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The excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process involving dual hydrogen bond acceptors (HBAs) is of great interest in research and has significant potential for applications due to its flexible adjustability. In this work, the solvent polarity-dependent changes in structures, photophysical properties and ESIPT processes of 2-(2-hydroxy-3-hydroxyiminomethyl-5-methylphenyl)-benzimidazole (HHMB) with two asymmetric HBAs are investigated. Firstly, the orientation of intramolecular hydrogen bond (IHB) under different solvent polarities are explored. The computational results indicate that in non-polar solvents, the central hydroxyl group predominantly forms an IHB with the imine of the oxime group, resulting in large Stokes and near-infrared emission peaks. Conversely, in polar solvents, the central hydroxyl group links the imidazole group to form a stronger IHB with improved fluorescence efficiency. Additionally, the quantum chemical calculations are used to simulate the absorption–emission spectra and plot the frontier molecular orbitals, as well as the potential energy curves about ESIPT in different solvents. In conclusion, we elucidate the rationale behind the preferential formation of the biased IHBs and examine its impact on the ESIPT process by manipulating the solvent polarity. Theoretical studies on the dual HBAs molecule, exhibiting specific selectivity, pave the way for the development of higher-performance fluorescence probes and luminescent materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming to address the vibration noise problems on ships, we constructed a piezoelectric phononic crystal (PC) plate structure model, solved the governing equations of the structure using the partial differential equations module (PDE) in the finite element softwareCOMSOL6.1, and obtained the corresponding energy band structure, transmission curves, and vibration modal diagrams. The application of this method to probe the structural properties of two-dimensional piezoelectric PCs is described in detail. The calculation results obtained using this method were compared with the structures obtained using the traditional plane wave expansion method (PWE) and the finite element method (FE). The results were found to be in perfect agreement, which verified the feasibility of this method. To safely and effectively adjust the bandgap within a reasonable voltage range, this paper explored the order of magnitude of the plate thickness, the influence of the voltage on the bandgap, and the dependence between them. It was found that the smaller the order of magnitude of the plate thickness, the smaller the order of magnitude of the band in which the bandgap was located. The magnitude of the driving voltage that made the bandgap change became smaller accordingly. The new idea of attaching the PC plate to the conventional plate structure to achieve a vibration damping effect is also briefly introduced. Finally, the effects of lattice constant, plate width, and thickness on the bandgap were investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin lesion segmentation is a crucial step for skin lesion analysis and subsequent treatment. However, it is still a challenging task due to the irregular and fuzzy lesion borders, and the diversity of skin lesions. In this article, we propose Triple‐UNet, an organic combination of three UNet architectures with suitable modules, to automatically segment skin lesions. To enhance the target object region of the image, we design a region of interest enhancement module (ROIE) that uses the predicted score map of the first UNet. The enhanced image and the features learned by the first UNet help the second UNet obtain a better score map. Finally, the results are fine‐tuned by the third UNet. We evaluate our algorithm on a publicly available dataset of skin lesion segmentation. Experiments have shown that TripleUNet achieves an accuracy of 92.5% on the ISIC‐2018 skin lesion segmentation benchmark, with Dice and mIoU of 0.909 and 0.836, respectively, which outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of Bi 0. 8 Ba 0. 2 Fe 1 − x CoxO3 (x = 0. 0 0 , 0.05, 0.10, and 0.15) samples were synthesized using the tartaric acid modified sol–gel method. The crystal structure of the prepared samples was analyzed by XRD, and the samples co-doped with Ba and Co were all rhombohedral distorted structures with the R3c space group. With an increase in the doping amount, a reduction in lattice parameters was observed along with crystallite sizes consistently being below 62 nm. Mössbauer spectral analysis at room temperature reveals a good fit with two sextets and a doublet, all attributed to the Fe 3 + state. This suggests that the charge balance within the samples is maintained through the generation of oxygen vacancies in the system. The hysteresis loops of all samples revealed the weak ferromagnetic of the Co-doped Bi 0. 8 Ba 0. 2 FeO3 nanoparticles. With the increase in Co doping, the magnetic parameters such as saturation magnetization and coercive field significantly improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article considers the adaptive tracking control problem of a class of strict feedback nonlinear systems with unknown time‐varying parameters. Note that the recent adaptive method, that is, congelation of variables, is built upon the assumption that the known basis functions are zeros as zero states. To remove this assumption, a novel monotonically increasing function is designed to transform the output tracking error and the backstepping tracking errors into increasing forms, which is integrated into the congelation of variables to design the σ$$ \sigma $$‐modification adaptive tracking control law. It is noted that the proposed form of monotonically increasing function is general, which includes positive proportional functions, exponential functions, and logarithmic functions and so on. To yield the boundedness of increasing tracking errors, a barrier Lyapunov function is designed. The asymptotic convergence of the resulting adaptive tracking system is analyzed in detail. Simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional value of Clostridium autoethanogenum protein (CAP) as a sole protein source at different dietary protein levels by growth performance, health status, and intestinal microbiota of grass carp. Grass carp (4.56 ± 0.01 g) were randomly divided into 6 treatments in triplicate (30 fish per replicate) and fed with gradient protein level (24.45%, 27.31%, 31.82%, 35.79%, 38.64%, and 42.82%, respectively; named CAP1, CAP2, CAP3, CAP4, CAP5, and CAP6) diets for 8 weeks. Final body weight (FBW) and specific growth rate (SGR) were the significantly highest in the CAP4 group (P < 0.05). Based on SGR and feed efficiency (FE), the dietary protein requirement for juvenile grass carp was estimated to be 36.14–37.90%. CAP4 promoted hepatopancreatic health by reducing lipid deposition and structural lesions, and improved the anti-inflammatory ability by upregulating the relative expression level of il10 (P < 0.05). At the same time, the CAP4 improved the length of mucosal fold and the thickness of muscular layer. In addition, CAP4 can maintain the composition and metabolic function of intestinal microbiota and enhance the endocrine system and bacterial chemotaxis. However, it is worth noting that increasing CAP inclusion depressed hepatopancreatic antioxidant capacity. In conclusion, CAP is a promising novel protein source for grass carp, while careful consideration of its side effect at high inclusion level is deserved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the diagnosis and treatment of hemophilic children in China has significantly improved. However, oral health conditions, which affect quality of life, haven't received attention in this population. To explore the oral health status and oral hygiene of children and adolescents with hemophilia in the Children's Hemophilia Comprehensive Care Center of China. Dental and oral hygiene examinations were performed in children and adolescents with hemophilia who visited Beijing Children's Hospital. DMFT/dmft (decayed, missing, filled teeth in permanent and primary teeth) was assessed according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. The simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S) was used to evaluate the oral hygiene condition of the subjects. Questionnaires were completed by their parents. SPSS 21.0 was used for statistical analysis. A total of 114 children and adolescents were enrolled. The caries prevalence was 57.4%, 72.2% and 41.2% in primary, mixed and permanent dentitions respectively. The filling rates were 14.4%, 13.9%, and 11.4%, respectively, and the OHI-S scores of the three dentition groups were 1.49 ± 0.46, 1.57 ± 0.43, and 1.76 ± 0.46, respectively. A total of 103 valid questionnaires were collected. Sixty-nine children (67%) didn't brushed their teeth 2 times a day. Nearly half of the parents knew little about fluoride toothpaste. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that brushing teeth with the help of parents had a significant positive impact on OHI-S. Conclusion: Dental health was unsatisfactory among hemophilic children and adolescents. The caries filling rates were low. Patients and their parents did not give much attention to oral health. What is Known: • Caries and gingivitis are the two main oral diseases that affect children with hemophilia. • However, the oral health conditions of children and adolescents with hemophilia have not received much attention in China. What is New: • This is the first study concentrating on the dental health of children with hemophilia in China. • Dental health was unsatisfactory among children and adolescents with hemophilia in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the feasibility, safety and cost effectiveness of the use of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) in children with hemophilia A and inhibitors who underwent ITI treatment. This retrospective cohort study evaluated the effect of PICC placement and ITI on bleeding rates, costs, and parents' satisfaction before and within 6 months after PICC placement in children with hemophilia A and inhibitors. A total of 20 children with hemophilia A and high-titer inhibitors were included, with a success rate for PICC placement of 100%, at a cost of ¥6730.50. Parents' satisfaction with PICC was 100%, and the total length of catheter indwelling was 6055 days. In terms of curative effect, the success rate of ITI treatment was 75%, and the annualized bleeding rate was decreased from 10.90 ± 12.16 times before placement to 2.10 ± 3.32 times (p < 0.05). The transportation expense for children and their parents to the clinic decreased from ¥20,920 ± 32,274.57 before catheter placement to ¥2915 ± 2195.99 (p < 0.05). Time of children missed school and their parents missed work decreased from 10.85 ± 22.36 days to 1.90 ± 3.58 (p < 0.05) days and 40.33 ± 46.11 days to 3.83 ± 7.11 days (p < 0.05), respectively. The use of PICC for ITI treatment in children with hemophilia A and accompanying inhibitors in developing countries (e.g. China) can ensure the effect of ITI, reducing expense and improving the quality of life without obvious side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancers, but pan-cancer level roles of lipid metabolism in cancer development are remains poorly understood. We investigated the possible roles of lipid metabolic genes (LMGs) in 14 cancer types. The results indicate that: (1) there is strong evidence for increased lipid metabolism in THCA and KICH. (2) Although the overall levels of lipid metabolic processes are down-regulated in some cancer types, fatty acid synthase activity and fatty acid elongation are moderately up-regulated in more than half of the cancer types. Cholesterol synthesis is up-regulated in five cancers including KICH, BLCA, COAD, BRCA, UCEC, and THCA. (3) The catabolism of cholesterols, triglycerides and fatty acids is repressed in most cancers, but a specific form of lipid degradation, lipophagy, is activated in THCA and KICH. (4) Lipid storage is enhanced in in kidney cancers and thyroid cancer. (5) Similarly to primary tumors, metastatic tumors tend to up-regulate biosynthetic processes of diverse lipids, but down-regulate lipid catabolic processes, except lipophagy. (6) The frequently mutated lipid metabolic genes are not key LMGs. (7) We established a LMG-based model for predicting cancer prognosis. Our results are helpful in expanding our understanding of the role of lipid metabolism in cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobile charging devices (MCDs) have been regarded as a promising way to solve the energy shortage of wireless sensor networks. Due to ignoring some important factors, such as redundant sensor nodes, there is still room to improve network lifetimes. We propose a charging strategy for wireless sensor networks with one energy-limited MCD. To give the best support for sensor nodes which need charging the most, an algorithm is proposed to find the minimum sensor nodes which keep the coverage and connectivity of the network and have the least energy requirements. Then, the goal of maximizing network lifetime is changed into how to utilize the limited energy of the MCD to guarantee the minimum sensor nodes work as long as possible. If the MCD has enough energy for all sensor nodes, the charging algorithm is designed to minimize the outage time of the network and maximize charging efficiency. Otherwise, if the energy capacity is larger than the least energy requirement, the charging target minimizes the outage time of the minimum sensor node; otherwise the charging problem becomes maximizing the lifetime of minimum sensor nodes, which has lower complexity. The results of simulation experiments confirm that our scheme prolongs network lifetime and improves charging efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neurodevelopmental disorder with absent language and variable seizures (NEDALVS, # 618707) are characterized by delayed speech and motor development, ocular abnormalities, and seizures. NEDAVLS is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by de novo mutations in the wasp protein family member 1 (WASF1) gene. Case presentation: We identified a de novo nonsense variant c.1516 C > T (p.Arg506*) of WASF1 gene (NM_003931.3) in two pediatric female patients with delayed motor and language development. Conclusion: This case demonstrates the effective role of WES in the diagnosis of NEDALVS. To the best of our knowledge, this variant has not been reported in the Chinese population. This contributes to our further understanding of the disease and to research related to the genetic and clinical heterogeneity, the treatment and prognosis of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancers, but pan-cancer level roles of lipid metabolism in cancer development are remains poorly understood. We investigated the possible roles of lipid metabolic genes (LMGs) in 14 cancer types. The results indicate that: (1) there is strong evidence for increased lipid metabolism in THCA and KICH. (2) Although the overall levels of lipid metabolic processes are down-regulated in some cancer types, fatty acid synthase activity and fatty acid elongation are moderately up-regulated in more than half of the cancer types. Cholesterol synthesis is up-regulated in five cancers including KICH, BLCA, COAD, BRCA, UCEC, and THCA. (3) The catabolism of cholesterols, triglycerides and fatty acids is repressed in most cancers, but a specific form of lipid degradation, lipophagy, is activated in THCA and KICH. (4) Lipid storage is enhanced in in kidney cancers and thyroid cancer. (5) Similarly to primary tumors, metastatic tumors tend to up-regulate biosynthetic processes of diverse lipids, but down-regulate lipid catabolic processes, except lipophagy. (6) The frequently mutated lipid metabolic genes are not key LMGs. (7) We established a LMG-based model for predicting cancer prognosis. Our results are helpful in expanding our understanding of the role of lipid metabolism in cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For unimodal random variable S with fixed moments E S i = m i (i = 1 , 2 , ... , n) and mode m, a formula on variance of any functions of S is provided along the line of Khintchine transform. Upper bounds are derived on the variance of European call options and Gap options. The techniques are based on symmetrization, domination by quadratic functions of two variables and change of measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate amide proton transfer–weighted (APTw)–derived whole-tumor histogram analysis parameters in predicting pathological extramural venous invasion (pEMVI) positive status of rectal adenocarcinoma (RA). Methods: Preoperative MR including APTw imaging of 125 patients with RA (mean 61.4 ± 11.6 years) were retrospectively analyzed. Two radiologists reviewed each case's EMVI status based on the MR-based modified 5-point scale system with conventional MR images. The APTw histogram parameters of primary tumors were obtained automatically using whole-tumor volume histogram analysis. The independent risk factors markedly correlated with pEMVI-positive status were assessed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Diagnosis performance was assessed by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis. The AUCs were compared using the Delong method. Results: Univariate analysis demonstrated that MR-tumor (T) stage, MR-lymph node (N) stage, APTw-10%, APTw-90%, interquartile range, APTw-minimum, APTw-maximum, APTw-mean, APTw-median, entropy, kurtosis, mean absolute deviation (MAD), and robust MAD were significantly related to pEMVI-positive status (all p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that MR-T stage (OR = 4.864, p = 0.018), MR-N stage (OR = 4.967, p = 0.029), interquartile range (OR = 0.892, p = 0.037), APT-minimum (OR = 1.046, p = 0.031), entropy (OR = 11.604, p = 0.006), and kurtosis (OR = 1.505, p = 0.007) were the independent risk factors enabling prediction of pEMVI-positive status. The AUCs for diagnostic ability of conventional MRI assessment, the APTw histogram model, and the combined model (including APTw histogram and clinical variables) were 0.785, 0.853, and 0.918, respectively. The combined model outperformed the APTw histogram model (p = 0.013) and the conventional MRI assessment (p = 0.006). Conclusions: Whole-tumor histogram analysis of APTw images combined with clinical factors showed better diagnosis efficiency in predicting EMVI involvement in RA. Key Points: • Rectal adenocarcinomas with pEMVI-positive status are typically associated with higher APTw-SI values. • APTw-minimum, interquartile range, entropy, kurtosis, MR-T stage, and MR-N stage are the independent risk factors for EMVI involvement. • The best prediction for EMVI involvement was obtained with a combined model of APTw histogram and clinical variables (area under the curve, 0.918). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the deepening of China's aging population, higher demands have been placed on the supply of elderly care services. As one of the main sources of providing elderly care services, the quality of service provided by elderly caring social organizations (SOs) directly affects the quality of life of the elderly. In recent years, mental health issues among the elderly have become increasingly prominent, especially with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Necessitating the need to pay much more attention to the social support and mental health of this population. This study, therefore, explores the mediating role of institutional satisfaction between the social support and anxiety levels of elderly people in Chongqing's elderly caring SOs. Method: This study employed a multi-stage stratified random sampling method to survey 1004 service recipients in elderly caring social organizations from July to August 2022. The self-made sociodemographic questionnaire, institutional satisfaction questionnaire, MSPSS, and GAD-7 were used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, institutional satisfaction, social support, and anxiety levels of older adults. Exploratory Factor Analysis and Cronbach's alpha were used to test construct validity and scale reliability, respectively. Data features were described with One-Way Analysis of Variance, while Multiple Linear Regression and Structural Equation Modeling were used to evaluate relationships between social support, institutional satisfaction, and anxiety levels. Results: The average institutional satisfaction score for elderly people in elderly caring SOs was 48.14 ± 6.75. Specifically, the satisfaction score for environmental quality and the satisfaction score for service quality were 16.63 ± 2.56 and 31.52 ± 4.76, respectively. In terms of socio-demographic variables, the presence of visits from relatives, personal annual average income, and self-rated health status all have significant effects on anxiety. Elders who receive visits from relatives have lower levels of anxiety compared to those who do not. Personal annual average income and self-rated health status are negatively correlated with anxiety levels. Social support had significant positive effect on institutional satisfaction, while institutional satisfaction had significant negative effect on anxiety. Institutional satisfaction partially mediated the relationship between social support and anxiety. Conclusions: Our research demonstrates that improving the quality of organizational services in elderly caring SOs and increasing institutional satisfaction among the elders has significant potential for reducing anxiety levels among the elderly. Additionally, the social support by visits from family members cannot be overlooked. We encourage increasing the frequency of family visits through various means to enhance the support provided to elderly individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

210Pb and 210Po were used as tracers to determine the seasonal variations of residence times of aerosols (RTAs) in Shenzhen, China. The RTA for 210Pb/210Po aerosol particles ranged from 11.5 to 47.8 days (mean value of 25.3 ± 8.2 days), and it was lower in summer and higher in winter, meteorological conditions were considered the main factors affecting the RTA. The RTA was strongly affected by precipitation and was long under thermal inversions. In addition, the RTA calculated from the 210Po/210Pb ratio was strongly affected by old aerosols transported over long distances and the intrusion of upper atmospheric aerosols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four batches of Bi-2212 precursor powders prepared by both the co-precipitation method (CP) and the spray pyrolysis technology (SP) with two compositions (Bi:Sr:Ca:Cu = 2.17:1.94:0.89:2.00, 2.07:1.94:0.89:2.00) were obtained. The feature of the powder was firstly characterized. The faster phase evolution and lower melting temperature range (△T) of the precursor powder prepared by SP proved that Bi-2212 powder can be obtained by SP with both a higher preparation efficiency and better composition homogeneity. Then the current-carrying property and microstructure of these wires made from these powders were analyzed comprehensively. The property of the wires was proved to be influenced by the feature of these precursor powders a lot. Wires made by the precursor powder with the better composition homogeneity and higher phase purity were confirmed to hold a larger processing window (Tp). In addition, the decrease of the planar size of Bi-2212 crystals was discovered to improve both the machining homogeneity and texture of the wire. What's more, both the better composition homogeneity of the precursor powder and the larger width of Bi-2212 crystals were found to improve both the interior texture and connectivity of Bi-2212 filaments. For the first time, the article provided quite specific directions to improve the quality of the precursor powder so as to both broaden Tp and enhance the current-carrying property of Bi-2212 wires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research shows that scar tissue formed in the injured area after spinal cord injury blocks nerve regeneration and functional recovery. However, those researchers tried to prevent the formation of scar after spinal cord injury to promote nerve regeneration, but it ran counter to their desire, indicating that the formation of scar might play a role in functional recovery after spinal cord injury. To investigate roles of scar formation on functional repair after spinal cord injury, we selected several different key time points to resect the scar tissue formed after spinal cord injury based on the rat models of the T8-T9 transection injury of spinal cord. First, the recovery of motor function was evaluated by Basso Beattie Bresnahan score and electrophysiologic examination; second, the pathologic features of functional recovery were analyzed mainly by immunofluorescence βⅢ-tubulin staining; finally, the genes related to the recovery of motor function were predicted by high-throughput sequencing analysis. Immunofluorescence results showed that the resection of scar tissue promoted significantly the recovery of motor function and the expression of βⅢ-tubulin in the injured area in the second week after spinal cord injury. Furthermore, RNA-seq studies showed that Tubb3 and Tubb6 gene expression and other neural regeneration pathways were significantly different in the tissue before and after early resection. Excision of scar tissue in the second week promoted nerve regeneration after spinal cord injury. Tubb3 and Tubb6 genes might be the potential targets for spinal cord injury therapy in our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is unavoidable that there will be liquid accumulation in the low-lying areas of the pipelines during the operation of wet gas pipelines. The existence of liquid accumulation can generate a variety of safety issues and, in extreme circumstances, accidents. The accurate calculation of liquid holdup in gas-liquid two-phase flow is of great significance for the study of flow pattern identification, pressure drop calculation, pigging cycle determination, hydrate prediction, wax deposition prediction, pipeline corrosion evaluation and prediction, and transportation efficiency calculation of gas pipelines. Therefore, it is crucial to predict the liquid holdup of wet gas pipelines. 2141 independent experimental data samples were collected and screened out from literatures. Based on the gray theory, gray relation analysis was carried out on the influencing factors of liquid holdup, and the factors with greater influence were selected as the influencing variables; the liquid holdup prediction model based on tuna swarm algorithm optimized BP neural network was established, with pipe diameter, inclination angle, apparent gas velocity, apparent liquid velocity, average temperature, average pressure, and liquid viscosity as input parameters, and liquid holdup as output parameter. Liquid holdup was predicted for upward inclined, downward inclined, and horizontal pipelines respectively. The results show that the prediction model of liquid holdup established in this paper has high accuracy, with the MAPE value of 5.3223%, RMSE value of 0.0213, and R2 value of 0.9924 for upward inclined pipelines; the MAPE value of 10.1859%, RMSE value of 0.0174, and R2 value of 0.9922 for downward inclined pipelines; the MAPE value of 4.8037%, RMSE value of 0.0113, and R2 value of 0.9974 for horizontal pipelines. The predicted results are generally stable and have a wider scope of application, providing a new idea and approach for predicting the liquid holdup of wet gas pipelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ultrasound‐guided quadratus lumborum block (QLB) is considered a novel nerve block for postoperative pain control. However, its efficacy after urological surgery remains unclear. Objectives: The purpose of the current meta‐analysis was to evaluate the effects of the QLB block versus control (placebo or no injection) on postoperative pain and other adverse outcomes after urological surgery, providing extensive evidence of whether quadratus lumborum block is suitable for pain management after urological surgery. Study design: Systematic review with meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials. Methods: We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov to collect studies investigating the effects of QLB on analgesia after urological surgery. The primary outcomes included visual analog scale (VAS) at rest and during movement, 24‐h postoperative morphine consumption, and the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Results: Overall, 13 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were reviewed, including 751 patients who underwent urological surgery. The QLB group exhibited a lower VAS score postoperatively at rest or on movement at 0, 6, 12, and 24 h, with less 24‐h postoperative morphine consumption and lower incidence of PONV. Limitations: Although the result is stable, heterogeneity exists in the current research. Conclusions: QLB exhibited a favorable effect of postoperative analgesia with reduced postoperative complications at rest or during movement after urological surgery. However, it is still a novel technology at a primary stage, which needs further research to develop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chromatin architecture is orchestrated, and plays crucial roles during the developmental process by regulating gene expression. In embryonic stem cells (ESCs), three types of chromatin states, including active, repressive and poised states, were previously identified and characterized with specific chromatin modification marks and different transcription activity, but it is largely unknown how nucleosomes are organized in these chromatin states. In this study, by using a DNA deformation energy model, we investigated the sequence-dependent nucleosome organization within the chromatin states in mouse ESCs. The results revealed that: (1) compared with poised genes, active genes are characterized with a higher level of nucleosome occupancy around their transcription start sites (TSS) and transcription termination sites (TTS), and both types of genes do not have a nucleosome-depleted region at their TTS, contrasting with the MNase-seq based result; (2) based on our previous DNA bending energy model, we developed an improved model capable of predicting both rotational positioning and nucleosome occupancy determined by a chemical mapping approach; (3) DNA bending-energy-based analyses demonstrated that the fragile nucleosomes positioned at both gene ends could be explained largely by enhanced rotational positioning signals encoded in DNA, but nucleosome phasing around the TSS of active genes was not determined by sequence preference; (4) the nucleosome occupancy landscape around the binding sites of some developmentally important transcription factors known to bind with different chromatin contexts, was also successfully predicted; (5) the difference of nucleosome occupancy around the TSS between CpG-rich and CpG-poor promoters was partly captured by our sequence-dependent model. Taken together, by developing an improved deformation-energy-based model, we revealed some sequence-dependent properties of the nucleosome arrangements in regions of distinct chromatin states in mouse ESCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A highly sensitive constraint strain sensor is developed for LIB state monitoring. • The sensor can produce instant response reflecting the cell capacity, and offer timely warning signal once the cell is overcharged/overdischarged. • The non-uniform strain distribution and the near-zero Poisson's ratio result in the superior sensing performance. • Battery temperature variation causes no interference on the sensor. Battery state monitoring is crucial for safe operation and efficient management of lithium-ion battery (LIB) systems, but early stage of timely and accurate diagnosis remains challenging. Herein, we propose to utilize a highly sensitive stretchable strain sensor to in-situ monitor the slight strain variation of cells during charge and discharge, through which the state of the battery can be accurately reflected. The high sensing capability is realized by tailoring the Poisson's ratio of low-modulus conductive fiber mats through a facile constraint manner. The non-uniform strain distribution together with the near-zero Poisson's ratio synergistically result in the superior sensing performance, including ultralow strain detection limit (0.006%), high strain sensitivity particularly under small strains (gauge factor of 116.1 between 0 and 2% strain), and high strain resolution under large deformations. When being practically utilized for LIB monitoring, the constraint fiber mat sensor can produce instant resistance response reflecting the cell capacity, and offer timely warning signal once the cell is overcharged or overdischarged. The developed stretchable strain sensor possesses comprehensive advantages of low mechanical constraint, tailorable small size, easy integration and conformality to cells, and little temperature interference, which would serve as a promising candidate for future battery state analysis and safety monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Development of haemophilia B inhibitors (HBI) results in the ineffectiveness of FIX replacement therapy. Inhibitor eradication by immune tolerance induction (ITI) is therefore necessary. In HBI, ITI even at high FIX dose is less effective and has a higher risk of severe complications. Aim: To characterize clinical features and outcome of ITI on HBI. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in Haemophilia Paediatric Comprehensive Care Centre of China. We used low‐dose ITI (25–50 FIX IU/kg/three‐times‐weekly to every‐other‐day) with domestic prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC), combined with two successive immunosuppressive (IS) regimens. Results: Sixteen HBI children, representing 5.7% of all and 14.4% of our severe registered HB patients, were enroled. Seven cases reported allergic reactions (ARs) proximal to inhibitor development. The historic peak inhibitor titre was median 54.2 (range 4.7–512) BU, and 15 (93.8%) had high‐titre inhibitors. Twelve patients adherent to ITI were analysable. Of the nine ITI patients who received rituximab/prednisone (IS Regimen‐1), four achieved tolerization in 1.4–43.3 months. Two subsequently relapsed but re‐tolerized after a second course of IS Regimen‐1. During ITI, the median treated bleed was.39/month (82.7% reduction from before ITI), and the incidence of AR and nephrotic syndrome (NS) complications was each at 22% (2/9). Three ITI patients received modified 'Beutel' protocol (IS Regimen‐2) using multiple‐IS‐drugs, and two had rapid tolerization (.8 and 1.8 months). Conclusions: Inhibitor eradication could be achieved by low‐dose ITI protocol using PCC combined with IS. Larger studies are needed to confirm if ITI with IS Regimen‐2 is more effective with less complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With bio‐integrated electronics booming, stretchable, elastic, compliance, and biocompatible elastomers attract immense research interest due to their potential to integrate with electronic devices and soft tissues. In this work, a double network skin‐like elastomer based on hydrophobic‐polyacrylamide/silk fibroin (HSF) is synthesized. The addition of the fibroin in polyacrylamide hydrogel significantly improves its stretchability, resilience, and tear resistance. Specifically, the HSF elastomer demonstrates a tensile strain as high as 1000% with the corresponding tensile stress of 0.27 MPa and great resilience (550 cycles). Based on such HSF, a hybrid mechanoreceptor sensor is fabricated, which can simultaneously implement slow adaptive and fast adaptive pulses like human skin. This device realizes the detection of a variety of human movements such as joint movement, vocalization, or pulse and high‐frequency vibration signal recognition, which demonstrates its potential applications in bio‐integrated electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To the Editor, We read the recent study (Chen et al. [2]) on predicting metastasis at the initial diagnosis and assessing the effectiveness of radiotherapy in patients with metastatic osteosarcoma with great interest. Furthermore, distinguishing between palliative and non-palliative radiotherapy can help determine the treatment intent and the goals of therapy, which are important factors in managing osteosarcoma patients with metastasis. Furthermore, the study explored the effectiveness of radiotherapy in metastatic osteosarcoma patients, offering valuable guidance to healthcare professionals in determining the most suitable treatment approach for individual patients. [Extracted from the article]

Allergic reactions to FIX have been associated with nephrotic syndrome and poor ITI outcome.3 Both our cases did, with case 2 having allergic reactions simultaneously with inhibitor development. This is consistent with previous observations that NS development was closely related to a significant decline in inhibitor titre.2 Interestingly, the NS in case 2 was preceded by a second allergic reactions to the ITI regimen and in case 1 by a fluctuation of inhibitor titres during ITI-rituximab. Patients with haemophilia B (HB) may develop factor IX (FIX) inhibitors with a cumulative incidence of 10.2% following FIX replacement therapy by 500 exposure days.1 In 50-60% cases, occurrence of severe allergic reactions may precede or occur simultaneously with the inhibitor development.2 The propensity for FIX to induce allergic reactions (compared to FVIII) may be related to the extravascular distribution of the smaller FIX molecules.3 Immune tolerance induction (ITI) therapy to eradicate FIX inhibitors has a poor success rate of only 13-31%.2,4 There is also a risk of developing nephrotic syndrome (NS) in 17-33% cases. Nephrotic syndrome in two haemophilia B children with inhibitor under low-dose immune tolerance induction combined with rituximab-based immunosuppressant protocol. [Extracted from the article]

• ·A polyphosphoronitrile based multifunctional microsphere TH was synthesized. • ·TH enhanced the ionic conductivity and flame retardancy of PEO-based SSE. • ·NCM811//TH-PEO/PE//Li cells showed excellent high-voltage cycling stability. • ·All-solid-state pouch lithium metal cells exhibited excellent fire safety performance. The development of all-solid-state polymer electrolytes (ASSPE) based on poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) is facing a series of challenges, such as poor ionic conductivity, low Li+ transference number, flammability, and the limited electrochemical windows of 4 V. Herein, we report our recent effort to meet these challenges by introducing flame retardant microspheres (TH) into PEO-based ASSPE to form stable solid cathode electrolyte interface (CEI) films and enhance safety performance. TH is constructed by reacting tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBA) with hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCCP). With the presence of only 5 wt% TH, the LiNi 0.8 Mn 0.1 Co 0.1 O 2 (NCM811)//Li cell achieves a high capacity retention rate of 77.61 % after 100 cycles at the cutoff voltage of 4.3 V and 0.5C, and achieves a capacity retention of 75.7 % at the voltage range of 3–4.5 V after 50 cycles at 0.5C. In addition, the PEO-based ASSPE with TH (TH-PEO/PE) shows excellent flame retardancy, which endows the NCM811//Li pouch cell with good resistance to fire and mechanical abuse. This simple process is compatible with the existing production lines in the battery industry, which exhibits enormous promise in manufacturing commercialized all-solid-state lithium metal batteries (ASSLMBs) with high energy density and safety capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sm Fe 1 − x Mn x O 3 (x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.3) polycrystalline powder samples were prepared by sol-gel method, and the obtained samples were all orthorhombic structures with Pbnm space group. Mössbauer spectroscopy at room temperature confirmed the +3 oxidation state of iron. All samples were fitted by sextet spectra, indicating that the samples are magnetically ordered at room temperature. The zero-field-cooled and field-cooled curves of Sm Fe 0.9 Mn 0.1 O 3 sample show a reverse crossover trend at 5 K，and the magnetization is significantly enhanced after reaching the spin-switching transition temperature (T ssw ∼285 K). Sm Fe 0.7 Mn 0.3 O 3 sample exhibits a second-order spin-reorientation transition in the temperature range of 236–281 K. Rare-earth Sm ions underwent a spin-ordered transition from a paramagnetic state to an antiferromagnetic state at around 8 K. Due to the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya antisymmetric interaction, the M − H curves of the sample at 5 K and 300 K both exhibit weak ferromagnetism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass plays an important role for the enzymatic hydrolysis. In this study, a nitrogen-fixing and lignin-degrading strain of bacteria was isolated from an abandoned termite colony. Then, it was identified and named as R. ornithinolytica RS-1. To improve the degradation and enzymatic saccharification in corn stover, we used pretreatment with strain RS-1 to deplete the lignin, combined with a 2.5% mild NaOH pretreatment to further deplete the hemicellulose. After only seven days, lignin was degraded by the bacteria RS-1 with a 19% decrease, while the relative content of cellulose increased with 21%. Furthermore, the corn stover cellulose conversion was up to 48.58% by a two-stage process with 2.5% NaOH pretreatment. Meanwhile, significant lignin and hemicellulose removal were observed. Manganese peroxidase activity was highest on Day 3 with the value 181.0256 U/L and lignin peroxidase activity was highest on Day 5 with the value 37.473 U/L, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses showed significant chemical structural changes after the combined pretreatment. Therefore, strain RS-1 provided an efficient strategy to enhance the enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency by pretreatment of corn stover. A nitrogen-fixing and lignin-degrading bacteria R. ornithinolytica RS-1was isolated successfully. Lignin in corn stover was selectively and effectively degraded in merely seven days. A relatively high cellulose conversion yield (48.58%) of corn stover was obtained. Glucose yield of two-stage pretreated corn stover was up to 360.74 µg/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents an elaborate study of the effect in the structural and magnetic of BiFe 1 − x Zn x O 3 (x = 0 , 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25) multiferroic materials, synthesized via a sol-gel auto-combustion method. The synthesized materials are found to have structural distortion in the rhombohedral R3c structure as observed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Other diffraction peaks were attributed to the second phase Bi 2 5 FeO 4 0 . The Mossbauer spectra (MS) of BiFe 1 − x Zn x O 3 (x = 0 , 0.05, 0.10, 0.15) are fitted with a sextet and a doublet, and the presence of doublet also indicates the Bi 2 5 FeO 4 0 phase. The results from XRD and MS both show that Zn-substituted BiFeO3 suffers adverse effects on the formation of pure BiFeO3. BiFe 1 − x Zn x O 3 (x = 0. 2 0 , 0.25) are fitted with only one paramagnetic doublet. The absence of sextet means that there is a magnetic destruction of samples on account of a thorough phase transition from a magnetic phase to a non-magnetic phase and/or successful ion substitution (iron ions were replaced with zinc ions). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The superhydrophobic cellulose nanofiber aerogels were prepared via sol-gel and subsequent freeze-drying with cellulose nanofibers as raw materials and perfluorohexyl ethyl trimethoxysilane and 3-aminopropyl trimethoxysilane as modifying monomers. The effect of volume ratio and total dosage of the two modifying monomers on the superhydrophobic properties was investigated, and the property variations of the cellulose nanofibers before and after modification were also characterized by FT-IR, XRD, TGA, SEM, XPS, and laser flash diffusivity apparatus. The results showed that the modifying monomers were successfully grafted onto cellulose nanofibers, and the prepared modified cellulose nanofiber aerogels had higher thermal stability. After modification, a micron-level arrayed three-dimensional grid superhydrophobic surface structure was constructed, and the surface energy was reduced. The prepared aerogels exhibited superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle up to 151° and excellent thermal insulation performance with a thermal conductivity of 0.035 W·m−1·K−1, which displayed promising application potential in the field of thermal insulation and waterproof materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to explore the influence of internal water on the seismic response of hydraulic tunnel, the combined mechanical analysis models of multimaterial including surrounding rock, lining structure, and internal water are built. Based on the explicit central difference method, the dynamic finite element analysis methods for rock, lining, and water are discussed, respectively. The dynamic contact force method is used to simulate the rock-lining contact interaction, and the arbitrary Lagrange-Euler (ALE) method is used to simulate the lining-water coupling interaction. Then a numerical simulation analysis method for combined seismic response of rock-lining-water system in hydraulic tunnel is proposed, and the detailed solving steps are given. This method is used to study the seismic stability characteristics of the water diversion tunnel in a hydropower station, and the displacement, stress, and damage failure characteristics of the lining structure under the conditions of no water, static water, and dynamic water are comparatively analyzed. The results show that the hydrostatic pressure restricts the seismic response of the lining, while the hydrodynamic pressure exacerbates its seismic response and leads to damage, separation, and slip failure appearing on the haunch, which can provide a scientific reference for the seismic design of hydraulic tunnel with high water head and large diameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the problem of Reinforcement Learning from Demonstrations (RLfD), where the agent has access to not only reward signals from the environment, but also some available expert demonstrations. Recent works absorb ingredients from imitation learning and utilize demonstration data as reward reshaping. Despite their success, these methods update policy over these states seen in the demonstration data, in the same way as other states in the state space, overlooking the validity of direct supervision signals on these states. To address this issue, we propose a novel RLfD objective function with a new shaping reward, by optimizing which can directly leverage the supervision signal on these demonstrated states. We propose a general framework for policy optimization of the proposed objective, with convergence guarantees under the classic tabular setting. Based on that, we further make some approximations based on deep neural networks, and then introduce a new practical algorithm, called Demonstration Actor Critic (DAC) in large continuous domains. Extensive experiments on a range of popular benchmark sparse-reward tasks show that our method can lead to significant performance gains over several strong and off-the-shelf baselines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a deformation energy model for predicting nucleosome positioning, in which a position-dependent structural parameter set derived from crystal structures of nucleosomes was used to calculate the DNA deformation energy. The model is successful in predicting nucleosome occupancy genome-wide in budding yeast, nucleosome free energy, and rotational positioning of nucleosomes. Our model also indicates that the genomic regions underlying the MNase-sensitive nucleosomes in budding yeast have high deformation energy and, consequently, low nucleosome-forming ability, while the MNase-sensitive non-histone particles are characterized by much lower DNA deformation energy and high nucleosome preference. In addition, we also revealed that remodelers, SNF2 and RSC8, are likely to act in chromatin remodeling by binding to broad nucleosome-depleted regions that are intrinsically favorable for nucleosome positioning. Our data support the important role of position-dependent physical properties of DNA in nucleosome positioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Synthesized new benzoxazole-based side-chain liquid crystal polymers (LCP-x) and ionomers (LCI-x). • Both LCP-x and LCI-x display enantiotropic smectic mesophase and high thermal stability. • LCI-x membranes exhibit high thermal stability, good mechanical properties and high ion conductivity. • The liquid crystal ionomers LCI-x show a high potential for application as polymer electrolyte membrane. A new heterocyclic mesogenic compound, 6-[4-(5-chloro-2-benzoxazolyl)phenoxy]-hexanethiol (CBPHT), is designed and synthesized, which shows an enantiotropic SmC mesophase with the liquid crystal phase ranges of 5.67 °C and 22.99 °C on heating and cooling, respectively. The CBPHT-based side-chain liquid crystal polymers (LCP-x) are obtained via a nucleophilic substitution between CBPHT and polyepichlorohydrin, and also shows an enantiotropic SmC mesophase with narrow temperature range. Furthermore, novel side-chain liquid crystal ionomers (LCI-x) with enantiotropic SmC mesophase are prepared via quaternization of N-methylimidazole with LCP-x, where polyepichlorohydrin, CBPHT and methylimidazolium chloride act as polymer main-chain, mesogenic side-chain, and ionic group, respectively. In addition, LCI-x membranes can be fabricated via a solution casting method, and exhibit high thermal stability, good mechanical properties and high ion conductivity. For example, LCI-0.20 with a low ion exchange capacity of 0.12 mequiv. g−1 has a large elongation at break (385 %) and a high chloride ion conductivity (20.68 mS cm−1), indicating a high potential for application as polymer electrolyte membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the 21st century, cardiovascular disease (CVD) has become one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The prevention and treatment of CVD remain pressing scientific issues. Several recent studies have suggested that ferroptosis may play a key role in CVD. Most studies conducted thus far on ferroptosis and CVD have supported the link. Ferroptosis mediated by different signaling and metabolic pathways can lead to ischemic heart disease, myocarditis, heart failure, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and cardiomyopathy. Still, the specific mechanism of ferroptosis in CVD, the particular organ areas affected, and the stage of disease involved need to be further studied. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms regulating ferroptosis in CVD may improve disease management. Throughout this review, we summarized the mechanism of ferroptosis and its effect on the pathogenesis of CVD. We also predicted and discussed future research directions, aiming to provide new ideas and strategies for preventing and treating CVD. [Display omitted] • Ferroptosis is a new risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). • The pathogenesis of CVD is complex and involves multiple cell death types. • Ferroptosis is closely related to other types of programmed cell death. • Targeting ferroptosis is a potential strategy for preventing and treating CVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the acceleration performance and stability of the four-wheel independent drive (4WID) electric vehicle on low-adhesion road, a fuzzy control that doesn't depend on accurate vehicle models is proposed. Taking the driving torque of one side wheel as a reference the slip rate is controlled by controlling the torque errors between the left and right wheels to a certain range. Carsim-Simulink co-simulation is used to analyze the acceleration stability of 4WID electric vehicle on low-adhesion road and μ -split road. The simulation results show that the wheel slip rate can be controlled within a reasonable range through proposed method, and the stability and safety of the vehicle can be effectively improved on the basis of ensuring the power performance of the vehicle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In this paper, the problem of adaptive fuzzy finite‐time consensus tracking control for multiple Euler‐Lagrange systems (ELSs) with uncertain dynamics and unknown control directions (UCDs) is investigated. The computational complexity problem in conventional backstepping is avoided by using finite‐time command filter (FTCF), and the error in the filtering process is eliminated through error compensation signals. The fuzzy logic system combined with the adaptive control technique is applied to approximate and estimate the unknown nonlinear dynamics of ELS. The Nussbaum function‐based continuous and nonsmooth input control torque is established to eliminate the influence of UCDs, and the proposed control scheme can guarantee the consensus tracking errors converge to the desired neighborhood of the origin within a finite time. Numerical simulation is used to test the effectiveness of the given algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Series of heterocyclic compounds containing ethynyl group, 2-[4-[2-[4-(alkoxy)phenyl]ethynyl]phenyl] -benzoxazole derivatives (nPEPBx), are prepared and investigated. They display enantiotropic nematic and smectic mesophases with large mesophase ranges of 30–133°C (heating) and 31–141°C (cooling). Compared with reference analogues without ethynyl group, the compounds nPEPBx roughly give lower melting points and much higher nematic mesophase stability because of the introduction of triple carbon-carbon bond. Meanwhile, they show much higher birefringence (Δn, 0.50–0.65 and 0.55–0.68 for experimental and calculated values with density functional theory (DFT), respectively) than common tolane-based liquid crystals, which indicates that the introduction of benzoxazole unit is an effective method to enhance Δn values of the rod-like molecule. It is concluded that nPEPBx has a potential application in liquid crystal mixture as a dopant to enhance the performance of the host mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to assess the relative bioavailability of selenium (Se) as Se yeast (SY) relative to sodium selenite (SS) for broilers fed a conventional corn–soybean meal diet. A total of 360 one‐d‐old Arbor Acres commercial broilers were randomly assigned to 5 treatments with 6 replicates per treatment in a completely randomized design involving a 2 (Se sources: SY and SS) × 2 (added Se levels: 0.20 and 0.40 mg Se/kg) factorial design of treatments plus 1 (a Se‐unsupplemented control diet) for 42 days. The results showed that Se concentrations in plasma, liver, heart, breast muscle, pancreas and kidney of broilers on d 21 and 42, glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activity in the pancreas on d 21 as well as in the breast muscle and pancreas on d 42, and GSH‐Px mRNA levels in the liver, heart, breast muscle and pancreas on d 21 increased linearly (p <.03) as levels of added Se increased. Furthermore, a difference (p ≤.05) between SY and SS was detected for Se concentrations in plasma, liver, heart, breast muscle, pancreas and kidney, GSH‐Px activity in pancreas on both d 21 and 42, as well as pancreatic GSH‐Px mRNA level on d 21. Based on slope ratios from the multiple linear regressions of the above indices, the Se bioavailabilities of SY relative to SS (100%) were 111%–394% (p ≤.05) when calculated from the Se concentrations in plasma, liver, heart, breast muscle, pancreas, kidney and GSH‐Px activities in pancreas on d 21 and 42, as well as GSH‐Px mRNA level in pancreas on d 21. The results from this study indicated that the Se from SY was more available for enhancing the Se concentrations in plasma or tissues and the expression and activity of GSH‐Px in pancreas of broilers than the Se from SS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents the results of BiFeO3 and Bi0.9Eu0.1FeO3 multiferroic materials, synthesized via a simple solid-phase reaction method. Both of the synthesized materials were in the rhombohedral R3c structure as observed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The presence of a doublet along with a sextet in Mossbauer spectra indicates an impurity phase (Bi2Fe4O9). The presence of Fe2+ ions are confirmed from Mossbauer spectroscopy study in the Bi0.9Eu0.1FeO3 sample. And the Bi0.9Eu0.1FeO3 exhibited a slight lattice distortion, observable from the results of XRD and Mossbauer spectra. We can conclude that growing of crystal homogeneity of Bi0.9Eu0.1FeO3 is better than BiFeO3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have identified various factors associated with the outcomes of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) but considered only 1 or 2 predictive factors. The present study aimed to use outcome-related factors derived from biochemical, imaging and clinical data to establish a logistic regression model that can predict the outcome of patients with AIS following endovascular treatment (EVT). The data of 118 patients with anterior circulation AIS (ACAIS) who underwent EVT between October 2014 and August 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on the modified Rankin Scale score at three months after surgery, where 0–2 points were considered to indicate a favorable outcome and 3–6 points were considered a poor outcome. Non-conditional logistic stepwise regression was used to identify independent variables that were significantly associated with patient outcome, which were subsequently used to establish a predictive statistical model, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to show the performance of statistical model and analyze the specific association between each factor and outcome. Among the 118 patients, 47 (39.83%) exhibited a good and 71 (60.17%) exhibited a poor outcome. Multivariate analysis revealed that the predictive model was statistically significant (χ2=78.92; P<0.001), and that the predictive accuracy of the model was 83.1%, which was higher compared with that obtained using only a single factor. ROC curve analysis shows the area under curve of the statistical model was 0.823, the analysis of diagnostic threshold for prognostic factors indicated that age, diffusion-weighted imaging lesion volume, glucose on admission, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score on admission and hypersensitive C-reactive protein were valuable predictive factors for the outcome of EVT (P<0.05). In conclusion, a predictive model based on non-conditional logistic stepwise regression analysis was able to predict the outcome of EVT for patients with ACAIS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nucleosome is the fundamental structural unit of eukaryotic chromatin and plays an essential role in the epigenetic regulation of cellular processes, such as DNA replication, recombination, and transcription. Hence, it is important to identify nucleosome positions in the genome. Our previous model based on DNA deformation energy, in which a set of DNA physical descriptors was used, performed well in predicting nucleosome dyad positions and occupancy. In this study, we established a machine-learning model for predicting nucleosome occupancy in order to further verify the physical descriptors. Results showed that (1) our model outperformed several other sequence compositional information-based models, indicating a stronger dependence of nucleosome positioning on DNA physical properties; (2) nucleosome-enriched and -depleted regions have distinct features in terms of DNA physical descriptors like sequence-dependent flexibility and equilibrium structure parameters; (3) gene transcription start sites and termination sites can be well characterized with the distribution patterns of the physical descriptors, indicating the regulatory role of DNA physical properties in gene transcription. In addition, we developed a web server for the model, which is freely accessible at http://lin-group.cn/server/iNuc-force/. • We developed a machine-learning model for predicting nucleosome occupancy. • DNA physical descriptors outperformed sequence compositional information. • A freely accessible web server for the model was developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of dexmedetomidine-assisted general anesthesia on early postoperative cognitive dysfunctions in elderly patients with colorectal cancer was explored. In total, 140 patients with radical colorectal cancer under general anesthesia from March 2012 to June 2015 were enrolled in the Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, including 80 patients in the dexmedetomidine group and 60 patients in the saline group. Surgery conditions were recorded, and the incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) and cognitive function score (MMSE score) were compared between the two groups. Serum levels of S-100β protein (S-100β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The anesthesia time and intraoperative blood loss in the experiment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The MMSE scores of the two groups on the 1st and 3rd day after surgery were lower than those before surgery (P<0.05). The incidence rates of the experiment group were significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). The levels of serum IL-6 and S-100β were increased on the 1st and 3rd day after surgery compared with those before surgery (P<0.05). The levels of serum IL-6 and S-100β in the control group were significantly higher than those in the experiment group on the 1st and 3rd day after surgery (P<0.05). Age, duration of anesthesia, intraoperative blood loss, expression of IL-6 and S-100β were the influencing factors of POCD. Age ≥70 years, anesthesia duration ≥3 h, intraoperative blood loss ≥350 ml, and high expression of IL-6 and S-100β was an important factor related to the occurrence (P<0.05). Dexmedetomidine can significantly improve postoperative cognitive dysfunction in elderly patients with colorectal cancer, and the occurrence of cognitive dysfunction can be affected by age, duration of anesthesia, intraoperative blood loss and the high expression of IL-6 and S-100β. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrothermohydrodynamic flow of dielectric liquid in a square cavity driven by the simultaneous action of Coulomb and buoyancy forces is studied numerically. A high resolution upwind scheme is applied to study the flow bifurcations and heat transfer. We focus on the strong injection case with the nondimensional injection parameter C fixed at C = 10. Two Prandtl numbers Pr = 1 and Pr = 10, two Rayleigh numbers Ra = 105 and Ra = 106, as well as two mobility numbers M = 10 and M = 20 are considered to evaluate the dependence of flow structure and heat transfer on these parameters. Multistates are found to coexist in a wide range of parameter regimes. Various flow patterns such as one-cell, two-cell, four-cell, and multicell flow are observed. The electric field is found to enhance heat transfer more efficiently for large Prandtl number fluid at low mobility parameter and relatively low Rayleigh number. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two experiments were conducted to estimate standardized mineral (Ca, P, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) availabilities (SMA) in commonly used feedstuffs and verify the additivity of SMA for diet formulation of broilers. In Exp. 1, after 3 d of acclimation, a total of 96 22-d-old Arbor Acres male broilers were fasted for 24 h. Then the broilers were fed a mineral-free, corn, soybean meal (SBM), or corn-soybean meal (C-SBM) diet for 4 h and the excreta samples were collected for 48 h after feed withdrawal (totally 52 h). The results showed that the endogenous losses of Ca, P, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn for chickens fed the mineral-free diet were 13.7, 113, 0.064, 0.593, 0.094, and 0.132 mg/52 h per bird, respectively. The standardized availability values of Ca, P, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn were 20.8%, 39.6%, 37.8%, 47.4%, 10.7%, and 45.2% in corn as well as 54.3%, 51.1%, 39.7%, 27.6%, 26.1%, and 51.0% in SBM, respectively. The determined values of SMA in C-SBM diet were close (P > 0.09) to the predicted summations of SMA from corn and SBM (Ca, 48.6% vs. 48.1%; P, 44.9% vs. 46.0%; Cu, 41.7% vs. 39.1%; Fe, 35.3% vs. 33.2%; Mn, 22.7% vs. 22.2%; Zn, 46.2% vs. 48.4%). In Exp. 2, a total of 144 22-d-old Arbor Acres male broilers were used to estimate the SMA values in 6 feedstuffs by using the above procedure. The results showed that the standardized availability values in wheat, wheat bran, corn distillers dried grains with solubles, cottonseed meal, rapeseed meal, and corn gluten meal diets were 24.7% to 55.8% for Ca, 35.6% to 46.6% for P, 24.5% to 45.7% for Cu, 21.6% to 43.5% for Fe, 9.3% to 34.5% for Mn, and 22.9% to 52.9% for Zn, respectively. The results from the present study indicated that the mineral-free diet could be used for estimating the endogenous losses of the above minerals and SMA values of feedstuffs for broilers, and the estimates of SMA in feedstuffs for the C-SBM diet formulation were additive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The fracture calibration injection falloff test, also known as mini-frac and diagnostic fracture injection test (DFIT), is widely used to quantify essential input parameters for the following main fracture treatment design. Over time, data presentations used to facilitate the analysis have revealed trends in the before-closure falloff transient data that have been labeled as abnormal closure. This paper provides new models for all known before-closure leakoff behaviors and a comprehensive model that enables a match with the entire before-closure transient response. The before-closure leakoff behaviors in the comprehensive model include wellbore storage (WBS), friction dissipation, tip extension, pressure dependent leakoff area (PDLA), multiple apparent closures, transferred storage (also known as transverse storage), height recession and variable fracture compliance. Besides the parameters such as closure pressure, leakoff coefficient, and the hydraulic fracture geometry that can be quantified by commonly known analysis techniques, the new model enables quantification of several new parameters. Two diagnostic plots are used to facilitate identification and quantification of the standard and newly modeled parameters: the Bourdet log-log plot of pressure change and derivative and the composite G-function plot. Tip extension is more easily identified on the G-function plot, and the model match with this behavior quantifies the tip extension distance after shut-in and the fracture minimum propagation pressure. So-called pressure dependent leakoff and transferred storage may be related to opening of secondary fractures, and may be seen as multiple closure events easily identified on either diagnostic plot. Such effects enable quantification of closure stress and surface areas for the secondary fracture sets. Alternatively, when the behavior that looks like transferred storage is explained as fracture height recession, the closure stress of overlying or underlying layers can be estimated along with the recessed fracture area. Variable fracture compliance has similar appearance with transferred storage as well in the diagnostic plots. When it occurs, the way to determine fracture closure stress and other parameters are provided. Matches with field data reflect highly enhanced understanding of the nature of hydraulic fracturing and natural fracture flow mechanisms that have not been possible with other models and that greatly refine well design strategies. Highlights • The paper provides a series of analytical models that enable quantification of all known before-closure abnormal leakoff behaviors, including wellbore storage and friction dissipation, tip extension after shut-in, natural fracture related pressure dependent leakoff and transverse storage, height recession, variable fracture compliance. • Besides the derivation of these models, we also provide the methodology to use these models to interpret the field data. • Four field DFIT cases from shale gas formations are used as examples to illustrate the models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The diagnostic fracture injection test (DFIT) provides a way to estimate parameters critical to hydraulic fracture design. Existing published models for before-closure and after-closure behaviors rely on assumptions, and failure to honor important realities leads to parameter estimation errors that could degrade hydraulic fracturing design. This paper is to illustrate an accurate way to estimate parameters from the DFIT data, and then discuss how these parameters should be used in the hydraulic fracture design, and at last offer an alternative DFIT design approach. Two fundamental concepts underlying the proposed methodology are the material balance before fracture closure and the diffusive flow in the formation after closure. Before closure analysis must correctly address abnormal leakoff behaviors and near well friction losses. Likewise, accurate permeability and pore pressure estimation requires correct accounting for the leakoff rate into the formation. Strict attention to material balance yields estimations for instantaneous shut-in pressure (ISIP) and perforation and tortuosity friction losses that may, in turn, avoid apparent very high net pressure and stress shadowing. This work also underscores the importance of understanding surface and downhole volumes and rates both in the DFIT design and in the analysis. Further, for the DFIT case with pressure dependent leakoff (PDL), the fracture design for the subsequent hydraulic fracturing treatment should use the apparent leakoff rate associated with the first closure trend instead of the leakoff rate associated with the last closure trend derived from a normal leakoff model. Two successive DFITs in the same perforation, the first treated with low injection rate and small volume and then the second with high rate and large volume, are proved to be a good practice to obtain reliable estimation of formation properties. This paper demonstrates that DFIT parameters have often been misused. With the proposed methodology, the interpretation will be more accurate and reliable for formation evaluation and hydraulic fracture design. Highlights • Bottomhole rate should be calculated by considering the WBS effect. • The AC analysis is to model the pressure response after variable leakoff rate. The flow rate used in the AC analysis should be calculated by dividing the total effective injected volume by the injection time used to generate diagnostic plots. • The material balance function should be followed to quantitively model the abnormal leakoff behaviors, and then the associated parameters can be accurately estimated. • Secondary fracture properties and friction losses quantified from the DFIT analysis should be considered in the hydraulic fracture design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]