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Abstract: We developed a simple method to prepare individual nitrogen-containing carbon (CN x ) nanobells with high yield. A mass of nanobells were produced from polymerized CN x nanobells by in situ plasma etching inside a chemical vapor deposition chamber. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy characterization reveals that the polymerized nanobells have been totally separated into individual nanobells, where each nanobell keeps its structure as that before etched. The present method sheds a light in the large-scale production of size-controllable short nanotubes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Cu–Ni-graphite composite is intended to be used as switch slide baseplates in the high-speed railways., The composite is modified by silver element to enhance the tribological properties. Pin-on-disk wear tests were conducted to evaluate the tribological properties. The synergistic lubrication effect generated when the silver-modified Cu–Ni-graphite composite slide against U75V steel. The results showed that the silver-modified Cu–Ni-graphite composite consists of α-Cu, graphite, and a silver phase. The higher graphite content in the composite corresponds to lower coefficient of friction and wear weight loss. Both the coefficient of friction and wear weight loss of the silver-modified composite are much lower than those of the unmodified Cu–Ni-graphite composite. The synergistic lubrication effect of graphite and silver in the composite decrease the friction coefficients and wear weight loss. Compared with the single graphite lubrication, the introduction of the silver phase efficiently enhances the lubricating property and decreases the microcutting and deformation effects. The wear mechanism of silver-modified Cu–Ni-graphite composite with 1–6 wt% graphite content consists of microcutting, oxidation wear, and adhesion wear. The delamination and fatigue wear are resisted at the higher graphite contents by the addition of the silver phase. • Both coefficient of friction and wear weight loss of the silver-modified Cu–Ni-graphite composite are much lower than those of the unmodified samples. • The enhancement of friction resistance and the reduced friction coefficient produced by the silver phase are significant. • In the high graphite content, the silver phase can prohibit the cracks from extending with the continuous graphite net. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Frontal analysis separation of antibody monomer/dimer mixtures on CHT columns. • Adsorbent structure and mobile phase effects on transport and adsorption kinetics. • Mechanistic model accounting for surface spreading describes column dynamics. This work examines the separation dynamics of monoclonal antibody monomer/dimer mixtures by frontal analysis using ceramic hydroxyapatite CHT Type I and Type II columns. The binding capacity and selectivity are dependent on the CHT type and salt concentration. While the rate of protein adsorption on CHT Type I is slow and controlled largely by pore diffusion resulting in relatively poor separation, adsorption on CHT Type II is much faster and better separation is obtained than with Type I. However, comparison with predictions based on pore diffusion alone, reveals the presence of additional resistances associated with adsorption and displacement kinetics. A spreading kinetics model assuming multiple binding configurations coupled with pore diffusion was developed to describe these effects and found to be in quantitative agreement with the frontal analysis results and able to predict the separation achieved for conditions outside the range of the experiments. To help validate the assumed mechanism, isocratic elution experiments were also conducted at low protein loads. The chromatograms could be described by the solution of the spreading model coupled with pore diffusion in the linear region of the isotherm with parameters determined from the analytical expressions for the peak moments. This confirms that there is an increasing tendency to spread with slower kinetics as the salt concentration is decreased and binding strength is increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface treatment of graphite by silver is applied to modify microstructure and mechanical properties of Cu-Ni-graphite composites. In this study, flake graphite is used to create silver-coated graphite by Tollens' reagent, and the silver-modified Cu-Ni-graphite composite is prepared by powder metallurgy. The microstructure characterization and modification mechanism of the composite are the emphases of this investigation. The results showed that the silver coating is composed of a pure silver phase with a rough and granular surface and the thickness of the layer is about 1.52 μm. The composite consists of graphite, an α-Cu phase and a silver phase. The silver phase in graphite exists as silver nanowires and nanoparticles, and a silver precipitate phase is generated in the matrix. At the interface of the composite, silver nanowires and α-Cu phase is generated in the frontier of the matrix and the graphite. These silver nanowires and the α-Cu phase that joint the interface can efficiently enhance the interface strength and dramatically improves mechanical properties. Through the silver modification process of the composite, hardness increases by approximately 49.9%, the improvement of relative density is increased by approximately 2.1%. Additionally, the flexural strength increases by approximately 187.8% compared with the composites without modification. Image 1 • Silver phase in graphite exists as silver nanowires and nanoparticles, and as silver precipitate phase in the matrix. • Silver nanowires and α-Cu phase are generated at the interface. • Silver efficiently improve the mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-arc ion plating technology is used to change the interface of graphite reinforced metal matrix composite for the inaugural time. In this study, graphite reinforced Cu-Ni composite is modified by titanium for promoting mechanical properties. The titanium-coated graphite is prepared by multi-arc ion plating for 30 min at 533 K and titanium-modified graphite reinforced Cu-Ni composite is manufactured by powder metallurgy process. The results showed that the titanium coating with in-situ dispersed TiC particles has the 0.6 μm thickness and consists of three phases: α-Cu phase, graphite phase, and TiC phase. Compared with the unmodified graphite reinforced Cu-Ni composite, the mechanical properties enhance remarkably. Improvement of the flexural strength raises about 52.8% ± 3.3%, the hardness increases about 24.9% ± 3.1%, and the relative density enhances 2.4% ± 0.9%. Further analyses of the interface and modification mechanism indicate that the TiC layer and the transition layer exist at the interface of graphite and copper matrix. The titanium coating on the surface of graphite can efficiently convert the interface of the graphite reinforced Cu-Ni composite through the multi-arc ion plating technology. • Titanium-coated graphite with in-situ dispersed TiC particles is prepared by multi-arc ion plating. • Compared with the unmodified graphite reinforced Cu–Ni composite, mechanical properties enhance remarkably. • Titanium coating on the surface of graphite can efficiently modify the interface of the graphite reinforced Cu–Ni composite through the multi-arc ion plating technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Full-disk solar chromospheric and photospheric images are widely used to monitor solar activity. Flat-fielding is a basic step during scientific data production. Here, a Gaussian-type diffuser is used to measure the flat-field of full-disk solar chromospheric and photospheric images. The effectiveness of the method is verified by theoretical simulation and practical measurement. First, the uniformity of the light source generated by the Gaussian diffuser and the sunlight, with a field of view the same as the full-disk solar image, is calculated. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the scatter angle of the Gaussian diffuser is one degree, such that the light source presents a Gaussian distribution. After the correction of the Gaussian background, the uniformity of the area light source is 99.6%, which can be regarded as a uniform area light source. Second, experiments are conducted on full-disk solar telescopes at Huairou solar observing station and Yangbajing station. The diffuser covers the entire entrance aperture when taking flat-field frames. Through qualitative and quantitative analysis of experimental results, it is confirmed that a revised flat-field frame can modify uniformity caused by various aspects of the telescope, including vignetting, non-uniformities of filters, and contamination of optical components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of the minimum cost consensus model (MCCM) to promote consensus reaching in the domain of group decision-making (GDM) has been extensively studied. Recently, the MCCM has been enhanced by introducing the consensus principle and tolerance level to achieve a soft consensus. However, the potential impact of asymmetric and uncertain unit adjustment costs on the effectiveness of the consensus reaching process (CRP) has been overlooked. This paper aims to investigate the implications of uncertain asymmetric costs for achieving consensus with a certain level of tolerance, where new robust MCCMs with uncertain asymmetric costs are constructed under four uncertainty sets for the unit adjustment costs. Considering the linear uncertain-constrained tolerance level and consensus level, we incorporate the insight of an expert with a cost-free threshold into models. Additionally, through a pollutant emission application, the proposed robust MCCMs are able to effectively handle uncertainties arising from costs and improve the quality of the CRP compared to the traditional models. Finally, we conduct simulation experiments and sensitivity analysis to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed models on achieving a consensus by identifying appropriate parameters. • Minimum cost consensus models (MCCMs) consider uncertainty and asymmetric costs. • Tolerance level and consensus level are considered in MCCMs. • Linear uncertainty distribution is used to depict the tolerance level. • Cost-free thresholds for experts are incorporated into the robust models. • Tractable models obtained through linearization and duality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autofocus technology is a crucial technique in computational optical imaging. The clarity evaluation function (CEF) serves as the criterion for autofocus, making it the core of the autofocus algorithm. In this paper, we propose a CEF based on amplitude differences of fractional Fourier transform (ADFrFT). ADFrFT extracts information from the fractional domain, which corresponds to the fusion of the spatial and frequency domains. This renders ADFrFT highly accurate and robust to noise, making it suitable for various types of sample images. Additionally, ADFrFT provides an added dimension of flexibility to address different autofocus requirements for distinct sample image types and focusing scenarios. Simulations and experiments confirmed the effectiveness of ADFrFT, and we improved the imaging resolution via distance calibration in the coaxial multi-distance coherent diffraction imaging (MDCDI) experiment. • We propose a novel autofocus based on fractional Fourier amplitude differences, which is flexible and universal. • This autofocus provides additional flexibility to address different requirements for various sample types. • The autofocusing scheme is highly accurate and robust to noise. • We have improved image quality in coaxial multi-distance coherent diffraction imaging by distance calibration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthetic biology seeks to reprogram microbial cells for efficient production of value-added compounds from low-cost renewable substrates. A great challenge of chemicals biosynthesis is the competition between cell metabolism and target product synthesis for limited cellular resource. Dynamic regulation provides an effective strategy for fine-tuning metabolic flux to maximize chemicals production. In this work, we created a tunable growth phase-dependent autonomous bifunctional genetic switch (GABS) by coupling growth phase responsive promoters and degrons to dynamically redirect the carbon flux for metabolic state switching from cell growth mode to production mode, and achieved high-level GABA production from low-value glycerol in Corynebacterium glutamicum. A ribosome binding sites (RBS)-library-based pathway optimization strategy was firstly developed to reconstruct and optimize the glycerol utilization pathway in C. glutamicum , and the resulting strain CgGly2 displayed excellent glycerol utilization ability. Then, the initial GABA-producing strain was constructed by deleting the GABA degradation pathway and introducing an exogenous GABA synthetic pathway, which led to 5.26 g/L of GABA production from glycerol. In order to resolve the conflicts of carbon flux between cell growth and GABA production, we used the GABS to reconstruct the GABA synthetic metabolic network, in which the competitive modules of GABA biosynthesis, including the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle module and the arginine biosynthesis module, were dynamically down-regulated while the synthetic modules were dynamically up-regulated after sufficient biomass accumulation. Finally, the resulting strain G7-1 accumulated 45.6 g/L of GABA with a yield of 0.4 g/g glycerol, which was the highest titer of GABA ever reported from low-value glycerol. Therefore, these results provide a promising technology to dynamically balance the metabolic flux for the efficient production of other high value-added chemicals from a low-value substrate in C. glutamicum. • A RBS-library-based pathway optimization strategy was designed to reconstruct glycerol utilization pathway in C. glutamicum. • A tunable growth phase-dependent autonomous bifunctional switch was designed to dynamically orchestrate the carbon flux. • Growth-coupled regulation network was rebuilt using GABS to achieve a desirable metabolic state switching. • The engineered strain showed the highest titer and yield of GABA production from glycerol ever reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tin oxide (SnO2) as a promising alternative material to TiO2 has been widely used in perovskite solar cells. Metal-doping will optimize the SnO2 films and further improve the device performance. The vanadium-doped SnO2 (V-SnO2) can highly enhance the carrier concentration and electrical conductivity, but the surface hydroxyl groups will result in abundant defect states. Some molecules with functional groups have been used to passivate interface traps. Metformin and urea were incorporated into the V-SnO2 films, and the NH2 groups will interact with SnO2 and perovskite to passivate interface traps. The metformin shows the stronger interactions between NH2 groups and SnO2 crystals than urea. Moreover, the diblock polymer of (PEO)150-(PPO)20 was incorporated into the polycrystalline (FA0.90MA0.10)0.92Cs0.08Pb(I0.98Br0.02)3 perovskite films to passivate defects at the grain boundaries and improve the stability. Under the synergistic effects of improved conductivity and interfacial functionalization, the best-performing device exhibits a high photoelectric conversion efficiency of 22.87% (a VOC of 1.157 V, a JSC of 24.37 mA cm−2, and an FF of 0.811). The charge recombination kinetics and transport dynamics are discussed by different detection techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study investigates the relationship between triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index trajectories and the results of ablation in patients with stage 3D atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out on patients who underwent AF Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation (RFCA) at the Cardiology Department of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University and Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province from January 2016 to December 2022. The main clinical endpoint was determined as the occurrence of atrial arrhythmia for at least 30 s following a 3-month period after ablation. Using a latent class trajectory model, different trajectory groups were identified based on TyG levels. The relationship between TyG trajectory and the outcome of AF recurrence in patients was assessed through Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results: The study included 997 participants, with an average age of 63.21 ± 9.84 years, of whom 630 were males (63.19%). The mean follow-up period for the participants was 30.43 ± 17.75 months, during which 200 individuals experienced AF recurrence. Utilizing the minimum Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) and the maximum Entropy principle, TyG levels post-AF RFCA were divided into three groups: Locus 1 low-low group (n = 791), Locus 2 low-high-low group (n = 14), and Locus 3 high-high group (n = 192). Significant differences in survival rates among the different trajectories were observed through the Kaplan-Meier curve (P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed a significant association between baseline TyG level and AF recurrence outcomes (HR = 1.255, 95% CI: 1.087–1.448). Patients with TyG levels above 9.37 had a higher risk of adverse outcomes compared to those with levels below 8.67 (HR = 2.056, 95% CI: 1.335–3.166). Furthermore, individuals in Locus 3 had a higher incidence of outcomes compared to those in Locus 1 (HR = 1.580, 95% CI: 1.146-2). Conclusion: The TyG trajectories in patients with stage 3D AF are significantly linked to the outcomes of AF recurrence. Continuous monitoring of TyG levels during follow-up may help in identifying patients at high risk of AF recurrence, enabling the early application of effective interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare the safety and radiological effectiveness of lumbar interbody fusion with a 3D-printed porous titanium (3D-PPT) cage versus a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage for the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease. This study was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42023461511). We systematically searched the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases for related studies from inception to September 3, 2023. Review Manager 5.3 was used to conduct this meta-analysis. The reoperation rate, complication rate, fusion rate, and subsidence rate were assessed using relative risk and 95% confidence intervals. Ten articles reporting 9 studies comparing lumbar interbody fusion with 3D-PPT cages versus PEEK cages for the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease were included. The subsidence rate at the 1-year follow-up in the 3D-PPT cage was significantly lower than that in the PEEK cage. The fusion rate in the 3D-PPT cage was significantly higher than that in the PEEK cage at the 6-month follow-up. No significant difference was identified between the 2 groups at the 12-month follow-up. No significant difference was identified between the 2 groups in terms of the complication rate and reoperation rate. There was a trend toward a lower complication rate and reoperation rate with the 3D-PPT cage. Compared with the PEEK cage, the 3D-PPT cage may be a safer implant. The 3D-PPT cage was associated with a higher fusion rate and lower subsidence rate. The 3D-PPT cage may accelerate the intervertebral fusion process, improve the quality of fusion and prevent the occurrence of subsidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with extensive burns are critically ill and have long treatment periods. Length of stay (LOS) is a good measure for assessing treatment. This study sought to identify predictors of prolonged LOS in patients with extensive burns (≥50% TBSA). This retrospective multicenter cohort study included adults aged ≥ 18 years who survived extensive burns in three burn centers in Eastern China between January 2016 and June 2022. Epidemiological, demographic and clinical outcomes data were extracted from electronic medical records and compared between patients with/without prolonged LOS, which was defined as LOS greater than the median. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of prolonged LOS. The study sample included 321 patients, of whom 156 (48.6%) had an LOS of 58 days (IQR 41.0–77.0). Univariate regression analysis showed that increased total burn area and increased full-thickness burn area; electrical, chemical and other burns; increased erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets or serum creatinine within 24 h of admission; concomitant inhalation injury, pulmonary edema, sepsis, bloodstream infection, wound infection, pulmonary infection, urinary tract infection, or HB < 70 g/L during hospitalization were associated with prolonged LOS in patients with extensive burns. Increased number of surgical operations, mechanical ventilation and renal replacement therapy were also associated with prolonged LOS (P < 0.05 or P < 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that increased total burn area (ratio 1.032, 95%CI 1.01–1.055; P = 0.004), electrical and chemical or other burns (3.282, 1.335–8.073; P = 0.01), development of wound infection (2.653 1.285–5.481; P = 0.008) and increased number of operative procedures (1.714, 1.388–2.116, P < 0.001) were significant predictors. Increased area of full-thickness burn,occurrence of electrical and chemical or other burns,occurrence of wound infection and increased number of surgeries are the best predictors of prolonged LOS in patients with extensive burns. Clarifying relevant predictors of burn patients' LOS provides a reliable reference for clinical treatment. • This study has examined the risk factors that contribute to prolonged hospital stays in patients with extensive burns. • The full-thickness burn area, causes of burns, wound infection and number of surgeries were the important factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Chronic inflammation is one of the key mechanisms of depression. Wenyang-Tianjin-Jie Decoction (WTJD) is an effective antidepressant found in the course of diagnosis and treatment, but the mechanism of therapeutic effect is not clear. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of WTJD in the kidney yang deficiency (KYD) type of depression rats and reveal its mechanisms. Materials and Methods: We selected forty 6-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats for the study. We established a KYD [Phellodendron amurense Rupr (Huangbai) solution oral gavage and 4°C environments; 8 weeks] type of depression (chronic unpredictable mild stimulus; 6 weeks) rat model first. After successful modeling, we used WTJD or fluoxetine on rats for 3 weeks. Then we evaluated the depression and KYD behavior. Finally, we observed the expression of key inflammatory factors and proteins in peripheral blood and hippocampus, and further investigated the immune balance of Th17/Treg and Th1/Th2 cells and the activity of their main regulatory pathways JAK2/STAT3 and TLR4/TRAF6/NF-κB. Results: The imbalance of Th17/Treg and Th1/Th2 cells in rats were related to KYD and depressive symptoms. Through this study, we found that WTJD can inhibit the activity of JAK2/STAT3 and TLR4/TRAF6/NF-κB pathways, balance Th17/Treg and Th1/Th2 cell homeostasis, regulate the levels of inflammatory factors in the hippocampus and peripheral blood, and reverse KYD and depression. Conclusion: This study confirmed that WTJD had a reliable effect on depression rats with KYD, and its mechanism was to regulate the immune homeostasis of hippocampal T cells and related inflammatory factors to improve KYD and depression symptoms in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Single-cell multi-omics technologies provide a unique platform for characterizing cell states and reconstructing developmental process by simultaneously quantifying and integrating molecular signatures across various modalities, including genome, transcriptome, epigenome, and other omics layers. However, there is still an urgent unmet need for novel computational tools in this nascent field, which are critical for both effective and efficient interrogation of functionality across different omics modalities. Scbean represents a user-friendly Python library, designed to seamlessly incorporate a diverse array of models for the examination of single-cell data, encompassing both paired and unpaired multi-omics data. The library offers uniform and straightforward interfaces for tasks, such as dimensionality reduction, batch effect elimination, cell label transfer from well-annotated scRNA-seq data to scATAC-seq data, and the identification of spatially variable genes. Moreover, Scbean's models are engineered to harness the computational power of GPU acceleration through Tensorflow, rendering them capable of effortlessly handling datasets comprising millions of cells. Availability and implementation Scbean is released on the Python Package Index (PyPI) (https://pypi.org/project/scbean/) and GitHub (https://github.com/jhu99/scbean) under the MIT license. The documentation and example code can be found at https://scbean.readthedocs.io/en/latest/. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Due to limited data on the pathogenesis of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) and the suboptimal therapeutic effect, the development of new and effective treatment modalities was needed urgently. Low‐intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (Li‐ESWT) has been reported for the treatment of CP/CPPS. However, the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. Objective: To interrogated the efficacy and the mechanism of Li‐ESWT in the treatment of CP/CPPS. Materials and Methods: According to different treatments, RWPE‐1 cells (human prostate epithelial cells) were randomly divided into three groups: control group, LPS (lipopolysaccharide) group, or Li‐ESWT group (LPS‐induced RWPE‐1 managed by Li‐ESWT). Following the Li‐ESWT treatment, the levels of oxidative stress were assayed. We then established a rat model of experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) by injecting prostatic protein homogenate mixed with complete Freund's adjuvant. The Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly divided into the control group, EAP group, or Li‐ESWT group. Von Frey Filament was used to quantify pelvic hyperalgesia in the rats. Prostates tissues from each group were collected for immunohistochemistry, oxidation stress, and Western blot analysis. Results: Histological analysis showed reduced inflammation and expression of cytokines (TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, COX‐2, SP) in prostate tissues from the Li‐ESWT group compared with those from the EAP group (all p < 0.05). Similarly, there was reduced pelvic pain and allergic symptoms in the Li‐ESWT group compared with the EAP group (all p < 0.05). Besides, Li‐ESWT treatment could decrease oxidative stress in the prostate and in RWPE‐1 cells, respectively (both p < 0.05). Moreover, the Li‐ESWT upregulated the expression of CAT through the inhibition of phosphorylation of AKT/FOXO1 signaling pathway. Discussion and Conclusions: Li‐ESWT may reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, and pain in rats with autoimmunity‐induced prostatitis via the PI3 K/AKT/FOXO1 pathway. It implies that Li‐ESWT can present a potential therapeutic option for the treatment of CP/CPPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a life-threatening brain tumor. This study aimed to identify potential targets of the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) HULC that promoted the progression of GBM. Two U87 cell lines were constructed: HULC-siRNA and negative control (NC). Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to validate the transfection efficiency of HULC silencing vector. Mass spectrometry (MS) was used to generate proteomic profiles for the two cell lines. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed to distinguish HULC-related genes and pathway mapping. Colony formation, Transwell, and wound-healing assays were used to investigate the functional effects of HULC knockdown on GBM. We identified 112 up-regulated proteins and 24 down-regulated proteins from a total of 4360 quantified proteins. GO enrichment illustrated that these proteins were mainly involved in organelle structure, catalysis, cell movement, and material metabolism. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that some of these proteins were significantly enriched in tight junction, metabolic pathways, and arachidonic acid metabolism. In vitro experiments demonstrated that HULC knockdown inhibited GBM cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. Our KEGG analyses revealed that PLA2G4A was a shared protein in several enriched pathways. HULC silencing significantly down-regulated the expression of PLA2G4A. Knockdown of HULC changed the proteomic characteristics of GBM and altered the behaviors of GBM cells. Specifically, we identified PLA2G4A as an HULC target in GBM. This study provides a new perspective on the mechanisms and potential drug targets of GBM treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents our efforts to characterize the candidate landing region (109°–133°E, 23°–30°N) for Tianwen‐1, China's first mission to Mars, in terms of engineering safety and scientific significance. Topographic analysis reveals that the region has a low elevation around −4,230 m, and 98% of the region have slopes smaller than 8°. The geomorphological mapping and analysis show that the region has an average crater density of about 28 craters (≥200 m in diameter) per 100 square kilometers, with several clusters of high crater densities distributed around the center of the region. There are also pitted cones distributed mainly in the southern part of the region, with a density of approximately 6.6 cones per 100 square kilometers in specific local areas. The region has rock abundances ranging from 1% to 23%, with local clusters of low and high rock abundances. The region comprises four main geological units, including a lowland unit formed in the Late Hesperian and a volcanic unit formed in the Amazonian and Hesperian period. Their specific surface ages are estimated through the analysis of crater size‐frequency distribution. Combining the engineering constraints on surface slopes, crater density, cone density, and rock abundance, a hazard map of the candidate landing region is generated for landing site evaluation and safety assessment. Based on the results, we further discuss the potential scientific outcomes from the exploration in this region. The findings will be helpful for the mission planning and maximization of the scientific return from Tianwen‐1, and complement existing Martian scientific research. Key Points: Topographic, geomorphological, and geologic characterization of the candidate landing region of Tianwen‐1A hazard map of the region combining engineering constraints on slopes, crater density, cone density, and rock abundanceTwo local areas in the region are highlighted as potential landing sites for their low hazard and scientific significance [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hard metal lung disease (HMLD) is rarely diagnosed and is caused by the occupational inhalation of hard metal dust, mainly cobalt. The diagnosis of HMLD is based on a thorough occupational dust exposure combined with clinical–radiological–histological findings. We present a series of four Chinese workers who had occupational exposure to cobalt acid lithium or cobalt and tungsten dust. Four patients all complained of intermittent cough, chest tightness, or shortness of breath on exertion. High-resolution computed tomography scans presented bilateral ground-glass attenuation, consolidations, and/or reticular opacities with diffuse small nodules. Histologic findings showed that interstitial inflammation and fibrotic lesions distributed peribronchioles. The infiltrations by macrophages as well as visible multinucleated giant cells indicated giant cell interstitial pneumonia (GIP). Cobalt was detectable in the lung tissues of two patients measured by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The first patient was diagnosed with cobalt-related interstitial lung disease (ILD), while the others were HMLD. GIP is the classic pathology of cobalt-related ILD or HMLD. One of the patients showed spontaneous remission after the cessation of exposure, while the other three recovered within 6–32 weeks after avoiding occupational exposure and using corticosteroids. At follow-up, all four patients showed no recurrence. A multidisciplinary diagnostic panel including occupational cobalt exposure evaluation is beneficial to recognize cobalt-related ILD or HMLD and to indicate the necessity of prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the interface between the carbon fiber and aluminum matrix, the carbon fibers were modified with Cu coating and Ni coating by using electroless plating. The Cu-coated and Ni-coated carbon fibers reinforced 2024Al matrix composites (denoted as C f (Cu)/2024Al and C f (Ni)/2024Al) were prepared by spark plasm sintering at 480 °C for 10 min under a uniaxial pressure of 30 MPa. Microstructure observations show that the interfacial reaction between carbon fibers and aluminum matrix can be efficiently obstructed by coating the carbon fiber with Ni, while it still proceeds as the carbon fibers were coated with Cu. The nanohardness of the interface for C f (Cu)/2024Al composite is 2.68 GPa, which is 16.5% higher compared to C f (Ni)/2024Al composite (2.30 GPa) due to the produced hard Al 4 C 3 at the interface. The tensile strength and strain of C f (Ni)/2024Al composites are 284 MPa and 6.4%, which are increased by 4.4% and 28.0% respectively compared to C f (Cu)/2024Al composites. The Ni coating plated on the carbon fiber results in moderate interfacial bonding and avoids damage to the carbon fiber, which is efficient in deflecting cracks and increasing the crack propagation path, as well as consuming more fracture energy. [Display omitted] • Chemical reaction between carbon fiber and aluminum is obstructed by Ni coating. • Tensile strength and strain of C f (Ni)/2024Al are higher than those of C f (Cu)/2024Al. • The improved tensile property of C f (Ni)/2024Al is due to moderate interface bonding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inadequate bonding strength between ceramic and steel and microstructure defects caused by heat dissipation make it difficult to enhance the composite's performance. Hence, the utilization of self-exothermic Al-ZnO system powder to increase the melt temperature and synthesize interfacial transition layers has emerged as a novel solution to change bonding interfaces. In this study, the reaction characteristics and mechanism were analyzed, as well as the influence of temperature, reaction atmosphere, weight ratio, and particle size on the Al-ZnO system powder. Additionally, the influence factor for the exothermic characteristic and the moderating method for the powder system were investigated. The main conclusions are that when the powder composition ratio is closer to the equilibrium stoichiometry and the particle size is larger, the self-exothermic reaction heat release decreases, the reaction stability improves, and the intermetallic reaction becomes more apparent. Moreover, no reaction is observed when Al particles beyond 40 μm. The reaction products are significantly influenced by different reaction atmosphere environments, while the reaction point remains less affected. The Al-ZnO system powder exhibits a wide moderating capability, with effective reaction point ranging from 599 °C to 1200 °C. Additionally, the reaction exotherm is adjustable between 200～1720 J/g. • The reaction characteristics and mechanism of the Al-ZnO system powder were analyzed. • Larger particles that are closer to the equilibrium stoichiometry ratio result in a decrease in heat release. • The reaction atmosphere influences the reaction products rather than the characteristics. • The moderated temperature range for the powder is 599 ∼ 1200℃, with an exotherm range for 200 ∼ 1720 J/g. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extended Langmuir isotherm is commonly used to describe multi-component adsorption. In batch adsorption, the equilibrium composition can be computed by solving simultaneously the Langmuir equations and the material balance equations numerically. We demonstrate that for given values of the initial fluid-phase concentrations, the adsorbed phase composition of all components can be expressed in terms of the fluid-phase concentration of a reference species. As a result, the adsorbed phase composition is easily derived by combining the isotherm expression for the reference species with the corresponding material balance. We derive a general graphical representation of the underlying mathematics valid for N components along with the analytic solution for two-component systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this work is to evaluate the intraobserver repeatability and interobserver reproducibility of corneal power measurements obtained with a swept-source optical coherence tomographer (CASIA 2, Tomey, Japan) in healthy subjects. Methods: A total of 67 right eyes from 67 healthy subjects were enrolled. Two experienced observers measured each eye three times consecutively with the CASIA 2. Corneal power values were recorded as simulated keratometry, anterior, posterior, and total corneal power. Parameters were flattest keratometry (Kf), steepest keratometry (Ks), mean keratometry (Km), astigmatism magnitude, astigmatism power vectors J0 and J45. Intraobserver repeatability and interobserver reproducibility of the CASIA 2 were assessed by the within-subject standard deviation (Sw), test–retest repeatability (TRT), coefficients of variation (CoV), and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Double-angle plots were used for astigmatism vector analysis. Results: The CASIA 2 had high repeatability for all corneal power values, with Sw values ≤ 0.17 diopters (D), TRT ≤ 0.46 D, and ICCs ranging from 0.866 to 0.998. Interobserver reproducibility was also high, showing all Sw values ≤ 0.10 D, TRT ≤ 0.27 D, and ICCs ≥ 0.944. The reproducibility of the average of three consecutive measurements (Sw 0.01–0.10 D, TRT 0.03–0.27 D, ICC 0.944–0.998) was higher than the reproducibility of single measurements (Sw 0.01–0.17 D, TRT 0.03–0.47 D, ICC 0.867–0.996). Conclusions: The CASIA 2 showed high intraobserver repeatability and interobserver reproducibility for anterior, posterior, and total corneal power measurements in 6.0-mm diameter area. In addition, we suggest that using the average of three consecutive measurements can improve reproducibility between observers, compared to single measurements only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study evaluated the differences and agreement between a new Scheimpflug camera (Scansys) and a swept-source anterior segment optical coherence tomographer (CASIA 2) for measurements of the anterior segment of the eye in normal subjects. Methods: This prospective study included 84 eyes from 84 normal adult subjects who underwent three consecutive measurements with the Scansys and the CASIA 2 in random order. The mean keratometry (Km), astigmatism magnitude (AST), J0, and J45 vectors for both anterior and posterior corneal surfaces, central corneal thickness (CCT), thinnest corneal thickness (TCT), and anterior chamber depth (ACD) were obtained by both devices. The difference between these two devices was assessed using paired t test and violin plots. Bland–Altman plots and 95% limits of agreement (LoAs) were used to evaluate agreement. Results: No statistically significant differences between the two devices were found for the anterior AST, anterior J45, and posterior J45 (P > 0.05). The remaining parameters were statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05), but the differences not clinically significant. The violin plots showed that the distribution and probability density of the measured parameters were similar for both devices. Bland–Altman plots revealed high agreement for the measured parameters between the Scansys and CASIA 2, with narrow 95% LoAs. Conclusions: In terms of assessing parameters for the anterior segment, our study indicated that Scansys and CASIA 2 generally showed significant agreement. The two devices used in this study's assessment of all the parameters can be used interchangeably in refractive analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The BushenHuoxue formula (BSHX) has been previously demonstrated to ameliorate osteoporosis, but the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are currently unclear. The present study aims at investigating the mechanisms that BSHX induces osteogenesis. Methods: We established an osteoporosis model in rats by bilateral ovariectomy and then treated the rats with an osteogenic inducer (dexamethasone, β-sodium glycerophosphate and Vitamin C) and BSHX. After that, bone marrow density and histopathological bone examination were evaluated by using HE staining and immunohistochemistry, respectively. We also assessed the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into osteoblasts by using immunofluorescence staining. ALP, BMP, and COL1A1 levels were determined by ELISA. We identified genes involved in pathogenesis of osteoporosis through Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and subsequently selected Hedgehog signaling-related genes Shh, Ihh, Gli2, and Runx2 for assessment via qRT-PCR and ELISA, Western blotting. Network pharmacology analysis was performed to identify bioactive metabolites of BSHX. Results: BSHX treatment in osteoporosis model rats promoted tightening of the morphological structure of the trabecular bone and increased the bone mineral density (BMD). BSHX also increased levels of osteoblast makers ALP, BMP, and COL1A1. Additionally, bioinformatics analysis of the GEO dataset showed that Hedgehog signaling pathway was involved in pathogenesis of osteoporosis, especially related genes Shh, Ihh, Gli2, and Runx2. Remarkably, BHSX upregulated these genes indispensably involved in the osteogenesis-related Hedgehog signaling pathway in both bone tissue and BMSCs. Importantly, we identified that quercetin was the active compounds that involved in the mechanism of BSHX-improved OP via affecting Hedgehog-related genes. Conclusion: Our results indicate that BSHX promotes osteogenesis by improving BMSC differentiation into osteoblasts via increased expression of Hedgehog signaling-related genes Shh, Ihh, Gli2, and Runx2, and quercetin was the bioactive compound of BSHX. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increasing number of studies indicate that cancer patients' histidine (HIS) circulating levels have changed. However, the causality between HIS and cancer is still not well established. Thus, to ascertain the causal link between HIS and cancers, we performed a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Summary-level data are derived from publicly available genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The causal effects were mainly estimated using the inverse-variance weighted method (IVW). The weighted-median (WM) method and MR-Egger regression were conducted as sensitivity analyses. In the forward-MR, we found malignant neoplasm of respiratory system and intrathoracic organs (OR: 1.020; 95% CI: 1.006–1.035; pIVW = 0.007) genetically associated with circulating HIS. And there was no significant genetic correlation between HIS and another 11 site-specific cancers using IVW method. In the reversed-MR, we did not observe the causal relationship between HIS and 12 site-specific cancers. Our findings help clarify that HIS, as a biomarker for malignant neoplasms of respiratory system and intrathoracic organs, is causal rather than a secondary biomarker of the cancerous progression. The mechanism between histidine and cancer progression deserves further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic ankle instability (CAI) has been considered a neurophysiological condition, with dysfunctional somatosensory and motor system excitability. However, few researchers have explored the changes in cortical activation during balance tasks of patients with CAI. To compare the cortical activity during single-legged stance among CAI, copers, and uninjured control participants and to compare dynamic balance across groups. Cross-sectional study. Biomechanics laboratory. A total of 22 participants with CAI (median [interquartile range]; age = 34.5 [11.0] years, height = 170.0 [15.8] cm, mass = 67.0 [16.2] kg), 17 copers (age = 27.0 [14.0] years, height = 170.0 [9.5] cm, mass = 66.5 [16.5] kg), and 21 uninjured control participants (age = 25.0 [10.5] years, height = 170.0 [11.0] cm, mass = 64.0 [16.5] kg). Participants performed single-legged stance while cortical activation was tested with functional near-infrared spectroscopy. The peak oxyhemoglobin response of the activated cortex was calculated and compared across groups. The Y-Balance test outcomes and patient-reported outcomes were assessed and compared across groups. The CAI group had worse Y-balance test and patient-reported outcomes than the coper and uninjured control groups. Differences in the peak oxyhemoglobin response were observed for the primary somatosensory cortex (S1; F2,57 = 4.347, P =.017, ηp2 = 0.132) and superior temporal gyrus (STG; F2,57 = 4.548, P =.015, ηp2 = 0.138). Specifically, copers demonstrated greater activation in S1 and STG than the CAI (d = 0.73, P =.034, and d = 0.69, P =.043, respectively) and uninjured control (d = 0.77, P =.036, and d = 0.88, P =.022, respectively) groups. No differences were found in the cortical activation between CAI and uninjured control participants. Copers displayed greater cortical activation in S1 and STG than CAI and uninjured control participants. Greater activation in S1 and STG suggested a better ability to perceive somatosensory stimuli and may represent a compensatory mechanism that allows copers to maintain good functional ability after the initial severe ankle sprain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by nucleocytoplasmic mislocalization of the RNA-binding protein (RBP) TDP-43. However, emerging evidence suggests more widespread mRNA and protein mislocalization. Here, we employed nucleocytoplasmic fractionation, RNA sequencing, and mass spectrometry to investigate the localization of mRNA and protein in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived motor neurons (iPSMNs) from ALS patients with TARDBP and VCP mutations. ALS mutant iPSMNs exhibited extensive nucleocytoplasmic mRNA redistribution, RBP mislocalization, and splicing alterations. Mislocalized proteins exhibited a greater affinity for redistributed transcripts, suggesting a link between RBP mislocalization and mRNA redistribution. Notably, treatment with ML240, a VCP ATPase inhibitor, partially restored mRNA and protein localization in ALS mutant iPSMNs. ML240 induced changes in the VCP interactome and lysosomal localization and reduced oxidative stress and DNA damage. These findings emphasize the link between RBP mislocalization and mRNA redistribution in ALS motor neurons and highlight the therapeutic potential of VCP inhibition. [Display omitted] • ALS motor neurons show extensive nucleocytoplasmic alterations in mRNA and protein • RBP mislocalization is linked to mRNA redistribution in ALS neurons • VCP inhibition partly restored mRNA and protein localization and other ALS phenotypes Ziff et al. uncover widespread mRNA redistribution and mislocalization of RNA-binding proteins in ALS motor neurons. Their study highlights the potential of VCP ATPase inhibition in partially restoring mRNA and protein distribution, providing insights into ALS pathogenesis and a promising therapeutic target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dry sliding wear behavior of ZrC particles and carbon fiber reinforced 2024Al matrix composite rubbed against AISI52100 bearing steel was investigated at different loads and sliding velocities. The wear rate of the composite increased with increasing load, while an opposite trend was recorded as the velocity increased. With increasing load and speed, the wear mechanism changed from major abrasion wear, slight adhesive wear, and oxidative wear to dominant oxidative wear, secondary abrasion, and adhesive wear. The improved wear resistance of the composite over that of the 2024Al alloy is attributed to the steady mechanically mixed layer supported by the harder and stronger composites, as well as the self-lubricating carbon fibers. • The wear rate of C f (Ni)–ZrC/2024Al composite increases with the load and decreases as the sliding speed goes up. • The wear behavior of C f (Ni)–ZrC/2024Al composite is controlled by abrasion wear, adhesive wear and oxidative wear. • The improved wear resistance of C f (Ni)–ZrC/2024Al is due to steady mechanically mixed layer and self-lubricated carbon fiber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Low-abundance Amadori compounds were detected directly in high-sugar environment. • The derivatization was accomplished on the millisecond timescale instead of hours. • Informative fingerprints were obtained within 5 min without complex pretreatment. • Rapid differentiation between NH and AH was achieved by multivariate analysis. Amadori rearrangement products (ARPs) and α -dicarbonyl compounds (α -DCs) are critical intermediates in the Maillard chemistry. The screening of artificially heated honey (AH) is currently based on chromatography-mass spectrometry, which is commonly accompanied with the longer pretreatment and detection time. Here, low-abundance ARPs were detected directly in high-sugar environment by nanoelectrospray ionization mass spectrometry (nanoESI-MS) coupled with borosilicate glass capillaries (O-tips). When O-tips were replaced by borosilicate theta capillaries (θ -tips), the microdroplets allowed the derivatization of α -DCs to be accomplished on the millisecond timescale, rather than hours in conventional protocols. The results indicated that two ARPs and α -DCs of m / z 235 were significantly up-regulated in AH. Meanwhile, the straightforward differentiation between naturally matured honey (NH) and AH was achieved by nanoESI-MS fingerprints combined with multivariate analysis. The method may provide a rapid characterization of Maillard reaction products (MRPs), which exhibits the great application potential in other complex food matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Ir/Ir 3 Ti is the most stable interface among the six Ir/Ir 3 X interfaces. • IVB elements form more stable interfacial structures with the Ir than VB elements. • Lattice misfit and charge redistribution jointly affect interfacial stability. Interfacial stability is critical for dual-phase Ir/Ir 3 X materials used in ultra-high temperature applications. Despite this, this property remains poorly recognized and understood. In the present work, the interfacial energies and the generalized stacking fault energies (GSFE) curves are calculated to investigate the thermodynamic and kinetic stability of the six Ir/Ir 3 X interfaces by DFT and AIMD methods. It is found that Ir/Ir 3 Ti possesses the lowest interfacial energy at 0 K and 2000 K, as well as the highest unstable stacking fault energy, indicating it is the most stable interface. The comparison shows that the considered interfaces containing IVB elements (Ti, Hf and Zr) are more stable than those containing VB elements (V, Nb and Ta). Furthermore, the analysis reveals that interfacial energy differences in Ir/Ir 3 X may contribute to interfacial lattice misfit and charge redistribution at the interface. We aim to provide essential theoretical guidance for the design of novel high-temperature dual-phase Ir-based alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yellow River carp (Cyprinus carpio haematopterus) is a vital economically farmed fish of the Cyprinidae family. With the development of intensive aquaculture, carp production has increased dramatically, leading to the frequent occurrence of various diseases. Cell lines are considered the most cost-effective resource for in vitro studies and are widely used for physiological and pathological studies because of accessibility and convenience. This research established a novel immortal cell line CCM (Yellow River carp muscle cells) derived from the carp muscle. CCM has been passed over 71 generations for 1 year. The morphology of CCM and the adhesion and extension processes were captured by light and electron microscopy. CCM were passaged every 3 days with 20% FBS DMEM/F12 at 1:3. The optimum conditions for CCM growth were 28 °C and 20% FBS concentration. DNA sequencing of 16S rRNA and COI showed that CCM was derived from carp. CCM positively reacts to anti-PAX7 and anti-MyoD antibodies of carp. Analysis of chromosomes revealed that the chromosomal pattern number of CCM was 100. Transfection experiment demonstrated that CCM might be utilized to express foreign genes. Furthermore, cytotoxicity testing showed that CCM was susceptible to Aeromonas hydrophila , Aeromonas salmonicida , Aeromonas veronii , and Staphylococcus Aureus. The organophosphate pesticides (chlorpyrifos and glyphosate) or heavy metals (Hg, Cd, and Cu) exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity against CCM. After LPS treatment, the MyD88-IRAKs-NFκB pathway stimulates inflammatory-related factor il1β , il8 , il10 , and nfκb expression. LPS did not seem to cause oxidative stress in CCM, and the expression of cat and sod was not affected. Poly (I:C) through TLR3-TRIF-MyD88-TRAF6-NFκB and TRIF-TRAF3-TBK1-IRF3 activated the transcription of related factors, increased expression of anti-viral protein, but no changes in apoptosis-related genes. To our knowledge, this is the first muscle cell line in Yellow River carp and the first study on the immune response signal pathways of Yellow River carp based on the muscle cell line. CCM cell line provides a more rapid and efficient experimental material for fish immunology research, and this study preliminarily elucidated its immune response strategy to LPS and poly (I:C). • CCM was established and became the first stable muscle cell line of Yellow River carp. • CCM positively reacts to anti-PAX7 and anti-MyoD antibodies of Yellow River carp. • CCM can be used to assess the cytotoxicity of pesticides and heavy metals and are sensitive to bacterial. • Immune-responsive pathways in response to LPS and poly (I: C) challenge in CCM were evidenced. • CCM cell line can be used as a cell model for virology and immunology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Secure, compliant and authentic multiparty data sharing and collaborative modelling are of great significance to the accuracy of credit evaluation systems. Homomorphic encryption has the feature of supporting ciphertext calculation without sacrificing the accuracy of the model. However, the credibility and security of the existing centralized data homomorphic encryption sharing-aggregation mode have brought great hidden dangers and exacerbated the risk of private data being disclosed. Ensuring the authenticity and controllability of data are also difficulties faced by homomorphic encryption technology. To solve these problems, we propose a novel decentralized privacy-preserving credit evaluation system with trustworthy data content and calculations named PEvaChain based on Hyperledger Fabric blockchain. The PEvaChain consists of three main components: identity management, off-chain encrypted data uploading, and on-chain data security sharing-aggregation. With the help of Hyperledger Fabric's special member access mechanism, incorporating the ciphertext-policy attribute-based encryption (CP-ABE) access control scheme avoids unauthorized access. The original data are transformed by invertible random matrices off the chain, which meets data transfer agreements requirements when data uploading and eliminates the privacy disclosure concerns of data providers to a certain extent. Paillier homomorphic encryption-based data security sharing-aggregation on the chain ensures the security of multiparty data sharing and aggregation while realizing the minimum output and utilization of the original data. Security analysis demonstrates the security and compliance of PEvaChain in terms of data access, encrypted data uploading, sharing-aggregation, and storage. The experimental results show that the proposed approach is feasible, safe and efficient. • Novel privacy-preserving credit evaluation system based on Hyperledger Fabric is built. • A secure, compliant and explainable multiparty data sharing-aggregation method is proposed. • Sharing-aggregation results on-chain realize the trustworthiness in data and calculation. • Invertible random matrices-based data transformation replaces direct sharing of original data. • Paillier homomorphic encryption ensures the accuracy of the credit evaluation model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Annular-illumination quantitative phase imaging based on Kramers–Kronig relations (AIKK) achieves a large space-bandwidth-time product. The reconstruction algorithm is non-iteration, parameter-free, and object-independent constitutionally. Based on the observation and analyticity of intensity spectrum characteristics and symmetry in spatial and frequency domains, we propose a single-frame two-color illumination imaging based AIKK (SFTC-AIKK). In addition, we apply the two-color mode to synthetic aperture imaging, and only one measurement is sufficient with a monochrome camera. We employ SFTC-AIKK to achieve resolution corresponding to nearly two times the objective NA at camera-limited frame rate to applications with observing dynamic target at various spatial and temporal scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a wide variety of autoimmune diseases (ADs) with complex pathogenesis and their accurate diagnosis is difficult to achieve because of their vague symptoms. Metabolomics has been proven to be an efficient tool in the analysis of metabolic disorders to provide clues about the mechanism and diagnosis of diseases. Previous studies of the metabolomics analysis of ADs were not competent in their discrimination. Herein, a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS) strategy combined with machine learning is proposed for the discrimination and classification of ADs. Urine and serum samples were collected from 267 subjects consisting of 127 healthy controls (HC) and 140 AD patients, including those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), sicca syndrome (SS), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), systemic scleroderma (SSc) and connective tissue disease (CTD). Machine learning algorithms were encoded for the discrimination and classification of ADs with metabolomic patterns obtained by LC-MS, and satisfactory results were achieved. Notably, urine samples exhibited higher accuracy for disease differentiation and triage than serum samples. Apart from that, differential metabolites were selected and metabolite panels were evaluated to demonstrate their representativeness. Metabolic dysregulations were also investigated to gain more knowledge about the pathogenesis of ADs. This research provides a promising method for the application of metabolomics combined with machine learning in precision medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract For scalar semilinear wave equations, we analyze the interaction of two (distorted) plane waves at an interface between media of different nonlinear properties. We show that new waves are generated from the nonlinear interactions, which might be responsible for the observed nonlinear effects in applications. Also, we show that the incident waves and the nonlinear responses determine the location of the interface and some information of the nonlinear properties of the media. In particular, for the case of a jump discontinuity at the interface, we can determine the magnitude of the jump. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Current progress on heteroatom-doped nanozymes were reviewed. • The synthesis methods of heteroatom-doped nanozymes were reviewed. • The biomedical application of heteroatom-doped nanozymes were summarized. • The challenges and future perspectives for heteroatom-doped nanozymes were discussed. Nanozymes with enzyme-like catalytic performances have served as ideal surrogates for nature enzymes in diverse applications due to their low cost and excellent catalytic stability in harsh environments. However, the nanozymes' intrinsic catalytic activity remains poor compared to their counterpart natural enzymes, limiting their broader development. To date, extensive efforts have been made to improve nanozyme catalytic properties, including activity modulation strategies focused on size, morphology, and facet regulation; ligand modification regulation; heteroatom doping regulation; composition regulation; and external regulation. The heteroatom doping strategy has proven to be an effective method, accelerating electron transfer to improve nanozyme mimic activity. Herein, we summarize current progress on heteroatom-doped nanozymes for biomedical applications. Moreover, we discuss their synthesis methods and influencing factors. Finally, we discuss current challenges and future perspectives for heteroatom-doped nanozymes to highlight some novel and advanced heteroatom-doped nanozymes that establish a bridge between heteroatom-doped nanozymes and natural enzymes for preclinical translations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The short carbon fiber orientation changes with the pressure direction during the sintering process, which strongly influences the mechanical and wear performance of short carbon fiber and ZrC strengthened 2024Al matrix composites (C f (Ni)-ZrC/2024Al). The C f (Ni)-ZrC/2024Al composite parallel to the carbon fiber plane (C f (Ni)-ZrC/2024Al-P) shows higher elastic modulus, tensile strength, and strain, which has 17.1 %, 21.58 %, and 25.42 % increases respectively compared with the C f (Ni)-ZrC/2024Al composite vertical to the carbon fiber plane (C f (Ni)-ZrC/2024Al-V). In C f (Ni)-ZrC/2024Al-P, the carbon fibers mainly fail by pulled-out behaviors, which can expend more fracture energy and lengthen the propagation path of cracks compared with the primary debonding behavior of the carbon fibers in C f (Ni)-ZrC/2024Al-V. The wear rates of the C f (Ni)-ZrC/2024Al-P and C f (Ni)-ZrC/2024Al-V are improved with the load, while the coefficient of friction shows the contrary tendency. The C f (Ni)-ZrC/2024Al-V is more wear resistance but less anti-friction than that of C f (Ni)-ZrC/2024Al-P. In C f (Ni)-ZrC/2024Al-P, the carbon fiber plane is parallel to the worn surface, which leads the carbon fiber to be swept out easily as a whole owing to the absence of the gripped aluminum matrix and the parallel plane between the friction force and interface. It causes the cracks to propagate along the interface easily and hardly form a steady MML. • C f (Ni)-ZrC/2024Al composite parallel to the carbon fiber plane shows higher tensile strength and strain. • The wear rates of the composites are increased with the applied load regardless of the orientation of the carbon fiber. • The C f (Ni)-ZrC/2024Al composite vertical to carbon fiber plane shows better wear resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Visible methods based on ratiometric sensors for puerarin and ginsenoside were proposed. • PEG/Apt-modified CdTe QDs and MoS 2 QDs were as responsive and reference sensor, respectively. • The color change of ratiometric sensors under UV lamp was analyzed by smartphone. • The sensitive, selective and visible detection method can be used in real samples. Puerarin and ginsenoside are very valuable Chinese herbal medicines. Development of sensitive and rapid detection method is of great significance for quality control and clinical therapy. Herein, the polymer brush and aptamer-modified ratiometric fluorescence sensors (r-sensors) were developed for sensitive and selective detecting puerarin and ginsenoside via smartphone. The polymer brush (polyethylene glycol (PEG)) and aptamer modified CdTe quantum dots (QDs) and MoS 2 QDs were served as response sensors and reference sensors, respectively. The detection limits (LOD) of r-sensors were 36 nM for puerarin and 8 nM for ginsenoside, respectively. Importantly, the sensors were used for rapid and convenient measurement of the puerarin and ginsenoside in human serum, human urine and liqueur samples with recovery rates of 80–105.34 % for puerarin, 84.02–111.75 % for ginsenoside. Therefore, the methods have a promising application for visible, portable and sensitive analysis of puerarin and ginsenoside in clinical analysis and food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For most optical encryption mechanisms, craft precision of phase modulation components is finite, restricting information efficient sharing and compatibility with processing. We demonstrate an alternative method with strong practicability in which a random phase is modulated by multiplexed sensing without optical elements, releasing the constraints mentioned above. This is accomplished by dynamic-field integral imaging in three-dimensional space, replacing transient imaging of ordinary light fields. Specifically, information encoding and recovery of intensity and phase with Fourier phase shift law are demonstrated. Axial dimension extends the capacity of key spaces. The simple and flexible optical modulation mechanism also could enable optical asymmetric encryption platforms with high security and low storage capacity configuration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CBF (C-repeat binding factor) transcription factor subfamily belongs to AP2/ERF (Apetala 2/ethylene-responsive factor) transcription factor family, known for playing a vital role in plant abiotic stress response. Although some CBF transcription factors have been identified in several species, such as Arabidopsis, tobacco, tomato and poplar, research of CBF focus mainly on model plant Arabidopsis and have not been reported in Betula platyphylla yet. In this study, a total of 20 BpCBF subfamily members were identified. The conserved domains, physicochemical properties, exon-intron gene structure and the structure of conserved protein motifs of BpCBFs were analyzed via bioinformatic tools. The collinearity analysis of CBF genes was performed between Betula platyphylla and Arabidopsis thaliana, Betula platyphylla, and Populus trichocarpa. The cis-acting elements in the promoter region of BpCBFs were identified, which were mainly environmental stress-related and hormone-related element components. In this case, the expression patterns of the 20 BpCBFs upon ABA or salt treatment were investigated. Most of these transcription factors were responsive to ABA or salt stress in different plant tissues. The up-regulation trend upon cold treatment of the six cold-responsive genes validated by qRT-PCR was consistent with the result of RNA-seq. BpCBF7 showed transcription activating activity. This study sheds light on the responses of BpCBFs to abiotic stress and provides a reference for further study of CBF transcription factors in woody plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many recent studies have provided significant insights into polyploid breeding, but limited research has been carried out on trees. The genomic information needed to understand growth and response to abiotic stress in polyploidy trees is largely unknown, but has become critical due to the threats to forests imposed by climate change. Populus alba 'Berolinensis,' also known "Yinzhong poplar," is a triploid poplar from northeast China. This hybrid triploid poplar is widely used as a landscape ornamental and in urban forestry owing to its adaptation to adverse environments and faster growth than its parental diploid. It is an artificially synthesized male allotriploid hybrid, with three haploid genomes of P. alba 'Berolinensis' originating from different poplar species, so it is attractive for studying polyploidy genomic mechanisms in heterosis. In this study, we focused on the allelic genomic interactions in P. alba 'Berolinensis,' and generated a high‐quality chromosome‐level genome assembly consisting of 19 allelic chromosomes. Its three haploid chromosome sets are polymorphic with an average of 25.73 nucleotide polymorphism sites per kilobase. We found that some stress‐related genes such as RD22 and LEA7 exhibited sequence differences between different haploid genomes. The genome assembly has been deposited in our polyploid genome online analysis website TreeGenomes (https://www.treegenomes.com). These polyploid genome‐related resources will provide a critical foundation for the molecular breeding of P. alba 'Berolinensis' and help us uncover the allopolyploidization effects of heterosis and abiotic stress resistance and traits of polyploidy species in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lateral ankle sprains (LAS) might lead to joint sensory deafferentation, which induces maladaptive neuroplasticity, especially the morphological atrophy of the cerebellar vermis. However, longitudinal evidence on the causality of injury and neural differences is still lacking. To this end, this study aimed to determine whether the morphology of the central nervous system would be altered before and after ligament transection in LAS mouse models. A total of 40 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided among the LAS, Sham and Blank groups. We repeatedly performed the balance beam test and neural voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) measurements using an 11.7 T magnetic resonance imaging before and 2 months after the surgery. The results showed that for balance outcomes, the LAS group had a significantly longer time and more slips of the balance beam tests compared with the Sham and Blank groups at 2 months after surgery, with no significant difference among the three groups before surgery. Regarding the VBM analysis, the LAS group showed significantly lower VBM values in the central lobule III of the cerebellar vermis and medial amygdalar nucleus (MEA) compared with the Sham and Blank groups after surgery, with no significant difference among the three groups before surgery. In conclusion, lateral ligament injuries might lead to morphological atrophy of the cerebellar vermis in animal models, which might pave the way for the pathological process of ankle instability after LAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider inverse problems in space-time (M, g), a 4-dimensional Lorentzian manifold. For semilinear wave equations □gu+H(x,u)=f, where □g denotes the usual Laplace-Beltrami operator, we prove that the source-to-solution map L:f→u|V, where V is a neighborhood of a time-like geodesic μ, determines the topological, differentiable structure and the conformal class of the metric of the space-time in the maximal set, where waves can propagate from μ and return back. Moreover, on a given space-time (M, g), the source-to-solution map determines some coefficients of the Taylor expansion of H in u. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate trends in long-noncoding (lnc) RNA research systematically, we compared the contribution of publications among different regions, institutions, and authors. Publications on lncRNA were retrieved from Web of Science (WoS) from 1975 to 2017. A total of 3879 papers were identified, and together they were cited 62967 times. The literature on lncRNA had been continuously growing since 2006, and the expansion might continue at a rapid pace until around 2021. China contributed the greatest proportion (63.47%) of lncRNA publications, and the USA ranked second in the number of publications (944 articles), while it had the highest citation frequency (43168 times) and H-index (97). The journal Oncotarget has the greatest number of publications on lncRNA research, with 305 papers. The keywords could be stratified into two clusters: cluster 1 (application) and cluster 2 (characteristics). Correspondingly, the “TNM stage,” “epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT),” “cell apoptosis,” and “overall survival” are research hotspots since 2015. Thus, research on lncRNA showed a swiftly expanding trend, with China making the largest contribution. The focus on lncRNA is gradually shifting from “characteristics” to “application.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the lack of efficient control elements and tools, the fine-tuning of gene expression in the multi-gene metabolic pathways is still a great challenge for engineering microbial cell factories, especially for the important industrial microorganism Corynebacterium glutamicum. In this study, the promoter library-based module combination (PLMC) technology was developed to efficiently optimize the expression of genes in C. glutamicum. A random promoter library was designed to contain the putative − 10 (NNTANANT) and − 35 (NNGNCN) consensus motifs, and refined through a three-step screening procedure to achieve numerous genetic control elements with different strength levels, including fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) screening, agar plate screening, and 96-well plate screening. Multiple conventional strategies were employed for further precise characterizations of the promoter library, such as real-time quantitative PCR, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, FACS analysis, and the lacZ reporter system. These results suggested that the established promoter elements effectively regulated gene expression and showed varying strengths over a wide range. Subsequently, a multi-module combination technology was created based on the efficient promoter elements for combination and optimization of modules in the multi-gene pathways. Using this technology, the threonine biosynthesis pathway was reconstructed and optimized by predictable tuning expression of five modules in C. glutamicum. The threonine titer of the optimized strain was significantly improved to 12.8 g/L, an approximate 6.1-fold higher than that of the control strain. Overall, the PLMC technology presented in this study provides a rapid and effective method for combination and optimization of multi-gene pathways in C. glutamicum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-speed rail (HSR) has greatly promoted cross-regional economic activities, but few studies have been conducted from the perspective of urban network externalities (UNEs). Based on data from China from 2008 to 2019, this paper constructs an HSR operation network model to study the impact of the network position (NP) on urban agglomeration economies (UAEs) by jointly employing network and econometric analysis methods. The findings suggest the following: (1) Improvements to NP significantly enhance UAEs. Improving the comprehensive NP by 1% will increase urban output per capita by 193.5–226.8 RMB. The findings hold under several robustness tests. (2) The NP's facilitation of growth in UAEs is reflected mainly in national core cities, while the impact of peripheral cities reflects a "∽-shaped" curve as their distance from each nearest neighboring core city changes. (3) From the temporal-dynamic perspective, the NP's impact on UAEs appeared one year before the HSR line was opened and was fully realized three years after the opening of the HSR. (4) Investment agglomeration and expansions in borrowed size are the main mediating mechanisms whereby NP facilitates UAEs. • The network position (NP) of the HSR-connected cities is measured by network analysis method. • The improvement of NP significantly enhances urban agglomeration economies (UAEs). • The NP's impact on UAEs are characterized by huge heterogeneity and temporal dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Hypoxia inducible gene domain family member 2A (HIGD2A) protein is indispensable for the assembly of the mitochondrial respiratory supercomplex, which has been implicated in cell proliferation and cell survival under hypoxic conditions. Because the liver has a naturally low oxygen microenvironment, the role of HIGD2A in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains largely unknown. Methods: Gene expression data and clinical information were obtained from multiple public databases. A lentivirus-mediated gene knockdown approach was conducted to explore the function and mechanism of HIGD2A activity in HCC cells. In vivo and in vitro assays were performed to investigate the biological roles of HIGD2A. Results: HIGD2A was overexpressed in HCC tissues and cell lines and was associated with a worse prognosis. Silencing HIGD2A expression significantly attenuated cell proliferation and migration, caused S-phase cell cycle arrest, and decreased tumor formation in nude mice. Mechanistically, HIGD2A depletion greatly decreased cellular ATP levels by disrupting mitochondrial ATP production. Moreover, HIGD2A knockdown cells displayed impaired mitochondrial function, such as mitochondrial fusion, increased expression of the mitochondrial stress response protein, and decreased oxygen consumption. Furthermore, knockdown of HIGD2A markedly attenuated the activation of the MAPK/ERK pathway. Conclusions: HIGD2A promoted liver cancer cell growth by fueling mitochondrial ATP synthesis and activating the MAPK/ERK pathway, suggested that targeting HIGD2A may represent a new strategy for HCC therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Receiver arrays with a large number of coil elements are becoming progressively available because of their increased signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and enhanced parallel imaging performance. However, longer reconstruction time and intensive computational cost have become significant concerns as the number of channels increases, especially in some iterative reconstructions. Coil compression can effectively solve this problem by linearly combining the raw data from multiple coils into fewer virtual coils. In this work, geometric-decomposition coil compression (GCC) is applied to radial sampling (both linear-angle and golden-angle patterns are discussed) for better compression. GCC, which is different from directly compressing in k-space, is performed separately in each spatial location along the fully sampled directions, then followed by an additional alignment step to guarantee the smoothness of the virtual coil sensitivities. Both numerical simulation data and in vivo data were tested. Experimental results demonstrated that the GCC algorithm can achieve higher SNR and lower normalized root mean squared error values than the conventional principal component analysis approach in radial acquisitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many lead compounds have a low solubility in water, which substantially hinders their clinical application. Nanosuspensions have been considered a promising strategy for the delivery of water-insoluble drugs. Here, denatured soy protein isolate (SPI)-coated docetaxel nanosuspensions (DTX-NS) were developed using an anti-solvent precipitation-ultrasonication method to improve the water-solubility of DTX, thus improving its intracellular delivery. DTX-NS, with a diameter of 150–250 nm and drug-loading up to 18.18%, were successfully prepared by coating drug particles with SPI. Interestingly, the drug state of DTX-NS was alterable. Amorphous drug nanoparticles were obtained at low drug-loading, whereas at a high drug-loading, the DTX-NS drug was mainly present in the crystalline state. Moreover, DTX-NS could be internalized at high levels by cancer cells and enter the cytosol by lysosomal escape, enhancing cell cytotoxicity and apoptosis compared with free DTX. Taken together, denatured SPI has a strong stabilization effect on nanosuspensions, and the drug state in SPI-coated nanosuspensions is alterable by changing the drug-loading. Moreover, DTX-NS could achieve cytosolic delivery, generating enhanced cell cytotoxicity against cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]