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Abstract Quasi-phase matching (QPM) is a technique extensively utilized in nonlinear optics for enhancing the efficiency and stability of frequency conversion processes. However, the conventional QPM relies on periodically poled ferroelectric crystals, which are limited in availability. The 3R phase of molybdenum disulfide (3R-MoS2), a transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDc) with the broken inversion symmetry, stands out as a promising candidate for QPM, enabling efficient nonlinear process. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the QPM at nanoscale, utilizing van der Waals stacking of 3R-MoS2 layers with specific orientation to realize second harmonic generation (SHG) enhancement beyond the non QPM limit. We have also demonstrated enhanced spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) via QPM of 3R-MoS2 homo-structure, enabling more efficient generation of entangled photon pairs. The tunable capacity of 3R-MoS2 van der Waals stacking provides a platform for tuning phase-matching condition. This technique opens interesting possibilities for potential applications in nonlinear process and quantum technology.

Abstract Due to the use of multi winding high-frequency isolation transformers in the three port isolated bidirectional DC–DC converter to achieve port isolation and power transmission, there is a power coupling problem between each port. This article proposes a Model Prediction Control (MPC) strategy to address this issue. Considering the control objectives for each port of the Triple Active Bridge (TAB) DC–DC converter, a discrete predictive model of the TAB converter is established based on phase-shifting modulation and average model. The MPC problem is solved optimally and a predictive controller is designed with control accuracy to achieve decoupling control effect between each port. And the traditional single voltage closed-loop control, diagonal matrix decoupling control, and model predictive control proposed in this paper are compared through simulation. Finally, a TAB converter experimental platform is built based on the DSP control chip TMS320F28335. The experimental results are verified the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method, as well as its faster dynamic characteristics and power decoupling ability between each port.

To accurately assess the carbon emissions associated with assembled steel structure office buildings, this study develops a comprehensive life cycle carbon emission calculation. Utilizing advanced tools such as Autodesk Revit, Tekla Structures, and DeST-C, the model offers a detailed methodology for calculating emissions. This approach adheres to the guidelines set forth in the “Standard for the Calculation of Carbon Emission from Buildings” (GB/T 51366—2019). By applying this model to the Wuxi CEC PARK case study, the research quantifies the carbon footprint of such structures and compares these findings with those of assembled precast concrete structures and cast-in-place steel–concrete structures. The model encompasses all six stages of a building’s life cycle: material preparation and component production, logistics, operation and maintenance, renovation and reuse, and finally, dismantling and recycling. This comprehensive scope ensures that the model captures the carbon emissions linked to every aspect of “human, machine and material” interactions throughout the building’s life cycle. The accuracy of the calculation results is thus guaranteed. Specifically, the analysis highlights the carbon emission factors from steel structure components within the context of Wuxi CEC PARK. The results show that the average annual carbon emission intensity for the building is 59.47 kg·m−2·a−1. This figure is approximately 5.46 kg·m−2·a−1 and 13.59 kg·m−2·a−1 lower than that of the assembled PC structure and the cast-in-place steel–concrete structure, respectively. These results underscore the beneficial impact of assembled steel structures in reducing carbon emissions. The operation stage is the largest contributor to carbon emissions, accounting for 58.79% of the total. This is followed by carbon emissions from material preparation and component production, which represent 29.58%. The study finds a negative carbon emission value of −3295.27 t in the dismantling and reuse phase, indicating a significant reduction in emissions in this phase of the building’s life cycle. Additionally, the incorporation of renewable energy sources and plant carbon sinks into the building’s design further offsets carbon emissions, contributing an additional reduction of 389.33 t. The method proposed in this paper addresses the gap in existing methodologies for full life cycle carbon emission calculations for assembled steel structure office buildings. It provides a solid foundation for such buildings, promoting the adoption of assembled steel structure office buildings. It lays a foundational framework for assessing the carbon reduction potential of these structures, thereby facilitating their wider adoption within the construction industry. It provides a reference for future research on the prediction of carbon emissions for similar office buildings and advancing carbon reduction initiatives in the construction industry.

Abstract Background Topoisomerase II α(TOP2A) is usually highly expressed in rapidly proliferating cells, and its expression is regulated by cell cycle. The relationship between TOP2A and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) needs further study. Methods TOP2A immunoreactivity was analyzed using immunohistochemical (IHC) staining analysis in specimens from 20 OSCC patients. Based on the high-throughput sequencing and gene microarray database, the expression of TOP2A mRNA in OSCC was calculated and its ability to identify OSCC tissues was evaluated by diagnostic analysis. CRISPR screen was used to select the genes necessary for OSCC cell growth, and the gene set was analyzed for function enrichment. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis was conducted to evaluate the expression level of TOP2A mRNA in OSCC cells. Results Compared with normal oral tissues, the expression of TOP2A protein was up-regulated in OSCC tissues. A total of 1240 OSCC and 428 non-OSCC oral tissue samples were included based on high-throughput dataset retrieval, and it was confirmed that TOP2A mRNA was highly expressed in OSCC tissues [SMD = 1.51 (95% CI 0.94–2.07), sROC AUC = 0.96 (95% CI 0.94–0.98)]. As an essential gene for OSCC cell growth, single-cell RNA sequencing data also confirmed that TOP2A mRNA expression was up-regulated in OSCC cells. Conclusion The up-regulation of TOP2A may play a pivotal role in OSCC.

Abstract Entangled photon-pair sources are at the core of quantum applications like quantum key distribution, sensing, and imaging. Operation in space-limited and adverse environments such as in satellite-based and mobile communication requires robust entanglement sources with minimal size and weight requirements. Here, we meet this challenge by realizing a cubic micrometer scale entangled photon-pair source in a 3R-stacked transition metal dichalcogenide crystal. Its crystal symmetry enables the generation of polarization-entangled Bell states without additional components and provides tunability by simple control of the pump polarization. Remarkably, generation rate and state tuning are decoupled, leading to equal generation efficiency and no loss of entanglement. Combining transition metal dichalcogenides with monolithic cavities and integrated photonic circuitry or using quasi-phasematching opens the gate towards ultrasmall and scalable quantum devices.

Abstract The accurate prediction of radio wave propagation along highways plays an important role in the design of high‐speed highway communication systems. The open‐confined mixed space is a connection zone between the open space and confined tunnel along the highway. A hybrid propagation model is presented based on ray‐tracing (RT) and waveguide theory, for the efficient modelling of open‐confined mixed space. The proposed model employs RT to predict radio waves emitted by sources with arbitrary radiation patterns in open space sections, and utilises the waveguide theory approach to accelerate the prediction process in the confined tunnel sections. Both two‐ray and six‐ray RT models are included to take into account the suburban and urban environments. Numerical results are compared with simulated results generated by RT as well as experimental measurements. The validity and usefulness of the proposed model are demonstrated in an actual open‐confined mixed space environment.

Abstract Background While body mass index (BMI) defines obesity as a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the paradoxical theory of BMI suggests that obesity may indeed have a favorable impact on the prognosis of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, this study aims to assess the correlation between body shape index (ABSI), which is a novel measure of obesity, and coronary heart disease (CHD) among obese individuals in the United States. Methods The data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were evaluated by us for 5046 patients. We assessed the exposure variable ABSI, which includes waist circumference (WC), height, and BMI. The outcome variable was CHD. Results The cross-sectional study included a total of 5046 obese adults aged over 20 years, with an average age (standard deviation: SD) of 49.86 (16.24) years and a male proportion of 44.57%.The odds ratio (OR) values for CHD in Model 1, Model 2, 3 were found to be 2.45 (95%CI: 2.12, 2.83), 1.53 (95%CI:1.30, 1.81) and 1.31 (95%CI:1.09, 1.56) per SD increase in ABSI, respectively. In the fully adjusted model, we designated participants in the T1 group as the reference group. Our findings indicate a significant increase in the prevalence of CHD (OR:1.82, 95%CI: 1.07–3.10) only within the T3 group. Although there is an increased prevalence of CHD (OR:1.32, 95%CI: 0.77–2.29) in the T2 group, no statistically significant difference was observed. Conclusions The increase in ABSI is strongly associated with the rise in CHD prevalence among obese individuals in the United States.

Abstract The metastasis-associated protein (MTA) family plays a crucial role in the development of breast cancer, a common malignancy with a high incidence rate among women. However, the mechanism by which each member of the MTA family contributes to breast cancer progression is poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate the roles of MTA1, MTA3, and tripartite motif-containing 21 (TRIM21) in the proliferation, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and stem cell-like properties of breast cancer cells in vivo and in vitro. The molecular mechanisms of the feedback loop between MTA1 and MTA3/TRIM21 regulated by estrogen were explored using Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), luciferase reporter, immunoprecipitation (IP), and ubiquitination assays. These findings demonstrated that MTA1 acts as a driver to promote the progression of breast cancer by repressing the transcription of tumor suppressor genes, including TRIM21 and MTA3. Conversely, MTA3 inhibited MTA1 transcription and TRIM21 regulated MTA1 protein stability in breast cancer. Estrogen disrupted the balance between MTA1 and MTA3, as well as between MTA1 and TRIM21, thereby affecting stemness and the EMT processes in breast cancer. These findings suggest that MTA1 plays a vital role in stem cell fate and the hierarchical regulatory network of EMT through negative feedback loops with MTA3 or TRIM21 in response to estrogen, supporting MTA1, MTA3, and TRIM21 as potential prognostic biomarkers and MTA1 as a treatment target for future breast cancer therapies.

Abstract Background Ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma, accounting for about 90% of ovarian cancers, is frequently diagnosed at advanced stages, leading to suboptimal treatment outcomes. Given the malignant nature of the disease, effective biomarkers for accurate prediction and personalized treatment remain an urgent clinical need. Methods In this study, we analyzed the microbial contents of 453 ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma and 68 adjacent non-cancerous samples. A univariate Cox regression model was used to identify microorganisms significantly associated with survival and a prognostic risk score model constructed using LASSO Cox regression analysis. Patients were subsequently categorized into high-risk and low-risk groups based on their risk scores. Results Survival analysis revealed that patients in the low-risk group had a higher overall survival rate. A nomogram was constructed for easy visualization of the prognostic model. Analysis of immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint gene expression in both groups showed that both parameters were positively correlated with the risk level, indicating an increased immune response in higher risk groups. Conclusion Our findings suggest that microbial profiles in ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma may serve as viable clinical prognostic indicators. This study provides novel insights into the potential impact of intratumoral microbial communities on disease prognosis and opens avenues for future therapeutic interventions targeting these microorganisms.

In an effort to provide a theoretical basis and data reference for the efficient processing and utilization of peanuts, changes in the moisture content, browning degree, particle texture parameters, water state and distribution, and protein denaturation degree of peanuts before and after microwave pretreatment were investigated, as well as the effect of microwave pretreatment on the yield of screw-pressed peanut oil. The results were compared with those obtained using vacuum oven drying. Meanwhile, for each pretreatment, the Pearson correlation between oil yield and moisture content, browning index (BI), particle texture parameters, water state, and protein denaturation degree was determined. The results showed that after microwave treatment for 7 min at 900 W or vacuum oven treatment at 85 ℃ for 89 min, the moisture content of peanuts decreased from 5.25% to 2.27%, with the highest oil yields of 45.85% and 45.76% being obtained, respectively. Under these conditions, the shear stress formed between peanuts and the oil press was moderate, peanuts were fully squeezed and deformed, with a large amount of oil flowing out, and peanuts had the best plasticity, the most ideal moisture state and a moderate degree of protein denaturation, so that not only a large amount of oil flowed out, but also peanuts were not easily broken, thus not affecting the formation of peanut cake.

In the field of time series classification, deep learning techniques have shown remarkable performance; however, their effectiveness is often compromised when confronted with challenges of insufficient data and class imbalance. To address this challenge, we propose an interpretable time series data augmentation algorithm integrating variational autoencoders (VAE) and metric learning. The core contribution of this algorithm is manifested in three aspects: First, it eliminates the heteroscedasticity and non-stationarity of the data, ensuring that the data satisfies the hypothesis of normal distribution in the potential space of the encoder, and effectively avoids the approximation error of the real data distribution; Secondly, the algorithm constructs a discriminant VAE potential space, suitable for data augmentation, with metric learning, ensuring that the hidden variable distribution accurately reflects the characteristics of the original data. Finally, this paper explores the multi-seasonal decomposition algorithm of time series to seamlessly integrate the structural features of the original time series in the generated data, thereby enhancing the interpretability of data generation. Through experimental verification on four multivariate time series data sets, including the electrical energy data set, the results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms existing methods in fidelity and prediction performance, exhibiting high stability and generalization ability, particularly in cases of limited data volume. The introduction of this algorithm not only contributes to enhancing the overall performance of time series classification models but also substantially reduces the cost of data collection and labeling, thereby demonstrating its significant value in practical applications.

BackgroundHypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic disorder characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy that can lead to heart failure, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. Despite extensive research, the molecular mechanisms underlying HCM are not fully understood, and effective treatments remain limited. By leveraging bioinformatics and experimental validation, this study aims to identify key genes and pathways involved in HCM, uncover novel drug candidates, and provide new insights into its pathogenesis and potential therapeutic strategies.MethodsCommonly upregulated and downregulated genes in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) were identified using Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets, including three mRNA profiling datasets and one miRNA expression dataset. Enrichment analysis and hub-gene exploration were performed using interaction networks and consistent miRNA-mRNA matches. Potential drugs for HCM were screened. HCM cellular and animal models were established using isoproterenol. Key unstudied differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were validated. Animals were treated with novel potential drugs, and improvements in HCM were assessed via ultrasound metrics. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used to assess myocardial fibrosis. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect DEGs in cellular experiments.ResultWe discovered 145 key upregulated and 149 downregulated DEGs associated with HCM development, among which there are eight core upregulated and seven core downregulated genes. There are 30 upregulated and six downregulated miRNAs. Between the six downregulated miRNAs and 1291 matched miRNAs (against eight core upregulated DEGs), there is one common miRNA, miR-1469. Using the CTD database, drugs that impact the expression/abundance/methylation/metabolic process of core DEGs (after the exclusion of toxic drugs) included acetaminophen, propylthiouracil, methapyrilene, triptolide, tretinoin, etc. In the HCM cell model, only ATRNL1 and WNT9A were significantly increased. In the HCM animal model, propylthiouracil, miR-1469, and triptolide demonstrated varying degrees of therapeutic effects on HCM. Propylthiouracil, but not miR-1469 or triptolide, significantly inhibited the expression of ATRNL1 in the HCM model, and all three drugs suppressed WNT9A expression.ConclusionWe identified several novel genes in HCM development, among which ATRNL1 and WNT9A were validated by cell and animal models. A deficiency of hsa-miR-1469 may be a mechanism behind HCM development. Novel medications for HCM treatment include propylthiouracil and triptolide.

The intricate interplay between the human oral microbiome and systemic health is increasingly being recognized, particularly in the context of central nervous system pathologies such as glioblastoma. In this study, we aimed to elucidate gender-specific differences in the salivary microbiome of glioma patients by utilizing 16S rRNA sequencing data from publicly available salivary microbiome datasets. We conducted comprehensive bioinformatics analysis, encompassing quality control, noise reduction, species classification, and microbial community composition analysis at various taxonomic levels. Machine learning algorithms were employed to identify microbial signatures associated with glioma. When compared to healthy controls, our analysis revealed distinct differences in the salivary microbiota of glioma patients. Notably, the genera Leptotrichia and Atopobium exhibited significant variations in abundance between genders. Leptotrichia was prevalent in healthy females but exhibited a reduced abundance in female glioma patients. In contrast, Atopobium was more abundant in male glioma patients. These findings suggest that hormonal influences might play a role in shaping the salivary microbiome and its association with glioma. We utilized a combination of LASSO-logistic regression and random forest models for feature selection, and identified key microbial features that differentiated glioma patients from healthy controls. We developed a diagnostic model with high predictive accuracy and area under the curve and principal component analysis metrics confirmed its robustness. The analysis of microbial markers, including Atopobium and Leptotrichia, highlighted the potential of the salivary microbiota as a non-invasive biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of glioma. Our findings highlight significant gender-specific disparities in the salivary microbiome of patients with glioma, offering new insights into the pathogenesis of glioma and paving the way for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. The use of saliva as a diagnostic fluid, given its ease of collection and non-invasive nature, holds immense promise for monitoring systemic health and the trajectory of disease. Future research should focus on investigating the underlying mechanisms by which the salivary microbiome influences the development of glioma and identifying potential microbiome-targeted therapies to enhance the management of glioma.

Based on multi-source observation data and ERA5 reanalysis data， the characteristics of accompanying Atmospheric Rivers （ARs） in the Guangxi warm-sector torrential rain cases during the summer of 2010-2022 （June-August） are statistically analyzed.And the typical warm-sector torrential rain process under the background of ARs in Guangxi occurred in 2 -4 June 2022 are analyzed from the perspectives of thermal and dynamic based on the diagnosis of wave activity flux， horizontal frontogenesis and adiabatic heating.The results showed that： （1） Most warm-sector torrential rain cases are accompanied by ARs.When the ARs pass through Guangxi and remain below 1000 kg·m-1·s-1， the increase of ARs intensity is conducive to the warm-sector torrential rain.In most cases， the ARs are in the direction of southwest to northeast， and the direction angle are between 15° and 65° when ARs pass Guangxi.（2） During the typical warm-sector torrential rain process， the East Siberian blocking and the Northeast cold vortex are extremely active， resulting in the suppression of the Western Pacific Subtropical High （WPSH） and its southerly position which keep the ARs maintain in the Bay of Bengal， South China Sea， South China and north tropical Pacific， providing sufficient water vapor for the occurrence and development of warm-sector torrential rain.The increase of the pressure gradient caused by the maintenance of the WPSH and the eastward movement of the vortex， the acceleration of the monsoon flow at night jointly strengthen the local ARs.（3） The enhancement of ARs at night promotes the local water vapor convergence and vertical transport， cause the wet layer thickened and atmospheric precipitable water increase continuously， which is conducive to the increase of precipitation efficiency.At the same time， the continuous warm and moist transport is conducive to the establishment and maintenance of unstable stratification in the lower level， and the convective unstable structure runs through the whole precipitation process.（4） The convergent uplift and lateral friction of mountain topography promote the upward movement and vertical vorticity development， which， on the one hand， is conducive to the uplift of the warm and moist air accumulated in the front of the mountain triggering convection.On the other hand， it is conducive to the maintenance of convective system and cause more water vapor to condense into rain.In addition， the continuous frontogenesis forcing caused by the accumulation of warm and moist air is also conducive to the maintenance and intensification of precipitation.（5） The strong upward movement under the influence of ARs causes a large amount of water vapor to condense continuously and release latent heat which in turn strengthens the upward movement.The convection continues to develop and strengthen under this positive feedback mechanism.

The liquid lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) has distinct thermal and physical properties that challenge the effectiveness of traditional RANS turbulence models and turbulent Prandtl number (Prt) models for accurately simulating its flow and heat transfer characteristics. This study aims to investigate numerical simulation models of LBE based on existing experimental data. Simulations are conducted using different combinations of three turbulence models and four Prt models, and comparisons are made with experimental data. The local and overall heat transfer characteristics of LBE are analyzed, and the applicability of each model combination is evaluated. Results indicate that for simulating local heat transfer characteristics, the SST k-ω turbulence model combined with the Prt model proposed by Cheng et al. yields the highest accuracy. Additionally, the empirical correlation for heat transfer proposed by Kutateladze provides the best prediction of the local Nusselt number. For overall heat transfer characteristics, the combination of the SST k-ω turbulence model and the Prt model introduced by Reynolds et al. demonstrates the highest accuracy and applicability. This investigation might offer a pivotal benchmark for the discernment of appropriate computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models for liquid metal breeder reactor (LMBR) applications utilizing lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) as coolant.

Background: The neoantigen vaccine has remarkable potential in treating advanced cancer due to its tumor specificity and ability to bypass central tolerance mechanisms. However, numerous neoantigens show poor immunogenicity, and the immune inhibitory factors of present in both tumors and tumor-draining lymph nodes impair the efficacy of cancer neoantigen vaccine. Eliminating immunosuppressive cells will improve the priming and expansion of anti-tumor immune cells induced by the vaccine. Methods: In this study, a Treg-depleting regimen (consisting of CD25mAb and low-dose cyclophosphamide (LD-CTX)) was used in conjunction with a neoantigen vaccine for treating mice with solid tumors. We constructed two types of tumor models and investigated differences in therapy efficacy in the four groups (PBS, vaccine, CD25mAb+CTX and combination) at the genetic and protein levels. ELISPOT and TCR sequencing were applied to detect the expansion of neoantigen reactive T cells (NRT) and tumor antigen spreading. Results: In the combinational group, the ELISPOT results showed an obvious expansion of NRT cells induced by weak immunogenic peptides. The combinational group exhibited significant improvement in inhibiting the tumor growth extended the survival time of tumor-bearing mice, and promoted T cells infiltration into tumors. Besides, compared to the Vac group, more neoantigen-targeted and TAA-targeted T cells were detected in the combinational group by TCR sequencing. The results of transcriptomic sequencing and flow cytometry showed that the number of Tregs in the combinational group was lower, while the proportions of memory effector T cells and effector T cells were higher than those in the vaccine group. An increase in mature DCs was also observed in vaccinated mice after receiving this Treg-depleting strategy. Conclusion: Our research first revealed that inhibiting the normal function of Tregs transformed “weaker” neoantigens into “stronger” ones, while also contributing to the proliferation of NRT cells. This Treg-depleting strategy allowed neoantigens with poor immunogenicity to elicit a robust immune response, thereby augmenting the efficacy of the neoantigen vaccine in delaying tumor growth and prolonging the survival of the hosts.

This paper explores the grain-size composition effect on flexural and micro-structural features of fiber reinforced cementitious tail-rock fill (FRCTRF). The FRCTRF mixes considered contained a stationary solid concentration of 70 wt% and a cement/tail rate of 1:6, and were cured for an age of 7-day for strength tests and microstructure. Three-point bending test shows that FRCTRF’s bending property is upgraded by totaling gravel rock. Adding fiber to FRCTRF’s bottom can enhance its peak deflection. With rising gravel particle size/dosage, FRCTRF’s peak deflection displays a trend of falling first and then growing. Accumulating polypropylene fiber could advance FRCTRF’s post-peak strength features as well. FRCTRF sample containing gravel has a large stress drop, and adding gravel rock could essentially boost FRCTRF’s post-peak brittle-ability. In conclusion, this study provides a strong scientific and theoretical underpinning for optimizing artificial false roofs employed recently in modern underground metalliferous mining operations.

BackgroundCancers arise from genetic and epigenetic abnormalities that affect oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, compounded by gene mutations. The N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification, regulated by methylation regulators, has been implicated in tumor proliferation, differentiation, tumorigenesis, invasion, and metastasis. However, the role of m6A modification patterns in the tumor microenvironment of gastric cancer (GC) remains poorly understood.Materials and methodsIn this study, we analyzed m6A modification patterns in 267 GC samples utilizing 31 m6A regulators. Using consensus clustering, we identified two unique subgroups of GC. Patients with GC were segregated into high- and low-infiltration cohorts to evaluate the infiltration proportions of the five prognostically significant immune cell types. Leveraging the differential genes in GC, we identified a “green” module via Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis. A risk prediction model was established using the LASSO regression method.ResultsThe “green” module was connected to both the m6A RNA methylation cluster and immune infiltration patterns. Based on “Module Membership” and “Gene Significance”, 37 hub genes were identified, and a risk prediction model incorporating nine hub genes was established. Furthermore, methylated RNA immunoprecipitation and RNA Immunoprecipitation assays revealed that YTHDF1 elevated the expression of DNMT3B, which synergistically promoted the initiation and development of GC. We elucidated the molecular mechanism underlying the regulation of DNMT3B by YTHDF1 and explored the crosstalk between m6A and 5mC modification.Conclusionm6A RNA methylation regulators are instrumental in malignant progression and the dynamics of tumor microenvironment infiltration of GC. Assessing m6A modification patterns and tumor microenvironment infiltration characteristics in patients with GC holds promise as a valuable prognostic biomarker.

IntroductionSalinity and droughts are severe abiotic stress factors that limit plant growth and development. However, the differences and similarities of non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) responses patterns of trees under the two stress conditions remain unclear.MethodsWe determined and compared the growth, physiology, and NSCs response patterns and tested the relationships between growth and NSCs concentrations (or pool size) of Eucommia ulmoides seedlings planted in field under drought and salt stress with different intensities and durations.Results and discussionWe found that drought and salt stress can inhibit the growth of E. ulmoides, and E. ulmoides tended to enhance its stress resistance by increasing proline concentration and leaf thickness or density but decreasing investment in belowground biomass in short-term stress. During short-term drought and salt stress, the aboveground organs showed different NSCs response characteristics, while belowground organs showed similar change characteristics: the starch (ST) and NSCs concentrations in the coarse roots decreased, while the ST and soluble sugar (SS) concentrations in the fine roots increased to enhance stress resistance and maintain water absorption function. As salt and drought stress prolonged, the belowground organs represented different NSCs response patterns: the concentrations of ST and SS in fine roots decreased as salt stress prolonged; while ST in fine roots could still be converted into SS to maintain water absorption as drought prolonged, resulting in an increase of SS and a decrease of ST. Significant positive relationships were found between growth and the SS and total NSCs concentrations in leaves and branches, however, no significant correlations were found between growth and below-ground organs. Moreover, relationships between growth and NSCs pool size across organs could be contrast.ConclusionOur results provide important insights into the mechanisms of carbon balance and carbon starvation and the relationship between tree growth and carbon storage under stress, which were of great significance in guiding for the management of artificial forest ecosystem under the context of global change.

Abstract With the rapid development of wireless communication systems, particularly in the era of 5G and the Internet of Things, deploying wireless communication networks in indoor environments has become crucial. Indoor infrastructure deployment necessitates innovative approaches for efficiently and accurately obtaining received signal strength (RSS) maps. However, traditional methods for acquiring RSS maps, such as empirical and deterministic models, are limited by significant inaccuracies and high computational demands. Empirical models often fail to capture the complex dynamics of indoor environments, resulting in deviations from actual signal behaviours. On the other hand, deterministic models, while more accurate, are computationally intensive due to their reliance on detailed physical modelling of wave propagation. This study introduces a machine learning approach based on deep convolutional generative adversarial networks (DCGAN) aimed at reconstructing indoor RSS maps with minimal RSS measurements. By leveraging DCGAN's generative and adversarial training capabilities, the method not only surpasses traditional interpolation methods in efficiency and precision but also offers new possibilities for the rapid deployment and optimization of wireless communication systems in indoor environments.

Small intestinal lipomatosis is a rare condition that presents a diagnostic challenge due to the absence of identifiable clinical symptoms and limitations of small intestine examination methods. Consequently, preoperative diagnosis is difficult and only a limited number of cases have been documented in the scientific literature. Here, we report a rare case of volvulus caused by small intestinal lipomatosis. A 58-year-old female patient was tentatively diagnosed with acute ileus. The whirl sign was detected using abdominal three-dimensional enhanced computed tomography, along with marked local intestinal dilation and multiple irregular fat-like containing lesions. During surgery, abnormal dilation of the small intestine between 80 and 220 cm from the ileocecal valve was detected and the affected intestine displayed a folded and twisted configuration. Examination of the resected intestine showed that the inner wall of the diseased intestinal lumen was covered with more than 100 lipomas of different sizes, the largest of which measured ~8.0 cm in diameter. Based on clinical symptoms alone, it was difficult to identify the cause of intestinal volvulus before surgery. Complete resection of the affected small intestine and subsequent pathological analysis yielded a definitive diagnosis of small intestinal lipomatosis. While small intestinal lipomatosis is a rare condition, prognosis is favorable if diagnosed early and treated appropriately. The application of three-dimensional enhanced computed tomography imaging can aid in accurate diagnosis, while complete resection of the affected small intestine is crucial to improve patient prognosis.

Abstract Radio wave propagation modelling in railway environments is of fundamental importance in designing reliable train communication systems. Parabolic equation (PE) methods have been widely applied to the modelling of wave propagation in tunnels due to their high computational efficiency and fidelity. The finite‐difference parabolic equation (FDPE) and the split‐step parabolic equation (SSPE) methods are two commonly used approaches to solve PE numerically. However, the relevant literature is still missing a comprehensive study of their performance, including the selection of parameters such as discretisation steps and the tradeoffs involved in terms of their accuracy and efficiency, especially as current wireless systems shift to high frequencies. In this study, a systematic analysis of the error and computational complexity of the FDPE and SSPE methods for radio wave propagation modelling in tunnels is provided. Guidelines for the choice of their parameters are provided, and their performance is demonstrated through both numerical examples and experimental measurements in actual tunnel cases.

Abstract Triglyceride glucose index (TyG) and waist circumstance have been well documented to be highly correlated with hypertension. However, the joint effect of waist circumstance and TyG on the risk of hypertension is unknown in middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between TyG and the risk of new-onset hypertension in middle-aged and elderly Chinese individuals with different waist circumstances. The multicentred prospective cohort study was conducted in 28 provinces of China including a total of 5865 eligible participants aged ≥ 45 years old. Cox regression was performed to examine the relationship of TyG index and hypertension with adjustments for the pertinent variables. Besides, the relationship was explored in different groups on the basis of waist circumstance. There was no significant correlation between TyG index and new-onset hypertension after adjustment for pertinent variables (hazards ratio [HR]: 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.80–1.24). When the association was explored in different waist circumstance groups, multivariate cox regression analyses revealed that TyG was an independent factor positively associated with the risk of hypertension in central obesity prophase group (HR: 1.57; 95% CI 1.13–2.16). Among individuals with central obesity, relative to population with lower TyG (Q1: 4.96–8.18), people who had higher TyG (Q3: 8.52–8.95; Q4: 8.95–12.14) were associated with significantly lower HR for hypertension. There was no conspicuous correlation between TyG index with new-onset hypertension in normal waist circumstance (HR: 1.05; 95% CI 0.84–1.30). The research demonstrated the positive relationship of TyG with risk of hypertension among individuals with central obesity prophase, negative relationship of TyG with hypertension among population with central obesity and inconspicuous correlation of TyG with hypertension among individuals with normal waist. In conclusion, the study findings supported the combined effects of TyG index and waist circumference in predicting hypertension in middle-aged and elderly Chinese individuals.

Enterprise data resource sharing is an effective means to promote enterprise collaboration, help the government make scientific and effective decisions, and facilitate the development of the digital innovation ecosystem. In order to accurately analyze the enterprise data resource sharing strategies of digital platform enterprises, cooperative enterprises, and the government and the impact of government incentives on sharing, taking the digital innovation ecosystem as the background, three decision-making models of Nash non-cooperation, Stackelberg, and collaborative cooperation are constructed by using the differential game method. Their equilibrium results are obtained, analyzed comparatively, and simulated numerically. The conclusions are as follows: 1) Under the three strategy options, the data resource sharing effort level is positively correlated with the data resource sharing capability coefficient, the influence coefficient of effort level on the digital innovation ecosystem, the digital technology level coefficient of digital platform enterprises, and negatively correlated with the cost coefficient of data resource sharing and the elimination rate of shared data resources. 2) Government incentives for data resource sharing can raise the data resource sharing effort level by digital platform enterprises and cooperative enterprises and enhance the optimal benefits for all three parties and the system. 3) In the collaborative game, the optimal benefits of the three parties and the system are maximized, and a reasonable benefit distribution coefficient is determined to achieve Pareto optimality. Finally, some suggestions and strategies are provided to promote enterprise data resource sharing and government incentives.

In 2022, Guangxi experienced the strongest Dragon Boat Precipitation since the founding of the People's Republic of China. The persistent rainstorm process from 17 June to 22 June 2022 had large accumulations and overlapping falling areas, leading to floods, torrential floods, landslides, and other disasters. The impacts of the low-level jet and its characteristics during this process were analyzed based on multi-source observation data and ERA5 reanalysis data. The results show that: (1) The low-level jet enhanced significantly during the night, and the convective system developed on the north side of the jet core. During the daytime, the low-level jet weakened and the convective system gradually disappeared, resulting in the heavy precipitation being mainly concentrated during the night. (2) During the night, the positive vorticity zone on the left of the 850 hPa low-level jet coincided with the exit zone of the 925 hPa boundary-level jet in the northeast of Guangxi, which combined with the mountain terrain barrier, and caused deep low-level convergence. The low-level convergence was conducive to the enhancement of the upward movement in northeast Guangxi and favored the continuous development of the convective system. At the same time, the convective instability in the lower atmosphere also increased rapidly, which provided a favorable unstable stratification environment for heavy precipitation. (3) The variation of the low-level jet can be well explained by the inertial oscillation mechanism. During the day, the surface heating in the central and southern regions of Guangxi led to the gradual enhancement of turbulent friction, resulting in jet deceleration with the characteristics of sub-geostrophic. During the night, the turbulent friction was weakened, and the jet accelerated, which gradually presented the characteristics of super-geostrophic. The Coriolis force acting on ageostrophic wind was the main contributor to the momentum of the jet, while friction dissipation and vertical transport were the momentum sinks.

This research proposes the utilization of a geopolymer-based blasting sealing material to improve the profitability of coal sales and reduce the rate of coal fragmentation during blasting in open pit mines. The study first focused on optimizing the strength of the sealant material and reducing curing time. This was achieved by regulating the slag doping and sodium silicate solution modulus. The findings demonstrated that increasing slag content and improving the material resulted in an early rise in strength while increasing the modulus of the sodium silicate solution extended the curing time. The slag doping level was fixed at 80 g, and the sodium silicate solution modulus was set at 1.5. To achieve a strength of 3.12 MPa, the water/gel ratio was set at 0.5. The initial setting time was determined to be 33 min, meeting the required field test duration. Secondly, the strength requirements for field implementation were assessed by simulating the action time and force destruction process of the sealing material during blasting using ANSYS/LS-DYNA software. The results indicated that the modified material meets these requirements. Finally, the Shengli Open Pit Coal Mine served as the site for the field test. It was observed that the hole-sealing material’s hydration reaction created a laminated and flocculated gel inside it. This enhanced the density of the modified material. Additionally, the pregelatinized starch, functioning as an organic binder, filled the gaps between the gels, enhancing the cohesion and bonding coefficient of the material. Upon analyzing the post-blasting shooting effect diagram using the Split-Desktop software, it was determined that the utilization of the modified blast hole plugging material resulted in a decrease in the rate of coal fragmentation from 33.2% to 21.1%. This reduction exhibited a minimal error of 1.63% when compared to the field measurement, thereby providing further confirmation of the exceptional plugging capabilities of the modified material. This study significantly contributes to establishing a solid theoretical basis for enhancing the blasting efficiency of open pit mines and, in turn, enhancing their economic advantages.

Cerasus humilis has been widely used as a key ecological improvement plant species in barren lands in Northern China; however, the soil improvement effects of long-term C. humilis planting have rarely been reported. Our study aimed to determine the effects of planting C. humilis after 3, 6, and 10 years on the physicochemical properties and microbial community structures of the rhizosphere soil. pH decreased significantly with increasing time. Organic matter (OM), total phosphorus (TP), available phosphorus (AP), total potassium (TK), and available potassium (AK) increased gradually from 3 to 10 years. Alkaline and total nitrogen increased significantly and peaked at 6 years. Alkaline phosphatase, urease, sucrase, and hydrogen peroxide activities peaked at 6 years and decreased. Significant differences occurred in C. humilis rhizosphere bacterial and fungal community diversity and richness. Ace, Chaol, Shannon, and Simpson indices indicated diversity and richness of bacterial and fungal communities peaked at 3 and 10 years, respectively. Soil physicochemical properties, except pH, were positively significantly correlated with microbial community structure. AK and TK were the main factors for bacteria and fungi, respectively, with time. Increases in C. humilis rhizosphere soil microbial community relative abundance may be attributed to beneficial bacteria (Acidobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria) and fungi (Ascomycota, Mortierellomycota, and Basidiomycota). Physicochemical and soil and microbial community structure properties gradually improved; however, with time, adequate nutritional supplementation was needed to prevent decreased microbial community richness and diversity.

Flexible cages are widely used in marine aquaculture, yet their mechanical features in extreme seas are still unclear. This study proposes a numerical algorithm to solve the coupled response of the multiple cage systems. The net and mooring lines are modeled using the lumped-mass model, while the flexible floating collar system is assessed with the large-deformation FEM model, and the two models are coupled through an iterative scheme. Sea trials are conducted, and the motion of the cage is obtained using an image processing technique, which validates the numerical algorithm. Using the proposed numerical algorithm, a series of simulations are performed to investigate the response of flexible cages in extreme seas. Motions, line tensions, and structural sectional forces are studied, and the effects of factors such as the wavelength of incident waves and the diameter of collar pipes are investigated.

Abstract Background Hypertension is a main contributing factor of cardiovascular diseases; deregulated circular RNAs are involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Herein, we evaluated the function and mechanism of circST6GAL1 in PAH process. Methods Human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (HPASMCs) were cultured in hypoxic environment for functional analysis. The cell counting kit‐8, 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine, wound healing, and flow cytometry assays were used to investigate cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. qRT‐PCR and Western blotting analyses were used for level measurement of genes and proteins. The binding between miR‐509‐5p and circST6GAL1 or multiple C2 and transmembrane domain containing 2 (MCTP2) was analyzed by dual‐luciferase reporter, RNA immunoprecipitation, and pull‐down assays. The monocrotaline (MCT)‐induced PAH mouse models were established for in vivo assay. Results CircST6GAL1 was highly expressed in PAH patients and hypoxia‐induced HPASMCs. Functionally, circST6GAL1 deficiency reversed hypoxia‐induced proliferation and migration, as well as apoptosis arrest in HPASMCs. Mechanistically, circST6GAL1 directly targeted miR‐509‐5p, and MCTP2 was a target of miR‐509‐5p. Rescue assays showed that the regulatory effects of circST6GAL1 deficiency on hypoxia‐induced HPASMCs were abolished. Moreover, forced expression of miR‐509‐5p suppressed HPASMC proliferation and migration and induced cell apoptosis under hypoxia stimulation, while these effects were abolished by MCTP2 overexpression. Moreover, circST6GAL1 silencing improved MCT‐induced pulmonary vascular remodeling and PAH. Conclusion CircST6GAL1 deficiency reversed hypoxia‐induced proliferation and migration, as well as apoptosis arrest in HPASMCs, and alleviated pulmonary vascular remodeling in MCT‐induced PAH mouse models through the miR‐509‐5p/MCTP2 axis, indicating a potential therapeutic target for PAH.

BackgroundCerebrovascular disease, among the most prevalent neurological disorders, poses a substantial threat to human health with its elevated mortality and disability rates, placing considerable strain on healthcare systems. Although several studies in recent years have suggested a potential association between digestive system diseases and cerebrovascular diseases, the findings remain inconsistent.MethodsGenome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data for 12 digestive diseases and cerebrovascular diseases were used to conduct Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. In this investigation, we endeavored to elucidate the causal relationship between digestive system diseases and cerebrovascular diseases. Employing a comprehensive approach, including two-sample MR (TSMR), multivariate MR (MVMR), and two-step MR analysis, we leveraged summary statistics data obtained from published GWAS. The primary analysis method employed was inverse variance weighted (IVW), with MR-Egger and weighted median (WM) as secondary methods. Sensitivity analysis included heterogeneity testing, horizontal multivariate testing, MR-PRESSO, and a “leave-one-out” method. Additionally, the F-statistic was utilized to assess the strength of instrumental variables, ensuring robust results.ResultsIn the TSMR analysis, this study found a significant causal relationship between genetically predicted gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and any stroke (AS), any ischemic stroke (AIS), large-artery atherosclerotic stroke (LAS), intracranial aneurysm (IA), and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). In MVMR analysis, this study found that even after adjusting for systolic blood pressure (SBP), body mass index (BMI) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), the causal relationship remains exist. In the two-step MR mediation analysis, it was found that BMI, SBP and T2D play mediating role in the causal relationship between GERD and cerebrovascular diseases.ConclusionThis study indicates a clear positive causal relationship between GERD and cerebrovascular diseases, and this causal association remains significant even after adjusting for BMI, SBP and T2D. The mediation MR analysis suggests that BMI, SBP and T2D may mediate the causal relationship between GERD and the risk of cerebrovascular diseases.

BackgroundThe microbiota-gut-lung axis has elucidated a potential association between gut microbiota and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, there is a paucity of population-level studies with providing robust evidence for establishing causality. This two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis aimed to investigate the causal relationship between the gut microbiota and IPF as well as lung function.Materials and methodsAdhering to Mendel’s principle of inheritance, this MR analysis utilized summary-level data from respective genome-wide association studies (GWAS) involving 211 gut microbial taxa, IPF, and lung function indicators such as FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC. A bidirectional two-sample MR design was employed, utilizing multiple MR analysis methods, including inverse variance-weighted (IVW), weighted median, MR-Egger, and weighted mode. Multivariable MR (MVMR) was used to uncover mediating factors connecting the exposure and outcome. Additionally, comprehensive sensitivity analyses were conducted to ensure the robustness of the results.ResultsThe MR results confirmed four taxa were found causally associated with the risk of IPF. Order Bifidobacteriales (OR=0.773, 95% CI: 0.610–0.979, p=0.033), Family Bifidobacteriaceae (OR=0.773, 95% CI: 0.610–0.979, p=0.033), and Genus RuminococcaceaeUCG009 (OR=0.793, 95% CI: 0.652–0.965, p=0.020) exerted protective effects on IPF, while Genus Coprococcus2 (OR=1.349, 95% CI: 1.021–1.783, p=0.035) promote the development of IPF. Several taxa were causally associated with lung function, with those in Class Deltaproteobacteria, Order Desulfovibrionales, Family Desulfovibrionaceae, Class Verrucomicrobiae, Order Verrucomicrobiales and Family Verrucomicrobiaceae being the most prominent beneficial microbiota, while those in Family Lachnospiraceae, Genus Oscillospira, and Genus Parasutterella were associated with impaired lung function. As for the reverse analysis, MR results confirmed the effects of FEV1 and FVC on the increased abundance of six taxa (Phylum Actinobacteria, Class Actinobacteria, Order Bifidobacteriales, Family Bifidobacteriaceae, Genus Bifidobacterium, and Genus Ruminiclostridium9) with a boosted level of evidence. MVMR suggested monounsaturated fatty acids, total fatty acids, saturated fatty acids, and ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to total fatty acids as potential mediating factors in the genetic association between gut microbiota and IPF.ConclusionThe current study suggested the casual effects of the specific gut microbes on the risk of IPF and lung function. In turn, lung function also exerted a positive role in some gut microbes. A reasonable dietary intake of lipid substances has a certain protective effect against the occurrence and progression of IPF. This study provides novel insights into the potential role of gut microbiota in IPF and indicates a possible gut microbiota-mediated mechanism for the prevention of IPF.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the best response rate (BRR) as a surrogate for overall survival (OS), using the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST), in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) with fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) combined with molecular targeting and immunotherapy.MethodsThis study enrolled 111 consecutive patients who had complete imaging data. The median age of patients was 58 years (IQR 50.5-65.0). Among the patients, those with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage A, BCLC stage B, and BCLC stage C comprised 6.4%, 19.1%, and 73.6%, respectively. The optimal threshold of BRR can be determined using restricted cubic splines (RCS) and the rank sum statistics of maximum selection. Survival curves of patients in the high rating and low rating groups were plotted. We then used the change-in-estimate (CIE) method to filter out confounders and the inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) to balance confounders between the two groups to assess the robustness of the results.ResultsThe median frequency of the combination treatment regimens administered in the overall population was 3 times (IQR 2.0-3.0). The optimal BRR truncation value calculated was −0.2. Based on this value, 77 patients were categorized as the low rating group and 34 as the high rating group. The differences in the OS between the high and low rating groups were statistically significant (7 months [95%CI 6.0-14.0] vs. 30 months [95%CI 30.0-]; p< 0.001). Using the absolute 10% cut-off value, the CIE method was used to screen out the following confounding factors affecting prognosis: successful conversion surgery, baseline tumor size, BCLC stage, serum total bilirubin level, number of interventional treatments, alpha-fetoprotein level, presence of inferior vena cava tumor thrombus, and partial thrombin activation time. The survival curve was then plotted again using IPTW for confounding factors, and it was found that the low rating group continued to have better OS than the high rating group. Finally, the relationship between BRR and baseline factors was analyzed, and inferior vena cava tumor thrombus and baseline tumor size correlated significantly with BRR.ConclusionsBRR can be used as a surrogate endpoint for OS in unresectable HCC patients undergoing FOLFOX-HAIC in combination with molecular targeting and immunotherapy. Thus, by calculating the BRR, the prognosis of HCC patients after combination therapy can be predicted. Inferior vena cava tumor thrombus and baseline tumor size were closely associated with the BRR.

Nitrobenzene (NB) is one of the major organic pollutants that has seriously endangered human health and the environment even in trace amounts. Therefore, it is of great significance to detect trace NB efficiently and sensitively. Herein, a porphyrinic metal-organic framework (MOF) of Mn-PCN-222 (PCN, porous coordination network) was first synthesized by the coordination between Zr6 cluster and tetrakis (4-carboxyphenyl)-porphyrin-Mn (Ⅲ) (MnTCPPCl) ligand. To regulate its structure and the electrochemical properties, a phenyl group was inserted in each branched chain of TCPP to form the TCBPP organic ligand. Then, we used Zr6 clusters and manganese metalloporphyrin (MnTCBPPCl) to synthesize a new porphyrin-based MOF (Mn-CPM-99, CPM, crystalline porous material). Due to the extended chains of TCPP, the rod-shaped structure of Mn-PCN-222 was switched to concave quadrangular bipyramid of Mn-CPM-99. Mn-CPM-99 exhibited higher porosity, larger specific surface area, better electrochemical performances than those of Mn-PCN-222. By using modular assembly technique, Mn-CPM-99 film was sequentially assembled on the surface of indium-tin-oxide (ITO) to prepare an electrochemical sensor (Mn-CPM-99/ITO). The proposed sensor showed excellent electrochemical reduction of NB and displayed three linear response ranges in the wide concentration ranges. The obtained low limit of detection (LOD, 1.3 nM), high sensitivity and selectivity, and good reproducibility of the sensor for NB detection fully illustrate that Mn-CPM-99 is an excellent candidate for electrochemical sensor interface material. Moreover, the sensor was successfully applied to the detection of NB in lake water and vegetable samples showing satisfactory recovery of 98.9%–101.8%.

Coastal areas face escalating storm surge disasters due to rising sea levels and urban growth, posing greater risks to lives and property. Comprehensive storm surge risk assessment and sensitivity analysis in coastal areas are crucial for effective disaster prevention and mitigation. This research focuses on Huizhou, China, conducting a comparative study of storm surge risk assessment and sensitivity analysis based on an integrated approach, which includes the storm surge inundation numerical model (FVCOM-SWAN), Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) techniques, and Multiple Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods. Ten flood-related risk indicators are selected from the hazard, exposure and vulnerability, the weights of which are evaluated through a comprehensive comparison among Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP), Entropy Weight (EW), AHP-EW, and FAHP-EW methods. High-precision risk level maps are generated subsequently utilizing GIS and RS techniques. Sensitivities of the indicators are analyzed using One-At-A-Time (OAT) and Fourier Amplitude Sensitivity Test (FAST) methods. The proposed storm surge risk assessment framework, the MCDM comparative study and the sensitivity analysis can offer insights for better understanding and management of storm surge risks, and contribute to the standardization and application of storm surge risk assessment.

Endometrial cancer, a leading gynecological malignancy, is profoundly influenced by the uterine microbiota, a key factor in disease prognosis and treatment. Our study underscores the distinct microbial compositions in endometrial cancer compared to adjacent non-cancerous tissues, revealing a dominant presence of p_Actinobacteria in cancerous tissues as opposed to p_Firmicutes in surrounding areas. Through comprehensive analysis, we identified 485 unique microorganisms in cancer tissues, 26 of which correlate with patient prognosis. Employing univariate Cox regression and LASSO regression analyses, we devised a microbial risk scoring model, effectively stratifying patients into high and low-risk categories, thereby providing predictive insights into their overall survival. We further developed a nomogram that incorporates the microbial risk score along with age, grade, and clinical stage, significantly enhancing the accuracy of our clinical prediction model for endometrial cancer. Moreover, our study delves into the differential immune landscapes of high-risk and low-risk patients. The low-risk group displayed a higher prevalence of activated B cells and increased T cell co-stimulation, indicative of a robust immune response. Conversely, high-risk patients showed elevated tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion scores, suggesting less favorable outcomes in immunotherapy. Notably, the efficacy of IPS-CTLA4 and PD1/PD-L1/PD-L2 blockers was substantially higher in the low-risk group, pointing to a more responsive immunotherapeutic approach. In summary, our research elucidates the unique microbial patterns in endometrial cancer and adjacent tissues, and establishes both a microbial risk score model and a clinical prediction nomogram. These findings highlight the potential of uterine microbiota as a biomarker for customizing treatment strategies, enabling precise interventions for high-risk patients while preventing overtreatment in low-risk cases. This study emphasizes the microbiota's role in tailoring immunotherapy, offering a novel perspective in the treatment and prognosis of endometrial cancer. Significantly, our study's expansive sample analysis from the TCGA-UCEC cohort, employing linear discriminant analysis effect size methodology, not only validates but also enhances our understanding of the microbiota's role in endometrial cancer, paving the way for novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in its management.

Abstract Surface coal mining procedures include piercing—blasting—mining and loading—transportation—discharging, blasting link exists due to the poor blasting effect leads to low loading efficiency, blasting dust caused by environmental pollution and other problems. In this paper, from the mechanical characteristics of the water medium, we analyze in detail the transferring effect, transducing effect and bubble pulsation phenomenon of the water medium in the blasting process. The results show that when the blasting medium is water medium, the maximum principal stress is 1.53 times that of air medium; the peak energy transfer can be up to 2.73 times that of air medium. With the help of TrueGrid/LS-DYNA finite element analysis software to simulate the dynamic process of blasting, the study of the maximum principal stresses around the hole, the top of the slope, the foot of the slope on the maximum principal stress changes, the results show that the maximum principal stresses around the hole, the top of the slope, the foot of the slope unit with the increase in the water content is gradually increasing trend. Finally, combined with the actual mine production conditions for blasting field test, water-mediated blasting dust reduction rate of 75%, the use of AHP—fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method of two groups of traditional dry hole blasting and three groups of water-mediated blasting comprehensive evaluation, the results show that the water-mediated blasting scores are higher than the traditional dry hole blasting, proving that the water-mediated blasting has a certain prospect of engineering applications.

Abstract Background Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to play vital roles in the development and progression of cancer. However, their biological significance and functional mechanisms in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are mostly unclear. Methods We performed RNA-sequencing to predict the differential expression of lncRNAs in clinical NSCLC and paired paracancerous lung tissues. To identify lncRNA expression, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used. Using both cell and mouse models, We studied lncRNA AC016727.1’s function in NSCLC growth and metastasis. Western blot assays, dual luciferase reporter assays, and chromatin immunoprecipitation were used to analyze the functional mechanism of lncRNA AC016727.1. Results Our larger NSCLC cohorts validated that the lncRNA AC016727.1 was upregulated in 94 paired NSCLC tissues and correlated with poor survival. Functionally, lncRNA AC016727.1 downregulation inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation, aerobic glycolysis, EMT, and migration, inducing apoptosis. Conversely, upregulated lncRNA AC016727.1 expression exhibited the opposite effect, promoting NSCLC cell survival. Importantly, lncRNA AC016727.1 knockdown inhibited lung cancer growth and slowed the progression of lung metastasis in nude mouse models. Mechanistically, lncRNA AC016727.1 upregulated BACH1 target gene expression by acting as a sponge for miR-98-5p, thereby functioning as a competing endogenous RNA. The function of lncRNA AC016727.1 is mediated by the miR-98-5p/BACH1 axis in NSCLC cells. Meanwhile, the transcription factor HIF-1α can bind to the promoter and activate lncRNA AC016727.1 transcription. lncRNA AC016727.1 regulates HIF-1α expression via BACH1 in NSCLC and forms the lncRNA AC016727.1/BACH1/HIF-1α signaling loop under hypoxic conditions. Conclusion Our study reveals a novel lncRNA AC016727.1/BACH1/HIF-1α signaling loop in the progression of NSCLC under hypoxic conditions, suggesting that lncRNA AC016727.1 could act as a useful biomarker for NSCLC and a new therapeutic target.

Abstract Background In 2022, a global outbreak of monkeypox occurred with a significant shift in its epidemiological characteristics. The monkeypox virus (MPXV) belongs to the B.1 lineage, and its genomic variations that were linked to the outbreak were investigated in this study. Previous studies have suggested that viral genomic variation plays a crucial role in the pathogenicity and transmissibility of viruses. Therefore, understanding the genomic variation of MPXV is crucial for controlling future outbreaks. Methods This study employed bioinformatics and phylogenetic approaches to evaluate the key genomic variation in the B.1 lineage of MPXV. A total of 979 MPXV strains were screened, and 212 representative strains were analyzed to identify specific substitutions in the viral genome. Reference sequences were constructed for each of the 10 lineages based on the most common nucleotide at each site. A total of 49 substitutions were identified, with 23 non-synonymous substitutions. Class I variants, which had significant effects on protein conformation likely to affect viral characteristics, were classified among the non-synonymous substitutions. Results The phylogenetic analysis revealed 10 relatively monophyletic branches. The study identified 49 substitutions specific to the B.1 lineage, with 23 non-synonymous substitutions that were classified into Class I, II, and III variants. The Class I variants were likely responsible for the observed changes in the characteristics of circulating MPXV in 2022. These key mutations, particularly Class I variants, played a crucial role in the pathogenicity and transmissibility of MPXV. Conclusion This study provides an understanding of the genomic variation of MPXV in the B.1 lineage linked to the recent outbreak of monkeypox. The identification of key mutations, particularly Class I variants, sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed changes in the characteristics of circulating MPXV. Further studies can focus on functional domains affected by these mutations, enabling the development of effective control strategies against future monkeypox outbreaks.

Currently, tomato plant lowering is performed manually, which is both inefficient and costly. The manual process presents challenges in terms of efficiency and cost, creating a need for automated solutions in greenhouse environments. This paper addresses this issue by presenting the design and development of a tomato-plant-lowering robot utilizing machine vision and deep learning techniques. The study includes the design of an end effector optimized for plant-lowering operations based on the physical characteristics of tomato vines and roller hooks; precise positioning of roller hooks achieved through kinematic analysis and a custom dataset; integration of the RepC3 module from RT-DETR with YOLOv5s for enhanced object detection and positioning; and real-time camera feed display through an integrated application. Performance evaluation through experimental tests shows improvements in recognition accuracy, positioning precision, and operational efficiency, although the robot’s success rate in leaf removal needs further enhancement. This research provides a solid foundation for future developments in plant-lowering robots and offers practical insights and technical guidance.

Photovoltaic power generation and energy storage technology are current hotspots in the clean energy industry. As a core piece of equipment, an inverter is subjected to higher demands for its voltage regulation range and output performance. A differential boost inverter features a boosting function not found in traditional inverters, effectively widening the input voltage range, with characteristics of a single-stage structure and simple modulation. However, the differential boost inverter faces the issue of high common-mode voltage. Considering that the magnitude of the common-mode voltage changes with different modulation methods, a novel modulation strategy with a flexible common-mode voltage is proposed, which can effectively suppress the common-mode voltage under the same gain without affecting the output power quality. This article first introduces the topology, working principle, and traditional modulation methods of the differential boost inverter. Then, the new modulation strategy is defined, and the gain equation is derived. The new modulation method’s applicable scenarios are discussed and compared to other modulation methods based on the gain curve, concluding that the new method has advantages in terms of common-mode voltage amplitude and power quality under low boost gain. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified through simulation and experiments.

The Surface Waves Investigation and Monitoring instrument (SWIM) provides the directional wave spectrum within the wavelength range of 23–500 m, corresponding to a frequency range of 0.056–0.26 Hz in deep water. This frequency range is narrower than the 0.02–0.485 Hz frequency range of buoys used to validate the SWIM nadir Significant Wave Height (SWH). The modulation transfer function used in the current version of the SWIM data product normalizes the energy of the wave spectrum using the nadir SWH. A discrepancy in the cut-off frequency/wavelength ranges between the nadir and off-nadir beams can lead to an overestimation of off-nadir cut-off SWHs and, consequently, the spectral densities of SWIM wave spectra. This study investigates such errors in SWHs due to the wavelength cut-off effect using buoy data. Results show that this wavelength cut-off error of SWH is small in general thanks to the high-frequency extension of the resolved frequency range. The corresponding high-frequency cut-off errors are systematic errors amenable to statistical correction, and the low-frequency cut-off error can be significant under swell-dominated conditions. By leveraging the properties of these errors, we successfully corrected the high-frequency cut-off SWH error using an artificial neural network and mitigated the low-frequency cut-off SWH error with the help of a numerical wave hindcast. These corrections significantly reduced the error in the estimated cut-off SWH, improving the bias, root-mean-square error, and correlation coefficient from 0.086 m, 0.111 m, and 0.9976 to 0 m, 0.039 m, and 0.9994, respectively.

Abstract Manipulating the tumor immune contexture towards a more active state can result in better therapeutic outcomes. Here we describe an easily accessible bacterial biomineralization-generated immunomodulator, which we name Ausome (Au + [exo]some). Ausome comprises a gold nanoparticle core covered by bacterial components; the former affords an inducible hyperthermia effect, while the latter mobilizes diverse immune responses. Multiple pattern recognition receptors actively participate in Ausome-initiated immune responses, which lead to the release of a broad spectrum of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the activation of effector immune cells. Upon laser irradiation, tumor-accumulated Ausome elicits a hyperthermic response, which improves tissue blood perfusion and contributes to enhanced infiltration of immunostimulatory modules, including cytokines and effector lymphocytes. This immune-modulating strategy mediated by Ausome ultimately brings about a comprehensive immune reaction and selectively amplifies the effects of local antitumor immunity, enhancing the efficacy of well-established chemo- or immuno-therapies in preclinical cancer models in female mice.

Abstract Accurate radio wave prediction models are necessary for the innovation of mobile communication technology and the deployment of wireless sensor networks in railways. The parabolic wave equation (PWE) method is one commonly used method to predict the electromagnetic characteristic of long railway tunnels. However, the advent of novel antennas and technologies (e.g., beam steering, beamforming) has posed new challenges to PWE‐based models such as effective means of taking tilted beam patterns into account. This study addresses such a challenge by using tilted Gaussian beams to embed antennas with oriented patterns or tilted beam directions into PWE‐based models. The proposed approach does not reduce the simulation efficiency of PWE itself. The validity and practicability of the technique are demonstrated by comparing against ray‐tracing as well as experimental measurements in various tunnel environments.

Based on multiscale diagnosis method of energy budget, the missing-forecast coastal warm-sector rainstorm process of Guangxi occurred in 24-26 January 2020 was analyzed by using the stational data, Doppler radar, FY-2G satellite data and the ERA5 reanalysis data. The results are shown below: The warm and moisture southwest jet in front of the southern branch trough provides a favorable synoptic condition for the rainstorm. The convection system was constantly triggered by the trumpet topography in the northeast of Vietnam, and moved northeastward to the coastal of Guangxi, which was influenced by the upper level airflow and produced significant amount of precipitation. It is found that the occurrence and development of warm-sector rainstorm were mainly dominated by the convection-scale kinetic energy that correlated well with the former in evolution. The convective energy mainly come from the middle and lower troposphere and losts in the upper troposphere. The kinetic energy from the background scale contributed the most, and the barotropic instability of the background flow field in the middle and lower troposphere dominated the development of rainstorm in the warm-sector. The buoyancy conversion of convection-scale available potential energy to kinetic energy in the middle troposphere further promoted the development of system. The transport of kinetic energy made the convection-scale kinetic energy distribute evenly spatially, which led to the stable development of the convective system and enabled it to maintain for long time and thus produce large amount of precipitation over its path. The contribution of synoptic-scale kinetic energy conversion and pressure gradient work is small, which reflects the nature of weak synoptic-scale forcing of warm-sector rainstorm.

Background: Previous studies demonstrated a controversial relationship between sarcopenia (SP) and osteoarthritis (OA) and their genetic causality is unclear. Thus, we conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to evaluate the possible causal association between sarcopenia-related traits (appendicular lean mass (ALM), grip strength, usual walking pace) and OA.Method: We used pooled genetic data from the UK Biobank for ALM(n = 450,243), left-hand grip strength (n = 461,026), right-hand grip strength (n = 461,089) and usual walking pace (n = 459,915). Moreover, summary statistics for OA were obtained from the latest study conducted by the Genetics of Osteoarthritis Consortium, including all OA (n = 826,690), hand OA (n = 303,7782), hip OA (n = 353,388) and knee OA (n = 396,054). The primary method for estimating causal effects was the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method, with the utilizing of false discovery rate adjusted p values (PFDR). Additional MR methods such as MR-Egger regression, MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO), weighted median were employed as supplementary analyses.Results: We discovered ALM (odds ratio (OR) = 1.103, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.052–1.156, PFDR = 2.87E-04), hand grip strength (left, IVW OR = 0.823, 95% CI = 0.712 to 0.952, PFDR = 0.020; right, OR = 0.826, 95% CI = 0.718 to 0.950, PFDR = 0.020), and usual walking pace (OR = 0.339, 95% CI = 0.204 to 0.564, PFDR = 2.38E-04) were causally associated with OA risk. In the reverse MR analysis, we identified a causal effect of OA on ALM (β = −0.258, 95% CI = −0.369 to 0.146, PFDR = 0.6.07E-06), grip strength (left, β = −0.064, 95% CI = −0.104 to 0.024, PFDR = 0.002; right, β = −0.055, 95% CI = −0.095 to 0.014, PFDR = 0.008), and usual walking pace (β = −0.104, 95% CI = −0.147 to 0.061, PFDR = 1.61E-05).Conclusion: This present study suggests an obvious causality of SP on OA, with condition exhibiting site-specific effects, while evidence was also provided for the causal effect of OA on SP.

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is an independent risk factor of atherosclerosis (AS). Some reports have shown that homocysteine (Hcy) could accelerate the development of AS by promoting endothelial cell senescence. miRNAs were widely involved in the pathophysiology of HHcy. However, few studies have focused on the changes of miRNA-mRNA networks in the artery of HHcy patients. For this reason, RNA-sequencing was adopted to investigate the expression of miRNA and mRNA in HHcy model mouse arteries. We found that the expression of 216 mRNAs and 48 miRNAs were significantly changed. Using TargetScan and miRDB web tools, 29 miRNA-mRNA pairs were predicted. Notably, miR-20b-5p and FJX1 shared the highest predicted score in TargetScan, and further study indicated that the miR-20b-5p inhibitor significantly upregulated the FJX1 expression in HHcy human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) model. PPI analysis revealed an important sub-network which was centered on CDK1. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis showed that HHcy had a significant effect on cell cycle. Further experiments found that Hcy management increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, the activity of senescence associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) and the protein expression of p16 and p21 in HUVECs, which were rescued by miR-20b-5p inhibitor. In general, our research indicated the important role of miR-20b-5p in HHcy-related endothelial cell senescence.

Study region: The Taihu Lake is located at the downstream of the Yangtze River, China, which serves various functions such as regional flood control, drought resistance, and drinking water for many vital cities in China such as Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou. Since 1950 s, Taihu Lake has experienced three stages of anthropogenic management. Due to these managements, the natural hydrologic properties of Taihu Lake are gradually disappearing, and the Taihu Lake tends to become an artificially controlled lake. Study focus: To understand how anthropogenic activities have impacted the hydrological regime of Taihu Lake at different stages, this study has analyzed daily average water level of Taihu Lake for 70 years and daily average precipitation data of the Taihu Lake Basin for 60 years. And finally it reveals the natural and anthropogenic effects on trend, amplitude, period and extreme water level of Taihu Lake. New hydrological insights for the region: The multi-year average water level of Taihu Lake witnesses an increment of 0.23 m, and the contribution from anthropogenic activities account for 34.78%. The maximum decrements of frequency of extreme high and low water level drops by 29.55% and 7.69% recently due to anthropogenic activities. The anthropogenic activities on the hydrological regime in Taihu Lake has become increasingly pronounced, and these hydrological changes are beneficial for basin flood control and water resources.

Abstract Background Osteoporosis is a common systemic bone disease that leads to bone fragility and increases the risk of fracture. However, the pathogenesis of osteoporosis is considered to be highly complex. The exosomes can regulate the communication between cells. The specific mechanism of information transmission between osteoblasts and endothelial cells is worthy of further study. Methods Exosomes were isolated and verified from senescent osteoblasts. The source and properties of exosomes were determined by TEM, particle size analysis and western blot. We established the co-culture model of endothelial cells and senescent osteoblasts. We used qRT-PCR to identify differentially expressed miRNAs. The functional changes of vascular endothelial cells were verified by cell transfection. β-Galactosidase cell senescence assay, Hoechst cell apoptosis assay, Ki67 cell proliferation assay and Transwell migration assay were used to verify cell senescence, apoptosis, proliferation, and migration. The potential target gene of miRNA was detected by bio-informatics pathway and double luciferase report. Results We discovered that senescent osteoblasts could promote the senescence and apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells and inhibit their proliferation and migration. miR-214-3p was upregulated in senescent osteoblast-derived exosomes. miR-214-3p could effectively promote senescence and apoptosis of endothelial cells and inhibit proliferation and migration ability. L1CAM is a miR-214-3p direct target gene determined by bio-informatics and double luciferase report. Conclusions In conclusion, senescent osteoblast-derived exosomes can accelerate endothelial cell senescence through miR-214-3p/L1CAM pathway. Our experiments reveal the role of exosomes in the skeletal microenvironment.

Background and objective: Cervical fusion with vertebral body screw (VBS)-plate systems frequently results in limited biomechanical stability. To address this issue, anterior transpedicular screw (ATPS) fixation has been developed and applied preliminarily to multilevel spinal fusion, osteoporosis, and three-column injury of the cervical spine. This study aimed to compare the biomechanical differences between unilateral ATPS (UATPS), bilateral ATPS (BATPS), and VBS fixation using finite element analysis.Materials and methods: A C6 corpectomy model was performed and a titanium mesh cage (TMC) and bone were implanted, followed by implantation of a novel ATPS-plate system into C5 and C7 to simulate internal fixation with UATPS, BATPS, and VBS. Internal fixation with UATPS comprises ipsilateral transpedicular screw-contralateral vertebral body screw (ITPS-CVBS) and cross transpedicular screw-vertebral body screw (CTPS-VBS) fixations. Mobility, the maximal von Mises stress on TMC, the stress distribution and maximal von Mises stress on the screws, and the maximum displacement of the screw were compared between the four groups.Results: Compared with the original model, each group had a reduced range of motion (ROM) under six loads. After ACCF, the stress was predominantly concentrated at two-thirds of the length from the tail of the screw, and it was higher on ATPS than on VBS. The stress of the ATPS from the cranial part was higher than that of the caudal part. The similar effect happened on VBS. The screw stress cloud maps did not show any red areas reflective of a concentration of the stress on VBS. Compared with VBS, ATPS can bear a greater stress from cervical spine movements, thus reducing the stress on TMC. The maximal von Mises stress was the lowest with bilateral transpedicular TMC and increased with cross ATPS and with ipsilateral ATPS. ITPS-CVBS, CTPS-VBS, and BATPS exhibited a reduction of 2.3%–22.1%, 11.9%–2.7%, and 37.9%–64.1% in the maximum displacement of screws, respectively, compared with that of VBS.Conclusion: In FEA, the comprehensive stability ranked highest for BATPS, followed by CTPS-VBS and ITPS-CVBS, with VBS demonstrating the lowest stability. Notably, utilizing ATPS for fixation has the potential to reduce the occurrence of internal fixation device loosening after ACCF when compared to VBS.