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To characterize carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) from vegetables, 185 vegetable samples were collected from farmers' markets and screened for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE). Two Citrobacter freundii and seven Escherichia coli isolates (ST10, ST93, ST206, ST746, ST6736, ST7058, and ST7458) recovered from eight (4.32%) vegetable samples were positive for bla NDM (one bla NDM-1 and eight bla NDM-5). The bla NDM-5 gene was identified on three plasmid types, including IncX3 (n = 2), IncHI2 (n = 4, three ST3-type and one ST2-type), and phage-like p0111 type plasmid (n = 1), while the bla NDM-1 gene was located on IncX3 plasmids. Conjugation experiments confirmed the transferability of all bla NDM -positive plasmids except for the p0111-type plasmid pHNGDSC2239PM-1. Subsequent genomic analysis revealed p0111 and IncHI2/ST2 as two novel bla NDM-5 carrying plasmids vehicles. Notably, the bla NDM-5 -carrying IncHI2/ST3 plasmids exhibited high structural similarity to plasmids isolated from diverse sources, and were extensively disseminated in China. The acquisition of the bla NDM-5 gene in the p0111-type plasmid pHNGDSC2239PM-1 was mediated by IS 26 -flanked pseudocomposite transposons. The capture of bla NDM-5 by the IncHI2/ST2 plasmid pHNBY4G-1 was likely attributed to the homologous recombination events mediated by IS Kpn19 and ΔTn 2. Overall, the emergence of bla NDM-5 in IncHI2/ST2 and p0111 plasmids, coupled with the widespread distribution of bla NDM-5 -bearing IncHI2/ST3 multidrug-resistance plasmids in animals and foods, indicates a potential for wider dissemination of bla NDM-5 , which necessitates attention. • Two novel types of bla NDM-5 -bearing plasmid, p0111 and IncHI2/ST2, were emerged. • Wide spread of similar ST3-type IncHI2 plasmids carrying bla NDM-5 across different niche was detected in China. • A tet (X4)- and bla NDM -coharboring E. coli was firstly identified in vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While several standardized criteria for acute kidney injury (AKI) have been studied, there is no consensus on which criteria to use in neonates after cardiac surgery. The goal of this research was to compare the AKI incidence and outcomes according to the pediatric Risk, Injury, Failure and Loss, and End-Stage (pRIFLE), AKI Network (AKIN), Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO), and modified KDIGO (mKDIGO) criteria in neonates following congenital cardiac surgery. Methods: A clinical database of all neonates undergoing congenital cardiac surgery admitted to the Cantonese cardiac center from 2014 to 2020 was retrospectively analyzed. AKI was based on the pRIFLE, AKIN, KDIGO, and mKDIGO classification. The predictive abilities for postoperative outcomes were compared by receiver operating curves, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association of AKI definitions with postoperative outcomes. Results: In the study population of 522 patients, 177, 110, 131, and 114 neonates had AKI according to the pRIFLE, AKIN, KDIGO, and mKDIGO criteria, respectively. After multivariate analysis, all definitions were found to be significant predictors of increased mortality. The AUCs for mortality were substantially different with pRIFLE (AUC, 0.795), AKIN (AUC, 0.724), KDIGO (AUC, 0.819), and mKDIGO (AUC, 0.831) (P < 0.01) across the entire population, whereas the mKDIGO system was more accurate than the pRIFLE, AKIN, and KDIGO systems. Conclusions: The incidence of AKI varied across all definitions. However, the mKDIGO system was more accurate in predicting in-hospital mortality than the pRIFLE, AKIN, and KDIGO systems in neonates after heart surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The validity of performance evaluation is determined by, and therefore greatly influenced by, the accuracy of data set. To address such imprecise and negative data problems widely spread in the real world, this paper proposes a second-order cone based robust data envelopment analysis (SOCPR-DEA) model, which is more robust to data variety. Further, this new computational tractable model is applied to analyze 13 new-energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturers from China. The findings support that the SOCPR-DEA model could well mitigate the deficiency caused by data variety, and the evidence from Chinese NEV industry shows that a focus strategy is more likely to enhance a firm's efficiency especially at its emerging stage, and the efficiency is more sensitive with production cost than other factors such as research and development, sales income, earnings per share, and predicted income. In addition, this paper also gives some industrial implications and policy suggestions based on these interesting findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Four algorithms are used for ambient signal based load model parameter identification. • Improvements are proposed to validate the optimization ability for the algorithms. • Comparisons involve the identification accuracy, calculation time, and the robustness. • Simulation and the field PMU data show the different performance of the algorithms. The time-varying characteristic of the power load can be tracked with the ambient signal based load model parameter identification method proposed recently. Meanwhile, the small fluctuations of the ambient signal bring higher requirement for optimization algorithm as well. The interior-point algorithm (IPA) and the active-set algorithm (ASA) are two typical traditional nonlinear constrained optimization algorithms, while the differential evolution algorithm (DEA) is an excellent heuristic search algorithm. Besides, the grid search algorithm (GSA) is a violent search algorithm, which is also an effective method considering the fact that the real load model parameters are unknown in practical power system. Based on the review of the basic idea of the four algorithms, the applicability of the four algorithms is comparatively assessed for ambient signal based load model parameter identification. Their performance is compared using ambient data from both simulation and field phasor measurement unit (PMU) in China Southern Power Grid considering the identification accuracy, calculation time, and the robustness to measurement error and algorithm parameters. Some general conclusions are drawn from the analysis for several cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The converging performance of culture industry and financial industry in Beijing is an essential method to transform the way of Beijing economic development and promote culture industry into an economic pillar industry of Beijing. Based on this, this paper starts from the convergence status quo of culture industry and finance industry in Beijing, adopts Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) and input-output analysis to respectively study the converging degree between them. The results are that the converging degree of them is not high, the financial contribution to the industry convergence is not enough and the converging performance is far from expectations for government. In conclusion, this paper puts forward some policy suggestions to improve the convergence of culture industry and finance industry in Beijing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with the scheduling of Electrical Multiple Units (EMUs) under the condition of their utilization on one sector or within several interacting sectors. Based on the introduction of the train connection graph which describes the possible connection relationship between trains, the integer programming model of EMU circulation planning is constructed. In order to analyzing the resolution of the model, a heuristic which shares the characteristics with the existing methods is introduced first. This method consists of two stages: one is a greedy strategy to construct a feasible circulation plan fragment, and another is to apply a stochastic disturbance to it to generate a whole feasible solution or get a new feasible solution. Then, an exact branch and bound method which is based on graph designing is proposed. Due to the complexity, the lower bound is computed through a polynomial approximation algorithm which is a modification from the one solving the degree constraint minimum 1-tree problem. Then, a branching strategy is designed to cope with the maintenance constraints. Finally, we report extensive computational results on a railway corridor in which the sectors possess the basic feature of railway networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) had a large impact on human health and socio-economics worldwide. The lockdown implemented in China beginning from January 23, 2020 led to sharp reductions in human activities and associated emissions. The declines in primary pollution provided a unique opportunity to examine the relationship between anthropogenic emissions and air quality. This study reports on air pollutant and meteorological measurements at different heights from a tall tower in the Pearl River Delta. These measurements were used to investigate the vertical scale response of pollutants to understand reductions in human activities. Compared to that in the pre-lockdown period (from December 16, 2019), the concentrations of surface layer nitric oxide (NO x), fine particulate matter (PM 2.5), and daily maximum 8 h average ozone (MDA8O 3) declined significantly during the lockdown by 76.8%, 49.4%, and 18.6%, respectively. Although the vertical profiles of NO x and O 3 changed during the lockdown period, those of PM 2.5 remained the same. During the lockdown period, there were statistically significant correlations between PM 2.5 and O 3 but not between PM 2.5 and NO x at four heights, indicating that the main composition of PM 2.5 have dramatically changed, during which the impact of NO x on PM 2.5 became insignificant. Additionally, O 3 concentrations were also insensitive to NO x concentrations during the lockdown, implying that O 3 levels were more of a representative of regional background level. In this case, local photochemical formation is no longer a significant ozone source. This evidence suggests that it is possible to mitigation of PM 2.5 and O 3 levels simultaneously by significant reductions in anthropogenic emissions. [Display omitted] • The vertical profile of NOx, PM 2.5 and O 3 before and during COVID19 lockdown were observed from a tower in PRD, China. • Significant reductions in surface NOx, PM 2.5 and MDA8O 3 during the lockdown by 76.8%, 49.4%, and 18.6%. • Compared with the pre-lockdown, the vertical profiles of NOx and O 3 changed but PM 2.5 remain the same during the lockdown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The roadmapping method is applied to analyse the evolution of Chinese EV industry. [•] A ‘Triple Oscillation’ Model presents the emerging industry’s ecosystem evolution. [•] The business ecosystem lifecycle is expanded with one more initiating stage. [•] A conceptual agent-based model is proposed for business ecosystem evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A framework with full consideration of spatial-temporal information is developed. • Characteristics of SVS are modeled with graph convolution and 1-D convolution. • Parameters can provide valuable information about the influences of buses on SVS. • Extensive comparations are conducted on real-world Guangdong Power Grid. Post-fault dynamics of short-term voltage stability (SVS) present spatial-temporal characteristics, but the existing data-driven methods for online SVS assessment fail to incorporate such characteristics into their models effectively. Confronted with this dilemma, this paper develops a novel spatial–temporal graph convolutional network (STGCN) to address this problem. The proposed STGCN utilizes graph convolution to integrate network topology information into the learning model to exploit spatial information. Then, it adopts one-dimensional convolution to exploit temporal information. In this way, it models the spatial–temporal characteristics of SVS with complete convolutional structures. After that, a node layer and a system layer are strategically designed in the STGCN for SVS assessment. The proposed STGCN incorporates the characteristics of SVS into the data-driven classification model. It can result in higher assessment accuracy, better robustness and adaptability than conventional methods. Besides, parameters in the system layer can provide valuable information about the influences of individual buses on SVS. Test results on the real-world Guangdong Power Grid in South China verify the effectiveness of the proposed network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Machine learning approaches have exhibited high potential in power system transient stability assessment (TSA), yet their initial preparation stages of stability knowledge base generation (SKBG) based on time-domain simulations often undergo high computational costs. In fact, how to ease the heavy computational burden of SKBG without sacrificing the reliability is still a significant challenge. To address this problem, this paper develops a semi-supervised ensemble learning (SSEL) framework for reliable SKBG acceleration, without additional need for computing hardware upgrading. In particular, it performs detailed simulations for a minority of cases and fast simulations for the majority ones to reduce the total computation time. Considering the absence of stability status information of those fast simulated cases, an SSEL scheme is systematically designed to reliably label their stability status. Before implementing SSEL, two concise feature descriptors are first introduced to efficiently extract transient features from multiplex system trajectories. Then, all the cases are characterized in a unified feature space, whereby a series of semi-supervised support vector machines are trained in randomly formed subspaces. Afterward, these single machines are systematically combined to derive an enhanced SSEL model, which is able to make reliable and robust labeling decisions. Further, a backtrace strategy is carefully devised for SSEL, so as to maintain the high reliability of SKBG. Test results on the IEEE 39-bus system and the realistic GD Power Grid in South China illustrate the excellent performances of the proposed framework on SKBG acceleration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the anxiety and depression in pregnant women in China, and its influencing factors during the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: From February 22 to February 27, a questionnaire survey was conducted on 156 pregnant women, including demographic characteristics, a self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), and a self-depression rating scale (SDS). Results: A total of 13 non-homologous end-joining (8.3%, 13/156) patients were anxious, 79 patients (50.6%, 79/156) were depressed, and 13 patients (8.3%, 13/156) suffered from both anxiety and depression. The SAS score of pregnant women was 40.55 ± 6.09, and the SDS score was 50.42 ± 11.64. For the SAS score, only 8.3% of all patients (13/156) were in a light anxiety state. For the SDS score, 46.79% (73/156) of patients was normal, 23.72% of patients (37/156) showed mild depression, 22.44% (35/156) showed moderate depression, and 4.49% (7/156) showed severe depression. No significant changes were observed in SAS and SDS scores between patients from different regions within China, health state, gestational week, educational background, and living condition (P > 0.05). Moreover, no significant differences were observed between diagnosed/suspected patients and the normal control group (P > 0.05), and between pregnant women in Wuhan compared to other regions (P > 0.05). Conclusion: During the COVID-19 epidemic, the anxiety level of pregnant women was the same as that before the epidemic, while the level of depression was significantly higher. Pregnant women who lived in Wuhan, the epicenter of the epidemic, were not more anxious or depressed compared to pregnant women in other regions during the COVID-19 epidemic. Furthermore, the mental health status of pregnant women with COVID-19 was not more severe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper develops a hierarchical deep learning machine (HDLM) to efficiently achieve both quantitative and qualitative online transient stability prediction (TSP). For the sake of improving its online efficiency, multiple generators’ fault-on trajectories as well as the two closest data-points in pre-/post-fault stages are acquired by PMUs to form its raw inputs. An anti-noise graphical transient characterization technique is tactfully designed to transform multiplex trajectories into 2-D images, within which system-wide transients are concisely described. Then, following the divide-and-conquer philosophy, the HDLM trains a two-level convolutional neural network (CNN) based regression model. With stability margin regressions hierarchically refined, it manages to perform reliable and adaptive online TSP almost immediately after fault clearance. Test results on the IEEE 39-bus test system and the real-world Guangdong Power Grid in South China demonstrate the HDLM's superior performances on both stability status and stability margin predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Succinate‐CoA ligase/synthetase (SCS) deficiency is responsible for encephalomyopathy with mitochondrial DNA depletion and mild methylmalonic aciduria. Variants in SUCLG1, the nuclear gene encoding the alpha subunit of the SCS enzyme playing a pivotal role in maintaining mtDNA integrity and stability, are associated with mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome 9 (MTDPS9). Methods: In this study, we reported an infant with clinical features of MTDPS9 from China. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was used to identify the genetic cause. Bioinformatic analysis and mtDNA level detection were performed to assess pathogenicity. Results: The proband manifested with hypotonia, lactic acidosis, mild methylmalonic aciduria, hearing loss and psychomotor retardation. WES identified new compound heterozygous SUCLG1 variants of c.601A>G (p.R201G) in exon 6 and c.871G>C (p.A291P) in exon 8. Computational analysis predicted that these missense variants might alter structure stability and mitochondrial translocation of SUCLG1. qRT‐PCR showed 68% depletion of mtDNA content in proband as compared to controls. Conclusion: Novel compound heterozygous variants c.601A>G (p.R201G) and c.871G>C (p.A291P) in SUCLG1 may cause MTDPS9 in this family. Our finding should be helpful for molecular diagnosis, genetic counseling and clinical management of SCS deficiency disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to explore the clinical characteristics and etiology of mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS) in China by retrospectively analyzing five MERS cases from the Jiangsu Provincial Hospital within a total of 27 reported MERS cases from available Chinese literature. Most of the 27 cases originated near the eastern and southern parts of China. Ages for 23 MERS cases were under 30 years and the female-to-male ratio was 1:1.25. The major causes of MERS included infection, antiepileptic drug withdrawal, high-altitude cerebral edema, and cesarean section (C-section). Hyponatremia was also observed in 10 MERS cases. All patients had a complete recovery within a month. Steroids and IVIG were the most commonly used therapy for MERS, but their efficiency remained questionable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. This analysis was aimed at providing evidence-based medicine basis for systematic evaluation of chondroitin combined with glucosamine in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Methods. The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of chondroitin combined with glucosamine in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) were searched in PubMed, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, China Knowledge Network Database (CNKI), China VIP Database, Wanfang Database, and China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM) online database. The retrieval time ranges from the database creation to the present. Two investigators gathered the information individually. The risk of bias was assessed using the criteria of the Cochrane back review group. RevMan5.4 statistical software analyzed the selected data. Results. A total of 6 RCT articles were obtained. Overall, 764 samples were evaluated by meta-analysis. The clinical efficacy of chondroitin combined with glucosamine was significantly better than that of routine treatment by meta-analysis. The confidence interval of 95% was (4.86, 17.08) (Z = 6.89 , P < 0.00001). The scores of joint pain, tenderness, swelling, and dysfunction in patients with knee osteoarthritis treated with chondroitin combined with glucosamine were significantly lower than those treated with routine treatment. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between chondroitin combined with glucosamine and single treatment of KOA. Due to the small number of documents included in the analysis, it is not suitable to make a funnel chart, but there may be some publication deviation in the analysis. Conclusion. Chondroitin combined with glucosamine is more effective than chondroitin or glucosamine alone in the treatment of KOA and deserves clinical promotion. However, this conclusion still needs to be supported by multicenter, high-quality, double-blind, large-sample randomized controlled clinical trials due to the limitations of the six trials included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil detachment capacity (D c) is an important parameter used to determine erosion intensity in physical-process-based erosion models. Freeze-thaw affects soil detachment processes by altering the mechanical properties of soil; however, due to the compound action of freeze-thaw and runoff on D c , quantifying the impact of seasonal freeze-thaw on D c remains challenging. A series of experiments with six freeze-thaw cycles (FTC), six initial soil moisture contents (SMC), three slope gradients, and five flow discharges were conducted to investigate the effect of freeze-thaw and hydrodynamic characteristics on D c. The results showed that soil shear strength (τ m), cohesion (Coh), and internal friction angle (φ) gradually tended to become stable with increasing FTC, indicating that repeated FTC had a cumulative impact on soil mechanical properties, and there was a critical FTC between 5 and 7. When FTC rose from 1 to 15, the reduction in τ m , Coh , and φ was 0.03∼23.96%, 2.63∼75.21%, and − 5.70∼19.24%, respectively, which increased with an increasing SMC, suggesting that the deterioration effect of FTC on soil mechanical properties was promoted by increasing SMC. During alternating FTC, the relative range and variation coefficient of D c were 2.21–2.43 and 67.87–75.72%, respectively, indicating that D c was highly sensitive to FTC. Furthermore, D c increased by 2.37–71.22% after 15 FTC. Alternating freeze-thaw weakened the soil resistance to detachment. Moreover, the promoting effect of FTC on D c intensified with an increasing SMC, indicating that the variation in D c was strongly affected by SMC during FTC. A prediction model (R 2 =0.955, RRMSE =14.99%) was established to quantify the influence of freeze-thaw and hydrodynamic characteristics on D c. The explanation rate of variables in the D c prediction equation was quantitated: the explanation rate of stream power (64.3%) was higher than that of FTC (10.02%) and SMC (3.92%), suggesting that the impact of freeze-thaw on D c was covered by hydrodynamic characteristics. Further validation is required for the prediction equations when applied beyond the range of construction conditions. • Freeze-thaw cycles (FTC) weaken shear strength and soil resistance to detachment. • Soil moisture content influences soil detachment capacity (D c) during FTC. • There was a critical value for the impact of FTC on soil shear strength and D c. • A D c prediction model was developed under the condition of FTC and overland flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the differences and relationships between different outdoor spaces of hospitals on the physiological electroencephalography (EEG) feedback (PEEGF) of staff. Background: Relieving the pressure of hospital staff is essential, and several studies have revealed that even short-term exposure to outdoor space has a decompression effect. Yet, the focus is scarcely centered on the differences and influential relationships between the PEEGF from different outdoor spaces where the staff spend time, particularly in large-scale hospitals in China. Methods: EEG measurement equipment was utilized to obtain the value of β wave (vβw) that represents the stress and anxiety of staff in three different outdoor spaces: open, traffic, and rest. On the basis of EEG data, correlation analysis was conducted in accordance with the proportion of space elements. Results: The proportion of natural elements, such as landscape (r = −.800** p=.005) and waterscape (r = −.782* p=.013), were negatively correlated with the vβw produced by staff, while the proportion of hard paving was positive (r =.817** p=.004) with more vβw produced by staff. In other words, the percentage of landscape and waterscape can reduce stress, while hard paving has the opposite effect. Further, there was a difference in the amount of vβw generated between nurses and administrators in the open space at the entrance of the main building (p =.043). Conclusions: The present study revealed the influence of different outdoor space elements of the hospital on the physiological feedback of staff, demonstrated the practical necessity of evidence-based design, and proposed relevant optimization suggestions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the outbreak of novel coronavirus infection pneumonia in Wuhan City, China, in late 2019, such cases have been gradually reported in other parts of China and abroad. Children have become susceptible to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) because of their immature immune function. As the outbreak has progressed, more cases of novel coronavirus infection/pneumonia in children have been reported. Compared with adults, the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children is less severe, with a lower incidence and susceptibility in children, which results in fewer children being tested, thereby underestimating the actual number of infections. Therefore, strengthening the diagnosis of the disease is particularly important for children, and early and clear diagnosis can determine treatment strategies and reduce the harm caused by the disease to children. According to the Novel Coronavirus Infection Pneumonia Diagnosis and Treatment Standards (trial version 7) issued by National Health Committee and the latest diagnosis and treatment strategies for novel coronavirus infection pneumonia in children, this review summarizes current strategies on diagnosis and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extensive use of antibiotics globally and their residues in the environment has become a serious concern. Intensive animal farming is considered to be a major contributor to the increased environmental burden of antibiotics. Although some antibiotic investigations have been advancing around the world, as an important agricultural country, the information on these pollutants in animal farms are very limited in China. Previous studies have explored few antibiotic residues in livestock farms, whereas information on some antibiotics has remained unknown. The current study analyzed residues of 32 common veterinary antibiotics in manure and manure-based fertilizers collected from Jiangsu Province, China. In most of the manure and fertilizer samples, sulfamethazine and tetracycline were present, with high concentration up to 5650 and 1920 μg·kg-1, respectively. These detected antibiotics have weak relationships with physicochemical properties. Ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, sulfamethazine, and sulfachlorpyridazine, hence pose a high potential risk to crops based on the toxicological data of organisms and plants in the soil environment. However, soil invertebrate, such as earthworms, Planococcus Citri. and Folsomia fimeraria. , had low ecological risks. Our results showed the presence of antibiotics in livestock and poultry farms plus the potential risks to the soil ecosystem. Therefore, the findings can provide guidelines for monitoring antibiotic residues in agroecosystems, as well as insights into the associated ecological risks of using the two products. Image 1 • Ciprofloxacin and chlorotetracycline were the common antibiotics in animal manure. • Tetracycline was the dominant antibiotic in fertilizers, with concentration up to 1920 μg·kg-1. • We observed a weak but negative correlation between antibiotics and physicochemical properties. • Antibiotics in manure posed a high, short-term risk to plants but not to soil invertebrates in our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate chemical profiles and formation mechanisms of aerosol particles in winter haze events, comprehensive measurements including hourly concentrations of PM2.5 and water-soluble inorganic ions and related gasphase precursors were conducted via an online monitoring system from January to March of 2016 in Shenzhen, a coastal mega-city in south China. In this study, high concentrations of PM2.5, NO2 and lower levels of O3 were observed during haze periods in comparison with clear days (Visibility>15km). The major secondary ionic species were NH+4, NO-3 and SO2-4, which varied significantly on haze and clear days. The ratio of NO-3/SO2-4 in haze days was greater than that on clear days and tended to be larger when air pollution became more serious. At the same time, compared with previous studies, it has been found that the ratio has been increasing gradually in Shenzhen, indicating that the motor vehicle exhaust emissions have a more and more important impact on air quality in Shenzhen. Sulfur oxidation rate(SOR) and nitrogen oxidation rate(NOR) was higher during the haze period than that in clean days, indicating efficient gas to particle conversion. Further analysis shows that high concentrations of sulfate might be explained by aqueous oxidation, but gas-phase reactions might dominate nitrate formation. This study also highlights that wintertime nitrate formation can be an important contributor to aerosol particles, especially during haze periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication can reduce the prevalence of gastric cancer. However, whether H. pylori eradication therapy should be performed in infected patients, especially in asymptomatic cases, is still controversial.Aims: The aims of this study were to determine whether H. pylori screening and eradication could prevent gastric cancer in a cost-effective way, and further whether eradication therapy should be administered to asymptomatic individuals.Methods: Cost-effectiveness analysis was performed using a Markov model. We established two groups, each with 10,000 hypothetical Chinese individuals at the age of 40 years. Clinical outcomes and cost of H. pylori eradication were compared between the eradication and control groups.Results: There was a lower morbidity with gastric cancer in the eradication group than in the control group, which was most significant after running the model for 15 years. The eradication group experienced an average of 34.64 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) per person, and the average cost was US $1706.52 per person. The control group exhibited an average of 32.63 QALYs per person, and the average cost was US $2045.10 per person. The cost-effectiveness analysis showed that eradication saved $1539 per LY per person and $168.45 per QALY per person.Conclusions: H. pylori screening and eradication therapy effectively reduces the morbidity of gastric cancer and cancer-related costs in asymptomatic infected individuals. Therefore, we believe that H. pylori eradication can prevent gastric cancer in a cost-effective way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a CMOS DSRC transmitter architecture for China electronic toll collection systems. A digitally configurable transmitter architecture is proposed to reduce chip area, power, cost, and design complexity. This transmitter consists of only two digitally configurable analog blocks: an ASK modulator and a power amplifier, other than the digital baseband. The use of digital configuration extends output dynamic range, and facilitates rapid prototyping in different process technologies. The RF-SoC is fabricated using a 0.13 μm CMOS technology. Chip measurement results show that the maximum output power from a single-end port is 7.23 dBm, the occupied bandwidth is 2 MHz, the adjacent channel power ratio is −38 dBc at a 10 MHz offset, the adjustment range of modulation index is 77%–95%, and the transmitter dissipates 36 mA in active mode under a 2 V supply. Compared with state-of-the-art designs in the literature, this design demonstrates remarkable advantages in design complexity, modulation index, chip area, power consumption, output dynamic range, and output peak power. The chip area savings is at least 60%, the power consumption is reduced by at least 10%, the output dynamic range is enhanced by 9%, and the single-end output peak power is improved by at least 45%. • This paper presents a CMOS DSRC transmitter architecture for China electronic toll collection systems. • A digitally configurable transmitter architecture is proposed to reduce chip area, power, cost, and design complexity. • The use of digital configuration extends output dynamic range, and facilitates rapid prototyping in different technologies. • The RF-SoC is fabricated using a 0.13 μm CMOS technology. • Chip measurement shows remarkable advantages in chip area, power consumption, output dynamic range, and output peak power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional Chinese medicine has specific effect on some chronic diseases in clinic, especially in rheumatic diseases. Tripterygium wilfordii Hook (TWH) is a traditional Chinese medicine commonly used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA); the unique therapeutic effect has been confirmed by a large number of research papers. TWH has many compounds that lead to its active compounds. However, the potential targets and pharmacological and molecular mechanism of its action treatment of rheumatic diseases are not entirely clear. Therefore, the network pharmacology approach is needed to further study and explore its treatment mechanism. We have successfully set up 10 networks, including four major networks and other networks. Four major networks include rheumatoid arthritis disease network, compound-compound target network of TWH, TWH compound target-rheumatoid arthritis disease network, and TWH-rheumatoid arthritis disease-mechanism network. Other networks consist of RA disease and TWH related targets clusters, biological processes, and pathways network. Our study successfully predicted, explained, and confirmed the TWH of RA disease molecular synergy and found the potential of RA related targets, cluster, biological process, and pathways. This study not only provides prompts to the researcher who explores pharmacological and biological molecular mechanism of TWH applying to RA disease, but also proves a feasible method for discovering potential activated compounds from Chinese herbs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal behavior in soil and water requires modeling for a better understanding of the potential adverse impacts on the ecosystem as well as on humans. A heavy metal transport and transformation module is combined with the well-established SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) model for the purpose of simulating the fate and transport of metals at the watershed scale. The heavy metal module accounts for sorption, complexation and slow reactions among metal species; the heavy metals in the upland are allowed to transport vertically through percolation and evaporation-induced water rising as well as horizontally through soil erosion and surface/subsurface runoff; the heavy metals in the water body, in contrast, are modeled to undergo settling, resuspension, diffusion and burial processes. As a demonstration, the SWAT-laden heavy metal module (SWAT-HM) was calibrated to simulate zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) dynamics in an upstream watershed of the Liuyang River in China, which has been impacted by mining activities for decades. The model simulations were found to agree reasonably well with the monitored results. In particular, the elevation of metal loads in channels with precipitation events was well represented, demonstrating that a considerable amount of Zn and Cd in the waste rock dumps and contaminated soil was released into rivers through rainfall. After a simulation of 6 years (2009–2014), the simulated Zn and Cd concentrations were used as a surrogate for the Predicted Environmental Concentration (PEC), whereby an ecological risk assessment was conducted for the demonstrative mining area. This initiative toward developing a heavy metal module combined with SWAT has high potential for application in environmental risk analysis and pollution control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mobile tigecycline-resistant gene tet (X4), which confers resistance to all tetracyclines, has been identified in bacterial isolates from various sources. However, there are no reports on the occurrence of tet (X4) in bacterial isolates of ready-to-eat fresh vegetables. In this study, 113 vegetable samples from farmers' markets were screened for tigecycline-resistant strains. Ten Escherichia coli (two ST195, two ST48, and one ST10, ST58, ST88, ST394, ST641, and ST101) and one Klebsiella pneumoniae (ST327) recovered from nine vegetable samples (7.96 %) were identified as carrying tet (X4). The core genome sequences of the two E. coli ST195 isolates showed a close relationship (14-41 single-nucleotide polymorphisms) with 31 tet (X4)-bearing E. coli ST195 isolates from humans, pigs, pork, and bird in China and Thailand, and the 33 E. coli ST195 isolates producing Tet(X4) shared similar resistance genes and plasmid replicons. Nanopore sequencing and conjugation experiments confirmed that the tet (X4) genes were located on the hybrid plasmids IncFIA-HI1A-HI1B (n = 6), IncX1 (n = 3), and IncFII2 (n = 1) in E. coli , and IncFII plasmid in K. pneumoniae. IncFIA-HI1A-HI1B and IncX1 plasmids shared highly similar structures with plasmids from various sources in the GenBank database. This is the first study to report the observation of tet (X4)-positive bacteria in retail vegetables. The epidemic clones and plasmids contribute to tet (X4) dissemination in vegetables. The clonal spread of Tet(X4)-producing E. coli ST195 across multiple niches and countries could pose a potential threat to public health. • tet (X4) gene was first identified in bacteria from vegetable. • Clonal spread of Escherichia coli ST195 producing Tet(X4) across China and Thailand has occurred. • IncX1 and IncHI1A-HIB-FIA plasmids were dominant vectors for tet (X4) genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The data quality of field PMU measurements is analyzed, the results of which indicate the necessity of data improvement for measurement based potential applications. • A robust state estimation method is adopted to improve the data quality of field PMU measurements for ambient signal based load model parameter identification. • Two scenarios, i.e., data recovery and data correction are considered for the effectiveness verification of the state estimation method for data improvement. • Case studies with not only simulation data from power system analysis toolbox, but also the field PMU measurements from China southern power grid, demonstrate the effectiveness of the state estimation method on data improvement for ambient signal based load model parameter identification. Considering the component based modeling approach's shortage of requiring the typical load model parameters and the traditional measurement based modeling approach's inadequacy of the dependence on fault-disturbance data, the recently proposed ambient signal based load modeling approach offers an important idea to track the time-varying characteristics of power loads. However, it suffers the impacts of phasor measurement unit (PMU) measurement errors. Consequently, data improvement for ambient signal based load modeling is both important and necessary. In this paper, state estimation is adopted to make the ambient signal based method usable with field PMU measurements. To be specific, a weighted least square method is applied for state estimation to improve the data quality. On this basis, the improved data are used for load model parameter identification to evaluate the performance of the state estimation method from the perspective of data application. Case studies with both simulation data from power system analysis toolbox and field PMU measurements from China southern power grid have verified the effectiveness of the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Application of geophysical methods in new uranium bearing strata in Odors basin. • First application of the constrained inversion of seismic and residual gravity data in uranium exploration. • The geophysical characteristics of uranium bearing sandstones are summarized. We present the seismic and 3-D gravity study to define the ore-controlling structures of sandstone-hosted uranium deposits in the southwestern Ordos Basin, the second largest sedimentary basin in China. The instantaneous amplitude and frequency are extracted from seismic reflection data, and the seismic impedance is obtained by joint inversion of well-log and post-stack seismic data. Results of the seismic attributes and inversion show that the uranium-bearing deposits exhibit low instantaneous frequencies, low instantaneous amplitudes and medium–low seismic impedances. The scratch analysis method is employed on the residual gravity anomaly generated from the gravity bouguer anomaly by using the potential field separation. The edge coefficient image of the residual gravity anomaly shows that the fault structures are composed of NE-trending faults in the west and EW-trending faults in the east of the study area. The 3-D gravity inversion constrained by the seismic data was performed to reveal that uranium-bearing deposits are characterized by low gravity anomaly, which is related to the larger porosity of the uranium-bearing sandstones. Geophysical results show that the uranium-bearing deposits are controlled by flower structures, EW-trending normal faults and NW-trending thrust faults. Flower structures are produced by the tectonic inversion as a result of the uplift and NE-directed growth of the Tibetan Plateau. Ore-controlling faults cut crossing the floor of the ore-bearing strata as channels, along which the ore-forming fluids move upward and are enriched in the sandstone strata with high permeability and porosity in Luohe Formation. In addition, the roof and floor of the ore-bearing strata in Luohe Formation are characterized by high impedance and gravity anomaly, which has a sealing effect on uranium deposits. Then we predicted the thickness of the sandstones in Luohe Formation, as the sandstone is a prerequisite for mineralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fowl aviadenovirus serotype 4 (FAdV-4), Y17215-1, was isolated from the liver of chickens with Hydropericardium-hepatitissyndrome(HHS) in a chicken farm of Tianjin, China. Obvious cytopathic effects were observed in the infected chicken liver hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (LMH cells) at 24 h post infection (hpi), which consisted of enlarger and rounder shape of cells. The typical and specific green fluorescence was observed by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Tissue Culture Infectious Dose50 (TCID 50) of it measured after five stable passage in LMH cells reached 106.5TCID 50 /0.1 mL. The strain was inoculated through allantoic membrane of 10-day specific pathogen free(SPF) Chick embryos, the thicker allantoic membranes were observed at 120 hpi. 7-day-old SPF chickens were inoculated with the strain via intramuscular (i.m.) or intranasal (i.n.) injection which resulted in 100% mortality of test chickens. Additionally, the sickness and death of cohabitation chickens in the test group were observed which indicated that the virus can infect healthy chickens by horizontal transmission. The sick chickens showed depression, anorexia and diarrhea with green watery feces. Y17215-1-inoculated chickens mainly presented swollen liver with blood spot, and the enhancement of effusion or yellow gel like effusion that were observed in the pericardium through necropsy. Histopathological examination showed focal necrosis of hepatocytes and characteristic eosinophilic inclusion bodies in the cytoplasm. The results showed that the Y17215-1 isolate had high pathogenicity to SPF chickens. The phylogenetic analysis of the major structural proteins including hexon, fiber-1 and fiber-2 revealed that Y17215-1 strain belongs to C species of fowl aviadenovirus of aviadenovirus family, and has high homology with other Chinese strains isolated in recent years, but was distinct from ON1、MX-SHP95、KR5 and other foreign isolates. This study laid a foundation for further study of epidemiological investigation, pathogenic mechanism as well as the diagnosis and control technology of FAdV-4. • The i.m. was the more sensitive route for FAdV-4 infection than i.n. • The hexon, fiber-1 and fiber-2 proteins of Y17215-1 has high homology with FAdV-4 isolates in China. • Liver presented multifocal hepatocyte necrosis, and eosinophilic inclusion bodies in the cytoplasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Zn input and output fluxes with uncertainties were quantified at a watershed level. • In the upland, Zn fluxes with soil erosion and lateral flow dominated Zn export. • In the river channel, bed sediment was identified as the most important Zn sink. Heavy metal (HM) pollution is a serious and urgent issue in integrated watershed management in China and worldwide. Determining effective management strategies for pollution control requires quantification of input and output metal fluxes and the inherent uncertainties. Process-based metal models can simulate the metal movement on a watershed scale providing essential information for metal budget. However, there has been little effort to quantify the uncertainties in metal flux simulations. In this work, we modified the previously developed SWAT-HM (Soil and Water Assessment Tool – Heavy Metal) model by adding two external model inputs (atmospheric deposition and agricultural-source input) and one process-based module (plant uptake). We then linked the modified model with the SWAT Calibration and Uncertainty Programs SWAT-CUP for stochastic calibration and uncertainty analysis. The modified SWAT-HM was used to model the fluxes of primary inputs and outputs of zinc (Zn) in both uplands (soil) and channel (bed sediment) in the upper Liuyang River watershed in south-central China. To calibrate the model with uncertainty analysis, we used six-years of daily streamflow, daily sediment load, and daily Zn load at monthly frequency at the watershed outlet. In the upland phase, we identified Zn input from atmospheric deposition and Zn output through soil erosion as the most significant fluxes. In the channel phase, bed sediment was the critical Zn sink receiving 5,100 to 42,000 kg yr−1 Zn. The method used in SWAT-HM calibration and uncertainty analysis is general with potential application to similar settings in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]