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• We construct a measure of managerial optimism using textual and nonparametric estimation. • We explore the impact of managerial sentiment on company operational efficiency. • Managerial optimism positively influences stock price returns over the subsequent year. • This research offers practical implications for management at the firm-level. This study constructs a measure of managerial optimism using textual and nonparametric estimation methods, exploring its impact on company operational efficiency and market reactions. Findings indicate that managerial optimism positively influences stock price returns over the subsequent year by enhancing internal operational efficiency and reducing analyst forecast dispersion, with a more pronounced effect in state-owned enterprises. Utilizing information from the MD&A (Manager Discussion and Analysis) section of annual reports, this research demonstrates the role of managerial optimism in company operations and market reactions, offering empirical evidence for corporate behavioral finance research and practical implications for management practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a digital fabrication method for a speech aid prosthesis by using a 3D-printed polyetheretherketone (PEEK) framework. The computer-aided design (CAD) of the speech aid prosthesis framework was based on oral scan data. The framework was printed with PEEK filament material supplemented with nanoTiO 2 powder by fused deposition modeling (FDM). A resin preliminary cast was 3D printed, and an altered cast technique was adopted to fabricate the definitive cast. The PEEK framework exhibited precise fit, toothlike color, excellent mechanical properties, and reduced weight as compared with a typical metal framework. This technique describes the successful clinical application of 3D-printed PEEK material for the fabrication of an adult speech aid prosthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This clinical report described a digital workflow for the design, manufacture, and clinical delivery of a polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) removable dental prosthesis with a speech bulb. The process combined intraoral scanning, digital milling for the PEKK framework, and 3D printing for the definitive cast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this paper, we compared the F2-Layer critical frequency (foF2) derived from FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC radio occultation (RO) and ionosondes at Chiang Mai, Chumphon and Kototabang during the years 2008–2015 to evaluate the performance of COSMIC RO over Southeast Asia region. The results show that the time development of foF2 values derived from COSMIC RO generally agrees well with those from ionosonde measurements. However, the differences between the foF2 derived from COSMIC RO and that derived from ionosonde observations display latitudinal dependence. COSMIC RO tends to underestimate foF2 at Chiang Mai and Kototabang, which is near to the north EIA crest and the south one, respectively, while a little overestimate foF2 at Chumphon, which is close to the geomagnetic equator. COSMIC RO agrees best with ionosonde at Chumphon and worst at Chiang Mai. At each ionosonde station, the quality of COSMIC RO data degrades with the increase of solar activity. In addition, at the station Chiang Mai and Kototabang, COSMIC RO performs better in summer than in equinox and winter. Furthermore, the differences in foF2 derived from COSMIC RO and that from ionosonde measurements vary with local time, i.e., the differences in foF2 are generally smaller at night and larger in noontime when equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) is well developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly influenced the global economy, international travel, global supply chains, and how people interact, and subsequently affect globalization in coming years. In order to understand the impact of COVID-19 on globalization and provide potential guidance to policymakers, the present study predicted the globalization level of the world average and 14 specific countries in scenarios with and without COVID-19 based on a new Composite Indicator method which contains 15 indicators. Our results revealed that the world average globalization level is expected to decrease from 2017 to 2025 under the scenario without COVID-19 by −5.99%, while the decrease of globalization under the COVID-19 scenario is predicted to reach −4.76% in 2025. This finding implies that the impact of COVID-19 on globalization will not be as severe as expected in 2025. Nevertheless, the downward trend of globalization without COVID-19 is due to the decline of the Environmental indicators, whereas the decline under the COVID-19 scenario is attributed to Economic aspects (almost −50%). The impact of COVID-19 on globalization varies across individual countries. Among the countries investigated, COVID-19 had a positive impact on the globalization of Japan, Australia, the United States, the Russian Federation, Brazil, India and Togo. In contrast, the globalization in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Qatar, Egypt, China and Gabon are expected to decrease. The variation of impact induced by COVID-19 on those countries is attributed to the weighting of economic, environmental and political aspects of globalization is different across these countries. Our results can help governments take suitable measures to balance economic, environmental and political policies, which may better support their decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To get strong, stiff and light cylindrical shell, carbon fiber reinforced hierarchical Isogrid stiffened cylinder (HISC) was designed and fabricated. The cylinder has fractal stiffeners, including the first-order primary Isogrid stiffeners and the self-similar second-order sub-Isogrid stiffeners. The primary Isogrid has thick and high ribs and contains several sub-Isogrid cells whose rib is much thinner and lower. The primary Isogrid improves the bending rigidity of the cylindrical wall to resist the global instability while the sub-Isogrid improves the bending rigidity of the skin enclosed by the primary Isogrid to resist local buckling. The HISC was fabricated by filament winding method based on a silicone rubber mandrel with hierarchical grooves. Axial compression test was performed to reveal the failure mode. With hierarchical stiffeners, the cylinder balances the construction of the skin and the ribs and fails at material failure. Global instability and local buckling are both well restricted by the hierarchical stiffeners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To get a strong, stiff and weight efficient cylindrical shell, carbon fiber reinforced corrugated-core sandwich cylinders (CSCs) were designed and made. The corrugated-core is made up of corrugated cylindrical shell and manufactured by mould hot pressing method. Split forming and integral filament winding forming methods were applied to make the CSC separately. Effects from non-wrapped and wrapped cylindrical ends were investigated individually. Uniaxial compression tests were performed to reveal the strength and failure mode. Split forming method makes the CSC stiffer but integral filament winding forming method makes the CSC stronger. With non-wrapped ends, the cylinders fail at end delamination and the load carrying capacity is 289.7 kN and 373.7 kN, respectively. The load is improved to 415.6 kN and 491.4 kN, respectively, when the cylinder is end-wrapped. Skin fracture controls the failure of the CSCs with wrapped ends and makes them stronger. Meanwhile, the load carrying ability of the CSC is stronger than lattice truss-core sandwich cylinders (LTSCs). Benefiting from the high axial load carrying ability of the CFRC corrugated shell, strength of the designed CSC failing at skin fracture improves at a magnitude of 50% compared with the referenced LTSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The band-edge emission lifetime in a single ZnO tetrapod is studied by using the time-resolved confocal micro-photoluminescence (TR- μ PL) spectroscopic technique at room temperature. By performing μ PL and TR- μ PL mapping along the tapered arm of tetrapod, we observe whispering gallery mode (WGM) polaritons and find that the predominant radiative lifetime of exciton polaritons decreases linearly with increasing the surface-to-volume ratio of the sample. This behavior is ascribed to the surface electric field induced enhancement of the radiative decay rate of the exciton-like polaritons coupling with LO phonons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A theoretical study was carried out to predict the failure load and mode of composite anisogrid lattice sandwich cylinder (LSC) under fundamental loads. Four failure modes were suggested for this structure under axial compression, uniform external pressure and torsion, including global buckling, skin monocell buckling, rib crippling and strength failure. For each failure mode, the load capacity of the composite LSC was predicted theoretically and corrected by finite element method (FEM) with proper correction coefficients. To instruct the design of the LSC, failure mode maps were constructed, showing the dependence of failure mode and load on the geometrical variables of the lattice and skins. The concept of a failure mode map is extended to give a useful design tool for anisogrid sandwich cylinder manufacturers and their customers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under uniaxial compression, carbon fiber reinforced composite (CFRC) orthogrid sandwich cylinder has four potential failure modes, including global buckling, monocell buckling, rib buckling and material failure. The smearing method was applied to predict the equivalent stiffness and calculate the stresses of the skins and the orthogrid, providing fundaments to build the failure criteria. Theoretical models were established to reveal the failure modes and predict the ultimate load of the compressed orthogrid cylinder by the way of failure maps, providing a feasible way to optimally design CFRC anisogrid cylinder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To construct weight efficient aerospace sandwich structures, interlocked orthogrid sandwich composite panels reinforced by carbon fibers were designed, made and tested. The orthogrid is weight efficient in flatwise compression for its strength is greater than usual three-dimensional (3D) lattice truss composite structures. Progressive crushing of the ribs endows the orthogrid long deformation plateau and great mean crushing force (MCF) while most of 3D lattice truss composite structures are usually brittle. Crushing models of lattice truss materials were developed to predict the MCF and it is found that the orthogrid composite has comparable or even better specific energy absorption (SEA) compared with 3D metallic lattice trusses. Forming continuous resin adhesive layers between the facesheets and the orthogrid, the orthogrid sandwich panel has stronger shear strength and is more weight efficient than usual 3D lattice truss sandwich panels jointed by adhesive joints in shear resistance. Through the research, it is concluded that interlocking orthogrid provides a simple but efficient way to construct lightweight sandwich composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To get a strong, stiff and weight efficient cylindrical shell, a carbon fiber reinforced orthogrid-core sandwich cylinder was designed and fabricated. The core is made up of orthogonal grids and manufactured by interlocking method. The sandwich cylinder is fabricated by filament winding method. Free vibration test combining with theoretical analysis and numerical simulation was carried out to reveal the vibration responses and estimate the modulus of the wound laminate. Uniaxial compression test was performed to reveal the strength and failure mode. Without end flanges, laminate delamination at the end controls the peak load. Delamination of skins induces interfacial debonding and dimpling of inner skin finally. An engineering method based on the average strain at the peak load is proposed to predict the load capacity of the cylinder. Compared with stiffened cylinder, the orthogrid sandwich cylinder is stiffer and stronger. Meanwhile, its making process is simplified and the mechanical ability is comparable with other lattice-core sandwich cylinders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensional and in-extensional folding elements are two conventional plastic collapse mechanisms for thin-walled tubes to predict their anti-crushing behaviors. In the compression experiments of triangular tubes, a new folding element, named as inward-contracted folding element, was observed. Accompanying with this folding mechanism, double zigzags and half-shortened wavelength were observed in the corresponding deformation curve compared with the deformation curves of tubes collapsing at conventional modes. This inward-contracted folding element always follows behind the extensional folding to form a hybrid folding element. A plastic model was proposed, through which the mean crushing force (MCF) and the folding wavelength are predictable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We proposed a novel registration network to generate DL-based delayed CT images. A Delayed scan refers to the reacquisition of CT and PET after a regular scan to improve the sensitivity and specificity of PET/CT examination. However, an additional CT scan will lead much more X-ray radiation to the patient. Therefore, developing a method to generate delayed CT (T2CT) images to avoid additional CT scans is particularly important in clinic. This paper aims to generate T2CT images from delayed PET (T2PET), regular PET (T1PET) and regular CT (T1CT) images using deep learning methods. However, it may encounter difficulties such as intrinsic differences between multi-modal images and large deformations caused by two scans. To address these issues, a multi-resolution registration convolutional neural network (MRR-CNN) is introduced to improve the accuracy of generating CT images. MRR-CNN employs three models to separately predict deformation vector field (DVF) in different resolution levels. In this method, the global deformation is evaluated firstly, and then local deformations are gradually fused to generate accurate T2CT images. We selected a recently published deep learning-based method (VoxelMorph) to compare the effectiveness of our method on 10 clinical patient data, using mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean square error (RMSE) as evaluation metrics. Compared with VoxelMorph, the proposed MRR-CNN achieves lower MAE (61.26 vs. 67.24) and lower RMSE (118.74 vs. 126.13). The experimental results indicate that our proposed method outperforms VoxelMorph in generating T2CT images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hierarchical structures greatly enhance the anti-crushing behavior of thin-walled tubular structures. To reveal the hierarchical mechanism, hierarchical lattice tubes (HLTs) with lattice sandwich walls were designed and manufactured. In-plane compression experiments were carried out to reveal the progressive collapse modes and folding mechanisms. Compared with single-cell tubes (STs) and multi-cell lattice tubes (MLTs), HLTs possess much greater mean crushing forces (MCFs), three to five times higher. Two crushing mechanisms were revealed, including the hierarchical sandwich-folding mechanism and the multi-folding mechanism. Hierarchical sandwich-fold has much greater plastic bending moment while multi-fold has much shorter wave-length. Both these two mechanisms let hierarchical structure greatly improve its anti-crushing ability and weight efficiency in energy absorption. Theoretical models were proposed to predict the MCF and the specific energy absorption (SEA) of the HLT. These models are consistent with the test data and correctly reflect the energy absorbing ability of the HLT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hierarchy greatly enhances anti-crushing behavior of thin-walled tubular structures. To reveal the energy-absorbing mechanism, hierarchical triangular lattice structures with lattice-core sandwich walls were designed. Crushing experiments were carried out to reveal the progressive collapse modes and folding mechanisms. Compared with single-cell and multi-cell lattice structures, hierarchical structures possess greater mean crushing forces (MCFs), three to four times higher. Three mechanisms, including hierarchical folding, shortening wave length and enlarging plastic bending moment of sandwich wall, help hierarchical structure greatly enhance its anti-crushing behavior. Folding styles turning from single fold, multi-fold, hierarchical fold to single sandwich-fold when increasing micro-cells in the wall were revealed by numerical simulation to propose optimized hierarchical lattice structure possessing the best specific energy absorption (SEA). Based on progressive folding mechanism, global bending mechanism and hybrid folding mechanism, theoretical models were built to predict the MCF. The predictions are reasonable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the reutilization of advanced carbon fiber reinforced composite (CFRC) lattice-core sandwich cylinder (LSC), a severely damaged LSC was retrofitted by CFRC laminate through wrapping and riveting schemes. Free vibration and uniaxial compression experiments were carried out to reveal its mechanical performances. Natural frequencies and vibration modes of the repaired cylinder are close to the intact cylinder. Compared with the stiffness of the intact cylinder, 98.7 kN/mm, stiffness of the repaired cylinder is 138.83 kN/mm, even a little stiffer. Failure of the repaired cylinder locates at the lower end. Initially, the inner skin delaminated from the core and finally fracture of the outer skin made the cylinder out of work. The repaired segment is not damaged. Ultimate load of the repaired cylinder is 377.38 kN, only a little smaller than of the intact cylinder. The retrofitting scheme is effective to re-utilize the severally damaged CFRC LSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method of combined steam flash-explosion and alkaline treatment (SFE-AT) was developed to extract cellulose fibers from bark of cotton stalks, and lightweight composites with favorable properties were made from the obtained fibers and polypropylene (PP). It was reported that the cellulose fibers from bark of cotton stalks had higher mechanical properties than those from most lignocellulosic byproducts. However, conventional method of using strong alkaline condition (30–100 g/L NaOH) for extraction of cellulose fibers from lignocellulosic byproducts led to environmental pollution and high cost. In this study, bark of cotton stalks were treated using three methods, including alkaline treatment (AT), steam flash-explosion (SFE) and SFE-AT. The different cotton stalk fibers were blended with PP fibers and compression-molded into composites under optimized conditions (temperature of 170 °C, pressure of 3 MPa, 4 min). The results showed that PP composites reinforced by cotton stalk fibers from SFE-AT had the best mechanical properties and stability to water, attributing to the largest surface area and highest cellulose content of cotton stalk fibers by SFE-AT. SFE could separate bark of cotton stalks with high efficiency and subsequent mild AT could sufficiently remove the non-cellulose impurities by using NaOH solution with concentration as low as 5 g/L. Ultra-lightweight PP composites with the bulk density of 0.27 g/cm 3 could be prepared with cotton stalk fibers by SFE-AT. Overall, the method of SFE-AT with high efficiency and low cost could be very useful in exploring industrial applications of bark of cotton stalks and other lignocellulosic byproducts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study mechanical behaviors of advanced carbon fiber reinforced composite (CFRC) sandwich cylinder with lattice cores, uni-axial compression and free vibration experiments were carried out. Load carrying capacity and local failure modes of the lattice-core sandwich cylinder (LSC) were revealed. Natural frequencies and vibration modes of CFRC LSC were revealed by experiments for the first time. For usual LSC in astronautic engineering, the first order vibration is in the plane of the cross section, turning from a circle to an oval. An equivalent method was proposed to predict the primary frequency and mode shape of the LSC, which is in excellent accordance with the experiment. Compared with grid stiffened cylinder (GSC), LSC of the same weight and dimension always has higher primary frequency, indicating that LSC is much stiffer and could be designed even lighter in astronautic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] A new hierarchical lattice truss composite with sandwich walls was designed and manufactured. [•] Strength and deformation characteristics of the hierarchical composites were revealed by tests. [•] Qualitative model was proposed to describe the deformation plateau of the composites. [•] Excellent mass efficiency and specific energy absorption of the composites were revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Sandwich cylindrical shells are the major components of aerospace structures. In this paper, an analytical investigation was carried out to examine the response of carbon fiber reinforced composite (CFRC) sandwich cylinders with lattice cores. An equivalent monocoque shell theory, was developed in this paper to predict mechanical behaviors of the quasi-isotropic sandwich cylinder, including the deformation and the multi-mode failure criterion. Five failure modes were suggested for the sandwich cylinder, including global buckling, face sheet mono-cell buckling/dimpling, face sheet local buckling, lattice rib crippling and strength failure. Using the suggested criterion, failure mode maps of the sandwich cylinder were acquired to instruct the design of the hierarchical sandwich cylinder with five geometrical variables. The method also correctly predicted the failure modes of the tested sandwich cylinder within acceptable errors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Tissue engineering utilizes expertise in the fields of materials science, biology, chemistry, transplantation medicine, and engineering to design materials that can temporarily serve in a structural and/or functional capacity during regeneration of a defect. Hydroxyapatite (HAp) scaffolds are among the most extensively studied materials for this application. However, HAp has been reported to be too weak to treat such defects and, therefore, has been limited to non-load-bearing applications. To capitalize the advantages of HAp and at the same time overcome the drawbacks nanocrystalline HAp (nHAp) is combined with various types of bioactive polymers to generate highly porous biocomposite materials that are used for osteoconduction in the field of orthopedic surgery. In this study we have reviewed nanosized HAp-based highly porous composite materials used for bone tissue engineering, introduced various fabrication methods to prepare nHAp/polymer composite scaffolds, and characterized these scaffolds on the basis of their biodegradability and biocompatibility through in vitro and in vivo tests. Finally, we provide a summary and our own perspectives on this active area of research. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To overcome the poor mechanical properties of pure Cu thin films, we performed electrocodeposition to make nanocomposite thin films by incorporating inert Al2O3 nanoparticles (50nm and 300nm in diameter). In addition, to reduce agglomeration due to their high surface energy, we used ultrasonication during the electrocodeposition. In this paper, we examined the effects of the ultrasonication on the mechanical properties of nanocomposite films with different ultrasonic energy density up to 225W/cm2. Ultrasonication during electrocodeposition efficiently reduced the agglomeration of nanoparticles and reduced the grain size of the Cu matrix. Smaller nanoparticles were more efficiently de-agglomerated by ultrasonication, which resulted in more enhanced mechanical properties in the 50nm Al2O3 nanoparticle-enhanced specimens. Although the addition of nanoparticles in the Cu matrices significantly increased the hardness of the specimens, as observed in nanoindentation tests, we did not observe such an increase in tensile tests. Reducing the grain size by ultrasonication seems to be an important parameter in enhancing the overall mechanical properties of nanocomposites. Ultrasonication provided a significant increase in all mechanical properties, including elastic modulus, yield stress, ultimate tensile stress, and elongation, of all controlled Cu films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We present flexible nacre-like multi-layered films of chitosan and hydroxyapatite using manipulation of inherited polymeric phase separation in the solidification process. Films were characterized as homogeneous dispersity, high mechanical strength, and ordered microstructure in given optimized conditions of temperature and composite ratio. It resulted that the initial solidification temperature and the composition ratio are important factors in determination of homogeneity and mechanical strength of organic/inorganic composites. These films might be suitable for further osteological applications with surgical appliances, wound dressings, and space-filling implants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) has been recently introduced as a dental material for fixed dental prostheses. However, how surface treatments affect the bonding of PEKK to dentin is unclear. The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of airborne-particle abrasion and acid etching on the bonding of PEKK to dentin. Eighty-four PEKK specimens were fabricated, polished, and divided into 6 groups (n=14): no treatment (group NT), airborne-particle abrasion with 110-μm alumina particles (group Al), 98% sulfuric acid etching for 5 seconds (group SA5), 98% sulfuric acid etching for 30 seconds (group SA30), 98% sulfuric acid etching for 60 seconds (group SA60), and airborne-particle abrasion plus 98% sulfuric acid for 5 seconds (group AlSA5). Sixty PEKK specimens (n=10) were fabricated for the shear bond test. Another 24 PEKK specimens (n=4) were fabricated for surface element analysis and morphological observations. For each group, 2 specimens after surface treatments were randomly selected to examine scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations and surface element analysis. Another 2 specimens after bonding were randomly selected to examine cross-sectional observations. Airborne-particle abrasion with 110-μm alumina particles was performed to cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) specimens (group Co-Cr, n=10). A light-polymerizing polymethylmethacrylate and composite resin primer (visio.link) was applied to the treated PEKK specimens and bonded with a resin cement (RelyX Ultimate) to dentin. The Co-Cr specimens were bonded with the resin cement to dentin. The shear bond strengths of all groups were tested by using a universal testing machine, and fracture analysis was performed. A statistical analysis was performed by using 1-way ANOVA, followed by the Student–Newman–Keuls-q post hoc test (α=.05). The shear bond strengths of groups SA5 and AlSA5 were higher than those of groups NT, Al, SA30, SA60, and Co-Cr (P ＜.05). Group SA5 achieved the highest shear bond strength (16.84 ±1.84 MPa). The SEM observations showed that after surface treatments, groups SA5 and AlSA5 had a uniform sponge shape with small pores, while groups SA30 and SA60 had a collapsed shape with large pits and pores. The sulfur element content and H 2 SO 4 -etched thicknesses of groups SA30 and SA60 were higher than those of groups SA5 and AlSA5. The cross-sectional SEM observations of groups SA30 and SA60 after bonding revealed that H 2 SO 4 -etched pores were deeper and not filled with the bonding material. Compared with airborne-particle abrasion, the 98% sulfuric acid etching significantly improved the shear bond strength of PEKK to dentin. The surface treatment of 98% sulfuric acid etching for 5 seconds led to the high bond strength of PEKK to dentin, which meets the requirements for clinical use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The principles guiding the diurnal organization of biological pathways remain to be fully elucidated. Here, we perturb the hepatic transcriptome through nutrient regulators (high-fat diet and mTOR signaling components) to identify enduring properties of pathway organization. Temporal separation and counter-regulation between pathways of energy metabolism and inflammation/proliferation emerge as persistent transcriptome features across animal models, and network analysis identifies the G0s2 and Rgs16 genes as potential mediators at the metabolism-inflammation interface. Mechanistically, G0s2 and Rgs16 are sequentially induced during the light phase, promoting amino acid oxidation and suppressing overall mitochondrial respiration. In their absence, sphingolipids and diacylglycerides accumulate, accompanied by hepatic inflammation and hepatocyte proliferation. Notably, the expression of G0s2 and Rgs16 is further induced in obese mouse livers, and silencing of their expression accentuates hepatic fibrosis. Therefore, diurnal regulation of energy metabolism alleviates inflammatory and proliferative stresses under physiological and pathological conditions. [Display omitted] • Energy metabolism and inflammation/proliferation undergo circadian counter-regulation • G0s2 and Rgs16 regulate hepatocyte substrate oxidation during the resting phase • G0s2 and Rgs16 deficiencies result in hepatic inflammation and hepatocyte proliferation • Induction of G0s2 and Rgs16 in liver of obese mice lowers inflammation and fibrosis Bai et al. show that the circadian-induced expression of G0s2 and Rgs16 is essential for maintaining hepatic health. G0s2 and Rgs16 deficiencies result in dysregulation in substrate oxidation, bioactive lipid accumulation, and hepatic inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The type I interferon (IFN) pathway is a key component of innate immune response upon invasion of foreign pathogens. It is also under precise control to prevent excessive upregulation and undesired inflammation cascade. In the present study, we report that Riok3, an atypical kinase, negatively regulates retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I)-like receptors (RLRs) sensing-induced type I IFN signaling. Riok3 deficiency selectively inhibits RNA viral replication in vitro , resulting from an upregulated type I IFN pathway. Mice with myeloid-specific Riok3 knockout also show a more robust induction of type I IFN upon RNA virus infection and are more resistant to RNA virus-induced pathogenesis. Mechanistically, Riok3 recruits and interacts with the E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIM40, leading to the degradation of RIG-I and melanoma differentiation-associated gene-5 (MDA5) via K48- and K27-linked ubiquitination. Collectively, our data reveal the mechanism that Riok3 employs to be a negative regulator of antiviral innate immunity. [Display omitted] • Riok3 negatively and selectively inhibits RNA viruses both in vivo and in vitro • Riok3 directly interacts with TRIM40, RIG-I, and MDA5 to form a protein complex • Riok3 promotes TRIM40-mediated K27- and K48-linked ubiquitination of RIG-I and MDA5 • TRIM40 induces the proteasomal degradation of both RIG-I and MDA5 Shen et al. show that Riok3 recruits TRIM40 to form a complex with both RIG-I and MDA5 during RNA virus infection, thus promoting TRIM40-mediated K27- and K48-linked ubiquitination and subsequent degradation of both RIG-I and MDA5 to inhibit the production of type I interferons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrients stimulate the anabolic synthesis of proteins and lipids, but selective insulin resistance in obesity biases the anabolic program toward lipogenesis. Here, we report the identification of a DNAJB9-driven program that favors protein synthesis and energy production over lipid accumulation. We show there are two pools of DNAJB9 cochaperone. DNAJB9 in the ER lumen promotes the degradation of the lipogenic transcription factor SREBP1c through ERAD, whereas its counterpart on the ER membrane promotes the assembly of mTORC2 in the cytosol and stimulates the synthesis of proteins and ATP. The expression of Dnajb9 is induced by nutrients and downregulated in the obese mouse liver. Restoration of hepatic DNAJB9 expression effectively improves insulin sensitivity, restores protein synthesis, and suppresses food intake, accompanied by reduced hepatic steatosis and adiposity in multiple mouse models of obesity. Therefore, targeting the anabolic balance may provide a unique opportunity to tackle obesity and diabetes. • DNAJB9 adopts a dual topology to promote SREBP1c degradation and mTORC2 assembly • DNAJB9's dual-activity biases cellular metabolism against energy deposition • The development of obesity is accompanied by hepatic DNAJB9 downregulation • Hepatic DNAJB9 re-expression improves whole-body energy homeostasis Sun et al. show that DNAJB9 promotes SREBP1c degradation and mTORC2 assembly to stimulate protein synthesis and ATP production at the cost of lipogenesis. The anabolic biasing function of DNAJB9 drives cellular metabolism toward energy expenditure, and it provides a paradigm for tackling hyperphagia, obesity, and fatty liver diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Pediatric lipid management recommendations have evolved from selective screening to universal screening to identify and target therapy for genetic dyslipidemias. Data on the success of the selective screening guidelines for lipid testing, dyslipidemia detection, and lipid management are conflicting. Objective To determine temporal trends in lipid testing, dyslipidemia categories and pharmacotherapy in a cohort of 653,642 individual youth aged 2 to 20 years from 2002 to 2012. Methods Summary data on lipid test results, lipid-lowering medicine (LLM) dispensings, and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision diagnoses were compiled from the virtual data warehouses of 5 sites in the Cardiovascular Research Network. Temporal trends were determined using linear regression. Results Among the average 255,160 ± 25,506 children enrolled each year, lipid testing declined from 16% in 2002 to 11% in 2012 ( P < .001 for trend). Among the entire population, the proportion newly detected each year with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol >190 mg/dL, a value commonly used to define familial hypercholesterolemia, increased over time from 0.03% to 0.06% ( P = .03 for trend). There was no significant change over time in the proportion of the yearly population initiated on LLM or statins specifically (0.045 ± 0.009%, P = .59 [LLM] and 0.028 ± 0.006%, P = .25 [statin]). Conclusions Although lipid testing declined during 2002 to 2012, the detection of familial hypercholesterolemia–level low-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased. Despite this increased detection, pharmacotherapy did not increase over time. These findings highlight the need to enhance lipid screening and management strategies in high-risk youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To get strong, stiff and light cylindrical shell, carbon fiber reinforced hierarchical orthogrid stiffened cylinders are designed and fabricated. The cylinder is stiffened by two-scale orthogrid. The primary orthogrid has thick and high ribs and contains several sub-orthogrid cells whose rib is much thinner and lower. The primary orthogrid stiffens the bending rigidity of the cylinder to resist the global instability while the sub-orthogrid stiffens the bending rigidity of the skin enclosed by the primary orthogrid to resist local buckling. The cylinder is fabricated by filament winding method based on a silicone rubber mandrel with hierarchical grooves. Axial compression tests are performed to reveal the failure modes. With hierarchical stiffeners, the cylinder fails at skin fracture and has high specific strength. The cylinder will fail at end crushing if the end of the cylinder is not thickened. Global instability and local buckling are well restricted by the hierarchical stiffeners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]