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AbstractAqueous emulsion homo- and co-polymerization of lauryl methacrylate (LMA), a strong hydrophobic monomer with long carbon chain, is quite challenging. In this study, a long carbon chain emulsifier N-390 was used as the primary emulsifier to facilitate the emulsion copolymerization of LMA with other acrylate monomers through the mutual hydrophobic interaction between N-390 and LMA, and ultimately polyacrylate latex pressure sensitive adhesives modified by LMA via pre-emulsified semi-continuous seeded emulsion polymerization process were synthesized. The effects of LMA on the resulting latex and PSA properties was comprehensively examined. Both FTIR and 1H NMR spectra indicated that LMA has been successfully introduced into copolymer chain with the aid of long carbon chain emulsifier N-390. The results also showed that the introduction of LMA will contribute to decrease in particle size and zeta potential, while increase viscosity and gel content of the acrylate PSA latex. Moreover, as the LMA content increased, the latex PSA films demonstrated gradual improvements in both water resistance and thermal stability. Finally, for the long carbon chains adhesive film, the shear strength was improved greatly while at the sacrifice of loop tack and peel strength, when compared to counterparts without LMA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity, a burgeoning global health issue, is increasingly recognized for its detrimental effects on the central nervous system, particularly concerning the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This manuscript delves into the intricate relationship between obesity and BBB dysfunction, elucidating the underlying phenotypes and molecular mechanisms. We commence with an overview of the BBB's critical role in maintaining cerebral homeostasis and the pathological alterations induced by obesity. By employing a comprehensive literature review, we examine the structural and functional modifications of the BBB in the context of obesity, including increased permeability, altered transport mechanisms, and inflammatory responses. The manuscript highlights how obesity-induced systemic inflammation and metabolic dysregulation contribute to BBB disruption, thereby predisposing individuals to various neurological disorders. We further explore the potential pathways, such as oxidative stress and endothelial cell dysfunction, that mediate these changes. Our discussion culminates in the summary of current findings and the identification of knowledge gaps, paving the way for future research directions. This review underscores the significance of understanding BBB dysfunction in obesity, not only for its implications in neurodegenerative diseases but also for developing targeted therapeutic strategies to mitigate these effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces a new type of shear panel damper that utilizes iron-based shape memory alloy (Fe-SMA) with enhanced low-cycle fatigue (LCF) resistance for structural damage control, with a particular focus on the effect of solution treatment on the properties of interest of Fe-SMA. Material-level investigation was conducted first, aimed at establishing a clear connection between microscopic structure and macroscopic properties, and to determine the most suitable solution treatment method for Fe-SMAs for structural damping purposes. This was followed by laboratory tests on a Fe-SMA based shear panel damper receiving an appropriate solution treatment, along with conventional metal shear panel dampers made of low yield point steel LYP225 and mild steel Q235. Results reveal that among the considered solution treatments, 1,100°C for 1 h leads to the most desired mechanical properties, such as lower yield stress, increased ductility, and longer LCF life, of Fe-SMA for seismic damping applications. The Fe-SMA shear panel damper demonstrates a significant improvement in LCF life and total energy dissipation capacity compared to traditional steel dampers. Finally, detailed numerical investigations were carried out to analyze the seismic response. A calibrated micromechanics-based model, i.e., cyclic void growth model, was employed to predict the fracture initiation of the Fe-SMA shear panel damper under seismic loading. This approach achieved reasonable accuracy, assisting in understanding the distinctive behavior of Fe-SMA shear panel dampers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron-based shape memory alloy (Fe-SMA) is an emerging class of material having a great potential for civil engineering, especially seismic engineering applications. However, the behavior of Fe-SMA strongly depends on temperature-sensitive martensitic transformation, and thus the influence of temperature on the behavior of Fe-SMA should receive particular attention. The current study experimentally investigates how temperature variation affects the mechanical properties, including monotonic tensile strength, low cycle fatigue (LCF), and impact toughness, of Fe-SMA (Fe-17Mn-5Si-10Cr-5Ni in wt%), with a particular focus on its low-temperature behavior. Specifically, the considered temperatures used for conducting monotonic tensile and LCF tests were −40°C , −10°C , and 20°C, whereas the range of temperature for impact toughness tests was from −100°C to 20°C. Additional tests were performed on S30408 stainless steel and conventional Q355 structural steel for comparison purposes. The experimental results suggest that low temperature leads to increased strength and reduced ductility of Fe-SMA. The impact toughness of Fe-SMA is comparable with that of S30408 steel, exhibiting ductile fracture characteristic observed even at −100°C. Fe-SMA outperforms conventional steels with an evidently greater LCF life given the considered temperature variation; although, its LCF life decreases at lower temperatures due to the inhibited reversible martensite transformation. This study also provides a set of practical parameters that facilitate constitutive modeling and strain-based fatigue life prediction of Fe-SMA under various temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wearable and self‐healing soft electronics have led to a significant emphasis on their potential in creating versatile, conformable, and sustainable electronic modules. Among conductive additives, Liquid metals (LMs), combining both solid and liquid characteristics, have gained widespread attention due to their versatile physical, chemical, and electrical properties as well as self‐healing capability, biocompatibility, and recyclability. The fluidity of LMs facilitates adaptability to various experimental conditions and components for specific applications. Moreover, the oxide shell on LMs exhibits strong compatibility with surface functionalization and polymerization processes, enhancing the development of reliable composite materials. Herein, an in‐depth analysis of the fundamental properties and characteristics of LMs while addressing their current drawbacks, such as unpredictable reactivity and poor surface stability, is presented. To harness the advantages of LMs, their integration is extensively discussed with polymeric materials through various grafting strategies, leading to the development of macromolecular composites with exceptional softness, solubility, surface functionalization, and versatility. Furthermore, the applications of LMs within LM‐elastomer composites, particularly focusing on their relevance in specific fields such as flexible electronics, are investigated. Finally, LMs' future prospects are emphasized by highlighting their compatibility with self‐healing polymers, thereby providing pathways for major breakthroughs of LMs based devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasma circulating P‐selectin glycoprotein ligand‐1 (PSGL‐1) levels and its clinical correlation in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) are unknown. The study determined plasma PSGL‐1 levels in EOC patients and investigated its relationship with clinicopathological factors and prognosis. Plasma PSGL‐1 levels were measured using ELISA in 69 patients with EOC, 34 patients with benign ovarian cystadenoma, and 36 healthy controls. Subsequently, the relationship between PSGL‐1 levels and clinicopathological characteristics of patients, as well as the prognosis of EOC patients, was examined. Additionally, the specificity and sensitivity of plasma PSGL‐1 were assessed through ROC curve analysis. Plasma PSGL‐1 was upregulated in EOC patients compared with healthy subjects and/or patients with benign ovarian cystadenoma (p < 0.01). Elevated levels of PSGL‐1 in the plasma were positively associated with advanced FIGO stage (p < 0.001), tumor size (p = 0.001), tumor metastasis (p = 0.036), and tumor recurrence (p = 0.013), while was negatively correlated with residual tumor size (p < 0.001). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that high plasma PSGL‐1 levels were associated with progression‐free survival (p = 0.0345). In univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses, PSGL‐1 (HR = 1.456, p = 0.009) was an independent prognostic marker. Plasma PSGL‐1 levels distinguished EOC patients and healthy individuals (AUC = 0.905), patients at late and early FIGO stages (AUC = 0.886), and metastatic and non‐metastatic EOC (AUC = 0.722). The expression of plasma PSGL‐1 is significantly increased in patients with EOC, serving as a reliable biomarker to differentiate between healthy individuals and those with EOC. Furthermore, PSGL‐1 in patients is correlated with prognostic indicators, such as advanced FIGO stage, tumor lymph node metastasis, and progression‐free survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, due to advancements in medical conditions and the development of scientific research, the fundamental research of TCM antitumor treatments has progressed from the cellular level to the molecular and genetic levels. Previous studies have demonstrated the significant role of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in antitumor therapy through various mechanisms and pathways. Its mechanism of action is closely associated with cancer biology across different stages. This includes inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, blocking invasion and metastasis to surrounding tissues, inducing tumor cell apoptosis, inhibiting tumor angiogenesis, regulating immune function, maintaining genome stability, preventing mutation, and regulating cell energy metabolism. The use of TCM for eliciting antitumor effects not only has a good therapeutic effect and low side effects, it also provides a solid theoretical basis for clinical treatment and medication. This paper reviews the mechanism of the antitumor effects of TCM based on tumor characteristics. Through our review, we found that TCM not only directly inhibits tumors, but also enhances the body's immunity, thereby indirectly inducing an antitumor effect. This function aligns with the TCM theory of "strengthening the body's resistance to eliminate pathogenic factors". Furthermore, TCM will play a significant role in tumor treatment in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Augmentation cystoplasty (AC) is an effective surgical procedure for patients with neurogenic bladder whenever conservative treatments have failed. The present study aimed to determine the risks of metabolic complications, malignancy, long-term outcomes and histopathologic changes of native bladder and the augmented intestine after AC in children with neurogenic bladder. Pediatric patients < 18 years who underwent AC between 2000 and 2020 were enrolled. Early postoperative complications, long-term outcomes and histopathologic changes in mucosal biopsies of native bladder and the augmented intestine after AC were reviewed. Twenty-two patients with a mean age of 7.6 ± 4.4 years were included. The ileum was used in 19 patients and the sigmoid colon in 3 patients. The length of hospital stay was 14.8 ± 6.8 days. Post-operatively, the urinary continence rate improved from 22.7 to 81.8% (p < 0.001). Hydronephrosis resolved in 17 of 19 patients. Vesicoureteral reflux resolved in 16 (64.0%) of the refluxing ureter units and was downgraded in 7 (28.0%). Grades of hydronephrosis and reflux significantly improved following AC (p < 0.001). The estimated glomerular filtration rate also significantly increased (p = 0.012). Formation of urinary tract stones was the most frequent late complication (in 8 patients, 36.4%). Life-threatening spontaneous bladder perforation occurred in 1 patient. After a mean follow-up of 13.4 ± 5.9 years, there were no cases of mortality, new-onset symptomatic metabolic acidosis, or changes in serum electrolytes. Of the 17 patients who were followed for > 10 years, no cases of malignancy or metaplastic changes were identified in the native bladder or augmented bowel epithelium. AC is a safe and effective procedure with low surgical and metabolic complication rates. In addition, AC provides a satisfactory continence rate and long-term protection of renal function, increases functional capacity, and regresses reflux and hydronephrosis. Individualized surveillance is recommended for the early identification of urolithiasis and metabolic disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remanufacturing, with its environmental and economic implications, is gaining significant traction in the contemporary industry. Owing to the complementarity between remanufacturing process planning and scheduling in actual remanufacturing systems, the integrated remanufacturing process planning and scheduling (IRPPS) model provides researchers and practitioners with a favorable direction to improve the performance of remanufacturing systems. However, a comprehensive exploration of the IRPPS model under uncertainties has remained scant, largely attributable to the high complexity stemming from the intrinsic uncertainties of the remanufacturing environment. To address the above challenge, this study proposes a new IRPPS model that operates under such uncertainties. Specifically, the proposed model utilizes interval numbers to represent the uncertainty of processing time and develops a process planning approach that integrates various failure modes to effectively address the uncertain quality of defective parts during the remanufacturing process. To facilitate the resolution of the proposed model, this study proposes an extended non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II with a new multi-dimensional representation scheme, in which, a new self-adaptive strategy, multiple genetic operators, and a new local search strategy are integrated to improve the algorithmic performance. The simulation experiments results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed algorithm over three other baseline multi-objective evolutionary algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis methods and reaction mechanisms of long carbon chain methacrylates are summarized, and the research progress of traditional sulfonic acid, ion-exchange resin, solid acid, alkali metal, metal-loaded, ionic liquid and other catalysts for the synthesis of long carbon chain methacrylates are highlighted, and the characteristics of each catalyst in the application process are sorted out. The progresses of domestic and international research on long carbon chain methacrylates in materials, textiles, coating and other applications are reviewed. Since the esterification yield of long carbon chain methacrylates is not high and the application fields are relatively limited, we should continue to develop green and environmentally friendly catalyst systems for the synthesis of long carbon chain methacrylates and expand their research in different application fields in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semantic verbal fluency (SVF) impairments are debilitating and present early in the course of psychotic illness. Deficits within frontal, parietal, and temporal brain regions contribute to this deficit, as long-range communication across this functionally integrated network is critical to SVF. This study sought to isolate disruptions in functional and structural connectivity contributing to SVF deficits during first-episode psychosis in the schizophrenia spectrum (FESz). Thirty-three FESz and 34 matched healthy controls (HC) completed the Animal Naming Task to assess SVF. Magnetoencephalography was recorded during an analogous covert SVF task, and phase-locking value (PLV) used to measure functional connectivity between inferior frontal and temporoparietal structures bilaterally. Diffusion imaging was collected to measure fractional anisotropy (FA) of the arcuate fasciculus, the major tract connecting frontal and temporoparietal language areas. SVF scores were lower among FESz compared to HC. While PLV and FA did not differ between groups overall, FESz exhibited an absence of the left-lateralized nature of both measures observed in HC. Among FESz, larger right-hemisphere PLV was associated with worse SVF performance (ρ = −0.51) and longer DUP (ρ = −0.50). In addition to worse SVF, FESz exhibited diminished leftward asymmetry of structural and functional connectivity in fronto-temporoparietal SVF network. The relationship between theta-band hyperconnectivity and poorer performance suggests a disorganized executive network and may reflect dysfunction of frontal cognitive control centers. These findings illustrate an aberrant pattern across the distributed SVF network at disease onset and merit further investigation into development of asymmetrical hemispheric connectivity and its failure among high-risk populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The energy storage plays a prominent part in the life histories of many animals inhabiting cold harsh environment, thus anuran amphibians rely on larger residual energy stores from post-hibernation to cope with unfavourable weather conditions before breeding. As the habitat conditions often change in different locations, selective pressure for energy storage could also vary. However, we still have limited knowledge on whether anurans living under different environmental backgrounds would adopt suitable strategies to cope with energy demands during reproduction. Here, we examined patterns of energy storage in spring (after hibernation and before reproduction) in seven plateau brown frog (Rana kukunoris) populations with different climatic conditions in the eastern Tibetan Plateau. After removing the effects of age and body size, liver weights of both sexes and fat body weights in males were negatively correlated with temperature, suggesting that these reserves were critical for this anuran to survive through harsh and extended dormancy period under uncertain environmental conditions. Additionally, reproductive investment in both sexes could partly explain the increase in post-hibernation energy stores with decreasing temperature. Males had relatively heavier liver and fat body weights than females, indicating that males store more energy reserves for breeding activity compared with females. Therefore, we suggest that both the variation of environmental conditions and sexual differentiation of reproductive roles play a prominent role in shaping the energy allocation and reserve patterns in the dormancy and breeding of amphibian species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transmission dynamic caustics test system was carried out for blasting comparative experiments, considering varied apertures and the same charge for the same slit (symmetrical slit), investigating the effect of uncoupled charge blasting of the in-slotted charge on the propagation direction of blasting cracks. The test findings indicate that the uncoupling coefficient between the hole wall and the slit cartridge significantly affects the crack propagation direction. When the uncoupling coefficient is 1.42, the left and right main cracks form a near-horizontal angle, and reach a length of 15.5 cm. When the uncoupling coefficients are 1.71 and 1.28, the deviation angle of the main fracture is great, the propagation distance is short, and the number of secondary cracks is high, there is a trend of oscillation attenuation. Therefore, the combined action of the detonation gas and the blast stress wave has the greatest influence on fracture propagation. The appropriate uncoupling coefficient increases the quasi-static effect of the detonation gas in the direction of the slit, decreasing the impact of the detonation wave on the blast hole. The initial stress wave peak value of the wall reinforces the energy-focused directional jet effect of the slit pipe, increasing the fracture propagation distance in the slit direction. Under conditions of energy conservation, the crack propagation in the non-slit direction is inhibited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With critical lessons drawn from past major earthquakes, the engineering community is appealing for a fundamental shift in the existing design philosophy for structures in seismic zones. One strategy is to endow structures with self-centering (SC) capability. While the concept of SC structures is not new, many novel technologies have been recently emerging that are more efficient, compact, and cost-effective; on the other hand, growing controversy and dispute have also been appearing with deepening investigations. This paper presents a critical review of the evolution of SC technologies and systems for both researchers and practitioners, with an emphasis on post-tension (PT), high-performance spring, and shape memory alloy (SMA) strategies. These SC technologies, together with various energy dissipation options, form the basis of a large part of the newly proposed SC philosophies. This review also includes typical SC structural members such as beam-to-column connections, braces, dampers, shear walls, bridge piers, and isolation bearings, followed by a discussion on the dynamic behavior from a system-level point of view. Available design approaches for SC structures are also touched upon, and practical applications that have emerged over the past decades in several countries including Canada, China, New Zealand, and the US are presented. This paper concludes with an executive summary that covers technological advances, knowledge gaps, and future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under investigation in this paper is the integrable Lakshmanan–Porsezian–Daniel (LPD) equation, which was proposed as a model for the nonlinear spin excitations in the one-dimensional isotropic biquadratic Heisenberg ferromagnetic spin. Our main purpose was to construct soliton and breather solutions on the nonconstant background for the integrable local and nonlocal LPD equations. Firstly, the Bäcklund transformations are constructed based on the pseudopotential of equations. Secondly, starting from the nonconstant initial solution sech and applying the obtained transformation, various nonlinear wave solutions of the local LPD equation are provided, including the time-periodic breather, W-shaped soliton, M-type soliton and two-soliton solutions, the elastic interactions between the two-soliton solutions are shown and the relationship between parameters and wave structures is discussed. Thirdly, beginning with the nonconstant initial solutions sech and tanh , the time-periodic breather, bell-shaped one-soliton and anti-bell-shaped one-soliton solutions of the nonlocal LPD equation are generated and these solutions possess no singularity. What is more, the time-periodic breather solutions exhibit the x-periodic background and double-periodic background, which is different from the previous results. The corresponding dynamics of these solutions related to the integrable local and nonlocal LPD equations are illustrated graphically. The results in this paper might be helpful for us to understand the nonlinear characteristics of magnetic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The environmental protection volunteer (EPV) project comprises EPV activities and low-intensity aerobic environmental protection health exercise (EPHE). The project covered "three doing" components, i.e., cognitive enhancement, physical activity, and social network. In this study, we intended to evaluate the effect of real-world EPV projects on mean blood pressure (BP) variability, cognition, and psychophysiological functions in the elderly. Methods: Totally, 79 older adult volunteers were recruited from the community environmental protection station. They were divided into three groups (low participation frequency group [LPFG], middle participation frequency group [MPFG], and high participation frequency group [HPFG]) based on the participation frequency. All participants were evaluated three times using the measurements, including visit-to-visit BP, cognitive (Mini--Mental State Examination [MMSE] and clinical dementia rating) and psychophysiological function brief Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and suffering VAS. Results: There was a significant increase in the MMSE and a decrease in pain VAS after participating in the EPV activity (p < 0.05). The diastolic BP variability (BPV) was significantly decreased after the EPV project containing EPHE (p < 0.01). Those who participated in HPFG and MPFG showed a significant decrease in the brief GDS compared with LPFG (p < 0.01 at T2 and p < 0.05 at T3). Conclusion: Participating in the EPV project benefited cognitive function and reduced pain and BPV. In addition, engaging in the EPV project frequently as a daily routine may reduce depression levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The calculated figure of merit ZT of transition-metal Ni adsorbed HfSe 2 monolayer at 300 K, 400 K and 500 K, respectively. [Display omitted] In this work, a strategy to boosting thermoelectric (TE) performance of 2D materials is explored. We find that, appropriate chemical adsorption of atoms can effectively increase the TE performance of HfSe 2 monolayer. Our results show that the adsorption of Ni atom on HfSe 2 monolayer (Ni-HfSe 2) can improve the optimal power factor PF and ZT at 300 K, increased by more than ∼67% and ∼340%, respectively. The PF and ZT of Ni-HfSe 2 at 300 K can reach 85.06 mW m−1 K−2 and 3.09, respectively. The detailed study reveal that the adsorption of Ni atom can induce additional conductional channels of electrons , enhance the coupling of acoustic-optical phonons and the phonon anharmonicity, resulting in an obvious increment of electrical conductivity (increased by more than ∼89%) in n -type doped system and an ultralow phonon thermal conductivity (1.17 W/mK at 300 K). The high electrical conductivity and ultralow phonon thermal conductivity results in the significant increments of PF and ZT. Our study also shows that, Ni-HfSe 2 is a thermal, dynamic and mechanical stable structure, which can be employed in TE application. Our research indicates that selectivity chemical adsorption is a promising way to increase TE performance of 2D materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issue of electrocardiogram (ECG)‐based person identification has attracted intense research interests nowadays. Different than existing related researches that advocate accentuating useful information and attenuating noisy artefacts in sensor data processing, A novel strategy of 'turning waste into wealth' is proposed to exploit the new discriminative information from the relationship between noise disturbance and signal data for this issue. Specifically, the authors design a new and simple method, the Set‐Group Distance Measure, based on the suitable fusion of multiple minority‐based distance measurements, whose power has initially been discovered for the issue. This method takes advantage of the collaborative variation information from the relative relationship, which is named as 'relative information', between different types of emotional noise disturbances and ECG signal data, to tackle the problem of large intra‐class variation but small inter‐class difference during identification. Experimental results have demonstrated the reasonability, effectiveness, robustness, efficiency and practicability of the proposed method upon public benchmark databases. This proposal not only provides technological inspirations for the further study in ECG‐based person identification, but also shows a fresh feasible way to handle the noise‐signal relationship for more general topics of sensor data classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a novel type of self-centering energy-dissipative restrainers [i.e., SMA ring springs (SMARS) restrainer] incorporating shape memory alloy (SMA) ring springs as the core elements. Compared with conventional restraining solutions such as steel cables, the proposed device has unique advantages such as protective self-locking mechanism, large load resistance and energy dissipation, adjustable initial stiffness/yield strength, ease of installation, and no risk of anchorage premature failure. The study commences with a detailed introduction of the working mechanism of the SMARS restrainer, followed by a comprehensive experimental verification of the concept. Numerical studies are subsequently carried out to further interpret the test results and to reveal the influence of some important parameters. Stable flag-shaped hysteretic curves of both individual SMA ring spring and SMARS restrainer at room temperature were exhibited. An optional preload can be applied, leading to a yieldlike behavior. The preload could also promote large initial stiffness, better self-centering capability, and enhanced energy dissipation. The recovery rate (recovered-to-peak deformation ratio) and equivalent viscous damping ratio of the restrainer specimen with no preload were 90% and 3.6%–5.9%, respectively, and those of the specimen with preload increase to 98% and 5.7%–7.4%, respectively. The numerical study further confirms that the behavior of the SMARS restrainer is greatly affected by the friction condition and the preload applied to the SMA ring springs. Some preliminary design recommendations are subsequent provided. Potential practical applications, including isolation bearings, bridge restrainers, rocking columns/shear walls, and braces, are finally discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) as a downstaging therapy for liver transplantation (LT) has improved outcomes for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, this therapy carries a risk of post-transplant graft rejection. The washout (WO) period between the last ICI dose and LT seems critical in preventing postoperative rejection. This study aimed to optimize the WO period by balancing tumor burden suppression and rejection prevention using ICIs before LT. We reviewed published case reports or series from March 2020 to December 2022 regarding LT for HCC after downstaging or bridge therapy with ICIs and included 4 of our cases. Most patients received atezolizumab, nivolumab, or pembrolizumab; these ICIs shared a half-life of around 28 days. Therefore, we excluded cases without definite WO period data and those using non-atezolizumab/nivolumab/pembrolizumab ICIs and ultimately enrolled 22 patients for analysis. We compared their clinical outcomes and estimated the rejection-free survival for every 0.5 half-life interval. Most study subjects received nivolumab (n = 25). Six patients had severe rejections (nivolumab group, n = 5) and needed rescue management. Of the 6 cases, 1 patient died after rejection, and 2 underwent re-transplantation. The median WO period in these 6 patients was 22 days (IQR: 9–35 days). In addition, we found that a 1.5 half-life (42 days) was the shortest safe WO period associated with significant rejection-free survival (P =.005). Our results showed that 42 days was the safest WO period before LT for HCC after ICI with atezolizumab, nivolumab, or pembrolizumab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, automatic detection of threats in X-ray baggage has become important in security inspection. However, the training of threat detectors often requires extensive, well-annotated images, which are hard to procure, especially for rare contraband items. In this paper, a few-shot SVM-constraint threat detection model, named FSVM is proposed, which aims at detecting unseen contraband items with only a small number of labeled samples. Rather than simply finetuning the original model, FSVM embeds a derivable SVM layer to back-propagate the supervised decision information into the former layers. A combined loss function utilizing SVM loss is also created as the additional constraint. We have evaluated FSVM on the public security baggage dataset SIXray, performing experiments on 10-shot and 30-shot samples under three class divisions. Experimental results show that compared with four common few-shot detection models, FSVM has the highest performance and is more suitable for complex distributed datasets (e.g., X-ray parcels). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mathematical difficulty remains in many classical financial problems, especially for a closed-form expression of asset value. The European option evaluation problem based on a regime-switching has been formally modeled since early 2000, for which a recursive algorithm was developed to solve it. The key mathematical difficulty of this problem relies on the expectation I E [ h (Y T) ] , where h is a payoff function and { Y t } t ∈ [ 0 , T ] denotes a geometric Brownian motion with Markovian regime-switching. It is long since attempted to conclude this problem with closed form formulas. Towards the same target, this paper applies some novel techniques to draw explicit formulas for cases with more states for regime-switching (whereas the former deals the cases with two states) for any integrable function h (whereas the former only applies to the payoff of a European option). This paper combines the technique of occupation time of Markov chains and inverse Laplace transform to achieve the density function of geometric Brownian motion with Markovian regime-switching. Extension along this technique creates potential for probabilistic computations in addition to European option pricing. The reflection from the inverse Laplace transform to the expression of a moment-generating function is the core technique developed by this paper, and it is presented in symmetric forms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melamine–formaldehyde resin-coated bamboo fiber (MFBF) and ammonium polyphosphate (MFAPP) were prepared, and then flame-retardant polypropylene (PP)/bamboo fiber composites based on MFBF/MFAPP were obtained by melt blending. The water resistance, flame retardant, and thermal properties of the composites were studied. The results show that MFBF and MFAPP have excellent water resistance with the water contact angles 130.85° and 119.78°, respectively. Compared with pure PP, the limit oxygen index (LOI) of the prepared composite increased from 18.5 to 25.5% with the UL-94V-0 rating. The peak heat release rate of the composite decreased from 1011.8 to 344.3 kW·m−2 and the total heat release decreased from 100.6 to 58.8 MJ·m−2. Meanwhile, the total smoke release decreased from 1453.3 to 922.0 m2·m−2. After soaking in 70 °C water for 36 h, the composite still reached the V-0 rating in UL-94 test, demonstrating a good water resistance. This work provides an effective method to improve the water resistance and flame retardancy of PP/bamboo fiber composites. Melamine–formaldehyde resin-coated bamboo fibers (MFBF) and ammonium polyphosphate (MFAPP) were prepared, then flame-retardant PP/BF composites were obtained based on MFBF/MFAPP. The results show that prepared composite exhibited excellent water resistance and flame-retardant properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The molecular mechanism of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is not completely clear, which leads to poor prognosis and treatment difficulties for LSCC patients. To date, no study has reported the exact expression level of zinc finger protein 71 (ZNF71) and its molecular mechanism in LSCC. Methods: In-house immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining (33 LSCC samples and 29 non-LSCC samples) was utilized in analyzing the protein expression level of ZNF71 in LSCC. Gene chips and high-throughput sequencing data collected from multiple public resources (313 LSCC samples and 192 non-LSCC samples) were utilized in analyzing the exact mRNA expression level of ZNF71 in LSCC. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data was used to explore the expression status of ZNF71 in different LSCC subpopulations. Enrichment analysis of ZNF71, its positively and differentially co-expressed genes (PDCEGs), and its downstream target genes was employed to detect the potential molecular mechanism of ZNF71 in LSCC. Moreover, we conducted correlation analysis between ZNF71 expression and immune infiltration. Results: ZNF71 was downregulated at the protein level (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.93, p < 0.0001) and the mRNA level (AUC = 0.71, p = 0.023) in LSCC tissues. Patients with nodal metastasis had lower protein expression level of ZNF71 than patients without nodal metastasis (p < 0.05), and male LSCC patients had lower mRNA expression level of ZNF71 than female LSCC patients (p < 0.01). ZNF71 was absent in different LSCC subpopulations, including cancer cells, plasma cells, and tumor-infiltrated immune cells, based on scRNA-seq analysis. Enrichment analysis showed that ZNF71 and its PDCEGs may influence the progression of LSCC by regulating downstream target genes of ZNF71. These downstream target genes of ZNF71 were mainly enriched in tight junctions. Moreover, downregulation of ZNF71 may influence the development and even therapy of LSCC by reducing immune infiltration. Conclusion: Downregulation of ZNF71 may promote the progression of LSCC by reducing tight junctions and immune infiltration; this requires further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new type of Fe–Mn–Si alloy damper is developed in this study to enable significant enhancement of the low-cycle fatigue (LCF) resistance compared with conventional metal dampers. A set of material tests was conducted first to foster a good understanding of the basic mechanical properties of the Fe–Mn–Si alloy, followed by a comprehensive experimental study on 18 shear damper specimens, considering different materials, connection types, restraining conditions, and loading protocols. A numerical investigation was also conducted to help interpret the test results. Among other important findings, the study reveals that the Fe–Mn–Si alloy exhibits a non-obvious yield plateau followed by noticeable strain hardening under monotonic loading. The fracture strain attains 57.4%, showing good ductility. Under cyclic loading, the Fe–Mn–Si alloy dampers exhibit different failure modes compared with their normal steel counterparts. The former mainly fails in fracture near the center of the plate, whereas the fracture of the latter tends to initiate from the edge. Importantly, the Fe–Mn–Si alloy dampers show fatigue life and total energy dissipation capacity up to 10 times that of their steel counterparts. Using buckling-restraining plates brings further benefits to the fatigue resistance and energy dissipation capacity. A combined kinematic/isotropic hardening model is shown to adequately capture the hysteretic behavior of the Fe–Mn–Si alloy material, where calibrated parameters are given. Finally, building on the findings from the present study, future research opportunities regarding the analysis and design of Fe–Mn–Si components, including their weld and heat affected zones, are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of 2-D shear wave elastography (SWE) in assessing liver fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease by comparing its performance with that of point shear wave elastography (pSWE) using liver histological staging as the reference standard. In this ethics committee-approved, single-institution prospective study, pSWE and 2-D SWE velocity measurements were obtained in 121 adult patients (age: 18-70 y, median: 45 y) immediately before a liver biopsy for chronic liver disease. Shear wave velocity (SWV) and Ishak scores were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test, Spearman's correlation and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Youden's index was used to determine the optimal cutoff point. There was no technical failure using pSWE and 2-D SWE. The mean difference for SWV between pSWE and 2-D SWE was 0.0223 (limits of agreement: -1.1009, 1.1145). Values for both pSWE and 2-D SWE were significantly correlated with fibrosis stage (Spearman's ρ = 0.606, p < 0.0001; ρ = 0.722, p < 0.001 respectively). The area under the ROC curve differentiating F ≥3 was 0.855 (95% confidence interval: 0.778-0.932) for pSWE and 0.884 (95% CI: 0.817-0.951) for 2-D SWE. The AUC for differentiating F ≥5 was 0.890 (95% CI: 0.826-0.954) for pSWE and 0.926 (95% CI: 0.88-0.973) for 2-D SWE. This study indicates that 2-D SWE provides feasible and accurate assessment of liver fibrosis, comparable to that provided by pSWE from two different manufacturers' machines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multilayer hydrothermal carbon coatings (HTCCs) with various thicknesses were constructed on CFs using alternating hydrothermal carbonization and heat treatment approach. Well-established CF/ZrB 2 -SiCBN composites with distinct multilayer interphases were processed via slurry injection and precursor infiltration pyrolysis method. The multilayer HTCCs with suitable thickness would be pulled-out stepwise from the matrix, which could absorb the impact energy and toughen the composites effectively. Although the outer HTCC would still react with the matrix to form a strong interface, the moderate interfacial binding force between CF and inner HTCC could effectively transfer the load and assure the fiber debonding when the composites deformed drastically. Moreover, the increasing of coating thickness could alleviate the damage of fibers in oxidation environment and improve the critical thermal shock temperature difference of composites, while the excessive thick coating would weaken the fiber strength and limit toughening abilities of the CFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NBA (National Basketball Association) trading cards are a hot collector's item, with sales increasing rapidly every year. However, with the popularity of online trading, some sellers have started to intentionally and unintentionally sell imitation trading cards, and even PwC (Pricewaterhouse Coopers) is not immune. However, the PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator), which is the authentication agency, is not liable for this. Faced with the above situation, we moved trading cards online and proposed a blockchain-based anti-counterfeit and traceable NBA digital trading card management system, using blockchain technology to protect digital trading cards, and special digital copyright, to move from relying on other regulators to achieve the fight against counterfeit cards and maintain the security of the digital trading card market. Finally, we analyzed the security of the system and compared it with other methods. Our system uses Hyperledger Fabric to share data while protecting corporate privacy. Proxy re-encryption enables secure and trusted access authorization for digital transaction cards. Asymmetric encryption protects the data and uses signatures to achieve traceability and non-repudiation. Overall, our system solves the problem of counterfeiting and traceability that can occur in the digital trading card process from production to purchase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a novel hybrid self-centering system aiming to overcome critical shortcomings identified in the existing self-centering solution. Two types of hybrid brace incorporating shape memory alloy elements and integrated viscoelastic dampers are first introduced, followed by a system-level analysis on a series of prototype buildings. The results show that using viscoelastic material to reach a moderate damping ratio is highly effective in peak and residual deformation control. Floor acceleration is also effectively controlled by the hybrid solution. A parametric study is then conducted, and design recommendations are given. A probability-based residual deformation prediction model is finally proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aging is a major global challenge, and there is growing demand for new strategies to address the burden of aging. The intensive search for antiaging agents has led to the discovery of a variety of drugs that promote the extension of healthspan and/or life. Metformin is a safe, effective, and globally affordable antihyperglycemic agent that has gained much attention in recent years as a potential antiaging treatment. Metformin has been shown to significantly delay the onset of age-related diseases and increase lifespan in several model organisms. In this paper, we reviewed aging hallmarks and the role of metformin in countering these hallmarks. We examined the beneficial effects of metformin on several age-related diseases and the feasibility of metformin as an agent to extend lifespan and healthspan. Finally, we discussed new research directions to better understand the translational potential of metformin in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concern over plastic contamination has led to bans on plastic shopping bags, often replaced by paper ones. However, logos painted or printed on paper bags may still contain plastics, as investigated herein. In some logos, for example, white pigment of titanium dioxide (TiO 2) nanoparticles are bound with plastic binder onto the cellulose surface of the paper. This hybrid of plastic and nanoparticle is examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM) to characterise morphology physically, and Raman imaging to identify and visualise them chemically. Raman imaging scans the sample to separate images and identify not only plastic but also the co-formulated pigment. The scan generates a hyperspectral matrix containing hundreds to thousands of spectra, and subsequent analysis can enhance the signal-to-noise ratio. Decoding the hyperspectral matrix using chemometrics like principal component analysis (PCA) can effectively map plastic and pigment separately with increased certainty. The image can be further refined through 3-dimensional surface fitting for deconvolution, providing direct visualisation of the plastic-nanoparticle hybrid at a density of approximately 7.3 million particles per square millimetre. Overall, caution should be exercised when using paper bags, as they may not be entirely free of plastics. Raman imaging proves to be an effective method for identifying and visualising complex components, including plastics and nanoparticles. The concern over plastic contamination has led to bans on plastic shopping bags, replaced by paper alternatives. However, some logos on paper bags may still contain plastics, which is investigated to confirm the presence of plastic-nanoparticle hybrid using SEM and Raman imaging. By employing decoding algorithms such as PCA to separately map plastic and pigment, and utilising 3D surface fitting to deconvolute the image, the hybrid plastic-nanoparticle is estimated at a density of approximately 7.3 million particles per square millimetre. It's important to exercise caution and not assume these items are plastic-free. This aspect of plastics may have been overlooked as another potential source of contamination. [Display omitted] • paper bags might be not plastic-free at logo area. • hybrid structures of plastic-nanoparticle of TiO 2 is estimated at ∼7.3 million/mm2. • Raman imaging via hyperspectral matrix can increase signal-to-noise ratio. • principal component analysis (PCA) can separately map the plastic and pigment. • Gaussian surface fitting towards deconvolution can further increase signal-to-noise ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a series of fluorinated core-shell polyacrylate latex pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) were successfully synthesized through monomer-starved seeded semi-continuous emulsion polymerization. Specifically, (meth)acrylate monomers were employed as the main materials, with dodecafluoroheptyl methacrylate (DFMA) were used as modified monomer. The impact of fluorine monomer DFMA on the resulting core-shell latex and PSA properties was thoroughly examined. FTIR analysis confirmed the successful incorporation of DFMA into the latex copolymer through emulsion polymerization. TEM images illustrated that the morphology of latex particles exhibit a distinct core-shell structure. The results also showed that with the addition of DFMA, the water absorption and water whitening of the latex films decreased, while the water contact angle and thermal stability are improved. Interestingly, the latex films with DFMA added to the shell phase exhibit a larger WCA value when compared to those with DFMA in the core phase, further confirmed by XPS results. Finally, the adhesive properties of the fluorinated core-shell acrylate PSA were evaluated. The results of shear strength and gel content demonstrate that the prepared PSA exhibits excellent cohesive properties. Thus, this work could present a feasible strategy for optimizing the comprehensive properties of acrylate latex PSAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Using diffusion MRI on the white matter tracts of the late-life depressed older adults in the community, those with depression had lower quantitative anisotropy (QA) in left superior longitudinal Fasciculus-II, but those with greater perceived physical fatigability had lower QA in more widespread brain regions. • For tracts associated physical fatigability, lower QA in the left acoustic radiation and left superior thalamic radiation negatively correlated with high blood sugar. • For tracts associated with depression, lower QA in the left SLF-II correlated with higher bilirubin level. • Depression and fatigability are associated with differential changes in white matter integrity. Nevertheless, they may share a common underlying inflammatory mechanism. Fatigability is prevalent in older adults. However, it is often associated with depressed mood. We aim to investigate these two psychobehavioral constructs by examining their underpinning of white matter structures in the brain and their associations with different medical conditions. Twenty-seven older adults with late-life depression (LLD) and 34 cognitively normal controls (CN) underwent multi-shell diffusion MRI. Fatigability was measured with the Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale. We examined white matter integrity by measuring the quantitative anisotropy (QA), a fiber tracking parameter with better accuracy than the traditional imaging technique. We found those with LLD had lower QA in the 2nd branch of the left superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF-II), and those with more physical fatigability had lower QA in more widespread brain regions. In tracts associated with more physical fatigability, the lower QA in left acoustic radiation and left superior thalamic radiation correlated with higher blood glucose (r = - 0.46 and - 0.49). In tracts associated with depression, lower QA in left SLF-II correlated with higher bilirubin level (r = - 0.58). Depression and fatigability were associated with various white matter integrity changes, which correlated with biochemistry biomarkers all related to inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the longstanding challenge of soft body dynamics with frictional contact through a novel combination of Projective Dynamics for elasticity simulation and Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers for frictional contact handling. The approach utilizes parallel local strain projection for deformable bodies and nonlinear Projected Gauss-Seidel for contact with Coulomb friction, consolidated by a pre-factorized global strain propagation step. Integration of contact stabilization, Matchstick anisotropic friction, and Rayleigh damping enhances reliability and usability. Effectiveness, accuracy, and computational efficiency are demonstrated in challenging cases, including multi-layer and persistent contacts. With a CPU-based parallel implementation, our method achieves visually plausible and stable simulation results at an interactive framerate in moderate-scale scenes, showcasing its applicability across various graphics applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are a unique class of metals capable of recovering large strains either spontaneously or upon heating, depending on their thermal-mechanical state. Its two most common phases are the martensite and austenite phases, consisting of three different crystal structures: twinned martensite, detwinned martensite, and austenite. Zhang et al. [[2]] present a novel type of hybrid self-centering braces incorporating tension-only superelastic NiTi shape memory alloy (SMA) cables and integrated viscoelastic dampers (VEDs). Li et al. [[9]] examine a resilient bridge system incorporating engineered cementitious composite (ECC)-reinforced piers and SMA energy dissipation components, i.e., SMA washers. [Extracted from the article]

To evaluate the practical ability of crews during the navigation of an inward-port single ship, a track evaluation model was developed on a planar forward normal cloud chart under sample information based on the forward normal and the backward normal cloud generator. Since the track sampling cloud may be too divergent, a track belt division method based on the contributions of normal cloud drops was proposed. Combining the track evaluation model with the track belt division method, a comprehensive track evaluation scheme of the local sampling cloud based on sampling information was established. The results of an example of M.V. DAQING 257 unloaded into Dalian Port demonstrated the effectiveness of the model and showed its consistency with expert evaluation results based on subjective information. The proposed uncertainty evaluation model provides a new approach for intelligent evaluation under sample information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reading speed in intermittent exotropia (IXT) children has been minimally examined. This study assessed reading speed in school-age children with IXT and determined clinical characteristics of IXT that impacted their reading ability. We compared the reading speed of 63 school-age (10–14 years) children with IXT to 44 age-matched normal counterparts. In addition, the correlation between reading speed and clinical characteristics of IXT were evaluated. The reading speed in children with IXT was 231 ± 51 CPM, while reading speed in normal counterparts was 257 ± 33 CPM. Age, gender were found to be factors associated with reading speed in children with IXT. After adjusting for the age and gender, we found a significant correlation between the LogTNO and reading speed in IXT group based on a generalized linear model (p = 0.014). These data show that reading speed was slower in school-age children with IXT assessed with the International Reading Speed Texts. When age and gender were adjusted, poor stereo function at near was found to be related with a slower reading speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, extracting data-driven governing laws of dynamical systems through deep learning frameworks has gained much attention in various fields. Moreover, a growing amount of research work tends to transfer deterministic dynamical systems to stochastic dynamical systems, especially those driven by non-Gaussian multiplicative noise. However, many log-likelihood based algorithms that work well for Gaussian cases cannot be directly extended to non-Gaussian scenarios, which could have high errors and low convergence issues. In this work, we overcome some of these challenges and identify stochastic dynamical systems driven by α -stable Lévy noise from only random pairwise data. Our innovations include (1) designing a deep learning approach to learn both drift and diffusion coefficients for Lévy induced noise with α across all values, (2) learning complex multiplicative noise without restrictions on small noise intensity, and (3) proposing an end-to-end complete framework for stochastic system identification under a general input data assumption, that is, an α -stable random variable. Finally, numerical experiments and comparisons with the non-local Kramers–Moyal formulas with the moment generating function confirm the effectiveness of our method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The potential micrometastasis tends to cause recurrence of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) after surgical resection and consequently leads to an increase in the mortality risk. Compelling evidence has suggested the underlying mechanisms of tumor metastasis could involve the activation of an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program. Hence, the objective of this study was to develop an EMT-associated gene signature for predicting the recurrence of early-stage LUAD. Methods: The mRNA expression data of patients with early-stage LUAD were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) available databases. Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) was first performed to provide an assessment of EMT phenotype, whereas Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was constructed to determine EMT-associated key modules and genes. Based on the genes, a novel EMT-associated signature for predicting the recurrence of early-stage LUAD was identified using a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm and a stepwise Cox proportional hazards regression model. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and Cox regression analyses were used to estimate the performance of the identified gene signature. Results: GSVA revealed diverse EMT states in the early-stage LUAD. Further correlation analyses showed that the EMT states presented high correlations with several hallmarks of cancers, tumor purity, tumor microenvironment cells, and immune checkpoint genes. More importantly, Kaplan-Meier survival analyses indicated that patients with high EMT scores had worse recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) than those with low EMT scores. A novel 5-gene signature (AGL, ECM1, ENPP1, SNX7, and TSPAN12) was established based on the EMT-associated genes from WGCNA and this signature successfully predicted that the high-risk patients had a higher recurrence rate compared with the low-risk patients. In further analyses, the signature represented robust prognostic values in 2 independent validation cohorts (GEO and TCGA datasets) and a combined GEO cohort as evaluated by Kaplan-Meier survival (P -value <.0001) and ROC analysis (AUC = 0.781). Moreover, the signature was corroborated to be independent of clinical factors by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Interestingly, the combination of the signature-based recurrence risk and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage showed a superior predictive ability on the recurrence of patients with early-stage LUAD. Conclusion: Our study suggests that patients with early-stage LUAD exhibit diverse EMT states that play a vital role in tumor recurrence. The novel and promising EMT-associated 5-gene signature identified and validated in this study may be applied to predict the recurrence of early-stage LUAD, facilitating risk stratification, recurrence monitoring, and individualized management for the patients after surgical resection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Poultry farming is an important part of China's agriculture system. The automatic estimation of poultry posture can help to analyze the movement, behavior, and even health of poultry. In this study, a poultry pose-estimation system was designed, which realized the automatic pose estimation of a single broiler chicken using a multi-part detection method. The experimental results show that this method can obtain better pose-estimation results for a single broiler chicken with respect to precision, recall, and F1 score. The pose-estimation system designed in this study provides a new means to provide help for poultry pose/behavior researchers in the future. Poultry pose estimation is a prerequisite for evaluating abnormal behavior and disease prediction in poultry. Accurate pose-estimation enables poultry producers to better manage their poultry. Because chickens are group-fed, how to achieve automatic poultry pose recognition has become a problematic point for accurate monitoring in large-scale farms. To this end, based on computer vision technology, this paper uses a deep neural network (DNN) technique to estimate the posture of a single broiler chicken. This method compared the pose detection results with the Single Shot MultiBox Detector (SSD) algorithm, You Only Look Once (YOLOV3) algorithm, RetinaNet algorithm, and Faster_R-CNN algorithm. Preliminary tests show that the method proposed in this paper achieves a 0.0128 standard deviation of precision and 0.9218 ± 0.0048 of confidence (95%) and a 0.0266 standard deviation of recall and 0.8996 ± 0.0099 of confidence (95%). By successfully estimating the pose of broiler chickens, it is possible to facilitate the detection of abnormal behavior of poultry. Furthermore, the method can be further improved to increase the overall success rate of verification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of fluorinated polyacrylate emulsion pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSA) with various lengths fluorinated side chains were synthesized by using n-butyl acrylate (nBA), acrylic acid (AA), 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) together with three kinds of fluorine monomers trifluoroethyl methacrylate (TFEMA), hexafluorobutyl methacrylate (HFBMA) and dodecafluoroheptyl methacrylate (DFHMA). The influences of fluorocarbon chains' length on the particle size of the latex, as well as on thermostability (DSC, TG) and surface properties (XPS, CA, AFM) of the PSA films were investigated. The results showed that Tg and thermal stability of the PSA were both increased with the introduction of F-monomers with various lengths of fluorinated side chains, and the shorter the side chain, the more the Tg and thermal stability increased. The XPS results indicated that the surface atom percentage of F element of film increased with the escalation of the length of fluorocarbon lateral chain, which results in the water contact angle and surface roughness increment of the PSA films. Finally, effects of fluorocarbon chains' length on the adhesive properties (i.e. loop tack, peel strength and shear strength) of the fluorinated latex PSA were also evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) still presents a high incidence of malignant tumours with poor prognosis. There is an urgent need for new therapeutic agents with high specificity, low toxicity and favourable solubility for the clinical treatment of HCC. Materials and Methods: The bioactivity of human umbilical cord serum was investigated by proteomics biotechnology and a primitive peptide with certain biological activity was identified. The antitumour effect of RR‐171 was detected by cell viability assay in vitro, and determined by subcutaneous xenograft models assay and miniPDX assay in vivo. Pull‐down experiments were conducted to identify the potential targeting proteins of RR‐171. Immunofluorescence assay and tubulin polymerization assay were conducted to explore the relationship between RR‐171 and α‐tubulin. Fluorescence imaging in xenograft models was used to explore the biodistribution of RR‐171 in vivo. A phosphospecific protein microarray was performed to uncover the underlying signalling pathway by which RR‐171 induces tumour cell death. Results: The results indicated that RR‐171 could be effective in the treatment of HCC in vivo and in vitro. RR‐171 could aggregate significantly in solid tumours and had no obvious systemic toxicity in vivo. RR‐171 could interact with α‐tubulin and activate the NF‐Kappa B pathway in HCC cells. Conclusions: Taken together, RR‐171 exhibited significant antitumour activity against HCC in vivo and in vitro and could potentially be used in the clinical application of HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under investigation in this paper is the relativistic Toda lattice (RTL) equation which is a deformation of the Toda lattice (TL) equation and may simulate many physical phenomena. The N -fold Darboux transformation (DT) of the RTL equation is constructed in terms of determinants. Compared with the usual 1-fold DT, this kind of N-fold DT enables us to generate the multi-soliton solutions without complicated recursive process. Based on the N-fold DT, we obtain the N-fold explicit solutions from initial solutions. The figures of one-, two-, three-and four-soliton solutions with proper parameters are presented to illustrate the propagation of solitary waves, and elastic interactions between or among the two-, three- and four-soliton solutions are discussed: solitonic shapes and amplitudes have not changed after the interaction. What is more, the relationship between the structures of solutions and the parameters is generated with N = 1, from which we find that the 1-fold solutions may be one-soliton solutions or periodic solutions. Results in this paper might be helpful for understanding and interpreting some physical phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The potential micrometastasis tends to cause recurrence of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) after surgical resection and consequently leads to an increase in the mortality risk. Compelling evidence has suggested the underlying mechanisms of tumor metastasis could involve the activation of an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program. Hence, the OBJECTIVE of this study was to develop an EMT-associated gene signature for predicting the recurrence of early-stage LUAD. METHODS: The mRNA expression data of patients with early-stage LUAD were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) available databases. Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) was first performed to provide an assessment of EMT phenotype, whereas Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was constructed to determine EMT-associated key modules and genes. Based on the genes, a novel EMT-associated signature for predicting the recurrence of early-stage LUAD was identified using a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm and a stepwise Cox proportional hazards regression model. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and Cox regression analyses were used to estimate the performance of the identified gene signature. RESULTS: GSVA revealed diverse EMT states in the early-stage LUAD. Further correlation analyses showed that the EMT states presented high correlations with several hallmarks of cancers, tumor purity, tumor microenvironment cells, and immune checkpoint genes. More importantly, Kaplan-Meier survival analyses indicated that patients with high EMT scores had worse recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) than those with low EMT scores. A novel 5-gene signature (AGL, ECM1, ENPP1, SNX7, and TSPAN12) was established based on the EMT-associated genes from WGCNA and this signature successfully predicted that the high-risk patients had a higher recurrence rate compared with the low-risk patients. In further analyses, the signature represented robust prognostic values in 2 independent validation cohorts (GEO and TCGA datasets) and a combined GEO cohort as evaluated by Kaplan-Meier survival (P-value < .0001) and ROC analysis (AUC = 0.781). Moreover, the signature was corroborated to be independent of clinical factors by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Interestingly, the combination of the signature-based recurrence risk and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage showed a superior predictive ability on the recurrence of patients with early-stage LUAD. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that patients with early-stage LUAD exhibit diverse EMT states that play a vital role in tumor recurrence. The novel and promising EMT-associated 5-gene signature identified and validated in this study may be applied to predict the recurrence of early-stage LUAD, facilitating risk stratification, recurrence monitoring, and individualized management for the patients after surgical resection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a method for improving the direct‐current (DC) breakdown strength of the epoxy resin (ER) was proposed. Nano‐Al2O3 was treated with CF4/Ar plasma and doped into the epoxy resin matrix to obtain epoxy composites with high DC breakdown strength in both extremely uneven and slightly uneven electric fields. The reaction essence of plasma fluoridation was characterized, and the dielectric spectrum, volume conductivity, space charge, and carrier trap characteristics of the modified composites were studied. The plasma fluoridation at the fillers‐matrices interface is an effective pretreatment method to enhance insulation, exhibiting good applicability to ceramic/polymer composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a plastic syringe, a stopper at the end of plunger is usually made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS, and co-ingredients). To reduce friction and prevent leakage between the stopper and barrel, short chain polymer of liquid PDMS is also used as lubricant. Consequently, an injection process can release solid PDMS debris from the stopper and barrel, and liquid PDMS droplets from the lubricant, both of which are confirmed herein as solid and liquid micro(nano)plastics. From molecular spectrum perspective to directly visualise those micro(nano)plastics, Raman imaging was employed to analyse hundreds-to-thousands of spectra (hyper spectrum or hyperspectral matrix) and significantly enhance signal-to-noise ratio. From morphology perspective to provide high resolution of image, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was engaged to cross-check with Raman images and increase assignment / quantification certainty. The weak Raman imaging signal of nanoplastics was extracted using image deconvolution algorithm to remove the background noise and average the signal variation. To increase the result's representativeness and avoid quantification bias, multiple syringes were tested and multiple areas were randomly scanned toward statistical results. It was estimated that thousands of microplastics and millions of nanoplastics of solid/liquid PDMS might be injected when using a plastic syringe of 1 mL. Overall, Raman imaging (along with algorithm and SEM) can be helpful for further research on micro(nano)plastics, and it should be cautious to use plastic syringe due to the increasing concern on the emerging contamination of not only solid but also liquid micro(nano)plastics. [Display omitted] • Thousands-to-millions of micro(nano)plastics might be injected via a plastic syringe. • Not only solid but also liquid PDMS micro(nano)plastics are injected. • Raman imaging directly visualises micro(nano)plastics towards qualification. • Weak signal of nanoplastics is extracted by algorithms. • Randomly scanning multiple areas can increase the result representativeness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steel structures are not only subjected to the threaten of single hazard (e.g., earthquake), but also suffers from the coupling environmental effect such as corrosion throughout the entire service life cycle. This study explores the seismic performance of steel beam-to-column connections after corrosion. Accelerated corrosion tests were conducted on a series of practical steel beam-to-column connections, and the seismic performances of the specimens before and after corrosion were compared. A modeling method of corroded steel members that considers distribution randomness of corrosion depth was proposed. Finally, the proposed method is applied to conduct time-dependent seismic performance prediction of corroded beam-to-column connections. The results show that corrosion mainly influences the buckling and post buckling behaviors of steel beam-to-column connections. Due to earlier appearance of local buckling, more evident stiffness degradation is observed for the corroded specimen. Corrosion also induces performance degradation of the panel zone. For the corroded specimen with cover plate, multiple small cracks initiate at the junction between the cover plate and beam flange, and fracture damage is more likely to happen for the beam-to-column connections after corrosion. Both yield and ultimate load-carrying capacities of the connections decrease linearly with the increase of accelerated corrosion time, and the load-carrying capacity deterioration rate of the cover plate strengthened connection is quicker than that of the un-strengthened connection. The initial stiffness approximately degrades linearly with the increase of corrosion time. Corrosion degree also influences the energy dissipation capability of the beam-to-column connections, especially after the occurrence of local buckling. • Accelerated corrosion tests were conducted on a series of practical steel beam-to-column connections. • Seismic performances of the specimens before and after corrosion were compared. • A modeling method of corroded steel members that considers distribution randomness of corrosion depth was proposed. • Corrosion mainly influences the buckling and post buckling behaviors of steel beam-to-column connections. • More evident stiffness degradation is observed for the corroded specimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To obtain a high-performance Ni-Co-WC nanocomposite coating on 45# steel, this work proposed a novel ultrasonic vibration-assisted scanning jet electrodeposition and used the range of WC nanoparticles concentration (3-12 g/L) in the electrolyte as the key variable in this study. Through harmonic response analysis, a 31 kHz frequency ultrasonic transducer was selected as the vibration source to achieve better vibration effects. The type of current mode that we employed was DC mode. The influence of ultrasonic vibration and the concentration of WC nanoparticles in the electrolyte on the surface morphology, micro-texture, microhardness, adhesion, and corrosion resistance of the nanocomposite coating were investigated by using SEM, XRD, Vickers microhardness tester, scratch tester and electrochemical workstation respectively. Compared to conventional scanning jet electrodeposition, the results indicated that the ultrasonic vibration improved the surface morphology, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance of the coating, with the hardness increased by 15.9 % and the adhesion strength increased by 76.1 % as well as the corrosion current density decreased by 13.0 %. When the WC concentration in the electrolyte was 6 g/L, the Ni-Co-WC nanocomposite coating prepared by ultrasonic vibration-assisted composite scanning jet electrodeposition exhibited the best surface quality and properties. The microhardness of the coating was the highest at 590 HV, the adhesion strength was the largest at 33.4 N and the corrosion current density was as low as 4.104 μA·cm−2. Compared with the WC concentration of 3 g/L, when the WC concentration was 6 g/L, the hardness increased by 7.8 %, the adhesion strength increased by 41.5 % whereas the corrosion current density decreased by 30.6 %. In addition, molecular dynamics simulation was employed to calculate the effect of WC content in the coating on the binding energy between the coating and the substrate. The simulation results confirmed that the adhesive strength between the composite coating and substrate was directly proportional to the WC content in the composite coating. Therefore, this research is of great significance for the protection of offshore platform support structure materials and the improvement of their service life. • A new method of ultrasonic vibration-assisted jet electrodeposition is studied. • The influence of the ultrasonic vibration on the surface morphology is analyzed. • The molecular dynamics simulation was employed to analyze coatings adhesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the concept of microplastic (<5 mm) is well-established, emergence of nanoplastics (<1000 nm) as a new contaminant presents a recent and evolving challenge. The field of nanoplastic research remains in its early stages, and its progress is contingent upon the development of reliable and practical analytical methods, which are currently lacking. This review aims to address the intricacies of nanoplastic analysis by providing a comprehensive overview on the application of advanced imaging techniques, with a particular focus on Raman imaging, for nanoplastic identification and simultaneous visualisation towards quantification. Although Raman imaging via hyper spectrum is a potentially powerful tool to analyse nanoplastics, several challenges should be overcome. The first challenge lies in the weak Raman signal of nanoplastics. To address this, effective sample preparation and signal enhancement techniques can be implemented, such as by analysing the hyper spectrum that contains hundred-to-thousand spectra, rather than a single spectrum. Second challenge is the complexity of Raman hyperspectral matrix with dataset size at megabyte (MB) or even bigger, which can be adopted using different algorithms ranging from image merging to multivariate analysis of chemometrics. Third challenge is the laser size that hinders the visualisation of small nanoplastics due to the laser diffraction (λ/ 2NA, ∼300 nm), which can be solved with involving the use of super-resolution. Signal processing, such as colour off-setting, Gaussian fitting (via deconvolution), and re-focus or image re-construction, are reviewed herein, which show a great promise for breaking through the diffraction limit. Overall, current studies along with further validation are imperative to refine these approaches and enhance the reliability, not only for nanoplastics research but also for broader investigations in the realm of nanomaterials. [Display omitted] • Unique characteristics of nanoplastics complicate extraction and detection. • Combining microscopy and spectroscopy is recommended for nanoplastic analysis. • Raman imaging is a promising method for reliable characterisation of nanoplastics. • Several algorithms are useful in converting a hyperspectral matrix to an image. • Image re-construction via Gaussian fitting helps break through diffraction limit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]