Automatically detecting Ulva prolifera(U.prolifera)in rainy and cloudy weather using remote sensing imagery has been a long-standing problem.Here,we address this challenge by combining high-resolution Synthetic Apertu...Automatically detecting Ulva prolifera(U.prolifera)in rainy and cloudy weather using remote sensing imagery has been a long-standing problem.Here,we address this challenge by combining high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar(SAR)imagery with the machine learning,and detect the U.prolifera of the South Yellow Sea of China(SYS)in 2021.The findings indicate that the Random Forest model can accurately and robustly detect U.prolifera,even in the presence of complex ocean backgrounds and speckle noise.Visual inspection confirmed that the method successfully identified the majority of pixels containing U.prolifera without misidentifying noise pixels or seawater pixels as U.prolifera.Additionally,the method demonstrated consistent performance across different im-ages,with an average Area Under Curve(AUC)of 0.930(+0.028).The analysis yielded an overall accuracy of over 96%,with an average Kappa coefficient of 0.941(+0.038).Compared to the traditional thresholding method,Random Forest model has a lower estimation error of 14.81%.Practical application indicates that this method can be used in the detection of unprecedented U.prolifera in 2021 to derive continuous spatiotemporal changes.This study provides a potential new method to detect U.prolifera and enhances our under-standing of macroalgal outbreaks in the marine environment.展开更多
BACKGROUND The impact of type 1 diabetes(T1D)on inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)remains unclear.AIM To analyze the causal relationship between T1D and IBD using Mendelian randomization(MR).METHODS Single nucleotide pol...BACKGROUND The impact of type 1 diabetes(T1D)on inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)remains unclear.AIM To analyze the causal relationship between T1D and IBD using Mendelian randomization(MR).METHODS Single nucleotide polymorphisms were sourced from FinnGen for T1D,IBD,ulcerative colitis(UC)and Crohn’s disease(CD).Inverse variance-weighted,MREgger,and weighted median tests were used to assess exposure-outcome causality.The MR-Egger intercept was used to assess horizontal pleiotropy.Cochran’s Q and leave-one-out method were used to analyze heterogeneity and sensitivity,respectively.RESULTS Our MR analysis indicated that T1D was associated with a reduced risk of IBD[odds ratio(OR):0.959;95%confidence interval(CI):0.938-0.980;P<0.001]and UC(OR:0.960;95%CI:0.929-0.992;P=0.015),with no significant association observed in terms of CD risk(OR:0.966;95%CI:0.913-1.022;P=0.227).The MR-Egger intercept showed no horizontal pleiotropy(P>0.05).Cochran’s Q and leave-one-out sensitivity analyses showed that the results were not heterogeneous(P>0.05)and were robust.CONCLUSION This MR analysis suggests that T1D serves as a potential protective factor against IBD and UC but is independent of CD.展开更多
Recently, Tavakoli et al.proposed a self-testing scheme in the prepare-and-measure scenario, showing that self-testing is not necessarily based on entanglement and violation of a Bell inequality [Phys.Rev.A 98 062307(...Recently, Tavakoli et al.proposed a self-testing scheme in the prepare-and-measure scenario, showing that self-testing is not necessarily based on entanglement and violation of a Bell inequality [Phys.Rev.A 98 062307(2018)].They realized the self-testing of preparations and measurements in an N → 1(N ≥ 2) random access code(RAC), and provided robustness bounds in a 2 → 1 RAC.Since all N → 1 RACs with shared randomness are combinations of 2 → 1 and 3 → 1 RACs, the3 → 1 RAC is just as important as the 2 → 1 RAC.In this paper, we find a set of preparations and measurements in the3 → 1 RAC, and use them to complete the robustness self-testing analysis in the prepare-and-measure scenario.The method is robust to small but inevitable experimental errors.展开更多
Chaos theory has taught us that a system which has both nonlinearity and random input will most likely produce irregular data. If random errors are irregular data, then random error process will raise nonlinearity (K...Chaos theory has taught us that a system which has both nonlinearity and random input will most likely produce irregular data. If random errors are irregular data, then random error process will raise nonlinearity (Kantz and Schreiber (1997)). Tsai (1986) introduced a composite test for autocorrelation and heteroscedasticity in linear models with AR(1) errors. Liu (2003) introduced a composite test for correlation and heteroscedasticity in nonlinear models with DBL(p, 0, 1) errors. Therefore, the important problems in regression model axe detections of bilinearity, correlation and heteroscedasticity. In this article, the authors discuss more general case of nonlinear models with DBL(p, q, 1) random errors by score test. Several statistics for the test of bilinearity, correlation, and heteroscedasticity are obtained, and expressed in simple matrix formulas. The results of regression models with linear errors are extended to those with bilinear errors. The simulation study is carried out to investigate the powers of the test statistics. All results of this article extend and develop results of Tsai (1986), Wei, et al (1995), and Liu, et al (2003).展开更多
The properties of generalized flip Markov chains on connected regular digraphs are discussed.The 1-Flipper operation on Markov chains for undirected graphs is generalized to that for multi-digraphs.The generalized 1-F...The properties of generalized flip Markov chains on connected regular digraphs are discussed.The 1-Flipper operation on Markov chains for undirected graphs is generalized to that for multi-digraphs.The generalized 1-Flipper operation preserves the regularity and weak connectivity of multi-digraphs.The generalized 1-Flipper operation is proved to be symmetric.Moreover,it is presented that a series of random generalized 1-Flipper operations eventually lead to a uniform probability distribution over all connected d-regular multi-digraphs without loops.展开更多
Background: The ACTS-GC study had shown postoperative adiuvant therapy with S-1 improved survival of patients with locally advanced gastric cancer. Addition of oxaliplatin to S-1 is considered to be acceptable as one...Background: The ACTS-GC study had shown postoperative adiuvant therapy with S-1 improved survival of patients with locally advanced gastric cancer. Addition of oxaliplatin to S-1 is considered to be acceptable as one of the treatment options for gastric cancer patients after radical gastrectomy with D2 lymph node excision. Methods: We have commenced a randomized phase III trial in December 2016 to evaluate S-I plus oxaliplatin compared with S-1 alone in the adjuvant setting for locally advanced gastric cancer. A total of 564 patients will be accrued from 13 Chinese institutions in two years. The primary endpoint is 3-year relapse-free survival. The secondary endpoints are 5-year overall survival, proportion of patients who complete the postoperative chemotherapy and incidence of adverse events. Ethic and dissemination: The trial has been approved by the institutional review board of each participating institution and it was activated on December, 2016. The enrollment will be finished in December, 2018. Patient's follow-up will be ended until December, 2023. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02867839. Registered on August 4, 2016.展开更多
The spin-1 Blume–Capel model with transverse and longitudinal external magnetic fields h, in addition to a longitudinal random crystal field D, is studied in the mean-field approximation. It is assumed that the cryst...The spin-1 Blume–Capel model with transverse and longitudinal external magnetic fields h, in addition to a longitudinal random crystal field D, is studied in the mean-field approximation. It is assumed that the crystal field is either turned on with probability p or turned off with probability 1 p on the sites of a square lattice. Phase diagrams are then calculated on the reduced temperature crystal field planes for given values of γ=Ω/J and p at zero h. Thus, the effect of changing γ and p are illustrated on the phase diagrams in great detail and interesting results are observed.展开更多
Objective: The objective of this randomized controlled trial study was to evaluate the education training in relation to lifestyle improvement in patients with type 2 diabetes through its influence in the levels of gl...Objective: The objective of this randomized controlled trial study was to evaluate the education training in relation to lifestyle improvement in patients with type 2 diabetes through its influence in the levels of glycated hemoglobin(HbA1 c), blood pressure, triglyceride, cholesterol levels, and body mass index(BMI).Methods: The study included patients with type 2 diabetes randomly selected from 20 residential areas in Tirana, Albania where family physicians provide services. The sample size in total was 200 patients in both groups(control and intervention). The education training(four sessions) was conducted by trained nursing staff for 6 months. Patients were screened for the biochemical profile before and after the intervention. To compare the groups with respect to the interest outcomes, the t-test was used. The value of P < 0.05 was considered significant.Results: There were 104 male patients and 96 female patients. The mean age was 54.9 ± 8.7. No significant differences were found between the study groups in relation to clinical and biochemical data before the education sessions. After the intervention, in the intervention group, the mean level of HbA1 c was significantly lower than the value in the control group(6.2% vs 6.8%, P = 0.001) as well as for the mean values of BMI. The mean reduction(more than 15%) in HbA1 c after the intervention was 43% in the intervention group and 2% in the control group(OR = 36.9, P < 0.05). Differences in BMI, HbA1 c, triglycerides, and cholesterol were more significantly visible in the intervention group. However, the difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure values was almost the same(P > 0.05).Conclusions: The results of this study further support that the approach for education of patients with type 2 diabetes on changing lifestyle benefit the patient in controlling diabetes. It is believed that the establishment of diabetes education classes in health centers is an important investment in improving the management of type 2 diabetes.展开更多
Cu/HfOx/n^+Si devices are fabricated to investigate the influence of technological parameters including film thickness and Ar/02 ratio on the resistive switching (RS) characteristics of HfOx films, in terms of swit...Cu/HfOx/n^+Si devices are fabricated to investigate the influence of technological parameters including film thickness and Ar/02 ratio on the resistive switching (RS) characteristics of HfOx films, in terms of switch ratio, endurance properties, retention time and multilevel storage. It is revealed that the RS characteristics show strong dependence on technological parameters mainly by altering the defects (oxygen vacancies) in the film. The sample with thickness of 2Onto and Ar/O2 ratio of 12:3 exhibits the best RS behavior with the potential of multilevel storage. The conduction mechanism of all the films is interpreted based on the filamentary model.展开更多
Periodically updating coronavirus disease 19(COVID-19)vaccines that offer broad-spectrum protection is needed giventhe strong immune evasion by the circulating omicron sublineages.The effectiveness of prototype and BA...Periodically updating coronavirus disease 19(COVID-19)vaccines that offer broad-spectrum protection is needed giventhe strong immune evasion by the circulating omicron sublineages.The effectiveness of prototype and BA.4/5-containing bivalent mRNA vaccines is reduced when XBB subvariants predominate.We initiated an observer-blinded,threearms study in 376 patients in Chinese individuals aged from 18 to 55 years old who had previously received three dosesCOVID-19 vaccine.Immunogenicity in terms of neutralizing antibodies elicited by a 30-mg dose of XBB.1.5-containingbivalent vaccine(RQ3027),a 30-mg dose of BA.2/BA.5-Alpha/Beta bivalent vaccine(RQ3025)and their precedent 30-mg Alpha/Beta(combined mutations)monovalent mRNA vaccine(RQ3013)and safety are primary and secondary endpoints,respectively.We recorded prescribed COVID-19 cases to explore the preliminary efficacy of three vaccines.RQ3027 and RQ3025 boosters elicited superior neutralizing antibodies(NAbs)against XBB.1.5,XBB.1.16,XBB.1.9.1,and JN.1 compared to RQ3013 at day 14 in participants without SARS-CoV-2 infection.All study vaccines were welltolerated without serious adverse reactions identified.The incidence rates per 1000 person-years of COVID-19 casesduring the 2nd-19th week after randomization were lowest in RQ3027.Overall,our data show that XBB.1.5-containingbivalent booster generated superior immunogenicity and better protection against newer severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)variants compared to BA.2/BA.5-containing bivalent and Alpha/Beta monovalentwith no new safety concerns.展开更多
Objectives: Analyzing the trend in the serum inflammatory cytokines levels in a historical cohort of patients treated with combination of chloroquine and methimazole. Material and methods: We analyzed the pro-inflamma...Objectives: Analyzing the trend in the serum inflammatory cytokines levels in a historical cohort of patients treated with combination of chloroquine and methimazole. Material and methods: We analyzed the pro-inflammatory serum cytokines level [Interleukin-6(IL-6), Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1 α) and Interferon gamma (INF-γ)] in the stored blood samples of 22 patients with Graves’ disease who previously randomized to receive either chloroquine and methimazole combination therapy or methimazole monotherapy. Total T3, T4 and TSH levels were measured by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method (DRG, New York, USA) and the result was published previously. In this study we used an ELISA method (Bender Medsystem Vienna Austria) to measure serum pro-inflammatory cytokines in the first 6 months of trial. Results: No significant differences in serum cytokines concentration were observed between the two treatment groups (p > 0.05). Although it was not statistically significant, serum INF-gamma concentration tended to be lower in the chloroquine group after four months of therapy (p = 0.12). Conclusion: In this study we found changes in the serum thyroid hormones level did not accompany concomitant changes in the serum cytokines levels in two treatment groups. Therefore it is possible that chloroquine reduce serum thyroid hormones levels independent of its immunomodulatory effect.展开更多
In this paper, the L_1-norm estimators and the random weighted statistic fora semiparametric regression model are constructed, the strong convergence rates of estimators areobtain under certain conditions, the strong ...In this paper, the L_1-norm estimators and the random weighted statistic fora semiparametric regression model are constructed, the strong convergence rates of estimators areobtain under certain conditions, the strong efficiency of the random weighting method is shown. Asimulation study is conducted to compare the L_1-norm estimator with the least square estimator interm of approximate accuracy, and simulation results are given for comparison between the randomweighting method and normal approximation method.展开更多
Invasive breast carcinoma(BRCA)is associated with poor prognosis and high risk of mortality.Therefore,it is critical to identify novel biomarkers for the prognostic assessment of BRCA.Methods:The expression data of po...Invasive breast carcinoma(BRCA)is associated with poor prognosis and high risk of mortality.Therefore,it is critical to identify novel biomarkers for the prognostic assessment of BRCA.Methods:The expression data of polo-like kinase 1(PLK1)in BRCA and the corresponding clinical information were extracted from TCGA and GEO databases.PLK1 expression was validated in diverse breast cancer cell lines by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)and western blotting.Single sample gene set enrichment analysis(ssGSEA)was performed to evaluate immune infiltration in the BRCA microenvironment,and the random forest(RF)and support vector machine(SVM)algorithms were used to screen for the hub infiltrating cells and calculate the immunophenoscore(IPS).The RF algorithm and COX regression model were applied to calculate survival risk scores based on the PLK1 expression and immune cell infiltration.Finally,a prognostic nomogram was constructed with the risk score and pathological stage,and its clinical potential was evaluated by plotting calibration charts and DCA curves.The application of the nomogram was further validated in an immunotherapy cohort.Results:PLK1 expression was significantly higher in the tumor samples in TCGA-BRCA cohort.Furthermore,PLK1 expression level,age and stage were identified as independent prognostic factors of BRCA.While the IPS was unaffected by PLK1 expression,the TMB and MATH scores were higher in the PLK1-high group,and the TIDE scores were higher for the PLK1-low patients.We also identified 6 immune cell types with high infiltration,along with 11 immune cell types with low infiltration in the PLK1-high tumors.A risk score was devised using PLK1 expression and hub immune cells,which predicted the prognosis of BRCA patients.In addition,a nomogram was constructed based on the risk score and pathological staging,and showed good predictive performance.Conclusions:PLK1 expression and immune cell infiltration can predict post-immunotherapy prognosis of BRCA patients.展开更多
We estimate tree heights using polarimetric interferometric synthetic aperture radar(PolInSAR)data constructed by the dual-polarization(dual-pol)SAR data and random volume over the ground(RVoG)model.Considering the Se...We estimate tree heights using polarimetric interferometric synthetic aperture radar(PolInSAR)data constructed by the dual-polarization(dual-pol)SAR data and random volume over the ground(RVoG)model.Considering the Sentinel-1 SAR dual-pol(SVV,vertically transmitted and vertically received and SVH,vertically transmitted and horizontally received)configuration,one notes that S_(HH),the horizontally transmitted and horizontally received scattering element,is unavailable.The S_(HH)data were constructed using the SVH data,and polarimetric SAR(PolSAR)data were obtained.The proposed approach was first verified in simulation with satisfactory results.It was next applied to construct PolInSAR data by a pair of dual-pol Sentinel-1A data at Duke Forest,North Carolina,USA.According to local observations and forest descriptions,the range of estimated tree heights was overall reasonable.Comparing the heights with the ICESat-2 tree heights at 23 sampling locations,relative errors of 5 points were within±30%.Errors of 8 points ranged from 30%to 40%,but errors of the remaining 10 points were>40%.The results should be encouraged as error reduction is possible.For instance,the construction of PolSAR data should not be limited to using SVH,and a combination of SVH and SVV should be explored.Also,an ensemble of tree heights derived from multiple PolInSAR data can be considered since tree heights do not vary much with time frame in months or one season.展开更多
Background:Dengue is a global disease,transmitted by the Aedes vectors.In 2018,there were 80615 dengue cases with 147 deaths in Malaysia.Currently,the nationwide surveillance programs are dependent on Aedes larval sur...Background:Dengue is a global disease,transmitted by the Aedes vectors.In 2018,there were 80615 dengue cases with 147 deaths in Malaysia.Currently,the nationwide surveillance programs are dependent on Aedes larval surveys and notifications of lab-confirmed human infections.The existing,reactive programs appear to lack sensitivity and proactivity.More efficient dengue vector surveillance/control methods are needed.Methods:A parallel,cluster,randomized controlled,interventional trial is being conducted for 18 months in Damansara Damai,Selangor,Malaysia,to determine the efficacy of using gravid oviposition sticky(GOS)trap and dengue non-structural 1(NS1)antigen test for early surveillance of dengue among Aedes mosquitoes to reduce dengue outbreaks.Eight residential apartments were randomly assigned into intervention and control arms.GOS traps are set at the apartments to collect Aedes weekly,following which dengue NS1 antigen is deteaed in these mosquitoes.When a dengue-positive mosquito is detected,the community will be advised to execute vector search-and-destroy and protective measures.The primary outcome concerns the the percentage change in the(i)number of dengue cases and(ii)durations of dengue outbreaks.Whereas other outcome measures include the change in density threshold of Aedes and changes in dengue-related knowledge,attitude and practice among cluster inhabitants.Discussion:This is a proactive and early dengue surveillance in the mosquito vector that does not rely on notification of dengue cases.Surveillance using the GOS traps should be able to efficiently provide sufficient coverage for multistorey dwellings where population per unit area is likely to be higher.Furthermore,trapping dengue-infected mosquitoes using the GOS trap,helps to halt the dengue transmission carried by the mosquito.It is envisaged that the results of this randomized controlled trial will provide a new proactive,cheap and targeted surveillance tool for the prevention and control of dengue outbreaks.Trial registration:This is a parallel-cluster,randomized controlled,interventional trial,registered at ClinicalTrials.gov(ID:NCT03799237),on 8th January 2019(retrospectively registered).展开更多
Accurate ultra-short-term prediction of the Earth rotation parameters(ERP)holds paramount impor-tance for real-time applications,particularly in reference frame conversion.Among them,diurnal rota-tion(UT1-UTC)which ca...Accurate ultra-short-term prediction of the Earth rotation parameters(ERP)holds paramount impor-tance for real-time applications,particularly in reference frame conversion.Among them,diurnal rota-tion(UT1-UTC)which cannot be directly estimated through Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS)techniques,significantly affects the rapid and ultra-rapid orbit determination of GNsS satellites.Pres-ently,the traditional LS(least squares)+AR(autoregressive)and LS+MAR(multivariate autoregressive)hybrid methods stand as primary approaches for UT1-UTC ultra-short-term predictions(1-10 days).The LS+MAR hybrid method relies on the UT1-UTC and LOD(length of day)series.However,the correlation between LOD and first-order-difference UT1-UTC is stronger than that between LOD and UT1-UTC.In light of this,and with the aid of the first-order-difference UT1-UTC,we propose an enhanced LS+MAR hybrid method to UT1-UTC ultra-short-term prediction.By using the UT1-UTC and LOD data series of the IERS(International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service)EOP 14 C04 product,we conducted a thorough analysis and evaluation of the improved method's prediction performance compared to the traditional LS+AR and LS+MAR hybrid methods.According to the numerical results over more than 210 days,they demonstrate that,when considering the correlation information between the LoD and the first-order-difference UT1-UTC,the mean absolute errors(MAEs)of the improved LS+MAR hybrid method range from 21 to 934μs in 1-10 days predictions.In comparison to the traditional LS+AR hybrid method,the MAEs show a reduction of 7-53μs in 1-10 days predictions,with corresponding improvement percentages ranging from 1 to 28%.Similarly,when compared to the traditional LS+MAR hybrid method,the MAEs have a reduction of 5-42μs in 1-10 days predictions,with corresponding improvement percentages ranging from 4-20%.Additionally,when aided by GNSS-derived LOD data series,the MAEs of improved LS+MAR hybrid method experience further reduction.展开更多
Angiotensin II (Ang II) is the main mediator of the Renin-Angiotensin-System acting on AT<sub>1</sub> and other AT receptors. It is regarded as a pleiotropic agent that induces many actions, including func...Angiotensin II (Ang II) is the main mediator of the Renin-Angiotensin-System acting on AT<sub>1</sub> and other AT receptors. It is regarded as a pleiotropic agent that induces many actions, including functioning as a growth factor, and as a contractile hormone, among others. The aim of this work was to examine the impact of Ang II on the expression and function of α<sub>1</sub>-adrenergic receptors (α<sub>1</sub>-ARs) in cultured rat aorta, and aorta-derived smooth muscle cells. Isolated Wistar rat aorta was incubated for 24 h in DMEM at 37˚C, then subjected to isometric tension and to the action of added norepinephrine, in concentration-response curves. Ang II was added (1 × 10<sup>−5</sup> M), and in some experiments, 5-Methylurapidil (α<sub>1A</sub>-AR antagonist), AH11110A (α<sub>1B</sub>-AR antagonist), or BMY-7378 (α<sub>1D</sub>-AR antagonist), were used to identify the α<sub>1</sub>-AR involved in the response. Desensitization of the contractile response to norepinephrine was observed due to incubation time, and by the Ang II action. α<sub>1D</sub>-AR was protected from desensitization by BMY-7378;while RS-100329 and prazosin partially mitigated desensitization. In another set of experiments, isolated aorta-derived smooth muscle cells were exposed to Ang II and α<sub>1</sub>-ARs proteins were evaluated. α<sub>1D</sub>-AR increased at 30 and 60 min post Ang II exposure, the α<sub>1A</sub>-AR diminished from 1 to 4 h, while α<sub>1B</sub>-AR remained unchanged over 24 h of Ang II exposure. Ang II induced an increase of α<sub>1D</sub>-AR at short times, and BMY-7378 protected α<sub>1D</sub>-AR from desensitization.展开更多
基金Under the auspices of National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42071385)National Science and Technology Major Project of High Resolution Earth Observation System(No.79-Y50-G18-9001-22/23)。
文摘Automatically detecting Ulva prolifera(U.prolifera)in rainy and cloudy weather using remote sensing imagery has been a long-standing problem.Here,we address this challenge by combining high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar(SAR)imagery with the machine learning,and detect the U.prolifera of the South Yellow Sea of China(SYS)in 2021.The findings indicate that the Random Forest model can accurately and robustly detect U.prolifera,even in the presence of complex ocean backgrounds and speckle noise.Visual inspection confirmed that the method successfully identified the majority of pixels containing U.prolifera without misidentifying noise pixels or seawater pixels as U.prolifera.Additionally,the method demonstrated consistent performance across different im-ages,with an average Area Under Curve(AUC)of 0.930(+0.028).The analysis yielded an overall accuracy of over 96%,with an average Kappa coefficient of 0.941(+0.038).Compared to the traditional thresholding method,Random Forest model has a lower estimation error of 14.81%.Practical application indicates that this method can be used in the detection of unprecedented U.prolifera in 2021 to derive continuous spatiotemporal changes.This study provides a potential new method to detect U.prolifera and enhances our under-standing of macroalgal outbreaks in the marine environment.
基金Supported by the Discipline Construction Project of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine,No.22JBZ002.
文摘BACKGROUND The impact of type 1 diabetes(T1D)on inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)remains unclear.AIM To analyze the causal relationship between T1D and IBD using Mendelian randomization(MR).METHODS Single nucleotide polymorphisms were sourced from FinnGen for T1D,IBD,ulcerative colitis(UC)and Crohn’s disease(CD).Inverse variance-weighted,MREgger,and weighted median tests were used to assess exposure-outcome causality.The MR-Egger intercept was used to assess horizontal pleiotropy.Cochran’s Q and leave-one-out method were used to analyze heterogeneity and sensitivity,respectively.RESULTS Our MR analysis indicated that T1D was associated with a reduced risk of IBD[odds ratio(OR):0.959;95%confidence interval(CI):0.938-0.980;P<0.001]and UC(OR:0.960;95%CI:0.929-0.992;P=0.015),with no significant association observed in terms of CD risk(OR:0.966;95%CI:0.913-1.022;P=0.227).The MR-Egger intercept showed no horizontal pleiotropy(P>0.05).Cochran’s Q and leave-one-out sensitivity analyses showed that the results were not heterogeneous(P>0.05)and were robust.CONCLUSION This MR analysis suggests that T1D serves as a potential protective factor against IBD and UC but is independent of CD.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.61572081,61672110,and 61671082)
文摘Recently, Tavakoli et al.proposed a self-testing scheme in the prepare-and-measure scenario, showing that self-testing is not necessarily based on entanglement and violation of a Bell inequality [Phys.Rev.A 98 062307(2018)].They realized the self-testing of preparations and measurements in an N → 1(N ≥ 2) random access code(RAC), and provided robustness bounds in a 2 → 1 RAC.Since all N → 1 RACs with shared randomness are combinations of 2 → 1 and 3 → 1 RACs, the3 → 1 RAC is just as important as the 2 → 1 RAC.In this paper, we find a set of preparations and measurements in the3 → 1 RAC, and use them to complete the robustness self-testing analysis in the prepare-and-measure scenario.The method is robust to small but inevitable experimental errors.
文摘Chaos theory has taught us that a system which has both nonlinearity and random input will most likely produce irregular data. If random errors are irregular data, then random error process will raise nonlinearity (Kantz and Schreiber (1997)). Tsai (1986) introduced a composite test for autocorrelation and heteroscedasticity in linear models with AR(1) errors. Liu (2003) introduced a composite test for correlation and heteroscedasticity in nonlinear models with DBL(p, 0, 1) errors. Therefore, the important problems in regression model axe detections of bilinearity, correlation and heteroscedasticity. In this article, the authors discuss more general case of nonlinear models with DBL(p, q, 1) random errors by score test. Several statistics for the test of bilinearity, correlation, and heteroscedasticity are obtained, and expressed in simple matrix formulas. The results of regression models with linear errors are extended to those with bilinear errors. The simulation study is carried out to investigate the powers of the test statistics. All results of this article extend and develop results of Tsai (1986), Wei, et al (1995), and Liu, et al (2003).
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.11671258)。
文摘The properties of generalized flip Markov chains on connected regular digraphs are discussed.The 1-Flipper operation on Markov chains for undirected graphs is generalized to that for multi-digraphs.The generalized 1-Flipper operation preserves the regularity and weak connectivity of multi-digraphs.The generalized 1-Flipper operation is proved to be symmetric.Moreover,it is presented that a series of random generalized 1-Flipper operations eventually lead to a uniform probability distribution over all connected d-regular multi-digraphs without loops.
基金supported by the National Science Foundation of China (No. 81374016 and 81402308)Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission (No. D141100000414002)
文摘Background: The ACTS-GC study had shown postoperative adiuvant therapy with S-1 improved survival of patients with locally advanced gastric cancer. Addition of oxaliplatin to S-1 is considered to be acceptable as one of the treatment options for gastric cancer patients after radical gastrectomy with D2 lymph node excision. Methods: We have commenced a randomized phase III trial in December 2016 to evaluate S-I plus oxaliplatin compared with S-1 alone in the adjuvant setting for locally advanced gastric cancer. A total of 564 patients will be accrued from 13 Chinese institutions in two years. The primary endpoint is 3-year relapse-free survival. The secondary endpoints are 5-year overall survival, proportion of patients who complete the postoperative chemotherapy and incidence of adverse events. Ethic and dissemination: The trial has been approved by the institutional review board of each participating institution and it was activated on December, 2016. The enrollment will be finished in December, 2018. Patient's follow-up will be ended until December, 2023. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02867839. Registered on August 4, 2016.
文摘The spin-1 Blume–Capel model with transverse and longitudinal external magnetic fields h, in addition to a longitudinal random crystal field D, is studied in the mean-field approximation. It is assumed that the crystal field is either turned on with probability p or turned off with probability 1 p on the sites of a square lattice. Phase diagrams are then calculated on the reduced temperature crystal field planes for given values of γ=Ω/J and p at zero h. Thus, the effect of changing γ and p are illustrated on the phase diagrams in great detail and interesting results are observed.
文摘Objective: The objective of this randomized controlled trial study was to evaluate the education training in relation to lifestyle improvement in patients with type 2 diabetes through its influence in the levels of glycated hemoglobin(HbA1 c), blood pressure, triglyceride, cholesterol levels, and body mass index(BMI).Methods: The study included patients with type 2 diabetes randomly selected from 20 residential areas in Tirana, Albania where family physicians provide services. The sample size in total was 200 patients in both groups(control and intervention). The education training(four sessions) was conducted by trained nursing staff for 6 months. Patients were screened for the biochemical profile before and after the intervention. To compare the groups with respect to the interest outcomes, the t-test was used. The value of P < 0.05 was considered significant.Results: There were 104 male patients and 96 female patients. The mean age was 54.9 ± 8.7. No significant differences were found between the study groups in relation to clinical and biochemical data before the education sessions. After the intervention, in the intervention group, the mean level of HbA1 c was significantly lower than the value in the control group(6.2% vs 6.8%, P = 0.001) as well as for the mean values of BMI. The mean reduction(more than 15%) in HbA1 c after the intervention was 43% in the intervention group and 2% in the control group(OR = 36.9, P < 0.05). Differences in BMI, HbA1 c, triglycerides, and cholesterol were more significantly visible in the intervention group. However, the difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure values was almost the same(P > 0.05).Conclusions: The results of this study further support that the approach for education of patients with type 2 diabetes on changing lifestyle benefit the patient in controlling diabetes. It is believed that the establishment of diabetes education classes in health centers is an important investment in improving the management of type 2 diabetes.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No 51202196the National Aerospace Science Foundation of China under Grant No 2013ZF53067+2 种基金the Natural Science Basic Research Plan in Shaanxi Province of China under Grant No 2014JQ6204the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities under Grant No 3102014JCQ01032the 111 Project under Grant No B08040
文摘Cu/HfOx/n^+Si devices are fabricated to investigate the influence of technological parameters including film thickness and Ar/02 ratio on the resistive switching (RS) characteristics of HfOx films, in terms of switch ratio, endurance properties, retention time and multilevel storage. It is revealed that the RS characteristics show strong dependence on technological parameters mainly by altering the defects (oxygen vacancies) in the film. The sample with thickness of 2Onto and Ar/O2 ratio of 12:3 exhibits the best RS behavior with the potential of multilevel storage. The conduction mechanism of all the films is interpreted based on the filamentary model.
基金supported by a grant(2023YFC2307600,to Z.J.Z.)from the Na-tional Key Research and Development Program of Chinaa grant(202102AA100051,to Z.J.Z.)from the Yunnan Provincial Sci-ence and Technology Department,China+2 种基金a grant(H-2018102,to J.W.)from the High-level Health Technical Personnel Project of Yunnan Province,Chinaa grant(2022SCP001,to Z.J.Z.)from the Spring City Plan:The High-level Talent Promotion and Training Project of Kunmingand a grant(32371000,to C.M.L.)from the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
文摘Periodically updating coronavirus disease 19(COVID-19)vaccines that offer broad-spectrum protection is needed giventhe strong immune evasion by the circulating omicron sublineages.The effectiveness of prototype and BA.4/5-containing bivalent mRNA vaccines is reduced when XBB subvariants predominate.We initiated an observer-blinded,threearms study in 376 patients in Chinese individuals aged from 18 to 55 years old who had previously received three dosesCOVID-19 vaccine.Immunogenicity in terms of neutralizing antibodies elicited by a 30-mg dose of XBB.1.5-containingbivalent vaccine(RQ3027),a 30-mg dose of BA.2/BA.5-Alpha/Beta bivalent vaccine(RQ3025)and their precedent 30-mg Alpha/Beta(combined mutations)monovalent mRNA vaccine(RQ3013)and safety are primary and secondary endpoints,respectively.We recorded prescribed COVID-19 cases to explore the preliminary efficacy of three vaccines.RQ3027 and RQ3025 boosters elicited superior neutralizing antibodies(NAbs)against XBB.1.5,XBB.1.16,XBB.1.9.1,and JN.1 compared to RQ3013 at day 14 in participants without SARS-CoV-2 infection.All study vaccines were welltolerated without serious adverse reactions identified.The incidence rates per 1000 person-years of COVID-19 casesduring the 2nd-19th week after randomization were lowest in RQ3027.Overall,our data show that XBB.1.5-containingbivalent booster generated superior immunogenicity and better protection against newer severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)variants compared to BA.2/BA.5-containing bivalent and Alpha/Beta monovalentwith no new safety concerns.
文摘Objectives: Analyzing the trend in the serum inflammatory cytokines levels in a historical cohort of patients treated with combination of chloroquine and methimazole. Material and methods: We analyzed the pro-inflammatory serum cytokines level [Interleukin-6(IL-6), Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1 α) and Interferon gamma (INF-γ)] in the stored blood samples of 22 patients with Graves’ disease who previously randomized to receive either chloroquine and methimazole combination therapy or methimazole monotherapy. Total T3, T4 and TSH levels were measured by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method (DRG, New York, USA) and the result was published previously. In this study we used an ELISA method (Bender Medsystem Vienna Austria) to measure serum pro-inflammatory cytokines in the first 6 months of trial. Results: No significant differences in serum cytokines concentration were observed between the two treatment groups (p > 0.05). Although it was not statistically significant, serum INF-gamma concentration tended to be lower in the chloroquine group after four months of therapy (p = 0.12). Conclusion: In this study we found changes in the serum thyroid hormones level did not accompany concomitant changes in the serum cytokines levels in two treatment groups. Therefore it is possible that chloroquine reduce serum thyroid hormones levels independent of its immunomodulatory effect.
基金Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Beijing City of China (1042002)the Science and Technology Development Foundation of Education Committee of Beijing Citythe Special Expenditure of Excellent Person Education of Beijing(20041D0501515)
文摘In this paper, the L_1-norm estimators and the random weighted statistic fora semiparametric regression model are constructed, the strong convergence rates of estimators areobtain under certain conditions, the strong efficiency of the random weighting method is shown. Asimulation study is conducted to compare the L_1-norm estimator with the least square estimator interm of approximate accuracy, and simulation results are given for comparison between the randomweighting method and normal approximation method.
基金funded by the Natural Science Foundation of Higher Education Institutions of Auhui Province(Grant No.KJ2021A0352)the Research Fund Project of Anhui Medical University(Grant No.2020xkj236)Applied Medicine Research Project of Hefei Health Commission(Grant No.HWKJ2019-172-14).
文摘Invasive breast carcinoma(BRCA)is associated with poor prognosis and high risk of mortality.Therefore,it is critical to identify novel biomarkers for the prognostic assessment of BRCA.Methods:The expression data of polo-like kinase 1(PLK1)in BRCA and the corresponding clinical information were extracted from TCGA and GEO databases.PLK1 expression was validated in diverse breast cancer cell lines by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)and western blotting.Single sample gene set enrichment analysis(ssGSEA)was performed to evaluate immune infiltration in the BRCA microenvironment,and the random forest(RF)and support vector machine(SVM)algorithms were used to screen for the hub infiltrating cells and calculate the immunophenoscore(IPS).The RF algorithm and COX regression model were applied to calculate survival risk scores based on the PLK1 expression and immune cell infiltration.Finally,a prognostic nomogram was constructed with the risk score and pathological stage,and its clinical potential was evaluated by plotting calibration charts and DCA curves.The application of the nomogram was further validated in an immunotherapy cohort.Results:PLK1 expression was significantly higher in the tumor samples in TCGA-BRCA cohort.Furthermore,PLK1 expression level,age and stage were identified as independent prognostic factors of BRCA.While the IPS was unaffected by PLK1 expression,the TMB and MATH scores were higher in the PLK1-high group,and the TIDE scores were higher for the PLK1-low patients.We also identified 6 immune cell types with high infiltration,along with 11 immune cell types with low infiltration in the PLK1-high tumors.A risk score was devised using PLK1 expression and hub immune cells,which predicted the prognosis of BRCA patients.In addition,a nomogram was constructed based on the risk score and pathological staging,and showed good predictive performance.Conclusions:PLK1 expression and immune cell infiltration can predict post-immunotherapy prognosis of BRCA patients.
文摘We estimate tree heights using polarimetric interferometric synthetic aperture radar(PolInSAR)data constructed by the dual-polarization(dual-pol)SAR data and random volume over the ground(RVoG)model.Considering the Sentinel-1 SAR dual-pol(SVV,vertically transmitted and vertically received and SVH,vertically transmitted and horizontally received)configuration,one notes that S_(HH),the horizontally transmitted and horizontally received scattering element,is unavailable.The S_(HH)data were constructed using the SVH data,and polarimetric SAR(PolSAR)data were obtained.The proposed approach was first verified in simulation with satisfactory results.It was next applied to construct PolInSAR data by a pair of dual-pol Sentinel-1A data at Duke Forest,North Carolina,USA.According to local observations and forest descriptions,the range of estimated tree heights was overall reasonable.Comparing the heights with the ICESat-2 tree heights at 23 sampling locations,relative errors of 5 points were within±30%.Errors of 8 points ranged from 30%to 40%,but errors of the remaining 10 points were>40%.The results should be encouraged as error reduction is possible.For instance,the construction of PolSAR data should not be limited to using SVH,and a combination of SVH and SVV should be explored.Also,an ensemble of tree heights derived from multiple PolInSAR data can be considered since tree heights do not vary much with time frame in months or one season.
基金This work is supported by the Ministry of Higher Educaion Malaysia(FRGS-MRSA M0013-2017).
文摘Background:Dengue is a global disease,transmitted by the Aedes vectors.In 2018,there were 80615 dengue cases with 147 deaths in Malaysia.Currently,the nationwide surveillance programs are dependent on Aedes larval surveys and notifications of lab-confirmed human infections.The existing,reactive programs appear to lack sensitivity and proactivity.More efficient dengue vector surveillance/control methods are needed.Methods:A parallel,cluster,randomized controlled,interventional trial is being conducted for 18 months in Damansara Damai,Selangor,Malaysia,to determine the efficacy of using gravid oviposition sticky(GOS)trap and dengue non-structural 1(NS1)antigen test for early surveillance of dengue among Aedes mosquitoes to reduce dengue outbreaks.Eight residential apartments were randomly assigned into intervention and control arms.GOS traps are set at the apartments to collect Aedes weekly,following which dengue NS1 antigen is deteaed in these mosquitoes.When a dengue-positive mosquito is detected,the community will be advised to execute vector search-and-destroy and protective measures.The primary outcome concerns the the percentage change in the(i)number of dengue cases and(ii)durations of dengue outbreaks.Whereas other outcome measures include the change in density threshold of Aedes and changes in dengue-related knowledge,attitude and practice among cluster inhabitants.Discussion:This is a proactive and early dengue surveillance in the mosquito vector that does not rely on notification of dengue cases.Surveillance using the GOS traps should be able to efficiently provide sufficient coverage for multistorey dwellings where population per unit area is likely to be higher.Furthermore,trapping dengue-infected mosquitoes using the GOS trap,helps to halt the dengue transmission carried by the mosquito.It is envisaged that the results of this randomized controlled trial will provide a new proactive,cheap and targeted surveillance tool for the prevention and control of dengue outbreaks.Trial registration:This is a parallel-cluster,randomized controlled,interventional trial,registered at ClinicalTrials.gov(ID:NCT03799237),on 8th January 2019(retrospectively registered).
基金supported by China Natural Science Fund,China(No.42004016)the science and technology innovation Program of Hunan Province,China(No.2023RC3217)+1 种基金Research Foundation of the Department of Natural Resources of Hunan Province(Grant No:20240105CH)HuBei Natural Science Fund,China(No.2020CFB329).
文摘Accurate ultra-short-term prediction of the Earth rotation parameters(ERP)holds paramount impor-tance for real-time applications,particularly in reference frame conversion.Among them,diurnal rota-tion(UT1-UTC)which cannot be directly estimated through Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS)techniques,significantly affects the rapid and ultra-rapid orbit determination of GNsS satellites.Pres-ently,the traditional LS(least squares)+AR(autoregressive)and LS+MAR(multivariate autoregressive)hybrid methods stand as primary approaches for UT1-UTC ultra-short-term predictions(1-10 days).The LS+MAR hybrid method relies on the UT1-UTC and LOD(length of day)series.However,the correlation between LOD and first-order-difference UT1-UTC is stronger than that between LOD and UT1-UTC.In light of this,and with the aid of the first-order-difference UT1-UTC,we propose an enhanced LS+MAR hybrid method to UT1-UTC ultra-short-term prediction.By using the UT1-UTC and LOD data series of the IERS(International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service)EOP 14 C04 product,we conducted a thorough analysis and evaluation of the improved method's prediction performance compared to the traditional LS+AR and LS+MAR hybrid methods.According to the numerical results over more than 210 days,they demonstrate that,when considering the correlation information between the LoD and the first-order-difference UT1-UTC,the mean absolute errors(MAEs)of the improved LS+MAR hybrid method range from 21 to 934μs in 1-10 days predictions.In comparison to the traditional LS+AR hybrid method,the MAEs show a reduction of 7-53μs in 1-10 days predictions,with corresponding improvement percentages ranging from 1 to 28%.Similarly,when compared to the traditional LS+MAR hybrid method,the MAEs have a reduction of 5-42μs in 1-10 days predictions,with corresponding improvement percentages ranging from 4-20%.Additionally,when aided by GNSS-derived LOD data series,the MAEs of improved LS+MAR hybrid method experience further reduction.
文摘Angiotensin II (Ang II) is the main mediator of the Renin-Angiotensin-System acting on AT<sub>1</sub> and other AT receptors. It is regarded as a pleiotropic agent that induces many actions, including functioning as a growth factor, and as a contractile hormone, among others. The aim of this work was to examine the impact of Ang II on the expression and function of α<sub>1</sub>-adrenergic receptors (α<sub>1</sub>-ARs) in cultured rat aorta, and aorta-derived smooth muscle cells. Isolated Wistar rat aorta was incubated for 24 h in DMEM at 37˚C, then subjected to isometric tension and to the action of added norepinephrine, in concentration-response curves. Ang II was added (1 × 10<sup>−5</sup> M), and in some experiments, 5-Methylurapidil (α<sub>1A</sub>-AR antagonist), AH11110A (α<sub>1B</sub>-AR antagonist), or BMY-7378 (α<sub>1D</sub>-AR antagonist), were used to identify the α<sub>1</sub>-AR involved in the response. Desensitization of the contractile response to norepinephrine was observed due to incubation time, and by the Ang II action. α<sub>1D</sub>-AR was protected from desensitization by BMY-7378;while RS-100329 and prazosin partially mitigated desensitization. In another set of experiments, isolated aorta-derived smooth muscle cells were exposed to Ang II and α<sub>1</sub>-ARs proteins were evaluated. α<sub>1D</sub>-AR increased at 30 and 60 min post Ang II exposure, the α<sub>1A</sub>-AR diminished from 1 to 4 h, while α<sub>1B</sub>-AR remained unchanged over 24 h of Ang II exposure. Ang II induced an increase of α<sub>1D</sub>-AR at short times, and BMY-7378 protected α<sub>1D</sub>-AR from desensitization.