Diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer risk:A mendelian randomization analysis

BACKGROUND Some studies have directed towards an association between diabetes mellitus(DM)and prostate cancer(PCa);however,this specific relationship remains inconclusive.In recent years,Mendelian randomization(MR)has become a widely used analytical method for inferring epidemiological causes.AIM To investigated the potential relationship between DM and PCa using MR.METHODS We downloaded relevant data on"diabetes"and"PCa"from the IEU OpenGWAS project database,performed three different methods to conduct MR,and carried out sensitivity analysis for verification.RESULTS The results indicated that DM was an independent risk factor for PCa.The odds ratio(OR)values obtained using the inverse variance weighted method in this study were as follows:OR=1.018(95%confidence interval:1.004-1.032),P=0.014.CONCLUSION We found that DM could increase the incidence rate of PCa.

Causal relationship between feelings and cognitive decline:An univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND While the impact of depression on cognition is well-documented,the relationship between feelings and cognition has received limited attention.AIM To explore the potential association between feelings and cognition with a twosample Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis.METHODS Our analysis utilized genome-wide association data on various feelings(fed-up feelings,n=453071;worrier/anxious feelings,n=450765;guilty feelings,n=45-0704;nervous feelings,n=450700;sensitivity/hurt feelings,n=449419;miserableness,n=454982;loneliness/isolation,n=455364;happiness,n=152348)in the European population and their impact on cognitive functions(intelligence,n=269867).Conducting a univariable MR(UVMR)analysis to assess the relationship between feelings and cognition.In this analysis,we applied the inverse variance weighting(IVW),weighted median,and MR Egger methods.Additionally,we performed sensitivity analysis(leave-one-out analysis),assessed heterogeneity(using MR-PRESSO and Cochran’s Q test),and conducted multiple validity test(employing MR-Egger regression).Subsequently,a multivariable MR(MVMR)analysis was employed to examine the impact of feelings on cognition.IVW served as the primary method in the multivariable analysis,complemented by median-based and MR-Egger methods.RESULTS In this study,UVMR indicated that sensitivity/hurt feelings may have a negative causal effect on cognition(OR=0.63,95%CI:0.43-0.92,P=0.017).After adjustment of other feelings using MVMR,a direct adverse causal effect on cognition was observed(OR_(MVMR)=0.39,95%CI:0.17-0.90,P_(MVMR)=0.027).While a potential increased risk of cognitive decline was observed for fed-up feelings in the UVMR analysis(ORUVMR=0.64,95%CI:0.42-0.97,PUVMR=0.037),this effect disappeared after adjusting for other feelings(OR_(MVMR)=1.42,95%CI:0.43-4.74,P_(MVMR)=0.569).These findings were generally consistent across MV-IVW,median-based,and MR-Egger analyses.MR-Egger regression revealed pleiotropy in the impact of worrier/anxious feelings on cognition,presenting a challenge in identifying the effect.Notably,this study did not demonstrate any significant impact of guilty feelings,nervous feelings,miserableness,or loneliness/isolation on cognition.Due to a limited number of instrumental variables for happiness,this study was unable to analyze the relationship between happiness and cognition.CONCLUSION This MR study finds that sensitivity/hurt feelings are associated with cognitive decline,while the link between worrier/anxious feelings and cognition remains inconclusive.Insufficient evidence supports direct associations between happiness,guilty feelings,nervous feelings,miserableness,loneliness/isolation,and cognition.

Feature Fusion Multi-View Hashing Based on Random Kernel Canonical Correlation Analysis

Hashing technology has the advantages of reducing data storage and improving the efficiency of the learning system,making it more and more widely used in image retrieval.Multi-view data describes image information more comprehensively than traditional methods using a single-view.How to use hashing to combine multi-view data for image retrieval is still a challenge.In this paper,a multi-view fusion hashing method based on RKCCA(Random Kernel Canonical Correlation Analysis)is proposed.In order to describe image content more accurately,we use deep learning dense convolutional network feature DenseNet to construct multi-view by combining GIST feature or BoW_SIFT(Bag-of-Words model+SIFT feature)feature.This algorithm uses RKCCA method to fuse multi-view features to construct association features and apply them to image retrieval.The algorithm generates binary hash code with minimal distortion error by designing quantization regularization terms.A large number of experiments on benchmark datasets show that this method is superior to other multi-view hashing methods.

Random Time Dependent Resistance Analysis on Reinforced Concrete Structures

The analysis method on random time dependence of reinforced concrete material is introduced,the effect mechanism on reinforced concrete are discussed,and the random time dependence resistance of reinforced concrete is studied.Furthermore,the corrosion of steel bar in reinforced concrete structures is analyzed.A practical statistical method of evaluating the random time dependent resistance,which includes material,structural size and calculation influence,is also established.In addition,an example of predicting random time dependent resistance of reinforced concrete structural element is given.

Diversity Analysis in Selected Non-basmati Scented Rice Collection

Diversity analysis among 23 rice varieties including 16 non-basmati scented accessions, 5 basmati accessions and 2 non-scented accessions was performed by random amplified polymorphic DNA （RAPD） and inter-simple sequence repeat （ISSR） marker systems. The varieties analyzed by 11 RAPD and 8 ISSR primers yielded an average of 65% and 80% polymorphism, respectively. The average number of polymorphic bands generated per RAPD primer was 6 and per ISSR primer was 5.87. RAPD and ISSR data analysis individually could not segregate basmati and non-basmati scented rice accessions. However, the analysis using a combined data could group basmati and non-basmati scented rice accessions separately. The bands present specifically among three accessions of non-basmati scented rice were also identified. The study revealed a high genetic diversity among non-basmati scented rice accessions.

An overview of a unified theory of dynamics of vehicle–pavement interaction under moving and stochastic load

This article lays out a unified theory for dynamics of vehicle-pavement interaction under moving and stochastic loads. It covers three major aspects of the subject： pavement surface, tire-pavement contact forces, and response of continuum media under moving and stochastic vehicular loads. Under the subject of pavement surface, the spectrum of thermal joints is analyzed using Fourier analysis of periodic function. One-dimensional and two-dimensional random field models of pavement surface are discussed given three different assumptions. Under the subject of tire-pavement contact forces, a vehicle is modeled as a linear system. At a constant speed of travel, random field of pavement surface serves as a stationary stochastic process exciting vehicle vibration, which, in turn, generates contact force at the interface of tire and pavement. The contact forces are analyzed in the time domain and the frequency domains using random vibration theory. It is shown that the contact force can be treated as a nonzero mean stationary process with a normal distribution. Power spectral density of the contact force of a vehicle with walking-beam suspension is simulated as an illustration. Under the subject of response of continuum media under moving and stochastic vehicular loads, both time-domain and frequency-domain analyses are presented for analytic treatment of moving load problem. It is shown that stochastic response of linear continuum media subject to a moving stationary load is a nonstationary process. Such a nonstationary stochastic process can be converted to a stationary stochastic process in a follow-up moving coordinate.

Hypertension and NAFLD risk:Insights from the NHANES 2017-2018 and Mendelian randomization analyses

Background:Hypertension and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)share several pathophysiologic risk factors,and the exact relationship between the two remains unclear.Our study aims to provide evidence concerning the relationship between hypertension and NAFLD by analyzing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(NHANES)2017-2018 and Mendelian randomization(MR)analyses.Methods:Weighted multivariable-adjusted logistic regression was applied to assess the relationship between hypertension and NAFLD risk by using data from the NHANES 2017-2018.Subsequently,a two-sample MR study was performed using the genome-wide association study(GWAS)summary statistics to identify the causal association between hypertension,systolic blood pressure(SBP),diastolic blood pressure(DBP),and NAFLD.The primary inverse variance weighted(IVW)and other supplementary MR approaches were conducted to verify the causal association between hypertension and NAFLD.Sensitivity analyses were adopted to confirm the robustness of the results.Results:A total of 3144 participants were enrolled for our observational study in NHANES.Weighted multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analysis suggested that hypertension was positively related to NAFLD risk(odds ratio[OR]=1.677;95%confidence interval[CI],1.159-2.423).SBP≥130 mmHg and DBP≥80 mmHg were also significantly positively correlated with NAFLD.Moreover,hypertension was independently connected with liver steatosis(β=7.836[95%CI,2.334-13.338]).The results of MR analysis also supported a causal association between hypertension(OR=7.203[95%CI,2.297-22.587])and NAFLD.Similar results were observed for the causal exploration between SBP(OR=1.024[95%CI,1.003-1.046]),DBP(OR=1.047[95%CI,1.005-1.090]),and NAFLD.The sensitive analysis further confirmed the robustness and reliability of these findings(all P>0.05).Conclusion:Hypertension was associated with an increased risk of NAFLD.

Analysis of the Genetic Structure of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum （Lib.） de Bary Populations from Different Regions and Host Plants by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Markers

The genetic diversity and genetic structure of a population of isolates of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary from different regions and host plants were investigated using the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method with 20 random decamer primer pairs in order to provide some information on the phylogenetic taxa and breeding for resistance to sclerotinia stem rot. A minimum of three and a maximum of 15 unambiguously amplified bands were generated, furnishing a total of 170 bands ranging in size from 100 to 3 200 bp, corresponding to an average of 8.5 bands per primer pair. One hundred and four of these 170 bands (61.2%) were polymorphic, the percentage of polymorphic bands for each primer pair ranging from 0.0% to 86.7%. The genetic relationships among the isolates, based on the results of RAPD analysis, were examined. The genetic similarity of all selected isolates was quite high. At the species level, the genetic diversity estimated by Nei's gene diversity (h) was 0.197 and Shannon's index of diversity (I) was 0.300. The unweighted pair-group mean analysis (UPGMA) cluster analysis showed that most isolates from the same regions were grouped in the same cluster or a close cluster. The population of isolates from Hefei (Anhui Province, China) was more uniform and relatively distant to other populations. The Canadian population collected from carrot (Daucus carota var. sativa DC.) was relatively close to the Polish population collected from oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) plants. There was no relationship between isolates from the same host plants. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that the percentage of variance attributable to variation among and within populations was 50.62% and 49.38%, respectively. When accessions from China, Europe, and Canada were treated as three separate groups, the variance components among groups, among populations within groups, and within populations were ?0.96%, 51.48%, and 49.47%, respectively. The genetic differentiations among and within populations were highly significant (P < 0.001). Similarly, the coefficient of gene differentiation (Gst) in total populations calculated by population genetic analysis was 0.229 4, which indicated that the genetic variation among populations was 22.94%. The gene flow (Nm) was 1.68, which indicated that the gene permutation and interaction among populations was relatively high.

THE RANDOM ANALYSIS OF APRON SLAB MISSING STABILITY UNDER WATER JET LASHING

The jet flow with high water head happens very often in hydraulic engineering. In this paper, starting from the viewpoint of random hydraulics, the experimental research work on the problem of percussion action of the jet flow related to the apron slab.Stochastic theory and random time series are employed to analyse the sample function x(t) ,its x(t) and x(t) and their corelations μ on M. The working process of the apron during the variation of flow discharge has been observed and the machanism of failure of apron slab is discussed. The lift force due to the action of jet flow is analysed and the conditions of improving the safety factors of apron slab are presented.

Genetic evidence suggesting the predicted causality between osteoarthritis and cardiovascular diseases

Background:Epidemiological studies have shown a close association between osteoarthritis(OA)and cardiovascular disease(CVD),but reliable evidence needs to be provided.We performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization(MR)study to examine the potential causal effect between OA and CVD.Methods:Exposures were self-reported OA,knee osteoarthritis(KOA),and hip osteoarthritis(HOA).The outcomes were 12 CVDs,including heart failure,atrial fibrillation,coronary artery disease,pulmonary embolism,stroke and its subtypes,myocardial infarction,coronary heart disease,and primary hypertension.All outcomes were obtained from published genomewide association studies.The inverse-variance weighted method was used as the primary MR analysis.Heterogeneity tests and sensitivity analyses were conducted to validate the accuracy of the MR results.Results:Self-reported OA increased the incidence of small vessel stroke(odds ratio[OR]=1.25,95%confidence interval[CI]:1.02–1.52,p=0.03)and primary hypertension(1.01[1.00–1.02],p<0.01).HOA increased the incidence of stroke(1.06[1.01–1.11],p=0.02)and two subtypes(cardioembolic stroke:1.12[1.02–1.23],p=0.02;ischemic stroke:1.06[1.01–1.11],p=0.03).Patients with KOA had an increased risk of heart failure(1.10[1.04–1.16],p<0.01),atrial fibrillation(1.08[1.02–1.13],p<0.01),small vessel stroke(1.21[1.06–1.39],p=0.01),and primary hypertension(1.01[1.01–1.02],p<0.01).Conclusions:Patients with OA have an increased risk of several CVDs.The causality of this relationship may have clinical implications for improving the quality of prevention and treatment.

Assessment of causal association between thyroid function and lipid metabolism:a Mendelian randomization study

Background:Thyroid dysfunction is associated with cardiovascular diseases.However,the role of thyroid function in lipid metabolism remains partly unknown.The present study aimed to investigate the causal association between thyroid function and serum lipid metabolism via a genetic analysis termed Mendelian randomization(MR).Methods:The MR approach uses a genetic variant as the instrumental variable in epidemiological studies to mimic a randomized controlled trial.A two-sample MR was performed to assess the causal association,using summary statistics from the Atrial Fibrillation Genetics Consortium(n=537,409)and the Global Lipids Genetics Consortium(n=188,577).The clinical measures of thyroid function include thyrotropin(TSH),free triiodothyronine(FT3)and free thyroxine(FT4)levels,FT3:FT4 ratio and concentration of thyroid peroxidase antibodies(TPOAb).The serum lipid metabolism traits include total cholesterol(TC)and triglycerides,high-density lipoprotein,and low-density lipoprotein(LDL)levels.The MR estimate and MR inverse variance-weighted method were used to assess the association between thyroid function and serum lipid metabolism.Results:The results demonstrated that increased TSH levels were significantly associated with higher TC(β=0.052,P=0.002)and LDL(β=0.041,P=0.018)levels.In addition,the FT3:FT4 ratio was significantly associated with TC(β=0.240,P=0.033)and LDL(β=0.025,P=0.027)levels.However,no significant differences were observed between genetically predicted FT4 and TPOAb and serum lipids.Conclusion:Taken together,the results of the present study suggest an association between thyroid function and serum lipid metabolism,highlighting the importance of the pituitary-thyroid-cardiac axis in dyslipidemia susceptibility.

Numerical investigation of pile responses induced by adjacent tunnel excavation in spatially variable clays

The pile responses induced by adjacent tunnel excavation have been a hot research topic in geotechnical engineering.Tunnel excavation may exert disturbance to the surrounding soil mass and then influence the adjacent pile foundations.In this paper,the random finite difference analysis considering the spatial variations of soil properties is conducted to explore the effect of tunnel excavation on the adjacent pile response by varying the distance of pile away from the tunnel centerline(D),the pile length(L),the pile diameter(d_(p)),the tunnel depth(h),and the anisotropic ratio between the horizontal and the vertical scales of fluctuation(δ_(x)/δ_(y)).A set of pile response curves are developed to assess the influence of tunnel excavation on the adjacent passive pile foundations in spatially variable clays and provide guidelines for the tunnel excavation in the complex constructed environment.

Design of power balance SRAM for DPA-resistance

A power balance static random-access memory（SRAM） for resistance to differential power analysis（DPA） is proposed. In the proposed design, the switch power consumption and short-circuit power consumption are balanced by discharging and pre-charging the key nodes of the output circuit and adding an additional shortcircuit current path. Thus, the power consumption is constant in every read cycle. As a result, the DPA-resistant ability of the SRAM is improved. In 65 nm CMOS technology, the power balance SRAM is fully custom designed with a layout area of 5863.6 μm^2.The post-simulation results show that the normalized energy deviation（NED） and normalized standard deviation（NSD） are 0.099% and 0.04%, respectively. Compared to existing power balance circuits, the power balance ability of the proposed SRAM has improved 53%.