Network autoregression model with grouped factor structures

Network autoregression and factor model are effective methods for modeling network time series data.In this study,we propose a network autoregression model with a factor structure that incorporates a latent group structure to address nodal heterogeneity within the network.An iterative algorithm is employed to minimize a least-squares objective function,allowing for simultaneous estimation of both the parameters and the group structure.To determine the unknown number of groups and factors,a PIC criterion is introduced.Additionally,statistical inference of the estimated parameters is presented.To assess the validity of the proposed estimation and inference procedures,we conduct extensive numerical studies.We also demonstrate the utility of our model using a stock dataset obtained from the Chinese A-Share stock market.

Origin and controlling factors of chlorite coatings—an example from the reservoir of T_3x Group of the Baojie area,Sichuan Basin,China

The study of the chlorite coatings always attracts scholars in China and other countries because the chlorite coatings play an important role in the preservation of residual primary pores in sandstone reservoirs.At present,the study of the origin and the controlling factors is relatively few.The occurrence,time of formation,genesis,controlling factors,and the mechanism of chlorite coatings inhibiting quartz overgrowths were studied in detail with thin section and SEM analysis.Samples were from the sandstone reservoirs of the T3x Group in the Baojie area,the transitional zone from the middle to the south of Sichuan Basin.The results indicate that the chlorite coatings on the walls of the pore spaces are oriented perpendicular to grain surfaces in the form of isopachous(even-thickness) grain-coating,while the chlorite coatings at the contacts between adjacent detrital grains are arranged with a preferred orientation tangential to the surface of detrital grains.The chlorite coatings were formed in the eogenetic stage.They were formed by recrystallization of Fe-rich clay films during the syndepositional period,and chlorite cements would be recrystallized after the coatings’ formation.The formation of chlorite coatings was mainly controlled by the depositional environment,provenance conditions,and diagenetic environment.The presence of chlorite coatings could result in the preservation of primary pores in deeply buried sandstone reservoirs by effectively inhibiting quartz overgrowths and the development of compaction and pressure solution.

Emodin regulating excision repair cross-complementation group 1 through fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 signaling

AIM: To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the reversal effect of emodin on platinum resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: After the addition of 10 μmol/L emodin to HepG2/oxaliplatin (OXA) cells, the inhibition rate (IR), 50% inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) and reversal index (IC 50 in experimental group/IC 50 in control group) were calculated. For HepG2, HepG2/OXA, HepG2/OXA/T, each cell line was divided into a control group, OXA group, OXA + fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7) group and OXA + emodin group, and the final concentrations of FGF7, emodin and OXA in each group were 5 ng/mL, 10 μg/mL and 10 μmol/L, respectively. Single-cell gel electrophoresis was conducted to detect DNA damage, and the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2), phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (p-ERK1/2) and excision repair cross-complementing gene 1 (ERCC1) protein expression levels in each group were examined by Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with the IC50 of 120.78 μmol/L in HepG2/OXA cells, the IC 50 decreased to 39.65 μmol/L after treatment with 10 μmol/L emodin; thus, the reversal index was 3.05. Compared with the control group, the tail length and Olive tail length in the OXA group, OXA + FGF7 group and OXA + emodin group were significantly increased, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). The tail length and Olive tail length were lower in the OXA + FGF7 group than in the OXA group, and this difference was also statistically significant. Compared with the OXA + FGF7 group, the tail extent, the Olive tail moment and the percentage of tail DNA were significantly increased in the OXA + emodin group, and these differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). In comparison with its parental cell line HepG2, the HepG2/OXA cells demonstrated significantly increased FGFR2, p-ERK1/2 and ERCC1 expression levels, whereas the expression of all three molecules was significantly inhibited in HepG2/ OXA/T cells, in which FGFR2 was silenced by FGFR2 shRNA. In the examined HepG2 cells, the FGFR2, p-ERK1/2 and ERCC1 expression levels demonstrated increasing trends in the OXA group and OXA + FGF7 group. Compared with the OXA group and OXA + FGF7 group, the FGFR2, p-ERK1/2, and ERCC1 expression levels were significantly lower in the OXA + emodin group, and these differences were statistically significant. In the HepG2/OXA/T cell line that was transfected with FGFR2 shRNA, the FGFR2, p-ERK1/2 and ERCC1 expression levels were significantly inhibited, but there were no significant differences in these expression levels among the OXA, OXA + FGF7 and OXA + emodin groups. CONCLUSION: Emodin markedly reversed OXA resistance by enhancing OXA DNA damage in HepG2/OXA cells, and the molecular mechanism was related to the inhibitory effect on ERCC1 expression being mediated by the FGFR2/ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

The key environmental factors driving the succession of phytoplankton functional groups in Hongfeng Reservoir, southwest China

Reservoirs are an important water source in many densely populated areas in southwest China.Phytoplankton play an essential role in maintaining the structure and function of reservoir ecosystems.Understanding the succession in phytoplankton communities and the factors driving it are essential for eff ective water quality management in drinking water reservoirs.In this study,water samples were collected monthly at the surface layers from March 2016 to December 2019 in Hongfeng Reservoir,southwest China.The relationship between functional group succession was analyzed based on nonmetric multidimensional scaling analysis(NMDS),redundancy analysis(RDA),succession rate,and other analysis methods.The results showed distinct shifts in the community structure of phytoplankton functional groups within study period.The Cyclotella sp.was dominant in 2016 and 2017,and Pseudanabaena limnetica was the dominant group in 2018 and 2019.It appears that the phytoplankton composition and biomass are closely related to the water temperature and nutrient status in this reservoir.The results clearly showed that the permanganate index(COD_(Mn))was the key factor of dramatic phytoplankton functional group succession,and the change in succession rates was closely caused by total nitrogen concentration(TN).Therefore,the succession pattern and key factors of Hongfeng Reservoir revealed in this study were important guidance for the management of drinking water reservoirs in southwest China.A reasonable limit on exogenous nutrient input should be a priority,especially in high water temperature period.

CLINICAL VALUE OF SERUM TUMOR SUPPLIED GROUP OF FACTOR IN DIAGNOSIS OF EPITHELIAL OVARIAN CANCER

Objective: To evaluate the clinical value of serum tumor supplied group of factor (TSGF) in diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer. Methods: The serum TSGF was tested in 69 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer, 28 patients with benign ovarian lesion and 61 healthy women. The serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and CA125 were determined in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer and in those with benign ovarian lesion. The correlations of TSGF with VEGF and CA125 were investigated. Results: The serum level of TSGF in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer was obviously higher than in patients with benign ovarian lesion and in healthy women (P<0.01). The serum level of TSGF in patients with epithelial cancer was associated with stage and grade. TSGF was highest in stage III, followed by stage IV, and was lowest in stage I-II. The TSGF level was lower in well-differentiated tumors and was higher in poorly differentiated tumor. There were no significant difference among diagnostic value of TSGF, VEGF, and CA125 in differentiation between epithelial ovarian cancer and benign ovarian lesion (P>0.05). The serum level of TSGF and VEGF and CA125 in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer showed positive correlation (P<0.01, P<0.05, respectively). Conclusion: There is no marked difference in diagnostic value among TSGF, VEGF and CA125. TSGF has a certain value in diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer, and is helpful to distinguish epithelial ovarian cancer from benign ovarian lesion.

Seroprevalence of <i>Brucella</i>Antibodies and Risk Factors Associated with Human Brucellosis in High-Risk Occupational Groups of the Noun Division in the West Region of Cameroon

Brucellosis is an anthropozoonotic disease with an important public health impact. Although the transmission of Brucella from animals to humans can occur in different epidemiological settings of sub-Saharan African countries, little data has been published on human brucellosis. This study aimed to detect Brucella antibodies and the risk factors associated to brucellosis among high-risk occupational groups of people in the Noun Division of Cameroon. For this study, a structured questionnaire was used to assess risk factors associated with human brucellosis. Thereafter, blood samples were collected from high-risk occupational groups of people in four villages. Plasma was extracted from each sample and Brucella antibodies were detected using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (i-ELISA). Of the 273 participants enrolled, the overall seroprevalence of Brucella antibodies was 12.45% with RBPT and 10.26% with i-ELISA test. This seroprevalence was significantly (P = 0.04;X2 = 9.73) higher among livestock herdsmen (15.8%), slaughterhouse workers (9.8%), butchers (4.8%), participants having no educational level (14.3%) and those experiencing above 5 years of risky activity (15%). Raw milk consumption (OR: 4.8;P = 0.001), no formal education (OR: 6.4;P = 0.03) and assistance of animal during parturition (OR: 7.2;P < 0.0001) appeared as factors that may increase the risk of Brucella infections. The detection of Brucella antibodies indicates the risk of human brucellosis in some groups of people of the Noun division. Consuming unpasteurized milk, participating in parturition and lacking knowledge on brucellosis appeared as risk factors associated with human brucellosis in western Cameroon. It raises the need of developing and implementing control measures for human and animal brucellosis.

Molecular Epidemiological Analysis of Group A Streptococci Isolated from Children in Chaoyang District of Beijing, 2011:emm Types, Virulence Factor Genes and Erythromycin Resistant Genes

Group A streptococcus （GAS） causes a wide range of diseases in the human population. GAS diseases are more common in children than in adults, with clinical manifestations ranging from pharyngitis and impetigo to invasive infections and post streptococcal sequelae, such as acute rheumatic fever and acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis[1]. GAS harbors a host of virulence factors that contribute to its complex pathogenicity and differences in the disease severity and frequency. M protein, one of the major virulence factors, is encoded by the emm gene induces a type of specific host immune response and confers antiphagocytic properties.

Temporal and spatial distribution of phytoplankton functional groups and role of environment factors in a deep subtropical reservoir

Phytoplankton and environment factors were investigated in 2015 and phytoplankton functional groups were used to understand their temporal and spatial distribution and their driving factors in Wanfeng Reservoir. Seventeen functional groups(B, D, E, F, G, J, Lo, MP, P, S1, T, W1, W2, X1, X2, Xph, Y) were identified based on 34 species. The dominant groups were: J/B/P/D in dry season, X1/J/Xph/G/T in normal season and J in flood season. Phytoplankton abundance ranged from 5.33×10~4 cells/L to 3.65×10~7 cells/L, with the highest value occurring in flood season and lowest in dry season. The vertical profi le of dominant groups showed little differentiation except for P, which dominated surface layers over 20 m as a result of mixing water masses and higher transparency during dry season. However, the surface waters presented higher values of phytoplankton abundance than other layers, possibly because of greater irradiance. The significant explaining variables and their ability to describe the spatial distribution of the phytoplankton community in RDA diff ered seasonally as follows: dry season, NH4-N, NO_3-N, NO_2-N, TN:TP ratio and transparency(SD); normal season, temperature(WT), water depth, TN, NH4-N and NO_3-N; flood season, WT, water depth, NO_3-N and NO_2-N. Furthermore, nitrogen, water temperature, SD and water depth were significant variables explaining the variance of phytoplankton communities when datasets included all samples. The results indicated that water physical conditions and hydrology were important in phytoplankton community dynamics, and nitrogen was more important than phosphorus in modifying phytoplankton communities. Seasonal differences in the relationship between the environment and phytoplankton community should be considered in water quality management.

Responding of zooplankton to environmental factor changes in the Changjiang River estuarine regions in spring-summer from 2016 to 2020

The estuarine areas are under frequent influence from freshwater intrusion and ocean currents,in which zooplankton species are diversified and variable as they are sensitive to physio-chemical variations in water.Therefore,understanding the relationships between zooplankton and environmental factors help us know the water quality.To achieve co-existence with species in similar ecological group or habit,they could inevitably alter themselves to fit the ecology and adjust the function according to the competitive exclusion in ecological theory.However,information of the co-existence of dominant species in the Changjiang(Yangtze)River estuary(CRE)and adjacent waters remains scarce.We explored the relationships between dominant zooplankton and environmental factors in the study region in spring-summer from 2016 to 2020,involving particularly the composition of dominant species,ecological groups,their relationships with environmental factors,and co-existence of important species,using the non-multidimensional scale analysis(nMDS)method and redundancy analysis.Results show that Labidocera euchaeta and Tortanus vermiculus were dominant species in the study scope.The turnover rate of dominant zooplankton was greater(>50%)in spring while the species number was higher in summer.The dominant species were estuarine,offshore,and eurytopic based on the adaptation to salinity.In spring,the ecological groups were dominated by estuarine species,while in summer by estuarine and offshore species.In addition,the nMDS showed that the dominant species in the same ecological group were more dispersed and not prominently clustered;the dominant species were staggered among different ecological groups.The temperature,salinity,pH,dissolved oxygen,and chlorophyll a were the main environmental factors on the distribution of the dominant species in spring,while in summer were dissolved oxygen,temperature,salinity,and pH.The domination of medusae of Nemopsis bachei and Pleurobrachia globosa in zooplankton community in spring,and the continuous decrease in abundance of L.euchaeta reflected the effects of local climate change.The temperature and salinity changes in different years and the subsequent response of zooplankton reflected the influence of freshwater intrusion and/or ocean currents.Zooplankton in similar ecological habits exhibited the competitive exclusion in terms of co-existence.

Revising Space Groups from Simulated SHELXfcf Structure Factors. More Examples of Incorrect Space Groups, an Example of a Chemically-Incorrect Structure and the Special Case of Pgl to PRevisions

The structure factors of any crystal structure can be simulated from its atomic coordinates (and temperature factors) in a SHELXL-97 run on a dummy hkl in which only the scale factor is refined. The squares of the structure factors are retrieved from the fcf, and such simulated data are used in the revision of the space groups of several incorrectly-refined crystal structures. Two cases, a P1 to P1 revision and a chemically-incorrect structure that is refined in a correct space group, are discussed.

On the Structure of the Augmentation Quotient Group for Some Non-abelian p-groups

In this paper, we study the basis of augmentation ideals and the quotient groups of finite non-abelian p-group which has a cyclic subgroup of index p, where p is an odd prime, and k is greater than or equal to 3. A concrete basis for the augmentation ideal is obtained and then the structure of its quotient groups can be determined.

The Influencing Factors and Inter-Group Differences for Urban Residents' Behavior of Consuming Edible Vegetable Oil

To clarify the determinant factors and inter-group differences of Chinese urban residents' edible vegetable oil consuming behavior is very important for us to understand their consumption features of edible vegetable oil,so as to guide their consuming behavior and improve China's vegetable oil industry security.In this article,urban residents of China's three traditional vegetable oil main production areas have been chosen as study objects,and multiple linear regression and one-way ANOVA have been used to do empirical analysis on the determinant factors and inter-group differences of their edible vegetable oil consuming behavior.The results indicate that the edible vegetable oil consuming behavior of urban residents from China's three traditional vegetable oil main production areas show a trend of diversification;" publicity measures"," preference evaluation"," personal characteristics" and " family characteristics" remarkably affect urban residents' edible vegetable oil consuming behavior and show obvious provincial characteristics.In addition,urban residents from different groups show differences in terms of " publicity measures" and " preference evaluation".

Non-Full Rank Factorization of Finite Abelian Groups

Tilings of p-groups are closely associated with error-correcting codes. In [1], M. Dinitz, attempting to generalize full-rank tilings of ?Zn2??to arbitrary finite abelian groups, was able to show that if p &ge;5, then?Znp? admits full-rank tiling and left the case p=3, as an open question. The result proved in this paper the settles of the question for the case p=3.

Factoring Elementary p-Groups for p ≤ 7

It is an open problem if an elementary p-group of rank k ≥ 3 does admit full-rank normalized factorization into two of its subsets such that one of the factors has p elements. The paper provides an answer in the p ≤ 7 special case.

Full-Rank Factoring of Elementary 2-Groups with Equal Size Factors

In order to answer a question motivated by constructing substitution boxes in block ciphers we will exhibit an infinite family of full-rank factorizations of elementary 2-groups into two factors having equal sizes.

ABO Blood Groups and Their Relationship with Coagulation Factor VIII in Healthy Adults

Background: ABO blood group distribution defers with racial and geographic variations. They are related to diseases like cardiovascular diseases, cerebral thromboembolism. ABO blood group system may influence coagulation factor VIII which may increase the future risk of thrombosis. Aim: To assess the relation of ABO blood group with coagulation factor VIII in healthy adults. Material and Methods: A prospective type of analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka from July 2019 to June 2020. After obtaining ethical clearance, a total of 190 healthy adults were selected from different areas of Dhaka city based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, with ages ranging from 18 - 45 years. The subjects were interviewed and detailed history regarding personal, family, medical and drug were taken. Prior to sample collection, informed written consent was taken from the participants. Individuals of blood group A were selected as group A, blood group B as group B, blood group AB as group AB and blood group O as group O. Coagulation factor VIII was measured in the Department of Hematology and BMT Unit, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka. Blood grouping was done in the Department of Physiology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka. Statistical Analysis: For statistical analysis, ONE way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test were considered using SPSS 25.0 version. Results: In this study, blood group B was most common (33.2%). Coagulation factor VIII was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in blood group A (105.76% ± 11.82%), B (112.00% ± 15.02%), AB (109.80% ± 11.93%) than blood group O (82.00% ± 12.86%). No significant difference was observed among A, B and AB blood groups regarding coagulation factor VIII. Conclusions: It can be concluded that blood group A, B, AB individuals may have more chance of thrombosis due to significantly higher coagulation factor VIII than blood group O individuals.

Risk Factors for Group B <i>Streptococcus</i>Colonization and Drugs Sensitivity Pattern in a Nigerian Obstetric Population

Background: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a major cause of bacterial infections in the perinatal period, of which colonization prevalence among Northern-Nigerian pregnant women is scarce. We attempted to determine 1) its prevalence, 2) risk factors for GBS colonization and 3) drugs-susceptibility. Methodology: This cross-sectional study involved 185 pregnant women between 35 - 37 weeks of gestation at tertiary health center of Sokoto, Nigeria. Vaginal/rectal swabs were collected, were cultured for GBS and tested for drug-susceptibilities. The study was conducted between December, 2017 and April, 2018. Results: One hundred and eighty five (185) pregnant women participated in this study. GBS vaginal-colonization-rate was 3.8% (7/185). A significance relationship was observed between GBS-colonization and socio-economic class, as 57.10% (4/7) of the GBS positive women were of low-socio economic class (p 0.035). No associations were observed between GBS-colonization and the followings: maternal age, parity, poor obstetric outcome-history. All the 7 GBS positive cultures were sensitive to Clindamycin. One was sensitive to both Clindamycin and Ceftriaxone. None was sensitive to Penicillin. Conclusion: The prevalence of GBS colonization was low in this area. Maternal socio-economic class is found to be a risk of GBS-colonization.

A Study on Influencing Factors of Happiness of Urban Low-income Groups

With the completion of the strategic vision of building a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way in 2020,China’s economic development has entered a new normal.The concept of innovative,coordinated,green,open and shared development will lead China’s economic progress and development.However,the development of urban and rural areas and regions in China is still not coordinated,and the sudden COVID-19 outbreak has caused a serious impact on urban low-income groups.Due to the characteristics of poor employment stability,low income and single source,as well as greater family pressure of urban low-income groups,the author focuses on the influencing factors of their feelings of happiness.This paper assumes that the satisfaction degree of residents’needs is positively correlated with residents’feelings of happiness.Based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory,this paper analyzes the factors that may affect the happiness of urban low-income groups in five levels,and explores the special needs and difficulties of urban low-income groups in the context of the epidemic.So as to find ways to improve the happiness of urban low-income people to provide reference.

An epidemiology study of bronchial asthma in the Li ethnic group in China

Objective:To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of bronchial asthma in the Li ethnic group in Hainan,China.Methods:This study employed a stratified random sample design using custom-designed questionnaires.Subjects with asthma-like symptoms were first identified by two rounds of surveys and then confirmed by respiratory physicians using pulmonary function test,bronchial dilation test and challenge test.Demographic data,information on family history of asthma,history of allergies,smoking habits,domestic cooking fuel and other potential risk factors were collected.Logistic regression was performed to evaluate risk factors for asthma.Results: The prevalence of asthma in the Li ethnic group was 3.38%,much higher than the national average level in China.Aging,agriculture industry(the rubber industry in particular),rural residence,family history of asthma,history of allergies,cold air,inhalation of dust and irritant gases,smoking,domestic cooking fuel and living environment were associated with increased risk of asthma.Conclusions:The high prevalence of asthma in the Li ethnic group highlights the importance of asthma prevention and treatment in this population.Risk factors indentified in this study warrant special attention.Elevating public awareness about asthma in local communities will benefit the prevention of the disease.