Delineating Interpersonal Communication Networks: A Study of the Diffusion of an Intervention Among Female Entertainment Workers in Shanghai, China

Diffusion of innovation (DOI) is widely cited in the HIV behavior change literature; however there is a dearth of research on the application of DOI in interventions for sex workers. Following a randomized-controlled trial of HIV risk reduction among female entertainment workers (FEWs) in Shanghai, China, we used qualitative approaches to delineate potential interpersonal communication networks and contributing factors that promote diffusion of information in entertainment venues. Results showed that top-down communication networks from the venue owners to the FEWs were efficient for diffusion of information. Mammies/madams, who act as intermediaries between FEWs and clients form an essential part of FEWs\u27 social networks but do not function as information disseminators due to a conflict of interest between safer sex and maximizing profits. Diffusion of information in large venues tended to rely more on aspects of the physical environment to create intimacy and on pressure from managers to stimulate communication. In small venues, communication and conversations occurred more spontaneously among FEWs. Information about safer sex appeared to be more easily disseminated when the message and the approach used to convey information could be tailored to people working at different levels in the venues. Results suggest that safer sex messages should be provided consistently following an intervention to further promote intervention diffusion, and health-related employer liability systems in entertainment venues should be established, in which employers are responsible for the health of their employees. Our study suggests that existing personal networks can be used to disseminate information in entertainment venues and one should be mindful about the context-specific interactions between FEWs and others in their social networks to better achieve diffusion of interventions

Debonding Detection in Grouted Sleeves Using Axisymmetric Longitudinal Guided Waves

Grouted sleeves (GSs) are a type of precast joint that can effectively connect steel rebars with excellent performance. However, the grouting debonding problem, which can occur due to the leakage of the glue plug, can seriously affect the properties of GSs. In this paper, a guided-wave-based structural health monitoring (SHM) method is used to detect debonding in GSs. The axisymmetric longitudinal mode is selected as the incident wave since it is sensitive to axial damage. Eight piezoelectrics (PZTs) are then symmetrically installed to actuate signals. The proposed samples are GSs with four different debonding sizes. First, the relationship between the arrival time of the first wave packet and the debonding size is explored through theoretical derivation. The arrival time decreases linearly with an increasing debonding size. A similar trend is observed when the relationship is verified via a numerical simulation and experimental results. This method will provide a reference for detecting debonding in similar GS multilayer structures

Variation and trends in dough rheological properties and flour quality in 330 Chinese wheat varieties

The objective of this study was to investigate variation and trends in dough rheological properties and flour quality traits in 330 Chinese wheat varieties. The dough rheological properties of development time (DT), stability time (ST), and farinograph quality number (FQN) were evaluated, as well as the flour quality traits of protein (PC), wet gluten content (WGC), and sedimentation value (SV). The coefficients of variation of DT (40.5%), ST (58.1%), and FQN (42.4%) were higher than those of PC (9.1%), WGC (10.1%), and SV (15.3%). Normal distributions were observed for the flour quality indices but not for the rheological parameters. SV was strongly correlated with the three rheological parameters and accordingly might be used as a primary indicator for dough rheological property evaluation. Our results showed that there has been marked improvement in dough rheological properties for Chinese wheat varieties released since 1986, while flour quality has remained stable

Analysis and Identification of Bioactive Compounds of Cannabinoids in Silico for Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV

Despite the approval of multiple vaccinations in different countries, the majority of the world’s population remains unvaccinated due to discrepancies in vaccine distribution and limited production capacity. The SARS-CoV-2 RBD-ACE2 complex (receptor binding domain that binds to ACE2) could be a suitable target for the development of a vaccine or an inhibitor. Various natural products have been used against SARS-CoV-2. Here, we docked 42 active cannabinoids to the active site of the SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV complex of RBD-ACE2. To ensure the flexibility and stability of the complex produced after docking, the top three ligand molecules with the best overall binding energies were further analyzed through molecular dynamic simulation (MDS). Then, we used the webserver Swissadme program and binding free energy to calculate and estimate the MMPBSA and ADME characteristics. Our results showed that luteolin, CBGVA, and CBNA were the top three molecules that interact with the SARS-CoV-2 RBD-ACE2 complex, while luteolin, stigmasterol, and CBNA had the strongest contact with that SARS-CoV. Our findings show that luteolin may be a potential inhibitor of infections caused by coronavirus-like pathogens such as COVID-19, although further in vivo and in vitro research is required

Genetic characterization of maize germplasm derived from Suwan population and temperate resources

Abstract Background The Suwan population is a well-known maize germplasm that has greatly contributed to the development of maize breeding in tropical and subtropical regions, especially in southern China. Inbred lines derived from the Suwan population always contain stronger resistance and extensive adaptability in different environments. To evaluate the genetic character of inbred lines derived from the Suwan population, a panel including 226 inbred line derived from the Suwan population and temperate resources was assembled and genotyped by using MaizeSNP50 BeadChip, which contained 56,110 genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. This panel contained 98 temperate inbred line and 128 lines derived from the Suwan population. Results The results showed that high genetic diversity was found, with PIC and GD to be 0.67 and 0.60, respectively. In addition, two novel subgroups were identified, with representative inbred lines as HCL645 and Ki32, respectively. One acknowledged heterotic group of Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic (SS) was also identified in this study. This study can provide some additional scientific evidence for heterotic group division and use in maize. Additionally, lower linkage disequilibrium (LD) levels and weaker genetic relationships were found, with an average LD level of 41.15 kb that varied from 3.5 to 96 kb. A total of 82.8% of paired relative kinships ranged from 0.05 to 0.28. Conclusions These results would not only facilitate maize breeding practices in tropical and subtropical regions, but also revealed that this panel can be used in dissecting the genetic basis of complex quantitative traits’ variations by using genome-wide association studies (GWAS)

“Carbon Assimilation” Inspired Design and Divergent Synthesis of Drimane Meroterpenoid Mimics as Novel Fungicidal Leads

With structural diversity and versatile biological properties, drimane meroterpenoids have drawn remarkable attention in drug development. The stagnant progress made in the structure optimization and SAR study of this kind of natural product for agrochemicals was mainly a result of inefficient construction. Compared with the reported challenging coupling reaction (“1 + 1” tactic), “carbon assimilation” was conceived and used for the rapid construction of drimanyl meroterpenoid mimics, in which the newly formed covalent bond was directly from the old one of the drimanyl subunit (“2 + 0” tactic), which features atom economy, step economy, and facile preparation. The accompanying introduction of versatile heterocycles and application of easily available feedstocks are beneficial for novel green agrochemical discovery, in view of economic efficiency and improvement of physicochemical properities. Heterocyclic mimics <b>3a</b> and <b>3c</b> are presented as potent fungicidal leads with novel skeletons against <i>Botrytis cinerea</i>, >25-fold and >40-fold more promising than the commercial fungicide carbendazim, respectively. Our design was also rationalized by the 6-step synthesis and antifungal assay of the original model of natural meroterpenoids. This tactic can also be fostered or transferred directly to the design of novel natural product mimics for medicinal chemistry or other related biological exploration