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Abstract At the 3’ end of the C2 gene in the mammalian TRB locus, a distinct reverse TRBV30 gene (named TRBV31 in mice) has been conserved throughout evolution. In the fully annotated TRB locus of 14 mammals (including six orders), we observed noteworthy variations in the localization and quality of the reverse V30 genes and Recombination Signal Sequences (RSSs) in the gene trees of 13 mammals. Conversely, the forward V29 genes and RSSs were generally consistent with the species tree of their corresponding species. This finding suggested that the evolution of the reverse V30 gene was not synchronous and likely played a crucial role in regulating adaptive immune responses. To further investigate this possibility, we utilized single-cell TCR sequencing (scTCR-seq) and high-throughput sequencing (HTS) to analyze TCRβ CDR3 repertoires from both central and peripheral tissues of Primates (Homo sapiens and Macaca mulatta), Rodentia (Mus musculus: BALB/c, C57BL/6, and Kunming mice), Artiodactyla (Bos taurus and Bubalus bubalis), and Chiroptera (Rhinolophus affinis and Hipposideros armige). Our investigation revealed several novel observations: (1) The reverse V30 gene exhibits classical rearrangement patterns adhering to the ‘12/23 rule’ and the ‘D-J rearrangement preceding the V-(D-J) rearrangement’. This results in the formation of rearranged V30-D2J2, V30-D1J1, and V30-D1J2. However, we also identified ‘special rearrangement patterns’ wherein V30-D rearrangement preceding D-J rearrangement, giving rise to rearranged V30-D2-J1 and forward Vx-D2-J. (2) Compared to the ‘deletional rearrangement’ (looping out) of forward V1-V29 genes, the reverse V30 gene exhibits preferential utilization with ‘inversional rearrangement’. This may be attributed to the shorter distance between the V30 gene and D gene and the ‘inversional rearrangement’ modes. In summary, in the mammalian TRB locus, the reverse V30 gene has been uniquely preserved throughout evolution and preferentially utilized in V(D)J recombination, potentially serving a significant role in adaptive immunity. These results will pave the way for novel and specialized research into the mechanisms, efficiency, and function of V(D)J recombination in mammals.

Abstract Water quality in arid regions is a crucial determinant of sustainable social and economic development. Combining traditional hydrogeochemical methods with ordinary least squares (OLS) and geographically weighted regression modeling (GWR), the suitability of surface water irrigation in the summer irrigation period was investigated in the Tarim Basin. The results indicated that all water samples belonged to three types of water: SO4 Cl–Ca•Mg, SO4 Cl–Na, and HCO3–Ca Mg. A convergence phenomenon occurred under long-term irrigation conditions, showing a similarity between the salt composition of soils and surface irrigation waters. Although the current quality of surface water is generally suitable for irrigation, the process of reverse ion exchange has a more important effect on surface water bodies and soil salinity, thereby resulting in an increase in the Na-ion content of the soil and subsequently enhancing alkaline hazards. Both the OLS and GWR models unequivocally indicate that nitrate nitrogen primarily originates from natural weathering processes and that the sources of this material exhibit spatial heterogeneity across distinct regions. The construction of irrigation reservoirs to effectively deal with agricultural water shortages will lead to a deterioration in the quality of irrigation. The overall findings suggest that the water quality can meet the irrigation needs at present, but to ensure the sustainable use of water resources in arid regions, the increasing nitrogen concentration caused by human activities and the decline in water quality caused by reservoir construction need to be addressed in future irrigation management.

Abstract Background Metabolic reprograming and immune escape are two hallmarks of cancer. However, how metabolic disorders drive immune escape in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the metabolic landscape of HNSCC and its mechanism of driving immune escape. Methods Analysis of paired tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues from 69 HNSCC patients was performed using liquid/gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry and RNA‐sequencing. The tumor‐promoting function of kynurenine (Kyn) was explored in vitro and in vivo. The downstream target of Kyn was investigated in CD8+ T cells. The regulation of CD8+ T cells was investigated after Siglec‐15 overexpression in vivo. An engineering nanoparticle was established to deliver Siglec‐15 small interfering RNA (siS15), and its association with immunotherapy response were investigated. The association between Siglec‐15 and CD8+ programmed cell death 1 (PD‐1)+ T cells was analyzed in a HNSCC patient cohort. Results A total of 178 metabolites showed significant dysregulation in HNSCC, including carbohydrates, lipids and lipid‐like molecules, and amino acids. Among these, amino acid metabolism was the most significantly altered, especially Kyn, which promoted tumor proliferation and metastasis. In addition, most immune checkpoint molecules were upregulated in Kyn‐high patients based on RNA‐sequencing. Furthermore, tumor‐derived Kyn was transferred into CD8+ T cells and induced T cell functional exhaustion, and blocking Kyn transporters restored its killing activity. Accroding to the results, mechanistically, Kyn transcriptionally regulated the expression of Siglec‐15 via aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), and overexpression of Siglec‐15 promoted immune escape by suppressing T cell infiltration and activation. Targeting AhR in vivo reduced Kyn‐mediated Siglec‐15 expression and promoted intratumoral CD8+ T cell infiltration and killing capacity. Finally, a NH2‐modified mesoporous silica nanoparticle was designed to deliver siS15, which restored CD8+ T cell function status and enhanced anti‐PD‐1 efficacy in tumor‐bearing immunocompetent mice. Clinically, Siglec‐15 was positively correlated with AhR expression and CD8+PD‐1+ T cell infiltration in HNSCC tissues. Conclusions The findings describe the metabolic landscape of HNSCC comprehensively and reveal that the Kyn/Siglec‐15 axis may be a novel potential immunometabolism mechanism, providing a promising therapeutic strategy for cancers.

In this study, we aimed to assess the effect of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on semen parameters. The study comprised 110 sperm volunteers who self-reported SARS-CoV-2 infection from the Human Sperm Bank of the Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University (Jinan, China). The volunteers had normal sperm concentration before infection. Each volunteer provided semen samples before and after infection. We selected 90 days after infection as the cutoff point. Semen parameters within 90 days after infection of 109 volunteers (group A) were compared with semen parameters before infection. Moreover, semen parameters on or after 90 days after infection of 36 volunteers (group B) were compared with semen parameters before infection. Furthermore, based on whether the volunteers had completed the three-dose SARS-CoV-2 vaccination booster, volunteers in group A and B were further divided into two subgroups separately. Semen parameters were compared before and after infection in each subgroup. Our results showed that in this cohort population, the semen quality in volunteers with normal sperm concentrations before infection decreased after SARS-CoV-2 infection within 90 days, while the semen quality returned to preinfection levels after 90 days. The completion of a three-dose SARS-CoV-2 vaccination booster may exert a protective effect on semen quality after infection.

Abstract Background Postoperative delirium is a common complication in older patients, with poor long-term outcomes. This study aimed to investigate risk factors and develop a predictive model for postoperative delirium in older patients after major abdominal surgery. Methods This study retrospectively recruited 7577 patients aged ≥ 65 years who underwent major abdominal surgery between January 2014 and December 2018 in a single hospital in Beijing, China. Patients were divided into a training cohort (n = 5303) and a validation cohort (n = 2224) for univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses and to build a nomogram. Data were collected for 43 perioperative variables, including demographics, medical history, preoperative laboratory results, imaging, and anesthesia information. Results Age, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, white blood cell count, glucose, total protein, creatinine, emergency surgery, and anesthesia time were associated with postoperative delirium in multivariate analysis. We developed a nomogram based on the above 8 variables. The nomogram achieved areas under the curve of 0.731 and 0.735 for the training and validation cohorts, respectively. The discriminatory ability of the nomogram was further assessed by dividing the cases into three risk groups (low-risk, nomogram score 199; P

Discriminating strong aroma-type Baijiu (SAB) of different origins was significant for product quality control and origin protection. In this study, a 4×3 sensor array was constructed based on the Ag nanoprism (AgNPR) etching mechanism, in which four AgNPRs varying in shape and size were used as sensing materials, and two metal ions and one oxide anion were used as oxidation etchants. With this array, colorimetric reaction was conducted on 41 representative SAB samples from Sichuan, Jianghuai and North China. The obtained colorimetric signal values were subjected to linear discriminant analysis (LDA). Furthermore, some samples of unknown origin were selected to perform external validation on the discrimination model. Based on the results of colorimetric reaction mechanism, the samples could promote the etching effect of AgNPRs, which might be related to various organic acids contained in Baijiu. Sample discrimination showed that single array produced a comparatively low effect on samples of different origins. The combination of three arrays significantly improved the discrimination effect, whose rate of origin discrimination was up to 99% for 41 samples, and was up to 98% for 15 unknown samples. With combined array, the discriminant rates of 21 samples from 5 brands in Sichuan and 13 samples from 3 brands in Jianghuai could reach 99% and 100%, respectively, while all the discriminant rates could reach 100% for different grades of products from various manufacturers in Sichuan with single array. Being simple and fast, the nanocolorimetric sensing method adopted in this study is not only applicable to product identification and anti-counterfeiting, but also be auxiliarily used for quality control in production process, laying a research foundation for intelligent quality monitoring of Baijiu.

Abstract Since the basic rail of the switch needs to have a certain bending angle when the train changes direction, top bending is an important link in the production process of the basic rail. The three-point pressure top bending method is simple, flexible and widely used. In this study, the traditional three-point pressure bending is optimized, the influence of the pick width in the model is considered, a corresponding rebound model is established, and the model is applied to the pressure bending process of the basic rail. The bilinear strengthening model of the material was used to construct the bending moment expressions at different positions during the top bending process, and the relationship between the load and bending deflection in the elastic stage and elastic-plastic stage was obtained. The final top bending prediction model was obtained by combining the load-deflection model in the bending stage and the rebound stage. The correctness of the theoretical mathematical model was verified by establishing finite element simulations, and the theoretical calculation results were compared with the experimental results. The results showed that the top bend prediction optimization model established in this study had high feasibility and met the machining accuracy requirements.

Highlights The boosted heterogeneous interfaces in titanium nitride (TiN) nanotube/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite contributed to strong polarization loss relaxation ability. The TiN nanotubes/PDMS composite possessed both good impedance matching behavior and strong dielectric loss ability in wide temperature spectrum. The TiN nanotubes/PDMS composite exhibited excellent EMWA performances (effective absorption bandwidth value of 3.23 GHz and minimum reflection loss value of − 44.15 dB) at the varied temperature from 298 to 573 K.

Abstract Background Danggui Sini decoction (DSD), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, has the function of nourishing blood, warming meridians, and unblocking collaterals. Our clinical and animal studies had shown that DSD can effectively protect against oxaliplatin (OXA)-induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN), but the detailed mechanisms remain uncertain. Multiple studies have confirmed that gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the development of OIPN. In this study, the potential mechanism of protective effect of DSD against OIPN by regulating gut microbiota was investigated. Methods The neuroprotective effects of DSD against OIPN were examined on a rat model of OIPN by determining mechanical allodynia, biological features of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) as well as proinflammatory indicators. Gut microbiota dysbiosis was characterized using 16S rDNA gene sequencing and metabolism disorders were evaluated using untargeted and targeted metabolomics. Moreover the gut microbiota mediated mechanisms were validated by antibiotic intervention and fecal microbiota transplantation. Results DSD treatment significantly alleviated OIPN symptoms by relieving mechanical allodynia, preserving DRG integrity and reducing proinflammatory indicators lipopolysaccharide (LPS), IL-6 and TNF-α. Besides, DSD restored OXA induced intestinal barrier disruption, gut microbiota dysbiosis as well as systemic metabolic disorders. Correlation analysis revealed that DSD increased bacterial genera such as Faecalibaculum, Allobaculum, Dubosiella and Rhodospirillales_unclassified were closely associated with neuroinflammation related metabolites, including positively with short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and sphingomyelin (d18:1/16:0), and negatively with pi-methylimidazoleacetic acid, l-glutamine and homovanillic acid. Meanwhile, antibiotic intervention apparently relieved OIPN symptoms. Furthermore, fecal microbiota transplantation further confirmed the mediated effects of gut microbiota. Conclusion DSD alleviates OIPN by regulating gut microbiota and potentially relieving neuroinflammation related metabolic disorder.

Abstract Previous studies have found that the peripheral immune environment is closely related to the occurrence and development of intracranial aneurysms. However, it remains unclear how the metabolism of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the composition of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) changes in the process of intracranial aneurysm rupture. This study utilized cytometry by time of flight technology to conduct single‐cell profiling analysis of PBMCs and PMNs from 72 patients with IAs. By comparing the expression differences of key metabolic enzymes in PBMCs between patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms (RIAs) and unruptured intracranial aneurysms, we found that most PBMCs subsets from RIA group showed upregulation of rate‐limiting enzymes related to the glycolytic pathway. By comparing the composition of PMNs, it was found that the proinflammatory CD101+HLA DR+ subsets were increased in the RIA group, accompanied by a decrease in the anti‐inflammatory polymorphonuclear myeloid‐derived suppressor cells. In conclusion, this study showed the changes in the peripheral immune profile of RIAs, which is helpful for our understanding of the mechanisms underlying peripheral changes and provides a direction for future related research.

BackgroundBone metastases of lung cancer (BMLC) severely diminish patients’ quality of life due to bone-related events, and the lack of clear guidelines globally regarding medical and surgical treatment significantly reduces patient survival. While knowledge about BMLC has grown exponentially over the past two decades, a comprehensive and objective bibliometric analysis remains absent.MethodsA comprehensive bibliometric analysis was conducted on relevant literature on BMLC extracted from the Web of Science database from 2004 to 2023 by Biblioshiny, VOSviewer, Scimago Graphica, CiteSpace, and Microsoft Office Excel Professional Plus 2016 software. 936 papers related to BMLC were extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). The number of publications, countries, institutions, global collaborations, authors, journals, keywords, thematic trends, and cited references were then visualized. Finally, the research status and development direction in the last 20 years were analyzed.ResultsThis study included a total of 936 papers on BMLC from 2004 to 2023. There has been a steady increase in global publications each year, peaking in 2021. China had the highest number of publications, followed by Japan and the United States. Additionally, China had the most citations with an H-index of 35, while the US followed with an H-index of 34, highlighting their significant contributions to the field. “Frontiers in Oncology” had the highest number of publications. CiteSpace analysis identified “lung cancer,” “bone metastasis,” and “survival” as the top high-frequency keywords, encapsulating the core research focus. Keyword clustering analysis revealed six main clusters representing the primary research directions. Burst analysis of keywords showed that “skeletal complications” had the highest burst intensity from 2005 to 2013, while recent research trends include “immunotherapy” and “denosumab,” with bursts from 2021 to 2023. Trend topic analysis indicated that “non-small cell lung cancer,” “immunotherapy,” and “immune checkpoint inhibitors” represent the cutting-edge research directions in this field.ConclusionThis article reveals the current status and trend of research on BMLC, which is increasing worldwide. China and the United States have contributed the most, but international cooperative research on BMLC should be strengthened. The pathogenesis, early prevention, and individualized treatment of BMLC need to be strengthened for further study, and immunotherapy is the next hotspot of lung cancer bone metastasis research.

Objective: The present investigation aimed to analyze the in vivo study in support with in silico molecular docking mechanism of natural phenolic compounds Syringic acid (SA), Resveratrol (RV), Gallic acid (GA) and combination (COMB) with SA + RV against Isoproterenol (ISO) in myocardial necrotic rats. Methods: The compounds were tested for in vivo and in silico lipid metabolism enzymes HMG-CoA reductase and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) regulatory activities. Rats were orally pretreated with 50 mg/ kg of each compounds SA, RV, GA and COMB (SA 25 mg/ kg + RV 25 mg/ kg) for 30 days. GA has taken as positive control. After the treatment period, ISO (50 mg/ kg) in sub-cutaneous route was administered to the rats for two consecutive days. Then the rats sacrificed and the cardiac tissues were used for enzyme inhibitory analysis. Results: SA, RV, GA and COMB exhibited HMG-CoA reductase enzyme inhibitory activity. Also, the compounds augmented the LPL enzyme activity in the rats administered with ISO. Furthermore, in silico molecular docking reports also supported to the activity of SA, RV, GA and COMB compounds towards the enzymes HMG-CoA reductase and LPL. Conclusion: This report for the first time indicates the potential of phenolic compounds SA, RV, GA and COMB as excellent natural compounds in the therapeutic treatment of lipid metabolism disorders.

In recent years, with the continuous development of molecular immunology, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have also been widely used in the treatment of gastric cancer, but they still face some challenges: The first is that only some people can benefit, the second is the treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) that occur during treatment, and the third is the emergence of varying degrees of drug resistance with long-term use. How to overcome these challenges, combined therapy based on ICIs has become one of the important strategies. This article summarizes the clinical application of ICIs combined with chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiotherapy, photodynamic therapy, thermotherapy, immune adjuvant, and dual immunotherapy and discusses the mechanism, and also summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of the current combination modalities and the potential research value. The aim of this study is to provide more and more optimized combination regimen for ICI combined therapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer and to provide reference for clinical and scientific research.

Abstract Due to rapid homogenization in habitat types as a result of urbanization, some urban birds adapt their nesting strategies to changes in local habitat characteristics. Bird nesting decisions might have been mainly linked to resource constraints and ensuring reproductive success. In this study, we examined patterns of nesting behavior by spotted doves (Spilopelia chinensis) in a rapidly urbanizing area of Nanchang, China using ArcGIS 10.8, satellite tracking, camera traps, and field survey. To explore the mechanisms underlying nesting behavior in urban habitats, we assessed the correlations between nest reuse and reproductive success, and between nest reuse and nest predation. From December 2018 to December 2021, a total of 302 breeding nests were surveyed. The results revealed that the nest reuse rate was 38.08% (n = 115). Nests closer to trunk, with lower nest position and higher large‐scale urbanization score tended to have higher reuse rate. In addition, nests with the higher the nest height and percent of canopy cover, and the lower small‐scale urbanization score were more likely to reproduce successfully, and the reused nests also reproduce more successfully. The reproductive success associated with nest reuse was significantly higher than that associated with new nests (χ2 = 8.461, p = .004). High degree of urbanization promoted nest reuse of spotted doves (large‐scale urbanization score, z = 2.094, p = .036), which apparently enhanced their reproductive success (nest reuse, z = 2.737, p = .006). In conclusion, a nest structure with good permeability is the material basis for the nest reuse in spotted dove, while the relatively low risk of predation in urban habitat and the scarcity of nest site resources due to urbanization increase the tendency of birds to reuse old nests, which is associated with their reproductive success and evolutionary fitness.

The motivation for this research stems from the growing demand for solid-phase welding technology to join multilayers metals, particularly in green electric vehicles. Welding of foils and tabs inside battery is a challenging task due to poor joint formation at the interface and low strength. Ultrasonic welding is an efficient, reliable and environmentally friendly bonding method to firmly connect multi-layer copper foils and tabs. Therefore, this is used to achieve electrical bonding within the lithium-ion batteries. This is widely used in production of new energy vehicle batteries. In this work, 40 layers of copper foil were bonded to 0.3 mm nickel-plated copper tabs using ultrasonic metal welding technology. The effect of ultrasonic welding parameters on T-peel strength of joints was systematically investigated by orthogonal experimental design. The maximum T-peel strength of 359.17 N was obtained under optimal parameters (e.g., welding energy 600 J, pressure 0.3 MPa and amplitude 55 %). The variation of welding temperature and amplitude under different welding parameters was measured using infrared thermometer and laser vibrometer. Moreover, the surface, cross-sectional and failure fracture analysis and characterization of specimens with different weld qualities were performed using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, the state of Ni layer in cross-section was analyzed using the energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) technique after ultrasonic welding. This approach can be straightforward and more appropriate to the development of solid-phase welding method for automotive industry.

Abstract Due to a rapidly aging global population, osteoporosis and the associated risk of bone fractures have become a wide-spread public health problem. However, osteoporosis is very heterogeneous, and the existing standard diagnostic measure is not sufficient to accurately identify all patients at risk of osteoporotic fractures and to guide therapy. Here, we constructed the first prospective multi-omics atlas of the largest osteoporosis cohort to date (longitudinal data from 366 participants at three time points), and also implemented an explainable data-intensive analysis framework (DLSF: Deep Latent Space Fusion) for an omnigenic model based on a multi-modal approach that can capture the multi-modal molecular signatures (M3S) as explicit functional representations of hidden genotypes. Accordingly, through DLSF, we identified two subtypes of the osteoporosis population in Chinese individuals with corresponding molecular phenotypes, i.e., clinical intervention relevant subtypes (CISs), in which bone mineral density benefits response to calcium supplements in 2-year follow-up samples. Many snpGenes associated with these molecular phenotypes reveal diverse candidate biological mechanisms underlying osteoporosis, with xQTL preferences of osteoporosis and its subtypes indicating an omnigenic effect on different biological domains. Finally, these two subtypes were found to have different relevance to prior fracture and different fracture risk according to 4-year follow-up data. Thus, in clinical application, M3S could help us further develop improved diagnostic and treatment strategies for osteoporosis and identify a new composite index for fracture prediction, which were remarkably validated in an independent cohort (166 participants).

Abstract Background Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a rare and complex cerebrovascular disorder characterized by the progressive narrowing of the internal carotid arteries and the formation of compensatory collateral vessels. The etiology of MMD remains enigmatic, making diagnosis and management challenging. The MOYAOMICS project was initiated to investigate the molecular underpinnings of MMD and explore potential diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Methods The MOYAOMICS project employs a multidisciplinary approach, integrating various omics technologies, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, to comprehensively examine the molecular signatures associated with MMD pathogenesis. Additionally, we will investigate the potential influence of gut microbiota and brain-gut peptides on MMD development, assessing their suitability as targets for therapeutic strategies and dietary interventions. Radiomics, a specialized field in medical imaging, is utilized to analyze neuroimaging data for early detection and characterization of MMD-related brain changes. Deep learning algorithms are employed to differentiate MMD from other conditions, automating the diagnostic process. We also employ single-cellomics and mass cytometry to precisely study cellular heterogeneity in peripheral blood samples from MMD patients. Conclusions The MOYAOMICS project represents a significant step toward comprehending MMD’s molecular underpinnings. This multidisciplinary approach has the potential to revolutionize early diagnosis, patient stratification, and the development of targeted therapies for MMD. The identification of blood-based biomarkers and the integration of multiple omics data are critical for improving the clinical management of MMD and enhancing patient outcomes for this complex disease.

Abstract The ever-growing quantities of persistent Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) wastes, along with consequential ecological and human health concerns, stimulate the need for alternative PTFE disposal method. The central research challenge lies in elucidating the decomposition mechanism of PTFE during high-temperature waste treatment. Here, we propose the PTFE microscopic thermal decomposition pathways by integrating plasma gasification experiments with multi-scale simulations strategies. Molecular dynamic simulations reveal a pyrolysis—oxidation & chain-shortening—deep defluorination (POCD) degradation pathway in an oxygen atmosphere, and an F abstraction—hydrolysis—deep defluorination (FHD) pathway in a steam atmosphere. Density functional theory computations demonstrate the vital roles of 1O2 and ·H radicals in the scission of PTFE carbon skeleton, validating the proposed pathways. Experimental results confirm the simulation results and show that up to 80.12% of gaseous fluorine can be recovered through plasma gasification within 5 min, under the optimized operating conditions determined through response surface methodology.

Abstract Biominerals, the inorganic minerals of organisms, are known mainly for their physical property-related functions in modern living organisms. Our recent discovery of the enzyme-like activities of nanomaterials, coined as nanozyme, inspires the hypothesis that nano-biominerals might function as enzyme-like catalyzers in cells. Here we report that the iron cores of biogenic ferritins act as natural nanozymes to scavenge superoxide radicals. Through analyzing eighteen representative ferritins from three living kingdoms, we find that the iron core of prokaryote ferritin possesses higher superoxide-diminishing activity than that of eukaryotes. Further investigation reveals that the differences in catalytic capability result from the iron/phosphate ratio changes in the iron core, which is mainly determined by the structures of ferritins. The phosphate in the iron core switches the iron core from single crystalline to amorphous iron phosphate-like structure, resulting in decreased affinity to the hydrogen proton of the ferrihydrite-like core that facilitates its reaction with superoxide in a manner different from that of ferric ions. Furthermore, overexpression of ferritins with high superoxide-diminishing activities in E. coli increases the resistance to superoxide, whereas bacterioferritin knockout or human ferritin knock-in diminishes free radical tolerance, highlighting the physiological antioxidant role of this type of nanozymes.

Over the past decade, a growing number of studies have reported transcription factor-based in situ reprogramming that can directly convert endogenous glial cells into functional neurons as an alternative approach for neuroregeneration in the adult mammalian central nervous system. However, many questions remain regarding how a terminally differentiated glial cell can transform into a delicate neuron that forms part of the intricate brain circuitry. In addition, concerns have recently been raised around the absence of astrocyte-to-neuron conversion in astrocytic lineage-tracing mice. In this study, we employed repetitive two-photon imaging to continuously capture the in situ astrocyte-to-neuron conversion process following ectopic expression of the neural transcription factor NeuroD1 in both proliferating reactive astrocytes and lineage-traced astrocytes in the mouse cortex. Time-lapse imaging over several weeks revealed the step-by-step transition from a typical astrocyte with numerous short, tapered branches to a typical neuron with a few long neurites and dynamic growth cones that actively explored the local environment. In addition, these lineage-converting cells were able to migrate radially or tangentially to relocate to suitable positions. Furthermore, two-photon Ca2+ imaging and patch-clamp recordings confirmed that the newly generated neurons exhibited synchronous calcium signals, repetitive action potentials, and spontaneous synaptic responses, suggesting that they had made functional synaptic connections within local neural circuits. In conclusion, we directly visualized the step-by-step lineage conversion process from astrocytes to functional neurons in vivo and unambiguously demonstrated that adult mammalian brains are highly plastic with respect to their potential for neuroregeneration and neural circuit reconstruction.

Abstract Background Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most burdening diseases of the century with no disease-modifying treatment at this time. Nonhuman primates (NHPs) share genetic, anatomical, and physiological similarities with humans, making them ideal model animals for investigating the pathogenesis of AD and potential therapies. However, the use of NHPs in AD research has been hindered by the paucity of AD monkey models due to their long generation time, ethical considerations, and technical challenges in genetically modifying monkeys. Methods Here, we developed an AD-like NHP model by overexpressing human tau in the bilateral hippocampi of adult rhesus macaque monkeys. We evaluated the pathological features of these monkeys with immunostaining, Nissl staining, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and behavioural tests. Results We demonstrated that after hippocampal overexpression of tau protein, these monkeys displayed multiple pathological features of AD, including 3-repeat (3R)/4-repeat (4R) tau accumulation, tau hyperphosphorylation, tau propagation, neuronal loss, hippocampal atrophy, neuroinflammation, Aβ clearance deficits, blood vessel damage, and cognitive decline. More interestingly, the accumulation of both 3R and 4R tau is specific to NHPs but not found in adult rodents. Conclusions This work establishes a tau-induced AD-like NHP model with many key pathological and behavioural features of AD. In addition, our model may potentially become one of the AD NHP models adopted by researchers worldwide since it can be generated within 2 ~ 3 months through a single injection of AAVs into the monkey brains. Hence, our model NHPs may facilitate mechanistic studies and therapeutic treatments for AD.

Objective Intertrochanteric fracture is one type of hip fracture, which is the most serious consequence of osteoporosis. Along with the growing elderly population, intertrochanteric fracture is expected to rise increasingly. The aim of this study was to assess excess mortality after intertrochanteric fractures and to identify the predictors of long‐term mortality by therapy among patients aged 50 years and older in Tianjin. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study on mortality for 3029 patients aged 50 years and older in Tianjin experiencing an intertrochanteric fracture between December 26, 2014 and December 31, 2018. Data were from Tianjin Hospital Hip Fracture (THHF) cohort. Follow‐up period was until March 31, 2022. Mortality, excess mortality, and comorbidities were analyzed and stratified by therapy and gender. Time dependent Cox models were performed to estimate the effects of the variables. Results Absolute mortality for all the patients was 5.90% at 3 months, 12.55% at 12 months, 19.92% at 24 months and 27.28% at 36 months. Absolute mortality for surgical group was 1.57% at 3 months, 4.77% at 12 months, 8.49% at 24 months and 12.07% at 36 months, significantly lower than conservative group: 10.50% at 3 months, 20.73% at 12 months, 31.96% at 24 months and 43.04% at 36 months. We found a substantially lower mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 0.34, 95% confidence internal, [CI]: 0.23–0.52, p = 0.000) among patients undergoing surgical therapy than those undergoing conservative therapy, even when controlled for gender, age, the length of hospital stay, and all the comorbidities. Female patients (HR 0.68, 95% CI: 0.58–0.79, p = 0.000) were less likely to die than male patients after an intertrochanteric fracture. Patients treated by the two methods were both found to have excess mortality rates compared to the general population, although in different levels. The excess mortality rates for patients in the conservative therapy group were 14.46% in males and 17.93% in females, while in the surgical therapy group, 2.78% in females and 4.37% in males. The comorbidities moderate or severe renal disease (HR 2.19, 95% CI: 1.61–2.98, p = 0.000), metastatic solid tumor (HR 6.35, 95% CI: 1.56–25.85, p = 0.010), hypoproteinemia (HR 1.22, 95% CI: 1.01–1.47, p = 0.034), and older age (HR 1.89, 95% CI: 1.73–2.08, p = 0.000) were also risk factors on mortality. A worse‐case analysis for the primary outcome were performed as sensitivity analysis and it was consistent with the original conclusion. Conclusion Intertrochanteric factures for people aged 50 years older were found to have excess mortality compared to the general population in Tianjin city, and preventing the fractures in the hip for elderly people was imperative. After controlling tfor comorbidities and age, female gender and surgical therapy were protective factors for the death after fractures, which could provide strong evidence for patients and surgeons to make decisions.

Objective Modic changes (MCs) are the most prevalent classification system for describing intravertebral MRI signal intensity changes. However, interpreting these intricate MRI images is a complex and time‐consuming process. This study investigates the performance of single shot multibox detector (SSD) and ResNet18 network‐based automatic detection and classification of MCs. Additionally, it compares the inter‐observer agreement and observer‐classifier agreement in MCs diagnosis to validate the feasibility of deep learning network‐assisted detection of classified MCs. Method A retrospective analysis of 140 patients with MCs who underwent MRI diagnosis and met the inclusion and exclusion criteria in Tianjin Hospital from June 2020 to June 2021 was used as the internal dataset. This group consisted of 55 males and 85 females, aged 25 to 89 years, with a mean age of (59.0 ± 13.7) years. An external test dataset of 28 patients, who met the same criteria and were assessed using different MRI equipment at Tianjin Hospital, was also gathered, including 11 males and 17 females, aged 31 to 84 years, with a mean age of 62.7 ± 10.9 years. After Physician 1 (with 15 years of experience) annotated all MRI images, the internal dataset was imported into the deep learning model for training. The model comprises an SSD network for lesion localization and a ResNet18 network for lesion classification. Performance metrics, including accuracy, recall, precision, F1 score, confusion matrix, and inter‐observer agreement parameter Kappa value, were used to evaluate the model's performance on the internal and external datasets. Physician 2 (with 1 year of experience) re‐labeled the internal and external test datasets to compare the inter‐observer agreement and observer‐classifier agreement. Results In the internal dataset, when models were utilized for the detection and classification of MCs, the accuracy, recall, precision and F1 score reached 86.25%, 87.77%, 84.92% and 85.60%, respectively. The Kappa value of the inter‐observer agreement was 0.768 (95% CI: 0.656, 0.847),while observer‐classifier agreement was 0.717 (95% CI: 0.589, 0.809).In the external test dataset, the model's the accuracy, recall, precision and F1 scores for diagnosing MCs reached 75%, 77.08%, 77.80% and 74.97%, respectively. The inter‐observer agreement was 0.681 (95% CI: 0.512, 0.677), and observer‐classifier agreement was 0.519 (95% CI: 0.290, 0.690). Conclusion The model demonstrated strong performance in detecting and classifying MCs, achieving high agreement with physicians in MCs diagnosis. These results suggest that deep learning models have the potential to facilitate the application of intelligent assisted diagnosis techniques in the field of spine research.

Many aerodynamic shape optimization methods often focus on utilizing the end-to-end relationship between design variables and aerodynamic performance to find the optimal design, while overlooking the exploration of geometric knowledge of the shape itself. To fully use geometric knowledge to improve optimization efficiency, this paper proposes an efficient method by exploring the potential correlation between geometric features and aerodynamic performance at a low cost. We use unsupervised isometric feature mapping in manifold learning to capture geometric features that can distinguish the aerodynamic performance of different airfoils without embedding any tags. Then a filter criterion is establish based on the geometric features. During the optimization process, airfoils that deliver poor aerodynamic performance can be filtered out with a high probability before being precisely evaluated through computational fluid dynamics simulations. This helps improve samples quality to enhance the optimization efficiency. We applied the proposed method to the unconstrained and constrained optimizations of the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) 2822 airfoil to validate its performance. The results demonstrate that the proposed method can improve the efficiency of optimization by over 50% compared with the original evolutionary optimization algorithm. It performs well across various optimization problems, demonstrating high engineering practical value.

This paper considers Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs) in the presence of Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks, and investigates the networked control problem under data rate limitations. We develop a framework for CPSs in the presence of DoS attacks, and present a state-estimate control scheme for CPSs under DoS attacks. For the different communication status, the information on the plant state is transmitted to the controller by employing a different data rate in order to mitigate the influence of DoS attacks. Sufficient conditions on the data rate for mean square observability and stabilization of CPSs are derived by applying information theoretic tools of source coding. Our result is less conservative than some existing results. An illustrative example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed quantization-coding scheme.

This paper investigates the state estimation problem for linear time-invariant systems where sensors and controllers are connected by a stationary memoryless digital communication channel. Time delay, packet dropout, and data rate limitation occur simultaneously in such a channel. We discuss observability of such systems under communication constraints. A real-time transport protocol (RTP) is used for data transmission. A quantization, coding, and control scheme on the basis of RTP is proposed in order to overcome such difficulties. Sufficient conditions for observability are provided in this case. Our result contains some existing results, and shows that there exists the inherent tradeoff between control and communication costs. Illustrative examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed quantization, coding, and control scheme.

ABSTRACTBackground Several studies indicate that the cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) gene T833C, G919A and 844ins68 polymorphisms in the 8th exon region may be correlated with coronary artery disease (CAD) susceptibility, but the results have been inconsistent and inconclusive. Thus, a meta-analysis was conducted to provide a comprehensive estimate of these associations.Methods On the basis of searches in the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Wanfang, VIP, and CNKI databases, we selected 14 case – control studies including 2123 cases and 2368 controls for this meta-analysis. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated accordingly using a fixed-effect or random-effect model.Results The results indicated an increased risk between the CBS T833C gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to CAD under the dominant model (CC+CT vs. TT: OR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.11 ~ 3.32), recessive model (CC vs. CT+TT: OR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.17 ~ 3.03), and homozygous model (CC vs. TT: OR = 2.46, 95% CI: 1.04 ~ 5.83). In these three genetic models, no significant association was identified for CBS G919A (AA+AG vs. GG: OR = 1.48, 95% CI: 0.45 ~ 4.82),(AA vs. AG+GG: OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 0.93 ~ 2.70),(AA vs. GG: OR = 1.66, 95% CI: 0.40 ~ 6.92) or CBS 844ins68 (II+ID vs. DD: OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.80 ~ 1.35),(II vs. ID+DD: OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 0.51 ~ 2.36),(II vs. DD: OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 0.51 ~ 2.39).Conclusions This meta-analysis suggests that the CBS T833C gene polymorphism is significantly associated with the risk of CAD and it shows a stronger association in Asian populations. Individuals with the C allele of the CBS gene T833C polymorphism might be particularly susceptible to CAD.

Mutations in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are the most common genetic cause of Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, whether LRRK2 mutations cause PD and degeneration of dopaminergic (DA) neurons via a toxic gain-of-function or a loss-of-function mechanism is unresolved and has pivotal implications for LRRK2-based PD therapies. In this study, we investigate whether Lrrk2 and its functional homolog Lrrk1 play a cell-intrinsic role in DA neuron survival through the development of DA neuron-specific Lrrk conditional double knockout (cDKO) mice. Unlike Lrrk germline DKO mice, DA neuron-restricted Lrrk cDKO mice exhibit normal mortality but develop age-dependent loss of DA neurons, as shown by the progressive reduction of DA neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) at the ages of 20 and 24 months. Moreover, DA neurodegeneration is accompanied with increases in apoptosis and elevated microgliosis in the SNpc as well as decreases in DA terminals in the striatum, and is preceded by impaired motor coordination. Taken together, these findings provide the unequivocal evidence for the cell-intrinsic requirement of LRRK in DA neurons and raise the possibility that LRRK2 mutations may impair its protection of DA neurons, leading to DA neurodegeneration in PD.

Lophatherum gracile Brongn. (L. gracile) is a traditional edible plant that contains abundant phytochemicals including phenolic compounds, polysaccharides and other substances, showing plentiful biological functions such as antioxidant, antiviral activities, and liver protection effects. Due to its various natural products and bioactivities, L. gracile is widely applied in food areas and traditional medicine. However, the current information on the composition, function and application of L. gracile is fragmented, which may limit its development and utilization, thus an overview of its recent studies is required to give a comprehensive insight into L. gracile. Herein, the advance in the phytochemical, bioactivity and food application of L. gracile was summarized, which may facilitate its further study and application.

ABSTRACTThe emergence and re-emergence of abundant viruses from bats that impact human and animal health have resulted in a resurgence of interest in bat immunology. Characterizing the immune receptor repertoire is critical to understanding how bats coexist with viruses in the absence of disease and developing new therapeutics to target viruses in humans and susceptible livestock. In this study, IGH germline genes of Chiroptera including Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Phyllostomus discolor, and Pipistrellus pipistrellus were annotated, and we profiled the characteristics of Rhinolophus affinis (RA) IGH CDR3 repertoire. The germline genes of Chiroptera are quite different from those of human, mouse, cow, and dog in evolution, but the three bat species have high homology. The CDR3 repertoire of RA is unique in many aspects including CDR3 subclass, V/J genes access and pairing, CDR3 clones, and somatic high-frequency mutation compared with that of human and mouse, which is an important point in understanding the asymptomatic nature of viral infection in bats. This study unveiled a detailed map of bat IGH germline genes on chromosome level and provided the first immune receptor repertoire of bat, which will stimulate new avenues of research that are directly relevant to human health and disease.IMPORTANCEThe intricate relationship between bats and viruses has been a subject of study since the mid-20th century, with more than 100 viruses identified, including those affecting humans. While preliminary investigations have outlined the innate immune responses of bats, the role of adaptive immunity remains unclear. This study presents a pioneering contribution to bat immunology by unveiling, for the first time, a detailed map of bat IGH germline genes at the chromosome level. This breakthrough not only provides a foundation for B cell receptor research in bats but also contributes to primer design and sequencing of the CDR3 repertoire. Additionally, we offer the first comprehensive immune receptor repertoire of bats, serving as a crucial library for future comparative analyses. In summary, this research significantly advances the understanding of bats’ immune responses, providing essential resources for further investigations into viral tolerance and potential zoonotic threats.

Study region: The Issyk-Kul Basin, Central Asia. Study focus: Currently, there is a scarcity of in-depth evaluations of the progression and factors that affect the intensification of the water cycle at the basin level, given the increased fluctuations in the global hydrological cycle. In this study, a water cycle intensity (WCI) indicator based on the terrestrial water balance equation was used to assess basin-scale water cycle characteristics from 1982 to 2017, and the Bayesian estimator algorithm (BEAST) and wavelet transform coherence (WTC) were used to analyse the temporal evolution characteristics and factors influencing the intensity of the water cycle. New hydrological insights for the region: The WCI of the Issyk-Kul Basin (ISKB) undergoes an abrupt change and displays an intensified trend with a clear time-scale effect in the trend change following the global warming hiatus. In terms of forcing factors, the interannual variability in the WCI was driven by the Tibetan Plateau Index_B (TPI) and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) until 1998, while afterwards it was driven by the Antarctic Oscillation (AAO). The alteration in the forcing relationship was a significant contributor to the sudden shift observed in the WCI in 1998. This study improves the comprehension of basin-scale alterations in the intensity of the water cycle and their driving mechanisms under climate change, with practical implications for the management of water resources in arid Central Asia.

Abstract It is imperative to develop practicable pathogenic bacteria detection methods. We devised a biosensor for the ultrasensitive detection of Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhi), termed as SCOUT‐dCas9 (ultrasensitive, cross‐validating, on‐site, and dUal‐mode test using CRISPR/dCas9). Simply, the species‐specific invA gene of S. typhi was amplified using loop‐mediated isothermal amplification with a biotinylated primer, which can be specifically “pulled down” by “antibody‐like” dCas9‐single guide RNA to form a ternary complex. SYBR Green I and streptavidin‐modified alkaline phosphatase were used to functionalize them to generate fluorescent and colorimetric signals, respectively. With this strategy, the target could be dexterously converted into bimodal signals that were cross‐validated to afford more reliable results. For both modes, SCOUT‐dCas9 was able to detect as low as 1 CFU/mL with a dynamic range from 1 to 109 CFU/mL. Lastly, SCOUT‐dCas9 had satisfactory selectivity and was capable of detecting S. typhi‐contaminated real food samples. SCOUT‐dCas9 provides a robust platform for bacterial detection.

Abstract Aim and objective To compare the clinical effect of reconstruction of internal and lateral column periosteal hinge-assisted treatment with Kirschner wire and internal fixation with Kirschner wire in the treatment of multidirectional unstable supracondylar fractures of humerus in children. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 48 patients (31 male, 17 female; mean age: 6.7 ± 2.4 years old) with multidirectionally unstable supracondylar fractures of the humerus treated in our Hospital from August 2020 to August 2022. Twenty-five cases were treated with Kirschner wire reconstruction of the internal and lateral column periosteal hinge assisted by closed reduction and Kirschner wire internal fixation (study group). Twenty-three cases were treated with closed reduction and Kirschner wire internal fixation (control group). The operation time, intraoperative fluoroscopy times, percentage of patients who underwent open reduction after failure of closed reduction, fracture healing time, Baumann angle (BA), shaft-condylar angle (SCA), range of motion (ROM), and Flynn score of elbow at the last follow-up were compared between two groups. Complications such as infection and irritation of Kirschner wire tail were observed in two groups 2 months after the operation. Results All patients were followed up for 10–22 months ([13.85 ± 2.89] months). The average operation time of the control group was 82.1 min, which was significantly longer than that of the study group 32.3 min (P 0.05). There was no significant difference in fracture healing time, BA, SCA, and ROM between the two groups (P > 0.05). No infection or Kirschner wire tail irritation occurred in the two groups during the 2-month follow-up. Conclusion Reconstruction of internal and lateral periosteal hinges with Kirscher wire has similar effects to closed reduction and Kirschner wire fixation in the treatment of multidirectionally unstable supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children, but it can shorten the operation time and reduce intraoperative fluoroscopy times and incision rate.

Abstract Gut-liver-brain axis is a three-way highway of information interaction system among the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and nervous systems. In the past few decades, breakthrough progress has been made in the gut liver brain axis, mainly through understanding its formation mechanism and increasing treatment strategies. In this review, we discuss various complex networks including barrier permeability, gut hormones, gut microbial metabolites, vagus nerve, neurotransmitters, immunity, brain toxic metabolites, β-amyloid (Aβ) metabolism, and epigenetic regulation in the gut-liver-brain axis. Some therapies containing antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), polyphenols, low FODMAP diet and nanotechnology application regulate the gut liver brain axis. Besides, some special treatments targeting gut-liver axis include farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonists, takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5) agonists, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor antagonists and fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) analogs. Targeting gut-brain axis embraces cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), antidepressants and tryptophan metabolism-related therapies. Targeting liver-brain axis contains epigenetic regulation and Aβ metabolism-related therapies. In the future, a better understanding of gut-liver-brain axis interactions will promote the development of novel preventative strategies and the discovery of precise therapeutic targets in multiple diseases.

Abstract In complex high in-situ stress conditions, how to achieve the ideal rock blasting effect through effective methods is often a difficult point of blasting operations. This paper analyzes the influence of guide holes on blasting effect by adding guide holes to the rock pre-treatment method. Based on the particle expansion method to carry out double-hole blasting experiments, the influence of the blasthole spacing and ground stress on the blasting effect is investigated from the levels of macroscopic cracking effect, microscopic particle contact and so on. The study shows that: (i) the setting of empty holes between the gun holes can enhance the crack penetration effect, and the penetration effect is more obvious when the distance between the gun holes and the empty holes is less than 2.5 times the radius of the crushed zone. (ii) At the level of contact force chain, when the distance between blastholes and empty holes is less than 2.5 times the radius of the crushing zone. The compressive stress in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the blasthole line inhibits crack development, and the tensile stress in the direction parallel to the blasthole line promotes crack development. The main stress direction is perpendicular to the direction of the blasthole line. (iii) As the distance between the blastholes increases, the effect of crack suppression by stresses in the vertical direction decreases, and the main force direction is parallel to the direction of the blasthole line.

To provide the necessary theoretical models of sphere–soil interaction for the structural design, motion control, and simulation of spherical robots, this paper derives analytical expressions for traction force and driving torque when spherical robots slide and sink into sandy terrain, based on terramechanics and multibody dynamics. Furthermore, orthogonal experimental analysis identifies the load, joint angular acceleration, and maximum joint angular velocity of spherical robots as influencing factors, highlighting that the load significantly affects their longitudinal motion performance. Experimental results indicate that rolling friction and additional resistance on sandy terrain cannot be ignored. The corrected theoretical model effectively replicates the temporal variation of driving torque exerted by spherical robots on sandy terrain. Numerical computations and experimental analyses demonstrate that increasing the radius of the sphere shell, the load, and the slip ratio all lead to increased traction force and driving torque. However, traction force and driving torque begin to decrease once the slip ratio reaches approximately 0.5. Therefore, in the design of spherical robot structures and control laws, appropriate parameters such as load and slip ratio should be chosen based on the established sphere–soil interaction theoretical model to achieve high-quality longitudinal motion performance on sandy terrain.

This study has investigated the effect of ultrasound (US) as an emerging non-thermal sterilization technique on microbial growth and quality changes in three freshly squeezed pumpkin juices (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne, Cucurbita moschata Duchesne, and Cucurbita pepo L.).The three pumpkin juices were ultrasonicated at different ultrasonic power (0–400 W), time (0–20 min), and temperature (0–30 °C), and the total colony counts of the treated pumpkin juices were less than 5 log CFU/mL, which complied with the food safety and consumption standards. Based on these results, we further investigated the effects of different ultrasonic power (25 kHz, 10 min, 20 °C, 0–400 W) on the physicochemical properties and sensory quality of the three pumpkin juices. The physicochemical properties (color, sugar content, organic acid content, soluble solids, and carotenoids) of treated pumpkin juice were retained or improved to some extent. The antioxidant capacity was also increased by 9.09%, 10.25%, and 16.9% compared to the untreated group. During sonication, the particle size of all samples decreased significantly, the microstructure broke down significantly, and the sensory qualities of pumpkin juice were well preserved after sonication.

Purpose: Over the past decade, digital labor platforms (DLP) have emerged as a new trend and are major components of the platform economy. Crowdsourcing is being used in an innovative way to allow firms to outsource tasks to individuals with access to DLP. Apart from paid crowdsourcing, unpaid crowdsourcing has also emerged, where crowdsourced volunteers are recruited to contribute to crowdsourcing tasks available on the platform. Integrating perspectives from the public services motivation, uses and gratification theory and self-determination theory, this paper investigates the motives and underlying needs behind participation in the crowdsourcing of translation tasks. Design/methodology/approach: Interviews were conducted with 21 volunteer crowdsourced volunteers from a voluntary global crowdsourcing community to understand the factors driving them to spend time and effort contributing to the community. Content analysis methods were utilized to analyze the text data. Findings: The results indicated that the autonomy, competence and relatedness needs were the underlying needs of the crowdsourced volunteers. Furthermore, we found diverse motives consisting of both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations driving users to contribute voluntarily. Originality: While prior research efforts have clarified many issues related to participation in DLP, the reasons behind volunteers' participation in DLP are still unexplored. The findings of the present study contribute to a better understanding of the motives underlying volunteers’ participation in the crowdsourcing tasks on DLP.

Human activity and hydroclimate change greatly influence the environment in a lake and its catchment, particularly in areas with fragile ecosystems, such as arid Central Asia. In this study, lipid biomarkers (n-alkanes and n-fatty acids) were measured in a 210Pb- and 137Cs-dated sediment core from Lake Balkhash to determine their environmental significance and infer the history of environmental change over the last ~200 years. The terrestrial origin of long-chain n-alkanes and the aquatic origin of both n-fatty acids and mid-/short-chain n-alkanes were inferred from molecular distributions and diagnostic ratios. Three major environmental phases were identified over the past two centuries based on stratigraphic shifts in biomarker indicators. During 1800-1860 AD, the lake exhibited a high-water level with abundant submerged/floating macrophytes and limited phytoplankton, as suggested by multiple indicators, e.g., high proportions of aquatic macrophytes (Paq) and long-chain n-fatty acids (L-FAs). Overall, minor terrestrial inputs were revealed by low concentrations of long-chain n-alkanes (L-ALKs), suggesting dense vegetation cover in the catchment. The lake environment experienced a pronounced change in the subsequent phase from 1860–1930 AD, during which the cover of submerged/floating macrophytes gradually diminished, as revealed by the decreasing trend of aquatic proxies, e.g., L-FAs and Paq. In contrast, the number of emergent plants and terrestrial inputs increased, as suggested by the decreased Paq values. A great variation in water levels likely resulted in the shrinkage of the submerged/floating macrophyte cover. During 1930-2017 AD, anthropogenic impacts began to appear on the sediment profile. The highest terrestrial inputs, as revealed by the maximum L-ALK abundance on record, indicated intensive exploitation of the catchment during 1935-1959 AD. The lowest L-FA and Paq values suggested that submerged/floating macrophytes were at the lowest levels during this phase, possibly in response to the decreased water levels and increasing salinity. Increased human-induced nutrient loading coupled with elevated regional temperature prompted the lake to become an increasingly productive lake system, especially in more recent decades, as indicated by the highest levels of short-chain lipids. These results highlight the important role of hydrological variation and human activity in the environmental evolution of the Ili-Balkhash Basin.