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A new efficient framework coupling the two dimensional (2D) discrete dislocation dynamics (DDD) and the extended finite element method (XFEM) is developed for modeling the dynamic evolution of multiple dislocations in crystalline materials with abundant interfaces/surfaces. By a specially introduced stress calculation scheme with cut-off radius and virtual elements, the present algorithm can capture interaction between neighboring dislocations accurately although no time-consuming dislocation-core enrichment is employed. Since it is not sensitive to the FE mesh size and large XFEM time step can be used, its efficiency is evidently improved compared with other DDD frameworks. Due to the merits of XFEM itself, the present DDD-XFEM scheme can treat intractable surface/interface problems conveniently, with no additional image stress calculation as in the DDD-FEM superposition framework and special plastic-strain distribution near the surfaces/interfaces as in the discrete-continuous method (DCM) needed. For these, it can be used to model plastic behaviors of crystals with abundant interfaces/surfaces (i.e. grain/phase boundaries and crack/void surfaces). To show the ability of present DDD-XFEM scheme, it is used to simulate the mechanical responses of polycrystalline aluminum with assumed rigid and penetrable grain boundaries. A three-stage model for dislocation penetrating through grain boundary (DPTGB) is suggested. The results show that the present DDD-XFEM scheme can capture the formation of dislocation pile-ups and thus the Hall-Petch effect successfully. The DPTGB can decrease the flow stress and hardening rate evidently; moreover, it can weaken the grain size effect and may enhance the cyclic stress relaxation of polycrystals greatly. Image 1 • A more efficient and accurate XFEM-DDD framework for simulating the micro-plasticity of materials is developed. • The newly developed XFEM-DDD framework can well deal with various complex discontinuities in materials. • The present XFEM-DDD framework can simulate efficiently the problems on much longer/larger temporal/spatial scale. • A three-stage model for dislocation penetrating through GB (DPTGB) is suggested. • The grain size effect on strength and the cyclic stress relaxation are captured efficiently by the present scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, AZ91 magnesium alloy reinforced with a low fraction (0–1) wt.% tungsten disulfide(WS 2) microparticles have been fabricated using stir casting method. Effects of WS 2 microparticles on mechanical properties, microstructure, and their correlation have been analyzed. The microstructure of composites has been investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffractometer. Results indicate that density, hardness, ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and tensile ductility have a direct relation with reinforcement (WS 2) contents and has optimal value for 0.6 wt% WS 2 /AZ91 composites then slightly decrease afterward. The UTS and hardness of 0.6 wt%WS 2 /AZ91 were increased by 23.23% and 10.65% respectively with respect to monolithic AZ91. The ultimate compressive strength(UCS) is directly related with WS 2 concentration and 10.07% enhancement in UCS for 1 wt%WS 2 /AZ91 composites have been noted. The trend is interlinked with density and hardness of composites. SEM images depict, WS 2 micro-particles suppress β-Mg 17 Al 12 precipitates, refine the microstructure and enhance the grain size resulting in an increase in mechanical properties. The improvement in microstructure and mechanical properties is attributed to the dispersion of WS 2 particles which hinder the grain growth. The increase in porosity has causes the decrease in mechanical behavior of 1 wt%WS 2 /AZ91. Twin boundary fracture has been found major fracture phenomenon in fractured WS 2 /AZ91 surfaces. • WS 2 /AZ91 metal matrix composites have been manufacture by stir casting method. • Density and porosity of WS 2 /AZ91 composites has been assessed. • Mechanical behavior under compression and tension has been analyzed. • Effect of WS 2 on microstructure has been investigated. • Fracture behavior of composites has been studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The Shuttleworth-Wallace (SW) model was parameterized and validated in a Venlo-type greenhouse. • There was a good agreement between estimated and observed evapotranspiration as well as transpiration. • Transpiration was the dominant component of evapotranspiration in a greenhouse over the full growing season. • The ratio of soil evaporation to evapotranspiration was the highest at the cucumber seedling stage. Partitioning of evapotranspiration (ET c) into soil evaporation (E g) and plants transpiration (T r) is of great importance to assess biomass production and improve water use efficiency under greenhouse conditions. The Shuttleworth-Wallace (SW) model, which is used to separately predict E g and T r has been validated by many studies in open field, however, the model's parameters for the low wind speed and heterogeneous underlying surface in greenhouses are quite different from the open field. Therefore, an experiment was conducted in a Venlo-type greenhouse in south-east China during two planting seasons of cucumber plants in 2018, where the ET c and T r were directly measured by lysimeters and sap flow sensors. The soil surface and canopy resistances were parameterized based on the soil water content at 5–10 cm depth and solar radiation inside the greenhouse, respectively. The SW model simulated ET c and T r at hourly interval with root mean square error (RMSE) and index of agreement (d) of 42.10 W m−2 and 0.93; 40.50 W m−2 and 0.91 for the spring season, while for the autumn season the values were 26.60 W m−2 and 0.93; 15.63 W m−2 and 0.93, respectively. The average E g / ET c were 7.75% and 21.87% for spring and autumn planting seasons, respectively, indicating that the T r was the dominant component of ET c of cucumber grown in greenhouse over the full crop season. Our research shows the parameterized SW model would be a relatively accurate way to separately simulate the dynamic variations of the T r and E g , and for future use to improve irrigation scheduling for cucumber plants under greenhouse conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prediction of structure's ultimate load has a lot of practical applications in composite structure. In the present work, limit and shakedown load of structure made from arbitrary inhomogeneous material was predicted by a novel solution algorithm named Back Stress Iteration Method, where material's kinematic hardening behavior is involved as well. Firstly, details about the proposed algorithm were introduced. Basis reduction method was employed as framework and its advantage in computational efficiency is inherited. Secondly, the influence of inhomogeneous kinematic hardening was solved by a new invented Back Stress Iteration process. Then, three examples with increasing complexity were investigated numerically for validation purpose. The results were discussed intensively with respect to the accuracy, the effect of inhomogeneity and the inhomogeneous kinematic hardening behavior to verify the rationality of the proposed method. At last, the paper was summarized and conclusions were drawn. The proposed method is promising to provide a powerful tool for the accurate prediction of arbitrary inhomogeneous structure's load-bearing capacity, such is applicable to many kinds of composite structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tribological behavior of AZ31 Mg alloy reinforced with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was studied through experiments on a ring-on-block wear testing apparatus against 45C steel. The composites were successfully fabricated using stir-casting processing with different percentages of MWCNTs and then age hardened for 10 h. The effect of the various concentrations of MWCNTs on the microstructures, tribological properties, and wear mechanisms of the composites were systematically examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). With increasing percentage content of MWCNTs, the wear rate and the coefficient of friction decreased, which is attributed to the microhardness and self-lubricating properties of the MWCNTs. The microstructure characterization results established different mechanisms—specifically, abrasion, oxidation, and delamination—and very small plastic deformation. • Magnesium alloy AZ31 reinforced with multiwalled carbon nanotubes was fabricated using stir casting method. • Samples were homogenized for 24 h at 400C0 and then aged for 10 h at 200C0 temperature. • Wear tests for as-cast and aged composites were performed using Ring on Block wear apparatus under dry and wet conditions and mass wear loss and coefficient of friction was determined. • Worn surfaces were analyzed using scanning electron microscope for wear mechanism analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Having the benefits of low cost, excellent stability and tolerance to extreme conditions, nanozymes are a potential alternative of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) or other enzymes for bioanalytical chemistry, especially immunoassays. CeO2 nanoparticles have oxidase-mimicking activity and can avoid the use of unstable H2O2. For robust assays, the effect of proteins on the activity of CeO2 needs to be carefully studied. Herein, we studied the adsorption and desorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) from CeO2. The CeO2 nanoparticles exhibited a higher protein adsorption capacity compared to the other tested metal oxide nanoparticles. Although the oxidase-like activity of CeO2 was inhibited by BSA, low concentrations of phosphate and fluoride ions boosted the activity of protein-capped CeO2. CeO2 was still active under strong acidic conditions and at high temperature, while HRP lost its activity. For immunoassay development, we covered CeO2 with an amine-modified silane for covalent conjugation to antibodies. A one-step indirect competitive ELISA for fenitrothion was developed, and an IC50 value of 35.6 ng mL−1 and a limit of detection of 2.1 ng mL−1 were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: End‐stage renal disease is a serious public health issue. The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to assess the association between hemodialysis and cognitive impairment, while controlling for age, sex, residence, and comorbidities. Methods: This study assesses the risk of cognitive impairment among a nationwide cohort of new hemodialysis patients derived from the NHIRD. Results: A total of 4330 patients were assigned to the dialysis group and 17 320 patients were assigned to the control group. A total of 2103 of the patients developed cognitive impairment within 2 years after the date of dialysis initiation. Patients who developed cognitive impairment were older (69.85 ± 11.56) than their counterparts who did not develop cognitive impairment (58.58 ± 14.77; P <.001). The log‐rank test of Kaplan‐Meier analysis revealed a higher risk of cognitive impairment in the hemodialysis group than in the non‐hemodialysis group (P <.001). The interval between dialysis initiation and the onset of cognitive impairment was 98.66 ± 46.39 months among non‐dialysis subjects and 53.45 ± 41.90 months among dialysis subjects, and the between‐group difference was significant (P <.001). The Cox Proportional Hazard Model revealed that after controlling for gender, age, residence, and comorbidities, hemodialysis was shown to have a significant impact on cognitive impairment (Hazard Ratio [HR]: 1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.29‐1.60). Furthermore, the risk of developing cognitive impairment increased with age (HR: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.06‐1.08). Discussion Hemodialysis was associated with cognitive impairment. There was a significant association between age and cognitive impairment, regardless of the comorbidities prior to hemodialysis. There was no evidence of an association between comorbidities and cognitive impairment after beginning hemodialysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emitter clogging is the key obstacle to the development of drip irrigation technology. For this reason, a jet tee was developed in this study. Taking three pressures (constant pressure, fluctuating pressure on the left and right sides of the jet tee.) and three turbid concentrations as factors, the experiment was carried out by using a complete combination of the test factors. A study of labyrinth emitter clogging was conducted to determine the effects of high-frequency pressure pulse generated by a jet tee versus constant pressure on the relative discharge of Drip irrigation emitters (Dra) and the coefficient of uniformity (CU). The results showed that the values of Dra and CU of the jet tee group were 10.8%-14.8% and 21.1%-44.9% higher than the ordinary tee group, respectively. At different muddy sediment concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 g/L), for constant pressure groups, Dra decreased to 74% after the 16th, 11th and 7th irrigation run respectively and was considered as a severely blocked. However, for the left side of the jet tee, Dra was still higher than 75% after the 18th, 14th, and 11th run respectively. For the right side of the jet tee, Dra was still higher than 75% after the 16th, 13th, and 10th run respectively. It can be seen that high-frequency pressure pulse generated by a jet tee has stable anti-clogging performance. At the low (0.5 g/L) and the medium (1.0 g/L) concentrations of muddy water, the emitters did not easily clog. The Dra at the high muddy (1.5 g/L) sediment concentrations remained to decrease drastically. However, the Dra at the low muddy sediment concentrations remarkably decreased after the 12 th run. The Dra at the medium muddy sediment concentrations remarkably decreased after the 10th run. For pulse pressure group with high concentration, the Dra decreased to 76% after the 11th run. However, for pulse pressure group with the low and the medium concentration, the Dra was still above 92% after the 11th run. For pulse pressure group with the low and the medium concentration, the CU remained above 84% after the 12th run. However, for pulse pressure group with high concentration, the CU decreased below 80% after the 7th run. The Dra and CU of the high muddy sediment concentrations (1.5 g/L) differed significantly (P<0.01) from those of the low and medium muddy sediment concentrations (0.5 and 1.0 g/L). Under three muddy sediment concentrations, the possibility of clogging quickly increases at high muddy sediment concentrations (1.5 g/L). However, at this concentration, the jet tee was still more resistant to clogging than the ordinary tee. It is recommended that a jet tee be used in place of the ordinary tee in the drip irrigation system to prevent emitter clogging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent observations have reignited interest in a population of dwarf galaxies that are large and diffuse for their mass, often called ultra-diffuse galaxies (UDGs). However, the origin and evolution of these mass–size outliers and the role of the environment are still unclear. Using the exquisitely deep and wide Hyper Suprime-Cam Strategic Survey images, we search for ultra-puffy galaxies (UPGs), defined as being 1.5 σ larger than the average size for their mass, around Milky Way–like galaxies. We present the sizes and radial distributions of mass–size outliers and derive their quenched fraction to explore the impact of the environment. Surprisingly, despite being outliers in size, the UPGs have a similar quenched fraction as normal-sized satellites of Milky Way analogs in both observations and simulations, suggesting that quenching is not tied to being a mass–size outlier. The quenched fraction is higher for the UPGs associated with redder hosts, as well as those that are closer to the host in projection. In contrast, the UDGs are overall redder and more quiescent compared with normal satellites. We show that the classic definition of UDGs is heavily weighted toward quenched galaxies and thus cannot be used for a study of quenching of mass–size outliers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large diffuse galaxies are hard to find, but understanding the environments where they live, their numbers, and ultimately their origins, is of intense interest and importance for galaxy formation and evolution. Using Subaru's Hyper Suprime-Cam Strategic Survey Program, we perform a systematic search for low surface brightness galaxies and present novel and effective methods for detecting and modeling them. As a case study, we surveyed 922 Milky Way analogs in the nearby Universe (0.01 < z < 0.04) and built a large sample of satellite galaxies that are outliers in the mass–size relation. These "ultra-puffy" galaxies (UPGs), defined to be 1.5 σ above the average mass–size relation, represent the tail of the satellite size distribution. We find that each MW analog hosts N UPG = 0.31 ± 0.05 UPGs on average, which is consistent with but slightly lower than the observed abundance at this halo mass in the Local Volume. We also construct a sample of ultra-diffuse galaxies (UDGs) in MW analogs and find an abundance of N UDG = 0.44 ± 0.05 per host. With literature results, we confirm that the UDG abundance scales with the host halo mass following a sublinear power law. We argue that our definition of UPGs, which is based on the mass–size relation, is more physically motivated than the common definition of UDGs, which depends on the surface brightness and size cuts and thus yields different surface mass density cuts for quenched and star-forming galaxies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large differential-thermal extrusion (LDTE) process, a novel approach for efficiently fabricating a high-strength Mg-10.3Gd-4.4Y-0.9Zn-0.7Mn (wt.%) alloy, is introduced in this work. Unlike typical isothermal extrusion processes, where the ingot and die temperatures are kept the same, LDTE involves significantly higher ingot temperatures (~120 °C) compared to the die temperature. For high-strength Mg-RE alloys, the maximum isothermal extrusion ram speed is normally limited to 1 mm/s. This research uses the LDTE process to significantly increase the ram speed to 2.0 mm/s. The LPTE-processed alloy possesses a phase composition that is similar to that of isothermal extruded alloys, including α-Mg, 14H-type long-period stacking ordered (LPSO) and β-Mg5(Gd, Y) phases. The weakly preferentially oriented α-Mg grains in the LDTE-processed alloy have < 10 1 ¯ 0 > Mg//ED fibrous and <0001>Mg//ED anomalous textures as their two main constituents. After isothermal aging, high quantitative densities of prismatic β′ and basal γ′ precipitates are produced, which have the beneficial effect of precipitation hardening. With a yield tensile strength of 344 MPa, an ultimate tensile strength of 488 MPa, and an elongation of 9.7%, the alloy produced by the LDTE process exhibits an exceptional strength–ductility balance, further demonstrating the potential of this method for efficiently producing high-strength Mg alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airway complications (AC) are one of leading causes of morbidity and mortality after lung transplant (LTx), but their predictors and outcomes remain controversial. This study aimed to identify potential risk factors and prognosis of AC. A systematic review was performed by searching PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. All observational studies reporting outcome and potential factors of AC after LTx were included. The incidence, mortality, and estimated effect of each factor for AC were pooled by using the fixed-effects model or random-effects model. Thirty-eight eligible studies with 52,116 patients undergoing LTx were included for meta-analysis. The pooled incidence of AC was 12.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 9.5-15.8) and the mean time of occurrence was 95.6 days. AC-related mortality rates at 30-days, 90-days, 6 months, 1 year, and 5 years were 6.7%, 17.9%, 18.2%, 23.6%, and 66.0%, respectively. Airway dehiscence was the most severe type with a high mortality at 30 days (60.9%, 95% CI 20.6-95.2). We found that AC was associated with a higher risk of mortality in LTx recipients (hazard ratio [HR] 1.71, 95% CI 1.04-2.81). Eleven significant predictors for AC were also identified, including male donor, male recipient, diagnosis of COPD, hospitalization, early rejection, postoperative infection, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, mechanical ventilation, telescopic anastomosis, and bilateral and right-sided LTx. AC was significantly associated with higher mortality after LTx, especially for dehiscence. Targeted prophylaxis for modifiable factors and enhanced early bronchoscopy surveillance after LTx may improve the disease burden of AC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To determine the induction effect of rifampicin on the activity of 4′-hydroxylase in poor metabolizers (PMs) with m[sub 1] mutation of S-mephenytoin 4′-hydroxylation and the relationship of the effect with gene dose. Methods Seven extensive metabolizers (EMs) of S-mephenytoin 4′-hydroxylation and five PMs with m[sub 1] mutation were chosen to take rifampicin 300 mg day[sup -1] orally for 22 days. Prior to and after rifampicin treatment, each subject was given racemic mephenytoin 100 mg. The 4′-hydroxymephenytoin (4′-OH-MP) excreted in the 0–24 h urine and mephenytoin S/R ratio in the 0–8 h urine were determined by h.p.l.c. and GC, respectively. Results In all EMs, the excretion of 4′-OH-MP in the 0–24 h urine was increased by 146.4±17.9%, 0–8 h urinary mephenytoin S/R ratio was decreased by 77.3±8.8%, the percentage increase in the 0–24 h excretion of 4′-OH-MP in those CYP2C19 homozygous (wt/wt) was greater than that in those heterozygous (wt/m[sub 1] and wt/m[sub 2] ) (203.9±42.5% vs 69.6±4.1%). 0–8 h urinary mephenytoin S/R ratio of those PMs with m[sub 1] mutation was decreased by 9.6%, the amount of 4′-OH-MP excreted in the 0–24 h urine was increased by 80.1±48.0%. Conclusions The activity of 4′-hydroxylase of PMs with m[sub 1] mutation of S-mephenytoin 4′-hydroxylation can be induced by rifampicin and the inducing effect of rifampicin on 4′-hydroxylase is gene dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though smooth, extended spheroidal stellar outskirts have long been observed around nearby dwarf galaxies, it is unclear whether dwarfs generically host an extended stellar halo. We use imaging from the Hyper Suprime-Cam Subaru Strategic Program (HSC-SSP) to measure the shapes of dwarf galaxies out to four effective radii for a sample of 6758 dwarfs at 0.005 < z < 0.2 and 107.0 < M⋆/M⊙ < 109.6. We find that dwarfs are slightly triaxial, with (where the ellipsoid is characterized by three principal semiaxes constrained by C ≤ B ≤ A). At M⋆ > 108.5M⊙, the galaxies grow from thick disk-like at one effective radius toward the spheroidal extreme at four effective radii. We also see that although blue dwarfs are, on average, characterized by thinner disks than red dwarfs, both blue and red dwarfs grow more spheroidal as a function of radius. This relation also holds true for a comparison between field and satellite dwarfs. This uniform trend toward relatively spheroidal shapes as a function of radius is consistent with an in situ formation mechanism for stellar outskirts around low-mass galaxies, in agreement with proposed models where star formation feedback produces round stellar outskirts around dwarfs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Basement structure is a key point to study the regional evolution of sedimentary basin and its relationship with the deep crustal structure. For the large density contrast, gravity anomaly has been an effective way to study the basement structure, which is an important supplement for seismic exploration. To get a proper basement relief, the gravity effects of the shallow sedimentary layer is reduced by forward calculation. The spectral analysis is applied to the residual gravity anomaly to get the average depth of different structure layers and their corresponding spectral bands. The application in Junggar basin gives the basement relief corresponding to the top of Carboniferous. The basement roughly reflects the sedimentary cover from Upper Carboniferous to Mesozoic and Cenozoic. The average depth of the basement is 7.6km from the spectral analysis of the residual gravity anomaly after sedimentary layer effects reduced. The basement varies from 5 to 10 km in Junggar basin. It is about 2km deeper on average in the western than that in the eastern Junggar basin. The deepest basement is located along the south margin of Junggar basin. In the surrounding orogenic belts, the basement depth is shallower than 7km in most area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many respiratory viruses cocirculate in the population and multiple infections are commonly reported. The clinical impact of coinfection is unclear and may vary depending on the viral couples involved. Using three-dimensional reconstituted human airway epithelia and clinical viral strains, we investigated the interaction between influenza virus (Flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and rhinovirus (RV). We showed that Flu and RSV interfere with RV replication, whereas RV does not interfere with either of these viruses. We then experimentally demonstrated that, when present, the interference is not related to a block of viral entry but rather to type I and type III interferon (IFN), the front-line antiviral defense of the respiratory mucosa. Consistent with this observation, we highlighted the differential sensitivity of each virus to IFNs, with RV being the only virus significantly inhibited by IFN-λ and the most sensitive to IFN-α. Finally, as type III IFN is of therapeutic interest due to its low proinflammatory profile, we also assessed and confirmed an inhibitory effect of IFN-λ in the context of persistent RV infections. The present work provides mechanistic clues concerning innate immunity involvement during respiratory virus interactions and confirms that IFN-λ is a promising candidate in the treatment of RV infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although photometric redshifts (photo- z 's) are crucial ingredients for current and upcoming large-scale surveys, the high-quality spectroscopic redshifts currently available to train, validate, and test them are substantially non-representative in both magnitude and colour. We investigate the nature and structure of this bias by tracking how objects from a heterogeneous training sample contribute to photo- z predictions as a function of magnitude and colour, and illustrate that the underlying redshift distribution at fixed colour can evolve strongly as a function of magnitude. We then test the robustness of the galaxy–galaxy lensing signal in 120 deg2 of HSC–SSP DR1 data to spectroscopic completeness and photo- z biases, and find that their impacts are sub-dominant to current statistical uncertainties. Our methodology provides a framework to investigate how spectroscopic incompleteness can impact photo- z -based weak lensing predictions in future surveys such as LSST and WFIRST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the detailed analysis of a pneumatic clutch actuator with an artificial intelligence control algorithm. The low cost of pneumatic actuator makes it an advantage in automotive applications, but fast and precise control is difficult on account of its time-varying and nonlinear character. In order to achieve good performance and save cost, the development of a fast, accurate, and inexpensive automatic pneumatic actuator clutch system for a single-axle parallel hybrid electrical is important. Targeted for the working principle of electric-drive automated mechanical transmission parallel hybrid system for shifting and clutch dynamic control during operation mode switch course, the design adopts single neuron-adaptive PID-based clutch operation process, proposed the clutch actuator piston non-contact cylinder lock control method to overcome time-varying and nonlinear characteristics' impact present in the pneumatic actuator closed-loop control, and through the effective control of segment displacement self-diagnosis during the clutch operation process, performs variable clutch control and improve the actuator fault tolerance. Experiments show that the proposed control algorithm is feasible, which has effectively reduced the torque shock and clutch friction work during clutch engaging process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-strength Mg-8.8Gd-3.8Y-1.0Zn-0.7Mn (wt%) alloy hollow profile with complex cross-section was successfully fabricated through porthole die extrusion, and its weld seam was analyzed for microstructure and element distribution to investigate the impact of solid-state bonding. The weld seam displayed a homogeneous magnesium grain structure and a precipitation-free zone. The diffusion behavior of alloying elements during solid-state bonding significantly affected the microstructure of the weld seam, with Gd and Y atoms diffusing towards the outside of the weld region. The hollow profile exhibited favorable mechanical properties, with an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 470 MPa, a tensile yield strength (TYS) of 309 MPa, and an elongation (EL) of 7.4%, and showed a minor negative effect from the weld seam. • High-strength Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Mn alloy hollow profiles showed a favorable metallurgical bond in the weld seam with a homogeneous magnesium grain structure and no microvoids. • Alloying element diffusion influenced the weld seam microstructure, resulting in lower concentrations of Gd and Y in the weld region, while Zn and Mn showed a more uniform distribution. • The presence of the weld seam had minimal impact on the overall mechanical properties of the hollow profiles, which retained superior mechanical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The composition and structure of the Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone (YZSZ) provide important constraints on long‐standing disputes about the evolution of the Neo‐Tethys Ocean and continental collision. The Permian tectonic blocks (mainly composed of limestones and volcanic rocks) are widely distributed in the YZSZ. There are still different understandings about the origin of these blocks and their relationship with the evolution of the Neo‐Tethys Ocean. Here, we report the first reliable palaeomagnetic results of the Permian tectonic blocks in the Gyanyima and Mayum areas, the western segment of the YZSZ. Fossil records and our new zircon U–Pb results provide 254–252 Ma and 249 ± 2 Ma age constraints for the strata in the Gyanyima and Mayum sections, respectively. A total of 109 specimens were subjected to stepwise thermal demagnetizations. Among them, 83 specimens yielded interpretable results. After removing a recent geomagnetic field direction at low to intermediate temperature ranges, characteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM) directions can be isolated from the upper Permian–lower Triassic Gyanyima Formation (Fm). Unblocking temperature spectra of the ChRM indicate magnetite and haematite as the main carriers in the basalt and limestone/andesitic‐basalt samples, respectively. The ChRM passed the fold tests and a reversal test at 95% confidence level, indicating that it is most likely a primary remanence. The tilt‐corrected mean direction for 14 sites is D = 18.0°, I = −14.4°, k = 20.5, and α95 = 9.0°, which corresponds to a palaeolatitude of 7.3°S and a palaeopole at 48.3°N, 233.3°E with A95 = 8.1°. Combining the rock assemblage, palaeomagnetic, palaeontological, and geochronologic data, we conclude that these blocks were most likely seamounts formed in the low‐latitude area of the Neo‐Tethys Ocean. The palaeolatitude and origin of these blocks indicate that the evolution of the Neo‐Tethys Ocean was a complex process interspersed with the development of a series of seamounts and microblocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberculosis, caused by the intracellular pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis, remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease. Sterilizing chemotherapy requires at least 6 months of multidrug therapy. Difficulty visualizing the subcellular localization of antibiotics in infected host cells means that it is unclear whether antibiotics penetrate all mycobacteria-containing compartments in the cell. Here, we combined correlated light, electron, and ion microscopy to image the distribution of bedaquiline in infected human macrophages at submicrometer resolution. Bedaquiline accumulated primarily in host cell lipid droplets, but heterogeneously in mycobacteria within a variety of intracellular compartments. Furthermore, lipid droplets did not sequester antibiotic but constituted a transferable reservoir that enhanced antibacterial efficacy. Thus, strong lipid binding facilitated drug trafficking by host organelles to an intracellular target during antimicrobial treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-performance as-extruded and peak-aged Mg-9.2Gd-3.3Y-1.2Zn-0.9Mn (wt%) alloys have been fabricated by semi-continuous casting, heat-treating, extruding and ageing processes. The effects of different heat treatments on the microstructure and mechanical properties have been investigated. Lamellar and bulk-shaped 14H-type long-period stacking ordered (LPSO) phase and few RE-rich (RE: rare earth element) particles form by different heat treatments. After hot extrusion, the heat-treated alloy with bulk-shaped LPSO phase exhibits an equal-axial microstructure, while the heat-treated alloy with lamellar LPSO phase across the grains shows bimodal grain microstructure consisting of fine equal-axial grains and coarse deformed grains. The more profuse lamellar LPSO phase in heat-treated alloy generates higher volume fraction of deformed grains and finer equal-axial grains, hence leads to higher strength but lower ductility. After ageing, the alloy with profuse LPSO and β′ phases achieves the superior mechanical properties with ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 525 MPa, tensile yield strength (TYS) of 420 MPa and elongation to failure (EL) of 6.3%. The alloy strengthening is mainly attributed to the bimodal grain microstructure, LPSO phase, Mg 5 Gd (β) phase and β′ phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Respiratory viral infections cause mild to severe diseases, such as common cold, bronchiolitis and pneumonia and are associated with substantial burden for society. To test new molecules for shortening, alleviating the diseases or to develop new therapies, relevant human in vitro models are mandatory. MucilAir™, a human standardized air-liquid interface 3D airway epithelial culture holds in vitro specific mechanisms to counter invaders comparable to the in vivo situation, such as mucus production, mucociliary clearance, and secretion of defensive molecules. The objective of this study was to test the relevance of such a model for the discovery and validation of antiviral drugs. Fully differentiated 3D nasal epithelium cultures were inoculated with picornaviruses, a coronavirus and influenza A viruses in the absence or in the presence of reference antiviral drugs. Results showed that, rupintrivir efficiently inhibits the replication of respiratory picornaviruses in a dose dependent manner and prevents the impairment of the mucociliary clearance. Similarly, oseltamivir reduced the replication of influenza A viruses in a dose dependent manner and prevented the impairment of the epithelial barrier function and cytotoxicity until 4 days of infection. In addition we found that Rhinovirus B14, C15 and influenza A(H1N1) induce significant increase of β Defensins 2 and Cathelicidin release with different time course. These results reveal that a large panel of epithelial functions is modified upon viral infection and validate MucilAir™ as a pertinent tool for pre-clinical antiviral drug testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although plasmon-enhanced fluorescence (PEF) technology has been demonstrated its potential in protein detection for disease early diagnosis, its detection sensitivity still has a big gap compared to that of methods featured with single-molecule detection ability. Herein, inspired by the properties of catalyst-free bioorthogonal chemistry between 1,2,4,5-tetrazine (Tz) and trans- cyclooctene (TCO) being capable of improving the nanoparticle binding efficiency, we initially incorporate semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) into PEF-based suspension microarray platform as the signal reporter and evaluate its performance for biomarker prostate-specific antigen (PSA) detection by comparing with traditional fluorescence protein-based methods. In our assay, Tz-tagged QDs could be readily absorbed onto the sandwich immunocomplex composed of capture antibody, target PSA and TCO-labelled detection antibody for signal output. To improve the QDs binding efficiency, detection performance obtained from QDs-conjugated detection antibody as the reporter prepared by the same bioorthogonal chemistry reaction was also evaluated. For the evaluation of its potential in practical application, the performance including detection sensitivity and dynamic range of the proposed method for PSA assay in clinical sera samples using commercially-available PEF-based planar microarray as the control was discussed, which revealed that the nanoparticle-binding efficiency base on traditional SA/avidin method could be dramatically improved by the proposed method. • QDs-based fluorescence label was incorporated into PEF-based technology. • Improved QDs binding efficiency was achieved by bioorthogonal chemistry. • PSA detection was achieved with high detection sensitivity below 1 fM. • Comparable performance with commercial PEF-based technology was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the chiral spectral singularities, i.e., laser threshold modes, in PT-symmetric dielectric metasurfaces originating from quasi-bound states in the continuum. The poles, referred to as the quasi-bound states in the continuum, of scattering matrix can move to the upper complex frequency plane from the lower half-plane by increasing the balanced gain and loss. The maximal intrinsic optical chirality of laser threshold mode has been theoretically demonstrated via the large transmission circular dichroism spectra. Our work paves the way for studying the enhanced optical chirality in non-Hermitian nanophotonics empowered by quasi-bound states in the continuum, together with various intriguing applications, such as chiral coherent perfect absorber and laser. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compare stellar mass surface density, metallicity, age, and line-of-sight velocity dispersion profiles in massive (⁠|$M_*\ge 10^{10.5}\, \mathrm{M_\odot }$|⁠) present-day early-type galaxies (ETGs) from the MaNGA survey with simulated galaxies from the TNG100 simulation of the IllustrisTNG suite. We find an excellent agreement between the stellar mass surface density profiles of MaNGA and TNG100 ETGs, both in shape and normalization. Moreover, TNG100 reproduces the shapes of the profiles of stellar metallicity and age, as well as the normalization of velocity dispersion distributions of MaNGA ETGs. We generally also find good agreement when comparing the stellar profiles of central and satellite galaxies between MaNGA and TNG100. An exception is the velocity dispersion profiles of very massive (⁠|$M_*\gtrsim 10^{11.5}\, \mathrm{M_\odot }$|⁠) central galaxies, which, on average, are significantly higher in TNG100 than in MaNGA (⁠|$\approx 50\, \mathrm{km\, s^{-1}}$|⁠). We study the radial profiles of in situ and ex situ stars in TNG100 and discuss the extent to which each population contributes to the observed MaNGA profiles. Our analysis lends significant support to the idea that high-mass (⁠|$M_*\gtrsim 10^{11}\, \mathrm{M_\odot }$|⁠) ETGs in the present-day Universe are the result of a merger-driven evolution marked by major mergers that tend to homogenize the stellar populations of the progenitors in the merger remnant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Use of abiotic chemical systems for understanding higher order superstructures is challenging. Here we report a ring‐in‐ring(s) system comprising a hydrogen‐bonded macrocycle and cyclobis(paraquat‐o‐phenylene) tetracation (o‐Box) or cyclobis(paraquat‐p‐phenylene) tetracation (CBPQT4+, p‐Box) that assembles to construct discrete higher order structures with adaptive conformation. As indicated by mass spectrometry, computational modeling, NMR spectroscopy, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, this ring‐in‐ring(s) system features the box‐directed aggregation of multiple macrocycles, leading to generation of several stable species such as H4G (1 a/o‐Box) and H5G (1 a/o‐Box). Remarkably, a dimeric shish‐kebab‐like ring‐in‐rings superstructure H7G2 (1 a/o‐Box) or H8G2 (1 a/p‐Box) is formed from the coaxial stacking of two ring‐in‐rings units. The formation of such unique dimeric superstructures is attributed to the large π‐surface of this 2D planar macrocycle and the conformational variation of both host and guest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Use of abiotic chemical systems for understanding higher order superstructures is challenging. Here we report a ring‐in‐ring(s) system comprising a hydrogen‐bonded macrocycle and cyclobis(paraquat‐o‐phenylene) tetracation (o‐Box) or cyclobis(paraquat‐p‐phenylene) tetracation (CBPQT4+, p‐Box) that assembles to construct discrete higher order structures with adaptive conformation. As indicated by mass spectrometry, computational modeling, NMR spectroscopy, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, this ring‐in‐ring(s) system features the box‐directed aggregation of multiple macrocycles, leading to generation of several stable species such as H4G (1 a/o‐Box) and H5G (1 a/o‐Box). Remarkably, a dimeric shish‐kebab‐like ring‐in‐rings superstructure H7G2 (1 a/o‐Box) or H8G2 (1 a/p‐Box) is formed from the coaxial stacking of two ring‐in‐rings units. The formation of such unique dimeric superstructures is attributed to the large π‐surface of this 2D planar macrocycle and the conformational variation of both host and guest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how and why species evolve requires knowledge on intraspecific divergence. In this study, we examined intraspecific divergence in the endangered hot‐spring snake (Thermophis baileyi), an endemic species on the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau (QTP). Whole‐genome resequencing of 58 sampled individuals from 15 populations was performed to identify the drivers of intraspecific divergence and explore the potential roles of genes under selection. Our analyses resolved three groups, with major intergroup admixture occurring in regions of group contact. Divergence probably occurred during the Pleistocene as a result of glacial climatic oscillations, Yadong‐Gulu rift, and geothermal fields differentiation, while complex gene flow between group pairs reflected a unique intraspecific divergence pattern on the QTP. Intergroup fixed loci involved selected genes functionally related to divergence and local adaptation, especially adaptation to hot spring microenvironments in different geothermal fields. Analysis of structural variants, genetic diversity, inbreeding, and genetic load indicated that the hot‐spring snake population has declined to a low level with decreased diversity, which is important for the conservation management of this endangered species. Our study demonstrated that the integration of demographic history, gene flow, genomic divergence genes, and other information is necessary to distinguish the evolutionary processes involved in speciation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Fruit intake is beneficial to several chronic diseases, but controversial in diabetes. We aimed to investigate prospectively the associations of whole fresh fruit intake with risk of incident type 2 diabetes (T2D) in subjects with different glucose regulation capacities. Methods: The present study included 79,922 non-diabetic participants aged ≥ 40 years from an ongoing nationwide prospective cohort in China. Baseline fruit intake information was collected by a validated food frequency questionnaire. Plasma HbA1c, fasting and 2 h post-loading glucose levels were measured at both baseline and follow-up examinations. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for incident diabetes among participants with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and prediabetes, after adjusted for multiple confounders. Restricted cubic spline analysis was applied for dose–response relation. Results: During a median 3.8-year follow-up, 5886 (7.36%) participants developed diabetes. Overall, we identified a linear and dose-dependent inverse association between dietary whole fresh fruit intake and risk of incident T2D. Each 100 g/d higher fruit intake was associated with 2.8% lower risk of diabetes (HR 0.972, 95%CI [0.949–0.996], P = 0.0217), majorly benefiting NGT subjects with 15.2% lower risk (HR 0.848, 95%CI [0.766–0.940], P = 0.0017), while not significant in prediabetes (HR 0.981, 95%CI 0.957–4.005, P = 0.1268). Similarly, the inverse association was present in normoglycemia individuals with a 48.6% lower risk of diabetes when consuming fruits > 7 times/week comparing to those < 1 time/week (HR 0.514, 95% CI [0.368–0.948]), but not in prediabetes (HR 0.883, 95% CI [0.762–1.023]). Conclusion: These findings suggest that higher frequency and amount of fresh fruit intake may protect against incident T2D, especially in NGT, but not in prediabetes, highlighting the dietary recommendation of higher fresh fruit consumption to prevent T2D in normoglycemia population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terpene synthase (TPS) plays an important role in terpenoids biosynthesis. Cinnamomum camphora (camphor tree) contains dozens of terpenoids with medicinal value, especially borneol, which has been widely used since ancient times. However, limited information is available regarding the genome-wide identification and characterization of the TPS family in the C. camphora. In this study, 82 CcTPS genes were identified from the camphor tree genome (CTG). Gene cluster and sequence syntenic analysis suggested that tandem duplication occurred within the TPS family of the CTG, especially for the TPS-b subfamily. The chemotype-specific gene expression analysis showed significantly differential expression patterns among six chemotypes. It is worth noting that three genes (CcTPS26, CcTPS49 and CcTPS72) exhibited relatively high expression in the borneol-type camphor tree, compared to the other five chemotypes. Further functional characterization of them indicated that they were all bornyl diphosphate synthases (BPPSs), which function in catalyzing GPP into BPP and then undergoes dephosphorylation to yield borneol. This is the first report that multiple BPPSs exist within a single species. Intriguingly, CcTPS49 and CcTPS72 lead to the generation of dextral-borneol, while CcTPS26 contributes to the biosynthesis of levo-borneol. In addition, the functional characterization of another six CcTPSs suggested that they are responsible for the biosynthesis of linalool, eucalyptol and several other monoterpenes in camphor tree. In conclusion, these novel results provide a foundation for further exploration of the role of the CcTPS gene family and shed light on a better understanding of the biosynthesis and accumulation of monoterpenes in camphor tree. • This is the first comprehensive study and systematic genome-wide analysis of TPS gene families in C. camphora. • This is the first report that multiple bornyl diphosphate synthase (BPPSs) found in a single species. • This is the first report that both L- and D-BPPS coexist within a single species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The PI3K‐AKT signaling pathway regulates cell survival, proliferation, and migration. An abnormal activation of PI3K plays an important role in cancer development. Here, we identify TRAF6 as a potent E3 ubiquitin ligase for the PI3K catalytic subunit PIK3CA (p110α). TRAF6 interacts with PIK3CA and promotes its nonproteolytic polyubiquitination under serum stimulation. TRAF6 ubiquitinates both individual and regulatory subunit‐bound PIK3CA but does not ubiquitinate the regulatory subunit of PI3K. The examination of TRAF6 mRNA expression revealed its upregulation in multiple human malignancies. We demonstrate that overexpression of TRAF6 greatly enhances PI3K activation, leading to an increase in AKT phosphorylation and cell growth. We conclude that TRAF6 is a novel PIK3CA regulator whose deregulated overexpression represents a mechanism for PI3K overactivation in tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four-wheel independent drive electric vehicle was used as the research object to discuss the lateral stability control algorithm, thus improving vehicle stability under limit conditions. After establishing hierarchical integrated control structure, we designed the yaw moment decision controller based on model predictive control (MPC) theory. Meanwhile, the wheel torque was assigned by minimizing the sum of consumption rates of adhesion coefficients of four tires according to the tire friction ellipse theory. The integrated simulation platform of Carsim and Simulink was established for simulation verification of yaw/rollover stability control algorithm. Then, we finished road experiment verification of real vehicle by integrated control algorithm. The result showed that this control method can achieve the expectation of effective vehicle tracking, significantly improving the lateral stability of vehicle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an investigation on the relationship between the process parameters and geometrical characteristics of the sectional profile for the single track cladding (STC) deposited by High Power Diode Laser (HPDL) with rectangle beam spot (RBS). To obtain the geometry parameters, namely cladding width W c and height H c of the sectional profile, a full factorial design (FFD) of experiment was used to conduct the experiments with a total of 27. The pre-placed powder technique has been employed during laser cladding. The influence of the process parameters including laser power, powder thickness and scanning speed on the W c and H c was analyzed in detail. A nonlinear fitting model was used to fit the relationship between the process parameters and geometry parameters. And a circular arc was adopted to describe the geometry profile of the cross-section of STC. The above models were confirmed by all the experiments. The results indicated that the geometrical characteristics of the sectional profile of STC can be described as the circular arc, and the other geometry parameters of the sectional profile can be calculated only using W c and H c . Meanwhile, the W c and H c can be predicted through the process parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety of flavonoid fraction of Lithocarpus polystachyus Rehd (Sweet Tea-F, ST-F) in mice and rats through acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies respectively. For acute toxicity study, a single dose of 5000 mg/kg of ST-F was given orally to healthy KM mice. The mice were observed mortality and toxic symptoms for 24 h, then once a day up to 14 days. In the sub-chronic toxicity study, ST-F was administered orally at doses of 0, 70, 140, 560 mg/kg/day to rats for 26 weeks. Body weight and food intake were recorded weekly. Hematological, biochemical, coagulation and organ parameters were analyzed at the end of 26 weeks administration. Vital organs were evaluated by histopathology. In the acute toxicity study, ST-F caused neither significant toxic symptoms, nor mortality in mice. In sub-chronic toxicity study, daily oral administration of ST-F at the dose of 70 mg/kg resulted in a significant increase ( P < 0.05) in the relative body weight at the 10-week, and the same situation brought at the dose of 140 mg/kg/day at the 22-week. Hematological and biochemical showed significant changes ( P < 0.01 or P < 0.05 ) in WBC, GLU, ALP, AST and serum electrolytes levels at the dose of 560 mg/kg/day. The amount of RBC decreased significantly ( P < 0.05 ) while the content of PLT slightly increased ( P < 0.05 ) at the dose of 140 mg/kg/day. In additional, no obvious histological changes were observed in vital organs of ST-F treated animals compared to control group. The ST-F may be exit slight side effects at the dose of 560 mg/kg/day in rats. Thus, the overall results show that the no-observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of ST-F was considered to be 140 mg/kg for male SD rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anode‐cathode interplay is an important but rarely considered factor that initiates the degradation of aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs). Herein, to address the limited cyclability issue of V‐based AZIBs, Al2(SO4)3 is proposed as decent electrolyte additive to manipulate OH−‐mediated cross‐communication between Zn anode and NaV3O8 ⋅ 1.5H2O (NVO) cathode. The hydrolysis of Al3+ creates a pH≈0.9 strong acidic environment, which unexpectedly prolongs the anode lifespan from 200 to 1000 h. Such impressive improvement is assigned to the alleviation of interfacial OH− accumulation by Al3+ adsorption and solid electrolyte interphase formation. Accordingly, the strongly acidified electrolyte, associated with the sedated crossover of anodic OH− toward NVO, remarkably mitigate its undesired dissolution and phase transition. The interrupted OH−‐mediated communication between the two electrodes endows Zn||NVO batteries with superb cycling stability, at both low and high scan rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anode‐cathode interplay is an important but rarely considered factor that initiates the degradation of aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs). Herein, to address the limited cyclability issue of V‐based AZIBs, Al2(SO4)3 is proposed as decent electrolyte additive to manipulate OH−‐mediated cross‐communication between Zn anode and NaV3O8 ⋅ 1.5H2O (NVO) cathode. The hydrolysis of Al3+ creates a pH≈0.9 strong acidic environment, which unexpectedly prolongs the anode lifespan from 200 to 1000 h. Such impressive improvement is assigned to the alleviation of interfacial OH− accumulation by Al3+ adsorption and solid electrolyte interphase formation. Accordingly, the strongly acidified electrolyte, associated with the sedated crossover of anodic OH− toward NVO, remarkably mitigate its undesired dissolution and phase transition. The interrupted OH−‐mediated communication between the two electrodes endows Zn||NVO batteries with superb cycling stability, at both low and high scan rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Naturalized plants play pivotal roles in local plant biodiversity and ecological functions; however, the drivers of naturalization remain poorly understood at a fine scale. Thus, understanding the processes of the development and dominance of alien plants in local natural habitats is of paramount importance. In the present study, we report for the first time the naturalization of Cydonia oblonga in China based on community structure and population dynamics at a fine scale. We conducted a comprehensive survey of the species through field community investigations, interviews, and a literature review. Cydonia oblonga is an ancient fruit tree with a long introduction history of over 4500 years worldwide and a cultivation history of over 2500 years in China. We analyzed C. oblonga community structure using the spatiotemporal substitution method and quantitatively analyzed population dynamics using a static life table, survivorship curve, and time series model to explore the naturalization processes. The following results were obtained. (i) The community comprised 31 coexisting vascular plant species (16 woody and 15 herbaceous species) belonging to 28 genera in 20 families. Rosaceae and Asteraceae were the two most dominant families. (ii) All individuals in the shrub layer as well as the C. oblonga population exhibited a roughly inverted J‐shaped basal diameter distribution. A complete age structure was noted, and the survival curve was classified as Deevey type II. According to time series analysis, the population is estimated to increase in the future, specifically of medium and large individuals. (iii) Religious exchange, potent resource competitiveness, and similarity with the native habitat may be the major drivers of the introduction and successful naturalization of C. oblonga. These results suggest that alien species closely related to native ones are more likely to invade, naturalize, and dominate communities in local habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We experimentally demonstrate a fiber laser with different linewidths based on self-injection locking (SIL) and the stimulated Brillouin scattering effect. Based on the homemade fiber laser, the error origin, resolution, and applicable range of delayed self-heterodyne interferometry (DSHI), self-correlation envelope linewidth detection (SCELD) and Voigt fitting are investigated numerically and experimentally. The selection of the linewidth measuring method should meet the following conclusions: an approximately Lorentzian self-heterodyne spectrum without the pedestal and high-intensity sinusoidal jitter is a prerequisite for DSHI; the SCELD needs a suitable length of delay fiber for eliminating flicker noise and dark noise of the electrical spectrum analyzer; a non-Lorentzian self-heterodyne spectrum without a pedestal is an indispensable element for Voigt fitting. According to the experimental results, the laser Lorentzian linewidth of SIL changes from 1.7 kHz to 587 Hz under different injection powers. When the Brillouin erbium fiber laser is utilized, the Lorentzian linewidth is measured to be 60 ± 5 Hz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influenza makes millions of people ill every year, placing a large burden on the healthcare system and the economy. To develop a treatment against influenza, we combined virucidal sialylated cyclodextrins with interferon lambda and demonstrated, in human airway epithelia, that the two compounds inhibit the replication of a clinical H1N1 strain more efficiently when administered together rather than alone. We investigated the mechanism of action of the combined treatment by single cell RNA-sequencing analysis and found that both the single and combined treatments impair viral replication to different extents across distinct epithelial cell types. We showed that each cell type comprises multiple sub-types, whose proportions are altered by H1N1 infection, and assessed the ability of the treatments to restore them. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study investigating the effectiveness of an antiviral therapy against influenza virus by single cell transcriptomic studies. When combined with interferon lambda, virucidal sialylated cyclodextrins inhibit the replication of a clinical H1N1 influenza strain in ex vivo human airway epithelia more efficiently than when delivered alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate whether underdilated transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) could reduce the risk of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and ameliorate impaired hepatic function in patients with a history of splenectomy. Methods: A retrospective case–control study was conducted with 96 patients who had prior splenectomy and TIPS placement from August 2016 to May 2022. All patients were divided into two groups based on the diameter of expansion balloon catheters, the underdilated group (6-mm balloon catheter, n = 60) and a control group (8-mm balloon catheter, n = 36). Following the 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM), 33 patients in the underdilated group and 33 patients in the control group were included. Results: During a median follow-up of 36 months, a quicker recovery in liver function after TIPS placement was showed in the underdilated group. The mean TBIL content (16.562 ± 6.549 μmol/L vs 23.871 ± 11.609 μmol/L, P = 0.019) and the mean CLIF-C AD score (41.108 ± 5.223 vs 45.100 ± 4.429, P = 0.033) in the underdilated group were significantly lower than those in the control group during 6 to 12 months after the procedure. In line with the control group, the ability to reduce portal pressure gradient (PPG) and achieve a significantly clinical remission of PVT and ascites severity was showed in the underdilated group 3 months after TIPS creation (P < 0.001). The Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated that no statistically significant differences were found in the cumulative incidence of no overt HE (OHE) (log-rank P = 0.383), cumulative incidence without shunt dysfunction (log-rank P = 0.283), cumulative incidence of no variceal rebleeding (log-rank P = 0.696), and survival (log-rank P = 0.341) (log-rank P = 0.341) between the two groups during the follow-up period. Conclusion: For patients with prior splenectomy, it is safe to employ underdilated TIPS, as the stents will eventually self-expand to 8 mm. The present study has shown some degree of liver function preservation in the underdilated group, which may be related to slower progressive changes in the portal hemodynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) containing aristolochic acid (AA) are associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), but some prescribed CHMs have been shown to possess renoprotective effects. We conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study to delineate the role of prescribed CHMs on the CKD progression. Renoprotective CHM (RPCHM) was defined if a CHM contained dong chong xia cao (Cordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sacc.), da huang (Rheum palmatum L), huang qi (Astragalus membranaceus), dan shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge.), and dong quai (Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels) or belonged to specific mixture herbal formulations (Yishen capsule, Saireito, or Wen Pi Tang). Subjects who had ever used AA-containing CHMs, had cancer or HIV prior to CKD diagnosis, or died within the first month of CKD diagnosis were excluded. A total of 11,625 patients were eligible subjects. The adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for all-cause mortality was 0.6 (p < 0.001) and 0.6 (p = 0.013) among subjects receiving RPCHMs containing Angelica sinensis and those receiving other RPCHMs, respectively. For CKD-related mortality, the aHR among subjects receiving RPCHMs containing Angelica sinensis was 0.6 (p = 0.025). The use of specific RPCHMs, especially those that contained Angelica sinensis, was associated with a lower risk of mortality among CKD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both resveratrol(Res) and diphenyleneiodonium(DPI) have been shown to have radioprotective effects on hematopoietic system injury. However, the cooperative effect of Res and DPI are unknown. In this study, we explored the radioprotective effect of the combination of Res and DPI both in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that the combined treatment of Res and DPI was more effective in protecting irradiated BMMNCs in terms of cell viability, colony-forming ability, and reconstitution ability in vitro compared with Res or DPI treatment alone. However, in mice, the combination of Res and DPI had no enhanced protection on 4 Gy total body irradiation (TBI)-induced hematopoietic system injury, including TBI-induced myelosuppression, induction of the splenic index, and increases in HSC/HPC numbers and the colony-forming ability of BMCs,compared to Res or DPI alone. An exception was the number of BMCs. These studies illustrated the inconsistency between experiments carried out in vitro and in vivo and suggest an interaction between Res or DPI in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is aimed to investigate the structural-borne acoustics analysis and multi-objective optimization of an enclosed box structure by using the panel acoustic participation (PAP) and response surface methodology (RSM). The acoustic frequency response function is applied to achieve the critical frequency of interest under each excitation. The PAP analysis is then carried out at all critical frequencies and the remarkable acoustic panels are identified. The correlation coefficient matrix method is proposed for reselecting and grouping the positions of acoustic panels identified to paste damping layer to control noise. With the help of faced central composite design, an efficient set of sample points are generated and then the second-order polynomial functions of sound pressure response at each critical frequency are computed and verified by the adjusted coefficient of multiple determination. The functional relationships between sound pressure responses and the thicknesses of damping layers are investigated, and multi-objective optimization of the thicknesses of damping layers is developed. The results indicate that, by using the PAP and RSM, the structural-borne acoustics at critical frequencies are calculated conveniently and controlled effectively. The optimization process of the explicit optimization model proposed in this paper is simple and the computational time is saved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protective carriers that encapsulate probiotics in spray drying could improve the survival ratio of dried cells through different mechanisms. Unveiling the protective mechanism of each carrier will contribute to a rational design of high performance carrier formulation. This study utilized single droplet drying (SDD) technique to investigate the effects of calcium cation in varied carrier formulation. Inactivation histories of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) in different carriers were compared, and cellular injury history of probiotics during droplet drying was studied for the first time. Adding 1 mM CaCl 2 to lactose carrier protected cell viability, mitigated cellular injuries, and enhanced regrowth capability as drying progressed, demonstrating the positive effect of Ca 2 + with possible mechanism of stabilizing sub-cellular structures. At later drying stages, cell survival in Lac/Ca carrier was increased by 0.5–1.5 log on selective media compared to lactose carrier. Supplementing calcium-binding agents lowered the protective effect, shortening the initiation of rapid cell inactivation down to 120 s of drying. Adding CaCl 2 to trehalose carrier barely improved cell survival, indicating that the protective effect could be influenced by carrier formulation. Pure trehalose carrier exerted excellent protection on LGG, supporting cells to regrow in liquid rich medium even after 180 s of drying. The protection of trehalose may stem from stabilization of sub-cellular structures, which possibly overlap the effect of Ca 2 + . The findings suggested that high performance carrier formulation might be developed by combining carrier materials with different protective mechanisms, for maximizing the survival of active dry probiotics in industrial spray drying operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The high rate of maternal mortality reported in The Gambia is influenced by many factors, such as difficulties in accessing quality healthcare and facilities. In addition, socio-cultural practices in rural areas may limit the resources available to pregnant women, resulting in adverse health consequences. The aim of this study is to depict the gender dynamics in a rural Gambian context by exploring the social and cultural factors affecting maternal health. Methods and Findings: Five focus group discussions that included 50 participants (aged 15–30 years, with at least one child) and six in-depth interviews with traditional birth attendants were conducted to explore perceptions of maternal health issues among rural women. The discussion was facilitated by guides focusing on issues such as how the women perceived their own physical health during pregnancy, difficulties in keeping themselves healthy, and health-related problems during pregnancy and delivery. The data resulting from the discussion was transcribed verbatim and investigated using a qualitative thematic analysis. In general, rural Gambian women did not enjoy privileges in their households when they were pregnant. The duties expected of them required pregnant women to endure heavy workloads, with limited opportunities for sick leave and almost nonexistent resources to access prenatal care. The division of labor between men and women in the household was such that women often engaged in non-remunerable field work with few economic resources, and their household duties during pregnancy were not alleviated by either their husbands or the other members of polygamous households. At the time of delivery, the decision to receive care by trained personnel was often beyond the women’s control, resulting in birth-related complications. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that despite women’s multiple roles in the household, their positions are quite unfavorable. The high maternal morbidity and mortality rate in The Gambia is related to practices associated with gender inequality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Spatiotemporal mode locking has been achieved in a partial multimode Er-doped fiber laser. • Through this laser, STML dark pulse, bright pulse, and dark bright pulse pairs can be obtained. • By varying the physical parameter settings, the laser cavity can alternately operates on different STML pulse regimes. In this paper, we have experimentally investigated different operational states of a partial multimode Er-doped spatiotemporal mode-locked (STML) fiber laser. The STML is enabled by nonlinear multimode interference (NL-MMI) effect from the partial multimode cavity structure. It is found that by adjusting the multimode polarization controller (PC) and the pump power, the STML dark pulses, bright pulses, as well as the polarization domain wall solitons can all be obtained, alternatively. The fused-tapered multimode coupler is responsible for the dark pulses generation via the enhanced modal cross-phase coupling. It is believed that the present findings can offer an important insight into the spatiotemporal dynamics of the STML solitons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]