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In this paper, a highly sensitive surface plasmon resonance-based photonic crystal fiber sensor for low refractive index (RI) sensing and detection is proposed. To excite the surface plasmon polariton (SPP) mode, Au and TiO2 were coated on the top and bottom of the sensor in the shape of notched rings. The utilization of TiO2 has the potential to augment the interplay between the core and surface SPP modes, leading to an enhancement of the sensitivity of the sensor. The finite element method was applied for evaluating the sensor's performance. The attainment of optimal wavelength sensitivity of 21,500 nm/RIU and matching resolution of 4.65 × 10–6 RIU was achieved through the refinement of structural parameters within the low RI detection range of 1.18–1.28. The findings of the study hold promise for potential applications in the fields of medical diagnostics and identification of low RI environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The effectiveness of robot-assisted surgery remains contentious due to the lack of high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to elevate the level of evidence. We aimed to evaluate the postoperative radiographic outcomes of robot-assisted (RAS-THA) versus manual (M-THA) total hip arthroplasty. Methods: This multicenter RCT was performed from March 1, 2021 to December 1, 2021. Patients were randomly assigned to routine M-THA or to RAS-THA that used the TRex-RS orthopedic joint surgical navigation system. The primary outcome was to compare the acetabular component orientation, femoral stem alignment, femoral canal fill ratio, and leg length discrepancy between RAS-THA and M-THA using postoperative radiography. Subgroup analyses of the two groups stratified by surgical approach, gender, and BMI were also conducted. Results: Seventy-three participants were randomly allocated to the RAS-THA group, while seventy-two participants were assigned to the M-THA group. Compared to the M-THA group, the RAS-THA group exhibited less variability in the preoperative planning of the vertical center of rotation (VCOR; P < 0.001), demonstrated a significant advantage in femoral stem alignment (P = 0.004), and showed pronounced decreases in inequality and in the variability in leg length discrepancy (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the Lewinnek safe-zone ratio (P = 0.081) and the femoral canal fill ratio (P > 0.05) between the two groups. Further subgroup analysis also showed that the RAS-THA group had fewer horizontal center of rotation (HCOR) and leg length differences when stratified by surgical approach, gender, and overweight status. Conclusion: This RCT found that, regardless of the surgical approach, gender, or body mass index, RAS-THA can effectively improve the postoperative VCOR and significantly reduce the variability of leg length difference. RAS-THA should be considered an effective method to enhance surgical precision by achieving less variability in challenging patients with leg length discrepancies. Trial registration: ChiCTR2100044124. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cu12Sb4S13 has received great attention due to its remarkable thermoelectric properties among medium-temperature range. Herein, the effect of rare earth element Pr substitution at Cu site of Cu12Sb4S13 is comprehensively investigated. Heavy rare earth element Pr substitution can induce strong mass fluctuation and strain-field fluctuation, resulting in intense phonon scattering and decreased lattice thermal conductivity. Consequently, a low lattice thermal conductivity κL of 0.42 W m−1 K−1 is obtained at 748 K in Cu11.7Pr0.3Sb4S13 sample. Additionally, the substitution of Pr for Cu can function as donors, tuning the hole concentration and optimizing the thermopower over the entire temperature range, with a maximum thermopower of 165 μV K−1 at 748 K. Correspondingly, a peak ZT of~0.9 is obtained at 748 K in Cu11.7Pr0.3Sb4S13 sample, due to the significantly reduced thermal conductivity and slightly enhanced power factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cu12Sb4S13 has received great attention due to its remarkable thermoelectric properties among medium-temperature range. Herein, the effect of rare earth element Pr substitution at Cu site of Cu12Sb4S13 is comprehensively investigated. Heavy rare earth element Pr substitution can induce strong mass fluctuation and strain-field fluctuation, resulting in intense phonon scattering and decreased lattice thermal conductivity. Consequently, a low lattice thermal conductivity κL of 0.42 W m−1 K−1 is obtained at 748 K in Cu11.7Pr0.3Sb4S13 sample. Additionally, the substitution of Pr for Cu can function as donors, tuning the hole concentration and optimizing the thermopower over the entire temperature range, with a maximum thermopower of 165 μV K−1 at 748 K. Correspondingly, a peak ZT of~0.9 is obtained at 748 K in Cu11.7Pr0.3Sb4S13 sample, due to the significantly reduced thermal conductivity and slightly enhanced power factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Octyl gallate (GAC8) as a bioactive compound has excellent antibacterial effectiveness, but its poor hydrophilicity limits its applications. In this work, GAC8 was encapsulated into hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCyD) cavity to form an inclusion complex (GAC8/HPβCyD-IC), and their antibacterial activities were investigated. Phase solubility test suggested that the aqueous solubility of GAC8 was prominently enhanced after forming the inclusion complex. The aqueous solution of GAC8/HPβCyD-IC yielded uniform fiber morphology with ~ 900 nm average fiber diameter. The fabricated GAC8/HPβCyD-IC nanofibers (GAC8/HPβCyD-IC NFs) were characterized by 1H NMR, FT-IR, XRD, DSC, and TGA, revealing successful synthesis of GAC8/HPβCyD-IC NFs and the thermal stability of GAC8 was enhanced by inclusion complexation with HPβCyD. Furthermore, GAC8/HPβCyD-IC NFs possessed antibacterial activity against E. coli (12.5 mm zone of inhibition), S. aureus (18.5 mm zone of inhibition). The results of DNA and protein leakage in the experiment indicated that GAC8/HPβCyD-IC NFs can disrupt the membrane integrity of bacteria. Meanwhile, GAC8/HPβCyD-IC NFs suppressed the colony growth of E. coli on Chinese giant salamander meat. Overall, the nanofibers encapsulating GAC8/HPβCyD-IC were potential antibacterial food packaging materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin C (VC), encompasses a group of related water-soluble substances, which plays an important role in the physiologic processes and health of aquatic animals. Most aquatic animals have a limited capacity to synthesize VC, thus obtaining VC mainly from diets. To date, VC has been widely used as an aquatic feed additive due to its antioxidant, free radical scavenging, and anti-inflammatory abilities. However, the requirement for VC varies greatly among different aquatic animals. This updated review presents a general picture of the possible physiological function of VC for farmed aquatic animals, with emphasis on the information on growth, antioxidant status, immunity, diseases prevention, and reproductive performance, as well as the synergistic effects of VC with other micronutrients such as vitamin E, glucans, and metal elements during recent years. Furthermore, the interaction between dietary VC and the intestinal microbiota of aquatic animals have also been discussed. Understanding the beneficial function and mechanism of VC is of great significance for extending the application of VC in the aquaculture industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Understanding microbial compositions and functions in arable soils is crucial for effective agroecosystem management. While many studies have explored this topic, large-scale investigations are lacking, resulting in the absence of consistent and reliable patterns of communities and functions of soil microorganisms. Methods: To address this gap, we performed an integrated analysis of published sequencing data from the soils of three main arable fields: upland, paddy, and paddy-upland rotation. Results: Bacterial diversity (richness, Shannon) was highest in upland soils. Actinobacteria and Planctomycetes were enriched in upland soils, while Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Nitrospirae preferred paddy and paddy-upland rotation soils. Bacteria in upland soils have a greater functional potential to decompose aromatic compounds, as well as for chitinolysis and ureolysis. Methanotrophy, methylotrophy, sulfur-related respiration, and most nitrogen metabolic processes were enriched in paddy fields. Bacteria in upland soils are characterized by increased dormancy potential and a faster response to resource input than those in paddy and paddy-upland rotation soils. Stochastic processes poorly contribute to the bacterial assembly in paddy soils, indicating strong environmental filtering due to anaerobic conditions. The spatial turnover in bacterial community composition was much faster than the functional potential, indicating high functional redundancy, especially in paddy soils. Edaphic factors were the major contributors to bacterial composition, whereas the cropland type influenced the predicted functions. Conclusions: Land use defines microbial composition, functional attributes, and ecological characteristics (e.g., dormancy potential, assembly processes, and functional redundancy). These findings deepen our knowledge of microbial biogeographic patterns in soils of agricultural ecosystems and provide new insights into sustainable cropland management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let G be a special linear group over the real, the complex or the quaternion, or a special unitary group. In this note, we determine all special unipotent representations of G in the sense of Arthur and Barbasch–Vogan, and show in particular that all of them are unitarizable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is a challenge to make thorough but efficient experimental designs for the coupled mineral dissolution and precipitation studies in a multi-mineral system, because it is difficult to speculate the best experimental duration, optimal sampling schedule, effects of different experimental conditions, and how to maximize the experimental outputs prior to the actual experiments. Geochemical modeling is an efficient and effective tool to assist the experimental design by virtually running all scenarios of interest for the studied system and predicting the experimental outcomes. Here we demonstrated an example of geochemical modeling assisted experimental design of coupled labradorite dissolution and calcite and clayey mineral precipitation using multiple isotope tracers. In this study, labradorite (plagioclase) was chosen as the reactant because it is both a major component and one of the most reactive minerals in basalt. Following our isotope doping studies of single minerals in the last ten years, initial solutions in the simulations were doped with multiple isotopes (e.g., Ca and Si). Geochemical modeling results show that the use of isotope tracers gives us orders of magnitude more sensitivity than the conventional method based on concentrations and allows us to decouple dissolution and precipitation reactions at near-equilibrium condition. The simulations suggest that the precise unidirectional dissolution rates can inform us which rate laws plagioclase dissolution has followed. Calcite precipitation occurred at near-equilibrium and the multiple isotope tracer experiments would provide near-equilibrium precipitation rates, which was a challenge for the conventional concentration-based experiments. In addition, whether the precipitation of clayey phases is the rate-limiting step in some multi-mineral systems will be revealed. Overall, the modeling results of multi-mineral reaction kinetics will improve the understanding of the coupled dissolution–precipitation in the multi-mineral systems and the quality of geochemical modeling prediction of CO2 removal and storage efficacy in the basalt systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphate was removed from aqueous environment by corundum-hollow-spheres supported caclined hydrotalcite (cHT) thin films. Mg-Al-CO3 hydrotalcite (HT) thin films were deposited on corundum-hollow-sphere substrates by hydrothermal homogeneous precipitation at 120 °C for 30–240 min and cHT thin films were obtained by annealing of the HT thin films at 500 °C for 180 min. Their crystal phase, morphology and microstructure were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that homogeneous, well-crystallized and hierarchical flower-like thin films were deposited firmly on the surface of the corundum. The mechanism of nucleation and growth of the HT thin films was fitted well with the anion coordination polyhedron growth unit model. To determine the absorption of phosphate by this adsorbent, different bed depth (10–30 cm) and flow rate (1.0–3.0 mL/min) were examined by column experiments. The highest removal efficiency of phosphate amounted to 98.5 % under optimum condition (pH = 7.2). The adsorption capacity increased as the bed depth increased and decreased as the flow rate increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field observations in sedimentation and erosion-prone areas indicate that most natural sand deposits may contain a certain amount of non-plastic fines and are often under anisotropic stress conditions. A series of triaxial compression tests were performed on clean and silty sand with fines content fc ranging from 0 to 20% at an initial mean effective stress of p0′ = 100 kPa and varying consolidation conditions to understand the impact of initial stress anisotropy on undrained shear behavior. The results indicate that the state parameter ψ is a superior predictor for characterizing the responses of sand-fines mixtures compared to the global void ratio and relative density. A comparison of the behavior of clean and silty sand with a constant ψ (= − 0.03) confirms that the sample with 10% fc exhibits the strongest dilation and greatest shear resistance, irrespective of the consolidation conditions. It is also demonstrated that the initial stress anisotropy with a comparably higher static stress ratio ηs typically diminishes the shear strength of mixtures. However, the influence of initial stress anisotropy on soil stiffness is not unilateral. The sample consolidated to a negative ηs is stiffer than that under isotropic consolidation, while the presence of a positive ηs leads to a decrease in the secant Young's modulus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the associations between high uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA-PI) values and congenital heart disease (CHD) risk and whether they differed between singleton and multiple pregnancies. This hospital-based cohort study involving 52,047 pregnant women who underwent prenatal examinations from 2012 to 2016. Infants born to the included pregnant women were followed until 42 days after birth to identify those with CHDs. Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate the associations of high right UtA-PI (> 95th percentile) values with maternal preeclampsia and fetal CHDs. Logistic regression analyses were conducted using path analysis models to quantify the effect of high right UtA-PI values on fetal CHD risk. A total of 42,552 women and 43,470 infants (147 with CHDs) were included. Preeclampsia risk was associated with a high right UtA-PI in singleton-pregnant women (adjusted PR, 3.01; 95% CI 2.57–3.52). CHD risk was marginally associated with a high right UtA-PI in singleton-pregnant women (adjusted PR, 2.26, 95% CI 1.03–4.95). Considering only two factors, 96.0% of the fetal CHD risk was mediated by preeclampsia in singleton-pregnant women, while 93.8% of the risk was related to a high right UtA-PI in multiple-pregnant women. A high right UtA-PI was marginally associated with an increased fetal CHD risk in singleton-pregnant women and might play an important role in multiple-pregnant women. Further studies are warranted to confirm these findings given the high loss to follow-up rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a common process during tumor progression and is always related to residual tumor, drug resistance and immune suppression. However, considering the heterogeneity in EMT process, there is still a need to establish robust EMT classification system with reasonable molecular, biological and clinical implications to investigate whether these unfavorable survival factors are common or unique in different individuals. In our work, we classify tumors with four EMT status, that is, EMTlow, EMTmid, EMThigh-NOS (Not Otherwise Specified), and EMThigh-AKT (AKT pathway overactivation) subtypes. We find that EMThigh-NOS subtype is driven by intrinsic somatic alterations. While, EMThigh-AKT subtype is maintained by extrinsic cellular interplay between tumor cells and macrophages in an AKT-dependent manner. EMThigh-AKT subtype is both unresectable and drug resistant while EMThigh-NOS subtype can be treated with cell cycle related drugs. Importantly, AKT activation in EMThigh-AKT not only enhances EMT process, but also contributes to the immunosuppressive microenvironment. By remodeling tumor immune-microenvironment by AKT inhibition, EMThigh-AKT can be treated by immune checkpoint blockade therapies. Meanwhile, we develop TumorMT website (http://tumormt.neuroscience.org.cn/) to apply this EMT classification and provide reasonable therapeutic guidance. A pan-cancer study indicates two mesenchymal-like tumor subtypes with distinct intrinsic or extrinsic driving mechanisms and could be used to guide chemotherapy and immune therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pneumatic transportation systems (PTS) were recently proposed as a method to carry ready-for-injection diluted monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from the pharmacy to the bedside of patients. This method reduces transportation time and improves the efficiency of drug distribution process. However, mAbs are highly sensitive molecules for which subtle alterations may lead to deleterious clinical effects. These alterations can be caused by various external factors such as temperature, pH, pressure, and mechanical forces that may occur during transportation. Hence, it is essential to ensure that the mAbs transported by PTS remain stable and active throughout the transportation process. This study aims to determine the safety profile of PTS to transport 11 routinely used mAbs in a clinical setting through assessment of critical quality attributes (CQA) and orthogonal analysis. Hence, we performed aggregation/degradation profiling, post-translational modifications identification using complementary mass spectrometry-based methods, along with visible and subvisible particle formation determination by light absorbance and light obscuration analysis. Altogether, these results highlight that PTS can be safely used for this purpose when air is removed from the bags during preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, with the rapid expansion of commercial banks' non-standardized business, the systematic correlation between shadow banking and commercial banks in China has been gradually enhanced, which enables the partial liquidity crisis of shadow banking to spread rapidly to commercial banks, leading to the increased vulnerability of China's financial system. Based on this, we built shadow banking indexes of trusts, securities, private lending and investments, introduced the dynamic correlation coefficient calculated by the dynamic conditional correlation multivariate GARCH model into the improved CoVaR model, and used the DCC-BEKK-MVGARCH-Time-Varying CoVaR Model to measure the risk overflow contribution of shadow banking in China. We find that shadow banking and commercial banks have an inherent relationship. Due to their own risks, different types of shadow banking contribute to the risk spillover to commercial banks in different degrees. The risk correlation between shadow banking and commercial banks fluctuates. Securities, trusts, private lending and investments shadow banking have different degrees of risk spillover contributions to commercial banks. Securities shadow banking has the highest risk spillover contribution. The next is trusts shadow banking. The risk spillover contributions from private lending and investments shadow banking are lower, but their volatilities are higher. The supervising department should standardize the information disclosure system of shadow banking and establish the risk firewall of commercial banks and shadow banking from the perspective of the risk spillover contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robotic-assisted surgical systems hold promise in enhancing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) outcomes and patients' quality of life. This study aims to comprehensively analyze the literature on robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty (r-TKA), providing insights into its current development, clinical application, and research trends. A systematic search was conducted in the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) to identify relevant articles. Data were collected from the top 100 highly cited articles. Article evidence levels were assessed following established guidelines. Statistical analyses and visualizations were performed to reveal publication trends, citations, research hotspots, and collaborative networks. The analysis covered 100 highly cited articles meeting the research criteria, with a focus on the last five years. The United States emerged as a major contributor, with most publications and citations in the Journal of Knee Surgery and Knee Surgery Sports Traumatology Arthroscopy. Research priorities revolved around clinical outcomes, accuracy, and alignment of r-TKA. Notably, higher evidence levels correlated with more citations, indicating greater attention. Interest in and research on r-TKA is steadily increasing, with a few countries at the forefront of these endeavors. While numerous studies have already reported short- to medium-term follow-up results, it is crucial to conduct longer-term investigations to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the clinical benefits that r-TKA offers compared to conventional techniques. Through ongoing research and a greater embrace of robotic technology, we can continue to improve the quality of life for patients undergoing knee arthroplasty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of biofilms is closely associated with persistent and chronic infections, and physiological heterogeneity such as pH and oxygen gradients renders biofilms highly resistant to conventional antibiotics. To date, effectively treating biofilm infections remains a significant challenge. Herein, we report the fabrication of micellar nanoparticles adapted to heterogeneous biofilm microenvironments, enabling nitric oxide (NO) release through two distinct photoredox catalysis mechanisms. The key design feature involves the use of tertiary amine (TA) moieties, which function as sacrificial agents to avoid the quenching of photocatalysts under normoxic and neutral pH conditions and proton acceptors at acidic pH to allow deep biofilm penetration. This biofilm-adaptive NO-releasing platform shows excellent antibiofilm activity against ciprofloxacin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) biofilms both in vitro and in a mouse skin infection model, providing a strategy for combating biofilm heterogeneity and biofilm-related infections. Biofilms are heterogeneous and difficult to treat. Here, the authors report the preparation of micellar nanoparticles specifically for the treatment of biofilm, that release nitric oxide through two distinct photoredox catalysis mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Credit risk assessment involves conducting a fair review and evaluation of an assessed subject's solvency and creditworthiness. In the context of real estate enterprises, credit risk assessment provides a basis for banks and other financial institutions to choose suitable investment objects. Additionally, it encourages real estate enterprises to abide by market norms and provide reliable information for the standardized management of the real estate industry. However, Chinese real estate companies are hesitant to disclose their actual operating data due to privacy concerns, making subjective evaluation approaches inevitable, occupying important roles in accomplishing Chinese real estate enterprise credit risk assessment tasks. To improve the normative and reliability of credit risk assessment for Chinese real estate enterprises, this study proposes an integrated multi-criteria group decision-making approach. First, a credit risk assessment index for Chinese real estate enterprises is established. Then, the proposed framework combines proportional hesitant fuzzy linguistic term sets and preference ranking organization method for enrichment evaluation II methods. This approach is suitable for processing large amounts of data with high uncertainty, which is often the case in credit risk assessment tasks of Chinese real estate enterprises involving massive subjective evaluation information. Finally, the proposed model is validated through a case study accompanied by sensitivity and comparative analyses to verify its rationality and feasibility. This study contributes to the research on credit assessment for Chinese real estate enterprises and provides a revised paradigm for real estate enterprise credit risk assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the acceleration of global population aging, neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) will become the second leading cause of death in the world, which seriously threatens human life and health. Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease are the most common and typical NDs. The exact mechanisms of the NDs occurrence and development remain unclear, which may be related to immune, oxidative stress, and abnormal aggregation of pathogenic proteins. Studies have suggested that gut microbiota (GM) influences brain function and plays an important role in regulating emotional and cognitive function. Recently, bile acids (BAs) have become the "star molecule" in the microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis research. BAs have been reported to exert anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective activities in NDs. However, the role of BAs in the connection between GM and the central nervous system (CNS) is still unclear. In this review, we will review the possible mechanisms of BAs between GM and NDs and explore the function of BAs to provide ideas for the prevention and treatment of NDs in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phototropism is a classic adaptive growth response that helps plants to enhance light capture for photosynthesis. It was shown that hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) participates in the regulation of blue light-induced hypocotyl phototropism; however, the underlying mechanism is unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that the unilateral high-intensity blue light (HBL) could induce asymmetric distribution of H2O2 in cotton hypocotyls. Disruption of the HBL-induced asymmetric distribution of H2O2 by applying either H2O2 itself evenly on the hypocotyls or H2O2 scavengers on the lit side of hypocotyls could efficiently inhibit hypocotyl phototropic growth. Consistently, application of H2O2 on the shaded and lit sides of the hypocotyls led to reduced and enhanced hypocotyl phototropism, respectively. Further, we show that H2O2 inhibits hypocotyl elongation of cotton seedlings, thus supporting the repressive role of H2O2 in HBL-induced hypocotyl phototropism. Moreover, our results show that H2O2 interferes with HBL-induced asymmetric distribution of auxin in the cotton hypocotyls. Taken together, our study uncovers that H2O2 changes the asymmetric accumulation of auxin and inhibits hypocotyl cell elongation, thus mediating HBL-induced hypocotyl phototropism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earthquakes have significant impact on rock slopes, thus studying the seismic stability of double-slider rock slopes containing tension cracks is crucial. We proposed an analysis method on the seismic dynamic slope stability. This method utilizes discrete Fourier transform to decompose real earthquake waves into a combination of harmonic waves. These waves are then used in conjunction with the pseudo-dynamic method and safety factor calculation formula to compute the safety factor. This approach accurately captures the influence of seismic time history characteristics on the dynamic stability of double-slider rock slopes containing tension cracks. The minimum safety factor in the obtained time history curves of the safety factor reflects the most unfavorable state of the slopes under seismic effects. Quantitative analysis is conducted using six sets of actual earthquake ground motion data obtained from the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center's NGAWest2 ground-shaking record database. The conclusions are as follows: (1) There is an inverse correlation between the average seismic acceleration amplitude and the minimum safety factor. Conversely, the seismic acceleration amplitude standard deviation shows a positive correlation with the minimum safety factor. The global sensitivity of geometric parameters in the slope model is higher than other influencing factors. (2) The proposed dynamic stability analysis method can capture the dynamic characteristics of earthquakes, emphasizing the minimum safety factor of the slope in the seismic time history as a stability indicator. In contrast, the pseudo-static method may yield unsafe results. (3) A safety factor expression considering hydrostatic pressure is proposed. A negative correlation was observed between the height of the water level line and the minimum safety factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the sustainable exploitation of marine resources develops, dual-platform joint operation has caught increasing attention. Dual-platform joint operation requires smaller relative motion between the two sub-platforms, which is normally difficult to be satisfied by the traditional mooring system. Therefore, a new hybrid mooring system is developed and studied in this article. To ensure safety during platform movements, both the number of anchor chains and the relative motion between the two sub-platforms are reduced in the new hybrid mooring system. By performing numerical simulations based on three-dimensional potential flow theory in AQWA and physical experiments, the performances of both the new hybrid and traditional mooring systems under two different wave conditions (i.e., working wave and freak wave conditions) are systematically investigated. Regarding the new hybrid mooring system, the relative stability between the two sub-platforms of the new system is better, and the platforms can restore stability faster when affected by freak waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air transportation systems are a foundational infrastructure for the human's society. The lack of systematic and detailed investigation on a large amount of records for air flights has blocked seriously the deep understanding of the systems. By using the American domestic passenger flight records from 1995 to 2020, we constructed the air transportation networks and calculated the betweenness and the eigenvector centralities for the airports. It is found that in terms of eigenvector centrality, 15–30% airports in the unweighted and undirected networks behave anomalous. The anomalies disappear after considering the information of link weights or directionalites. Five widely used models for air transportation networks are evaluated, results for which tell us that the spatial constraints are required to eliminate the anomalies detected by the eigenvector centrality, and provide us some references for selecting the parameters in the models. We hope the empirical benchmarks reported in this paper can stimulate much more works on theoretical models for air transportation systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the impact of government R&D spending on promoting technology convergence. We test the hypotheses that a government funding program positively affects technology convergence, and that the effects vary depending on the participant (i.e., academic and industrial inventors). We used the Advanced Sequencing Technology Program (ASTP) as an example to investigate this issue. We develop a novel dataset by linking the ASTP grantee information with the PATSTAT patent database. On this basis, we develop inventor-level characteristics for propensity score matching, selecting a control group of inventors from among those enrolled in the ASTP. Then, we employ difference-in-difference models to assess the program's impact on the matched sample. The results support the program's role as a driving force of technology convergence. The findings also indicate that the program has a greater influence on industry inventors than on academic counterparts. Furthermore, we conceptualize the program's "leverage effect" and demonstrate that it can attract more external industrial inventors than academic inventors. The work advances our understanding of the role of a government-funded program in encouraging convergence and has implications for developing convergence-related R&D programs in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A conceptually novel, trifunctional sulfoximine-mediated γ-functionalization of unactivated C(sp3)-H bonds has been achieved. The reaction is initiated by the photo-induced homolytic cleavage of an N-S bond in the absence of photosensitizer, and proceeds sequentially through a cascade of 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer, 1,4-functional group migration, desulfoximination and a Minisci reaction. A major feature of this approach is the use of sulfoximine as a traceless directing group. Other positive properties include mild conditions, simple operation, exclusive site-selectivity, high product diversity and the avoidance of additional photosensitizers. The protocol provides a new reaction mode for HAT-induced C(sp3)-H functionalization, and allows a much broader chemical space for sulfoximine studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of heterogeneous metallaphotocatalysis is of great interest for sustainable organic synthesis. The rational design and controllable preparation of well-defined (site-isolated) metal/photo bifunctional solid catalysts to meet such goal remains a critical challenge. Herein, we demonstrate the incorporation of privileged homogeneous bipyridyl-based Ni-catalysts into highly ordered and crystalline potassium poly(heptazine imide) (K-PHI). A variety of PHI-supported cationic bipyridyl-based Ni-catalysts (LnNi-PHI) have been prepared and fully characterized by various techniques including NMR, ICP-OES, XPS, HAADF-STEM and XAS. The LnNi-PHI catalysts exhibit exceptional chemical stability and recyclability in diverse C−P, C−S, C−O and C−N cross-coupling reactions. The proximity and cooperativity effects in LnNi-PHI significantly enhances the photo/Ni dual catalytic activity, thus resulting in low catalyst loadings and high turnover numbers. The development of heterogeneous metallaphotocatalysis is of great interest for sustainable organic synthesis. Herein, the authors demonstrate the incorporation of privileged homogeneous bipyridyl-based Ni-catalysts into highly ordered and crystalline potassium poly(heptazine imide) (K-PHI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to compare the peri- and postoperative outcomes of patients treated with conventional versus robot-assisted laparoendoscopic single-site radical prostatectomy (C-LESS-RP vs. R-LESS-RP). Data of patients with prostate cancer (106 who underwent C-LESS-RP, 124 underwent R-LESS-RP) were retrospectively collected and analyzed. All operations were performed by the same surgeon from January 8, 2018, to January 6, 2021, in the same institution. Information on clinical characteristics and perioperative outcomes was obtained from records at the medical institution. Postoperative outcomes were acquired from follow-up. Intergroup differences were retrospectively analyzed and compared. All patients had similar clinical characteristics in meaningful aspects. The perioperative outcomes were better with R-LESS-RP than with C-LESS-RP in terms of operation time (120 min vs. 150 min, p < 0.05), estimated blood loss (17.68 ml vs. 33.68 ml, p < 0.05), and analgesic duration (0 days vs. 1 days, p < 0.05). The drainage tube duration and postoperative stay did not differ significantly between groups. However, R-LESS-RP was more expensive than C-LESS-RP (56559.510 CNY vs. 44818.27 CNY, p < 0.05). The patients who underwent R-LESS-RP had better urinary incontinence recovery and higher European quality of life visual analog scale scores than those who underwent C-LESS-RP. However, no significant intergroup difference was noted in biochemical recurrence. In conclusion, R-LESS-RP could achieve better perioperative outcomes, especially for those skilled surgeons who have mastered C-LESS-RP. Additionally, R-LESS-RP accelerated the recovery from urinary incontinence effectively and presented some benefits in health-related quality of life with additional costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper constructs a geophysical model of hidden disaster-causing anomalies in coal rock for simulation experiments based on the structural design of coal rock seams at the mine working face to study the geophysical response characteristics of geological anomalies in coal rock seams. The material ratio and petrophysical parameters of the coal seam, roof, floor, collapse column, and fault in a mining area in Shanxi were tested using homogeneous and orthogonal test methods, and their petrophysical parameters, such as Vs,Vp, resistivity, permeability, and dielectric constant, were obtained. The coal dust and sand–cement contents are the main factors affecting the wave velocity, whereas the dielectric constant and resistivity are highly influenced by the water content of the material. The response characteristics of the petrophysical parameters of various types of geological structures measured via experiments are consistent with the corresponding geophysical responses of actual geophysical exploration methods. The experimental data were comparatively analyzed with the original coal rock samples and field in-situ probing results, and the best construction ratios of each geological structural unit were as follows: coal seam ratios of 61.11%, 11.11%, and 27.78% were selected for coal dust, sand, and cement content, respectively; sand–cement and gypsum–cement ratios of 2:1 and 2:8, respectively, were selected for the roof; and sand–cement and gypsum–cement ratios of 3:1 and 4:6, respectively, were selected for the floor. The optimal ratios of 75% sand, 10% gypsum, and 15% cement were chosen for the fault; those for the collapse column were 66.7% sand, 6.67% gypsum, and 26.6% cement. This study focuses on the ratios of various geotectonic physical models and their physical properties, it provides data support for subsequent model construction and a good experimental platform for the demonstration of various geophysical exploration methods and techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While significant progress has been made in developing selective C-H bond cross-couplings in the field of radical chemistry, the site and stereoselectivity remain a long-standing challenge. Here, we present the successful development of stereodivergent allylic C(sp3)-H bond arylations through a systematic investigation of the direction and degree of stereoselectivity in the cross-coupling process. In contrast to the signature photosensitized geometrical isomerization of alkenes, the catalytic reaction demonstrates the feasibility of switching the C-C double bond stereoselectivity by means of ligand control as well as steric and electronic effects. Computational studies explain the stereochemical outcome and indicate that excitation of a Ni-allyl complex from singlet to a triplet state results in a spontaneous change of the allyl group coordination and that the subsequent isomerization can be directed by the choice of the ligand to achieve E/Z selectivity. The selective construction of C-C double bonds in alkenes, which can be one of two isomers, is a fundamental focus of organic chemistry. Here, the authors systematically investigated the stereoselectivity in allylic C(sp3)-H bond arylations and demonstrated a ligand switch could allow a stereodivergent synthesis of silyl enol ethers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precise stereocontrol of functionalized alkenes represents a long-standing research topic in organic synthesis. Nevertheless, the development of a catalytic, easily tunable synthetic approach for the stereodivergent synthesis of both E-selective and even more challenging Z-selective highly substituted 1,3-dienes from common substrates remains underexploited. Here, we report a photoredox and nickel dual catalytic strategy for the stereodivergent sulfonylalkenylation of terminal alkynes with vinyl triflates and sodium sulfinates under mild conditions. With a judicious choice of simple nickel catalyst and ligand, this method enables efficient and divergent access to both Z- and E-sulfonyl-1,3-dienes from the same set of simple starting materials. This method features broad substrate scope, good functional compatibility, and excellent chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivity. Experimental and DFT mechanistic studies offer insights into the observed divergent stereoselectivity controlled by ligands. The stereoselective synthesis of 1,3-dienes represents a challenge in organic synthesis. Here, the authors report a ligand-controlled stereodivergent access to both Z- and E-sulfonyl-1,3-dienes via photoredox and nickel catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salicylic acid (SA) is a plant defense hormone required for immunity. Group II TGA transcription factors could interact with NPR1 to positively regulate SA-induced PR gene expression and pathogen resistance. In this study, one group II TGA gene from apple, MdTGA2.1, was functionally characterized detailed. The expression of MdTGA2.1 was mainly expressed in the leaves and up-regulated by SA treatment. MdTGA2.1-GFP fusion protein was observed only in the nucleus in the transient expression assay. Yeast two-hybrid and pull-down assays revealed that MdTGA2.1 could interact with MdNPR1. Overexpression of MdTGA2.1 in the tga6-1tga2-1tga5-1 triple mutant and wild-type Col conferred decreased SA sensitivity, including the SA-mediated seedlings growth inhibition, and the susceptibility to the bacterial pathogen Pst DC3000. In addition, MdTGA2.1 overexpression also improved the tolerance to NaCl and PEG treatments in transgenic Arabidopsis. Taken together, our findings suggest that apple MdTGA2.1 not only involved in the SA responses but also played roles in the stress tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different acquisition data approaches have been used to fetch the fluorescence spectra. However, the comparison between them is rare. Also, the extendability of a sensor array, which can work with heavy metal ions and other types of analytes, is scarce. In this study, we used first- and second-order fluorescent data generated by 6-Aza-2-thiothymine-gold nanocluster (ATT-AuNCs) as a single probe along with machine learning to distinguish between a group of heavy metal ions. Moreover, the dimensionality reduction was carried out for the different acquisition data approaches. In our case, the accuracy of different machine learning algorithms using first-order data outperforms the second-order data before and after the dimensionality reduction. For proving the extendibility of this approach, four anions were used as an example. As expected, the same finding has been found. Furthermore, random forest (RF) showed more stable and accurate results than other models. Also, linear discriminant analysis (LDA) gave acceptable accuracy in the analysis of the high-dimensionality data. Accordingly, using LDA in high-dimensionality data (the first- and second-order data) analysis was highlighted for discrimination between the selected heavy metal ions in different concentrations and in different molar ratios, as well as in real samples. Also, the same method was applied for the anion's discrimination, and LDA gave an excellent separation ability. Moreover, LDA was able to differentiate between all the selected analytes with excellent separation ability. Additionally, the quantitative detection was considered using a wide concentration range of Cd2+, and the LOD was 60.40 nM. Therefore, we believe that our approach opens new avenues for linking analytical chemistry, especially sensor array chemistry, with machine learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitat fragmentation impacts seed dispersal processes that are important in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. However, it is still unclear how habitat fragmentation affects frugivorous interactions due to the lack of high-quality data on plant-frugivore networks. Here we recorded 10,117 plant-frugivore interactions from 22 reservoir islands and six nearby mainland sites using the technology of arboreal camera trapping to assess the effects of island area and isolation on the diversity, structure, and stability of plant-frugivore networks. We found that network simplification under habitat fragmentation reduces the number of interactions involving specialized species and large-bodied frugivores. Small islands had more connected, less modular, and more nested networks that consisted mainly of small-bodied birds and abundant plants, as well as showed evidence of interaction release (i.e., dietary expansion of frugivores). Our results reveal the importance of preserving large forest remnants to support plant-frugivore interaction diversity and forest functionality. Smaller communities, such as those on islands, under ecological network simplification reduce interactions between specialist organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The CACNA1A gene encodes the alpha-1A subunit of P/Q type voltage-gated calcium channel Cav2.1, which is associated with a broad clinical spectrum and variable symptomatology. While few patients with progressive ataxia caused by CACNA1A missense variants have been reported, here we report three unrelated Chinese patients with progressive ataxia due to de novo missense variants in the CACNA1A gene, including a novel pathogenic variant (c.4999C > G) and a previously reported pathogenic variant (c.4037G > A). Our findings and a systematic literature review show the unique phenotype of progressive ataxia caused by missense variants and enlarge the genetic and clinical spectrum of CACNA1A. This suggests that in addition to routine screening for dynamic mutations, screening for CACNA1A variants is important for clinicians facing patients with progressive ataxia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radhakrishnan et al. (Phys. Rev. Lett. 124:110401, 2020) proposed quantum discord to multipartite systems and derived explicit formulae for any states. These results are significant in capturing quantum correlations for multiqubit systems. In this paper, we evaluate the geometric measure of multipartite quantum discord and obtain the results for a large family of multiqubit states. Furthermore, we investigated the dynamic behavior of geometric discord for the family of two-, three- and four-qubit states under phase noise acting on the first qubit. And we discover that sudden change of multipartite geometric discord can appear when phase noise act only on one part of the two-, three- and four-qubit states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report continuous-wave (CW) and passively Q-switched Nd :GdVO4 lasers on 4F3/2 → 4I13/2 transition directly pumped by an 880 nm diode laser. A widely investigated Nd :GdVO4 laser at about 1341 nm is operated with a maximum output power of 5.23 W and a slope efficiency of about 30.6%. Using an etalon for wavelength selection, we realize laser emission at about 1344 nm, for the first time to our knowledge, in a Nd :GdVO4 laser, with a maximum output power of 4.19 W and a slope efficiency of 20.1%. Moreover, we achieve simultaneous dual-wavelength lasing at 1341 and 1344 nm with a maximum output power of 2.27 W and a slope efficiency of 13.5%, respectively. Using V3+ :YAG as a saturable absorber, stable Q switching is obtained at about 1341 nm with a maximum average output power of 1.15 W. The pulse width is 52.8 ns at a repetition rate of 279.8 kHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trisubstituted alkenes are important organic synthons and have broad applications in the synthesis of many pharmaceuticals and materials. The stereoselective synthesis of such compounds has long been a research focus for organic researchers. Herein, we report a three-component, reductive cascade, cross-coupling reaction for the arylalkylation of alkynes. A wide range of trisubstituted alkenes are obtained in good to high yields with excellent chemo- and stereoselectivity by switching between electrochemistry and photocatalysis. The E isomer of the product is obtained exclusively when the reaction is conducted with electricity and nickel, while the Z isomer is generated with high stereoselectivity when photo- and nickel dual catalysts are used. Moreover, photo-assisted electrochemically enabled nickel catalyzed protocol is demonstrated to selectively deliver Z-trisubstituted alkenes without the addition of photocatalysts. The construction of trisubstituted alkenes with high stereoselectivity is challenging. Here, the authors realize the stereodivergent synthesis of such compounds via switching between electrochemistry, photochemistry and photoelectrochemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vinyl polymers are the focus of intensive research due to their ease of synthesis and the possibility of making well-defined, functional materials. However, their non-degradability leads to environmental problems and limits their use in biomedical applications, allowing aliphatic polyesters to still be considered as the gold standards. Radical ring-opening polymerization of cyclic ketene acetals is considered the most promising approach to impart degradability to vinyl polymers. However, these materials still exhibit poor hydrolytic degradation and thus cannot yet compete with traditional polyesters. Here we show that a simple copolymerization system based on acrylamide and cyclic ketene acetals leads to well-defined and cytocompatible copolymers with faster hydrolytic degradation than that of polylactide and poly(lactide-co-glycolide). Moreover, by changing the nature of the cyclic ketene acetal, the copolymers can be either water-soluble or can exhibit tunable upper critical solution temperatures relevant for mild hyperthermia-triggered drug release. Amphiphilic diblock copolymers deriving from this system can also be formulated into degradable, thermosensitive nanoparticles by an all-water nanoprecipitation process. The non-degradability of vinyl polymers has long limited their use in biomedical applications. In this article, the authors demonstrate a system based on acrylamide and cyclic ketene acetals to obtain copolymers with faster degradation rates for potential drug release and environmental applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Daptomycin is a new lipopeptide antibiotic for treatment of severe infection caused by multi-drug-resistant bacteria, but its production cost remains high currently. Thus, it is very important to improve the fermentation ability of the daptomycin producer Streptomyces roseosporus. Here, we found that the deletion of proteasome in S. roseosporus would result in the loss of ability to produce daptomycin. Therefore, transcriptome and 4D label-free proteome analyses of the proteasome mutant (Δprc) and wild type were carried out, showing 457 differential genes. Further, five genes were screened by integrated crotonylation omics analysis. Among them, two genes (orf04750/orf05959) could significantly promote the daptomycin synthesis by overexpression, and the fermentation yield in shake flask increased by 54% and 76.7%, respectively. By enhancing the crotonylation modification via lysine site mutation (K-Q), the daptomycin production in shake flask was finally increased by 98.8% and 206.3%, respectively. This result proved that the crotonylation modification of appropriate proteins could effectively modulate daptomycin biosynthesis. In summary, we established a novel strategy of gene screen for antibiotic biosynthesis process, which is more convenient than the previous screening method based on pathway-specific regulators. Key points: • Δprc strain has lost the ability of daptomycin production • Five genes were screened by multi-omics analysis • Two genes (orf04750/orf05959) could promote the daptomycin synthesis by overexpression [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of pores in the non-dense solid electrolyte on the ionic conductivity were performed via finite element modeling (FEM). As the basis, the convergence was studied for the low-density model to ensure accuracy and minimize the computational complexity. The pore distribution parameters (relative density, pore size, and the probability density function of the pore size) were systematically investigated based on the converged model. Relative density, the variable mostly researched, was determined to have a linear improvement on the ionic conductivity, quantitatively justifying that the densification process can enhance the ionic-conducting behavior of solid electrolytes. By contrast, at a given relative density for one-point distributed pores, pore size rarely affects ionic conductivity. For non-uniformly distributed solid electrolytes, the ionic conductivity showed a strong dependence on the probability density function (PDF) of the pore size distribution, which could be either improved or reduced. Beyond the traditional method aiming to the densification of solid electrolyte, this paper provides a novel guide to ameliorate the ionic conductivity through the optimization of the pore distribution function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the biosynthesis sterols an enzyme-catalyzed demethylation is achieved via a stepwise oxidative transformation of alcohols to olefins. The overall demethylation proceeds through two sequential monooxygenation reactions and a subsequent dehydroformylative saturation. To mimic the desaturation processes observed in nature, we have successfully integrated photoredox proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) and cobaloxime chemistry for the acceptorless dehydrogenation of alcohols. The state-of-the-art remote and precise desaturation of ketones proceeds efficiently through the activation of cyclic alcohols using bond-dissociation free energy (BDFE) as thermodynamic driving force. The resulting transient alkoxyl radical allows C-C bond scission to generate the carbon-centered radical remote to the carbonyl moiety. This key intermediate is subsequently combined with cobaloxime photochemistry to furnish the alkene. Moreover, the mild protocol can be extended to desaturation of linear alcohols as well as aromatic hydrocarbons. Application to bioactive molecules and natural product derivatives is also presented. Dehydrogenative reactions can provide alkenes, which are among the most useful handles for synthetic organic chemists. Here the authors integrated photoredox proton-coupled electron transfer and cobaloxime chemistry for the acceptorless dehydrogenation of alkyl alcohols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is the most common autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration and thyrocyte destruction. Dissection of the interaction between the thyroidal stromal microenvironment and the infiltrating immune cells might lead to a better understanding of HT pathogenesis. Here we show, using single-cell RNA-sequencing, that three thyroidal stromal cell subsets, ACKR1+ endothelial cells and CCL21+ myofibroblasts and CCL21+ fibroblasts, contribute to the thyroidal tissue microenvironment in HT. These cell types occupy distinct histological locations within the thyroid gland. Our experiments suggest that they might facilitate lymphocyte trafficking from the blood to thyroid tissues, and T cell zone CCL21+ fibroblasts may also promote the formation of tertiary lymphoid organs characteristic to HT. Our study also demonstrates the presence of inflammatory macrophages and dendritic cells expressing high levels of IL-1β in the thyroid, which may contribute to thyrocyte destruction in HT patients. Our findings thus provide a deeper insight into the cellular interactions that might prompt the pathogenesis of HT. Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease with a complex pathomechanism. Authors here show by single cell RNA sequencing that the thyroidal microenvironment in the disease is characterised by three stromal cell subtypes that are potentially responsible for the recruitment of infiltrating inflammatory immune cells, such as macrophages and dendritic cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explore the monogamy of multipartite quantum discord. In the article [Quantum Science and Technology 6, 4, 045028], Guo et al. show that quantum discord for multiqubit systems is monogamous provided that it does not increase under discard of subsystems. we illustrate that the above-mentioned preconditions are valid for a family of multiqubit states. Based on the analytical expressions of quantum discord and geometric discord of the family of states obtained in the articles [Phys. Rev. A 104, 012428] and [arXiv:], we investigate the dynamic behavior of these under the local decoherence channel, and show that the quantum discord of even partite systems have frozen phenomenon while the odd partite systems does not exist. For geometric discord, this family of states has the frozen phenomenon under local decoherence conditions. The results show that compound noises are not necessary for sudden changes in quantum correlation, and one qubit of the quantum noise is sufficient. The research of these non-loss conditions is of great significance for understanding the evolution of quantum systems in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, the image super-resolution (SR) method based on sparse representation has the problem that the reconstruction speed and quality are difficult to be achieved simultaneously. Therefore, this paper proposes an improved anchor neighborhood regression SR algorithm based on low-rank constraint. Firstly, considering the critical role of locality in nonlinear data learning, the locally weighted regularization weight is introduced in the calculation of the projection matrix, which can constrain the projection process according to the correlation between the anchor point and the atoms in the corresponding neighborhood. Then, in the reconstruction phase, based on the assumption of low-rank between similar blocks, further constraints are made on the reconstruction blocks to obtain better reconstruction image quality. Experiments show that our method can not only reconstruct more image details but also achieve better reconstruction speed. Compared with some state-of-the-art sparse representation method, it achieves better reconstruction results in objective evaluation criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]