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Objective: The primary aim of this study was to create a nomogram for predicting survival outcomes in penile cancer patients, utilizing data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) and a Chinese organization. Methods: Our study involved a cohort of 5744 patients diagnosed with penile cancer from the SEER database, spanning from 2004 to 2019. In addition, 103 patients with penile cancer from Sun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen University were included during the same period. Based on the results of regression analysis, a nomogram is constructed and validated internally and externally. The predictive performance of the model was evaluated by concordance index (c‐index), area under the curve, decision curve analysis, and calibration curve, in internal and external datasets. Finally, the prediction efficiency is compared with the TNM staging model. Results: A total of 3154 penile patients were randomly divided into the training group and the internal validation group at a ratio of 2:1. Nine independent risk factors were identified, including age, race, marital status, tumor grade, histology, TNM stage, and the surgical approach. Based on these factors, a nomogram was constructed to predict OS. The nomogram demonstrated relatively better consistency, predictive accuracy, and clinical relevance, with a c‐index over 0.73 (in the training cohort, the validation cohort, and externally validation cohort.) These evaluation indexes are far better than the TNM staging system. Conclusion: Penile cancer, often overlooked in research, has lacked detailed investigative focus and guidelines. This study stands as the first to validate penile cancer prognosis using extensive data from the SEER database, supplemented by data from our own institution. Our findings equip surgeons with an essential tool to predict the prognosis of penile cancer better suited than TNM, thereby enhancing clinical decision‐making processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: SPOCK3 is a secreted extracellular matrix proteoglycan. This study aimed to investigate the effect of SPOCK3 on the malignant progression of prostate cancer and to construct a prognostic model to predict DFS of patients with prostate cancer. Methods: Clinical and transcriptome sequencing data for prostate cancer were download from the TCGA and GEO databases. The survival curve showed that SPOCK3 has prognostic significance. GO, KEGG, and GSEA enrichment analysis were used to investigate how SPOCK3 affects the malignant progression of prostate cancer. Based on ESTIMATE and ssGSEA, the relationship between SPOCK3 and immune cell infiltration in prostate cancer tissue was clarified. Univariate and multivariate COX regression analysis was used to identify the independent prognostic factors of prostate cancer OS and to construct a nomogram. The calibration curve and ROC curves were drawn to assess the nomogram's predictive power. Results: The survival curve revealed that patients in the low-expression group of SPOCK3 had a poor prognosis. According to enrichment analysis, SOPCK3-related genes were enriched in collagen-containing extracellular matrix, PI3K-Akt, and MAPK signaling pathway. ESTIMATE analysis revealed that SPOCK3 expression was positively correlated with the interstitial score, immune score, and ESTIMATE score. The results of ssGSEA analysis revealed that the infiltration levels of Mast cells, NK cells, and B cells were higher in the SPOCK3 high expression group. Cox regression analysis showed that SPOCK3 expression level, T and Gleason score were independent risk factors of patient prognosis, and a nomogram was constructed. The ROC curve showed the AUCs of DFS at 2, 3, and 5 years. Conclusion: SPOCK3 is a protective factor for DFS in prostate cancer patients. SPOCK3 is significantly associated with immune cell infiltration. The prognostic model constructed based on SPOCK3 has excellent predictive performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the canonical problem of magnetic field decay in an electrically conducting fluid ball. The problem is closely allied to the problem of the decay modes of a rigid ball, and the spatial form of the eigenmodes survives largely intact. The decaying but oscillatory behaviour of the new fluid eigenmodes first discovered by Schmitt a decade ago (and named quasi-free-decay (QFD) modes) is deduced by application of perturbation methods to the case of rapid rotation and a static applied background magnetic field that is uniform and axial. Some, but not all, of the rigid-case poloidal eigenmodes share decay rates with other toroidal modes, necessitating the use of both degenerate and non-degenerate perturbation theory within this paper. The perturbation theory is developed in terms of the Elsasser number Λ (measuring the competition between Coriolis and Lorentz forces), and the analytic results are in striking accord with numerical calculations even when Λ is of O(1). We find linear scaling of the QFD eigenfrequency with Λ and small changes in the decay rate that scale with Λ2. Although the modes are overdamped (quality factor Q<1), they are not strongly overdamped when the applied field is strong Λ∼1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the one-dimensional quantum harmonic oscillator perturbed by a linear operator which is a polynomial of degree 2 in (x , - i ∂ x) , with coefficients quasi-periodically depending on time. By establishing the reducibility results, we describe the growth of Sobolev norms. In particular, the t 2 s -polynomial growth of H s -norm is observed in this model if the original time quasi-periodic equation is reduced to a constant Stark Hamiltonian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the normal modes of a rapidly rotating, electrically conducting, inviscid fluid sphere in the presence of a background magnetic field. Neglecting the fast modes that are essentially slightly modified inertial waves, we focus on the slower branch of modes traditionally called magneto–Coriolis (MC) modes. We focus on the magnetostrophic limit, an approximation that neglects the fluid inertia for these modes by setting the magnetic Rossby number Eη equal to zero, converting the momentum equation from a prognostic to a diagnostic equation. In contrast to a local analysis and contrary to previous assertions, this inertialess-inviscid double limit is perfectly well behaved and shows that Eη→0 and Eη=0 are essentially identical. With applied axisymmetric background fields, we find the modes are critically damped, with decay rates greater than or equal to the eigenfrequency, in contrast to the local theory. We find evidence for both eastward and westward propagating columnar modes, in contradiction of commonly perceived wisdom. The results bode well for numerical time integrations based on the magnetostrophic approximation, which is highly suited to the core of the Earth and holds the potential for more realistic solutions of the dynamo equations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Axisymmetric oscillations of fluid in a rapidly rotating whole sphere immersed in a magnetic field can be supported by the elastic tension of the magnetic field lines. This special class of Alfvén waves is largely geostrophic (invariant along the rotation axis) and describes a set of normal modes that has been extensively studied in the ideal, lossless case, a limit in which regular solutions do not exist when the background magnetic field is axisymmetric. We study the geophysically relevant limit with parameters such that magnetic diffusion plays a realistic role appropriate to the Earth's core, by choosing a Lundquist number Lu appropriately. We demonstrate for the first time the existence of normal modes in the presence of an axisymmetric background field, and obtain eigenfrequencies and decay rates that lead us to deduce quality factors Q for these modes for two simple background fields of dipole and quadrupole parity. Two scaling behaviours of Q are seen depending on the background field and normal modes' frequency, one scaling as Lu1/2 and another as Lu , so that likely Q>10 in the core of the Earth. A one-dimensional theory is presented that is able to capture the frequencies of oscillation quite accurately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the overall diagnostic accuracy of different MR imaging sequences in the detection of the dysplastic nodule (DN). Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were systematically searched. Study selection and data extraction were conducted by two authors independently. Quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies (QUADAS) 2 in RevMan software was used to score the included studies and assess their methodological quality. A random-effects model was used for statistical pooling by Meta-Disc. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were used to explore potential sources of heterogeneity. Results: Fourteen studies (335 DN lesions in total) were included in our meta-analysis. The area under the curve (AUC) of summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) of T2WI was 0.87. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), and negative likelihood ratio (NLR) of DWI were 0.81 (95%CI, 0.73–0.87), 0.90 (95%CI, 0.86–0.93), 7.04 (95%CI, 4.49–11.04), and 0.24 (95%CI, 0.17–0.33) respectively. In the arterial phase, pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, and NLR were 0.89 (0.84–0.93), 0.75 (0.72–0.79), 3.72 (2.51–5.51), and 0.17 (0.12–0.25), respectively. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, and NLR of the delayed phase were 0.78 (0.72–0.83), 0.60 (0.55–0.65), 2.19 (1.55–3.10), and 0.36 (0.23–0.55) separately. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, and NLR of the hepatobiliary phase were 0.77 (0.71–0.82), 0.92 (0.89–0.94), 8.74 (5.91–12.92), and 0.24 (0.14–0.41) respectively. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and PLR were higher on DWI and hepatobiliary phase in diagnosing LGDN than HGDN. Conclusion: MR sequences, particularly DWI, arterial phase, and hepatobiliary phase imaging demonstrate high diagnostic accuracy for DN. Key Points: • MRI has dramatically improved the detection and accurate diagnosis of DNs and their differentiation from hepatocellular carcinoma. • Overall diagnostic accuracy of different MRI sequences in the detection of DN has not been studied before. • Our meta-analysis demonstrates that MRI achieves a high diagnostic value for DN, especially when using DWI, arterial phase imaging, and hepatobiliary phase imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple small- to middle-scale cities, mostly located in northern China, became epidemic hotspots during the second wave of the spread of COVID-19 in early 2021. Despite qualitative discussions of potential social-economic causes, it remains unclear how this unordinary pattern could be substantiated with quantitative explanations. Through the development of an urban epidemic hazard index (EpiRank) for Chinese prefectural districts, we came up with a mathematical explanation for this phenomenon. The index is constructed via epidemic simulations on a multi-layer transportation network interconnecting local SEIR transmission dynamics, which characterizes intra- and inter-city population flow with a granular mathematical description. Essentially, we argue that these highlighted small towns possess greater epidemic hazards due to the combined effect of large local population and small inter-city transportation. The ratio of total population to population outflow could serve as an alternative city-specific indicator of such hazards, but its effectiveness is not as good as EpiRank, where contributions from other cities in determining a specific city's epidemic hazard are captured via the network approach. Population alone and city GDP are not valid signals for this indication. The proposed index is applicable to different epidemic settings and can be useful for the risk assessment and response planning of urban epidemic hazards in China. The model framework is modularized and the analysis can be extended to other nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the major tumor diseases that threaten men's health globally, and biochemical recurrence significantly impacts its prognosis. Disulfidptosis, a recently discovered cell death mechanism triggered by intracellular disulfide accumulation leading to membrane rupture, is a new area of research in the context of PCa. Currently, its impact on PCa remains largely unexplored. This study aims to investigate the correlation between long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) associated with disulfidptosis and the prognosis of PCa, seeking potential connections between the two. Methods: Transcriptomic data for a PCa cohort were obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas database. Disulfidptosis-related lncRNAs (DDRLs) were identified through differential expression and Pearson correlation analysis. DDRLs associated with biochemical recurrence-free survival (BRFS) were precisely identified using univariate Cox and LASSO regression, resulting in the development of a risk score model. Clinical factors linked to BRFS were determined through both univariate and multivariate Cox analyses. A prognostic nomogram combined the risk score with key clinical variables. Model performance was assessed using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves, Decision Curve Analysis (DCA), and calibration curves. The functional impact of a critical DDRL was substantiated through assays involving CCK8, invasion, migration, and cell cloning. Additionally, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for the disulfidptosis-related protein SLC7A11 was conducted. Results: The prognostic signature included AC026401.3, SNHG4, SNHG25, and U73166.1 as key components. The derived risk score from these signatures stood as one of the independent prognostic factor for PCa patients, correlating with poorer BRFS in the high-risk group. By combining the risk score with clinical variables, a practical nomogram was created, accurately predicting BRFS of PCa patients. Notably, silencing AC026401.3 significantly hindered PCa cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and colony formation. IHC staining revealed elevated expression of the dithiosulfatide-related protein SLC7A11 in tumor tissue. Conclusions: A novel prognostic signature for PCa DDRLs, possessing commendable predictive power, has been constructed, simultaneously providing potential therapeutic targets associated with disulfidptosis, among which AC026401.3 has been validated in vitro and demonstrated inhibition of PCa tumorigenesis after its silencing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enlightened by Lemma 1.7 in Liang and Luo (J Differ Equ 270:343–389, 2021), we prove a similar lemma which is based upon oscillatory integrals and Langer’s turning point theory. From it we show that the Schrödinger equation i∂tu=-∂x2u+x2u+ϵ⟨x⟩μ∑k∈Λak(ωt)sin(k|x|β)+bk(ωt)cos(k|x|β)u,u=u(t,x),x∈R,β>1,\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\begin{aligned}&{\mathrm{i}}\partial _t u =-\partial _x^2 u+x^2 u+ \epsilon \langle x\rangle ^\mu \sum _{k\in \Lambda }\left( a_k(\omega t)\sin (k|x|^\beta )+b_k(\omega t )\cos (k|x|^\beta )\right) u, \\&u=u(t,x),~x\in {\mathbb R},~ \beta >1, \end{aligned}$$\end{document}can be reduced in H1(R)\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$${{\mathcal {H}}}^1({\mathbb R})$$\end{document} to an autonomous system for most values of the frequency vector ω\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\omega $$\end{document}, where Λ⊂R\{0}\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\Lambda \subset {\mathbb {R}}{\setminus }\{0\}$$\end{document}, |Λ|<∞\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$|\Lambda |<\infty $$\end{document} and ⟨x⟩:=1+x2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\langle x\rangle :=\sqrt{1+x^2}$$\end{document}. The functions ak(θ)\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$a_k(\theta )$$\end{document} and bk(θ)\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$b_k(\theta )$$\end{document} are analytic on Tσn\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$${\mathbb {T}}^n_\sigma $$\end{document} and μ≥0\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\mu \ge 0$$\end{document} will be chosen according to the value of β\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\beta $$\end{document}. Comparing with Liang and Luo (J Differ Equ 270:343–389, 2021), the novelty is that the phase functions of oscillatory integral are more degenerate when β>1\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\beta >1$$\end{document}. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We examine the distribution characteristics of stock market liquidity by employing the generalized additive models for location, scale and shape (GAMLSS) model and three-minute frequency data from Chinese stock markets. We find that the BCPE distribution within the GAMLSS framework fits the distributions of stock market liquidity well with the diagnosis test. We also find that the stock market index exhibits a significant impact on the distributions of stock market liquidity. The stock market liquidity usually exhibits a positive skewness, but a normal distribution at a low level of stock market index and a high-peak and fat-tail shape at a high level of stock market index. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A novel nanocomposite, [Eu(BTD)3(DPBT)]–BSA@MnO2, is reported to serve as an effective nanoprobe for bimodal time-gated luminescence (TGL) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of H2O2in vitro and in vivo. The nanoprobe was fabricated by immobilizing visible-light-excitable Eu3+ complexes in bovine serum albumin (BSA)-coated lamellar MnO2 nanosheets. The TGL of the Eu3+ complex was effectively quenched by the MnO2 nanosheets. Upon exposure to H2O2, the MnO2 nanosheets underwent reduction to Mn2+, which simultaneously triggered rapid, selective and sensitive "turn-on" responses toward H2O2 in both TGL and MR detection modes. The presence of a protective "corona" formed by BSA enables the nanoprobe to withstand high concentrations of glutathione (GSH), a strong reducing agent of MnO2 nanosheets. This capability allows the nanoprobe to be utilized for detecting H2O2 in living biosamples. The combined utilization of TGL and MR detection modes enables the nanoprobe to image H2O2 across a wide range of resolutions, from the subcellular level to the whole body, without any depth limitations. The results obtained from these modes can be cross-validated, enhancing the accuracy of the detection. The capability of the nanoprobe was validated by TGL imaging of endogenous and exogenous H2O2 in live HeLa cells, as well as bimodal TGL–MR imaging of H2O2 in tumor-bearing mice. The research achievements suggest that the integration of luminescent lanthanide complexes with protein-coated MnO2 nanosheets offers a promising bimodal TGL–MR sensing platform for H2O2in vitro and in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: We developed T1AL·1PS and T1AS·1PL Robertsonian translocations by breakage-fusion mechanism based on wheat-A. cristatum 1P(1A) substitution line with smaller leaf area, shorter plant height, and other excellent agronomic traits Agropyron cristatum, a wild relative of wheat, is a valuable germplasm resource for improving wheat genetic diversity and yield. Our previous study confirmed that the A. cristatum chromosome 1P carries alien genes that reduce plant height and leaf size in wheat. Here, we developed T1AL·1PS and T1AS·1PL Robertsonian translocations (RobTs) by breakage-fusion mechanism based on wheat-A. cristatum 1P (1A) substitution line II-3-1c. Combining molecular markers and cytological analysis, we identified 16 spontaneous RobTs from 911 F2 individuals derived from the cross of Jimai22 and II-3-1c. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was applied to detect the fusion structures of the centromeres in wheat and A. cristatum chromosomes. Resequencing results indicated that the chromosomal junction point was located at the physical position of Triticum aestivum chromosome 1A (212.5 Mb) and A. cristatum chromosome 1P (230 Mb). Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) in pollen mother cells showed that the produced translocation lines could form stable ring bivalent. Introducing chromosome 1PS translocation fragment into wheat significantly increased the number of fertile tillers, grain number per spike, and grain weight and reduced the flag leaf area. However, introducing chromosome 1PL translocation fragment into wheat significantly reduced flag leaf area and plant height with a negative effect on yield components. The pre-breeding of two spontaneous RobTs T1AL·1PS and T1AS·1PL was important for wheat architecture improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2.5-terahertz quantum cascade lasers (THz QCLs) based on first-order distributed feedback (DFB) Bragg grating are reported. The loss and threshold gain within different grating duty cycles are calculated according to the mode-coupling theory. The laser output power reaches up to record values of 34.1 mW in pulse mode and 23.4 mW in continuous wave mode at 15 K. The threshold current density is as low as 125 A / cm2. The single-mode emission is achieved, and the side-mode suppression ratio is 12 dB. In addition, the device is bonded together with the other two DFB THz QCLs (2.9 and 3.0 THz) on a copper chip. The simultaneous different wavelength emissions with single mode are successfully realized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The Chromobox (CBX) family proteins are crucial elements of the epigenetic regulatory machinery and play a significant role in the development and advancement of cancer. Nevertheless, there is limited understanding regarding the role of CBXs in development or progression of prostate cancer (PCa). Our objective is to develop a unique prognostic model associated with CBXs to improve the accuracy of predicting outcomes of patients with PCa.Data from TCGA and GEO databases were analyzed to assess differential expression, prognostic value, gene pathway enrichment, and immune cell infiltration. COX regression analysis was utilized to identify the independent prognostic factors that impact disease-free survival (DFS). The expression of CBX2 and FOXP3+ cells infiltration was verified by immunohistochemical staining of clinical tissue sections. In vitro proliferation, migration and invasion assay were conducted to examine the function of CBX2. RNA-seq was employed to examine the CBX2 related pathway enrichment.CBX2, CBX3, CBX4, and CBX8 were upregulated, while CBX6 and CBX7 were downregulated in PCa tissues. CBXs expression varied by stage and grade. Elevated expression of CBX1, CBX2, CBX3, CBX4 and CBX8 is correlated with poor outcome. CBX2 expression, T stage, and Gleason score were independent prognostic factors. The expression level of CBX2 in PCa tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent normal tissues. More Treg infiltration was observed in the group with high CBX2 expression. CBX2 expression affected PCa cell growth, migration, and invasion.CBX2 is involved in the development and advancement of PCa, suggesting its potential as a reliable prognostic indicator for PCa patients.Methods: The Chromobox (CBX) family proteins are crucial elements of the epigenetic regulatory machinery and play a significant role in the development and advancement of cancer. Nevertheless, there is limited understanding regarding the role of CBXs in development or progression of prostate cancer (PCa). Our objective is to develop a unique prognostic model associated with CBXs to improve the accuracy of predicting outcomes of patients with PCa.Data from TCGA and GEO databases were analyzed to assess differential expression, prognostic value, gene pathway enrichment, and immune cell infiltration. COX regression analysis was utilized to identify the independent prognostic factors that impact disease-free survival (DFS). The expression of CBX2 and FOXP3+ cells infiltration was verified by immunohistochemical staining of clinical tissue sections. In vitro proliferation, migration and invasion assay were conducted to examine the function of CBX2. RNA-seq was employed to examine the CBX2 related pathway enrichment.CBX2, CBX3, CBX4, and CBX8 were upregulated, while CBX6 and CBX7 were downregulated in PCa tissues. CBXs expression varied by stage and grade. Elevated expression of CBX1, CBX2, CBX3, CBX4 and CBX8 is correlated with poor outcome. CBX2 expression, T stage, and Gleason score were independent prognostic factors. The expression level of CBX2 in PCa tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent normal tissues. More Treg infiltration was observed in the group with high CBX2 expression. CBX2 expression affected PCa cell growth, migration, and invasion.CBX2 is involved in the development and advancement of PCa, suggesting its potential as a reliable prognostic indicator for PCa patients.Results: The Chromobox (CBX) family proteins are crucial elements of the epigenetic regulatory machinery and play a significant role in the development and advancement of cancer. Nevertheless, there is limited understanding regarding the role of CBXs in development or progression of prostate cancer (PCa). Our objective is to develop a unique prognostic model associated with CBXs to improve the accuracy of predicting outcomes of patients with PCa.Data from TCGA and GEO databases were analyzed to assess differential expression, prognostic value, gene pathway enrichment, and immune cell infiltration. COX regression analysis was utilized to identify the independent prognostic factors that impact disease-free survival (DFS). The expression of CBX2 and FOXP3+ cells infiltration was verified by immunohistochemical staining of clinical tissue sections. In vitro proliferation, migration and invasion assay were conducted to examine the function of CBX2. RNA-seq was employed to examine the CBX2 related pathway enrichment.CBX2, CBX3, CBX4, and CBX8 were upregulated, while CBX6 and CBX7 were downregulated in PCa tissues. CBXs expression varied by stage and grade. Elevated expression of CBX1, CBX2, CBX3, CBX4 and CBX8 is correlated with poor outcome. CBX2 expression, T stage, and Gleason score were independent prognostic factors. The expression level of CBX2 in PCa tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent normal tissues. More Treg infiltration was observed in the group with high CBX2 expression. CBX2 expression affected PCa cell growth, migration, and invasion.CBX2 is involved in the development and advancement of PCa, suggesting its potential as a reliable prognostic indicator for PCa patients.Conclusions: The Chromobox (CBX) family proteins are crucial elements of the epigenetic regulatory machinery and play a significant role in the development and advancement of cancer. Nevertheless, there is limited understanding regarding the role of CBXs in development or progression of prostate cancer (PCa). Our objective is to develop a unique prognostic model associated with CBXs to improve the accuracy of predicting outcomes of patients with PCa.Data from TCGA and GEO databases were analyzed to assess differential expression, prognostic value, gene pathway enrichment, and immune cell infiltration. COX regression analysis was utilized to identify the independent prognostic factors that impact disease-free survival (DFS). The expression of CBX2 and FOXP3+ cells infiltration was verified by immunohistochemical staining of clinical tissue sections. In vitro proliferation, migration and invasion assay were conducted to examine the function of CBX2. RNA-seq was employed to examine the CBX2 related pathway enrichment.CBX2, CBX3, CBX4, and CBX8 were upregulated, while CBX6 and CBX7 were downregulated in PCa tissues. CBXs expression varied by stage and grade. Elevated expression of CBX1, CBX2, CBX3, CBX4 and CBX8 is correlated with poor outcome. CBX2 expression, T stage, and Gleason score were independent prognostic factors. The expression level of CBX2 in PCa tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent normal tissues. More Treg infiltration was observed in the group with high CBX2 expression. CBX2 expression affected PCa cell growth, migration, and invasion.CBX2 is involved in the development and advancement of PCa, suggesting its potential as a reliable prognostic indicator for PCa patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The university years are a developmentally crucial phase and a peak period for the onset of mental disorders. The beliefs about the changeability of negative emotion may play an important role in help-seeking. The brief digital growth mindset intervention is potentially scalable and acceptable to enhance adaptive coping and help-seeking for mental health needs in university students. We adapted the Single-session Intervention on Growth Mindset for adolescents (SIGMA) to be applied in university students (U-SIGMA). This protocol introduces a two-armed waitlist randomized controlled trial study to examine the effectiveness and acceptability of U-SIGMA in promoting help-seeking among university students in the Greater Bay Area. Methods: University students (N = 250, ages 18–25) from universities in the Greater Bay Area will be randomized to either the brief digital growth mindset intervention group or the waitlist control group. Participants will report on the mindsets of negative emotions, perceived control over anxiety, attitude toward help-seeking, physical activity, hopelessness, psychological well-being, depression, anxiety, and perceived stress at baseline and the 2-week and 8-week follow-ups through web-based surveys. A 30-min digital intervention will be implemented in the intervention group, with a pre- and post-intervention survey collecting intervention feedback, while the control group will receive the link for intervention after 8 weeks. Discussion: This protocol introduces the implementation plan of U-SIMGA in multi-cities of the Greater Bay Area. The findings are expected to help provide pioneer evidence for the effectiveness and acceptability of the brief digital intervention for university students in the Chinese context and beyond and contribute to the development of accessible and effective prevention and early intervention for university students' mental health. Trial registration: HKU Clinical Trials Registry: HKUCTR-3012; Registered 14 April 2023. http://www.hkuctr.com/Study/Show/7a3ffbc0e03f4d1eac0525450fc5187e. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a widespread public health issue in adolescents. Exploring the risk and protective variables of NSSI is critical for prevention and intervention. Based on the experiential avoidance model (Chapman et al., 2006) and Nock's (2009) integrated model of NSSI, the current study tested a moderated mediation model to examine the impact of two risk factors, childhood abuse and depression, and one protective factor, self-compassion, on NSSI. Self-report measures were conducted among 758 Chinese adolescents (329 females and 429 males, mean age = 14.16 years, SD = 1.92) in Hong Kong, China regarding childhood abuse, depression, self-compassion, and NSSI. Childhood abuse was found to be positively linked to NSSI, and this connection was mediated by depression. Self-compassion weakened the strength between childhood abuse and NSSI, along with that between childhood abuse and depression. These results assist in understanding how NSSI develops and facilitate future studies to investigate how the risk and protective variables for NSSI interact. The clinical application of these findings was also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-order gratings eliminate the need for high-resolution lithography in the definition process. However, they are not widely adopted due to inability to provide sufficient coupling coefficients in long-wave mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers (QCLs). Fifth order tilted asymmetric gratings (TAS-gratings) distributed feedback (DFB) QCLs with stable single longitudinal mode are firstly reported in this paper. TAS-gratings exhibit longitudinal mode selection capability across a broad range of asymmetric distances around 1.18 μm and duty cycles around 0.5, which is attributed to their larger effective duty cycles and phase differences caused by an 18° tilt angle of the grating in the middle and two asymmetrical distributions of gratings on both sides. Further experimental results indicate that DFB QCLs with TAS-gratings exhibit stable excitation of single longitudinal modes within the duty cycle range of 0.48–0.54 due to the large coupling coefficients, the temperature drift coefficient of 0.29 nm/K of TAS-grating device is reduced by 64% compared with symmetric gratings (S-gratings) devices, the maximum side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR) of the devices exceeds 25 dB. TAS-gratings offer greater process tolerance, design flexibility and lower preparation difficulty. This study provides a solution to achieve sufficiently large coupling coefficients for high-order gratings applied to long-wave mid-infrared QCLs. • Fifth-order tilted asymmetric surface gratings are proposed. • It's firstly found effective duty cycle is proportional to the asymmetric distance. • The grating has stable coupling coefficient and large process tolerance. • Device exhibits stable single longitudinal mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high-order tilted asymmetric surface grating (TASG) is firstly investigated and applied to quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) here. Due to the tilted grating of 16°in the middle of ridge, the longitudinal mode loss difference of TASG is about 4% higher than that of the uniform grating (UNG), which results in better single mode selectivity in reflectance spectrum. Further experimental results indicate that the TASG distributed feedback (DFB) QCL maintains more stable single longitudinal mode performance with increasing the current and temperature because that TASG have a larger longitudinal mode loss difference. While the UNG QCL with the equivalent coupling coefficient exhibits mode jumping. Hence, the drift coefficient of 0.311 nm/K of TASG QCL is 60% lower than that of the UNG device and the maximum side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR) achieves 30 dB. The characteristic temperature of TASG QCL device is 36K, which is higher than 32K of UNG device. This study showcases the feasibility and superiority of the TASG in mid-infrared active devices. • High-order tilted asymmetric surface gratings are proposed. • Effective duty cycle and loss difference of tilted asymmetric grating are large. • Optical confinement factor is responsible for the abrupt coupling coefficient. • Device maintains good single longitudinal mode performance and no mode jump. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Co 3 O 4 , La 2 O 3 and three Co-La catalysts were used to the catalytic oxidation of toluene. The LaCoO 3 perovskite was detected over Co-La samples, which could improve the catalytic oxidation of toluene. The abundance of Co2+ and active oxygen species contributed synergistically to the redox cycle reaction, resulting in the enhancement of catalytic activity of toluene combustion. • Addition of La into CoO x could change the crystal structure. • Presence of LaCoO 3 perovskite improved catalytic activity and CO 2 selectivity. • The synergistic effect of LaO x and CoO x was beneficial to the low-temperature reducibility. • 80Co-20La catalyst possessed abundant active oxygen species and Co2+ species. Catalytic combustion is an effective and economic technology to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The La 2 O 3 , Co 3 O 4 , 90Co-10La, 80Co-20La and 70Co-30La samples were prepared via traditional precipitation means, and employed for the catalytic oxidation of toluene. Coupled with XRD, SEM, BET, Ranman, XPS, O 2 -TPD and H 2 -TPR analyses, it were found that the addition of LaO x could change the microstructure and redox ability of catalyst, resulting in the formation of LaCoO 3 perovskite and the increase in the concentrations of Co2+ and O ads. The 80Co-20La sample exhibited the best toluene conversion (T 90 = 242 °C), CO 2 selectivity, stability, the optimal specific reaction rates (Rs = 2.0 × 10−3 mmol h−1m−2) and E a (17.4 kJ/mol). The high catalytic efficiency could be explained by the enhanced synergistic effect between LaO x and CoO x due to the appropriate incorporation of LaO x , and the formed more LaCoO 3 perovskite. It was related to the concentrations of Co2+ and O ads , which was beneficial to the low-temperature reducibility, and thus catalytic performance at low temperature was improved. The present work provids a useful idea for the rational design of the removal of VOCs for using transition/rare earth bimetallic oxides efficient to replace the noble metal catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute glaucoma, characterized by a sudden elevation in intraocular pressure (IOP) and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) death, is a major cause of irreversible blindness worldwide that lacks approved effective therapies, validated treatment targets and clear molecular mechanisms. We sought to explore the potential molecular mechanisms underlying the causal link between high IOP and glaucomatous RGCs death. Methods: A murine retinal ischemia/ reperfusion (RIR) model and an in vitro oxygen and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGDR) model were used to investigate the pathogenic mechanisms of acute glaucoma. Results: Our findings reveal a novel mechanism of microglia-induced pyroptosis-mediated RGCs death associated with glaucomatous vision loss. Genetic deletion of gasdermin D (GSDMD), the effector of pyroptosis, markedly ameliorated the RGCs death and retinal tissue damage in acute glaucoma. Moreover, GSDMD cleavage of microglial cells was dependent on caspase-8 (CASP8)-hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) signaling. Mechanistically, the newly identified nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat-containing receptor (NLR) family pyrin domain-containing 12 (NLRP12) collaborated with NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) and NLR family CARD domain-containing protein 4 (NLRC4) downstream of the CASP8-HIF-1α axis, to elicit pyroptotic processes and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) maturation through caspase-1 activation, facilitating pyroptosis and neuroinflammation in acute glaucoma. Interestingly, processing of IL-1β in turn magnified the CASP8-HIF-1α-NLRP12/NLRP3/NLRC4-pyroptosis circuit to accelerate inflammatory cascades. Conclusions: These data not only indicate that the collaborative effects of NLRP12, NLRP3 and NLRC4 on pyroptosis are responsible for RGCs death, but also shed novel mechanistic insights into microglial pyroptosis, paving novel therapeutic avenues for the treatment of glaucoma-induced irreversible vision loss through simultaneously targeting of pyroptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Co-La catalysts was prepared via sol–gel (SG), coprecipitation (CP), one-pot (OP) and physical mixing (PM) methods, respectively. SG catalyst showed the optimal catalytic performance, stability and durability. SG catalyst possessed the highest S BET , the abundance of Co3+ and more active oxygen species, which could enhance the redox performance, accelerating the toluene oxidation on the surface of SG catalyst. [Display omitted] • The order of catalytic activity was SG > CP > OP > PM. • SG sample possessed the largest S BET and the weakest Co-O bond strength. • SG sample shown the abundant Co3+ and active oxygen species. • SG catalyst exhibited the excellent stability and durability. The catalytic activity and durability of catalysts were severely affected by preparation method. A series of Co-La catalysts were prepared and used to catlytic oxidation of toluene via sol–gel (SG), coprecipitation (CP), one-pot (OP) and physical mixing (PM) methods. The order of catalytic activity was SG > CP > OP > PM. SG catalyst exhibited the lowest apparent activation energy (E a = 51.9 kJ/mol), the largest reaction rate (Rs), suggesting that the catalytic oxidation of toluene was more easily occured. SG catalyst possessed the smallest grain size (9.8 nm) and the largest S BET (41.4 m2/g), indicating that more active sites were provided. Meanwhile, it possessed the weakest Co-O bond strength, the abundant Co3+, active oxygen species and the excellent low-temperature reducibility, which could enhance the oxygen mobility and the redox performance. SG catalyst exhibited the excellent stability and durability, showing a great potential for industrial application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the clinical need for readily available small diameter vascular grafts, biomimetic tubular scaffolds were developed for rapid in situ blood vessel regeneration. The tubular scaffolds were designed to have an inner layer that is porous, interconnected, and with a nanofibrous architecture, which provided an excellent microenvironment for host cell invasion and proliferation. Through the synthesis of poly(spirolactic-co-lactic acid) (PSLA), a highly functional polymer with a norbornene substituting a methyl group in poly(l -lactic acid) (PLLA), we were able to covalently attach biomolecules onto the polymer backbone via thiol-ene click chemistry to impart desirable functionalities to the tubular scaffolds. Specifically, heparin was conjugated on the scaffolds in order to prevent thrombosis when implanted in situ. By controlling the amount of covalently attached heparin we were able to modulate the physical properties of the tubular scaffold, resulting in tunable wettability and degradation rate while retaining the porous and nanofibrous morphology. The scaffolds were successfully tested as rat abdominal aortic replacements. Patency and viability were confirmed through dynamic ultrasound and histological analysis of the regenerated tissue. The harvested tissue showed excellent vascular cellular infiltration, proliferation, and migration with laminar cellular arrangement. Furthermore, we achieved both complete reendothelialization of the vessel lumen and native-like media extracellular matrix. No signs of aneurysm or hyperplasia were observed after 3 months of vessel replacement. Taken together, we have developed an effective vascular graft able to generate small diameter blood vessels that can function in a rat model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mn-120 sample with three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical cube-like morphology mainly exposed (2 1 1) crystal plane, which possessed more Mn3+ species and Oads. Abundant adsorbed oxygen of Mn-120 enhanced the ability of the rapid supplement consumed lattice oxygen species, and the reaction followed by the Mars-van-Krevelen (MVK) mechanism. • Mn-120 exhibited three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical cube-like morphology. • The amounts of Mn3+ and adsorbed oxygen contributed to catalytic activity. • The Mn3+ species mainly existed on the (2 1 1) crystal plane of Mn-120. • Catalytic combustion of benzene over Mn 2 O 3 followed Mars-Van-Krevelen mechanism. A series of Mn 2 O 3 catalysts were prepared by different hydrothermal temperatures and employed to the catalytic oxidation of benzene due to their high activity. The Mn-120 sample with three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical cube-like morphology mainly exposed (2 1 1) crystal plane exhibited the best catalytic activity for the oxidation of benzene and achieved the benzene conversion of 90% at 248 °C. Meanwhile, the best catalytic performance of the Mn-120 sample was attributed to the most amounts of the Mn3+ species and surface-adsorbed oxygen. With the increase of Mn3+ species, the oxygen binding capacity of Mn-120 was reduced, which could increase its oxygen mobility. The abundant adsorbed oxygen species of Mn-120 could improve the replenishment capacity of lattice oxygen species, and the reaction pathway of catalytic oxidation of benzene over MnO 2 obeyed the Mars-Van-Krevelen (MVK) mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The catalysts' redox capacity and surface acidity was important during the catalytic combustion of chlorobenzene (CB). CeO 2 showed great attractiveness due to its high oxygen storage capacity. Furthermore, the increase of acidity on the catalyst surface could improve the resistance to the chlorine poisoning. In this work, the silicotungstic (HSiW) modified CeO 2 catalysts prepared by four cerium salts and exhibited the different morphologies and catalytic activity. The HSiW modified CeO 2 catalyst prepared by Ce(CH 3 COO) 3 (Cat-A) exhibited the best catalytic activity due to its abundant surface weak acid sites, more Ce3+ species and surface adsorption oxygen. The HSiW mainly located on the CeO 2 (111) planes of the Cat-A, which was conducive to redox property of CeO 2 , thus promoting the deep oxidation of CB. Meanwhile the redox ability together with the weak acidity influenced the catalytic efficiency at low temperature. And the redox ability played a major role at high temperature. In addition, the Cat-A still possessed high stability and water resistance and maintained high activity after continuous catalytic oxidation of CB at 235 and 295 °C for 100h, exhibiting the possibility of industrial application. Image 1 • HSiW modified CeO 2 improved surface acidity and redox ability. • The interaction between CeO 2 and WO 3 existed over HSiW/CeO 2. • More acid sites, Ce3+ and O ads over HSiW/CeO 2 improved the catalytic activity. • Different cerium sources led to different crystal plane exposure over HSiW/CeO 2. • HSiW/CeO 2 showed the excellent resistance to Cl poisoning and coke deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date our community has computed many dynamos in which viscosity plays a role in the dynamics. In planetary bodies such as the Earth, viscosity plays a tiny role in comparison to, say, the Coriolis force. Although viscosity in the Earth is not zero, we can compute dynamos with no viscosity to provide a data point that brackets true behaviour and provides a starting point for future calculations in which viscosity might be treated through parametrised boundary effects only.We present examples of mean field axisymmetric dynamos that have no inertia and no viscosity. These dynamos saturate to a state in which Taylor's condition is satisfied, namely there is no Lorentz torque on any cylinder coaxial with the rotation axis. To perform these calculations, careful treatment must be made of the geostrophic flow. We provide examples of two ways to do this, either through satisfaction of Taylor's constraint at all times, or through the tracking of torsional oscillations, the axisymmetric zonal flows that can develop from unbalanced Lorentz torques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases are the leading death cause in the United States accounting for most of the 610,000 deaths of cardiovascular disease. There is an urgent clinical need for readily-available substitutes for small-diameter blood vessels. Emerging as a new breakthrough technology, biomaterial-driven in situ vascular engineering aims to use cell-free scaffolds that can instruct host cell in recapitulating the 3D microstructure and microenvironment directly in the malfunctioned vascular sites. In this study, we designed a biomimetic bilayer nanofibrous scaffold with tunable diameter and pore size conjugated with heparin through modified poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) and electrospinning Poly(ε-Caprolatone). The scaffolds were fabricated with dimensions of 0.9 mm ID, 1.8 mm OD, and 5.0 mm in length, the inner layer function as an architecture of porous and interconnected and able to mimic the extracellular matrix by harboring invading host cells. Its conjugation with anticoagulant heparin prevented thrombosis after implant. The outer layer was not only beneficial for surgery, its slower bio-degradation rate prevented aneurysm, allowing for mature vascular reconstruction. The rat abdominal aortic interposition graft model has been used to check the progress of vascular reconstruction in situ. Longitudinal ultrasound data showed that the implanted scaffolds remain patent and no aneurysm in all rats 3 months post-operation. Histology analysis showed that progressive vascular reconstruction occurred over time, including mature vascular smooth muscle cell infiltration and proliferation in inner layer leading to scaffold remodeling. Masson's trichrome and Verhoeff's staining showed excellent ECM deposition and reconstruction progressing from the sites of anastomosis towards the midpoint of implanted scaffolds. Endothelial re-coverage has also been detected during reconstruction periods. Molecular biology analysis showed increased gene expression levels of VSMC markers, such as SM22-α, CNN-1, and MYH-11, in the inner layer compared to native vasculature. We believe that we have developed an effective vascular graft producing platform to generate mature small diameter blood vessels that can function in animal models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]