High-speed 3-Dimensional Digital Image Correlation System and Its Application to the Measurement of High Speed Projectile

In order to measure the attitude parameters of the projectile, a high-speed 3-dimensional digital image correlation (H3D-DIC) system is designed and constructed. In the H3D-DIC system, two high-speed cameras are used to capture the images of the projectile from two different directions and the 3-dimensional coordinates of the markers painted on projectile are obtained by processing the images using stereovision techniques. Because of the difference on the resolution of the two cameras, the images captured are with different magnification. Therefore, a new correlation program, in which the parameter of pixel size is also included in the correlation schedule, is designed to realize the matching of the images with different magnification. An experiment to measure the attitude of a shot arrow is performed to verify the developed H3D-DIC system. Before experiment, the imaging parameters for the two high-speed cameras are firstly calibrated. Then a specially designed opto-electrical trigger is used to monitor the emergence of the arrow and then to start the two high-speed digital cameras simultaneously when shooting. After that, the digital images are processed using a specially designed 3D-DIC program, and the high-speed 3D coordinates of the markers painted on the arrow is obtained. The attitude parameters of the arrow are then analyzed through the measured high-speed 3D coordinates of the markers

Latest Research Development in Histone Acetylation in the Pathogenesis of Asthma

Asthma is primarily marked by airway hyperresponsiveness, inflammation, and remodeling. Histone acetylation is one of the most common epigenetic modifications that regulates histone acetyltransferase and histone deacetylase, and imbalanced regulation may lead to pathological changes. We reviewed the advances in histone acetylation in the pathogenesis of asthma in recent five years, revealing the direction of systematic and in-depth research, in order to provide evidence for clinical treatment

Graph Learning and Its Applications: A Holistic Survey

Graph learning is a prevalent domain that endeavors to learn the intricate relationships among nodes and the topological structure of graphs. These relationships endow graphs with uniqueness compared to conventional tabular data, as nodes rely on non-Euclidean space and encompass rich information to exploit. Over the years, graph learning has transcended from graph theory to graph data mining. With the advent of representation learning, it has attained remarkable performance in diverse scenarios, including text, image, chemistry, and biology. Owing to its extensive application prospects, graph learning attracts copious attention from the academic community. Despite numerous works proposed to tackle different problems in graph learning, there is a demand to survey previous valuable works. While some researchers have perceived this phenomenon and accomplished impressive surveys on graph learning, they failed to connect related objectives, methods, and applications in a more coherent way. As a result, they did not encompass current ample scenarios and challenging problems due to the rapid expansion of graph learning. Different from previous surveys on graph learning, we provide a holistic review that analyzes current works from the perspective of graph structure, and discusses the latest applications, trends, and challenges in graph learning. Specifically, we commence by proposing a taxonomy from the perspective of the composition of graph data and then summarize the methods employed in graph learning. We then provide a detailed elucidation of mainstream applications. Finally, based on the current trend of techniques, we propose future directions.Comment: 20 pages, 7 figures, 3 table

Minimally invasive surgery vs. open thoracotomy for non-small-cell lung cancer with N2 disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundThis meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of minimally invasive surgery [MIS, including robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)] and open thoracotomy (OT) for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with N2 disease.MethodsWe searched online databases and studies from the creation of the database to August 2022, comparing the MIS group to the OT group for NSCLC with N2 disease. Study endpoints included intraoperative outcomes [e.g., conversion, estimated blood loss (EBL), surgery time (ST), total lymph nodes (TLN), and R0 resection], postoperative outcomes [e.g., length of stay (LOS) and complication], and survival outcomes [e.g., 30-day mortality, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS)]. We estimated outcomes using random effects meta-analysis to account for studies with high heterogeneity (I2 > 50 or p < 0.05). Otherwise, we used a fixed-effect model. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) for binary outcomes and standard mean differences (SMDs) for continuous outcomes. Treatment effects on OS and DFS were described by hazard ratio (HR).ResultsThis systematic review and meta-analysis of 15 studies on MIS vs. OT for NSCLC with N2 disease included 8,374 patients. Compared to OT, patients that underwent MIS had less estimated blood loss (EBL) (SMD = – 64.82, p < 0.01), shorter length of stay (LOS) (SMD = −0.15, p < 0.01), higher R0 resection rate (OR = 1.22, p = 0.049), lower 30-day mortality (OR = 0.67, p = 0.03), and longer overall survival (OS) (HR = 0.61, P < 0.01). The results showed no statistically significant differences in surgical time (ST), total lymph nodes (TLN), complications, and disease-free survival (DFS) between the two groups.ConclusionCurrent data suggest that minimally invasive surgery may provide satisfying outcomes, a higher R0 resection rate, and better short-term and long-term survival than open thoracotomy.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier: CRD42022355712

Integrated Chemical and Transcriptomic Analyses Unveils Synthetic Characteristics of Different Medicinal Root Parts of Angelica Sinensis

Objective: Why are different medicinal parts including heads, bodies and tails of Angelicae Sinensis Radix (ASR) distinct in pharmaceutical activities? Here we explored their discrepancy in chemical constituents and transcriptome. Methods: ASR were separated into three medicinal parts: heads (rootstocks with petiole traces of ASR), bodies (taproots of ASR) and tails (lateral roots of ASR), and chemical and transcriptomic analyses were conducted simultaneously. Results: High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint results showed that five widely used active ingredients (ferulic acid, senkyunolide H, senkyunolide A, n-butylphathlide, and ligustilide) were distributed unevenly in the three ASR medicinal parts. Partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) demonstrated that the heads can be differentiated from the two other root parts due to different amounts of the main components. However, the content of ferulic acid (a main quality marker) was significantly higher in tails than in the heads and bodies. The transcriptome analysis found that 25,062, 10,148 and 29,504 unigenes were specifically expressed in the heads, bodies and tails, respectively. WGCNA analysis identified 17 co-expression modules, which were constructed from the 19,198 genes in the nine samples of ASR. Additionally, we identified 28 unigenes involved in two phenylpropanoid biosynthesis (PB) pathways about ferulic acid metabolism pathways, of which 17 unigenes (60.7%) in the PB pathway were highly expressed in the tails. The expression levels of PAL, C3H, and CQT transcripts were significantly higher in the tails than in other root parts. RT-qPCR analysis confirmed that PAL, C3H, and CQT genes were predominantly expressed in the tail parts, especially PAL, whose expression was more than doubled as compared with that in other root parts. Conclusion: Chemical and transcriptomic analyses revealed the distribution contents and pivotal transcripts of the ferulic acid biosynthesis-related pathways. The spatial gene expression pattern partially explained the discrepancy of integral medicinal activities of three medicinal root parts

A new method for extraction of methanol-soluble brown carbon: Implications for investigation of its light absorption ability

As an important component of organic carbon (OC), brown carbon (BrC) plays a significant role in radiative forcing in the atmosphere. Water-insoluble OC (WIOC) generally has higher light absorption ability than water-soluble OC (WSOC). The mass absorption cross-section (MAC) of WIOC is normally investigated by dissolving OC in methanol. However, all the current methods have shortcomings due to neglecting the methanol insoluble particulate carbon that is detached from the filter and suspended in methanol extracts, which results in MAC uncertainties of the methanol-soluble BrC and its climate warming estimation. In this study, by investigating typical biomass combustion sourced aerosols from the Tibetan Plateau and ambient aerosols from rural and urban areas in China, we evaluated the light absorption of extractable OC fraction for the existing methods. Moreover, a new method was developed to overcome the methanol insoluble particulate carbon detachment problem to achieve more reliable MAC values. We found that OC can be dissolved in methanol in a short time (e.g., 1 h) and ultrasonic treatment and long-term soaking do not significantly increase the extractable OC fraction. Additionally, we proved that methanol insoluble particulate carbon detachment in methanol does exist in previous methods, causing overestimation of the BrC mass extracted by methanol and thus the underestimation of MAC values. We therefore recommend the newly developed extraction method in this study to be utilized in future related studies to quantitatively obtain the light absorption property of methanol-soluble BrC.Post-print / Final draf

Evaluation of the Caoping electric field observation system in Lixian County, Gansu Province

In this paper, we briefly conducted an observation overview of the Caoping electric field in Lixian County, collected observation data for graphical analysis, and compared and measured the parameters of observation quality (correlation coefficient and difference). The conclusions of the study follow: The newly established observation system operates well and produces high-quality data internally; Two observation systems can observe simultaneously without interfering with each other and can receive external abnormal information, such as geomagnetic storms; The solid non-polarized electrode selected for the main observation system better correlation. This article serves as a reference for electrode layout and electrode selection in the observation of ground electric fields at other stations

Carbonaceous matter in the atmosphere and glaciers of the Himalayas and the Tibetan plateau: An investigative review

Carbonaceous matter, including organic carbon (OC) and black carbon (BC), is an important climate forcing agent and contributes to glacier retreat in the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau (HTP). The HTP – the so-called “Third Pole” – contains the most extensive glacial area outside of the polar regions. Considerable research on carbonaceous matter in the HTP has been conducted, although this research has been challenging due to the complex terrain and strong spatiotemporal heterogeneity of carbonaceous matter in the HTP. A comprehensive investigation of published atmospheric and snow data for HTP carbonaceous matter concentration, deposition and light absorption is presented, including how these factors vary with time and other parameters. Carbonaceous matter concentrations in the atmosphere and glaciers of the HTP are found to be low. Analysis of water-insoluable organic carbon and BC from snowpits reveals that concentrations of OC and BC in the atmosphere and glacier samples in arid regions of the HTP may be overestimated due to contributions from inorganic carbon in mineral dust. Due to the remote nature of the HTP, carbonaceous matter found in the HTP has generally been transported from outside the HTP (e.g., South Asia), although local HTP emissions may also be important at some sites. This review provides essential data and a synthesis of current thinking for studies on atmospheric transport modeling and radiative forcing of carbonaceous matter in the HTP

The expression and role of protein kinase C (PKC) epsilon in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Protein kinase C epsilon (PKCε), an oncogene overexpressed in several human cancers, is involved in cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and survival. However, its roles in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the functions of PKCε in RCC, especially in clear cell RCC, to determine the possibility of using it as a therapeutic target. By immunohistochemistry, we found that the expression of PKCε was up-regulated in RCCs and was associated with tumor Fuhrman grade and T stage in clear cell RCCs. Clone formation, wound healing, and Borden assays showed that down-regulating PKCε by RNA interference resulted in inhibition of the growth, migration, and invasion of clear cell RCC cell line 769P and, more importantly, sensitized cells to chemotherapeutic drugs as indicated by enhanced activity of caspase-3 in PKCε siRNA-transfected cells. These results indicate that the overexpression of PKCε is associated with an aggressive phenotype of clear cell RCC and may be a potential therapeutic target for this disease

Association between composite dietary antioxidant index and increased urinary albumin excretion: a population-based study

IntroductionThe Albumin-Creatinine Ratio (ACR) is a key biomarker for early kidney disease detection and is predictive of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression and associated cardiovascular risks. Antioxidant diets, indicated by the Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index (CDAI), may reduce oxidative stress and alter albumin urinary excretion rates. This study explores the relationship between CDAI and albuminuria.Materials and methodsData on intake of vitamins A, C, E, zinc, selenium, and beta-carotene from the NHANES database (2007–2018) were used to compute CDAI scores. To measure urinary albumin, the ACR levels were assessed. The association between CDAI and ACR was analyzed through multivariate logistic regression, subgroup analysis, and interaction tests, incorporating a generalized additive model (GAM) to evaluate potential non-linear relationships.ResultsA total of 28,601 participants were included with an average CDAI of 0.302 ± 3.895. Those in higher CDAI quartiles showed a reduced likelihood of elevated ACR. The prevalence of increased ACR decreased across the CDAI quartiles from 13.89% in Q1 to 10.11% in Q4. Higher CDAI scores were inversely related to ACR (OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.97–1.00), with a significant interaction effect by BMI (p = 0.0048). In males, a distinct L-shaped relationship was noted, with a negative correlation between CDAI and ACR to the left of the inflection point at 0.53 (OR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.91–0.98).ConclusionIncreasing CDAI is associated with lower ACR and reduced risk of albuminuria, suggesting that dietary antioxidants may benefit renal and cardiovascular health