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Contours traced by trained phoneticians have been considered to be the most accurate way to identify the midsagittal tongue surface from ultrasound video frames. In this study, inter-measurer reliability was evaluated using measures that quantified both how closely human-placed contours approximated each other as well as how consistent measurers were in defining the start and end points of contours. High reliability across three measurers was found for all measures, consistent with treating contours placed by trained phoneticians as the ‘gold standard.’ However, due to the labour-intensive nature of hand-placing contours, automatic algorithms that detect the tongue surface are increasingly being used to extract tongue-surface data from ultrasound videos. Contours placed by six automatic algorithms (SLURP, EdgeTrak, EPCS, and three different configurations of the algorithm provided in Articulate Assistant Advanced) were compared to human-placed contours, with the same measures used to evaluate the consistency of the trained phoneticians. We found that contours defined by SLURP, EdgeTrak, and two of the AAA configurations closely matched the hand-placed contours along sections of the image where the algorithms and humans agreed that there was a discernible contour. All of the algorithms were much less reliable than humans in determining the anterior (tongue-tip) edge of tongue contours. Overall, the contours produced by SLURP, EdgeTrak, and AAA should be useable in a variety of clinical applications, subject to spot-checking. Additional practical considerations of these algorithms are also discussed.

The primary objective of our research was to examine the influence of the long non-coding RNA UNC5B-AS1 (lncRNA UNC5B-AS1) on the advancement of glioma. We assessed the expression of lncRNA UNC5B-AS1 using bioinformatic analysis, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and in vivo experimental verification. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that elevated expression of lncRNA UNC5B-AS1 was indicative of unfavourable prognosis in gliomas. Furthermore, a noteworthy association was observed between lncRNA UNC5B-AS1 and the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) pathway in gliomas. Further analysis of clinical specimens and cell lines validated a substantial upregulation of lncRNA UNC5B-AS1 in gliomas in comparison to normal tissues. in vivo and in vitro experimentation supported the notion that disrupting the expression of lncRNA UNC5B-AS1 could impede the proliferation of glioma and facilitate apoptosis. Further studies have shown that lncRNA UNC5B-AS1 aggravated tumor progression by promoting the expression of TGF-β in gliomas. The selective dual inhibitor of TGF-β receptor type I/II (TβRI/II), LY2109761, significantly inhibited the tumor growth induced by the upregulation of TGF-β mediated by lncRNA UNC5B-AS1.

We present a π-conjugated TBMPSiBr as a dual-functional redox mediator, which can concurrently dissolve Br−/Br3− and in situ produce an organic–inorganic hybrid SEI on the lithium anode to construct dendrite free and long cycle life Li–O2 batteries.

Simultaneous carbon and nitrogen removal capacity of 0.36 gCOD L−1 d−1 and 0.23 gN L−1 d−1 is achieved for a hybrid MAB–PD–ANAMMOX process treating synthetic wastewater (COD 175 mg L−1, NH4+–N 100 mg L−1).

A carbon dots/silica nanoaggregate adsorbent exhibits ultrahigh adsorption capability for Alizarin Red S (1327 mg g−1) and malachite green (4091 mg g−1).

Formants in speech signals are easily identified, largely because formants are defined to be local maxima in the wideband sound spectrum. Sadly, this is not what is of most interest in analyzing speech; instead, resonances of the vocal tract are of interest, and they are much harder to measure. Klatt [(1986). in Proceedings of the Montreal Satellite Symposium on Speech Recognition, 12th International Congress on Acoustics, edited by P. Mermelstein (Canadian Acoustical Society, Montreal), pp. 5–7] showed that estimates of resonances are biased by harmonics while the human ear is not. Several analysis techniques placed the formant closer to a strong harmonic than to the center of the resonance. This “harmonic attraction” can persist with newer algorithms and in hand measurements, and systematic errors can persist even in large corpora. Research has shown that the reassigned spectrogram is less subject to these errors than linear predictive coding and similar measures, but it has not been satisfactorily automated, making its wider use unrealistic. Pending better techniques, the recommendations are (1) acknowledge limitations of current analyses regarding influence of F0 and limits on granularity, (2) report settings more fully, (3) justify settings chosen, and (4) examine the pattern of F0 vs F1 for possible harmonic bias.

Chironomids are abundant insects in freshwater ecosystems and lay in still or slow-moving water. The walls of sedimentation tanks in drinking water treatment plants (DWTP) provide such laying habitat, which can lead to larval outbreaks in plant effluent. While chironomid larvae are often associated with poor hygiene, effective methods to control outbreaks are needed. Here, we assessed the effect of ultrasound treatment on Chironomus kiiensis' eggs. The mortality rate of eggs was examined after ultrasound treatment, and the protein content (heat shock protein 70 and hemoglobin) and enzymatic activities of acetylcholinesterase, cytochrome P

High-throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies have brought tremendous improvements in the ability to detect plant viruses and have great potential for application in virus routine diagnostics. The performance criteria of an HTS test need therefore to be estimated and compared with traditional virus indexing tests before it can be used in routine diagnostics. In this study, 78 Musa accessions previously indexed for viruses by molecular tests and/or electron microscopy were tested individually or in pools using an HTS protocol based on total RNA sequencing. The analytical sensitivity of HTS and RT-PCR was also compared by independent testing on serial dilutions of RNA extracts. In total, 136 libraries were sequenced in five batches, and the sequences were analyzed for virus detection. The external alien control, a wheat sample infected by barley yellow dwarf virus, monitored the contamination burden and determined an adaptative detection threshold. Overall, the HTS test displayed a better analytical sensitivity than the RT-PCR and a better inclusivity than the classical indexing protocol, as distant isolates and new viral species were only detected by the HTS test. The repeatability and reproducibility of virus detection were both 100%, although differences in number of sequencing reads per virus were observed between replicates. The diagnostic sensitivity was very high, but false positive results were observed. Finally, the results also underlined the need for expert judgement in the interpretation of the results. In conclusion, the HTS test with an alien control and completed by expert evaluation fulfilled the criteria of the virus indexing protocol for Musa germplasm. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .

Hainanmycin is a polyether antibiotic. Toxicological studies have shown the adverse effects of hainanmycin on animals and humans. At present, no study is available on the detection of hainanmycin in edible tissues of animals. Hence, a fast and accurate detection method for hainanmycin is essential. This study aimed to develop a new analytical method based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to detect hainanmycin in 10 matrices, including milk, eggs, fat, kidney, muscles and livers of chicken, beef and sheep. The limit of detection and the limit of quantitation of the 10 matrices were 0.1-0.4 μg/kg and 0.25-1 μg/kg, respectively, and were far below the maximum residue limits of other polyether anticoccidial drugs (1-150 μg/kg). The recoveries of hainanmycin ranged from 79% to 105%, and the relative standard deviation ranged from 2.8% to 12.0%. The research results prove that the proposed method is operational and simple in detecting hainanmycin, and has high precision and accuracy in a variety of matrices.

Small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) help prevent the irreversible aggregation of denatured proteins that occurs in response to organismal stress. In this study, we identified two intron-free genes encoding sHSPs from Frankliniella occidentalis; these were designated FoHSP11.6 and FoHSP28.0 and belonged to an atypical and typical sHSP family, respectively. Both FoHSPs were transcribed in all developmental stages of F. occidentalis with the highest expression levels in pupae and adults and greater expression in males than females. Although the FoHSPs had different temperature-induced expression profiles, they were generally induced by both low and high temperatures and reached maximal expression levels after 0.5-1 h of temperature stress. The FoHSPs expression levels in pupae were induced by drought and high humidity, and higher expression levels were correlated with lower survival rates. The thermotolerance of F. occidentalis decreased when theFoHSPs were silenced by RNA interference. Our results show that FoHSP11.6 and FoHSP28.0 are involved in the response to temperature and drought and may also function in growth and development of F. occidentalis.

Isolated thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) are asymptomatic before dissection or rupture and heterogeneous in clinical phenotype. It is urgent need but difficult to identify individuals at high risk to enable enhanced screening or preventive therapies. Because TAAs have a genetic component, one possible approach is to stratify individuals based on inherited DNA variations. Here, we constructed an integrated exome risk score (ERS) based on both common and rare variants found in whole-exome sequencing through a machine-learning framework in discovery population consisting of 551 cases and 1071 controls. We evaluated the performance of the ERS in an independent population including 151 cases and 779 controls with a raw odds ratio (OR) per 1 standard deviation (SD) = 1.95 and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) = 0.680. When adjusted by gender and the first four principal components, OR per SD = 1.68 and AUC reached 0.783. Individuals in the top 20% of ERS distribution had an OR of 3.20 compared with others. Finally, we found that individuals with top 20% ERS developed TAA at a younger age (P = 0.002) and with a larger diameter (P = 0.016) compared with lower ERS, and were more likely to suffer from aortic root aneurysms (P = 0.009). Our analysis provides a global view of the genetic components of isolated TAA. The exome score developed and evaluated here is the first polygenic risk score for TAA and is a promising predictor of disease risk and severity, which will facilitate the implementation of the risk-reduction strategies.

The spread of epidemics, especially COVID-19, is having a significant impact on the world. If an epidemic is not properly controlled at the beginning, it is likely to spread rapidly and widely through the coexistence relationship between natural and social systems. A university community is a special, micro-self-organized social system that is densely populated. However, university authorities in such an environment seem to be less cautious in the defence of an epidemic. Currently, there is almost no quantitative research on epidemic spreading and response strategies in universities. In this paper, a case study of a university community is considered for a simulation of an infection evolving after an epidemic outbreak based on the method of system dynamics of the three stages. The results show the following: (1) By improving the speed of the initial emergency response, the total number of patients can be effectively controlled. (2) A quarantine policy helps to slow down the evolution of infection. The higher the isolation ratio, the higher the cost; therefore, the isolation ratio should be optimized. (3) It is important to make emergency plans for controlling epidemic spreading and carry out emergency drills and assessments regularly. According to the results of this study, we suggest an emergency management framework for public health events in university communities.

To compare the clinical effectiveness of different mesh fixation techniques in Lichtenstein tension-free repair using network meta-analysis.Cochrane Library, Medline, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were searched until 1 December 2020, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing outcomes between different mesh fixation techniques were included. The primary endpoints were chronic postoperative inguinal pain (CPIP) and hernia recurrence. The second endpoint was seroma and infection. Data were processed using Stata MP16.0, and R x64 3.6.1.The results demonstrated that 32 RCTs (n = 6362) were eligible for pooling. Six types of mesh fixation techniques were used: non-absorbable suture, absorbable suture, chemical glue, fibrin glue, self-gripping mesh, and staple fixation. Network meta-analysis indicated that the incidence of CPIP with fibrin glue was lower than that with non-absorbable sutures (relative risk [RR] = 0.23, 95% credibility interval [95%CrI] [0.09, 0.50]), absorbable sutures (RR = 0.24, 95%CrI [0.08, 0.60]), chemical glue (RR = 0.36, 95%CrI [0.13, 0.87]), and self-gripping mesh (RR = 0.27 95%CrI [0.09, 0.62]). Self-gripping mesh was superior to non-absorbable sutures (RR = 0.44, 95%CrI [0.23, 0.74]) in reducing postoperative infection.This network meta-analysis suggests that fibrin glue might be best for reducing CPIP and recurrence. However, a large-scale RCT is warranted to confirm the results.

BackgroundHigh Throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies completed by the bioinformatic analysis of the generated data are becoming an important detection technique for virus diagnostics. They have the potential to replace or complement the current PCR-based methods thanks to their improved inclusivity and analytical sensitivity, as well as their overall good repeatability and reproducibility. Cross-contamination is a well-known phenomenon in molecular diagnostics and corresponds to the exchange of genetic material between samples. Cross-contamination management was a key drawback during the development of PCR-based detection and is now adequately monitored in routine diagnostics. HTS technologies are facing similar difficulties due to their very high analytical sensitivity. As a single viral read could be detected in millions of sequencing reads, it is mandatory to fix a detection threshold that will be influenced by cross-contamination. Cross-contamination monitoring should therefore be a priority when detecting viruses by HTS technologies.ResultsWe present Cont-ID, a bioinformatic tool designed to check for cross-contamination by analysing the relative abundance of virus sequencing reads identified in sequence metagenomic datasets and their duplication between samples. It can be applied when the samples in a sequencing batch have been processed in parallel in the laboratory and with at least one external alien control. Using 273 real datasets, including 68 virus species from different hosts (fruit tree, plant, human) and several library preparation protocols (Ribodepleted total RNA, small RNA and double stranded RNA), we demonstrated that Cont-ID classifies with high accuracy (91%) viral species detection into (true) infection or (cross) contamination. This classification raises confidence in the detection and facilitates the downstream interpretation and confirmation of the results by prioritising the virus detections that should be confirmed.ConclusionsCross-contamination between samples when detecting viruses using HTS can be monitored and highlighted by Cont-ID (provided an alien control is present). Cont-ID is based on a flexible methodology relying on the output of bioinformatics analyses of the sequencing reads and considering the contamination pattern specific to each batch of samples. The Cont-ID method is adaptable so that each laboratory can optimise it before its validation and routine use.

Additional file 2: Supplementary Figure 2. GEO profiles validating the prognosis correlation of the constructed gene signature. (A) GSE22541 patients were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups based on the calculated signature score. (B) The survival status of all the GSE22541 patients samples. (C) Survival analysis of the high-risk and low-risk groups of GSE22541 patients. (D) ROC curve of the gene signature to predict GSE22541 patients survival. (E) Relative expression of MMP9, IRF7, NFKB1 and HMOX1 genes in GSE22541 samples displayed in a heatmap.

Additional file 3: Supplementary Table 1. Detailed information of the GEO datasets used for identifying differently expressed genes in ccRCC vs normal renal tissues. Supplementary Table 2. Number of the four levels differently expressed genes in ccRCC analyzed based on four GEO profiles. Supplementary Table 3. Detailed information of the 269 differently expressed meanwhile immune modulation related genes in ccRCC.

Supplementary Material 1

Based on their nationality, the PMOP patients were divided into two groups, including Han (n=178) and Uygur (n=168) groups. Western blots and RT-qPCR analyses showed that The VDR and ER-α gene polymorphisms were not associated with the different TCM syndromes of PMOP in the Han and Uyghur female populations in Xinjiang, China.

Additional file 1: Supplementary Figure 1. Genetic alterations of four hub genes based on cBioPortal dataset. Different types of (A) MMP9, (B) IRF7, (C) NFKB1 and (D) HMOX1 variations including gene amplification, deletion, mutation and structural variants in various human cancers revealed by cBioPortal dataset.

Levels of VDR and EF-a in the Uyghur and HAN female populations

The bond market is an important part of China’s capital market. However, defaults have become frequent in the bond market in recent years, and consequently, the default risk of Chinese credit bonds has become increasingly prominent. Therefore, the assessment of default risk is particularly important. In this paper, we utilize 31 indicators at the macroeconomic level and the corporate microlevel for the prediction of bond defaults, and we conduct principal component analysis to extract 10 principal components from them. We use the XGBoost algorithm to analyze the importance of variables and assess the credit debt default risk based on the XGBoost prediction model through the calculation of evaluation indicators such as the area under the ROC curve (AUC), accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score, in order to evaluate the classification prediction effect of the model. Finally, the grid search algorithm and k -fold cross-validation are used to optimize the parameters of the XGBoost model and determine the final classification prediction model. Existing research has focused on the selection of bond default risk prediction indicators and the application of XGBoost algorithm in default risk prediction. After optimization of the parameters, the optimized XGBoost algorithm is found to be more accurate than the original algorithm. The grid search and k -fold cross-validation algorithms are used to optimize the XGBoost model for predicting the default risk of credit bonds, resulting in higher accuracy of the proposed model. Our research results demonstrate that the optimized XGBoost model has a significantly improved prediction accuracy, compared to the original model, which is beneficial to improving the prediction effect for practical applications.

A small blind internal thread (SBIT) is used to firmly fasten some functional components to the cover of 3C electronic products. The small internal thread is made in a blind hole using a fluteless forming tap (FFT) that does not produce chips. However, the four geometric parameters (tool width (W), tooth root diameter (D2), front-end diameter (Df) and tooth angle (θ)) for the FFT affect the thread filling rate (f) and the minimum torque (T) for the tapping process. This study reports a Box-Behnken design (BBD) using DEFORM-3D (finite element model) and MINITAB (regression analysis) software to tap 7075-T6 aluminum alloy using a small FFT to achieve a repeatable thread filling rate and minimum torque. The experimental results show that the BBD accurately predicts and simulate the thread filling rate for tapping 7075-T6 aluminum alloy. The modelling software and the experimental design for this study can be used to optimize the design of tools that are used in industrial production.

Despite the rise in e-counseling services in Malaysia, there is an apparent lack of studies conducted from e-counselors’ perspectives on e-counseling features and provisions. The aim of the study is to determine the relationship between e-counseling skills and counseling self-efficacy. This quantitative study applied the descriptive correlational method in order to identify the relationship between e-counseling skills and counseling self-efficacy among e-counselors. The instrumentation involved the use of the Counseling Self-Estimate Inventory (COSE) and a self-constructed questionnaire, the E-Counseling Skills Scale which has undergone validity tests. 233 e-counselors from various institutions in Malaysia were selected using the simple random sampling technique to participate in completing an online survey form. Findings showed that respondents reported a high level of e-counseling skills (M = 4.07, SD = 0.60) and a moderate level of counseling self-efficacy (M = 4.00, SD = 0.67). E-counseling skills was positively correlated with counseling self-efficacy (r = .421, p < .05). The multiple regression analysis reported that the subconstruct “goal identification and attainment” of e-counseling skills best predicted counseling self-efficacy (β = .27, t(225) = 2.33, p .05). The findings implied that a higher ability to apply e-counseling skills is linked to higher counseling self-efficacy among e-counselors in Malaysia. This study suggests further improvement and standardization in the counselor education and training policy, specifically in terms of e-counseling interventions for both professional counselors and counseling trainees.

Sustainable HRT of 3–4 h achieved for MABR effluent with carbon and nitrogen meeting the discharge standard of level I class A in China for synthetic municipal wastewater treatment.

Three novel fluoranthene dyes were obtained by cycloaddition reactions using acrylonitrile and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates. Their fluorescence properties in different polar-organic solvents were investigated systematically. Meanwhile, spectral changes induced by the addition of water in methanol were observed, indicating that these fluoranthenes dyes can be efficiently used to detect the water content in methanol as probes. Significantly, the practical test measurements for the water contents in methanol illustrated the measured results with the three fluorescent probes were basically consistent with the water content added artificially. This demonstrated the potential of these fluoranthene dyes as probes in measuring the water content in methanol.

The combined influence of Mg/Si and Ca contents on the crystallization of primary Mg2Si in Al–Mg2Si alloy is investigated. Embryo formation of primary Mg2Si can be restricted by the addition of Ca while the restricted effect is weakened by increasing the content of Mg/Si, and content of Ca for over-modification is increased with the increased Mg/Si content. Growth of primary Mg2Si is encouraged with the increasing content of Mg/Si, while the addition of Ca can restrict the growth rate directionally in Ca-modified Al–Mg2Si alloy, which leads to the morphology evolution of primary Mg2Si. The serious inhibition effect on the whole crystallization process of primary Mg2Si caused by increasing the content of Ca is the main reason for the occurrence of over-modification. Dice-like primary Mg2Si is prepared successfully in the over-modified alloy for the first time. The tip-growth process of the dice-like primary Mg2Si is revealed, which is completed by 2-D nucleation growth. The study provides a novel method to control the morphology and particle size of primary Mg2Si, which can further help understand the crystallization process of the crystal.

Biofouling is a major obstacle to the efficient extraction of uranium from seawater due to the numerous marine microorganisms in the ocean. Herein, we report a novel amidoxime (AO) crystalline cova...

The synthesis of ionic olefin linked three-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (3D COFs) is greatly challenging given the hardness of the formation of stable carbon-carbon double bonds (–C = C–). Herein, we report a general strategy for designing porous positively charged sp2 carbon-linked 3D COFs through the Aldol condensation promoted by quaternization. The obtained 3D COFs, namely TFPM-PZI and TAPM-PZI, showed impressive chemical stability. Furthermore, the positively charged frameworks with regular porosity endow 3D ionic COFs with selective capture radioactive ReO4−/TcO4− and great removal efficiency in simulated Hanford waste. This research not only broadens the category of 3D COFs but also promotes the application of COFs as efficient functional materials.

In this work, we introduce trimethylbromosilane (C3H9SiBr), which can protect lithium metal anodes via an in situ formed SEI layer while catalyzing the decomposition of Li2O2.

Background Adequate sedation is essential for pediatric patients undergoing 3Tesla (T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Using propofol alone is associated with patient arousing and adverse airway events. This study aimed to assess esketamine vs dexmedetomidine adjunct to propofol sedation for pediatric 3 T MRI. Methods In this randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, 114 pediatric patients aged between 6 months and 8 years were randomly assigned, in a 1:1 ratio, to the esketamine–propofol group or the dexmedetomidine–propofol group. Sedation was provided with esketamine or dexmedetomidine in combination with propofol titration. The primary outcome was the total dose of propofol. Secondary outcomes included propofol infusion dose, adverse events, time to emergence from sedation, and time to discharge from recovery room. Results A total of 111 patients completed this study (56 in the esketamine–propofol group and 55 in the dexmedetomidine–propofol group). All MRI procedures were successfully performed under sedation. The total median (IQR) dose of propofol was significantly lower in the esketamine–propofol group (159.8 [121.7, 245.2] μg/kg/min) than that in the dexmedetomidine–propofol group (219.3 [188.6, 314.8] μg/kg/min) (difference in medians [95% CI] = − 66.9 [− 87.8 to − 43.0] μg/kg/min, P Conclusions Although both regimens provided effective sedation for pediatric 3 T MRI, the esketamine–propofol sedation reduced propofol requirement and facilitated recovery, without detection of increased adverse effects in the studied population. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (identifier: ChiCTR2100048477).

Vincristine (VCR), an effective antitumor drug, has been utilized in several polytherapy regimens for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, neuroblastoma and rhabdomyosarcoma. However, clinical evidence shows that the metabolism of VCR varies greatly among patients. The traditional based body surface area (BSA) administration method is prone to insufficient exposure to VCR or severe VCR-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (VIPN). Therefore, reliable strategies are urgently needed to improve efficacy and reduce VIPN. Due to the unpredictable pharmacokinetic changes of VCR, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) may help to ensure its efficacy and to manage VIPN. At present, there is a lot of supporting evidence for the suitability of applying TDM to VCR therapy. Based on the consensus guidelines drafted by the International Association of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Clinical Toxicology (IATDMCT), this review aimed to summarize various available data to evaluate the potential utility of VCR TDM for cancer patients. Of note, valuable evidence has accumulated on pharmacokinetics variability, pharmacodynamics, drug exposure-clinical response relationship, biomarkers for VIPN prediction, and assays for VCR monitoring. However, there are still many relevant clinical pharmacological questions that cannot yet be answered merely based on insufficient evidence. Currently, we cannot recommend a therapeutic exposure range and cannot yet provide a dose-adaptation strategy for clinicians and patients. In areas where the evidence is not yet sufficient, more research is needed in the future. The precision medicine of VCR cannot rely on TDM alone and needs to consider the clinical, environmental, genetic background and patient-specific factors as a whole.