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Three new C-geranylated flavonoids named as paucatalinones L (1), M (2), and N (3) were isolated from the seeds of Paulownia catalpifolia T. Gong ex D.Y. Hong. Their structures were determined by means of UV, IR, MS, NMR and CD techniques. Among them, paucatalinone N (3) was the fifth C-geranylflavone derivative obtained from Paulownia genus, and its geranyl variation was firstly displayed in Paulownia C-geranylated flavonoids. Moreover, Compounds 1 and 3 showed good inhibitory effects on xanthine oxidase.

By exploiting the relationship between probability density and the differential geometry structure of received data and geodesic distance, the recently proposed information geometry (IG) method can provide higher accuracy and resolution ability for direction of arrival (DOA) estimation than many existing methods. However, its performance is not robust even for high signal-to-noise ratio. To have a deep understanding of its unstable performance, a theoretical analysis of the IG method is presented by deriving the relationship between the cost function and the number of array elements, powers and DOAs of source signals, and noise power. Then, to make better use of the nonlinear and super resolution property of the cost function, a Scaling TRansform based INformation Geometry (STRING) method is proposed, which simply scales the array received data or its covariance matrix by a real number. However, the expression for the optimum value of the scalar is complicated and related to the unknown signal DOAs and powers. Hence, a decision criterion and a simple search based procedure are developed, guaranteeing a robust performance. As demonstrated by computer simulations, the proposed STRING method has the best and robust angle resolution performance compared with many existing high resolution methods and even outperforms the classic Cramer–Rao bound, although at the cost of a bias in the estimation results.

Although the challenge of GW calculations of the quasiparticle properties of $3d$ transition metal oxides (TMOs) is well recognized, TMOs involving $4d$ electrons may be considered borderline systems and have received less attention. Here we present the quasiparticle band structures of $\mathrm{SrZr}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ and $\mathrm{BaZr}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$, two relatively simple wide band gap oxides for which accurate calculations of the electronic structure are scarce despite their technological importance. We show that fully converged GW calculations can accurately predict the quasiparticle properties of $4d$ TMO perovskites $\mathrm{SrZr}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ and $\mathrm{BaZr}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$, regardless of the starting mean-field solution being calculated within straightforward density functional theory (DFT) or the $\mathrm{DFT}\text{+}U$ method. This is in contrast to the cases of $3d$ TMO perovskites $\mathrm{SrTi}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ and $\mathrm{BaTi}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$, for which the $\mathrm{DFT}\text{+}U$ method is shown to provide a much better starting point for subsequent GW calculations. Compared with the fairly localized $3d$ states, the more extended $4d$ orbitals seem to be well described within DFT using local or semilocal functionals. Our results reaffirm the accuracy and robustness of the GW method provided that faithful zeroth-order mean-field solutions are available, and that the results are adequately converged.

The wall pressure fluctuation caused by a turbulent boundary layer is an important source of noise and vibration in high-speed trains. Considering that railway vehicles are usually made of extruded profiles, a simple and reliable model is needed to predict the vibroacoustic characteristics of extruded profiles excited by a TBL in the early stages of design. A hybrid finite element and statistical energy analysis model is established for computing the vibroacoustic response of finite-sized panels excited by a TBL. In the hybrid model, the wall pressure fluctuation of the TBL is modelled in the wavenumber domain. The panels are modelled using FEs, and acoustic waves in the fluid space below the panels are modelled using SEA. The TBL wall pressure acting on the top surface of the panels is resolved into equivalent nodal forces with discretization of the structure using FEs, achieved by calculating the cross-spectrum matrix of the wall pressure in the spectral domain and using jinc functions with smooth boundary and symmetric properties as shape functions. The reciprocity between direct and reverberant fields couples the acoustic fields to the structure. Once the response of the hybrid model is determined, sound transmission through the panels can be calculated. By following the procedures outlined in this paper, the range of wall pressure model selection for TBL has extended and reduced computational time and provides a basis for the acoustic optimization design of extruded profiles.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive fibrotic disease of unknown aetiology with limited effective treatment options. It is important to explore novel therapeutic targets and develop potential drugs for IPF.The aim of the present study was to analyse nontargeted plasma metabolites in patients with IPF and investigate whether cannabinoid receptor (CB2) activation mediates the antifibrotic effect of icariin (ICA).We used an untargeted metabolomics method to detect the global metabolic profiles in the plasma of stable IPF patients and patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as healthy subjects. The untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis revealed that IPF showed differential metabolites and perturbed signalling pathways. ICA is pharmacologically bioactive and possesses extensive therapeutic capacities such as osteoprotective, neuroprotective, cardiovascular protective, anti-cancer, anti-inflammation and reproductive function. Therefore, ICA was administered to a pulmonary fibrosis rat model for 4 weeks and then the effect of ICA on pulmonary fibrosis was examined by dissection and histology.The metabolites in the plasma were determined by untargeted LC-MS. An unsupervised principal component analysis (PCA) was used to observe the distribution of each sample, and a supervised partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) results showed that there was significant separation between any two groups. ROC curve analyses revealed that 8 metabolites with high AUCs above 0.7 between the three groups of plasma samples. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that 3 metabolites are involved in retrograde endocannabinoid signalling. Meanwhile, Retrograde endocannabinoid signalling was identified significantly different in IPF group from other groups by Kyoto encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, and then we further confirmed the endocannabinoid signalling by detecting the expression of the main receptors in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, COPD rat model and normal rats. Consistent with previous studies, we found that the elevation of CB1 and CB2 in the lung tissues could be a signature of the pulmonary fibrosis rat model. Importantly, ICA may alleviate bleomycin-induced lung injury by decreasing CB1 and CB2 expression in the bleomycin-induced rat model.Taken together, we measured the global metabolic profile of IPF patients and identified CB2 as a novel potential target. ICA treatment demonstrated outstanding therapeutic effects on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis and targeting on CB2 may be the main underlying mechanism. ICA is a promising drug candidate to cure pulmonary fibrosis and mediate antagonists of the CB2 receptor.

ObjectiveTo investigate relationship of tumor stage-based gross tumor volume (GTV) of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) measured on computed tomography (CT) with early recurrence (ER) after esophagectomy.Materials and MethodsTwo hundred and four consecutive patients with resectable ESCC including 159 patients enrolled in the training cohort (TC) and 45 patients in validation cohort (VC) underwent contrast-enhanced CT less than 2 weeks before esophagectomy. GTV was retrospectively measured by multiplying sums of all tumor areas by section thickness. For the TC, univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine factors associated with ER. Mann-Whitney U test was conducted to compare GTV in patients with and without ER. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to determine if tumor stage-based GTV could predict ER. For the VC, unweighted Cohen’s Kappa tests were used to evaluate the performances of the previous ROC predictive models.ResultsER occurred in 63 of 159 patients (39.6%) in the TC. According to the univariate analysis, histologic differentiation, cT stage, cN stage, and GTV were associated with ER after esophagectomy (all P-values < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that cT stage and GTV were independent risk factors with hazard ratios of 3.382 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.533–7.459] and 1.222 (95% CI: 1.125–1.327), respectively (all P-values < 0.05). Mann-Whitney U tests showed that GTV could help differentiate between ESCC with and without ER in stages cT1-4a, cT2, and cT3 (all P-values < 0.001), and the ROC analysis demonstrated the corresponding cutoffs of 13.31, 17.22, and 17.83 cm3 with areas under the curve of more than 0.8, respectively. In the VC, the Kappa tests validated that the ROC predictive models had good performances for differentiating between ESCC with and without ER in stages cT1-4a, cT2, and cT3 with Cohen k of 0.696 (95% CI, 0.498–0.894), 0.733 (95% CI, 0.386–1.080), and 0.862 (95% CI, 0.603–1.121), respectively.ConclusionGTV and cT stage can be independent risk factors of ER in ESCC after esophagectomy, and tumor stage-based GTV measured on CT can help predict ER.

Allergic asthma is well known as a common respiratory disorder comprising an allergic inflammatory nature and excessive immune characteristic. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation is an RNA epigenetic modification that post-transcriptionally regulates gene expression and function by affecting the RNA fate. Currently, m6A methylation is gaining attention as a mechanism of immunoregulation. However, whether m6A methylation engages the pathological process of asthma remains uncertain. Here, we present the m6A methylomic landscape in the lung tissues of ovalbumin-induced acute asthma mice using MeRIP-seq and RNA-seq. We identified 353 hypermethylated m6A peaks within 329 messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and 150 hypomethylated m6A peaks within 143 mRNAs in the lung tissues of asthmatic mice. These differentially methylated mRNAs were found to be involved in several immune function-relevant signaling pathways. In addition, we predicted 25 RNA-binding proteins that recognize the differentially methylated peak sites by exploring public databases, and the roles of these proteins are mostly related to mRNA biogenesis and metabolism. To further investigate the expression levels of the differentially methylated genes, we performed combined analysis of the m6A methylome and transcriptome data and identified 127 hypermethylated mRNAs (107 high and 20 low expression) and 43 hypomethylated mRNAs with differential expressions (9 high and 34 low expression). Of these, there are a list of mRNAs involved in immune function and regulation. The present results highlight the essential role of m6A methylation in the pathogenesis of asthma.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) a chronic, progressive, and lung fibrosis disease of unknown etiology with less effective treatment. It is important to discover new biomarker and therapeutic target for the diagnosis and cure of IPF. Method: Differential metabolic profiles may be useful for the diagnosis of IPF and provide additional insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying IPF. Plasma samples from IPF, COPD and normal controls were investigated using liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC/Q-TOF-MS) and these datasets were analyzed using multiple pattern performance methods. Multivariate statistical methods, pathway enrichment analysis and univariate receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed. Results: OPLS-DA results showed that it exhibited significant separation between any two groups. ROC curve analyses revealed that 8 metabolites with high AUC above 0.7 between three groups in the plasma samples. Pathway analysis revealed that 3 metabolites are involved in endogenous cannabinoids/cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) signaling. Moreover, we found that the specific elevation of CB2 could be a signature of PF(Pulmonary Fibrosis) lung tissues in rat model. Conclusions: LC-MS-based plasma metabolomics provides a important tool to identify the potential biomarkers for IPF. Taken together, we performed quantitative chemoproteomic profiling and identified endogenous cannabinoids/CB2 as the key target of ICA in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Trial Registration: The study was approved by the the Ethics Committee of Huashan Hospital, Fudan University (KY2021-453)

The electronic structure of two-dimensional (2D) materials are inherently prone to environmental perturbations, which may pose significant challenges to their applications in electronic or optoelectronic devices. A 2D material couples with its environment through two mechanisms: local chemical coupling and nonlocal dielectric screening effects. The local chemical coupling is often difficult to predict or control experimentally. Nonlocal dielectric screening, on the other hand, can be tuned by choosing the substrates or layer thickness in a controllable manner. Therefore, a compelling 2D electronic material should offer band edge states that are robust against local chemical coupling effects. Here it is demonstrated that the recently synthesized MoSi2N4 is an ideal 2D semiconductor with robust band edge states protected from capricious environmental chemical coupling effects. Detailed many-body perturbation theory calculations are carried out to illustrate how the band edge states of MoSi2N4 are shielded from the direct chemical coupling effects, but its quasiparticle and excitonic properties can be modulated through the nonlocal dielectric screening effects. This unique property, together with the moderate band gap and the thermodynamic and mechanical stability of this material, paves the way for a range of applications of MoSi2N4 in areas including energy, 2D electronics, and optoelectronics.

Although four major natural estrogens (i.e., estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3) and 17α-estradiol (αE2)) have been commonly found in livestock urine, this study reports the occurrence of eight other less-studied natural estrogens in urine of swine and cattle, i.e. 2-hydroxyestone (2OHE1), 4-hydroxyestrone (4OHE1), 2-hydroxyestradiol (2OHE2), 4-hydroxyestradiol (4OHE2), 16-epiestriol (16epiE3), 16α-hydroxyestrone (16αE1), 16-ketoestradiol (16ketoE2), and 17epiestriol (17epiE3). Results showed that each estrogen was found in at least one urine sample, and 6 of 8 the less-studied estrogens were present at frequencies of ≥90% in boars, ≥70% in sows, and ≥50% in dairy cattle. Five of eight the less-studied estrogens were present at frequencies of ≥33.3% in four beef cattle and one bull. On a concentration basis, the 8 less-studied natural estrogens represented 73.2%, 85.2%, 39.9%, 47.7%, 26.9%, 56.0% and 44.1% of total concentrations of the twelve natural estrogens when combining data from all animals. Similar results were observed based on estrogen equivalence, which indicated these newly detected eight less-studied natural estrogens were not negligible. This work is the first to figure out the importance of these less-studied natural estrogens in livestock urine, and their potential environmental risks associated with discharge of livestock wastewater should be urgently assessed in a holistic manner.

We investigate the topological properties of a topological superconducting α-helical protein. It is shown that the Majorana zero modes can be formed at both ends of the topological superconducting α-helical protein with non-trivial phase. Our results indicate that the gate field can affect the topological phase. Employing Green’s function method, we investigate the Josephson current through a quantum dot side coupled to a topological superconducting α-helical protein. Due to leakage of the Majorana zero mode, the Josephson current shows a trivial/non-trivial phase transition. The results can be used to probe the existence of the Majorana zero mode in protein.

This letter proposes a small-aperture and end-on-fire antenna based on spoof surface plasma polaritons (SSPPs). The antenna consists of a coplanar waveguide (CPW), a transition structure, an interfinger H-type SSPPS transmission line, and a radiating branch. The artificial surface plasmon (SPP) can bind the signal in the groove of the antenna surface, and the structure of the interfinger H -shaped transmission line has stronger field constraint ability, so that the antenna can reduce the loss. Radiant branches radiate energy into free space. The test results show that the return loss of the antenna is less than −10dB in the frequency range of 8.7~11.5 GHz, and the maximum gain can reach 10.8dBi in the frequency range of 10.4GHz.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the major microvascular complications in patients with type 1 and/or type 2 diabetes, the first cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in several countries and regions. However, the pathogenesis of DKD and the mechanisms through which it leads to ESRD remain unknown. Thus, in this study, we aimed to elucidate some of these mechanisms. The expression of microRNA (miRNA or miR)-342-3p and SRY-box 6 (SOX6) in the renal tissues of mice with DKD and mouse renal mesangial cells (MCs) was determined by RT-qPCR and western blot analysis. The diabetic kidney environment was established using high-glucose medium. SOX6 was verified as a target gene of miR-342-3p by dual-luciferase activity assay. In addition, western blot analysis was employed to determine the changes in the levels of several biomarkers of fibrosis [transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, fibronectin (FN), collagen IV (referred to as C-IV) and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)]. Compared with THE control mice, the expression of miR-342-3p in the kidney tissues of mice with DKD was down-regulated, whereas that of SOX6 was upregulated. The same phenomenon was observed in the MCs cultured in high-glucose medium. Subsequently, miR-342-3p inhibited SOX6 expression, promoted cell proliferation and inhibited the apoptosis of MCs. Moreover, the overexpression of miR-342-3p suppressed high glucose-induced renal interstitial fibrosis. In addition, it was found that miR-342-3p inhibited SOX6 expression by binding to the 3′-UTR of SOX6. On the whole, the findings of this study demonstrate that miR-342-3p suppresses the progression of DKD by inducing the degradation of SOX6. Thus, the miR-342-3p/SOX6 axis may serve as a novel therapeutic target in the treatment of DKD.

Paulownia species, especially their flowers and fruits, are traditionally used in Chinese herbal medicines for the treatment of infectious diseases. C-geranylated flavonoids were found to be the major special metabolites in Paulownia flowers and fruits, and 76 C-geranylated flavonoids had been isolated and characterized thus far. Structural variations in Paulownia C-geranylated flavonoids are mainly due to the complicated structural modifications in their geranyl substituents. These natural compounds have attracted much attention because of their various biological activities, including antioxidation, anti-inflammation, cytotoxic activity and various enzymatic inhibitions, etc. Among them, diplacone, a major Paulownia component, was considered to have promise for applications in medicine. This paper summarizes the information from current publications on Paulownia C-geranylated flavonoids, with a focus on their structural variety, key spectroscopic characteristics, biological activity with structure–activity relationships and application prospects. We hope that this paper will stimulate further investigations of Paulownia species and this kind of natural product.

Based on the comprehensive observation of medicine, we made a diachronic summarization and synchronic comparison on medicine, including traditional medicine and modern medicine as well as Chinese traditional medicine (CTM) and Western traditional medicine. We focused on the connotation of several predominant medicines, the evolution of medical civilization, the problems and challenges of medicine at present, the prospect and framework of medicine in the future, and finally put forward the new system of CTM together with the integration of traditional medicine and modern medicine so as to contribute to the thinking, research and construction of medicine for mankind, which will add to its positive development and scientific practice.

The false scene, which is formed by the false scene deception jamming signal, can cover the real target and scene, confuse synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and mislead the decision-making. If an area is selected to be protected by utilising the false scene deception jamming, the computational burden of the jammer is related to the number of false scatterers. An important problem faced by the SAR deceptive jammer is how to generate the false scene with the low computational burden. To overcome this disadvantage, a mosaic scene deception jamming based on two-dimensional separation is proposed against SAR. The intercepted SAR signal is separated and retransmitted in azimuth and range to enlarge the width of the main lobe and generate the `mosaic scene', which reduces the resolution of the false targets to fill the protected area. Therefore, the number of false scatterers is decreased and the computational burden is also reduced. Moreover, to make a low-resolution false scene similar to the real scene and ensure the jamming effectiveness, the mosaic scene deception jamming template should be highly correlated with the false scene deception jamming template. Finally, the validity of the proposed method is verified by the simulation results.

E1 and E2 are considered as the parent natural estrogens (NEs) in human metabolism pathways of NEs, while the enantiomer of E2, αE2 was not included and ignored. In this study, αE2 along with the other eleven NEs with estrogenic activities were found in six healthy human urines with the total concentration levels of 62.9-99.3 μg/L. The concentration contributed ratios (CCRs) of αE2 to the total twelve NEs ranged from 4.7% to 11.0% with an average CCR of 7.0%. On the basis of the average CCR, αE2 was 1.5 times that of E2, which suggested that αE2 was one important NE in humans. As the main source of NEs in municipal wastewater was derived from human urine, αE2 should also be an important NE in municipal wastewater that can be proven by previous limited studies, in which the municipal effluent concentrations of αE2 ranged from not detection to 144.2 ng/L with an average concentration of 11.9 ng/L, indicating αE2 in municipal effluent was an important source to the natural environment. Although αE2 is a NE with weak estrogenic potency, the estrogenic effect of αE2 via municipal effluent to its receiving water body cannot be ignored because it can be bio-transformed into E2 under aerobic environment. This work is the first to indicate that αE2 is an ignored NE in human and its environmental risk via municipal effluent discharging cannot be ignored, which should be paid with attention.

This study investigates the path following control problem about distributed-drive self-driving vehicle through coordinated control of the autonomous front-wheel steering and the differential steering control, to improve the tracking performance. On the basis of the model predictive control algorithm and vehicle dynamic model, the preview time adaptive control of path following is proposed to realise path following with changing preview time in straight and turning conditions. Considering the characteristics of the distributed-drive self-driving vehicle, the differential torque control is utilised based on the reference heading angle to realise trajectory tracking under the condition of constant torque demands. To integrate the advantages of the two methods, coordinated control of trajectory tracking based on the autonomous steering and differential steering is performed by setting the weight coefficients method. MATLAB co-simulation with Carsim and road testing validation are executed, and both demonstrate that the coordinated control strategy can not only effectively improve the response speed and flexibility of steering, but also improve the reliability and accuracy of trajectory tracking.

We present the quasiparticle band structures of prototypical oxide perovskites ${\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}$ and ${\mathrm{BaTiO}}_{3}$, two seemingly simple oxides for which accurate calculations of the electronic structure have been met with significant (and somewhat unexpected) challenges. Previous ${G}^{0}{W}^{0}$ calculations predicted a band gap ranging from 3.36 to 3.82 eV for ${\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}$, with a majority of the studies giving a band gap around 3.7 $\ensuremath{\sim}$ 3.8 eV, to be compared with the experimental value of 3.25 eV. A similar discrepancy between theory and experiment is also observed for ${\mathrm{BaTiO}}_{3}$. We show that the ${G}^{0}{W}^{0}$ approach can predict reasonably accurate band gaps of ${\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}$ and ${\mathrm{BaTiO}}_{3}$, provided that the calculations are carried out on top of the local density approximation (LDA) plus $U$ ($\mathrm{LDA}+U$) solutions and are fully converged. The deficiency of the LDA in describing the localized $3d$ states, although not particularly critical in this case, still results in a poor mean-field starting point for subsequent many-body perturbation calculations. ${G}^{0}{W}^{0}$ calculations starting from the $\mathrm{LDA}+U$ solutions, on the other hand, give significantly improved results for both systems. Our work demonstrates the accuracy and applicability of the combined ${G}^{0}{W}^{0}$ and $\mathrm{LDA}+U$ approach in calculating the quasiparticle band structures for materials involving localized $3d$ states, not only for systems with fully occupied $3d$ semicore states as has been shown before, but also for systems in which the $3d$ states are nominally unoccupied.

T2*-weighted MRI using GRE and SWI sequences can potentially prognosticate the recanalization rate and clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischaemic stroke, using susceptibility vessel sign (SVS) and prominent hypointense vessel sign (PHVS).A literature search on PubMed, EMBASE databases and other sources from inception up to 01 February 2020 was conducted. 15 studies which reported SVS and PHVS were included in qualitative synthesis. 9 studies on SVS were included in quantitative synthesis i.e. meta-analysis.Meta-analysis did not show any significant difference in the recanalization rate between SVS (+) group and SVS (-) group (RR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.87–1.05, p = 0.33). Treatment subgroup analysis (intravenous thrombolysis, IVT- or mechanical thrombectomy, MT-only) does not show significant association between the SVS and IVT-only (RR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.51-1.05, P=0.09); or MT-only groups (RR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.90-1.09, P=0.90). No significant association between poor clinical outcome at 3 months and presence of SVS (RR = 1.42, 95% CI = 0.79–2.57, p = 0.24). Treatment subgroup analysis revealed significant association of the SVS and poor clinical outcome at 3 months in the MT-only (RR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.55–0.82, p = 0.0001) or no thrombolytic treatment (RR = 2.83, 95% CI = 1.69-4.75, p < 0.0001).In conclusion, there is a significant association between the presence of SVS and poor clinical outcome in patients who underwent MT or without treatment, and no definitive association between the presence of SVS and recanalization rate for acute ischemic stroke.

Visual tracking is defined as a template-matching task in current Siamese approaches. The tracker needs to locate the target by matching the template with the search area in each frame. Most current Siamese methods either do not use an update strategy or use a linear update method with a fixed learning rate. Neither of the above two strategies allows the target template to dynamically adapt to frequent and dramatic changes in appearance. To solve this problem, we propose a template update model based on the attention mechanism. Our model updates the template in a nonlinear manner. It can fully explore the weight relationship of various features in the template, so that the template can pay more attention to features that are more beneficial to determine the target in different situations. In addition, by adding an adjustment block, the error and invalid information in the old template can be removed before updating. Extensive experiments on several datasets demonstrated the effectiveness of our update model. We used SiamFC++ as our basic tracker and achieved state-of-the-art performance by adding our model. Moreover, our model has lightweight structure, and thus it can be easily applied to most Siamese trackers with minimal computational cost.

As an important part of the Internet of things (IoT), wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have been applied in many fields. Most applications require accurate location information, hence node localization is one of the important issues in WSNs. It is very important to ensure the security of localization when WSNs are under attack. A new attack-resistant weighted least squares (ARWLS) algorithm based on RSSI was proposed in the paper. The algorithm is oriented to the problem solution for the situation that the attacker influences the system by tampering with the transmitting power in the localization mechanism. The proposed algorithm can be used in the attack scenarios. Simulations results show that, compared with other algorithms, the proposed algorithm has merits in localization accuracy and robustness to resisting the tampering activities of attackers.

Tumours are heterogenous growths that consists of different types of cells with varying genetic expressions. The complex structure of the tumour makes cancer treatment difficult due to the heterogeneity of each of the cancer cells that react differently to radiation treatment. Therefore, effective treatment requires proper characterization of the tumour heterogeneity, which is difficult to be assessed by most of the current medical imaging technologies. The purpose of this study was to develop a 3D printed heterogenous tumour phantom with multiple compartments to simulate tumour heterogeneity and to assess the accuracy of tumour characterization using Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) imaging. The tumour phantom was designed and modelled using SolidWorks and then constructed using the fused deposition modelling (FDM) method of 3D printing with polylactide (PLA) filament as the material. Multiple layer of waterproof coating was applied and the phantom was carefully tested for any leakage prior to the study. Each of the compartments of the tumour phantom was filled with different activity of the radiopharmaceutical (18F-FDG). The phantom was then embedded in a water bath to simulate soft tissue and scanned under a PET/CT scanner using standard clinical protocol. The volume and radioactivity of each compartment were then measured using the clinical software as Standardized Uptake Values (SUVs). Results showed that PET/CT imaging able to delineate and quantify the radioactivity of each compartment within the tumour phantom, albeit some difficulties in detecting radioactivity below 100 μCi. Further research is required to improve the design of the tumour phantom to allow for easier injection of the radioactive solution as well as altering the dimensions of the internal compartments to better characterize actual tumour parameters.

17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) is a synthetic estrogen with very strong estrogenic potency. Due to its wide usage in human and livestock as well as its high recalcitration to biodegradation, it was ubiquitous in different environment. This review summarized EE2 concentration levels in surface waters among 32 countries across seven continents. EE2 concentrations varied greatly in different surface waters, which ranged from not detected to 17,112 ng/L. The top 10 countries ranked in the order of high to low average EE2 concentration in surface water, were Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Laos, Brazil, Argentina, Kuwait, Thailand, Indonesia and Portugal, with the respective mean concentrations of 27.7, 22.1, 21.5, 21.1, 13.6, 9.6, 9.5, 8.8, 7.6 and 6.6 ng/L. Generally speaking, the EE2 concentration levels in surface waters in developing countries were much higher than those in developed countries. EE2 in effluent of municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) was the dominant source to most countries, which suggested that improving the EE2 removal performance of municipal WWTP is the key to mitigate EE2 contamination to surface water body. Livestock, hospital, pharmacy factory and aquaculture wastewaters were also the important sources, but further work should be performed to elucidate their contribution. Evaluation based on estrogenic effects, the EE2-derived estrogen equivalence in surface waters ranged from 0 to 33 ng E2/L, among which about 65% of surface waters among 32 countries were at risk or high risk, indicating global serious EE2 contamination. Main finding EE2 concentration in surface waters across 32 countries were summarized, along which its potential estrogenic effects were evaluated.

This work for the first time showed that sulfated BPA could be directly analyzed as BPA with GC-MS after the derivatization with N,O-bis-(trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA)+1% trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS), i.e. the deconjugation step was not necessary. This was because sulfated BPA indeed could be simultaneously deconjugated and derivatized to BPA derivative during derivatization, suggesting that any co-elution of BPA and sulfated BPA during sample extraction led to BPA overestimation in the GC-MS method with BSTFA +1% TMCS as the derivative reagent. Using BPA 4,4′-disulfates (BPA diS) as the pure standard, the co-elution phenomena of sulfated BPA was confirmed with two widely used elution solvents (i.e. methanol and ethyl acetate) or their mixed solutions with different ratios, which further suggested if only sulfated BPA existed in any wastewater sample, BPA was likely over-determined. To further confirm this finding, both influent and effluent samples collected from a local municipal wastewater treatment plant were analyzed, which clearly showed the overestimation of BPA in the two wastewaters due to co-existence of sulfated BPA in the wastewater samples. In addition to BPA, the results also showed the overestimation of other nine bisphenol analogues. As sulfated micropollutants including estrogens, androgens, phytoestrogens, etc., have been widely found in municipal wastewater, the overestimating phenomenon observed in this study may also be extended to determination of other micropollutants, which should be addressed in future.

Based on the solution of mathematical models of distribution network, natural gas network and transportation network, combined with timing characteristics and multi-scenario technology, the output and load typical values of various power sources in multiple scenarios are obtained, and the operation optimization strategy of the components in the integrated energy-intelligent transportation system (IE-ITS) coupling network is proposed. On this basis, a two-level programming model is established. The upper-level model discusses the planning plan, and makes investment decisions, load regulation, and charging pile location with the goal of the lowest cost, highest reliability, and best voltage quality, using an improved NSGA-II algorithm. The lower-level model considers the operating strategy, manages the upper-level scheme with the smallest amount of DG waste, using an improved particle swarm algorithm and TOPSIS method. The digital simulation results of an improved IEEE 33-node distribution network, 11-node natural gas network and 34-community transportation network verifies the effectiveness of the proposed two-level programming model.

Background Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increased risk of perinatal complications for both the women and the fetuses. The association between the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism and GDM has not been thoroughly investigated in Chinese pregnant women. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether VDR gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs154410, rs7975232, rs731236, rs2228570 and rs739837 contribute to GDM risk in Wuhan, China. Moreover, we aimed to explore their combined effects on the risk of GDM. Methods Pregnant women who had prenatal examinations at 24 to 28 weeks’ gestation in our hospital from January 15, 2018 to March 31, 2019 were included in this case-control study. After exclusion, a total of 1684 pregnant women (826 GDM patients and 858 non-diabetic controls) were recruited. The clinical information and blood samples were collected by trained interviewers and nurses. Genotyping of candidate SNPs was conducted on the Sequenom MassARRAY platform. Statistical analyses including t-test, ANOVA, chi-square test and logistic regression were performed to the data with SPSS Software to evaluate differences in genotype distribution and associations with GDM risk. Multifactor dimensionality reduction method was used to explore the gene-gene interactions on the risk of GDM. Results Differences in age, pre-pregnancy BMI, family history of diabetes and previous history of GDM between the case and control groups were statistically significant (P P > 0.05). There were no significant differences at genotype distributions of the examined VDR gene SNPs (P > 0.05). After adjusting by age, pre-pregnancy BMI, family history of diabetes, the results of logistic regression analysis showed no associations of the five SNPs with GDM in all the four genotype models(P > 0.05). Furthermore, there were no gene-gene interactions on the GDM risk among the five examined VDR gene SNPs. Conclusions The VDR gene SNPs rs154410, rs7975232, rs731236, rs2228570 and rs739837 showed neither significant associations nor gene-gene interactions with GDM in Wuhan, China.

Due to a lot of uncertainties in the robust optimization process, especially in multiple response problems, many random factors can cost doubt on results. The aim of this paper is to propose a robust optimization method for multiple response considering the random factors in the robust optimization design to solve the aforementioned problem. In this paper, we research the multi-response robustness optimization of the anti-rolling torsion bar using a stochastic model. First, the quality loss function of the anti-rolling torsion bar is determined as the optimization object, and the diameters of the anti-rolling torsion bar are determined as the design variables. Second, the multi-response robust optimization model, considering random factors (such as the loads), is established by using the stochastic model. Finally, the Monte Carlo sampling method combined with a non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA II) is adopted to solve this robust optimization problem, and then the robust optimization solution is obtained. The research results indicate that the anti-rolling torsion bar weight decreases, and the stiffness and fatigue strength increase. Furthermore, the quality performance of the anti-rolling torsion bar gets better, and the anti-disturbance ability of the anti-rolling torsion bar gets stronger.

Typically, tumor‑associated macrophages (TAMs), an abundant population of leukocytes in lung cancer, are affected by tumor microenvironment (TME) and shift towards either a pro‑tumor (M2‑like) or an anti‑tumor phenotype (M1‑like). M2‑polarized macrophages, are one of the primary tumor‑infiltrating immune cells and were reported to be associated with the promotion of cancer cell growth, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis. TAMs are considered a potential target for adjuvant anticancer therapies, and recent therapeutic approaches targeting the M2 polarization of TAMs have shown encouraging results. The present review discusses recent developments in the role of TAMs in cancer, in particular TAMs functions, clinical implication and prospective therapeutic strategies in lung cancer.

We report the first real-time imaging of individualized boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) via stabilization with a rhodamine surfactant and fluorescence microscopy. We study the rotational and translational diffusion and find them to agree with predictions based on a confined, high-aspect-ratio rigid rod undergoing Brownian motion. We find that the behavior of BNNTs parallels that of individualized carbon nanotubes (CNTs), indicating that BNNTs could also be used as model rigid rods to study soft matter systems, while avoiding the experimental disadvantages of CNTs due to their strong light absorption. The use and further development of our technique and findings will accelerate the application of BNNTs from material engineering to biological studies.

Targeting to improve the calculation efficiency of the finite element simulation, we introduce the back propagation neural network–based machine learning method to carry out the inversion prediction framework. The inversion collision model is established based on the inversion prediction framework. Then, the prediction results are compared with the finite element simulation results of the anti-climbing device to verify the feasibility of the inversion collision model. The average prediction errors of velocity, displacement, interface force, and internal energy of the anti-climbing device are 3.7%, 4.31%, 3.4%, and 1%, respectively, and the cost time of the inversion collision model is less than 5 min. The results show that the inversion collision model constructed by back propagation neural network can significantly improve the calculation efficiency and greatly reduce the calculation time under the condition of ensuring accuracy. It will provide a new evaluation method and possibility for partially replacing the required experimental and simulation results for the crashworthiness and the safety of the anti-climbing device.

Heteroradulum yunnanensis C.L. Zhao, sp. nov. (Figs. 2, 3) Mycobank no.: MB 834997 Holotype.— China. Yunnan Province: Yuxi, Xinping County, Jinshan Forestry Park, on a fallen angiosperm branch, 2 January 2019, CLZhao 9132 (SWFC). Etymology.— Yunnanensis (Lat.): referring to the locality (Yunnan) of the type specimens. Description.—Basidiomata annual, resupinate, leathery, without odour or taste when fresh, becoming membranaceous upon drying, up to 15 cm long, 100–300 µm thick. Hymenial surface odontoid, 50–100 µm long, white to slightly grey when fresh, becoming white to smoke grey upon drying, older basidiomata with more or less pronounced yellow stains. Sterile margin smoke grey. Hyphal system monomitic; generative hyphae with clamp connections, IKI–, CB –; tissues unchanged in KOH; subiculum almost absent or indistinct; hymenium thickening, hyphae colorless, more or less interwoven, thin-walled, unbranched, 2–4 µm in diameter. Hymenium.—Cystidia clavate to fusiform, 13–35 × 2–6 µm; basidia narrowly ovoid to obconical, longitudinally septate, two to three-celled, embedded, often with a well-developed enucleate stalk, 28–41 × 9–14 µm. Basidiospores hyaline, thin-walled, smooth, cylindrical sometimes curved, with oily inclusions, IKI–, CB –, (15–)17–24(–24.5) × (4.5–)5–8(–8.5) µm, L = 20.6 µm, W = 6.71 µm, Q = 2.63–3.42 (n = 90/3). Ecology and distribution.—Lignicolous, causing a white rot. Found in China. Additional specimens (paratypes) examined.— China. Yunan Province: Yuxi, Xinping County, Jishan Forestry Park, on a fallen angiosperm branch, 2 January 2019, CLZhao 9200 (SWFC), 21 August 2018, CLZhao 8106 (SWFC); Puer, Jingdong County, Ailaoshan National Nature Reserve, on the fallen angiosperm branch, 4 October 2017, CLZhao 4023 (SWFC)., Published as part of Guan, Qian-Xin, Liu, Chao-Mao, Zhao, Tang-Jie & Zhao, Chang-Lin, 2020, Heteroradulum yunnanensis sp. nov. (Auriculariales, Basidiomycota) evidenced by morphological characters and phylogenetic analyses in China, pp. 51-59 in Phytotaxa 437 (2) on page 57, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.437.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/5585883

It has been documented that constant light exposure exerts complicated cardiovascular effects. However, a mounting collection of conflicting results did not make it any easier for researchers and physicians to consider the role of light on cardiovascular function. This study was designed to investigate how constant light exposure (24 h light/day) influences the cardiac function in normal and heart-failure (HF) rats. In normal rats, two groups of SD rats were accustomed in 12 h light/12 h dark (LD) or 24 h light (constant light, CL) for 4 weeks. In HF rats which was induced by myocardial infarction (MI) was let recover in LD for 4 weeks. Interestingly, compared with rats in LD environment (ejection fraction, EF%: 93.64 ± 2.02 in LD, 14.62 ± 1.53 in HF-LD), constant light (2 weeks) weakened the cardiac function in normal and HF rats (EF%: 79.42 ± 2.91 in CL, 11.50 ± 1.08 in HF-CL). The levels of renal sympathetic nerve activity and c-fos expression in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), a key region controlling sympathetic outflow, were significantly increased in normal and HF rats after constant light (RSNA, Max%: 8.64 ± 0.48 in LD, 20.02 ± 1.24 in CL, 20.10 ± 1.16 in HF-LD, 26.82 ± 1.69 in HF-CL). In conclusion, it is suggested that constant light exposure exerts detrimental cardiovascular effects, which may be associated with the RVLM-related sympathetic hyperactivity.

To assess the correlation between plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) level and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a Chinese Han population. This case–control study included 350 GDM patients and 346 gestational week-matched normal glucose tolerance (NGT) pregnant women. Plasma tHcy and insulin levels were analyzed by HPLC and ELISA respectively. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the correlation between plasma tHcy level and risk of GDM. Women with GDM had a higher plasma tHcy level than NGT women (6.61 ± 1.32 vs. 6.17 ± 1.29 μmol/L, P = 0.001)). The GDM risk was 1.79 (OR = 1.79, 95% CI 1.18–2.72, P = 0.006) times higher in women whose plasma tHcy level was ≥ 7.29 μmol/L compared to women with plasma tHcy level OR = 5.42, 95% CI 2.51–11.74, P OR = 5.14, 95% CI 2.78–9.52, P OR = 4.13, 95% CI 1.78–9.56, P = 0.001). In the Chinese Han population, an elevated plasma tHcy level may increase the overall risk of GDM especially in women with a high HOMA-IR index, increasing age or with family history of T2DM.

Due to the complexity of a train crash, it is a challenging process to describe and estimate mathematically. Although different\ud mathematical models have been developed, it is still difficult to balance the complexity of models and the accuracy of estimation.\ud ,is paper proposes a nonlinear spring-mass-damper model of train frontal crash, which achieves high accuracy and maintains\ud low complexity. ,e Convolutional Long-short-term-memory Generation Adversarial Network (CLGAN) model is applied to\ud study the nonlinear parameters dynamic variation of the key components of a rail vehicle (e.g., the head car, anticlimbing energy\ud absorber, and the coupler buffer devices). Firstly, the nonlinear lumped model of train frontal crash is built, and then the physical\ud parameters are deduced in twenty different cases using D’Alembert’s principle. Secondly, the input/output relationship of the\ud CLGAN model is determined, where the inputs are the nonlinear physical parameters in twenty initial conditions, and the output\ud is the nonlinear relationship between the train crash nonlinear parameters under other initial cases. Finally, the train crash\ud dynamic characteristics are accurately estimated during the train crash processes through the training of the CLGAN model, and\ud then the crash processes under different given conditions can be described effectively. ,e estimation results exhibit good\ud agreement with finite element (FE) simulations and experimental results. Furthermore, the CLGAN model shows great potential\ud in nonlinear estimation, and CLGAN can better describe the variation of nonlinear spring damping compared with the traditional\ud model. ,e nonlinear spring-mass-damper modeling is involved in improving the speed and accuracy of the train crash estimation, as well as being able to offer guidance for structure optimization in the early design stage.

Bi- and multistatic inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) operate with spatially separated transmitting and receiving antennas. A deception jamming method countering bi- and multistatic ISAR is proposed in this paper based on the study of micro-Doppler effect. The jammer modulates the intercepted ISAR signals with added micro-Doppler information and retransmits them to the real target, which scatters the jamming signals to the radar receivers. Deceptive false-target images with interference bands in the cross-range direction will be induced by the jamming signals through the imaging process of radar receivers. Additionally, real-time movement features of the false-targets can be flexibly adjusted by changing the modulation parameters, which improves the fidelity of the false-targets. The equivalent number of looks (ENL) index is used to evaluate the jamming effects. Simulation results validate our theoretical analysis and show the effectiveness and practicability of our method.