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Abstract Controlled release formulation (CRF) of herbicide is an effective weed management technique with less eco-toxicity than other available commercial formulations. To maximise the effectiveness of CRFs however, it is crucial to understand the herbicide-releasing behaviour at play, which predominately depends on the interaction mechanisms between active ingredients and carrier materials during adsorption. In this study, we investigated and modelled the adsorption characteristics of model herbicide 2,4-D onto two organo-montmorillonites (octadecylamine- and aminopropyltriethoxysilane-modified) to synthesise polymer-based CRFs. Herbicide-releasing behaviour of the synthesised CRF microbeads was then analysed under various experimental conditions, and weed control efficacy determined under glasshouse conditions. Results revealed that adsorption of 2,4-D onto both organo-montmorillonites follows the pseudo-second-order kinetics model and is predominately controlled by the chemisorption process. However, multi-step mechanisms were detected in the adsorption on both organoclays, hence intra-particle diffusion is not the sole rate-limiting step for the adsorption process. Both organoclays followed the Elovich model, suggesting they have energetically heterogeneous surfaces. Herbicide-releasing behaviours of synthesised beads were investigated at various pH temperatures and ionic strengths under laboratory and glasshouse conditions. Furthermore, weed control efficacy of synthesised beads were investigated using pot studies under glasshouse condition. Desorption studies revealed that both synthesised microbeads have slow releasing behaviour at a wide range of pHs (5–9), temperatures (25–45 °C), and ionic strengths. The results also revealed that synthesised microbeads have excellent weed control efficacy on different broad-leaf weed species under glasshouse conditions.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Clematis mandshurica Ruprecht (1867), a specie of the Ranunculaceae family, and its phylogenetic relationships with other species have been reported in this study. The complete chloroplast genome of C. mandshurica is 159,563 bp in length, including a large single-copy (LSC) region of 79,360 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,121 bp, and a pair of identical inverted repeat regions (IRs) of 31,041 bp. The genome encodes a total of 132 genes, including 90 protein-coding genes, 34 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and eight ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. The phylogenetic analysis reveals that C. mandshurica was found to be closest to Clematis taeguensis. The complete chloroplast genome of C. mandshurica contributes to a better understanding of phylogenetic relationships among Clematis species.

Abstract In this work, we present a comprehensive study of holographic stress tensor correlators on general Riemann surfaces, extending beyond the previously well-studied torus cases to explore higher genus conformal field theories (CFTs) within the framework of the Anti-de Sitter/conformal field theory (AdS/CFT) correspondence. We develop a methodological approach to compute holographic stress tensor correlators, employing the Schottky uniformization technique to address the handlebody solutions for higher genus Riemann surfaces. Through rigorous calculations, we derive four-point stress tensor correlators, alongside recurrence relations for higher-point correlators, within the AdS3/CFT2 context. Additionally, our research delves into the holography of cutoff AdS3 spaces, offering novel insights into the lower-point correlators of the T T ¯ $$ T\overline{T} $$ -deformed theories on higher genus Riemann surfaces up to the first deformation order.

Abstract Background Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a prevalent urological disease in elderly males. However, few studies have estimated the temporal and spatial distributions of the BPH burden in male adults aged 60 years and over at the global, national, and regional scales. Methods Leveraging the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study, we estimated the global epidemiological trends in the prevalence, incidence, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) of BPH in 204 countries and 21 regions and 5 sociodemographic index (SDI) regions in males aged 60 years and over between 1990 and 2019. The average annual percentage changes (AAPCs) in age-specific rates were estimated to quantify overall trends. We estimated the contribution of population aging and epidemiological alterations in disease burden via composition analysis. Results Over the past three decades, the global prevalent cases, incident cases and DALYs of BPH have increased, ranging from 118.78 to 121.22%. The global number of prevalent BPH cases reached 79 million in people aged 60 years and older in 2019. The prevalence, incidence, and DALYs rates gradually increased, with AAPCs of 0.02, 0.02, and 0.01, respectively. Low-middle, middle, and low SDI regions experienced rapid increases in the number of prevalent cases of BPH. In 2019, China, India, and United States of America bore the largest burden of prevalent cases among people aged 60 years and over. The three regions with the highest prevalence rates of BPH were Eastern Europe, Central Latin America, and Andean Latin America. The increased prevalence was attributed to population growth (94.93%), epidemiological changes (3.45%), and aging (1.62%), globally. Conclusions BPH is a global health issue that imposes substantial economic burdens on most countries, particularly males aged 60 years and over. Effective health decisions are imperative for BPH prevention and treatment.

Abstract Purpose Prostate cancer (PCa) is a common malignancy in men, with an escalating mortality rate attributed to Recurrence and metastasis. Recent studies have illuminated collagen’s critical regulatory role within the tumor microenvironment, significantly influencing tumor progression. Accordingly, this investigation is dedicated to examining the relationship between genes linked to collagen and the prognosis of PCa, with the objective of uncovering any possible associations between them. Methods Gene expression data for individuals with prostate cancer were obtained from the TCGA repository. Collagen-related genes were identified, leading to the development of a risk score model associated with biochemical recurrence-free survival (BRFS). A prognostic nomogram integrating the risk score with essential clinical factors was crafted and evaluated for efficacy. The influence of key collagen-related genes on cellular behavior was confirmed through various assays, including CCK8, invasion, migration, cell cloning, and wound healing. Immunohistochemical detection was used to evaluate PLOD3 expression in prostate cancer tissue samples. Results Our study identified four key collagen-associated genes (PLOD3, COL1A1, MMP11, FMOD) as significant. Survival analysis revealed that low-risk groups, based on the risk scoring model, had significantly improved prognoses. The risk score was strongly associated with prostate cancer prognosis. Researchers then created a nomogram, which demonstrated robust predictive efficacy and substantial clinical applicability.Remarkably, the suppression of PLOD3 expression notably impeded the proliferation, invasion, migration, and colony formation capabilities of PCa cells. Conclusion The risk score, derived from four collagen-associated genes, could potentially act as a precise prognostic indicator for BRFS of patients. Simultaneously, our research has identified potential therapeutic targets related to collagen. Notably, PLOD3 was differentially expressed in cancer and para-cancer tissues in clinical specimens and it also was validated through in vitro studies and shown to suppress PCa tumorigenesis following its silencing.

Abstract We derive methods for risk-neutral pricing of multi-asset options, when log-returns jointly follow a multivariate tempered stable distribution. These lead to processes that are more realistic than the better known Brownian motion and stable processes. Further, we introduce the diagonal tempered stable model, which is parsimonious but allows for rich dependence between assets. Here, the number of parameters only grows linearly as the dimension increases, which makes it tractable in higher dimensions and avoids the so-called “curse of dimensionality.” As an illustration, we apply the model to price multi-asset options in two, three, and four dimensions. Detailed goodness-of-fit methods show that our model fits the data very well.

Abstract Objective To explore the association between cardiovascular health (CVH) measured by Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) and the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI). Method A cross-section study was conducted using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2012. 22,609 people aged ≥ 20 years with complete information on LE8 metrics and UI questionnaires were enrolled. Participants were divided into three groups (low:

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy with poor survival and requires long-term follow-up. Hence, we collected information on patients with Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the United States from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and EndResults (SEER) database. We used this information to establish a deep learning with a multilayer neural network (the NMTLR model) for predicting the survival rate of patients with Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma. HCC patients pathologically diagnosed between January 2011 and December 2015 in the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) database of the National Cancer Institute of the United States were selected as study subjects. We utilized two deep learning-based algorithms (DeepSurv and Neural Multi-Task Logistic Regression [NMTLR]) and a machine learning-based algorithm (Random Survival Forest [RSF]) for model training. A multivariable Cox Proportional Hazards (CoxPH) model was also constructed for comparison. The dataset was randomly divided into a training set and a test set in a 7:3 ratio. The training dataset underwent hyperparameter tuning through 1000 iterations of random search and fivefold cross-validation. Model performance was assessed using the concordance index (C-index), Brier score, and Integrated Brier Score (IBS). The accuracy of predicting 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates was evaluated using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration plots, and Area Under the Curve (AUC). The primary outcomes were the 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year overall survival rates. Models were developed using DeepSurv, NMTLR, RSF, and Cox Proportional Hazards regression. Model differentiation was evaluated using the C-index, calibration with concordance plots, and risk stratification capability with the log-rank test. The study included 2197 HCC patients, randomly divided into a training cohort (70%, n = 1537) and a testing cohort (30%, n = 660). Clinical characteristics between the two cohorts showed no significant statistical difference (p > 0.05). The deep learning models outperformed both RSF and CoxPH models, with C-indices of 0.735 (NMTLR) and 0.731 (DeepSurv) in the test dataset. The NMTLR model demonstrated enhanced accuracy and well-calibrated survival estimates, achieving an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.824 for 1-year survival predictions, 0.813 for 3-year, and 0.803 for 5-year survival rates. This model's superior calibration and discriminative ability enhance its utility for clinical prognostication in Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma. We deployed the NMTLR model as a web application for clinical practice. The NMTLR model have potential advantages over traditional linear models in prognostic assessment and treatment recommendations. This novel analytical approach may provide reliable information on individual survival and treatment recommendations for patients with primary liver cancer.

Abstract Electrochromic smart windows (ESWs) are an effective energy‐saving technology for near‐zero energy buildings. They consume electric energy unidirectionally during a round‐trip coloring‐bleaching process, with the energy involved in the bleaching process being wasted. It is highly desirable to reuse this wasted electric energy directly and/or transfer it into other energy storage equipment, further enhancing the overall efficiency of electric energy usage. Herein, a zinc anode‐based ESW (ESW‐PZ) is reported that not only has fascinating visible–near‐infrared (VIS‐NIR) dual‐band electrochromic performance (a high optical contrast of 63%) but also showcases good energy storage characteristics (a wide voltage window of 2.6 V and a high energy density of 127.5 µWh cm−2). The buildings utilizing ESW‐PZ to modulate indoor environments demonstrated an average annual energy saving of 366 MJ m−2 based on energy simulations, which is about 16% of the total energy consumption. Impressively, a high utilization efficiency of 90% (855 mWh m−2) of the wasted electric energy is realized through an ingenious circuit‐switching strategy, which can be reused to power small household appliances.

Antiferromagnetic Weyl semimetal Mn3Sn exhibiting strong magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) due to non-zero Berry curvature is attractive for spintronic and photonic device applications. Despite many reports on the anisotropic anomalous Hall effect (AHE), so far, there have been few studies on its anisotropic optical properties. In this work, we experimentally characterized the anisotropic optical and magneto-optical (MO) properties of Mn3Sn(20)/MgO(110) and Mn3Sn(0001)/Al2O3(0001) epitaxial films using ellipsometry in the wavelength range from 300 to 1690 nm. By measuring the Mueller matrix of magnetized Mn3Sn, the anisotropic permittivity tensor is determined using the 4 × 4 transfer matrix method. Temperature dependent MOKE measurement confirmed the origin of the anisotropic MO effect to the non-zero Berry curvature of the chiral magnetic phase. The measured permittivity also agrees well with first-principles calculations. The anisotropic optical and MO properties determined in this work can be useful for Mn3Sn based spintronic device characterization and photonic device development.

This paper reports a strategy for more reliably obtaining sputtered thin yttrium–iron–garnet (YIG) films possessing both low magnetic damping (α) and a highly spin transparent surface, which represent two of the most important properties for YIG films applied in spintronic devices. The two key points of this strategy, concluded from our systematical studies, are as follows: oxygen reactive sputtering of a slight Y-rich YIG target to avoid the over-stoichiometry of the Fe component and at the same time minimize oxygen vacancy density; and employing phosphoric acid wet etching to remove the inevitable thin magnetic dead layer formed on the surface. The feasibility of this strategy was proved by the achievement of a high quality 30 nm-thick YIG film. It possesses a ferromagnetic resonance linewidth of only 3.4 Oe at 8 GHz, α of only 4.6 × 10−4, and a very spin-transparent surface, as proved by the measured extremely large spin pumping voltage of 650.1 µV after depositing a 3 nm Pt layer.

Summary: Background: The prevalence of metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is rising precipitously among children, particularly in regions or countries burdened with high prevalence of obesity. However, identifying those at high risk remains a significant challenge, as the majority do not exhibit distinct symptoms of MASLD. There is an urgent need for a widely accepted non-invasive predictor to facilitate early disease diagnosis and management of the disease. Our study aims to 1) evaluate and compare existing predictors of MASLD, and 2) develop a practical screening strategy for children, tailored to local prevalence of obesity. Methods: We utilized a school-based cross-sectional survey in Beijing as the training dataset to establish predictive models for screening MASLD in children. An independent school-based study in Ningbo was used to validate the models. We selected the optimal non-invasive MASLD predictor by comparing logistic regression model, random forest model, decision tree model, and support vector machine model using both the Beijing and Ningbo datasets. This was followed by serial testing using the best performance index we identified and indices from previous studies. Finally, we calculated the potential MASLD screening recommendation categories and corresponding profits based on national and subnational obesity prevalence, and applied those three categories to 200 countries according to their obesity prevalence from 1990 to 2022. Findings: A total of 1018 children were included (NBeijing = 596, NNingbo = 422). The logistic regression model demonstrated the best performance, identifying the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR, cutoff value ≥0.48) as the optimal noninvasive index for predicting MASLD, with strong performance in both training and validation set. Additionally, the combination of WHtR and lipid accumulation product (LAP) was selected as an optimal serial test to improve the positive predictive value, with a LAP cutoff value of ≥668.22 cm × mg/dL. Based on the obesity prevalence among 30 provinces, three MASLD screening recommendations were proposed: 1) “Population-screening-recommended”: For regions with an obesity prevalence ≥12.0%, where MASLD prevalence ranged from 5.0% to 21.5%; 2) “Resources-permitted”: For regions with an obesity prevalence between 8.4% and 12.0%, where MASLD prevalence ranged from 2.3% to 4.4%; 3) “Population-screening-not-recommended”: For regions with an obesity prevalence

High performance concrete (HPC) has the characteristics of high strength, high brittleness and low toughness, so it can not be widely used in engineering field. The rubber particles themselves have good elasticity and excellent wear resistance. To this end, rubber particles were used to prepare high performance rubber concrete (HPRC) instead of fine aggregate, and compressive strength and splitting tensile strength tests were carried out according to standard test methods. These data were evaluated, and it was found that adding different mesh number (10 mesh, 20 mesh, 30 mesh) and different content (10%, 20%, 30%) of rubber particles reduced the compressive and tensile properties of high-performance rubber concrete to different degrees. The rubber particles with l size of 30 mesh and content of 10% have the least influence on the mechanical properties of high-performance rubber concrete, and the compressive strength and tensile strength of HPC 28 days only decrease by 18.19% and 5.56%, respectively. From the damage form, the addition of rubber particles makes the high performance concrete change from brittle to ductile. The research shows that recycling rubber from waste tires into concrete manufacturing is an environmentally friendly and feasible waste management strategy. These results have the potential to replace concrete in construction and promote sustainable growth.

Background: Individual dietary antioxidants have been shown to be protective factors against kidney stone disease (KSD). However, the correlation between the composite dietary antioxidant index (CDAI), a reliable indicator for the total dietary antioxidant intake, and KSD has not yet been investigated. Objectives: To evaluate the association between the CDAI and prevalence of KSD in American adults. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 2007–2018. Participants aged ≥ 20 years with a self-reported history of KSD and CDAI were included. Weighted proportions and multivariate regression models were used to study the independent relationship between KSD and CDAI. Generalized additive model (GAM) and smooth curve fitting were performed to explore the potential non-linear correlation, and a two-piecewise linear regression model was then applied to examine the threshold effect and to calculate the turning point. Results: A total of 29 763 adults were included, with a mean CDAI of 0.64. The prevalence of KSD was 10.02 %. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that the CDAI was negatively correlated with KSD [OR(95 %CI) = 0.979 (0.962, 0.996),p = 0.018]. Compared to participants in the lowest CDAI quartile, those in the highest CDAI quartile had a significantly lower kidney stone prevalence [OR(95 %CI) = 0.786 (0.667, 0.926),p = 0.004]. Smooth curve fitting and piecewise linear regression suggested that the turning point of the CDAI was 4.146. When the CDAI was less than 4.146, the prevalence of KSD decreased by 4.5 % for every 1 unit increase in CDAI [OR(95 %CI) = 0.955 (0.933, 0.978), p

Abstract Background Erectile dysfunction (ED) is closely associated with dyslipidemia; however, it is yet unknown how ED and remnant cholesterol (RC) are related. As such, this research sought to explore the correlation between RC and ED among individuals with diagnosed with diabetes. Methods This cross-sectional study used information from 215 males from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2001 to 2004. RC was calculated as follows: the values of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) were subtracted from the total cholesterol (TC) value, while ED diagnoses were based on self-reports. Weighted logistic regression analyses using both univariate and multivariate approaches were conducted to assess the correlation between RC and ED. Results After comprehensive adjustment, multivariable logistic regression models revealed a strong correlation between RC and ED in subjects with diabetes (with an odds ratio (OR) of 7.49 and a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.98–28.37; P = 0.004). On categorizing RC into 3 grades (T1-T3), the OR corresponding to higher RC grade increased. Despite the results not reaching statistical significance upon categorization, a consistent and statistically significant trend (P for trend

Abstract Purpose Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the major tumor diseases that threaten men’s health globally, and biochemical recurrence significantly impacts its prognosis. Disulfidptosis, a recently discovered cell death mechanism triggered by intracellular disulfide accumulation leading to membrane rupture, is a new area of research in the context of PCa. Currently, its impact on PCa remains largely unexplored. This study aims to investigate the correlation between long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) associated with disulfidptosis and the prognosis of PCa, seeking potential connections between the two. Methods Transcriptomic data for a PCa cohort were obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas database. Disulfidptosis-related lncRNAs (DDRLs) were identified through differential expression and Pearson correlation analysis. DDRLs associated with biochemical recurrence-free survival (BRFS) were precisely identified using univariate Cox and LASSO regression, resulting in the development of a risk score model. Clinical factors linked to BRFS were determined through both univariate and multivariate Cox analyses. A prognostic nomogram combined the risk score with key clinical variables. Model performance was assessed using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves, Decision Curve Analysis (DCA), and calibration curves. The functional impact of a critical DDRL was substantiated through assays involving CCK8, invasion, migration, and cell cloning. Additionally, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for the disulfidptosis-related protein SLC7A11 was conducted. Results The prognostic signature included AC026401.3, SNHG4, SNHG25, and U73166.1 as key components. The derived risk score from these signatures stood as one of the independent prognostic factor for PCa patients, correlating with poorer BRFS in the high-risk group. By combining the risk score with clinical variables, a practical nomogram was created, accurately predicting BRFS of PCa patients. Notably, silencing AC026401.3 significantly hindered PCa cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and colony formation. IHC staining revealed elevated expression of the dithiosulfatide-related protein SLC7A11 in tumor tissue. Conclusions A novel prognostic signature for PCa DDRLs, possessing commendable predictive power, has been constructed, simultaneously providing potential therapeutic targets associated with disulfidptosis, among which AC026401.3 has been validated in vitro and demonstrated inhibition of PCa tumorigenesis after its silencing.

The Japanese garden Saihō-ji is used as a case study to evaluate the spatial-visual characteristics of sequential landscapes using eye-tracking technology. We present objective data and quantitative analysis of subjective behavior, addressing the lack of research in landscape perception. In this study, we combine virtual reality and eye-tracking technologies to collect statistical data for an entire garden through static stimulus images. The data produced are objective and enable the direct assessment of landscape elements and objects. The correlation between spatial compositions indicators and the eye-tracking data reveals that different spatial compositions have varying effects on distinct gaze elements. While this research provides a preliminary validation, it still has certain limitations. Factors such as visual fatigue and demographic differences should be considered in future studies. Further, our findings emphasize the viability of eye-tracking technology for investigating the spatial visual characteristics of sequential landscapes, prompting further research in this field.

Abstract Background and Purpose To identify anatomic prognostic factors and their potential roles in refining M1 classification for de novo metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (M1‐NPC). Materials and Methods All M1‐NPC treated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy between 2010 and 2019 from two centers (training and validation cohort) were included. The prognostic value of metastatic disease extent and involved organs for overall survival (OS) were assessed by several multivariable analyses (MVA) models. A new M1 classification was proposed and validated in a separate cohort who received immuno‐chemotherapy. Results A total of 197 M1‐NPC in the training and 307 in the validation cohorts were included for M1 subdivision study with median follow‐up of 46 and 57 months. MVA model with “≤2 organs/≤5 lesions” as the definition of oligometastasis had the highest C‐index (0.623) versus others (0.606–0.621). Patients with oligometastasis had better OS versus polymetastasis (hazard ratio [HR] 0.47/0.63) while liver metastases carried worse OS (HR 1.57/1.45) in MVA in the training/validation cohorts, respectively. We proposed to divide M1‐NPC into M1a (oligometastasis without liver metastases) and M1b (liver metastases or polymetastasis) with 3‐year OS of 66.5%/31.7% and 64.9%/35.0% in the training/validation cohorts, respectively. M1a subset had a better median progress‐free survival (not reach vs. 17 months, p

AbstractIn this work, Cu (II) ion was chosen as an analyte because it is an important trace element in the human body to maintain organism health. AuNCs (gold nanoclusters) with a mean diameter of ∼2 nm were prepared by a microwave-assisted method, using homocysteine (Hcy) as a reducer and stabilizer. The optimal sample showed a red emission peaking at 624 nm with an emission quantum yield of 17.1%, which was assigned as a ligand to metal nanoparticle core charge transfer (LMNCT). This red emission was effectively quenched by Cu (II) but immune to competing metal cations and anions, showing good selectivity. The quenching mechanism was found as the Cu (II) quenching on the LMNCT procedure to AuNCs. The primary advantage of Hcy-modified AuNCs was the easy and quick synthetic procedure, along with acceptable sensing performance, including good selectivity, linear response, and wide working region.

ABSTRACTAs a type of environmentally deleterious compound, 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) has become a global concern due to its extreme toxicity to aquatic organisms and humans. Herein, we used naturally available crayfish shells as precursors to prepare a new type of carbon dots (CDs) by the hydrothermal method. The as-synthesized CDs exhibited strong blue fluorescence emission which can be sensitively quenched by 4-NP through the static quenching effect because of the formation of a ground state complex between CDs and 4-NP. Accordingly, a facile and rapid fluorescence sensor was developed to detect 4-NP from 0 μM to 50 μM with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.16 μM. Furthermore, the proposed sensor was successfully applied for the detection of 4-NP in fresh crayfish meat and aquatic water samples.

Based on GNSS observations, the co-seismic and post-seismic slip of the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake and the spatio-temporal pattern of afterslip are investigated in this paper. The co-seismic slip is mainly distributed in the depth range of 2 to 15 km with the maximum value of 5.94 m. Compared with the co-seismic rupture pattern, a shallow afterslip can be observed after the earthquake, and the afterslip patch is formed northeast of the epicenter. The maximum value of afterslip during the post-seismic 180 days is 1.13 m, which is situated at the longitude of 137.53°, latitude of 37.75°, and epth of 5.43 km. The spatio-temporal evolution of afterslip indicates that the fault activity has continued throughout the post-seismic 180 days, and the coverage and magnitude of afterslip have gradually increased. As time goes on, the fault activity tends to weaken, as evidenced by a decrease in slip rate. The daily images of afterslip demonstrate that the fault activity is particularly strong in the early time period following the earthquake. The maximum value of afterslip in the first week accounts for about 18% of that in the post-seismic 180 days, and the maximum slip rate reaches 0.043 m/day. In addition, the Coulomb stress analysis indicates that afterslip and most aftershocks appear in the positive Coulomb stress region, suggesting that co-seismic Coulomb stress changes may be the driving mechanism of afterslip and aftershocks.

Abstract Background SPOCK3 is a secreted extracellular matrix proteoglycan. This study aimed to investigate the effect of SPOCK3 on the malignant progression of prostate cancer and to construct a prognostic model to predict DFS of patients with prostate cancer. Methods Clinical and transcriptome sequencing data for prostate cancer were download from the TCGA and GEO databases. The survival curve showed that SPOCK3 has prognostic significance. GO, KEGG, and GSEA enrichment analysis were used to investigate how SPOCK3 affects the malignant progression of prostate cancer. Based on ESTIMATE and ssGSEA, the relationship between SPOCK3 and immune cell infiltration in prostate cancer tissue was clarified. Univariate and multivariate COX regression analysis was used to identify the independent prognostic factors of prostate cancer OS and to construct a nomogram. The calibration curve and ROC curves were drawn to assess the nomogram's predictive power. Results The survival curve revealed that patients in the low-expression group of SPOCK3 had a poor prognosis. According to enrichment analysis, SOPCK3-related genes were enriched in collagen-containing extracellular matrix, PI3K-Akt, and MAPK signaling pathway. ESTIMATE analysis revealed that SPOCK3 expression was positively correlated with the interstitial score, immune score, and ESTIMATE score. The results of ssGSEA analysis revealed that the infiltration levels of Mast cells, NK cells, and B cells were higher in the SPOCK3 high expression group. Cox regression analysis showed that SPOCK3 expression level, T and Gleason score were independent risk factors of patient prognosis, and a nomogram was constructed. The ROC curve showed the AUCs of DFS at 2, 3, and 5 years. Conclusion SPOCK3 is a protective factor for DFS in prostate cancer patients. SPOCK3 is significantly associated with immune cell infiltration. The prognostic model constructed based on SPOCK3 has excellent predictive performance.

ObjectiveThis study aims to examine the correlation between overactive bladder (OAB) and food insecurity.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional analysis utilizing extensive population data derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2018. The status of Household food insecurity is evaluated by the US Food Security Survey Module. To explore the relationship between food insecurity and OAB, three multivariable logistic regression models were carried out. Additionally, interaction and stratified analyses were also performed to find whether some factors have the potential to alter the correlation.ResultsThere were 29,129 participants enrolled in the study. Compared to the other three groups, individuals with full food security exhibited a lower proportion of nocturia, urinary urgency incontinence, and OAB. In the fully-adjusted model, it was found that people experiencing food insecurity have a significantly higher prevalence of OAB compared to those with food security in the fully-adjusted model (OR = 1.540, 95%CI 1.359–1.745). Additionally, there was a significant association between the levels of food insecurity and an increased risk of OAB prevalence was also observed (marginal food security: OR = 1.312, low food security: OR = 1.559, and very low food security: OR = 1.759). No significant interaction was seen in the fully-adjusted model.ConclusionThere is a strong positive correlation between food insecurity and the prevalence of OAB. Similarly, the correlation between levels of food insecurity and OAB also indicates the same trend. Namely, the more insecure food, the higher risk of OAB prevalence in the population.

ABSTRACT Endoribonuclease non-structural protein 15 (nsp15) (EndoU) is conserved among coronaviruses (CoVs) and is crucial for viral replication, evasion of the innate immune system, and virulence. EndoU-deficient CoVs can activate the interferon (IFN) response and attenuate their virulence, and nsp15 is considered the target of attenuated vaccine development. Among alpha-CoVs, transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) and feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) cause lethal diseases in piglets and cats, but the role of EndoU in viral propagation and virulence remains unclear. Here, we verified the TGEV and FIPV EndoU active sites His226 and His241 and found that the antagonization of SeV-induced IFN-β production by nsp15 depends on its EndoU activity. Furthermore, we constructed infectious clones of wild-type (WT) and EndoU-deficient (EnUmt) TGEV and FIPV. Unexpectedly, we found that both the WT and EnUmt viruses propagated efficiently in multiple types of immunocompetent (PK-15, IPI-2I, ST, CRFK, F81, and Fcwf-4) cells. Moreover, the results of infection experiments showed that compared with piglets and cats infected with the WT, the EnUmt virus-infected piglets and cats did not exhibit significantly reduced mortality, tissue injury, or viral shedding. Specially, the death of cats infected with EnUmt-FIPV occurred earlier than that of cats infected with WT. Hence, our results suggest that the function of EndoU is conserved, but nsp15-mediated regulation of the propagation and pathogenesis of CoVs are diverse. Our findings provide a reference for an in-depth understanding of EndoU-mediated immune escape and pathogenicity in CoVs. IMPORTANCE Understanding the role of the endoribonuclease non-structural protein 15 (nsp15) (EndoU) in coronavirus (CoV) infection and pathogenesis is essential for vaccine target discovery. Whether the EndoU activity of CoV nsp15, as a virulence-related protein, has a diverse effect on viral virulence needs to be further explored. Here, we found that the transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) and feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) nsp15 proteins antagonize SeV-induced interferon-β (IFN-β) production in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. Interestingly, compared with wild-type infection, infection with EnUmt-TGEV or EnUmt-FIPV did not change the IFN-β response or reduce viral propagation in immunocompetent cells. The results of animal experiments showed that EnUmt viruses did not reduce the clinical presentation and mortality caused by TGEV and FIPV. Our findings enrich the understanding of nsp15-mediated regulation of alpha-CoV propagation and virulence and reveal that the conserved functions of nonstructural proteins have diverse effects on the pathogenicity of CoVs.

Abstract Objective To explore the association between circadian syndrome (CircS) and the prevalence of kidney stones in overweight people. Materials and methods A cross-sectional analysis was conducted based on the NHANES 2007–2018. Overweight people aged ≥ 20 years were the target population. Three multivariable logistic regression models were built to examine the association between CircS and kidney stones. Subgroup analysis based on age, gender, and race were also employed. Interaction and stratification analysis was also conducted to identify whether some factors modify the association. Result A total of 4,603 overweight participants were included in the study. The multivariable logistic regression suggested that CircS was positively associated with the prevalence of kidney stones (OR = 1.422, 95% CI 1.057 to 1.912). The subgroup analysis showed that the association was more obvious in females (OR = 1.604, 95% CI 1.023 to 2.516) or in the population aged 35 to 49 years old (OR = 2.739, 95% CI 1.428 to 5.254). Additionally, the same trend was present when people were Mexican American (OR = 3.834, 95% CI 1.790 to 8.215) or other races (OR = 4.925, 95% CI 1.776 to 13.656). The interaction and stratification analysis showed that the results above were robust. Conclusion CircS was positively associated with the prevalence of kidney stones in overweight people, especially people as females, aged 35 to 49, and Mexican Americans.

As the transition between streets and houses, in-between spaces represent unique and important residential components in East Asia, which reflect the spontaneous spatial improvement awareness of users in traditional districts and the state of public-private relations. To fill a gap in prior research regarding in-between spaces after spontaneous spatial improvement in traditional districts, this study considered 97 houses on Jiazhi Street and evaluated the two expressions of spontaneous spatial improvement of in-between spaces by quantifying modification indicators and encroachment using field surveys and area statistical methods. The research examined the correlation between various modifications and encroachment using multiple regression analysis and evaluated the characteristics of spontaneous spatial improvement by users based on multi-group relationships. The results offer a new perspective for observing the changes in residential environments in the context of urbanization, thus providing a basis for developing renewal strategies for traditional districts in China.

Dry-aged beef has been long favored by people due to its unique flavor and taste. However, the inner relationship between its overall quality formation and microbial changes during dry aging has not yet received much attention and research. To deeply reveal the forming mechanism of the unique flavor and taste of dry-aged beef, correlations between its three main quality indicators, i.e., texture, free amino acids (FAAs), volatile flavor compounds (VFCs), and microbial succession were analyzed in this study. The results showed that Staphylococcus spp. and Macrococcus spp. were key strains that influenced the total quality of dry-aged beef and strongly correlated with chewiness, hardness, and sweet FAAs (Ala), providing beef with unique palatability and taste. Additionally, among VFCs, Staphylococcus spp. and Macrococcus spp. showed a strong correlation with octanal and heptanal, and meanwhile, those highly correlated with nonanal, pentanol, and oct-1-en-3-ol were Debaryomyces spp., Psychrobacter spp., and Brochothrix spp., respectively, providing beef with a unique flavor. Staphylococcus spp. was proposed to be the dominant genus for dry-aged beef. This study provides valuable reference for the understanding of the role of microorganisms involved in dry aging.

The contamination of food by microplastics has garnered widespread attention, particularly concerning the health risks associated with small-sized microplastics. However, detecting these smaller microplastics in food poses challenges attributed to the complexity of food matrices and instrumental and method limitations. Here, we employed Raman imaging for visualization and identification of polystyrene particles synthesized in polymerization reactions, ranging from 400 to 2600 nm. We successfully developed a quantitative model of particle size and concentration for polystyrene, exhibiting excellent fit (R2 of 0.9946). We established procedures for spiked flavored yogurt using synthesized polystyrene, providing fresh insights into microplastic extraction efficiency. Recovery rates calculated from models validated the method’s feasibility. In practical applications, the assessment of the size, type, shape, and quantity of microplastics in unspiked flavored yogurt was conducted. The most common polymers found were polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene, with the smallest polystyrene sizes ranging from 1 to 10 μm. Additionally, we conducted exposure assessments of microplastics in branded flavored yogurt. This study established a foundation for developing a universal method to quantify microplastics in food, covering synthesis of standards, method development, validation, and application.

As global food security faces challenges, enhancing crop yield and stress resistance becomes imperative. This study comprehensively explores the impact of nanomaterials (NMs) on Gramineae plants, with a focus on the effects of various types of nanoparticles, such as iron-based, titanium-containing, zinc, and copper nanoparticles, on plant photosynthesis, chlorophyll content, and antioxidant enzyme activity. We found that the effects of nanoparticles largely depend on their chemical properties, particle size, concentration, and the species and developmental stage of the plant. Under appropriate conditions, specific NMs can promote the root development of Gramineae plants, enhance photosynthesis, and increase chlorophyll content. Notably, iron-based and titanium-containing nanoparticles show significant effects in promoting chlorophyll synthesis and plant growth. However, the impact of nanoparticles on oxidative stress is complex. Under certain conditions, nanoparticles can enhance plants’ antioxidant enzyme activity, improving their ability to withstand environmental stresses; excessive or inappropriate NMs may cause oxidative stress, affecting plant growth and development. Copper nanoparticles, in particular, exhibit this dual nature, being beneficial at low concentrations but potentially harmful at high concentrations. This study provides a theoretical basis for the future development of nanofertilizers aimed at precisely targeting Gramineae plants to enhance their antioxidant stress capacity and improve photosynthesis efficiency. We emphasize the importance of balancing the agricultural advantages of nanotechnology with environmental safety in practical applications. Future research should focus on a deeper understanding of the interaction mechanisms between more NMs and plants and explore strategies to reduce potential environmental impacts to ensure the health and sustainability of the ecosystem while enhancing the yield and quality of Gramineae crops.

Abstract Designing photodetectors (PDs) with fast response and low power consumption is important for the realization of photoelectric conversion in photoelectric integrated systems. The emerging metal halide perovskite is proven to be a promising material for PD array devices due to its excellent photoelectric performance and large‐area production. However, the array integration of self‐powered perovskite PDs still faces challenges due to the incompatibility between perovskite and micro‐nano processing, hindering practical applications. Here, a perovskite‐compatible device fabrication process is reported for the construction of a perovskite PD array (10 × 10 pixels) with asymmetric contacts, enabling self‐powered photodetection and high‐performance imaging applications. Au and ITO/ZnO electrodes are deposited on the substrate in sequence as the asymmetric contacts. Patterned CH3NH3PbI3 films with uniform and pinhole‐free morphology are then synthesized by a photolithography‐assisted vapor–solution fabrication method as the photosensitive material. The introduction of asymmetric electrodes enables the easy collection of holes at the Au electrode side and electrons at the ITO/ZnO electrode side with light irradiation, resulting in self‐powered photodetection performance. Moreover, the PD array exhibits a uniform distribution of light response and is successfully demonstrated for light imaging. This work opens up a new avenue to develop large‐scale high‐performance perovskite optoelectronic devices with low power consumption.

Background: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) effectively improves the survival rate and quality of life of primary liver cancer patients, but high-level evidence is lacking.Patients and methods: Patients were selected from 5 tertiary hospitals in Henan Province, China. Two thousand sixty-seven patients with primary liver cancer were included in the study. The electronic medical records (EMRs) of the patients were collected. Patients who received adjunctive TCM treatment and underwent treatment cumulative time for more than 1 month were classified as the TCM intervention cohort. Patients who did not receive adjunctive TCM treatment or underwent treatment cumulative time for less than 1 month were classified as the non-TCM intervention cohort. The main outcome indicators were the survival rate and overall survival time. The propensity score inverse probability weighting method was used to balance the differences between the groups.Results: The primary cohort comprised 2,067 patients, including 462 patients who received adjunctive TCM treatment and 1,605 patients who did not receive adjunctive TCM treatment. The results of the Kaplan‒Meier survival curve indicated that the survival rate and median survival time of the exposure group before and after propensity score weighting were greater than those of the control group (p < 0.0001). Univariate Cox regression analysis after propensity score weighting showed that adjunctive TCM treatment was an independent protective factor for survival [regression coefficient = −0.215, hazard ratio (HR) = 0.8066, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.6609–0.9844)].Conclusion: Adjuvant treatment with TCM has a protective effect on the prognosis of patients with primary liver cancer; it can reduce the mortality and prolong the survival time.

This paper investigates the problem of distributed dynamic event-triggered formation control for multiple unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) subject to external disturbances. Firstly, a novel event-based distributed formation control scheme is proposed, under an undirected communication graph. Wherein, a dynamic event-triggered data transmission mechanism is designed for communication resource reduction. The time-varying dynamic parameter ensures fewer triggering instants and a larger triggering time interval compared with the traditional static one. The adaptive laws are incorporated into the formation control scheme to address the effects of external disturbances and uncertainties. Subsequent to the theoretical analysis, it can be concluded that the relative tracking errors can converge to the origin, and all closed-loop signals are bounded. Moreover, it is proved that the triggering time sequences do not exhibit Zeno behavior. Finally, a numerical simulation is performed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed distributed formation controller.

Unsatisfied electrode bonding in half-Heusler devices limits their practical service at high temperatures. Here, the authors develop a direct bonding interface to ideal ohmic contact and thermally inert and ohmic contact, leading to high deficiency.

Gold-coated silver core–shell nanoparticles (Ag@Au NPs) have been widely used for SERS analysis due to plasmon resonance performances. However, it is a great challenge to fabricate Ag@Au core–shell structures with specified morphology. In this paper, the size and shape of Ag NPs (core) were precisely controlled by a seed-mediated approach, and then the gold shell was completely coated on under the strong reduction of ascorbic acid, resulting in Ag@Au NPs with highly regulated morphology. The obtained Ag@Au NPs achieved a similar or even better SERS enhancement factor (EF) (up to 5.7 × 107) compared to Ag NPs, but significantly higher stability. For the rapid SERS detection of nitrofurantoin metabolite AHD, a limit of detection (LOD) as low as 1 × 10−10 M and a wide linear range from 1 × 10−4 to 1 × 10−8 M were obtained. Furthermore, recoveries for crayfish samples were from 90.5% to 108%, indicating a good performance of the presented method in real sample detection.