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During high-speed continuous casting, the effect of secondary cooling on the quality of the billet is more obvious, and the possibility of quality problems is higher. This study takes the continuous casting machine producing 165 mm × 165 mm billet as the research object. The six different secondary cooling schemes are designed with the 4.5 m/min casting speed. By comparing the shell deformation, surface stress, surface temperature recovery, and metallurgical lengths at different secondary cooling schemes, the secondary cooling scheme applied in the high-speed continuous casting process is selected. The results show that the surface temperature recovery and stress of the billet in Scheme 1 are higher than those of other cooling schemes. The metallurgical length and shell deformation of the billet in Scheme 4 are higher than those of other cooling schemes. In Schemes 2, 3, 5, and 6, the shell deformation of Schemes 3 and 5 is higher than that of Schemes 2 and 6. In Schemes 2 and 6, the maximum surface central stress of the continuous casting billet in the secondary cooling zone is 36.3 MPa and 31 MPa, respectively. Scheme 6 is used as the secondary cooling scheme of high-speed continuous casting in this study. The water quantity in secondary cooling zone 1 ~ 5 segments of Scheme 6 is 28 m3/h, 31 m3/h, 16 m3/h, 10 m3/h, and 6 m3/h, respectively. Finally, the industrial trial is carried out, which proves that Scheme 6 can be applied to high-speed continuous casting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the secretion pattern of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) by Bacillus sp. under varying salt concentrations and elucidates the molecular mechanisms governing EPS synthesis and secretion. Salt stress inhibited cell proliferation, while optimal salt stimulation promoted EPS secretion, resulting in increased viscosity of the culture medium and the formation of bacterial clusters. Fourier infrared spectrum analysis revealed functional groups such as C-O-C and N-H within the EPS. Soluble-EPS (S-EPS) contained sulfur and phosphorus groups associated with heavy metal ions adsorption. The study also identified a novel polysaccharide formed through bonding EPS (B-EPS). High salt concentrations correlated with elevated levels of tryptophan protein and its derivatives, increased tyrosine polysaccharide derivatives, and decreased aromatic polysaccharides. B-EPS exhibited higher levels of aromatic polysaccharides, with Na+ promoting detachment of B-EPS from the cell surface. Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis under salt stress revealed significant expression of spore kinase (Kin D) and response regulatory protein Spo0 A in the phosphoric acid relay system. Key transcriptional regulatory factors, including Omp R and exopolysaccharide biosynthesis, were closely associated with EPS synthesis and secretion. This study establishes a theoretical foundation for the industrial production and practical application of EPS by elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying Bacillus ' response to salt stress. [Display omitted] • Salt stress prompts early EPS secretion and enhances Bacillus survival. • Salt stress alters the composition of polysaccharide and protein content in EPS. • Kin D and Spo0 A pathways regulate EPS synthesis under salt stress. • Higher salt boost EPS secretion, elevating viscosity and forming larger aggregates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the development and validation of a novel patient reported scale, which is a comprehensive assessment of the physical function and health specific for patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Methods: This is a multiphase, mixed methods study. Based on opinion collection and discussions of multidisciplinary consensus meetings and patients, an initial item pool covering all of the ranges of functioning was generated. The item optimization, model fit, response category functioning, differential item functioning, reliability, structure validity, and unidimensionality were tested by confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch measurement theory framework. Results: After the consensus meeting and the two rounds of surveys in patients with axSpA, the initial pool of 135 items was reduced to 25 items formed in five dimensions, which exhibited preferable item reliability, item fit, and person fit to the Rasch model. The Five-Dimensional Comprehensive Assessment Scale (5DCAS) had the best reliability and validity (Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin was 0.919, and the standardized Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.932). The final version of 5DCAS had good unidimensionality, and the Person Separation Index ranged from 0.77 to 0.85. 5DCAS significantly correlated with ASAS-HI, SF-36, BASFI, and disease activity with p values of < 0.001. Conclusion: 5DCAS is a novel patient-reported outcome specific to axSpA, and it forms five dimensions providing a linear sum score of 25 items. 5DCAS comprehensively and significantly represents the physical function and health status of patients with axSpA, although its performance needs further validation in future clinical practices. Key Points • The primary goal in the management of axial spondyloarthritis is to maximize health-related quality of life. Except for the current instruments of ASAS-HI, BASFI, or SF-36, the heterogeneous clinical symptoms and rapid updated treat-to-target concept require a new instrument which can comprehensive and significant evaluate the changes of physical function and health-related quality of life due to disease. • 5DCAS is a novel patient-reported outcome specific to axSpA, and it forms five dimensions providing a linear sum score of 25 items, which contained aspect of pain involvement, spine mobility, global body performance and activity, social participation and environment, and mental health. All of the items were set to a 4-point semantic rating scale measuring severity, frequency, or interference from score 0 to 3. Total 5DCAS score ranges from 0 to 75; higher scores represented greater symptom burden and worse physical function. • 5DCAS is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, and convenient disease outcome measurement specific for axSpA. It provides a new evaluation instrument in clinical trial and treat-to-target clinical remission for patients and physicians, and also provides a sensitive and accurate assessment standard for optimized health benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The availability of lithium resources is of great significance for the development of modern technologies, as well as for civil and military industries. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is a region known for its abundance of lithium-rich salt lakes. However, the specific origin of lithium in these lakes is still unknown, which hinders the advancement of the lithium resource business in this region. To research this issue, this study involved the collection of 20 samples from Lakkor Co Salt Lake on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, encompassing samples of surface brine, cold springs, fresh lakes, and recharge rivers. The composition of anions and cations in these samples was determined. Furthermore, the analysis extensively utilized the Piper three-line diagram, Gibbs model, and ion proportion coefficient. The findings of this study indicate that as the moves from the recharge water system to salt lake, there is a transition in water type from strong carbonate to moderate carbonate and weak carbonate, as well as Na sulfate. This research based on a similar source of both lithium and boron, utilized ion correlation analysis and boron isotope study in the Lakkor Co area, and analyzed the source and transporting process of lithium. The main origin of lithium in Lakkor Co is the dissolution of lithium-rich rocks, recharge water systems, and deep hydrothermal fluids. These findings are highly significant in enhancing the foundational data of lithium-rich brine resources in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and are beneficial for assessing the future development of such deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 24 solar terms are a significant component of traditional Chinese culture. Amid global warming climate change, research on the Solar Terms has gained increasing prominence. Identifying the geographical origins of the Solar Terms not only provides evidence for studies on the origins of Chinese agricultural civilization but also serves as a critical foundation for the innovative utilization of traditional culture in the modern era. Previous research has primarily relied on historical records, literature review, and field investigation, often challenged by the vast and complex data, the difficulty distinguishing authenticity, the time-consuming nature of the work, and the need for direct scientific evidence. The STTMD (Solar Terms Typical Meteorological Day) method was used for typifying solar term meteorological data sequences, supplemented by isothermal estimation and clustering analysis. This approach was further validated using key crop germplasm sites, phenological indicators, and phenological observation contour maps. The results derived from statistical methods are cross-referenced with historical documents to infer the geographical origins of the 24 Solar Terms. The findings indicate that: (1)On a larger spatial scale, the Solar Terms originated in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River; (2)On a smaller spatial scale, the "Luoyang-Zhengzhou-Anyang" triangle is the most probable origin area; (3)The core area of origin is hypothesized to be in present-day Xingyang, Henan Province, or slightly further north. These results are consistent with historical literature and phenological records of crops, offering a novel analysis and transformative insights into the knowledge of Solar Terms. The study provides valuable evidence or methodological inspiration for historical agricultural research in China and offers references for agricultural production and the environmental impacts of global warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Structural variations play a significant role in genetic diseases and evolutionary mechanisms. Extensive research has been conducted over the past decade to detect simple structural variations, leading to the development of well-established detection methods. However, recent studies have highlighted the potentially greater impact of complex structural variations on individuals compared to simple structural variations. Despite this, the field still lacks precise detection methods specifically designed for complex structural variations. Therefore, the development of a highly efficient and accurate detection method is of utmost importance. Result: In response to this need, we propose a novel method called FindCSV, which leverages deep learning techniques and consensus sequences to enhance the detection of SVs using long-read sequencing data. Compared to current methods, FindCSV performs better in detecting complex and simple structural variations. Conclusions: FindCSV is a new method to detect complex and simple structural variations with reasonable accuracy in real and simulated data. The source code for the program is available at https://github.com/nwpuzhengyan/FindCSV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Cananga odorata is known as a natural perfume tree of the Annonaceae family in Magnoliales. However, its phylogenetic position and the molecular mechanisms involved in the biosynthesis of the floral volatile organic compounds (VOCs) remain unclear.Here, by combining a variety of sequencing platforms, we present a telomere‐to‐telomere (T2T) genome of C. odorata with 735.83 Mb, which represents the highest integrity and assembly quality of genome in magnoliid plants reported to date. Phylogenetic analysis based on multiple datasets and approaches showed that C. odorata, as a member of magnoliids, is sister to eudicots, after their divergence from monocots.Metabolomic of VOCs in the essential oil and flowers scent showed that sesquiterpenes, especially β‐caryophyllene, were the major compounds. Two CoTPS21 homologues derived from tandem duplication events were highly expressed during flower development and were identified as the key sesquiterpene synthases for the production of β‐caryophyllene. In addition, CoSPL3 and CoSPL9 were considered as potential transcription factors for activating the expression of CoTPS21 homologues.Our results shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the biosynthesis of the unique floral fragrance in C. odorata and provide new insights into the phylogenetic position of magnoliids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transit as an alternative means of travel allows travelers to access a wide range of activities and services. In addition to focusing on how many job opportunities and other basic urban services such as parks and healthcare can be accessed by transit, more attention should be paid to how many transit services can be obtained and how easy it is to access them. It should be noted that accessibility by transit and accessibility to transit are not the same thing, and most existing studies tend to focus on the former while ignoring the measurement of the latter. However, accessibility to transit is an important concept that can provide a framework for understanding and explaining the availability of transit services. In the literature, transit is more often used as a tool for accessing activities and opportunities to analyze the basic services such as healthcare resources and job opportunities that can be accessed, which not only ignores the transit service provided by the means of transit as a supplying facility, but also ignores the diversity of facilities in the integrated public transportation system. With this in mind, this paper introduces the entropy index into the adjusted Gaussian two-step floating catchment area (2SFCA) method to measure accessibility to transit to capture how the overall accessibility changes when considering different transit facilities. From the spatial distribution of accessibility, the areas with high accessibility score are distributed in the six core administrative districts of Beijing, accounting for 99.3% of the grids with high accessibility scores. When considering facility diversity, 46.7% of the grids within the core administrative districts experience an increase in their accessibility rank, and there is an increase in the number of grids with high accessibility. The research results indicate that considering facility diversity enhances the accessibility level of grids, elucidates the diversity differences in each area, and provides valuable information for the location selection of transit facilities and urban planning. The applicability of the proposed method to Beijing illustrates that it can provide valuable insights for the measurement of accessibility, which can help planners obtain more effective evaluation results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Electrochemical CO 2 reduction (ECO 2 R) to value-added chemicals offers a promising approach to both mitigate CO 2 emission and facilitate renewable energy conversion. We demonstrate a solar energy powered ECO 2 R system operating at a relatively large current density (57 mA cm−2) using In 2 O 3 nanosheets (NSs) as the cathode and a commercial perovskite solar cell as the electricity generator, which achieves the high solar to formate energy conversion efficiency of 6.6 %. The significantly enhanced operative current density with a fair solar energy conversion efficiency on In 2 O 3 NSs can be ascribed to their high activity and selectivity for formate production, as well as the fast kinetics for ECO 2 R. The Faradic efficiencies (FEs) of formate In 2 O 3 NSs are all above 93 %, with the partial current density of formate ranging from 2.3 to 342 mA cm−2 in a gas diffusion flow cell, which is among the widest for formate production on In-based catalysts. In-situ Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory simulations reveal that the exceptional performances of formate production on In 2 O 3 NSs originates from the presence of abundant low coordinated edge sites, which effectively promote the selective adsorption of *OCHO while inhibiting *H adsorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Design Methods Results Conclusions Impact Reporting Method Public Contribution To investigate the knowledge level and clinical practice of neonatal intensive care unit nurses on the whole process of hypothermia prevention in preterm infants.A polycentric descriptive cross‐sectional study was conducted in 23 hospitals in Shandong province involving 254 neonatal intensive care unit nurses.An evidence‐based knowledge and clinical practice questionnaire on hypothermia prevention in preterm infants and a general information questionnaire were used to collect data. SPSS and EXCEL 24.0 database were used for data statistics and analysis.Nearly one‐third of nurses were unclear about the definition of mild hypothermia and heat preservation measures during labour management and resuscitation. Knowledge about the correct rate of amniotic fluid evaporation was low. The higher the hospital level and nurses' education level, professional title, work experience, and position, the higher the knowledge level. The clinical practice of nurses differed in terms of body temperature assessment tools, measurement sites, and measurement frequency for premature infants.Nurses in neonatal intensive care units need to apply evidence‐based knowledge and carry out practice interventions to ensure preterm infants' safe transition from the delivery room to the neonatal intensive care unit.There have been few studies evaluating neonatal nurses' knowledge and practices with regards to the preventing hypothermia of premature infants from delivery room to neonatal intensive care unit. The study identifies the deficiencies and problems in temperature management that can be attributed to the knowledge level of nurses. The findings will help improve the current curriculum, teaching strategies, and the nurses' knowledge levels, preventing premature hypothermia in infants.This study adhered to the STROBE statement for observational studies and obtained approval (KYLL‐2023LW045) from the ethics committee of The Second Hospital of Shandong University. The other 22 third‐ and second‐level hospitals, as our alliance members, recognized our chairperson status within the alliance and were willing to join our academic activities. Mutual responsibility for ethical filing between alliance units.254 nurses were recruited from 23 tertiary and secondary public hospitals in Shandong province. No public or patient involvement. Members of the research group used the Questionnaire Star platform to prepare the electronic questionnaire, including obtaining informed consent, taking precautions for questionnaire completion, and using the aforementioned measurement tools. The project research team contacted the head nurses of 23 neonatal intensive care units in Shandong Province. After obtaining consent from the head nurses, they were asked to send the requirements and link of the electronic questionnaire to their WeChat management group. The nurses go through each question and make a choice which has two options of ‘agree’ or ‘disagree.’ Based on their answers, nurses were evaluated as having ‘mastered’ or ‘not mastered’ each item. Each ‘mastered’ item (correct answer) was given a score of 4; an item ‘not mastered’ (incorrect answer) was given a score of 0. The total score ranged from 0 to 100. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The clinical manifestations of systemic sclerosis (SSc) are highly variable, resulting in varied outcomes and complications. Diverse fibrosis of the skin and internal organs, vasculopathy, and dysregulated immune system lead to poor and varied prognoses in patients with SSc subtypes. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a personalized tool for predicting the prognosis of patients with SSc. Methods: A cohort of 517 patients with SSc were recruited between January 2009 and November 2021 at Xijing Hospital in China, and 266 patients completed the follow-up and performed in the survival analysis. Risk factors for death were identified using Cox survival analysis and random survival forest-based machine-learning methods separately. The consistency index, area under the curve (AUC), and integrated Brier scores were used to compare the predictive performance of the different prognostic models. Results: The results of Cox-based multivariate regression analysis suggested that pulmonary arterial hypertension, digital ulcer, and Modified Rodnan Skin Score (mRSS) were independent risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with SSc and significant risk factors in random survival forest (RSF) surveys. A nomogram was plotted to evaluate the prognostic risk to facilitate clinical assessment; the RSF model had better predictive performance than the Cox model, with 3- and 5-year AUCs of 0.74 and 0.78, respectively. Conclusion: Machine-learning models can help us better understand the prognosis of patients with SSc and comprehensively evaluate the clinical characteristics of each individual. The early identification of the characteristics of high-risk patients can improve the prognosis of those with SSc. Key Points • Regarding predictive performance, the random survival forest model was more effective than the Cox model and had unique advantages in analyzing nonlinear effects and variable importance. • Machine learning using the simple clinical features of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) to predict mortality can guide attending physicians, and the early identification of high-risk patients with SSc and referral to experts will assist rheumatologists in monitoring and management planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban street vitality has been a perennial focus within the domain of urban planning. This study examined spatial patterns of street vitality in the old city of Nanjing during working days and weekends using real-time user datasets (RTUDs). A spatial autoregressive model (SAM) and a multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) model were employed to quantitatively assess the impact of various factors on street vitality and their spatial heterogeneity. This study revealed the following: (1) the distribution of street vitality in the old city of Nanjing exhibited a structure centered around Xinjiekou, with greater regularity and predictability in street vitality on working days than on weekends; (2) eight variables, such as traffic location, road density, and functional density, are positively associated with street vitality, whereas the green view index is negatively associated with street vitality, and commercial location benefits street vitality at weekends but detracts from street vitality on working days; and (3) the influence of variables such as traffic location and functional density on street vitality is contingent on their spatial position. Based on these results, this study provides new strategies to enhance the street vitality of old cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In flowering plants, sexual reproductive success depends on the production of viable pollen grains. However, the mechanisms by which QUA QUINE STARCH (QQS) regulates pollen development and how transcriptional activators facilitate the transcription of QQS in this process remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that INDUCER OF CBF EXPRESSION 1 (ICE1), a basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factor, acts as a key transcriptional activator and positively regulates QQS expression to increase pollen germination and viability in Arabidopsis thaliana by interacting with INDETERMINATE DOMAIN14 (IDD14). In our genetic and biochemical experiments, overexpression of ICE1 greatly promoted both the activation of QQS and high pollen viability mediated by QQS. IDD14 additively enhanced ICE1 function by promoting the binding of ICE1 to the QQS promoter. In addition, mutation of ICE1 significantly repressed QQS expression; the impaired function of QQS and the abnormal anther dehiscence jointly affected pollen development of the ice1‐2 mutant. Our results also showed that the enhancement of pollen activity by ICE1 depends on QQS. Furthermore, QQS interacted with CUT1, the key enzyme for long‐chain lipid biosynthesis. This interaction both promoted CUT1 activity and regulated pollen lipid metabolism, ultimately determining pollen hydration and fertility. Our results not only provide new insights into the key function of QQS in promoting pollen development by regulating pollen lipid metabolism, but also elucidate the mechanism that facilitates the transcription of QQS in this vital developmental process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pb stress, a toxic abiotic stress, critically affects maize production and food security. Although some progress has been made in understanding the damage caused by Pb stress and plant response strategies, the regulatory mechanisms and resistance genes involved in the response to lead stress in crops are largely unknown. Results: In this study, to uncover the response mechanism of maize to Pb stress phenotype, physiological and biochemical indexes, the transcriptome, and the metabolome under different concentrations of Pb stress were combined for comprehensive analysis. As a result, the development of seedlings and antioxidant system were significantly inhibited under Pb stress, especially under relatively high Pb concentrations. Transcriptome analysis revealed 3559 co-differentially expressed genes(co-DEG) under the four Pb concentration treatments (500 mg/L, 1000 mg/L, 2000 mg/L, and 3000 mg/L Pb(NO3)2), which were enriched mainly in the GO terms related to DNA-binding transcription factor activity, response to stress, response to reactive oxygen species, cell death, the plasma membrane and root epidermal cell differentiation. Metabolome analysis revealed 72 and 107 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) under T500 and T2000, respectively, and 36 co-DEMs. KEGG analysis of the DEMs and DEGs revealed a common metabolic pathway, namely, flavonoid biosynthesis. An association study between the flavonoid biosynthesis-related DEMs and DEGs revealed 20 genes associated with flavonoid-related metabolites, including 3 for genistin and 17 for calycosin. Conclusion: In summary, the study reveals that flavonoid metabolism plays an important role in response to Pb stress in maize, which not only provides genetic resources for the genetic improvement of maize Pb tolerance in the future but also enriches the theoretical basis of the maize Pb stress response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flow field of a hydrocyclone was investigated using both computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and particle image velocimetry (PIV). A refractive index matching method was employed to improve the precision of the PIV measurements. The CFD results are in good agreement with PIV measurements. Detailed analysis reveals significant axial asymmetry in the velocity components, with the radial velocity component exhibiting notable disparities. This observation is supported by quantitative data comparing different sections of the hydrocyclone. It is further found that the asymmetry might be mainly attributed to the secondary vortexes with the single inlet of the hydrocyclone. And the secondary vortexes, superimposed on the primary flow rather than existing on its own, spiral downwards from near the inlet towards the underflow orifice. It is hypothesized that specific boundary effects and pressure gradients play a pivotal role in the formation of secondary flows. This assumption is grounded on both theoretical considerations and empirical observations, suggesting that these factors significantly influence the flow dynamics within the hydrocyclone. The insights gained from our measurement methodology and enhanced understanding of secondary flows within hydrocyclones are not only poised to serve as valuable references for fellow researchers but also have the potential to inform the design and operational optimization of hydrocyclones for improved efficiency and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper concerns the 2D stochastic Ginzburg–Landau–Newell equations with a degenerate random forcing. We study the relationship between stationary distributions which correspond to the original and perturbed systems and then prove the stability of the stationary distribution. This suggests that the complexity of stochastic systems is likely to be robust. The main difficulty of the proof lies in estimating the expectation of exponential moments and controlling nonlinear terms while working on the evolution triple H 2 ⊂ H 1 ⊂ H 0 to obtain a bound on the difference between the original solution and the perturbed solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the nickel-catalyzed transesterification of methyl esters, which is an important process in synthetic chemistry. The authors discuss the challenges of activating esters for cross-coupling reactions and the development of a reversible transformation using a nickel catalyst and SIPr. They also investigate the optimization of the reaction and the identification of effective ligands for different types of esters. The goal is to develop a transesterification method that is different from traditional acid- and base-mediated pathways. The article presents the development of a catalytic transesterification reaction using methyl esters and aliphatic alcohols, with optimized conditions and successful formation of diverse esters. The reaction is advantageous because it only produces methanol as waste and does not require the use of acids or bases. Mechanistic studies suggest that the cleavage of the C(acyl)-O bond is reversible, and ongoing research is being conducted on the use of methyl esters as cross-coupling electrophiles. [Extracted from the article]

Geese are susceptible to oxidative stress during reproduction, which can lead to follicular atresia and impact egg production. Follicular atresia is directly triggered by the apoptosis and autophagy of granulosa cells (GCs). Adiponectin (ADPN), which is secreted by adipose tissue, has good antioxidant and anti-apoptotic capacity, but its role in regulating the apoptosis of GCs in geese is unclear. To investigate this, this study examined the levels of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy in follicular tissues and GCs using RT-qPCR, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, transcriptomics and other methods. Atretic follicles exhibited high levels of oxidative stress and apoptosis, and autophagic flux was obstructed. Stimulating GCs with H2O2 produced results similar to those of atretic follicles. The effects of ADPN overexpression and knockdown on oxidative stress, apoptosis and autophagy in GCs were investigated. ADPN was found to modulate autophagy and reduced oxidative stress and apoptosis in GCs, in addition to protecting them from H2O2-induced damage. These results may provide a reasonable reference for improving egg-laying performance of geese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Multi‐module isolated converters (MMICs) find extensive applications in various DC–DC applications owing to their exceptional features of galvanic isolation, bidirectional power flow, high‐power density, and enhanced efficiency. However, voltage and current sharing among the converter modules are the most significant issues in MMICs. This paper proposes multiport integrated‐magnetics transformers (MpIMTs) which address the input–output DC‐link voltage imbalances within an ISOS converter. The proposed transformers ensure the input voltage sharing (IVS) and output voltage sharing (OVS) through balancing windings within their structures, thus substitutes the complicated active control scheme with the balancing winding. Besides, the input side and output side modules are decoupled from each other; thus, the impact of parameters variation and intermodule energy transfer during a transient of one side does not reflect to the other side. These properties are achieved by proposing a custom‐designed core and an off the shelf available U‐core assembled MpIMTs. The magnetic and electrical equivalent circuit along with the design criteria of the balancing winding are also presented. Furthermore, the paper includes the comparative analysis of the proposed transformers which reveals that while the U‐core MpIMT offers simplified construction, it comes at the expense of slightly reduced efficiency compared with the custom‐designed MpIMT. Finally, the proposed U‐core MpIMT is validated through a laboratory prototype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is gaining recognition as a pseudocereal due to its nutritional attributes and adaptability to challenging conditions and marginal soils. However, understanding the optimal fertilization for quinoa growth remains a challenge. This study investigates the effects of nitrogen fertilization (0, 90, 120, and 150 kg using urea) on quinoa phenology, growth, and photosynthesis in the Loess Plateau region of China, a critical area facing soil erosion and ecological degradation. The results showed that nitrogen fertilization significantly influenced quinoa phenology, prompting early flowering and shorter growth at an optimum rate of 120 kg ha−1. Nitrogen application enhanced growth traits such as plant height, stem diameter, and chlorophyll content, particularly at the heading and flowering stages. Photosynthesis-related parameters, including net photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, and intercellular CO2 concentration, were affected by nitrogen application, with higher values observed at 120 kg ha−1. Non-photochemical quenching was significantly increased by nitrogen application, indicating the efficient dissipation of excess energy. The study demonstrated a positive correlation between grain yield and growth traits, photosynthesis-related traits, and chlorophyll content. In conclusion, quinoa yield could be significantly improved at the Loess Plateau region under rainfed conditions by an optimal nitrogen fertilizer rate of 120 kg ha−1, which reduces the growth duration while increasing photosynthesis traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subfamily Polygonoideae encompasses a diverse array of medicinal and horticultural plants that hold significant economic value. However, due to the lack of a robust taxonomy based on phylogenetic relationships, the classification within this family is perplexing, and there is also a scarcity of reports on the chloroplast genomes of many plants falling under this classification. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis by sequencing and characterizing the complete chloroplast genomes of six Polygonoideae plants, namely Pteroxygonum denticulatum, Pleuropterus multiflorus, Pleuropterus ciliinervis, Fallopia aubertii, Fallopia dentatoalata, and Fallopia convolvulus. Our findings revealed that these six plants possess chloroplast genomes with a typical quadripartite structure, averaging 162,931 bp in length. Comparative chloroplast analysis, codon usage analysis, and repetitive sequence analysis demonstrated a high level of conservation within the chloroplast genomes of these plants. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis unveiled a distinct clade occupied by P. denticulatum, while P. ciliinrvis displayed a closer relationship to the three plants belonging to the Fallopia genus. Selective pressure analysis based on maximum likelihood trees showed that a total of 14 protein-coding genes exhibited positive selection, with psbB and ycf1 having the highest number of positive amino acid sites. Additionally, we identified four molecular markers, namely petN-psbM, psal-ycf4, ycf3-trnS-GGA, and trnL-UAG-ccsA, which exhibit high variability and can be utilized for the identification of these six plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: The BrrFT paralogues exhibit distinct expression patterns and play different roles in regulating flowering time, and BrrFT4 competes with BrrFT1 and BrrFT2 to interact with BrrFD proteins. Flowering time is an important agricultural trait for Brassica crops, and early bolting strongly affects the yield and quality of Brassica rapa ssp. rapa. Flowering Locus T paralogues play an important role in regulating flowering time. In this study, we identified FT-related genes in turnip by phylogenetic classification, and four BrrFT homoeologs that shared with high identities with BraFT genes were isolated. The different gene structures, promoter binding sites, and expression patterns observed indicated that these genes may play different roles in flowering time regulation. Further genetic and biochemical experiments showed that as for FT-like paralogues, BrrFT2 acted as the key floral inducer, and BrrFT1 seems to act as a mild ‘florigen’ protein. However, BrrFT4 acts as a floral repressor and antagonistically regulates flowering time by competing with BrrFT1 and BrrFT2 to bind BrrFD proteins. BrrFT3 may have experienced loss of function via base shift mutation. Our results revealed the potential roles of FT-related genes in flowering time regulation in turnip. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been no data on the immunogenicity and safety of the 4th booster dose of the sIPV immunization in 18–24 months old children in post-marketing studies of large cohort providing with robust results. In a phase Ⅳ randomized, double-blinded clinical trial, 1200 participants aged 2 months were immunized with three consecutive doses of sIPV at 2, 3, and 4 months old to complete primary immunization. Out of the 1200 participants, 1129 received the 4th dose of sIPV as booster immunization. Immunogenicity was evaluated in 1100 participants. Seropositive rates of the anti-poliovirus type 1, 2, and 3 neutralizing antibodies were 99.9 %, 98.0 %, 98.2 %, respectively, with GMTs of 557.0, 146.1, 362.0 one year after primary vaccination. After booster vaccination between 18 and 24 months old, the seropositive rates for 3 types all reached 100.0 %, with GMTs of 8343.6, 5039.6, 5492.0, respectively. Particularly for the anti-poliovirus type 2 antibody, the GMT was 230.4 after primary immunization, maintained to 146.1 one year after primary immunization, and increased to as high as 5039.6 after booster vaccination. The GMT ratios between each batch groups after booster immunization were between 0.67 and 1.50, meeting the immunological equivalence criteria. The incidence rate of adverse reaction was 23.0 %, which was comparable to those in the phase Ⅲ trial but had a lower incidence. Furthermore, no SUSAR was reported in this study. In conclusion, as the anti-poliovirus antibodies gradually waned one year post sIPV primary vaccination, especially the type 2 antibody waned to a very low level, suggesting the importance of the booster immunization for children at the age of 18–24 months old. The booster shot can greatly enhance the antibody level and protect children from the potential risk of infection with WPV and VDPV by supplementing the anti-poliovirus type 2 immunity gap in the current real world. Clinic Trial Registration. NCT04224519. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe cultured meat technology has developed rapidly in recent years, but there are still many technical challenges that hinder the large-scale production and commercialization of cultured meat. Firstly, it is necessary to lay the foundation for cultured meat production by obtaining seed cells and maintaining stable cell functions. Next, technologies such as bioreactors are used to expand the scale of cell culture, and three-dimensional culture technologies such as scaffold culture or 3D printing are used to construct the three-dimensional structure of cultured meat. At the same time, it can reduce production costs by developing serum-free medium suitable for cultured meat. Finally, the edible quality of cultured meat is improved by evaluating food safety and sensory flavor, and combining ethical and consumer acceptability issues. Therefore, this review fully demonstrates the current development status and existing technical challenges of the cultured meat production technology with regard to the key points described above, in order to provide research ideas for the industrial production of cultured meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the dietary structure and its associated factors of tuberculosis (TB) patients in the community. This cross-sectional study analysed the dietary intake of 300 TB patients in two impoverished counties in China. Food intake was collected by using food frequency and two consecutive 24-h dietary review (24hdr) methods. The dietary composition and dietary structure of TB patients were compared with China's 2022 Dietary Reference Intake (DRIs) and the average reference value of dietary composition (ARC) in China in 2013. Binary logistic regression models were used to explore the factors associated with inadequate intake of animal food, insufficient protein and fat energy supply in patients with TB. The daily intake of various foods in TB patients was measured and the results were as follows: staple foods—median 372.12 g (interquartile range [IQR] 315.87 g); vegetables—median 200.00 g (IQR 205.55 g); fruits—median 20.22 g (IQR 36.82 g); animal foods—median 100.82 g (IQR 180.74 g); dairy products—median 0.00 g (IQR 0.00 g); nuts—median 17.10 g (IQR 29.75 g). The average daily intakes of vegetables, fruits, animal food, dairy products, soy and nuts were lower than those recommended by the DRIs (P < 0.01). Compared to women, men consumed more whole grains and mixed legumes, but less fruit. The dietary structures, including food and nutrient supply for energy, protein and fat, were significantly different in 300 patients compared with DRIs or ARC values. Inadequate rates of animal food intake were observed in 54.85% of men and 59.57% of women. Protein undersupply rates were 66.02% in men and 56.38% in women, while fat undersupply rates were 52.91% in men and 52.13% in women. The study revealed that being 18–49 years old, being the Han nationality, having less than 2 h of physical activity per day on average, and eating twice a day were risk factors for inadequate animal protein intake, protein energy deficiency and fat energy deficiency. TB patients from impoverished counties in China have inadequate intake of several food categories and insufficient protein and fat energy supply, correlating with multiple factors in socio-demographics, behavioral practices, and TB disease. To improve the nutritional status of TB patients, urgent public health actions, especially carrying out nutritional screening and evaluation once diagnosed, developing individualized nutritional support treatment plans, strengthening dietary nutritional health education and intervention, and advocating for enhanced nutritional support, should be taken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the study of extinct species is crucial for diversification and evolutionary history of Hymenoptera, the past diversity of Liadoxyelini (Xyelidae, Xyelinae) is relatively poorly documented. Herein, one new fossil genus with one species, Novoxyela bella gen. et sp. nov., and one species, Platyxyela elegans sp. nov., are described and figured from the Middle Jurassic Daohugou Beds of Inner Mongolia, China. N. bella gen. et sp. nov. differs from other Liadoxyelini by combination of traits including unusual large head, pterostigma only sclerotised basally, 1-Rs almost as long as 1-M and 1 m-cu slightly shorter than 2-Cu. P. elegans sp. nov. exhibits unique features hitherto unknown among species of the Platyxyela, viz., pterostigma of medium width, completely sclerotised and ovipositor sheaths widest subapically. The diversity of known fossil species of Liadoxyelini and new forewing characters, as well as a new key to species of Platyxyela, are presented. LSIDurn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:874C3A78-2EA3-4877-AA5E-AC352A8AFCAE [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although various methods have been developed to detect structural variations (SVs) in genomic sequences, few are used to validate these results. Several commonly used SV callers produce many false positive SVs, and existing validation methods are not accurate enough. Therefore, a highly efficient and accurate validation method is essential. In response, we propose SVvalidation—a new method that uses long-read sequencing data for validating SVs with higher accuracy and efficiency. Compared to existing methods, SVvalidation performs better in validating SVs in repeat regions and can determine the homozygosity or heterozygosity of an SV. Additionally, SVvalidation offers the highest recall, precision, and F1-score (improving by 7-16%) across all datasets. Moreover, SVvalidation is suitable for different types of SVs. The program is available at https://github.com/nwpuzhengyan/SVvalidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the crucial roles of physical function (PF) and physical activity (PA) in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients, as well as their correlation with disease activity (DA), and to explore the influence of general characteristics among them. Methods: We enrolled axSpA patients from Xijing Hospital, spanning March 2022 to August 2022. Spearman rank correlation coefficients were used to assess correlations between PA (measured by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire [GPAQ]), PF (measured by the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis international Society Health Index [ASAS‐HI], the Short Form 36‐Item Health Survey [SF‐36], and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index [BASFI]), DA, and their influencing factors. A Mann–Whitney U‐test and Kruskal–Wallis H‐test were used to compare variables between different patients grouped by sex, human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA‐B27), hip involvement, and intensity of PA and DA. Results: Three hundred fifty‐five axSpA patients were included. We observed a moderate to strong correlation between DA and PF in axSpA patients. PA was weakly correlated with DA or PF. DA varied significantly at different PA levels, and patients with low PA levels had poorer PF. Active patients had worse PF, less transport‐related PA, and a higher rate of hip involvement with a worse Harris Hip Score (HHS). Conclusions: We identified a close relationship between DA, PF, and PA in axSpA patients. Further, gender, HLA‐B27, and hip involvement affected the clinical manifestation of axSpA patients. These findings demonstrate that clinical remission of axSpA patients requires a comprehensive assessment rather than a single remission of DA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this multicentre cohort study was to compare the long-term oncological outcomes of robotic gastrectomy (RG) and laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) for patients with gastric cancer. Methods: Patients with gastric cancer who underwent radical gastrectomy by robotic or laparoscopic approaches from 1 March 2010 to 31 December 2018 at 10 high-volume centres in China were selected from institutional databases. Patients receiving RG were matched 1 : 1 by propensity score with patients undergoing LG. The primary outcome was 3-year disease-free survival. Secondary outcomes were overall survival and disease recurrence. Results: Some 2055 patients who underwent RG and 4309 patients who had LG were included. The propensity score-matched cohort comprised 2026 RGs and 2026 LGs. Median follow-up was 41 (i.q.r. 39–58) months for the RG group and 39 (38–56) months for the LG group. The 3-year disease-free survival rates were 80.8% in the RG group and 79.5% in the LG group (log rank P = 0.240; HR 0.92, 95% c.i. 0.80 to 1.06; P = 0.242). Three-year OS rates were 83.9 and 81.8% respectively (log rank P = 0.068; HR 0.87, 0.75 to 1.01; P = 0.068) and the cumulative incidence of recurrence over 3 years was 19.3% versus 20.8% (HR 0.95, 0.88 to 1.03; P = 0.219), with no difference between groups. Conclusion: RG and LG in patients with gastric cancer are associated with comparable disease-free and overall survival. The present largest multicentre study demonstrated comparable long-term oncological outcomes between robotic (RG) and laparoscopic (LG) gastrectomy for gastric cancer. This study provides evidence suggesting that RG could offer a valid surgical alternative for gastric cancer, although its potential advantages may not turn into a survival benefit compared with LG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past few years, the axillary lymph node dissection technique has been steadily replaced by sentinel lymph node biopsy for treating and diagnosing breast cancer, thereby minimizing the complications and sequelae of the patients. Nevertheless, sentinel lymph node biopsy still presents limitations, such as high operation requirements, prolonged surgical duration, and adverse reactions to tracer agents. This study developed a novel non-invasive method to predict sentinel lymph node metastasis in breast cancer by analyzing the ultrasound imaging characteristics of the primary tumor, combined with the analysis of peripheral blood T-cell subsets that reflect the immune status of the body. The radiomic features analyzed in this study were extracted from preoperative ultrasound images of 199 solitary breast cancer patients, who were undergoing surgery and were pathologically diagnosed at the Yancheng First People's Hospital. All cases were randomly categorized in a 4:1 ratio to the training (n = 159) and validation (n = 40) cohorts. The extracted radiomics features were subjected to dimensional reduction with the help of the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator technique, resulting in the inclusion of 19 radiomics features. Four classifiers, including naïve Bayesian, logistic regression, classification decision tree, and support vector machine, were utilized to model the radiomics features, conventional ultrasound features, and peripheral blood T cell subsets in the training dataset, and validated using the validation dataset. The best-performing model was chosen for constructing the combined model. The radiomics model constructed using the logistic regression showed the best performance, with the training and validation cohorts showing areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.77 and 0.68, respectively. The conventional ultrasound and peripheral blood T cell models constructed using the classification decision tree showed the best performance, wherein the training cohort presented AUCs of 0.71 and 0.81, respectively, while the validation cohort presented AUCs of 0.68 and 0.69, respectively. The combined model constructed by logistic regression showed AUCs of 0.91 and 0.79 in the training and validation datasets, respectively. The resulting combined model can be considered a simple, non-invasive method with strong reproducibility and clinical significance. Thus, it can be utilized to predict sentinel lymph node metastasis in breast cancer. Furthermore, the combined model can be effectively used to guide clinical decisions related to the selection of surgical procedures in breast surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we developed a photo‐induced carbonylation of aryl bromides under transition metal‐free conditions. The reaction shows good activity with alcohol and amine nucleophiles. Various esters and amides were formed from aryl halides and alcohols and amines under mild conditions in moderate to good yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary head and neck hematolymphoid neoplasms (PHNHLN) are defined as a series of hematolymphoid system-derived neoplasms which primarily emanate in head and neck region. Due to the rarity and absence of symptomatic specificity, PHNHLN is easily neglected. The objective of this study is to investigate demographics, pathological subtype distribution, anatomical location, survival outcomes and prognostic factors of PHNHLN among older patients aged ≥ 60. The individual patient information in our study was derived from Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database. Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the distribution of histologic subtypes and primary anatomical sites. Kaplan–Meier survival curves and log-rank test were conducted to evaluate the effect of variables on the prognosis. Cox hazard regression was conducted to identify the independent prognostic factors. The male-to-female ratio in most pathological subtypes was close to 1:1. The most common pathological subtype was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The most commonly involved sites outside the lymph nodes were salivary glands, especially parotid gland, followed by tonsil, thyroid gland and tongue. The prognosis of mature T- and NK-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) was bleaker than Hodgkin lymphoma, mature B-cell NHL and plasma cell neoplasm. Age at diagnosis, presence of second primary malignancy (SPM), pathological subtype, Ann-Arbor stage, chemotherapy and radiation were independent prognostic factors of overall survival. Our study comprehensively reported the subtype distribution, anatomical sites and survival outcomes of PHNHLN among older patients, improving understanding of this rare group of cancer entities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past few years, the axillary lymph node dissection technique has been steadily replaced by sentinel lymph node biopsy for treating and diagnosing breast cancer, thereby minimizing the complications and sequelae of the patients. Nevertheless, sentinel lymph node biopsy still presents limitations, such as high operation requirements, prolonged surgical duration, and adverse reactions to tracer agents. This study developed a novel non-invasive method to predict sentinel lymph node metastasis in breast cancer by analyzing the ultrasound imaging characteristics of the primary tumor, combined with the analysis of peripheral blood T-cell subsets that reflect the immune status of the body. The radiomic features analyzed in this study were extracted from preoperative ultrasound images of 199 solitary breast cancer patients, who were undergoing surgery and were pathologically diagnosed at the Yancheng First People's Hospital. All cases were randomly categorized in a 4:1 ratio to the training (n = 159) and validation (n = 40) cohorts. The extracted radiomics features were subjected to dimensional reduction with the help of the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator technique, resulting in the inclusion of 19 radiomics features. Four classifiers, including naïve Bayesian, logistic regression, classification decision tree, and support vector machine, were utilized to model the radiomics features, conventional ultrasound features, and peripheral blood T cell subsets in the training dataset, and validated using the validation dataset. The best-performing model was chosen for constructing the combined model. The radiomics model constructed using the logistic regression showed the best performance, with the training and validation cohorts showing areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.77 and 0.68, respectively. The conventional ultrasound and peripheral blood T cell models constructed using the classification decision tree showed the best performance, wherein the training cohort presented AUCs of 0.71 and 0.81, respectively, while the validation cohort presented AUCs of 0.68 and 0.69, respectively. The combined model constructed by logistic regression showed AUCs of 0.91 and 0.79 in the training and validation datasets, respectively. The resulting combined model can be considered a simple, non-invasive method with strong reproducibility and clinical significance. Thus, it can be utilized to predict sentinel lymph node metastasis in breast cancer. Furthermore, the combined model can be effectively used to guide clinical decisions related to the selection of surgical procedures in breast surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

VQ motif-containing proteins play important roles in plant abiotic and biotic stresses. In this study, we cloned the VQ protein gene TaVQ4-D that is induced by drought stress. Arabidopsis and wheat plants overexpressing TaVQ4-D showed increased tolerance to drought stress. In contrast, wheat lines in which TaVQ4-D expression had been silenced showed decreased drought tolerance. Under drought stress conditions, the contents of superoxide dismutase and proline increased and the content of malondialdehyde decreased in transgenic wheat plants overexpressing TaVQ4-D compared with the wild type. At the same time, the expression of reactive oxygen species-scavenging-related genes and stress-related genes was up-regulated. However, plants of TaVQ4-D -silenced wheat lines showed decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes and reduced expression of some stress-related and antioxidant-related genes. In addition, the TaVQ4-D protein physically interacts with two mitogen-activated protein kinases (MPK3 and MPK6) and plays a role in plant drought stress as the phosphorylated substrates of MPK3 and MPK6. In summary, the results of our study suggest that TaVQ4-D can positively regulate drought stress tolerance in wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typhoons are destructive weather events. News media reports contain large amounts of typhoon information. Transforming this information into useful knowledge to provide a basis for mining typhoon knowledge and supporting disaster prevention and relief is urgently required to solve this problem. Knowledge representation can be used to address this problem, although it presents several challenges. These challenges lie in expressing the static and dynamic characteristics of typhoons and formalizing the knowledge representation method and making it suitable for machine processing. Moreover, the general Chinese time and space representation method is overly cumbersome for use in ontologies. The present study proposes an ontology-based typhoon event representation method that solves the representation problems of the typhoon static concept and dynamic features. Furthermore, it summarizes the fixed patterns of time and space in Chinese news and designs a time and space model suitable for typhoon event ontologies. From the ontology population, typhoon event ontology instances are created, and the typhoon event ontology model is applied to the analysis of typhoon processes, verifying the effectiveness of the typhoon event ontology model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to fundamental mortality metrics such as mortality rates and mortality rate ratios, life expectancy is also commonly used to investigate excess mortality among a group of individuals diagnosed with specific diseases or conditions. However, as an average measure, life expectancy ignores the heterogeneity in lifespan. Interestingly, the variation in lifespan–a measure commonly used in the field of demography–has not been estimated for people with a specific condition. Based on recent advances in methodology in research within epidemiology and demography, we discuss two metrics, namely, the average life disparity and average lifetable entropy after diagnosis, which estimate the variation in lifespan for time-varying conditions in both absolute and relative aspects. These metrics are further decomposed into early and late components, separated by their threshold ages. We use mortality data for women with mental disorders from Danish registers to design a population-based study and measure such metrics. Compared with women from the general population, women with a mental disorder had a shorter average remaining life expectancy after diagnosis (37.6 years vs. 44.9 years). In addition, women with mental disorders also experienced a larger average lifespan variation, illustrated by larger average life disparity (9.5 years vs 9.1 years) and larger average lifetable entropy (0.33 vs 0.27). More specifically, we found that women with a mental disorder had a larger early average life disparity but a smaller late average life disparity. Unlike the average life disparity, both early and late average lifetable entropy were higher for women with mental disorders compared to the general population. In conclusion, the metric proposed in our study complements the current research focusing merely on life expectancy and further provides a new perspective into the assessment of people's health associated with time-varying conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aberrant differentiation of osteoclasts is a key feature of the pathogenesis of osteoporosis, which has a devastating impact on human health. While the effects of Orientin (Ori) on osteoporosis, particularly on RANKL‐stimulated osteoclast production and activation, remain still unclear, Ori has been found to display several biological activities, including antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory. In this work, we investigated the possible pathways through which Ori suppressed RANKL‐induced osteoclast development and showed for the first time that it does so. The macrophages from the bone marrow (BMMs) were cultivated and then treated with Ori after being stimulated with RANKL. Then, TRAP‐positive multinucleated cells were counted, and F‐actin ring analysis was used to assess Ori's impact on mature osteoclast development. In addition, dihydroethidium (DHE) staining was used to evaluate the impact of Ori on RANKL‐induced reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, we performed western blotting and quantitative RT‐PCR analysis to investigate probable causes of these downregulation effects. We discovered that Ori inhibits the creation of osteoclasts, the gene and protein expressions unique to osteoclasts, and the ROS production. By activating Nrf2 and other ROS‐scavenging enzymes, Ori reduces intracellular ROS levels. The expression of the main transcription factor of osteoclast development, c‐Fos, was downregulated together with NFATc1, CTSK, and NFATc2, thanks to Ori's inhibition of RANKL‐induced NF‐κB. Consistent with its in vitro antiosteoclastogenic action, Ori therapy in the ovariectomized (OVX) rat model was also able to restore bone mass and improve microarchitecture in the distal femurs. Together, our results demonstrate that Ori is a flavonoid molecule with therapeutic promise for bone illnesses associated with osteoclasts, such as osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser-assisted milling (LAM) is generally regarded as a promising process for machining difficult-to-cut materials. Accurate prediction of workpiece temperature is an essential prerequisite for the configuration of process parameters in LAM. An analytical thermal model concerning the combined effect of multi-heat sources is presented in this paper to predict the workpiece temperature in LAM. To deal with the complex geometry and kinematics problems in the LAM process, the method of heat source discretization and temperature superposition is used in the thermal model. In addition, the influence of material softening caused by laser heating on cutting heat source is considered. A series of LAM experiments are conducted to validate the thermal model. Good agreement between the predicted and measured results indicates the proposed model is effective. Further, the effect of spindle speed and feed per tooth on workpiece temperature is discussed. This work can be applied to optimize process parameters in LAM for reasonable machined surface integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uterus transplantation has become an option for women suffering from some form of infertility. Current review discusses key physiological functions of the endometrium requiring the transition of tissue cells between the mesenchyme and epithelial cell phenotype, a process known as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Es- trogen and EMT play a key role in the pathogenesis and treatment of intrauterine adhesion and endometriosis. There is also a close regulatory relationship between estrogen and EMT, and investigation of this relationship is of great significance for the treatment of endometrial disorders. 'rhe present review discusses the effects of estrogen on endometrial dysfunction, with a focus on the relationship between estrogen and EMT in endometrial disorders, taking into consideration the mechanisms by which receptors that regulate their functions and proteins that regulate their local biological functions interact with the factors involved in EMT. In addition, the review summarizes emerging drugs targeting receptors or proteins and provides information on the direction of new therapies for endometrial disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a blockchain-based system, the lack of centralized control requires active participation and cooperative behaviors of system entities to ensure system security and sustainability. However, dynamic environments and unpredictable entity behaviors challenge the performances of such systems in practice. Therefore, designing a feasible incentive mechanism to regulate entity behaviors becomes essential to improve blockchain system performance. The prosperous characteristics of blockchain can also contribute to an effective incentive mechanism. Unfortunately, current literature still lacks a thorough survey on incentive mechanisms related to the blockchain to understand how incentive mechanisms and blockchain make each other better. To this end, we propose evaluation requirements in terms of the properties and costs of incentive mechanisms. On the one hand, we provide a taxonomy of the incentive mechanisms of blockchain systems according to blockchain versions, incentive forms, and incentive goals. On the other hand, we categorize blockchain-based incentive mechanisms according to application scenarios and incentive goals. During the review, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of state-of-the-art incentive mechanisms based on the proposed evaluation requirements. Through careful review,we present howincentive mechanisms and blockchain benefitwith each other, discover a number of unresolved issues, and point out corresponding potential directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a linear copositive Lyapunov function (LF), a combined cyclic stabilizing switching law with one stage being classified into four cases is proposed for continuous time positive switched systems composed of two unstable subsystems. Under the combined cyclic stabilizing switching law, the positive switched system is asymptotically stable and robust against certain class of perturbations. Finally, simulation verifies the effectiveness of the proposed switching law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionic liquids (ILs) have presented excellent behaviors in the separation of azeotropes in extractive distillation. However, the intrinsic molecular nature of ILs in the separation of azeotropic systems is not clear. In this paper, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and theoretical calculations were applied to screen the microstructures of ethyl propionate–n-propanol–1-ethyl-3-methylimidzolium acetate ([EMIM][OAC]) systems before and after azeotropy breaking. A detailed vibrational analysis was carried out on the v(C=O) region of ethyl propionate and v(O–D) region of n-propanol-d1. Different species, including multiple sizes of propanol and ethyl propionate self-aggregators, ethyl propionate–n-propanol interaction complexes, and different IL–n-propanol interaction complexes, were identified using excess spectroscopy and confirmed with theoretical calculations. Their changes in relative amounts were also observed. The hydrogen bond between n-propanol and ethyl propionate/[EMIM][OAC] was detected, and the interaction properties were also revealed. Overall, the intrinsic molecular nature of the azeotropy breaking was clear. First, the interactions between [EMIM][OAC] and n-propanol were stronger than those between [EMIM][OAC] and ethyl propionate, which influenced the relative volatilities of the two components in the system. Second, the interactions between n-propanol and [EMIM][OAC] were stronger than those between n-propanol and ethyl propionate. Hence, adding [EMIM][OAC] could break apart the ethyl propionate–n-propanol complex (causing the azeotropy in the studied system). When x([EMIM][OAC]) was lower than 0.04, the azeotropy still existed mainly because the low IL could not destroy the whole ethyl propionate–n-propanol interaction complex. At x(IL) > 0.04, the whole ethyl propionate–n-propanol complex was destroyed, and the azeotropy disappeared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: At present, clinical factors and hematological indicators have been proved to have great potential in predicting the prognosis of cancer patients, and no one has combined these two valuable indicators to establish a prognostic model for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients with stage T1-3N0M0 after R0 resection. To verify, we aimed to combine these potential indicators to establish a prognostic model. Methods: Stage T1-3N0M0 ESCC patients from two cancer centers (including training cohort: N = 819, and an external validation cohort: N = 177)—who had undergone esophagectomy in 1995–2015 were included. We integrated significant risk factors for death events by multivariable logistic regression methods and applied them to the training cohort to build Esorisk. The parsimonious aggregate Esorisk score was calculated for each patient; the training set was divided into three prognostic risk classes according to the 33rd and 66th percentiles of the Esorisk score. The association of Esorisk with cancer-specific survival (CSS) was assessed using Cox regression analyses. Results: The Esorisk model was: [10 + 0.023 × age + 0.517 × drinking history − 0.012 × hemoglobin–0.042 × albumin − 0.032 × lymph nodes]. Patients were grouped into three classes—Class A (5.14–7.26, low risk), Class B (7.27–7.70, middle risk), and Class C (7.71–9.29, high risk). In the training group, five-year CSS decreased across the categories (A: 63%; B: 52%; C: 30%, Log-rank P < 0.001). Similar findings were observed in the validation group. Additionally, Cox regression analysis showed that Esorisk aggregate score remained significantly associated with CSS in the training cohort and validation cohort after adjusting for other confounders. Conclusions: We combined the data of two large clinical centers, and comprehensively considered their valuable clinical factors and hematological indicators, established and verified a new prognostic risk classification that can predict CSS of stage T1-3N0M0 ESCC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Structural variations (SVs) refer to variations in an organism's chromosome structure that exceed a length of 50 base pairs. They play a significant role in genetic diseases and evolutionary mechanisms. While long-read sequencing technology has led to the development of numerous SV caller methods, their performance results have been suboptimal. Researchers have observed that current SV callers often miss true SVs and generate many false SVs, especially in repetitive regions and areas with multi-allelic SVs. These errors are due to the messy alignments of long-read data, which are affected by their high error rate. Therefore, there is a need for a more accurate SV caller method. Result: We propose a new method-SVcnn, a more accurate deep learning-based method for detecting SVs by using long-read sequencing data. We run SVcnn and other SV callers in three real datasets and find that SVcnn improves the F1-score by 2–8% compared with the second-best method when the read depth is greater than 5×. More importantly, SVcnn has better performance for detecting multi-allelic SVs. Conclusions: SVcnn is an accurate deep learning-based method to detect SVs. The program is available at https://github.com/nwpuzhengyan/SVcnn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ischemic stroke triggers a cascade of events that facilitates neural protection and spontaneous recovery, which accounts for a major part of functional recovery. Despite the cellular and molecular facilitations on neural protection, the molecular mechanisms of spontaneous recovery have not been fully understood. Ca2+‐dependent activator protein for secretion 1 (CAPS1), a member of CAPS family, plays a major role in synaptic transmission and synaptic effectiveness by regulating vesicle exocytosis. Here, the molecular mechanism of CAPS1 in spontaneous recovery after ischemic stroke was studied. In this study, transient left middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was used as the ischemic stroke model. The whole brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neurological score analysis showed decreased infarct volume and neurological scores at 7 days as compared with 1 day after MCAO, suggesting the spontaneous recovery. Elisa and Western blot analysis showed elevated BDNF and CAPS1 expression levels in bilateral hippocampus at both 1 day and 3 days after MCAO. Then, inhibition of CAPS1 by adeno‐associated virus (AAV) microinjection in the hippocampus attenuated the spontaneous recovery of both motor and memory impairment induced by MCAO. In addition, elevated p‐TrkB levels were detected after MCAO, which were reduced by CAPS1‐AAV microinjection, indicating that CAPS1 could induce BDNF secretion after ischemic stroke. Moreover, we found elevated combination of CAPS1 with dense core vesicles (DCV) in the hippocampus at both 1 day and 3 days after MCAO, which could also be inhibited by CAPS1‐AAV microinjection, indicating the potential mechanism of CAPS1 in regulating BDNF release after MCAO. Finally, we found that CAPS1/BDNF signaling could influence the neurogenesis in the hippocampus after MCAO. In conclusion, CAPS1 regulates neurogenesis by up‐regulating BDNF release in the hippocampus, which finally facilitate spontaneous recovery after ischemic stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this meta-analysis was to illustrate the clinical outcomes and safety of two different management options for Song stage 2–4 lateral condyle humeral fractures in children. Method: In January 2023, a systematic computer-based search was conducted. Data were retrieved for patients with two different management options for lateral condyle humeral fractures in children. The primary endpoints were clinical outcomes based on infection, avascular necrosis, and nonunion. After testing for publication bias and heterogeneity between studies, the data was aggregated for stochastic effect models when necessary. Results: Eight clinical studies with 742 patients were eventually included in the meta-analysis. There was no significant difference between the closed reduction and percutaneous pinning, and open reduction and internal fixation in terms of the clinical outcomes based on infection, avascular necrosis, and nonunion (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Closed reduction and percutaneous pinning, as well as open reduction and internal fixation of lateral condyle humeral fractures in children, resulted in similar structural stability and functional outcomes. More high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to determine this conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kilonovae are approximately thermal transients, produced by the mergers of binary neutron stars (BNSs) and neutron star (NS)–black hole binaries. As the optical counterpart of the gravitational-wave event GW170817, AT2017gfo is the first kilonova detected with smoking-gun evidence. Its observation offers vital information for constraining the Hubble constant, the sources of cosmic r -process enrichment, and the equation of state of NSs. The 2.5 m Wide-Field Survey Telescope (WFST) operates in six bands (u, g, r, i, z, w), spanning from 320 to 925 nm. It will be completed in the first half of 2023, and with a field-of-view diameter of 3°, aims to detect kilonovae in the near future. In this article, considering the influence of the host galaxies and sky brightness, we generate simulated images to investigate WFST's ability to detect AT2017gfo-like kilonovae. Due to their spectra, host galaxies can significantly impact kilonova detection at longer wavelengths. When kilonovae are at peak luminosity, we find that WFST performs better in the g and r bands and can detect 90% (50%) of kilonovae at a luminosity distance of 248 Mpc (338 Mpc) with 30 s exposures. Furthermore, to reflect the actual efficiency under target-of-opportunity observations, we calculate the total time of follow up under various localization areas and distances. We find that if the localization areas of most BNS events detected during the fourth observing (O4) run of LIGO and Virgo are hundreds of deg2, WFST is expected to find ∼30% of kilonovae in the first two nights following the detection of a GW event produced by a BNS during the O4 period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we report the synthesis, structure, and single-molecule conductance of three o-carborane-based molecular wires (ortho-, meta- and para-CN) with multiple conduction channels. The effect of connectivity in target wires compared with the corresponding phenyl-centered wires was studied using the scanning tunneling microscope break junction (STM-BJ) technique and theoretical calculations. Interestingly, the three-dimensional structure in o-carborane-based wires can effectively promote the through-space transmission paths or the formation of stable molecular junctions compared to the corresponding phenyl-centered wires. Moreover, the significant conductance difference of o-carborane-based wires was due to the combination of multiple conduction channels and quantum interference. Understanding the effects of different bridging groups and anchor group substitution patterns provides guidelines for designing o-carborane-based multichannel molecular wires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A NiH-catalyzed polarity-reversed hydroamination of β,γ-, γ,δ- and δ,ε-unsaturated alkenes with electrophilic anthranils was developed. This reaction proceeds in a highly regio- and chemoselective manner to afford γ, δ and ε-arylamines bearing a carbonyl or alcohol functionality with 100% atom efficiency. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate that the chemoselectivity is controlled by the base and the alcohol product is derived from the base-catalyzed hydrosilylation of the C＝O bond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A convenient and straightforward approach for the radical cascade cyclization/hydrolysis of CN‐containing 1,6‐enynes with simple ethers under metal‐ and base‐free conditions is described. This strategy provides a variety of valuable ethers‐substituted polyheterocycles via the construction of three C−C bonds, one C=O bond, and two new six‐membered rings within a single procedure. The resulting products can smoothly undergo follow‐up conversions to various useful scaffolds. The methodology shows excellent functional group tolerance, high step‐ and atom‐ economy, and mild reaction conditions, which can be further scaled up to gram quantity in a satisfactory yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]