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This study aims to quantitatively analyze the three-dimensional microstructure of ultra-thin HDF paving boards and molding boards, in order to explore the modeling methods of HDF and attempt to predict its mechanical properties more accurately through theoretical and simulation analyses. In this study, non-destructive analysis of the internal microstructure was conducted using computed tomography (CT) imaging technology. The characteristics of microstructural evolution during the hot compression molding process were explored, and all analyzed data were utilized for 3D reconstruction and simulation model construction. Ultra-thin fiberboards with different fiber ratios were modeled through volume compression and experimentally simulated in tension. The results were compared with experimentally determined results for verification purposes. Additionally, differences in surface roughness, water absorption, and expansion of ultra-thin fiberboards with varying fiber ratios were analyzed. The findings indicate that different fiber ratios have a significant impact on the mechanical properties of ultra-thin fiberboards; tensile strength increases with an increase in medium-length fibers content when fibers are pulled or split, highlighting the key role played by the strength of the fibers themselves. Furthermore, it was observed that surface roughness and water-absorbing expansion rate are lower when a higher proportion of fine fibers is present. The results from this study hold great significance for gaining a deeper understanding of the composition, structure, and properties of ultra-thin fiberboards as well as exploring modeling methods for high-density fiberboards. They also provide guidance for optimizing material formulations and preparation processes while improving performance and quality standards for poplar-ultra-thin fiberboards. • We quantitatively analysed the three-dimensional microstructure of ultra-thin fibreboard paving slabs and moulded panels. • We explored the modelling method of high-density fibreboard and obtained a model of high-density fibreboard with a volume fraction of 90%. • We explored the effects of different fibre ratios on the mechanical properties of ultra-thin fibreboards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypercholesterolemia is frequently diagnosed in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). However, its association with the prognosis and lipid metabolism is unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prognostic value of baseline total cholesterol (TC) levels in PBC and characterized the associated lipid metabolism. Five hundred and thirty-one patients with PBC without prior cirrhosis-related complications were randomly divided into the derivation and validation cohorts at a ratio of 7:3. Complete clinical data were obtained and analyzed. The endpoints were defined as liver-related death, liver transplantation, and cirrhosis-related complications. Lipidomics was performed in 89 patients and 28 healthy controls. Baseline TC was independently associated with poor liver-related outcomes, and adjusted C-statistics were 0.80 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.74–0.85) and 0.88 (95% CI: 0.78–0.91) in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. The predictive ability of TC for disease outcomes was stable over time and comparable with the Globe score. The 200 mg/dL cut-off optimally divided patients into low- and high-TC groups. A combination of TC and Globe score provided a more accurate stratification of patients into risk subgroups. Lipidomics indicated an up-regulation of lipid families in high-TC patients. Pathway analysis of 66 up-regulated lipids revealed the dysregulation of glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid metabolism in high-TC patients, which were associated with poor liver-related outcomes. Our results indicate that patients with PBC having baseline TC levels above 200 mg/dL have unique lipidome characteristics and are at a higher risk of poor liver-related outcomes. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One critical component of the immune system that prevents breast cancer cells from forming distant metastasis is natural killer (NK) cells participating in immune responses to tumors. Ginsenoside Rh2 (GRh2) as one of the major active ingredients of ginseng has been employed in treatment of cancers, but the function of GRh2 in modulating the development of breast cancer remains elusive. This study was to dissect the effect of GRh2 against breast cancer and its potential mechanisms associated with NK cells, both in vitro and in vivo. MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 cells were used to establish in situ and hematogenous mouse models. MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 were respectively co-cultured with NK92MI cells or primary NK cells in vitro. Anti-tumor efficacy of GRh2 was verified by immunohistochemistry (IHC), Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8), high resolution micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scanning of lungs and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity assay, flow cytometry, in vivo depletion of NK cells, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blot, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), immunofluorescence and cell transfection were performed for investigating the anti-tumor mechanisms of GRh2. Molecular docking, microscale thermophoresis (MST) and cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) were employed to determine the binding between endoplasmic reticulum protein 5 (ERp5) and GRh2. We demonstrated that GRh2 exerted prominent impacts on retarding the growth and metastasis of breast cancer through boosting the cytotoxic function of NK cells, as validated by the elevated release of perforin, granzyme B and interferon- γ (IFN- γ). Mechanistical studies revealed that GRh2 was capable of diminishing the expression of ERp5 and GRh2 directly bound to ERp5 in MDA-MB-231 cells as well as on a recombinant protein level. GRh2 prevented the formation of soluble MICA (sMICA) and upregulated the expression level of MICA in vivo and in vitro. Importantly, the reduced lung metastasis of breast cancer by GRh2 was almost abolished upon the depletion of NK cells. Moreover, GRh2 was able to insert into the binding pocket of ERp5 directly. We firstly demonstrated that GRh2 played a pivotal role in augmenting NK cell activity by virtue of modulating the NKG2D-MICA signaling axis via directly binding to ERp5, and may be further optimized to a therapeutic agent for the treatment of breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An automatic fundamental contour extraction of dugong chirps was presented. • Five categories of dugong chirps were identified. • A specific classification criterion was proposed for the automatic and effective identification of chirp types. • Our results enrich the known repertoire of dugong chirps, and may be useful in future passive acoustic monitoring studies. A steady decrease in the Dugong (Dugong dugon) population has been notices worldwide. Considering the social function and utilization rate, dugong chirp classification has become an important bioacoustics research topic, which may help marine biologists monitor the change of their population, study their behavioral context in different environments and optimise the protection policy. However, the objective classification of dugong chirps has not been adequately addressed in the literature. In this paper, an automatic fundamental contour extraction using the tempo-frequency variables to describe the contours of the fundamental frequency of the chirps is presented. With the automatic fundamental contour extraction, the time–frequency information of dugong chirps can be effectively represented, which gives a good classification performance. Following the principles used for the classification of dolphin whistles, three variables were chosen and performed with hierarchical cluster analysis. Based on these results and further visual examination, five categories of chirps were identified. A simple classification criterion was proposed which could be used in the automatic and effective identification of chirp types. Our findings enrich the known repertoire of dugong chirps, and may be useful in future passive acoustic monitoring studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The magnesium alloy and 304 stainless steel were successfully joined via nanosecond pulsed laser welding. • Highest tensile shear force of 298.7 N was obtained at the speed of 30 mm/s. • Three fracture modes produced at various welding speeds were clarified. • The welding temperature field of magnesium/steel joint was simulated. Nanosecond pulse laser welding was performed on AZ31B magnesium alloy and 304 stainless steel to investigate the impact of welding speed on the joining process. The temperature field of the magnesium/steel laser welding process was simulated using COMSOL software. The findings revealed that a welding speed of 10 mm/s resulted in significant spattering and larger porosity defects in the joint due to excessive heat input. However, when the welding speed was increased to 30 mm/s, these defects disappeared, and the porosity decreased to a minimum, leading to an increased bonding area at the interface. As the speed increased, the heat input decreased, making it more challenging for the porosity to escape from the molten pool and resulting in the formation of larger pores. The shear force test results indicated that the highest shear force was 298.7 N at a welding speed of 30 mm/s. The reduction in porosity and greater penetration depth of the magnesium alloy contributed to the desired mechanical performance. Additionally, the fracture modes were classified as button pullout failure (BPF), base material tearing failure (BTF), and interface failure (IF). The outermost weld seam served as the initial fracture path for both BPF and BTF modes, with BTF ultimately fracturing in the steel base material during tearing. Oxide inclusions, porosity, and the angle of distortion contributed to the fracture path of IF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]