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For a higher hereditary algebra, we calculate its upper (lower) Serre dimension, the entropy and polynomial entropy of Serre functor, and the Hochschild (co)homology entropy of Serre quasi-functor. These invariants are determined by its Calabi-Yau dimension for a higher representation-finite algebra, and by its global dimension and the spectral radius and polynomial growth rate of its Coxeter matrix for a higher representation-infinite algebra. For this, we will prove the Yomdin type inequality on Hochschild homology entropy for a finite dimensional elementary algebra of finite global dimension. Our calculations imply that the Kikuta and Ouchi's question on relations between entropy and Hochschild (co)homology entropy has positive answer, and the Gromov-Yomdin type equalities on entropy and Hochschild (co)homology entropy hold, for the Serre functor on perfect derived category and the Serre quasi-functor on perfect dg module category of an indecomposable elementary higher hereditary algebra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of virtual synchronous generators (VSGs) in power systems is gradually increasing to address the low inertia issue caused by the high penetration of renewable energy sources. Besides, the stability of microgrids (MGs) is threatened by constant power loads (CPLs) consisting of power electronic converters with closed‐loop controllers. To investigate the stability of the MG composed of VSG and CPL, this paper analyzes the operational principles of VSG and CPL, revealing that only the bipolar switch logic function is suitable for establishing a closed‐loop model if the output of the inner‐loop controller is considered as the duty cycle of the PWM signal. Furthermore, the closed‐loop impedance models of VSG and CPL were established in the dq frame. Impedance‐based analysis results show that the MG is prone to oscillation in the mid‐band. Therefore, the active power loop parameters of the VSG have a small impact on the stability of the MG, while the LC filter and inner loop controllers have a greater impact on the stability. Based on the oscillation mechanism and passivity theory, the impedance reshaping strategy for VSG and CPL is proposed. It is verified that the proposed control strategy can significantly improve the stability of the MG through the comparison of simulation results and theoretical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: DNA double-strand break (DSB) induction and repair are important events for determining cell survival and the outcome of cancer radiotherapy. The DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) complex functions at the apex of DSBs repair, and its assembly and activity are strictly regulated by post-translation modifications (PTMs)-associated interactions. However, the PTMs of the catalytic subunit DNA-PKcs and how they affect DNA-PKcs's functions are not fully understood. Methods: Mass spectrometry analyses were performed to identify the crotonylation sites of DNA-PKcs in response to γ-ray irradiation. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), western blotting, in vitro crotonylation assays, laser microirradiation assays, in vitro DNA binding assays, in vitro DNA-PK assembly assays and IF assays were employed to confirm the crotonylation, identify the crotonylase and decrotonylase, and elucidate how crotonylation regulates the activity and function of DNA-PKcs. Subcutaneous xenografts of human HeLa GCN5 WT or HeLa GCN5 siRNA cells in BALB/c nude mice were generated and utilized to assess tumor proliferation in vivo after radiotherapy. Results: Here, we reveal that K525 is an important site of DNA-PKcs for crotonylation, and whose level is sharply increased by irradiation. The histone acetyltransferase GCN5 functions as the crotonylase for K525-Kcr, while HDAC3 serves as its dedicated decrotonylase. K525 crotonylation enhances DNA binding activity of DNA-PKcs, and facilitates assembly of the DNA-PK complex. Furthermore, GCN5-mediated K525 crotonylation is indispensable for DNA-PKcs autophosphorylation and the repair of double-strand breaks in the NHEJ pathway. GCN5 suppression significantly sensitizes xenograft tumors of mice to radiotherapy. Conclusions: Our study defines K525 crotonylation of DNA-PKcs is important for the DNA-PK complex assembly and DSBs repair activity via NHEJ pathway. Targeting GCN5-mediated K525 Kcr of DNA-PKcs may be a promising therapeutic strategy for improving the outcome of cancer radiotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To summarize the existing evidence on the effects of ultrasound-guided recruitment maneuver (RM) during perioperative period on atelectasis, oxygenation and other clinical outcomes in adult patients undergoing abdominal surgery. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and WanFang databases were searched from inception to May 2023 for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the perioperative use of ultrasound-guided RM with a control group in adult patients undergoing abdominal surgery. The primary outcome was the incidence of early postoperative atelectasis (within 24 h after surgery). A total of 12 RCTs with 895 patients were included. The ultrasound-guided RM significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative atelectasis (RR [risk ratio]: 0.44, 95% CI [confidence interval]: 0.34 to 0.57, P < 0.001), with a median fragility index of 4. Prespecified subgroup analyses demonstrated the consistent findings. Additionally, ultrasound-guided RM could decrease postoperative lung ultrasound score (MD [mean difference]: − 3.02, 95% CI: − 3.98 to − 2.06, P < 0.001), reduce the incidence of postoperative hypoxemia (RR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.56, P < 0.001), improve postoperative oxygenation index (MD: 45.23 mmHg, 95% CI: 26.54 to 63.92 mmHg, P < 0.001), and shorten post-anesthesia care unit (MD: − 1.89 min, 95% CI: − 3.14 to − 0.63 min, P = 0.003) and hospital length of stay (MD: − 0.17 days, 95% CI: − 0.30 to − 0.03 days, P = 0.02). However, there was no significant difference in the incidence of atelectasis at the end of surgery between two groups (RR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.86 to 1.14, P = 0.89). The use of ultrasound-guided RM perioperatively reduced the risk of atelectasis and improve oxygenation after abdominal surgery. Strategies to reduce the development of perioperative atelectasis are presented to highlight areas for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractMultiple-use calibration using regression is an important statistical tool. Confidence sets for the x-values associated with all future y-values should guarantee a key property, which can be satisfied by simultaneous tolerance intervals (STI’s), and so multiple-use calibration requires the construction of STI’s. In this paper, exact two-sided STI’s have been constructed for polynomial regression over any given covariate interval. There is a misconception that two-sided pointwise tolerance intervals (PTI’s) can be employed for multiple-use calibration. This paper shows that the confidence sets based on the two-sided PTI’s do not satisfy the key property and so should not be used. Real-world data examples are given in this paper for illustration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The aim of the study is to determine the relation between education and adverse outcomes in individuals with pregestational or gestational diabetes. Study Design This population-based cohort study, using the U.S. vital statistics datasets, evaluated individuals with pregestational or gestational diabetes who delivered between 2016 and 2019. The primary outcome was composite neonatal adverse outcome including any of the following: large for gestational age (LGA), Apgar's score 6 hours, neonatal seizure, or neonatal death. The secondary outcome was composite maternal adverse outcomes including any of the following: admission to intensive care unit, transfusion, uterine rupture, or unplanned hysterectomy. Multivariable analysis was used to estimate adjusted relative risks (aRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Of 15,390,962 live births in the United States, 858,934 (5.6%) were eligible for this analysis. Compared with individuals with a college education and above, the risk of composite neonatal adverse outcome was higher in individuals with some college (aRR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.07–1.09), high school (aRR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.04–1.07), and less than high school (aRR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.03–1.07) education. The components of composite neonatal adverse outcome that differed significantly between the groups were LGA, Apgar's score 6 hours. Infant death differed when stratified by education level. An increased risk of composite maternal adverse outcome was also found with a lower level of education. Conclusion Among individuals with diabetes, lower education was associated with a modestly higher risk of adverse neonatal and maternal outcomes. Key Points Education levels were associated with adverse outcomes among individuals with diabetes. Lower education is associated with multiple neonatal complications, including infant death. Individuals with varying levels of education are at higher risk for adverse maternal outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The large integration of distributed generation (DG) and electric vehicles (EVs) facilitates daily life and reduces carbon emissions. However, it brings problems such as increased uncertainty and power electronic permeability to the distribution network. In this context, it is important to solve the line loss optimization problem as closely as possible to the real situation. Therefore, this paper solves the line loss optimization problem based on a probabilistic model of three‐phase unbalanced modern power electrical distribution network. Firstly, the paper proposes a frequency domain model of the distribution network and the optimization problem model. Then, to deal with the uncertainty of the system, the point estimation method (PEM) and Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) are used. Finally, this paper proposes two optimization schemes considering the power quality when single and multiple DGs are integrated. The simulation results demonstrate that the PEM using the Gram–Charlier series expansion of the fourth‐order statistical moments to estimate the probability density function (PDF) is significantly less time consuming than the traditional MCS method while maintaining accuracy. The comparative analysis reveals that under the optimization scheme with single DG integration, the expected value of system line loss and expected line loss rate are reduced from 283.95 kW to 218.96 kW (22.89% reduction) and from 13.44% to 10.68%, respectively. Under the dual DG integrated optimization scheme, the expected value of line losses and expected line loss rate are reduced from 283.95 kW to 208.88 kW (26.4% reduction) and from 13.44% to 10.25%, respectively. However, after taking the uncertainty into account, the operational reliability of the system has been enhanced under different scenarios. In addition, it is found that the optimization approach incorporating multiple DG units can effectively mitigate the system line loss under diverse operational scenarios while enhancing the system's DG integration capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Near ultraviolet (NUV) organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) have great advantages in the field of light excitation sources, chemical and biological sensors, etc. However, the molecular design of NUV emitters still faces the challenges of spectral broadening and red‐shift. In this study, attaching weak oxygen‐bridged triarylboron acceptor to weak carbazolyl donor is able to address intractable problems by weakening donor–acceptor (D–A) charge transfer. Simultaneously, sterically wrapped and modified oxygen‐bridged triarylboron acceptor by bulk substituents (multiple carbazolyl) can suppress intermolecular π–π stacking through steric hindrance effect. These design strategies are able to obtain short‐wavelength, narrow‐band emission, and great color purity. As a result, carbazolyl derivatives xCz‐BO‐based (x = 2, 3, 4, 5) emitters show EL emission peaks from 406 to 422 nm in the NUV light region and small full‐width at half‐maximums (FWHMs) of 32–41 nm over a wide range of dopant concentrations (10–40 wt.%). The most violet Commission International de I'Eclairage (CIE) color coordinate is (0.16, 0.03). Moreover, 5Cz‐BO can be employed as host for vacuum‐/solution‐processed blue OLEDs and these devices exhibit high performance with EQEs of over 20%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extended target tracking (ETT) based on random matrices typically assumes that the measurement model is linear. However, nonlinear measurements (such as range and azimuth) depending on locations of a series of unknown scattering centers always exist in many practical tracking applications. To address this issue, this paper proposes an iteratively extended target tracking based on random matrices by using decorrelated unbiased conversion of nonlinear measurements (ETT-IDUCM). First, we utilize a decorrelated unbiased converted measurement (DUCM) method to convert nonlinear measurements depending on unknown scatters of target extent in polar coordinates into the ones in Cartesian coordinates with equivalent measurement noise covariances. Subsequently, a novel method, combining iteratively extended Kalman filter (IEKF) updates with variational Bayesian (VB) cycles is developed for precise estimation of the target's kinematic state and extension. This method leverages the synergy between external IEKF iterations, which use the estimated state as a new prediction and input for DUCM, and internal VB iterations, which realize a closed-form approximation of the joint posterior probability. This approach progressively enhances estimation accuracy. Simulation results demonstrate the ETT-IDUCM algorithm's superior precision in estimating the target's kinematic state and extension compared to existing methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Our previous study in 2011 concluded that permissive underfeeding may improve outcomes in patients receiving parenteral nutrition therapy. This conclusion was tentative, given the small sample size. We conducted the present systematic review and trial sequential meta-analysis to update the status of permissive underfeeding in patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: Seven databases were searched: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and Cochrane Library. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. The Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (ROB 2) was used to assess the risk of bias in the enrolled trials. RevMan software was used for data synthesis. Trial sequential analyses (TSA) of overall and ICU mortalities were performed. Results: Twenty-three RCTs involving 11,444 critically ill patients were included. There were no significant differences in overall mortality, hospital mortality, length of hospital stays, and incidence of overall infection. Compared with the control group, permissive underfeeding significantly reduced ICU mortality (risk ratio [RR] = 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], [0.81, 0.99]; P = 0.02; I2 = 0%), and the incidence of gastrointestinal adverse events decreased (RR = 0.79; 95% CI, [0.69, 0.90]; P = 0.0003; I2 = 56%). Furthermore, mechanical ventilation duration was reduced (mean difference (MD) = − 1.85 days; 95% CI, [− 3.44, − 0.27]; P = 0.02; I2 = 0%). Conclusions: Permissive underfeeding may reduce ICU mortality in critically ill patients and help to shorten mechanical ventilation duration, but the overall mortality is not improved. Owing to the sample size and patient heterogeneity, the conclusions still need to be verified by well-designed, large-scale RCTs. Trial Registration The protocol for our meta-analysis and systematic review was registered and recorded in PROSPERO (registration no. CRD42023451308). Registered 14 August 2023 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clear species boundaries are crucial for plans and actions on biodiversity conservation. However, morphological similarities among allied species can result in taxonomic difficulties, thus impeding conservation efforts. In China, Cinnamomum japonicumSiebold is a well‐known endangered plant, yet suffers from longstanding taxonomic issues. Here, we explicitly evaluate whether C. japonicum, C. chenii, and C. chekiangense are the same phylogenetic species on the basis of a multi‐individual sampling strategy. We identified three sets of low‐copy orthologous genes from 19 Lauraceae taxa for phylogenetic inferences. Both the concatenation and coalescent‐based phylogenies supported that C. chenii individuals were embedded in the C. japonicum clade, indicating these two taxa are conspecific. Meanwhile, C. chekiangense accessions formed a monophyly which was not sister to C. japonicum. This result, together with the morphological differences that the leaves of C. japonicum are glabrous with a faveolate pattern of venation while those of C. chekiangense have trichomes and inevident lateral veins, led us to consider both as two distinct species. Based on 17 728 neutral single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), the ADMIXTURE analysis suggested that the Chinese C. japonicum populations in Zhoushan Archipelago (=C. chenii) were genetically differentiated from the Japanese and Korean ones. Furthermore, ecological niche modeling predicted that the present distribution area of Chinese C. japonicum is likely to be unsuitable under global warming scenarios. Together with its limited distribution and genetic uniqueness, we recommend that Chinese C. japonicum deserves conservation priorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amelotte and Briggs [arXiv:2304.08476] constructed a family of cohomology operations induced by a torus action. We use these cohomology operations to describe higher differentials of the bicomplex corresponding to the double cohomology of the moment angle complex, as expected by Limonchenko et al. [arXiv:2112.07004]. The present paper can also be viewed as a continuation of the author's paper in [Topology Appl. 326, 1–7 (2023)]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the heat transfer coefficient of a condenser, this paper proposes using a fin-tube condenser to replace a smooth-tube condenser in a domestic heat pump water heater. The finite element method is used to analyze the heat transfer coefficient of fin-tube condensers with different design parameters. By comparing the results of experiments with those obtained using CFD methods, it has been determined that the CFD method used in this study is feasible. Simulation results showed that the heat transfer coefficient enhanced clearly. The total thermal resistance of the fin-tube condenser decreased by 7% through increasing fin thickness. The total thermal resistance of the fin-tube condenser increased by 1–1.3% when fin spacing was increased. The heat transfer coefficient decreased severely and the maximum total thermal resistance of the fin-tube condenser increased by 8.7% with increasing fin height. In 600 s, when the fin spacing, fin height, fin thickness and inner diameter were 14 mm, 12.5 mm, 1.2 mm and 22.5 mm, respectively, compared to the smooth-tube condenser, the fin-tube condenser could increase the final water temperature by 18.37%, and the heat transfer coefficient would increase by about 95%. This research could provide a low-cost way to improve the heat transfer coefficient of condensers in domestic heat pump water heaters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non‐invasive optical examination plays a crucial role in various aspects of dermatology, such as diagnosis, management and research. Multiphoton microscopy uses a unique submicron technology to stimulate autofluorescence (AF), allowing for the observation of cellular structure, assessment of redox status and quantification of collagen fibres. This advanced imaging technique offers dermatologists novel insights into the skin's structure, positioning it as a promising 'stethoscope' for future development in the field. This review provides an overview of multiphoton microscopy's principles, technology and application in studying normal skin, tumour and inflammatory diseases, as well as collagen‐related and pigmentary diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lauraceae is well known for its significant phylogenetic position as well as important economic and ornamental value; however, most evergreen species in Lauraceae are restricted to tropical regions. In contrast, camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora) is the most dominant evergreen broadleaved tree in subtropical urban landscapes. Results: Here, we present a high-quality reference genome of C. camphora and conduct comparative genomics between C. camphora and C. kanehirae. Our findings demonstrated the significance of key genes in circadian rhythms and phenylpropanoid metabolism in enhancing cold response, and terpene synthases (TPSs) improved defence response with tandem duplication and gene cluster formation in C. camphora. Additionally, the first comprehensive catalogue of C. camphora based on whole-genome resequencing of 75 accessions was constructed, which confirmed the crucial roles of the above pathways and revealed candidate genes under selection in more popular C. camphora, and indicated that enhancing environmental adaptation is the primary force driving C. camphora breeding and dominance. Conclusions: These results decipher the dominance of C. camphora in subtropical urban landscapes and provide abundant genomic resources for enlarging the application scopes of evergreen broadleaved trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionic circuits using ions as charge carriers have demonstrated great potential for flexible and bioinspired electronics. The emerging ionic thermoelectric (iTE) materials can generate a potential difference by virtue of selective thermal diffusion of ions, which provide a new route for thermal sensing with the merits of high flexibility, low cost, and high thermopower. Here, ultrasensitive flexible thermal sensor arrays based on an iTE hydrogel consisting of polyquaternium‐10 (PQ‐10), a cellulose derivative, as the polymer matrix and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as the ion source are reported. The developed PQ‐10/NaOH iTE hydrogel achieves a thermopower of 24.17 mV K−1, which is among the highest values reported for biopolymer‐based iTE materials. The high p‐type thermopower can be attributed to thermodiffusion of Na+ ions under a temperature gradient, while the movement of OH− ions is impeded by the strong electrostatic interaction with the positively charged quaternary amine groups of PQ‐10. Flexible thermal sensor arrays are developed through patterning the PQ‐10/NaOH iTE hydrogel on flexible printed circuit boards, which can perceive spatial thermal signals with high sensitivity. A smart glove integrated with multiple thermal sensor arrays is further demonstrated, which endows a prosthetic hand with thermal sensation for human–machine interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compare the Hochschild (co)homologies of a complete typical DG K-algebra and its Koszul dual. We show that the Koszul dual of a finite dimensional complete typical symmetric DG K-algebra is a Calabi–Yau DG K-algebra whose Hochschild cohomology is a Batalin–Vilkovisky algebra. Furthermore, we prove that the Hochschild cohomologies of a finite dimensional complete typical symmetric DG K-algebra and its Koszul dual are isomorphic as Batalin–Vilkovisky algebras. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Emerging expert consensuses and guidelines recommend that omega-3 fatty acids may have anti-inflammatory effects in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, these recommendations are based on pathophysiological studies of inflammation rather than direct clinical evidence. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Methods and Study Design: We retrieved literature from PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WANFANG, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and Cochrane Library databases up to May 1, 2023. Data from studies comparing omega-3 fatty acids with a placebo or other pharmaceutical nutrients were analyzed. Results: Of 3032 records, 42 full-text articles were reviewed, five eligible studies were identified, and one study was found in the references. In total of six studies involving 273 patients were included, pooled, and analyzed. Compared to the control group, omega-3 fatty acid intervention reduced the overall mortality of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 (RR=0.76; 95% CI, [0.61, 0.93]; p=0.010). No serious or unexpected drug-related adverse events were observed. No statistical significance was observed in inflammatory markers such as CRP (MD=-9.69; 95% CI, [-22.52, 3.15]; p=0.14; I 2=97%) and IL-6; however, the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio was significantly lower in the omega-3 FAs group on day 7 of intervention (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Omega-3 fatty acid administration may be associated with reduced mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Given the small sample size of enrolled studies, more rigorous and large-scale trials are urgently needed in the future to verify its efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: DNA methylation is one of the best characterized epigenetic modifications in the mammalian nuclear genome and is known to play a significant role in various biological processes. Nonetheless, the presence of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) in mitochondrial DNA remains controversial, as data ranging from the lack of 5mC to very extensive 5mC have been reported. Results: By conducting comprehensive bioinformatic analyses of both published and our own data, we reveal that previous observations of extensive and strand-biased mtDNA-5mC are likely artifacts due to a combination of factors including inefficient bisulfite conversion, extremely low sequencing reads in the L strand, and interference from nuclear mitochondrial DNA sequences (NUMTs). To reduce false positive mtDNA-5mC signals, we establish an optimized procedure for library preparation and data analysis of bisulfite sequencing. Leveraging our modified workflow, we demonstrate an even distribution of 5mC signals across the mtDNA and an average methylation level ranging from 0.19% to 0.67% in both cell lines and primary cells, which is indistinguishable from the background noise. Conclusions: We have developed a framework for analyzing mtDNA-5mC through bisulfite sequencing, which enables us to present multiple lines of evidence for the lack of extensive 5mC in mammalian mtDNA. We assert that the data available to date do not support the reported presence of mtDNA-5mC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Affected by extreme hot and dry weather events, the power supplied by hydropower is seriously insufficient in Sichuan province during the summer of 2022, causing severe power shortage and incalculable economic losses for the society. Therefore, a novel multi-objective scheduling model based on grid-connected hydro-wind-solar-battery energy resources combining flexible reserves is proposed to collaboratively guarantee the power supply reliability of both the contracted long-distance power transmission and the local electricity demand under extreme hot and dry weather. The intermittent nature of water inflow, wind speed, solar irradiance, and load is considered, and the multi-scenarios are produced using Latin Hypercube Sampling method. In this work, thermal plants are regarded as flexible reserves for easing the load shedding level of local load. The McCormick's Envelope method is implemented to linearize the power production model of the hydropower station. A multi-objective model, including minimum penalty cost of load shedding and carbon dioxide emission, is proposed to achieve the economic-environmental equilibrium of the power system. The proposed multi-objective optimal hybrid energy complementary strategy is transformed into a single objective model via ε -constraint method, and the fuzzy satisfying method is introduced to select the best compromise solution in the Pareto Front. The meteorological information of the summer of 2022 is collected to verify the effectiveness of this proposed mixed-integer-linear-programming energy complementary model based on a hydropower station on the Jinsha River in Sichuan province, China. Numerical experiments demonstrate that the proposed model is efficient and can enhance the reliability of real-world power systems under extreme hot and dry weather. A set of policy suggestions have been provided for Sichuan province to develop the power grid to face the extreme weather effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce the environmental damage caused by waste rubber, crumb rubber concrete (CRC) was prepared by replacing some fine aggregates with crumb rubber. The effects of elevated temperature as well as crumb rubber content on the mechanical properties of the prepared CRC were studied. The crumb rubber contents were 0%, 10%, and 20%, while CRC was subjected to atmospheric temperatures (AT) of 300 °C, 500 °C, and 700 °C. The concrete without crumb rubber content was used as the control group at the atmospheric temperature. The mass loss, thermal conductivity characteristics, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, axial compressive strength, elastic modulus, and stress-strain characteristics of CRC at elevated temperatures were studied. The experimental results show that: (1) With the increase in crumb rubber content and temperature, the cracks on the surface of the specimen gradually widen while the mass loss of the specimen increases. (2) With the increase in crumb rubber content and temperature, the cube compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, axial compressive strength, and elastic modulus of CRC decrease, yet the plastic failure characteristics of CRC are more obvious. (3) The influences of elevated temperature on strength and elastic modulus are as follows: splitting tensile strength > elastic modulus > axial compressive strength > cubic compressive strength. (4) With the increase in temperature, the stress-strain curve of the CRC tends to flatten, the peak stress decreases, and the corresponding peak strain significantly increases. With the increase in crumb rubber content, there is a great decrease in peak stress, yet the corresponding peak strain is basically the same. The use of CRC can be prioritized in applications that increase toughness rather than strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ionocytes are rare cells in airway epithelium characterized by a high expression of CFTR. Objectives: To investigate the morphology and distribution of ionocytes and the function of CFTR in the nasal mucosal epithelium of children. Methods: The exfoliated cells of nasal mucosa from 101 children were detected using flow cytometry to analyze the number of ionocytes and CFTR and the difference of CFTR function. Nasal mucosa and polyps were collected from 10 children with CRSwNP. The RNAscope of FOXI1 and CFTR was detected in pathological paraffin sections. The expression and distribution of ionocytes and CFTR in nasal mucosa and polyp epithelium were observed. Results: In CRS patients, the number of ionocytes in the nasal epithelium was lower and the number of ionocytes that did not express CFTR was higher, and the function of CFTR was also decreased. The expression of CFTR in the nasal mucosa of CRS showed the characteristics of local dense distribution and increased as the inflammation expanded. The ionocytes were "tadpole-shaped" in the epithelium and gathered in the area of high CFTR expression, the intracellular CFTR was expanded in clusters. Ionocytes that did not express CFTR was more common in the nasal polyps. Conclusions: The number of ionocytes and the function of CFTR in nasal mucosa of CRS patients decreased. With the expansion of inflammation, CFTR and ionocytes showed more obvious dense distribution. Some ionocytes lost the expression of CFTR and did not show the "tadpole" shape, which may be related to the occurrence of polyps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma with highly heterogeneous clinical courses. Paired-box 5 (PAX5), the regulator of B cell differentiation and growth, is abnormally expressed in several types of cancers. Herein, we explored the prognostic value of PAX5 in MCL by comprehensively analyzing the clinical features and laboratory data of 82 MCL cases. PAX5 positivity was associated with shorter overall survival (OS; p = 0.011) and was identified as an independent prognostic factor in MCL patients. The elevated β2-MG (p = 0.027) and advanced Mantle Cell Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (MIPI) score (p = 0.014) were related to positive PAX5 expression. The MIPI-SP risk scoring system was established and exhibited a superior prognostic value for OS depending on an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.770 (95% CI, 0.658–0.881) than MIPI score. Bioinformatic analysis of PAX5-related genes supported the mechanistic roles of PAX5 in MCL. This study provides insight into the potential role of PAX5 in MCL, and the novel risk scoring system MIPI-SP optimizes the risk stratification and facilitates prognosis evaluation in MCL patients. Key messages: • Paired-box 5 positivity indicated adverse prognosis in mantle cell lymphoma patients. • Positive PAX5 expression was related to MIPI score and β2-MG in MCL patients. • MIPI-SP risk scoring system has superior prognostic value than MIPI score in MCL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The authors aimed to identify factors associated with long‐acting reversible contraception (LARC) usage. Methods: The current cross‐sectional study used data from the National Survey of Family Growth from 2011 to 2019. Respondents aged 15 to 44 years were included. Those with previous sterilization, infertility, or pregnant were excluded. The outcome evaluated was use of a LARC. Results: Of 61 543 814 women, 44 287 911 (72.0%) met inclusion criteria. The rate of LARC use was 13.4%. Factors associated with an increased likelihood of LARC usage were married/living with a partner (adjusted relative risk [aRR], 1.18 [95% CI, 1.02–1.37]), perceived good health (aRR, 1.44 [95% CI, 1.13–1.84]), year of survey 2017 to 2019 (aRR, 1.53, [95% CI, 1.28–1.83]), one or two past pregnancies (aRR, 1.62 [95% CI, 1.24–2.12]) or three or more past pregnancies (aRR, 1.67 [95% CI, 1.22–2.28]), age at first live birth <20 years (aRR, 1.58 [95% CI, 1.20–2.08]) or 20 to 24 years (aRR, 1.45 [95% CI, 1.13–1.87]), age at onset of sexual activity 13–19 years (aRR, 1.50 [95% CI, 1.26–1.78]), and a 0‐ to 5‐month period of nonintercourse in the past year (aRR, 1.63 [95% CI, 1.40–1.90]). Factors associated with decreased LARC usage were age ≥ 35 years (aRR, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.65–0.85]), being non‐Hispanic Black (aRR, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.62–0.89]) or non‐Hispanic other (aRR, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.59–0.88]), intending to have children (aRR, 0.65 [95% CI, 0.57–0.74]), and never being sexually active (aRR, 0.10 [95% CI, 0.06–0.16]). Conclusions: Using a nationally representative sample of women in the United States, the authors identified modifiable factors associated with LARC use. Results may be used to plan interventional trials to increase LARC usage. Synopsis: Several modifiable factors are associated with the use of long‐acting reversible contraception, used in only about 1 in 10 individuals as a contraceptive method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power generation is touted as a cost-effective technology for combining electricity generation with carbon capture. For IGCC carbon capture, membrane technology is ideally suited owing to its low energy requirements and operational simplicity. This paper describes the development of polymeric membranes for CO2 removal in IGCC plants and reviews both H2-selective and CO2-selective membranes. First, the fundamentals of CO2/H2 separation using polymeric membranes are presented along with their implications for the performances of H2-selective and CO2-selective polymers. Popular H2-selective and CO2-selective polymers that have been proposed for IGCC carbon capture are evaluated and compared. Benefits and drawbacks of each membrane type are discussed. Strategies that have resulted in improved performance are highlighted. Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) power plants are rapidly gaining attention as an economic way to integrate carbon capture with power generation. For IGCC carbon capture, membrane technology is ideally suited, and a number of polymeric membranes have been explored for this purpose. This review provides a well-timed update regarding the status of polymeric membranes for carbon capture from IGCC syngas. H2-selective and CO2-selective polymeric materials are critically examined and compared, with an emphasis on promising candidates such as polybenzimidazoles, polyethers and facilitated transport membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a unidirectional and plain weave carbon fiber/epoxy prepreg was used as the raw material, and the prepreg tape winding process was used to prepare carbon fiber/epoxy prepreg composites with 65% and 75% carbon fiber volume content, respectively. Based on traditional damage experiments and mechanical measurements, electrical measurements are introduced to study the damage to carbon fiber prepreg composites. The damage behavior of the carbon fiber prepreg composite under a high-speed impact load was monitored using the resistance method. By arranging electrodes on the sample and tracking the change in resistance during the entire process of high-speed impact of the material, the relationship between the damage and the change in resistance parameters of the carbon fiber prepreg composite winding products under high-speed impact was determined. The stress-strain curve and the final failure mode of the sample and the microstructure mechanics of carbon fiber prepreg winding products under different strain rates were analyzed. These results indicate that, as the change in resistance over time was almost stable from 0 to 200 μs. From 200 to 250 μs, the resistance decreases sharply; from 250 to 400 μs, the resistance approximates a plateau. From 400 to 500 μs, the resistance value increases again; at this time, the resistance value decreases to 3.2% of the initial resistance value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Algal susceptivity to inorganic arsenate As(V) is linked to the plant nutrient phosphate due to their similar uptake processes. This study determines the response of Sarcodia suae to three phosphate concentrations (1, 10 and 20 mg l–1) when exposed to As(V) (0, 250 µg l–1) for 7 days. The parameters measured include growth, pigments (Chlorophyll a (Chl a), allophycocyanin (APC), phycocyanin (PC), phycoerythrin (PE), total phycobiliproteins (TPBP) and carotenoids), inorganic arsenic (iAs), and total arsenic (TAs) uptake behaviour and bioaccumulation capacity. The growth rate showed significant differences among treatments. Significantly higher levels of pigments including Chl a and carotenoids were observed with an increase in external phosphate concentrations. On the other hand, APC, PC, PE and TPBP showed no significant differences among treatments. The trend of iAs and TAs uptake when phosphate is high suggests competition between phosphate and As(V) as is evident from the reduction of uptake with increased phosphate. The depletion of phosphate and As(V) in the medium also suggests accumulation by the algae. In addition, S. suae was considered an As accumulator but not a hyperaccumulator as defined on its bioaccumulation capacity of 48 and 97 mg kg–1 of iAs and TAs, respectively. Overall, these findings suggest that environmental factors including levels of phosphate have a key role in developing effective As bioremediation in the environment. Highlights Phosphate in Sarcodia suae probably regulates arsenic uptake. Photosynthetic pigments can be linked to competitive mechanisms of As(V). The red alga Sarcodia suae is a candidate for As wastewater treatments by Bioconcentration Factor analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we demonstrate a novel Fe3O4@MnO2@HKUST-1 magnetic micromotor with excellent peroxidase-like activity for highly efficient colorimetric detection and degradation of hydroquinone. Such micromotors had unique flower-like morphology with highly exposed active sites. The resulting MnO2-based micromotor was propelled by O2 bubbles generated from hydrogen peroxide fuel catalyzed by MnO2, and the velocity could be adjusted by the H2O2 fuel concentration. The self-propelled motion of the Fe3O4@MnO2@HKUST-1 could effectively increase the collision probability between active sites and pollutant molecules, and thus, enhanced the sensitivity of the colorimetric detection as well as the degradation efficiency. These excellent results confirm that this Fe3O4@MnO2@HKUST-1 micromotor has good prospects for future use in water treatment applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, engineered cementitious composites (ECCs) were prepared with desert sand instead of ordinary sand, and the toughness properties of the ECCs were studied. The particle size of the desert sand was 0.075–0.3 mm, which is defined as ultrafine sand. The ordinary sand was sieved into one control group with a size of 0.075–0.3 mm and three other reference groups. Together with the desert sand group, a total of five groups of ECC specimens were created. Through a uniaxial tensile test, three-point bending test and single-seam tensile test on the ECC specimens, the influence of aggregate particle size and sand type on the ECC tensile strength, deformation capacity, initial crack strength, cement-matrix-fracture toughness, multiple cracking characteristics and strain-hardening properties were studied. The experimental results show that the 28d tensile strain of the four groups of the ordinary sand specimens was 8.13%, 4.37%, 4.51% and 4.23%, respectively, which exceeded 2% and satisfied the requirements for the minimum strain of the ECCs. It is easier to achieve the ECC strain hardening with sand with a fine particle size; thus, a particle size below 0.3 mm is preferred when preparing the ECCs to achieve a high toughness. The multiple cracking performance (MCP) and the pseudostrain hardening (PSH) of desert sand and ordinary sand with a 0.075–0.3 mm grain size were 2.88 and 2.33, and 8.76 and 8.17, respectively, all of which meet the strength criteria and energy criteria and have similar properties. The tensile strength and tensile deformation of the desert sand group were 4.97 MPa and 6.78%, respectively, and the deformation capacity and strain–strengthening performance were outstanding. It is verified that it is feasible to use desert sand instead of ordinary sand to prepare the ECCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cytidine triphosphate synthase 2 (CTPS2) is an essential metabolic enzyme that catalyzes the biosynthesis of CTP. CTP synthases contribute to lymphocytes proliferation and tumorigenesis, but the role of CTPS2 in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) remains undefined. Methods: In silico analysis was performed to quantified the expression and clinical analysis of CTPS2 and BRCA1. The expression was then validated on the internal sets. Loss-and gain-of-function assays were conducted to investigate the physiological phenotypes in CLL. RNA-seq was employed to probe the molecular mechanism of CTPS2. Results: Herein, significant elevated expression of CTPS2 was observed in CLL patients compared to normal CD19 + B cells, which was verified in three independent cohorts. Furthermore, overexpression of CTPS2 was closely associated with undesired prognostic indicators, including unmutated IGHV status and chromosome 11q23 deletion. Additionally, elevated CTPS2 expression predicted adverse overall survival and treatment-free survival with independent prognostic significance. Downregulation of CTPS2 in CLL cells exhibited attenuated cell proliferation, arrested G2/M cell cycle and increased apoptosis. The addition of CTP or glutamine could reverse the above effects. Since RNA-seq showed the enrichment in DNA damage and response signaling, we subsequently found that silence of CTPS2 remarkably elevated DNA damage and decreased DNA repair. It was demonstrated that CTPS2 mediated DNA damage response via interacting with Breast Cancer 1 (BRCA1) protein in CLL through CoIP assays and rescued experiments. Conclusions: Collectively, our study generated the novel findings that CTPS2 promoted CLL progression via DNA damage response and repair pathway. Targeting nucleotide metabolism potentially became an attractive strategy for treatment against CLL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid DC microgrid clusters contain various types of converters such as BOOST, BUCK, and bidirectional DC/DC converters, making the control strategy complex and difficult to achieve plug-and-play. The common master–slave hierarchical control strategy makes it difficult to achieve accurate and stable system control. This paper proposes an accurate peer-to-peer hierarchical control method for the hybrid DC microgrid cluster, and the working principle of this hierarchical control method is analyzed in detail. The microgrid cluster consists of three sub-microgrids, where sub-microgrid A consists of three BUCK converters, sub-microgrid B consists of three BOOST converters, and sub-microgrid C consists of two bidirectional DC/DC converters. According to all possible operations of various sub-microgrids in the microgrid cluster, the top-, mid-, and bottom-level controls are designed to solve the coordination control problem among different types of sub-microgrids. In this paper, a hybrid microgrid cluster simulation model is built in the PLECS simulation environment, and an experimental hardware platform is designed. The simulation and experiment results verified the accuracy of the proposed control strategy and its fast plug-and-play regulation ability for the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare stress, anxiety and depression levels among 3 groups of pregnant women: 1) low-risk outpatient (LRO), 2) high-risk outpatient (HRO), and 3) inpatient (IP). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using validated instruments. Inclusion criteria were pregnancies 23–37 weeks and maternal age > 18 years. The primary outcome was mean/median scores of Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Edinburgh Depression Scale (EDS). Secondary outcome was rate of abnormal scores. Results: Among 190 women approached, 180 (95%) participated, with 60 (33%) in each group. Mean PSS scores (range 0–40) significantly increased from LRO (12.0, standard deviation [SD] 7.8) to HRO (14.7, SD 7.9) to IP (15.6, SD 8.2); p = .04. Mean STAI scores (range 20–80) also significantly increased from LRO (32.0, SD 11.1) to HRO (35.8, SD 11.9) to IP (40.9, SD 13.1); p < .01. Abnormal anxiety (STAI ≥ 40) was present in 40% of women and significantly higher among IP compared to LRO (56% vs 25%; RR 2.24, 95% CI 1.36–3.67; aRR 2.24, 95% CI 1.34–3.74). Conclusion: Stress and anxiety scores significantly differ in LRO, HRO, and IP women. While depression screening is common postpartum, screening for stress, anxiety and depression prenatally may be beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the birth injury outcomes and hospital length of stay and costs among newborns delivered at 34–42 weeks with neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP) versus those without. Study design: We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional study using data from the National Inpatient Sample to identify all newborns hospitalizations that occurred in the U.S. between 2016 and 2017. We included non-anomalous single liveborn delivered in-hospital at 34–42 weeks. The newborns with NBPP were identified by International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification codes. Birth injury outcomes, and hospital length of stay and hospital costs were examined. A multivariable Poisson regression model with robust error variance was used to examine the association between NBPP and birth injury outcomes. A multivariable generalized linear regression model was used to examine the association between NBPP and hospital length of stay and hospital costs. Results: Of 7,019,722 non-anomalous single liveborn delivered at 34–42 weeks in the U.S. from 2016 to 2017, the rate of NBPP (n = 6695) was 0.95 per 1000 newborn hospitalizations. After multivariable regression adjustment, compared to newborns without NBPP, the risk of the composite birth injury outcome was 2.91 (95% CI 2.61–3.25) times higher in those with NBPP. Similar results of an increased risk among newborns with NBPP were observed in all individual birth injury outcomes. Compared to newborns without NBPP, after adjustment, the hospital length of stay was 1.48 (95% IC 1.38–1.59) times higher and the hospital costs were 2.21 (95% CI 1.97–2.48) times higher in those with NBPP. Conclusions: Among newborns delivered at 34–42 weeks, the risk of associated birth injuries, hospital length of stay and costs, were significantly higher in newborns with NBPP than those without. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To assess whether an early recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway after scheduled cesarean delivery was associated with a reduction in postoperative length of stay compared with standard perioperative care. Methods This was a prospective pre- and post-intervention study. Women were included if they were between 18 and 45 years of age and delivered a singleton, term, non-anomalous fetus via scheduled cesarean delivery by a provider within an academic practice. The ERAS pathway consisted of 23 evidence-based components regarding preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care. The primary outcome was the rate of postoperative length of stay of 3 or more days. Secondary outcomes included total postoperative narcotic use, postoperative complications, 30-day hospital readmission rates, and quality of recovery questionnaire scores. Results A total of 116 women were included. There were no significant differences in patient characteristics between the pre- and post-implementation groups in the post-implementation group, surgery time was longer (78.3 ± 27.8 vs 59.1 ± 19.2 min, p < .001) and blood loss volume was higher (910.3 ± 405.1 vs 729.1 ± 202.0, p = .003), compared to pre-implementation group. An ERAS pathway was not associated in a significant reduction in postoperative length of stay of 3 or more days (70.7% vs 75.9%, p = .529). It was also not significantly associated with a difference in postoperative narcotic use, maximum pain score, transfusion, postoperative complications or hospital readmission rates. Conclusion An early recovery after surgery pathway after scheduled cesarean delivery was not associated with a reduction in postoperative length of stay or narcotic use, though the recovery scores were better after implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To compare the composite neonatal and maternal adverse outcomes among low-risk pregnancies with versus without chorioamnionitis. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study using U.S. Vital Statistics Data. The study population was restricted to full term, low-risk, singleton pregnancies. Pregnancies were categorized into those affected and unaffected by chorioamnionitis. The primary outcome was composite neonatal adverse outcome and the secondary outcome was composite maternal adverse outcome. Multivariable Poisson regression models with robust error variance were used to examine the factors associated with chorioamnionitis and to evaluate the association between chorioamnionitis and adverse outcomes [using adjusted relative risk (aRR) and 95% confidence interval (CI)]. Results Of 19.7 million live births, 59.4% met inclusion criteria; among them, 1.7% were complicated by chorioamnionitis. The risk of composite neonatal adverse outcome was higher in newborns delivered by women with chorioamnionitis (aRR = 3.40; 95% CI = 3.30–3.49). Compared to women without chorioamnionitis, those with chorioamnionitis had a higher risk of composite maternal adverse outcome (aRR = 2.42; 95% CI = 2.31–2.55). Infant mortality was also higher in affected pregnancies (aRR = 1.23; 95% CI = 1.09–1.38). Conclusion Among low-risk pregnancies, chorioamnionitis is associated with a higher risk of composite neonatal and maternal adverse outcomes. Infant death is also increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction To determine the impact of route of delivery on maternal outcomes among individuals who deliver preterm (before 37 weeks). Materials and methods This was a population-based retrospective cohort study using the U.S. vital statistics datasets on Period Linked Birth-Infant Death Data from 2014 to 2018. The study population was restricted to live births from women with non-anomalous singletons who delivered at 24–36 weeks of gestation. The main explanatory variable for this study was route of delivery, which was categorized as: (i) vaginal delivery, (ii) cesarean delivery with labor, and (iii) cesarean delivery without labor. The primary outcome was composite maternal adverse outcome, which encompassed any of the following: admission to the intensive care unit, maternal blood transfusion, uterine rupture, or unplanned hysterectomy. The results were presented as adjusted relative risk (aRR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results Over the study period 1,440,510 live births met the inclusion criteria, and the overall composite maternal adverse outcome was 14.38 per 1,000 live births. After multivariable adjustment, compared to women who underwent a vaginal delivery, the risk of composite maternal adverse outcome was higher in women who had a cesarean delivery with labor (aRR 3.70; 95% CI 3.52–3.90) and those who had a cesarean delivery without labor (aRR 4.79; 95% CI 4.59–4.98). Conclusion With preterm birth, cesarean delivery without labor has higher rate of composite maternal morbidity than cesarean during labor or vaginal delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To compare the composite neonatal and maternal adverse outcomes among women with diabetes who labor and deliver at 37–41 weeks at distinct time shifts. Methods This population-based retrospective cohort study using the US Vital Statistics dataset on Period Linked Birth-Infant Death Data from 2013–2017. The study population was restricted to non-anomalous singleton live births from women with pregestational or gestational diabetes, who labored and delivered at 37 0/7 to 41 6/7 weeks of gestation. The time of delivery was categorized as the first shift (7:00–15:00), the second shift (15:00–23:00), and the third shift (23:00–7:00). The primary outcome was a composite neonatal adverse outcome; the secondary outcome was a composite maternal adverse outcome. Multivariable Poisson regression models were used to estimate the association between the time of delivery and adverse outcomes (using adjusted relative risk [aRR] and 95% CI). Results Of 19.8 million live births during the study period, 3.3% (643,610) met the study inclusion criteria. The overall rate of composite neonatal and maternal adverse outcomes were 9.62 and 3.63 per 1000 live births, respectively. Multivariable adjusted regression analysis showed that, compared to newborns delivered at the first shift, the risk of composite neonatal adverse outcome was modestly but significantly higher (aRR 1.19, 95% CI 1.12–1.27) in the third shift (23:00–7:00). There was no significant difference in the risk of composite maternal adverse outcomes between time shifts. In the sensitivity analysis stratified by the day of the week (weekday vs weekend), the results were consistent with the primary analyses. Conclusion Among term pregnancies complicated by diabetes, compared with delivery at 7:00–15:00, the risk of a composite neonatal adverse outcome is marginally but significantly higher if delivery occurs at the third shift (23:00–7:00). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Among low-risk pregnancies, we ascertained the association between 10-minute Apgar score and adverse outcomes of newborn infants. Method We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the U.S. vital statistics datasets (2011–2018), which included live births from low-risk women with non-anomalous singleton gestations who delivered at 37–41 weeks. When a newborn infant had an abnormal 5-minute Apgar score (0–5), a 10-minute Apgar score was documented in the birth certificate. Apgar score at 10 min was categorized as low (0–3), moderate (4–6), and normal (7–10). The primary outcome was composite neonatal adverse outcome. The secondary outcomes were individual neonatal adverse outcomes and infant mortality. Multivariable Poisson regression analyses were used to estimate the association between 10-minute Apgar score and adverse outcomes (using adjusted relative risk [aRR] and 95% confidence intervals [CI]). Results Of 31.5 million live births delivered (2011–2018), 111,163 (0.4%) met inclusion criteria; of them, 74.2%, 20.7%, and 5.1% had normal, moderate, and low 10-minute Apgar scores, respectively. The overall composite neonatal adverse outcome was 100.6 per 1,000 live births and the risk was significantly higher among those with a moderate (aRR 3.19; 95% CI 3.06–3.31) or low 10-minute Apgar score (aRR 6.62; 95% CI 6.34–6.91) than with a normal 10-minute Apgar score. Infant mortality also showed a similar pattern. Newborn infants with improved Apgar scores from 5 to 10 min were associated with lower risks of the composite neonatal adverse outcome, as well as infant mortality, than those with scores that remained stable. Conclusion Among low-risk pregnancies, newborn infants with a lower 10-minute Apgar score were associated with a higher risk of adverse outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sectors and linkages in economic system can be viewed as nodes and edges in network. And in this paper, network analysis method is adopted into input-output tables to evaluate the structural change of Chinese economy. • The modelling results indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerates the undergoing structural transformation of Chinese economy. • Traditional strong sectors like petroleum and finance are severely attacked by pandemic and lag behind in structural status. • Sectors of digital service industries and scientific research expand their activities rapidly under social distancing policies. • Development strategies for China in the post-pandemic era regarding old and new growth engines are proposed. Recognizing the impact of COVID-19 on economic structure is an urgently required task for the post-pandemic era. However, studies have been hampered in undertaking this task by a lack of current data and the use of inappropriate methods. This paper fills the gap in the literature by applying a network analysis method using the newly released input–output tables of China and evaluating the structural impacts on the economy, including the changes in the sectoral closeness, betweenness, risk condition, and network backbone. The modelling results demonstrate that the pandemic has accelerated the structural transformation process of the Chinese economy: the traditional growth engines, such as the petroleum and finance industries, have lagged, whereas new growth engine sectors, including the digital services and scientific research industries, have expanded rapidly. Accordingly, we propose that the government formulate policies to stabilize old growth engine industries and foster new drivers to promote a sustainable economic recovery in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare trend of primary cesarean delivery rate and composite neonatal and maternal adverse outcomes in low-risk pregnancies among racial and ethnic groups: non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic.Methods: This population-based cohort study used U.S. vital statistics data (2015-2019) to evaluate low-risk, nulliparous patients with nonanomalous singletons who labored and delivered at 37-41 weeks of gestation. The primary outcome was the primary cesarean delivery rate. Secondary outcomes included composite neonatal adverse outcome (Apgar score less than 5 at 5 minutes, assisted ventilation for more than 6 hours, seizure, or death), and composite maternal adverse outcome (intensive care unit admission, blood transfusion, uterine rupture, or unplanned hysterectomy), as well as infant death. Multivariable Poisson regression models were used to estimate adjusted relative risks (aRR) and 95% CIs.Results: Among 4.3 million births, 60.6% identified as non-Hispanic White, 14.6% identified as non-Hispanic Black, and 24.8% identified as Hispanic. The rate of primary cesarean delivery was 18.5% (n=804,155). An increased risk for cesarean delivery was found in non-Hispanic Black (21.7%, aRR 1.24, 95% CI 1.23-1.25) and Hispanic (17.3%, aRR 1.09, 95% CI 1.09-1.10) individuals, compared with non-Hispanic White individuals (18.1%) after multivariable adjustment. There was an upward trend in the rate of primary cesarean delivery in all racial and ethnic groups ( P for linear trend<0.001 for all groups). However, the racial and ethnic disparity in the rate of primary cesarean delivery remained stable during the study period. The composite neonatal adverse outcome was lower in Hispanic individuals in all newborns (10.7 vs 8.3 per 1,000 live births, aRR 0.74, 95% CI 0.72-0.75), and in newborns delivered by primary cesarean delivery (18.5 vs 15.0 per 1,000 live births, aRR 0.73, 95% CI 0.70-0.76), compared with non-Hispanic White individuals.Conclusion: Using a nationally representative sample in the United States, we found racial and ethnic disparities in the primary cesarean delivery rate in low-risk nulliparous patients, which persisted throughout the study period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finite-difference methods are the most widely used methods for seismic wavefield simulation. However, numerical dispersion is the main issue hindering accurate simulation. In the case where the finite-difference scheme is known, the time dispersion can be predicted mathematically and, thus, can be eliminated. However, when only pre-compiled software is available for wavefield simulation, which is common in practical applications, the software-used algorithm becomes a black box (unknown). Therefore, it is challenging to obtain the mathematical expression of the time dispersion, resulting in difficulty in eliminating the time dispersion. To solve this problem, we propose to use deep learning methods to eliminate time dispersion. We design a semi-supervised framework based on convolutional and recurrent neural networks for eliminating time dispersion caused by seismic wave modeling. The framework of our proposed neural network includes two main modules: Inverse Model and Forward Model, both of which have learnable parameters. The Inverse Model is used for eliminating time dispersion while the Forward Model is used for regularizing the training. Particularly, this framework includes two steps: Firstly, using the compiled modeling software to generate two data sets with large and small time steps. Secondly, we train these two modules for transformation between large time-step data (with time dispersion) and small time-step data (without time dispersion) by labeled and unlabeled data sets. In this work, the labeled data set is a paired data set with large time-step data and their corresponding small time-step data; the unlabeled data set is the large time-step data that need time-dispersion elimination. We use the unlabeled data set to guide the network. In this learning framework, re-training is required whenever the modeling algorithms, time interval, or frequency band is changed. Hence, we propose a transfer learning training method to extend from the trained model to another model, which reduces the computational cost caused by re-training. This minor drawback is offset overwhelmingly by the modeling efficiency gain with large time steps in large-scale production. Tests on two models confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neuropathic pain is still a challenge for clinical treatment as a result of the comprehensive pathogenesis. Although emerging evidence demonstrates the pivotal role of glial cells in regulating neuropathic pain, the role of Schwann cells and their underlying mechanisms still need to be uncovered. Pannexin 1 (Panx 1), an important membrane channel for the release of ATP and inflammatory cytokines, as well as its activation in central glial cells, contributes to pain development. Here, we hypothesized that Schwann cell Panx 1 participates in the regulation of neuroinflammation and contributes to neuropathic pain.Methods: A mouse model of chronic constriction injury (CCI) in CD1 adult mice or P0-Cre transgenic mice, and in vitro cultured Schwann cells were used. Intrasciatic injection with Panx 1 blockers or the desired virus was used to knock down the expression of Panx 1. Mechanical and thermal sensitivity was assessed using Von Frey and a hot plate assay. The expression of Panx 1 was measured using qPCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescence. The production of cytokines was monitored through qPCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Panx1 channel activity was detected by ethidium bromide (EB) uptake.Results: CCI induced persistent neuroinflammatory responses and upregulation of Panx 1 in Schwann cells. Intrasciatic injection of Panx 1 blockers, carbenoxolone (CBX), probenecid, and Panx 1 mimetic peptide (10Panx) effectively reduced mechanical and heat hyperalgesia. Probenecid treatment of CCI-induced mice significantly reduced Panx 1 expression in Schwann cells, but not in dorsal root ganglion (DRG). In addition, Panx 1 knockdown in Schwann cells with Panx 1 shRNA-AAV in P0-Cre mice significantly reduced CCI-induced neuropathic pain. To determine whether Schwann cell Panx 1 participates in the regulation of neuroinflammation and contributes to neuropathic pain, we evaluated its effect in LPS-treated Schwann cells. We found that inhibition of Panx 1 via CBX and Panx 1-siRNA effectively attenuated the production of selective cytokines, as well as its mechanism of action being dependent on both Panx 1 channel activity and its expression.Conclusion: In this study, we found that CCI-related neuroinflammation correlates with Panx 1 activation in Schwann cells, indicating that inhibition of Panx 1 channels in Schwann cells reduces neuropathic pain through the suppression of neuroinflammatory responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes among low‐risk pregnancies delivered at 37 weeks or more by repeat cesarean deliveries (CD). Methods: A population‐based, retrospective study using the US vital statistics data sets (2014–2018) evaluating low‐risk pregnancies with a non‐anomalous singleton non‐laboring repeat CD from 37 to 41 weeks of pregnancy. Women with hypertensive disorders or diabetes were excluded. Primary outcome was composite maternal adverse outcome (CMAO). Secondary outcome was composite neonatal adverse outcome (CNAO). Multivariable Poisson regression models were used to estimate the association between number of repeat CD and outcomes (using adjusted relative risks [aRR] and 95% confidence interval [CI]). Results: Of the 19 623 195 live births, 1 747 610 (8.9%) met the inclusion criteria and among them, 1 144 186 (65.5%) were to women who had one prior CD, 454 817 (26.0%) had two prior CD, 119 087 (6.8%) had three prior CD, and 29 520 (1.7%) had four or more prior CD. Compared with individuals with one prior CD, the risk of CMAO was higher in individuals with two (aRR 1.41, 95% CI 1.34–1.48), three (aRR 1.96, 95% CI 1.83–2.10), and four or more (aRR 2.98, 95% CI 2.69–3.29) prior CD. An increased risk of CNAO was also found with an increasing number of repeat CD. Conclusion: Among women with low‐risk pregnancies undergoing repeat CD, increasing number of prior CD was associated with a higher risk of adverse outcomes. The contents of this page will be used as part of issue TOC only. It will not be published as part of main article. Among low‐risk pregnancies at ≥37 weeks, an increasing number of cesarean deliveries was associated with increasing likelihood of maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sand and dust storms (SDSs) are common environmental hazards in spring in Asian continent and have significant impacts on human health, weather, and climate. While many technologies have been developed to monitor SDSs, this study investigates the spectral characteristics of SDSs in satellite hyperspectral infrared observations and propose a new methodology to monitor the storms. An SDS emission and scattering index (SESI) is based on the differential responses of infrared CO2 shortwave and longwave IR bands to the scattering and emission of sand and dust particles. For a severe dust storm process during 14–17 March 2021, the SESI calculated by the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) observations shows very negative values in the dusty region and is consistent with the spatial distribution of dust identified from the true-color RGB imagery and the dust RGB imagery of the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the NOAA-20 Satellite. The use of the SESI index in the near-surface layer allows for monitoring of the dust storm process and enables an effective classification between surface variations and dust weather events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinization has become one of the major environmental problems threatening food security. The identification and knowledge of the spatial distributions of soil salinization are key in addressing this problem. This study assumes that a good saline land identification effect can be obtained with the help of deep learning methods. Therefore, this study used the OLI sensor data from the Landsat-8, based on the U2-Network, and proposes a method to extract saline land from remote sensing images. The study also adds different salinity indices (SI, SI1, and SI2) to explore its impact on classification accuracy. Through our method, accurate saline soil distribution information were obtained, and several verification indicators (the Intersection-over-Union (IoU), recall, precision, and F1-score) were all measured above 0.8. In addition, compared with the multi-spectral training results, the classification accuracy increased after adding a specific salinity index, and most of the accuracy indices increased by about 2% (the IoU increased by 3.70%, recall increased by 1.50%, precision increased by 2.81%, and F1-score increased by 2.13%). In addition, we also included a case study based on our methodology to analyze the distribution characteristics and changes of saline soil in the Zhenlai area of Northeast China from 2016 to 2020. We found that the area of saline land in the Zhenlai area has reduced, which shows that the extraction method proposed in this study is feasible. Overall, this paper indicates that deep learning-based methods can efficiently extract the salinity of soil and enhance the mapping of its spatial distribution. The study has the broad impact of supplementing satellite imagery for salinity modeling and helping to guide agricultural land management practices for northeastern China and other salinized regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a ≥ - (d 2 - 1) 2 and 2 σ = d - 2 - ( (d - 2) 2 + 4 a) 1 / 2 , let H ~ σ = 2 (- Δ + σ 2 | x | 2 ) be a Schrödinger operator with an inverse-square potential on R d \ { 0 } . In this paper, we introduce and investigate the H ~ σ -BV capacity, whence discovering some capacitary inequalities on Ω ⊆ R d \ { 0 } . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate species delimitation is the key to precise estimation of species diversity and is fundamental to most branches of biology. Unclear species boundaries within species complexes could lead to the underestimation of species diversity. However, species delimitation of species complexes remains challenging due to the continuum of phenotypic variations. To robustly examine species boundaries within a species complex, integrative approaches in phylogeny, ecology, and morphology were applied to the Stewartia sinensis complex (Theaceae) endemic to China. Multispecies coalescent‐based species delimitation using 572 nuclear ortholog sequences (anchored enrichment) supported reciprocal phylogenetic monophyly of the northern lineage (NL) and southern lineage (SL), which were not sister clades. Niche equivalency and similarity tests demonstrated significant climatic niche differentiation between NL and SL with observed Warren et al.'s I = 0.0073 and Schoener's D = 0.0021. Species distribution modeling also separated their potential distribution. Morphometric analyses suggested significant interlineage differentiation of multiple traits including the ratio of length and width, leaf width, and pedicel length, although overall similarity did not differ. Based on the integrative species concept, two distinct species were proposed with legitimate names of Stewartia gemmata for SL and S. sinensis for NL. Our empirical study of the S. sinensis complex highlights the importance of applying multiple species criteria, in particular the underappreciated niche differentiation, to species delimitation in species complexes pervasive in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With high‐temperature solid‐state reaction method, a series of Lu2Sr(1−x)Al4SiO12:xEu2+ phosphors have been synthesized. With Rietveld refinement method, the crystal structure of Lu2SrAl4SiO12 has been refined. Under the excitation of the ultraviolet and violet band light, Lu2Sr(1−x)Al4SiO12:xEu2+ emits the Eu2+ characteristic blue broadband light. The photoluminescence properties of concentration quenching, emission peak shift, reflectance spectra, and luminescence decay have been investigated. With the structure analyses, the corresponding physical mechanisms have been discussed. With the increased temperature, this phosphor shows well thermal stabilities. For the xEu = 0.06, 0.08, and 0.1 phosphors, the strong anti‐thermal quenching performance has been observed. The reason for the anti‐thermal quenching of this phosphor has been discussed. The trap capture mechanism may be the suitable physical mechanism to explain the anti‐thermal quenching of this phosphor. This phosphor shows the potential applications in the white LED lighting fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unbalanced load distribution, the single-phase connection of renewable energy, and the uncoordinated charging of electric vehicles (EVs) will bring a severe issue corresponding to the three-phase unbalance in modern distribution networks. To deal with this issue, a novel multistage optimal dispatching model with the hybrid energy storage system (HESS), consisting of the battery energy storage system (BESS), EV, and supercapacitor (SC), is proposed in this paper. The first stage is conducted on the day-ahead stage, driven by minimizing the total operation cost and relieving power unbalance, the unbalanced penalty cost is introduced into the optimal dispatching model with the electricity purchasing cost and the degradation cost of HESS. Also, the chance-constraint stochastic programming (SP) model with the coordinated operation of HESS is accommodated to handle the diverse uncertainties of renewable energy, load demand, and EV users' behaviors. In the intra-day operation stage, a rolling optimization-based dispatch model is formulated to re-optimize the operation of the SC for the rapid response of mitigating the real-time three-phase unbalance caused by renewable energy. The numerical experiments are executed on the IEEE 34-bus three-phase test system. Compared with the cases without considering SC and the degradation cost of HESS, the power unbalance in the proposed model is reduced by 3.27% and 3.62% per day at the real-time stage, respectively, while total operation cost is reduced by 46.77 US$ and 350.62 US$ per day, respectively. The results validated that the proposed model is efficient in reducing the three-phase unbalance under multi-time scales, improving the economic operation of the distribution network. • Three-phase power unbalance reduction is achieved by hybrid energy storage system. • Supercapacitor is embedded with BESS and EV in day-ahead and intra-day stages. • Multi-stage optimization scheduling model proposed to minimize power unbalance. • Rolling optimization employed in intra-day stage to address short-term unbalance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]