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BackgroundThe enrichment of nuclear fuel may significantly influence the fuel performance of a reactor.PurposeThis study aims to explore the effect of U3Si2-Al plate-type fuel enrichment on its performance,MethodsThe fuel performance analysis code BEEs-Plates, neutronics Monte Carlo code OpenMC, and the one-dimensional system analysis code ZEBRA were coupled together within the MOOSE (Multiphysics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment) framework. Then the coupling code was employed to conduct the multiphysics coupling calculation for JRR-3 (Japanese Research Reactor No.3) fuel assembly enriched at 15%, 20%, and 25%. The data exchange among the three codes were realized with the help of interpolation transfer method implemented in MOOSE. Additionally, neutron physical parameters and fuel performance parameters after 231 d of operation were analyzed when the average fuel consumption of the module was 125.71 GWd∙tU-1.ResultsThe calculation results indicate that the max power density of fuel assembly enriched at 25% is 18% higher than the assembly enriched at 15%. Due to the high thermal conductivity of aluminum, the temperature difference in the fuel assembly is almost negligible whilst there is a significant difference in the fast neutron fluence. The results of fuel temperature and fast neutron fluence show that the volumetric strain is more obviously affected by the fuel temperature. Specifically, the plastic strain of the assembly with 25% enrichment is approximately 40% higher than that of the assembly with 15% enrichment.ConclusionThe analysis results of this study suggest that the assembly with a higher enrichment is more prone to failure.

Social media platforms have been used by various actors to bypass traditional media gatekeepers to share messages, draw attention, and accumulate influence. We study how actors from peripheral groups gain influence on social media and how their social media behaviors evolve over time. Integrating online strategic performance and hybrid media literature, we hypothesize that peripheral groups perform group identities to spur social media audience reaction and news media amplification, to which they further adapt their performance. By analyzing 242 QAnon Twitter accounts using topic modeling and time series modeling, we find that their in-group solidarity and out-group animosity tweets boost retweets, but not followers; increased retweets and followers drive news media amplification largely undertaken by right-wing outlets and motivate future performance of group identity, particularly of out-group animosity. The implications of social media and news media for the growth of peripheral actors and ideologies are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Balancing adolescents’ growing desire for independence with the establishment of effective media-related rules presents a complex challenge for many parents. Our study, utilising a diverse nationwide sample of 1,480 adolescents aged 13-17, investigates how adolescents’ perceptions of rule restrictiveness might explain the relationship between parental rule strategies and adolescents’ overuse of media. Indicators of overuse include dysregulated media engagement, interference of media use with other activities, and media-related physical symptoms. Structural equation modelling reveals that a higher number of rules and more frequent enforcement are associated with increased perceptions of restrictiveness among adolescents. However, adolescents tend to view rules as more reasonable when parents consistently adhere to these rules themselves, particularly in situations with numerous rules and strict enforcement. Notably, a curvilinear relationship emerges between adolescents’ perceptions of rule restrictiveness and media overuse indicators. Adolescents who perceive rules as reasonable, rather than overly restrictive or lenient, report lower levels of media overuse indicators. Our findings highlight the importance of parents establishing media use expectations that are balanced, reasonable, and that they themselves are committed to following. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have suggested that active social media use can promote well-being by enhancing perceived social support. However, the relationship between social media use and perceived social support remains inconsistent across studies. This study explores possible mechanisms underlying the relationship between active social media use, perceived social support, and well-being during and after a COVID-19 lockdown. Using online surveys with Chinese participants during (N = 1,131) and after (N = 407) the lockdown period, our findings support a sequential mediation model. Specifically, active social media use was positively associated with perceived online network responsiveness, which in turn, predicted augmented perceived social support. Ultimately, increased social support was linked to reduced loneliness and increased life satisfaction. These findings were consistent both during and after the lockdown, indicating that social media has the potential to complement offline social interactions and effectively fulfill individuals' social needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Therapeutics targeting osteoclasts are commonly used treatments for bone metastasis; however, whether and how osteoclasts regulate premetastatic niche and bone tropism are largely unknown. In this study, we report that osteoclast precursors (OPs) can function as a premetastatic niche component that facilitates breast cancer (BCa) bone metastasis at early stages. At the molecular level, unbiased GPCR ligand/agonist screening in BCa cells suggested that R-spondin 2 (RSPO2) and RANKL, through interaction with their receptor LGR4, promoted osteoclastic premetastatic niche formation and enhanced BCa bone metastasis. This was achieved by RSPO2/RANKL-LGR4 signal modulating the WNT inhibitor DKK1 through G[[alpha].sub.q] and [beta]-catenin signaling. DKK1 directly facilitated OP recruitment through suppression of its receptor LDL receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5) but not LRP6, upregulating Rnasek expression via inhibition of canonical WNT signaling. In clinical samples, RSPO2, LGR4, and DKK1 expression showed a positive correlation with BCa bone metastasis. Furthermore, soluble LGR4 extracellular domain (ECD) protein, acting as a decoy receptor for RSPO2 and RANKL, significantly alleviated bone metastasis and osteolytic lesions in a mouse bone metastasis model. These findings provide unique insights into the functional role of OPs as key components of the premetastatic niche for BCa bone metastasis and identify RSPO2/RANKL-LGR4 signaling as a promising target for inhibiting BCa bone metastasis., Introduction Accumulating evidence demonstrates that target organs of cancer metastasis are not just the passive receivers of disseminated tumor cells, but instead are selectively and positively groomed by the primary [...]

Background: Chemotherapy is an important approach for lung cancer patients. The study was designed to evaluate the feasibility of the compound probiotic supplements in improving the quality of life for lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: This randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial enrolled chemotherapy‐naive patients with lung cancer who were scheduled to receive platinum‐based doublet chemotherapy. All eligible patients were randomly administered (1:1) compound probiotic supplements (group BP‐1) or placebo (group C) for two chemotherapy cycles. The EORTC QLQ C30 questionnaire scores were evaluated before the first, second, and third cycles of chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was the difference in the EROTC QLQ C30 questionnaire score between the two groups after two cycles of chemotherapy. Results: A total of 110 patients were recruited from March 2021 to January 2022. After undergoing two cycles of chemotherapy, group BP‐1 were significantly better in various dimensions of the overall quality of life, role function, nausea and vomiting, appetite loss, constipation, and diarrhea relative to group C (76.90 ± 18.31 vs. 58.89 ± 17.17; 93.33 ± 11.58 vs. 85.93 ± 15.06; 0.00 ± 0.00 vs. 27.04 ± 29.15; 6.67 ± 13.53 vs. 22.22 ± 18.80; 0.95 ± 5.63 vs. 28.15 ± 22.42; 2.86 ± 9.47 vs. 15.56 ± 16.82; p < 0.05, respectively). The incidence of nausea and vomiting, appetite loss, constipation, and diarrhea in group BP‐1 was significantly lower than in group C (0% vs. 71.43%, 16.67% vs. 57.14%, 2.38% vs. 63.27%, and 7.14% vs. 42.86%, respectively, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Compound probiotic supplements can improve the quality of life and relieve chemotherapy‐related gastrointestinal side effects for lung cancer patients receiving platinum‐based doublet chemotherapy. (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR1800019269). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a three-pronged framework to study discourses surrounding social media activism initiated by networked counterpublics: personalized expressions that share stories and support, demands for changes that address systematic problems, and contentions between various actors and perspectives. Situating our analysis in discourses related to sexual violence and gender justice activism on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Reddit, we use supervised machine learning to quantify three discourses—networked acknowledgment, calls to action, and feminism contention—and apply time series analysis to model their interrelations. Results show that networked acknowledgment stimulated both calls to action and feminism contention and that calls to action predicted feminism contention across all platforms. These discourses were more sensitive to real-world events on Twitter and Facebook, but more ephemeral and cyclical on Instagram and more persistent and coupled on Reddit. Our findings speak to the opportunities and challenges in social media activism and underscore cross-platform similarities and differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, many countries have implemented a variety of lockdown and quarantine measures. With substantially reduced face-to-face interactions, many people may have relied heavily on social media for connection, information, and entertainment. However, little is known about the psychological and physical health implications of social media use during strict lockdown. The current study investigates the associations of social media use with psychological well-being and physical health among Wuhan residents (N = 1214). Our findings showed that non-COVID related self-disclosure was positively associated with psychological well-being, while COVID related information consumption and sharing were negatively associated with psychological well-being. Further, more generic use of social media was associated with lower psychological well-being, which in turn related to more somatic symptoms. Quarantined people used social media more frequently than non-quarantined people. Importantly, the negative association between social media use and psychological well-being was significantly stronger for quarantined people than unquarantined people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily member 11 (TNFSF11, also known as RANKL) regulates multiple physiological or pathological functions, including osteoclast differentiation and osteoporosis. TNFRSF11A (also called RANK) is considered to be the sole receptor for RANKL. Herein we report that leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 4 (LGR4, also called GPR48) is another receptor for RANKL. LGR4 competes with RANK to bind RANKL and suppresses canonical RANK signaling during osteoclast differentiation. RANKL binding to LGR4 activates the Gaq and GSK3-p signaling pathway, an action that suppresses the expression and activity of nuclear factor of activated T cells, cytoplasmic, calcineurindependent 1 (NFATC1) during osteoclastogenesis. Both whole-body ([Lgr4.sup.-/-]) and monocyte conditional knockout mice of Lgr4 (Lgr4 CKO) exhibit osteoclast hyperactivation (including elevation of osteoclast number, surface area, and size) and increased bone erosion. The soluble LGR4 extracellular domain (ECD) binds RANKL and inhibits osteoclast differentiation in vivo. Moreover, LGR4-ECD therapeutically abrogated RANKL-induced bone loss in three mouse models of osteoporosis. Therefore, LGR4 acts as a second RANKL receptor that negatively regulates osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption., Bone-mass regulation depends on the dynamic balance between bone formation and bone resorption, which are driven by osteoblast activation and osteoclast activation, respectively. RANKL is a central positive regulator of [...]

In this study, we examine the social and psychological motives for a set of strategic selfie-related behaviour including the manipulation and sharing digital images of oneself, captured by oneself. We argue that attachment anxiety stemming from provider relationships at a young age explains development of self-worth based on approval from others. The proposed mediation model demonstrates that approval-based self-worth then predicts selfie-related behaviour. Given the cross-cultural nature of our data, we conducted multi-group comparisons using nationality as a grouping variable. Path analysis results from culturally distinct samples of Singaporean (N = 236) and American participants (N = 336) revealed that approval-based self-worth mediated the relationship between attachment anxiety and selfie capturing frequency. The model explained more variance in American participants' selfie-related behaviour. Attachment anxiety predicted composition editing and subject editing, but only for Americans. Implications for future research are discussed in evolving technological and cross-cultural contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the COVID‐19 pandemic, it is important for people to engage in prosocial behaviours to support one another. The aim of this research is to answer a key question: in a social crisis, what motivates Americans to help others? Guided by research on appraisal theories and ecosystem theory, we examined the role of compassionate goals and prosocial emotions in promoting prosocial behaviours towards either out‐group or in‐group members. Study 1 (N = 943) was conducted in February 2020, before the widespread transmission of COVID‐19 began in the United States. Results show that people with high compassionate goals are more likely to experience sympathy, which in turn makes them more willing to help people suffering from COVID‐19 in China. Study 2 (N = 1,009) was conducted with a nationally representative sample after COVID‐19 became more prevalent in the United States. Although people with high compassionate goals still experience more sympathy and solidarity, sympathy does not predict donation intention. Instead, solidarity mediates the relationship between compassionate goals and donation intention. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The HOX genes are a group of highly conserved Homeobox‐containing genes that control the body plan organization during development. However, their contributions to tumorigenesis and tumor progression remain uncertain and controversial. Here we provided evidence of tumor‐suppressive activity of HOXD13 in prostate cancer. HOXD13 depletion contributes to more aggressiveness of prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. These effects were corroborated in a metastatic mice model, where we observed more bone metastatic lesions formed by prostate cancer cells with HOXD13 ablation. Mechanistically, HOXD13 prevents BMP4‐induced epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) by inhibiting mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 1 (SMAD1) transcription. Both bioinformation and our tissue microarray cohort data show that HOXD13 expression inversely correlated in advanced prostate cancer patient specimens. Our findings establish HOXD13 as a negative regulator of prostate cancer progression and metastasis by preventing BMP4/SMAD1 signaling, and potentially suggest new strategies for targeting metastatic prostate cancer. What's new? While homeobox (HOX) genes are known for regulating organ development and maintaining normal tissues, alterations in their expression potentially influence cancer progression. Here, the authors show that downregulation of HOXD13 in particular is strongly associated with disease progression in prostate cancer patients. Prostate cancer cells harboring low HOXD13 levels exhibited aggressive phenotypes, both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, HOXD13 was found to diminish BMP4‐induced epithelial‐mesenchymal transition by inhibiting SMAD1 transcription, suggesting that HOXD13 negatively regulates prostate cancer progression and metastasis. BMP4‐SMAD1 inhibitors may provide an alternative option for patients whose prostate tumors exhibit HOXD13 downregulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research focuses on three factors that influence how individuals cognitively process information related to the coronavirus outbreak. Guided by dual‐process theories of information processing, we establish how the two different information processing modes (system 1: heuristic processing; system 2: systematic processing) are influenced by individuals' responsibility attribution, discrete negative emotions, and risk perception. In an experiment, participants were exposed to a news article that either blames China (n = 445) or does not blame China (n = 498) for the pandemic. Results reveal that exposure to the responsibility attribution frame led individuals to engage in more heuristic processing, but it did not influence systematic processing. Discrete negative emotions and risk perception mediated the relationship between responsibility attribution and information processing. The indirect relationships suggest a more intricate process underlying heuristic processing and systematic processing. In particular, information processing styles seem to be determined by social judgment surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancers have been considered as one of the most severe health problems in the world. Efforts to elucidate the cancer progression reveal the importance of bone metastasis for tumor malignancy, one of the leading causes for high mortality rate. Multiple cancers develop bone metastasis, from which breast cancers exhibit the highest rate and have been well-recognized. Numerous cells and environmental factors have been believed to synergistically facilitate bone metastasis in breast cancers, from which breast cancer cells, osteoclasts, osteoblasts, and their produced cytokines have been well-recognized to form a vicious cycle that aggravates tumor malignancy. Except the cytokines or chemokines, calcium ions are another element largely released from bones during bone metastasis that leads to hypercalcemia, however, have not been well-characterized yet in modulation of bone metastasis. Calcium ions act as a type of unique second messenger that exhibits omnipotent functions in numerous cells, including tumor cells, osteoclasts, and osteoblasts. Calcium ions cannot be produced in the cells and are dynamically fluxed among extracellular calcium pools, intracellular calcium storages and cytosolic calcium signals, namely calcium homeostasis, raising a possibility that calcium ions released from bone during bone metastasis would further enhance bone metastasis and aggravate tumor progression via the vicious cycle due to abnormal calcium homeostasis in breast cancer cells, osteoclasts and osteoblasts. TRPs, VGCCs, SOCE, and P2Xs are four major calcium channels/routes mediating extracellular calcium entry and affect calcium homeostasis. Here we will summarize the overall functions of these four calcium channels in breast cancer cells, osteoclasts and osteoblasts, providing evidence of calcium homeostasis as a vicious cycle in modulation of bone metastasis in breast cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a novel computational paradigm, Physarum solver has received increasing attention from the researchers in tackling a plethora of network optimization problems. However, the convergence of Physarum solver is grounded by solving a system of linear equations iteratively, which often leads to low computational performance. Two factors have been highlighted along the process: 1) high time complexity in solving the system of linear equations and 2) extensive iterations required for convergence. Thus, Physarum solver has been largely restricted by its unsatisfactory computational performance. In this paper, we aim to address these two issues by developing two enhancement strategies: 1) pruning inactive nodes and 2) terminating Physarum solver in advance. First, extensive nodes and edges become and stay inactive after a few iterations in identifying the shortest path. Removing these inactive nodes and edges significantly decreases the graph size, thereby reducing computational complexity. Second, we define a transition phase for edges. All of the paths experiencing such a transition phase are dynamically aggregated to form a set of near-optimal paths among which the optimal path is included. Depth-first search is then leveraged to identify the optimal path from the near-optimal paths set. Earlier termination of Physarum solver saves considerable iterations while guaranteeing the optimality of the found solution. Empirically, 20 randomly generated sparse and complete graphs with network sizes ranging from 50 to 2000 as well as two real-world traffic networks are used to compare the performance of accelerated Physarum solver to the other two state-of-the-art algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mass media systems play increasingly prevalent roles in our lives. However, the relationship between traditional mass media exposure and behavior on social media is unclear, particularly in the context of selfie-related behavior, which includes capturing, editing, and sharing images of oneself. In the tradition of social cognitive theory, we argue that reality television (RTV) models a value system focused on the self and competition with others, and hypothesize a model where self-worth based on competition mediates the relationship between RTV viewing and selfie-related behavior. Path analysis results from survey data (N = 334) support the mediation model. Selfie-related behavior was explicated and measured via novel instruments. Audience variables including online network size and diversity also played roles in selfie editing and sharing, as did specific social media platforms. Results are discussed in the context of evolving media systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorophyll a (Chl-a) concentration, which reflects the biomass and primary productivity of phytoplankton in water, is an important water quality parameter to assess the eutrophication status of water. The band combinations shown in the images of Donghu Lake (Wuhan City, China) captured by Landsat satellites from 1987 to 2018 were analyzed. The (B4 − B3)/(B4 + B3) [(Green − Red)/(Green + Red)] band combination was employed to construct linear, power, exponential, logarithmic and cubic polynomial models based on Chl-a values in Donghu Lake in April 2016. The correlation coefficient (R2), the relative error (RE) and the root mean square error (RMSE) of the cubic model were 0.859, 9.175% and 11.194 μg/L, respectively and those of the validation model were 0.831, 6.509% and 19.846μg/L, respectively. Remote sensing images from 1987 to 2018 were applied to the model and the spatial distribution of Chl-a concentrations in spring and autumn of these years was obtained. At the same time, the eutrophication status of Donghu Lake was monitored and evaluated based on the comprehensive trophic level index (TLI). The results showed that the TLI (∑) of Donghu Lake in April 2016 was 63.49 and the historical data on Chl-a concentration showed that Donghu Lake had been eutrophic. The distribution of Chl-a concentration in Donghu Lake was affected by factors such as construction of bridges and dams, commercial activities and enclosure culture in the lake. The overall distribution of Chl-a concentration in each sub-lake was higher than that in the main lake region and Chl-a concentration was highest in summer, followed by spring, autumn and winter. Based on the data of three long-term (2005–2018) monitoring points in Donghu Lake, the matching patterns between meteorological data and Chl-a concentration were analyzed. It revealed that the Chl-a concentration was relatively high in warmer years or rainy years. The long-term measured data also verified the accuracy of the cubic model for Chl-a concentration. The R2, RE and RMSE of the validation model were 0.641, 2.518% and 22.606 μg/L, respectively, which indicated that it was feasible to use Landsat images to retrieve long-term Chl-a concentrations. Based on longitudinal remote sensing data from 1987 to 2018, long-term and large-scale dynamic monitoring of Chl-a concentrations in Donghu Lake was carried out in this study, providing reference and guidance for lake water quality management in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]