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A quaternary ammonium salt-functionalized silica based on N-benzyl-N-methylethanolamine (BMEA-SD) was prepared for the removal and recovery of pentavalent vanadium [V(Ⅴ)] from hydrochloric acid solutions. The impact of pH, contact time, ionic strength, competitive metal ions, and recyclability of the adsorption factors were investigated. The results showed that BMEA-SD was an effective V(Ⅴ) adsorbent with a maximum adsorption capacity of 51.42 mg g−1 at solution pH 3, contact time of 30 minutes, and temperature of 298 K. Characterization of BMEA-SD materials by TG, FTIR, SEM, and XPS. In addition, the adsorption kinetics followed a pseudo-second-order model, with film diffusion being the determined step. The Langmuir isotherm suggested that monolayer chemical adsorption occurred on the adsorbent surface, and thermodynamics data indicated that the V(Ⅴ) adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. Selective separation studies (βV/Cr = 109.87, βV/Mn = 1171.40) highlighted its potential for selective adsorption of V(Ⅴ) over hexavalent chromium [Cr(Ⅵ)] and divalent manganese [Mn(II)]. Desorption was most effective using HCl aqueous solution, and this material maintained good adsorption capacity after five cycles. The experimental results indicated that the adsorption behavior might stem from the interplay of electrostatic forces, redox transformations, and ligand-exchange. This investigation revealed the potential of the adsorbent as a promising, efficient, and renewable for enriching and recovering V(Ⅴ) ions from hydrochloric acid solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isolated fornix anterior column infarction has rarely been described and is difficult to assess accurately using conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We report the case of a 75-year-old female who experienced acute anterograde amnesia. MRI performed within 24 h after amnesia onset showed an isolated infarction of the bilateral anterior columns of the fornix on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Her symptoms persisted for up to 50 days, and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) showed disruption of the fiber tracts of the fornix. when acute amnesia syndrome onset, fornix anterior column infarction should be considered, and optimized DWI and DTI methods are needed to study the fornix in vivo in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines US household methods used to access their bank account, and implications for the use of Alternative Financial Services (AFS) and financial well-being. Latent class analysis and multinomial logistic regression were conducted. Results indicated that 7.7% of households are very likely to access their account through a bank teller (Bank Teller Access Method), 25% are very likely to use all types of technology (All Technology Access Method), 33.5% use all types of access methods but not their smartphone (Traditional Technology Access Method), and 33.8% use all methods (All Modes Access Method). Access method is associated with AFS use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding parental decision-making about vaccinating their children for COVID-19 is essential to promoting uptake. We conducted an online survey between April 23-May 3, 2021, among a national sample of U.S. adults to assess parental willingness to vaccinate their child(ren). We also examined associations between parental intentions to VACCINATE their children for COVID-19 and conspiracy theory beliefs, trusted information sources, trust in public authorities, and perceptions regarding the responsibility to be vaccinated. Of 257 parents of children under 18 years that responded, 48.2% reported that they would vaccinate their children, 25.7% were unsure, and 26.1% said they would not vaccinate. After adjusting for covariates, each one-point increase in the Vaccine Conspiracy Beliefs Scale was associated with 25% lower odds of parents intending to vaccinate their children compared to those who did not intend to (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.75, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.64–0.88). Parents that perceived an individual and societal responsibility to be vaccinated were more likely to report that they intended to vaccinate their children compared to those that did not intend to vaccinate their children (AOR = 5.65, 95% CI: 2.37–13.44). Findings suggest that interventions should focus on combatting conspiracy beliefs, promoting accurate and trusted information sources, and creating social norms emphasizing shared responsibility for vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of sole optical imaging device for marine target recognition is degraded by sea fog, sea-glint, and many other disturbing factors. To enhance the ability of target recognition in marine environment, we propose a polarization-intensity joint imaging method and the corresponding processing method. We combine fine imaging of polarization in a small field of view with wide-field imaging of visible light intensity, using visible light intensity information for large-scale target surveys. After locking onto areas of interest, we utilize high-resolution polarization cameras with small fields of view for detailed inspection. We enhance and fuse the information from areas of interest using the proposed matching information processing method. Meanwhile, to deal with problems existing in the marine environment polarization-intensity joint imaging, such as details loss in DoP (degree of polarization) image, low target resolution in the large field of view intensity image, and insufficient information in a single image, etc., we extract the details of raw image from DoFP (division-of-focal-plane) polarization camera as residual compensation for DoP image super-resolution and cooperate with the RealSR algorithm to super-resolve the local target details of the intensity image in a large field of view. On the premise that PIQE (Perception-based Image Quality Evaluator) reaches the excellent score range, the images with the same resolution are fused. The automatic recognition comparison before and after processing proves that the accuracy of target recognition can be effectively improved after processing. A polarization-intensity joint imaging system with dual field of view for marine target was proposed. An image super-resolution method for degree of polarization image was proposed. Image super-resolution and fusion method for visible light image of marine target was explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on more than 280,000 newspaper articles published in North America, this study proposes an integrative machine learning framework to explore heterogeneous social sentiments over time. After retrieving and preprocessing articles containing the term "Chinese" from six mainstream newspapers, we identified major discussion topics and assigned articles to their corresponding topics via posterior probabilities estimated by using a novel Bayesian nonparametric model, the hierarchical Dirichlet process. We also employed a groundbreaking deep learning technique, bidirectional encoder representations from transformers, to assign a negative or positive sentiment score to each newspaper article, which was trained on binary-labeled movie reviews from the Internet Movie Database (IMDb). By combining state-of-the-art tools for topic modeling and sentiment analysis, we found an overall lack of consensus on whether sentiments in North America since 1978 were pro- or anti-Chinese. Moreover, the images of Chinese are highly topic specific: (1) sentiments across different topics show distinct trajectories over the period of study; (2) discussion topics explain much more of the variation in sentiments than do the publisher, year of publication, or country of publisher; (3) less positive sentiments appear to be more relevant to material concerns than to ethnic considerations, whereas more positive sentiments are associated with an appreciation of culture; and (4) sentiments on the same or similar topic might exhibit different temporal patterns in the United States and Canada. These new findings not only suggest a multifaceted and dynamic view of social sentiments in a transnational context but also call for a paradigm shift in understanding intertwined sociodiscursive interactions over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes observer based controls for a MIMO Timoshenko beam system with disturbances and references from an exosystem, and by further limiting the references and disturbances, also gives reduced-order controls. At first, we propose state feedback controls to guarantee the output regulation problem of a nominal Timoshenko beam system, which is obtained by specially choosing known disturbances and references. This also makes the PDE observer easily designed based on tracking errors only. Then, exosystem observers and their reduced-order forms are proposed in case of different geometric multiplicities and limited conditions of disturbances, references and system uncertainties. This gives observer based robust controls and reduced-order observer based controls. Robust output regulation is proved for the Timoshenko beam under observer based controls. Simulation examples are provided for a Timoshenko beam system with different references and system uncertainties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe dynamic shear modulus G and its degradation tendency G/Gmax are essential parameters for characterizing the dynamic properties of soil. Coastal facilities constructed on calcareous sand foundations are subjected to multiple types of cyclic loadings. To investigate the effects of the uniformity coefficient Cu, effective confining pressure σ0′, relative density Dr, and median grain size d50 on the dynamic G and its degradation rule for calcareous sand, a set of resonant column tests is conducted on calcareous sand with different grain-size-distribution curves. The experimental results clearly show that the G degrades faster for calcareous sand with a lower σ0′ and a larger Cu. By contrast, the degradation of the G is affected less by Dr and d50. The G/Gmax values decreased slightly as γ increased but remained less than 10−5, whereas the G/Gmax curve descended rapidly as γ increased beyond 10−5. Based on the test results obtained in this study and previously published data, a new mathematical model characterizing the degradation tendency of G/Gmax with respect to the shear strain level of calcareous sands with different gradation conditions is proposed. The relevant parameters associated with the proposed model are correlated with Cu and σ0′. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Schisandra chinensis, also called wuweizi in Chinese, is the fruit of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill., and has been officially utilized as an astringent tonic for more than two thousand years in China. This study aims to evaluate the inhibition of carboxylesterases (CESs) by the major ingredients isolated from Schisandra chinensis, including Anwuligan, Schisandrol B, Schisanhenol, deoxyschizandrin, and Schisandrin B. 2. In vitro human liver microsomes (HLMs)-catalyzed hydrolysis of 2-(2-Benzoyl-3-methoxyphenyl) benzothiazole (BMBT) and fluorescein diacetate (FD) was employed as the probe reaction for CES1 and CES2, respectively. Initial screening, inhibition kinetics determination (inhibition type and parameters (Ki)), and in silico docking method were carried out. 3. Schisandrin B showed strong inhibition on the activity of CES1, and the activity of CES2 was strongly inhibited by Anwuligan and Schisandrin B. Schisandrin B exhibited noncompetitive inhibition towards CES1 and CES2. Anwuligan showed competitive inhibition towards CES2. The inhibition kinetic parameters (Ki) were calculated to be 29.8, 0.6, and 8.1 uM for the inhibition of Schisandrin B on CES1, Anwuligan on CES2, and Schisandrin B on CES2. In silico docking showed that hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions contributed to the inhibition of Schisandrin B on CES1, Anwuligan on CES2, and Schisandrin B on CES2. All these information will be helpful for understanding the adverse effects of Schisandra chinensis due to the inhibition of CESs-catalyzed metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a VSC-based HVDC/AC power system, dynamic interactions introduced by the HVDC system are usually weak. Hence, the small-signal stability of the HVDC/AC system is not affected significantly by the HVDC system. This paper presents a description of a weakly coupled VSC-based HVDC/AC power system by a small-gain closed-loop model that consists of two open-loop subsystems interconnected by a small gain. A special condition of open-loop modal proximity of the HVDC/AC system is examined, i.e., in the small-gain closed-loop model, an oscillation mode of one open-loop subsystem is close to an oscillation mode of the other open-loop subsystem on the complex plane. Our analysis indicates that when the open-loop modal proximity occurs, the corresponding closed-loop oscillation modes repulse each other. The closed-loop modal repulsion results in strong dynamic interconnection of the open-loop subsystems, thereby degrading the closed-loop system stability. Two examples are presented to demonstrate the applications of the proposed small-gain closed-loop model. Finally, the utility and accuracy of the closed-loop modal repulsion are evaluated from the viewpoint of the stability of HVDC/AC power systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new ent-clerodane diterpenoids, named isoscoparins R and S (1 and 2), were isolated from the aerial parts of Isodon scoparius. Their structures were characterized mainly by analyzing the NMR and HRESIMS data, and the relative configuration of compound 1 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 2 showed weak activity as an autophagic inhibitor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amino acid functionalized D301 resins (Tyr-D301, Phe-D301, and Ala-D301) are successfully prepared to remove phenols. The influences of adsorption condition on adsorption ability and the practical application value are investigated. The functionalized D301 resins possess strong adsorption ability toward phenol by ways of hydrogen bond interaction. The adsorption capacity of Tyr-D301, Phe-D301, and Ala-D301 is 388.2, 368.4, and 321.5 mg· g−1 at 293 K and pH of 2, respectively. The adsorption process could be described satisfactorily by Lagergren-first-order model and Langmuir model. The rate constant is 0.057, 0.042, and 0.035 min−1, respectively. The functionalized D301 can be used to dispose wastewater containing phenols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cavitation is widespread, but there has been a large difference between experiments and theories about cavitation. In this manuscript, the effects of oxygen molecules on the bubble nucleation of dissolved oxygen liquid are studied by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation using flexible water molecules. The results show that the maximum critical negative pressure calculated by liquid water with dissolved oxygen molecules is −165 MPa ∼ −170 MPa, and the magnitude of bubble nucleation rate is 35. The critical negative pressure of liquid water is mainly determined by the interaction of water molecules in liquid water. The effect of oxygen dissolved in water is mainly reflected in the ability to rapidly ‘catalyse’ the generation of bubbles. Through the analysis of the electrostatic interaction of the system, it is found that the difference between the experiment and the MD simulations and the fact that the bubbles finally formed are cavities are due to the selection of the water molecule model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the mid-twentieth century, the evolving tension between modernity and tradition has become a troublesome issue for the newly-established independent nation-states in Asia. With the ethnographic methodology of field study, this article retraces the drama practice in 1960s’ rural China and tries to reveal the practical formation and specifically, the operative mechanism with which the socialist new culture remolds and summons the subjectivity of People. In such practical process, the subjectivity of People is a key concept of socialist values and a leading principle of people’s everyday life in rural China, which contributes to the formation of a “new tradition” in practice. The “new tradition” has a profound influence on the pathway of the Chinese socialist development, and may also provide necessary reference to other Asian states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although count data are often collected in social, psychological, and epidemiological surveys in grouped and right-censored categories, there is a lack of statistical methods simultaneously taking both grouping and right-censoring into account. In this research, we propose a new generalized Poisson-multinomial mixture approach to model grouped and right-censored (GRC) count data. Based on a mixed Poisson-multinomial process for conceptualizing grouped and right-censored count data, we prove that the new maximum-likelihood estimator (MLE-GRC) is consistent and asymptotically normally distributed for both Poisson and zero-inflated Poisson models. The use of the MLE-GRC, implemented in an R function, is illustrated by both statistical simulation and empirical examples. This research provides a tool for epidemiologists to estimate incidence from grouped and right-censored count data and lays a foundation for regression analyses of such data structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives:The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness and outcomes of lingual mucosa graft (LMG) urethroplasty versus pedicled skin flap (PSF) urethroplasty in the repair of anterior urethral strictures. Materials and methods:A retrospective study in one urological center examined 293 male patients with anterior urethral strictures who received substitution urethroplasty from 2006 to 2015. Of these, 199 patients received PSF urethroplasty and 94 received LMG urethroplasty. The causes of stricture included catheter damage, transurethral instrumentation, trauma, infection, tumor and radiotherapy. Strictures caused by lichen sclerosus, hypospadias repair or failed urethroplasty were excluded. The success rate of PSF versus LMG in different urethra positions was analyzed. Results:Overall, PSF and LMG had similar success rates (83.4% vs 85.1%,p = 0.713). In distal penile urethra, penile skin flaps and LMG achieved similar success rates (87.7% vs 82.1%,p = 0.297), but in proximal penile urethra, scrotal flaps had relatively low success rates (69.0% vs LMG 83.3%,p = 0.345) and in bulbar urethra, perineal skin flaps had significantly lower success rates than LMG (66.7% vs 92.3%,p = 0.036). Conclusion:Lingual mucosa is a good material for the repair of urethral defects and achieves results similar to or even better than those of PSF. Scrotal skin and perineal skin had lower success rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chaos characteristics for system complexity, e.g. randomness and fractality, are generally ignored when researchers study the complex behaviour of precipitation time series, which makes it difficult to elicit adequate information for such series. The main objective of this study was to diagnose the complexity of seasonal precipitation by using wavelet entropy and mean wavelet entropy, and to find the complex system of spatial variation in seasonal precipitation for the sub-areas of Jiansanjiang Administration in China as a case study. The results illustrate that the complexity characteristic of the seasonal precipitation series is greatest in the North sub-area, lowest in the Middle sub-area, and intermediate in the South sub-area; topography and agricultural development are the key driving factors of the complex dynamic variation in the local seasonal precipitation time series. This study provides a basis for analysing the trend in development of complex precipitation time series and realizing the sustainable use of regional water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EtOH extract of the roots and rhizomes ofClematis mandshuricaafforded two new lignans clemomanshurinane C (1)and clemomanshurinane D (2), and three known compounds (3–5). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic means and hydrolysis products. All compounds displayed moderate inhibitory activity against enzyme lipoxygenase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new C-glucosyl flavonoids 6′′-O-feruloylspinosin and 6′′-O-feruloyl-6′′′-p-hydroxybenzoylspinosin, together with five known compounds, were isolated from the seeds ofZiziphus jujube(Rhamnaceae family). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidences. Compounds1–7showed moderate inhibitory effects against COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The EtOH extract of the roots ofPaeonia veitchiiafforded two new monoterpene glycosides paeonidanin I (1)and paeonidanin J (2), and a new dimeric monoterpene glycoside paeonidanin K (3). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic means and hydrolysis products. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We examine the heterogeneity of alternative financial services (AFS) use by constructing an empirically rigorous typology of financial knowledge and behaviors. Using the 2012 National Financial Capability Study, we conducted latent class analysis of financial knowledge and behaviors to identify latent classes of AFS users (N= 25,509). The proportion of the distal outcome of AFS was investigated among latent classes. The latent classes in the best fitting model were regressed on demographic variables and selected covariates using multinomial logistic regression. Results indicate that five meaningful subgroups were found. Over half of the U.S. population struggles to establish and maintain savings and position themselves for future financial security and mobility (i.e., financially precarious (25.9%), financially striving (20.5%), and financially at-risk (18.4%) classes). The financially thriving class (27.7%) has the healthiest financial behaviors and the least probability of using AFS. The financially stable (7.4%) and financially at-risk (18.4%) classes have the highest probability of using AFS. Widespread use of AFS suggests a general consumer demand for the products and services. Future research is needed to inform policy and practice efforts to shape the formal financial system to meet the long-term financial needs of the majority of consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Using a longitudinal dataset from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), growth-curve models were employed to examine age trajectories of body mass index (BMI) for 1694 subjects in China, who were aged 2–11 in 1993 and followed in four waves (1997, 2000, 2004 and 2006). Based on age- and sex-specific BMI cut-points recommended for international use, the prevalence rates of overweight and underweight in the transition from childhood to adulthood (age 6–18) were also predicted. Sex, family income, rural–urban residency and geographical location were found to be significantly associated with the onsets, slopes, and acceleration of age trajectories in BMI, overweight, and underweight (p < 0.01). Children who had lower prevalence of underweight in the transition from childhood to adulthood exhibited higher prevalence of overweight than their counterparts. Moreover, the age interval during which children were more vulnerable to an increase in underweight was different from that for overweight. There were substantial regional disparities in the age trajectories of childhood overweight and underweight. Whereas the analyses suggest that the dual burden of nutritional problems (the coexistence of overweight and underweight) in China, is more like two sides of a coin than two separate health issues; the critical age period for intervening in childhood overweight is different from that of childhood underweight. Geographical indicators of childhood obesity in China deserve further attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract—In the recent years, there has been a growing interest in the concept of microgrids to integrate distributed generation systems and to provide higher reliability for critical loads. Several microgrid demonstration projects have been implemented to investigate further and advance this emerging concept. This article provides a detailed review of microgrid systems. It describes different architectures, including AC, DC, and hybrid systems. Various microgrid components, including sources, converters, and loads, are illustrated. Microgrid management and controls are discussed, and a modified natural droop control is described in detail. Both physical layers and standard protocols are explained for communication in the microgrid structure. The unique protection complexities have been raised and discussed in the presence of distributed generations and bidirectional power flow. A demonstration of a military microgrid system at Fort Sill is illustrated, and the experiment of a typical microgrid operation scenario is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Although urban neighborhood conflicts have drawn widespread attention, their possible link with neighborhood perception has not been quantified in the existing literature. Based on a recent neighborhood-based survey of urban residents in Guangzhou, China, this study investigates the structure, determinants, and consequences of neighborhood conflicts. In particular, it finds that there is inherently a subjective dimension embedded in neighborhood conflicts such that these conflicts should be conceptualized and measured as an individual-level perception of neighborhoods. Evidence from both empirical analyses and field research revealed that consciousness of property rights had significant effects on perceived neighborhood conflicts, while both consciousness of property rights and perceived neighborhood conflicts, especially those with local and grass-roots government agencies, further contribute to the occurrence of residents’ contentious actions. By situating neighborhood conflicts in the context of rules consciousness, this study brings attention to neighborhood perception shaping contentious politics in China’s urban transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Mx1 protein is I type interferons (IFNs)-induced 76-kDa guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) that belong to the dynamin superfamily of large GTPases. Mx1 proteins have attracted attention because some display antiviral activity against pathogenic RNA and DNA viruses. Meanwhile, Mx1 gene generally exists in organisms or cells of mammalian, fish and chicken. Blocking a wide range of RNA virus replication by inhibiting nuclear viral mRNA synthesis is a unique property of Mx1 protein. In order to investigate a novel prevention measure against foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), which frequently break out in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China, we investigated the effects of porcine Mx1 protein on FMDV and BVDV replication by measuring viral reverse transcriptase activity at various time intervals. In our study, Mx1 protein was overexpressed in BHK-21 and MDBK cells mediated by lentivirus prior to infect with FMDV and BVDV. FMDV and BVDV replication levels were monitored by quantitative real-Time PCR. The results showed porcine Mx1 overexpression significantly inhibited both FMDV and BVDV replication within 12 and 36 hours post-infection (pi). The finding may provide a new therapeutic approach for preventing from FDMV and BVDV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently the shape-restricted inference has gained popularity in statistical and econometric literature to relax the linear or quadratic covariate effect in regression analyses. The typical shape-restricted covariate effect includes monotone increasing, decreasing, convexity or concavity. In this paper, we introduce the shape-restricted inference to the celebrated Cox regression model (SR-Cox), in which the covariate response is modelled as shape-restricted additive functions. The SR-Cox regression approximates the shape-restricted functions using a spline basis expansion with data-driven choice of knots. The underlying minimization of negative log-likelihood function is formulated as a convex optimization problem, which is solved with an active-set optimization algorithm. The highlight of this algorithm is that it eliminates the superfluous knots automatically. When covariate effects include combinations of convex or concave terms with unknown forms and linear terms, the most interesting finding is that SR-Cox produces accurate linear covariate effect estimates which are comparable to the maximum partial likelihood estimates if indeed the forms are known. We conclude that concave or convex SR-Cox models could significantly improve nonlinear covariate response recovery and model goodness of fit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the 2005 microcensus data set, this research adopts a multilevel approach to examine housing outcomes in relation to city-level contexts. We find that housing stratification in contemporary China is not homogeneous across cities but rather is spatially dynamic and conditioned by local contexts. Net of other effects, per capita gross domestic product and housing price are significantly associated with housing outcomes in the open market, whereas the effect of a city's administrative rank is restricted to the social housing domain. In addition, in relatively rich cities, the advantage of proper institutional affiliations in owning commodity housing somewhat diminishes, but it remains persistent, if not strengthened, in owning reformed housing and affordable housing. The effects of market-related factors (i.e., education and income) on housing outcomes also vary across cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on an institutional analysis of China's urban housing and land market, this research demonstrates how the triangular relations among the central government, local governments, and the market evolved in response to new opportunities continuously created by market transformation and policies strictly enforced by the central government. In particular, the authors argue that the territory-based coalition between local governments and selective enterprises in the reform era is a persistent rather than a transitory phenomenon. Local state marketism-which highlights the power imbalance among the central government, local governments, and society; conflicted interests within the state; and a dynamic, volatile, and paradoxical network at the disposal of local governments-is proposed as a conceptual framework that accounts for the evolution of triangular relations among the central government, local governments, and the market in reform-era China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new monoterpene glycosides, 2′-O-benzoylpaeoniflorin, albiflorin R2, and albiflorin R3 (1–3) were isolated from the roots of Paeonia lactiflora. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic means including one- and two-dimensional NMR experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new triterpene saponins, clematochinenosides H–J (1–3), were isolated from the roots and rhizomes ofClematis chinensis. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic means including 1D and 2D NMR experiments and hydrolysis products. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Three new sulfated triterpene glycosides, asprellanosides C–E (1–3), were isolated from the roots of Ilex asprella. Their structures were elucidated as 3β-[(2-O-sulfo-β-d-xylopyranosyl)oxy]urs-12,19(29)-diene-28-oic acid 28-β-d-glucopyranoside (1), 3β-[(2-O-sulfo-β-d-xylopyranosyl)oxy]urs-12,19-diene-28-oic acid 28-β-d-glucopyranoside (2), and 3β-[(2-O-sulfo-β-d-xylopyranosyl)oxy]urs-12,19-diene-28-oic acid (3) on the basis of the spectral and chemical methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by persistent airflow limitation; from a pathophysiological point of view it involves many components, including mucus hypersecretion, oxidative stress and inflammation. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a mucolytic agent with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Long-term efficacy of NAC 600mg/d in COPD is controversial; a dose-effect relationship has been demonstrated, but at present it is not known whether a higher dose provides clinical benefits. The PANTHEON Study is a prospective, ICS stratified, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multi-center trial designed to assess the efficacy and safety of high-dose (1200 mg/daily) NAC treatment for one year in moderate-to-severe COPD patients. The primary endpoint is the annual exacerbation rate. Secondary endpoints include recurrent exacerbations hazard ratio, time to first exacerbation, as well as quality of life and pulmonary function. The hypothesis, design and methodology are described and baseline characteristics of recruited patients are presented. 1006 COPD patients (444 treated with maintenance ICS, 562 ICS naive, aged 66.27±8.76 yrs, average post-bronchodilator FEV1 48.95±11.80 of predicted) have been randomized at 34 hospitals in China. Final results of this study will provide objective data on the effects of high-dose (1200 mg/daily) long-term NAC treatment in the prevention of COPD exacerbations and other outcome variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to provide a simple approach realising state observation and input estimation simultaneously for discrete-time LTV systems in H∞ setting. Through solving a two-player zero sum differential game, appealing results are obtained in two folds. First, necessary and sufficient solvability conditions for state and input simultaneous estimation problem are given in terms of solution to a set of difference Riccati recursion. Second, one estimator is presented with special innovation structure, where innovation information is used to update state observation tuned by gain matrix and to provide input estimation through a projector matrix, where gain matrix and projector matrix are constructed from solution to difference Riccati recursion. At last, simulation results are provided to justify proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: The question of whether crack cocaine use is associated with increased violence compared to powdered cocaine use has not been adequately explored in large nationally representative general population samples. Methods: This study used data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) to 1) determine the comparative prevalences of violent behaviors among crack cocaine users and powdered cocaine users, 2) examine these differences while controlling for sociodemographic variables, lifetime psychiatric, alcohol and drug use disorders (a majority of cocaine users use other substances), and levels of crack cocaine and powdered cocaine use. Results: The likelihood of violence associated with crack cocaine users was greater compared to powdered cocaine users at the bivariate level. However, these differences were almost uniformly statistically nonsignificant when demographic, mood and non-cocaine substance use disorders were controlled for. Conclusions: The substantial attenuation of the association of crack cocaine use with violence after adjustment suggests that the sociodemographic characteristics, psychiatric variables, and non-cocaine substance use disorders that make some individuals more likely to use crack cocaine than powder cocaine are responsible for the increased prevalence of violence observed among crack users, rather than crack itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NaOH/poly(sodium acrylate) composites were prepared by in situ polymerization of acrylic acid with an overneutralization level by adding excess NaOH. The composites were studied by XRD, IR and 23Na MAS NMR spectroscopy. The results showed that the high neutralization degree (>100%) may lead to a complete polymerization. Both XRD and 23Na MAS NMR spectra did not show any peaks of phase-separated NaOH or Na2CO3 until the neutralization degree was up to 217.5%. It can be presumed that the aggregates of Na+ ions can contain approximately two Na+ units for every carboxyl group before the phase separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorines are attractive compounds for photodynamic therapy because of their high absorption in the red wavelength region. The stearic acid–grafted chitosan oligosaccharide (CSO-SA) micelles have been presented as potential candidates for intracellular drug delivery carrier because of their special structure. In this study, CSO-SA micelles were prepared to encapsulate chlorine e6 (Ce6). The physicochemical properties of synthesized CSO-SA micelles were characterized. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of CSO-SA with 4.96% amino substituted degree (SD %) was about 36.27 ± 1.51 μg/mL. The Ce6-loaded CSO-SA micelles were then prepared by a dialysis method, and the properties and drug release profiles of Ce6-loaded CSO-SA micelles (CSO-SA/Ce6) were investigated. The loading of Ce6 in the CSO-SA micelles could reach higher drug encapsulation efficiency (%), which was ~100%. The size of CSO-SA/Ce6 decreased after the loading of Ce6. The zeta potential of CSO-SA/Ce6 and the drug release rate decreased with the loading content of drug. After the Ce6 molecules were encapsulated into the micelles of CSO-SA, the cellular uptake percentage of Ce6 was much more than that of the free drug. And the cellular uptake percentage of CSO-SA/Ce6 micelles was increased with the incubation time in a short period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A propranolol molecule-imprinted monolithic stationary phase (MIMSP) was synthesized by in situ technique. The recognition mechanism of the polymers and the influences of some chromatographic conditions were examined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The imprinted polymers showed much higher selectivity for β-blockers than the nonimprinted polymers (NIPs) did, which proves the successful preparation of propranolol-imprinted polymers by using an in situ technique. Then, this technique was used to prepare a molecularly imprinted polymer solid-phase extraction column to concentrate propranolol from biological samples. The results showed that the imprinted solid-phase extraction column could selectively enrich and purify propranolol from biological samples, such as plasma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three commonly used clinical tests of frontal-executive function are verbal fluency, the Trail Making Test, and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, but few lesion studies of regional specificity within the frontal lobe (FL) exist for them. We examined 20 patients with right FL tumor resection, and mapped their damage to explore brain-behavior relations with greater precision. Across tests, the patients performed poorly and they also showed a deficit in switching but not clustering in verbal fluency. Within the right FL, however, we found none of the regional differences reported in studies of mixed-etiology FL patients, possibly due to the gradual neural reorganization that can occur with brain tumors. We discuss the importance of etiology in examining brain-behavior relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vapor generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (VG-AFS) coupled with online preconcentration on a short column (4.6 mm×50-mm length) packed with a newly synthesized alkyl phosphinic acid resin (APAR) was developed for the determination of trace Cd in seawater. During the online preconcentration process, Cd in seawater was concentrated on the column while the matrix of seawater was separated flowing out of the column. Cd concentrated on the column was then eluted effectively from the column with 0.1 mol L-1 tartaric acid within 40 s. When the sample volume was 200 mL, an enrichment factor 189 was achieved. The detection limit of this proposed method for Cd is 2.67 ng L-1. The recovery of Cd is 96.6% obtained by spiking the correspondence standard, and the precision (RSD) is 4.34% (n=6). The established APAR/VG-AFS was applied to the determination of soluble Cd in the seawater around Xiamen Island, China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Late Mesozoic subduction of Izanagi slab beneath East Asia formed large-scale intraplate magmatism in SE South China and subduction mélanges outcropped in SW Japan to eastern Taiwan Island, but the accompanying arc remains uncertain. We conducted LA-ICP-MS U–Pb zircon dating and trace element analyses of proximal sandstones from the SW East China Sea to trace a Jurassic to Cretaceous magmatic arc. Newly acquired data reveal that arc magmatism mostly developed in episodes of 150–124 and 124–102 Ma, exhibiting characteristics of low-T, high Th/U, U/Yb, Sc/Yb, Th/Nb, and low Nb/Yb, Nb/Hf ratios. This magmatic arc, combined with the SE South China intraplate and residual subduction mélanges, spatially forms a Late Mesozoic trench–arc–intraplate architecture responding to the Izanagi subduction. Its identified tectonic scenarios mainly include slab strike-slip subduction (200–170 Ma), slab stagnation and intraplate foundering (170–150 Ma), slab rollback and arc-root removal (150–102 Ma), and arc migration (102–86 Ma). Both the western East China Sea and Cathaysia block share a unified Paleoproterozoic basement that formed at ca. 1.85 Ga, and the Cathaysia-based magmatic arc occurred then. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of a distinct profile of volatile organic compounds plays a crucial role in the ecology of hypogeous Ascomycetes, and is also key to their gastronomic relevance. In this study, we explored the aroma components of two rarely investigated Chinese desert truffles, namely Mattirolomyces terfezioides and Choiromyces cerebriformis, using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Our investigation revealed the significant presence of sulphur-containing volatiles in the aroma of M. terfezioides but not in C. cerebriformis. We discussed available information on the distribution of these interesting truffles in China and their use as choice food by local people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of deep convolutional neural network, the performance of instance segmentation algorithms has been significantly improved. However, it is difficult to implement quick and accurate near-shore ship segmentation due to the complex background and arbitrary ship orientation, which makes segmentation challenging. To improve the segmentation efficiency of near-shore ships, this paper proposes a ship segmentation network based on Polar Mask, named I-Polar Mask. Specifically, we construct a Specific Polar Template (SPT) and Oriented Polar IoU (Intersection over Union) to better match the ship contour. Furthermore, oriented polar centre-ness was designed to reduce the weight of low-quality masks more effectively. In addition, a Context Information Extraction Module (CIEM) is built to reduce the influence of complex backgrounds and make the segmentation more accurate. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, we collected 1015 images of near-shore areas from Google Maps and labelled them with Labelme to construct a ship instance segmentation dataset, called I-Ship. Extensive experiments on I-Ship show that the AP value of I-Polar Mask is improved by 5.9% compared with Polar Mask, which is a significant improvement. Compared with advanced methods, I-Polar Mask outperforms both quantitative and qualitative aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neoliberalization of housing policy and housing financialization have brought unequal impacts on housing outcomes. Drawing on eight waves of census data, this study uncovers the changing mechanism of housing stratification in selected Canadian census metropolitan areas from 1981 to 2016, a period when Canada transitioned from a welfare housing regime to a neoliberal regime. This study reveals entrenched housing inequality and strengthened income effect in determining access to affordable housing in the neoliberal era. Housing financialization has significantly contributed to intensified inequality in accessing affordable housing. Access to affordable housing in Canada is also stratified along the lines of gender and immigration status. Homeownership affordability for low-to-moderate-income households has significantly deteriorated over time, representing a new form of housing vulnerability in the neoliberal era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zero-effort miss (ZEM) distance is a critical parameter for many kinds of guidance laws. For highly manoeuvring target interception, ZEM becomes a random variable with an unknown prior due to noise-corrupted measurements and unknown bounded target manoeuvres. Currently, the distribution of ZEM is usually evaluated by the method of Monte Carlo simulation. In this paper, an analytical approach is proposed under the configuration of a linear estimator with a separate mode decision-maker. The resulting ZEM estimation error is subject to a biased Gaussian distribution when taking a fixed mode decision delay of the mode decision-maker into consideration. Finally, the analytical distribution is validated by comparison with Monte Carlo simulation and some meaningful use cases are discussed. The results in this paper give an insight to the design, analysis, and performance evaluation of the guidance system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, three representative concentration pathways (RCPs) and 15 general circulation models of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 were used to assess the behaviour of precipitation (P) and surface air temperature (SAT) over part of the Songhua River Basin. The Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) model linked with SAT and P was used for monthly simulation of streamflow to assess the influence of land use/land cover and climate change on the streamflow. The results suggest that, under RCP2.6, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, the SAT over the study area may increase in the 21st century by 1.12, 2.44 and 5.82°C, respectively. Moreover, by the middle of the 21st century, streamflow in the basin may have decreased by 19%. The decrease in streamflow may be due to changed land use conditions and water withdrawal, having critical implications for management and future planning of water resources in the basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the modal condition under which a grid-connected PMSG may cause the sub-synchronous oscillations (SSOs) in a power system. The examination is based on a closed-loop interconnected model of the power system, wherein, the PMSG and the remainder of power system (ROPS) are modeled as two separate but interconnected open-loop subsystems. The model condition being examined is that an SSO mode of the open-loop PMSG subsystem is close to an SSO mode of the open-loop ROPS subsystem on the complex plane. Analysis in the article indicates that the modal condition is the near strong open-loop modal resonance (NSOMR), under which damping of one corresponding closed-loop SSO mode may very likely degrade. The damping degradation can be estimated by an SSO index derived in the article. Hence, study presented in the article reveals the mechanism about why the SSOs may be caused by the grid-connected PMSG from the perspective of the NSOMR. In addition, it is proposed that by applying the modal analysis to the open-loop subsystems, the SSO instability risk brought about by the PMSG can be detected and the risk-contributing PMSGs and synchronous generators in the power system can be identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1) is an important protein in mediating the PI3K-AKT pathway and is thus identified as a promising target. The catalytic activity of PDK1 is tightly regulated by allosteric modulators, which bind to the PDK1 Interacting Fragment (PIF) pocket of the kinase domain that is topographically distinct from the orthosteric, ATP binding site. Allosteric modulators by attaching to the less conserved PIF-pocket have remarkable advantages such as higher selectivity, less side effect, and lower toxicity. Targeting allosteric PIF-pocket of PDK1 has become the focus of recent attention. In this review, we summarise the current advances in the structure-based discovery of PDK1 allosteric modulators. We will first present the three-dimensional structure of PDK1 and illustrate the allosteric regulatory mechanism of PDK1 through the modulation of the PIF-pocket. Then, the recent advances of PDK1 allosteric modulators targeting the PIF-pocket will be recapitulated detailly according to the structural similarity of allosteric modulators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) was found to increase in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). However, the clinical value of urine NGAL as diagnostic indicators in DKD remains to be clarified. Methods: Relevant studies were systematically retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Stratified analyses and regression analyses were performed. Results: Fourteen studies with 1561 individuals were included in our analysis, including 1204 cross-sectional participants and 357 cohort participants. For the cross-sectional studies, the pooled sensitivity and specificity of NGAL in the diagnosis of DKD were 0.82 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.75–0.87) and 0.81 (95% CI: 0.68–0.90), respectively. The pooled diagnostic odds ratio was 19 (95% CI: 11–33), and the overall area under the curve was 0.88 (95% CI: 0.84–0.90). For the cohort studies, the pooled sensitivity and specificity of NGAL in the diagnosis of DKD were 0.96 (95% CI: 0.91–0.98) and 0.89 (95% CI: 0.84–0.92), respectively. The overall area under the curve was 0.98, indicating good discriminative ability of NGAL as biomarkers for DKD. Conclusions: Urine NGAL, as the early diagnostic marker of DKD, might have the high diagnostic value, especially in cohort studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's health system is facing severe challenges from social transition and the double burden of population aging and non-communicable diseases. Addressing the tension between the public's increasing demand for health services and the limited availability of medical resources has become a critical issue for health care policymakers and medical insurance fund administrators. In promoting its medical insurance system reform, China is actively developing health technology assessment (HTA) with principles and applications adapted to the Chinese context. This study aims to analyze the evolution of HTA in China with a focus on context, actors, process, content, and challenges encountered through applying a modified verson of Walt and Gilson's policy triangle framework. Currently, HTA plays an indispensable part in the reform of China's health care and medical insurance system, especially in the formulation and adjustment of the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL). While HTA is increasingly used in China, there remain challenges, such as the slow development of HTA related disciplines, lack of an independent national HTA authority, and limited scope in the use of HTA. Despite the identified challenges, HTA has the potential to support a wide range of applications in China's health care sector, building on the progress achieved over the last three decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel dual power flow (DPF) wind energy conversion system (WECS) based on an electrical variable transmission (EVT) machine is proposed recently. The structure of the novel EVT-based WECS, especially the grid-connected configuration, is different from any other existing WECSs. In this paper, the grid-connected control strategies of the DPF- WECS are proposed by controlling the DC-link and the inner rotor side converter, where the DC-link with and without the energy storage system (ESS) is considered separately. The relevant control strategies are presented to enhance the grid fault ride through capability of the DPF-WECS. Moreover, the maximum power point tracking control strategy and the pitch control strategy are also studied to implement the complete functionality of the DPF-WECS. The simulation model of the DPF-WECS is developed based on the EVT mathematical models and proposed control strategies. Finally, the simulation results verify the efficiency of the proposed control strategies for the DPF-WECS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]