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With the development of bridge steel towards higher strength, higher requirements have been put forward for its yield ratio, low-temperature toughness, and other properties. This study focuses on 550 MPa grade high performance steel for bridge construction to explore microstructure control strategies that achieve high strength, low yield ratio, and high low-temperature toughness. Firstly, a multiphase structure consisting mainly of ferrite and bainite was obtained in the experimental steel through thermo-mechanical control process (TMCP) + intercritical quenching and tempering (IQT) process. Compared with the steel treated with TMCP + tempering (T) processes, the yield ratio decreased from 0.82 to 0.77 while ensuring a yield strength of ∼600 MPa. The yield ratio of the experimental steel is related to the microstructural parameters b (morphology and content of ferrite and bainite) and the strain-hardening index N of the steel. IQT treatment can not only introduce soft ferrite but also change the morphology of microstructure, resulting in a decrease in ln(b/N2) value and thus a decrease in yield ratio. Further, by increasing the cooling rate after intercritical quenching, the bainite morphology changes from granular to lath. The −40 °C V-notch impact energy of the tested steel increases from 236 J to 287 J. Compared to steel treated by TMCP + T, the ductile-brittle transition temperature (DBTT) of steel treated by IQT with faster cooling rate decreases from −54.5 °C to −91 °C. The improvement of low-temperature impact toughness is attributed to the weakening of variant selection, which increases the density of high-angle grain boundaries and significantly enhances crack propagation resistance. In addition, the existence of film-like retained austenite in lath bainite further enhances the low-temperature toughness.

Abstract Introduction Lung cancer has a poor prognosis with traditional treatments. Realgar (AS4S4), a traditional Chinese medicine, exhibits chemotherapeutic efficacy. However, its low solubility, complex dosage form, and limited therapeutic efficacy hinder its further application in lung cancer. Methods In this study, AS4S4 was chemically synthesized using hydrochloric acid to disrupt the bonding between AS and NH2, producing realgar nanoclusters that improved solubility and reduced side effects. Simultaneously, Fe3O4 nanoparticles were introduced, and intelligent temperature-sensitive hydrogels were utilized to combine these two performance nanomaterials, developing a local injection nano-diagnosis and treatment unit (AS4S4/Fe3O4@Gel) that integrates chemotherapy with alternating current magnetic field (ACMF) induction hyperthermia. The morphological characteristics, thermal stability, and controlled release of AS4S4/Fe3O4@Gel were assessed. After processing the Lewis cells, the CCK-8 method, hemolysis test, EdU method, cell apoptosis test, reactive oxygen species detection, and cellular ultrastructure analysis were used to evaluate the biological effects. Western blot was employed to detect Bcl-2, BAX, GPX4, and HO-1 protein expression in cells. After injecting the gel system into the transplanted tumor, in vivo imaging, near-infrared thermography, and the antitumor effect were studied. Results AS4S4/Fe3O4@Gel, which exhibits fluorescence and magnetic inductive hyperthermia, was successfully developed. The gel system, which has good hemocompatibility, possesses ideal temperature sensitivity. It can transform from liquid to solid within a specific temperature range, and the drug release rate about 80% within 3 h at 42 °C. Cell experiments showed that the combination of AS4S4/Fe3O4@Gel and ACMF induced the highest levels of apoptosis and ferroptosis. AS4S4/Fe3O4@Gel in vivo displayed good fluorescence characteristics and a magnetocaloric effect. The combination therapy group significantly decreased the expression levels of Ki-67, CD31, E-cadherin, Bcl-2, and GPX4 proteins, indicating that combination therapy can better exert antitumor effects. At the same time, AS4S4/Fe3O4@Gel had no damage to normal organs. Conclusion The prepared AS4S4/Fe3O4@Gel in this study can exert synergistic antitumor activity in combination with ACMF under bimodal imaging guidance and represents a potential clinical treatment for lung cancer.

Abstract The prevalence of obesity is steadily rising and poses a significant challenge to women’s health. Preeclampsia (PE), a leading cause of maternal and fetal mortality, is significantly linked to a high body mass index (BMI). However, the shared genetic architecture underlying these conditions remains poorly understood. In this study, we used summary-level data from large-scale genome-wide association studies of BMI (N = 434,794) and PE (Ncases = 8185; Ncontrols = 234,147) to assess the shared genetic architecture between them. Our findings revealed a significant genetic correlation between BMI and PE, with an estimated sample overlap of approximately 0.8%. We identified roughly 1100 shared genetic variants, with the most notable region of local genetic correlation located in 16q12.2. Enrichment analyses highlighted endothelial dysfunction as a key biological mechanism linking BMI and PE. Additionally, RABEP2 was identified as a novel shared risk gene. Mendelian randomization analysis demonstrated a bidirectional causal relationship between BMI and PE, with blood pressure identified as a key mediator. We identified the shared genetic foundation between BMI and PE, providing valuable insights into the comorbidity of these conditions and offering a new framework for future research into comorbidity.

Abstract In an effort to elucidate the fatigue behavior of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) propellant with prefabricated cracks under strain-controlled conditions, a comprehensive experimental study was conducted employing an MTS fatigue testing machine. The experimental design included four cohorts of specimens: a control group of un-notched specimens and three experimental groups featuring notched specimens with prefabricated cracks oriented at distinct angles (0°, 45°, and 75°) relative to the horizontal. Throughout the duration of the fatigue tests, an infrared thermographic camera was employed to meticulously monitor the temperature variations across the surface of each specimen. The collected data revealed that an escalation in strain amplitude, when subjected to a constant frequency, is directly correlated with a decrement in the fatigue life of the HTPB propellant. Notably, the fatigue lives of the specimens with prefabricated cracks were observed to be congruent, culminating at approximately 2*10^4 cycles, and maintaining a consistent order of magnitude. Conversely, the un-notched specimens demonstrated a substantially more enduring fatigue life, extending to 1*10^6 cycles, thereby manifesting a cross-order phenomenon.Throughout the fatigue testing, the specimens exhibited a pronounced strain hysteresis effect, which is indicative of their pronounced viscoelastic attributes. Concurrently, the thermal monitoring of the specimens across the four experimental groups uniformly displayed an escalating temperature trend. Intriguingly, a positive correlation was identified between the final surface temperature and the fatigue life of the specimens, suggesting a potential interplay between the heat generated due to viscoelastic dissipation and the material’s resistance to fatigue under cyclic loading.

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the joint association of systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) and sarcopenia with cancer-specific and all-cause mortality in individuals with self-reported cancer. Methods The study cohort comprised individuals with a self-reported cancer diagnosis from the NHANES database, with data collected between 1999 and 2006 and 2011–2018. The researchers tracked deaths up to 31 December 2019 by linking the relevant records to those held by the (NDI). A weighted sampling design was employed, with participants stratified according to the median value of the SIRI. Cox regression models were employed to assess the association between SIRI, sarcopenia, all-cause mortality, and cancer-specific mortality. Results The study cohort comprised 1316 individuals with self-reported cancer. Over a median follow-up period of 9.21 years, 523 all-cause deaths were recorded, including 163 cancer-specific and 360 non-cancer deaths. Adjusting for multiple confounders, elevated SIRI levels were significantly associated with increased risks of all-cause (HR = 1.90 [1.58–2.28]), cancer (HR = 1.88 [1.26–2.78]), and non-cancer mortality (HR = 1.93 [1.54–2.41]). Sarcopenia also emerged as a significant predictor of mortality. Individuals with sarcopenia faced a 50% higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 1.50 [1.18–1.91]) and a 54% higher risk of non-cancer mortality (HR = 1.54 [1.11–2.12]). However, the association with cancer mortality was not significant in the fully adjusted model. When both sarcopenia and elevated SIRI were present, the risk was the highest for all-cause (HR = 2.54 [1.92–3.37]), cancer (HR = 2.29 [1.19–4.40]), and non-cancer mortality (HR = 2.63 [1.78–3.89]). Elevated SIRI alone was linked to significant risks for all-cause (HR = 1.91 [1.51–2.42]), cancer (HR = 1.95 [1.28–2.97]), and non-cancer mortality (HR = 1.92 [1.46–2.53]). Sarcopenia alone significantly increased the risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 1.63 [1.01–2.56]) but not cancer mortality. Conclusion Our study is the first to demonstrate the joint association between the SIRI and sarcopenia with mortality among individuals with self-reported cancer. These findings underscore the importance of assessing and managing these two factors in individuals with self-reported cancer to reduce the risk of death and improve survival outcomes.

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a critical cytokine involved in various biological processes, including stem cell self-renewal, inflammation, and cancer progression. Structural studies have revealed how LIF forms a functional signaling complex. However, the dynamic binding pattern of the complex remains inadequately clarified. In this study, we employed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the recognition and binding mechanisms of LIF, revealing a preferential affinity for LIF Receptor (LIFR) over gp130, attributable to a larger buried surface area at the LIF–LIFR interface. Key residues F178 and K181 in FXXK motif, along with K124 in LIF helix B, mediate hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding and allosteric regulation, collectively stabilizing the LIF-LIFR interaction. We propose that the unique N-terminal extension of LIF enables signaling without requiring the additional receptor subunit beyond gp130 and LIFR, as verified by cell proliferation assays, distinguishing it from other cytokines in the LIF family. Additionally, analysis of domain fluctuations revealed that the LIF–LIFR interface undergoes less angular displacement compared to the LIF–gp130 interface, indicating a more stable interaction with LIFR. Together, these findings provide valuable insights into the molecular basis of LIF recognition and binding, offering a dynamic foundation for cytokine engineering.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a nomogram model based on dual-energy computed tomography (CT) quantitative parameters combined with clinical information for distinguishing metastatic from non-metastatic lymph nodes in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in 103 patients with PTC from 2021 to 2023. Each patient underwent preoperative neck dual-energy-enhanced CT, and postoperative pathological results revealed 105 lymph nodes as metastatic and 136 as non-metastatic. Parameters, such as iodine concentration (IC), in the arterial phase, lymph node shape, short diameter, margin, degree of enhancement, cystic changes, calcification, arterial phase enhancement pattern, and thyroid nodule capsule integrity were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses identified independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis that were incorporated into the nomogram. The model performance was evaluated using a calibration curve. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed IC in the arterial phase ≥ 2.6 mg/mL, significant arterial phase enhancement, uneven arterial phase enhancement pattern, diameter ≥10 mm, unclear margins, irregular shape, and incomplete thyroid nodule capsule as independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis. The nomogram achieved an area under the curve of 0.996 (95% confidence interval (CI); 0.993~0.996) with a cutoff value of 0.09, sensitivity of 99%, and specificity of 95%. Conclusion: The dual-energy CT-based nomogram demonstrated a significant clinical value in the preoperative assessment of lymph node metastasis in patients with PTC, potentially assisting in the formulation of individualized surgical plans.

Abstract Background National Medical Licensing Examination (NMLE) is the entrance exam for medical practice in China, and its general medical knowledge test (GMKT) evaluates abilities of medical students to comprehensively apply medical knowledge to clinical practice. This study aimed to identify nonacademic predictors of GMKT performance, which would benefit medical schools in designing appropriate strategies and techniques to facilitate the transition from medical students to qualified medical practitioners. Methods In 1202 medical students, we conducted the deletion-substitution-addition (DSA) and structural equation model (SEM) analyses to identify nonacademic predictors of GMKT performance from 98 candidate variables including early life events, physical conditions, psychological and personality assessments, cognitive abilities, and socioeconomic conditions. The candidate variables were assessed using psychometrically or cognitively validated and accepted instruments. Results We identified seven nonacademic predictors for GMKT performance. Body mass index (BMI) and working memory reaction time showed direct negative effects on GMKT performance. Psychological and personality features (conscientiousness, state anxiety, and openness to experience) indirectly affected GMKT performance via BMI, while socioeconomic conditions (father’s education and mother’s occupation) indirectly affected GMKT performance by influencing psychological and personality features and further BMI. Conclusion The identified nonacademic predictors for GMKT performance and their pathways may be useful for improving medical education by strengthening favorable and weakening, rectifying, or compensating unfavorable factors that are modifiable.

Skeleton-based human interaction recognition has gained increasing attention due to its ability to capture complex multi-person dynamics. Significant progress has been made in interaction recognition research, but challenges remain. First, variations in camera positions and viewpoints can cause significant differences in skeletal data for actions of the same type. Second, capturing both spatial information from skeleton structures and temporal information from interaction sequences is crucial for discriminative interaction feature representation. Third, the different contributions of each participant especially in asymmetric interactions are often overlooked. To address the above issues, we propose an innovative method by designing the individual contribution based spatial-temporal attention graph convolutional network. In this work, we first propose a simple but feasible view transformation method to reduce data mismatch from multi-view cameras. Then we design individual contribution weights to measure the importance of each person for interaction feature representation. Next, a novel spatial-temporal attention module based on individual contribution weights is proposed to obtain attention based skeleton data, which are fed to multiple layers of graph convolution to extract spatial-temporal features. Additionally, we use a two-stream architecture with joint coordinates and joint motion data as inputs for each stream. A weighted fusion strategy is utilized to obtain the final classification score. Experiments conducted on three different datasets demonstrate that proposed interaction recognition method can achieve satisfactory results compared with other works.

Federated Learning (FL) is a framework for machine learning on a large-scale distributed dataset, enabling the training of a collaborative model across multiple parties while preserving the privacy of user data. However, in cases where data are distributed in a non-independent and identically distributed (non-iid) manner, the convergence speed of the federated collaborative model and its prediction accuracy on client nodes can be significantly affected. Therefore, personalized FL methods have emerged to further adapt to the data characteristics of different clients. In response to the data heterogeneity issue, this paper presents a multi-task clustering-based personalized federated learning algorithm, which is applied to the prediction of carbon emissions in different regions and enterprises. This algorithm partitions nodes with similar data distributions and aggregates local models within the same cluster to form cluster models. It introduces the concept of multi-task learning, dividing the lower layers of cluster models into expert layers. These expert layers of different cluster models are then weighted and aggregated for the acquisition of global knowledge. Additionally, adaptive weight is applied to control the aggregation of expert layers, thereby achieving model personalization at the local level. Simulation experiments conducted on carbon emission prediction data demonstrate that the proposed algorithm performs better in various evaluation metrics compared with the Federated Averaging (FedAvg) algorithm and traditional clustering personalized federated learning algorithm. It also exhibits excellent experimental results and performance when dealing with different quantities of heterogeneous data distributions.

In landslide susceptibility assessment, different approaches to handling sample imbalance can introduce significant uncertainty in evaluation outcomes. To address this issue, this study focused on the Changdu area of eastern Tibet and constructed the landslide susceptibility evaluation model using a dataset with imbalanced landslide and non-landslide samples. Three disposal schemes were applied: no treatment, downsampling, and SMOTE oversampling. The logistic regression method was used to construct the landslide susceptibility evaluation model. Based on ROC curve, accuracy, precision, recall, missed detection rate, and other evaluation indicators, the comprehensive evaluation index of F1′ score was used to verify the accuracy of model classification. The results show that the modeling effect of landslide susceptibility obtained by data processing into equilibrium data (downsampling/oversampling) is greatly improved compared with that obtained without processing data. Specifically, the value of the F1′score of the comprehensive index was increased by 53.17%. In the two schemes for processing data (downsampling and oversampling), the oversampling method increased the value of the composite index F1′ score by 16.30% compared with the downsampling method, indicating that the oversampling method has effectiveness in handling unbalanced data. This study can provide basic information for processing of data sets before landslide prediction and geological disaster prediction, and provide theoretical and technical support for further improving regional disaster prevention and mitigation.

Abstract Upon engaging in physical activity, skeletal muscle synthesizes myokines, which not only facilitate crosstalk with various organs, including the brain, adipose tissue, bone, liver, gut, pancreas, and skin but also promote intramuscular signaling. Crosstalk is vital for maintaining various physiological processes. However, the specific interactions between skeletal muscle and intervertebral discs remain largely unexplored. β-Aminoisobutyric acid (BAIBA), an exercise-induced myokine and a metabolite of branched-chain amino acids in skeletal muscle, has emerged as a key player in this context. Our study demonstrated that exercise significantly elevates BAIBA levels in skeletal muscle, plasma, and nucleus pulposus (NP) tissues. Moreover, exercise enhances extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis in NP tissues and upregulates L-BAIBA synthase in skeletal muscle. Both in vivo and in vitro evidence revealed that L-BAIBA impedes PANoptosis and ECM degradation in NP cells by activating the AMPK/NF-κB signaling pathway. These findings suggest that exercise, coupled with the resulting increase in L-BAIBA, may serve as an effective intervention to decelerate the progression of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Consequently, L-BAIBA, which originates from skeletal muscle, is a promising new therapeutic approach for IDD.

Microplastics (MPs) and chromium (Cr) are common pollutants in wastewater treatment plants, where ultraviolet disinfection processes may degrade MPs and photooxidize Cr(III) into more hazardous Cr(VI). In this study, the effects of MPs on the phototransformation of coexisting Cr, as well as the role and ecological effects of MPs-derived dissolved organic matter (MPs-DOM), were investigated. The photooxidation of MPs and Cr(III) was radical-driven reaction. The addition of MPs inhibited the photooxidation of Cr(III) and induced the photoreduction of Cr(VI) through surface adsorption. Both MPs and MPs-DOM generated comparable ROS at different irradiation moments, which can affect the photodegradation of MPs and MPs-DOM, as well as the phototransformation of Cr. The 56-day incubation showed a higher mineralization ratio of MPs-DOMs than riverine humic acid, indicating the vital contribution of MPs-DOMs to carbon emissions. In general, MPs-DOM lowered microbial abundance and diversity compared to the original inoculum. Bacterial and fungal succession was affected by both MPs-DOM and the original inoculum, with polyvinyl chloride-derived DOM possessing a stronger filtration impact on microbial communities than the other three MPs-DOMs. In this study, a win–win solution for Cr(VI) reduction and MPs treatment through photoirradiation was proposed, and the potential significant role of MPs-DOM in the transformation of coexisting contaminants, the carbon cycle, and microbial succession was highlighted.

Abstract KANK1 is expressed in epithelial cells and connects focal adhesions with the adjacent cortical microtubule stabilizing complex. Although KANK1 was shown to suppress cancer cell growth in vitro, TCGA database points to high KANK1 levels associated with poor prognosis in a wide spectrum of human malignancies. Here, we address this discrepancy and report that KANK1 promotes proliferation and survival of PyMT-transformed mammary tumor cells in vivo. Mechanistically, KANK1 localizes to the basal side of basement membrane (BM)-attached transformed luminal epithelial cells. When these cells lose the contact with the BM and disassemble integrin adhesions, KANK1 is found at cell-cell junctions where it competes with the polarity and tumor suppressor Scribble for NOS1AP binding, which curbs the ability of Scribble to promote Hippo pathway activity. The consequences are stabilization and nuclear accumulation of TAZ, growth and survival of tumor cells and elevated breast cancer development.

Abstract Increased dietary salt intake is a well-established risk factor for hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases, involving complex vascular remodeling processes. However, the specific role of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in vascular pathophysiology under high-salt conditions remains poorly understood. This study investigates the role of HIF-1α in high-salt-induced vascular remodeling using human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (HA-VSMCs) cultured in vitro. HA-VSMCs were divided into three groups: high-salt with HIF-1α knockdown (shHIF-1α + HS), negative control (shcontrol), and high-salt (HS). Cell viability, migration, gene expression, and protein levels were evaluated. High-salt conditions significantly increased mRNA expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), smooth muscle protein 22 (SM22), angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R), collagen I, and collagen III (p

Abstract Background Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most malignant tumors that lacks effective treatment options. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), an important component of the tumor microenvironment, associated with tumor progression, prognosis, and treatment response. This work aimed to explore the novel CAFs-associated target to improve treatment strategies in PDAC. Methods The PDAC single-cell sequencing data (CRA001160, n = 35) were downloaded and integrated based on GSA databases to classify fibroblasts into fine subtypes. Functional enrichment analysis and coexpression regulatory network analysis were used to identify the functional phenotypes and biological properties of the different fibroblast subtypes. Fibroblast differentiation trajectories were constructed using pseudochronological analysis to identify initial and terminally differentiated subtypes of fibroblasts. The changes in the proportions of different fibroblast subtypes before and after PDAC immunotherapy were compared in responsive and nonresponding patients, and the relationships between fibroblast subtypes and PDAC immunotherapy responsiveness were determined based on GSA and GEO database. Using molecular biology methods to confirm the effects of BNIP3 on hypoxia and inflammation in CAFs. CAFs were co cultured with pancreatic cancer cells to detect their effects on migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer. Results Single-cell data analysis divided fibroblasts into six subtypes. The differentiation trajectory suggested that BNIP3+ Fibro subtype exhibited terminal differentiation, and the expression of genes related to hypoxia and the inflammatory response increased gradually with differentiation time. The specific overexpressed genes in the BNIP3+ Fibro subtype were significantly associated with overall and disease progression-free survival in the patients with PDAC. Interestingly, the greater the proportion of the BNIP3+ Fibro subtype was, the worse the response of PDAC patients to immunotherapy, and the CRTL treatment regimen effectively reduced the proportion of the BNIP3+ Fibro subtype. After knocking out BNIP3, the hypoxia markers and inflammatory factors of CAFs were inhibited. Co-culture of CAFs with pancreatic cancer cells can increase the migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer, but this could be reversed by knocking out BNIP3. Conclusions This study revealed the BNIP3+ Fibro subtype associated with hypoxia and inflammatory responses, which was closely related to the poor prognosis of patients with PDAC, and identified signature genes that predict the immunotherapy response in PDAC.

Abstract Cerebrovascular abnormalities are critical indicators of stroke and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Understanding the normal evolution of brain vessels is essential for detecting early deviations and enabling timely interventions. Here, for the first time, we proposed a pipeline exploring the joint evolution of cortical volumes (CVs) and arterial volumes (AVs) in a large cohort of 2841 individuals. Using advanced deep learning for vessel segmentation, we built normative models of CVs and AVs across spatially hierarchical brain regions. We found that while AVs generally decline with age, distinct trends appear in regions like the circle of Willis. Comparing healthy individuals with those affected by AD or stroke, we identified significant reductions in both CVs and AVs, wherein patients with AD showing the most severe impact. Our findings reveal gender-specific effects and provide critical insights into how these conditions alter brain structure, potentially guiding future clinical assessments and interventions.

Abstract Partial discharge (PD) detection of cable terminals is crucial for the safe operation of the traction power system in trains. However, similar PD signals in complex train‐operating environments cause difficulty to recognise the insulation defects. Therefore, a PD signal image transformation recognition method is proposed for PD detection of cable terminal defects to identify defects in cable terminals with similar PD characteristics accurately. In the proposed method, the raw PD signals are firstly transformed to images via the Gramian angular field (GAF) representation. This can reveal the discriminative characteristics embedded in the original PD signals and subsequently facilitate differentiating the PD sources, which exhibit similar characteristic in the time domain. The obtained GAF representation of PD signals (named as PD GAF images) is extracted from local and global features to train an efficient MobileVIT model, which is then utilised to identify similar types of PD sources in cable terminals. The results show that the proposed method achieves 97.5% recognition accuracy in the field experiment, which is superior to other methods.

Centrifugal pumps play an indispensable role in nuclear power plants, where severe turbulent pulsations induced by the rotor-stator interference (RSI) can generate a substantial threat to the safe and stable operation of these facilities. In this study, in order to elucidate the effect of the match of rotor and stator blade number on the unsteady velocity pulsation characteristics inside a vaned diffuser centrifugal pump, three different schemes of rotor and stator matching modes were investigated using LDA measurement technology. The findings indicate that the match of rotor and stator blades exerts a substantial influence on the flow field structure inside the pump, leading to significant variations in the velocity maps near the tongue region. By comparing the blade passing frequency amplitudes of the three pumps, with fewer stator blades leading to a rapid increase in blade passing frequency amplitude. This study demonstrates that altering the match of rotor and stator blades can significantly change the RSI effect and alters the velocity distribution within the pump, and consequently changes the unsteady turbulence intensity in the interaction region. The research findings greatly enhance the understanding of velocity pulsation within the pump and provide effective support for mitigating RSI effect.

ABSTRACT Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (SHC), which contains variable proportions of sarcomatous and carcinomatous components, is a rare variant of hepatocellular carcinoma and is a special variant of hepatocellular carcinoma. It is highly malignant, progresses rapidly, and has an extremely poor prognosis. However, the molecular pathogenesis of SHC remains unknown. We report a case of a 35‐year‐old male, previously healthy with no liver disease history, who presented with intermittent fever. Imaging examination during hospitalization revealed focal liver lesions. Without obvious surgical contraindications, right hemihepatectomy, cholecystectomy, and regional lymph node dissection were performed. Postoperative pathology and immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of SHC. However, due to the financial burden of the disease, the patient and his family chose traditional Chinese medicine as postoperative supplementary treatment rather than targeted drug combined with immunotherapy or other adjuvant therapies. Unfortunately, the patient passed away due to tumor recurrence 8 months after surgery.

The exploration of shale oil resources in the Lianggaoshan Formation of the Jurassic System in the Sichuan Basin has made significant progress in recent years, revealing a vast resource potential. This study focuses on the upper Lianggaoshan Formation, employing low-temperature gas adsorption, high-pressure mercury intrusion, and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques to systematically characterize the pore structure of various lithofacies shales. Furthermore, the pore structure heterogeneity and its controlling factors were investigated through the integration of multifractal theory. Result indicate that high-organic laminated felsic shale exhibit well-developed micropores with a simple and uniform pore structure, making them ideal for shale oil accumulation. Medium-organic bedded felsic shale, also exhibiting laminated and feldspathic textures, possess a more complex mesoporous structure that facilitates hydrocarbon enrichment, but their high heterogeneity presents challenges for exploration and development. Low-organic massive argillaceous siltstone with low organic content demonstrates a complex macroporous structure and high heterogeneity, potentially limiting effective hydrocarbon recovery. Lastly, the pore structure of massive fine-silt sandstone exhibits a high degree of complexity and heterogeneity, revealing the significant influence of quartz and clay mineral interactions on pore development. These findings advance the understanding of shale pore structure and its impact on hydrocarbon enrichment and recovery in the Lianggaoshan Formation, and offer valuable guidance for optimizing “sweet spot” selection. Furthermore, the methodologies and insights presented here are broadly applicable to unconventional resource exploration and development in similar geological settings globally, providing new ideas for researchers studying shale reservoir pore systems.

Abnormal trinucleotide CAG repeat expansions in exon 1 of the Androgen Receptor (AR) gene has been identified as the cause of Kennedy disease (KD). We generated and characterized a human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of a patient with genetically confirmed KD. The pluripotency of these iPSCs was verified by the expression of several pluripotency markers at both RNA and protein levels, as well as their capability to differentiate into all three germ layers.

A continuous-wave (CW) orthogonally polarized dual-wavelength (OPDW) Nd:GdVO4/Nd:YVO4 laser at 1341 and 1342 nm on the 4F3/2 →4I13/2 transition was realized using in-band laser diode (LD) pumping with tunable wavelength from 909.40 to 915.02 nm for the first time. The operating temperature of the LD and the position of the pump beam waist were optimized to achieve high efficiency and balanced output powers of the OPDW laser. The OPDW laser at 1341 and 1342 nm was obtained with the highest total output power of 6.15 W and the power ratio of 1:1. The highest total slope efficiency and total optical-to-optical conversion efficiency with respect to the absorbed pump power at 913.61 nm were 34.9% and 32.0%, respectively. The OPDW laser at 1341 and 1342 nm have important application prospects in the fields of laser medicine, scientific research and terahertz radiation.

Summary: Microplastics are ubiquitous in freshwater; however, non-harmonization of field observations for microplastics impedes their comparability, leading to an unclear national status. Here, we developed a “size-abundance” correction method based on field observation, which could align microplastic abundances into the same size range and be well validated. After reshaping the reported data (n = 1,331), national patterns and ecological risk of microplastics in China’s freshwater are explored. The average microplastic abundance in China’s freshwater is 4,785 ± 7,130 particles/m3, indicating that the reported data are considerably underestimated. The annual variation of microplastic abundances exhibits a stable decrease from 2016 to 2022. Although 79.7% of the sampling sites show microplastic accumulation, 83.9% of the locations are associated with a low ecological risk. Unexpectedly, the undeveloped regions in northwestern China face a high ecological risk. Our study contributes to the rescaling of microplastic patterns in freshwater nationally in China and can be applied globally. Science for society: Non-harmonization of field observations for microplastics has constrained the understanding of their occurrence characteristics in freshwater ecosystems, especially for China. In this paper, we developed a mathematical method to align the abundance of microplastics into the same size range. This “size-abundance” correction method not only improves the comparability among previously reported data for microplastic abundances, but it also reshapes the national patterns and ecological risks of microplastic in China’s freshwater. After aligning the reported data, the average microplastic abundances in surface water exhibited a stable decrease from 2016 to 2022 nationwide. Most of the locations in China’s freshwater faced a low ecological risk after correction calculation. Our study is a good attempt to rescale microplastic patterns in freshwater nationally and can be applied globally.

Pervious concrete exhibits different freeze–thaw performance compared to conventional concrete owing to its unique porous structure. Therefore, studying its mechanical and durability properties under freeze–thaw conditions has become a pressing issue. A numerical model of pervious concrete was created using the discrete element method based on actual aggregates to evaluate the impact of freeze–thaw cycles (FTCs) on the mechanical properties of pervious concrete. Pore water in the microstructure of pervious concrete was defined using PFC3D software through simulation of the freezing and expansion processes of the pore water, while applying freeze–thaw loading. This study employs the parallel bond model in PFC3D software to account for adhesion between the material particles. The linear ontological relationship of the parallel bond model was modified to a linear curvilinear relationship. The FTCs resulted in strength loss reductions of 0.62%, 2.17%, 4.06%, and 5.87% for corresponding mass losses of 0.66%, 0.89%, 1.21%, and 6.66% compared to the control. The models were monitored for fracture location and uniaxial compressive damage using PFC3D software, and the attenuation constant of the freeze–thaw resistance of pervious concrete was examined with respect to varying porosity and initial uniaxial compressive strength (UCS). The results indicate that the decay constant increases with increasing porosity and modulus of elasticity while decreasing with increasing values of the initial UCS.

Extramural venous invasion (EMVI) detected by computed tomography has been identified as an independent risk factor for distant metastasis in patients with advanced gastric cancer (GC). Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are critical for remodeling the tumor microenvironment in GCs. Here, we report that MFAP5+ CAFs promote the formation of EMVI imaging in GC. We detected gene expression in pathological samples from 13 advanced GC patients with EMVI. Radiogenomics results showed the degree of CAFs infiltration was directly proportional to the EMVI score and EMT pathway in GC patients. Single-cell sequencing data analysis results showed that MFAP5+CAFs subtypes in GC were negatively correlated with patient prognosis and were enriched in tumor lactylation modification and EMT pathways. Immunohistochemistry results showed that the expression of MFAP5, L-lactyl and EMT markers in GC tissues was proportional to the EMVI score. CAF from gastric cancer tissue was extracted using collagenase method and co-cultured with GC cell line in vitro. After lentivirus knockdown of MFAP5 in CAFs, the levels of L-lactoyl and histone lactylation modifications were significantly reduced, and the sphere-forming and vascularization abilities of CAFs were significantly inhibited. Cell function experiments showed that MFAP5+ CAFs can affect the EMT, metastasis and invasion capabilities of GC cells. In vivo experimental results of the nude mouse in situ EMVI model suggest that MFAP5+ CAF may promote the formation of EMVI imaging features in GC by regulating lactylation modification. This innovative work may provide important new references for the diagnosis and treatment of GC.

Abstract Background CT-detected Extramural venous invasion (EMVI) is known as an independent risk factor for distant metastasis in patients with advanced gastric cancer (GC). However, the molecular basis is not clear. In colorectal cancer, M2 macrophages plays a vital role in determining EMVI. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between CT-detected EMVI and the M2 macrophages as well as prognosis predictionusing a radiogenomic approach. Method We utilized EMVI-related genes (from mRNA sequencing of 13 GC samples correlated with EMVI score by spearman analysis, P

Abstracts This is a rare case of struma ovarii combined with sarcomatoid carcinoma. Because struma ovarii and ovarian sarcomatoid carcinoma have an extremely low incidence, this may be the first case of a combined occurrence of both. Therefore, this report describes its clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment, analyzes the pathogenesis, and summarizes the previous literature in the hope that it can be helpful to other tumor-related medical personnel and provide material support for the formation of guidelines for this disease.

The SAF2507 duplex stainless steel with the heterogeneous structure is produced through cold rolling (ε = 90%) and subsequent 1-min normalizing at 1273 K. Compared with the corresponding initial samples, the grain sizes of ferrite and austenite phases in the 90%-1273 sample are refined by 90%, which led to an increase in the number of grain or phase boundaries between the two phases. The yield strength (YS) of the 90%-1273 sample increased to 715 MPa from 541 MPa, while the uniform elongation of 24.8% is slightly smaller than that of the coarse-grained sample. The higher YS is mainly contributed by the strengthening of grain refinement and dislocation strengthening by incorporating geometrically necessary dislocations (GNDs). During tensile deformation, the accumulation of GNDs in the heterostructured sample continuously generates hetero-deformation-induced (HDI) stress. The HDI stress plays a positive role in the 90%-1273 sample showing an ultimate tensile strength of 939 MPa. Additionally, the amount of twin boundaries in the 90%-1273 sample rose from 4.5% to 35% during tensile deformation, which indicated that the twinning induced plasticity effect was helpful in retaining the ductility of the 90%-1273 sample. This work provides strategies for optimizing the mechanical properties of duplex stainless steels and contributes to understanding the essence of a superior combination of strength and ductility of heterostructured materials.

This paper investigates the enhancement of the microstructure and properties of Ag-10La0.7Sr0.3CoO3 composites, prepared by powder metallurgy, through the application of high-current pulsed electron beam (HCPEB) irradiation. The X-ray diffraction results showed that the irradiated samples exhibited selective orientations on the surface of their (200) and (311) crystal planes. Microstructural observations revealed a dense remelted layer on the samples’ surface after HCPEB irradiation. The surface hardness of the samples increased after 15 treatments, showing an improvement of 36.76%. This is primarily attributed to fine-grain strengthening, surface remelting, and recrystallization. Further, the electrical conductivity of the samples treated 15 times increased by 74.8% compared to that of the original samples. Electrochemical test results showed that the samples treated 15 times showed the lowest corrosion current density in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution. This improved corrosion resistance is attributable to the refinement of the surface’s microstructure and the introduction of residual compressive stress. This study demonstrates the significant impact of HCPEB irradiation on the regulation of the properties of Ag-10La0.7Sr0.3CoO3 composites.

Abstract Background CXC chemokine CXCL12 is involved in the pathological development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) through abnormal migration of peripheral immune cells in the joint. Although low dose methotrexate (MTX) is clinically used to treat RA patients, CXCL12 signaling responses to MTX-mediated treatments is still not well understood. Methods In this study, we examined the expression of CXCR4 (cognatic receptor for CXCL12) in peripheral T cells from RA patients and arthritis mice models received from low dose MTX therapies. The effects of low dose MTX on CXCR4 were further determined via both in vitro CD3+ T cells and Cxcr4 conditional knockout (CKO) arthritis mice models. Results Our clinical data shows that low dose MTX treatment was clinically associated with down-regulated expression of chemokine receptor CXCR4 on patient peripheral T cells. In vitro, low dose MTX significantly decreased cell transmigration through down-regulated CXCR4’s expression in CD3+ T cells. Consistently, CD3+ T cells treated with low dose MTX demonstrated an increased genomic hypermethylation across the promoter region of Cxcr4 gene. Furthermore, our preclinical studies showed that low dose MTX-mediated downregulation of CXCR4 significantly improved the pathological development in mouse arthritis models. Conditional disruption of the Cxcr4 gene in peripheral immune cells potentially alleviated inflammation of joints and lung tissue in the arthritis mice, though genetic modification itself overall did not change their clinical scores of arthritis, except for a significant improvement on day 45 in CXCR4 CKO arthritis mice models during the recovery phase. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the effect of low dose MTX treatment could serve to eliminate inflammation in RA patients through impairment of immune cell transmigration mediated by CXCR4.

At present, there are few studies on the phase transition during the thermocompression plastic deformation of magnesium alloy. In this study, the evolution model of thermal compression plastic of AZ31 magnesium alloy was constructed by molecular dynamics, and the phase transition relationship between HCP and FCC at different thermal compression rates was studied. By combining GLEEBLE thermal compression experiment with transmission electron microscopy experiment, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images were taken to analyze the transition rules between HCP and FCC during plastic deformation at different thermal compression rates, and the accuracy of molecular dynamics analysis was verified. It is found that the slip of Shockley's incomplete dislocation produces obvious HCP →FCC phase transition at low strain rate and base plane dislocation at high strain rate, which makes the amorphous phase transition of HCP→OTHER more obvious, which provides theoretical guidance for the formulation of forming mechanism and preparation process of magnesium alloy.

A new pore type, nano-scale organo-clay complex pore-fracture was first discovered based on argon ion polishing-field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and three-dimensional reconstruction by focused ion-scanning electron in combination with analysis of TOC, Ro values, X-ray diffraction etc. in the Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation shale in the Songliao Basin, NE China. Such pore characteristics and evolution study show that: (1) Organo-clay complex pore-fractures are developed in the shale matrix and in the form of spongy and reticular aggregates. Different from circular or oval organic pores discovered in other shales, a single organo-clay complex pore is square, rectangular, rhombic or slaty, with the pore diameter generally less than 200 nm. (2) With thermal maturity increasing, the elements (C, Si, Al, O, Mg, Fe, etc.) in organo-clay complex change accordingly, showing that organic matter shrinkage due to hydrocarbon generation and clay mineral transformation both affect organo-clay complex pore-fracture formation. (3) At high thermal maturity, the Qingshankou Formation shale is dominated by nano-scale organo-clay complex pore-fractures with the percentage reaching more than 70% of total pore space. The spatial connectivity of organo-clay complex pore-fractures is significantly better than that of organic pores. It is suggested that organo-complex pore-fractures are the main pore space of laminar shale at high thermal maturity and are the main oil and gas accumulation space in the core area of continental shale oil. The discovery of nano-scale organo-clay complex pore-fractures changes the conventional view that inorganic pores are the main reservoir space and has scientific significance for the study of shale oil formation and accumulation laws.

Abstract Sodium is crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health, especially in relation to heart failure. The impact of baseline serum sodium concentrations on the outcomes of newly diagnosed coronary heart disease (CHD) without heart failure remains unclear. This prospective cohort study included 681 patients who were newly diagnosed with CHD. Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis were used to assess the relationship between serum sodium concentrations and major adverse cardiovascular events. The improvement in traditional prediction models by the addition of serum sodium concentrations was assessed using changes in the C-statistic, net reclassification improvement (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI). During a median follow-up of 51.04 months (IQR: 40.88–53.80 months), 131 events were recorded. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models showed that the L2 group (136–138.9 mmol/L) had the highest MACE risk. Compared to L2, the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the L1 (130–135.9 mmol/L), L3 (139–140.9 mmol/L), L4 (141–142.9 mmol/L), and L5 (143–147.0 mmol/L) groups were 0.31 (0.14–0.70, P = 0.005), 0.48 (030–0.78, P = 0.003), 0.56 (0.34–0.92, P = 0.022), and 0.37 (0.22–0.64, P

Abstract The soil environment plays an important role in urban ecosystems. To study the heavy metal contamination of soil in Beilun District, Ningbo, we collected soil samples from 60 points in urban and peri-urban areas of Beilun District and analyzed the spatiotemporal variation and sources of heavy metal pollution in various land-use types. The results shown that the heavy metal contents in 2015 and 2022 were higher than the background soil values of Ningbo city, and there was an accumulation of heavy metals over these 7 years. The contents of heavy metals in green belts and woodland in 2022 were higher than those in 2015, while there was no significant change in agricultural land. The heavy metal contents in both years were mainly in the order green belts > agricultural land > woodland. The spatiotemporal distribution of heavy metal content showed that heavy metal pollution in Beilun District was concentrated in five industrial areas, and there was a trend toward the disappearance of highly polluted points. But the single-factor pollution index, pollution load index (PLI), and geoaccumulation index (Igeo) indicated that there was no significant heavy metal pollution in Beilun District, and individual elements at specific points showed slight pollution. The source analysis results showed that the main source of Hg is chemical, As is mainly derived from agricultural, Cr, Ni and Cu are mainly derived from natural, the main sources of Zn and Cd are electroplating and machinery activities, and the main source of Pb is traffic. These results specify a reference for future investigation on urban soil heavy metals, and the source apportionment results provide a scientific foundation for subsequent soil heavy metal pollution treatment.

In order to gain insight into the hydrochemical characteristics and formation mechanism of high fluoride groundwater in Zhuanlongwan Coal Mine, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of 48 samples including quaternary groundwater (QGW), sandstone groundwater (SGW), and mine water (MGW) using statistical analysis and hydrochemical methods. The findings demonstrate that the groundwater in Zhuanlongwan Coal Mine generally exhibits weak alkalinity, with predominant cations comprising of Ca2+ and Na+, and anions consisting of HCO3– and Cl–. The mean mass concentration of SO4 2–, Cl–, TDS, pH, and CO3 2– in groundwater follows the order of MGW>SGW>QGW, whereas HCO3– and F– exhibit the trend of SGW>MGW>QGW. Specifically, the average mass concentration of F– in QGW, SGW, and MGW is 0.76 mg/L, 4.55 mg/L, and 4.35 mg/L, respectively. Notably, most samples from SGW and MGW significantly exceed the permissible F−concentration threshold of 1.0 mg/L. The hydrochemical type of low fluoride (\begin{document}$\rho_{{\mathrm{F}}^{-}} $\end{document}1 mg/L) are mainly HCO3−Na (35.42%) and SO4·Cl−Na (45.83%). The dissolution of fluorinated minerals serves as the main source of F– in the high fluoride groundwater of Zhuanlongwan Coal Mine. Moreover, cation exchange, competitive adsorption, as well as the dissolution and precipitation of dolomite and calcite, are significant factors influencing the occurrence of high fluoride groundwater.

Abstract During tumorigenesis and progression, the immune checkpoint programmed death-1 (PD-1) and its ligand programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) play critical roles in suppressing T cell-mediated anticancer immune responses, leading to T-cell exhaustion and subsequent tumor evasion. Therefore, anti-PD-L1/PD-1 therapy has been an attractive strategy for treating cancer over the past decade. However, the overall efficacy of this approach remains suboptimal, revealing an urgent need for novel insights. Interestingly, increasing evidence indicates that both PD-L1 on tumor cells and PD-1 on tumor-specific T cells undergo extensive N-linked glycosylation, which is essential for the stability and interaction of these proteins, and this modification promotes tumor evasion. In various preclinical models, targeting the N-linked glycosylation of PD-L1/PD-1 was shown to significantly increase the efficacy of PD-L1/PD-1 blockade therapy. Furthermore, deglycosylation of PD-L1 strengthens the signal intensity in PD-L1 immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays, improving the diagnostic and therapeutic relevance of this protein. In this review, we provide an overview of the regulatory mechanisms underlying the N-linked glycosylation of PD-L1/PD-1 as well as the crucial role of N-linked glycosylation in PD-L1/PD-1-mediated immune evasion. In addition, we highlight the promising implications of targeting the N-linked glycosylation of PD-L1/PD-1 in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Our review identifies knowledge gaps and sheds new light on the cancer research field.

Summary: Inflammatory cells infiltration in the cerebrospinal fluid is a hallmark of severe enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection, but which type of immune cells are critical for severe EV71 infection remains unclear. Here, we observe that both neutrophils and macrophages are increased in the brains of patients and mice with severe EV71 infection, and the depletion of neutrophils but not macrophages results in a marked enhancement of survival of EV71-infected mice. Furthermore, CCR1/3 may play an important role in CCL3 facilitating the accumulation of neutrophils in the brains of patients. Inhibition of CCL3 by anti-CCL3 antibodies or selected miRNAs significantly reduces the neutrophils infiltration in brains and the mortality of EV71-infected mice. Collectively, CCL3-mediated neutrophils recruitment into the brain contributes to the severe immunopathology of EV71 infection, which provides a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target for EV71 infection.

Abstract Elevated ribosome biogenesis correlates with the rapid growth and progression of cancer. Targeted blockade of ribosome biogenesis induces nucleolar stress, which preferentially leads to the elimination of malignant cells. In this study, it is reported that the nucleolar protein BRIX1 is a critical regulator for the homeostasis between ribosome biogenesis and p53 activation. BRIX1 facilitated the processing of pre‐rRNA by supporting the formation of the PeBoW complex. In addition, BRIX1 prevented p53 activation in response to nucleolar stress by impairing the interactions between MDM2 and the ribosomal proteins, RPL5, and RPL11, thereby triggering the resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy. Conversely, depletion of BRIX1 induced nucleolar stress, which in turn activated p53 through RPL5 and RPL11, consequently inhibiting the growth of tumors. Moreover, engineered exosomes are developed, which are surface‐decorated with iRGD, a tumor‐homing peptide, and loaded with siRNAs specific to BRIX1, for the treatment of cancer. iRGD‐Exo‐siBRIX1 significantly suppressed the growth of colorectal cancer and enhanced the efficacy of 5‐FU chemotherapy in vivo. Overall, the study uncovers that BRIX1 functions as an oncoprotein to promote rRNA synthesis and dampen p53 activity, and also implies that targeted inhibition of BRIX1 via engineered exosomes can be a potent approach for cancer therapy.

Abstract Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a debilitating systemic disorder that has a detrimental impact on the overall well‐being of individuals. Emerging research suggests that long non‐coding RNAs play a role in neural development and function. Nevertheless, the precise relationship between lncRNAs and Alzheimer's disease remains uncertain. The authors' recent discoveries have uncovered an unconventional mechanism involving the regulation of synaptic plasticity and the functioning of the hippocampal fragile X mental retardation protein 1 (FMR1)—neurotrophin 3 (NTF3) pathway, which is mediated by cancer susceptibility candidate 15 (CASC15). Subsequently, functional rescue experiments were performed to illustrate the efficient delivery of exosomes harboring a significant amount of 2610307p16Rik transcripts, which is the murine equivalent of human CASC15, to the hippocampal region of mice. This resulted in significant improvements in synaptic morphological plasticity and cognitive function in APP/PS1 mice. Given the pivotal involvement of CASC15 in synaptic plasticity and the distinctive regulatory mechanisms of the CASC15‐FMR1‐NTF3 axis, CASC15 emerges as a promising biomarker for Alzheimer's disease and may even possess potential as a feasible therapeutic target.

More than 60% of energy losses occur through the building envelope. Exterior wall insulation technology is widely used for wall insulation, but it is prone to cracking, falling off, and causing fires. Self-insulation concrete compound blocks (SIB) have attracted considerable attention in recent years for meeting building energy efficiency standards without the need for external insulation treatment. In this study, the shale ceramsite concrete (SCC) was prepared as the base material for the blocks through the orthogonal test and range analysis. In accordance with the insulation requirements of residential building walls, 12 types of self-insulation concrete compound blocks (SIB) were designed. The heat transfer process of these blocks was simulated and analyzed using Ansys Workbench, enabling a comparison of the thermal conductivity effects resulting from different hole distribution schemes in the insulation blocks. The simulated values were compared with the theoretical calculations, and the simulated results were in good agreement with the theoretical calculations. The results showed that TZ-12 exhibited the optimal hole configuration with a heat transfer coefficient of 0.5 W/(m2·K), which was 38.3% lower than that of the external insulation block TZ-9. Additionally, TZ-12 demonstrated the average compressive strength of 8.28 MPa and the minimum compressive strength of 7.45 MPa, meeting the requirements for MU7.5 strength grade and also satisfying the requirement of not less than MU5.0 when self-insulation blocks were used for external walls. The simulated heat flux rate of the self-insulation concrete compound block wall (SIBW) was 15.4 W, and its heat transfer coefficient was 0.56 W/(m2·K), which was 29.1% lower than that of the external thermal insulation wall (ETIW), meeting the design standard for achieving the 65% energy saving in residential buildings situated in regions with hot summers and cold winters.

Carbide-free bainitic (CFB) steels have drawn much attention due to their high strength and toughness. The present work aims to build machine learning (ML) based surrogate models to predict retained austenite (RA) content and yield strength (YS) of isothermal transformed CFB steels and study the sliding wear performance. The input data for ML prediction were related to compositions, heat treatment process, and phases. The Random Forest regression and Gaussian process regression were respectively selected to build the predictive models for RA content and YS. Result shows that the predicted RA content agrees well with the experimentally determined ones in steel with high stability of untransformed austenite. For YS prediction, the present surrogate model can predict YS of CFB steels even without additional microstructural information such as dislocation and effective substructure size. Steels with different YS and RA content were designed to study the sliding wear performance. Result shows that the dominant wear mechanism of the tested steels is abrasive wear and the weight loss is inversely proportional to hardness when the load and wear distance are constant. Increasing YS and RA content can increase the initial hardness and work hardening ability at the worn surface, thereby enhancing wear resistance.

IntroductionThe Oxidative Balance Score (OBS) represents an integrated measure of oxidative-reductive homeostasis. Despite the established role of oxidative stress in the development of post-stroke depression (PSD), the association between OBS and PSD in the general population remains unclear. This study aims to explore this relationship using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning 2005–2018.MethodsThe OBS was calculated using validated methods that incorporate dietary and lifestyle factors, whereas PSD status was determined using self-reported data and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores. Multivariable logistic regression was employed to evaluate the associations of total OBS, dietary OBS, and lifestyle OBS with PSD prevalence, adjusting for potential confounders. Dose–response relationships were further assessed using restricted cubic splines (RCS).ResultsAmong the 26,668 participants included in the analysis, 201 were diagnosed with PSD. After adjusting for confounding variables, higher total OBS, dietary OBS, and lifestyle OBS were each significantly associated with reduced odds of PSD. The adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the highest versus lowest quartiles were 0.31 (95% CI: 0.15–0.67) for total OBS, 0.45 (0.27–0.73) for dietary OBS, and 0.28 (0.13–0.60) for lifestyle OBS. RCS analyses indicated a linear dose–response relationship for all three OBS categories with PSD risk. In sex-stratified analyses, significant inverse associations were observed between all OBS categories and PSD in females, whereas only lifestyle OBS was significantly associated with PSD in males.ConclusionHigher OBS was associated with reduced odds of PSD, with a particularly pronounced effect in females. These findings suggest that adherence to an antioxidant-rich diet and lifestyle may mitigate PSD risk.

BackgroundOsteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma are common malignant bone tumors, and accurate differentiation between these two tumors is crucial for treatment strategies and prognosis assessment. However, traditional radiological methods face diagnostic challenges due to the similarity in imaging between the two.MethodsClinical CT images and pathological data of 76 patients confirmed by pathology from January 2018 to January 2024 were retrospectively collected from Guizhou Medical University Affiliated Hospital and Guizhou Medical University Second Affiliated Hospital. A total of 788 radiomic features, including shape, texture, and first-order statistics, were extracted in this study. Six machine learning models, including Random Forest (RF), Extra Trees (ET), AdaBoost, Gradient Boosting Tree (GB), Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), and XGBoost (XGB), were trained and validated. Additionally, the importance of features and the interpretability of the models were evaluated through SHAP value analysis.ResultsThe RF model performed best in distinguishing between these two tumor types, with an AUC value close to perfect at 1.00. The ET and AdaBoost models also demonstrated high performance, with AUC values of 0.98 and 0.93, respectively. SHAP value analysis revealed significant influences of wavelet-transformed GLCM and First Order features on model predictions, further enhancing diagnostic interpretability.ConclusionThis study confirms the effectiveness of combining machine learning with radiomic features in improving the accuracy and interpretability of osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma diagnosis. The excellent performance of the RF model is particularly suitable for complex imaging data processing, providing valuable insights for the future.

IntroductionThis study explores how elevated CO2 concentration may alter the source-sink dynamics in rice by providing additional carbon for photosynthesis, thereby affecting nutrient absorption and distribution.MethodsA free-air CO2 enrichment experiment was conducted on a japonica cultivar Wuyunjing 27 in 2017 and 2018 growing seasons. The plants were exposed to ambient and elevated CO2 level (increased by 200 μmol·mol-1) and two source-sink manipulation treatments (control with no leaf cutting and cutting off the top three leaves at heading).ResultsThe elevated CO2 significantly increased the above-ground biomass and the straw non-structural carbohydrate concentration by an average of 19.3% and 12.5%, respectively. Significant changes in the concentrations of N, S, Fe, and Zn in straw were noted under elevated CO2, with average decreases by 7.1, 7.2, 11.6, and 10.1%, respectively. The exposure to elevated CO2 significantly enhanced the elements accumulation, yet it had minimal impact on their distribution across different organs. When compared to intact rice, removing the top three leaves at heading reduced the above-ground biomass by 36.8% and the straw non-structural carbohydrate content by 44.8%. Leaf-cutting generally increased the concentration of elements in stem, leaf, and grain, likely due to a concentration effect from reduced biomass and carbohydrate accumulation. Leaf-cutting reduced element accumulation and shifted element allocation in rice organs. It increased the proportion of elements in stems while reduced their presence in leaves and grains.DiscussionOur study suggests that a dilution effect may cause a decrease in mineral elements concentrations under elevated CO2 because of the increase in biomass and carbohydrates.

The uncertainty associated with the future of viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 poses a challenge to public health officials because of its implications for welfare, economics and population health. In this document, we develop an age-stratified epidemiological-mathematical model to predict various health outcomes, considering the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. The analytical model proposed and developed for this research is based on the approach constructed by the COVID-19 International Modelling Consortium. Following this approach, this paper innovates at the frontier of knowledge by including the various variants of SARS-CoV-2 in the Consortium model. Furthermore, for the first time in international literature, a complete compilation of the formal mathematical development of this entire quantitative model is presented. Our model accurately fits the observed historical data of new infections, cumulative mortality, symptomatic infections, hospitalisations, and Intensive Care Units admissions, capturing the waves of contagion that have occurred in Bogotá, Colombia. In turn, the prognosis obtained indicates a considerable decrease in the incidence and lethality caused by SARS-CoV-2 under current conditions, thus evidencing the effectiveness of vaccines against infection, hospitalisation, and death. This model enables the evaluation of different scenarios in response to changes in the dynamics of this infectious disease, providing information to policymakers for real-world evidence-based decision-making.

IntroductionImmune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are important systemic therapeutic agents for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), among which T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing protein 3 (Tim-3) is considered an emerging target for ICI therapy. This study aims to evaluate the prognostic value of Tim-3 expression and develop a predictive model for Tim-3 infiltration in HCC.MethodsWe collected data from 424 HCC patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and data from 102 pathologically confirmed HCC patients from our center for prognostic analysis. Multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed on both datasets to determine the prognostic significance of Tim-3 expression. In radiomics analysis, we used the K-means algorithm to cluster regions of interest in arterial phase enhancement and venous phase enhancement images from patients at our center. Radiomic features were extracted from three subregions as well as the entire tumor using pyradiomics. Five machine learning methods were employed to construct Habitat models based on habitat features and Rad models based on traditional radiomic features. The predictive performance of the models was compared using ROC curves, DCA curves, and calibration curves.ResultsMultivariate Cox analyses from both our center and the TCGA database indicated that high Tim-3 expression is an independent risk factor for poor prognosis in HCC patients. Higher levels of Tim-3 expression were significantly associated with worse prognosis. Among the ten models evaluated, the Habitat model constructed using the LightGBM algorithm showed the best performance in predicting Tim-3 expression status (training set vs. test set AUC 0.866 vs. 0.824).DiscussionThis study confirmed the importance of Tim-3 as a prognostic marker in HCC. The habitat radiomics model we developed effectively predicted intratumoral Tim-3 infiltration, providing valuable insights for the evaluation of ICI therapy in HCC patients.

Introduction: The patterns of oligoprogression after first-line immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for metastatic NSCLC are yet to be well established. An increasing volume of data suggests that directed radiotherapy improves survival outcomes in patients with progression after ICIs. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed on patients with metastatic NSCLC who had completed first-line programmed death-(ligand) 1 inhibitor therapy with or without chemotherapy at two high-volume cancer centers. We sought to characterize the frequency and location of oligoprogression and determine the overall survival (OS) after radiotherapy in this population. Results: A total of 159 patients were included in the study. At first progression, 62 (39.0%) were classified as undergoing oligoprogression. Multivariate analysis confirmed the presence of brain metastases was associated with an increased likelihood of oligoprogression (OR = 2.44, p = 0.04) with most (63.2%) of these patients experiencing progression intracranially. The presence of liver metastases was associated with a decreased likelihood of oligoprogression (OR = 0.17, p < 0.01). For patients with oligoprogression, those who received radiotherapy had a longer median progression-free survival-2 (PFS2) (17 versus 11.5 mo, HR = 0.51, p = 0.02) and a longer median OS (23 versus 13 mo, HR = 0.40, p < 0.001) compared with those who did not receive radiotherapy. No difference in PFS2 or OS outcomes was observed between patients who received radiotherapy versus those who did not for systemic progression. Conclusions: In patients with oligoprogressive metastatic NSCLC after treatment with first-line ICIs, radiotherapy significantly improves OS and PFS2 outcomes. Patients with baseline brain metastases are more likely to experience oligoprogression. Further prospective studies in directed, less heterogeneous populations of patients with metastatic NSCLC will be fundamental to optimize management.