post-lockdown infection rates of COVID-19 following the reopening of public businesses
Authors: Bruckhaus Alexander , Martinez Aubrey , Garner Rachael , La Rocca Marianna , Duncan Dominique
Published: August 2021

Background

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic warranted a myriad of government-ordered business closures across the USA in efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus. This study aims to discover the implications of government-enforced health policies of reopening public businesses amidst the pandemic and its effect on county-level infection rates.

Methods

Eighty-three US counties (n = 83) that reported at least 20 000 cases as of 4 November 2020 were selected for this study. The dates when businesses (restaurants, bars, retail, gyms, salons/barbers and public schools) partially and fully reopened, as well as infection rates on the 1st and 14th days following each businesses’ reopening, were recorded. Regression analysis was conducted to deduce potential associations between the 14-day change in infection rate and mask usage frequency, median household income, population density and social distancing.

Results

On average, infection rates rose significantly as businesses reopened. The average 14-day change in infection rate was higher for fully reopened businesses (infection rate = +0.100) compared to partially reopened businesses (infection rate = +0.0454). The P-value of the two distributions was 0.001692, indicating statistical significance (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

This research provides insight into the transmission of COVID-19 and promotes evidence-driven policymaking for disease prevention and community health.