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Temporal analyses are critical to understanding learning processes, yet understudied in education research. Data from different sources are often collected at different grain sizes, which are difficult to integrate. Making sense of data at many levels of analysis, including the most detailed levels, is highly time-consuming. In this paper, we describe a generalizable approach for more efficient yet rich sensemaking of temporal data during student use of intelligent tutoring systems. This multi-step approach involves using coarse-grain temporality--learning trajectories across knowledge components--to identify and further explore "focal" moments worthy of more fine-grain, context-rich analysis. We discuss the application of this approach to data collected from a classroom study in which students engaged in a Chemistry Virtual Lab tutoring system. We show that the application of this multi-step approach efficiently led to interpretable and actionable insights while making use of the richness of the available data. This method is generalizable to many types of datasets and can help handle large volumes of rich data at multiple levels of granularity. We argue that it can be a valuable approach to tackling some of the most prohibitive methodological challenges involved in temporal learning analytics.

Temporal analyses are critical to understanding learning processes, yet understudied in education research. Data from different sources are often collected at different grain sizes, which are difficult to integrate. Making sense of data at many levels of analysis, including the most detailed levels, is highly time-consuming. In this paper, we describe a generalizable approach for more efficient yet rich sensemaking of temporal data during student use of intelligent tutoring systems. This multi-step approach involves using coarse-grain temporality--learning trajectories across knowledge components--to identify and further explore "focal" moments worthy of more fine-grain, context-rich analysis. We discuss the application of this approach to data collected from a classroom study in which students engaged in a Chemistry Virtual Lab tutoring system. We show that the application of this multi- step approach efficiently led to interpretable and actionable insights while making use of the richness of the available data. This method is generalizable to many types of datasets and can help handle large volumes of rich data at multiple levels of granularity. We argue that it can be a valuable approach to tackling some of the most prohibitive methodological challenges involved in temporal learning analytics. [This article was published in "Journal of Learning Analytics" (EJ1176036).]

We describe an interactive module that can be used to teach basic concepts in electrochemistry and thermodynamics to first year natural science students. The module is used together with an experimental laboratory and improves the students' understanding of thermodynamic quantities such as ?rG, ?rH, and ?rS that are calculated but not directly measured in the lab. We also discuss how new technologies can substitute some parts of experimental chemistry courses, and improve accessibility to course material. Cloud computing platforms such as CoCalc facilitate the distribution of computer codes and allow students to access and apply interactive course tools beyond the course's scope. Despite some limitations imposed by cloud computing, the students appreciated the approach and the enhanced opportunities to discuss study questions with their classmates and instructor as facilitated by the interactive tools.

Abstract Biochar, with its potential to enhance soil fertility, sequester carbon, boost crop yields and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, offers a solution. Addressing the challenges posed by climate change is crucial for food security and agriculture. However, its widespread adoption in agriculture remains in its infancy. This study assessed the effects of rice hull biochar on cabbage production and greenhouse gas emissions, especially nitrous oxide (N2O). A trial, employing a randomized block design in triplicate was conducted from September 13 to November 23, 2022, where "Cheongomabi" cabbage was cultivated with N-P2O5-K2O fertilization at 32 $$-$$ - 7.8 $$-$$ - 19.8 kg 10a−1. Additional fertilizer was applied twice post-sowing. The Biochar application rates were control = 0 ton ha−1, B1 = 1 ton ha−1, B3 = 3 ton ha−1, and B5 = 5 ton ha−1. The aboveground biomass of autumn cabbage harvested 82 days after sowing was 2.40–2.70 kg plant−1 in the control and biochar treatments (B1, B3, and B5), with no significant differences (p > 0.05). Cumulative CO2 emissions during cultivation varied across treatment groups, with initial and cumulative emissions of 10.40–17.94 g m−2 day−1 and 3.63–4.43 ton ha−1, respectively. N2O emissions decreased with higher biochar application: reductions of 2.9%, 25.4%, and 41.1% in the B1, B3, and B5 treatments, respectively, compared to the control. The biochar application had no significant impact on yield but curbed soil emissions, Net ecosystem carbon balance during cabbage cultivation ranged from 0.42 to 3.41 ton ha−1 for the B1, B3, and B5 treatments, respectively, compared to control. Overall, the study underscores biochar’s role in mitigating emissions and boosting soil carbon during cabbage cultivation in fall.

Secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) can exist in liquid, semi-solid, or amorphous solid states. Chemical transport models (CTMs), however, usually assume that SOA particles are homogeneous and well-mixed liquids, with rapid establishment of gas–particle equilibrium for simulations of SOA formation and partitioning. Missing the information of SOA phase state and viscosity in CTMs impedes accurate representation of SOA formation and evolution, affecting the predictions of aerosol effects on air quality and climate. We have previously developed a parameterization to estimate the glass transition temperature (Tg) of an organic compound based on volatility and to predict viscosity of SOA. In this study, we apply this method to predict the phase state of SOA particles over China in summer of 2018 using the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem). The simulated Tg of dry SOA (Tg,org) agrees well with the value estimated from ambient volatility measurements at an urban site in Beijing. For the spatial distributions of Tg,org, simulations show that at the surface the values of Tg,org range from ∼287 to 305 K, with higher values in northwestern China, where SOA particles have larger mass fractions of low-volatility compounds. Considering water uptake by SOA particles, the SOA viscosity shows a prominent geospatial gradient in which highly viscous or solid SOA particles are mainly predicted in northwestern China. The lowest and highest SOA viscosity values both occur over the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, where the solid phase state is predicted over dry and high-altitude areas and the liquid phase state is predicted mainly in the south of the plateau with high relative humidity during the summer monsoon season. Sensitivity simulations show that, including the formation of extremely low-volatility organic compounds, the percent time that a SOA particle is in the liquid phase state decreases by up to 12 % in southeastern China during the simulated period. With an assumption that the organic and inorganic compounds are internally mixed in one phase, we show that the water absorbed by inorganic species can significantly lower the simulated viscosity over southeastern China. This indicates that constraining the uncertainties in simulated SOA volatility distributions and the mixing state of the organic and inorganic compounds would improve prediction of viscosity in multicomponent particles in southeastern China. We also calculate the characteristic mixing timescale of organic molecules in 200 m SOA particles to evaluate kinetic limitations in SOA partitioning. Calculations show that during the simulated period the percent time of the mixing timescale longer than 1 h is >70 % at the surface and at 500 hPa in most areas of northern China, indicating that kinetic partitioning considering the bulk diffusion in viscous particles may be required for more accurate prediction of SOA mass concentrations and size distributions over these areas.

Introductory general and physical chemistry courses often deal with colligative properties of solutions and do not discuss nonideal solutions in detail. Yet, a growing body of evidence reveals that even at physiological concentrations electrolyte solutions cannot be treated as ideal when a charged or partially charged solute (such as a protein) is present in the solution. In such cases, the interactions between the salt ions and the solute depend on the specific ions that constitute the electrolyte solution (specific ion effects). For example, the catalytic efficiency of an enzyme may be different in NaCl and KCl solutions. In this article, specific ion effects are reviewed from a historical perspective, and then the current state of knowledge is presented at a qualitative level that is appropriate for second-year or advanced undergraduate science students. Finally, the related nomenclature (Bjerrum ion pairs, Hofmeister series, lyotropic series, and specific ion effects) is analyzed, and some suggestions are made with respect to the terminology, to make it more accessible to students. The material is appropriate for courses where solution chemistry is discussed, for example, in physical chemistry. In addition, it may be included in the chemistry curriculum for life or pharmaceutical sciences.

Introduction: Smart multifunctional surfaces targeting intricate biological events or versatile therapeutic strategies are imminent to achieve long-term transmucosal implant success.Methods: This study used dopamine (DA), graphene oxide (GO), and type IV collagen (COL-IV) to construct multilayer nanofilms (DGCn) based on their universal adhesive and biomimetic properties to design a versatile and bioactive titanium implant. The characterization of DGCn on different titanium surfaces was performed, and its loading capacity, release profile, in situ gene delivery, and in vitro biological properties were preliminarily evaluated.Results: Our results demonstrate that hydrogenated TiO2 nanotubes (H) provide a better platform for the DGCn coating than machined Ti and air-TiO2 nanotubes. The H-DGC10 displayed the most stable surface with excellent loading capacity, sustained-release profile, and in situ gene transfection efficiency; this could be due to the high specific surface area of H and GO, as well as the functional groups in H, DA, and GO. Moreover, the H-DGC10 exhibited good biocompatibility for human oral epithelial cells and promoted the expression of integrin β4 and laminin 332, both being hemidesmosome-related proteins.Discussion: Our findings suggest that H-DGCn can be designed as a smart multifunctional interface for titanium implants to achieve long-term transmucosal implant success and aid in versatile therapeutic strategies.

Abstract Curcuma longa L. extract (CLE) exerts various biological functions including antioxidant, anti-inflammation, anticancer, and antiallergenic effects. However, its immune-enhancing capacity remains unclear. Therefore, the immune-enhancing effect of CLE was investigated in RAW 264.7 cells and cyclophosphamide (CPP)-induced immunosuppression model. CLE upregulated nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species production and increased inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression without affecting the RAW 264.7 cells viability. The results of quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that CLE increased the gene expression and protein levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1β in RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, CLE upregulated p65, I kappa B kinase α/β, and I kappa B α (IκBα) phosphorylation and downregulated IκBα expression in RAW 264.7 cells. CLE also increased p65 translocation from the cytoplasmic to the nucleus in RAW 264.7 cells. The oral administration of CLE increased organ indexes (including the spleen and thymus) and NO production in peritoneal macrophages and improved natural killer cell activity in CPP-induced immunosuppression BALB/c mice. Overall, CLE could be a useful health functional food material that can improve innate immunity via macrophage activation.

Abstract The launch of AlphaFold series has brought deep-learning techniques into the molecular structural science. As another crucial problem, structure-based prediction of protein-ligand binding affinity urgently calls for advanced computational techniques. Is deep learning ready to decode this problem? Here we review mainstream structure-based, deep-learning approaches for this problem, focusing on molecular representations, learning architectures and model interpretability. A model taxonomy has been generated. To compensate for the lack of valid comparisons among those models, we realized and evaluated representatives from a uniform basis, with the advantages and shortcomings discussed. This review will potentially benefit structure-based drug discovery and related areas. Graphical Abstract

A low-cost method for the simultaneous extraction of alkaloids and water-insoluble flavonoids and esters from Coptis chinensis Franch. (Abbrev. C. chinensis) was explored to provide a reference for the production of green plant-based preparations and traditional Chinese medicine formula granules. A combined extraction method with the deep eutectic solvents (DESs) of choline chloride and urea (molar mass ratio of 1:2) and organic solvent ethanol was used, supplemented by ultrasonic-assisted extraction (ultrasonic power: 150 W; ultrasonic temperature: 60 °C; treatment time: 15 min). The extraction efficiency of the 50% DES (choline chloride and urea) aqueous solution for berberine, palmatine, jatrorrhizine, and magnoflorine was found to be the highest and was superior to traditional ultrasonic extraction and water bath reflux extraction methods. Furthermore, the flavonoids and esters from C. chinensis residue were extracted using ethanol. The results from high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry indicated a high extraction efficiency overall.

The multiple hydrogen-bond has been introduced as a reversible driving force for directing the assembly of polymer-grafted nanoparticles (PGNPs). The complementary hydrogen-bonds among the polymer ligands lead to the spontaneous aggregation of PGNPs. However, it may also induce the uncontrollable aggregation of PGNPs into assemblies with non-uniform size, even irregular precipitates, due to the immoderate agglomeration associated with the strong interactions of multiple hydrogen-bonds. This severely limits the stable dispersion of PGNP aggregates in a solvent and their applications. In this work, the gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) grafted with thymine-terminated polystyrene (AuNP@PS-Thy) and diaminopyridine-terminated polystyrene (AuNP@PS-Dap) were synthesized, respectively. Their thermal-responsive assembly behavior in an organic solvent was systematically studied. By optimizing the assembly conditions, i.e., the concentration of PGNPs and the incubation time, the assemblies of AuNP@PS-Thy/AuNP@PS-Dap with controllable size were obtained. Interestingly, the assemblies deposited on a solid substrate showed excellent photothermal antimicrobial activities under irradiation of 808 nm and 655 nm lasers. The killing percentage of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) could reach 99 % after irradiating for 10 min. This work establishes an approach for controlling the hydrogen-bonding-induced assembly behavior of PGNPs, which may be extended to construct functional metamaterials with controllable structures.

When organic matter, especially sodium oxalate (Na2C2O4), accumulates to a certain extent, it will seriously affect the alumina production process in the refinery and therefore urgently needs to be removed. This work attempts to illuminate the benefits of ultrasonic intensification of the crystallization process of Na2C2O4, taking the alumina refinery waste liquor, i.e., flat plate washing liquor, as a case study. The effects of different operating parameters (seed crystal addition amount, caustic soda concentration, reaction time, ultrasonic power) on the crystallization behavior and yield are discussed, and it is found that ultrasonic can increase the Na2C2O4 removal rate to 70.4%. The addition of ultrasonic promotes the morphological evolution of Na2C2O4 and is of great significance to the optimization of the components of the precipitated Na2C2O4. Specifically, the proportion of Na2C2O4 in the crystallized product reaches 64% with conventional conditions, while it reaches 77% with ultrasonic conditions. Therefore, ultrasonic can greatly reduce the alkali loss caused by the crystallization process of Na2C2O4 in flat plate washing liquor, which has great economic benefits.

Excessive oxidation can lead to inflammation and affect health. Studies have shown that ursolic acid (UA) and gallic acid are widely employed in medicine and cosmetics owing to their obvious antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, a series of 16 novel UA hybrids tethered via 1,2,3-triazole to the modified gallate moieties were synthesized via CuAAC 1,3-cycloaddition reactions. In vitro, all derivatives were proved to be effective in antioxidation and anti-inflammation activities. Interestingly, compound 20 significantly inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines including mRNA of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) (p

Abstract The side‐chain has a significant influence on the optical properties and aggregation behaviors of the organic small molecule acceptors, which becomes an important strategy to optimize the photovoltaic performance of organic solar cells. In this work, we designed and synthesized three brand‐new nonfused ring electron acceptors (NFREAs) OC4‐4Cl‐Ph, OC4‐4Cl‐Th, and OC4‐4Cl‐C8 with hexylbenzene, hexylthiophene, and octyl side chains on the π‐bridge units. Compared with OC4‐4Cl‐Ph and OC4‐4Cl‐Th, OC4‐4Cl‐C8 with linear alkyl side chain has more red‐shift absorption, which is conducive to obtaining higher short‐circuit current density. Additionally, the OC4‐4Cl‐C8 film exhibits a longer exciton diffusion distance, and the D18:OC4‐4Cl‐C8 blend film displays faster hole transfer, weaker bimolecular recombination, and more efficient exciton transport. Furthermore, The D18:OC4‐4Cl‐C8 blend films may effectively form interpenetrating networks that resemble nanofibrils, which can facilitate exciton dissociation and charge transport. Finally, OC4‐4Cl‐C8‐based devices can be created a marvellously power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 16.56%, which is much higher than OC4‐4Cl‐Ph (12.29%)‐ and OC4‐4Cl‐Th‐based (11.00%) ones, being the highest PCE among the NFREA based binary devices. All in all, we have validated that side‐chain engineering is an efficient way to achieve high‐performance NFREAs.

Industrial dyes are bright in color, low in price, and easy to obtain. They are easy to be added to food by illegal traders for quick profit. Most of these substances have carcinogenic, teratogenic and other effects, which are harmful for human health. The rapid screening and identification of illegally added dyes in food will help to fight against such crimes. In this study, a method of direct analysis in real time (DART)-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbital ion trap high resolution mass spectrometry (Q-Orbitrap HRMS) was established to rapidly screen eight industrial dyes, including alkaline orange 2, alkaline orange 21, alkaline orange 22, alkaline yellow 2, alkaline fuchsin, malachite green, rhodamine B and rhodamine 6G. Three kinds of swabs, carbon fiber, cotton and epoxy resin were tested for sampling, and carbon fiber was selected for its higher concentration effect and lower background interference. A bunch of carbon fiber bundle (1 cm, 6 000 pieces) wetted with 20 μL acetonitrile was used to wipe the sample surface, then the swab was analyzed directly by DART-HRMS. The ion source temperature of DART was optimized according to different targets. The positive ion mode was selected for HRMS. The target compound was firstly selected by the accurate m/z value in full scan mode, and then was confirmed by the two characteristic product ions. The mass errors for the eight industrial dyes were less than 3×10-6, and the limits of detection were in the range of 0.01-0.5 mg/L. The repeatability error (RSD) was no more than 22%. The method was applied to detect alkaline orange 2 in yellow croaker samples suspected of adding industrial dyes. The qualification results were compared with the results acquired by a national standard method, and DART-HRMS was proved to have the advantages of simple pretreatment, fast analysis and accurate qualitative result. Additionally, different sampling positions on spiked yellow croaker were investigated. It turned out that gill, abdominal fin and abdomen were three parts where dyes were easily deposited, thus these were most efficient parts for swab sampling from the outside of yellow croaker. This method can provide a reference for the rapid screening of illegally added dyes in food.

This study aimed to develop a product that closely replicates the texture and appearance of tripe. The effect of three different proteins (soy protein isolate (SPI), pea protein isolate (PPI), and whey protein isolate (WPI)) at different protein levels and processing conditions (heating (90 °C, 1 h) followed by cooling (4 °C, 12 h) and heating (90 °C, 1h) followed by freezing (−18 °C, 12 h)) of konjac glucomannan (KGM) was analyzed. The optimal formulations for simulating tripe were screened by examining their similarity to real tripe in terms of texture, color, and sensory experience. The screened formulations were also subjected to a preliminary mechanistic investigation. The results show that all three proteins improved the gel’s textural properties to varying degrees. At the same concentration, the hardness and chewiness of the KGM/WPI composite gel were significantly higher than those of the other two KGM/protein composite gels, among which the composite gel obtained by adding 8% WPI and 5% KGM heating-frozen (FWK4) had the greatest hardness and chewiness of 4338.07 g and 2313.76, respectively, and the springiness differences in all of the composite gels were small. In addition, the addition of protein increased the whiteness of the hybrid gels, with WPI having the most significant effect on the whiteness of the composite gels (whiteness increased from 30.25 to 62.80 as the concentration of WPI increased from 0 to 10%). Freezing increased composite gel hardness and chewiness, but reduced gel springiness and whiteness. Cluster analysis showed that the composite gel obtained by heating–cooling 8% WPI and 5% KGM (WK4) was very similar to the real tripe in terms of chewiness and whiteness, and WK4 had the highest sensory scores for color, tissue morphology, tactile sensation, taste, and odor. The acceptability score in terms of tissue morphology reached 4.3. Meanwhile, the characterization results of WK4 indicate the presence of large junction areas in the gel network. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, X-ray diffraction, and intermolecular force contributions indicated that the incorporation of WPI promoted integral interactions, and that hydrophobic interactions and disulfide bonding played a key role in the WK4 composite gel system. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) also showed that the combination of WPI and konjac glucan resulted in a more compact gel structure. This study is informative for the development of the field of bionic tripe processing.

The ever-increasing presence of micropollutants necessitates the development of environmentally friendly bioremediation strategies. Inspired by the remarkable versatility and potent catalytic activities of microbial enzymes, researchers are exploring their application as biocatalysts for innovative environmental cleanup solutions. Microbial enzymes offer remarkable substrate specificity, biodegradability, and the capacity to degrade a wide array of pollutants, positioning them as powerful tools for bioremediation. However, practical applications are often hindered by limitations in enzyme stability and reusability. Enzyme immobilization techniques have emerged as transformative strategies, enhancing enzyme stability and reusability by anchoring them onto inert or activated supports. These improvements lead to more efficient pollutant degradation and cost-effective bioremediation processes. This review delves into the diverse immobilization methods, showcasing their success in degrading various environmental pollutants, including pharmaceuticals, dyes, pesticides, microplastics, and industrial chemicals. By highlighting the transformative potential of microbial immobilized enzyme biocatalysts, this review underscores their significance in achieving a cleaner and more sustainable future through the mitigation of micropollutant contamination. Additionally, future research directions in areas such as enzyme engineering and machine learning hold immense promise for further broadening the capabilities and optimizing the applications of immobilized enzymes in environmental cleanup.

Milk thermal treatment, such as pasteurization, high-temperature short-time processing, and the emerging ultra-short-time processing (

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common allergic inflammatory skin condition marked by severe itching, skin lichenification, and chronic inflammation. AD results from a complex immune response, primarily driven by T lymphocytes and environmental triggers, leading to a disrupted epidermal barrier function. Traditional treatments, such as topical corticosteroids, have limitations due to long-term side effects, highlighting the need for safer alternatives. Here, we aimed to show that Agrimonia coreana extract (ACext) can be used in treating AD-related dermatologic symptoms. ACext could inhibit CRAC (Calcium Release-Activated Calcium) channel activity, reducing Orai1/CRAC currents and decreasing intracellular calcium signaling. This inhibition was further confirmed by the reduced IL-2 levels and T cell proliferation upon ACext treatment. In a mouse model of AD, ACext significantly ameliorates symptoms, improves histological parameters, and enhances skin barrier function, demonstrating its potential for treating AD.

The detection of trimethylamine (TMA) is critically important due to its toxic and flammable nature, which poses significant risks to human health and the environment. However, achieving high response, rapid kinetics, selectivity, and low operating temperatures in TMA sensing remains challenging. In this study, WS2/WO3 nanohybrids with flower-like hierarchical structures were synthesized via an in situ sulfurization process, utilizing varying amounts of thioacetamide to control the sulfurization state of WO3. These novel hierarchical WS2/WO3 nanohybrids exhibit remarkable selectivity towards TMA, as well as rapid response and recovery characteristics. Specially, the optimal WS2/WO3 sensor, composed of 5% WS2/WO3 nanohybrids, demonstrates exceptional TMA sensing performance, including a high response (19.45 at 10 ppm), good repeatability, reliable long-term stability, and a low theoretical detection limit (15.96 ppb). The superior sensing capabilities of the WS2/WO3 nanohybrids are attributed to the formation of p-n heterojunctions at the interface, the unique hierarchical structures, and the catalytic activity of WS2. Overall, this work provides a straightforward and versatile approach for synthesizing multifunctional nanomaterials by combining metal oxide micro-flowers with transition metal dichalcogenide nanoflakes for applications in monitoring TMA in complex environments.

To determine the interactions between TNT and aniline adsorptions and the potential to enhance their transports in saturated Chinese loess, batch and column tests were conducted. The batch tests show that their adsorptions inhibit each other when they coexist, and their inhibitions depend on their concentrations, implying that their coexistence has the potential to enhance their transports of each other in the saturated loess. The column tests confirm this speculation, while aniline enhances TNT transport more obviously than TNT does. These findings are ascribed to TNT adsorption being primarily through surface adsorption, while aniline adsorption mainly takes place via electrostatic adsorption and inner pore diffusion adsorption, as well as surface adsorption. There is a certain competitive relationship in their adsorptions on the loess because they have same and different adsorption sites; in particular, electrostatic force is greater than surface force. Therefore, these inhibitions on adsorption are conducive to the existences of TNT and aniline in the water rather than being fixed on the loess, thus enhancing their transports in the saturated loess, indicating that their coexistence can increase the risk of soil and even groundwater pollution.

With increasing electronic medical data and the development of artificial intelligence, clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) assist clinicians in diagnosis and prescription. Traditional knowledge-based CDSSs follow an accumulated medical knowledgebase and a predefined rule system, which clarifies the decision-making process; however, maintenance cost issues exist in the medical data quality control and standardization processes. Non-knowledge-based CDSSs utilize vast amounts of data and algorithms to effectively make decisions; however, the deep learning black-box problem causes unreliable results. EXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI)-based CDSSs provide valid rationales and explainable results. These systems ensure trustworthiness and transparency by showing the recommendation and prediction result process using explainable techniques. However, existing systems have limitations, such as the scope of data utilization and the lack of explanatory power of AI models. This study proposes a new XAI-based CDSS framework to address these issues; introduces resources, datasets, and models that can be utilized; and provides a foundation model to support decision-making in various disease domains. Finally, we propose future directions for CDSS technology and highlight societal issues that need to be addressed to emphasize the potential of CDSSs in the future.

Network-security situation prediction is a crucial aspect in the field of network security. It is primarily achieved through monitoring network behavior and identifying potential threats to prevent and respond to network attacks. In order to enhance the accuracy of situation prediction, this paper proposes a method that combines a convolutional neural network (CNN) and a gated recurrent unit (GRU), while also incorporating an attention mechanism. The model can simultaneously handle the spatial and temporal features of network behavior and optimize the weight allocation of features through the attention mechanism. Firstly, the CNN’s powerful feature extraction ability is utilized to extract the spatial features of the network behavior. Secondly, time-series features of network behavior are processed through the GRU layer. Finally, to enhance the model’s performance further, we introduce attention mechanisms, which can dynamically adjust the importance of different features based on the current context information; this enables the model to focus more on critical information for accurate predictions. The experimental results show that the network-security situation prediction method, which combines a CNN and a GRU and introduces an attention mechanism, performs well in terms of the fitting effect and can effectively enhance the accuracy of situation prediction.

This research cloned and expressed the sugar transporter gene KM_SUT5 from Kluyveromyces marxianus GX-UN120, which displayed remarkable sugar transportation capabilities, including pentose sugars. To investigate the impact of point mutations on xylose transport capacity, we selected four sites, predicted the suitable amino acid sites by molecular docking, and altered their codons to construct the corresponding mutants, Q74D, Y195K, S460H, and Q464F, respectively. Furthermore, we conducted site-directed truncation on six sites of KM_SUT5p. The molecular modification resulted in significant changes in mutant growth and the D-xylose transport rate. Specifically, the S460H mutant exhibited a higher growth rate and demonstrated excellent performance across 20 g L−1 xylose, achieving the highest xylose accumulation under xylose conditions (49.94 μmol h−1 gDCW-1, DCW mean dry cell weight). Notably, mutant delA554-, in which the transporter protein SUT5 is truncated at position delA554-, significantly increased growth rates in both D-xylose and D-glucose substrates. These findings offer valuable insights into potential modifications of other sugar transporters and contribute to a deeper understanding of the C-terminal function of sugar transporters.

When a ground vehicle runs at high speeds, even a slight excess in the wheel steering angle can immediately cause the vehicle to slide sideways and lose control. In this study, we propose an active safety control system designed to address emergency situations where the driver applies excessive steering input and the vehicle speed varies significantly during control. The system combines the direct yaw moment (DYM) method with a steering saturation scheme that prevents excessive driver steering input from adversely influencing the front-wheel steering. Consequently, the control system allows the DYM to focus more on other stabilization tasks and maintain tire/road friction within its workable linear range. The implementation relies on a reference steering angle and a reference vehicle state, derived from a linear vehicle model considering tire/road friction limitations. When the driver’s steering angle and the system state deviate from these reference values, the control system intervenes by applying both the steering saturation scheme and DYM method. This ensures the front-wheel steering angle and system state remain close to the reference values. The control strategy is developed using the polytopic Linear Parameter Varying (LPV) technique and Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) to account for the changes in vehicle speed. It is further enhanced with an input saturation technique based on a high-gain approach, which improves control utilization and system response during emergency situations. The advantages of the proposed control strategy are demonstrated through simulation results.

Slope stability is a major safety concern of rockfill embankments. Since rockfills are incohesive materials, only friction angle is considered as a shear strength parameter in the slope stability analysis of rockfill embankments. Recently, it was found that confining pressure can significantly affect the mean value and variance of the friction angle of rockfills. Since the confining pressure spatially varies within a rockfill embankment, the effect of stress-dependent spatial variability in the friction angle of rockfills should be investigated for slope stability evaluation of rockfill embankments. In the framework of the Limit Equilibrium Method (LEM), an approach is proposed for the slope stability analysis of rockfill embankments considering the stress-dependent spatial variability in the friction angle. The safety factors of slope stability are computed with variable values of the friction angle at the bases of slices which are determined by the stress-dependent mean value and variance of the friction angle of rockfills. The slope stability of a homogeneous rockfill embankment is analyzed to illustrate the proposed approach, and a parametric analysis is carried out to explore the effect of variation in the parameters of the variance function of friction angle on slope stability. The illustrative example demonstrates that the stress-dependent spatial variability of friction angle along the slip surface is obvious and is affected by the location of the slip surface and the loading condition. The effects of the stress-dependent spatial variability of the friction angle on the slope stability of high rockfill embankments should be considered.

Aging is a multifaceted process influenced by hereditary factors, lifestyle, and environmental elements. As time progresses, the human body experiences degenerative changes in major functions. The external and internal signs of aging manifest in various ways, including skin dryness, wrinkles, musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. Additionally, cancer, like aging, is a complex disease that arises from the accumulation of various genetic and epigenetic alterations. Circadian clock dysregulation has recently been identified as an important risk factor for aging and cancer development. Natural compounds and herbal medicines have gained significant attention for their potential in preventing age-related diseases and inhibiting cancer progression. These compounds demonstrate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-metastatic, and anti-angiogenic effects as well as circadian clock regulation. This review explores age-related diseases, cancers, and the potential of specific natural compounds in targeting the key features of these conditions.

Decreased medial cheek fat volume during aging leads to loss of a youthful facial shape. Increasing facial volume by methods such as adipose-derived stem cell (ASC) injection can produce facial rejuvenation. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) can increase adipogenesis in subcutaneous fat by modulating cilia on ASCs, which is accompanied by increased HSP70 and decreased NF-κB expression. Thus, we evaluated the effect of HIFU on increasing facial adipogenesis in swine (n = 2) via modulation of ASC cilia. Expression of CD166, an ASC marker, differed by subcutaneous adipose tissue location. CD166 expression in the zygomatic arch (ZA) was significantly higher than that in the subcutaneous adipose tissue in the mandible or lateral temporal areas. HIFU was applied only on the right side of the face, which was compared with the left side, where HIFU was not applied, as a control. HIFU produced a significant increase in HSP70 expression, decreased expression of NF-κB and a cilia disassembly factor (AURKA), and increased expression of a cilia increasing factor (ARL13B) and PPARG and CEBPA, which are the main regulators of adipogenesis. All of these changes were most prominent at the ZA. Facial adipose tissue thickness was also increased by HIFU. Adipose tissue volume, evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging, was increased by HIFU, most prominently in the ZA. In conclusion, HIFU increased ASC marker expression, accompanied by increased HSP70 and decreased NF-κB expression. Additionally, changes in cilia disassembly and length and expression of adipogenesis were observed. These results suggest that HIFU could be used to increase facial volume by modulating adipogenesis.

Since FTIR is a sensitive micro-region measurement method, research on the impact of the heterogeneity of both aggregates and asphalt mortar is meaningful and comprehensive for accurate measurement with FTIR spectroscopy. In this paper, the impact of the heterogeneity of aggregates coated with asphalt mortar on their FTIR spectra and spectral reproducibility was creatively studied. The comparative analysis of the respective absorption peaks indicated that the characteristic absorption peaks of the aggregate coated with asphalt mortar were the superposition of the respective absorption peaks of its components. And research on the spectra of the coated aggregates obtained from the same batch of asphalt mixture fabricated at the same time showed that significantly different peak intensities could be affected by minor variations in their components due to the heterogeneity. Furthermore, statistical analysis suggested that the original spectral reproducibility of the coated aggregates was greatly affected by their heterogeneity, with a high coefficient of variation values. In conclusion, the heterogeneity of the coated aggregates could affect peak intensities and spectral reproducibility in micro-regions.

The semi-trailer ECPBS is adopted to achieve coordinated braking between tractor and trailer. Its control strategies are mainly verified through MIL and HIL tests. The correctness of the test results relies on the precision of the models. The dependence on the vehicle simulation models can be greatly reduced through an in-loop testing system, which combines the ECPB hardware test bench with the semi-trailer twin test vehicle. However, due to the long spatial distance between the two, higher requirements are placed on the real-time performance of the testing system. The communication interconnection mode, distributed network architecture, data coupling method and data coupling method of the in-loop testing system were investigated. Moreover, a delay compensation controller based on model prediction was designed and was applied to the motion control of the twin test vehicle. The simulation results have shown that the compensation controller can ensure the stability of vehicle motion with a goodness-of-fit of 0.826 under a delay of 0.7 s. Further experimental verification shows that the instructions issued by the ECPB hardware test bench controller can reach the semi-trailer twin test vehicle within 0.6 s, indicating that the communication interconnection method is feasible and can meet the real-time requirements of the in-loop testing system.

Assessing the spatio-temporal variability and driving forces of soil erosion on the Loess Plateau is critical for ecological and environmental management. In this paper, the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model, the patch-generating land use simulation, and the Geographical Detector are used to investigate the spatio-temporal variations of the Loess Plateau’s soil erosion from 2000 to 2050. The results showed that: (1) The primary categories of soil erosion from 2000 to 2020 were moderate, mild, and slight, and the average level of soil erosion exhibited a decreasing and then an increasing tendency during the last 20 years. (2) Soil erosion was directly impacted by changes in land use, with cropland and forest being the primary land use and land cover changes in the study region. Cropland and construction land being turned into woodland between 2000 and 2020 resulted in a significant decrease in the severity of soil erosion. Projected soil erosion is expected to increase significantly between 2020 and 2050 due to arable land being converted into construction land. (3) The key variables impacting the spatial distribution of soil erosion were LUCC (Land-Use and Land-Cover Change), NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), and slope, and the interplay of these variables may increase their ability to explain soil erosion. Grasslands with an NDVI ranging from 0.9 to 1, rain ranging from 0.805 to 0.854 m, a slope above 35°, and a terrain elevation ranging from 1595 to 2559 m were identified as having a high risk of soil erosion. Soil erosion prevention and management efforts should focus on the ecological restoration of upland areas in the future.

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been increasingly recognized as a trigger for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Recent bioinformatics studies have suggested Fam210b as a significant candidate for the classification and therapeutic targeting of SLE. To experimentally prove the role of Fam210b in SLE, we constructed Fam210b knockout (Fam210b−/−) mice using the CRISPR-Cas9 method. We found that approximately 15.68% of Fam210b−/− mice spontaneously developed lupus-like autoimmunity, which was characterized by skin ulcerations, splenomegaly, and an increase in anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) IgG antibodies and anti-nuclear antibodies(ANA). Single-cell sequencing showed that Fam210b was mainly expressed in erythroid cells. Critically, the knockout of Fam210b resulted in abnormal erythrocyte differentiation and development in the spleens of mice. Concurrently, the spleens exhibited an increased number of CD71+ erythroid cells, along with elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the erythrocytes. The co-culture of CD71+ erythroid cells and lymphocytes resulted in lymphocyte activation and promoted dsDNA and IgG production. In summary, Fam210b knockout leads to a low probability of lupus-like symptoms in mice through the overproduction of ROS in CD71+ erythroid cells. Thus, Fam210b reduction may serve as a novel key marker that triggers the development of SLE.

Abstract Hydrogen has garnered considerable attention as an environmentally friendly due to its sustainability and exceptional energy density, surpassing other chemical fuels. For H2 production, electrochemical water splitting is an economically viable and eco‐friendly method. Developing well‐organized electrocatalysts for electrochemical water splitting is pivotal in enabling long‐term hydrogen production, the critical component in the transition toward a cleaner and more environmentally sustainable energy landscape. During the last decades, to aid in oxygen evolution and hydrogen evolution reactions, numerous tungsten carbide‐based electrocatalysts have been established. WC developed as a promising candidate for electrolytic hydrogen generation. This review first explores the historical background and fundamental mechanisms underlying water splitting and subsequently investigates the field of WC‐based electrocatalysts. Furthermore, in both HER and OER, the thorough analysis examines the electrocatalytic performance of electrocatalysts based on WC. Finally, it discusses the challenges and prospects of developing WC‐based electrocatalysts for OER and HER, shedding light on their potential contributions to the sustainable energy landscape.

Zinc-air batteries (ZABs) are widely studied because of their high theoretical energy density, high battery voltage, environmental protection, and low price. However, the slow kinetics of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) on the air electrode limits the further application of ZABs, so that how to develop a cheap, efficient, and stable catalyst with bifunctional catalytic activity is the key to solving the development of ZABs. Transition metal compounds are widely used as cathode materials for ZABs due to their low cost, high electrocatalytic activity, and stable structure. This review summarizes the research progress of transition metal compounds as bifunctional catalysts for ZABs. The development history, operation principle, and mechanism of ORR and OER reactions are introduced first. The application and development of transition metal compounds as bifunctional catalysts for ZABs in recent years are systematically introduced, including transition metal oxides (TMOs), transition metal nitrides (TMNs), transition metal sulfides (TMSs), transition metal carbides (TMCs), transition metal phosphates (TMPs), and others. In addition, the shortcomings of transition metal compounds as bifunctional catalysts for ZABs were summarized and reasonable design strategies and improvement measures were put forward, aiming at providing a reference for the design and construction of high-performance ZABs cathode materials. Finally, the challenges and future in this field are discussed and prospected.