bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of the spatial distribution of the whitefly-transmitted virus complex in yellow squash fields in Southern Georgia, USA
Authors: Codod Clarence B. , Severns Paul M. , Sparks Alton N. , Srinivasan Rajagopalbabu , Kemerait Robert C. , Dutta Bhabesh
Published: August 2022

A two-year study was conducted in 2019 and 2020 to characterize the spatial distribution of whitefly-transmitted virus complex (WTVC) in experimental and commercial yellow squash (Cucurbita pepo) fields in southern Georgia, USA. Field trials planted in Tifton, Georgia, USA were comprised of 30 rows of squash (variety: Gentry) divided into 300 quadrats. Six commercial fields in Tift, Worth, and Colquitt Counties in Georgia, USA were surveyed. In each field, 10 rows of plants per field were partitioned into 70 quadrats so that their approximate location could be mapped and disease incidence tracked in space over time. Plants in each quadrat were visually assessed for TVC symptoms at seven-day intervals (experimental fields) or at fourteen-day intervals (commercial fields). The spatial distribution of WTVC in a one-dimensional space was determined through ordinary runs analysis and in two-dimensional space through spatial autocorrelation analysis and spatial analysis by distance indices (SADIE). Ordinary runs analysis down and between rows suggested that disease was more likely to be transmitted from infected plants within rows than across rows. WTVC incidence in space was positively correlated with adult whiteflies on squash leaves taken one or two weeks prior to the assessment of virus incidence coinciding with latent period of Geminiviruses. SADIE generated disease severity maps indicated a shift from sparse and randomly distributed disease early in the infection cycle to denser, more aggregated patterns later in time in both experimental and commercial fields. Contour plots of interpolated indices from SADIE analysis suggested an edge effect on the spatial distribution of WTVC in experimental fields as well as in two of the commercial fields. An understanding of the shift from random to aggregated distribution and the edge effect on WTVC incidence are considerations for refining current management strategies.
Global research trends in extracellular vesicles based on stem cells from 1991 to 2021: A bibliometric and visualized study
Authors: Lin Jianjing , Yang Zhen , Wang Li , Xing Dan , Lin Jianhao
Published: August 2022

Objective: With the development of extracellular vesicles (EVs) based on stem cells research all over the world, our present study was aiming to discover the global trends in this field.

Methods: All publications related to EVs based on stem cells from 1991 to 2021 were collected from the Science Citation Index-Expanded of Web of Science Subsequently, the data were evaluated using the bibliometric methodology. In terms of visualized study, the VOS viewer software was performed to investigate the bibliographic coupling, co-citation, co-authorship, and co-occurrence trends, and last for the publication’s trends involved in the field of EVs based on stem cells.

Results: A total of 8,208 publications were retrieved and the relative number of global publications and research interests were increasing every year especially in recent 5 years. China rank top one in terms of total publications, prolific authors, and funds, whereas the USA made the greatest contributions with the most total citations and highest H-index to the global research. Stem cell research therapy contributed the highest publications, whereas the journal of PLOS ONE showed the best total link strength. The Shanghai Jiao Tong University, University of California System, and Harvard University were the most contributive institutions. The global studies could be divided into six clusters as follows: cancer research, musculoskeletal system research, respiratory system research, urinary system and endocrine system research, nerve system research, and cardiovascular system research. All the directions were predicted to still hotspots in near future researches in this field.

Conclusion: The total number of publications about EVs based stem cells would be increasing according to the current global trends. China and the USA was the largest contributors in this field. Further efforts should be put in the directions of cancer research, musculoskeletal system research, respiratory system research, urinary system and endocrine system research, nerve system research, as well was cardiovascular system research in this field of EVs based stem cells.
Electrospun aligned poly(ε-caprolactone) nanofiber yarns guiding 3D organization of tendon stem/progenitor cells in tenogenic differentiation and tendon repair
Authors: Yang Qiao , Li Jianfeng , Su Weiwei , Yu Liu , Li Ting , Wang Yongdi , Zhang Kairui , Wu Yaobin , Wang Ling
Published: August 2022

Hierarchical anisotropy structure directing 3D cellular orientation plays a crucial role in designing tendon tissue engineering scaffolds. Despite recent development of fabrication technologies for controlling cellular organization and design of scaffolds that mimic the anisotropic structure of native tendon tissue, improvement of tenogenic differentiation remains challenging. Herein, we present 3D aligned poly (ε-caprolactone) nanofiber yarns (NFYs) of varying diameter, fabricated using a dry-wet electrospinning approach, that integrate with nano- and micro-scale structure to mimic the hierarchical structure of collagen fascicles and fibers in native tendon tissue. These aligned NFYs exhibited good in vitro biocompatibility, and their ability to induce 3D cellular alignment and elongation of tendon stem/progenitor cells was demonstrated. Significantly, the aligned NFYs with a diameter of 50 μm were able to promote the tenogenic differentiation of tendon stem/progenitor cells due to the integration of aligned nanofibrous structure and suitable yarn diameter. Rat tendon repair results further showed that bundled NFYs encouraged tendon repair in vivo by inducing neo-collagen organization and orientation. These data suggest that electrospun bundled NFYs formed by aligned nanofibers can mimic the aligned hierarchical structure of native tendon tissue, highlighting their potential as a biomimetic multi-scale scaffold for tendon tissue regeneration.
The potential of oxygen and nitrogen species-regulating drug delivery systems in medicine
Authors: Sołtan Michał , Bartusik-Aebisher Dorota , Aebisher David
Published: August 2022

The focus of this review is to present most significant advances in biomaterials used for control of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS, RONS) in medicine. A summary of the main pathways of ROS production and the main pathways of RNS production are shown herein. Although the physiological and pathological roles of RONS have been known for at least 2decades, the potential of their control in management of disease went unappreciated. Recently, advances in the field of biochemical engineering and materials science have allowed for development of RONS-responsive biomaterials for biomedical applications, which aim to control and change levels of reactive species in tissue microenvironments. These materials utilize polymers, inorganic nanoparticles (NPs), or organic-inorganic hybrids. Thus, biomaterials like hydrogels have been developed to promote tissue regeneration by actively scavenging and reducing RONS levels. Their promising utility comes from thermo- and RONS-sensitivity, stability as a delivery-medium, ease for incorporation into other materials and facility for injection. Their particular attractiveness is attributed to drug release realized in targeted tissues and cells with elevated RONS levels, which leads to enhanced treatment outcomes and reduced adverse effects. The mechanism of their action depends on the functional groups employed and their response to oxidation, and may be based on solubility changes or cleavage of chemical bonds. When talking about antioxidants, one should also mention oxidative stress, which we call the imbalance between antioxidants and reactive oxygen species, which occurs due to a deficiency of endogenous antioxidants and a low supply of exogenous antioxidants. This study is a review of articles in English from the databases PubMed and Web of Science retrieved by applying the search terms “Oxygen Species, Nitrogen Species and biomaterials” from 1996 to 2021.
Synergistic effect of GF9 and streptomycin on relieving gram-negative bacteria-induced sepsis
Authors: Wei Bing , Ma Yingmin
Published: August 2022

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) regulates inflammation and promotes a vigorous immune response. GF9 is one of the peptides that inhibit the mTREM-1 signaling pathway, thus reducing the inflammatory mediators in diseases including sepsis. Nanotechnology could offer a new complementary strategy for diseases. Streptomycin is also one treatment of sepsis. However, the role of nanoparticles delivered GF9 combined with streptomycin on sepsis had never been discovered. In the present study, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and lipopolysaccharide [LPS, Escherichia coli (E. coli) O111:B4] sepsis models were constructed. SDS-PAGE was used to evaluate the size of nano drugs; Western blot was used to detect the protein levels of MMP2 and TREM-1 in cells. The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were detected by ELISA. Histopathological changes were observed by HE staining. And the nanomedicines of GF9-HFn/Str were successfully constructed. The size of GF9-HFn/Str is 40 kD. The ferritin-based nanoparticle plays a vital role in delivering streptomycin into cells and tissues. GF9 (1.6 μM) and streptomycin (40 μM) co-delivery nanomedicine showed a better effect on promoting overall survival, decreasing E. coli, significantly suppressed the expression levels of inflammatory factors (TNF-α and IL-6), and can reduce lung injury. Our study demonstrated that combination delivery of nanomedicine GF9 and streptomycin have a better effect on overall survival rate, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial in sepsis. Our present study revealed a new potential therapeutic method for sepsis.
Assessing environmental impact of genetically modified seeds in Brazilian agriculture
Authors: Seixas Renato Nunes de Lima , Silveira José Maria Ferreira Jardim da , Ferrari Vinícius Eduardo
Published: August 2022

Genetically modified (GM) seeds have had relevant impacts on worldwide agriculture, even with a limited number of essential traits launched in the markets. The focus on platforms crops has favored the combination of traditional breeding, GM insertion, and diffusion in agriculture. One of the remarkable features of the GM traits has been the close link with pest and weed control systems. We investigate the environmental effects due to pesticides for two different GM seeds: insect resistant (IR) cotton and herbicide tolerant (HT) soybeans in a particular period of Brazilian agriculture, 2009–2013. We use a dataset on commercial farms' use of pesticides and biotechnology in Brazil to document environmental effects of GM traits. We explore within farm variation for farmers planting conventional and GM seeds to identify the effect of adoption on the environmental impact of pesticides measured as the quantity of active ingredients of chemicals and the Environmental Impact Quotient (EIQ) index. The findings show that the IR trait reduces application of insecticides by 22% and the associated environmental impact by 20% the environmental impact of insecticides. However, for HT traits, we find that application of herbicides increases by 55.8% and the associated environmental impact by 44.4%, showing a significant increase in the EIQ. The HT results are driven by an increase of less toxic herbicides elevenfold larger than the decrease in less toxic ones, which we interpret as evidence of weak substitutability between herbicides of different toxicity levels. Addressing what happened in the last decade, the paper also presents a view of the transformations in GM usage in Brazil, focusing on the considerable success in adopting stacked genes. Future perspectives point to a more diversified menu of technologies, crops, and adopting countries, going beyond platform crops and more prominent agriculture exporters.
Skeletal muscle oxidative stress and inflammation in aging: Focus on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory therapy
Authors: Chen Mingming , Wang Yiyi , Deng Shoulong , Lian Zhengxing , Yu Kun
Published: August 2022

With aging, the progressive loss of skeletal muscle will have negative effect on multiple physiological parameters, such as exercise, respiration, thermoregulation, and metabolic homeostasis. Accumulating evidence reveals that oxidative stress and inflammation are the main pathological characteristics of skeletal muscle during aging. Here, we focus on aging-related sarcopenia, summarize the relationship between aging and sarcopenia, and elaborate on aging-mediated oxidative stress and oxidative damage in skeletal muscle and its critical role in the occurrence and development of sarcopenia. In addition, we discuss the production of excessive reactive oxygen species in aging skeletal muscle, which reduces the ability of skeletal muscle satellite cells to participate in muscle regeneration, and analyze the potential molecular mechanism of ROS-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction in aging skeletal muscle. Furthermore, we have also paid extensive attention to the possibility and potential regulatory pathways of skeletal muscle aging and oxidative stress mediate inflammation. Finally, in response to the abnormal activity of oxidative stress and inflammation during aging, we summarize several potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory strategies for the treatment of sarcopenia, which may provide beneficial help for improving sarcopenia during aging.
Spectral denoising based on Hilbert–Huang transform combined with F-test
Authors: Bian Xihui , Ling Mengxuan , Chu Yuanyuan , Liu Peng , Tan Xiaoyao
Published: August 2022

Due to the influence of uncontrollable factors such as the environment and instruments, noise is unavoidable in a spectral signal, which may affect the spectral resolution and analysis result. In the present work, a novel spectral denoising method is developed based on the Hilbert–Huang transform (HHT) and F-test. In this approach, the original spectral signal is first decomposed by empirical mode decomposition (EMD). A series of intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) and a residual (r) are obtained. Then, the Hilbert transform (HT) is performed on each IMF and r to calculate their instantaneous frequencies. The mean and standard deviation of instantaneous frequencies are calculated to further illustrate the IMF frequency information. Third, the F-test is used to determine the cut-off point between noise frequency components and non-noise ones. Finally, the denoising signal is reconstructed by adding the IMF components after the cut-off point. Artificially chemical noised signal, X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectrum, and X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS) are used to validate the performance of the method in terms of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The results show that the method provides superior denoising capabilities compared with Savitzky–Golay (SG) smoothing.
Green synthesis, structure optimization and biological evalution of Rhopaladins’ analog 2–styryl–5-oxopyrrolidine-2- carboxamide RPDPRH on CaSki cells
Authors: Ke Li-Na , Kong Ling-Qi , Zhu Xiu-Lian , Wu Feng-Xu , Chen Qin-Hua , Li Bin , Dong Yun , Wang Hong-Mei , Zeng Xiao-Hua
Published: August 2022

We have synthesized Rhopaladins’ analog (2E,4E)-4-chlorobenzylidene-2-(4-chlorostyryl)-N-cyclohexyl-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-oxopyrrolidine-2-carboxamide (RPDPRH) via a highly facile, inexpensive and green approach and verified the structural superiority of compound RPDPRH through molecular docking. Moreover, we further detected the anti-proliferation, apoptosis and HPV E6/E7 effects of RPDPRH on CaSki cells. Finally, we confirmed that compared with the previous compound (E)-N-(tert-butyl)-2-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-4-(4-fluorobenzylidene)-1-isopropyl-5-oxopyrrolidine-2-carboxamide (RPDPB), RPDPRH could better inhibit proliferation, induce apoptosis, and down-regulate HPV E6/E7 mRNA expression on Caski cells. And preliminary RT-PCR experiments have demonstrated that RPDPRH also could affect the expression of Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 mRNA in Caski cells. In summary, RPDPRH has potential as an effective agent against cervical cancer and will play an important role in our subsequent research.
Pt-Sn alloy shells with tunable composition and structure on Au nanoparticles for boosting ethanol oxidation
Authors: Qian Ningkang , Ji Liang , Li Xiao , Huang Jingbo , Li Junjie , Wu Xingqiao , Yang Deren , Zhang Hui
Published: August 2022

Combining the core-shell structure with the optimization of surface composition and structure in the shell is a fantastic strategy to enhance the electrocatalytic performances. Here, we synthesized trimetallic Au@PtxSny core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) with tunable composition and structure of Pt-Sn alloyed shells. Impressively, the Au@PtSn core-shell NPs with hexagonal PtSn alloyed shells exhibited the highest mass activity and specific activity toward ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) in alkaline electrolyte, which are 13.0 and 12.7 times higher than those of the commercial Pt/C. In addition, the Au@PtSn core-shell NPs displayed the best stability compared to commercial Pt/C, with only 44.8% loss vs. 86.8% loss in mass activity after 1,000 s due to the stronger anti-poisoning ability for reaction intermediates. The theory calculations reveal that the introduction of Au core and alloying Pt with Sn both endow Pt with an appropriate d-band center, and thus effectively boosting the EOR activity.
Prognostic significance of troponin increment after percutaneous coronary intervention: A retrospective study
Authors: Li Ya , Li Duanbin , Zhao Liding , Xu Tian , Lv Qingbo , He Jialin , Wang Yao , Zhang Wenbin
Published: August 2022

Objective

The prognostic significance of troponin elevation following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains debated. This study aimed to evaluate the association between different thresholds of post-PCI cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and mortality.

Methods

From January 2012 to July 2017, 5,218 consecutive patients undergoing elective PCI with pre-PCI cTnI < 99th percentile of the upper reference limit (URL) were included. Levels of cTnI were measured before PCI and every 8 h for 24 h after procedural. The outcomes were 3-year cardiac mortality.

Results

Patients had a mean age of 66.2 years, 27.6% were women, 67.0% had hypertension, and 26.2% had diabetes mellitus. During the 3 years of follow-up, cardiac death occurred in 0.86%, 1.46%, 1.69%, 2.36%, and 2.86% of patients with cTnI < 1, ≥ 1 to < 5, ≥ 5 to < 35, ≥ 35 to < 70, and ≥ 70 times URL. The cardiac mortality rate was moderately increased with higher peak cTnI values, but the Kaplan–Meier curve demonstrated no significant association between any increment of cTnI and either cardiac or non-cardiac mortality. Isolated cTnI increment of ≥ 5 × URL, ≥ 35 × URL, and ≥ 70 × URL was occurred in 1,379 (26.4%), 197 (3.8%), and 70 (1.3%) patients, respectively. In multivariate Cox regression analysis and Fine-Gray model, none of the above cTnI thresholds was significantly associated with an increased risk of cardiac death.

Conclusion

In patients who underwent elective PCI, post-PCI cTnI elevation is not independently associated with cardiac mortality.
The non-linear association between ascending aorta diameter and risk of 12-month mortality in Chinese patients with heart failure: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chen Jin , Huang Yuan-Lei , Huang Hui , Zheng Tao , Cong Guang-Zhi
Published: August 2022

Background

There is no conclusive proven link between ascending aorta diameter (AoD) and the risk of death from heart failure (HF). As a result, a retrospective cohort analysis was carried out to determine whether AoD is associated with 12-month mortality in Chinese HF patients.

Methods

From January 2017 to March 2020, we collected data on 575 Chinese patients with HF. The exposure and outcome variables were baseline AoD and 12-month risk of mortality (all-cause + cardiac origin), respectively. Data on demographics, drug usage, clinical characteristics, recognized indicators of HF, and comorbidities were included as covariates. To investigate the independent relationships of AoD with the risk of 12-month death, binary logistic regression and two-piecewise linear models were utilized.

Results

Our findings imply that there was a non-linear relationship between AoD and the risk of 12-month mortality. For the AoD range of 23 to 37, there was no association with the risk of cardiac mortality [odds ratio (OR) 0.78, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.62–1.04]. In the AoD range of 37–49, however, the risk of 12-month cardiac death increased by approximately 70% for every 1 mm increase in AoD (OR 1.70, 95% CI, 1.13–2.55). When all-cause death was chosen as the outcome, the same outcome was shown.

Conclusion

An AoD larger than 37 mm is a hazardous threshold for Chinese HF patients. Beyond this limit increased the risk of cardiac death by 70% for every 1 mm increase in AoD.
Prognostic value of plasma phenylalanine and gut microbiota-derived metabolite phenylacetylglutamine in coronary in-stent restenosis
Authors: Fu Yuan , Yang Yixing , Fang Chen , Liu Xinming , Dong Ying , Xu Li , Chen Mulei , Zuo Kun , Wang Lefeng
Published: August 2022

Objective

This study was designed to explore the predictive value of plasma phenylalanine (Phe) and gut microbiota-derived metabolite phenylacetylglutamine (PAGln) in coronary in-stent restenosis (ISR).

Methods

Patients with coronary ISR, in-stent hyperplasia (ISH), and in-stent patency (ISP) were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent risk factors of ISR. The predictive value of plasma Phe and PAGln levels was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The areas under the ROC curve (AUCs) were compared using the Z-test. The correlation between PAGln and clinical characteristics were examined using Spearman's correlation analysis.

Results

Seventy-two patients (mean age, 64.74 ± 9.47 years) were divided into three groups according to coronary stent patency: ISR (n= 28), ISH (n= 11), and ISP (n= 33) groups. The plasma levels of Phe and PAGln were significantly higher in the ISR group than in the ISP group. PAGln was positively associated with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, homocysteine, SYNTAX score, triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein ratio, Phe, and microbiota-related intermediate metabolite phenylacetic acid (PA). In the ISR group, with the aggravation of restenosis, PAGln levels were also elevated. In multivariate regression analyses, Phe, PAGln and SYNTAX score were independent predictors of coronary ISR (allP< 0.05). In the ROC curve analyses, both Phe [AUC = 0.732; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.606–0.858;P= 0.002] and PAGln (AUC = 0.861; 95% CI, 0.766–0.957;P< 0.001) had good discrimination performance in predicting coronary ISR, and the predictive power of PAGln was significantly better (P= 0.031).

Conclusion

Plasma Phe and PAGln are valuable indices for predicting coronary ISR, and gut microbes may be a promising intervention target to prevent ISR progression.
Using Bayesian networks with Max-Min Hill-Climbing algorithm to detect factors related to multimorbidity
Authors: Song Wenzhu , Gong Hao , Wang Qili , Zhang Lijuan , Qiu Lixia , Hu Xueli , Han Huimin , Li Yaheng , Li Rongshan , Li Yafeng
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Multimorbidity (MMD) is a medical condition that is linked with high prevalence and closely related to many adverse health outcomes and expensive medical costs. The present study aimed to construct Bayesian networks (BNs) with Max-Min Hill-Climbing algorithm (MMHC) algorithm to explore the network relationship between MMD and its related factors. We also aimed to compare the performance of BNs with traditional multivariate logistic regression model.

Methods

The data was downloaded from the Online Open Database of CHARLS 2018, a population-based longitudinal survey. In this study, we included 10 variables from data on demographic background, health status and functioning, and lifestyle. Missing value imputation was first performed using Random Forest. Afterward, the variables were included into logistic regression model construction and BNs model construction. The structural learning of BNs was achieved using MMHC algorithm and the parameter learning was conducted using maximum likelihood estimation.

Results

Among 19,752 individuals (9,313 men and 10,439 women) aged 64.73 ± 10.32 years, there are 9,129 ones without MMD (46.2%) and 10,623 ones with MMD (53.8%). Logistic regression model suggests that physical activity, sex, age, sleep duration, nap, smoking, and alcohol consumption are associated with MMD (P < 0.05). BNs, by establishing a complicated network relationship, reveals that age, sleep duration, and physical activity have a direct connection with MMD. It also shows that education levels are indirectly connected to MMD through sleep duration and residence is indirectly linked to MMD through sleep duration.

Conclusion

BNs could graphically reveal the complex network relationship between MMD and its related factors, outperforming traditional logistic regression model. Besides, BNs allows for risk reasoning for MMD through Bayesian reasoning, which is more consistent with clinical practice and thus holds some application prospects.
SemNet: Learning semantic attributes for human activity recognition with deep belief networks
Authors: Venkatachalam Shanmuga , Nair Harideep , Zeng Ming , Tan Cathy Shunwen , Mengshoel Ole J. , Shen John Paul
Published: August 2022

Human Activity Recognition (HAR) is a prominent application in mobile computing and Internet of Things (IoT) that aims to detect human activities based on multimodal sensor signals generated as a result of diverse body movements. Human physical activities are typically composed of simple actions (such as “arm up”, “arm down”, “arm curl”, etc.), referred to assemanticfeatures. Such abstract semantic features, in contrast to high-level activities (“walking”, “sitting”, etc.) and low-level signals (raw sensor readings), can be developed manually to assist activity recognition. Although effective, this manual approach relies heavily on human domain expertise and is not scalable. In this paper, we address this limitation by proposing a machine learning method, SemNet, based on deep belief networks. SemNet automatically constructs semantic features representative of the axial bodily movements. Experimental results show that SemNet outperforms baseline approaches and is capable of learning features that highly correlate with manually defined semantic attributes. Furthermore, our experiments using a different model, namely deep convolutional LSTM, on household activities illustrate the broader applicability of semantic attribute interpretation to diverse deep neural network approaches. These empirical results not only demonstrate that such a deep learning technique is semantically meaningful and superior to its handcrafted counterpart, but also provides a better understanding of the deep learning methods that are used for Human Activity Recognition.
Comparative analysis of two flow decomposition approaches and their applications in diagnosing water vapor in extreme precipitation events over Xinjiang province, China
Authors: Cao Jie , Ma Shuping , Ran Lingkun
Published: August 2022

Water vapor flux divergence under the terrain-following coordinate system is decomposed into slow and fast manifolds with the adoption of the Barnes filter method and the synoptic approach based on the Helmholtz theorem in this study. The performances and applications of both methods are evaluated in precipitating events over the Xinjiang province in China when traditional analysis fails to capture the evolutions of extreme precipitations caused by multi-scale systems and complicated terrains. A blizzard with a short duration under weak moisture environments and a persistent torrential rainfall event with abundant water vapor in the summer are selected as test examples for comparative analysis of the relationships between water vapor divergence and precipitation characteristics with the adoptions of both traditional synoptic diagnosis and two decomposition methods. It is found that divergent areas of the total water vapor flux divergence at the middle and high levels are blocked by false convergence at the low levels as the precipitation weakens in both cases, which leads to the failure of traditional synoptic diagnoses. Meanwhile, the two decomposition methods can provide superior indicators for extreme precipitation, especially before rainfall decreases or terminates. The synoptic approach performs better than the Barnes filter method as the latter sharply decreases in accuracy as the complexity of the flow fields and moisture conditions increase. Remedies for relieving this problem are proposed before being used for further applications.
Timing of Paleoearthquakes and Seismic Hazard of the Zhuozishan West Piedmont Fault in the Northwestern Ordos Block
Authors: Liu Xingwang , Gao Zemin , Lei Qiyun , Shao Yanxiu , Yao Yunsheng
Published: August 2022

The Zhuozishan West Piedmont Fault (ZWPF) is an active normal fault in the northwestern corner of the Ordos Block. Studying the recurrence characteristics of paleoearthquakes is useful for understanding the regional seismic hazard potential. In this study, paleoseismic trench and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating methods are used to determine the temporal sequence of paleoearthquakes. Severn earthquakes were constrained to be E7 (73.4 ± 12.9 ka to 75.3 ± 10.6 ka), E6, (63.7 ± 7.4 ka to 64.4 ± 8.2 ka), E5 (53.2 ± 7.0 ka to 58.7 ± 6.5 ka), E4 (42.6 ± 6.3 ka to 47.7 ± 5.8 ka), E3 (31.0–3.4 ka to 31.3 ± 3.4 ka), E2 (26.1 ± 2.7 ka to 28.1 ± 3.8 ka) and E1 (15.8 ± 1.9 ka to 20.2 ± 2.6 ka). The recurrence interval of strong earthquakes in the ZWPF is roughly constrained to be 8.1–14 ka, with magnitudes of Mw 7.0–7.4 that ruptured the entire fault. Based on the timing of the latest earthquake event, the elapsed time approached or exceeded the recurrence interval revealed from paleoearthquakes. Hence, we suggest that the northwestern corner of the Ordos Block has a significantly high seismic hazard potential and that the occurrence of a strong earthquake should not be underestimated.
Source-to-sink system and sedimentary characteristics of the lower Miocene submarine fans in the eastern deepwater area of the Qiongdongnan Basin, northern South China Sea
Authors: Sun Rui , Yao Xingzong , Wang Xiayang , Wu Keqiang , Han Yinxue , Xu Jianyong , Yang Haizhang , Li Hongyi , Zeng Qingbo , Song Zezhang
Published: August 2022

As the main target of deepwater oil and gas exploration, submarine fans are also the frontier and focus of sedimentology research. Based on the latest three-dimensional (3D) seismic data covering the study area, as well as heavy mineral, rare earth elements, and other data and guided by the theory of seismic sedimentology, this study analyzes the lower Miocene provenance system and sediment dispersion system in the eastern deepwater area of the Qiongdongnan Basin, northern South China Sea, from the perspective of source-to-sink system research. Our research defines the sediment supply function of provenance, paleogeomorphology and valley transport system, sedimentation results and distribution, and the coupling relationship between the source–channel–sink system and comprehensively constructs a set of application guidelines of source-to-sink system research to guide the exploration and prediction of favorable play in the study area and other similar basins. This study shows that in the early Miocene, as controlled by tectonics and paleogeomorphology, uplift areas developed on both the northern and southern sides of the Songnan, Baodao, and Changchang Sags in the Qiongdongnan Basin and small provenances of near-sag uplifts were found in the southern part of the sag. The provenance area in the northern part of the sag was large but not unified, and it formed different provenance systems consisting of the Hainan Uplift in the northern Songnan Sag, Hainan Uplift in the northern Baodao Sag, and Shenhu Uplift in the northern Changchang Sag. A series of canyon systems that developed in the early Miocene were the main channels for sediment transport from the shelf to the slope in the northern Songnan, Baodao, and Changchang Sags. In the early stage of the early Miocene, due to regional sea level decline, the scale of the canyons was generally large, and the scale of the canyons on the northern edge of the Songnan Sag was significantly larger than that of the Baodao Sag. As the relative sea level rose, the canyons became small, narrow, and shallow in the late stage of the early Miocene. Under the dual control of the “source–channel” system, multiple “delta–canyon–submarine fan” depositional systems developed in the Songnan, Baodao, and Changchang Sags in the early Miocene, and large deltas in the depositional systems were mainly located along the northern part of the sag and prograded to the shelf edge of the northern Songnan, Baodao, and Changchang Sags from north to south, providing a good material basis for the development of deepwater sediments.
Retrospective analysis of leflunomide and low-dose methylprednisolone for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy combined with membranous nephropathy
Authors: Shang Shunlai , Cui Shaoyuan , Wang Wenjuan , Wang Chao , Li Ping , Li Wenge , Li Qinggang
Published: August 2022

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) combined with Membranous Nephropathy (MN) was observed in some patients with the increasing of Diabetic patients. However, no treatment guidelines are available for DKD combined with MN. In this study, we for the first time analyzed the safety and efficacy of leflunomide (LEF) combined with low-dose glucocorticoid methylprednisolone (MP) in the treatment of DKD with MN. We retrospectively collected the clinical data of patients with the highest number of DKD combined with MN diagnosed by renal biopsy between December 2016 and December 2020. The inclusion criteria were a history of diabetes for more than 20 months, no glucocorticoid therapy or immunosuppressant therapy for at least 6 months, urine protein level greater than 3.5 g, and a follow-up time of 16 months. In addition to conservative treatment, the patients received LEF monotherapy (LEF, n = 38) or LEF combined with low-dose methylprednisolone (LEF+MP, n = 26). After 16 months of treatment, the complete remission rate was 2.6%, and the remission rate was 15.8% in the LEF group; in the LEF+MP group, the complete remission rate and the remission rate were 23.1% and 34.6%, respectively. At month 16, the urine protein level was lower than the baseline value in both groups (p < 0.05) and was significantly lower in the LEF+MP group than in the LEF group (p < 0.05). Serum albumin levels were higher than the baseline value in both groups (p < 0.05), with no significant between-group difference (p > 0.05). No inter- or intragroup difference in serum creatinine or glycated hemoglobin was observed. During treatment, the relapse rate was lower in the LEF+MP group than in the LEF group (p < 0.05). No irreversible adverse events were observed. In summary, LEF+MP is more effective than LEF monotherapy for DKD combined with MN. Large, long-term, randomized, double-blind, controlled studies are needed to further validate the clinical efficacy of LEF+MP.
A nexus of lipid and O-Glcnac metabolism in physiology and disease
Authors: Lockridge Amber , Hanover John A.
Published: August 2022

Although traditionally considered a glucose metabolism-associated modification, the O-linked β-N-Acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) regulatory system interacts extensively with lipids and is required to maintain lipid homeostasis. The enzymes of O-GlcNAc cycling have molecular properties consistent with those expected of broad-spectrum environmental sensors. By direct protein-protein interactions and catalytic modification, O-GlcNAc cycling enzymes may provide both acute and long-term adaptation to stress and other environmental stimuli such as nutrient availability. Depending on the cell type, hyperlipidemia potentiates or depresses O-GlcNAc levels, sometimes biphasically, through a diversity of unique mechanisms that target UDP-GlcNAc synthesis and the availability, activity and substrate selectivity of the glycosylation enzymes, O-GlcNAc Transferase (OGT) and O-GlcNAcase (OGA). At the same time, OGT activity in multiple tissues has been implicated in the homeostatic regulation of systemic lipid uptake, storage and release. Hyperlipidemic patterns of O-GlcNAcylation in these cells are consistent with both transient physiological adaptation and feedback uninhibited obesogenic and metabolic dysregulation. In this review, we summarize the numerous interconnections between lipid and O-GlcNAc metabolism. These links provide insights into how the O-GlcNAc regulatory system may contribute to lipid-associated diseases including obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Prognostic model based on m6A-associated lncRNAs in esophageal cancer
Authors: Wang Weidong , Dong Danhong , Yu Pengfei , Chen Tong , Gao Ruiqi , Wei Jiangpeng , Mo Zhenchang , Zhou Haikun , Yang Qinchuan , Yue Chao , Yang Xisheng , Li Xiaohua , Ji Gang
Published: August 2022

Background

This research aimed to build an m6A-associated lncRNA prognostic model of esophageal cancer that can be used to predict outcome in esophageal cancer patients.

Methods

RNA sequencing transcriptome data and clinical information about patients with esophageal cancer were obtained according to TCGA. Twenty-four m6A-associated genes were selected based on previous studies. m6A-associated lncRNAs were determined through Pearson correlation analysis. Three m6A-associated lncRNA prognostic signatures were built through analysis of the training set using univariate, LASSO, and multivariate Cox regression. To validate the stabilization of the risk signature, Kaplan–Meier and ROC curve analyses were performed on the testing and complete sets. The prognoses of EC patients were predicted quantitatively by building a nomogram. GSEA was conducted to analyze the underlying signaling pathways and biological processes. To identify the underlying mechanisms through which the lncRNAs act, we constructed a PPI network and a ceRNA network and conducted GO and KEGG pathway analyses. EC samples were evaluated using the ESTIMATE algorithm to compute stromal, immune, and estimate scores. The ssGSEA algorithm was used to quantitatively infer immune cell infiltration and immune functions. The TIDE algorithm was performed to simulate immune evasion and predict the response to immunotherapy.

Results

We identified and validated an m6A-associated lncRNA risk model in EC that could correctly and reliably predict the OS of EC patients. The ceRNA network, PPI network, and GO and KEGG pathway analyses confirmed and the underlying mechanisms and functions provided enlightenment regarding therapeutic strategies for EC. Immunotherapy responses were better in the low-risk subgroup, and PD-1 and CTLA4 checkpoint immunotherapy benefited the patients in the low-risk subgroup.

Conclusions

We constructed a new m6A-related lncRNA prognostic risk model of EC, based on three m6A-related lncRNAs: LINC01612, AC025166.1 and AC016876.2, that can predict the prognoses of EC patients.
The effects of acute angle closure crisis on corneal endothelial cells in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Cong Lin , Pan Xiaojing , Xia Yiping , Zhang Yangyang , Cheng Jun , Dong Yanling
Published: August 2022

Objective

This study investigated the effects of acute angle closure crisis (AACC) on the corneal endothelial cells in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) to identify the factors that cause corneal endothelial cell injury.

Methods

We examined 154 patients who visited Qingdao Eye Hospital for AACC in one eye (154 eyes; 28 men and 126 women; mean age of 68 ± 8 years). We divided the participants into non-DM, DM well-control, and DM poor-control groups, with the unaffected eyes used as controls. Each participant was evaluated at the hospital while under AACC. We measured the relevant index and corneal parameters of the participants for statistical analysis.

Results

There were significant statistical differences in corneal parameters among the three groups. The decreased levels of central endothelial cell density (CD) and the percentage of hexagonal cells (6A) were statistically relevant among the groups (P<0.05). The AACC duration was correlated with CD loss rate among the groups (P<0.05). The DM duration was correlated with CD loss rate in the DM well-control group. Compared with the non-DM group, the level of 6A decreased more significantly in the DM group after AACC (P<0.05). The AACC duration in the DM well-control group was significantly shorter than in the non-DM and DM poor-control groups (P<0.001). The DM poor-control group showed significantly worse visual acuity when compared with the other groups (P<0.05).

Conclusions

DM may impact the functional status of corneal endothelial cells. AACC can worsen the corneal endothelium damage in patients with DM. Blood glucose levels and the duration of intraocular hypertension are closely related to the severity of corneal endothelial injury.
Frequency Deviation-Free Compound Control Strategy for Seamless Mode Transfer in Microgrids Based on VSG
Authors: Zhou Yu , Chen Chen , Ou Chuangang , Liu Mingxiang , Zhao Jingtao
Published: August 2022

Virtual synchronous generators (VSG) are widely applied in microgrid technology due to their ability to withstand the impact of grid-connected inverters without inertia. The frequency deviation in the droop control of VSG has a reducing effect on the hosting capacity of the microgrid. Therefore, this article proposes a VSG-based frequency deviation-free control strategy. When the microgrid is in the island/grid connected switching operation mode, it will result in violent fluctuations of the active power on the condition that there is a reactive and fast power change. Therefore, the delay characteristic of a synchronous generator is introduced into VSG to achieve a smooth transition of reactive power and steady-state value that lowers the impact on the system. The rotational inertia is a fixed value, which may fail to meet certain control requirements of the microgrid, such as suppressing power oscillation and rapidly recovering frequency. The fixed moment of inertia is later on improved to an adaptive inertia moment that can effectively solve the problem of rapid rise and fall of frequency as well as improve the frequency response of the microgrid. Finally, the simulation model is established by MATLAB to verify the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed control algorithm.
Study of the retreating product subsidy policy based on technology thresholds of new energy vehicle consumers
Authors: Wang Ye , Meng Weidong , Huang Bo , Li Yuyu
Published: August 2022

The new energy vehicle (NEV) product subsidy policy did not achieve a satisfactory effect on encouraging enterprise R&D as the government ignored the consumer technology thresholds—the minimum requirements of NEV consumers on a specific technology or performance of NEV. We built a game model under subsidies among the government, NEV companies, and NEV consumers considering NEV consumer characteristics such as technology thresholds. We solved the optimal retreating product subsidy policy of the government. We also analyzed the incentive effect, efficiency, and application scope of product subsidy policies and the impacts of the technology thresholds on them. We found that the government should subsidize NEV firms with medium R&D ability and encourage them to upgrade NEV technical level to the upper limit in the current stage or the highest level under financial constraints. The government should gradually reduce the unit subsidy until withdrawn with the improvement of the R&D ability of NEV firms. The technology thresholds increase the optimal unit subsidy and decrease the subsidy efficiency. Furthermore, the retreating policy is a cherry-picking subsidy method that causes companies with lower R&D ability to drop R&D.
A novel state-of-health prediction method based on long short-term memory network with attention mechanism for lithium-ion battery
Authors: Zhang Xiaodong , Sun Jing , Shang Yunlong , Ren Song , Liu Yiwei , Wang Diantao
Published: August 2022

The state-of-health (SOH) of lithium-ion batteries is one of the important core issues of battery management systems (BMS). After the battery reaches its end of life (EOL), its safety performance will deteriorate rapidly, which will be a huge threat to electric vehicles (EVs). Therefore, the accurate SOH prediction can ensure the safety and reliable operation of the battery, which is a critical and challenging issue. Accordingly, this paper proposes a novel SOH prediction method for lithium-ion batteries based on the long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network combined with attention mechanism (AM). First, moving average filter is applied to the lithium-ion battery capacity data for the purpose of reducing noise. Then, according to the battery capacity data of different datasets and different discharge rates, different weights are given to the LSTM hidden layer by AM to enhance the important information, so as to complete SOH prediction. Finally, the model is tested on new data and compared with the current data-driven prediction model. The experiment results show that the proposed SOH prediction method is more accurate, simple and robust. Furthermore, the SOH prediction method proposed in this paper is full of promising for practical EVs applications.
Multi-source fusion of substation intelligent inspection robot based on knowledge graph: A overview and roadmap
Authors: Tang Biao , Huang Xuyong , Ma Yutang , Yu Hui , Tang Lijun , Lin Zhongai , Zhu Dongdong , Qin Xiongpeng
Published: August 2022

As the core part of the power grid, the substation must carry out regular patrol inspection to ensure the normal operation of the equipment. In recent years, with the continuous increase of load, the area of the substation has gradually expanded, which makes its operating environment more complex, the intensity of patrol inspection has increased, and the manual patrol inspection method cannot meet the needs of patrol inspection. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce high-tech equipment and use patrol inspection robots to conduct regular patrol inspection, which inevitably leads to a large number of different working environments with matching standards and regulations for different equipment. In order to facilitate the staff to implement the delivery of robots matching the standards for the projects in the corresponding actual environment, the concept of knowledge atlas has been introduced and revolutionarily applied to the multi-source fusion of substation patrol robots, which not only more clearly analyzes the relationship between multi-source data, which can also make the operation and application in practical projects more convenient. This paper creatively uses the method of knowledge graph to summarize and analyze the multi-source fusion data of the field patrol robot in different working environments of a substation in Southwest China, and provides the research direction of this field and a one-stop manual for potential researchers and engineers in the future.