A molecular-level Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC)-Gasoline Hydrotreating (GH) process coupling model was established based on the Structure Oriented Lumping (SOL) method to guide the precise control of the hydrocarbon compositions in gasoline. 96 FCC reaction rules and 24 GH reaction rules were formulated, and a reaction network containing about 120,000 reactions was constructed. In order to establish the FCC-GH process coupling model, the effective transfer of composition information between the two processes was realized through the molecular composition matrix of gasoline. The molecular composition matrix of gasoline was obtained according to the classification rules of the molecular composition matrix of FCC products. The conversion laws of hydrocarbon molecules in gasoline were investigated by tracking their generation paths and reaction paths. The influences of reaction conditions on the distribution of hydrocarbons in the product gasoline could be calculated quantitatively by the FCC-GH process coupling model at molecular level.

The recent increase in extreme climatic phenomena has gradually attracted the attention of researchers regarding urban flooding. This paper used a hydrological model combined with the Computational Fluid Dynamics software to assess the drainage efficiency, predict the hydrological processes under different precipitation intensities and establish the relationship between rainfall intensity and inundation depth under extreme rainstorm events. The study proposed several thresholds such as specific rainfall intensities (that is, RI 95% and RI 50%), drainage efficiency, and the limited flow rate of pipes. Based on 2021 July 20, 0:00 to 24:00 precipitation monitoring data from the “7.20 Zhengzhou Rainstorm Extreme Event”, the relationship between rainfall intensity and road-pipe overflow patterns was determined by analyzing these thresholds for different drainpipe diameters and spacings of catchment wells. The results demonstrated the evaluation parameters varied with rainfall intensities and pipe characteristics and revealed the main limitation of drainage efficiency and flow rate of drainpipes. The simulation helped the drainage systems design for different precipitations and proposed several relative suggestions for drainage-system improvements, wherein the diameter of the branch pipes plays a dominant role in coping with extreme rainstorm events.

The secondary flow is deflected under pressure and superimposed on the main flows. This research investigated its characteristics, including velocity gradient, vorticity, shear stress, and Reynolds stress in unpressurized circular pipes, through physical experiments and Computational Fluid Dynamics numerical simulations. Combining numerical simulations with the physical experiments under three flow rates (30 m 3/h, 35 m 3/h, and 40 m 3/h) and width–perimeter ratios ( Wr = 0.43, 0.4, and 0.35), the experimental data demonstrate the secondary-flow propagation in unpressurized circular pipes. The secondary flows manifest as deviations of velocities, substitutions of secondary vortices, and flips of shear stresses, which present decay tendencies and are negligible at 52 times the pipe diameter. The secondary flows are driven by the velocity gradient or Reynolds stress, the dominance of which shifts with the increase of diffusion distance. The secondary flow turbulence is reduced and smoothing when the width–perimeter ratio reaches a threshold (approximately Wr = 0.40) because of Dean vortices collisional depletion.

Using annual water balance analyses may mask intra-annual variability in runoff generation, which could limit our understanding of the similarities and differences between water- and energy-limited catchments. This may be especially limiting in comparisons between catchments close to the threshold between water- and energy-limitation. For this study, we examined runoff generation as a function of catchment storage in four watersheds, with focus on two that exist close to these thresholds to identify how year-to-year variability in storage resulted in intra-annual variations of runoff generation efficiency. Specifically, we focused on one energy-limited catchment in the humid subtropics and one water-limited in a Mediterranean climate. We used measured and calculated daily water balance components to calculate variations in the relative magnitude of daily storage. We isolated precipitation events to draw connections between storage and runoff generation at intra-annual scales and compared our findings to the same metrics in two intensely energy-limited landscapes. We observed distinct stages in daily storage across water years in watersheds at the threshold, where systems experienced wet-up, plateau, and dry-down stages. During the wet-up, precipitation was partitioned to storage, and runoff ratios ( RR) were low. In the plateau, storage was filled, precipitation was partitioned to runoff, causing high RRs. During the dry-down, storage decreased as precipitation was partitioned to evapotranspiration and runoff, causing low RRs. The critical role of evapotranspiration during the growing season resulted in relatively higher RRs during the wet-up than during the dry-down for a given storage value. Thus the same storage amount was partitioned to evapotranspiration or runoff differently throughout the year, depending on the storage stage. Despite their different positions on opposite sides of the threshold, the similarity between the two focus catchments suggests a potential characteristic behavior of systems at the threshold common to both humid and semi-arid landscapes.

The hyporheic exchange below dune-shaped bedforms has a great impact on the stream environment. One of the most important properties of the hyporheic zone is the residence time distribution (RTD) of flow paths in the sediment domain. Here, we evaluate the influence of dimensionless sediment depths d b * = 2 π d b / λ where λ is the dune wavelength and different values of dimensionless groundwater underflow values u b * (similar to dune migration celerity), on the shape of the hyporheic exchange RTD. Empirical RTDs were generated, over a range of combinations between d b *     and u b *   values, from numerical particle tracking experiments in which 10000 particles were released over a flat domain. These empirical RTDs are represented by different distributions over the range of d b *     and u b *   . A Fréchet RTD is the best fit for deep beds ( d b *   >3.2) and negligible underglow ( u b * <0.1). A LogNormal RTD is often the best representation for u b * ≤ 0 . 8 , while a Gamma RTD performs better for larger values of u b * . In general, a LogNormal RTD provides a good representation of the empirical RTDs in all cases, as it is identified as either the best or the second-best fitting distribution according to the Anderson-Darling test. The parameters of these analytical distributions vary with d b *     and u b * , and this dependence is graphically represented in this work. These results contribute to our understanding of the physical and mixing processes underpinning hyporheic exchange in streams and paves the way for a quick evaluation of its potential impact on nutrient and contaminant processing (e.g., based on the magnitude of the Damköhler number).

The initial conditions (e.g., soil moisture content) of the hydrological model, which is usually obtained from the warm-up of the hydrological modeling, significantly impact the simulation efficiency. However, spending the valuable data in warm-up instead of calibration and validation is luxurious. In order to improve hydrological simulation efficiency in the case of no warm-up phase, this paper proposes a methodology to fill the gap via improving the initial conditions of the hydrological model using an alternative global soil moisture dataset. Specifically, three soil moisture (SM) variables of the initial conditions from the Block-wise use of the TOPMODEL (BTOP) model and EAR5-Land reanalysis data were adopted and conducted correlation analysis. Several traditional curve-fitting functions and the state-of-art technical, long-short term memory (LSTM), were applied to develop the relationship between BTOP and EAR5-Land SM variables in the Fuji and Shinano River Basin, Japan. Furthermore, four configured hydrological simulations evaluated the benefits of the proposed methodology for improving the initial conditions. As a result, LSTM outperforms the traditional curve-fitting method in constructing the relationship between variables in time and space. Moreover, the hydrological simulation cases using the initial conditions related to the SM from the ERA5-land performs better than the case without the warm-up phase, and the simulated discharge process approaches the “optimal” case with the warm-up phase. It is confirmed that the proposed methodology helps improve the initial conditions of the hydrological model using reanalysis soil moisture data.

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease of suids that causes significant economic damage. The summer peaks and river courses have triggered the hypothesis that vectors may be involved in the transmission of the virus. The aim of our study was to evaluate the risk factors associated with the presence of ASFV DNA in hematophagous dipterans and to analyze the relevance of Ct values of the positive samples in ASF outbreaks in Romania, as an indication for the viral load. The current study included 99 pools of stable flies ( Stomoxys calcitrans) and 278 pools of biting midges ( Culicoides spp.), collected in June-September 2020, from 30 outbreaks of ASF in domestic swine from backyard farms (BF), type A farms (TAF) and commercial farms (CF). All extracted DNA was tested for the presence of ASFV genome using a real-time PCR protocol. Ct values of 39.53 and below were considered as positive. The blood meal source was identified in the hematophagous insects by using a PCR protocol targeting the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1. Data were analyzed using R software v. 4.0.5. In total, 2978 insects ( S. calcitrans n= 198 and Culicoides n=2780) were collected in 19 outbreaks out of the 30 sampled farms. Ten species of biting midges were identified. The total number of insect pools showed significant differences according to the month of sampling, with a higher number of pools collected in August and September. Overall, 137 pools out of the 377 examined were positive for the presence of ASFV DNA. There was a higher viral DNA load in farms where pigs were present at the moment of sampling compared to farms where pigs were already culled, in S. calcitrans compared to Culicoides spp. and in CF and TAF compared to BF.

The Zinc sulfide (ZnS) sample was synthesized using Zinc acetate dihydrate, and thiourea as ingredients by the hydrothermal reaction without using any dispersants and surfactants were used in the reaction process. The product composition and morphology were confirmed by XRD and SEM. The experimental results showed that after hydrothermal reaction at 150℃ for 8 h, the as-obtained ZnS microspheres diameter was about 3μm. Then, ZnS microspheres were used as photocatalyst, and the photocatalytic degradation rate of methylene blue solution reached 91.1% after ultraviolet light irradiation for 150 min.

Background Antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) are recommended in threatened preterm labour to improve short term neonatal outcome. Preclinical animal studies suggest detrimental effects of ACS exposure on offspring cardiac development; their effects in humans are unknown. Objectives To systematically review the human clinical literature to determine the effects of ACS on offspring cardiovascular function. Main results Twenty-six studies including 1921 patients were included, of which most were cohort studies of mixed quality. The type of ACS exposure, gestational age at exposure, dose and number of administrations varied widely. Offspring cardiovascular outcomes were assessed from one day to 36 years postnatally. The most commonly assessed parameter was arterial blood pressure (18 studies), followed by echocardiography (8 studies), heart rate (5 studies), electrocardiogram (ECG, 3 studies) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, 1 study). There were no clinically significant effects of ACS exposure on offspring blood pressure. However, there were insufficient studies assessing cardiac structure and function using echocardiography or cardiac MRI to be able to determine an effect. Conclusions Administration of ACS is not associated with long-term effects on blood pressure in exposed human offspring. The effects on cardiac structure and other measures of cardiac function were unclear due to the small number of studies, study heterogeneity and mixed quality. Given the emerging preclinical evidence of harm following ACS exposure, there is a need for further research to assess central cardiac function in human offspring exposed to ACS. Keywords: Antenatal corticosteroids, ACS, cardiovascular, offspring, blood pressure

Human metapneumovirus can be detected in adult community-acquired pneumonia. The chest image in this case was too massive to suspect human metapneumovirus pneumonia and clinically indistinguishable from Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. This case illustrates the difficulty of diagnostic imaging and importance of molecular diagnosis to avoid inappropriate use of antibiotics.

Previously treated pulmonary tuberculosis and Corona Virus Disease -2019 predispose to CPA and other pulmonary fungal diseases due to residual lung damage. We report a case of CPA in a 63-years-old Cameroonian woman with a history of PTB, 13 months after suffering from COVID-19 and treated with itraconazole 100mg.

Background and Purpose: Aberrant overexpression of UHRF1 has been reported in several cancer types and UHRF1 is regarded as a novel drug target for cancer therapy. However, no UHRF1-targeted specific small compound inhibitor has been registered in clinical trials. Experimental Approach: Network pharmacology together with molecular docking were used to screened a natural molecule bank for PCa treatment. The expression of related protein or mRNA were evaluated by WB and RT-PCR. The ubiquitination levels were assessed by WB. CCK8 assess was used to measuring cells viability. Additionally, PCa cells cycle were analysed by cytofluorimetry, genomic DNA methylation was assessed by Dot blot analysis. Cellular senescence was assessed by Senescence-Associated β-Galactosidase Staining Kit. DU145 cell xenograft models were used to assess the in vivo effect of DSG inhibition. Key Results: Identified DSG as a new natural compound specifically targeting UHRF1 protein degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, DSG-induced UHRF1 protein degradation reduced the level of genomic DNA methylation, and re-activated the expression of such TSGs as p21, p16 and LXN, thereby resulted in cell cycle arrest, cell senescence and reduced DU145 xenograft tumor growth. Altogether, clarified DSG anticancer mechanism as an epigenetic regulatory drug for the treatment of PCa. Conclusions and Implications: Our results first time identified DSG which extract from natural plants specifically targeting UHRF1 protein. This vpresent study provided a promising strategy to discover new molecule-targeted drug from natural compounds. KEYWORDS: Traditional Chinese Medicine; Prostate cancer; Diosgenin; DNA methylation; Tumor suppressor genes;

A patient with lung cancer was administrated osimertinib. She developed symptomatic heart failure due to Takotsubo-cardiomyopathy (TC). As her condition improved after discontinuing osimertinib, TC was thought to be caused by osimertinib. Re-occurrence of TC was seen after re-administraing half dose of osimernitib.

Aim: N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a psychedelic compound under development for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). This study evaluated the in vitro metabolism and clinical pharmacokinetics (PK) of DMT fumarate (SPL026) in healthy subjects. Methods: Results are from the Phase I component of an ongoing Phase I/IIa randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, dose-escalation trial. Healthy adults received escalating doses of SPL026 via a 2-phase intravenous (IV) infusion. Dosing regimens were calculated based on PK modelling and predictions, with progression to each subsequent dose level according to safety and tolerability. In vitro experiments assessed hepatic clearance and metabolism of DMT by monoamine oxidase (MAO) and cytochrome P450 enzymes. Results: 24 healthy subjects received escalating doses of SPL026 which were safe and well-tolerated. Dose-proportional increases in DMT exposure were observed over the range of 9–21.5 mg. For all doses, median time to peak plasma concentration was ~10 min and mean elimination half-life was 9–12 min. There was no relationship between peak DMT plasma concentration and body mass index, weight or age. In vitro hepatic mitochondrial fraction clearance of SPL026 was inhibited by MAO-A, but not MAO-B, inhibition. CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 modified SPL026 clearance in vitro. The unbound fraction of SPL026 was approximately 70%. Conclusion: This is the first study to determine, in detail, the full PK profile of DMT in humans, confirming rapid attainment of peak plasma concentrations followed by accelerated clearance. These findings provide evidence which support the development of novel DMT infusion regimens for the treatment of MDD.

An accurate and stable data-driven model is proposed in this work for fatigue life prediction in presence of mean stresses. In the model, multiple independent extreme learning machines are trained using different training data and neural network configurations, and are then combined equally in an ensemble to model the complex correlations between fatigue life, material properties and mechanical responses. Meanwhile, theoretical prediction, as a representation of domain knowledge, is integrated to optimize the data-driven processes of model training and prediction, diversifying the information source of fatigue life modeling. Extensive experimental results covering thirteen metallic materials and a wide range of mean stress levels are collected from the open literature for model training and evaluation. The results demonstrate that the proposed model can achieve high accuracy and good stability [simultaneously](javascript:;), even with a small training dataset, showing great applicability for fatigue life prediction under mean stress loading conditions.

Climate warming is a ubiquitous stressor in freshwater ecosystems, yet its interactive effects with other stressors are poorly understood. We address this by testing the ability of three contrasting null models to predict the joint impacts of warming and a second stressor using a new database of 296 experimental combinations. Despite concerns that stressors will interact to cause synergisms, we found that net impacts were best explained by the effect of the stronger stressor (the dominance null model), especially if it was associated with human land use. Prediction accuracy depended on stressor identity and the magnitude of asymmetry between their effects. These findings suggest we can often effectively forecast impacts of multiple stressors by focusing on the stronger stressor, as habitat alteration and contamination often override the biological consequences of higher temperatures in freshwater ecosystems.

Abstract Background and Purpose: Gpr17 is an orphan receptor involved in the process of myelination due to its ability to inhibit the maturation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells into myelinating oligodendrocytes. Despite multiple claims that the biological ligand has been identified, it remains an orphan receptor. Experimental Approach: Seventy-seven oxysterols were screened in a cell-free [35S]- GTPgS binding assay using membranes from cells expressing Gpr17. The positive hits were characterised using cAMP, IP1, and calcium mobilisation assays, with results confirmed in rat primary oligodendrocytes. Rat and pig brain extracts were separated by HPLC chromatography and endogenous activator(s) were identified in receptor activation assays. Gene expression studies of Gpr17 and Cyp46a1, the enzymes responsible for the conversion of cholesterol into specific oxysterols, were performed using quantitative real time PCR. Key Results: Eight oxysterols were able to stimulate Gpr17 activity, including the brain cholesterol, 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol. A specific brain fraction from rat and pig extracts containing 24S-HC activates Gpr17 in vitro assays. Expression of Gpr17 during mouse brain development correlates with the expression of Cyp46a1 and the levels of 24S-HC itself. Other active oxysterols have low brain concentrations below effective ranges. Conclusions and Implications: Oxysterols, including but not limited to 24S-HC, could be physiological activators for Gpr17 and thus potentially regulate OPC differentiation and myelination through activation of the receptor.

Objectives: Tinnitus is a sensation of ringing in the ears in the absence of any physical source in the environment. 15-25% of adults experience some form of tinnitus. A common cause of tinnitus is noise, head injury, ototoxic substances, as well as disorders of blood and blood vessels. Vascular causes include: head - neck tumours, turbulent blood flow, problems with blood supply and inner ear cell damage. The aspect of rheology in terms of tinnitus has not been described yet. Participants: Twelve patients with tinnitus, aged 30 to 74 years. Main outcome measures: The subjects all underwent audiological and neurological evaluation. Rheological properties of whole blood and plasma were assessed as well. The Quemada model was used to describe the variability of red blood cells shape, as well as their tendency to form aggregates. Results: Reduced whole blood viscosity in the low shear rate range is observed in the studied patient group. Conclusion: On the basis of the experimental study, statistically different results of hemorheological measurements were observed in the evaluated group in comparison to a reference group

Background and Purpose Bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) has been clinically treated with glycosaminoglycan (GAG) replenishment therapy. [1, 2] This study was designed to further understand the physiological mechanism behind chondroitin sulfate (CS) treatment and to determine the effect of CS-therapy on recovery of urothelial barrier in an in-vitro chronic injury model. Experimental Approach In differentiated porcine urothelial cells the functional barrier was measured by transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). A chronic urothelium was inflicted by multiple protamine instillations (3/day for 3 days), to approximate BPS/IC urothelium conditions. CS was instilled afterwards. Recovery of barrier function was followed in time. Additional analyses were performed for immunohistochemistry for barrier markers (tight junctions, GAG’s, umbrella cells) and scanning electron microscopy. Statistics were described by means ± standard error, α = 0.05. Key Results Barrier recovery (TEER) improved significantly with CS instillations compared to protamine only (T=7, 899.1 [Ω.cm2] versus 589.6 [Ω.cm2], p<0.001, 95% CI -394;-255). This recovery effect was seen on all three days and resulted in a significantly higher average TEER value in the CS group after 3 days (2606 Ω.cm2 vs 750.5 Ω.cm2). Immunohistochemistry and scanning electron microscopy showed decreased barrier markers after protamine treatment and enhanced recovery of urothelial GAG’s and other barrier markers after therapeutic instillations. Conclusion and Implications GAG replenishment with CS can improve recovery of barrier function of chronically damaged urothelium in-vitro. This preclinical study supports the hypothesis behind the use of clinical GAG replenishment therapy for patients with a chronically impaired urothelium.

Although COVID-19 is known to affect peripheral as well as cranial nerves, there is a paucity of reports on vocal fold paresis in COVID-19, bilateral vocal fold paresis (BVFP) in particular. We describe a case of BVFP and glottal bridge synechia following COVID-19-pneumonia discussing pathomechanisms and treatment options.

The uptake of water through leaves is commonly referred to as foliar water uptake (FWU). The phenomenon has been documented in many species and is increasingly recognized as a non-trivial factor in plant-water relations. However, it remains unknown whether FWU is a wide-spread phenomenon in Pinus species, and how it may relate to needle traits such as the form and structure of stomatal wax plugs. Here we studied these questions in current-year and one-year old needles of seven Pinus species. We analyzed the surface and stomatal structure with cryo-scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, we considered the effect of artificial wax erosion by application of the surfactant Triton TM X-100, which is able to alter wax crystals. The results show for all species 1) that FWU occurred, 2) that FWU is higher in old needles compared to young needles, and 3) that there is substantial erosion of stomatal wax plugs in old needles. Additionally, FWU in young needles was enhanced by the surfactant treatment, and was highest in P. canariensis showing a thin wax plug. The results of this study provide evidence 1) for widespread FWU in Pinus and 2) for the influence of age-related needle surface erosion on FWU.

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a vital stress resistant hormone of plant in coping with adverse environmental conditions, such as drought stress. Sensitivity of seed germination to exogenous ABA treatment could link to different drought tolerance ability of different plant species. Here, we selected alfalfa seedlings (S0-50) from seeds germinated under 50 μM ABA treatment. The S0-50 plant showed more sensitivity in stomatal closure to exogenous ABA and PEG treatments, and also stronger drought tolerance than the plant of ABA-sensitive seed during germination (S0-0). Testing of ABA content in leaf indicated that the S0-50 had a higher ABA content in normal and under drought stress growth conditions than that of the S0-0 plants. The seed of S0-50 next generation (S1-50) showed significantly higher germination ratio under 50 μM ABA treatment, and also had longer root after 15% PEG6000 treatment than the segregated ABA-sensitive seed (S1-0). We found a cytosol-nucleus dual-localized PPR protein gene MsSOAR1 was significantly highly expressed in S0-50 than in S0-0 plant. Overexpression of AtSOAR1, a negative regulator in ABA-mediated Arabidopsis seed germination inhibition, and also a homologous gene of MsSOAR1, significantly improved alfalfa drought tolerance, branch number and plant height, and reduced the expression level of ABA receptors MsPYL5 and MsPYL6. The results suggest that ABA-insensitive during seed germination could associate with repression of ABA signaling transduction. Selection of alfalfa seedling during seed germination with exogenous ABA could be a way to obtain drought tolerance germplasm, at least in ‘Zhongmu No.1’ alfalfa cultivar the plant material we used in the experiment.

The purpose of this study is to improve prediction rate with a novel model of bidirectional encoder representations for transformers (BERT) compared with random forest algorithms. A dataset of size 1100 is used to compare Novel BERT’s performance with Random Forests. With Random Forest, a framework for identifying fake news in electronic media networks is proposed. clinical calculates a sample size of 20 according to the framework. With regard to Precision rate, the Novel Bert algorithm beats the Random Forest algorithm by 8.33%. In comparison to the random forest algorithm, BERT achieves a rate of 0.002 that is significantly better than it. It is concluded that the novel BERT algorithm outperforms Random Forest in the prediction of fake news in this study.

Background: The ongoing outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 infections in Hong Kong, the world model city of universal masking, has resulted in a major public health crisis. Although the third heterologous BNT162b2 vaccination after 2-dose CoronaVac generated higher neutralizing antibody responses than the third homologous CoronaVac booster, vaccine efficacy and corelates of immune protection against the major circulating Omicron BA.2 remains to be investigated. Methods: We investigated the vaccine efficacy against the Omicron BA.2 breakthrough infection among 481 public servants who had been received with SARS-CoV-2 vaccines including two-dose BNT162b2 (2×BNT, n=169), three-dose BNT162b2 (2×BNT, n=175), two-dose CoronaVac (2×CorV, n=37), three-dose CoronaVac (3×CorV, n=68) and third-dose BNT162b2 following 2×CorV (2×CorV+1BNT, n=32). Humoral and cellular immune responses after three-dose vaccination were characterized and correlated with clinical characteristics of BA.2 infection. Results: During the BA.2 outbreak, 29.3% vaccinees were infected. Three-dose vaccination provided protection with lower incidence rates of breakthrough infections (2×BNT 49.2% vs 3×BNT 16.6%, p<0.0001; 2×CorV 48.6% vs 3×CoV 20.6%, p=0.003). The third heterologous vaccination showed the lowest incidence (2×CorV+1×BNT 6.3%). Although BA.2 conferred the highest neutralization resistance compared with variants of concern tested, the third dose vaccination-activated spike-specific memory B and Omicron cross-reactive T cell responses contributed to reduced frequencies of breakthrough infection and disease severity. Conclusions: Our results have implications to timely boost vaccination and immune responses likely required for vaccine-mediated protection against Omicron BA.2 pandemic.