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Acoustic asymmetric focusing (AAF) has attracted widespread attention owing to its great potential in medical ultrasound. The recent development of acoustic metamaterials and metasurfaces has provided various concepts to achieve AAF systems. Generally, the previously demonstrated AAF lenses were limited to one-dimensional structures, leading to difficulties in practical applications. The realization of AAF in three-dimensional (3D) space based on a two-dimensional (2D) device still remains a challenge. Here, we experimentally and numerically study a 2D AAF lens based on mode converters composed of two pairs of phased unit cells I and II and a step waveguide. Based on the phase profile of sound focusing and the step waveguide of mode converters, we experimentally design and demonstrate a type of 2D AAF lens and observe acoustic focusing and asymmetric transmission simultaneously in 3D space under the excitation of the zero-order wave. Both the phenomena arise from the phase modulation of the lens and the cutoff frequency of the first-order wave for the step waveguide, respectively. The fractional bandwidth (the ratio of the bandwidth to the center frequency) of the lens can reach about 0.14. The proposed 2D AAF lens, as well as its associated mode converter, paves the way for the asymmetric manipulation of sound in 3D space that has potential applications in practical sound devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A finite group G $G$ admits an oriented regular representation if there exists a Cayley digraph of G $G$ such that it has no digons and its automorphism group is isomorphic to G $G$. Let m $m$ be a positive integer. In this paper, we extend the notion of oriented regular representations to oriented m $m$‐semiregular representations using m $m$‐Cayley digraphs. Given a finite group G $G$, an m $m$‐Cayley digraph of G $G$ is a digraph that has a group of automorphisms isomorphic to G $G$ acting semiregularly on the vertex set with m $m$ orbits. We say that a finite group G $G$ admits an oriented m $m$‐semiregular representation (Om $m$SR for short) if there exists an m $m$‐Cayley digraph Γ ${\rm{\Gamma }}$ of G $G$ such that it has no digons and G $G$ is isomorphic to its automorphism group. Moreover, if Γ ${\rm{\Gamma }}$ is regular, that is, each vertex has the same in‐ and out‐valency, we say Γ ${\rm{\Gamma }}$ is a regular oriented m $m$‐semiregular representation (regular Om $m$SR for short) of G $G$. In this paper, we classify finite groups admitting a regular Om $m$SR or an Om $m$SR for each positive integer m $m$. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transcription is extremely important for cellular processes but can be hindered by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) pausing and stalling. Cockayne syndrome protein B (CSB) promotes the progression of paused RNAPII or initiates transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair (TC-NER) to remove stalled RNAPII. However, the specific mechanism by which CSB initiates TC-NER upon damage remains unclear. In this study, we identified the indispensable role of the ARK2N-CK2 complex in the CSB-mediated initiation of TC-NER. The ARK2N-CK2 complex is recruited to damage sites through CSB and then phosphorylates CSB. Phosphorylation of CSB enhances its binding to stalled RNAPII, prolonging the association of CSB with chromatin and promoting CSA-mediated ubiquitination of stalled RNAPII. Consistent with this finding, Ark2n-/-mice exhibit a phenotype resembling Cockayne syndrome. These findings shed light on the pivotal role of the ARK2N-CK2 complex in governing the fate of RNAPII through CSB, bridging a critical gap necessary for initiating TC-NER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

KNOXs, a type of homeobox genes that encode atypical homeobox proteins, play an essential role in the regulation of growth and development, hormonal response, and abiotic stress in plants. However, the KNOX gene family has not been explored in sweet potato. In this study, through sequence alignment, genomic structure analysis, and phylogenetic characterization, 17, 12 and 11 KNOXs in sweet potato (I. batatas, 2n = 6x = 90) and its two diploid relatives I. trifida (2n = 2x = 30) and I. triloba (2n = 2x = 30) were identified. The protein physicochemical properties, chromosome localization, phylogenetic relationships, gene structure, protein interaction network, cis-elements of promoters, tissue-specific expression and expression patterns under hormone treatment and abiotic stresses of these 40 KNOX genes were systematically studied. IbKNOX4, -5, and − 6 were highly expressed in the leaves of the high-yield varieties Longshu9 and Xushu18. IbKNOX3 and IbKNOX8 in Class I were upregulated in initial storage roots compared to fibrous roots. IbKNOXs in Class M were specifically expressed in the stem tip and hardly expressed in other tissues. Moreover, IbKNOX2 and − 6, and their homologous genes were induced by PEG/mannitol and NaCl treatments. The results showed that KNOXs were involved in regulating growth and development, hormone crosstalk and abiotic stress responses between sweet potato and its two diploid relatives. This study provides a comparison of these KNOX genes in sweet potato and its two diploid relatives and a theoretical basis for functional studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of a facile and reliable assay for arsenic (As) detection is crucial for its pollution control, which is a well-known heavy-metal pollutant in the environment. In this work, an efficient colorimetric method was established for As(V) detection based on a novel cuboid-shape Mn-Urea nanozyme (UMnzyme) with arsenic-enhanced oxidase-like activity. The UMnzyme was prepared through the coordination of Mn ions and carbonyl groups in urea, which possesses outstanding oxidase-like activity that can generate the superoxide anion free radical (O2˙−) by catalyzing the dissolved O2, triggering the 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) chromogenic reaction. Furthermore, the free oxygen atoms in UMnzyme provide potential sites to bind with As, in which the formation of As–O will not destroy the morphology and structure of UMnzyme. The capture of As by UMnzyme results in the improvement of its oxidase-like activity; therefore, a colorimetric method for As(V) detection was developed with a linear range of 12.5–250 μg L−1. The limit of detection was determined to be 2.4 μg L−1 (S/N = 3), which is lower than the threshold (10 ppb) recommended by the World Health Organization. Moreover, the developed method was applied in the detection of As(V) in environmental water, and the recoveries are 89.5–103.6%. In short, this study provides an efficient and reliable strategy for As(V) detection based on a novel Mn-based nanozyme and a new idea for the reasonable design of Mn-based nanozymes with enhanced catalytic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary A novel visible‐light‐induced radical cascade 6‐endo cyclization of dienes (N‐(2‐vinylphenyl)acryl amides) is developed utilizing α‐carbonyl bromides as alkyl reagents. This approach affords an efficient way for synthesizing six‐membered benzo‐fused lactam derivatives with chemo‐ and regio‐selectivity and good functional group tolerance. Primary, secondary, and tertiary bromides are well‐compatible with this cascade cyclization reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Numerous meta-analyses have explored the association between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and diverse health outcomes, yet the comprehensive assessment of the scope, validity, and quality of this evidence remains incomplete. Our aim was to systematically review and synthesise existing meta-analyses of TyG index and health outcomes and to assess the quality of the evidence. Methods: A thorough search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases was conducted from their inception through to 8 April 2024. We assessed the quality of reviews using A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) and the certainty of the evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. This study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD: 42024518587). Results: Overall, a total of 95 associations from 29 meta-analyses were included, investigating associations between TyG index and 30 health outcomes. Of these, 83 (87.4%) associations were statistically significant (P < 0.05) according to the random effects model. Based on the AMSTAR tool, 16 (55.2%) meta-analyses were high quality and none was low quality. The certainty of the evidence, assessed by the GRADE framework, showed that 6 (6.3%) associations were supported by moderate-quality evidence. When compared with the lowest category of the TyG index, the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) [relative risk (RR) = 2.25, 95%CI 1.82, 2.77], the risk of stroke in patients with diabetes mellitus (RR = 1.26, 95%CI 1.18, 1.33) or with acute coronary syndrome disease (RR = 1.56, 95%CI 1.06, 2.28), the prognosis of coronary artery disease (CAD)-non-fatal MI (RR = 2.02, 95%CI 1.32, 3.10), and the severity of CAD including coronary artery stenosis (RR = 3.49, 95%CI 1.71, 7.12) and multi-vessel CAD (RR = 2.33, 95%CI 1.59, 3.42) increased with high TyG index. Conclusion: We found that the TyG index was positively associated with many diseases including the risk of CIN and stroke, the prognosis of CAD, and the severity of CAD which were supported by moderate-quality evidence. TyG index might be useful to identify people at high-risk for developing these diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The West Sahel is facing significant threats to its vegetation and wildlife due to the land degradation and habitat fragmentation. It is crucial to assess the regional vegetation greenness dynamics in order to comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of protection in the natural reserves. This study analyzes the vegetation greenness trends and the driving factors in the Dosso Partial Faunal Reserve in Niger and nearby unprotected regions—one of the most important habitats for endemic African fauna—using satellite time series data from 2001 to 2020. An overall vegetation browning trend was observed throughout the entire region with significant spatial variability. Vegetation browning dominated in the Dosso Reserve with 17.7% of the area showing a significant trend, while the area with significant greening was 6.8%. In a comparison, the nearby unprotected regions to the north and the east were found to be dominated by vegetation browning and greening, respectively. These results suggest that the vegetation protection practice was not fully effective throughout the Dosso Reserve. The dominant drivers were also diagnosed using the Random Forest model-based method and the Partial Dependence Plot tool, showing that water availability (expressed as soil moisture) and land use/land cover change were the most critical factors affecting vegetation greenness in the study region. Specifically, soil moisture stress and specific land management practices associated with logging, grazing, and land clearing appeared to dominate vegetation browning in the Dosso Reserve. In contrast, the vegetation greening in the central Dosso Reserve and the nearby unprotected region to the east was probably caused by the increase in shrubland/forest, which was related to the effective implementation of protection. These findings improve our understanding of how regional vegetation greenness dynamics respond to environmental changes in the Dosso Reserve and also highlight the need for more effective conservation planning and implementation to ensure sustainable socio-ecological development in the West Sahel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ensuring the sustainable management of water and sanitation for all is the primary goal of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6). SDG indicator 6.4.2 (level of water stress) is critical for monitoring the progress toward SDG 6. The assessment of the SDG indicator 6.4.2 is currently based on statistical data at the national scale, i.e., one value for one country, which cannot reflect spatial variability in water stress in a country. The lack of data at sub-national scales limits the assessment of water stress in sub-national regions. This study developed a method of disaggregating national statistical renewable water resources (TRWR) and freshwater withdrawals (TFWW) to estimate the SDG 6.4.2 water stress indicator at a sub-national scale by combining satellite remote sensing data and model simulated data. Remote sensing (RS)-based precipitation (P); the difference between precipitation and evapotranspiration (P-ET); and the difference between precipitation, evapotranspiration, terrestrial water storage change (P-ET-dS), and model-simulated naturized runoff and withdrawal water use were used as spatial and temporal surrogates to disaggregate the national-scale statistics of TRWR and TFWW to the grid scale. Gridded TRWR and TFWW can be used to calculate the water stress of any interest regions. Disaggregated TRWR, TFWW, and water stress estimation were validated at three different spatial scales, from major river basins and provinces to prefectures in China, by comparing the corresponding statistical data. The results show that the disaggregation for TRWR is generally better than for TFWW, and the overall accuracy for water stress estimation can reach up to 91%. The temporal evolution of disaggregated variables also showed good consistency with statistical time series data. The RS-based P-ET and P-ET-dS have great potential for disaggregating TRWR at different spatiotemporal scales, with no obvious differences with the results using the model simulation as a surrogate for the disaggregation of SDG indicator 6.4.2. The disaggregation accuracy can be further improved when the sub-regional statistical data of TRWR and TFWW are applied to the disaggregation approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(Z)‐alkenes are useful synthons but thermodynamically less stable than their (E)‐isomers and typically more difficult to prepare. The synthesis of 1,4‐hetero‐bifunctionalized (Z)‐alkenes is particularly challenging due to the inherent regio‐ and stereoselectivity issues. Herein we demonstrate a general, chemoselective and direct synthesis of (Z)‐2‐butene‐1,4‐diol monoesters. The protocol operates within a Pd‐catalyzed decarboxylative acyloxylation regime involving vinyl ethylene carbonates (VECs) and various carboxylic acids as the reaction partners under mild and operationally attractive conditions. The newly developed process allows access to a structurally diverse pool of (Z)‐2‐butene‐1,4‐diol monoesters in good yields and with excellent regio‐ and stereoselectivity. Various synthetic transformations of the obtained (Z)‐2‐butene‐1,4‐diol monoesters demonstrate how these synthons are of great use to rapidly diversify the portfolio of these formal desymmetrized (Z)‐alkenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a method for synthesizing N-containing polycyclic compounds through a radical annulation cyclization reaction. The authors demonstrate the versatility of this method by synthesizing a range of tetrahydro-6H-indeno[2,1-c]quinolinone derivatives. The article also provides background information on acylation reactions and their importance in synthetic organic chemistry and pharmaceutical development. The given text is a list of references to scientific articles covering various topics in organic chemistry and catalysis, which can be valuable resources for researchers in the field. [Extracted from the article]

Flash droughts tend to cause severe damage to agriculture due to their characteristics of sudden onset and rapid intensification. Early detection of the response of vegetation to flash droughts is of utmost importance in mitigating the effects of flash droughts, as it can provide a scientific basis for establishing an early warning system. The commonly used method of determining the response time of vegetation to flash drought, based on the response time index or the correlation between the precipitation anomaly and vegetation growth anomaly, leads to the late detection of irreversible drought effects on vegetation, which may not be sufficient for use in analyzing the response of vegetation to flash drought for early earning. The evapotranspiration-based (ET-based) drought indices are an effective indicator for identifying and monitoring flash drought. This study proposes a novel approach that applies cross-spectral analysis to an ET-based drought index, i.e., Evaporative Stress Anomaly Index (ESAI), as the forcing and a vegetation-based drought index, i.e., Normalized Vegetation Anomaly Index (NVAI), as the response, both from medium-resolution remote sensing data, to estimate the time lag of the response of vegetation vitality status to flash drought. An experiment on the novel method was carried out in North China during March–September for the period of 2001–2020 using remote sensing products at 1 km spatial resolution. The results show that the average time lag of the response of vegetation to water availability during flash droughts estimated by the cross-spectral analysis over North China in 2001–2020 was 5.9 days, which is shorter than the results measured by the widely used response time index (26.5 days). The main difference between the phase lag from the cross-spectral analysis method and the response time from the response time index method lies in the fundamental processes behind the definitions of the vegetation response in the two methods, i.e., a subtle and dynamic fluctuation signature in the response signal (vegetation-based drought index) that correlates with the fluctuation in the forcing signal (ET-based drought index) versus an irreversible impact indicated by a negative NDVI anomaly. The time lag of the response of vegetation to flash droughts varied with vegetation types and irrigation conditions. The average time lag for rainfed cropland, irrigated cropland, grassland, and forest in North China was 5.4, 5.8, 6.1, and 6.9 days, respectively. Forests have a longer response time to flash droughts than grasses and crops due to their deeper root systems, and irrigation can mitigate the impacts of flash droughts. Our method, based on cross-spectral analysis and the ET-based drought index, is innovative and can provide an earlier warning of impending drought impacts, rather than waiting for the irreversible impacts to occur. The information detected at an earlier stage of flash droughts can help decision makers in developing more effective and timely strategies to mitigate the impact of flash droughts on ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceramsite was made from sludge, phosphogypsum, and red mud and then modified with different concentrations of hydrochloric, nitric, or citric acid. The resulting composite ceramsite was subsequently utilized for the adsorption of Pb(II). The maximum adsorption capacities of hydrochloric acid– and nitric acid–modified ceramsites were 90.38 and 88.57 mg/g, respectively, which were much higher than those of unmodified ceramsite (66.86 mg/g) and citric acid–modified ceramsite (57.85 mg/g). The variation of isoelectric point, acidic and basic groups, and Fourier transform infrared spectra of ceramsite were compared before and after adsorption. A decrease of isoelectric point implied weakening of electrostatic repulsion between Pb(II) and the modified ceramsite. Functional groups, such as O─H, C═O (or C═C), and Si─O─Si (or Al─O─Al), were involved in the adsorption. In addition, phenol hydroxyl, which exhibited a significant increase in modified ceramsite and a noticeable decrease after adsorption, was the most important group. Besides, the modified ceramsite had larger specific surface areas and pores (30.66 g/m2, .11256 cm3/g), more functional groups, and lower isoelectric points (8.57), which were favorable for adsorption. The adsorption processes described by pseudo‐second‐order kinetics were controlled by chemical adsorptions. Isothermal studies indicated that monolayer adsorption occurred on hydrochloric acid–modified ceramsite and multiple processes occurred on nitric acid– and citric acid–modified ceramsites. Thermodynamic analysis confirmed Pb(II) adsorption on modified ceramsite was spontaneous and endothermic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulating evidence has revealed that alterations in the gut microbiome following spinal cord injury (SCI) exhibit similarities to those observed in metabolic syndrome. Considering the causal role of gut dysbiosis in metabolic syndrome development, SCIinduced gut dysbiosis may be a previously unidentified contributor to the increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases, which has garnered attention. With a cross-sectional design, we evaluated the correlation between gut microbiome composition and functional potential with indicators of metabolic health among 46 individuals with chronic SCI. Gut microbiome communities were profiled using next-generation sequencing techniques. Indices of metabolic health, including fasting lipid profile, glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, and inflammatory markers, were assessed through fasting blood tests and an oral glucose tolerance test. We used multivariate statistical techniques (i.e., regularized canonical correlation analysis) to identify correlations between gut bacterial communities, functional pathways, and metabolic health indicators. Our findings spotlight bacterial species and functional pathways associated with complex carbohydrate degradation and maintenance of gut barrier integrity as potential contributors to improved metabolic health. Conversely, those correlated with detrimental microbial metabolites and gut inflammatory pathways demonstrated associations with poorer metabolic health outcomes. This cross-sectional investigation represents a pivotal initial step toward comprehending the intricate interplay between the gut microbiome and metabolic health in SCI. Furthermore, our results identified potential targets for future research endeavors to elucidate the role of the gut microbiome in metabolic syndrome in this population. NEW & NOTEWORTHY: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is accompanied by gut dysbiosis and the impact of this on the development of metabolic syndrome in this population remains to be investigated. Our study used next-generation sequencing and multivariate statistical analyses to explore the correlations between gut microbiome composition, function, and metabolic health indices in individuals with chronic SCI. Our results point to potential gut microbial species and functional pathways that may be implicated in the development of metabolic syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Noninvasive biomarkers for the assessment of response to chemotherapy in advanced breast cancer (BCa) are essential for optimized therapeutic decision-making. We evaluated the potential of soluble Periostin (POSTN) in circulation as a novel biomarker for chemotherapy efficacy monitoring. Methods: Two hundred and thirty-one patients with different stages of BCa were included. Of those patients, 58 patients with inoperable metastatic disease receiving HER2-targeted or non-targeted chemotherapy were enrolled to assess the performances of markers in recapitulating the chemotherapy efficacy assessed by imaging. POSTN, together with CA153 or CEA at different time points (C0, C2, and C4) were determined. Results: POSTN levels were significantly associated with tumor volume (P < 0.0001) and TNM stages (P < 0.0001) of BCa. For early monitoring, dynamics of POSTN could recapitulate the chemotherapy efficacy among all molecular subtypes (Cohen's weighted kappa = 0.638, P < 0.0001), much better than that of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cancer antigen 153 (CA15-3). For early partial response, superior performance of POSTN was observed (Cohen's weighted kappa = 0.827, P < 0.0001) in cases with baseline levels above 17.19 ng/mL. For long-term monitoring, the POSTN response was observed to be strongly consistent with the course of the disease. Moreover, progression free survival analysis showed that patients experienced a significant early decrease of POSTN tended to obtain more benefits from the treatments. Conclusions: The current study suggests that soluble POSTN is an informative serum biomarker to complement the current clinical approaches for early and long-term chemotherapy efficacy monitoring in advanced BCa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A dilemma arises when striving to balance the maximum desired ion conductivity and minimize the undesired lithium polysulfide shuttling effect for all-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries (ASSLSBs). Here, we introduce a strategy of using ordered MIL-125-NH2 as fillers for poly(ethylene oxide)-based electrolytes to simultaneously regulate the transportation of lithium ions and polysulfides. When compared to electrolytes lacking metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and those containing disordered MOFs, the electrolyte featuring an ordered-MOF structure, denoted as three-dimensional (3D) MPPL composite solid electrolyte (CSE), exhibits the highest ion conductivity of 8.3 × 10-4siemens per centimeter at 60°C. As a result, pouch-type ASSLSBs with 3D MPPL CSE maintains stable cycling for 400 cycles at 0.5 C at 60°C, showcasing the successful implementation of this strategy in simultaneously regulating ion and polysulfide transport. This approach opens up alternative avenues to achieve highperformance ASSLSBs with exceptional energy density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sepsis, a life‐threatening condition stemming from an uncontrolled host immune response to bacterial infections, continues to impose a significant global burden with high morbidity and mortality. Addressing the challenges posed by antimicrobial resistance and uncontrollable inflammation remains a challenge in sepsis treatment. Moreover, traditional antibacterial materials have low bacterial trapping efficiency and inevitable prolonged circulation within the bloodstream, resulting in suboptimal antibacterial effects, metabolic complications, and undesirable side effects. In this study, an innovative solution is introduced through the development of Fe3O4@SH@TBTCP‐PMB, an aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) photosensitizer (PS)‐armored magnetic nanoparticles (NPs). It has high reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation efficiency and an exceptional ability to capture Gram‐positive bacteria with over 80% enrichment efficiency within just 1 h, even at low bacterial concentrations. Under white light illumination, 100 µg mL−1 of Fe3O4@SH@TBTCP‐PMB effectively eliminated more than 99.9% of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Furthermore, its magnetic separation properties efficiently prevent systemic blood circulation and associated side effects. Most importantly, Fe3O4@SH@TBTCP‐PMB demonstrates superior anti‐inflammatory effects by regulating cytokines, reducing adhesion molecule expression, and managing oxidative stress levels. This multifunctional approach significantly enhances sepsis survival rates, offering a promising strategy for combating multidrug‐resistant (MDR) bacterial infections in sepsis patients while addressing inflammation‐related complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flash droughts, a type of extreme event characterized by the sudden onset and rapid intensification of drought conditions with severe impacts on ecosystems, have become more frequent in recent years due to global warming. The drought index is an effective way to monitor drought and mitigate its negative impact on human production and life. This study presents a new flash drought identification and monitoring method based on the evapotranspiration-based drought index, i.e., the evaporative stress percentile (ESP). This ESP-based method considers both the rate of the rapid intensification and each phase of flash drought development, which allows it to be used quantitative assessment of flash drought characteristics including detailed information on the onset, development, termination, and intensity. The ESP is evaluated using the soil moisture percentile (SMP) derived from the GLDAS-Noah soil moisture data. The results show that there was good agreement between the ESP and SMP across most of China, with correlation coefficient values above 0.8 and MAE values below 10 percentile/week. The ESP was then used to identify flash droughts in China and compared with the Precipitation Anomaly Percentage (PAP) and the SMP for three cases of typical flash drought events in three different regions and years with different land covers. It demonstrates the robustness of the ESP for detecting flash droughts in different geographical regions, for different land cover types, and for different climatic characteristics. This method is applied to characterize historical flash droughts in 1979–2018 in China, and the results show that flash droughts in China occur most frequently in the transitional climate zone between humid and arid regions in Northern China. This study contributes to a better understanding of flash drought development and supports to decision-makers in providing early warnings for flash droughts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Prompt pathogen identification can have a substantial impact on the optimization of antimicrobial treatment. The objective of the study was to assess the diagnostic value of next-generation sequencing (NGS) for identifying pathogen and its clinical impact on antimicrobial intervention in immunocompromised patients with suspected infections. METHODS: This was a retrospective study. Between January and August 2020, 47 adult immunocompromised patients underwent NGS testing under the following clinical conditions: 1) prolonged fever and negative conventional cultures; 2) new-onset fever despite empiric antimicrobial treatment; and 3) afebrile with suspected infections on imaging. Clinical data, including conventional microbial test results and antimicrobial treatment before and after NGS, were collected. Data were analyzed according to documented changes in antimicrobial treatment (escalated, no change, or deescalated) after the NGS results. RESULTS: The median time from hospitalization to NGS sampling was 19 d. Clinically relevant pathogens were detected via NGS in 61.7% of patients (29/47), more than half of whom suffered from fungemia (n=17), resulting in an antimicrobial escalation in 53.2% of patients (25/47) and antimicrobial de-escalation in 0.2% of patients (1/47). Antimicrobial changes were mostly due to the identification of fastidious organisms such as Legionella, Pneumocystis jirovecii, and Candida. In the remaining three cases, NGS detected clinically relevant pathogens also detected by conventional cultures a few days later. The antimicrobial treatment was subsequently adjusted according to the susceptibility test results. Overall, NGS changed antimicrobial management in 55.3% (26/47) of patients, and conventional culture detected clinically relevant pathogens in 14.9% of the patients (7/47). CONCLUSION: With its rapid identification and high sensitivity, NGS could be a promising tool for identifying relevant pathogens and enabling rapid appropriate treatment in immunocompromised patients with suspected infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydraulic fracturing (HF) is a widely used reservoir reconstruction technology in unconventional oil and gas development. Quantitative characterization of hydraulic fracturing fracture (HFF) is an important way to explore the mechanism of HFF extension and evaluate the stimulation effect of HF. In this study, based on development of HF physical simulation experiments and establishment of mathematical calculation models, the quantitative characterization of fractures induced by HF was systematically explored. The HFF communication area, reservoir reconstruction volume, fractal dimension, and other overall fracture geometry parameters were established. The local geometric characterization parameters of HF such as fracture aperture and fracture occurrence were created. To solve the problem that the calculation of the diameter of the central axis ball was tedious and cannot completely describe the fracture opening, a method to estimate the fracture opening using the shape diameter function was established, and its systematic error was corrected. The mathematical calculation model of HFF seepage properties was established, which is applicable to any complex planar fracture network and provides a new numerical calculation tool for simulating the flow in the fracture. The characteristics of HFF under different compression and shear loads were compared. Highlights: A systematic quantitative characterization method of HFF was presented. The error of estimating fracture aperture by shape diameter function was corrected. The mathematical calculation model of seepage properties was established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a mesh-adaptive Hermite-Simpson sequential convex programming (SCP) method is proposed for solving low-thrust orbit transfer problems efficiently and accurately. First, we develop a Hermite-Simpson convex programming method that utilizes quadratic polynomial control interpolation to improve discretization accuracy. Then, a mesh-adaptive Hermite-Simpson SCP method is proposed by incorporating an improved adaptive mesh refinement method into the Hermite-Simpson SCP method for solving optimal control accurately and efficiently. The proposed method is applied to two-dimensional time-optimal and three-dimensional fuel-optimal low-thrust orbit transfer problems to show its features, and its performance is compared against several existing methods. Numerical simulations show that the proposed method achieves more accurate solutions while being computationally more efficient compared to the trapezoidal SCP method. In comparison to the GPOPS-II software, the proposed method produces solutions of comparable accuracy but is more computationally efficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the key component of transceiver, power amplifier (PA) plays an extremely important role in wireless communication system. In order to accurately characterize the performance variation of PA at any temperature, the temperature behavior of a gallium arsenide (GaAs) pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor (pHEMT) high gain monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) PA is modeled in this paper. In this modeling, the resilient back propagation neural network (BPNN) is utilized to do the temperature behavior modeling for this PA. The investigation shows that the minimum mean square error (MSE) of the prediction results is 4.9607 × 10−4, which implies that it is feasible to use this modeling method to characterize the temperature behavior of PA. This modeling not only theoretically overcomes the problem of slow convergence speed of BPNN, but also solves the limitation of experimental devices and time setting. It will provide a more convenient guidance for test engineers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sporotrichosis, a fungal disease, is caused by exposure to soil that harbors Sporothrix schenckii or through inhalation of fungal spores. Skin is the most frequently exposed organ making sporotrichosis a primarily dermal disease. Many described reports in the literature suggest a connection of sporotrichosis with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma with some connection between initial sporotrichosis diagnosis and treatment followed by development of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma at the very site. Conversely, there is also evidence for sporotrichosis subsequent to skin cancer diagnosis, even after cancer chemotherapy, which points towards weakening of immune response by cancer chemotherapy leading to attack and infection by Sporothrix schenckii. We also propose and focus on inflammation as the connection between sporotrichosis, cancer and even the metastatic spread of cancer. Inflammation-associated IL-6, IFN-γ, natural killer cells and M2-macrophages possibly mechanistically link sporotrichosis with cancer, particularly cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. These inflammation related factors/cells are regulated epigenetically raising the possibility of epigenetic regulation of sporotrichosis, which has not been described yet in the available literature. Clinical management of inflammation may thus be effective strategy not just against sporotrichosis but also the related onset of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and possibly its metastasis to lymph nodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In regard to unconventional oil reservoirs, the transient dual-porosity and triple-porosity models have been adopted to describe the fluid flow in the complex fracture network. It has been proven to cause inaccurate production evaluations because of the absence of matrixemacrofracture communication. In addition, most of the existing models are solved analytically based on Laplace transform and numerical inversion. Hence, an approximate analytical solution is derived directly in real-time space considering variable matrix blocks and simultaneous matrix depletion. To simplify the derivation, the simultaneous matrix depletion is divided into two parts: one part feeding the macrofractures and the other part feeding the microfractures. Then, a series of partial differential equations (PDEs) describing the transient flow and boundary conditions are constructed and solved analytically by integration. Finally, a relationship between oil rate and production time in realtime space is obtained. The new model is verified against classical analytical models. When the microfracture system and matrixemacrofracture communication is neglected, the result of the new model agrees with those obtained with the dual-porosity and triple-porosity model, respectively. Certainly, the new model also has an excellent agreement with the numerical model. The model is then applied to two actual tight oil wells completed in western Canada sedimentary basin. After identifying the flow regime, the solution suitably matches the field production data, and the model parameters are determined. Through these output parameters, we can accurately forecast the production and even estimate the petrophysical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Austin was first isolated as a novel polyisoprenoid mycotoxin from Aspergillus ustus in 1976. Subsequently, some new austin-type meroterpenoids (ATMTs) have been continually found. This review attempts to give a comprehensive summary of progress on the isolation, chemical structural features, biological activities, and fungal biodiversity of 104 novel ATMTs from 5 genera of terrestrial- and marine-derived fungi reported from October 1976 to January 2023. The genera of Penicillium and Aspergillus are the two dominant producers, producing 63.5% and 30.8% of ATMTs, respectively. Moreover, about 26.9% of ATMTs display various pronounced bioactivities, including insecticidal, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxicity, antibacterial, and PTP1B inhibitory activities. The chemical diversity and potential activities of these novel fungal ATMTs are reviewed for a better understanding, and a relevant summary focusing on the source fungi and their taxonomy is provided to shed light on the future development and research of austin-type meroterpenoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the form factors of B (s) to light D-wave tensor mesons with J PC = 2 - - ( ρ 2 , ω 2 , K 2 and ϕ 2 ) are calculated via the light cone sum rules (LCSR) in the framework of heavy quark effective eld theory (HQEFT). Firstly, the expressions of form factors in terms of the light cone distribution amplitudes (LCDAs) of tensor mesons are derived via the LCSR at the leading order of heavy quark expansion. Similar to the case of 2 + + tensor mesons, the penguin type form factors can be obtained directly from the corresponding semileptonic ones. Considering the light tensor meson LCDAs to twist-3 and quark mass corrections, we give the numerical results of form factors systematically. Based on the form factors given here, we investigate the branching ratios, longitudinal polarization fractions and forward-backward asymmetries of relevant charged current induced semileptonic decays. Our results may be tested by more precise experiments in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the discovery of oil-offering orchids in Asia that are pollinated by male bees of the Ctenoplectra genus. Previously, oil-offering flowers were only known to be pollinated by female Ctenoplectra bees. The study documents and quantifies the interactions between these orchids and bees through observations and experiments. The findings raise questions about the evolutionary time frame of this mutualism and the role of floral oil in the behavior of male bees. Further research is needed to understand the cues that attract males to orchid oil and females to cucurbit oil. [Extracted from the article]

Epitranscriptomic RNA modifications can regulate the stability of mRNA and affect cellular and viral RNA functions. The N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C) modification in the RNA viral genome was recently found to promote viral replication; however, the mechanism by which RNA acetylation in the host mRNA regulates viral replication remains unclear. To help elucidate this mechanism, the roles of N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10) and ac4C during the infection and replication processes of the alphavirus, Sindbis virus (SINV), were investigated. Cellular NAT10 was upregulated, and ac4C modifications were promoted after alphavirus infection, while the loss of NAT10 or inhibition of its N-acetyltransferase activity reduced alphavirus replication. The NAT10 enhanced alphavirus replication as it helped to maintain the stability of lymphocyte antigen six family member E mRNA, which is a multifunctional interferon-stimulated gene that promotes alphavirus replication. The ac4C modification was thus found to have a non-conventional role in the virus life cycle through regulating host mRNA stability instead of viral mRNA, and its inhibition could be a potential target in the development of new alphavirus antivirals. IMPORTANCE The role of N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C) modification in host mRNA and virus replication is not yet fully understood. In this study, the role of ac4C in the regulation of Sindbis virus (SINV), a prototype alphavirus infection, was investigated. SINV infection results in increased levels of N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10) and increases the ac4C modification level of cellular RNA. The NAT10 was found to positively regulate SINV infection in an N-acetyltransferase activity-dependent manner. Mechanistically, the NAT10 modifies lymphocyte antigen six family member E (LY6E) mRNA--the ac4C modification site within the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of LY6E mRNA, which is essential for its translation and stability. The findings of this study demonstrate that NAT10 regulated mRNA stability and translation efficiency not only through the 5'-UTR or coding sequence but also via the 3'-UTR region. The ac4C modification of host mRNA stability instead of viral mRNA impacting the viral life cycle was thus identified, indicating that the inhibition of ac4C could be a potential target when developing alphavirus antivirals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a global health concern with varying levels and trends across countries and regions. Understanding these differences is crucial for effective prevention and treatment strategies. Methods: Using data from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease study, we examine IBD incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rates in 198 countries from 1990 to 2019. To assess changes in the burden of IBD, estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC) were calculated, and a Bayesian age-period-cohort model was used to predict the future 30-year trends of IBD. Results: In 2019, there were 405,000 new IBD cases globally (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 361,000 to 457,000), with 41,000 deaths (95% UI 35,000 to 45,000) and 1.62million DALYs (95% UI 1.36–1.92million). The global age-standardized incidence rate in 2019 was 4.97 per 100,000 person-years (95% UI 4.43 to 5.59), with a mortality rate of 0.54 (95% UI 0.46 to 0.59) and DALYs rate of 20.15 (95% UI 16.86 to 23.71). From 1990 to 2019, EAPC values for incidence, mortality, and DALYs rates were − 0.60 (95% UI − 0.73 to − 0.48), − 0.69 (95% UI − 0.81 to − 0.57), and − 1.04 (95% UI − 1.06 to − 1.01), respectively. Overall, the burden of IBD has shown a slow decline in recent years. In SDI stratification, regions with higher initial SDI (high-income North America and Central Europe) witnessed decreasing incidence and mortality rates with increasing SDI, while regions with lower initial SDI (South Asia, Oceania, and Latin America) experienced a rapid rise in incidence but a decrease in mortality with increasing SDI. Predictions using a Bayesian model showed lower new cases and deaths from 2020 to 2050 than reference values, while the slope of the predicted incidence-time curve closely paralleled that of the 2019 data. Conclusion: Increasing cases, deaths, and DALYs highlight the sustained burden of IBD on public health. Developed countries have stabilized or declining incidence rates but face high prevalence and societal burden. Emerging and developing countries experience rising incidence. Understanding these changes aids policymakers in effectively addressing IBD challenges in different regions and economic contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let Γ be a connected cubic graph admitting a vertex-transitive almost simple group G of automorphisms. In this paper, we study the normality of the socle T of G in the full automorphism group Aut (Γ) of Γ . It is proved that if T is not normal in Aut (Γ) , then T = A 47 , A 23 , A 2 f - 1 with f ≥ 3 , or a simple group of Lie type of even characteristic with some exceptions. In particular, if Γ is arc-transitive and T is not normal in Aut (Γ) , then Γ is a Cayley graph on G, and (Aut (Γ) , G) = (A 48 , A 47) or (S 24 , S 23) . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The processing method of fuzzy information is a critical element in multi-criteria group decision-making (MCGDM). The hesitant Pythagorean fuzzy set (HPFS) has a higher capacity in express the uncertainty of human inherent preference. A composite weighted mathematical programming model with prospect theory and best-worst method (BWM) is proposed to solve the uncertainty of criterion weight acquisition and decision-makers (DMs) psychological behavior under the HPF environment. The decision-making process is as follows: Firstly, a novel spatial distance measurement method is designed which considers the extension space of HPFSs space by five parameters under the HPF environment. Secondly, the optimal criteria weights model minimizes the total distance between the alternatives and the HPF positive ideal solution (HPFPIS), as well as minimizes the consistency ratio of BWM. Thirdly, we propose the prospect decision matrix by the prospect theory and optimal weights, then use the ordered weighted average operator under the normal distribution to calculate the weight of DMs and rank the decision alternatives. Finally, an example is illustrated here, sensitivity and reliability, and comparative analysis are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Salbutamol has been used to alleviate bronchospasm in airway disease for decades, while its potential risks have not been systematically investigated yet. The risk of any potential adverse events (AEs) in patients treated with salbutamol was assessed through systematic review and meta‐analysis. Methods: A systematic search of the literature was conducted, using EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane library, until 3 April 2023. Once the AE incidence was evaluated, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were eligible for review. The endpoints included the incidence of total AEs, severe AEs, treatment discontinuation and specific AEs. The pooled AEs incidence was analysed via random‐effects model in a single‐arm meta‐analysis. A subgroup study was carried out to examine whether the pooled incidence of AE differed by indications or formulations. Results: Of the 8912 studies that were identified, 58 RCTs met the inclusion criteria and involved 12 961 participants. The analysis showed the pooled incidences of total AEs, severe AEs and treatment discontinuation in patients treated with salbutamol were 34%, 2% and 3%, respectively. Subgroup analysis indicated that premature labour users and intravenous salbutamol users were more likely associated with total AEs. The most frequently observed specific AEs were palpitations or tachycardia. Conclusion: This meta‐analysis indicated that salbutamol was associated with a very common risk of palpitations or tachycardia. Clinical vigilance and research efforts are needed to optimize the safe use of salbutamol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the quest to enhance the performance of conventional high-temperature alloys, the limitations of existing materials have become apparent. Refractory high entropy alloys (RHEAs) have emerged as promising candidates, exhibiting exceptional high-temperature properties and offering a novel perspective on advanced materials for extreme environments. This study systematically determined optimal process parameters via single-channel laser cladding (LC), resulting in the development of multi-channel TaNbZrTi RHEA coatings. The investigation encompassed an in-depth analysis of microstructure and oxidation behavior across a temperature range spanning from 800 to 1200 °C. The findings elucidated the complex composition of the coating, characterized by the interplay of BCC1, BCC2, and Fe2Nb phases. The theoretical yield strength of the coating was calculated at 1816.1 MPa, with contributions from solution strengthening, precipitation strengthening, fine crystal strengthening, and alloy foundation strength, standing at 41.1%, 41.5%, 5.5%, and 11.9%, respectively. At 800, 1000 and 1200 °C, the oxide thickness of the coating is 1.4, 2.9, and 34.5 μm, respectively. The transition of BCC2 phase at elevated temperatures and the diffusion of Fe from the substrate emerged as pivotal factors contributing to catastrophic oxidation observed at 1200 °C. Importantly, the diffusion of substrate elements facilitated the formation of Fe2Nb phase, which exhibited robust precipitation strengthening effects, further enhancing the coating overall strength. However, the protective role of Fe oxides proved inadequate, leading to the vulnerability of the oxidation layer and its propensity to fracture, thereby compromising the high-temperature oxidation resistance of the coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) solution treating the acute severe dermatitis in patients receiving radiotherapy. This phase I research enrolled patients with thoracic cancer receiving radiotherapy at Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute in Shandong, China. EGCG solution was sprayed to the radiation field when grade III radiation-induced dermatitis (RID) first appearance. EGCG concentration escalated from 660 to 2574 μmol/L using modified-Fibonacci dose-escalation. RID and related symptoms were followed up every day. Between March 2021 and November 2021, 19 patients were enrolled in this phase I research. The median dose of grade III RID first observation was 44 Gy (30.6–52 Gy). As the EGCG treatment was performed continuously, all these grade III RID reactions were significantly decreased to grade I or grade II RID at three days after use of EGCG (p < 0.001). Significant relief can be observed in burning sensation (p < 0.001), tractive sensation (p < 0.001), tenderness (p < 0.001), erythema (p < 0.001), itching (p < 0.001) and pain (p < 0.001) after 15 days of EGCG treatment. No radiation therapy delay or interruption for all 19 patients. No adverse events were observed and reported associated with EGCG. The highest dose of this Phase I trial (2574 μmol/L) was recommended for continuous Phase II trial for further evaluation. In this phase I clinical research, use of EGCG solution is safe and can significantly relief grade III RID in patients receiving radiotherapy. Thus, EGCG might be a new choice for acute sever RID. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02580279 (Full date of first registration: 12/2014). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glacier surface albedo dominates glacier energy balance, thus strongly affecting the glacier mass balance. Glaciers in the Western Nyainqentanglha Mountains (WNM) experienced large mass losses in the past two decades, but long-term changes of glacier albedo and its drivers are less understood. In this study, we retrieved glacier albedo with MODIS reflectance data to characterize the spatiotemporal variability of albedo from 2001 to 2020. Air temperature, rainfall, snowfall and deposition of light-absorbing impurities (LAIs) were evaluated as potential drivers of the observed variability in glacier albedo. The results showed that: (1) the glacier albedo experienced large inter-annual fluctuations, with the mean albedo being 0.552 ± 0.002 and a clear decreasing trend of 0.0443 ± 2 × 10−4 dec−1 in the WNM. The fastest decline was observed in autumn and in the vicinity of the equilibrium line altitude, indicating an extended melt season and an expansion of the ablation region to higher elevation; (2) local meteorology and LAIs deposition are the main drivers of glacier albedo change, but their effects on seasonal albedos are different due to different glacier processes. Both air temperature and the balance between liquid and solid precipitation affect summer and autumn albedos due to glacier ablation. Air temperature is the main driver of spring and winter albedos due to sublimation and metamorphism of snow, while snowfall carried by westerlies has limited influence on these two seasonal albedos due to less snowfall. LAIs mainly affect spring albedo due to high concentration coupled with the southerly wind in spring. These findings highlight the significance of changes in glacier albedo and the key role of local meteorology and LAIs deposition in determining such changes, which play an important role in glaciological and cryosphere processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: To evaluate the effect of the cardiac cycle for the coronary artery opening and coronary stenosis at the plaque to determine the phase of measuring maximum diameters required for coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: This retrospective study assessed data for 208 consecutive patients who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA). The cross-sectional area and diameters of the opening of the left main coronary artery (LM), left anterior descending branch (LAD), left circumflex branch (LCX) and right coronary artery (RCA), the stenosis rate of involved vessels were measured in 10 cardiac cycles. And all their dynamic changes were estimated by the linear mixed model. The relationship between stenosis rate and opening orifice were analyzed by monofactorial variance. Results: The opening parameters and stenosis rate of the four main coronary arteries varied within the cardiac cycle (p <.05). The maximum opening area occurred at the 45%–55% phase; The range of stenosis rate varied approximately 11%–14% and the maximum stenosis rate was at the 65% phase. The degree of vascular stenosis for LM, LAD and LCX were not associated with their corresponding opening diameters, but were positively intercorrelation with each other. Conclusion: For patients with CAD, the maximum coronary artery stenosis rate were at 65% phase and the maximum value of coronary artery opening were at 45%–55% phase, which were chosen for the appropriate measurement and evaluation by CTA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has triggered a global health crisis, with genetic mutations and evolution further creating uncertainty about epidemic risk. It is imperative to rapidly determine the nucleic acid sequence of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Our goal was to develop a rapid, room-temperature, point-ofcare (POC) detection system to determine the nucleic acid sequences of SARS-CoV-2 isolates, especially omicron variants. Methods: Based on the conserved nucleotide sequence of SARS-CoV-2, bioinformatics software was used to analyze, design, and screen optimal enzymatic isothermal amplification primers and efficient CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) of CRISPR/Cas13a to the target sequences. Reverse transcription-recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) was used to amplify the virus, and CRISPR/Cas13a-crRNA was used to cleave the SARS-CoV-2 target sequence. The sensitivity of nucleic acid detection was assessed by serial dilution of plasmid templates. All reactions were performed at room temperature. Results: RT-RPA, combined with CRISPR/Cas13a, can detect the SARS-CoV-2 with a minimum content of 10² copies/μL, and can effectively distinguish between the original strain and the Omicron variant with a minimum limit of detection (LOD) of 10³ copies/μL. Conclusion: The method developed in this study has potential application in clinical detection of SARSCoV-2 and its omicron variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenolic compounds are one of the main organic pollutants in the environment that can seriously affect ecosystems, even at very low concentrations. Due to the resistance of phenolic compounds to microorganisms, conventional biological treatment methods face challenges in effectively addressing this pollution problem. In this study, a novel laccase mimic (Tris-Cu nanozyme) is prepared using a simple and rapid synthesis strategy based on the coordination of copper ions and amino groups in Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris). It is found that the Tris-Cu nanozyme exhibits good catalytic activity against a variety of phenolic compounds, the Km, Vmax and Kcat are determined to be 0.18 mM, 15.62 μM·min−1 and 1.57 × 107 min−1 using 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DP) as the substrate, respectively. Then, based on the laccase-like activity of the Tris-Cu nanozyme, a novel colorimetric method for 2,4-DP (the limit of detection (LOD) = 2.4 μM, S/N = 3) detection in the range of 10–400 μM was established, and its accuracy was verified by analyzing tap and lake water samples. In addition, the Tris-Cu nanozyme shows excellent removal abilities for six phenolic compounds in experiments. The removal percentages for 2,4-DP, 2-chlorophenol (2-CP), phenol, resorcinol, 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (2,6-DOP), and bisphenol A (BPA) are 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%, 87%, and 81% at 1 h, respectively. In the simulated effluent, the Tris-Cu nanozyme maintains its efficient catalytic activity towards 2,4-DP, with a degradation percentage of 76.36% at 7 min and a reaction rate constant (k0) of 0.2304 min−1. Therefore, this metal–organic complex shows promise for applications in the monitoring and degrading of environmental pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a prognostic biomarker for breast cancer, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) is of crucial diagnostic value. Here, a label-free electrochemical aptasensor was established for the ultrasensitive detection of HER-2 using a modified electrode of Bi–Sb alloy materials (Bi–Sb AMs). The performance of the aptasensor was enhanced greatly due to the introduction of Bi–Sb alloy materials (Bi–Sb AMs) with high conductivity. Furthermore, by integrating the aptasensor with the Sensit Smart U-disk electrochemical analyzer, the point-of-care testing (POCT) for HER-2 was realized. Under the optimal experimental parameters, the POCT analyzer showed a wide linear response from 0.01 pg mL−1 to 100 ng mL−1, with a low detection limit (LOD) of 5.96 fg mL−1 for the detection of HER-2. The presented POCT analyzer exhibited good specificity, stability, and reproducibility. Benefiting from the simple operation and rapid testing, the developed analyzer will have potential application in the prognostic diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Patients with schizophrenia exhibit prospective memory (PM) impairment. Intraindividual reaction time variability (IIRTV) is an index of attentional control that is required for PM. This study examined the differences in IIRTV between patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls and the relationship between IIRTV and PM performance. Method: Thirty-nine patients with schizophrenia and forty-two healthy controls were recruited to complete a PM task and the Sustained Attention to Response Task. IIRTV was calculated as the coefficient of variation (mean/SD) of reaction time over correctly responded trials in these tasks. Results: Patients with schizophrenia showed lower PM accuracy and increased IIRTV, while the associations between PM accuracy and IIRTV were significant in healthy controls but not in patients with schizophrenia. Conclusion: These findings suggest impaired PM and relationship between PM and attentional control in patients with schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inverse or terminal value problems of fractional differential equations become popular recently. But memory effects or non-locality of fractional operators cause many difficulties for theoretical analysis. This study suggests a right fractional calculus method for inverse problem modelling and proposes a concept of inverse-time fractional chaotic maps. First, a simple right fractional linear differential equation's terminal value problem and the solutions are investigated. Then, some basics of the right discrete fractional calculus are introduced and the idea is extended to the discrete case. Right fractional sum equations are derived and numerical schemes are provided for dynamical analysis. Discrete chaos does exist in an inverse-time fractional logistic map and Hénon map, respectively. Their local stability conditions are given. It can be concluded that this right fractional calculus method is simpler but more efficient than the left one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interstitial cystitis (IC) has severe clinical symptoms with unclear mechanism. The continuous inflammatory response of the bladder is the basis of its pathogenesis. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is involved in the regulation and development of various inflammatory diseases. And autophagy plays an important role in IC. In this study, we mainly focus on the therapeutic effect of endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy on protamine/lipopolysaccharide-induced interstitial cystitis. Female Sprague–Dawley rats were randomized into three experimental groups as follows: sham controls(N), IC alone, and IC+4-PBA.Rats in group IC received 10 mg/ml PS in the urinary bladder, followed by 2 mg/ml LPS instillation after 30 min, IC+4-PBA group SD rats received 4-PBA solution administered intragastrically once a day for 5 days. ERS biomarker (GRP78), autophagy-related proteins (LC3I/II, and Beclin1), autophagic flux biomarker (P62), inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6, TNF-a, NF-κB), apoptotic biomarkers (Caspase 3, Bax) were highest in the IC group compared to IC+4-PBA group and N group and the biomarkers expression in IC+4-PBA group were lower than in the IC group, anti-apoptotic biomarker (Bcl-2) was highest in the N group compared to the IC group and IC+4-PBA group and lower in the IC group than in the IC+4-PBA group, oxidative stress biomarkers (HO-1, NQO-1) were remarkably lower in the control group than in the IC and IC+4-PBA groups and notably lower in the IC group than in the IC+4-PBA group. The histological score and mast cell count demonstrated most severe in the IC group than those in the IC+4-PBA group. TUNEL assay examined the level of apoptosis in IC group was higher than in the IC+4-PBA group. The bladder micturition function was significantly improved with 4-PBA treatment. 4-PBA inhibits ERS to recover autophagic flux, and then to suppress the bladder oxidative stress, the inflammatory reaction and apoptosis, finally improve the bladder urinary function in Protamine/Lipopolysaccharide (PS/LPS) induced IC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) solution treating the acute severe dermatitis in patients receiving radiotherapy. This phase I research enrolled patients with thoracic cancer receiving radiotherapy at Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute in Shandong, China. EGCG solution was sprayed to the radiation field when grade III radiation-induced dermatitis (RID) first appearance. EGCG concentration escalated from 660 to 2574 μmol/L using modified-Fibonacci dose-escalation. RID and related symptoms were followed up every day. Between March 2021 and November 2021, 19 patients were enrolled in this phase I research. The median dose of grade III RID first observation was 44 Gy (30.6–52 Gy). As the EGCG treatment was performed continuously, all these grade III RID reactions were significantly decreased to grade I or grade II RID at three days after use of EGCG (p < 0.001). Significant relief can be observed in burning sensation (p < 0.001), tractive sensation (p < 0.001), tenderness (p < 0.001), erythema (p < 0.001), itching (p < 0.001) and pain (p < 0.001) after 15 days of EGCG treatment. No radiation therapy delay or interruption for all 19 patients. No adverse events were observed and reported associated with EGCG. The highest dose of this Phase I trial (2574 μmol/L) was recommended for continuous Phase II trial for further evaluation. In this phase I clinical research, use of EGCG solution is safe and can significantly relief grade III RID in patients receiving radiotherapy. Thus, EGCG might be a new choice for acute sever RID. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02580279 (Full date of first registration: 12/2014). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most devastating diabetic microvascular complications. It has previously been observed that iron metabolism levels are abnormal in diabetic patients. However, the mechanism by which iron metabolism levels affect DN is poorly understood. This study was designed to evaluate the role of iron-chelator deferoxamine (DFO) in the improvement of DN. Here, we established a DN rat model induced by diets high in carbohydrates and fat and streptozotocin (STZ) injection. Our data demonstrated that DFO treatment for three weeks greatly attenuated renal dysfunction as evidenced by decreased levels of urinary albumin, blood urea nitrogen, and serum creatinine, which were elevated in DN rats. Histopathological observations showed that DFO treatment improved the renal structures of DN rats and preserved podocyte integrity by preventing the decrease of transcripts of nephrin and podocin. In addition, DFO treatment reduced the overexpression of fibronectin 1, collagen I, IL-1β, NF-κB, and MCP-1 in DN rats, as well as inflammatory cell infiltrates and collagenous fibrosis. Taken together, our findings unveiled that iron chelation via DFO injection had a protective impact on DN by alleviating inflammation and fibrosis, and that it could be a potential therapeutic strategy for DN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intelligent traffic control at nonsignalized intersections under a connected and automated vehicle (CAV) environment can reduce traffic congestion, vehicle emissions [e.g., carbon dioxide ðCO2Þ, carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxide (NO)], but it is still not safe enough for an unpredictable emergency. For example, an accidental stop or slow down of a vehicle in the conflict area will cause secondary accidents of vehicles from other directions because they do not have enough distance to brake. Such risks have not been given sufficient attention in the literature. This paper proposed a safety guarantee mechanism of intersection control to avoid secondary accidents by adding a safe buffer area outside the conflict area of the intersection. To improve the traffic efficiency of intersections and reduce vehicle emissions under the mechanism, we proposed a heuristic vehicle trajectory planning control strategy based on vehicle kinematics. Three planning principles are applied to generate the microscopic trajectory for each vehicle: (1) the vehicle first decelerates and then accelerates before passing the intersection; (2) try not to change the running state of the vehicle; and (3) the vehicles do not collide with each other. Finally, to further improve efficiency, we proposed the concept of a dynamic safety area, which reduces the delay by self-adjusting the safety area to each vehicle’s trajectory. The paper selected three simulation scenarios of road intersections to validate our methodology. The simulation results show that the proposed control method with the safe buffer significantly reduces average vehicle delay and emissions compared to traditional signal control systems. Compared with the fixed buffer, in the dynamic safe buffer scenario, the average vehicle delay can be reduced by 66.94%, the throughput is increased by 18.75%, and CO2 emissions are reduced by 9.9%. The dynamic safe buffer can not only relax the safety concern of a nonsignalized intersection, which is not well addressed in the literature, but also has much better performance than the traditional intersection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of the type of vascular access on the outcomes in the elderly haemodialysis patients is still unclear. The goal of the present study was to compare survival outcomes in elderly haemodialysis patients who received either arteriovenous graft (AVG) or arteriovenous fistula (AVF). A systematic literature search was performed in EMBASE, Cochrane, MEDLINE, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar databases for papers published from January 1954 until January 2022. Risk of bias in the selected publications was assessed by Newcastle Ottawa scale or Cochrane risk of bias tool depending on the study design. Meta-analysis was carried out using the random-effects model. Data were reported as pooled odds ratio (OR) or hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). A total of 12 studies were included in the analysis. The majority of the studies had poor quality. Elderly patients receiving AVG had significantly worse survival rate compared with patients that received AVF for the haemodialysis access, with a pooled HR of 1.38 (95% CI, 1.24-1.53; I2=79.9%). Pooled HR for access survival was 1.60 (95% CI, 1.54-1.66; I2=0%). Pooled OR for primary patency rate, maturation failure and infections were 1.81 (95% CI, 0.73-4.49; I2=79.2%), 0.33 (95% CI, 0.12-0.91; I2=70.4%) and 9.74 (95% CI, 2.60-36.49; I2=52.4%), respectively. These results suggested that in elderly patients undergoing haemodialysis, AVG was associated with reduced overall survival and access survival, and higher infection rate, compared with AVF. Notably, AVG was also associated with a lower risk of maturation failure, presenting a potential advantage in specific patient populations (study registration: PROSPERO, no. CRD42022313199). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a two-phase heat transfer device, achieving a high capillarity of the wick while reducing flow resistance within a limited space becomes the key to improving the heat dissipation performance. As a commonly used wick structure, mesh is widely employed because of its high permeability. However, achieving the desired capillary performance often requires multiple layers to be superimposed to ensure an adequate capillary, resulting in an increased thickness of the wick. In this study, an ultra-thin biomimetic copper forest structural modification of copper mesh was performed using an electrochemical deposition to solve the contradiction between the permeability and the capillary. The experiments were conducted on a copper mesh to investigate the effects of various conditions on their morphology and capillary performance. The results indicate that the capillary performance of the modified copper mesh improves with a longer deposition time. The capillary pressure drops can reach up to 1400 Pa when using ethanol as the working fluid. Furthermore, the modified copper mesh demonstrates a capillary performance value (ΔPc·K) of 8.44 × 10−8 N, which is 1.7 times higher than that of the unmodified samples. Notably, this enhanced performance is achieved with a thickness of only 142 μm. The capillary limit can reach up to 45 W when the modified copper mesh is only 180 μm. Microscopic flow analysis reveals that the copper forest modified structure maintains the original high permeability of the copper mesh while providing a greater capillary force, thereby enhancing the overall flow characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on product quality control issue of polystyrene polymerization reaction process. A novel tube‐based batch model predictive control (BMPC) strategy based on a data‐driven model is presented, which is inspired by the tube‐based robust model predictive control (MPC) strategy. First, the dynamic behavior of the polystyrene polymerization reaction process is captured with high accuracy by establishing a just‐in‐time learning (JITL) model. Then, the built JITL model is regarded as the nominal system, and a BMPC is designed on the basis of JITL model to obtain the nominal trajectory, which is an integrated control system framework composed of iterative learning control (ILC) and MPC. Meanwhile, another auxiliary MPC (AMPC) is designed to minimize the deviation between the actual trajectory and the nominal trajectory, and the actual tracking errors are limited to the tube invariant set centered on the nominal errors to restrain the performance deterioration of the control system caused by the modeling errors. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed tube‐based BMPC method is verified by simulating an industrial batch polystyrene polymerization reaction process. The results indicate that the presented control algorithm not only enhances the tracking performance of the system but also provides a more robust system stability than existing methods. This paper provides a new solution to improve the product quality of polystyrene polymerization reaction process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the impact on efficacy and safety between epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) alone and in combination with Shenqi Fuzheng injection (SFI) in patients with advanced NSCLC harboring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activating mutations. Methods: Retrospectively, information of 88 patients receiving EGFR-TKIs as first-line targeted treatment or in combination with SFI in the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical College and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Anhui University of Science and Technology was collected. The primary endpoint was to assess progression-free survival (PFS) and safety of EGFR-TKIs alone or in combination with SFI. Results: Between January 2016 and December 2019, a total of 88 patients were enrolled in this research, including 50 cases in the EGFR-TKIs single agent therapy group and 38 cases in the SFI combined with EGFR-TKIs targeted-therapy group. The median PFS (mPFS) of monotherapy group was 10.50 months (95%CI 9.81–11.19), and 14.30 months (95%CI 10.22–18.38) in the combination therapy group. Compared to the single EGFR-TKIs administration, combinational regimen with SFI exhibited a lower incidence of rash and diarrhea in patients and was even better tolerated. Conclusions: SFI combined with the first-generation EGFR-TKIs are more efficient, can prominently prolong the PFS and attenuate the adverse reactions in patients with advanced NSCLC with EGFR-sensitive mutations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]