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A novel co-designing strategy is presented for an integrated rectifying metantenna, which combines rectification, absorption and electromagnetic signal reception functionalities for simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT). The metasurface is constructed using periodic patch units arranged in front of a compact microstrip antenna. This arrangement effectively stimulates transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) surface waves, which ensures not only high gain but also optimal antenna matching. Furthermore, the metasurface incorporates rectifier diodes distributed partially, significantly enhancing energy conversion efficiency. The proposed rectifying metantenna operates at 5.8 GHz (an ISM band) and achieves a maximum energy conversion efficiency of 54.6% when subjected to an input power of 0 dBm. This accomplishment is particularly noteworthy when the metantenna is integrated into devices for data communication. The proposed rectifying metantenna boasts a range of merits including high integration and multifunctionality. These inherent attributes position it as a promising candidate for advanced IoT wireless communication systems, facilitating the generation of rectified DC power while receiving RF signals without the need for power splitter and time-switching used in conventional SWIPT systems.

Abstract Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plays important roles in animals and plants. In filamentous fungi, however, their biological function in infection stage has been poorly studied. Here, we investigated the landscape and regulation of lncRNA in the filamentous plant pathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea by strand-specific RNA-seq of multiple infection stages. In total, 1837 lncRNAs have been identified in B. cinerea. A large number of lncRNAs were found to be antisense to mRNAs, forming 743 sense-antisense pairs, of which 55 antisense lncRNAs and their respective sense transcripts were induced in parallel as the infection stage. Although small RNAs were produced from these overlapping loci, antisense lncRNAs appeared not to be involved in gene silencing pathways. In addition, we found the alternative splicing events occurred in lncRNA. These results highlight the developmental stage-specific nature and functional potential of lncRNA expression in the infection stage and provide fundamental resources for studying infection stage-induced lncRNAs.

Abstract Accurate estimate of active layer thickness (ALT) is crucial for understanding permafrost and ecosystem responses to climate change. Interferometric Synthetic Aperture SAR (InSAR) technology can detect active layer freeze-thaw induced surface deformation with high accuracy, facilitating more accurate ALT estimation at the regional scale. Previous studies revealed a positive relationship between ALT and seasonal deformation in poorly drained Arctic soils. However, whether such relationship still holds in arid permafrost regions such as the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) remains uncertain. Through synthesizing extensive field observations and remote sensing data, we find an overall negative correlation (r = -0.53, p

The emergence of hypervirulence (hv) and carbapenem resistance (CR) as distinct evolutionary directions for Klebsiella pneumoniae presents a significant threat in clinical settings. However, in recent years, there has been a growing identification of K. pneumoniae strains that integrate both phenotypes, resulting in severe clinical outcomes. Carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (CRhvKP) typically emerges through the acquisition of plasmids carrying either virulence or CR-encoded genes by carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae or hypervirulent K. pneumoniae. Furthermore, the acquisition of a hybrid plasmid can confer a combination of CR and hv. CRhvKP can cause a variety of infections, including pneumonia, urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, liver abscesses, and other related conditions. While the sequence type 11 (ST11) dominates the majority of CRhvKP strains in China, the molecular factors responsible for the success of ST11 CRhvKP largely remain unknown. Here, we provide an overview of the current understanding of the variation and distribution of crucial virulence determinants, the mechanisms driving the merging of hv and CR, and the potential molecular factors influencing the epidemiological success of ST11 CRhvKP. This research aims to contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding CRhvKP. It is imperative to underscore the development of combination therapies, precision medicine, and vaccine strategies as pivotal approaches in effectively combating CRhvKP. Considering the widespread prevalence of CRhvKP, a prioritized, multifaceted approach encompassing infection control, active surveillance, and the development of innovative therapeutics is essential.

Abstract As a crucial component of urban lifeline projects, shallow-buried gas pipelines pose a significant threat to society and people's lives, as well as property in the event of a leakage accident. To investigate the diffusion mechanism of gas leakage out of pipelines, the CFD method is employed to establish a validated numerical model for gas diffusion in backfilled soil. The effects of operating pressure, burial depth, leakage direction of pipelines, and soil resistance coefficient were discussed. The calculated results indicate that the numerical model can accurately predicte the diffusion process and the resistance coefficient of methane in soil-sand, loam, and clay-based. It was found that the burial depth affects the speed of gas diffusion to the soil surface but has little impacts on the concentration distribution range. The diffusion process in the same type of backfilled soil was found very similar under varying pipeline operating pressures, though the pipeline pressure significantly impacts the diffusion range. The shape of the leaked gas cloud in the soil is affected by soil resistance, leak direction, and air buoyancy. A new diffusion model for methane leaking in soil was proposed by introducing two time-related concentration adjustment parameters to the existing natural gas diffusion model. The average error between the calculated results of the proposed diffusion model and the established numerical model was found to be within 10%.

Abstract Nighttime light data partially reflects the process of urban modernization and its reaction to urban scale, but its correlation with noise remains unclear, especially over a long-term time series, remains unclear. To address this gap, we examine 31 provincial capital cities and municipalities in China as the study area, utilizing noise monitoring data and nighttime light data to explore their relationship in urban areas from 2012 to 2021. The results show that: (1) During the study period, the regional environmental noise and night light index of 31 major cities exhibited a consistent upward trend, with the average equivalent sound level of environmental noise in most urban areas fluctuating between 50.1 dB (A) and 60.0 dB (A). The overall quality evaluation was average, indicating that the effectiveness of noise pollution prevention and control was difficult to sustain in the long term. (2) The driving factor affecting the change in environmental noise quality in urban areas is population density. (3) There is a significant correlation between different types of noise proportion and urban construction and development, with the closest correlation observed with the urban economy, urban built-up area, and urban construction land area. Cities with high levels of urbanization tend to have more vulnerable acoustic environments. (4) Industrial noise percentage of urban environmental noise has a significant positive impact on nighttime light data. This study provides valuable insights for promoting the coordinated development between urbanization and acoustic environment optimization, as well as fostering a healthy and sustainable living environment.

Abstract Background The nutritional status of older adults requires focused attention. In Chinese nursing homes, nursing assistants are often the primary caregivers responsible for the daily care of older adults, and their knowledge and attitudes toward nutrition play a fundamental role in providing adequate nutritional care. However, research on the knowledge and attitudes of nursing assistants is limited, despite the fact that these factors play a fundamental role in providing adequate nutritional practices. Objective The aim of this study is to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of nursing assistants in nursing homes and to analyze the influencing factors. Method This cross-sectional study was conducted from January to September 2023, involving 692 nursing assistants from 76 nursing homes in Shanghai. We used validated Nutrition Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Questionnaire for nursing assistants. Results The findings indicated that the mean scores for nutritional knowledge, attitudes, and practices were 45.07 ± 16.18, 76.22 ± 10.03, and 69.94 ± 21.46, respectively. Notably, the mean score for nutritional knowledge was the lowest, with 66.04% of nursing assistants scored below 50% accuracy. A significant negative correlation was observed between nutritional knowledge and practices (r=-0.194, p

Abstract The impregnated layer solution combustion synthesis (SCS) technique was employed to synthesize CaO-based sorbents supported by inert stabilizers so as to improve the cyclic CO2 uptake stability. Four different inert stabilizers were evaluated for their impact on the cyclic CO2 uptake stability of sorbents. It found that the Mg-based inert stabilizer significantly outperforms the other three in improving cyclic CO2 sorption capabilities of sorbents synthesized by the impregnated layer SCS method. Moreover, MgO-supported sorbent pellets were prepared via graphite hydrophobic layer-assisted casting, with the magnesia load within the pellets being regulated between 15 and 45 wt %. It is the addition of MgO stabilizer that significantly improves the performance of CaO-based sorbents, with the improvements being notably more pronounced at higher MgO loads. The calcium-based sorbent pellets containing 45 wt % MgO show extremely stable CO2 sorption performance; after 17 cycles, the carbonation conversion rate is 73.6%, about three times the rate of pellets without MgO loading. The uniform dispersion of MgO inert stabilizer inside pellets improves high-temperature sintering resistance and, concurrently, enhances the mechanical property. Furthermore, the use of waste cigarette butts as impregnated layer templates, rather than other organic additives, will significantly reduce the cost of synthesizing MgO-supported CaO-based sorbents. Graphical Abstract

Many empirical and analytical methods have been proposed to predict fracturing pressure in cohesive soils. Most of them take into account three to four specific influencing factors and rely on the assumption of a failure mode. In this study, a novel data-mining approach based on the XGBoost algorithm is investigated for predicting fracture initiation in cohesive soils. This has the advantage of handling multiple influencing factors simultaneously, without pre-determining a failure mode. A dataset of 416 samples consisting of 14 distinct features was herein collected from past studies, and used for developing a regressor and a classifier model for fracturing pressure prediction and failure mode classification respectively. The results show that the intrinsic characteristics of the soil govern the failure mode while the fracturing pressure is more sensitive to the stress state. The XGBoost-based model was also tested against conventional approaches, as well as a similar machine learning algorithm namely random forest model. Additionally, several large-scale triaxial fracturing tests and an in-situ case study were carried out to further verify the generalization ability and applicability of the proposed data mining approach, and the results indicate a superior performance of the XGBoost model.

Galling wear, a severe form of wear, is a known problem in sheet metal forming. As the wear state is not directly observable in closed tribosystems, such as in industrial sheet metal forming processes, indirect tool wear monitoring techniques for inferring the wear state of the tool from suitable signal characteristics are the subject of intense research. The analysis of acoustic emissions is a promising technique for tool condition monitoring. This research has explored feature selection using t-tests, linear regression models, and cluster analysis of the data. This analysis has been conducted both with and without the inclusion of control variables, friction, and roughness to discriminate between the behavior of the acoustic emissions during different stages of galling wear. Scratch testing at slow sliding speed (1 mm/s) has been used to produce the galling wear between a tool steel indenter and aluminum sheet at 10 N applied load, for which the acoustic emissions were recorded. The bursts of the acoustic emission signal were processed and investigated to observe how the bursts changed with increasing galling damage (increasing material removal and transfer). Novel parameters in the field of galling wear have been identified, and novel models for observing the change in galling wear have been identified, thus furthering the development of acoustic emissions analysis as a non-invasive condition monitoring system, particularly for sheet metal forming processes.

According to the World Health Organization’s statistics, cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, following cardiovascular diseases. Despite significant progress in the field of cancer treatment in recent years, cancer remains one of the main factors shortening human life expectancy. The field of cancer research is increasingly focusing on the role of tumor-related oncogenes and heterogeneous proteins in the development of cancer. Studies indicate that there is a close connection between solid tumors and epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1 (ESRP1). ESRP1 is a key intracellular molecule that plays a crucial role in cell growth and differentiation. As an emerging biomarker, ESRP1 has a decisive impact on the formation and development of solid tumors by regulating the alternative splicing of CD44 and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. Research shows that abnormal expression of ESRP1 is closely related to the formation and development of various solid tumors, including breast cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer, and others, and is closely associated with the invasiveness, metastasis, and poor prognosis of tumors. Therefore, given ESRP1’s critical role in cancer development, it is gradually becoming a potential biomarker and therapeutic target. This review primarily discusses the molecular mechanisms of ESRP1 in regulating cancer metastasis, particularly its regulatory effects on CD44 splicing and the EMT process. These research findings provide new targets for cancer treatment, aiming to bring more precise diagnosis and more effective treatment strategies to patients.

BackgroundTo develop a predictive model using baseline imaging of morphology and radiomics derived from intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging (IVIM-DWI) to determine the pathologic complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in breast cancer patients.MethodsA total of 265 patients who underwent 3.0 T MRI scans before NACT were examined. Among them, 113 female patients with stage II–III breast cancer were included. The training data set consisted of 79 patients (31/48=pCR/Non-PCR, npCR), while the remaining 34 cases formed the validation cohort (13/21=pCR/npCR). Radiomics and conventional magnetic resonance imaging features analysis were performed. To build a nomogram model that integrates the radiomics signature and conventional imaging, a logistic regression method was employed. The performance evaluation of the nomogram involved the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), a decision curve analysis, and the calibration slope.ResultsIn an assessment for predicting pCR, the radiomics model displayed an AUC of 0.778 and 0.703 for the training and testing cohorts, respectively. Conversely, the morphology model exhibited an AUC of 0.721 and 0.795 for the training and testing cohorts, respectively. The nomogram displayed superior predictive discrimination with an AUC of 0.862 for the training cohort and 0.861 for the testing cohort. Decision curve analyses indicated that the nomogram provided the highest clinical net benefit.ConclusionPerforming a nomogram consisting of integrated morphology and radiomics assessment using IVIM-DWI before NACT enables effective prediction of pCR in breast cancer. This predictive model therefore can facilitate medical professionals in making individualized treatment decisions.

A novel balloon-type photoacoustic cell (BTPAC) is proposed to facilitate the detection limitations of acetylene (C2H2) gas achieving ppb level. Here, an ellipsoidal photoacoustic cavity is employed as the platform for gas-light interaction. By strategically directing the excitation source towards the focal point of the ellipsoidal cavity, ensuring its trajectory traverses the focal point upon each reflection from the interior walls. This path increases the gas absorption path length and improves the efficiency of the laser-gas interaction process. Experimental results show that the quality factor of the BTPAC is 224.24 under normal temperature and pressure conditions. Notably, the system maintains a high signal-to-noise ratio even at a C2H2 concentration of 0.1 ppm. Moreover, the minimum detection limit (MDL) and normalized noise equivalent absorption can be calculated to be 3.86 ppb, 6.94·10−10 cm−1·W·Hz−1/2, respectively. Finally, the MDL of the sensor reaches to 0.71 ppb when the integration time reaches 100 s.

Summary: Loss of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson’s disease (PD) is preceded by loss of synaptic dopamine (DA) and accumulation of proteinaceous aggregates. Linking these deficits is critical to restoring DA signaling in PD. Using murine and human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) models of PD coupled with human postmortem tissue, we show that accumulation of α-syn micro-aggregates impairs metabolic flux through the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). This leads to decreased nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP/H) and glutathione (GSH) levels, resulting in DA oxidation and decreased total DA levels. We find that α-syn anchors the PPP enzyme G6PD to synaptic vesicles via the α-syn C terminus and that this interaction is lost in PD. Furthermore, G6PD clinical mutations are associated with PD diagnosis, and G6PD deletion phenocopies PD pathology. Finally, we show that restoring NADPH or GSH levels through genetic and pharmacological intervention blocks DA oxidation and rescues steady-state DA levels, identifying G6PD as a pharmacological target against PD.

ABSTRACT SMARCA4‐deficient undifferentiated tumor (SMARCA4‐UT) in the chest is a high‐grade malignant tumor that grows rapidly and often carries a poor prognosis. Unfortunately, there are currently no effective treatment available until now. Here, we report a case of SMARCA4‐UT in a patient who showed a swift response to a combination treatment of penpulimab, anlotinib, and chemotherapy. A 55‐year‐old man was diagnosed with thoracic SMARCA4‐UT along with metastases to multiple lymph nodes, the pleura, and bones. Immunohistochemical (IHC) testing indicated the absence of PD‐L1 expression in tumor cells. He was given sintilimab and anlotinib as first line treatment. However, a follow‐up chest CT revealed progressive disease (PD) after the first cycle treatment. Subsequently, the second line regimen was modified to etoposide and cisplatin (EP) combined with anlotinib and penpulimab. The effectiveness evaluation revealed partial remission (PR) following two cycles of the second‐line regimen treatment. Notably, the patient's progress‐free survival (PFS) exceeds 7 months and the overall survival up to 12 months. Our case implies that a combination of chemotherapy, anlotinib, and penpulimab might offer a promising therapeutic approach for PD‐L1‐negative thoracic SMARCA4‐UT.

BackgroundThis is the initial investigation assessing the association between caffeine consumption through diet and circulating Klotho concentrations, with Klotho being recognized as a key biomarker of healthspan and aging.MethodsThis cross-sectional analysis utilized data from 11,169 adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Caffeine consumption was evaluated using 24-h dietary recall interviews by trained professionals, and serum Klotho concentrations were measured via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Generalized linear models and threshold effect analysis were employed to examine the relationship between caffeine intake and serum Klotho concentrations. Interaction tests and subgroup analyses were conducted to identify potential effect modifiers.ResultsAfter controlling for covariates, a negative correlation was observed between dietary caffeine consumption and serum Klotho concentrations, with each additional 100 mg of dietary caffeine consumption, Klotho decreased by 3.40 pg./mL (95% confidence interval [CI]: −5.73, −1.07). Participants in the fourth quartile of dietary caffeine consumption showed a 23.00 pg./mL reduction in serum Klotho concentrations (95% CI: −39.41, −6.58) compared to individuals in the first quartile. Threshold effect analysis revealed a threshold point corresponding to natural log-transformed caffeine value >3.74 (equivalent to ~41 mg/day), above which Klotho levels demonstrated a more pronounced decline. Subgroup analyses indicated that this association was more significant in participants with sedentary activity >480 min and without hypertension.ConclusionOur study reveals a significant, dose-dependent negative association linking caffeine intake with serum Klotho concentrations in the United States adults aged 40–79 years, with potential thresholds beyond which the effects become more pronounced. Additional studies are required to verify these results and investigate the underlying biological processes involved.

Microorganisms play important roles in the remediation of contaminated soil. However, the relationship between the soil microbial communities and herbicide degradation remains unclear after applying green manure. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of green manure on soil physicochemical properties, between acetochlor degradation and microbial communities. Adoption of pot experiments, the effects and mechanism of four fertilization treatments (CK: without green manure; GMV: Vicia villosa Roth; GML: Lolium perenne L.; GMR: Raphanus stativus L.) on the degradation of acetochlor were evaluated. Appling to Raphanus stativus L., acetochlor degraded in 5.82 days, which was 74.81 % higher than that of CK. Community differences in soil microbes were analysed using high-throughput sequencing. The predominant phyla of fungi were Ascomyocta, Mortierellomycota, Basidiomycota, unclassified_k_Fungi, and Chytridiomycota, which accounted for 85.01 %–116.46 % of the fungal OTUs. The green manure treatment showed higher abundance of Mortierella (9.54 %–13.05 %), diversity of saprotrophic fungi and symbiotic fungi and faster rate of degradation of acetochlor as compared to CK. In addition, soil properties such as soil total phosphorus (TP) and pH have significant effects on microorganisms. Fungal functional analysis revealed that the microorganisms associated with acetochlor biodegradation mainly belonged to Ascomycota and Glomeromycota. This study offers new insights into the relationship between soil properties and the environmental risks associated with the presence of pesticides in soil and the related mechanisms.

The escalation of antibiotic resistance and the diminishing antimicrobial pipeline have emerged as significant threats to public health. The ESKAPE pathogens – Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp. – were initially identified as critical multidrug-resistant bacteria, demanding urgently effective therapies. Despite the introduction of various new antibiotics and antibiotic adjuvants, such as innovative β-lactamase inhibitors, these organisms continue to pose substantial therapeutic challenges. People’s Republic of China, as a country facing a severe bacterial resistance situation, has undergone a series of changes and findings in recent years in terms of the prevalence, transmission characteristics and resistance mechanisms of antibiotic resistant bacteria. The increasing levels of population mobility have not only shaped the unique characteristics of antibiotic resistance prevalence and transmission within People’s Republic of China but have also indirectly reflected global patterns of antibiotic-resistant dissemination. What’s more, as a vast nation, People’s Republic of China exhibits significant variations in the levels of antibiotic resistance and the prevalence characteristics of antibiotic resistant bacteria across different provinces and regions. In this review, we examine the current epidemiology and characteristics of this important group of bacterial pathogens, delving into relevant mechanisms of resistance to recently introduced antibiotics that impact their clinical utility in China.

ABSTRACTST11 is the most common lineage among carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) infections in Asia. Diverse morphotypes resulting from genetic mutations are associated with significant differences in microbial characteristics among K. pneumoniae isolates. Here, we investigated the genetic determinants and critical characteristics associated with distinct morphotypes of ST11 CRKP. An ST11-KL47 CRKP isolate carrying a pLVPK-like virulence plasmid was isolated from a patient with a bloodstream infection; the isolate had the “mcsw” morphotype. Two distinct morphotypes (“ntrd” and “msdw”) were derived from this strain during in vitro passage. Whole genome sequencing was used to identify mutations that cause the distinct morphotypes of ST11 CRKP. Transmission electron microscopy, antimicrobial susceptibility tests, growth assays, biofilm formation, virulence assays, membrane permeability assays, and RNA-seq analysis were used to investigate the specific characteristics associated with different morphotypes of ST11 CRKP. Compared with the parental mcsw morphotype, the ntrd morphotype resulted from mutation of genes involved in capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis (wza, wzc, and wbaP), a result validated by gene knockout experiments. This morphotype showed capsule deficiency and lower virulence potential, but higher biofilm production. By contrast, the msdw morphotype displayed competition deficiency and increased susceptibility to chlorhexidine and polymyxin B. Further analyses indicated that these characteristics were caused by interruption of the sigma factor gene rpoN by insertion mutations and deletion of the rpoN gene, which attenuated membrane integrity presumably by downregulating the phage shock protein operon. These data expand current understanding of genetic, virulence, and antimicrobial resistance characteristics associated with distinct morphotypes in ST11 CRKP.

Food, water, and energy (FWE) are foundational resources that sustain human well-being and societal advancement. The examination of climate change effects on FWE resources is imperative, particularly in regions abundant in natural resources but ecologically fragile. In this context, we investigated the spatiotemporal changes of FWE resources in China’s western frontiers, where both resource wealth and climate vulnerability are critical. This study proposes an innovative approach to comprehensively analyze the dynamics of food production, surface water, and solar energy from 2010 to 2021 by integrating easily accessible and widely applicable variables, and utilizing remote sensing and statistical data within a sustainable development framework. The results show that: (1) both crop yield and cropland area display an upward trend; (2) the expansion of overall surface water area in Xinjiang is mainly driven by changes in precipitation and temperature, while in Xizang, such a relationship is not evident; (3) Xinjiang and Xizang have advantages in solar photovoltaic (PV) development due to their abundant solar resources. Our results suggest that such spatiotemporal dynamics in food production, surface water and solar energy resources can intuitively reflect the sustainable development status of FWE resources in China’s western frontiers.

This paper proposes a novel microcone-curved resonant photoacoustic cell (MCR-PAC) for highly sensitive trace gas detection. The MCR-PAC features with microcone-curved resonant region and cylindrical buffer chamber, which dominates the photoacoustic signal amplification. By introducing the hyperbolic eccentricity as a new optimization dimension, the quality factor of the MCR-PAC is remarkably strengthened to enhance the acoustic pressure amplitude. At an eccentricity value of 5, the volume of the photoacoustic resonant cavity is approximately 0.23 cm3. Targeting trace acetylene, the system achieves a minimum detection limit of 1.41 ppb with an integration time of 290 s, corresponding normalized noise equivalent absorption coefficient is 1.88×10−9 W·cm−1·Hz−1/2. Compared to the traditional T-type PAC, the overall performance of MCR-PAC has been enhanced nearly fourfold. With its compact millimeter-scale dimensions and high sensitivity, the MCR-PAC demonstrates extensive potential for application in environmental monitoring and breath diagnostics.

This study aims to apply multivariate analysis algorithms for modeling the same spectra, for simultaneous determination of pymetrozine and carbendazim residues in apple. To mitigate the impact of competitive adsorption, SERS spectra are obtained from mixed solutions of pymetrozine and carbendazim at varying concentration ratios, which are then utilized for modeling. Results suggest that the PLSR model based on full-band SNV processed spectra shows the best performance for predicting pymetrozine and carbendazim contents, with R2 p of 0.9751 and 0.9779, RMSEP of 0.0492 and 0.5531 mg/L, RPD of 6.4297 and 6.8246, respectively. This model yielded R2 p of 0.9644 and 0.9671, RMSEP of 0.0747 and 0.8247 mg/L, RPD of 5.3857 and 5.6066 for pymetrozine and carbendazim in apple, respectively. The findings suggest that the proposed approach is suitable for simultaneous detection of pymetrozine and carbendazim in apples, offering a novel avenue for monitoring food safety.

Abstract The advancement of lightweight protective armors holds critical importance for enhancing the maneuverability and combat capabilities of helicopters. Leveraging insights from bionics, it provides a new idea for high-performance armor design. In this study, a new type of composite armor was designed by referring to the structural characteristics of hard phase-protection, soft phase-buffering of unitization armadillo shell. Through the numerical study, the anti-ballistic performance of armor with varying thickness ratios of the dense ceramic layer to the interpenetrating layer is obtained, and the influence of different structures of armor on the anti-ballistic performance is analyzed. The results show that compared with the traditional laminated composite armor, the Al2O3/Al biomimetic composite armor not only improves the separation phenomenon caused by wave impedance mismatch, but also greatly improves the speed drop in resisting high-speed and penetrating bullets. When the thickness ratio is 2:1, the armor has higher ballistic protection performance.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm (pNEN) is the most common neuroendocrine tumor in the digestive system. The heterogeneity of pNEN makes it difficult to summarize diagnostic and therapeutic strategies only based on clinical experience. Over the past 20 years, basic research on pNEN has been well developed, which in turn has promoted its theoretical system and diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, significantly improving the therapeutic efficacy of pNEN. In this paper, we review the development of basic research on pNEN in recent years and discuss its role in clinical diagnosis and treatment. On the one hand, the development of basic research can further reveal the nature of the differential biological behavior of pNEN and provide clinical reference; on the other hand, reference to the migratory basic research results in other tumor fields is also conducive to improving the clinical diagnosis and treatment level of pNEN.

Abstract Uncaria rhynchophylla is an important traditional herbal medicine in China, and the yield and quality of Uncaria rhynchophylla can be improved by suitable soil conditioners because of changing the soil properties. In this paper, Uncaria rhynchophylla associated alkaloids and soil microbial communities were investigated. The field experiment was set up with the following control group: (M1, no soil conditioner) and different soil conditioner treatment groups (M2, biomass ash; M3, water retention agent; M4, biochar; M5, lime powder and M6, malic acid). The results showed that M2 significantly increased the fresh and dry weight and the contents of isorhynchophylline, corynoxeine, isocorynoxeine, and total alkaloids. Acidobacteria, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Chloroflexi were major bacterial phyla. Correlation analysis showed that fresh and dry weight was significantly positively correlated with Acidobacteria, while alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, phosphatase activity, fresh and dry weight, corynoxeine, and isocorynoxeine were significantly negatively correlated with Chloroflexi. The application of soil conditioner M2 increased the abundance of Acidobacteria and decreased the abundance of Chloroflexi, which contributed to improving the soil nutrient content, yield, and quality of Uncaria rhynchophylla. In summary, biomass ash may be a better choice of soil conditioner in Uncaria rhynchophylla growing areas.

Background CameL phase 3 study demonstrated the superiority of camrelizumab plus chemotherapy over chemotherapy alone for progression-free survival in patients with previously untreated advanced non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without EGFR/ALK alterations. Here, we present the 5-year outcomes.Methods Patients were randomized (1:1) and received 4–6 cycles of camrelizumab plus carboplatin and pemetrexed (n=205) or carboplatin and pemetrexed (n=207) every 3 weeks, followed by maintenance camrelizumab plus pemetrexed or pemetrexed only. Crossover from chemotherapy group to camrelizumab monotherapy was permitted after disease progression.Results Median time from randomization to data cut-off was 65.2 months (range, 59.7–72.2). HR for overall survival (OS) was 0.74 (95% CI 0.58 to 0.93; one-sided p=0.0043), and was 0.62 (95% CI 0.49 to 0.79; one-sided p

This work investigated non-standard HIP cycles for PBF-L Ti-6Al-4V and characterized microstructure and tensile properties to compare between material that originated from the same build. For 920°C, faster cooling rates (100°C/min, 2000°C/min) were found to promote bi-lamellar α microstructure, while the 2000°C/min cooling rate improved the strength. For HIP with lower temperature (800°C, 200 MPa), coarsening was minimized resulting in strength improvement. The slow cooling rate (12°C/min) showed the highest strength as faster rates increased the amount of orthorhombic martensite (α″). For HIP with higher temperature (1050°C), the as-built crystallographic texture was reduced and equiaxed prior-β grain morphology resulted, leading to more isotropic tensile properties. However, the cooling rate (2000°C/min) was not enough to prevent formation of grain boundary α, which reduced strength and elongation. Machine learning was carried out on the dataset via Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to reduce the dimensionality of the parameters and microstructural features.

BackgroundCurrently developed molecular markers can predict the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy and screen beneficiaries to some extent, but they are not stable enough. Therefore, there is an urgent need for discovering novel biomarkers. At the same time, sex factor plays a vital role in the response to immunotherapy, so it is particularly important to identify sex-related molecular indicators.MethodsWe integrated a pan-cancer cohort consisting of 2348 cancer patients who received immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted sequencing. Using somatic mutation profiles, we identified mutational signatures, molecular subtypes, and frequently mutated genes, and analyzed their relationships with immunotherapeutic outcomes. We also explored sex disparities of determined biomarkers in response to treatments.ResultsWe found that male patients exhibited better immunotherapy outcomes and higher tumor mutational burden. A total of seven mutational signatures were identified, among which signatures 1 and 3 were associated with worse immunotherapy outcomes, while signatures 2 and 6 correlated with better outcomes. Gender-based analysis revealed that mutational signature 1 continued to show a worse immunotherapy outcome in female patients, whereas signature 6 demonstrated a better outcome in male patients. Based on mutational activities, we identified four potential molecular subtypes with gender differences and relevance to treatment outcomes. PI3K-AKT, RAS signaling pathways, and 68 significantly mutated genes were identified to be associated with immunotherapy outcomes, with nine genes (i.e., ATM, ATRX, DOT1L, EP300, EPHB1, NOTCH1, PBRM1, RBM10, and SETD2) exhibiting gender differences. Finally, we discovered co-mutated gene pairs and TP53 p.R282W mutations related to treatment outcomes, highlighting their gender-specific differences.ConclusionThis study identified several molecular biomarkers related to cancer immunotherapy outcomes in terms of mutational signatures, molecular subtypes, and mutated genes, and explored their gender-relatedness in order to provide clues and basis for clinical treatment efficacy evaluation and patient selection.

BackgroundCell death mechanisms are integral to the pathogenesis of breast cancer (BC), with ATP-induced cell death (AICD) attracting increasing attention due to its distinctive specificity and potential therapeutic applications.MethodsThis study employed genomic methodologies to investigate the correlation between drug sensitivity and types of AICD in BC. Initially, data from TCGA were utilized to construct a prognostic model and classification system for AICD. Subsequently, a series of bioinformatics analyses assessed the prognostic and clinical significance of this model within the context of BC.ResultsAnalysis revealed a cohort of 18 genes associated with AICD, exhibiting prognostic relevance. Survival analyses indicated that overall survival rates were significantly lower in high-risk populations compared to their low-risk counterparts. Furthermore, prognostic indicators linked to AICD demonstrated high accuracy in predicting survival outcomes in BC. Immunological assessments indicated heightened expression of anti-tumor infiltrating immune cells and immune checkpoint molecules in low-risk populations, correlating with various anti-tumor immune functions. Ultimately, a comprehensive prognostic model related to AICD was developed through univariate analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and multivariate Cox regression analysis. As Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentration increased, the viability of BC cells exhibited a general decline at each time point. Notably, ATP diminished the mitochondrial membrane potential in BC cells while enhancing it in normal breast epithelial cells. Additionally, ATP inhibited the migration of BC cells and promoted their apoptosis. ATP also stimulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in MCF-10A cells, with implications for the immune response in BC cells. Compared to the control group, expression levels of CLIC6, SLC1A1, and CEMIP were significantly reduced in the ATP intervention group, whereas ANO6 expression was elevated. ANO6, CEMIP, and CLIC6 share genetic variants with BC, while SLC1A1 does not exhibit genetic causal variation with the disease.ConclusionA valuable prognostic model associated with AICD has been established, capable of accurately predicting BC prognosis. The induction of cell death by ATP appears to play a protective role in BC progression. These findings carry significant implications for the implementation of personalized and tailored treatment strategies for BC patients.

Abstract The VCPIP1‐P97/VCP (Valosin‐Containing Protein) complex is required for post‐mitotic Golgi cisternae reassembly and maintenance in interphase. However, the organization and mechanism of this complex in regulating Golgi membrane fusion is still elusive. Here, the cryo‐electron microscopy (cryo‐EM) structures of the human VCPIP1‐P97/VCP complex are presented. These studies reveal that three independent VCPIP1 molecules sit over the C‐terminal substrate exit tunnel formed by P97/VCP homo‐hexamer, resulting in an unusual C3 to C6 symmetric barrel architecture. The UFD1 (unknown function domain 1) from VCPIP1, but not the N‐terminal OTU domain and the C‐terminal UBL domain, docks to the two adjacent D2 domains of P97/VCP, allosterically causing the cofactors binding domain‐NTDs (N‐terminal domains) of P97/VCP in a “UP” and D1 domain in an ATPase competent conformation. Conversely, VCPIP1 bound P97/VCP hexamer favors the binding of P47, and thus the intact SNARE complex, promoting Golgi membrane fusion. These studies not only reveal the unexpected organization of humanVCPIP1‐P97/VCP complex, but also provide new insights into the mechanism of VCPIP1‐P97/VCP mediated Golgi apparatus reassembly, which is a fundamental cellular event for protein and lipid processing.

A proof-of-concept on-beam tuning-fork-enhanced photoacoustic sensor based on an open-closed single-tube acoustic-microresonator (AmR) was proposed and investigated for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. Due to the high acoustic amplification effect, the open-closed AmR improved the detection sensitivity by 54 times with respect to the bare tuning fork (TF). Compared to traditional dual-tube/single-tube on-beam spectrophone configuration, the developed approach significantly facilitates the laser beam alignment and reduces the sensor size and gas consumption. A 6.6 kHz low-frequency custom aluminum alloy TF was employed as the acoustic transducer to detect the photoacoustic signal. The vibration of TF was measured by a fiber-optic Fabry-Pérot (FP) interferometer (FPI). The modulation depth, tube length and laser power were experimentally optimized and evaluated in detail. An acetylene (C2H2) 1σ minimum detection limit (MDL) of 6.3 ppb was obtained with a high laser power of ∼ 500 mW, corresponding to a normalized noise equivalent absorption (NNEA) coefficient of 6.5 × 10−9 cm−1 W/Hz1/2. The compact spectrophone size and all-fiber measurement method can make the PAS-based sensor have great application prospects in dissolved gases detection in transformer oil, remote gas detection, space-limited gas detection, and etc.

G-quadruplex is a high-level structure composed of folded DNA or RNA rich in tandem repeats of guanine (G). In recent years, G-quadruplex is widely used in various fields due to its unique structural properties. This article briefly introduces the structural properties of G-quadruplex, and provides a brief introduction to the research on DNA and RNA G-quadruplex in various detection and medical fields. It is hoped that this can provide some help to readers who want to understand G-quadruplex.

Abstract Developing novel lead‐free ferroelectric materials is crucial for next‐generation microelectronic technologies that are energy efficient and environment friendly. However, materials discovery and property optimization are typically time‐consuming due to the limited throughput of traditional synthesis methods. In this work, we use a high‐throughput combinatorial synthesis approach to fabricate lead‐free ferroelectric superlattices and solid solutions of (Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 (BCT) and Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 (BZT) phases with continuous variation of composition and layer thickness. High‐resolution x‐ray diffraction (XRD) and analytical scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) demonstrate high film quality and well‐controlled compositional gradients. Ferroelectric and dielectric property measurements identify the “optimal property point” achieved at the composition of 48BZT–52BCT. Displacement vector maps reveal that ferroelectric domain sizes are tunable by varying {BCT–BZT}N superlattice geometry. This high‐throughput synthesis approach can be applied to many other material systems to expedite new materials discovery and properties optimization, allowing for the exploration of a large area of phase space within a single growth.

Extensive research has been conducted on the structures and preparation methods of ceramic/metal composites to achieve materials with superior strength and toughness. Among these, the triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structure stands out due to its remarkable advantages. In this study, we employed SLA additive manufacturing to fabricate a Gyroid-structured ceramic skeleton, and utilized metal infiltration to prepare interpenetrating Al2O3/Al composites. A comparison was made between the compressive properties of Al2O3/Al interpenetrating composites with Gyroid curved surface structure and those with honeycomb structure. The experimental outcomes indicate that compressive failure in both structural composites primarily occurs at the bond interface between the ceramic framework and the metal. These composites exhibit brittle fracture and experience shear failure. Furthermore, the compressive failure mechanism involves a mixed fracture composed of cleavage and micropore polymerization fractures. Gyroid curved structural composites exhibit lower local stress concentration due to their smooth and regular topology, rendering them with higher strength and ductility compared to honeycomb structural composites. The ultimate compressive strength of the Gyroid curved composite is 264 MPa, representing a 3.8-fold increase over the honeycomb structure.

Abstract Crop wild relatives offer natural variations of disease resistance for crop improvement. Here, we report the isolation of broad-spectrum powdery mildew resistance gene Pm36, originated from wild emmer wheat, that encodes a tandem kinase with a transmembrane domain (WTK7-TM) through the combination of map-based cloning, PacBio SMRT long-read genome sequencing, mutagenesis, and transformation. Mutagenesis assay reveals that the two kinase domains and the transmembrane domain of WTK7-TM are critical for the powdery mildew resistance function. Consistently, in vitro phosphorylation assay shows that two kinase domains are indispensable for the kinase activity of WTK7-TM. Haplotype analysis uncovers that Pm36 is an orphan gene only present in a few wild emmer wheat, indicating its single ancient origin and potential contribution to the current wheat gene pool. Overall, our findings not only provide a powdery mildew resistance gene with great potential in wheat breeding but also sheds light into the mechanism underlying broad-spectrum resistance.

Abstract In order to obtain high yield pomelo peel pectin with better physicochemical properties, four pectin extraction methods, including hot acid extraction (HAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), ultrasound-assisted extraction, and enzymatic assisted extraction (EAE) were compared. MAE led to the highest pectin yield (20.43%), and the lowest pectin recovery was found for EAE (11.94%). The physicochemical properties of pomelo peel pectin obtained by different methods were also significantly different. Pectin samples obtained by MAE had the highest methoxyl content (8.35%), galacturonic acid content (71.36%), and showed a higher apparent viscosity, thermal and emulsion stability. The pectin extracted by EAE showed the highest total phenolic content (12.86%) and lowest particle size (843.69 nm), showing higher DPPH and ABTS scavenging activities than other extract methods. The pectin extracted by HAE had the highest particle size (966.12 nm) and degree of esterification (55.67%). However, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy showed that no significant difference occurred among the different methods in the chemical structure of the extracted pectin. This study provides a theoretical basis for the industrial production of pomelo peel pectin.

The default–interventionist model of dual-process theories proposes that stereotype descriptions in base-rate problems are processed using Type 1 processing, while the evaluation of base rates depends on Type 2 processing. The logical intuition view posits that people can process base-rate information using Type 1 processing. This study examined the logical intuition view using the instructional manipulation paradigm. Participants judged the probability that a character in a base-rate problem belonged to a particular group based on either their beliefs or statistics and then rated their confidence in their responses. Results showed that a belief–statistics conflict affected both statistics- and belief-based judgments, resulting in lower probability estimates, longer response times, and lower confidence ratings for conflict items compared to no-conflict items, suggesting participants intuitively processed base rates such that they influenced rapid belief judgments. This intuitive logic effect was observed for extreme base rates, moderate base rates, and moderate base rates with small absolute values. These findings are inconsistent with the default–interventionist model but align with dual-process theories emphasizing logical intuition. The study provides additional evidence for human rationality.

To investigate the mechanisms underlying the continuous failure of deep foundation pits in tropical water-rich sandy strata, this study comprehensively examines a foundation pit project in Haikou city, China. Using the PLAXIS3D 24.1 software, a three-dimensional finite element numerical model was developed. The analysis integrates design schemes, field investigations, monitoring data, and other relevant information to elucidate the mechanisms of disaster damage, such as foundation pit water inrush, floor collapse, and sidewall failure. The results indicate that the water barrier layer is the thinnest at the elevator shaft foundation pit, with a rapid shortening of seepage paths following the extraction of steel sheet piles; the seepage velocity increases by approximately 120%, leading to groundwater breaching both the water barrier and cushion layers. The inadequate length of the suspended impervious curtain in the confined aquifer results in a maximum seepage velocity at the defect site that is 40 times greater than that at other locations, facilitating groundwater influx into the foundation pit. As the excavation deepens, significant alterations occur in the groundwater seepage field at the defect location in the water-resisting curtain, with the seepage velocity increasing from 6.4 mm/day outside the pit to 78.8 mm/day inside the pit, thereby threatening the stability of the pit foundation. Additionally, construction quality defects arising from the three-axis mixing method in the silty sand layer cause a downward shift in the maximum horizontal displacement of the supporting structure, with displacement increments near the defects reaching 63%. Unreasonable emergency pumping measures can lead to floor collapses and sidewall damage. The soil in the pit significantly affects the back pressure, but it is also affected by the distance, and the increase in seepage velocity in the elevator shaft remains under 1% and does not significantly impact the damaging incident.

Differential photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) for flow gas detection based on single microphone is innovatively proposed and experimentally demonstrated. Unlike the traditional systems, only one microphone is used to suppress flowing gas noise. Wavelength modulation spectroscopy and second harmonic detection technique are applied in this PAS system with Q-point demodulation for acetylene (C2H2) gas detection. The experiment is conducted at 1 atm and 300 K. Different concentrations and flow rates of C2H2 from 0 sccm to 225 sccm are detected by using nitrogen (N2) as the carrier gas, which indicates that the system can respond well to flowing gases while maintaining the noise at the same level. The system response time decreases to 3.58 s while the gas velocity is 225 sccm. The detection limit of 43.97 ppb with 1 s integration time and normalized noise equivalent absorption (NNEA) coefficient of 4.0 × 10-9 cm-1 W Hz-1/2 is achieved at the flow rate of 225 sccm. The firstly proposed differential PAS based on single microphone greatly simplifies the system structure for flow gas detection, which provides a novel route for development of PAS with significant practical implementation prospects.

Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a clinically challenging cancer with a dismal overall prognosis. NSD2 is an H3K36‐specific di‐methyltransferase that has been reported to play a crucial role in promoting tumorigenesis. Here, the study demonstrates that NSD2 acts as a putative tumor suppressor in Kras‐driven pancreatic tumorigenesis. NSD2 restrains the mice from inflammation and Kras‐induced ductal metaplasia, while NSD2 loss facilitates pancreatic tumorigenesis. Mechanistically, NSD2‐mediated H3K36me2 promotes the expression of IκBα, which inhibits the phosphorylation of p65 and NF‐κB nuclear translocation. More importantly, NSD2 interacts with the DNA binding domain of p65, attenuating NF‐κB transcriptional activity. Furthermore, inhibition of NF‐κB signaling relieves the symptoms of Nsd2‐deficient mice and sensitizes Nsd2‐null PDAC to gemcitabine. Clinically, NSD2 expression decreased in PDAC patients and negatively correlated to nuclear p65 expression. Together, the study reveals the important tumor suppressor role of NSD2 and multiple mechanisms by which NSD2 suppresses both p65 phosphorylation and downstream transcriptional activity during pancreatic tumorigenesis. This study opens therapeutic opportunities for PDAC patients with NSD2 low/loss by combined treatment with gemcitabine and NF‐κBi.

IntroductionEthical voice is a valuable ethical behavior that enables organizations to promptly recognize and rectify unethical issues and practices, thus preventing severe dilemmas and crises. Despite its importance, the extant literature has yet to fully explore the impact of a leader’s ethical voice on subordinate outcomes. This study bridges this gap by integrating social identity theory and social exchange theory to scrutinize the process by which a leader’s ethical voice affects subordinate task performance.MethodsWe employ a serial mediation model to explore the mechanisms by which a leader’s ethical voice enhances subordinates’ task performance. Our theoretical framework is empirically validated using a dataset that includes 449 subordinate-leader pairings from Chinese enterprises.ResultsThe survey results demonstrate that a leader’s ethical voice has a significant positive impact on subordinate task performance. Subordinate identification with leader and leader-member exchange not only individually mediate the effects of a leader’s ethical voice on subordinate task behavior but also jointly serve as a chain-mediated mechanism in the influence of a leader’s ethical voice on subordinate task behavior.DiscussionThese findings illuminate the substantial effects that ethical leadership behaviors exert on employee performance and offer fresh perspectives on the intricate dynamics that govern this influence.

BackgroundBleomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic with outstanding anti-tumor effects. A major adverse effect of bleomycin is lung fibrosis. However, the development of cataracts as a severe adverse effect has not been reported.Case summaryHerein, we describe the first case of cataract induced by bleomycin therapy in a 22-year-old male with testicular cancer. After surgical intervention and following five successive chemotherapy cycles of the BEP regimen, including bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin, the patient reported a gradual painless loss of vision, with substantial decline in visual ability, especially in the right eye. Following comprehensive eye examinations, a cataract was diagnosed. Eventually, the patient underwent phacoemulsification and received replacement of the intraocular lenses.ConclusionBleomycin can cause cataracts, which induces a significant loss of vision. Therefore, clinicians should observe early symptoms and properly adjust treatment to prevent aggravation of symptoms.

Abstract Maintenance of fecal continence requires a continuous or basal tone of the internal anal sphincter (IAS). Paradoxically, the basal tone results largely from high-frequency rhythmic contractions of the IAS smooth muscle. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms that initiate these contractions remain elusive. Here we show that the IAS contains multiple pacemakers. These pacemakers spontaneously generate propagating calcium waves that drive rhythmic contractions and establish the basal tone. These waves are myogenic and act independently of nerve, paracrine or autocrine signals. Using cell-specific gene knockout mice, we further found that TMEM16A Cl− channels in smooth muscle cells (but not in the interstitial cells of Cajal) are indispensable for pacemaking, rhythmic contractions, and basal tone. Our results identify TMEM16A in smooth muscle cells as a critical pacemaker channel that enables the IAS to contract rhythmically and continuously. This study provides cellular and molecular insights into fecal continence.

To enhance our comprehension of the precipitation patterns and underlying causes in the complex terrain area of the southeastern edge of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau, the observation data of 72 automatic weather stations in this area and the ERA5 reanalysis data with a resolution of 0.25°×0.25° obtained from the European Center between 2015 and 2020 were utilized to analyze the precipitation characteristics and genesis in Panzhihua. The results indicate that: (1) The precipitation in Panzhihua exhibits a prominent topographic effect, showing a significant decrease from north to south in annual precipitation distribution. The number of precipitation days is one of the main factors for the spatial distribution difference in precipitation. (2) Panzhihua displays obvious nighttime rain features, which shows a unimodal pattern, with the peak precipitation occurring at 03∶00 BT. Panzhihua is located in a dry and hot valley area, and thus experiences low daytime humidity and high nighttime humidity. The saturated atmosphere at night is more likely to lead to condensation, resulting in precipitation. The diurnal variation of humidity is one of the reasons why nighttime rain prevails in Panzhihua. (3) Panzhihua has distinct dry and wet seasons, with June to October being the wet season, November to May of the following year being the dry season, and June and October being the transition period between dry and wet. In June, the southwest monsoon breaks out in the Bay of Bengal, and the rainy season begins in Panzhihua, gradually the dry season finishes. In October, the dry southern branch of the plateau's westerly airflow strengthens, and the rainy season tends to end and the dry season begins.

Tetanus, a life-threatening bacterial infection prevalent in low- and middle-income countries like Vietnam, impacts the nervous system, causing muscle stiffness and spasms. Severe tetanus often involves dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Timely detection and effective ANS dysfunction management require continuous vital sign monitoring, traditionally performed using bedside monitors. However, wearable electrocardiogram (ECG) sensors offer a more cost-effective and user-friendly alternative. While machine learning-based ECG analysis can aid in tetanus severity classification, existing methods are excessively time-consuming. Our previous studies have investigated the improvement of tetanus severity classification using ECG time series imaging. In this study, our aim is to explore an alternative method using ECG data without relying on time series imaging as an input, with the aim of achieving comparable or improved performance. To address this, we propose a novel approach using a 1D-Vision Transformer, a pioneering method for classifying tetanus severity by extracting crucial global information from 1D ECG signals. Compared to 1D-CNN, 2D-CNN, and 2D-CNN + Dual Attention, our model achieves better results, boasting an F1 score of 0.77 ± 0.06, precision of 0.70 ± 0. 09, recall of 0.89 ± 0.13, specificity of 0.78 ± 0.12, accuracy of 0.82 ± 0.06 and AUC of 0.84 ± 0.05.

Recent efforts on person re-identification have shown promising results by learning discriminative features via the multi-branch network. To further boost feature discrimination, attention mechanism has also been extensively employed. However, the branches on the main level rarely communicate with others in existing branching models, which may compromise the ability of mining diverse features. To mitigate this issue, a novel framework called Hierarchical Attentive Feature Aggregation (Hi-AFA) is proposed. In Hi-AFA, a hierarchical aggregation mechanism is applied to learn attentive features. The current feature map is not only fed into the next stage, but also aggregated into another branch, leading to hierarchical feature flows along depth and parallel branches. We also present a simple Feature Suppression Operation (FSO) and a Lightweight Dual Attention Module (LDAM) to guide feature learning. The FSO can partially erase the salient features already discovered, such that more potential clues can be mined by other branches with the help of LDAM. By this manner, the branches could cooperate to mine richer and more diverse feature representations. The hierarchical aggregation and multi-granularity feature learning are integrated into a unified architecture that builds upon OSNet, resulting a resource-economical and effective person re-identification model. Extensive experiments on four mainstream datasets, including Market-1501, DukeMTMC-reID, MSMT17, and CUHK03, are conducted to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method, and results show that state-of-the-art performance is achieved.

Traditionally, radio frequency detection or ambient spectrum sensing has required high-performance spectrum analyzers and RF signal analyzers, leading to relatively high costs due to the need for a local oscillator and signal mixer. To overcome this challenge, we propose a low-cost, substantially simplified solution utilizing a stretchable rectenna, a microcontroller unit (MCU), and feedback control systems. By exploiting the dynamic correlation between the resonant frequency and the tensile ratio of the stretchable antenna, the incoming frequency can be determined by recording the maximum rectifier DC power output as a function of the electromechanically controlled tension ratio of the stretchable antenna. Our measured results indicate that a frequency measurement range of 1.8 GHz to 2.5 GHz can be achieved through careful design of the stretchable antenna and broadband rectifier. We have experimentally demonstrated an over-the-air far-field frequency sensing system based on this concept, showcasing significant advantages in power consumption, cost-effectiveness, and simplicity when compared to state-of-the-art RF spectrum analyzers.

Mapping and monitoring the spatial–temporal evolution of thermokarst lakes on the Tibetan Plateau can significantly contribute to the estimation of climate change impacts on permafrost degradation. Remote sensing-based methods have been developed to monitor the interannual changes of thermokarst lakes. However, the seasonal changes, which are vital for understanding thermokarst lake dynamics, are commonly overlooked. This paper developed automatic methods which integrated the normalized difference water index (NDWI), modified normalized difference water index (MNDWI), principal component analysis (PCA), and independent component analysis (ICA) with Markov random field (MRF) for rapid mapping of thermokarst lakes in different physical states characterized by season changes. To validate the effectiveness, the proposed methods were applied to map thermokarst lakes on the central Tibetan Plateau, using four Sentinel-2 images representing different evolutionary states. Specifically, the area-to-point regression kriging (ATPRK) method was employed to downscale the 20-m short-wave infrared (SWIR) band to 10 m. Using manually digitized lakes as a reference, the proposed methods achieved an average Kappa coefficient of 0.79, significantly outperforming the water index thresholding method that merely attained 0.44. The results corroborate that the proposed methods can be robustly applied in mapping thermokarst lake dynamics with both interannual and seasonal trends on the Tibetan Plateau.

ABSTRACTIt is critical to understand the mechanisms and impacts of global climate change in cryosphere and polar environment. Here we describe the design and progress of the remote sensing products we have developed to monitor these changes. We obtain datasets by combining multi-sensor remote sensing systems with field validation systems, and then develop a methodological system that combines multiple sources and calibration technologies to address the challenges of data heterogeneity in dynamically monitoring key parameters. This global change and response special project supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China, named ‘observation and inversion of critical parameters of changes in the cryosphere and polar environment’, providing comprehensive records of essential elements of the cryosphere through long-term satellite records. The multi-team is completing the project and collecting data from multi-sensor to create remote sensing data products that include records of changes in the cryosphere, such as permafrost, glaciers, ice sheet mass balance, seasonal snow accumulation, sea ice, and albedo changes. Finally, the existing ground- and space-based observing system can be improved to provide dynamic monitoring of key parameters in the cryosphere and changes in the polar environment.