Since the first case of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection pneumonia was detected in Wuhan, China, a series of confirmed cases of the COVID-19 were found in Beijing. We analyzed the data of 262 ...confirmed cases to determine the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 in Beijing.
We collected patients who were transferred by Beijing Emergency Medical Service to the designated hospitals. The information on demographic, epidemiological, clinical, laboratory test for the COVID-19 virus, diagnostic classification, cluster case and outcome were obtained. Furthermore we compared the characteristics between severe and common confirmed cases which including mild cases, no-pneumonia cases and asymptomatic cases, and we also compared the features between COVID-19 and 2003 SARS.
By Feb 10, 2020, 262 patients were transferred from the hospitals across Beijing to the designated hospitals for special treatment of the COVID-19 infected by Beijing emergency medical service. Among of 262 patients, 46 (17.6%) were severe cases, 216 (82.4%) were common cases, which including 192 (73.3%) mild cases, 11(4.2%) non-pneumonia cases and 13 (5.0%) asymptomatic cases respectively. The median age of patients was 47.5 years old and 48.5% were male. 192 (73.3%) patients were residents of Beijing, 50 (26.0%) of which had been to Wuhan, 116 (60.4%) had close contact with confirmed cases, 21 (10.9%) had no contact history. The most common symptoms at the onset of illness were fever (82.1%), cough (45.8%), fatigue (26.3%), dyspnea (6.9%) and headache (6.5%). The median incubation period was 6.7 days, the interval time from between illness onset and seeing a doctor was 4.5 days. As of Feb 10, 17.2% patients have discharged and 81.7% patients remain in hospital in our study, the fatality of COVID-19 infection in Beijing was 0.9%.
On the basis of this study, we provided the ratio of the COVID-19 infection on the severe cases to the mild, asymptomatic and non-pneumonia cases in Beijing. Population was generally susceptible, and with a relatively low fatality rate. The measures to prevent transmission was very successful at early stage, the next steps on the COVID-19 infection should be focused on early isolation of patients and quarantine for close contacts in families and communities in Beijing.
Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission and Ministry of Science and Technology.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are key regulators of cell growth and survival in physiological and pathological processes. Aberrant MAPK signaling plays a critical role in the ...development and progression of human cancer, as well as in determining responses to cancer treatment. The MAPK phosphatases (MKPs), also known as dual-specificity phosphatases (DUSPs), are a family of proteins that function as major negative regulators of MAPK activities in mammalian cells. Studies using mice deficient in specific MKPs including MKP1/DUSP1, PAC-1/DUSP2, MKP2/DUSP4, MKP5/DUSP10 and MKP7/DUSP16 demonstrated that these molecules are important not only for both innate and adaptive immune responses, but also for metabolic homeostasis. In addition, the consequences of the gain or loss of function of the MKPs in normal and malignant tissues have highlighted the importance of these phosphatases in the pathogenesis of cancers. The involvement of the MKPs in resistance to cancer therapy has also gained prominence, making the MKPs a potential target for anti-cancer therapy. This review will summarize the current knowledge of the MKPs in cancer development, progression and treatment outcomes.
A desirable fingerprint-based indoor localization (FIL) system aims to achieve an accurate positioning result within an acceptable time consumption, which is still challenging for application. ...Building a practical FIL system is a composite task of feature extraction and location estimation, resulting in related methods that is often hard to consider both the positioning accuracy and time consumption. This article proposes a novel FIL system that uses a combination of distance metric learning (DML) and access point (AP) selection method to tradeoff the positioning accuracy and time consumption. Specially, we first abstract the localization process to develop a mathematical model from the perspective of probability theory and reveal the significant impact of the received signal strength (RSS) similarity comparison on FIL. Then, we propose a perturbation theory-based AP selection method to select the best-position-discrimination AP subset from all to reduce the positioning time consumption. Meanwhile, we propose a DML-based method to extract the RSS distribution which involves the indoor environmental information, and further use it in RSS fingerprint similarity comparison to improve the positioning accuracy. We introduce the signal path-loss model into the proposed method for training to get the best similarity metric function. Finally, experimental results show that both the positioning accuracy and the time consumption are comparatively improved in the online phase by the proposed FIL system.
Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) provides a noninvasive approach to elucidate a patient's genomic landscape and actionable information. Here, we design a ctDNA-based study of over 10,000 pan-cancer ...Chinese patients. Using parallel sequencing between plasma and white blood cells, 14% of plasma cell-free DNA samples contain clonal hematopoiesis (CH) variants, for which detectability increases with age. After eliminating CH variants, ctDNA is detected in 73.5% of plasma samples, with small cell lung cancer (91.1%) and prostate cancer (87.9%) showing the highest detectability. The landscape of putative driver genes revealed by ctDNA profiling is similar to that in a tissue-based database (R
= 0.87, p < 0.001) but also shows some discrepancies, such as higher EGFR (44.8% versus 25.2%) and lower KRAS (6.8% versus 27.2%) frequencies in non-small cell lung cancer, and a higher TP53 frequency in hepatocellular carcinoma (53.1% versus 28.6%). Up to 41.2% of plasma samples harbor drug-sensitive alterations. These findings may be helpful for identifying therapeutic targets and combined treatment strategies.
In this paper we consider hybrid wave farms, in which different types of WEC are combined, through a case study involving oscillating water columns (OWCs) and point-absorbers (PAs). A new parameter, ...called “H-factor”, is introduced to compare hybrid (multi-type) and conventional (single-type) wave farms in terms of wave power capture. We develop an ad hoc semi-analytical model to calculate the H-factor in a computationally efficient manner, and apply it to investigate how the H-factor and, consequently, the power capture, depend on: (i) the spacing and layout of the WECs, (ii) the type of WEC technology, and (iii) the wave conditions. We discuss the influence of these factors and, in the process, show that the H-factor is a valuable decision-aid tool. For specified wave conditions and layout limitations, a conventional wave farm may not be the most efficient option as a result of a destructive array effect, whereas a hybrid farm can be more efficient if a constructive hybrid effect occurs (if the H-factor value is above unity). This constructive hybrid effect can even overcome the destructive array effect for specified cases, demonstrating the potential advantage of hybrid wave farms relative to conventional wave farms.
•Hybrid wave farm, with two types of Wave Energy Converters (WECs).•We propose the novel H-factor to compare performance with single-type farms.•We perform a sensitivity analysis: type of WECs, layout, and wave conditions.•The H-factor is proven to be a useful decision-aid tool.•Hybrid farm is advantageous relative to single-type farms in certain conditions.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Ionospheric F2 region peak densities (NmF2) are expected to have a positive correlation with total electron content (TEC), and electron densities usually show an anticorrelation with electron ...temperatures near the ionospheric F2 peak. However, during the 17 March 2015 great storm, the observed TEC, NmF2, and electron temperatures of the storm‐enhanced density (SED) over Millstone Hill (42.6°N, 71.5°W, 72° dip angle) show a quiet different picture. Compared with the quiet time ionosphere, TEC, the F2 region electron density peak height (hmF2), and electron temperatures above ~220 km increased, but NmF2 decreased significantly within the SED. This SED occurred where there was a negative ionospheric storm effect near the F2 peak and below it, but a positive storm effect in the topside ionosphere. Thus, this SED event was a SED in TEC but not in NmF2. The very low ionospheric densities below the F2 peak resulted in a much reduced downward heat conduction for the electrons, trapping the heat in the topside in the presence of heat source above. This, in turn, increased the topside scale height so that even though electron densities at the F2 peak were depleted, TEC increased in the SED. The depletion in NmF2 was probably caused by an increase in the density of the molecular neutrals, resulting in enhanced recombination. In addition, the storm time topside ionospheric electron density profiles were much closer to diffusive equilibrium than the nonstorm time profiles, indicating less daytime plasma flow between the ionosphere and the plasmasphere.
Key Points
A SED in TEC but not in NmF2
Storm time topside ionospheric electron density profiles were in diffusive equilibrium
Increase in the topside but decrease in bottom side ionosphere
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Nicotiana benthamiana is the most widely-used experimental host in plant virology. The recent release of the draft genome sequence for N. benthamiana consolidates its role as a model for ...plant-pathogen interactions. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) is commonly employed for quantitative gene expression analysis. For valid qPCR analysis, accurate normalisation of gene expression against an appropriate internal control is required. Yet there has been little systematic investigation of reference gene stability in N. benthamiana under conditions of viral infections. In this study, the expression profiles of 16 commonly used housekeeping genes (GAPDH, 18S, EF1α, SAMD, L23, UK, PP2A, APR, UBI3, SAND, ACT, TUB, GBP, F-BOX, PPR and TIP41) were determined in N. benthamiana and those with acceptable expression levels were further selected for transcript stability analysis by qPCR of complementary DNA prepared from N. benthamiana leaf tissue infected with one of five RNA plant viruses (Tobacco necrosis virus A, Beet black scorch virus, Beet necrotic yellow vein virus, Barley stripe mosaic virus and Potato virus X). Gene stability was analysed in parallel by three commonly-used dedicated algorithms: geNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper. Statistical analysis revealed that the PP2A, F-BOX and L23 genes were the most stable overall, and that the combination of these three genes was sufficient for accurate normalisation. In addition, the suitability of PP2A, F-BOX and L23 as reference genes was illustrated by expression-level analysis of AGO2 and RdR6 in virus-infected N. benthamiana leaves. This is the first study to systematically examine and evaluate the stability of different reference genes in N. benthamiana. Our results not only provide researchers studying these viruses a shortlist of potential housekeeping genes to use as normalisers for qPCR experiments, but should also guide the selection of appropriate reference genes for gene expression studies of N. benthamiana under other biotic and abiotic stress conditions.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) project was established jointly by the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) and the International Union of Radio Science (URSI) in the late sixties with ...the goal to develop an international standard for the specification of plasma parameters in the Earth’s ionosphere. COSPAR needed such a specification for the evaluation of environmental effects on spacecraft and experiments in space, and URSI for radiowave propagation studies and applications. At the request of COSPAR and URSI, IRI was developed as a data-based model to avoid the uncertainty of theory-based models which are only as good as the evolving theoretical understanding. Being based on most of the available and reliable observations of the ionospheric plasma from the ground and from space, IRI describes monthly averages of electron density, electron temperature, ion temperature, ion composition, and several additional parameters in the altitude range from 60 km to 2000 km. A working group of about 50 international ionospheric experts is in charge of developing and improving the IRI model. Over time as new data became available and new modeling techniques emerged, steadily improved editions of the IRI model have been published. This paper gives a brief history of the IRI project and describes the latest version of the model, IRI-2012. It also briefly discusses efforts to develop a real-time IRI model. The IRI homepage is at http://IRImodel.org.
In recent literature, the impact of economic policy uncertainty (EPU) on macro aspects have been investigated, but the aspect of energy, precisely renewable energy still to explore. The motivation of ...the study is to produce fresh evidence regarding the nexus between EPU and renewable energy consumption (REC) with the mediating role of forcing direct investment (FDI) and financial development (FD) in BRIC nations for the period 1997q1–2018q4. The study applied unit root tests following Ng-Perron and Zivot and Andrews for detecting variable’s stationary properties. The long-run cointegration was evaluated by implementing Bayer, Hanck combined the cointegration test, Bound testing approach, and tBDM test. Both linear and non-linear ARDL were implemented to evaluate long-run and short-run shocks, and directional causality was assessed through a non-granger causality test. Furthermore, the study implemented robustness by implementing fully-modified OLS, dynamic OLS, and canonical cointegrating regression (CCR). Unit root test established the variables are stationary after the first difference; moreover, the Bayer and Hanck cointegration test confirmed the long-run association between EPU, FD, FD, and REC in BRIC nations. Accruing to ARDL estimation, adverse effects running from EPU to REC both in the long run and short run. Furthermore, the positive statistically significant linkage revealed for FDI and FD to REC implies that clean energy integration could be augmented with continual inflows of FDI and development of the financial sector. Model estimation with asymmetric assumption, the study documented asymmetric effects running from EPU, FDI, and FD to renewable energy consumption, especially in the long run. Finally, the directional causality revealed unidirectional causality between REC and EPU, whereas the feedback hypothesis was disclosed for FDI and REC and FD and REC. Study findings postulated that the role of foreign direct investment and financial development is critically significant because technological advancement and capital investment augment clean energy integration through the application of renewable energy.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Landslides frequently occur in the loess-rich Yili region of Xinjiang, China, due to the combined effects of wetting-drying and freeze-thaw (WD-FT) cycles, which cause changes in the soil/loess ...internal structure and shear strength. This paper explores the combined effect of WD-FT cycles on the shear strength evolution of Yili loess through cyclic and triaxial shear tests. The micromechanism of the effect of WD-FT cycles on the loess properties is studied through scanning electron microscopy tests. Finally, the gray correlation analysis method assesses the correlation between relevant macro and micro parameters. The results show that: (1) With the increase in WD-FT cycles, the cohesion of loess decreases first and then gradually stabilizes, while the internal friction angle first grows and then drops before stabilizing. This indicates that the WD-FT cycles cause different degrees of decline in the soil's internal friction angle and cohesion. (2) As the number of WD-FT cycles increases, the average abundance and directional probability entropy fluctuate slightly, gradually decreasing and stabilizing. In contrast, the particle size dimensionality gradually decreases and stabilizes, and the pore area ratio first increases and then gradually stabilizes. (3) Six microstructural parameters (average diameter, average abundance, particle size dimensionality, directional probability entropy, particle roundness, and pore area) are selected for correlation analysis with the shear strength index of loess. The results show that the particle size dimensionality closely correlates with macroscopic internal friction angle under coupled cycling, while the pore area closely correlates with macroscopic cohesion. These findings are instrumental in preventing and controlling loess landslides caused by WD-FT cycles in the Yili region of Xinjiang, China, and similar loess-rich regions.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
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