bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The G-Protein–Coupled Estrogen Receptor Agonist G-1 Inhibits Proliferation and Causes Apoptosis in Leukemia Cell Lines of T Lineage
Authors: Torres-López Liliana , Olivas-Aguirre Miguel , Villatoro-Gómez Kathya , Dobrovinskaya Oxana
Published: February 2022

The G-protein–coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) mediates non-genomic action of estrogen. Due to its differential expression in some tumors as compared to the original healthy tissues, the GPER has been proposed as a therapeutic target. Accordingly, the non-steroidal GPER agonist G-1, which has often demonstrated marked cytotoxicity in experimental models, has been suggested as a novel anticancer agent for several sensitive tumors. We recently revealed that cell lines derived from acute T-cell (query) lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) express the GPER. Here, we address the question whether G-1 is cytotoxic to T-ALL. We have shown that G-1 causes an early rise of intracellular Ca2+, arrests the cell cycle in G2/M, reduces viability, and provokes apoptosis in T-ALL cell lines. Importantly, G-1 caused destabilization and depolymerization of microtubules. We assume that it is a disturbance of the cytoskeleton that causes G-1 cytotoxic and cytostatic effects in our model. The observed cytotoxic effects, apparently, were not triggered by the interaction of G-1 with the GPER as pre-incubation with the highly selective GPER antagonist G-36 was ineffective in preventing the cytotoxicity of G-1. However, G-36 prevented the intracellular Ca2+ rise provoked by G-1. Finally, G-1 showed only a moderate negative effect on the activation of non-leukemic CD4+ lymphocytes. We suggest G-1 as a potential antileukemic drug.
Role of Integrin αvβ3 in Doxycycline-Induced Anti-Proliferation in Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Chen Yi-Fong , Yang Yung-Ning , Chu Hung-Ru , Huang Tung-Yung , Wang Shwu-Huey , Chen Han-Yu , Li Zi-Lin , Yang Yu-Chen S. H. , Lin Hung-Yun , Hercbergs Aleck , Whang-Peng Jacqueline , Wang Kuan , Davis Paul J.
Published: February 2022

Doxycycline, an antibiotic, displays the inhibition of different signal transduction pathways, such as anti-inflammation and anti-proliferation, in different types of cancers. However, the anti-cancer mechanisms of doxycycline via integrin αvβ3 are incompletely understood. Integrin αvβ3 is a cell-surface anchor protein. It is the target for estrogen, androgen, and thyroid hormone and plays a pivotal role in the proliferation, migration, and angiogenic process in cancer cells. In our previous study, thyroxine hormones can interact with integrin αvβ3 to activate the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and upregulate programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. In the current study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of doxycycline on proliferation in two breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Doxycycline induces concentration-dependent anti-proliferation in both breast cancer cell lines. It regulates gene expressions involved in proliferation, pro-apoptosis, and angiogenesis. Doxycycline suppresses cell cyclin D1 (CCND1) and c-Myc which play crucial roles in proliferation. It also inhibits PD-L1 gene expression. Our findings show that modulation on integrin αvβ3 binding activities changed both thyroxine- and doxycycline-induced signal transductions by an integrin αvβ3 inhibitor (HSDVHK-NH2). Doxycycline activates phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a downstream of integrin, but inhibits the ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Regardless, doxycycline-induced FAK phosphorylation is blocked by HSDVHK-NH2. In addition, the specific mechanism of action associated with pERK1/2 inhibition via integrin αvβ3 is unknown for doxycycline treatment. On the other hand, our findings indicated that inhibiting ERK1/2 activation leads to suppression of PD-L1 expression by doxycycline treatment. Furthermore, doxycycline-induced gene expressions are disturbed by a specific integrin αvβ3 inhibitor (HSDVHK-NH2) or a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) kinase (MAPK/ERK, MEK) inhibitor (PD98059). The results imply that doxycycline may interact with integrin αvβ3 and inhibits ERK1/2 activation, thereby regulating cell proliferation and downregulating PD-L1 gene expression in estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells.
The Onset of Whole-Body Regeneration in Botryllus schlosseri: Morphological and Molecular Characterization
Authors: Ricci Lorenzo , Salmon Bastien , Olivier Caroline , Andreoni-Pham Rita , Chaurasia Ankita , Alié Alexandre , Tiozzo Stefano
Published: February 2022

Colonial tunicates are the only chordates that regularly regenerate a fully functional whole body as part of their asexual life cycle, starting from specific epithelia and/or mesenchymal cells. In addition, in some species, whole-body regeneration (WBR) can also be triggered by extensive injuries, which deplete most of their tissues and organs and leave behind only small fragments of their body. In this manuscript, we characterized the onset of WBR in Botryllus schlosseri, one colonial tunicate long used as a laboratory model. We first analyzed the transcriptomic response to a WBR-triggering injury. Then, through morphological characterization, in vivo observations via time-lapse, vital dyes, and cell transplant assays, we started to reconstruct the dynamics of the cells triggering regeneration, highlighting an interplay between mesenchymal and epithelial cells. The dynamics described here suggest that WBR in B. schlosseri is initiated by extravascular tissue fragments derived from the injured individuals rather than particular populations of blood-borne cells, as has been described in closely related species. The morphological and molecular datasets here reported provide the background for future mechanistic studies of the WBR ontogenesis in B. schlosseri and allow to compare it with other regenerative processes occurring in other tunicate species and possibly independently evolved.
Fabrication and Characterization of the Porous Ti4O7 Reactive Electrochemical Membrane
Authors: Qi Guangfeng , Wang Xiaohui , Zhao Jingang , Song Chunyan , Zhang Yanbo , Ren Feizhou , Zhang Nan
Published: February 2022

Preparation of the Magnéli Ti4O7 reactive electrochemical membrane (REM) with high purity is of great significance for its application in electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs) for wastewater treatment. In this study, the Ti4O7 REM with high purity was synthesized by mechanical pressing of TiO2 powders followed by thermal reduction to Ti4O7 using the Ti powder as the reducing reagent, where the TiO2 monolith and Ti powder were separated from each other with the distance of about 5 cm in the vacuum furnace. When the temperature was elevated to 1333 K, the Magnéli phase Ti4O7 REM with the Ti4O7 content of 98.5% was obtained after thermal reduction for 4 h. Noticeably, the surface and interior of the obtained REM bulk sample has a homogeneous Ti4O7 content. Doping carbon black (0wt%-15wt%) could increase the porosity of the Ti4O7 REM (38–59%). Accordingly, the internal resistance of the electrode and electrolyte and the charge-transfer impedance increased slightly with the increasing carbon black content. The optimum electroactive surface area (1.1 m2) was obtained at a carbon black content of 5wt%, which increased by 1.3-fold in comparison with that without carbon black. The as-prepared Ti4O7 REMs show high oxygen evolution potential, approximately 2.7 V/SHE, indicating their appreciable electrocatalytic activity toward the production of •OH.
Research Progresses and Challenges of Flexible Zinc Battery
Authors: Xu Yunfei , Xu Xin , Guo Mei , Zhang Guoxin , Wang Yaqun
Published: February 2022

Flexible zinc batteries have great potential in wearable electronic devices due to their high safety, low cost, and environmental friendliness. In the past few years, a great deal of work on flexible zinc batteries has been reported, with exciting results. Therefore, many solutions have been proposed in electrode design and electrolyte preparation to ensure the desired flexibility without sacrificing the capacity. This paper reviews the recent progress of flexible zinc batteries. We discuss the differences between various anode materials, cathode materials, and electrolytes, introduce the differences of electrode preparation methods of active materials on flexible substrates and their influence on the performance of the battery. Finally, the challenges and future research trends of flexible zinc batteries in capacity and mechanical properties are pointed out.
Recent Developments of Cathode Materials for Thermal Batteries
Authors: Li Renyi , Guo Wei , Qian Yumin
Published: February 2022

Big progress has been made in batteries based on an intercalation mechanism in the last 20 years, but limited capacity in batteries hinders their further increase in energy density. The demand for more energy intensity makes research communities turn to conversion-type batteries. Thermal batteries are a special kind of conversion-type battery, which are thermally activated primary batteries composed mainly of cathode, anode, separator (electrolyte), and heating mass. Such kinds of battery employ an internal pyrotechnic source to make the battery stack reach its operating temperature. Thermal batteries have a long history of research and usage in military fields because of their high specific capacity, high specific energy, high thermal stability, long shelf life, and fast activation. These experiences and knowledge are of vital importance for the development of conversion-type batteries. This review provides a comprehensive account of recent studies on cathode materials. The paper covers the preparation, characterization of various cathode materials, and the performance test of thermal batteries. These advances have significant implications for the development of high-performance, low-cost, and mass production conversion-type batteries in the near future.
Dysbiosis of Cervical and Vaginal Microbiota Associated With Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia
Authors: Lin Suibin , Zhang Bin , Lin Yixia , Lin Yueping , Zuo Xiaoyu
Published: February 2022

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is a precancerous condition inducing local lesions on the surface of the squamocolumnar junction of the cervix. Despite the role of vaginal microbiota having been under-discussed, the role of the cervical microbiome and the microbial migration across the reproductive tract involved in CIN was limitedly studied. We aimed to synchronously characterize the dysbiosis associated with CIN in both the cervix and vagina in a Chinese population. Profiling of cervical and vaginal microbiota from 60 CIN women and 60 healthy women was conducted. 16S rRNA sequencing was adopted. By comparing the microbial profiles between different parts of the reproductive tract, our results demonstrated an increased shift of microbial diversity in the cervix compared with that in the vagina for the CIN patients, specifically in CIN 1. Less dysbiosis was found between the CIN patients and controls, in either the vagina or cervix. The microbial community may be modulated by the onset of sexual activity, a known clinical risk factor for cervical neoplasia. Distinct patterns of perturbated bacteria were found in the vaginal and cervical microbiota, in which reduced Actinobacteria-related operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and increased Proteobacteria-related OTUs were found in the vagina and cervix, respectively. A good agreement between the direction of the top-significant perturbated OTUs was observed between the vaginal and cervical microbiome, suggesting a potential microbial migration in the reproductive tract. Enriched genera such as Sphingomonas and Stenotrophomonas were found in cervical microbiota-associated CIN. Multivariate analysis revealed Comamonas, Rhizobium, and Pseudomonas as independent genera contributing to CIN in the cervix. In summary, this study revealed the perturbation of microbiota in the presence of CIN and demonstrated a distinct pattern of characteristic bacteria community between the vagina and cervix involved in the development of CIN.
Cadaverine Is a Switch in the Lysine Degradation Pathway in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Identified by Untargeted Metabolomics
Authors: Leggett Abigail , Li Da-Wei , Sindeldecker Devin , Staats Amelia , Rigel Nicholas , Bruschweiler-Li Lei , Brüschweiler Rafael , Stoodley Paul
Published: February 2022

There is a critical need to accurately diagnose, prevent, and treat biofilms in humans. The biofilm forming P. aeruginosa bacteria can cause acute and chronic infections, which are difficult to treat due to their ability to evade host defenses along with an inherent antibiotic-tolerance. Using an untargeted NMR-based metabolomics approach, we identified statistically significant differences in 52 metabolites between P. aeruginosa grown in the planktonic and lawn biofilm states. Among them, the metabolites of the cadaverine branch of the lysine degradation pathway were systematically decreased in biofilm. Exogenous supplementation of cadaverine caused significantly increased planktonic growth, decreased biofilm accumulation by 49% and led to altered biofilm morphology, converting to a pellicle biofilm at the air-liquid interface. Our findings show how metabolic pathway differences directly affect the growth mode in P. aeruginosa and could support interventional strategies to control biofilm formation.
Emerging Roles of Extracellular Vesicles in Pneumococcal Infections: Immunomodulators to Potential Novel Vaccine Candidates
Authors: Parveen Saba , Subramanian Karthik
Published: February 2022

The Gram-positive bacterial pathogen, Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major global health threat that kills over one million people worldwide. The pneumococcus commonly colonizes the nasopharynx asymptomatically as a commensal, but is also capable of causing a wide range of life-threatening diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis and septicemia upon migration into the lower respiratory tract and spread to internal organs. Emergence of antibiotic resistant strains and non-vaccine serotypes has led to the classification of pneumococcal bacteria as a priority pathogen by the World Health Organization that needs urgent research into bacterial pathogenesis and development of novel vaccine strategies. Extracellular vesicles are spherical membrane bound structures that are released by both pathogen and host cells, and influence bacterial pathogenesis as well as the immune response. Recent studies have found that while bacterial vesicles shuttle virulence factors and toxins into host cells and regulate inflammatory responses, vesicles released from the infected host cells contain both bacterial and host proteins that are antigenic and immunomodulatory. Bacterial membrane vesicles have great potential to be developed as cell-free vaccine candidates in the future due to their immunogenicity and biostability. Host-derived vesicles isolated from patient biofluids such as blood and bronchoalveolar lavage could be used to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers as well as engineered to deliver desired payloads to specific target cells for immunotherapy. In this review, we summarize the recent developments on the role of bacterial and host vesicles in pneumococcal infections and future prospects in developing novel therapeutics and diagnostics for control of invasive pneumococcal diseases.
SARS-CoV-2: Recent Variants and Clinical Efficacy of Antibody-Based Therapy
Authors: Singh Desh Deepak , Sharma Anshul , Lee Hae-Jeung , Yadav Dharmendra K.
Published: February 2022

Multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 have emerged and are now prevalent at the global level. Currently designated variants of concern (VOCs) are B.1.1.7, B1.351, P.1, B.1.617.2 variants and B.1.1.529. Possible options for VOC are urgently required as they carry mutations in the virus spike protein that allow them to spread more easily and cause more serious illness. The primary targets for most therapeutic methods against SARS-CoV-2 are the S (Spike) protein and RBD (Receptor-Binding Domain), which alter the binding to ACE2 (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2). The most popular of these strategies involves the use of drug development targeting the RBD and the NTD (N-terminal domain) of the spike protein and multiple epitopes of the S protein. Various types of mutations have been observed in the RBDs of B.1.1.7, B1.351, P. and B.1.620. The incidence of RBD mutations increases the binding affinity to the ACE2 receptor. The high binding affinity of RBD and ACE2 has provided a structural basis for future evaluation of antibodies and drug development. Here we discuss the variants of SARS-CoV-2 and recent updates on the clinical evaluation of antibody-based treatment options. Presently, most of the antibody-based treatments have been effective in patients with SARS-CoV-2. However, there are still significant challenges in verifying independence, and the need for further clinical evaluation.
Improved Urban Finescale Forecasting During a Heat Wave by Using High-Resolution Urban Canopy Parameters
Authors: Chen Feng , Yu Bu , Wu Mengwen , Yang Xuchao
Published: February 2022

For urban weather finescale forecasting, obtaining accurate and up-to-date urban canopy parameters (UCPs) is necessary and still a challenge. In this study, a high-resolution dataset of UCPs was developed by using vector-format building information and then applied in the WRF/urban system with the single-layer urban canopy model (SLUCM)/building effect parameterization (BEP) model to improve the urban finescale forecasting of a typical heat wave event during summer 2016 in Hangzhou. A series of sensitivity experiments were conducted, and the results showed that the high-resolution UCP data improved the model skill in simulating the spatial distributions and diurnal variations of 2-m temperature, 2-m relative humidity, and 10-m wind speed in the urban areas of Hangzhou, especially for the BEP model. Better results were produced when refining the computation domain due to more realistic urban morphological characteristics were adopted. The sensitive experiments suggest that the high-resolution UCPs played a significant role in representing the UHI effect though changing the surface thermodynamic parameters (e.g., roughness length), hereafter increasing the sensible heat and surface heat flux, and finally resulting a notable urban heat island (UHI) effect.
How Does Strategic Communication Shape Transdisciplinary Collaboration? A Focus on Definitions, Audience, Expertise, and Ethical Praxis
Authors: McGreavy Bridie , Haynal Kaitlyn , Smith-Mayo Jennifer , Reilly-Moman Jessica , Kinnison Michael T. , Ranco Darren , Leslie Heather M.
Published: February 2022

Transdisciplinary collaboration offers great potential for meaningfully addressing complex problems related to climate change and social inequities. Communication shapes transdisciplinary collaboration in myriad ways, and interdisciplinary and rhetorical approaches to communication can help identify these influences as well as strategies to transform inequitable communication patterns. In this paper, we share results from an engaged and ethnographic research project focused on strategic communication in a large-scale transdisciplinary collaboration to develop environmental-DNA (eDNA) science for coastal resilience. In this context, definitions of eDNA, perspectives about communication, and constructions of audience and expertise shape the ways in which collaborators co-produce knowledge across disciplines and with diverse partners. Identifying relationships among strategic communication, knowledge co-production, and power enables the development of strategic collaborative practices, including asking questions as a means to identify and negotiate differences in definitions of eDNA and using participatory methods and anti-oppressive data management platforms for ethical praxis.
Monetary Value of Live Trade in a Commonly Traded Primate, the Long-Tailed Macaque, Based on Global Trade Statistics
Authors: Hansen Malene Friis , Gill Mike , Briefer Elodie Floriane , Nielsen Daniel R. K. , Nijman Vincent
Published: February 2022

Non-human primates (primates) are regarded as key research subjects for pre-clinical trials of several drugs aimed to alleviate human suffering. It has long been suggested that the predominant species in the international trade in live primates for use in research is the long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis). However, little is still known about the value of this international trade. Whilst the international trade to supply the requirement for biomedical testing is known to encourage illegal wildlife trade, we lack a detailed understanding of the overall value and magnitude of this trade. Such information is vital to facilitate the design of effective conservation strategies in range countries, in order to mitigate the exploitation of wild populations by organized crime networks. Here, data from CITES and the UN Comtrade databases were combined to calculate the value of this trade. We also compared the number of individual primates traded as reported in the two databases to investigate possible correlations. Results show that, from 2010 to 2019, the international trade in long-tailed macaques constituted a market worth of ~US $1.25 billion. We found a positive correlation between individual primates traded in the UN Comtrade Database and individual long-tailed macaques reported in the CITES Trade Database, suggesting that we can use the UN Comtrade database to investigate values and magnitude of the international legal trade in wildlife, and that legal trade in live primates is primarily constituted of long-tailed macaques alone.
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With Gynecological Cancer: Machine Learning-Augmented Propensity Score Mortality and Cost Analysis for 383,760 Patients
Authors: Thomason Nicole , Monlezun Dominique J. , Javaid Awad , Filipescu Alexandru , Koutroumpakis Efstratios , Shobayo Fisayomi , Kim Peter , Lopez-Mattei Juan , Cilingiroglu Mehmet , Iliescu Gloria , Marmagkiolis Kostas , Ramirez Pedro T. , Iliescu Cezar
Published: February 2022

Background

Despite the growing number of patients with both coronary artery disease and gynecological cancer, there are no nationally representative studies of mortality and cost effectiveness for percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) and this cancer type.

Methods

Backward propagation neural network machine learning supported and propensity score adjusted multivariable regression was conducted for the above outcomes in this case-control study of the 2016 National Inpatient Sample (NIS), the United States' largest all-payer hospitalized dataset. Regression models were fully adjusted for age, race, income, geographic region, cancer metastases, mortality risk, and the likelihood of undergoing PCI (and also with length of stay [LOS] for cost). Analyses were also adjusted for the complex survey design to produce nationally representative estimates. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-based cost effectiveness ratio (CER) analysis was performed.

Results

Of the 30,195,722 hospitalized patients meeting criteria, 1.27% had gynecological cancer of whom 0.02% underwent PCI including 0.04% with metastases. In propensity score adjusted regression among all patients, the interaction of PCI and gynecological cancer (vs. not having PCI) significantly reduced mortality (OR 0.53, 95%CI 0.36–0.77; p = 0.001) while increasing LOS (Beta 1.16 days, 95%CI 0.57–1.75; p < 0.001) and total cost (Beta $31,035.46, 95%CI 26758.86–35312.06; p < 0.001). Among gynecological cancer patients, mortality was significantly reduced by PCI (OR 0.58, 95%CI 0.39–0.85; p = 0.006) and being in East North Central, West North Central, South Atlantic, and Mountain regions (all p < 0.03) compared to New England. PCI reduced mortality but not significantly for metastatic patients (OR 0.74, 95%CI 0.32–1.71; p = 0.481). Eighteen extra gynecological cancer patients' lives were saved with PCI for a net national cost of $3.18 billion and a CER of $176.50 million per averted death.

Conclusion

This large propensity score analysis suggests that PCI may cost inefficiently reduce mortality for gynecological cancer patients, amid income and geographic disparities in outcomes.
Lipid-Laden Macrophages and Inflammation in Atherosclerosis and Cancer: An Integrative View
Authors: Lee-Rueckert Miriam , Lappalainen Jani , Kovanen Petri T. , Escola-Gil Joan Carles
Published: February 2022

Atherosclerotic arterial plaques and malignant solid tumors contain macrophages, which participate in anaerobic metabolism, acidosis, and inflammatory processes inherent in the development of either disease. The tissue-resident macrophage populations originate from precursor cells derived from the yolk sac and from circulating bone marrow-derived monocytes. In the tissues, they differentiate into varying functional phenotypes in response to local microenvironmental stimulation. Broadly categorized, the macrophages are activated to polarize into proinflammatory M1 and anti-inflammatory M2 phenotypes; yet, noticeable plasticity allows them to dynamically shift between several distinct functional subtypes. In atherosclerosis, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-derived cholesterol accumulates within macrophages as cytoplasmic lipid droplets thereby generating macrophage foam cells, which are involved in all steps of atherosclerosis. The conversion of macrophages into foam cells may suppress the expression of given proinflammatory genes and thereby initiate their transcriptional reprogramming toward an anti-inflammatory phenotype. In this particular sense, foam cell formation can be considered anti-atherogenic. The tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) may become polarized into anti-tumoral M1 and pro-tumoral M2 phenotypes. Mechanistically, the TAMs can regulate the survival and proliferation of the surrounding cancer cells and participate in various aspects of tumor formation, progression, and metastasis. The TAMs may accumulate lipids, but their type and their specific roles in tumorigenesis are still poorly understood. Here, we discuss how the phenotypic and functional plasticity of macrophages allows their multifunctional response to the distinct microenvironments in developing atherosclerotic lesions and in developing malignant tumors. We also discuss how the inflammatory reactions of the macrophages may influence the development of atherosclerotic plaques and malignant tumors, and highlight the potential therapeutic effects of targeting lipid-laden macrophages in either disease.
Clinical Results and Aortic Remodeling After Endovascular Treatment for Complicated Type B Aortic Dissection With the “Fabulous” Stent System
Authors: Wang Ruihan , Kan Yuanqing , Yang Mou , Zhang Hongkun , Zhang Xiaoming , Dai Xiangchen , Zhai Shuiting , Hu Hejie , Zhang Xiwei , Chen Bing , Huang Jianhua , Qin Xiao , Xiao Zhanxiang , Lu Xinwu , Guo Wei , Si Yi , Fu Weiguo
Published: February 2022

Objective

To report the clinical outcomes and aortic remodeling after the implantation of a self-developed, biomechanically optimized, two-stage thoracic stent system named Fabulous.

Background

Given the efficacy of the PETTICOAT concept, the benefits of Fabulous and the behavior of remodeling in different segments need further investigation.

Methods

This is a prospective and multicenter study. From 2017 to 2019, 145 patients (mean age, 56.6 years; 88.3% male) from 14 centers were included in this cohort. The clinical results and core laboratory results were from a central electronic data capture system. Computed tomographic angiography was performed preoperatively, 1 month, 6 months and yearly thereafter and was used for volumetric analysis by 3mensio (Bilthoven, The Netherlands). After the 1-year follow-up, 97.2 and 87.6% of the clinical and imaging results of the eligible patients were available.

Results

Both stent grafts and bare stents were successfully delivered in place in 100% of the patients. The 30-day mortality and 1-year freedom from all-cause mortality were 2.1 and 96.6%, respectively. The incidence of entry flow was 11.7% at 30 days and 6.2% at 365 days. No cases of stent-induced new entry (SINE) or reintervention were observed. After the 1-year follow-up, the true lumen/overall volume ratio reached 88%. The following subdivided segment volume changes were recorded: stent graft segment TL +56%; FL −92%, bare stent segment TL +32%; FL −75%, and there were no significant changes in the visceral segment.

Conclusions

These outcomes indicated that there were favorable clinical benefits of Fabulous stent system. This device achieved a low short-term mortality and a low incidence of reintervention. In addition, patients undergoing Fabulous stent system implantation showed remodeling both on descending aorta and on the distal aorta. The volume changes in the TL and FL varied in the different segments. The long-term follow-up is still ongoing.
Development of a Machine Learning Approach for Local-Scale Ozone Forecasting: Application to Kennewick, WA
Authors: Fan Kai , Dhammapala Ranil , Harrington Kyle , Lamastro Ryan , Lamb Brian , Lee Yunha
Published: February 2022

Chemical transport models (CTMs) are widely used for air quality forecasts, but these models require large computational resources and often suffer from a systematic bias that leads to missed poor air pollution events. For example, a CTM-based operational forecasting system for air quality over the Pacific Northwest, called AIRPACT, uses over 100 processors for several hours to provide 48-h forecasts daily, but struggles to capture unhealthy O3 episodes during the summer and early fall, especially over Kennewick, WA. This research developed machine learning (ML) based O3 forecasts for Kennewick, WA to demonstrate an improved forecast capability. We used the 2017–2020 simulated meteorology and O3 observation data from Kennewick as training datasets. The meteorology datasets are from the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) meteorological model forecasts produced daily by the University of Washington. Our ozone forecasting system consists of two ML models, ML1 and ML2, to improve predictability: ML1 uses the random forest (RF) classifier and multiple linear regression (MLR) models, and ML2 uses a two-phase RF regression model with best-fit weighting factors. To avoid overfitting, we evaluate the ML forecasting system with the 10-time, 10-fold, and walk-forward cross-validation analysis. Compared to AIRPACT, ML1 improved forecast skill for high-O3 events and captured 5 out of 10 unhealthy O3 events, while AIRPACT and ML2 missed all the unhealthy events. ML2 showed better forecast skill for less elevated-O3 events. Based on this result, we set up our ML modeling framework to use ML1 for high-O3 events and ML2 for less elevated O3 events. Since May 2019, the ML modeling framework has been used to produce daily 72-h O3 forecasts and has provided forecasts via the web for clean air agency and public use: http://ozonematters.com/. Compared to the testing period, the operational forecasting period has not had unhealthy O3 events. Nevertheless, the ML modeling framework demonstrated a reliable forecasting capability at a selected location with much less computational resources. The ML system uses a single processor for minutes compared to the CTM-based forecasting system using more than 100 processors for hours.
Linking Hydrothermal Activity With Organic Matter Accumulation in the Chang 7 Black Shale of Yanchang Formation, Ordos Basin, China
Authors: Yuan Wei , Liu Guangdi , Zhou Xiaoxing , Bulseco Ashley
Published: February 2022

The Chang 7 black shale in the Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation is the principal source rock of Mesozoic oil-bearing system in the southwest Ordos Basin, containing high abundances of organic matter and hydrocarbon potential. Our study discusses the role of lake-bottom hydrothermal activities in the enrichment of organic matter during the deposition of the Chang 7 black shale. A large number of basement faults developed in the interior and margin of the Ordos Basin, which provided channels for the upwelling of deep hydrothermal fluids. Moreover, the strong tectonic activities during the Chang 7 sedimentary period provided dynamic conditions for the activation of the faults and the upwelling of hydrothermal fluids. The occurrence of hydrothermal activities in the Chang 7 sedimentary period is proved by the evidences of mineralogy petrology, stable isotopes, major, and trace elements in the black shale. Abundant nutrients that were transported from the lake-bottom hydrothermal fluids into lake water promoted the lacustrine surface primary productivity, and then increased the supply of sedimentary organic matter. At the same time, the degradation of a large number of organic matters increased consumption of oxygen in the water column, resulting in the formation of bottom-water anoxic environments. The accumulation of organic matter in sediments was controlled by the lake-bottom hydrothermal activities by the means of increasing the lacustrine surface paleoproductivity and promoting the formation of anoxic environments.
Early Quaternary Tectonic Transformation of the Helan Shan: Constraints Due To Quantitative Geomorphology
Authors: Li Yige , Zheng Wenjun , Yang Jingjun , Zhang Dongli , Zhou Haoyu , Liu Ting
Published: February 2022

The Helan Shan is located on the front edge of the expanding Tibetan Plateau. However, how the topography here responds to this propagation and its precise time constraints remain unknown. Based on the response process of fluvial landforms and tectonic evolution, we conducted a quantitative landform analysis of the Helan Shan region. Here, the spatial distribution features of various geomorphic indices were coupled, demonstrating that the mountain is tilting toward the west and north. The steeper downstream and gentle upper reaches indicate that the fluvial landforms have experienced an accelerated incision event, which can be attributed to the tectonic activity along the East Helan Shan Fault. Furthermore, the response time of the tectonic knickpoints ranges from 0.1 to 1.4 Ma based on the paleochannel reconstruction method. Combined with previous studies on low temperature thermochronology and active tectonics, we proposed a tectonic transformation model where the Helan Shan shifted the tilting model from the southwest to the northwest, as induced by the northeast expansion of the Tibetan Plateau from 0.1 to 1.4 Ma.
Spatiotemporal Characteristics of NPP Changes in Frozen Ground Areas of the Three-River Headwaters Region, China: A Regional Modeling Perspective
Authors: Hu Jianan , Nan Zhuotong , Ji Hailong
Published: February 2022

Permafrost degradation triggered by climate warming can disturb alpine ecosystem stability and further influence net primary productivity (NPP). Known as the “water tower of China”, the Three-River Headwaters Region (TRHR) on the eastern Qinghai-Tibet plateau (QTP), is characterized by a fragile alpine meadow ecosystem underlain by large areas of unstable permafrost and has been subject to rapid climate change in recent decades. Despite some site-specific studies, the spatial and temporal changes in NPP in the different frozen ground zones across the TRHR associated with climate change remain poorly understood. In this study, a physically explicit Noah land surface model with multi-parameterization options (Noah-MP) was employed to simulate NPP changes on the TRHR during 1989–2018. The simulation was performed with a spatial resolution of 0.1° and a temporal resolution of 3h, and validated at two sites with meteorological and flux observations. The results show that the average NPP was estimated to be 299.7 g C m−2 yr−1 in the seasonally frozen ground (SFG) zone and 198.5 g C m−2 yr−1 in the permafrost zone. NPP in the TRHR increased at a rate of 1.09 g C m−2 yr−2 during 1989–2018, increasing in 1989–2003 and then decreasing in subsequent years. The NPP in permafrost area increased at a rate of 1.43 g C m−2 yr−2 during 1989–2018, which is much higher than the rate of change in NPP in the SFG area (0.67 g C m−2 yr−2). Permafrost degradation has complicated ecosystem implications. In areas where permafrost degradation has occurred, both increasing and decreasing changes in NPP have been observed.
New Arm-Stretching-Type Anti-Slide Pile Design and Verification
Authors: Chen Guangfu , Zhang Guodong , Guo Fei , Wang Li , Zhan Qinghua , Huang Xiaohu
Published: February 2022

Anti-slide piles play an important role in landslide control. However, owing to a limitation in the slide–resist design concept, large landslides are difficult to control. Moreover, the displacements of controlled projects are significant. In this paper, we propose an improved anti-slide pile design concept that develops and utilizes the landslide body. On this basis, we also design an arm-stretching-type anti-slide pile structure. We establish formulas for calculating the internal forces of this structure. The results of a case study indicate that the maximum shear force and bending moment of the arm-stretching-type anti-slide pile body were reduced by 43.6% and 25.4%, respectively, compared with those of a conventional single pile. Furthermore, the results of numerical modeling indicate that the arm-stretching-type anti-slide pile could significantly reduce landslide displacement. Thus, the proposed design is expected to solve the problems encountered when using conventional anti-slide piles for landslide control and can thereby become widely applicable in practice.
The Music Teacher I’d Like: Lessons Learnt From Students
Authors: Economidou Stavrou Natassa
Published: February 2022

The present study investigates what makes and what does not make an ideal music teacher according to secondary school students’ views and perceptions. Is it a matter of personality characteristics, subject knowledge, and skills or a matter of pedagogy? Or is it a combination of the aforementioned? And more specifically, what are those qualities, personal characteristics, and competencies of the ideal music teacher through the eyes of students? 518 secondary school students participated in the study by completing an anonymous questionnaire. The findings reveal that the characteristics of the ideal music teacher deemed more important for secondary school students fall mainly in the category of personality and interpersonal characteristics, with pedagogical and subject knowledge and skills following, with much smaller percentages. The students’ voices call firstly for a polite, friendly, with sense of humor, kind teacher, patient, pleasant, fair, and creative. By building on the findings, the paper establishes recommendations for music teacher education and teacher effectiveness, as these are framed through the students’ eyes and experiences.
Effect of Feedstock Variability, Feedstock Blends, and Pretreatment Conditions on Sugar Yield and Production Costs
Authors: Li Yudong , Tao Ling , Nagle Nick , Tucker Melvin , Chen Xiaowen , Kuhn Erik M.
Published: February 2022

Mass production of sustainable biofuels replacing fossil fuels will significantly reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. However, biomass feedstock variability, availability, and affordability pose significant risks for the sustainable production of biofuels in biorefinery plants. To derisk the sustainable production of biofuels, this work investigates the sugar yields and production costs of four different feedstocks as well as their blends, using different pretreatment methods: deacetylation and dilute acid pretreatment (DDA) and deacetylation and mechanical refining pretreatment (DMR). We found that not only feedstock species variability, but also feedstock harvesting techniques have large impacts on both sugar yields and production costs. Single-pass harvested corn stover (SPCS) showed higher sugar yields and lower production costs than multipass harvested corn stover, followed by sorghum and switchgrass. The highest glucose yields of 91% and 95.3%, which corresponds to the lowest sugar production costs of $0.2286/lb. and $0.2490/lb., were observed for SPCS using DDA and DMR, respectively. The difference in sugar yields and production costs due to feedstock variability can be largely mitigated by increasing deacetylation severity, especially in DMR. Higher deacetylation severity resulted in decreased sugar production costs in the case of DMR in contrast to increased costs in the case of DDA. Blending switchgrass and sorghum into corn stover, which can significantly increase the feedstock availability and sustainability, resulted in sugar yields and production costs of roughly the weighted average of those derived from constituent individual feedstocks, respectively. Thus, blending feedstocks of different biomass species is a potential successful strategy for sustainable production of biofuels to replace fossil-derived fuels.
Preparation of WO3/Mo/CrNi/TiO2 Composite Multifunctional Photothermal Conversion Films With Self-Cleaning and Low Emissivity
Authors: Cheng Wenqing , Ren Huixue , Chen Yanxue , Wu Daoji , Zhang Shuai , Yu Chunfeng , Li Fangjun
Published: February 2022

To improve the sunlight transmittance and infrared reflectivity, different membrane compositions are designed to realize self-cleaning and low emissivity of the membrane. The WO3/Mo/CrNi/TiO2 composite film was prepared by magnetron sputtering technology, and the complementary effect of these films with four different argon/oxygen ratios of TiO2 layer and different film thicknesses was analyzed. The microstructure characterization proves that the self-cleaning function of the composite film is determined by the photocatalytic properties and superhydrophilic properties of the TiO2.
Lithium Ion Battery Health Prediction via Variable Mode Decomposition and Deep Learning Network With Self-Attention Mechanism
Authors: Ge Yang , Zhang Fusheng , Ren Yong
Published: February 2022

Battery health prediction is very important for the safety of lithium batteries. Due to the factors such as capacity regeneration and random fluctuation in the use of lithium ion battery, the accuracy and generalization ability are poor when using a single scale feature to predict the health state of lithium ion battery. To solve these problems, we propose a comprehensive prediction method based on variational mode decomposition, integrated particle filter, and long short-term memory network with self-attention mechanism. Firstly, the capacity data of lithium ion battery is decomposed by variational mode decomposition to obtain the residual component which can reflect the global degradation trend of lithium ion battery and intrinsic mode functions component that can reflect the local random fluctuation. Then, the particle filter algorithm is employed to predict the residual component, and the long short-term memory network with self-attention mechanism is proposed to predict the intrinsic mode functions component. Finally, the prediction results of each subcomponent are reconstructed to obtain the final prediction value of lithium ion battery health state. The experimental results show that the prediction method proposed in this article has good prediction accuracy and stability.
Vessel Failure Analysis of a Boiling Water Reactor During a Severe Accident
Authors: Wang H. D. , Chen Y. L. , Villanueva W.
Published: February 2022

In a postulated severe accident, the thermo-mechanical loads from the corium debris that has relocated to the lower head of the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) can pose a credible threat to the RPV’s structural integrity. In case of a vessel breach, it is vital to predict the mode and timing of the vessel failure. This affects the ex-vessel accident progression and plays a critical role in the development of mitigation strategies. We propose a methodology to assess RPV failure based on MELCOR and ANSYS Mechanical APDL simulations. A Nordic-type boiling water reactor (BWR) is considered with two severe accident scenarios: i) SBO (Station Blackout) and ii) SBO + LOCA (Loss of Coolant Accident). In addition, the approach considers the dynamic ablation of the vessel wall due to a high-temperature debris bed with the use of the element kill function in ANSYS. The results indicate that the stress failure mechanism is the major cause of the RPV failure, compared to the strain failure mechanism. Moreover, the axial normal stress and circumferential normal stress make the dominant contributions to the equivalent stress σ at the lower head of RPVs. As expected, the region with high ablation is most likely the failure location in both SBO and SBO + LOCA. In addition, comparisons of the failure mode and timing between SBO and SBO + LOCA are described in detail. A short discussion on RPV failure between ANSYS and MELCOR is also presented.
Entropy Analysis of a Valveless Piezoelectric Pump With Hyperbolic Tubes
Authors: Yang Qing , Chen Jun
Published: February 2022

In order to solve the problems of large reflux and low output performance of the valveless piezoelectric pump with conical tubes, the valveless piezoelectric pump with hyperbolic tubes was proposed. However, the previous research only paid attention to the difference of forward and reverse flow resistance inside the tubes. For this reason, the prototypes of conical tube valveless piezoelectric pump and hyperbolic tubes valveless piezoelectric pump were fabricated in this paper. The maximum output flow rate of the valveless piezoelectric pump with hyperbolic tubes was 54 ml/min. Subsequently, the size and position of entropy production of the hyperbolic tube and the conical tube were numerically calculated based on entropy production theory in this paper. The results show that the entropy production rate of the hyperbolic tube was significantly lower than that of the conical tube, which is consistent with the experimental results. This research analyzed the energy loss inside the valveless piezoelectric pump by using the entropy generation theory, and provided a new design and research method for improving the output performance of the valveless piezoelectric pump in the future.
Multi-Objective Mayfly Optimization-Based Frequency Regulation for Power Grid With Wind Energy Penetration
Authors: Liu Chao , Li Qingquan , Tian Xinshou , Wei Linjun , Chi Yongning , Li Changgang
Published: February 2022

With the continuous development of society and under the background of sustainable development and resource conservation, the proportion of renewable energy in the global energy structure is increasing. At the same time, wind power has been widely used in many regions of the world because wind power technology is more advanced and mature than other renewable energy sources. In addition, with a large number of wind turbines connected to the grid, it not only helps automatic generation control (AGC) of power systems but also brings new challenges and difficulties. In this study, a multi-source cooperative control model of wind power participating in AGC frequency regulation is established to solve the dynamic problem of power distribution from real-time total power command to different AGC units. This study presents an optimal AGC-coordinated control method based on the multi-objective mayfly optimization (MMO) algorithm, which makes the fitting degree of power command output and actual output curve high and the adjustment mileage payment minimum, so as to achieve the best AGC performance. Finally, the simulation results show that this method can effectively decrease the total power deviation and adjustment mileage payment in the multi-source-coordinated control of AGC.