Search

In this letter, a novel double-sided composite spoof surface plasmon polaritons (CSSPPs) unit structure is proposed, which consists of a primary grating unit and an auxiliary grating unit. The CSSPPs structure not only realizes mode conversion without transition structure, but also effectively suppresses high-order mode and optimizes out-of-band suppression. The primary grating structure and auxiliary grating structure of the CSSPPs unit introduce an extra phase difference, which makes the spatial distributions of the electric and magnetic fields of the quasi-TEM waves separate from each other, and converted into TM waves, realizing the mode conversion without transition structure. Furthermore, regulating the phase difference between the auxiliary grating and the primary grating can gradually eliminate high-order mode and optimize out-of-band rejection. In order to better verify the scalability and excellence of the structure, a miniaturized bandpass filter by introducing short-circuited branches is designed. The measured results demonstrate that the filter has an insertion loss of less than 1.06 dB in the passband range of 4.38 - 7.33 GHz and a rejection level of more than 35 dB in the range of 8 - 18 GHz.

Haptic interfaces create information transmission channels from machine to human with a natural way. Robust haptic interfaces with compact forms that provide high information throughput are of particular interest in industrial applications such as teleoperation, soft displays, virtual, and augmented reality. Here, we propose a haptic interface with spatiotemporal displays to convey high-dimensional information during successive hand-to-object tasks, which is architectural and psychophysical lightweight. The wearable and flexible architecture incorporates seven independently addressable vibration units at a pitch of 16 mm to allow spatiotemporal modulation. To prove the superiority of the haptic interface, four-day perceptual experiments are performed on 12 subjects with pattern discrimination tasks. We compared recognition accuracy (RA) between space-dependent and spatiotemporal strategies across the forearm, which are encoded based on finger states and morphological deformations. Furthermore, the mixed biomimetic strategy derived from both is intuitive and showed strength in terms of RA (over 88%) and information transfer (IT) (over 2.4 bit/s). With prior knowledge, are significantly better (RA over 90%) at the discrimination of sequential patterns. Moreover, the results demonstrate robust performance of the biomimetic strategy on location shift, which prove that subjects perceive relative information among vibratory units rather than absolute locations on the skin.

Anti-PD-1 therapy and chemotherapy is a recommended first-line treatment for recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma, but the role of PD-1 blockade remains unknown in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. We assessed the addition of sintilimab, a PD-1 inhibitor, to standard chemoradiotherapy in this patient population.

Research into kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonists with attenuated central-nervous-system side effects is a critical focus for developing productive and safe analgesics. Herein, a series of ortho-substituted N-cyclopropylmethyl-7a-phenyl-6,14-endoethano-tetrahydronorthebaines were designed, synthesized, and subjected to bioassays. Compound 7aexhibited high subtype selectivity and potent agonistic activity toward KOR (KOR, Ki= 3.9 nM, MOR/KOR = 270, DOR/KOR = 1075; [35S]GTP?S binding, EC50= 3.4 nM). Additionally, this compound exhibited robust and persistent antinociceptive effects in rodent models with different animal strains (hot plate test, ED50= 0.20–0.30 mg/kg, i.p.; abdominal constriction test, ED50= 0.20–0.60 mg/kg, i.p.), with its KOR-mediated mechanism for antinociception firmly established. Notably, compound 7a, unlike conventional KOR agonists, displayed minimal sedation and aversion at the antinociceptive ED50dose. This feature addresses a crucial limitation in existing KOR agonists, positioning compound 7aas a promising novel therapeutic agent.

The automatic measurement algorithm for Vickers hardness indentation has been widely applied. Among these, the neural network-based method has received attention for its excellent segmentation performance. However, high storage space and computation requirements hinder its promotion on edge computing devices. To address this issue, this study proposes two lightweight Vickers indentation segmentation networks: VSNLite4M and VSNLite1M. Compared with previous methods, the proposed networks achieve a reduction of $35.2\times $ in terms of computational cost with up to $38\times $ fewer parameters, while maintaining the same level of segmentation accuracy.

ABSTRACTThe increasing imaging capability of spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems makes a challenging task in matching slant-range (SR) SAR images acquired from different orbit and side-viewing directions. However, currently existing algorithms for the SR SAR images matching are unsatisfactory and the correct homologous points cannot be matched. In this work, a robust and adaptable high-precision method for matching flipped SAR images based on oriented descriptors is proposed. Firstly, the ratio gradient calculation based on Gabor odd filter is introduced. Secondly, the oriented descriptors are built to eliminate the diversity of feature-based descriptors of homologous points of flipped SR SAR images, enabling directly match the flipped SAR images. Finally, the feasibility and reliability of the proposed method are verified by the experimental results of simulated flipped SAR images and actual flipped SAR images, and two directional descriptors of the slave image are constructed to match non-flipped SAR images. The results show that the proposed method performs better in precision with the root mean square error (RMSE) less than 1 pixel, and the proposed oriented descriptors can match SR SAR images.

Advancements in intelligent robots and human–machine interaction necessitate a shift in artificial skins toward multimodal perception. Dual-responsive skins that can detect proximity and pressure information are significant to establishing continuous sensing of interaction processes and extending interactive application scenarios. To address the current limitations of inadequate dual-mode performance, such as limited proximal response change and low tactile sensitivity, this paper presents a bioinspired complementary gradient architecture-enabled (CGA) transduction design and a high-performance dual-responsive skin based on coplanar square-loop electrodes. Through systematic investigation into the transduction of various electrode configurations, comparative results reveal the remarkable potential of coplanar electrodes to deliver superior dual-mode performance without compromise. Simulations and experiments prove that the proposed CGA response mechanism can capture local interface deformation and overall compression signals, further enhancing response sensitivity. The final developed artificial skin is sensitive to external pressure and the approach of objects simultaneously, exhibiting a long detection distance (∼40 mm), a high proximity response (>0.4), and outstanding touch sensitivity (0.131 kPa–1). Furthermore, we demonstrate proof-of-concept applications for the proposed sensing skin in a dual-mode teleoperation interface and adaptive grasping interactions.

This article presents a 76–81 GHz millimeter-wave (mm-wave) radar transceiver and a 2 $\times $ 8 multi-input multi-output (MIMO) antenna-in-package (AiP) for automotive radar applications. The proposed transceiver chip consists of a frequency-modulated-continuous-wave (FMCW) radar waveform generator, a 3-channel sub-transmitter (Tx), and a 4-channel receiver (Rx) with integrated analog-to-digital converters (ADC). A two-point modulation scheme and a digital-to-analog converter’s (DAC) dynamic bias technique are adopted in the FMCW generator to achieve fast chirps and broad modulation bandwidth. A maximum modulation bandwidth of 7.2 GHz is measured. A measured maximum chirp rate reaches 312 MHz/ $\mu \text{s}$ while the rms linearity stays less than 0.32%. The measured best-case chirp linearity peak error is 0.018% when the chirp rate is set as 9.21 MHz/ $\mu \text{s}$ . Two transceiver chips operating in a primary-secondary mode, 2 Tx antennas, and 8 Rx antennas are packaged in the embedded glass fan-out (eGFO) technology for better detection capability. Each Tx patch antenna is fed by three power amplifier (PA) outputs through a coaxial feeding structure. The measured Tx effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) is improved by 7.5 dB compared to a single-feed antenna. Therefore, the chipset demo shows a detection range of up to 38.5 m. The transceiver chip is fabricated in a 65 nm CMOS technology and occupies 5.8 $\times $ 5.8 mm2. The packaged 2 $\times $ 8 MIMO AiP chipset is 24 $\times $ 24 mm2.

In this article, an unconditionally stable (US) stochastic weighted Laguerre polynomials (WLPs)-based finite-difference time-domain (S-WLP-FDTD) method is presented to model electromagnetic (EM) wave propagation in random magnetized plasma media. The Monte Carlo correlation coefficients (MC-CC) scheme is employed to obtain correlation coefficients between the electrical properties of the plasma materials in the model and the fields propagating in them. This procedure significantly improves the accuracy of the S-WLP-FDTD method. The variabilities of plasma frequency and collision frequency of the plasma are both considered in the proposed method. The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed MC-CC S-WLP-FDTD method are validated by numerical examples. Moreover, the effects of random variation of plasma frequency and collision frequency on EM wave propagation in plasma are analyzed. Finally, we demonstrate the transient evolution of the mean and standard deviation fields in random magnetized plasma.

In order to enhance the utility of online educational digital resources, the authors propose a practical and efficient multi-strategy relation extraction (RE) model in online education scenarios. First, the effective relation discrimination model is used to make relation predictions for non-structured teaching resources and eliminate the noise data. Then, they extract relations from different path strategies using multiple low-computational resources and efficient relation extraction strategies and use their proposed multi-strategy weighting calculator to weigh the relation extraction strategies to derive the final target relations. To cope with the low-resource relation extraction scenario, the relation extraction results are complemented by using prompt learning with a big model paradigm. They also consider the model to serve the commercial scenario of online education, and they propose a global rate controller to adjust and adapt the rate and throughput requirements in different scenarios, so as to achieve the best balance of system stability, computation speed, and extraction performance.

Gesture recognition via the measurement of surface electromyography (sEMG) has been extensively applied in human–machine interface (HMI) scenarios. Although high-density (HD) electrodes are effective for gesture recognition, channel selection from HD electrodes contributes to computational efficiency and wearable feasibility in practical applications. Nonetheless, the majority of the existing methods prioritize classification accuracy (CA) over operational effectiveness. During the framework implementation, channel forms, the optimization-oriented number of gestures, and the number of trials for optimization and training ( $\text{O}\&\text{T}$ ) are related to the optimized layout and the duration of frameworks. To improve the operational effectiveness, we presented an electrode configuration method to simplify the framework process. The muscle-matched electrode configuration (MEC) method was evaluated on 11 subjects with 11-gesture recognition, and compared with two traditional channel selection methods, i.e., uniform configuration (UNI) and sequential forward searching (SFS) configuration. The experimental results showed that the bipolar channel outperformed the monopolar channel in terms of CA. Further results demonstrated the superiority of MEC in operational effectiveness by reducing the optimization-oriented number of gestures and the $\text{O}\&\text{T}$ -oriented number of trials. Specifically in the six-channel configuration, SFS required nine-trial and five-gesture optimization to accomplish a comparable CA ( $90.25\% \pm 3.49\%$ ), whereas MEC only took one trial with the same number of gestures optimization to achieve reliable performance ( $92.61\% \pm 5.18\%$ ), which saved nearly 85% of the training time and memory space. Overall, the outcomes of this study provide meaningful guidelines about the efficient configuration framework for sEMG-based gesture recognition in practical applications.

It is of great significance to recognize hand gestures via measuring biological signals from forearm muscles for portable human–machine interaction (HMI). Decreasing the number of sensor nodes is imperative for practical HMI applications. However, it would be an enormous challenge to maintain gesture recognition performance for traditional myoelectric interface with sparse-site sensing. To overcome this drawback, we present a novel HMI predicting more than ten hand and wrist motions relying on only two hybrid mini-grid surface electromyography (sEMG), mechanomyography (MMG), and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) sensor nodes. Beyond the time domain (TD) features of sEMG, additional information containing movement intention is measured from motor unit (MU) action potential trains (MUAPts) according to the decomposition of four-channel arrayed sEMG. Furthermore, low-frequency myofiber vibration and haemodynamics are extracted from MMG and NIRS, respectively. Experiments are performed on 13 healthy subjects to recognize 12 hand and wrist gestures. The results indicate that combining motor unit discharge feature yields consistently higher ( ${p} < 0.01$ ) classification accuracy (CA) (91.6%) than traditional TD features of sEMG (87.8%) using linear discrimination analysis (LDA) classifier. Additionally, both MMG and NIRS features are demonstrated effective supplementary to distinguish muscular activation patterns, producing significantly enhanced (4.2%–11.2%, ${p} < 0.05$ ) recognition performance with the fused information. The outcomes of this study are promising for the HMI applications such as controlling prosthetic hand and wearable device.

The issues of Zn dendrite and severe Zn2+transport destabilization in the electrode/electrolyte interface have been the main obstacles to the commercialization of aqueous Zn-based batteries. Here, a disordered zinc silicate (ZSO) artificial solid electrolyte interphase with high Zn2+conductivity (9.29 mS·cm−1) is proposed to address these dilemmas. The disordered ZSO interphase possesses sufficient tunnels for fast Zn2+transport and highly reversible Zn plating/stripping, which can redistribute the Zn2+flux and guide uniform Zn deposition to achieve a dendrite-free Zn metal anode. As a proof of concept in zinc-ion batteries, the Zn@ZSO//NH4V4O10battery delivers a capacity of 336.8 mAh·g−1at 0.2 A·g−1, with a capacity retention of 90.1% at 5 A·g−1over 1,000 cycles. As for the Zn@ZSO//I2battery, by inhibiting I3−diffusion, 97.98% of capacity is retained after shelving for 60 h. This work provides enlightenment into interface designing and iodide diffusion suppression to accelerate the commercialization of high-performance zinc-based batteries.

Gene therapy refers to introducing normal exogenous genes into target cells to correct or compensate for the diseases caused by defective and abnormal genes for the purpose of therapy. It holds out hope of a cure for single-gene genetic diseases such as thalassemia, hemophilia, etc. At present, gene therapy is performed in two ways: introducing exogenous genes, and gene editing. A great number of clinical trials of gene therapy in hemophilia have been carried out using viral vectors to introduce foreign genes into target cells. However, the production of neutralizing antibodies following injection and the inability to prepare viral vectors in large quantities limit their application. Although gene-editing methods like CRISPR avoid the above problems, the potential risks of off-target effects are still unknown. More trials and evidence are needed to elucidate the safety and accuracy of gene therapy. This paper will review the bench and clinical work of gene therapy in hemophilia in recent years, and summarize the challenges and prospects of gene therapy, so as to provide directions for future scientific research in this field.

This paper presents a digitally programmable bi-directional 7-bit passive phase shifter in a 65 nm CMOS technology. The core of this passive vector-synthesized phase shifter is a hybrid quadrature generator (HQG), an interstage matching network, and a passive vector modulator (PVM). This work proposes a high coupling-factor-based quadrature generator design methodology and demonstrates it with a compact vertical transformer. The interstage matching network between HQG and PVM is proposed to release the bandwidth bottleneck and achieve a 34% fractional frequency bandwidth. Two 6-bit X-type attenuators in the I and Q path form a high-resolution 12-bit controlling word. In 32–40 GHz, this 7-bit 360° phase shifter achieves a measured 2.8° step with 0.45-1.6° RMS phase error and 0.2-0.36 dB RMS magnitude error. With the broadband technique, its 3-dB bandwidth reaches 30.2-42.7 GHz with a 2.8° RMS phase error. Its in-band 1-dB compression point is 10.2 dBm. With the proposed compact HQG and PVM, this mm-wave passive phase shifter only occupies $220\times 630\,\,\mu \text{m}^{2}$ and has no power consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To obtain the characteristics of the gas hydrate reservoirs at GMGS3-W19, extensive geophysical logging data and cores were analyzed to assess the reservoir properties. Sediment porosities were estimated from density, neutron, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logs. Both the resistivity and NMR logs were used to calculate gas hydrate saturations, the Simandoux model was employed to eliminate the effects of high clay content determined based on the ECS and core data. The density porosity was closely in agreement with the core-derived porosity, and the neutron porosity was higher while the NMR porosity was lower than the density porosity of sediments without hydrates. The resistivity log has higher vertical resolution than the NMR log and thus is more favorable for assessing gas hydrate saturation with strong heterogeneity. For the gas hydrate reservoirs at GMGS3-W19, the porosity, gas hydrate saturation and free gas saturation was 52.7%, 42.7% and 10%, on average, respectively. The various logs provide different methods for the comprehensive evaluation of hydrate reservoir, which supports the selection of candidate site for gas hydrate production testing.

Although it is usually latent on citrus, apple, and pear, apple stem grooving virus (ASGV) poses a great risk to many sensitive cultivars. Since severe leaf yellow mottle mosaic (LYMM) symptoms have been observed on Huangjinmiyou (HJY) pummelos (Citrus grandis cv. Huangjinmiyou), a commercial variety that is widely cultivated in South China, high throughput sequencing (HTS) was used to find potential pathogens and only three divergent ASGV variants were identified. The three ASGV variants shared 81.03–82.34% genome-wide pairwise identities with each other, and were separately closest to other ASGV variants from different hosts and/or geographical regions, as indicated by viral phylogenies. However, these new variants may have developed from viral interstrain interactions, based on the results of recombination analysis. A large-scale survey using reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) protocols designed for the three ASGV variants revealed a high incidence (92.7–100%) of ASGV in symptomatic HJY trees from 11 major citrus-producing regions in China. None of ASGV were detected in asymptomatic trees. Temperature treatments applied to the symptomatic HJY plants showed that ASGV is sensitive to high temperatures (30–35°C), at which not only the plants recovered, but also the viruses were not detected by RT-PCR, while at low temperatures (20–24°C), both the symptoms and viruses remained detectable. These data show that ASGV is associated with the LYMM disease prevalent on HJY in China, and this is the significant basis especially of taking appropriate measures timely to manage the disease.

Goal: The goal of this study was to identify the correlates and determine the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among male rural migrants in Shanghai, China. Study: The authors conducted a community-based cross-sectional study with an anonymous questionnaire interview and collection of blood and first-void urine samples for STD screening. Results: One thousand eighty-six (85.3%) of 1273 male rural migrants approached were interviewed. Among the 986 sexually active migrants, the prevalence of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis was 3.5%, 0.5%, and 1.0%, respectively. None were infected with HIV. The prevalence of STDs was 3.2% for construction workers. 5.6% for market vendors, and 5.6% for factory workers. Risk factors for STDs were longer duration in Shanghai, frequent hometown visits, having multiple sex partners, and the desire to have multiple sex partners. Conclusions: The prevalence of STDs among male rural migrants is relatively low. Maintaining the current low prevalence can reduce the risk of an HIV epidemic among Shanghai migrants, but prevention messages need to be tailored to the low level of literacy in many migrants.

Although chlorinated organophosphate esters (Cl-OPEs) have been reported to be ubiquitously distributed in various anoxic environments, little information is available on their fate under anoxic conditions. In this study, we report two Dehalococcoides-containing enrichment cultures that transformed 3.88 ± 0.22 μmol tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) and 2.61 ± 0.02 μmol tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP) within 10 days. Based on the identification of the transformed products and deuteration experiments, we inferred that TCEP may be transformed to generate bis(2-chloroethyl) phosphate and ethene via one-electron transfer (radical mechanism), followed by C–O bond cleavage. Ethene was subsequently reduced to ethane. Similarly, TCPP was transformed to form bis(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate and propene. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that Dehalococcoideswas the predominant contributor to the transformation of TCEP and TCPP. Two draft genomes of Dehalococcoidesassembled from the metagenomes of the TCEP- and TCPP-transforming enrichment cultures contained 14 and 15 putative reductive dehalogenase (rdh) genes, respectively. Most of these rdhgenes were actively transcribed, suggesting that they might contribute to the transformation of TCEP and TCPP. Taken together, this study provides insights into the role of Dehalococcoidesduring the transformation of representative Cl-OPEs.

This article disclosed the influence of acid-ether ratio, n(SH)/n(IPEG), and n(APS)/n(IPEG) on adsorption and fluidity performance. The optimum synthetic parameters of acid-ether ratio, n(SH)/n(IPEG) and n(APS)/n(IPEG) were 0.5, 0.35 and 0.05, respectively. The rheology fitting equation was τ= 719.55γ+ 1834.54. And the correlation coefficient was 0.9843. The cement paste conformed to the law of pseudoplastic fluid. The preferred PCE-11 had excellent performance in freshly mixed and hardened concrete.

The ethyl glycol vinyl ether polyoxyethylene ether (EPEG) is a new type of macromonomer to synthesize polycarboxylate superplasticizer (PCE), which has higher reactivity due to the unsaturated double bond and easily to polymerization. The EPEG slump retaining typed PCE can be synthesized by free radical polymerization though EPEG, acrylic acid and hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA). The HEA had the greatest influence on slump retaining performance. High polymerization conversion rate of EPEG typed PCE was beneficial to improve the concrete performance.

Denitrification-induced nitrogen (N) losses from croplands may be greatly increased by intensive fertilization. However, the accurate quantification of these losses is still challenging due to insufficient available in situmeasurements of soil dinitrogen (N2) emissions. We carried out two one-week experiments in a maize–wheat cropping system with calcareous soil using the 15N gas-flux (15NGF) method to measure in situN2fluxes following urea application. Applications of 15N-labeled urea (99 atom%, 130–150 kg N ha−1) were followed by irrigation on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th days after fertilization (DAF 1, 3, and 5, respectively). The detection limits of the soil N2fluxes were 163–1 565, 81–485, and 54–281 μg N m−2h−1for the two-, four-, and six-hour static chamber enclosures, respectively. The N2fluxes measured in 120 cases varied between 159 and 2 943 (811 on average) μg N m−2h−1, which were higher than the detection limits, with the exception of only two cases. The N2fluxes at DAF 3 were significantly higher (by nearly 80% (P<0.01)) than those at DAF 1 and 5 in the maize experiment, while there were no significant differences among the irrigation times in the wheat experiment. The N2fluxes and the ratios of nitrous oxide (N2O) to the N2O plus N2fluxes following urea application to maize were approximately 65% and 11 times larger, respectively (P<0.01), than those following urea application to wheat. Such differences could be mainly attributed to the higher soil water contents, temperatures, and availability of soil N substrates in the maize experiment than in the wheat experiment. This study suggests that the 15NGF method is sensitive enough to measure in situN2fluxes from intensively fertilized croplands with calcareous soils.

ObjectiveTo identify the beneficial effects of thrombectomy capable hospitals (TCHs), by comparing the incidence of in-hospital adverse events and discharge outcomes among patients with ischemic stroke treated at thrombectomy capable and non-thrombectomy capable hospitals in the United States.MethodsWe used the data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from January 2012 to December 2017. Thrombectomy capable hospitals were identified based on the number of thrombectomy procedures performed by a hospital each year among patients with ischemic stroke. If a hospital performed 10 or more thrombectomy procedures, it was labelled a TCH. The inclusion criteria were age ≥18 years, and ischemic stroke (International Classification of Diseases 433 .x1-434.x1 (ICD-9) or I63 (ICD-10)) as primary discharge diagnosis. A comparative analysis of propensity-matched patient groups was done to study the influence of TCH admissions on in-hospital outcomes.ResultsA total of 2 826 334 patients with primary ischemic stroke were identified. In a multivariate logistic regression model after adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, hospital teaching status, comorbidities, and all patients refined diagnosis-related groups-based disease severity, patients admitted to a TCH were found to have low incidence of in-hospital adverse events: pneumonia (OR=0.86, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.93), urinary tract infection (OR=0.87, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.91), sepsis (OR=0.91, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.02), and pulmonary embolism (OR=0.89, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.03); in-hospital death (OR=0.82, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.88); and higher rate of home discharge (OR=1.09, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.12).ConclusionsA decrease in-hospital adverse events and improved discharge outcomes were observed among patients with ischemic stroke admitted to a TCH compared with a non-TCH.

The "out of Tibet" hypothesis that suggests an important role of Tibetan highlands in the evolution of Central Asian cold-adapted fauna is a matter of debate. The long-tailed hamster Cricetulus longicaudatusis an important member of both steppe/semidesert Mongolian and high altitude Tibetan faunas. In this study, we analyze the mitochondrial variation in C. longicaudatusthroughout a major part of its distribution range, perform molecular dating of the main divergence events, and model its historical range. The data reveal six genetic lineages, which are estimated to have diverged 100–200 kya. Four of the lineages are distributed in the northeastern part of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The northern part of the distribution range (Mongolia and southern Siberia) is almost entirely populated by another single lineage; its sister haplogroup is restricted to a small isolate in the Xingan Mountains. Species distribution modeling shows that the southern (Chinese) part of the geographic range of C. longicaudatuswas relatively stable over the last 200 kya, while the northern (Mongolian) part demonstrated a high level of temporal variation, contracting considerably during cold glacials. The results suggest that the main center of origin of the long-tailed hamster was located in Tibet and that the northern part of the recent range was colonized through a single dispersal event at the Middle–Late Pleistocene boundary. At the same time, the comparative analysis of the fauna of Tibet and Mongolia indicates that the "out of Tibet" model is not the predominant pattern of geographic range evolution for small mammals.

Byline: Xiao-Ling. Xu, Yi-Ping. Zhang, Yun. Fang, Dan. Su, Wei. Chen, Jian-Guo. Feng, Zhu-Peng. Li, Wei-Min. Mao Purpose: Genetic polymorphisms of ribonucleotidereductase M1 (RRM1) was a DNA repair gene, which [...]

Aerosols dispersed and transmitted through the air (e.g., particulate matter pollution and bioaerosols) are ubiquitous and one of the leading causes of adverse health effects and disease transmission. A variety of sampling methods (e.g., filters, cyclones, and impactors) have been developed to assess personal exposures. However, a gap still remains in the accessibility and ease-of-use of these technologies for people without experience or training in collecting airborne samples. Additionally, wet scrubbers (large non-portable industrial systems) utilize liquid sprays to remove aerosols from the air; the goal is to “scrub” (i.e., clean) the exhaust of industrial smokestacks, not collect the aerosols for analysis. Inspired by wet scrubbers, we developed a device fundamentally different from existing portable air samplers by using aerosolized microdroplets to capture aerosols in personal spaces (e.g., homes, offices, and schools). Our aerosol-sampling device is the size of a small teapot, can be operated without specialized training, and features a winding flow path in a supersaturated relative humidity environment, enabling droplet growth. The integrated open mesofluidic channels shuttle coalesced droplets to a collection chamber for subsequent sample analysis. Here, we present the experimental demonstration of aerosol capture in water droplets. An iterative study optimized the non-linear flow manipulating baffles and enabled an 83% retention of the aerosolized microdroplets in the confined volume of our device. As a proof-of-concept for aerosol capture into a liquid medium, 0.5–3 μm model particles were used to evaluate aerosol capture efficiency. Finally, we demonstrate that the device can capture and keep a bioaerosol (bacteriophage MS2) viable for downstream analysis.

Patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma have a high risk of disease relapse, despite a high proportion of patients attaining complete clinical remission after receiving standard-of-care treatment (ie, definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy with or without induction chemotherapy). Additional adjuvant therapies are needed to further reduce the risk of recurrence and death. However, the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma remains controversial, highlighting the need for more effective adjuvant treatment options.

Tree peonies native to China are a precious crop with ornamental, medicinal and edible oil properties, of which flare tree peony (Paeonia rockii) is one of the most significant germplasms in Paeonia.The development and application of expressed sequence tag-simple sequence repeat (EST-SSR) markers are very valuable for genetic and breeding applications, but EST-SSR resources for the genus Paeoniaare still limited. In this study, we first reported the development of SSRs within transcription factors (TFs) in P. rockiibased on next-generation sequencing (NGS) and single-molecule long-read sequencing (SMLRS). A total of 166 EST-SSRs containing six nucleotide repeat types were identified from 959 candidate TFs associated with yield, with an average of one SSR per 5.83 unigenes. In total, 102 (61.45%) pairs of primers produced amplification products in the two RNA-seq cultivars. Among them, 58 (56.86%) pairs of primers from 18 gene families (AP2, bHLH, HSF, etc.) were identified to be polymorphic both in the parents of a linkage mapping population and in eight randomly selected accessions of P. rockii.Further, the 58 EST-SSRs indicated a high level of informativeness with PIC values ranging from 0.32 to 0.91 (mean 0.70) after assessment in 37 tree peony accessions. Transferability studies indicated that the amplification ratio of the 58 pairs of primers ranged from 89.66 to 100% across seven species of Paeonia.In addition, a genetic relationship study was performed in 62 accessions. Cluster analysis using the neighbour-joining (NJ) tree demonstrated that major clusters corresponded to the known pedigree trees. Taken together, these newly developed EST-SSRs have a potential use in the conservation of tree peony germplasm and marker-assisted selection (MAS) breeding.

Gemini surfactant acetylene glycol polyethers and polyhydrosilicone oil were used as raw materials to generate the acetylene glycol surfactants with defoaming, antifoaming properties, and polyether modification through a hydrolyzation reaction. A novel silicone surfactant based on acetylene glycol-modified polyoxysilane, which has the advantages of low surface tension and good water solubility. Its structure characterized by infrared. Finally, the new silicone surfactant prepared was emulsified with a composite emulsifier, and a new concrete defoamer was prepared by a mechanical method. The defoaming performance, foam suppression performance and surface tension were tested. The results showed that the new silicone surfactants contained functional groups of acetylene glycol and siloxane. The composite emulsifiers were Span40 and Tween60, which the HLB value was 10, the amount was 5% and the emulsification time was 30 minutes. The prepared new concrete defoamer has good defoaming and antifoaming properties with a low surface tension.

AbstractAimsThis study was designed to describe health care resource utilization (HCRU) of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) or gastric cancer to test the hypothesis that greater treatment variability would be associated with increased HCRU.MethodsA retrospective observational study using Marketscan claims data was conducted. Eligible patients had a first diagnosis of metastatic CRC or gastric cancer between 2004 and 2015 and must have received systemic anti-cancer therapy after diagnosis. Treatment variability was measured using the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI). HHI scores were stratified by quartile. HCRU variables were evaluated throughout the follow-up period and described by 6-month periods. Chi-square test was used for categorical variables and ANOVA for continuous variables.ResultsA total of 55,403 CRC and 9,073 gastric cancer patients were eligible. First-line HHI scores ranged from 0.1304–0.2778 for CRC and 0.0383–0.1778 for gastric cancer by state of residence. Statistically significant differences by HHI quartiles for HCRU in CRC included hospitalizations (p = 0.0003), ER visits (p < 0.0001), ER visits leading to hospitalization (p < 0.0001), and supportive care (all agents studied, p < 0.01). For gastric cancer, significant differences by HHI quartile were observed for ER visits (p = 0.002) and selected supportive care (G-CSF, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, bisphosphonates, nutritional support, and antiemetics, each p < 0.05). No consistent increasing or decreasing trends were observed across the quartiles for either cohort.LimitationsLarge sample sizes could lead to statistical significance without being clinically meaningful. High treatment heterogeneity in the gastric cancer cohort and lack of a homogeneous quartile for comparisons limited the ability to evaluate HCRU by different levels of treatment variability.ConclusionsStatistically significant relationships were observed between treatment variability as measured by HHI and increased HCRU, but no consistent directional trends in HCRU variables were observed. Therefore, this study failed to reject the null hypothesis of equivalent HCRU by level of treatment variability.

Background: In the United States in 2014 approximately 1.7 million adults were hospitalized with sepsis, resulting in about 270,000 deaths. Malnutrition in hospitalized patients contributes to increased morbidity, mortality, and costs, especially in the critically ill population.Aim: Our goal was to investigate the prevalence of malnutrition in sepsis and the impact it has on clinical and financial outcomes in our most critically ill patients.Methods: We implemented nutritional screening by a registered dietitian of 1000 patients admitted with sepsis to specialized care units. We calculated the prevalence of malnutrition, and compared outcomes including mortality, length of stay, and financial costs.Results: About 10% of patients with sepsis admitted to our specialized care units were diagnosed with malnutrition on admission after implementation of mandatory assessment.Conclusions: Although mortality did not reach statistical significance, these patients had more comorbidities, longer hospital stays, and higher total costs.

Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEOn) exhibit outstanding application performances, especially in stabilizing silicone oil emulsions, but have been globally banned or use-restricted for serious ecological toxicity. A homologous series of nonionic surfactants, n-dodecylbenzyloxy ethoxylates (DBEOn), are molecularly designed and synthesized as alternatives to NPEOn, where the phenolic group of NPEOnwas replaced by a benzyloxy group to counteract the harmful characteristics of NPEOn, while retaining the benefits. Based on computational studies, we propose a hypothesis that has a conjugation reduction effect (CRE) of DBEOnrelative to NPEOnon the surfactant structure and properties that solves the biodegradation problem while maintaining the outstanding emulsifying capacity of NPEOn. A 7-day activated sludge assessment shows that DBEO8, a representative member of DBEOn, is almost 100% biodegradable and that the poor biodegradability of NPEOnmay be improved by maintaining the vital benzene ring in DBEOnmolecules, because the oxygen atom of the benzyloxy group is separated from the smaller conjugation system of DBEOn. Compared to NPEO10, DBEO8has a similar cloud point but exhibits higher benzene solubilization and considerably higher emulsion stabilities for mineral oil, biomass oil, and especially silicone oil; this outcome is ascribed to a probable random coil configuration of PEO caused by the CRE of DBEOn. Therefore, molecular design produces DBEOnwith both excellent biodegradability and outstanding application performances, especially in terms of excellent emulsion stabilities of various oils, as predicted by the CRE hypothesis, thereby serving as an effective alternative to NPEOn.

Infection with SARS-CoV-2, the cause of coronavirus infectious disease–19 (COVID-19), has caused a pandemic with >850,000 cases worldwide and increasing. Several studies report outcomes of COVID-19 in predominately well persons. There are also some data on COVID-19 in persons with predominately solid cancer but controversy whether these persons have the same outcomes. We conducted a cohort study at two centres in Wuhan, China, of 128 hospitalised subjects with haematological cancers, 13 (10%) of whom developed COVID-19. We also studied 226 health care providers, 16 of whom developed COVID-19 and 11 of whom were hospitalised. Co-variates were compared with the 115 subjects with haematological cancers without COVID-19 and with 11 hospitalised health care providers with COVID-19. There were no significant differences in baseline co-variates between subjects with haematological cancers developing or not developing COVID-19. Case rates for COVID-19 in hospitalised subjects with haematological cancers was 10% (95% Confidence Interval [CI], 6, 17%) compared with 7% (4, 12%; P= 0.322) in health care providers. However, the 13 subjects with haematological cancers had more severe COVID-19 and more deaths compared with hospitalised health care providers with COVID-19. Case fatality rates were 62% (32, 85%) and 0 (0, 32%; P= 0.002). Hospitalised persons with haematological cancers have a similar case rate of COVID-19 compared with normal health care providers but have more severe disease and a higher case fatality rate. Because we were unable to identify specific risk factors for COVID-19 in hospitalised persons with haematological cancers, we suggest increased surveillance and possible protective isolation.

The preparation methods of high performance ferromagnetic sputtering targets (including cobalt, nickel-platinum and nickel-iron alloy) for advanced semiconductor manufacturing were introduced. The properties of sputtering target, such as pass-through-flux (PTF), and grain size which affect the sputtering performance were well controlled by proper fabrication technique. The key factors that affect sputtering performance were also discussed.

The rolling motion (i.e., longitudinal rotation) of nanomaterials may serve as a proxy to probe microscopic environments. Furthermore, nanoscale rotations in biological systems are common but difficult to measure. Here, we report a new tool that measures rolling motion of a nanowire with a short arm grown at one end. We present a particle detection algorithm with subpixel resolution and image segmentation with principal component analysis that enables precise and automated determination of the nanowire orientation. We show that the nanowires’ rolling dynamics can be significantly affected by their surroundings and demonstrate the probes’ ability to reflect different nanobio interactions. A non-cell-interacting nanowire undergoes rapid subdiffusive rotation, while a cell-interacting nanowire exhibits superdiffusive unidirectional rotation when the cell membrane actively interacts with the nanowire and slow subdiffusive rotation when it is fully encompassed by the cell. Our method can be used to yield insights into various biophysical and assembly processes.

Shear stress on arteries produced by blood flow is important for vascular development and homeostasis but can also initiate atherosclerosis1. Endothelial cells that line the vasculature use molecular mechanosensors to directly detect shear stress profiles that will ultimately lead to atheroprotective or atherogenic responses2. Plexins are key cell-surface receptors of the semaphorin family of cell-guidance signalling proteins and can regulate cellular patterning by modulating the cytoskeleton and focal adhesion structures3–5. However, a role for plexin proteins in mechanotransduction has not been examined. Here we show that plexin D1 (PLXND1) has a role in mechanosensation and mechanically induced disease pathogenesis. PLXND1 is required for the response of endothelial cells to shear stress in vitro and in vivo and regulates the site-specific distribution of atherosclerotic lesions. In endothelial cells, PLXND1 is a direct force sensor and forms a mechanocomplex with neuropilin-1 and VEGFR2 that is necessary and sufficient for conferring mechanosensitivity upstream of the junctional complex and integrins. PLXND1 achieves its binary functions as either a ligand or a force receptor by adopting two distinct molecular conformations. Our results establish a previously undescribed mechanosensor in endothelial cells that regulates cardiovascular pathophysiology, and provide a mechanism by which a single receptor can exhibit a binary biochemical nature.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) stimulates the migration of monocytes to inflammatory sites, leading to the progression of many diseases. Recently, we described a monocyte-targeting peptide amphiphile micelle (MCP-1 PAM) incorporated with the chemokine receptor CCR2 binding motif of MCP-1, which has a high affinity for monocytes in atherosclerotic plaques. We further report here the biomimetic components of MCP-1 PAMs and the influence of the nanoparticle upon binding to monocytes. We report that MCP-1 PAMs have enhanced secondary structure compared to the MCP-1 peptide. As a result, MCP-1 PAMs displayed improved binding and chemoattractant properties to monocytes, which upregulated the inflammatory signaling pathways responsible for monocyte migration. Interestingly, when MCP-1 PAMs were incubated in the presence of prostate cancer cells in vitro, the particle displayed anticancer efficacy by reducing CCR2 expression. Given that monocytes play an important role in tumor cell migration and invasion, our results demonstrate that PAMs can improve the native biofunctional properties of the peptide and may be used as an effective inhibitor to prevent chemokine–receptor interactions that promote disease progression.

The increasing demand for improving pesticide utilization efficiency has prompted the development of sustainable, targeted, and stimuli-responsive delivery systems. Herein, a multi-stimuli-responsive nano/microcapsule bidirectional delivery system loaded with pyraclostrobin (Pyr) is prepared through interfacial cross-linking from a lignin-based Pickering emulsion template. During this process, methacrylated alkali lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) are utilized as stabilizers for the tunable oil–water (O/W) Pickering emulsion. Subsequently, a thiol–ene radical reaction occurs with the acid-labile cross-linkers at the oil–water interface, leading to the formation of lignin nano/microcapsules (LNCs) with various topological shapes. Through the investigation of the polymerization process and the structure of LNC, it was found that the amphiphilicity-driven diffusion and distribution of cyclohexanone impact the topology of LNC. The obtained Pyr@LNC exhibits high encapsulation efficiency, tunable size, and excellent UV shielding to Pyr. Additionally, the flexible topology of the Pyr@LNC shell enhances the retention and adhesion of the foliar surface. Furthermore, Pyr@LNC exhibits pH/laccase-responsive targeting against Botrytisdisease, enabling the intelligent release of Pyr. The in vivofungicidal activity shows that efficacy of Pyr@LNC is 53% ± 2% at 14 days postspraying, whereas the effectiveness of Pyr suspension concentrate is only 29% ± 4%, and the acute toxicity of Pyr@LNC to zebrafish is reduced by more than 9-fold compared with that of Pyr technical. Moreover, confocal laser scanning microscopy shows that the LNCs can be bidirectionally translocated in plants. Therefore, the topology-regulated bidirectional delivery system LNC has great practical potential for sustainable agriculture.

C19H25N5O, monoclinic, P21(no. 4), a= 16.0600(2) Å, b= 5.3992(1) Å, c= 19.8514(2) Å, β= 94.260(1)°, V= 1716.58(4) Å3, Z= 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0350, wRref(F2) = 0.0908, T = 100.00(10) K.

Introduction. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a physical activity (PA) program on weight control, physical fitness, occupational stress, job satisfaction and quality of life of overweight and sedentary employees in high-tech industries. Methods. Participants in the intervention group (n = 37) were instructed to carry out a PA program at moderate intensity for 60 min/session, 3 sessions/week for 12 weeks. Those in the control group (n = 38) received no PA program and were asked to continue their routine lifestyle. Evaluations were performed at baseline and at the end of the intervention. Results of structured questionnaires and blood biochemistry tests and evaluations of physical fitness were analyzed. Results. The PA program effectively reduced the number of risk factors for metabolic syndrome and body fat percentage, and improved physical fitness such as flexibility, muscular strength and endurance and cardiorespiratory endurance. The intervention also significantly decreased levels of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Significant positive effects on work control, interpersonal relationships at work, global job satisfaction and quality of life were also demonstrated. Conclusion. This study showed that a PA program can be helpful in improving physical, physiological and psychological outcomes for overweight and sedentary employees in high-tech industries.

Temperature-induced liquid–liquid phase transition (LLPT) and pressure-induced amorphous–amorphous phase transition (AAPT) have never been simultaneously reported in any single metallic system. In an Au55Cu25Si20alloy, however, we discovered a temperature-induced LLPT by detecting “reversible λ-anomalies” of the thermal expansion coefficient between two liquid states at ambient pressure, while a pressure-induced AAPT in Au55Cu25Si20metallic glass (MG) occurs upon compression at ambient temperature. Both LLPT and AAPT are reversible with a hysteresis in temperature and pressure, respectively. Using molecular dynamics simulations and synchrotron X-ray techniques, we elucidate structural differences in both low- and high-pressure Au55Cu25Si20MG phases and low- and high-temperature Au55Cu25Si20liquid phases. Electronic transfer between Si and Au or/and Cu atoms occurs in both temperature-induced LLPT and pressure-induced AAPT in the Au55Cu25Si20alloy.

Several abundant but yet uncultivated bacterial groups exist in extreme iron- and sulfur-rich environments, and the physiology, biodiversity, and ecological roles of these bacteria remain a mystery. Here we retrieved four metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from an artificial acid mine drainage (AMD) system, and propose they belong to a new deltaproteobacterial order, CandidatusAcidulodesulfobacterales. The distribution pattern of Ca. Acidulodesulfobacterales in AMDs across Southeast China correlated strongly with ferrous iron. Reconstructed metabolic pathways and gene expression profiles showed that they were likely facultatively anaerobic autotrophs capable of nitrogen fixation. In addition to dissimilatory sulfate reduction, encoded by dsrAB, dsrD, dsrL, and dsrEFHgenes, these microorganisms might also oxidize sulfide, depending on oxygen concentration and/or oxidation reduction potential. Several genes with homology to those involved in iron metabolism were also identified, suggesting their potential role in iron cycling. In addition, the expression of abundant resistance genes revealed the mechanisms of adaptation and response to the extreme environmental stresses endured by these organisms in the AMD environment. These findings shed light on the distribution, diversity, and potential ecological role of the new order Ca. Acidulodesulfobacterales in nature.

Although the Shenhu sea area has been a topic and focus of intense research for the exploration and study of marine gas hydrate in China, the mechanism of gas hydrate accumulation in this region remains controversial. The formation rate and evolution time of gas hydrate are the critical basis for studying the gas hydrate formation of the Shenhu sea area. In this paper, based on the positive anomaly characteristics of chloride concentration that measured in the GMGS3-W19 drilling site is higher than the seawater value, we numerically simulated the gas hydrate formation time of GMGS3-W19 site. The simulation results show that the gas hydrate formation rate positively correlates with the chloride concentration when the hydrate reaches the measured saturation. The formation time of gas hydrate in the GMGS3-W19 site is approximately 30 ka. Moreover, the measured chloride concentration is consistent with the in-situ chloride concentration, indicating that the formation rate of gas hydrate at the GMGS3-W19 site is very fast with a relatively short evolution time.

In this work, the experimental densities and dynamic viscosities of binary mixtures of ammonium-based room-temperature asymmetrical Gemini ionic liquids (GILs) 1-trimethylammonium-3-(pyridinium) propane bisdicyanamide ([N111C3Py][DCA]2) and 1-trimethylammonium-3-(1-methylpiperidinium) propane bisdicyanamide ([N111C3MPi][DCA]2) with methanol (MeOH) or ethanol (EtOH) over the entire concentration range were, respectively, determined experimentally at temperatures of (293.15, 303.15, 313.15, 323.15, and 333.15) K in the atmospheric pressure of 0.1 MPa. The excess molar volumes (VmE), excess dynamic viscosities (Δη), and excess Gibbs energy of activation (ΔG*E) of the mixtures were evaluated according to the experimental ρ and η values of pure [N111C3Py][DCA]2, [N111C3MPi][DCA]2, MeOH, EtOH, and their binary solutions at the investigated temperatures and pressure. The change of VmEand Δη were correlated with the Redlich–Kister-type expression and optimal fitting parameters were evaluated. It was observed that values of VmEand Δη are negative deviations from ideal behaviors for the four binary systems. With the mole fraction of alcohol decreasing, these excess properties for these mixtures exist as more negative deviations from ideal solutions, until minimum excess values are reached. Negative values of VmEand Δη for the four binary solutions indicate stronger interactions between GIL and alcohol molecules compared to the pure components and better packing owing to the differences in size and shape of the investigated molecules. Positive values of ΔG*Ecan be ascribed to the size effect of mixing components. Meanwhile, the dependence of these excess properties on temperature for all binary systems indicates that the temperature has a great influence on intermolecular interactions in the studied mixtures.

A series of novel anionic e-surfactants n-CcPpS was molecular designed and synthesized from long-chain fatty alcohols by polypropoxylation and sulfation followed by neutralization. Excellent all-round performance of extended surfactants (e-surfactants) interests us how a simple polypropylene oxide (PPO) spacer has great effects on properties. By a comparative study of conventional/ethoxylated/extended n-alkylsulfate surfactants, we were surprised to find that e-surfactants are in an obvious rugby shape at the air/water surface according to molecular surface area (am), and it comes down to the intramolecular PPO spacer coiling and surface-induced collapse. On the basis of the interfacial properties of the e-surfactants, it is found that the PPO spacer can provide both hydrophilic and lipophilic contributions to an e-surfactant molecule. The synergism between PPO spacers and alkyl chains indicates that a certain PPO spacer can adjust the contributions in view of different alkyl chain lengths. Therefore, it is both the rugby-shaped molecular geometry of e-surfactants and the dynamic amphipathicity of a PPO spacer that makes e-surfactants behave with excellent interfacial and solution properties for household cleaning. Therefore, this work gives us a hint that the molecular geometry of surfactants plays a vital role in interfacial and solution properties similar to molecular amphipathicity.

Introduction: Several histologic features have been identified in the upper-extremity arteries and veins of patients with advanced chronic kidney disease, which may affect arteriovenous fistula maturation. However, it is unclear whether these chronic kidney disease vascular features are abnormal.Methods: We obtained upper-extremity arterial and venous specimens from 125 advanced chronic kidney disease patients undergoing arteriovenous fistula creation and from 15 control subjects. We quantified medial fibrosis, micro-calcification, and intimal hyperplasia with appropriate histology stains. We characterized medial collagen fiber configuration in second-harmonic-generation microscopy images for the fiber anisotropy index and the dominant fiber direction.Results: The advanced chronic kidney disease patients were significantly younger than control subjects (53 ± 14 years vs 76 ± 11 years, p < 0.001). After controlling for age, the chronic kidney disease patients had greater arterial medial fibrosis (69% ± 14% vs 51% ± 10%, p < 0.001) and greater arterial micro-calcification (3.03% ± 5.17% vs 0.01% ± 0.03%, p = 0.02), but less arterial intimal thickness (30 ± 25 µm vs 63 ± 25 µm, p < 0.001), as compared to control subjects. The anisotropy index of medial collagen fibers was lower in both arteries (0.24 ± 0.10 vs 0.44 ± 0.04, p < 0.001) and veins (0.28 ± 0.09 vs 0.53 ± 0.10, p < 0.001) in chronic kidney disease patients, indicating that orientation of the fibers was more disordered. The dominant direction of medial collagen fibers in chronic kidney disease patients was greater in the arteries (49.3° ± 23.6° vs 4.0° ± 2.0°, p < 0.001) and the veins (30.0° ± 19.6° vs 3.9° ± 2.1°, p < 0.001), indicating that the fibers in general were aligned more perpendicular to the lumen.Conclusion: Advanced chronic kidney disease is associated with several abnormalities in vascular histology and collagen fiber configuration. Future research is needed to investigate whether these abnormalities affect the maturation outcomes of arteriovenous fistulas.

Abstract Under dimension reduction structure, several semiparametric estimators for the mean of missing response are proposed, which can efficiently deal with the dimensionality problem. Specifically, a generalized version of Augmented Inverse Probability Weighting estimator (AIPW) is proposed and its double robustness, estimation consistency and asymptotic efficiency are investigated. A generalized version of Inverse Probability Weighting (IPW) estimator is also introduced. An asymptotic efficiency reduction phenomenon occurs in the sense that the IPW estimator with the true selection probability is asymptotically less efficient than the one with an estimated selection probability. Besides, two partial imputation and two complete imputation estimators are discussed. We further systematically investigate the comparisons among these estimators in theory. Several simulation studies and a real data analysis are conducted for performance examination and illustration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]