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Abstract Fractional quantum Hall (FQH) states are exotic quantum many-body phases whose elementary charged excitations are anyons obeying fractional braiding statistics. While most FQH states are believed to have Abelian anyons, the Moore–Read type states with even denominators – appearing at half filling of a Landau level (LL) – are predicted to possess non-Abelian excitations with appealing potential in topological quantum computation. These states, however, depend sensitively on the orbital contents of the single-particle LL wavefunctions and the LL mixing. Here we report magnetotransport measurements on Bernal-stacked trilayer graphene, whose multiband structure facilitates interlaced LL mixing, which can be controlled by external magnetic and displacement fields. We observe robust FQH states including even-denominator ones at filling factors ν = − 9/2, − 3/2, 3/2 and 9/2. In addition, we fine-tune the LL mixing and crossings to drive quantum phase transitions of these half-filling states and neighbouring odd-denominator ones, exhibiting related emerging and waning behaviour.

Highlights The capacity fading mechanism of the conventional Na3V2(PO4)3//Na3V2(PO4)3 (NVP//NVP) cell has been investigated. All-solid-state ferroelectric-engineered composite electrolyte could improve the electrolyte–electrode interfacial stability as well as the interfacial ion conduction of the Na-ion battery using the NVP anode. Outstanding cyclic stability has been achieved in the all-solid-state Na-ion battery using the NVP anode, with a capacity fading rate as low as 0.005% per cycle.

Purpose: Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are prevalent chronic wounds with limited treatment options. This study aimed to investigate the potential of berberine to enhance endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) function in VLU healing. Methods: Histopathological changes and inflammatory cytokine levels in a deep venous thrombosis (DVT) mouse model were assessed using HE staining and ELISA assays. A luciferase reporter assay was employed to identify the miR-21-3p and RRAGB targeting relationship. EPC proliferation, migration, and tube formation were evaluated through CCK-8, Transwell, and tubule formation assays, while the mTOR pathway and autophagy-related proteins were analyzed by immunofluorescence staining and western blotting. Results: Berberine significantly improved EPC functions, such as proliferation, migration, and tube formation in vitro, and enhanced in vivo EPC-mediated wound healing in a DVT mouse model. Furthermore, miR-21-3p was downregulated in EPCs from VLU patients, and its overexpression improved model EPC functions. Mechanistically, RRAGB, which regulates the mTOR pathway, was identified as a potential miR-21-3p target in EPCs. Overexpression of RRAGB inhibited autophagic activity and impaired EPC function. Conclusion: Berberine shows promise in ameliorating EPC function and promoting wound healing in VLUs. The regulation of the miR-21-3p/RRAGB axis by berberine could offer a promising therapeutic approach for managing VLUs.

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of Scutellaria baicalensis extract on ultraviolet (UVA)-induced photoaging in a fibroblast cell line (NIH3T3). Methods: The cellular photoaging model was established by UVA irradiation, and the protective effects of Scutellaria baicalensis extract on photoaging fibroblasts were investigated using CCK-8 assay, β-galactosidase staining, DAPI staining, and immunofluorescence staining. Results: Scutellaria baicalensis extract significantly promoted cell proliferation and migration of NIH3T3 cells (P

Abstract Seipin is one key mediator of lipid metabolism that is highly expressed in adipose tissues as well as in the brain. Lack of Seipin gene, Bscl2, leads to not only severe lipid metabolic disorders but also cognitive impairments and motor disabilities. Myelin, composed mainly of lipids, facilitates nerve transmission and is important for motor coordination and learning. Whether Seipin deficiency-leaded defects in learning and motor coordination is underlined by lipid dysregulation and its consequent myelin abnormalities remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we verified the expression of Seipin in oligodendrocytes (OLs) and their precursors, oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs), and demonstrated that Seipin deficiency compromised OPC differentiation, which led to decreased OL numbers, myelin protein, myelinated fiber proportion and thickness of myelin. Deficiency of Seipin resulted in impaired spatial cognition and motor coordination in mice. Mechanistically, Seipin deficiency suppressed sphingolipid metabolism-related genes in OPCs and caused morphological abnormalities in lipid droplets (LDs), which markedly impeded OPC differentiation. Importantly, rosiglitazone, one agonist of PPAR-gamma, substantially restored phenotypes resulting from Seipin deficiency, such as aberrant LDs, reduced sphingolipids, obstructed OPC differentiation, and neurobehavioral defects. Collectively, the present study elucidated how Seipin deficiency-induced lipid dysregulation leads to neurobehavioral deficits via impairing myelination, which may pave the way for developing novel intervention strategy for treating metabolism-involved neurological disorders.

The genus Impatiens exhibits some varied floral features with a dichogamous reproductive system, in which pollination biology plays a key role in speciation and adaptive evolution. China is one of the centers of Impatiens species, including a large number of endemic and sympatric distributions, but there are few data on their pollination biology. Comparative pollination biology of two Chinese endemic and sympatric species, Impatiens corchorifolia and I. cyathiflora, were investigated, including flowering phenology, floral features, pollinators, behavior of pollinators, and as well as breeding systems. The results were as follows: (1) Morphology of spur was varied in two species, which played a key role in different floral syndromes. The spurs in I. corchorifolia and I. cyathiflora could produced a similar nectar sugar content, (45.48 ± 2.28)% and (46.12 ± 1.48)%, respectively. They could share two pollinators, Apis cerana and Vespa. However, the short spur in I. corchorifolia produced less amount of (4.57 ± 1.43) μL nectar while the long spur in I. cyathiflora yielded more nectar content of (10.15 ± 3.28) μL. And then, the latter also could be pollinated by the other insects including one species of Macroglossum and two species of Bombus. (2) The behavior of the common pollinators shared in I. corchorifolia and I. cyathiflora were obviously distinguished by their staggered flower visits and differential sizes of flower channels for visitors with inconsistent positions of pollens carried. (3) Breeding system experiments showed that species possessed obvious hybridization barriers and obvious cross-pollination. Thus, significant differences in spur morphology lead to distinct pollination syndrome differentiation and different pollinator behavior. Both species prefer cross-pollination to self-fertiliation, which greatly depend on the effective pollinators. Reproductive isolation could be maintained by different flower visiting behavior of shared pollinators, differences in floral morphology, and heterozygous discordance. It provides new evidence for a better understanding the relationships between pollination syndrome, pollinators behavior, and cross-breeding stystem in Impatiens.

Abstract With the development of cloud computing, users are more inclined to outsource complex computing tasks to cloud servers with strong computing capacity, and the cloud returns the final calculation results. However, the cloud is not completely trustworthy, which may leak the data of user and even return incorrect calculations on purpose. Therefore, it is important to verify the results of computing tasks without revealing the privacy of the users. Among all the computing tasks, the polynomial calculation is widely used in information security, linear algebra, signal processing and other fields. Most existing polynomial-based verifiable computation schemes require that the input of the polynomial function must come from a single data source, which means that the data must be signed by a single user. However, the input of the polynomial may come from multiple users in the practical application. In order to solve this problem, the researchers have proposed some schemes for multi-source outsourced data, but these schemes have the common problem of low efficiency. To improve the efficiency, this paper proposes an efficient polynomial-based verifiable computation scheme on multi-source outsourced data. We optimize the polynomials using Horner’s method to increase the speed of verification, in which the addition gate and the multiplication gate can be interleaved to represent the polynomial function. In order to adapt to this structure, we design the corresponding homomorphic verification tag, so that the input of the polynomial can come from multiple data sources. We prove the correctness and rationality of the scheme, and carry out numerical analysis and evaluation research to verify the efficiency of the scheme. The experimental indicate that data contributors can sign 1000 new data in merely 2 s, while the verification of a delegated polynomial function with a power of 100 requires only 18 ms. These results confirm that the proposed scheme is better than the existing scheme.

Abstract Topological materials with boundary (surface/edge/hinge) states have attracted tremendous research interest. Additionally, unconventional (obstructed atomic) materials have recently drawn lots of attention owing to their obstructed boundary states. Experimentally, Josephson junctions (JJs) constructed on materials with boundary states produce the peculiar boundary supercurrent, which was utilized as a powerful diagnostic approach. Here, we report the observations of boundary supercurrent in NiTe2-based JJs. Particularly, applying an in-plane magnetic field along the Josephson current can rapidly suppress the bulk supercurrent and retain the nearly pure boundary supercurrent, namely the magnetic field filtering of supercurrent. Further systematic comparative analysis and theoretical calculations demonstrate the existence of unconventional nature and obstructed hinge states in NiTe2, which could produce hinge supercurrent that accounts for the observation. Our results reveal the probable hinge states in unconventional metal NiTe2, and demonstrate in-plane magnetic field as an efficient method to filter out the bulk contributions and thereby to highlight the hinge states hidden in topological/unconventional materials.

Aerosol deposition (AD) method is a kind of additive manufacturing technology for fabricating dense films such as metals and ceramics at room temperature. It resolves the challenge of integrating ceramic films onto temperature-sensitive substrates, including metals, glasses, and polymers. It should be emphasized that the AD is a spray coating technology that uses powder without thermal assistance to generate films with high density. Compared to the traditional sputter-based approach, the AD shows several advantages in efficiency, convenience, better interfacial bonding and so on. Therefore, it opens some possibilities to the field of batteries, especially all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) and draws much attention not only for research but also for large scale applications.The purpose of this work is to provide a critical review on the science and technology of AD as well as its applications in the field of batteries. The process, mechanism and effective parameters of AD, and recent developments in AD applications in the field of batteries will be systematically reviewed so that a trend for AD will be finally provided.

Abstract The Altay Prefecture in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China, boasts an abundance source of rock art, with the Dunde Bulaq rock art complex holding paramount significance in the study of local culture. This work employs hyperspectral techniques for data collection and analysis of the Dunde Bulaq I rock art site. Signal decomposition, pigment classification/clustering, and spectral curve analysis were employed to delve deeply into the information of the rock art hyperspectral data. Furthermore, cross-validation was utilized to reveal hidden information within rock art. To comprehend these hidden information, a more profound historical tracing was conducted, employing methods such as literature retrieval and image analysis, uncovering the internal relationship between the site I and the Chemurchek culture. This provides fresh material for studying the Bronze Age cultures within the Altai region.

Herein, highly stable nitrogen (N) doped amorphous indium gallium tin oxide (a-IGTO) thinfilm transistors (TFTs) are prepared and the effects of N-doping are investigated. Compared with undoped a-IGTO TFTs, a-IGTO TFTs with 6 min N plasma treatment exhibit superior bias stress stability and a threshold voltages ( $V_{\mathrm {th}}$ ) closer to 0 V with almost no decline in mobility. In particular, the positive/negative bias stress threshold shift of N-doped a-IGTO TFTs is substantially reduced in both dark and light environment. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis (XPS) and low frequency noise (LFN) are employed to study the mechanism of N-doping in a-IGTO TFTs. The XPS results indicate that appropriate amount of N-doping could enhance the bias stress stability and control the $V_{\mathrm {th}}$ efficiently by passivating the defects such as oxygen vacancy in a-IGTO films. The LFN results illustrate that the average interfacial trap density could be reduced by N-doping. Overall, the strategy presented here is effective for preparing a-IGTO TFTs with enhanced stability for potential applications in future optoelectronic displays.

The taxonomy of Paphiopedilum Pfitz. has been disputed and needs more data for clarification. Floral morphology and anther development in P. purpuratum were observed using microscope and paraffin section. The results were as follows: (1) It was supported that P. purpuratum should be placed in Paphiopedilum subgenus Paphiopedilum sect. Barbata by some floral features, including a single flower, sepal white with veins, petal spotted with blackish-maroon, pouch of a lip auriculate on both sides, and a staminode lunate. (2) At the early stage, anther primordium developed into a pair of laterally juxtaposed thecae. An incomplete sterile septa was differentiated in the center of each theca, giving rise to two arc-shaped microsporangia. When anther split, the sterile septum was discomposed and degenerated resulting in a mass of sticky pollens from two pollen sacs were fused into a unit. (3) The developed anther wall consisted of an epidermis, an endothecium, a middle layer, and a tapetum, conforming to the monocotyledonous type. Both tapetum and the inner tapetum cells contained 2 nuclei. At the stage of 2-celled grains, degeneration occurred in the epidermis and tapetum layers, while the endothecium became thickened fibrously. (4) Microspore mother cells underwent a simultaneous cytokinesis resulting in microspore tetrads with varied arrangements of tetrahedral, isobilateral, and decussate types, and the meiotic activity of microspore mother cells in the same theca was obviously asynchronous and different meiosis phases could be observed. (5) Microspores produced 2-celled pollens via a mitosis, which could be retained in pollen tetrads or released as monad. Based on the data available, some key features are selected for taxonomy and conservation biology of Paphiopedilum in Cypripedioideae, including the differentiation of incomplete sterile septum, the monocotyledonous type of anther wall, the binucleated tapetum, differentiation of the inner tapetum, simultaneous cytokinesis, the sticky pollens, and so on. This study provides new information for taxonomy and conservation biology of Paphiopedilum, as well as of Cypripedioideae.

There are few data on the rare and endangered orchids of Renanthera Lour. Floral morphology and embryological features of anther development in R. imschootiana were investigated, and the taxonomic significance of R. imschootiana was analyzed by comparing with existing data. The results were as follows: (1) Flowers were characterized by such taxonomic features as tri-lobed labium with an unconspicous spur, cylindrical column, purple anther cap with yellow stripes, and a pair of deeply cleft pollinia connected by a well-developed stipe and a viscidium. (2) Anther primordium was differentiated into two lateral thecae containing two densely dyed microsporangia, and then, a sterile septum was formed longitudinally and unequally which divided each microsporangium into two jointly sub-microsporangium. The septum became absorbed during microsporogenesis and collapsed when anther ripened, resulting in a pair of deeply cleft pollinia. (3) The developed anther wall comprised 5-6 layers, including an epidermis, 2-3 endothecium, a middle layer, and a tapetum, which conformed to the massive type. Tapetal cell was uni-nucleated and glandular. (4) Microspore mother cells underwent a simultaneous cytokinesis during meiosis resulting in the tetrahedral or isobilateral microspore tetrads. Finally, each microspore retained in tetrads and produced 2-celled pollen via mitosis. Pollen tetrads were compactly arranged, leading to a hard cleft pollinia in each thecae. No pollen abortion was observed during anther development. The results provide new reference for taxonomy and conservation of Renanthera.

The genus Habenaria exhibits a highly diversity in floral morphology and has complex taxonomy problems. In order to select key taxonomic features of this genus, floral structure and gynostemium ultrastructure of H. dentata and H. glaucifolia were investigated using the stereo microscope and scanning electronic microscope (SEM). The results were as follows: (1) There were significant differences in floral features between species, especially in the presence or the absence of lateral lobes of petal, morphology of 3-lobed lip, and the length ratio of the spur to the ovary. (2) The ultrastructures of gynostemium were obviously different between the two species, which were shown in shapes of staminode, outer epidermal cells of anther wall, and stigma branch. (3) Exine sculptures of massula were distinguished in two species, the reticulate type in H. dentata, and the baculate → reticulate type in H. glaucifolia. It was suggested that some floral features were selected as potentially valuable for species delimitation, including the presence or absence of lateral petal lobes, variations in spur morphology, the length ratio of the spur to the ovary, and the types of pollen exine sculpture. Additional data on floral features and ultrastructures of gynostemium were reported as supplement for understanding of H. glaucifolia. Notably, it was not confirmed that H. glaucifolia should be treated as an independent genus from Habenaria.

Abstract Coherence and tunneling play central roles in quantum phenomena. In a tunneling event, the time that a particle spends inside the barrier has been fiercely debated. This problem becomes more complex when tunneling repeatedly occurs back and forth, and when involving many particles. Here we report the measurement of the coherence time of various charge states tunneling in a nanowire-based tunable Josephson junction; including single charges, multiple charges, and Cooper pairs. We studied all the charge tunneling processes using Landau-Zener-Stückelberg-Majorana (LZSM) interferometry, and observed high-quality interference patterns under a microwave drive. In particular, the coherence time of the charge states tunneling back and forth was extracted from the interference fringes in Fourier space. In addition, our measurements show the break-up of Cooper pairs, from a macroscopic quantum coherent state to individual particle states. Besides the fundamental research interest, our results also establish LZSM interferometry as a powerful technique to explore the coherence time of charges in hybrid devices.

BACKGROUND: Acute cerebral infarction (ACI) is one of the most common ischemic cerebrovascular diseases in neurology, with high morbidity, mortality, and disability. Early thrombolytic treatment of ACI has significant efficacy, but intraprocedural complications of hypoxemia can significantly reduce the efficacy. This study aims to analyze the risk factors for intraprocedural hypoxemia in patients with ACI, so as to take effective measures in advance to reduce the likelihood of adverse patient outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a total of 238 patients with ACI treated with vascular interventions from May 2017 to May 2022. To assess and collate the patients' characteristics, factors associated with the development of intraprocedural hypoxemia. The independent risk factors for the development of intraprocedural hypoxemia were analyzed by binary logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 238 patients were included in this study. Of these, intraprocedural hypoxemia occurred in 89 (37.4%). The results showed that old age (odds ratio [OR] = 2.666, P = 0.009), obesity (OR = 3.029, P = 0.003), smoking history (OR = 2.655, P = 0.010), preoperative oxygen saturation (SpO2) (OR = 0.001, P = 0.042), preoperative C-reactive protein (OR = 1.216, P = 0.002), and time from puncture to vascular recanalization (OR = 1.135, P = 0.000) were independent risk factors for intraprocedural hypoxemia in patients. The prognosis of the patients was assessed according to the modified Rankin scale, and the prognosis of the nonhypoxemia group was significantly better than that of the hypoxemia group. Regression analysis showed that intraprocedural hypoxemia (OR = 0.360, P = 0.001), postoperative lower extremity vein thrombosis (OR = 0.187, P = 0.018), hydrocephalus (OR = 0.069, P = 0.015), intracranial hemorrhage (OR = 0.116, P = 0.002), and reocclusion (OR = 0.217, P = 0.036) were independent risk factors for poor prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, intravascular hypoxemia in patients with ACI has a serious impact on prognosis. Clinical work should attach great importance to the clinical characteristics of patients, identify relevant risk factors, and aggressively take personalized therapeutic actions to improve patients' prognosis.

ObjectiveThe soil moisture content is a crucial factor that directly affected the growth and yield of crops. By using a soil measurement instrument to measure the soil's moisture content, lots of powerful data support for the development of agriculture can be provided. Furthermore, these data have guiding significance for the implementation of scientific irrigation and water-saving irrigation in farmland. In order to develop a reliable and efficient soil moisture sensor, a new capacitive soil moisture sensor based on microfabrication technology was proposed in this study. Capacitive moisture sensors have the advantages of low power consumption, good performance, long-term stability, and easy industrialization.MethodThe forked electrode array consists of multiple capacitors connected in parallel on the same plane. The ideal design parameters of 10 μm spacing and 75 pairs of forked electrodes were obtained by calculating the design of forked finger logarithms, forked finger spacing, forked finger width, forked finger length, and electrode thickness, and studying the influence of electrode parameters on capacitance sensitivity using COMSOL Multiphysics software. The size obtained an initial capacitance on the order of picofarads, and was not easily breakdown or failed. The sensor was constructed using microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology, where a 30 nm titanium adhesion layer was sputtered onto a glass substrate, followed by sputtering a 100 nm gold electrode to form a symmetrical structure of forked electrodes. Due to the strong adsorption capacity of water molecules of the MoS2 (molybdenum disulfide) layer, it exhibited high sensitivity to soil moisture and demonstrated excellent soil moisture sensing performance. The molybdenum disulfide was coated onto the completed electrodes as the humidity-sensitive material to create a humidity sensing layer. When the humidity changed, the dielectric constant of the electrode varied due to the moisture-absorbing characteristics of molybdenum disulfide, and the capacitance value of the device changed accordingly, thus enabling the measurement of soil moisture. Subsequently, the electrode was encapsulated with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) polymer film. The electrode encapsulated with the microporous film could be directly placed in the soil, which avoided direct contact between the soil/sand particles and the molybdenum disulfide on the device and allowed the humidity sensing unit to only capture the moisture in the soil for measuring humidity. This ensured the device's sensitivity to water moisture and improved its long-term stability. The method greatly reduced the size of the sensor, making it an ideal choice for on-site dynamic monitoring of soil moisture.Results and DiscussionsThe surface morphology of molybdenum disulfide was characterized and analyzed using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). It was observed that molybdenum disulfide nanomaterial exhibited a sheet-like two-dimensional structure, with smooth surfaces on the nanosheets. Some nanosheets displayed sharp edges or irregular shapes along the edges, and they were irregularly arranged with numerous gaps in between. The capacitive soil moisture sensor, which utilized molybdenum disulfide as the humidity-sensitive layer, exhibited excellent performance under varying levels of environmental humidity and soil moisture. At room temperature, a humidity generator was constructed using saturated salt solutions. Saturated solutions of lithium chloride, potassium acetate, magnesium chloride, copper chloride, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and potassium sulfate were used to generate relative humidity levels of 11%, 23%, 33%, 66%, 75%, 84%, and 96%, respectively. The capacitance values of the sensor were measured at different humidity levels using an LCR meter (Agilent E4980A). The capacitance output of the sensor at a frequency of 200 Hz ranged from 12.13 pF to 187.42 nF as the relative humidity varied between 11% to 96%. The sensor exhibited high sensitivity and a wide humidity sensing range. Additionally, the frequency of the input voltage signal had a significant impact on the capacitance output of the sensor. As the testing frequency increased, the response of the sensor's system decreased. The humidity sensing performance of the sensor was tested in soil samples with moisture content of 8.66%, 13.91%, 22.02%, 31.11%, and 42.75%, respectively. As the moisture content in the soil increased from 8.66% to 42.75%, the capacitance output of the sensor at a frequency of 200 Hz increased from 119.51 nF to 377.98 nF, demonstrating a relatively high sensitivity. Similarly, as the frequency of the input voltage increased, the capacitance output of the sensor decreased. Additionally, the electrode exhibited good repeatability and the sensitivity of the sensor increased significantly as the testing frequency decreased.ConclusionsThe capacitive soil moisture sensor holds promise for effective and accurate monitoring of soil moisture levels, with its excellent performance, sensitivity, repeatability, and responsiveness to changes in humidity and soil moisture. The ultimate goal of this study is to achieve long-term monitoring of capacitance changes in capacitive soil moisture sensors, enabling monitoring of long-term changes in soil moisture. This will enable farmers to optimize irrigation systems, improve crop yields, and reduce water usage. In conclusion, the development of this innovative soil moisture sensor has the potential to promote agricultural modernization by providing accurate and reliable monitoring of soil moisture levels.

Background Chondrocyte viability, apoptosis, and migration are closely related to cartilage injury in osteoarthritis (OA) joints. Exosomes are identified as potential therapeutic agents for OA.Objective This study aimed to investigate the role of exosomes derived from osteocytes in OA, particularly focusing on their effects on cartilage repair and molecular mechanisms.Methods An injury cell model was established by treating chondrocytes with IL-1β. Cartilage repair was evaluated using cell counting kit-8, flow cytometry, scratch test, and Western Blot. Molecular mechanisms were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR, bioinformatic analysis, and Western Blot. An OA mouse model was established to explore the role of exosomal DLX2 in vivo.Results Osteocyte-released exosomes promoted cell viability and migration, and inhibited apoptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Moreover, exosomes upregulated DLX2 expression, and knockdown of DLX2 activated the Wnt pathway. Additionally, exosomes attenuated OA in mice by transmitting DLX2.Conclusion Osteocyte-derived exosomal DLX2 alleviated IL-1β-induced cartilage repair and inactivated the Wnt pathway, thereby alleviating OA progression. The findings suggested that osteocyte-derived exosomes may hold promise as a treatment for OA.

Abstract Recent studies indicate a significant upregulation of gasdermin D (GSDMD) in acute kidney injury (AKI), a severe medical condition characterized by high morbidity and mortality globally. In this study, we identified and validated the therapeutic effects of small molecule inhibitors targeting the GSDMD pathway for AKI treatment. Using a drug screening assay, we evaluated thousands of small molecules from DrugBank against Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Nigericin‐stimulated immortalized bone marrow‐derived macrophages (iBMDMs) to discern GSDMD pathway activators. We simulated AKI in primary renal tubular epithelial cells using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) exposure. Furthermore, AKI in mouse models was induced via cisplatin and ischemia/reperfusion. Our findings highlight stevioside as a potent GSDMD activator exhibiting minimal toxicity. Experimental results, both in vitro and in vivo, demonstrate stevioside's significant potential in alleviating renal tubular epithelial cell injury and AKI histological damage. After stevioside treatment, a notable decrease in cleaved GSDMD‐N terminal levels was observed coupled with diminished inflammatory factor release. This observation was consistent in both cisplatin‐ and ischemia/reperfusion‐induced AKI mouse models. Collectively, our research suggests that stevioside could be a promising candidate for modulating GSDMD signaling in AKI treatment.

Abstract Background: Optimal adjuvant chemotherapy after laparoscopic surgery in gastric cancer (GC) patients is still undefined. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of S‐1 plus oxaliplatin (SOX) and capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (CAPOX) in patients with GC after laparoscopic gastrectomy. Methods: A non‐inferiority randomized controlled clinical trial was performed in China. Patients with advanced GC who underwent laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy were randomly assigned to receive SOX and CAPOX regimens. Results: In total, 191 patients were screened between May 2018 and June 2019, and 140 (73.3%) were included in the modified intent‐to‐treat analysis (mITT), of whom 69 and 71 were assigned to the SOX and CAPOX groups, respectively. The SOX group had similar 3‐year overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival to the CAPOX group. Subgroup analysis revealed significantly better OS in the SOX group for male patients ([HR] = 0.395; 95% [CI], 0.153–1.019; p = 0.045), age >60 (HR = 0.219; 95% [CI], 0.064–0.753; p = 0.016), tumors in the gastric antrum (HR = 0.273; 95% [CI], 0.076–0.981; p = 0.047), and moderately differentiated tumors (HR = 0.338; 95% [CI], 0.110–1.041; p = 0.041). There were no significant differences observed in terms of adverse events and recurrence patterns between the two groups. Conclusion: Adjuvant SOX was non‐inferior to CAPOX treatments for patients with GC who underwent curative laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy. For male patients, aged >60 years, tumors in the gastric antrum, and moderately differentiated tumors, adjuvant SOX may achieve an improvement compared with CAPOX.

IntroductionTo analyze the influencing factors for progression from newly diagnosed prediabetes (PreDM) to diabetes within 3 years and establish a prediction model to assess the 3-year risk of developing diabetes in patients with PreDM.MethodsSubjects who were diagnosed with new-onset PreDM at the Physical Examination Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from October 1, 2015 to May 31, 2023 and completed the 3-year follow-up were selected as the study population. Data on gender, age, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, etc. were collected. After 3 years of follow-up, subjects were divided into a diabetes group and a non-diabetes group. Baseline data between the two groups were compared. A prediction model based on logistic regression was established with nomogram drawn. The calibration was also depicted.ResultsComparison between diabetes group and non-diabetes group: Differences in 24 indicators including gender, age, history of hypertension, fatty liver, BMI, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, etc. were statistically significant between the two groups (P0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that ageing, elevated BMI, male gender, high fasting blood glucose, increased LDL-C, fatty liver, liver dysfunction were risk factors for progression from PreDM to diabetes within 3 years (P

IntroductionDue to the problems of greenhouse gas emissions, noise pollution, and vegetable waste pollution during the transportation of vegetables, it is not conducive to the sustainable development of the environment. To mitigate the pollution of the environment during transportation, vegetable green logistics plays a pivotal role in promoting both environmental sustainability and high-quality economic development. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the development of vegetable green logistics.MethodsThis research builds a DEMATEL-ANP-FCE model to scientifically assess the development of vegetable green logistics in Lanling County. In the first place, the model uses DEMATEL to verify the relationship and degree of influence between the primary indexes. In the second place, the ANP approach with Super Decisions software to determine the weights of the indexes at each level. Lastly, evaluating and scoring vegetable green logistics in Lanling County based on FCE.Results and discussionThe results of the study show that there is an interaction relationship between the primary evaluation indexes, and its evaluation score is low, the vegetable logistics in Lanling County has not reached the degree of greening. Accordingly, the evaluation results obtained by the DEMATEL-ANP-FCE model in this work are in line with the actual situation of vegetable green logistics in Lanling County, which verifies that the model has good applicability. Moreover, managerial contributions for promoting the development of vegetable green logistics in Lanling County are put forward in response to the evaluation situation. Expecting to enhance the greening level of vegetable logistical development and advance agricultural sustainability. Finally, all four questions raised in this paper are well addressed. This study also provides a new perspective and evaluation model for future related research.

Objectives: A randomized controlled experimental design that combines exercise and music intervention was adopted in this study to verify whether this approach could help improve human affect. The differences in the effect of music listening on affective improvement were compared in four different periods: before, during, and after aerobic power cycling exercise and the whole exercise course.Method: A total of 140 subjects aged 19–30 years (average age: 23.6 years) were recruited and randomly divided into four music intervention groups, namely, the pre-exercise, during-exercise, post-exercise, and the whole-course groups. The subjects’ demographic and sociological variables and daily physical activities were collected using questionnaires. Individual factors, such as the subjects’ noise sensitivity, personality traits, and degree of learning burnout, were collected via scale scoring. A laboratory in Zhejiang Normal University was selected as the experimental site. The testing procedure can be summarized as follows. In a quiet environment, the subjects were asked to sit quietly for 5 min after completing a preparation work, and then they were informed to take a pre-test. The four subject groups wore headphones and completed 20 min of aerobic cycling (i.e., 7 min of moderate-intensity cycling [50%*HRR + RHR] + 6 min of low-intensity interval cycling [30%*HRR + RHR] + 7 min of moderate-intensity cycling [50%*HRR + RHR] after returning to a calm state (no less than 20 min) for post-testing. The affect improvement indicators (dependent variables) collected in the field included blood pressure (BP), positive/negative affect, and heart rate variability indicators (RMSSD, SDNN, and LF/HF).Results: 1) Significant differences were found in the participants’ systolic BP (SBP) indices and the effect of improvement of the positive affect during the exercise–music intervention among the four groups at different durations for the same exercise intensity (F = 2.379, p = 0.030, ɳp2 = 0.058; F = 2.451, p = 0.043, ɳp2 = 0.091). 2) Music intervention for individuals during exercise contribute more to the reduction of SBP than the other three time periods (F = 3.170, p = 0.047, ɳp2 = 0.068). Improvement in the participants’ negativity affective score was also better during exercise, and it was significantly different than the other three time periods (F = 5.516, p = 0.006, ɳp2 = 0.113). No significant differences were found in the improvement effects of the other effective indicators for the four periods.Conclusion: Exercise combined with music intervention has a facilitative effect on human affect improvement, and listening to music during exercise has a better impact on affective improvement than music interventions at the other periods. When people perform physical activities, listening to music during exercise positively affects the progress effect among them.

ObjectiveTo investigate the patterns of changes in routine blood parameters， thyroid hormone levels， and their correlations with thyroid peroxidase antibodies （TPOAb） among women at different stages of pregnancy， so as to provide a theoretical basis for maternal and child health care and diagnosis and treatment.MethodsA total of 732 pregnant women at different stages of pregnancy who underwent health examinations at the First Maternity and Infant Hospital affiliated to Tongji University from May 2020 to August 2022 were selected as the observation group. The group comprised 245 women in the first trimester （≤12 weeks）， 247 women in the second trimester （between13 and 27 weeks） and 240 women in the third trimester （≥28 weeks）. Additionally， 240 non-pregnant， healthy women of child-bearing age who conducted their health checkups in the same hospital were selected as the control group. All the research subjects were required to provide peripheral venous blood samples to measure hemoglobin （Hb）， standard deviation of red blood cell distribution width （RDW-SD）， coefficient of variation of red blood cell distribution width （RDW-CV）， platelet （Plt） count， platelet distribution width （PDW）， as well as thyroid stimulating hormone （TSH）， total thyroxine （TT4）， total triiodothyronine （TT3）， free thyroxine （FT4）， free triiodothyronine （FT3）， and TPOAb. The results were statistically analyzed.ResultsWith advancing gestational age， Hb levels were significantly lower in the second and third trimesters than in the first trimester and the control group （F=68.25， P

Abstract The interplay between topology and interaction always plays an important role in condensed matter physics and induces many exotic quantum phases, while rare transition metal layered material (TMLM) has been proved to possess both. Here we report a TMLM Ta2Pd3Te5 has the two-dimensional second-order topology (also a quadrupole topological insulator) with correlated edge states - Luttinger liquid. It is ascribed to the unconventional nature of the mismatch between charge- and atomic- centers induced by a remarkable double-band inversion. This one-dimensional protected edge state preserves the Luttinger liquid behavior with robustness and universality in scale from micro- to macro- size, leading to a significant anisotropic electrical transport through two-dimensional sides of bulk materials. Moreover, the bulk gap can be modulated by the thickness, resulting in an extensive-range phase diagram for Luttinger liquid. These provide an attractive model to study the interaction and quantum phases in correlated topological systems.

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has had major ramifications for health and the economy at both the individual and collective levels. This study examined exogenous negative changes in household income and their implications on psychological well-being (PWB) among the Chinese population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Data were drawn from the early China COVID-19 Survey, a cross-sectional anonymous online survey administered to the general population in China. Self-reported PWB was measured using a 5-point Likert scale with five questions related to the participants’ recent psychological state. Hierarchical multiple linear regression was employed to examine whether income loss during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with poor psychological health. Results This study included 8,428 adults, of which 90% had suffered from a moderate or severe loss of household income due to the early COVID-19 pandemic. Those who had experienced moderate or severe loss of income scored significantly lower on psychological well-being than those who did not experience income loss (19.96 or 18.07 vs. 21.46; P

Abstract Leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor-1 (LAIR1), an immune receptor containing immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibiory motifs (ITIMs), has emerged as an attractive target for cancer therapy. However, the intrinsic function of LAIR1 in gliomas remains unclear. In this study, the poor prognosis of glioma patients and the malignant proliferation of glioma cells in vitro and in vivo were found to be closely correlated with LAIR1. LAIR1 facilitates focal adhesion kinase (FAK) nuclear localization, resulting in increased transcription of cyclin D1 and chemokines/cytokines (CCL5, TGFβ2, and IL33). LAIR1 specifically supports in the immunosuppressive glioma microenvironment via CCL5-mediated microglia/macrophage polarization. SHP2Q510E (PTP domain mutant) or FAKNLM (non-nuclear localizing mutant) significantly reversed the LAIR1-induced growth enhancement in glioma cells. In addition, LAIR1Y251/281F (ITIMs mutant) and SHP2Q510E mutants significantly reduced FAK nuclear localization, as well as CCL5 and cyclin D1 expression. Further experiments revealed that the ITIMs of LAIR1 recruited SH2-containing phosphatase 2 (SHP2), which then interacted with FAK and induced FAK nuclear localization. This study uncovered a critical role for intrinsic LAIR1 in facilitating glioma malignant progression and demonstrated a requirement for LAIR1 and SHP2 to enhance FAK nuclear localization.

Abstract Background In the modern era of antibiotics, healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) have emerged as a prominent and concerning health threat worldwide. Implementing an electronic surveillance system for healthcare-associated infections offers the potential to not only alleviate the manual workload of clinical physicians in surveillance and reporting but also enhance patient safety and the overall quality of medical care. Despite the widespread adoption of healthcare-associated infections surveillance systems in numerous hospitals across China, several challenges persist. These encompass incomplete coverage of all infection types in the surveillance, lack of clarity in the alerting results provided by the system, and discrepancies in sensitivity and specificity that fall short of practical expectations. Methods We design and develop a knowledge-based healthcare-associated infections surveillance system (KBHAIS) with the primary goal of supporting clinicians in their surveillance of HAIs. The system operates by automatically extracting infection factors from both structured and unstructured electronic health data. Each patient visit is represented as a tuple list, which is then processed by the rule engine within KBHAIS. As a result, the system generates comprehensive warning results, encompassing infection site, infection diagnoses, infection time, and infection probability. These knowledge rules utilized by the rule engine are derived from infection-related clinical guidelines and the collective expertise of domain experts. Results We develop and evaluate our KBHAIS on a dataset of 106,769 samples collected from 84,839 patients at Gansu Provincial Hospital in China. The experimental results reveal that the system achieves a sensitivity rate surpassing 0.83, offering compelling evidence of its effectiveness and reliability. Conclusions Our healthcare-associated infections surveillance system demonstrates its effectiveness in promptly alerting patients to healthcare-associated infections. Consequently, our system holds the potential to considerably diminish the occurrence of delayed and missed reporting of such infections, thereby bolstering patient safety and elevating the overall quality of healthcare delivery.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the locations of the inferior epigastric arteries in a group of Uygur by ultrasound and explore the anatomical characteristics of vessels in the management of inferior epigastric bleeding. Methods: The study included 61 patients. The locations of inferior epigastric arteries through ultrasound were determined at three levels, and the distance from the midline was correlated with patients’ demographics by Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: This study included 52 males and nine females, with a mean age of 37.56 years (± SD 3.16) and a mean BMI of 24.34 kg/m2 (± SD 3.71). At the symphysis pubis level, the average distance from the inferior epigastric artery to the midline was 5.98 ± 0.13 cm on the right and 7.32 ± 0.15 cm on the left. At the anterior superior iliac spine level, the average distance of the inferior epigastric artery on the right was 4.12 ± 0.15 cm and 5.2 ± 0.15 cm on the left. The inferior epigastric arteries were 3.86 ± 0.17 cm on the right and 5.06 ± 0.16 cm on the left of the midline at the level midway between the umbilicus and anterior superior iliac spine. Conclusion: Inferior epigastric arteries were located between 3.5 and 8 cm from the midline, with the right vessel being closer to the midline than the left. The invasive operations through the abdominal wall should avoid these areas to reduce vascular injury. The anatomical characteristics of inferior epigastric arteries may potentially manage inferior epigastric bleeding.

Experts in the field of architecture and landscape design have reached a broad consensus that the Chinese literati garden is a type of built environment that seamlessly integrates architecture and landscape with exceptional cultural, artistic, and historical values. However, previous site-based studies have often leaned towards either a subjective description of the experience or a technical analysis of the space. Both approaches may result in oversimplified interpretations of the Chinese literati garden, failing to adequately capture its fundamental spatial-experiential structure.This paper aims to address this challenge through the lens of phenomenology. Specifically, it examines an essential spatial-experiential structure—the FS-FW structure—embedded within the Chinese literati garden. The term FS-FW structure, as meticulously established in this paper, refers to the spatial-experiential structure formed by the relationship between one's experience within a single “focusing space” (a space built for visitors to linger and mindfully appreciate their surroundings) and that within its “focused world” (a phenomenal world of surroundings generated during visitors' stay in the focusing space).Using the Master of the Nets Garden as a case study, this paper investigates how the FS-FW structure shapes one's experiences within a literati garden and explores several important mechanisms related to it. A variety of methods are employed throughout, with GIS-based spatial-visual analysis being particularly significant. The case study leads to a series of original results, including some significant mechanisms, that explain how Chinese literati gardens shape visitors' experiences. This paper concludes that the FS-FW structure is a key factor responsible for shaping a continuous, rich, and clearly formulated experience within the Chinese literati garden.

BackgroundNon-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) has become a significant public health issue, especially prevalent among adolescents. The complexity and multifactorial nature of NSSI necessitate a comprehensive understanding of its underlying causal factors. This research leverages the causal discovery methodology to explore these causal associations in children.MethodsAn observational dataset was scrutinized using the causal discovery method, particularly employing the constraint-based approach. By integrating machine learning and causal inference techniques, the study aimed to determine direct causal relationships associated with NSSI. The robustness of the causal relationships was evaluated using three methods to construct and validate it: the PC (Peter and Clark) method, Fast Causal Inference (FCI) method, and the GAE (Graphical Autoencoder) method.ResultsAnalysis identified nine nodes with direct causal relationships to NSSI, including life satisfaction, depression, family dysfunction, sugary beverage consumption, PYD (positive youth development), internet addiction, COVID-19 related PTSD, academic anxiety, and sleep duration. Four principal causal pathways were identified, highlighting the roles of lockdown-induced lifestyle changes, screen time, positive adolescent development, and family dynamics in influencing NSSI risk.ConclusionsAn in-depth analysis of the factors leading to Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI), highlighting the intricate connections among individual, family, and pandemic-related influences. The results, derived from computational causal analysis, underscore the critical need for targeted interventions that tackle these diverse causative factors.

The surface water and groundwater in the mountainous area are vulnerable to contamination from the mining and transportation construction in Sichuan Province, China. Pollutants produced by anthropogenic activities transport within the groundwater from mountains to rivers on the plain, transferring contamination to the surface water. This study investigates the process of groundwater flow and contaminant transport from mountains to the lowlands based on synthetic numerical models. Two key factors are considered: precipitation and the slope of the mountain. Based on the real situation in Sichuan Province, four rainfall recharge rates are defined as 600, 800, 1,000, and 1,200 mm/yr, and five slope angles are considered: 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, and 40°. The simulation results reveal that the groundwater level and solute transport are strongly influenced by the precipitation amounts and slope angles. The mountains with lower slopes maintain a relatively higher groundwater level under steady-state rainfall conditions; for example, groundwater levels decrease from 340 m to 300 m as slope angles increase at a 1,200 mm/yr precipitation level. Contaminant transport from the source in the mountain to the surface river is faster with increasing precipitations and decreasing slope angles. The model with 20° slope angle and 1,200 mm/yr precipitation exhibits the fastest solute migration, with the contaminant arrival time of 65 years. Furthermore, the models with 35° and 40° slope angles at a 600 mm/yr precipitation level show the slow transport speed with the contaminant arrival time of more than 75 years. In addition, higher precipitation may lead to more contaminant transport to the river. The analysis and findings of this study offer valuable insights into groundwater protection at the boundaries of mountains and plains.

Type II crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) neuropeptides play diverse roles in crustaceans. In the hermaphrodite shrimp Lysmata vittata, two transcripts of type II CHHs (molt-inhibiting hormone/gonad-inhibiting hormone, MIH/GIH1 and MIH/GIH2) were identified by transcriptome sequencing, and MIH/GIH1 was later named Lvit-GIH1 for its inhibitory effect on ovarian development. Based on the high similarity of MIH/GIH2 to Lvit-GIH1, we named tentatively MIH/GIH2 as Lvit-GIH2 and explored the role of Lvit-GIH2 in ovarian development. The open reading frame (ORF) of Lvit-GIH2 was 333 bp in length, encoding a precursor consisted of a 32-aa signal peptide and a 78-aa mature peptide, which shared high sequence similarity with the type II subfamily peptides in crustaceans. Notably, Lvit-GIH2 was widely expressed in multiple tissues. The qRT-PCR findings indicated a rising trend in the expression of Lvit-GIH2 from the male phase to the euhermaphrodite phase. Both RNA interference and addition of GIH2 recombinant proteins (rGIH2) experiments showed that Lvit-GIH2 suppressed Lvit-Vg expression in hepatopancreas and Lvit-VgR expression in ovary. To further investigate the role of Lvit-GIH2 in ovarian development, the RNA-sequence analysis was performed to examine the changes in ovary after addition of rGIH2. The results showed that the pathways (Cysteine and methionine metabolism, Apoptosis-multiple species, etc.) and the genes (17bHSD8, IGFR, CHH, etc.) related to ovarian development were negatively regulated by rGIH2. In brief, Lvit-GIH2 might inhibit the ovarian development in L. vittata.

Autoimmune myocarditis, which falls within the broad spectrum of myocarditis, is characterized by an excessive inflammatory response in the heart, and can progress into dilated cardiomyopathy and irreversible heart failure in all possibility. However, effective clinical therapeutics are limited due to its complex inflammatory reactions. Empagliflozin (EMPA) has been previously demonstrated to possess anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to determine the improvement effects of EMPA on cardiac dysfunction under the condition of autoimmune myocarditis, and to further investigate the potential mechanisms. In vivo, all male Balb/c mice were randomly divided into four groups: control, experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM), EAM+EMPA and EMPA. In vitro, the effects of EMPA on IL-18-stimulated H9C2 cells were explored and the underlying molecular mechanisms were further determined. EMPA treatment significantly inhibited the development of autoimmune myocarditis, and mice treated with EMPA exhibited improved cardiac function compared with that in the EAM group, potentially through modulating pyroptosis of myocardium. Specifically, the NF-κB pathway was activated in the hearts of the EAM mice, which further activated NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent pyroptosis. EMPA treatment significantly inhibited such activation, thus alleviating inflammatory reactions in the context of EAM. Moreover, in vitro, we also observed that EMPA significantly inhibited pyroptosis of IL-18-stimulated H9C2 cells, and reduced nuclear translocation of NF-κB and degradation of activated IκBα. This work provides the first direct evidence that EMPA can inhibit myocardial inflammation and improve cardiac function in EAM mice, partly attributed to the drug-induced suppression of cardiomyocyte pyroptosis via disrupting the NF-κB pathway.

The cellular characteristics of intestinal cells involved in the therapeutic effects of astragaloside IV (AS-IV) for treating slow transit constipation (STC) remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the dynamics of colon tissue cells in the STC model and investigate the effects of AS-IV treatment by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). STC mouse models were developed using loperamide, with subsequent treatment using AS-IV. Colon tissues and feces were collected for scRNA-seq and targeted short-chain fatty acid quantification. We integrated scRNA-seq data with network pharmacology to analyze the effect of AS-IV on constipation. AS-IV showed improvement in defecation for STC mice induced by loperamide. Notably, in STC mice, epithelial cells, T cells, B cells, and fibroblasts demonstrated alterations in cell proportions and aberrant functions, which AS-IV partially rectified. AS-IV has the potential to modulate the metabolic pathway of epithelial cells through its interaction with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). AS-IV reinstated fecal butyrate levels and improved energy metabolism in epithelial cells. The proportion of naïve CD4+T cells is elevated in STC, and the differentiation of these cells into regulatory T cells (Treg) is regulated by B cells and fibroblasts through the interaction of ligand-receptor pairs. AS-IV treatment can partially alleviate this trend. The status of fibroblasts in STC undergoes alterations, and the FB_C4_Adamdec1 subset, associated with angiogenesis and the Wingless-related integration (Wnt) pathway, emerges. Our comprehensive analysis identifies perturbations of epithelial cells and tissue microenvironment cells in STC and elucidates mechanisms underlying the therapeutic efficacy of AS-IV.

Abstract Purpose SMARCA4‐deficient thoracic tumors, characterized by distinct clinicopathological, morphological, immunohistochemical, and genetic features, differ significantly from conventional non‐small‐cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs). This group encompasses both SMARCA4‐deficient NSCLCs (SMARCA4‐NSCLCs) and SMARCA4‐deficient undifferentiated tumors (SMARCA4‐UTs). The efficacy of PD‐1 inhibitors in treating SMARCA4‐deficient thoracic tumors remains uncertain. Methods Medical records of 36 patients diagnosed with stage IIIB, IIIC, or IV SMARCA4‐deficient thoracic tumors were analyzed. We assessed the clinical, pathological, and genetic features of these patients through immunohistochemistry (IHC) and a 68‐gene panel next‐generation sequencing (NGS). We compared the differences between SMARCA4‐NSCLCs and SMARCA4‐UTs, and evaluated the impact of chemotherapy and immunotherapy on patient outcomes. Results The majority of patients with SMARCA4‐deficient thoracic tumors were heavy‐smoking males, averaging 64.6 years in age. IHC predominantly showed weak or negative staining for markers such as TTF‐1, CK5/6, p40, synaptophysin, chromogranin A, and CD56, which are often associated with adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and neuroendocrine tumors. The most common genetic mutations identified via NGS included TP53, CDKN2A, KRAS, STK11, NF1, and PTEN. No significant overall survival (OS) difference was observed between SMARCA4‐NSCLCs and SMARCA4‐UTs (p = 0.366). The median OS for patients treated with chemotherapy (n = 9) was 447 days, while the median OS for patients undergoing PD‐1‐inhibitor‐based therapy (n = 16) was not reached (p = 0.105). Conclusion SMARCA4‐deficient thoracic tumors exhibit distinct characteristics from conventional NSCLCs, and PD‐1 inhibitors show promise in treating advanced SMARCA4‐deficient thoracic tumors.

Thunderstorms are recognized as perilous meteorological phenomena characterized by irregular and nonlinear movement, posing significant risks to approaching aircraft and necessitating technical methods to ensure safety to the aviation operations. This research specifically addresses the challenges associated with aircraft during the approach segment and introduces a multialgorithmic model focusing on the optimization of 4D approach trajectory. Firstly, the artificial neural network intelligent model was used to predict the thunderstorm movement track. Secondly, the multialgorithmic model combined by the rapidly exploring random tree with artificial potential field was built to plan the trajectory of the approaching aircraft under thunderstorm weather, and then, the mean filter was adopted to smooth the simulated approaching trajectory. Finally, the reliability of the model with a real case study was demonstrated. After optimized simulation by predicting the thunderstorm weather and trajectory-optimized multialgorithmic model mentioned above, the approach trajectory can be outputted successfully, but with some distortions, postprocessing with the mean filter results in a remarkably smooth approach trajectory, providing enhanced feasibility and efficiency for pilots navigating through thunderstorm weather conditions. It is ultimately proved that refined 4D trajectory operations under hazardous weather conditions hold substantial significance in advancing aviation safety and operational effectiveness.

This paper aims to explore the innovative development model of ideological and political education. By establishing a Civic and Political Science teaching platform, two functions of classroom interaction and online dual-teacher interaction are designed under nine ideological and political teaching modules. The VR technology and system framework are analyzed, and the corresponding MDP algorithm is constructed. The algorithm model was used to analyze the percentage of students’ favorite Civics classrooms and the acceptance level of VR teaching classrooms. The result data show that only 27.5% of students like Civics class, 51.53% of students maintain a neutral attitude towards Civics class again emotionally, and 16.36% of students do not like Civics class. 70.1% of students prefer the means of communication of Internet platform tools. 16.58% of students prefer the means of communication of newspapers and magazines, 50.2% of students prefer the means of video communication, and 35.26% of students prefer the means of video communication. 35.26% of students prefer book communication. This paper provides reference data and models for the development of ideological and political education innovation.

Obstacles in alpine environments pose significant challenges to aircraft safety during terminal operations. Key challenges include constraints from obstacles within the terminal clearance area and the labor-intensive manual calculations of flight procedures. The focal point of concern lies in the design of approach procedures, particularly due to the heightened risk of collisions with obstacles during the descent segment in such terrain. To address these challenges, initially, this paper proposes processing the terrain data and visualizing and extracting the topographic data of the alpine airport by adopting a bi-cubic b-spline interpolation and cellular automatic machine model. Then, the paper proposes improving the A* path algorithm to make sure it can obey the standards of flight procedure design, utilizing the improved A* path algorithm to design approach procedures. As fuel consumption is directly connected with the economy of aviation companies, this research finally suggests employing the fuel consumption evaluation model to select the most efficient approach flight procedures. This research takes a case study of a Yunnan airport and simulates and designs the optimized approach procedures by A* path algorithm and evaluation based on fuel consumption. Results indicate that the parameters of optimized approach procedures align with the regulation of flight procedure design and meet the requirements of real flight operation. Therefore, the core tenant of this research can provide a feasible idea for flight procedures with alpine airports and has the potential to reduce workload and enhance operational efficiency.

Abstract Background Lipodystrophy-associated metabolic disorders caused by Seipin deficiency lead to not only severe lipodystrophy but also neurological disorders. However, the underlying mechanism of Seipin deficiency-induced neuropathy is not well elucidated, and the possible restorative strategy needs to be explored. Methods In the present study, we used Seipin knockout (KO) mice, combined with transcriptome analysis, mass spectrometry imaging, neurobehavior test, and cellular and molecular assay to investigate the systemic lipid metabolic abnormalities in lipodystrophic mice model and their effects on adult neurogenesis in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and olfactory function. After subcutaneous adipose tissue (AT) transplantation, metabolic and neurological function was measured in Seipin KO mice to clarify whether restoring lipid metabolic homeostasis would improve neurobehavior. Results It was found that Seipin KO mice presented the ectopic accumulation of lipids in the lateral ventricle, accompanied by decreased neurogenesis in adult SVZ, diminished new neuron formation in the olfactory bulb, and impaired olfactory-related memory. Transcriptome analysis showed that the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in SVZ of adult Seipin KO mice were significantly enriched in lipid metabolism. Mass spectrometry imaging showed that the levels of glycerophospholipid and diglyceride (DG) were significantly increased. Furthermore, we found that AT transplantation rescued the abnormality of peripheral metabolism in Seipin KO mice and ameliorated the ectopic lipid accumulation, concomitant with restoration of the SVZ neurogenesis and olfactory function. Mechanistically, PKCα expression was up-regulated in SVZ tissues of Seipin KO mice, which may be a potential mediator between lipid dysregulation and neurological disorder. DG analogue (Dic8) can up-regulate PKCα and inhibit the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) in vitro, while PKCα inhibitor can block this effect. Conclusion This study demonstrates that Seipin deficiency can lead to systemic lipid disorder with concomitant SVZ neurogenesis and impaired olfactory memory. However, AT restores lipid homeostasis and neurogenesis. PKCα is a key mediator mediating Seipin KO-induced abnormal lipid metabolism and impaired neurogenesis in the SVZ, and inhibition of PKCα can restore the impaired neurogenesis. This work reveals the underlying mechanism of Seipin deficiency-induced neurological dysfunction and provides new ideas for the treatment of neurological dysfunction caused by metabolic disorders.

Abstract Background Neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE), with various morbidities and multiple manifestations in the central nervous system, remains a limited standard for diagnosis. Our study was to discover novel biomarkers for improving the diagnostic efficiency for NPSLE. Methods We performed a quantitative planar protein antibody microarray to screen 1000 proteins in cerebrospinal fluid from controls, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, non-NPSLE) patients, and NPSLE patients. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) as candidate biomarkers were developed into a custom multiplexed protein antibody array for further validation in an independent larger cohort. Subsequently, we used least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression (LASSO) analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis for optimizing feature selection and constructing a diagnostic model. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was generated to assess the effectiveness of the models. Results The expression of 29 proteins in CSF was significantly altered in the comparison of the three groups. We selected 17 proteins as candidate biomarkers in accordance with protein interaction analysis. In the larger cohort, we identified 5 DEPs as biomarkers for NPSLE, including TCN2, CST6, KLK5, L-selectin, and Trappin-2. The diagnostic model included 3 hub proteins (CST6, TCN2, KLK5) and was best at discriminating NPSLE from SLE patients. These CSF biomarkers were also highly associated with disease activity. In addition, there were 6 molecules with remarkable changes in NPSLE CSF and hippocampus, which indicated the consistency of the environment in the brain and the promising molecular targets in the pathogenesis of NPSLE. Conclusions The dual-chips screening strategy demonstrated KLK5, L-selectin, Trappin-2, TCN2, and CST6 as CSF biomarkers for diagnosing NPSLE.

Zr–Sn and Zr–Sn–Nb alloys were joined using current-induced solid-state welding. This process led to significant plastic deformation in Zr alloy, resulting in a robust welded joint. The Cu particles, oxides, and other impurities were scattered at the interface. Two distinct microstructures, basketweave-parallel-plate and basketweave-plate, emerged in the weld's center, attributable to varying thermal cycles. The average grain size in Zr–Sn–Nb alloy was smaller than in Zr–Sn alloy side. During the welding of Zr–Sn–Nb alloy, the majority of β-Nb secondary phases particles (SPPs) dissolved. Conversely, in Zr–Sn alloy, elongated, irregular ZrFe2 SPPs were observed between the α plates. The joint formation was influenced significantly by initial slip, twin-induced plasticity (TWIP), and transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) mechanisms. The joint's burst force was measured between 8790 and 8890 N, and the fractures occurred at a location distant from the weld.

The distribution of energetic ion flux in the ring current region, such as a meteorological cumulonimbus cloud, stores up the particle energy for a geomagnetic substorm. It is helpful to study the geomagnetic substorm mechanism by using a lunar base ENA imaging simulation of the dynamic evolution of the ring current, and establishing the corresponding relationship between key node events of the substorm. Based on the previous observation experience and our simulation results of the dynamic evolution of the ring current, we propose a macroscopic model of substorms related to the dynamic evolution of ring currents and present the possibility of confirming the causal sequence of some of those critical node events of substorms with the lunar base ENA imaging measurement. IBEX, operating in the ecliptic plane, may even give examples of the telemetry of ring current ion fluxes through ENA measurements during substorms/quiets.

Abstract Background In vivo monitoring of cell biodistribution using positron emission tomography (PET) provides a quantitative non-invasive method to further optimize cell therapies and related new developments in the field. Our group has earlier optimized and evaluated the in vitro properties of two radiotracers,[89Zr]Zr-(oxinate)4 and [89Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS, for the radiolabelling of different cell types. Here, we performed a microPET study to assess the in vivo biodistribution of cells in rats using these two radiotracers. Human decidual stromal cells (hDSC) and rat macrophages (rMac) were radiolabelled with [89Zr]Zr-(oxinate)4 or [89Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS. Rats were intravenously injected with radiolabelled cells, and the in vivo biodistribution was monitored with microPET/CT imaging for up to day 7. Organ uptake was evaluated and presented as a percentage of injected activity per gram tissue (%IA/g) and total absorbed organ doses (mSv/MBq). Results The biodistribution in vivo showed an immediate uptake in the lungs. Thereafter, [89Zr]Zr-(oxinate)4 labelled cells migrated to the liver, while the signal from [89Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS labelled cells lingered in the lungs. The differences in the in vivo behaviour for the same cell type appeared related to the radiotracer labelling. After 24 h, [89Zr]Zr-(oxinate)4 labelled cells had over 70% higher liver uptake for both hDSC and rMac compared to [89Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS labelled cells, whereas [89Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS labelled cells showed over 60% higher uptake in the lungs compared to [89Zr]Zr-(oxinate)4 labelled cells. This difference in both lung and liver uptake continued until day 7. Dosimetry calculations showed a higher effective dose (mSv/MBq) for [89Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS compared to [89Zr]Zr-(oxinate)4, for both cell types. Although the bone uptake was higher for [89Zr]Zr-(oxinate)4 labelled cells, the prolonged uptake in the lungs contributed to a significant crossfire to bone marrow resulting in a higher bone dose. Conclusion The [89Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS labelled cells suggest a prolonged accumulation in the lungs, while [89Zr]Zr-(oxinate)4 suggests quicker clearance of the lungs followed by accumulation in the liver. Accumulation of radiolabelled cells in the liver corresponds to other cell-tracking methods. Further studies are required to determine the actual location of the [89Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS labelled cell.

Abstract An ultra‐low quiescent current tri‐mode DC–DC boost converter is proposed in this paper, which can efficiently handle loads from 1 μA to 300 mA, providing 5‐V output from 3 to 4.2‐V input. Hysteresis current mode control is adopted to realize seamless mode switching between continuous conduction mode (CCM) and discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). In order to deal with the light load situation, this paper proposes a quasi burst mode (QBM). In this mode, most of the modules are turned off and only the QBM controller, low‐power current bias and sample and hold circuit are retained, which significantly reduces the static current of the converter, and thus improves the light load efficiency. Meanwhile, the average current of error amplifier and comparator are reduced significantly by dynamic biasing. Finally, the efficiency of the converter is greatly improved and kept at a reasonable output ripple. The proposed converter is implemented in a 0.13‐μm BCD process design and manufacturing. The test results show that the quiescent current of the converter is only 780 nA, which can achieve a peak efficiency of 95.6%, and ensure that the efficiency is maintained above 80% in the load range of 10 μA to 300 mA.

Background: Our previous studies have shown that scorpion venom heat-resistant synthesized peptide (SVHRSP) induces a significant extension in lifespan and improvements in age-related physiological functions in worms. However, the mechanism underlying the potential anti-aging effects of SVHRSP in mammals remains elusive. Methods: Following SVHRSP treatment in senescence-accelerated mouse resistant 1 (SAMR1) or senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mice, behavioral tests were conducted and brain tissues were collected for morphological analysis, electrophysiology experiments, flow cytometry, and protein or gene expression. The human neuroblastoma cell line (SH-SY5Y) was subjected to H2O2 treatment in cell experiments, aiming to establish a cytotoxic model that mimics cellular senescence. This model was utilized to investigate the regulatory mechanisms underlying oxidative stress and neuroinflammation associated with age-related cognitive impairment mediated by SVHRSP. Results: SVHRSP significantly ameliorated age-related cognitive decline, enhanced long-term potentiation, restored synaptic loss, and upregulated the expression of synaptic proteins, therefore indicating an improvement in synaptic plasticity. Moreover, SVHRSP demonstrated a decline in senescent markers, including SA-β-gal enzyme activity, P16, P21, SIRT1, and cell cycle arrest. The underlying mechanisms involve an upregulation of antioxidant enzyme activity and a reduction in oxidative stress-induced damage. Furthermore, SVHRSP regulated the nucleoplasmic distribution of NRF2 through the SIRT1-P53 pathway. Further investigation indicated a reduction in the expression of proinflammatory factors in the brain after SVHRSP treatment. SVHRSP attenuated neuroinflammation by regulating the NF-κB nucleoplasmic distribution and inhibiting microglial and astrocytic activation through the SIRT1-NF-κB pathway. Additionally, SVHRSP significantly augmented Nissl body count while suppressing neuronal loss. Conclusion: SVHRSP could remarkably improve cognitive deficiency by inhibiting oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, thus representing an effective strategy to improve brain health.

As the most consumed tea in the world, all kinds of black tea are developed from Wuyi black tea. In this study, quality components, regulatory gene expression, and key enzyme activity during the processing were analyzed to illustrate the taste formation of WBT. Withering mainly affected the content of amino acids, while catechins and tea pigments were most influenced by rolling and the pre-metaphase of fermentation. Notably, regulatory gene expression was significantly down-regulated after withering except for polyphenoloxidase1, polyphenoloxidase2, leucoanthocyanidin dioxygenase, chalcone isomerase, and flavonoid 3′, 5′-hydroxylase. Co-expression of flavonoid pathway genes confirmed similar expression patterns of these genes in the same metabolic pathway. Interestingly, rolling and fermentation anaphase had a great effect on polyphenol oxidase, and fermentation pre-metaphase had the greatest effect on cellulase. Since gene regulation mainly occurs before picking, the influence of chemical reaction was greater during processing. It was speculated that polyphenol oxidase and cellulase, which promoted the transformation of quality components, were the key factors in the quality formation of WBT. The above results provide theoretical basis for the processing of WBT and the reference for producing high-quality black tea.

There has been renewed interest in the application of endophytic fungi to control phytopathogenic fungi, which cause significant damage to crop health, ultimately leading to losses in agricultural productivity. Endophytic fungi inhibit pathogens via different modes of action—mycoparasitism, competition (for nutrients and ecological niches), antibiosis, and induction of plant defense—thus demonstrating the ability to control a wide range of phytopathogenic fungi in different growth phases and habitats. However, many studies have been conducted under laboratory conditions, and there is a huge lack of studies in which real field testing was performed. Aspergillus, Clonostachys, Coniothyrium, Trichoderma, and Verticillium have been proven to be the most effective fungal biocontrol agents. Trichoderma is regarded as the most promising group in commercial formulations. In this study, we attempted to emphasize the significance of fungal endophytes in controlling phytopathogenic fungi, while reporting recent advances in endophytic biology and application.

SiCf/SiC ceramic matrix composites are the ideal materials for high-temperature components of a new generation of advanced aero-engine with their excellent properties, such as low density, high temperature resistance, high specific strength. In order to realize the reliable application of SiCf/SiC composites in service environment, it is urgent to carry out the characterization research on mechanical behavior of the composites. Compared with other testing methods, such as extensometers and strain gauges, digital image correlation (DIC) has the advantages of non-contact, full-field measurement and strong operability. It can realize in-situ characterization of mechanical behaviors such as damage and fracture of composite materials in complex coupling environments, which has received extensive attention. In this paper, the application progress of DIC in tensile, bending, blasting and other mechanical tests of SiCf/SiC composites at room temperature are systematically reviewed and summarized. And the progress of high-temperature measurement via DIC in mechanical loading process of SiCf/SiC composites is introduced in detail. Finally, the DIC characterization technology of SiCf/SiC composites is summarized and prospected, which provides a basis for performance optimization and engineering application of SiCf/SiC composites.

[Objective] The issue of carbon emission efficiency is of great significance to the realization of the “dual carbon” goal. To reveal the impact of land resource misallocation on carbon emission efficiency, and to explore its path, it provides a scientific basis for promoting regional green and low-carbon development from the perspective of land resource allocation. [Methods] Based on the theory that land resource misallocation affects carbon emission efficiency, and using the spatial Durbin model and mediation effect model, this study examined the spatial effect of land resource misallocation on carbon emission efficiency and mechanism of 108 cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt from 2004 to 2020. [Results] (1) The indirect effect of land resource misallocation on carbon emission efficiency is far greater than the direct effect, and the preferential allocation of land will do more harm by the negative externalities of neighboring cities. (2) For different locations and cities of different sizes, land resource misallocations and their spatial effects vary greatly. (3) Land resource misallocation has a complex mechanism for affecting carbon emission efficiency, which can reduce regional carbon emission efficiency through inhibiting innovation ability development, slowing industrial structure upgrading, and blocking new-type urbanization. [Conclusion] In order to improve regional carbon emission efficiency, the Chinese government should accelerate the market-oriented reform of land factor allocation, strengthen the concept of regional cooperation and win-win cooperation and collaborative governance capacity. Based on these results, we argued that increasing the support for technological innovation, optimizing the industrial structure, and actively and orderly promoting new-type urbanization are the effective ways to increase carbon emission efficiency in the future.