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Corn-like ZnO/Ag2S heterojunctions are designed and prepared by the solvothermal method and the subsequent covering process. They construct a type II core–shell heterojunction structure. This structure adjusts the relative positions of electron energy levels and generates a strong and broad absorption band, while emitting weak visible light. It also facilitates the transfer of photoexcited carriers through the interface and the confinement of the same by the different components of the nanostructure. Separation of electrons and holes makes them possible to drift to the surface of ZnO and Ag2S and to participate in the redox reactions. In addition, the presence of many defects produces many active sites on the surface of the lattice. So, the ZnO/Ag2S heterojunctions exhibit excellent photocatalytic properties in the first and second cycles of the photocatalytic process. It degrades 97.7% Rhodamine B only in 18 min. This study plays a significant role in promoting visible light catalysis, the efficiency of wastewater treatment technology, and the water environment on the earth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferroelectric properties of hafnium-based thin films have gained significant interest, yet the fundamental mechanisms responsible for the emergence of the ferroelectric phase continue to be inadequately investigated. In contrast with polycrystalline films fabricated by atomic layer deposition or sputter methods, which possess uncertainty in polarization orientation, epitaxial ferroelectric HfO2-based materials are less investigated, especially for factors such as electric field and oxygen vacancy, which are proposed and examined for their potential impacts on phase stability. In this study, Y-doped hafnium oxide (HYO) ferroelectric epitaxial films were fabricated using pulsed laser deposition, with variations in oxygen pressure during the deposition process. Structural and electrical analyses of HYO epitaxial ferroelectric films prepared under differing oxygen pressures revealed a correlation between the ferroelectric properties of the films and the oxygen content. An optimal selection of oxygen pressure was found to be conducive to the formation of HYO epitaxial ferroelectric films, presenting a promising avenue for future ferroelectric memory applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to greatly improve the photocatalytic properties, corn-like ZnO/ZnS heterojunctions with a particle size of about 60–71 nm have been synthesized by the solvothermal method and the subsequent sulfuration process. A declining trend is found for the specific surface area with increasing sulfuration time. The corn-like ZnO/ZnS heterojunctions exhibit good photocatalytic properties. With increasing sulfuration time, the degradation rate increases first and then decreases. The best degradation rate is observed for the heterojunction sulfurated for 90 min. The strong broad luminescence band is extremely beneficial to the absorption of visible light by multiphoton process. In addition, the energy transfer from ZnS to ZnO contributes to charge separation, forming a type-II heterojunction mechanism. After one cycle of photocatalytic process, except that corns become more broken, variation of particle size and shape is very small. The degradation speed of RhB after a second cycle of photocatalytic process is slower than the first one except when using the sample sulfurated for 360 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this report was to identify effective indicators capable of predicting bacterial infection during the early stages of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and to establish a diagnostic model suitable for clinical application. Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. Between February 2018 and May 2023, Yuhuangding Hospital admitted 101 DKA patients, of whom 45 were diagnosed with bacterial infections. A confirmed bacterial infection was defined as documented bacteriological evidence in any bacterial sample. Clinical parameters and biological markers (including cortisol, C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, etc.) were recorded during the initial DKA phase. Multivariate regression analysis was employed to construct a diagnostic model. Results: CRP (OR = 1.014, 95% CI: 1.002–1.026, p = 0.017) and cortisol (OR = 1.007, 95% CI: 1.002–1.012, p = 0.003) were found to have an independent association with bacterial infection in DKA patients. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for CRP in identifying bacterial infection was 0.855 (95% CI, 0.771–0.917), with a sensitivity of 76.1% and a specificity of 83.6%. The AUC for cortisol in identifying bacterial infection was 0.847 (95% CI, 0.761–0.911), with a sensitivity of 71.7% and a specificity of 89.1%. A joint diagnostic model based on cortisol and CRP was developed through multifactor regression analysis. The AUC of this diagnostic model was 0.930 (95% CI, 0.862–0.972), resulting in a sensitivity of 93.5% and a specificity of 80.0%. Conclusion: CRP and cortisol are early indicators of bacterial infection in DKA patients. Furthermore, based on their combination, the regression diagnostic model exhibits enhanced diagnostic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the optimal variation in SUVlbm via18F-FDG PET/CT imaging between the baseline and interim stages, and assess early response among patients with extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTCL) of 5-DS score ≥ 4, 20 patients after four cycles of chemotherapy were retrospectively enrolled and received re-biopsy targeting PET-positive residual masses. The optimal cutoff value for evaluating early response assessment was 66.75% for ΔSUVlbm%, with the area under curve of 0.985. All patients with a 5-DS score of 4 exhibited negative results upon re-biopsy. During follow-up, the median PFS of patients characterized by ΔSUVlbm% ≥66.75% and <66.75% were unreached and 10 months, respectively. Utilizing ΔSUVlbm% between baseline and interim 18F-FDG PET/CT scans can effectively identify a subset of patients who were visually analyzed as false positives(5-DS ≥ 4), which was confirmed by interim biopsy results, thus serving as a crucial indicator for early assessment of treatment outcomes in patients with ENKTCL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis article assumes the interface is imperfect and employs a shear lag model to analyze the influence of the interface characteristics on the three-dimensional braided composite piezoelectric intelligent structure (3-D BCPIS). Considering the electromechanical coupling effect and the interface characteristics, the government equation for the 3-D BCPIS is derived, and the interface slip is analyzed. In three kinds of boundary conditions of clamped-free (C-F), clamped-simply supported (C-S), and simply supported-simply supported (S-S), the effects of voltage excitation and uniformly distributed loading on the transverse displacement, axial strain, and slip displacement of the 3-D BCPIS are discussed. The numerical results indicate that in the case of uniformly distributed loading, the larger the interface defect, the greater the transverse displacement, and in contrast, the opposite is true for the case of voltage excitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of aesthetic medicine practitioners concerning laser and/or light therapy for hypertrophic scars. Conducted at Hebei Medical University Third Hospital from December 25, 2023, to January 7, 2024, the cross-sectional study utilized a self-administered questionnaire to gather socio-demographic data and KAP scores. A total of 424 valid questionnaires were collected, with 220 (52.26%) female participants. The mean scores were 27.24 ± 4.28 for knowledge (range 8–40), 34.14 ± 3.49 for attitude (range 9–45), and 26.22 ± 3.46 for practice (range 6–30). Significant positive correlations were observed between knowledge and attitude (r = 0.471, P < 0.001), knowledge and practice (r = 0.593, P < 0.001), and attitude and practice (r = 0.640, P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that both knowledge (OR = 1.260, P < 0.001) and attitude scores (OR = 1.547, P < 0.001), along with the intermediate professional title (OR = 0.233, P = 0.042), were significantly associated with proactive practice. The findings indicate a need for targeted educational initiatives to enhance practitioners' knowledge in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent form of primary liver cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally. Despite advancements in current HCC treatment, it remains a malignancy with poor prognosis. Therefore, developing novel treatment options for patients with HCC is urgently needed. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified natural killer (NK) cells have demonstrated potent anti-tumor effects, making them as a promising immunotherapy strategy for cancer treatment. Glypican-3 (GPC3), a cell surface oncofetal glycoprotein, is highly expressed in most HCC tissues, but not in normal tissues, and functions as a key driver of carcinogenesis. Given its high expression level on the cell surface, GPC3 is considered as an attractive immunotherapy target for HCC. In this study, two GPC3-specific CAR-NK cells, NK92MI/HN3 and NK92MI/HS20, were established using NK92MI cells, a modified IL-2-independent NK cell line. These cell lines were engineered with third generation GPC3-specific CARs, and their activities were subsequently evaluated in the treatment of HCC. We found that NK92MI/HN3 cells, rather than NK92MI/HS20 cells, exhibited a significant cytotoxicity effect against GPC3+ HepG2 cells in vitro and efficiently suppressed tumor growth in a xenograft model using NSG mice. In addition, irradiated NK92MI/HN3 cells displayed similar anti-tumor efficacy to unirradiated NK92MI/HN3 cells. Furthermore, we observed that NK92MI/HN3 cells showed higher killing activity against the GPC3 isoform 2 overexpression cell line (Sk-Hep1-v2) than those with GPC3 isoform 1 overexpression cell line (Sk-Hep1-v1). This suggest that the presence of different GPC3 isoforms in HCC may impact the cytotoxicity activity of NK92MI/HN3 cells and potentially influence therapeutic outcomes. These findings highlight the effective anti-HCC effects of NK92MI/HN3 cells and reveal the role of GPC3 isoforms in influencing therapy outcomes, suggesting that isoform analysis should be considered to optimize CAR-NK therapies to improve patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium (Ca2+) overload therapy gained significant attention in oncology. However, its therapeutic efficacy remained limited due to insufficient Ca2+ accumulation at the tumor site and suboptimal intracellular Ca2+ influx. In this study, gambogic acid (GA), a natural phenolic compound known to promote Ca2+ influx, was encapsulated within an enzyme-triggered, pH-responsive hydrogel (GM@Lip@CHP-Gel) containing Ca2+ hydrogen phosphate nanowires (CHP) to achieve a synergistic approach for bone tumor therapy. GM@Lip@CHP-Gel selectively responded to the slightly acidic tumor microenvironment, triggering degradation of its 3D network structure and sustaining the release of GA and Ca2+ into tumor cells. GA subsequently stimulated Ca2+ influx in tumor cells, effectively disrupting Ca2+ homeostasis. CHP nanowires served as a continuous Ca2+ source, enhancing GA-mediated Ca2+ overload and promoting mitochondrial apoptosis in tumor cells. The combined strategy resulted in an in vivo tumor suppression rate of 79 % and a lung metastasis inhibition rate of 89.4 %, with a protective effect on bone tissue. The naturally derived, Ca2+-mediated treatment demonstrated physiochemical stability in physiological environments and minimized side effects on healthy organs, positioning it as a promising approach for clinical bone cancer therapy. The therapeutic process of GM@Lip@CHP-Gel. Nano-sized GM@Lip were loaded into fibrin sol containing Ca2+ hydrogen phosphate nanowires (CHP) and injected locally into bone tumor sites of mice. Fibrin hydrogels were formed under physiological conditions when acting with thrombin in vivo. Within the acidic tumor microenvironment (TME), CHP underwent gradual degradation, thereby releasing Ca2+ progressively into the tumor region. Concurrently, the liberated GA facilitated Ca2+ ingress into tumor cells, consequently disrupting the intracellular Ca2+ equilibrium. GA enhanced cellular Ca2+ overload triggered mitochondrial dysfunction as well as oxidative stress and thereby induced cell apoptosis, which blocked the proliferation, migration and invasion of tumor cells, eventually achieving tumor shrinkage and metastasis prevention. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone defect is a common clinical orthopedic disease. The trend in this field is to develop tissue engineering scaffolds with appropriately designed components and structures for bone repair. Herein, inspired by the organic and inorganic components of bone matrix and the natural biomineralization mechanism, a MgSiO3@Fe3O4 nanoparticle composite polycaprolactone (PCL) hybrid mineralized scaffold for bone repair is developed by microfluidic 3D printing. The incorporation of MgSiO3@Fe3O4 within the PCL scaffold can effectively improve the bioactivity. In addition, a biomimetic mineralized layer is prepared on the surface of the scaffold, which endowed it with unique microstructural characteristics, enhanced cell adhesion and osteogenic activity, and thus improved the bone repair performance. Owing to these advantages, both in vivo and in vitro experiments have demonstrated that the designed scaffold has outstanding biocompatibility and bone repair performance. These features indicate that the organic–inorganic biomineralized hybrid scaffold can be a potential bone graft substitute for clinical bone repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Liver fibrosis, a hallmark of chronic liver diseases, is characterized by excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and scar tissue formation. Current antifibrotic nanomedicines face significant limitations, including poor penetration into fibrotic tissue, rapid clearance, and suboptimal therapeutic efficacy. The dense fibrotic ECM acts as a major physiological barrier, necessitating the development of a targeted delivery strategy to achieve effective therapeutic outcomes. Methods: We designed a liposomal delivery system functionalized with the GBI-10 aptamer and encapsulating obeticholic acid (OCA lips@Apt) to enhance selective delivery to fibrotic liver tissue while minimizing systemic toxicity. Results: Both in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that the aptamer-modified OCA liposomes effectively treated hepatic fibrosis through dual mechanisms: modulation of abnormal bile acid metabolism and attenuation of inflammation. The targeted delivery system leveraged the overexpression of Tenascin-C (TnC), a key ECM component in fibrotic tissues, for precise localization and enhanced endocytosis via the exposed cationic liposome surface. Conclusions: The OCA lips@Apt nanodrug demonstrated superior therapeutic efficacy with minimal off-target effects, offering a promising strategy to overcome critical barriers in liver fibrosis treatment. By precisely targeting the fibrotic ECM and modulating key pathological pathways, this TnC-guided liposomal delivery system provides a significant advancement in antifibrotic nanomedicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Music genres classification poses a formidable challenge as it necessitates capturing the intricate and varied characteristics of musical signals. In this study, an innovative approach is presented to classify the music genres using the Capsule Neural Network (CapsNet). The CapsNet model optimized by an advanced version of Triangulation Topology Aggregation Optimizer (ATTAO). CapsNet effectively preserves the spatial and hierarchical information of the input data, while ATTAO efficiently optimizes the parameters of CapsNet. The proposed method applied to two extensively utilized datasets, namely GTZAN and Ballroom, and compare its performance against several cutting-edge techniques. Here we show that based on the experimental findings, unequivocally demonstrate that our method outperforms others in different terms, thereby showing its efficacy and resilience in music genre recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modelling train dynamics is essential for the platoon control of virtually coupled train sets (VCTS). Variable rail-wheel conditions and high data collection costs pose substantial challenges for both physics-based and data-driven models, especially when unit trains in the VCTS are heterogenous. This study introduces a train dynamics model that integrates parameter identification of basic resistance with physics-informed neural networks. The developed physics-informed neural network for train dynamics modelling (PINN-TDM) identifies key resistance parameters using the Davis formula. By combining the strengths of traditional modelling and data-driven approaches, the PINN-TDM provides accurate predictions of train dynamics, accommodating variations due to changes in rail-wheel conditions and heterogeneity among unit trains. Compared to conventional neural network models that lack physical guidance, the PINN-TDM demonstrates enhanced performance in data-limited conditions. Furthermore, this study incorporates the PINN-TDM into a model predictive control framework and derives the sufficient condition for heterogeneous string stability in the frequency domain using the Laplacian transformation. This enables the analysis of the impact of train dynamics heterogeneity on the stable region. Simulation experiments show that the integrated controller improves the precision of trajectory tracking and the stability of the VCTS under diverse rail-wheel conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ink analysis played an important role in document examination, but the limited dataset made it difficult for many algorithms to distinguish inks accurately. This article aimed to evaluate the feasibility of two data augmentation (DA) methods, Gaussian noise data augmentation (GNDA) and extended multiplicative signal augmentation (EMSA), for the classification of felt‐tip pen ink brands. Four brands of felt‐tip pens were analyzed using FT‐IR spectroscopy. Five classification models were used, convolutional neural network (CNN), K‐nearest neighbor (KNN), support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA). The results showed that the datasets generated by GNDA and EMSA are similar to the original datasets and have some diversity. The EMSA method had optimal classification results when combined with CNN, with classification accuracy (ACC), precision (PRE), recall (REC) and F1 score reaching 99.86%, 99.87%, 99.86%, 99.86%, and 99.86%, compared with GNDA‐CNN method (ACC = 80.90%, PRE = 87.34%, REC = 81.62%, F1 score = 79.23%). This study shows that when raw spectral data is small, DA methods can be combined with neural network models to identify ink brands effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compositional substitution has been proved to be an effective method to improve the energy storage performance of Na 0.5 Bi 0.5 TiO 3 (NBT) dielectric ceramics by inhibiting grain growth and disrupting the long-range ferroelectric order to enhance the breakdown field strength and relaxation. In this work, NaNbO 3 (NN)-doped 0.8Na 0.5 Bi 0.5 TiO 3 -0.2Sr 0.7 Bi 0.2 Ti 0.8 Hf 0.2 O 3 (NBSBTH) ceramics were prepared, the effects of NN content and sintering temperature on the phase composition, microstructure, energy storage performance of NBT-based ceramics were investigated. An abnormal high energy storage performance accompanied by increased grain size and reduced relative density was observed and explained. As the NN content increased from 0 to 0.2, the average grain size increased from 1.61 μm to 2.30 μm, while the energy storage density (W rec) improves from 1.86 J/cm3 to 2.53 J/cm3, and the efficiency (η) increases from 61.5% to 84.8%. When the sintering temperature increased to 1100 °C, the relative density reaches the maximum of 97.78%, and it decreases to 95.55% as the sintering temperature further increased to 1200 °C, while the energy storage density improves singularly. It is indicated that the abnormal poor energy storage performance at high relative density and small grain size is caused by the formation of the low breakdown strength second phase Bi 12 TiO 20 , which resulted from the non-uniform volatilization of Na and Bi by doping NN into NBT-based ceramics. This study reveals the complex doping effects on the microstructure and composition, which may provide feasible guidance for the composition modification and performance improvement of NBT-based ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferula diversifolia W.Jun Li & Lei Yang, is described and illustrated from Xinjiang Province, China. The new species is morphologically similar to F. foetidissima Regel & Schmalh. in terms of its garlic‐like odor, robust stem, and characetristic branching pattern with a paniculate inflorescence. However, it is distinctly different from F. foetidissima in its ternate‐2‐pinnate compound leaves with much broader and shorter leaflets that are incised‐elliptical to rhombic in shape, and significantly smaller fruits. The diagnosis of the new species is supported by a comprehensive investigation including a molecular phylogeny, detailed description, conservation status, photographs, and comparison with morphologically similar species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence on electrical characteristics of interface states by using nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) co-doped polysilicon (poly-Si) in tunnel oxide passivation contact silicon solar cells has been investigated. We find that the introduction of N co-doping in P heavily doped poly-Si decreases its own work function; thus, the built-in potential of the poly-Si (n+)/tunnel SiOx/c-Si (p) junction is notably enhanced. The electrical characteristics of interface states at tunnel SiOx/c-Si in the junction have been investigated by current/capacitance–voltage deconvolution. The measured results suggest that the interface state density is reduced, and the corresponding capture cross section ratio σe/σh is increased by three orders of magnitude in the junction with N co-doped poly-Si. The obtained results not only reveal the underlying mechanism of the enhanced contact passivation effect by introducing N co-doped poly-Si but also give an enlightening idea for the design of passivation contact structure in crystalline silicon solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mid‐infrared soliton lasers leveraging the Raman self‐pumping induced soliton self‐frequency shift (SSFS) effect offer continuously tunable, highly efficient, femtosecond coherent sources that are essential for applications such as spectroscopy, metrology, and quantum optics. However, despite significant advancements in fluoride and chalcogenide fiber platforms, realizing mid‐infrared Raman soliton lasers on on‐chip platforms remains challenging. In this study, the first experimental demonstration of a mid‐infrared Raman soliton laser in an on‐chip Ge28Sb12Se60 (GeSbSe) chalcogenide glass waveguide is presented. A fully fiberized femtosecond fiber laser, centered at 1.96 µm and emitting 246 fs pulses at a 50 MHz repetition rate, is utilized as the pump source, establishing a fiber‐to‐chip configuration. The waveguides are meticulously fabricated using e‐beam lithography and plasma etching, achieving high optical quality and precision in the mid‐infrared regime. Through precise geometrical dispersion engineering, a Raman soliton laser is achieved that continuously tunes from 1960 to 2145 nm within a 32.5 mm long snakelike GeSbSe strip waveguide. The threshold for pump peak power is remarkably low, at just 14.1 W (3.47 pJ). Additionally, a more than one‐octave‐spanning near to mid‐infrared supercontinuum (1320–2760 nm at 22.9 pJ), reinforced by the combined Kerr and Raman effects, is also realized, confirming the versatile performance of the proposed GeSbSe waveguide. These findings pave the way for mid‐infrared on‐chip Raman soliton lasers, highlighting their potential for power‐efficient, low‐cost, and field‐deployable on‐chip applications in the mid‐infrared regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigating how multiple invasive fish species with similar ecological traits respond to different environmental conditions is crucial to understanding their successful invasion and coexistence. Here, we used stomach content analysis and stable isotope analysis to analyse the effects of water level fluctuation on the trophic niche plasticity of three dominant co‐occurring invasive tilapia species (Coptodon zillii, Sarotherodon galilaeus, and Oreochromis niloticus) in the Shanmei Reservoir, southern China. We found that the tilapia species exhibited an iliophagous habit with dietary variations between the high‐water (HW) and low‐water (LW) level periods. During the LW period, tilapia fishes primarily fed on periphytic algae, whereas during the HW period, they reduced their consumption of epiphytic algae and increased their intake of plant remains. Biofilms were the most assimilated resource by the species during the LW period, whereas riparian plants dominated during the HW period. The niche width and niche overlap of the three tilapia species were significantly greater in the HW period than in the LW period. However, their trophic positions were not significantly affected by water level fluctuations. Our findings indicate that temporal variation in diet composition and trophic niche, driven by water level fluctuations, may favor food resource partitioning and facilitate the coexistence of these invasive tilapia species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium oxysporum is a destructive plant pathogen with robust survival mechanisms, complicating control efforts. This study aimed to develop nanoformulated fungicides, screen antagonistic bacteria, and evaluate their combined efficacy. A novel self-emulsifying nanoemulsion (DZW) was formulated using zein and benzaldehyde-modified wheat gluten (BgWG) as carriers for dimethachlon (DTN). The preparation process optimized material ratios and emulsification techniques. Concurrently, antagonistic bacterial strains against F. oxysporum were screened via the plate standoff method, identifying Bacillus velezensis MLY71 as both antagonistic and compatible with DTN. The DZW nanoemulsion achieved a particle size of 93.22 nm, an encapsulation efficiency (EE) of 90.57%, and a DTN loading capacity (LC) of 67.09%, with sustained release over 96 h. The combination of DTN (0.04 mg·mL⁻¹) and B. velezensis MLY71 (1 × 10⁴ CFU·mL⁻¹) achieved a 76.66% inhibition rate against F. oxysporum MLY127, 1.71 times greater than DTN alone, indicating significant synergy. At a DTN concentration of 0.20 mg·mL⁻¹, the combination of DZW and MLY71 showed a synergy coefficient of 1.33. This synergy was also observed in soil environments, indicating its adaptability for controlling soil-borne pathogens. As sustainable management continues to gain attention in agricultural disease control, this study offers a promising strategy for achieving higher efficacy with the same fungicide dose or satisfactory control with reduced fungicide application. The excellent drug-loading performance of BgWG also expanded the applications of the wheat by-product gluten. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increased availability of reference genome assemblies of sharks and rays has contributed greatly to our understanding of their biology, including their sex-determination mechanisms. However, several publicly available genome assemblies of sharks and rays appear to be missing information about the sex of the source individuals. This can confound the investigation into genetic sex-determining elements and hinder the discovery of sex-specific patterns. Herein, we highlight the importance of clear and accurate sex identification in sharks and rays for future genome assemblies, using an example of a white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) genome, in which the phenotypically assigned sex conflicts with the genetic information. This genome assembly was reported to be sourced from a juvenile female (BioSample: SAMN01915239). We analyzed the assembly by mapping its available genome sequences to the current white shark reference genome assembly and compared the read coverage to sequences collected from other samples. Evidence suggests that this specimen is genetically male, which contradicts its assignment based on phenotype. Therefore, we urge researchers to provide as much accurate information (e.g., sex, sampling localities, and life history) as possible when publishing genome assemblies for sharks and rays (or for any other organism). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinisation has led to increasing abandonment of farmlands in the arid region of northwest China, and the cultivation of cash crops has become an important way to reuse abandoned farmlands and remediate saline soils. In this study, the effects of cotton (Cot), alfalfa (Alf), and rapeseed (Rap) cropping on the bacterial and fungal communities in saline soil were compared based on high-throughput sequencing. The results showed that soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC) of the Cot, Alf, and Rap groups decreased significantly compared with those of bare land (CK). Especially, soil pH (8.3) and EC (0.93 mS cm-1) of the Alf group decreased the most, and the contents of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) increased the most, which increased by 250% and 91.4%, respectively compared with those of the CK (p < 0.05). Actinobacteriota and Proteobacteria were the dominant bacterial phyla in the three groups, Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the dominant fungal phyla. The diversity of soil bacterial and fungal communities in the Alf group was higher than that in the Cot and Rap groups. The results of RDA and PERMANOVA analysis showed that soil pH, EC, C/N ratio, and TN were the main factors affecting soil bacterial and fungal communities in the three groups. In general, Cot, Alf, and Rap cropping all could reduce soil pH and EC and improve soil microbial community structure and diversity, but Alf cropping had the best effects in improving saline soil quality and bacterial and fungal diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transient activity of the brain can be characterized by stable heteroclinic channels (SHCs) in the phase space of dynamical models, and the saddle points can represent the metastable states of brain activity. Inspired by this view, based on the hippocampal CA3–CA1 synaptic network model of memory we constructed earlier, we encode memory engrams as trajectories within the SHC in phase space. Short-term memory is transformed into long-term memory and then is encoded as trajectories within the SHC. The saddle points indicate the information blocks that have been segmented during the process of short-term memory. A stable heteroclinic network (SHN) is composed of multiple SHCs, whose trajectories express the memory engrams formed after the conversion of multiple short-term memories into long-term memories. From the existence conditions of SHC and SHN, the asymmetric regulation of neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine on the inhibition strength of adjacent postsynaptic neurons determines the capacity of short-term memory and participates in the encoding of long-term memory. Numerical results reveal the hysteresis effect of saddle points on the trajectories that reflect the limited capacity of short-term memory. All saddle points in the SHNs enable long-term memory to possess an extremely large capacity. Moreover, while noise in the hippocampal circuit can lead to the loss or confusion of memory information, it can also facilitate the encoding of long-term memories. The model and its theoretical analysis allow us to explain memory from the perspective of dynamics and have guiding significance for understanding the encoding and storage process of memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Polyploids possess more than two complete sets of chromosomes. While common in plants, they are found in only a few clades of fishes. Catostomidae is a freshwater fish family composed exclusively of tetraploids. Studying the relationships among members of this family has been challenging. In this study, we collected DNA sequence data for five nuclear genes, separated the gene copies, and provided new insights into the evolution of this polyploid lineage. Fishes in the cypriniform family Catostomidae (suckers) are evolutionary tetraploids. The use of nuclear markers in the phylogenetic study of this important group has been greatly hindered by the challenge of identifying paralogous copies of genes. In the present study, we used two different methods to separate the gene copies of five single-copy nuclear genes (i.e., RAG1, EGR2B, EGR3, IRBP2, and RAG2). For each gene, all sequences of Copy I formed a clade that was sister to the clade formed by all sequences of Copy II in the phylogenetic trees. The maternal and paternal progenitor of the tetraploid ancestor of the Catostomidae could not be determined. We also constructed a mitochondrial tree to reflect the maternal relationships among major catostomid lineages. Our data appear to support a sister relationship between Catostominae and a monophyletic group composed of Myxocyprininae, Cycleptinae, and Ictiobinae. However, within Catostominae, there is significant conflict between mitochondrial and nuclear data regarding the relationships among Erimyzonini, Catostomini, and Moxostomatini/Thoburnini. Many indels, unexpected stop codons, and possible gene loss were identified in one gene copy of RAG1, RAG2, and IRBP2. We believe that additional nuclear genome data are needed to better resolve the phylogenetic relationships within the family Catostomidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study explores the Fano-type interference effect in a microstrip photonic crystal (PC) heterostructure integrated with a varactor-loaded split ring resonator (SRR), both experimentally and numerically. This effect capitalizes on the PC heterostructure's ability to provide a broad continuous spectrum, while the embedded SRR offers a narrow discrete pathway. Through coherent interference between these elements, a sharp asymmetric Fano-type transmission spectrum emerges, accompanied by a notable group delay. Furthermore, the composite configuration exhibits an electric field enhancement at the Fano resonant frequency, enhancing the nonlinear sensitivity of the transmission spectrum. The nonlinear tunability of the Fano resonance is demonstrated by applying distinct input powers, allowing for the realization of a high-performance bistable electromagnetic switch and diode in the microwave regime. The proposed configuration exhibits key features such as significant transmission contrast, low threshold intensity, and relatively high transmission amplitude, all within a compact device volume, thanks to the Fano resonant mechanism in the PC heterostructure. This design paves the way for the implementation of active metamaterials-assisted components in micro- or nano-photonic circuits, with potential applications in advanced optical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sex ratio of the endemic gymnosperm Cycas panzhihuaensis was investigated within a 1 ha permanent plot in the Sichuan Panzhihua Cycad National Nature Reserve, with a total of 1034 individuals. The study was based on the potential sex‐determining gene MADS‐Y. The research analyzed the sex dimorphism and spatial distribution of male and female individuals. The findings revealed the following: (1) The coning sex ratio of C. panzhihuaensis in the study plot varied across different years. The genotypic sex ratio was 1:1 (p > 0.05), indicating no significant gender bias in the population. (2) Female individuals exhibited larger stem diameter and nutrient leaf length compared with male individuals (p < 0.05), while there was no significant difference in stem height and number of nutrient leaves between female and male populations (p > 0.05). (3) The spatial distribution of male and female individuals within the plot revealed a clear clustering pattern at a smaller scale and a random or uniform distribution at a larger scale. The spatial association between male and female populations was positively correlated on smaller scales and uncorrelated on larger scales. These results suggest that the genotypic sex ratio of the C. panzhihuaensis population in the study plot is balanced. Additionally, there is a significant clustering effect in spatial pattern, which may be associated with its spatially limited pollination mechanism and seed dispersal primarily influenced by gravity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Considering the limited space, power of the unmanned platform, and the inconsistency of the antenna array transceiver beam pattern, we design a serial sampling closed‐loop system for transceiver beam nulling, which has a strong robustness and global convergence. It is mathematically proved that the serial sampling closed‐loop system is capable of adaptively nulling jamming signals by analyzing the system mathematical model for the first time. Our work addresses the issue that the existing transceiver system on unmanned platforms cannot estimate the directions of arrival (DOAs) of jamming signals causing the transmit beam not to be nulled in the DOAs of jammers. Simulation results show that the proposed system can be applied in scenarios with strictly limitations on space, weight, and power (SWaP) to suppress jamming signals when receiving desired signals while covering the transmissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disorder characterized by progressive cartilage degradation. Excessive oxidative stress (OS), inflammatory responses, extracellular matrix breakdown, and cellular senescence of chondrocytes play crucial roles in the pathological development of OA. Currently, curing OA remains a significant challenge. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the protective effects of Annexin A1 protein Mimetic Peptide (Ac2‐26) against tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α)‐induced damage in CHON‐001 chondrocytes by assessing cellular senescence, OS, and the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase‐13 (MMP‐13) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS)‐4. Our results show that Ac2‐26 mitigated the reduction of telomerase activity and the exacerbation of cellular senescence induced by TNF‐α in CHON‐001 chondrocytes. Treatment with TNF‐α led to decreased expression of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase gene and increased expression of the telomeric repeat‐binding factor 2 gene, which were reversed by Ac2‐26 treatment. The TNF‐α‐induced increases in the gene and protein expressions of p53 and p16 were restored by Ac2‐26 in a dose‐dependent manner. Additionally, we found that TNF‐α caused elevations in the mRNA and protein levels of MMP‐13 and ADAMTS‐4, which were reduced by Ac2‐26 in a dose‐dependent fashion. Furthermore, TNF‐α triggered the activation of nuclear factor κ‐B (NF‐κB) by increasing the levels of phosphorylated NF‐κB p65 and the luciferase activity of NF‐κB. Notably, Ac2‐26 alleviated OS by reducing mitochondrial reactive oxygen species levels and promoting the activation of NF‐E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) in TNF‐α‐challenged CHON‐001 chondrocytes. Silencing Nrf2 abolished the Ac2‐26‐induced activation of NF‐κB and cellular senescence in CHON‐001 chondrocytes. Collectively, these findings offer new insights into the potential therapeutic use of Ac2‐26 for treating OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with a narrow diameter distribution and high areal density hold great promise for a variety of applications, particularly in advanced electronics and biomedical devices. This study utilizes Mn ion doping as a strategic approach both to stabilize the ZrO 2 -supported Fe catalyst and regulate lattice oxygen release, thereby facilitating the growth of SWCNTs with high areal density and a narrow diameter distribution. The ZrO 2 -supported Fe catalyst was meticulously dispersed on Si/SiO 2 (300 nm) substrates through the optimization of spin-coating speed and solvent viscosity, aiming to enhance the dispersion and uniformity. Investigation into the precise control over the Mn ion content was conducted to regulate the structure and stability of the Mn-doped ZrO 2 -supported Fe catalyst. Mn ions perform a dual role: they maintain a higher proportion of ZrO 2 in the monoclinic phase, which in turn alleviates the monoclinic-tetragonal phase transition during chemical vapor deposition (CVD) growth. Concurrently, the conversion of Mn3+ to Mn4+ ions captures the lattice oxygen released during the formation of zirconium transition oxides. Additionally, first-principles simulations have confirmed the stabilizing impact of Mn ions on the catalyst, which reduces aggregation and maturation, ultimately resulting in a more concentrated diameter distribution of as-grown SWCNTs. This approach has successfully achieved the controlled growth of high areal density SWCNTs with a diameter distribution of 1.73 ± 0.08 nm. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to examine childhood neighbourhood quality, peer relationships, and trajectories of depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older Chinese adults. Methods: The data came from the longitudinal dataset from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS, 2011–2018). Depressive symptoms were measured repeatedly using the ten-item Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D-10). Latent growth modelling was used to capture the trajectory of depressive symptoms by childhood neighbourhood quality, and peer relationships. Results: The mean level of depressive symptoms increased gradually in the follow-up period. Poorer childhood neighbourhood quality, and peer relationships were significantly associated with higher levels of depression in later life (β = 0.18 and β = 0.28 for aged 45–59, p < 0.001; β = 0.16 and β = 0.33 for aged 60 and over, p < 0.001) at baseline and a faster increase in depressive symptoms with age for childhood neighbourhood quality (β = 0.03, p < 0.01 for aged 45–59; β = 0.05, p < 0.01 for aged 60 and over). For males and females, poorer childhood neighbourhood quality, and peer relationships predicted higher levels of depression at baseline (β = 0.17 and β = 0.36 for males, p < 0.001; β = 0.16 and β = 0.27 for females, p < 0.001), and only neighbourhood quality was associated with a higher rate of change in depression during follow-up (β = 0.03, and β = 0.04, p < 0.05, respectively). Conclusion: Poorer childhood neighbourhood quality was associated with the slope of change in depressive symptoms. Efforts towards improving childhood living conditions may help to prevent the detrimental health effects of such early life disadvantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating type of stroke, and most favorable treatments to improve patients' neurologic outcomes are not clear. Invasive intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring is a common treatment of ICH, but whether patients with ICH could benefit from ICP monitoring is controversial. ICP variability (IPV) has been shown to correlate with poor outcomes in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage and traumatic brain injury, but this association has not been clearly elucidated in patients with ICH. We hypothesized that 72-hour IPV from time of ICP probe implantation is associated with outcomes in patients with ICH. A retrospective chart review analysis of adult patients with ICH who received ICP monitoring at Huashan Hospital, Fudan University between January 2008 and January 2023 was performed. We included patients with ICH within 6 hours of signs or symptoms onset. Outcomes of patients with ICH were assessed using 3-month modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, and were dichotomized into a poor (mRS score 4–6) and good (mRS score 0–3) outcome group. ICPs were recorded from the implantation of invasive ICP probe until it was removed. ICP was analyzed in the acute period, from 0 to 72 hours after ICP implantation. IPV was analyzed by SD, coefficient of variation, and successive variation of ICP. We analyzed 597 patients' charts. The first mean ICP assessment, immediately after ICP implantation, at a median 117 minutes (interquartile range, 82–231 minutes) after admission was 20.5 (SD 7.8) mm Hg. The second mean ICP assessment, on neurosurgical intensive care unit arrival after operation, was 14.6 (SD 8.3) mm Hg. Poor outcomes occurred in 213 patients (35.68%). In univariate analysis, univariate quintile analysis, or multivariate analysis, ICP SD, ICP coefficient of variation, and ICP successive variation were associated with poor outcomes. IPV during the first 72 hours after ICP implantation in patients with ICH was independently associated with poor functional outcome at 3 months. Stabilization of IPV during hyperacute and acute periods may be a potential therapeutic target to improve functional outcomes of these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In this study, we analyzed the uncertainties and influencing factors associated with two different methods for determining soil iron-bound organic carbon (Fe-OC). By comparing soil samples from wetland, grassland, and forest, the results showed that the Fe-OC determined by the citrate-bicarbonate-dithionite (CBD) method (Fe-OCCBD) was mainly affected by the C:N ratio (C/N), clay content (Clay%), and total carbon (TC), while the Fe-OC determined by the sulfate-dithionite (SD) method (Fe-OCSD) was mainly affected by soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen, and soil inorganic carbon. In grassland ecosystems, the choice of method significantly impacted the estimation of Fe-OC, with the CBD method proving superior to the SD method, whereas no significant differences were found between the two methods in wetlands and forests. In conclusion, future Fe-OC determinations should account for ecosystem types and soil properties, and selecting appropriate methods for different ecosystems will enhance Fe-OC estimation accuracy. Fe-OC is crucial for SOC preservation in the global ecosystem. However, there is still significant uncertainty in the determination methods of Fe-OC, and these methods are often not calibrated to each other, making the Fe-OC content by different methods impossible to compare. Here, Fe-OC is analyzed by the CBD method and the SD method from 45 soils from different land types (e.g., wetland, grassland, and forest) to compare and analyze the uncertainty and influencing factors between the two methods. Our results showed that the Fe-OC contributions to SOC (fFe-OC) measured by CBD and SD methods were significantly lower in the wetland ecosystem than in grassland and forest ecosystems. The Fe-OC content and fFe-OC in the grassland ecosystem was significantly higher using the CBD method compared to the SD method, with no significant difference between the methods in wetland and forest ecosystems. The random forest model revealed that Fe-OCCBD content was mainly affected by C/N, Clay%, and TC, whereas SOC, total nitrogen, and soil inorganic carbon were the main influences on Fe-OCSD. Taken together, our findings highlight the importance of incorporating ecosystem types and soil properties into soil carbon estimation models when predicting and estimating Fe-OC and its contribution to SOC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The correlation between high-intensity zone (HIZ) of lumbar disc magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and discogenic low back pain (DLBP) is currently controversial, this study aimed to systematically evaluate the correlation between HIZ of lumbar disc MRI and positive discography, as well as its diagnostic value for DLBP. Method: Databases were searched to include research literature on high intensity zone (HIZ) related to discography and DLBP diagnosis. HIZ is a separate small, confined area of high signal located at the posterior border of the annulus fibrosus on MRI T2-weighted images of the lumbar spine, which is separated from the nucleus pulposus but has a higher signal than the nucleus pulposus. Studies on the correlation of HIZ with discography and DLBP diagnosis were searched in the Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, Science Direct, China Knowledge Network, Wanfang Database, and China Biomedical Literature Databases, Scopus from January 1992 to June 2024. The outcomes were diagnostic values of HIZ for DLBP. The risk assessment was performed by Deeks' funnel methods in the Stata 17.0 software after 2 investigators independently screened the literature, extracted information and evaluated the risk of bias of the included studies. Results: A total of 25 studies including 5889 patients were included. meta-analysis showed that the sensitivity of HIZ for the diagnosis of DLBP was (0.49, 95% CI [0.37,0.61]) and specificity was (0.89, 95% CI [0.85,0.93]); the positive likelihood ratio was (4.52, 95% CI [3.28,6.25]) and the negative likelihood ratio was (0.58, 95% CI [0.46,0.71]). The diagnostic ratio was (7.87, 95% CI [5.05,12.26]). Conclusion: The available evidence suggests that HIZ has acceptable sensitivity and high specificity in the diagnosis of DLBP. Due to the limitation of the number and quality of included studies, the above conclusions need to be validated by more high-quality studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Several indices were suggested to determine the follow up duration in oncology trials from either maturity or stability perspective, by maximizing time t$$ t $$ such that the index was either greater or less than a pre‐defined cutoff value. However, the selection of cutoff value was subjective and usually no commonly agreed cutoff value existed; sometimes one had to resort to simulations. To solve this problem, a new balance index was proposed, which integrated both data stability and data maturity. Its theoretical properties and relationships with other indices were investigated; then its performance was demonstrated through a case study. The highlights of the index are: (1) easy to calculate; (2) free of cutoff value selection; (3) generally consistent with the other indices while sometimes able to shorten the follow‐up duration thus more flexible. For the cases where the new balance index cannot be calculated, a modified balance index was also proposed and discussed. For either single arm trial or randomized clinical trial, the two new balance indices can be implemented to widespread situations such as designing a new trial from scratch, or using aggregated trial information to inform the decision‐making in the middle of trial conduct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A putative novel virus was identified in Agastache rugosa in China and tentatively named "Agastache rugosa-associated varicosavirus" (ARaVV). The nearly complete genome sequence of ARaVV was obtained through RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and subsequent RT-PCR. The ARaVV genome consists of two negative-sense single-stranded RNA segments that are 6428 and 3862 nucleotides (nt) in size, respectively. RNA1 encodes a large polymerase (L), and RNA2 encodes a putative nucleocapsid protein (N), protein 2 (P2), and protein 3 (P3). The L protein shared the highest amino acid (aa) sequence identity (51.3%) with Erysimum virus 1 (EryV1, BK061766.1). The N, P2, and P3 shared the highest aa sequence identity (33.1%, 14.0%, and 24.2%) with Leucanthemum virus 1, Raphanus virus 1, and Spinach virus 1, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on amino acid sequences of the L protein showed that ARaVV clustered in a clade with the varicosaviruses, indicating that ARaVV is a putative new member of the genus Varicosavirus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To quickly and efficiently screen catalytic materials with both activity and selectivity for the nitric oxide reduction reaction (NORR), we adopted a strategy that considers the activity of the side reaction hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) first. It can be seen that Fe3(THT)2 (THT = triphenylene-2,3,6,7,10,11-hexathiol) has extremely excellent HER activity, with a Gibbs free energy change (ΔG) of 0.007 eV. Based on the relationship between ΔG and theoretical exchange current density, all TM3(THT)2 can be divided into two regions: one is the absolute values of ΔG greater than 1 eV, the other is the absolute values of ΔG greater than 0 eV and less than 1eV. Obviously, the candidates with the absolute values of ΔG greater than 1 eV have poor HER performance, but this precisely provides the possibility of obtaining NORR catalytic materials with both excellent selectivity and activity. Subsequent calculation results show that the maximum ΔG change of the rate-determining step of Ta3(THT)2 is unexpectedly only 0.05 eV. Therefore, Ta3(THT)2 may be regarded as the NORR catalytic material with both excellent performance and selectivity. Based on the electron transfer and partial density of states (PDOS) analysis, it can be seen that Ta plays a crucial role in the activation stage of NO. The approach that considers the activity of the side reaction HER first may provide a new idea for rapidly screening highly selective and active NORR catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)grafted 2,4,6,8-tetravinyl-2,4,6,8-tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane (V4) polymer EVA-g-V4 was prepared by free-radical solution grafting reaction. The results of the purified grafted products by FT-IR, 1H NMR, XRD, TG and DSC show that V4 has been successfully grafted onto the main chain of EVA. The effects of the dosage of V4 and BPO on grafting ratio were studied. When the dosage of V4 was 6.0 wt%, and the dosage of BPO was 0.8 wt%, the grafting ratio was up to 1.4%. The cross-linking behaviour was verified by SEM. Compared with pure EVA film, the peel strength, mechanical properties, volume resistivity and hydrophobicity of EVA-g-V4 film all improved with increasing grafting ratio. This work provides a new option in the field of photovolatic encapsulation materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have demonstrated that under low-velocity, low-energy impact conditions, although the surface damage to fiber-reinforced composite laminates may be minimal, significant internal damage can occur. Consequently, a progressive damage finite element model was specifically developed for thermoplastic carbon fiber-reinforced composite laminates subjected to low-speed impact loads, with the objective of analyzing the damage behavior of laminates under impacts of varying energy levels. The model utilizes a three-dimensional Hashin criterion for predicting intralayer damage initiation, with cohesive elements based on bilinear traction–separation law for predicting interlaminar delamination initiation, and incorporates a damage constitutive model based on equivalent displacement to characterize fiber damage evolution, along with the B-K criterion for interlaminar damage evolution. The impact response of laminates at energy levels of 5 J, 10 J, 15 J, 20 J, and 25 J was analyzed through numerical simulation, drop-hammer experiments, and XCT non-destructive testing. The results indicated that the simulation outcomes closely correspond with the experimental findings, with both the predicted peak error and absorbed energy error maintained within a 5% margin, and the trends of the mechanical response curves aligning closely with the experimental data. The damage patterns predicted by the numerical simulations were consistent with the results obtained from XCT scans. The study additionally revealed that the impact damage of the laminates primarily stems from interlaminar delamination and intralayer tensile failure. Initial damage typically presents as internal delamination; hence, enhancing interlaminar bonding performance can significantly augment the overall load-bearing capacity of the laminate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) offers a promising platform for non-invasive and gentle cell detachment. However, conventional PNIPAM-based substrates often suffer from limitations including limited stability and reduced reusability, which hinder their widespread adoption in biomedical applications. In this study, PNIPAM copolymer films were formed on the surfaces of glass slides or silicon wafers using a two-step film-forming method involving coating and grafting. Subsequently, a comprehensive analysis of the films' surface wettability, topography, and thickness was conducted using a variety of techniques, including contact angle analysis, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and ellipsometric measurements. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) were then seeded onto PNIPAM copolymer films prepared from different copolymer solution concentrations, ranging from 0.2 to 10 mg·mL−1, to select the optimal culture substrate that allowed for good cell growth at 37 °C and effective cell detachment through temperature reduction. Furthermore, the stability and reusability of the optimal copolymer films were assessed. Finally, AFM and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were employed to examine the surface morphology and elemental composition of the copolymer films after two rounds of BMMSC adhesion and detachment. The findings revealed that the surface properties and overall characteristics of PNIPAM copolymer films varied significantly with the solution concentration. Based on the selection criteria, the copolymer films derived from 1 mg·mL−1 solution were identified as the optimal culture substrates for BMMSCs. After two rounds of cellular adhesion and detachment, some proteins remained on the film surfaces, acting as a foundation for subsequent cellular re-adhesion and growth, thereby implicitly corroborating the practicability and reusability of the copolymer films. This study not only introduces a stable and efficient platform for stem cell culture and harvesting but also represents a significant advance in the fabrication of smart materials tailored for biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Litter size is an important trait in pig production. Selection accuracy for litter size is expected to be increased by genetic evaluation using data of production traits as additional information. This study investigated the improvement of genetic evaluation for litter size using a multitrait model including production traits. The multitrait model used in this study allows us to account for environmental correlation between litter size and production traits in the situation that one individual has only one record for a production trait while multiple records for litter size. The results show that the multitrait model including growth trait can improve genetic evaluation for litter size considerably. Therefore, it is recommended to use the multitrait model with data of both reproduction and production traits for routine genetic evaluation in pig breeding programs. Litter size is an important trait in pig production. But selection accuracy for this trait is relatively low, compared with production traits. This study, for the first time, investigated the improvement of genetic evaluation of reproduction traits such as litter size in pigs using data of production traits as an additional information source. The data of number of piglets born alive per litter (NBA), age at 100 kg of body weight (Age100), and lean meet percentage (LMP) in a Yorkshire population were analyzed, using either a single-trait model or the multitrait model that allows us to account for environmental correlation between reproduction and production traits in the situation that one individual has only one record for a production trait while multiple records for a reproduction trait. Accuracy of genetic evaluation using single-trait and multitrait models were assessed by model-based accuracy (Rm) and validation accuracy (Rv). Two validation scenarios were considered. One scenario (Valid_r1) was that the individuals did not have a record of NBA, but Age100 and LMP. The other (Valid_r2) was that the individuals did not have a record for all the three traits. The estimate of heritability was 0.279 for Age100, 0.371 for LMP, and 0.076 for NBA. Genetic correlation was 0.308 between Age100 and LMP, 0.369 between Age100 and NBA, and 0.022 between LMP and NBA. Compared with the single-trait model, the multitrait model including Age100 increased prediction accuracy for NBA by 3.6 percentage points in Rm and 5.9 percentage points in Rv for the scenario of Valid_r1. The increase was 1.8 percentage points in Rm and 3.8 percentage points in Rv for the scenario of Valid_r2. Age100 also gained in the multitrait model but was smaller than NBA. However, LMP did not benefit from a multitrait model and did not have a positive contribution to genetic evaluation for NBA. In addition, the multitrait model, in general, slightly reduced level bias but not dispersion bias of genetic evaluation. According to these results, it is recommended to predict breeding values using a multitrait model including growth and reproduction traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Meeting the 24-hour movement behavior (24-HMB) guideline helps enhance quality of life (QOL) of adolescents. This study aimed to assess the associations between the 24-HMB (physical activity, screen time, sleep) and QOL among adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2021 and September 2023. 24-HMB, QOL and demographic variables were collected through a self-reported questionnaire. Linear regression models and stratified analyses were used to explore statistical associations between the 24-HMB and QOL. Results: A total of 1073 participants aged 10–18 years with a spinal Cobb angle between 10° and 40° were included. Overall, 20 participants (1.9%) met all three behavioral guidelines, and 272 participants (25.3%) met none. Compared to those who did not meet any of the guidelines, adolescents meeting both screen time and sleep duration (β = 4.10, 95% CI: 2.02–6.18, P < 0.001) and all 3 guidelines (β = 4.39, 95% CI: 0.27–8.51, P = 0.037) had higher QOL scores. Stratified analyses showed that the above associations were more pronounced in adolescents without back pain or with good self-image. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of adopting and maintaining healthy behavioral habits in order to improve QOL among adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis, especially in those without back pain or with good self-image. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

M50 bearing steel is a typical alloy material widely used in aeroengines due to its high hardness and fatigue life at high temperatures. To reveal the frictional mechanisms and wear behaviours of contact and sliding, a molecular dynamics simulation model consisting of an indenter and substrate is constructed. The results indicate that, during the indentation process, the normal load exhibits a linear relationship with the indentation depth at shallow depths. With further penetration, the substrate generates severe deformations and subsurface damages. Throughout the scratching process, the average friction force exhibits a linear increase with the growing scratching depth, while the coefficient of friction decreases. Surface morphologies and shear strain distributions are analyzed to elucidate plastic deformation and atomic displacement. Moreover, the wear atom shows a linear proportionality to both scratching distance and depth. These findings enhance understanding of frictional properties and atomic wear behaviour of M50 bearing steel during contact and sliding, potentially informing bearing failure prediction and material optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is recognized as an especially severe stroke variant, notorious for its high mortality and long-term disability rates, in addition to a range of both immediate and enduring neurologic impacts. Over half of the SAH survivors experience varying degrees of neurologic disorders, with many enduring chronic neuropsychiatric conditions. Due to the limitations of traditional imaging techniques in depicting subtle changes within brain tissues posthemorrhage, the accurate detection and diagnosis of white matter (WM) injuries are complicated. Against this backdrop, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has emerged as a promising biomarker for structural imaging, renowned for its enhanced sensitivity in identifying axonal damage. This capability positions DTI as an invaluable tool for forming precise and expedient prognoses for SAH survivors. This study synthesizes an assessment of DTI for the diagnosis and prognosis of neurologic dysfunctions in patients with SAH, emphasizing the notable changes observed in DTI metrics and their association with potential pathophysiological processes. Despite challenges associated with scanning technology differences and data processing, DTI demonstrates significant clinical potential for early diagnosis of cognitive impairments following SAH and monitoring therapeutic effects. Future research requires the development of highly standardized imaging paradigms to enhance diagnostic accuracy and devise targeted therapeutic strategies for SAH patients. In sum, DTI technology not only augments our understanding of the impact of SAH but also may offer new avenues for improving patient prognoses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focused on investigating the mechanism of the astragaloside IV-induced bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell exosome (AS-IV-MSC-exo)/microRNA(miR)-411/HIF-1α axis in affecting vascular neovascularization and protecting cardiac function in myocardial infarction (MI) mice. Exosomes (MSC-exo and AS-IV-MSC-exo) were separated by differential centrifugation and then characterized. MI mouse models were established by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation. Echocardiography was used to evaluate cardiac function. HE staining and Masson staining were performed to observe myocardial histopathology. Capillary density in the myocardium via immunohistochemistry and quantified the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) via RT-qPCR. The expression of miR-411 and HIF-1α was tested by RT-qPCR and western blot and the targeting relationship of miR-411 and HIF-1α was verified by bioinformatics website and dual luciferase reporter gene assay. Exosomes with lipid bi-layer membrane structure, expressing exosomal surface marker proteins, and being taken up by cardiomyocytes could be successfully isolated utilizing ultracentrifugation. Intramyocardial injection of MSC-exo could restore cardiac function, decrease myocardial pathological changes and collagen deposition, and promote neovascularization in MI mice; the effect of AS-IV-MSC-exo was more significant. The ability of AS-IV-MSC-exo to restore cardiac function, lower myocardial pathological changes and collagen deposition, and promote neovascularization in MI mice was diminished when miR-411 expression in AS-IV-MSC-exo was reduced. Mechanistically, miR-411 was found to target and inhibit HIF-1α expression. Overexpression of HIF-1α impaired the impact of AS-IV-MSC-exo on improving cardiac function and promoting neovascularization in MI mice. AS-IV-MSC-exo improves cardiac function and promoted neovascularization via the miR-411/HIF-1α axis, thereby ameliorating MI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial production and daily life are inseparable from steel tools and equipment, but with the extension of the use of time, carbon steel equipment will inevitably occur corrosion, which will reduce the mechanical and physical properties of carbon steel, shorten the service life, waste economy at the same time may cause fire, explosion and other catastrophic accidents, so the corrosion of carbon steel is very important. So electrochemical method, organic coating method, corrosion inhibitor method and other common methods are designed to solve such problems. Among them, the organic coating method is the most convenient and the best effect, and among all kinds of coatings, the superhydrophobic coating has attracted the attention of researchers because of its unique surface structure and excellent anti-corrosion performance. However, the coating prepared by the existing method usually requires a large number of organic solvents, which is not only a complicated process, but also causes serious environmental pollution, and the later maintenance work is very complicated. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a self-adhesive and self-cleaning coating which is not limited by time, space and thermal spraying equipment for the protection of carbon steel equipment. In this study, a preparation method was introduced. The anti-corrosion coating with self-adhesion, self-adsorption and long-term superhydrophobic properties was prepared by scraping coating through secondary hydrothermal method, and relevant tests were carried out on it. The results show that the modified composite coating has a maximum hydrophobic Angle of 151.52° and an impedance modulus of 1011 Ω • cm², showing excellent self-cleaning and anti-corrosion properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smoking is an established independent risk factor for coronary artery spasm (CAS), but its effects on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with CAS have not been systematically assessed. This systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published from January 2000 to July 2023 was conducted to examine the relationship between smoking and MACE in patients with CAS. Data on MACE were obtained from both smoking and non-smoking CAS patient groups. The effects of smoking on MACE in patients with CAS were assessed through meta-analysis, utilising Stata 17.0 software for all statistical analyses. Nine studies, encompassing 9,376 patients, from Japan (5 studies), Korea (4 studies) and Spain (1 study) were included in the final analysis. Meta-analysis revealed that smoking significantly impacted MACE in patients with CAS (RR 1.965; 95% CI 1.348–2.865), a finding further validated by sensitivity analyses. Subgroup analyses identified a stronger correlation between smoking and increased MACE endpoints in Japanese patients and in those with >3 years of follow-up. This meta-analysis strongly indicates that smoking escalates the risk of MACE in patients with CAS, with a more pronounced association observed in Japanese patients and those with extended follow-up periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are important mediators of intercellular communication between tumor cells and their surrounding environment. Furthermore, the mechanisms by which miRNAs carried in tumor sEVs regulate macrophage polarization remain largely unknown. To concentrate sEVs, we used the traditional ultracentrifugation method. Western blot, NanoSight, and transmission electron microscopy were used to identify sEVs. To determine the function of sEVs-miR-487a, we conducted in vivo and in vitro investigations. The intercellular communication mechanism between osteosarcoma cells and M2 macrophages, mediated by sEVs carrying miR-487a, was validated using luciferase reporter assays, transwell assays, and Western blot analysis. In vitro, sEVs enriched in miR-487a and delivered miR-487a to macrophages, promoting macrophage polarization toward an M2-like type, which promotes proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of osteosarcoma cells. In vivo, sEVs enriched in miR-487a facilitate lung metastasis of osteosarcoma. Moreover, plasma miR-487a in sEVs was shown to be a potential biomarker applicable for osteosarcoma diagnosis. In summary, miR-487a derived from osteosarcoma cells can be transferred to macrophages via sEVs, then promote macrophage polarization towards an M2-like type by targeting Notch2 and activating the GATA3 pathway. In a feedback loop, the activation of macrophages accelerates epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which in turn promotes the migration, invasion, and lung metastasis of osteosarcoma cells. This reciprocal interaction between activated macrophages and osteosarcoma cells contributes to the progression of the disease. Our data demonstrate a new mechanism that osteosarcoma tumor cells derived exosomal-miR-487a which is involved in osteosarcoma development by regulating macrophage polarization in tumor microenvironment (TME). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detrimental effects of negative emotional states on teachers’ professional performance have triggered numerous researchers to study these variables and their potential interactions within second and foreign language classes. Nonetheless, most scholars have examined negative emotional states and their possible associations through monolithic and linear research approaches. To gain a deeper insight into teachers’ emotional states and their dynamic nature, the present longitudinal study used the latent growth curve modelling (LGCM) to evaluate bilingual English teachers’ stress and aggression and their moment-to-moment changes across time. Using this innovative approach, this study also assessed the interaction of bilingual English teachers’ stress and aggression and the role of job satisfaction as a predictor of this interaction. To achieve these aims, 423 Chinese English teachers were invited to respond to three self-report measures at three different points in time. Findings reveal that the stress and aggression of participants significantly decreased over time. The results also indicate that these negative emotional states are strongly correlated during the whole course. Additionally, the outcomes show that Chinese English teachers’ job satisfaction negatively predicts their stress and aggression throughout the course. This investigation may be instructive for educational principals and bilingual language teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oxidation of propane to produce propylene is a vital industrial process. However, traditional methods for producing propylene require harsh conditions such as high temperatures and pressures. These methods lead to high energy consumption, environmental pollution, and low product selectivity, resulting in difficulty in product separation and high cost. Thus, it is urgent to find new and efficient catalysts and regulatory means to catalyze the oxidation of propane to propanol or propylene with high efficiency and selectivity. Here, the mechanism of propane oxidation reaction catalyzed by O–Fe-corrolazine under mild conditions was investigated, and the precise modulation of its oxidation products by oriented external electric fields (OEEFs) was also explored. The calculations show that in the absence of OEEFs, O–Fe-corrolazine can catalyze propane conversion to propanol or propylene through OH transfer or dehydrogenation reactions, but its product selectivity is not high. However, the OEEFs can effectively regulate the reaction. Especially for the OEEFs in the direction of the Fe–O bond, increasing the negative electric field intensity significantly reduces the energy barrier for the dehydrogenation of the intermediate. This greatly increases the selectivity of propylene. Note that when the intensity of the OEEFs exceeds −0.007 a.u., the reaction does not go through the INT1, and directly generates propanol from T–S1, with its selectivity reaching 100%. Therefore, precise regulation of the propane oxidation reaction can be achieved through OEEFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]