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While existing research has explored control strategies in multi-dimensional fields, the interconnectedness between electromagnetic and vibrational fields remains relatively uncharted. To explore this intersection and harness its potential, we propose an intelligent programmable metasurface that modulates electromagnetic fields based on vibration intensity information. This paper introduces a groundbreaking approach that synergizes the physical fields of mechanical (vibrational) waves with electromagnetic waves, facilitating the detection and manipulation of information from both fields. By combining a programmable metasurface, vibration sensors, and microcontroller units, we have achieved regulation of the electromagnetic field through utilization of vibration intensity information. In this work, we have introduced six coding patterns that facilitate dual-beam scanning with variable deflection angles. A 20 × 20 metasurface is fabricated and measured, and the measured results are in good agreement with the simulated results. This research opens a new avenue for manipulating electromagnetic waves. Furthermore, the findings have the potential to impact a wide range of fields, including building structuralhealth monitoring, industrial production, mechanical equipment monitoring, and earthquake monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WSe2-based heterostructures are extensively enhanced by dielectric and interfacial engineering for high-performance photodetectors. However, it is difficult to integrate a magnetic three-dimensional (3D) thin film on the two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals heterostructure. In this study, a magnetic 2D p-WSe2/n-2DEG heterostructure with an inserted epitaxial SrCoO2.5 thin film is fabricated, and a p-n heterojunction is formed via an Ar+-ion-bombardment process. The fabricated device with a typical long depletion region responds to a broad spectral range from 447-808 nm within the wide temperature range of 10-300 K. In the dark and under light illumination, the magneto-optical response can be realized due to the self-charging process in the device. Furthermore, the adjustable multistate can be expected under multi-field interaction on the heterojunction, which can be controlled by the control signal as the light ON/OFF switching, bias, and magnetic field. Based on the experimental results and process simulation, it is demonstrated that the heterojunction with an optimized magnetic SrCoO2.5 design holds promise as a multimode logic gate, which can be implemented with complementary 2D/3D semiconductor design and fabrication processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proteins play a key role in biological electron transport, but the structure-function relationships governing the electronic properties of peptides are not fully understood. Despite recent progress, understanding the link between peptide conformational flexibility, hierarchical structures, and electron transport pathways has been challenging. Here, we use single-molecule experiments, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, nonequilibrium Green's function-density functional theory (NEGF-DFT), and unsupervised machine learning to understand the role of secondary structure on electron transport in peptides. Our results reveal a two-state molecular conductance behavior for peptides across several different amino acid sequences. MD simulations and Gaussian mixture modeling are used to show that this two-state molecular conductance behavior arises due to the conformational flexibility of peptide backbones, with a high-conductance state arising due to a more defined secondary structure (beta turn or 310 helices) and a low-conductance state occurring for extended peptide structures. These results highlight the importance of helical conformations on electron transport in peptides. Conformer selection for the peptide structures is rationalized using principal component analysis of intramolecular hydrogen bonding distances along peptide backbones. Molecular conformations from MD simulations are used to model charge transport in NEGF-DFT calculations, and the results are in reasonable qualitative agreement with experiments. Projected density of states calculations and molecular orbital visualizations are further used to understand the role of amino acid side chains on transport. Overall, our results show that secondary structure plays a key role in electron transport in peptides, which provides broad avenues for understanding the electronic properties of proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low energy consumption per synaptic event is important for artificial synapses in applications of highly integrated and large-scale neuromorphic computing systems. Reducing the channel length of a synaptic transistor is an effective method to achieve this goal because such devices can work under low operating voltage and current. In this Letter, we use femtosecond laser ablation to fabricate a microscale slit in an Ag film as the channel of an organic synaptic transistor to obtain low energy consumption. The length of the shortest channel is only 1.6 μm. As a result, the device could be driven by a 50 μV drain bias voltage while output 855 pA excitatory postsynaptic current under a gate spike of 50 mV and 30 ms. The calculated energy consumption per synaptic event is 1.28 fJ, which is comparable to that of a biological synapse (1–10 fJ per synaptic event). Femtosecond laser ablation has been demonstrated a rapid and effective process for the fabrication of microscale channel with high resolution for synaptic transistor, showing large potential for the development of neuromorphic electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multifactorial diseases demand therapeutics that can modulate multiple targets for enhanced safety and efficacy, yet the clinical approval of multitarget drugs remains rare. The integration of machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) in drug discovery has revolutionized virtual screening. This study investigates the synergy between ML/DL methodologies, molecular representations, and data augmentation strategies. Notably, we found that SVM can match or even surpass the performance of state-of-the-art DL methods. However, conventional data augmentation often involves a trade-off between the true positive rate and false positive rate. To address this, we introduce Negative-Augmented PU-bagging (NAPU-bagging) SVM, a novel semi-supervised learning framework. By leveraging ensemble SVM classifiers trained on resampled bags containing positive, negative, and unlabeled data, our approach is capable of managing false positive rates while maintaining high recall rates. We applied this method to the identification of multitarget-directed ligands (MTDLs), where high recall rates are critical for compiling a list of interaction candidate compounds. Case studies demonstrate that NAPU-bagging SVM can identify structurally novel MTDL hits for ALK-EGFR with favorable docking scores and binding modes, as well as pan-agonists for dopamine receptors. The NAPU-bagging SVM methodology should serve as a promising avenue to virtual screening, especially for the discovery of MTDLs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The type I interferon (IFN) pathway is important for eukaryotic cells to resist viral infection, as well as an impediment to efficient virus replication. Therefore, this study aims to create an IFNAR1 knockout (KO) Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cell line using CRISPR/Cas9 and investigate its application and potential mechanism in increasing viral replication of bovines. The IFNAR1 KO cells showed increased titers of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) (1.5 log10), with bovine enterovirus and bovine parainfluenza virus type 3 (0.5-0.8 log10). RNAseq revealed reduced expression of the genes related IFN-I pathways including IFNAR1, STAT3, IRF9, and SOCS3 in IFNAR1 KO cells compared with WT cells. In WT cells, 306 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between BVDV-infected and -uninfected cells. Of these, 128 up- and 178 down-regulated genes were mainly associated with growth cycle and biosynthesis, respectively. In IFNAR1 KO cells, 286 DEGs were identified, with 82 up-regulated genes were associated with signaling pathways, and 204 down-regulated genes. Further, 92 DEGs were overlapped between WT and IFNAR1 KO cells including ESM1, IL13RA2, and SLC25A34. Unique DEGs in WT cells were related to inflammation and immune regulation, whereas those unique in IFNAR1 KO cells involved in cell cycle regulation through pathways such as MAPK. Knocking down SLC25A34 and IL13RA2 in IFNAR1 KO cells increased BVDV replication by 0.3 log10 and 0.4 log10, respectively. Additionally, we constructed an IFNAR1/IFNAR2 double-knockout MDBK cell line, which further increased BVDV viral titers compared with IFNAR1 KO cells (0.6 log10). Overall, the IFNAR1 KO MDBK cell line can support better replication of bovine viruses and therefore provides a valuable tool for bovine virus research on viral pathogenesis and host innate immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accelerating perovskite solid solution discovery and sustainable synthesis is crucial for addressing challenges in wireless communication and biosensors. However, the vast array of chemical compositions and their dependence on factors such as crystal structure, and sintering temperature require time-consuming manual processes. To overcome these constraints, we introduce an automated materials discovery approach encompassing machine learning (ML) assisted material screening, robotic synthesis, and high-throughput characterization. Our proposed platform for rapid sintering and dielectric analysis streamlines the characterization of perovskites and the discovery of disordered materials. The setup has been successfully validated, demonstrating processing materials within minutes, in stark contrast to conventional procedures that can take hours or days. Following setup validation with established samples, we showcase synthesizing single-phase solid solutions within the barium family, such as (BaxSr1-x)CeO3, identified through ML-guided chemistry. Accelerated discovery of perovskite solid solutions is achieved through automated synthesis and dielectric characterisation, exploring sintering and phase relationships for ML-predicted compositions with two successful syntheses and optimizing material properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to explore the pharmacological substance basis of Qi Ge Decoction (QG) in antihyperlipidemia through a combination of metabolomics and serum pharmacochemistry. We used ultra‐performance liquid chromatography quadrupole‐time‐of‐flight/MS (UPLC Q‐TOF/MS) to analyze and identify the chemical constituents of QG in vitro and in blood chemical components. The metabolomics technology was used to analyze serum biomarkers of QG in preventing and treating hyperlipidemia. We constructed a mathematical model of the relationship between constituents absorbed into the blood and endogenous biomarkers and explored the potential therapeutic application of QG for the prevention and treatment of hyperlipidemia. Compared with the model group, the levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride in the QG group were significantly decreased (P < 0.01). A total of 12 chemical components absorbed into the blood were identified, and 48 biomarkers of the hyperlipidemia model were obtained from serum metabolomic analysis, of which 15 metabolites were backregulated after QG intervention. Puerarin, hesperetin, puerarin xyloside, calycosin, and monohydroxy‐tetramethoxyflavone had a high correlation with the biomarkers regulated by QG. This study elucidated the material basis of QG in the intervention of hyperlipidemia, thereby facilitating future research aimed at further revealing the pharmacodynamic material basis of QG's antihyperlipidemic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In current society, escalating stress in everyday life and work creates significant concern about the potential for both physical and psychological long-term effects if unattended. To address this challenge, in this paper, we introduce a new approach designed to alleviate stress and promote well-being. Our proposed system synchronizes pointer swings with music rhythms to achieve a combination of rhythmic music engagement and interactive physical activity. This solution centers on the intersection of technology and well-being by providing users with an immersive and relaxing audio-visual experience. To achieve higher rhythm extraction precision in different genres of music, we employ wavelet transform and deep learning (DL) to adjust parameters dynamically. The controllable rotating sphere is achieved using a millimeter-wave (mmWave) radar and a thermographic camera to detect preset gestures. This system provides the interaction of rhythm and control over the rotating sphere, which can provide users with an immersive experience and contribute to a stress-relieving experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A solar-driven hydrogen production process using a graphitic carbon nitride (CN) photocatalyst is an ideal future clean energy source. However, hydrogen production efficiency in the CN photocatalytic system is still limited due to rapid electron–hole (e−/h+) recombination. Herein, we report an efficient photocatalyst BCN-TPP by introducing 2,4,6-triphenylpyrylium (TPP) to boron-doped nitrogen-deficient carbon nitride (BCN) through π–π interaction and π–cation interaction. The as-prepared photocatalyst shows increased visible light absorption and narrow band gap, enhancing the separation of photogenerated e–/h+ pairs. TPP acts as a redox mediator under visible light excitation that can accept electrons from BCN, and then transfer them to the Pt cocatalyst. Photoluminescence (PL), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and other electrochemical studies have exhibited that introducing a TPP mediator significantly enhances photogenerated charge carrier separation. BCN-TPP (10 wt % TPP) nanostructures achieved the photocatalytic H2 generation rate of 110.33 μmol h–1 at visible light illumination (λ ≥ 420 nm), which is 9.59 times higher than that of pristine C3N4 (11.50 μmol h–1) and the apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) of 6.03% at 450 nm. Moreover, BCN-TPP shows the stability of H2 evolution over 4 cycles without any significant decline. This study represents an approach for designing efficient nanoheterostructured photocatalysts for hydrogen production from water splitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cerebrospinal fluid-contacting neurons (CSF-cNs) represent a distinct group of interneurons characterized by their prominent apical globular protrusions penetrating the spinal cord's central canal and their basal axons extending towards adjacent cells. Identified nearly a century back, the specific roles and attributes of CSF-cNs have just started to emerge due to the historical lack of definitive markers. Recent findings have confirmed that CSF-cNs expressing PKD2L1 possess attributes of neural stem cells, suggesting a critical function in the regeneration processes following spinal cord injuries. This review aims to elucidate the molecular markers of CSF-cNs as potential neural stem cells during spinal cord development and assess their roles post-spinal cord injury, with an emphasis on their potential therapeutic implications for spinal cord repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cerebrospinal fluid-contacting neurons (CSF-cNs) represent a distinct group of interneurons characterized by their prominent apical globular protrusions penetrating the spinal cord's central canal and their basal axons extending towards adjacent cells. Identified nearly a century back, the specific roles and attributes of CSF-cNs have just started to emerge due to the historical lack of definitive markers. Recent findings have confirmed that CSF-cNs expressing PKD2L1 possess attributes of neural stem cells, suggesting a critical function in the regeneration processes following spinal cord injuries. This review aims to elucidate the molecular markers of CSF-cNs as potential neural stem cells during spinal cord development and assess their roles post-spinal cord injury, with an emphasis on their potential therapeutic implications for spinal cord repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemokines are small, secreted cytokines crucial in the regulation of a variety of cell functions. The binding of chemokine C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) (stromal cell-derived factor 1) to a G-protein-coupled receptor C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) triggers downstream signaling pathways with effects on cell survival, proliferation, chemotaxis, migration, and gene expression. Intensive and extensive investigations have provided evidence suggesting that the CXCL12-CXCR4 axis plays a pivotal role in tumor development, survival, angiogenesis, metastasis, as well as in creating tumor microenvironment, thus implying that this axis is a potential target for the development of cancer therapies. The structures of CXCL12 and CXCR4 have been resolved with experimental methods such as X-ray crystallography, NMR, or cryo-EM. Therefore, it is possible to apply structure-based computational approaches to discover, design, and modify therapeutic molecules for cancer treatments. Here, we summarize the current understanding of the roles played by the CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling axis in cellular functions linking to cancer progression and metastasis. This review also provides an introduction to protein structures of CXCL12 and CXCR4 and the application of computer simulation and analysis in understanding CXCR4 activation and antagonist binding. Furthermore, examples of strategies and current progress in CXCL12-CXCR4 axis-targeted development of therapeutic anticancer inhibitors are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phthalate acid esters (PAEs) are one of the most widely used plasticizers globally, extensively employed in various decoration materials. However, studies on the impact of these materials on indoor environmental PAE pollution and their effects on human health are limited. In this study, forty dust samples were collected from four types of stores specializing in decoration materials (flooring, furniture boards, wall coverings, and household articles). The levels, sources, exposure doses, and potential health risks of PAEs in dust from decoration material stores were assessed. The total concentrations of Σ9PAE (the sum of nine PAEs) in dust from all decoration-material stores ranged from 46,100 ng/g to 695,000 ng/g, with a median concentration of 146,000 ng/g. DMP, DEP, DBP, and DEHP were identified as the predominant components. Among all stores, furniture board stores exhibited the highest Σ9PAE (159,000 ng/g, median value), while flooring stores exhibited the lowest (95,300 ng/g). Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that decoration materials are important sources of PAEs in the indoor environment. The estimated daily intakes of PAEs through non-dietary dust ingestion and dermal-absorption pathways among staff in various decoration-material stores were 60.0 and 0.470 ng/kg-bw/day (flooring stores), 113 and 0.780 ng/kg-bw/day (furniture board stores), 102 and 0.510 ng/kg-bw/day (wall covering stores), and 114 and 0.710 ng/kg-bw/day (household article stores). Particularly, staff in wall-covering and furniture-board stores exhibited relatively higher exposure doses of DEHP. Risk assessment indicated that although certain PAEs posed potential health risks, the exposure levels for staff in decoration material stores were within acceptable limits. However, staff in wall covering stores exhibited relatively higher risks, necessitating targeted risk-management strategies. This study provides new insights into understanding the risk associated with PAEs in indoor environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

* OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations between (1) various types of physical activity and the risk of back pain incidence, and (2) the influence of substituting sedentary behaviors with physical activities on back pain incidence. * DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. * METHODS: We analyzed UK Biobank data collected from 365 307 participants who were free of back pain at baseline. The exposures were total, light, moderate, and vigorous physical activity, and sedentary behaviors. The outcome was back pain incidence. The main statistical models were the Cox proportional hazard model and the isotemporal substitution model. * RESULTS: In the follow-up time (median, 12.97 years; interquartile range, 12.10-13.71), 25 189 individuals developed back pain. The associations between all types of physical activity and incident back pain were significantly nonlinear (P<.001) among the general population and other subgroups. High physical activity was associated with a decreased risk of back pain compared with no physical activity. The lowest risk occurred in the 1801-to-2400 MET-min/week (metabolic-equivalent minutes per week) subgroup of total physical activity (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.59, 0.69), approximately consisting of 1200, 600, and 600 MET-min/week of light, moderate, and vigorous physical activity, respectively. Extremely high vigorous physical activity was related to high risk, specifically in males (HR = 1.13; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.25). Replacing 1 hour/day of sedentary behaviors with an equal time of physical activity reduced the risk of incident back pain by 2% to 8% (P<.05). * CONCLUSION: Physical activity was related to a reduced risk of back pain incidence (except over high vigorous physical activity). Substituting sedentary behaviors with physical activities reduced the risk of future back pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty (TJA), the administration of dexamethasone may contribute to perioperative blood glucose (BG) disturbances, potentially resulting in complications, even in patients without diabetes. This study aimed to demonstrate the impact of different administration regimens of dexamethasone in postoperative BG levels. Methods: In this randomized, controlled, double-blind trial, 136 patients without diabetes scheduled for TJA were randomly assigned to three groups: two perioperative saline injections (Group A, placebo); a single preoperative injection of 20 mg dexamethasone and a postoperative saline injection (Group B), and two perioperative injections of 10 mg dexamethasone (Group C). Primary outcomes were the postoperative fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels. Secondary outcome parameters were the postoperative postprandial blood glucose (PBG) levels. Postoperative complications within 90 days were also recorded. Risk factors for FBG ≥ 140 mg/dl and PBG ≥ 180 mg/dl were investigated. Results: Compared to Group A, there were transient increases in FBG and PBG on postoperative days (PODs) 0 and 1 in Groups B and C. Statistical differences in FBG and PBG among the three groups were nearly absent from POD 1 onward. Both dexamethasone regimens did not increase the risk for postoperative FBG ≥ 140 mg/dl or PBG ≥ 180 mg/dl. Elevated preoperative HbA1c levels may increase the risk of postoperative FBG ≥ 140 mg/dl or PBG ≥ 180 mg/dl, respectively. Conclusion: Perioperative intravenous high-dose dexamethasone to patients without diabetes has transient effects on increasing BG levels after TJA. However, no differences were found between the split-dose and single high-dose regimens. The elevated preoperative HbA1c, but not the dexamethasone regimens were the risk factor for FBG ≥ 140 mg/dl and PBG ≥ 180 mg/dl. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trail Registry, ChiCTR2300069473. Registered 17 March 2023, https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=186760. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Injection molding is in high demand in several industries due to its efficiency and versatility. Quality control plays a crucial role in ensuring the excellence of plastic products during injection molding. However, the phenomenon of weld lines has persisted due to the susceptibility of melt flow in the mold cavity for independent or multiple related parameters. This paper presents a comprehensive review of recent advances in minimizing weld lines during injection molding. This review study is categorized into four parts, namely, (1) causes of formation, (2) influencing factors and mechanisms, (3) numerical prediction methods, and (4) improvement methods for weld lines. In the end, based on the findings summarized in this review paper, future research directions for optimal control of weld lines are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An ultrasonic phased array system is introduced to study the three-dimensional (3-D) movement of a single bubble in a GaInSn alloy under a transverse magnetic field (MF), which is verified by bubble experiments in water. The 3-D motion trajectories of individual bubbles in the GaInSn are obtained under a horizontal MF. As the MF becomes stronger, the bubble successively oscillates in random directions (R mode), a direction perpendicular to the MF (V mode), a direction parallel to the MF (P mode) and finally it rises straight (S mode). The significant anisotropy of the oscillation directions at a moderate MF intensity may be due to the anisotropy of the vortex structure around the bubble. Furthermore, the oscillation amplitude gradually declines with increasing MF intensity until the bubble trajectory finally becomes a straight line. Our measurements allow us to specify the characteristic regions for the observed bubble modes in the N - Eo - Re parameter space (N is the magnetic interaction parameter, Eo is the Eötvös number and Re is the Reynolds number). In addition, more detailed characteristics of bubble terminal velocity are revealed, showing that the bubble velocities are closely related to the motion modes. The increase in bubble velocity at a moderate MF intensity is caused by the weakening oscillation. At a high strength, theMF monotonically suppresses the rise velocity of the bubble with a fixed scaling law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hazardous lead ions (Pb2+) even at a minute level can pose side effects on human health, highlighting the need for tools for trace Pb2+ detection. Herein, we present a DNAzyme-activated CRISPR assay (termed DzCas12T) for sensitive and one-pot detection of lead contamination. Using an extension-bridged strategy eliminates the need for separation to couple the DNAzyme recognition and CRISPR reporting processes. The tandem design endowed the DzCas12T assay with high specificity and sensitivity down to the pM-level. This assay has been used to detect lead contamination in food and water samples, indicating the potential for monitoring lead-associated environmental and food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peracetic acid (PAA) is emerging as a versatile agent for generating long-lived and selectively oxidative organic radicals (R-O•). Currently, the conventional transition metal-based activation strategies still suffer from metal ion leaching, undesirable by-products formation, and uncontrolled reactive species production. To address these challenges, we present a method employing BiOI with a unique electron structure as a PAA activator, thereby predominantly generating CH3C(O)O• radicals. The specificity of CH3C(O) O• generation ensured the superior performance of the BiOI/PAA system across a wide pH range (2.0 to 11.0), even in the presence of complex interfering substances such as humic acids, chloride ions, bicarbonate ions, and real-world water matrices. Unlike conventional catalytic oxidative methods, the BiOI/PAA system degrades sulfonamides without producing any toxic by-products. Our findings demonstrate the advantages of CH3C(O)O• in water decontamination and pave the way for the development of eco-friendly water decontaminations based on organic peroxides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the relationship between Sodium Glucose Co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) treatment and fibrosis in patients with Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) combined with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and Major Adverse Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events (MACCEs). Methods: A case–control study was conducted, involving 280 patients with MASLD combined with T2DM treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January 2014 to October 2023. Among these patients, 135 received SGLT2i treatment. The association between the Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index and the occurrence of MACCEs, as well as the association between the Aspartate Aminotransferase-to-Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) scores and MACCEs, were evaluated. Results: The FIB-4 index and APRI scores were significantly lower in the SGLT2i treatment group compared to the non-SGLT2i group (1.59 vs 1.25, P< 0.001). SGLT2i treatment tended to reduce the occurrence of MACCEs compared to non-SGLT2i treatment (45.5% vs 38.5%, P=0.28). All patients who developed MACCEs in the non-SGLT2i treatment group had higher FIB-4 index (1.83 vs 1.35, P=0.003). Additionally, after SGLT2i treatment for a median duration of 22 months, patients showed significant reductions in blood glucose, APRI, and FIB-4 index. Conclusion: SGLT2i treatment significantly reduces the occurrence of MACCEs and liver fibrosis in patients with MASLD combined with T2DM. The FIB-4 index may serve as a potential surrogate marker for predicting the occurrence of MACCEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article introduces a new type of linear regression model with regularization. Each predictor is conditionally truncated through the presence of unknown thresholds. The new model, called the two-way truncated linear regression model (TWT-LR), is not only viewed as a nonlinear generalization of a linear model but is also a much more flexible model with greatly enhanced interpretability and applicability. The TWT-LR model performs classifications through thresholds similar to the tree-based methods and conducts inferences that are the same as the classical linear model on different segments. In addition, the innovative penalization, called the extremely thresholding penalty (ETP), is applied to thresholds. The ETP is independent of the values of regression coefficients and does not require any normalizations of regressors. The TWT-LR-ETP model detects thresholds at a wide range, including the two extreme ends where data are sparse. Under suitable conditions, both the estimators for coefficients and thresholds are consistent, with the convergence rate for threshold estimators being faster than n . Furthermore, the estimators for coefficients are asymptotically normal for fixed dimension p. It is demonstrated in simulations and real data analyses that the TWT-LR-ETP model illustrates various threshold features and provides better estimation and prediction results than existing models. for this article are available online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Existing research indicates that patients with heart failure (HF) may have restricted access to guideline‐directed medical therapy (GDMT) when their blood pressure (BP) is comparatively low. However, recent clinical trials suggest that HF patients with low BP could still benefit from certain HF medications, which have a minimal impact on BP. This systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted to determine whether this applies to all GDMT. Methods and results: A systematic search of MEDLINE and EMBASE was conducted for studies published from inception to 10 January 2024. Randomized controlled trials were selected if they reported on the longitudinal change of systolic BP (SBP) due to GDMT, or the risks of cardiovascular events in HF patients based on SBP categories. Weighted mean difference (WMD), hazard ratio or relative risk, and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were pooled for meta‐analysis where possible. Data from 20 studies, encompassing information on 84 782 individuals, were analysed. Overall, GDMT is associated with lower SBP (WMD, −2.16; 95% CI −2.86 to −1.46), with no significant difference between baseline low and non‐low BP subgroups (interaction p = 0.810). However, SBP of the treatment group increased by 5.8 mmHg from baseline in the low SBP subgroup during follow‐up, while it decreased by 4.0 mmHg in the baseline non‐low SBP subgroup. GDMT demonstrated similar cardiovascular benefits and risk of hypotension between low and non‐low SBP subgroups (interaction p = 0.318 and 0.903, respectively). Conclusions: Guideline‐directed medical therapy is associated with a negligible decrease in SBP, but can provide similar cardiovascular benefits in both low and non‐low SBP HF patients, with no significant interaction with SBP as to hypotension. Therefore, GDMT should be initiated and maintained in HF patients with low BP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to explore the differences between various pharmaceutical processes in combined solutions of a single decoction (QGHBY) and a combined decoction (QGHJY) of Qi‐Ge decoction from the perspective of chemical composition changes, so as to further guide the clinical application of drugs. A combined solution of a single decoction and a combined decoction of Astragali Radix, Puerariae Lobatae Radix and Citri Reticulatae Chachiensis Pericarpium was prepared with the same technological parameters. The chemical components of the two were detected and identified based on UPLC–Q‐TOF/MS, and the different components were determined by principal component analysis. Eighty‐eight compounds were identified in the pharmaceutical solution of Qi‐Ge decoction. Principal component analysis revealed 11 different components of QGHBY and QGHJY with the conditions of Variable Importance in Projection (VIP) ≥ 1, fold change ≥ 2 and p < 0.05, among which hesperidin, hesperitin, isosinensetin, sinensetin and 5‐demethylnobiletin were the components of Citri Reticulatae Chachiensis Pericarpium. The levels of these 11 different components in QGHJY were higher than those of QGHBY. The combined decoction is beneficial for the dissolution of flavonoids and other chemical components, and there is a significant difference in the content of chemical components between modern herbal concentrate granules and traditional decoctions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary: Owing to their distinctive optical and physical properties, organic‐inorganic hybrid perovskite materials have gained significant attention in the field of electronic devices, especially solar cells. The achievement of high‐performance solar cells hinges upon the utilization of top‐notch perovskite thin films. Nevertheless, the fabrication process involving solutions and the polycrystalline nature of perovskite result in the emergence of numerous defects within the perovskite films, consequently exerting a deleterious influence on the overall performance and stability of the devices. Improving the performance and stability of perovskite solar cells by additive engineering to suppress/passivate defects is a viable approach, which involves hydrogen bond interactions in these device engineering processes. This review explores the intrinsic hydrogen bonds in methylammonium and formamidium lead triiodide, while also considering cation rotations, phase transitions, and stability. Moreover, the review classifies additives into distinct categories, including organic small molecules, polymers, nanodots, classical salts, ionic liquids, and molten salts. The various forms and characterization techniques of hydrogen bonds are discussed, as well as their potential synergistic effects in conjunction with other chemical interactions. Furthermore, this review offers insights into the potential utilization of hydrogen bonds to further enhance the performance and stability of devices. Key Scientists: In 2009, Tsutomu Miyasaka et al. prepared the first perovskite solar cell, which kicked off the research on perovskite light‐absorbing materials. However, the use of liquid electrolytes led to device instability. The transition to all‐solid‐state perovskite solar cells was realized by Nam‐Gyu Park's team in 2012, which was the beginning of high‐efficiency perovskite solar cells. Subsequently, a number of scientists have innovated the preparation ground process. Methods such as two‐step deposition by Michael Grätzel in 2013 and anti‐solvent extraction by Sang II Seok's team in 2014 were instrumental in advancing the development of perovskite. Liyuan Han's team then increased the cell's working area to 1 cm2 without compromising performance, making it possible to compare the performance metrics of perovskite solar cells with those of other types of solar cells on the same scale. Recently, You's team and Pan's team kept updating the world record by obtaining certified efficiencies of 25.6% and 25.8% in 2022 and 2023, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remote sensing imagery is indispensable in diverse domains, including geographic information systems, climate monitoring, agricultural planning, and disaster management. Nonetheless, cloud cover can drastically degrade the utility and quality of these images. Current deep learning-based cloud removal methods rely on convolutional neural networks to extract features at the same scale, which can overlook detailed and global information, resulting in suboptimal cloud removal performance. To overcome these challenges, we develop a method for cloud removal that leverages multi-scale spatial information perception. Our technique employs convolution kernels of various sizes, enabling the integration of both global semantic information and local detail information. An attention mechanism enhances this process by targeting key areas within the images, and dynamically adjusting channel weights to improve feature reconstruction. We compared our method with current popular cloud removal methods across three datasets, and the results show that our proposed method improves metrics such as PSNR, SSIM, and cosine similarity, verifying the effectiveness of our method in cloud removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physical properties of traditional polyolefin materials can be significantly improved by introducing polar groups, especially polar aromatic groups. However, it remains a major challenge to realize the highly effective copolymerization of ethylene with styrene derivatives. In this study, the direct copolymerization of ethylene with various polar styrene monomers bearing functional groups (o‐OMe, m‐OMe, p‐OMe, o‐Cl, m‐Cl, p‐ClSt, o‐F, o‐Br, p‐Me, p‐Ph, p‐Vinyl, p‐COOH, and C6F5) was achieved using phosphino‐dihydronaphtholate neutral nickel catalysts Ni1‐Ni3. Additionally, the catalytic behavior and the applicability of the polar monomer were evaluated in detail by copolymerization results. Catalysts Ni1‐Ni3 demonstrated inactivity towards the polymerization of polar styrene monomers but exhibited moderate catalytic activities in the copolymerization of ethylene with polar styrene monomers, yielding moderate‐molecular‐weight (Mw > 10 kDa) copolymers with the polar monomer contents ranging from 1.32 to 4.16 mol%. The steric and electronic effects of the substituent depending on the types and position in the phenyl ring considerably influenced the copolymerization behavior. Furthermore, comprehensive NMR analyses of the produced copolymers revealed that the polar monomers formed in‐chain insertions, saturated chain ends, and unsaturated chain ends after incorporation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The tumor microbiome has been characterized in several malignancies; however, no previous studies have investigated its role in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Hence, we explored the tumor microbiome and its association with prognosis in ICC. Methods: One hundred and twenty-one ICC tumor samples and 89 adjacent normal tissues were profiled by 16S rRNA sequencing. Microbial differences between tumor and adjacent nontumoral liver tissues were assessed. Tumor microbial composition was then evaluated to detect its association with prognosis. Finally, a risk score calculated by the tumor microbiota was accessed by the least absolute shrinkage and selector operator method (Lasso) to predict prognosis of ICC. Results: The tumor microbiome displayed a greater diversity than that in adjacent nontumoral liver tissues. Tumor samples were characterized by a higher abundance of Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Acidobacteriota. Higher tumor microbial α diversity was associated with lymph node metastasis and predicted shortened overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). A total of 11 bacteria were selected to generate the risk score by Lasso. This score showed potential in predicting OS, and was an independent risk factor for OS. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study characterized the tumor microbiome and revealed its role in predicting prognosis in ICC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the Papilio macilentus (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea: Papilionidae) was sequenced by next-generation sequencing method. The mitochondrial genome is a circular DNA molecule of 15,264 bp in size with 80.7% AT content, including 37 genes (13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes), and a long non-coding region (Control region). All protein-coding genes are initiated by ATN codons, and terminated with TAA, TAG, or single T. All tRNAs can be folded into common clover leaf secondary structure, except trn-S1. Phylogenetic analyses based on 13 protein-coding genes and 2 rRNA genes using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference confirmed that P. macilentus and Papilio memnon are clustered into a clade, and revealed the relationships between Papilionini, Troidini, Teinopaippini and Leptocircini. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Recently N-Fluoroarenesulfonamides (ArSO2NHF) were found to be promising precursors for the preparation of N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide derivatives without applying F2. However, very few studies have discussed the mass spectrometric behaviors of ArSO2NHF with N-F structure. Methods: In this article, we applied high-resolution electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS/MS) to study the effect on the mass spectrometric behaviors of ArSO2NHF after the introduction of the F-atom to the N-atom of ArSO2NH2. Results: High-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS) experiments showed that ArSO2NHF produced only good signals in negative ion mode, and the dominating product ion SO2F- at m/z 83 was observed in all HR-ESIMS/MS of ArSO2NF- with different substituents in the Ar group. The formation of the product ion SO2F- was proof of the gas-phase F-atom migration rearrangement from the N-atom to the S-atom in ESI-MS/MS of ArSO2NF-. Conclusion: To fully explain the gas-phase reaction mechanism from ArSO2NF- to SO2F-, we studied the HR-ESI-MS/MS of deprotonated ArSO2NHF and also performed theoretical calculations. Both results confirmed that ArSO2NF- first underwent Smiles rearrangement to yield intermediate I (INT1) ArNFSO2-, and then the F-atom of ArNFSO2- migrated from the N-atom to the S-atom to form intermediate II (INT2) ArN-SO2F, which finally dissociated to SO2F- at m/z 83 with loss of a neutral nitrene (ArN). All these results showed that the formation of the product ion SO2F- from ArSO2NF- was a common and intrinsic gas-phase reactivity of ArSO2NF-. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sarcopenia, common in the elderly, often linked to chronic diseases, correlates with inflammation.The association between SII and mortality in sarcopenia patients is underexplored, this study investigates this relationship in a U.S. adult cohort. Methods: We analyzed 1999-2018 NHANES data, focusing on 2,974 adults with sarcopenia. Mortality outcomes were determined by linking to National Death Index (NDI) records up to December 31, 2019. Using a weighted sampling design, participants were grouped into three groups by the Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII). We used Cox regression models, adjusting for demographic and clinical variables, to explore SII's association with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in sarcopenia, performing sensitivity analyses for robustness. Results: Over a median follow-up of 9.2 years, 829 deaths occurred. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significant survival differences across SII groups. The highest SII group showed higher hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause and cause-specific mortality in both crude and adjusted models. The highest SII group had a higher HR for all-cause(1.57, 1.25-1.98), cardiovascular(1.61, 1.00-2.58), cancer(2.13, 1.32-3.44), and respiratory disease mortality(3.21, 1.66-6.19) in fully adjusted models. Subgroup analyses revealed SII's association with all-cause mortality across various demographics, including age, gender, and presence of diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Sensitivity analyses, excluding participants with cardiovascular diseases, those who died within two years of follow-up, or those under 45 years of age, largely reflected these results, with the highest SII group consistently demonstrating higher HRs for all types of mortality in both unadjusted and adjusted models. Conclusion: Our study is the first to demonstrate a significant relationship between SII and increased mortality risks in a sarcopenia population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Diaryliodonium salts are useful electrophilic reagents in organic chemistry, finding extensive applications in arylations and photo-induced polymerizations. However, comprehensive mechanistic investigations, particularly concerning the mass spectrometric behaviors of diaryliodonium salts, are relatively scarce in the literature. Methods: Diaryliodonium salts could be readily ionized using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) to give [Ar¹ -I+-Ar² ], and high-resolution ESI-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) experiments were conducted to investigate their gasphase chemical reactions. Results: Investigations on ESI-MS/MS of [Ar¹-I+-Ar² ] revealed two major fragmentation patterns: (1) reductive elimination resulting in the diaryl coupling product ion [Ar¹ -Ar² ] +• by the loss of I; (2) generation of aryl cations [Ar¹ ] + or [Ar² ] + through cleavage of the C–I bonds. We revealed that the introduction of NO2 into Ar² of [Ar¹ -I+-Ar² ] could lead to an unexpected fragmentation ion [Ar¹ O]+ in MS/MS, arising from an O-atom transfer process from NO² to Ar¹ . Particularly, when NO2 was ortho-positioned to the iodine in Ar², the [Ar¹ O]+ sometimes exhibited dominant behavior. Conclusions: Comprehensive ESI-MS/MS studies and theoretical calculations provided strong support for the O-atom transfer mechanistic pathway: [Ar¹ -I+- (o-NO2-Ar² )] initially underwent a Smiles rearrangement to the intermediate [Ar¹ -O- (o-NO-Ar² I)]+, which subsequently dissociated to [Ar¹ O]+ or [o-NO-Ar² I]+• . Herein, we proposed an unexpected “ortho effect” in the gas-phase fragmentation reaction of [Ar¹ -I+-(o-NO2-Ar² )], in which the crucial determinant factor for the aryl migration was identified as the Smiles rearrangement reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Childhoods in urban or rural environments may differentially affect the risk of neuropsychiatric disorders, possibly through memory processing and neural response to emotional stimuli. Genetic factors may not only influence individuals' choices of residence but also modulate how the living environment affects responses to episodic memory. Methods: We investigated the effects of childhood urbanicity on episodic memory in 410 adults (discovery sample) and 72 adults (replication sample) with comparable socioeconomic statuses in Beijing, China, distinguishing between those with rural backgrounds (resided in rural areas before age 12 and relocated to urban areas at or after age 12) and urban backgrounds (resided in cities before age 12). We examined the effect of childhood urbanicity on brain function across encoding and retrieval sessions using an fMRI episodic memory paradigm involving the processing of neutral or aversive pictures. Moreover, genetic association analyses were conducted to understand the potential genetic underpinnings that might contribute to memory processing and neural mechanisms influenced by early-life urban or rural environments. Results: Episodic memory retrieval accuracy for more difficult neutral stimuli was similar between those with urban and rural childhoods, whereas aversive stimuli elicited higher retrieval accuracy in the urban group (P = 0.023). For aversive stimuli, subjects with urban childhood had relatively decreased engagement of the striatum at encoding and decreased engagement of the hippocampus at retrieval. This more efficient striatal encoding of aversive stimuli in those with urban childhoods was associated with common variation in neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor type 2 (NTRK2) (right striatum: P = 1.58×10−6). These findings were confirmed in the replication sample. Conclusions: We suggest that this differential striatal processing of aversive stimuli observed in individuals with urban or rural childhoods may represent mechanisms by which childhood urbanicity may affect brain circuits, heightening behavioral responses to negative stressors associated with urban environments. NTRK2-associated neural processes in the striatum may play a role in these processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The dysregulation of TGF‐β signaling is a crucial pathophysiological process in tumorigenesis and progression. LncRNAs have diverse biological functions and are significant participants in the regulation of tumor signaling pathways. However, the clinical value of lncRNAs related to TGF‐β signaling in glioma is currently unclear. Methods: Data on glioma's RNA‐seq transcriptome, somatic mutation, DNA methylation data, and clinicopathological information were derived from the CGGA and TCGA databases. A prognostic lncRNA signature was constructed by Cox and LASSO regression analyses. TIMER2.0 database was utilized to deduce immune infiltration characteristics. "ELMER v.2" was used to reconstruct TF‐methylation‐gene regulatory network. Immunotherapy and chemotherapy response predictions were implemented by the TIDE algorithm and GDSC database, respectively. In vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to verify the results and clarify the regulatory mechanism of lncRNA. Results: In glioma, a TGF‐β signaling‐related 15‐lncRNA signature was constructed, including AC010173.1, HOXA‐AS2, AC074286.1, AL592424.1, DRAIC, HOXC13‐AS, AC007938.1, AC010729.1, AC013472.3, AC093895.1, AC131097.4, AL606970.4, HOXC‐AS1, AGAP2‐AS1, and AC002456.1. This signature proved to be a reliable prognostic tool, with high risk indicating an unfavorable prognosis and being linked to malignant clinicopathological and genomic mutation traits. Risk levels were associated with different immune infiltration landscapes, where high risk was indicative of high levels of macrophage infiltration. In addition, high risk also suggested better immunotherapy and chemotherapy response. cg05987823 was an important methylation site in glioma progression, and AP‐1 transcription factor family participated in the regulation of signature lncRNA expression. AGAP2‐AS1 knockdown in in vitro and in vivo experiments inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of glioma cells, as well as the growth of glioma, by downregulating the expression levels of NF‐κB and ERK 1/2 in the TGF‐β signaling pathway. Conclusions: A prognostic lncRNA signature of TGF‐β signaling was established in glioma, which can be used for prognostic judgment, immune infiltration status inference, and immunotherapy response prediction. AGAP2‐AS1 plays an important role in glioma progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]