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Insulin resistance (IR) is the central pathophysiological feature in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension, and dyslipidemia. As the main active ingredient in Lithocarpus litseifolius [Hance] Chun, previous studies have shown that phlorizin (PHZ) can reduce insulin resistance in the liver. However, the effect of phlorizin on attenuating hepatic insulin resistance has not been fully investigated, and whether this effect is related to AMPK remains unclear. The present study aimed to further investigate the effect of phlorizin on attenuating insulin resistance and the potential action mechanism. Free fatty acids (FFA) were used to induce insulin resistance in HepG2 cells. The effects of phlorizin and FFA on cell viability were detected by MTT analysis. Glucose consumption, glycogen synthesis, intracellular malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) contents were quantified after phlorizin treatment. Glucose uptake and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in HepG2 cells were assayed by flow cytometry. Potential targets and signaling pathways for attenuating insulin resistance by phlorizin were predicted by network pharmacological analysis. Moreover, the expression levels of proteins related to the AMPK/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway were detected by western blot. Insulin resistance was successfully induced in HepG2 cells by co-treatment of 1 mM sodium oleate (OA) and 0.5 mM sodium palmitate (PA) for 24 h. Treatment with phlorizin promoted glucose consumption, glucose uptake, and glycogen synthesis and inhibited gluconeogenesis in IR-HepG2 cells. In addition, phlorizin inhibited oxidative stress and lipid accumulation in IR-HepG2 cells. Network pharmacological analysis showed that AKT1 was the active target of phlorizin, and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway may be the potential action mechanism of phlorizin. Furthermore, western blot results showed that phlorizin ameliorated FFA-induced insulin resistance by activating the AMPK/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Phlorizin inhibited oxidative stress and lipid accumulation in IR-HepG2 cells and ameliorated hepatic insulin resistance by activating the AMPK/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Our study proved that phlorizin played a role in alleviating hepatic insulin resistance by activating AMPK, which provided experimental evidence for the use of phlorizin as a potential drug to improve insulin resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seismic response is a critical aspect of structural engineering, as it directly influences the design and safety evaluation of such systems. Structural seismic response becomes more complicated when unavoidable uncertainties in the structure are considered. Therefore, solving and analyzing the stochastic dynamic response of structures efficiently and accurately is of great significance. Various uncertainty quantification methods such as the stochastic finite element method, Monte Carlo method, and polynomial chaos expansion method have made significant progress in this field. However, these methods do not provide a comprehensive study of the seismic response of stochastic structures and efficiency problems rapidly emerge as the number of random variables increases. This paper delivers a comprehensive study of the seismic dynamic response of space truss and reticulated shell structure considering uncertainties in material properties, geometry, and loading. To this end, the finite element model of the structure was first modeled and the deterministic solutions were obtained. Then, polynomial surrogates are modeled for the natural frequency, mode participation factor, mode superposition response, and transient response of the structure under stochastic uncertainties. The sparse grid technique is used to select sparse quadrature points, which overcomes the curse of dimensionality caused by full grid integration. The results demonstrate that the sparse grid-based polynomial chaos expansion is more efficient. Uncertainty quantification reveals the uncertainty of modal analysis, response spectrum analysis, and transient response analysis of space truss and reticulated shell under seismic excitation. In summary, this study provides valuable insights and an efficient and accurate uncertainty quantification tool for the seismic dynamic analysis of stochastic structures, ultimately contributing to safer and more robust structural designs. • Analyzing the seismic dynamic response of stochastic structures comprehensively. • Sparse grid-based PCE for quantifying uncertainty in stochastic dynamics. • Addressing the dimensional catastrophe of traditional non-intrusive PCE. • Sparse grid-based PCE metamodel for post-processing is more efficient and accurate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geniposidic acid (GPA) alleviates oxidative stress and inflammation in mice However, whether it can effectively regulate lipid accumulation and prevent hyperlipidemia requires further investigation. This study combined the untargeted metabolomics of cells and a Caenorhabditis elegans model to evaluate the anti-hyperlipidemic potential of GPA by modulating oxidative stress and regulating lipid metabolism. A golden hamster model of hyperlipidemia was used to further validate the lipid-lowering effect and mechanism of action of GPA. Chemical staining, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry were performed to examine the effects of GPA on lipid accumulation and oxidative stress. Untargeted metabolomic analysis of cells and C. elegans was performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole electrostatic field Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS) to identify biomarkers altered by GPA action, analyze the affected metabolic pathways, and validate the mechanisms by which GPA regulates lipid metabolism and oxidative stress. A golden hamster model of hyperlipidemia was established to test the lipid-lowering effects of GPA. Body weight, biochemical markers, rate-limiting enzymes, and key proteins were assessed. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Oil Red O staining were performed. Phenotypic data showed that GPA decreased free fatty acid (FFA)-induced lipid buildup and high reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, reversed the decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and increased the cellular reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione disulfide (GSH/GSSG) ratio. GPA also reduces high glucose-induced lipid build-up and ROS production in C. elegans. Metabolomic analysis showed that GPA affected purine, lipid, and amino acid metabolism. Moreover, GPA inhibited xanthine oxidase (XOD), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), fatty acid synthase (FAS), phosphorylation of P38 MAPK, and upregulated the expression of SIRT3 and CPT1A protein production to control lipid metabolism and produce antioxidant benefits in cells and golden hamsters. Current evidence suggests that GPA can effectively regulate lipid metabolism and the oxidative stress response, and has the potential to prevent hyperlipidemia. This study also provided an effective method for evaluating the mechanism of action of GPA. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart windows with excellent near-infrared (NIR) light shielding capacity and controlled visible light transmittance are expected to reduce building energy consumption and improve indoor comfort. However, the ability of current thermochromic materials to regulate solar gain with the tunable extinction of phase-change materials is still far from optimum. In this work, an fluorine (F)-doped ATO (FATO) nanocrystals (NCs) are designed as a photothermal material to optimize the solar modulation of thermochromic hydrogels. F ion doping can modify the electronic structure of ATO, resulting in a high concentration of oxygen vacancies and free electrons, thereby enhancing the NIR absorption performance and photothermal conversion performance of the ATO NCs. On this premise, the designed smart window based on FATO NCs and thermochromic hydrogels exhibits the remarkable features of excellent NIR shielding, high initial visible transmittance and fast response speed. The window is capable of shielding 99.5% of the solar radiation from 300 to 2500 nm and permitting 75.0% of initial visible light. Moreover, the simulated indoor temperature of the smart window was 17.2 °C lower compared with the black one, demonstrating potentials in practical application of building energy saving. [Display omitted] • Novel chain-like FATO NCs were prepared by precipitation-hydrothermal method. • F-doping optimized electronic structure of ATO and improved the LSPR absorption. • The fabrication of FATO-PNC hydrogel provides a novel idea for smart window. • The smart window could shield 99.5% of solar radiation after optical switching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A 3DOF ultrasonic vibration tool holder was proposed for rotary ultrasonic machining. • Proposed tool holder achieve 1DOF, 2DOF and 3DOF vibration machining. • Structural optimization achieve multi-vibration integration and switching, high rotary speed practicality. • Machining effects of various vibration forms were compared. • Vibration mode affect the machining quality and tool life in grinding. • 2DOF elliptic vibration has better comprehensive machining performance. The vibration form of the tool has a significant impact on the machining effect in rotary ultrasonic machining. Compared with 1DOF rotary ultrasonic machining, multi-DOF rotary ultrasonic machining have comprehensive advantages in the machining performance. However, the current multi-DOF rotary ultrasonic machining faces the challenges of miniaturization, multi-DOF vibration integration and high rotary speed. Therefore, a 3DOF ultrasonic vibration tool holder with decoupled three-channel contactless energy transfer was proposed, which realize 1DOF, 2DOF and 3DOF rotary ultrasonic machining with the same resonant frequency and the vibration conversion functions at high rotation speed. Structure design, principle analysis and simulation verification was carried out to determine the structure size and material. Through manufacturing and testing of prototype, the results show that under the performance of high speed, high transfer efficiency with 93 % and low temperature rise. The prototype of 3DOF ultrasonic vibration tool holder can not only integrate six vibration forms with high amplitude, but also has the function of replacing the milling tool for metal and grinding tool for brittle materials. Finally, through machining experiments with different vibration forms, two kinds of elliptical vibration produce regular textures with different shapes in the Ti-6Al-4V milling. In Al2O3 grinding, the surface roughness is the lowest under 2DOF vertical elliptical vibration grinding. While the 2DOF horizontal elliptical vibration grinding significantly improves the chip removal and prolongs the tool life. These findings provide guidance for machining performance under various vibration mode. It was proved that this tool holder integrated and switch with multiple vibration modes is of great value for high efficiency and high-quality multi-procedure machining. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A DPSIR framework model was proposed, covering 21 multi-scale indicators. • RF was introduced as a water cycle health evaluation method. • The obstacle factors affecting the water cycle health were identified. • The main obstacle factors were categorized and analyzed. • Some policy implications were provided for the development of the water cycle. Ecological and socioeconomic systems are interconnected through water cycles. Due to intensive anthropogenic activities and global climate change, the water cycle has undergone profound changes over the last few decades. This study aimed to evaluate the health status of the regional water cycle, explore the etiology of water cycle disorders, and provide suggestions for improving the health of the water cycle. Based on the Driving force-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) model, an index system was constructed to evaluate regional water cycle health. The water cycle was evaluated using a random forest (RF) model, which can achieve desirable fitting and generalization properties. The Yellow River Basin in Henan Province (YRBHN), China, was used as an example to demonstrate the application of this system. An Extended Fourier Amplitude Sensitivity Test (EFAST)-Cloud model was used to validate the evaluation results of the RF model. The main influencing factors in the water cycle process were then identified using the obstacle degree model, and ensuing policy recommendations were presented. The results demonstrated that the health state of the water cycle in the YRBHN shifted from unhealthy to sub-healthy during 2011–2020, with the response layer showing the most evident positive change. The health states of Zhengzhou and Luoyang were superior to those of the other cities, with average health index numbers of 3.1006 and 3.0078, respectively. Although the evaluation index numbers of the EFAST-Cloud and RF models were slightly different, their evaluation results were similar, indicating that the RF model was applicable for water cycle health evaluation. The proportion of ecological water use and the response (R) layer provided the greatest obstacle degree in the index and criterion layers, respectively. Based on the current state of the water cycle in the YRBHN, some policy implications were proposed. This study proposed a new method for regional water cycle health evaluation and decision making that provides theoretical support for regional water resource management and is of considerable practical significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]