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The growing development of the agricultural e-commerce industry is promoting the Digital transformation of agricultural production and logistics. Aiming at the problem of labor shortage in apple picking, this paper proposes a performance control method for robot apple picking based on a nonlinear wide convolutional neural network (NLWCNN) and multi-objective cooperative distance transformation algorithm (MOCDTA). This method utilizes deep learning algorithms and visual sensing technology to enable robots to accurately recognize apples and perform autonomous picking operations based on their maturity and position. We have designed a machine learning-based algorithm that enables robots to accurately recognize and distinguish apples of different maturity levels through training on a large amount of sample data. At the same time, we also combined the motion control algorithm of the robot to enable efficient picking operations based on the position and maturity information of the apples. The experimental results indicate that the NLWCNN method can significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of apple picking, ensure the safety and traceability of agricultural products, increase consumer trust, and promote agricultural product transactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the influences of moisture content and freeze–thaw (FT) cycles on the compression behaviors of a compacted clay. Compacted specimens were first conditioned to different moisture contents (w) and then subjected to FT cycles. The treated specimens were either (i) directly used for constant water content (CW) compression tests or (ii) saturated and used for conventional consolidation tests to determine the compression curves under unsaturated and saturated conditions, respectively. Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) tests were performed to track the evolution of the soil's pore structure during moisture and FT conditionings. The compression indexes (including the recompression index Cr, preconsolidation pressure σvp or σ'vp, and compression index Cc of the specimens) derived from the experimental results demonstrate that (i) within the initial elastic compression range, the Cr is independent of moisture content changes but increases after FT conditioning. The variations of Cr are associated with the volume of soil's large pores (el), which remains constant during moisture conditioning but increases after FT cycles; (ii) within the elastoplastic compression range, the σvp or σ'vp increases, while the Cc decreases as the moisture content decreases. However, the σvp, σ'vp, and Cc decrease after FT cycles. The σvp, σ'vp, and Cc are related to the volume of the soil's medium pores (em), which decreases after moisture and FT conditionings. A few unique relationships are established to reveal the influences of pore structure changes on compression characteristics. The variations of the soil's shrinkage curves under different external stress are also analyzed considering the effects of the changes in the pore structure. A model was proposed for the void ratio–moisture content–external stress relationships. This model was demonstrated useful for describing soils' compression behaviors at different moisture contents and shrinkage characteristics under different external stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The automotive industry has transitioned from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) in recent years. Also essential to the development of the next generation are the enhancement of engine performance and production of lightweight vehicle bodies. Through this method, it is possible to increase vehicle output. However, as the vehicle's excitation strength increases, structural noise and vibrations caused by the engine increase. Intelligent structure-based active mounting systems are widely used in the automotive industry to reduce vibration and noise. It can continuously control the dynamic characteristics of the mount system, enabling real-time control of active mounting systems. When determining the position of the active mounting system, it must be installed in the most efficient position possible. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the optimal placement criteria for an active mounting system consisting of a piezoelectric actuator and a rubber grommet. The lumped parameter model is used to model the plate structure with two hybrid mounting systems based on the source–path–receiver structure. In addition, the forces of two active mounts are calculated using static and dynamic approaches. When the calculated force on the hybrid mount system is relatively low, the location with the greatest vibration reduction can be determined, and this location can be regarded as the optimal location for the active mounting system. In addition, a feasibility test is conducted to validate the proposed criteria and validate the static and dynamic results. The findings indicate that the optimal location for the active engine mounting system can be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant progress has been made in the study of efficient phosphorus adsorption materials. However, more studies need to be on implementing resourceful recycling of materials after adsorption and phosphorus removal. Therefore, this study analyzed ceramic adsorbent materials prepared from clay supplemented with Al2O3, CaCO3, and their use in the treatment of phosphorus-containing wastewater to minimize phosphorus residues, and the feasibility of its direct use as soil. Many adsorption experiments showed that the optimal conditions for removing phosphorus were pH 6, the dosage of 0.15 g/100 mL, and adsorption time of 16 h, and the total phosphorus removal rate reached 96.77%. Meanwhile, ceramic material has good selective phosphate adsorption under the interference of various anions. The phosphorus removal process of ceramic particles was consistent with quasi-secondary kinetics and Langmuir modeling, and it was the monomolecular layer chemisorption with a maximum adsorption capacity of 21.98 mg/g. Phosphorus removal is achieved by ion exchange, ligand exchange, and chemical precipitation between the metal and phosphate in the ceramic material. The phosphate in solution was mainly combined with aluminum and calcium in the ceramics (Al-P: 63.52%, Ca-P: 33.58%), which plants could utilize accounted for 91.68% (Ca2-P, Ca8-P, Al-P, and Fe-P) of the total phosphorus, indicating that the ceramic materials after adsorption of phosphorus had the potential to be used as a phosphate fertilizer. The seedling growth test showed that the adsorbed phosphorus ceramic grain can increase the available phosphorus content of the soil, enhance the activity of alkaline phosphatase, and promote the growth of soybeans, and humic acid can enhance the phosphorus release ability of the ceramic material. It shows that the adsorbed phosphorus of ceramic materials can be used as fertilizer to realize phosphorus resource utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetoelectric (ME) sensors cannot effectively detect broadband magnetic field signals due to their narrow bandwidth, and existing readout circuits are unable to vary the bandwidth of the sensors. To expand the bandwidth, this paper introduces a negative-feedback readout circuit, fabricated by introducing a negative-feedback compensation circuit based on the direct readout circuit of the ME sensor. The negative-feedback compensation circuit contains a current amplifier, a feedback resistor, and a feedback coil. For this purpose, a Metglas/PVDF/Metglas ME sensor was prepared. Experimental measurements show that there is a six-fold difference between the maximum and minimum values of the ME voltage coefficients in the 6–39 kHz frequency band for the ME sensor without the negative-feedback compensation circuit when the sensor operates at the optimal bias magnetic field. However, the ME voltage coefficient in this band remains stable, at 900 V/T, after the charge amplification of the direct-reading circuit and the negative-feedback circuit. In addition, experimental results show that this negative-feedback readout circuit does not increase the equivalent magnetic noise of the sensor, with a noise level of 240 pT/√Hz in the frequency band lower than 25 kHz, 63 pT/√Hz around the resonance frequency of 30 kHz, and 620 pT/√Hz at 39 kHz. This paper proposes a negative-feedback readout circuit based on the direct readout circuit, which greatly increases the bandwidth of ME sensors and promotes the widespread application of ME sensors in the fields of broadband weak magnetic signal detection and DBS electrode positioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: By investigating the thermal-mechanical interaction between the through silicon via (TSV) and the Cu pad, this study aimed to determine the effect of electroplating defects on the upper surface protrusion and internal stress distribution of the TSV at various temperatures and to provide guidelines for the positioning of TSVs and the optimization of the electroplating process. Design/methodology/approach: A simplified model that consisted of a TSV (100 µm in diameter and 300 µm in height), a covering Cu pad (2 µm thick) and an internal drop-like electroplating defect (which had various dimensions and locations) was developed. The surface overall deformation and stress distribution of these models under various thermal conditions were analyzed and compared. Findings: The Cu pad could barely suppress the upper surface protrusion of the TSV if the temperature was below 250 ?. Interfacial delamination started at the collar of the TSV at about 250 ? and became increasingly pronounced at higher temperatures. The electroplating defect constantly experienced the highest level of strain and stress during the temperature increase, despite its geometry or location. But as its radius expanded or its distance to the upper surface increased, the overall deformation of the upper surface and the stress concentration at the collar of the TSV showed a downward trend. Originality/value: Previous studies have not examined the influence of the electroplating void on the thermal behavior of the TSV. However, with the proposed methodology, the strain and stress distribution of the TSV under different conditions in terms of temperature, dimension and location of the electroplating void were thoroughly investigated, which might be beneficial to the positioning of TSVs and the optimization of the electroplating process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Podocyte injury can disrupt the glomerular filtration barrier (GFB), leading to podocytopathies that emphasize podocytes as the glomerulus's key organizer. The coordinated cytoskeleton is essential for supporting the elegant structure and complete functions of podocytes. Therefore, cytoskeleton rearrangement is closely related to the pathogenesis of podocytopathies. In podocytopathies, the rearrangement of the cytoskeleton refers to significant alterations in a string of slit diaphragm (SD) and focal adhesion proteins such as the signaling node nephrin, calcium influx via transient receptor potential channel 6 (TRPC6), and regulation of the Rho family, eventually leading to the disorganization of the original cytoskeletal architecture. Thus, it is imperative to focus on these proteins and signaling pathways to probe the cytoskeleton rearrangement in podocytopathies. In this review, we describe podocytopathies and the podocyte cytoskeleton, then discuss the molecular mechanisms involved in cytoskeleton rearrangement in podocytopathies and summarize the effects of currently existing drugs on regulating the podocyte cytoskeleton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Cardiac dysfunction accompanies acute ischemic stroke and affects the effective implementation of early rehabilitation interventions. There is a lack of reference hemodynamic data on cardiac function in the subacute phase of ischemic stroke. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to identify appropriate cardiac parameters for exercise training utilizing a pilot study. METHODS: We used a transthoracic electrical bioimpedance non-invasive cardiac output measurement (NICOM) device to monitor cardiac function in real time for two groups [i.e., subacute ischemic stroke inpatients group (n = 10) and healthy control group (n = 11)] using a cycling exercise experiment. The parameters of both groups were compared to highlight the cardiac dysfunction in the subacute phase in patients with ischemic stroke. RESULTS: We considered stroke volume index (SVI) and systemic vascular resistance index (SVRi) as the primary outcomes, and there was significant intragroup difference (stroke group: P < 0.001; control group: P < 0.001, using one-way ANOVA) and significant intergroup difference at each individual time segment (P < 0.01, using independent t -test). Among the secondary outcomes, i.e., cardiac index (CI), ejection fraction (EF), end-diastolic volume (EDV), and cardiac contraction index (CTI), we found significant intergroup differences in CI, EF, and CTI scores (P < 0.01, using independent t -test). Significant interaction with respect to time and group were seen only in the SVRi and CI scores (P < 0.01, using two-way ANOVA). There was no significant inter- or intra-group differences in EDV scores. CONCLUSION: SVRI, SVI, and CI values highlight cardiac dysfunction in stroke patients the most. At the same time, these parameters suggest that cardiac dysfunction in stroke patients may be closely related to the increased peripheral vascular resistance caused by infarction and the limitation of myocardial systolic function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An imbalance of the gut microbiota, termed dysbiosis, has a substantial impact on host physiology. However, the mechanism by which host deals with gut dysbiosis to maintain fitness remains largely unknown. In Caenorhabditis elegans, Escherichia coli, which is its bacterial diet, proliferates in its intestinal lumen during aging. Here, we demonstrate that progressive intestinal proliferation of E. coli activates the transcription factor DAF-16, which is required for maintenance of longevity and organismal fitness in worms with age. DAF-16 up-regulates two lysozymes lys-7 and lys-8, thus limiting the bacterial accumulation in the gut of worms during aging. During dysbiosis, the levels of indole produced by E. coli are increased in worms. Indole is involved in the activation of DAF-16 by TRPA-1 in neurons of worms. Our finding demonstrates that indole functions as a microbial signal of gut dysbiosis to promote fitness of the host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vibration and noise caused by electric motors in hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) generate complex signals with a mid-frequency band, which causes uncomfortable vibration and noise. In order to isolate the vibration and noise, active engine mounting systems based on smart structures have attracted attention. Thus, in this study, the vibration attenuation performance was validated through simulation and feasibility experiments by applying an active mounting system using a piezoelectric stack actuator. A plate structure with three paths, consisting of two passive paths and one active path, was modeled using the lumped parameter method. The source part was excited by a sinusoidal and modulated signal with a mid-frequency band to validate the vibration attenuation performance. Furthermore, (1) mathematical modeling with a source-path-receiver structure was proposed based on lumped parameter modeling, (2) normalized least mean square (NLMS) and multi-NLMS algorithms were applied to implement motion control, and (3) a principal experimental setup was designed to validate the simulation results. Through this process, the vibration attenuation performance of the proposed active mount structure was validated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric motors in electric and hybrid vehicles generate mid-frequency noise and vibration. These factors cause drivers to experience discomfort while traveling. Active mounting techniques have been extensively researched and developed to effectively address this issue. The optimal placement of an active mounting system is essential for enhancing NVH performance when an active mounting system is utilized. In order to propose optimal location criteria for active paths, this paper concentrates on developing an analytical model based on both dynamic and static analysis. The secondary forces along active trajectories are mathematically determined when a structure is subjected to an excitation force. These locations are considered optimal for the active mounting system if the secondary forces are comparatively minimal. Simulations and feasibility experiments are also conducted in order to validate the proposed method. In addition, the results are compared with the case of beam structure. It has been determined through this procedure that the active path's control performance will be enhanced if it is positioned in the optimal location and less control force is required than in the case of beam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric motors in electric and hybrid vehicles generate mid-frequency noise and vibration. These factors cause drivers to experience discomfort while traveling. Active mounting techniques have been extensively researched and developed to effectively address this issue. The optimal placement of an active mounting system is essential for enhancing NVH performance when an active mounting system is utilized. In order to propose optimal location criteria for active paths, this paper concentrates on developing an analytical model based on both dynamic and static analysis. The secondary forces along active trajectories are mathematically determined when a structure is subjected to an excitation force. These locations are considered optimal for the active mounting system if the secondary forces are comparatively minimal. Simulations and feasibility experiments are also conducted in order to validate the proposed method. In addition, the results are compared with the case of beam structure. It has been determined through this procedure that the active path's control performance will be enhanced if it is positioned in the optimal location and less control force is required than in the case of beam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) bring large amounts of rainfall and strong wind gusts to the midlatitude land regions, with significant impacts on local weather and hydrologic cycle. However, weather and climate models face a huge challenge in accurately modeling the MCS life cycle and the associated precipitation, highlighting an urgent need for a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of MCS initiation and propagation. From a theoretical perspective, a suitable model to capture the realistic properties of MCSs and isolate the bare-bones mechanisms for their initiation, intensification, and eastward propagation is still lacking. To simulate midlatitude MCSs over land, we develop a simple moist potential vorticity (PV) model that readily describes the interactions among PV perturbations, air moisture, and soil moisture. Multiple experiments with or without various environmental factors and external forcing are used to investigate their impacts on MCS dynamics and mesoscale circulation vertical structures. The result shows that mechanical forcing can induce lower-level updraft and cooling, providing favorable conditions for MCS initiation. A positive feedback among surface winds, evaporation rate, and air moisture similar to the wind-induced surface heat exchange over tropical ocean is found to support MCS intensification. Both background surface westerlies and vertical westerly wind shear are shown to provide favorable conditions for the eastward propagation of MCSs. Last, our result highlights the crucial role of stratiform heating in shaping mesoscale circulation response. The model should serve as a useful tool for understanding the fundamental mechanisms of MCS dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vibration and noise caused by electric motors in hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) generate complex signals with a mid-frequency band, which causes uncomfortable vibration and noise. In order to isolate the vibration and noise, active engine mounting systems based on smart structures have attracted attention. Thus, in this study, the vibration attenuation performance was validated through simulation and feasibility experiments by applying an active mounting system using a piezoelectric stack actuator. A plate structure with three paths, consisting of two passive paths and one active path, was modeled using the lumped parameter method. The source part was excited by a sinusoidal and modulated signal with a mid-frequency band to validate the vibration attenuation performance. Furthermore, (1) mathematical modeling with a source-path-receiver structure was proposed based on lumped parameter modeling, (2) normalized least mean square (NLMS) and multi-NLMS algorithms were applied to implement motion control, and (3) a principal experimental setup was designed to validate the simulation results. Through this process, the vibration attenuation performance of the proposed active mount structure was validated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mental health disorders affect millions of US adults, however, the trends and related factors for mental health care utilization in the US remain unknown. Aims: Our study aimed to assess the trend of mental health utilization and related socio-demographic factors in the US. Methods: The study included 55,052 individuals from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in 1999–2018. Temporal trends in the percentages of mental health care utilizers were estimated across survey cycles. Trends and linked factors of mental health care utilization were assessed by a logistic regression model, while the non-linearity was estimated by restricted cubic splines. Results: From 1999 to 2018, the percentage of mental health care utilizers in the US adult population increased from 7.0 to 11.3% (P < 0.001); meanwhile, the trends in males and females were consistent. The percentage increased positively with age in individuals aged 20–39 (P < 0.001) or aged 60 and over (P = 0.003). The trends were consistent in three race/ethnicity groups (P < 0.05). The logistic regression analysis revealed that several disparities existed in the subpopulations. Older age, female, lower family poverty-income ratio (PIR), chronic diseases, higher educational level, and smoking were estimated to be associated with a higher percentage of mental health care. Conclusions: The percentage of mental health care utilizers took on an increasing trend in the US adult population from 1999 to 2018. These trends were also observed in the subpopulations, but with disparities. Future research for exploring factors associated with mental health care utilizations is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) are the dominant rainfall producer over the United States during the warm season, causing natural disasters and severe weather every year. Global climate models have large uncertainty in projecting precipitation changes in the future climate. Here, a simple Lagrangian parcel model is used to investigate the impact of global warming on MCS initiation and growth. The single-column parcel model projects a mean precipitation decrease over the central United States and an increase to its east, in agreement with the CMIP5 model projection. It also highlights the crucial role of current climate mean-state model bias in exaggerating the change in future mean precipitation projection by 25%. As for convective population, the model captures the decreased occurrence frequency of weak to moderate convection and increased frequency of strong convection due to the increased CAPE and CIN, in agreement with convection-permitting regional simulations. Novel parameterizations of gust-front propagation speed and subsidence strength are developed as guided by cloud-resolving simulations. The multicolumn parcel model employing those parameterizations captures readily the cold pool–induced upscale growth feature. It simulates smaller mesoscale clusters over the central United States under global warming due to gust-front slowdown and subsidence strength enhancement, which are further attributed to land aridity–induced weakening of initial accumulated precipitation and strengthening of updraft speed, respectively. That said, mesoscale clusters could become bigger under more favorable conditions in future climate, including boundary layer moistening, convection lifetime lengthening, and cold pool mechanical-lifting enhancement, which require further investigations to improve mechanistic understanding of future MCS changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium–air batteries (LABs), owing to their ultrahigh theoretical energy density, are recognized as one of the next‐generation energy storage techniques. However, it remains a tricky problem to find highly active cathode catalyst operating within ambient air. In this contribution, a highly active Fe2Mo3O12 (FeMoO) garnet cathode catalyst for LABs is reported. The experimental and theoretical analysis demonstrate that the highly stable polyhedral framework, composed of FeO octahedrons and MO tetrahedrons, provides a highly effective air catalytic activity and long‐term stability, and meanwhile keeps good structural stability. The FeMoO electrode delivers a cycle life of over 1800 h by applying a simple half‐sealed condition in ambient air. It is found that surface‐rich Fe vacancy can act as an O2 pump to accelerate the catalytic reaction. Furthermore, the FeMoO catalyst exhibits a superior catalytic capability for the decomposition of Li2CO3. H2O in the air can be regarded as the main contribution to the anode corrosion and the deterioration of LAB cells could be attributed to the formation of LiOH·H2O at the end of cycling. The present work provides in‐depth insights to understand the catalytic mechanism in air and constitutes a conceptual breakthrough in catalyst design for efficient cell structure in practical LABs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, research into the development of hybrid and electric vehicles has been vigorously undertaken, indicating a trend toward the replacement of internal combustion engine vehicles. However, while high efficiency and light weight are crucial in the development of vehicles, they increase the excitation force of the engine. In addition, sensor placement in future mobility is very important since it causes malfunctioning of autonomous driving systems when the location and orientation of sensors are changed due to excessive vehicle vibration. To reduce the structure-borne noise and vibration caused by engine excitation, an active engine mounting system must be installed in an optimal location. Thus, in this study, to determine the optimal location for an active engine mounting system applied to a beam structure, a series of simulations with two different methodologies are performed. The overall beam structure with two active mounting systems is modeled based on the lumped parameter model. To determine the optimal position of the active mounting system, it is moved to equal intervals, and the force and phase of the active mounts at each location combination are calculated based on static and dynamic methods. The optimal position is suggested such that the vibration reduction is maximized, while the applied force is minimized. Additionally, a feasibility experiment is conducted to validate the proposed criteria and confirm the simulation results. The results demonstrate that the optimal location of the active engine mounting system with a minimized force requirement and maximized vibration reduction can be identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using M-theory in physics, Cho et al. (JHEP 2020:115 (2020) recently outlined a program that connects two parallel subjects of three dimensional manifolds, namely, geometric topology and quantum topology. They suggest that classical topological invariants such as Chern-Simons invariants of SL (2 , C) -flat connections and SL (2 , C) -adjoint Reidemeister torsions of a three manifold can be packaged together to produce a (2 + 1) -topological quantum field theory, which is essentially equivalent to a modular tensor category. It is further conjectured that every modular tensor category can be obtained from a three manifold and a semi-simple Lie group. In this paper, we study this program mathematically, and provide strong support for the feasibility of such a program. The program produces an algorithm to generate the potential modular T-matrix and the quantum dimensions of a candidate modular data. The modular S-matrix follows from essentially a trial-and-error procedure. We find premodular tensor categories that realize candidate modular data constructed from Seifert fibered spaces and torus bundles over the circle that reveal many subtleties in the program. We make a number of improvements to the program based on our examples. Our main result is a mathematical construction of the modular data of a premodular category from each Seifert fibered space with three singular fibers and a family of torus bundles over the circle with Thurston SOL geometry. The modular data of premodular categories from Seifert fibered spaces can be realized using Temperley-Lieb-Jones categories and the ones from torus bundles over the circle are related to metaplectic categories. We conjecture that a resulting premodular category is modular if and only if the three manifold is a Z 2 -homology sphere, and condensation of bosons in the resulting properly premodular categories leads to either modular or super-modular tensor categories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a keystone pathogen for periodontitis. The function of the GntR family transcription factor is poorly studied in P. gingivalis. Numerous processes govern bacterial growth. The survival and pathogenicity of P. gingivalis depend heavily on its capacity to acquire amino acids as nutritional sources. In this investigation, a GntR transcription factor, pg1007, was identified in P. gingivalis, the deletion of which significantly inhibited bacterial growth. The mutant strain also exhibited an increased extracellular activity of gingipains and acylpeptidyl oligopeptidase (AOP). Global gene expression profiling revealed that the expression levels of 59 genes were significantly altered in the Δpg1007 mutant, with an upregulation in gene expression for AOP, ABC transporters, and some membrane proteins. In addition, His‐PG1007 protein was purified as a recombinant protein from Escherichia coli, and the conserved DNA sequence bound by it was determined using electrophoretic mobility shift assays and DNase I footprinting assays. Consequently, this study demonstrated that pg1007 is a crucial transcription factor in P. gingivalis and regulates the bacterial growth and activity of gingipains and AOP. These findings may enhance our understanding of the regulation of bacterial proliferation and protease activity in P. gingivalis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, exosomes that are derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have garnered considerable interest due to their significant roles in the processes of bone regeneration and repair. Among the various molecular components present within these exosomes, miR-668-3p has emerged as a pivotal microRNA that may be instrumental in modulating the function and proliferation of osteoblasts, the cells responsible for bone formation. The primary objective of this research was to examine the enhancing effects of BMSC-derived exosomes that are enriched with miR-668-3p on the advancement of osteoblasts in the context of osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Furthermore, the study aimed to analyze how the expression of specific exosomal proteins, namely CD63 and CD9, influences this biological process. To conduct the investigation, BMSCs were isolated from healthy rat models, followed by the extraction of their secreted exosomes. The subsequent phase of the study involved assessing the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts by introducing the exosomes enriched with miR-668-3p into an experimental setup representing osteonecrosis of the femoral head. The findings revealed that exosomes derived from BMSCs, which contained miR-668-3p, significantly enhanced the proliferation of osteoblasts as well as the expression of key osteogenic marker genes. Notably, the levels of CD63 and CD9 proteins were markedly increased in the treated groups, indicating that the mechanisms underlying this promotion might involve cell adhesion and the endocytic uptake of exosomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, exosomes that are derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have garnered considerable interest due to their significant roles in the processes of bone regeneration and repair. Among the various molecular components present within these exosomes, miR-668-3p has emerged as a pivotal microRNA that may be instrumental in modulating the function and proliferation of osteoblasts, the cells responsible for bone formation. The primary objective of this research was to examine the enhancing effects of BMSC-derived exosomes that are enriched with miR-668-3p on the advancement of osteoblasts in the context of osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Furthermore, the study aimed to analyze how the expression of specific exosomal proteins, namely CD63 and CD9, influences this biological process. To conduct the investigation, BMSCs were isolated from healthy rat models, followed by the extraction of their secreted exosomes. The subsequent phase of the study involved assessing the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts by introducing the exosomes enriched with miR-668-3p into an experimental setup representing osteonecrosis of the femoral head. The findings revealed that exosomes derived from BMSCs, which contained miR-668-3p, significantly enhanced the proliferation of osteoblasts as well as the expression of key osteogenic marker genes. Notably, the levels of CD63 and CD9 proteins were markedly increased in the treated groups, indicating that the mechanisms underlying this promotion might involve cell adhesion and the endocytic uptake of exosomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmentally benign Fe2(MoO4)3 plays a crucial role in the transformation of organic contaminants, either through catalytically decomposing oxidants or through directly oxidizing the target pollutants. Because of their dual roles and the complex surface chemical reactions, the mechanism involved in Fe2(MoO4)3-catalyzed PDS activation processes remains obscure. In this study, Fe2(MoO4)3 was prepared via the hydrothermal and calcine method, and photoFenton degradation of methyl orange (MO) was used to evaluate the catalytic performance of Fe2(MoO4)3. Fe2(MoO4)3 catalysts with abundant surface oxygen vacancies were used to construct a synergistic system involving a photocatalyst and PDS activation. The oxygen vacancies and Fe2+/Fe3+ shuttle played key roles in the novel pathways for generation of •O2−, h+, and 1O2 in the UV–Vis + PDS + FMO-6 photoFenton system. This study advances the fundamental understanding of the underlying mechanism involved in the transition metal oxide-catalyzed PDS activation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complicated spectrum produced by electric and hybrid car engines is particularly sensitive to the mid-frequency range. Furthermore, sensor placement in future mobility is crucial because when the positions and orientations of sensors are altered by excessive vehicle vibration, it results in the malfunctioning of autonomous driving systems. Smart structure-based active mounting approaches have been developed to reduce engine-induced vibration. These are made to continually adjust the mounts' dynamic properties and enhance their performances in terms of noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) under diverse operating circumstances. It can take the place of the engine support system's current mount technique. The performance of the source part for reducing vibration when the structure is triggered by a sinusoidal and multi-frequency signal is the main subject of this study. The overall structure, which has two active mounts based on the source-paths-receiver structure, was modeled using a lumped parameter model. In the source section, sinusoidal, amplitude modulation (AM), and frequency modulation (FM) signals were used in order to assess the effectiveness of vibration reduction in the mid-frequency band. The normalized least mean-square (NLMS) technique was utilized to assess the effectiveness of an active mounting system, and a tracking signal was employed as a control signal. The algorithm was further expanded to the multi-NLMS algorithm to monitor the complex spectral signal. This demonstrates how an active mounting system can successfully reduce vibrations when the structure is activated by many mid-frequency complex signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the catalytic activity of cobalt molybdate (CoMoO4), a PDS-activated and UV-vis assisted system was constructed. CoMoO4 was prepared by coprecipitation and calcination, and characterized by XRD, FTIR, Raman, SEM, TEM, XPS, TGA Zeta potential, BET, and UV-Vis DRS. The results showed that the morphology of the CoMoO4 nanolumps consisted of stacked nanosheets. XRD indicated the monoclinic structures with C2/m (C32h, #12) space group, which belong to α-CoMoO4, and both Co2+ and Mo6+ ions occupy distorted octahedral sites. The pH of the isoelectric point (pHIEP) of CMO-8 at pH = 4.88 and the band gap of CoMoO4 was 1.92 eV. The catalytic activity of CoMoO4 was evaluated by photo-Fenton degradation of Congo red (CR). The catalytic performance was affected by calcination temperature, catalyst dosage, PDS dosage, and pH. Under the best conditions (0.8 g/L CMO-8, PDS 1 mL), the degradation efficiency of CR was 96.972%. The excellent catalytic activity of CoMoO4 was attributed to the synergistic effect of photo catalysis and CoMoO4-activated PDS degradation. The capture experiments and the ESR showed that superoxide radical (·O2−), singlet oxygen (1O2), hole (h+), sulfate (SO4−·), and hydroxyl (·OH−) were the main free radicals leading to the degradation of CR. The results can provide valuable information and support for the design and application of high-efficiency transition metal oxide catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concentrating on the two‐pin electric explosive devices (EEDs), this paper proposes a coupling model of a V‐type antenna according to the typical scenario that the pin wire can present a certain angle. Based on theoretical analysis, numerical simulations are performed to obtain the different angles of antenna patterns, the changes of the reflection coefficients, the gain of coupling current, and the influence law of coupling energy, which are verified by experimental measurements. The results show that the coupling current and energy increase rapidly with the increase of the angle when the included angle between the two‐pin wires exceeds 60°. When the angle reaches 90°, the coupling energy would increase to tens of μJ, which will bring certain safety risks. When the included angle rises to 180°, the coupling energy will reach the peak. The conclusion of this investigation is helpful to the environmental adaptability of high‐altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) for EEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many fields, e.g., ground-penetrating radar and ultra-wideband radiation, a high-pulse-repetition-frequency (PRF) and high-time-base-stability sub-nanosecond pulser is required, and its output waveform should be close to a gaussian pulse. In this article, the transistorized pulser is studied and optimized to improve its output parameters. The printed circuit board circuit parameters of the pulser are first optimized, which is beneficial for the amplitude and the rise time. To improve the time base stability, the collector voltage ramp triggering mode is adopted to replace the conventional base triggering mode for the pulser. For higher PRF, the pulser with the capacitance–transistor parallel structure is immersed in the fluorinert liquid. Moreover, the deficit-charge method is adopted, and small charging capacitances are used in the last few stages to weaken the oscillation in the pulse falling edge. From experimental results, the amplitude of the optimized pulser is 1.35 kV, its rise time is reduced from about 200 to 135 ps, the maximum PRF is improved from 250 to 500 kHz, the pulse jitter is reduced to 22 ps, and the pulse drift is reduced from hundreds of ps/min to 47 ps/min. Meanwhile, the oscillation in its falling edge is greatly suppressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An exponential spacing and sinusoidal folded helical (ESSFH) antenna backed with a cavity is developed in this paper. Compared with the conventional helical (CH) antenna, the proposed antenna not only has smaller dimension but also exhibits a wider working bandwidth, a higher gain, and a better circular polarization (CP) characteristic. To reduce the dimension of the helical antenna, a sinusoidal structure is adopted along the circumference of the helix. However, it deteriorates the CP characteristic of the antenna. Therefore, the structure of the exponential helix spacing is introduced into the sinusoidal folded helical (SFH) antenna. Then, to further improve the gain of the ESSFH antenna, its ground plane is replaced by an optimized cavity. Compared with the CH antenna, the helix diameter of the ESSFH antenna Dλ is reduced from 0.32 to 0.23, and its volume is reduced to 53%. The ESSFH antenna backed with a cavity has an impedance bandwidth of 0.43–1.02 GHz, which is much wider than 0.48–0.60 GHz of the CH antenna. Moreover, it has an axial ratio of 1.77, while the axial ratio of the CH antenna is 2.61. In addition, its effective potential gain is 0.56, which is 22% higher than that of the CH antenna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intricate agricultural ecosystems markedly influence the dynamics of organic micropollutants, posing substantial threats to aquatic organisms and human health. This study examined the occurrence and distribution of organic micropollutants across soils, ditch sediment, and water within highly intensified farming setups. Using a non-targeted screening method, we identified 405 micropollutants across 10 sampling sites, which mainly included pesticides, pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, and personal care products. This inventory comprised emerging contaminants, banned pesticides, and controlled pharmaceuticals that had eluded detection via conventional monitoring. Targeted analysis showed concentrations of 3.99–1021 ng/g in soils, 4.67–2488 ng/g in sediment, and 12.5–9373 ng/L in water, respectively, for Σ 40 pesticides, Σ 8 pharmaceuticals, and Σ 3 industrial chemicals, indicating notable spatial variability. Soil organic carbon content and wastewater discharge were likely responsible for their spatial distribution. Principal component analysis and correlation analysis revealed a potential transfer of micropollutants across the three media. Particularly, a heightened correlation was decerned between soil and sediment micropollutant levels, highlighting the role of sorption processes. Risk quotients surpassed the threshold of 1 for 13–23 micropollutants across the three media, indicating high environmental risks. This study highlights the importance of employing non-targeted and targeted screening in assessing and managing environmental risks associated with micropollutants. [Display omitted] • Non-targeted analysis uncovered 405 micropollutants in agricultural systems. • Emerging contaminants and controlled substances were detected in the three media. • Micropollutant concentrations exhibited significant spatial variations. • A profound transfer of micropollutants was observed across the three media. • Some micropollutants exhibited high risks within agricultural environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Oxytetracycline (OTC) causes severe intestinal damage of zebrafish larvae. • Kefir extract (KE) help to reverse the impaired intestinal motility caused by OTC. • Short-term effect of KE mainly reverses intestinal damage at the molecular level. • The short-term effect of KE on morphology of damaged intestine is limited. The antibiotic oxytetracycline (OTC) can be detected in contemporary natural aquatic environments and has been implicated in causing intestinal damage in humans exposed to OTC-contaminated food or water. The irreversible damage caused by high concentrations of OTC to the intestine suggests that treatment through dietary means could still be necessary. This study proved the effectiveness of kefir extract (KE) in reversing intestinal damage caused by oxytetracycline (OTC) exposure. Following a 24-hour KE treatment subsequent to OTC exposure from 3 to 8 days post-fertilization of zebrafish larvae, molecular-level and microbiomic assessments revealed significant improvements. These included reduced expression of proinflammatory factors (IL-8 and IL-1β), increased antioxidant levels, and reversed unhealthy distribution of intestinal microbiota. Furthermore, KE supplementation showed potential in enhancing intestinal motility in the experiment of Nile red staining and fluorescent microbead transit. However, histological analysis showed that this short-term treatment with KE only partially reversed the intestinal morphological changes induced by OTC, suggesting that a longer treatment period might be necessary for complete restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wrapping paper has an irreplaceable role in the food industry, but the high hydrophilicity of cellulose-based wrapping paper limits its application. Here, we aim to develop a fluorine-free and stable method for preparing the superhydrophobic cellulose-based paper using KH570-modified-n-TiO2 and ε-polylysine (ε-PL) to construct a superhydrophobic surface by layer-by-layer self-assembly. The paper modified by (ε-PL/KH570-modified-n-TiO2)4 multilayers has superhydrophobic and self-cleaning properties after heat treatment. The water contact angle reaches up to 152.8° and the antibacterial rate is close to 100%. The high barrier properties to water vapor better prolong the shelf life of cherries. Therefore, the (ε-PL/KH570-modified-n-TiO2)4 multilayers modified paper can provide a new idea for food preservation. The advantage of the double-layer assembly is that even if the superhydrophobic layer of the wrapper is worn away and lost, the remaining ε-PL is still able to act as a bacterial inhibitor, ensuring that the food is not perishable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellular heterogeneity presents a major challenge in understanding the relationship between cells of particular genotype and response in disease. In order to characterize the cell‐to‐cell differences during the biochemical processes, single‐cell analysis is necessary. Profiting from the unique localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and Mie scattering, plasmonic nanostructures have revealed stable and adjustable scattering signals, avoiding photobleaching, blinking and autofluorescence phenomenon. These characterizations are propitious to the dynamic trace and biological image of single living cells. In this review, we discuss the recent advances in plasmonic nanostructures applied for label‐free detection and monitoring of target cells at single‐cell level by using three different techniques, surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), surface‐enhanced Infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS), and dark‐field microscopy. Various avenues to design plasmonic probes combining spectra and imaging for single‐cell analysis are demonstrated as well. We hope this review can highlight the superiority of plasmonic nanostructures in single cellular analysis, and further motivate the development of label‐free cell analysis technique to elucidate cellular diversity and heterogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of the passing train and the structural state of the track bed are the concerns regarding the safe operation of subways. Monitoring the vibration response of the track bed structure and identifying abnormal signals within it will help address both of these concerns. Given that it is difficult to collect abnormal samples that are symmetric to those of the normal state of the structure in actual engineering, this paper proposes an unsupervised learning-based methodology for identifying the abnormal signals of the track beds detected by the ultra-weak fiber optic Bragg grating sensing array. For an actual subway tunnel monitoring system, an unsupervised learning network was trained by using a sufficient amount of vibration signals of the track bed collected when trains passed under normal conditions, which was used to quantify the deviations caused by anomalies. An experiment to validate the proposed procedures was designed and implemented according to the obtained normal and abnormal samples. The abnormal vibration samples of the track beds in the experiment came from two parts and were defined as three levels. One part of it stemmed from the vibration responses under the worn wheels of a train detected during system operation. The remaining abnormal samples were simulated by superimposing perturbations in the normal samples. The experimental results demonstrated that the established unsupervised learning network and the selected metric for quantifying error sequences can serve the threshold selection well based on the receiver operating characteristic curve. Moreover, the discussion results of the comparative tests also illustrated that the average results of accuracy and F1-score of the proposed network were at least 11% and 13% higher than those of the comparison networks, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Clonorchiasis, an infectious disease caused by the liver fluke Clonorchis sinensis, may lead to the development of liver and gallbladder diseases, and even cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). However, the pathogenesis, host-pathogen interaction, and diagnostic markers for clonorchiasis remain unclear. Methods: Eighteen rabbits were randomly divided into control group (n = 9) and C. sinensis-infected group (n = 9), and their plasma samples were collected at 7, 14, 28, and 63 days post-infection (dpi). Biochemical indices and metabolites in different infection periods were detected. A non-targeted ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) approach was employed to investigate the metabolic profiles of plasma in rabbits, and related metabolic pathways of differential metabolites and correlation between candidate biochemical indices and differential metabolites were analyzed. Finally, the candidate biomarkers were verified with human samples using a targeted metabolomics method. Results: The result of biochemical indices indicated C. sinensis infection would affect the liver function biochemical indices, especially alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase (AST), glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), total bile acid, high-density lipoprotein, and cholinesterase. The metabonomic results showed that 58, 212, 23, and 21 differential metabolites were identified in different phases of the infection. Multivariate statistical analysis of differential metabolites revealed distinct metabolic signatures during different phases of infection, with most of these signatures being observed at 14 dpi, which mainly influences the amino acid metabolisms. For metabolites and biochemical indices, AST, GGT, hypoxanthine, l-pipecolic acid, and d-glucuronate represented potential noninvasive biomarkers for the diagnosis of C. sinensis (P < 0.05 and AUC > 0.8). Furthermore, GGT and d-glucuronate levels were positively correlated with the infection (r(28) = 0.98, P < 0.0001) and showed excellent diagnostic performance (AUC = 0.972; 95% confidence interval, 0.921 to 1.000). Conclusions: The present results provide new insights into plasma metabolic changes in rabbits during C. sinensis infection, and the potential biomarker may be used for developing an effective method to diagnose clonorchiasis in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a high-power ultra-wideband radiation system, composed of multiply radiation modules, is developed based on the space-synthesis method. The radiation module mainly consists of a transistorized pulser, a 2 × 2 combined antenna array, and a power divider. To improve the out parameters [the amplitude, the pulse repetition frequency (PRF), and the rise time] of the transistorized pulser based on the Marx circuit, the influence of the traveling wave process on the output pulse must be concerned. Based on the theoretical analysis, the printed circuit board circuit parameters and the circuit structure of the pulser are optimized. To improve the power synthesis efficiency, the pulse jitter characteristic of the pulser is improved by replacing the conventional base triggering mode with the collector voltage ramp triggering mode for the first-stage avalanche transistor in the pulser. The previous optimized antenna array is utilized in this radiation system, which has a better radiation performance in the prescribed aperture area. In addition, based on the gradient microstrip structure, the power divider integrated with the pulser is designed, which has the advantages of wide bandwidth, low loss, and light weight. Experimental results show that the peak effective potential rEp of the radiation system of 20 radiation modules is 221.8 kV, the maximum PRF could reach 10 kHz, and the half-power radiation angles of its radiation field are about 5° in both the E plane and the H plane. More radiation modules could be integrated into the system to achieve a higher electric field in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug–drug interactions (DDIs) are one of the major concerns in pharmaceutical research, and a number of computational methods have been developed to predict whether two drugs interact or not. Recently, more attention has been paid to events caused by the DDIs, which is more useful for investigating the mechanism hidden behind the combined drug usage or adverse reactions. However, some rare events may only have few examples, hindering them from being precisely predicted. To address the above issues, we present a few-shot computational method named META-DDIE, which consists of a representation module and a comparing module, to predict DDI events. We collect drug chemical structures and DDIs from DrugBank, and categorize DDI events into hundreds of types using a standard pipeline. META-DDIE uses the structures of drugs as input and learns the interpretable representations of DDIs through the representation module. Then, the model uses the comparing module to predict whether two representations are similar, and finally predicts DDI events with few labeled examples. In the computational experiments, META-DDIE outperforms several baseline methods and especially enhances the predictive capability for rare events. Moreover, META-DDIE helps to identify the key factors that may cause DDI events and reveal the relationship among different events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional IR lenses, typically refractive lenses, composed of inorganic semiconductors or chalcogenide glasses, are usually bulky, heavy, and difficult processable. Here, a one‐step photo‐curing imprinting strategy is presented to fabricate lightweight, compact, and high refractive index (HRI) hybrid Fresnel lenses for optical devices based on thiol‐ene/‐yne reactions. The hybrid Fresnel lenses consist of two layers: the silicon/quartz as the support substrate and HRI polymer films as functional layer which are synthesized by thiol‐ene/‐yne reactions with high sulfur‐content comonomers 2,3‐bis((2‐mercaptoethyl)thio)‐1‐propanethiol (BMETP) and its derivatives. The as‐prepared photopolymer films exhibit excellent transparency properties and HRI above 1.62 both in the visible and infrared regions, resulting from the large ratio of sulfur element with high molar refraction. A series of images captured by vis‐IR hybrid Fresnel lenses are demonstrated to confirm the applicability in the area of the optical imaging technique. This strategy, based on the one‐step photo‐curing imprinting, integrating the advantages of the easy processability of organic polymers and high dimensional stability of the inorganic substrate materials, provides a facile, processable, and highly efficient process for fabricating lightweight optical lenses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Mice are widely used as an animal model for studying human uterine receptivity for embryo implantation. Although transcriptional changes related to mouse uterine receptivity have been determined by using bulk RNA‐seq, the data are of limited value because the uterus is a complex organ consisting of many cell types. Here, we aimed to decipher mouse uterine receptivity for embryo implantation at single‐cell resolution. Materials and methods: Single‐cell RNA sequencing was performed for the pre‐receptive and the receptive mouse uterus. Gene expression profiles in luminal epithelium and glandular epithelium were validated by comparing against a published laser capture microdissection (LCM)‐coupled microarray dataset. Results: We revealed 19 distinct cell clusters, including 3 stromal cell clusters, 2 epithelial cell clusters, 1 smooth muscle cell cluster, 4 endothelial cell clusters and 8 immune cell clusters. We identified global gene expression changes associated with uterine receptivity in each cell type. Additionally, we predicted signalling interactions for distinct cell types to understand the crosstalk between the blastocyst and the receptive uterus. Conclusion: Our data provide a valuable resource for deciphering the molecular mechanism underlying uterine receptivity in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a hybrid finite-difference time-domain–simulation program with integrated circuit emphasis (FDTD–SPICE) method for analyzing the system-level coupling responses of the wireless communication system with antenna, metallic enclosures, braided shielded cable, and lumped element, when illuminated by an external electromagnetic pulse (EMP). In the hybrid method, a system-level SPICE model combining antenna and braided coaxial cable is proposed to predict the coupling effects including front-door and back-door couplings. FDTD is used to calculate the induced current on the outer conductor of the coaxial cable, which is then incorporated into the system-level SPICE model as an additional current source. Because the hybrid method avoids meshing the antenna and cable, it has higher computational efficiency than full-wave analysis. A typical microstrip antenna system is selected as a case to demonstrate the accuracy and effectiveness of this proposed method by comparing the numerical results with those obtained by CST. Then, considering the influence of the incident conditions of external EMP, the coupling voltages of the microstrip antenna system are calculated. Furthermore, a typical filter circuit is analyzed to illustrate the practicability of the proposed method. The obtained coupling response information demonstrate that the proposed method is available for designing electromagnetic protection of the inner circuits of the wireless communication system against the impact of external incident wave. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an efficient hybrid method consisting of Lorentz reciprocity theorem, finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) method, thin wire model, transmission line (TL) equations and transfer impedance model, which can be utilized to analyze the system-level transient responses of the microstrip antenna system with antenna, metallic enclosures, braided shielded cable, and lumped element, when illuminated by an external electromagnetic pulse (EMP). In order to avoid over-fine mesh generation and repeated modeling of the antenna in multiple simulations, Lorentz reciprocity theorem is employed to extract an equivalent source model of antenna coupling, thereby improving the computational efficiency. Then, the transfer impedance model and thin wire model are incorporated into the FDTD-TL method efficiently to deal with the back-door coupling through the shielding layer of feeding coaxial cable. Finally, the hybrid FDTD method combined with the extracted equivalent source of antenna coupling is utilized to solve the coupling responses of the whole antenna system. The results of numerical simulation are verified by comparing with the simulation results of CST CS. Then, considering the influence of different incident conditions of external EMP, the characteristics of the coupling response of the system are analyzed. The obtained coupling response information demonstrate that the proposed method is available for further designing electromagnetic protection of the inner circuits of the microstrip antenna system against the impact of external EMP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To investigate the clinical significance of the mRNA expression of RRM1, TUBB3, and ERCC1 in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues for the selection of adjuvant/postoperative chemotherapy regimens. Methods. Patients diagnosed with stage Ib-IIIa NSCLC were enrolled and randomly divided into a control group (undetected group) and an experimental group (detected group) after radical operation. The control group randomly received chemotherapy with gemcitabine plus cisplatin or paclitaxel plus cisplatin. The mRNA expression of RRM1, TUBB3, and ERCC1 was detected in the experimental group before chemotherapy, and based on the detected expression, the chemotherapy regimen of cisplatin plus gemcitabine or cisplatin plus paclitaxel was chosen. The disease-free survival (DFS) of the control group and experimental group was compared. Results. Pathological type, stage, gene expression detection, and treatment method were not significantly correlated with DFS (P > 0.05). In the subgroups treated with gemcitabine, the median DFS was 17 months in the detected group and 10.5 months in the undetected group (hazard ratio = 0.2147, 95% confidence interval: 0.07909–0.5827, P = 0.0025). Multivariate regression analysis was performed to analyse whether gene expression detection was independently correlated with DFS in the subgroups treated with gemcitabine (P = 0.025). In the detected group, the prognosis of patients with low expression of RRM1 was better than that of patients with high expression of RRM1 after paclitaxel treatment (P = 0.0039). Conclusions. The selection of chemotherapy regimen based on mRNA expression of the RRM1, TUBB3, and ERCC1 genes may improve selection of candidate patients to receive clinical chemotherapy. However, large-scale prospective clinical studies are needed for in-depth investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a class of fourth-order nonlinear neutral dynamic equations on time scales is investigated. We obtain some sufficient conditions for the existence of nonoscillatory solutions tending to zero with some characteristics of the equations by Krasnoselskii's fixed point theorem. Finally, two interesting examples are presented to show the significance of the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Evaporite dissolution influences salinity, yet doesn't clarify the Sr variety. • Silicate & carbonate weathering majorly contribute to Sr in shallow groundwater. • Cation exchange drives Sr increase in deep groundwater. • δD/δ18O and 87Sr/86Sr reveal deep brine leakage to shallow groundwater. Coastal groundwater is crucial for supporting ecosystems and meeting the water needs of coastal communities. However, over-exploitation of groundwater resources, including fresh water and deep brine, leads to groundwater depletion and exacerbates saline intrusion, posing significant challenges to sustainable development. This study focuses on the south bank of Laizhou Bay, a typical area threatened by saline intrusion due to the salt industry's extraction of deep brine and over-exploitation of fresh groundwater. To assess the impact on salinization processes, we employed hydrochemistry and multi-isotope techniques to study strontium (Sr) distribution and salinization in coastal groundwater, unraveling their origins and explaining hydrochemical processes. The hydrochemical analysis revealed that evaporite dissolution primarily contributes to salinity, especially in deep brine and saline water (TDS > 30 g/L). The relationship between 87Sr/86Sr and chlor-alkali index (CAI) and saturation index (SI) indicated distinct sources of Sr. In fresh and brackish water (<10 g/L), Sr originates from mineral weathering and dissolution (SIs of albite and calcite increase with salinity), while in deep brine and saline water, Sr is influenced by cation exchange (with CAI-Ⅰ and CAI-Ⅱ greater than 0). Additionally, the interplay of anthropogenic input (nitrate), Sr, and EC highlights the differential anthropogenic impact on shallow groundwater, emphasizing the relatively closed environment of deep brine. Multi-isotope analysis showed that the average 87Sr/86Sr of shallow groundwater samples in the cone depression is 0.7112, between that of upstream surface water and shallow groundwater (0.7119) and deep brine and saline water (0.7101), indicating groundwater extraction induces deep brine leakage into shallow groundwater, elevating salinity and Sr concentrations. This poses a direct threat to local water security, including irrigation suitability and health risks of drinking water. In conclusion, we categorized the relationships between 87Sr/86Sr and Sr under different hydrochemical processes into different end-members based on their origins. This offers valuable insights in comparable regions for identifying groundwater salinization and saline intrusion, and the use of Sr and its isotopes can also help trace cation exchange and deep brine leakage in coastal aquifers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) frequently progresses to advanced stages due to tumor thrombus (TTs) formation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of coagulation-related pathway activation in the progression of ccRCC. Consensus clustering was used to identify coagulation-related molecular clusters of ccRCC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) database. The function of coagulation and its correlation with the immune microenvironment were investigated. Protein-protein interactions and differential expression analysis were used to identify the key gene, which was verified by external experiments. The coagulation-associated risk score was constructed by cox proportional hazards regression. Notable disparities were detected in immune characteristics, prognostic differentiation and drug sensitivity between two coagulation-related clusters. Through the integration of clinical stage significance and protein-protein interactions, the key gene MMP9 was screened and it was significantly correlated with CD4+T cells, CD8+T cells and Treg cells. A coagulation-related risk score prognostic model was developed in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort for risk stratification and prognosis prediction. The prognostic predictive values of the coagulation-related risk score were further authenticated in both TCGA-KIRC and E-MTAB-1980 cohorts. There is an obvious correlation between the coagulation and the tumor microenvironment in ccRCC. As a key coagulation-related gene, MMP9 may promote the progression of renal cell carcinoma by influencing immune infiltration of CD8+T cells and Treg cells. Additionally, the risk score could be used as a durable prognostic biomarker, which could assist in clinical decision making for ccRCC patients. [Display omitted] • Identify the correlation between coagulation and the tumor microenvironment in renal cell carcinoma. • Develop a coagulation-related prognostic model for risk stratification and prognosis prediction in renal cell carcinoma. • MMP9 is found to potentially promote the progression of renal cell carcinoma by altering the tumor immune microenvironment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Biochar enhances CO 2 capture, increasing the solubility by up to 25.8 mmol/L. • CO 2 concentrated with biochar improves cumulative methane yield by 24 % maximally. • Exogenous CO 2 reduces ΔG overall by approximately double. • Exogenous CO 2 can enhance RET, in which the CO 2 can be converted into formate. • Biochar-concentrated CO 2 enrichs syntrophic bacteria and their partner M. hungatei. Acid accumulation and carbon emission are two major challenges in anaerobic digestion. Syntrophic consortia can employ reverse electron transfer (RET) to facilitate thermodynamically unfavorable redox reactions during acetogenesis. However, the potential mechanisms and regulatory methods of RET remain unclear. This study examines the regulatory mechanisms by which exogenous CO 2 affects RET and demonstrates that biochar maximizes CO 2 solubility at 25.8 mmol/L to enhance effects further. CO 2 synergized with biochar significantly increases cumulative methane production and propionate degradation rate. From the bioenergetic perspective, CO 2 decreases energy level to a maximum of −87 kJ/mol, strengthening the thermodynamic viability. The underlying mechanism can be attributed to RET promotion, as indicated by increased formate dehydrogenase and enrichment of H 2 /formate-producing bacteria with their partner Methanospirillum hungatei. Moreover, the 5 % 13CH 4 and methane contribution result show that CO 2 accomplishes directed methanogenesis. Overall, this investigation riches the roles of CO 2 and biochar in AD surrounding RET. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The surface burnishing process (SBP), by which the surface layer with high hardness, residual compressive pressure, and nanocrystalline structure are obtained, is a practical approach to enhance the metal/alloy surface. The present paper collects a data set in the SBP field from 1990 to 2020 through the Science Citation Index Expanded (Web of Science Core Collection) database to identify and describe the research history, hotspots, and frontiers based on bibliometric analysis and visualization. Firstly, the temporal and spatial distribution of publications are summarized, and the corresponding countries, institutions, journals, and influential authors are also described. Secondly, the keystone publications are identified and analyzed based on a citation network. Thirdly, cluster analysis representing a hot research region field is carried out for all keywords. Finally, after analyzing the evolution route of the SBP field, the future development direction and trend are discussed. This paper is hopefully to help scholars understanding the research patterns of SBP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motion groups of links in the three sphere S 3 are generalizations of the braid groups, which are motion groups of points in the disk D 2 . Representations of motion groups can be used to model statistics of extended objects such as closed strings in physics. Each 1-extended (3 + 1) -topological quantum field theory (TQFT) will provide representations of motion groups, but it is difficult to compute such representations explicitly in general. In this paper, we compute representations of the motion groups of links in S 3 with generalized axes from Dijkgraaf–Witten (DW) TQFTs inspired by dimension reduction. A succinct way to state our result is as a step toward a twisted generalization (Conjecture 1) of a conjecture for DW theories of dimension reduction from (3 + 1) to (2 + 1) : DW G 3 + 1 ≅ ⊕ [ g ] ∈ [ G ] DW C (g) 2 + 1 , where the sum runs over all conjugacy classes [ g ] ∈ [ G ] of G and C(g) the centralizer of any element g ∈ [ g ] . We prove a version of Conjecture 1 for the mapping class groups of closed manifolds and the case of torus links labeled by pure fluxes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrocatalytic oxidation is an attractive process for valorizing the organic compounds and removing the nitrogen in aqueous waste streams at ambient conditions. We evaluated the electrocatalytic oxidation reaction as a function of applied potential over Pt electrodes of an aqueous stream generated via hydrothermal liquefaction. We quantified the conversion of particular organic compounds (e.g., carboxylic acids, alpha hydroxyacids, alcohols, ketones, and amides) and the removal of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and chemical oxygen demand. Organic nitrogen and sulfur were oxidized to nitrates and sulfates. The main reaction products from the electrocatalytic oxidation at the anode were short chain volatile hydrocarbons (i.e., olefins, and paraffins) and CO2, while H2 was generated at the cathode. Unidentified compounds were converted to short chain carboxylic acids, alcohol and ketones, while ammonia was oxidized into N2. Studies with model compounds showed that amides and alpha hydroxyacids yielded carboxylic acids that convert further via (non-)Kolbe chemistry. Simultaneous denitrification, valorization of organic compounds, and H2 generation from the aqueous stream can potentially simplify the unit operations currently used in a hydrothermal process. The cost of the electricity required to drive the electrocatalytic operation can be partially mitigated by selling the excess H2 produced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Researchers discover LncRNA–miRNA regulatory paradigms modulate gene expression patterns and drive major cellular processes. Identification of lncRNA-miRNA interactions (LMIs) is critical to reveal the mechanism of biological processes and complicated diseases. Because conventional wet experiments are time-consuming, labor-intensive and costly, a few computational methods have been proposed to expedite the identification of lncRNA-miRNA interactions. However, little attention has been paid to fully exploit the structural and topological information of the lncRNA-miRNA interaction network. Results: In this paper, we propose novel lncRNA-miRNA prediction methods by using graph embedding and ensemble learning. First, we calculate lncRNA-lncRNA sequence similarity and miRNA-miRNA sequence similarity, and then we combine them with the known lncRNA-miRNA interactions to construct a heterogeneous network. Second, we adopt several graph embedding methods to learn embedded representations of lncRNAs and miRNAs from the heterogeneous network, and construct the ensemble models using two ensemble strategies. For the former, we consider individual graph embedding based models as base predictors and integrate their predictions, and develop a method, named GEEL-PI. For the latter, we construct a deep attention neural network (DANN) to integrate various graph embeddings, and present an ensemble method, named GEEL-FI. The experimental results demonstrate both GEEL-PI and GEEL-FI outperform other state-of-the-art methods. The effectiveness of two ensemble strategies is validated by further experiments. Moreover, the case studies show that GEEL-PI and GEEL-FI can find novel lncRNA-miRNA associations. Conclusion: The study reveals that graph embedding and ensemble learning based method is efficient for integrating heterogeneous information derived from lncRNA-miRNA interaction network and can achieve better performance on LMI prediction task. In conclusion, GEEL-PI and GEEL-FI are promising for lncRNA-miRNA interaction prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]