The three‐dimensional flow velocities within the typical pool chamber of the rectangular fishway were measured in a vertical slit bottom‐hole combination fishway by a hydraulic model test using an ...acoustic Doppler velocimeter (ADV). This was aimed to analyze the effect of eddy structures within the pool chamber of the fishway on fish migration. Based on this, a numerical simulation study was conducted using the Reynolds mean model (RNG k‐ε) and large eddy simulation (LES). Additionally, the omega (Ω) eddy identification method was used to identify the eddy structure within the pool chamber of the fishway and dissect the flow characteristics of the water body within the pool chamber. The findings revealed that longitudinal flow velocity dominated the flow in the lower bottom layer of the pond. Moreover, the flow in the middle and upper layers was more turbulent and there is a phenomenon of backflow upstream, and the flow at the orifice was a divergent jet with the main flow slightly to the right bank, forming two vortices in opposite directions on both sides of the orifice. The fish passage mainly displayed the turbulent vortex structure, which can effectively slow down the water flow and provide a resting place for migratory fish. The vortex identification method can more accurately identify the vortex structure inside the flow field.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Allergic diseases (ADs) such as asthma are presumed risk factors for COVID-19 infection. However, recent observational studies suggest that the assumed correlation contradicts each other. We ...therefore systematically investigated the genetic causal correlations between various ADs and COVID-19 infection/severity.
We performed a two-sample, bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) study for five types of ADs and the latest round of COVID-19 GWAS meta-analysis datasets (critically ill, hospitalized, and infection cases). We also further validated the significant causal correlations and elucidated the potential underlying molecular mechanisms.
With the most suitable MR method, asthma consistently demonstrated causal protective effects on critically ill and hospitalized COVID-19 cases (OR < 0.93, p < 2.01 × 10
), which were further confirmed by another validated GWAS dataset (OR < 0.92, p < 4.22 × 10
). In addition, our MR analyses also observed significant causal correlations of food allergies such as shrimp allergy with the risk of COVID-19 infection/severity. However, we did not find any significant causal effect of COVID-19 phenotypes on the risk of ADs. Regarding the underlying molecular mechanisms, not only multiple immune-related cells such as CD4
T, CD8
T and the ratio of CD4
/CD8
T cells showed significant causal effects on COVID-19 phenotypes and various ADs, the hematology traits including monocytes were also significantly correlated with them. Conversely, various ADs such as asthma and shrimp allergy may be causally correlated with COVID-19 infection/severity by affecting multiple hematological traits and immune-related cells.
Our systematic and bidirectional MR analyses suggest a unidirectional causal effect of various ADs, particularly of asthma on COVID-19 infection/severity, but the reverse is not true. The potential underlying molecular mechanisms of the causal effects call for more attention to clinical monitoring of hematological cells/traits and may be beneficial in developing effective therapeutic strategies for allergic patients following infection with COVID-19.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is an important sample source for diagnosing diseases in the central nervous system (CNS), but collecting and injecting CSF in small animals is technically challenging and ...often results in high mortality rates. Here, we present a cost-effective and efficient method for accessing the CSF in live rodents for fluid collection and infusion purposes. The key element of this protocol is a metal needle tool bent at a unique angle and length, allowing the successful access of the CSF through the foramen magnum. With this method, we can collect 5-10 µL of the CSF from mice and 70-100 µL from rats for downstream analyses, including mass spectrometry. Moreover, our minimally-invasive procedure enables iterative CSF collection from the same animal every few days, representing a significant improvement over prior protocols. Additionally, our method can be used to inject solutions into mice cisterna magna with high success rates and high postoperative recovery rates. In summary, we provide an efficient and minimally-invasive protocol for collecting and infusing reagents into the CSF in live rodents. We envision this protocol will facilitate biomarker discovery and drug development for diseases in the central nervous system.
Designing advanced electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction is of far-reaching significance. Active sites and conductivity play vital roles in such a process. Herein, we demonstrate a ...heteronanostructure for hydrogen evolution reaction, which consists of metallic 1T-MoS2 nanopatches grown on the surface of flexible single-walled carbon nanotube (1T-MoS2/SWNT) films. The simulated deformation charge density of the interface shows that 0.924 electron can be transferred from SWNT to 1T-MoS2, which weakens the absorption energy of H atom on electron-doped 1T-MoS2, resulting in superior electrocatalytic performance. The electron doping effect via interface engineering renders this heteronanostructure material outstanding hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity with initial overpotential as small as approximately 40 mV, a low Tafel slope of 36 mV/dec, 108 mV for 10 mA/cm2, and excellent stability. We propose that such interface engineering could be widely used to develop new catalysts for energy conversion application.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
Low birth weight (LBW) is accompanied by metabolic dysfunction, chronic inflammation and gut microbiota perturbation in piglets during early life. Regulating gut microbiota structure can indirectly ...or directly affect gut health and the host's metabolism. However, whether gut microbiota dysbiosis impact lipid metabolism and inflammation progression in the LBW pigs later in life is unclear. In the present study, we investigated the role of gut microbiota on homeostasis in organisms using young pigs as a model. The plasma concentrations of High-density lipoproteins (HDLC) and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as Interleukin 6 (IL-6), Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and Interleukin 18 (IL-18) were increased in LBW pigs. The bacterial composition was modified dramatically in LBW group in association with an increase in propionate, butyrate and Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the ileal digesta. LBW impaired intestine results in damaged Fatty acid-binding protein 1 (FABP2) and Fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) expressions, and the inhibition of Free fatty acid receptor 1 (FFAR1), Free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFAR2) and G protein-coupled receptor 119 (GPR119) expressions, causing inefficient SCFAs absorption. Meanwhile, the physical barrier and chemical barrier related to functional gene expressions of Occludin, Claudin-1, Mucin 1 (MUC1) and Mucin 2 (MUC2) in both ileum and colon were decreased in the LBW pigs. The genera of Blautia, Bifidobacterium, Subdoligranulum and Coprococcus 3 in the ileum were correlated positively with lipid metabolic dysfunction and pro-inflammatory response in LBW pigs. Collectively, the gut microbiota is critical for perturbation of lipid metabolism and inflammatory progression in LBW pigs, which suggests the interventions for modulating bacterial communities may be therapeutically beneficial for metabolic diseases and chronic inflammation.
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•LBW pigs exhibit intestinal dysfunction and metabolic dysbiosis.•The microbiota composition between LBW and NBW pigs was different and this difference was associated with SCFAs production.•LBW promotes lipid metabolism disorders and chronic inflammation, which is associated with alterations in the microbiota.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disease of the bone and joints. Immune-related genes and immune cell infiltration are important in OA development. We analyzed immune-related genes and ...immune infiltrates to identify OA diagnostic markers. The datasets GSE51588, GSE55235, GSE55457, GSE82107, and GSE114007 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. First, R software was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed immune-related genes (DEIRGs), and functional correlation analysis was conducted. Second, CIBERSORT was used to evaluate infiltration of immune cells in OA tissue. Finally, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator logistic regression algorithm and support vector machine-recurrent feature elimination algorithm were used to screen and verify diagnostic markers of OA. A total of 711 DEGs and 270 DEIRGs were identified in this study. Functional enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs and DEIRGs are closely related to cellular calcium ion homeostasis, ion channel complexes, chemokine signaling pathways, and JAK-STAT signaling pathways. Differential analysis of immune cell infiltration showed that M1 macrophage infiltration was increased but that mast cell and neutrophil infiltration were decreased in OA samples. The machine learning algorithm cross-identified 15 biomarkers (BTC, PSMD8, TLR3, IL7, APOD, CIITA, IFIH1, CDC42, FGF9, TNFAIP3, CX3CR1, ERAP2, SEMA3D, MPO, and plasma cells). According to pass validation, all 15 biomarkers had high diagnostic efficacy (AUC > 0.7), and the diagnostic efficiency was higher when the 15 biomarkers were fitted into one variable (AUC = 0.758). We developed 15 biomarkers for OA diagnosis. The findings provide a new understanding of the molecular mechanism of OA from the perspective of immunology.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
N‐doped mesoporous carbon spheres (NHMC@mSiO2) encapsulated in silica shells were prepared by emulsion polymerization and domain‐limited carbonization using ethylenediamine as the nitrogen source, ...and Ru−Ni alloy catalysts were prepared for the hydrogenation of α‐pinene in the aqueous phase. The internal cavities of this nanomaterial are lipophilic, enhancing mass transfer and enrichment of the reactants, and the hydrophilic silica shell enhances the dispersion of the catalyst in water. N‐doping allows more catalytically active metal particles to be anchored to the amphiphilic carrier, enhancing its catalytic activity and stability. In addition, a synergistic effect between Ru and Ni significantly enhances the catalytic activity. The factors influencing the hydrogenation of α‐pinene were investigated, and the optimum reaction conditions were determined to be as follows: 100 °C, 1.0 MPa H2, 3 h. The high stability and recyclability of the Ru−Ni alloy catalyst were demonstrated through cycling experiments.
Highly‐dispersed Ru−Ni nanocatalysts were prepared by a multi‐step reaction including emulsion polymerization, domain‐limited carbonization, and impregnation‐deposition of metals.This nanocatalyst exhibits excellent catalytic activity and selectivity for α‐pinene hydrogenation under the mild conditions. The high stability and recyclability of the catalyst were demonstrated through cycling experiments.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
18.
Hybrid-augmented intelligence： collaboration and cognition Zheng, Nan-ning; Liu, Zi-yi; Ren, Peng-ju ...
Frontiers of Information Technology & Electronic Engineering/Frontiers of Informaion Technology & Electronic Engineering,
02/2017, Volume:
18, Issue:
2
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
The long-term goal of artificial intelligence （AI） is to make machines learn and think like human beings. Due to the high levels of uncertainty and vulnerability in human life and the open-ended ...nature of problems that humans are facing, no matter how intelligent machines are, they are unable to completely replace humans. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce human cognitive capabilities or human-like cognitive models into AI systems to develop a new form of AI, that is, hybrid-augmented intelligence. This form of AI or machine intelligence is a feasible and important developing model. Hybrid-augmented intelligence can be divided into two basic models： one is human-in-the-loop augmented intelligence with human-computer collaboration, and the other is cognitive computing based augmented intelligence, in which a cognitive model is embedded in the machine learning system. This survey describes a basic framework for human-computer collaborative hybrid-augmented intelligence, and the basic elements of hybrid-augmented intelligence based on cognitive computing. These elements include intuitive reasoning, causal models, evolution of memory and knowledge, especially the role and basic principles of intuitive reasoning for complex problem solving, and the cognitive learning framework for visual scene understanding based on memory and reasoning. Several typical applications of hybrid-augmented intelligence in related fields are given.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
In recent years, the role of cancer immunotherapy has become increasingly important compared to traditional cancer treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Of note, the clinical ...successes of immune checkpoint blockade, such as PD-1 and CTLA-4, represent a landmark event in cancer immunotherapy development. Therefore, further exploration of how immune checkpoints are regulated in the tumor microenvironment will provide key insights into checkpoint blockade therapy. In this review, we discuss in details about the regulation of immune checkpoints mediated by immune cells, oncolytic viruses, epigenetics, and gut microbiota and mutual regulation by co-expressed checkpoints. Finally, predictions are made for future personalized cancer immunotherapy based on different checkpoint modulations.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Alcohol is considered a leading risk factor for osteopenia. Our previous research indicated that the Akt/GSK‐3β/β‐catenin pathway plays a critical role in the ethanol‐induced antiosteogenic effect in ...bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). PI3K/Akt is negatively regulated by the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) phosphatase. In this study, we found that ethanol increased PTEN expression in the BMSCs and bone tissue of ethanol‐treated Sprague–Dawley rats. PTEN upregulation impaired Akt recruitment to the plasma membrane and suppressed Akt phosphorylation at Ser473, thereby inhibiting Akt/GSK3β/β‐catenin signaling and the expression of COL1 and OCN in BMSCs in vitro and in vivo. The results of in vivo assays indicated that PTEN inhibition protected bone tissue against ethanol. Interestingly, our data revealed that following ethanol stimulation, PTEN and PTEN pseudogene 1 (PTENP1) mRNA expression was increased in a time‐dependent manner, resulting in an increased PTEN protein level. In addition, ethanol upregulated PTEN expression and decreased PTEN phosphorylation (p‐PTEN), indicating an increase in functional PTEN levels. In summary, the ethanol‐mediated transcriptional and post‐transcriptional regulation of PTEN impaired downstream Akt/GSK3β/β‐catenin signaling and BMSC osteogenic differentiation. Therefore, we propose that Akt/GSK3β/β‐catenin activation via PTEN inhibition may be a potential therapeutic approach for preventing the development of alcohol‐induced osteopenia.
Osteopenia is a condition characterized by low bone mineral density, which can lead to osteoporosis. Alcohol abuse is a risk factor for the condition, and previous studies have demonstrated that bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) show reduced osteogenic differentiation following ethanol treatment. You‐Shui Gao and colleagues previously reported that impaired Akt/GSK3β/β‐catenin signaling is involved in this anti‐osteogenic effect. Here, they show that ethanol upregulates PTEN expression and both transcriptional and post‐transcriptional regulation by ethanol augments PTEN function in BMSCs. This leads to impairment of downstream Akt/GSK3β/β‐catenin signaling, potentially contributing to the pathogenesis of alcohol‐associated osteopenia.
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BFBNIB, DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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