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Indoor navigation networks serve as the foundation for indoor pedestrian navigation services. However, current graph-based topological network models cannot easily represent complex indoor structures in a manner consistent with user behaviour and cognitive patterns, and thus cannot support fine-grained indoor navigation analysis services. To enhance the rationality of the model, we considered the influences of morphological and functional characteristics of indoor spaces on pedestrian movement and proposed a method for classifying navigation spaces. This method, based on convex space segmentation, defines morphological and functional characteristic functions, classifying indoor navigation spaces as either corridors or open spaces, which suitable for representing as median axis models or visual graphs, respectively. These categories supported the creation of topological network models for route planning analysis. Indoor map experiments confirmed the effectiveness of our method in identifying various types of corridors and open spaces, that addressing the limitations of width-based parameters, even in complex indoor settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bio-based copolymers with excellent mechanical properties and biodegradability are highly desired for packaging and agricultural applications. In this work, a series of high molecular weight bio-based poly(ester-carbonate)s are synthesized using glycolic acid (GA), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), and 1,4-butanediol (BDO). The intrinsic viscosity ([1]) of these copolymers ranges from 0.70 to 1.11 dL/g. The tensile strength, elastic modulus, and elongation at break of PBCGA10 are 19.69 ± 2.40 MPa, 151.20 ± 37.17 MPa, and 1173 ± 142%, respectively, which are superior to the mechanical properties of PBAT. The degradation weight loss of PBCGA10 and PBCGA20 after 30 days can reach 8% and 40%, respectively, indicating excellent degradation performance of the copolymers. Moreover, copolymers undergo degradation through a surface degradation mechanism. The main products of copolymer degradation are BDO, CO2, and H2O, which do not cause harm to organisms and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient for plant growth, and most plants absorb it as nitrate. AtNRG2 has been reported to play an important role in nitrate regulation. In this study, we investigated the functions of AtNRG2 family members of Arabidopsis thaliana and maize in nitrate signalling and metabolism. Our results showed that both AtNRG2.10 and AtNRG2.15 regulated nitrate signalling and metabolism. Overexpression of AtNRG2.11 (AtNRG2) could promote plant growth and improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). In addition, the maize genome harbors 23 ZmNRG2 members. We detected the expression of these genes treated with nitrate and the expression of four genes was strongly induced with ZmNRG2.7 having the highest levels. Overexpression of ZmNRG2.7 in the atnrg2 mutant could restore the defects of atnrg2, suggesting that ZmNRG2.7 is involved in nitrate signalling and metabolism. Moreover, the overexpression lines of ZmNRG2.7 showed increased biomass and NUE. These findings demonstrate that at least a part of NRG2 family genes in Arabidopsis and maize regulate nitrate signalling and provide a molecular basis for improving the NUE of crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatoblastoma, a common extracranial malignant solid tumor in childhood, is often detected at an advanced stage and is difficult to treat surgically. Despite the availability of multiple comprehensive treatments that can be combined with surgery, hepatoblastoma treatment outcomes remain poor. Surgery is the main treatment strategy for hepatoblastoma, but it faces many challenges, including tumor attachment to surrounding tissues, tumor wrapping or invading of vital organs and tissues, the presence of giant or multiple tumors, distant metastasis, the formation of a tumor thrombus, and significant surgical trauma. In this review, we discuss recent research advances and propose potential strategies for overcoming these challenges. Such strategies may improve the rate of hepatoblastoma resection and local control in children, as well as reduce complications and trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]