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We investigated whether genetic susceptibility to tuberculosis (TB) influences lung adenocarcinoma development among never-smokers using TB genome-wide association study (GWAS) results within the Female Lung Cancer Consortium in Asia. Pathway analysis with the adaptive rank truncated product method was used to assess the association between a TB-related gene-set and lung adenocarcinoma using GWAS data from 5512 lung adenocarcinoma cases and 6277 controls. The gene-set consisted of 31 genes containing known/suggestive associations with genetic variants from previous TB-GWAS. Subsequently, we followed-up with Mendelian Randomization to evaluate the association between TB and lung adenocarcinoma using three genome-wide significant variants from previous TB-GWAS in East Asians. The TB-related gene-set was associated with lung adenocarcinoma (p = 0.016). Additionally, the Mendelian Randomization showed an association between TB and lung adenocarcinoma (OR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.66, p = 0.027). Our findings support TB as a causal risk factor for lung cancer development among never-smoking Asian women.

As one of the most promising Kitaev quantum-spin-liquid (QSL) candidates, $α$-RuCl$_3$ has received a great amount of attention. However, its ground state exhibits a long-range zigzag magnetic order, which defies the QSL phase. Nevertheless, the magnetic order is fragile and can be completely suppressed by applying an external magnetic field. Here, we explore the evolution of magnetic excitations of $α$-RuCl$_3$ under an in-plane magnetic field, by carrying out inelastic neutron scattering measurements on high-quality single crystals. Under zero field, there exist spin-wave excitations near the $M$ point and a continuum near the $\mitΓ$ point, which are believed to be associated with the zigzag magnetic order and fractional excitations of the Kitaev QSL state, respectively. By increasing the magnetic field, the spin-wave excitations gradually give way to the continuous excitations. On the verge of the critical field $μ_0H_{\rm c}=7.5$ T, the former vanish and only the latter is left, indicating the emergence of a pure QSL state. By further increasing the field strength, the excitations near the $\mitΓ$ point become more intense. By following the gap evolution of the excitations near the $\mitΓ$ point, we are able to establish a phase diagram composed of three interesting phases, including a gapped zigzag order phase at low fields, possibly-gapless QSL phase near $μ_0H_{\rm c}$, and gapped partially polarized phase at high fields. These results demonstrate that an in-plane magnetic field can drive $α$-RuCl$_3$ into a long-sought QSL state near the critical field., 9 pages, 4 figures

Castration can reduce odor and fights in boars, but the carcass yield is reduced, and the intramuscular fat content is increased. Understanding its molecular mechanism is of great significance for production. Recent studies have shown that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play an important role(s) in the regulation of muscle development. To explore the effects of circRNAs on the development of longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle after castration, six Huainan male pigs were selected and three of which were randomly castrated. Six pigs were slaughtered when their body weight reached around 130 kg, and the LD muscle samples were collected. The differentially expressed circRNAs (DECs) were screened by high-throughput sequencing and functionally analyzed using the KEGG databases. DECs-miRNAs network was constructed, and the expression profiles of candidate circRNAs and their interactions with miRNAs were verified in porcine skeletal muscle satellite cells. The results showed that a total of 5866 circRNAs were obtained, and 370 DECs were identified in LD muscle between the castrated and intact groups (| log公猪去势可减少异味和打斗,但去势后产肉量和肌内脂肪沉积发生变化,其分子机制的解析对生产具有重要意义。近年来研究表明,环状RNA (circRNA)在肌肉发育中具有重要调控作用。为探究去势后circRNAs对背最长肌发育的调控,本研究选择6头淮南公猪,随机选择3头去势,当体重达130 kg左右屠宰,采集背最长肌样品,利用高通量测序筛选差异表达circRNAs (differentially expressed circRNAs, DECs)并进行KEGG功能富集分析。结合前期筛选的公猪去势相关miRNAs,构建DECs-miRNAs调控网络,最后使用猪骨骼肌卫星细胞验证候选circRNA表达谱及其与miRNA互作关系。结果表明,去势和非去势组背最长肌样品共获得5866个circRNAs,两组之间共有370个DECs (| log

COVID-19 has been spreading fast worldwide, and until effective and safe vaccines have been widely adopted, preventive measures such as social distancing are crucial to keep the pandemic under control. The study’s research questions asked which psychosocial factors predict social distancing behavior and whether there are country-level differences in social distancing? Using the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) as a theoretical lens, we examined the predictive effects of threat and efficacy and demographic variables on adherence to the COVID-19 preventive behavior of social distancing using a survey among an international sample of university students. Using path modeling and analysis of covariance, we confirmed the predictive effects of the EPPM on social distancing behavior. Our final model showed that perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 was both directly and indirectly (through response efficacy) associated with social distancing behavior; that perceived severity of COVID-19 yielded a significant indirect effect on social distancing behavior through both self-efficacy and response efficacy; that perceived susceptibility is indirectly and positively associated with social distancing behavior through response efficacy; and that self-efficacy and response efficacy were directly associated with social distancing behavior. Additionally, there were country-level differences in social distancing. Possible explanations for and implications of these findings are discussed.

In this paper, based on Simufact Welding finite element analysis software, a numerical simulation of the temperature and residual stress distribution of the weldolet-header multi-layer multi-pass welding process is carried out, and the simulation results are verified through experiments. The experimental results are in good agreement with the numerical simulation results, which proves the validity of the numerical simulation results. Through the results of the numerical simulation, the influence of the welding sequence and interlayer temperature on the temperature and residual stress distribution at different locations of the saddle-shaped weld was studied. The results show that the temperature and residual stress distribution on the header and weldolet are asymmetric, and the high-stress area of the saddle-shaped welded joint always appears at the saddle shoulder or saddle belly position. When the interlayer temperature is 300 °C, the peak residual stress reaches a minimum of 428.35 MPa. Adjusting the welding sequence can change the distribution trend of residual stress. There is no high-stress area on the first welding side of the two-stage welding path-2. The peak values of residual stresses for continuous welding path-1 and two-stage welding path-2 are 428.35 MPa and 434.01 MPa, respectively, which are very close to each other.

The optimal control strategy for the decoupling of drive torque is proposed for the problems of runaway and driving stability in straight-line driving of electric vehicles driven by four-wheel hub motors. The strategy uses a hierarchical control logic, with the upper control logic layer being responsible for additional transverse moment calculation and driving anti-slip control, the middle control logic layer is responsible for the spatial motion decoupling for the underlying coordinated distribution of the four-wheel drive torque, on the basis of which the drive anti-skid control of a wheel motor-driven electric vehicle that takes into account the transverse motion of the whole vehicle is realized, the lower control logic layer is responsible for the optimal distribution of the driving torque of the vehicle speed following control. Based on the vehicle dynamics software Carsim2019.0 and MATLAB/Simulink, a simulation model of a four-wheel hub motor-driven electric vehicle control system was built and simulated under typical operating conditions such as high coefficient of adhesion, low coefficient of adhesion and opposing road surfaces. The research shows that the wheel motor drive has the ability to control the stability of the whole vehicle with large intensity that the conventional half-axle drive does not have. Using the proposed joint decoupling control of the transverse pendulum motion and slip rate as well as the optimal distribution of the drive force with speed following, the transverse pendulum angular speed and slip rate can be effectively controlled with the premise of ensuring the vehicle speed, thus greatly improving the straight-line driving stability of the vehicle.

A novel and versatile approach to construct substituted indolizines through copper-catalyzed coupling cyclization of 2-(pyridin-2-yl)acetate with gem-difluoroalkenes has been developed. This method takes advantage of the cleavage of C–F bonds, providing a straightforward and efficient access to a variety of bisubstituted indolizine derivatives in moderate to good yields with brilliant functional group compatibility.

The simulation of snowmelt runoff in alpine mountainous areas is of great significance not only for the risk assessment of snowmelt flood in spring and summer, but also for the development and management of water resources in the basin. An improved snowmelt runoff model (SRM) is constructed based on the analysis of change characteristics of climate, runoff, and snow and ice cover in the middle and upper reaches of the Taxkorgan River in Xinjiang Province, China. Because of the large evaporation in the study basin, the evaporation loss is added to the model. The SRM and the improved SRM are calibrated and verified by using data such as temperature, precipitation, water vapor pressure, and snow-covered area (SCA) ratio in the study basin from 2002 to 2012. The results show that, compared with the SRM, the average Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient (NSE) of annual runoff simulation increases from 0.80 to 0.86 in the calibration and increases from 0.74 to 0.83 in the validation through the improved model, and the average runoff error reduces from - 12.8 to 1.32% in the calibration and reduces from - 20.0 to - 11.51% in the validation. After adding the measured flow rate for real-time correction, the average NSE of annual runoff simulation increases from 0.91 to 0.93 and the average annual runoff error reduces from - 7.76 to - 3.91% in the calibration. The average NSE increases from 0.85 to 0.89 and the average runoff error reduces from - 12.35 to - 2.76% in the validation. It indicates that the SRM structure with increased evaporation loss is more in line with the actual situation. The short-term simulation effect of the model is greatly improved by adding the measured flow rate for real-time correction. At the same time, the improved SRM and the hypothetical climate change scenario are used to analyze the impact analysis of the snowmelt runoff simulation in the partial wet year. The results show that in the case of rising temperature, the ice and snow ablation period is prolonged, and the annual runoff also changes significantly in time distribution. It is of guiding significance for the influence of climate change on the runoff of recharged rivers with ice-snow meltwater in the other alpine regions.

Background: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) accounts for the highest incidence rate worldwide and is responsible for the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death. Currently, serologic biomarkers for early ESCC diagnosis are needed for timely treatment. Methods: The performance of a four-autoantibody panel (i.e., anti-TP53, HRAS, CTAG1A, and NSG1) was evaluated by ELISA for the early diagnosis of ESCC with 569 retrospective serum samples. A training set comprising 129 patients with early-stage ESCC, 130 patients with esophageal benign lesion (EBL), and 150 healthy controls (HC) was used to develop an early ESCC predictive model. Data obtained from an independent validation set were used to evaluate and validate the predictive model to distinguish the early ESCC from the controls (EBL+HC). Finally, a multiplexed assay based on the Luminex xMAP technology platform was developed to enable simultaneous detection of the four-autoantibody panel using the validation set. Results: The four-autoantibody panel significantly discriminated early ESCC cases from the controls with 62.8% sensitivity at 88.9% specificity in the training set and with 58.0% sensitivity at 90.0% specificity in the independent validation set. The results of the multiplexed assay using xMAP technology for early ESCC showed a significant correlation with that of the ELISA assays with 66.0% sensitivity at 90.9% specificity. Conclusions: A four-autoantibody panel showed good performance for early ESCC diagnosis with ELISA and could be further developed into a multiplex assay using the Luminex xMAP technology. Impact: The four-autoantibody panel could be used for serologic screening for early ESCC.

With the participation of the existing treatment methods, the prognosis of advanced clear‐cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is poor. More evidence indicates the presence of methylation in ccRCC cancer cells, but there is a lack of studies on methylation‐driven genes in ccRCC. We analyzed the open data of ccRCC in The Cancer Genome Atlas database to obtain ccRCC‐related methylation‐driven genes, and then carried out pathway enrichment, survival, and joint survival analyses. More important, we deeply explored the correlation between differential methylation sites and the expression of these driving genes. Finally, we screened 29 methylation‐driven genes via MethylMix, of which six were significantly associated with the survival of ccRCC patients. This study demonstrated that the effect of hypermethylation or hypomethylation on prognosis is different, and the level of methylation of key methylation sites is associated with gene expression. We identified methylation‐driven genes independently predicting prognosis in ccRCC, which offers theoretical support in bioinformatics for the study of methylation in ccRCC and a new perspective for the epigenetic study of ccRCC., In this study, a variety of algorithms, R software package, survival analysis, and combined survival analysis were used to screen the overall survival‐related methylated‐driven genes in patients with clear‐cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). It was found that hypermethylation or hypomethylation had different effects on prognosis, and the level of methylation of key methylation sites was associated with gene expression. And from the biological point of view, this study provides a new perspective for the study of epigenetics of ccRCC.

Nowadays, industrial robots have been widely used in manufacturing applications; however, their speed is hard to control precisely due to unknown system dynamics. Instead of struggling to get an accurate explicit model, this paper addresses this challenge by proposing a new iterative data-driven fractional model reference control (FMRC) method, which tunes an adaptive controller to ensure that each robot actuation system behaves closely to a reference model with desirable system behavior to be obtained. This method utilizes input-output measurements without requiring an identified model or accessing the plant through specific experiments. A multiple degrees-of-freedom FMRC method with self-learning ability is designed to iteratively reach the optimal control parameters such that an accurate speed tracking is attained for each actuator. Constraints on the input signal are also considered to enhance the system robustness against external disturbances. The convergence, asymptotic accuracy, and stability of the designed control system are analyzed theoretically. Experimental results indicate that the proposed FMRC method is able to achieve a higher tracking precision and better robustness for the industrial robot compared with conventional methods.

Purpose: Explore the effect of Baihe Dihuang powder on chronic stress depression rat models. Methods: Chronic stress depression rat models were established with different stimuli for 21 days. At the same time, the drug was administered for 21 consecutive days. The animals were weighed once a week after the start of the formal experiment. On the second day after the end of drug administration, conduct sugar water consumption test and open-filed box experiment, and conduct behavioral observation; At the end of behavioral testing, blood was taken from the eyeball and plasma was separated to measure MDA level and erythrocyte SOD activity; Take brain for homogenate, then measure the contents of 5-HT, NE and DA in brain tissue homogenate; Take the thymus and spleen, stained with 10% formalin fixation, embedding and HE staining, then use microscope to observe the histopathological changes. Results: Chronic stress depression rats model replicated successfully. Each group of given drugs could increase the weight, the consumption of sugar water, and improve the behavioral score, increase erythrocytes SOD activity and decrease MDA level of plasma, increase the content of 5-HT, NE and DA of brain homogenate, and improve the pathological changes of thymus and spleen of chronic stress depression model animals. Conclusion: Chronic stress depression rat model replicates successfully. Baihe Dihuang powder can interfere chronic stress depression rats model through different action pathways. Keywords: Baihe Dihuang powder, Chronic stress depression, Monoamine neurotransmitter, Action pathways

For vehicle state estimation, conventional Kalman filters work well under Gaussian assumptions. Still, they are likely to degrade dramatically in the practical non-Gaussian situation (especially the noise is heavy-tailed), showing poor accuracy and robustness. This article presents an estimation technique based on the maximum correntropy criterion (MCC) combined with an adaptive extended Kalman filter (AEKF), and an extended Kalman filter (EKF) based on the MCC has also been studied. A lateral-longitudinal coupled vehicle model is developed, while an observer containing the state vectors such as yaw rate, sideslip angle, vehicle velocity and tire cornering stiffness is designed using easily available in-vehicle sensors and low-cost GPS. After analyzing the algorithmic complexity, the proposed algorithm is validated by sine steering input and double lane change driving scenarios. Finally, it is found that MCC combined with AEKF/EKF has stronger robustness and better estimation accuracy than AEKF/EKF in dealing with non-Gaussian noise for vehicle state estimation.

In the tension stringing construction process of power transmission and transformation engineering, the braided wire ropes (BWRs) are in the state of winding and stretching when passing through the friction drum. Pitch is an important structural parameter of BWRs, which directly influences the mechanical behaviors under these conditions. Based on the YS9-8×19 wire rope, this project studies the effect of the rope strand pitch on the curvature and winding from both qualitative and quantitative aspects. Qualitative analysis initially explores the effect of the pitch on the mechanical behaviors. Based on the established “rope-wheel” solid model and numerical simulation model, the stress distribution and the variation trend of the maximum equivalent stress corresponding to different pitches in the winding traction state are obtained through the quantitative analyses of the numerical simulations under the same loads with different pitches. The reasonable pitch range of the BWR subjected to traction and bending load is further concluded, to provide the data reference for the manufacture of related wire ropes.

Perfluorooctane sulfonates (PFOS) are regarded as a category of chemicals with persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. Understanding dynamic flows, stocks, and emissions of PFOS on a macro spatial and temporal scale can help provide a scientific basis for their sound management. In this work, a dynamic material flow analysis (d-MFA) model was built to characterize and analyze the cycles of PFOS in mainland China over the period 1985-2019. Flows, stocks, and environmental emissions were calculated and the sensitivity and uncertainty of the results were then analyzed. Results show that domestic production was the primary source of PFOS in China, most of which was flowed to the domestic market in the form of final products, with the remainder exported to international markets; soil and water were the main sinks of PFOS in China, with emissions from the usage stage contributing the largest portion (103 tons in 2019). The number of inflows and outflows were relatively low before 2000, but gradually increased until 2009 when the relevant convention was issued. Since 2005, in-use stocks and emissions of PFOS have grown yearly. In addition, stocks in landfill have been climbing since 1985. End-of-life management was still dominated by traditional methods, such as landfill and incineration, while there was a trend towards green treatments. This study can provide basic data and theoretical support for the sound management of PFOS in China.