Tail End Research Articles

Integrated analysis of single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing data identifies the characteristics of ferroptosis in lumbar disc herniation.

Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is the most common condition associated with low back pain, and it adversely impacts individuals' health. Ferroptosis has recently emerged as a novel factor in the pathogenesis of LDH; however, the specific impacts of ferroptosis on LDH have not been fully elucidated. Ferroptosis-related differentially expressed genes (FRDEGs) were identified from the transcriptomic datasets of LDH. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was conducted to identify biological mechanism and related pathways. LASSO and SVM-RFE algorithms were applied to detect signature genes. Function of the signature gene was confirmed by RT-qPCR. The CIBERSORT algorithm was used to compare immune infiltration between LDH and normal samples. Correlation analysis between MYB and immune cells was analyzed using the Pearson method. Additionally, we used scRNA-seq to dissect cell clusters and cellular interactions. AUCell scoring was used to analyze the ferroptosis scores of different cell types. We found that MYB, a highly expressed ferroptosis-related gene, was associated with LDH By leveraging bioinformatics analysis. In immune infiltration analysis, the abundance of monocytes and macrophages varied significantly between the LDH group and disc spondylolisthesis (DS) group. MYB was correlated with most immune cells. GSEA revealed MYB was significantly enriched in immune-related pathways. Furthermore, scRNA-seq analysis revealed the presence of eight distinct cell types. AUCell analysis showed that macrophages had a high ferroptosis score. Cell trajectory analysis revealed that chondrocyte 1 was at the beginning of the trajectory, while calcification inhibiting chondrocytes and fibrochondrocytes accumulated along the middle and tail end of the trajectory, respectively. Cell-cell communication analysis identified chondrocyte 1 had an extensive communication network with other clusters and interacted with nucleus pulposus through collagen signaling pathway. Our analysis demonstrated that MYB may be a potential therapeutic target for LDH. This study provides a resource for the orthopedics community that will facilitate additional discoveries directedly toward understanding the pathogenesis process of LDH.

Deladenus taedae n. sp. (Nematoda: Neotylenchidae) in Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) woods from USA intercepted in Ningbo, P.R. China

Summary Deladenus taedae n. sp. was isolated from loblolly pine wood (Pinus taeda) intercepted in Ningbo, P.R. China, in imports from the USA. This new species is morphologically described and illustrated and characterised molecularly. Both mycetophagous and infective forms were recovered and described. The new species, D. taedae n. sp., resembles some other species of Deladenus in which the excretory pore is situated anterior to the hemizonid. The new species is characterised by the lateral fields with six lines, pointed tail ending and small spermatheca in mycetophagous females and short stylet in infective females. In mycetophagous females, the excretory pore is 74-98 μm from the anterior end and 37-54 μm anterior to the hemizonid. The partial rDNA 18S, complete internal transcribed spacer, 5.8S and partial 28S D2/D3 genes were amplified and sequenced. Phylogenetic analyses of the genes distinguished this new species from all other sequenced Deladenus species.

Too poor to be clean? A quantile ARDL assessment of the environmental Kuznets curve in SADC countries

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether there is a fit of the environmental Kuznets curve for Southern African development community (SADC) countries. To this end, we estimate a quadratic regression between greenhouse gas emissions (CO2, N20, CH4), per capita income and other controls, using the pooled mean group (PMG) and quantile autoregressive distributive lag (QARDL) models applied to annual data spanning from 1990 to 2021. On one hand, the PMG (Pooled mean group) estimators reveal an EKC fit for CO2 emissions (turning point = $4675), an inverse EKC for CH4 emissions (turning point = $6310) and no fit for the N20 emissions. On the other hand, the QARDL estimators further reveal more significant effects existing at the tail end distributions of the curve for all classes of emissions with turning points in the upper (lower) quantiles being higher (lower) than those from the PMG estimators. Further analysis informs us that only Seychelles have crossed the EKC ‘turning point’ at the upper quantile while the remaining countries are ‘too poor to go green.’ Overall, these findings have implications for the debate on climate justice in Africa.

Morphometric characteristics of the nematode Oesophagostomum venulosum (Nematoda, Strongylida) isolated from the domestic goat

The nematodes of the genus Oesophagostomum Molin, 1861 parasitize in the large intestine of ruminants and are widely represented in the terrestrial ecosystems of many countries of the world. One of the most common species of this genus in small ruminants is Oesophagostomum venulosum Rudolphi, 1809. The validity of this species was established using morphological and molecular genetic methods, the importance of which is still relevant. The aim of our research was to determine the morphological and metric characteristics of O. venulosum nematodes isolated from domestic goats in Ukraine. The differential parameters of mature males and females of nematodes of this species are described and illustrated, and the obtained data is analyzed in the context of the findings of other authors. The taxonomic morphological characters of O. venulosum include the presence of a pronounced cuticular vesicle at the head end, inner and external corona radiata, cervical papillae located behind the esophagus; in males, the presence of prebursal papillae in front of the tail bursa and features of its structure, thin and tubular spicules and features of the structure of their proximal and distal ends; in females, features of the structure of the tail end, vulva and its location. 35 morphometric indicators were determined and proposed to be used in the identification of O. venulosum in males, and 29 indicators in females. Of these, 20 parameters characterize the general body structure (the length and width of the nematode, the dimensions of the mouth capsule, cervical vesicle, esophagus, the length of the inner and outer radial crowns, the location of the nerve ring and cervical papillae, as well as their sizes). In male nematodes of this species, 15 indicators characterize the metric parameters of the reproductive system (the size of the spicules in their various parts, gubernaculum, genital cone, genital papillae and their location, the width of the copulatory bursa). In females, 7 indicators are described that characterize the length of the vagina, the ovipositor, the location of the vulva and anus, the width of the body in the area of the vulva and anus, as well as two metric parameters of eggs. The identified and described morphometric characters of O. venulosum males and females based on microscopic studies can be an economical and effective method for researchers to accurately identify nematodes of this species. The information obtained in this study can contribute to the timely planning of control and prevention strategies for the parasitism of these nematodes on goat farms.

Noncanonical autophagy is a new strategy to inhibit HSV-1 through STING1 activation

ABSTRACT STING1 (stimulator of interferon response cGAMP interactor 1) plays an essential role in immune responses for virus inhibition via inducing the production of type I interferon, inflammatory factors and macroautophagy/autophagy. In this study, we found that STING1 activation could induce not only canonical autophagy but also non-canonical autophagy (NCA) which is independent of the ULK1 or BECN1 complexes to form MAP1LC3/LC3-positive structures. Whether STING1-induced NCA has similar characters and physiological functions to canonical autophagy is totally unknown. Different from canonical autophagy, NCA could increase single-membrane structures and failed to degrade long-lived proteins, and could be strongly suppressed by interrupting vacuolar-type H+-translocating ATPase (V-ATPase) activity. Importantly, STING1-induced NCA could effectively inhibit DNA virus HSV-1 in cell model. Moreover, STING1 [1–340], a STING1 mutant lacking immunity and inflammatory response due to deletion of the tail end of STING1, could degrade virus through NCA alone, suggesting that the antiviral effect of activated STING1 could be separately mediated by inherent immunity, canonical autophagy, and NCA. In addition, the translocation and dimerization of STING1 do not rely on its immunity function and autophagy pathway. Similar to canonical autophagy, LC3-positive structures of NCA induced by STING1 could finally fuse with lysosomes, and the degradation of HSV-1 could be reverted by inhibition of lysosome function, suggesting that the elimination of DNA virus via NCA still requires the lysosome pathway. Collectively, we proved that besides its classical immunity function and canonical autophagy pathway, STING1-induced NCA is also an efficient antiviral pathway for the host cell. Abbreviations: ATG: autophagy related; Baf: bafilomycin A1; CASM: conjugation of LC3 to a single membrane; CGAS: cyclic GMP-AMP synthase; cGAMP: cyclic GMP-AMP; CQ: chloroquine; CTD: C-terminal domain; CTT: C-terminal tail; ER: endoplasmic reticulum; ERGIC: ER-Golgi intermediate compartment; HSV-1: herpes simplex virus 1; IRF3: interferon regulatory factor 3; IFNs: interferons; LAMP1: lysosomal associated membrane protein 1; LAP: LC3-associated phagocytosis; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3; MOI: multiplicity of infection; RB1CC1/FIP200: RB1 inducible coiled-coil 1; STING1: stimulator of interferon response cGAMP interactor 1; TBK1: TANK binding kinase 1; TGOLN2/TGN46: trans-golgi network protein 2; ULK1: unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 1; V-ATPase: vacuolar-type H+-translocating ATPase; VSV: vesicular stomatitis virus

Dynamic regulation of the thermal performance of the S–CO2 minichannel using a piezoelectric oscillating fin

It is difficult to alter the thermal performance of a minichannel heat sink with a fixed structure under constant operating conditions. In particular, if the local heat transfer of the substrate cannot be regulated in real time, the dynamic heat dissipation needs of high-power electronic components cannot be met in the electrical servo systems of flight vehicles. In this paper, a new minichannel heat sink structure based on the classical rectangular channel is proposed and a piezoelectric oscillating fin (POF) is introduced to replace the fixed fin. The thermal performance of the heat sink can then be regulated using the swing of the POF, with supercritical carbon dioxide (S–CO2) as the coolant. Transient numerical simulations are applied to investigate the influence of various POF operating parameters on the heat transfer of the channel, such as the oscillation amplitude and frequency. The results demonstrate that a channel with a POF can allow for dynamic and rapid adjustment of the thermal performance through control of the oscillation frequency and amplitude of the POF, with a constant channel configuration, coolant, and operating conditions. The heat transfer can be enhanced significantly by the swing of the POF, with the local Nusselt number growing up to 8.3 times and the overall one up to 1.14 times. Both the oscillation frequency and amplitude have a positive correlation with the intensity of heat transfer. The POF also contributes to a greater pressure drop and fluctuation in pumping power. A comprehensive evaluation coefficient shows that the POF is effective at improving the overall thermal performance with a low-frequency swing, while high-frequency operation enhances the local heat transfer and decreases the local temperature near the tail end of the POF. Finally, considering the effects of the frequency and amplitude of the POF, as well as the variable thermophysical properties of the supercritical coolant, a heat transfer correlation based on the Dittus–Boelter equation is established to predict the thermal performance of the channel with a POF. This prediction has a maximum error of ±0.56%.

<i>Hofmaenneria baikalensis</i> sp. n. and <i>Paratrilobus longisomus</i> sp. n. (Nematoda) from Lake Baikal

Illustrated descriptions of two new species of free-living nematodes Hofmaenneria baikalensis sp. n. and Paratrilobus longisomus sp. n. found in the Lake Baikal (Russia) are given. Hofmaenneria baikalensis sp. n. is close to H. keoladeoensis Khan et al., 2005, H. niddensis (Skwarra, 1921) Schneider, 1940 and H. sitnikovae Gagarin, Naumova, 2010. It differs from these three species in a presence of crystals in the body cavity and presence of three oval cardial glands. Paratrilobus longisomus sp. n. is close in the body size to P. expugnator (Tsalolichin, 1976) and P. rapis Gagarin, 1991 but it has a relatively shorter and slenderer tail and presence of subterminal seta at the tail end.

Description of Ektaphelenchus phoenicis n. sp. (Rhabditida: Ektaphelenchinae), a morphological and molecular phylogenetic study

Summary A new species of Ektaphelenchinae was recovered from the bark of a dead date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) tree, and from a soil sample collected from the rhizosphere of gramineous grasses in Iraq and Iran, respectively. It was assigned to the genus Ektaphelenchus mainly by the lack of a functional anus and rectum, and having a conical posterior body end (tail) in female, not ending to a filiform tip, and males lacking a bursa. The recovered populations were described based on morphological and molecular data. Ektaphelenchus phoenicis n. sp. is characterised by 346-441 μm long females, having three lines in lateral field, a 12.3-15.8 μm long stylet with wide lumen lacking basal knobs or swellings, high lip region separated from the rest of body by a depression, metacorpus elliptical with refractive valve plates almost in the middle to slightly posterior, excretory pore posterior to metacorpus, postvulval uterine sac (PUS) 9.3-14.8 μm long, usually containing sperm, posterior body end (tail) with ventrally bent distal end, males common in population with seven precloacal + cloacal + caudal papillae and slightly elevated cloacal lips under SEM, appearing as a differentiated flap-like structure under LM. The new species was morphologically compared with typologically similar species of Ektaphelenchus with a similar body size, namely: E. golestanicus, E. oleae and E. taiwanensis; a similar female posterior body end, namely: E. cupressi, E. kanzakii, E. prolobos and E. riograndensis; and E. goffarti having a similar postcloacal structure. The phylogenetic relationships of the new species with other relevant genera and species were reconstructed using near full length sequences of small and D2-D3 expansion segments of large subunit (SSU and LSU D2-D3) rDNA. In both inferred phylogenies, the newly generated sequences of Ektaphelenchus phoenicis n. sp. occupied a placement inside a maximally supported clade including sequences of three genera Ektaphelenchus, Ektaphelenchoides and Devibursaphelenchus.

Scapegoating Immigrants in Times of Personal and Collective Crises: Results from a Czech Panel Study

According to scapegoat theory, individuals tend to attribute personal or social problems to an out-group (real or imagined). This self-serving bias protects the ego or social identity from responsibility while increasing prejudice towards the out-group blamed for feelings of frustration. In this research note, we test this theory using five waves of the Czech Household Panel Study (CHPS 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020), which captures the tail end of the 2015–2016 refugee crisis in Europe through the lockdown in response to COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. We focus attention on both personal and professional domains, asking if factors like subjective health, work stress, relationship dissatisfaction, life dissatisfaction, and unhappiness contribute to attitudes towards immigrants over time. We also ask whether socio-political attitudes such as distrust in the government, social distrust, and political disinterest are associated with changes in anti-immigrant sentiment. Results show that personal and professional domains help explain between-individual differences in attitudes towards immigrants, while trust in the government and society are related to both within-individual change and between-individual differences in anti-immigrant sentiment.

Toward multiscale simulations for solidification microstructure and microsegregation for selective laser melting of nickel-based superalloys

In this study, we carried out multiscale simulations that integrate a macro-scale finite element method simulation for mass and heat transfer of the transient molten pool and a micro-scale quantitative phase-field model for dendritic growth and solute distribution based on selective laser melting (SLM) experiments. Macroscopic simulations reveal an approximately inverse coupling of solidification velocity Vs and thermal gradient G near the solid–liquid interface at the tail end of the molten pool. It was found that the maximum flow velocity of the Inconel 718 alloy melt in the molten pool exceeds 2×10−2 m/s and the maximum negative pressure reaches −5.28×10−4 Pa. Through quantitative phase-field simulations, the map about G/Vs for each solidification morphology was obtained, and it was found that solidification velocity dependent solute partition coefficients k(Vs) can strongly influence the estimated stability regions. The power law relationship of the primary dendritic arm spacing (PDAS) λ1 versus solidification velocity λ1∝Vsα agrees with the previous experimental results for lower G, and the exponent α decreases with increasing G. The PDAS λ1 versus cooling rate R following λ1∝R−0.512 is consistent with previous investigations. We found that λ1 is a nonlinear function with G−0.5Vs−0.25, i.e., λ1∝(G−0.5Vs−0.25)α, with α ranging from 0.887 to 2.466 for various G. Comparison of the predicted λ1 with Trivedi's model reveals that λ1 is still nonlinear with G−0.25Vs−0.25.

Investigating Wafer Quality in Industrial Czochralski‐Grown Gallium‐Doped p‐Type Silicon Ingots with Melt Recharging

Herein, a systematic study of the electronic quality of gallium‐doped p‐type silicon wafers from Czochralski‐grown ingots with melt recharging is presented. It is found that in the as‐grown state, the ingots contain interstitial iron concentrations in the range of 3 × 109–2 × 1010 cm−3, with a trend of slightly higher concentrations toward the tail end of each ingot, and in subsequently grown ingots. However, analysis of the effective lifetimes indicates that iron–gallium pairs are not the dominant recombination centers in the as‐grown state. Moreover, when these wafers are subjected to a tabula rasa step, an increase in the iron concentration is observed in the range of 1 × 1010–6 × 1010 cm−3, with iron–gallium pairs becoming the dominant recombination centers. This is possibly caused by the dissolution of pre‐existing precipitated iron in the wafers. Nevertheless, the negative impact of iron contamination can be dramatically reduced by subjecting the wafers to a phosphorus diffusion gettering step, as is commonly incorporated in the fabrication of p‐type passivated emitter and rear cells. Therefore, it is concluded that the quality of the ingots is not limited by iron contamination, even after multiple ingots are pulled from the recharged melt.

Differential Analysis and Prediction of Planar Shape at the Head and Tail Ends of Medium-Thickness Plate Rolling

This paper aims to improve planar shape prediction accuracy in the rolling process of medium and thick plates. We present a model based on the strip method that addresses limitations in predicting planar shape variations at the head and tail ends of rolled pieces. By analysing the rolling process, we introduce the concept of an imaginary strip longitudinal length difference to represent planar shape characteristics effectively. By analysing the change in metal shape in the rolling deformation zone, the calculation formula for metal volume in the deformation zone is derived. This establishes a relationship between the longitudinal length difference at the rolled piece ends and the metal volume in the deformation zone. The prediction of plane shape difference between the end and the head of medium and medium-thickness plate is realized. The experimental results confirm the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.

Quasars and the Intergalactic Medium at Cosmic Dawn

Quasars at cosmic dawn provide powerful probes of the formation and growth of the earliest supermassive black holes (SMBHs) in the Universe, their connections to galaxy and structure formation, and the evolution of the intergalactic medium (IGM) at the epoch of reionization (EoR). Hundreds of quasars have been discovered in the first billion years of cosmic history, with the quasar redshift frontier extended to z ∼ 7.6. Observations of quasars at cosmic dawn show the following: ▪The number density of luminous quasars declines exponentially at z > 5, suggesting that the earliest quasars emerge at z ∼ 10; the lack of strong evolution in their average spectral energy distribution indicates a rapid buildup of the active galactic nucleus environment.▪Billion-solar-mass black holes (BHs) already exist at z > 7.5; they must form and grow in less than 700 Myr, by a combination of massive early BH seeds with highly efficient and sustained accretion.▪The rapid quasar growth is accompanied by strong star formation and feedback activity in their host galaxies, which show diverse morphological and kinetic properties, with typical dynamical mass lower than that implied by the local BH/galaxy scaling relations.▪Hi absorption in quasar spectra probes the tail end of cosmic reionization at z ∼ 5.3–6 and indicates the EoR midpoint at 6.9 < z < 7.6, with large spatial fluctuations in IGM ionization. Observations of heavy element absorption lines suggest that the circumgalactic medium also experiences evolution in its ionization structure and metal enrichment during the EoR.

Impact of EML4-ALK fusion variant and co-occurring TP53 mutation on treatment duration of first-line next-generation ALK TKIs in ALK fusion+ NSCLC.

9029 Background: Molecular biomarkers such as EML4-ALK fusion variant 3 (V3) and TP53 mutation are associated with poor prognosis in patients (pts) with anaplastic lymphoma kinase fusion positive ( ALK+) non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We evaluated the effect of EML4-ALK fusion variants and TP53 mutation status on time to treatment discontinuation (TTD) of first-line (1L) treatment with a next-generation ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) in pts with ALK+ NSCLC in the real-world setting. Methods: Pts with advanced/metastatic NSCLC who were ALK+ in circulating tumor DNA by Guardant360 (G360) liquid biopsy test from Jan 1, 2018, to Dec 31, 2021, and received 1L monotherapy with a next-generation ALK TKI (alectinib, brigatinib, ceritinib, lorlatinib) were identified in the Guardant INFORM clinical-genomics database. Median TTD of 1L ALK TKI treatment was determined by Kaplan-Meier (KM) methods. The impact of EML4-ALK fusion variant and TP53 mutation status on TTD was evaluated. Results: Database search identified 495 pts with advanced/metastatic NSCLC who had ALK fusion by G360; of these, 214 pts received 1L treatment with a next-generation ALK TKI; 164 had G360 testing before treatment (alectinib, n=147; brigatinib, n=7; ceritinib, n=2; lorlatinib, n=8). Among these 164 pts, median age was 58.6 y, 53% were female, and 29% had baseline brain metastases. Median follow-up from start of 1L treatment was 14.8 mo. Median TTD was 19.6 mo (95% CI: 13.6–not reached [NR]). TP53 mutations were detected in 66 pts (40%). Median (95% CI) TTD in pts with TP53 mutation vs WT was 17.1 (9.5–28.5) vs 21.9 mo (14.3–NR; log-rank P=0.1712). Of 130 pts with EML4-ALK fusion variant type detected, 63 (48%) had V1, 54 (42%) V3, 8 (6%) V2, 4 (3%) V5, and 1 (1%) V8. In pts with EML4-ALK fusion V1 vs V3, median (95% CI) TTD was 19.0 (13.6–NR) vs 21.8 mo (8.7–NR; HR: 0.73; log-rank P=0.3039), with the KM plot showing numerically longer TTD in pts with V1 vs V3 during the first 18 mo and lines crossing at the tail end. Of 117 pts with both an EML4-ALK fusion variant (V1/V3) and TP53 data, 21 (18%) had both V3 and a TP53 mutation. Pts with co-occurring EML4-ALK V3 and TP53 mutation had the shortest TTD (median TTD 8.7 [3.9–NR; HR: 2.59; P=0.0219]; Table). Conclusions: Among pts with NSCLC and ALK fusion, co-occurrence of EML4-ALK V3 and TP53 mutation is common and associated with poor prognosis and high risk of early discontinuation of 1L treatment with a next-generation ALK TKI, most likely due to disease progression. Additional novel or combination therapies are warranted for this subpopulation. [Table: see text]

Effect of Liangfang Wenjing Decoction on expression of key glycolytic enzymes in uterus and ovaries of rats with coagulating cold and blood stasis syndrome

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between coagulating cold and blood stasis syndrome and glycolysis, and observe the intervention effect of Liangfang Wenjing Decoction(LFWJD) on the expression of key glycolytic enzymes in the uterus and ovaries of rats with coagulating cold and blood stasis. The rat model of coagulating cold and blood stasis syndrome was established by ice-water bath. After modeling, the quantitative scoring of symptoms were performed, and according to the scoring results, the rats were randomly divided into a model group and LFWJD low-, medium-and high-dose groups(4.7, 9.4, 18.8 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), with 10 in each group. Another 10 rats were selected as the blank group. After 4 weeks of continuous administration by gavage, the quantitative scoring of symptoms was repeated. Laser speckle flowgraphy was used to detect the changes of microcirculation in the ears and uterus of rats in each group. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the pathological morphology of uterus and ovaries of rats in each group. The mRNA and protein expressions of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1(PDK1), hexokinase 2(HK2) and lactate dehydrogenase A(LDHA) in the uterus and ovaries of rats were examined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR) and Western blot, respectively. The rats in the model group showed signs of coagulating cold and blood stasis syndrome, such as curl-up, less movement, thickened veins under the tongue, and reduced blood perfusion in the microcirculation of the ears and uterus, and HE staining revealed a thinning of the endometrium with disorganized arrangement of epithelial cells and a decrease in the number of ovarian follicles. Compared with the model group, the treatment groups had alleviated coagulating cold and blood stasis, which was manifested as red tongue, reduced nail swelling, no blood stasis at the tail end as well as increased blood perfusion of the microcirculation in the ears and uterus(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Among the groups, the LFWJD medium-and high-dose groups had the most significant improvement in coagulating cold and blood stasis, with neatly arranged columnar epithelial cells in uterus, and the number of ovarian follicles was higher than that in the model group, especially mature follicles. The mRNA and protein expressions of PDK1, HK2, LDHA in uterus and ovaries were up-regulated in the model group(P<0.05 or P<0.01), while down-regulated in LFWJD medium-and high-dose groups(P<0.05 or P<0.01). The LFWJD low-dose group presented a decrease in the mRNA expressions of PDK1, HK2 and LDHA in uterus and ovaries as well as in the protein expressions of HK2 and LDHA in uterus and HK2 and PDK1 in ovaries(P<0.05 or P<0.01). The therapeutic mechanism of LFWJD against coagulating cold and blood stasis syndrome is related to the down-regulation of key glycolytic enzymes PDK1, HK2 and LDHA, and the inhibition of glycolytic activities in uterus and ovaries.

Comparation of intraureteral stent and conventional stent at different stages: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Stent related symptom (SRS) is the most common adverse effect of ureteral stenting. In recent years, many efforts have been made to develope modified ureteral stents to ameliorate SRS. It has been reported that intraureteral stents have the potential to improve the tail end adverse effect of the bladder and alleviate SRS. However, there still lack of evidence for the efficacy and the safety of clinically applying intraureteral stents. The aim of this work is to investigate the efficacy and safety of intraureteral stents. A systematic review was performed by using the PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, Embase, and Cochrane library. The studies published before February 2023 were included. The study selection was following the guideline from Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA). The searching strategy was: "Pigtail suture stent" OR "Intra-ureteric stent" OR "Suture Stent" OR "Intraureteral stent" AND "Ureteroscopy" OR "Urinary calculi" OR "Stent-related symptoms" OR "Lower urinary tract symptoms". The data from randomized clinical trials which meet the selection criteria were extracted. Revman 5.4 was employed to proceed the meta-analysis. A total of six randomized clinical trials of intraureteral stents were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. According to the different investigation time, the results could be divided into four stages: early-stage, middle-stage, late-stage, and long-term evaluation. Urinary symptoms, pain score, and general health were significantly improved in intraureteral stents group at middle stage. For late-stage, intraureteral stent achieved better outcomes in urinary symptoms index, VAS score, quality of life, general health, and pain score. However, for early-stage and long-term evaluation, there was no significant difference between two groups. This systematic review and meta-analysis reveal that regardless of the stage of treatment, the efficacy and safety of intraureteral stent are no worse than that of conventional stent. During 7-14 days postoperation, which is the most commonly time for clinically using ureteral stent, most of the outcomes of intraureteral stent are better than those of conventional stent. Hence, it is confirmed that intraureteral stent is worth for more clinical study and application.

Strip tracking control using novel insights into the differential rolling process

ABSTRACT Steel strips suffer from lateral shift when being rolled in a rolling mill, especially at the head and tail ends. That results in strip pinches with costly downtime and damage to the work rolls and the strip itself. The lateral shift can be reduced by levelling the gauge control cylinders in response to shift measurements and differential roll force measurements. Designing such controllers gave rise to the desire for analytical relations that describe the shifting process. Novel insights have been revealed, which include the differential material modulus, the differential mill modulus and the ratio to apportion the effect of levelling to entry and exit strip speed changes. The insights have resulted in compact analytical process models that have been used to implement strip tracking controllers safely and sensibly, and to schedule control gains based on actual process parameters. Focus has been on hot strip mills.

Improving quantitative and qualitative equity of water distribution systems

In most of the main canals in Egypt, such as the Mit Yazid canal, the tail end regions have a high dependence on agricultural drainage water. The current study aims to improve the situation in tail regions by mixing the drainage water with the surface water at head reaches while maintaining environmental standards. Simulations and water quality models (HEC-RAS model) were used to validate the proposed solutions. The study investigated two scenarios to lift 10.50 and 12.0 m3/s of drainage water at the head reach. The results showed that it is possible to considerably increase the flow to downstream areas while maintaining water quality standards. The study is important as municipal water and its effluent is increasing while irrigation water is decreasing, and therefore, the dependence of tail end farmers on polluted drainage water will increase. The situation in these regions will be unsustainable unless the burden is distributed between the head and tail regions.

Social Histories of Iran: Modernism and Marginality in the Middle East

Social Histories of Iran: Modernism and Marginality in the Middle East

Making Your Tools Work for You: Building and Maintaining an Integrated Technical Ecosystem for Digital Archives and Libraries. By Max Eckard. [Review

I encountered Max Eckard’s Making Your Tools Work for You: Building and Maintaining an Integrated Technical Ecosystem for Digital Archives and Libraries at the tail end of a drawn-out migration to an open-source system, with time, patience, and resources running short. Rather than (merely) serving as a distraction to the many tasks at hand, the book provided useful conceptual language to communicate goals and rationales for this migration, as well as ideas for next steps to integrate the new system with other library and archival tools. While we could have used the knowledge it imparts earlier in the process, it will continue to serve as a resource at my place of work, and I would recommend it to archivists attempting to use technology more effectively and technologists seeking to better serve archivists.