At present, how to use low-cost and superior algorithms to obtain high-resolution 3D range image is the focus of lidar research. In this letter, the low-resolution Gm-APD lidar is combined with the high-resolution ICCD lidar to obtain the registered low-resolution range image and high-resolution intensity image. This letter proposes an improved image guidance algorithm. The algorithm uses a Markov random field model to define a global energy function. This function combines the distance fidelity term and the regularization term to obtain a high-resolution 3D range image by solving the optimization model. The experimental results show that compared with the traditional algorithms, the algorithm improves the resolution of the range images, the edge of the reconstructed image is sharper than the regional similarity guidance algorithm, and the image quality evaluation index has the better value.

To accurately analyze and evaluate the comparison and selection of multi-index and multi-route highway route schemes and address the disadvantages of traditional scheme evaluations, we focus on the economic costs of construction and improve on previous qualitative and quantitative analysis. A comprehensive weight and intelligent selection algorithm are introduced into the optimization of highway route schemes. This paper presents an evaluation index system for highway route schemes based on the full life cycle and considering technology, the ecological environment, the social environment and the economy. We propose an evaluation system for highway route schemes based on a comprehensive weight. Additionally, an optimization method for highway route schemes based on the TOPSIS model is studied. Finally, the optimal highway route scheme is obtained by calculation. According to the results of the research, the construction of evaluation indexes directly influences the results of the scheme evaluation. When established operations, management and maintenance indexes are based on the full life cycle, the evaluation results are more accurate. In addition to avoiding the defects of a single weighting method, the comprehensive weight vector uses subjective data as well as expert opinion. In addition, the comprehensive weight vector introduces a preference coefficient so that analysers can determine a scheme based on the accuracy of subjective and objective information and requirements. This method uses a large number of evaluation populations to evaluate schemes, and the result is more objective.

Myositis ossificans (MO) is a rare disease in which ossification develops in the muscle or soft tissue. MO traumatica is recognized by ossification of the soft tissues after acute or repetitive trauma, burns, or surgical procedures. In the head and neck region, masseter is most commonly involved muscle.

CFTR modulators (CFTRm) were introduced recently but they are already profoundly changing Cystic Fibrosis (CF) landscape. This survey was conducted in 2018 to evaluate how their perception and use evolved in Italy, with focus on factors that could influence physician treatment decisions. Response rate was 75.6% and the majority of physicians (81%) had been working in CF for over 5 years. While traditional parameters such as lung function and nutritional status remain key evaluation criteria in relation to initiation and monitoring of CFTRm, pulmonary exacerbations ranked at least at the same level of importance in both pediatric and adolescent/adult patients homozygous for F508del, as well as those with residual function mutations. Increasing interest is shown for tools that can help detect early manifestations of disease such as Lung Clearance Index and imaging. Patient-related outcomes, such as ability to conduct daily activities, are also deemed relevant in decision to start and continue CFTRm. Physician decision to initiate treatment according to clinical presentation was similar in all groups, showing that more importance was given to severity/instability of disease rather than mutation type or age range. A relatively low percentage of physicians would treat asymptomatic patients, in particular very young or those with residual function mutations, showing reluctance to treat early in some patient groups in the absence of clear manifestations of CF. Increasing experience with CFTRm will allow to gain more long term evidence and will help shape new guidelines.

Objective: To investigate the association between maternal apolipoprotein A-1 (ApoA-1), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), ApoB/ApoA-1ratio and preterm birth (PTB). Design: Observational survey. Setting: Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, China Samples: 5986 pregnant women. Method: Data were extracted from the information system of Guangdong Women and Children Hospital. Maternal serum ApoB, ApoA-1 and ApoB/ApoA-1 ratio were categorized into tertiles. Logistic regression models were performed to evaluate the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for PTB. Main outcome measures: PTB (gestational age < 37 weeks) Results: Of the study participants, the rate of preterm birth was 5.7% (n= 344). Compare with individuals in the lowest tertile, the adjusted ORs of PTB was 1.41 (95% CI: 1.07-1.87) for individuals in the highest tertile of ApoB and 1.35 (95% CI: 1.03-1.78) for those in the highest tertile of ApoB/ApoA-1. The association of ApoB/ApoA-1 and PTB was more relevant among women with pre-pregnancy BMI ≤ 24 kg/m2, age at delivery ≥ 35 years or those who were multiparous. Conclusions: Elevated maternal ApoB level and ApoB/ApoA-1 ratio during mid-pregnancy were related to increased risk of PTB. Monitoring serum apolipoprotein levels may help to prevent preterm birth. Funding: The study was funded by grants 2019FYH003 from Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Keywords: Apolipoprotein A-1, Apolipoprotein B, Apolipoprotein B/Apolipoprotein A-1, Preterm birth Tweetable abstract：Maternal mid-pregnancy ApoB level and ApoB/ApoA-1 ratio were associated with PTB.

COVID-19 cases are increasing worldwide. With such emerging disease the medical community should be aware of atypical clinical presentations in order to help with correct diagnosis, and to take the proper measures to isolate and treat patients to avoid healthcare professionals being infected and to limit its spread (SARS-CoV-2).

Indwelling arterial catheters are used routinely for continuous haemodynamic monitoring during major surgery and in critically ill patients. Major complications are rare. We describe two cases of patients in which arterial catheterisation was associated with acute radial arterial thrombosis and radial ischaemic neuropathy. Timely recognition was paramount to successful management.

Aim: To investigate the diagnostic value of pulmonary embolism severity index (PESI), Simplified PESI (sPESI), Shock Index (SI), Modified SI (MSI), and Age SI (ASI) scores in predicting 30-day mortality in patients diagnosed with pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) in the emergency department. Materials and Methods: The retrospective study included 257 patients that presented to the emergency department and underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) due to the suspicion of PTE and were interpreted as PTE by an experienced radiologist between January 1, 2015 and September 20, 2018.The PESI, sPESI, SI, MSI, and ASI scores were calculated for each patient. Results: On univariate logistic regression analysis, 30-day mortality was found to be significantly associated with age, mode of presentation, SBP, DBP, MAP, heart rate, respiratory rate, O2 saturation, temperature, D-dimer, troponin I, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn), lactate, and SI, MSI, ASI, PESI, and sPESI scores (p<0.05). PESI had the highest AUC value for the prediction of 30-day mortality among all scoring systems. Conclusion: PESI had the highest diagnostic value in predicting 30-day mortality in the patients diagnosed with PTE in the emergency department, followed by ASI. Our findings regarding ASI may shed light on future studies evaluating critical patient groups.”

In this work, the excess Gibbs free energy models, i.e., non-random two-liquid (NRTL) model, electrolyte NRTL model, and electrolyte NRTL model including new strategies (association or hydration), were used to describe the macroscale properties and interpret the microstructure, clarifying the role of association and hydration in model development, and the enthalpy of mixing of three imidazolium-based IL-H2O systems containing the same cation but different sizes of anions, i.e., Cl−, Br−, and I− were measured for the first time to provide systematic data for model development. The models were developed and evaluated based on the newly measured data and the osmotic coefficient from the literature. The model reflecting the intrinsic mechanism of dissociation and hydration competition gives the best modeling results. The real ionic strength predicted from the identified model was quantitatively correlated with the electrical conductivities.

We study a class of reaction–advection–diffusion system which is in fact motivated by recent modeling approaches in criminology. While there are results regarding the existence of global solution of the original crime model, the restriction of the parameters is existed for n >=2 . Under mild conditions, our result expands the parameters to be arbitrary.

There is a critical skills gap on the African continent in regulatory sciences, and an acknowledged need to develop a long-term strategy for training and professional development of African regulatory personnel. Capacity building programs for African regulators should link education, training and research with career development in an approach that combines an academic base and experiential learning aligned within a competency framework. A regulatory ecosystem that engages with a broad range of stakeholders will mean that expertise in the ever-expanding field of regulatory science filters into teaching and research in a symbiotic way. In this way capacity development interventions will be a collaborative approach between the learning context (academic and training institutions) and the performance context (regulatory agencies and industry), which will ultimately best serve the patients. Monitoring and evaluation of capacity development interventions will be essential to show value of investments and ultimately guide continued funding and sustainability. This paper reviews the skills and human capacity gap and outlines a staged tactical approach for Africa that builds on previous efforts to strengthen African regulatory ecosystems.

The work reported here concerns with study a generalized nonlinear fractional boundary value problems involving ϑ-fractional derivative in the Riemann-Liouville sense. The existence and uniqueness of positive solutions to the problem at hand are proved. Our discussion relies on the properties of the Green's function, the upper and lower solutions method, and the classical fixed point theorems in a cone. Moreover, building upper and lower control functions have an effective role in the analysis. Some examples are offered to justify the validity of theoretical findings.

Mapping the genes underlying ecologically-relevant traits in natural populations is fundamental to develop a molecular understanding of species adaptation. Current sequencing technologies enable the characterisation of a species' genetic diversity across the landscape or even over its whole range. The relevant capture of the genetic diversity across the landscape is critical for a successful genetic mapping of traits and there are no clear guidelines on how to achieve an optimal sampling and which sequencing strategy to implement. Here we determine through simulation, the sampling scheme that maximises the power to map the genetic basis of a complex trait in an outbreeding species across an idealised landscape and draw genomic predictions for the trait, comparing individual and pool sequencing strategies. Our results show that QTL detection power and prediction accuracy are higher when more populations over the landscape are sampled and this is more cost-effectively done with pool sequencing than with individual sequencing. Additionally, we recommend sampling populations from areas of high genetic diversity. As progress in sequencing enables the integration of trait-based functional ecology into landscape genomics studies, these findings will guide study designs allowing direct measures of genetic effects in natural populations across the environment.

Computationally artificially derived chemical synthesis and multistep preparation processes can have a variety of use-cases. The idea of utilizing advanced computational complexity, bleu-score computational ranking type systems, and isolating different variable data is integrated in the synthesis preparation processes. Some use-cases presented include: edible polymers and the field study of printable foods, synthetic carbon capturing polymers and biomasses, and CBD Isolate for phytocannabinoids. Synthetic chemistry can tackle a variety of issues from food shortage to the opioid crisis. A computational scoring system can help with elimination reactions and non or organic reactionary mechanisms. Also, accuracy through validation-scoring and forms of molecular mechanics is crucial in the experimentation process. The same applies to various forms of variances, scattering and composition accuracy. The easiest way to demonstrate some of these concepts is through the analysis of said systems for these usecase varieties.

Background and Purpose: Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, alone or in combination with azithromycin, have been proposed as therapies for COVID-19. However, there is currently scant and inconsistent data regarding their proarrhythmic potential in these patients. Moreover, their risk profile in the setting of altered physiological states encountered in patients with COVID-19 (i.e. febrile state, electrolyte imbalances, and/or acidosis) is unknown. Experimental approach: Potency of hERG block was measured using high-throughput electrophysiology in the presence of variable environmental factors. These potencies informed simulations to predict population risk profiles. Effects on cardiac repolarisation were verified in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CM) from three separate individuals. Key Results: Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine blocked hERG with IC50 of 1.47±0.07 µM and 3.78±0.17 µM respectively, indicating proarrhythmic risk at concentrations effective against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro and proposed in COVID-19 clinical trials. Hypokalaemia and hypermagnesemia increased potency of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, indicating increased proarrhythmic risk. Acidosis significantly reduced potency of all drugs (i.e. reduced proarrhythmic risk), whereas increased temperature decreased potency of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine but increased potency for azithromycin. In silico simulations across genetically diverse populations predicted that 17% of individuals exhibit action potential durations >500 ms at the highest proposed therapeutic levels, equating to significant QT prolongation. Conclusion and Implications: Significant proarrhythmic risk is predicted for hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine at doses proposed to treat COVID-19. Clinicians should carefully consider the risk of such treatments, and implement long term QT interval monitoring in trials, particularly in patients with electrolyte imbalances.

Recent research on Gut-Brain Axis (GBA) has suggested that the gut luminal environment, including the dietary components and commensal microbiota, could affect behavior, emotion, and cognitive abilities in the brain. The research on GBA has heavily relied on animal models, which makes the research challenging. Recent advances in organ-on-a-chip technology could be a solution for GBA research. In present work, we developed a modular microfluidic chip, where gut epithelial and brain endothelial cells were co-cultured to form the gut epithelial barrier and the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB). Cell responses to microbial byproducts were examined by TEER measurement for each barrier, and we observed the transport of fluorescently labeled exosome across the gut barrier towards the BBB. Our results suggest this model can be used as a novel in vitro model of GBA for studying the interaction between the gut and the brain.

Introduction:Cardiac anxiety(CA) is a common finding in patients in the pre- and postoperative period of coronary artery bypass graft(CABG) surgery. Ventilatory restriction generated by pain and reduced muscle strength is associated with increased CA level. Inspiratory muscle training(IMT) for generating increased muscle strength can cause a decrease in CA in the postoperative period. Objective:To evaluate the impact of IMT on inspiratory muscle strength and its relationship with cardiac anxiety in patients undergoing CABG. Methodology:This is a randomized controlled clinical trial. In the preoperative moment, all patients answered a cardiac anxiety questionnaire, composed of two domains: fear and vigilance and avoidance. In addition, their maximum inspiratory pressure(MIP) was assessed. After the surgical procedure, the patients were divided into a control group(CG) that received routine hospital care and a training group(TG) who underwent an IMT protocol until the moment of hospital discharge. Results:80 patients were evaluated,40 in each group. The IMT group showed a 17% decrease in MIP while the CG decreased 43%(p <0.01). The fear and vigilance domain had a decrease of -16±3 in the CG while in the TG the reduction was -8±3(p <0.01). The avoidance domain reduced -17±4 in the CG vs -10±4 in the TG(p <0.01). In addition, there was a strong correlation between the MIP of the TG with the domains of fear/vigilance(r -0.77) and avoidance(r -0.72). Conclusion:IMT is associated with a reduction in the loss of inspiratory muscle strength, resulting in a reduced level of cardiac anxiety in patients undergoing CABG.

Abstract Background: Habitual snoring (HS), a prominent symptom of sleep-disordered breathing , is important to also consider the associated, multidimensional risk factors for HS in children. Aim: To identify risk factors for HS in children. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was performed in Chengdu. Children aged 2–14 years from four districts were randomly chosen to participate.Questionnaires were voluntarily completed by the children’s guardians. Results: The survey included 926 boys and 622 girls, who were an average of 7.11 5.25 years old. The sample included 463 habitual snorers (30.38%), 683 occasional snorers (44.82%), and 402 non-snorers (26.38%). HS was found in 51.84% of preschool children and 26.6% of school children.Among the HS group, 31.3% had a maternal education of a college degree or higher and 86.6%had an immediate family member who snores. Breastfeeding duration among the HS group was significantly less than among the occasional snoring and non-snoring groups. History of symptoms of allergic rhinitis, rhinosinusitis, tonsillitis, and pneumonia/bronchitis in the past six months were associated with HS. Likewise, maternal smoking during pregnancy, maternal exposure to secondhand smoke during pregnancy , and child exposure to secondhand smoke were also associated with HS. Conclusion: The prevalence of HS was higher in preschool children. Having a mother with more education, a family history of snoring, a shorter period of breastfeeding, upper respiratory tract inflammation, and passive smoking are important risk factors for HS.

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to compare the outcomes and complication rates of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) in geriatric patients according to Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). Materials and Methods: Between April 2011 and January 2020, patients who underwent PCNL and RIRS for renal stone between 10 and 30 mm in geriatric patients were retrospectively evaluated. All patients’ Pre-surgery comorbidities were recorded and the CCI was calculated. The two groups’ perioperative values, stone free rates and complication rates were compared. Postoperative complications were noted according to the Clavien scoring system. Results: There were 89 and 72 patients in the PCNL and RIRS group, respectively. The median age was 67 years in both of groups (p=0.192). The stone size were 22.2 ± 3.5 and 19.9 ± 7.1 in the PCNL and RIRS group, respec¬tively ( p = 0.082). CCI scores were similar in both groups (p=0.098). Stone free and complication rates were significantly higher in PCNL group (p = 0.021, p = 0.034). Also we found that overall complication and major complication rates were statistically significant difference with especially Charlson comorbidity index score ≥2 in PCNL group (p = 0,016, p = 0,029). According to correlation analysis of intraoperative and postoperative results with Charlson comorbidity index, there was positive correlation between total complication with PCNL and RIRS group, respectively (p < 0,001, p = 0.024). In addition, there was positive correlation between lenght of hospital stay with PCNL and RIRS group, respectively (p = 0,007, p < 0,001). Also there was positive correlation between blood transfusion requirement with PCNL group (p=0,009). Conclusion: Despite there was higher stone clearence in PCNL, the complication rates were higher compared to RIRS. So RIRS might be a safe alternative treatment method to PCNL in older patients with a high CCI score.

Leaf rust of wheat caused by Puccinia triticina (Pt) is one of the most common and widespread fungal diseases which has a wide incidence area, especially in the southwest and northwest of China, the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze river, and the southern part of the Huang-huai-hai river basin. To explore the relationship between the epidemic flora of leaf rust and transmission, a total of 709 isolates from Beijing, Hebei, Henan, Shandong, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Anhui, Jiangsu, Hubei, Yunnan, Sichuan, Gansu, Qinghai, Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia 15 provinces was genotyped using 13 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The Puccinia triticina populations from the 15 provinces were obviously divided into three predominant populations including the eastern Pt populations consisting of Pt samples from eight eastern provinces of Beijing, Hebei, Shandong, Anhui, Henan, Shanxi, Shaanxi and Heilongjiang; the four western Pt populations from Gansu, Sichuan, Qinghai and Inner Mongolia provinces; and the bridge Pt populations including Pt samples from Jiangsu, Hubei and Yunnan provinces which were communicated with the other two populations as a “bridge”. And the pathogen source transmission of eastern Pt populations was more frequent than western Pt populations. The linkage disequilibrium test indicated that the whole Pt population was linkage disequilibrium. Beijing, Hebei, Shaanxi, Jiangsu, Henan and Heilongjiang provinces were showed obviously linkage equilibrium phenomena while the five provinces of Qinghai, Hubei, Anhui, Shandong and Inner Mongolia were supported clonal mode of reproductions. In addition, provinces of Shanxi, Yunnan, Gansu, and Sichuan showed weak linkage disequilibrium phenomena. We systematically revealed the genotypic diversities, population differentiation and reproduction of P. triticina in 15 wheat producing areas in China.

Paraganglioma is a very rare extraadrenal nonepithelial tumor. The number of cases of laparoscopic surgery in Paraganglioma is small and controversial. This study encountered a case of successful transperitoneal laparoscopic surgery for a 56mm paraganglioma . Moreover, previous reports on laparoscopic surgery for paraganglioma are reviewed .

MF is a low-grade lymphoma, but on reaching the tumor stage, it can cause cardiac tamponade owing to epicardial infiltration. Myocardial infiltration, even in the absence of abnormal imaging findings, requires attention because it can lead to arrhythmia and cardiac arrest.

Outflow cannula occlusion is an infrequent complication occurring among recipients of continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (LVAD). Hereby, we present a case of intrinsic and extrinsic outflow cannula obstruction resulting in cardiogenic shock and multiorgan failure.

A recent Molecular Ecology editorial made a proactive statement of support for the “Nagoya Protocol” and the principle of benefit-sharing (Marden et al. 2020) by requiring authors to provide a “Data Accessibility and Benefit‐Sharing Statement” in their articles. Here, we encourage another step that enables Indigenous communities to provide their own definitions and aspirations for access and benefit-sharing alongside the author’s “Statement”. We invite the Molecular Ecology research community to use Biocultural-, Traditional Knowledge-, and Cultural Institution Notices to help Indigenous communities gain visibility within our research structures. Notices are one of the tools offered by the Biocultural Labels Initiative (part of the Local Contexts system) designed specifically for researchers and institutions. The Notices are highly visible, machine-readable icons that signal the Indigenous provenance of genetic resources, and rights of Indigenous communities to define the future use of genetic resources and derived benefits. The Notices invite collaboration with Indigenous communities and create spaces within our research systems for them to define the provenance, protocols, and permissions associated with genetic resources using Labels. Authors contributing to Molecular Ecology can apply Notices to their articles by providing the persistent unique identifier and an optional use-statement associated with the Notice in their “Data Accessibility and Benefit‐Sharing Statement”. In this way, our research community has an opportunity to accelerate support for the principles of the Nagoya Protocol, to alleviate concerns regarding Indigenous Data Sovereignty and equitable outcomes, and to build better relationships with Indigenous collaborators to enhance research, biodiversity, and conservation outcomes.