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Lunar breccias provide crucial insights into the lithological diversity, shock processing and evolution of the lunar crust. Here, we report a unique regolith breccia (CE5C0000YJYX070GP, hereafter CE5C) returned from the Chang'E-5 (CE-5) mission. CE5C is one of the largest CE-5 breccias with a wide variety of lithologies, dominated by basaltic and mineral fragments as well as impact-melted clasts (including mid-Ti glasses, high-Al glasses, and crystal-bearing impact melt clasts). A comprehensive study of petrology and mineralogy on several representative clasts was conducted by integrating Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Tescan Integrated Mineral Analysis (TIMA), Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA) and Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) techniques. Evidence is sufficient that CE5C is a mixed mare-highland regolith breccia, with a high percentage of KREEPy material (>20 vol.%), which has not been previously reported in other CE-5 samples. The mid-Ti impact glasses are characterized by high FeO (24.0 wt.%) and intermediate TiO2 (5.5 wt.%) contents, while the high-Al impact glasses have a chemical composition compatible with KREEP. Integrated with the regional geological context of the CE-5 landing site, we propose that CE5C is likely derived from a mixed region between the P58/Em4 mare unit and its contiguous eastern highlands. Despite the difficulty in assessing the representativeness of CE5C, the substantial presence of KREEPy material may provide valuable clues to the provenance of exotic ejecta, including the identification of unrecognized source craters situated in the eastern periphery of the sampling unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adsorption of small-molecule gases (NO2, SO2, NO, H2, N2, O2, CO, CO2, H2O, H2S, and NH3) on GeS was studied using first-principles density functional theory (DFT). The study revealed that, among the small-molecule gases, NO2, SO2, and NO present the highest adsorption energies of 0.746 eV, 0.466 eV, and 0.412 eV, respectively. Moreover, the monolayer GeS transforms from a non-magnetic state to a magnetic state with a magnetic moment of 1 μ B after NO2 or NO adsorptions, resulting in significant changes in the electronic band structures. Especially, for the NO2 adsorption system, exhibited exceptional adsorption density and an I–V curve shift demonstrate that GeS has high selectivity for sensing NO2 gas. Therefore, our research results indicate that GeS is a promising candidate material for NO2 gas sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we survey some results on the symmetric semi-perfect obstruction theory on a Deligne—Mumford stack X constructed by Chang—Li, and Behrend's theorem equating the weighted Euler characteristic of X and the virtual count of X by symmetric semi-perfect obstruction theories. As an application, we prove that Joyce's d-critical scheme admits a symmetric semi-perfect obstruction theory, which can be applied to the virtual Euler characteristics by Jiang—Thomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We retrospectively analyzed risk factors on in-hospital mortality in CRRT-therapy patients with open cardiac surgery (CS)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI), to provide the clinical basis for predicting and lowering the in-hospital mortality after CS. Methods: 84 CS-AKI patients with CRRT were divided into survival and death groups according to discharge status, and the perioperative data were analyzed with R version 4.0.2. Results: There were significant differences between the two groups, including: urea nitrogen, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score and vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS) on the first day after operation; VIS just before CRRT; SOFA score and negative balance of blood volume 24 h after CRRT; the incidence rate of bleeding, severe infection and MODS after operation; and the interval between AKI and CRRT. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that SOFA score and VIS on the first day after operation; VIS just before CRRT; VIS and negative balance of blood volume 24 h after CRRT; the incidence rate of bleeding, infection and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) after operation; bootstrap resampling analysis showed that SOFA score and VIS 24 h after CRRT, as well as the incidence of bleeding after operation were the independent risk factors. Conclusion: Maintaining stable hemodynamics and active prevention of bleeding are expected to decrease the in-hospital mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We provide a construction of the moduli space of stable coherent sheaves in the world of non-archimedean geometry, where we use the notion of Berkovich non-archimedean analytic spaces. The motivation for our construction is Tony Yue Yu's non-archimedean enumerative geometry in Gromov—Witten theory. The construction of the moduli space of stable sheaves using Berkovich analytic spaces will give rise to the non-archimedean version of Donaldson—Thomas invariants. In this paper we give the moduli construction over a non-archimedean field K . We use the machinery of formal schemes, that is, we define and construct the formal moduli stack of (semi)-stable coherent sheaves over a discrete valuation ring R, and taking generic fiber we get the non-archimedean analytic moduli space of semistable coherent sheaves over the fractional non-archimedean field K . We generalize Joyce's d-critical scheme structure in [37] or Kiem—Li's virtual critical manifolds in [38] to the world of formal schemes, and Berkovich non-archimedean analytic spaces. As an application, we provide a proof for the motivic localization formula for a d-critical non-archimedean K -analytic space using global motive of vanishing cycles and motivic integration on oriented formal d-critical schemes. This generalizes Maulik's motivic localization formula for the motivic Donaldson—Thomas invariants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many major diseases of the retina often show symptoms of lesions in the fundus of the eye. The extraction of blood vessels from retinal fundus images is essential to assist doctors. Some of the existing methods do not fully extract the detailed features of retinal images or lose some information, making it difficult to accurately segment capillaries located at the edges of the images. In this paper, we propose a multi-scale retinal vessel segmentation network (SCIE_Net) based on skip connection information enhancement. Firstly, the network processes retinal images at multiple scales to achieve network capture of features at different scales. Secondly, the feature aggregation module is proposed to aggregate the rich information of the shallow network. Further, the skip connection information enhancement module is proposed to take into account the detailed features of the shallow layer and the advanced features of the deeper network to avoid the problem of incomplete information interaction between the layers of the network. Finally, SCIE_Net achieves better vessel segmentation performance and results on the publicly available retinal image standard datasets DRIVE, CHASE_DB1, and STARE.Graphical abstract: Many major diseases of the retina often show symptoms of lesions in the fundus of the eye. The extraction of blood vessels from retinal fundus images is essential to assist doctors. Some of the existing methods do not fully extract the detailed features of retinal images or lose some information, making it difficult to accurately segment capillaries located at the edges of the images. In this paper, we propose a multi-scale retinal vessel segmentation network (SCIE_Net) based on skip connection information enhancement. Firstly, the network processes retinal images at multiple scales to achieve network capture of features at different scales. Secondly, the feature aggregation module is proposed to aggregate the rich information of the shallow network. Further, the skip connection information enhancement module is proposed to take into account the detailed features of the shallow layer and the advanced features of the deeper network to avoid the problem of incomplete information interaction between the layers of the network. Finally, SCIE_Net achieves better vessel segmentation performance and results on the publicly available retinal image standard datasets DRIVE, CHASE_DB1, and STARE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Over the past few decades, terrestrial ecosystems have experienced rising atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition, which further impacts the global carbon (C) budget through soil microbial respiration (MR). However, the effects of N deposition on MR are rarely characterized in deep soil (depth > 10 cm) rather than in surface soil (0–10 cm). This study attempted to elucidate how N deposition regulates MR along the soil profile and its underlying mechanism.We collected soil samples and determined MR across three soil layers (shallow, medium, and deep) from a decade-long and five-level N addition experiment in a temperate steppe in Inner Mongolia. We further used structural equation modeling to explore how long-term N addition regulates MR through various biotic (plant attributes and microbial community structure) and abiotic (soil properties) factors across the three soil layers.The overall response of MR to N addition varied with soil depth, shifting from stimulation in the shallow soil layer (standardized total effect of 0.36) to inhibition in the medium and deep soil layers (-0.34 and − 0.31). The identified direct and indirect pathways by which N addition regulates MR significantly differed across soil layers.Our results found that the N addition effect on soil C decomposition varied across different soil layers and involved distinct mechanisms in the temperate grassland. As soil depth increases, the suppressive effect of N deposition on MR provides evidence that increasing N deposition may contribute to C accrual in deep soil in grassland ecosystems.Methods: Over the past few decades, terrestrial ecosystems have experienced rising atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition, which further impacts the global carbon (C) budget through soil microbial respiration (MR). However, the effects of N deposition on MR are rarely characterized in deep soil (depth > 10 cm) rather than in surface soil (0–10 cm). This study attempted to elucidate how N deposition regulates MR along the soil profile and its underlying mechanism.We collected soil samples and determined MR across three soil layers (shallow, medium, and deep) from a decade-long and five-level N addition experiment in a temperate steppe in Inner Mongolia. We further used structural equation modeling to explore how long-term N addition regulates MR through various biotic (plant attributes and microbial community structure) and abiotic (soil properties) factors across the three soil layers.The overall response of MR to N addition varied with soil depth, shifting from stimulation in the shallow soil layer (standardized total effect of 0.36) to inhibition in the medium and deep soil layers (-0.34 and − 0.31). The identified direct and indirect pathways by which N addition regulates MR significantly differed across soil layers.Our results found that the N addition effect on soil C decomposition varied across different soil layers and involved distinct mechanisms in the temperate grassland. As soil depth increases, the suppressive effect of N deposition on MR provides evidence that increasing N deposition may contribute to C accrual in deep soil in grassland ecosystems.Results: Over the past few decades, terrestrial ecosystems have experienced rising atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition, which further impacts the global carbon (C) budget through soil microbial respiration (MR). However, the effects of N deposition on MR are rarely characterized in deep soil (depth > 10 cm) rather than in surface soil (0–10 cm). This study attempted to elucidate how N deposition regulates MR along the soil profile and its underlying mechanism.We collected soil samples and determined MR across three soil layers (shallow, medium, and deep) from a decade-long and five-level N addition experiment in a temperate steppe in Inner Mongolia. We further used structural equation modeling to explore how long-term N addition regulates MR through various biotic (plant attributes and microbial community structure) and abiotic (soil properties) factors across the three soil layers.The overall response of MR to N addition varied with soil depth, shifting from stimulation in the shallow soil layer (standardized total effect of 0.36) to inhibition in the medium and deep soil layers (-0.34 and − 0.31). The identified direct and indirect pathways by which N addition regulates MR significantly differed across soil layers.Our results found that the N addition effect on soil C decomposition varied across different soil layers and involved distinct mechanisms in the temperate grassland. As soil depth increases, the suppressive effect of N deposition on MR provides evidence that increasing N deposition may contribute to C accrual in deep soil in grassland ecosystems.Conclusion: Over the past few decades, terrestrial ecosystems have experienced rising atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition, which further impacts the global carbon (C) budget through soil microbial respiration (MR). However, the effects of N deposition on MR are rarely characterized in deep soil (depth > 10 cm) rather than in surface soil (0–10 cm). This study attempted to elucidate how N deposition regulates MR along the soil profile and its underlying mechanism.We collected soil samples and determined MR across three soil layers (shallow, medium, and deep) from a decade-long and five-level N addition experiment in a temperate steppe in Inner Mongolia. We further used structural equation modeling to explore how long-term N addition regulates MR through various biotic (plant attributes and microbial community structure) and abiotic (soil properties) factors across the three soil layers.The overall response of MR to N addition varied with soil depth, shifting from stimulation in the shallow soil layer (standardized total effect of 0.36) to inhibition in the medium and deep soil layers (-0.34 and − 0.31). The identified direct and indirect pathways by which N addition regulates MR significantly differed across soil layers.Our results found that the N addition effect on soil C decomposition varied across different soil layers and involved distinct mechanisms in the temperate grassland. As soil depth increases, the suppressive effect of N deposition on MR provides evidence that increasing N deposition may contribute to C accrual in deep soil in grassland ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Restless legs syndrome is a highly prevalent comorbidity of migraine; however, its genetic contributions remain unclear. Objectives: To identify the genetic variants of restless legs syndrome in migraineurs and to investigate their potential pathogenic roles. Methods: We conducted a two-stage genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify susceptible genes for restless legs syndrome in 1,647 patients with migraine, including 264 with and 1,383 without restless legs syndrome, and also validated the association of lead variants in normal controls unaffected with restless legs syndrome (n = 1,053). We used morpholino translational knockdown (morphants), CRISPR/dCas9 transcriptional knockdown, transient CRISPR/Cas9 knockout (crispants) and gene rescue in one-cell stage embryos of zebrafish to study the function of the identified genes. Results: We identified two novel susceptibility loci rs6021854 (in VSTM2L) and rs79823654 (in CCDC141) to be associated with restless legs syndrome in migraineurs, which remained significant when compared to normal controls. Two different morpholinos targeting vstm2l and ccdc141 in zebrafish demonstrated behavioural and cytochemical phenotypes relevant to restless legs syndrome, including hyperkinetic movements of pectoral fins and decreased number in dopaminergic amacrine cells. These phenotypes could be partially reversed with gene rescue, suggesting the specificity of translational knockdown. Transcriptional CRISPR/dCas9 knockdown and transient CRISPR/Cas9 knockout of vstm2l and ccdc141 replicated the findings observed in translationally knocked-down morphants. Conclusions: Our GWAS and functional analysis suggest VSTM2L and CCDC141 are highly relevant to the pathogenesis of restless legs syndrome in migraineurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this letter, an E-plane substrate is inserted into the W-band standard waveguide to construct a bandpass filter (BPF) with high selectivity. This E-plane waveguide BPF with three transmission zeroes (TZs) is developed by using a novel compact beeline resonant cell (CBRC) and uniform-impedance resonant cells (UIRCs). It is shown that the locations of the TZs can be designed. Three TZs, with two located in the upper stopband, and the other one located in the lower stopband, are produced by a novel CBRC and two UIRCs, respectively. For verification, the BPF prototype is designed, fabricated and measured, whose total length is just 3.21 mm, namely, less than 0.83 λg (λg is the waveguide wavelength at the center frequency). Moreover, the minimum insertion loss (IL) is only 1.02 dB, and the measured return loss (RL) of the proposed BPF is greater than 14 dB at the frequency range of 94 to 99.3 GHz. The 3-dB fractional bandwidth (FBW) is 6.5%, which is from 93.6 to 99.9 GHz. Good agreement between the simulations and measurements validates the design method. The proposed W-band E-plane waveguide BPF and the efficient design method used in their design are believed to be of importance for future filter device applications in millimeter wave systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our previous study, the anticancer effect of the active fucoidan (JHCF4) isolated from acid-processed Sargassum fusiformis was evaluated. In this study, the liver-protective effects of JHCF4 against ethanol-induced Chang liver cell damage and apoptosis-related responses were investigated. Furthermore, the low cytotoxicity and high cell viability of JHCF4 against ethanol-induced cell damage, as well as its protective effect against ethanol-induced cell apoptosis, were observed via nuclear staining with Hoechst 33342 in Chang liver cells. Additionally, the treatment of the 72 h post-fertilization (hpf) zebrafish model with JHCF4 increased the ethanol-stimulated survival rates as well as decreased oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and cell death levels. JHCF4 was found to significantly decrease steatosis production in the 128 hpf zebrafish model by Oil Red O staining, as well as attenuate the malondialdehyde and increase the glutathione contents, compared with the untreated group. These results demonstrate that JHCF4 has a potential hepato-protective effect against ethanol-induced damage both in vitro and in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ergosterol is an important fungal-specific biomarker, but its use for fungal biomass estimation is still varied. It is important to distinguish between free and esterified ergosterols, which are mainly located on the plasma membrane and the cytosolic lipid particles, respectively. The present study analyzes free and esterified ergosterol contents in: (1) the fifty-nine strains of culturable fungi isolated from mangrove soil, (2) the broken spores of the fungus Ganoderma lucidum stored in capsule for more than 12 years, and (3) the mangrove soil and nearby campus wood soil samples by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results show that the contents of free and esterified ergosterols varied greatly in fifty-nine strains of fungi after 5 days of growth, indicating the diversity of ergosterol composition in fungi. The average contents of free and total ergosterols from the fifty-nine strains of fungi are 4.4 ± 1.5 mg/g and 6.1 ± 1.9 mg/g dry mycelia, respectively, with an average ergosterol esterification rate of 27.4%. The present study suggests that the fungi might be divided into two classes, one is fungi with high esterification rates (e.g., more than 27%) such as Nectria spp. and Fusarium spp., and the other is fungi with low esterification rates (e.g., less than 27%) such as Penicillium spp. and Trichoderma spp. Moreover, the ergosterol esterification rate in the spores of G. lucidum is 91.4% with a very small amount of free ergosterol (0.015 mg/g), compared with 41.9% with a higher level of free ergosterol (0.499 mg/g) reported in our previous study in 2007, indicating that free ergosterol degrades more rapidly than esterified ergosterol. In addition, the ergosterol esterification rates in mangrove soil and nearby campus wood soil samples range from 0 to 39.0%, compared with 80% in an old soil organic matter reported in a previous study, indicating the potential relationship between aging degree of fungi or soil and esterification rate. The present study proposes that both free and esterified ergosterols should be analyzed for fungal biomass estimation. When the ergosterol esterification rates in soils are higher, free ergosterol might be a better marker for fungal biomass. It is speculated that the ergosterol esterification rate in soils might contain some important information, such as the age of old-growth forests over time scales of centuries to millennia, besides the senescence degree of fungal mycelia in soils. Key points: • Fungi might be divided into two classes depending on ergosterol esterification rates. • Ergosterol esterification rate of broken spores stored for long time raised evidently. • Both free and esterified ergosterols should be analyzed for fungal biomass estimate. • Free ergosterol is a better marker for fungal biomass with a high esterification rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given a modulus of continuity ω, we consider the Teichmüller space TC1+ω as the space of all orientation-preserving circle diffeomorphisms whose derivatives are ω-continuous functions modulo the space of Möbius transformations preserving the unit disk. We study several distortion properties for diffeomorphisms and quasisymmetric homeomorphisms. Using these distortion properties, we give the Bers complex manifold structure on the Teichmüller space TC1+H as the union of TC1+α over all 0 < α ⪯ 1, which turns out to be the largest space in the Teichmüller space of C1 orientation-preserving circle diffeomorphisms on which we can assign such a structure. Furthermore, we prove that with the Bers complex manifold structure on TC1+H, Kobayashi's metric and Teichmüller's metric coincide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phage PA-YS35 is a novel lytic Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage belonging to the Myoviridae family and was isolated from the sewage of the First Hospital of Jilin University. The biological properties testing indicated that phage PA-YS35 is stable between − 20 and 60 °C and pH 4–9. The one-step growth curve shows that the latent period of PA-YS35 was 9 min, and the burst period was about 21 min by the size of approximately 380 progeny phages per host cell. The genome of phage PA-YS35 is linear double-stranded DNA with a size of 93,296 bp and a GC content of 49.35%. The results from RAST gene annotation analysis showed that the PA-YS35 genome contains 172 open reading frames (ORFs); the function of 41 ORFs can be predicted, whereas the product of remaining 131 ORFs are hypothetical proteins. According to phylogenetic tree of RNA ligase encoding sequence, phage PA-YS35 has a close evolutionary relationship with Pseudomonas phage PAK P1 because both of them are located on the same branch. The study of phage PA-YS35 genome will provide useful information for further research on the interaction between phages and their hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiomyocyte (CM) loss is a characteristic of various heart diseases, including ischaemic heart disease. Cardiac regeneration has been suggested as a promising strategy to address CM loss. Although many studies of regeneration have focused mainly on mononucleated or diploid CM, the limitations associated with the cytokinesis of polyploid and multinucleated CMs remain less well known. Here, we show that β-catenin, a key regulator in heart development, can increase cytokinesis in polyploid multinucleated CMs. The activation of β-catenin increases the expression of the cytokinesis-related factor epithelial cell transforming 2 (ECT2), which regulates the actomyosin ring and thus leads to the completion of cytokinesis in polyploid CMs. In addition, hypoxia can induce polyploid and multinucleated CMs by increasing factors related to the G1-S-anaphase of the cell cycle, but not those related to cytokinesis. Our study therefore reveals that the β-catenin can promote the cytokinesis of polyploid multinucleated CMs via upregulation of ECT2. These findings suggest a potential field of polyploid CM research that may be exploitable for cardiac regeneration therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Demographic and clinical indicators usually influence depression, anxiety, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study was to assess the direct and indirect association that existed among the identified variables, psychosocial status, and HRQoL in CAD patients.Methods: CAD patients with at least one of the main coronary artery and/or branch stenosis over 50% were eligible for inclusion. HRQoL, depression, and anxiety were tested by questionnaires within 3 days after angiography. Mono-factor and multiple linear regression models were used to examine the independent associations of depression, anxiety, and HRQoL. A path analysis was conducted to examine the association among demographic/clinical indicators, depression, anxiety, and HRQoL.Results: The sample consisted of 414 subject, patients with depression accounted for 40.82%, and patients with anxiety accounted for 25.12%. The direct effects of SAS scores on HRQoL (B = - 0.26, β = - 0.16), of SDS scores on HRQoL (B = - 0.70, β = - 0.47), of gender on HRQoL (B = 4.05, β = 0.17), and of NYHA classification on HRQoL (B = - 3.46, β = - 0.18) were significant (p < 0.001). The indirect effects of gender on HRQoL (B = 2.16, β = 0.09) and of Gensini scores on HRQoL (B = - 0.06, β = - 0.08) were also statistically significant (p < 0.001).Conclusions: Depression and anxiety were common CAD patients and played an important role in HRQoL. Gender differences were found in determinants of HRQoL and the state of depression and anxiety directly, and women's anxiety, depression, and quality of life were worse than men's. NYHA classification and Gensini scores also played direct and indirect role in HRQoL, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: A novel major adult-plant stripe rust resistance QTL derived from cultivated emmer wheat was mapped to a 123.6-kb region on wheat chromosome 2BL. Stripe rust, caused by the fungal pathogen Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is one of the most devastating diseases of wheat. Identification of new sources of resistance and their utilization in breeding programs is the effectively control strategy. The objective of this study was to identify and genetically characterize the stripe rust resistance derived from the cultivated emmer accession AS286. A recombinant inbred line population, developed from a cross between the susceptible durum wheat line langdon and AS286, was genotyped using the Wheat55K single nucleotide polymorphism array and evaluated in field conditions with a mixture of the prevalent Chinese Pst races (CYR32, CYR33, CYR34, Zhong4, and HY46) and in growth chamber with race CYR34. Three QTLs conferring resistance were mapped on chromosomes 1BS, 2BL, and 5BL, respectively. The QYrAS286-1BS and QYrAS286-2BL were stable with major effects, explaining 12.91% to 18.82% and 11.31% to 31.43% of phenotypic variation, respectively. QYrAS286-5BL was only detected based on growth chamber seedling data. RILs harboring both QYrAS286-1BS and QYrAS286-2BL showed high levels of stripe rust resistance equal to the parent AS286. The QYrAS286-2BL was only detected at the adult-plant stage, which is different from previously named Yr genes and inherited as a single gene. It was further mapped to a 123.6-kb region using KASP markers derived from SNPs identified by bulked segregant RNA sequencing (BSR-Seq). The identified loci enrich our stripe rust resistance gene pool, and the flanking markers developed here could be useful in marker-assisted selection for incorporating QYrAS286-2BL into wheat cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We normalize data from 43 Chinese observatories and select data from ten Chinese observatories with most continuous records to assess the secular variations (SVs) and geomagnetic jerks by calculating the deviations between annual observed and CHAOS-6 model monthly means. The variations in the north, east, and vertical eigendirections are studied by using the covariance matrix of the residuals, and we find that the vertical direction is strongly affected by magnetospheric ring currents. To obtain noise-free data, we rely on the covariance matrix of the residuals to remove the noise contributions from the largest eigenvalue or vectors owing to ring currents. Finally, we compare the data from the ten Chinese observatories to seven European observatories. Clearly, the covariance matrix method can simulate the SVs of Dst, the jerk of the northward component in 2014 and that of the eastward component in 2003.5 in China are highly agree with that of Vertically downward component in Europe, compare to CHAOS-6, covariance matrix method can show more details of SVs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A strong strain hardening ability in ultra-high strength spring steel 60Si2CrVAT was achieved by the design of multiphase microstructures using a quenching-partitioning-tempering process. The microstructure consisted of ~ 70% martensite/bainite and ~ 30% retained austenite, which was obtained at an optimized partitioning temperature of 380 °C. The corresponding yield strength ratio and the product of strength and elongation were 0.81 and 34,828 MPa%, respectively. Interestingly, this sample exhibited a double-stage strain hardening characteristic with a concave-down shape, which was distinct from that of the other samples. The excellent performance of the ultra-high strength spring steel was mainly due to the interactions between the multiple phases and the stability of the retained austenite during cold deformation. This paper provides a new way of obtaining a strong strain hardening ability in ultra-high strength steels, which is expected to be applicable to the cold coiling process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report codes for the Standard Model Effective Field Theory (SMEFT) in F eynR ules - the SMEFTsim package. The codes enable theoretical predictions for dimension six operator corrections to the Standard Model using numerical tools, where predictions can be made based on either the electroweak input parameter set $$ \left\{{\widehat{\alpha}}_{ew},{\widehat{m}}_Z,{\widehat{G}}_F\right\} $$ or $$ \left\{{\widehat{m}}_W,{\widehat{m}}_Z,{\widehat{G}}_F\right\} $$ . All of the baryon and lepton number conserving operators present in the SMEFT dimension six Lagrangian, defined in the Warsaw basis, are included. A flavour symmetric U(3) version with possible non-SM CP violating phases, a (linear) minimal flavour violating version neglecting such phases, and the fully general flavour case are each implemented. The SMEFTsim package allows global constraints to be determined on the full Wilson coefficient space of the SMEFT. As the number of parameters present is large, it is important to develop global analyses on reduced sets of parameters minimizing any UV assumptions and relying on IR kinematics of scattering events and symmetries. We simultaneously develop the theoretical framework of a 'W-Higgs-Z pole parameter' physics program that can be pursued at the LHC using this approach and the SMEFTsim package. We illustrate this methodology with several numerical examples interfacing SMEFTsim with M adG raph5. The SMEFTsim package can be downloaded at . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the fabrication of channel waveguides by He ion implantation in a single-crystal LiNbO film bonded to a SiO/LiNbO substrate. The planar waveguides were also formed under the same conditions to show the refractive index changes and the thermal annealing properties of ion-implanted LiNbO thin film. Using a moderate implantation energy, the formed channel waveguides were clean because He ions passed through the LiNbO thin film and deposited into the SiO layer. The optical propagation properties of channel waveguides were measured using an end-face coupling method, and the theoretical results were simultaneously calculated for comparison. The mode sizes and end-face reflectivities of channel waveguides with different widths were numerically calculated. The propagation losses were also estimated at approximately 12.2 and 14.3 dB/cm for 7 μm- and 5 μm-wide waveguides, respectively, by the Fabry-Perot method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We define the motivic Milnor fiber of cyclic L -algebras of dimension three using the method of Denef and Loeser of motivic integration. It is proved by Nicaise and Sebag that the topological Euler characteristic of the motivic Milnor fiber is equal to the Euler characteristic of the étale cohomology of the analytic Milnor fiber. We prove that the value of Behrend function on the germ moduli space determined by a cyclic L -algebra L is equal to the Euler characteristic of the analytic Milnor fiber. Thus we prove that the Behrend function depends only on the formal neighborhood of the moduli space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: For three or more involved cervical levels, there is a debate over which approach yields the best outcomes for the treatment of multilevel cervical degenerative disease. Our objective is to compare the radiological and clinical outcomes of two treatments for multilevel cervical degenerative disease: anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) versus plate-only open-door laminoplasty (laminoplasty).Methods: Patients were randomized on a 1:1 randomization schedule with 17 patients in the ACDF group and 17 patients in the laminoplasty group. Clinical outcomes were assessed by a visual analog scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores, operative time, blood loss, rates of complications, drainage volume, discharge days after surgery, and complications. The cervical spine curvature index (CI) and range of motion (ROM) were assessed with radiographs.Results: The mean VAS score, the mean JOA score, and the rate of complications did not differ significantly between groups. The laminoplasty group had greater blood loss, a longer operative time, more drainage volume, and a longer hospital stay than the ACDF group. There were no significant differences in the CI and ROM between the two groups at baseline and at each follow-up time point. ROM in both groups decreased significantly after surgery.Conclusions: Both ACDF and laminoplasty are effective and safe treatments for multilevel cervical degenerative disease. ACDF causes fewer traumas than laminoplasty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arnebiaeuchroma (Royle) Johnst (Ruanzicao) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCM). It is extensively used in China and other countries for treatment of inflammatory diseases. It is known that hyper-activated complement system involves in the fever and acute lung injury (ALI) in rats. In our preliminary studies, anti-complementary activity of crude Arnebiaeuchroma polysaccharides (CAEP) had been demonstrated in vitro. This study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of crude Arnebiaeuchroma polysaccharides (CAEP) using two animal models, which relate with inappropriate activation of complement system. In lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced fever model, the body temperature and leukocytes of peripheral blood in rats were significantly increased, while the complement levels of serum were remarkably decreased. CAEP administration alleviated the LPS-induced fever, reduced the number of leukocytes, and improved the levels of complement. Histological assay showed that there were severe damages and complement depositions in lung of the ALI rats. Further detection displayed that the oxidant stress was enhanced, and total hemolytic activity and C3/C4 levels in serum were decreased significantly in the ALI model group. Remarkably, CAEP not only attenuated the morphological injury, edema, and permeability in the lung but also significantly weakened the oxidant stress in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in the ALI rats. The levels of complement and complement depositions were improved by the CAEP treatment. In conclusion, the CAEP treatment ameliorated febrile response induced by LPS and acute lung injury induced by LPS plus ischemia-reperfusion. CAEP exerted beneficial effects on inflammatory disease potentially via inhibiting the inappropriate activation of complement system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum-rich chondrules (ARCs), which share mineralogic and chemical properties with both Ca, Al-rich inclusions (CAIs) and ferromagnesian chondrules, play an important role in revealing their temporal and petrogenetic relationships. In this work, seven ARCs were found in three ordinary chondrites GRV 022410 (H4), GRV 052722 (H3.7) and Julesburg (L3.6). They contain bulk AlO ∼ 17%-33% and exhibit igneous textures composed of olivine, high- and low-Ca pyroxene, plagioclase, spinel and glass. In situ SIMS analyses show that ARCs have oxygen isotopic compositions ( δO=−6.1‰-7.1‰; δO= −4.5‰-5.1‰) close to ferromagnesian chondrules but far more depleted in O than CAIs ( δO=−40‰; δO=−40‰). Most ARCs plot close to the terrestrial mass fractionation (TF) line, and a few between the TF and carbonaceous chondrite anhydrous mixing (CCAM) lines. Plagioclase, nepheline and glass suffered O-isotopic exchanges during the metamorphism processes in the parent body. Spinel, olivine and pyroxene represent the primary O-isotopic compositions of ARCs, and define a fitted line with a slope of ∼ 0.7±0.1. Compared with the results of previous studies, shallower slope as well as more depleted O compositions further demonstrates that ARCs in ordinary chondrites are not a simple mixing product of ferromagnesian chondrules and CAIs. Instead, they probably experienced higher-degree oxygen isotope exchange with a O-poor nebular gas reservoir during multiple melting episodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tibetan semi-wild wheat ( Triticum aestivum ssp. tibetanum Shao) is a hexaploid wheat resource distributed only in Tibet that has an interesting type of seed dormancy in addition to hulled glumes and brittle spikelets. A whole-genome linkage map of T. aestivum ssp. tibetanum was constructed for a population of 186 recombinant inbred lines using 645 diversity array technology (DArT) markers, 127 simple sequence repeat markers and three R- 1 genotyping markers. Seed dormancy was evaluated at five post-ripening stages from 2010 to 2013. Comprehensive quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping by inclusive composite interval mapping analysis identified seven QTLs for seed dormancy, designated as Qsd.sau- 1B, Qsd.sau- 3A, Qsd.sau- 3B, Qsd.sau- 3D, Qsd.sau- 4A1, Qsd.sau- 4A2, and Qsd.sau- 7A, on chromosomes 1BL, 3AL, 3BL, 3DL, 4AS, 4AL, and 7AL, which explained 8.9, 7.2, 10.8, 7.0, 11.4, 9.4, and 12.7 % of phenotypic variation, respectively. Qsd.sau- 4A1 and Qsd.sau- 7A have only rarely been reported in domesticated common wheat but were prominent in T. aestivum ssp. tibetanum accession Q1028. Qsd.sau- 4A1 was associated with intense, short-duration dormancy and was recognized as an ideal QTL for wheat breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An important goal of synthetic biology is the rational design and predictable implementation of synthetic gene circuits using standardized and interchangeable parts. However, engineering of complex circuits in mammalian cells is currently limited by the availability of well-characterized and orthogonal transcriptional repressors. Here, we introduce a library of 26 reversible transcription activator-like effector repressors (TALERs) that bind newly designed hybrid promoters and exert transcriptional repression through steric hindrance of key transcriptional initiation elements. We demonstrate that using the input-output transfer curves of our TALERs enables accurate prediction of the behavior of modularly assembled TALER cascade and switch circuits. We also show that TALER switches using feedback regulation exhibit improved accuracy for microRNA-based HeLa cancer cell classification versus HEK293 cells. Our TALER library is a valuable toolkit for modular engineering of synthetic circuits, enabling programmable manipulation of mammalian cells and helping elucidate design principles of coupled transcriptional and microRNA-mediated post-transcriptional regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to develop a rapid multiplex PCR (m-PCR) method using pure bacterial cultures and pork that would allow the simultaneous detection of five major foodborne pathogens likely to be found in pork ( Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella and Yersinia enterocolitica). Five pairs of primers were designed to identify invA gene, hlyA gene, rfbE gene, nuc gene and ail gene for Salmonella, L. monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H7, S. aureus and Y. enterocolitica, respectively. On the basis of determining specificity of the m-PCR, sensitivity was performed with an overnight enrichment step in culture media and pork. The 16S rRNA gene was targeted as an internal control gene of the presence of bacterial DNA. The results suggested that the m-PCR was an effective procedure having high specificity for the simultaneous detection of the five target pathogens. After overnight culture, the detection limit was 10cfu/mL for the simultaneous detection of the five target pathogens and less than 10 cfu/mL for detection of a single pathogen. The m-PCR protocol successfully detected all five organisms inoculated overnight together on pork. Salmonella, S. aureus, L. monocytogenes, Y. enterocolitca and E. coli O157:H7 were detected at levels of 142, 51, 9, 33 and 670 cfu/mL, respectively, in the pork. The m-PCR assay developed in this study could provide an effective and informative supplement for routine monitoring for pork safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the quasiparticle band structure and optical absorption spectrum of bulk LiBr calculated from first-principles approaches. The quasiparticle band structure is calculated within the GW approximation. Taking the electron-hole interaction into consideration, the optical excitation is investigated by solving the Bethe-Salpeter equation for the electron-hole two-particle Green's function. The obtained results for the band gap and optical absorption spectrum are in good agreement with experimental measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Green Revolution ( GR-I) included worldwide adoption of semi-dwarf rice cultivars (SRCs) with mutant alleles at GA20ox2 or SD1 encoding gibberellin 20-oxidase. Two series of experiments were conducted to characterize the pleiotropic effects of SD1 and its relationships with large numbers of QTLs affecting rice growth, development and productivity. The pleiotropic effects of SD1 in the IR64 genetic background for increased height, root length/mass and grain weight, and for reduced spikelet fertility and delayed heading were first demonstrated using large populations derived from near isogenic IR64 lines of SD1. In the second set of experiments, QTLs controlling nine growth and yield traits were characterized using a new molecular quantitative genetics model and the phenotypic data of the well-known IR64/Azucena DH population evaluated across 11 environments, which revealed three genetic systems: the SD1-mediated, SD1-repressed and SD1-independent pathways that control rice growth, development and productivity. The SD1-mediated system comprised 43 functional genetic units (FGUs) controlled by GA. The SD1-repressed system was the alternative one comprising 38 FGUs that were only expressed in the mutant sd1 backgrounds. The SD1-independent one comprised 64 FGUs that were independent of SD1. GR-I resulted from the overall differences between the former two systems in the three aspects: (1) trait/environment-specific contributions; (2) distribution of favorable alleles for increased productivity in the parents; and (3) different responses to (fertilizer) inputs. Our results suggest that at 71.4 % of the detected loci, a QTL resulted from the difference between a functional allele and a loss-of-function mutant, whereas at the remaining 28.6 % of loci, from two functional alleles with differentiated effects. Our results suggest two general strategies to achieve GR-II (1) by further exploiting the genetic potential of the SD1-repressed and SD1-independent pathways and (2) by restoring the SD1-mediated pathways, or 'back to the nature' to fully exploit the genetic diversity of those loci in the SD1-mediated pathways which are virtually inaccessible to most rice-breeding programs worldwide that are exclusively based on sd1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Patients on oral anticancer agent (OAA) therapies have the autonomy to manage their cancer treatments in home settings. However, patients may not have adequate knowledge, confidence, or ability to effectively manage OAA-related consequences, which can significantly impact their treatment and health outcomes. This study aims to identify the associations between medication beliefs, patient activation, and self-rated health (SRH) among oncology patients taking OAAs and explore the potential mediation effects of patient activation on the relationship between medication beliefs and SRH. Methods: A secondary data analysis was conducted on cross-sectional data from 114 patients who were diagnosed with breast, colorectal, lung, or prostate cancer. Patients completed a self-reported survey including items of SRH, Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ), and Patient Activation Measure (PAM-13). Descriptive statistics, bivariate correlation, hierarchical multiple linear regression, and mediation analysis were conducted. Results: The results indicate that patients taking OAAs have ambivalent attitudes toward medication. Both medication necessity (r = − 0.27) and concerns (r = − 0.21) were negatively associated with SRH, while patient activation was positively associated with SRH (r = 0.38). Patient activation had a negative association with medication concerns (r = − 0.36) and fully mediated the relationship between medication concerns and SRH in patients taking OAAs (indirect effect = − 0.154, 95% confidence interval, − 0.276 to − 0.060). Conclusion: The findings highlight the significance of activating patients to better understand and manage their OAAs. It is crucial for oncology professionals to provide multifaceted interventions to promote patient activation with an effort to mitigate the negative impact of medication beliefs on patient-perceived health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Oncology patients often struggle to manage their medications and related adverse events during transitions of care. They are expected to take an active role in self-monitoring and timely reporting of their medication safety events or concerns to clinicians. The purpose of this study was to explore the factors influencing oncology patients’ willingness to report adverse events or concerns related to their medication after their transitions back home. Methods: A qualitative interview study was conducted with adult patients with breast, prostate, lung, or colorectal cancer who experienced care transitions within the previous year. A semi-structured interview guide was developed to understand patients’ perceptions of reporting mediation-related safety events or concerns from home. All interviews were conducted via phone calls, recorded, and transcribed for thematic data analysis. Results: A total of 41 individuals participated in the interviews. Three main themes and six subthemes emerged, including patients’ perceived relationship with clinicians (the quality of communication and trust in clinicians), perceived severity of adverse medication events (perceived severe vs. non-severe events), and patient activation in self-management (self-efficacy in self-management and engagement in monitoring health outcomes). Conclusion: The patient-clinician relationship significantly affects patients’ reporting behaviors, which can potentially interact with other factors, including the severity of adverse events. It is important to engage oncology patients in medication safety self-reporting from home by enhancing health communication, understanding patients’ perceptions of severe events, and promoting patient activation. By addressing these efforts, healthcare providers should adopt a more patient-centered approach to enhance the overall quality and safety of oncological care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) dual fluorescence was observed in various organic solvents with p-dimethylaminobenzanilide (DMBA) derivatives bearing ortho-methyl (DMOMBA) and ortho,ortho-dimethyl (DMDMBA) substituents at amido aniline moiety. Ab initiocalculation and absorption spectral data indicated that high steric hindrance was introduced by the ortho,ortho-dimethyl substitutions. It was found that, with DMDMBA, the CT emission initially shifted to the red with increasing solvent polarity from cyclohexane (CHX, 480 nm) to diethyl ether (DEE, 520 nm), similar to those of DMBA derivatives with the ortho-, meta- or para-methyl substitutions at amido aniline moiety. However, there is a characteristic blue-shift of the long wavelength emission between DEE and tetrahydrofuran (THF, 424 nm) then a bathochromic shift again in highly polar solvent acetonitrile (ACN, 484 nm). The unusual solvent-dependent CT emission was ascribed to two competitive CT channels. One is benzanilide (BA)-like CT, whose CT reaction occurs from amido aniline to benzoyl moiety in nonpolar solvent CHX and DEE; the other one is p-dimethylaminobenzamide (DMABA)-like, whose CT reaction occurs from dimethylamino to benzanilide moiety in highly polar solvent THF and ACN. These findings revealed the steric effect plays an important role in the ICT process, which may alter the properties of the electron donor and/or acceptor, but also change the reaction potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To obtain mimic peptides that specifically bind with the first and second extracellular loops (ECL1, ECL2) of the CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) and to study their treatment effects on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice. Methods: A phage display peptide library was applied to screen peptides that bond with ECL1 and ECL2. ELISA and DNA sequence analysis were used to identify positive clones. EAE mice were treated with synthesized peptides by intraperitoneal injection. Results: Eighteen positive clones were obtained and four peptides with sequences STFTTTL, TPIPQLL, SLPLPKP and QTSSAAL were identified. These peptides could significantly protect against and reduce the severity of EAE. The infiltration of monocytes and lymphocytes into the spinal cord decreased significantly in treated mice, while abundant inflammatory cells and demyelination were observed in spinal cords of EAE mice. Conclusion: CCR5 mimic peptides provided a significant protective effect to EAE mice. These potent inhibitory mimic peptides could be useful in the clinical treatment of multiple sclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We give a direct proof of a result of Earle, Gardiner and Lakic, that is, Kobayashi's metric and Teichmüller's metric coincide with each other on the Teichmüller space of symmetric circle homeomorphisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Previous studies involving diabetics have shown different associations between fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and bone mineral density (BMD). The different effects of FPG on BMD are due to varying effects of antidiabetic drugs, glycemic control and diabetic complications in the diabetic patients. It is necessary to identify the association in subjects without diabetes. Materials and methods: A total of 2367 females over 65 were included in this cross-sectional study. Subjects were grouped by FPG quartile. BMD and the prevalence of osteoporosis were compared among different FPG quartiles. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the independent contribution of FPG to osteoporosis. Results: Subjects in lower FPG quartile had lower BMD (P < 0.05). Subjects with osteoporosis had a lower FPG than the subjects of osteopenia, and both were lower than subjects with normal bone mass (P < 0.001 for all). Compared with the lowest FPG quartile, subjects in the 3rd and the 4th quartiles have a lower risk of osteoporosis in the lumbar spine (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.59–0.98; OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.56–0.99, respectively), the total hip (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.56–0.96; OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.53–0.99, respectively), and the femoral neck (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.50–0.97; OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.54–0.92, respectively) after adjustment for age, BMI, education, physical activity and menopausal age. Conclusion: FPG was positively associated with BMD in non-diabetic elderly females. Low FPG may increase the risk of osteoporosis in the non-diabetic elderly females in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analytic sensitivity analysis technology for the boundary element method (BEM) is presented, combined with a shape optimization system for structural analysis. A shape optimization was done for an elastomer under planar stress, based on this new algorithm. A multi-object problem was studied as an illustrative example for the programmer, using weighted summing method. The result is feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study on the role of Notch signalling in somitogenesis. Analysis of zebrafish mutants and the interpretation that the function of Notch signalling in somite segmentation is to keep the oscillations of neighboring presomitic mesoderm cells synchronized; How cells arrested in different phases of their cycle express different genes and define the spatially periodic pattern of somites and controlling the physical process of segmentation.

Fungal additives had beneficial effects on milk performance in dairy cows. Previous studies investigating the effects of fungal additives mainly focused on the rumen, such influences on the hindgut remain limited. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extracts (AOE) on the milk performance and microbiome in the rumen and hindgut using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Twenty lactating multiparous Holstein cows were randomly assigned to control and treatment (5 g AOE per cow per day). The results showed that AOE increased the milk yield, milk protein and lactose concentration, but did not affect the milk fat concentration. Feeding AOE did not affect the ruminal VFA pattern, pH, NH3-N, and microbial cell protein production, but decreased lipopolysaccharide concentration and tended to decrease lactate concentration. The addition of AOE increased the fecal pH and the proportions of propionate, isovalerate and valerate, and decreased the acetate to propionate ratio. PCoA analysis showed that AOE did not affect the overall ruminal bacterial population composition. Only three genera changed slightly in relative abundance. In the feces, PCoA analysis showed that AOE changed the bacterial population composition. Feeding AOE increased the relative abundances of Ruminococcaceae UCG-010 and unclassified Clostridiales vadinBB60 group, and decreased Christensenellaceae R-7 group, unclassified Muribaculaceae, Prevotellaceae UCG-001 and Romboutsia. Spearman correlation showed unclassified Clostridiales vadinBB60 group was positively correlated with propionate proportion. Overall, we present that AOE not only functioned in rumen, but also in hindgut. The hindgut microbiome changes might play an important role in the milk performance improvement of dairy cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the application of black-blood CT (BBCT) in carotid artery wall imaging and its accuracy in disclosing stenosis rate and plaque burden of carotid artery. Methods: A total of 110 patients underwent contrast-enhanced CT scan with two phases, and BBCT images were obtained using contrast-enhancement (CE)-boost technology. Two radiologists independently scored subjective image quality on black-blood computerized tomography (BBCT) images using a 4-point scale and then further analyzed plaque types. The artery stenosis rate on BBCT was measured and compared with CTA. The plaque burden on BBCT was compared with that on high-resolution intracranial vessel wall MR imaging (VW-MR imaging). The kappa value and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used for consistency analysis. The diagnostic accuracy of BBCT for stenosis rate and plaque burden greater than 50% was evaluated by AUC. Results: The subjective image quality scores of BBCT had good consistency between the two readers (ICC = 0.836, p < 0.001). BBCT and CTA had a good consistency in the identification of stenosis rate (p < 0.001). There was good consistency between BBCT and VW-MR in diagnosis of plaque burden (p < 0.001). As for plaque burden over 50%, BBCT had good sensitivity (93.10%) and specificity (73.33%), with an AUC of 0.950 (95%CI 0.838–0.993). Compared with CTA, BBCT had higher consistency with VW-MR in disclosing low-density plaques and mixed plaques (ICC = 0.931 vs 0.858, p < 0.001). Conclusions: BBCT can not only display the carotid artery wall clearly but also accurately diagnose the stenosis rate and plaque burden of carotid artery. Clinical relevance statement: Black-blood CT, as a novel imaging technology, can assist clinicians and radiologists in better visualizing the structure of the vessel wall and plaques, especially for patients with contraindication to MRI. Key Points: • Black-blood CT can clearly visualize the carotid artery wall and plaque burden. • Black-blood CT is superior to conventional CTA with more accurate diagnosis of the carotid stenosis rate and plaque burden features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a desirable combination of strength, ductility, and toughness in low-carbon 30CrMnSiA steel is achieved by a hierarchical multiphase microstructural architecture subjected to one- and two-step quenching and partitioning (Q&P) processes. The microstructural constituents are studied by EBSD, x-ray diffraction, dilatometry, and TEM. Experimental results show that microstructural refinement occurs in the martensite and bainite at a lower quenching temperature, where more Bain groups form in one close-packed plane group. This causes random distribution between martensite and bainite blocks, enlarging the volume of high-angle grain boundaries. Such refined microstructure, particularly for the increased martensite with higher-density dislocations, causes an increased strength at a decreased quenching temperature. By comparison, increased quenching and partitioning temperature produces more stable film-like retained austenite (RA) and a low dislocation density in martensite/bainite (M/B); thus, it provides better deformation by accommodating with M/B laths and absorbing substantial energy due to the transformation-induced plasticity effect. The lower dislocation density, the higher volume fraction of RA, and the higher HAGBs improve the impact toughness and tensile properties of lean alloy steel through a moderate Q&P process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minority stigma against sexual minority women and its contributions to these women's health disparities have been widely investigated in Western countries. By contrast, little has been known about minority stigma against women with same-sex attraction (WSSA) in mainland China. This study aimed at exploring the nature, genesis, and pathways of minority stigma among this rarely studied minority group in terms of China's unique social and cultural organization of gender and sexuality. A grounded theory approach was applied to 28 participants of Chinese WSSA through in-depth telephone interviews to elicit their views and perspectives anchored in their daily experiences with gender hierarchy and normative heterosexuality. Findings of this study identified marital pressure and cultural unintelligibility as two principal components of minority stigma against Chinese WSSA. A conceptual framework was developed to illustrate how minority stigma relies on the mutually reinforcing loop of martial pressure and culturally unintelligible status of female same-sex attraction to oppress Chinese WSSA within and across intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural levels. The parent–daughter relationship, laden with the Confucian value of filial piety, was highlighted as the major pathway of minority stigma to force Chinese women with same-sex attraction into heterosexual marriage and make female same-sex attraction culturally unintelligible. These findings lay a foundation for conceptualizing and measuring minority stigma of Chinese WSSA caused by the stigmatization of their same-sex attraction. Moreover, these findings would contribute greatly to understanding how cultural particularities critically affect the local process of stigmatization through which power relations and social control are practiced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Welan gum, a natural polysaccharide produced by Sphingomonas sp. ATCC 31555, has attracted considerable attention in the scientific community due to its desirable properties. However, challenges, such as high viscosity, residual bacterial cells, carotenoids, and protein complexation, hinder the widespread application of welan gum. In this study, we established a method for the extraction and purification of welan gum using a synergistic approach with lysozyme and alkaline protease. Lysozyme hydrolysis conditions were optimized by applying response surface methodology, and the best results for bacterial cell removal were achieved at 11 000 U/g, 44 °C, and pH 9 after 3 h of treatment. Subsequently, we evaluated protein hydrolysis through computer simulation and identified alkaline protease as the most suitable enzyme. Through experimental investigations, we found that the optimal conditions for alkaline protease hydrolysis were 7500 U/g, 50 °C, pH 10, and 600 rpm. These conditions resulted in a sugar recovery rate of 76.1%, carotenoid removal rate of 89.5%, bacterial removal rate of 95.2%, and protein removal rate of 87.3% after 3 h of hydrolysis. The purified welan gum exhibited high transparency and purity. Structural characterization and antioxidant activity evaluation revealed that enzymatically purified welan gum has potential application prospects. Our study provides valuable insights into the optimal method for the enzymatic extraction and purification of welan gum. Such a method is conducive to the development of the multiple potential applications of welan gum. Key points: • A novel process for the synergistic purification of welan gum using lysozyme and alkaline protease was established. • In silico virtual digestion was employed to select the purification enzyme. • Welan gum with high transparency and purity was obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Welan gum, a natural polysaccharide produced by Sphingomonas sp. ATCC 31555, has attracted considerable attention in the scientific community due to its desirable properties. However, challenges, such as high viscosity, residual bacterial cells, carotenoids, and protein complexation, hinder the widespread application of welan gum. In this study, we established a method for the extraction and purification of welan gum using a synergistic approach with lysozyme and alkaline protease. Lysozyme hydrolysis conditions were optimized by applying response surface methodology, and the best results for bacterial cell removal were achieved at 11 000 U/g, 44 °C, and pH 9 after 3 h of treatment. Subsequently, we evaluated protein hydrolysis through computer simulation and identified alkaline protease as the most suitable enzyme. Through experimental investigations, we found that the optimal conditions for alkaline protease hydrolysis were 7500 U/g, 50 °C, pH 10, and 600 rpm. These conditions resulted in a sugar recovery rate of 76.1%, carotenoid removal rate of 89.5%, bacterial removal rate of 95.2%, and protein removal rate of 87.3% after 3 h of hydrolysis. The purified welan gum exhibited high transparency and purity. Structural characterization and antioxidant activity evaluation revealed that enzymatically purified welan gum has potential application prospects. Our study provides valuable insights into the optimal method for the enzymatic extraction and purification of welan gum. Such a method is conducive to the development of the multiple potential applications of welan gum. Key points: • A novel process for the synergistic purification of welan gum using lysozyme and alkaline protease was established. • In silico virtual digestion was employed to select the purification enzyme. • Welan gum with high transparency and purity was obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study considers the Upper Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation, Yaojia Formation, and the first member of the Nenjiang Formation in the Western Slope of the northern Songliao Basin. Dark mudstone with high abundances of organic matter of Gulong and Qijia sags are considered to be significant source rocks in the study area. To evaluate their development characteristics, differences and effectiveness, geochemical parameters are analyzed. One-dimensional basin modeling and hydrocarbon evolution are also applied to discuss the effectiveness of source rocks. Through the biomarker characteristics, the source–source, oil–oil, and oil–source correlations are assessed and the sources of crude oils in different rock units are determined. Based on the results, Gulong and Qijia source rocks have different organic matter primarily detrived from mixed sources and plankton, respectively. Gulong source rock has higher thermal evolution degree than Qijia source rock. The biomarker parameters of the source rocks are compared with 31 crude oil samples. The studied crude oils can be divided into two groups. The oil–source correlations show that group I oils from Qing II–III, Yao I, and Yao II–III members were probably derived from Gulong source rock and that only group II oils from Nen I member were derived from Qijia source rock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: A novel and stably expressed QTL QSNS.sicau-SSY-7A for spikelet number per spike in wheat without negative effects on thousand-kernel weight was identified and validated in different genetic backgrounds. Spikelet number per spike (SNS) is an important determinant of yield in wheat. In the present study, we combined bulked segregant analysis (BSA) and the wheat 660 K single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array to rapidly identify genomic regions associated with SNS from a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cross between the wheat lines S849-8 and SY95-71. A genetic map was constructed using Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR markers in the SNP-enriched region on the long arm of chromosome 7A. A major and stably expressed QTL, QSNS.sicau-SSY-7A, was detected in multiple environments. It was located in a 1.6 cM interval on chromosome arm 7AL flanked by the markers AX-109983514 and AX-109820548. This QTL explained 6.86–15.72% of the phenotypic variance, with LOD values ranging from 3.66 to 8.66. Several genes associated with plant growth and development were identified in the interval where QSNS.sicau-SSY-7A was located on the ‘Chinese Spring’ wheat and wild emmer reference genomes. Furthermore, the effects of QSNS.sicau-SSY-7A and WHEAT ORTHOLOG OFAPO1(WAPO1) on SNS were analyzed. Interestingly, QSNS.sicau-SSY-7A significantly increased SNS without negative effects on thousand-kernel weight, anthesis date and plant height, demonstrating its great potential for breeding aimed at improving grain yield. Taken together, these results indicate that QSNS.sicau-SSY-7A is a promising locus for yield improvement, and its linkage markers are helpful for fine mapping and molecular breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as important roles in gastric cancer (GC). However, the role of the dysregulated lncRNAs in GC remained large unknown. We investigated the clinical significance, biological function and mechanism of CTC-497E21.4 in GC. Methods: Firstly, RTFQ-PCR was used to detect the expression of CTC-497E21.4 in GC. Furthermore, knockdown of CTC-497E21.4 was conducted to assess the effect of CTC-497E21.4 in vitro and vivo. Subcellular localization of CTC-497E21.4 was determined by nuclear plasmolysis PCR and FISH. We also predicted CTC-497E21.4 binding miRNAs and downstream target genes and evaluated its regulation of miR-22 by acting as a ceRNA. Result: CTC-497E21.4 was upregulated in GC tissues and GC cell lines (P < 0.05), and the expression was associated with depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, and neurological invasion. Besides, knockdown of CTC-497E21.4 inhibited cell proliferation, invasion and promoted cell cycle arrest in vitro and inhibited tumorigenesis in vivo. Mechanistic investigations indicated that CTC-497E21.4 acted as a ceRNA for miR-22 and regulated NET1 expression. CTC-497E21.4/miR-22-3p/NET1 participated in the RhoA signaling pathway in the GC progression. Conclusion: CTC-497E21.4 competed with miR-22 to regulate the expression of NET1 and regulated the malignant progression of GC through RhoA signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simultaneously achieving high strength and ductility has been a long-standing goal in aluminum alloys, while the increase in strength usually leads to ductility loss. In this study, a novel thermomechanical treatment (TMT) method, i.e., pre-existing precipitation in coarse grain (CG) and cryogenic rolling plus warm rolling followed by peak aging, is developed to achieve high strength and good ductility in 211ZX aluminum alloy. As a result, a composite nanostructure including ultrafine-grained (UFG) and nanoprecipitation is obtained. Compared to a conventional T6 sample, the multi-step TMT sample has a finer grain (205 nm), while numerous GP zones and θ" phases are dispersed inside the grain. The precipitation characteristics are similar to the T6 sample. The yield strength (635 MPa) and ultimate tensile strength (690 MPa) are about 81% and 53% higher than the T6 sample, respectively, with only a slight decrease in plasticity. Microstructural characterization and thermodynamic analysis confirmed that pre-existing precipitates and cryogenic temperatures facilitate the formation of the composite nanostructure. Quantitatively strengthening calculations demonstrate that the high strength is attributed to the ultra-fine grain strengthening and precipitation strengthening, while the high plasticity is mainly due to the reduction of dislocation density caused by recovery and recrystallization during the aging process as well as the massive production of nano-GIPs (interior grain precipitates). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boulders are ubiquitously found on the surfaces of small rocky bodies in the inner solar system and their spatial and size distributions give insight into the geological evolution and collisional history of the parent bodies. Using images acquired by the Chang'e-2 spacecraft, more than 200 boulders have been identified over the imaged area of the near-Earth asteroid Toutatis. The cumulative boulder size frequency distribution (SFD) shows a steep slope of −4.4 ± 0.1, which is indicative of a high degree of fragmentation. Similar to Itokawa, Toutatis probably has a rubble-pile structure, as most boulders on its surface cannot solely be explained by impact cratering. The significantly steeper slope for Toutatis' boulder SFD compared to Itokawa may imply a different preservation state or diverse formation scenarios. In addition, the cumulative crater SFD has been used to estimate a surface crater retention age of approximately 1.6 ± 0.3 Gyr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The isothermal sections of Mg-Zn-RE(Nd,Gd) ternary system at 553 K were measured with the help of diffusion triple technique. The results show that they were at metastable equilibrium instead of the final equilibrium state. Three ternary phases T1, T3 and T4 in Mg-Zn-Nd system have been detected. Specially, T3 was found out to be an independent ternary phase instead of a binary phase MgNd with very large solubility of Zn. Twelve tri-phases that reached local equilibriums have been identified in Mg-Zn-Nd system at 553 K. Two ternary compounds, W and I, have been found. The binary phases, MgGd and MgGd, have a solution of 3.0 at.% and 4.3 at.% Zn, respectively. The phase T-MgRE type found in Mg-Zn-Nd agrees with the calculated result from First-principle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]