Effect of Magnesian-Expansive Components in Steel Slag on the Volume Stability of Cement-Based Materials.

Millimeter-scale magnesian refractory granules were found to be a unique magnesian-expansive component in steel slag. To systematically study the effects of these granular magnesian-expansive components on the volume stability of cement-based materials containing steel slag, an investigation of their existing forms and influence on the volume stability was conducted in this paper. The various-sizing waste-magnesium-chromate-based refractory brick (Mg-Cr brick) granules and different (FeO + MnO)/MgO ratios' synthetic MgO·FeO·MnO ternary solid solutions granules were adopted to simulate magnesian-expansive granules by partially replacing manufactured sand in mortar.

The Three-Lead EEG Sensor: Introducing an EEG-Assisted Depression Diagnosis System Based on Ant Lion Optimization.

For depression diagnosis, traditional methods such as interviews and clinical scales have been widely leveraged in the past few decades, but they are subjective, time-consuming, and labor-consuming. With the development of affective computing and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, Electroencephalogram (EEG)-based depression detection methods have emerged. However, previous research has virtually neglected practical application scenarios, as most studies have focused on analyzing and modeling EEG data.

Spatial differentiation and scenario simulation of cultivated land in mountainous areas of Western Hubei, China: a PLUS model.

A useful spatial pattern of cultivated land utilization in mountainous areas is a basic prerequisite for promoting efficient utilization of cultivated land and has a practical use for ensuring regional food security and rural revitalization. In this paper, we use Enshi and Lichuan cities as case studies and the PLUS model to analyze the spatial differentiation characteristics of cultivated land from 2000 to 2020. In addition, we simulated the spatial pattern of cultivated land in 2030 concerning the ecological priority scenario (scenario I) and the ecological and economic coordination scenario (scenario II).

Are gossipers looked down upon? A norm-based perspective on the relation between gossip and gossiper status.

While some scholars regard workplace gossip as norm-violating behavior that costs gossipers status, others suggest that gossip clarifies organizational norms and thereby increases gossiper status. Integrating gossip literature with norm research, we develop a model to distinguish positive gossip from negative gossip and theorize their independent and joint effects on gossiper workplace status via peers' perceptions of norm violation and norm clarification-two concurrent but countervailing mechanisms. We hypothesize that positive gossip relates positively to norm clarification perceptions but negatively to norm-violation perceptions, whereas negative gossip relates positively to both norm clarification and norm-violation perceptions.

A multi-modal open dataset for mental-disorder analysis.

According to the WHO, the number of mental disorder patients, especially depression patients, has overgrown and become a leading contributor to the global burden of disease. With the rising of tools such as artificial intelligence, using physiological data to explore new possible physiological indicators of mental disorder and creating new applications for mental disorder diagnosis has become a new research hot topic. We present a multi-modal open dataset for mental-disorder analysis.

Good or Bad? The Ambivalent Leader-Follower Relationships.

Researchers have emphasized the positive and negative influences of ambivalent leader-follower relationships, but it is not clear when the ambivalent relationship is associated with good or bad influences. To answer this question, we reviewed the definition and identified 10 different types of ambivalent leader-follower relationships. Further, we demonstrate that the negative outcomes (more inflexibility, disengagement, and worse performance) can be explained by the workplace stressor perspective, and that the positive outcomes (more flexibility, engagement, and better performance) can be explained by paradox view.

High-speed ocular artifacts removal of multichannel EEG based on improved moment matching.

. The excellent signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is the premise of electroencephalogram (EEG) research and applications. This study aims to use innovative method to swiftly remove the ocular artifacts (OAs) from multichannel EEG to enhance the SNR.

A novel model for extrapleural cavity metastasis assessment in patients with lung cancer.

To investigate the clinical value of tumor markers in extrapleural tumor metastasis assessment of newly diagnosed lung cancer patients. This study retrospectively analyzed 306 patients diagnosed with lung cancer accompanied by tumor metastasis. Patients were grouped into extrapleural tumor metastasis and intrapleural tumor metastasis.

Association between gene promoter methylation of the one-carbon metabolism pathway and serum folate among patients with hyperhomocysteinemia.

Aim: Age and lower folate concentrations are well-known risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the potential roles of age and folate deficiency in hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), especially in HHcy patients with abnormal methylation levels of key enzyme genes promoter in homocysteinemia (Hcy) pathway, have not been thoroughly evaluated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the promoter methylation levels of six key enzyme genes and age and serum folate level to better understand the pathogenesis of HHcy.

Methods: In 299 HHcy patients, six key enzyme genes promoter methylation was analyzed by PCR amplification and MethylTarget methods.

Evidence of rotavirus vaccine impact in sub-Saharan Africa: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Over 34 countries in Africa have introduced rotavirus vaccine to their national immunization programs: monovalent (Rotarix®, RV1) and pentavalent (RotaTeq®, RV5) after South Africa introduced it in 2009. Since then several studies assessing the impact of the vaccine have been conducted. The principal aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of rotavirus vaccine in sub-Saharan Africa.

Identifying gene-environment interactions on the efficacy of folic acid therapy for hyperhomocysteinemia based on prediction model.

Various genetic and environmental factors or their interactions may result in the failure of folic acid therapy for hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy). We hypothesized that an optimal predictive model of gene-environment interactions could be constructed to predict the efficacy of folic acid therapy in HHcy. A prospective cohort study of 638 HHcy patients was performed.

Association of genetic and epigenetic variants in one-carbon metabolism gene with folate treatment response in hyperhomocysteinaemia.

Background: Folate supplementation treatment is the first-line therapy in hyperhomocysteinaemia (HHcy). Up to 40% of HHcy patients do not benefit from folate therapy. Genetic and epigenetic factors of one-carbon metabolism (1-CM) might be identified as a predictor of folate supplementation treatment response.

Associations of MTRR A66G polymorphism and promoter methylation with ischemic stroke in patients with hyperhomocysteinemia.

Background: Patients with hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) have a higher risk of developing ischemic stroke (IS). The association between MTRR A66G polymorphism and promoter methylation with IS in patients with HHcy is also uncertain. The present study aimed to investigate the association between the MTRR polymorphism and methylation with IS in HHcy patients.

CBS gene polymorphism and promoter methylation-mediating effects on the efficacy of folate therapy in patients with hyperhomocysteinemia.

Background: A decrease in cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) enzyme activity could lead to hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy). Studies have revealed that DNA methylation has a mediating effect on the development of diseases. The present study aimed to explore CBS promoter methylation-mediating effects on the efficacy of folate treatment for HHcy.

Management of imported malaria cases and healthcare institutions in central China, 2012-2017: application of decision tree analysis.

Background: Imported malaria has been an important challenge for China. Fatality rates from malaria increased in China, particularly in Henan Province, primarily due to malpractice and misdiagnoses in healthcare institutions, and the level of imported malaria. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the state of diagnosis and subsequent complications among imported malaria cases at healthcare institutions, based on malaria surveillance data in Henan Province from 2012 to 2017.

Genetic and epigenetic regulation of BHMT is associated with folate therapy efficacy in hyperhomocysteinaemia.

Background And Objectives: Hyperhomocysteinaemia (HHcy) is an independent risk factors for several disorders, including cardiovascular disease. The understanding of the relationship among genetic, epigenetic and the efficacy of folate therapy for HHcy remain unclear. This study aim to investigate whether betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and DNA methylation are related to the efficacy of folate therapy for HHcy and whether BHMT DNA methylation mediates the SNP-folate therapy efficacy association.

Association between BHMT and CBS gene promoter methylation with the efficacy of folic acid therapy in patients with hyperhomocysteinemia.

Both betaine homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) and cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) are major enzymes in the metabolism of plasma homocysteine (Hcy). Abnormal methylation levels of BHMT and CBS are positively associated with Hcy levels. The present study is performed to explore the association between the methylation levels in the promoter regions of the BHMT and CBS genes and the efficacy of folic acid therapy in patient with hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy).

Prediction model for the efficacy of folic acid therapy on hyperhomocysteinaemia based on genetic risk score methods.

No risk assessment tools for the efficacy of folic acid treatment for hyperhomocysteinaemia (HHcy) have been developed. We aimed to use two common genetic risk score (GRS) methods to construct prediction models for the efficacy of folic acid therapy on HHcy, and the best gene-environment prediction model was screened out. A prospective cohort study enrolling 638 HHcy patients was performed.

Effects of Co-Processing Sewage Sludge in the Cement Kiln on PAHs, Heavy Metals Emissions and the Surrounding Environment.

To understand the effects of co-processing sewage sludge in the cement kiln on non-criterion pollutants emissions and its surrounding environment, the flue gas from a cement kiln stack, ambient air and soil from the background/downwind sites were collected in the cement plant. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals of the samples were analyzed. The results show that PAHs in flue gas mainly exist in the gas phase and the low molecular weight PAHs are the predominant congener.

Neural Correlates of Drug-Related Attentional Bias in Heroin Dependence.

The attention of drug-dependent persons tends to be captured by stimuli associated with drug consumption. This involuntary cognitive process is considered as attentional bias (AB). AB has been hypothesized to have causal effects on drug abuse and drug relapse, but its underlying neural mechanisms are still unclear.

Abstinent Heroin Addicts Tend to Take Risks: ERP and Source Localization.

Abnormal decision making is a behavioral characteristic of drug addiction. Indeed, drug addicts prefer immediate rewards at the expense of future interests. Assessing the neurocognitive basis of decision-making related to drug dependence, combining event-related potential (ERP) analysis and source localization techniques, may provide new insights into understanding decision-making deficits in drug addicts and further guide withdrawal treatment.

Nonlinear Dynamic Complexity and Sources of Resting-state EEG in Abstinent Heroin Addicts.

It has been reported that chronic heroin intake induces both structural and functional changes in human brain; however, few studies have investigated the carry-over adverse effects on brain after heroin withdrawal. In this paper, we examined the neurophysiological differences between the abstinent heroin addicts (AHAs) and healthy controls (HCs) using nonlinear dynamic analysis and source localization analysis in resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG) data; 5 min resting EEG data from 20 AHAs and twenty age-, education-, and gender-matched HCs were recorded using 64 electrodes. The results of nonlinear characteristics (e.

Effective brain network analysis with resting-state EEG data: a comparison between heroin abstinent and non-addicted subjects.

Objective: Neuro-electrophysiological tools have been widely used in heroin addiction studies. Previous studies indicated that chronic heroin abuse would result in abnormal functional organization of the brain, while few heroin addiction studies have applied the effective connectivity tool to analyze the brain functional system (BFS) alterations induced by heroin abuse. The present study aims to identify the abnormality of resting-state heroin abstinent BFS using source decomposition and effective connectivity tools.

Signal Quality Assessment Model for Wearable EEG Sensor on Prediction of Mental Stress.

Electroencephalogram (EEG) plays an important role in E-healthcare systems, especially in the mental healthcare area, where constant and unobtrusive monitoring is desirable. In the context of OPTIMI project, a novel, low cost, and light weight wearable EEG sensor has been designed and produced. In order to improve the performance and reliability of EEG sensors in real-life settings, we propose a method to evaluate the quality of EEG signals, based on which users can easily adjust the connection between electrodes and their skin.

Automatic identification and removal of ocular artifacts in EEG--improved adaptive predictor filtering for portable applications.

Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals have a long history of use as a noninvasive approach to measure brain function. An essential component in EEG-based applications is the removal of Ocular Artifacts (OA) from the EEG signals. In this paper we propose a hybrid de-noising method combining Discrete Wavelet Transformation (DWT) and an Adaptive Predictor Filter (APF).