Long Distance Bantu Nasal Agreement: Harmony or Allomorphy

Long-distance nasal agreement (LDNA) is a process where consonants appear to agree in nasality across intervening “neutral” segments. This paper sets out to examine LDNA in Bantu languages, which has been previously analyzed as consonant harmony. It argues LDNA can be analyzed as a case phonologically conditioned suppletive allomorphy. This analysis simplifies phonology proper by shifting non-local harmony processes to morphology. Ascribing long-distance agreement patterns to allomorphy clarifies what a possible phonological process is and also provides further evidence for the possibility of strictly local phonological processes

Hydroxychloroquine improves pregnancy outcomes of women with positive antinuclear antibody spectrum test results

Background:Empirical use of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in patients with positive antinuclear antibody spectrum (ANAs) test result is controversial regarding its impact on improving perinatal outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the effect of HCQ on adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with placental dysfunction in ANAs-positive patients.Methods:The study included pregnant women with positive ANAs test result from 2016 to 2020 in our center, and divided into a weakly positive and a positive group in just ANA positive patients among them. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to determine the effect of HCQ on pregnancy outcomes in each subgroup. Stratified and interactive analyses were performed to assess the value of HCQ in improving pregnancy outcomes.Results:(i) A total of 261 cases were included, accounting for 30.60% of pregnancy complicated with autoimmune abnormalities, and 65.12% of them used HCQ during pregnancy. (ii) The application of HCQ significantly reduced the incidence of early-onset preeclampsia (1.18% vs. 12.09%, p = 0.040) and small-for-gestational-age infants (10.06% vs. 25.84%, p = 0.003) in the ANAs-positive population, increased birth weight (3075.87 ± 603.91 g vs. 2847.53 ± 773.73 g, p = 0.025), and prolonged gestation (38.43 ± 2.31 vs. 36.34 ± 5.45 weeks, p < 0.001). (iii) A total of 185 just ANA-positive patients were stratified according to titers. Among them, the rate of HCQ usage was significantly higher than that in the weakly positive group (81.03% vs. 58.27%, p = 0.003). (vi) Stratified univariate analysis showed that HCQ usage in the ANA-positive group could reduce the incidence of preeclampsia (2.13% vs. 27.27%, p = 0.019) and prolong gestation (38.29 ± 2.54 vs. 34.48 ± 7.68 weeks, p = 0.006). In the ANA-weakly positive group, HCQ significantly reduced the incidence of preeclampsia (6.76% vs. 28.30%, p = 0.002), early-onset preeclampsia (1.35% vs. 13.21%, p = 0.027), and small-for-gestational-age infants (7.89% vs. 35.19%, p < 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that HCQ significantly reduced the incidence of preeclampsia in both groups. Intergroup interaction analysis showed no significant difference in the value of HCQ in reducing the incidence of preeclampsia between the two groups.Conclusion:ANAs positivity is an important abnormal autoimmunity type in pregnancy. HCQ can be considered as a choice for improving adverse pregnancy outcomes related to placental dysfunction, such as preeclampsia, in this population

Evolution and coupling of “seepage field and chemical field” under regional grouting disturbance

In Huaibei coalfield, the technology of ground directional drilling and high-pressure grouting is widely used to control the karst water disaster of coal measures floor. After grouting, the filling and drainage path of the seepage field changes, and the grouting high pressure and the slurry water will change the distribution characteristics of the groundwater seepage field and chemical field of the injected target aquifer in a certain period of time. Taking Taoyuan Coal Mine in Huaibei Coalfield as the research object, the evolution model of seepage field and chemical field (referred to as “double field”) of the target layer under regional grouting disturbance is built by using the software of Feflow, the coupling mechanism of “double field” is discussed, and the Cl− which is less affected by the environment is selected as the simulation factor, and the analysis of the factors affecting solute transport under the “double field” coupling effect is carried out. On this basis, the mathematical model of solute diffusion under regional grouting disturbance is constructed. The results show that in the seepage field model after identification and verification, 71.9% of the points where the error between the simulated water level and the measured water level is less than 3m, and the simulation effect is good; Among the identified and verified chemical field models, the simulation effect of solute transport in mining area II4 is good, and the simulation value in mining area II1 is about 14.4 mg/L lower, with an error of about 6.6% of the actual value, less than 10%. The overall simulation effect is good. The Cl− in mining area II4 and II2 with relatively high permeability coefficient is easy to migrate and diffuse, while the rock in mining area II1 with low permeability coefficient is dense and has poor permeability. During the 50 years of model operation, it basically exists in the state of “stagnant water”. Based on the evolution characteristics of local seepage field in II4 mining area under grouting disturbance, it is considered that solute transport is mainly controlled by permeability coefficient, dispersion, hydraulic gradient, seepage velocity, grouting time, slurry specific gravity and other parameters. It is found that the concentration of Cl− reaches a peak within 18−22 years after the completion of grouting, and then begins to decrease, and reaching the equilibrium state before regional grouting approximately 40 years later. Based on the data obtained from multiple parameter setting operations, a mathematical model of solute diffusion under the “double field” coupling is established. The data with error rate less than 10% accounts for 81.4%, which indicates that the established mathematical model of solute diffusion is basically reliable. This study can provide scientific basis for the study of the water environment evolution of the injected target aquifer under the regional grouting disturbance and the prediction and early warning of coal mine water disasters, and has important theoretical and practical significance

Geochemical source analysis of rock cuttings based on major elemental geochemistry

In recent years, shale logging has played a crucial role in the grouting reinforcement engineering of the floor limestone strata in “North China-type”coalfields. However, existing shale logging techniques are limited to the recognition of physical indicators such as color, particle size, and morphology. This limitation makes an accurate stratification challenging, and the “along-stratum rate” in borehole design is difficult to be ensured. These constraints hinder the effectiveness of water damage control in the floor limestone strata areas. This study, based on the elemental geochemical differences in the Carboniferous Taiyuan Formation thin-layered limestone and its clastic interlayers, selected the Taoyuan Coal Mine in the Huaibei Coalfield as the research area. Some vertical core samples were obtained from drill holes in the upper part of the Taiyuan Formation, including L1 limestone to L4 limestone (with L3 limestone as the grouting control target layer). Using the X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), the major elemental background values of thin-layered limestone and its interlayers were quantitatively determined. Also, a major elemental geochemical identification model was established for thin-layered limestone using mathematical statistical methods such as cluster analysis and factor analysis. Simultaneously, major elemental testing was conducted on shale samples from directional drilling horizontal branch holes. The identification pattern validation was completed through shale stratigraphic source analysis based on the established geochemical identification model. The results showed that high CaO content and Loss on Ignition (LOI) value could serve as characteristic indicators for the target layer L3 limestone in grouting and reinforcement. Abundances of MgO (0.5%±), MnO (0.03%±), and P2O5 (0.08%±) could be used as recognition indicators for the overlying marker layer J3. The cluster analysis identification model effectively distinguished the Taiyuan Formation L1 to L3 limestone. The model established using element factor scores effectively differentiated clastic interlayers from thin-layered limestone in the Taiyuan Formation. The Fisher discriminant equation obtained by running the model with rock geochemical background values achieved an accuracy rate of 100% in the source analysis of cuttings from grouting target layer L3 limestone. Based on the above findings, the feasibility of applying the elemental geochemical source analysis method, aimed at ensuring the “in-layer rate” in horizontal branch hole cuttings, was demonstrated. This, in turn, led to the proposal of a ground directional drilling “in-layer rate” control technology scheme. This study, grounded in elemental geochemical theory, identified the target layer stratification through characteristic geochemical information carried by cuttings from directional drilling. With the support of on-site rapid quantitative testing techniques, the technology offers new insights into addressing the challenge of grouting and modification at bottom limestone water hazard areas in the North China-type coalfields

THE IMPACT OF THE IMPLEMENTION OF BASEL II

Bachelor'sBACHELOR OF SCIENCE (REAL ESTATE

Dexamethasone for delayed edema after intracerebral hemorrhage： To be or not to be?

The pathogenesis of delayed cerebral edema after intracerebral hemorrhage is still unclear. In this case report, we speculate that the formation of subdural effusion or hemorrhage is associated with delayed cerebral edema. By referring to the treatment plan of chronic subdural hematoma, adding dexamethasone to routine medication, certain therapeutic effect has been achieved. Dexamethasone may maintain the stability of blood-brain barrier by directly increasing the expression of ZO-1, and reduce the neuroinflammatory response caused by NF-κB pathway by upregulating KLF2 expression, ultimately reducing nerve injury through multiple pathways

Environmental and Socioeconomic Factors for Gastric Cancer in 14 Counties of the Huai River Basin from 2014 to 2018

To explore the potential relationship between environmental and socioeconomic factors and the risk of gastric cancer (GC) in the Huai River Basin, the GC incidence rate (GIR) and GC mortality rate (GMR) data from 2014 to 2018 in 14 counties of the Huai River Basin were collected from the Chinese Cancer Registration Annual Report. Environmental and socioeconomic parameters were collected through the Statistical Yearbook. The 14 counties were classified into three groups with low, moderate, and high risk of GC according to the point density of environmental factors (PDF) and index of socioeconomic factors (ISF). Significant differences in GIR and GMR were found among the counties with PDF (χ2 = 21.36, p < 0.01) and ISF (χ2 = 11.37, p < 0.05) levels. Meanwhile, significant differences in mortality rate were observed among counties with different PDF (χ2 = 11.25, p < 0.01) and ISF (χ2 = 18.74, p < 0.01), and the results showed that the ISF and PDF were increased while the GIR and GMR were decreased. Meanwhile, there was a lag effect between them, and we used two models to explore the lag effects between ISF, PDF and GIR and GMR; the coefficient influence between the ISF lag phase and GIR was −2.9768, and the coefficient influence between PDF and the lag phase on the GIR was −0.9332, and there were both significant impact when there was a probability of more than 95%. The results showed that the higher the ISF and PDF that lags in one stage, the more GIR was reduced, while the impact of the ISF and PDF on lag stage on mortality was not obvious. We used differential GMM to test the results, and also research results were relatively robust. Overall, GIR and GMR decreased with increasing point density of environmental factors and index of socioeconomic factors

Identification of PCAG1 as a novel prostate cancer-associated gene

The aim of the present study was to identify a new prostate cancer-associated gene and analyze its expression pattern. Comprehensive expression analysis of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and microarray data and serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) were conducted to screen in silico for candidate prostate cancer-associated genes. Reverse transcription (RT)-PCR was performed to validate prostate cancer specificity. Prostate cancer-associated gene 1 (PCAG1) was identified. The expression of PCAG1 mRNA and protein was evaluated in common human normal tissues, common malignant tumors, prostate adenocarcinoma and paired adjacent normal prostate tissues. An immunofluorescence assay was conducted to determine the subcellular location of PCAG1. PCAG1 mRNA was absent in the 15 pooled normal tissues (including normal prostate tissue) but registered at low levels in the spleen tissue (+). By contrast, PCAG1 mRNA was significantly higher than in the adjacent normal tissues in each of the 14 cases of prostate cancer, with similar to 50% scoring a high degree of expression (+++). Of the 32 types of normal tissues, 29 (including normal prostate tissue) demonstrated negative PCAG1 protein staining while the remaining tissues of the adrenal gland, parathyroid gland and liver expressed low levels. While 18/20 cases of prostate adenocarcinoma showed positive expression results, PCAG1 protein expression in the remaining types of cancer was scarce when present at all; only 41/380 other cancer cases demonstrated positive results at a low level. The most substantial PCAG1-positive expression results were identified by cytoplasmic staining in 36/38 prostate adenocarcinoma cases, with 10 cases showing high expression levels, 20 showing medium levels and 6 showing low levels. In the paired adjacent normal prostate tissues, only 3/38 cases showed low level positive staining, while 35/38 cases were negative. Immunofluorescent staining of the human prostate cancer PC3 cell line showed positive PCAG1 expression results in the mitochondria. The present study demonstrated that while PCAG1 mRNA was highly expressed in prostate cancer tissues, it was almost absent in all common normal tissues and paired adjacent normal prostate tissues. Furthermore, PCAG1 protein was also highly expressed in prostate cancer tissues, while few common normal tissues, other common malignant tumors and paired adjacent normal prostate tissues had even low levels of expression. Clarification of the function and transcriptional mechanism of PCAG1 may aid the elucidation of the mechanisms of carcinogenesis and progression of prostate cancer. The unique expression pattern of PCAG1 suggests its potential in certain clinical applications