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Molybdenum cofactor sulfurase (MoCoS) is a key gene involved in the uric acid metabolic pathway that activates xanthine dehydrogenase to synthesise uric acid. Uric acid is harmful to mammals but plays crucial roles in insects, one of which is the immune responses. However, the function of Bombyx mori MoCoS in response to BmNPV remains unclear. In this study, BmMoCoS was found to be relatively highly expressed in embryonic development, gonads and the Malpighian tubules. In addition, the expression levels of BmMoCoS were significantly upregulated in three silkworm strains with different levels of resistance after virus infection, suggesting a close link between them. Furthermore, RNAi and overexpression studies showed that BmMoCoS was involved in resistance to BmNPV infection, and its antivirus effects were found to be related to the regulation of uric acid metabolism, which was uncovered by inosine‐ and febuxostat‐coupled RNAi and overexpression. Finally, the BmMoCoS‐mediated uric acid pathway was preliminarily confirmed to be a potential target to protect silkworms from BmNPV infection. Overall, this study provides new evidence for elucidating the molecular mechanism of silkworms in response to BmNPV infection and new strategies for the prevention of viral infections in sericulture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A dinuclear Fe(II) spin crossover (SCO) complex with the formula [Fe2L5(NCS)4]·2DMF·2H2O (1) was synthesised from 1-naphthylimino-1,2,4-triazole (L). Complex 1 exhibits an incomplete thermally induced spin transition with a transition temperature T1/2 of 95 K and a thermally trapped metastable high-spin state at low temperatures. Furthermore, it undergoes a reversible light-induced spin crossover by alternate irradiation with 532 and 808 nm lasers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the event of a postulated severe accident, fission products may leak into the reactor building through the containment wall, exerting a radiological impact on the emergency response team as they are tasked with performing mitigative missions. It is thus important to estimate the potential radiological consequences of the mission before taking action so that an optimized plan can be devised to avoid putting the team in harm's way unintentionally. Some of the most well-known accident simulation codes were attempted to do the estimation, but were found to be too time consuming to get the results, making them not suitable for emergency use. The problem evidently arises from the fact that there are too many (about 200) compartments in a typical reactor building. In this study, the software REMADA is developed to simulate fission product dispersion in a reactor building (with about 200 compartments) within a reasonable timeframe, and to estimate the radiation doses to those who are carrying out mitigative missions in the reactor building. The results show that the software is not only fast, but also informative, to provide support for well-informed emergency decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Auxin regulates plant growth and development through downstream signaling pathways, including the best-known SCFTIR1/AFB-Aux/IAA-ARF pathway and several other less characterized "noncanonical" pathways. Recently, one SCFTIR1/AFB-independent noncanonical pathway, mediated by Transmembrane Kinase 1 (TMK1), was discovered through the analyses of its functions in Arabidopsis apical hook development. Asymmetric accumulation of auxin on the concave side of the apical hook triggers DAR1-catalyzed release of the C-terminal of TMK1, which migrates into the nucleus, where it phosphorylates and stabilizes IAA32/34 to inhibit cell elongation, which is essential for full apical hook formation. However, the molecular factors mediating IAA32/34 degradation have not been identified. Here, we show that proteins in the CYTOKININ INDUCED ROOT WAVING 1 (CKRW1)/WAVY GROWTH 3 (WAV3) subfamily act as E3 ubiquitin ligases to target IAA32/34 for ubiquitination and degradation, which is inhibited by TMK1c-mediated phosphorylation. This antagonistic interaction between TMK1c and CKRW1/WAV3 subfamily E3 ubiquitin ligases regulates IAA32/34 levels to control differential cell elongation along opposite sides of the apical hook. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design. A retrospective study. Objective. To compare the mini nutritional assessment-short form (MNA-SF), geriatric nutritional risk index, prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and preoperative serum albumin level as predictors of postoperative adverse events (AEs) in degenerative spine deformity (DSD) patients. Summary of Background Data. Although various nutritional screening tools have been well evaluated in patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery, the most suitable tool for the DSD population remains uncertain at present. Patients and Methods. The authors reviewed consecutive patients who underwent thoracolumbar fusion surgery for DSD between August 2016 and May 2023. Four screening tools were used to assess preoperative nutritional status. Patients were divided into two categories according to each screening tool, and the four screening tools were compared regarding their predictive power for postoperative AEs, including the rates of extended length of hospital stays (LOS), complications, and readmission within three months. Physical functional indicators such as time to first ambulation, nonhome discharge, and postoperative LOS were assessed as secondary outcome measures. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with postoperative AEs. Results. A total of 228 patients were included. The demographic characteristics, underlying disease, and magnitude of correction were not significantly different between well-nourished and malnourished groups. The nutritional risks shown by MNA-SF and albumin level were significantly associated with infectious complications (P<0.05). The nutritional risk shown by MNA-SF was significantly associated with nonhome discharge, prolonged postoperative LOS (12.5±8.2 vs. 10.3±6.1, P=0.039), and delayed ambulation (3.7 ±2.1 vs. 2.2±1.8, P= 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that PNI <50 was significantly associated with total AEs and minor AEs after DSD surgery. Conclusions. PNI was significantly associated with the incidence of total AEs and minor AEs, while preoperative albumin level and MNA-SF were more effective in predicting postoperative infectious complications and delayed recovery of physical function, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective • The objective of this study is to investigate effective pain management strategies for women undergoing labiaplasty surgery. By focusing on pain relief, patient rehabilitation, and satisfaction improvement, we aim to enhance the overall patient experience and outcomes of this common gynecological plastic surgery. Methods • A total of 126 individuals diagnosed with labia minora hypertrophy and who underwent plastic surgery on their labia minora within the period of July 2020 to July 2023 were chosen as the participants for this study. They were divided into an observation group and a comparison group, each consisting of 63 cases, based on the different nursing methods. The comparison group was treated with routine perioperative nursing after labia minora surgery, and the observation group was treated with perioperative pain nursing management based on the comparison group. Postoperative pain score, comfort score, incision healing time, first urination time, night Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score, complications, and satisfaction were compared between the two groups. All data were established in an Excel database, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS26.0. Statistical methods used include descriptive analysis, t tests, and Chi-square tests. Results • The mean incision healing time of the observation group was 3.90±0.61 days, and that of the control group was 3.62±0.64 days. The mean incision healing time of the observation group was significantly different from that of the control group (P < .05). VRS scores and PSQI scores were significantly lower in both groups 1 week aftercare compared with 1 day before care, indicating improvements in pain and sleep quality. The improvement degree of VRS score and PSQI score in the observation group was significantly different (P < .05). The number of incision infections, hematoma, flap necrosis, skin scar, delayed healing, and total complication rate were 3 in the observation group and 11 in the comparison group, indicating that the complication rate in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the comparison group. The comparison difference was statistically significant (P < .05). Through the Chi-square test, the nursing satisfaction and perineal aesthetic effect satisfaction of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the comparison group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < .05). Conclusions • The implementation of perioperative pain nursing management has been shown to effectively alleviate pain in patients diagnosed with labia minora hypertrophy. This approach not only enhances treatment comfort but also significantly reduces the occurrence of postoperative complications. Additionally, it accelerates the healing process of incisions, improves the quality of incision healing, and enhances patient satisfaction with both the aesthetic outcome of the perineal area and the quality of nursing care provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-mediated hypoxia signaling pathway influences oxygen homeostasis in aerobic organisms. This pathway is regulated by several other pathways. Elucidation of its regulation and the underlying mechanisms may provide insights into the strategies of adaptation and tolerance of organisms to hypoxia. In this study, we found that loss of ubiquitin-specific protease 3 (usp3) in zebrafish promotes hypoxia tolerance. Zebrafish usp3 specifically binds to hif-1αa and induces its proteasomal degradation, which is dependent on its deubiquitinase activity. This process leads to the suppression of hypoxia signaling under hypoxia. In addition, usp3 catalyzes the deubiquitination of K63-polyubiquitinated hif-1αa. Endogenous evidence indicated that mammalian USP3 behaves like zebrafish usp3 in regulating the activity of HIF-1α. These findings revealed a novel role for usp3 in influencing hypoxia signaling and showed that usp3-mediated HIF-1α degradation impairs hypoxia signaling, leading to a decrease in hypoxia tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shadow education has burgeoned into a global phenomenon, and over the last 30 years, a substantial body of literature has emerged to explore this trend. Drawing on bibliometric data from 377 articles retrieved from the Web of Science (WOS), this study investigates the evolving landscape of shadow education research. It examines historical publication trends through performance analysis, intellectual sources and evolving themes using co‐citation analysis, complemented by co‐word analysis. Major authors and collaboration dynamics are discerned through co‐authorship analysis, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of collaborative networks. Additionally, the study constructs an evolution path for shadow education research published in journals, employing citation analysis supplemented by social network analysis methods. In conclusion, the study not only illuminates the historical trajectory of shadow education as a concept but also poses pertinent questions and offers recommendations for future research. Our research significantly contributes to the comprehension of how shadow education has evolved from a nascent concept into a global research discourse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a leading cause of hospital-acquired acute kidney injury (AKI). Recently, ferroptosis was reported to be crucial for AKI pathogenesis. Our previous studies indicated antioxidant tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) prevent CIN in vivo. However, whether ferroptosis is involved in TMP nephroprotective mechanism against CIN is unclear. In the present study, we investigated the role of renal tubular epithelial cell ferroptosis in TMP reno-protective effect against CIN and the molecular mechanisms by which TMP regulates ferroptosis. Classical contrast-medium, Iohexol, was used to construct CIN models in rats and HK-2 cells. Results showed that tubular cell injury was accompanied by ferroptosis both in vivo and in vitro, including the typical features of ferroptosis, Fe2+ accumulation, lipid peroxidation and decreased glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Ferroptosis inhibition by classic inhibitors Fer-1 and DFO promoted cell viability and reduced intracellular ROS production. Additionally, TMP significantly inhibited renal dysfunction, reduced AKI biomarkers, prevented ROS production, inhibited renal Fe2+ accumulation and increased GPX4 expression. Expressions of various proteins associated with iron ion metabolism, including transferrin receptor (TFRC), divalent metal transporter 1, iron-responsive element binding protein 2, ferritin heavy chain 1, ferroportin 1, and heat shock factor binding protein 1, were examined using mechanistic analyses. Among these, TFRC changes were the most significant after TMP pretreatment. Results of siRNA knockdown and plasmid overexpression of TFRC indicated that TFRC is essential for TMP to alleviate ferroptosis and reduce LDH release, Fe2+ accumulation and intracellular ROS. Our findings provide crucial insights about the potential of TMP in treating AKI associated with ferroptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a class of three-by-three block systems of linear equations arising from many practical problems, we develop a multi-parameter dimensional split (MPDS) preconditioner to accelerate the convergence of the Krylov subspace methods. Inasmuch as the preconditioning effect of the MPDS preconditioner depends on the values of its parameters, an effective method for computing the optimal parameters is also proposed. Moreover, the eigenvalue distribution of the preconditioned matrix is carefully analyzed. Numerical examples arising from the discretizations of the Navier–Stokes equations and the partial differential equation (PDE) constraint optimization problems are employed to illustrate the robustness and the efficiency of the MPDS preconditioner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Samsoniella was erected based on orange cylindrical to clavate stromata, superficial perithecia and conidiophores with Isaria-like phialides and to segregate them from the Akanthomyces group. In this study, based on morphological features and multigene (SSU, LSU, TEF, RPB1 and RPB2) phylogenetic analysis six Samsoniella species parasitizing spiders were collected in China. Three of them belong to known species S. alpina, S. erucae and S. hepiali. Three new species S. anhuiensis sp. nov., S. aranea sp. nov. and S. fusiformispora sp. nov. are illustrated and described. They are clearly distinct from other species in Samsoniella occurring in independent subclades. Furthermore, among the four insect-pathogenic fungi specimens collected from similar sites, three of them were identified as the new species described below. Our study significantly broadens the host range of Samsoniella from Insecta to Arachnida, marking a noteworthy expansion in understanding the ecological associations of these fungi. Additionally, the identification of both mononematous and synnematous conidiophores in our study not only expands the knowledge of Samsoniella species but also provides a basis for future research by comparing the ecological significance between these conidiophore types. In conclusion, our study enhances the understanding of Samsoniella diversity, presenting a refined phylogenetic framework and shedding light on the ecological roles of these fungi in spider parasitism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keratin 80 (KRT80) is a filament protein that makes up one of the major structural fibers of epithelial cells, and involved in cell differentiation and epithelial barrier integrity. Here, KRT80 mRNA expression was found to be higher in esophageal cancer than normal epithelium by RT-PCR and bioinformatics analysis (p < .05), opposite to KRT80 methylation (p < .05). There was a negative relationship between promoter methylation and expression level of KRT80 gene in esophageal cancer (p < .05). KRT80 mRNA expression was positively correlated with the differentiation, infiltration of immune cells, and poor prognosis of esophageal cancer (p < .05). KRT80 mRNA expression was positively linked to no infiltration of immune cells, the short survival time of esophageal cancers (p < .05). The differential genes of KRT80 mRNA were involved in fat digestion and metabolism, peptidase inhibitor, and intermediate filament, desosome, keratinocyte differentiation, epidermis development, keratinization, ECM regulator, complement cascade, metabolism of vitamins and co-factor (p < .05). KRT-80-related genes were classified into endocytosis, cell adhesion molecule binding, cadherin binding, cell-cell junction, cell leading edge, epidermal cell differentiation and development, T cell differentiation and receptor complex, plasma membrane receptor complex, external side of plasma membrane, metabolism of amino acids and catabolism of small molecules, and so forth (p < .05). KRT80 knockdown suppressed anti-apoptosis, anti-pyroptosis, migration, invasion, chemoresistance, and lipogenesis in esophageal cancer cells (p < .05), while ACC1 and ACLY overexpression reversed the inhibitory effects of KRT80 on lipogenesis and chemoresistance. These findings indicated that up-regulated expression of KRT80 might be involved in esophageal carcinogenesis and subsequent progression, aggravate aggressive phenotypes, and induced chemoresistance by lipid droplet assembly and ACC1- and ACLY-mediated lipogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, significant oil discoveries have been made in the shallower pay zones of the Jurassic Badaowan Formation (J1b) in the Mahu Sag, Junggar Basin, Northwest China. However, little work has been done on the geochemical characteristics and origins of the oil in the J1b reservoir. This study analyzes 44 oil and 14 source rock samples from the area in order to reveal their organic geochemical characteristics and the origins of the oils. The J1b oils are characterized by a low Pr/Ph ratio and high β-carotene and gammacerane indices, which indicate that they were mainly generated from source rocks deposited in a hypersaline environment. The oils are also extremely enhanced in C29 regular steranes, possibly derived from halophilic algae. Oil-source correlation shows that the oils were derived from the Lower Permian Fengcheng Formation (P1f) source rocks, which were deposited in a strongly stratified and highly saline water column with a predominance of algal/bacterial input in the organic matter. The source rocks of the Middle Permian lower-Wuerhe Formation (P2w), which were deposited in fresh to slightly saline water conditions with a greater input of terrigenous organic matter, make only a minor contribution to the J1b oils. The reconstruction of the oil accumulation process shows that the J1b oil reservoir may have been twice charged during Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous and the Paleogene–Neogene, respectively. A large amount volume of hydrocarbons generated in the P1f source rock and leaked from T1b oil reservoirs migrated along faults connecting source beds and shallow-buried secondary faults into Jurassic traps, resulting in large-scale accumulations in J1b. These results are crucial for understanding the petroleum system of the Mahu Sag and will provide valuable guidance for petroleum exploration in the shallower formations in the slope area of the sag. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let Alg L be a J-subspace lattice algebra on a Banach space X and Inv(Alg L) be the set of all invertible elements of Alg L. Suppose that δ : Alg L → Alg L is a linear mapping satisfying δ(A) ◦ A−1 + A ◦ δ(A−1) = 2δ(I) with A ∈ Inv(Alg L), where I is the identity element of Alg L and ◦ denotes the Jordan product A ◦ B = AB + BA for all A, B ∈ Alg L. We show that δ is a derivation. This result can apply to atomic Boolean subspace lattice algebras and pentagon subspace lattice algebras. Moreover, we give a characterization of Jordan derivation on Banach algebra with unity by the consideration of a continuous bilinear map. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To overcome poor error suppression performance and low control accuracy in the polishing robot-driven branch chain control system, this paper proposes an improved active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) from the design of the derived nonlinear function. Subsequently, the tracking differentiator (TD), extended state observer (ESO) and nonlinear state error feedback (SEF) are designed in the ADRC, and the driven branch’s ADRC servo-control system is established based on the permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) with each driven branch. Meantime, by establishing first-order and second-order ADRC, current-loop control, and speed-and-position-loop control are realized, respectively. Finally, this study analysed differences in the speed and motor rotor error performance between the proportional-integralderivative (PID)control and ADRC control strategy by using Simulink. Furthermore, an experiment platform, including hardware and software, is built to validate some inclusions. The results show that the ADRC not only realises high-precision trajectory tracking control but also ensures the rapid response performance of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most molybdenum (Mo) deposits are considered to be associated with magmatic systems; however, their genetic link is not clearly resolved when using, for example, bulk sulfur (S) and lead (Pb) isotopes of sulfides dominated by pyrite separates. Here, we present microtextures and in situ trace-element results of pyrite, in situ S isotopic compositions of molybdenite and pyrite, and Pb isotopes of pyrite and K-feldspar determined by laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and multicollector (MC) LA-ICP-MS. Combined with geochronologic data for both the magmatism and Mo mineralization, these in situ methods allowed the genetic link between Mo mineralization and magmatism to be unraveled at Shipingchuan, SE China. The Shipingchuan deposit is characterized by molybdenite-quartz veins hosted by faults or fractures around a biotite K-feldspar granite. Zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb and molybdenite Re-Os dating results confirm that the biotite K-feldspar granite and mineralization were coeval and formed during the end of the Early Cretaceous (ca. 105 Ma), whereas postmineralization monzogranite porphyry dikes formed at 93.7 Ma. Pyrite shows a close mutual relationship with molybdenite and is characterized by Co-Ni-As-Te-Cu-Pb-AgBi–rich cores (PyI) revealed by LA-ICP-MS data. Co/Ni and calculated (Se/S)fluid ratios for both cores (PyI) and rims (PyII) indicate a magmatic-hydrothermal origin. The in situ S isotopic compositions (δ34S) of molybdenite are 2.1‰ to 6.8‰, which are identical to those of molybdenite separates. PyI has δ34S values of –6.9‰ to 0.8‰, whereas PyII exhibits slightly more negative values of –7.5‰ to –0.2‰. These analyses indicate reliable results for in situ S isotopes in molybdenite, which could be more appropriate to constrain the origin of sulfur in hydrothermal fluids than results from pyrite analysis. The in situ S isotopic compositions of sulfides confirm a magmatic source for sulfur. The in situ Pb isotopic compositions of pyrite are consistent with those of K-feldspar from the biotite K-feldspar granite, indicating a common source. The heterogeneous As/Ni, As/ Sb, and As/Bi values, as well as the variations of δ34S values of both PyI and PyII, indicate progressive oxidization of the hydrothermal fluids. These results illustrate that the metalrich fluids were released from the granite and migrated along faults and fractures around the granite in an extensional setting. The precipitation of molybdenite-quartz veins at Shipingchuan was triggered by changes in temperatures and redox conditions, which were caused by mixing of magmatic fluids and meteoric water. Results in this study provide an example of tracing the link between Mo mineralization and magmatism using in situ S isotopic compositions of molybdenite and Pb isotopes of pyrite and K-feldspar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Oxidizing reagents are the most prevalent and exhibit a high recovery rate. • The recycling and composting processes significantly impact the generation of microplastics. • Studies prove microplastic leakage from landfills into surrounding environment. • Acid rain can intensify microplastic dispersion from unmanaged ash piles. • Closed loop device proposed to enhance microplastic extraction efficiency. Numerous studies have reported the presence of microplastics (MPs) in waste collection and disposal systems. However, current scientific studies on measuring MP occurrence in a waste management context are not comparable due to a lack of standardized methodologies. Consequently, the impact of MPs on ecosystems and human health remains largely unclear. To address the inconsistencies, present in published studies, this review thoroughly examines sample preparation techniques for transfer stations, landfill leachate, recycling, compost, and incineration ash samples. Furthermore, various analytical approaches such as flotation, filtration, and organic matter digestion, as well as morphological categorization, identification, and quantification, are subsequently rigorously assessed. The benefits and limitations of each methodology are evaluated to facilitate the development of accurate and effective methods for detecting and characterizing nanoplastics. Recent research suggests that plastic recycling and composting facilities are the primary environmental sources of microplastic pollution among different waste treatment methods. The most prevalent microplastic types discovered in waste management were polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), with fragment and fiber being the most frequently reported morphologies. The review highlights a number of tactics that could be integrated into the methodology development for detecting microplastics in waste management systems (WMS), ultimately leading to better consistency and reliability of data across different studies. In essence, this will advance our comprehension of potential risks associated with microplastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The white epidermis of silkworms is due to the accumulation of uric acid crystals. Abnormal silkworm uric acid metabolism decreases uric acid production, leading to a transparent or translucent phenotype. The oily silkworm op50 is a mutant strain with a highly transparent epidermis derived from the p50 strain. It shows more susceptibility to Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) infection than the wild type; however, the underlying mechanism is unknown. This study analysed the changes in 34 metabolites in p50 and op50 at different times following BmNPV infection based on comparative metabolomics. The differential metabolites were mainly clustered in six metabolic pathways. Of these, the uric acid pathway was identified as critical for resistance in silkworms, as feeding with inosine significantly enhanced larval resistance compared to other metabolites and modulated other metabolic pathways. Additionally, the increased level of resistance to BmNPV in inosine‐fed silkworms was associated with the regulation of apoptosis, which is mediated by the reactive oxygen species produced during uric acid synthesis. Furthermore, feeding the industrial strain Jingsong (JS) with inosine significantly increased the level of larval resistance to BmNPV, indicating its potential application in controlling the virus in sericulture. These results lay the foundation for clarifying the resistance mechanism of silkworms to BmNPV and provide new strategies and methods for the biological control of pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bed bugs are blood-feeding insects and are an important urban pest. Bed bugs are nocturnal insects and hide in cracks in walls and beds during the day. The study aims to: (1) determine the bed bugs species that infest Iraq, their infestation source, and their distribution; (2) determine the level of awareness and concern regarding bed bugs among the Iraqi community. Methods: Between 2020 and 2021, a survey of bed bug infestation dynamics was conducted in 18 infested sites located in major cities across eight governorates. The 23-item online survey was distributed over social media to Iraqi citizens between June and July 2022 to survey on their familiarity with bed bug habitat, medical significance, transmission, prevention, control measures, and concerns. Results: There were a total of 1104 bed bugs collected. Based on the morphological characteristics, bed bugs collected from eight Iraqi governorates are identified as Cimex hemipterus. Besides, a high rate of bed bug infestation was observed in workers' dormitories. The online questionnaire was answered by 1843 respondents and based on the feedback, most respondents (55.3%) have no awareness of bed bug infestations, while around 43.8% are somewhat concerned about bed bug infestations in Iraq. Conclusion: Only tropical bed bugs, C. hemipterus were found in all sampled sites. Bed bug infestations are mainly caused by migrant workers and the reuse of second-hand furniture and clothing. The results suggest that the Iraqi government should organize more proper demonstrations on bed bug awareness for the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the role of glial cells in the regulation of glucoprivic responses in rats, a chemogenetic approach was used to activate astrocytes neighboring catecholamine (CA) neurons in the ventromedial medulla (VLM) where A1 and C1 CA cell groups overlap (A1/C1). Previous results indicate that activation of CA neurons in this region is necessary and sufficient for feeding and corticosterone release in response to glucoprivation. However, it is not known whether astrocyte neighbors of CA neurons contribute to glucoregulatory responses. Hence, we made nanoinjections of AAV5-GFAP-hM3D(Gq)-mCherry to selectively transfect astrocytes in the A1/C1 region with the excitatory designer receptor exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs), hM3D (Gq). After allowing time for DREADD expression, we evaluated the rats for increased food intake and corticosterone release in response to low systemic doses of the antiglycolytic agent, 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG), alone and in combination with the hM3D (Gq) activator clozapine-N-oxide (CNO). We found that DREADD-transfected rats ate significantly more food when 2DG and CNO were coadministered than when either 2DG or CNO was injected alone. We also found that CNO significantly enhanced 2DG-induced FOS expression in the A1/C1 CA neurons, and that corticosterone release also was enhanced when CNO and 2DG were administered together. Importantly, CNO-induced activation of astrocytes in the absence of 2DG did not trigger food intake or corticosterone release. Our results indicate that during glucoprivation, activation of VLM astrocytes cells markedly increases the sensitivity or responsiveness of neighboring A1/C1 CA neurons to glucose deficit, suggesting a potentially important role for VLM astrocytes in glucoregulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, strawberry harvesting relies heavily on human labour and subjective assessments of ripeness, resulting in inconsistent post-harvest quality. Therefore, the aim of this work is to automate this process and provide a more accurate and efficient way of assessing ripeness. We explored a unique combination of YOLOv7 object detection and augmented reality technology to detect and visualise the ripeness of strawberries. Our results showed that the proposed YOLOv7 object detection model, which employed transfer learning, fine-tuning and multi-scale training, accurately identified the level of ripeness of each strawberry with an mAP of 0.89 and an F1 score of 0.92. The tiny models have an average detection time of 18 ms per frame at a resolution of 1280 × 720 using a high-performance computer, thereby enabling real-time detection in the field. Our findings distinctly establish the superior performance of YOLOv7 when compared to other cutting-edge methodologies. We also suggest using Microsoft HoloLens 2 to overlay predicted ripeness labels onto each strawberry in the real world, providing a visual representation of the ripeness level. Despite some challenges, this work highlights the potential of augmented reality to assist farmers in harvesting support, which could have significant implications for current agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Continuous cropping is known to have profound effects on the soil microbial community in different planting systems. However, we lack an understanding of how different years of continuous cropping affects rhizosphere soil bacterial community co-occurrence pattern and assembly processes in the cut chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) field. Methods and results: We collected the soils from cut chrysanthemum rhizospheres with planting for 1 year (PY1) and continuous cropping for 6 years (CY6) and 12 years (CY12). Real-time quantitative PCR and flow cytometry (FCM) techniques were used to test the 16S rRNA gene copy number and bacterial cell count, respectively. The bacterial community structure was analysed by using high-throughput sequencing technology. The CY12 had a significantly decreased soil fertility index and rhizosphere bacterial living cell counts and gene copy numbers compared to CY6 and PY1 (P < 0.05). The rhizosphere bacterial community dissimilarity increased as the continuous cropping years increased. Three main ecological clusters (modules #1, #2, and #3) were observed in the bacterial co-occurrence network across all samples, and only the relative abundance of module #1 (enriched in the CY12) was significantly correlated with soil fertility (P < 0.05). Moreover, the rhizosphere bacterial community assembly was primarily governed by the deterministic process under 12 years of continuous cropping. Conclusions: Soil fertility decline correlates with ecological network modularization and the deterministic assembly process of the rhizosphere bacterial community of cut chrysanthemum during continuous cropping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background : Targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) has been shown to reduce phantom limb pain (PLP) and residual limb pain (RLP) in amputee patients, improving the quality of life. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the quality of data and determine the efficacy of TMR on pain reduction and functional outcomes in amputees. Methods: The protocol was registered and published a priori on PROSPERO (CRD42021285083). Medline, Embase, CENTRAL, Science Citation Index, and PsycINFO databases were searched until June 2022, retrieving 10 studies (n = 943). Selected outcomes were pain scores, improvement in limb function, complication rates, pain medication, and resubmission rates. Results: Ten studies (1 RCT and 9 observational studies) were included (n = 1099 limbs). The mean follow-up was 17.9 months (range 9.6–24.0). For NRS, the pooled mean difference was − 2.68 (95% CI: − 3.21, − 2.14; p < 0.0001) for RLP and − 2.17 (95% CI: − 2.70, − 1.63; p < 0.0001) for PLP, in favor of the TMR group, respectively. Pooled mean differences were significantly lower for all domains (all p < 0.0001) of the PROMIS score, in favor of the TMR group. Complication rates ranged from 0 to 16%. All studies showed a reduction in PLP and RLP following TMR. Three studies, assessing functional outcomes, showed an increase following TMR. The RCT was graded high quality and observational studies were moderate to very low quality. Conclusions: Despite varying study quality, pooled analysis shows a significant reduction in RLP and PLP across all PROMIS domains and significant reduction in NRS scores in the TMR group. Additionally, TMR demonstrated improved functional outcomes for amputees. Systematic review registration. PROSPERO CRD42021285083. Level of evidence: Not gradable [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive softening during fleshy fruit ripening leads to physical damage and infection that reduce quality and cause massive supply chain losses. Changes in cell wall (CW) metabolism, involving loosening and disassembly of the constituent macromolecules, are the main cause of softening. Several genes encoding CW metabolizing enzymes have been targeted for genetic modification to attenuate softening. At least 9 genes encoding CW-modifying proteins have increased expression during ripening. Any alteration of these genes could modify CW structure and properties and contribute to softening, but evidence for their relative importance is sparse. The results of studies with transgenic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), the model for fleshy fruit ripening, investigations with strawberry (Fragaria spp.) and apple (Malus domestica), and results from naturally occurring textural mutants provide direct evidence of gene function and the contribution of CW biochemical modifications to fruit softening. Here we review the revised CW structure model and biochemical and structural changes in CW components during fruit softening and then focus on and integrate the results of changes in CW characteristics derived from studies on transgenic fruits and mutants. Potential strategies and future research directions to understand and control the rate of fruit softening are also discussed. Received. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) is a small brainstem structure and has attracted attention as a potentially effective deep brain stimulation (DBS) target for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the in vivo location of PPN remains poorly described and barely visible on conventional structural magnetic resonance (MR) images due to a lack of high spatial resolution and tissue contrast. This study aims to delineate the PPN on a high-resolution (HR) atlas and investigate the visibility of the PPN in individual quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) images. We combine a recently constructed Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) space unbiased QSM atlas (MuSus-100), with an implicit representation-based self-supervised image super-resolution (SR) technique to achieve an atlas with improved spatial resolution. Then guided by a myelin staining histology human brain atlas, we localize and delineate PPN on the atlas with improved resolution. Furthermore, we examine the feasibility of directly identifying the approximate PPN location on the 3.0-T individual QSM MR images. The proposed SR network produces atlas images with four times the higher spatial resolution (from 1 to 0.25 mm isotropic) without a training dataset. The SR process also reduces artifacts and keeps superb image contrast for further delineating small deep brain nuclei, such as PPN. Using the myelin staining histological atlas as guidance, we first identify and annotate the location of PPN on the T1-weighted (T1w)-QSM hybrid MR atlas with improved resolution in the MNI space. Then, we relocate and validate that the optimal targeting site for PPN-DBS is at the middle-to-caudal part of PPN on our atlas. Furthermore, we confirm that the PPN region can be identified in a set of individual QSM images of 10 patients with PD and 10 healthy young adults. The contrast ratios of the PPN to its adjacent structure, namely the medial lemniscus, on images of different modalities indicate that QSM substantially improves the visibility of the PPN both in the atlas and individual images. Our findings indicate that the proposed SR network is an efficient tool for small-size brain nucleus identification. HR QSM is promising for improving the visibility of the PPN. The PPN can be directly identified on the individual QSM images acquired at the 3.0-T MR scanners, facilitating a direct targeting of PPN for DBS surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the target compound was synthesized from 6-(benzylthio)pyridine-3-amine. The single crystal of the title compound was identified by X-ray diffraction. The molecular structure was further calculated by the density functional theory (DFT) and compared with the X-ray data. The results of conformational analysis showed that the DFT-optimized molecular structure was consistent with the crystal structure determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The molecular electrostatic potential and frontier molecular orbital of the title compound were further studied by the DFT. The molecular interactions and contacts were quantified using Hirshfeld surface analysis and two-dimensional fingerprint plots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is the major complication of rhabdomyolysis (RM) clinically, which is usually mimicked by glycerol injection in basic research. Oxidative stress, inflammatory response and apoptosis are recognized to play important roles in development of this disease. Recently, numerous studies have reported the therapeutic effects of molecular hydrogen (H2) on oxidative stress and inflammation-related diseases. Here, the effects of H2 against glycerol-induced AKI and the underlying mechanisms were explored in rats. Low (4%) and high (67%) concentrations of H2 were prepared using a self-made device to investigate the dose-response. After 72 hours of glycerol injection (8 mL/kg), we found that glycerol triggered oxidative stress, inflammatory reactions, and apoptotic events. These caused subsequent renal damage, evidenced by a significant reduction of antioxidases and up-regulation of the relevant damaged biomarkers. H2 inhalation reversed the above alterations and exerted renoprotective effects. Interestingly, for RM/AKI-related factors, no consistent dose-response benefits of H2 were observed. However, higher concentration of H2 inhalation improved histological and morphological changes better. This study suggests that H2 is a potential alternative therapy to prevent or minimize RM induced AKI possibly via its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and anti-necroptotic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multiphase flow characteristic is one of the most concerning problems during solid fluidization exploitation of marine natural gas hydrate reservoirs. In this research, a new transient gas--liquid--solid multiphase flow model with hydrate phase transition was developed. Meanwhile, this model considered the coupling relationship among convective heat transfer, hydrate dynamic decomposition, and multiphase flow. The model can simulate the change of flow pattern from solid--liquid to gas--liquid--solid flow, and describe the distribution character of volume fraction of phase, wellbore temperature and pressure, and hydrate decomposition rate during transportation. The simulation results indicate that the hydrate decomposition region in the wellbore gradually expands, but the hydrate decomposition rate gradually decreases during the solid fluidization exploitation of hydrate. When mining time lasts for 4 h, and the bottom hole pressure decreases by about 0.4 MPa. Increasing NaCl concentration in seawater helps expand hydrate decomposition regions and improves the wellbore hydrate decomposition rate. When the NaCl mass fraction in seawater reaches 15%, it will raise the hydrate decomposition regions to the whole wellbore. In addition, the higher the wellhead backpressure, the lower the decomposition area and decomposition rate of hydrate in the wellbore. When wellhead backpressure reaches 2 MPa, the volume fraction of gas near the wellhead will reduce to about 12%. This work is expected to provide a theoretical basis for the development of marine hydrate reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Peroxiredoxin-3 (Prx-3) is widely acknowledged as an antioxidant that protects against mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. Nonetheless, its role in cardiac fibrosis has not been elucidated. We aim to explore the role and mechanism of Prx-3 in cardiac fibrosis. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, mice received subcutaneous injections of isoproterenol (ISO) for 14 consecutive days (10 mg/kg/d for three days, followed by 5 mg/kg/d for 11 days) to establish a cardiac fibrosis model. The mice were subsequently injected with adenovirus-Prx-3 (ad-Prx-3) to enable Prx-3 overexpression. Echocardiography was used to evaluate cardiac function. Mice heart fibroblasts were isolated and stimulated with transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) to induce fibrosis in vitro. Cells were also transfected with ad-Prx-3 for overexpression of Prx-3. Results: Echocardiographic diameters and fibrosis markers indicated that Prx-3 could inhibit ISO-induced cardiac dysfunction and fibrosis. Fibroblasts with Prx-3 overexpression exhibited reduced activation, proliferation, and collagen transcription. We found that Prx-3 reduced the expression of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) and reduced P38 levels. After treatment with a P38 inhibitor, the Prx-3 overexpression-induced anti-fibrosis effect was mitigated. Conclusion: Prx-3 could protect against ISO-induced cardiac fibrosis by inhibiting the NOX4-P38 pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonlocality is a distinctive feature of quantum theory, which has been extensively studied for decades. It is found that the uncertainty principle determines the nonlocality of quantum mechanics. Here we show that various degrees of nonlocalities in correlated system can be characterized by the generalized uncertainty principle, by which the complementarity is attributed to the mutual dependence of observables. Concrete examples for different kinds of nonclassical phenomena pertaining to different orders of dependence are presented. We obtain the third-order "skewness nonlocality" and find that the Bell nonlocality turns out to be merely the second-order "variance nonlocality" and the fourth-order dependence contains the commutator squares, which hence is related to the quantum contextuality. More applications of the generalized uncertainty principle are expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, 6-chloro-1-isobutyl-3-methylpyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione was successfully synthesized and its structure was characterized via spectroscopic techniques, including 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FT-IR, and HRMS. Single crystals of this compound were grown in a suitable solvent system and optimized using single - crystal X-ray diffraction and density functional theory (DFT). The theoretical and experimental values were in good agreement, as indicated by the diffraction values. DFT was used to investing ate the physicochemical properties of the compounds by analyzing their frontier molecular orbitals and molecular electrostatic potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Neoproterozoic-Lower Paleozoic dolostone gas reservoirs in the Chuanzhong Uplift in Southwestern China contain the mesophase pyrobitumen (pyrobitumen with mesophase). The mesophase in the pyrobitumen is mostly composed of a mixture of condensed macromolecule polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and has been mostly converted to various grain, flow, and domain textures. The volcanic activity nearby the Chuanzhong Uplift may have generated very hot (over 300 °C) hydrothermal fluid, with migration of the fluid into the dolostone reservoir transforming the hydrocarbons in the reservoir into an anisotropic carbon by-product, which formed under high temperature and pressure conditions; over 300 °C and 200 MPa according to fluid inclusion analysis. The high temperaturepressure in reservoir was caused by sudden devolatilization of the hydrocarbons due to hydrothermal heating, which formed the unusual texture of the mesophase. The elliptical mesophase grains (EG), the honeycomb structure of pyrobitumen, and the occurrence of polarized classes of mesophase in single pyrobitumen deposits are all unusual textures. This study investigates the texture development of this pressure-affected pyrobitumen. Observation and study of the mesophase suggest that the class of mesophase in pyrobitumen is determined by temperature, while pressure (assessed from associated fluid inclusions) significantly affected the texture. Analysis of the texture of the pyrobitumen in conjunction with previous thermometry results from methane inclusions suggests that the high class mesophase of the pyrobitumen could be applied as a temperature indicator for geological conditions. Furthermore, the unusual textures of the pyrobitumen including elliptical mesophase grains (EG), the honeycomb structure of pyrobitumen, and the occurrence of polarized classes of mesophase in single pyrobitumen could reflect the abnormal high formation pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Gastric cancer is the fifth most common neoplasm and the fourth reason for mortality globally. Incidence rates are highly variable and dependent on risk factors, epidemiologic and carcinogenesis patterns. Previous studies reported that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is one the strongest known risk factor for gastric cancer. USP32 is a deubiquitinating enzyme identified as a potential factor associated with tumor progression and a key player in cancer development. On the other hand, SHMT2 is involved in serine-glycine metabolism to support cancer cell proliferation. Both USP32 and SHMT2 are reported to be upregulated in many cancer types, including gastric cancer, but its complete mechanism is not fully explored yet. The present study explored possible mechanism of action of USP32 and SHMT2 in the progression of gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, Capsaicin (0.3 g/kg/day) and H. pylori infection combination was used to successfully initiate gastric cancer conditions in mice. It was followed by 40 and 70 days of treatment to establish initial and advanced conditions of gastric cancer. Results: Histopathology confirmed formation of signet ring cell and initiation of cellular proliferation in the initial gastric cancer. More proliferative cells were also observed. In addition, tissue hardening was confirmed in the advanced stage of gastric cancer. USP32 and SHMT2 showed progressive upregulated expression, as gastric cancer progress. Immunohistologically, it showed signals in abnormal cells and high-intensity signals in the advanced stage of cancer. In USP32 silenced tissue, expression of SHMT2 was completely blocked and reverted cancer development as evident with less abnormal cell in initial gastric cancer. Reduction of SHMT2 level to one-fourth was observed in the advanced gastric cancer stages of USP32 silenced tissue. Conclusion: USP32 had a direct role in regulating SHMT2 expression, which attracted therapeutic target for future treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a degenerative disease of the central nervous system, is mainly treated by cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine. We aimed to assess the protective effects of resveratrol (RES) on hippocampal nerves in AD rats. Forty healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned into model, blank, low-dose RES, and highdose RES groups (n = 10). After modeling, RES groups were daily injected with corresponding doses of RES. Their cognitive functions were tested on days 1, 5, 10, and 14. The cellular morphology was compared through hematoxylineosin staining. The levels of norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) as well as total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) were detected. The expressions of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) and nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) were measured using Western blotting. Compared with model group, the escape latency, the balance beam score, the Longa score, and the levels of ROS, MDA, NO, and iNOS activity were significantly decreased in the RES groups (p < 0.05); while the platform-crossing times, the levels of NE, DA and ChAT, the activities of CAT, GSHPx and SOD, T-AOC and protein expressions of Nrf2 and Keap1 were significantly increased (p < 0.05). Hippocampal pathological changes were significantly relieved in the RES groups compared with those in the model group. RES exerts protective effects on hippocampal neurons, regulates the neurotransmitter level, and reduces oxidative stress response, probably by activating the Nrf2/ARE pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have reported the importance of the precuneus in mediating metacognition and the prefrontal cortex in decision-making tasks. However, the mechanisms underlying metacognition remain to be fully elucidated. N-acetyl aspartate/creatine + phosphocreatine (NAA/Cr + PCr) is a putative neuronal marker level, which has been used in cognitive disorders. Long echo time proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to further explore the metabolic correlates of metacognition. Metacognition was based on a self-reported questionnaire of nursing students. Magnetic resonance spectra of the bilateral precuneus and medial prefrontal cortex were recorded. A significant positive correlation was discovered between the total metacognitive score and academic performance (p = .007). The precuneus NAA/Cr + PCr ratios corresponded to metacognitive ability. Moreover, the correlation between precuneus NAA/Cr + PCr ratios and metacognitive ability was established for the right and not for the left precuneus. These findings further indicated that the right precuneal region plays an important role in metacognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benzenesulfonamide compounds containing piperazine heterocycles have prospective pharmacological activity. Two benzenesulfonamide compounds were synthesized. Based on density functional theory (DFT), the optimized structures of the two molecules were calculated using the B3LYP method. DFT was also used for further study of the molecular electrostatic potential and leading molecular orbital. Single crystal of 1-ethyl-4-(phenylsulfonyl)piperazine was studied. The intermolecular interaction and contact were quantified using Hirshfeld surface analysis and 2D fingerprint plots. Conformational analysis showed that the molecular structure after DFT optimization was consistent with the crystal structure determined by x-ray single crystal diffraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pursuits of new types of Pb-free heterometallic halides adequate for photovoltaic applications are still urgent but challenging. In this study, by using in situ-produced [(Me)2-(DABCO)]2+ (DABCO = 1,4-diazabicyclo[ 2.2.2]octane; Me = methyl) cations as structure-directing agents, we successfully constructed a nonperovskite copper iodobismuthate hybrid, namely [(Me)2-(DABCO)]2Cu2Bi2I12 (1), which features discrete [Cu2Bi2I12]4- anionic moieties formed by the building units of [CuI4] tetrahedra and [BiI6] octahedra. UV-Vis diffuse reflectance analyses showed that compound 1 possesses semiconductive behaviors with a narrow optical bandgap of 1.80 eV. More importantly, it exhibits excellent photoelectric switching abilities, and its photocurrent density (2.30 µA cm-2) far exceeds those of some high-performance halide-based counterparts. Different from many heterometallic analogues, noteworthily, it also has dispersive band structure and strong electronic coupling near the Fermi level, resulting in a material with small effective masses that may be responsible for the good photoelectricity. This study may offer new guidance for the design and synthesis of eco-friendly heterometallic halides with unique structures and desirable properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Flos Sophorae Immaturus (FSI) is rich in polyphenols and a potential uric acid-lowering food. However, the processing of FSI is greatly restricted due to the heat sensitivity and low solubility of polyphenols. In this study, hydrothermal treatment - an effective strategy - was applied to FSI processing. The variation of xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory effect and polyphenol composition of FSI during hydrothermal treatment were recorded. RESULTS: The XO inhibition rate of FSI increased from 32.42% to 89.00% after hydrothermal treatment at 220 °C for 30 min, as well as total polyphenols (from 0.66 to 1.11 mg mL-1) and flavonoids (from 1.21 to 1.58 mg mL-1). However, high thermal temperature (>160 °C) and extended thermal time (>90 min) caused the degradation of polyphenols. Rutin, kaempferol-3-Orutinoside and narcissoside rapidly degraded and converted to quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin when the temperature exceeded 160 °C. The maximum yields of quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin were at 220 °C for 30 min, 90 min and 90 min, respectively. Meanwhile, the conversion kinetics conformed to the first-order model. Interestingly, these newly formed polyphenols possessed better XO inhibitory effects than their derivatives with 3-O-rutinoside. CONCLUSION: Polyphenol conversion during hydrothermal treatment was the main reason for enhancing XO inhibitory activity. Therefore, hydrothermal treatment is an appropriate method for improving the XO inhibitory effect of FSI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distributed learning has become a hot research topic due to its wide application in cluster-based large-scale learning, federated learning, edge computing, and so on. Most traditional distributed learning methods typically assume no failure or attack. However, many unexpected cases, such as communication failure and even malicious attack, may happen in real applications. Hence, Byzantine learning (BL), which refers to distributed learning with failure or attack, has recently attracted much attention. Most existing BL methods are synchronous, which are impractical in some applications due to heterogeneous or offline workers. In these cases, asynchronous BL (ABL) is usually preferred. In this paper, we propose a novel method, called buffered asynchronous stochastic gradient descent (BASGD), for ABL. To the best of our knowledge, BASGD is the first ABL method that can resist non-omniscient attacks without storing any instances on the server. Furthermore, we also propose an improved variant of BASGD, called BASGD with momentum (BASGDm), by introducing local momentum into BASGD. Compared with those methods which need to store instances on server, BASGD and BASGDm have a wider scope of application. Both BASGD and BASGDm are compatible with various aggregation rules. Moreover, both BASGD and BASGDm are proved to be convergent and able to resist failure or attack. Empirical results show that our methods significantly outperform existing ABL baselines when there exists failure or attack on workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we develop an online change-point detection procedure in the covariance structure of high-dimensional data. A new stopping rule is proposed to terminate the process as early as possible when a change in covariance structure occurs. The stopping rule allows spatial and temporal dependence and can be applied to non-Gaussian data. An explicit expression for the average run length is derived, so that the level of threshold in the stopping rule can be easily obtained with no need to run time-consuming Monte Carlo simulations. We also establish an upper bound for the expected detection delay, the expression of which demonstrates the impact of data dependence and magnitude of change in the covariance structure. Simulation studies are provided to confirm accuracy of the theoretical results. The practical usefulness of the proposed procedure is illustrated by detecting the change of brain's covariance network in a resting-state fMRI data set. The implementation of the methodology is provided in the R package OnlineCOV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to further promote the theoretical research of financial openness and effectively support the innovative development of the manufacturing industry, this paper reviews the domestic and foreign research status of the promotion mechanism of high-level financial opening on the innovative development of the manufacturing industry, and the policy of high-level financial opening to promote the innovative development of the manufacturing industry. At present, the theoretical research on the mechanism of financial opening on enterprise innovation at home and abroad mainly involves three aspects: the mechanism of financial opening on enterprise innovation, the mechanism of foreign banking industry on enterprise innovation, and the mechanism of foreign securities industry on enterprise innovation. Specifically, in terms of financial opening-up, most scholars believe that financial openness will promote enterprise innovation by improving corporate governance capabilities and the proportion of foreign investment. In terms of the opening-up of the banking industry, the entry of foreign banks can promote enterprise innovation through trade promotion effects, financing constraint effects and industry competition effects. In terms of the opening of the securities industry, the opening of the capital market can promote enterprise innovation by reducing the cost of corporate governance. Regarding the policy research on the highlevel opening-up of finance to promote the innovation and development of the manufacturing industry, scholars have different views, most of them believe that the financial opening policy can promote economic development, but it will also bring certain problems. Future research directions: research on the mechanism of foreign-funded insurance industry on enterprise innovation, analysis of multiple effect transmission mechanism; Deepen the high-level opening-up of finance and promote the research on policy coordination issues of China's manufacturing innovation and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colonoscopy is an effective method for screening colorectal cancer and adenoma, but the adenoma detection rate depends on the quality of bowel preparation. Our study investigates the influencing factors of the quality of bowel preparation before colonoscopy in outpatients and the influence of the number of walking steps on the quality of bowel preparation. We prospectively collected the clinical data of 150 outpatients undergoing colonoscopy in our department in 2019. Ordinal logistic regression shows that the overweight, not drinking, the number of walking steps before colonoscopy, and the time interval between start PEG and colonoscopy (4–6 hours) were independent factors affecting bowel preparation quality. There was a curving relationship between the reciprocal of Ottawa score and the number of walking steps before colonoscopy, and the regression equation is 1/ Ottawa score = −0.198 + 0.062 × ln steps (p =.035), a minimum of 5,270 walking steps before a colonoscopy is required for a high quality of bowel preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The slope stability analysis and support structure design of temporary roads are particularly important for the normal traffic of roads and the safe construction of underground structures. In this paper, FLAC3D software is used to study the numerical simulation of steel pipe piles support structure of the slope of temporary road by using the equivalent stiffness method. It is shown that under the action of road load, the normal stress of steel pipe pile has a peak value at 1.0m above the bottom of foundation pit, and the shear stress has two peaks at 1.0m above the bottom of foundation pit and 0.5m above the pile tip, which decrease at the pile tip. The horizontal displacement of the pile occurs at different depth, the displacement of the pile top is the largest, and the displacement from the pile top to the bottom of foundation pit decreases nonlinearly, and the horizontal displacement of the pile below the bottom of foundation pit is very small and remains unchanged. The vertical displacement of the pile increases gradually from the pile top to the pile tip, which results in tensile deformation of the pile. Stress concentration occurs at the temporary road position in the slope, and obvious horizontal displacement and vertical displacement which have obvious differences in different positions appear in the slope. The arrangement of piles can ensure the stability of the slope and there will be no overall shear failure surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve learners' performance in online learning, a teacher needs to understand the difficulty of knowledge points learners of different cognitive encounter levels in the learning process. This paper proposes a difficulty-based knowledge point clustering algorithm based on collaborative analysis of multi-interactive behaviors. Firstly, combining the group-directed learning path network, forgetting factors and the degree of student-system interaction, we propose a measurement model to calculate the similarity of the difficulty between knowledge points on student-system interactive behavior. Secondly, to solve the data sparsity problem of interaction, we propose an improved similarity model to calculate the similarity of the difficulty between knowledge points on student-teacher and student-student interactive behavior. Finally, the knowledge point difficulty similarity matrix is obtained by integrating the difficulty similarity of knowledge points obtained from student-system interactive behavior, student-teacher interactive behavior, and student-student interactive behavior. The spectral clustering algorithm is used to achieve knowledge point difficulty classification based on the obtained similarity matrix. The experiments on real datasets show that the proposed method has better knowledge point difficulty classification results than the existing methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to analyze the mechanism of curcumin inhibiting the growth and inducing apoptosis of human endometrial carcinoma cell line. Human endometrial carcinoma cell line was cultured in vitro and all cells were divided into control group, curcumin low, medium and high treatment group, the concentrations were 5 mg/l, 10 mg/l and 20 mg/l, respectively. Compared with the non-medicated control group, the proliferation of human endometrial carcinoma cell treated with curcumin at different concentrations for 24, 48 and 72 h was significantly inhibited and with the increase of drug concentration, the inhibition rate was significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05). After treatment of human endometrial carcinoma cell with curcumin 5 mg/l, 10 mg/l and 20 mg/l, the ratio of growth 0/growth 1 was significantly lower than that of the control group, the ratio of growth 2/mitosis phase was significantly higher than that of the control group and the ratio of growth 2/mitosis phase was gradually increased with the increase of drug concentration, which was dose-dependent (p<0.05). After treatment of human endometrial carcinoma cells with curcumin 5 mg/l, 10 mg/l and 20 mg/l, the apoptosis rate gradually increased and with the increase of drug concentration, the apoptosis rate increased sequentially (p<0.05). After treatment of human endometrial carcinoma cell with curcumin 5 mg/l, 10 mg/l and 20 mg/l, compared with the control group, the protein level of apoptosis factor Livin was significantly decreased and the protein level of caspase-3 was significantly increased in each group (p<0.05). The levels of Livin protein and caspase-3 protein were dose-dependent with curcumin concentration. It was concluded that curcumin has obvious inhibitory effect on human endometrial cancer cells and can induce cell cycle arrest, promote apoptosis, which is concentration dependent. The related reason may be through inhibiting Livin protein expression and increasing caspase-3 protein level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The classic CUSUM chart assumes that the in-control (IC) mean and variance are known. In practice, these parameters are usually estimated from an IC Phase I sample. Recently, Capizzi andMasarotto proposed a cautious parameter learning scheme to incorporate Phase II IC observations in the estimation of the IC mean and variance to reduce the variation of conditional average run lengths (ARLs). In this paper,we develop a new cautious parameter learning scheme that can distinguish IC observations from out-of-control (OC) observations in the Phase II sample more effectively than Capizzi and Masarotto’s scheme. As a result, our cautious parameter learning scheme can provide better estimation of the IC mean and variance. Combining the new cautious parameter learning scheme with an adaptive CUSUM chart, our proposed monitoring procedure is easy to implement, and is shown to have less variability in conditional ARLs and better overall performance for detecting different mean shifts than existing methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Firstly, four types of BeiDou dual-frequency combined common-view time transferring modes were briefly introduced. The software rnx2cgg, supporting the new signals in BeiDou-3 not included in CGGTTS V2E (Common GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) Generic Time Transfer Standard Version 2 Extended), was developed for converting RINEX (Receiver Independent Exchange Format) to CGGTTS. Secondly, the BeiDou timing error models were comprehensively analyzed, including SISRE (Signal-In-Space Ranging Error), pseudorange measurement noise, and DCB (Differential Code Bias). Then, the common-view weighting function was mathematically determined based on the error modes. Finally, the performances of single-station timing and between-station common-view were analyzed with the time transfer experiments between BSNC (Beijing Satellite Navigation Center) and MGEX (The Multi-GNSS Experiment and Pilot Project) stations. The experiments show that, the closure error of the whole link from ground to space is better than 2 ns. The BeiDou common-view noise is about 0.7 ns, corresponding to the time transferring stability of 1 × 10 − 9 / τ in short and medium term over long distance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of hearing-impaired people is increasing year by year; robotic cochlear drilling surgery is one of the safest methods to treat deafness. Looking at the issue of low efficiency of temporal bone posture positioning in cochlear implantation robotic drilling, a novel auxiliary ring marker temporal bone positioning method was proposed to improve temporal bone posture positioning efficiency, optimize the operation time, and reduce auxiliary injuries caused by the surgery. First, the temporal bone visual positioning assistant ring was designed based on the requirements for cochlear robotic drilling surgery. The target detection was conducted on the auxiliary ring and image processing and feature point extraction methods were designed. Then, the three-dimensional coordinates of the measured feature points were obtained by binocular vision, and the auxiliary ring and temporal bone postures were estimated. Finally, the auxiliary ring and temporal bone localization methods were validated. The experiment results indicated that the temporal bone was located quickly and effectively in a total time of about 33 ms, which was faster and more accurate than traditional visual localization methods and could satisfy real-time temporal bone localization during surgery. This study can reduce the time of temporal bone visual positioning in cochlear implant drilling operations, greatly improving the robot's capabilities to extract visual information during the operation, which has a better auxiliary role for future research and applications of the cochlear implant drilling operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work investigates non-contact reflectance spectral imaging techniques, i.e. microscopic Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) imaging, macroscopic visible-near infrared (VNIR), and shortwave infrared (SWIR) spectral imaging, for the identification of bacteria on stainless steel. Spectral images of two Gram-positive (GP) bacteria (Bacillus subtilis (BS) and Lactobacillus plantarum (LP)), and three Gram-negative (GN) bacteria (Escherichia coli (EC), Cronobacter sakazakii (CS), and Pseudomonas fluorescens (PF)), were collected from dried suspensions of bacterial cells dropped onto stainless steel surfaces. Through the use of multiple independent biological replicates for model validation and testing, FTIR reflectance spectral imaging was found to provide excellent GP/GN classification accuracy (> 96%), while the fused VNIR-SWIR data yielded classification accuracy exceeding 80% when applied to the independent test sets. However, classification within gram type was far less reliable, with lower accuracies for classification within the GP (< 75%) and GN (≤ 51%) species when calibration models were applied to the independent test sets, underlining the importance of independent model validation when dealing with samples of high biological variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work investigates non-contact reflectance spectral imaging techniques, i.e. microscopic Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) imaging, macroscopic visible-near infrared (VNIR), and shortwave infrared (SWIR) spectral imaging, for the identification of bacteria on stainless steel. Spectral images of two Gram-positive (GP) bacteria (Bacillus subtilis (BS) and Lactobacillus plantarum (LP)), and three Gram-negative (GN) bacteria (Escherichia coli (EC), Cronobacter sakazakii (CS), and Pseudomonas fluorescens (PF)), were collected from dried suspensions of bacterial cells dropped onto stainless steel surfaces. Through the use of multiple independent biological replicates for model validation and testing, FTIR reflectance spectral imaging was found to provide excellent GP/GN classification accuracy (> 96%), while the fused VNIR-SWIR data yielded classification accuracy exceeding 80% when applied to the independent test sets. However, classification within gram type was far less reliable, with lower accuracies for classification within the GP (< 75%) and GN (≤ 51%) species when calibration models were applied to the independent test sets, underlining the importance of independent model validation when dealing with samples of high biological variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]