Identification of predictors for the comprehensive clinical risk and severity of coronary lesions of acute coronary syndrome

BackgroundAcute coronary syndrome (ACS) is the most common cause of death in patients with coronary artery disease. The aim of the study was to identify the predictors of both comprehensive clinical risk and severity of coronary lesions by comprehensive use of GRACE and SYNTAX scores in patients with ACS.MethodsClinical data of 225 ACS patients who underwent coronary angiography between 2015 and 2016 were collected. Multiple logistic regression analysis (stepwise) was used to identify the predictors. The predictive ability of predictors and the model were determined using receiver operating characteristics analyses.ResultsMultivariable logistic regression analyses showed that high aspartate aminotransferase (AST) predicted the comprehensive clinical risk with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of 1.011 (1.002–1.021). High total cholesterol (TC) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) predicted the severity of coronary lesions with ORs and 95% CIs of 1.517 (1.148–2.004) and 1.556 (1.195–2.028), respectively. Low prealbumin predicted both severity of coronary lesions and comprehensive clinical risk of ACS patients with ORs and 95% CIs of 0.743 (0.672–0.821) and 0.836 (0.769–0.909), respectively. The model with a combination of prealbumin and AST had the highest predictive efficacy for comprehensive clinical risk, and the combination of prealbumin, TC, and RDW had the highest predictive efficacy for the severity of coronary lesions. The sensitivity and specificity, and the optimal cut-off values of these four indexes were determined.ConclusionsFour predictors for the comprehensive clinical risk and severity of coronary lesions of ACS were identified, which provided important information for the early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of ACS

Effect of Exchange-type Zero-bias Anomaly on Single Electron Tunnelling of Au Nanoparticles

Using cryogenic scanning tunnelling microscopy and scanning tunnelling spectroscopy we measured single electron tunnelling of isolated Au nanoparticles with 1.4 nm in radius. We observe that a gap {\Delta}V ~ 2e/C (C is the capacitance of the Au particle) around zero bias in the tunnelling conductance spectrum, followed by a series of discrete single electron tunnelling peaks with voltage widths of EC ~ e/C at both negative and positive bias. Experimental data are well explained by taking into account the effect of exchange interaction of electrons on the single electron tunnelling of Au nanoparticles. A tunnelling peak near zero-bias was suppressed by the exchange-type zero-bias anomaly, which results in the gap {\Delta}V ~ 2EC.Comment: 4pages, 3 figure

Multi-component Transparent Conducting Oxides: Progress in Materials Modelling

Transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) play an essential role in modern optoelectronic devices through their combination of electrical conductivity and optical transparency. We review recent progress in our understanding of multi-component TCOs formed from solid-solutions of ZnO, In2O3, Ga2O3 and Al2O3, with a particular emphasis on the contributions of materials modelling, primarily based on Density Functional Theory. In particular, we highlight three major results from our work: (i) the fundamental principles governing the crystal structures of multi-component oxide structures including (In2O3)(ZnO)n, named IZO, and (In2O3)m(Ga2O3)l(ZnO)n, named IGZO; (ii) the relationship between elemental composition and optical and electrical behaviour, including valence band alignments; (iii) the high-performance of amorphous oxide semiconductors. From these advances, the challenge of the rational design of novel electroceramic materials is discussed.Comment: Part of a themed issue of Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter on "Semiconducting Oxides". In Press (2011

A selected ion flow tube study of the ion-molecule reactions of monochloroethene, trichloroethene and tetrachloroethene

Data for the rate coefficients and product cations of the reactions of a large number of atomic and small molecular cations with monochloroethene, trichloroethene and tetrachloroethene in a selected ion flow tube at 298 K are reported. The recombination energy of the ions range from 6.27 eV (H$_3$O$^+$) through to 21.56 eV (Ne$^+$). Collisional rate coefficients are calculated by modified average dipole orientation theory and compared with experimental values. Thermochemistry and mass balance predict the most feasible neutral products. Together with previously reported results for the three isomers of dichloroethene (J. Phys. Chem. A., 2006, 110, 5760), the fragment ion branching ratios have been compared with those from threshold photoelectron photoion coincidence spectroscopy over the photon energy range 9-22 eV to determine the importance or otherwise of long-range charge transfer. For ions with recombination energy in excess of the ionisation energy of the chloroethene, charge transfer is energetically allowed. The similarity of the branching ratios from the two experiments suggest that long-range charge transfer is dominant. For ions with recombination energy less than the ionisation energy, charge transfer is not allowed; chemical reaction can only occur following formation of an ion-molecule complex, where steric effects are more significant. The products that are now formed and their percentage yield is a complex interplay between the number and position of the chlorine atoms with respect to the C=C bond, where inductive and conjugation effects can be important

Hydrogen atom versus hydride transfer in cytochrome P450 oxidations: A combined mass spectrometry and computational study

Biomimetic models of short-lived enzymatic reaction intermediates can give useful insight into the properties and coordination chemistry of transition metal complexes. In this work we investigate a high-valent iron(IV)-oxo porphyrin cation radical complex, namely [FeIV(O)(TPFPP+•)]+ where TPFPP is the dianion of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl) porphyrin. The [FeIV(O)(TPFPP+•)]+ ion was studied by ion-molecule reactions in a Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer through reactivities with 1,3,5-cycloheptatriene, 1,3-cyclohexadiene and toluene. The different substrates give dramatic changes in reaction mechanism and efficiencies, whereby cycloheptatriene leads to hydride transfer, while cyclohexadiene and toluene react via hydrogen atom abstraction. Detailed computational studies point to major differences in ionization energy as well as C–H bond energies of the substrates that influence the hydrogen atom abstraction versus electron transfer pathways. The various variables that determine the pathways for hydride transfer versus hydrogen atom transfer are elucidated and discussed

Simultaneous removal of cadmium and nitrate in aqueous media by nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI) and Au doped nZVI particles

Nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI) has demonstrated high efficacy for treating nitrate or cadmium (Cd) contamination, but its efficiency for simultaneous removal of nitrate and Cd has not been investigated. This study evaluated the reactivity of nZVI to the co-contaminants and by-product formation, employed different catalysts to reduce nitrite yield from nitrate, and examined the transformation of nZVI after reaction. Nitrate reduction resulted in high solution pH, negatively charged surface of nZVI, formation of Fe3O4 (a stable transformation of nZVI), and no release of ionic iron. Increased pH and negative charge contributed to significant increase in Cd(II) removal capacity (from 40 mg/g to 188 mg/g) with nitrate present. In addition, nitrate reduction by nZVI could be catalyzed by Cd(II): while 30% of nitrate was reduced by nZVI within 2 h in the absence of Cd(II), complete nitrate reduction was observed in the presence of 40 mg-Cd/L due to the formation of Cd islands (Cd(0) and CdO) on the nZVI particles. While nitrate was reduced mostly to ammonium when Cd(II) was not present or at Cd(II) concentrations ≥ 40 mg/L, up to 20% of the initial nitrate was reduced to nitrite at Cd(II) concentrations < 40 mg/L. Among nZVI particles doped with 1 wt. % Cu, Ag, or Au, nZVI deposited with 1 wt. % Au reduced nitrite yield to less than 3% of the initial nitrate, while maintaining a high Cd(II) removal capacity

Effect of Roller Layout on Biomass Bales Quality and Baling Energy Consumption during Rotary Compression

Baling cellulosic biomass into round bales is an effective way to reduce the cost of storage and transportation. To improve the quality of bales and reduce the baling energy consumption, this paper introduces the steel roller layout parameters of the round baler into the biomass baling process. Alfalfa was used as an experimental material for five levels pitch value of roller circumferential layout baling experiments. The results showed that the introduction of chamber non-roundness (pitch value of roller circumferential layout) destroyed the formation of the entanglement high density ring cylindrical shell lamination of the outer layer of bales, which was beneficial to the compression of bales core material. When the pitch value was 30 mm, the maximum baling pressure, radial pressure transfer loss, and the baling energy consumption of baler were reduced by 30.4%, 33.4%, and 13.7%, respectively. When the pitch value was 60 mm, the relaxation ratio and radial density difference were reduced by 6.3% and 35.8%, respectively, and the radial density uniformity of alfalfa bale was increased by 32.0%. The experimental results provide a theoretical basis and technical support for the chamber structural optimization design of the round baler

The role of c-Jun for beating cardiomycyte formation in prepared embryonic body

Abstract Background Morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial infarction, stem from the inability of terminally differentiated cardiomyocytes to regenerate, and thus repair the damaged myocardial tissue structure. The molecular biological mechanisms behind the lack of regenerative capacity for those cardiomyocytes remains to be fully elucidated. Recent studies have shown that c-Jun serves as a cell cycle regulator for somatic cell fates, playing a key role in multiple molecular pathways, including the inhibition of cellular reprogramming, promoting angiogenesis, and aggravation of cardiac hypertrophy, but its role in cardiac development is largely unknown. This study aims to delineate the role of c-Jun in promoting early-stage cardiac differentiation. Methods The c-Jun gene in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) was knocked out with CRISPR-Cas9, and the hanging drop method used to prepare the resulting embryoid bodies. Cardiac differentiation was evaluated up to 9 days after c-Jun knockout (ko) via immunofluorescence, flow cytometric, and qPCR analyses. Results Compared to the wild-type control group, obvious beating was observed among the c-Jun-ko mESCs after 6 days, which was also associated with significant increases in myocardial marker expression. Additionally, markers associated with mesoderm and endoderm cell layer development, essential for further differentiation of ESCs into cardiomyocytes, were also up-regulated in the c-Jun-ko cell group. Conclusions Knocking out c-Jun directs ESCs toward a meso-endodermal cell lineage fate, in turn leading to generation of beating myocardial cells. Thus, c-Jun plays an important role in regulating early cardiac cell development

Research on TD3-Based Distributed Micro-Tillage Traction Bottom Control Strategy

Due to its flexibility and versatility, the electric distributed drive micro-tillage chassis can be used more often in the future in Intelligence agriculture scenarios. However, due to the complex working conditions of the agricultural operation environment, it is a challenging task to distribute the torque demand of four wheels reasonably and effectively. In this paper, we propose a drive torque allocation strategy based on deep reinforcement learning to ensure straight-line retention and energy saving, using a distributed electric traction chassis for greenhouses as the research object. The torque assignment strategy can be represented as a Markovian decision process, and the approximate action values and policy functions are obtained through an Actor–Critic network, and the Twin Delayed Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (TD3) is used to incorporate the vehicle straight-line retention rate into the cumulative reward to reduce energy consumption. The training results under plowing working conditions show that the proposed strategy has a better straight-line retention rate. For typical farming operation conditions, the proposed control strategy significantly improves the energy utilization and reduces the energy by 10.5% and 3.7% compared to the conventional average torque (CAT) distribution strategy and Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG) algorithm, respectively. Finally, the real-time executability of the proposed torque distribution strategy is verified by Soil-tank experiments. The TD3 algorithm used in this study has stronger applicability than the traditional control algorithm in dealing with continuous control problems, and provides a research basis for the practical application of intelligent control algorithms in future greenhouse micro-tillage chassis drive control strategies