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Background Methods Results Conclusions Taurine (TAU) is the most abundant non‐protein amino acid in the central nervous system (CNS). However, the molecular mechanism of TAU in the CNS is still poorly understood. Meanwhile, disruption in mitochondrial dynamics is evident in CNS disorders. This study aimed to investigate the effect of TAU on mitochondrial dynamics.TAU (0.25, 0.5 and 1% in drinking water) was administered to young mice for six months. Several memory/cognition parameters and indices of anxiety/depression were assessed. Meanwhile, various mitochondrial indices and the expression/activity of genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and dynamics (Akt, CREB, NRF1, TFAM, PGC‐1α, Mfn1, Mfn2, UCP2, PINK1, OPA1, Drp1 and Fis1) were examined.TAU significantly enhanced memory performance, suppressed anxiety and depression‐like behaviour, increased mitochondrial biogenesis/dynamics and improved mitochondrial indices. It should be mentioned that there was no significant difference between different concentrations of TAU in changing most brain mitochondrial dynamic biomarkers in the current study.These findings offer more insights into the molecular mechanism for TAU's action in the CNS. However, there is a need for further research to confirm these effects in humans. Overall, this study suggests the potential application of TAU in various neurological disorders and the need for clinical studies on the effects of this amino acid in the brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noble-metal-free CO2 reduction systems based on cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) and its derivatives have demonstrated remarkable photocatalytic performances; however, their structure-activity relationship with electronic tuning remains unexplored. Herein, we now provide a systematic study to investigate the electron effects of substituents on the CoPc family in photocatalytic CO2 reduction, where a Cu(I) heteroleptic photosensitizer is utilized. The highest performance can be achieved using cobalt tetracarboxylphthalocyanine in light-driven CO2-to-CO reduction, with a maximum turnover number of 2950 at 450 nm and an outstanding apparent quantum yield of 63.5% at 425 nm, over ten times the activity with the tetra-dimethylamino-substituted CoPc derivative. The favorable electron-withdrawing effects have been further verified by DFT calculations and cyclic voltammetry, which reduces the overpotential required for CO2 reduction and decreases the Gibbs free energy of the catalyst active intermediates, particularly the CO-desorption energetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article critically examines the reduction mechanisms and energy transfer processes between trivalent europium ions (Eu3+) and divalent europium ions (Eu2+) in materials synthesized in an air atmosphere. It also encompasses various materials and conditions, including a critical analysis of the reduction mechanism and energy transfer between Eu3+ and Eu2+ in Eu-doped materials. Specific investigations include exploring the reduction process in BaMgSiO4:Eu, focusing on factors influencing the reaction. The article also covers low-temperature self-reduction, addressing conditions and mechanisms such as the charge compensation model and laser-induced reduction. Additionally, it explores the influence of charge compensation on luminescent properties, emphasizing enhancements in red emission. Investigations into the role of oxygen vacancies in the reduction of Eu3+ and their implications on material properties are presented. This article further digs into abnormal reduction processes and the formation of defect centers in Eu3+-doped pollucite, proposing a substitution defect model for the self-reduction of europium ions in silicate Ba(Eu)MgSiO4 phosphors. Unusual reduction phenomena, such as reduction via boiling water in Yb2Si2O7:Eu3+ phosphors, and reductions in various glass systems, including porous glass, ZnO–B2O3–P2O5 glasses, aluminoborosilicate glasses, europium-doped Li2B4O7 glass, and aluminosilicate oxyfluoride glass (AOG), are also thoroughly examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by fibrosis and inflammation in renal tissues. Several types of cell death have been implicated in CKD onset and progression. Unlike traditional forms of cell death, PANoptosis is characterized by the crosstalk among programmed cell death pathways. However, the interaction between PANoptosis and CKD remains unclear. Here, we used bioinformatics methods to identify differentially expressed genes and differentially expressed PANoptosis-related genes (DE-PRGs) using data from the GSE37171 dataset. Following this, we further performed gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis, and gene set enrichment analysis using the data. We adopted a combined approach to select hub genes, using the STRING database and CytoHubba plug-in, and we used the GSE66494 as a validation dataset. In addition, we constructed ceRNA, transcription factor (TF)-gene, and drug-gene networks using Cytoscape. Lastly, we conducted immunohistochemical analysis and western blotting to validate the hub genes. We identified 57 PANoptosis-associated genes as DE-PRGs. We screened nine hub genes from the 57 DE-PRGs. We identified two hub genes (FOS and PTGS2) using the GSE66494 database, Nephroseq, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting. A common miRNA (Hsa-miR-101-3p) and three TFs (CREB1, E2F1, and RELA) may play a crucial role in the onset and progression of PANoptosis-related CKD. In our analysis of the drug-gene network, we identified eight drugs targeting FOS and 52 drugs targeting PTGS2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Intestinal obstruction is a common complication in patients with advanced malignancies, often attributed to the disease itself or as a side effect of opioid analgesics used for pain management. However, the occurrence of intestinal obstruction following antituberculosis therapy is rare. Case presentation: We report a unique case of a 58-year-old Asian male diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic carcinoma and pulmonary tuberculosis. The patient was initiated on a regimen of ethambutol hydrochloride, pyrazinamide, rifampicin, and isoniazid tablets (II) for tuberculosis, alongside morphine for the management of severe cancer-related pain. Subsequently, he developed symptoms indicative of intestinal obstruction. Despite discontinuation of morphine, the patient's symptoms persisted until he autonomously ceased all medications, leading to a rapid improvement in his condition. This unexpected resolution highlighted the antituberculosis drugs as the probable cause of his intestinal obstruction. Conclusions: This case underscores the importance of considering antituberculosis drugs as a potential cause of intestinal obstruction, especially in patients who do not respond to conventional management strategies for drug-induced gastrointestinal side effects. It also emphasizes the need for heightened vigilance and monitoring when prescribing these medications to patients with advanced malignancies, to promptly identify and address rare but significant side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-E) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) has become a global public health problem. ESBL-E/CRE colonization can increase the risk of infection in patients and lead to poor disease prognosis. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate current decolonization strategies regarding ESBL-E/CRE and their efficacy. A literature search was conducted until August 2023 on the five databases to review decolonization strategies associated with ESBL-E/CRE. A meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4 to compare differences in the decolonization strategy with placebo controls. The primary outcome was decolonization rates, with secondary outcomes of attributable death and adverse events. Quality of identified studies was determined using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale and cochrane risk assessment tool. Random and fixed effects meta-analyses were performed to calculate pooled value. A total of 25 studies were included. In five randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies, the decolonization effect of selective digestive decontamination(SDD) on ESBL-E/CRE at the end of treatment was significantly better in the experimental group than the controls [risk radio (RR): 3.30; 95% CI 1.78–6.14]. In three n-RCT studies, the decolonization effect in the experimental group was still better than the controls one month after SDD therapy [odds ratio (OR): 4.01; 95% CI 1.88–8.56]. The combined decolonization rates reported by six single-arm trial studies of SDD therapy ranged from 53.8 to 68.0%. Additionally, TSA analysis confirmed the effectiveness of SDD therapy. In studies on Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) therapy, the decolonization effect of the experimental group was significantly better than the controls 1 month after treatment (OR: 2.57; 95% CI 1.07–6.16). In studies without a control group and with varying follow-up times, the decolonization rates varied widely but indicated the effectiveness trend of FMT therapy (61.3–81.2%). Currently, research on the decolonization effect of probiotic therapy on ESBL-E/CRE is insufficient, and only a systematic review was conducted. SDD and FMT strategies have short-term benefits for ESBL-E/CRE decolonization, but long-term effects are unclear. The effect of probiotic therapy on ESBL-E/CRE decolonization is an interesting topic that still requires further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The varying speed of light (VSL) model describes how the speed of light in a vacuum changes with cosmological redshift. Despite numerous models, there is little observational evidence for this variation. While the speed of light can be accurately measured by physical means, cosmological methods are rarely used. Previous studies quantified the speed of light at specific redshifts using Gaussian processes and reconstructed the redshift-dependent function |$c(z)$|⁠. It is crucial to quantify the speed of light across varying redshifts. We use the latest data on angular diameter distances |$D_\mathrm{ A}(z)$| and Hubble parameters |$H(z)$| from baryon acoustic oscillation and cosmic chronometer measurements in the redshift interval |$z\in [0.07,1.965]$|⁠. The speed of light |$c(z)$| is determined using Gaussian and deep Gaussian processes to reconstruct |$H(z)$|⁠ , |$D_\mathrm{ A}(z)$|⁠ , and |$D^{\prime }_\mathrm{ A}(z)$|⁠. Furthermore, we conduct comparisons across three distinct models, encompassing two renowned VSL models. We get the result of the parameters constraints in the models (1) for the ' c -c' model, |$c_0=29\,492.6 \pm ^{6.2}_{5.3} \mathrm{~km} \mathrm{~s}^{-1}$|⁠. (2) For the ' c -cl' model, |$c_0=29\,665.5 \pm ^{11.2}_{11.4}\mathrm{~km} \mathrm{~s}^{-1}$| and |$n=0.05535 \pm\, ^{0.00008}_{0.00007}$|⁠. (3) For the ' c -CPL' model, |$c_0=29\,555.7 \pm ^{13.3}_{13.2} \mathrm{~km} \mathrm{~s}^{-1}$| and |$n=-0.0607 \pm 0.0001$|⁠. Based on our findings, it may be inferred that Barrow's classical VSL model is not a suitable fit for our data. In contrast, the widely recognized Chevallier–Polarski–Linder (CPL) VSL model, under some circumstances, as well as the universal 'c is constant' model, demonstrate a satisfactory ability to account for our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Background Objective Methods Results Conclusion Aesthetic neuromodulator injections of the upper face are frequently performed to temporarily block muscular actions of the periorbital muscles to ultimately reduce skin rhytids. However, the adverse event rate in the literature for toxin‐induced blepharoptosis ranges from 0.51% to 5.4%.To identify access pathways by which injected neuromodulator product can travel from extra‐ to intra‐orbital and therefore affect the levator palpebrae superioris muscle.Nine non‐embalmed human body donors were investigated in this study with a mean age at death of 72.8 (16.1) years. The 18 supraorbital regions were injected in 28 times (14 for supratrochlear and 14 for supraorbital) with 0.5 cc, whereas eight cases (four for supratrochlear and four supraorbital) were injected with 0.1 cc of colored product. Anatomic dissections were conducted to identify structures stained by the injected color.The results of this injection‐ and dissection‐based study revealed that both the supratrochlear and the supraorbital neurovascular bundles are access pathways for injected neuromodulator products to reach the intra‐orbital space and affect the levator palpebrea superioris muscle. Out of 36 conducted injection passes, seven (19.44%) resulted in affection of the sole elevator of the eyelid of which 100% occurred only at an injection volume of 0.5 cc and not at 0.1 cc.Clinically, the results indicate that a low injection volume, a superficial injection for the supraorbital location, and angling the needle tip away from the supratrochlear foramen (toward the contralateral temple) when targeting the corrugator supercilii muscles, can increase the safety profile of an aesthetic toxin glabellar treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In quantum systems, a counterintuitive phenomenon known as quantum Zeno dynamics is usually exploited to tailor and protect the coherent evolution of quantum states by the back action of quantum measurements and strong couplings. Here, with the quantum-classical analogy, we report that the acoustic Zeno dynamics can be reproduced in acoustic waveguide arrays by setting segmented waveguides. We experimentally demonstrate that the segmented waveguide acts as an acoustic barrier to tailor the whole Hilbert space into different subspaces by separating the communication between waveguides. By arranging the acoustic Zeno barriers, we can control the sound transport in waveguide arrays into the target output ports, such as the Zeno dynamics, analog-quantum walk, and analog-quantum logic gates. In this context, we highlight that the Zeno barrier can be a versatile tool to arbitrarily control and guide the sound transport in waveguide arrays, which can provide an alternative choice for acoustic metamaterials and metasurfaces without cumbersome and complicated structure design. The acoustic Zeno barrier may provide a versatile approach to manipulate acoustic wave propagation for designing advanced on-chip integrated sound devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we utilized first-principles methods to delve into defect clusters within potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) crystals, focusing on (MgK + VK) and (MgK + VH) configurations. We examined their stability, defect formation energy, lattice distortion, electronic structures, and optical properties in both paraelectric (PE-KDP) and ferroelectric (FE-KDP) phases. In the PE phase, compensation of was accomplished via the nearest neighbor. Conversely, in the FE phase, compensation of was achieved utilizing the next nearest neighbor. Notably, the Mg–O ionic bond displayed significant changes in bond length, with a maximum alteration of 60%, as neighboring oxygen atoms moved closer to the magnesium atom. Furthermore, both structures displayed a downward shift of the conduction band minimum (CBM), primarily due to contributions from Mg 3s and O 2p orbitals, resulting in a reduction in the band gap. By analyzing the photoluminescence process alongside electron–phonon coupling phenomena, absorption and emission spectra were obtained. In the absorption spectra, peaks for PE-KDP and FE-KDP were observed at 335 nm and 386 nm, respectively, consistent with experimental observations of absorption at 355 nm. Upon exposure to a 355 nm laser, local crystal absorption led to a progressive increase in temperature, consequently lowering the damage threshold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stress may play a key role in alopecia areata (AA), though the exact interactions of stress with AA remain undefined. Corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH), the proximal regulator of the stress axis, has been recognized as an immunomodulatory factor in tissues and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We used multicolour flow cytometry to identify receptor CRHR1 expression on PBMC subsets in AA patients (n = 54) and controls (n = 66). We found that CRHR1 was primarily expressed by circulating monocytes. CRHR1 expression on monocytes was enhanced in AA compared with controls (3.17% vs. 1.44%, p = 0.002, chi‐squared test). AA incidence was correlated to elevated CD14+ monocyte numbers (R = 0.092, p = 0.036) and markedly independently correlated with increased CRHR1 expression (R = 0.215, p = 0.027). High CRHR1 expression was significantly related to chronic AA (disease duration >1 year; p = 0.003, chi‐squared test), and large lesion area (AA area >25%; p = 0.049, chi‐squared test). We also observed enhanced percentages of active monocytes and reduced CD16+ CD3− NK cell numbers in AA patients' PBMCs (p = 0.010; 0.025, respectively). In vitro CRH treatment of PBMCs and human monocyte cell line THP‐1 promoted CD86 upregulation. The findings imply that stress‐related factors CRH and CRHR1 contribute to AA development and progression where higher CRHR1 expression is associated with chronic AA and larger lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arrhythmia is the main cause of sudden cardiac death, and ECG signal analysis is a common method for the noninvasive diagnosis of arrhythmia. In this paper, we propose an arrhythmia classification model based on the combination of a channel attention mechanism (SE module), convolutional neural network (CNN), and long short-term memory neural network (LSTM). The data of this model use the MIT-BIH arrhythmia database, and after noise reduction of raw ECG data by the EEMD denoising algorithm, a CNN-LSTM is used to learn features from the data, and the fusion channel attention mechanism is used to adjust the weight of the feature map. The CNN-LSTM-SE model is compared with the LSTM, CNN-LSTM, and LSTM-attention models, and the models are evaluated using Precision, Recall, and F1-Score. The classification performance of the tested CNN-LSTM-SE classification prediction model is better, with a classification accuracy of 98.5%, a classification precision rate of more than 97% for each label, a recall rate of more than 98%, and an F1-score of more than 0.98. It meets the requirements of arrhythmia classification prediction and has a certain practical value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, multi-element nitride coatings composed of (Ti, Cr, Cu, Al, Si)N were synthesized on H13 tool steel using cathodic arc deposition (CAD) technology. The N2/Ar flow ratio varied from 0 to 2 as the experimental parameter, and two targets, Ti-Cr-Cu and Al-Si alloys, were utilized simultaneously. The impact of the gas flow ratio on the coatings' abrasion properties was investigated, focusing on aspects, such as chemical composition, adhesion, hardness, and wear behavior. The experimental findings indicate that the coated specimens with a nitrogen reaction exhibit superior hardness and abrasion resistance compared to those without nitrogen use. While the surface roughness of the specimens tends to increase slightly with a higher N2/Ar ratio, the coating demonstrates improved hardness, adhesion, and abrasion resistance performance. In summary, the wear-resistant characteristics of H13 tool steel can be significantly enhanced when applying a CAD-(Ti, Cr, Cu, Al, Si)N film with a flow ratio of N2/Ar = 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, our objective is to investigate the diffusion approximation for multi-scale McKean-Vlasov stochastic differential equations. More precisely, we first establish the tightness of the law of { X ε } 0 < ε ⩽ 1 in C ([ 0 , T ] ; R n). Subsequently, we demonstrate that any accumulation point of { X ε } 0 < ε ⩽ 1 can be regarded as a solution to the martingale problem or a weak solution of a distribution-dependent stochastic differential equation, which incorporates new drift and diffusion terms compared to the original equation. Our main contribution lies in employing two different methods to explicitly characterize the accumulation point. The diffusion matrices obtained through these two methods have different forms, however we assert their essential equivalence through a comparison. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The behavior of self‐trapped holes (STH) adjacent to a H vacancy in KH2PO4$\left(\text{H}\right)_{2} \left(\text{PO}\right)_{4}$ (KDP) crystals is investigated using the DFT + U and hybrid density functional calculations. The calculated results reveal that STH is located on one O atom near VH$V_{\text{H}}$ and introduces new defect energy levels in the bandgap. The hole tends to be self‐trapped and is more stable at room temperature along with partial lattice distortions. The STH in KDP crystals has a large migration barrier energy, implying a small mobility rate. The optical properties associated with STH are calculated and the emission peak is predicted to be 2.55 eV (487 nm) and the absorption peak to be 4.58 eV (271 nm), which is in good agreement with the experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have increasingly focused on the effect of relativistic motion on quantum coherence. Prior research predominantly examined the influence of relative motion on basis-dependent quantum coherence, underscoring its susceptibility to decoherence under accelerated conditions. Yet, the effect of relativistic motion on basis-independent quantum coherence, which is critical for understanding the intrinsic quantum features of a system, remains an interesting open question. This paper addresses this question by examining how total, collective, and localized coherence are affected by acceleration and coupling strength. Our analysis reveals that both total and collective coherence significantly decrease with increasing acceleration and coupling strength, ultimately vanishing at high levels of acceleration. This underscores the profound impact of Unruh thermal noise. Conversely, localized coherence exhibits relative stability, decreasing to zero only under the extreme condition of infinite acceleration. Moreover, we demonstrate that collective, localized, and basis-independent coherence collectively satisfy the triangle inequality. These findings are crucial for enhancing our understanding of quantum information dynamics in environments subjected to high acceleration and offer valuable insights on the behavior of quantum coherence under relativistic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toughening the petroleum-based epoxy resin blends with bio-based modifiers without compromising their modulus, mechanical strength, and other properties is still a big challenge in view of the sustainability. In this study, a bio-based liquid crystal epoxy resin (THMT-EP) with an s-triazine ring structure was utilized to modify a petroleum-based bisphenol A epoxy resin (E51) with 4,4′-diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS) as a curing agent, and the blended systems were evaluated for their thermal stability, mechanical properties, and flame retardancy. The results showed that the impact strength of the blended system initially increased and then decreased with the increase in THMT-EP content, and it reached the a maximum value of 26.5 kJ/m2 when the THMT-EP content was 5%, which was 31.2% higher than that of E51/DDS. Notably, the flexural strength, modulus, and glass transition temperature of the blended system were all simultaneously improved with the addition of THMT-EP. At the same time, the addition of THMT-EP enhanced the flame retardancy of the system by increasing the char yield at 700 °C and decreasing the peak heat release rate and total heat release rate. This work paves the way for a more sustainable improvement in the comprehensive performance of epoxy resin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The global prevalence of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is increasing due in part to the lack of effective pharmacotherapies. Growing evidence suggests that fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4) is crucial for diverse aspects of liver pathophysiology. However, its role in AIH remains unknown. Therefore, we investigated whether FGF4 can regulate M1 macrophage and thereby help treat liver inflammation in AIH. Methods: We obtained transcriptome-sequencing and clinical data for patients with AIH. Mice were injected with concanavalin A to induce experimental autoimmune hepatitis (EAH). The mechanism of action of FGF4 was examined using macrophage cell lines and bone marrow-derived macrophages. Results: We observed higher expression of markers associated with M1 and M2 macrophages in patients with AIH than that in individuals without AIH. EAH mice showed greater M1-macrophage polarization than control mice. The expression of M1-macrophage markers correlated positively with FGF4 expression. The loss of hepatic Fgf4 aggravated hepatic inflammation by increasing the abundance of M1 macrophages. In contrast, the pharmacological administration of FGF4 mitigated hepatic inflammation by reducing M1-macrophage levels. The efficacy of FGF4 treatment was compromised following the in vivo clearance of macrophage populations. Mechanistically, FGF4 treatment activated the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)–protein kinase B (AKT)-signal pathway in macrophages, which led to reduced M1 macrophages and hepatic inflammation. Conclusion: We identified FGF4 as a novel M1/M2 macrophage-phenotype regulator that acts through the PI3K–AKT-signaling pathway, suggesting that FGF4 may represent a novel target for treating inflammation in patients with AIH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The queen bee is the core member of a bee colony, and her loss will pose a great threat to the survival of the colony that may cause colony collapse. However, the process by which queen bee loss affects the internal social state of the bee colony remains unclear. In this paper, we used a multi-sensors system to continually monitor colonies with queen loss and regularly checked their biological status. Our results show that the queen loss initially caused a rapid decrease in brood rearing and changed the foraging strategy of the colony, leading to an increase in food storage. Also the population decline is difficult to reverse in a short time, even if the queen is naturally replaced. This study emphasises the impact of queen bee loss on the operation of the bee colony social system, and elucidates the interconnectedness of the bee colony social system. • Bee colony status was monitored using biology and multiple sensors. • Queen bee loss alters internal states as brooding, foraging, hive weight. • A new-born queen bee cannot improve the internal colony state in the short term. • A single indicator change can trigger chain reaction in the bee colony system. • Monitoring hive weight changes can effectively identify queen bee loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We establish sharp pointwise kernel estimates and dispersive properties for the wave equation on noncompact symmetric spaces of general rank. This is achieved by combining the stationary phase method and the Hadamard parametrix, and in particular, by introducing a subtle spectral decomposition, which allows us to overcome a well-known difficulty in higher rank analysis, namely the fact that the Plancherel density is not a differential symbol in general. Consequently, we deduce the Strichartz inequality for a large family of admissible pairs and prove global well-posedness results for the corresponding semi-linear equation with low regularity data as on hyperbolic spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heading date determines rice seasonal and regional adaptation, while plant height is an important trait related to rice lodging resistance. In this study, a recombinant inbred line population was used to detect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for both traits in long-day (LD) and short-day (SD) environments. Three and two QTLs for heading date were detected in LD and SD environments, respectively. Notably, qHD8 and qHD10 were commonly detected in both environments. Five and four QTLs for plant height were identified in LD and SD environments, respectively. Among them, qPH3, qPH5 and qPH6 showed no pleiotropic effects on heading date and were detected in both environments. These three QTLs are considered to be the primary targets for improving rice plant height. Additionally, two genomic regions exhibited pleiotropic effects on both heading date and plant height. The alleles delayed the heading date while simultaneously increasing plant height. This study indicated that most QTLs for heading date are sensitive to photoperiod and have pleiotropic effects on plant height, thereby complicating their application in breeding programs. These findings provide useful information for the breeding of rice varieties with desired heading dates and plant heights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maternal monitoring of conspecifics is a crucial anti‐predator strategy that also protects infants against risks within the social group. This study examines how maternal characteristics, infant characteristics, mother–infant distance, and the social environment affect maternal monitoring behaviors in free‐ranging Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana). We observed 12 females with infants and analyzed their visual monitoring patterns. Our findings indicate that maternal rank significantly influences the time allocated to maternal visual monitoring, higher‐ranking mothers spending less time than lower‐ranking mothers. Maternal experience also played a role in monitoring strategies. Differences in monitoring strategies were observed based on maternal experience: first‐time mothers (primiparity) engaged in longer but less frequent monitoring sessions compared to experienced mothers (multiparity). The time and frequency of maternal monitoring decreased as infants aged, and mothers with male infants showed higher levels of monitoring than those with female infants. The distance between mother and infant also affected visual monitoring behavior, with mothers increasing their monitoring levels when infants were nearby (1–5 m), rather than within reach (0–1 m) or beyond nearby (>5 m). Additionally, the presence of kin and non‐kin influenced monitoring: as the number of nearby kin increased, monitoring levels decreased, while the presence of more non‐kin males led to an increase in monitoring time, and higher‐ranking non‐kin neighbors increased the frequency of monitoring. These results suggest that Tibetan macaque mothers can adapt their visual monitoring to the social risks faced by their infants, adjusting their strategies to their status and the needs of their offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hazards threaten railway safety by their potential to trigger railway accidents, resulting in significant costs and impacting the public's willingness to use railways. Whilst many prior works investigate railway hazards, few offer a holistic view of hazards across jurisdictions and time because the large number of primary sources make synthesising such learnings time consuming and potentially incomplete. The conceptual framework HazardMap is developed to overcome this gap, employing open-sourced Natural Language Processing topic modelling for the automated analysis of textual data from Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) railway accident reports. The topic modelling depicts the relationships between hazards, railway accidents and investigator recommendations and is further extended and integrated with the existing risk theory and epidemiological accident models. The results allow the different aspects of each hazard to be listed along with the potential combinations of hazards that could trigger railway accidents. Better understanding of the aspects of individual hazards and the relationships between hazards and previous accidents can inform more effective hazard mitigation policies including technical or regulatory interventions. A case study of the risk at level crossings is provided to illustrate how HazardMap works with real-world data. This demonstrates a high degree of coverage within the existing risk management system, indicating the capability to better inform policymaking for managing risks. The primary contributions of the framework proposed are to enable a large amount of knowledge accumulated to be summarised for an intuitive policymaking process, and to allow other railway investigators to leverage lessons learnt across jurisdictions and time with limited human intervention. Future research could apply the technique to road, aviation or maritime accidents. • A framework HazardMap is developed for mapping hazards in the railway system. • A case study of the risk at level crossing is implemented. • Opportunities for practitioners in learning across jurisdiction and time. • Enabling knowledge accumulated to be summarised for policymaking process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most likely scenario for civil engineering structures is that only some components or parts of a structure are complex, while the rest of the structure can be well physically modeled. In this case, utilizing powerful neural networks to model these complex components or parts only and embedding the neural network models into the structure might be a viable choice. However, few studies have considered the real‐time interaction between the neural network model and another model. In this paper, a new hybrid structural modeling strategy that incorporates the neural network model is proposed. Structures installed with energy dissipation devices (EDDs) are investigated, where continuous‐time state‐space neural network (CSNN) models are adopted to represent EDDs and to couple with the physical model of the structure excluding EDDs through the state‐space substructuring method. First, CSNN models with an identical model configuration are trained to represent different physical models of EDDs and fit the experimental results of a damper to evaluate the CSNN model at the model level. Then, to demonstrate the hybrid structural analysis method, the CSNN‐based structural models of the interfloor‐damped and base‐isolated structures are established for seismic analyses. It is observed that CSNN‐based models exhibit high prediction performance and are easy to implement. Therefore, the developed hybrid structural analysis method that adopts CSNN models for EDDs is engineering practical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-directed learning (SDL) is an important aspect of lifelong learning. Medical knowledge is constantly changing, so, medical students need good SDL abilities to ensure improvement in their academic performance and future work service. This study aimed to evaluate the perceptions of SDL abilities among preclinical medical students at Universiti Teknologi MARA and identify the factors that motivated or discouraged them to undertake SDL. A validated 20-item SDL instrument (SDLI) was used to assess the SDL abilities of the students. They were also asked to respond to open-ended questions about the influencing factors in implementing SDL. The 232 respondents were comprised of Year 1 and Year 2 medical students. The mean SDLI scores of the respondents were higher than those obtained in other studies using the same instrument, indicating these respondents had good SDL abilities. No significant differences in SDLI scores were identified in terms of gender, academic background, or academic year. Important promoting factors for implementing SDL reports included guidance from lecturers or faculty, as well as support from friends and family. Distractions from current technology and social media were listed as significant discouraging factors for implementing SDL. The influencing factors reported in this study should assist the faculty in designing appropriate teaching-learning activities that guide and support SDL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maternal monitoring of conspecifics is a crucial anti‐predator strategy that also protects infants against risks within the social group. This study examines how maternal characteristics, infant characteristics, mother–infant distance, and the social environment affect maternal monitoring behaviors in free‐ranging Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana). We observed 12 females with infants and analyzed their visual monitoring patterns. Our findings indicate that maternal rank significantly influences the time allocated to maternal visual monitoring, higher‐ranking mothers spending less time than lower‐ranking mothers. Maternal experience also played a role in monitoring strategies. Differences in monitoring strategies were observed based on maternal experience: first‐time mothers (primiparity) engaged in longer but less frequent monitoring sessions compared to experienced mothers (multiparity). The time and frequency of maternal monitoring decreased as infants aged, and mothers with male infants showed higher levels of monitoring than those with female infants. The distance between mother and infant also affected visual monitoring behavior, with mothers increasing their monitoring levels when infants were nearby (1–5 m), rather than within reach (0–1 m) or beyond nearby (>5 m). Additionally, the presence of kin and non‐kin influenced monitoring: as the number of nearby kin increased, monitoring levels decreased, while the presence of more non‐kin males led to an increase in monitoring time, and higher‐ranking non‐kin neighbors increased the frequency of monitoring. These results suggest that Tibetan macaque mothers can adapt their visual monitoring to the social risks faced by their infants, adjusting their strategies to their status and the needs of their offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the nonlocal piezoelectric semiconductor theory, the transient multi-fields coupling response of a nanosized piezoelectric semiconductor composite fiber is studied. The one-dimensional phenomenological theory of piezoelectric semiconductors is used to derive the coupling constitutive relation. Combining nonlocal piezoelectric semiconductor theory and coupling constitutive relation, the size-dependent governing equations for bending, the charge equation of electrostatics and the conservation of charge for electrons are obtained, and the multi-fields coupling response of the nanofiber under shear force is solved. The bending vibration, the electric potential, and the concentration of electrons along the nanofiber with different nonlocal effects are analyzed. It is found that the change of electric potential and concentration from positive and negative in the nanofiber can be used to control the performance of electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we experimentally demonstrate a novel strategy for broadband acoustic insulation of an arbitrary shaped region by arranging a localized rainbow trapped metastructure at a deep subwavelength scale. The metastructure constitutes radial gradient grooves along the azimuth direction and can help realize localized acoustic rainbow trapping. We show that such metastructures can be used to construct a region with arbitrary geometry for sound insulation and keep high ventilation simultaneously, thus, denoted as an acoustic metacage. Based on the numerical simulations and experimental observations, the results indicate that the broadband soundproof effect of the metacage is robust against the location of the acoustic source. Finally, we discuss the relationship between the soundproof efficiency and the ventilated ratio of the metacage and find that the ventilation window can still achieve a rate of 55% when the transmittance loss is above 10 dB. The proposed acoustic metacage could open up an avenue for realizing broadband sound insulation with high ventilation and an arbitrary shaped area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) emitting in the pure‐red range of 630–640 nm show promise in meeting the requirement of the Rec.2100 standard for high‐resolution displays. However, the high‐performing LEDs (external quantum efficiency, EQE >20%) in the pure‐red range suffer from half‐life time (luminance drop to 50% of the initial luminance) of <1.6 h, resulting from the injection/transportation barrier and surface‐defects–induced charge carrier quenching. Herein, a bi‐ligand synergy strategy is developed to address the T50 issue: the introduction of iodide‐rich ligands with different chain length increases the vacancy formation energy of halogen ions and enhances the exciton binding energy, resulting in a high photoluminescence quantum yield of over 92%. The treated CsPbBrx/I3−x films exhibit 34‐fold improved material stability related to the control at continuous aging at 100 °C. As a result, pure‐red LEDs with CIE coordinates of (0.698, 0.301) approaching the Rec.2100 standard are reported. These pure‐red LEDs exhibit a low turn‐on voltage of 1.8 V, which is the lowest among reported pure‐red perovskite LEDs, and even 0.15 V lower than the optical bandgap energy (1.95 eV); and a maximum EQE of ≈21% with fourfold enhanced T50 relative to the best previous pure‐red perovskite LEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Humans are frequently exposed to N-nitrosamines through various sources, including diet, cigarette smoking, contaminated water, the atmosphere, and endogenous nitrosation. Exposure to these carcinogens may also contribute to the gender-specific incidence of liver cancer, which is significantly higher in males than in females, possibly due to the influence of endogenous hormones such as testosterone. However, the effect of testosterone on N-nitrosamine-induced liver cancer and its underlying mechanism remains unclear. Purpose: To investigate the effect of testosterone on the development of liver cancer induced by N-nitrosamines exposure. Patients and Methods: Histopathological and immunohistochemical staining techniques were employed to analyze the expression levels and nuclear localizations of key signaling molecules, including androgen receptor (AR), β-catenin, and HMGB1, in both tumor and non-tumor regions of liver samples obtained from human patients and mice. Results: The findings demonstrated a strong correlation between AR and β-catenin in the nuclear region of tumor areas. AR also showed a significant correlation with HMGB1 in the cytoplasmic region of non-tumor areas in both human and mice samples. The study further analyzed the expression levels and patterns of these three proteins during the progression of liver tumors. Conclusion: This study confirms that AR has the ability to modulate the expression levels and patterns of β-catenin and HMGB1 in vivo, thereby exacerbating the progression of liver cancer induced by environmental N-nitrosamines exposure. Importantly, the effect of testosterone on the formation of liver cancer induced by environmental N-nitrosamine exposure intensifies this progression. These findings have important implications for drug safety in clinical practice and emphasize the significance of reducing N-nitrosamines exposure through conscious choices regarding diet and lifestyle to ensure environmental safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past two decades, the exploration of quantumness within Schwarzschild spacetime has garnered significant interest, particularly regarding the Hawking radiation’s impact on quantum correlations and quantum coherence. Building on this foundation, we investigate how Hawking radiation influences maximal steered coherence (MSC)-a crucial measure for gauging the ability to generate coherence through steering. We find that as the Hawking temperature increases, the physically accessible MSC degrade while the unaccessible MSC increase. This observation is attributed to a redistribution of the initial quantum correlations, previously acknowledged by inertial observers, across all bipartite modes. In particular, we find that in limit case that the Hawking temperature tends to infinity, the accessible MSC equals to 1 / 2 of its initial value, and the unaccessible MSC between mode A and B ¯ also equals to the same value. Our findings illuminate the intricate dynamics of quantum information in the vicinity of black holes, suggesting that Hawking radiation plays a pivotal role in reshaping the landscape of quantum coherence and entanglement in curved spacetime. This study not only advances our theoretical understanding of black hole thermodynamics but also opens new avenues for investigating the interface between quantum mechanics and general relativity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the weak decays of the triply heavy baryon Ω QQQ in the light-front quark model. Since Ω QQQ consists of three indistinguishable identical heavy quarks, the commonly adopted quark–diquark picture does not seem to be valid anymore. Instead, we employ the three-quark picture for baryons where the three quarks are regarded as individual quarks. We calculate the hadronic form factors for the transitions and give predictions for the decay widths of the semi-leptonic decay modes Ω ccc → Ξ cc / Ω cc + l + ν l , Ω bbb → Ξ bb + l - ν ¯ l and the non-leptonic decay modes Ω ccc → Ξ cc / Ω cc + M , Ω bbb → Ξ bb + M . Our study can be a guide for future experiments to discover the triply heavy baryons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was to investigate the effects of low protein diet based on amino acid balance on the milk production efficiency, milk quality, and carbon and nitrogen emission of dairy cows. A total of 60 healthy dairy cows with 2~3 parturients, 80 days of lactation, and a milk yield of 42~43 kg were randomly divided into two groups: A control group (high protein group, 17.5% CP) and a test group (low protein group, 16% CP + rumen lysine, rumen digestion rate 85%, intestinal absorption rate 95%), with five replicates in each group and six cows in each replicate. The preliminary trial period was seven days, and the formal trial period was 90 days. The results showed that compared with the control group, the dry matter intake of the test group had an increasing trend, but there were no significant differences in milk yield and milk production efficiency ( P>0.05). Lactose in milk composition of the test group was higher than that of control group at the 30th days and the 60th days ( P<0.05), the MUN content of the test group was lower than that of the control group ( P<0.05), but there were no significant differences in milk fat percentage, milk protein percentage, and other milk composition between the control group and the test group ( P>0.05). During the experiment, the concentrations of CO2 and NH3 in the test group were both lower than those in the control group. The study indicates that the addition of rumen lysine in diets with low protein level can reduce carbon and nitrogen emissions without affecting production level and product quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typically, in the manufacturing of GH4169 superalloy forgings, the multi-process hot forming that consists of pre-deformation, heat treatment and final deformation is required. This study focuses on the microstructural evolution throughout hot working processes. Considering that δ phase can promote nucleation and limit the growth of grains, a process route was designed, including pre-deformation, aging treatment (AT) to precipitate sufficient δ phases, high temperature holding (HTH) to uniformly heat the forging, and final deformation. The results show that the uneven strain distribution after pre-deformation has a significant impact on the subsequent refinement of the grain microstructure due to the complex coupling relationship between the evolution of the δ phase and recrystallization behavior. After the final deformation, the fine-grain microstructure with short rod-like δ phases as boundaries is easy to form in the region with a large strain of the pre-forging. However, necklace-like mixed grain microstructure is formed in the region with a small strain of the pre-forging. In addition, when the microstructure before final deformation consists of mixed grains, dynamic recrystallization (DRX) nucleation behavior preferentially depends on kernel average misorientation (KAM) values. A large KAM can promote the formation of DRX nuclei. When the KAM values are close, a smaller average grain size of mixed-grain microstructure is more conductive to promote the DRX nucleation. Finally, the interaction mechanisms between δ phase and DRX nucleation are revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In low-pressure wax injection molding, cooling time refers to the period during which the molten plastic inside the mold solidifies and cools down to a temperature where it can be safely ejected without deformation. However, cooling efficiency for the mass production of injection-molded wax patterns is crucial. This work aims to investigate the impact of varying surface roughness on the inner walls of the cooling channel on the cooling efficiency of an aluminum-filled epoxy resin rapid tool. It was found that the cooling time for the injection-molded products can be determined by the surface roughness according to the proposed prediction equation. Employing fiber laser processing on high-speed steel rods allows for the creation of microstructures with different surface roughness levels. Results demonstrate a clear link between the surface roughness of cooling channel walls and cooling time for molded wax patterns. Employing an aluminum-filled epoxy resin rapid tool with a surface roughness of 4.9 µm for low-pressure wax injection molding can save time, with a cooling efficiency improvement of approximately 34%. Utilizing an aluminum-filled epoxy resin rapid tool with a surface roughness of 4.9 µm on the inner walls of the cooling channel can save the cooling time by up to approximately 60%. These findings underscore the significant role of cooling channel surface roughness in optimizing injection molding processes for enhanced efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The northeastern Sichuan area in the northern Yangtze margin has unique Ediacaran geological records, especially the Doushantuo Formation (DST), and become a hot research area in recent years. However, the Cryogenian-Ediacaran (C-E) boundary has not been precisely identified, which restricts the in-depth study of geological information during this crucial transitional period and is unfavorable for a systematic and complete understanding of the Yangtze Block and even the global paleogeographic pattern. This study conducted stratigraphy, sedimentology, and chronostratigraphy to establish the stratigraphic framework and sedimentary evolution of the C-E transition strata in northeastern Sichuan. The results showed that the Ediacaran sediments, without the cap dolomite, unconformably overlaid the Cryogenian sediments in the studied area. The Member II of the DST, characterized by 50e160 m of red-green sandstone (approximately equivalent to the original Chengkou "Guanyinya Formation"), directly overlaid the Cryogenian sediments and displayed a 623 ± 2.3 Ma maximum depositional age from the detrital zircon UePb dating. Regional stratigraphic correlations indicate that the C-E transition strata in northeastern Sichuan had a consistent lithological association and sedimentary sequence characteristics but differed from the Three Gorges. Typically, the upper Nantuo massive glacial diamictites transition to the icebergs rafted lonestone-bearing mudstones at the top, then change upward to DST barrier coast sandstones. The proposed DST of the northeastern Sichuan Basin was divided into three lithostratigraphic members without the regional Member I cap dolomite: (i) Member II purple-red, gray-green sandstone strata, (ii) Member III black mudstone strata, and (iii) Member IV P-Mn bearing strata. During the C-E transition, the study area experienced (i) the global deglaciation stage in the terminal Marinoan glaciation and (ii) the filling-leveling up stage with clastic rocks in the early Ediacaran. Overall, the early Ediacaran of northeastern Sichuan succeeded the paleogeographic features of the late Cryogenian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan, an abundant natural polysaccharide, was conjugated with carbon dots (CDs) and self-polymerized with chloramphenicol (CAP) templates to synthesize CD-incorporated and molecularly CAP-imprinted polychitosan (CD-MIC). The CD-MIC was used for fluorescent sensing, dispersive sorption, and dosage release of CAP at different pH levels. The sphere of action mechanism, approved by emission and excitation fluorescence, UV–Vis absorption, and fluorescence lifetime measurements, regulated the fluorescence static quenching. By the Perrin model, the quenching extent was linearly correlated to CAP within 0.17 − 33.2 μM (LOD = 37 nM) at pH 7.0. With an imprinting factor of 3.1, the CD-MIC was more selective for CAP than CD, although it was less sensitive to CAP. The recoveries of 5.0 μM CAP from milk matrix were 95% (RSD = 2.3%) for CD-MIC probes and 62% (RSD = 4.5%) for CD. The Langmuir and pseudo-second-order models preferably described the isothermal and kinetic sorptions of CAP into the imprinted cavities in CD-MICs, respectively. The Weber − Morris kinetic model showed three stages involved in intraparticle diffusion, which was pH-dependent and gradually arduous at the later stage, and showed external diffusion partly engaged in the diffusion mechanism. The 20 − 70% of CAP formulated in CAP-embedded CD-MICs were released in 8 − 48 h. The release percentage was lower at pH 7.0 than at pH 5.0 and 9.0, but the equilibrium time was shorter. At pH 7.0, the release percentage reached 45% at 10 min and slowly increased to 51% at 24 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: MicroRNA (miR)-519d-3p suppresses tumor development, however, its role in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has yet to be determined. Materials and Methods: OSCC and adjacent tissues were collected (n = 45 for adjacent; n = 21 for Stage I–II OSCC; n = 24 for Stage III–IV OSCC). The cell viability, proliferation, and cell cycle of OSCC were, respectively, assessed by the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation assay, and flow cytometry. Relative expressions of cell cycle-regulated proteins (Cyclin D1 [CCND1], CDK4, and CDK6) and miR-519d-3p were measured with Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction as needed. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to verify the prediction of TargetScan that miR-519d-3p and CCND1 shared potential binding sites. Correlation analysis between miR-519d-3p and CCND1 was performed with Pearson's correlation test. Results: In OSCC tissues, downregulating miR-519d-3p expression correlated with a higher tumor grade. Upregulating miR-519d-3p expression inhibited OSCC cell viability and proliferation, increased cells in G0/G1 phase and reduced those in S/G2 phase, and downregulated the expressions of cell cycle-related protein (CDK4, CDK6). CCND1 was the target gene of miR-519d-3p, and overexpressed CCND1 reversed the effects of upregulation of miR-519d-3p on suppressing the viability, proliferation, and cell cycle of OSCC cells. Conclusions: miR-519d-3p upregulation suppressed the cell viability, proliferation, and G1/S cell cycle transition of OSCC through targeting CCND1. The current findings provide a possible clinical option for OSCC treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the mathematical model of Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows (VRPTW) is established based on the directed graph, and a 3-stage multi-modal multi-objective differential evolution algorithm (3S-MMDEA) is proposed. In the first stage, in order to expand the range of individuals to be selected, a generalized opposition-based learning (GOBL) strategy is used to generate a reverse population. In the second stage, a search strategy of reachable distribution area is proposed, which divides the population with the selected individual as the center point to improve the convergence of the solution set. In the third stage, an improved individual variation strategy is proposed to legalize the mutant individuals, so that the individual after variation still falls within the range of the population, further improving the diversity of individuals to ensure the diversity of the solution set. Based on the synergy of the above three stages of strategies, the diversity of individuals is ensured, so as to improve the diversity of solution sets, and multiple equivalent optimal paths are obtained to meet the planning needs of different decision-makers. Finally, the performance of the proposed method is evaluated on the standard benchmark datasets of the problem. The experimental results show that the proposed 3S-MMDEA can improve the efficiency of logistics distribution and obtain multiple equivalent optimal paths. The method achieves good performance, superior to the most advanced VRPTW solution methods, and has great potential in practical projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the historical perspective and current status of drying research and development (R&D) in China. The International Drying Symposium (IDS) series was launched in 1978, and since then, China has made significant contributions to drying science, engineering, and technology. The article highlights the exponential growth in Chinese publications on drying and the top institutions and industries involved in drying R&D. It also mentions the development of various drying technologies in China, such as single droplet drying, microwave-assisted spouted bed drying, and pulsed vacuum drying. Additionally, the article discusses the growth of the drying equipment manufacturing industry in China and the country's role in organizing academic conferences on drying. China is expected to continue advancing in the field of drying and promoting high-quality development and energy-efficient practices. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Empyema is uncommon owing to antibiotic use but still affects patient health if not treated. Hiccups as the initial symptom of empyema are rare; however, empyema should be considered if a patient has persistent hiccups with unexplained fever. Case presentation: We present a case of persistent hiccups, left upper quadrant abdominal pain, and fever on day 1, and total left lung white-out and empyema on day 3. The hiccups resolved gradually after antibiotic treatment and surgical decortication. Conclusions: Clinicians should consider the possibility of empyema and conduct a chest computed tomography study if unexplained fever and persistent hiccups coexist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Design Setting Population Methods Main outcome measures Results Conclusions To examine whether a history of hysteroscopic adhesiolysis (HA)‐treated intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) was associated with an increased risk of adverse obstetrical outcomes in subsequent pregnancies.Retrospective cohort study.A tertiary‐care hospital in Shanghai, China.A cohort of 114 142 pregnant women who were issued an antenatal card and received routine antenatal care in Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, between January 2016 and October 2021.From the cohort of 114 142 pregnant women, each woman with a history of HA‐treated IUA prior to the current pregnancy (n = 780) was matched with four women without a history of IUAs (n = 3010) using propensity score matching. The matching variables were maternal age and parity, mode of conception, pre‐pregnancy body mass index and prior history of abortion.Pregnancy complications, placental abnormalities, postpartum haemorrhage and adverse birth outcomes.Compared with women with no history of IUAs, women with a history of HA‐treated IUAs were at higher risk of pre‐eclampsia (RR 1.69, 95% CI 1.23–2.33), placenta accreta spectrum (RR 4.72, 95% CI 3.9–5.73), placenta praevia (RR 4.23, 95% CI 2.85–6.30), postpartum haemorrhage (RR 2.86, 95% CI 1.94–4.23), preterm premature rupture of membranes (RR 3.02, 95% CI 1.97–4.64) and iatrogenic preterm birth (RR 2.86, 95% CI 2.14–3.81). Those women were also more likely to receive cervical cerclage (RR 5.63, 95% CI 3.95–8.02) during pregnancy and haemostatic therapies after delivery (RR 2.17, 95% CI 1.75–2.69). Moreover, we observed that the RRs of those adverse obstetrical outcomes increased with the increasing number of hysteroscopic surgeries.This study found that a history of HA‐treated IUAs, especially a history of repeated HAs, was associated with an increased risk of adverse obstetrical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Red River Basin is located in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot and is rich in lignicolous freshwater fungi, but no systematic research has been conducted. A systematic study on the species diversity of lignicolous freshwater fungi in the basin is ongoing. Seven distoseptispora-like specimens were collected from the Red River Basin in Yunnan. Phylogenetic analysis of ITS, LSU, tef1-a, and rpb2 genes and combined morphological data indicate that there are six distinct species of Distoseptispora, including two new species and four known species. Two new species were named D. suae and D. xinpingensis, and the four known species were D. bambusae, D. euseptata, D. obpyriformis and D. pachyconidia. This study provides detailed descriptions and illustrations of these six species and an updated phylogenetic backbone tree of Distoseptispora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guided-mode resonance (GMR) gratings have emerged as a promising sensing technology, with a growing number of applications in diverse fields. This study aimed to identify the optimal design parameters of a simple-to-fabricate and high-performance one-dimensional GMR grating. The structural parameters of the GMR grating were optimized, and a high-refractive-index thin film was simulated on the grating surface, resulting in efficient confinement of the electric field energy within the waveguide. Numerical simulations demonstrated that the optimized GMR grating exhibited remarkable sensitivity (252 nm/RIU) and an extremely narrow full width at half maximum (2 × 10−4 nm), resulting in an ultra-high figure of merit (839,666) at an incident angle of 50°. This performance is several orders of magnitude higher than that of conventional GMR sensors. To broaden the scope of the study and to make it more relevant to practical applications, simulations were also conducted at incident angles of 60° and 70°. This holistic approach sought to develop a comprehensive understanding of the performance of the GMR-based sensor under diverse operational conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the association between clonal haematopoiesis (CH) and lung cancer risk, we identified CH mutations in 1 059 lung cancer cases and 899 controls using the blood whole‐exome sequencing data generated from the Integrative Analysis of Lung Cancer Etiology and Risk project of the International Lung Cancer Consortium (INTEGRAL‐ILCCO). Based on the variant allele frequency (VAF) of these mutations, we stratified CH carriers into two groups, low VAF (1%–10%) and high VAF (≥10%), respectively. We observed a significant association between the presence of CH mutations and the risk of lung cancer after adjusting for known risk factors (odd ratio, OR = 1.37, 95% confidence interval, CI = 1.02–1.85). Such an association was largely driven by CH mutations with high‐VAF, the OR for high‐VAF CH and low‐VAF CH were 2.54 (1.38–4.93) and 1.14 (0.82–1.6), respectively. Trend analysis indicated a significant dose–response relationship (P trend = 0.004). This association between high‐VAF CH and lung cancer risk remained consistent when subjects were stratified by risk factors or lung cancer histological subtypes. A combination of results from INTEGRAL‐ILCCO, UKBB, and MGBB cohorts resulted in a meta‐analysed OR of 1.36 (95% CI = 1.14–1.62) for all CH carriers and of 1.76 (95% CI = 1.34–2.31) for high‐VAF CH carriers, respectively. In conclusion, our analysis revealed a significant association between CH and increased risk of lung cancer as supported by three independent cohorts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inter-satellite laser ranging is a key technology to improve the measurement precision of gravity satellites in future missions. However, it requires a stable laser link between satellites, which would be affected by external disturbances in space and internal couplings of satellite components. This paper presents a dynamic model to describe the tracking error and proposes a high-precision satellite simulator for the validation of inter-satellite laser tracking. Then, the noises of the sensors and actuators are tested to give the theoretical tracking performance of the simulator. Finally, the laser tracking performance is validated through two experiments: fixed-position tracking and motion tracking. The experimental results show that the measured tracking error of the satellite platform is better than 10 mrad/ Hz in the fixed-position tracking and 50 mrad/ Hz in the motion tracking. Furthermore, the optical platform can reduce the measured tracking error to 80 μrad/ Hz in both two experiments. This work provides a theoretical foundation for optimizing laser tracking performance in space missions, and the proposed simulator has demonstrated a potential for mission simulation with laser tracking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mufangji tang (MFJT) is composed of Ramulus Cinnamomi, Radix Ginseng, Cocculus orbiculatus (Linn.) DC., and Gypsum. In clinical settings, MFJT has been effectively employed in addressing a range of respiratory disorders, notably including pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, the mechanism of action of MFJT on PAH remains unknown. Methods: In this study, a monocrotaline-induced PAH rat model was established and treated with MFJT. The therapeutic effects of MFJT on PAH rat model were evaluated. Network pharmacology was conducted to screen the possible targets for MFJT on PAH, and the molecular docking between the main active components and the core targets was carried out. The key targets identified from network pharmacology were tested. Results: Results showed significant therapeutic effects of MFJT on PAH rat model. Analysis of network pharmacology revealed several potential targets related to apoptosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and vascular remodeling. Molecular docking showed that the key components were well docked with the core targets. Further experimental validation results that MFJT treatment induced apoptosis (downregulated Bcl-2 levels and upregulated Bax levels in lung tissue), inhibited inflammatory response and oxdative stress (decreased the levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, inducible NOS, and malondialdehyde, and increased the levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, nitric oxide, glutathione and superoxide dismutase), reduced the proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (downregulated ET-1 and β-catenin levels and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, increased GSK3β levels). Conclusion: Our study revealed MFJT treatment could alleviate PAH in rats via induction of apoptosis, inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress, and the prevention of vascular remodeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates achieving leader-following consensus in a class of multi-agent systems with nonlinear dynamics. Initially, it introduces a dynamic event-triggered strategy designed to effectively alleviate the strain on the system's communication resources. Subsequently, a distributed control strategy is proposed and implemented in the nonlinear leader-follower system using the dynamic event-triggered mechanism, aiming to ensure synchronization across all nodes at an exponential convergence speed. Thirdly, the research shows that under the dynamic event-triggered strategy the minimum event interval of any two consecutive triggers guarantees the elimination of Zeno behavior. Lastly, the validity of the calculation results is verified by a simulation example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is an enigmatic neurological disorder that develops after age 60 and is characterized by gait difficulty, dementia, and incontinence. Recently, we reported that heterozygous CWH43 deletions may cause iNPH. Here, we identify mutations affecting nine additional genes (AK9, RXFP2, PRKD1, HAVCR1, OTOG, MYO7A, NOTCH1, SPG11, and MYH13) that are statistically enriched among iNPH patients. The encoded proteins are all highly expressed in choroid plexus and ependymal cells, and most have been associated with cilia. Damaging mutations in AK9, which encodes an adenylate kinase, were detected in 9.6% of iNPH patients. Mice homozygous for an iNPH-associated AK9 mutation displayed normal cilia structure and number, but decreased cilia motility and beat frequency, communicating hydrocephalus, and balance impairment. AK9+/− mice displayed normal brain develop)ment and behavior until early adulthood, but subsequently developed communicating hydrocephalus. Together, our findings suggest that heterozygous mutations that impair ventricular epithelial function may contribute to iNPH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remote sensing has proven to be an invaluable and effective tool for mapping urban areas. However, further efforts are required to fully utilize remote sensing data in mapping the Chinese urban villages (Chengzhongcun), which are characterized by high population density, irregular shapes and a limited view of the sky. In this study, we integrated deep neural network architectures with GaoFen-2 satellite images at a spatial resolution of 1 metre to investigate the feasibility of using FCN, Unet and ResUnet models for monitoring two categories of urban villages. The results indicate that all three deep learning algorithms demonstrate superiority in identifying and classifying urban villages, surpassing outlier identification. The urban village patches in the study areas adhere to the Zipf's law rule. Particularly, the ResUnet model outperforms FCN and Unet, achieving an overall classification accuracy of over 91% for urban villages. This study suggests that ResUnet is superior to FCN and Unet as it effectively avoids fragmentation and overfitting of individual irregular buildings within urban areas, yielding faster and more accurate results. Overall, this study underscores the significance of the Gaofen-2 dataset as an influential data source for analysing intra-urban structures. Additionally, the implementation of the ResUnet learning algorithm proves to be exceptionally valuable in extracting information across various scales and accurately capturing the intricate nature of irregular urban village patches, even when using satellite images with metre-scale resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]