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This work investigates biodiesel production via transesterification of Mexican palm oil with methanol catalyzed by binary solid base core–shell catalysts with improved catalytic stability. A series of CaO–ZnO mixed solids were prepared using an inexpensive co–precipitation method by varying ZnO content from 5 to 20 mol%. Several factors, such as surface basicity, ZnO content, phase compositions, and thermal treatment of the catalysts, were all proven to be crucial for the production of biodiesel with good quality. Thermal treatment could effectively remove the surface adsorbed water and impurities and improved the catalytic activity. The addition of ZnO to CaO significantly enhanced the catalysts' stability; however, it led to lower surface basicity and slightly diminished catalytic activity. ZnO doping inhibited the formation of surface Ca(OH)2 and promoted the formation of Ca–Zn–O or CaZn2(OH)6 phase as the core and a surface CaCO3 shell, which effectively decreased Ca2+ leaching by approximately 74% in methanol and 65% in a methanol–glycerol (4:1) mixture. A combined method of separation and purification for obtaining clean biodiesel with high quality was proposed. The biodiesel obtained under the control conditions exhibited properties which satisfied the corresponding standards well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Real-world emission factors for different vehicle types and their contributions to roadside air pollution are needed for air-quality management. Tunnel measurements have been used to estimate emission factors for several vehicle types using linear regression or receptor-based source apportionment. However, the accuracy and uncertainties of these methods have not been sufficiently discussed. This study applies four methods to derive emission factors for different vehicle types from tunnel measurements in Hong Kong, China: (1) simple linear regressions (SLR); (2) multiple linear regressions (MLR); (3) positive matrix factorization (PMF); and (4) EMission FACtors for Hong Kong (EMFAC-HK). Separable vehicle types include those fueled by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), gasoline, and diesel. PMF was the most useful, as it simultaneously seeks source profiles and source contributions. Diesel-, gasoline-, and LPG-fueled vehicle emissions accounted for 52%, 10%, and 5% of PM2.5 mass, respectively, while ammonium sulfate (~20%), ammonium nitrate (6%), and road dust (7%) were also large contributors. MLR exhibited the highest relative uncertainties, typically over twice those determined by SLR. EMFAC-HK has the lowest relative uncertainties due to its assumption of a single average emission factor for each pollutant and each vehicle category under specific conditions. The relative uncertainties of SLR and PMF are comparable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Two ongoing prospective randomized trials are evaluating whether omitting axillary lymph node dissection (alnd) in patients with breast cancer (bca) and sentinel lymph node (sln) macrometastases undergoing mastectomy is safe. Determining predictive risk factors for non-sln metastases and developing a model to predict the probability of those patients having non-sln metastases is also important. Methods This retrospective study enrolled 396 patients with bca and 1-2 slns with macrometastases who underwent alnd and mastectomy between January 2012 and December 2016. Factors influencing the non-sln metastases were determined, and a predictive nomogram was formulated. Performance of the nomogram was evaluated by its area under the curve (auc). Results We developed a predictive nomogram with an auc of 0.81 (cross-validation 95% confidence interval: 0.75 to 0.86) that included 4 factors (tumour size, histologic grade, and number of negative slns and axillary lymph nodes on imaging). Conclusions Our predictive nomogram assesses the risk of non-sln metastases in patients with bca and 1-2 sln macrometastases undergoing mastectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Effective treatment for breast cancer-related chronic lymphedema (BCRL) remains a clinical challenge. Acupuncture and moxibustion treatments have been shown to be benefcial and safe for treating BCRL. In the present randomized controlled trial, we compared the effectiveness of combined acupuncture and moxibustion ("warm acupuncture") with that of diosmin in BCRL. Methods Breast cancer patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria (n = 30) were randomized to experimental and control groups (15 per group). On alternate days, patients in the experimental group received 30 minutes of acupuncture at 6 acupoints, with 3 of the needles each being topped by a 3-cm moxa stick. The control treatment was diosmin 900 mg 3 times daily. The control and experimental treatments were administered for 30 days. Outcome measures included arm circumferences (index of effectiveness), range of motion [ROM (shoulder joint function)], quality of life, clinical safety, and adverse events. Results Measured by the index of effectiveness, BCRL improved by 51.46% in the experimental group and by 26.27% in the control group (p < 0.00001). Effects were greatest at 10 cm above the elbow and at the wrist, where the warm needling was provided. Impairments in shoulder joint ROM were minimal at baseline in both treatment groups. However, the ROMs of rear protraction, abduction, intorsion, and extorsion in the experimental group improved signifcantly; they did not change in the control group. Self-reported quality of life was signifcantly better with warm acupuncture than with diosmin. No adverse effects were reported during the treatment period, and laboratory examinations for clinical safety fell within the normal ranges. Conclusions Compared with diosmin, warm acupuncture treatment can effectively reduce the degree of BCRL at the specifc acupoints treated and can promote quality of life. Warm acupuncture showed good clinical safety, without any adverse effects on blood or the cardiovascular system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The survival benefit for single-agent anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapy compared with combination therapy with irinotecan in KRAS wildtype (WT) metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC) patients in the third-line treatment setting is not known. The objective of the present study was to describe the characteristics of, and to compare survival outcomes in, two cohorts of patients treated with either singleagent panitumumab or combination therapy with cetuximab and irinotecan. Methods The study enrolled patients with KRAS wt mcrc previously treated with both irinotecan and oxaliplatin who had received either panitumumab or combination cetuximab-irinotecan before April 1, 2011, at the BC Cancer Agency (BCCA). Patients were excluded if they had received anti-egfr agents in earlier lines of therapy. Data were prospectively collected, except for performance status (PS), which was determined by chart review. Information about systemic therapy was extracted from the bcca Pharmacy Database. Results Of 178 eligible patients, 141 received panitumumab, and 37 received cetuximab-irinotecan. Compared with patients treated with cetuximab-irinotecan, panitumumab-treated patients were significantly older and more likely to have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) ps of 2 or 3 (27.7% vs. 2.7%, p = 0.001). Other baseline prognostic variables and prior and subsequent therapies were similar. Median overall survival was 7.7 months for the panitumumab group and 8.3 months for the cetuximab-irinotecan group. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that survival outcomes were similar regardless of the therapy selected (hazard ratio: 1.28; p = 0.34). An ecog ps of 2 or 3 compared with 0 or 1 was the only significant prognostic factor in this treatment setting (hazard ratio: 3.37; p < 0.01). Conclusions Single-agent panitumumab and cetuximab-irinotecan are both reasonable third-line treatment options, with similar outcomes, for patients with chemoresistant mCRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flash drought is a type of drought that develops quickly (usually within 2–4 weeks) in contrast to conventional, slowly evolving drought. Due to its sudden onset, flash drought is more difficult to predict and can cause major agricultural losses if it is not forecasted in a timely manner. To improve our ability to predict flash drought, we develop a subseasonal tool to predict areas susceptible to flash drought development using the Phase 2 of the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS-2) data. The tool calculates the rapid change index (RCI) using 7-day mean evapotranspiration anomalies. RCI is the accumulated magnitude of moisture stress changes (standardized differences) occurring over multiple weeks, and drought is likely to develop when RCI is negative. Since RCI changes with time, like all drought variables, it is difficult to capture drought development signals by monitoring RCI maps. In order to create an intuitive drought prediction map that directly depicts drought tendency, we use a threshold method to identify grid points with large decreases of 7-day mean evapotranspiration anomaly (i.e., RCI less than −0.5) in the last 30 days and under the condition that 3-month standardized precipitation index is less than −0.4. The real-time tool started running on 1 April 2018 at the NOAA Climate Prediction Center (CPC) and has been used to support CPC's Monthly Drought Outlook efforts. The performance of the tool is evaluated using both retrospective and real-time predictions. The assessment shows promising results in predicting potential flash drought development, and the interplay between precipitation and high temperatures appears to be a challenge for flash drought prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the characteristics of flash drought events and further predicting the onset of such events on subseasonal timescales is of critical importance for impact assessment, disaster mitigation, and loss prevention. In this study, we employ a rate-of-change approach and define a flash drought event as a drought event with greater than or equal to two categories degradation in a four-week period based on the U.S. Drought Monitor. Unlike conventional drought, which can occur year-round and everywhere in the United States, flash drought has preferred seasons and locations to occur, mostly in the warm season and over the central United States. Widespread flash drought over the United States is largely correlated with La Niña episodes. In contrast with conventional drought, which is mainly driven by precipitation deficits, anomalously high evapotranspiration rates, caused by anomalously high temperatures, winds, and/or incoming radiation, are usually present before the onset of flash drought. Comparing to precipitation and soil moisture, evapotranspiration typically has the largest decline rate during the fast-development phase. Three-month Standardized Precipitation Indexes are mostly dry right before flash drought onset, but large deficits are not required. As a result, monitoring rapid changes in evapotranspiration, along with precipitation and soil moisture conditions, can provide early warnings of flash drought development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the impact of trans-arterial embolization (TAE) on overall survival (OS) in patients with liver metastases from gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (LM-GEP-NETs) and to identify factors that may influence tumor response to TAE treatment., Methods: This study included patients with histologically and radiologically confirmed LM-GEP-NETs who received TAE treatment at The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, between November 2016 and January 2023. Imaging responses were assessed using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 and modified RECIST (mRECIST) criteria. Tumor response was defined as complete or partial remission., Results: In total, 267 patients with LM-GEP-NETs were included. Patients with liver tumor burdens <25%, 25-50%, and ≥50% had progressively worse OS ( p < 0.005). According to the RECIST criteria, 65.9% of patients exhibited tumor responses. Using the mRECIST criteria, 77.5% of patients showed tumor responses. Survival analyses with log-rank tests indicated that patients with tumor responses assessed using either the RECIST or mRECIST criteria had significantly better OS ( p = 0.015 and p = 0.023, respectively). Further logistic regression analyses showed that early TAE (within 4 months after diagnosis of liver metastases) was associated with tumor responses assessed using RECIST or mRECIST. These results were further verified using propensity score matching and inverse probability treatment weighting adjusted datasets., Conclusions: A higher liver tumor burden was associated with poorer OS in patients with LM-GEP-NETs. Tumor response after TAE indicates survival benefits. Early TAE (within 4 months of diagnosis) was associated with better treatment responses.

Background: p97 (also known as valosin-containing protein, VCP) is a member of the AAA+ ATPase family and is intimately associated with protein quality control and homeostasis regulation. Therefore, pharmaceutical inhibition of p97 has been actively pursued as an anticancer strategy. Recently, p97 has emerged as an important pro-viral host factor and p97 inhibitors are being evaluated as potential antiviral agents. Methods: We designed and synthesized novel p97 inhibitors based on the rearrangement of the central fused ring of our previously reported p97 inhibitors. These compounds were tested for inhibition of p97, cytotoxicity, and antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. Molecular docking was also performed on selected inhibitors to shed light on their binding modes. Results: Among these new p97 inhibitors, two compounds possess enhanced anti-p97 activity over their parent compounds. More significantly, these two inhibitors exhibit strong antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 at doses with no significant cytotoxicity. Molecular docking reveals no major change of the binding mode relative to that of their parent compounds, further supporting our design strategy. Conclusions: These compounds are structurally novel p97 inhibitors that display low toxicity and possess promising antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 and potentially other viruses. Further structural exploration is therefore justified and improved analogs will serve as useful tools for studying p97 as a promising host antiviral target.

Bee venom (BV) and its main compound melittin (MLT) have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging activities; however, very little research has been conducted on their effects on skin aging. In this study, a mouse skin aging model induced by D-galactose was constructed via subcutaneous injection into the scruff of the neck, and different doses of BV and MLT were used as interventions. The anti-aging effects and mechanisms of BV and MLT were explored by detecting the skin morphology and structure, and anti-aging-related factors and performing non-targeted metabolomics of mice. BV and MLT improved dermal and epidermal thickness, boosted the collagen fiber content, increased hydroxyproline and hyaluronic acid levels, and enhanced transcript-level expression of IL-10 , Col1a1 , and Col3a1 , while decreasing that of IL-1β . Metabolomic analysis showed that BV and MLT regulated the levels of some metabolites (compared to those in the skin aging control). BV effectively alleviated skin aging by regulating the pentose phosphate pathway, and pathways associated with carbon, galactose, and β-alanine metabolism, whereas MLT regulated pathways related to lipid metabolism, cholesterol metabolism, and atherosclerosis. This study highlights the potential applicability of BV and MLT in skin aging treatments and cosmetic products.

Tripterygium glycosides (TGs) are the most common form of traditional Chinese medicine, known as Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TWHF) [...].

Remaining useful life (RUL) prediction is a cornerstone of Prognostic and Health Management (PHM) for power machinery, playing a crucial role in ensuring the reliability and safety of these critical systems. In recent years, deep learning techniques have shown great promise in RUL prediction, providing more reliable and accurate outcomes. However, existing models often struggle with comprehensive feature extraction, especially in capturing the complex behavior of power machinery, where non-linear degradation patterns arise under varying operational conditions. To tackle this limitation, we propose a multi-feature fusion model leveraging a dual-attention mechanism. Initially, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and channel attention mechanisms are employed to preliminarily extract spatial features. Subsequently, a layer combining a Gate Recurrent Unit (GRU) and self-attention mechanisms is used to further extract and integrate temporal features. Finally, RUL values are predicted via regression. The effectiveness of the proposed method was validated on C-MAPSS datasets, and its superior performance in RUL prediction was demonstrated through comparative analysis with other methods.

Target detection is a core function of integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) systems. The traditional likelihood ratio test (LRT) target detection algorithm performs inadequately under low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions, and the performance of mainstream orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) waveforms declines sharply in high-speed scenarios. To address these issues, an information-theory-based orthogonal time frequency space (OTFS)-ISAC target detection processing framework is proposed. This framework adopts the OTFS waveform as its fundamental signal. The target detection is implemented through a relative entropy test (RET) comparing echo signals against target presence/absence hypotheses. Furthermore, to enhance the system's target detection capability, the iterative OTFS-ISAC waveform design (I-OTFS-WD) method which maximizes the relative entropy is proposed. This method utilizes the minorization-maximization (MM) algorithm framework and semidefinite relaxation (SDR) technique to transform the non-convex optimization problem into an iterative convex optimization problem for resolution. The simulation results demonstrate that, under sufficient sample conditions, the RET algorithm achieves a 9.12-fold performance improvement over LRT in low-SNR scenarios; additionally, the optimized waveform reduces the sample requirements of the RET algorithm by 40%, further enhancing the target detection capability of the OTFS-ISAC system.

Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) is a significant pathogen that causes substantial economic losses in the equine industry worldwide, which leads to severe respiratory diseases and abortions in horses. However, reports of EHV-1 infection in donkeys are limited, particularly in China. This case study reported an EHV-1-induced respiratory disease in Dezhou donkey foals in Shandong Province, China, in July 2024. Three one-month-old foals exhibited high fever, nasal discharge, and respiratory distress, with a 100% mortality rate. The causative agent, strain LC126, was isolated from a one-month-old donkey foal exhibiting severe respiratory disease. Phylogenetic analysis of the EHV-1 isolate LC126 showed close similarity to EHV-1. Overall, our study revealed that EHV-1 can cause respiratory distress as well as death in donkeys. The study underscores the emerging threat of EHV-1 in donkeys and highlights the need for veterinarians and breeders to give proper attention to the potential threat of EHV-1 outbreaks.

The hydrate blockage avoidance performance of two anti-agglomerants (coconut amidopropyl dimethylamine, propylene bis (octadecylamidopropyl dimethylammonium chloride)) and their mixtures with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was tested in a high-pressure rocking cell apparatus. The effect of gas-liquid ratio, water content and PVP concentration were analyzed. A method for evaluating the kinetic inhibiting and anti-agglomerating performance of hydrate inhibitors was established. It was found that coconut amidopropyl dimethylamine had good anti-agglomerating performance at a low gas-liquid ratio (0.5) and various water content levels (20~80%), while propylene bis (octadecylamidopropyl dimethylammonium chloride) had a good anti-agglomerating performance only at a low gas-liquid ratio (0.5) and high water content (80%), and the hydrate volume fraction was up to 23.27% for good anti-agglomeration. When PVP was mixed with the above two anti-agglomerants, it was found that coconut amidopropyl dimethylamine could significantly reduce the kinetic inhibition performance of PVP, while propylene bis (octadecylamidopropyl dimethylammonium chloride) had no significant effect on the kinetic inhibition performance of PVP. The maximum subcooling was 4.4 °C. PVP had no significant effect on the anti-agglomerating performance of the two anti-agglomerants, and the maximum hydrate volume fraction was 18.87% when the agglomeration was well inhibited.

Gallium nitride (GaN) exhibits distinctive physical and chemical properties that render it indispensable in a multitude of electronic and optoelectronic devices. Given that GaN is a typical hard and brittle material that is difficult to machine, femtosecond laser technology provides an effective and convenient tool for processing such materials. However, GaN undergoes complex physical and chemical changes during high-power ablation, which poses a challenge to high-precision processing with controllable geometry. In this study, the quantitative relationship between the parameters of a single-pulse femtosecond laser and GaN ablation morphology was investigated using isotherm distribution. A multiphysics model using COMSOL Multiphysics ® was developed to generate the isothermal distributions. Experiments were conducted on the femtosecond laser ablation of GaN at various single-pulse energies, and the resulting ablation morphologies were compared with the predictions from the multiphysics model. The comparison demonstrated that the calculated isotherm distribution accurately predicted not only the ablation diameter and depth but also the crater shape across a broad range of laser fluences. The predicted errors of the ablation diameters and depths were within 4.71% and 10.9%, respectively. The root mean square error (RMSE) and coefficient of determination (R 2 ) were employed to evaluate the prediction errors associated with the crater shapes, which fell within the range of 0.018-0.032 μm and 0.77-0.91, respectively. This study can provide an important reference for utilizing femtosecond lasers in the precise ablation of GaN to achieve desired geometries.

Flexible, wearable, piezoresistive sensors have significant potential for applications in wearable electronics and electronic skin fields due to their simple structure and durability. Highly sensitive, flexible, piezoresistive sensors with the ability to monitor laryngeal articulatory vibration supply a new, more comfortable and versatile way to aid communication for people with speech disorders. Here, we present a piezoresistive sensor with a novel microstructure that combines insulating and conductive properties. The microstructure has insulating polystyrene (PS) microspheres sandwiched between a graphene oxide (GO) film and a metallic nanocopper-graphene oxide (n-Cu/GO) film. The piezoresistive performance of the sensor can be modulated by controlling the size of the PS microspheres and doping degree of the copper nanoparticles. The sensor demonstrates a high sensitivity of 232.5 kPa -1 in a low-pressure range of 0 to 0.2 kPa, with a fast response of 45 ms and a recovery time of 36 ms, while also exhibiting excellent stability. The piezoresistive performance converts subtle laryngeal articulatory vibration into a stable, regular electrical signal; in addition, there is excellent real-time monitoring capability of human joint movements. This work provides a new idea for the development of wearable electronic devices, healthcare, and other fields.

A communication network integrating multiple modes can effectively support the sustainable development of next-generation wireless communications. Integrated sensing, communication, and power transfer (ISCPT) represents an emerging technological paradigm that not only facilitates information transmission but also enables environmental sensing and wireless power transfer. To achieve optimal beamforming in transmission, it is crucial to satisfy multiple constraints, including quality of service (QoS), radar sensing accuracy, and power transfer efficiency, while ensuring fundamental system performance. The presence of multiple parametric constraints makes the problem a non-convex optimization challenge, underscoring the need for a solution that balances low computational complexity with high precision. Additionally, the accuracy of channel state information (CSI) is pivotal in determining the achievable rate, as imperfect or incomplete CSI can significantly degrade system performance and beamforming efficiency. Deep reinforcement learning (DRL), a machine learning technique where an agent learns by interacting with its environment, offers a promising approach that can dynamically optimize system performance through adaptive decision-making strategies. In this paper, we propose a DRL-based ISCPT framework, which effectively manages complex environmental states and continuously adjusts variables related to sensing, communication, and energy harvesting to enhance overall system efficiency and reliability. The achievable rate upper bound can be inferred through robust, learnable beamforming in the ISCPT system. Our results demonstrate that DRL-based algorithms significantly improve resource allocation, power management, and information transmission, particularly in dynamic and uncertain environments with imperfect CSI.

Infrared thermography techniques have proven to be very effective for assessing the fatigue limits of metallic materials with obvious temperature variations. But for some materials, it has been shown that the temperature variation is very limited, and the accuracy of infrared thermographic techniques is not verified. In this study, the fatigue properties of a high-strength steel (SAE52100) were evaluated with traditional fatigue-loading techniques and infrared thermographic methods. The traditional fatigue experiments were loaded at a frequency of 80 Hz with a stress ratio of R = -1, and the fatigue limit at the fatigue lifetime of N = 10 7 cycles was about 800 MPa. Besides, three additional specimens were loaded with step-by-step increasing stress-loading amplitude, where the maximum temperature increments and temperature distribution were recorded via infrared thermographic techniques. The infrared detections revealed that the maximum value of the temperature increase was only about 1 °C. The fatigue limit was first evaluated based on the maximum temperature variation, then the prediction was refined based on fatigue intrinsic dissipation. The fatigue limits predicted with maximum temperature variation were shown to be 841 MPa, 772 MPa, and 787 MPa, respectively, while the fatigue limits predicted based on fatigue intrinsic dissipation were 793 MPa, 791 MPa, and 789 MPa. Finally, an FEM simulation of temperature variation during fatigue loading was implemented to verify the experimental results. This study provides a solid foundation for the applications of infrared thermography techniques for materials with lower energy dissipations.

This study addresses the challenges of electromagnetic interference and unstable signal transmission encountered by traditional sensors in detecting partial discharge (PD) within stator slots of large motors. A novel Extrinsic Fabry-Perot Interferometer (EFPI) sensor with a vibration-coupling air gap was designed to enhance the narrowband resonant detection sensitivity for PD ultrasonic signals by optimizing the diaphragm structure and coupling interface. The sensor features a quartz diaphragm with a thickness of 20 μM, an effective constrained radius of 0.9 mm, a vibration-coupling air gap depth of 100 μM, and a first-order natural resonant frequency of 66 kHz. Simulation and experimental analyses revealed the distribution characteristics and propagation paths of ultrasonic signals within stator slots. The results demonstrate that the EFPI sensor effectively detects PD ultrasonic signals at its resonant frequency of 66 kHz with a localization error of less than 5 mm, meeting engineering requirements. This study provides theoretical and practical insights into the efficient detection and precise localization of insulation faults in large motor stators.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) represent two frequently observed clinical conditions. AKI is characterized by an abrupt decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), generally associated with elevated serum creatinine (sCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and electrolyte imbalances. This condition usually persists for approximately a week, causing a transient reduction in kidney function. If these abnormalities continue beyond 90 days, the condition is redefined as chronic kidney disease (CKD) or may advance to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Recent research increasingly indicates that maladaptive repair mechanisms after AKI significantly contribute to the development of CKD. Thus, implementing early interventions to halt the progression from AKI to CKD has the potential to markedly improve patient outcomes. Although considerable research has been conducted, the exact mechanisms linking AKI to CKD are complex, and effective treatments remain limited. Kidney function is influenced by circadian rhythms, with the circadian gene Bmal1 being vital in managing these cycles. Recent research indicates that Bmal1 is significantly involved in the progression of both AKI and CKD. In this study, we conducted a retrospective analysis of Bmal1's role in AKI and CKD, reviewed recent research advancements, and investigated how Bmal1 influences the pathological mechanisms underlying the progression from AKI to CKD. Additionally, we highlighted gaps in the existing research and examined the potential of Bmal1 as a therapeutic target in kidney disease management. This work aims to provide meaningful insights for future studies on the role of the circadian gene Bmal1 in the transition from AKI to CKD, with the goal of identifying therapeutic approaches to mitigate kidney disease progression.

Fast Fourier Transform-based Space-Time Image Velocimetry (FFT-STIV) has gained considerable attention due to its accuracy and efficiency. However, issues such as false detection of MOT and blind areas lead to significant errors in complex environments. This paper analyzes the causes of FFT-STIV gross errors and then proposes a method for validity identification and rectification of FFT-STIV results. Three evaluation indicators-symmetry, SNR, and spectral width-are introduced to filter out invalid results. Thresholds for these indicators are established based on diverse and complex datasets, enabling the elimination of all erroneous velocities while retaining 99.83% of valid velocities. The valid velocities are then combined with the distribution law of section velocity to fit the velocity curve, rectifying invalid results and velocities in blind areas. The proposed method was tested under various water levels, weather conditions, and lighting scenarios at the Panzhihua Hydrological Station. Results demonstrate that the method effectively identifies FFT-STIV results and rectifies velocities in diverse environments, outperforming FFT-STIV and achieving a mean relative error (MRE) of less than 8.832% within 150 m. Notably, at night with numerous invalid STIs at a distance, the proposed method yields an MRE of 4.383% after rectification, outperforming manual labeling.

Porcine latissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) is a crucial source of pork products. Meat quality indicators, such as the proportion of muscle fibers and intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition, vary during the growth and development of pigs. Numerous studies have highlighted the heterogeneous nature of skeletal muscle, with phenotypic differences reflecting variations in cellular composition and transcriptional profiles. This study investigates the cellular-level transcriptional characteristics of LDM in large white pigs at two growth stages (170 days vs. 245 days) using single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq). We identified 56,072 cells across 12 clusters, including myofibers, fibro/adipogenic progenitor (FAP) cells, muscle satellite cells (MUSCs), and other resident cell types. The same cell types were present in the LDM at both growth stages, but their proportions and states differed. A higher proportion of FAPs was observed in the skeletal muscle of 245-day-old pigs. Additionally, these cells exhibited more active communication with other cell types compared to 170-day-old pigs. For instance, more interactions were found between FAPs and pericytes or endothelial cells in 245-day-old pigs, including collagen and integrin family signaling. Three subclasses of FAPs was identified, comprising FAPs&#95; COL3A1 + , FAPs&#95; PDE4D + , and FAPs&#95; EBF1 + , while adipocytes were categorized into Ad&#95; PDE4D + and Ad&#95; DGAT2 + subclasses. The proportions of these subclasses differed between the two age groups. We also constructed differentiation trajectories for FAPs and adipocytes, revealing that FAPs in 245-day-old pigs differentiated more toward fibrosis, a characteristic reminiscent of the high prevalence of skeletal muscle fibrosis in aging humans. Furthermore, the Ad&#95; PDE4D + adipocyte subclass, predominant in 245-day-old pigs, originated from FAPs&#95; PDE4D + expressing the same gene, while the Ad&#95; DGAT2 + subclass stemmed from FAPs&#95; EBF1 + . In conclusion, our study elucidates transcriptional differences in skeletal muscle between two growth stages of pigs and provides insights into mechanisms relevant to pork meat quality and skeletal muscle diseases.

Euphjatrophanes H-L ( 1 - 5 ), four new jatrophane-type and one new lathyrane-type diterpenoid, were isolated from Euphorbia peplus , along with eight known diterpenoids ( 6 - 13 ). Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis and X-ray crystallographic experiments. All compounds were subjected to bioactivity evaluation using flow cytometry in autophagic flux assays with HM mCherry-GFP-LC3 cells, the human microglia cells which stably expressed the tandem monomeric mCherry-GFP-tagged LC3. Compounds 1 - 3 , 5 - 10 , and 12 significantly increase autophagic flux, and compounds 1 and 12 displayed relatively high BBB permeability, with log Pe values of -4.853 and -5.017, respectively. These findings indicated that jatrophane diterpenoids could serve as a valuable source for innovative autophagy inducers.

With the rapid development of the Internet of Things (IoT), the scope of personal data sharing has significantly increased, enhancing convenience in daily life and optimizing resource management. However, this also poses challenges related to data privacy breaches and holdership threats. Typically, blockchain technology and cloud storage provide effective solutions. Nevertheless, the centralized storage architecture of traditional cloud servers is susceptible to single points of failure, potentially leading to system outages. To achieve secure data sharing, access control, and verification auditing, we propose a data security sharing scheme based on blockchain technology and attribute-based encryption, applied within the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS). This scheme employs multi-agent systems and attribute-based signcryption algorithms to process data, thereby enhancing privacy protection and verifying data holdership. The encrypted data are then stored in the distributed IPFS, with the returned hash values and access control policies uploaded to smart contracts, facilitating automated fine-grained access control services. Finally, blockchain data auditing is performed to ensure data integrity and accuracy. The results indicate that this scheme is practical and effective compared to existing solutions.

Olfactory receptors (ORs) are members of the transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor superfamily, playing a crucial role in odor recognition, which further mediates crucial biological processes in mammals. In sows, androstenone can trigger sexual behaviors through olfaction, but the underlying mechanism remains to be explored. To efficiently and accurately screen pig olfactory receptors responding to androstenone and the key structure determinant, we adapted the high-throughput RNA-seq strategy to screen the altered genes upon androstenone treatment in the olfactory epithelium of pigs, yielding 1397 downregulated genes. Of which, 15 OR genes and 49 OR-like genes were candidate androstenone-responsive genes, and 5 ORs (OR2D2, OR8D1, OR8D2, OR10Z1 and OR7D4) were proven as responsible for androstenone-mediated olfaction in vitro. Among the five ORs, pig OR7D4 has the highest level of androstenone response. To further find the structural determinant, we performed ligand-binding cavity analysis on pig OR7D4 with androstenone, predicted seven potential structural sites and further confirmed that F178 and T203 are the key sites for recognizing androstenone. Nevertheless, the natural non-synonymous mutation M133V (rs696400829) of pig OR7D4 was proven to significantly impair the respondence to androstenone. This is the first time the ORs responding to androstenone in pigs and the key structural determinant of pig OR7D4 were identified, which highlights the significance of investigating the role of OR7D4 in pig reproduction performance in the future.

Background/objectives: Cold stress is the main environmental factor that affects the growth and development of rice, leading to a decrease in its yield and quality. However, the molecular mechanism of rice's low-temperature resistance remains incompletely understood., Methods: In this study, we conducted a joint analysis of miRNA and mRNA expression profiles in the cold-resistant material Yongning red rice and the cold-sensitive material B3 using high-throughput sequencing., Results: 194 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMIs) and 14,671 differentially expressed mRNAs (DEMs) were identified. Among them, 19 DEMIs, including miR1437, miR1156, miR166, miR1861, and miR396&#95;2 family members, showed opposite expression during the early or late stages of low-temperature treatment in two varieties, while 13 DEMIs were specifically expressed in Yongning red rice, indicating that these miRNAs are involved in rice's resistance to low temperature. In the transcriptome analysis, 218 DEMs exhibited opposite expressions during the early or late stages of low-temperature treatment in two varieties. GO enrichment analysis indicated that these DEMs were enriched in biological processes such as a defense response to fungi, a defense response to bacteria, a plant-type cell wall modification, single-organism cellular processes, a response to chitin, and the regulation of a plant-type hypersensitive response, as well as in cellular components such as the apoplast, nucleus, vacuole, plasma membrane, and plasmodesma. Twenty-one genes were further selected as potential candidates for low-temperature resistance. The joint analysis of miRNA and mRNA expression profiles showed that 38 miRNAs corresponding to 39 target genes were candidate miRNA-mRNA pairs for low-temperature resistance., Conclusions: This study provides valuable resources for determining the changes in miRNA and mRNA expression profiles induced by low temperatures and enables the provision of valuable information for further investigating the molecular mechanisms of plant resistance to low temperatures and for the genetic improvement of cold-resistant varieties.

Glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (PGI), a key enzyme that catalyzes the reversible conversion of glucose-6-phosphate and fructose-6-phosphate, plays an important role in plant growth, development, and responses to abiotic stresses and pathogen infections. However, whether and how PGI modulates herbivore-induced plant defenses remain largely unknown. The Brown planthopper (BPH, Nilaparvata lugens ) is a devastating insect pest of rice, causing significant damage to rice plants through feeding, oviposition, and disease transmission, resulting in great yield losses. Here, we isolated a rice cytosolic PGI gene, OsPGI1c , which is ubiquitously expressed in rice plants; the highest transcript levels are found in leaves, outer leaf sheaths, and seeds. The expression of OsPGI1c was induced by infestation by gravid females of the BPH, mechanical wounding, and treatment with jasmonic acid (JA). Overexpressing OsPGI1c in rice (oePGI) enhanced both the masses of plant shoots and roots and basal levels of trehalose; however, when infested by gravid BPH females for 2 days, trehalose levels were significantly lower in oePGI plants than in wild-type (WT) plants. Additionally, the overexpression of OsPGI1c increased the BPH-induced levels of JA, jasmonoyl-L-isoleucine, and abscisic acid, but decreased the levels of ethylene and H 2 O 2 . Bioassays revealed that gravid BPH females preferred WT plants over oePGI plants for laying eggs; moreover, BPH eggs exhibited lower hatching rates and required longer developmental durations on oePGI plants than WT plants. These results indicate that OsPGI1c positively modulates both rice growth and BPH resistance.

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element that is crucial for human health. As a key component of various enzymes and proteins, selenium primarily exerts its biological functions in the form of selenoproteins within the body. Currently, over 30 types of selenoproteins have been identified, with more than 20 of them containing selenocysteine residues. Among these, glutathione peroxidases (GPXs), thioredoxin reductases (TrxRs), and iodothyronine deiodinases (DIOs) have been widely studied. Selenium boasts numerous biological functions, including antioxidant properties, immune system enhancement, thyroid function regulation, anti-cancer effects, cardiovascular protection, reproductive capability improvement, and anti-inflammatory activity. Despite its critical importance to human health, the range between selenium's nutritional and toxic doses is very narrow. Insufficient daily selenium intake can lead to selenium deficiency, while excessive intake carries the risk of selenium toxicity. Therefore, selenium intake must be controlled within a relatively precise range. This article reviews the distribution and intake of selenium, as well as its absorption and metabolism mechanisms in the human body. It also explores the multiple biological functions and mechanisms of selenium in maintaining human health. The aim is to provide new insights and evidence for further elucidating the role of selenium and selenoproteins in health maintenance, as well as for future nutritional guidelines and public health policies.

An ultrafast microwave ranging method based on optically generated frequency-modulated microwave pulses is proposed in this study. The theoretical analysis demonstrated that nanosecond-scale linear frequency modulation microwave pulse can be obtained by femtosecond laser interference under the condition of unbalanced dispersion, which can be used to achieve a high temporal resolution of the displacement change in the measurement by the principle of frequency modulation continuous wave (FMCW) radar. The proof-of-principle experiment successfully measured the displacement change with an error of 2.5 mm and a range of 0.6 m, with a response time of 468 ns. Compared to existing microwave ranging technologies, the temporal resolution was improved by two orders of magnitude, which greatly improves the temporal resolution of distance measurement in the field of microwave FMCW radar.

In this study, a novel Cu-bearing 304 stainless steel doped with 4.0 wt.% Cu (304-Cu SS) was developed, and the effects of nitrogen microalloying (304N-Cu SS) and heat treatment on mechanical, antibacterial, and corrosion properties were investigated. It was found that when aging at 700 °C, the Vickers hardness and strength of the 304N-Cu SS first significantly increased with increasing aging time up to 4 h and then slowly decreased with further increase in aging time. The best combination of strength and ductility, namely, a yield strength of 319 MPa, ultimate tensile strength of 657 MPa, and elongation to fracture of 47.0%, was achieved in the 304N-Cu SS after aging at 700 °C for 6 h. Moreover, the antibacterial and corrosion rates of the newly developed 304N-Cu SS reached 99.67% and 0.0032 g·m -2 h -1 , surpassing those of 304-Cu SS by 0.38% and 9.4%, respectively. These enhancements in the mechanical, antibacterial, and corrosion properties were attributed to the precipitation of high-density nanoscale Cu-rich precipitates during aging. Our results demonstrate that nitrogen microalloying is an effective metallurgical method for the future development of new antibacterial austenitic stainless steels with simultaneously enhanced mechanical, antibacterial, and corrosion properties for direct drinking water distribution systems.

In this paper, a silicon carbide (SiC) phototransistor based on an open-base structure was fabricated and used as a radiation detector. In contrast to the exposed and thin sensitive region of traditional photo detectors, the sensitive region of the radiation detector was much thicker (30 μm), ensuring the high energy deposition of radiation particles. The response properties of the fabricated SiC npn radiation detector were characterized by high-energy X-ray illumination with a maximum X-ray photon energy of 30 keV. The SiC npn detector featured stable and clear response to the X-ray within 0.0766 Gy∙s -1 to 0.766 Gy∙s -1 below 300 V. Due to to the low leakage current of less than 1 nA and the fully depleted sensitive region, the bipolar-transistor-modeled SiC npn detector exhibited a clear common-emitter current gain of 5.85 at 200 V (under 0.383 Gy∙s -1 ), where the gain increased with bias voltage due to the Early effect and reached 7.55 at 300 V. In addition, the transient response of the SiC npn detector revealed a longer delay time than the SiC diode of the same size, which was associated with the larger effective capacitance of the npn structure. The npn detector with internal gain showed great potential in radiation detection.

Floral phenology and features are intricately linked to pollinator behavior and pollination systems. Iris setosa is one of the ornamental irises of the family Iridaceae with beautiful flowers and leaves, and little research has been reported on its pollination biology. This study analyzed how phenology, floral features, breeding systems, and pollinator visits affect reproductive success of I. setosa populations in Jilin Province. Field observations and pollination studies demonstrated that I. setosa reached the bud stage in late May, with an average flowering time of 30 days. The anthers were outwardly dehiscent toward the outer edge of the style branches. In herkogamy, the relative locations of the anthers and stigma remained unchanged during flower opening. The stamens matured first. The pollen was most viable and the stigmas were most receptive on the first day of flowering. The nectar had the maximum sugar content. The sexual reproduction system was mainly outcrossing, with some self-compatibility and a need for pollinators. After artificial self-pollination, fluorescent microscopy revealed the winding of pollen tubes. The predominant flower-visiting insects were Apis mellifera , Megachile sp., Syrphus corollae , Episyrphus balteatus , and Lasioglossum sp., among which A. mellifera , Megachile sp., and Lasioglossum sp. were effective pollinators. Understanding the pollination mechanisms and strategies of I. setosa provides basic reference data on the potential for reproduction, and conservation efforts.

Drought is a major environmental factor limiting plant growth and development. Hemerocallis middendorffii is a perennial herbaceous plant with high drought resistance, and high ornamental and application values. Understanding the mechanism of drought stress resistance in H. middendorffii is helpful for better utilization of plant resources and selection of excellent germplasms. In this study, the phenological and physiological traits of H. middendorffii were comprehensively analyzed under natural drought stress (ND) and PEG-simulated drought stress (PD), and the resistance of H. middendorffii to different levels of drought stress was evaluated. ND was treated using a natural water loss method. PD was treated under drought stress by using PEG-6000. H. middendorffii were able to grow within 15 d of ND and 4 d of 20% PD. Beyond this drought time, H. middendorffii will wilt and lose their ornamental value. Further study showed that H. middendorffii protect themselves from damage and enhance drought resistance mainly by increasing the content of osmoregulatory substances, enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and inhibiting photosynthesis. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content accumulated rapidly at 15 d of ND and 7 d of PD. Antioxidant enzyme activities peaked at 15 d of ND and 4 d of PD. Photosynthetic parameters decreased at 15 d of ND and 4 d of 20% PD, respectively. Moreover, we identified that the HmWRKY9 gene was up-regulated for expression in the leaves after ND and PD. HmWRKY9 may be involved in regulating the response of H. middendorffii to drought stress.

TB18 is a newly developed high-strength metastable β-titanium alloy, commonly used in aerospace structural materials, which demands high mechanical performance. By altering the alloy's microstructure, heat treatment can affect its mechanical characteristics. The alloy was solution treated for one to four hours at 870 °C in order to examine the impact of solution treatment duration. Using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the effects of solution treatment time on the β-phase grain size and its effect on stress distribution during tensile testing were examined. The findings showed that stress concentration during the tensile process was successfully decreased by refining the β-phase grain size. Sample solutions treated for two hours at 870 °C were then aged at various temperatures (510 °C, 520 °C, 530 °C, and 540 °C) to examine the impact of aging temperature. While the mass proportion of the α-phase first climbed and subsequently declined, reaching its maximum at 530 °C, the size of the α-phase increased monotonically as the aging temperature increased. The varies of mass fraction is associated with how the aging temperature affects α-phase nucleation. Tensile studies on TB18 alloy aged at various temperatures showed that while the alloy's ductility reduced, its strength increased as the aging temperature rose. The Hall-Petch relationship explains this tendency.

This work addresses the task allocation problem in spatial crowdsensing with altruistic participation, tackling challenges like declining engagement and user fatigue from task overload. Unlike typical models relying on financial incentives, this context requires alternative strategies to sustain participation. This paper presents a new solution, the Volunteer Task Allocation Engine (VTAE), to address these challenges. This solution is not based on economic incentives, and it has two primary goals. The first one is to improve user experience by limiting the workload and creating a user-centric task allocation solution. The second goal is to create an equal distribution of tasks over the spatial locations to make the solution robust against the possible decrease in participation. Two approaches are used to test the performance of this solution against different conditions: computer simulations and a real-world experiment with real users, which include a qualitative evaluation. The simulations tested system performance in controlled environments, while the real-world experiment assessed the effectiveness and usability of the VTAE with real users. This research highlights the importance of user-centered design in citizen science applications with altruistic participation. The findings demonstrate that the VTAE algorithm ensures equitable task distribution across geographical areas while actively involving users in the decision-making process.

Phase change fibers (PCFs) can effectively store and release heat, improve energy efficiency, and provide a basis for a wide range of energy applications. Improving energy storage density and preserving flexibility are the primary issues in the efficient manufacture and application development of PCFs. Herein, we have successfully fabricated a suite of flexible PCFs with high energy storage density, which use hollow carbon fibers (HCFs) encapsulated phase change materials (PCMs) to provide efficient heat storage and release, thereby enhancing energy efficiency and underpinning a broad range of energy applications. The flexible HCF/LA PCFs with high energy density were made by impregnating a small molecule LA solution, whereas the precursor of the PAN/ZIF-67 composite fibers was created by electrospinning. These PCFs have a high loading capacity for lauric acid (LA), demonstrating a 92% load percentage and a 153 J g -1 phase change enthalpy value. The effects of doping quantity (ZIF-67), fiber orientation, pre-oxidation treatment, and particle size on the morphological and structural characteristics of HCFs, as well as the impact of HCFs' pore structure on PCM encapsulation, were investigated. It was found that the oriented fiber structure serves to reduce the likelihood of fracture and breakage of precursor fibers after carbonization, whilst the gradient pre-oxidation can maintain the original fiber morphology of the fibers after carbonization. These findings establish a solid theoretical foundation for the design and production of high-performance flexible porous carbon nanofiber wiping phase change composites.

The thin-walled hyperbolic structures made from titanium alloy primarily encompass two typical forms: hyperbolic convex and hyperbolic concave (saddle). This paper addresses the technical challenges associated with the forming processes that frequently result in ripples or wrinkles in these configurations. Specifically, it investigates precision control techniques for the hot forming process of thin-walled hyperbolic skins from TC4 titanium alloy. The present study examines the relationship between the instability characteristics and defect features of the thin-walled hyperbolic skins, establishing a constitutive model for TC4 titanium alloy and conducting uniaxial tensile tests. For the hyperbolic convex skin and the hyperbolic saddle skin, small-margin coupled hot pressing and curved edge forming processes are employed, respectively. Results are analyzed to identify the forms and distribution patterns of forming defects across different geometries. Furthermore, the surface accuracy following the forming processes is compared, culminating in a summary of the relationship between the ratio of the sum of chord heights to the sum of chord lengths and the occurrence of ripples and wrinkles.

Cholangiocarcinoma is a malignant tumor that emerges in the intrahepatic or extrahepatic bile ducts. Doramectin (DOR), a third-generation derivative of avermectins (AVMs), is renowned for its low toxicity and high efficiency. However, no research has hitherto focused on the anti-cholangiocarcinoma effects of these drugs. In this study, we undertook a preliminary exploration of the mechanism through which DOR inhibits the viability of human cholangiocarcinoma cells (Mz-ChA-1) via transcriptome analysis and molecular validation at the cellular level. The results indicated that DOR could suppress the growth and proliferation of Mz-ChA-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, it significantly diminished their migration and invasion abilities. Cell cycle analysis disclosed arrest in the G1 phase, accompanied by an increase in p21 expression and a decrease in the levels of the cyclin E1 and CDK2 proteins. Additionally, DOR induced apoptosis via the ROS-triggered mitochondrial pathway. This was attested by an elevation in the BAX/BCL-2 ratio, the activation of caspase 3/7 and the cleavage of PARP1. These mechanistic insights underscore DOR's potential as a therapeutic agent against cholangiocarcinoma.