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Introduction: Lung Cancer (LC) is a prominent cause of death worldwide, with both non small cell and small cell types increasing in prevalence. Multiple therapeutic options such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, including Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS), have been developed, although postoperative complications remain a concern. Nursing care has been advocated as a means to mitigate these adverse effects. However, the actual association between nursing care and LC postoperative complications and outcomes remains unknown. Aim: To assess the effects of Intensive Nursing Care (INC) on LC patients treated with VATS. Materials and Methods: The present study was a randomised control study in which a total of 256 Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients over the age of 60 years who underwent VATS in the Division 1 of Thoracic Surgery at Handan Central Hospital between January 2021 and January 2023 were included. The participants were randomly allocated to different groups: an INC group (n=126) and a control group receiving normal care (n=130). Lung function, reported symptoms, hospitalisation duration, psychological wellbeing (anxiety and depression scores), and occurrence of postsurgery symptoms (pain, fatigue, insomnia, dyspnea, nausea/vomiting) were assessed. T-tests or Fisher's-Exact tests were used to compare baseline and postsurgical variables between the INC and Normal Nursing Care (NNC) groups using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0 software. Results: The study population consisted of 53.1% females with an average age of 73.51±7.61 years, ranging from 60 to 85 years. INC significantly improved hospitalisation duration {Mean Difference (MD)= -1.9; 95% Confidence Interval (CI), -2.6 to -1.2; p-value<0.001}, the occurrence of postsurgery symptoms (p-value<0.001), and psychological states assessed by both the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SRAS) (MD=-17.99; 95% CI, -18.63 to -17.35; p-value=0.001) and the Self-rating Depression Scale (SRDS) (MD= -9.04; 95% CI, -9.95 to -8.13; p-value=0.008) in comparison to NNC patients. Conclusion: Given the global burden of LC, it is crucial to emphasise not only the development of treatments for this illness but also care regimens that alleviate complications associated with these therapies. In this study, INC as an alternative to routine nursing care in postsurgery recovery has proven to be more beneficial to patients by decreasing their hospitalisation stay, the occurrence of postsurgery symptoms, and by enhancing their mental state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is the bottleneck of metal‐air batteries and fuel cells. Strain regulation can change the geometry and adjust the surface charge distribution of catalysts, which is a powerful strategy to optimize the ORR activity. The introduction of controlled strain to the material is still difficult to achieve. Herein, we present a temperature‐pressure‐induced strategy to achieve the controlled lattice strain for metal coordination polymers. Through the systematic study of the strain effect on ORR performance, the relationship between geometric and electronic effects is further understood and confirmed. The strained Co‐DABDT (DABDT=2,5‐diaminobenzene‐1,4‐dithiol) with 2 % lattice compression exhibits a superior half‐wave potential of 0.81 V. Theoretical analysis reveals that the lattice strain changes spin‐charge densities around S atoms for Co‐DABDT, and then regulates the hydrogen bond interaction with intermediates to promote the ORR catalytic process. This work helps to understand the catalytic mechanism from the atomic level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is the bottleneck of metal‐air batteries and fuel cells. Strain regulation can change the geometry and adjust the surface charge distribution of catalysts, which is a powerful strategy to optimize the ORR activity. The introduction of controlled strain to the material is still difficult to achieve. Herein, we present a temperature‐pressure‐induced strategy to achieve the controlled lattice strain for metal coordination polymers. Through the systematic study of the strain effect on ORR performance, the relationship between geometric and electronic effects is further understood and confirmed. The strained Co‐DABDT (DABDT=2,5‐diaminobenzene‐1,4‐dithiol) with 2 % lattice compression exhibits a superior half‐wave potential of 0.81 V. Theoretical analysis reveals that the lattice strain changes spin‐charge densities around S atoms for Co‐DABDT, and then regulates the hydrogen bond interaction with intermediates to promote the ORR catalytic process. This work helps to understand the catalytic mechanism from the atomic level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carcinosarcoma (CS) is a rare malignant tumor, with little known about its epidemiological features in literature. This study aimed to report the largest and latest analysis on the incidence, mortality and survival of CS. Data of CS from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database (SEER-9 incidence database and SEER-9 incidence-based mortality database) were retrieved and assessed. Incidence, mortality and survival analyses were performed using the SEER*Stat software. We used annual percentage change (APC) to evaluate the trends in incidence and mortality. The results showed that the incidence rate of CS increased from 0.36/100,000 to 0.83/100,000, with an APC of 3.4%, from 1975 to 2018. Its mortality rate followed a similar pattern, with an APC increase of 3.2% from 0.07/100,000 in 1975 to 0.54/100,000 in 2018. Most CS cases were reported to be from the female genital system. The 5-year survival rate of all patients was 34.9%. CS is an aggressive tumor with increasing incidence and mortality trends. This tumor, especially CS in the female genital system, should no longer be considered a rare tumor. This research broads our knowledge of CS and provides important insights for clinicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic pain is a notable health concern because of its prevalence, persistence, and associated mental stress. Drugs targeting chronic pain with potent abirritation, and minimal side effects remain unidentified. Substantial evidence indicates that the Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway plays a distinct and critical role in different stages of chronic pain. Aberrant activation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway is evident in multiple chronic pain models. Moreover, an increasing number of studies have demonstrated that the downregulation of JAK2/STAT3 can attenuate chronic pain in different animal models. In this review, we investigated the mechanism and role of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in modulating chronic pain. The aberrant activation of JAK2/STAT3 can trigger chronic pain by interacting with microglia and astrocytes, releasing proinflammatory cytokines, inhibiting anti-inflammatory cytokines, and regulating synaptic plasticity. We also retrospectively reviewed current reports on JAK2/STAT3 pharmacological inhibitors that demonstrated their significant therapeutic potential in different types of chronic pain. In summary, our results provide strong evidence that the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway is a promising therapeutic target for chronic pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enhance the catalytic performance of nickel-based catalysts and improve their efficiency in biomass pyrolysis, a nickel-based catalyst supported on a ZnZr composite carrier was synthesized using the sol-gel method. The morphological changes of the catalyst before and after the reaction were observed using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen gas adsorption, temperature-programmed reduction, and other methods to analyze its catalytic performance. A series of experiments were conducted to explore the optimal conditions for the catalyst's gas production, including carrier material ratios, loading amounts, residence time, and reaction temperature. The bimetallic carrier of Zn and Zr provided a higher specific surface area, allowing the metallic nickel to enter its mesopores. The synergistic effect of the bimetallic system facilitated the catalytic activity of nickel, significantly enhancing gas production. The maximum CO and H2 production were achieved at Zn/Zr = 6/4. The catalyst achieved an optimal gas yield of 507 mL/g at a residence time of 20 min and a reaction temperature of 800 °C, demonstrating strong stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endometriosis (EMT) is a prevalent gynecological disorder that significantly impacts the physical and mental well-being of patients. Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan (GZFLW), a Chinese herbal compound, has shown the potential to alleviate the symptoms of EMT. However, the molecular mechanism of action of GZFLW remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the possible molecular mechanism of GZFLW for treating EMT using network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques. Initially, the TCMSP platform was used to screen the active ingredients of GZFLW, while GeneCards, OMIM, PharmGkb, Disgenet, Drugbank, and TTD databases were employed to identify the relevant target genes of EMT. The data were analyzed using R language, Cytoscapes, and STRING, and the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) regulatory network and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network maps were constructed by screening the TCM target genes and the disease-related genes. The GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed using the R language. Finally, molecular docking was performed between the protein receptors of the core genes and the corresponding small-molecule ligands. After de-duplication, a total of 49 ingredients and 189 predicted targets of GZFLW, along with 1115 EMT targets, were screened. Eighty potential genes were identified by comparing the common targets of GZFLW and EMT. The PPI network of the intersecting genes of GZFLW and the disease included 1218 edges and 80 nodes, and the core genes were AKT1, TP53, TNF, and IL6. The molecular docking results showed that the core genes of GZFLW exhibited good binding affinity to the ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the effects of an AI-based object detection translation (AI-based ODT) application (app) on EFL students' vocabulary learning. We developed a system that utilized strategies to facilitate learners' vocabulary learning. The app applied dual code theory to present the objects in picture, word, and pronunciation formats. Seventy-two elementary school students were divided into lower-ability and higherability groups according to their English proficiency, and were then randomly assigned to the control and experimental conditions based on their ability. The learners' learning performance in the control and experimental conditions was compared using a pre-test-post-test design. Through two-way ANOVA analysis, we observed that in the experimental group the higher-ability students benefited more from the AI-based ODT app technology than did the lower-ability students. This significant difference could be taken as evidence of the positive effect of the AI-based ODT app technology, particularly for higher-ability students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is still some controversy about the relationship between lipids and venous thrombosis (VTE). A bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) study was conducted to clarify the causal relationship between three classical lipids (low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglycerides (TGs)) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) (deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE)). Three classical lipids and VTE were analysed by bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR). We used the random effect inverse variance weighted (IVW) model as the main analysis model and the weighted median method, simple mode method, weighted mode method and MR–Egger methods as supplementary methods. The leave-one-out test was used to determine the influence of outliers. The heterogeneity was calculated by using Cochran Q statistics in the MR–Egger and IVW methods. The intercept term in the MR‒Egger regression was used to indicate whether horizontal pleiotropy affected the results of the MR analysis. In addition, MR-PRESSO identified outlier single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and obtained a stable result by removing outlier SNPs and then performing MR analysis. When we used three classical lipids (LDL, HDL and TGs) as exposure variables, no causal relationship between them and VTE (DVT and PE) was found. In addition, we did not find significant causal effects of VTE on the three classical lipids in reverse MR analysis. There is no significant causal relationship between three classical lipids (LDL, HDL and TGs) and VTE (DVT and PE) from a genetic point of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium wilt is a severe and worldwide disease in potato cultivation. In this study, Fusarium foetens was first identified as the pathogen of potato wilt. Bacillus subtilis SF1 has the potential for controlling potato wilt induced by F. foetens, resulting in a mycelium growth inhibition of 52.50 ± 2.59% in vitro and a significant decrease in incidence rate by 45.56% in vivo. This research highlighted the antifungal activity of surfactin from B. subtilis SF1 and attempted to reveal the unknown antifungal mechanisms. Surfactin inhibited F. foetens mycelium growth beyond the concentration of 20 µg/µL. Surfactin-treated mycelium appeared to have morphological malformation. Surfactin enhanced reduced glutathione production and caused the increase in values of the extracellular fluids in OD260 and OD280. Surfactin induced differential protein expression and changed the genes' transcription levels. Surfactin binds to fungal DNA via groove-binding mode, with a binding constant of Kb 2.97 x 104 M-1. Moreover, B. subtilis SF1 harbored genes encoding plant-promoting determinants, making potato seedlings grow vigorously. The results will help provide a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of surfactin against filamentous fungi and the application of surfactin-producing microbial in the biocontrol of plant pathogenic fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coincidence of hatching and emergence events with favorable conditions is crucial for turtle survival. Nocturnal emergence has been widely documented across marine and freshwater turtles, and has long been suggested as an adaptive behavior that reduces risks of heat stress and predation. To our knowledge, however, studies related to nocturnal emergence have mainly focused on the post‐hatching behaviors of turtles, and very few experimental studies have been performed to investigate the effects of hatching time on the distribution of emergence times over the course of a day. Here, we visually monitored the activity of the Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis)—a shallow‐nesting freshwater turtle—from hatching to emergence. Our study provides evidence for the novel finding that (i) the timing of synchronous hatching events in P. sinensis coincides with the time of day when nest temperatures decrease, (ii) the synchrony between hatching and emergence may further facilitate their nocturnal emergence, and (iii) synchronous behaviors of hatchlings in the nest may be effective in reducing the risk of hatchling predation, and predation is more likely to occur in the asynchronous hatching groups. This study suggests that the hatching of shallow‐nesting P. sinensis in response to temperature changes in the nest might be an adaptive nocturnal emergence strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) is expressed in gastrointestinal tract and plays important roles in intestinal motility and visceral hypersensitivity. However, the potential role of TRPA1 in host defense, particularly against intestinal pathogens, is unknown. Here, we show that Trpa1 knockout mice exhibited increased susceptibility to Citrobacter rodentium infection, associated with the increased severity of diarrhea and intestinal permeability associated with the disrupted tight junctions (TJs) in colonic epithelia. We further demonstrated the expression of TRPA1 in murine colonic epithelial cells (CECs) and human epithelial Caco-2 cells both at protein level and transcription level. Using calcium imaging, TRPA1 agonists allyl isothiocyanates (AITC) and hydrogen peroxide were observed to induce a transient Ca2+ response in Caco-2 cells, respectively. Moreover, TRPA1 knockdown in Caco-2 cells resulted in the decreased expression of TJ proteins, ZO-1 and Occludin, and in the increased paracellular permeabilities and the reduced TEER values of Caco-2 monolayers in vitro. Furthermore, inhibition of TRPA1 by HC-030031 in the confluent Caco-2 cells caused the altered distribution and expression of TJ proteins, ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-3, and exacerbated the bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced damage to these TJ proteins and actin cytoskeleton. By contrast, AITC pretreatment restored the distribution and expression of these TJ proteins in the confluent Caco-2 cells upon LPS challenge. Our results identify an unrecognized protective role of TRPA1 in host defense against an enteric bacterial pathogen by maintaining colonic epithelium barrier function, at least in part, via preserving the distribution and expression of TJ proteins in CECs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The herpetofauna of the Indomalayan bioregion of Asia suffers from severe habitat loss, unsustainable harvesting, and lack of research and conservation. Here, we investigated the range‐wide phylogeography of the endangered "eyed" turtles (genus Sacalia, including the Beale's Eyed Turtle S. bealei and the Four‐eyed Turtle S. quadriocellata) and discovered a natural interspecific hybrid turtle population in China. Based on phylogeny of the mitochondrial Cytochrome b gene of 101 samples in this study and public data, three major clades and six subclades were identified: S. bealei (SBE) in eastern‐southern China, east S. quadriocellata in South China (northern east [SQUen] and southern east [SQUes] subclades), and west S. quadriocellata mainly in Vietnam (northern west [SQUwn], central west [SQUwc], and southern west [SQUws] subclades). We sequenced 16 nuclear DNA loci of 87 samples from SBE, SQUen, SQUes, and SQUwn subclades. Population genetic clustering analysis suggested a structure similar to the mitochondrial phylogeny, where most samples were classified into four genetic clusters corresponding to the four mtDNA subclades. However, a proportion of samples carrying SQUen mtDNA haplotypes formed an additional distinct cluster SHY. Those samples are found in the contact zone of the two species bearing mosaic and intermediate morphological characteristics. We detected an admixed ancestry in SHY from SBE and SQUen that conformed to an intrapopulation breeding scenario for at least hundreds of generations after the initial hybrid event, leading to a conclusion that SHY is a distinct and near‐panmictic population derived from natural interspecific hybridization. In addition, SQUes (Hainan Island endemic) is of special concern due to significant isolation and low genetic diversity. We suggest that seven evolutionarily significant units should be recognized to facilitate appropriate conservation actions. These findings also highlight the urgent need for further herpetological research and conservation in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A2B2O7-type oxides with low thermal conductivities are potential candidates for next-generation thermal barrier coatings. The formation of high-entropy ceramics is considered as a newly effective way to further lower their thermal conductivities. High-entropy Y2(Ti0.2Zr0.2Hf0.2Nb0.2Ta0.2)2O7 (5HEO) and Y2(Ti0.25Zr 0.25Hf0.25Ta0.25)2O7 (4HEO) ceramics were prepared by in situ solid reaction sintering, considering the important roles of B-site cations on thermal conductivities of the A2B2O7-type oxides. Reaction process, phase structures, microstructures, and thermal conductivities of the as-sintered ceramics were investigated. Lattice distortion effects on their thermal conductivities were also discussed by using the proposed criterion based on the supercell volume difference of the individual compounds. Near fully-dense 5HEO and 4HEO ceramics were obtained after being sintered at 1600◦C. The former one had a dual-phase structure containing high-entropy Y2(Ti0.227Zr0.227Hf0.227Nb0.136Ta0.182)2O7.318 pyrochlore oxide (5HEO-P) and Y(Nb, Ta)O4 solid solution, while the latter one was a single-phase pyrochlore oxide (4HEO-P) with homogeneous element distribution. The formed 5HEO-P oxide has larger lattice distortion than 4HEO-P oxide due to the larger total amounts of Nb and Ta cations at B sites in the 5HEOP oxide. It results in lower thermal conductivity of 5HEO ceramics (keeping at 1.8 W⋅m–1⋅K–1) than those of 4HEO ceramics (ranging from 1.8 to 2.5 W⋅m–1⋅K–1) at temperatures from 25◦C to 1400◦C. Their glass-like thermal conductivities were determined by the selection of B site cations and high-entropy effects. These results provide some useful information for the material design of novel thermal barrier coating materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modulating the electronic configuration by coupling multi-scale active sites for electrocatalytic conversion of CO 2 to CO is extremely challenging in terms of structural analysis and mechanism elucidation. Herein, a catalyst NiAD/AgNPs@CN with both atomic-level dispersed Ni and Ag nanoparticles on N-doped carbon substrate has been designed to reveal the true active sites and catalytic mechanism in complex materials. NiAD/AgNPs@CN exhibits CO Faraday efficiency (FE CO) of 99.97% at −0.88 V (vs. RHE) in H-type cell and 91.77% FE CO with a high current density of 79.70 mA/cm2 in flow cell. DFT calculations show that the tiny change in the energy level of spin electrons at atomic sites has a significant impact on the CO 2 activation. The regulation of atomic Ni on Ag sites is the main reason for improving CO 2 RR performance. This work gives a new understanding on the catalytic mechanism of composite materials structured by atomic-level dispersed metal and nanoparticles. [Display omitted] • Atomic dispersed Ni surrounding with Ag nanoparticles was designed for CO 2 RR. • The synergistic effect between Atomic Ni sites and Ag nanoparticles was deeply explored. • Experiments combined with DFT study revealed the CO 2 RR mechanism. • The tiny change of spin electrons state has a significant impact on the activation of CO 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent type of gynecology tumors with high morbidity and mortality. Ampelopsin, the main active compound of Ampelopsis grossedentata, exerts an anti-tumor effect on a variety of cancers. However, the anti-cancer role of ampelopsin in BC remains unclear. The aim of this study is to explore the mechanism of ampelopsin against breast cancer. Materials and Methods: The target genes of ampelopsin in the treatment of breast cancer were determined and analyzed by network pharmacology and molecular docking. Cytoscape software was used to identify the core target genes and construct a protein--protein interaction (PPI) network. Discovery Studio software was used to perform the molecular docking of ampelopsin and core genes and glycolytic metabolic enzymes. Results: In total, 25 potential target genes of ampelopsin were screened out. The core target genes of ampelopsin against breast cancer were AKT1, ESR1, ESR2, NCOA1, HSP90AA1, NCOA2, BECN1, COMT, HMOX1, and CDK6, with AKT1, ESR1 and ESR2 considered as the key target proteins. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis showed that ampelopsin inhibited breast cancer via modulating the estrogen signaling pathway, apoptosis regulation, carbohydrate metabolism, and inflammation. Molecular docking analysis showed that ampelopsin possessed a stable binding ability to regulate the three target proteins and glycolytic metabolic enzymes such as ALDOA and LDHA. Conclusions: Ampelopsin may inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer cells by acting on AKT and estrogen-related glucose metabolic pathways and inhibiting the enzymes involved in glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The type III secretion system encoded in the Salmonella pathogenicity island-2 (SPI-2) gene cluster facilitates intracellular growth of nontyphoidal Salmonella by interfering with the maturation of Salmonella-containing vacuoles along the degradative pathway. SPI-2 gene products also protect Salmonella against the antimicrobial activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) synthesized by the phagocyte NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2). However, a potential relationship between inflammatory ROS and the activation of transcription of SPI-2 genes by intracellular Salmonella is unclear. Here, we show that ROS engendered in the innate host response stimulate SPI-2 gene transcription. We found that the expression of SPI-2 genes in Salmonella-sustaining oxidative stress conditions involves DksA, a protein otherwise known to regulate the stringent response of bacteria to nutritional stress. We also demonstrate that the J and zinc-2-oxidoreductase domains of DnaJ as well as the ATPase activity of the DnaK chaperone facilitate loading of DksA onto RNA polymerase complexed with SPI-2 promoters. Furthermore, the DksA-driven transcription of SPI-2 genes in Salmonella experiencing oxidative stress is contingent on upstream OmpR, PhoP, and SsrB signaling events that participate in the removal of nucleoid proteins while simultaneously recruiting RNA polymerase to SPI-2 promoter regions. Taken together, our results suggest the activation of SPI-2 gene transcription in Salmonella subjected to ROS produced by the respiratory burst of macrophages protects this intracellular pathogen against NOX2-mediated killing. We propose that Salmonella have co-opted inflammatory ROS to induce SPI-2-mediated protective responses against NOX2 host defenses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explosives continue to be the primary tactic used by terrorists across the world and given the high security risk faced by mega infrastructure, a systematic security risk assessment framework is proposed in this paper. Classification and rating criteria are established for this framework pertaining to threat/vulnerability and impact/consequence assessment, based on which asset risk rating can be calculated. The proposed risk assessment framework refines the author's previous work of risk rating criteria and evaluates risks in both qualitative and quantitative ways. Risk ratings are classified both numerically and in color codes for the ease of analysis and application. This framework is validated in a case study of risk assessment of a mega infrastructure facility and can support further risk management and investment policy. A case study of a chemical facility utilizing the risk assessment framework is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selection of a representative sampling area for accurate and reliable yield evaluation of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is important for optimizing straw retention in soils and its removal as biofuel feedstock. A field experiment was conducted at four wheat fields in the North China in 2020. Wheat straw and grain yields varied from 359.2-682.8 and 338.5-640.4 g m-2, respectively, and plant height varied from 51.3-59.7 cm across all plots in the four sites. Variation in either relative deviation (RD) or standard error (SE) of straw and grain yield and plant height estimates decreased with the increase in random sampling square (RSS) (one square = approximately 1 m) and random sampling plant (RSP) numbers, respectively. Minimum RSS numbers of 3-10 and 1-10 m² were needed to satisfy RD less than 5% in two-third of the plots for straw and grain yield estimates, respectively. This suggests that 10 m² could be recommended as the minimum RSS number per plot. However, the incidence frequency of RD was 63.75% and 60.00% within the RD interval of 0%-5% for straw and grain yield estimates, respectively, from the RSS number of 10 m², indicating that yields from RSSs in field trials are prone to large variations. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to design a large plot as possible and to harvest the whole plot for estimating yields. The threshold RSP number ranged from 14-18 to satisfy RD less than 1.5% and a minimum RSP of 20 plants (including mains and tillers) per plot could be recommended for wheat field experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which explores the role of ipRGCs in ocular growth and myopia development. It mentions that e increasing global prevalence of myopia calls for elaboration of the pathogenesis of myopia disease. It discusses that ipRGCs contribute substantially to mouse eye growth and myopia development, which may inspire novel strategies for myopia intervention.

The article presents a study which explores that Tankyrase-mediated ADP-ribosylation, a regulator of Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced death . It mentions that findings of the study suggests that disruption of ADP-ribosylation during an infection can prime a cell to retaliate with an inflammatory cell death.

The article presents a study which explores about the Tankyrase-mediated ADP-ribosylation as a regulator of Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced death. It mentions that TNF, a key component of the innate immune response and suggests that disruption of ADP-ribosylation during an infection can prime a cell to retaliate with an inflammatory cell death.

In this work, we report a pair of asymmetric cyanido-bridged binuclear Ru-CN-Ru-Cl complexes, [Cp*(dppe)RuII-CN-RuII/III(bpy)2Cl]n+[BF4]n (1n+[BF4]n, n = 1, 2; Cp* = 1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopentadiene, dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, bpy = 2,20-bipyridine), and 12+ with RuII-CN-RuIII is the one-electron oxidized product of 1+ with RuII-CN-RuII. Both the complexes are well characterized. The investigations indicate that 12+ is a completely delocalized (Class III) mixed-valence complex, confirmed by theoretical calculations. To the best our knowledge, 12+ is the first example of the structurally characterized asymmetric cyanido-bridged Class III mixed-valence complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulation of amyloid beta and its toxicity are the common features in Alzheimer’s disease. Autophagy plays an important role in development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease by causing self-degradation of accumulated amyloid beta from neurons. Glycitin has been found as major phytochemical constituent of soybean, which shows neuroprotective function in Alzheimer’s disease. The present study aims to explore the role of glycitin in clearance of amyloid beta and reducing amyloid beta toxicity in neuronal cells. The human microglial cells 3 and neuroblastoma cell SHSY-5Y were used in the current study. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay was used to access cell viability and neuroprotection. Western blotting was used to determine expression levels of different proteins. Autophagosome marker (light chain 3) was studied using confocal microscopy. Clearance of amyloid beta was studied using confocal microscopy and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We reported that glycitin induces autophagy in human microglial cells 3 cells through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B pathway. Glycitin clears amyloid beta and its associated toxicity in neuroblastoma SHSY-5 cells. Furthermore, light chain 3 knockdown inhibits glycitin associated neuroprotective effects in neuroblastoma SHSY-5 cells. We conclude that glycitin can be used as an alternate strategy for curing Alzheimer’s disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human settlement environment is space places closely related to human production and life, and also surface spaces inseparable from human activities. As a coastal city in the east of China, Qingdao has a relatively high level of urbanization. However, it also along with many urban problems at the same time, among which the problem of human settlement environment has attracted more and more general attention from people. According to the characteristics of human settlement environment in Qingdao, the research constructs an index system with 10 index factors from natural factors and humanity factors, and proposes a comprehensive evaluation model. Evaluate and grade suitability of human settlement environment in Qingdao, explore the spatial aggregation and differentiation of the quality of human settlement environment, and reveal the internal connection of spatial evolution. The results indicate that the overall livability of Qingdao is relatively good, showing a multi-center and radial driving development. The distribution of livability is uneven, showing a decreasing spatial distribution law from the coast to the inland, and the quality of human settlement environment in Jiaozhou Bay and the coastal areas is relatively high. Qingdao is mainly based on natural livability, supplemented by humanity livability, compared with natural suitability, the spatio-temporal evolution characteristics of humanity livability have experienced three stages: rising-contradictory rising-harmonious rising. The quality of human settlement environment has obvious spatial correlation and is positively correlated with the degree of agglomeration, and the agglomeration of blocks with a higher quality of human settlement environment is higher than that of blocks with a lower level. The rule of human settlement environment changing over time is that areas with high quality of human settlement environment begin to shift from the city center to the north and the south, transforming into multi-point development, and overall environmental suitability has been improved. According to the results of the comprehensive evaluation, combined with its local development status and policies, the research puts forward developmental suggestions for the construction of human settlement environment in Qingdao, and provides decision-making basis for relevant departments to solve the problem of deterioration of human settlement environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We design and obtain mesoporous Fe‐Nx‐C sub‐microspheres (Meso Fe‐Nx‐C‐SS) using the amino acid‐metal complex as Fe/N/C precursor and mesoporous silica sub‐microspheres (MSS) as hard template by a facile template‐assistance strategy. The Histidine‐Fe complex is impregnated into mesopores of MSS, and then Meso Fe‐Nx‐C‐SS are obtained by high‐temperature carbonization process and removal of MSS template. The as‐fabricated Meso Fe‐Nx‐C‐SS exhibits the spherical structure with rough surface with the diameter size of 200–500 nm. And Meso Fe‐Nx‐C‐SS also possesses a high specific surface area of 784 m2 g−1, a large pore volume of 1.65 cm3 g−1, and a large pore size in the range of 10–22 nm. Benefiting from atomically dispersed N‐coordinated Fe and unique three‐dimensionally (3D) interconnected mesoporous carbon architecture, Meso Fe‐Nx‐C‐SS shows excellent electrocatalytic performance toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) with positive half‐wave potential (E1/2 0.86 V), high stability (93.94 % after 30,000 s), low Tafel slop (43 mV dec−1) and good methanol tolerance, exceeding commercial Pt/C catalyst in alkaline media. As the cathode catalyst within the primary Zn‐air batteries, Meso Fe‐Nx‐C‐SS also reveals an outstanding catalytic activity (the maximum power density of 120 mW cm−2) and superior discharge stability (at current density of 10 mA cm−2 after 6 cycles, at different current densities of 5, 10, 20 mA cm−2), promoting its practical application in Zn‐air batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skeletal muscle atrophy is caused by various conditions, including aging, disuse related to a sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity, and cachexia. Our insufficient understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying muscle atrophy limits the targets for the development of effective pharmacologic treatments and preventions. Here, we identified Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5), a zinc-finger transcription factor, as a key mediator of the early muscle atrophy program. KLF5 was up-regulated in atrophying myotubes as an early response to dexamethasone or simulated microgravity in vitro. Skeletal muscle-selective deletion of Klf5 significantly attenuated muscle atrophy induced by mechanical unloading in mice. Transcriptomeand genome-wide chromatin accessibility analyses revealed that KLF5 regulates atrophy-related programs, including metabolic changes and E3-ubiquitin ligase-mediated proteolysis, in coordination with Foxo1. The synthetic retinoic acid receptor agonist Am80, a KLF5 inhibitor, suppressed both dexamethasone- and microgravityinduced muscle atrophy in vitro and oral Am80 ameliorated disuse- and dexamethasone-induced atrophy in mice. Moreover, in three independent sets of transcriptomic data from human skeletal muscle, KLF5 expression significantly increased with age and the presence of sarcopenia and correlated positively with the expression of the atrophy-related ubiquitin ligase genes FBXO32 and TRIM63. These findings demonstrate that KLF5 is a key transcriptional regulator mediating muscle atrophy and that pharmacological intervention with Am80 is a potentially preventive treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non‐noble transition metal complexes have attracted growing interest as efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) while their activities still lack rational and effective regulation. Herein, we propose a d–π conjugation strategy for rough and fine tuning of ORR activity of TM‐BTA (TM=Mn/Fe/Co/Ni/Cu, BTA=1,2,4,5‐benzenetetramine) coordination polymers. By first‐principle calculations, we elucidate that the strong d–π conjugation elevates the dxz/dyz orbitals of TM centers to enhance intermediate adsorption and strengthens the electronic modulation effect from substitute groups on ligands. Based on this strategy, Co‐TABQ (tetramino benzoquinone) is found to approach the top of ORR activity volcano. The synthesized Co‐TABQ with atomically distributed Co on carbon nanotubes exhibits a half‐wave potential of 0.85 V and a specific current of 127 mA mgmetal−1 at 0.8 V, outperforming the benchmark Pt/C. The high activity, low peroxide yield, and considerable durability of Co‐BTA and Co‐TABQ promise their application in oxygen electrocatalysis. This study provides mechanistic insight into the rational design of transition metal complex catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non‐noble transition metal complexes have attracted growing interest as efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) while their activities still lack rational and effective regulation. Herein, we propose a d–π conjugation strategy for rough and fine tuning of ORR activity of TM‐BTA (TM=Mn/Fe/Co/Ni/Cu, BTA=1,2,4,5‐benzenetetramine) coordination polymers. By first‐principle calculations, we elucidate that the strong d–π conjugation elevates the dxz/dyz orbitals of TM centers to enhance intermediate adsorption and strengthens the electronic modulation effect from substitute groups on ligands. Based on this strategy, Co‐TABQ (tetramino benzoquinone) is found to approach the top of ORR activity volcano. The synthesized Co‐TABQ with atomically distributed Co on carbon nanotubes exhibits a half‐wave potential of 0.85 V and a specific current of 127 mA mgmetal−1 at 0.8 V, outperforming the benchmark Pt/C. The high activity, low peroxide yield, and considerable durability of Co‐BTA and Co‐TABQ promise their application in oxygen electrocatalysis. This study provides mechanistic insight into the rational design of transition metal complex catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat, rice, and maize collectively provide the bulk of energy and protein to the human diet worldwide. Over the last seven decades, China increased 5.8-fold the aggregated production of the three cereals, but further gains are required to meet the predicted demand of 776 Mt. by 2030. Here, we report the rate of genetic gain in yield of 0.65% year-1 for wheat between 1937 and 2012, 0.69% year-1 for rice between 1934 and 2011, and 0.77% year-1 for maize between 1950 and 2014 in China. National farm yield in the same periods increased 1.38% year-1 for wheat, 1.15% year-1 for rice and 1.32% year-1 for maize. Hence, genetic improvement (G) accounted for 47%-60% of the increase in farm yield, with improved management (M) and G × M interaction accounting for the balance. The absolute rate of genetic gain (kg ha-1 year-1) was proportional to environmental potential. Genetic gain in nitrogen utilization efficiency (yield per unit nitrogen uptake) was significant for all three crops and was achieved at the expense in grain N concentration that decreased at 0.19% year-1 in rice and 0.47% year-1 in maize. To guarantee future food security and environmental sustainability, breeding and agronomic efforts need to increase the rate of gain in yield and revert the declining trends in grain protein by improving nitrogen uptake and nitrogen harvest index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conductivity of molten alkali metal chlorides is the foundation of molten-salt electrolysis process. In the study, equilibrium molecular dynamics was performed to investigate the ionic conductivities of the molten alkali metal chloride binary systems. The calculated values were in good agreement with the experimental results. Simple databases for conductivity have been built based on the verified algorithm. Mathematic expressions of conductivity vs. temperature & composition have also been obtained according to calculated data. Ionic conductivities of these melts exhibited positive dependences on temperature. Adding a smaller alkali metal cation into molten alkali chlorides could improve the conductive performance. With the gradual addition of LiCl, ionic conductivities of molten LiCl-NaCl, LiCl-KCl, LiCl-RbCl, and LiCl-CsCl all increased monotonously. The conductivities of molten NaCl-KCl, NaCl-RbCl, and NaCl-CsCl also increased with the continuous addition of NaCl. The improvement effects of LiCl on ionic conductivities of molten KCl, RbCl, and CsCl are more significant than those of NaCl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research study measures psychological attraction in relation to food brands by football player's advertisements. This research is based on consumer behavior and examines the effect of product choices-and has been conducted in the context of China using primary data analysis techniques. For analysis, the data is generated on the basis of responses to specific questions related to the psychological attraction, food brand advertisement, consumer behavior, and product choice. To measure the data, the smart PLS software ran different results such as statistical ratio analysis, T-test analysis, regression analysis, generalized linear model, and that reliability test analysis. This study aimed to better understand the components of product attributes in the sporting environment in order to better understand what makes a product-athlete endorsement connection more effective. While it is usual for businesses to utilize athletes for advertising and marketing their products or services, only a limited number of studies have looked at the qualities of athletes and the roles these characteristics play in developing an effective advertisement relationship. Analysis of data findings shows that psychological attraction has a positive and significant impact on consumer behavior and product choice. On the other hand, food brand advertisement shows a positive but insignificant effect on product choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uncoordinated carbon-nitrogen ratio in raw materials will lead to excessive contents of higher alcohols in alcoholic beverages. The effect of GAT1 gene, the GATA transcription activator, on higher alcohol biosynthesis was investigated to clarify the mechanism of Saccharomyces cerevisiae regulating higher alcohol metabolism under high concentrations of free amino nitrogen (FAN). The availability of FAN by strain SDT1K with a GAT1 double-copy deletion was 28.31% lower than that of parent strain S17, and the yield of higher alcohols was 33.91% lower. The transcript levels of the downstream target genes of GAT1 and higher alcohol production in the double-copy deletion mutant suggested that a part of the effect of GAT1 deletion on higher alcohol production was the downregulation of GAP1, ARO9, and ARO10. This study shows that GATA factors can effectively regulate the metabolism of higher alcohols in S. cerevisiae and provides valuable insights into higher alcohol biosynthesis, showing great significance for the wheat beer industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phage viruses shape the evolution and virulence of their bacterial hosts. The Salmonella enterica genome encodes several stress-inducible prophages. The Gifsy-1 prophage terminase protein, whose canonical function is to process phage DNA for packaging in the virus head, unexpectedly acts as a transfer ribonuclease (tRNase) under oxidative stress, cleaving the anticodon loop of tRNALeu. The ensuing RNA fragmentation compromises bacterial translation, intracellular survival, and recovery from oxidative stress in the vertebrate host. S. enterica adapts to this transfer RNA (tRNA) fragmentation by transcribing the RNA repair Rtc system. The counterintuitive translational arrest provided by tRNA cleavage may subvert prophage mobilization and give the host an opportunity for repair as a way of maintaining bacterial genome integrity and ultimately survival in animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding and quantification of the spatial variation and the primary factors that affect soil macropore distribution is helpful to restore soil water and productivity of cultivated land. However, the information of spatial distribution and influencing factors of soil macropores in coal mining subsided areas is still scare. We investigated the soil physicochemical properties and computed tomography (CT)-measured pore parameters at different slope positions and slope aspects (shady slope and sunny slope), and quantified the contribution of influencing factors of soil pore using the model of principal component analysis with multiple linear regression (PCA-MLR). The results showed that pH, electrical conductivity and total P had significant difference between two slope aspects, and the contents of quartz, feldspar, calcite, clay, organic matter and Na ion exhibited significant difference among three slope positions. The number of soil macropores (64.23 ± 50.38), macroporosity (4.09 ± 5.36%), roundness rate (0.85 ± 0.03), and connectivity density (1.04 ± 0.63 cm-3) showed obvious spatial variations in the subsided area. The soil macroporosity on the shady slope was significantly higher than that on the sunny slope. The number of macropores and macroporosity at the top slope position were significantly higher than those at the middle and bottom slope positions. The PCA-MLR model estimated that the factors of soil particle composition and organic matter contributed 43% and 24%, respectively, to the distribution of soil macroporosity. In conclusion, coal mining subsidence had directly and indirectly significant impacts on the spatial distribution of soil macropores. The findings of this study are critical for developing strategies for the conservation of soil water through regulation of soil macropore conditions in mining subsided areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The search of DNA-binding proteins for their target sites positioned on DNA plays a very important role in many cellular processes, and this search process combines 3D excursions in the bulk solution with one-dimensional sliding along the DNA chain. In living cells, there exist roadblocks along DNA chain formed by other proteins; however, the role of the roadblock in search rate is poorly understood. Based on 3D Langevin dynamics simulations, we have investigated the effect of the blocker on the search dynamics. For a pair of symmetrically placed blockers with respect to the target, we find that, with increasing the distance between the blocker and the target, the search time, τ, rapidly decreases and then saturates. For randomly placed blockers with density φ, τ may initially increase to its maximum and then unexpectedly decreases with increasing φ, or always increase with φ, depending on the nonspecific interaction strength and the volume fraction of DNA in the system. The previous contradicted results on the role of the blocker in search time are reconciled by these findings. Particularly, the nonmonotonic behavior of τ with φ indicates that blockers may facilitate the search after a critical φ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA-binding proteins locate and bind their target sequences positioned on DNA in crowded environments, but the molecular crowding effect on this search process is not clear. Using analytical techniques and Langevin dynamics simulations in two dimensions (2D), we find that the essential physics for facilitated diffusion in 2D search and 3D search is the same. We observe that the average search times have minima at the same optimal nonspecific binding energy for the cases with and without the crowding particle. Moreover, the molecular crowding increases the search time by increasing the average search rounds and the one-dimensional (1D) sliding time of a round, but almost not changing the average 2D diffusion time of a round. In addition, the fraction of 1D sliding time out of the total search time increases with increasing the concentration of crowders. For 2D diffusion, the molecular crowding decreases the jumping length and narrows its distribution due to the cage effect from crowders. These results shed light on the role of facilitated diffusion in DNA targeting kinetics in living cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: How to perform minimally-invasive surgery on Tile C pelvic fractures is very difficult, and it is also a hot topic in orthopedic trauma research. We applied minimally-invasive treatment using an anterior internal fixator combined with sacroiliac screws. Objectives: To compare the biomechanical properties of different fixation models in pelvic facture specimens, using an internal fixation system or a steel plate combined with sacroiliac screws. Methods: Sixteen fresh adult cadaver pelvic specimens were randomly separated into four groups named A, B, C, and D. The four groups were respectively stabilized using a two-screwed, three-screwed, or four-screwed anterior internal fixator or a steel plate with sacroiliac screws. All models were tested in both standing and sitting positions. Vertical loads of 600 N were applied increasingly. Shifts of bilateral sacroiliac joints and pubis rupture were measured. Results: The shifts in sacroiliac joints and pubis rupture in the standing position were all less than 3.5 mm, and the shifts in the sitting position were all less than 1 mm. In the standing position, the results of shifts in the sacroiliac joints were group C < group D < group B < group A. For comparisons between A:B and C:D, P > 0.05. For comparisons between A, B:C, and D, P < 0.05. The results of shifts in pubis ruptures were group D < group C < group B < group A. In the comparison between C:D, P > 0.05; for comparisons between A:B, A:C, A:D, B:C, and B: D, P < 0.05. In the sitting posture, the results of shifts in the sacroiliac joints were group C < group D < group B < group A, and the shifts in the pubis ruptures were group D < group C < roup B < group A. For comparison between C:D, P > 0.05. For comparisons between A:B, A:C, A:D, B:C, and B:D, P < 0.05. Conclusion: Use of an anterior internal fixator combined with sacroiliac screws effectively stabilized Tile C3 pelvic fractures. The stability of specimens increased as the number of screws in the internal fixator increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Because of the poor prognosis of lacrimal adenoid cystic carcinoma (LACC), we aimed to investigate the effects of perineural invasion (PNI) and consequent aberrations in GDNF/GFRα-1/RET protein expression on LACC recurrence. Methods: Clinicopathological data for 51 histologically confirmed patients with LACC enrolled between 2001 and 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was applied to assess PNI. Tissue-based immunohistochemistry (IHC) detection of GDNF, GFRα-1, and RET proteins was performed on LACC formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens. We generated semi-quantitative data of the IHC results and compared them with the clinicopathological data for the 51 patients. Results: Of the 51 patients, 19 (37.3%) were PNI positive. Recurrence was more common for LACC with than without PNI (73.7% vs. 37.5%, P = 0.01). GDNF, GFRα-1, and RET proteins were expressed in 62.7%, 62.7%, and 54.9% of the 51 patients with LACC, respectively. The expression of all 3 proteins was more common in patients with than without PNI. In agreement with previous findings, PNI-associated GFRα-1 and RET positivity, as detected by IHC, remained significantly associated with recurrence, whereas GDNF expression, as detected by IHC, was not correlated with LACC recurrence. Specifically, patients with concurrent GFRα-1 and RET expression may have a high risk of PNI (89.5% positivity rate) and recurrence (84.2% positivity rate). Conclusions: PNI may contribute to LACC recurrence. The concurrent expression of GFRα-1 and RET proteins, as detected by IHC, may potentially be associated with LACC PNI and recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro/nanocolloidal is confirmed as a self‐assembly structure in big eye tuna (Thunnus obesus) head soup, and lipids enriched with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are the major component. In this study, the effect of big eye tuna head soup (BETHS) with different particle size micro/nanocolloidal on lipid accumulation was initially evaluated. The original soup and microfiltration soup (with or without ginger; OGS/OGSG and MFS/MFSG) were prepared firstly. A free fatty acid‐exposed (FFA‐exposed) HepG2 cell model was built using sodium oleic acid (OA) and sodium palmitic acid (PA) (2:1). The triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) in the FFA‐exposed HepG2 cells were 8.6 ng/104 cells and 0.6 nM/104 cells, respectively, which were significantly different with control (p <.05). Both OGS and OGSG could significantly decline the TG deposition of FFA‐exposed HepG2 cells with 31% and 40% (p <.05), and in MFS and MFSG were 23% and 26% (p ≥.05). Meanwhile, OGS inhibited the deposition of TG mainly in 18–24 hr, and OGSG mainly in 12–18 hr. All the BETHS samples showed no inhibition effect on TC deposition (p ≥.05). This research might help to understand the improving activity of natural or traditional food products on metabolic syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We provide general adaptive upper bounds for estimating nonparametric functionals based on second-order U-statistics arising from finite-dimensional approximation of the infinitedimensional models. We then provide examples of functionals for which the theory produces rate optimally matching adaptive upper and lower bounds. Our results are automatically adaptive in both parametric and nonparametric regimes of estimation and are automatically adaptive and semiparametric efficient in the regime of parametric convergence rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitin deacetylase (CDA) is a key enzyme involved in the modification of chitin and plays critical roles in molting and pupation, which catalyzes the removal of acetyl groups from N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues in chitin to form chitosan and release acetic acid. Defects in the CDA genes or their expression may lead to stunted insect development and even death. Therefore, CDA can be used as a potential pest control target. However, there are no effective pesticides known to target CDA. Although there has been some exciting research progress on bacterial or fungal CDAs, insect CDA characteristics are less understood. This review summarizes the current understanding of insect CDAs, especially very recent advances in our understanding of crystal structures and the catalytic mechanism. Progress in developing small-molecule CDA inhibitors is also summarized. We hope the information included in this review will help facilitate new pesticide development through a novel action mode, such as targeting CDA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skeletal muscle depends on the precise orchestration of contractile and metabolic gene expression programs to direct fiber-type specification and to ensure muscle performance. Exactly how such fiber type-specific patterns of gene expression are established and maintained remains unclear, however. Here, we demonstrate that histone monomethyl transferase MLL4 (KMT2D), an enhancer regulator enriched in slow myofibers, plays a critical role in controlling muscle fiber identity as well as muscle performance. Skeletal muscle-specific ablation of MLL4 in mice resulted in downregulation of the slow oxidative myofiber gene program, decreased numbers of type I myofibers, and diminished mitochondrial respiration, which caused reductions in muscle fatty acid utilization and endurance capacity during exercise. Genome-wide ChIP-Seq and mRNA-Seq analyses revealed that MLL4 directly binds to enhancers and functions as a coactivator of the myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) to activate transcription of slow oxidative myofiber genes. Importantly, we also found that the MLL4 regulatory circuit is associated with muscle fiber-type remodeling in humans. Thus, our results uncover a pivotal role for MLL4 in specifying structural and metabolic identities of myofibers that govern muscle performance. These findings provide therapeutic opportunities for enhancing muscle fitness to combat a variety of metabolic and muscular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The difficulty of knowledge point recommendation based on the learning diagnosis model lies in how to perform feature recognition and selection of recommended knowledge points. At present, the recommendation system has certain problems in the accuracy of recommended knowledge points. Based on this, this study mainly studies the personalized problem recommendation of middle school students in the field of education. Moreover, this study takes the answer records of students’ exercises as data, and combines the characteristics of the field of education to propose an exercise recommendation algorithm based on hidden knowledge points and an exercise recommendation method based on the decomposition of student exercise weight matrix. In addition, in order to verify the effectiveness of this research algorithm, this paper selects the accuracy rate and recall rate as evaluation indicators to analyze the recommendation results of this algorithm and the current more advanced CF algorithm, and the statistical experiment results are drawn into charts. The research results show that the method proposed in this paper has certain advantages and can be used as one of the subsystems of the learning system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis is used to investigate the vertical and horizontal bearing capacity of internal skirted foundations in normally consolidated uniform clay under undrained condition. The vertical and horizontal bearing capacity analysis has taken the effects of embedment ratio, foundation–soil interface roughness and soil strength heterogeneity into account. In this paper, new equations have been proposed for calculating vertical and horizontal bearing capacities based on the results of the finite element analyses. In the proposed equations, the vertical capacity consists of an end-bear resistance and a skin friction resistance, whereas the horizontal capacity consists of a normal resistance, a radial shear resistance and a base shear resistance. By comparing the numerical results, it shows that the proposed equations properly predicted the bearing capacities of the internal skirted foundations in uniform or non-uniform clay under undrained condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple method to achieve multi-focus and pattern manipulation in antenna near field (NF) is proposed in this study, whose effectiveness is then validated by measurements based on different transmit-array antennas. The radiating aperture is divided into several regions and each region corresponds to one assigned focal point, thus achieving multi-focusing performance. Then, the superposition principle is employed and constrains the multiple foci into a certain area to get a contoured pattern. Three examples are investigated. Ant-A presents four balanced focal spots simultaneously, while Ant-B presents two unbalanced foci. A square flat-top field pattern is obtained for Ant-C. Three-dimensional printing technology is employed to fabricate these lenses, resulting in a low cost and light weight. Measured results coincide well with the numerical design and simulation. The proposed method provides a simple and effective alternative for NF power redistribution and owns great value in such applications as radio-frequency identification, wireless power transmission, millimetre-wave imaging etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shrubs create heterogeneity in resource availability, yet the influences of shrub age and size on these conditions in semiarid ecosystems is largely unknown. In order to inform restoration and conservation efforts in global shrub-steppe ecosystems that are currently imperiled, we assessed plant age-size relationships within an Artemisia tridentata stand in southern Idaho, USA, and examined the dependence of 2 resources, soil water content (SWC) and light at the soil surface (photosynthetically active radiation [PAR]), on size of individual plants in understory and interspace microsites. Results included a positive relationship between shrub age and size, a median shrub age of 19 years old, and shrub sizes that varied by more than 3 orders of magnitude (i.e., 0.001 m3 to 1 m3). Across this broad range in stand structure, PAR was significantly lower in understory than in interspace microsites, and it declined slightly with increasing shrub volume. Similarly, SWC declined faintly with shrub volume, but understory and interspace microsites did not differ. These findings indicate that resource heterogeneity created by shrubs is potentially dependent on shrub size within this ecosystem, and that variation in stand structure directly influenced resource heterogeneity between understory and interspace microsites. We suggest that routine monitoring of heterogeneity in stand structure could serve as a valuable indicator to assess site suitability for restoration activities and to make quantitative comparisons among sites to prioritize conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyruvate and creatine, energetics and antioxidant substances, can promote rumen fermentation and metabolism. This study aimed to evaluate the stress resistance and rumen fermentation effects of the compound creatine pyruvate (CrPyr) in diets for beef cattle under heat stress. Four Jinjiang steers fitted with permanent rumen cannulas were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design and fed a diet supplemented with CrPyr at 0, 20, 40, or 60 g/d. Heat stress was employed for 62 of 64 days. Supplementing with CrPyr elevated their levels of free triiodothyronine and triiodothyronine, superoxide dismutase activity, ruminal pH value, microbial crude protein concentration, crude fat digestibility, nitrogen intake, and levels of urine allantoin and total purine derivatives. It also reduced their levels of cortisol and corticosterone, malondialdehyde concentration, lactate dehydrogenase activity, and urine nitrogen excretion. In conclusion, CrPyr relieves the heat stress of beef cattle by improving antioxidant activity and rumen microbial protein synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose was to explore the sequence changes in ghrelin and GHSR in themTOR signaling pathway during carcinogenesis involving oral, potentially malignant disorders (OPMD). The samples were confirmed through in vivo pathologic tissue screening and diagnosis. The immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of the ghrelin/growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) protein. The expression of ghrelin, GHSR 1a, GHSR 1ß, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) RNA were detected by real-time PCR. The expression of ghrelin, GHSR, mTOR, and phosphorylated mTOR (phosphor-mTOR) protein were detected by Western blot. The expression of ghrelin/GHSR increased gradually in the dynamic process of OPMD carcinogenesis. There was a correlation between the increase in ghrelin, GHSR, mTOR, and phospho-mTOR. The in vivo expression of ghrelin/GHSR protein was the most apparent pathologic change from normal-to-mild, moderate, and severe dysplasia, and finally to the dynamic process from normal-to-mild-to-moderate dysplasia. The in vitro cell experiments based on QPCR results also proved that GHSR 1a functional receptor of ghrelin had a peak expression in LEUK-1 cells. In conclusioin, the close relationship between ghrelin and OPMD carcinogenesis can be used as a new biological target to assess the carcinogenesis of OPMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We perform a first-principles calculation to investigate the effect of a vacancy on the sliding of an iron (Fe) Σ5 (310) [001] tilt grain boundary (GB). We calculate vacancy formation energies in order to determine the site preference of the vacancy at the Fe GB. We show that vacancies can easily segregate to the GB region, which is attributed to special atomic configurations of the GB. We demonstrate that the maximal sliding energy barrier of the GB with a monovacancy is 2.78 J/m2, 15% lower than that of the vacancy-free GB, suggesting that the presence of vacancy at the GB increases the GB mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]