bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ticagrelor reduces doxorubicin-induced pyroptosis of rat cardiomyocytes by targeting GSK-3β/caspase-1
Authors: Wang Shu-hui , Sun Meng-jin , Ding Si-yue , Liu Chun-li , Wang Jing-min , Han Sheng-na , Lin Xi , Li Qian
Published: January 2023

Doxorubicin (Dox) is a widely used clinical drug whose cardiotoxicity cannot be ignored. Pyroptosis (inflammatory cell death) has gradually gained attention in the context of Dox-induced cardiotoxicity. In addition to the inhibition of platelet activation by ticagrelor, little is known about its other pharmacological effects. Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) has been shown to contribute to the pathological process of pyroptosis, but whether it is related to the potential role of ticagrelor is unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of ticagrelor on Dox-induced pyroptosis in cardiomyocytes. Rats were treated with ticagrelor (7.5 mg/kg, i.g.) 1 h before intravenous injection of Dox (2.5 mg/kg), once every 3 days, six times in total. Hearts were collected for histochemical analysis and western blot detection 8 weeks after the last administration. Ticagrelor was shown to significantly improve cardiac function by inhibiting GSK-3β/caspase-1/GSDMD activation. In vitro experiments were conducted using rat cardiac myocytes (RCMs) and rat embryonic cardiac-derived H9c2 cells. Pretreatment with ticagrelor (10 μm) significantly inhibited Dox (1 μm)-induced hypertrophy and reversed the upregulation of GSDMD-NT expression. We showed that ticagrelor suppressed the activation of Akt caused by Dox in the heart tissue as well as in RCMs/H9c2 cells caused by Dox. When GSK-3β expression was absent in H9c2 cells, the inhibitory effect of ticagrelor on Dox-induced caspase-1/GSDMD activation was weakened. These data showed that ticagrelor reduced Dox-induced pyroptosis in rat cardiomyocytes by targeting GSK-3β/caspase-1.
Biventricular assist devices and total artificial heart: Strategies and outcomes
Authors: Kuroda Taiyo , Miyagi Chihiro , Fukamachi Kiyotaka , Karimov Jamshid H.
Published: January 2023

In contrast to the advanced development of the left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy for advanced heart failure, the mechanical circulatory support (MCS) with biventricular assist device (BVAD) and total artificial heart (TAH) options remain challenging. The treatment strategy of BVAD and TAH therapy largely depends on the support duration. For example, an extracorporeal centrifugal pump, typically referred to as a temporary surgical extracorporeal right ventricular assist device, is implanted for the short term with acute right ventricular failure following LVAD implantation. Meanwhile, off-label use of a durable implantable LVAD is a strategy for long-term right ventricular support. Hence, this review focuses on the current treatment strategies and clinical outcomes based on each ventricle support duration. In addition, the issue of heart failure post-heart transplantation (post-HT) is explored. We will discuss MCS therapy options for post-HT recipients.
3D bi-directional transformer U-Net for medical image segmentation
Authors: Fu Xiyao , Sun Zhexian , Tang Haoteng , Zou Eric M. , Huang Heng , Wang Yong , Zhan Liang
Published: January 2023

As one of the popular deep learning methods, deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) have been widely adopted in segmentation tasks and have received positive feedback. However, in segmentation tasks, DCNN-based frameworks are known for their incompetence in dealing with global relations within imaging features. Although several techniques have been proposed to enhance the global reasoning of DCNN, these models are either not able to gain satisfying performances compared with traditional fully-convolutional structures or not capable of utilizing the basic advantages of CNN-based networks (namely the ability of local reasoning). In this study, compared with current attempts to combine FCNs and global reasoning methods, we fully extracted the ability of self-attention by designing a novel attention mechanism for 3D computation and proposed a new segmentation framework (named 3DTU) for three-dimensional medical image segmentation tasks. This new framework processes images in an end-to-end manner and executes 3D computation on both the encoder side (which contains a 3D transformer) and the decoder side (which is based on a 3D DCNN). We tested our framework on two independent datasets that consist of 3D MRI and CT images. Experimental results clearly demonstrate that our method outperforms several state-of-the-art segmentation methods in various metrics.
Tectonic evolution and its control on oil–gas accumulation in southern East China Sea since the Jurassic
Authors: Wang Mingjian , Jiang Xingchao , Lei Baohua , Huang Long , Pan Jun
Published: January 2023

Based on the results from the previous research on Mesozoic igneous rocks, as well as tectonic environments in the northern South China Sea and southern East China Sea (NSCS-SECS), geophysical parameters, strata, and characteristics of seismic facies in NSCS-SECS were investigated. These findings were combined with results from the analysis of the balanced profile evolution to re-evaluate the tectonic evolution of SECS since the Jurassic. Furthermore, burial history and simulation of wells in the SECS were analyzed using well, seismic and source rock data. Furthermore, favorable models of oil–gas accumulation in the Lower–Middle Jurassic were proposed in combination with studies on elements and conditions of the petroleum system. The results demonstrated that the NSCS-SECS had consistent tectonic settings and comparable strata from the Jurassic to the Cretaceous time. There was a large unified basin in this period. The basin experienced two evolutionary stages, respectively, the fore-arc depression basin in the Early–Middle Jurassic (J1-2) and the back-arc faulted basin in the Late Jurassic–Cretaceous (J3-K). There was considerable deposition of dark mudstones in the SECS during the Lower–Middle Jurassic. The Keelung Sag was the depositional center accumulating the thickest section of the Lower–Middle Jurassic source rocks which entered a high-maturity stage. Hence, it was the hydrocarbon generation center in the SECS. The process of generating hydrocarbons from Lower–Middle Jurassic source rocks was of high complexity from northwest to southeast. The Lower–Middle Jurassic source rock at the northwest edges of the basin experienced two hydrocarbon generation stages, while the Keelung Sag toward the southeast experienced three hydrocarbon generation stages. The models and types of oil–gas accumulation in various evolutionary phases were different due to the control by tectonic evolution. Oil and gas that were generated by Lower–Middle Jurassic source rocks in the Keelung Sag migrated and accumulated in the western high-tectonic units. Research findings provide insights into Mesozoic oil and gas exploration in the NSCS-SECS.
Genesis of the Abunabu antimony deposits in the Tethys Himalayan metallogenic belt: Evidence from He–Ar and S isotopes of stibnite
Authors: Li Yang , Wang Chenghui , Li Yubin , Sun Yan , Puchi Mima , Zhang Xudong , Lamu Gesang , Yang Zong
Published: January 2023

Introduction:The Abunabu antimony mining area is located between the Indus–Yarlung Tsangpo suture and the southern Tibetan detachment system. Ore deposits in the mining area provide an excellent opportunity to understand the nature and genesis of antimony mineralisation in the Tethys Himalayan metallogenic belt.

Methods:In this study, we analysed the He–Ar and S isotopic compositions of stibnite-hosted fluid inclusions as a basis for investigating the sources of ore-forming fluids in the Abunabu mining area and the Tethys Himalayan metallogenic belt.

Results:The analysed stibnites have4He contents of 0.016 × 10−7–1.584 × 10–7 cm3STP/g,40Ar contents of 1.37 × 10−7–2.94 × 10–7 cm3STP/g,40Ar/36Ar ratios of 303.8–320.7, and3He/4He (Ra) ratios of 0.021–0.351. These isotopic features indicate that the ore-forming fluids were primarily metamorphic fluids of crustal origin, with small amounts of magmatic-derived materials and modified air-saturated water with low40Ar*/4He ratios. The δ34S values of stibnite vary within a narrow range of −4.9‰ to −3.5‰, with a mean value of −4.31‰, indicating a deep magmatic origin.

Discussion:On the basis of these results and a compilation of data for sulphide deposits in the metallogenic belt, we infer that compositional variations in the He and Ar isotopes of the ore-forming fluids of each antimony deposit in the Tethys Himalayan metallogenic belt are independent of each other. This suggests that antimony deposits in the belt had similar ore-forming fluid sources and mixing processes and that differences in the metallogenic tectonic setting within the belt emerged only in the later stages of deposit evolution. Our new results and compiled data also show that antimony–gold deposits and lead–zinc–antimony polymetallic deposits in the Tethys Himalayan metallogenic belt differ in their sulphur isotopic compositions and that multiple sulphur sources were involved in each of these types of deposit.
Study on particle plugging in propagating fractures based on CFD-DEM
Authors: Yanqian Liu , Mengling Dong , Kunchi Cai , Feixu Dai
Published: January 2023

In the drilling and completion process of fractured formations, wellbore stability is a key factor affecting the safety of drilling and completing engineering. Previous studies have demonstrated that propping moderately and plugging fractures with soluble particles can improve formation fracture pressure. When it comes to particle transport in 3D rough propagation fractures, the interactions between particle-fracture-fluid need to be considered. Meanwhile, size-exclusion, particle bridging/strain effects all influence particle transport behavior and ultimately particle plugging effectiveness. However, adequate literature review shows that fracture plugging, and fracture propagation have not been considered together. In this study, a coupled CFD-DEM method was put forward to simulate the particle plugging process of propagating fracture, and the effects of positive pressure difference, fracture roughness, particle concentration, and particle shape on the plugging mechanism were examined. It is concluded through the study that: 1) Positive pressure difference too large will lead to excessive fracture aperture, making the particles unable to form effective plugging in the middle of the fracture; positive pressure difference too small will lead to fracture aperture too small, making particles unable to enter into and plug the fracture. 2) No matter how the concentration, particle size and friction coefficient change, they mainly affect the thickness of the plugging layer, while the front end of the particle is still dominated by single-particle bridging, and double-particles bridging and multiple-particles bridging are hardly ever seen. For the wellbore strengthening approaches, such as stress cages, fracture tip sealing, etc., specific analysis should be carried out according to the occurrence of extended fractures. For example, for fractures with low roughness, the particles rarely form effective tight plugging in the middle of the fracture, so it is more suitable for fracture tip sealing; For the fracture with high roughness, if the positive pressure difference is controlled properly to ensure reasonable fracture extension, the particle plugging effect will be good, and the stress cage method is recommended for borehole strengthening.
Effects of the number of simulation iterations and meshing accuracy in monte-carlo random finite-difference analysis
Authors: Yu Huaichang , Wang Jialiang , Cao Li , Bai Rui , Wang Peng
Published: January 2023

Monte-Carlo random finite-difference analysis (MCRFDA) can incorporate the spatial variability of soil properties into the analysis of geotechnical structures. However, two factors, namely, the fineness of the generated elements (reflected by the number of elements,Ne) and the number of MC simulation iterations,NMC, considerably affect the computational efficiency of this method, creating a barrier to its broad use in real-world engineering problems. Hence, an MCRFDA model of a circular underground cavern is developed in this study. The convergent deformation of the cavern is analyzed while considering the spatial variability distribution of the elastic modulus. Moreover, the effects ofNMCandNeon random FD calculations are investigated. The results show the following. AnNMCgreater than 500 is desirable for the FD analysis of a conventional structure. For a specific structure,Nedoes not have a significant impact on the mean of the simulated values but appreciably affects the standard deviation (SD) of the simulated values, where reducingNeincreases the SD of the simulated values.
Assessing the apparent viscosity of decane-water emulsion in underground porous media based on the lattice Boltzmann method
Authors: Shao Lihua , Lin Ping , Zhu Jingwei , Zhou Yiyang , Xie Chiyu
Published: January 2023

The groundwater system is one of the most important subsurface resources on Earth, which offers many important services to humankind, such as irrigated agriculture, household use, and manufacturing. However, the safety of groundwater resources is seriously threatened by contamination from human activities. The emulsion has been proposed as a potential solution for the removal of contaminants due to its high apparent viscosity. Here we reveal the pore-scale mechanism for the viscosity increase in decane-water emulsions by lattice Boltzmann simulations. We assess the effect of phase saturation, interfacial tension, and contact angle, on the apparent viscosity of decane-water emulsions in porous media. Our results show that the apparent viscosity of the emulsion reaches its maximum value when the decane saturation is around 20%. We also find that this maximum viscosity increases with interfacial tension, and it is larger in decane-wet or water-wet systems than it is in intermedia-wet media.
Fluid mineralization of the Dongtongyu gold deposit in the southern margin of North China craton: Evidence from microthermometry and composition of fluid inclusions
Authors: Wei Hao , Xu Liangwei , Li Dong , Feng Yunlei , Wu Xiaogui , Chang Honglun , Wang Duixing , Liu Zhuo , Du Wenbiao
Published: January 2023

In this study, petrographic, microthermometric, and synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence (SRXRF) analyses of fluid inclusions were conducted to shed light on the mineralization mechanism of the Dongtongyu deposit and provide some evidence of the relationship among CO2, Au, and other ore elements (e.g., Cu, Fe, Zn, and Pb) in ore-forming fluids. The ore-forming fluid is characterized as the H2O–CO2–NaCl system with medium–high temperatures and low salinities. Four structural mineralization stages are distinguished: Pyrite-quartz (Stage 1), gold-quartz-pyrite (Stage 2), gold-quartz-polymetallic sulfide (Stage 3), and quartz-calcite (Stage 4). Fluid inclusions in Stages 1–3 are dominated by the H2O–CO2 type, and most of them contain liquid H2O and liquid CO2 at room temperature. The melting temperatures (Tm-CO2 = −82.1°C to −57.5°C) of solid CO2 in Stage 1 are relatively low. The values of Tm-CO2 in Stages 2–3 are quite close, with ranges of −60.5°C to −56.5°C and −59.2°C to −58.6°C, respectively. The melting temperatures of clathrate in Stages 1–3 are −2.7°C to +7.8°C, −5.5°C to +7.8°C, and +3.7°C to +7.2°C. The homogenization temperatures of the CO2 phase in the H2O–CO2 inclusions of the three stages are measured as −7.5°C to +31.7°C, −7.5°C to +29.3°C, and 7.1°C to +24.1°C. The total homogenization temperatures in Stages 1–3 are 180°C–394°C, 202°C–305°C, and 224°C–271°C, with salinities of 4.3 wt.%–18.2 wt% NaCl, 4.3 wt.%–20.0 wt% NaCl, and 5.3 wt.%–11.0 wt% NaCl, respectively. The laser Raman spectroscopy results show that the CO2–H2O inclusions in the quartz veins contain abundant CO2 and CH4. The SRXFR results show that most of the elements, especially As, Te, and Cu, are more enriched in liquid CO2 than in liquid H2O. The elements of Au, Fe, Ni, Cu, and Pb have higher concentrations in H2O–CO2-type fluid inclusions in Stage 2 than other fluid inclusions in Stages 1–2, suggesting that gold mineralization is closely related to CO2-rich fluids. During the fluid evolution process, fluid immiscibility is an important mineralization mechanism of gold. The increase in CO2 and CH4 and the decrease in the fluid temperature might promote fluid immiscibility.
Partial melting of amphibolitic lower crust and subsequent melt-crystal separation for generation of the Early Eocene magmatism in eastern Himalaya
Authors: Dai Zuowen , Yang Zhiming , Li Guangming , Xie Yuling , Dong Lei , Gao Ke , Cao Huawen
Published: January 2023

The Himalayan leucogranites provide a good opportunity to investigate the crustal evolution of the southern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. In this study, we present zircon U-Pb and monazite U-Th-Pb ages, zircon Hf isotopes and whole-rock Sr-Nd-Pb isotopes and major and trace elements for the Liemai two-mica granite, eastern Himalaya. Together with previously published data we revalued the petrogenesis of the Early Eocene magmatic rocks in this region and their geological implications. The zircon and monazite U-(Th)-Pb dating results showed that the Liemai two-mica granite was generated at ∼ 43 Ma, similar to adjacent Yardoi, Dala and Quedang adakitic two-mica granites, Ridang subvolcanic rocks and Yardoi leucogranite. The Liemai two-mica granite, similar to these coeval adakitic two-mica granites, is enriched in SiO2, Al2O3, Th, U, Pb, La, and Sr, and depleted in MgO, total iron, Yb and Y with high Sr/Y and (La/Yb)N ratios (showing adakitic affinities), and exhibits enriched Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopic compositions, suggesting an origin of a thickened lower crust consisting mainly of garnet amphibolite. Although the Ridang subvolcanic rocks and Yardoi leucogranite show similar Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes to these adjacent coeval two-mica granites, perceptible differences in whole-rock major and trace elements can be observed. Broadly, these granites can be divided into high-Mg# granites (HMGs, the two-mica granites) and low-Mg# granites (LMGs, the Ridang subvolcanic rocks and Yardoi leucogranite). The former has relatively higher contents of total iron, MgO, Mg#, TiO2, P2O5, LREE, Y, Th, Sr, incompatible elements (Cr and Ni) and Eu/Eu* values, and lower contents of SiO2 and Rb/Sr and Rb/Ba ratios, thus is less evolved than the latter. According to recent studies of differentiation processes in silicic magma reservoirs, we proposed that the HMGs represent a congealed crystal mush that was composed of ‘cumulate crystals’ and a trapped interstitial liquid, while the LMGs represent the almost pure liquid that was extracted from the crystal mush. Modeling using the trace elements Sr and Ba shows that the extraction probably occurred when the crystallinity of the mush was ∼ 60%–63%, at least for the most evolved LMGs sample. The HMGs correspond to a residual crystal mush that had a terminal porosity of ∼ 21%–25% filled with a trapped interstitial liquid. Underplating of mafic magmas following slab breakoff of the Neo-Tethys oceanic lithosphere caused partial melting of the amphibolitic lower crust, which had been thickened to ~50 km prior to ~43 Ma.
Mechanical behaviors of surrounding rock and supporting structure of shallow-buried unsymmetrical pressure tunnel crossing soil–rock interface
Authors: Hu Zhinan , Zhang Ji , Wang Yonggang , Wang Yunfei
Published: January 2023

Shallow bias tunnels are sensitive at the entrance section, where the existence of soil–rock interface (SRI) results in more complex deformation of surrounding rock and supporting structure. This study investigates the mechanical properties of surrounding rock and supporting structure of a shallow-buried bias tunnel crossing the soil–rock interface by a combination of model tests and numerical simulations. A shallow-buried biased tunnel with significant cracking at its entrance section is selected in southwest China. The plastic zone distribution, deformation, and pressure of surrounding rock, as well as the stress and deformation of supporting structure, are analyzed under different conditions with the tunnel vault, arch haunch, arch spring, and wall foot crossing the soil–rock interface. The test and numerical results show that the internal force of the lining structure is the largest at the left arch haunch and the right arch spring, with cracks occurring in the project. The surrounding rock and supporting structure are most prominently influenced by the arch haunch and arch spring crossing the soil–rock interface among different positions of the tunnel. The supporting structure is subjected to stress in three modes: there is mainly shearing when the tunnel vault passes through the soil–rock interface, extrusion and shearing co-exist when the tunnel arch haunch and arch spring pass through the soil–rock interface, and extrusion is dominant when the tunnel wall foot passes through the soil–rock interface. Inserting grouting steel pipes perpendicular to the soil–rock interface on the deep-buried side of the tunnel can effectively control the deformation of surrounding rock and the stress of supporting structure.
Review on risk assessments of dammed lakes
Authors: Zhong Qiming , Wang Lin , Shan Yibo , Mei Shengyao , Zhang Qiang , Yang Meng , Zhang Lucheng , Du Zhenhan
Published: January 2023

As one type of natural disaster, dammed lakes pose a serious threat to the safety of lives and properties downstream. Scientific risk assessments of dammed lakes are key for pre-disaster prevention and post-disaster rescue. However, due to the lack of basic information and uncertainty surrounding materials and loads, risk assessments of dammed lakes are more complex than those of artificial reservoir dams, and comprehensive assessment methods are lacking. Based on the evolution of dammed lake hazard chains, starting with the concept of a dammed lake risk assessment, this paper focused on six aspects: worldwide dammed lake databases, hazard assessments for landslide dams, breach mechanisms and breach processes, flood routing after landslide dam breaching, loss assessments, and risk mitigation measures. A comprehensive review was conducted on the qualitative and quantitative risk assessment methods around the world, as well as future outlooks.
Synergistic warming- and catchment-driven mid-Holocene cyanobacterial development: Pigment evidence from shallow eutrophic Lake Mayinghai on the Chinese Loess Plateau
Authors: Zhang Xiaosen , Su Ling , Zhang Jingyue , Shen Zhongwei , Zhang Shengrui , Xu Qinghai , Liu Jianbao
Published: January 2023

The current lake environmental problem of harmful cyanobacterial blooms cannot be mitigated effectively despite numerous eutrophication control strategies, and climate warming may have been considered as a potential key driver. However, it is still unclear how climate change and associated natural processes influence cyanobacterial development. Here we use a sedimentary pigment record from a remote, alpine, small and eutrophic lake (Lake Mayinghai) on the Chinese Loess Plateau and take the mid-Holocene as an analog to explore the possible influences of temperature, precipitation and terrestrial vegetation on in-lake and catchment processes, algal compositional changes and cyanobacterial development. The pigment data indirectly suggest that a distinctly low β-carotene to chlorophyll a ratio during the mid-Holocene is likely due to an increase in non-nitrogen-fixing colonial coccoid cyanobacteria at the expense of nitrogen-fixing filamentous cyanobacteria. There are two probable synergistic driving mechanisms, of which one is high temperatures and associated increased lake thermal stratification and the other is high inorganic nitrogen supply and resultant increased lake nitrogen to phosphorus ratio. This study provides implications for the potential influences of future climate change on cyanobacterial development under a warmer, wetter and re-forested environment on the Chinese Loess Plateau.
Analytic circuit model for thermal drying behavior of electronic inks
Authors: Maroli Gabriel , Boyeras Santiago , Giannetta Hernan , Pazos Sebastian , Gak Joel , Oliva Alejandro Raúl , Volpe María Alicia , Julian Pedro Marcelo , Palumbo Felix
Published: January 2023

Understanding the sintering process of conductive inks is a fundamental step in the development of sensors. The intrinsic properties (such as thermal conductivity, resistivity, thermal coefficient, among others) of the printed devices do not correspond to those of the bulk materials. In the field of biosensors porosity plays a predominant role, since it defines the difference between the geometric area of the working electrode and its electrochemical surface area. The analysis reported so far in the literature on the sintering of inks are based on their DC characterization. In this work, the shape and distribution of the nanoparticles that make up the silver ink have been studied employing a transmission electron microscopy. Images of the printed traces have been obtained through a scanning electron microscope at different sintering times, allowing to observe how the material decreases its porosity over time. These structural changes were supported through electrical measurements of the change in the trace impedance as a function of drying time. The resistivity and thermal coefficient of the printed tracks were analyzed and compared with the values of bulk silver. Finally, this work proposes an analytical circuit model of the drying behavior of the ink based on AC characterization at different frequencies. The characterization considers an initial time when the spheric nanoparticles are still surrounded by the capping agent until the conductive trace is obtained. This model can estimate the characteristics that the printed devices would have, whether they are used as biosensors (porous material) or as interconnections (compact material) in printed electronics.
Trends in epidemiology of hyperglycemia in pregnancy in Taiwan, 2008-2017
Authors: Lin Shin-Yu , Wu Yi-Ling , Kuo Chun Heng , Lee Chien-Nan , Hsu Chih-Cheng , Li Hung-Yuan
Published: January 2023

Background

Hyperglycemia in pregnancy (HIP) increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The increasing prevalence of overweight or obesity and the increasing proportion of pregnant women with advanced maternal age (AMA) in the recent decade may affect its prevalence. We analyzed the secular trend of HIP prevalence in 2008-2017 in Taiwan and investigated the impact of AMA in this study.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used data from Health and Welfare Data Science Center. Pregnant women who registered their data in the Birth Certificate Application in 2008-2017 were recruited. Diagnosis of HIP was defined by ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM codes.

Results

In 2008-2017, 151,306-211,768 pregnant women were recruited in different years. The proportion of women with AMA increased from 15.8% to 32.1%. Meanwhile, the prevalence increased from 0.5% to 0.9% for preexisting diabetes, 0.2% to 0.4% for undiagnosed diabetes, and 11.4% to 14.5% for GDM. Maternal age was significantly associated with the prevalence of HIP. For women aged <30 years, 30-34 years and ≥35 years, the prevalence of preexisting diabetes were 0.51%, 0.75% and 1.24%, respectively (p<0.05); the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes were 0.18%, 0.24% and 0.37%, respectively (p<0.05); and the prevalence of GDM were 10.57%, 14.77% and 18.13%, respectively (p<0.05). In all age groups, the prevalence of HIP increased over time in 2008-2017.

Conclusion

The prevalence of HIP increased in Taiwan in 2008-2017, which may result from the increasing proportion of pregnant women with AMA and the change in the diagnostic criteria for GDM.
Using hyperhomocysteinemia and body composition to predict the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in healthcare workers
Authors: Hao Xiaoyan , He Honghai , Tao Liyuan , Wang Peng
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This study investigated associations between serum homocysteine levels, body composition, and the probability of having nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Chinese healthcare workers.

Patients and Methods

A total of 4028 healthcare workers were enrolled in this study, and all underwent a physical examination. Body composition was measured using multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis.

Results

There were 1507 NAFLD patients (72.26% male, 27.74% female) and 2521 controls (39.83% male, 60.17% female). Body mass index (BMI), waistline, neck-circumference (NC), abdominal visceral fat area (AVFA), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), glucose (Glu), homocysteinemia (hcy) were higher in the NAFLD group than controls. Additionally, the skeletal-muscle was associated with a lower risk of NAFLD, whereas BMI, waistline, NC, hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) were associated with a higher risk of NAFLD. The best NC cut-off point for NAFLD was 34.45 cm (sensitivity 83.3% and specificity 83.9%) in women with HHcy, and the best skeletal-muscle content cut-off point for NAFLD was 41.335% (sensitivity 74.2% and specificity 65.6%) in men with HHcy.

Conclusion

Interactions between skeletal-muscle content, NC, and HHcy may affect the incidence of NAFLD in healthcare workers. This may provide a novel approach for diagnosing NAFLD.
Extracellular vesicles of human diabetic retinopathy retinal tissue and urine of diabetic retinopathy patients are enriched for the junction plakoglo bin protein
Authors: Mighty Jason , Rubio-Navarro Alfonso , Shi Cui , Zhou Jing , Flores-Bellver Miguel , Heissel Søren , Onwumere Onyekwere , Einbond Linda , Gharbaran Rajendra , Casper Daniel S. , Benito-Martin Alberto , Redenti Stephen
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a potentially blinding retinal disorder that develops through the pathogenesis of diabetes. The lack of disease predictors implies a poor prognosis with frequent irreversible retinal damage and vision loss. Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) present a novel opportunity for pre-symptomatic disease diagnosis and prognosis, both severely limited in DR. All biological fluids contain EVs, which are currently being studied as disease biomarkers. EV proteins derived from urine have emerged as potential noninvasive biomarkers.

Methods

In this study, we isolated EVs from DR retinal tissue explants and from DR patients’ urine, and characterized the vesicles, finding differences in particle number and size. Next, we performed proteomic analysis on human explanted DR retinal tissue conditioned media, DR retinal EVs and DR urinary EVs and compared to normal human retinal tissue, retinal EVs, and urinary EVs, respectively

Results

Our system biology analysis of DR tissue and EV expression profiles revealed biological pathways related to cell-to-cell junctions, vesicle biology, and degranulation processes. Junction Plakoglobin (JUP), detected in DR tissue-derived EVs and DR urinary EVs, but not in controls, was revealed to be a central node in many identified pathogenic pathways. Proteomic results were validated by western blot. Urinary EVs obtained from healthy donors and diabetic patient without DR did not contain JUP.

Conclusion

The absence of JUP in healthy urinary EVs provide the basis for development of a novel Diabetic Retinopathy biomarker, potentially facilitating diagnosis.
Conventional ultrasonography and elastosonography in diagnosis of malignant thyroid nodules: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Dian , Wang Xiao-Na , Jiang Li , Yu Chun-Xia , Chen Yue-Nan , Yu Xue-Juan , Pan Mei-Fang
Published: January 2023

Purpose

To evaluate the diagnostic value of conventional ultrasound and elastosonography in malignant thyroid nodules by meta-analysis.

Methods

The literature included in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase were searched by using “elastosonography, ultrasonography, thyroid nodules” as the keywords. The clinical studies using elastosonography and conventional ultrasound to diagnose thyroid nodules were selected, and histopathology of thyroid nodules was used as reference standards. The quality evaluation and heterogeneity test were performed on the literature that met the requirements, the combined specificity and sensitivity were pooled, and a comprehensive ROC curve analysis was performed. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS) tool was utilized to evaluate the quality of each included study. Meta-DiSc version 1.4, StataSE 12 and Review Manager 5.4 were used.

Results

A total of nine studies assessed 3066 thyroid nodules (2043 benign and 1023 malignant). The pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, and DOR of conventional ultrasound for the diagnose of malignant thyroid nodules were 0.833 (95% CI 0.809-0.855), 0.818 (95% CI 0.801-0.835), 4.85 (95% CI 4.36-5.39), 0.20 (95% CI 0.17-0.23), and 29.38 (95% CI 23.28-37.08), respectively, with an AUC of 0.9068. Also, the pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, and DOR of elastosonography were 0.774 (95% CI 0.741-0.804), 0.737 (95% CI 0.715-0.758), 3.14(95% CI 2.85-3.47), 0.29 (95% CI 0.25-0.34), and 9.35 (95% CI 7.63-11.46), respectively, with an AUC of 0.8801. Three studies provided data regarding the conventional ultrasound and elastosonography. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, DOR, and AUC were 0.902 (95% CI 0.870-0.928), 0.649 (95% CI 0.616-0.681), 2.72 (95% CI 2.46-3.00), 0.14 (95% CI 0.11-0.19), 25.51 (95%CI 17.11–38.03), and 0.9294.

Conclusion

The existing evidence shows that elastosonography cannot completely replace conventional ultrasound in the diagnosis of malignant thyroid nodules, and the combination of elastosonography and conventional ultrasound gives a better diagnostic precision.

Systematic review registration

www.crd.york.ac.uk, identifier PROSPERO CRD42022375808.
Dual-energy spectral detector computed tomography differential diagnosis of adrenal adenoma and pheochromocytoma: Changes in the energy level curve, a phenomenon caused by lipid components?
Authors: Wang Yu-li , Liu Xiao-lei , Liao Ze-bing , Lu Xiao-mei , Chen Ling-lin , Lei Yi , Zhang Han-wen , Lin Fan
Published: January 2023

Background and objectives

Pheochromocytoma and adrenal adenoma are common space-occupying lesions of the adrenal gland, and incorrect surgery may lead to adrenal crisis. We used a new method, dual-energy spectral detector computed tomography (SDCT), to differentiate between the two.

Materials and methods

We analysed the imaging images of patients with SDCT scans and pathologically confirmed adrenal adenomas (n=70) and pheochromocytomas (n=15). The 40, 70, and 100 KeV virtual monoenergetic images (VMIs) were reconstructed based on the SCDT arterial phase, and the correlation between the arterial/venous phase iodine concentration (AP-IC/VP-IC), the effective atomic number (Z-effect), the slope of the Hounsfield unit attenuation plot (VMI slope) and the pathological results was tested. The Shapiro−Wilk test was used to determine whether the above data conformed to a normal distribution. For parameters with P greater than 0.05, Student’s t test was used, and the Mann−Whitney test was used for the remaining parameters. A ROC curve was drawn based on the results.

Results

Student’s t test showed that the 40 KeV VMI and the VMI slope were both statistically significant (P<0.01). The Mann−Whitney U test showed that ID-A was statistically significant (P=0.004). ROC curve analysis showed that 40 keV VMI (AUC=0.818), AP-IC (AUC=0.736), difference (AUC=0.817) and VMI-Slope (0.817) could be used to differentiate adrenal adenoma from pheochromocytoma.

Conclusion

The effect of lipid components on SDCT parameters can be used to differentiate adrenal adenoma from pheochromocytoma.
An intelligent analysis method of security and stability control strategy based on the knowledge graph
Authors: Wen Bo , Li Hengxuan , Zhang Junhao , Han Qingqing , Ding Zehua
Published: January 2023

The security and stability control system is the guarantee of the security and stability operation of the power grid. With the increasing scale of distributed new energy access to the power grid, the security and stability control strategy of the power grid is becoming more complex, and it is becoming increasingly important to correctly analyze and implement the security and stability control strategy. In order to ensure the correctness of the security and stability control strategy implemented by the security and stability control device, it is necessary to analyze the security and stability control strategy in detail. Therefore, this article proposes an intelligent analysis method of the security and stability control strategy based on the knowledge graph. First, this article introduces the ontology design method of the security and stability control strategy based on the knowledge graph, combines the characteristics and applications of the knowledge graph, analyzes the relationship between the elements of the strategy, and designs a clear-structured knowledge network. Second, this article analyzes the automatic construction technology of the graph, constructs the six-element ontology model of the security and stability control strategy, and realizes the human–computer interaction functions such as auxiliary decision making, strategy reasoning, and intelligent search based on the knowledge graph. Using artificial intelligence technology, this article takes the security and stability control strategy of a certain area’s security and stability control system as an example to model and manage. The results show that it can assist the tester to quickly retrieve the strategy, effectively improve the detection efficiency of the security and stability control strategy, avoid the omission and ambiguity caused by the manual understanding of the strategy, and ensure the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the security and stability control strategy detection.
Real-time Volt-Var control of grid forming converters in DER-enriched distribution network
Authors: Wagle Raju , Sharma Pawan , Sharma Charu , Amin Mohammad , Gonzalez-Longatt Francisco
Published: January 2023

The growing installation of distributed energy resources (DERs) in a distribution network (DN) poses substantial issues related to voltage regulation. Due to constrained switching operation and slower response time, traditional voltage regulation devices cannot handle current voltage-related challenges. One alternative to solve these problems is to use smart converters to control the reactive power to regulate the voltage. Volt-Var control (VVC) is one of the simplest approaches for controlling the reactive power from smart converters. Among several converters, grid forming converters (GFCs) are more suitable in DER-enriched distribution networks. Since DER-enriched distribution networks have a higher fluctuation in voltage profile, real-time control is advantageous. Therefore, this work presents an advanced real-time reactive power control for handling voltage violations in a DN using GFC. The uniqueness of this method is that it controls the voltage magnitude of affected nodes by dispatching reactive power from smart converters in real-time. By running cyber-physical co-simulation (CPCS) between the Typhoon HIL 604 and OpenDSS, the Volt-Var control can be done in real time. The grid-forming converter is modelled in Typhoon HIL 604, which acts as a physical layer of the proposed cyber-physical system for real-time VVC. A CIGRE medium voltage distribution network is designed in OpenDSS and serves as one of the parts of the cyber layer. The CPCS between Typhoon HIL and OpenDSS and the control algorithm are both done by a programme written in Python. The execution of the control algorithm is performed in real time using the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) developed in this study. The real-time simulation shows that the proposed real-time VVC is capable of handling voltage violations in real time in DER-enriched distribution networks.
Short term power load forecasting based on BES-VMD and CNN-Bi-LSTM method with error correction
Authors: Wang Nier , Li Zhanming
Published: January 2023

Aiming at the strong non-linear and non-stationary characteristics of power load, a short-term power load forecasting method based on bald eagle search (BES) optimization variational mode decomposition (VMD), convolutional bi-directional long short-term memory (CNN-Bi-LSTM) network and considering error correction is studied to improve the accuracy of load forecasting. Firstly, a decomposition loss evaluation criterion is established, and the VMD optimal decomposition parameters under the evaluation criterion are determined based on BES to improve the decomposition quality of the signal. Then, the original load sequence is decomposed into different modal components, and the corresponding CNN-Bi-LSTM network prediction models are established for each modal component. In addition, considering the influence of various modal components, holiday and meteorological factors on the error, an error correction model considering short-term factors is established to mine the hidden information contained in the error to reduce the inherent error of the model. Finally, the proposed method is applied to a public dataset provided by a public utility in the United States. The results show that this method can better track the changes of load and effectively improve the accuracy of short-term power load forecasting.
How does institutional support affect the coalbed methane industry?
Authors: Wei Jie , Niu Chong-Huai
Published: January 2023

Accelerating the construction of a low-carbon, safe, and modern energy system is becoming a critical developmental path toward solving the climate change problem. China provides institutional support in various ways for this clean and efficient new energy, but there is still a gap between the developmental scale and the planned target. Considering the theory of system support and the coalbed methane industry, we combed the existing institutional support for the coalbed methane industry based on grounded theory and defined the initial model. We used the system dynamics method to construct and simulate the model and verified the system’s effectiveness by using the goodness of fit. The results show that institutional support promotes the development of the coalbed methane industry, and the interaction between the two forms a dynamic system. Based on the sensitivity analysis method, the enlightenment of the management with respect to the improvement of the development of the coalbed methane industry was obtained. Firstly, the management of coalbed methane mining rights should be supervised and large-scale utilization should be strengthened. Secondly, the central government’s subsidies should be raised and local governments should be encouraged to provide support. Thirdly, technological innovation should be enhanced and fair competition should be ensured.
Numerical study on the evolution law and correction method of turbine characteristics of the gas turbine under alternative fuel conditions
Authors: Ming Liang , Wang Zhitao , Zhang Jingkai , Zheng Peiying , Zhang Ke
Published: January 2023

Reducing carbon emissions is an urgent need in the field of marine power. Gas turbines are of great importance in the marine industry. The use of clean or industrial-associated fuels can increase the fuel adaptability of designed, manufactured, or in-service gas turbines to realize the goal of expanding fuel sources, reducing fuel waste, lowering energy demand, and remitting environmental pressure. By changing from fossil fuel to alternative energy, the change in the physical properties of the combustion products will lead to changes in the working medium of the turbines, which result in a profound effect on the performance. In this study, based on the actual law of working medium property change, the evolution mechanism of turbine characteristics is lucubrated in depth, focusing on the key parameters of the influence of working medium properties on turbine characteristics under alternative fuel conditions, and a correction method is proposed to predict the evolution law of the turbine characteristics as working medium varies.
Emission mechanism and wide-angle adaptability of selective emitter based on combination of one and two-dimensional photonic crystals
Authors: Cao Shaowen , Cai Qilin , Zhang Yingshi , Zhang Qi , Ye Qing , Deng Weifeng , Wu Xi
Published: January 2023

In this paper, a thermophotovoltaic (TPV) emitter that combines a one-dimensional photonic crystal with two-dimensional periodic nanoarray cavities was proposed. The Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) method was adopted to analyze the spectral emittance and its sensitivity to the emission angle for the proposed emitter. The results show that the main emission mechanisms of the emitter are Cavity Resonances (CRs), Fabry-Perot (FP) resonances, and Magnetic polaritons (MPs). In the convertible band of a TPV cell, CRs and FP resonances are coupled together to broaden the emitting bandwidth of the emitter. The cut-off wavelength of structural spectral emittance increases with depth and radius but decreases with a period. In addition, the spectral emittance is non-sensitive to the emission angle of less than 50°, highlighting the wide-angle stability of the composite structure. The proposed emitter has wide-angle adaptability and achieves a fine-tunning of bandgap wavelength while maintaining a good spectral selectivity. This work provides new insight into the design of the TPV emitter.
Modelling the 2021 East Asia super dust storm using FLEXPART and FLEXDUST and its comparison with reanalyses and observations
Authors: Tang Hui , Haugvaldstad Ove Westermoen , Stordal Frode , Bi Jianrong , Groot Zwaaftink Christine D. , Grythe Henrik , Wang Bin , Rao Zhimin , Zhang Zhongshi , Berntsen Terje , Kaakinen Anu
Published: January 2023

The 2021 East Asia sandstorm began from the Eastern Gobi desert steppe in Mongolia on March 14, and later spread to northern China and the Korean Peninsula. It was the biggest sandstorm to hit China in a decade, causing severe air pollution and a significant threat to human health. Capturing and predicting such extreme events is critical for society. The Lagrangian particle dispersion model FLEXPART and the associated dust emission model FLEXDUST have been recently developed and applied to simulate global dust cycles. However, how well the model captures Asian dust storm events remains to be explored. In this study, we applied FLEXPART to simulate the recent 2021 East Asia sandstorm, and evaluated its performance comparing with observation and observation-constrained reanalysis datasets, such as the Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2) and CAMS global atmospheric composition forecasts (CAMS-F). We found that the default setting of FLEXDUST substantially underestimates the strength of dust emission and FLEXPART modelled dust concentration in this storm compared to that in MERRA-2 and CAMS-F. An improvement of the parametrization of bare soil fraction, topographical scaling, threshold friction velocity and vertical dust flux scheme based on Kok et al. (Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 2014, 14, 13023–13041) in FLEXDUST can reproduce the strength and spatio-temporal pattern of the dust storm comparable to MERRA-2 and CAMS-F. However, it still underestimates the observed spike of dust concentration during the dust storm event over northern China, and requires further improvement in the future. The improved FLEXDUST and FLEXPART perform better than MERRA-2 and CAMS-F in capturing the observed particle size distribution of dust aerosols, highlighting the importance of using more dust size bins and size-dependent parameterization for dust emission, and dry and wet deposition schemes for modelling the Asian dust cycle and its climatic feedbacks.