N-(1-Naphth­yl)benzene­sulfonamide

In the title compound, C16H13NO2S, the C—SO2—NH—C torsion angle is −70.1 (2)°. The dihedral angle between the planes of the naphthyl ring system and the phenyl ring is 34.67 (4)°. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by inter­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds into chains along [100]. There are also π–π inter­actions between adjacent naphthyl groups [inter­planar spacing = 3.541 (3) Å] for mol­ecules stacked along [100]

The causal relationship between genetically determined telomere length and meningiomas risk

BackgroundStudies have shown that longer leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is significantly associated with increased risk of meningioma. However, there is limited evidence concerning the causal association of LTL with benign and malignant meningiomas or with the location of benign tumors.MethodsWe used three LTL datasets from different sources, designated by name and sample size as LTL-78592, LTL-9190, and LTL-472174. The linkage disequilibrium score (LDSC) was used to explore the association between LTL and meningioma. We utilized two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (TSMR) to evaluate whether LTL is causally related to meningioma risk. We adjusted for confounders by conducting multivariable Mendelian randomization (MVMR).ResultsIn the LTL-78592, longer LTL was significantly associated with increased risk of malignant [odds ratio (OR) = 5.14, p = 1.04 × 10−5], benign (OR = 4.81, p < 0.05), benign cerebral (OR = 5.36, p < 0.05), and benign unspecified meningioma (OR = 8.26, p < 0.05). The same results were obtained for the LTL-9190. In the LTL-472174, longer LTL was significantly associated with increased risk of malignant (OR = 4.94, p < 0.05), benign (OR = 3.14, p < 0.05), and benign cerebral meningioma (OR = 3.59, p < 0.05). Similar results were obtained in the MVMR. In contrast, only benign cerebral meningioma displayed a possible association with longer LTL (OR = 1.01, p < 0.05). No heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy was detected.ConclusionIn brief, genetically predicted longer LTL may increase the risk of benign, malignant, and benign cerebral meningiomas, regardless of the LTL measure, in European populations

Translation, Cultural Adaptation, and Rasch Analysis of the Visual Function (VF-14) Questionnaire

Reproduced with permission of the publisher. Published version available at the IOVS website at: http://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2128911Purpose.: To translate, culturally adapt, and validate the original and previously validated shorter versions of the Visual Function Index (VF-14) questionnaire in a Chinese population. Methods.: The VF-14 was completed by patients with cataract. The analysis was carried out in three phases: phase I, testing whether the VF-14 and its valid shorter versions,VF-8R and VF-11R, form valid scales in Chinese settings using Rasch analysis; phase II, developing completely new Chinese versions of the VF-14; phase III, testing whether the previously validated shorter versions of the VF-14 could be applied in a Chinese population. This was tested by assessing the agreement between the new Chinese (developed in phase II) and the previously validated shorter versions of the VF-14 using Bland-Altman plots. Results.: A total of 456 patients (median age, 70 years; range, 40–92 years; females, 58%) completed the Chinese translated version of the VF-14. The VF-14 and the VF-11R demonstrated good Rasch based psychometric properties when a grossly misfitting item was removed. The VF-8R formed a valid scale without any modification. The scores of the VF-11R and the Chinese shorter version (VF-11RChin) showed very good agreement, with a mean difference of −0.18 logits and 95% limits of agreement between 0.11 and −0.47. Conclusions.: The Chinese translated VF-14, VF-11R, and VF-8R were valid and could be applied to assess cataract outcomes in Chinese settings. The existing shorter version had good agreement with the new Chinese version, which signifies that there was no need to develop a different version of the VF-14 in China

Association between abnormal plasma metabolism and brain atrophy in alcohol-dependent patients

ObjectiveIn this study, we aimed to characterize the plasma metabolic profiles of brain atrophy and alcohol dependence (s) and to identify the underlying pathogenesis of brain atrophy related to alcohol dependence.MethodsWe acquired the plasma samples of alcohol-dependent patients and performed non-targeted metabolomic profiling analysis to identify alterations of key metabolites in the plasma of BA-ADPs. Machine learning algorithms and bioinformatic analysis were also used to identify predictive biomarkers and investigate their possible roles in brain atrophy related to alcohol dependence.ResultsA total of 26 plasma metabolites were significantly altered in the BA-ADPs group when compared with a group featuring alcohol-dependent patients without brain atrophy (NBA-ADPs). Nine of these differential metabolites were further identified as potential biomarkers for BA-ADPs. Receiver operating characteristic curves demonstrated that these potential biomarkers exhibited good sensitivity and specificity for distinguishing BA-ADPs from NBA-ADPs. Moreover, metabolic pathway analysis suggested that glycerophospholipid metabolism may be highly involved in the pathogenesis of alcohol-induced brain atrophy.ConclusionThis plasma metabolomic study provides a valuable resource for enhancing our understanding of alcohol-induced brain atrophy and offers potential targets for therapeutic intervention

On the Accuracy of Fault Diagnosis for Rolling Element Bearings Using Improved DFA and Multi-Sensor Data Fusion Method

Rolling element bearings are widely employed in almost every rotating machine. The health status of bearings plays an important role in the reliability of rotating machines. This paper deals with the principle and application of an effective multi-sensor data fusion fault diagnosis approach for rolling element bearings. In particular, two single-axis accelerometers are employed to improve classification accuracy. By applying the improved detrended fluctuation analysis (IDFA), the corresponding fluctuations detrended by the local fit of vibration signals are evaluated. Then the polynomial fitting coefficients of the fluctuation function are selected as the fault features. A multi-sensor data fusion classification method based on linear discriminant analysis (LDA) is presented in the feature classification process. The faults that occurred in the inner race, cage, and outer race are considered in the paper. The experimental results show that the classification accuracy of the proposed diagnosis method can reach 100%

Multiscale Kernel-Based Residual CNN for Estimation of Inter-Turn Short Circuit Fault in PMSM

The diagnosis of an inter-turn short circuit (ITSC) fault at its early stage is very important in permanent magnet synchronous motors as these faults can lead to disastrous results. In this paper, a multiscale kernel-based residual convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm is proposed for the diagnosis of ITSC faults. The contributions are majorly located on two sides. Firstly, a residual learning connection is embedded into a dilated CNN to overcome the defects of the conventional convolution and the degradation problem of a deep network. Secondly, a multiscale kernel algorithm is added to a residual dilated CNN architecture to extract high-dimension features from the collected current signals under complex operating conditions and electromagnetic interference. A motor fault experiment with both constant operating conditions and dynamics was conducted by setting the fault severity of the ITSC fault to 17 levels. Comparison with five other algorithms demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm

The Structure of P4 Procapsids Produced by Coexpression of Capsid and External Scaffolding Proteins

AbstractThe double-stranded DNA bacteriophage P4 has a T = 4 icosahedral arrangement of the gpN capsid protein derived from the P2 helper phage. The precursor procapsids in addition contain an external scaffold made up of the P4-encoded Sid protein. High yields of pure P4 procapsids have been obtained by coexpressing the gpN and Sid proteins from a chimeric plasmid. Biochemical measurements show that the ratio of gpN to Sid in the procapsids is 2:1, corresponding to 120 copies of Sid per procapsid particle. A reconstruction of the P4 procapsid, made from 213 particle images to an effective resolution of about 21 Å, greatly improves on the previously determined P4 procapsid structures. The structure shows a T = 4 capsid shell and a unique tandem arrangement of 120 copies of chilli-shaped Sid monomers, which form trimers and dimers on the procapsid surface

The complete mitochondrial genome and phylogenetic analysis of Tipula (Yamatotipula) nova Walker, 1848 (Diptera, Tipulidae) from Qingdao, Shandong, China

The genus Tipula Linnaeus, is a large group of crane flies with more than 2400 known species from 41 subgenera. In this study, we report the first complete mitochondrial (mt) genome sequence of the subgenus Tipula (Yamatotipula), which is a circular molecule of 15,668 bp with an AT content of 77.2%. The mt genome contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and a long non-coding region. Three conserved overlapping regions, 8 bp between tRNATrp and tRNACys, 7 bp between ATP8 and ATP6, and 7 bp between ND4 and ND4L, are found. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that the Tipulomorpha includes the family Trichoceridae and the Trichoceridae is sister-group to the remaining Tipulomorpha

Bidirectional interactions between beet armyworm and its host in response to different fertilization conditions

<div><p>Fertilizer with different ratios of nitrogen (N) to phosphorus (P) can influence crop plant performance and defense against herbivores. <i>Spodoptera exigua</i> is an important agricultural pest that has caused serious economic loss, especially in recent decades. In the present study, we explored effects of different intensities and durations of <i>S</i>. <i>exigua</i> herbivory on host plant biomass and on <i>S</i>. <i>exigua</i> enzyme activities in response to five fertilizer treatments with different N: P ratios of 1: 5, 1: 3, 1: 1, 3: 1 and 5: 1. The results showed that fertilizer type can significantly influence interactions between caterpillars and its hosts. Compensatory growth of leaf biomass was detected under fertilizer with N: P = 3: 1. Fertilizer with a higher proportion of N appears to maintain stem biomass in defoliated seedlings similar to controls that are not exposed to herbivory. There was no significant difference in root biomass under most conditions. High proportion of N also enhanced the activity of two antioxidant enzymes, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in low density of beet armyworm. However, with increased herbivorous intensity, a higher proportion of P played a more important role in increasing the activities of CAT and SOD. Higher P likely enhanced acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity at lower degrees of defoliation, but a higher N proportion resulted in higher AChE activity at higher degrees of defoliation. Higher N proportion contributed to reduced carboxylesterase (CarE) activity at high intensity, short-term defoliation. However, when defoliation intensity increased, the difference in CarE activity between fertilizer categories was little. The study explored the interaction between the damage of <i>S</i>. <i>exigua</i> and the biomass accumulation of its host plant <i>Brassica rapa</i>, and the influence of the N/P ratio in plant fertilizer on this interaction. Systematic analysis was provided on the biomass of <i>B</i>. <i>rapa</i> and the activity of metabolic enzymes of <i>S</i>. <i>exigua</i> under different treatments.</p></div

Role of multimodal image-based 3D reconstruction for primary trigeminal neuralgia

Objective: To address the feasibility and predictive value of multimodal image-based 3D reconstruction in assessing features of neurovascular relationship particularly regarding the detection of offending vessels, degree of compression exerted on the nerve root, in patients who underwent microvascular decompression for primary trigeminal neuralgia. Methods: This study includes 58 patients who underwent microvascular decompression for primary trigeminal neuralgia. All patients underwent preoperative 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of 3D-TOF MRA and 3D-FIESTA sequences in combination. Multimodal MRIs were then registered with open-source software 3D Slicer, followed by 3D image reconstruction to get 3D models for detection of possible neurovascular relationship in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA). Evaluations were performed by 2 doctors and compared with the intraoperative findings and surgery video. Results: For detection of offending vessels, multimodal image-based 3D reconstruction sensitivity was 93.1% (54/58). Compared with the intraoperative findings, the k coefficients for evaluating the offending vessel and the degree of compression were >0.70 (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Multimodal image-based 3D reconstruction proved to be reliable and practical in detecting offending vessel and in predicting the degree of nerve compression. The 3D anatomical model is consistent with the structural position found during surgery, which means that the method is valuable in the formulation of preoperative plans