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A comparative study of high chromium (Super304H) and high manganese low chromium heat-resistant steel (HT630) was carried out at 650 °C in steam. Results indicate that the high manganese content in HT630 significantly improved its oxidation resistance. It is ascribed to the formation of a dense protective MnCr2O4 oxide layer during oxidation. MnCr2O4 layer effectively inhibits the diffusion of iron, suppresses the growth of iron-rich oxides, promotes the formation of an iron-rich protective interface with the matrix, and improves the overall oxidation resistance.

Solid waste filling is an important development direction for filling mining. This research proposes the preparation of solid waste-based cemented paste backfill (SWCPB) to fill the underground mined area by using waste rock and copper slag as the mixed aggregate and granulated blast furnace slag, steel slag, and desulfurization gypsum as raw materials of solid waste binder to reduce the environmental hazards caused by the industrial solid wastes. Based on the response surface method, experiments are designed to analyze the effect patterns of different factors on the mechanical properties of SWCPB. The formation mechanism of SWCPB mechanical properties is explored based on various microscopic analysis techniques. The mix proportions of SWCPB are designed based on machine learning. The results show that the strength of SWCPB increases and then decreases with the increase of the proportion of copper slag, and gradually increases with the increase of the steel slag dosage and binder-aggregate ratio. The alkaline environment provided by the steel slag causes the glass body in granulated blast furnace slag to depolymerize and react with desulfurization gypsum to produce hydration products, which are the main source of mechanical properties formation in SWCPB. The machine learning model constructed in this research paper has high prediction accuracy for the strength of backfill, which can achieve high-precision optimization of backfill mix proportion. The research results could guide the recycling of solid waste and the efficient use of filling mining technology.

Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) has become a common disease-causing cognitive deficit in humans, second only to Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Chuanzhitongluo capsule (CZTL) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) preparation known for its effective protection against cerebral ischemia. However, its potential to ameliorate VCI remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the cognitive improvement effects of CZTL in a mouse model of VCI. Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) was induced in mice by bilateral common carotid artery stenosis (BCAS) to simulate the pathological changes associated with VCI. Spatial learning and memory abilities were assessed using the Morris Water Maze (MWM). RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was employed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the hippocampus. Levels of inflammatory factors were measured through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while immunofluorescence (IF) determined the expression intensity of target proteins. Western Blot (WB) confirmed the final action pathway. Results indicated that CZTL significantly improved the spatial learning and memory abilities of CCH mice, along with alterations in gene expression profiles in the hippocampus. It also reduced neuroinflammation in the hippocampus and upregulated the choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and α7 subunit-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR), which are in synaptic plasticity and neuronal development. Moreover, CZTL inhibited the NF-κB signaling pathway. In conclusion, CZTL may alleviate neuroinflammation induced by CCH and improve cognitive impairment in CCH mice by regulating the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAIP) involving ChAT/α7nAChR/NF-κB.

Post-heat treatment and in-situ rolling, both can be used to improve the coarse grains and anisotropy that are prevalent in metallic materials, fabricated by wire and arc additive manufacturing (WAAM). In this study, the effect of in-situ rolling and heat treatment on the microstructure, mechanical and corrosion behaviors of WAAM 316L was investigated. The results showed that the microstructure of WAAM 316L changed considerably due to the introduction of rolling deformation, as it was observed that the ferrite was distributed in a reticulated or equiaxed morphology instead of dendritic distribution, columnar grains were found to be engulfed, while a large number of low angle grain boundaries (LAGBs) with high dislocation density were introduced. After heat treatment at 650 °C, there was no significant change in grain morphology, ferrite gradually transformed into σ phase, the tensile strength increased, yield strength and elongation decreased. After heat treatment above 1000 °C, the strength and ductility of the rolled WAAM 316L were higher than those of the unrolled WAAM 316L. As the heat treatment temperature increased, the corrosion resistance first decreased and then increased. In-situ rolling resulted in a decrease in the corrosion current density of the steel and also reduced the stability of the passive film.

Phthalates (PAEs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are frequently detected in females of reproductive age. Many studies have found that environmental PAE and PAH levels are independent risk factors for gestational hypertension. However, exposure to both components is a more realistic scenario. To better assess the health effects of PAEs and PAHs in pregnant women, we explored the associations of exposure to both individual and combined PAEs and PAHs with gestational hypertension. This nested case–control study was a component of a prospective cohort study conducted in Beijing, China. We included 206 women with gestational hypertension and 214 pregnant controls. We used gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS) to detect 8 PAEs and 13 PAHs in > 80 % of all collected hair samples. Multiple linear regression models were employed to test the individual associations between each component and gestational hypertension. A quantile-based g-computation (qgcomp) model and a weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression model were used to estimate whether exposure to both PAEs and PAHs increased the risk of gestational hypertension. The individual exposure analyses revealed that diethyl phthalate (DEP), diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) (both PAEs), benzo(k)fluoranthene (BKF), anthracene, (ANT), and benzo(a)pyrene (BAP) (all PAHs) were positively associated with increased risk of gestational hypertension. In mixed-effect analyses, the qgcomp model indicated that co-exposure to PAEs and PAHs increased the risk of gestational hypertension (odds ratio = 2.01; 95 % confidence interval: 1.02, 3.94); this finding was verified by the WQS regression model. Our findings support earlier evidence that both PAEs and PAHs increase the risk of gestational hypertension, both individually and in combination. This suggests that reductions in exposure to endocrine system-disrupting chemicals such as PAEs and PAHs might reduce the risk of gestational hypertension.

Increasing evidences have revealed a close relationship between various environmental exposures and reproductive health. The real-world complex exposure scenario along with intricate interactions effects of these exposures has high demands of exposome-wide association studies for human risk assessment. With the development of exposomic studies, applying hair exposome to link environmental factors and reproductive health outcomes has obvious potential advantages. However, the reliability of utilizing hair to characterize exposome is always of high concern for researchers. In this review, we briefly summarized studies about the effects of environmental exposures on several typical reproductive health outcomes, described state-of-the-art situation of applying hair exposome for reproductive health risk assessment, elucidated the advantages (e.g., containing abundant exposure factors, low expenses for sampling, and tracing exposure history), and proposed the unsolved issues in this area. We also conducted a comprehensive discussion about the reliability of various hair biomarkers and primarily established the biomarker databases. Finally, a standardized framework on using hair exposome for reproductive health study was proposed to provide fundamental approach for future studies. We concluded that it is promising to apply hair exposome to evaluate the effects of the environmental factors on human reproductive health.

Introduction: Gastric cancer is one of the common malignancies worldwide, and drug resistance is a major factor contributing to the difficulty of treatment in gastric cancer. Zuojinwan (ZJW) has been found to exhibit a certain inhibitory effect on tumor cells. However, the molecular mechanisms of ZJW reversing drug resistance in gastric cancer are still unclear. Method: Human gastric cancer cisplatin-resistant cells SGC-7901/DDP and BGC-823/DDP were divided into control groups, DDP groups (10 μg/mL), 2-DG (5 mM) groups, and ZJW (50 μg/mL) combined with DDP (10 μg/mL) groups. After 48 h of culture, cell proliferation inhibition rate, glucose uptake rate, ATP, and lactate production were detected. Following lentiviral transfection to overexpress GLUT1 and HDAC1, western blot analysis was employed to examine the expression of HDAC1, P53, Ace-p53, and glucose metabolism-related proteins such as GLUT1, LDHA, HK II in the cells. Results: The combination of ZJW and DDP significantly inhibits the proliferation and glycolysis of cisplatin resistant gastric cancer cells. Compared with the DDP group, the combination of ZJW and DDP exhibited a higher inhibition rate (P

Summary: Environmental variation selects for the adaptive plasticity of maternal provisioning. Even though developing honeybees find themselves in a protected colony environment, their reproductively specialized queens actively adjust their maternal investment, even among worker-destined eggs. However, the potentially adaptive consequences of this flexible provisioning strategy and their mechanistic basis are unknown. Under natural conditions, we find that the body size of larvae hatching from small eggs in large colonies converges with that of initially larger larvae hatching from large eggs typically produced in small colonies. However, large eggs confer a persistent body size advantage when small and large eggs are cross-fostered in small and large colonies, respectively. We substantiate the increased maternal investment by identifying growth-promoting metabolomes and proteomes in large eggs compared to small eggs, which are primarily enriched in amino acid metabolism and cell maturation. Thus, our study provides a comprehensive adaptive explanation for the worker egg size plasticity of honeybees.

The development of the eco-economy has become an important way to promote sustainable development and address climate change worldwide. Implementing eco-economic developmental policy globally or locally requires establishing precise indicators. Currently, there are many studies on eco-economy indicators at the academic level, but the eco-economy indicators researched at the academic level are difficult to be implemented and applied by local governments in China, and there is a knowledge gap between the political sector and the academic sector in the process of cooperation. This mainly stems from the lack of whole-process research and analysis that combines government practice and academic research. We attempt to analyze the differences in the understanding of eco-economic indicators between academics and government decision-makers through the study of the establishment process of China's local eco-economic indicator system. We try to find out the reasons for the knowledge gap between academics and government decision-makers, and to build a knowledge bridge between government practice and academic research. At the same time, China, as the largest developing country and an emerging country in the construction of ecological civilization, is worth studying and learning from its experience in the construction of eco-economic indicators. Therefore, we systematically study the connotation of China's eco-economy and the development process of the indicators. And we combine with the practical experience, describe the method and specific process of constructing eco-economy indicators at the provincial scale of the Chinese government. Meanwhile, we put forward the limitations of the construction of the eco-economy indicator system in Liaoning Province. In addition, we analyze in detail the characteristics and attributes of the ecological economy indicators in Liaoning Province, as well as the relationship of these indicators to the implementation of national strategies and to the SDGs. The discipline contributions and scientific and technological concerns of the indicator system's creation are reviewed, and additional improvement ideas are presented. It is expected that the practice of eco-economic indicators in China will further promote eco-economy development and provide methodological reference for countries to measure the level of eco-economic development.

Background & Aims: Bulevirtide (BLV) is a small lipopeptide agent that specifically binds to the sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) bile salt transporter and HBV/HDV receptor on the surface of human hepatocytes and inhibits HDV and HBV entry. As a satellite virus of HBV, HDV virions are formed after assembly of HDV RNA with the HBV envelope proteins (HBsAg). Because both viruses exist as eight different genotypes, this creates a potential for high diversity in the HBV/HDV combinations. To investigate the sensitivity of various combinations of HBV/HDV genotypes to BLV, clinical and laboratory strains were assessed. Methods: For the laboratory strains, the different envelopes from HBV genotypes A through H were combined with HDV genotypes 1–8 in cotransfection assays. Clinical plasma isolates were obtained from clinical studies and academic collaborations to maximise the diversity of HBV/HDV genotypes tested. Results: The mean BLV EC50 against HDV laboratory strains ranged from 0.44 to 0.64 nM. Regardless of HBV and HDV genotypes, the clinical isolates showed similar sensitivities to BLV with mean values that ranged from 0.2 to 0.73 nM. Conclusions: These data support the use of BLV in patients infected with any HBV/HDV genotypes. Impact and implications: This study describes the potent activity of BLV against multiple laboratory strains spanning all HBV/HDV A–H/1–8 genotype combinations and the most diverse collection of HDV clinical samples tested to date, including HBV/HDV genotype combinations less frequently observed in the clinic. Overall, all isolates and laboratory strains displayed similar in vitro nanomolar sensitivity to BLV. This broad-spectrum antiviral activity of BLV has direct implications on potential simplified treatment for any patient infected with HDV, regardless of genotype, and supports the new 2023 EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines on HDV that recommend antiviral treatment for all patients with CHD.

Summary: Cancer is a major health threat and a leading cause of human death worldwide. Surgical resection is the primary treatment for most cancers; however, some patients develop locoregional recurrence. Here, we developed an in situ cancer therapeutic system aimed to locally treat cancer and prevent postoperative recurrence. A functional scaffold, based on alginate/gelatin and crosslinked with copper ions, was fabricated by 3D printing and showed an excellent photothermal effect under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. The combination of copper ions and NIR effectively killed thyroid cancer cells and patient-derived organoids, indicating a synergetic and broad-spectrum antitumor effect on thyroid cancer through the chemo-photothermal therapy. This implantable stent is designed to provide effective treatment in the vicinity of the tumor site and can be degraded without secondary surgery. The copper-loaded hydrogel scaffold may be a potential candidate for local cancer treatment and pave the way for precise and effective cancer therapy.

Progressive bone marrow (BM) fat accumulation is a common bone loss characteristic in older populations and glucocorticoid (GC)-induced skeletal destruction that is inversely associated with bone synthesis and directly associated with increased peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) expression. PPARγ inhibition is an efficient therapeutic strategy for aged- and GC-related skeletal disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of PPARγ inhibition on aged GC-treated female rats. It was hypothesised that bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) could inhibit marrow adiposity and improve osteogenesis by inhibiting PPARγ, thereby preventing GC-induced osteoporosis (GIO). Female Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 32, age = 18 months) were randomly allocated to one of the following groups: (1) control, (2) BADGE (30 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneal), (3) methylprednisolone (MP; 30 mg/kg/day, subcutaneous), and (4) MP + BADGE. After eight weeks of treatment, bone density (BD) and trabecular bone microarchitectures were quantified by micro-computed tomography (CT), and BM adipocytes were quantified by histopathology. Additionally, mRNA and protein expression of adipogenic and osteogenic markers were quantified by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, serum bone turnover biomarker levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. MP treatment led to marrow adipogenesis and bone deterioration. However, rats treated with MP + BADGE showed lower marrow adipogenesis, as indicated by smaller marrow adipocyte diameter, decreased density and area percentages, reduced expression of marrow adipogenic genes and proteins, improved BD and trabecular microarchitectures, increased expression of osteogenic genes and proteins, and higher levels of serum bone formation markers. These results were consistent with the differences observed between control and BADGE mono-treated rats. In conclusion, BADGE treatment attenuates BM adiposity and improves bone formation in aged GC-treated female rats by inhibiting PPARγ. Therefore, PPARγ might be a potential target for treating GIO in older populations.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to apply the Six Sigma methodology and failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) to mitigate errors in intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) treatment planning with the first clinical installation of RefleXion X1. Methods and Materials: The Six Sigma approach consisted of 5 phases: define, measure, analyze, improve, and control. The define, measure, and analyze phases consisted of process mapping and an FMEA of IMRT and SBRT treatment planning on the X1. The multidisciplinary team outlined the workflow process and identified and ranked the failure modes associated with the plan check items using the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group 100 recommendations. Items with the highest average risk priority numbers (RPNs) and severity ≥7 were prioritized for automation using the Eclipse Scripting Application Programming Interface (ESAPI). The “improve” phase consisted of developing ESAPI scripts before the clinical launch of X1 to improve efficiency and safety. In the “control” phase, the FMEA ranking was re-evaluated 1 year after clinical launch. Results: Overall, 100 plan check items were identified in which the RPN values ranged from 10.2 to 429.0. Fifty of these items (50%) were suitable for automation within ESAPI. Of the 10 highest-risk items, 8 were suitable for automation. Based on the results of the FMEA, 2 scripts were developed: Planning Assistant, used by the planner during preparation for planning, and Automated Plan Check, used by the planner and the plan checker during plan preparation for treatment. After 12 months of clinical use of the X1 and developed scripts, only 3 errors were reported. The average prescript RPN was 138.0, compared with the average postscript RPN of 47.8 (P < .05), signifying a safer process. Conclusions: Implementing new technology in the clinic can be an error-prone process in which the likelihood of errors increases with increasing pressure to implement the technology quickly. To limit errors in clinical implementation of the novel RefleXion X1 system, the Six Sigma method was used to identify failure modes, establish quality control checks, and re-evaluate these checks 1 year after clinical implementation.

Terahertz (THz) absorbers with high absorptivity across a wide frequency band have attracted considerable interest. In this paper, we present the design of an ultra-broadband THz metamaterial absorber with high absorptivity based on a single-layer square silicon array and a silicon film backed with metallic gold. It is numerically demonstrated that the absorption exceeds 90% covering the frequency range of 0.62–8.75 THz (with an effective absorption bandwidth of 8.13 THz) when the conductivity of semiconductor (undoped silicon) is 600 S/m. Diffraction and impedance-matched induce strong absorption and the corresponding broad bandwidth. The proposed ultra-broadband THz absorber is polarization-insensitive at normal incidence. It can operate over a rather wide range of incidence angle up to 60 degrees for transverse magnetic (TM) terahertz wave. This work provides a way to achieving ultra-broadband terahertz absorption, which is very useful in the development of terahertz imaging, high sensitivity sensors and detection.

Filling mining with solid waste resources as aggregates is an important development direction for cleaner production in mines. The hydration products have an important effect on the mechanical properties of superfine tailings cemented paste backfill (SCPB). This paper investigates the mechanism of hydration product formation and thermal decomposition properties of SCPB by a series of experiments combined with thermal decomposition kinetics. Also, to optimize the mechanical properties of SCPB, the effect of Nano SiO2 (NS) on the related properties of SCPB is investigated. The results show that there are two main stages of the thermal decomposition of SCPB, and the kinetic models of these two stages are both reaction order models. After adding NS, the kinetic model of the second stage of thermal decomposition of SCPB is changed to random nucleation and growth model. The substances that undergo thermal decomposition reactions in the first stage are mainly hydration products such as ettringite and C-S-H, while the substances that undergo thermal decomposition reactions in the second stage are carbonates. The activation energy E and pre-exponential factor A of the first stage of thermal decomposition of SCPB with NS added are significantly improved, which indicates a more stable structure of its hydration products. The microscopic test results show that NS can promote the hydrolysis of C3S and gypsum and increase the production of hydration products, which in turn improves the strength of SCPB. In addition, the addition of NS to SCPB decreases the Ca/Si and increases the average silica chain length of C-S-H gels, while the H2O/Si decreases and the silica group increases, resulting in the enhancement of the structure of C-S-H gels.

Directed energy deposition (DED) has a widely application prospect, but dendrite and component segregation are not easily controlled and predicted. In this study, the method of applying ultrasonic assisted rolling was introduced to the DED to eliminate above phenomenon. A multiple process microstructure evolution simulation (involved melting, solidification, dynamitic recrystallization and grain growth) was also carried out, which introduced ultrasonic effect in the form of energy. The influence of ultrasonic amplitude (A), distance between laser focus point and ultrasonic roller (d0) on microstructure of Pb-Sn alloy deposition layer were explored. There is a good consistency between experiment and simulation with relative error of 4.33%. The results show that the roundness of grains is improved significantly after rolling, and the grain are refined with the increase of A and d0. In all tests of this study, comprehensive effect of ultrasonic rolling achieves the best when d0 is taken as 24 mm and A is taken as 20 μm, the average grain diameter (D0) in grain size counted zone is 18.8 μm which is 23.23% lower than that without rolling. This study laid a foundation for the development of ultrasonic assisted rolling DED and provide a multiple process microstructure simulation method.

Additive and subtractive hybrid manufacturing (ASHM) technology has attracted extensive attention in industry and academia because of its vast design freedom and surface accuracy. The powder bed fusion (PBF) process has high forming accuracy, the ASHM of PBF process is more suitable for integrated precision manufacturing of components with complex internal structures. However, existing process planning for ASHM are not suitable for the ASHM of PBF process because of the limitation by the powder bed. This research work focused on planning the process for the ASHM of the PBF process, while dividing it into three stages. Firstly, a model adaptive compensation algorithm is proposed to retain the finish machining allowance. Then, considering tool accessibility and constraint of the powder bed, the compensation model is decomposed into several sub-models and the hybrid manufacturing of sub-models in the sequence of construction. Finally, some unprocessed parts of the internal structure could be re-process after removing the parts from the powder bed. Combined with experiments and examples, this hybrid manufacturing process planning can provide technical support for the integrated precision manufacturing of components with a complex internal structure based on the ASHM of the PBF process.

Cemented paste backfill (CPB) is wildly used in mines production practices around the world. The strength of CPB is the core of research which is affected by factors such as slurry concentration and cement content. In this paper, a research on the UCS is conducted by means of a combination of laboratory experiments and machine learning. BPNN, RBFNN, GRNN and LSTM are trained and used for UCS prediction based on 180 sets of experimental UCS data. The simulation results show that LSTM is the neural network with the optimal prediction performance (The total rank is 11). The trial-and-error, PSO, GWO and SSA are used to optimize the learning rate and the hidden layer nodes for LSTM. The comparison results show that GWO-LSTM is the optimal model which can effectively express the non-linear relationship between underflow productivity, slurry concentration, cement content and UCS in experiments (R=0.9915, RMSE = 0.0204, VAF = 98.2847 and T = 16.37 s). The correction coefficient (k) is defined to adjust the error between predicted UCS in laboratory (UCSM) and predicted UCS in actual engineering (UCSA) based on extensive engineering and experimental experience. Using GWO-LSTM combined with k, the strength of the filling body is successfully predicted for 153 different filled stopes with different stowing gradient at different curing times. This study provides both effective guidance and a new intelligent method for the support of safety mining.

The microstructures and tribological properties of CoCrFeMoNi high entropy alloy (HEA) before and after sulfurization were compared and discussed in the present study. The results showed that the CoCrFeMoNi HEA was mainly composed of FCC solid solution. After being sulfurized at 260℃ for 2 h, the FeS/MoS2 multisulfides solid lubricant films with a thickness of approximately 5.0 μm were successfully fabricated and well combined with the HEA. The stable friction coefficients and weight losses of the sulfurized HEA (0.15 and 4.25 mg) were decreased obviously than the original HEA (0.47 and 15.1 mg). At the beginning of the friction, the friction coefficient of the sulfurized HEA was easier to reach into stable stage. Because of the synergistic work of FeS and MoS2 lubricant phases, the sulfides boundary lubricant films were formed in the later stage of friction under the wearing condition, which could help the friction system work for longer time under lower friction coefficient. Keywords: Laser cladding, Ion sulfurization, High entropy alloy, Multisulfides film, Tribological property

An improved analytical model is developed to predict the dynamic response of clamped lightweight sandwich beams with cellular cores subjected to shock loading over the entire span. The clamped face sheets are simplified as a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) system, and the core is idealized using the rigid-perfectly-plastic-locking (RPPL) model. Reflection of incident shock wave is considered by incorporating the bending/stretching resistance of the front face sheet and compaction of the core. The model is validated with existing analytical predictions and FE simulation results, with good agreement achieved. Compared with existing analytical models, the proposed model exhibits superiority in two aspects: the deformation resistance of front face sheet during shock wave reflection is taken into account; the effect of pulse shape is considered. The practical application range of the proposed model is therefore wider. Keywords: Sandwich beam, Cellular core, Shock loading, Analytical model

In this article, we propose a numerical method to solve the viscous Burgers’ equation in one and two dimensions using the Localized Differential Quadrature (LDQ) scheme. To approximate spatial derivatives, we use the differential quadrature technique locally in a neighborhood of each node using Lagrangian weights and then march the numerical solution in time using the Taylor’s series approximation. Convergence analysis is done by observing that the error between the numerical and exact solutions goes to zero as the number of subdivisions of the spatial domain increases. The localization technique of the differential quadrature method maintains the stability and accuracy of our proposed numerical scheme. We test our proposed numerical scheme using LDQ for several examples. In comparison with several other known methods in the literature, our numerical results confirm the effectiveness of our proposed method and demonstrate their advantages over other known methods in terms of accuracy and computational complexity.

Prenatal exposure to ambient PM2.5 has been proved to be related to pregnant women’s physical health and birth outcomes. However, the damage from air pollution on pregnant women’s mental health has not been fully discussed. A case-control study was conducted to evaluate the effects of PM2.5 exposure and risk perception on the mental stress of pregnant women. A total of 605 pregnant women, including 403 high symptoms of stress cases and 202 matched controls, were recruited from January 2018 to December 2018 in Nanjing, among which 313 high symptoms of stress cases and 144 matched controls were included in the analysis. Meaningfully high symptoms of anxiety were defined with a score of 6 points or greater on the phobic anxiety subscale of the Crown-Crisp index. We found that the PM2.5 effect perceived by the case group was significantly higher than the control group, and the PM2.5 exposure of the case group was also significantly higher than that of the control group. Binary logistic regression showed that for each increase in unit of PM2.5 exposure, the risk of pregnant women suffering from high mental stress increased by 13.76% (95 %CI: 8.26–19.53%). Through path analysis modeling, we found that in the case group, perceived indoor attributions not only had a direct impact on mental stress (p

Cardiac hypertrophy could be induced by ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure. Since cardiac hypertrophy represents an early event leading to heart dysfunction, it is necessary to explore the molecular mechanisms, which are largely unknown. In the present study, an ambient particulate matter exposure mice model was established to explore its adverse effects related to the heart and the potential mechanisms. Forty-eight male C57BL/6 mice were randomly subjected to three groups: filtered air group, unfiltered air group and concentrated air group, and were exposed for 8 and 16 weeks, 6 h/day, respectively. In vitro experiments, the cardiac muscle cell line (HL-1) was treated with PM2.5 (0, 25, 50 and 100 μg/mL) for 24 h. In the present study, cardiac hypertrophy was occurred in vivo and vitro after exposure to PM2.5. Mechanistically, circ_0001859 could sponge miR-29b-3p, which could interact with 3′UTRs of Ctnnb1 (gene name of β-catenin). And Ctnnb1 expression was transcriptionally inhibited by si-circ_0001859 or miR-29b-3p mimic in HL-1 cells. Additionally, miR-29b-3p inhibitor could also make a reversion about the inhibition effect of circ_0001859 silencing on Ctnnb1 mRNA level in HL-1 cells. Functionally, knockout of circ_0001859 or overexpression of miR-29b-3p could inhibit LEF1/IGF-2R pathway and alleviate the progress of hypertrophy induced by PM2.5 in HL-1 cells. And miR-29b-3p inhibitor could reverse the inhibition effect of circ_0001859 silencing on hypertrophic response induced by PM2.5 in HL-1 cells. Consequently, the data demonstrated that circRNA_0001859 promoted the process of cardiac hypertrophy through suppressing miR-29b-3p leading to enhance Ctnnb1 level, and activated downstream pathway molecules LEF1/IGF-2R.

Background: Evidence of maternal exposure to ambient air pollution on congenital heart defects (CHD) has been mixed and are still relatively limited in developing countries. We aimed to investigate the association between maternal exposure to air pollution and CHD in China. Method: This longitudinal, population-based, case-control study consecutively recruited fetuses with CHD and healthy volunteers from 21 cities, Southern China, between January 2006 and December 2016. Residential address at delivery was linked to random forests models to estimate maternal exposure to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of ≤ 1 µm (PM1), ≤2.5 µm, and ≤10 µm as well as nitrogen dioxides, in three trimesters. The CHD cases were evaluated by obstetrician, pediatrician, or cardiologist, and confirmed by cardia ultrasound. The CHD subtypes were coded using the International Classification Diseases. Adjusted logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between air pollutants and CHD and its subtypes. Results: A total of 7055 isolated CHD and 6423 controls were included in the current analysis. Maternal air pollution exposures were consistently higher among cases than those among controls. Logistic regression analyses showed that maternal exposure to all air pollutants during the first trimester was associated with an increased odds of CHD (e.g., an interquartile range [13.3 µg/m3] increase in PM1 was associated with 1.09-fold ([95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.18]) greater odds of CHD). No significant associations were observed for maternal air pollution exposures during the second trimester and the third trimester. The pattern of the associations between air pollutants and different CHD subtypes was mixed. Conclusions: Maternal exposure to greater levels of air pollutants during the pregnancy, especially the first trimester, is associated with higher odds of CHD in offspring. Further longitudinal well-designed studies are warranted to confirm our findings.

Ultralight all-metallic sandwich cylindrical shells with corrugated cores are designed and fabricated using a method involving tamping and shape correction. Quasi-static axial compressive behaviors of the sandwich shells are investigated using a combined experimental, theoretical and numerical approach. Based on the analytical model and numerical approach, systematic parametric study is carried out to explore the effects of key geometrical parameters on the failure load and energy absorption capacity. Minimum weight design as a function of the failure load is subsequently carried out for the proposed sandwich shell. As an attempt for further performance enhancement, the foam-filled corrugated-core sandwich cylindrical shell is proposed and a preliminary experimental study is carried out. The superiority of sandwich shells over monolithic shells in terms of initial failure load and energy absorption is clearly demonstrated, potentially important for applications demanding simultaneous ultra-lightweight, load-bearing and energy absorption. Keywords: Sandwich cylindrical shell, Corrugated core, Axial compression, Minimum weight design

A few clinical trials have recently reported the potential effect of colchicine in preventing post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) and early atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after catheter pulmonary vein isolation. However, the molecular mechanisms through which colchicine inhibits AF remain unclear. We aim to assess the anti-AF effect of colchicine in the rat sterile pericarditis (SP) model and to investigate its molecular mechanisms. SP was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by the epicardial application of sterile talc. Treatment with colchicine or vehicle began 1 d before pericardiotomy. AF was induced by transesophageal burst pacing on day 3 after surgery. Treatment with colchicine reduced the duration of AF and the probability of induction of AF in SP rats. The dose of 0.5 mg kg−1·day−1 had the best effect. Such treatment also reduced neutrophil infiltration, the mRNA expression of IL-6, TGF-β, and TNF-α, atrial fibrosis, fibrosis related genes, and signal molecules (STAT3, P38, and AKT). Meanwhile, the release of IL-1β (4−24 h) and IL-6 (4−72 h) in atria after surgery was significantly inhibited by colchicine. In cultured rat cardiac fibroblasts, colchicine treatment inhibited IL-1β-induced expression of IL-6, which was accompanied by significantly decreased phosphorylation of P38, AKT, JNK, and NFκB. Interestingly, the supplementation of IL-6 abolished the anti-AF effect of colchicine in SP rats. Colchicine prevents AF in SP rats through the inhibition of IL-1β-induced IL-6 release and subsequent atrial fibrosis. However, further studies are required to investigate whether colchicine inhibits POAF through other mechanisms.

Density-graded metallic foam projectiles are proposed for shock loading simulation, with special focus placed upon designing pressure pulses having specific shapes. Experiments are performed to explore the potential of density-graded foam projectiles in generating shock loadings of various pulse shapes. Subsequently, three-dimensional Voronoi foam models with varying gradient profiles along the length direction are constructed for finite element (FE) simulations, which are validated against the experimental data. Then, FE simulations of density-graded foam projectiles impacting a stationary rigid wall are conducted to quantify the effect of density gradient on the shape of the pressure pulse generated and explore the physical mechanisms underlying such effect. It is demonstrated that density gradient affects significantly local crushing stress and local density within the shock front when it propagates from the impact end to the other end of the foam projectile. Inspired by the FE simulation results and the classical Taylor impact model, one-dimensional theoretical model for density-graded foam projectiles is developed to predict the contact force between the projectile and the fixed rigid wall. Finally, the theoretical model is employed to determine the geometry, density gradient, and firing velocity of foam projectiles needed to generate shock loadings with prescribed pulse shapes. Keywords: Density-graded foam projectile, Shock loading simulation, Pulse shape design

A comparative optimal design of fluid-saturated prismatic cellular metal honeycombs (PCMHs) having different cell shapes is presented for thermal management applications. Based on the periodic topology of each PCMH, a unit cell (UC) for thermal transport analysis was selected to calculate its effective thermal conductivity. Without introducing any empirical coefficient, we modified and extended the analytical model of parallel–series thermal–electric network to a wider porosity range (0.7∼0.98) by considering the effects of two-dimensional local heat conduction in solid ligaments inside each UC. Good agreement was achieved between analytical predictions and numerical simulations based on the method of finite volume. The concept of ligament heat conduction efficiency (LTCE) was proposed to physically explain the mechanisms underlying the effects of ligament configuration on effective thermal conductivity (ETC). Based upon the proposed theory, a construct strategy was developed for designing the ETC by altering the equivalent interaction angle with the direction of heat flow: relatively small average interaction angle for thermal conduction and relatively large one for thermal insulation.

The concept of combining metallic honeycomb with folded thin metallic sheets (corrugation) to construct a novel core type for lightweight sandwich structures is proposed. The honeycomb–corrugation hybrid core is manufactured by filling the interstices of aluminum corrugations with precision-cut trapezoidal aluminum honeycomb blocks, bonded together using epoxy glue. The performance of such hybrid-cored sandwich panels subjected to out-of-plane compression, transverse shear, and three-point bending is investigated, both experimentally and numerically. The strength and energy absorption of the sandwich are dramatically enhanced, compared to those of a sandwich with either empty corrugation or honeycomb core. The enhancement is induced by the beneficial interaction effects of honeycomb blocks and folded panels on improved buckling resistance as well as altered crushing modes at large plastic deformation. The present approach provides an effective method to further improve the mechanical properties of conventional honeycomb-cored sandwich constructions with low relative densities.

Introduction and Objectives: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is prevalent and has deleterious effects on postoperative outcomes following liver transplantation (LT). The impact of nonselective beta-blockers (NSBBs) in patients with liver cirrhosis remains controversial. This study investigated the association between preoperative NSBB use and AKI after living donor LT (LDLT). Patients and Methods: We evaluated 2,972 adult LDLT recipients between January 2012 and July 2022. The patients were divided into two groups based on the preoperative NSBB use. Propensity score matched (PSM) and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analyses were performed to evaluate the association between preoperative NSBB use and postoperative AKI. Multiple logistic regression analyses were also used to identify the risk factors for AKI. Results: The overall incidence of AKI was 1,721 (57.9%) cases. The NSBB group showed a higher incidence of AKI than the non-NSBB group (62.4% vs. 56.7%; P = 0.011). After PSM and IPTW analyses, no significant difference in the incidence of AKI was found between the two groups (Odds ratio, OR 1.13, 95% confidence interval, CI 0.93–1.37, P = 0.230, PSM analysis; OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.99–1.44, P = 0.059, IPTW analysis). In addition, preoperative NSBB use was not associated with AKI after multivariate logistic regression analysis (OR 1.16, 95% CI 0.96–1.40, P = 0.118). Conclusions: Preoperative NSBB use was not associated with AKI after LDLT. Further studies are needed to validate our results.

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) has been applied in various fields because it allows the manufacture of parts with complex shapes. In this study, 316 L stainless steel specimens with 0 and 2 wt% Nb were fabricated using direct energy deposition, and heat treatment was performed at various temperatures. The addition of Nb changed the microstructure of the steel, including the grain size and Nb segregation. When heat treatment was performed, microstructural evolution of the cell boundary, dislocation density, and deformation twin density occurred. These microstructural changes improved the tensile properties of the heat-treated specimens containing Nb. The yield strength, tensile strength, and elongation of the specimens containing Nb with heat treatment at 800 °C were 530 MPa, 757 MPa, and 39%, respectively, which represent great improvements compared to specimens without Nb. These results show that the addition of Nb to 316 L stainless steel together with heat treatment at an appropriate temperature endow the additively manufactured stainless steel with excellent tensile properties.

Blue light can reach the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis of the skin and affect the physiology of each cell type. However, thus far, most studies have focused on the effects of blue light on the epidermis and dermis; no studies have been conducted on the effects of blue light on the hypodermis. In this study, we attempted to elucidate the effects of blue light on the hypodermis. Specifically, we investigated the effects of blue light on 3T3-L1 adipogenesis and its mechanism of action. In this study, we found that blue light reduced lipid accumulation and GPDH activity, indicating its antiadipogenic properties. Furthermore, blue light inhibited the mRNA and protein levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and its target genes, such as Fasn and FABP4, and the luciferase activity of the PPRE promoter, suggesting that blue light downregulates the expression of adipogenic genes, leading to suppression of 3T3-L1 adipogenesis. Furthermore, blue light increased the phosphorylation of PPARγ, indicating its anti-adipogenic effect through PPARγ degradation. Blue light upregulates the expression and phosphorylation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). Furthermore, blue light restored calcium influx, which was attenuated by adipogenesis. These data suggest that TRPV1 is involved in the anti-adipogenic effects of blue light. Blue light induced the phosphorylation of AMPK, ACC, and MAPKs, whereas capsazepine, an antagonist of TRPV1, attenuated the effects of blue light. Capsazepine treatment also reduced the blue light-induced anti-adipogenic effects. These results indicate that TRPV1 operates upstream of AMPK or MAPKs in the blue light-induced anti-adipogenesis process, which is mediated by activating the TRPV1-AMPK/MAPK signaling pathways. Meanwhile, inhibition of AMPK and MAPKs reduced the phosphorylation level of PPARγ, indicating that AMPK/MAPK signaling contributes to the phosphorylation of PPARγ. These results suggest the possibility of using blue light as an antiadipogenic agent.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has made significant impacts on global public health, including the development of several skin diseases that have arisen primarily as a result of the pandemic. Owing to the widespread expansion of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), the development of effective treatments for these skin diseases is drawing attention as an important social issue. For many centuries, ginseng and its major active ingredients, ginsenosides and saponins, have been widely regarded as herbal medicines. Further, the anti-viral action of ginseng suggests its potential effectiveness as a therapeutic agent against COVID-19. Thus, the aim of this review was to examine the association of skin lesions with COVID-19 and the effect of ginseng as a therapeutic agent to treat skin diseases induced by COVID-19 infection. We classified COVID-19-related skin disorders into three categories: caused by inflammatory, immune, and complex (both inflammatory and immune) responses and evaluated the evidence for ginseng as a treatment for each category. This review offers comprehensive evidence on the improvement of skin disorders induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection using ginseng and its active constituents.

Sterigmatocystin (STE) is a common hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic contaminant in cereals, however, its phytotoxicity and mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, the phytotoxic mechanisms of STE were investigated via the metabolomics of Amaranthus retroflexus L. A total of 140 and 113 differential metabolites were detected in the leaves and stems, respectively, among which amino acids, lipids, and phenolic compounds were significantly perturbed. Valine, leucine, isoleucine, and lysine biosynthesis were affected by STE. These metabolic responses revealed that STE might be toxic to plants by altering the plasma membrane and inducing oxidative damage, which was verified by measuring the relative electrical conductivity and quantification of reactive oxygen species. The elevated amino acids, as well as the decreased of D-sedoheptuiose-7-phosphate indicated increased proteolysis and carbohydrate metabolism restriction. Furthermore, the IAA level also decreased. This study provides a better understanding of the impacts of STE on the public health, environment and food security.

Dipentodon sinicus Dunn. (Dipentodonaceae) is a rare and threatened relict plant species usually found co-dominating with other relict plants in subtropical forest patches in highly fragmented habitats of southwestern China, northern Vietnam and northeastern Myanmar of East Asia. To date, its management and conservation strategies in the light of climate change have not been explored. We evaluated effects of climate change on the distribution of climatically suitable areas of D. sinicus as found prevailing during the last glacial maximum (LGM), the mid-Holocene and the present time, and predicted the distribution of climatically suitable habitats in 2070 throughout East Asia. The results as derived from ecological niche modeling (ENM) show the current distribution to be limited to the prehistoric (the mid-Holocene and LGM) refugia, and to indicate decreasing probability of presence and a reducing range of distribution for 2070. In addition, the suitable areas predicted with high probability (0.5–1) only account for on average 9.8% of the total area of potential habitats (threshold‒1) among the models for the year 2070, thereby indicating that D. sinicus is highly vulnerable. Under all the future scenarios for the year 2070, 69–74.2% of potential habitats in China would be outside protected areas. We assess and propose priorities for protected areas, and provide suggestions for conservation management strategies.