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Background and objectivesBoth gumarontinib and savolitinib have demonstrated efficacy in treating non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with tumors harboring mesenchymal–epithelial transition factor gene exon 14 (METex14) skipping. However, the comparison of their efficacy and pharmacoeconomics profiles remains limited. This study aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of gumarontinib versus savolitinib for the treatment of METex14 skipping NSCLC in China.MethodsA 3-state partitioned survival model (PSM) was developed with lifetime horizon from the perspective of Chinese healthcare system. Survival inputs were based on an unanchored matching-adjusted indirect comparison using individual patient data from GLORY trial to adjust for patient characteristics in NCT02897479. Costs and outcomes were discounted at an annual rate of 5%. Sensitivity and scenario analyses were conducted to explore model uncertainty.ResultsGumarontinib gained an additional 0.10 QALYs at an incremental cost of $1,893 compared to savolitinib, resulting in the ICERs of $19,243/QALY, which is below the threshold of 3 times the GDP per capita in China ($35,007 per capita in 2022). Sensitivity and scenario analyses confirmed the robustness of the base-case results.ConclusionGumarontinib is a cost-effective option compared to savolitinib for METex14 skipping NSCLC in China.

To reduce engine pollutant emissions, an emission modeling and optimization scheme based on a hybrid artificial intelligence scheme is proposed in this study to reduce pollutant emissions of methanol/diesel dual-fuel engines under low load. Firstly, a data cleaning method based on isolated forest and correlation analysis is designed to improve the stability of the system. Secondly, a hybrid emission prediction model based on improved Transformer (ITransformer) and Bidirectional Gated Recurrent Unit (BiGRU) is built to obtain an accurate mathematical model between control parameters and emissions. Finally, based on the obtained mathematical model, the 3rd Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NGSA-III) is used to adjust and optimize the control parameters. Using engine bench test data to evaluate the proposed hybrid emission prediction model, the R2 of CO, HC, and NOx prediction is 0.9969, 0.9973, and 0.9982, respectively, which is higher than the accuracy of the seven existing modeling methods. Compared with the unoptimized MESR46, the CO, HC, and NOx emissions of the optimized scheme are reduced by at least 45.17 %, 15.30 %, and 17.32 % respectively, which can significantly reduce the CO, HC, and NOx emissions, and comparison and analysis with the most advanced optimization technologies show a competitive optimization effect.

ABSTRACT: Background: Recent evidence underscores the importance of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in light chain amyloidosis (AL amyloidosis). We aimed to comprehensively assess the prognostic significance of CMR parametric mapping in AL amyloidosis. Methods: This prospective study consecutively included AL amyloidosis patients who underwent CMR imaging before therapy. The statistical analyses included T2, extracellular volume, and native T1 as variates under investigation, adjusted for well-established prognostic markers. The outcome was death from any cause. Results: In total, 195 patients (age, 57.2 ± 9.1 years; male/female, 123/72) were recruited. At the median follow-up time (19 months), the survival probability was approximately 67.2% (131/195). T >44 ms, extracellular volume fraction (ECV) >47%, and native T1 >1468 ms were significantly prognostic (all, P 0.05) in AL amyloidosis. T2 >44 ms was independently prognostic after correcting for left ventricle (LV) late gadolinium enhancement, LV ejection fraction, LV longitudinal strain, and therapeutic response (all, P 44 ms (hazard ratios [HR] 6.611, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.723–25.361, P = 0.006) was significantly prognostic for mortality after adjustment for cardiac response. Accordingly, T2 >44 ms was significantly associated with mortality (HR 5.734, 95% CI 1.189–27.656, P = 0.030) and remained independently prognostic after correcting for LV late gadolinium enhancement and LV longitudinal strain (both, P

This paper presents a new method for manufacturing multilayer chip capacitors using three-dimensional inkjet printing technology. Compared with the traditional method of manufacturing multilayer chip capacitors, it enables the design of complex structures without molds. It has the advantages of high integration, integrated printing, and simple operation. In addition, the electrode structure of the conventional capacitor is optimized by replacing the original electrode tip with a ‘circular’ pressure-even electrode structure. The effects of different circle radii on the electric field distribution inside the capacitor were analyzed using Comsol simulation software. The results show that the homogeneous pressure electrode structure proposed in this paper can effectively improve the electric field concentration at the electrode tip of the capacitor. Finally, the capacitor was fabricated using 3D inkjet printing technology, and the capacitance value, voltage withstand value, and other parameters of the capacitor were measured. The capacitor with an even-pressure electrode structure was able to improve the breakdown voltage by about 22 %, which is consistent with the expected experimental results. The possibility of fabricating pulsed power capacitors using 3D inkjet printing technology was confirmed.

The Yellow River Basin is a critical region for ecological environment protection and social and economic development in China. It is of great significance to study vegetation dynamics for the high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin. In this study, based on the data of NDVI and precipitation datasets in the growing season (June to September) from 2000 to 2019, we used a Sen+Mann–Kendall trend analysis and other methods to study the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of precipitation and vegetation cover in the Shaanxi section of the Yellow River Basin and to assess the regional vegetation quality change characteristics based on estimating the rain-use efficiency (RUE). The results show the following: (1) The precipitation in the study area showed a spatial distribution pattern of more in the south and less in the north, in which Yulin City had the lowest precipitation overall, but it was an area with significant increasing precipitation. (2) The NDVI value of the Shaanxi section of the Yellow River Basin showed an overall upward trend from 2000 to 2019, with a growth rate of 0.327/10a. The vegetation cover showed the spatial characteristics of high in the south and low in the north, which showed that the vegetation growth condition was poor in the wind-sand grassland area at the southern edge of the Mu Us Sandland in the northwestern part of Yulin City and the construction areas in the Guanzhong Plain. Meanwhile, the vegetation grew well in Yan’an City and the area close to the Qinba Mountains. Moreover, the NDVI of the study area increased with the increase in precipitation. (3) The vegetation quality in the study area showed fluctuating interannual changes and a weak upward trend. More than 80% of the vegetation in the study area was in a state of improvement, and the areas with more significant improvement were mainly located in the northern part of the study area, while the vegetation was degraded in the urban and urban suburb areas in the Guanzhong Plain. The results of this study are of great practical significance for promoting the socio-economic development of the Yellow River Basin in coordination with ecological environmental protection.

Currently, teleoperated robots, with the operator’s input, can fully perceive unknown factors in a complex environment and have strong environmental interaction and perception abilities. However, physiological tremors in the human hand can seriously affect the accuracy of processes that require high-precision control. Therefore, this paper proposes an EEMD-IWOA-LSTM model, which can decompose the physiological tremor of the hand into several intrinsic modal components (IMF) by using the EEMD decomposition strategy and convert the complex nonlinear and non-stationary physiological tremor curve of the human hand into multiple simple sequences. An LSTM neural network is used to build a prediction model for each (IMF) component, and an IWOA is proposed to optimize the model, thereby improving the prediction accuracy of the physiological tremor and eliminating it. At the same time, the prediction results of this model are compared with those of different models, and the results of EEMD-IWOA-LSTM presented in this study show obvious superior performance. In the two examples, the MSE of the prediction model proposed are 0.1148 and 0.00623, respectively. The defibrillation model proposed in this study can effectively eliminate the physiological tremor of the human hand during teleoperation and improve the control accuracy of the robot during teleoperation.

Rapid capacity decay and sluggish reaction kinetics are major barriers hindering the applications of manganese-based cathode materials for aqueous zinc-ion batteries. Herein, the effects of crystal plane on the in-situ transformation behavior and electrochemical performance of manganese-based cathode is discussed. A comprehensive discussion manifests that the exposed (100) crystal plane is beneficial to the phase transformation from tunnel-structured MnO2 to layer-structured ZnMn3O7·3H2O, which plays a critical role for the high reactivity, high capacity, fast diffusion kinetics and long cycling stability. Additionally, a two-stage zinc storage mechanism can be demonstrated, involving continuous activation reaction and phase transition reaction. As expected, it exhibits a high capacity of 275 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1, a superior durability over 1000 cycles and good rate capability. This study may open new windows toward developing advanced cathodes for ZIBs, and facilitate the applications of ZIBs in large-scale energy storage system.

In the 5G era, the demand for high-bandwidth computing, transmission, and storage has led to the development of optoelectronic interconnect technology. This technology has evolved from traditional board-edge optical modules to smaller and more integrated solutions. Co-packaged optics (CPO) has evolved as a solution to meet the growing demand for data. Compared to typical optoelectronic connectivity technology, CPO presents distinct benefits in terms of bandwidth, size, weight, and power consumption. This study presents an overview of CPO, highlighting its fundamental principles, advantages, and distinctive features. Additionally, it examines the current research progress of two distinct approaches utilizing Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL) and silicon photonics integration technology. Additionally, it provides a concise overview of the many application situations of CPO. Expanding on this, the analysis focuses on the CPO using 2D, 2.5D, and 3D packaging techniques. Lastly, taking into account the present technological environment, the scientific obstacles encountered by CPO are analyzed, and its future progress is predicted.

Although some researchers have addressed the question of what motivates citizens to become involved in lower tier planning in the UK, the phenomenon is not yet fully understood. A lack of hard data, combined with some mutually contradictory arguments in the field, makes for imperfect analysis, and this can potentially undermine the effectiveness of individual engagement in Neighbourhood Plans (NPs). This paper focuses on what motivates citizens to participate in the process of creating NPs in North West England, and explores past theories on individual motivation. This study achieved its research aims through extensive research of the relevant literature, combined with an empirical study of five neighbourhoods in North West England. The main conclusion drawn from the dissertation is that there are complex and multiple motivations of people participating in NPs, and these impetuses are affected by a range of political, environmental and socio-economic factors. This research offers opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of NPs for researchers and NP stakeholders alike.

Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) have become a research hotspot due to their high intensity and subwavelength localization. Through free-electron excitation, a portion of the momentum of moving electrons can be converted into SPPs. Converting highly localized SPPs into a radiated field is an approach with the potential to aid in the development of a light radiation source. Reducing losses of SPPs is currently a critical challenge that needs to be addressed. The lifetime of SPPs in metal films is longer than that in metal blocks. Traditional optical gratings can transform SPPs into radiation to avoid the decay of SPPs in metal; however, they are created by etching metal films, so they tend to alter the dispersion characteristics of these films and will emit radiation in the direction perpendicular to the metal surface. This paper proposes an approach to converting the SPPs of a metal film excited by free electrons into a radiation field via lateral grating and obtaining in-plane radiation. We investigate the properties of SPP lateral radiation. The study of lateral radiation from metal films holds significant importance for SPP radiation sources and SPP on-chip circuit development.

Heart diseases have a high incidence and mortality rate, and seriously affect people’s quality of life. Mitochondria provide energy for the heart to function properly. The process of various heart diseases is closely related to mitochondrial dysfunction. Panax ginseng (P. ginseng), as a traditional Chinese medicine, is widely used to treat various cardiovascular diseases. Many studies have confirmed that P. ginseng and ginsenosides can regulate and improve mitochondrial dysfunction. Therefore, the role of mitochondria in various heart diseases and the protective effect of P. ginseng on heart diseases by regulating mitochondrial function were reviewed in this paper, aiming to gain new understanding of the mechanisms, and promote the clinical application of P. ginseng.

Abstract Sand production is a crucial geotechnical issue for safe and efficient gas recovery from natural gas hydrate (NGH) reservoirs. Although the same gas production method of depressurization was chosen for the production trials in the Nankai Trough and the Northern South China Sea, their sand production behaviors differed greatly due to the skeleton diversity of sand in the Nankai Trough and clayey‐silt in the Northern South China Sea, which resulted in different sand control and sand production characteristics. In this study, we conducted experiments to compare sediment responses and sand production behaviors from these two typical gas hydrate‐bearing sediments (GHBSs) before, during, and after hydrate dissociation under depressurization. The results reveal the fluid and sand production rates in both GHBSs are relatively low before and after hydrate dissociation. However, the sand production rate in sandy GHBS keeps stable at a relatively high value during the whole hydrate dissociation period, accompanied by a high fluid production rate and continuous sample subsidence. In contrast, the fluid and sand production rates are proved to be high only at the early stages of hydrate dissociation in clayey‐silty GHBS with sand production decreasing obviously afterward, and the sample subsidence rate exponentially decay until the ultimate subsidence is reached. After experiments, two kinds of particle plugging phenomena, sand bridge and mud cake, are found to form outside sand screens in sandy and clayey‐silty GHBSs, respectively. Differences in permeability, particle migration, and plugging characteristics are thought to be the main inducement of the variability in sand production behaviors in different GHBS types. These findings indicate that sand‐production control strategies should obey geological engineering integration and differ according to the GHBS type. Specifically, we should concern sand production risk in sandy GHBS during and after hydrate dissociation, whereas more attention should be paid to the early stages of hydrate dissociation in clayey‐silty GHBS.

Abstract Hard carbons are promising anode materials for sodium‐ion batteries. To meet practical requirements, searching for durable and conductive carbon with a stable interface is of great importance. Here, we prepare a series of vanadium‐modified hard carbon submicrospheres by using hydrothermal carbonization followed by high‐temperature pyrolysis. Significantly, the introduction of vanadium can facilitate the nucleation and uniform growth of carbon spheres and generate abundant V–O–C interface bonds, thus optimizing the reaction kinetic. Meanwhile, the optimized hard carbon spheres modified by vanadium carbide, with sufficient pseudographitic domains, provide more active sites for Na ion migration and storage. As a result, the HC/VC‐1300 electrode exhibits excellent Na storage performance, including a high capacity of 420 mAh g−1 at 50 mA g−1 and good rate capability at 1 A g−1. This study proposes a new strategy for the synthesis of hard carbon spheres with high tap density and emphasizes the key role of pseudographitic structure for Na storage and interface stabilization.

Developing high-precision vehicle longitudinal control technology guided by ecological driving represents a highly promising yet challenging endeavor. It necessitates the fulfillment of the driver’s operational intentions, precise speed control, and reduced fuel consumption. In light of this challenge, this study presents a novel vehicle longitudinal control model that integrates real-time driving style analysis and road slope prediction. First, it utilizes spectral clustering based on Bi-LSTM automatic encoders to identify driver driving styles. Next, it examines the driving environment and predicts the current slope of the vehicle. Additionally, a fuzzy controller is designed to optimize control performance, adapt to various driving styles and slopes, and achieve better fuel efficiency. The research results indicate that the DS-MPC control model developed in this paper can effectively distinguish various driving modes and has high speed control accuracy while saving 3.27% of fuel.

Abstract Purpose 68Ga-pentixafor PET/CT was reported to have a high sensitivity in detecting tumor involvement of Waldenström macroglobulinemia/lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (WM/LPL) in our previous study. We aimed to further investigate the semi-quantitative measurements of 68Ga-pentixafor PET/CT in response assessment in WM/LPL. Methods Fifteen patients with WM/LPL were recruited in a prospective cohort study and underwent both 68Ga-pentixafor and 18F-FDG PET/CT at baseline and post-treatment. PET/CT-based responses were analyzed with semi-quantitative assessments of metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesions glycolysis/uptake (TLGFDG and TLUCXCR4), and the correlation between PET/CT-based response and clinical response, monoclonal protein and IgM response was analyzed. Results After chemotherapy, 5 patients had complete response or very good partial response, 8 had partial response or minimal response and 2 had progressive disease. In quantitative analysis, 68Ga-pentixafor PET/CT-based response (measured in ∆TLUCXCR4%, ∆MTVCXCR4%, ∆SUVpeak%) showed a significant direct correlation with clinical response, monoclonal protein and IgM response (p 0.05). Conclusions The semi-quantitative measurements of 68Ga-pentixafor PET/CT outperformed 18F-FDG PET/CT in response assessment of WM/LPL.

Abstract Class 1 hydrate reservoirs are regarded as the most promising targets for gas production. Previous investigations in the northern South China Sea have proven that the low‐permeability hydrate reservoir at site GMGS3‐W19 is a Class 1 hydrate deposit. However, the dynamic production behaviors of this type of reservoir are not yet fully understood. Here, we report gas recovery from hydrate reservoirs containing underlying free gas layers with different initial gas saturations and investigate the effects of absolute permeability and depressurization pressure on gas production performance. The results show that high initial gas saturation of the underlying free gas layer and low bottom‐hole pressure are advantageous for enhancing the gas production performance. The effects of absolute anisotropic permeability and isotropic permeability on gas recovery from Class 1 hydrate reservoirs are different. For long‐term gas production from this hydrate reservoir with any initial gas saturation, a higher horizontal permeability (permeability anisotropy more than 10) in the hydrate layer is remarkably beneficial to stimulate gas extraction and decrease the amount of produced water replenished by inflows from permeable overlying and underlying sediments. Moreover, the gas production rate is highly consistent with the hydrate dissociation ratio, one of the main factors affecting the gas production performance, in Class 1 hydrate reservoirs with different permeabilities. However, for this type of hydrate reservoir with permeability anisotropy larger than 5, the larger the horizontal permeability in the hydrate layer can form more secondary hydrates. The increment in secondary hydrate formation negatively influences the hydrate dissociation ratio and gas recovery. Thus, it is also significant to weigh the permeability anisotropy of the hydrate layer and the secondary hydrate formation amount during the production progress. These findings can contribute to estimating the gas recovery efficiency in Class 1 hydrate reservoirs and optimizing the production process in similar areas.

Dielectrophoresis technology is applied to microfluidic chips to achieve microscopic control of cells. Currently, microfluidic chips based on dielectrophoresis have certain limitations in terms of cell sorting species, in order to explore a microfluidic chip with excellent performance and high versatility. In this paper, we designed a microfluidic chip that can be used for continuous cell sorting, with the structural design of a curved channel and curved double side electrodes. CM factors were calculated for eight human healthy blood cells and cancerous cells using the software MyDEP, the simulation of various blood cells sorting and the simulation of the joule heat effect of the microfluidic chip were completed using the software COMSOL Multiphysics. The effect of voltage and inlet flow velocity on the simulation results was discussed using the control variables method. We found feasible parameters from simulation results under different voltages and inlet flow velocities, and the feasibility of the design was verified from multiple perspectives by measuring cell movement trajectories, cell recovery rate and separation purity. This paper provides a universal method for cell, particle and even protein sorting.

It is said that in a synergistic relationship between vegetation and soil moisture (SM), the latter may be consumed excessively, while at the same time improving the ecological environment, such as in the large-scale artificial vegetation planting areas on the Loess Plateau. At present, the possibility of vegetation restoration and its impact on the water ecology of the Loess Plateau have received extensive attention. In this study, piecewise linear regression (PLR) and nonparametric conditional quantile regression (NCQR) models have been innovatively applied to vegetation survey data and soil moisture data from 50 field samples to explore the trade-off relationship between soil moisture and various vegetation parameters (VPs) and the response of soil moisture to the vegetation. The results showed that precipitation and topography are significantly linearly related to soil moisture in the sampling plots. Affected by irrational planting, the soil moisture benefit at 20–40 cm is significant weaker than that at 0–20 cm (plot 4, 5, 26 and 44). Some sampling plots excessively consumed soil water to promote vegetation planting. Although there was stronger soil water infiltration by shrubs, it was noted that the vegetation planting plan in some grass plots and shrub-grass plots were unreasonable and needed to be adjusted due to the clear risk of a soil water deficit determined by the trade-off values (represented by the root mean square deviation), plant species, a multiparameter evaluation. With the increase in soil moisture in the sampling plots, the negative correlation between the trade-off (soil moisture and vegetation) and soil moisture was transformed into a positive correlation (the inflection point was 8.5–10%). In addition, the benefit of soil moisture gradually changed from “shortage” to “appropriateness” and even “excess” (the inflection point was 15–20%). The fitting results of the two models are optimal and show clear applicability for evaluating trade-off relationships. Among the VPs involved in the calculation, the Shannon–Wiener index (H), Margarlef index (D1) and Fractional Vegetation Cover index (FVC) demonstrated better regional representation and stability.

Polysaccharides recovered from extraction residue of ginseng root saponins, i.e., ginsenosides-extracting residue polysaccharides (GRP), were separated into two fractions, GRP-1 and GRP-2. Fourier infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, as well as high-performance liquid chromatography and gel permeation chromatography measurements, showed GRP-1 was composed of mainly starch-like glucans and GRP-2, relatively a smaller portion, was a mixture of heteropolysaccharides composed of starch-like glucans, rhamnogalacturonan-I pectin, and arabinogalactans, and they had similar molecular weights. These results proved that the structure of GRP was not destroyed and GRP still maintained strong antioxidant activities. In addition, GRP coating on surfaces of fruit slowed their deterioration and maintained their nutritional effects. Correlation and PCA analyses on various quality and antioxidant parameters supported the above findings and a possible mechanism in fruit preservation was then proposed. Knowing the structural features and bioactivities of GRP gives insights into its application. Specifically, GRP served as an environmentally friendly coating that can be used to preserve the nutrients and other quality indicators of strawberries and fresh-cut apples, paving the way for future new approaches to food preservation using polysaccharides or other natural products.

The TEMPI syndrome is a novel and rare disease with five distinct clinical features: Telangiectasis, Erythrocytosis, Monoclonal gammopathy, Perinephric fluids collection, and Intrapulmonary shunting. Here, we report three cases of TEMPI syndrome and their treatment response. The three patients were presented to our department with polycythemia, abdominal distension, and dyspnea. On admission, all patients manifested telangiectasis, erythrocytosis, monoclonal gammopathy, and intrapulmonary shunting. Patient 1 and 2 manifested perinephric fluids collection. In addition, all patients had skin pigmentation, patient 1 and 2 had polyserosal effusion, two symptoms that had not been associated with TEMPI syndrome before. The three patients showed various response to plasma cell-directed therapy. We demonstrated their treatment response by measuring erythropoietin, hemoglobin, and M protein levels throughout therapy. This report suggested that TEMPI syndrome is a rare yet treatable disease. The diagnosis and treatment of it remain challenging.

Abstract The present study was conducted to qualitatively and quantitatively elucidate dynamic changes of ginsenosides in ginseng pulp steamed under different temperatures (100 or 120 °C) for different durations (1–6 h) through UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS and HPLC with the aid of as numerous as 18 authentic standards of ginsenosides. Results show that levels of eight polar ginsenosides (i.e., Rg1, Re, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, Rb3, F1, and Rd) declined but those of 10 less-polar ginsenosides [i.e., Rf, Rg2, 20(S)-Rh1, 20(R)-Rg2, F4, 20(S)-Rg3, 20(R)-Rg3, PPT, Rg5, and 20(R)-Rh2] elevated with increases of both steaming temperature and duration; the optimum steaming conditions for achieving the highest total ginsenosides were 100 °C for 1 h. Particular, 20(R)-Rg3, a representative less-polar ginsenoside with high bioactivity such as potent anti-cancer effect, increased sharply but Re, the most abundant polar ginsenoside in fresh ginseng pulp, decreased dramatically. More importantly, ginsenoside species enhanced from 18 to 42 after steaming, mainly due to transformation of polar into less-polar ginsenosides. Furthermore, four malonyl-ginsenosides were detected in fresh ginseng pulps and ten acetyl-ginsenosides were formed during steaming, demonstrating that demalonylation and acetylation of ginsenosides were the dominant underling mechanisms for transformation of polar into less-polar ginsenosides.

Abstract Background Rosai–Dorfman disease (RDD) and IgG4-related (IgG4-RD) disease are both rare diseases, but in some cases, RDD mimics IgG4-RD clinically and pathologically. RDD mimicking IgG4-RDs (RDD mimic IgG4-RD), referring to disease initially diagnosed as IgG4-RD but finally pathologically confirmed to be RDD, is a clinically rare and confusing disease. To summarize the characteristics of this disease, we prospectively analyzed the clinical features, laboratory parameters, pathological characteristics, treatment and prognosis of patients diagnosed with RDD mimic IgG4-RD. Moreover, by analyzing characteristics of RDD mimic IgG4-RD, RDD and IgG4-RD, we further compared the similarities and differences between RDD and IgG4-RD. Results 7 patients with RDD mimic IgG4-RD were included in this study and all of them had extranodal organ involvement, especially the central nervous system, which occurred in 5 patients (71.4%). Although serum IgG4 level was elevated in 6 cases (1360–54,100 mg/L), overall, it was still lower than that in IgG4-RD patients. Furthermore, we found a new cut-off value of serum IgG4 concentration for differentiating RDD and IgG4-RD with higher specificity. Pathological findings of RDD also showed features resembling IgG4-RD: IgG4-positive plasma cell enrichments were observed in all RDD mimic IgG4-RD patients, and the proportion of IgG4/IgG in tissues was 10–40% in 4 patients and more than 40% in 2 patients. However, none of the RDD mimic IgG4-RD patients or RDD patients displayed obliterative phlebitis or storiform fibrosis. Most of the RDD mimic IgG4-RD patients were treated with glucocorticoids combined with immunosuppressants, and a good prognosis was obtained following treatment. Conclusions RDD has clinical manifestations that mimic IgG4-RD. However, detailed differences in laboratory parameters and pathological characteristics are present between these two diseases. Our study underlines the necessity to rule out RDD while diagnosing IgG4-RD using pathological findings as the identification criteria and provides advice for both differentiating these two diseases and clinical treatment of RDD mimic IgG4-RD.

Abstract Background Erdheim-Chester Disease (ECD) is a rare type of non-Langerhans histiocytosis. Skeletal structures are affected in over 95% ECD patients. Due to the lack of proper imaging assessment tools, the alteration of bone microarchitecture in ECD has not been well studied. High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) is a newly developed assessment of bone mineral density and bone microarchitecture. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study with 13 patients diagnosed with ECD in Peking Union Medical College Hospital between October 2018 and June 2019. The diagnosis of ECD was based on typical pathological findings in the context of appropriate clinical and radiological manifestations. Bone geometry, volumetric bone mineral density and bone microarchitecture of those ECD patients were assessed using HR-pQCT at the non-dominant distal radius and distal tibia. Those HR-pQCT parameters were then compared to an ongoing population-based database of HR-pQCT for Mainland Chinese. Results As a result, remarkable heterogeneity of osteosclerosis in the HR-pQCT images was found in ECD patients, ranging from apparent normal structure, scattered thickening of trabecula, to homogenous consolidation. In terms of quantitative measurements, total volumetric BMD (383.50 mg/cm3, 1.352 times of normal mean, p = 0.023) of the tibia differed significantly in ECD patients, due to the increased trabecular volumetric BMD (291 mg/cm3, 2.058 times of normal mean, p = 0.003). The increased trabecular volumetric BMD of tibia was associated with remarkably increased number of trabecula (1.7/mm, 1.455 times of normal mean, p = 0.002) and increased thickness of trabecula (0.37 mm, 1.466 times of normal mean, p = 0.003). These differences could be due to the existence of dense bone interposed in the trabecula. Conclusion This study is the first to assess the volumetric bone mineral density and bone microstructure with HR-pQCT in a cohort of ECD patients and indicated that the application of HR-pQCT may help to reveal the nature of bone lesions in the disease.

Abstract Background In order to study the CXCR4 expression with [68Ga]pentixafor PET in different types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, we performed a retrospective study to describe the [68Ga]pentixafor PET/CT imaging in a spectrum of lymphomas and to compare it with [18F]FDG PET/CT. Results Twenty-seven patients with newly diagnosed non-Hodgkin lymphoma were recruited retrospectively. [68Ga]pentixafor PET showed increased radioactivity in lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (n = 8), marginal zone lymphoma (n = 4), diffuse large B cell lymphoma (n = 3), follicular lymphoma (n = 2), mantle cell lymphoma (n = 1), unclassified indolent B cell lymphoma (n = 3), and enteropathy associated T cell lymphoma (n = 3). However, peripheral T cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (n = 1), and NK/T cell lymphoma (n = 2) were not avid for [68Ga]pentixafor. In comparison to [18F]FDG PET, [68Ga]pentixafor PET demonstrated more extensive disease and higher radioactivity in lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma and marginal zone lymphoma. Conclusion CXCR4 expression varies in different types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Overexpression of CXCR4 was detected with [68Ga]pentixafor PET/CT in lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma, diffuse large B cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, unclassified indolent B cell lymphoma, and enteropathy associated T cell lymphoma. The uptake of [68Ga]pentixafor was higher than [18F]FDG in lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma and marginal zone lymphoma.

Abstract The permeability anisotropy (ie, horizontal, kr, to vertical, kz, permeability ratio) of gas hydrate reservoirs may be a significant factor that affects hydrate dissociation and gas production. Here, site SH2, a candidate for field testing comprising a clayey silt gas hydrate reservoir in the Shenhu area in the South China Sea, was chosen to investigate the effect of permeability anisotropy on gas production behavior through numerical simulations. The spatial distribution of physical fields (ie, pressure, temperature, and saturation) and the evolution of gas and water recovery are comparatively analyzed. The simulation results show that permeability anisotropy has a significant impact on gas extraction, especially when the horizontal permeability is higher than the vertical one. The sensitivity analyses indicate that permeability anisotropy in both medium‐permeability (10‐100 mD) and low‐permeability (1‐10 mD) sediments are conducive to hydrate dissociation and that a higher horizontal permeability is more favorable for gas production. Comparatively, permeability anisotropy in low‐permeability sediments is not beneficial for improving production efficiency. In addition, our work also suggests that heterogeneous hydrate saturation in a reservoir‐scale model should be employed in future predictions because the gas production potential will be overestimated in a homogeneous reservoir under the same conditions. These findings contribute to a clear understanding of the influence of reservoir properties on gas hydrate dissociation processes and provide a reference for future field trials and commercial production.

Highlights MoSe2/MoC/C multiphase boundaries boost ionic transfer kinetics. MoSe2 (5–10 nm) with rich edge sites is uniformly coated in N-doped framework. The obtained MoSe2 nanodots achieved ultralong cycle performance in LIBs and high capacity retention in full cell. Abstract Interface engineering has been widely explored to improve the electrochemical performances of composite electrodes, which governs the interface charge transfer, electron transportation, and structural stability. Herein, MoC is incorporated into MoSe2/C composite as an intermediate phase to alter the bridging between MoSe2- and nitrogen-doped three-dimensional (3D) carbon framework as MoSe2/MoC/N–C connection, which greatly improve the structural stability, electronic conductivity, and interfacial charge transfer. Moreover, the incorporation of MoC into the composites inhibits the overgrowth of MoSe2 nanosheets on the 3D carbon framework, producing much smaller MoSe2 nanodots. The obtained MoSe2 nanodots with fewer layers, rich edge sites, and heteroatom doping ensure the good kinetics to promote pseudo-capacitance contributions. Employing as anode material for lithium-ion batteries, it shows ultralong cycle life (with 90% capacity retention after 5000 cycles at 2 A g−1) and excellent rate capability. Moreover, the constructed LiFePO4//MoSe2/MoC/N–C full cell exhibits over 86% capacity retention at 2 A g−1 after 300 cycles. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the interface engineering by incorporation of MoC as interface bridging intermediate to boost the lithium storage capability, which can be extended as a potential general strategy for the interface engineering of composite materials.

Acetaminophen (APAP) is a painkiller that can cause hepatotoxicity if taken in excess. We investigated the effect of pu-erh tea extract (PTE) on hepatotoxicity induced by excess APAP using physiological, metabolomic, and transcriptomic analyses. PTE decreased levels of oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and apoptosis markers induced by excess APAP. And 156 metabolites and 703 genes were identified as differentially expressed metabolites and differentially expressed genes, respectively. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that PTE and overdose of APAP altered tyrosine, caffeine, and amino acid-related metabolism. Six differentially expressed metabolites associated with these pathways have hepatoprotective effects and were upregulated by PTE pretreatment. The expression levels of 10 vital differentially expressed genes regulating these metabolites were verified by qRT-PCR. The findings confirm the beneficial role of PTE pretreatment in alleviating the hepatotoxicity caused by overdose of APAP, indicating that PTE can be used as an effective dietary supplement for the development of functional foods.

In recent years, flexible pressure sensing arrays applied in medical monitoring, human-machine interaction, and the Internet of Things have received a lot of attention for their excellent performance. Epidermal sensing arrays can enable the sensing of physiological information, pressure, and other information such as haptics, providing new avenues for the development of wearable devices. This paper reviews the recent research progress on epidermal flexible pressure sensing arrays. Firstly, the fantastic performance materials currently used to prepare flexible pressure sensing arrays are outlined in terms of substrate layer, electrode layer, and sensitive layer. In addition, the general fabrication processes of the materials are summarized, including three-dimensional (3D) printing, screen printing, and laser engraving. Subsequently, the electrode layer structures and sensitive layer microstructures used to further improve the performance design of sensing arrays are discussed based on the limitations of the materials. Furthermore, we present recent advances in the application of fantastic-performance epidermal flexible pressure sensing arrays and their integration with back-end circuits. Finally, the potential challenges and development prospects of flexible pressure sensing arrays are discussed in a comprehensive manner.

A 63-year-old man presenting with peripheral neuropathies was diagnosed of Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, and Bing–Neel syndrome was subsequently confirmed via cerebrospinal fluid examinations. Besides involvement in bone marrow, lymph nodes, as well as the thoracic and sacral nerve root, 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT detected active tracer uptake in bilateral choroid plexus, which was negative in 18F-FDG PET/CT, possibly suggesting the involvement of Bing–Neel syndrome. The coexisting pituitary macroadenoma was FDG-avid but negative in 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT. After six cycles of chemotherapy, the follow-up PET/CT showed complete remission of the previous disease, including the high uptake of 68Ga-Pentixafor in choroid plexus. However, the hypermetabolic pituitary macroadenoma remained unchanged.

Essential oils (EOs) are one type of the most significant plant metabolites. Limited works have been conducted on EOs extracted from Cinnamomum reticulatum Hay (CREO), Leptospermum petersonii Bailey (LPEO), and Juniperus formosana Hayata (JFEO), which belong to the Lauraceae, Cupressaceae, and Myrtaceae families, respectively. The present work aimed to characterize and compare EOs chemical compositions of the three aromatic plant species and simultaneously evaluate their antioxidant activities. Using GC–MS/MS techniques, totally 135 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) belonging to nine chemical classes were detected, with 93, 102 and 116 VOCs from and 7, 8 and 16 VOCs unique to CREO, LPEO and JFEO, respecively, and 72 VOCs common to all the three EOs. The main compound identified both in LPEO and JFEO was (−)-bornyl acetate (20.23% and 28.40%, respectively), and the dominated compounds in CREO were L-α-terpineol (16.21%) and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,6-dimethyl-4-(1-methylethyl)naphthalene (11.68%), all accounting for more than 20% of their total contents. An in-depth dissection of major chemical compositions of the three EOs found that three VOCs were newly identified and biological functions of four VOCs were not yet reported previously. In addition, higher antioxidant capacities, measured with DPPH and ABTS assays, were exhibited in JFEO (IC50 8.37 ± 2.98 and 0.53 ± 3.80 mg/ml, respectively) and in LPEO (IC50 13.93 ± 2.11 and 1.32 ± 0.97 mg/ml) than in CREO (IC50 250.58 ± 1.48 and 4.81 ± 3.23 mg/ml), which may be due to CREO contained more esters and less aromatics than the other two EOs.

The uncertainty of target sizes and the complexity of backgrounds are the main reasons for the poor detection performance of small infrared targets. Focusing on this issue, this paper presents a robust and accurate algorithm that combines multiscale kurtosis map fusion and the optical flow method for the detection of small infrared targets in complex natural scenes. The paper has made three main contributions: First, it proposes a structure for infrared small target detection technology based on multiscale kurtosis maps and optical flow fields, which can well represent the shape, size and motion information of the target and is advantageous to the enhancement of the target and the suppression of the background. Second, a strategy of multi-scale kurtosis map fusion is presented to match the shape and the size of the small target, which can effectively enhance small targets with different sizes as well as suppress the highlighted noise points and the residual background edges. During the fusion process, a novel weighting mechanism is proposed to fuse different scale kurtosis maps, by means of which the scale that matches the true target is effectively enhanced. Third, an improved optical flow method is utilized to further suppress the nontarget residual clutter that cannot be completely removed by multiscale kurtosis map fusion. By means of the scale confidence parameter obtained during the multiscale kurtosis map fusion step, the optical flow method can select the optimal neighborhood that matches best to the target size and shape, which can effectively improve the integrity of the detection target and the ability to suppress residual clutter. As a result, the proposed method achieves a superior performance. Experimental results on eleven typical complex infrared natural scenes show that, compared with seven state-of-the-art methods, the presented method outperforms in terms of subjective visual effect, as well as some main objective evaluation indicators such as BSF, SCRG and ROC, etc.

Two patients with a history of multiple myeloma experienced a recurrence of the disease.18F-FDG PET/CT revealed prominent extramedullary disease as well as multi-foci in the bone marrow, both with increased FDG uptake. However, on 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT, all the myeloma lesions showed significantly lower tracer uptake in comparison with 18F-FDG PET. This false-negative result of recurrent multiple myeloma with extramedullary disease may be a potential limitation of 68Ga-Pentixafor in assessing multiple myeloma.

Although some researchers have addressed the question of what motivates citizens to become involved in lower tier planning in the UK, the phenomenon is not yet fully understood. A lack of hard data, combined with some mutually contradictory arguments in the field, makes for imperfect analysis, and this can potentially undermine the effectiveness of individual engagement in Neighbourhood Plans (NPs). This paper focuses on what motivates citizens to participate in the process of creating NPs in North West England, and explores past theories on individual motivation. This study achieved its research aims through extensive research of the relevant literature, combined with an empirical study of five neighbourhoods in North West England. The main conclusion drawn from the dissertation is that there are complex and multiple motivations of people participating in NPs, and these impetuses are affected by a range of political, environmental and socio-economic factors. This research offers opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of NPs for researchers and NP stakeholders alike.

Although some researchers have addressed the question of what motivates citizens to become involved in lower tier planning in the UK, the phenomenon is not yet fully understood. A lack of hard data, combined with some mutually contradictory arguments in the field, makes for imperfect analysis, and this can potentially undermine the effectiveness of individual engagement in Neighbourhood Plans (NPs). This paper focuses on what motivates citizens to participate in the process of creating NPs in North West England, and explores past theories on individual motivation. This study achieved its research aims through extensive research of the relevant literature, combined with an empirical study of five neighbourhoods in North West England. The main conclusion drawn from the dissertation is that there are complex and multiple motivations of people participating in NPs, and these impetuses are affected by a range of political, environmental and socio-economic factors. This research offers opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of NPs for researchers and NP stakeholders alike.

Abstract The low permeability of silty hydrate reservoirs in the South China Sea is a critical issue that threatens safe, efficient, and long‐term gas production from these reservoirs. Hydraulic fracturing is a potentially promising stimulation technology for such low‐permeability reservoirs. Here, we assess the gas production potential of a depressurization horizontal well that is assisted by the hydraulic fracturing using numerical simulation according to field data at site SH2 in this area. In addition, the number of horizontal wells drilled is discussed if commercial production is to be performed at this site. The results show that the production potential can be significantly stimulated at the early production stage by adopting hydraulic fracturing in this reservoir due to a better depressurization effect. However, the increase in gas recovery gradually decreases with the continuous dissociation of gas hydrates, and the evolution trend is similar to that in a reservoir without stimulation during later periods of gas production because the dissociation front gradually moves away from the fractures. From the perspective of production potential, using a horizontal well scheme assisted by the hydraulic fracturing technology for gas recovery from a hydrate deposit can sharply reduce the number of operation wells, shorten the drilling operation time, and boost the economic efficiency. The horizontal well scheme may be an effective way to increase the gas yield if the application of quickly deployed horizontal wells and hydraulic fracturing techniques in such hydrate reservoirs greatly increases in the near future.

Lactic acid bacteria occupy an important position in silage microorganisms, and the effects of exogenous lactic acid bacteria on silage quality have been widely studied. Microbial metabolism has been proved as an indicator of substrate utilization by microorganisms. Paper mulberry is rich in free carbohydrate, amino acids, and other components, with the potential to be decomposed and utilized. In this study, changes in the microbial metabolism characteristics of paper mulberry silage with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LP) and Lentilactobacillus buchneri (LB) were studied along with a control (CK) using BIOLOG ECO microplates. The results showed that average well-color development (AWCD), Shannon diversity, Shannon evenness, and Simpson diversity exhibited significant temporal trends. LB and LP responded differently in the early ensiling phase, and the AWCD of LB was higher than LP at 7 days. Principal component analysis revealed that CK, LB, and LP samples initially clustered at 3 days and then moved into another similar cluster after 15 days. Overall, the microplates methodology applied in this study offers important advantages, not least in terms of accuracy.

Although some researchers have addressed the question of what motivates citizens to become involved in lower tier planning in the UK, the phenomenon is not yet fully understood. A lack of hard data, combined with some mutually contradictory arguments in the field, makes for imperfect analysis, and this can potentially undermine the effectiveness of individual engagement in Neighbourhood Plans (NPs). This paper focuses on what motivates citizens to participate in the process of creating NPs in North West England, and explores past theories on individual motivation. This study achieved its research aims through extensive research of the relevant literature, combined with an empirical study of five neighbourhoods in North West England. The main conclusion drawn from the dissertation is that there are complex and multiple motivations of people participating in NPs, and these impetuses are affected by a range of political, environmental and socio-economic factors. This research offers opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of NPs for researchers and NP stakeholders alike.

The current study was conducted to comprehensively explore the potential hepatoprotective effect of steamed ginseng shoot extract (GSE) in acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury model of mice. Our findings demonstrated that a single injection of APAP (250 mg/kg) increased the levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1β, which were attenuated by GSE pretreatments (50–200 mg/kg) for seven days. Depletion of glutathione, reduced expression of Bcl-2, generation of malondialdehyde and the over expressions of cytochrome P450 E1, 4-hydroxynonenal, Bax and cytochrome c caused by APAP exposure were also inhibited by the GSE pretreatments. Moreover, GSEs significantly alleviated APAP-induced apoptosis, necrosis, and inflammatory infiltration in liver tissues. Importantly, GSEs effectively attenuated APAP-induced liver injury in part via blocking caspases-3/8/9 signaling pathway. In summary, GSEs exerted potent liver protection against APAP-caused hepatotoxicity evidenced by inhibition of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis.

Endocrinopathy is an important characteristic of POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes) syndrome. However, endocrine responses to different regimens were unknown so far. Here we investigated endocrine characteristics in 383 patients with newly diagnosed POEMS syndrome and thyroid responses 1 year after treatment with autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation, melphalan plus dexamethasone, or lenalidomide plus dexamethasone. Overt hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism were noted in 20.6% (79/383) and 36.0% (138/383) of patients. Adrenal insufficiency was noted in 13.6% (43/316) of patients. Hyperprolactinemia was noted in 62.7% (207/330) of patients. Hypogonadism was noted in 48.0% (60/125) of female and 22.6% (51/226) of male patients. Thyroid function was significantly related with baseline risk stratification (p < 0.001) and significantly improved regardless of initial regimens. Patients with baseline hypothyroidism had a significant inferior progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.028) and overall survival (OS) (p = 0.006). Three-year PFS in patients with and without baseline hypothyroidism were 68.9 vs. 82.5%, respectively. Three-year OS rates in patients with and without baseline hypothyroidism were 82.8 vs. 92.8%, respectively. In summary, hypothyroidism, hyperprolactinemia, and hypogonadism are common endocrinopathies in POEMS syndrome. Thyroid function significantly improved regardless of the initial regimens. Thyroid function parallels with baseline risk stratification, and patients with baseline hypothyroidism have significantly inferior OS and PFS.

Introduction: Lenalidomide is an effective therapy of POEMS syndrome. However, there is concern that exposure to lenalidomide may reduce the efficiency of blood cell collection in persons who may eventually receive an autotransplant. We studied the impact of lenalidomide therapy on subsequent blood cell mobilization and collection including frequency of blood CD34+ cells and CXCR4 expression before and after mobilization with cyclophosphamide and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). Material and methods : Forty-three subjects with POEMS were assigned to receive lenalidomide and dexamethasone for 2–4 28 d cycles (n = 19) or no therapy (n = 24). All subjects then received cyclophosphamide and G-CSF. Neither cohort had substantial numbers of blood CD34+ cells before mobilization. Results : Mobilization increased blood CD34+ frequency in lenalidomide-treated subjects and controls similarly (0.25% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.03–1.39% vs. 0.32%, 0.04–1.47%), p = 0.472). Increases in blood CD34+ numbers were also similar (10 × 10 6 /l) (5–77 × 10 6 /l) vs. 14 × 10 6 /l (6–101 × 10 6 /l), p = 0.312). Mean CXCR4 fluorescence intensity on bone marrow cells from controls decreased from 58 ±34 (mean ± SD) to 31 ±16 after mobilization (p = NS). In contrast, mean CXCR4 intensity on bone marrow cells in lenalidomide-treated subjects increased from 55 ±43 to 89 ±40 (p = 0.017, comparing the deviation between two groups). Median numbers of CD34+ cells collected in lenalidomide-treated subjects and controls were 2.3 × 10 6 /kg (0.6–6.8 × 10 6 /kg) and 2.810 6 /kg (1.0–8.9 × 10 6 /kg; p = 0.521).

Single crystalline fork-like potassium vanadate (K2V8O21) has been successfully prepared by electrospinning method with a subsequent annealing process. The as-obtained K2V8O21 forks show a unique layer-by-layer stacked structure. When used as cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries, the as-prepared fork-like materials exhibit high specific discharge capacity and excellent cyclic stability. High specific discharge capacities of 200.2 and 131.5 mA h g−1 can be delivered at the current densities of 50 and 500 mA g−1, respectively. Furthermore, the K2V8O21 electrode exhibits excellent long-term cycling stability which maintains a capacity of 108.3 mA h g−1 after 300 cycles at 500 mA g−1 with a fading rate of only 0.043% per cycle. The results demonstrate their potential applications in next-generation high-performance lithium-ion batteries.

We determined the best extraction buffer for proteomic investigation using formalin-fixation and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens. A Zwittergent 3-16 based buffer, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-containing buffer with/without polyethylene glycol 20000 (PEG20000), urea-containing buffer, and FFPE-FASP protein preparation kit were compared for protein extraction from different types of rat FFPE tissues, including the heart, brain, liver, lung, and kidney. All of the samples were divided into two groups of laser microdissected (LMD) and non-LMD specimens. For both kinds of specimens, Zwittergent was the most efficient buffer for identifying peptides and proteins, was broadly applicable to different tissues without impairing the enzymatic digestion, and was well compatible with mass spectrometry analysis. As a high molecular weight carrier substance, PEG20000 improved the identification of peptides and proteins; however, such an advantage is limited to tissues containing submicrograms to micrograms of protein. Considering its low lytic strength, urea-containing buffer would not be the first alternative for protein recovery. In conclusion, Zwittergent 3-16 is an effective buffer for extracting proteins from FFPE specimens for downstream proteomics analysis.