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• Discusses the platform's pricing strategy and mode selection by the Hotelling model. • Considering the factors such as network effect and levels of user involvement. • Multi-homing on agents could make RSP subsidize agents, and AP charges higher fees. • RSP with access to aggregation harms its service providers in specific conditions. • Multi-homing on agents benefits RSP and social welfare with RSP accessing specific conditions. As the platform of Ride-Sharing Platforms (RSPs), the Aggregation Platform (AP) integrates resources from RSPs which provide an on-demand car-sharing service by matching suitable passengers and drivers. From the view of the platform, consumer surpluses and social welfare, this paper discusses the platform's pricing strategy and mode selection (single-homing or multi-homing on agents) by the Hotelling model considering network effect and levels of user involvement. Research findings include whether RSP accesses the aggregation, the single-homing or multi-homing on the agents does not affect the agent fees both platforms charged. The multi-homing on agents makes the platform accessible to agents if the RSPs are not integrated into the aggregation platform. The multi-homing on agents makes the RSP subsidize agents, and AP charges higher fees to agents when RSP accesses the aggregation. Furthermore, under single-homing or multi-homing on the agents, the RSP with access to the aggregation will permanently harm its service providers but benefit AP and social welfare in specific conditions. Additionally, the multi-homing on agents will harm the aggregation platform service providers but benefit RSP and social welfare in specific conditions when the RSP accesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An algorithm is provided for rapidly and accurately computing the volumetric distance field. • A control method for shape-gradient density based on the parameterization of volumetric distance fields is proposed. • An efficient method for rapidly modeling shape- and performance-controllable stochastic porous structures is presented. • A geometric boundary adaptation algorithm based on volumetric distance field is proposed, which is capable of generating Voronoi struts for different application scenarios. This work introduces a rapid modeling method for gradient porous structures with conformal density, aiming to address the challenges of transitional variation of porosity, and control of complex gradient variations in multiple directions. In comparison to other methods, this approach overcomes the limitations associated with coordinate systems and shape functions when designing complex gradient variations in multiple directions while achieving density variation with shape under different gradients. The method involves mapping the volumetric distance field to a density field using control functions. By adhering to the constraints of the density field, it employs a weighted random sampling method to attain gradient sites with shape-adaptive distribution. Voronoi polyhedron are then constructed based on these sites, and smooth Voronoi struts are generated using strut distance fields and improved Boolean operations. The boundary adaptation of the porous structure is subsequently achieved based on the volumetric distance field. By establishing the relationship between density and volumetric distance field values, the study illustrates the similarity between density variation in the structure and gradient variations in the control function, indicating the controllability of density variation with shape. Furthermore, the method enables the integration design of structural shape and mechanical properties through adjustments to the number of sites, radius size of struts, and gradient control functions. Finally, the method was validated through numerical simulation and experiments, demonstrating its controllability and effectiveness in generating random porous structures with conformal density gradients, providing important theoretical and practical support for research and application in related fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the modification of indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) with an ultrathin metal oxide layer successfully reduces internal film stress. The introduction of an Al 2 O 3 metal oxide layer effectively diminishes defects within the film and minimizes distortion in the film densification process. A low-temperature annealing process at 200 °C was employed to mitigate thermal expansion differences between the film and the substrate, thus reducing internal stress within the device. Furthermore, we have discovered that this structural modification holds the potential to enhance mechanical stress resistance. This paper offers a novel perspective and an experimental foundation for the stress analysis of flexible TFTs. • Ultra-thin metal oxide layer used to improve internal stress in films. • Preparation of IGZO TFTS with better performance at 200 °C annealing temperature. • Structures have the potential to resist mechanical stress. • Electrical properties are combined with structural characterization of thin films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute lung injury (ALI) ranks among the deadliest pulmonary diseases, significantly impacting mortality and morbidity. Presently, the primary treatment for ALI involves supportive therapy; however, its efficacy remains unsatisfactory. Strictosamide (STR), an indole alkaloid found in the Chinese herbal medicine Nauclea officinalis (Pierre ex Pit.) Merr. & Chun (Wutan), has been found to exhibit numerous pharmacological properties, particularly anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimes to systematically identify and validate the specific binding proteins targeted by STR and elucidate its anti-inflammatory mechanism in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI. Biotin chemical modification, protein microarray analysis and network pharmacology were conducted to screen for potential STR-binding proteins. The binding affinity was assessed through surface plasmon resonance (SPR), cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) and molecular docking, and the anti-inflammatory mechanism of STR in ALI treatment was assessed through in vivo and in vitro experiments. Biotin chemical modification, protein microarray and network pharmacology identified extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) as the most important binding proteins among 276 candidate STR-interacting proteins and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF- κ B) pathway was one of the main inflammatory signal transduction pathways. Using SPR, CETSA, and molecular docking, we confirmed STR's affinity for ERK2. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that STR mitigated inflammation by targeting ERK2 to modulate the NF- κ B signaling pathway in LPS-induced ALI. Our findings indicate that STR can inhibit the NF- κ B signaling pathway to attenuate LPS-induced inflammation by targeting ERK2 and decreasing phosphorylation of ERK2, which could be a novel strategy for treating ALI. [Display omitted] • Strictosamide (STR) demonstrates a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect by directly targeting extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) to modulate the NF- κ B signaling pathway in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury (ALI) treatment. • Human protein microarray identifies ERK2 as the binding protein for STR, with subsequent validation through surface plasmon resonance, cellular thermal shift assay, and molecular docking confirming STR's affinity for ERK2. • The development of STR as a drug for the treatment of ALI could be a promising treatment strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the regional economic background, local colleges have a crucial role in evaluating and researching the training of new engineering talents. With the continuous development of technology and the improvement of economic strength, training new engineering talents has become an important mission for local higher education institutions. This study aims to explore the evaluation methods and strategies for training new engineering talents in local colleges within the regional economic context. It proposes an evaluation system that selects and assesses indicators from five aspects: basic conditions, teaching process, practical proficiency, cultivation level of innovation ability, and cultivation effect. The results were obtained through a combination of the analytic hierarchy process and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model and take two majors of A college as an example to evaluate and analyze the training effect of new engineering talents. Furthermore, this article presents valuable recommendations and countermeasures to enhance the training of new engineering talents in local colleges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) have become an effective equipment to construct tunnels in urban underground spaces. TBM has a low ability to cope with unfavorable geological situations such as faults, boulders, and uneven bedrock. These can cause geo-hazards like TBM jamming, cave-ins, and water gushing, which often lead to deaths and economic losses. Therefore, accurate, and real-time geological prospecting is necessary for tunnel face stability and ensuring tunnel construction safety. To address this, a surface-wave geological prospecting method based on TBM drilling noise has been proposed in this study. The characteristics of the TBM drilling noise and formation of surface waves in the ground were studied, which provides a basis for designing a new observation system for utilizing the vibrations or drilling noise caused by the TBMs. A complete workflow, which includes the extraction of surface waves from the TBM drilling noise, was then developed based on seismic interferometry, f-k filtering, and dispersion measurement, and joint velocity inversions based on the fundamental-mode and higher-mode dispersion curves. Compared with traditional methods, this method can obtain more accurate velocity distribution of underground media. As a result, a real-time detection and timely estimation of adverse geologic conditions at the front of the tunnel face during TBM drilling was achieved. Consequently, the feasibility and applicability of this method were then verified by field application in the Jinan Subway. • We propose a method of surface wave detection using TBM drilling noise. • Underground sources can generate higher-mode surface-wave at the surface. • This method helps to realize real-time detection in front of the tunnel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

We propose a white-light interferometric demodulation algorithm for high-finesse fiber-optic F-P sensors, in order to improve the demodulation accuracy and the dynamic range encountered in traditional demodulation techniques. The interferometric spectral signal of the high-finesse F-P cavity was converted to the frequency domain and then a more accurate cavity length was estimated based on full phase on higher-order components. A detailed theoretical analysis was operated. A high-finesse F-P temperature sensor based on a silicon diaphragm was fabricated and tested to verify the proposed method. The demodulation accuracy increases with the increase of order, and the anti-noise performance is improved. For the third-order component, the optical path difference sensitivity obtained by this algorithm is 0.231 ± 0.0188 μm / ° C, and the average error rate of cavity length demodulation value is 0.0152%. The proposed algorithm is applicable to demodulate the high-finesse F-P cavities in the light source bandwidth of 1525 to 1575 nm, providing high accuracy and improved anti-noise performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine sliding bearings re prone to wear in harsh environments. A real-time in-situ measurement method of sliding bearing wear, based on chirped fiber Bragg grating (CFBG), was proposed. The CFBG wear detection sensor and the corresponding demodulation system were designed and fabricated. The CFBG was sealed to ensure that wear synchronously with the sliding bearing. The relationship between the bandwidth and length of the CFBG was established and adopted to calculate the wear length. Meanwhile, a Savitzky–Golay filter was applied to denoising to improve the accuracy of the demodulation system. Experimental results showed that the sensor could achieve high precision real-time bearing detection and fault warning. With a chirp rate of 10 nm / cm and a bandwidth resolution of 20 pm, a wear range >8 mm and an accuracy of 0.3 mm could be obtained. [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]

Radiotherapy alters the tumor microenvironment and reprograms cellular metabolism. Transition of tumor cell phenotypes contributes to post-radiotherapy tumor recurrence. Low radiosensitivity of glioma stem cells is one of the reasons for radiotherapy failure. Here, we found that radiotherapy resulted in a higher proportion of infiltration of inflammatory macrophages in glioma non-stem cell grafts compared with that in glioma stem cell-transplanted tumors in a mouse model, where immunosuppressive macrophages dominated in the tumor microenvironment. In radioresistant glioma stem cells, ionizing radiation upregulated CD47 expression by AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), resulting in the inhibition of phagocytosis and the promotion of M2-like polarization in macrophages. Ionizing radiation promoted H3K4 methylation on CD47 promotor by downregulating KDM5A. Hyper-phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein RB maintained its dissociation status with KDM5A following AMPK activation, which inhibited the demethylated function of KDM5A. In contrast, in radiosensitive glioma non-stem cells, RB S807/S811 hypo-phosphorylation contributed to the binding of RB with KDM5A, which suppressed H3K4 methylation on CD47 promotor. In addition, ionizing radiation promoted H3K27 acetylation on CD47 promotor by HDAC7 in glioma stem cells. These data suggested that glioma stem cells reprogrammed the tumor immune microenvironment by epigenetic editing to escape macrophage phagocytosis after ionizing radiation. Targeting CD47 might be a potential strategy to sensitize glioblastoma to radiotherapy. • RB S807/S811 phosphorylation is important for the binding of RB with KDM5A in radiosensitive glioma non-stem cells. • RB maintains in a hyper-phosphorylated status in radioresistant glioma stem cells after radiation. • The dissociation of hyper-phosphorylated RB with KDM5A induces H3K4 methylation on CD47 promotor. [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]

• Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes was involved in the development of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). • 6-formylindolo[3, 2-b]carbazole (FICZ) modulated intestinal homeostasis. • FICZ reduced the severity of AS. • FICZ improved intestinal mucosal barrier function. • FICZ altered the composition of the gut microbiota thus reversing the process of AS. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS), is known as a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease, there is evidence to suggest that gut microbiota disorders may be related to the occurrence and development of AS. Studies have shown that 6-formylindolo[3, 2-b]carbazole (FICZ) has the ability to modulate intestinal homeostasis and inhibit inflammatory responses. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the protective role of FICZ in treating AS and elucidate potential mechanisms. FICZ was administered to the proteoglycan (PG)-induced AS mice for 7 consecutive weeks. The effects of FICZ on AS mice were evaluated by the disease severity, intestinal histopathology, proinflammatory cytokine levels, and intestinal mucosal barrier function. The gut microbiota compositions were profiled through 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing. We found that FICZ significantly reduced the severity of AS and resulted in the downregulating of TNF-α and IL-17A inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, FICZ ameliorated pathological changes in the ileal and improved intestinal mucosal barrier function. Furthermore, FICZ altered the composition of the gut microbiota by increasing the Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes phylum ratio and enriched the genes related to "glycan biosynthesis and metabolism", thus reversing the process of AS. In conclusion, FICZ suppressed the progression of AS and altered gut microbiota in AS mice, which provided new insight into AS therapy strategy. [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]

Immunotherapy strategies targeting the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) in clinical treatments have shown limited success in controlling glioblastoma malignancies. Metformin exserts antitumor function, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we investigated whether metformin could enhance the effectiveness of anti-PD-1 therapy by activating the immune system. Whether combination of an anti-PD-1 antibody or not, metformin significantly increased tumor-infiltrating CD4+ T cells while decreased regulatory T (Treg) cells in a mouse GBM model. Additionally, metformin reduced CC motif chemokine receptor CCR8 and elevated Interleukin 17 A (IL-17 A) expressions. Mechanistically, metformin reduces histone acetylation at the CCR8 promotor and inhibits CCR8 expression by upregulating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-activated sirtuin 2 (SIRT2). Metformin enhances the effectiveness of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy by reducing CCR8 expression on tumor-infiltrating Treg cells, suggesting that metformin has an antitumor effect by alleviating immunosuppression and promoting T cell-mediated immune response. [Display omitted] [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]

The article titled "Nucleation, Growth, Sintering, and Densification of Sulfide in 1215MS Free-Cutting Steel Billet" in Steel Research International discusses the chemical composition of 1215MS free-cutting steel. However, there is an error in the original article regarding the description of the concentration of Al (aluminum) in Section 2.1, which does not match the value of Al in Table 1. The correct statement is provided in the correction, stating that the contents of elements C, Si, Mn, P, S, Al, and O in the 1215MS free-cutting steel are 0.06%, 0.04%, 1.27%, 0.05%, 0.36%, 0.0039%, and 0.0070%, respectively. The authors apologize for any inconvenience or misunderstanding caused. [Extracted from the article]

• A mathematical sensing model of a DOFI system working in P1 state was established. • Factors that determine the sensitivity enhancement were analyzed,and the operation region of a DOFI system in P1 state was investigated, based on which, design criteria of designing a DOFI-P1 sensing system were summarized. • Preliminary experiments have been performed to verify the high measurement sensitivity of a DOFI-P1 system as compared with the OFI system. • The results of this work provide helpful guidance for the construction of high-sensitivity DOFI sensing and measurement systems. Laser optical feedback interferometry (OFI) is a unique one-channel interferometric measurement technology with the advantages of compact structure, low implementation cost and easy alignment. However, it has a critical challenge that the visibility of interference fringe is often low and further induces low measurement sensitivity, especially in occasions when the optical feedback strength is feeble, e.g., biomedical and fluid detection. Recently, it has been demonstrated that period-one (P1) dynamics can enhance the measurement sensitivity by introducing extra optical feedback to form a dual optical feedback interferometry (DOFI) system. However, the details of the enhancement mechanism and how to design such a system are still required to unveil. In this paper, comprehensive discussions of designing a DOFI system with high measurement sensitivity enhanced by P1 dynamics are presented. First, based on the modified Lang-Kobayashi equations, a mathematical sensing model of a DOFI system working in P1 state was established. Then, simulations were carried out to verify the validity of the proposed model. After that, factors that determine the sensitivity enhancement were analyzed, based on which, theoretical analysis of achieving optimal sensitivity enhancement was performed. Next, we discussed the operation region of a DOFI system in P1 state and investigated the influence of the system parameters on the operation region. At last, experiments were conducted to verify the theoretical analyses. The results of this work provide helpful guidance for the construction of high-sensitivity DOFI sensing and measurement systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite its effectiveness in exterminating tumor cells, ferroptosis is seriously hampered by the high expression of antioxidant glutathione (GSH) and the inadequacy of endogenous H2O2 in tumors. Herein, metal‐phenolic nanoformulations (FNCP NFs) composed of sonosensitizer Chlorin e6 (Ce6), the phenolic GSH consumer naphthazarin, and Fe3+, followed by the modification of PEG2000, are strategically designed and fabricated for ultrasound‐boosted ferroptosis in tumor cells through triple regulatory pathways. The carrier‐free FNCP NFs can rapidly dissociate under tumor microenvironment response with the assistance of ultrasound, releasing Fe2+, Ce6, and naphthazarin. Ce6 and Fe2+ are capable of producing singlet oxygen (1O2) and hydroxyl radicals (·OH) by ultrasound‐activated sonodynamic therapy and Fenton reaction‐mediated chemodynamic therapy (CDT), respectively, which not only induce apoptotic cell death but also lead to the effective accumulation of lipid peroxidation (LPO), resulting in ferroptosis. Meanwhile, the released naphthazarin and the self‐cycling valence alternations of Fe3+/Fe2+ promote the significant decrease of intracellular GSH contents, further inducing the inactivation of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and the up‐regulation of LPO levels, eventually realizing the synergistically enhanced ferroptosis. This facile and feasible design for versatile metal‐phenolic nanoformulations offers a new strategy for effectively improving ferroptosis efficiency and multimodal cancer therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While minimizing plan delivery time is beneficial for proton therapy in terms of motion management, patient comfort, and treatment throughput, it often poses a tradeoff with optimizing plan quality. A key component of plan delivery time is the energy switching time, which is approximately proportional to the number of energy layers, that is, the cardinality. Purpose: This work aims to develop a novel optimization method that can efficiently compute the pareto surface between plan quality and energy layer cardinality, for the planner to navigate through this quality‐and‐efficiency tradeoff and select the appropriate plan of a balanced tradeoff. Methods: A new IMPT method CARD is proposed that (1) explicitly incorporates the minimization of energy layer cardinality as an optimization objective, and (2) automatically generates a set of plans sequentially with a descending order in number of energy layers. The energy layer cardinality is penalized through the l1,0‐norm regularization with an upper bound, and the upper bound is monotonically decreased to compute a series of treatment plans with gradually decreased energy layer cardinality on the quality‐and‐efficiency pareto surface. For any given treatment plan, the plan optimality is enforced using dose‐volume planning objectives and the plan deliverability is imposed through minimum‐monitor‐unit (MMU) constraints, with optimization solution algorithm based on iterative convex relaxation. Results: The new method CARD was validated in comparison with the benchmark plan of all energy layers (P0), and a state‐of‐the‐art method called MMSEL, using prostate, head‐and‐neck (HN), lung, pancreas, liver and brain cases. While labor‐intensive and time‐consuming manual parameter tuning was needed for MMSEL to generate plans of predefined energy layer cardinality, CARD automatically and efficiently computed all plans with sequentially decreasing predefined energy layer cardinality all at once. With the acceptable plan quality (i.e., no more than 110% of total optimization objective value from P0), CARD achieved the reduction of number of energy layers to 52% (from 77 to 40), 48% (from 135 to 65), 59% (from 85 to 50), 67% (from 52 to 35), 80% (from 50 to 40), and 30% (from 66 to 20), for prostate, HN, lung, pancreas, liver, and brain cases, respectively, compared to P0, with overall better plan quality than MMSEL. Moreover, due to the nonconvexity of the MMU constraint, CARD provided the similar or even smaller optimization objective than P0, at the same time with fewer number of energy layers, that is, 55 versus 77, 85 versus 135, 45 versus 52, and 25 versus 66 for prostate, HN, pancreas, and brain cases, respectively. Conclusions: We have developed a novel optimization algorithm CARD that can efficiently and automatically compute a series of treatment plans of any given energy layer sequentially, which allows the planner to navigate through the plan‐quality and energy‐layer‐cardinality tradeoff and select the appropriate plan of a balanced tradeoff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The service capacity of a cruise homeport is the foundation of the cruise industry's rapid development. This paper investigates cruise homeports' service capacity in China in order to build a cruise homeport with high service capacity. First, we construct an evaluation index system by identifying the main factors that affect the service capacity of cruise homeports. Second, considering the cognitive uncertainty caused by decision-makers' limited accessibility of information for a given concept, the grey number with known possibility function is applied. Based on this, we introduce the grey clustering model to evaluate each cruise homeport's present service capacity and classify it based on the rank to which it belongs. The results reveal that the cruise homeports in China perform at different service capacity levels. On the whole, 69.23% of them have medium or higher service capacities, powerfully demonstrating development momentum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Afterglow materials have attracted much attention owing to their long luminescence lifetimes, large Stokes shifts, and emission without real‐time excitation. Compared with traditional organic afterglow materials, carbon dots (CDs), as a new afterglow material, have superior properties such as easy preparation, low toxicity, and low cost. The emission color of afterglow CDs can be regulated by external factors such as excitation wavelength, temperature, and time, which is highly significant for expanding the diversified applications to make them available for biotechnology and information applications. This review summarizes the research progress of multicolor afterglow CDs in recent years, including luminescence regulation strategies, preparation methods, and applications. First, the multicolor afterglow CDs are classified into three strategies: multicolor room temperature phosphorescence (RTP), thermally activated delayed fluorescence converted to RTP, and delayed fluorescence based on Förster resonance energy transfer, and the strategies for regulating their luminescence properties are analyzed. Second, the preparation methods of achieving multicolor afterglow CDs are summarized in both matrix‐free and matrix‐confined aspects. Then, applications in anticounterfeiting and information encryption, sensing and bioimaging are introduced in detail. Finally, the future challenges and opportunities of multicolor afterglow CDs are prospected to provide ideas for their controlled design and wide application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ag@SiO2 core–shell nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted extensive attention for their excellent surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-fluorescence (SEF) and their potential applications in sensing, biomedicine, and imaging. The thickness of silica shell plays a crucial role in determining the SERS-SEF properties. However, a few studies have been made to synthesize Ag@SiO2 core–shell NPs with controllable thickness of silica shell and systematic research about the optimized SERS-SEF enhancement. Here, Ag@SiO2 core–shell NPs were prepared by a modified one-pot synthetic method via reducing AgNO3 using formaldehyde in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium chloride and sequentially hydrolyzing tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). The effects of the type of surfactant and the concentrations of NaOH and AgNO3 on the size and morphology of the resulting Ag@SiO2 core–shell NPs were systematically investigated. The thickness of the silica shell could be finely tuned from 9.3 to 38.9 nm by easily adjusting the amount of TEOS. The crystal violet molecule was used for examining SERS and SEF properties of Ag@SiO2 core–shell NPs with different SiO2 thicknesses. The current work will provide guidance for further understanding the growth mechanism of Ag@SiO2 core–shell NPs and how the thickness of silica shell affects the SERS-SEF properties. [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]

To elucidate the precise upstream and downstream regulatory mechanisms of inflammatory factors in osteoporosis (OP) progression and to establish a causal relationship between inflammatory factors and OP. We conducted bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses using data for 41 cytokines obtained from three independent cohorts comprising 8293 Finnish individuals. Estimated bone mineral density (eBMD) data were derived from 426,824 UK Biobank White British individuals (55% female) and fracture data from 416,795 UK Biobank participants of European ancestry. The inverse variance-weighted method was the primary MR analysis approach. We employed other methods as complementary approaches for mutual corroboration. To test for pleiotropy and heterogeneity, we used the MR-Egger regression, MR-pleiotropy residual sum and outlier global test, and the Cochrane Q test. Macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α and interleukin (IL)-12p70 expression associated negatively and causally with eBMD (β = −0.017 [MIP-1α], β = −0.011 [IL-12p70]). Conversely, tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand was associated with a decreased risk of fractures (Odds Ratio: 0.980). Additionally, OP influenced the expression of multiple inflammatory factors, including growth-regulated oncogene-α, interferon-gamma, IL-6, beta nerve growth factor, and IL-2. Finally, we discovered complex bidirectional causal relationships between IL-8, IL-10, and OP. Specific inflammatory factors may contribute to OP development or may be causally affected by OP. We identified a bidirectional causal relationship between certain inflammatory factors and OP. These findings provide new perspectives for early prediction and targeted treatment of OP. Larger cohort studies are necessary in the future to further validate these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum private query (QPQ) is a communication protocol established under the condition of mutual distrust between communication parties, which is used to solve the symmetrically private information retrieval problem in the quantum field. However, most of the existing QPQ protocols are based on the ideal light source. In practice, the multi-photon pulse generated by the transmitter will bring great security problems. We analyze the actual security of QPQ protocol in two-way communication, and find that database security and user privacy will be seriously threatened under multi-photon pulse. So we adopt the decoy state method to solve the actual security problem of QPQ protocol in view of the user side as the light source. The results show that the decoy state method is suitable for QPQ protocol of two-way communication, and can effectively defend against multi-photon pulse attacks. • The paper focuses on the practical security in quantum private query protocol. • Multi-photon attack in QKD-based QPQ protocol. • Application of decoy state in quantum private query protocol [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]

[Display omitted] • Piezocatalytic activity of Bi 2 WO 6 was potently improved by doping Ag 2 O. • Piezocatalytic removal rate of CIP reached 93.44 % ± 0.34 % using Ag 2 O/Bi 2 WO 6 composite. • Ag 2 O/Bi 2 WO 6 showed bright application prospects in environmental rehabilitation. Bi 2 WO 6 , an important semiconductor material, has been widely used in the catalytic degradation of organic wastewater in recent years. However, Bi 2 WO 6 owns the low band gap energy, the recombination of the produced e−-h+ pairs expected to be fast, which leads to undesirable degradation effects. In order to improve its piezocatalytic ability, this paper combined the semiconductor material Bi 2 WO 6 with Ag 2 O to form Ag 2 O/Bi 2 WO 6 piezoelectric catalysts, which was characterized and its removal effect on ciprofloxacin (CIP) was discussed. According to the analyses, the reaction rate constant for the piezocatalytic removal of CIP in the company of 5 % composite ratio of Ag 2 O/Bi 2 WO 6 was about 1.40 and 4.87 times higher than it was when Bi 2 WO 6 and piezocatalytic technology were used alone. By exploring the experimental principle, the increased piezocatalytic activity of Ag 2 O/Bi 2 WO 6 was found to be due to the creation of Z-scheme heterojunction, which could efficiently separate the e−-h+ pairs. Reuse experiments were also carried out, and the results showed that it has good reusability and stability in piezocatalysis. In summary, Ag 2 O/Bi 2 WO 6 has good piezocatalytic activity for the removal of CIP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Longan can be regarded as a distinct dry fruit with fleshly aril, whose pericarp browning may follow an unclear browning mechanism as dry fruits. Here, we integrated metabolome and transcriptome analysis, validated the function of the candidate metabolites and genes, to dissect the underlying mechanism. With the pericarp water content of longan fruit decreased from 51% to 20%, the pericarp completely turned brown after 8 days of storage at 25 ℃ and relative humidity 70%. Instead of the decline of soluble proanthocyanidins (PAs), such as (−)-epicatechin (EC), (+)-catechin (CT), and procyanidin A2/B2 etc., as well as lignin monomers, coniferyl alcohol (Con_A) and sinapyl alcohol (Sin_A), the contents of their polymers, insoluble PAs and lignin, increased. Gene expression of three Laccases (LAC14–4, 14–8, 7) and four Class III Peroxidase (PRX52–1, 52–2, 53–2, 4–15) were highly negatively correlated to metabolites EC and Con_A. Exogenously expressed LAC7 and LAC14–8, PRX4–15 and PRX52–1 could catalyze the polymerization and browning of EC, CT, Con_A or Sin_A in vitro. Compared to single substrate (EC or Con_A), the polymerization and browning were dramatically accelerated when double substrates (EC and Con_A) were present, by either LACs or PRXs. In addition, these LACs and PRXs were found to be located in endoplasmic reticulum (ER), correlated to their 'secretion protein' signal peptides. Based on these results, we propose that the water-loss in pericarp induces the polymerization reaction of PAs and lignin monomers mediated by LACs/PRXs, leading to the browning of longan pericarp. The hypothesis is distinct to the 'polyphenol oxidases-phenols' classical browning mechanism established for fleshly fruits. • PA and lignin monomers decrease during the water-loss triggered pericarp browning. • Polymerization of PAs and lignin leads to the longan pericarp browning. • LAC/PRXs mediate the polymerization reaction of PAs or lignin. • The polymerization reaction is enhanced when both EC and Con_A are present. • LAC/PRX-mediated browning in longan is distinct to the browning in fleshly fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single‐atom nanozyme (SAzyme) has sparked increasing interest for catalytic antitumor treatment due to their more tunable and diverse active sites than natural metalloenzymes in complex physiological conditions. However, it is usually a hard task to precisely conduct catalysis at tumor sites after intravenous injection of those SAzyme with high reactivity. Moreover, the explorations of SAzymes in the anticancer application are still in its infancy and need to be developed. Herein, an in situ synthesis strategy for Cu SAzyme was constructed to convert adsorbed copper ions into isolated atoms anchored by oxygen atoms (Cu−O2/Cu−O4) via GSH‐responsive deformability of supports. Our results suggest that the in situ activation process could further facilitate the dissociation of copper ions and the consumption of glutathione, thereby leading to copper deposition in cytoplasm and triggering cuproptosis. Moreover, the in situ synthesis of Cu SAzyme with peroxidase‐like activity enabled the intracellular reactive oxygen species production, resulting in specifically disturbance of copper metabolism pathway. Meanwhile, the in situ exposed glucose transporter (GLUT) inhibitor phloretin (Ph) can block the glycose uptake to boost cuproptosis efficacy. Overall, this in situ activation strategy effectively diminished the off‐target effects of SACs‐induced catalytic therapies and introduced a promising treatment paradigm for advancing cuproptosis‐associated therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single‐atom nanozyme (SAzyme) has sparked increasing interest for catalytic antitumor treatment due to their more tunable and diverse active sites than natural metalloenzymes in complex physiological conditions. However, it is usually a hard task to precisely conduct catalysis at tumor sites after intravenous injection of those SAzyme with high reactivity. Moreover, the explorations of SAzymes in the anticancer application are still in its infancy and need to be developed. Herein, an in situ synthesis strategy for Cu SAzyme was constructed to convert adsorbed copper ions into isolated atoms anchored by oxygen atoms (Cu−O2/Cu−O4) via GSH‐responsive deformability of supports. Our results suggest that the in situ activation process could further facilitate the dissociation of copper ions and the consumption of glutathione, thereby leading to copper deposition in cytoplasm and triggering cuproptosis. Moreover, the in situ synthesis of Cu SAzyme with peroxidase‐like activity enabled the intracellular reactive oxygen species production, resulting in specifically disturbance of copper metabolism pathway. Meanwhile, the in situ exposed glucose transporter (GLUT) inhibitor phloretin (Ph) can block the glycose uptake to boost cuproptosis efficacy. Overall, this in situ activation strategy effectively diminished the off‐target effects of SACs‐induced catalytic therapies and introduced a promising treatment paradigm for advancing cuproptosis‐associated therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most existing quantum-key-distribution-based quantum private query (QPQ) protocols are designed based on ideal quantum communication devices. However, multiphoton pulses are unavoidable in various light sources due to practical devices. We analyze the security of the QPQ protocol with the user as the light source in the case of non-ideal light sources. The results show that the user's privacy is seriously threatened when the database utilizes multiphoton pulses to launch attacks. To address this issue, we propose a decoy-state method to resist multiphoton attacks in the QPQ, which is used to verify the honesty of the database. By calculating the ratio of multiphoton pulses, shifting the key, and choosing the suitable light sources, the user can detect and effectively resist the database launching multiphoton attacks. This approach fills the research gap on the user-as-light-source aspect of QPQ protocols, enabling the QPQ to perform better in scenarios involving non-ideal light sources. [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]

Oral probiotics meet challenges during processing, storage, and gastrointestinal harsh conditions. Polysaccharide‐based hydrogels delivery system is promising in probiotic protection, but its semi‐solid and weak strength, and often requires additional cross‐links to solidify its structure. Herein a ferric ion co‐crosslinked microgel of Mesona chinensis polysaccharides and mechanically strengthened by phenolic‐metal frameworks of naturally bound brown bioactives is designed. These microgels has an intact structure in acidic condition and ruptured only at pH neutral conditions which can responsively release highly viable probiotics with high mucoadhesion and colonization. Brown bioactives are naturally bound to polysaccharides (MCPC) by hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding, and they exhibited outstanding anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Moreover, these brown bioactives are the precise prebiotics which can specifically improve the abundance of Akkermansia genus in gut in vivo. Then, the probiotics Akkermansia muciniphila (AKK) are loaded into brown bioactives frameworks strengthened microgels. There is a more synergistic healthy benefit between MCPC components and loaded AKK compared with free and pasteurized AKK. MCPC microgels can deliver high viable AKK specifically to gut consequently modulating the microbiota balance, and protecting the intestinal barriers. MCPC microgels also delivered the antioxidant brown bioactives specifically into liver to alleviate the hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We herein present an approach of photo‐induced disproportionation for preparation of Type‐I photodynamic agents. As a proof of concept, BODIPY‐based photosensitizers were rationally designed and prepared. The photo‐induced intermolecular electron transfer between homotypic chromophores leads to the disproportionation reaction, resulting in the formation of charged intermediates, cationic and anionic radicals. The cationic radicals efficiently oxidize the cellularimportant coenzyme, tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), and the anionic radicals transfer electrons to oxygen to produce superoxide radicals (O2−⋅). One of our Type‐I photodynamic agents not only self‐assembles in water but also effectively targets the endoplasmic reticulum. It displayed excellent photocytotoxicity even in highly hypoxic environments (2 % O2), with a half‐maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.96 μM, and demonstrated outstanding antitumor efficacy in murine models bearing HeLa tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We herein present an approach of photo‐induced disproportionation for preparation of Type‐I photodynamic agents. As a proof of concept, BODIPY‐based photosensitizers were rationally designed and prepared. The photo‐induced intermolecular electron transfer between homotypic chromophores leads to the disproportionation reaction, resulting in the formation of charged intermediates, cationic and anionic radicals. The cationic radicals efficiently oxidize the cellularimportant coenzyme, tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), and the anionic radicals transfer electrons to oxygen to produce superoxide radicals (O2−⋅). One of our Type‐I photodynamic agents not only self‐assembles in water but also effectively targets the endoplasmic reticulum. It displayed excellent photocytotoxicity even in highly hypoxic environments (2 % O2), with a half‐maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.96 μM, and demonstrated outstanding antitumor efficacy in murine models bearing HeLa tumors. [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]

Despite great leaps in science, technology, and human civilization since World War II, many countries in the world have been stuck in "middle income" traps or remained hopelessly poor. To understand this reality,we introduce a new metric, the revealed comparative wealth (RCW), and develop a theory of global hierarchical order (GHO), which is characterized by a Zipf–Mandelbrot law (ZML) for the yearly ranked RCW for all the countries in the world. Major factors contributing to the existence of GHO have been identified. Various types of behavior, including equilibria characterized by largely constant RCW, strongly coupled advanced economies modulated by business cycles, strongly competing developing and underdeveloped economies opposite-phase locked to advanced economies, and steadily growing or decaying economies synergistically interact to create ZML. The mathematical structure of ZML imposes fundamental limits to world economic development and sheds light on why "middle income" traps have persisted. • Introduce a new metric RCW to measure the global distribution of economic power. • Develop a theory of global hierarchical order (GHO) based on the yearly ranked RCW for all the countries in the world. • Explain why GHO imposes a fundamental limit to world economic development. • Explain why "middle income" traps have persisted. • Explain why dependency theory cannot help non-advanced economies to become advanced economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is generally susceptible to the population, highly infectious, rapidly transmitted, and highly fatal. There is a lack of specific drugs against the virus at present and vaccination is the most effective strategy to prevent infection. However, studies have found that some groups, particularly patients with diabetes, show varying degrees of weak immune reactivity to various COVID-19 vaccines, resulting in poor preventive efficacy against the novel coronavirus in patients with diabetes. Therefore, in this study, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who had weak immune response to the COVID-19 vaccine in recent years were analyzed. This article reviews the phenomenon, preliminary mechanism, and related factors affecting weak vaccine response in patients with T2DM, which is expected to help in the development of new vaccines for high-risk groups for COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of external minimally invasive or noninvasive therapeutic modalities, ultrasound‐based sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is a new alternative for treating deep tumors. However, inadequate sonosensitizer efficiency and poor biosecurity limit clinical applications. In this study, we prepared an oxygen‐vacancy‐engineered W18O49−x nanobrush with a band gap of 2.79 eV for highly efficient SDT using a simple solvothermal method. The suitable band structures of the W18O49−x nanobrush endows it with the potential to simultaneously produce singlet oxygen (1O2), superoxide anions (⋅O2−), and hydroxyl radicals (⋅OH) under ultrasound irradiation. Additionally, abundant oxygen vacancies that serve as further charge traps that inhibit electron‐hole recombination are incidentally introduced through one‐step thermal reduction. Collectively, the in vitro and in vivo results demonstrate that the oxygen‐vacancy‐engineered W18O49−x nanobrush delivers highly efficient reactive oxygen species (ROS) for SDT in a very biosafe manner. Overall, this study provides a new avenue for discovering and designing inorganic nanosonosensitizers with enhanced therapeutic efficiencies for use in SDT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of external minimally invasive or noninvasive therapeutic modalities, ultrasound‐based sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is a new alternative for treating deep tumors. However, inadequate sonosensitizer efficiency and poor biosecurity limit clinical applications. In this study, we prepared an oxygen‐vacancy‐engineered W18O49−x nanobrush with a band gap of 2.79 eV for highly efficient SDT using a simple solvothermal method. The suitable band structures of the W18O49−x nanobrush endows it with the potential to simultaneously produce singlet oxygen (1O2), superoxide anions (⋅O2−), and hydroxyl radicals (⋅OH) under ultrasound irradiation. Additionally, abundant oxygen vacancies that serve as further charge traps that inhibit electron‐hole recombination are incidentally introduced through one‐step thermal reduction. Collectively, the in vitro and in vivo results demonstrate that the oxygen‐vacancy‐engineered W18O49−x nanobrush delivers highly efficient reactive oxygen species (ROS) for SDT in a very biosafe manner. Overall, this study provides a new avenue for discovering and designing inorganic nanosonosensitizers with enhanced therapeutic efficiencies for use in SDT. [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]

The equiatomic refractory high-entropy alloys (RHEAs) exhibit the excellent performance at high temperatures, breaking through the upper limits of operating temperatures in the conventional high-temperature alloys. Here, the influences of chemistry and temperature on the deformation mechanisms of the equiatomic MoNbTaW RHEAs are investigated, using the large-scale atomic simulations. According to the microstructure evolution, a microstructure-based constitutive model is established to study the effects of the multiple strengthening mechanisms. The results show the jagged sharp fluctuations of the flow stress with the strain after the strain hardening. The increasing temperature reduces the strain-hardening rate and the amplitude of fluctuations in the flow stress, due to the reduction of the solute concentration for the annealed structure. The deformation twinning plays a certain role in the deformation mechanism in comparison with dislocation, and the local deformation is further accommodated via the dislocation-based plasticity, and amorphous nucleation in the grains. The existence of the ordered structure affects the stress and strain partition dependent upon the mechanical properties. The solid solution strengthening and grain boundary strengthening contribute considerably to the flow stress, and twinning strengthening contributes relatively little to the flow stress. Our atomic simulation and model give valuable insights into the deep understanding of chemistry and temperature related to the deformation behaviour of RHEAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Muon radiography, which relies on measuring the absorption and attenuation of muons as they pass through matters, offers a new imaging technique capable of revealing the internal structure of large objects. Recent technological advancement allows for the application or testing of muon radiography in various fields, including mining, civil engineering, security check, etc. This study investigates the factors that influence muon radiography, which is used in density inversion, through simulations and experiments. The materials considered for density inversion include water, standard rock, and iron. Our simulation studies show that the number of events detected and selected has an impact on the reconstruction results, and several factors, such as multiple Coulomb scattering processes, recording time, and spatial resolution, which influence the number of muons, must be taken into account when measuring the rock density. We design and conduct a laboratory scale experiment based on the simulation results. We filter the 220 h of recording signals through time coincidence and straight-line fitting to obtain the selected events. Our results reveal that the statistical error of muons survival ratio in recording time significantly impacts the inversion result and decreases the error can improve accuracy greatly. In the experiment, the deviation between the inversion mean value and the expected value can be reduced to 2.4%–2.9% for iron, 7% for water, and 1.5% for standard rock. This density inversion approach provides insight into future density detection of underground structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]