Search

Introduction: Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is one of the causes of female infertility. Unexplained POI is increasingly affecting women in their reproductive years. However, the etiology of POI is diverse and remains elusive. We and others have shown that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in adult ovarian function. Here, we report on a novel role of BDNF in the Developmental Origins of POI. Methods: Placental BDNF knockout mice were created using CRISPR/CAS9. Homozygous knockout (cKO(HO)) mice didn't survive, while heterozygous knockout (cKO(HE)) mice did. BDNF reduction in cKO(HE) mice was confirmed via immunohistochemistry and Western blots. Ovaries were collected from cKO(HE) mice at various ages, analyzing ovarian metrics, FSH expression, and litter sizes. In one-month-old mice, oocyte numbers were assessed using super-ovulation, and oocyte gene expression was analyzed with smart RNAseq. Ovaries of P7 mice were studied with SEM, and gene expression was confirmed with RT-qPCR. Alkaline phosphatase staining at E11.5 and immunofluorescence for cyclinD1 assessed germ cell number and cell proliferation. Results: cKO(HE) mice had decreased ovarian function and litter size in adulthood. They were insensitive to ovulation induction drugs manifested by lower oocyte release after superovulation in one-month-old cKO(HE) mice. The transcriptome and SEM results indicate that mitochondria-mediated cell death or aging might occur in cKO(HE) ovaries. Decreased placental BDNF led to diminished primordial germ cell proliferation at E11.5 and ovarian reserve which may underlie POI in adulthood. Conclusion: The current results showed decreased placental BDNF diminished primordial germ cell proliferation in female fetuses during pregnancy and POI in adulthood. Our findings can provide insights into understanding the underlying mechanisms of POI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interpreting transcriptome data is an important yet challenging aspect of bioinformatic analysis. While gene set enrichment analysis is a standard tool for interpreting regulatory changes, we utilize deep learning techniques, specifically autoencoder architectures, to learn latent variables that drive transcriptome signals. We investigate whether simple, variational autoencoder (VAE), and beta-weighted VAE are capable of learning reduced representations of transcriptomes that retain critical biological information. We propose a novel VAE that utilizes priors from biological data to direct the network to learn a representation of the transcriptome that is based on understandable biological concepts. After benchmarking five different autoencoder architectures, we found that each succeeded in reducing the transcriptomes to 50 latent dimensions, which captured enough variation for accurate reconstruction. The simple, fully connected autoencoder, performs best across the benchmarks, but lacks the characteristic of having directly interpretable latent dimensions. The beta-weighted, prior-informed VAE implementation is able to solve the benchmarking tasks, and provide semantically accurate latent features equating to biological pathways. This study opens a new direction for differential pathway analysis in transcriptomics with increased transparency and interpretability. Author summary: The ability to measure the human transcriptome has been a critical tool in studying health and disease. However, transcriptome datasets are too large and complex for direct human interpretation. Deep learning techniques such as autoencoders are capable of distilling high-level features from complex data. However, even if deep learning models find patterns, these patterns are not necessarily represented in a way that humans can easily understand. By bringing in the prior knowledge of biological pathways, we have trained the model to "speak the language" of the biologist, and represent complex transcrtomes, in simpler concepts that are already familiar to biologists. We can then apply the tool to compare for example samples from lung cancer cells to healthy cells, and show which biological processes are perturbed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community detection can help analyze the structural features and functions of complex networks, and plays important roles in many aspects such as project recommendation and network evolution analysis. Therefore, community detection has always been a hot topic in the field of complex networks. Although various community-detection methods have been proposed, how to improve their accuracy and efficiency is still an ambition pursued by researchers. In view of this, this paper proposes a community-detection method for complex networks based on node influence analysis. First, the influence of nodes is represented as a vector composed by neighborhood degree centrality, betweennes centrality and clustering coefficient. Then, Pareto dominance is used to rank the influence of nodes. After that, the community centers are selected by comprehensively considering the node influence and crowding degree. Finally, the remaining nodes are allocated to different communities using a labeling algorithm. The proposed method in this paper is applied to several actual networks. The comparison results with other methods demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glass formation in zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) has garnered significant attention in the field of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) in recent years. Numerous works have been conducted to investigate the microscopic mechanisms involved in the melting–quenching process of ZIFs. Understanding the density variations that occur during the melting process of ZIFs is crucial for comprehending the origins of glass formation. However, conducting large‐scale simulations has been challenging due to limitations in computational resources. In this work, we used deep‐learning methods to accurately construct a potential function that describes the atomic‐scale melting behavior of ZIF‐4. The results revealed the spatial heterogeneity associated with the formation of low‐density phases during the melting process of ZIF‐4. This work discusses the advantages and limitations of applying deep‐learning simulation methods to complex structures like ZIFs, providing valuable insights for the development of machine‐learning approaches in designing MOF glasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ingested particles or debris will cause high-speed & low-energy impact to the hot end components of aeroengine. Few literature focus on the projectile impact of SiC/SiC with Environmental Barrier Coating(EBC). The impact of 2 mm projectile was specially studied for Si/Yb2Si2O7/Yb2SiO5-SiC/SiC. Gas gun system was used to conduct impact testing at the speed of 3 m/s∼353m/s. The optical microscope, Scanning Electronic Microscope(SEM), micro CT were used to observe the impact and tension after impact(TAI) damage. For TAI, Digital Image Correlation (DIC) was used to conduct the full-field strain detection around the impact point. Meanwhile, the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) methodology was programmed in C++ and developed to simulate SiC/SiC impact problem by introducing modified Hashin-Rotem criteria, extending interface method to 3D and adding GPU accelerated algorithm. The results indicate that threshold velocities of EBC huge peeling and SiC/SiC penetration are different, TAI residual strength also has extinct threshold at the velocity of 246 m/s with 37.1% declining extent, and the impact pit depth of SPH simulation is in good agreement with the experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing coal mining depth, dynamic disasters are occurring more frequently in coal mines. The loading rate has a close relation to the mechanical properties, behaviors and failure mechanisms of both coal and rock. In order to examine the influence of loading rates on tensile properties, deformation characteristics, failure mode, and micro-failure mechanism of non-caking coal, acoustic emission (AE) tests were conducted under Brazilian splitting conditions with five different displacement rates. The experiment results indicate that the tensile strength of non-caking coal increases logarithmically with the increase in displacement rate, and the duration of the primary fracture compaction stage shortens with the displacement rates. The AE spatio-temporal evolution for coal with varying displacement rates shows similar trends, and the AE event reaches to a maximum at 0.8 σc (peak stress). The high amplitude AE events appear at different phases at varying displacement rates, and the concentration area of AE events coincides with the fracture surface. The spatial fractal dimensions of the AE events range from 1.1 to 1.9 under varying displacement rates and show a downward trend with the increase of stress. The fractal dimension of the fracture surface range from 2.14 to 2.25 and increases with the displacement rate. The micro-failure mechanism of non-caking coal discs under varying displacement rates is a mixture of tension-shear cracks (mainly tensile cracks), followed by shear cracks. The external load causes tensile and shear cracks at high displacement rates, while mainly tensile cracks at low displacement rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • High-valence Mo atoms embedded in FeNi (oxy)hydroxides are realized by boronation. • MoFeNi ultrathin nanoflakes promote mass diffusion and electron transfer for OER. • Mo can modulate electronic structure and optimize intermediates adsorption energy. • AEM electrolyser produce hydrogen continuously for several hours at 500 mA cm−2. The incorporation of high-valence transition metal atoms into FeNi (oxy)hydroxides may be a promising strategy to regulate the intrinsic electronic states, thereby reducing the thermodynamic barrier and accelerating oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Here, a high-valence Mo atoms doping route is proposed by an efficient self-reconstruction strategy to prepare MoFeNi (oxy)hydroxides for efficient alkaline OER. By using borides (MoNiB) as sacrificial template and Mo source, FeNi (oxy)hydroxides nanoflakes embedded with high-valence Mo atoms (MoFeNi) is successfully synthesized, which can modulate the electron coordination to improve the intrinsic catalytic activity. Remarkably, the obtained MoFeNi exhibits extremely low overpotential (η 100 = 252 mV and η 500 = 288 mV) and small Tafel slope (18.35 mV dec-1). The robust catalyst can run stably for hours at 500 mA cm−2. Characterization results and theoretical calculations confirmed that the addition of high-valence Mo effectively modulated the intrinsic electronic structure of metal sites and optimized the adsorption/desorption energy of the intermediates, accelerating OER reactions kinetics. By coupling MoFeNi anode with Pt/C cathode, anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyser can operate stably at 500 mA cm−2 with about less than 2.2 V. This research introduces a novel approach to develop ideal electrocatalysts through the incorporation of high-valence molybdenum species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Potential loss-of-function variants of ATP13A3 , the gene encoding a P5B-type transport ATPase of undefined function, were recently identified in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). ATP13A3 is implicated in polyamine transport but its function has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we sought to determine the biological function of ATP13A3 in vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and how PAH-associated variants may contribute to disease pathogenesis. Methods and results We studied the impact of ATP13A3 deficiency and overexpression in EC models [human pulmonary ECs, blood outgrowth ECs (BOECs), and human microvascular EC 1], including a PAH patient–derived BOEC line harbouring an ATP13A3 variant (LK726X). We also generated mice harbouring an Atp13a3 variant analogous to a human disease–associated variant to establish whether these mice develop PAH. ATP13A3 localized to the recycling endosomes of human ECs. Knockdown of ATP13A3 in ECs generally reduced the basal polyamine content and altered the expression of enzymes involved in polyamine metabolism. Conversely, overexpression of wild-type ATP13A3 increased polyamine uptake. Functionally, loss of ATP13A3 was associated with reduced EC proliferation, increased apoptosis in serum starvation, and increased monolayer permeability to thrombin. The assessment of five PAH-associated missense ATP13A3 variants (L675V, M850I, V855M, R858H, and L956P) confirmed loss-of-function phenotypes represented by impaired polyamine transport and dysregulated EC function. Furthermore, mice carrying a heterozygous germline Atp13a3 frameshift variant representing a human variant spontaneously developed a PAH phenotype, with increased pulmonary pressures, right ventricular remodelling, and muscularization of pulmonary vessels. Conclusion We identify ATP13A3 as a polyamine transporter controlling polyamine homeostasis in ECs, a deficiency of which leads to EC dysfunction and predisposes to PAH. This suggests a need for targeted therapies to alleviate the imbalances in polyamine homeostasis and EC dysfunction in PAH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of green and sustainable development and rural revitalization, analysis of the relationship between economic development and the evolution of carbon metabolism is of great significance for China's future transformation of development models. This study analyzed the spatial characteristics and spatiotemporal evolution pattern of the decoupling status between carbon metabolism and economic development of Laiwu during two periods from 2001 to 2018 at the village and town unit scales by using the Tapio decoupling model. The results showed that the growth rate of carbon metabolism from 2001 to 2009 was significantly higher than that from 2009 to 2018. The spatial heterogeneity of the decoupling states between economic development and carbon metabolism from 2009 to 2018 was significantly stronger than that from 2001 to 2009 in two units. From 2001 to 2018, the development trend gradually trended towards spatial imbalance. The decoupling status between villages and towns had a high degree of consistency from 2001 to 2009 and inconsistency from 2009 to 2018. From 2001 to 2009, the decoupling status of about 78% of villages was consistent with that of towns. Moreover, from 2009 to 2018, the consistency reduced to 32.2%, and the decoupling status of about 48% of villages was weaker than that of towns. According to the reclassification results of different decoupling state change types, from 2001 to 2018, about 52.2% of the villages had a decoupling state evolution type of eco-deteriorated economic development, which is an unsatisfactory development trend in a short time. Moreover, about 12.1% of the villages had a decoupling state evolution type of eco-improved economic development, which is a satisfactory development trend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The severity of osteoarthritis (OA) and cartilage degeneration is highly associated with synovial inflammation. Although recent investigations have revealed a dysregulated crosstalk between fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLSs) and macrophages in the pathogenesis of synovitis, limited knowledge is available regarding the involvement of exosomes. Here, increased exosome secretion is observed in FLSs from OA patients. Notably, internalization of inflammatory FLS‐derived exosomes (inf‐exo) can enhance the M1 polarization of macrophages, which further induces an OA‐like phenotype in co‐cultured chondrocytes. Intra‐articular injection of inf‐exo induces synovitis and exacerbates OA progression in murine models. In addition, it is demonstrated that inf‐exo stimulation triggers the activation of glycolysis. Inhibition of glycolysis using 2‐DG successfully attenuates excessive M1 polarization triggered by inf‐exo. Mechanistically, HIF1A is identified as the determinant transcription factor, inhibition of which, both pharmacologically or genetically, relieves macrophage inflammation triggered by inf‐exo‐induced hyperglycolysis. Furthermore, in vivo administration of an HIF1A inhibitor alleviates experimental OA. The results provide novel insights into the involvement of FLS‐derived exosomes in OA pathogenesis, suggesting that inf‐exo‐induced macrophage dysfunction represents an attractive target for OA therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The temperature at which the carbon brushes and the structure of the rings in the electric propulsion slip ring operate has a crucial influence on the safe and reliable operation of the ship. In order to control the temperature of the local structure of the electric propulsion slip ring, this study established a carbon brush and ring piece model through finite element simulation analysis and designed a five-factor, four-level orthogonal test to derive the sensitivity of the final temperature influence factor: initial temperature > current > wind speed > pressure > speed; the optimal combination of parameters is obtained: initial temperature 35 °C, pressure 25 N, speed 5 rpm, wind speed 0.20 m/s, and current 40 A, and the optimal parameters are substituted for the temperature field simulation. The results show that the relatively large area of temperature is distributed on the carbon brushes with a maximum value of 58.3 °C, which is relatively reasonable in size and distribution; the relatively large area of potential is distributed on the carbon brushes, the maximum value of which is 0.3V The entire potential distribution is symmetrical, indicating a reasonable current path; the relatively large area of current density distribution is on the carbon brushes with a value of 64.7 A/cm², the entire current density distribution is symmetrical and corresponds to the potential distribution, which, together with the frictional rotation, corresponds to the temperature distribution, indicating that the simulation results have a certain degree of reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive fertilizer input, low nutrient use efficiency, soil quality, and environmental degradation hinder greenhouse vegetable production. Integrated agronomic strategies of soil, crop, and nutrient management are needed to sharply improve the vegetable yield and simultaneously maintain sustainable production. A three-season field experiment was conducted from 2015 to 2018, aiming to evaluate the effect of integrated soil–crop system management (ISSM) on the agronomy, environment, and economy of greenhouse vegetable systems in the Yangtze River Basin, China. Three treatments were included in the experiment: (1) farmers' current practice (FP), based on a local farmers' survey; (2) soil remediation treatment (SR), the application of soil conditioner and compost fertilizer instead of chicken manure; (3) ISSM, a combination of soil conditioner, reducing plant density, and using formula fertilizer as well as increasing the fertilization times. The results indicated that ISSM (47.7 Mg ha−1) improved the pepper yield by 17% relative to farmers' current practice (FP, 40.7 Mg ha−1). Soil remediation (SR), as a single approach, mainly made a contribution to improving the yield (by 6.9%) and nutrient use efficiency while reducing apparent nitrogen (N) losses. Higher yields were mainly attributed to increasing the fruit number per plant. On average, apparent N losses were reduced by 245 kg N ha−1 per season for ISSM compared to FP. In addition, higher net profits were obtained under SR and ISSM relative to FP. Overall, both SR and ISSM have advantages for the agronomy, environment, and economy in greenhouse vegetable production, but ISSM would be the optimal choice to achieve higher yields with lower environmental impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multispectral thermometry is based on the law of blackbody radiation and is widely used in engineering practice today. Temperature values can be inferred from radiation intensity and multiple sets of wavelengths. Multispectral thermometry eliminates the requirements for single-spectral and spectral similarity, which are associated with two-colour thermometry. In the process of multispectral temperature inversion, the solution of spectral emissivity and multispectral data processing can be seen as the keys to accurate thermometry. At present, spectral emissivity is most commonly estimated using assumption models. When an assumption model closely matches an actual situation, the inversion of the temperature and the accuracy of spectral emissivity are both very high; however, when the two are not closely matched, the inversion result is very different from the actual situation. Assumption models of spectral emissivity exhibit drawbacks when used for thermometry of a complex material, or any material whose properties dynamically change during a combustion process. To address the above problems, in the present study, we developed a multispectral thermometry method based on optimisation ideas. This method involves analysing connections between measured temperatures of each channel in a multispectral temperature inversion process; it also makes use of correlations between multispectral signals at different temperatures. In short, we established a multivariate temperature difference correlation function based on the principles of multispectral radiometric thermometry, using information correlations between data for each channel in a temperature inversion process. We then established a high-precision thermometry model by optimising the correlation function and correcting any measurement errors. This method simplifies the modelling process so that it becomes an optimisation problem of the temperature difference function. This also removes the need to assume the relationships between spectral emissivity and other physical quantities, simplifying the process of multispectral thermometry. Finally, this involves correction of the spectral data so that any impact of measurement error on the thermometry is reduced. In order to verify the feasibility and reliability of the method, a simple eight-channel multispectral thermometry device was used for experimental validation, in which the temperature emitted from a blackbody furnace was identified as the standard value. In addition, spectral data from the 468–603 nm band were calibrated within a temperature range of 1923.15–2273.15 K, resulting in multispectral thermometry based on optimisation principles with an error rate of around 0.3% and a temperature calculation time of less than 3 s. The achieved level of inversion accuracy was better than that obtained using either a secondary measurement method (SMM) or a neural network method, and the calculation speed achieved was considerably faster than that obtained using the SMM method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Occupational stress is becoming a common phenomenon around the world. Being in a high occupational stress state for a long time may destroy the metabolic balance of the body, thereby increasing the risk of metabolic diseases. There is limited evidence regarding the correlation between occupational stress and metabolic syndrome (MetS), particularly in the petrochemical workers. Methods: A total of 1683 workers of a petrochemical enterprise in China were included in the survey by cluster sampling method. The occupational stress assessment was carried out by the Job Content Questionnaire and the Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire, and the general demographic characteristics, work characteristics, occupational hazards, lifestyle and health examination data of the participants were collected. Logistic regression and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the correlations and influencing factors between occupational stress and its dimensions with MetS and its components. Results: A total of 1683 questionnaires were sent out, and 1608 were effectively collected, with an effective recovery rate of 95.54%. The detection rates of occupational stress in Job Demand-Control (JDC) and Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) models were 28.4% and 27.2%, respectively. In this study, 257 participants (16.0%) were diagnosed with MetS. Compared with the non-MetS group, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), triglycerides (TG) and fasting blood-glucose (FBG) levels were significantly higher in the MetS group, and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were significantly lower (P < 0.001). The results of multiple linear regression showed that after adjusting for nation, marital status, education, work system, smoking and drinking, and further adjusting for occupational hazards, the D/C ratio was significantly negatively correlated with SBP in the JDC model. Social support was negatively correlated with WC. In the ERI model, there was a significant positive correlation between over-commitment and FBG. Conclusions: The detection rates of occupational stress and MetS were high in workers of a petrochemical enterprise. In the JDC model, occupational stress was negatively correlated with SBP, and social support was negatively correlated with WC. In the ERI model, there was a significantly positive correlation between over-commitment and FBG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Host immune dysregulation involves in the initiation and development of osteosarcoma (OS). However, the exact role of immune cells in OS remains unknown. We aimed to distinguish the molecular subtypes and establish a prognostic model in OS patients based on immunocyte infiltration. The gene expression profile and corresponding clinical feature of OS patients were obtained from TARGET and GSE21257 datasets. MCP-counter and univariate Cox regression analyses were applied to identify immune cell infiltration-related molecular subgroups. Functional enrichment analysis and immunocyte infiltration analysis were performed between two subgroups. Furthermore, Cox regression and LASSO analyses were performed to establish the prognostic model for the prediction of prognosis and metastasis in OS patients. The subgroup with low infiltration of monocytic lineage (ML) was related to bad prognosis in OS patients. 435 DEGs were screened between the two subgroups. Functional enrichment analysis revealed these DEGs were involved in immune- and inflammation-related pathways. Three important genes (including TERT, CCDC26, and IL2RA) were identified to establish the prognostic model. The risk model had good prognostic performance for the prediction of metastasis and overall survival in OS patients. A novel stratification system was established based on ML-related signature. The risk model could predict the metastasis and prognosis in OS patients. Our findings offered a novel sight for the prognosis and development of OS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of matricellular protein periostin (POSTN) on tumour-stroma crosstalk in the liver metastatic microenvironment of colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: Postn-knockout mice and hepatic Postn-overexpressing mice were used to investigate the functions of POSTN on the formation of fibrotic microenvironment and the tumour-stroma crosstalk in the liver metastatic microenvironment of CRC. Clinical samples and database were analyzed to show the correlation between POSTN expression and fibrotic features and TGF-β signalling in metastatic livers of CRC. Results: POSTN deficiency reduced hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and liver metastasis, whereas POSTN overexpression in the liver significantly augmented the formation of a fibrotic microenvironment to support the liver metastatic growth of CRC cells in mice. Moreover, HSC-derived POSTN promoted TGF-β1 expression in CRC cells through the integrin/FAK/ERK/STAT3 pathway; conversely, tumour cell-derived TGF-β1 induced POSTN expression in HSCs via the Smad pathway. POSTN levels correlated with fibrotic features and TGF-β signalling in metastatic liver tissues of CRC patients. Conclusions: POSTN and TGF-β1 cooperatively contribute to the tumour-stroma crosstalk by forming a supporting fibrotic microenvironment to promote liver metastasis of CRC cells via the POSTN/integrin/FAK/ERK/STAT3/TGF-β axis in tumour cells and TGF-β/Smad/POSTN signalling in activated HSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the realm of clinical practice, nucleoside analogs are the prevailing antiviral drugs employed to combat feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) infections. However, these drugs, initially formulated for herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections, operate through a singular mechanism and are susceptible to the emergence of drug resistance. These challenges underscore the imperative to innovate and develop alternative antiviral medications featuring unique mechanisms of action, such as viral entry inhibitors. This research endeavors to address this pressing need. Utilizing Bio-layer interferometry (BLI), we meticulously screened drugs to identify natural compounds exhibiting high binding affinity for the herpesvirus functional protein envelope glycoprotein B (gB). The selected drugs underwent a rigorous assessment to gauge their antiviral activity against feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) and to elucidate their mode of action. Our findings unequivocally demonstrated that Saikosaponin B2, Punicalin, and Punicalagin displayed robust antiviral efficacy against FHV-1 at concentrations devoid of cytotoxicity. Specifically, these compounds, Saikosaponin B2, Punicalin, and Punicalagin, are effective in exerting their antiviral effects in the early stages of viral infection without compromising the integrity of the viral particle. Considering the potency and efficacy exhibited by Saikosaponin B2, Punicalin, and Punicalagin in impeding the early entry of FHV-1, it is foreseeable that their chemical structures will be further explored and developed as promising antiviral agents against FHV-1 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selecting the optimal spatiotemporal scale in fishing ground prediction models can maximize prediction accuracy. Current research on spatiotemporal scales shows that they are symmetrically distributed, which may not capture specific oceanographic features conducive to fishing ground formation. Recent studies have shown that deep learning is a promising research direction for addressing spatiotemporal scale issues. In the era of big data, deep learning outperforms traditional methods by more accurately and efficiently mining high-value, nonlinear information. In this study, taking Ommastrephes bartramii in the Northwest Pacific as an example, we used the U-Net model with sea surface temperature (SST) as the input factor and center fishing ground as the output factor. We constructed 80 different combinations of temporal scales and asymmetric spatial scales using data in 1998–2020. By comparing the results, we found that the optimal temporal scale for the deep learning fishing ground prediction model is 15 days, and the spatial scale is 0.25° × 0.25°. Larger time scales lead to higher model accuracy, and latitude has a greater impact on the model than longitude. It further enriches and refines the criteria for selecting spatiotemporal scales. This result deepens our understanding of the oceanographic characteristics of the Northwest Pacific environmental field and lays the foundation for future artificial intelligence-based fishery research. This study provides a scientific basis for the sustainable development of efficient fishery production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientific-grade cameras are frequently employed in industries such as spectral imaging technology, aircraft, medical detection, and astronomy, and are characterized by high precision, high quality, fast speed, and high sensitivity. Especially in the field of astronomy, obtaining information about faint light often requires long exposure with high-resolution cameras, which means that any external factors can cause the camera to become unstable and result in increased errors in the detection results. This paper aims to investigate the effect of displacement introduced by various vibration factors on the imaging of an astronomical camera during long exposure. The sources of vibration are divided into external vibration and internal vibration. External vibration mainly includes environmental vibration and resonance effects, while internal vibration mainly refers to the vibration caused by the force generated by the refrigeration module inside the camera during the working process of the camera. The cooling module is divided into water-cooled and air-cooled modes. Through the displacement and vibration experiments conducted on the camera, it is proven that the air-cooled mode will cause the camera to produce greater displacement changes relative to the water-cooled mode, leading to blurring of the imaging results and lowering the accuracy of astronomical detection. This paper compares the effects of displacement produced by two methods, fan cooling and water-circulation cooling, and proposes improvements to minimize the displacement variations in the camera and improve the imaging quality. This study provides a reference basis for the design of astronomical detection instruments and for determining the vibration source of cameras, which helps to promote the further development of astronomical detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detection of a secular post-merger gravitational wave (GW) signal in a binary neutron star (BNS) merger serves as strong evidence for the formation of a long-lived post-merger neutron star (NS), which can help constrain the maximum mass of NSs and differentiate NS equations of state. We specifically focus on the detection of GW emissions from rigidly rotating NSs formed through BNS mergers, using several kilohertz GW detectors that have been designed. We simulate the BNS mergers within the detecting limit of LIGO-Virgo-KARGA O4 and attempt to find out on what fraction the simulated sources may have a detectable secular post-merger GW signal. For kilohertz detectors designed in the same configuration of LIGO A+, we find that the design with peak sensitivity at approximately 2 kHz is most appropriate for such signals. The fraction of sources that have a detectable secular post-merger GW signal would be approximately |$0.94{\!-\!}11~{{ \rm per\ cent}}$| when the spin-downs of the post-merger rigidly rotating NSs are dominated by GW radiation, while it would be approximately |$0.46{\!-\!}1.6~{{ \rm per\ cent}}$| when the contribution of electromagnetic (EM) radiation to the spin-down processes is non-negligible. We also estimate this fraction based on other well-known proposed kilohertz GW detectors and find that, with advanced design, it can reach approximately |$12{\!-\!}45~{{ \rm per\ cent}}$| for the GW-dominated spin-down case and |$4.7{\!-\!}16~{{\rm per\ cent}}$| when both the GW and EM radiations are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic therapy effectively addresses Escherichia coli-induced enteric diseases, but its excessive utilization results in microbial imbalance and heightened resistance. This study evaluates the therapeutic efficacy of orally administered poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-loaded antimicrobial peptide OH-CATH30 microspheres in murine bacterial enteritis. Mice were categorized into the healthy control group (CG), untreated model group (MG), OH-CATH30 treatment group (OC), PLGA-OH-CATH30 treatment group (POC), and gentamicin sulfate treatment group (GS). Except for the control group, all other experimental groups underwent Escherichia coli-induced enteritis, followed by a 5-day treatment period. The evaluation encompassed clinical symptoms, intestinal morphology, blood parameters, inflammatory response, and gut microbiota. PLGA-OH-CATH30 microspheres significantly alleviated weight loss and intestinal damage while also reducing the infection-induced increase in spleen index. Furthermore, these microspheres normalized white blood cell count and neutrophil ratio, suppressed inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), and elevated the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10. Analysis of 16S rRNA sequencing results demonstrated that microsphere treatment increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria, including Phocaeicola vulgatus, in the intestinal tract while concurrently decreasing the abundance of pathogenic bacteria, such as Escherichia. In conclusion, PLGA-OH-CATH30 microspheres have the potential to ameliorate intestinal damage and modulate the intestinal microbiota, making them a promising alternative to antibiotics for treating enteric diseases induced by Escherichia coli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xishuangbanna (XIS) cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. var. xishuangbannanesis) is a semiwild variety originating from low latitude tropic areas, and therefore shows extreme cold sensitivity and heat tolerance. Here, we mapped the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that control the cold sensitivity and heat tolerance of XIS cucumber seedlings. Using bulked segregant analysis (BSA), we identified three QTLs (HTT1.1, HTT3.1, and HTT3.2, with a total length of 11.98 Mb) for heat tolerance and two QTLs (LTT6.1 and LTT6.2, with a total length of 8.74 Mb) for cold sensitivity. The QTL LTT6.1 was then narrowed down to a length of 641 kb by using kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) markers. Based on structural variants (SVs) and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we found the LTT6.1 is covered by a high divergent region including a 50 kb deletion in the XIS49 genome, which affects the gene structure of lipase abhydrolase domain containing 6 (ABHD6, Csa_6G032560). Accordingly, there is a very big difference in lipid composition, but not in other osmoprotectants like free amino acids and fatty acids, between XIS49 and cultivated cucumber CL. Moreover, we calculated the composite likelihood ratio (CLR) and identified selective sweeps from 115 resequencing data, and found that lipid- and fatty-acid-related processes are major aspects in the domestication of the XIS group cucumber. LTT6.1 is a particularly special region positioned nearby lipid-related selective sweeps. These studies above suggested that the lipid-related domestication of XIS cucumbers should account for their extreme cold sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intrinsically disordered proteins and regions (IDPs/IDRs) are functionally important proteins and regions that exist as highly dynamic conformations under natural physiological conditions. IDPs/IDRs exhibit a broad range of molecular functions, and their functions involve binding interactions with partners and remaining native structural flexibility. The rapid increase in the number of proteins in sequence databases and the diversity of disordered functions challenge existing computational methods for predicting protein intrinsic disorder and disordered functions. A disordered region interacts with different partners to perform multiple functions, and these disordered functions exhibit different dependencies and correlations. In this study, we introduce DisoFLAG, a computational method that leverages a graph-based interaction protein language model (GiPLM) for jointly predicting disorder and its multiple potential functions. GiPLM integrates protein semantic information based on pre-trained protein language models into graph-based interaction units to enhance the correlation of the semantic representation of multiple disordered functions. The DisoFLAG predictor takes amino acid sequences as the only inputs and provides predictions of intrinsic disorder and six disordered functions for proteins, including protein-binding, DNA-binding, RNA-binding, ion-binding, lipid-binding, and flexible linker. We evaluated the predictive performance of DisoFLAG following the Critical Assessment of protein Intrinsic Disorder (CAID) experiments, and the results demonstrated that DisoFLAG offers accurate and comprehensive predictions of disordered functions, extending the current coverage of computationally predicted disordered function categories. The standalone package and web server of DisoFLAG have been established to provide accurate prediction tools for intrinsic disorders and their associated functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Military personnel experience prolonged exposure to high-stress environments. Positive coping styles can assist in maintaining their mental and behavioral well-being, whereas negative coping styles cannot. Health behavior change theory specifies that an individual can transition from a negative to a positive coping style. The psychological resilience concept may prove vital in this transition.Methods: In a longitudinal study design, two questionnaires were administered to 233 military personnel twice, the first at T1 in April 2023 and the second at T2 in July 2023. The questionnaire measured individual negative coping style, positive coping style and psychological resilience.Results: The data showed that the negative coping style at T1 negatively predicted the level of psychological resilience at T2 (γ= - 0.26, p < 0.001) and the positive coping style at T2 (γ= - 0.16, p < 0.001). The level of psychological resilience at T1 positively predicted the positive coping style at T2 (γ= 0.22, p < 0.01). Psychological resilience played a mediating role between negative coping style and positive coping style. In addition, there was an interaction between psychological resilience and positive coping style in military personnel at the two time points.Conclusion: The negative coping styles that presently exist among military personnel have the potential to diminish their future positive coping styles by lowering their psychological resilience. This highlights the need to focus on the development and training of psychological resilience for military personnel, as it can effectively counteract negative coping styles and promote positive coping styles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C17H19F2N3O5S, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 14.157(7) Å, b = 11.133(6) Å, c = 11.400(6) Å, β = 91.965(13)°, V = 1795.6(16) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0611 wRref(F2) = 0.1809, T = 205 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cr 2 CT x nanosheets were obtained through the utilization of FeCl 3 +tartaric acid to etch Cr 2 AlC, taking advantage of the disparities in redox reactions and metal complex formation capabilities. The oxidation mechanism and kinetics process of Cr 2 CT x MXene suspensions were investigated under different pH, temperature, and concentration conditions. Then, incorporating Cr 2 CT x MXene into epoxy coatings significantly improved compatibility, mechanical and anticorrosion properties, owing to the ultra-high barrier effect and oxidative properties, which enabled it to adsorb and consume H 2 O and O 2 diffused into coatings interior and generated a dense and effective Cr-based oxidation product layer. • Cr 2 CT x nanosheets were prepared through F-free ions etching. • The oxidation mechanisms and kinetics of Cr 2 CT x MXene were summarized. • Cr 2 CT x through oxidation control formed the dense Cr-based oxide layer and further improved corrosion protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) strengthened by dispersed oxide nanoparticles are considered potential structural materials used in advanced nuclear reactors. Herein, a novel Y-Si-O nanoparticle-strengthened near-equiatomic FeNiMnCr HEA was prepared via the powder metallurgy method. Microstructural characterizations revealed that the oxide dispersion-strengthened (ODS) FeNiMnCr HEA consisted of the face-centered cubic (FCC) matrix and high-density Y-Si-O nanoparticles (Y 2 SiO 5 and Y 2 Si 2 O 7). The average diameter and volume fraction of the nanoparticles were counted to be 21.3 nm and 1.02%, respectively. The grain size was reduced from 10.13 μm of the FeNiMnCr HEA to 0.79 μm of the ODS FeNiMnCr HEA. The ODS FeNiMnCr HEA showed a yield strength of 1125 MPa, an ultimate tensile strength of 1137 MPa, and a moderate elongation of 8.3% at room temperature. At 500°C, the ODS FeNiMnCr HEA also had a high yield strength of 662 MPa. Theoretical calculation showed that the high strength of the ODS FeNiMnCr HEA was mainly due to the grain boundary strengthening, dislocation strengthening, and precipitation strengthening. ● A newly designed ODS FeNiMnCr HEA with enhanced strength-ductility combination was fabricated by a powder metallurgy method. ● The alloy contained nano-sized grain structure and nano-oxide particles including Y 2 SiO 5 and Y 2 Si 2 O 7. ● The grain boundary strengthening, dislocation strengthening, and precipitation strengthening were the main reasons for the high mechanical strength of the ODS FeNiMnCr HEA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• As external force increased, atomic magnetic moment increased. • Severe damage is more likely to occur on the {1 1 ¯ 0} plane than on the {1 1 2} plane. • Mn, Si, Ni and Cr will reduce the critical damage magnetic signal of the pipeline. Pipeline stress-induced critical damage is a primary cause of sudden pipe ruptures. To investigate the characteristics of weak magnetic internal detection signals related to critical damage in pipeline stress, a magneto-mechanical model was developed based on density functional theory. The model could assess the corresponding relationships among the generalized stacking fault energy (GSFE), critical resolved shear stress (CRSS), atomic magnetic moment, and magnetic signals during the critical damage process of the pipeline. The analysis included examining the influential patterns of different stress directions and materials on the magnetic signals associated with critical damage, followed by the systematic experimental verification. The research results indicated that when the crystal dislocation stress exceeded the CRSS, weak magnetic signals could effectively characterize the critical damage induced by stress, accompanying by a sharp variation in magnetic signals observed during critical damage occurrence. Different stress directions lead to varying energy barriers that must be overcome for critical damage, resulting in distinct magnetic signal features. In the {1 1 2} plane, the CRSS increased by 11.07 % compared with {1 1 ¯ 0} plane, and the axial magnetic signal during critical damage was elevated by 1.47 % compared with {1 1 ¯ 0} plane. Variances in magnetic signals for critical damage were assessed for steel pipes of different materials due to differences in processing and composition. Under identical conditions, the magnetic signal difference for critical damage in X80 steel plates was 39 % higher than that in X70 steel plates. Additionally, the magnetic signal difference for critical damage in the circumferential weld of X80 was 53 % higher than that in X80. The findings provided a theoretical basis for monitoring and early warning of critical damage states in pipelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Classification and excellent properties of PONs for tumor theranostics are highlighted. • Promising strategies for enhanced tumor monotherapy are presented. • PONs-based combined therapies and imaging-guided tumor therapies are summarized. • Potential challenges and clinical perspectives for tumor theranostics are outlooked. Cancer nanomedicines offer the effective solutions to overcome the difficulties of traditional cancer therapies. Porous organic nanoplatforms (PONs) are anticipated to be an optimal choice for tumor therapy due to their distinctive properties, including self-versatility, controllable pore size, high loading capacity, ease of functionalized modification, morphological diversity, metal-free composition as well as superior biodegradability and biocompatibility. In this review, we initially provide an overview of the classification and excellent properties of PONs. Then, with a specific focus on their applications in tumor monotherapy, combined therapy and theranostics, as well as the advancements in therapeutic optimization strategies. Lastly, we succinctly summarize the current challenges and future directions of PONs within this field to provide valuable references for further investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, contract manufacturers are increasingly establishing their private labels to compete with the national brands of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) on the online platform (i.e., contract manufacturer encroachment). Yet, the extant literature rarely concerns the contract manufacturer’s encroachment strategy (non-encroachment, encroachment through the reselling or agency-selling modes) under different sales modes of the OEM and their strategic interplay, although this structure is common in practice. Considering a three-tier supply chain consisting of a contract manufacturer, an OEM and an online platform, we develop a game-theoretical model to examine the interactions of the contract manufacturer’s encroachment strategy and the OEM’s sales mode choice. We show that the OEM using the agency mode encourages the contract manufacturer to encroach through the agency mode, while the contract manufacturer encroaching via agency selling increases the probability that the OEM adopts the reselling mode. Surprisingly, to deal with the contract manufacturer encroachment, the OEM may utilize the reselling mode instead of the agency mode. Furthermore, we find that in most cases, contract manufacturer encroachment can increase the profits of the contract manufacturer and the platform but reduce the OEM’s profit, whereas in a few cases, the encroachment can achieve a win-win-win situation for the three firms. Moreover, contract manufacturer encroachment always increases consumer welfare but may reduce social welfare. In addition, the extended model investigates the influence of the game sequence and shows that there is a first-mover advantage for the OEM and a second-mover advantage for the contract manufacturer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article titled "Inflammatory Fibroblast‐Like Synoviocyte‐Derived Exosomes Aggravate Osteoarthritis via Enhancing Macrophage Glycolysis" explores the role of exosomes in the development of synovitis and osteoarthritis. The authors discovered that inflammatory fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) secrete more exosomes compared to intact FLSs. These exosomes act as messengers, spreading inflammation from FLSs to macrophages and triggering macrophage M1-like polarization, which worsens osteoarthritis. The study also reveals that this communication involves the activation of glycolysis in macrophages through the upregulation of the transcription factor HIF1A. This research provides new insights into the pathogenesis of synovitis and offers potential avenues for future therapeutic approaches for osteoarthritis. [Extracted from the article]

The influences of electrohydrodynamics on enhanced boiling heat transfer performance under different sizes of micro-columns were explored. The results indicate that the electrohydrodynamic enhancement in the critical heat flux (CHF) of micro-column surfaces decreases as the micro-column spacing increases. Specifically, when the micro-column's width and spacing are both 30 μm, the CHF in HFE7100 exhibits enhancements of 66.4%, 31.5%, and 28.6% at Δ T sub = 3, 20, and 30 K, respectively. The field trap effect was more pronounced on the surfaces with larger micro-column spacing and at high liquid subcoolings. The PF90–90 in ES500 exhibited CHF decreases of 8.6% and 5.3% with the electric field under the subcoolings of 20 K and 30 K, respectively. Bubble behavior shows that the electric field has an advantage in increasing the liquid-vapor instability (far-field boiling heat transfer performance). However, the electric field has disadvantages in promoting the detachment of bubbles generated in the microchannels (near-field boiling heat transfer performance). Thus, the electrohydrodynamic enhancement of boiling heat transfer is weakened. These findings indicate that a synergistic enhancement of both near-field and far-field boiling heat transfer performance is necessary for further boiling heat transfer performance improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The ET value of various crops in different soils were determined by SWAP model. • Farmland target ET indicator was separated from the regional target ET. • Soil and water resources were optimally allocated under farmland target ET. • Multi-objective optimal allocation of soil and water resources model was established. • The results showed that the economic benefit and water use efficiency were improved. There is a mismatch between crop water demand, the spatial and temporal distribution of natural rainfall, surface water sources, and arable land resources in the North China Plain. This has been compensated for by massive groundwater exploitation, and as a result, ground water levels have continuously declined and groundwater landing funnels have formed in some areas. Consequently, there is an urgent need for the rational allocation of soil and water resources. In this study, regional soil types and the corresponding crops in Guangping County, Hebei Province, China, alongside the regional annual average total water consumption were used to determine reasonable allocations for crop planting structures, with an aim of maximizing the water utilization efficiency and economic benefits while also achieving a regional groundwater dynamic equilibrium. Daily meteorological data from 1973 to 2021, including precipitation, temperature, sunshine hours, wind speed, and humidity, as well as crop data, including irrigation systems and crop growth status, were collected. Water consumption models for eight soil types and seven typical crops forming 56 calculation partitions were established to obtain annual average water consumption values for the different crops. The maximum economic benefit and water-use efficiency were then used as the objective functions and total water consumption as the control condition for the non-dominated sorted genetic algorithm-Ⅱ (NSGA-II), to optimize the allocation of soil and water resources in the region; the adjusted quantities for the different crops cultivated under different soil types in the study area were obtained. The areas growing sweet potato and vegetable-fruits were found to increase by 0.5255 km2 and 4.4452 km2, respectively, when compared to the pre-optimization period, whereas the areas with winter wheat-summer maize, millet, peanut, cotton, and summer maize decreased by 1.3481 km2, 0.1812 km2, 0.7316 km2, 2.0896 km2, and 0.62 km2, respectively. The economic benefit increased from 810.37 to 853.64 million yuan, while the water-use efficiency increased from 1.5426 kg/m3 to 1.5859 kg/m3. The results provide a basis for soil and water resource management in the region and a technical reference for similar areas to improve agricultural water-use efficiency and economic benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal based solid waste has been recognized as a sustainable raw material for the preparation of high added value materials for wastewater treatment. In this paper, a preparation route was designed for the rapid, efficient, and low-cost preparation of MCM-41 zeolite using coal gasification fine slag as raw material. Functionalization modification of MCM-41 was carried out by grafting amino groups on its surface to improve its application performance. Moreover, the prepared functionalized material is used for bidirectional adsorption of anionic and cationic dyes. The experimental results indicate that MCM-41 zeolite with highly ordered pore structure was rapidly prepared using the advantages of fast heating and strong permeability of microwave synthesis method, with a specific surface area of up to 862.03 m2/g. Amine functionalized MCM-41 exhibits strong adsorption capacity for both cationic and anionic dyes, with maximum adsorption capacities for methylene blue and Congo red being 292.40 mg/g and 354.61 mg/g, respectively. The study of adsorption kinetics and adsorption mechanism indicate that the adsorption process is mainly controlled through chemical adsorption, including electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding, and π-π interactions. The results of this study will provide useful references for the use of coal based solid waste to prepare functional materials for the treatment of organic wastewater. [Display omitted] • High-quality MCM-41 were rapidly prepared from coal gasification fine slag. • The specific surface area and pore volume reached 862.03 m2/g and 0.75 cm3/g. • The adsorption of anionic and cationic dyes by modified MCM-41 was studied. • The adsorption capacities for MB and CR reached 292.40 mg/g and 354.61 mg/g. • The adsorption kinetics and adsorption mechanism have been detailed studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel 3D anisotropic random porous structure based on anisotropic Voronoi diagrams with high strength and high stiffness. • The parallel 3D anisotropic Voronoi diagram algorithm which eliminates the need for iterative calculations and is applicable to complex 3D shapes, including intricate concave shapes and structures with non-zero genus. • The stress driven strategy in which the distribution of Voronoi cells is related with the spatial distribution of stress magnitudes, while the cell orientations are controlled by the direction of stress tensor. Porous structures exhibit excellent mechanical properties and are widely utilized in engineering design. However, there is still substantial potential for enhancing the mechanical performance of these structure. By customizing the anisotropic design of each pore in the porous structure, the strength and stiffness of the structure can be significantly enhanced. In this work, we present a novel method for designing 3D anisotropic Voronoi porous structures (AVPSs). To construct these structures, we propose a novel algorithm for generating 3D anisotropic Voronoi diagrams (AVDs) based on Riemannian distance. The geometries of Voronoi cells are controlled to conform with both the stress distribution and the principal stress directions. The distribution of Voronoi cells are graded using a stress-based site sampling strategy, the orientation of Voronoi cells are modified by introducing stress-mapped Riemann tensor fields. The AVPSs are then modeled by computing implicit surfaces based on AVDs. The AVPSs conform closely to the geometric profile of the input model by clipping AVDs using the tetrahedral mesh. Furthermore, the results obtained from numerical simulations and experimental tests indicate that the AVPSs possess both high strength and high stiffness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The high-speed & low-energy impact under millimetre sized projectile and residual strength under 1300 ℃ were focused for SiC/SiC with EBC. • The tensile test at 1300 ℃ was conducted and μCT were used to observe the impact and tension after impact(TAI) damage. • An analysis method for damage evolution by the attachment quantity was found to SiC/SiC. The research on the high-speed & low-energy impact under millimetre sized projectile and residual strength under high temperature are rare for SiC/SiC with Environmental Barrier Coatings (EBC). The impact of 2 mm steel projectiles at the speed of 177.5 m/s–252.7 m/s was studied for EBC(Si/Yb 2 Si 2 O 7 /Yb 2 SiO 5)-SiC/SiC with Chemical Vapor Infiltration (CVI) process. The tensile test at 1300 ℃ was conducted on an inert gas protection testing machine. The optical microscope, Scanning Electronic Microscope(SEM), μCT were used to observe the impact and tension after impact(TAI) damage. The results shows that projectile impact has strong effect on EBC peeling, SiC/SiC damage and fracture, and residual-tension strength at 1300 ℃. And the threshold values of impact velocity or energy are different for them. Furthermore, an analysis method for damage evolution by the attachment quantity of oxide was found for EBC-SiC/SiC composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laminated C/SiC(carbon fiber reinforced silicon carbide composites) has the complicated nature of composite failure which include cracks for void defects at the meso and micro scales, complex cracks propagation of tunnel cracks, matrix cracks, delaminations and fiber cracks, orthotropic, and pseudoplastic behavior. It has technical challenge to solve all of them for complicated-mechanics problems by using multi-scale methodology. This paper focused tackling it by a model that lies between macro and meso scales, and proposed a new conceptual 3D FE-PDM(Finite Element - Progressive Damage Method). 3D FE-PDM was validated by the experiments of low-velocity impact of 2D C/SiC and 3D needled C/SiC. Damage initiation and evolution were controlled by strain in order to preventing stress chaos which could occur as cracks leading local stress relief. The multi-linear constitutive relations were adopted in orthotropic directions. The coupled effects of stresses between in-plane and out-of-plane were computed by adding damage coefficients into stiffness matrix. Cohesive Zone Method was used for delamination. The PDM approach was introduced for the 3D elements for intralaminar and cohesive elements for the interfaces. A parametric inversion methodology was put forward to determine the model parameters iteratively by comparing simulation results with the load-time curves, damage CT details of the experiments. Validation implies that, with small number of parameters, 3D FE-PDM is able to predict damage initiation of each phase knee, damage evolution, and load–displacement curve with good convergence for the low-velocity impact case. 2D woven and 3D needled non-woven C/SiC both have impact energy threshold and different damage evolution types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the problem of the state estimate of a class of DC microgrids with both disturbed states and disturbed outputs via event-triggered impulsive observer (ETIO). First, a mathematical model is established for such class of DC microgrids, and then the notion of impulsive observer including impulsive observer with K -asymptotic gain is proposed. Then, by using two Lyapunov-like functions, a scheme of event-triggered impulsive control (ETIC) via three layers of event-triggering conditions is designed for ETIO to track the state of the DC microgrid. And an algorithm is given for the implementation of ETIC in practice. The ETIC scheme is then extended to the sampling-based ETIC (S-ETIC) to reduce the calculation and improve the effectiveness of the ETIC. Both theoretical proofs and numerical simulations are given to show that the proposed ETIO via both ETIC and S-ETIC can track the state of the DC microgrid within K -asymptotic gain. Specifically, when the disturbance tends to zero, the tracking is accurate. Moreover, the simulation is given for comparisons between ETIO and other observers including the classic impulsive observer, Luenberger observer, sliding mode observer, and extended state observer. It is shown that the designed ETIO has advantages of lower impulse frequency, lower control cost, and smaller tracking error than the other observers. • A model of DC MGs with both disturbed states and outputs is established. • An event-triggered impulsive observer (ETIO) is constructed for the MGs. • The schemes of event-triggered impulsive control are proposed for ETIO. • ETIO tracks the MGs with lower frequency and less cost and smaller error. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cotton is globally important crop. Verticillium wilt (VW), caused by Verticillium dahliae, is the most destructive disease in cotton, reducing yield and fiber quality by over 50% of cotton acreage. Breeding resistant cotton cultivars has proven to be an efficient strategy for improving the resistance of cotton to V. dahliae. However, the lack of understanding of the genetic basis of VW resistance may hinder the progress in deploying elite cultivars with proven resistance. Results: We planted the VW-resistant Gossypium hirsutum cultivar Zhongzhimian No.2 (ZZM2) in an artificial greenhouse and disease nursery. ZZM2 cotton was subsequently subjected to transcriptome sequencing after Vd991 inoculation (6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h post-inoculation). Several differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in response to V. dahliae infection, mainly involved in resistance processes, such as flavonoid and terpenoid quinone biosynthesis, plant hormone signaling, MAPK signaling, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and pyruvate metabolism. Compared to the susceptible cultivar Junmian No.1 (J1), oxidoreductase activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were significantly increased in ZZM2. Furthermore, gene silencing of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1), which is involved in the oxidation-reduction process in ZZM2, compromised its resistance to V. dahliae, suggesting that COX1 contributes to VW resistance in ZZM2. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that the G. hirsutum cultivar ZZM2 responds to V. dahliae inoculation through resistance-related processes, especially the oxidation-reduction process. This enhances our understanding of the mechanisms regulating the ZZM2 defense against VW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Constructed a groundwater numerical model by Visual MODFLOW and studized the feasibility of mine water recharge to aquifers. • Analyzed the impact of mine water recharge on the water level and inflow of aquifers. • To ensure the safe mining in the future, the dynamic water inflow under different mining levels was predicted. Water inflow poses a critical safety concern in coal mining. The pressing challenge in current mine water inflow research is the need to enhance the prediction of dynamic changes in mine water inflow across different mining stages. In this study, the hydrogeological conditions and aquifer structural characteristics of the Wutongzhuang Coal Mine in Hebei Province, China were analyzed, and the results were combined with pumping test and drilling data. A numerical model of groundwater flow in the study area was established using Visual MODFLOW and the model was calibrated and verified by comparing its results with the measured values to ensure that it realistically reflected the state of groundwater movement in the study area. The results of numerical simulation indicated that: (1) The water level of the Ordovician aquifer varies significantly by season. A large exposed area of Ordovician limestone in the western mountainous region receives a large amount of rainfall infiltration recharge in the summer rainy period that raises the water level of the Ordovician aquifer in the study area. (2) The groundwater system in the study area is in an equilibrium state, with the water inflow approximately equal to the outflow. (3) The recharge of mine drainage water has a slight positive effect on the Ordovician water level and the floor water inflow, with the impact on the water level of the aquifer decreasing as the distance from the recharge well and the import of Ordovician limestone water increase. In cases in which there is mine water recharge, the water level of the Ordovician aquifer is approximately 0.33 to 1.37 m higher than in cases without recharge, resulting in an increase in water inflow of approximately 10.6 m3/d. (4) In cases in which there is recharge of all drainage water, the maximum water inflow into the fifth mining area is 3,491.3 m3/d, which is 12.5 m3/d higher than in the case without recharge. These results provide important technical references for the formulation of mining schemes and water prevention measures in mining areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The gut microbiome is composed of various microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, and constitutes an important part of the human gut. Its composition is closely related to human health and disease. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease whose underlying mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Recent research has shown that there are significant differences in the gut microbiota between AD patients and healthy individuals. Changes in the composition of gut microbiota may lead to the development of harmful factors associated with AD. In addition, the gut microbiota may play a role in the development and progression of AD through the gut–brain axis. However, the exact nature of this relationship has not been fully understood. Aims: This review will elucidate the types and functions of gut microbiota and their relationship with AD and explore in depth the potential mechanisms of gut microbiota in the occurrence of AD and the prospects for treatment strategies. Methods: Reviewed literature from PubMed and Web of Science using key terminologies related to AD and the gut microbiome. Results: Research indicates that the gut microbiota can directly or indirectly influence the occurrence and progression of AD through metabolites, endotoxins, and the vagus nerve. Discussion: This review discusses the future challenges and research directions regarding the gut microbiota in AD. Conclusion: While many unresolved issues remain regarding the gut microbiota and AD, the feasibility and immense potential of treating AD by modulating the gut microbiota are evident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the micro-tube gas-assisted extrusion process, flow theories ignoring cross-scale viscoelastic variations fail to effectively characterize the rheological state of the melt. To investigate the impact of cross-scale viscoelastic variation on the quality of the micro-tube gas-assisted extrusion, a 3D multiphase flow extrusion model incorporating a double gas-assisted layer was developed. Subsequently, we modified the DCPP constitutive equations based on the cross-scale factor model. Both the traditional and gas-assisted extrusions were simulated under macroscale and cross-scale models using the Ansys Polyflow. Finally, using the established gas-assisted extrusion platform, extrusion experiments were conducted. The results indicate that, owing to the reduced melt viscosity under the cross-scale model, the deformation behavior of the melt is more pronounced than in the macroscale model. The cross-scale model's numerical results more closely match the experimental outcomes under the same parameters, thereby confirming the feasibility of the theoretical analysis and numerical simulation. Moreover, the predictive capability of the cross-scale model for the micro-tube gas-assisted extrusion is further validated through numerical and experimental analyses with varying parameters. It is demonstrated that the cross-scale viscoelastic variation is a critical factor that cannot be overlooked in the gas-assisted extrusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neuropsychiatric syndrome that affects the prognosis of patients with liver disease and is considered an independent risk factor for hospitalization and death. Rifaximin has been approved for HE treatment. This review will analyze the effect of rifaximin on different stages of HE with differential application dosages and strategies by traditional and network meta-analyses. Methods: We performed a systematic search of PubMed, EmBase, and Cochrane Library databases up to February 26, 2023, to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about rifaximin for the prevention and treatment of HE. The outcomes included incidence of HE and HE progression, HE reversal, mortality, and adverse effects. Results: A total of 21 studies were included. In the primary prevention of HE, rifaximin significantly reduced the incidence of HE (OR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.45, 0.96; p = 0.032). In secondary prevention, rifaximin significantly reduced the risk of recurrence in patients who were in remission (OR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.28, 0.52; p < 0.001). In the treatment of minimal HE, rifaximin significantly reduced the breakthrough of MHE to OHE (OR: 0.17; 95% CI: 0.04,0.63; p = 0.008). Rifaximin also significantly improved the clinical symptoms of MHE and OHE patients (OR: 3.76; 95% CI: 2.69, 5.25; p < 0.001). However, rifaximin did not reduce mortality at any stage in HE patients (OR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.58, 1.08; p = 0.133). Additionally, rifaximin did not increase the risk of adverse effects (OR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.74, 1.24; p = 0.749). In the network meta-analysis, the 400 mg T.I.D. intervention had a relative advantage for HE risks in primary and secondary prevention. In the treatment of MHE, 600 mg b.i.d. was superior in preventing the breakthrough from MHE to OHE. Conclusion: Rifaximin prevented HE risks and progression and improved clinical symptoms in patients with MHE but did not reduce mortality. For primary and secondary prevention, 400 mg t.i.d. could be considered. 600 mg b.i.d. could be considered in patients with MHE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uncontrolled hemorrhage is a major preventable cause of death in patients with trauma. However, the majority of large animal models of hemorrhage have utilized controlled hemorrhage rather than uncontrolled hemorrhage to investigate the impact of immunopathy and coagulopathy on multi-organ failure (MOF) and mortality. This study evaluates these alterations in a severe porcine controlled and uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock (HS) model. Anesthetized female swine underwent controlled hemorrhage and uncontrolled hemorrhage by partial splenic resection followed with or without lactated Ringer solution (LR) or Voluven® resuscitation. Swine were surveyed 6 h after completion of splenic hemorrhage or until death. Blood chemistry, physiologic variables, systemic and tissue levels of complement proteins and cytokines, coagulation parameters, organ function, and damage were recorded and assessed. HS resulted in systemic and local complement activation, cytokine release, hypocoagulopathy, metabolic acidosis, MOF, and no animal survival. Resuscitation with LR and Voluven® after HS improved hemodynamic parameters (MAP and SI), metabolic acidosis, hyperkalemia, and survival but resulted in increased complement activation and worse coagulopathy. Compared with the LR group, the animals with hemorrhagic shock treated with Voluven® had worse dilutional anemia, coagulopathy, renal and hepatic dysfunction, increased myocardial complement activation and renal damage, and decreased survival rate. Hemorrhagic shock triggers early immunopathy and coagulopathy and appears associated with MOF and death. This study indicates that immunopathy and coagulopathy are therapeutic targets that may be addressed with a high-impact adjunctive treatment to conventional resuscitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Varicellovirus equidalpha1 (formerly Equid alphaherpesvirus 1, EqAHV-1) is among the most important viruses responsible for respiratory disease outbreaks among horses throughout the world. No reports to date have detailed the association between EqAHV-1 and respiratory disease among horses in China. This study described one such outbreak among a population of horses in north Xinjiang that occurred from April 2021 - May 2023. Results: qPCR revealed that EqAHV-1 was detectable in all samples and this virus was identified as a possible source of respiratory disease, although a limited subset of these samples were also positive for EqAHV-2, EqAHV-4, and EqAHV-5. In total, three EqAHV-1 strains responsible for causing respiratory illness in horses were isolated successfully, and full-length ORF33 sequence comparisonsand phylogenetic analyses indicated that these isolates may have originated from EqAHV-1 strains detected in Yili horse abortions. ORF30 sequence data additionally suggested that these strains were neuropathic, as evidenced by the presence of a guanine residue at nucleotide position 2254 corresponding to the aspartic acid present at position 752 in the DNA polymerase encoded by this virus. Conclusion: This study is the first report of an outbreak of respiratory disease among horses in China caused by EqAHV-1. ORF30 sequence characterization revealed that these EqAHV-1 strains harbored a neuropathogenic genotype. Given the detection of this virus in horses suffering from respiratory disease, concern is warranted with respect to this neuropathogenic EqAHV-1 outbreak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MXene is a promising candidate for the next generation of lightweight electromagnetic interference (EMI) materials owing to its low density, excellent conductivity, hydrophilic properties, and adjustable component structure. However, MXene lacks interlayer support and tends to agglomerate, leading to a shorter service life and limiting its development in thin-layer electromagnetic shielding material. In this study, we designed self-assembled TiO2-Ti3C2Tx materials with a ball–plate structure to mitigate agglomeration and obtain a thin-layer and multiple absorption porous materials for high-efficiency EMI shielding. The TiO2-Ti3C2Tx composite with a thickness of 50 μm achieved a shielding efficiency of 72 dB. It was demonstrated that the ball–plate structure generates additional interlayer cavities and internal interface, increasing the propagation path for an electromagnetic wave, which, in turn, raises the capacity of materials to absorb and dissipate the wave. These effects improve the overall EMI shielding performance of MXene and pave the way for the development of the next-generation EMI shielding system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study employs systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the incidence and characteristics of spinal cord injury (SCI) between 2000 and 2021, aiming to provide the most recent and comprehensive data support for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care of SCI. Methods: Systematic searches were conducted on epidemiological studies of SCI published between January 1, 2000, and March 29, 2024. Meta-analysis, subgroup analysis, meta-regression, publication bias detection, and literature quality assessment were extensively utilized. Results: The pooled results from 229 studies indicated that the overall incidence rate of SCI was 23.77 (95% CI, 21.50–26.15) per million people, with traumatic spinal cord injuries (TSCI) at a rate of 26.48 (95% CI, 24.15–28.93) per million people, and non-traumatic spinal cord injuries (NTSCI) at a rate of 17.93 (95% CI, 13.30-23.26) per million people. The incidence of TSCI exhibited a marked age-related increase and was significantly higher in community settings compared to hospital and database sources. Males experienced TSCI at a rate 3.2 times higher than females. Between 2000 and 2021, the incidence of TSCI remained consistently high, between 20 and 45 per million people, whereas NTSCI incidence has seen a steady rise since 2007, stabilizing at a high rate of 25–35 per million people. Additionally, the incidence of TSCI in developing countries was notably higher than that in developed countries. There were significant differences in the causes of injury, severity, injury segments, gender, and age distribution among the TSCI and NTSCI populations, but the proportion of male patients was much higher than that of female patients. Moreover, study quality, country type, and SCI type contributed to the heterogeneity in the meta-analysis. Conclusions: The incidence rates of different types of SCI remain high, and the demographic distribution of SCI patients is changing, indicating a serious disease burden on healthcare systems and affected populations. These findings underscore the necessity of adopting targeted preventive, therapeutic, and rehabilitative measures based on the incidence and characteristics of SCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistance in Kawasaki disease (KD) was associated with coronary artery lesions. Neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio (NPAR) is an index of mortality in several inflammatory diseases. This study focused on the association of NPAR with IVIG- resistance in KD. Clinical and laboratory data of 438 children with KD before IVIG treatment were retrospectively analyzed. Notably, high NPAR was associated with older age, high WBC, NP, ALT, total bilirubin and CRP, as well as with high the incidence of IVIG-resistance, and with low hemoglobin (Hb), PLT, ALB and sodium levels. NPAR (OR: 2.366, 95% CI: 1.46–3.897, p = 0.001) and Hb (OR: 0.967, 95% CI: 0.944–0.989, p = 0.004) were independent risk factors for IVIG-resistance. NPAR showed linear relation with IVIG-resistance (p for nonlinear = 0.711) and the nonlinear correlation was found between IVIG-resistance and Hb (p for nonlinear = 0.002). The predictive performance of NPAR was superior to Beijing model (z = 2.193, p = 0.028), and not inferior to Chongqing model (z = 0.983, p = 0.326) and the combination of NPAR and Hb (z = 1.912, p = 0.056). These findings revealed that NPAR is a reliable predictor of IVIG-resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of volume fracturing has revolutionized the conventional limits of low permeability, expanded the effective resource space, and significantly enhanced oil well production in tight oil reservoir development. This paper elucidates the mechanism of volume fracturing technology for tight sandstone reservoirs by considering multiple factors such as the initiation range of multi-fractures, influence of far-well horizontal principal stress on fracture initiation and propagation, degree of natural fractures development, and mechanical parameters of reservoir rock. Through simulation based on the mechanical parameters of reservoir rock, a comparative analysis was conducted between the model-calculated rock fracture pressure value and measured data from fracturing construction wells in the study area. The results revealed that there was a discrepancy within 10% between the model calculations and actual data. By simulating the effects of different injection volumes of fracturing fluid, pumping rates, and perforation methods on the fracture geometry, optimal design parameters for volume fracturing technology were obtained. Additionally, we propose optimization ideas and suggestions for construction parameters applicable to field operations. The simulation results indicate that a minimum recommended fluid volume scale exceeding 1800 m3 is advised for the reservoir. Based on frictional calculations, it is recommended to have an on-site construction rate not less than 18.0 m3/min along with 36–48 holes/section for perforation purposes. The numerical simulation research presented in this paper provides a theoretical reference basis and practical guidance for the application of fracturing network technology in tight sandstone reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]