bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Implications of COVID-19 Pandemic on Dollar Exchange Rate of Pakistan
Authors: Akhtar Ayaz , Abiad Mohammad , Mashwani Wali Khan , Aamir Muhammad , Naeem Muhammad , Khan Dost Muhammad
Published: March 2022

The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) most likely began in an animal species and subsequently transmitted to humans in Wuhan, China, a city of 11 million people, on December 29, 2019, when the first case was recorded. The Coronavirus then transmitted from person to person by infected droplets from a sick person's coughing, sneezing, or contaminated hands. Hence, the purpose of the study is to see the impact of the outbreak of COVID-19 daily tests on the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar exchange rate using Vector Autoregressive approach. The data is gathered from February 26, 2020 to March, 2021. This period was selected, because the pandemic expanded, and the first case was observed in Pakistan on Feb 26th 2020. To verify this effect, a Vector Autoregressive Model was developed. A generalized version of the Autoregressive Model is a Vector Autoregressive (VAR) model. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pakistani rupee devalued against the US dollar throughout the abovementioned period. When analyzing the Pakistani rupee vs. the US dollar exchange rate using a Vector Autoregressive Model, the values of the lags (1, 4, 6, and 7) of the explanatory variable have a significant impact. Besides, under the VAR model, the IRF (Impulse Response Function) asserted the actual impact of the daily COVID-19 tests, as well as Decomposition of Variance was shown to provide for the daily COVID-19 tests just a small part in understanding the volatility of the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar exchange rate. The Granger Causality suggests that the short-term and long-term changes in the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar exchange rate are caused by daily COVID-19 tests.
Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Among Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Study in Ghana
Authors: Boadu Wina Ivy Ofori , Kugblenu Philomina , Senu Ebenezer , Opoku Stephen , Anto Enoch Odame
Published: March 2022

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a global public health issue that have serious consequences on mother and her child’s health. However, limited data is available on the prevalence of GDM and its associated risk factors in Ghana. This study investigated the prevalence and associated risk factors of GDM among women attending selected antenatal clinics in Kumasi, Ghana. This cross-sectional study included 200 pregnant women who attended antenatal clinics from Three-selected health facilities in the Ashanti Region, Ghana. Women already diagnosed of GDM were identified through their medical records and were confirmed based on the criteria of the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG), which uses a fasting blood glucose of ≥ 5.1 mmol/L. A well-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic, obstetric, clinical and lifestyle risk factors. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine the independent risk factors of GDM. The overall prevalence of GDM among study participants was 8.5%. GDM was prevalent among age 26 and 30 years (41.2%), married participants (94.1%) with basic education (41.2%) and being Akan by ethnicity (52.9%). Previous history of oral contraceptive use (aOR: 13.05; 95% CI: 1.43–119.23, p=0.023), previous history of preeclampsia (aOR: 19.30; 95% CI: 2.15-71.63; p=0.013) and intake of soda drinks (aOR: 10.05, 95% CI: 1.19–84.73, p=0.034) were found to be independent risk factors of GDM. The prevalence of GDM was found to be 8.5% and this was associated with the previous use of oral contraceptives, history of preeclampsia and intake of soda drinks. Public health education and dietary lifestyle modification may be required for pregnant women who are at risk of GDM.
Single-Cell Transcriptomics of Cultured Amniotic Fluid Cells Reveals Complex Gene Expression Alterations in Human Fetuses With Trisomy 18
Authors: Wang Jing , Chen Zixi , He Fei , Lee Trevor , Cai Wenjie , Chen Wanhua , Miao Nan , Zeng Zhiwei , Hussain Ghulam , Yang Qingwei , Guo Qiwei , Sun Tao
Published: March 2022

Trisomy 18, commonly known as Edwards syndrome, is the second most common autosomal trisomy among live born neonates. Multiple tissues including cardiac, abdominal, and nervous systems are affected by an extra chromosome 18. To delineate the complexity of anomalies of trisomy 18, we analyzed cultured amniotic fluid cells from two euploid and three trisomy 18 samples using single-cell transcriptomics. We identified 6 cell groups, which function in development of major tissues such as kidney, vasculature and smooth muscle, and display significant alterations in gene expression as detected by single-cell RNA-sequencing. Moreover, we demonstrated significant gene expression changes in previously proposed trisomy 18 critical regions, and identified three new regions such as 18p11.32, 18q11 and 18q21.32, which are likely associated with trisomy 18 phenotypes. Our results indicate complexity of trisomy 18 at the gene expression level and reveal genetic reasoning of diverse phenotypes in trisomy 18 patients.
A Potential Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarker TMEM176B and Its Relationship With Immune Infiltration in Skin Cutaneous Melanoma
Authors: Jiang Linlan , Yang Yanyin , Liu Fangming , Ma Mingyue , Gao Jie , Sun Lu , Chen Yuwen , Shen Zan , Wu Duojiao
Published: March 2022

Background: Melanoma is a highly malignant and aggressive tumor. The search for new and effective biomarkers facilitates early diagnosis and treatment, ultimately improving the prognosis of melanoma patients. Although the transmembrane protein TMEM176B has been linked to a number of cancers, its role in cancer immunity remains unknown.

Methods: Expression levels of TMEM176B in normal tissues and several cancers, including Skin Cutaneous Melanoma (SKCM), were collected from TCGA and GTEx. We used Receiver operating characteristic and Kaplan–Meier survival curves and performed regression analysis to elucidate the link between TMEM176B and clinicopathological features of SKCM in order to determine the prognostic significance of TMEM176B in SKCM. We then used the GEPIA and STRING websites to search for proteins and associated top genes that may interact with TMEM176B and enriched them for analysis. The link between TMEM176B and immune cells infiltration was then investigated using TIMER, CIBERSORT algorithm and GSVA package of R (v3.6.3). Finally, animal tests were conducted to confirm the expression of Tmem176b and its influence on T-cell immune infiltration.

Results:TMEM176B expression was considerably elevated in SKCM compared to normal tissues. Particularly, TMEM176B expression was also linked to pathological stage, tumor ulceration and radiation therapy. Patients with elevated TMEM176B expression had a better prognosis, according to the survival analysis. The majority of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) especially T cells in SKCM was positively linked with TMEM176B expression. Our animal experiments also verified that the T-cell infiltration was significantly inhibited in local melanoma tissue of Tmem176b knockout mice. At the same time deleting Tmem176b accelerated tumor progress and impaired T cells effector function.

Conclusion: Upregulated expression of TMEM176B in SKCM is associated with a better prognosis and it has the potential to serve as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for the disease. It may serve as a target for SKCM immunotherapy by regulating CD8+ T cells although it requires more evidence.
NIR-I Dye-Based Probe: A New Window for Bimodal Tumor Theranostics
Authors: Zheng Fan , Huang Xueyan , Ding Jipeng , Bi Anyao , Wang Shifen , Chen Fei , Zeng Wenbin
Published: March 2022

Near-infrared (NIR, 650–1700 nm) bioimaging has emerged as a powerful strategy in tumor diagnosis. In particular, NIR-I fluorescence imaging (650–950 nm) has drawn more attention, benefiting from the high quantum yield and good biocompatibility. Since their biomedical applications are slightly limited by their relatively low penetration depth, NIR-I fluorescence imaging probes have been under extensive development in recent years. This review summarizes the particular application of the NIR-I fluorescent dye-contained bimodal probes, with emphasis on related nanoprobes. These probes have enabled us to overcome the drawbacks of individual imaging modalities as well as achieve synergistic imaging. Meanwhile, the application of these NIR-I fluorescence-based bimodal probes for cancer theranostics is highlighted.
The Age-Driven Decline in Neutrophil Function Contributes to the Reduced Efficacy of the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine in Old Hosts
Authors: Simmons Shaunna R. , Tchalla Essi Y. I. , Bhalla Manmeet , Bou Ghanem Elsa N.
Published: March 2022

Despite the availability of vaccines, Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) remains a serious cause of infections in the elderly. The efficacy of anti-pneumococcal vaccines declines with age. While age-driven changes in antibody responses are well defined, less is known about the role of innate immune cells such as polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) in the reduced vaccine protection seen in aging. Here we explored the role of PMNs in protection against S. pneumoniae in vaccinated hosts. We found that depletion of PMNs in pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) treated young mice prior to pulmonary challenge with S. pneumoniae resulted in dramatic loss of host protection against infection. Immunization boosted the ability of PMNs to kill S. pneumoniae and this was dependent on bacterial opsonization by antibodies. Bacterial opsonization with immune sera increased several PMN anti-microbial activities including bacterial uptake, degranulation and ROS production. As expected, PCV failed to protect old mice against S. pneumoniae. In probing the role of PMNs in this impaired protection, we found that aging was accompanied by an intrinsic decline in PMN function. PMNs from old mice failed to effectively kill S. pneumoniae even when the bacteria were opsonized with immune sera from young controls. In exploring mechanisms, we found that PMNs from old mice produced less of the antimicrobial peptide CRAMP and failed to efficiently kill engulfed pneumococci. Importantly, adoptive transfer of PMNs from young mice reversed the susceptibility of vaccinated old mice to pneumococcal infection. Overall, this study demonstrates that the age-driven decline in PMN function impairs vaccine-mediated protection against Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Neuroinflammation, Sleep, and Circadian Rhythms
Authors: Zielinski Mark R. , Gibbons Allison J.
Published: March 2022

Molecules involved in innate immunity affect sleep and circadian oscillators and vice versa. Sleep-inducing inflammatory molecules are activated by increased waking activity and pathogens. Pathologies that alter inflammatory molecules, such as traumatic brain injury, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and stroke often are associated with disturbed sleep and electroencephalogram power spectra. Moreover, sleep disorders, such as insomnia and sleep disordered breathing, are associated with increased dysregulation of inflammatory processes. Inflammatory molecules in both the central nervous system and periphery can alter sleep. Inflammation can also modulate cerebral vascular hemodynamics which is associated with alterations in electroencephalogram power spectra. However, further research is needed to determine the interactions of sleep regulatory inflammatory molecules and circadian clocks. The purpose of this review is to: 1) describe the role of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha and nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat protein-3 inflammasomes in sleep regulation, 2) to discuss the relationship between the vagus nerve in translating inflammatory signals between the periphery and central nervous system to alter sleep, and 3) to present information about the relationship between cerebral vascular hemodynamics and the electroencephalogram during sleep.
Update on the Neisseria Macrophage Infectivity Potentiator-Like PPIase Protein
Authors: Christodoulides Myron
Published: March 2022

Neisseria pathogens express a Macrophage Infectivity Potentiator Protein (MIP), which belongs to the FK506 binding protein (FKBP) family of proteins that exhibit peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase (PPIase) activity. Neisseria MIP proteins are potential candidates for inclusion into vaccines for gonorrhoea caused by N. gonorrhoeae infection, and meningitis/sepsis caused by M. meningitidis infection. Neisseria MIP proteins are also potential targets for directed drug treatments, although this remains relatively unexplored. In this mini-review, we provide an update into the vaccine potential of Neisseria MIP and the few published drug targeting studies, and explore further the diversity of this protein amongst both pathogenic and commensal Neisseria spp.
Nephropathogenic Infectious Bronchitis Virus Mediates Kidney Injury in Chickens via the TLR7/NF-κB Signaling Axis
Authors: Li Ning , Huang Cheng , Chen Wei , Li Zhengqing , Hu Guoliang , Li Guyue , Liu Ping , Hu Ruiming , Zhuang Yu , Luo Junrong , Gao Xiaona , Guo Xiaoquan
Published: March 2022

Nephropathogenic infectious bronchitis virus (NIBV) is one of the most important viral pathogens in the world poultry industry. Here, we used RT–qPCR, WB and immunofluorescence to explore the interaction between NIBV and the host innate immune system of the kidney. Multiple virions were found in the kidney tissues of the disease group under electron microscopy, and pathological changes such as structural damage of renal tubules and bleeding were observed by HE staining. In addition, we found that the mRNA levels of TLR7, TRAF6, and IKKβ were upregulated after NIBV infection. IRF7 mRNA levels decreased significantly at 5 dpi and increased significantly at 11 to 18 dpi. The NF-κB P65 mRNA level increased significantly at 5 to 18 dpi and decreased at 28 dpi. However, NIBV infection-induced NF-κB P65 protein levels were downregulated at multiple time points. Moreover, we demonstrated that the cytokine (IFN-γ, IL-8, and IL-6) mRNA and protein expression levels were increased significantly at multiple time points after NIBV infection. Furthermore, immunofluorescence analysis showed that NF-κB P65 and IFN-γ were mainly located in the nuclear or perinuclear region. The positive signal intensity of NF-κB P65 was significantly lower than that of the normal group at 1 to 5 dpi, and there was no significant change in the subsequent time period. The positive signal intensity of IFN-γ decreased significantly at 5 dpi, and increased significantly at 11 to 28 dpi. In conclusion, we found that NIBV promoted cytokine release through the TLR7/NF-κB signaling axis, thus causing kidney injury.
Dual Loading Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome and High Bleeding Risk Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Findings From the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China Project
Authors: Yan Yan , Gong Wei , Huang Xin , Li Siyi , Wang Ge , Ma Youcai , Hao Yongchen , Liu Jun , Nie Shaoping
Published: March 2022

Objective

Loading dose of dual antiplatelet therapy (LD) is supported by the guidelines for patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, limited data is provided in the series of high bleeding risk (HBR) patients with ACS and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

Using data from the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China—Acute Coronary Syndrome registry, conducted between 2014 and 2019, we stratified all ACS patients with HBR and PCI according to LD used within 24 h of first medical contact or not. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) and Cox proportional hazards model with hospital as random effect were used to analyze differences in in-hospital clinical outcomes: the primary efficacy endpoint was mortality, and the primary safety endpoint was bleeding.

Results

Of 21,654 evaluable patients 14,322 (66.2%) were treated with LD, and were on average older, less likely to have comorbidities and higher hemoglobin, more often treated GPI and anticoagulant during hospitalization than those without LD. After IPTW adjustment for baseline differences, LD was associated with significantly increased risk of in-hospital mortality [1.89 vs. 1.02%; hazard ratio (HR): 1.71 (95% confidence interval 1.12, 2.42); p < 0.001] and in-hospital bleeding [3.89 vs. 3.3%; HR: 1.25 (1.03, 1.53); p = 0.03].

Conclusions

In ACS patients with HBR, LD was associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality and bleeding complications after PCI. Dedicated randomized trials with contemporary ACS management are needed to confirm these findings.
Gut Microbiome Alterations and Hepatic Metabolic Flexibility in the Gansu Zokor, Eospalax cansus: Adaptation to Hypoxic Niches
Authors: Lin Jinyan , Yang Qi , Guo Juanjuan , Li Meng , Hao Zhiqiang , He Jianping , Li Jingang
Published: March 2022

The Gansu zokor (Eospalax cansus), a typical subterranean rodent endemic to the Chinese Loess Plateau, spends almost its whole life in its self-constructed underground burrows and has strong adaptability to ambient hypoxia. Energy adaptation is the key to supporting hypoxia tolerance, and recent studies have shown that the intestinal microbiota has an evident effect on energy metabolism. However, how the gut microbiome of Gansu zokor will change in response to hypoxia and the metabolic role played by the microbiome have not been reported. Thus, we exposed Gansu zokors to severe hypoxia of 6.5% of O2 (6 or 44 h) or moderate hypoxia of 10.5% of O2 (44 h or 4 weeks), and then analyzed 16S rRNA sequencing, metagenomic sequencing, metagenomic binning, liver carbohydrate metabolites, and the related molecular levels. Our results showed that the hypoxia altered the microbiota composition of Gansu zokor, and the relative contribution of Ileibacterium to carbohydrate metabolism became increased under hypoxia, such as glycolysis and fructose metabolism. Furthermore, Gansu zokor liver enhanced carbohydrate metabolism under the short-term (6 or 44 h) hypoxia but it was suppressed under the long-term (4 weeks) hypoxia. Interestingly, under all hypoxia conditions, Gansu zokor liver exhibited enhanced fructose-driven metabolism through increased expression of the GLUT5 fructose transporter, ketohexokinase (KHK), aldolase B (ALDOB), and aldolase C (ALDOC), as well as increased KHK enzymatic activity and fructose utilization. Overall, our results suggest that the altered gut microbiota mediates the carbohydrate metabolic pattern under hypoxia, possibly contributing to the hepatic metabolic flexibility in Gansu zokor, which leads to better adaptation to hypoxic environments.
Religious Affiliations and Clinical Outcomes in Korean Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Oh Seok , Kim Ju Han , Cho Kyung Hoon , Kim Min Chul , Sim Doo Sun , Hong Young Joon , Ahn Youngkeun , Jeong Myung Ho
Published: March 2022

Objective

Although religion is expected to have a direct or indirect effect on various aspects of human life, information on the association between religion and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is inadequate. Hence, in this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical effect of religion on clinical outcomes in patients with AMI.

Methods

A total of 2,348 patients with AMI who were treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were enrolled in the study, and they were categorized into two groups depending on their religious belief: religious and non-religious groups. The characteristics and clinical outcomes of both groups were compared.

Results

Compared with the religious group, the non-religious group was younger, included mostly men, was more likely to smoke, and was more likely to be diagnosed with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. However, the non-religious group was less likely to have a history of hypertension and tended to receive PCI more quickly with shorter door-to-balloon time. Regarding 1-year clinical outcomes, no differences were found between the two groups.

Conclusion

Despite a growing body of evidence that religious activities have positive effects on human physical health, our results showed a lack of significant differences in 1-year clinical outcomes in patients with AMI irrespective of their religious beliefs.
Alteration of N6-Methyladenosine mRNA Methylation in a Human Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocyte Model of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor-Induced Cardiotoxicity
Authors: Ma Yan , Liu Xian , Bi Yiming , Wang Tianhu , Chen Cheng , Wang Yabin , Han Dong , Cao Feng
Published: March 2022

Background

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) plays important roles in various cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. Sunitinib (SUN) is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that is widely used in the treatment of different types of solid and blood tumors, but its efficacy is restricted by a concomitant rise in cardiotoxicities. However, the methylation modification of m6A messenger RNA (mRNA) in cardiomyocytes treated with TKI has not been investigated.

Methods

The global m6A methylation level of SUN-induced cardiotoxicity was detected by m6A dot blot and colorimetric methylation assay. MeRIP-Seq (methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing) and RNA-seq (RNA sequencing, input) were employed to depict the landscapes of transcriptome and epitranscriptome in TKI. Changes in major m6A-related enzymes were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot. In addition, the effects of FTO on SUN-induced cardiotoxicity were evaluated by gain and loss of function studies.

Results

In this study, we observed that the m6A methylation level was significantly elevated in SUN-treated human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) and paralleled a positively correlated cellular damage level. Through a genome-wide analysis of m6A mRNA methylation by methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq) and input RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), we identified a total of 2,614 peaks with significant changes, of which 1,695 peaks were significantly upregulated and 919 peaks were significantly downregulated. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR), immunofluorescence, and Western blotting revealed that the RNA demethylase fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) was downregulated, whereas the RNA methylases methyltransferase-like 14 (METTL14) and wilms' tumor 1-associating protein (WTAP) were upregulated. Furthermore, gain- and loss-of-function studies substantiated that FTO is cardioprotective in TKI.

Conclusion

This study deciphered the methylation modification of m6A mRNA in hiPSC-CMs post-TKI treatment and determined that FTO may be a promising therapeutic target for TKI-induced cardiotoxicity.
Analysis of the Influencing Factors on Electrical Properties and Evaluation of Gas Saturation in Marine Shales: A Case Study of the Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation in Sichuan Basin
Authors: Sun Fujing , Sun Jianmeng , Zeng Xin , Yuan Weiguo , Zhang Jinyan , Yan Wei , Yan Weichao
Published: March 2022

Accurate gas saturation calculations are critical to evaluating the production of marine shale gas reservoirs. As a high-resolution exploration method, geophysical resistivity well-logging technology has been widely applied in almost all types of oil/gas reservoirs to evaluate formation fluid saturation. Although the calculated saturations are accurate for conventional reservoirs, it is a challenging task to acquire the gas saturation of shale gas reservoirs due to the presence of complex rock compositions and fluid types. It is necessary to analyze different influencing factors on electrical properties to establish a more applicable gas saturation model for marine shales. In this work, we make full use of geological data, well logging data, and rock experiment data to analyze the influencing factors of electrical properties in the Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation in the Sichuan Basin, China. Six conductive factors are studied, including stratigraphic structures, clay minerals, pyrite, organic matter, pore structures, and formation fluids. Then, a shale conductivity model is developed, in which high- and low-resistivity layers are connected in parallel. Based on the conductivity model, a new method for influencing factors of stepwise stripping conductivity is proposed to calculate shale gas saturation. Finally, by interpreting the well logging data of two shale gas wells, we compared the saturation calculation results of different methods to demonstrate the accuracy of the new method. The results show that thin, low-resistivity layers, clay minerals, pyrite and overmature carbonized organic matter reduce the resistivity of shale and weaken the contribution of fluids to the measured shale resistivity. Moreover, the calculation accuracy of this new method is better than that of Archie’s equation, Simandoux’s equation, and the neutron-density porosity overlay method. The findings of this paper will help gain insight into the mechanism of resistivity responses for marine shale reservoirs and improve the accuracy of the estimated gas saturation.
Water-Sealed Blasting Control Measures of the Metro Station Undercrossing Existing Structures in Ultra-Close Distances: A Case Study
Authors: Shi Chenghua , Zhao Yiwei , Zhao Chenyang , Lou Yili , Sun Xiaohe , Zheng Xiaoyue
Published: March 2022

Based on the project of People’s Hall Station of Qingdao Metro Line 4 in China, the method of water-sealed blasting construction for vibration damping is proposed, as the blasting vibration of adjacent structures (Qingdao Metro Line 3) does not meet the control requirements during the blasting construction of the existing site blasting scheme. The effects of blasting on adjacent structures with different water-sealed charge structures and different axial decoupled charge factors are first studied by using the three-dimensional dynamic numerical simulation method. On this basis, a multi-case parametric analysis is carried out on the maximum single detonation charge, initiation interval, vibration-damping hole settings, and other factors that affect the blasting seismic effect. The results demonstrate that water-sealed construction blasting can significantly reduce the vibration response of adjacent structures. The lower-water-decking charge structure, the two ends-water-decking charge structure, and the top-water-decking charge structure can reduce the vibration velocity response of adjacent structures by 2.8, 24.5, and 27.8%, respectively. As the axial decoupling coefficient increases, the peak resultant vibration velocity increases first and then decreases. The peak resultant vibration velocity reaches the minimum value of 1.27 cm/s, which is lowered by 29.5% when the decoupling coefficient is 2.6. The after-detonation vibration response can be reduced by decreasing the amount of a single detonation charge and setting damping holes. When the detonation charge is reduced to 2.7 kg or 100 mm damping holes are set up, the vibration velocities at Line 3 People’s Hall Station are 1.10 cm/s and 1.11 cm/s, respectively. Both velocities are less than the 1.2 cm/s resultant vibration velocity control tolerance requirements. The results of this study can play an important guiding role in construction blasting in on-site metro stations and can serve as a reference for future similar projects.
Centrifugal Test and Instability Model Analysis of Excavation Surface Stability of a Shield Tunnel in a Clay Layer
Authors: Niu Haoshuang , Weng Xiaolin , Hu Jibo , Hou Lele
Published: March 2022

In order to study the variation law of support pressure and instability mode of excavation face under different soil parameters, a complete set of centrifugal model seepage test device is independently developed. The results of centrifugal tests with different C/D (where C is the overburden thickness of the tunnel and D is the tunnel diameter), internal friction angles, and heights of water head show that with the increase of the retreating displacement S of the excavation surface, the support pressure P of the excavation surface can be divided into three stages: rapid decline (S < 1.5D%), slow rebound after reaching the limit support pressure Plim (1.5D% ≤ S ≤ 3D%), and gradually reaching the stable value (3D% < S). With the increase of C/D, the limit support pressure on the excavation face gradually increases and tends to be stable. For different soil properties, when C/D > 1.5, the limit support pressure on the excavation face tends to be stable. With the increase of internal friction angle, the limit support pressure decreases gradually, and its influence on support pressure can be ignored when φ > 40°. With the increase of height of water head Hw, the limit support pressure increases linearly. By establishing a numerical analysis model and analyzing the instability modes of soil under different C/D, internal friction angles, and cohesion, the instability mode of soil in front of the excavation face can have a great correlation with C/D of the soil and internal friction angle, while the influence of cohesion is minimal. With the increase of C/D, the soil changes from overall failure to local failure, the change of C/D mainly affects the height of soil arching effect and the width of the wedge below, while the internal friction angle mainly affects the width of the wedge and the instability angle of soil.
Using Food Delivery Data to Identify Urban -Rural Areas: A Case Study of Guangzhou, China
Authors: Zhou Chunshan , He Xiong , Wu Runnan , Zhang Guojun
Published: March 2022

It is an important task for planners and decision makers to determine whether a certain region is urban or rural since the accurate identification of these areas is of considerable significance to further study differences in urbanization development and balance contradictions between them. However, at present, there are problems of low efficiency and considerable subjectivity in the identification of urban and rural areas based on nighttime light data. Therefore, this study proposes a new method to identify urban and rural areas based on the differences between them. Taking Guangzhou as an example, this study simulated food delivery scenarios to identify urban and rural areas in Guangzhou. The findings indicated that using food delivery data to identify urban and rural areas is highly precise, with an accuracy rate of 92.4% and Kappa value of 0.79. This study provides a new method to identify urban and rural areas accurately and objectively, contributes to the study of urban-rural differences in urbanization and providing a feasible method for subsequent urban and rural planning.
A Novel Method for Estimating Model Parameters From Geophysical Anomalies of Structural Faults Using the Manta-Ray Foraging Optimization
Authors: Ben Ubong C. , Ekwok Stephen E. , Achadu Ogiji-Idaga M. , Akpan Anthony E. , Eldosouky Ahmed M. , Abdelrahman Kamal , Gómez-Ortiz David
Published: March 2022

The Manta-Ray Foraging Optimization has been adapted and implemented in computing model parameters from potential field anomalies originating from two-dimensional dipping faults. The inversion technique was originally demonstrated on magnetic anomalies from uncorrupted–then, corrupted synthetic datasets. Thereafter, it was experimented on profiles taken from mining fields in the United States, and Australia. The results obtained showed that the design procedure is admirably stable and flexible, especially when dealing with noisy data. It is also notably efficient in the quantitative resolution of geophysical inverse problems. The consistency in results obtained from analysis of deep-seated and shallow field examples, even when compared against background results, is also impressive. The new technique has also exhibited notable superiorities over other well-known and conventional techniques, especially on the grounds of convergence rate, cost, and quality of resolved anomaly parameters. Consequently, it is recommended for interpretation of other structures and modeling of other geophysical data like self-potential and resistivity data.
The Representation of Collocational Patterns and Their Differentiating Power in the Speaking Performance of Iranian IELTS Test-Takers
Authors: Estaji Masoomeh , Montazeri Mohammad Reza
Published: March 2022

Corpus studies have highlighted the role of multiword units in naturally occurring language. Speech theories, too, have underlined the linkage between such formulaic sequences- collocations in particular- and speech production. Few studies, however, have focused their attention on examining collocations in speaking assessment, especially in high-stakes tests. This study investigated the most frequently used collocational patterns and their discriminating power across three groups of participants with band scores 6, 7, and 8 respectively. To collect data, a corpus entailing 60 IELTS speaking samples, 20 samples from each band score, and approximately 110,000 words was gleaned. The results revealed that L1 (adjective + noun) and L7 (verb + noun) were the most frequently used types of lexical collocations, and G8 (verb + preposition) was the most frequently used grammatical collocation. The study also found that L1(adjective + verb), L5 (noun of noun), L8 (phrasal verb and adverb), L9 (noun and phrasal verb), and L10 (phrasal verb and noun) were the five types of lexical collocations with the most discriminating power across the band scores. Given the grammatical collocations, G4 (preposition + noun) and G5 (adjective + preposition) had the power to differentiate across the three band scores.
Zone-MPC Automated Insulin Delivery Algorithm Tuned for Pregnancy Complicated by Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Ozaslan Basak , Deshpande Sunil , Doyle Francis J. , Dassau Eyal
Published: March 2022

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) increases the risk for pregnancy complications. Increased time in the pregnancy glucose target range (63-140 mg/dL as suggested by clinical guidelines) is associated with improved pregnancy outcomes that underscores the need for tight glycemic control. While closed-loop control is highly effective in regulating blood glucose levels in individuals with T1D, its use during pregnancy requires adjustments to meet the tight glycemic control and changing insulin requirements with advancing gestation. In this paper, we tailor a zone model predictive controller (zone-MPC), an optimization-based control strategy that uses model predictions, for use during pregnancy and verify its robustness in-silico through a broad range of scenarios. We customize the existing zone-MPC to satisfy pregnancy-specific glucose control objectives by having (i) lower target glycemic zones (i.e., 80-110 mg/dL daytime and 80-100 mg/dL overnight), (ii) more assertive correction bolus for hyperglycemia, and (iii) a control strategy that results in more aggressive postprandial insulin delivery to keep glucose within the target zone. The emphasis is on leveraging the flexible design of zone-MPC to obtain a controller that satisfies glycemic outcomes recommended for pregnancy based on clinical insight. To verify this pregnancy-specific zone-MPC design, we use the UVA/Padova simulator and conduct in-silico experiments on 10 subjects over 13 scenarios ranging from scenarios with ideal metabolic and treatment parameters for pregnancy to extreme scenarios with such parameters that are highly deviant from the ideal. All scenarios had three meals per day and each meal had 40 grams of carbohydrates. Across 13 scenarios, pregnancy-specific zone-MPC led to a 10.3 ± 5.3% increase in the time in pregnancy target range (baseline zone-MPC: 70.6 ± 15.0%, pregnancy-specific zone-MPC: 80.8 ± 11.3%, p < 0.001) and a 10.7 ± 4.8% reduction in the time above the target range (baseline zone-MPC: 29.0 ± 15.4%, pregnancy-specific zone-MPC: 18.3 ± 12.0, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the time below range between the controllers (baseline zone-MPC: 0.5 ± 1.2%, pregnancy-specific zone-MPC: 3.5 ± 1.9%, p = 0.1). The extensive simulation results show improved performance in the pregnancy target range with pregnancy-specific zone MPC, suggest robustness of the zone-MPC in tight glucose control scenarios, and emphasize the need for customized glucose control systems for pregnancy.
Partial Response After Toripalimab Plus Anlotinib for Advanced Metaplastic Breast Carcinoma: A Case Report
Authors: Fu Yang , Liu Jie , Jiang Yu
Published: March 2022

Metaplastic breast carcinoma (MBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer, accounting for <1%. The clinical outcome is unknown due to the lack of treatment options. Here, we present the case of a 58-year-old woman with advanced MBC, in which standard adjuvant chemotherapy was unsuccessful. In the second-line therapy, she received anti-angiogenic(anlotinib) therapy plus chemotherapy. Finally, she was subsequently treated with immunotherapy (toripalimab) combined anlotinib and achieved partial response (PR); thus, immunotherapy plus anti-angiogenic therapy might be a novel option for advanced MBC patients.
Overview and New Insights Into the Diversity, Evolution, Role, and Regulation of Kisspeptins and Their Receptors in Teleost Fish
Authors: Wang Bin , Mechaly Alejandro S. , Somoza Gustavo M.
Published: March 2022

In the last two decades, kisspeptin (Kiss) has been identified as an important player in the regulation of reproduction and other physiological functions in vertebrates, including several fish species. To date, two ligands (Kiss1, Kiss2) and three kisspeptin receptors (Kissr1, Kissr2, Kissr3) have been identified in teleosts, likely due to whole-genome duplication and loss of genes that occurred early in teleost evolution. Recent results in zebrafish and medaka mutants have challenged the notion that the kisspeptin system is essential for reproduction in fish, in marked contrast to the situation in mammals. In this context, this review focuses on the role of kisspeptins at three levels of the reproductive, brain-pituitary-gonadal (BPG) axis in fish. In addition, this review compiled information on factors controlling the Kiss/Kissr system, such as photoperiod, temperature, nutritional status, sex steroids, neuropeptides, and others. In this article, we summarize the available information on the molecular diversity and evolution, tissue expression and neuroanatomical distribution, functional significance, signaling pathways, and gene regulation of Kiss and Kissr in teleost fishes. Of particular note are recent advances in understanding flatfish kisspeptin systems, which require further study to reveal their structural and functional diversity.
Microgrid Energy Management Strategy Base on UCB-A3C Learning
Authors: Yang Yanhong , Li Haitao , Shen Baochen , Pei Wei , Peng Dajian
Published: March 2022

The uncertainty of renewable energy and demand response brings many challenges to the microgrid energy management. Driven by the recent advances and applications of deep reinforcement learning a microgrid energy management strategy, i.e., upper confidence bound based advantage actor-critic (A3C), is proposed to utilize a novel action exploration mechanism to learn the power output of wind power generation, the price of electricity trading and power load. The simulation results indicate that the UCB-A3C learning based energy management strategy is better than conventional PPO, actor critical and A3C algorithm.
On-Going European Space Agency Activities on Measuring the Benefits of Earth Observations to Society: Challenges, Achievements and Next Steps
Authors: Tassa Alessandra , Willekens Stephanie , Lahcen Arne , Laurich Laurent , Mathieu Charlotte
Published: March 2022

Understanding the Earth system and its physical and societal processes is crucial for helping humankind develop in a sustainable way, and for designing effective policies across a wide range of applications that include mitigating the effects of climate change, the sustainable management of natural resources, food security and public health. Earth observation (EO) satellites provide regular and accurate observations of the entire planet that can greatly support improvements in such understanding. The European Space Agency (ESA) is committed to supporting international efforts to decipher the processes and phenomena that regulate life on Earth, by building world class EO space missions and making data available to scientists and citizens across the world. How successful is ESA in this endeavour? Given the variable and dynamic nature of EO data use, it is difficult to answer the question through established figures. Yet, it is crucial that ESA be able to discriminate and assess the benefits brought by the use of its EO missions, in order to demonstrate its achievements, to keep improving its systems, to better design and plan future missions, and to promote further uptake. In this article, after recalling its commitments in support of Earth system sciences, ESA’s attempts to conduct valuations of the impact of its own space missions are described. In particular, the challenges encountered in measuring such impacts and the solutions pursued by the Agency to improve its assessment capabilities are detailed, together with the open issues and the current lines of work.
Are Farmers Willing to Pay for Centralized Mode Provision of Rural Domestic Sewage Treatment? A Large-Scale Assessment in North China
Authors: Jiao Jian , Yang Zihong , Zhang Yang , Shi Boyang , Dogot Thomas , Yin Changbin
Published: March 2022

Evaluation of farmers’ willingness to participate (WTPP) and willingness to pay (WTP) for the centralized mode provision (CMP) of rural domestic sewage treatment (RDST) is imperative to improve the rural environment as well as to alleviate government financial pressures. This study adopted the contingent valuation method as well as face-to-face interview questionnaires to assess rural residents’ provision mode preferences, WTPP, and WTP for the CMP of RDST in China. Based on 761 samples collected from Shandong, Jilin, and Gansu provinces of China, we applied econometric models to estimate farmers’ WTPP and WTP for the CMP of RDST and explore the potential influencing factors, respectively. Results show that 1) 81.87% of the farmers would be willing to contribute to CMP of RDST; 2) farmers’ perceptions of the necessity of RDST, pollution of rural domestic sewage, and government propaganda significantly and positively affect their WTP; and 3) the expected WTP for CMP of RDST with the total respondents and the respondents with positive WTPP were estimated to be 7.59 USD/year and 10.10 USD/year (for a total of 20 years), accounting for 16.28 and 21.65% of construction costs, respectively. Based on these outcomes, it could be further estimated that the aggregate value was between 179.05 million USD/year and 238.26 million USD/year which implied that the farmers’ WTP may be a potentially non-negligible funding source for the CMP of RDST. The enhancement of environmental awareness of farmers and strengthening of propaganda should be the next priority of the Chinese government. Priority should also be assigned to villages closer to towns when the government formulates relevant strategies and policies. The results of this study provide references for policy formulation related to broadening the funding sources in RDST and exploring farmer payment mechanisms and implications for other developing countries.
Mxi1-0 Promotes Hypoxic Pulmonary Hypertension Via ERK/c-Myc-dependent Proliferation of Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Dong Liang , Liu Xinning , Wu Bo , Li Chengwei , Wei Xiaomin , Wumaier Gulinuer , Zhang Xiujuan , Wang Jing , Xia Jingwen , Zhang Yuanyuan , Yiminniyaze Ruzetuoheti , Zhu Ning , Li Jing , Zhou Daibing , Zhang Youzhi , Li Shuanghui , Lv Junzhu , Li Shengqing
Published: March 2022

Background: Hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) is a challenging lung arterial disorder with remarkably high incidence and mortality, and so far patients have failed to benefit from therapeutics clinically available. Max interacting protein 1–0 (Mxi1-0) is one of the functional isoforms of Mxi1. Although it also binds to Max, Mxi1-0, unlike other Mxi1 isoforms, cannot antagonize the oncoprotein c-Myc because of its unique proline rich domain (PRD). While Mxi1-0 was reported to promote cell proliferation via largely uncharacterized mechanisms, it is unknown whether and how it plays a role in the pathogenesis of HPH.

Methods: GEO database was used to screen for genes involved in HPH development, and the candidate players were validated through examination of gene expression in clinical HPH specimens. The effect of candidate gene knockdown or overexpression on cultured pulmonary arterial cells, e.g., pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), was then investigated. The signal pathway(s) underlying the regulatory role of the candidate gene in HPH pathogenesis was probed, and the outcome of targeting the aforementioned signaling was evaluated using an HPH rat model.

Results: Mxi1 was significantly upregulated in the PASMCs of HPH patients. As the main effector isoform responding to hypoxia, Mxi1-0 functions in HPH to promote PASMCs proliferation. Mechanistically, Mxi1-0 improved the expression of the proto-oncogene c-Myc via activation of the MEK/ERK pathway. Consistently, both a MEK inhibitor, PD98059, and a c-Myc inhibitor, 10058F4, could counteract Mxi1-0-induced PASMCs proliferation. In addition, targeting the MEK/ERK signaling significantly suppressed the development of HPH in rats.

Conclusion: Mxi1-0 potentiates HPH pathogenesis through MEK/ERK/c-Myc-mediated proliferation of PASMCs, suggesting its applicability in targeted treatment and prognostic assessment of clinical HPH.
Construction and Verification of a Glycolysis-Associated Gene Signature for the Prediction of Overall Survival in Low Grade Glioma
Authors: Liu Wei , Liu Chunshan , Chen Chengcong , Huang Xiaoting , Yi Qi , Tian Yunhong , Peng Biao , Yuan Yawei
Published: March 2022

The overall survival of patients with lower grade glioma (LGG) that might develop into high-grade malignant glioma shows marked heterogeneity. The currently used clinical evaluation index is not sufficient to predict precise prognostic outcomes accurately. To optimize survival risk stratification and the personalized management of patients with LGG, there is an urgent need to develop an accurate risk prediction model. The TCGA-LGG dataset, downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) portal, was used as a training cohort, and the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) dataset and Rembrandt dataset were used as validation cohorts. The levels of various cancer hallmarks were quantified, which identified glycolysis as the primary overall survival-related risk factor in LGGs. Furthermore, using various bioinformatic and statistical methods, we developed a strong glycolysis-related gene signature to predict prognosis. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that in our model, high-risk glioma correlated with the chemoradiotherapy resistance and poor survival. Moreover, based on established risk model and other clinical features, a decision tree and a nomogram were built, which could serve as useful tools in the diagnosis and treatment of LGGs. This study indicates that the glycolysis-related gene signature could distinguish high-risk and low‐risk patients precisely, and thus can be used as an independent clinical feature.