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Al–Mg-Si aluminum profiles experience temperature-dependent natural aging (NA), resulting in seasonal performance variations and extended storage requirements for deliveries, impacting production efficiency. A high-performance alloy (Al-0.8 Mg-1.2Si-0.5Cu-0.5Fe-0.3Mn-3.0Zn), identified in our previous work, exhibits superior aging response to address inherent limitations. Advanced equipment necessitates aluminum profiles with complex cross-sections, including long cantilevers and multiple cavities. Conventional process parameters, relying on iterative adjustments, are no longer adequate for extrusion production demands of these profiles. The new alloy demonstrates significant performance differences from traditional 6xxx aluminum alloys. To investigate its hot deformation behavior and extrusion process for long cantilever cavity profiles, the Arrhenius model of the new 6xxx aluminum alloy was established using a genetic algorithm (GA). The extrusion temperature was determined below the overheating point of the new aluminum alloy, utilizing information from the DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) curve and phase diagram. Subsequent simulation experiments, employing Taguchi design and gray correlation analysis (GRA), facilitated multi-objective optimization. To address Taguchi design limitations, optimal Latin hypercube sampling (OLHS) was introduced for separate sampling of main and all factors. An agent model for input-to-output mapping was established using neural networks, and the Pareto front was calculated via the NSGA (non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm)-II. Results indicate that a process with a billet preheating temperature of 450 °C, container temperature of 420 °C, die temperature of 460 °C, and extrusion speed of 3.5 mm/s is relatively optimal within the selected process space. The standard deviation of the velocity (SDV) and extrusion pressure for these parameters are 9.038 mm/s and 22.40 MN, respectively. Production experiments, based on optimal parameters, confirmed a robust correlation between simulation and actual results, providing valuable guidance for optimizing parameters in the production of complex cross-section aluminum profiles with high aging response ability alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: It is common for patients with schizophrenia to exhibit symptoms of autism. Both autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia share similar patterns of empathy deficits. This study purposed to explore the association between autistic features and empathy in Chinese patients with chronic schizophrenia. Methods: We enrolled 857 patients with chronic schizophrenia. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological 7 Status (RBANS), and Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) were employed to assess the participants' clinical symptoms, neurocognition, and empathy, respectively. The severity of autistic symptoms was assessed with the PANSS Autism Severity Scale (PAUSS), with PAUSS scores ≥ 30 were considered to have significant autistic features. Results: 114 schizophrenia patients (13.3%) had autistic features. Compared to schizophrenia patients without autistic features, those with autistic features had more severe clinical symptoms, and poorer neurocognition and empathic abilities. Female sex and empathic concerns were independently associated with autistic features in patients with chronic schizophrenia. Conclusions: Our results suggest that autistic features tend to manifest quite commonly among patients with chronic schizophrenia. Empathy deficits are strongly associated with autistic features in patients with chronic schizophrenia, strengthening the view that autistic features may characterize a subgroup of schizophrenia patients. Key message: • This study indicates that 114 Chinese patients with chronic schizophrenia (13.3%) had autistic features. • Patients with autistic features exhibited significantly poorer performance on all RBANS domains and IRI domains, except personal distress. • The female sex and empathic concerns were independently associated with autistic features in Chinese patients with chronic schizophrenia. • The results of this study need to be confirmed in future studies with longitudinal designs with a larger sample in patients with chronic schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years we have witnessed a growth in mathematics for deep learning, which has been used to solve inverse problems of partial differential equations (PDEs). However, most deep learning-based inversion methods either require paired data or necessitate retraining neural networks for modifications in the conditions of the inverse problem, significantly reducing the efficiency of inversion and limiting its applicability. To overcome this challenge, in this paper, leveraging the score-based generative diffusion model, we introduce a novel unsupervised inversion methodology tailored for solving inverse problems arising from PDEs. Our approach operates within the Bayesian inversion framework, treating the task of solving the posterior distribution as a conditional generation process achieved through solving a reverse-time stochastic differential equation. Furthermore, to enhance the accuracy of inversion results, we propose an ODE-based Diffusion Posterior Sampling inversion algorithm. The algorithm stems from the marginal probability density functions of two distinct forward generation processes that satisfy the same Fokker–Planck equation. Through a series of experiments involving various PDEs, we showcase the efficiency and robustness of our proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid progress in information technologies has spurred the need for innovative memory concepts, for which advanced data-processing methods and tailor-made materials are required. Here we introduce a previously unexplored nanoscale magnetic object: an analog magnetic vortex controlled by electric-field-induced ion motion, termed magneto-ionic vortex or "vortion". This state arises from paramagnetic FeCoN through voltage gating and gradual N3– ion extraction within patterned nanodots. Unlike traditional vortex states, vortions offer comprehensive analog adjustment of key properties such as magnetization amplitude, nucleation/annihilation fields, or coercivity using voltage as an energy-efficient tuning knob. This manipulation occurs post-synthesis, obviating the need for energy-demanding methods like laser pulses or spin-torque currents. By leveraging an overlooked aspect of N3– magneto-ionics—planar ion migration within nanodots—precise control of the magnetic layer's thickness is achieved, which enables reversible transitions among paramagnetic, single-domain, and vortion states, offering future prospects for analog computing, multi-state data storage, or brain-inspired devices. Magneto-ionics are a promising approach for controlling magnetism via electric fields, but most studies have been limited to thin films, rather than the nanostructures that would form the basis of a magneto-ionic memory unit. Here, Spasojevic et al demonstrate magneto-ionic control over transitions among paramagnetic, single domain, and vortex states in an array of nanodots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of combining flexible ureteroscopy (FURS) with potassium sodium hydrogen citrate(PSHC) for the treatment of 20–30 mm uric acid renal stones. Methods: A retrospective analysis of outcomes of patients with 20–30 mm uric acid renal stones who were treated with FURS and holmium lithotripsy was conducted between July 2021 and May 2024. Of them, 60 patients accepted FURS combined potassium sodium hydrogen citrate(PSHC) therapy while 70 patients underwent the FURS procedure alone. The demographic data, stone characteristics, surgical details, and perioperative outcomes of the patients were assessed retrospectively. Stone-free status was defined as the complete absence of stones on computed tomography. Results: Totally 130 patients were enrolled and analyzed in this study. No significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of gender, age, body mass index, comorbidities, stone burden, stone density, number of stones, or laterality. The mean operation time, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, postoperative stay, and complication rate were also similar between the groups. The combined group incurred higher costs (p < 0.01),but it achieved significantly higher stone-free rate and Wisconsin Stone Quality of Life Questionnaire score at 4 weeks post-operatively (96.7% vs. 85.7%,p = 0.029;124.63 vs. 114.44,p < 0.01). Additionally, the combined group had a significantly higher urine pH at 4 weeks postoperatively compared to the non-combined group (6.63 vs. 5.50, p < 0.01). Conclusion: Compared to a single procedure, FURS combined with PSHC therapy is an effective and safe treatment for 20–30 mm uric acid renal stones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A single-center retrospective study was designed to investigate the risk factors associated with delayed discharge from the Anesthesia Intensive Care Unit (AICU). Methods: This retrospective study involved patients admitted in the AICU from January 2017 to December 2022. Risk factors for the delayed discharge from the AICU were analyzed by the binary multivariate logistic regression analysis. Nomogram was constructed to predict the risk of delayed discharge from AICU. The performance of the nomogram was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic curve and calibration curve. A decision curve analysis was also performed to determine the net benefit threshold of prediction. Results: A total of 14,338 patients admitted in the AICU were retrospectively recruited, involving 9,271 males and 5,067 females. The incidence of delayed discharge from the AICU in the cohort was 1.54% (221/14,338). Binary multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that younger than 18 years or older than 64 years, the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status of class III-IV, body mass index of less than 18 kg/m2 or greater than 25 kg/m2, preoperative complications, emergency surgeries and intraoperative massive hemorrhage were risk factors for the delayed discharge from an AICU. We utilized nomograms to visually express data analysis results. Based on receiver operating characteristic analysis, calibration plots, and decision curve analysis, we concluded that the nomogram model exhibited excellent performance. Patients undergoing spine surgeries suffered from the highest proportion of delayed discharge from the AICU, followed by those receiving orthopedic and vascular surgeries. Postoperative hemorrhage was the major cause of delayed discharge from an AICU, followed by septic shock, hypoperfusion and pulmonary insufficiency. Conclusion: The incidence of delayed discharge from the AICU in a single-center tertiary hospital is 1.54%. It is influenced by various risk factors, including age, ASA physical status classification, BMI, preoperative complications, type of surgery and intraoperative blood loss. The nomogram model exhibits excellent performance. Trial registration: The single-center retrospective study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital (No. 2021-563-01, Data: 22 November 2021) and registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (No. ChiCTR2300078251, Data: 01 December 2023). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering that large eddy simulation (LES) often requires more computational resources to capture small-scale flow characteristics, while the Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) methods offers better computational efficiency at the expense of accuracy. The traditional Zwart–Gerber–Belamri cavitation model (Z–G–B) has good universality but insufficiently considers the influencing factors of cavitation. This article proposes a method combining very large eddy simulation (VLES) with the Z–G–B cavitation model (VLES_Z–G–B). However, there remains a certain discrepancies between the predictions and experimental results. To address this, on the basis of the Z–G–B cavitation model, the unsteady cavitation computation method (VLES_Water_Non) is developed, considering the weak compressibility effect of the fluid and incorporating three components: the liquid, vapor, and non-condensable gas. The results indicate that the VLES_Water_Non method compensates for the deficiencies of the VLES_Z–G–B approach, and clarifying that the combined effect of re-entrant flow, side-incident reverse flow, and mainstream are the primary causes of cavity shedding. Using a robust Ω-criterion, multiscale flow features during the cavity evolution process were identified. Additionally, it was found that the vortex stretching and dilation terms are the main reason for the flow separation and formation of complex structures around the hydrofoil. The baroclinic torque term has an significant impact on the generation of vorticity during the shedding process of the cavity. This study is expected to provide a more precise scale resolution method and predictive accuracy for analyzing the internal flow mechanisms of complex fluid machinery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When reversible pump turbines go through the S-shape region, there is some significant backflow regions in the vaneless space, accompanied by severe pressure fluctuation. However, the internal correlation and mutual influence mechanism among pressure fluctuation, turbulent vortex structure, and backflow are still unclear enough in current research. In this work, the backflow characteristics and formation mechanism of pump turbine in the S-shape region are figured out by using computational fluid dynamics methods. The results indicate that the Leading-Edge-Passage-Vortex caused by adverse pressure gradient is dominant in the initial stage of the backflow. In this stage, the interaction between the inflow fluid and the backflow fluid is the main reason causing the high amplitude and wideband pressure fluctuation components in the vaneless space. In the stage of backflow development, the adverse pressure gradient and centrifugal force play dominant roles in different backflow regions, respectively. The rotating stall phenomenon appears in the runner and a significant low-frequency component 0.6fn and 0.3fn∼0.45fn appeared, respectively, in the vaneless space and runner. In the fully developed stage, the backflow is dominated by the centrifugal force of the runner. The backflow region is concentrated in the main flow area of the runner inlet, while the inflow region is pushed out to the upper crown and lower ring. These findings can provide the theoretical supports for improving the stability of pump turbine operating in off-design condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with the numerical solution of third-kind Volterra integral equations with non-smooth kernels. Discontinuous Galerkin methods and two postprocessing techniques are introduced. First, the existence and uniqueness of the numerical solution are established. Then, the convergence of the numerical solutions and the global superconvergence of two postprocessed solutions are rigorously demonstrated in detail. Finally, some numerical results are given to confirm the theoretical predictions of convergence rates and superconvergence rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gut microbiota has been increasingly recognised as a critical determinant of human health, influencing a wide range of physiological processes. A healthy gut microbiota is essential for maintaining metabolic, immune, and gastrointestinal homeostasis, contributing to overall well-being. Alterations in its composition and functionality, often referred to as microbial dysbiosis, are strongly associated with the development of gut-related and systemic diseases. The gut microbiota synthesises several components and interacts with epithelial cell receptors, influencing processes that extend beyond nutritional status to the pathogenesis of diseases such as obesity, which extend beyond their known contribution to nutritional status. Therefore, this state-of-the-art review synthesises findings from recent studies on the composition, functions, and influencing factors of the gut microbiota, with a focus on its role in obesity. A systematic search of peer-reviewed literature was conducted to ensure comprehensive coverage, while expert insights are incorporated to discuss emerging research directions and future perspectives in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The (2+1)-dimensional integrable Caudrey–Dodd–Gibbon–Kotera–Sawada equation is a higher-order generalization of the Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation, which can be applied in some physical branches such as the nonlinear dispersive phenomenon. In this paper, we first present the bilinear form for this equation after constructing one Bäcklund transformation. As a result, the one-soliton solution, two-soliton solution, and three-soliton solution are shown successively and the corresponding soliton structures are constructed. These solitons and their interactions illustrate that the obtained solutions have powerful applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing frequency of extreme weather events and grid disruptions highlights the urgent need for resilient energy systems. Decentralized and autonomous, community microgrids offer reliable and adaptable solutions. However, existing research often isolates components or control methods, lacking a comprehensive synthesis of their interdependencies and resilience strategies. To address this gap, this study conducts a comprehensive scoping review to synthesize the current state of knowledge on community microgrids, focusing on their types, components, operational strategies, control methods, and performance indicators. The research identifies key microgrid subtypes, such as islanded, hybrid, multi-energy, and autonomous systems, and evaluates the role of critical components like energy storage systems and distributed energy resources in enhancing resilience. It also highlights performance indicators, including reliability, stability, and flexibility, that serve as benchmarks for resilience. A novel framework is proposed, integrating microgrid design and operational aspects into a cohesive model for resilience enhancement. This framework provides actionable insights for practitioners to optimize microgrid design, for policymakers to create adaptive regulations, and for researchers to address knowledge gaps in the field. The findings underscore the critical role of advanced control methodologies in improving adaptability and efficiency under diverse operational conditions. By addressing the lack of an integrated approach in the existing literature, this study contributes to advancing resilient energy systems, supporting the energy transition, and promoting energy security. Future research should validate the proposed framework through empirical studies and explore scalable, cost-effective solutions to enable widespread adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data-driven technologies in smart buildings offer significant opportunities to enhance energy efficiency, sustainability, and occupant comfort. However, the existing literature often lacks a holistic examination of the technological advancements, adoption barriers, and business models necessary to realize these benefits. To address this gap, this scoping review synthesizes current research on these technologies, identifies factors influencing their adoption, and examines supporting business models. Inspired by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a structured search of the literature across four major databases yielded 112 relevant studies. The key technologies identified included big data analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, the Internet of Things, Wireless Sensor Networks, Edge and Cloud Computing, Blockchain, Digital Twins, and Geographic Information Systems. Energy optimization is further achieved through integrating renewable energy resources and advanced energy management systems, such as Home Energy Management Systems and Building Energy Management Systems. Factors influencing adoption are categorized into social influences, individual perceptions, cost considerations, security and privacy concerns, and data quality issues. The analysis of business models emphasizes the need to align technological innovations with market needs, focusing on value propositions like cost savings and efficiency improvements. Despite the benefits, challenges such as high initial costs, technical complexities, security risks, and user acceptance hinder their widespread adoption. This review highlights the importance of addressing these challenges through the development of cost-effective, interoperable, secure, and user-centric solutions, offering a roadmap for future research and industry applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Muscle and adipose tissue are the most critical indicators of beef quality, and their development and function are regulated by noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). However, the differential regulatory mechanisms of ncRNAs in muscle and adipose tissue remain unclear. Results: In this study, 2,343 differentially expressed mRNAs (DEMs), 235 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs), 95 differentially expressed circRNAs (DECs) and 54 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRs) were identified in longissimus dorsi muscle (LD), subcutaneous fat (SF) and perirenal fat (VF) in Qinchuan beef cattle. The results of functional enrichment analysis showed that DEMs, DELs, DECs and DEmiRs were enriched in biological processes related to development and function of muscle and fat deposition, including skeletal muscle contraction, muscle organ development, PPAR signaling pathway, fatty acid metabolism and MAPK signaling pathway. Based on the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory mechanism, we constructed a lncRNA/circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network consisting of 6 circRNAs, 5 lncRNAs, 6 miRNAs and 27 mRNAs. Among them, 55 ceRNA axes were involved, including circRNA12990 - bta-miR-133a_L-1R + 1 - MYO6/ZEB2, circRNA2893/MSTRG.28538.1/MSTRG.11613.4 - pma-miR-145-5p_R + 2 - EYA4 and MSTRG.26982.1 - bta-let-7e_R + 1 - RBM40. Conclusions: This study identified a group of differentially expressed mRNAs, lncRNAs, circRNAs and miRNAs between muscle and adipose tissue and constructed a potential ceRNA regulatory network, which may serve as a foundation for studying the differential regulatory roles of ncRNAs in the development and function of muscle and adipose tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the escalating global climate change crisis, countries worldwide have adjusted their energy structures to promote energy diversification and decarbonization. This study systematically compares the performance and measures of the world's major economies—specifically the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, and France—in terms of energy structure, carbon emissions, and climate change policies. By examining the historical evolution of climate change policies in these nations, this research aims to provide valuable insights and references for other countries formulating relevant development strategies and policy measures. Additionally, it seeks to offer a timely framework for establishing an innovative energy system that ensures economic and social development while promoting the rapid growth and widespread adoption of low-carbon energy, thereby addressing the challenges posed by climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carotid artery plaques pose a significant threat to human life and health, with the hemodynamics playing a crucial role in their formation and progression. In this study, we reconstructed geometric models of pre-pathological carotid arteries from the computed tomography angiography images. Using computational methods of fluid–structure interaction, key hemodynamic parameters that influence the plaques formation are investigated in the carotid arteries, such as time-averaged wall shear stress and oscillatory shear index (OSI). Additionally, a correlation between the shape index of endothelial cells and the hemodynamic parameters is established. Then, combining the pathology of atherosclerosis, a set of mathematical models is constructed to describe the transendothelial transport and evolution of key substances involved in plaque formation within the carotid arterial wall, thereby predicting high-risk areas for plaque formation. The results indicate a higher risk area around the carotid bifurcation, consistent with recirculation zones of blood flow and characterized by low WSS and high OSI. The risk areas predicted by our mathematical models are well validated by clinical images, suggesting the accuracy of models established in the study. This method predicts high-risk areas of plaque formation and provides valuable guidance for the clinical diagnosis and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a redox-sensitive transcriptional factor that enables cells to resist oxidant responses, ferroptosis and inflammation. Here, we set out to probe the effects of NRF2 on cardiomyocyte injury under acute myocardial infarction (AMI) condition and its potential mechanism. Human cardiomyocytes were exposed to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) to induce cell injury. qRT-PCR and western blot assays were used to detect the levels of mRNAs and proteins. Cardiomyocyte injury was determined by detecting the levels of lactate dehydrogenase and creatine Kinase MB (CK-MB). Cell apoptosis was investigated by flow cytometry and related markers. Levels of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α were measured by ELISA. Cell ferroptosis was assessed by detecting the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malonaldehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione disulfide (GSH/GSSG) ratio, Fe + content, and related regulators. The interaction between NRF2 and the suppressor of zest 12 (SUZ12) was analyzed by using dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. AMI rat models were established for in vivo analysis. NRF2 was lowly expressed in AMI patients and H/R-induced cardiomyocytes. Forced expression of NRF2 reduced H/R-induced cardiomyocyte injury, apoptosis, inflammation, and ferroptosis. Moreover, NRF2 overexpression improved cardiac function and injury in vivo. Mechanistically, SUZ12 bound to the promoter of NRF2 and promoted its expression. Further functional analyses showed that SUZ12 overexpression reduced H/R-induced cardiomyocyte injury, apoptosis, inflammation, and ferroptosis, which were reversed by NRF2 silencing. SUZ12-increased NRF2 suppressed H/R-induced cardiomyocyte injury, apoptosis, inflammation, and ferroptosis in vitro and improved cardiac functions in rats with I/R injury, suggesting the potential cardioprotective effect of NRF2 in cardiac injury during AMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Castration is widely used in poultry and livestock to enhance fat metabolism and improve the flavor, tenderness and juiciness of meat. However, the genetic regulatory mechanism underlying castration consequences have not been clarified. To investigate the key metabolites affecting the quality of capons and the key regulatory mechanisms, Qingyuan partridge roosters were subjected to castration. Metabolic profiling was used to detect differential metabolites in the breast muscle of both capon and control groups. Additionally, an integrative analysis of transcriptomics and proteomics was conducted to explore the genetic regulation mechanisms influencing meat quality. The results indicated that the muscle fiber density and shear force of capons was lower than that of normal chickens, and the fat percentage of capon group (CAM) was higher than control group (COM). The expression of the metabolite inostine-5'-monophosphate (IMP) was lower in capons, and lipid metabolites (PC (10:0/10:0), PC (6:0/13:1), LPC 22:6, LPC 18:2, LPE 18:1, LPE 20:4) were higher in capons. Metabolic pathways were found to be a common signaling pathway in all omics. Glutamate-ammonia ligase (GLUL), acetyl-CoA carboxylase beta (ACACB), 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate O-acyltransferase 2 (AGPAT2), 4-hydroxy-2-oxoglutarate aldolase 1 (HOGA1) and glutathione S-transferase alpha 2 (GSTA2) regulate the expression of citric acid, arachidonic acid, palmitic acid, isocitric acid, and betaine. These findings highlight the key mechanisms contributing to the meat quality differences between capons and normal chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on data collected from three meteor radars located at Mohe (MH, 53.5°N, 122.3°E), Wuhan (WH, 30.5°N, 114.6°E), and Ledong (LD, 18.4°N, 109.0°E), the diurnal and seasonal variations of the meteor counts, azimuth‐zenith distributions of meteors, and sporadic meteor radiant are investigated. For the diurnal variation, meteor counts typically peak around 4 local time (LT) and reach their lowest levels near 17 LT, and the azimuth of the maximum meteor densities exhibits a clockwise rotation with LT. Such a characteristic is determined to be due to the domination of meteors from the helion direction during the daytime and from the antihelion direction during the nighttime. Additionally, three other meteor sources, north apex, south apex, and north toroidal have contributed to detections across all three radar sites. Distinct seasonal variations in meteor counts and azimuth‐zenith distribution are observed at MH while such variations are less evident at WH and LD. The seasonal variation of the radiant distributions displays significant distinct characteristics among different latitudinal observations. These diurnal and seasonal variations can be well explained by the change in the relative positions of the five meteor sources in the radars' local frame of reference. Our study enhances our ability to predict the characteristics of meteor counts and azimuth‐zenith distributions observed by meteor radar at any given time and location. Key Points: The diurnal and seasonal variations of meteor counts and distributions are investigated based on three meteor radarsThe five sporadic meteor sources are recognizedChanging visual positions of the five meteor sources are responsible for the variations of meteor counts, distributions, and radiant [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the complex flow characteristics of the water-jet pump and the anisotropy of Reynolds stresses, a hybrid Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes/large-eddy simulation method based on von Kármán scale and nonlinear correction has been developed, while its effectiveness has also been verified. The proper orthogonal decomposition method is employed to study the unsteady flow characteristics inside a water-jet pump due to its advantages in flow field analysis. The internal and external characteristics of the water-jet pump under two kinds of inflow conditions are comparatively analyzed, and the intrinsic influence mechanism of nonuniform inflow on the performance of the water-jet pump is investigated. The results indicate that nonuniform inflow causes the overall decrease in the pump head curve, and occurs serious reverse flow at impeller outlet near blade tip region, which in turn generates a large energy dissipation. The flow state is relatively smooth under uniform inflow condition, while the nonuniform inflow makes tip leakage flow induce many unstable flow structures, causing large turbulent kinetic energy and low pressure difference between the pressure surfaces and suction surfaces of impeller blades. There are multiscale flow structures in the water-jet pump, with large scales corresponding to low-order modes, which play a dominant role in turbulent movement and can be used as an important element for evaluating hydraulic performance. The energy content of low-modes is lower and the distribution of flow structures in each-order mode is more chaotic in the water-jet pump for nonuniform inflow compared to the ones for uniform inflow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, research on peg-in-hole (PiH) compliant assembly is predominantly limited to circular pegs and holes, with insufficient exploration of various complex-shaped PiH tasks. Furthermore, the degree of freedom for rotation about the axis of the circular peg cannot be constrained after assembly, and few studies have covered the complete process from autonomous hole-searching to insertion. Based on the above problems, a novel cross-shaped peg and hole design has been devised. The center coordinates of the cross-hole are obtained during the hole-searching process using the three-dimensional reconstruction theory of a binocular stereo vision camera. During the insertion process, 26 contact states of the cross-peg and the cross-hole were classified, and the mapping relationship between the force-moment sensor and relative errors was established based on a backpropagation (BP) neural network, thus completing the task of autonomous PiH assembly. This system avoids hand-guiding, completely realizes the autonomous assembly task from hole-searching to insertion, and can be replaced by other structures of pegs and holes for repeated assembly after obtaining the accurate relative pose between two assembly platforms, which provides a brand-new and unified solution for complex-shaped PiH assembly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduce InternVL 1.5, an open-source multimodal large language model (MLLM) to bridge the capability gap between open-source and proprietary commercial models in multimodal understanding. We introduce three simple improvements. (1) Strong vision encoder: we explored a continuous learning strategy for the large-scale vision foundation model — InternViT-6B, boosting its visual understanding capabilities, and making it can be transferred and reused in different LLMs. (2) Dynamic high-resolution: we divide images into tiles ranging from 1 to 40 of 448×448 pixels according to the aspect ratio and resolution of the input images, which supports up to 4K resolution input. (3) High-quality bilingual dataset: we carefully collected a high-quality bilingual dataset that covers common scenes, document images, and annotated them with English and Chinese question-answer pairs, significantly enhancing performance in optical character recognition (OCR) and Chinese-related tasks. We evaluate InternVL 1.5 through a series of benchmarks and comparative studies. Compared to both open-source and proprietary commercial models, InternVL 1.5 shows competitive performance, achieving state-of-the-art results in 8 of 18 multimodal benchmarks. Code and models are available at . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing the sustainable and cost‐effective heterogeneous catalytic system for controlling chemoselectivity holds substantial importance in fine organic chemicals. Herein we construct a unique Zr(OH)4 + CuO physically hybrid system for selective oxidation of anilines. Zr(OH)4 alone leads to azoxybenzene formation, and Zr(OH)4 + CuO shifts the reaction favorably toward nitrosobenzene. The proximity study indicates Zr(OH)4 + CuO outperforms its counterparts synthesized through methods like ball‐milling, loading, and coprecipitation, because the closer proximity exhibits stronger chemical interaction, restricting the activity of Zr‐OH hydroxyl sites. Through mechanistic experiments, in situ DRIFT‐IR and DFT calculations, a new Ph‐N˙OH intermediate mechanism is firstly proposed. Two Ph‐N˙OH self‐condensate to form azoxybenzene for only Zr(OH)4, whereas Zr(OH)4 + CuO could promote rapid transformation of Ph‐N˙OH to nitrosobenzene on CuO through a hydrogen transfer process. Moreover, Zr(OH)4 + CuO displays good recyclability and robust scalability. This is the first report demonstrating the utilization of a physically hybrid catalyst to adjust the selectivity of the aniline oxidation reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Prostate cancer is a common urology malignant in males, ranking second globally. The disease is especially severe when diagnosed alongside hypertension. MKI67 is an established marker of neoplastic cell proliferation in humans, but the significance of its prognostic value in patients with prostate cancer and hypertension requires further research. Methods: In this retrospective analysis, we evaluated 296 hypertensive prostate cancer patients between March 2, 2012, and November 1, 2015. We used Cox regression models and prediction analysis to assess overall survival. Furthermore, we created a nomogram and verified its accuracy using a calibration curve. Results: Of all participants, 101 (34.12%) died. Our multi-factor analysis revealed that MKI67 expression was associated with an increased hazard ratio of death (> fivefold) (Hazard Ratio 5.829, 95% CI 3.349–10.138, p value < 0.01) and progression (twofold) (HR 2.059, 95% CI 1.368–3.102, p value < 0.01). Our Lasso analysis model displayed that several factors, including heart failure, smoking, ACS, serum albumin, Gealson score, prognostic nutritional index, MKI67 expression, surgery, and stage were high risks of prostate cancer. To ensure each covariate's contribution to cancer prognosis, we created a Cox model nomogram, which accurately predicted the risk of death (C-statistic of 0.8289) and had a proper calibration plot for risk assessment. Conclusion: MKI67 expression predicts poor outcomes for overall mortality in prostate cancer and hypertension patients. Additionally, our cross-validated multivariate score, which includes MKI67, demonstrated accuracy efficacy of predicting prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Object detection is a fundamental task in computer vision. Recently, deep-learning-based object detection has made significant progress. However, due to large variations in target scale, the predominance of small targets, and complex backgrounds in remote sensing imagery, remote sensing object detection still faces challenges, including low detection accuracy, poor real-time performance, high missed detection rates, and high false detection rates in practical applications. To enhance remote sensing target detection performance, this study proposes a new model, the remote sensing detection transformer (RS-DETR). First, we incorporate cascaded group attention (CGA) into the attention-driven feature interaction module. By capturing features at different levels, it enhances the interaction between features through cascading and improves computational efficiency. Additionally, we propose an enhanced bidirectional feature pyramid network (EBiFPN) to facilitate multi-scale feature fusion. By integrating features across multiple scales, it improves object detection accuracy and robustness. Finally, we propose a novel bounding box regression loss function, Focaler-GIoU, which makes the model focus more on difficult samples, improving detection performance for small and overlapping targets. Experimental results on the satellite imagery multi-vehicles dataset (SIMD) and the high-resolution remote sensing object detection (TGRS-HRRSD) dataset show that the improved algorithm achieved mean average precision (mAP) of 78.2% and 91.6% at an intersection over union threshold of 0.5, respectively, which is an improvement of 2.0% and 1.5% over the baseline model. This result demonstrates the effectiveness and robustness of our proposed method for remote sensing image object detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geomagnetic storms can cause large variations in the ionosphere, but their impacts on the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) are not well understood. Based on the Total Electron Content (TEC) data and the meteor neutral winds data over Mohe (53.5°N, 122.3°E) and Beijing (40.3°N, 116.2°E), we analyze the tidal variations during six intense geomagnetic storms from 2016 to 2021. According to the six intense geomagnetic storms, we found that intense geomagnetic storms can lead to diurnal and semidiurnal tidal enhancements in TEC, while their influences on tidal variations in the MLT region are not always captured. Responses of tidal enhancement in the MLT region to the intense geomagnetic storms are more obvious at a lower latitude at Beijing, but the tidal amplitude changes are not proportional to the Dst indices. Some semidiurnal tides are significantly enhanced prior to the onset of geomagnetic storms, which needs to be statistically investigated in the future based on additional observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By using the WHU‐YC meteor radar observations (2019.11–2021.10) in Yinchuan (38.8°N, 106.8°E), we studied the winds, tides, and gravity waves (GWs) in the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere (MLT) over northwestern China for the first time. Distinct annual and semi‐annual oscillations (AO and SAO) appeared in the background winds, showed maximum and minimum in summer (∼40 m/s) and spring (∼−14 m/s), respectively, and exhibited wind shear in summer and winter. Affected by the background winds, GW activity similarly exhibited AO, with maximum kinetic energy density (KED) in May (∼4.0 × 10−3 J/m³). KEDs consistently declined with altitude, indicating severe GW dissipation in the MLT. GW's momentum fluxes (MFs) are predominantly positive below ∼88 km and reverse negative above. MFs reached ∼10−4 J/m³ in summer and autumn, while weaker in winter and spring. The GW drag reached ∼443.8 m/s/d in zonal, closely correlated with the tendency, highlighting the substantial GW impact on the mean flow. The intense GW activities here approached some hot spots, possibly due to Yinchuan's characteristic topography, resulting in more terrain‐excited GWs. Despite no discernible seasonal variation in GW's intermittency, the Gini coefficient steadily increased with altitude, implying GWs upward with smaller MF are easier to dissipate. The diurnal tide (DT) significantly modulated GWs at almost all heights. Despite comparable amplitudes of the semidiurnal tide (SDT) to DT, the weaker SDT modulation only concentrated in 84–86 km because of its longer vertical wavelength, emphasizing tides' vertical wavelengths are crucial parameters in GW's modulation. Key Points: Gravity wave (GW) activity in the Yinchuan region is more intense than in many other sites, approaching some hotspotsThe intermittency of GWs shows no discernible seasonal variation, but the Gini coefficient monotonically increases with altitudeDT with shorter vertical wavelengths, despite its amplitudes comparable to semidiurnal tide, exhibits a more pronounced modulation of GWs [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Star anise has been used for a long time in improving human health and curing diseases, owing to its unlimited components with complex chemical structures and a wide range of bioactivities. This study is aimed to investigate the influence of extraction methods (steam distillation, ethanol Soxhlet extraction, supercritical carbon dioxide extraction, subcritical n‐butane extraction) on the yield, aroma properties, chemical composition, and bioactivity of star anise essential oils. Electronic nose detection revealed the essential oils from subcritical extraction exhibited the most intense aroma, while the essential oils from ethanol Soxhlet extraction had a more complex aroma profile. Fourier‐transform infrared analysis showed the presence of benzene rings, carbonyl groups, C=C, and aromatic ether bonds in the essential oils extracted through different methods. The major components were heterocyclic olefins, heterocyclic oxygenates, and aromatic oxygenates, as well as certain amounts of flavonoids and polyphenols. Correlation analysis revealed the relative contents of volatile trans‐anethole, wormwood, d‐limonene, cineole, and trans‐α‐citronelene were strongly associated with the antibacterial activity of the essential oils. Similarly, the contents of volatile components (d‐limonene, cineole) and non‐volatile components (total flavonoids and total polyphenols) were strongly correlated with the DPPH scavenging activity of the essential oils. These results confirm the effectiveness of the ethanol Soxhlet extraction method in retaining the bioactivity of the essential oils. Finally, with a Box–Behnken central composite design of response surface and single‐factor experiments, the optimal extraction conditions for the ethanol Soxhlet method were determined: ultrasonic frequency of 80 kHz, crushing particle size of 60 meshes, liquid–material ratio of 8:1 (mL:g), and ultrasonic time of 35 min. Under these conditions, the essential oil yield was 25.51% ± 0.21%. Overall, these findings highlight the significance of extraction methods in obtaining high‐quality star anise essential oils with desirable aroma properties and potent bioactivities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing energy demand in information technologies requires novel low‐power procedures to store and process data. Magnetic materials, central to these technologies, are usually controlled through magnetic fields or spin‐polarized currents that are prone to the Joule heating effect. Magneto‐ionics is a unique energy‐efficient strategy to control magnetism that can induce large non‐volatile modulation of magnetization, coercivity and other properties through voltage‐driven ionic motion. Recent studies have shown promising magneto‐ionic effects using nitrogen ions. However, either liquid electrolytes or prior annealing procedures are necessary to induce the desired N‐ion motion. In this work, magneto‐ionic effects are voltage‐triggered at room temperature in solid state systems of CoxMn1‐xN films, without the need of thermal annealing. Upon gating, a rearrangement of nitrogen ions in the layers is observed, leading to changes in the co‐existing ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic phases, which result in substantial increase of magnetization at room temperature and modulation of the exchange bias effect at low temperatures. A detailed correlation between the structural and magnetic evolution of the system upon voltage actuation is provided. The obtained results offer promising new avenues for the utilization of nitride compounds in energy‐efficient spintronic and other memory devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrostatic fields are crucial for achieving the highly efficient filtration of airborne pollutants. However, the dissipation of static charges over time, especially under humid conditions, limits their practical application. In this study, we present a self-charging air filter (SAF) powered by a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). This SAF is integrated into a commercial mask, termed SAFM, which can effectively capture and degrade airborne pollutants without requiring an external power source. By leveraging the triboelectric effect during breathing, the TENG within the SAFM continuously replenishes static charges, maintaining the triboelectric field. The system employs a cellulose aerogel/Ti3C2Tx composite as the electron donor and an esterified cellulose-based electrospun nanofiber as the electron acceptor. Remarkably, the triboelectric field significantly enhances filtration performance, with the SAF achieving up to 95.7% filtration efficiency for particulate matter as small as 0.3 μm. This work underscores the potential of TENG-powered triboelectric fields in the development of multifunctional, human-machine interactive facemasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of novel side-chain liquid crystalline (SCLC) copolymers were synthesized by attaching two distinct mesogenic units, namely a chiral cholesteryl-based monomer (M1) and an achiral biphenyl-based monomer (M2), to a poly(3-mercaptopropylmethylsiloxane) (PMMS) backbone via thiol-ene click chemistry. The influence of side chain composition on the self-assembly behavior and phase structures of these SCLC copolymers was systematically investigated using different instrument. Results indicate that three distinct liquid crystalline phases and four unique molecular configurations were identified within the polymer series, with the emergence of the liquid crystalline phase being a synergistic outcome of the two distinct side chains. This study underscores the critical influence of side chain dimensions, rigidity, and spatial volume on the self-assembly structures and phase characteristics of liquid crystalline polymers, providing valuable insights for the rational design and development of advanced functional materials with tailored properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of 8-(piperazin-1-yl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine derivatives were designed and synthesized as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) and antioxidants for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Moreover, the biological evaluation results demonstrated that these synthesized compounds exhibited moderate inhibitory activities toward acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and radical scavenging activities. Among them, compound 17r was the most potent AChE inhibitor with an IC50 value of 0.47 μM and moderate inhibitory activity against butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) (IC50 = 11.02 μM). The selectivity index (SI) value of AChE over BuChE was 23.45, surpassing that of the reference drug galantamine (AChE IC50 = 5.01 μM, BuChE IC50 = 18.46 μM, SI = 3.68). Compound 17o had the best antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 89.33 μM, which was lower than that of ascorbic acid (IC50 value = 25.70 μM) as the control drug. Furthermore, the results of molecular docking studies indicated that 17r could simultaneously bind to both catalytic active site and peripheral anionic site of AChE, which was consistent with the mixed inhibition pattern shown by enzyme kinetic studies. The interaction's stability of 17r-AChE/BuChE were also assessed using a conventional atomistic 100 ns dynamics simulation study, which revealed the conformational stability of representative compound 17r in the cavity of the AChE. In addition, the molecular properties of all compounds were predicted online through the SwissADME, and the best active compound 17r matched the properties of most orally administered drugs. Based on the biological activity and molecular properties, compound 17r as AChEI was valuable for further development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid, oleanolic acid has hepatoprotective, anti‐inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. This work performed the in vitro experiments and animal assay to explore whether oleanolic acid alleviates lipid accumulation induced by high‐fat diet by mediating PPARγ. Oil red O staining showed that oleanolic acid can reduce lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells, which were treated with oleic acid and palmitic acid. Immunofluorescence, western blot analysis, and RT‐qPCR showed that oleanolic acid could promote nuclear translocation of PPARγ and reduce the expression level of PPARγ, C/EBP‐β, and SREBP‐1c. The results of in vivo experiments indicated that dietary intervention with oleanolic acid can effectively improve the fat accumulation in liver tissue and attenuate the level of IL‐6 and TNF‐α in serum caused by high‐fat diet. Meanwhile, oleanolic acid did not cause lesions in vital organs at the experimental concentrations. In addition, the computer simulation indicated that oleanolic acid could directly bind to PPARγ with a reasonable and stable docking conformation. The above research results can provide new evidence for oleanolic acid to prevent nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single‐atom (SA) nanozymes have unprecedented physicochemical performance due to their integrated merits of both atomically dispersed metal atoms and bio‐enzymes. However, the structure‐function relationship between the SA nanozyme‐like structure and its dielectric performance is still unclear. Furthermore, controllable synthesis of SA nanozyme‐like structures remains challenging due to their unique five‐coordinated configurations. Here, a dicyandiamide‐mediated pyrolysis strategy is proposed to anchor five nitrogen‐coordinated lanthanum (La)–N5 moieties on interconnected N‐doped graphene nanocages (La‐N5/ING). Theoretical predictions indicate that the spatially coordinated La–N5 moieties exhibit significantly enhanced conduction loss and polarization loss compared to La–N4 moieties, as evidenced by the experimental results. Moreover, the polydimethylsiloxane‐coated chemically cross‐linked film constructed by the La‐N5/ING and aramid nanofibers has outstanding electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption performance with an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB10) of 6.24 GHz at a thickness of merely 2.0 mm, outperforming those of most reported carbon‐based films. Importantly, the film also has excellent flexibility, hydrophobicity, mechanical strength, and structural stability, ensuring its application potential in practical environments. These findings provide crucial insights into the microscopic environment of SA on the dielectric properties of their host materials, and a critical method for the preparation of multifunctional films with spatial coordinated SA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) materials have gained significant attention in the machining industry due to their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and vibration characteristics. In the poor rigidity machining tool system, such as plunge milling, deep drilling, and boring, the large overhanging shaft increases the requirement of chatter stability. In this study, a solution of carbon fiber reinforced shaft was proposed for the poor rigidity machining tool system. The vibration characteristic model was established by theoretical calculation, FE analysis, and modal testing. The relationship between fiber arrangement and vibration characteristics was precisely described, and the optimization scheme of fiber reinforcement was proposed considering both the theoretical analysis and procedure technique. The machining performance of the optimal HSS-CFRP shaft was compared with that of the traditional HSS shaft in the same tool system. The main aspects that significantly affect the machining performance were thoroughly evaluated, including tool weight, energy consumption, dynamic characteristics, and chatter stability. The effect of fiber reinforcement was fully discussed, which provided a reliable solution for the poor rigidity machining system and other potential applications with large overhanging shaft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the role of energy-efficient buildings in addressing climate change and reducing carbon emissions. It highlights the significant impact that buildings have on global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, emphasizing the need for sustainable construction materials and design techniques. The article also discusses the potential of digital technologies, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), IoT sensors, and Digital Twins, to optimize energy use and sustainability throughout the building lifecycle. However, challenges such as cost concerns and operational inefficiencies need to be addressed for widespread adoption of these technologies. The article proposes a research roadmap to overcome these barriers and promote the use of digital tools in the building sector. [Extracted from the article]

Background: The association between poor social relationships and post-stroke mortality remains uncertain, and the evidence regarding the relationship between poor social relationships and the risk of stroke is inconsistent. In this meta-analysis, we aim to elucidate the evidence concerning the risk of stroke and post-stroke mortality among individuals experiencing a poor social relationships, including social isolation, limited social networks, lack of social support, and loneliness. Methods: A thorough search of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases to systematically identify pertinent studies. Data extraction was independently performed by two researchers. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using either a random-effects or fixed-effects model. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate the reliability of the results. Random-effects meta-regression was performed to explore the sources of heterogeneity in stroke risk estimates between studies. Assessment for potential publication bias was carried out using Egger's and Begg's tests. Results: Nineteen studies were included, originating from 4 continents and 12 countries worldwide. A total of 1,675,707 participants contributed to this meta-analysis. Pooled analyses under the random effect model revealed a significant association between poor social relationships and the risk of stroke (OR = 1.30; 95%CI: 1.17–1.44), as well as increased risks for post-stroke mortality (OR = 1.36; 95%CI: 1.07–1.73). Subgroup analyses demonstrated associations between limited social network (OR = 1.52; 95%CI = 1.04–2.21), loneliness (OR = 1.31; 95%CI = 1.13–1.51), and lack of social support (OR = 1.66; 95%CI = 1.04–2.63) with stroke risk. The meta-regression explained 75.21% of the differences in reported stroke risk between studies. Random-effect meta-regression results indicate that the heterogeneity in the estimated risk of stroke may originate from the continent and publication year of the included studies. Conclusion: Social isolation, limited social networks, lack of social support, and feelings of loneliness have emerged as distinct risk factors contributing to both the onset and subsequent mortality following a stroke. It is imperative for public health policies to prioritize the multifaceted influence of social relationships and loneliness in stroke prevention and post-stroke care. Trial registration: The protocol was registered on May 1, 2024, on the Prospero International Prospective System with registration number CRD42024531036. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS)-based nanocomposites, reinforced and toughened with ZnO-coated multi-walled carbon nano-tubes (MWCNT-ZnO), demonstrate significantly enhanced properties, making them ideal for potential applied in food packaging applications. This study explores the effects of varying proportions of MWCNT-ZnO on the overall characteristics of these composites. The addition of 0.1 parts per hundred (phr) MWCNT-ZnO optimizes the nanocomposites' mechanical properties, crystallinity, melting temperature, thermal stability, and barrier performance. Specifically, the composite exhibits a 22% increase in tensile strength, a 28.4% rise in yield strength, and a remarkable 95.7% enhancement in the material's elongation at break, compared to the pure PBS matrix. Moreover, these nanocomposites exhibit excellent antibacterial properties, crucial for food preservation and safety. The soil burial test indicates that, except for the addition of 0.1phr which is lower than pure PBS, the biodegradation rate increases with the increasing addition of MWCNT-ZnO. This further suggests that a low nanoparticle filler content can enhance structural compactness, thereby improving the mechanical stability. The study also reveals notable preservation benefits for vegetables. When used for beef packaging, this composite material successfully extends the meat's freshness period, substantially curtails bacterial proliferation, and ensures the beef remains within safe consumption parameters. The combination of enhanced mechanical, thermal, barrier, and antibacterial properties makes PBS/MWCNT-ZnO nanocomposites promising candidates for sustainable and efficient food packaging materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive impairment is recognized as a risk factor for suicide in schizophrenia (SZ) patients. Despite empathy being an important aspect of social cognition, the association between suicidal behavior and empathy has received little attention. We aimed to compare empathy and neurocognition in SZ patients with and without suicide attempts (SAs), and to explore the relationship between empathy, neurocognition, and clinical symptoms in SZ patients with and without SAs. Data on SAs and socio-demographic characteristics were collected from 628 chronic SZ patients. The patients' symptomatology was measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Empathy and neurocognition were assessed with the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) and Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), respectively. Patients with SAs performed better on all IRI domains (except for Perspective Taking) and total scores. Regression results showed that negative symptoms, positive symptoms, and duration of illness were independently associated with IRI total score in patients without SAs (adjusted R2 = 0.048). In patients without SAs, negative symptoms, general psychopathology, education, age, and sex were independently associated with RBANS total score (adjusted R2 = 0.265), while in patients with SAs, education, PANSS total score, and age at onset were independently associated with RBANS total score (adjusted R2 = 0.456). Our results show that SZ patients with SAs may have better empathic performance than patients without SAs. In chronic SZ patients, negative and positive symptoms may have different effects on cognition in the SAs and non-SAs groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) are essential transcription factors found in many eukaryotes. In this study, the focus is on identifying and analyzing the KLF gene family members in chickens using bioinformatic tools, and comparing them with representative classes such as fish, amphibians, birds, and mammals. The analysis includes the structural characterization, evolutionary relationship assessment, and functional predictions. Additionally, in this study, the impact of miRNA-22 is explored, associated with lipid metabolism, on the expression of KLF genes in the liver, heart, and muscle tissues of Qingyuan partridge chickens. The results indicate that the avian KLF gene family is evolutionarily closer to that of mammals, and all chicken KLFs are non-transmembrane proteins. Moreover, the effect of miRNA-22 on KLF expression varies across different tissues. These findings provide a scientific basis for further research into the functions of KLFs in chickens. Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) are a class of fundamental transcription factors that are widely present in various eukaryotes from nematodes to humans, named after their DNA binding domain which is highly homologous to the Krüppel factor in fruit flies. To investigate the composition, organization, and evolutionary trajectory of KLF gene family members in chickens, in our study, we leveraged conserved sequences of KLF genes from representative classes across fish, amphibians, birds, and mammals as foundational sequences. Bioinformatic tools were employed to perform homology alignment on the chicken genome database, ultimately identifying the KLF family members present in chickens. The gene structure, phylogenetic analysis, conserved base sequences, physicochemical properties, collinearity analysis, and protein structure were then analyzed using bioinformatic tools. Additionally, the impact of miRNA-22, related to poultry lipid metabolism, on the expression of the KLF gene family in the liver, heart, and muscle of Qingyuan partridge chickens was explored. The results showed that: (1) compared to fish, the KLF family in birds is more closely related to mammals and amphibians; (2) KLFs within the same subgroups are likely to be derived from a common ancestral gene duplication; (3) KLF3/8/12 in the same subgroup may have some similar or overlapping functions; (4) the motif 4 of KLF5 was most likely lost during evolution; (5) KLF9 may perform a similar function in chickens and pigs; (6) there are collinear relationships between certain KLF genes, indicating that there are related biomolecular functions between these KLF genes; (7) all members of the KLF family in chickens are non-transmembrane proteins; and (8) interference and overexpression of miRNA-22 in Qingyuan partridge chickens can affect the expression levels of KLF genes in liver, heart, and muscle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore how germacrone regulates the proliferation, migration and chemoresistance of human thyroid cancer BCPAP cells and doxorubicin (DOX) resistant BCPAP cells (BCPAP/DOX) through the forkhead box O3 (FOXO3)-FOX subclass M1 transcription factor (FOXM1) signaling pathway. Methods: BCPAP cells were cultured routinely and used to construct BCPAP/DOX cells. MTT method was applied to detect the effects of different concentrations of germacrone on the proliferation of BCPAP and BCPAP/DOX cells. BCPAP and BCPAP/DOX cells were divided into control group (Ctrl), negative control group (NC, transfected with sh-NC plasmid), low concentration germacrone group (0.10 mmol/L), high concentration germacrone group (0.15 mmol/L), high concentration germacrone (0.15 mmol/L) + sh-FOXO3 group (transfected with sh-FOXO3 plasmid). The sh-NC plasmid and sh-FOXO3 plasmid were transfected into the corresponding BCPAP and BCPAP/DOX cells with transfection reagents. The proliferation and migration of the cells were detected using CCK-8 assay and scratching healing assay, and the expression of FOXO3, FOXM1, BAX, MMP-9 and multi-drug resistant-1 (MDR-1) was detected using WB assay. Results: The expression of FOXO3 was successfully knocked down in BCPAP and BCPAP/DOX cells. Both low and high concentrations of germacrone could significantly inhibit the proliferation and migration of BCPAP and BCPAP/DOX cells, reduce the protein expression of FOMX1, MMP-9 or MDR-1 (in BCPAP/ DOX cells), and increase the protein expression of FOXO3 and BAX (all P < 0.05). Notably, the effects were more significant with high concentration germacrone compared to that of low concentration (all P < 0.05). Knockdown of FOXO3 partially reversed the effects of germacrone on these cells (all P < 0.05). Conclusion: Germacrone may regulate the proliferation and migration of BCPAP and BCPAP/DOX cells and reduce chemotherapy resistance of BCPAP/DOX cells through the FOXO3/FOXM1 signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an energy-efficient transportation innovation, hybrid vehicles (HVs) have the potential to minimize carbon emissions and address environmental issues. The study is novel as it presents significant theoretical contributions within the theory of planned behavior (TPB) framework. Firstly, it integrates the perceived seriousness of environmental problems as a predictor, enhancing understanding of individual responses to environmental concerns. Secondly, it expands the TPB model by introducing willingness to pay for HVs as a moderator, acknowledging the economic aspect of adopting environmentally friendly technologies. These additions enrich the TPB framework, offering insights into the interplay between psychological determinants and economic considerations in behavior change. The study therefore aims to extend the TPB by incorporating two key elements: perceived seriousness of environmental issues and willingness to pay for HVs. We find that perceived seriousness of problems in the environmental has positive impact on attitude toward adoption of HVs, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, intentions to adopt and actual use of HVs. TPB constructs have positive impact on intentions to adopt and actually use HVs. Moreover, intentions to adopt HVs also positively influence the actual use of HVs. Moreover, the results show that the serial mediations are also in play, whereby perceived seriousness of environmental issues influences TPB constructs, which influence intentions to adopt HV which in turn influence the actual use of HVs. We also find that willing to pay for HVs plays an enhancing role as a moderator in the TPB model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magneto‐ionics relies on the voltage‐driven transport of ions to modify magnetic properties. As a diffusion‐controlled mechanism, defects play a central role in determining ion motion and, hence, magneto‐ionic response. Here, the potential of ion implantation is exploited to engineer depth‐resolved defect type and density with the aim to control the magneto‐ionic behavior of Co3O4 thin films. It is demonstrated that through a single implantation process of light ions (He+) at 5 keV, the magneto‐ionic response of a nanostructured 50 nm thick Co3O4 film, in terms of rate and amount of induced magnetization, at short‐, mid‐, and long‐term voltage actuation, can be controlled by varying the generated collisional damage through the ion fluence. These results constitute a proof‐of‐principle that paves the way to further use ion implantation (tuning the ion nature, energy, fluence, target temperature, or using multiple implantations) to enhance performance in magneto‐ionic systems, with implications in ionic‐based devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rational design, activity prediction, and adaptive application of biological elements (bio-elements) are crucial research fields in synthetic biology. Currently, a major challenge in the field is efficiently designing desired bio-elements and accurately predicting their activity using vast datasets. The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has enabled machine learning and deep learning algorithms to excel in uncovering patterns in bio-element data and predicting their performance. This review explores the application of AI algorithms in the rational design of bio-elements, activity prediction, and the regulation of transcription-factor-based biosensor response performance using AI-designed elements. We discuss the advantages, adaptability, and biological challenges addressed by the AI algorithms in various applications, highlighting their powerful potential in analyzing biological data. Furthermore, we propose innovative solutions to the challenges faced by AI algorithms in the field and suggest future research directions. By consolidating current research and demonstrating the practical applications and future potential of AI in synthetic biology, this review provides valuable insights for advancing both academic research and practical applications in biotechnology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variable-exponent weakly singular Volterra integral equations of the second kind with integral kernels of the form (t - s) - α (t) are considered. In Liang and Stynes (IMA J Numer Anal 19:drad072, 2023) it is shown that a typical solution of such an equation exhibits a weak singularity at the initial time t = 0 , similarly to the case where α (t) is constant. Our paper extends this analysis further by giving a decomposition for the exact solution. To solve the problem numerically, a fractional polynomial collocation method is applied on a graded mesh. The convergence of the collocation solution to the exact solution is analysed rigorously and it is proved that specific choices of the fractional polynomials and mesh grading yield optimal-order convergence of the computed solution. Superconvergence properties of the iterated collocation solution are also analysed. Numerical experiments illustrate the sharpness of our theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought stress is one of the major impediments to plant growth. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can mitigate moisture stress in plants by increasing the ability of plant nutrient uptake and transport. In this study, we investigated the root phenotype, mineral nutrients (in leaves, roots, and soil), soil pH, water saturation deficit (WSD), free water content (FWC), and bound water content (BWC) of leaves of two alfalfa varieties, 'Galalxie Max' (drought-tolerant) and 'Saidi 7' (drought-sensitive), in the presence or absence of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens QST713 under drought stress conditions. The results showed that water stress negatively affected both cultivar root morphology (total root length, average diameter, total surface area, and volume) and the contents of K and Fe in leaves, roots, and soil. It also reduced the Mn and Zn contents in the soil while increasing the content of Na in the leaves and soil. Additionally, alfalfa plants under drought stress exhibited higher levels of soil pH, WSD, and BWC but lower contents of FWC and ratios of BWC/FWC in the leaves of both cultivars. However, QST713 application significantly enhanced the total root length, average root diameter, and the contents of K and Fe in alfalfa leaves, roots, and soil, as well as the BWC/FWC ratio in leaves under drought stress conditions. A significant reduction in the Na content was detected in QST713-treated alfalfa leaves and soil under drought stress. Furthermore, QST713 application noticeably decreased soil pH and WSD. The current findings showed that QST713 enhanced the water stress tolerance of alfalfa plants by ameliorating root morphology, reducing soil pH, and improving the BWC/FWC ratio, consequently promoting the accumulation of mineral nutrients (mainly K and Fe). Overall, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens QST713 can serve as a potential green fertilizer in sustainable agriculture to improve soil nutrients and enhance plant production under increasing drought conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past decades, China has been undergoing rapid economic growth, which may have significantly influenced the dietary patterns and health status of the Chinese population. Our study aimed to assess the associations of potential macronutrient trajectory patterns with chronic diseases and all-cause mortality using the latent class trajectory model (LCTM) and the longitudinal data of the China Health and Nutrition Survey obtained between 1991 and 2015. A 24-hour diet recall was used to assess the dietary intake. The Poisson regression model was employed to investigate the correlations between trajectory patterns and chronic diseases and all-cause mortality. A total of 8115 participants were included in the final analysis. We explored four and three trajectory patterns for male and female populations, respectively. We found that a decreasing very high-carbohydrate trajectory together with a U-shape protein trajectory was associated with a higher risk of diabetes in the male population (odds ratio (OR): 2.23; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.31–3.77). A similar pattern for moderate protein intake was also associated with the risk of diabetes in the female population (OR: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.18–2.79). In addition, we show that a decreasing low-carbohydrate trajectory and an increasing high-fat trajectory were associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality (OR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.60–0.96) and a higher risk of obesity (OR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.05–1.47) in males. Our results shed light on some salient nutritional problems in China, particularly the dual challenges of undernutrition and overnutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]