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Aims: Parkinson's disease (PD) patients experience improvement in motor symptoms after deep brain stimulation (DBS) and before initiating stimulation. This is called the microlesion effect. However, the mechanism remains unclear. The study aims to comprehensively explore the changes in functional connectivity (FC) patterns in movement‐related brain regions in PD patients during the microlesion phase through seed‐based FC analysis. Methods: The study collected the resting functional magnetic resonance imaging data of 49 PD patients before and after DBS surgery (off stimulation). The cortical and subcortical areas related to motor function were selected for seed‐based FC analysis. Meanwhile, their relationship with the motor scale was investigated. Results: The motor‐related brain regions were selected as the seed point, and we observed various FC declines within the motor network brain regions. These declines were primarily in the left middle temporal gyrus, bilateral middle frontal gyrus, right supplementary motor area, left precentral gyrus, left postcentral gyrus, left inferior frontal gyrus, and right superior frontal gyrus after DBS. Conclusion: The movement‐related network was extensively reorganized during the microlesion period. The study provided new information on enhancing motor function from the network level post‐DBS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A wideband circularly polarized (CP) dipole antenna with compact size and wide beamwidth is proposed. To achieve a wide half‐power beamwidth (HPBW), the dipole is designed to be a folded bowtie, and four rotationally symmetric vertical metal plates are placed on the square ground plane. A circular parasitic patch above the dipole arms improves the impedance bandwidth. By using a 3‐dB coupler, the proposed antenna achieves wideband CP performance. The measured results show that an impedance bandwidth for VSWR ≤ 2 and a 3‐dB axial‐ratio (AR) bandwidth are from 0.76 to 2.1 GHz (93.7%). Moreover, a bandwidth of HPBW ≥ 102° is from 0.76 to 1.8 GHz (81.2%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In this study, the antioxidant activities, structure, physicochemical properties and digestibility of different foxtail and proso millets were investigated. Dark‐coloured millets had lower lightness (L*) and higher total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidant activities than light‐coloured millets. The polygonal and spherical starch granules of millet were wrapped and attached by proteins, lipids, etc. The X‐ray diffraction patterns of millet flours exhibited A‐type, with crystallinity of 34.64%–40.98% for foxtail millets and 31.72%–40.16% for proso millets. Compared with waxy millets, non‐waxy millets were more resistant to swelling, gelatinisation and digestion, but showed a higher rate of retrogradation. Millet varieties with higher amylose content or higher TPC and TFC showed lower digestibility. These results will help to reveal the differences among millets with different types, varieties, colours and amylose content and provide theoretical guidance for their development and application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LMNA gene encodes lamin A/C protein which participates in the construction of nuclear lamina, the mutations of LMNA result in a wide variety of diseases known as laminopathies. LMNA-related dilated cardiomyopathy(LMNA-DCM) is one of the more common laminopathy which characterized by progressive heart failure and arrhythmia. However, the mutation features of LMNA-DCM are yet to be elucidated. Herein we described a dilated cardiomyopathy family carrying novel variant c.467G > C(p.Arg156Pro) of LMNA as heterozygous pathogenic variant identified by whole-exome sequencing. With the help of Alphafold2, we predicted mutant protein structure and found an interrupted α-helix region in lamin A/C. In the analysis of 49 confirmed pathogenic missense of laminopathies, Chi-square test showed the DCM phenotype was related to the α-helix region mutation (p < 0.017). After screening the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in both mice models and human patients in Gene Expression Omnibus database, we found the variation of α-helix-coding region in LMNA caused abnormal transcriptomic features in cell migration, collagen-containing extracellular matrix, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Subsequently we constructed (TF)-mRNA-microRNA (miRNA) regulatory network and identified 7 key genes (FMOD, CYP1B1, CA3, F2RL1, HAPLIN1, SNAP91, and KANSL1) as potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets in LMNA-DCM patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research delves into the impact of incorporating thermally treated oyster shell powder (TOS), a biowaste filler, into low-density polyethylene (LDPE) to develop a LDPE/TOS blend, aiming at enhancing food packaging materials. The LDPE/TOS blend portrays advantageous characteristics such as augmented mechanical strength, thermostability, crystallinity, water absorption, and improved hydrophobicity with TOS content up to 50%. Microstructure analysis reveals a transition from a sparse to a more interconnected structure, contributing to the amplified tensile strength. The blend demonstrates increased barrier properties against water vapor transmission, which is attributed to elongated diffusion paths induced by the TOS particles. Application of the blend material in vegetable preservation trials manifested a substantial reduction in water loss compared to pure LDPE or no packaging. This biowaste-based blend film extends the shelf-life of chicken significantly when compared to that of pure LDPE. Importantly, the LDPE/TOS blend exhibits excellent antibacterial properties against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SAYSVFN domain-containing protein 1 (SAYSD1) is an evolutionarily conserved membrane protein that has recently been identified as a ubiquitin-fold modifier 1 (UFM1)-conjugated ribosome-recognition protein that plays a critical role in translocation-associated quality control (TAQC). However, its expression and roles in mammals in vivo remain largely unknown. We found that SAYSD1 is predominantly expressed in round and elongating spermatids and localizes in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of mouse testes, but not in differentiated spermatozoa. Mice deficient in Saysd1 developed normally post-partum. Furthermore, Saysd1 -deficient mice were fertile, with no apparent differences in sperm morphology or motility compared with wild-type sperm, although the cauda epididymis contained slightly less sperm. Expression of the ER stress markers spliced X-box binding protein 1s (XBP1s) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)-homologous protein (CHOP) in the testes was comparable between Saysd1 -deficient and wild-type mice. These results suggested that SAYSD1 is involved in sperm production in mice but is dispensable for their development and fertility. • SAYSD1 is expressed in mouse spermatids and localized to the ER. • Saysd1 -KO mice develop normally and are fertile. • The unfolding protein response is not increased in Saysd1 -KO testes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carboxylated graphene (CG) with functional group was blended with polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), CG enhanced the tensile, thermal properties, crystallinity and barrier performance of PPS. Through tensile test, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, evaluation of S. aureus inhibition, and barrier performance, the properties of pure PPS and PPS/CG nanocomposites were characterized and compared. The FTIR results demonstrate that the reaction between the sulfur-containing linkage in PPS and the carboxylic acid group in CG culminates in the creation of both a thioester bond and a hydrogen bond. The results showed that CG acted a role in heterogeneous nucleation and reinforcement. When the concentration of CG was 0.2 %, the tensile strength, elongation at break, thermostability, crystallinity and water vapor permeability coefficients (WVPC) approached maximum values, and the microscopic morphology changed from the original brittle fracture to a relatively tough fracture. Compared with pure PPS, when CG was added to PPS at 0.2 %, the tensile strength, elongation at break and WVPC of PPS were significantly increased by 23.9%, 17.2%, and 18.3% respectively. This improvement in barrier performance might be attributed to two reasons: (1) The presence of CG extended the penetration path of molecules; (2) The hydrogen bond from PPS matrix and CG nanofiller, so as to narrow the H2O transmission path. Antibacterial testing shows that both PPS and PPS/CG nanocomposite materials exhibit excellent antibacterial properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cancer cells often exhibit large‐scale genomic variations, such as circular extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) and structural variants (SVs), which have been highly correlated with the initiation and progression of cancer. Currently, no adequate method exists to unveil how these variations regulate gene expression in heterogeneous cancer cell populations at a single‐cell resolution. Methods: Here, we developed a single‐cell multi‐omics sequencing method, scGTP‐seq, to analyse ecDNA and SVs using long‐read sequencing technologies. Results and Conclusions: We demonstrated that our method can efficiently detect ecDNA and SVs and illustrated how these variations affect transcriptomic changes in various cell lines. Finally, we applied and validated this method in a clinical sample of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), demonstrating a feasible way to monitor the evolution of ecDNA and SVs during cancer progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Parkinson's disease (PD), inflammation may lead to the degeneration of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons. Previous studies showed that inflammatory mediators mainly contributed to this phenomenon. On the other hand, invasive neuromodulation methods such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) have better therapeutic effects for PD. One possibility is that DBS improves PD by influencing inflammation. Therefore, we further explored the mechanisms underlying inflammatory mediators and DBS in the pathogenesis of PD. Methods: We measured serum levels of two inflammatory markers, namely RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted) and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), using Luminex assays in 109 preoperative DBS PD patients, 49 postoperative DBS PD patients, and 113 age‐ and sex‐matched controls. The plasma protein data of the different groups were then statistically analyzed. Results: RANTES (p < 0.001) and TNF‐α (p = 0.005) levels differed significantly between the three groups. A strong and significant correlation between RANTES levels and Hoehn‐Yahr (H‐Y) stage was observed in preoperative PD patients (rs = 0.567, p < 0.001). Significant correlations between RANTES levels and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale III (UPDRS III) score (rs1 = 0.644, p = 0.033 and rs2 = 0.620, p = 0.042) were observed in matched patients. No correlation was observed for TNF‐α levels. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that PD patients have a persistent inflammatory profile, possibly via recruitment of activated monocytes, macrophages, and T lymphocytes to the central nervous system (CNS). DBS was shown to have a significant therapeutic effect on PD, which may arise by improving the inflammatory environment of the central nervous system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial resistance has brought great burden to global public health. Alternative strategies are needed to reduce the development of drug resistance. Herein, we have developed an effective synergistic antibacterial strategy combining low–temperature photothermal therapy (LT–PTT) with antibiotic therapy, improving the bactericidal efficiency to avoid antimicrobial resistance. Copper sulfide templated with bovine serum albumin (CuS–BSA) nanoparticles were selected as the photothermal agent, and co–loaded into the hydrogel (Gel) with mupirocin. The Gel could slow down the release rate of CuS–BSA and mupirocin, thereby prolonging the effective drug reaction time. More importantly, when applying near–infrared laser irradiation, the antibacterial activity of the platform could be enhanced greatly by LT–PTT effect of CuS–BSA nanoparticles. In vitro and in vivo results both confirmed that the antibacterial efficacy of the synergistic therapeutic strategy was improved greatly with complete bacterial removal. Overall, this platform has posed a potential strategy to reduce the development of drug resistance and improve patient compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The distribution and response to propranolol of problematic facial infantile haemangiomas (IHs) has rarely been described in the literature. Aim To map problematic facial IHs and observe their response to propranolol. Methods Eligible patients were categorized according to focal location and cohorts corresponding to these (buccal, medial, zygomatic, lateral and multiregional) were created. The primary efficacy variable was regression score ranging from 1 to 4, calculated using results of colour Doppler ultrasonography. Results In total, 104 patients met the inclusion criteria. There were 32 (30·8%) IHs located in the buccal area, 12 (11·5%) in the medial area, 49 (47·1%) in the lateral area and 1 (1·0%) in the zygomatic area, with 10 (9·6%) IH cases having multiregional lesions. We found that the distribution pattern of most IHs matched the surface projection of the trunk of the external carotid and the facial arteries. Further analysis showed that the median regression score in the buccal and medial groups were significantly lower than those in the lateral and multiregional groups. Conclusion Treatment of buccal and medial haemangiomas tends to be more challenging and their distribution pattern mainly reflects the direction of the facial vessels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structural, physicochemical, gel textural, rheological, and in vitro digestibility properties as well as their relationships of non-waxy proso millet starch (NPMS) and waxy proso millet starch (WPMS) were evaluated by taking normal corn starch (CS) and potato starch (PS) as controls. Proso millet starch was mostly polygonal or spherical, with an A-type crystalline structure. Proso millet starch contained more short-branched chains (DP 6–24) compared with CS and PS. WPMS possessed higher crystallinity and more short-range ordered structures than NPMS. NPMS displayed higher pasting temperature, retrogradation rate and shear thinning degree, and lower gelatinization temperature and enthalpy than WPMS. The hardness and chewiness of starch gel formed by NPMS were higher than those of WPMS. All starch samples exhibited shear thinning behavior in the steady-flow test and typical elastic solid behavior in the dynamic rheological test. Moreover, NPMS was considered a potential formula for functional foods, with its lower rapidly digestible starch (RDS) and higher resistant starch (RS) contents than WPMS, CS, and PS. This paper revealed the influence of amylose content and structure on the physicochemical properties of different proso millet starch. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent COVD-19 pandemic has been a major shock, affecting various macroeconomic indicators, including the environmental quality. The question of how the pandemics-related uncertainty will affect the environment is of paramount importance. The study analyzes the asymmetric impact of pandemic uncertainty on CO2 emissions in top-10 polluted economies (China, USA, India, Russia, Germany, Japan, Iran, South Korea, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia). Taking panel data from 1996 to 2018, a unique technique, 'Quantile-on-Quantile (QQ)', is employed. CO2 emissions are used as an indicator of environmental quality. The outcomes define how the quantiles of pandemic uncertainty impact the quantiles of carbon emissions asymmetrically by providing an effective paradigm for comprehending the overall dependence framework. The outcomes reveal that pandemic uncertainty promotes environmental quality by lowering CO2 emissions in our sample countries at various quantiles. However, Japan shows mixed findings. The effect of PUN on CO2 is substantially larger in India, Germany, and South Korea and lower in Russia and Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, the magnitude of asymmetry in the pandemic uncertainty-CO2 emissions association differs by economy, emphasizing that government must pay particular caution and prudence when adopting pandemics-related uncertainty and environmental quality policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to analyze whether information and communication technology (ICT) and renewable energy (RE) can assist in enhancing environmental quality. This study employs time series data from 1990 to 2019 using econometric techniques. The results show that the use of ICTs in the US, UK, China, Russia, Canada, Australia, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, and Italy has decreased environmental protection. The results reveal that RE use enhances the sustainability of the environment regardless of the sample size or surrogate utilized for ICT. Impulse response functions show that, on average, the influence of ICT and RE lasts between one and seven years. The error correction model segmentation study verified that ICT and RE contribute to the volatility of carbon dioxide emissions. There is strong evidence that carbon dioxide emissions, ICT, and RE use have a bidirectional causal relationship in most circumstances. Several ICTs and RE strategies have been established and explored to profit from the possible positive influence of ICT and RE usage on environmental quality. • We analyze whether ICT and renewable energy helps enhance environmental quality. • This study employs time series data from 1990 to 2019 using econometric techniques. • Results show that the use of ICTs has led to decreased environmental protection. • CO 2 emissions, ICT, and RE use have a bidirectional causal relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop sensing materials, this study used cheap and readily available graphite, with decalin as solvent to disperse the graphite in low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Two methods of solvent removal (heat treatment at 100 °C and natural drying) were applied. Afterward, two kinds of composite LDPE/graphite films with different proportions of graphite were obtained. Different samples of the two films were compared in terms of the differences in appearance, thermal properties, and resistances. SEM showed that the appearance of heat-treated composite films presented a complete and smooth structure and good bendability relative to untreated films. Thermal gravimetric analysis and differential thermogravimetry showed that composite films with heat treatment had a higher thermal stability. Differential scanning calorimetry results showed that the melting points of the two composite films decreased with increasing graphite content. Finally, these composite films were used to measure the induced voltage values corresponding to changes in pH of different samples. The results showed that stable voltage values could not be obtained in the case of composite materials with very low conductivity, and that an appropriate amount of graphite mixed with LDPE could have better acid–base sensing properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salient Object Detection (SOD) simulates the human visual perception in locating the most attractive objects in the images. Existing methods based on convolutional neural networks have proven to be highly effective for SOD. However, in some cases, these methods cannot satisfy the need of both accurately detecting intact objects and maintaining their boundary details. In this paper, we present a Multiresolution Boundary Enhancement Network (MRBENet) that exploits edge features to optimize the location and boundary fineness of salient objects. We incorporate a deeper convolutional layer into the backbone network to extract high-level semantic features and indicate the location of salient objects. Edge features of different resolutions are extracted by a U-shaped network. We designed a Feature Fusion Module (FFM) to fuse edge features and salient features. Feature Aggregation Module (FAM) based on spatial attention performs multiscale convolutions to enhance salient features. The FFM and FAM allow the model to accurately locate salient objects and enhance boundary fineness. Extensive experiments on six benchmark datasets demonstrate that the proposed method is highly effective and improves the accuracy of salient object detection compared with state-of-the-art methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coupling physics between multiple coaxial antennas separated axially along plasma column produced by helicon antenna are investigated. Experiments are carried out on a recently built device, named Physics ANd Thruster oriented HElicon Research (PANTHER) with the upgrade of second‐stage antennas. Mutual induction currents on these antennas are measured for two cases: without plasma discharge and with plasma discharge, respectively. It is found that the existence of a plasma column going through these antennas increases the coupling effects among them significantly. Theoretical analyses from the perspectives of transformer and magnetic permeability and moment confirm the reasonability of this phenomenon. Equivalent circuit models and governing equations are provided for preliminary analyses, covering both single‐antenna‐driven cases and dual‐antenna‐driven cases. The effects of confining magnetic field and background pressure on the mutual coupling are shown as well. This work is of particular interest for electrodeless plasma source or thruster which employs multiple coaxial antennas for ionization and acceleration. The analogy of a plasma column going through multiple antennas to a magnetic core for a transformer is an innovative attempt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• For the first-time mathematical modeling of eccentric rotary disks considering nonlinear strain-displacement fields due to their wide applications. • Presenting auxetic metamaterials in the fabrication of the eccentric rotary disk for the first time. • Presenting coupled TDQM and Newmark's method to solve the nonlinear governing equations of the eccentric rotary eccentric disks. • Presenting critical points in the design of the eccentric rotary disks for related industries. Eccentric discs in rotational motion are commonly utilized in various technical fields, including gas turbine engines, flywheels, gears, and brakes. So, improving its critical angular velocity and frequency characteristics is a challenging issue for engineers. So, in this work for the first time, nonlinear vibrations and buckling analysis of the high-speed rotating eccentric disks using mathematical simulation and data-driven solutions are presented. One of the suggestions for improving its mechanical properties is considering metamaterials in the construction of the eccentric disk. Metamaterial is a novel synthetic material that has distinctive physical and mechanical capabilities that are unattainable in natural materials due to its well-designed structure. The properties of the eccentric disks are controlled by the amount of graphene and the degree of folding of graphene origami (GOri) across the thickness of the eccentric disks. These properties, such as Poisson's ratio, vary depending on the position and can be estimated using micromechanical models assisted by genetic programming (GP). Using von-Karman nonlinearity, transformed differential quadrature method (TDQM), and Newton's method the nonlinear governing equations are obtained and solved, respectively. The results show that when the radius ratio of the rotating eccentric disk increases by 8%, the critical point is decreased from 420 HZ to 370 HZ, a reduction of around 12 %. Another suggestion for improving its mechanical properties is controlling the geometrics and physics of the presented structure according to the designer's purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examines the improvement of energy storage capacity in airplane bodies when exposed to certain frequencies of stimulation by using functionally graded triply periodic minimum surface (TPMS) materials. Our objective is to enhance the effectiveness of airplane bodies in withstanding different excitation frequencies by using a blend of machine learning methods and mathematical modeling. Functionally graded TPMS materials provide distinctive attributes, such as heightened mechanical robustness and lightweight qualities, making them optimal contenders for enhancing energy absorption in airplane bodies. The sheet-based architecture of the given TPMS is replicated using three unique geometries of unit cells: Primitive, Gyroid, and IWP. In the mathematical modeling realm, this article simulates six separate instances of volume distribution for each kind of FG-TPMS panel. Ultimately, by using the first-order Von-Karman nonlinear theory (FOCKT), this research derives the nonlinear governing equations. Subsequently, the nonlinear equations are solved using both the fourth-order Runge-Kutta technique and analytical approaches. By conducting extensive computer simulations and using machine learning methods, this article examines how airplane bodies behave when subjected to various excitation frequencies. Our goal is to optimize the design parameters in order to maximize the car airplane body's ability to absorb energy. The findings confirm the efficacy of the suggested method in improving the energy capacity of airplane bodies, opening up possibilities for groundbreaking breakthroughs in automotive engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: The therapeutic efficacy of single-dose mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy for heart failure (HF) remains inconsistent. This study aimed to investigate whether infusion with two-dose human umbilical cord MSC (hUCMSCs) could be therapeutically superior to single-dose therapy in a rat model of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and explored the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Male Sprague–Dawley rats were intraperitoneally injected with doxorubicin (DOX) to establish a DCM model and randomized to intravenously receive single-dose or two-dose hUCMSCs at an interval of 14 days. Their left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic functions were analyzed by echocardiography. The percentages of Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg cells in the heart, spleen, lymph nodes, and peripheral blood and the levels of serum cytokines in individual rats were analyzed by flow cytometry and cytometric bead assay, respectively. The degrees of cardiac fibrosis and cardiomyocyte apoptosis were examined by histology. The importance of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), an activator of Treg differentiation, in the therapeutic effect of hUCMSCs on inflammation and heart function of rats was determined after induction of IDO over-expression (IDO-OE) using IFN-γ (1 ng/ml) and TNF-α (10 ng/ml) stimulation or silencing (IDO-KD) using small interfering RNA (siRNA) technology. Results: Compared with the single dose, two-dose hUCMSCs were more effective in improving LV performance, attenuating cardiac dilation, reducing cardiomyocyte apoptosis and cardiac fibrosis. Two-dose hUCMSC therapy significantly increased Treg number in the heart and peripheral blood, accompanied by increased cardiac IDO expression. Compared with the control hUCMSCs, IDO-OE hUCMSCs significantly enhanced Treg and Th2 cell responses and decreased systemic Th17 cell responses and Th1 cell numbers in the mediastinal lymph nodes. Treatment with IDO-OE hUCMSCs significantly improved LV remodeling and dysfunction. However, treatment with IDO-KD hUCMSCs had opposite effects in rats. Conclusions: Administration of two-dose hUCMSCs has better therapeutic effects than single-dose therapy for inhibiting myocardial inflammation to improve LV function in DCM rats. These effects are associated with upregulating IDO expression and its systemic anti-inflammatory activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the relationship between the triglyceride glucose (TyG) index and peripheral artery disease (PAD). A total of 3125 participants with completed TyG and ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) records were enrolled from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycle of 1999–2004. The TyG index was calculated as ln [triglycerides (mg/dL) × glucose (mg/dL)/2], and the presence of PAD was defined as ABPI ≤.9. The participants were 59.9 ± 12.9 years old and 51.5% (1608) were male. The prevalence of PAD was 7.2% (225). Compared with the reference lowest quartile of TyG index, the highest quartile was associated with 1.27-fold increased (odds ratio [OR] 2.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.53-3.41; P <.001) risk of PAD. After adjusting for sociodemographic, lifestyles, and cardiometabolic factors, the multivariate-adjusted OR and 95% CI were 1.74 (1.02–3.01; P =.044) in participants within the highest quartile. Subgroup analysis showed that the association between TyG index and the risk of PAD was still consistent across subgroups. In conclusion, higher TyG index was significantly associated with the higher risk of PAD, which could be a marker of PAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A human-induced rise in temperatures is exacerbating droughts and other adverse weather events. Fossil fuels as a primary energy source contribute to global warming. It is, therefore, necessary to boost the number of renewable energy initiatives. To better comprehend how to improve renewable energy initiatives, simultaneous evaluation of a range of influential factors is required. This study examined financial development, economic progress, and energy pricing to understand how they affect energy consumption. Using the nonlinear autoregression distributed lag model, we analyzed the effect of financial inclusion on renewable energy consumption in China's 30 provinces from 2000 to 2020. The data showed that financial development has a considerable impact on renewable energy use. The findings of this study revealed that every 1% increase in financial development leads to a 0.24% increase in renewable energy use. This study's primary goal is to offer China a framework for increasing renewable energy investments that are socially and economically viable. This study also paves the way for other nations that import energy. As a result, it will be easier to meet sustainability targets if more projects employ renewable energy after this pandemic. • There is a dire need to measure the relationship between financial inclusion and renewable energy development. • Every 1% increase in financial development leads to a 0.24% increase in renewable energy use in case of China. • Every 1% increase in the urban population leads to an increase in renewable energy by 1.22%. • Financial development, renewable energy use is negatively associated with a rise in income disparity. • A 1% increase in economic disparity is associated with a 0.58% decrease in the use of renewable energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation on the structural, physicochemical, and digestive properties of foxtail millet starches. The fermented starch granules formed a structure with honeycomb-like dents, uneven pores, and reduced particle size. As the fermentation time extended, the amylose content of waxy (0.88 %) and non-waxy (33.71 %) foxtail millet starches decreased to the minimum value at 24 h (0.59 % and 29.19 %, respectively), and then increased to 0.85 % and 31.87 % at 72 h, respectively. Both native and fermented foxtail millet starches exhibited an A-type crystal structure. Compared with native samples, the fermented samples performed enhanced proportion of short-branched chain, crystallinity, and short-range ordered degree. After fermentation for 24 h, the solubility, adsorption capacity, and pasting viscosity of foxtail millet starches improved, whereas the swelling power, pasting temperature, breakdown, setback, and degree of retrogradation reduced. Additionally, fermentation increased the transition temperatures, enthalpy, and digestibility. Overall, Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation is considered a competent choice to regulate the characteristics of foxtail millet starch. [Display omitted] • Lactobacillus plantarum metabolites preferentially acted on starch amorphous region. • Fermentation increased short-branched chain content of foxtail millet starch. • Fermentation for 24 h delayed the retrogradation of foxtail millet starch. • Fermentation ameliorated the digestibility of foxtail millet starch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Presenting nonlinear phase velocity of a sandwich nanoshell with auxetic-Winkler foundation for the first time. • Presenting coupled harmonic-multiple scale method for solving the nonlinear waves motion equations. • Presenting machine-learning solution with appropriate dataset to correctly simulate the current problem in complex situation with low computational cost. • Presenting innovative suggestions about improving the nonlinear phase velocity of this kind of sandwich structure for related industries. In today's rapidly changing corporate environment, business executives are turning to cutting-edge technology to solve complex problems efficiently. A machine learning approach allows for a more thorough understanding and quantification of decision-making outcomes, leading to increased confidence in business decisions. In this work for the first time, machine learning approach and mathematical simulation are used to model nonlinear guided waves in the sandwich nanostructure coupled with piezoelectric actuator. Using mathematical modeling, the current work studies the nonlinear phase velocity in a sandwich nanoshell composed of a bi-directional functionally graded (BD-FG) core and piezoelectric patch. The modeling uses first-order shear deformation theory with the fairly thick hypothesis to describe the displacement fields of piezoelectric layers. For core layer, a higher order shear deformation theory with terms of higher order in the Taylor series expansion is presented. The nanosystem is accurately modeled using nonlocal strain gradient theory, incorporating nonlocal and length scale characteristics. The solution approach section outlines the multiple scale method for the time domain and the harmonic solution methodology for the displacement domain to address nonlinear equations. To reduce the computational expenses, a machine-learning approach is introduced to address the nonlinear vibration issue in the current study. Validating the conclusions of the current study by comparing them with machine-learning solutions and another published paper can confirm their accuracy. The results section presents the impacts of factors like area of piezoelectric patch, length scale, applied voltage, nonlocality, geometry condition and FG power index on the nonlinear phase velocity of the BD-FG nanoshell coupled with piezoelectric patch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tertiary alkanolamines play an essential role in the hydration of cement-based materials as one of the main components of cement grinding aids and concrete admixtures. Although the field has been well-studied, the significant effects of slight variations in alkanolamine type and dosage make it imperative for researchers to fully understand alkanolamines before using them. Therefore, it is necessary to understand in detail the mechanism of different alkanolamines affecting the hydration of cement-based materials and their effects on setting and hardening. Based on the synthesis and chemical characteristics of alkanolamines, the complexation between alkanolamine and metal ions is discussed in this paper. The influence of alkanolamines on hydration of cement-based materials and the role of complexation in hydration are studied. Various properties of cement-based materials in the presence of alkanolamines are rigorously reviewed. The synergistic effects of alkanolamine and other admixtures are also considered in this review. The research findings prove that the complexation of alkanolamines plays an essential role in hydration and further interferes the microstructure and properties of the cement-based materials. Variations in the molecular structure and dosage of alkanolamines can lead to significant differences in hydration. The modification of alkanolamines at the molecular level and their use in combination with other admixtures are the future research directions. The working mechanism of alkanolamines in the hydration process of cement-based materials still needs to be further explored. • Complexation of alkanolamines significantly affects cement hydration. • Different alkanolamines have different effects on mineral phase hydration. • Alkanolamines significantly affect the morphology of C-S-H gels and Ca(OH) 2. • The right dosage of alkanolamine could improve compressive strength. • TEA has a significant effect on setting time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From claims of roughly 3 % efficiency in 2009 to over 25 % efficiency now, perovskite solar cells have made amazing developments in recent years. Perovskite solar cells have quickly increased their efficiency, but there are still a number of obstacles to overcome before they can be considered a viable commercial technology. So, improving the stability of the perovskite solar cells and obtaining the mechanical properties of this kind of structure using computer simulation to decrease the computational cost is a challenging issue for designers. In this work, instead of a metal layer in the fabrication of solar cells, a functionally graded (FG) layer in which the material properties in this layer change in each direction. For the first time in the current report, the nonlinear phase velocity of the 3D-FG solar cells via mathematical simulation is presented. For solving the nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs) of the perovskite solar cells, an analytical method is used. After doing some mathematical manipulation using the analytical method, a multiple scales method for solving the nonlinear equations in the time domain is presented. In order to compensate for the absence of a dataset suitable for deep neural networks (DNN), a mathematical simulation is conducted to acquire the nonlinear phase velocity characteristics of enhanced solar cells. The DNN method is used to forecast the nonlinear phase velocity characteristics of the present study, after the completion of training, testing, and validation processes. This approach has the advantage of cheap computing expense. Finally, the results show that when the panels tend to be too concave or convex, the nonlinear phase velocity is unstable. As an amazing outcome for related industries, the nonlinear phase velocity is very sensitive to the values of K x , K y , and R x / a , and all designers according to their purposes should consider the amount of these parameters. The current results' outcomes can be used in future building of the perovskite solar cell knowing about nonlinear dynamics features of 3D-FG perovskite solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steel slag (SS) as a supplementary cementitious material has low cementitious activity. Diethanol-isopropanolamine (DEIPA) is an organic admixture that can enhance the cementitious activity of cementitious materials. This work aimed to investigate the hydration characteristics of SS under the complexing of DEIPA. The hydration process of SS, the complexation of DEIPA with metal ions, and the dissolution process of C 3 A and C 3 S in the presence of DEIPA were systematically investigated. The results showed that DEIPA enhanced the hydration of aluminate (C 3 A and C 12 A 7), ferrate (C 2 F) and silicate phases (C 3 S and C 2 S), which formed a large amount of monocarboaluminate, paraalumohydrocalcite and C–S–H gels. In the early stages of hydration, the hydration products were mainly C–S–H gels, monocarboaluminate and paraalumohydrocalcite, and in the later stages of hydration, the hydration products were mainly C–S–H gels, paraalumohydrocalcite. The monocarboaluminate may be transformed to paraalumohydrocalcite at a later stage. This hydration-promoting effect was related to the complexation of DEIPA. DEIPA facilitated the dissolution of mineral phases and the precipitation of complexed metal ions by complexing with metal ions. The stronger complexation of Al3+ by DEIPA made it more solubilizing for C 3 A. As a result, more aluminum-containing hydration products were formed. The weaker complexation of Ca2+ by DEIPA made it a weaker solubilizing for C 3 S, which also led to a weaker promotion of silicate hydration by DEIPA. The solubilization of DEIPA to minerals enhanced the cementitious activity of SS, which ultimately led to the increase in the compressive strength of the hardened SS paste at each age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the effects of test anxiety on working memory capacity. Studies have demonstrated that individuals with trait social anxiety disorder exhibit increased visual working memory capacity and that those with trait anxiety exhibit decreased working memory capacity. Test anxiety may also induce unique effects on individuals' working memory capacity, and we thus employed the change detection task to explore such effects. Participants were divided into high‐ and low‐test anxiety groups. We used K score and contralateral delay activity (CDA) amplitude to measure working memory capacity, focusing on processing effectiveness and efficiency. The study results revealed that deficits in the working memory capacity of individuals in the high test anxiety group manifested in the CDA amplitude rather than in the K score. The CDA amplitude of the high test anxiety group did not increase after load 3, and that of the low test anxiety group did not increase after load 4. No difference was observed in the K scores of the two groups. The study concluded that test anxiety impairs processing efficiency but not processing effectiveness. Existing research on anxiety subtypes and working memory capacity has been less than conclusive concerning a few functional and dysfunctional details of the two processes. Findings from the present experiment point to a few nuances that should provide clearer directions for future research. First, deficits in the working memory capacity of individuals suffering high test anxiety are manifested in contralateral delay activity (CDA) amplitude but not in K scores. Second, test anxiety thus may impair processing efficiency but not necessarily processing effectiveness. More specifically, the CDA amplitude of the high test anxiety group does not seem to increase after load 3, that of the low test anxiety group does not increase after load 4, and there is no difference in K scores between the two groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To observe the effects of Yiqi Huoxue Jiedu Fang (Qi-Benefiting, Blood-Activating, and Toxin-Eliminating Formula, YQHXJDF) on progression-free survival (PSF), quality of life and pattern changes of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, and its mechanism through regulating IL-6 level and macrophage phenotype. Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 75 patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer with qi deficiency and blood stasis pattern. Both groups received standardized treatment of western medicine, on the basis of which the control group was given Chinese patent medicine-Xihuang Jiedu Jiaonang (Toxin-Eliminating Capsule with American Ginseng and Cow Bezoar, XHJDJN) orally, while the treatment group, YQHXJDF. The intervention was finished with end of the study or progression of the disease followed by death. The peripheral blood of the participants was collected, and the levels of IL-6 and M2 in macrophage percentage were detected at enrollment and 2 months after intervention with Pearson coefficient analysis. There was follow-up once every 2 months to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) and the changes of TCM pattern scores. Cox regression analysis was conducted to identify PFS risk factors. Results There was no statistically significant difference in TCM pattern scores, age, stage, M2 macrophage percentage and IL-6 level between the two groups. The median progression-free survival (mPFS) of the treatment group was 6 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 4.77-7.23], and the mPFS of the control group was 5 months (95% CI, 3.06-6.94). There was significant difference between the two groups. QoL and TCM pattern score were improved in both groups with no statistical significance between two groups. When IL-6 is lower than 5.5 ng/L, IL-6 level was negatively correlated with M2 macrophage percentage. IL-6 in the treatment group was increased after treatment, but there was no statistically significant difference in the control group before and after treatment; when IL-6 is higher than 5. 5 ng/L, the level of IL-6 was positively correlated with M2 macrophage percentage, and the levels of IL-6 in both groups were decreased after treatment. The quality of life in the treatment group was better after intervention than that before intervention. There was no statistically significant difference in the control group before and after treatment. Besides, the quality of life in the treatment group was better than that in the control group. The number of chemotherapy lines and M2 macrophage percentage were risk factors of PFS. Conclusion YQHXJDF could prolong the PFS of patients with advanced platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, improve the quality of life and TCM patterns. It could also improve the level of IL-6 to a certain extent and thus improve immune function. When IL-6 is too high, both YQHXJDF and XHJDJN can reduce the level of IL-6 in peripheral blood and alleviate immunosuppression. The changes of macrophage phenotype seems to influence the PFS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A numerical model is developed to study the temporal evolution of helicon discharge. The initiation of helicon discharge is first presented in terms of time-dependent electron density and temperature, electric and magnetic fields, and power deposition; then, their steady-state values are compared with experimental data and previous simulations for benchmark. It is found that the evolutions of electron density and temperature arrive steady state around 100 and $1.5~\mu \text{s}$ , respectively, while electric and magnetic fields become steady prior to 2 $\mu \text{s}$. The spatial distributions of power deposition indicate that RF power is absorbed mostly near the edge, similar to those of electron temperature. Parameter studies show that high background pressure, confining magnetic field strength, and RF power are beneficial to obtaining high-density helicon plasma, while the driving frequency has little effect. These findings are interesting for the design and optimization of helicon plasma source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, an extended state observer–based backstepping fast terminal sliding mode control is developed for the ride comfort of a full-car active suspension system. In the referred extended state observer–based backstepping fast terminal sliding mode control, the extended state observer is designed to estimate the lumped disturbances of external road excitation and uncertain dynamics. Then, a backstepping fast terminal sliding mode controller is used to track the desired trajectory reference which is obtained via a nonlinear filter. A virtual prototype of vehicle suspension is also built on ADAMS software as the simulated real-time controlled system. The co-simulation results of MATLAB/Simulink+ADAMS show that the proposed controller has better performance than the passive suspension and the active suspension using the traditional backstepping method whether under random road or bumpy road. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID‐19 pandemic is but one of many instances of environmental adversities that have recurred in human history. Biobehavioral resource allocation strategies, known as fast (reproduction‐focused) versus slow (development‐focused) life history (LH) tradeoff strategies, evolved to deal with environmental challenges such as infectious diseases. Based on 141 young people and their mothers observed prior to (ages 9 and 13) and during (age 20) COVID‐19, we investigated longitudinal relations involving slow LH strategies. The results support the adaptive role of slow LH strategies in reducing COVID‐related increases in externalizing problems. In addition, the effect of early adversity on COVID‐related increases in externalizing was mediated, and the effect on COVID‐related increases in internalizing was moderated, by slow LH strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this hospital clinic based study was to evaluate the potential risk factors associated with the prevalence of MetS in RA population. Methods: From January 2015 to October 2018, 717 patients with RA and 717 healthy controls who were treated or performed physical examination in Tianjin First Central Hospital were enrolled in this study. The basic disease diagnoses were recorded. A questionnaire was performed on all participants to assess the demographic details of the RA cohort. Moreover, laboratory indicators related to glucose and lipid metabolism in patients with RA were also detected. The potential risk factors for MetS were also analyzed. Results: The prevalence of MetS were 31.2% and 34.2% in case and control groups, respectively (P =.22). There were lower levels of HDL‐C, obesity, TG, LDL‐C and TC in case group than control group (all P <.05). The hypertension levels in healthy controls was decreased in compared with patients with RA (P <.05). Nevertheless, in patients with RA, complement 3 (OR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01‐1.03, P =.007) and less glucocorticoids use (OR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.39‐0.99, P =.046) were associated with MetS. Conclusion: The prevalence of MetS was not associated with RA. Complement 3 may be associated with the higher prevalence of MetS in patients with RA. Glucocorticoids treatment may be associated with MetS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attentional control theory regards individuals with high anxiety as having deficits of inhibitory control when faced with distractors, especially under high-load conditions and with threatening distractors. Research on test anxiety has a long history, but the working memory (WM) characteristics of individuals with high test anxiety (HTA) remain unclear. We used two experiments to test the WM filtering ability of individuals with HTA, and the salient results were those of the contralateral delay activity amplitude rather than K score. The first experiment employed neutral distractors. HTA participants filtered distractors under low-load conditions but not under high-load conditions. Participants with low test anxiety (LTA) filtered distractors under high-load conditions but not under low-load conditions. The second experiment utilized threatening distractors. The participants with HTA exhibited deficits in their ability to filter neutral and threatening distractors, whereas the participants with LTA filtered both types of distractor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding why the scale of emergent hadron mass is obvious in the proton but hidden in the pion may rest on mapping the distribution functions (DFs) of all partons within the pion and comparing them with those in the proton; and since glue provides binding in quantum chromodynamics, the glue DF could play a special role. Producing reliable predictions for the proton's DFs is difficult because the proton is a three-valence-body bound-state problem. As sketched herein, the situation for the pion, a two-valence-body problem, is much better, with continuum and lattice predictions for the valence-quark and glue DFs in agreement. This beginning of theory alignment is timely because experimental facilities now either in operation or planning promise to realize the longstanding goal of providing pion targets, thereby enabling precision experimental tests of rigorous theory predictions concerning Nature's most fundamental Nambu–Goldstone bosons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the specially designed medical dressing screen during wound dressing changes of children who suffered burns to their hand or foot.Design: Randomized controlled trial.Setting: Burns and Plastic Reconstruction Unit.Participants: Children (N=120) with burns on up to 1-5% of the total body surface area.Interventions: The patients were selected and randomly allocated to 3 equal-sized groups as follows: control group (N=40): the children received only regular dressing changes; computer group (N=40): a touch-screen computer was used for children during dressing changes; medical screen group (N=40): a medical screen combined with the touch-screen computer were used for children during dressing changes. All patients underwent a dressing change once per day for four days. Data were distributed four times: immediately after the initial dressing change (T1); and immediately after each times at next three consecutive days (T2-T4).Main Outcome Measures: The Pain level of the children evaluated by medical staffs was the primary outcome, the Pain level of the children evaluated by children's parents and the satisfaction of wound therapist were used as second outcomes.Results: The mean scores related to pain level at the medical screen group displayed significantly better results than those of control group and those of the computer group. Additionally, the results of the pain evaluated by parents and satisfaction score of the wound therapist at the medical screen group was also better than other groups.Conclusions: This study demonstrated "that the" application of the medical screen for burns can relieve the pain of 1-3 years old children suffering from a burns during dressing changes. Additionally, the application of the medical screen also increased the satisfaction of the parents and the wound therapist performing the dressing changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is extremely rare after shoulder arthroscopy. However, early identification of the situation deserves attention due to its potential risk of causing death. By now, it is still difficult to detect the PE without symptoms and clear sources during the perioperative period. Case presentation: We report here two cases of asymptomatic PE, both happening within 24 h after shoulder arthroscopy, without any detected deep venous thrombosis of extremities. It is suspected the cases were due to the abnormal decrease in partial pressures of oxygen and arterial oxygen saturation, and were confirmed by computed tomography pulmonary angiography. We also discuss the reason why the patients showed no related symptoms when PE occurred and perform a review of PE following shoulder arthroscopy. Conclusions: This report highlights that PE could occur in the early phase after shoulder arthroscopy. An unexplained decrease in partial pressure of oxygen or arterial oxygen saturation should be considered seriously. The symptoms of PE might be masked due to patients' tolerance to hypoxia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A compact wideband four‐arm circularly polarized (CP) spiral antenna with both sum mode (1) and difference mode (2) is presented. The antenna is composed of a modified four‐arm equiangular spiral, a four‐arm z‐directional helix, a ring‐shaped absorber, and a ground plane. By using the modified equiangular spiral and the z‐directional helix, the impedance matching of mode 1 and mode 2 is improved, and the cross‐polarization discrimination of mode 2 is also improved in the low frequency band. The z‐directional helix is also applied to achieve a compact size of the antenna and an enhanced AR bandwidth of mode 2. A prototype of the four‐arm spiral antenna is fabricated and measured with a beamformer operating at 0.5 to 2 GHz. It is shown that both sum and difference radiation patterns are generated in the whole frequency band of 0.5 to 2 GHz. The overall size is 0.486λ0.5 GHz × 0.097λ0.5 GHz (diameter × height, λ0.5 GHz is the free‐space wavelength at 0.5 GHz). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • For the first time, mathematical modeling of a moderately thick conical-conical shell reinforced by GPLs is presented. • An innovative model for simulating the jointed structure under a moving load is presented. • For verification of the current work, the XGBoost algorithm as a machine learning model is presented and the current algorithm can be used in various shell structures under moving load. • The continuity of the displacement components and the consequent forces and moments for a moderately thick conical-conical shell reinforced by GPLs are presented. Submarines, civil engineering, and aeronautical engineering all use a series of interconnected cone-cone shells in a progressive manner. It is well acknowledged that when shells experience fast loading, a substantial localized bending moment is generated around the junction. These heavy loads have the potential to generate vibrations that may lead to fatigue issues. So, in order to establish the essential requirements for safe design, it is imperative to comprehend the vibration characteristics of bonded shells. The nonlinear oscillations of conical-conical graphene nanoplatelets reinforced composite (GPLRC) shells under moving loads with velocity acceleration are therefore shown for the first time in this work. Mathematical simulations that make use of the von Karman nonlinearity and account for the continuity of the displacement components as well as the forces and moments that occur at the intersection of the shell system are used to describe a cone-cone shell structure. The generalized differential quadrature technique (GDQM), the Newmark method, and the Newton-Raphson iterative approach are used to solve the nonlinear partial differential equations (NPDEs) of the system. It may be shown that the results have been verified by contrasting the findings of the present study with those of earlier studies. Moreover, for additional assurance, the extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) algorithm as an effective machine learning model is presented for more verification and prediction of the engineering problem. Finally, some innovative and applicable outcomes for future handbooks of mechanical engineering are provided in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar cells due to their extraordinary situation have got a lot of attention among researchers. The aim of this work is to understand the issue that how fast a particular phase of the wave travels in a solar cell. So, in the current work, nonlinear phase velocity characteristics of solar cells are presented. For improving the mechanical properties of solar cells, as the reinforcement of the last layer, graphene nanoplatelets (GPLs) are considered. The von Kármán nonlinearity is employed to model the system by retaining in-plane displacements and inertia. Modified couple stress theory (MCST) is used for the size dependency of the current nonlinear system. Coupled analytical method (AM), and multiple-scales method (MSM) are used for solving the nonlinear system. As an applicable result, the wave number value has a greater influence on the nonlinear phase velocity than the curvature factor in the axial direction. In the lower values of curvature factor, the influence of GPLs' weight fraction on the nonlinear phase velocity is lower than in higher values of curvature factor. The findings section provides a detailed presentation of various potential outcomes of this study that aim to enhance the stability of solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, conductive silk fibroin (SF) and poly (3, 4-vinyldioxythiophene): poly (styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS) coating (SF-PEDOT: PSS) was successfully prepared on the ZE21C magnesium alloy via the chemical grafting process so as to improve corrosion resistance and achieve osteoimmunity. The microstructure, composition, surface wettability and corrosion behaviors of the coatings were investigated by SEM, EDS, FTIR, XPS, water contact angle and potentiodynamic polarization test. Results revealed that the chemical grafting of SF-PEDOT: PSS coating occurred, wherein, SF reacted with polydopamine to form –CO–NH- bond, and PEDOT: PSS reacted with polydopamine to form NH 3 + bond. In addition, one order of magnitude reduction of corrosion density (i corr) as well as the positively shifted corrosion potential (E corr) by 107 mV as compared with that of the substrate was observed. Cytocompatibility results demonstrated that this coating could highly facilitate the adhesion, spreading, and proliferation of bone healing related cells (MC3T3-E1 and RAW264.7 cells). Moreover, it promoted the release of M2 phenotype factors (IL-4, IL-10 and TGF- β 1), but inhibited the release of M1 phenotype factors (IL-6 and TNF- α), achieving the regulation of macrophage phenotype transformation. Furthermore, higher release of ALP, COL I and OCN revealed the acceleration of bone mineralization. In summary, the obtained SF-PEDOT: PSS coatings possessed the remarkably improvement of anticorrosion ability and good bioactivity which can serve as a promising strategy for surface design of magnesium alloys in the orthopedic applications. • A conductive SF-PEDOT: PSS coating was first prepared on magnesium-based alloys. • SF and PEDOT:PSS was conguated via PDA forming –CO–NH- and NH 3 + bond, respectively. • It can effectively retard corrosion with positively shifted E corr and lower i corr. • Good cytocompatibility was achieved with MC3T3-E1 cells and macrophages in vitro. • Regulation of macrophage transformation with osteogenic ability was found in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil surface mulch is an important measure for conserving more moisture and increasing yield in rainfed agroecosystems. Straw strip mulch (SM) is a new mulching technique for clean production, but the regulation mechanisms of SM on soil moisture and potato yield formation is lack of systematic understanding yet. Therefore, a five-year (2018–2022) consecutive field trial on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) was conducted in the semiarid rainfed region of Northwest China, using three treatments: full-field black plastic film mulch (PM), SM with 42% of the field area mulched using whole corn stalks, and no mulch as the control (NM). Relative to NM, on average across five growing seasons of potato, SM increased (P < 0.05) the soil moisture in 0–200 cm depth by 6.6%, fresh tuber yield ha−1 by 15.0%, dry tuber yield ha−1 by 23.6%, weight per tuber by 13.3%, net income by 26.3% (8268 ¥ ha−1), and output / input ratio by 10.5%, biomass by 16.5%, water use efficiency 28.5%, but reduced the total water consumption (ET) throughout the potato growth period by 12.9 mm. SM had a similar (P > 0.05) soil moisture in 0–200 cm depth, the total ET, the dry tuber yield and WUE as PM but with a 10.7% (2455 ¥ ha−1) higher net income. Mulching practices not only increased the soil moisture at different growth stages, but also regulated its utilization. Compared with NM, the maximum increase of soil moisture in SM and PM occurred at tuber formation stage. SM and PM decreased water consumptions in early period (sowing to tuber formation) and late period (tuber bulking to maturity), as well as their ratios to total ET, but increased them in middle period (tuber formation to tuber bulking). The increased weight per tuber was the primary yield component that leads to the increased yield in SM and PM. It was concluded that mulching practices improve soil moisture by inhibiting evaporation, increase transpiration ratio to ET, reduce water consumption of early period and its ratio to total ET while increasing them of middle period, resulting in significant increases in biomass and weight per tuber, which were the main mechanisms for yield increases in SM and PM compared to NM. SM is suitable to be popularized in a semiarid rainfed agroecosystem for potato production as an alternative to PM. • Mulch improved yield while reducing water consumption relative to no mulch. • Straw strip mulch is (SM) a new mulching technique for clean production of potato. • SM had similar soil moisture and dry tuber yield as plastic film mulch (PM). • SM had higher net income and output/input ratio than PM. • Mulch increased water consumption ratio in middle period and weight per plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetradium ruticarpum (A.Juss.) T.G.Hartley, a traditional Chinese medicine with thousands of years of medicinal history, has been employed to address issues such as indigestion, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Dehydroevodiamine (DHE) is a quinazoline alkaloid extracted from traditional Chinese medicine Tetradium ruticarpum (A.Juss.) T.G.Hartley. Previous studies have shown that DHE has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant activities. However, it is still unclear whether DHE has an effect on ethanol-induced gastric ulcers. The objective of this study is to investigate the therapeutic efficacy and underlying mechanisms of action of DHE on ethanol-induced gastric ulcers using network pharmacology and metabolomics strategies. In this study, we used ethanol-induced rats as a model to assess the efficacy of DHE by biochemical indicator assays and pathological tissue detection. The integration of network pharmacology and metabolomics was used to explore possible mechanisms and was validated by western blot experiments. Finally, molecular docking was used to analyze the binding energy between DHE and the targets of PIK3CG and PLA2G2A. DHE was able to reverse ethanol-induced abnormalities in biochemical indicators and improve pathological tissue. Network pharmacology results indicated that DHE may be involved in the regulation of gastric ulcers by modulating 79 targets, and metabolomics results showed that a total of 13 metabolites were changed before and after DHE administration. Integrating network pharmacology and metabolomics, PIK3CG and PLA2G2A were identified as possible targets to exert therapeutic effects. In addition, the MAPKs pathway may also be involved in the regulation of ethanol-induced gastric ulcers. Finally, molecular docking results showed that DHE had low binding energies with both PIK3CG and PLA2G2A. These findings suggest that DHE was able to exert a protective effect against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers by modulating multiple metabolites with multiple targets. This study provides a valuable reference for the development of antiulcer drugs. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mass relation M 0 + + 3 M 1 + ′ + 5 M 2 + = 9 M 1 + miraculously holds for the P-wave charmonium (c c ¯) and bottomonium (b b ¯) systems with soaring precision. The origin of such relation can be addressed from Quark Models, and have been confirmed experimentally in a limited number of cases. In this connection, we propose M 0 + + 5 M 2 + = 3 (M 1 + ′ + M 1 +) as an extension to the P-wave B c case. In order to test its applicability, we employ a variety of Quark Model predictions for the B c mass spectrum. Our numerical analysis confirms such formula is accurate up to very small deviations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two pre‐registered studies examined people's psychological collectivism, personal control, and attitudes toward disease‐control measures in the context of the COVID‐19 crisis and more generalized contexts. Study 1 surveyed 819 residents in Shanghai in late May 2022 when they were undergoing a stringent city‐wide lockdown caused by an outbreak of the Omicron variant. We found that participants' psychological collectivism attenuated the negative association between experiences of COVID‐19 restrictions and personal control and enhanced the positive association between personal control and support for COVID‐19 restrictions. Study 2 (N = 403) recruited an online sample with diverse backgrounds and demographic characteristics and sought to extend the findings of Study 1 beyond the context of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Participants were exposed to a series of hypothetical scenarios depicting a fictitious virus with varying fatality and transmissibility. As in Study 1, participants higher in psychological collectivism exhibited a stronger positive association between personal control and endorsement of stricter societal disease‐control measures, but only in low‐fatality, high‐transmissibility situations. The implications of these findings for facilitating public support for disease‐control efforts are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) patients undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery require subsequent programming, which is complex and cumbersome. The local field potential (LFP) in the deep brain is associated with motor symptom improvement. The current study aimed to identify LFP biomarkers correlated with improved motor symptoms in PD patients after DBS and verify their guiding role in postoperative programming. Methods: Initially, the study included 36 PD patients undergoing DBS surgery. Temporary external electrical stimulation was performed during electrode implantation, and LFP signals around the electrode contacts were collected before and after stimulation. The stimulating contact at 6 months of programming was regarded as the optimal and effective stimulating contact. The LFP signal of this contact during surgery was analyzed to identify potential LFP biomarkers. Next, we randomly assigned another 30 PD patients who had undergone DBS to physician empirical programming and LFP biomarker‐guided programming groups and compared the outcomes. Results: In the first part of the study, LFP signals of electrode contacts changed after electrical stimulation. Electrical stimulation reduced gamma energy and the beta/alpha oscillation ratio. The different programming method groups were compared, indicating the superiority of beta/alpha oscillations ratio‐guided programming over physician experience programming for patients' improvement rate (IR) of UPDRS‐III. There were no significant differences in the IR of UPDRS‐III, post‐LED, IR‐PDQ39, number of programmings, and the contact change rate between the gamma oscillations‐guided programming and empirical programming groups. Conclusion: Overall, the findings reveal that gamma oscillations and the beta/alpha oscillations ratio are potential biomarkers for programming in PD patients after DBS. Instead of relying solely on spike action potential signals from single neurons, LFP biomarkers can provide the appropriate depth for electrode placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A concept of SUb-atmospheric Radio-frequency Engine (SURE) designed for the near-space environment is proposed. The antenna wrapping quartz tube consists of two solenoid coils with variable separation distance and is driven by radio frequency power supply (13.56 MHz–1 kW). The discharge involves inductive coupling under each solenoid coil and capacitive coupling between them. This novel scheme can ionize the filling air efficiently for the entire pressure range of 32 ~ 5332 Pa in near space. The formed plasma density and temperature are up to $2.23\times 10^{18}\,\,\textrm {m}^{-3}$ and 2.79 eV, respectively. The influences of separation distance, input power, filling pressure, and the number of solenoid turns on discharge are presented in detail. This air-breathing electric propulsion system has no plasma-facing electrode and does not require an external magnetic field and is, thereby, durable and structurally compact and light. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnesium alloy is generally accepted as a potential cardiovascular stent material due to its good mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, and has become one of the research hotspots in this field. However, too fast degradation rate and delayed surface endothelialization have been the bottleneck of further application of magnesium alloy stent. In this study, we selected Mg–Zn–Y–Nd, a kind of biodegradable magnesium alloy for cardiovascular stent, and passivated its surface by alkali heat treatment and silane treatment to improve the corrosion resistance, subsequently conjugated Arg–Glu–Asp–Val (REDV) peptide and anti-CD34 to promote endothelial cells adhesion and capture endothelial progenitor cells respectively, further improving surface endothelialization. In addition, the heparin was also immobilized to the Mg–Zn–Y–Nd surface for the consideration of anti-coagulation and anti-inflammation. Systematic material characterization and biological evaluation show that we have successfully developed this composite surface on Mg–Zn–Y–Nd alloy, and achieved multiple functions such as corrosion resistance, promoting endothelialization, and inhibiting platelet/macrophage adhesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel antenna that can generate plasma efficiently for pressure up to thousands of Pascal with 1 kW–13.56 MHz radio‐frequency power supply is reported. It consists of two isolated solenoids so that involves both capacitively coupling and inductively coupling effects, together with magnetic mirror effect which confines the formed plasma axially to a certain extent. Experiments show that the novel discharge has directional preference depending on the applied voltage, a character of dielectric barrier discharge, and can run steadily for tens of hours without severe thermal load. Simulations using COMSOL Multiphysics reveal consistent variations of electron temperature and electron density with base pressure, input power, separation distance of isolated solenoids, and the number of turns of each solenoid. This ionization method is of great interest for plasma processing and propulsion in sub‐atmospheric environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]