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The yolk shell is widely used in optoelectronic devices due to its excellent optical properties. Compared to single metal nanostructures, yolk shells have more controllable degrees of freedom, which may make experiments and simulations more complex. Using neural networks can efficiently simplify the computational process of yolk shell. In our work, the relationship between the size and the absorption efficiency of the yolk-shell structure is established using a backpropagation neural network (BPNN), significantly simplifying the calculation process while ensuring accuracy equivalent to discrete dipole scattering (DDSCAT). The absorption efficiency of the yolk shell was comprehensively described through the forward and reverse prediction processes. In forward prediction, the absorption spectrum of yolk shell is obtained through its size parameter. In reverse prediction, the size parameters of yolk shells are predicted through absorption spectra. A comparison with the traditional DDSCAT demonstrated the high precision prediction capability and fast computation of this method, with minimal memory consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coverage quantification is required in many sequencing datasets within the field of genomics research. However, most existing tools fail to provide comprehensive statistical results and exhibit limited performance gains from multithreading. Here, we present PanDepth, an ultra-fast and efficient tool for calculating coverage and depth from sequencing alignments. PanDepth outperforms other tools in computation time and memory efficiency for both BAM and CRAM-format alignment files from sequencing data, regardless of read length. It employs chromosome parallel computation and optimized data structures, resulting in ultrafast computation speeds and memory efficiency. It accepts sorted or unsorted BAM and CRAM-format alignment files as well as GTF, GFF and BED-formatted interval files or a specific window size. When provided with a reference genome sequence and the option to enable GC content calculation, PanDepth includes GC content statistics, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of copy number variation analysis. Overall, PanDepth is a powerful tool that accelerates scientific discovery in genomics research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is a highly successful invasive species that transmits a number of human viral diseases, including dengue and Chikungunya fevers. This species has a large genome with significant population-based size variation. The complete genome sequence was determined for the Foshan strain, an established laboratory colony derived from wild mosquitoes from southeastern China, a region within the historical range of the origin of the species. The genome comprises 1,967 Mb, the largest mosquito genome sequenced to date, and its size results principally from an abundance of repetitive DNA classes. In addition, expansions of the numbers of members in gene families involved in insecticide-resistance mechanisms, diapause, sex determination, immunity, and olfaction also contribute to the larger size. Portions of integrated flavivirus-like genomes support a shared evolutionary history of association of these viruses with their vector. The large genome repertory may contribute to the adaptability and success of Ae. albopictus as an invasive species.

Domestic pigs have evolved genetic adaptations to their local environmental conditions, such as cold and hot climates. We sequenced the genomes of 69 pigs from 15 geographically divergent locations in China and detected 41 million variants, of which 21 million were absent from the dbSNP database. In a genome-wide scan, we identified a set of loci that likely have a role in regional adaptations to high- and low-latitude environments within China. Intriguingly, we found an exceptionally large (14-Mb) region with a low recombination rate on the X chromosome that appears to have two distinct haplotypes in the high- and low-latitude populations, possibly underlying their adaptation to cold and hot environments, respectively. Surprisingly, the adaptive sweep in the high-latitude regions has acted on DNA that might have been introgressed from an extinct Sus species. Our findings provide new insights into the evolutionary history of pigs and the role of introgression in adaptation.

Polar bears are uniquely adapted to life in the High Arctic and have undergone drastic physiological changes in response to Arctic climates and a hyper-lipid diet of primarily marine mammal prey. We analyzed 89 complete genomes of polar bear and brown bear using population genomic modeling and show that the species diverged only 479-343 thousand years BP. We find that genes on the polar bear lineage have been under stronger positive selection than in brown bears; nine of the top 16 genes under strong positive selection are associated with cardiomyopathy and vascular disease, implying important reorganization of the cardiovascular system. One of the genes showing the strongest evidence of selection, APOB, encodes the primary lipoprotein component of low-density lipoprotein (LDL); functional mutations in APOB may explain how polar bears are able to cope with life-long elevated LDL levels that are associated with high risk of heart disease in humans.

Articular cartilage is devoid of nerves and blood vessels, and its nutrients must be obtained from the joint fluid; therefore, its ability to repair itself is limited. Manufactured materials such as artificial cartilage or synthetic materials are typically used in traditional approaches for knee cartilage repair. However, durability, postimplant rejection, and tissue incompatibility are the problems associated with these materials. In recent decades, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have focused on the development of functional substitutes, particularly those based on naturally inspired biopolymers. This review focuses on sustainably produced biopolymers based on materials derived from natural sources. Furthermore, these materials have many advantages, including low antigenicity, biocompatibility, and degradability. Of course, there are also many challenges associated with natural materials, such as the lack of clinical studies and long‐term follow‐up data, unstable mechanical properties of the materials, and high demands placed on preparation and molding techniques. In this review, an overview of natural and nature‐inspired polymers that are the subject of research to date, as well as their structural designs and product performances is provided. This review provides scientific guidance for enhancing the development of naturally inspired materials for treating cartilage injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is one of the countries hardest hit by disasters. Disaster shocks not only cause a large number of casualties and property damage but also have an impact on the risk preference of those who experience it. Current research has not reached a consensus conclusion on the impact of risk preferences. This paper empirically analyzes the effects of natural and man-made disasters on residents' risk preference based on the data of the China Household Financial Survey (CHFS) in 2019. The results indicate that: (1) Both natural and man-made disasters can significantly lead to an increase in the risk aversion of residents, and man-made disasters have a greater impact. (2) Education background plays a negative moderating role in the impact of man-made disasters on residents' risk preference. (3) Natural disaster experiences have a greater impact on the risk preference of rural residents, while man-made disaster experiences have a greater impact on the risk preference of urban residents. Natural disaster experiences make rural residents more risk-averse, while man-made disaster experiences make urban residents more risk-averse. The results provide new evidence and perspective on the negative impact of disaster shocks on the social life of residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]