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In this paper, the urban signal propagation characteristics based on the location of blind sources are investigated. To address the issue of blind electromagnetic radiation sources in complex urban environments, intelligent methods for propagation channel path classification, and model determination are brought forth based on field test data. The intelligent classification method distinguishes between the Line-of-Sight (LoS) path channel and a direct path, the LoS multipath channel with a direct path and other multiple paths, and the Non-Line-of-Sight (NLoS) multipath channel without a direct path from the source to the test point. The modeling aspect determines the model type to which the received signal belongs based on the statistical model derived from the tested data of a specific source. A validation measurement system was constructed for the FM broadcasting band, and validation campaigns were conducted in the city of Wuhan. The process and analysis of the data using this method demonstrate the accurate distinction of the different propagation path channels and models and involve the construction of a statistical model for the FM band in Wuhan's urban area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Traumatic fractures occur frequently worldwide. However, research remains limited on the association between short-term exposure to temperature and traumatic fractures. This study aims to explore the impact of apparent temperature (AT) on emergency visits (EVs) due to traumatic fractures. Methods: Based on EVs data for traumatic fractures and the contemporary meteorological data, a generalized Poisson regression model along with a distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) were undertaken to determine the impact of AT on traumatic fracture EVs. Subgroup analysis by gender and age and sensitivity analysis were also performed. Results: A total of 25,094 EVs for traumatic fractures were included in the study. We observed a wide "J"-shaped relationship between AT and risk of traumatic fractures, with AT above 9.5 °C positively associated with EVs due to traumatic fractures. The heat effects became significant at cumulative lag 0–11 days, and the relative risk (RR) for moderate heat (95th percentile, 35.7 °C) and extreme heat (99.5th percentile, 38.8 °C) effect was 1.311 (95% CI: 1.132–1.518) and 1.418 (95% CI: 1.191–1.688) at cumulative lag 0–14 days, respectively. The cold effects were consistently non-significant on single or cumulative lag days across 0–14 days. The heat effects were higher among male and those aged 18–65 years old. The sensitivity analysis results remained robust. Conclusion: Higher AT is associated with cumulative and delayed higher traumatic fracture EVs. The male and those aged 18–65 years are more susceptible to higher AT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The core layer is very important in studying the vibration and noise problems of sandwich structures. The present paper studied the free vibration and sound insulation characteristics of FG-CNTRC sandwich plates with FG-CNT face sheets and different cores including the soft core (epoxy), hard core (aluminum) and porous metal foam core with different porosity distributions. By Hamilton's principle the dynamic equations of FG-CNTRC sandwich plates are formulated based on the third-order shear deformation theory (TSDT), and the sound insulation expression is given under the excitation of the sound pressure. The theoretical solution of natural frequency and sound insulation are compared with the finite element simulation results and validated. The natural frequency of the square sandwich plate are compared with the rectangular case. The free vibration and sound insulation performance of FG-CNTRC sandwich plates are analyzed and discussed, and parametric studies are performed to evaluate the effects of CNT volume fraction, CNT distribution patterns, CNT orientation angles, porosity coefficient and incident angles on the vibro-acoustic characteristics of the sandwich plate. Some new results are presented to be used as references for the further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractOne promising approach to overcome drug resistance in asthma treatments involves dual-target therapy, specifically targeting the β2 adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) and muscarinic-3 acetylcholine receptor (M3R). This study investigated the anti-asthma effects and dual-target mechanisms of glycyrrhizic acid, hesperidin, and platycodin D (GHP) from Zhisou San. GHP administration effectively attenuated OVA-induced inflammatory infiltration and overproduction of mucus in asthmatic mice. Additionally, GHP treatment significantly suppressed M3R and promoted β2-AR activation, resulting in the relaxation of tracheal smooth muscle. These findings concluded that GHP mitigated asthma by targeting β2-AR and M3R to ameliorate airway inflammation and modulate airway smooth muscle relaxation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gasdermin D (GSDMD) is emerging as an important player in autoimmune diseases, but its exact role in lupus nephritis (LN) remains controversial. Here, we identified markedly elevated GSDMD in human and mouse LN kidneys, predominantly in CD11b+ myeloid cells. Global or myeloid-conditional deletion of GSDMD was shown to exacerbate systemic autoimmunity and renal injury in lupus mice with both chronic graft-versus-host (cGVH) disease and nephrotoxic serum (NTS) nephritis. Interestingly, RNA sequencing and flow cytometry revealed that myeloid GSDMD deficiency enhanced granulopoiesis at the hematopoietic sites in LN mice, exhibiting remarkable enrichment of neutrophil-related genes, significant increases in total and immature neutrophils as well as granulocyte/macrophage progenitors (GMPs). GSDMD-deficient GMPs and all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA)-stimulated human promyelocytes NB4 were further demonstrated to possess enhanced clonogenic and differentiation abilities compared with controls. Mechanistically, GSDMD knockdown promoted self-renewal and granulocyte differentiation by restricting calcium influx, contributing to granulopoiesis. Functionally, GSDMD deficiency led to increased pathogenic neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in lupus peripheral blood and bone marrow-derived neutrophils. Taken together, our data establish that GSDMD deletion accelerates LN development by promoting granulopoiesis in a calcium influx-regulated manner, unraveling its unrecognized critical role in LN pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary In this article, the parameter learning scheme for the multi‐input multi‐output (MIMO) Hammerstein nonlinear systems under measurement noises is studied, which is derived by exploiting the correlation analysis and data filtering technique. The coupled MIMO Hammerstein system presented involves a static nonlinear subsystem modeled by neural fuzzy model (NFM), and a dynamic linear subsystem established by autoregressive moving average with extra input (ARMAX) model. To learn the unknown parameter of the MIMO Hammerstein system, the combined signals are designed to realize that identification of the nonlinear subsystem is separated from that of linear subsystem. First, the correlation properties of separable signals in a nonlinear system are analyzed, then the parameters of the linear subsystem are estimated utilizing correlation analysis, which can deal with the issue of unmeasured intermediate variable in the Hammerstein system. Second, the data filtering technique is introduced to derive the data filtering‐based recursive least squares technique for learning the nonlinear subsystem parameter, which can reduce the impact of the moving average noise and improve the precision of parameter estimation. Finally, the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed identification scheme is proved by numerical simulation and nonlinear pH process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aquatic perennial herb Sagittaria trifolia L. commonly known as arrowhead, has been utilized in China both as a culinary vegetable and in traditional medicines. Characterizing the phylogenetic relationships and genetic diversity of arrowheads is crucial for improved management, conservation, and efficient utilization of the germplasm resources associated with this species. Herein, we presented the phenotypic traits and genome-wide DNA marker-based analyses of 111 arrowhead accessions, most of which were from China. Cluster analysis revealed that arrowhead could be categorized into two clusters based on 11 phenotypic traits, with Cluster 1 comprising two subclusters. All accessions were clustered into three sub-clusters based primarily on leaf shape and tuber weight. A set of 759,237 high-quality single-nucleotide polymorphisms was identified and used to assess the phylogenetic relationships. Population structure and phylogenetic tree analyses suggested that the accessions could be classified into two major groups, Group I was further subdivided into two subgroups, aligning with the clusters identified through morphological classification. By employing Sagittaria lichuanensis as an outgroup, the rooted tree revealed that the evolutionary relationships within the three groups followed a progression from Group I-1 to Group I-2 and finally to Group II. The landraces were clustered into one group along with the remaining wild accessions. The level of genetic diversity for Group I (π = 0.26) was slightly lower than that which was estimated for Group II (π = 0.29). The lowest pairwise differentiation levels (Fst, 0.008) were obtained from the comparison between groups I-2 and II, indicating that the two groups were the most closely related. This study provides novel insights into germplasm classification, evolutionary relationships, genomics and arrowhead breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic posed a significant impact on human society, resulting in substantial changes in night-time light (NTL). This study developed a novel NTL index to estimate the quarterly Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at the county level in Beijing. This study aimed to investigate the economic recovery status in Beijing by establishing regression models of economic development before and after the pandemic. The estimated quarterly GDP at the county level was found to have a strong correlation with actual quarterly GDP statistics, with an average coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.790. The regression models of the economic development of Beijing county-level districts before and after the pandemic were established after seasonal decomposition of the quarterly GDP. Based on the economic recovery framework for the pandemic in Beijing, most districts in the city had exhibited low economic resilience in terms of resistance and recoverability before and after the pandemic. Although the economy of Beijing is recovering gradually, it has not yet restored to pre-pandemic normal levels. These findings imply that NTL data can help assess the impact of emergency events on the disturbance of economic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks among the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, characterized by its complex etiology and slow research progress. Diabetes, as an independent risk factor for CRC, has been widely certified. Consequently, this study centers on elucidating the intricacies of CRC cells initiation and progression within a high‐glucose environment. Methods: A battery of assays was employed to assess the proliferation and metastasis of CRC cells cultured under varying glucose concentrations. Optimal glucose levels conducive to cells' proliferation and migration were identified. Western blot analyses were conducted to evaluate alterations in apoptosis, autophagy, and EMT‐related proteins in CRC cells under high‐glucose conditions. The expression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway‐associated proteins was assessed using western blot. The effect of high glucose on xenograft growth was investigated in vivo by MC38 cells, and changes in inflammatory factors (IL‐4, IL‐13, TNF‐α, IL‐5, and IL‐12) were measured via serum ELISA. Results: Our experiments demonstrated that elevated glucose concentrations promoted both the proliferation and migration of CRC cells; the most favorable glucose dose is 20 mM. Western blot analyses revealed a decrease in apoptotic proteins, such as Bim, Bax, and caspase‐3 with increasing glucose levels. Concurrently, the expression of EMT‐related proteins, including N‐cadherin, vimentin, ZEB1, and MMP9, increased. High‐glucose cultured cells exhibited elevated levels of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway proteins. In the xenograft model, tumor cells stimulated by high glucose exhibited accelerated growth, larger tumor volumes, and heightened KI67 expression of immunohistochemistry. ELISA experiments revealed higher expression of IL‐4 and IL‐13 and lower expression of TNF‐α and IL‐5 in the serum of high‐glucose‐stimulated mice. Conclusion: The most favorable dose and time for tumor cells proliferation and migration is 20 mM, 48 h. High glucose fosters CRC cell proliferation and migration while suppressing autophagy through the activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The identification of tumor driver genes facilitates accurate cancer diagnosis and treatment, playing a key role in precision oncology, along with gene signaling, regulation, and their interaction with protein complexes. To tackle the challenge of distinguishing driver genes from a large number of genomic data, we construct a feature extraction framework for discovering pan‐cancer driver genes based on multi‐omics data (mutations, gene expression, copy number variants, and DNA methylation) combined with protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks. Using a network propagation algorithm, we mine functional information among nodes in the PPI network, focusing on genes with weak node information to represent specific cancer information. From these functional features, we extract distribution features of pan‐cancer data, pan‐cancer TOPSIS features of functional features using the ideal solution method, and SetExpan features of pan‐cancer data from the gene functional features, a method to rank pan‐cancer data based on the average inverse rank. These features represent the common message of pan‐cancer. Finally, we use the lightGBM classification algorithm for gene prediction. Experimental results show that our method outperforms existing methods in terms of the area under the check precision‐recall curve (AUPRC) and demonstrates better performance across different PPI networks. This indicates our framework's effectiveness in predicting potential cancer genes, offering valuable insights for the diagnosis and treatment of tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with the quasilinear Schrödinger equation \[ -\Delta u+V(x)u-\Delta[(1+u^2)^{1/2}]\frac{u}{2(1+u^2)^{1/2}}=h(x,u), \quad {\rm in}\ \mathbb{R}^{N}, \] − Δ u + V (x) u − Δ [ (1 + u 2) 1 / 2 ] u 2 (1 + u 2) 1 / 2 = h (x , u) , in R N , where $ N\geq 3 $ N ≥ 3 , V is a given potential allowed to be indefinite, or equivalently, the Schrödinger operator $ -\Delta +V $ − Δ + V can be indefinite. We consider the case that V is coercive so that the working space can be compactly embedded into Lebesgue spaces. Using the local linking theorem and Morse theory, we obtain a nontrivial solution for the above problem. Moreover, by the symmetric mountain pass theorem, we get an unbounded sequence of solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper compares the performance of a vertical-finned microchannel heat exchanger (VMHX) and a 2-row fin-tube heat exchanger (FTHX) under wet and frosting conditions. The VMHX features vertically oriented fins with an extension at the windward side and parallel microchannel tubes, allowing for efficient water drainage and better performance than conventional microchannel heat exchangers with parallel serpentine fins. However, the performance of the VMHX has not been sufficiently compared to that of FTHX. After conducting experiments under specific operating conditions, the VMHX exhibits better water drainage performance than the FTHX at higher inlet air velocities, higher maximum heat flow, and time-integrating heat flow under certain operating conditions. Although the heating time is relatively shorter than the 2-row FTHX, these results suggest that the VMHX may be a more suitable option for applications requiring efficient water drainage and heat transfer. Additionally, the operating conditions significantly affect the heat exchanger's performance. The performance of VMHX is analyzed under different inlet air velocities, inlet air temperatures, and evaporation temperatures. The results indicate that frost itself had no effect on the heat exchanger performance and that the decrease of the inlet air flow rate was the main factor that decreased the heat exchanger performance. Overall, the results of this study provide valuable insights into the performance of VMHX and FTHX under wet and frosting conditions and the impact of various operating parameters on VMHX performance. These findings can inform the development of more efficient and reliable heat exchangers for various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) affects hundreds of millions of elderly women worldwide. The imbalance between osteoblast‐mediated bone formation and osteoclast‐mediated bone resorption is the key factor in the progression of PMOP. Recently, exosomal circular RNAs have been considered as critical regulators in physiological and pathological progress. However, their roles in PMOP still require further exploration. Herein, we identified that the expression of exosomal circFAM63B significantly increased in PMOP patients and is closely related to bone density. We further demonstrated that circFAM63B inhibits osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells and bone formation in ovariectomy mice by using a combination of in vitro and in vivo experiment strategies. Mechanistically, circFAM63B promotes HMGA2 expression by inhibiting miR‐578, thereby suppressing bone repair. Our study proved that exosomal circFAM63B suppresses the bone regeneration of PMOP by regulating the miR‐578/HMGA2 axis, which may provide new insights into the pathogenesis and development of PMOP. Knocking down exosomal circFAM63B could be regarded as a new strategy for the treatment of PMOP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leveraging the quantization properties inherent in superconductors, we present the development of an intrinsic superconducting phase battery. This advancement is achieved by integrating a ferromagnetic π-phase Josephson junction (π-JJ) within a superconducting ring. The core innovation lies in harnessing the potential energy of the π-JJ to generate an intrinsic circulating current, thereby inducing a phase difference as the current goes through the geometric inductance. This mechanism allows for tuning the phase bias φ (0 < φ < π) through an arrangement of the geometric inductance in the battery. We integrate the intrinsic phase batteries into superconducting quantum interference devices, where we verified the effectiveness of the induced phase bias. The polarity of the phase battery is determined by the direction of the intrinsic circulating current, which can be initialized by an external magnetic field. The design methodology for precise intrinsic phase bias has been established. Our findings not only show the feasibility of generating an intrinsic and adjustable phase bias using established fabrication techniques but also open new avenues for enhancing the design, efficiency, and functionality of superconducting electronics, promising to accelerate advancements in digital and quantum computing technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Conclusions Sublobar resection (wedge resection and segmentectomy) has been established as an oncologically equivalent option to lobectomy for early‐stage patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) ≤ 2 cm. However, the optimal approach of sublobar resection remains subject to debate. In the present study we aimed to compare the oncological outcomes of wedge resection and segmentectomy in these patients.We identified patients with pT1a‐bN0M0 NSCLC who underwent wedge resection and segmentectomy from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database between 2010 and 2020. A Cox regression model and propensity‐score matching (PSM) analysis were used. Overall survival (OS) and lung cancer‐specific survival (LCSS) were compared using the Kaplan–Meier method.A total of 4190 patients met our selection criteria, including wedge resection in 3137 and segmentectomy in 1053. Patients undergoing wedge resection were less likely to have total lymph nodes resected (4 vs. 7, p < 0.001). Before PSM, patients undergoing segmentectomy had a higher 5‐year OS rate (87.75% vs. 82.72%; p = 0.0023), while exhibiting a similar LCSS rate (93.45% vs. 92.73%; p = 0.32). After PSM, segmentectomy consistently demonstrated significantly better OS and there was no statistically significant difference in LCSS. Analysis of causes of death revealed that a higher incidence of deaths related to other causes among patients undergoing wedge resection compared to those undergoing segmentectomy.Both wedge resection and segmentectomy yield comparable oncological outcomes for patients with NSCLC ≤ 2 cm, although segmentectomy exhibits superior OS due to less death related to other causes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine ladder polyethers have attracted the attention of chemists and biologists because of their potent biological activities. Synthetic chemists have attempted to construct their polyether frameworks by epoxide ring‐opening cascades, as Nakanishi hypothesis describes. However, Baldwin's rules of ring closure state that exo‐selective intramolecular cyclization of epoxy alcohols is preferred over endo‐selective cyclization. Herein, we investigated epoxide ring‐opening cascades of polyepoxy alcohols in [EMIM]BF4/PFTB (1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate /perfluoro‐tert‐butyl alcohol) and found that all‐endo products were formed via epoxide‐to‐epoxonium ring‐opening cyclizations (not restricted by Baldwin's rules, which only apply to intramolecular hydroxyl‐to‐epoxide cyclizations). We determined that the key factor enabling polyepoxy alcohols to undergo a high proportion of all‐endo‐selective cyclization was inhibition of exo‐selective hydroxyl‐to‐epoxide cyclization starting from the terminal hydroxyl group of a polyepoxy alcohol. By introducing a slow‐release protecting group to the terminal hydroxyl group, we could markedly increase the cyclization yields of polyether fragments with hydrogen atoms at the ring junctions. For the first time, we constructed consecutively fused six‐membered‐ring and fused seven‐, eight‐, and nine‐membered‐ring polyether fragments by epoxide‐to‐epoxonium ring‐opening cyclizations through the addition of a suitable Lewis acid. We also suggest that the biosynthesis of marine ladder polyethers may proceed via epoxide‐to‐epoxonium ring‐opening cyclization of polyepoxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study investigates the therapeutic mechanisms of dendrobine, a primary bioactive compound in Dendrobium nobile, for Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MASLD) management. Utilizing network pharmacology combined with experimental validation, the clinical effectiveness of dendrobine in MASLD treatment was assessed and analyzed. Results: The study demonstrates significant improvement in liver function among MASLD patients treated with Dendrobium nobile. Network pharmacology identified key targets such as Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma (PPARG), Interleukin 6 (IL6), Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), Interleukin 1 Beta (IL1B), and AKT Serine/Threonine Kinase 1 (AKT1), with molecular docking confirming their interactions. Additionally, dendrobine significantly reduced ALT and AST levels in palmitic acid-treated HepG2 cells, indicating hepatoprotective properties and amelioration of oxidative stress through decreased Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increased Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) levels. Conclusion: Dendrobine mitigates liver damage in MASLD through modulating inflammatory and immune responses and affecting lipid metabolism, potentially by downregulating inflammatory mediators like TNF, IL6, IL1B, and inhibiting AKT1 and Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3). This study provides a theoretical basis for the application of dendrobine in MASLD treatment, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen is one of the important factors restricting the development of sesame planting and industry in China. Cultivating sesame varieties tolerant to low nitrogen is an effective way to solve the problem of crop nitrogen deficiency. To date, the mechanism of low nitrogen tolerance in sesame has not been elucidated at the transcriptional level. In this study, two sesame varieties Zhengzhi HL05 (ZZ, nitrogen efficient) and Burmese prolific (MD, nitrogen inefficient) in low nitrogen were used for RNA-sequencing. A total of 3964 DEGs (differentially expressed genes) and 221 DELs (differentially expressed lncRNAs) were identified in two sesame varieties at 3d and 9d after low nitrogen stress. Among them, 1227 genes related to low nitrogen tolerance are mainly located in amino acid metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism and secondary metabolism, and participate in the process of transporter activity and antioxidant activity. In addition, a total of 209 pairs of lncRNA-mRNA were detected, including 21 pairs of trans and 188 cis. WGCNA (weighted gene co-expression network analysis) analysis divided the obtained genes into 29 modules; phenotypic association analysis identified three low-nitrogen response modules; through lncRNA-mRNA co-expression network, a number of hub genes and cis/trans-regulatory factors were identified in response to low-nitrogen stress including GS1-2 (glutamine synthetase 1–2), PAL (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase), CHS (chalcone synthase, CHS), CAB21 (chlorophyll a-b binding protein 21) and transcription factors MYB54, MYB88 and NAC75 and so on. As a trans regulator, lncRNA MSTRG.13854.1 affects the expression of some genes related to low nitrogen response by regulating the expression of MYB54, thus responding to low nitrogen stress. Our research is the first to provide a more comprehensive understanding of DEGs involved in the low nitrogen stress of sesame at the transcriptome level. These results may reveal insights into the molecular mechanisms of low nitrogen tolerance in sesame and provide diverse genetic resources involved in low nitrogen tolerance research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Western Inner Mongolia is a principal part of the arid region in northwest China, covered mainly with semifrutex and frutex plants in the native grassland. Owing to the fact that epiphytic lactic bacteria (LAB) species are sensitive to the environment, the low nutrient concentrations, low water availability, and large changes in temperature around the phyllosphere in this region may lead to LAB species with special properties. However, limited information is available on the biodiversity and ensiling parameters of LAB on the forage plants in this region. This study was conducted to investigate the genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of LAB associated with forage plants in the region, and to screen for efficient strains for well-preserved alfalfa silage. A total of 73 strains belonging to 16 species were isolated, and most of strains could grow at 5–45 °C and in 6.0% NaCl, possessed good cryotolerance and osmotolerance. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum (GI19) and sucrose was the most effective combination for alfalfa ensiling, with a higher lactic acid content and lower pH, undesirable microorganism counts, and acetic acid and NH3-N contents. This additive could be used to produce quality alfalfa silage for the region to alleviate the shortage of feed in autumn and winter. This study was conducted to investigate the genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) associated with forage plants in the native grassland of western Inner Mongolia and to evaluate their effects on alfalfa silage fermentation. Forage plants and their spontaneous fermentation silages were analysed using culture-based techniques for LAB isolation; the phenotypic properties and 16S rDNA and pheS or rpoA gene sequences of the isolates were evaluated; alfalfa was ensiled with four additive combinations: Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum (GI19), Lact. plantarum subsp. plantarum and Pediococcus pentosaceus (GI19+GI51), GI19 and 20 g/kg fresh matter of sucrose (GI19+S), and GI19+GI51+S, for 60 d. A total of 73 strains belonging to 16 species were isolated. All isolates grew at 5–45 °C and in 3.0% NaCl, and most of them grew in 6.5% NaCl. Enterococcus faecalis and Lact. plantarum were 26.03% and 17.81% of the total isolates, respectively. All additives improved the silage quality, while GI19+S was more effective for alfalfa ensiling with a higher lactic acid content and lower pH, undesirable microorganism counts, and acetic acid and NH3-N contents than remnant additives. In conclusion, the LAB species were diverse, and most of them possessed good cryotolerance and osmotolerance; GI19+S was the optimal inoculant for alfalfa fermentation improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with parameter estimation of Wiener systems with measurement noises employing correlation analysis method and adaptive Kalman filter. The presented Wiener system consists of two series blocks, that is, a dynamic block represented by auto‐regressive moving average (ARMA) model, and static nonlinear block established by neural fuzzy model. Aim at estimating separately the two blocks, the separable signals are introduced. First, applying the separable signals to decouple the identification of linear dynamic block from that of static nonlinear block, then ARMA model parameters are estimated employing correlation function‐based least squares principle. Moreover, aiming at handle with error caused by colored measurement noise, adaptive Kalman filter technique and cluster method are introduced to estimate parameter of the nonlinear block and noises model, enhancing parameter estimation precision. The accuracy and applicability of estimated scheme presented are verified through numerical simulation and nonlinear process, the results demonstrate that it is feasible for estimating the Wiener systems in the presence of colored measurement noises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to explore the application effectiveness and value of combining problem-based learning (PBL) and case-based learning (CBL) in clinical electroencephalography (EEG) education. METHODS: A total of 104 standardized training for residents and refresher physicians from the Neurology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Neurology Department of Chongqing Yubei Hospital, and Neurology Department of Banan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were enrolled. According to randomization principles, 52 participants were assigned into the PBL-CBL combination group and 52 subjects were assigned into the control group. We used statistical methods to compare the differences between the 2 groups in basic theory, case analysis, practical assessment scores, and teaching satisfaction. RESULTS: In terms of basic theory, case analysis, practical assessment scores, and teaching satisfaction, there were significant differences between the 2 groups, and the PBL-CBL combination group was superior to the control group (P <.05). CONCLUSION: In clinical EEG education, the teaching model of combining PBL and CBL has certain application effects and value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Designing advanced combustors that operate at high temperatures and produce little pollution, especially in the absence of primary and dilution holes, is a difficult task that may bring significant challenges. In this regard, this paper introduces a Kriging surrogate model approach to optimize the outlet temperature distribution of the combustor to achieve such advanced low-pollution combustors. Building upon previous research, this study explores the effects of the swirler blade installation angle on the outlet temperature distribution of the combustor without primary or dilution holes. Traditional methods, such as the control variable method using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for numerical simulation, are limited in application due to the complex coupling of flow, heat transfer, mass transfer, and combustion processes. In contrast, surrogate models, especially the Kriging model, offer a rapid and efficient alternative to extensive CFD simulations that provide accurate predictions and error estimates for the solution of the problem. In summary, this paper details the process of generating sample points through three-dimensional numerical simulations, develops a Kriging surrogate model through Latin hypercube sampling, and optimizes the model to identify the most uniform outlet temperature distribution achievable by adjusting the installation angle of the swirl blade. The optimal design parameters, which are quickly obtained through the Kriging model, showed a significant reduction in the overall temperature distribution function and the radial temperature distribution function by 21% and 27.14%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare the diagnostic performance of different mathematical models for DWI and explore whether parameters reflecting spatial and temporal heterogeneity can demonstrate better diagnostic accuracy than the diffusion coefficient parameter in distinguishing benign and malignant breast lesions, using whole-tumor histogram analysis. This retrospective study was approved by the institutional ethics committee and included 104 malignant and 42 benign cases. All patients underwent breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a 3.0 T MR scanner using the simultaneous multi-slice (SMS) readout-segment ed echo-planar imaging (rs-EPI). Histogram metrics of Mono- apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), CTRW, and FROC-derived parameters were compared between benign and malignant breast lesions, and the diagnostic performance of each diffusion parameter was evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney U test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The D FROC -median exhibited the highest AUC for distinguishing benign and malignant breast lesions (AUC = 0.965). The temporal heterogeneity parameter α CTRW -median generated a statistically higher AUC compared to the spatial heterogeneity parameter β CTRW -median (AUC = 0.850 and 0.741, respectively; p = 0.047). Finally, the combination of median values of CTRW parameters displayed a slightly higher AUC than that of FROC parameters, with no significant difference however (AUC = 0.971 and 0.965, respectively; p = 0.172). The diffusion coefficient parameter exhibited superior diagnostic performance in distinguishing breast lesions when compared to the temporal and spatial heterogeneity parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We aimed to show the increasing incidence of invasive fungal infections due to Volvariella Volvacea in patients with immunosuppression. Methods: We present a case of an invasive fungal infection caused by Volvariella volvacea, and summarize the clinical and pathological features based on this case and a review of the literature. Results: A total of seven patients with IFIs due to Volvariella Volvacea have been reported in the literature. The majority of cases have been obtained between 2019 and 2022. Including our case, they all had acquired immunosuppression. The lung and brain were the most commonly affected organs. All eight of these patients received antifungal therapy, but five still died one to seven months after occurrences of IFIs. Conclusion: The incidence of invasive fungal infections due to Volvariella Volvacea is increasing in recent years. It mainly occurred in patients with immunosuppression, especially in patients with malignant hematological cancers, and increased mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past, the number of CPU cores/threads was usually less than 8/16; now, the maximum number is 128/256. As a CPU-based parallel method, OpenMP has an increasing advantage with the increase in CPU cores and threads. A parallel combined finite-discrete element method (FDEM) for modeling underground excavation and rock reinforcement using OpenMP is implemented. Its computational performance is validated in the two advanced CPUs: AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX (64/128 cores/threads); and 2 × AMD EPYC 7T83 (128/256 cores/threads). Then, its ability in simulating tunnel excavation under rockbolt-shotcrete-grouting support is implemented using the novel solid bolt model, which can explicitly capture the interaction between bolt, grout, and rock. The parallel performance validation of the uniaxial compression test shows: (i) for the speedup ratio, the OpenMP-based parallel FDEM obtains maximum speedup ratios of 30 (33 k elements) and 41 (3304 k elements) on the Threadripper, and 31 and 43 on the 2 × EPYC, respectively; (ii) for the scalability of speedup ratio, when the number of threads used is less than 128, the speedup ratio is always increasing with the increase of the number of threads; (iii) for the stability of speedup ratio, it has a stable speedup ratio, regardless of whether the rock is pre- or post-fractured. Highlights: A parallel FDEM for modeling underground excavation and rock reinforcement using OpenMP is implemented. Its computational efficiency is validated in the two advanced CPUs: AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX; and 2 × AMD EPYC 7T83 (128/256 cores/threads). Its ability in simulating rockbolt-shotcrete-grouting support is implemented using the novel solid bolt model. It obtains maximum speedup ratios of 30 (33 k elements) and 41 (3304 k elements) on the Threadripper, and 31 and 43 on the 2 × EPYC. It has good scalability and stability of speedup ratio, regardless of whether the rock is pre- or post-fractured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more than 10% of the global population, and its incidence is increasing, partially due to an increase in the prevalence of disease risk factors. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an independent risk factor for CKD and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The pathogenic mechanisms of CKD provide several potential targets for its treatment. However, due to off-target effects, conventional drugs for CKD typically require high doses to achieve adequate therapeutic effects, leading to long-term organ toxicity. Therefore, ideal treatments that completely cure the different types of kidney disease are rarely available. Several approaches for the drug targeting of the kidneys have been explored in drug delivery system research. Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems have multiple merits, including good biocompatibility, suitable degradability, the ability to target lesion sites, and fewer non-specific systemic effects. In this review, the development, potential, and limitations of low-molecular-weight protein–lysozymes, polymer nanomaterials, and lipid-based nanocarriers as drug delivery platforms for treating AKI and CKD are summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an important trait of poultry, bone characteristics affect the healthy development of poultry. Breeding of fast weight gain broilers and laying hens with a high laying rate increases the burden on skeletal system, which easily leads to abnormal skeletal development of chickens. Bone metabolism imbalance easily affects bone health, and then affects chicken growth performance. Chinese herbal medicine has many advantages, such as abundant medicine source, many nutrients and active ingredients, good application effect, little toxic and side effects, and is not easy to produce durable medicinal properties, so it has a wide application prospect in livestock and poultry production. At present, the research on Chinese herbal medicine and its active components regulating chicken bone metabolism and bone health has become a hot spot. In this paper, the growth and development of chicken bone, the characteristics of bone metabolism and common bone diseases of chicken were briefly described, and the research on bone metabolism and bone health of chicken by Chinese herbal medicine and its active components was summarized, which provided a reference for the development and application of Chinese herbal medicine in the prevention and treatment of chicken bone diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keratin, prized for its environmentally friendly nature, unique chemical composition, and binding ability, has emerged as a promising adsorbent for untreated industrial wastewater. In this study, we developed a composite derived from hydrolyzed keratin and diallylamine. We assessed the adsorption performance of this composite against metal wastewater at varying temperatures, processing time, and pH values. The keratin-derived composites exhibited an exceptional efficiency in removing copper ions, with an adsorption capacity of 337.9 mg g-1. Furthermore, keratin composites post copper ion adsorption demonstrated inhibitory activity against bacterial growth, suggesting their potential for reuse as an antibacterial material. In conclusion, this study offers an effective method for repurposing keratin waste. The developed keratin-derived sorbents exhibit the potential in wastewater treatment. Our study provides a dual functional method with potential contribution to sustainable and eco-friendly industry practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development and exploration of photoelectric materials, the design of tunable and high luminescence efficiency materials remains a challenge. As a promising candidate, aggregation-induced emission (AIE) luminogens have shown significant advantages. Herein, two tetraphenylethene-fused hexaarylbenzene derivatives with strong electron-withdrawing groups (-CN) were synthesized. Both compounds exhibit obvious AIE-active properties with reasonable αAIE = If water (f water=99%)/ITHF (517 for p-TPE-HAB and 9 for o-TPE-HAB). High photoluminescence quantum yields were recorded to be 63% for p-TPE-HAB and 35% for o-TPE-HAB in THF solution. The position-dependent emission behavior indicates that this hybridization strategy may be used for the design and fabrication of AIEgens with tunable and controllable photophysical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work investigates the ℋ∞$$ {\mathscr{H}}_{\infty } $$ control problem of discrete‐time singular Markov jump systems against denial of service attacks, in which the Markov state information is seen as restricted access. To solve this situation, a hidden Markov model is introduced. The main objective is to construct a controller with the help of hidden Markov model such that the stochastically admissible of the closed‐loop singular Markov jump systems with limited access mode information can be guaranteed under denial of service attacks. To produce the needed hidden Markov model‐based controller, a matrix contract transformation approach is developed. At the end, a numerical example and a tunnel diode circuit are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness and benefit of the design technique described in this research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fabric defect detection is an important part of the textile industry, aiming at the problems of many types of fabric defects, small size defects and unbalanced samples, an improved YOLOv5 fabric defect detection algorithm, FD-YOLOv5, was proposed. First, the coordinate attention module is embedded in the YOLOv5 backbone network structure to replace the bottleneck structure in the original network model. While reducing the amount of parameters and calculation, it enhances the ability of the network to extract features and improves the model's ability to detect small target defects. Secondly, a smoother Mish activation function is used in the original model convolution structure for model training, which improves the nonlinear expression ability of the model; the SIoU loss function considering the direction of the anchor box is used to improve the convergence speed and detection accuracy of the model. Finally, combining the focal loss and GHM loss functions as the target confidence loss function to solve the problem of sample imbalance in the fabric defect dataset. The experimental results based on the public fabric defect dataset of Aliyun TianChi shows that the mAP@.5 and mAP@.5:.95 of the improved algorithm are 65.1% and 30.4%, respectively, which are 8.3% and 3.2% higher than the original model, respectively, and the parameter amount, calculation amount and weight of the model are reduced by 8.4%, 11.2% and 14.3%, respectively, compared with the original model. Even compared with the state-of-the-art YOLOv7 model, the mAP@.5 value of the proposed model is improved by 6.5%. Although the FPS value is lower than YOLOv7 model, it also achieves a detection speed of 79 frames per second, which can meet the real-time demand. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the method in this paper, which can provide a reference for the automatic detection method of fabric defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple myeloma (MM) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are malignant clonal diseases of cells in different lineages. It remains very rare to have both diseases at first diagnosis. Only 24 cases of this situation were reported from 1971 to 2021, and poor prognosis in most cases. However, here we describe a case of de novo MM and AML occurring simultaneously in a 65-year-old woman. We have successfully used individualized treatment regimens to allow the patient to survive 1.5 years to date, which has exceeded 80 % of statistical cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate an environmentally stable femtosecond laser for industrial application based on all polarization‐maintaining Yb‐doped laser and experimentally explore the effect of the net cavity dispersion (NCD) on output characteristics. The oscillator emits pulses with 5.1 ps and a 23 nm spectral bandwidth, then the pulse is compressed to 88 fs. The instabilities over 120 h gives 0.32% relative root mean square noise, indicating high stability of the pulse laser. With effective regulation of NCD, we obtained the maximum spectral bandwidth of 27 nm. Such broadband oscillator with compact all‐fiber configurations provide extremely high stability should be very attractive for long‐term industrial application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To tackle the global water imbalance problem, a multitude of inter-basin water transfer projects have been built worldwide in recent decades. Nevertheless, given the complexity and safety challenges associated with project operation, effective emergency decision-making is crucial for addressing unforeseen incidents. Hence, this research has developed a two-stage emergency decision-making framework to tackle the uncertainty in the development trends of emergencies in inter-basin water transfer projects. (1) The first stage mainly utilizes case-based reasoning techniques to extract historical case information and disposal plans for inter-basin water transfer projects. Subsequently, a holistic similarity model is built by employing structural similarity and local attribute similarity algorithms to identify highly similar historical cases. (2) The second stage involves the optimization and adjustment of decision-making plans based on the dynamic evolution characteristics of emergencies. It utilizes the theory of decision-makers regret psychology and combines it with practical case studies to verify the scientific rationality of the method. This enables it to achieve effective multidimensional expression and rapid matching of scenarios, satisfying the decision-making requirements of "scenario response". Finally, this study compares the results obtained from this method with those computed using the traditional TOPSIS method and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method, further validating its feasibility and effectiveness. In practice, this method can provide effective support for decision-makers work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrocyclones are commonly used solid – liquid separation apparatuses extensively adopted in various sorting industries owing to their unique advantages. However, the intrinsic constraints of their structures result in comparatively low-classification precision. Therefore, this study proposes a series of composite-structured hydrocyclones to augment their classification accuracy. Employing computational fluid dynamics techniques, this study provides a numerical analysis of hydrocyclones with varying structures, thus resulting in a series of valuable findings. Initially, the introduction of the composite structures effectively strengthened the centrifugal force in a manner directly proportional to the number of inlets. Internal turbulence provides effective turbulent scouring of the particles, simultaneously offering enhanced flow-field stability. Finally, the cutting ability and classification precision of the composite structures were substantially enhanced compared with those of traditional hydrocyclones. This was most evident in the structures that utilized four inlets, a parabolic cone section, and a thick-walled overflow pipe structure which resulted in superior product quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel method is proposed to quickly predict the tensile strength of carbon/epoxy composites with resin-missing defects. The univariate Chebyshev prediction model (UCPM) was developed using the dimension reduction method and Chebyshev polynomials. To enhance the computational efficiency and reduce the manual modeling workload, a parameterization script for the finite element model was established using Python during the model construction process. To validate the model, specimens with different defect sizes were prepared using the vacuum assistant resin infusion (VARI) process, the mechanical properties of the specimens were tested, and the model predictions were analyzed in comparison with the experimental results. Additionally, the impact of the order (second–ninth) on the predictive accuracy of the UCPM was examined, and the performance of the model was evaluated using statistical errors. The results demonstrate that the prediction model has a high prediction accuracy, with a maximum prediction error of 5.20% compared to the experimental results. A low order resulted in underfitting, while increasing the order can improve the prediction accuracy of the UCPM. However, if the order is too high, overfitting may occur, leading to a decrease in the prediction accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Time-varying metasurfaces offer an efficient means of controlling nonlinear harmonics by manipulating component geometries and modulating signals. This ability renders them valuable across various fields, such as wireless communication, radar sensing, and biological monitoring. However, most of the energy in time-varying metasurfaces is concentrated in the fundamental wave, as well as scattered at various harmonic orders, which reduces the energy efficiency at the desired harmonic. Existing approaches have employed time-varying coding digital metasurfaces to achieve efficient harmonic conversion but are primarily designed for reflection. Reflection-based designs require a feed source to excite the metasurface, which can cause certain shielding effects and limit their application in specific scenarios. Thus, designing transmissive time-varying coding digital metasurfaces for efficient harmonic conversion is currently an urgent problem that needs to be addressed. To solve this problem, this paper develops a time-varying coding digital double-layered Huygens' metasurface, which achieves efficient conversion of the desired transmitted harmonics. The unit structure of the metasurface consists of a pair of reverse-symmetric split rings located on the upper and lower sides of a dielectric substrate, enabling nearly non-reflective Huygens' resonance. Based on a continuous periodic phase modulation strategy, we achieved efficient conversion of transmitted harmonics by loading a time-varying voltage (phase) modulation signal with a 5-bit resolution bit width onto the designed double-layered Huygens' metasurface. This study presents a solution for designing a transmissive time-varying coding digital metasurface to achieve efficient conversion of harmonics, thereby enhancing the application capabilities of time-varying coding digital metasurfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nonlinear dynamic responses of the corrugated sandwich plate under mechanical-thermal loads are studied and analyzed. Based on hyperbolic parabola shear deformation plate theory (HPSDT), the partial differential equation of the sandwich plate with the corrugated core is established. Using the Galerkin truncation method, the nonlinear motion equation is derived. By the solution, the response of the corrugation plate with simply supported four edges at different temperatures is obtained and validated. Then the transient responses of the corrugated sandwich plate under different impact loads are analyzed, and the effects of the base materials, the corrugation types and the structural parameters of the corrugated plate on the transient responses are discussed in detail. The research provides a reference for improving the impact resistance of the sandwich plate in practical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) represents a major cause of heart failure and a large medical burden worldwide. This study screened the potentially regulatory targets of DCM and analyzed their roles in high glucose (HG)‐induced cardiomyocyte injury. Methods: Through GEO database, we obtained rat DCM expression chips and screened differentially expressed genes. Rat cardiomyocytes (H9C2) were induced with HG. 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutarylcoenzyme A synthase 2 (Hmgcs2) and microRNA (miR)‐363‐5p expression patterns in cells were measured by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction or Western blot assay, with the dual‐luciferase assay to analyze their binding relationship. Then, 3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2‐H‐tetrazolium bromide assay, lactate dehydrogenase assay, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and various assay kits were applied to evaluate cell viability, cytotoxicity, apoptosis, inflammation responses, and oxidative burden. Results: Hmgcs2 was the vital hub gene in DCM. Hmgcs2 was upregulated in HG‐induced cardiomyocytes. Hmgcs2 downregulation increased cell viability, decreased TUNEL‐positive cell number, reduced HG‐induced inflammation and oxidative stress. miR‐363‐5p is the upstream miRNA of Hmgcs2. miR‐363‐5p overexpression attenuated HG‐induced cell injury. Conclusions: Hmgcs2 had the most critical regulatory role in DCM. We for the first time reported that miR‐363‐5p inhibited Hmgcs2 expression, thereby alleviating HG‐induced cardiomyocyte injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High damping rubber (HDR) bearings are extensively used in seismic design for bridges due to their remarkable energy dissipation capabilities, which is critical during earthquakes. A thorough assessment of crucial factors such as temperature, rate, experienced maximum amplitude, and the Mullins effect of HDR on the mechanics-based constitutive model of HDR is lacking. To address this issue, we propose a deep learning approach that integrates the Gate Recurrent Unit (GRU) and attention mechanism to identify time series characteristics from compression-shear test data of HDR specimens. It is shown that the combination of GRU and attention mechanism enables accurate prediction of the mechanical behavior of HDR specimens. Compared to the sole use of GRU, this suggested method significantly reduces model complexity and computation time while maintaining good prediction performance. Therefore, it offers a new approach to constructing the HDR constitutive model. Finally, the HDR constitutive model was used to analyze the impact of experienced maximum amplitudes and cycles on following processes. It was observed that maximum amplitudes directly influence the stress-strain relationship of HDR during subsequent processes. Consequently, a solid foundation is laid for evaluating the responses of HDR bearings under earthquakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Once industrial control systems are targeted by cyber-attacks, the consequences can be severe, including asset loss, environmental pollution, and public security risks. Risk assessment is an important way to ensure that industrial control systems operate efficiently, steadily and safely. The purpose of this paper is to develop a risk assessment model for industrial control systems based on asymmetric connection cloud and Choquet integral, which fully takes into account the fact that values of risk indicators are often fuzzy, random, asymmetrically distributed in finite intervals, and there are interactions among different indicators. To do so, we first establish a risk assessment index system to ensure the full reflection of availability, integrity, and confidentiality in the results of risk assessment for industrial control systems. Then we establish classification standards for each evaluation indicator based on the importance of assets, vulnerabilities, and threats in evaluating the risk of industrial control systems. Next we develop a risk assessment model based on asymmetric connection cloud and Choquet integral to determine the risk level of industrial control systems. In the following, an example is provided to demonstrate the feasibility and reliability of this proposed model. The experimental results have demonstrated a high level of credibility in assessing cyber-attacks by the proposed model, indicating its potential for analyzing the current security and risk posture of industrial control systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A three‐stage estimation approach of the Hammerstein‐Wiener model with colored noise using hybrid signals is considered in this article. The Hammerstein‐Wiener model where a linear dynamic block is embedded between two static nonlinear elements, in which two nonlinear elements represented by two independent neural fuzzy models and a linear element represented by autoregressive exogenous model. The designed hybrid signals that consist of separable signals and random signals are devoted to estimating independently. First, the characteristics of separable signals in the action of the static nonlinear element are analyzed, then the output nonlinear element parameters are estimated utilizing two groups of separable signals with a multiple. Moreover, least squares based on correlation analysis method is applied to estimate linear element using one set of separable signals, which handles the interference of colored process noise. Finally, the recursive extended least squares algorithm is derived to estimate the input nonlinear element and the autoregressive moving average noise model, which improves parameters estimation accuracy owing to estimating colored noise model parameters in recursive estimate process. The feasibility of the presented estimation technique is demonstrated by an illustrative simulation example and a practical nonlinear process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides an overview of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer screening in China, focusing on the past 30 years. It discusses the prevalence of GI cancers in China and their impact on global new cases and deaths. The article emphasizes the importance of early screening and diagnosis in reducing incidence and mortality rates. It also highlights the national population-based cancer screening programs implemented in China and the progress made in reducing the burden of GI cancers. The article concludes by discussing future strategies for cancer screening in China and other developing countries. [Extracted from the article]

A new C22 polyacetylene, erysectol A (1), and seven isoprenylated pterocarpans, phaseollin (2), phaseollidin (3), cristacarpin (4), (3′R)-erythribyssin D/(3′S)-erythribyssin D (5a/5b) and dolichina A/dolichina B (6a/6b) were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Erythrina subumbrans. Their structures were determined based on their NMR spectral data. Except for 2–4, all the other compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time. Erysectol A was the first reported C22 polyacetylene from plants. Polyacetylene was isolated from Erythrina plants for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Point defects play a versatile role in modulating ferroelectricity and piezoelectricity, however, the decisive role of point-defect concentration/species in controlling macroscopic performance remains unknown. In this work, defects are implanted by reduced atmosphere annealing and/or Mn doping in Pb 0.7 Ba 0.3 ZrO 3 ceramics. i) defects induce lattice distortion, internal lattice strain and accordingly, phase structure is changed (Williamson-Hall analysis and Rietveld refinement); ii) ferroelectricity is enhanced for 0 MN and 1 MA sample with contribution of defect polarization (first-order reversal curves). iii) Joule heat is depressed as an enhanced resistivity by carrier annihilation/forming defect complex; iv) ECE behaves distinctly among 0 MN, 1 MA and 1 MH, respectively. 0 MN sample exhibits a ΔT max of 0.39 K and 1 MA possesses a ΔT max of 0.34 K. Interestingly, a broad temperature span with a low instability of ∼20 % within 288 K–423 K is obtained in 1 MH sample. This work not only provides a guideline for defects enhancing ferroelectricity and ECE, but also clarifies the reduction-resistant properties of (Pb, Ba)ZrO 3 system that are suitable for constructing base-metal multilayer ceramic capacitors in solid-state cooling devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fluorometric method based on boron, bromide-codoped carbon dots (BBCNs) was developed for the first time for the highly selective detection of p-nitroaniline (PNA) in wastewater samples. It should be noted that the introduction of bromine greatly increases the molecular polarizability of the probe, which can regulate the energy level matching between the probe and PNA, resulting in the interaction between BBCNs and PNA. In the presence of PNA, the fluorescence of BBCNs is obviously quenched and accompanied by a red shift of the fluorescence band, which might be attributed to the formation of aggregates caused by the polar adsorption of BBCNs and PNA. It is beneficial for constructing a highly selective sensing platform for PNA determination compared to its isomers (o-nitroaniline and m-nitroaniline) through atomic bromine-mediated polarization of the BBCNs. With the help of this mechanism, an excellent linear range of 0.5–300 μM with a low detection limit of 0.24 μM toward PNA was obtained. This work further confirms that there is a significant relationship between the nature of doping elements and the optical and physicochemical properties of fluorescent materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotational nanogenerators with flexible triboelectric layers have wide applications and high reliability. However, flexible materials cause a severe reduction in contact force and thus triboelectric output power. Unlike previous works devising complex auxiliary structures to solve this issue, this paper focuses on improving the contact material mechanics and proposes a stiffness modulation method. By introducing fine patterns to the contacting rotor–stator pairs, the effective elastic modulus was regulated from approximately 103 to 105 MPa, and the output voltage was modulated from approximately 24.39% to 375.87% compared to the non-patterned rotor–stator pairs, corresponding to a maximal a 14 times increase in output power. A maximal power density of 18.75 W/m2 was achieved on 10 MΩ resistance at 9.6 Hz, which is even beyond the power density of most rigid triboelectric interfaces. Moreover, high reliability could be maintained when the volume ratio of the horizontal patterns exceeded a threshold value of 33.5% as the stator and 63.6% as the rotor for a 0.5 mm linewidth. These results prove the efficacy of the stiffness modulation method for jointly achieving high output power and high reliability in flexible rotational triboelectric nanogenerators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe coupling electromechanical enriched finite element technique (CE-EFEM) is introduced to examine the statics characteristic of piezoelectric structures to properly solve the coupled multiphysical mechanics characteristic of these structures and lessen the complexity of meshing. A number of standard numerical examples are thought to demonstrate the exceptional efficacy of CE-EFEM, which is suggested as a solution for electromechanical coupling issues in piezoelectric structures. It is evident that the current CE-EFEM offers a bright future in piezoelectric device design, development, and performance analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The excessive consumption of fossil fuels causes massive emission of CO2, leading to climate deterioration and environmental pollution. The development of substitutes and sustainable energy sources to replace fossil fuels has become a worldwide priority. Bio-electrochemical systems (BESs), employing redox reactions of electroactive microorganisms (EAMs) on electrodes to achieve a meritorious combination of biocatalysis and electrocatalysis, provide a green and sustainable alternative approach for bioremediation, CO2 fixation, and energy and chemicals production. EAMs, including exoelectrogens and electrotrophs, perform extracellular electron transfer (EET) (i.e., outward and inward EET), respectively, to exchange energy with the environment, whose rate determines the efficiency and performance of BESs. Therefore, we review the synthetic biology strategies developed in the last decade for engineering EAMs to enhance the EET rate in cell–electrode interfaces for facilitating the production of electricity energy and value-added chemicals, which include (1) progress in genetic manipulation and editing tools to achieve the efficient regulation of gene expression, knockout, and knockdown of EAMs; (2) synthetic biological engineering strategies to enhance the outward EET of exoelectrogens to anodes for electricity power production and anodic electro-fermentation (AEF) for chemicals production, including (i) broadening and strengthening substrate utilization, (ii) increasing the intracellular releasable reducing equivalents, (iii) optimizing c-type cytochrome (c-Cyts) expression and maturation, (iv) enhancing conductive nanowire biosynthesis and modification, (v) promoting electron shuttle biosynthesis, secretion, and immobilization, (vi) engineering global regulators to promote EET rate, (vii) facilitating biofilm formation, and (viii) constructing cell–material hybrids; (3) the mechanisms of inward EET, CO2 fixation pathway, and engineering strategies for improving the inward EET of electrotrophic cells for CO2 reduction and chemical production, including (i) programming metabolic pathways of electrotrophs, (ii) rewiring bioelectrical circuits for enhancing inward EET, and (iii) constructing microbial (photo)electrosynthesis by cell–material hybridization; (4) perspectives on future challenges and opportunities for engineering EET to develop highly efficient BESs for sustainable energy and chemical production. We expect that this review will provide a theoretical basis for the future development of BESs in energy harvesting, CO2 fixation, and chemical synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]