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Abstract Identifying epitopes and their corresponding T-cell receptor (TCR) sequences is crucial in the face of rapidly mutating viruses. Peptide synthesis is often required to confirm the exact epitope sequences, which is time-consuming and expensive. In this study, we introduce a scalable workflow to identify the exact sequences of virus epitopes and reactive TCRs targeting the epitopes from memory T cells. Following the narrowing down of epitopes to specific regions via the tandem minigene (TMG) system, our workflow incorporates the utilization of peptide-major histocompatibility complex-displaying yeasts (pMHC-displaying yeasts) to rapidly screen immunogenic epitopes’ precise sequences, obviating the necessity for the chemical synthesis of peptides. Focusing on SARS-CoV-2, we identify the precise sequences of reactive TCRs, targeting conserved epitopes across the Coronaviridae family, from the blood of COVID-19-recovered individuals over 8 months. Notably, we reveal that at least 75% (6/8) of the tested donors harbor T cells targeting a shared epitope, KTFPPTEPK, derived from the N protein. Furthermore, several identified TCRs exhibit cross-reactivity to mutant epitopes, suggesting a potential mechanism for sustained T-cell responses against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Abstract Crystalline-silicon heterojunction back contact solar cells represent the forefront of photovoltaic technology, but encounter significant challenges in managing charge carrier recombination and transport to achieve high efficiency. In this study, we produced highly efficient heterojunction back contact solar cells with a certified efficiency of 27.09% using a laser patterning technique. Our findings indicate that recombination losses primarily arise from the hole-selective contact region and polarity boundaries. We propose solutions to these issues and establish a clear relationship between contact resistivity, series resistance, and the design of the rear-side pattern. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the wafer edge becomes the main channel for current density loss caused by carrier recombination once electrical shading around the electron-selective contact region is mitigated. With the advanced nanocrystalline passivating contact, wafer edge passivation technologies and meticulous optimization of front anti-reflection coating and rear reflector, achieving efficiencies as high as 27.7% is feasible.

The rapid development of capacitors with high energy density and efficiency has been driven by advanced electronic systems and innovative pulsed power applications. In this study, we prepared Sr4.5−xBaxSm0.5Zr0.5Nb9.5O30 (x = 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5) dielectric ceramics, which exhibited structural distortion due to the co-occupation of Ba2+, Sr2+, and Sm3+ in the A-site and the partial substitution of Nb5+ by Zr4+ in the B-site. The ordered/disordered distribution due to these distortions thus generated polar nanoregions (PNRs) and induced a relaxation ferroelectric behavior, which was verified by the high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Through the use of the Vogel–Fulcher and Maxwell–Boltzmann equations, we found that easy inversion and small dipole sizes are crucial for achieving high energy storage density and efficiency. The Sr4.5−xBaxSm0.5Zr0.5Nb9.5O30 (x = 3.5) dielectric ceramic displayed a ferroelectric/paraelectric transition near room temperature. Subsequent ferroelectric testing revealed large energy storage density (Wrec = 4.31 J·cm−3) and high efficiency (η = 93.8%) at 310 kV·cm−1. Furthermore, Sr4.5−xBaxSm0.5Zr0.5Nb9.5O30 (x = 4.5) exhibited higher breakdown field strength due to its large resistivity and small grain size. This led to energy storage density of approximately 5.3 J·cm−3 at 460 kV·cm−1. Additionally, Sr4.5−xBaxSm0.5Zr0.5Nb9.5O30 (x = 3.5) demonstrated current density (CD) of approximately 713.38 A·cm−2 and power density (PD) of approximately 87.51 MW·cm−3, with ultrafast discharge time of 34 ns and excellent discharge energy density (Wdis) of approximately 2.27 J·cm−3. Overall, this study presents a promising approach for developing dielectric ceramic materials that hold potential for applications in innovative pulsed power components.

Dielectric ceramics with low permittivity (εr), high quality factor (Q×f), and near-zero resonant frequency (τf) in the microwave bands are key materials used in fifth/sixth-generation (5G/6G) telecommunication, whileτf of most low-εr microwave dielectric ceramics is relatively negative. In this work, the first low-εr Ga-based ceramic SrGa12O19 with an anomalous positive τf was reported, and the causes of the positive τf, intrinsic polarization, and loss mechanism were systematically studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that the SrGa12O19 ceramic formed a pure hexagonal magnetoplumbite structure with spinel blocks and rock-salt blocks stacked along the crystallographic c-axis. When sintered at 1430 °C, it possessed the optimal microwave dielectric properties of a low εr of 14.46, high Q×f of 64,705 GHz, and exceptional positive τf of +55.7 ppm/°C, along with a low linear thermal expansion coefficient (αL) of 11.617 ppm/°C. The large positive deviation between εr and εr(C–M) of 45.31% resulted from the rattling effect of atoms in the rock-salt block. The unique positive τf (+55.7 ppm/°C) was governed by the rattling effect, resulting in a positive ταm (the temperature coefficient of ion polarizability) of 8.489 ppm/°C and a large negative temperature coefficient of permittivity (τε) of −132.864 ppm/°C. Phillips–Vechten–Levine (P–V–L) chemical bond theory revealed greater contributions of the spinel block to bond ionicity (fi, 52.95%), permittivity (ε, 55.15%), bond energy (E, 56.87%), and lattice energy (U, 74.88%) than those of the rock-salt block. The intrinsic dielectric properties were analyzed using infrared (IR) reflectivity spectra. The favorable performance of the SrGa12O19 ceramic indicated that it is a novel τf compensator. This selection of compounds with different structural layer combinations provides a new idea for exploring excellent microwave dielectric ceramics.

The impact of orthopedic scaffolds on bone defect healing, particularly the late-stage bone remodeling process, is pivotal for the therapeutic outcome. This study applies fadditively manufactured scaffolds composed of hydroxyapatite-doped poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (HA-PELGA) with varying properties to treat rat calvarial defects, elucidating their significant role in bone remodeling by modulating physiological responses. We engineered two scaffolds with different polylactic acid (PLA) to polyglycolic acid (PGA) ratio (9/1 and 18/1) to vary in hydrophobicity, degradation rate, mechanical properties, and structural stability. These variations influenced physiological responses, including osteogenesis, angiogenesis, and immune reactions, thereby guiding bone remodeling. Our findings show that the HA-PELGA(18/1) scaffold, with a slower degradation rate, supported bulk bone formation due to a stable microenvironment. Conversely, the HA-PELGA(9/1) scaffold, with a faster degradation rate and more active interfaces, facilitated the formation of a thin bone layer and higher bone infiltration. This study demonstrates these degradable scaffolds help to promote bone healing and reveals how scaffold properties influence the bone remodeling process, offering a potential strategy to optimize scaffold design aiming at late-stage bone defect healing.

Abstract In this work we discuss the neutrino mass dependent nuclear matrix element (NME) of the neutrinoless double beta decay process and derive the limit on the parameter space of the minimal Type-I seesaw model from the current available experimental data as well as the future sensitivities from the next-generation experiments. Both the explicit many-body calculations and naive extrapolations of the mass dependent NME are employed in the current work. The uncertainties of the theoretical nuclear structure models are taken into account. By combining the latest experimental data from 76Ge-based experiments, GERDA and MAJORANA, the 130Te-based experiment, CUORE and the 136Xe-based experiments, KamLAND-Zen and EXO-200, the bounds on the parameter space of the minimal Type-I seesaw model are obtained and compared with the limits from other experimental probes. Sensitivities for future experiments utilizing 76Ge-based (LEGEND-1000), 82Se-based (SuperNEMO), 130Te based (SNO+II) and 136Xe-based (nEXO), with a ten-year exposure, are also derived.

Abstract CRISPR/Cas-based transcriptional activators can be enhanced by intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs). However, the underlying mechanisms are still debatable. Here, we examine 12 well-known IDRs by fusing them to the dCas9-VP64 activator, of which only seven can augment activation, albeit independently of their phase separation capabilities. Moreover, modular domains (MDs), another class of multivalent molecules, though ineffective in enhancing dCas9-VP64 activity on their own, show substantial enhancement in transcriptional activation when combined with dCas9-VP64-IDR. By varying the number of gRNA binding sites and fusing dCas9-VP64 with different IDRs/MDs, we uncover that optimal, rather than maximal, cis-trans cooperativity enables the most robust activation. Finally, targeting promoter-enhancer pairs yields synergistic effects, which can be further amplified via enhancing chromatin interactions. Overall, our study develops a versatile platform for efficient gene activation and sheds important insights into CRIPSR-based transcriptional activators enhanced with multivalent molecules.

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly transformed the infection spectrum of various pathogens. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infections among pediatric patients with community acquired pneumonia (CAP). We retrospectively reviewed pediatric CAP admissions before (from 2018 to 2019) and during (from 2020 to 2022) the COVID-19 pandemic. The epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of S. aureus isolates were examined to assess the pandemic’s effect. As a result, a total of 399 pediatric CAP patients with S. aureus infections were included. The positivity rate, gender, and age distribution of patients were similar across both periods. There was a marked reduction in respiratory co-infections with Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae) during the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to 2019. Additionally, there were significant changes in the resistance profiles of S. aureus isolates to various antibiotics. Resistance to oxacillin and tetracycline increased, whereas resistance to penicillin, gentamicin, and quinolones decreased. Notably, resistance to erythromycin significantly decreased in methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains. The number of S. aureus isolates, the proportion of viral co-infections, and the number of resistant strains typically peaked seasonally, primarily in the first or fourth quarters of 2018, 2019, and 2021. However, shifts in these patterns were noted in the first quarter of 2020 and the fourth quarter of 2022. These findings reveal that the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered the infection dynamics of S. aureus among pediatric CAP patients, as evidenced by changes in respiratory co-infections, AMR patterns, and seasonal trends.

Critical size bone defects represent a significant challenge worldwide, often leading to persistent pain and physical disability that profoundly impact patients’ quality of life and mental well-being. To address the intricate and complex repair processes involved in these defects, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing and revealed notable shifts in cellular populations within regenerative tissue. Specifically, we observed a decrease in progenitor lineage cells and endothelial cells, coupled with an increase in fibrotic lineage cells and pro-inflammatory cells within regenerative tissue. Furthermore, our analysis of differentially expressed genes and associated signaling pathway at the single-cell level highlighted impaired angiogenesis as a central pathway in critical size bone defects, notably influenced by reduction of Spp1 and Cxcl12 expression. This deficiency was particularly pronounced in progenitor lineage cells and myeloid lineage cells, underscoring its significance in the regeneration process. In response to these findings, we developed an innovative approach to enhance bone regeneration in critical size bone defects. Our fabrication process involves the integration of electrospun PCL fibers with electrosprayed PLGA microspheres carrying Spp1 and Cxcl12. This design allows for the gradual release of Spp1 and Cxcl12 in vitro and in vivo. To evaluate the efficacy of our approach, we locally applied PCL scaffolds loaded with Spp1 and Cxcl12 in a murine model of critical size bone defects. Our results demonstrated restored angiogenesis, accelerated bone regeneration, alleviated pain responses and improved mobility in treated mice.

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the infection landscape for many pathogens. This retrospective study aimed to compare Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae) infections in pediatric CAP patients hospitalized before (2018–2019) and during (2020–2022) the COVID-19 pandemic. We analyzed the clinical epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns of H. influenzae from a tertiary hospital in southwest China. A total of 986 pediatric CAP patients with H. influenzae-associated infections were included. Compared to 2018, the positivity rate increased in 2019 but dropped significantly in 2020. Although it rose in the following 2 years, the rate in 2022 remained significantly lower than in 2019. Patients’ age during the pandemic was significantly higher than in 2018 and 2019, while gender composition remained similar across both periods. Notably, there were significant changes in co-infections with several respiratory pathogens during the pandemic. Resistance rates of H. influenzae isolates to antibiotics varied, with the highest resistance observed for ampicillin (85.9%) and the lowest for cefotaxime (0.0%). Resistance profiles to various antibiotics underwent dramatic changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanate, cefaclor, cefuroxime, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and the proportion of multi-drug resistant (MDR) isolates significantly decreased. Additionally, MDR isolates, alongside isolates resistant to specific drugs, were notably prevalent in ampicillin-resistant and β-lactamase-positive isolates. The number of pediatric CAP patients, H. influenzae infections, and isolates resistant to certain antibiotics exhibited seasonal patterns, peaking in the winter of 2018 and 2019. During the COVID-19 pandemic, sharp decreases were observed in February 2020, and there was no resurgence in December 2022. These findings indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered the infection spectrum of H. influenzae in pediatric CAP patients, as evidenced by shifts in positivity rate, demographic characteristics, respiratory co-infections, AMR patterns, and seasonal trends.

The location of offshore and coastal marine engineering projects often shows considerable overlap with the foraging and breeding grounds of marine mammals. Lingding Bay, located in the Chinese Pearl River Delta, is home to the world’s largest known population of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis). The bay is also the site of the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge mega-engineering project. This study assessed the responses of the dolphins to the bridge construction. Data were collected on dolphin sightings by survey vessels following standard line-transect tracks, with surveys conducted during the pre-construction (2005–2006), construction (2015–2016), and post-construction (2020–2021) phases. The dolphin distribution patterns, density, group sizes, and presence of calves were compared across these three periods. Additionally, the range patterns of the dolphins were analyzed following the identification of individuals during the post-construction phase. The average distance at which humpback dolphins were sighted from the bridge was significantly shorter after the completion of the bridge than during the pre-construction and construction phases. Furthermore, the density of humpback dolphins in the southern region of the bay—where the bridge is located—was significantly higher post-construction compared with that recorded during the pre-construction and construction phases. A noticeable increase in dolphin group sizes post-construction may indicate a shift in foraging strategy. The post-construction phase coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period, and the resultant reduced human activity in Lingding Bay may have influenced the distribution of dolphins and other animals to some extent. Individual identification results demonstrated that the waters near the bridge remained an integral habitat for the dolphins post-construction, as they freely traversed underneath the bridge. The results of this study hold considerable importance within the realm of marine engineering, offering valuable guidance and references for informed decision-making and operational practices in associated domains.

Abstract Despite docetaxel combined with cisplatin and 5‐fluorouracil (TPF) being the established treatment for advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), there are patients who do not respond positively to this form of therapy. However, the mechanisms underlying this lack of benefit remain unclear. DCAF7 is identified as a chemoresistance gene attenuating the response to TPF therapy in NPC patients. DCAF7 promotes the cisplatin resistance and metastasis of NPC cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, DCAF7 serves as a scaffold protein that facilitates the interaction between USP10 and G3BP1, leading to the elimination of K48‐linked ubiquitin moieties from Lys76 of G3BP1. This process helps prevent the degradation of G3BP1 via the ubiquitin‒proteasome pathway and promotes the formation of stress granule (SG)‐like structures. Moreover, knockdown of G3BP1 successfully reversed the formation of SG‐like structures and the oncogenic effects of DCAF7. Significantly, NPC patients with increased levels of DCAF7 showed a high risk of metastasis, and elevated DCAF7 levels are linked to an unfavorable prognosis. The study reveals DCAF7 as a crucial gene for cisplatin resistance and offers further understanding of how chemoresistance develops in NPC. The DCAF7‐USP10‐G3BP1 axis contains potential targets and biomarkers for NPC treatment.

Increasing evidence indicates that the remodeling of immune microenvironment heterogeneity influences pancreatic cancer development, as well as sensitivity to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. However, a gap remains in the exploration of the immunosenescence microenvironment in pancreatic cancer. In this study, we identified two immunosenescence-associated isoforms (IMSP1 and IMSP2), with consequential differences in prognosis and immune cell infiltration. We constructed the MLIRS score, a hazard score system with robust prognostic performance (area under the curve, AUC = 0.91), based on multiple machine learning algorithms (101 cross-validation methods). Patients in the high MLIRS score group had worse prognosis (P

Abstract Coding transcript-derived siRNAs (ct-siRNAs) produced from specific endogenous loci can suppress the translation of their source genes to balance plant growth and stress response. In this study, we generated Arabidopsis mutants with deficiencies in RNA decay and/or post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) pathways and performed comparative sRNA-seq analysis, revealing that multiple RNA decay and PTGS factors impede the ct-siRNA selective production. Genes that produce ct-siRNAs often show increased or unchanged expression and typically have higher GC content in sequence composition. The growth and development of plants can perturb the dynamic accumulation of ct-siRNAs from different gene loci. Two nitrate reductase genes, NIA1 and NIA2, produce massive amounts of 22-nt ct-siRNAs and are highly expressed in a subtype of mesophyll cells where DCL2 exhibits higher expression relative to DCL4, suggesting a potential role of cell-specific expression of ct-siRNAs. Overall, our findings unveil the multifaceted factors and features involved in the selective production and regulation of ct-siRNAs and enrich our understanding of gene silencing process in plants.

Abstract Background Our study aims to investigate the mechanisms through which Fc receptor‐like A (FCRLA) promotes renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and to examine its significance in relation to tumor immune infiltration. Materials and Methods The correlation between FCRLA and data clinically related to RCC was explored using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), then validated using Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) gene chip data. Enrichment and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analyses were performed for FCRLA and its co‐expressed genes. FCRLA was knocked down in RCC cell lines to evaluate its impact on biological behavior. Then the potential downstream regulators of FCRLA were determined by western blotting, and rescue experiments were performed for verification. The relevance between FCRLA and various immune cells was analyzed through GSEA, TIMER, and GEPIA tools. TIDE and ESTIMATE algorithms were used to predict the effect of FCRLA in immunotherapy. Results Fc receptor‐like A was associated with clinical and T stages and could predict the M stage (AUC = 0.692) and 1–3‐ and 5‐year survival rates (AUC = 0.823, 0.834, and 0.862) of RCC patients. Higher expression of FCLRA predicted an unfavorable overall survival (OS) in TCGA‐RCC and GSE167573 datasets (p = 0.03, p = 0.04). FCRLA promoted the malignant biological behavior of RCC cells through the pERK1/2/‐MMP2 pathway and was associated with tumor immune microenvironment in RCC. Conclusion Fc receptor‐like A is positively correlated with poor outcomes in RCC patients and plays an oncogenic role in RCC through the pERK1/2‐MMP2 pathway. Patients with RCC might benefit from immunotherapy targeting FCRLA.

Summary: Both concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and induction chemotherapy (ICT) followed by CCRT are standard care of advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, tailoring personalized treatment is lacking. Herein, we established a radiogenomic clinical decision support system to classify patients into three subgroups according to their predicted disease-free survival (DFS) with CCRT and ICT response. The CCRT-preferred group was suitable for CCRT since they achieved good survival with CCRT, which could not be improved by ICT. The ICT-preferred group was suitable for ICT plus CCRT since they had poor survival with CCRT; additional ICT could afford an improved DFS. The clinical trial–preferred group was suitable for clinical trials since they exhibited poor survival regardless of receiving CCRT or ICT plus CCRT. These findings suggest that our radiogenomic clinical decision support system could identify optimal candidates for CCRT, ICT plus CCRT, and clinical trials, and may thus aid in personalized management of advanced NPC.

Background: Nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a transcription factor, is critically involved in the regulation of oxidative stress and inflammation. However, the role of endothelial Nrf2 in atherogenesis has yet to be defined. In addition, how endothelial Nrf2 is activated and whether Nrf2 can be targeted for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis is not explored. Methods: RNA-sequencing and single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of mouse atherosclerotic aortas were used to identify the differentially expressed genes. In vivo endothelial cell (EC)-specific activation of Nrf2 was achieved by injecting adeno-associated viruses into ApoE−/− mice, while EC-specific knockdown of Nrf2 was generated in Cdh5CreCas9floxed-stopApoE−/− mice. Results: Endothelial inflammation appeared as early as on day 3 after feeding of a high cholesterol diet (HCD) in ApoE−/− mice, as reflected by mRNA levels, immunostaining and global mRNA profiling, while the immunosignal of the end-product of lipid peroxidation (LPO), 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), started to increase on day 10. TNF-α, 4-HNE, and erastin (LPO inducer), activated Nrf2 signaling in human ECs by increasing the mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2 target genes. Knockdown of endothelial Nrf2 resulted in augmented endothelial inflammation and LPO, and accelerated atherosclerosis in Cdh5CreCas9floxed-stopApoE−/− mice. By contrast, both EC-specific and pharmacological activation of Nrf2 inhibited endothelial inflammation, LPO, and atherogenesis. Conclusions: Upon HCD feeding in ApoE−/− mice, endothelial inflammation is an earliest event, followed by the appearance of LPO. EC-specific activation of Nrf2 inhibits atherosclerosis while EC-specific knockdown of Nrf2 results in the opposite effect. Pharmacological activators of endothelial Nrf2 may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Central China has been reported to be one of the most important endemic areas of zoonotic infection by spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR), severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) and hantaan virus (HTNV). Due to similar clinical symptoms, it is challenging to make a definite diagnosis rapidly and accurately in the absence of microbiological tests. In the present study, an all-in-one real-time PCR assay was developed for the simultaneous detection of nucleic acids from SFGR, SFTSV and HTNV. Three linear standard curves for determining SFGR-ompA, SFTSV-L and HTNV-L were obtained within the range of 101-106 copies/μL, with the PCR amplification efficiencies ranging from 93.46% to 96.88% and the regression coefficients R2 of >0.99. The detection limit was 1.108 copies/μL for SFGR-ompA, 1.075 copies/μL for SFTSV-L and 1.006 copies/μL for HTNV-L, respectively. Both the within-run and within-laboratory coefficients of variation on the cycle threshold (Ct) values were within the range of 0.53%-2.15%. It was also found there was no statistical difference in the Ct values between single template and multiple templates (PSFGR-ompA = 0.186, PSFTSV-L = 0.612, PHTNV-L = 0.298). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value were all 100% for determining SFGR-ompA and SFTSV-L, 97%, 100%, 100% and 99.6% for HTNV-L, respectively. Therefore, the all-in-one real-time PCR assay appears to be a reliable, sensitive, rapid, high-throughput and low cost-effective method to diagnose the zoonotic infection by SFGR, SFTSV and HTNV.

In recent years, 3D hydrogels based on alginate (Alg) have undergone substantial advancements, holding transformative potential for biomedicine and regenerative medicine. Nevertheless, the viscosity of Alg needs to be further increased, in order to print complex 3D structures. Attempts to adjust printability often employ rheological modifiers like methylcellulose (MC), but these still lack mechanical integrity for broader biomedical applications. Our study sought to chemically modify Alg/MC to create a photopolymerizable hydrogel by incorporating acrylate-based monomers, which would enhance the curing ability of the base hydrogel, leading to better mechanical properties of Alg/MC, such as stretchability and stability with shape recovery. Comprehensive mechanical assessments unveiled remarkable tensile properties, achieving a notable specific strength benchmark of 44.72 kPa/(g.cm-3) before reaching the point of fracture. This represents a substantial 250 % improvement compared to samples lacking the acrylate monomer. Biomedical assessments confirmed the hydrogel's promising potential, especially with the MG-63 cell line, underscoring its suitability for advanced applications like tissue engineering.

Abstract Background Mood disorders are strongly associated with melatonin disturbances. However, it is unclear whether there is a difference in melatonin concentrations and melatonin circadian rhythm profiles between depression and bipolar disorder. In addition, the relationship between anhedonia, a common symptom of affective disorders, and its melatonin circadian rhythm remains under-investigated. Methods Thirty-four patients with depression disorder, 20 patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder and 21 healthy controls participated in this study. The Revised Physical Anhedonia Scale (RPAS) was performed to assess anhedonia. Saliva samples were collected from all subjects at fixed time points (a total of 14 points) in two consecutive days for measuring the melatonin concentrations to fit circadian rhythms of subjects. Melatonin circadian rhythms were compared between the three groups using ANOVA. Partial correlation analysis and linear regression analysis were used to explore the correlation between melatonin rhythm variables and anhedonia. Results We found that the peak phase of melatonin in the depression group was significantly advanced compared to the control group (P

Abstract Despite that the docectaxel-cisplatin-5-fluorouracil (TPF) induction chemotherapy has greatly improved patients’ survival and became the first-line treatment for advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), not all patients could benefit from this therapy. The mechanism underlying the TPF chemoresistance remains unclear. Here, by analyzing gene-expression microarray data and survival of patients who received TPF chemotherapy, we identify transcription factor ATMIN as a chemoresistance gene in response to TPF chemotherapy in NPC. Mass spectrometry and Co-IP assays reveal that USP10 deubiquitinates and stabilizes ATMIN protein, resulting the high-ATMIN expression in NPC. Knockdown of ATMIN suppresses the cell proliferation and facilitates the docetaxel-sensitivity of NPC cells both in vitro and in vivo, while overexpression of ATMIN exerts the opposite effect. Mechanistically, ChIP-seq combined with RNA-seq analysis suggests that ATMIN is associated with the cell death signaling and identifies ten candidate target genes of ATMIN. We further confirm that ATMIN transcriptionally activates the downstream target gene LCK and stabilizes it to facilitate cell proliferation and docetaxel resistance. Taken together, our findings broaden the insight into the molecular mechanism of chemoresistance in NPC, and the USP10-ATMIN-LCK axis provides potential therapeutic targets for the management of NPC.

This paper presents a 12-bit 1.1GS/s single-channel pipelined-successive approximation register (pipelined-SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with a three-stage architecture implemented in a 28nm CMOS technology. A new technique that provides adaptive inter-stage redundancy is proposed to mitigate the speed overhead of the conventional inter-stage redundancy bit. An adaptive inter-stage redundancy bit is implemented in the third stage to improve its conversion speed. In addition, the first-stage CDAC is implemented with a large-DAC and a small-DAC to address the speed bottleneck by improving the settling speed during the bit conversions, and a high speed detect-and-skip (DAS) decoder with minimum power overhead is incorporated to reduce the switching power without affecting the high-speed operation. The single-channel ADC achieves an SNDR of 60.1 dB and an SFDR of 75.3 dB at the Nyquist input operating at 1.1GS/s. With 8.5 mW power consumption at a 0.9 V power supply, it achieves a Walden FOM of 9.3 fJ/conv.-step and a Schreier FOM of 168.2 dB.

Abstract Recent progress in two-dimensional ferroelectrics greatly expands the versatility and tunability in van der Waals heterostructure based electronics. However, the switching endurance issue that widely plagues conventional ferroelectrics in practical applications is hitherto unexplored for van der Waals layered ferroelectrics. Herein, we report the observation of unusual polarization fatigue behaviors in van der Waals layered CuInP2S6, which also possesses finite ionic conductivity at room temperature. The strong intertwinement of the short-range polarization switching and long-range ionic movement in conjunction with the van der Waals layered structure gives rise to unique morphological and polarization evolutions under repetitive electric cycles. With the help of concerted chemical, structural, lattice vibrational and dielectric analyses, we unravel the critical role of the synergy of ionic migration and surface oxidation on the anomalous polarization enhancement and the eventual polarization degradation. This work provides a general insight into the polarization fatigue characteristics in ionically-active van der Waals ferroelectrics and delivers potential solutions for the realization of fatigue-free capacitors.

Abstract Human cancer cell lines have long served as tools for cancer research and drug discovery, but the presence and the source of intra-cell-line heterogeneity remain elusive. Here, we perform single-cell RNA-sequencing and ATAC-sequencing on 42 and 39 human cell lines, respectively, to illustrate both transcriptomic and epigenetic heterogeneity within individual cell lines. Our data reveal that transcriptomic heterogeneity is frequently observed in cancer cell lines of different tissue origins, often driven by multiple common transcriptional programs. Copy number variation, as well as epigenetic variation and extrachromosomal DNA distribution all contribute to the detected intra-cell-line heterogeneity. Using hypoxia treatment as an example, we demonstrate that transcriptomic heterogeneity could be reshaped by environmental stress. Overall, our study performs single-cell multi-omics of commonly used human cancer cell lines and offers mechanistic insights into the intra-cell-line heterogeneity and its dynamics, which would serve as an important resource for future cancer cell line-based studies.

Background: Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is effective in regulating mood and high-level cognition in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of taVNS treatment in patients with MDD and an altered brain topological organization of functional networks. Methods: Nineteen patients with MDD were enrolled in this study. Patients with MDD underwent 4 weeks of taVNS treatments; resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data of the patients were collected before and after taVNS treatment. The graph theory method and network-based statistics (NBS) analysis were used to detect abnormal topological organizations of functional networks in patients with MDD before and after taVNS treatment. A correlation analysis was performed to characterize the relationship between altered network properties and neuropsychological scores. Results: After 4 weeks of taVNS treatment, patients with MDD had increased global efficiency and decreased characteristic path length (Lp). Additionally, patients with MDD exhibited increased nodal efficiency (NE) and degree centrality (DC) in the left angular gyrus. NBS results showed that patients with MDD exhibited reduced connectivity between default mode network (DMN)–frontoparietal network (FPN), DMN–cingulo-opercular network (CON), and FPN–CON. Furthermore, changes in Lp and DC were correlated with changes in Hamilton depression scores. Conclusions: These findings demonstrated that taVNS may be an effective method for reducing the severity of depressive symptoms in patients with MDD, mainly through modulating the brain’s topological organization. Our study may offer insights into the underlying neural mechanism of taVNS treatment in patients with MDD.

Lead-acid batteries are noted for simple maintenance, long lifespan, stable quality, and high reliability, widely used in the field of energy storage. However, during the use of lead-acid batteries, the negative electrode is prone to irreversible sulfation, failing to meet the requirements of new applications such as maintenance-free hybrid vehicles and solar energy storage. In this study, in order to overcome the sulfation problem and improve the cycle life of lead-acid batteries, active carbon (AC) was selected as a foaming agent and foam fixing agent, and carbon foams (CF) with layered porous structure was prepared by mixing with molten sucrose. Sucrose as raw material is green and cheap, and the material preparation process is simple. The prepared CF material was then added as an additive to the negative electrode plate, and the electrochemical performance of the electrode plate and the battery was studied. The results proved that the addition of CF could effectively inhibit the sulfate formation of the negative electrode plate, with the 1.0 % CF negative electrode plate showing the best electrochemical performance. Specifically, according to the result of battery cycle testing, the simulated battery with CF had a cycle life of 3642 times, which was 2.87 times that of the blank group and 2.39 times of the AC group. Meanwhile, rate testing showed that the simulated battery with CF could maintain a high capacity even under high-rate discharge conditions.

Abstract Microgravity is one of the most common causes counting for the bone loss. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) contribute greatly to the differentiation and function of bone related cells. The development of novel MSCs biomarkers is critical for implementing effective therapies for microgravity induced bone loss. We aimed to find the new molecules involved in the differentiation and function of MSCs in mouse simulated microgravity model. We found CD226 was preferentially expressed on a subset of MSCs. Simulation of microgravity treatment significantly increased the proportion of CD226+Lin−CD117−Sca1+ MSCs. The CD226+ MSCs produced higher IL‐6, M‐CSF, RANKL and lower CD200 expression, and promoted osteoclast differentiation. This study provides pivotal information to understand the role of CD226 in MSCs, and inspires new ideas for prevention of bone loss related diseases.

Abstract Herein, we report the synthesis of interconnected hierarchical pore biochar (HTB) via an ice-templating strategy using bio-waste (tofukasu). The abundance of N- and O-containing functional groups in tofukasu makes it easy to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules and water clusters, resulting in nano-micro structures like ice clusters and snow crystals during freezing process. More importantly, tofukasu will be squeezed by micron-scale snow crystals to form coiled sheet-like structures, and its surface and interior will be affected by needle-like ice nanocrystals from several nanometers to tens of nanometers to form transverse groove needles and mesopores. The ice crystals are then removed by sublimation with tofukasu, leaving the interconnected pore structure intact. Therefore, the ice template synthesis strategy endowed the interconnected hierarchical pore structure of HTB with a large specific surface area (SBET, 733 m2⋅g−1) and hierarchical porosity (30.30% for mesopores/total pore volume ratio), which is significantly higher than the normal dry treated tofukasu biochar (TB), which had a SBET of 436 m2⋅g−1 and contained 1.53% mesopores. In addition, the sheet-like structure with interconnected pores of HTB favors high exposure of active sites (N- and O-containing functional groups), and a fast electron transport rate. As a result, HTB had an excellent adsorption capacity of 159.65 mg⋅g−1, which is 4.7 times that of typical block biochar of TB (33.89 mg⋅g−1) according to Langmuir model. Electrochemical characterization, FTIR and XPS analysis showed that the mechanism of Cr(VI) removal by HTB included electrostatic attraction, pore filling, reduction and surface complexation. Graphical Abstract

Purpose: Abdominal incisional hernia is one of the most common complications after surgery. The preoperative evaluation of the area of abdominal wall defect and the hernia sac volume(HCV) is very important for the selection of patch size and incisional herniorrhaphy. Meanwhile the overlap range of reinforcement repair is controversial. This study aimed to explore the value of ultrasonic volume auto-scan(UVAS) in the diagnosis, classification and treatment of incisional hernia. Methods: Both the width and the area of abdominal wall defect and HCV were measured by UVAS in 50 cases with incisional hernias. In 32 of these cases, the measurements of HCV were compared with those of CT. Classification of incisional hernia based on ultrasonic images were compared with operative diagnosis. Results: The measurements of HCV by UVAS and CT 3D reconstruction had good consistency, of which the mean ratio was 1.0084. According to the location and width of abdominal wall defect, UVAS, which showed good accuracy rate (90%, 96%), reached a good agreement in the classification of incisional hernias with operative diagnoses (Kappa = 0.85, Confidence Interval [0.718,0.996]; Kappa = 0.95, Confidence Interval [0.887,0.999]). The patch area should be at least two times as large as the defect area. Conclusions: UVAS is an accurate alternative to measure the abdominal wall defect and HCV and classify the incisional hernia, with additional benefits of no radiation exposure and instant bedside interpretation. The use of UVAS is conducive to preoperative assessment of the risk of hernia recurrence and abdominal compartment syndrome.

The addition of two-dimensional inorganic nanomaterials can effectively enhance the properties of polyethylene (PE). In the present study, a series of high-performance PE/oleic acid (OA)–siloxene nanocomposites were prepared by in situ polymerization using OA–siloxene-supported Ziegler–Natta catalysts. Compared with the conventional Ziegler–Natta catalyst, the polymerization activity of the OA–siloxene-supported Ziegler–Natta catalyst was enhanced to 100 kg/mol-Ti•h, an increase of 56%. The OA–siloxene fillers exhibited excellent dispersion within the PE matrix through the in situ polymerization technique. Compared to pure PE, PE/OA–siloxene nanocomposites containing 1.13 wt% content of OA–siloxene showed 68.3 °C, 126%, 37%, and 46% enhancements in Tdmax, breaking strength, modulus, and elongation at break, respectively.

Background/Objective: As one of the branched chains of Type IX collagen (Col9), Collagen IX alpha2 (Col9a2) has been reported to be associated with several orthopedic conditions. However, the relationship between Col9a2 and knee osteoarthritis (KOA) remains to be elucidated. Methods: To probe the relationship between Col9a2 and KOA, we performed a systematic analysis of Col9a2-deficient (Col9a2−/−) mice using whole-mount skeletal staining, Micro-CT (μCT), biomechanics, histomorphometry, immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF) and Elisa. Results: We found that the subchondral bone (SCB) in the knee joint of Col9a2−/− mice became sparse and deformed in the early stage, with altered bone morphometric parameters, reduced load-bearing capacity, dysfunctional bone homeostasis (decreased osteogenesis capacity and elevated bone resorption capacity), diminished cartilage proteoglycans and disrupted cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) anabolism and catabolism compared with the Col9a2+/+ mice. In the late stage, the cartilage degeneration in Col9a2−/− mice were particularly pronounced compared to Col9a2+/+ mice, as evidenced by severe cartilage destruction and a marked reduction in cartilage thickness and area. Conclusion: Overall, Col9a2 is essential for maintaining osteochondral homeostasis in the knee joint of mice, and the absence of this gene is accompanied by distinct sclerosis of the SCB and a reduction in load-bearing capacity; in the late stage, in the lack of SCB stress inhibition, excessive load is consistently exerted on the cartilage, ultimately leading to osteoarthritic-like articular cartilage damage.

Glucocorticoid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (GONFH) is a common refractory joint disease characterized by bone damage and the collapse of femoral head structure. However, the exact pathological mechanisms of GONFH remain unknown. Here, we observed abnormal osteogenesis and adipogenesis associated with decreased β-catenin in the necrotic femoral head of GONFH patients. In vivo and in vitro studies further revealed that glucocorticoid exposure disrupted osteogenic/adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal cells (BMSCs) by inhibiting β-catenin signaling in glucocorticoid-induced GONFH rats. Col2+ lineage largely contributes to BMSCs and was found an osteogenic commitment in the femoral head through 9 mo of lineage trace. Specific deletion of β-catenin gene (Ctnnb1) in Col2+ cells shifted their commitment from osteoblasts to adipocytes, leading to a full spectrum of disease phenotype of GONFH in adult mice. Overall, we uncover that β-catenin inhibition disrupting the homeostasis of osteogenic/adipogenic differentiation contributes to the development of GONFH and identify an ideal genetic-modified mouse model of GONFH.

The genus Tripterygium was of great medicinal value and attracted much attention on the taxonomic study using morphological and molecular methods. In this study, we assembled 12 chloroplast genomes of Tripterygium to reveal interspecific difference and intraspecific variation. The sequence length (156,692–157,061 bp) and structure of Tripterygium were conserved. Comparative analyses presented abundant variable regions for further study. Meanwhile, we determined the ndhB gene under positive selection through adaptive evolution analysis. And the phylogenetic analyses based on 15 chloroplast genomes supported the monophyly of Tripterygium hypoglaucum and the potential sister relationship between Tripterygium wilfordii and Tripterygium regelii. Molecular dating analysis indicated that the divergence time within Tripterygium was approximately 5.99 Ma (95% HPD = 3.11–8.68 Ma). The results in our study provided new insights into the taxonomy, evolution process, and phylogenetic construction of Tripterygium using complete plastid genomes.

Recently, the rotational Doppler effect has attracted broad attention in detecting rotational motion. However, the presently proposed detection techniques based on the rotational Doppler effect are generally configured relying on discrete components in free space, resulting in cumbersome and inflexible systems, which brings challenges to practical applications. In this paper, we demonstrate a fiber-based configuration on rotational Doppler measurements for the detection of a rotational object using an ultra-broadband mode-selective coupler to convert the superposed vortices. Remarkably, the results show the broadband operating range of the fiber-based measurement system intuitively through wavelength scanning. The refinement of rotational Doppler detection techniques is of great significance for lowering the cost, reducing system complexity, improving system integration, and industrial manufacturing. This fiber-based scheme might be a promising candidate for facilitating the rotational Doppler effect applied as novel motion monitoring and sensing equipment in engineering and industry.

Abstract Background In recent years, light therapy has been tried for the treatment of depression and sleep in pregnancy or postnatal period women, but the results have been inconclusive. This meta‐analysis is the first to systematically review the effects of light therapy on depression and sleep disturbances in women during pregnancy and the postnatal period. Methods We searched for randomized controlled studies in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Chinese Biomedical Database up to January 2023. The standardized mean difference (SMD) was used to assess the efficacy of the outcome indicators. Results Eight studies were eventually included in the analysis. The results showed that light therapy was more effective than the placebo group in terms of depression (SMD = .34, CI = .08–.61) and sleep (SMD = .64,95%CI = .28–1.00). Subgroup analysis could not explain the significant heterogeneity. There were no serious adverse effects in either the light therapy or placebo groups. Conclusions Light therapy could be considered an effective treatment for depression and sleep disturbances in women during pregnancy and the postnatal period. However, future high‐quality trials with larger sample sizes are still needed.

Abstract Shape‐memory polymers (SMPs) are smart materials that change shape when exposed to stimuli and have various applications in different fields due to their unique properties. Light, as a kind of electromagnetic radiation, plays an important role in understanding the structure‐property relations of SMPs, preparing original shapes, using them as non‐contact stimuli sources, and tuning the optical properties of SMPs. This review provides a comprehensive review of the involvement of light in structure‐preparation‐stimuli‐application of SMPs. The review is divided into four sections. First, applications of optical/spectroscopic approaches that provide information for understanding structure‐property relations in SMPs, especially during programming and recovery. Second, describes how to build SMPs with light, including different photochemical reactions and 3D photocuring technologies. Third, discusses how light is used to trigger the shape change of SMPs through both photochemical and photothermal mechanisms. Last, focuses on how to take advantage of the shape‐memory effect to tune the optical characteristics of polymers, including various structures of SMP color‐changing materials and their synthetic strategies. Future research could focus on developing efficient photothermal fillers, new 3D printing techniques for SMPs, exploring their use in biomedical and wearable devices, and optimizing SMPs for industrial applications.

Overlook of chiral consideration in transdermal drug delivery increases administrated dose and risk of side effects, decreasing therapeutical effects. To improve the transdermal delivery efficiency of eutomer, this work focused on investigating the law and mechanism of enantioselective enhancing effects of chiral permeation enhancers on drug enantiomers. Chiral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and terpene permeation enhancers were selected as model drug and enhancers. The results indicated that the L-isomer of permeation enhancers increased the skin absorption of S-enantiomer of drug and D-isomer improve the permeation of R-enantiomer, in which the enhancement effect (ER) of L-menthol on S-enantiomer (ER = 3.23) was higher than that on R-enantiomer (ER = 1.49). According to the pharmacokinetics results, L-menthol tended to enhance the permeation of S-enantiomer better than R-enantiomer (2.56 fold), and showed excellent in vitro/in vivo correlations. The mechanism study showed that L-isomer of permeation enhancers improved the permeation of S-enantiomer by increasing the retention, but the D-isomer by improving partition for better permeation. Enantioselective mechanism indicated that the weaker chiral H-bond interaction between drug-chiral enhancers was caused by the enantiomeric conformation. Additionally, stronger chiral enhancers-skin interaction between L-isomer and S-conformation of ceramide produced better enhancing effects. In conclusion, enantioselective interaction of chiral drug-chiral enhancers and chiral enhancers-chiral skin played a critical role in transdermal drug delivery, rational utilization of which contributed to improving the uptake of eutomer and inhibiting distomers to decrease a half of dose and side effects, increasing transdermal therapeutical efficiency.

The utilization of orbital angular momentum (OAM) in light for information encoding is a promising avenue, as it exhibits resilience against environmental disturbances. However, the direct detection of OAM poses a significant challenge due to beam distortion during transmission, which ultimately limits the practical application of OAM-based optical communication. We propose an environmentally friendly and intuitive detection method based on optical differentiation using a weak-measurement system. Optical differential measurements were conducted on Laguerre-Gaussian beams (L-G beams) with $l$ = 5 and $l$ = 8 to validate the feasibility of this approach. This approach mitigates the impact of disturbances on OAM measurement, enabling direct detection through a simplified system, which serves as a valuable reference for utilizing OAM as an information carrier in free-space optical communication.

In this paper, a weak measurement scheme with double pointers (mean value shift and intensity shift of the post-selected light) is presented to simultaneously measure the tiny polarization change (phase and amplitude) of light in a single experimental apparatus. Furthermore, rather than using charge-coupled-device (CCD) to measure the pointer shift, we use the two-channel photoreceiver combined with lock-in amplifier (LIA) to measure the intensities of a split-Gaussian mode in this work. In this way, we introduce two intensity contrast ratios (ICRs) as special pointers to characterize the mean value and intensity shifts. As a result, the measurement precision of the polarization rotation is on the order of magnitude of $\,10^{-7}rad$ in the experiment. These findings provide a distinctive insight into the weak measurement and have important implications for the accurate measurement of complex optical parameters.

Abstract Background This study aims to develop nomogram models based on the speed of sound (SOS) measurements results along with demographic information to predict the risk of low bone strength (LBS) of radius appropriate to the Chinese population of a broad age spectrum. Methods A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 5 outpatient clinics located in Zhejiang, the southern part of China. A total of 38,699 participants from 2013 to 2017 were included. Baseline measurements included SOS of the distal radius and clinical risk factor evaluation. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate prognosis and identify independent predictive factors, which were then utilized to establish nomograms for predicting the low bone strength of radius. The discrimination and calibration of nomograms were validated using the calibration plots, the decision curve analysis (DCA), and the receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC). Results A total of 19,845 of the 38,904 participants ranged in age from 10 to 88 years were selected in this process. LBP nomogram model 1 was constructed based on age, weight, height, BMI, and gender. LBP nomogram model 2 was constructed based on age, height, BMI, and gender. The AUCs for model 1 and model 2 were 0.838 (95% CI: 0.832–0.844) and 0.837 (95% CI: 0.831–0.843), respectively. High-quality calibration plots and DCA in nomogram models were noticed, indicated that the constructed nomogram models were clinically useful. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that the nomograms established in this study could effectively evaluate the high-risk population groups of distal radius fracture in China.

Abstract Background Microgravity directly disturbs the reorganization of the cytoskeleton, exerting profound effects on the physiological process of macrophages. Although it has been established that macrophage M1/M2 polarization could be manipulated by the surface nanostructure of biomaterial in our previous study under normal gravity, how will inflammatory monocytes (iMos)-derived macrophages respond to diverse nanostructured Ti surfaces under normal gravity or microgravity remains unrevealed. Results In this study, Cytochalasin D, a cytoskeleton relaxant, was employed to establish the simulated microgravity (SMG) environment. Our results showed that human iMos polarized into M2c macrophages on NT5 surface but M1 type on NT20 surface with divergent inflammatory phenotypes according to the profile of macrophage polarization featured molecules under normal gravity. However, such manipulative effects of NTs surfaces on iMos-derived macrophages were strikingly weakened by SMG, characterized by the altered macrophage morphology, changed cytokine secretion profile, and decreased cell polarization capacity. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first metallic implantable material study focusing on the functions of specific monocyte subsets and its crucial role of the cytoskeleton in materials-mediated host immune response, which enriches our mechanism knowledge about the crosstalk between immunocytes and biomaterials. The results obtained in the present study may also provide potential targets and strategies for biomaterial development and clinical treatment via precise immune-regulation under normal gravity and microgravity. Graphic Abstract

The bubble breakup mechanism in a venturi-type bubble generator is a hot research topic, and the bubble breakup mechanisms induced by the axial regional flow field characteristics has long been studied and debated. A coupled volume of fluid and large eddy simulation numerical simulation method was conducted within the OpenFOAM® framework to track the two-phase interfaces and transient turbulence characteristics of the flow field in a venturi-type bubble generator. A turbulence inlet database was established to ensure the reliability of the numerical solution and the economy of the calculation. The results indicated that the bubble breakup induced by the axial regional flow field characteristics of the divergent section can be divided into a steady-state disturbed breakup pattern and an unsteady-state disturbed breakup pattern macroscopically, the latter playing a dominant role in generating fine bubbles. Furthermore, a series of typical bubble breakup processes were captured via a Lagrangian approach that showed that interfacial instability played an important role at each stage of bubble transport: Kelvin–Helmholtz instability caused bubbles to detach from the gas film during the steady-state disturbed breakup pattern, and Rayleigh–Taylor instability induced the deformation of detached bubbles in the unsteady-state disturbed region. Additionally, viscous shear force strengthened the interfacial instability in the binary breakup process, and turbulent fluctuations and collisions contributed to the shattering of defective bubbles. Moreover, a shearing-off process tended to occur in regions with small vorticity fluctuations, therefore playing a small role in creating large clusters of bubbles.

The combination of diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), catalyzed diesel particulate filter (CDPF) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) is the most effective way to reduce particulate emission and nitrogen oxide (NOx) from diesel engines. In this study, the effects of a DOC+CDPF+SCR system on the emissions including carbon monoxide (CO) total hydrocarbon (THC), NOx, particle number (PN) and particle mass (PM) from a heavy-duty diesel engine were evaluated. In addition, the influences of ammonia (NH3) slip catalyst (ASC) coating and SCR catalyst downsizing on the NOx conversion efficiency, nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and NH3 slip were also investigated. Results showed that the installation of the after-treatment system had negligible effect on the power and BSFC of the engine. The upstream DOC reduced by an average of 97.0% of the CO and 67.5% of the THC, in combination with CDPF, the CO and THC emission further decreased with an average drop of 97.8% and 72.5%, respectively. In terms of particulate emissions, the single DOC reduced 48.0% of the PN and 50.9% of the PM, and the combination of DOC and CDPF led to a reduction of 98.0% in the PN and 96.9% in the PM on average. The SCR was effective in reducing NOx emission, but resulted in higher N2O emission by more than 3 times, meanwhile led to an average NH3 slip of 3.80 ppm. Downsizing the SCR length by 1/3 could still ensure a 91.9% conversion efficiency of NOx, and produced less N2O, but led to an increase of the NH3 slip by 2 times, reaching 7.63 ppm on average. By coating Pt-based ASC catalyst on the back end of the SCR could eliminate the NH3 slip. Considering the cost and performance, the combination of DOC, CDPF and a downsized SCR with ASC coating may be a better choice.

Abstract Background: To summarize the impact of radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy delays on patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We retrospectively included 233 patients with stage II-IVa NPC treated with RT and chemotherapy between December 11, 2019 and March 11, 2020. The outcomes were elevation in the EBV DNA load between two adjacent cycles of chemotherapy or during RT, and 1-year disease-free survival (DFS). Results: RT delay occurred in 117 (50%) patients, and chemotherapy delay occurred in 220 (94%) patients. RT delay of ≥ 6 days was associated with a higher EBV DNA elevation rate (20.4% vs. 3.6%, odds ratio [OR] = 6.93 [95% CI = 2.49–19.32], P

The big data environment presents the characteristics of multi-user cross-network cross-access, multi-service collaborative computing, cross-service data flow, and complex management of massive files.The existing access control models and mechanisms are not fully applicable for big data scenarios.In response to the needs of fine-grained access control and multi-service strategy normalization for cryptographic data in the big data environment, starting from the scene elements and attributes of access control, the HDFS-oriented CKCM was proposed by mapping the cyberspace-oriented access control (CoAC) model.Subsequently, a fine-grained access control management model for HDFS was proposed, including management sub-models and management supporting models.The Z-notation was used to formally describe the management functions and management methods in the management model.Finally, the CKCM system was implemented based on XACML to realize fine-grained secure access control for managing file and secret keys in HDFS.

Abstract Wave-particle duality relations are fundamental for quantum physics. Previous experimental studies of duality relations mainly focus on the quadratic relation D 2 + V 2 ≤ 1, based on symmetric beam interference, while a linear form of the duality relation, predicated earlier theoretically, has never been experimentally tested. In addition, the difference between the quadratic form and the linear form has not been explored yet. In this work, with a designed asymmetric beam interference and by utilizing the polarization degree of freedom of the photon as a which-way detector, we experimentally confirm both forms of the duality relations. The results show that more path information is obtained in the quadratic case. Our findings reveal the difference between the two duality relations and have fundamental implications in better understanding these important duality relations.

The Jinwan Offshore Wind Farm project in the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) is a new stressor for the resident marine mammals there, especially for the Indo-Pacific finless porpoise. A broadband recording system was deployed in the Jinwan Offshore Wind Farm, before and during the construction period, in order to determine how the finless porpoise responded to pile driving activity. The results showed that the wind farm area was an important habitat for the finless porpoise during the monitoring period. The finless porpoise also showed avoidance behavior of pile driving activity. There was a significant negative correlation between porpoise detection and pile driving detection, and the time between porpoise’s acoustic detections increased during pile driving compared to periods without pile driving. Our results indicated that acoustic protection measures are strongly recommended in future offshore wind farm developments in order to protect finless porpoises.