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An innovative method to improve the oxidation efficiency of benzyl alcohol utilizes Ni–Co hexacyanoferrate hollow nanoprisms. Synthesized via a gentle self-sacrificial template method, this catalyst exhibits substantial catalytic activity and selectivity towards benzyl alcohol oxidation, facilitated by the strategic incorporation of Co to modulate CN vacancy density. Impressively, it achieves a current density of 10 mA cm-2 at 1.33 V and a remarkable 98% efficiency in benzyl alcohol conversion at 1.4 V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dimensional and geometric variations are significant factors of products at the manufacturing stage. Because of these variations, the physical appearance or functionality of the final product may deviate from expectations. As of the present, research on variation analysis has been conducted at the feature level. To model the information and analyze the variation transfers of products, a graphical model is constructed by using the product feature and information. Through analysis of the relationship between the product and network model, a modeling process for the feature information network is proposed. Nodes, lines, and constraints in the network are defined in detail, and the dimension unit is defined to represent the dimension information within a part. Variations caused by connections between parts are divided into two categories of influence. Combining the dimension unit and the influence between parts, a variation analysis process is devised based on the proposed network model. To verify the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed method, a case study is performed based on the grand assembly of a hull block. The result shows that the product can be modeled and the variation can be analyzed by the proposed network model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspirin is widely used for both primary and secondary prevention of panvascular diseases, such as stroke and coronary heart disease (CHD). The optimal balance between reducing panvascular disease events and the potential increase in bleeding risk remains unclear. This study aimed to develop a predictive model specifically designed to assess bleeding risk in individuals using aspirin. A total of 58,415 individuals treated with aspirin were included in this study. Detailed data regarding patient demographics, clinical characteristics, comorbidities, medical history, and laboratory test results were collected from the Affiliated Dongyang Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. The patients were randomly divided into two groups at a ratio of 7:3. The larger group was used for model development, while the smaller group was used for internal validation. To develop the prediction model, we employed least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression followed by multivariate logistic regression. The performance of the model was assessed through metrics such as the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA). The LASSO-derived model employed in this study incorporated six variables, namely, sex, operation, previous bleeding, hemoglobin, platelet count, and cerebral infarction. It demonstrated excellent performance at predicting bleeding risk among aspirin users, with a high AUC of 0.866 (95% CI 0.857–0.874) in the training dataset and 0.861 (95% CI 0.848–0.875) in the test dataset. At a cutoff value of 0.047, the model achieved moderate sensitivity (83.0%) and specificity (73.9%). The calibration curve analysis revealed that the nomogram closely approximated the ideal curve, indicating good calibration. The DCA curve demonstrated a favorable clinical net benefit associated with the nomogram model. Our developed LASSO-derived predictive model has potential as an alternative tool for predicting bleeding in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) platform with sensing and sampling systems was developed for three-dimensional (3D) measurements of air pollutant concentrations. The sensing system of this platform contains multiple microsensors and Internet of Things devices for determining the 3D distributions of four critical air pollutants and two meteorological parameters in real time. Moreover, the sampling system comprises remote-controllable gas sampling kits, each of which contains a 1 L Tedlar bag for the 3D measurement of volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations according to the Toxic Organics-15 (TO-15) method of the US Environmental Protection Agency. The performance of the developed UAV platform was verified in experiments where it was used to detect air pollutant emissions from a large industrial zone in Taiwan that included a traditional industrial park, a precision machinery park, and a municipal waste incineration plant. Three locations were selected as field measurement sites according to the prevailing local wind direction. The vertical distributions of four critical air pollutants, the ambient temperature, and the relative humidity were determined from data gathered at the aforementioned sites in March and May 2023. A total of 56 and 72 chemical species were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed in these two periods, respectively. The experimental results verified the feasibility of using the proposed UAV platform for accurately evaluating the air pollutant concentration distribution and transport in an industrial zone. The sampling system can be used as the sampling part of the TO-15 method, thus extending the method to measure the 3D distribution of VOCs in an area. The UAV platform can serve as a useful tool in the management of and decision-making process for air pollution in industrial areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For achieving CO2 thermal reduction, a technology combining solid carbon activation and high-temperature CO2 reduction was proposed, named as activated-reduction technology. In this study, this technology is realized by using a circulating fluidized bed and downdraft reactor. Reduced agent parameters (O2/C and CO2 concentration) greatly affect the reduction effect of CO2. In addition, the effect of the activation process on different carbon-based materials can help to broaden the range of carbon-based materials used for CO2 reduction, which is also an important issue. The following three points have been studied through experiments: (1) the influence of the characteristics of the reduced agent (CO2 concentration and O2/C) on CO2 reduction; (2) the performance of different chars in CO2 reduction; and (3) the activation effect of solid carbon. The activation process can develop the pore structure of coal gasification char and transform it into activated char with higher reactivity. The CO concentration in the tail gas is a crucial factor limiting the effectiveness of CO2 reduction, with an experimentally determined upper limit of around 55% at 1200 °C. If CO concentration is far from the upper limit, temperature becomes the significant influencing factor. When the reduced agent O2/C is 0.18, the highest net CO2 reduction of 0.021 Nm3/kg is achieved at 60% CO2 concentration. When the reduced agent CO2 concentration is 50%, the highest net CO2 reduction of 0.065 Nm3/kg is achieved at 0.22 O2/C. Compared with CPGC, YHGC has higher reactivity and is more suitable for CO2 reduction. The activation process helps to reduce the differences between raw materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to solve the dependence of convolutional neural networks (CNN) on large samples of training data, an intelligent fault diagnosis method based on spectral kurtosis (SK) and attention mechanism is proposed. Firstly, the SK algorithm is used to obtain two-dimensional fast kurtosis graphs from vibration signals, and the two-dimensional fast spectral kurtosis graphs are converted into one-dimensional kurtosis time-domain samples, which are used as the input of CNN. Then the channel attention module (CAM) is added to CNN, and the weight is increased in the channel domain to eliminate the interference of invalid features. The accuracy of fault identification can reach 99.8 % by applying the proposed method on the fault diagnosis experiment of rolling bearings. Compared with the traditional deep learning (DL) method, the proposed method not only has higher accuracy, but also has lower dependence on the number of samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different anodized coatings are prepared on the surface of 2024 aluminum alloy from different solutions by pulse anodizing to improve corrosion resistance and hardness. The thickness, roughness, structure, hardness, surface morphology, and corrosion resistance of different anodized coatings are studied. It is found that the anodized coating is composed of a porous layer on the surface and a nonporous barrier layer inside, showing the structure of γ-Al2O3 and α-Al2O3. The anodized coating prepared from sulfuric acid solution mixed with oxalic acid and glycerol has a larger thickness and higher hardness. The surface morphology of the anodized coatings is porous. The thickness of the anodized coating prepared from oxalic acid solution is small and the pore distribution is not uniform. However, the anodized coating obtained from sulfuric acid solution mixed with oxalic acid and glycerol has the smallest average pore size of 6.38nm and ordered pore distribution, resulting in the best corrosion resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incorporating atom‐nanocluster interactions into Fe─N─C single‐atom catalysts (Fe‐SACs) represents a viable strategy for enhancing their oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity, however, further investigation is necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Herein, Cu nanoclusters are incorporated into Fe‐SACs to realize markedly enhanced pH‐universal ORR performance and investigate the underlying mechanism. The rate‐determining step (RDS) investigation reveals that the existence of Cu nanoclusters does not alter the RDS of Fe─N─C despite their differences in acidic, neutral, or alkaline media but instead optimizes the electronic configuration of Fe─N─C and significantly promotes the RDS. The synergistic effect between the Fe single atoms and Cu nanoclusters significantly enhances the half‐wave potential by 45, 90, and 18 mV in the HClO4, PBS, and KOH electrolytes, respectively. The catalysts further demonstrate remarkable maximum power densities of 971.4, 94.9, and 234.7 mW cm−2 in H2/O2 fuel cells, neutral Zn‐air batteries, and alkaline Zn‐air batteries, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a stereo camera system, a new diagnostic for the safety factor of the core plasma based on the pellet ablation trail is applied on the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST). In EAST discharge No. 128 874, a shattered pellet injection system is applied to inject a shattered neon pellet into the EAST. Since the strong magnetic field in tokamaks binds the ablated pellet material, the orientation of the pellet ablation trail is the same as the local magnetic field direction. Thus, from the three-dimensional reconstruction result of the pellet ablation trail, the local safety factor q can be obtained. The motional Stark effect (MSE) diagnostic is applied to determine the safety factor q profile in this shot. The determined safety factor q results for this new diagnostic are in quantitative agreement with those from the MSE diagnostic with the mean relative difference of only 6.8%, confirming the effectiveness of this new diagnostic of the safety factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Object detection occupies a very important position in the fishing operation and autonomous navigation of underwater vehicles. At present, most deep-learning object detection approaches, such as R-CNN, SPPNet, R-FCN, etc., have two stages and are based on anchors. However, the previous methods generally have the problems of weak generalization ability and not high enough computational efficiency due to the generation of anchors. As a well-known one-stage anchor-free method, CenterNet can accelerate the inference speed by omitting the step of generating anchors, whereas it is difficult to extract sufficient global information because of the residual structure at the bottom layer, which leads to low detection precision for the overlapping targets. Dilation convolution makes the kernel obtain a larger reception field and access more information. Multi-branch structure can not only preserve the whole area information, but also efficiently separate foreground and background. By combining the dilation convolution and multi-branch structure, multi-branch dilation convolution is proposed and applied to the Hourglass backbone network in CenterNet, then an improved CenterNet named multi-branch dilation convolution CenterNet (MDC-CenterNet) is built, which has a stronger ability of object detection. The proposed method is successfully utilized for detection of underwater organisms including holothurian, scallop, echinus and starfish, and the comparison result shows that it outperforms the original CenterNet and the classical object detection network. Moreover, with the MS-COCO and PASCAL VOC datasets, a number of comparative experiments are performed for showing the advancement of our method compared to other best methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a nonlightlike nondegenerate regular curve, we have the arc-length parameter and the Frenet-Serret type formula by using a moving frame like a regular space curve in the Euclidean space. If a point of the curve moves between spacelike and timelike regions, then there is a lightlike point. In this paper, we consider mixed types of not only regular curves but also curves with singular points. In order to consider mixed type of curves with singular points, we introduce a frame, so-called the lightcone frame, and lightcone framed curves. We investigate differential geometric properties of lightcone framed curves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin wound healing often leads to scar formation, presenting physical and psychological challenges for patients. Advancements in messenger RNA (mRNA) modifications offer a potential solution for pulsatile cytokine delivery to create a favorable woundhealing microenvironment, thereby preventing cutaneous fibrosis. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) enriched with N1-methylpseudouridine (m1?) modified transforming growth factor-ß3 (TGF-ß3) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) mRNA in promoting scar-free healing in preclinical models. The results demonstrated that the modified mRNA (modRNA)-loaded hADSCs efficiently and temporarily secreted TGF-ß3 and IL-10 proteins. In a dorsal injury model, hADSCs loaded with modRNA TGF-ß3 and IL-10 exhibited multidimensional therapeutic effects, including improved collagen deposition, extracellular matrix organization, and neovascularization. In vitro experiments confirmed the ability of these cells to markedly inhibit the proliferation and migration of keloid fibroblasts, and reverse the myofibroblast phenotype. Finally, collagen degradation mediated by matrix metalloproteinase upregulation was observed in an ex vivo keloid explant culture model. In conclusion, the synergistic effects of the modRNA TGF-ß3, IL-10, and hADSCs hold promise for establishing a scar-free wound-healing microenvironment, representing a robust foundation for the management of wounds in populations susceptible to scar formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mutations in the rhodopsin (RHO) gene are the predominant causes of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP). Given the diverse gain-of-function mutations, therapeutic strategies targeting specific sequences face significant challenges. Here, we provide a universal approach to conquer this problem: we have devised a CRISPR-Cas12i-based, mutation-independent gene knockout and replacement compound therapy carried by a dual AAV2/8 system. In this study, we successfully delayed the progression of retinal degeneration in the classic mouse disease model RhoP23H, and also RhoP347S, a new native mouse mutation model we developed. Our research expands the horizon of potential options for future treatments of RHO-mediated adRP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Olfactory impairment has been reported in patients with depression and in rodent models of depression. Olfactory epithelium (OE) is the only peripheral neural tissue connected to the brain that has the potential for self-renewal. We hypothesized the olfactory deficit during depression may be related to the dysfunction of OE progenitor cells. The aim of the present study was therefore to evaluate the expansion and neuronal differentiation potency of cultured OE progenitor cells obtained from a rat model of depression. Methods: Rats were exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress procedures to establish a depressive-like state. Depressive-like behavior and olfactory sensing function were then evaluated and compared with control rats. Primary OE progenitor cells were cultured in vitro. The proliferation potency and survival of OE progenitor cells were assessed by 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine staining and Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8), respectively, while cellular apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. The neuronal differentiation potency of OE progenitor cells was evaluated by measurement of the protein and mRNA level of β-3 tubulin, a marker of neural cells. mRNA expression associated with neural stemness was examined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: Depressive-like rats showed decreased olfactory function. OE progenitor cells from depressive-like rats showed reduced cell proliferation/survival and neuronal differentiation potency. Moreover, OE progenitor cells from depressive-like rats showed decreased expression of mRNA related to neural stemness. Conclusions: These results indicate the impaired function of OE progenitor cells may contribute to the olfactory deficit observed during depression. The OE may therefore provide a window for the study of depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Microglia-mediated neuroinflammation is a hallmark of neurodegeneration. Metabotropic glutamate receptor 8 (GRM8) has been reported to promote neuronal survival in neurodegenerative diseases, yet the effect of GRM8 on neuroinflammation is still unclear. Calcium overload-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-mitochondrial miscommunication has been reported to trigger neuroinflammation in the brain. The aim of this study was to investigate putative anti-inflammatory effects of GRM8 in microglia, specifically focusing on its role in calcium overload-induced ER stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Methods: BV2 microglial cells were pretreated with GRM8 agonist prior to lipopolysaccharide administration. Pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and the microglial polarization state in BV2 cells were then quantified. Cellular apoptosis and the viability of neuron-like PC12 cells co-cultured with BV2 cells were examined using flow cytometry and a Cell Counting Kit-8, respectively. The concentration of cAMP, inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate receptor (IP3R)-dependent calcium release, ER Ca2+ concentration, mitochondrial function as reflected by reactive oxygen species levels, ATP production, mitochondrial membrane potential, expression of ER stress-sensing protein, and phosphorylation of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-ΧB) p65 subunit were also quantified in BV2 cell. Results: GRM8 activation inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokine release and shifted microglia polarization towards an anti-inflammatory-like phenotype in BV2 cells, as well as promoting neuron-like PC12 cell survival when co-cultured with BV2 cells. Mechanistically, microglial GRM8 activation significantly inhibited cAMP production, thereby desensitizing the IP3R located within the ER. This process markedly limited IP3R-dependent calcium release, thus restoring mitochondrial function while inhibiting ER stress and subsequently deactivating NF-κB signaling. Conclusions: Our results indicate that GRM8 activation can protect against microglia-mediated neuroinflammation by attenuating ER stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, and that IP3R-mediated calcium signaling may play a vital role in this process. GRM8 may thus be a potential target for limiting neuroinflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart muscle has the unique property that it can never rest; all cardiomyocytes contract with each heartbeat which requires a complex control mechanism to regulate cardiac output to physiological requirements. Changes in calcium concentration regulate the thin filament activation. A separate but linked mechanism regulates the thick filament activation, which frees sufficient myosin heads to bind the thin filament, thereby producing the required force. Thick filaments contain additional nonmyosin proteins, myosin-binding protein C and titin, the latter being the protein that transmits applied tension to the thick filament. How these three proteins interact to control thick filament activation is poorly understood. Here, we show using 3-D image reconstruction of frozen-hydrated human cardiac muscle myofibrils lacking exogenous drugs that the thick filament is structured to provide three levels of myosin activation corresponding to the three crowns of myosin heads in each 429Å repeat. In one crown, the myosin heads are almost completely activated and disordered. In another crown, many myosin heads are inactive, ordered into a structure called the interacting heads motif. At the third crown, the myosin heads are ordered into the interacting heads motif, but the stability of that motif is affected by myosin-binding protein C. We think that this hierarchy of control explains many of the effects of length-dependent activation as well as stretch activation in cardiac muscle control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed a pyridine-catalyzed annulation of diaryl cyclopropenone with bromomethyl carbonyl compounds leading to 5-carbonyl furan-2(5H)-ones. Pyridinium, derived from the reaction of bromomethyl carbonyl and pyridine, triggered the reaction by the inter-molecular Michael addition to cyclopropenone. This procedure was sensitive neither to air nor moisture and proceeded at room temperature with broad substrate scopes and good functional group tolerance in moderate-to-good yields. As such, it represents a facile and practical pathway leading to 5-carbonyl furan-2(5H)-one derivatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of unsupported shocks is theoretically investigated using the method of characteristics. It is found that the location and the speed of the generated non-uniform shock (NUS) front vary with the propagation time and the initial compression strength. The relationship between the NUS front location and the propagation time is asymptotically parabolic, while the speed of the NUS front decreases gradually with the propagation time. These analytical derivations are verified using computer simulations of unsupported shocks in 2D dusty plasmas performed here. The transition of the NUS front speed found previously [Sun et al., Phys. Plasmas 28, 103703 (2021)] using data fitting with the simulation data is re-investigated and further confirmed with the theoretical derivation of the NUS front in the current investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objects: This study was designed to explore the risk factors of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in distal gastric cancer with early stage, and to provide reference for the choice of treatment protocols. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, 824 early distal gastric cancer (EDGC) cases who treated at our unit from 2010 to 2020 were selected as research objects. Subsequently, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate the associations between LNM and clinicopathological features. Results: Of these 824 EDGC cases, 140 (17.0%) developed LNM, including 72 N1 stage and 68 N2‐3 stage LNM. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the tumor diameter ≥1.75 cm (odds ratio (OR) = 2.361, p < 0.001), tumor location (OR = 1.552, p = 0.046), histological classification (p = 0.004), tumor infiltration depth (OR = 2.154, p = 0.001), and vascular infiltration (OR = 4.354, p < 0.001) as independent predictors for LNM. Logistic regression analyses based on 756 N0‐1 LNM cases identified the smoking history (OR = 0.507, p = 0.043), tumor diameter ≥1.75 cm (OR = 2.265, p = 0.010), tumor location (OR = 1.834, p = 0.036), histological classification (p = 0.018), tumor infiltration depth (OR = 1.939, p = 0.034), and vascular infiltration (OR = 3.225, p < 0.001) as independent predictors for N1 LNM. Moreover, preoperative hypoalbuminemia (OR = 7.087, p = 0.015), significant preoperative weight loss (OR = 2.724, p = 0.023), tumor diameter ≥1.75 cm (OR = 5.484, p = 0.001), multiple tumors (OR = 9.986, p = 0.038), histological classification (p = 0.029), and vascular infiltration (OR = 33.704, p < 0.001) were proved to be associated with LNM for T1a tumors. Conclusions: The tumor diameter, location and infiltration depth, histological classification, and vascular infiltration were expected to be used as predictors of LNM in EDGC, and preoperative hypoalbuminemia, significant weight loss, tumor diameter and number, histological classification, and vascular infiltration were associated with LNM for T1a tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we construct the multi-state Dirac stars (MSDSs) consisting of two pairs of Dirac fields. The two pairs of Dirac fields are in the ground state and the first excited state, respectively, with opposite spins to ensure that the system possesses spherical symmetry. We discuss the solutions of the MSDSs under synchronized and nonsynchronized frequencies. By varying the ratio of masses between the two sets of Dirac fields, different branches of solutions can be obtained. Furthermore, we analyze the characteristics of the various MSDSs solutions and analyze the relationship between the ADM mass M of the MSDSs and the synchronized and nonsynchronized frequencies. Subsequently, we calculate the binding energy E B of the MSDSs and discuss the stability of the solutions. Then, we investigated the solutions of the MSDSs under the single particle condition. Finally, we discuss the feasibility of simulating the dark matter halos using MSDSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• New analytical model is established for investigating thermoelastic wave propagation behavior of general FGM sandwich rectangular plates. • Refined analytical expression that preserves continuity is proposed to describe material properties of general FGM sandwich structures. • Approach for determining thermal strain energy of plate structures is presented by introducing Green's nonlinear strain. • Analytical model and theoretical framework are verified by numerical simulations and comparison with published date. • Systematic parametric analysis on thermoelastic wave propagation response of FGM sandwich rectangular plates. The present work is dedicated to investigating the thermoelastic wave propagation behavior of sandwich rectangular plates (SRP) made of functionally graded material (FGM). The main contribution lies in the partial modification of basic theoretical expressions and solution methods to improve the accuracy of practical system models. An analytical model with three types of general configurations is established. The porosity distribution in FGM layers depends on the degree of mixture of the constituent materials, with the FGM layers without porosity taken as a reference model. The effect of porosity within FGMs is addressed through a refined analytical formulation of material properties, and the temperature-dependent material properties of FGM sandwich structures (FGMSS) maintain continuity through the thickness. This improved framework introduces a porosity function encompassing three distinct structural and geometrical functions: the core-to-thickness ratio (CTR), porosity volume fraction (PVF), and porosity distribution function (PDF). It is worth mentioning that the theoretical expressions maintain good continuity and reliability under the influence of thermal conditions and system parameters of the proposed structures. Furthermore, considering the generation of thermal strain energy (TSE) caused by thermal expansion of the structure in the normal direction, an improved analytical approach for determining TSE in rectangular plate structures is then investigated by introducing the Green's nonlinear strain (GNS). Hamilton's principle is applied to derive the wave motion equations and analytical solutions for the wave dispersion relations are derived. Furthermore, accurate numerical simulation is performed and the solution is verified with data available in published resources. In addition, we present a systematic parametric analysis to examine the effects of porosity, configuration, power-law exponent (PLE), PVF, CTR, temperature, and wave number on the thermoelastic wave propagation behavior of FGMSRP. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corrosive wear is a key factor affecting the safe operation of offshore engineering equipment. In this study, Co 19.6 Cr 19.6 Fe 19.6 Ni 19.6 (B 13.72 Si 5.88) 19.6 Y 2 and Fe 43.6 Ni 17.4 Cr 9 Co 6 B 17.5 Si 1.5 Nb 5 coatings were prepared on the surface of 304 stainless steel using laser cladding technology. Dry wear and corrosive wear behavior of both coatings and 304 stainless steel were comparatively studied under different loads. The results show that both coatings are mainly composed of FCC solid solution, boride, and Laves phases. The average microhardness of Co 19.6 Cr 19.6 Fe 19.6 Ni 19.6 (B 13.72 Si 5.88) 19.6 Y 2 and Fe 43.6 Ni 17.4 Cr 9 Co 6 B 17.5 Si 1.5 Nb 5 coatings are 578.6 HV 0.2 and 632.5 HV 0.2 , respectively. The dry wear resistance of Fe 43.6 Ni 17.4 Cr 9 Co 6 B 17.5 Si 1.5 Nb 5 coating is approximately 3 times that of 304 stainless steel under all friction load conditions. It can be found that the Fe 43.6 Ni 17.4 Cr 9 Co 6 B 17.5 Si 1.5 Nb 5 coating with high hardness is less sensitive to friction load changes during dry wear process. In 3.5 wt% NaCl solution, the corrosive wear resistance of CoCrFeNiBSiY coating under friction loads of 30 N and 50 N is 2.68 times and 2.83 times that of 304 stainless steel, respectively. The excellent corrosive wear resistance performance of the CoCrFeNiBSiY coating is mainly attributed to its superior corrosion resistance and repassivation ability. During the corrosive wear process, a dense passivation film is formed on the surface of both coatings, which significantly reduces their friction coefficient and volume loss rate. • Laser cladding coatings were successfully prepared on 304 stainless steel substrate. • Laser cladding coatings with high hardness are less sensitive to frictional loads. • The increase in friction load accelerates the formation of oxide layer on the coating surface. • The CoCrFeNiBSiY coating exhibits superior corrosive wear resistance. • A dense passivation film is formed on the surface of both coatings in corrosive wear environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Gradient narrowing and gradient droplet flow fields is proposed considering gas-water distribution characteristics. • Performance and gas-water distribution are greatly improved with gradient flow fields. • Effect of contact resistivity on performance varies in ratio of channel to rib area. • Gradient narrowing flow field performs best and its geometric parameters are analyzed. Ensuring sufficient gas supply and high distribution uniformity are crucial issues in the flow field design to improve the performance and durability of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). However, previous studies often ignore the gas-water distribution variations along the flow direction and adopt identical design for the entire flow field, resulting in unsatisfactory performance. To fill in this gap, this paper innovatively proposes two types of gradient flow field (gradient narrowing and gradient droplet) considering the gas-water distribution characteristics. The channel of the gradient narrowing flow field gradually decreases in all directions along the flow direction, and the gradient droplet flow field is composed of staggered droplet blocks, and the distribution density gradually decreases along the flow direction. The Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method is used for the comprehensive evaluation of flow fields. The results demonstrate that the gradient flow field can significantly improve the performance and physical field distribution. The gradient narrowing flow field has the best performance, with 11.39 % improvement in peak power density, 77.96 % increment in average oxygen mass fraction, and 43.11 % improvement in oxygen uniformity compared to parallel flow field. Further, the key geometric parameters sensitivity analysis of gradient narrowing flow field is carried out. This study contributes to understanding the underlying mechanism of mass transfer properties in the novel gradient flow field, and exploring its potential for high-performance flow fields design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disposal of coal gasification fine slag (CGFS) has caused environmental pollution and resource waste. Its decarbonization is the bottleneck of aluminum and silicon resource utilization. A fluidization-melting combustion system is proposed in this study to realize the decarbonization. The fluidized thermal modification and burnout characters of residual carbon in CGFS were investigated experimentally on a bench-scale test rig. A two-stage decarburization path of CGFS was concluded and verified. The fluidized modification of CGFS is first conducted to decrease the particle size and improve the specific surface area and combustion reactivity. So, the modified exposed carbon in CGFS rapidly burns in the melting furnace to generate the condition above the fluid temperature of minerals. Then the mineral shell of the amorphous mineral covered carbon in CGFS is molten and damaged, and the carbon appears and burns out. The decrease in the thermal modification temperature induced deceases in melting combustion temperature and decarbonization efficiency. Efficient decarbonization of CGFS produced by three different entrained bed gasifiers was realized by the fluidization-melting combustion, the decarburization efficiencies are all above 95% and the comprehensive carbon contents of ash and slag are all below 5%. • Treatment of gasification fine slag by a fluidization-melting combustion system. • A two-stage decarburization path of gasification fine slag is concluded. • The combustion reactivity is improved through the fluidized thermal modification. • Mineral shell is damaged and residual carbon burns out during melting combustion. • Efficient decarbonization of three kinds of gasification fine slag is verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Label-free microscopy directly images live samples without fluorescent markers, providing a panoramic view of biological structures and functions. However, pursuing high-throughput and high-content live cell imaging requires both higher spatial resolution and larger field of view, which are limited by the optical system. In this study, we custom-built a 5▪/0.35 objective with a field number of 28 mm, providing a space-bandwidth product of 34 megapixels, which is four times greater than that of commercial high-throughput objectives such as the Nikon Lambda series (4▪/0.2, 10▪/0.45, 20▪/0.75). Furthermore, we incorporated Fourier ptychography microscopy (FPM) into the system, achieving a synthetic numerical aperture of 0.72, suitable for digital pathology and long-term live cell observation. To improve the FPM performance, we proposed a phantom-based calibration method for quantitative correction of illumination angle errors. Additionally, this method can also serve as an initial step for the on-line calibration. The remarkable capabilities of our 5▪/0.35 objective have been demonstrated, as well as the effectiveness of computational label-free microscopy. Furthermore, by combining our original FPM with more advanced hardware and algorithms, our FPM can achieve higher performance. • Custom-built a high-throughput objective lens. • Developed a Fourier ptychography microscopy system based on the high-throughput objective lens. • Introduced a phantom-based calibration method for illumination angle correction. • Integrated traditional optical design techniques with computational imaging methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A representative modern calibration dataset is an essential prerequisite for a reliable quantitative reconstruction of paleoclimate. However, there has been a notable lack of systematic research on the optimal filtering of calibration sets. Four representative high-resolution pollen records were selected to repeatedly reconstruct paleoclimate using multiple approaches such as geographical distance, analogues and climate gradient. Comparisons of pollen-based reconstructions indicate that these varied approaches exhibit significant discrepancy in model performance and reconstruction accuracy under different geographical circumstances and time scales. Generally, in terms of calibration-set selection, the geographical distance method demonstrates greater efficiency for the plain region, but exhibit limitations in areas characterized by significant topographic changes. Analogue-calibration has been found to be more suitable for the edge of the database and also has been proven superior to other two methods for reconstructions exceed Holocene. Selecting calibration sets based only on climate gradients is inappropriate for independent applications, but may act as a limitation for other methods. This preliminary research can contribute to a more precise projection of potential future climate changes by providing essential data input or validating hindcasts for Earth system models. • The approach of the calibration-set selection does matter much to the accuracy of quantitative climate reconstruction. • The distance-calibration is suitable for plain areas, but not for areas with significant topographic changes or atthe edge of the database. • Analog-calibration is aneffective method for the area with complex terrain, as well as for long-time series. • Gradient-calibration could not be used alone, but shouldbetaken into the other two methodsin the meantime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, titled "Derivation of shock front evolution with rarefaction wave and its verification in dusty plasma simulations," was published in the journal Physics of Plasmas. It discusses the correction of an error in the math equation on page 3 of the online version of the article, which has been rectified in all online versions as of February 9, 2024. The corrected equation is now accurately represented in the printed version of the journal. The authors of the article are Xin Chen, Chen Liang, Shaoyu Lu, Dong Huang, and Yan Feng. [Extracted from the article]

[Display omitted] • SLD exhibits higher drainage efficiency during urban peripheral flood. • STD outperforms in draining rainfall-induced waterlogging. • Medium spacing performs better in sudden-onset peripheral flooding. • Maximizing inlet spacing is more effective in draining rainfall-induced flooding. Drainage inlets, the primary conduits for surface floodwater into underground facilities, significantly influence the performance of a drainage system. This study employs a two-dimensional hydrodynamic model to investigate how drainage inlet distribution affects urban flood dynamics and drainage flow discharge. We first validate the model with dataset obtained in a dedicated experiment observing urban surface and drainage flows. We identified two common layouts of drainage inlets, namely straight-line distribution (SLD) and surround type distribution (STD), and based on the two layouts, we simulated detailed surface flood dynamics and drainage discharge under various urban flood conditions and inlet spacing scenarios. The results indicate that SLD exhibits higher drainage capacity in shorter time and greater total drainage volume under urban peripheral flood condition, while STD consistently outperforms in draining urban surface flooding induced by intense rainfall. It is also found that inlet spacing plays a crucial role in affecting drainage efficiency. To be specific, both layouts with medium spacing (l 0 = 0.53 for SLD and 0.93 for STD) near flood-prone areas perform better when a sudden-onset peripheral flooding occurred; however, in the case of rainfall-induced flooding, maximizing inlet spacing and strategically distributing them across urban streets proves to be a more effective strategy for draining floodwater. Individual inlets near the ends of SLD and inlets at far-corners of STD shoulder higher drainage loads. This study provides valuable insights for optimizing inlet layout strategies under various urban flood conditions and improving floodwater collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of renewable energy is an important way to solve the energy crisis, and wind power is one of the most mature new energy technologies. This paper studies the potential of applying the viscoelastic damper to mitigate vibrations of the OWT tower under wind-wave loadings. The viscoelastic damper directly converts the horizontal deformation of the tower into the shear deformation of the viscoelastic material for energy dissipation, which provides a new idea for suppressing the dynamic response of the OWT. According to OWT structural dynamic characteristics and load conditions, a new high damping wall-type viscoelastic damper (HVED) control is developed. The mechanical properties of HVED are investigated by full scale test. A numerical vibration response analysis of the controlled and uncontrolled 4 MW OWT was carried out in ANSYS. Results indicate that the HVED can significantly reduce the dynamic response of OWT and increase its fatigue life. • A new high damping viscoelastic damper (HVED) is proposed to mitigate the vibration of OWT. • Advantages of HVED are significant energy dissipation, wide-frequency control, and convenient installation. • Full scale test was conducted to verify the mechanical properties of HVED. • Interaction of soil and structure (SSI) was considered in the finite element analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The m6A regulators are altered in patients with scleroderma. • Random forest is a good model for predicting the likelihood of scleroderma. • TNC/FTO may be a target for regulating skin fibrosis in scleroderma. m6A regulators have important roles in a variety of autoimmune diseases, but their potential function in scleroderma, a refractory connective tissue disease, remains unclear. Tenascin C (TNC) is known to be a factor promoting collagen deposition in the development of scleroderma, but the regulatory relationship between TNC and m6A regulators is unknown. We extracted GSE33463 data consisting of forty-one healthy controls and sixty-one patients with scleroderma, and we analyzed the expression levels of twenty-one m6A regulators as well as the associations between them. In addition, we obtained random forest (RF) and nomogram models to predict the likehood of scleroderma. Next, we categorized the m6Aclusters and geneclusters by consensus clustering, and we performed an immune cell infiltration analysis for each cluster. Finally, we injected adenoviruses into a bleomycin (BLM)-induced mouse model of scleroderma, which was used to overexpress FTO and TNC. We assess the extent of skin fibrosis in the mice samples using pathology stains and measuring their hydroxyproline content and collagen mRNA. We initially identified fourteen differentially expressed m6A regulators (WTAP, RBM15, CBLL1, FTO, ALKBH5, YTHDC1, YTHDC2, YTHDF1, YTHDF2, YTHDF3, RBMX, HNRNPC, IGFBP1 and IGFBP2). We found ALKBH5 to be positively associated with CBLL1 and RBM15, and FTO to be negatively associated with WTAP. In addition, we identified four m6A regulators (CBLL1, IGFBP1, YTHDF2 and IGFBP2) using a RF model, and we designed a nomogram model with those variables that proved reliable according to the calibration curve and clinical impact curve. We found that the m6Acluster A was correlated with Type 1 T helper cell infiltration and the genecluster A was correlated with regulatory T cell infiltration. Finally, we showed that FTO overexpression downregulated the m6A and mRNA levels of TNC, and alleviated skin fibrosis in the mouse model of scleroderma. Thus, our overexpression experiments provide preliminary evidence suggesting that TNC is an adverse factor in scleroderma. Our approach might be useful as a new and accurate scleroderma diagnosis method. Moreover, our results suggested that FTO/TNC might be a novel scleroderma therapeutic target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A high-efficiency evaporator of carbon foam was produced from industrial lignin. • Carbon foam with excellent characteristics was suitable for solar evaporation. • The size and shape of this carbon foam evaporator was adjustable. • The structure evaluation of carbon foam was conducted for solar evaporation. • A high evaporation rate of 2.11 kg m−2h−1 under 1-sun was achieved. Interfacial solar evaporation has emerged as a promising method for clean water production. Among the various types of evaporators, biomass-based carbon evaporators have garnered significant attention due to their renewability and low cost. However, biomass-based carbon materials still face certain challenges, including limitations in terms of their morphology, size adjustability, light absorption capability, and mechanical strength. To overcome these issues, a novel carbon foam evaporator has been developed and extensively optimized. The carbon foam can be directly synthesized from industrial lignin powder without the need for any additives, using a simple and environmentally friendly methodology that involves foaming, carbonization, and activation processes. The evaporator demonstrates remarkable attributes, encompassing swift water transport capacity, broad-spectrum sunlight absorption, expeditious photo-thermal conversion capability, low density (0.281 g cm−3), low thermal conductivity (0.0473 W m−1 K−1), and a profusion of micro-pores (1430.49 m2/g of S BET). The developed lignin-based solar evaporator achieves a high water evaporation rate of 2.11 kg m−2h−1, coupled with an impressive evaporation efficiency of 93.37 % under 1 sun. Furthermore, the evaporator demonstrates exceptional resistance to salt accumulation and exhibits efficient recycling capabilities. Notably, the evaporator's flexible and plastic nature enhances its versatility and holds great promise for its application in the field of solar-powered seawater desalination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Shorter or higher steps lead to shallower water depths but higher flow velocities. • A branch staircase has lower water depths and flow velocities than the main one. • Underground staircase transforms a subcritical flow into a supercritical flow. • Longer or lower steps, as well as branch lines, provide greater stability to the pedestrian. Underground flooding is intensifying due to urban expansion and more frequent extreme precipitation. Staircases are crucial for accessing underground spaces and evacuation during floods and it is of both academic and practical value to investigate how floodwater and the induced hazard evolve over underground staircases. This study examines flood dynamics on underground staircases and its relationship with staircase characteristics through a series of numerical experiments using a two-dimensional (2D) hydrodynamic model. The study also uncovers how staircase design influences flood hazard levels. Results indicate that shorter or higher steps lead to shallower water depths but higher flow velocities. The branch staircase experiences smaller water depths and flow velocities than the main one. The presence of staircase transforms a subcritical flow into a supercritical flow. Except in extremely deep floodwaters, pedestrians are more vulnerable to sliding than toppling on staircases. The stability of the human body is greater on steps with longer length and lower height (26.56°) or the branch line of the junction type. The relative stability of the human body is not necessarily a guarantee of complete safety and must be analyzed in conjunction with the comprehensive safety factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Uveitis is one of the ocular manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that is often overlooked and has been considered a sign of severe IBD. As typical subtypes of IBD, differences exist in the prevalence of uveitis between Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Our study systematically assessed differences in the prevalence of uveitis between CD and UC. Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used. We performed a systematic review of published literature from PubMed and Embase on 30 March 2022. Two investigators independently selected studies, extracted data and evaluated methodological quality. Either a fixed‐ or a random‐effects model was used to calculate the risk ratio (RR), odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) depending on the heterogeneity of studies. Sensitivity analysis was used to examine the heterogeneity by removing article by article, while subgroup analysis was conducted in accordance with various regions. Results: Our study included data from 14 studies encompassing 115 854 participants. The prevalence of uveitis in IBD was estimated to be 2.38% (95% CI 1.60%–3.17%). The prevalence of uveitis in CD (3.27%, 95% CI 2.15%–4.39%) was significantly higher than in UC (1.60%, 95% CI 0.93%–2.27%; RR 1.76, 95% CI 1.39–2.22, p < 0.05). In subgroup analysis, a higher incidence of CD combined with uveitis was also observed in IBD patients residing in Europe (RR 1.75, 95% CI 1.37–2.24). Conclusions: Data from 115 854 IBD patients showed that CD patients were more likely to suffer from uveitis than UC patients. Ocular manifestations in IBD, particularly CD, warrant greater attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stratum cavity collapse induced by water and sand leakage in a subway tunnel is a sudden urban geological disaster, which can cause serious casualties and economic losses. In response to the hazards of stratum cavity collapse induced by water and sand leakage around subway tunnels, a set of visual test devices with variable hole diameters were designed to simulate the stratum cavity collapse induced by water and sand leakage under comprehensive consideration of the size of the cavity diameter, clay thickness, clay strength, and so on. Based on pressure arch theory and unified strength theory, a critical calculation formula was established for stratum cavity collapse under two modes, of tensile shear and shear failure. Furthermore, the accuracy of the theoretical calculation formula was verified by experiment. The results show that the critical radius increases with the increase of clay strength and decreases with the increase of buried depth and friction angle. Clay soil is more prone to shear failure at the arch foot under the same conditions. The larger the soil sand mix ratio and the cavity diameter, the smaller the critical water pressure of soil collapse. The thicker the soil layer, the greater the critical water pressure. The theoretical analysis method has a clear physical meaning and the theoretical results agree well with the test results. The research results are of great significance for the warning of and prevention of such urban geological disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Degradable photosensitive acrylate monomer for DLP 3D printing. • Fast and controlled hydrogel degradation under mild conditions. • Degradable hydrogel networks are used as sacrificial templates. • Potential applications in the fields of microfluidics and flexible electronics. Digital light processing (DLP)-based 3D printing of hydrogels with sophisticated structures has been widely used in myriads of fields. However, the inherent covalently crosslinked network of hydrogels limits their further applications, such as working as sacrificial molds. In this work, a photocurable hydrogel system with labile covalent bonds suitable for DLP based printing to fabricate 3D complex hydrogel structures with fast- and controlled degradation ability is reported. The hydrogel precursor is composed of polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG400), a water soluble photoinitiator, and PEGDA575-Do, a degradable photocurable diacrylate monomer that can be degraded in aqueous condition via reversable aza-Michael addition reaction. The mechanical properties of formed hydrogels can be regulated by changing the PEG content and water content, and the degradation rate can be regulated by changing parameters such as PEG400 content, water content and the treating temperature. Moreover, the DLP printed degradable hydrogels networks can be used as sacrificial molds to fabricate structures from materials that cannot be directly used for DLP 3D printing (e.g. thermoplastic polycaprolactone (PCL), epoxy-based resin, and chocolate). As proofs-of-concept, a microfluidic chip is fabricated by using the biocompatible 3D printed hydrogel as a sacrificial template. Similarly, a flexible RFID tag and a flexible self-powered device are also prepared, demonstrating the potential applications in the field of flexible electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• New technology to analyze a panel of 88 serum sphingolipid metabolites. • Identified a biomarker for the accurate diagnosis of WD and the evaluation of cirrhosis risk in individuals with WD. • Uncovered the sphingolipid metabolism signature in patients with WD. The diagnosis of Wilson's disease (WD) remains a challenging endeavor in clinical practice. Serum sphingolipids play a significant role in the development of liver disease. In this study, we examined the serum sphingolipid profile in patients with WD and explored the potential diagnostic utility of serum sphingolipid metabolites. These metabolites may aid in distinguishing WD patients from healthy controls and identifying those with a risk of cirrhosis. This study consecutively enrolled 26 WD patients and 88 healthy controls. We utilized high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry to analyze a panel of 88 serum sphingolipid metabolites. The data were analyzed by multivariate statistical methods. Among the 88 sphingolipids metabolites analyzed, 17 sphingolipids were observed significant differences between WD and HC groups (all P < 0.05). Notably, five sphingolipids, namely S1P (d18:1), Cer (d18:2/21:0), SM41:2, sph(d18:1), and Cer (d18:2/22:0), each with an AUC exceeding 0.9, emerged as potential biomarkers for WD. Additionally, in the comparison between WD patients with and without cirrhosis, 24 sphingolipid metabolites exhibited significant differences (all P < 0.05). We identified Cer(d18:1/20:0), Cer(d18:2/22:0), Cer(d18:2/24:0), Cer(d18:2/20:0), and Cer(d18:2/18:0), each with an AUC exceeding 0.9, as potential serological markers for WD patients with cirrhosis. For enhanced clinical applicability, we propose considering Cer (d18:2/22:0) as a predictive marker applicable to both WD patients and their susceptibility to cirrhosis. This particular ceramide has exhibited strong diagnostic and predictive performance. These findings have the potential to facilitate non-invasive WD diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The humid-heat exposure has more substantial impacts on morbidity compared to high temperature alone. • Humid-heat-related morbidity burden in Shanghai is projected to escalate as GHGs emission increase, particularly in humid-heat nights. • Adhering to SSP126 scenario will reduce the humid-heat-related morbidity burden by nearly 13.0% relative to SSP585. Increased attention has been paid to humid-heat extremes as they are projected to increase in both frequency and intensity. However, it remains unclear how compound extremes of heat and humidity affects morbidity when the climate is projected to continue warming in the future, in particular for a megacity with a large population. We chose the Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index as the metric to characterize the humid-heat exposure. The historical associations between daily outpatient visits and daily mean WBGT was established using a Distributed Lag Non-linear Model (DLNM) during the warm season (June to September) from 2013 to 2015 in Shanghai, a prominent megacity of China. Future morbidity burden related to the combined effect of high temperature and humidity were projected under four greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission scenarios (SSP126, SSP245, SSP370 and SSP585). The humid-heat weather was significantly associated with a higher risk of outpatient visits in Shanghai than the high-temperature conditions. Relative to the baseline period (2010–2019), the morbidity burden due to humid-heat weather was projected to increase 4.4 % (95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.1 %–10.1 %) even under the strict emission control scenario (SSP126) by 2100. Under the high-GHGs emission scenario (SSP585), this burden was projected to be 25.4 % (95 % CI: 15.8 %–38.4 %), which is 10.1 % (95 % CI: 6.5 %–15.8 %) more than that due to high-temperature weather. Our results also indicate that humid-hot nights could cause large morbidity risks under high-GHGs emission scenarios particularly in heat-sensible diseases such as the respiratory and cardiovascular disease by the end of this century. Humid heat exposures significantly increased the all-cause morbidity risk in the megacity Shanghai, especially in humid-hot nights. Our findings suggest that the combined effect of elevated temperature and humidity is projected to have more substantial impact on health compared to high temperature alone in a warming climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past years, human computer interaction (HCI) research and innovation have developed substantially, leading to a number of fruitful research topics. In this paper, we surveyed the HCI research and innovation in China from a 10-year perspective. We analyzed the popular research methodology and topics among Chinese researchers, including human modeling, user interface techniques, context awareness, user acceptance and performance, user experience design, human-AI interaction, HCI applications and social influences. We also conducted a bibliography analysis on the published papers in top-tier conferences and journals, which revealed a significant rising trend, and a generally broad distribution of research types. Moreover, we described typical applications and the industry influence of the research outcomes. We concluded with implications and reflections for HCI researchers across the world and shared the future research trends envisioned by Chinese researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the top ten causes of death worldwide, taking the lives of over a million people annually. In addition to being a serious health issue, TB is also closely linked to eradicating poverty according to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN). All UN members have committed to ending the TB epidemic by 2030. China has one of the highest TB loads worldwide, ranking third in the world on many TB burden indices. The national strategy for TB control is aimed at creating a collaborative network and integrating TB treatment into the medical system. According to the WHO's global TB report, China is expected to have 748,000 new cases of TB in 2022 and an incidence of 52 cases per 100,000 people. Ending TB remains a huge challenge and requires comprehensive control strategies in China. In this work, we have discussed the challenges of TB prevention and control in China and proposed specific measures to end TB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Immunotherapy targeting PD-1/PD-L1 has revolutionized the treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). However, clinical trials suggest differential efficacy of anti-PD-1 agents and anti-PD-L1 agents in first-line treatment of ES-SCLC. This retrospective multicenter study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of anti-PD-1 agents versus anti-PD-L1 agents in first-line treatment of ES-SCLC in real-world practice. Methods: Patients with pathologically or cytologically confirmed ES-SCLC treated with platinum plus etoposide combined with anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 agents as first-line treatment in different centers of PLA General Hospital between January 2017 and October 2021 were included for this study. Survival outcomes and safety were compared between patients receiving anti-PD-1 and PD-L1 agents. Results: Of the total 154 included patients, 68 received anti-PD-1 agents plus chemotherapy (PD-1 group), and 86 received anti-PD-L1 agents plus chemotherapy (PD-L1 group). Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in the entire cohort were 7.6 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.5–8.2 months) and 17.4 months (95% CI: 15.3–19.3 months), respectively. Median PFS and OS were comparable between the PD-1 group and PD-L1 group (PFS: 7.6 months vs. 8.3 months, HR = 1.13, 95% CI: 0.79–1.62, p = 0.415; OS: 26.9 months vs. 25.6 months, HR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.63–1.47, p = 0.859. The objective response rate and disease control rate were comparable between the two groups: 79.4% vs. 79.1% and 92.6% vs. 94.2%, respectively. The 6-month, 12-month, and 18-month PFS and OS rates were slightly higher in the PD-L1 group than in the PD-1 group, while the 24-month PFS rate was slightly higher in the PD-1 group than in the PD-L1 group. Stratified analysis showed that locoregional thoracic radiotherapy and normal lactate dehydrogenase level were independent predictors of better OS in ES-SCLC patients treated with first-line chemotherapy plus ICI. Adverse events were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions: Anti-PD-1 agents and anti-PD-L1 agents combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for ES-SCLC are comparably effective and well tolerated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, the large-scale preparation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be achieved by using fluidized bed devices and a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. We selected a layered double hydroxide (LDH) as the catalyst carrier, and investigated the effects of different catalyst particle sizes and temperature conditions on the growth of CNTs using a fluidized bed. The catalyst particles of an appropriate size have a significant impact on the fluidization performance and the yield of the final CNTs. Comparing the catalyst particles of 120 mesh, 60 mesh, and 40 mesh sizes, the volume of the product after the 40-mesh catalyst growth is more than 32 times the volume of the initial feedstock added. The ferromagnetic material in the CNTs/magnetic-sheet composite obtained from this bulk in situ preparation combines well with the highly conductive CNTs to achieve a better impedance matching. Benefiting the "wire/capacitor" composite structure, the minimum reflection loss (RL) value of −40.0 dB is achieved at a frequency of 5.0 GHz. More importantly, the effective absorption bandwidth (RL < −10.0 dB) is 3.7 GHz, which occurs in the high frequency (14.3–18.0 GHz) region at a thickness of 1.5 mm. The results show that the composite can be applied to the field of high-frequency microwave absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our research endeavors are directed towards unraveling the stem cell characteristics of lower-grade glioma patients, with the ultimate goal of formulating personalized treatment strategies. We computed enrichment stemness scores and performed consensus clustering to categorize phenotypes. Subsequently, we constructed a prognostic risk model using weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA), random survival forest regression analysis as well as full subset regression analysis. To validate the expression differences of key genes, we employed experimental methods such as quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) and assessed cell line proliferation, migration, and invasion. Three subtypes were assigned to patients diagnosed with LGG. Notably, Cluster 2 (C2), exhibiting the poorest survival outcomes, manifested characteristics indicative of the subtype characterized by immunosuppression. This was marked by elevated levels of M1 macrophages, activated mast cells, along with higher immune and stromal scores. Four hub genes—CDCA8, ORC1, DLGAP5, and SMC4—were identified and validated through cell experiments and qPCR. Subsequently, these validated genes were utilized to construct a stemness risk signature. Which revealed that Lower-Grade Glioma (LGG) patients with lower scores were more inclined to demonstrate favorable responses to immune therapy. Our study illuminates the stemness characteristics of gliomas, which lays the foundation for developing therapeutic approaches targeting CSCs and enhancing the efficacy of current immunotherapies. By identifying the stemness subtype and its correlation with prognosis and TME patterns in glioma patients, we aim to advance the development of personalized treatments, enhancing the ability to predict and improve overall patient prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reusing spent anodes is a pivotal step for recycling lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, it proves challenging to completely eliminate Cu impurities from spent graphite (SG), which hinders the effective recycling of spent anodes. In this paper, a straightforward air oxidation method is proposed to directly upgrade spent anodes into stable CuO/C anodes by harnessing the inherent Cu impurities in spent anodes. The air oxidation process not only repairs the SG to some extent but also generates uniformly dispersed CuO nanoparticles, which chemically bind with the repaired graphite (RG) through Cu–O–C bonds. The specific discharge capacity of the CuO/RG anode can reach as high as 647 mA h g−1 even after 500 cycles (at 372 mA g−1 ). In addition, this program is found to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by ∼80% compared to previously reported CuO/C production programs. Clearly, this approach provides a new direction for large-scale recycling of spent LIBs and low-cost production of high-performance CuO/C anodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) acquires an immunosuppressive microenvironment, leading to unbeneficial therapeutic outcomes. Hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (HMMR) plays a crucial role in tumor progression. Here, we found that aberrant expression of HMMR could be a predictive biomarker for the immune suppressive microenvironment of HCC, but the mechanism remains unclear. We established an HMMR-/- liver cancer mouse model to elucidate the HMMR-mediated mechanism of the dysregulated "don't eat me" signal. HMMR knockout inhibited liver cancer growth and induced phagocytosis. HMMRhigh liver cancer cells escaped from phagocytosis via sustaining CD47 signaling. Patients with HMMRhighCD47high expression showed a worse prognosis than those with HMMRlowCD47low expression. HMMR formed a complex with FAK/SRC in the cytoplasm to activate NF-ΰB signaling, which could be independent of membrane interaction with CD44. Notably, targeting HMMR could enhance anti-PD-1 treatment efficiency by recruiting CD8+ T cells. Overall, our data revealed a regulatory mechanism of the "don't eat me" signal and knockdown of HMMR for enhancing anti-PD-1 treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ice cream manufacture commonly results in the accumulation of wasted product that contains valuable food-grade quality components, including fat, carbohydrates, and protein. Methods have been developed for recovering the fat from this waste stream, but this results in the generation of a co-product rich in fermentable carbohydrates. This study aimed to investigate the potential for using this co-product as a fermentation substrate for production of antimicrobial peptides, called bacteriocins, by dairy starter cultures. Results showed that Streptococcus thermophilus B59671 and Lactococcus lactis 11454 produced the broad-spectrum bacteriocins thermophilin 110 and nisin, respectively, when the fermentation substrate was melted ice cream, or a co-product generated by a modified butter churning technique. Bacteriocin production varied depending on the brand and variety of vanilla ice cream used in this study. When an alternate enzyme-assisted fat extraction technique was used, S. thermophilus metabolism was impaired within the resulting co-product, and thermophilin 110 production was not observed. Lactococcus lactis was still able to grow in this co-product, but antimicrobial activity was not observed. Results from this study suggest the co-product generated when using the churning technique is a better choice to use as a base medium for future studies to optimize bacteriocin production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the tissue specificity of cardiac genome editing using adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. The researchers discovered that the commonly used AAV9-Tnnt2 system had some gene expression leakage in the liver. To address this issue, they incorporated microRNA-122 target sequences (miR122TS) into the AAV9-Tnnt2 vectors, which effectively reduced liver leakage without affecting cardiac gene expression. The study emphasizes the need to improve the tissue specificity of gene editing techniques for cardiovascular research and gene therapy applications. [Extracted from the article]

Peripheral nerve deficits give rise to motor and sensory impairments within the limb. The clinical restoration of extensive segmental nerve defects through autologous nerve transplantation often encounters challenges such as axonal mismatch and suboptimal functional recovery. These issues may stem from the limited regenerative capacity of proximal axons and the subsequent Wallerian degeneration of distal axons. To achieve the integration of sensory and motor functions, a spatially differential plasmid DNA (pDNA) dual‐delivery nanohydrogel conduit scaffold is devised. This innovative scaffold facilitates the localized administration of the transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) gene in the proximal region to accelerate nerve regeneration, while simultaneously delivering nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 2 (NMNAT2) to the distal region to mitigate Wallerian degeneration. By promoting autonomous and selective alignment of nerve fiber gap sutures via structure design, the approach aims to achieve a harmonious unification of nerve regeneration, neuromotor function, and sensory recovery. It is anticipated that this groundbreaking technology will establish a robust platform for gene delivery in tissue engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CRISPR‐based gene therapies are making remarkable strides toward the clinic. But the large size of most widely used Cas endonucleases including Cas9 and Cas12a restricts their efficient delivery by the adeno‐associated virus (AAV) for in vivo gene editing. Being exceptionally small, the recently engineered type V‐F CRISPR‐Cas12f1 systems can overcome the cargo packaging bottleneck and present as strong candidates for therapeutic applications. In this study, the pairwise editing efficiencies of different engineered Cas12f1/sgRNA scaffold combinations are systemically screened and optimized, and the CasMINI_v3.1/ge4.1 system is identified as being able to significantly boost the gene editing activity. Moreover, packaged into single AAV vectors and delivered via subretinal injection, CasMINI_v3.1/ge4.1 achieves remarkably high in vivo editing efficiencies, over 70% in transduced retinal cells. Further, the efficacy of this Cas12f1 system‐based gene therapy to treat retinitis pigmentosa in RhoP23H mice is demonstrated by the therapeutic benefits achieved including rescued visual function and structural preservation. And minimal bystander editing activity is detected. This work advances and expands the therapeutic potential of the miniature Cas12f1 system to support efficient and accurate in vivo gene therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multimeric aptamers have gained more attention than their monomeric counterparts due to providing more binding sites for target analytes, leading to increased affinity. This work attempted to engineer the surface‐based generation of multimeric aptamers by employing the room temperature rolling circle amplification (RCA) technique and chemically modified primers for developing a highly sensitive and selective electrochemical aptasensor. The multimeric aptamers, generated through surface RCA, are hybridized to modified spacer primers, facilitating the positioning of the aptamers in the proximity of sensing surfaces. These multimeric aptamers can be used as bio‐receptors for capturing specific targets. The surface amplification process was fully characterized, and the optimal amplification time for biosensing purposes was determined, using SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein (SP). Interestingly, multimeric aptasensors produced considerably higher response signals and affinity (more than 10‐fold), as well as higher sensitivity (almost 4‐fold) compared to monomeric aptasensors. Furthermore, the impact of surface structures on the response signals was studied by utilizing both flat working electrodes (WEs) and nano‐/microislands (NMIs) WEs. The NMIs multimeric aptasensors showed significantly higher sensitivity in buffer and saliva media with the limit of detection less than 2 fg/ml. Finally, the developed NMIs multimeric aptasensors were clinically challenged with several saliva patient samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]