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Lacidophilin, which is a bacteriocin produced by food-grade lactic acid bacteria, modulates the gut microbiota structure to enhance gut health. This study investigated the effects and mechanism of lacidophilin in a mouse model of low-grade colitis and NAFLD. After 126 days of feeding and medication intervention, high-dose lacidophilin (1.2 g per kg body weight) mitigated NAFLD-associated changes in biochemical parameters and prevented hyperlipidemia and hepatic lipid accumulation. Additionally, lacidophilin exerted a protective effect by reducing damage to the intestinal barrier (ZO-1/Mucin 2), increasing the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae and Prevotellaceae , decreasing the relative abundance of Erysipelotrichaceae in low-grade colitis and NAFLD mice. In addition, fecal metabolomics studies showed that lacidophilin could regulate both amino acid and lipid metabolism to protect against NAFLD. Flow cytometry analysis of blood samples showed that lacidophilin could regulate the balance of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg. Transcriptomic analysis of the liver suggests that treatment with lacidophilin helped maintain immune homeostasis and facilitate lipid metabolism. In short, lacidophilin extracts alleviated lipid accumulation and inflammation in NAFLD mice. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The amalgamation of high-sensitivity gas sensors with neural electrical stimulation technology stands as a compelling solution for eliciting behavioral responses in the presence of low-level hazardous gases. The utilization of battery-powered or coil-based configurations introduces spatiotemporal limitations, encompassing constrained experimental durations due to battery life or the necessity to confine subjects to specific locales for wireless power transmission. In this study, we present an advanced wireless neural modulator, meticulously engineered for behavioral intervention in unrestricted environments. This device integrates a solar-powered unit, gas sensor, brain stimulation signal management system, and a neurostimulation electrode. The solar energy utilization eliminates the necessity for battery replacements and local range limitations. The surface of the solar cells is treated with a superhydrophobic coating, enhancing performance in outdoor settings by mitigating surface contamination issues inherent in traditional solar cells. This innovation guarantees continuous, long-term, on-demand operational capacity, ensuring uninterrupted power supply to the system. Experimentation revealed shortened locomotor activity in mice, induced by stimulation of the periaqueductal gray (PAG) brain region, for up to thirty minutes. These results underscore the significant potential of our technology for spatially and temporally unrestricted neuromodulatory applications, offering a viable strategy to alleviate the detrimental effects of hazardous gas exposure on physiological functions. [Display omitted] ● Solar Flexibility: Solar energy allows for free movement outdoors, removing the limitations of fixed power sources. ● Durable Panels: Superhydrophobic coatings protect solar panels from dirt, keeping them efficient. ● Sensitive Gas Detection: Advanced sensors in the system detect low levels of harmful gases, helping prevent health risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Quantitation of tricuspid regurgitant (TR) severity can be challenging with conventional echocardiographic imaging and may be better evaluated using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR).Objectives: In patients with functional TR, this study sought to examine the relationship between TR volume (TRVol) and TR fraction (TRF) with all-cause mortality.Methods: We examined 547 patients with functional TR using CMR to quantify TRVol and TRF. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Thresholds for mild, moderate, and severe TR were derived based on natural history outcome data.Results: During a median follow-up of 2.6 years (interquartile range: 1.7 to 3.3 years), there were 93 deaths, with an estimated 5-year survival of 79% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 73% to 83%). After adjustment of clinical and imaging variables, including RV function, both TRF (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] per 10% increment: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.10 to 1.45; p = 0.001) and TRVol (AHR per 10-ml increment: 1.15; 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.26; p = 0.004) were associated with mortality. Patients in the highest-risk strata of TRVol ≥45 ml or TRF ≥50% had the worst prognosis (AHR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.36 to 3.76; p = 0.002 for TRVol and AHR: 2.60; 95% CI: 1.45 to 4.66; p = 0.001 for TRF).Conclusions: This is the first study to use CMR to assess independent prognostic implications of functional TR. Both TRF and TRVol were associated with increased mortality after adjustment for clinical and imaging covariates, including right ventricular ejection fraction. A TRVol of ≥45 ml or TRF of ≥50% identified patients in the highest-risk strata for mortality. These CMR thresholds should be used for patient selection in future trials to determine if tricuspid valve intervention improves outcomes in this high-risk group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare echocardiographic methods of determining tricuspid regurgitation (TR) severity against TR regurgitant volume (TR RV) by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). TR is usually assessed using echocardiography, but it is not known how this compares with quantitative measurements of TR severity by CMR. Echocardiographic and CMR methods were compared in 337 patients. Echocardiographic methods included jet size, hepatic vein flow, inferior vena cava diameter, percentage change in inferior vena cava diameter with inspiration, right atrial end-systolic area and volume, right ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic areas and fractional area change, vena contracta diameter, effective regurgitant orifice area, and TR RV using the proximal isovelocity surface area method. TRRV by CMR was calculated as the difference between right ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes and systolic flow through the pulmonic valve. Echocardiographic parameters of TR severity had variable accuracy against TR RV by CMR (area under the curve range 0.58 for jet area/right atrial end-systolic area to 0.79 for hepatic vein flow). A multiparametric approach to assessing TR severity according to the 2017 American Society of Echocardiography criteria had 65% agreement with TR severity by CMR. A hierarchal approach based on signals with higher feasibility and accuracy against CMR had 68% agreement, without missing cases of severe TR by CMR. Agreement with CMR by the hierarchal approach was higher than that by the 2017 American Society of Echocardiography guidelines (p = 0.016). Several individual echocardiographic parameters of TR severity have satisfactory accuracy against TR RV by CMR. A multiparametric hierarchal approach resulted in 68% agreement with CMR and 100% agreement when a 1-grade difference in TR severity is considered acceptable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction presents a challenging diagnosis given a heterogeneous patient population and limited therapeutic options. Diastolic function assessment using echocardiography has been a cornerstone in the work-up and is as important as systolic functional assessment. There has been increased awareness to the potential utility of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging over the past decade as a promising, radiation-free, robust imaging modality providing an unrestricted field of view and high-resolution images for global and regional functional assessment. CMR provides early markers for detecting myocardial disease using tissue characterization imaging, which might prove useful to improve diagnosis and management. Over the years, several studies have examined CMR-derived diastolic functional indices, including transmitral and pulmonary venous velocities, left ventricular and left atrial strain using myocardial tagging, and, more recently, feature tracking. The relevance of imaging-based diastolic function indices and their clinical application across different modalities is increasingly recognized. • CMR imaging is a promising tool for detecting myocardial disease and assessing structural changes related to HFpEF. • Diastolic function parameters derived by CMR are feasible, and gaining increasing awareness. • CMR can add value to the diagnostic work-up of HFpEF unmasking alternative pathologies. • Faster image acquisition and data processing are needed to gain widespread adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of MRI, colostography/fistulography, and X-ray imaging modalities for preoperative diagnosis of anorectal malformations (ARMs) in pediatric patients. This retrospective analysis included a total of 84 pediatric patients with ARMs. Preoperative imaging findings were assessed by 2 radiologists and compared to surgical findings. MRI identified anomalies of the spine in 25 of 84 patients (29.8%), anomalies of the genital system in 7 of 84 patients (8.3%), anomalies of the urinary system in 22 of 84 patients (26.2%), and underdeveloped sphincter muscle complex in 34 of 84 patients (40.5%). In the 44 subjects receiving both MRI and X-ray, MRI was more sensitive in detecting anomalies of spine (18/44 vs. 8/44; P = 0.002), and both correctly identified the distal end of the rectum in 77.3% (34/44) of the cases. In the 24 subjects receiving both MRI and colostography/fistulography, MRI was more accurate in identifying Pena's classification (22/24 vs. 15/24; P = 0.039). Distal end of the rectum was correctly identified in 75.0% (18/24) and 58.3% (14/24) of the cases (P = 0.125). MRI could clearly reveal fistula anatomy and associated anomalies of ARMs and should be routinely used for preoperative evaluation of ARMs. Study of diagnostic test. Level II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To ascertain the clinicopathological features, survival, and prognostic factors of pure uterine serous carcinoma (pUSC) and compare its clinicopathological characteristics with those of serous-like grade-3 endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (G3-EEC). Consecutive patients with pUSC and p53 abnormal (p53abn) G3-EEC were retrospectively selected between 2014 and 2022. Histological and immunohistochemical features were reviewed, clinical information was collected, and survival analyses were performed. Eighty-five pUSC patients (mean age: 61.6 years) were included. Histologically, pUSC showed a predominantly glandular growth pattern (80.0 %) with high-grade nuclear atypia and obvious nucleoli and 53 cases showed admixtures of architectural patterns. The p53 aberrant expression rate was 98.8 %. 41.5 %, 53.7 %, and 67.5 % of cases were classified as negative for ER, PR, and WT1, respectively. Six (12.3 %) of 49 cases had a HER2 score of 3+ by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The overall survival and progression-free survival rates were 72.9 % and 63.5 %, respectively. Advanced stage, no adjuvant therapy, and lymph node metastasis were independent risk factors for poor survival in pUSC. Twenty-five p53abn G3-EEC patients were assessed. Women with p53abn G3-EEC were on average, younger than those with pUSC (53.4 vs. 61.6 years, P < 0.001). Papillary structures were observed more commonly in pUSC (16 % vs. 36.5 %, P = 0.042). Positive PR expression was significantly associated with p53abn G3-EEC (P = 0.009). Survival did not differ significantly between the subgroups in univariate and multivariate analyses. In this contemporary series, we affirm the suboptimal prognosis associated with pUSC, and that the survival associated with pUSC and p53abn G3-EEC are not significantly different. pUSC and p53abn G3-EEC have distinct morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics. • Pure uterine serous carcinoma (pUSC) has a poor prognosis and distinct clinicopathological features. • FIGO stage and adjuvant treatment independently affects survival in pUSC. • p53 abnormal grade-3 endometrioid endometrial carcinoma has similar survival. • Differential diagnosis involves glandular structures and immunohistochemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension, a common cardiovascular disorder characterized by elevated blood pressure levels, is conventionally managed using pharmacological interventions to achieve optimal blood pressure control. In this study, a novel self-powered, biocompatible brain probe is presented as a potential long-term and remote approach to blood pressure regulation. The device consists of a piezoelectric transducer, an electronic module, brain stimulating electrodes, and a drug microneedle array. As the resonator, the piezoelectric transducer is embedded in resonant structure within resin shell, enabling the harvesting of acoustic energy from smartphone audio tone without any external power sources. By programming specific audio signals, the resonator can be activated, and the electronic module can output corresponding electrostimulation signals on demand. Implanted brain stimulating electrodes in the ventrolateral periaqueductal grey matter (vlPAG) of rats can be wirelessly controlled by the smartphone, resulting in a significant reduction in blood pressure of approximately 20 mmHg. The device's drug microneedle array, located beneath the pedestal of device, can deliver antibiotics percutaneously to prevent post-surgical infections, indicating a biocompatible approach for long-term hypertension treatment. This novel, self-powered and wireless treatment has significant potential for clinical hypertension therapy and may broaden the scope of self-powered techniques for telemedicine and brain-machine interfaces. [Display omitted] • A self-powered biocompatible brain probe was fabricated for long-term and remote neural regulation. • The device is self-powered by converting acoustic energy from smartphone audio into electricity. • The device can deliver electrostimulation signals to the vlPAG brain region for reducing blood pressure. • The device utilizes a drug-delivery microneedle array for preventing post-surgical infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an improved closed-form solution to determine the global buckling loads of axially loaded pultruded fiber-reinforced polymer (PFRP) I-section columns based on the original solution recommended by Eurocode 3 (EC3). In this improved solution, a new closed-form equation to determine the reduction factor for global buckling of PFRP I-section members subjected to concentric compression is developed, based on the Ayrton-Perry formula and observed initial out-of-straightness of PFRP struts measured by other researchers. Recognizing that data on initial imperfections may be unavailable, a second new empirical closed-form equation is derived to predict the global buckling capacity of PFRP I-section columns based upon the experimental data. Validation of the two explicit solutions considering the influence of geometric imperfections of PFRP I-sections is performed by both comparison to experimental data and comparison with validated numerical simulations. In addition, compared with the five closed-form solutions available in the literature, the two proposed solutions display higher accuracy in predicting the global buckling loads of concentrically loaded PFRP I-section columns. Parametric studies are further conducted, and the influences of the main parameters on the performance of corresponding solutions are discussed. The two proposed solutions can facilitate the global buckling analysis and design of PFRP I-section members subjected to concentric compression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generally, the ignored stator transient of turbine generator result in the unidirectional electromagnetic torque caused by damping resistance is neglected. While, the unidirectional electromagnetic torque has a braking effect which can reduce the rotor acceleration following the disturbance and improve the stability of power system. With a 300 MW turbine generator as an example, the large disturbance characteristic and First Swing Stability (FSS) limit are calculated by Time-Step Finite Element Model (T-S FEM) and three practical models of turbine generator in this paper. The unidirectional electromagnetic torque caused by stator transient is investigated and its important role in FSS is analyzed. Since there are several material options for damping windings, the influence of damping resistance on the large disturbance characteristic and FSS limit are calculated and compared under different damping resistance. The result shows that the FSS limits calculated by the practical model with stator transient are increased than that without stator transient; the FSS limits of turbine generator with damping windings made from stainless steel are larger than that made from aluminum and beryllium bronze by the four kinds of generator models. The result provides theoretic basis of generator modeling for precise simulation of power systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mild and efficient method for THP protection of indazoles and benzyl alcohols has been developed in water, the most environmentally friendly solvent, in which Tween 20 (2% w/w) was added to form aqueous micelles to increase the solubility of starting materials. This aqueous protocol allowed the reaction to proceed smoothly at room temperature and with only 1.2 equiv of DHP, providing moderate to good yields of THP protected products for a wide scope of substrates. In addition, the methodology was highly practical in the large-scale synthesis (1 g synthesis of 2c as an example), wherein the convenient work-up and purification procedure (simple filtration) made the protocol even more attractive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a comprehensive test database of concentric compression experiments on pultruded fiber-reinforced polymer (PFRP) specimens that failed in a global flexural buckling mode published in literature between 1969 and 2016. A new closed-form equation to determine the reduction factor for global flexural buckling of PFRP structural struts under axial compression is developed on the basis of the Ayrton-Perry formula and observed initial out-of-straightness of PFRP members measured by other researchers. Recognizing that data on initial imperfections may be unavailable, a second new empirical closed-form equation is derived based upon the experimental database. Validation of the two explicit expressions is performed by both comparison to experimental data and comparison with validated numerical simulations. In addition, the accuracies of the two proposed equations are compared with those of five closed-form solutions available in the literature; both results in more accurate predictions than the extant equations. Both new proposed equations can be conveniently used by structural engineers at the preliminary engineering design stage for accurately assessing the reliability and safety of composite structures under concentric compressive loading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The artificial sensory-substitution system can work like real human sensory tissue and participate in the perception of sensory-handicap patient. The power-supply unit is key factor for its wearable, low-cost and long-term application. Here, a new self-powered multi-perception electronic-skin has been presented as brain sensory receptor for sensory substitution of tactility, audition, olfaction, gustation and vision. The device directly outputs the triboelectric sensory signal into brain using human motion energy without external electricity power or battery, and actively involves in multi-perceptions. The sensing unit arrays act as both the power source and brain sensory receptor for tracking force trace, hearing words, smelling odor, tasting beverage and recognizing image. The mechanism can be attributed to the coupling of triboelectrification and surface effect. The device connecting to mouse brain at primary somatosensory barrel cortex can mimic the mouse perception and drive the mouse activities. This new approach can be applied to fabricating new self-powered sensory-substitution systems and multi-perception brain sensory receptor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new self-powered wearable body-detecting/brain-stimulating system for monitoring and restraining epilepsy has been fabricated. The system can monitor body motion in real time and transmit the stimulus signals to brain for restraining the epileptic seizures. The system is composed of energy harvesting module, the body motion detection sensor, the data processing center, and neural stimulator. An arch-shaped device made of piezoelectric ceramic transducer (lead zirconate titanate; PZT) as energy harvesting module can convert the mechanical energy generated by body movement into electricity power. The motion detection sensor is made of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) doped with zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures, which can detect the tiny movements of the human body and transmit sensing signals to the data processing center. The data processing center can determine the epileptic seizure and generate neural stimulating signals. By stimulating the dentate gyrus/hilus brain region of mice, the total duration of epileptic seizures in mice is significantly reduced by 40–50%. This new self-powered strategy demonstrates the potential of brain-machine-interface system for personalized treatment of brain disease. [Display omitted] • New epilepsy treatment is realized by a self-powered wearable BMI system. • The self-powered technique is introduced into a BMI system. • It analyzes epilepsy seizure in real time and performs brain stimulation. • A closed loop of behavior-system-brain is formed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neural regulation that is tele-controlled remotely by medical professionals or artificial intelligence (AI) agents can meet the requirement of rapid, precise, personalized intervention and optimize the allocation of medical resources. Here, we develop a new self-powered wireless mini-invasive brain probe for remote intelligent neuroregulation. The probe can be wirelessly powered and controlled by cellphone audio tones (through piezoelectric effect) with the assistance of AI cellphone video analysis. The probe consists of a biocompatible pedestal integrated with implanting stimulation electrodes connected to embedded magnets and a magnetically coupled custom-designed signal-intensifying resonator integrated with a piezoelectric powered signal modulation circuit. A programmed audio tone functions as the wireless power source, and it can be tele-transmitted remotely from other cellphones with desired neural stimulation protocols. Combined with AI-enabled video monitoring of the epileptic tremor, we show that the probe can relieve the seizure events in the epileptic mice, and the therapeutic effect is confirmed by in-vivo electroencephalography and free-moving scenario. The multi-functionality of versatility, AI-assistance, wireless power transfer, and tele-transmission of the cellphone-interacted brain probe opens the possibility for remote precision neural modulation. [Display omitted] • Achieving rapid, precise, personalized neural intervention and optimizing the allocation of medical resources. • Being wirelessly self-powered by cellphone for AI-assistant remote neural modulation. • The audio tone of cellphone can conveniently power the brain probe wirelessly. • The programed audio tone with specific patterns can be customized for different conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supercapacitors (SCs) have ultra-high specific capacitance far exceeding traditional capacitors, and have become an important direction in the field of capacitor research. However, SCs devices based on carbon materials usually require a high temperature environment for N-doping or compounding of pseudocapacitive materials, which greatly increases the manufacturing cost and the difficulty of industrialized production. Herein, we fabricated cellulose-based flexible hydrogel supercapacitors by Fe3+ facilitated one-step ternary composite of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO)-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (TOCN)/sulfonated carbon nanotubes (SCNT)/polyaniline (PANI). The combination of these three substances could form a porous and flexible three-dimensional conductive hydrogel just at room temperature. By comparing the performance of supercapacitors prepared with different ratios of three substances, it was found that the best supercapacitors exhibited a high area specific capacitance of 1786 mF/cm2 at a current density of 1 mA/cm2 and excellent flexibility. Therefore, these composite hydrogels are promising for high-performance flexible solid-state supercapacitors. [Display omitted] • Flexible hydrogel supercapacitors were fabricated by one-step composite of TOCN/SCNT/PANI. • Fe3+ facilitated the in-situ polymerization of aniline and stable cross-linked networks of composites. • The 3D conductive hydrogels were porous and flexible. • The supercapacitor exhibited a high area specific capacitance of 1786 mF/cm2. • These composite hydrogels are promising for high-performance flexible solid-state supercapacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultural deposits of the Lingjing Xuchang Man site are up to 9 m thick and are divided into eleven levels. Level 5, which is dated to ca.13,500 ± 406 BP, contains abundant microlithics, including microblade cores, the blanks of microblade cores, the flakes produced by renewing and removing the platform, microblades, and tools. In this paper, the operational sequences for producing the microlithics from Level 5 are analyzed to indicate the production processes of microblades. Compared with other sites yielding microlithics in north China, the microblade technology at Lingjing is not unique. There are two kinds of microblade core technologies in north China, namely prepared technology and unprepared technology. The former is characterized by wedge-shaped microblade cores, while the latter one is characterized by pyramidal types of microblade cores. The microblade cores at Lingjing are mainly pyramidal. There are several types of microlithic tools and most were produced by pressure flaking. However, a few were detached by bipolar percussion. During the LGM (Last Glacial Maximum), a microblade technology appeared and existed widely in North China. As the southernmost site in north China yielding microlithics, research on the microlithics of Lingjing is of great importance in providing new materials for studies of the microblade technology and human behavioral pattern in north China and northeast Asia in the Late Paleolithic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduces indicators of early renal disease progression and the associated elevated cyclooxygenase (COX) levels in young obese rats with obesity-associated nephropathy (OAN). Therefore, renal function and injury and COX and its metabolites were assessed in obese fa/fa Zucker rats with more advanced renal disease. Obese rats at 16 weeks of age were provided with either cis (c)9, trans (t)11 ( fa/fa -9,11) or t10,c12 ( fa/fa -10,12) CLA for 8 weeks, and compared to lean (lean-CTL) and obese ( fa/fa -CTL) rats provided the control diet without CLA. Obese rats displayed significantly reduced renal function and increased renal injury compared to lean rats. In the obese rat groups, glomerular hypertrophy was reduced in both CLA-supplemented groups. While all other measures of renal function or injury were not different in fa/fa -9,11 compared to fa/fa -CTL rats, the fa/fa -10,12 rats had greater renal hypertrophy, glomerular fibrosis, fibrosis, tubular casts and macrophage infiltration compared to the fa/fa -CTL and fa/fa -9,11 groups. The fa/fa -10,12 group also had elevated levels of renal COX1, which was associated with increased levels of two oxylipins produced by this enzyme, 6-keto-prostaglandin F 1α , and thromboxane B 2 . Renal linoleic acid and its lipoxygenase products also were lower in obese compared to lean rats, but CLA supplementation had no effect on these or any other lipoxygenase oxylipins. In summary, supplementation with c9,t11 CLA did not improve more advanced OAN and t10,c12 CLA worsened the renal pathology. Altered production of select COX1 derived oxylipins was associated with the detrimental effect of the t10,c12 isomer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new self-powered wearable body-detecting/brain-stimulating system for improving sports endurance performance has been realized. This wearable system can real-time monitor body vital signs and transmit neural-stimulating signal into the brain. The whole system can work without any external electricity power and be powered by the body itself. The system on the flexible substrate is integrated from power generator, body monitoring unit, data processing module and brain stimulating electrodes. A piezoelectric power generator can harvest the motion energy of athletes through converting mechanical energy into electricity. The body monitoring unit that is fabricated from flexible piezoelectric polymer can actively detect respiration, carotid artery and heartbeat. The data processing module can process physiological information and the detected information can be used to trigger the neural stimulator module for neural stimulations. Demonstration of the system with stimulating electrodes implanted in the medial forebrain bundle in running mice reveals great enhancement of endurance performance. This study provides a novel self-powered strategy for wearable brain-machine-interface system and extends its application in sports and health monitoring. A self-powered wearable body-detecting/brain-stimulating system for improving sports endurance performance has been realized. Driven by body movement, this wearable system can real-time monitor body vital signs and transmit neural-stimulating signal into the brain. By delivering the neural stimulation to the MFB, the distance and duration of the long-distance running in mice are enhanced. [Display omitted] • Sports performance is firstly enhanced by a self-powered system. • The self-powered technique is introduced into a brain-machine-interface system. • The mice's sports time and running distance is enhanced by 30%. • The sports performance improvement is induced by the body energy itself, totally different from the Unethical Drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional methods of detecting and adjusting blood glucose concentration, such as blood analysis and insulin injection, may delay the treatment of metabolic disease. Here, a new self-powered closed-loop brain-machine-interface system for real-time detecting and rapidly adjusting blood glucose concentration has been fabricated. The system can work without external power supply and be self-powered by the body motion itself, which can meet the requirement of immediate treatment. The system mainly consists of active blood glucose sensor, energy harvester, micro-control unit and brain stimulator. The blood glucose sensor made of enzyme/ZnO nanowire arrays can output piezoelectric voltage under the driving of body motion, and the output can be treated as the glucose-detecting signal through the biosensing-piezoelectric coupling effect. A piezoelectric ceramic device as the energy harvester can convert the body mechanical energy into electricity for powering the whole system. The micro-control unit outputs brain stimulation pulse to the dorsomedial part of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMHdm) in the brain upon abnormal blood glucose concentration. In mouse samples, the brain stimulator connected to the VMHdm augments the expression of regulatory nerve receptors to achieve rapid increase of blood glucose concentration (39% within 10 min). Thus, a closed loop is formed among the body, brain and system. This self-powered closed-loop approach improves the accessibility of physiological insights and extends brain-machine-interface application in precision medicine for metabolic diseases. A self-powered closed-loop brain-machine-interface system for real-time detecting and rapidly adjusting blood glucose concentration has been realized. The blood glucose sensor made of enzyme/ZnO nanowire arrays can output piezoelectric voltage under the driving of body motion, and the output can be treated as the glucose-detecting signal through the biosensing-piezoelectric coupling effect. The micro-control unit outputs brain stimulation pulse to the dorsomedial part of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMHdm) in the brain, and in mouse samples, we achieve rapid increase of blood glucose concentration (an average increase of 39% within 10 min). [Display omitted] • A novel closed-loop system for rapidly adjusting the blood glucose concentration. • The self-powered blood glucose sensor can be driven by the body itself. • These blood glucose sensing signals can be converted into brain stimulation signals. • The brain-computer interface system successfully adjusts the blood glucose concentration of mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: It has been widely considered that the global warming was induced by the increasing atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, which has a significant impact on the sustainable development of the human society. Injecting carbon dioxide into depleted oil/gas reservoir has been developed to reduce carbon dioxide emission by the sequestration of CO2 underground, which is also considered as one promising approach to enhance oil recovery simultaneously. The evaluating of CO2 sequestration in oil reservoir needs highly accurate experimental data and models about the thermodynamic characters of CO2 + oil mixture. Density is one of key physical characters for simulating the diffusion and migration of carbon dioxide under the oil/gas reservoir. Research on volumetric behaviour is helpful to understand the expansion of the liquid phases in CO2 + oil mixture. In this paper, decane is investigated instead of petroleum because of the similar thermal physical property. The measurements have been performed at pressures from 12MPa to 18MPa and temperatures from 313.15K to 343.15K at four compositions x1 (x1 is the mole fraction of carbon dioxide) = 0.8690, 0.9135, 0.9430 and 0.9818 by a magnetic suspension balance (MSB). The accuracy of the experimental quantities presented in this work are T/K = ± 0.01, m/g = ± 10-5 respectively. One circulation pump (AKICO, Japan) is equipped to accelerate the dissolution of CO2 in decane. Some conclusions can be obtained from the experiment as follow: (1) the dissolution of CO2 increases the density of decane, the density of CO2 + decane solution increases with increasing pressure and decreases with increasing temperature. (2) the slope of density with respect to pressure increases with increasing CO2 mole fractions while the slope with respect to temperature decreases with increasing CO2 mole fractions. (3) the crossover phenomenon appears at different compositions and the crossover pressure increases with temperature. (4) the excess molar volumes of this binary mixture are negative and show negative increasing with temperature for the data reported in this work. The GERG - 2008 model is used to predict density of CO2 + decane solution, which takes temperature, pressure, and CO2 concentration into account. An empirical equation is also used to predict the density of this binary mixture. The predictions show that the empirical equation is in good agreement with the experimental data over the experimental range. The measurement and the model used in this work supplies the basic experimental data and theoretical analysis to CO2 sequestration and enhance oil recovery. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this research, the combustion performances and the smoke toxic of three kinds of thermal insulation materials: Expanded Polystyrene (XPS) insulation boards, polyurethane and rube-plastic sponge were studied by single burning item test(SBI), limiting oxygen index (LOI), oxygen bomb combustion heat and smoke toxicity test. Results showed that fireproof safety performance of the polyurethane is worst. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This article introduced the classification and fire testing of monolithic fire-resistant glass in China. The integrity of monolithic fire-resistant glass is determined by both the ability to resist surface stress and the softening temperature. In the application of monolithic fire-resistant glass in China, there are some problems, include the wrong use of glass frame, the disordered production, the author gave some advices at last. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Novel approaches to effectively reduce noise in data recorded from multi-trial physiology experiments have been investigated using two-dimensional filtering methods, adaptive Wiener filtering and reduced update Kalman filtering. Test data based on signal and noise model consisting of different conditions of signal components mixed with noise have been considered with filtering effects evaluated using analysis of frequency coherence and of time-dependent coherence. Various situations that may affect the filtering results have been explored and reveal that Wiener and Kalman filtering can considerably improve the coherence values between two channels of multi-trial data and suppress uncorrelated components. We have extended our approach to experimental data: multi-electrode array (MEA) local field potential (LFPs) recordings from the inferotemporal cortex of sheep and LFP vs. electromyogram (LFP-EMG) recording data during resting tremor in Parkinson’s disease patients. Finally general procedures for implementation of these filtering techniques are described. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The lithium-oxygen batteries (LOBs) have gained extensive interest in the past decade, but are plagued by slow reaction kinetics and induced large-voltage hysteresis. Therefore, developing extremely capable catalysts to enhance catalytic behavior and mitigate oxidation-reduction overpotential of LOBs is of huge challenge and significance. Attributable to their economically friendly and great activity, transition metal oxides (TMO) have incurred lots of attention as alternative electrocatalysts to replace the currently used noble metal-based catalysts. In this work, we fabricate a highly efficient TMO (the MIL-88A heated at 500 °C under protective flow, M8-Fe 3 O 4 @NC-500) electrocatalyst as advanced cathodes, which attributed to its unique structure, numerous dendritic-shaped carbon layer was anchored inplane into the micrometer-long spindle-shaped prisms with evenly distribution and contains abundant Fe–N/Graphitic N active sites. Therefore, the LOBs (based on M8-Fe 3 O 4 @NC-500/AB cathode) deliver superior electrochemical performance with large specific capacities of 14866.1 mAh g−1, low overpotentials (1.31 V), and steady cycling stability (553 cycles, limited 500 mAh g−1, under 0.05 mA cm−2). Our work provides a novel vision to rationally design and synthesize a powerful TMO electrocatalyst (with the 2D carbon nanosheet coating) for the LOBs cathode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban turfgrass ecosystems are expected to increase at unprecedented rates in upcoming decades, due to the increasing population density and urban sprawl worldwide. However, so far urban turfgrasses are among the least understood of all terrestrial ecosystems concerning their impact on biogeochemical N cycling and associated nitrous oxide (N 2 O) and nitric oxide (NO) fluxes. In this study, we aimed to characterize and quantify annual N 2 O and NO fluxes from urban turfgrasses dominated by either C4, warm-season species or C3, cool-season and shade-enduring species, based on year-round field measurements in Beijing, China. Our results showed that soil N 2 O and NO fluxes varied substantially within the studied year, characterizing by higher emissions during the growing season and lower fluxes during the non-growing season. The regression model fitted by soil temperature and soil water content explained approximately 50%–70% and 31%–38% of the variance in N 2 O and NO fluxes, respectively. Annual cumulative emissions for all urban turfgrasses ranged from 0.75 to 1.27 kg N ha−1 yr−1 for N 2 O and from 0.30 to 0.46 kg N ha−1 yr−1 for NO, both are generally higher than those of Chinese natural grasslands. Non-growing season fluxes contributed 17%–37% and 23%–30% to the annual budgets of N 2 O and NO, respectively. Our results also showed that compared to the cool-season turfgrass, annual N 2 O and NO emissions were greatly reduced by the warm-season turfgrass, with the high root system limiting the availability of inorganic N substrates to soil microbial processes of nitrification and denitrification. This study indicates the importance of enhanced N retention of urban turfgrasses through the management of effective species for alleviating the potential environmental impacts of these rapidly expanding ecosystems. [Display omitted] • Annual N 2 O and NO fluxes were characterized across various urban turfgrass types. • The magnitude of N 2 O and NO fluxes is greatly modulated by urban turfgrass species. • Changes in soil hydrothermal conditions determine the variance of N 2 O and NO fluxes. • Urban turfgrass systems are nonnegligible sources in N 2 O and NO budget estimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excess inflammatory microglia activation deteriorates the pathological degree of spinal cord injury (SCI). We here employed microglia samples in vitro and murine model in vivo to trace the role of inhibition of Arhgef3 in inflammatory response post SCI. From the specimen analysis of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory microglia, we found that Arhgef3 expression was positively relative to microglia activation. In vitro , LPS caused the microglia inflammatory activation and induced upregulation of the Arhgef3 expression. Interestingly, presence of Arhgef3 could activate RhoA through promoting Rho GTPases, but silencing of Arhgef3 decreased RhoA activation and inhibited the microglia inflammation. Moreover, disruption of Arhgef3 inhibited the GTP-RhoA, resulted in a suppression of proinflammatory cytokines, and alleviated the LPS-elicited inflammatory genes expression. Moreover, artificially decreasing Arhgef3 expression remarkedly reduced ROS generation after LPS treatment. In vivo of a mouse mechanical contusion-induced SCI model, inhibition of Arhgef3 reduced the ratio of GTP-RhoA/Total-RhoA, and prevented SCI via mitigating the microglial inflammatory phenotype and decreased secondary neurological injury. Besides, inhibition of Arhgef3 prevented alleviated the degree of demyelination but did not affect neuronal regeneration. Meaningfully, absence of Arhgef3 improved mouse locomotor recovery post SCI. Taken together, Arhgef3 involves the microglial activation and inflammatory response following neural injury, and targeted disrupting of which may indicate a promising therapeutic direction in preventing SCI. [Display omitted] • Arhgef3 and RhoA protein react in cascade during the development of microglial inflammation. • Blocking Arhgef3 expression reduces the level microglial inflammation and ROS generation via suppressing RhoA activation. • Silence of Arhgef3 alleviates neuroinflammation-induced neurological damage and improves functional recovery post SCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Various time–frequency methods have been used to study time-varying properties of non-stationary neurophysiological signals. In the present study, a time–frequency coherence estimate using continuous wavelet transform (CWT) together with its confidence intervals are proposed to evaluate the correlation between two non-stationary processes. The approach is based on averaging over repeat trials. A systematic comparison between approaches using CWT and short-time Fourier transform (STFT) is carried out. Simulated data are generated to test the performance of these methods when estimating time–frequency based coherence. In contrast to some recent studies, we find that CWT based coherence estimates do not supersede STFT based estimates. We suggest that a combination of STFT and CWT would be most suitable for analysing non-stationary neural data. Tests are presented to investigate the time and frequency discrimination capabilities of the two approaches. The methods are applied to two experimental data sets: electroencephalogram (EEG) and surface electromyogram (EMG) during wrist movements in a healthy subject, and local field potential (LFP) and surface EMG recordings during resting tremor in a Parkinsonian patient. Supporting software is available at http://www.dcs.warwick.ac.ukffeng/software/COD and http://www.neurospec.org. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Linear Feedback Shift Registers are a commonly used method of producing pseudo-random sequences with large period. This paper investigated another applications of the third-order linear feedback shift register sequence (3-LFSR). It proposed two methods for directly constructing probabilistic public-key encryption primitives. The proposed probabilistic encryption schemes have properties of one-wayness and semantic security. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]