Houston,Texas,is one of the earliest regions to employ continuous GPS technology for land subsidence monitoring.Currently,there are over 200 permanent GPS stations located in the greater Houston area.The need for a co...Houston,Texas,is one of the earliest regions to employ continuous GPS technology for land subsidence monitoring.Currently,there are over 200 permanent GPS stations located in the greater Houston area.The need for a consistent and stable reference frame to precisely interpret local ground deformation has become critically important since the 1990s,because of the significant spreading of subsidence.We have established a stable Houston reference frame,designated Houston16,using publicly available GPS observations(>5 years)from 15 Continuously Operating Reference Stations(CORS)located outside of the greater Houston area.Applications of the reference frame in subsidence and faulting studies are demonstrated in this article.Houston16 is aligned in origin and scale with the International GNSS Reference Frame of 2008(IGS08).A 7-parameter method was employed to transform the GPS-derived positional time series from IGS08 to Houston16.The primary product of this study is the seven parameters for transforming Earth-Centered-Earth-Fixed XYZ coordinates from IGS08 to Houston16.The frame stability of Houston16 is approximately 1 mm/year.Houston16 will be updated every few years to mitigate degradation of the frame’s stability with time and to synchronize with future updates of the IGS reference frame.展开更多
Background:In the 2022-2023 global outbreak,the United States and state of Texas recorded a total of 31,277 and 3,085 confirmed monkeypox(Mpox)cases respectively as of November 2023.This study aims to investigate the ...Background:In the 2022-2023 global outbreak,the United States and state of Texas recorded a total of 31,277 and 3,085 confirmed monkeypox(Mpox)cases respectively as of November 2023.This study aims to investigate the demographic characteristics and risk factors of Mpox outbreak in Houston and document the epidemiologic control measures implemented with their outcomes.Methods:Houston Health Department received reports of suspected Mpox cases via electronic case reports and laboratory reports from healthcare providers within Houston.These were then investigated and reclassified as either positive or negative using DNA polymerase chain reaction tests.All the reported cases received between May 2022 and January 2023 were included in this study using convenient sampling methods.Descriptive statistics using frequency distribution was used to analyze the sociodemographic,clinical features and travel history of the cases.A two-sided Chi-squared test was used to determine association between Mpox test results and risk factors with significant level set at P<0.05.Other infection control measures such as community engagement,health education,tracking and contact tracing,vaccination,referrals and laboratory sample logistics support were implemented by the health department.Results:Out of the total of 1,625 suspected persons investigated for Mpox,724(44.6%)tested positive.Among the 724 confirmed cases,male was 700(96.7%),females 20(2.8%),transgender male 1(0.1%),transgender female 3(0.4%).Age groups 30-39 years constituted 43.6%,18-29 years 27.4%,40-49 years 18.2%,50-59 years was 8%.Race distribution of positive cases was Whites 43.4%,African American 38.7%,Asian 1.4%.Risk factors with P<0.05 included male gender,age groups 30-39 years and 40-49 years,travel history to Mpox endemic areas,recent sexual contact with known or suspected Mpox cases,human immunodeficiency virus seropositivity.Identifying as gay and bisexual were also statistically significant risk factors for Mpox infection.Conclusion:The timely implementation of primary and secondary prevention measures targeted at the most at-risk populations was very effective at curtailing the spread of Mpox infection within the city of Houston.展开更多
Analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Barker Reservoir in Houston, Texas, United States is reported. Samples were collected within one week after the August 2017 Hur...Analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Barker Reservoir in Houston, Texas, United States is reported. Samples were collected within one week after the August 2017 Hurricane Harvey. Using a gas chromatograph equipped with a mass spectrometer, 4 VOCs and 13 PAHs were found in the Barker Reservoir. Concentrations of acetone, benzene, chloroform, and toluene were 1500, 380, 830, and 290 parts per million (ppm), respectively. Benzene and chloroform are classified as probable human carcinogens by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Six PAHs including benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, chrysene, and dibenz[a,h]anthracene are probable human carcinogens. The most concentrated PAH was acenaphthylene at 0.068 ppm, while the least one was fluoranthene at 0.00046 ppm. Results revealed water contaminants in Houston and its vicinities during the flooding season and served as references for water monitoring purposes in the future.展开更多
Microglia are the macrophages that populate the brain parenchyma.Research in the past decades has identified them as both essential guardians of the brain and significant contributors to various neurological diseases....Microglia are the macrophages that populate the brain parenchyma.Research in the past decades has identified them as both essential guardians of the brain and significant contributors to various neurological diseases.A highly versatile cell type,microglia have been shown to fulfill a multitude of critical roles in the central nervous system,including facilitating neurogenesis and myelination,pruning synapses,removing debris and waste,modulating neuronal activity,supporting the blood-brain barrier,repairing tissue damage,and surveilling against microbial invasions under physiological conditions(Prinz et al.,2021;Paolicelli et al.,2022).展开更多
In recent years,the research on superconductivity in one-dimensional(1D)materials has been attracting increasing attention due to its potential applications in low-dimensional nanodevices.However,the critical temperat...In recent years,the research on superconductivity in one-dimensional(1D)materials has been attracting increasing attention due to its potential applications in low-dimensional nanodevices.However,the critical temperature(T_(c))of 1D superconductors is low.In this work,we theoretically investigate the possible high T_(c) superconductivity of(5,5)carbon nanotube(CNT).The pristine(5,5)CNT is a Dirac semimetal and can be modulated into a semiconductor by full hydrogenation.Interestingly,by further hole doping,it can be regulated into a metallic state with the sp3-hybridized𝜎electrons metalized,and a giant Kohn anomaly appears in the optical phonons.The two factors together enhance the electron–phonon coupling,and lead to high-T_(c) superconductivity.When the hole doping concentration of hydrogenated-(5,5)CNT is 2.5 hole/cell,the calculated T_(c) is 82.3 K,exceeding the boiling point of liquid nitrogen.Therefore,the predicted hole-doped hydrogenated-(5,5)CNT provides a new platform for 1D high-T_(c) superconductivity and may have potential applications in 1D nanodevices.展开更多
Background:Os Draconis is an important material in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).However,its market is saturated with counterfeit products,and the limitations of current identification methods pose a serious threa...Background:Os Draconis is an important material in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).However,its market is saturated with counterfeit products,and the limitations of current identification methods pose a serious threat to clinical effectiveness and drug safety.This study aims to establish a more accurate and comprehensive authentication system for Os Draconis.Methods:A comprehensive approach was employed to analyze authentic Os Draconis,fossilized Os Draconis,counterfeit products,and lab-prepared modern animal bones.The analytical techniques included ^(14)C dating,electron probe microanalysis(EPMA),polarized light microscopy,X-ray diffraction(XRD),inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS),and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR).The study focused on examining the microstructural features and micro-area elemental compositions to identify distinguishing characteristics.Results:Physical identification alone was insufficient to reliably distinguish authentic Os Draconis from its counterfeits.XRD analysis revealed that while hydroxyapatite is the main component in all samples,authentic Os Draconis also contains calcium carbonate and quartz,which were absent in counterfeit and lab-prepared samples.FTIR spectra identified the carbonate ion(CO_(3)^(2-))as a characteristic infrared marker for authentic Os Draconis.ICP-MS analysis showed that Ca and P are the major elements,with a notably high content of Lanthanum(La)among rare earth elements in authentic samples.The EPMA results demonstrated that the Ca/P ratio of authentic Os Draconis is distinct,falling between that of fossilized Os Draconis and counterfeit samples.Conclusion:This study successfully identified several precise markers,including the presence of calcium carbonate,the characteristic CO_(3)^(2-)infrared peak,a high La content,and a specific Ca/P ratio,for the accurate and rapid authentication of Os Draconis.Furthermore,the analysis of its natural porous structure,suitable pore size,and surface area suggests that Os Draconis has significant potential as a natural drug carrier.展开更多
Background:Cyperi Rhizoma,derived from Cyperus rotundus L.,is a widely used medicinal herb in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),with Shandong Province recognized as its geo-authentic habitat.However,the quality of Cyp...Background:Cyperi Rhizoma,derived from Cyperus rotundus L.,is a widely used medicinal herb in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),with Shandong Province recognized as its geo-authentic habitat.However,the quality of Cyperi Rhizoma varies significantly across different regions,potentially influencing its therapeutic efficacy.This study investigates the influence of geographic origin on the chemical composition and overall quality of Cyperi Rhizoma.Methods:A comprehensive approach,including traditional quality assessment,GC-MS(g as c hromatography-m ass s pectrometry),RP-HPLC(r everse p hase h igh-p erformance l iquid c hromatography),and FT-IR(f ourier t ransform i nfrared s pectroscopy)techniques,was employed to analyze Cyperi Rhizoma samples from Shandong Province.These methods examined the physical appearance,chemical profile,and content variations,particularly focusing onα-cyperone.Results:Traditional quality assessments revealed noticeable differences in the external characteristics of the samples.GC-MS analysis identified a variety of unique chemical constituents,while RP-HPLC and FT-IR showed significant variations inα-cyperone content,with higher levels found in Shandong samples.Conclusion:These results demonstrate that geographic origin is a critical determinant of Cyperi Rhizoma quality,with Shandong specimens exhibiting superiorα-cyperone levels and characteristic phytochemical profiles.This validates the geo-authenticity concept in TCM and provides actionable data for developing evidence-based quality standards,suggesting that provenance should be prioritized in medicinal material selection and pharmacopeial specifications.展开更多
Spinal cord injury necessitates effective rehabilitation strategies, with exercise therapies showing promise in promoting recovery. This study investigated the impact of rehabilitation exercise on functional recovery ...Spinal cord injury necessitates effective rehabilitation strategies, with exercise therapies showing promise in promoting recovery. This study investigated the impact of rehabilitation exercise on functional recovery and morphological changes following thoracic contusive spinal cord injury. After a 7-day recovery period after spinal cord injury, mice were assigned to either a trained group(10 weeks of voluntary running wheel or forced treadmill exercise) or an untrained group. Bi-weekly assessments revealed that the exercise-trained group, particularly the voluntary wheel exercise subgroup, displayed significantly improved locomotor recovery, more plasticity of dopaminergic and serotonin modulation compared with the untrained group. Additionally, exercise interventions led to gait pattern restoration and enhanced transcranial magnetic motor-evoked potentials. Despite consistent injury areas across groups, exercise training promoted terminal innervation of descending axons. In summary, voluntary wheel exercise shows promise for enhancing outcomes after thoracic contusive spinal cord injury, emphasizing the role of exercise modality in promoting recovery and morphological changes in spinal cord injuries. Our findings will influence future strategies for rehabilitation exercises, restoring functional movement after spinal cord injury.展开更多
目的/意义 针对医疗器械制造商与用户设施不良事件报告(manufacturer and user facility device experience, MAUDE)数据库分析中存在的技术复杂度高与效率低等问题,设计并实现自动化分析框架,降低数据库分析难度并加速研究产出。方法/...目的/意义 针对医疗器械制造商与用户设施不良事件报告(manufacturer and user facility device experience, MAUDE)数据库分析中存在的技术复杂度高与效率低等问题,设计并实现自动化分析框架,降低数据库分析难度并加速研究产出。方法/过程 基于双链式结构设计AutoQUEST框架,其具备研究问题自动生成、结构化SQL查询构建及数据分析能力。通过5组案例评估框架查询成功率、执行时间及报告质量。结果/结论 在最优案例中,该框架查询成功率达100%,执行时间158秒,综合质量评分4.74分(满分5分),既能实现MAUDE数据库高效自动化分析,又能保持高质量的分析结果,可为医疗机构、医疗器械制造商及监管机构提供便捷可靠的数据分析支持。展开更多
Key technologies that make productivity increase are revealed through analyzing the best practices and production data in major shale basins of North America.Trends of the key technologies and optimization designs for...Key technologies that make productivity increase are revealed through analyzing the best practices and production data in major shale basins of North America.Trends of the key technologies and optimization designs for shale oil and gas development are summarized and analyzed based on drilling and completion operations and well data.These technologies mainly include:(1)Optimizing well design and hydraulic fracturing design,including reducing cluster spacing,increasing proppant and fracturing fluid volumes,optimizing horizontal well lateral length and fracture stage length.The most effective method is to reduce cluster spacing to an optimized length.The second most effective method is to optimally increase proppant volumes.(2)Placing horizontal wells in the sweet spots and drilling the wells parallel or close to the minimum horizontal stress direction.(3)Using cube development with optimized well spacing to maximize resource recovery and reduce well interferences.Plus,in-situ stress impacts on hydraulic fracture propagation and hydrocarbon production are addressed.Determination of formation breakdown pressure is studied by considering the impacts of in-situ stresses,drilling and perforation directions.Whether or not the hydraulic fracturing can generate orthogonal fracture networks is also discussed.The key technologies and optimization design parameters proposed in this paper can be applied to guide new well placement,drilling and completion designs,and hydraulic fracture operations to increase productivity.展开更多
Rare neurological diseases,while individually are rare,collectively impact millions globally,leading to diverse and often severe neurological symptoms.Often attributed to genetic mutations that disrupt protein functio...Rare neurological diseases,while individually are rare,collectively impact millions globally,leading to diverse and often severe neurological symptoms.Often attributed to genetic mutations that disrupt protein function or structure,understanding their genetic basis is crucial for accurate diagnosis and targeted therapies.To investigate the underlying pathogenesis of these conditions,researchers often use non-mammalian model organisms,such as Drosophila(fruit flies),which is valued for their genetic manipulability,cost-efficiency,and preservation of genes and biological functions across evolutionary time.Genetic tools available in Drosophila,including CRISPR-Cas9,offer a means to manipulate gene expression,allowing for a deep exploration of the genetic underpinnings of rare neurological diseases.Drosophila boasts a versatile genetic toolkit,rapid generation turnover,and ease of large-scale experimentation,making it an invaluable resource for identifying potential drug candidates.Researchers can expose flies carrying disease-associated mutations to various compounds,rapidly pinpointing promising therapeutic agents for further investigation in mammalian models and,ultimately,clinical trials.In this comprehensive review,we explore rare neurological diseases where fly research has significantly contributed to our understanding of their genetic basis,pathophysiology,and potential therapeutic implications.We discuss rare diseases associated with both neuron-expressed and glial-expressed genes.Specific cases include mutations in CDK19 resulting in epilepsy and developmental delay,mutations in TIAM1 leading to a neurodevelopmental disorder with seizures and language delay,and mutations in IRF2BPL causing seizures,a neurodevelopmental disorder with regression,loss of speech,and abnormal movements.And we explore mutations in EMC1 related to cerebellar atrophy,visual impairment,psychomotor retardation,and gain-of-function mutations in ACOX1 causing Mitchell syndrome.Loss-of-function mutations in ACOX1 result in ACOX1 deficiency,characterized by very-long-chain fatty acid accumulation and glial degeneration.Notably,this review highlights how modeling these diseases in Drosophila has provided valuable insights into their pathophysiology,offering a platform for the rapid identification of potential therapeutic interventions.Rare neurological diseases involve a wide range of expression systems,and sometimes common phenotypes can be found among different genes that cause abnormalities in neurons or glia.Furthermore,mutations within the same gene may result in varying functional outcomes,such as complete loss of function,partial loss of function,or gain-of-function mutations.The phenotypes observed in patients can differ significantly,underscoring the complexity of these conditions.In conclusion,Drosophila represents an indispensable and cost-effective tool for investigating rare neurological diseases.By facilitating the modeling of these conditions,Drosophila contributes to a deeper understanding of their genetic basis,pathophysiology,and potential therapies.This approach accelerates the discovery of promising drug candidates,ultimately benefiting patients affected by these complex and understudied diseases.展开更多
1.Introduction Climate change mitigation pathways aimed at limiting global anthropogenic carbon dioxide(CO_(2))emissions while striving to constrain the global temperature increase to below 2℃—as outlined by the Int...1.Introduction Climate change mitigation pathways aimed at limiting global anthropogenic carbon dioxide(CO_(2))emissions while striving to constrain the global temperature increase to below 2℃—as outlined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC)—consistently predict the widespread implementation of CO_(2)geological storage on a global scale.展开更多
The crop yields achieved through traditional plant breeding techniques appear to be nearing a plateau.Therefore,it is essential to accelerate advancements in photosynthesis,the fundamental process by which plants conv...The crop yields achieved through traditional plant breeding techniques appear to be nearing a plateau.Therefore,it is essential to accelerate advancements in photosynthesis,the fundamental process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy,to further enhance crop yields.Research focused on improving photosynthesis holds significant promise for increasing sustainable agricultural productivity and addressing challenges related to global food security.This review examines the latest advancements and strategies aimed at boosting crop yields by enhancing photosynthetic efficiency.There has been a linear increase in yield over the years in historically released germplasm selected through traditional breeding methods,and this increase is accompanied by improved photosynthesis.We explore various aspects of the light reactions designed to enhance crop yield,including light harvest efficiency through smart canopy systems,expanding the absorbed light spectrum to include far-red light,optimizing non-photochemical quenching,and accelerating electron transport flux.At the same time,we investigate carbon reactions that can enhance crop yield,such as manipulating Rubisco activity,improving the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle,introducing CO_(2)concentrating mechanisms in C_(3)plants,and optimizing carbon allocation.These strategies could significantly impact crop yield enhancement and help bridge the yield gap.展开更多
The global incidence of asthma,a leading respiratory disorder affecting more than 235 million people,has dramatically increased in recent years.Characterized by chronic airway inflammation and an imbalanced response t...The global incidence of asthma,a leading respiratory disorder affecting more than 235 million people,has dramatically increased in recent years.Characterized by chronic airway inflammation and an imbalanced response to airborne irritants,this chronic condition is associated with elevated levels of inflammatory factors and symptoms such as dyspnea,cough,wheezing,and chest tightness.Conventional asthma therapies,such as corticosteroids,long-actingβ-agonists,and antiinflammatory agents,often evoke diverse adverse reactions and fail to reduce symptoms and hospitalization rates over the long term effectively.These limitations have prompted researchers to explore innovative therapeutic strategies,including stem cell-related interventions,offering hope to those afflicted with this incurable disease.In this review,we describe the characteristics of stem cells and critically assess the potential and challenges of stem cell-based therapies to improve disease management and treatment outcomes for asthma and other diseases.展开更多
Wellbore breakout is one of the critical issues in drilling due to the fact that the related problems result in additional costs and impact the drilling scheme severely.However,the majority of such wellbore breakout a...Wellbore breakout is one of the critical issues in drilling due to the fact that the related problems result in additional costs and impact the drilling scheme severely.However,the majority of such wellbore breakout analyses were based on continuum mechanics.In addition to failure in intact rocks,wellbore breakouts can also be initiated along natural discontinuities,e.g.weak planes and fractures.Furthermore,the conventional models in wellbore breakouts with uniform distribution fractures could not reflect the real drilling situation.This paper presents a fully coupled hydro-mechanical model of the SB-X well in the Tarim Basin,China for evaluating wellbore breakouts in heavily fractured rocks under anisotropic stress states using the distinct element method(DEM)and the discrete fracture network(DFN).The developed model was validated against caliper log measurement,and its stability study was carried out by stress and displacement analyses.A parametric study was performed to investigate the effects of the characteristics of fracture distribution(orientation and length)on borehole stability by sensitivity studies.Simulation results demonstrate that the increase of the standard deviation of orientation when the fracture direction aligns parallel or perpendicular to the principal stress direction aggravates borehole instability.Moreover,an elevation in the average fracture length causes the borehole failure to change from the direction of the minimum in-situ horizontal principal stress(i.e.the direction of wellbore breakouts)towards alternative directions,ultimately leading to the whole wellbore failure.These findings provide theoretical insights for predicting wellbore breakouts in heavily fractured rocks.展开更多
Pathological and clinical variability in Alzheimer's disease(AD):AD is clinically cha racterized by progressive memory loss and cognitive impairment.From a pathological point of view,the main features of AD are th...Pathological and clinical variability in Alzheimer's disease(AD):AD is clinically cha racterized by progressive memory loss and cognitive impairment.From a pathological point of view,the main features of AD are the deposition of amyloid plaques(composed of amyloid-beta,Aβ)and neurofibrillary tangles containing hyperphosphorylated Tau in the brain,accompanied by neu ronal and synaptic loss,neuroinflammation and brain atrophy(Jellinger,2022).Regardless of these common traits,growing evidence shows increased heterogen eity in the brain of AD patients considering both clinical manifestations and pathological features.展开更多
Compelling evidence demonstrates that the levels of peripheral amyloid-β(Aβ)fluctuate in Alzheimer’s disease(AD)patients.Moreover,Aβdeposits have been identified in peripheral tissues.However,the relevance of peri...Compelling evidence demonstrates that the levels of peripheral amyloid-β(Aβ)fluctuate in Alzheimer’s disease(AD)patients.Moreover,Aβdeposits have been identified in peripheral tissues.However,the relevance of peripheral Aβ(misfolded or not)in pathological situations,and the temporal appearance of these pathological fluctuations,are not well understood.The presence of misfolded Aβin peripheral compartments raises concerns on potential inter-individual transmissions considering the well-reported prion-like properties of this disease-associated protein.The latter is supported by multiple reports demonstrating that Aβmisfolding can be transmitted between humans and experimental animals through multiple routes of exposure.In this mini-review,we discuss the potential implications of peripheral,disease-associated Aβin disease mechanisms,as well as in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.展开更多
基金supported by the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District(HGSD)the National Science Foundation(NSF)through awards EAR-1242383,DUE-1243582,and OISE1460034
文摘Houston,Texas,is one of the earliest regions to employ continuous GPS technology for land subsidence monitoring.Currently,there are over 200 permanent GPS stations located in the greater Houston area.The need for a consistent and stable reference frame to precisely interpret local ground deformation has become critically important since the 1990s,because of the significant spreading of subsidence.We have established a stable Houston reference frame,designated Houston16,using publicly available GPS observations(>5 years)from 15 Continuously Operating Reference Stations(CORS)located outside of the greater Houston area.Applications of the reference frame in subsidence and faulting studies are demonstrated in this article.Houston16 is aligned in origin and scale with the International GNSS Reference Frame of 2008(IGS08).A 7-parameter method was employed to transform the GPS-derived positional time series from IGS08 to Houston16.The primary product of this study is the seven parameters for transforming Earth-Centered-Earth-Fixed XYZ coordinates from IGS08 to Houston16.The frame stability of Houston16 is approximately 1 mm/year.Houston16 will be updated every few years to mitigate degradation of the frame’s stability with time and to synchronize with future updates of the IGS reference frame.
基金supported by U.S.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Public Health Crisis Response Funding titled CDC-RFA-TP22-2201:Public Health Crisis Response Cooperative Agreement.
文摘Background:In the 2022-2023 global outbreak,the United States and state of Texas recorded a total of 31,277 and 3,085 confirmed monkeypox(Mpox)cases respectively as of November 2023.This study aims to investigate the demographic characteristics and risk factors of Mpox outbreak in Houston and document the epidemiologic control measures implemented with their outcomes.Methods:Houston Health Department received reports of suspected Mpox cases via electronic case reports and laboratory reports from healthcare providers within Houston.These were then investigated and reclassified as either positive or negative using DNA polymerase chain reaction tests.All the reported cases received between May 2022 and January 2023 were included in this study using convenient sampling methods.Descriptive statistics using frequency distribution was used to analyze the sociodemographic,clinical features and travel history of the cases.A two-sided Chi-squared test was used to determine association between Mpox test results and risk factors with significant level set at P<0.05.Other infection control measures such as community engagement,health education,tracking and contact tracing,vaccination,referrals and laboratory sample logistics support were implemented by the health department.Results:Out of the total of 1,625 suspected persons investigated for Mpox,724(44.6%)tested positive.Among the 724 confirmed cases,male was 700(96.7%),females 20(2.8%),transgender male 1(0.1%),transgender female 3(0.4%).Age groups 30-39 years constituted 43.6%,18-29 years 27.4%,40-49 years 18.2%,50-59 years was 8%.Race distribution of positive cases was Whites 43.4%,African American 38.7%,Asian 1.4%.Risk factors with P<0.05 included male gender,age groups 30-39 years and 40-49 years,travel history to Mpox endemic areas,recent sexual contact with known or suspected Mpox cases,human immunodeficiency virus seropositivity.Identifying as gay and bisexual were also statistically significant risk factors for Mpox infection.Conclusion:The timely implementation of primary and secondary prevention measures targeted at the most at-risk populations was very effective at curtailing the spread of Mpox infection within the city of Houston.
文摘Analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Barker Reservoir in Houston, Texas, United States is reported. Samples were collected within one week after the August 2017 Hurricane Harvey. Using a gas chromatograph equipped with a mass spectrometer, 4 VOCs and 13 PAHs were found in the Barker Reservoir. Concentrations of acetone, benzene, chloroform, and toluene were 1500, 380, 830, and 290 parts per million (ppm), respectively. Benzene and chloroform are classified as probable human carcinogens by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Six PAHs including benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, chrysene, and dibenz[a,h]anthracene are probable human carcinogens. The most concentrated PAH was acenaphthylene at 0.068 ppm, while the least one was fluoranthene at 0.00046 ppm. Results revealed water contaminants in Houston and its vicinities during the flooding season and served as references for water monitoring purposes in the future.
基金funded by NIH grants HL154720-03S1, AG057587, AG074283, DK122708-03S1, BrightFocus ADR A20183775Brown Foundation 2020 Healthy Aging Initiative (to WC)
文摘Microglia are the macrophages that populate the brain parenchyma.Research in the past decades has identified them as both essential guardians of the brain and significant contributors to various neurological diseases.A highly versatile cell type,microglia have been shown to fulfill a multitude of critical roles in the central nervous system,including facilitating neurogenesis and myelination,pruning synapses,removing debris and waste,modulating neuronal activity,supporting the blood-brain barrier,repairing tissue damage,and surveilling against microbial invasions under physiological conditions(Prinz et al.,2021;Paolicelli et al.,2022).
基金supported by a grant from NIH(R01AI132695)to RM。
文摘Chronic wasting disease—a prion disease affecting cervids:Many neurological conditions,including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases,amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,frontotemporal dementias,among others,are caused by the accumulation of misfolded proteins in the brain.These diseases affect not only humans,but also animals.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos.12074213 and 11574108)the Major Basic Program of Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (Grant No.ZR2021ZD01)the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (Grant No.ZR2023MA082)。
文摘In recent years,the research on superconductivity in one-dimensional(1D)materials has been attracting increasing attention due to its potential applications in low-dimensional nanodevices.However,the critical temperature(T_(c))of 1D superconductors is low.In this work,we theoretically investigate the possible high T_(c) superconductivity of(5,5)carbon nanotube(CNT).The pristine(5,5)CNT is a Dirac semimetal and can be modulated into a semiconductor by full hydrogenation.Interestingly,by further hole doping,it can be regulated into a metallic state with the sp3-hybridized𝜎electrons metalized,and a giant Kohn anomaly appears in the optical phonons.The two factors together enhance the electron–phonon coupling,and lead to high-T_(c) superconductivity.When the hole doping concentration of hydrogenated-(5,5)CNT is 2.5 hole/cell,the calculated T_(c) is 82.3 K,exceeding the boiling point of liquid nitrogen.Therefore,the predicted hole-doped hydrogenated-(5,5)CNT provides a new platform for 1D high-T_(c) superconductivity and may have potential applications in 1D nanodevices.
基金supported by the Scientific and Technological Innovation Project of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences(CI2021A04013)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82204610)+1 种基金the Qihang Talent Program(L2022046)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Public Welfare Research Institutes(ZZ15-YQ-041 and L2021029).
文摘Background:Os Draconis is an important material in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).However,its market is saturated with counterfeit products,and the limitations of current identification methods pose a serious threat to clinical effectiveness and drug safety.This study aims to establish a more accurate and comprehensive authentication system for Os Draconis.Methods:A comprehensive approach was employed to analyze authentic Os Draconis,fossilized Os Draconis,counterfeit products,and lab-prepared modern animal bones.The analytical techniques included ^(14)C dating,electron probe microanalysis(EPMA),polarized light microscopy,X-ray diffraction(XRD),inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS),and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR).The study focused on examining the microstructural features and micro-area elemental compositions to identify distinguishing characteristics.Results:Physical identification alone was insufficient to reliably distinguish authentic Os Draconis from its counterfeits.XRD analysis revealed that while hydroxyapatite is the main component in all samples,authentic Os Draconis also contains calcium carbonate and quartz,which were absent in counterfeit and lab-prepared samples.FTIR spectra identified the carbonate ion(CO_(3)^(2-))as a characteristic infrared marker for authentic Os Draconis.ICP-MS analysis showed that Ca and P are the major elements,with a notably high content of Lanthanum(La)among rare earth elements in authentic samples.The EPMA results demonstrated that the Ca/P ratio of authentic Os Draconis is distinct,falling between that of fossilized Os Draconis and counterfeit samples.Conclusion:This study successfully identified several precise markers,including the presence of calcium carbonate,the characteristic CO_(3)^(2-)infrared peak,a high La content,and a specific Ca/P ratio,for the accurate and rapid authentication of Os Draconis.Furthermore,the analysis of its natural porous structure,suitable pore size,and surface area suggests that Os Draconis has significant potential as a natural drug carrier.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82204610)Qihang Talent Program(L2022046)+1 种基金the Scientific and Technological Innovation Project of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences(CI2021A04013)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Public Welfare Research Institutes(ZZ15-YQ-041 and L2021029).
文摘Background:Cyperi Rhizoma,derived from Cyperus rotundus L.,is a widely used medicinal herb in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),with Shandong Province recognized as its geo-authentic habitat.However,the quality of Cyperi Rhizoma varies significantly across different regions,potentially influencing its therapeutic efficacy.This study investigates the influence of geographic origin on the chemical composition and overall quality of Cyperi Rhizoma.Methods:A comprehensive approach,including traditional quality assessment,GC-MS(g as c hromatography-m ass s pectrometry),RP-HPLC(r everse p hase h igh-p erformance l iquid c hromatography),and FT-IR(f ourier t ransform i nfrared s pectroscopy)techniques,was employed to analyze Cyperi Rhizoma samples from Shandong Province.These methods examined the physical appearance,chemical profile,and content variations,particularly focusing onα-cyperone.Results:Traditional quality assessments revealed noticeable differences in the external characteristics of the samples.GC-MS analysis identified a variety of unique chemical constituents,while RP-HPLC and FT-IR showed significant variations inα-cyperone content,with higher levels found in Shandong samples.Conclusion:These results demonstrate that geographic origin is a critical determinant of Cyperi Rhizoma quality,with Shandong specimens exhibiting superiorα-cyperone levels and characteristic phytochemical profiles.This validates the geo-authenticity concept in TCM and provides actionable data for developing evidence-based quality standards,suggesting that provenance should be prioritized in medicinal material selection and pharmacopeial specifications.
基金supported by the NIH (R01NS103481, R01NS111776, and R01NS131489)Indiana Department of Health (ISDH58180)(all to WW)。
文摘Spinal cord injury necessitates effective rehabilitation strategies, with exercise therapies showing promise in promoting recovery. This study investigated the impact of rehabilitation exercise on functional recovery and morphological changes following thoracic contusive spinal cord injury. After a 7-day recovery period after spinal cord injury, mice were assigned to either a trained group(10 weeks of voluntary running wheel or forced treadmill exercise) or an untrained group. Bi-weekly assessments revealed that the exercise-trained group, particularly the voluntary wheel exercise subgroup, displayed significantly improved locomotor recovery, more plasticity of dopaminergic and serotonin modulation compared with the untrained group. Additionally, exercise interventions led to gait pattern restoration and enhanced transcranial magnetic motor-evoked potentials. Despite consistent injury areas across groups, exercise training promoted terminal innervation of descending axons. In summary, voluntary wheel exercise shows promise for enhancing outcomes after thoracic contusive spinal cord injury, emphasizing the role of exercise modality in promoting recovery and morphological changes in spinal cord injuries. Our findings will influence future strategies for rehabilitation exercises, restoring functional movement after spinal cord injury.
文摘目的/意义 针对医疗器械制造商与用户设施不良事件报告(manufacturer and user facility device experience, MAUDE)数据库分析中存在的技术复杂度高与效率低等问题,设计并实现自动化分析框架,降低数据库分析难度并加速研究产出。方法/过程 基于双链式结构设计AutoQUEST框架,其具备研究问题自动生成、结构化SQL查询构建及数据分析能力。通过5组案例评估框架查询成功率、执行时间及报告质量。结果/结论 在最优案例中,该框架查询成功率达100%,执行时间158秒,综合质量评分4.74分(满分5分),既能实现MAUDE数据库高效自动化分析,又能保持高质量的分析结果,可为医疗机构、医疗器械制造商及监管机构提供便捷可靠的数据分析支持。
文摘Key technologies that make productivity increase are revealed through analyzing the best practices and production data in major shale basins of North America.Trends of the key technologies and optimization designs for shale oil and gas development are summarized and analyzed based on drilling and completion operations and well data.These technologies mainly include:(1)Optimizing well design and hydraulic fracturing design,including reducing cluster spacing,increasing proppant and fracturing fluid volumes,optimizing horizontal well lateral length and fracture stage length.The most effective method is to reduce cluster spacing to an optimized length.The second most effective method is to optimally increase proppant volumes.(2)Placing horizontal wells in the sweet spots and drilling the wells parallel or close to the minimum horizontal stress direction.(3)Using cube development with optimized well spacing to maximize resource recovery and reduce well interferences.Plus,in-situ stress impacts on hydraulic fracture propagation and hydrocarbon production are addressed.Determination of formation breakdown pressure is studied by considering the impacts of in-situ stresses,drilling and perforation directions.Whether or not the hydraulic fracturing can generate orthogonal fracture networks is also discussed.The key technologies and optimization design parameters proposed in this paper can be applied to guide new well placement,drilling and completion designs,and hydraulic fracture operations to increase productivity.
基金supported by Warren Alpert Foundation and Houston Methodist Academic Institute Laboratory Operating Fund(to HLC).
文摘Rare neurological diseases,while individually are rare,collectively impact millions globally,leading to diverse and often severe neurological symptoms.Often attributed to genetic mutations that disrupt protein function or structure,understanding their genetic basis is crucial for accurate diagnosis and targeted therapies.To investigate the underlying pathogenesis of these conditions,researchers often use non-mammalian model organisms,such as Drosophila(fruit flies),which is valued for their genetic manipulability,cost-efficiency,and preservation of genes and biological functions across evolutionary time.Genetic tools available in Drosophila,including CRISPR-Cas9,offer a means to manipulate gene expression,allowing for a deep exploration of the genetic underpinnings of rare neurological diseases.Drosophila boasts a versatile genetic toolkit,rapid generation turnover,and ease of large-scale experimentation,making it an invaluable resource for identifying potential drug candidates.Researchers can expose flies carrying disease-associated mutations to various compounds,rapidly pinpointing promising therapeutic agents for further investigation in mammalian models and,ultimately,clinical trials.In this comprehensive review,we explore rare neurological diseases where fly research has significantly contributed to our understanding of their genetic basis,pathophysiology,and potential therapeutic implications.We discuss rare diseases associated with both neuron-expressed and glial-expressed genes.Specific cases include mutations in CDK19 resulting in epilepsy and developmental delay,mutations in TIAM1 leading to a neurodevelopmental disorder with seizures and language delay,and mutations in IRF2BPL causing seizures,a neurodevelopmental disorder with regression,loss of speech,and abnormal movements.And we explore mutations in EMC1 related to cerebellar atrophy,visual impairment,psychomotor retardation,and gain-of-function mutations in ACOX1 causing Mitchell syndrome.Loss-of-function mutations in ACOX1 result in ACOX1 deficiency,characterized by very-long-chain fatty acid accumulation and glial degeneration.Notably,this review highlights how modeling these diseases in Drosophila has provided valuable insights into their pathophysiology,offering a platform for the rapid identification of potential therapeutic interventions.Rare neurological diseases involve a wide range of expression systems,and sometimes common phenotypes can be found among different genes that cause abnormalities in neurons or glia.Furthermore,mutations within the same gene may result in varying functional outcomes,such as complete loss of function,partial loss of function,or gain-of-function mutations.The phenotypes observed in patients can differ significantly,underscoring the complexity of these conditions.In conclusion,Drosophila represents an indispensable and cost-effective tool for investigating rare neurological diseases.By facilitating the modeling of these conditions,Drosophila contributes to a deeper understanding of their genetic basis,pathophysiology,and potential therapies.This approach accelerates the discovery of promising drug candidates,ultimately benefiting patients affected by these complex and understudied diseases.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFE0206700)。
文摘1.Introduction Climate change mitigation pathways aimed at limiting global anthropogenic carbon dioxide(CO_(2))emissions while striving to constrain the global temperature increase to below 2℃—as outlined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC)—consistently predict the widespread implementation of CO_(2)geological storage on a global scale.
基金funded by CAS Project for Young Scientists in Basic Research(YSBR-072-8)National Key Research and Development Program of China(2021YFF1000203 and 2022YFF1001704)。
文摘The crop yields achieved through traditional plant breeding techniques appear to be nearing a plateau.Therefore,it is essential to accelerate advancements in photosynthesis,the fundamental process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy,to further enhance crop yields.Research focused on improving photosynthesis holds significant promise for increasing sustainable agricultural productivity and addressing challenges related to global food security.This review examines the latest advancements and strategies aimed at boosting crop yields by enhancing photosynthetic efficiency.There has been a linear increase in yield over the years in historically released germplasm selected through traditional breeding methods,and this increase is accompanied by improved photosynthesis.We explore various aspects of the light reactions designed to enhance crop yield,including light harvest efficiency through smart canopy systems,expanding the absorbed light spectrum to include far-red light,optimizing non-photochemical quenching,and accelerating electron transport flux.At the same time,we investigate carbon reactions that can enhance crop yield,such as manipulating Rubisco activity,improving the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle,introducing CO_(2)concentrating mechanisms in C_(3)plants,and optimizing carbon allocation.These strategies could significantly impact crop yield enhancement and help bridge the yield gap.
基金the Joint Innovation Project Funds of Huaqiao University,No.2022YX001.
文摘The global incidence of asthma,a leading respiratory disorder affecting more than 235 million people,has dramatically increased in recent years.Characterized by chronic airway inflammation and an imbalanced response to airborne irritants,this chronic condition is associated with elevated levels of inflammatory factors and symptoms such as dyspnea,cough,wheezing,and chest tightness.Conventional asthma therapies,such as corticosteroids,long-actingβ-agonists,and antiinflammatory agents,often evoke diverse adverse reactions and fail to reduce symptoms and hospitalization rates over the long term effectively.These limitations have prompted researchers to explore innovative therapeutic strategies,including stem cell-related interventions,offering hope to those afflicted with this incurable disease.In this review,we describe the characteristics of stem cells and critically assess the potential and challenges of stem cell-based therapies to improve disease management and treatment outcomes for asthma and other diseases.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.52074312 and 52211530097)CNPC Science and Technology Innovation Foundation(Grant No.2021DQ02-0505).
文摘Wellbore breakout is one of the critical issues in drilling due to the fact that the related problems result in additional costs and impact the drilling scheme severely.However,the majority of such wellbore breakout analyses were based on continuum mechanics.In addition to failure in intact rocks,wellbore breakouts can also be initiated along natural discontinuities,e.g.weak planes and fractures.Furthermore,the conventional models in wellbore breakouts with uniform distribution fractures could not reflect the real drilling situation.This paper presents a fully coupled hydro-mechanical model of the SB-X well in the Tarim Basin,China for evaluating wellbore breakouts in heavily fractured rocks under anisotropic stress states using the distinct element method(DEM)and the discrete fracture network(DFN).The developed model was validated against caliper log measurement,and its stability study was carried out by stress and displacement analyses.A parametric study was performed to investigate the effects of the characteristics of fracture distribution(orientation and length)on borehole stability by sensitivity studies.Simulation results demonstrate that the increase of the standard deviation of orientation when the fracture direction aligns parallel or perpendicular to the principal stress direction aggravates borehole instability.Moreover,an elevation in the average fracture length causes the borehole failure to change from the direction of the minimum in-situ horizontal principal stress(i.e.the direction of wellbore breakouts)towards alternative directions,ultimately leading to the whole wellbore failure.These findings provide theoretical insights for predicting wellbore breakouts in heavily fractured rocks.
基金supported by a grant from NIH(R01AI132695)to RM。
文摘Pathological and clinical variability in Alzheimer's disease(AD):AD is clinically cha racterized by progressive memory loss and cognitive impairment.From a pathological point of view,the main features of AD are the deposition of amyloid plaques(composed of amyloid-beta,Aβ)and neurofibrillary tangles containing hyperphosphorylated Tau in the brain,accompanied by neu ronal and synaptic loss,neuroinflammation and brain atrophy(Jellinger,2022).Regardless of these common traits,growing evidence shows increased heterogen eity in the brain of AD patients considering both clinical manifestations and pathological features.
基金supported by grants from NIH(RF1AG072491 and R01AI132695)to RM.
文摘Compelling evidence demonstrates that the levels of peripheral amyloid-β(Aβ)fluctuate in Alzheimer’s disease(AD)patients.Moreover,Aβdeposits have been identified in peripheral tissues.However,the relevance of peripheral Aβ(misfolded or not)in pathological situations,and the temporal appearance of these pathological fluctuations,are not well understood.The presence of misfolded Aβin peripheral compartments raises concerns on potential inter-individual transmissions considering the well-reported prion-like properties of this disease-associated protein.The latter is supported by multiple reports demonstrating that Aβmisfolding can be transmitted between humans and experimental animals through multiple routes of exposure.In this mini-review,we discuss the potential implications of peripheral,disease-associated Aβin disease mechanisms,as well as in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
