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Abstract Background Intra-articular impacted fragments (IAIFs) are considered articular surface fragments resulting from impact and compressive forces. The malreduction of IAIFs in posterior malleolar fractures has been associated with talar subluxation and long-term post-traumatic arthritis. In this study, we establish IAIF defect finite element models of different sizes in posterior malleolar fractures and explored how IAIF defects predict the onset of post-traumatic arthritis. Methods A reliable three-dimensional finite element model of the normal ankle was established. Finite element models with different sizes of IAIF defects were created to calculate ankle joint contact stress. The finite element data were recorded and analyzed. Results There was a linear relationship between the size of the IAIF defect and MCS with IAIF defects in the posterolateral region. The result of Pearson linear correlation analysis was r = 0.963, P = 0.009. The regression equation was MCS = 0.087*AI + 2.951 (AI, area of IAIF) by simple linear regression analysis. When the IAIF defect was in the posteromedial region, there was also a linear relationship between the size of the IAIF defect and MCS. The result of Pearson linear correlation analysis was r = 908, P = 0.033. The regression equation was MCS = 0.065*AI + 1.841. The MCS was increased mainly in the border of the IAIF defect. Conclusions A small IAIF defect in the posterior malleolus will result in a high MCS, and the MCS in the posterolateral region is larger than the MCS in the posteromedial region when the size of the IAIF defect is the same. We obtain the regression equation of MCS and area of IAIF defect. This indicates that patients are more prone to post-trauma arthritis when the size of IAIF defects is more than 17.8 mm2 in the posterolateral region and more than 40.9 mm2 in the posteromedial region. Trial registration Retrospectively registered.

There is no well-established procedure for the management of small penis syndrome (SPS), especially when psychological interventions fail. This study aimed at systematically evaluating the physical and psychological benefits of penile augmentation (PA) using injectable hyaluronic acid (HA) gel. Thirty-eight patients receiving PA with HA gel from January 2017 to March 2020 were included and followed up for 1 year. Penile size, erectile function, and psychological burden measured by the Index of Male Genital Image (IMGI), Index of International Erectile Function (IIEF), and Beliefs about Penis Size (BPAS), respectively, were assessed at the beginning and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postinjection. The volume of HA gel injected was 21.5 ± 3.7 ml. Compared to baseline data, flaccid penile girth and length significantly increased by 3.41 ± 0.95 cm (P < 0.01) and 2.55 ± 0.55 cm (P < 0.01) at the 1st month postinjection, respectively. At the endpoint, despite attenuations, statistically significant improvements in flaccid penis size were still obtained, namely 2.44 ± 1.14 cm in girth (P < 0.01) and 1.65 ± 0.59 cm in length (P < 0.01). Similarly, erectile penile girth statistically increased by 1.32 ± 1.02 cm (P < 0.01) at the 1st month but were only 0.80 ± 0.54 cm bigger than baseline (P < 0.01) at the endpoint. At the 1st month, the average score of IMGI and the mean score of IIEF statistically increased by 46.2 ± 10.5 (P < 0.01) and 7.6 ± 6.2 (P < 0.01), respectively; the score of BAPS significantly decreased by 18.3 ± 4.5 (P < 0.01). These alterations remained steady during follow-up. Considering the significant penile size improvement, lasting psychological benefit, and low complication rate, PA with HA might serve as an appropriate alternative for patients with SPS.

Maize (Zea mays L.) can exhibit yield penalties as a result of unfavorable changes to growing conditions. The main threat to current and future global maize production is heat stress. Maize may suffer from heat stress in all of the growth stages, either continuously or separately. In order to manage the impact of climate driven heat stress on the different growth stages of maize, there is an urgent need to understand the similarities and differences in how heat stress affects maize growth and yield in the different growth stages. For the purposes of this review, the maize growth cycle was divided into seven growth stages, namely the germination and seedling stage, early ear expansion stage, late vegetative growth stage before flowering, flowering stage, lag phase, effective grain-filling stage, and late grain-filling stage. The main focus of this review is on the yield penalty and the potential physiological changes caused by heat stress in these seven different stages. The commonalities and differences in heat stress related impacts on various physiological processes in the different growth stages are also compared and discussed. Finally, a framework is proposed to describe the main influences on yield components in different stages, which can serve as a useful guide for identifying management interventions to mitigate heat stress related declines in maize yield.

Abstract Background Intraarticular impacted fragment (IAIF) of posterior malleolar fractures has been reported by a few studies. However its location, morphology, and the correlation of posterior malleolar fractures have not been described in detail. The aim of this study was to describe the morphology of IAIF in posterior malleolar fractures, to analyze the related factors between IAIF and posterior malleolar fragments, and explore the treatment of IAIF. Materials and methods Between January 2013 and December 2018, 108 consecutive patients with unilateral posterior malleolar fractures were managed in our hospital. Basic demographic and computed tomography (CT) data were collected and classified by Lauge–Hansen, OTA/AO, Haraguchi, and Mason classification. Additional radiographic data, including the length and area of posterior malleolar fragment, IAIF, and stable tibial plafond were measured. The location of IAIF was described, and involvement of the fibular notch and medial malleolus was also observed. Statistics were analyzed based on univariate analysis (Chi-square test, t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, Fisher’s test) and Spearman’s correlation test. Results Among the 108 cases of posterior malleolar fractures, 75 (69.4%) were with IAIF and 33 (30.6%) cases were without. There were 74 (68.5%) females and 34 (31.5%) males, and the average age of the patients was 49 years (18–89 years). The average L IFN/(L IFN + L SFN) [length of involving fibular notch/(length of involving fibular + length of stable notch fibular notch)] was 32.9% (11.6–64.9%). The A PMF/(A PMF + A STP + A IAIF) [area of posterior malleolar fragment/(area of posterior malleolar fragment + area of IAIF + area of stable tibial plafond)] and A IAIF/A PMF (area of IAIF/area of posterior malleolar fragment) were 13.1% (0.8–39.7%) and 52.6% (1.2–235.4%), respectively. Involvement of medial malleolus (fracture line extended to medial malleolus, P = 0.022), involvement of fibular notch (P = 0.021), L IFN/(L IFN + L SFN) (P = 0.037), L MPMF (P = 0.004), and A PMF were significantly related to the occurrence of IAIF. Conclusion Our research indicates a high incidence of IAIF in posterior malleolar fractures. All IAIFs were found in posterior malleolar, and the most common location was within the lateral area A. Posterior malleolar fracture lines that extend to medial malleolus or fibular notch herald the incidence of IAIF. L IFN/(L IFN + L SFN), L MPMF and A PMF are also associated with the incidence of IAIF. CT scans are useful for posterior malleolar fractures to determine the occurrence of IAIF and make operational plans. Operation approach selection should be based on the morphology of posterior malleolar fragments and the location of IAIF. Level of evidence Level III, retrospective case analysis.

N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) modification, installed by METTL3‐METTL14 complex, is abundant and critical in eukaryotic mRNA. However, its role in oral mucosal immunity remains ambiguous. Periodontitis is a special but prevalent infectious disease characterized as hyperinflammation of oral mucosa and bone resorption. Here, it is reported that genetic deletion of Mettl3 alleviates periodontal destruction via suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Mechanistically, the stability of TNFAIP3 (also known as A20) transcript is significantly attenuated upon m6A modification. When silencing METTL3, accumulated TNFAIP3 functioning as a ubiquitin‐editing enzyme facilitates the ubiquitination of NEK7 [NIMA (never in mitosis gene a)‐related kinase 7], and subsequently impairs NLRP3 inflammasome assembly. Furtherly, Coptisine chloride, a natural small‐molecule, is discovered as a novel METTL3 inhibitor and performs therapeutic effect on periodontitis. The study unveils a previously unknown pathogenic mechanism of METTL3‐mediated m6A modifications in periodontitis and indicates METTL3 as a potential therapeutic target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subtropical evergreen broad‐leaved forest (EBLF) is the predominant vegetation type in eastern China. However, the majority of the region it covers in eastern China was an arid area during the Paleogene. The temporal history and essential factors involved in the evolution of subtropical EBLFs in eastern China remain enigmatic. Here we report on the niche evolution of Quercus section Cyclobalanopsis, which appeared in south China and Japan during the Eocene and became a dominant component of subtropical EBLFs since the Miocene in eastern Asia, using integrative analysis of occurrences, climate data and a dated phylogeny of 35 species in Cyclobalanopsis. Species within clades Cyclobalanoides, Lamellosa, and Helferiana mainly exist in the Himalaya–Hengduan region, adapting to a plateau climate, while species within the other clades mainly live in eastern China under the control of the East Asian monsoon. Reconstructed history showed that significant divergence of climatic tolerance in Cyclobalanopsis began around 19 million years ago (Ma) in the early Miocene. Simultaneously, disparities in precipitation of wettest/warmest quarter and annual precipitation were markedly enhanced in Cyclobalanopsis, especially in the recent eastern clades. During the Miocene, the marked radiation of Cyclobalanopsis and many other dominant taxa of subtropical EBLFs strongly suggest the rapid formation and expansion of subtropical EBLFs in eastern China. Our research highlights that the intensification of the East Asian monsoon and subsequent occupation of new niches by the ancient clades already present in the south may have jointly promoted the formation of subtropical EBLFs in eastern China since the early Miocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of technology and the recent Covid-19 has moved a substantial part of education into online environments, and video-based learning has become a common format of online learning. An alternative to enhance the co-learning experience in video-based online learning is to make use of immersive virtual reality (VR) technology. The current study focused on how to build a sense of being together in an immersive VR classroom for video-based learning, when individual learners can schedule and pace their learning on their own. Two alternative in-class interaction mechanisms for video-based learning were proposed (i.e., real-time interaction and timeline-anchored interaction). The impact of in-class interaction design was investigated, together with the impact of different styles of visual embodiment of learners (i.e., realistic and cartoon-styled), through a laboratory experiment involving 48 participants, and the influences on learners' immersion in a VR classroom, identification with the avatars, perceived social presence of peer learners, and learning outcomes were analyzed. The results showed that enabling in-class interaction with peer learners in VR classrooms enhances immersion in the learning environment and their identification of peer avatars, as well as helping learners to develop a stronger co-presence and more intimate perception of peers. Whereas real-time interaction improves perceived social presence the most, the reduced learning outcome suggests that it may distract learners from the video. The timeline-anchored interaction, on the other hand, improves social presence at no cost of learning performance. Appearance style, however, has no significant influence on learning experiences and outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the accuracy and robustness of autonomous vehicle localization in a complex environment, this paper proposes a multi-source fusion localization method that integrates GPS, laser SLAM, and an odometer model. Firstly, fuzzy rules are constructed to accurately analyze the in-vehicle localization deviation and confidence factor to improve the initial fusion localization accuracy. Then, an odometer model for obtaining the projected localization trajectory is constructed. Considering the high accuracy of the odometer's projected trajectory within a short distance, we used the shape of the projected localization trajectory to inhibit the initial fusion localization noise and used trajectory matching to obtain an accurate localization. Finally, the Dual-LSTM network is constructed to predict the localization and build an electronic fence to guarantee the safety of the vehicle while also guaranteeing the updating of short-distance localization information of the vehicle when the above-mentioned fusion localization is unreliable. Under the limited arithmetic condition of the vehicle platform, accurate and reliable localization is realized in a complex environment. The proposed method was verified by long-time operation on the real vehicle platform, and compared with the EKF fusion localization method, the average root mean square error of localization was reduced by 66%, reaching centimeter-level localization accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi‐dimensional force sensing that combines intensity, location, area and the like could gather a wealth of information from mechanical stimuli. Developing materials with force‐induced optical and electrical dual responses would provide unique opportunities to multi‐dimensional force sensing, with electrical signals quantifying the force amplitude and the luminescence output providing spatial distribution of force. However, the reliance on external power supply and high‐energy excitation source brings significant challenges to the applicability of multi‐dimensional force sensors. Here we reported the mechanical energy‐driven and sunlight‐activated materials with force‐induced dual responses, and investigated the underlying mechanisms of self‐sustainable force sensing. Theoretical analysis and experimental data unraveled that trap‐controlled luminescence and interfacial electron transfer play a major role in force‐induced optical and electrical output. These materials were manufactured into pressure sensor with renewable dual‐mode output for quantifying and visualization of pressures by electrical and optical output, respectively, without power supply and high‐energy irradiation. The quantification of tactile sensation and stimuli localization of mice highlighted the multi‐dimensional sensing ability of the sensor. Overall, this self‐powered pressure sensor with multimodal output provides more modalities of force sensing, poised to change the way that intelligent devices sense with the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to systematically investigate the underlying differences in flesh quality between wild and farmed Monopterus albus. Fifteen healthy M. albus per group with an average body weight of 45 g were sampled to analyze muscle parameters by biochemical indicators, histomorphology, and molecular biology. Compared with the wild fish, the farmed M. albus in flesh had lower crude protein, collagen, lysine, histidine, total amino acids, SFA, n-3 PUFA contents, and n-3/n-6 ratio (p < 0.05), and higher moisture, crude lipid, crude ash, MUFA, n-6PUFA, and total PUFA contents (p < 0.05). The thawing loss, drip loss, steaming loss, and boiling loss in the farmed group were significantly higher, and hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, gumminess, chewiness, and resilience were significantly lower than those in the wild group (p < 0.05). In addition, higher muscle fiber density and lower muscle fiber diameter were observed in wild M. albus (p < 0.05). In muscle transcriptome profiling, differentially expressed genes and enriched pathways are primarily associated with muscle development, protein synthesis, catabolism, lipid metabolism, and immunity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first investigation that compares the flesh quality between wild and farmed M. albus in terms of biochemistry, histology, and molecular biology levels. Overall, wild M. albus had a higher nutritional value and texture quality than farmed M. albus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the deteriorating environment and excessive consumption of primary energy, solar energy has become used in buildings worldwide for renewable energy. Due to the fluctuations of solar radiation, a solar photovoltaic (PV) power system is often combined with a storage battery to improve the stability of a building's energy supply. In addition, the real-time energy consumption pattern of the residual houses fluctuates; a larger size for a PV and battery integrated system can offer more solar energy but also bring a higher equipment cost, and a smaller size for the integrated system may achieve an energy-saving effect. The traditional methods to size a PV and battery integrated system for a detached house are based on the experience method or the traversal algorithm. However, the experience method cannot consider the real-time fluctuating energy demand of a detached house, and the traversal algorithm costs too much computation time. Therefore, this study applies Nondominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II (NSGA-II) to size a PV and battery integrated system by optimizing total electricity cost and usage of the grid electricity simultaneously. By setting these two indicators as objectives separately, single-objective genetic algorithms (GAs) are also deployed to find the optimal size specifications of the PV and battery integrated system. The optimal solutions from NSGA-II and single-objective GAs are mutually verified, showing the high accuracy of NSGA-II, and the rapid convergence process demonstrates the time-saving effect of all these deployed genetic algorithms. The robustness of the deployed NSGA-II to various grid electricity prices is also tested, and similar optimal solutions are obtained. Compared with the experience method, the final optimal solution from NSGA-II saves 68.3% of total electricity cost with slightly more grid electricity used. Compared with the traversal algorithm, NSGA-II saves 94% of the computation time and provides more accurate size specifications for the PV and battery integrated system. This study suggests that NSGA-II is suitable for sizing a PV and battery integrated system for a detached house. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proliferation of wireless technologies, particularly the advent of 5G networks, has ushered in transformative possibilities for enhancing vehicular communication systems, particularly in the context of autonomous driving. Leveraging sensory data and mapping information downloaded from base stations using I2V links, autonomous vehicles in these networks present the promise of enabling distant perceptual abilities essential to completing various tasks in a dynamic environment. However, the efficient down-link transmission of vehicular network data via base stations, often relying on spectrum sharing, presents a multifaceted challenge. This paper addresses the intricacies of spectrum allocation in vehicular networks, aiming to resolve the thorny issues of cross-station interference and coupling while adapting to the dynamic and evolving characteristics of the vehicular environment. A novel approach is suggested involving the utilization of a multi-agent option-critic reinforcement learning algorithm. This algorithm serves a dual purpose: firstly, it learns the most efficient way to allocate spectrum resources optimally. Secondly, it adapts to the ever-changing dynamics of the environment by learning various policy options tailored to different situations. Moreover, it identifies the conditions under which a switch between these policy options is warranted as the situation evolves. The proposed algorithm is structured in two layers, with the upper layer consisting of policy options that are shared across all agents, and the lower layer comprising intra-option policies executed in a distributed manner. Through experimentation, we showcase the superior spectrum efficiency and communication quality achieved by our approach. Specifically, our approach outperforms the baseline methods in terms of training average reward convergence stability and the transmission success rate. Control-variable experiments also reflect the better adaptability of the proposed method as the environmental conditions change, underscoring the significant potential of the proposed method in aiding successful down-link transmissions in vehicular networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stress-induced anisotropy in calcareous sand can cause an uneven displacement in island reef engineering. In this study, stiffness, as a quantitative indicator, is explored to reveal the stress-induced anisotropy in calcareous sand. Based on the discrete element method, the stiffness anisotropic characteristics of calcareous sand during shearing, as well as the impact of particle breakage, are investigated by numerical simulations. Both the macro and micro responses, i.e., the maximum shear modulus, contact normal, strong and weak contact normal force, and the direction of particle breakage, are explored for calcareous sand with different particle breakage ratios. The results show that calcareous sand exhibits notable anisotropy during shearing, with the maximum shear modulus in the vertical direction (deviatoric stress direction) being significantly greater than that in the horizontal direction. Moreover, the higher the particle breakage rate, the lower the stiffness and its anisotropy. The micro-mechanism results indicate that the primary particle breakage during the shearing process occurs in the vertical direction. That is, the particle breakage weakens the strong contact force in the vertical direction, leading to a redistribution of the strong contact forces from the vertical direction to other directions. This redistribution mainly manifests in a decrease in the anisotropy of contact normal and contact vector within the sample, as well as a decrease in the proportion of strong contact forces in the overall contacts. This, in turn, reduces the shear strength and stiffness of calcareous sand, particularly in the vertical direction, and results in a decrease in the maximum shear modulus and its anisotropy. The maximum reduction can be up to 50% of the original value. These insights can provide a certain theoretical support for the uneven displacement and long-term stability of calcareous sand for islands and reefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All-silicon terahertz absorbers have attracted considerable interest. We present a design and numerical study of an all-silicon polarization-insensitive terahertz metamaterial absorber. The meta-atoms of the metamaterial absorber are square silicon rings which can be viewed as gratings. By properly optimizing the structure of the meta-atom, we achieve a broadband absorptivity that is above 90% ranging from 0.77 THz to 2.53 THz, with a relative bandwidth of 106.7%. Impedance matching reduces the reflection of the terahertz waves and the (0, ±1)-order diffraction induce the strong absorption. The absorption of this absorber is insensitive to the polarization of the terahertz wave and has a large incident angle tolerance of up to 60 degrees. The all-silicon metamaterial absorber proposed here provides an effective way to obtain broadband absorption in the terahertz regime. Metamaterial absorbers have outstanding applications in terahertz communication and imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insulin-resistance (IR) is one of the most important precursors of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Recent evidence suggests an association of depression with the onset of T2D. Accumulating evidence shows that depression and T2D share common biological origins, and DNA methylation examination might reveal the link between lifestyle, disease risk, and potential therapeutic targets for T2D. Here we hypothesize that integrative mining of IR and depression cohort data will facilitate predictive biomarkers identification for T2D. We utilized a newly proposed method to extract gene-level information from probe level data on genome-wide DNA methylation array. We identified a set of genes associated with IR and depression in clinical cohorts. By overlapping the IR-related nutraceutical-gene network with depression networks, we identified a common subnetwork centered with Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) gene. Preliminary clinical validation of gene methylation set in a small cohort of T2D patients and controls was established using the Sequenome matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time flight mass spectrometry. A set of sites in the promoter regions of VDR showed a significant difference between T2D patients and controls. Using a logistic regression model, the optimal prediction performance of these sites was AUC = 0.902，and an odds ratio = 19.76. Thus, monitoring the methylation status of specific VDR promoter region might help stratify the high-risk individuals who could potentially benefit from vitamin D dietary supplementation. Our results highlight the link between IR and depression, and the DNA methylation analysis might facilitate the search for their shared mechanisms in the etiology of T2D.

Abstract Failures to treat triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are mainly due to chemoresistance or radioresistance. We and others previously discovered that zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) is a massive driver causing these resistance. However, how to dynamically modulate the intrinsic expression of ZEB1 during cell cycle progression is elusive. Here integrated affinity purification combined with mass spectrometry and TCGA analysis identify a cell cycle-related E3 ubiquitin ligase, checkpoint with forkhead and ring finger domains (CHFR), as a key negative regulator of ZEB1 in TNBC. Functional studies reveal that CHFR associates with and decreases ZEB1 expression in a ubiquitinating-dependent manner and that CHFR represses fatty acid synthase (FASN) expression through ZEB1, leading to significant cell death of TNBC under chemotherapy. Intriguingly, a small-molecule inhibitor of HDAC under clinical trial, Trichostatin A (TSA), increases the expression of CHFR independent of histone acetylation, thereby destabilizes ZEB1 and sensitizes the resistant TNBC cells to conventional chemotherapy. In patients with basal-like breast cancers, CHFR levels significantly correlates with survival. These findings suggest the therapeutic potential for targeting CHFR-ZEB1 signaling in resistant malignant breast cancers.