Efficient peak-shaving technology is critical to couple with the ever-increasing natural gas demand, especially in the regions lack of natural gas resources. The aim of this paper is to present a novel natural gas peak-shaving process with gas hydrates as the medium to address the issue of natural gas supply and demand imbalance, especially for the LNG-sourced natural gas, in which the cold energy from LGN gasification can be efficiently utilized. Firstly, the whole process, including the production, storage, and dissociation of NGH is designed; afterwards, energy consumption analysis and economic accounting are conducted; finally, a case study is carried out to show the efficiency of the technology. The results show that the economic effectiveness can be improved maximumly by 9.42% compared to the traditional operation model of LNG receiving terminal, indicating the feasibility of providing a flexible natural gas peak-shaving process with the gas hydrate as medium.

The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV2 has affected over 28 million people in the United States as of February 2021.1 Limited literature describe the effects of SARS-CoV2 infection on pediatric patients who have received hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in post-transplant patients. Although the pathophysiology of GVHD is well-described; identification of risk factors and successful treatment of severe, refractory GVHD is still wanting. We present two pediatric cases of acute GVHD exacerbation after SARS-CoV2 infection to recognize a potential risk factor for development of GVHD in pediatric HSCT recipients.

BACKGROUND. Hygiene measures are recommended to prevent toxoplasmosis during pregnancy, although screening for seroconversion in pregnant women currently are debated and practices vary among countries. The purpose of this systematic literature review was to assess the efficiency of hygiene measures during pregnancy to prevent toxoplasmosis infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS. We followed the standard MOOSE and PRISMA criteria when conducting this systematic review and reporting the results. A systematic literature search was conducted for studies on congenital toxoplasmosis prevention, toxoplasmosis prevention during pregnancy, toxoplasmosis prevention and hygiene measures, which were published between 1970 and August 2020, using the databases of PubMed, Scope Med, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library. RESULTS Our literature search identified 3964 articles, 3757 were excluded after review of title or abstract and 67 studies were considered relevant to the subject. We reviewed risk factors for toxoplasmosis infection during pregnancy and for congenital toxoplasmosis, preventive measures for toxoplasmosis during pregnancy, including: dietary recommendations, pet care measures, environmental measures, knowledge of risk factors and ways to control toxoplasmosis infection, knowledge of risk factors for infection by health professionals, knowledge of primary prevention measures by pregnant women. CONCLUSION. Hygiene measures are effective and applicable primary prevention to reduce toxoplasmosis and avoid congenital toxoplasmosis and its consequences.

Relatively few studies have attempted to resolve the pathways through which biodiversity effects on ecosystem functioning cascade from one trophic level to another. Here, we manipulated the richness of habitat-forming seaweeds in a western Atlantic estuary to explore how changes in foundation species diversity affect the structure and functioning of the benthic consumer communities that they support. Structural equation modeling revealed that macroalgal richness enhanced invertebrate abundance, biomass, and diversity, both directly by changing the quality and palatability of the foundational substrate, and indirectly by increasing the total biomass of available habitat. Consumer responses were largely driven by a single foundational seaweed, although stronger complementarity among macroalgae was observed for invertebrate richness. These findings reconcile earlier inferences from terrestrial grasslands by demonstrating that foundational biodiversity effects can simultaneously propagate through multiple pathways to maintain animal foodwebs. Our work also highlights the potential ramifications of human-induced changes in marine ecosystems.

Objective: To compare the prognostic performance of biomarkers soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), Placental Growth Factor (PIGF), and sFlt-1/PIGF ratio as continuous values or as a binary cut-off of 38 for predicting preeclampsia (PE) within 7 days. Design: Observational study using a clinical trial data Setting: Oxford University Hospitals, Oxford, United Kingdom (UK). Population: Pregnant women between 24+0 to 37+0 weeks of gestation with a clinical suspicion of preeclampsia. Main outcome: Onset of preeclampsia within seven days of the initial biomarker test. Methods: Logistic regression models for (i) sFlt-1 (ii) PlGF, (iii) sFlt-1/PlGF ratio (continuous), and (iv) sFlt-1/PlGF ratio as a cut-off above or below 38. Results: Of the total 370 women, 42 (11.3%) developed PE within seven days of screening. Models with sFlt-1 and sFlt-1/PIGF ratio (continuous) had greater overall performance than models with PIGF or with sFlt-1/PlGF ratio as a cut-off at 38 (R2: sFlt-1=55%, PIGF=38%, sFlt-1/PIGF ratio=57%, sFlt-1/PlGF ratio as cut-off at 38 model=46%). The discriminative performance was highest in the models with sFlt-1 (c-statistic=0.94) and sFlt-1/PIGF ratio (continuous) (c-statistic=0.94) compared to PIGF model (c-statistic=0.87) or sFlt-1/PlGF ratio cut-off at 38 (c-statistic=0.88). Conclusion: Models using values of continuous sFlt-1/PIGF ratio or sFlt-1 only had better predictive performance compared to a PIGF only model or the model with sFlt-1/PlGF ratio as a cut-off at 38. Further studies based on a larger sample size are warranted to substantiate this finding.

Objectives: World-wide incidence and prevalence of both asthma and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) has been increasing in past decades. Association between the two diseases has been found in some but not other studies. We conducted a meta-analysis to verify such an association, and bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis to examine the potential cause-effect relationships. Methods: Three databases(PubMed, Embase and Web of Science) were searched from their inception to February 1, 2021. Pooled hazard ratios (HR) or odds ratios (OR), and 95% confidence intervals, were calculated. Associations between single-nucleotide polymorphisms with childhood asthma and T1DM were selected based on genome-wide association studies. The outcome datasets were obtained from FinnGen study. We used the inverse variance-weighted, weighted median and MR-Egger methods to estimate causal effects. To assess robustness and horizontal pleiotropy, MR-Egger regression and MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier test was conducted. Results: In meta-analysis, childhood asthma was associated with an increased risk of T1DM (HR=1.30, 95% CI 1.05–1.61, P=0.014), whereas T1DM was not associated with the risk of asthma (HR=0.98, 95% CI 0.64–1.51, P=0.941; OR=0.84, 95% CI 0.65–1.08, P=0.168). MR analysis indicated increased genetic risk of T1DM in children with asthma (OR=1.308; 95% CI 1.030-1.661; P =0.028). Analysis using the IVW method indicated decreased genetic risk of asthma in children with T1DM (OR = 0.937, 95%CI 0.881-0.996, P = 0.037). Conclusions: Childhood asthma is a risk factor for T1DM; T1DM is a possible protective factor for childhood asthma.

Objective: To elaborate the specific mechanism of chestnut polysaccharides beneficial to spermatogenesis. Design: 16s rRNA-based study Setting and population: Busulfan and chestnut polysaccharides treatment mouse Methods: Intestinal microbiota of different groups (n = 10) were characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the V3-V4 region. Hematoxylin eosin staining (H&E), Immunochemistry (IHC) and Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) were acted as methods to detect the gene expression changes in tissue. Main outcome measure: spermatogenesis Results: Compared with the Vehicle group, germ cell quantity, intestinal structure and tight junction of intestinal tissue were altered in the Busulfan-treated mice, and the intestinal microbiota was also disturbed at several levels, including phylum and genus. Busulfan disturbed the homeostasis of the intestinal microenvironment. Chestnut polysaccharides could rescue this aberrance and improve spermatogenesis via steroid hormone synthesis process. Conclusions: CPs can change gut structure and tight junctions to rescue Busulfan-impaired spermatogenesis by altering the composition of different groups of gut microbes, a rescue process that is most likely related to hormone synthesis processes. Funding: This work was supported by the Shenzhen Sanming Project, Agricultural Breeding Engineering and Major Agricultural Application Technology Innovation Project and Taishan Scholar Construction Foundation of Shandong Province of China. Key words: Chestnut polysaccharides, Spermatogenesis, Gut microbiota,16S rRNA

Closure systems play a major role in both pure and applied mathematics. This paperpresents an extension of the notion of closure system, which is done adapting theidea of meet-subsemilattice to a complete fuzzy lattice. This extension is carried outon two levels, first as crisp sets and then as fuzzy sets. In both cases, the one-to-onerelations between closure operators and closure systems that hold in the classicalcase are extended properly to this framework. Furthermore, a novel characterizationfor a closure system is established.

The objectives of this study were; (i) to develop and test an anatomical key using histochemical staining to identify roots to the plant species level, and (ii) to demonstrate that it could use this method to quantify the proportion of individual plant roots from different intercropping combinations, and how the fraction of the roots were affected by nitrogen supply and soil depth. Roots of oilseed rape, lucerne, red beet, wheat, barley, and millet were produced in a greenhouse, washed free of soil and bundles of roots from each of the species were embedded in agarose, cut on a microtome and stained with FSA (Fuchsin, Safranin O and Astrablue). A root identification key was developed based on root cross sections from the single species root samples. From the anatomical identification key, it was possible to identify roots of individual species in root mixtures. The anatomical key also made it possible to distinguish roots from the intercropping experiment. Root cross sections followed by histochemical staining was shown to be a useful and simple method for studying root interactions as well as the fractions of roots from two intercropping combinations due to different of nitrogen supply and soil depth in intercropping.

Solid state lithium metal batteries have attracted wide attention in recent years due to their high energy density, flexibility, and high safety. In this work, a novel epoxy resin-based ionic gel electrolyte (IGE) was synthesized via one-step curing polymerization of epoxy monomer and amine hardener with soft segments in the presence of ionic liquid electrolytes. The morphology and molecular structure of IGE were characterized by SEM, AFM and ATR-FTIR. The obtained IGEs showed high room temperature ionic conductivity from 0.05 mS cm-1 to 1.69 mS cm-1. In addition, the evolution of solid electrolyte interface (SEI) between IGE and lithium metal was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, galvanostatic charge-discharge test and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Finally, The Li/IGE/LiFePO4 cells can maintain a discharge capacity of 157 mAh g-1 at 0.1 C after 50 cycles at 60℃ and 132 mAh g-1 at 0.2 C after 150 cycles at room temperature.

Background: The hyperinflammatory state of Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) predisposes to thromboembolic complications. We report a neonate with multiple cavitary lesions in lung, which we suspect could be a manifestation of MIS following maternal COVID-19 infection during pregnancy. Case report: 8 day old neonate was referred with fever and fast breathing. Mother was positive for COVID-19 in 29th week. COVID-19 RT-PCR was negative, however, antibodies were positive. He had increased leucocyte count, and elevated levels of C-Reactive protein(CRP), Procalcitonin, Ferritin, Lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), and D-dimer along with bilateral reticulonodular opacities on chest radiograph and multiple nodules with evidence of cavitation in both lungs on Chest Tomography. All cultures were negative. A possible diagnosis of MIS was made. Infant was treated with Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) which he responded to with resolution of symptoms. Conclusion: Neonates exposed to COVID-19 should be evaluated for thromboembolic complications and IVIG can be one of the treatment modalities.

Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and Immune effector Cell-Associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome (ICANS) after Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell treatment are common, and severe CRS (sCRS) could be life threatening. IL-6 receptor antibody and steroid are recommended for CRS, but no clear strategies exist for steroid-resistant sCRS. Thus, this study reported a case of resistance to tocilizumab and pulse therapy of methylprednisolone while suffering from grade 4 CRS and ICANS. After plasma exchange for two times and continuous renal replacement treatment combined with ruxolitinib, the patient survived with only renal injury, and achieved complete remission with negative minimal residual disease.

We study the mean-field type stochastic control problem where the dynamics is governed by a general L\’{e}vy process with moments of all orders. For this, we introduce the power jump processes and the related Teugels martingales and give the Malliavin derivative with respect to Teugels martingales. We derive necessary and sufficient conditions for optimality of our control problem in the form of a mean-field stochastic maximum principle.

The mechanism of nanoselenium (nano-Se) improving plant components induced resistance to aphids is unkonwn. . In this study, nano-Se (5.0 mg/L) foliar sprayed could significantly reduce Sitobion avenae number (36%) compared with the control. Foliar application of nano-Se enhances the antioxidant capacity by reducing MDA and increasing GSH-Px, CAT, GSH, Pro and VE concentration in wheat seedlings. Phenylpropane pathway was activated by nano-Se bio-fortification, which increased apigenin and caffeic acid concentrations. The high-level expression of the related genes (TaBx1A, TaBx3A, TaBx4A, TaASMT2, and TaCOMT) induced the promotion of melatonin (88.6%) and DIMBOA (64.3%). Different ratios of the secondary metabolites to nano-Se were conducted to examine the effects on wheat resistance to the Sitobion avenae. The results revealed the combination of nano-Se and melatonin can achieve the best overall performance by reducing the Sitobion avenae number by 52.2%. The study suggest that the coordinative applications of nano-Se and melatonin could be more effectively improve the wheat resistance to aphids via promotion of volatile organic compound synthesis and modulation in phenylpropane and indole metabolism pathways.

In this paper, we study the existence result for a class of fractional Schrödinger-Possion system. Using variational method and Nehari method, we obtianed a uniqueness result for positive solutions.

Understanding mechanisms shaping distributions and interactions of soil microbes is essential for determining their impact on large scale ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration, climate regulation, waste decomposition and nutrient cycling. As the functional unit of soil ecosystems, we focus our attention on the spatial structure of soil macroaggregates. Emulating this complex physico-chemical environment as a patchy habitat landscape we investigate on-chip the effect of changing the connectivity features of this landscape as Escherichia coli forms a metapopulation. We analyze the distributions of E. coli occupancy using Taylor's law, an empirical law in ecology which asserts that the fluctuations in populations is a power law function of the mean. We provide experimental evidence that bacterial metapopulations in patchy habitat landscapes on microchips follow this law. Furthermore, we find that increased disorder of patch-corridor connectivity leads to a qualitative transition in the fluctuation scaling. We discuss these results in the context of the spatial ecology of microbes in soil.

Background: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(allo-HSCT) is currently the only curative treatment for thalassemia major (TM). Cord blood (CB) from a sibling has different characteristics from marrow and has potential advantages and disadvantages as a stem cell source. Methods: We retrospectively analysed 68 children with β-TM who underwent fresh cord blood transplantation (F-CBT) from an human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched sibling donor (MSD) between June 2010 and July 2018 in the Department of Pediatrics, Nanfang Hospital and Haematology-Oncology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital. Results: The median infused doses of total nucleated cells (TNCs) and CD34+ cells were 8.51×107/kg and 3.16×105/kg,respectively. The median time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment were respectively 27 days and 31 days. The cumulative probability of acute and chronic graft- versus-host disease (GVHD) were very low after F-CBT (7.8% and 0.0%, respectively). Of the 68 paediatric patients, 67 patients survived during a median follow-up period of 61 months.The estimated 5-year probability of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were 98.5% and 92.4%, respectively. Three patients experienced graft rejection (GR) (4.5%) , and this study found that GR was higher in the thiotepa (TT)-free regimen group than that in the TT-based regimen group (0% vs.10.7%,P=0.038). Multivariable prognostic analysis, a conditioning regimen including TT, improved the DFS of patients with β-TM receiving F-CBT (P=0.032). Conclusions: The above results indicate that patients with β-TM have excellent outcomes after F-CBT from an HLA-MSD.

Background Chemotherapy related mucosal toxicity is a major hindrance to successful therapy in pediatric cancers. The role of gut dysbiosis in modulation of chemotherapy related gastrointestinal toxicity is poorly understood. Methods Pediatric cancer patients with neutropenia and gastrointestinal symptoms were evaluated for neutropenic enterocolitis (NEC) with CECT abdomen. Clinical features, fecal calprotectin and microbiological data were analysed. Fecal Gut microbiota was evaluated in children with NEC and compared with children where NEC was excluded and healthy controls using conventional culture method. Results Of 590 children receiving chemotherapy during study period, 44 were diagnosed with NEC. Significantly higher frequency of isolation of Bacteroides was observed in children with NEC (42%) as compared to non- NEC group (14%) and healthy controls (13%). Isolation of Lactobacilli was infrequent in NEC group (26%) than non- NEC group (74%) and healthy controls (80%). There was nonsignificant trend towards higher isolation of Clostridium in children with NEC. Clostridiodes difficle or Clostridium septicum were not identified in any group. Isolation of other bacterial flora was similar in the sub groups. No significant association of survival with gut dysbiosis could be established. Isolation of Lactobacilli was associated with reduction in duration of intravenous alimentation by 2.4 days, whereas isolation of Bacteroides prolonged the requirement of bowel rest by 2.2 days. Conclusion Gut dysbiosis was significantly higher in NEC group and associated with higher morbidity suggesting its role in pathogenesis. This highlights role of interventions towards gut dysbiosis like prebiotics and probiotics in pediatric cancer patients.

Objective: Share our practices for the use of the supraclavicular artery island flap (SCAIF) in head and neck reconstruction. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted from October 2017 to June 2020 on patients who had undergone SCAIF reconstructions of head and neck defects in our hospital. The following data were collected: Age, gender, primary disease, type of surgical defect, flap harvest time, flap dimensions, length of hospital stay, complications and clinical outcomes. Results: Nine patients had undergone SCAIF reconstruction and three of them also had undergone pectoralis major myocutaneous flap reconstruction simultaneously. All patients were male with the average age of 60.56±11.27 years. Four reconstructions were performed to repair anterior neck skin defects or fistulae related to previous treatment. The SCAIF was used in three patients to repair defects following hypopharyngeal resection or total laryngectomy. Two reconstructions were performed to repair defects following salvage surgery of recurrent head and neck tumor. The average flap harvest time was 31.78±4.55 mins. The average flap size of was 15.22±0.63 × 5.89±0.74 cm. The average length of hospital stay was 37.67±18.48 days. No complete flap loss or major complications occurred during their stays in hospital. Two patients had partial necrosis of the distal portion of the flap. One patient developed fistula. No donor site complications and compromised shoulder function were observed. Conclusions: The SCAIF can be successfully used for reconstruction of head and neck defects with good cosmetic outcomes and limited morbidity.

Introduction: Radiotherapy is an underutilized resource in pediatric palliative care; however, it is useful in relieving various symptoms at the end of life. Patients and methods: A retrospective study of 30 pediatric patients who received radiotherapy for palliative reasons is shown. The objective was to review whether radiotherapy was beneficial. Results: Radiotherapy was useful in relieving symptoms, showing an overall response in 87% of cases and with mild toxicities. The poorest responses were in gliomas with relief in 56% of cases showing toxicity in 89%. The need for anesthesia and irradiation at early ages were predisposing factors for the development of toxicities. Conclusions: The use of palliative radiotherapy is beneficial and should be included in the multidisciplinary management of the child in palliative care.

In this study, we describe SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics in one cat (case 1-Chester) and three dogs (case 2-Trasto, case 3-Bella and case 4-Bull) from households with confirmed human cases of COVID-19 living in the Madrid Community (Spain) at the time of expansion (December 2020 through June 2021) of the alpha variant of SARS-CoV-2 (lineage B.1.1.7). A thorough physical exam and nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, and rectal swabs were collected for real-time reverse-transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) SARS-CoV-2 testing on day 0 and in successive samplings on days 7, 14, 21 and 47 during monitoring. Blood was also drawn to determine complete blood counts, biochemical profiles, and serology of the detect the IgG response against SARS-CoV-2. On day 0, the cat case 1 presented with dyspnoea and fever associated with a mild bronchoalveolar pattern. The dog cases 2, 3 and 4 were healthy, but case 2 presented with coughing, dyspnoea and weakness, and case 4 exhibited coughing and bilateral nasal discharge three and six days before the clinical exam. Case 3 (from the same household as case 2) remained asymptomatic. SARS-CoV-2 infection was detected in all cat and dog cases. The cat and the dog case 2 exhibited the lowest cycle threshold (Ct) (Ct < 30) when they presented or had recently presented clinical signs. Viral detection failed in successive samplings. Specific IgG antibodies were detected in the cat case 1 and dog cases 3 and 4, whereas dog case 2 seroconverted 21 days after SARS-CoV-2 detection. SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing was carried out, and genomes were compared to the SARS-CoV-2 Genome Reference Sequence. All strains were unambiguously classified as belonging to the B.1.1.7 lineage.

Abstract Objective: To investigate the clinical benefit of oxygen therapy in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, ST elevation myocardial infarction has not been reported or controversial Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from database inception to June 2020 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on oxygen therapy in acute STEMI. Literature screening, data extraction, and study quality assessment were independently carried out by two authors according to the predefined eligibility criteria, and RevMan 5.3 analysis software was utilized for all analyses. Results: Finally, 5 RCTs with 4,824 STEMI patients were eligible for further meta-analysis. The results demonstrated that oxygen therapy exerted non-significant effects in reducing the risks of short-term all-cause mortality (RR = 1.21, 95% CI: 0.80 to 1.53, P = 0.53), cardiac arrest (RR = 1.20, 95% CI: 0.94 to 1.54, P = 0.79), recurrent myocardial infarction (RR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.43 to 1.08, P = 0.10), and cardiogenic shock (RR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.58 to 1.15, P = 0.24) and the incidence of other outcome indicators of acute STEMI. Conclusions: Oxygen therapy does not bring more benefits than adverse effects on patients with acute STEMI. Personalized oxygen treatment based on their dynamic oxygen saturation is recommended for hypoxic patients. Key words: Acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction; oxygen therapy; randomized controlled trial; meta-analysis

Acute heat episodes (heatwaves) present some of the most significant challenges for plants growing in both natural and agricultural settings. Circadian systems are molecular time-pacing mechanisms responsible for synchronizing a wide range of rhythmic physiological processes with the appropriate time of day. We hypothesized that the circadian system may contribute to the capacity of wild barley plants to withstand extreme heat events. We have used chlorophyll fluorescence to analyse circadian rhythms in a panel of wild barley (Hordeum spontaneum) accessions from diverse environmental sites across the Southern Levant in response to heat wave conditions. Average linear multi-models have been constructed to find correlations between rhythm attributes and eco-climate at the sites of origin of the accessions. Under optimal conditions, the environment explained a significant portion of the variance in period time and amplitude. By contrast in heat wave conditions despite a mean shortening of period and decrease in amplitude, circadian traits did not correlate with eco-climate origins. Circadian flexibility appears to be more important. We show that plant vitality in acute heat stress is correlated with circadian plasticity in response to increasing temperatures and examine whether acute heat stress resilience in wild barley is predominantly associated with specific eco-climate origins.

Our study determined the impacts of silicon (Si) supplementation on Medicago truncatula inoculated with Ensifer meliloti rhizobial strains that differed in their capacity for nitrogen fixation: Sm1021 (‘low-efficiency’) or Sm1022 (‘high-efficiency’). We then examined how Si and rhizobial efficacy influence plant resistance to a polyphagous insect, Helicoverpa armigera. These combinations were supplied with Si or untreated in a glasshouse experiment, where we quantified nodule flavonoids and foliar chemistry (free amino acids, soluble protein, elemental C, N and Si). Si supply increased nodule number per plant, specific nodule flavonoids, contents of foliar nitrogenous compounds and foliar C, but not foliar Si. We also demonstrated that rhizobial efficacy altered the magnitude of Si effects on various traits. For example, Si significantly promoted concentrations of foliar N and soluble protein in the plants associated with the ‘low-efficiency’ strain only and this was not the case with the ‘high-efficiency’ one. Additionally, increases in foliar free amino acids in response to Si addition did not increase susceptibility to H. armigera. Collectively, our study indicates that Si enrichment generates positive effects on M. truncatula, particularly when the association with rhizobia is relatively inefficient, and may play a more prominent role in rhizobial functionality than previously thought.