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The wheel–axle-type supramolecule ((+H3N–C2H4)2O)([18]crown-6)2 was introduced into a crystal as a counter cation of [Ni(dmit)2]−. Within the crystal, [Ni(dmit)2]− was arranged in a honeycomb-like structure and one-dimensional chains formed by ((+H3N–C2H4)2O)([18]crown-6)2 penetrated each honeycomb lattice. In the supramolecular structure, (+H3N–C2H4)2O behaved as a rigid axle. Two [18]crown-6 molecules, CE1 and CE2, behaving like wheels, were crystallographically independent of each other, with CE2 showing disorder. The crystal exhibited uniaxial negative thermal expansion (NTE). With increasing temperature, the disordered state of CE2 changed, resulting in a change in the coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE) of the crystal in all directions. In the X1 direction, where NTE was observed, the CLTE was relatively small at −18 × 10−6 K−1 in phase I (113–133 K) in which CE2 was static. In phase II (143–193 K), when CE2 starts to rotate, the CLTE of the NTE increases significantly to −74 × 10−6 K−1. Furthermore, in phase III (213–293 K), where [18]crown-6 out-of-plane motion is also involved, the NTE is extremely large with a value of −105 × 10−6 K−1. Ferromagnetic interactions between [Ni(dmit)2]− molecules were observed, with the Weiss temperature of +1.41 K. Multi-step changes in the mode of motion in supramolecular structures may offer new possibilities for multi-step control of the thermal expansion of crystals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIM: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) includes two distinct subtypes, namely progressive MCI (pMCI) and stable MCI (sMCI). The objective of this study was to identify the topological reorganization of brain functional networks in patients with pMCI and sMCI. Methods: Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) was applied to patients with pMCI, sMCI and healthy controls. Graph theory was applied to study the topological characteristics of the brain's functional networks, examining global and nodal metrics, modularity, and rich-club organization. Analysis of covariance and two sample t-tests were applied to assess differences in topological attributes between patient groups, alongside correlation analysis, which examined the value of changing topological attributes in predicting various clinical outcomes. Results: Significant differences between each group with regard to network metrics were observed. These included clustering coefficients and small-worldness. At the nodal level, several nodes with an abnormal degree centrality and nodal efficiency were detected. In rich club, pMCI and sMCI patients showed declined connectivity compared with HC. Significant differences were observed in the intra- and inter-module connections among the three groups. Particularly noteworthy was the irreplaceable role of the cerebellar module in network interactions. Conclusion: Our study revealed significant differences in network topological properties among sMCI, pMCI and HC patients, which were significantly correlated with cognitive function. Most notably, the cerebellar module played a crucial role in the overall network interactions. In conclusion, these findings could aid in the development of imaging markers used to expedite diagnosis and intervention prior to Alzheimer's disease onset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The availability of population datasets and machine learning techniques heralded a new era of sophisticated prediction models involving a large number of routinely collected variables. However, severe class imbalance in clinical datasets is a major challenge. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of commonly-used resampling techniques in combination with commonly-used machine learning algorithms in a clinical dataset, to determine whether combination(s) of these approaches improve upon the original multivariable logistic regression with no resampling. Methods: We previously developed and internally validated a multivariable logistic regression 30-day mortality prediction model in 30,619 patients using preoperative and intraoperative features. Using the same dataset, we systematically evaluated and compared model performances after application of resampling techniques [random under-sampling, near miss under-sampling, random oversampling, and synthetic minority oversampling (SMOTE)] in combination with machine learning algorithms (logistic regression, elastic net, decision trees, random forest, and extreme gradient boosting). Results: We found that in the setting of severe class imbalance, the impact of resampling techniques on model performance varied by the machine learning algorithm and the evaluation metric. Existing resampling techniques did not meaningfully improve area under receiving operating curve (AUROC). The area under the precision recall curve (AUPRC) was only increased by random under-sampling and SMOTE for decision trees, and oversampling and SMOTE for extreme gradient boosting. Importantly, some combinations of algorithm and resampling technique decreased AUROC and AUPRC compared to no resampling. Conclusion: Existing resampling techniques had a variable impact on models, depending on the algorithms and the evaluation metrics. Future research is needed to improve predictive performances in the setting of severe class imbalance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at effectively utilizing recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) in sustainable construction, it is necessary to study the internal damage evolution of steel fiber–reinforced recycled-aggregate concrete (SFRAC) under dynamic tensile loads and the reinforced mechanism of steel fiber. The influences of the steel fiber content, the recycled-aggregate replacement ratio, and the loading rate on the mechanical properties and dynamic damage of SFRAC were studied using the Brazilian disc splitting test and acoustic emission (AE) technology. Then, the mechanism of crack evolution was investigated by means of the parameter analysis method. The results indicate that the existence of RCA makes the mechanical properties of recycled-aggregate concrete worse than those of normal concrete and weakens the strain rate effect of splitting tensile strength, whereas this negative influence can effectively be improved by steel fiber. The preferable steel fiber contents obtained from the splitting tensile strength and peak displacement are 1.0% and 1.5%, and under these conditions, the SFRAC replaced by 30% RCA has a mechanical performance superior to that of normal concrete. It is also found that the damage degree and energy absorbing capacity of SFRAC can be identified by analyzing the ring and energy counts of the AE signal. Furthermore, the evolution of the crack pattern of SFRAC under dynamic axial tensile load is well reflected by the rise angle and average frequency. Increased steel fiber content and recycled-aggregate replacement ratio can change the failure mode to a complex tensile-shear mixed failure, and the shear crack gradually becomes the main crack with increasing loading rates. Practical Applications: The public environment crisis from the greenhouse effect led to a series of measures from all industries worldwide. The widespread use of concrete has brought with it serious environmental and energy-saving problems. The construction industry preliminarily attempts to replace natural aggregate by recycled aggregate obtained by crushing construction solid waste in green low-carbon buildings, which shows considerable carbon sequestration and emission reduction. However, recycled aggregate has poor mechanical properties such as low strength and high porosity. When participating in concrete configuration, this defect seriously affects the strength of the material and limits its wide application in construction engineering. For a component with strength requirements or special purposes, fiber can be adopted to improve the mechanical properties of recycled-aggregate concrete. This study examines the damage process of fiber-reinforced recycled-aggregate concrete with the microscopic method and proposes a satisfactory mix proportion. Naturally, these analysis methods require more time and effort than a basic macroscopic analysis. Moreover, proper research on the mechanism of damage evolution under dynamic loading is crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate measurement of ocean wave parameters is critical for applications including ocean modeling, coastal engineering, and disaster management. This article introduces a novel global navigation satellite system (GNSS) drifting buoy for surface wave measurements that addresses the challenges of performing real-time, high-precision measurements and realizing cost-effective large-scale deployment. Unlike traditional approaches, this buoy uses the kinematic extension of the variometric approach for displacement analysis stand-alone engine (Kin-VADASE) velocity measurement method, thus eliminating the need for additional high-precision measurement units and an expensive complement of satellite orbital products. Through testing in the South China Sea and Laoshan Bay, the results showed good consistency in significant wave height and main wave direction between the novel buoy and a Datawell DWR-G4, even under mild wind and wave conditions. However, wave mean period disparities were observed partially because of sampling frequency differences. To validate this idea, we used Joint North Sea Wave Project (Jonswap) spectral waves as input signals, the bias characteristics of the mean periods of the spectral calculations were compared under conditions of identical input signals and gradient-distributed wind speeds. Results showed an average difference of 0.28 s between the sampling frequencies of 1.28 Hz and 5 Hz. The consequence that high-frequency signals have considerable effects on the mean wave period calculations indicates the necessity of the buoy's high-frequency operation mode. This GNSS drifting buoy offers a cost-effective, globally deployable solution for ocean wave measurement. Its potential for large-scale networked ocean wave observation makes it a valuable oceanic research and monitoring instrument. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulating evidence suggests that berberine (BBR) exhibits anti‐cancer effects in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the mechanisms by which BBR regulates the immunological microenvironment in HCC has not been fully elucidated. In this study, a mouse model of orthotopic HCC is established and treated with varying doses of BBR. BBR showed effectiveness in reducing tumor burden in mice with HCC. Cytometry by time‐of‐flight depicted the alterations in the tumor immune landscape following BBR treatment, revealing the enhancement in the T lymphocytes effector function. In particular, BBR decreased the proportion of TCRbhiPD‐1hiCD69+CD27+ effector CD8+ T lymphocytes and increased the proportion of Ly6ChiTCRb+CD69+CD27+CD62L+ central memory CD8+ T lymphocytes. Single‐cell RNA sequencing further elucidates the effects of BBR on transcriptional profiles of liver immune cells and confirms the phenotypical heterogeneity of T lymphocytes in HCC immune microenvironment. Additionally, it is found that BBR potentially regulated the antitumor immunity in HCC by modulating the receptor‐ligand interaction among immune cells mediated by cytokines. In summary, the findings improve the understanding of BBR's impact on protecting against HCC, emphasizing BBR's role in regulating intrahepatic T cell heterogeneity. BBR has the potential to be a promising therapeutic strategy to hinder the advancement of HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mild cognitive impairment is associated with many neurodegenerative diseases. It is essential to detect mild cognitive impairment on time to reduce the prevalence of such disorders. Nevertheless, present clinically employed test scales and biomarkers are time-consuming, user-unfriendly, and expensive. Hence, we developed a neuropsychological test system based on virtual reality in this study, the Virtual Reality Neuropsychological Mild Cognitive Impairment Test (VRNPT). The diagnosis and classification of MCI were achieved by effectively combining digital cognitive parameters and EEG signal features obtained during the VRNPT cognitive task. The VRNPT contains three head-mounted display-based cognitive tasks that assess participants' attention, memory, spatial perception, working memory, and visuospatial executive ability across multiple cognitive domains of functioning. We investigated how to design and optimize these tasks. We conducted a field study by recruiting 80 participants (40 MCI patients and 40 normal older adults). The results showed that the classification accuracy of combining digitized cognitive parameters and EEG signals during VRNPT was 91.3%, higher than using only digitized parameters from VRNPT and applying EEG signals alone, demonstrating the validity and feasibility of this method for diagnosing MCI. The user satisfaction survey showed that the subjects were satisfied with VRNPT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eucommia ulmoides Oliver (E. ulmoides Oliver), a multipurpose woody plant, holds great economic significance due to its expansive medicinal, food and industrial applications. The rapid advancement of E. ulmoides in various fields has resulted in the inadequacy of existing breeding methods to meet its growth and annual production demands. Consequently, there is an urgent need for innovative propagation strategies. This study introduces an optimized micropropagation protocol for E. ulmoides, facilitating direct shoot organogenesis from nodal segments with axillary buds. We systematically examined the impact of basal medium composition, plant growth regulators, photosynthetic photon flux density, and sucrose concentration on bud sprouting. Employing cuttings with axillary buds as propagation material, we achieved a shortened cultivation period of merely 4 weeks for bud elongation and proliferation, marking a substantial enhancement in propagation efficiency. Notably, the Driver Kuniyuki Walnut medium, supplemented with 20.0 g L-1 sucrose and 2.0 mg L-1 trans-zeatin, induced shoots sprouting with a 100% success rate and an average length of 5.18 cm per nodal segment, equating to a great bud propagation rate of approximately 500%. Furthermore, a light source with an intensity of 80 mmol m-2 s-1 was shown the most economical choice. To address the primary challenge of inducing roots in regenerated plants, we employed a refined two-step rooting technique. This method yielded the optimal rooting frequency of 93.02%, producing an average of 5.90 adventitious roots per plantlet, each with an average length of 2.77 cm. The micropropagation program developed in this work will be the cornerstone for the preservation of the germplasm of E. ulmoides and its long-term use in medicinal and industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser wireless energy transmission is a widely utilized method, yet its efficiency is constrained by a variety of factors. In order to improve the conversion efficiency of the receivers of the laser wireless power transmission (LWPT) system, the square elliptic hyperboloid (SEH) concentrating module designed for LWPT system receivers is developed. By analysing the I–V characteristic curves from the results of the experiments and employing non‐linear parameter regression, a corrected battery characteristic curve was derived within a specific laser irradiation range. On this basis, an optical–thermal–electric multi‐field coupling characteristic model was developed. The finite element method is used to simulate the multi‐field coupling characteristics and conversion efficiency of the receiving end under diverse working conditions (including different rotation angles and different divergence angles) of the concentrating photovoltaic module. Research shows: First, the larger the divergence half‐angle β of the laser beam, the more obvious the improvement of the effective optical efficiency of the system by the SEH concentrator. Second, the short‐circuit current and the maximum output power of the PV cell at the receiving end are significantly improved by the SEH concentrator, and the improvement effect is more obvious with the increase of the divergence angle and the rotation angle. Third, SEH concentrators did not significantly affect the fill factor of PV cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mound landslides in the Qinba Mountain area are characterized by their large number, wide distribution, high density, and high frequency occurence, with excavation-induced landslides being particularly severe. This study focuses on the gravel soils from the mine hole landslide in the third group of Lingfeng Village, Xiaoling Town, Qinba Mountain area. Through large-scale direct shear tests conducted in the laboratory, an in-depth investigation of the gravelly soils in the study area was carried out. The variation rules of shear strength under different moisture contents, dry densities, and normal stresses were explored. Based on the results of these indoor tests, the Midas GTS NT finite element numerical simulation software was used to calculate and analyze the slope conditions before the occurrence of the landslide. Simulations were conducted to analyze the changes in stress, displacement, and stability of the slope after excavation and under two working conditions: post-excavation and post-excavation coupled with rainfall. Finally, the mechanism of typical excavation-induced landslides in stockpiles is summarized based on these findings. It was found by numerical simulation: human engineering activities, i.e., excavation of the toe of slopes and heavy rainfall occurring in the area, are the main triggering factors for landslides: the deformation pattern of typical excavation-induced landslides in the Qinba Mountains can be summarised as: traction-creep-slip type. The research results can provide valuable reference for the prevention and control of excavation-induced landslides in accumulation layers in the Qinba Mountain area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthocyanins are plant secondary metabolites belonging to the polyphenol class of natural water-soluble phytopigments. The accumulation of anthocyanins in different plant tissues can improve plant survival under adverse conditions. In addition, plants with the resulting colorful morphology can be utilized as landscape plants. Triticum boeoticum (syn. Triticum monococcum ssp. aegilopoides, 2n=2x=14, AbAb) serves as a valuable genetic resource for the improvement of its close relative common wheat in terms of enhancing resilience to various biotic and abiotic stresses. In our previous study, the EMSmutagenized mutant Z2921 with a red glume, stem, and rachis was generated from T. boeoticum G52, which has a green glume, stem, and rachis. In this study, the F1, F2, and F2:3 generations of a cross between mutant-type Z2921 and wildtype G52 were developed. A single recessive gene, tentatively designated RgM4G52, was identified in Z2921 via genetic analysis. Using bulked segregant exome capture sequencing (BSE-Seq) analysis, RgM4G52 was mapped to chromosome 6AL and was flanked by the markers KASP-58 and KASP-26 within a 3.40-cM genetic interval corresponding to 1.71-Mb and 1.61-Mb physical regions in the Chinese Spring (IWGSC RefSeq v1.1) and Triticum boeoticum (TA299) reference genomes, respectively, in which seven and four genes related to anthocyanin synthesis development were annotated. Unlike previously reported color morphology-related genes, RgM4G52 is a recessive gene that can simultaneously control the color of glumes, stems, and rachis in wild einkorn. In addition, a synthetic Triticum dicoccum-T. boeoticum amphiploid Syn-ABAb-34, derived from the colchicine treatment of F1 hybrids between tetraploid wheat PI 352367 (T. dicoccum, AABB) and Z2921, expressed the red stems of Z2921. The flanking markers of RgM4G52 developed in this study could be useful for developing additional common wheat lines with red stems, laying the foundation for marker-assisted breeding and the fine mapping of RgM4G52. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stability of soil organic carbon (SOC) is crucial for the global carbon cycle and serves as a key indicator of soil quality and eco-system function. In Karst areas, SOC stability is influenced by unique geological conditions. Studying SOC stability in these regions is significant for understanding regional ecosystem functions and the role of SOC in mitigating global climate change. This review examines the fractions and stability of SOC in Karst areas, analyzing the impacts of key factors such as rocky desertification, land use changes, and vegetation restoration on SOC stability, along with their underlying mechanisms. It also discusses the current challenges and opportunities in SOC stability. This review aims to guide the development of effective ecological rehabilitation and management strategies for degraded ecosystems in Karst areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Follicular cysts contribute significantly to reproductive loss in high-yield dairy cows. This results from the death of follicular granulosa cells (GCs) caused by oxidative stress. Quercetin is known to have significant antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects. However, the effect of quercetin on follicular cysts has yet been elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the anti-oxidant and anti-apoptosis effects and potential molecular mechanisms of quercetin in H2O2-induced primary cow GCs and 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NPA)-induced mouse model of oxidative stress and thus treat ovarian cysts in dairy cows. Results: In this study, compared with estrus cows, cows with follicular cysts showed heightened levels of oxidative stress and increased follicular cell apoptosis, while autophagy levels were reduced. A model of oxidative stress was induced in vitro by H2O2 and showed significant increases in apoptosis together with reduced autophagy. These effects were significantly ameliorated by quercetin. Effects similar to those of quercetin were observed after treatment of cells with the reactive oxygen species (ROS) inhibitor N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Further investigations using chloroquine (autophagy inhibitor), rapamycin (autophagy activator), selisistat (SIRT1 inhibitor), and compound C (AMPK inhibitor) showed that chloroquine counteracted the effects of quercetin on oxidative stress-induced apoptosis, while rapamycin had the same effect as quercetin. In addition, the SIRT1/AMPK pathway inhibitors antagonized quercetin-mediated mitigation of the effects of oxidative stress on increased apoptosis and reduced autophagy. Consistent with the results in vitro, in mouse ovarian oxidative stress model induced by 3-NPA, quercetin activated autophagy through the SIRT1/AMPK signaling pathway, while alleviating oxidative stress damage and inhibiting apoptosis in mouse ovaries. Conclusions: These findings indicate that quercetin can inhibit apoptosis in GCs and restore ovarian function by activating autophagy through the SIRT1/ROS/AMPK signaling pathway, suggesting a new direction for the treatment of ovarian follicular cysts in high-yield dairy cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese government has made the realization of sustainable development in grassland animal husbandry an important policy objective, and achieving a reasonable input of production factors is the key to realizing that goal. Based on the assumption of "rational economic man", this study measures the economically optimal inputs and actual input bias of production factors, and constructs an econometric model focusing on analyzing the impact of operation scale on the factor input bias. The results indicate that herdsmen deviate from the economically optimal production input levels in forage, labor, and machinery, with the degree of bias decreasing as the livestock size or pasture size expands. Furthermore, it is established that market risk plays a role in mediating the impact of operation scale on the bias of variable production factors. Overall, large-scale herding households have a smaller bias in factor inputs, and should be promoted to operate on an appropriate scale, while paying attention to the prevention of market risk and the enhancement of information symmetry between herders and factor markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have established the pivotal roles of patient‐derived tumour organoids (PDTOs), innovative three‐dimensional (3D) culture systems, in various biological and medical applications. PDTOs, as promising tools, have been established and extensively used for drug screening, prediction of immune response and assessment of immunotherapeutic effectiveness in various cancer types, including glioma, ovarian cancer and so on. The overarching goal is to facilitate the translation of new therapeutic modalities to guide personalised immunotherapy. Notably, there has been a recent surge of interest in the co‐culture of PDTOs with immune cells to investigate the dynamic interactions between tumour cells and immune microenvironment. A comprehensive and in‐depth investigation is necessary to enhance our understanding of PDTOs as promising testing platforms for cancer immunotherapy. This review mainly focuses on the latest updates on the applications and challenges of PDTO‐based methods in anti‐cancer immune responses. We strive to provide a comprehensive understanding of the potential and prospects of PDTO‐based technologies as next‐generation strategies for advancing immunotherapy approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare hematological parameters preand early post-chemotherapy, and evaluate their values for predicting febrile neutropenia (FN). Methods: Patients diagnosed with malignant solid tumors receiving chemotherapy were included. Blood cell counts peri-chemotherapy and clinical information were retrieved from the hospital information system. We used the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method for variable selection and fitted selected variables to a logistic model. We assessed the performance of the prediction model by the area under the ROC curve. Results: The study population consisted of 4,130 patients with common solid tumors receiving a three-week chemotherapy regimen in Sichuan Cancer Hospital from February 2019 to March 2022. In the FN group, change percentage of neutrophil count decreased less (-0.02, CI: -0.88 to 3.48 vs. -0.04, CI: -0.83 to 2.24). Among hematological parameters, lower postchemotherapy lymphocyte count (OR 0.942, CI: 0.934-0.949), change percentage of platelet (OR 0.965, CI: 0.955-0.975) and higher change percentage of post-chemotherapy neutrophil count (OR 1.015, CI: 1.011- 1.018), and pre-chemotherapy NLR (OR 1.002, CI: 1.002-1.002) predicted an increased risk of FN. These factors improved the predicting model based on clinical factors alone. The AUC of the combination model was 0.8275. Conclusion: Peri-chemotherapy hematological markers improve the prediction of FN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prime editing is a versatile CRISPR/Cas‐based precise genome‐editing technique for crop breeding. Four new types of prime editors (PEs) named PE6a–d were recently generated using evolved and engineered reverse transcriptase (RT) variants from three different sources. In this study, we tested the editing efficiencies of four PE6 variants and two additional PE6 constructs with double‐RT modules in transgenic rice (Oryza sativa) plants. PE6c, with an evolved and engineered RT variant from the yeast Tf1 retrotransposon, yielded the highest prime‐editing efficiency. The average fold change in the editing efficiency of PE6c compared with PEmax exceeded 3.5 across 18 agronomically important target sites from 15 genes. We also demonstrated the feasibility of using two RT modules to improve prime‐editing efficiency. Our results suggest that PE6c or its derivatives would be an excellent choice for prime editing in monocot plants. In addition, our findings have laid a foundation for prime‐editing‐based breeding of rice varieties with enhanced agronomically important traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug resistance in cancer cells significantly diminishes treatment efficacy, leading to recurrence and metastasis. A critical factor contributing to this resistance is the epigenetic alteration of gene expression via RNA modifications, such as N6-methyladenosine (m6A), N1-methyladenosine (m1A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C), 7-methylguanosine (m7G), pseudouridine (Ψ), and adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) editing. These modifications are pivotal in regulating RNA splicing, translation, transport, degradation, and stability. Governed by "writers," "readers," and "erasers," RNA modifications impact numerous biological processes and cancer progression, including cell proliferation, stemness, autophagy, invasion, and apoptosis. Aberrant RNA modifications can lead to drug resistance and adverse outcomes in various cancers. Thus, targeting RNA modification regulators offers a promising strategy for overcoming drug resistance and enhancing treatment efficacy. This review consolidates recent research on the role of prevalent RNA modifications in cancer drug resistance, with a focus on m6A, m1A, m5C, m7G, Ψ, and A-to-I editing. Additionally, it examines the regulatory mechanisms of RNA modifications linked to drug resistance in cancer and underscores the existing limitations in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aeolian sandy soil and loess soil of the Mu Us Sandy Land are used as the research material in this study to investigate the effect of soil compounding on the improvement of aeolian sandy soil and to provide a feasible approach for sand prevention and sand control. In particular, loess soils were compounded at 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% by volume percentage of the compounded soils. The improvement benefits of compounded soils on their textural properties, water-holding capacity, and fertilizer-retention capacity at different blending ratios were evaluated. The results showed that following the compounding of aeolian sandy and loess soils, with the increase of the loess proportion, the texture type of the compounded soil transforms from sandy soil to loamy sandy soil to sandy loam to loamy soil to powdery loam. Moreover, granular gradation was observed, the bulk density gradually decreased, the capillary porosity gradually increased, and the performance of water- and fertilizer-holding properties gradually increased and strengthened. The spatial variability of compounded soil bulk density, capillary porosity, and the water-holding and fertilizer-retention properties was almost entirely controlled by the proportion of loess soil. A theoretical basis is provided in this study for aeolian sandy soil improvement in the Mu Us Sandy Land that can be extended to similar areas, providing a feasible sand management approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inorganic CsPbI3 perovskite has great potential to fabricate deep‐red light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) owing to excellent color purity, thermal stability, and carrier mobility. However, fabricating high‐quality CsPbI3 thin films for high‐performance LEDs remains challenging. While it is demonstrated that hydrogen bonds between organic ammonium cations and molecule additives can lead to high‐quality organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite films, this method cannot be applied to CsPbI3 thin films due to the absence of hydrogen bonds between Cs+ ions and additives. In this study, an amorphous complex‐seed‐crystal growth process to fabricate high‐quality γ‐CsPbI3 cuboid crystallite thin films, is reported. During the initial annealing, the metastable intermediates formed crystal nucleate seeds and transformed into amorphous complex intermediates, maintaining stability at an elevated temperature for perovskite crystallization. With prolonged annealing, the amorphous complex around the nucleate seeds gradually converts to γ‐CsPbI3 perovskite, enabling us to fabricate CsPbI3 thin films with high crystallinity and orientation. The resulting deep‐red LEDs exhibit a peak external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 16.5% and a high maximum luminance of 3158 cd m−2. Moreover, the devices show significantly suppressed efficiency roll‐off, maintaining an EQE of 14.8% even under a high current density of 500 mA cm−2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapidly changing climate issues and increasingly severe carbon emissions are great challenges to the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality strategy. Analyzing the impact of future land use changes on carbon emissions can provide an important basis and reference for scientifically constructing a low-carbon and sustainable territorial spatial planning, as well as realizing the goal of the dual-carbon strategy. Based on land use data, agricultural production activity data, and energy consumption statistics, this study simulated the land use changes of the Yangtze River Delta region (YRDR) from 2030 to 2060 under the natural development (ND) scenario and sustainable development (SD) scenario by using the Patch-generating Land Use Simulation (PLUS) model and analyzed the impacts of future land use changes on carbon emissions. The results showed that: (1) The land use simulation results obtained by using the PLUS model under the sustainable development scenario were highly consistent with the actual land use with an OA value of 97.0%, a Kappa coefficient of 0.952, and a FoM coefficient of 0.403; (2) Based on the simulated land use under the SD scenario from 2030 to 2060, the quantity of construction land was effectively controlled, and the spatial distributions of cropland and forests were found to dominate in the north and south of the Yangtze River, respectively; (3) Anhui Province was the major contributor (accounted for 49.5%) to the net carbon absorption by cropland while Zhejiang Province was the major contributor (accounted for 63.3%) to the net carbon absorption by forest in the YRDR during the period 2020–2060 under the SD scenario; (4) Carbon emissions from construction land were the main source of carbon emissions from land use in the YRDR during the period 2020–2060 with proportions higher than 99% under both the ND and SD development scenarios. These findings underscore the urgent need for the government to take measures to balance the relationships between cropland and ecological protection and economic development, which provides a reference for the optimization of land use structure and policy formulation in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a cascade approach based on a sliding mode observer (SMO) for estimating the state of charge (SoC) and state of health (SoH) of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries using a single particle model (SPM). After convergence, the observation error signal of the current node in the cascade observer is generated from the output injection signal of the previous node's observer. The current node's observer generates its output injection signal, leading to its convergence. This sequential process accurately determines the observed values of each node using only the battery's current and voltage. Subsequently, the SoC and SoH are estimated using observations of lithium-ion concentrations on the surface and inside the battery anode. The accuracy of this approach is validated using Dynamic Stress Test (DST) and Federal Urban Driving Scheme (FUDS) experimental data. A comparative analysis with conventional SMO and Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) algorithms demonstrates the approach's effectiveness and superior performance, confirming its practical applicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Yeast culture (YC) enhances ruminant performance, but its functional mechanism remains unclear because of the complex composition of YC and the uncertain substances affecting rumen fermentation. The objective of this study was to determine the composition of effective metabolites in YC by exploring its effects on rumen fermentation in vitro, growth and slaughter performance, serum index, rumen fermentation parameters, rumen microorganisms, and metabolites in lambs. Methods: In Trial 1, various YCs were successfully produced, providing raw materials for identifying effective metabolites. The experiment was divided into 5 treatment groups with 5 replicates in each group: the control group (basal diet without additives) and YC groups were supplemented with 0.625? of four different yeast cultures, respectively (groups A, B, C, and D). Rumen fermentation parameters were determined at 3, 6, 12, and 24 h in vitro. A univariate regression model multiple factor associative effects index (MFAEI; y) was established to correlate the most influential factors on in vitro rumen fermentation with YC metabolites (x). This identified the metabolites promoting rumen fermentation and optimal YC substance levels. In Trial 2, metabolites in YC not positively correlated with MFAEI were excluded, and effective substances were combined with pure chemicals (M group). This experiment validated the effectiveness of YC metabolites in lamb production based on their impact on growth, slaughter performance, serum indices, rumen parameters, microorganisms, and metabolites. Thirty cross-generation rams (Small tail Han-yang? × Australian white sheep?) with good body condition and similar body weight were divided into three treatment groups with 10 replicates in each group: control group, YC group, pure chemicals combination group (M group). Results: Growth performance and serum index were measured on days 30 and 60, and slaughter performance, rumen fermentation parameters, microorganisms, and metabolites were measured on day 60. The M group significantly increased the dressing percentage, and significantly decreased the GR values of lambs (p < 0.05). The concentration of growth hormone (GH), Cortisol, insulin (INS), and rumen VFA in the M group significantly increased (p < 0.05). Discussion: These experiments confirmed that YC or its screened effective metabolites positively impact lamb slaughter performance, rumen fermentation, and microbial metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Some observational studies and clinical experiments suggest a close association between gut microbiota and metabolic diseases. However, the causal effects of gut microbiota on adrenal diseases, including Adrenocortical insufficiency, Cushing syndrome, and Hyperaldosteronism, remain unclear. Methods: This study conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis using summary statistics data of gut microbiota from a large-scale genome-wide association study conducted by the MiBioGen Consortium. Summary statistics data for the three adrenal diseases were obtained from the FinnGen study. The study employed Inverse variance weighting, MR-Egger, and MR-PRESSO methods to assess the causal relationship between gut microbiota and these three adrenal diseases. Additionally, a reverse Mendelian randomization analysis was performed for bacteria found to have a causal relationship with these three adrenal diseases in the forward Mendelian randomization analysis. Cochran's Q statistic was used to test for heterogeneity of instrumental variables. Results: The IVW test results demonstrate that class Deltaproteobacteria, Family Desulfovibrionaceae, and Order Desulfovibrionales exhibit protective effects against adrenocortical insufficiency. Conversely, Family Porphyromonadaceae, Genus Lachnoclostridium, and Order MollicutesRF9 are associated with an increased risk of adrenocortical insufficiency. Additionally, Family Acidaminococcaceae confers a certain level of protection against Cushing syndrome. In contrast, Class Methanobacteria, Family Lactobacillaceae, Family Methanobacteriaceae, Genus. Lactobacillus and Order Methanobacteriales are protective against Hyperaldosteronism. Conversely, Genus Parasutterella, Genus Peptococcus, and Genus Veillonella are identified as risk factors for Hyperaldosteronism. Conclusions: This two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis revealed a causal relationship between microbial taxa such as Deltaproteobacteria and Desulfovibrionaceae and Adrenocortical insufficiency, Cushing syndrome, and Hyperaldosteronism. These findings offer new avenues for comprehending the development of adrenal diseases mediated by gut microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All‐inorganic CsPbI3 perovskite semiconductor is attractive for deep‐red light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) because of its high photoluminescence, good thermal stability, excellent charge transport, and solution processability. However, the metastable phase of optically active CsPbI3 hinders the fabrication of efficient and bright deep‐red LEDs. Herein, a multifunctional ionic ligand regulation strategy using (2‐hydroxy‐5‐methylphenyl) triphenyl‐phosphonium iodide and 3‐(N, N‐dimethyloctylammonio) propanesulfonate is reported to regulate the optically active CsPbI3 crystallization and thus obtain high‐quality γ‐CsPbI3 thin films. The high crystallinity and preferential orientation of γ‐CsPbI3 arise from the strong bonding between the ionic ligands and ionic lead halide clusters. The obtained γ‐CsPbI3 thin films also possess suppressed defect densities, high luminescence, and high stability. Using this high‐quality thin film, an efficient and bright deep‐red LED with a peak external quantum efficiency of 13.34% and a maximum luminance of 2110 cd m−2 is successfully fabricated. The operational lifetime of the fabricated LED (time to half of the initial brightness, T50) reaches up to 40 min under a high current density of 50 mA cm−2 (corresponding to the initial brightness of 200 cd m−2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial communities are fundamental components driving critical biogeochemical carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) cycles in groundwater ecosystems. The reduction–oxidation (redox) potential is one important environmental factor influencing the microbial community composition. Here, we developed a bio-trap method using in-situ sediment as a matrix to collect aquifer sediment samples and evaluate the response of microbial composition and C/N/S cycling functions to redox variations created by providing sole O2, joint O2 and H2, and sole H2 to three wells. Illumina sequencing analyses showed that the microbial communities in the bio-trap sediment could respond quickly to redox changes in the wells, demonstrating that this bio-trap method is promising for detecting microbial variation in the aquifer sediment. The microbial metabolic functions related to C, N and S cyclings and organic pollutants degradation were predicted by the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) approach. It was found that the joint O2 and H2 injection produced medium oxidation–reduction potential (ORP −346 and −614 mV) and enhanced more microbial functions than sole O2 or H2, which mainly include oxidative phosphorylation, most carbon source metabolism, various pollutants degradation, and nitrogen and sulfur metabolism. Moreover, the functional genes encoding phenol monooxygenase, dioxygenase, nitrogen fixation, nitrification, aerobic and anaerobic nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, nitric oxide reductase, and sulfur oxidation increased. These findings tell us the contaminant bioremediation and N, S metabolism can be promoted by adjusting ORP realised by injecting joint O2 and H2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All‐inorganic CsPbI3 perovskite is a promising emitter for deep‐red light‐emitting diodes (LEDs). However, presently fabricated CsPbI3 polycrystalline films are composed of island‐like polycrystals, encountering the problems of serious interface current leakage and low‐efficiency carrier radiative recombination. Here, a CsPbI3‐xBrx quantum dots (QDs) matrix encapsulated CsPbI3 polycrystal film is reported to address the low‐efficiency issue of island‐like CsPbI3 polycrystalline film applied in deep‐red LEDs. The developed QDs matrix encapsulation strategy has two benefits. One is the filling of void space in the island‐like CsPbI3 polycrystal film to suppress the interface current leakage. The other more important benefit is utilizing the strong carrier confinement effect of QDs to strengthen the formation of excitons in the composite film and thus improve the electroluminescence efficiency. Moreover, interesting grain growth is found between CsPbI3‐xBrx QDs and CsPbI3 polycrystals, which further enhances the exciton transfer effect brought by the QDs matrix and optoelectronic properties of the fabricated composite films. Based on the obtained high‐quality QDs/polycrystal composite films, efficient and bright deep‐red LEDs are achieved with a peak external quantum efficiency of 15.24% and a maximum luminance of 3691 cd m−2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rate coefficients of the CO2–CO2 collision energy transfer processes have been studied by employing the forced harmonic oscillator (FHO) model. For the inter-mode vibrational–vibrational (VVm–k) energy exchange process of CO2–CO2 collisions, a new was applied to obtain the VVm–k rate coefficients. The rate coefficients for vibrational–translational (VT) and intra-mode vibrational–vibrational (VVm) processes are also calculated for temperatures up to 10 000 K at the same time. This work analyses the relationship between the rate coefficients of the (VVm–k) and the vibrational quantum number as affected by temperature. Additionally, it has been found that the impact of the bending mode on the rate coefficients is more prominent than that of asymmetric stretching in the VV1–2–3 transition. And we find that the rate coefficients of the intra-mode transitions are close to each other at low vibrational levels. Moreover, our results are compared with those of various other methods, showing that our method is still quite reliable. These results provide more comprehensive data on the vibrational–translational and vibrational–vibrational energy exchange processes of CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the lack of head-to-head studies of novel non-steroidal molecule topical therapies in mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis (AD), network meta-analyses (NMAs) can provide comparative efficacy and safety data for clinical decision-making. In this NMA, we performed a literature search until 01 March 2023 for eligible studies written in English using databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Only double-blind randomized clinical trials (RCTs) with topical Ruxolitinib, Crisaborole, or Tapinarof versus vehicle for patients with mild-to-moderate AD were included. Baseline and follow-up data were extracted. Efficacy was evaluated using Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) achieving "clear" or "almost clear," with 2 points or more improvement from baseline at the end of treatment, referred to as "IGA success." For binary outcomes, we analyzed in random-effects Bayesian NMA consistency models to compare the efficacy of these 3 topical therapies by odds ratio (OR) with 95% credibility interval (CrI). Overall, 10 phase 2 or phase 3 RCTs were identified, which included 4010 patients with mild to moderate AD. Compared with the topical vehicle control, all these 3 treatments had higher response rate of "IGA success" at the end of trial (Ruxolitinib 1.5% b.i.d: OR, 11.94; 95%CrI, 6.28–23.15; Crisaborole 2% b.i.d: OR, 2.08; 95%CrI, 1.46–3.52; Tapinarof 1% b.i.d: OR, 2.64; 95%CrI, 0.75–9.70). Notably, Ruxolitinib 1.5% b.i.d. had the highest probability of achieving "IGA success" in ranking analysis (Rank 1, SUCRA = 0.75) and lower risk of AE (Rank 8, SUCRA = 0.22). Besides, there was no difference in treatment-related adverse events between 3 therapies. Heterogeneity was not significant across studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microorganisms residing in the cecum of donkeys are crucial for physiological processes, nutrient metabolism, and immune function. Feeding methods can affect the dynamic balance of animal gut microbiota, thereby affecting indicators such as volatile fatty acids. This study explores suitable feeding methods to promote actual production by changing the feeding order of concentrate. Fifteen Dezhou donkeys with similar age and weight profiles were randomly divided into three groups with the concentrate feeding sequence: fiber-toconcentrate (FC), concentrate-to-fiber (CF), and total mixed ration (TMR). The experiment spanned a duration of 82 days. The analyses conducted were primarily aimed at determining the effects of feeding on gut microbes, primarily using metagenomic sequencing techniques. The experimental findings revealed that the levels of valeric acid were notably higher in the CF and TMR groups compared to the FC group (p < 0.05). These results suggest that the feeding sequence exerts a certain impact on the microbial composition within the cecum of Dezhou donkeys. At the phylum level, the predominant microbiota consisted of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, with the CF group displaying a higher relative abundance of Firmicutes compared to both the FC and TMR groups. At the genus level, Prevotella, Bacteroides, and Fibrobacter were the dominant bacterial genera identified in cecum. The functional gene annotation analysis indicated a significantly lower abundance of lacZ (K01190), Por/nifJ (K03737), and ppdK (K01006) genes in CF group relative to the FC and TMR groups (p < 0.05), highlighting their roles in galactose metabolism and glycolysis, respectively. Moreover, the CF group exhibited a higher concentration of antibiotic resistance genes (tetO and tet44) in the gut microbiota compared to the TMR and FC groups (p < 0.05), underscoring the presence of numerous antibiotic resistance genes within the phyla Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria. In conclusion, different precision feed sequences significantly impact the levels of volatile fatty acids in Dezhou fattening donkeys, modify the composition and functional genes of the cecal microbiota, and elucidate the microbial mechanisms influenced by the feeding sequence on the growth and metabolism. These insights are anticipated to provide a foundation for the rational design of precision feed sequences in practical agricultural settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Morchella esculenta is a popular edible fungus with high economic and nutritional value. However, the rot disease caused by Lecanicillium aphanocladii, pose a serious threat to the quality and yield of M. esculenta. Biological control is one of the effective ways to control fungal diseases. Methods and results: In this study, an effective endophytic B. subtilis A9 for the control of M. esculenta rot disease was screened, and its biocontrol mechanism was studied by transcriptome analysis. In total, 122 strains of endophytic bacteria from M. esculenta, of which the antagonistic effect of Bacillus subtilis A9 on L. aphanocladii G1 reached 72.2% in vitro tests. Biological characteristics and genomic features of B. subtilis A9 were analyzed, and key antibiotic gene clusters were detected. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation showed that B. subtilis A9 affected the mycelium and spores of L. aphanocladii G1. In field experiments, the biological control effect of B. subtilis A9 reached to 62.5%. Furthermore, the transcritome profiling provides evidence of B. subtilis A9 bicontrol at the molecular level. A total of 1,246 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between the treatment and control group. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis showed that a large number of DEGs were related to antioxidant activity related. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis showed that the main pathways were Nitrogen metabolism, Pentose Phosphate Pathway (PPP) and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (MAPK) signal pathway. Among them, some important genes such as carbonic anhydrase CA (H6S33_007248), catalase CAT (H6S33_001409), tRNA dihydrouridine synthase DusB (H6S33_001297) and NAD(P)-binding protein NAD(P) BP (H6S33_000823) were found. Furthermore, B. subtilis A9 considerably enhanced the M. esculenta activity of Polyphenol oxidase (POD), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Phenylal anineammonia lyase (PAL) and Catalase (CAT). Conclusion: This study presents the innovative utilization of B. subtilis A9, for effectively controlling M. esculenta rot disease. This will lay a foundation for biological control in Morchella, which may lead to the improvement of new biocontrol agents for production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel compact dual-band antenna based on dual-cap metasurface (MS) is proposed. By etching circumferential circular ring slots on one side of the substrate and a large cruciform slot on the other side, the dual-cap MS operates in two frequency bands. In addition, by placing the dual-cap MS at the back of a circular ring planar antenna which serves as a reflector, the impedance characteristic of the antenna in lower band and gain both in two bands are improved. The results show that this dual-cap MS antenna operates in the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) bands of 2.43-2.6 GHz and 5.48-6.05 GHz. Moreover, the maximum gains in lower and upper bands can reach 6.9 and 5.8 dBi, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity often helps communities resist invasion. However, it is unclear whether this diversity–invasion relationship holds true under environmental changes. Here, we conduct a meta-analysis of 1010 observations from 25 grassland studies in which plant species richness is manipulated together with one or more environmental change factors to test invasibility (measured by biomass or cover of invaders). We find that biodiversity increases resistance to invaders across various environmental conditions. However, the positive biodiversity effect on invasion resistance is strengthened under experimental warming, whereas it is weakened under experimentally imposed drought. When multiple factors are imposed simultaneously, the positive biodiversity effect is strengthened. Overall, we show that biodiversity helps grassland communities resist plant invasions under multiple environmental changes. Therefore, investment in the protection and restoration of native biodiversity is not only important for prevention of invasions under current conditions but also under continued global environmental change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Early blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) can be detected on perfusion computed tomography (PCT) images before undergoing reperfusion therapy. In this study, we aimed to determine whether early disruption of the BBB predicts intracranial hemorrhage transformation (HT) in patients with AIS undergoing endovascular therapy and further identify factors influencing BBB disruption. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed general clinical and imaging data derived from 159 consecutive patients with acute anterior circulation stroke who were admitted to the Department of Neurology of the First Hospital of Jilin University, and who underwent endovascular treatment between January 1, 2021, and March 31, 2023. We evaluated the relationship between BBB destruction and intracranial HT before endovascular reperfusion therapy and examined the risk factors for early BBB destruction. Results: A total of 159 patients with assessable BBB leakage were included. The median (interquartile range, IQR) age was 63 (54-70) years, 108 (67.9%) patients were male, and the median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NHISS) score was 12 (10-15). Follow-up non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) detected HT in 63 patients. After logistic regression modeling adjustment, we found that BBB leakage in the true leakage area was slightly more than 2-fold risk of HT (odds ratio [OR], 2.01; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-3.92). Heart rate was also associated with HT (OR, 1.03, 95% CI, 1.001.05). High Blood-brain barrier permeability (BBBP) in the true leakage area was positively correlated with infarct core volume (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01-1.05). Conclusion: Early BBB destruction before endovascular reperfusion therapy was associated with HT, whereas high BBBP correlated positively with infarct core volume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Limited studies have explored the association between blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels and in-hospital mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and subsequent gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). Our objective was to explore this correlation. Methods: 276 individuals with AMI and subsequent GIB were retrospectively included between January 2012 and April 2023. The predictive value of BUN for in-hospital mortality was assessed through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Logistic regression models were constructed to assess the relationship between BUN and in-hospital mortality. Propensity score weighting (PSW), sensitivity and subgroup analyses were used to further explore the association. Results: Fifty-three (19.2%) patients died in the hospital. BUN levels were higher in non-survivors compared with the survivors [(11.17 ± 6.17) vs (8.09 ± 4.24), p = 0.001]. The ROC curve suggested that the optimal cut-off for BUN levels to predict in-hospital mortality was 8.45 mmol/L (AUC [area under the ROC curve] 0.678, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.595-0.761, p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression showed that elevated BUN levels (=8.45 mmol/L) were positively association with in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR] 4.01, 95% CI 1.55-10.42, p = 0.004). After PSW, sensitivity and subgroup analyses, the association remained significant. Conclusions: Elevated BUN levels were associated with in-hospital mortality in patients with AMI and subsequent GIB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive disease that is one of the most common in childhood neuromuscular disorders. Our screenings are more meaningful programs in preventing birth defects, providing a significant resource for healthcare professionals, genetic counselors, and policymakers involved in designing strategies to prevent and manage SMA. Method: We screened 39,647 participants from 2020 to the present by quantitative real-time PCR, including 7,231 pre-pregnancy participants and 32,416 pregnancy participants, to detect the presence of SMN1 gene EX7 and EX8 deletion in the DNA samples provided by the subjects. To validate the accuracy of our findings, we also utilized the Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) to confirm the reliability of screening results obtained by quantitative real-time PCR. Result: Among the 39,647 participants who were screened, 726 participants were the carriers of SMN1. The overall carrier rate was calculated to be 1.83% (95% confidence interval: 0.86-2.8%). After undergoing screening, a total of 592 pregnancy carriers were provided with genetic counseling and only 503 of their spouses (84.97, 95% confidence interval: 82.09-87.85%) voluntarily underwent SMA screening. Conclusion: This study provides crucial insights into the prevalence and distribution of SMA carriers among the female population. The identification of 726 asymptomatic carriers highlights the necessity of comprehensive screening programs to identify at-risk individuals and ensure appropriate interventions are in place to minimize the impact of SMA-related conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the prodromal stage of Alzheimer's disease, has two distinct subtypes: stable MCI (sMCI) and progressive MCI (pMCI). Early identification of the two subtypes has important clinical significance. Objective: We aimed to compare the cortico-striatal functional connectivity (FC) differences between the two subtypes of MCI and enhance the accuracy of differential diagnosis between sMCI and pMCI. Methods: We collected resting-state fMRI data from 31 pMCI patients, 41 sMCI patients, and 81 healthy controls. We chose six pairs of seed regions, including the ventral striatum inferior, ventral striatum superior, dorsal-caudal putamen, dorsal-rostral putamen, dorsal caudate, and ventral-rostral putamen and analyzed the differences in cortico-striatal FC among the three groups, additionally, the relationship between the altered FC within the MCI subtypes and cognitive function was examined. Results: Compared to sMCI, the pMCI patients exhibited decreased FC between the left dorsal-rostral putamen and right middle temporal gyrus, the right dorsal caudate and right inferior temporal gyrus, and the left dorsal-rostral putamen and left superior frontal gyrus. Additionally, the altered FC between the right inferior temporal gyrus and right putamen was significantly associated with episodic memory and executive function. Conclusions: Our study revealed common and distinct cortico-striatal FC changes in sMCIs and pMCI across different seeds; these changes were associated with cognitive function. These findings can help us understand the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of MCI and distinguish pMCI and sMCI in the early stage potentially. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of intensive poultry breeding in China, the demand for poultry feed raw materials is increasing rapidly. However, the shortage of cereal feed and the persistently high price make it urgent for poultry feed production industry to explore cheaper energy alternative feed. Cassava has the characteristics of high yield, rich starch and fiber, high energy value, etc. It can replace corn or other energy feed in poultry breeding. The effective use of cassava products has been proved to reduce the feed cost of poultry production. However, the utilization of cassava is limited by many factors, such as low protein and anti-nutritional factors. Using correct processing and scientific formula, the addition level of cassava in poultry diet can be improved. In this paper, the nutritional characteristics, feed utilization, and application of cassava in poultry diet were reviewed, which provided a reference for the application of cassava in poultry diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: People living with HIV (PLWH) fail to achieve normalization of CD4+ T cell counts and function, especially in immunological non-responders (INRs). The frequencies of Ki67+CD4+ T cells were inversely associated with CD4+ T cell counts in HIV infected patients. Early ART did not normalize CD4+ T cell proliferation. However, the features of the abnormal proliferation CD4+ T cell in INRs are far from known. Method: PLWH were divided into INRs (n= 16) and immunological responders (IRs, n= 53) groups. Mass cytometry was applied to peripheral blood T cells to profile the immune cells and liquid chip technique was used to measure plasma levels of cytokines and chemokines. Correlation analyses were conducted to evaluate associations between the degree of CD4+ T cell proliferation and immune function. Results: The percentage of Ki67+ CD4+ T cells were significant higher in INRs, and we defined these cells with significant higher level of Ki67, as overproliferating cells. No significant difference of markers' expression (HLA-DR, CD38, CD57, PD-1, PD-L1, CD107a, perforin) was found between INRs and IRs. Compared with naïve CD4+ T cells in INRs, Ki67+ CD4+ T cells exhibited lower levels of CD57 and CD38. Whereas Ki67+ T cells exhibited higher levels of CD38 and CD57 and activation compared with differentiated mature central memory CD4+ T cells and effector memory CD4+ T cells. Ki67+ cells did not show higher levels of senescence and activation compared to certain Ki67- CD4+ central memory T cells in IRs. Furthermore, Ki67+ CD4+ Tcm cells exhibited positive correlations with pro-inflammatory cytokines. Conclusion: We proposed and validated the hypothesis of "pathological proliferation" in INRs: excessive proliferation of CD4+ T cells in INRs may be accompanied by aberrant activation, senescence and loss of immune function. Eventually, such over-proliferating but poor-quality cells in INRs result in incomplete recovery of both CD4+ T cell counts and function. An intervention that enhancing the proliferative capacity or functional ability or both of CD4+ T cell in INRs might therefore be beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]