Search

An azeotrope is a constant boiling point mixture, and its behavior is important for fluid separation processes. Predicting azeotropes from atomistic simulations is difficult due to the complexities and convergence problems of Monte Carlo and free-energy perturbation techniques. Here, we present a methodology for predicting the azeotropes of binary mixtures, which computes the compositional dependence of chemical potentials from molecular dynamics simulations using the S0 method and employs experimental boiling point and vaporization enthalpy data. Using this methodology, we reproduce the azeotropes, or lack thereof, in five case studies, including ethanol/water, ethanol/isooctane, methanol/water, hydrazine/water, and acetone/chloroform mixtures. We find that it is crucial to use the experimental boiling point and vaporization enthalpy for reliable azeotrope predictions, as empirical force fields are not accurate enough for these quantities. Finally, we use regular solution models to rationalize the azeotropes and reveal that they tend to form when the mixture components have similar boiling points and strong interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal phonon localization, rooted in phonon wave nature, is widely observed in disordered atomic systems. Binary superlattices, with structural diversity from abundant interfaces, allow for disorder introduction by engineering interfacial structures. In this study, two different disorder entities, namely, aperiodicity (randomized layer thicknesses) and interfacial mixing, were introduced to graphene/h-BN superlattices. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that both disordered structures can significantly reduce the thermal conductivity, with interfacial mixing more effectively impeding thermal transport. The combined effect of these disorders further decreased thermal conductivity. The underlying mechanism involves Anderson localization of phonons, demonstrated by the exponential decay of phonon transmission and suppressed phonon participation ratio. Phase-breaking interactions at higher temperatures delocalize localized modes. This study offers valuable guidance for structurally designing materials targeting low thermal conductivity through the manipulation of phonon localization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The spur refers to the protrusion near the tarsometatarsus on both sides of the calves of chickens, and their length varies from individual to individual. By analyzing phenotypic measurement results, we found that there were significant variations in spur length in layers. After calculating heritability, we found that spur length had a high level of heritability in the population, which also proved that this quantitative trait was controlled by multiple genes. Subsequently, we utilized genomic sequencing to identify candidate genes associated with spur length. As is known to all, the genetic material passed from parents to all siblings is similar, but some gender-biased traits such as spurs and egg-laying only show in one gender. We also attempted to find a connection between these two traits in this article. Spurs, which mainly appear in roosters, are protrusions near the tarsometatarsus on both sides of the calves of chickens, and are connected to the tarsometatarsus by a bony core. As a male-biased morphological characteristic, the diameter and length of spurs vary significantly between different individuals, mainly related to genetics and age. As a specific behavior of hens, egg-laying also varies greatly between individuals in terms of traits such as age at first egg (AFE), egg weight (EW), and so on. At present, there are few studies on chicken spurs. In this study, we investigated the inheritance pattern of the spur trait in roosters with different phenotypes and the correlations between spur length, body weight at 18 weeks of age (BW18), shank length at 18 weeks of age (SL18), and the egg-laying trait in hens (both hens and roosters were from the same population and were grouped according to their family). These traits related to egg production included AFE, body weight at first egg (BWA), and first egg weight (FEW). We estimated genetic parameters based on pedigree and phenotype data, and used variance analysis to calculate broad-sense heritability for correcting the parameter estimation results. The results showed that the heritability of male left and right spurs ranged from 0.6 to 0.7. There were significant positive correlations between left and right spur length, BW18, SL18, and BWA, as well as between left and right spur length and AFE. We selected 35 males with the longest spurs and 35 males with the shortest spurs in the population, and pooled them into two sets to obtain the pooled genome sequencing data. After genome-wide association and genome divergency analysis by FST, allele frequency differences (AFDs), and XPEHH methods, we identified 7 overlapping genes (CENPE, FAT1, FAM149A, MANBA, NFKB1, SORBS2, UBE2D3) and 14 peak genes (SAMD12, TSPAN5, ENSGALG00000050071, ENSGALG00000053133, ENSGALG00000050348, CNTN5, TRPC6, ENSGALG00000047655,TMSB4X, LIX1, CKB, NEBL, PRTFDC1, MLLT10) related to left and right spur length through genome-wide selection signature analysis and a genome-wide association approach. Our results identified candidate genes associated with chicken spurs, which helps to understand the genetic mechanism of this trait and carry out subsequent research around it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CO2 pre-fracturing technology represents a novel approach to CO2 fracturing, effectively enhancing carbon capture efficiency in shale reservoirs while increasing the recovery of hydrocarbon resources. This study systematically quantifies the impact of water injection on the pore structure and permeability of shale samples saturated with pre-injected CO2. Based on X-ray diffraction (XRD) and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption (LT-NA) results, the dominant mechanism of the swelling-chemical coupling effect in shale property is clarified. Pre-injected CO2 can effectively mitigate the impact of water absorption. After a reaction time of 7 days, the permeability of the CO2-involved hydrated shale samples is four times that of samples without CO2. Nevertheless, the influence of subsequently injected water on shale permeability persists, resulting in an 80% reduction in shale permeability. XRD and LT-NA results indicate that the swelling-chemical coupling effect is the dominant factor in shale property variation during CO2 pre-fracturing. In the initial stage, the decline in calcite and clay mineral content is significant, and chemical dissolution dominates the change in pore structure. As the reaction progresses, the intensity of chemical reactions weakens, and clay mineral swelling becomes the primary factor affecting the shale properties. In this stage, K+ generated from original minerals effectively inhibits clay mineral swelling. Therefore, the swelling-chemical coupling effects should be comprehensively considered during the CO2 pre-fracturing process, and an appropriate soaking time should be selected to maximize CO2 storage efficiency and oil and gas production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Miniaturized light-emitting diodes (mini-LEDs) have gained much attention for liquid crystal displays back-light and self-emissive displays. However, the unsatisfactory performance of InGaN long-wavelength mini-LEDs hinders their practical applications. Herein, we develop a full-angle distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) and investigate its impact on the performance of yellow flip-chip mini-LEDs. The full-angle DBR consists of different stacks of Ti3O5/SiO2 layers that are optimized for multiple central wavelengths. Compared to conventional single-DBR stacks, such full-angle DBR enables wider reflectance bandwidth and less dependence of reflectance on the light incident angle from 0° to 50°. Specifically, full-angle DBR features high reflectance beyond 99% from 447 to 580 nm at an incident angle of 50°. Full-angle DBR is found to enhance the electric field intensity at the top of devices, indicating that light extraction efficiency is promoted. As a result, yellow flip-chip mini-LEDs with full-angle DBR show higher light output power than those without DBR at the same currents. Our work paves a way to improve the performance of small-size emitters with long wavelength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inhibition of the autophagolysosomal pathway mediated by transcription factor EB (TFEB) inactivation in proximal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) is a key mechanism of TEC injury in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Acetylation is a novel mechanism that regulates TFEB activity. However, there are currently no studies on whether the adjustment of the acetylation level of TFEB can reduce the damage of diabetic TECs. In this study, we investigated the effect of Trichostatin A (TSA), a typical deacetylase inhibitor, on TFEB activity and damage to TECs in both in vivo and in vitro models of DKD. Here, we show that TSA treatment can alleviate the pathological damage of glomeruli and renal tubules and delay the DKD progression in db/db mice, which is associated with the increased expression of TFEB and its downstream genes. In vitro studies further confirmed that TSA treatment can upregulate the acetylation level of TFEB, promote its nuclear translocation, and activate the expression of its downstream genes, thereby reducing the apoptosis level of TECs. TFEB deletion or HDAC6 knockdown in TECs can counteract the activation effect of TSA on autophagolysosomal pathway. We also found that TFEB enhances the transcription of Tfeb through binding to its promoter and promotes its own expression. Our results, thus, provide a novel therapeutic mechanism for DKD that the alleviation of TEC damage by activating the autophagic lysosomal pathway through upregulating TFEB acetylation can, thus, delay DKD progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coral mucus, teeming with organic matter, releases nutrients and microorganisms, affecting element cycling and microbial communities in coral reefs. While terrestrial ecosystems exhibit well‐studied priming effects from root exudates, the influence of mucus in marine environments, particularly in coral reefs, remains underexplored. We hypothesize that coral mucus, through its nutrients and microbes, stimulates the surrounding microorganisms, regulating carbon metabolism and thus contributing to high coral reef productivity. Initially, natural samples (Acropora pruinosa mucus, seawater, and sediment) were collected for metagenomic assessment of microbial communities and functions. Results showed significant differences in microbial diversity, community structures, co‐occurrence modes, and unique functions among mucus, seawater, and sediment. Subsequent laboratory experiments demonstrated mucus's substantial influence on surrounding microorganisms. Analyses, including 16S rRNA sequencing and Eco‐plate results, revealed that mucus regulates microbial composition and activities. Quantitative gene‐chip analysis showed significant increase in the functional genes related to carbon fixation (e.g., the 3‐hydroxypropionate cycle) and degradation (e.g., pectin and hemicellulose hydrolysis) by 55.81% and 65.48%, respectively. Partial least squares path modeling identified mucus nutrients and microbial community composition as key contributors to carbon metabolic potential. This research confirms that mucus acts as a trigger, reshaping microbial profiles around corals and enhancing carbon utilization efficiency, highlighting its essential role in carbon metabolism and the maintenance of high productivity in coral reef ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Methods Results Conclusion To introduce our modified technique for calcanization of the tibia in managing massive bony loss of hindfoot and preliminary outcomes.From January 2015 to December 2021, modified calcanization of the tibia were performed in 10 patients with unilateral loss of the calcaneus. Clinical outcomes were assessed based on the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society score and Symptom Checklist‐90‐Revised questionnaire. Paired two‐group t‐test was applied to compare the parameters.The mean lengthened length of the tibia was 77.3 ± 3.0 mm (range, 74–83 mm). The mean external fixation time was 123.7 ± 52.1 days (range, 117–134 days) and the mean external fixation index was 1.601 ± 0.046 days/mm. All patients stuck to the postoperative follow‐up plan with an average follow‐up time of 29.7 ± 3.4 months (range, 24–35 months). Deformities of the injured limbs were well corrected. Based on American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society score, eight good and two fair results were achieved. The mental status of all patients was within the normal range, and several indices of the Symptom Checklist‐90‐Revised questionnaire of each patient were improved after the whole procedure.We demonstrate that the modified calcanization of the tibia is qualified for total loss of calcaneus with limited complications. Early rehabilitation is attainable since external fixation time is shortened due to a simplified procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellular heterogeneity in nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) and oral cancer remains unclear. In the current study, using single‐cell RNA sequencing techniques, we investigated the cellular landscape in NPC and oral cancers. We identified a diverse range of cell types within the tumor microenvironment (TME) and variations in cell infiltration between NPC and oral cancer. In oral cancer, we observed a predominant infiltration of epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells (ECs), while T cells were the main infiltrating cell population in NPCs. We further classified these infiltrating cells into subclusters. Additionally, we observed complex interactions among cells that led to distinct trajectories. In particular, a unique epithelial subcluster with high expression of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC‐II) molecules was correlated with a favorable outcome and infiltration of CD4+ T cells. In addition, MHC‐II+ epithelial cells inhibited mouse tumor growth and promoted T‐cell infiltration. Consequently, our findings provide a deep understanding of the TME showing a significant prognostic value and therapeutic potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AI drawing tools, which rely on high-quality prompts to guide and refine the creative process, have the potential to enhance efficiency and quality during the conceptual design stage. However, addressing the inherent accuracy issues of AI is crucial. This study explores the efficiency and usability of integrating AI drawing with prompt optimisation tools and introduces a GPT-based prompt optimisation tool for validation. Experiment results indicate that, during the divergent thinking stage of concept design, both junior and senior designers using this tool reduced their average time consumption by 35.6% and 21.6%, respectively. Expert evaluations of the generated images reveal higher selection rates for images produced after prompt optimisation with this tool compared to those generated using natural language. These findings underscore the tool's potential to boost productivity and improve the usability of generated images, thereby expanding designers’ imaginative boundaries and enhancing their ability to leverage AI for streamlined workflows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extensive industrial applications of fuel oil, a critical strategic resource, are accompanied by significant environmental and health concerns due to the presence of sulfur‐containing compounds in its composition, which result in hazardous combustion waste. Extensive research has been conducted to develop technologies for low‐vulcanization fuel production to address this issue. Consequently, the investigation of catalysts for environmentally friendly and safe photocatalytic desulfurization becomes imperative. To that end, we have designed efficient MIL‐101(Fe)/CQDs@g‐C3N4 (MIL101/CDs‐C3N4) Z‐scheme heterojunction photocatalysts with high carrier separation and mobility through a thermal polymerization‐hydrothermal strategy. The high concentration of photogenerated carriers facilitates the activation of oxygen and H2O2, leading to increased production of ROS (⋅O2−, ⋅OH, h+), thereby enhancing the photocatalytic desulfurization (PODS). Additionally, DFT (Density functional theory) calculations were utilized to determine the electron migration pathways of the catalysts and adsorption energies of DBT (dibenzothiophene). Moreover, Gibbs free energy calculations indicated that MIL101/CDs‐C3N4 exhibited the lowest activation energy for oxygen and H2O2. The mechanism of photocatalytic desulfurization was proposed through a combination of theoretical calculations and experimental studies. This study provides guidance for the development of MOF‐based Z‐scheme systems and their practical application in desulfurization processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extensive industrial applications of fuel oil, a critical strategic resource, are accompanied by significant environmental and health concerns due to the presence of sulfur‐containing compounds in its composition, which result in hazardous combustion waste. Extensive research has been conducted to develop technologies for low‐vulcanization fuel production to address this issue. Consequently, the investigation of catalysts for environmentally friendly and safe photocatalytic desulfurization becomes imperative. To that end, we have designed efficient MIL‐101(Fe)/CQDs@g‐C3N4 (MIL101/CDs‐C3N4) Z‐scheme heterojunction photocatalysts with high carrier separation and mobility through a thermal polymerization‐hydrothermal strategy. The high concentration of photogenerated carriers facilitates the activation of oxygen and H2O2, leading to increased production of ROS (⋅O2−, ⋅OH, h+), thereby enhancing the photocatalytic desulfurization (PODS). Additionally, DFT (Density functional theory) calculations were utilized to determine the electron migration pathways of the catalysts and adsorption energies of DBT (dibenzothiophene). Moreover, Gibbs free energy calculations indicated that MIL101/CDs‐C3N4 exhibited the lowest activation energy for oxygen and H2O2. The mechanism of photocatalytic desulfurization was proposed through a combination of theoretical calculations and experimental studies. This study provides guidance for the development of MOF‐based Z‐scheme systems and their practical application in desulfurization processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a progressive chronic spinal cord injury estimated to affect 1 in 50 adults. Without standardised guidance, clinical research studies have selected outcomes at their discretion, often underrepresenting the disease and limiting comparability between studies. Utilising a standard minimum data set formed via multi-stakeholder consensus can address these issues. This combines processes to define a core outcome set (COS)—a list of key outcomes—and core data elements (CDEs), a list of key sampling characteristics required to interpret the outcomes. Further "how" these outcomes should be measured and/or reported is then defined in a core measurement set (CMS). This can include a recommendation of a standardised time point at which outcome data should be reported. This study defines a COS, CDE, and CMS for DCM research. Methods and findings: A minimum data set was developed using a series of modified Delphi processes. Phase 1 involved the setup of an international DCM stakeholder group. Phase 2 involved the development of a longlist of outcomes, data elements, and formation into domains. Phase 3 prioritised the outcomes and CDEs using a two-stage Delphi process. Phase 4 determined the final DCM minimal data set using a consensus meeting. Using the COS, Phase 5 finalised definitions of the measurement construct for each outcome. In Phase 6, a systematic review of the literature was performed, to scope and define the psychometric properties of measurement tools. Phase 7 used a modified Delphi process to inform the short-listing of candidate measurement tools. The final measurement set was then formed through a consensus meeting (Phase 8). To support implementation, the data set was then integrated into template clinical research forms (CRFs) for use in future clinical trials (Phase 9). In total, 28 outcomes and 6 domains (Pain, Neurological Function, Life Impact, Radiology, Economic Impact, and Adverse Events) were entered into the final COS. Thirty two outcomes and 4 domains (Individual, Disease, Investigation, and Intervention) were entered into the final CDE. Finally, 4 outcome instruments (mJOA, NDI, SF-36v2, and SAVES2) were identified for the CMS, with a recommendation for trials evaluating outcomes after surgery, to include baseline measurement and at 6 months from surgery. Conclusions: The AO Spine RECODE-DCM has produced a minimum data set for use in DCM clinical trials today. These are available at https://myelopathy.org/minimum-dataset/. While it is anticipated the CDE and COS have strong and durable relevance, it is acknowledged that new measurement tools, alongside an increasing transition to study patients not undergoing surgery, may necessitate updates and adaptation, particularly with respect to the CMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The salient object detection task tries to simulate the human visual system for most eye‐catching objects or regions detection. However, due to the complexity of the visual mechanisms, current methods will suffer from severe performance degradation, leading to inconsistent prediction results for the same regions, when directly adopting a model trained on a fixed resolution to evaluate at other different resolutions. Considering that consistency in predictions is essential for salient object detection, a cross‐scale resolution consistent salient object detection method, called RCNet, is proposed. Specifically, to enhance the model's capacity for generalization across images of varying resolutions and make the model implicitly learn the scale invariance, a multi‐resolution data enhancement module is constructed to generate images with arbitrary resolutions for the same scene. Moreover, to accomplish better multi‐level feature fusion, a cross‐scale fusion module is developed to fuse high‐level semantic features and low‐level detail features. Additionally, to explicitly learn the scale invariance of the salient scores, a hybrid salient consistency loss is formulated on salient object detection with different resolutions. Comprehensive evaluations on five benchmark datasets show that RCNet achieves a highly competitive result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the impact and safety of canagliflozin combined with metformin on reducing cardiovascular risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: A total of 258 patients with T2DM admitted to our hospital from March 2021 to March 2022 were selected and divided into a control group and an observation group using a random number table. The control group received metformin combined with a placebo, while the observation group received canagliflozin combined with metformin therapy. All patients received drug treatment for 52 weeks. The primary endpoint of the study was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and cardiovascular death. Other study parameters included safety after medication, severe adverse reactions, levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Results: After treatment, HbA1c, FPG, BMI, SBP, and DBP in both groups were lower than before treatment, and those indicators in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The eGFR, HDL-C, and LDL-C levels in both groups were higher than before treatment, with the eGFR in the observation group being higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The incidence of MACE (myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, cardiovascular death) in the observation group (5.17%) was significantly lower than that in the control group (12.93%) (HR: 2.16, 95%CI:2.04–2.59, P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the rates of hospitalization for heart failure (3.45% vs. 1.72%), renal adverse events (4.31% vs. 3.45%), non-cardiovascular death (1.72% vs. 0.86%), all-cause mortality (2.59% vs. 0.86%), and severe adverse reactions (12.07% vs. 9.48%) between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: In patients with T2DM who received the canagliflozin combined with metformin, the mortality rate of cardiovascular causes was significantly reduced. Compared with metformin monotherapy, there is no significant difference in the incidence of serious adverse reactions, and the safety of medication is better, while the blood sugar, blood pressure, and weight of T2DM patients are more actively improved. For T2DM patients with high risk of cardiovascular disease, the combination of canagliflozin and metformin could have a higher benefit in cardiovascular outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycolysis is a major determinant of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC) proliferation in pulmonary hypertension (PH). Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are powerful regulators of glycolysis in multiple diseases; however, the role of circRNAs in glycolysis in PH has been poorly characterized. The aim of this study was to uncover the regulatory mechanism of a new circRNA, circNAP1L4, in human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (HPASMC) proliferation through the host protein NAP1L4 to regulate the super‐enhancer‐driven glycolysis gene hexokinase II (HK II). CircNAP1L4 was downregulated in hypoxic HPASMCs and plasma of PH patients. Functionally, circNAP1L4 overexpression inhibited glycolysis and proliferation in hypoxic HPASMCs. Mechanistically, circNAP1L4 directly bound to its host protein NAP1L4 and affected the ability of NAP1L4 to move into the nucleus to regulate the epigenomic signals of the super‐enhancer of HK II. Intriguingly, circNAP1L4 overexpression inhibited the proliferation but not the migration of human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (HPAECs) cocultured with HPASMCs. Furthermore, pre‐mRNA‐processing‐splicing Factor 8 (PRP8) was found to regulate the production ratio of circNAP1L4 and linear NAP1L4. In vivo, targeting circNAP1L4 alleviates SU5416 combined with hypoxia (SuHx)‐induced PH. Overall, these findings reveal a new circRNA that inhibits PASMC proliferation and serves as a therapeutic target for PH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advancement of Zn–Se batteries has been hindered by significant challenges, such as the sluggish kinetics of Se cathodes, limited Se loading, and uncontrollable formation of Zn dendrites. In this study, a bidirectional optimization strategy is devised for both cathode and anode to bolster the performance of Zn–Se batteries. A novel bowl‐in‐ball structured carbon (BIBCs) material is synthesized to serve as a nanoreactor, in which tin‐based materials are grown and derived in situ to construct cathodes and anodes. Within the cathode, the multifunctional host material (SnSe@BIBCs) exhibits large adsorption capacity for selenium, and demonstrates supreme catalytic properties and spatially confined characteristics toward the selenium reduction reaction (SeRR). On the anode, Sn@BIBCs displays triple‐induced properties, including the zincophilic of the internal metallic Sn, the homogenized spatial electric field from the 3D spatial structure, and the curvature effect of the bowl‐shaped carbon. Collectively, these factors induce preferential nucleation of Zn, ensuring its uniform deposition. As a result, the integrated Zn–Se battery system achieves a remarkable specific capacity of up to 603 mAh g−1 and an impressive energy density of 581 W kg−1, highlighting its tremendous potential for practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors that influence metastasis and prognosis in patients with nodular melanoma (NM), as well as to develop and validate a prognostic model using artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. Methods: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was queried for 4,727 patients with NM based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Their clinicopathological characteristics were retrospectively reviewed, and logistic regression analysis was utilized to identify risk factors for metastasis. This was followed by employing Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), Adaptive Boosting (AB), Bagging (BAG), logistic regression (LR), Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM), and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) algorithms to develop metastasis models. The performance of the six models was evaluated and compared, leading to the selection and visualization of the optimal model. Through integrating the prognostic factors of Cox regression analysis with the optimal models, the prognostic prediction model was constructed, validated, and assessed. Results: Logistic regression analyses identified that marital status, gender, primary site, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, system management, and N stage were all independent risk factors for NM metastasis. MLP emerged as the optimal model among the six models (AUC = 0.932, F1 = 0.855, Accuracy = 0.856, Sensitivity = 0.878), and the corresponding network calculator (https://shimunana-nm-distant-m-nm-m-distant-8z8k54.streamlit.app/) was developed. The following were examined as independent prognostic factors: MLP, age, marital status, sequence number, laterality, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, system management, T stage, and N stage. System management and surgery emerged as protective factors (HR < 1). To predict 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS), a nomogram was created. The validation results demonstrated that the model exhibited good discrimination and consistency, as well as high clinical usefulness. Conclusion: The developed prediction model more effectively reflects the prognosis of patients with NM and differentiates between the risk level of patients, serving as a useful supplement to the classical American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system and offering a reference for clinically stratified individualized treatment and prognosis prediction. Furthermore, the model enables clinicians to quantify the risk of metastasis in NM patients, assess patient survival, and administer precise treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The early identification and diagnosis of transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) are essential yet difficult in patients underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). To develop an evidence-based, nurse-leading early warning model for TA-TMA, and implement the healthcare quality review and improvement project. Methods: This study was a mixed-methods, before-and-after study. The early warning model was developed based on quality evidence from literature search. The healthcare quality review and improvement project mainly included baseline investigation of nurse, improvement action and effectiveness evaluation. The awareness and knowledge of early parameter of TA-TMA among nurses and the prognosis of patients underwent HSCT were compared before and after the improvement. Results: A total of 1 guideline, 1 evidence synthesis, 4 expert consensuses, 10 literature reviews, 2 diagnostic studies, and 9 case series were included in the best evidence. The early warning model including warning period, high-risk characteristics and early manifestation of TA-TMA was developed. The improvement action, including staff training and assessment, suspected TA-TMA identification and patient education, was implemented. The awareness and knowledge rate of early parameter of TA-TMA among nurses significantly improved after improvement action (100% vs. 26.7%, P < 0.001). The incidence of TA-TMA was similar among patients underwent HSCT before and after improvement action (2.8% vs. 1.2%, P = 0.643), while no fall event occurred after improvement action (0 vs. 1.2%, P < 0.001). Conclusion: The evidence-based early warning model and healthcare quality improvement project could enhance the awareness and knowledge of TA-TMA among healthcare providers and might improve the prognosis of patients diagnosed with TA-TMA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND RESULTS CONCLUSION Rice bran oil body is rich in nutritional value, which is a byproduct of rice processing. The aim of this study is to develop a novel emulsion‐filled gel with lutein‐loaded rice bran oil body and investigate its functionality as a fat replacer in cookies. The effects of incorporating structured oil body in the form of emulsion‐filled gel instead of butter in cookies with a ratio of 0, 10, 20 and 50 wt% formulation were determined by measuring appearance, texture, thermodynamic properties, moisture distribution and microstructure.The results demonstrated the relationship between geometry, moisture and structure. The 20 wt% emulsion‐filled gel substitution ratio yielded mobility and distribution abilities of melted fat and sugar in the cookies that were closest to those of butter. The addition of emulsion‐filled gel increased the L* value and decreased the a* value, while the b* value of the cookie increased due to the advanced delivery of lutein by oil body. By controlling the addition ratio, the texture of the cookies can be adjusted. Starch granules were separated due to colloidal particles, reducing saturated fat content and decreasing cookie gelatinization enthalpy. The fat coating on starch particles enhanced the binding capacity of free water, improving air entrapment and forming a constrained gluten network structure.These findings provide a theoretical basis for rice bran oil body as a novel substitute for butter in the development of healthy, high‐quality cookies. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self‐healing poly(siloxane‐urethane) materials have garnered significant interest among researchers, owing to their superior resistance to high and low temperatures, solvents, corrosion, and biocompatibility. Nevertheless, most existing self‐healing poly(siloxane‐urethane) materials face challenges, including limited repair conditions and the challenge of balancing mechanical properties with repair efficiency. In this research, we introduced hydrogen bonds, metal coordination bonds, π–π bonds, and reversible ring structures into the poly(siloxane‐urethane) system through molecular chain structure design, successfully developing a multi‐dynamic cross‐linked poly(siloxane‐urethane) (PU‐Si), a development rarely reported in prior studies. This study examines the impact of varying amounts of hydroxyl‐terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS‐OH) on the properties of PU‐Si. The results indicate that PU‐Si, regardless of the amount of PDMS‐OH added, can self‐healing under conditions of heating at 60 °C, and exposure to ultraviolet and infrared radiation. Specifically, when the PDMS‐OH addition reaches 1.0 g, the material exhibits superior mechanical properties and self‐healing efficiency, achieving a mechanical strength of 9.68 MPa and a self‐healing efficiency of 86.6 %. This material shows significant application potential in areas such as electronic skins, flexible sensors, and brain‐computer interfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bandwidth selection is key for kernel quantile estimators (KQEs), which estimate quantiles by averaging all of the order statistics with appropriate kernel-weighting functions. This paper provides a new data-driven bandwidth selection method for KQEs, named the exact bootstrap-based bandwidth selection (EBS) rule. By relying on the exact analytic expressions for the bootstrap mean and variance of KQEs, the error due to bootstrap resampling is eliminated, and thus the optimal bandwidth can be obtained by minimizing the mean squared error (MSE) estimate. The effectiveness of this EBS rule is confirmed by numerical experiments. First, the bandwidth selection performance of the EBS method is compared to that of a benchmark approach. Simulation studies show that the EBS method performs well, especially in selecting bandwidths for extreme quantiles and when applied to small sample sizes with skewed distributions and relatively large variances. Second, KQEs with a bandwidth determined by our EBS rule is compared with five other state-of-the-art quantile estimators over six typical distributions. The results further validate the efficiency of the EBS method. Third, the results of simulations of controlling actual type-I error rates that occur when two independent groups are compared through quantiles further demonstrate the precision of our EBS-based KQEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Systemic amyloidosis is a condition in which misfolded amyloid fibrils are deposited within tissues. Amyloid myopathy is a rare manifestation of systemic amyloidosis. However, whether skeletal muscle involvement is underestimated and whether such deposition guarantees clinical and pathological myopathic features remain to be investigated. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with systemic amyloidosis, in whom skeletal muscle biopsies were performed at our centre between January 2018 and June 2023. In total, 28 patients with suspected systemic amyloidosis were included. Among these, 21 presented with cardiomyopathy but lacked myopathic symptoms. The clinical and pathological data of these patients were further analysed. The amyloid type was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Results: Twenty‐eight patients with suspected systemic amyloidosis underwent muscle biopsy. Amyloid deposition in the skeletal muscle was confirmed in 24 patients, including 22 with light‐chain amyloidosis (AL) and two with transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR). Among the 24 patients, seven presented with muscle weakness and decreased muscle strength (Group 1, symptomatic myopathy), whereas the remaining 17 exhibited normal muscle strength (Group 2, asymptomatic myopathy). Group 1 included four patients with AL‐λ, one with AL‐κ and two with ATTR. Group 2 included 15 patients with AL‐λ and two patients with AL‐κ. In Group 1, six patients exhibited neuropathy, whereas only one patient in Group 2 presented with subclinical neuropathy on nerve conduction studies. Amyloid deposition in the interstitium was the most obvious change, observed in all 24 patients. Neuropathic changes, including denervation atrophy and muscle fibre grouping, were also common. Except for type 2 fibre atrophy, the other myopathic changes were mild and nonspecific. No sarcolemmal disruption was observed. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed marked positivity for MAC and MHC1 expression in the regions with amyloid deposits. Clinicopathological analysis revealed no significant differences in the extent of muscular amyloid deposition between the two groups. Nevertheless, patients in Group 1 displayed more pronounced neurogenic atrophy on skeletal muscle biopsies. Conclusions: Our study indicates that amyloid deposition in skeletal muscle is commonly observed but rarely causes symptomatic myopathy in systemic amyloidosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The safety of medication use among older adults is a growing concern, given the aging population. Despite widespread attention, the exploration of medication literacy in older adults, particularly from the perspective of information literacy, is in its nascent stages. Methods: This study utilized the existing literature to define medication information literacy (MIL) as a theoretical framework. A two‐round Delphi survey was conducted to identify the essential components of a MIL indicator system for older adults. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was then used to assign weights to each indicator. Results: The study observed relatively high response rates in both rounds of the questionnaire, which, along with expert authority coefficients (Cr) of 0.86 and 0.89, underscores the credibility and expertise of the panellists. Additionally, Kendall's coefficient of concordance (Kendall's W) ranging from 0.157 to 0.33 (p < 0.05) indicates a consensus among experts on the identified indicators. Utilizing the Delphi process, a MIL indicator system for older adults was developed, comprising five primary and 23 secondary indicators. These indicators were weighted, with medication information cognition and acquisition emerging as pivotal factors in enhancing medication literacy among older adults. Conclusions: This study developed a MIL indicator system tailored for older adults using the Delphi approach. The findings can inform healthcare professionals in providing customized medication guidance and assist policymakers in crafting policies to enhance medication safety among older adults. Patient or Public Contribution: Patient and public engagement played a pivotal role in the development of our medication information literacy indicator system for older adults. Their involvement contributed to shaping research questions, facilitating study participation, and enriching evidence interpretation. Collaborations with experts in geriatric nursing, medicine, and public health, along with discussions with caregivers and individuals with lived experience, provided invaluable insights into medication management among older adults. Their input guided our research direction and ensured the relevance and comprehensiveness of our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate whether transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) at PC6 could reduce hypotension after spinal anesthesia (SA) in parturients and to compare the effect of TEAS at different frequencies. Methods: From February 20, 2023, to August 29, 2023, 90 parturients scheduled for c-section under SA were randomly assigned to receive no treatment (Control), TEAS at high frequency (TEAS-HF), or TEAS at low frequency (TEAS-LF). Treatments started immediately after SA and lasted for 30 min. The primary endpoint was incidence of hypotension by 30 min after SA. Secondary endpoints included lowest systolic blood pressure (SBP) during 30 min after SA, dose of ephedrine, dose of atropine, Apgar score at 1 min, and adverse events, including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, dyspnea, and chest congestion. Results: In the TEAS-HF group, the incidence of hypotension by 30 min after SA was lower (13.3%) than in the Control (53.3%, p = 0.001; OR 1.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2–2.8) and TEAS-LF group (40.0%, p = 0.02, OR 1.4, 95% CI: 1.0–2.0). The lowest SBP during 30 min after SA was higher in the TEAS-HF group (100.0 ± 9.4 mm Hg) than in the Control group (91.5 ± 16.5 mm Hg) and TEAS-LF group (93.9 ± 16.6 mm Hg). Patients who received TEAS showed a lower score of nausea and vomiting (both p = 0.02). Patients in the group TEAS-HF showed a lower incidence of dizziness, dyspnea, and of chest congestion than those in the other two groups. There was no difference with respect to atropine consumption and neonatal Apgar score. Conclusions: TEAS-HF at PC6 reduced hypotension after SA in parturients, while TEAS-LF did not. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05724095) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving subwavelength optical focusing is of great importance in nanophotonics. However, achieving focusing with both a small focal spot size and a large focal length remains elusive so far. Here, a large focal length planar focusing device is presented, utilizing highly oriented Dyakonov polaritons in hyperbolic metamaterial with periodic silver rings as the excitation source. Experimental results show that by controlling the size of the excitation sources, the focal length can reach 6 λ 0 (where λ 0 is the illumination wavelength), and the focal spot size can be reduced to λ 0 /10. This method provides new prospects for planar polariton optical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to use a computational approach to aid infection prevention strategies during the predesign phase of healthcare environment planning. The objective of this study was to decompose and analyze health system catchment area 'outside design basis factors' such as demographic, public health, and environmental characteristics that may contribute to infection causing pathogen spread in healthcare environments using state of Florida data as a context for analysis. Supervised Machine Learning methodologies were used to determine relationships between Socioecological System (SES) factors and observed incidence rates of specific Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI). Results of the analysis suggest that relevant regional population SES factors, when included as independent variables, can forecast the potential co-occurrence of specific types of HAI in regional health system service areas. Outcomes of the analysis suggest that demographic and regional characteristics are significantly related to the predictive incidence of Antimicrobial-resistant infections in healthcare settings in Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration (ACHA) regions. The outcomes of this research suggest the benefit of using SES computational modeling for decision-making in health system Architectural Programming and predesign. This process allows for manifesting meaningful patterns by applying quantitative methods to analyze patient population characteristics that may influence the prevalence of pathogen spread within the interior environments of healthcare inpatient settings. This information contributes to a deeper understanding of context-specific priorities for operationalizing human-centered Infection Prevention through Design (PtD) infrastructure and planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Machine vision is a desirable non-contact measurement method for hot forgings, as image segmentation has been a challenging issue in performance and robustness resulting from the diversity of working conditions for hot forgings. Thus, this paper proposes an efficient and robust active contour model and corresponding image segmentation approach for forging images, by which verification experiments are conducted to prove the performance of the segmentation method by measuring geometric parameters for forging parts. Specifically, three types of continuity parameters are defined based on the geometric continuity of equivalent grayscale surfaces for forging images; hence, a new image force and external energy functional are proposed to form a new active contour model, Geometric Continuity Snakes (GC Snakes), which is more percipient to the grayscale distribution characteristics of forging images to improve the convergence for active contour robustly; additionally, a generating strategy for initial control points for GC Snakes is proposed to compose an efficient and robust image segmentation approach. The experimental results show that the proposed GC Snakes has better segmentation performance compared with existing active contour models for forging images of different temperatures and sizes, which provides better performance and efficiency in geometric parameter measurement for hot forgings. The maximum positioning and dimension errors by GC Snakes are 0.5525 mm and 0.3868 mm, respectively, compared with errors of 0.7873 mm and 0.6868 mm by the Snakes model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With increasing industrialization, the pollution of water resources by heavy metal ions has become an increasingly serious problem. In this study, dopamine-modified silk fibroin powder was used for the adsorption of heavy metal ions in water. A series of tests, including L value, visible light absorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and particle size analysis, were performed on the modified silk fibroin powder. The results showed that the adsorption of heavy metal ions was most effective at pH = 6, and the adsorption effects of Cu2+, Cd2+, and Ni2+ were 115.8, 60, and 60 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption of Cu2+ by the modified silk fibroin powder conformed to Langmuir-type adsorption isotherm model and pseudo-second-order kinetic model. This study provides new insight for the application of natural silk fibroin powder for the adsorption of heavy metal ions in water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamical environment around the asteroid (162173) Ryugu is analyzed in detail using a constant-density polyhedron model based on the measurements from the Hayabusa2 mission. Six exterior equilibrium points (EPs) are identified along the ridge line of Ryugu, and their topological classifications fall into two distinctive categories. The initial periodic orbit (PO) families are computed and analyzed, including distant retrograde/prograde orbit (DRO/DPO) families and fifteen PO families emanating from the exterior EPs. The fifteen PO families are further divided into three categories: seven converge to an EP, seven reach Ryugu's surface, and one exhibits cyclic behavior during its progression. The existence of initial PO families converging to an EP is analyzed using the bifurcation of a degenerate EP. Connection between these families and similar ones in the circular restricted three-body problem (CRTBP) is also examined. Bifurcated PO families are identified and computed from the initial PO families, including ten families from the DROs, fifteen from the DPOs, and twenty-five associated with the EPs. The bifurcated families are separately analyzed and categorized in terms of their corresponding initial families. Connections established by the same bifurcation points between different bifurcated families are identified. A comparison is made for the dynamical environments of Ryugu and Bennu to evaluate the similarities and differences in the evolution of EPs and the progression of PO families in top-shaped asteroids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollinators are essential for maintaining sustainable crop production, while the decline of pollinators is a widespread concern. Agricultural intensification is one of the primary drivers of the decline of insect pollinators. Agricultural intensification usually involves a decreasing of non‐crop semi‐natural habitat and an increasing of pesticide exposure for pollinators. However, causal links between agricultural intensification, increased pesticide exposure, and reduced pollinator's food sources and pollinator diversity remain underexplored.We assessed pollinator diversity across a landscape gradient where the proportion of rice ranged from 11% to 85% in South China. We placed honeybee (Apis mellifera) and mason bee (Osmia excavata) in these landscapes and investigated pesticide exposure in honeybee foragers and pollen, and in mason bee pollen and nesting materials. We also assessed the acquisition of food by mason bees.We found a higher frequency of pesticide detection in honeybee foragers and honeybee pollen samples in areas with a higher proportion of rice fields. There was a strong positive relationship between mason bee food acquisition and the proportion of semi‐natural habitats, while no significant effects of pesticide exposure on pollinator diversity were found in addition to the effect of semi‐natural habitat.Synthesis and applications: Our results suggest that pollinator communities could be at an increased risk of pesticide exposure due to intensified agriculture, while the negative impact on pollinator diversity mainly results from the loss of habitat and/or reduced food sources. This study highlights the importance of conserving semi‐natural habitat to mitigate the causes of decline in pollinator diversity. We also recommend long‐term, multi‐year studies to further understand the mechanisms behind the loss of pollinators in farming landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is associated with an increased risk of cognitive dysfunction. Angiopoietin-like protein 8 (ANGPTL8) is an important regulator in T2D, but the role of ANGPTL8 in diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunction remains unknown. Here, we explored the role of ANGPTL8 in diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunction through its interaction with paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B (PirB) in the central nervous system. Methods: The levels of ANGPTL8 in type 2 diabetic patients with cognitive dysfunction and control individuals were measured. Mouse models of diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunction were constructed to investigate the role of ANGPTL8 in cognitive function. The cognitive function of the mice was assessed by the Barnes Maze test and the novel object recognition test, and levels of ANGPTL8, synaptic and axonal markers, and pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured. Primary neurons and microglia were treated with recombinant ANGPTL8 protein (rA8), and subsequent changes were examined. In addition, the changes induced by ANGPTL8 were validated after blocking PirB and its downstream pathways. Finally, mice with central nervous system-specific knockout of Angptl8 and PirB−/− mice were generated, and relevant in vivo experiments were performed. Results: Here, we demonstrated that in the diabetic brain, ANGPTL8 was secreted by neurons into the hippocampus, resulting in neuroinflammation and impairment of synaptic plasticity. Moreover, neuron-specific Angptl8 knockout prevented diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunction and neuroinflammation. Mechanistically, ANGPTL8 acted in parallel to neurons and microglia via its receptor PirB, manifesting as downregulation of synaptic and axonal markers in neurons and upregulation of proinflammatory cytokine expression in microglia. In vivo, PirB−/− mice exhibited resistance to ANGPTL8-induced neuroinflammation and synaptic damage. Conclusion: Taken together, our findings reveal the role of ANGPTL8 in the pathogenesis of diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunction and identify the ANGPTL8-PirB signaling pathway as a potential target for the management of this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying purchase intention by analyzing the Query and the Document of the product description (Q &D) text is one of the most important means of promoting Purchase Rate (PR). In view of that customers sometimes cannot describe their purchasing intention in queries, this paper aims to identify purchase intention from implicit queries by computing semantic similarity between Q &D and proposes a novel model based on Word2Vec algorithm, Long Short-term Memory (LSTM) and Deep Structured Semantic Model (DSSM). Besides, an empirical analysis is conducted through the Keras framework and based on the factual retrieval data of the Home Depot, an E-commerce website selling building materials in America. The results show that the proposed model has achieved improving F1-score on test dataset compared with other existing models. The novel model combines Word2Vec and LSTM to extract text features and applies DSSM to further fetch high-dimension representations by maximizing semantic similarity between the user query and the description of the correct merchandise. Our proposed model can be used to remove or minimize subjective factors in extracting features, improves the performance of purchasing intention identification, and also improves the customer experience of online shopping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of copper ions (Cu2+) in excessive amounts can pose significant health risks. Therefore, the development of a rapid and highly sensitive technique for detecting even trace quantities of Cu2+ is of paramount importance. The proposed detection approach leverages the core-shell design of Au@Ag NPs functioning as the sensing substrate. The substrates were coupled with Raman probe molecules, namely, 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA) and iodine ions (I−), resulting in the formation of the Au@Ag NPs-4-MBA-I− detection system. In this system, interactions between Cu2+ and I− took place, leading to the generation of I2, which in turn initiated the etching process of the Ag shell layer. Consequently, the thickness of the Ag shell decreased gradually. This reduction in the shell layer impaired the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) enhancement effect, causing a gradual decrease in the Raman signal intensity at 1586 cm−1 which was attributed to the characteristic peak of 4-MBA. Notably, a linear correlation existed between the thickness of the Ag shell and the intensity of the Raman signal. The proposed method for Cu2+ detection exhibits robust resistance to interference and high reproducibility under optimal SERS testing conditions. It boasted a wide linear detection range from 10−9 to 10−4 M and achieves a low detection limit (LOD) of 1.108 10−9 M. Moreover, this sensor was environmentally friendly, offered rapid recognition capabilities, and incurred minimal detection costs. Its versatility extended to diverse water systems, making it suitable for detecting Cu2+ not only in tap water but also in various other water sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is one of the most common diseases around the world. For cancer diagnosis, pathological examination is the most effective method. But the heavy and time-consuming workflow has increased the workload of the pathologists. With the appearance of whole slide image (WSI) scanners, tissues on a glass slide can be saved as a high-definition digital image, which makes it possible to diagnose diseases with computer aid. However, the extreme size and the lack of pixel-level annotations of WSIs make machine learning face a great challenge in pathology image diagnosis. To solve this problem, we propose a metric learning-based two-stage MIL framework (TSMIL) for WSI classification, which combines two stages of supervised clustering and metric-based classification. The training samples (WSIs) are first clustered into different clusters based on their labels in supervised clustering. Then, based on the previous step, we propose four different strategies to measure the distance of the test samples to each class cluster to achieve the test samples classification: MaxS, AvgS, DenS and HybS. Our model is evaluated on three pathology datasets: TCGA-NSCLC, TCGA-RCC and HER2. The average AUC scores can be up to 0.9895 and 0.9988 over TCGA-NSCLC and TCGA-RCC, and 0.9265 on HER2, respectively. The results showed that compared with the state-of-the-art methods, our method outperformed. The excellent performance on different kinds of cancer datasets verifies the feasibility of our method as a general architecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coach car is a commonly used mode of transportation, due to its large passenger capacity, in case of accidents, it will cause enormous human casualties and economic losses. To improve the braking performance of coach car, an aerodynamic plate is installed on the top of coach car to assist braking. Based on RANS (Reynolds average Navier-Stokes) equations and SST (Shear-Stress Transport) k-ω turbulence model, the aerodynamic performance of coach car with different aerodynamic parameters is analyzed by computational fluid dynamics method. The numerical algorithm and setting are verified by wind tunnel tests. In this paper, the influence of four parameters, including car speed, plate configuration of maximum opening angle, installation position, and plate height, on the aerodynamic drag and lift coefficient of coach car is discussed by using control variable method and orthogonal test method. The conclusions of the two methods are consistent, that is, the optimal combination of plate configuration is that installation position, maximum opening angle, and height are 10 m, 80°, and 1 m, respectively. According to the results of range and variance analysis, the order of influence of aerodynamic parameters on the aerodynamic drag and lift coefficient is installation position, maximum opening angle, height, and car speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic crack branching in unsaturated porous media holds significant relevance in various fields, including geotechnical engineering, geosciences, and petroleum engineering. This article presents a numerical investigation into dynamic crack branching in unsaturated porous media using a recently developed coupled micro‐periporomechanics (PPM) paradigm. This paradigm extends the PPM model by incorporating the micro‐rotation of the solid skeleton. Within this framework, each material point is equipped with three degrees of freedom: displacement, micro‐rotation, and fluid pressure. Consistent with the Cosserat continuum theory, a length scale associated with the micro‐rotation of material points is inherently integrated into the model. This study encompasses several key aspects: (1) Validation of the coupled micro‐PPM paradigm for effectively modeling crack branching in deformable porous media, (2) Examination of the transition from a single branch to multiple branches in porous media under drained conditions, (3) Simulation of single crack branching in unsaturated porous media under dynamic loading conditions, and (4) Investigation of multiple crack branching in unsaturated porous media under dynamic loading conditions. The numerical results obtained in this study are systematically analyzed to elucidate the factors that influence crack branching in porous media subjected to dynamic loading. Furthermore, the comprehensive numerical findings underscore the efficacy and robustness of the coupled micro‐PPM paradigm in accurately modeling dynamic crack branching in variably saturated porous media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work focuses on moderate deviations for two-time scale systems with mixed fractional Brownian motion. Our proof uses the weak convergence method which is based on the variational representation formula for mixed fractional Brownian motion. Throughout this paper, the Hurst parameter of fractional Brownian motion is larger than 1/2 and the integral along the fractional Brownian motion is understood as the generalized Riemann-Stieltjes integral. First, we consider single-time scale systems with fractional Brownian motion. The key of our proof is showing the weak convergence of the controlled system. Next, we extend our method to show moderate deviations for two-time scale systems. To this goal, we combine the Khasminskii-type averaging principle and the weak convergence approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the impact of poling direction and microstructure geometric parameters including PZT-7A volume fraction, PZT-7A layer number and unit cell amplitude-to-wavelength ratio on the homogenized electromechanical properties of PZT-7A/PVDF multilayered wavy composites are explored for the first time with the Multiphysics FVDAM. Then, a comprehensive parametric study is conducted toward microstructure effects of the above geometric parameters on the performance of the piezoelectric composites, evaluated by figures of merits. Further, the Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm is proposed to combine with the Multiphysics FVDAM to effectively maximize the performance indices by optimizing the microstructure geometric parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water stability resistance and internal void evolution behavior of the cold mix emulsified asphalt mixture (CMA) specimens at multiple freeze–thaw cycles were evaluated based on the tensile strength ratio from the indirect tensile strength (ITS) test and x-ray computed tomography (CT) test, respectively. The ITS results show that the effect of multiple freeze–thaw cycles had a more negative impact on the CMA compared to that on the hot mix asphalt, and the water stability issue of the CMA could not be ignored. Moreover, the water stability was quantified by the porosity increase and void distribution of the CMA specimens from the x-ray CT; such test results indicate that early damage of the CMA specimens after freeze–thaw cycles shown as reduced tensile strength was mainly due to the rapid increase of the number of small voids, and late damage was induced by the formation of medium and large voids within the CMA specimens. As a result, the water stability of the CMA needs to be improved before it is used as pavement surface layers in cold areas with multiple freeze–thaw cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A J–T cooler fabricated using PCB technology serves as a prototype. • Experiments are conducted with two fluids, and the mathematical model is proved. • Strategies are proposed to regulate the thermodynamic state before throttling. • The analysis surpasses the concept of neglecting heat exchange during throttling. Applying microchannels in Joule-Thomson (J-T) coolers can enhance precooling. The regulation of heat transfer and throttling is crucial to lower the cold terminal temperature T cold.The present cooler with rectangular microchannels served as the prototype. The experiments were carried out under 4, 5 and 6 MPa, with Ar and N 2 as the refrigerants. The cooler can achieve the lowest cold terminal temperature (T cold , 194.9 K) at 6 MPa. Then, the mathematical model was verified. The analysis showed that under the premise of constant total length and working condition, the precooled temperature before throttling could be reduced, and finally, the T cold could be reduced. There are two ways to regulate. On the one hand, extending the recuperative structure (CFHX)'s length and reducing the length and cross-sectional flow area of the throttling structure (THR). This regulation increased the heat exchange per unit mass q m and the integral throttling effect ΔT jt in each section and finally reduced the T cold. When the length of THR was decreased to 15 mm, and the end of THR reached the chocked flow, the T cold reached the lowest value of 166.3 K. On the other hand, when fins were added in CFHX, THR became shorter. This method enhanced the precooling at the expense of pressure drop in CFHX. When the fins' number raised from 0 to 6, T cold declined. When the number is 6, the T cold decreased by 7.7 K. As the number went on rising, the performance eventually deteriorated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cavitation phenomena are accompanied by harsh cavitation noise. Studying cavitation noise is an effective method to monitor cavitation conditions. In order to study the characteristics of cavitation noise, a Venturi test bench experiment platform is built, the cavitation flow field and cavitation noise of Venturi test bench are simulated. The frequency domain analysis of cavitation noise is carried out, and the relationship between cavitation region, flow rate and sound pressure level of cavitation noise is verified by comparison between simulation and experiment. Because the cavitation noise is easily polluted by ambient noise, wavelet transform is used to analyze the cavitation noise and background noise, and the characteristics of cavitation noise are studied by comparing the difference between them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactive carbonyl and oxygen species (RCS/ROS), often generated as metabolic byproducts, particularly under conditions of pathology, can cause direct damage to proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Glyoxal oxidases (Gloxs) oxidize aldehydes to carboxylic acids, generating hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Although best characterized for their roles in lignin degradation, Glox in plant fungal pathogens are known to contribute to virulence, however, the mechanism underlying such effects are unclear. Here, we show that Glox in the insect pathogenic fungus, Metarhizium acridum, is highly expressed in mycelia and during formation of infection structures (appressoria), with the enzyme localizing to the cell membrane. MaGlox targeted gene disruption mutants showed RCS and ROS accumulation, resulting in cell toxicity, induction of apoptosis and increased autophagy, inhibiting normal fungal growth and development. The ability of the MaGlox mutant to scavenge RCS was significantly reduced, and the mutant exhibited increased susceptibility to aldehydes, oxidative and cell wall perturbing agents but not toward osmotic stress, with altered cell wall contents. The ΔMaGlox mutant was impaired in its ability to penetrate the host cuticle and evade host immune defense resulting in attenuated pathogenicity. Overexpression of MaGlox promoted fungal growth and conidial germination, increased tolerance to H2O2, but had little to other phenotypic effects. Transcriptomic analyses revealed downregulation of genes related to cell wall synthesis, conidiation, stress tolerance, and host cuticle penetration in the ΔMaGlox mutant. These findings demonstrate that MaGlox-mediated scavenging of RCS is required for virulence, and contributes to normal fungal growth and development, stress resistance. Author summary: The ability of organisms to detoxify reactive metabolic byproducts is crucial for normal development, stress resistance, and where applicable, pathogenesis. Here, using the insect pathogenic fungus, Metarhizium acridum, we show that a glyoxal oxidase acts to detoxify cellular reactive carbonyl species (RCS) as well as leading to decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels by alleviating aldehydes accumulation which can trigger ROS production. Mutants deficient in MaGlox showed increased levels of RCS/ROS leading to increased autophagy and apoptosis, resulting in impaired fungal growth, development, and reduced virulence. These findings link Glox mediated RCS/ROS detoxification to cell degradation/turnover processes and cell death, impacting fungal pathogenicity and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: Intense androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs) before radical prostatectomy (RP) produced favorable pathologic responses in approximately 20% of patients. The molecular reason for the low rate of response remains unclear. Lipid metabolism is known to influence androgen receptor signaling and ARPI efficacy. The aim of the study was to identify circulating lipid profiles associated with ADT/ARPI resistance in localized prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two independent experimental approaches were used. Experiment 1: Post hoc analysis of the association between plasma lipidomic profiles and ADT/ARPI response was performed on patients (n = 104) from two phase II trials of neoadjuvant ADT/ARPI. Response to ADT/ARPI was defined by pathologic response. Experiment 2: Patient-derived tumor explants from RP (n = 105) were cultured in enzalutamide for 48 hours. Explant response to enzalutamide was evaluated against pre-RP plasma lipidomic profiles (n = 105) and prostate tissue lipidomic profiles (n = 36). Response was defined by Ki67 (cell proliferation marker) fold difference between enzalutamide and vehicle-treated explants. In both experiments, associations between lipid profiles and ADT/ARPI response were analyzed by latent class analysis. RESULTS: Pretreatment plasma lipid profiles classified each experimental cohort into two groups with differences in ADT/ARPI response rates. The response rates of the groups were 9.6% versus 29% in experiment 1 (chi-squared test P =.012) and 49% versus 70% in experiment 2 (chi-squared test P =.037). In both experiments, the group with a higher incidence of ADT/ARPI resistance had higher plasma levels of sphingomyelin, glycosylceramides, free fatty acids, acylcarnitines, cholesterol esters, and alkyl/alkenyl-phosphatidylcholine and lower plasma levels of triacylglycerols, diacylglycerols, and phosphoethanolamine (t-test P <.05). CONCLUSION: Pretreatment circulating lipid profiles are associated with ADT/ARPI resistance in localized cancer in both human cohorts and explant models. Plasma lipids are associated with response to neoadjuvant anti-androgen in localized prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a comprehensive investigation of the electronic properties of fluorinated monolayer violet phosphorus using first‐principles calculations. Our results reveal a strong dependence of the electronic properties on the different fluorine coverages of fluorination. As the fluorine coverage increases, monolayer violet phosphorus undergoes a significant transition from a wide direct bandgap semiconductor to a narrow indirect bandgap semiconductor. Moreover, both semi‐fluorinated and fully fluorinated monolayer violet phosphorus exhibit advantageous semiconducting characteristics, with a tunable bandgap of 0.50 ~ 1.04 eV under biaxial strain ranging from −6% to 6%. Notably, the fully fluorinated monolayer violet phosphorus demonstrates a higher coefficient of light absorption within the visible range. Therefore, our findings highlight the tunability of monolayer violet phosphorus properties through the absorption of various fluorine coverages, providing valuable insights for the design and development of novel semiconductor devices based on this material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Olanzapine (OLZ) reverses chronic stress-induced anxiety. Chronic stress promotes cancer development via abnormal neuro-endocrine activation. However, how intervention of brain-body interaction reverses chronic stress-induced tumorigenesis remains elusive. Methods: KrasLSL−G12D/WT lung cancer model and LLC1 syngeneic tumor model were used to study the effect of OLZ on cancer stemness and anxiety-like behaviors. Cancer stemness was evaluated by qPCR, western-blotting, immunohistology staining and flow-cytometry analysis of stemness markers, and cancer stem-like function was assessed by serial dilution tumorigenesis in mice and extreme limiting dilution analysis in primary tumor cells. Anxiety-like behaviors in mice were detected by elevated plus maze and open field test. Depression-like behaviors in mice were detected by tail suspension test. Anxiety and depression states in human were assessed by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Chemo-sensitivity of lung cancer was assessed by in vivo syngeneic tumor model and in vitro CCK-8 assay in lung cancer cell lines. Results: In this study, we found that OLZ reversed chronic stress-enhanced lung tumorigenesis in both KrasLSL−G12D/WT lung cancer model and LLC1 syngeneic tumor model. OLZ relieved anxiety and depression-like behaviors by suppressing neuro-activity in the mPFC and reducing norepinephrine (NE) releasing under chronic stress. NE activated ADRB2-cAMP-PKA-CREB pathway to promote CLOCK transcription, leading to cancer stem-like traits. As such, CLOCK-deficiency or OLZ reverses NE/chronic stress-induced gemcitabine (GEM) resistance in lung cancer. Of note, tumoral CLOCK expression is positively associated with stress status, serum NE level and poor prognosis in lung cancer patients. Conclusion: We identify a new mechanism by which OLZ ameliorates chronic stress-enhanced tumorigenesis and chemoresistance. OLZ suppresses mPFC-NE-CLOCK axis to reverse chronic stress-induced anxiety-like behaviors and lung cancer stemness. Decreased NE-releasing prevents activation of ADRB2-cAMP-PKA-CREB pathway to inhibit CLOCK transcription, thus reversing lung cancer stem-like traits and chemoresistance under chronic stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Guerbet reaction is important for the synthesis of longer‐chain monoalcohols like isobutanol through catalytic transfer hydrogenation from short‐chain methanol and ethanol. However, the mechanism becomes complicated, especially considering the variations in the different metal‐ligand cooperation (MLC) catalysts used. In order to further understand the Guerbet reaction, DFT studies were performed to figure out the detailed mechanism initiated by the unique Mn‐PCP MLC Catalyst. Our results suggest that even with the assistance of the carbanion site of the PCP ligand, the direct substitution mechanism is less favored than the condensation‐reduction mechanism. The key step of the reaction is the final reduction of the carbonyl, in which the 1,4‐reduction of the unsaturated aldehyde is prior to the 3,4‐reduction or 1,2‐reduction due to the stronger interaction between the catalyst and the substrate. It is found that the production of isobutanol is preferred over n‐butanol because of the lower total free energy barrier and lower relative free energy of the product. Finally, by changing the electronic effect of the carbanion site of the catalyst, we found that the relation between the electronic effect and the highest free energy span was not monotonous and a point with optimal electronic effect exists numerically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diet and inflammation are associated with constipation. Dietary inflammation index (DII) and energy-dietary inflammation index (E-DII) have not been evaluated together with constipation. Therefore, this study was conducted to further observe the relationship between DII and E-DII and constipation in American adults. Methods: Data were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for 12,400 adults aged 20 years and older between 2005 and 2010. DII and E-DII were obtained by employing data from the two 24-h dietary recall of the participants. Constipation was defined and categorized using the Bristol Stool Form Scale. Results: In the logistic regression model, the relationship between DII and E-DII and constipation remained positive after adjusting for confounding factors (odds ratio [OR] = 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07–1.20 in DII logistic regression model III; odds ratio [OR] = 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–1.17 in E-DII logistic regression model III). Constipation was more common in quartile 4 (DII: 2.87—5.09; E-DII: 1.78—8.95) than in quartile 1 (DII: -5.11—0.25; E-DII: -2.60—0.11) (OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.30–2.47 in DII and OR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.25–2.46 in E-DII for all participants; OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.39–3.00 in DII OR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.39–3.47 in E-DII for males; OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.08–3.22 and OR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.06–3.06 for females). These results were confirmed using multiple imputations. Conclusions: The findings of this study show that a high DII and E-DII were associated with an increased incidence of constipation among US adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]