由加拿大妇产科医生协会(SOGC)制定的妊娠期糖尿病指南综述了关于妊娠期糖尿病诊断和产科管理的相关证据,评价母婴的短期和长期结局,包括先兆子痫、剖宫产、将来患糖尿病和其他心血管并发症的风险;以及胎儿结局,包括先天异常、死胎、巨...由加拿大妇产科医生协会(SOGC)制定的妊娠期糖尿病指南综述了关于妊娠期糖尿病诊断和产科管理的相关证据,评价母婴的短期和长期结局,包括先兆子痫、剖宫产、将来患糖尿病和其他心血管并发症的风险;以及胎儿结局,包括先天异常、死胎、巨大儿、产伤、低血糖症和长远影响。根据加拿大预防保健工作组报告(Report of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care)的标准评定证据质量等级。展开更多
Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) has been recognized as an activator of nuclear factor kB (NF-kB), a factor implicated in the protection of many cell types from apoptosis. We and others have presented evidence to...Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) has been recognized as an activator of nuclear factor kB (NF-kB), a factor implicated in the protection of many cell types from apoptosis. We and others have presented evidence to suggest that Fas-induced apoptosis may be an important aspect of the resolution of inflammation, and that delayed resolution of inflammation may be directly associated with NF-kB-dependent resistance to Fas. Because TNF-α activates NF-kB in many cell types including inflammatory cells such as eosinophils, we examined effects of TNF-α signaling on the Fas-mediated killing of an eosinophilic cell line AML14. While agonist anti-Fas (CHII) treatment induced apoptosis in AML14 cells, no significant cell death occurred in response to TNF-α alone. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) revealed that TNF-α induced NF-kB transactivation in AMLI4 cells in a time- and dose-dependent fashion, and subsequent supershift assays indicated that the translocated NF-kB was the heterodimer p65 (RelA)/p50. Pre-treatment of cells with TNF-α dramatically decreased the CHll-induced cell death in a transient fashion, accompanied by suppression of activation of caspase-8 and caspase-3 activation. Inhibition of NF-kB transactivation by inhibitors, BAY 11-7085 and parthenolide, reversed the suppression of Fas-mediated apoptosis by TNF-α. Furthermore, TNF-α up-regulated X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) transiently and XIAP levels were correlated with the temporal pattern of TNF-α protection against Fas-mediated apoptosis. This finding suggested that TNF-α may contribute to the prolonged survival of inflammatory cells by suppression of Fas-mediated apoptosis, the process involved with NF-kB transactivation, anti-apoptotic XIAP up-regulation and caspase suppression. Cellular & Molecular Immunology. 2007;4(1):43-52.展开更多
AIM: To validate the Rockall scoring system for predicting outcomes of rebleeding, and the need for a surgical procedure and death. METHODS: We used data extracted from the Registry of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding ...AIM: To validate the Rockall scoring system for predicting outcomes of rebleeding, and the need for a surgical procedure and death. METHODS: We used data extracted from the Registry of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding and Endoscopy including information of 1869 patients with non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding treated in Canadian hospitals. Risk scores were calculated and used to classify patients based on outcomes. For each outcome, we used χ2 goodness-of-fit tests to assess the degree of calibration, and built receiver operating characteristic curves and calculated the area under the curve (AUC) to evaluate the discriminative ability of the scoring system. RESULTS: For rebleeding, the χ2 goodness-of-fit test indicated an acceptable fit for the model [χ2 (8) = 12.83, P = 0.12]. For surgical procedures [χ2 (8) = 5.3, P = 0.73] and death [χ2 (8) = 3.78, P = 0.88], the tests showed solid correspondence between observed proportions and predicted probabilities. The AUC was 0.59 (95% CI: 0.55-0.62) for the outcome of rebleeding and 0.60 (95% CI: 0.54-0.67) for surgical procedures, representing apoor discriminative ability of the scoring system. For the outcome of death, the AUC was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.69-0.78), indicating an acceptable discriminative ability. CONCLUSION: The Rockall scoring system provides an acceptable tool to predict death, but performs poorly for endpoints of rebleeding and surgical procedures.展开更多
We report an unusual case of spontaneous ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and pituitary hyperplasia mimicking macroadenoma in an adult,non-pregnant woman.Her condition was triggered by unrecognized primary hypothyroi...We report an unusual case of spontaneous ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and pituitary hyperplasia mimicking macroadenoma in an adult,non-pregnant woman.Her condition was triggered by unrecognized primary hypothyroidism,which regressed after thyroid hormone replacement therapy.This case highlights the need for clinicians and radiologists to familiarize themselves with the clinical and imaging features detected in case of these complications of primary hypothyroidism,which are not well known in the medical and radiological profession.Such improved knowledge will help avoid delays in diagnosis,progression to lifethreatening complications,and unnecessary surgery.展开更多
Via a forward SDE solution(k_(t),t≥O)that captures money supply dynamics,a macroeconomic model known as the monetary model generates a backward exchange rate process(y_(t),t≥0).For any t≥0,y_(t)=k_(t)+α^(-1)μ_(t)...Via a forward SDE solution(k_(t),t≥O)that captures money supply dynamics,a macroeconomic model known as the monetary model generates a backward exchange rate process(y_(t),t≥0).For any t≥0,y_(t)=k_(t)+α^(-1)μ_(t) where(μ_(t),t≥0)is a backward process andα>0 is a constant.Thus,(y_(t),t≥O)does not satisfy a conventional BSDE.Our paper proves(y_(t),t≥O)is a continuous semimartingale when restrictions on the SDE for(k_(t),t≥O)capture anti-inflationary initiatives.This new result in economic dynamics does not require the filtration to be the Brownian filtration.展开更多
We investigate heat and mass transfer in an isosceles trapezoidal cavity, filled with charcoal considered as a granular porous medium. The Darcy-Brinkman-Forchheimer flow model is coupled to the energy and mass equati...We investigate heat and mass transfer in an isosceles trapezoidal cavity, filled with charcoal considered as a granular porous medium. The Darcy-Brinkman-Forchheimer flow model is coupled to the energy and mass equations with the assumption of non-thermal equilibrium. These equations are discretized by the finite volume method with an offset mesh and then solved by the line-by-line method of Thomas. The coupling between pressure and velocity is obtained by Semi-Implicit Method for Pressure Linked Equations. (SIMPLE) algorithm. The results show that the temperature in the cavity increases when the inclination angle of the sides walls decreases. The 15° inclination is selected as being able to offer better thermal performance in the cookstove combustion chamber.展开更多
Background:Recognizing sport-related concussion(SRC)is challenging and relies heavily on subjective symptom reports.An objective,biological marker could improve recognition and understanding of SRC.There is emerging e...Background:Recognizing sport-related concussion(SRC)is challenging and relies heavily on subjective symptom reports.An objective,biological marker could improve recognition and understanding of SRC.There is emerging evidence that salivary micro-ribonucleic acids(miRNAs)may serve as biomarkers of concussion;however,it remains unclear whether concussion-related miRNAs are impacted by exercise.We sought to determine whether40 miRNAs previously implicated in concussion pathophysiology were affected by participation in a variety of contact and non-contact sports.Our goal was to refine a miRNA-based tool capable of identifying athletes with SRC without the confounding effects of exercise.Methods:This case-control study harmonized data from concussed and non-concussed athletes recruited across 10 sites.Levels of salivary miRNAs within 455 samples from 314 individuals were measured with RNA sequencing.Within-subjects testing was used to identify and exclude miRNAs that changed with either(a)a single episode of exercise(166 samples from 83 individuals)or(b)season-long participation in contact sports(212 samples from 106 individuals).The miRNAs that were not impacted by exercise were interrogated for SRC diagnostic utility using logistic regression(172 samples from 75 concussed and 97 non-concussed individuals).Results:Two miRNAs(miR-532-5p and miR-182-5p)decreased(adjusted p<0.05)after a single episode of exercise,and 1 miRNA(miR-4510)increased only after contact sports participation.Twenty-three miRNAs changed at the end of a contact sports season.Two of these miRNAs(miR-26b-3p and miR-29c-3p)were associated(R>0.50;adjusted p<0.05)with the number of head impacts sustained in a single football practice.Among the 15 miRNAs not confounded by exercise or season-long contact sports participation,11 demonstrated a significant difference(adjusted p<0.05)between concussed and non-concussed participants,and 6 displayed moderate ability(area under curve>0.70)to identify concussion.A single ratio(miR-27a-5p/miR-30a-3p)displayed the展开更多
Mapping and monitoring the distribution of croplands and crop types support policymakers and international organizations by reducing the risks to food security,notably from climate change and,for that purpose,remote s...Mapping and monitoring the distribution of croplands and crop types support policymakers and international organizations by reducing the risks to food security,notably from climate change and,for that purpose,remote sensing is routinely used.However,identifying specific crop types,cropland,and cropping patterns using space-based observations is challenging because different crop types and cropping patterns have similarity spectral signatures.This study applied a methodology to identify cropland and specific crop types,including tobacco,wheat,barley,and gram,as well as the following cropping patterns:wheat-tobacco,wheat-gram,wheat-barley,and wheat-maize,which are common in Gujranwala District,Pakistan,the study region.The methodology consists of combining optical remote sensing images from Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 with Machine Learning(ML)methods,namely a Decision Tree Classifier(DTC)and a Random Forest(RF)algorithm.The best time-periods for differentiating cropland from other land cover types were identified,and then Sentinel-2 and Landsat 8 NDVI-based time-series were linked to phenological parameters to determine the different crop types and cropping patterns over the study region using their temporal indices and ML algorithms.The methodology was subsequently evaluated using Landsat images,crop statistical data for 2020 and 2021,and field data on cropping patterns.The results highlight the high level of accuracy of the methodological approach presented using Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 images,together with ML techniques,for mapping not only the distribution of cropland,but also crop types and cropping patterns when validated at the county level.These results reveal that this methodology has benefits for monitoring and evaluating food security in Pakistan,adding to the evidence base of other studies on the use of remote sensing to identify crop types and cropping patterns in other countries.展开更多
Mixed convection of heat and mass transfer in an isosceles trapezoidal cavity has been studied numerically. Constant heat flux is imposed through four outlets and the grid is insulated. The inclined walls are maintain...Mixed convection of heat and mass transfer in an isosceles trapezoidal cavity has been studied numerically. Constant heat flux is imposed through four outlets and the grid is insulated. The inclined walls are maintained in natural convection while the lower horizontal wall is adiabatic. These conditions reflect the air draft zone of the ASUTO charcoal stove. The governing two-di- mensional flow equations have been solved by using the finite difference method and Thomas’s algorithm. The investigations are conducted for different values of Richardson (R<sub>i</sub>), Reynolds number (R<sub>e</sub>) and inclination angles of sidewalls. The results are presented in terms of streamlines, isotherms, moisture contours. It was found that for Reynolds number (R<sub>e</sub>) equal to 100, the flow pattern is strongly dependent on the inclination angle and Richardson number. Thus, for high Richardson number (R<sub>i</sub>) values (10, 100), the dominance of natural convection over the flow structure decreases with the decreasing of the inclination angle of sidewalls of the cavity. For R<sub>i</sub> = 1, an optimum air draft corresponds to an inclination angle in the vicinity of 22° while for R<sub>i</sub> = 10 or 100 (in dominance of natural convection), the optimum inclination angle for air draft is in the vicinity of 15°.展开更多
Despite years of governmental and academic institutions’ researches, no experimental standards are established for evaluating crush Specific Energy Absorption SEA for plain weave fabric woven carbon-fiber-reinforced ...Despite years of governmental and academic institutions’ researches, no experimental standards are established for evaluating crush Specific Energy Absorption SEA for plain weave fabric woven carbon-fiber-reinforced composites used in modern aircraft structures as elements of the boxes to mitigate damage during crush events. At the laboratory scale, this paper proposes a comparative study of energy absorption capability of flat plate coupons made by CFRP plain weave fabric composites. A new fixture design and setup were created with hydraulic pressure and drop tower machines to carry out tests of flat plate composite specimens under quasi-static and low velocity on-axis crash loading. For investigating parameters sensibility of triggers and layups, numerical and experimental results of four trigger types and three stacking sequences were compared. A confrontation between experimental and pre-developed UL-Crush numerical material model results confirms that coupons with 0˚ oriented central plies and saw teeth or corrugated triggers dissipates higher energy during crush, compared to coupons with 90˚ or 45˚ oriented central plies and chamfer 45˚ or steeple triggers. An efficient and simplified experimental methodology was developed to measure and investigate different parameters influencing SEA of composites under crush load. Comparison between experimental and UL-Crush material model confirms the performance of such simulation tool.展开更多
The results of different numerical algorithms for the computation of unsteady fluid flows are used to visualize different variables of the flow. In particular, the instantaneous vorticity, velocity and pressure fields...The results of different numerical algorithms for the computation of unsteady fluid flows are used to visualize different variables of the flow. In particular, the instantaneous vorticity, velocity and pressure fields, along with streamline plots, are presented as a function of time inside a visualization window of the computational domain. The different forms of visualization are used to analyze the flow inside a two-dimensional channel incorporating an obstacle, which can represent several interesting flows such as the flow over electronic components, heat transfer devices and buildings.展开更多
The flow inside a channel with surface mounted ribs is studied by numerical simulation and experimental flow visualization. Both the geometry with one rib and the geometry with two ribs, placed perpendicular to the fl...The flow inside a channel with surface mounted ribs is studied by numerical simulation and experimental flow visualization. Both the geometry with one rib and the geometry with two ribs, placed perpendicular to the flow, are studied, with particular emphasis on the effect of the variation of the distance between the ribs on the structure of the flow. Results show that, for Reynolds number flows of 400 and 1000 (based on the uniform incoming velocity and the height of the ribs), the flow reattaches between the ribs when they are separated by distances of 12h (h being the height of the ribs) and 6h, respectively. In this respect, however, the numerical results for the Reynolds number flow of 1000 are in contradiction with published results.展开更多
In the Andes, little is known about the relationships among current land uses and their effect on soil fertility. Corn (Zea mays L.) was used to evaluate soil quality for plant growth on soils of four land uses, along...In the Andes, little is known about the relationships among current land uses and their effect on soil fertility. Corn (Zea mays L.) was used to evaluate soil quality for plant growth on soils of four land uses, along an expected gradient of fertility: native forests (Nf) > pastures (Pa) > Eucalyptus globulus Labill. plantations (Eg) > Pinus patula Schlecht. plantations (Pp). Corn was grown in soils taken from four different areas, for the four land uses in each. In a common garden, a randomized block design was used with four treatments: controls (C), ammonium nitrate (N), triple superphosphate (P), and combined N and P fertilizers (N + P). On soils from Nf, Pa and Eg, fertilization response was N + P > P > N > C;corn biomass (g/pot-1) averaged 4.5 in N + P, 3.3 in P, 1.8 in N, 1.7 in C;P content (mg/pot-1) averaged 12 in N + P, 11.9 in P, 2.3 in N, 2 in C. N + P enhanced growth the most. Mortality was high on Pp soils, growth weak, and fertilization response was P > N + P > C ≥ N;corn biomass (g/pot-1) was 0.9 in P, 0.5 in N + P, 0.8 in C, 0.4 in N;P content (mg/pot-1) was 4.4 in P, 2.3 in N + P, 1.8 in C, 1 in N. All soils had P, K, Ca and Mg deficiencies. Al toxicity possibly occurred only in Pp soils. All control soils had low fertility. Responses to N and P were high except for Pp. Pastures and plantations were once natural forests converted to agriculture, then to pastures as soil fertility declined. Plantations were likely established on poorest pastures;only pine grew on poorest soils. This land use endpoint has the lowest agricultural potential;other land uses have limitations in P, N, and potentially K.展开更多
This paper presents an analysis of a pre-feasibility study of a 10 MW offshore wind power project in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, southern Thailand. The wind speeds at the hub heights of large scale wind turbine gene...This paper presents an analysis of a pre-feasibility study of a 10 MW offshore wind power project in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, southern Thailand. The wind speeds at the hub heights of large scale wind turbine generators (WTG), i.e. 80-100 m, were extrapolated using monthly mean wind shear coefficients and the l/7th exponent. Using WAsP 9.0, the annual energy production from several models of offshore wind farms using different WTG was analyzed. The capacity factor and the cost of energy were then computed. Using best available estimates, the analysis shows that the estimated annual mean offshore wind speeds at 80-100 m were in the range of 6.4 and 8.3 m/s. The annual energy production by the wind farm from nine models of wind turbine generators were in the range of 20-39 GWh/year, corresponding to a capacity factor in the range of 26-46%, while the cost of energy was 12-15 US cent/kWh.展开更多
This article focuses on modelling and mapping the productivity of black (Picea mariana) and white spruce (Picea glauca) plantations across the Black Brook forest management area in northwestern New Brunswick, Canada, ...This article focuses on modelling and mapping the productivity of black (Picea mariana) and white spruce (Picea glauca) plantations across the Black Brook forest management area in northwestern New Brunswick, Canada, encompassing about 200,000 ha. This effort involved establishing 3500 50 m2 survey plots, each informing about: plantation age (15 to 43 years), planted species type, stem count, tree height, basal area, and wood volume. All of this was supplemented with location-specific productivity predictors, i.e., xy location and specifications pertaining to soil type, soil drainage (established through digital elevation modelling by way of the depth-to-water index DTW), and years since thinning (pre-commercial and commercial), and. The DTW index, as it emulates the elevation rise away from open water features such as streams, rivers and lakes, allowed the re-mapping of existing soil borders by topographic position and drainage association. Non-linear regression analysis revealed that plantation height, basal area and volume all increased with plantation age, as to be expected. Pre-commercial thinning in plantations <30 years old had a positive while the more recent commercial thinning still had the negative effect on standing wood volume and mean annual volume increment (MAI). White spruce MAI generally exceeded black spruce (MAI) by a factor of 1.25. Poor and excessive soil drainage reduced MAI. Best growth performances occurred on plantations established on well-drained calcareous soils. The best-fitted results so obtained allowed for generating black and white spruce MAI maps across the forest management area by ridge-to-valley soil and DTW location at 10 m resolution. These maps were subsequently used for site-by-site silvicultural evaluation and ranking purposes.展开更多
The Random Vortex Method extended to an azisymmetrical flow is used in the study of the flow field inside pipes incorporating an orifice plate with different contraction ratios and different inlet velocity profiles. T...The Random Vortex Method extended to an azisymmetrical flow is used in the study of the flow field inside pipes incorporating an orifice plate with different contraction ratios and different inlet velocity profiles. Three test-cases, each having experimental measurements available in the literature, are studied. In particular, instantaneous and average velocity fields along with the turbulent statistics for high Reynolds number flows are computed and compared to the corresponding experimental results.These comparisons show the ability and the citations of the method. The results of the numerical simulations are used in the physical analysis of the flow fields and thus allow for a better understanding of the dynamics of the flow in pipes incorporating an orifice plate.展开更多
文摘由加拿大妇产科医生协会(SOGC)制定的妊娠期糖尿病指南综述了关于妊娠期糖尿病诊断和产科管理的相关证据,评价母婴的短期和长期结局,包括先兆子痫、剖宫产、将来患糖尿病和其他心血管并发症的风险;以及胎儿结局,包括先天异常、死胎、巨大儿、产伤、低血糖症和长远影响。根据加拿大预防保健工作组报告(Report of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care)的标准评定证据质量等级。
文摘Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) has been recognized as an activator of nuclear factor kB (NF-kB), a factor implicated in the protection of many cell types from apoptosis. We and others have presented evidence to suggest that Fas-induced apoptosis may be an important aspect of the resolution of inflammation, and that delayed resolution of inflammation may be directly associated with NF-kB-dependent resistance to Fas. Because TNF-α activates NF-kB in many cell types including inflammatory cells such as eosinophils, we examined effects of TNF-α signaling on the Fas-mediated killing of an eosinophilic cell line AML14. While agonist anti-Fas (CHII) treatment induced apoptosis in AML14 cells, no significant cell death occurred in response to TNF-α alone. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) revealed that TNF-α induced NF-kB transactivation in AMLI4 cells in a time- and dose-dependent fashion, and subsequent supershift assays indicated that the translocated NF-kB was the heterodimer p65 (RelA)/p50. Pre-treatment of cells with TNF-α dramatically decreased the CHll-induced cell death in a transient fashion, accompanied by suppression of activation of caspase-8 and caspase-3 activation. Inhibition of NF-kB transactivation by inhibitors, BAY 11-7085 and parthenolide, reversed the suppression of Fas-mediated apoptosis by TNF-α. Furthermore, TNF-α up-regulated X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) transiently and XIAP levels were correlated with the temporal pattern of TNF-α protection against Fas-mediated apoptosis. This finding suggested that TNF-α may contribute to the prolonged survival of inflammatory cells by suppression of Fas-mediated apoptosis, the process involved with NF-kB transactivation, anti-apoptotic XIAP up-regulation and caspase suppression. Cellular & Molecular Immunology. 2007;4(1):43-52.
基金Supported by the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology and an unrestricted grant from Altana Pharma Canada (formerly Byk Canada Inc.)
文摘AIM: To validate the Rockall scoring system for predicting outcomes of rebleeding, and the need for a surgical procedure and death. METHODS: We used data extracted from the Registry of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding and Endoscopy including information of 1869 patients with non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding treated in Canadian hospitals. Risk scores were calculated and used to classify patients based on outcomes. For each outcome, we used χ2 goodness-of-fit tests to assess the degree of calibration, and built receiver operating characteristic curves and calculated the area under the curve (AUC) to evaluate the discriminative ability of the scoring system. RESULTS: For rebleeding, the χ2 goodness-of-fit test indicated an acceptable fit for the model [χ2 (8) = 12.83, P = 0.12]. For surgical procedures [χ2 (8) = 5.3, P = 0.73] and death [χ2 (8) = 3.78, P = 0.88], the tests showed solid correspondence between observed proportions and predicted probabilities. The AUC was 0.59 (95% CI: 0.55-0.62) for the outcome of rebleeding and 0.60 (95% CI: 0.54-0.67) for surgical procedures, representing apoor discriminative ability of the scoring system. For the outcome of death, the AUC was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.69-0.78), indicating an acceptable discriminative ability. CONCLUSION: The Rockall scoring system provides an acceptable tool to predict death, but performs poorly for endpoints of rebleeding and surgical procedures.
文摘We report an unusual case of spontaneous ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and pituitary hyperplasia mimicking macroadenoma in an adult,non-pregnant woman.Her condition was triggered by unrecognized primary hypothyroidism,which regressed after thyroid hormone replacement therapy.This case highlights the need for clinicians and radiologists to familiarize themselves with the clinical and imaging features detected in case of these complications of primary hypothyroidism,which are not well known in the medical and radiological profession.Such improved knowledge will help avoid delays in diagnosis,progression to lifethreatening complications,and unnecessary surgery.
文摘Via a forward SDE solution(k_(t),t≥O)that captures money supply dynamics,a macroeconomic model known as the monetary model generates a backward exchange rate process(y_(t),t≥0).For any t≥0,y_(t)=k_(t)+α^(-1)μ_(t) where(μ_(t),t≥0)is a backward process andα>0 is a constant.Thus,(y_(t),t≥O)does not satisfy a conventional BSDE.Our paper proves(y_(t),t≥O)is a continuous semimartingale when restrictions on the SDE for(k_(t),t≥O)capture anti-inflationary initiatives.This new result in economic dynamics does not require the filtration to be the Brownian filtration.
文摘We investigate heat and mass transfer in an isosceles trapezoidal cavity, filled with charcoal considered as a granular porous medium. The Darcy-Brinkman-Forchheimer flow model is coupled to the energy and mass equations with the assumption of non-thermal equilibrium. These equations are discretized by the finite volume method with an offset mesh and then solved by the line-by-line method of Thomas. The coupling between pressure and velocity is obtained by Semi-Implicit Method for Pressure Linked Equations. (SIMPLE) algorithm. The results show that the temperature in the cavity increases when the inclination angle of the sides walls decreases. The 15° inclination is selected as being able to offer better thermal performance in the cookstove combustion chamber.
基金supported by a sponsored research agreement between Quadrant Biosciences and the Penn State College of Medicine to ACLsupported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences(Grant KL2 TR002015,Grant UL1 TR002014)。
文摘Background:Recognizing sport-related concussion(SRC)is challenging and relies heavily on subjective symptom reports.An objective,biological marker could improve recognition and understanding of SRC.There is emerging evidence that salivary micro-ribonucleic acids(miRNAs)may serve as biomarkers of concussion;however,it remains unclear whether concussion-related miRNAs are impacted by exercise.We sought to determine whether40 miRNAs previously implicated in concussion pathophysiology were affected by participation in a variety of contact and non-contact sports.Our goal was to refine a miRNA-based tool capable of identifying athletes with SRC without the confounding effects of exercise.Methods:This case-control study harmonized data from concussed and non-concussed athletes recruited across 10 sites.Levels of salivary miRNAs within 455 samples from 314 individuals were measured with RNA sequencing.Within-subjects testing was used to identify and exclude miRNAs that changed with either(a)a single episode of exercise(166 samples from 83 individuals)or(b)season-long participation in contact sports(212 samples from 106 individuals).The miRNAs that were not impacted by exercise were interrogated for SRC diagnostic utility using logistic regression(172 samples from 75 concussed and 97 non-concussed individuals).Results:Two miRNAs(miR-532-5p and miR-182-5p)decreased(adjusted p<0.05)after a single episode of exercise,and 1 miRNA(miR-4510)increased only after contact sports participation.Twenty-three miRNAs changed at the end of a contact sports season.Two of these miRNAs(miR-26b-3p and miR-29c-3p)were associated(R>0.50;adjusted p<0.05)with the number of head impacts sustained in a single football practice.Among the 15 miRNAs not confounded by exercise or season-long contact sports participation,11 demonstrated a significant difference(adjusted p<0.05)between concussed and non-concussed participants,and 6 displayed moderate ability(area under curve>0.70)to identify concussion.A single ratio(miR-27a-5p/miR-30a-3p)displayed the
文摘Mapping and monitoring the distribution of croplands and crop types support policymakers and international organizations by reducing the risks to food security,notably from climate change and,for that purpose,remote sensing is routinely used.However,identifying specific crop types,cropland,and cropping patterns using space-based observations is challenging because different crop types and cropping patterns have similarity spectral signatures.This study applied a methodology to identify cropland and specific crop types,including tobacco,wheat,barley,and gram,as well as the following cropping patterns:wheat-tobacco,wheat-gram,wheat-barley,and wheat-maize,which are common in Gujranwala District,Pakistan,the study region.The methodology consists of combining optical remote sensing images from Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 with Machine Learning(ML)methods,namely a Decision Tree Classifier(DTC)and a Random Forest(RF)algorithm.The best time-periods for differentiating cropland from other land cover types were identified,and then Sentinel-2 and Landsat 8 NDVI-based time-series were linked to phenological parameters to determine the different crop types and cropping patterns over the study region using their temporal indices and ML algorithms.The methodology was subsequently evaluated using Landsat images,crop statistical data for 2020 and 2021,and field data on cropping patterns.The results highlight the high level of accuracy of the methodological approach presented using Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 images,together with ML techniques,for mapping not only the distribution of cropland,but also crop types and cropping patterns when validated at the county level.These results reveal that this methodology has benefits for monitoring and evaluating food security in Pakistan,adding to the evidence base of other studies on the use of remote sensing to identify crop types and cropping patterns in other countries.
文摘Mixed convection of heat and mass transfer in an isosceles trapezoidal cavity has been studied numerically. Constant heat flux is imposed through four outlets and the grid is insulated. The inclined walls are maintained in natural convection while the lower horizontal wall is adiabatic. These conditions reflect the air draft zone of the ASUTO charcoal stove. The governing two-di- mensional flow equations have been solved by using the finite difference method and Thomas’s algorithm. The investigations are conducted for different values of Richardson (R<sub>i</sub>), Reynolds number (R<sub>e</sub>) and inclination angles of sidewalls. The results are presented in terms of streamlines, isotherms, moisture contours. It was found that for Reynolds number (R<sub>e</sub>) equal to 100, the flow pattern is strongly dependent on the inclination angle and Richardson number. Thus, for high Richardson number (R<sub>i</sub>) values (10, 100), the dominance of natural convection over the flow structure decreases with the decreasing of the inclination angle of sidewalls of the cavity. For R<sub>i</sub> = 1, an optimum air draft corresponds to an inclination angle in the vicinity of 22° while for R<sub>i</sub> = 10 or 100 (in dominance of natural convection), the optimum inclination angle for air draft is in the vicinity of 15°.
文摘Despite years of governmental and academic institutions’ researches, no experimental standards are established for evaluating crush Specific Energy Absorption SEA for plain weave fabric woven carbon-fiber-reinforced composites used in modern aircraft structures as elements of the boxes to mitigate damage during crush events. At the laboratory scale, this paper proposes a comparative study of energy absorption capability of flat plate coupons made by CFRP plain weave fabric composites. A new fixture design and setup were created with hydraulic pressure and drop tower machines to carry out tests of flat plate composite specimens under quasi-static and low velocity on-axis crash loading. For investigating parameters sensibility of triggers and layups, numerical and experimental results of four trigger types and three stacking sequences were compared. A confrontation between experimental and pre-developed UL-Crush numerical material model results confirms that coupons with 0˚ oriented central plies and saw teeth or corrugated triggers dissipates higher energy during crush, compared to coupons with 90˚ or 45˚ oriented central plies and chamfer 45˚ or steeple triggers. An efficient and simplified experimental methodology was developed to measure and investigate different parameters influencing SEA of composites under crush load. Comparison between experimental and UL-Crush material model confirms the performance of such simulation tool.
文摘The results of different numerical algorithms for the computation of unsteady fluid flows are used to visualize different variables of the flow. In particular, the instantaneous vorticity, velocity and pressure fields, along with streamline plots, are presented as a function of time inside a visualization window of the computational domain. The different forms of visualization are used to analyze the flow inside a two-dimensional channel incorporating an obstacle, which can represent several interesting flows such as the flow over electronic components, heat transfer devices and buildings.
文摘The flow inside a channel with surface mounted ribs is studied by numerical simulation and experimental flow visualization. Both the geometry with one rib and the geometry with two ribs, placed perpendicular to the flow, are studied, with particular emphasis on the effect of the variation of the distance between the ribs on the structure of the flow. Results show that, for Reynolds number flows of 400 and 1000 (based on the uniform incoming velocity and the height of the ribs), the flow reattaches between the ribs when they are separated by distances of 12h (h being the height of the ribs) and 6h, respectively. In this respect, however, the numerical results for the Reynolds number flow of 1000 are in contradiction with published results.
文摘In the Andes, little is known about the relationships among current land uses and their effect on soil fertility. Corn (Zea mays L.) was used to evaluate soil quality for plant growth on soils of four land uses, along an expected gradient of fertility: native forests (Nf) > pastures (Pa) > Eucalyptus globulus Labill. plantations (Eg) > Pinus patula Schlecht. plantations (Pp). Corn was grown in soils taken from four different areas, for the four land uses in each. In a common garden, a randomized block design was used with four treatments: controls (C), ammonium nitrate (N), triple superphosphate (P), and combined N and P fertilizers (N + P). On soils from Nf, Pa and Eg, fertilization response was N + P > P > N > C;corn biomass (g/pot-1) averaged 4.5 in N + P, 3.3 in P, 1.8 in N, 1.7 in C;P content (mg/pot-1) averaged 12 in N + P, 11.9 in P, 2.3 in N, 2 in C. N + P enhanced growth the most. Mortality was high on Pp soils, growth weak, and fertilization response was P > N + P > C ≥ N;corn biomass (g/pot-1) was 0.9 in P, 0.5 in N + P, 0.8 in C, 0.4 in N;P content (mg/pot-1) was 4.4 in P, 2.3 in N + P, 1.8 in C, 1 in N. All soils had P, K, Ca and Mg deficiencies. Al toxicity possibly occurred only in Pp soils. All control soils had low fertility. Responses to N and P were high except for Pp. Pastures and plantations were once natural forests converted to agriculture, then to pastures as soil fertility declined. Plantations were likely established on poorest pastures;only pine grew on poorest soils. This land use endpoint has the lowest agricultural potential;other land uses have limitations in P, N, and potentially K.
文摘This paper presents an analysis of a pre-feasibility study of a 10 MW offshore wind power project in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, southern Thailand. The wind speeds at the hub heights of large scale wind turbine generators (WTG), i.e. 80-100 m, were extrapolated using monthly mean wind shear coefficients and the l/7th exponent. Using WAsP 9.0, the annual energy production from several models of offshore wind farms using different WTG was analyzed. The capacity factor and the cost of energy were then computed. Using best available estimates, the analysis shows that the estimated annual mean offshore wind speeds at 80-100 m were in the range of 6.4 and 8.3 m/s. The annual energy production by the wind farm from nine models of wind turbine generators were in the range of 20-39 GWh/year, corresponding to a capacity factor in the range of 26-46%, while the cost of energy was 12-15 US cent/kWh.
文摘This article focuses on modelling and mapping the productivity of black (Picea mariana) and white spruce (Picea glauca) plantations across the Black Brook forest management area in northwestern New Brunswick, Canada, encompassing about 200,000 ha. This effort involved establishing 3500 50 m2 survey plots, each informing about: plantation age (15 to 43 years), planted species type, stem count, tree height, basal area, and wood volume. All of this was supplemented with location-specific productivity predictors, i.e., xy location and specifications pertaining to soil type, soil drainage (established through digital elevation modelling by way of the depth-to-water index DTW), and years since thinning (pre-commercial and commercial), and. The DTW index, as it emulates the elevation rise away from open water features such as streams, rivers and lakes, allowed the re-mapping of existing soil borders by topographic position and drainage association. Non-linear regression analysis revealed that plantation height, basal area and volume all increased with plantation age, as to be expected. Pre-commercial thinning in plantations <30 years old had a positive while the more recent commercial thinning still had the negative effect on standing wood volume and mean annual volume increment (MAI). White spruce MAI generally exceeded black spruce (MAI) by a factor of 1.25. Poor and excessive soil drainage reduced MAI. Best growth performances occurred on plantations established on well-drained calcareous soils. The best-fitted results so obtained allowed for generating black and white spruce MAI maps across the forest management area by ridge-to-valley soil and DTW location at 10 m resolution. These maps were subsequently used for site-by-site silvicultural evaluation and ranking purposes.
文摘The Random Vortex Method extended to an azisymmetrical flow is used in the study of the flow field inside pipes incorporating an orifice plate with different contraction ratios and different inlet velocity profiles. Three test-cases, each having experimental measurements available in the literature, are studied. In particular, instantaneous and average velocity fields along with the turbulent statistics for high Reynolds number flows are computed and compared to the corresponding experimental results.These comparisons show the ability and the citations of the method. The results of the numerical simulations are used in the physical analysis of the flow fields and thus allow for a better understanding of the dynamics of the flow in pipes incorporating an orifice plate.