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The fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) is an RNA demethylase required for catalytic demethylation of N6-methyladenosine (m6A); it is highly expressed and functions as an oncogene in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Currently, the overarching objective of targeting FTO is to precisely inhibit the catalytic activity. Meanwhile, whether FTO degradation also exerts antileukemic effects remains unknown. Herein, we designed the first FTO-targeting proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) degrader QP73 using our FTO inhibitor Dac85—which potently inhibits FTO demethylation in AML cell lines—as a warhead. Notably, QP73 significantly induced FTO degradation in a time-, dose-, and ubiquitin–proteasome system-dependent manner and had superior antiproliferative activities to the FTO inhibitor Dac85 in various AML cell lines. Moreover, QP73 treatment significantly increased m6A modification on mRNA, promoted myeloid differentiation, and induced apoptosis of AML cells. Quantitative proteomics analysis showed that QP73 induced complete FTO degradation, upregulating RARA and ASB2 abundance and downregulating CEBPA, MYC, PFKP, and LDHB levels in AML cells. Lastly, QP73 exhibited antileukemic activity by increasing m6A modification and decreasing FTO levels in xenograft AML tumors. This proof-of-concept study shows that FTO-targeting PROTAC degraders can regulate the FTO signaling pathway and have potential antileukemia applications.

RFPA2D was used to simulate the crack propagation, failure mode, and fractal characteristics of composite strata with prefabricated cracks and holes under the uniaxial compression test. The crack propagation process was analyzed when the crack inclination angle and rock inclination angle changed. And it was concluded that: when the rock inclination angle is 0° and the crack inclination angle changes, the cracks are classified into X-type cracks and Y-type cracks. When the crack inclination angle is 0° and the rock inclination angle changes, the failure modes of the model specimens are divided into the through-cut failure mode of soft rock and the failure mode along the soft rock. The variation law of fractal dimension of cracks in the composite rock stratum with holes calculated by Matlab is the same as that of the compressive strength of the model specimen, and the fitting between fractal dimension and compressive strength has a significant linear relationship.

In this letter, we propose a novel and straightforward scheme for Q-band (33–50 GHz) millimeter-wave signal generation enabled by a Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM)-based joint algorithm, which combines probabilistic shaping (PS) and precoding technology, to enhance the anti-interference ability of the transmission system. Based on the proposed scheme, we experimentally demonstrate the generation and transmission of 1.4-Gbaud 46-GHz PS-16-quadrature-amplitude-modulation (PS-16QAM) vector signals, showcasing improved bit-error-ratio (BER) in both standard single-mode fiber (SSMF) and wireless transmission cases. The proposed scheme exhibits a clear advantage in terms of nonlinear interference suppression and satisfies the hard-decision forward-error-correction (HD-FEC) threshold with a BER of 3.8 × 10−3 in radio-over-fiber (RoF) systems.

In the field of maritime traffic management, overcoming the challenges of low prediction accuracy and computational inefficiency in ship trajectory prediction is crucial for collision avoidance. This paper presents an advanced solution using a deep bidirectional long- and short-term memory network (BILSTM) and the Optuna hyperparameter automatic optimized framework. Utilizing automatic identification system (AIS) data to analyze ship navigation patterns, the study applies Optuna to fine-tune the hyperparameters of the BILSTM network to improve prediction accuracy and efficiency. The developed Optuna–BILSTM model shows a remarkable 7% increase in prediction accuracy over traditional back propagation (BP) neural networks and standard BILSTM models. These results not only improve ship navigation and safety but also have significant implications for the development of autonomous ship collision avoidance systems, marking a significant step toward safer and more efficient maritime traffic management.

In order to investigate the effects of film mulching and water-saving methods on soil inorganic nitrogen, nitrogen content of rice organs, nitrogen-phosphorus metering ratio, and nutrient limitation during rice yield formation, two water-saving irrigation methods and black biodegradable film mulching were adopted. The effects of water-saving film mulching on NH4+-N and NO3−-N in 0 to 60 cm soil, nitrogen accumulation and ratio, and nitrogen-phosphorus metering ratio in rice organs were analyzed. The nitrogen-phosphorus-limiting state of rice growth under water-saving film mulching was determined. The results showed that water-saving and film mulching methods could weaken the leaching of NH4+-N and NO3−-N and enhance the nitrogen uptake of rice. The water-saving method of mulching could reduce the metering ratio of nitrogen and phosphorus in rice organs. The panicle maturity process had been in a state of nitrogen limitation, and the effect was gradually enhanced. The nitrogen and phosphorus metering ratio of panicles was positively correlated with NH4+-N accumulation in the 0 to 60 cm soil layer and nitrogen accumulation of rice organs, and negatively correlated with soil NO3−-N accumulation under film mulching and water-saving methods. The correlation between stems and leaves’ nitrogen and phosphorus metering ratios and influencing factors was basically opposite to that of panicles’ nitrogen and phosphorus metering ratio. This study can provide a reference for the formulation of a fertilization system under film mulching in the black soil region of northeast China.

Despite a broad range of mobile AR applications available to date, the majority still primarily use surface gestures, i.e., gesturing on the touch screen surface of the device and do not utilise the affordance of three-dimensional user interaction that AR interfaces support. In this research, we compared two methods of gesture interaction for mobile AR applications: Surface Gestures and Motion Gestures, which take advantage of the spatial information of the mobile device. We have conducted two user studies: an elicitation study (n = 21) and a validation study (n = 10). The first study elicited two sets of 504 gestures, surface and motion gestures, for 12 everyday mobile AR tasks. The two sets of gestures were classified and compared in terms of goodness, ease of use, and engagement. As expected, the participants’ elicited surface gestures are familiar and easy to use, while motion gestures were found more engaging. Using design patterns derived from the elicited motion gestures, we proposed a novel interaction technique called “TMR” (Touch-Move-Release). Through validation study we found that the TMR motion gesture enhanced engagement and provided a better game experience. In contrast, the surface gesture provided higher precision resulting in higher accuracy and was easier to use. Finally, we discuss the implications of our findings and give our design recommendations for using the elicited gestures.

Gene fusions involving the ERG transcription factor and point mutations in the ubiquitin ligase adaptor SPOP are two truncal mutations that are mutually exclusively present in prostate cancer. Here, the authors show that mutations in SPOP render prostate tumor cells sensitive to antiandrogen therapy and that the presence of ERG promotes sensitivity to high dose of androgen and SPOP inhibition.

This research explores augmented perception by investigating the effects of spatial scale manipulation in Virtual Reality (VR) to simulate multiple levels of virtual eye height (EH) and virtual interpupillary distance (IPD) of the VR users in the design context. We have developed a multiscale VR system for design applications, which supports a dynamic scaling of the VR user’s EH and IPD to simulate different perspectives of multiple user’s groups such as children or persons with disabilities. We strongly believe that VR can improve the empathy of VR users toward the individual sharing or simulating the experience. We conducted a user study comprising two within-subjects designed experiments for design-related tasks with seventeen participants who took on a designer’s role. In the first experiment, the participants performed hazards identification and risks assessment tasks in a virtual environment (VE) while experiencing four different end-user perspectives: a two-year-old child, an eight-year-old child, an adult, and an adult in a wheelchair. We hypothesized that experiencing different perspectives would lead to different design outcomes and found significant differences in the perceived level of risks, the number of identified hazards, and the average height of hazards found. The second experiment had the participants scale six virtual chairs to a suitable scale for different target end-user groups. The participants experienced three perspectives: a two-year-old child, an eight-year-old child, and an adult. We found that when the designer’s perspective matched that of the intended end-user of the product, it yielded significantly lower variance among the designs across participants and more precise scales suitable for the end-user. We also found that the EH and IPD positively correlate with the resulting scales. The key contribution of this work is the evidence to support that spatial scale manipulation of EH and IPD could be a critical tool in the design process to improve the designer’s empathy by allowing them to experience the end-user perspectives. This could influence their design, making a safer or functionally suitable design for various end-user groups with different needs.

A $5\times60$ Gb/s low-density parity-check (LDPC) coded WDM-PON using 8-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM8) signals with probabilistic shaping (PS) over 20-km standard single-mode fiber (SSMF) with direct detection is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. Each optical carrier at the optical line terminal (OLT) carries a 20-Gbaud probabilistically-shaped LDPC-coded PS-PAM8 signal from a conventional uniform PAM16 signal following a designed approximate Gaussian distribution (AGD). A LDPC-based bit-interleaved coded modulation scheme with iterative decoding (BICM-ID) is utilized to recover the inherently overlapped symbols due to the proposed PS mapping. Combining decision-directed least-mean-squares (DD-LMS) and constant modulus algorithm (CMA), a blind feedback pre-equalizer is adopted to reduce the frequency loss of the signal owing to imperfect electro-optical components in experiment. As for experimental verification and application, 1.48-dB superior receiver power sensitivity and 1.7-dB launch fiber power optimization are gained respectively by using LDPC-coded PS-PAM8 signals in WDM-PON, which can bring higher spectral efficiency and power loss budget for the optical distribution networks.

Improving the accuracy of thermal power plant simulators is the primary goal of simulator developers. There are many fluid networks in a thermal power plant. The accuracy of the simulator is entirely dependent on the quality of the simulation of these fluid networks. Fluid network theory is a method that combines grid with fluid mechanics to study the transport state and transience of fluids. This study focused on designing a rapid modeling method to model the fluid dynamics in thermal power plants using a data driven mechanism analysis. First, the mechanism model structure of the fluid network was established based on mechanism analysis of the key devices. The mechanism model was devised using the concept of node and branch in the signal flow graph. Next, the undetermined parameters in the structure model were identified using historical data and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). In this way, the fluid network model could be developed quickly. The modeling process has been described herein, considering two specific examples.

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a novel carrier-less amplitude/phase modulation wavelength-division-multiplexing passive optical network (CAP-WDM-PON) with its bandwidth efficiency enhanced by using a multi-band discrete Fourier transform spread (DFT-spread) discrete multi-tone (DMT) signal based on Hilbert-transformed single-sideband (HB-SSB) modulation. The DFT-spread technique is utilized to extend orthogonal subcarriers, which effectively restrain the high-peak signal formation probability, and thereby, it can significantly reduce the high peak-to-average power ratio of the DMT signal. The proposed optical line terminal (OLT) in CAP-WDM-PON suggests five downlink optical subcarriers. For each optical subcarrier, there are as many as 6×20 Gb/s SSB digital DMT channels CAP modulated on them, which can be efficiently generated by using only one set of optical transmitter hardware. The experimental results show that the proposed system is capable of accommodating 5×6 channels (20 Gb/s per channel) within an optical distribution network (ODN) loss budget of 19.4 dB, and there is a 2.4-dB ODN loss budget improvement by utilizing the DFT-spread scheme. More importantly, the proposed spectral- and bandwidth-efficient CAP-WDM-PON system requires six times less downlink optical transmitters at the OLT, which can be translated into savings in cost, power consumption, and footprint. In addition, key techniques, such as pre-equalization for high-frequency components and digital HB-SSB modulation format for generation of multi-band DMT signals, are also studied.

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a novel seamless fiber-wireless-integration system (FWI) to deliver up to 120-Gb/s (9~15-Gbaud) polarization-division-multiplexing 16-ary quadrature-amplitude-modulation (PDM-16QAM)/40-Gb/s (5~12-Gbaud) quadrature-phase-shift-keying (PDM-QPSK) signal over 10-km/20-km single-mode fiber-28 (SMF-28) and 0.6-cm/13-m, 300-m and 1-km 2 × 2 multi-input multi-output (MIMO) wireless link at W-band, realized by antenna polarization multiplexing and photonic millimeter-wave (mm-wave) generation techniques. With reduction of system size-based hardware complexity and power consumption, it is more convenient for the system adopting antenna polarization multiplexing to be installed and maintained. For simplification of network architecture, apart from being deployed as multiplexer/de-multiplexer, two ortho-mode transducer devices are used to be a pair of panel antennas at both the transmitter and the receiver sides in the scheme of the short-haul wireless link employing PDM-16QAM signal. The bit error ratio (BER) is less than the new-generation forward-error-correction (eFEC) threshold of 2 × 10-2 with CMA algorithm for equalization.

This paper proposes a novel nonlinear partial least square (PLS) approach for dealing with the modeling problem of industrial processes with input variables in collinearity. The new method combines the external linear PLS framework with the internal extreme learning machine (ELM) function. First, PLS is used as the outer framework to extract the input and output latent variables as well as eliminating the collinearity of the original variables, and then ELM is employed to describe the nonlinear relation between pairs of latent variables. Besides, the weight updating strategy based on errors minimization is also involved to improve the prediction accuracy. Then, the pH-neutralization process is taken as a benchmark to verify the validity of the new model. Finally, this method is applied to model the NOx emission of a 1000-MW coal-fired boiler, and root-mean-square error (RMSE) values are 5.9541 for the training dataset and 6.8323 for the testing dataset. Compared with linear PLS and another two nonlinear PLS methods, smaller prediction errors is obtained. The results indicate new nonlinear PLS model can be a better choice for establishing the model of NOx emission for coal-fired boilers.

The selective catalytic reduction (SCR) decomposition of nitrogen oxide (de-NOx) process in coal-fired power plants not only displays nonlinearity, large inertia and time variation but also a lag in NOx analysis; hence, it is difficult to obtain an accurate model that can be used to control NH3 injection during changes in the operating state. In this work, a novel dynamic inferential model with delay estimation was proposed for NOx emission prediction. First, k-nearest neighbour mutual information was used to estimate the time delay of the descriptor variables, followed by reconstruction of the phase space of the model data. Second, multi-scale wavelet kernel partial least square was used to improve the prediction ability, and this was followed by verification using benchmark dataset experiments. Finally, the delay time difference method and feedback correction strategy were proposed to deal with the time variation of the SCR de-NOx process. Through the analysis of the experimental field data in the steady state, the variable state and the NOx analyser blowback process, the results proved that this dynamic model has high prediction accuracy during state changes and can realize advance prediction of the NOx emission.

As the main energy source for thermal power generation, coal generates a large amount of NOx during its incineration in boilers, and excessive NOx emissions can cause serious pollution to the air environment. Selective catalytic reduction denitrification (SCR) selects the optimal amount of ammonia to be injected for denitrification based on the measurement of NOx concentration by the automatic flue gas monitoring system. Since the automatic flue gas monitoring system has a large delay in measurement, it cannot accurately reflect the real-time changes of NOx concentration at the SCR inlet when the unit load fluctuates, leading to problems such as ammonia escape and NOx emission exceeding the standard. In response to these problems, this paper proposes an SCR inlet NOx concentration prediction algorithm based on BMIFS-LSTM. An improved mutual information feature selection algorithm (BMIFS) is used to filter out the auxiliary variables with maximum correlation and minimum redundancy with NOx concentration, and reduce the coupling and dimensionality among the variables in the data set. The dominant and auxiliary variables are then fed together into a long short-term memory neural network (LSTM) to build a prognostic model. Simulation experiments are conducted using historical operation data of a 300 MW thermal power unit. The experimental results show that the algorithm in this paper reduces the average relative error by 3.45% and the root mean square error by 1.50 compared with the algorithm without auxiliary variable extraction, which can accurately reflect the real-time changes of NOx concentration at the SCR inlet, solve the problem of delay in NOx concentration measurement, and reduce the occurrence of atmospheric pollution caused by excessive NOx emissions.

We propose a novel and simple scheme for photonic frequency eightfold millimeter wave (mm-wave) generation with optical carrier suppression based on only one single-drive Mach–Zehnder modulator (MZM). According to our theoretical analysis and experimental demonstration, by adopting designed direct current bias voltage of MZM and the amplitude voltage of the radio frequency (RF) drive signal, two fourth-order optical subcarriers are generated via a single-drive MZM. Furthermore, the corresponding optical central carrier and undesired sidebands are suppressed simultaneously. Based on our proposed scheme, the generation of 72-GHz optical mm-wave by an RF signal of 9 GHz without any optical filtering is experimentally demonstrated. The radio-over-fiber system with 3.5-Gb/s OOK downstream link based on this generated 72-GHz mm-wave is also experimentally demonstrated. As we know, it is the first time to realize frequency eightfold mm-wave signal generation with simultaneous carrier suppression by using only one single-drive MZM in experiment.

Bee pollen is an important bee-product that contains larger amount of bioactive compounds. In this paper, a tyrosinase inhibitor was separated from camellia pollen by the aid of high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC), macroporous adsorptive resin chromatography and solvent fraction. The tyrosinase inhibitor was identified to be kaempferol by absorption spectrum, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrum. The purity and recovery were 98.47% and 41.94%, respectively. The kaempferol was detected to have the IC50 of 0.05 mg/mL and mainly exists in glycoside forms. It had a concentration of 1.03 mg/g in the acidic hydrolysis of the ethanol extract (HEE), and contributed 32.41% to the total tyrosinase inhibition activity of HEE. This study demonstrates an effective procedure to purify bioactive compounds from bee pollen, and reveals kaempferol as a major tyrosinase inhibitor of camellia pollen, providing interesting information for in-depth study of bioactive compounds of pollen.

We propose a 64-quadrature-amplitude-modulation (QAM) vector radio-frequency (RF) signal generation and detection via one intensity Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) by using optical carrier suppression modulation. In order to obtain an ordinary QAM modulated RF signal after the square-law detection of the photodiode, amplitude preequalization and phase precoding technique are employed. The 1Gbaud 64QAM vector signals performed on various RF carrier frequencies from 20 to 444 GHz are experimentally demonstrated. The bit-error-rate (BER) performance of unbalanced phase precoding adopting 64QAM modulation is investigated. The digital filter based on blind Decision-Directed Least-Mean-Squares (DD-LMS) algorithm is the key digital-signal-processing, which is used to improve system performance. This concept of the generation of 64QAM-modulated vector signal can be employed in the radio-over-fiber (ROF) system.

Recently, a population-based intelligent optimization algorithm research has been combined with multiple algorithms or algorithm components in order to improve the performance and robustness of an optimization algorithm. This paper introduces the idea into real world application. Different from traditional algorithm research, this paper implements this idea as a general framework. The combination of multiple algorithms or algorithm components is regarded as a complex multi-behavior population, and a unified multi-behavior combination model is proposed. A general agent-based algorithm framework is designed to support the model, and various multi-behavior combination algorithms can be customized under the framework. Then, the paper customizes a multi-behavior combination algorithm and applies the algorithm to solve the economic load dispatch problems. The algorithm has been tested with four test systems. The test results prove that the multi-behavior combination idea is meaningful which also indicates the significance of the framework.

The differential evolution (DE) algorithm is a popular and efficient evolutionary algorithm that can be used for single objective real-parameter optimization. Its performance is greatly affected by its parameters. Generally, parameter control strategies involve determining the most suitable value for the current state; there is only a little research on parameter combination and parameter distribution which is also useful for improving algorithm performance. This paper proposes an idea to use parameter region division and parameter strategy combination to flexibly adjust the parameter distribution. Based on the idea, a group-based two-level parameter combination framework is designed to support various modes of parameter combination, and enrich the parameter distribution characteristics. Under this framework, two customized parameter combination strategies are given for a single-operation DE algorithm and a multi-operation DE algorithm. The experiments verify the effectiveness of the two strategies and it also illustrates the meaning of the framework.

During an automatic power transmission line inspection, a large number of images are collected by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to detect existing defects in transmission line components, especially insulators. However, with twin insulator strings in the inspection images, when the umbrella skirts of the rear string are obstructed by the front string, defect detection becomes difficult. To solve this problem, we propose a method to detect self-shattering defects of insulators based on spatial features contained in images. Firstly, the images are segmented according to the particular color features of glass insulators, and the main axes of insulator strings in the images are adjusted to the horizontal direction. Then, the connected regions of insulators in the images are marked. After that, the vertical lengths of the regions, the number of insulator pixels in the regions, as well as the horizontal distances between two adjacent connected regions are selected as spatial features, based on which defect discriminants are formulated. Finally, experiments are performed using the proposed formula to detect self-shattering defects in the insulators, using the spatial distribution of the connected regions to locate the defects. The experiment results indicate that the proposed method has good detection accuracy and localization precision.

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a novel scheme to generate optical frequency-locked multicarrier by using a recirculation frequency shifter (RFS) loop based on multifrequency shifting single-sideband (MFS-SSB) modulation with improved tone-to-noise ratio (TNR) performance. Theoretical study shows that we can generate N subcarriers for each round trip without interference by using MFS-SSB, and the recirculation times are reduced to 1/N of the regular scheme based on single-frequency shifting single-sideband (SFS-SSB) modulation. Finally, the double-frequency shifting SSB modulation is carried out for demonstration in our experiments with a double-carrier source from double ECLs and single ECL with carrier suppression. Using this scheme, we successfully generate more than 95 frequency-locked subcarriers with 15-GHz frequency spacing and TNR larger than 25.3 dB and 23.3 dB, respectively. Compared with the results of a regular SFS-SSB scheme, more subcarriers with improved TNR (10 dB and 8 dB for the 95th subcarrier) are obtained.

For the first time, we propose and experimentally demonstrate millimeter-wave (mm-wave) generation in the E-band (71-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz) based on photonics generation technique. We also experimentally demonstrate a bidirectional full-duplex optical/wireless integration system in the E-band with 1.5-m wireless delivery, in which 2- and 2.5-Gb/s on_off keying (OOK) signals are independently carried by 74- and 84-GHz mm-wave carriers and can be implemented error-free transmission in two opposite directions at the same time. Furthermore, there is no obvious difference whether distributed feedback (DFB) laser (with linewidth less than 5 MHz) or external cavity laser (ECL) (with linewidth less than 100 kHz) is used.

Abstract Background Growing evidence indicates that N 7-methylguanosine (m7G) modification plays critical roles in epigenetic regulation. However, no data regarding m7G modification are currently available in Eimeria tenella, a highly virulent species causing coccidiosis in chickens. Methods In the present study, we explore the distribution of internal messenger RNA (mRNA) m7G modification in sporulated and unsporulated oocysts of E. tenella as well as its potential biological functions during oocyst development using methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq) and mRNA sequencing (mRNA-seq), and the mRNA-seq and MeRIP-seq data were verified by the quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT–qPCR) and MeRIP–qPCR, respectively. Results Our data showed that m7G peaks were detected throughout the whole mRNA body, and the coding DNA sequence (CDS) region displayed the most methylation modification. Compared with unsporulated oocysts, 7799 hypermethylated peaks and 1945 hypomethylated peaks were identified in sporulated oocysts. Further combined analysis of differentially methylated genes (DMGs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) showed that there was a generally positive correlation between m7G modification levels and gene transcript abundance. Unsurprisingly, the mRNA-seq and MeRIP-seq data showed good consistency with the results of the RT–qPCR and MeRIP–qPCR, respectively. Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis of DEGs with altered m7G-methylated peaks were involved in diverse biological functions and pathways, including DNA replication, RNA transport, spliceosome, autophagy-yeast, and cAMP signaling pathway. Conclusions Altogether, our findings revealed the potential significance of internal m7G modification in E. tenella oocysts, providing some directions and clues for later in-depth research. Graphical abstract

Sesquiterpenes constitute the principal components of the genus Ainsliaea, encompassing guaiane, germacrane, eudesmane, and polymer sesquiterpene lactones types. These secondary metabolites exhibit diverse pharmacological activities, including antitumor, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective effects. Through a comprehensive literature search of the Web of Science, PubMed, SciFinder, and CNKI databases, it was discovered that there are as many as 145 main sesquiterpenoids in the genus Ainsliaea. However, the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data for the sesquiterpenes in this genus have not been systematically compiled and summarized. Therefore, this review aims to highlight the chemical structures, NMR data, and pharmacological activities of sesquiterpenes in Ainsliaea. By meticulously analyzing published scholarly literature, our goal is to provide a solid foundation for further exploration of new sesquiterpenes and extensive utilization of this genus.

Two species of trichomonads, Tetratrichomonas buttreyi and Pentatrichomonas hominis, are common intestinal parasites that can impact animal health and productivity. Severe infection by these parasites can lead to diarrhea and wasting in affected animals. Notably, P. hominis is known to cause diarrhea and has the potential to be transmitted between animals and humans. Donkeys hold significant economic importance in China’s agricultural sector. However, whether donkeys are infected with T. buttreyi and P. hominis remains unknown globally. To address this gap in knowledge, 815 fecal samples were collected from donkeys in three representative regions in Shanxi Province, North China. Then, the presence and genetic characteristics of T. buttreyi and P. hominis were examined using species-specific PCR primers amplifying the small subunit ribosomal RNA genes. The overall prevalence was detected to be 25.4% (207/815) for T. buttreyi and 0.7% (6/815) for P. hominis in donkeys in Shanxi Province. All obtained P. hominis sequences were identified as genotype CC1. Genetic analysis revealed that all P. hominis isolates from donkeys were clustered into the same branch with isolates detected in humans, suggesting possible zoonotic transmission. This study is the first to report the occurrence and prevalence of T. buttreyi and P. hominis in donkeys globally. These findings expand the host range of trichomonads and improve our understanding of their genetic diversity and zoonotic potential, providing essential baseline data for the prevention and control of these parasites in donkeys in the region.

Mpox (monkeypox) virus (MPXV), which causes a mild smallpox-like disease, has been endemic in Africa for several decades, with sporadic cases occurring in other parts of the world. However, the most recent outbreak of mpox mainly among men that have sex with men has affected several continents, posing serious global public health concerns. The infections exhibit a wide spectrum of clinical presentation, ranging from asymptomatic infection to mild, severe disease, especially in immunocompromised individuals, young children, and pregnant women. Some therapeutics and vaccines developed for smallpox have partial protective and therapeutic effects against MPXV historic isolates in animal models. However, the continued evolution of MPXV has produced multiple lineages, leading to significant gaps in the knowledge of their pathogenesis that constrain the development of targeted antiviral therapies and vaccines. MPXV infections in various animal models have provided a central platform for identification and comparison of diseased pathogenesis between the contemporary and historic isolates. In this review, we discuss the susceptibility of various animals to MPXV, and describe the key pathologic features of rodent, rabbit and nonhuman primate models. We also provide application examples of animal models in elucidating viral pathogenesis and evaluating effectiveness of vaccine and antiviral drugs. These animal models are essential to understand the biology of MPXV contemporary isolates and to rapidly test potential countermeasures. Finally, we list some remaining scientific questions of MPXV that can be resolved by animal models.

Background: Due to the complex histological type and anatomical structures, there has been considerable debate on the classification of adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG), especially Siewert II AEG. Furthermore, neither the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 7th tumor–node–metastasis (TNM) [esophageal adenocarcinoma (E) or gastric cancer (G)] nor the AJCC 8th TNM (E or G) accurately predicted the prognosis of patients with Siewert II AEG. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing the survival and prognosis of patients with Siewert II AEG and establish a new and better prognostic predictive model. Design: A retrospective study. Methods: Patients with Siewert II AEG, retrieved from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) databases, were assigned to the training set. Patients retrieved from a single tertiary medical center were assigned to the external validation set. Significant variables were selected using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses to construct the nomogram. Nomogram models were assessed using the concordance index (C-index), a calibration plot, decision curve analysis (DCA), and external validation. Results: Age, tumor grade, and size, as well as the T, N, and M stages, were included in the nomograms. For the SEER training set, the C-index of the nomogram was 0.683 (0.665–0.701). The C-index of the nomogram for the external validation set was 0.690 (0.653–0.727). The calibration curve showed good agreement between the nomogram estimations and actual observations in both the training and external validation sets. The DCA showed that the nomogram was clinically useful. Conclusion: The new predictive model showed significant accuracy in predicting the prognosis of Siewert II AEG.

Abstract Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common malignant epithelial tumor of the head and neck that often exhibits local recurrence and distant metastasis. The molecular mechanisms are understudied, and effective therapeutic targets are still lacking. In our study, we found that the transcription factor ZIC2 was highly expressed in NPC. Although ZIC family members play important roles in neural development and carcinogenesis, the specific mechanism and clinical significance of ZIC2 in the tumorigenesis and immune regulation of NPC remain elusive. Here, we first reported that high expression of ZIC2 triggered the secretion of MCSF in NPC cells, induced M2 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and affected the secretion of TAM-related cytokines. Mechanistically, ChIP-seq and RNA-seq analyses identified JUNB as a downstream target of ZIC2. Furthermore, ZIC2 was significantly enriched in the promoter site of JUNB and activated JUNB promoter activity, as shown by ChIP-qPCR and luciferase assays. In addition, JUNB and MCSF participated in ZIC2-induced M2 TAMs polarization. Thus, blocking JUNB and MCSF could reverse ZIC2-mediated M2 TAMs polarization. Moreover, Kaplan-Meier survival analyses indicated that high expression of ZIC2, JUNB, and CD163 was positively associated with a poor prognosis in NPC. Overexpression of ZIC2 induced tumor growth in vivo, with the increase of JUNB, MCSF secretion, and CD163. In summary, our study implies that ZIC2 induces M2 TAM polarization, at least in part through regulation of JUNB/MCSF and that ZIC2, JUNB, and CD163 can be utilized as prognostic markers for NPC and as therapeutic targets for cancer immunotherapy.

Abstract Background As one of the components of visual photopigments in photoreceptor cells, opsin exhibits different spectral peaks and plays crucial roles in visual function. Besides, it is discovered to evolve other functions despite color vision. However, research on its unconventional function is limited nowadays. With the increase in genome database numbers, various numbers and types of opsins have been identified in insects due to gene duplications or losses. The Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera) is a rice pest known for its long-distance migration capability. In this study, opsins were identified in N. lugens and characterized by genome and transcriptome analyses. Meanwhile, RNA interference (RNAi) was carried out to investigate the functions of opsins, and then the Illumina Novaseq 6000 platform-based transcriptome sequencing was performed to reveal gene expression patterns. Results Four opsins belonging to G protein-coupled receptors were identified in the N. lugens genome, including one long-sensitive opsin (Nllw) together with two ultraviolet-sensitive opsins (NlUV1/2) and an additional new opsin with hypothesized UV peak sensitivity (NlUV3-like). A tandem array of NlUV1/2 on the chromosome suggested the presence of a gene duplication event, with similar exons distribution. Moreover, as revealed by spatiotemporal expression, the four opsins were highly expressed in eyes with age-different expression levels. Besides, RNAi targeting each of the four opsins did not significantly affect the survival of N. lugens in phytotron, but the silencing of Nllw resulted in the melanization of body color. Further transcriptome analysis revealed that silencing of Nllw resulted in up-regulation of a tyrosine hydroxylase gene (NlTH) and down-regulation of an arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferases gene (NlaaNAT) in N. lugens, demonstrating that Nllw is involved in body color plastic development via the tyrosine-mediated melanism pathway. Conclusions This study provides the first evidence in a Hemipteran insect that an opsin (Nllw) takes part in the regulation of cuticle melanization, confirming a cross-talk between the gene pathways underlying the visual system and the morphological differentiation in insects.

Blastocystis spp. and Giardia duodenalis are two prevalent zoonotic intestinal parasites that can cause severe diarrhea and intestinal diseases in humans and many animals. Black goat (Capra hircus) farming is increasingly important in China due to the remarkable adaptability, high reproductive performance, rapid growth rate, and significant economic value of black goats. A number of studies have indicated that black goats are the potential reservoir of multiple zoonotic protozoans in China; however, the prevalence and zoonotic status of G. duodenalis and Blastocystis spp. in black goats in Shanxi Province is still unknown. Thus, a total of 1200 fecal samples of black goats were collected from several representative regions at different altitudes in Shanxi Province and were examined for the presence and genotypes of G. duodenallis and Blastocystis spp. by amplifying the beta-giardin (bg), glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh), and triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) loci of G. duodenalis and SSU rRNA of Blastocystis spp. using PCR and sequence analysis methods, respectively. The overall prevalence of G. duodenalis and Blastocystis spp. in black goats in Shanxi Province were 7.5% and 3.5%, respectively. Two assemblages (B and E) of G. duodenalis and four subtypes (ST5, ST10, ST14, and ST30) of Blastocystis spp. were identified, with assemblage E and ST10 as the prevalent genotype and subtype in black goats, respectively. One novel multilocus genotype (MLG) was identified in MLG-E and was designated as MLG-E12. For both G. duodenalis and Blastocystis spp., the prevalence was significantly related to the region and age groups (p < 0.05). This is the first report on the prevalence of G. duodenalis and Blastocystis spp. in black goats in Shanxi Province. These results not only provide baseline data for the prevention and control of both parasites in black goats in Shanxi Province, but also enhance our understanding of the genetic composition and zoonotic potential of these two parasites.

Peatlands deliver a variety of beneficial ecosystem services, particularly serving as habitats for a diverse array of species. Hynobius amjiensis is a critically endangered amphibian initially discovered in a Sphagnum-dominated peatland in Anji, China. The unique habitat requirements of H. amjiensis make it highly vulnerable to environmental changes. Here, we investigated the different breeding pools of H. amjiensis in the Sphagnum-dominated peatland (the type locality) for a one-year period to evaluate the interactions among the egg sacs present, water quality, and microbial communities (16S and 18S rRNA gene amplicon). The numbers of egg sacs were higher in the breeding pools located at the marginal area than those at the core area of the peatland. Similarly, the α-diversity of bacteria, fungi, and protists were lower in the core region compared to those at the edge of the peatland, perhaps due to water eutrophication. The microbial communities and water quality differed significantly among breeding pools and sampling months. The simpler microbial networks of the breeding pools in the core wetland may impact the numbers and health of the egg sacs. This study contributes to a better understanding of the effect of water quality on biodiversity in peatlands, and it can also guide regulations for wetland conservation and the protection of endangered species.

Several trichomonad species have already been identified in pigs, and their pathogenic potential may not be ruled out. To date, however, no information is available regarding the prevalence of trichomonads in pigs in Shanxi Province, North China. In the present study, a total of 362 fecal samples collected from pigs in three representative counties (Qi, Jishan, and Shanyin) in this province were examined for Tetratrichomonas buttreyi, Tritrichomonas foetus, and Pentatrichomonas hominis using a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. The overall prevalence of T. buttreyi was 49.72%, and region and age were found to be significantly associated with T. buttreyi infection, respectively. Only one pig fecal sample from Qi County was found to be positive for T. foetus, and all samples were negative for P. hominis. Molecular evolutionary analysis revealed that some T. buttreyi isolates showed complete genetic identity with those reported previously, and some T. buttreyi isolates and one T. foetus isolate showed minor allelic variations compared with those reported previously. This is the report of the molecular epidemiology of T. foetus and T. buttreyi in pigs in Shanxi Province, North China. These findings not only enrich the knowledge on the distribution of these trichomonad species in pigs in China but also provide baseline information for planning future research and control strategies.

Background: Research on the correlation between circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and gastric cancer (GC) has increased rapidly in recent years. However, whether CTCs are associated with GC patient prognosis is highly controversial. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the value of CTCs to predict the prognosis of GC patients. Design: A meta-analysis. Data Sources and Methods: We searched the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases for studies that reported the prognostic value of CTCs in GC patients before October 2022. The association between CTCs and overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS)/recurrence-free survival (RFS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of GC patients was assessed. Subgroup analyses were stratified by sampling times (pre-treatment and post-treatment), detection targets, detection method, treatment method, tumor stage, region, and HR (Hazard Ratio) extraction methods. Sensitivity analysis was performed by removing individual studies to assess the stability of the results. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots, Egger’s test, and Begg’s test. Results: We initially screened 2000 studies, of which 28 were available for further analysis, involving 2383 GC patients. The pooled analysis concluded that the detection of CTCs was associated with poor OS (HR = 1.933, 95% CI 1.657–2.256, p

Giardia duodenalis is a ubiquitous flagellated protozoan, causing significant economic losses to animal husbandry and posing threats to public health. China ranks the world’s sixth largest major producer of donkeys, rearing approximately 2.6 million donkeys in 2019, but limited investigation of G. duodenalis prevalence has been conducted in the past, and it is yet to be known whether donkeys in Shanxi Province are infected with G. duodenalis. In the present study, a total of 815 fecal samples collected from donkeys in representative regions of Shanxi Province, North China, were examined for G. duodenalis using nested PCR. Then, the assemblages and multilocus genotypes (MLGs) were examined based on three established loci: namely, β-giardin (bg), triosephosphate isomerase (tpi), and glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh). The overall prevalence of G. duodenalis in donkeys in Shanxi Province was 16.81% (137/815). The region was identified as the main risk factor for the observed difference in G. duodenalis prevalence in donkeys among the three study areas (χ2 = 21.611, p < 0.001). Assemblages A, E, and B were identified, with the latter as the predominant assemblage. Three MLGs (MLG-novel-1 to 3) were formed based on sequence variation among the three loci. The present study reveals the presence of G. duodenalis in donkeys in Shanxi Province, North China, for the first time, which not only enriches the data on the distribution of G. duodenalis in donkeys in China but also provides useful baseline data for planning control strategies against G. duodenalis infection in the sampled areas.

Continuous glucose monitoring is important in the management of diabetes. According to statistics, diabetes is the third chronic non-infectious disease that seriously endangers people's health, followed by tumor as well as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. In 2019, globally, there were a total of 460 million diabetics aged 20–79 years, which accounted for 9.1% of the total population in this cohort. Each figure is projected to increase to 592 million and by 10.1% respectively by 2035. Currently, the methods of blood glucose monitoring can be divided into invasive, minimally invasive, and noninvasive. The main methods for blood glucose monitoring include irregular sampling of fingertip blood or consecutive measurement of interstitial fluid glucose based on implantable sensors. However, these methods have some limitations, which include pain sensation, high cost, short service life, and susceptibility. Patients need to measure their blood glucose frequently. Invasive and minimally invasive monitoring will cause physical and psychological pain. Therefore, noninvasive monitoring is one of the most promising techniques for continuous monitoring of blood glucose, and it has a broad market prospect. In this study, the electrocardiogram (ECG signals) were used to achieve the noninvasive monitoring of blood glucose levels. First, 756160 ECG periodic signals of 12 volunteers for 60 d were obtained from the experiment. Second, the ECG signals were preprocessed using an infinite impulse response filter. Furthermore, a method combining convolutional neural networks and long short-term memory networks (CNN-LSTM) was proposed for blood glucose monitoring. In Addition, two modeling methods (individual modeling and group modeling) were investigated in this study. The results show that the precision of blood glucose monitoring under the condition of individual and group modeling is 80% and 88%, respectively. The F1-score of the group modeling can reach 0.95, 0.88, 0.91, 0.85, 0.92, 0.88, 0.86, 0.86, 0.87, and 0.86. Therefore, this study indicates that the proposed method based on ECG signals can provide powerful theoretical support and technical guidance for real-time and accurate blood glucose monitoring.

Alongshan virus (ALSV) in the Jingmenvirus group within the family Flaviviridae is a newly discovered tick-borne virus associated with human disease, whose genome includes four segments and encodes four structural proteins (VP1a, VP1b, VP2, VP3, and VP4) and two non-structural proteins (NSP1 and NSP2). Here, we characterized the subcellular distribution and potential function of ALSV proteins in host cells. We found that viral proteins exhibited diverse subcellular distribution in multiple tissue-deriving cells and induced various morphological changes in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and NSP2, VP1b, VP2, and VP4 were all co-localized in the ER. The nuclear transfer and co-localization of VP4 and calnexin (a marker protein of ER), which were independent of their interaction, were unique to HepG2 cells. Expression of NSP1 could significantly reduce mitochondria quantity by inducing mitophagy. These findings would contribute to better understanding of the pathogenesis of emerging segmented flaviviruses.

ObjectiveTo use structural magnetic resonance imaging (3D-MRI) to evaluate the abnormal development of the cerebral cortex in infants with global developmental delay (GDD).MethodsThe GDD group includes 67 infants aged between 112 and 699 days with global developmental delay and who underwent T1-weighted MRI scans in Shanxi Children's Hospital from December 2019 to March 2022. The healthy control (HC) group includes 135 normal developing infants aged between 88 and 725 days in Shanxi Children's Hospital from September 2020 to August 2021. Whole-brain T1-weighted MRI scans were carried out with a 3.0-T magnetic resonance scanner, which was later processed using InfantSurfer to perform MR image processing and cortical surface reconstruction. Two morphological features of the cortical surface of the 68 brain regions were computed, i.e., the cortical thickness (CT) and cortical surface area (SA), and compared between the GDD and HC groups.ResultsWith regard to the CT, the HC group showed a rapid decrease at first and then a slow increase after birth, and the CT of the GDD group decreased slowly and then became relatively stable. The GDD group showed bilaterally higher hemispherical average CT than those in the HC group. In detail, for the left hemisphere, except in the entorhinal and temporal poles in which the average CT values of the two brain regions were lower than those of the HC group, the CT of the 26 brain regions in the GDD group was higher than those of the HC group (p < 0.05). For the right hemisphere, the CT of the entorhinal in the GDD group was lower than that in the HC group. Otherwise, the CT of the remaining 28 brain regions was higher than those in the HC group (p < 0.05). With regard to the SA, both groups showed a rapid increase after birth till 23 months and remained quite stable afterward. The GDD group shows lower SA bilaterally than that in the HC group. In detail, SA in the GDD group was lower in most cortical regions of both hemispheres than in the HC group (p < 0.05), except for the right temporal pole and entorhinal. When testing for brain asymmetry, we found that the HC group showed obvious asymmetry of CT and SA, while only a few cortical regions in the GDD group showed asymmetry.

Isoindolinone- and tetrahydroisoquinoline-based cyclic scaffolds comprise the key, structural feature of a wide range of biologically active molecules. Here we report an, approach for the synthesis of chiral isoindolinones and tetrahydroisoquinolines based, on the umpolung allylation of imines. The products contain a free N–H group, which is, primed for further derivatization.

Objective: In order to control the potassium ion content in Carrageenan, this project used alcohol inhibition method instead of potassium ion solution to extract Carrageenan. Methods: The volume fraction of ethanol in the processes of alkali treatment, alkali residual cleaning, and precipitation of carrageenan after filtration during the extraction were optimized for controlling K+ concentration. Results: The concentration of ethanol to inhibit the dissolution of Carrageenan was 60% in the process of alkali treatment and cleaning residual alkali, and the ratio of 60% ethanol solution to glue solution was 5∶1 in the process of Carrageenan precipitation. By using this process, the yield of Carrageenan was （28.76±1.38）%, and the Carrageenan of potassium ion was 0.63%, which was significantly lower than that of potassium ion extracted from traditional Carrageenan （16.26%）. In addition, the gel strength was significantly lower than that of Carrageenan extracted by traditional methods. And there was no significant difference in viscosity, hardness, elasticity, chewiness, and recovery between the two methods. Conclusion: K+ concentration and gel strength of Kappa-carrageenan extracted by ethanol inhibition were significantly lower than traditional technology.

Abstract Storing CO2 in geological formations can reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. In order to explore the fracture behavior of caprock during CO2 geological storage, three caprock adsorption experiments for supercritical, liquid, and gaseous CO2 were designed. The fracture toughness of mode I, mode II, and mixed‐mode I/II of sandstone before and after the experiment was tested, and X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray fluorescence (XRF), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to examine the fracture mechanical characteristics of sandstone. Results showed that the pure mode I fracture toughness of sandstone immersed in supercritical CO2 (ScCO2), liquid CO2, and gaseous CO2 for 30 days decreased by 27.89%, 11.01%, and 17.43%, respectively, compared to nonimmersed sandstone. Pure mode I fracture toughness was more sensitive than mixed‐mode I/II and pure mode II fracture toughness to the various CO2 phase states. Furthermore, the ability of sandstone to resist fracture and failure was significantly reduced by the adsorption of CO2 in different phases. The effects of the different phases were in the following order: ScCO2 > gaseous CO2 > liquid CO2. The decreased ability of sandstone to resist fracture was primarily due to the geophysical and chemical reactions between CO2 and minerals, the alteration of minerals, or the formation of new substances. SEM observations showed that liquid CO2 adsorption caused the sandstone to undergo intergranular fracture, and the adsorption of gaseous CO2 promoted the occurrence of transgranular fractures. In particular, due to the ScCO2 adsorption, various fracture forms such as intergranular fractures, transgranular fractures, and mutual coupling fractures existed simultaneously. Sandstone exhibited numerous fractures and pores, and fracture resistance was weakened. Results of this study have important significance for evaluating the stability and safety of CO2 geological storage.

Abstract Background Panax notoginseng is a medicinally important Chinese herb with a long history of cultivation and clinical application. The planting area is mainly distributed in Wenshan Prefecture, where the quality and safety of P. notoginseng have been threatened by high concentration of arsenic (As) from the soil. The roles of phosphate (Pi) transporters involved in Pi acquisition and arsenate (AsV) tolerance were still unclear in this species. Results In this study, two open reading frames (ORFs) of PnPht1;1 and PnPht1;2 separated from P. notoginseng were cloned based on RNA-seq, which encoded 527 and 541 amino acids, respectively. The results of relative expression levels showed that both genes responded to the Pi deficiency or As exposure, and were highly upregulated. Heterologous expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae MB192 revealed that PnPht1;1 and PnPht1;2 performed optimally in complementing the yeast Pi-transport defect, particularly in PnPht1;2. Cells expressing PnPht1;2 had a stronger AsV tolerance than PnPht1;1-expressing cells, and accumulated less As in cells under a high-Pi concentration. Combining with the result of plasma membrane localization, these data confirmed that transporters PnPht1;1 and PnPht1;2 were putative high-affinity H+/H2PO4 − symporters, mediating the uptake of Pi and AsV. Conclusion PnPht1;1 and PnPht1;2 encoded functional plasma membrane-localized transporter proteins that mediated a putative high-affinity Pi/H+ symport activity. Expression of PnPht1;1 or PnPht1;2 in mutant strains could enhance the uptake of Pi and AsV, that is probably responsible for the As accumulation in the roots of P. notoginseng.

The phase structures, magnetic properties, electronic structures, and anisotropy of the full Heusler alloy Co2NbGa were studied using the first-principles method, and the results were compared with experiments. The L21-type cubic structure was the most stable, which was in good agreement with the experimental measurement. The Curie temperature obtained by the mean field theory was also very close to the experimental value. The electronic structures and magnetic properties showed that the Co2NbGa alloy was a half-metallic ferromagnet with 100% spin polarization at equilibrium, and the robustness of the half-metallic feature was preserved in lattice ranges of 5.79 to 6.42 Å. The Co2NbGa alloy was an anisotropic material with stable mechanical properties at L21-type cubic and XA-type tetragonal structures, and the influence of Hubbard U and vacancy defects on the physical nature was also studied and discussed. The 100% spin polarization, high Curie temperature, and stable equilibrium structure make Co2NbGa alloy a promising candidate in spintronics and magnetoelectronic.

Semaphorins are a large class of secreted or membrane-bound molecules. It has been reported that semaphorins play important roles in regulating several hallmarks of cancer, including angiogenesis, metastasis, and immune evasion. Semaphorins and their receptors are widely expressed on tumor cells and immune cells. However, the biological role of semaphorins in tumor immune microenvironment is intricate. The dysregulation of semaphorins influences the recruitment and infiltration of immune cells, leading to abnormal anti-tumor effect. Although the underlying mechanisms of semaphorins on regulating tumor-infiltrating immune cell activation and functions are not fully understood, semaphorins can notably be promising immunotherapy targets for cancer.

Neurodegenerative diseases are common progressive nervous system disorders that show intricate clinical patterns. The gait fluctuations reflect the physiology and pathologic alterations in the locomotor control system. Using gait fluctuations for disease state evaluation is an essential way for clinical trials and healthcare monitoring. The classification of gait fluctuations helps improve the life quality and enhance clinical diagnosis ability in neuro-degenerative patients. In this work, we firstly embed the time series of multiple gait fluctuations into the phase space. Then we use persistent homology to extract the topological signatures of barcodes. Together with a random forest classifier, we proposed a topological motion analysis (TMA) framework to analyze the gait fluctuations. Further, we proposed a comprehensive comparison study using the TMA framework in the neuro-degenerative classification tasks for stance-, stride-, and swing-based gait fluctuations. In the tasks of comparing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington's disease (HD), and Parkinson's disease (PD) to the healthy control (HC) group, the best-achieved AUC scores were 0.9135, 0.9906 and 0.9667 respectively, which show the effectiveness of TMA framework. In summary, our study proposed a TMA framework towards gait fluctuations classification in the neuro-degenerative analysis tasks. The proposed method shows promising clinical application value in earlier interventions and state monitoring for neurodegenerative patients.

Abstract Background Toxoplasma gondii, an intracellular apicomplexan protozoan parasite, can infect almost all warm-blooded animals. The aim of the present study was to investigate T. gondii oocyst-driven infection in pigs, chickens and humans in Jilin province, northeastern China. Results The serum samples of pigs, chickens and humans were sampled and tested by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) using dense granule antigen GRA7, oocyst-specific protein OWP8, and sporozoite-specific protein CCp5A, respectively. Results showed a prevalence of 16.7% by GRA7-ELISA, and 12.2% by OWP8- and CCp5A-ELISA in pigs; 10.4% by GRA7-ELISA, 13.5% by OWP8-ELISA, and 9.4% by CCp5A-ELISA in chickens; and 14.2% by GRA7-ELISA, 3.6% by OWP8-ELISA, and 3.0% by CCp5A-ELISA in humans. No significant differences were observed between T. gondii seroprevalence in pigs and chickens among the three antigens-based ELISAs (P > 0.05). However, there were significant differences between T. gondii seroprevalence rates in humans (P

Abstract Background Alongshan virus (ALSV) is a novel discovered segmented flavivirus associated with human febrile illness in northeastern China. Ixodes persulcatus is considered as a candidate vector of ALSV in the endemic regions. However, the role of domesticated animals in the circulation and transmission of ALSV have not been investigated. To evaluate the prevalence of ALSV infections in domesticated animals, viral RNA and viral specific antibodies were detected in sheep and cattle in Hulunbuir of northeastern Inner Mongolia. The findings contribute to the understanding of the ecology and transmission of ALSV among different natural hosts. Methods A total of 480 animal serum samples were collected in Hulunbuir of northeastern China in May, 2017. Viral specific antibodies were tested by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with a purified E. coli recombinant capsid protein (VP2) of ALSV (strain H3) and further detected by viral neutralization test (VNT). RNA in serum samples were extracted and detected for ALSV sequence by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. ALSV RNA positive samples were used for virus isolation. Results ALSV-specific antibodies were detected in 9.2% (22/240) of examined sheep and 4.6% (11/240) of examined cattle by ELISA, while lower serological positivity with 4.2% (10/240) for sheep and 1.7% (4/240) for cattle was confirmed by VNT. In contrast, the prevalence of ALSV RNA was much higher, ranging from 26.3% (63/240) in sheep to 27.5% (66/240) in cattle. The partial S1 (NS5-like) and S3 (NS3-like) segments of ALSVs in sheep and cattle shared high identities of more than 98% to the human and tick isolates in the studied regions. Conclusions These results suggest that the natural infection of ALSV can be found in sheep and cattle in the endemic regions.

A novel spin gapless semiconductor material Ba2MnTeO6 is found and reported by first-principles calculations. In this paper, we study the influence of spin orbit coupling, strain and Coulomb interaction on the properties of ferromagnetic Ba2MnTeO6 in order to test the stability of physical properties. It turns out that the spin orbit coupling has no significant effect on the electronic structures of the Ba2MnTeO6 at equilibrium state. Under the action of uniform compressive strain and tensile strain, Ba2MnTeO6 transforms from spin gapless semiconductor to semiconductor and half-metal respectively. At the same time, as the strain increases, the semiconductor band gap gradually widens, and the half-metallic gap gradually narrows. After considering Coulomb interaction, Ba2MnTeO6 will also be transformed into a semiconductor, and the semiconductor band gap will increase with the increasing of U values. Furthermore, the mechanical performance studies show that Ba2MnTeO6 is an anisotropic material with stable structure. As the first pure double perovskite type spin gapless semiconductor, the high spin polarization and accurately adjustable physical properties of ferromagnetic Ba2MnTeO6 indicate that it has broad application prospects in the fields of spintronics and optoelectronic materials and devices.