关键词： direction of arrival(DOA)   vector sensor array   vector maximum interelement spacing constraint(MISC)array   polarization quaternion model   quaternion multiple signal classification(Q-MUSIC)  

摘要： This paper examines the direction of arrival(DOA)estimation for polarized signals impinging on a sparse vector sensor array which is based on the maximum interelement spacing constraint(MISC).The vector array effectively utilizes the polarization domain information of incident signals,and the quaternion model is adopted for signals polarization characteristic maintenance and computational burden *** features of MISC arrays are crucial to the mutual coupling effects reduction and higher degrees of freedom(DOFs).The quaternion data model based on vector MISC arrays is established,which extends the scalar MISC array into the vector MISC *** on the model,a quaternion multiple signal classification(MUSIC)algorithm based on vector MISC arrays is proposed for DOA *** algorithm combines the advantages of the quaternion model and the vector MISC array to enhance the DOA estimation *** simulations are performed to certify the capability of the algorithm.

关键词： social media   medical skepticism   complementary and alternative medicine   real-world data  

摘要： INTRODUCTION: Esophageal mucosa innervation in adults with nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) is more superficial compared with healthy volunteers. We delineated the esophageal mucosal innervation in pediatric NERD and controls. METHODS: Distal and proximal pediatric esophageal biopsies were immunohistochemically stained with calcitonin gene-related peptide and transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1. RESULTS: Mucosal innervation was assessed in 18 controls (9M:9F, median age: 9 years) and 11 NERD patients (6M:5F, median age: 5 years). Calcitonin gene-related peptide positive nerve fibers were lying deep in the mucosa in both groups, P > 0.05 and did not coexpress transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1. DISCUSSION: The pediatric esophageal mucosa in NERD displays deep lying nerve fibers, in contrast to adults.

关键词： western corn rootworm   alternative splicing   Bt resistance   RNA-seq   Iso-seq  

摘要： Alternative splicing is a common feature in eukaryotes that not only increases the transcript diversity, but also has functional consequences. In insects, alternative splicing has been found associated with resistance to pesticides and Bt toxins. Up to date, the alternative splicing in western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) has not been studied. To investigate its alternative splicing pattern and relation to Bt resistance, we carried out single-molecule real-time (SMRT) transcript sequencing and Iso-seq analysis on resistant, eCry3.1Ab-selected and susceptible, unselected, western corn rootworm neonate midguts which fed on seedling maize with and without eCry3.1Ab for 12 and 24 h. We present transcriptome-wide alternative splicing patterns of western corn rootworm midgut in response to feeding on eCry3.1Ab-expressing corn using a comprehensive approach that combines both RNA-seq and SMRT transcript sequencing techniques. The results showed genes in western corn rootworm are highly alternatively spliced, which happens on 67.73% of multi-exon genes. One of the alternative splicing events we identified was a novel peritrophic matrix protein with two alternative splicing isoforms. Analysis of differential exon usage between resistant and susceptible colonies showed that in eCry3.1Ab-resistant western corn rootworm, expression of one isoform was significantly higher than in the susceptible colony, while no significant differences between colonies were observed with the other isoform. Our results provide the first survey of alternative splicing in western corn rootworm and suggest that the observed alternatively spliced isoforms of peritrophic matrix protein may be associated with eCry3.1Ab resistance in western corn rootworm.

摘要： BACKGROUND Postoperative respiratory failure is a serious problem in the anaesthetic management of patients with myasthenia gravis who undergo thymectomy. Although the classical recommendation is to avoid neuromuscular blockers, there is no strong evidence to support it. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the postoperative outcomes in patients with myasthenia gravis after thymectomy when anaesthetic management included rocuronium reversed with sugammadex. DESIGN A retrospective cohort study. SETTING Nationwide acute in-patient care database. PATIENTS A total of 1143 patients with myasthenia gravis who underwent thymectomy were included. Data were collected from the medical insurance claims data of acute care in-patient hospitals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The postoperative complications when rocuronium reversed with sugammadex was compared against no muscle relaxant use using propensity score matching. The primary outcomes were the rates of in-hospital mortality, plasma exchange following thymectomy and the use of immunoglobulins. The secondary outcomes were the length of stay in the high dependency/ICUs, the total length of hospital stay and the duration and type of respiratory support following thymectomy. RESULTS There were no significant differences between the propensity score matched groups in terms of plasma exchange [relative risk, 0.96;95% confidence interval (CI), 0.64 to 1.43] and use of immunoglobulins (relative risk, 1.09;95% CI, 0.60 to 1.97). The length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in patients in whom rocuronium and sugammadex were used: 29.0 vs. 35.4 days, P = 0.035. CONCLUSIONS Anaesthetic management with rocuronium reversed by sugammadex was not associated with increased risk of respiratory complications. These findings could help in the anaesthetic management of patients with myasthenia gravis.

关键词： Peri-implantitis   Antimicrobial peptide   Titanium surface   Anaerobic bacteria   Gingival epithelial cells  

摘要： Members of oral bacterial communities form biofilms not only on tooth surfaces but also on the surface of dental implants that replace natural teeth. Prolonged interaction of host cells with biofilm-forming anaerobes frequently elicits peri-implantitis, a destructive inflammatory disease accompanied by alveolar bone loss leading to implant failure. Here we wish to overview how the deposition of bioactive peptides to dental implant surfaces could potentially inhibit bacterial colonization and the development of peri-implantisis. One preventive strategy is based on natural antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) immobilized on titanium surfaces. AMPs are capable to destroy both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria directly. An alternative strategy aims at coating implant surfaces - especially the transmucosal part - with peptides facilitating the attachment of gingival epithelial cells and connective tissue cells. These cells produce AMPs and may form a soft tissue seal that prevents oral bacteria from accessing the apical part of the osseointegrated implant. Because a wide variety of titanium-bound peptides were studied in vitro, we wish to concentrate on bioactive peptides of human origin and some of their derivatives. Furthermore, special attention will be given to peptides effective under in vivo test conditions. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

关键词： Renewable energy   Land sharing   Land sparing   Biodiversity   Conservation   Climate change  

摘要： Addressing climate mitigation while meeting global electrification goals will require major transitions from fossil-fuel dependence to large-scale renewable energy deployment. However, renewables require significant land assets per unit energy and could come at high cost to ecosystems, creating potential conflicts between global climate mitigation and biodiversity conservation. Here, we explore the potential biodiversity implications of alternative future global electrification pathways as depicted under the Shared Socioeconomic Scenarios (SSPs), i.e., alternative trends in societal development. We examined the intersection of high-resolution estimates of global energy densities for ten renewable and conventional technologies with global richness data to estimate technology-specific biodiversity footprints (species per GWh), whereas a Cumulative Biodiversity Impact (CBI) score was used to assess land and biodiversity outcomes of alternative scenarios. Downscaled electricity generation scenarios (2020-2100) were also constrained by alternative land conservation and energy development policies. Unexpectedly, variation among SSPs did not exhibit a clear tradeoff between global climate mitigation and CBI. Rather, CBIs were an outcome of total infrastructure development to meet electricity demand (from population growth and GDP) and the total magnitude of renewable energy development and storage technologies. Renewables assembled along a spectrum from land sharing to sparing. At the land sharing end, biomasspowered electricity from dedicated crops contributed the most to biodiversity impacts due to low energy density, whereas land-sparing technologies (solar) caused more-intense land degradation, but in smaller areas. Our results suggest that local land conservation practices and strategies promoting energy diversification could have greater implications for future biodiversity conflicts than global socioeconomic drivers.

关键词： direction finding   direction-of-arrival   microstrip antenna array   multiple signal classification MUSIC   mutual coupling   polarization diversity   printed monopole array  

摘要： Direction finding (DF) systems are used to determine the direction-of-arrival (DoA) of electromagnetic waves, thus allowing for the tracking of RF sources. In this paper, we present an alternative formulation of antenna arrays for modeling DF systems. To improve the accuracy of the data provided by the DF systems, the effects of mutual coupling in the array, polarization of the received waves, and impedance mismatches in the RF front-end receiver are all taken into account in the steering vectors of the DoA algorithms. A closed-form expression, which uses scattering parameter data and active-element patterns, is derived to compute the receiver output voltages. Special attention is given to the analysis of wave polarization relative to the DF system orientation. Applying the formulation introduced here, a complete characterization of the received waves is accomplished without the need for system calibration techniques. The validation of the proposed model is carried out by measurements of a 2.2 GHz DF system running a MUSIC algorithm. Tests are performed with a linear array of printed monopoles and with a planar microstrip antenna array having polarization diversity. The experimental results show DoA estimation errors below 6 degrees and correct classification of the polarization of incoming waves, confirming the good performance of the developed formulation.

关键词： Sulfonated expanded polystyrene   Waste   Terpenic compounds   Citronellal   Cyclization   Isopulegol  

摘要： In this work, sulfonated expanded polystyrene waste (WEPS), obtaining from recycling of the expanded polystyrene (EPS) waste by low-cost sulfonation reaction, were successfully applied as environmentally benign acid solid in the liquid-phase cyclization of (+)-citronellal (1), under mild reaction conditions. (-)-Isopulegol (2) and (+)-neoisopulegol (3) were obtained with a total yield equal to 80%. Products 2 and 3 have direct industrial application in the composition of fragrances and flavorings. (-)-Isopulegol is also used as a synthesis intermediate of (-)-menthol. It was not observed the leaching of acid sites from WEPS to reaction solution, thereby, this process presented heterogeneuos nature. The WEPS was stable in the reaction medium and presented little significant loss of its performance in consecutive reactions of its reuse. In addition, WEPS showed better performance than commercial resin Amberlyst-15, in the same reaction conditions. The use of WPES as acid solid in reactions of industrial interest is an attractive, low-cost and environmentally friendly alternative for application of this material, obtained by recycling EPS waste, for adding value to natural ingredients obtained from biomass. [GRAPHICS] .