The signs of computer tomography combined with artificial intelligence can indicate the correlation between status of consciousness and primary brainstem hemorrhage of patients

BackgroundFor patients of primary brainstem hemorrhage (PBH), it is crucial to find a method that can quickly and accurately predict the correlation between status of consciousness and PBH.ObjectiveTo analyze the value of computer tomography (CT) signs in combination with artificial intelligence (AI) technique in predicting the correlation between status of consciousness and PBH.MethodsA total of 120 patients with PBH were enrolled from August 2011 to March 2021 according to the criteria. Patients were divided into three groups [consciousness, minimally conscious state (MCS) and coma] based on the status of consciousness. Then, first, Mann–Whitney U test and Spearman rank correlation test were used on the factors: gender, age, stages of intracerebral hemorrhage, CT signs with AI or radiology physicians, hemorrhage involving the midbrain or ventricular system. We collected hemorrhage volumes and mean CT values with AI. Second, those significant factors were screened out by the Mann–Whitney U test and those highly or moderately correlated by Spearman’s rank correlation test, and a further ordinal multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed to find independent predictors of the status of consciousness. At last, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn to calculate the hemorrhage volume for predictively assessing the status of consciousness.ResultsPreliminary meaningful variables include hemorrhage involving the midbrain or ventricular system, hemorrhage volume, grade of hematoma shape and density, and CT value from Mann–Whitney U test and Spearman rank correlation test. It is further shown by ordinal multinomial logistic regression analysis that hemorrhage volume and hemorrhage involving the ventricular system are two major predictors of the status of consciousness. It showed from ROC that the hemorrhage volumes of <3.040 mL, 3.040 ~ 6.225 mL and >6.225 mL correspond to consciousness, MCS or coma, respectively. If the hemorrhage volume is the same, hemorrhage involving the ventricular system should be correlated with more severe disorders of consciousness (DOC).ConclusionCT signs combined with AI can predict the correlation between status of consciousness and PBH. Hemorrhage volume and hemorrhage involving the ventricular system are two independent factors, with hemorrhage volume in particular reaching quantitative predictions

Plant diversity has stronger linkage with soil fungal diversity than with bacterial diversity across grasslands of northern China

Aim: The interactions between plants and soil microbes play crucial roles in modulating the function and stability of terrestrial ecosystems. However, the relationships between plant and soil microbial diversity for different taxa have remained been elusive. Location: Northern China. Major taxa: Plant and soil microbes of grassland ecosystems. Time period: 2018 and 2019. Methods: We conducted a transect survey across grasslands to measure plant diversity, plant traits, and soil microbial diversity. High throughput sequencing was used to assess soil microbial diversity for bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA (16S) and fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions on an Illumina MiSeq. The random forest algorithm was used to determine the important spatial and environmental variables in predicting plant and microbial diversity, and structural equation modelling was used to examine the direct and indirect effects of climatic and edaphic variables on plant and microbial diversity. Results: Plant diversity was positively correlated with the diversity of soil fungi, particularly for predicted arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and saprotrophic fungi, and they were positively related to soil nutrients and texture. However, the correlation between plant and bacterial diversity varied by phyla and functional guilds, resulting in decoupling between plant and soil bacterial diversity. Community weighted mean leaf C:N ratio indirectly decreased soil fungal diversity through a negative relationship with soil total nitrogen. Soil bacterial and fungal diversity increased with increasing functional richness of specific leaf area and stem density, respectively. Main conclusions: These findings have contributed to unravelling the direct and indirect linkages between plant and soil fungal diversity, highlighting particularly strong linkages between plant diversity and predicted AMF and saprotrophic fungi diversity. However, we failed to detect an overall linkage between plant and soil bacterial diversity. Still, our findings suggest that integrating soil fungi into the framework of plant diversity conservation is conducive to biodiversity restoration in degraded grassland ecosystems

Plant diversity has stronger linkage with soil fungal diversity than with bacterial diversity across grasslands of northern China

Aim: The interactions between plants and soil microbes play crucial roles in modulating the function and stability of terrestrial ecosystems. However, the relationships between plant and soil microbial diversity for different taxa have remained been elusive. Location: Northern China. Major taxa: Plant and soil microbes of grassland ecosystems. Time period: 2018 and 2019. Methods: We conducted a transect survey across grasslands to measure plant diversity, plant traits, and soil microbial diversity. High throughput sequencing was used to assess soil microbial diversity for bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA (16S) and fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions on an Illumina MiSeq. The random forest algorithm was used to determine the important spatial and environmental variables in predicting plant and microbial diversity, and structural equation modelling was used to examine the direct and indirect effects of climatic and edaphic variables on plant and microbial diversity. Results: Plant diversity was positively correlated with the diversity of soil fungi, particularly for predicted arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and saprotrophic fungi, and they were positively related to soil nutrients and texture. However, the correlation between plant and bacterial diversity varied by phyla and functional guilds, resulting in decoupling between plant and soil bacterial diversity. Community weighted mean leaf C:N ratio indirectly decreased soil fungal diversity through a negative relationship with soil total nitrogen. Soil bacterial and fungal diversity increased with increasing functional richness of specific leaf area and stem density, respectively. Main conclusions: These findings have contributed to unravelling the direct and indirect linkages between plant and soil fungal diversity, highlighting particularly strong linkages between plant diversity and predicted AMF and saprotrophic fungi diversity. However, we failed to detect an overall linkage between plant and soil bacterial diversity. Still, our findings suggest that integrating soil fungi into the framework of plant diversity conservation is conducive to biodiversity restoration in degraded grassland ecosystems

Ultrasonic vibration micro-jet ejection for metal additive manufacture

In comparison to laser additive manufacturing, metal droplet deposition technology presents substantial cost benefits by obviating the necessity for costly metal powders and high-power lasers. Nonetheless, prevalent metal droplet deposition methodologies often grapple with challenges such as intricate drive architectures, substantial droplet volumes, and diminished jetting frequencies. This paper proposes an ultrasonic vibration micro-jet ejection technique and constructs a prototype for metal additive manufacturing. Utilizing ultrasonic vibration of a tool rod, the technique generates a high-frequency acoustic pressure field within the crucible, which facilitates the ejection of molten metal from the nozzle. The study explores two operational modes: continuous jet and on-demand jet. It was determined that the tool rod's amplitude must exceed a certain threshold to initiate metal ejection. As the amplitude further increases, the droplet jetting behavior transitions from uniform to non-uniform ejection states. To enhance formability quality, the study examined the influence of various process parameters on single-pass and three-dimensional forming. The examination of jetted parts revealed that both uniform and non-uniform jets provide satisfactory formability and mechanical performance. This research presents a new direction for achieving efficient metal droplet jetting forming

Genome Identification of B-BOX Gene Family Members in Seven Rosaceae Species and Their Expression Analysis in Response to Flower Induction in Malus domestica

BBX proteins play important roles in regulating plant growth and development including photomorphogenesis, photoperiodic regulation of flowering, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. At present, the genomes of seven Rosaceae fruit species have been fully sequenced. However, little is known about the BBX gene family and their evolutionary history in these Rosaceae species. Therefore, in this study total, 212 BBX genes were investigated from seven Rosaceae species (67 from Malus × domestica, 40 from Pyruscommunis, 22 from Rosa Chinesis, 20 from Prunuspersica, 21 from Fragariavesca, 22 from Prunusavium, and 20 from Rubusoccidentalis). The chemical properties, gene structures, and evolutionary relationships of the BBX genes were also studied. All the BBX genes were grouped into six subfamilies on the basis of their phylogenetic relationships and structural features. Analysis of gene structure, segmental and tandem duplication, gene phylogeny, and tissue-specific expression with the ArrayExpress database showed their diversification in function, quantity, and structure. The expression profiles of 19 MdBBX genes in different tissues were evaluated through qRT-PCR. These genes showed distinct transcription level among the tested tissues (bud, flower, fruit, stem, and leaf). Moreover, expression patterns of 19 MdBBX genes were examined during flowering induction time under flowering-related hormones and treatments (GA3, 6-BA, and sucrose). The expressions of the candidates BBX genes were affected and showed diverse expression profile. Furthermore, changes in response to these flowering-related hormones and treatment specifying their potential involvement in flowering induction. Based on these findings, BBX genes could be used as potential genetic markers for the growth and development of plants particularly in the area of functional analysis, and their involvement in flower induction in fruit plants