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Abstract The optimal selection of pinning nodes for multi-agent flocking is a challenging NP-hard problem. Current pinning node selection strategies mainly rely on centrality measures of complex networks, which lack rigorous mathematical proof for effective flocking control. This paper proposes a pinning node selection strategy based on matrix eigenvalue theory. First, the effect of the pinning node on the eigenvalue of the Laplacian matrix is analyzed. Then, a synchronization index representing the topology uniformity of the multi-agent system is proposed to exert maximum influence on the system synchronizability. A practical optimal pinning node selection method based on the synchronization index is proposed and analyzed using the eigenvalue perturbation method. Finally, simulations demonstrate that the convergence rate of the system obtained using the optimal synchronizability pinning node selection method is better than that achieved with the maximum degree centrality node selection strategy.

Synthetic frequency dimensions provide important opportunities to investigate novel topological phenomena. Previously, many theoretical proposals have been studied and relevant experiments have been performed very recently. However, all these works consider models in the weak modulation regime, where static lattice models are constructed. Here we explore a Floquet Su–Schrieffer–Heeger (SSH) model with time-dependent hoppings in the frequency dimension by dynamically modulating ring resonators ultrastrongly, and find that the topological states, originally degenerate in conventional SSH lattices, are separated in eigenenergies. There exists a series of edge states from band folding at the 0 and π energy bandgaps, which exhibit complex multi-frequency oscillations due to the inclusion of counter-rotating terms with higher order oscillation frequencies. Such a system with stronger modulations can widen the bandgap and therefore it provides an effective way to localize pulses in synthetic frequency dimensions. Our work shows a photonic platform with the synthetic dimension in exploring exotic Floquet topological phenomena and shows potential applications in optical storage and communications.

Aims: Mendelian randomization (MR) is considered to overcome the bias of observational studies, but there is no current meta-analysis of MR studies on rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The purpose of this study was to summarize the relationship between potential pathogenic factors and RA risk based on existing MR studies. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were searched for MR studies on influencing factors in relation to RA up to October 2022. Meta-analyses of MR studies assessing correlations between various potential pathogenic factors and RA were conducted. Random-effect and fixed-effect models were used to synthesize the odds ratios of various pathogenic factors and RA. The quality of the study was assessed using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology using Mendelian Randomization (STROBE-MR) guidelines. Results: A total of 517 potentially relevant articles were screened, 35 studies were included in the systematic review, and 19 studies were eligible to be included in the meta-analysis. Pooled estimates of 19 included studies (causality between 15 different risk factors and RA) revealed that obesity, smoking, coffee intake, lower education attainment, and Graves’ disease (GD) were related to the increased risk of RA. In contrast, the causality contribution from serum mineral levels (calcium, iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, selenium), alcohol intake, and chronic periodontitis to RA is not significant. Conclusion: Obesity, smoking, education attainment, and GD have real causal effects on the occurrence and development of RA. These results may provide insights into the genetic susceptibility and potential biological pathways of RA. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2023;12(9):601–614.

Abstract Aim The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between the metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR) and bone mineral density (BMD) in American non-diabetic adults. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study with 1114 non-diabetic adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycle (2013–2014). The associations between METS-IR and BMD of total femur and spine were assessed by the multiple linear regression and verified the non-linear relationship with a smooth curve fit and threshold effect model. Furthermore, we evaluated the relationship between METS-IR, FRAX score, and history of bone fractures. Results We found that BMD of the total femur and spine increased by 0.005 g/cm3 and 0.005 g/cm3, respectively, for a one-unit increase of METS-IR in all participants. This positive association was more pronounced among higher METS-IR participants, and there was a non-linear relationship, which was more significant when the MTTS-IRfemur was

This study aimed to explore the characteristics of bongkrekic acid (BA) produced by Burkholderia gladioli pathovar cocovenenans (BGC) and the effects of ambient temperature and humidity on BA production in the fermented glutinous rice flour (FGRF). In the specific environment with various ambient temperatures (10±1, 15±1, 20±1, 25±1, 30±1, 36±1 ℃) and relative humidity (20%, 40%, 60%), The FGRF was incubated with different bacteria counts of BGC (103, 105, 107 CFU/mL), and BA in the FGRF was measured with high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The results revealed that BA could be detectable after only one day of incubation. The BA produced and accumulated by BGC with an initial bacteria count of 103 CFU/mL was more than that in the groups with the initial bacteria counts of 105 and 107 CFU/mL (with a difference of 1-3 μg/kg between groups). Lower temperatures (10±1, 15±1, 20±1 ℃) and humidity (20%) were found to reduce the BA production of BGC in the FGRF. To minimize the risk of foodborne BA poisoning, it is recommended to consume freshly prepared FGRF promptly and avoid storing it for extended periods under hot and humid conditions.

Abstract The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) complicated with osteoporosis (OP) is increasing yearly. Early prevention, detection and treatment of OP are important in postmenopausal patients with T2DM. This study aimed to explore the correlation between insulin resistance and bone mineral density (BMD), and OP in postmenopausal patients with T2DM. In this study, postmenopausal patients with T2DM who visited our hospital from January 2021 to March 2022 were divided into the OP group (n = 91) and non-OP group (n = 119) according to whether they were complicated with OP or not. The general data of patients, BMD, blood routine, glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, liver and kidney function indexes were collected, and the homeostatic model assessment for IR (HOMA-IR), the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and the metabolic score for IR (METS-IR) were calculated. A weighted multivariate linear regression model assessed the correlation between insulin resistance (IR) related indexes and lumbar spine, femoral neck, and hip BMD. A weighted logistic regression model assessed the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the association between the IR-related indexes and OP risk. The nonlinear relationship was also evaluated by smooth curve fitting (SCF) and a weighted generalized additive model (GAM). Moreover, the Receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curve was used to analyze the predictive efficiency of METS-IR in postmenopausal patients with T2DM with OP. HOMA-IR, TyG, and METS-IR in the OP group were lower than those in the non-OP group (all P

ObjectiveTo compare the effects and experimental conditions of membrane adsorption method， membrane adsorption-PEG method and membrane adsorption-ultrafiltration method on virus enrichment in purified water.MethodsMS2 bacteriophage was used as target virus to prepare water samples with high and low concentrations， and the standard curve of reverse transcription-fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （RT-qPCR） was established for quantitative detection. Water samples were enriched by membrane adsorption method， membrane adsorption-PEG method and membrane adsorption-ultrafiltration method. The recoveries of different filtration membranes， different ultrafiltration tubes and two nucleic acid extraction methods were compared.ResultsThe average recoveries of membrane adsorption-ultrafiltration method， membrane adsorption-PEG method and membrane adsorption method were 19.80% ± 12.19%， 12.71% ± 9.09% and 9.05% ± 4.89%. The order of influencing factors on the recoveries was： membrane adsorption-ultrafiltration method > membrane adsorption-PEG method > membrane adsorption method. High concentration > low concentration. The effect of virus enrichment of mixed cellulose ester membrane was better than nylon membrane. There was no difference in the enrichment effect of ultrafiltration tube at 100 and 50 K， and the nucleic acid extraction effect of silica gel centrifugation column method and magnetic bead method.ConclusionThe enrichment efficiency can be improved by secondary enrichment. Membrane adsorption-ultrafiltration method is simple to operate， short time consuming， low dependence on equipment， and easy to be popularized. The experimental conditions of membrane adsorption-ultrafiltration can be optimized and improved to expand the application of different water bodies and different virus enrichment.

BackgroundHypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are observationally associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but causality is unclear. To evaluate the causal relationship between thyroid function and RA, we conducted a two-Sample bidirectional Mendelian Randomization (MR) study.MethodsSingle nucleotide polymorphisms associated with six phenotypes were selected from the FinnGen biobank database, The ThyroidOmics Consortium database, and the IEU Open GWAS database. For the forward MR analysis, we selected hypothyroidism (N=213,390), Graves’ disease (GD) (N=199,034), other types of hyperthyroidism (N=190,799), free thyroxine (FT4, N=49,269), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH, N=54,288) as the five related thyroid function phenotypes for exposure, with RA (N=58,284) as the outcome. Reverse MR analysis selected RA as the exposure and five phenotypes of thyroid function as the outcome. The Inverse variance weighting (IVW) method was used as the primary analysis method, supplemented by weighted median (WM) and MR-Egger methods. Cochran’s Q test, MR-PRESSO, MR-Egger regression methods, and leave-one-out analysis were employed to assess sensitivity and pleiotropy.ResultsForward MR evidence indicates that genetic susceptibility to hypothyroidism is associated with an increased risk of RA (ORIvw=1.758, P=7.61×10-5). Reverse MR evidence suggests that genetic susceptibility to RA is associated with an increased risk of hypothyroidism (ORIvw=1.274, P=3.88×10-20), GD (ORIvw=1.269, P=8.15×10-05), and other types of hyperthyroidism (ORIvw=1.141, P=1.80×10-03). There is no evidence to support a forward or reverse causal relationship between genetic susceptibility to RA and FT4, TSH.ConclusionOur results provide genetic evidence supporting bidirectional causal relationships between thyroid function and RA. These findings inform preventive strategies and interventions targeting RA and thyroid dysfunction.

This paper mainly focuses on the dynamics behavior of a three-component chemotaxis system on alopecia areata $ \begin{equation*} \left\{ \begin{array}{lll} u_t = \Delta{u}-\chi_1\nabla\cdot(u\nabla{w})+w-\mu_1u^2, &x\in\Omega, t>0, \\ v_t = \Delta{v}-\chi_2\nabla\cdot(v\nabla{w})+w+ruv-\mu_2v^2, &x\in \Omega, t>0, \\ w_t = \Delta{w}+u+v-w, &x\in \Omega, t>0, \\ \frac{\partial{u}}{\partial{\nu}} = \frac{\partial{v}}{\partial{\nu}} = \frac{\partial{w}}{\partial{\nu}} = 0, &x\in \partial \Omega, t>0, \\ u(x, 0) = u_0(x), \ v(x, 0) = v_0(x), \ w(x, 0) = w_0(x), &x\in \Omega, \ \end{array} \right. \end{equation*} $ where $ \Omega\subset\mathbb{R}^n $ $ (n \geq 4) $ is a bounded convex domain with smooth boundary $ \partial\Omega $, the parameters $ \chi_i $, $ \mu_i $ $ (i = 1, 2) $, and $ r $ are positive. We show that this system exists a globally bounded classical solution if $ \mu_i\; (i = 1, 2) $ is large enough. This result extends the corresponding results which were obtained by Lou and Tao (JDE, 2021) to the higher-dimensional case.

ObjectiveTo investigate the contamination level and trend of Vibrio parahaemolyticus(VP) in freshwater products in Jiangsu Province, and provide basic quantitative data for the risk assessment.MethodsOne thousand one hundred and seventy samples form 8 categories freshwater products were collected from 2010 to 2018. The sampling sites include different locations of circulate and catering links in 13 cities of Jiangsu Province. The qualitative and quantitative data was obtained by method based on GB 4789.7 "Food microbiological examination-Examination of Vibrio parahemolyticus" . @RISK software was used to analyze the data and fitting quantitative contamination data.ResultsThe detection rate of VP in 1 170 freshwater products was 28.0% and 3.7% VP carried virulence gene. The contamination levels of VP in freshwater products was (-1.01±1.57) lg MPN/g. The detection rate and contamination levels of VP in inland areas was higher than coastal areas, the difference was statistically significant (P0.05). The contamination levels of VP in inland areas and coastal areas were (-0.89±1.59) lg MPN/g and (-1.56±1.54) lg MPN/g. The contamination level in the second quarter, in the restaurant/hotel and freshwater shrimps were the highest, with the values of (-0.56±1.72) lg MPN/g, (-0.68±1.55) lg MPN/g and (-0.44±1.68) lg MPN/g, respectively.ConclusionThe contamination of VP in freshwater products in Jiangsu Province was seriously. The contamination of VP had shifted from seafood to freshwater products and spread from coastal areas to inland areas. Moreover, the contamination of inland area had a trend to exceed the coastal areas. Freshwater products might be the important risk factor for the disease of VP. The contamination of VP in freshwater shrimps were seriously. It is necessary to carry out the risk assessment for freshwater products.

Objective To investigate the effects of microRNA-144 (miR-144) on the proliferation, migration, invasion and phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) pathway of pancreatic cancer SW1990 cells. Methods The expression of miR-144 in human normal pancreatic epithelial cell line HPDE and pancreatic cancer cells SW1990 were detected by RT-qPCR. SW1990 cells were transfected with miR-144 negative control plasmid (negative transfection group) and miR-144 mimic plasmid (miR-144 overexpression group), and untreated cells were taken as blank control group. The expression level of miR-144 in each group was detected by RT-qPCR. CCK-8 assay was used to detect cell proliferation. Plate clone formation assay was used to detect colony formation. Transwell assay was used to detect cell migration and invasion. The expression levels of PI3K and phosphorylated protein (p-PI3K), serine-threonine protein kinase (Akt) and phosphorylated protein (p-Akt) proteins in PI3K pathway were detected by Western blot. Results The expression level of miR-144 in SW1990 cells was significantly lower than that in HPDE cells (P < 0.05). The expression level of miR-144 in miR-144 overexpression group was significantly higher than those in blank control group and negative transfection group (P < 0.05). Cells proliferation rate, colony formation, the number of migration and invasion cells and the expression levels of p-PI3K and p-Akt proteins in the overexpression group were significantly lower than those in the blank control group and negative transfection group (all P < 0.05). Conclusion miR-144 is lowly expressed in pancreatic cancer cells SW1990. The up-regulation of miR-144 expression could effectively inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells, which may be related to the inhibition of PI3K pathway.

BACKGROUND The infrared absorption mechanism is mainly related to the Si-O lattice, channel structure water, other alkaline metal cations, and vibration of molecules. Relevant research at home and abroad focuses mainly on peak position attribution and spectral peak feature comparison. It is considered that molecular vibration is related to different types of structural water. However, there are few studies on deeper mineralization or chemical controlling factors. OBJECTIVES To unravel the controlling factors of H2OⅠ-type infrared spectral characteristics. METHODS The typical H2OⅠ-type natural emeralds were collected from 4 mining areas, including the Eastern Cordillera mountains in Colombia (EC), the Panjshir valley in Afghanistan(P), the Ural mountains in Russia(U), and the Kaduna/Plateau state in Nigeria (KP). The samples were analyzed by Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR). The typical H2OⅠ-type infrared (IR) spectral characteristics and their controlling factors were studied. The chemical composition data were obtained from the EMPA analyses. RESULTS The results show that the spectral characteristics of H2O Ⅰ-type emeralds from different mining areas share a consistent pattern. Several absorptions related to structural water, basic ions and macromolecules had stable peak positions, approximately similar relative peak intensities and peak shapes. As the analysis proved, the H2OⅠIR spectra were first directly controlled by the mixed ratio of the two types of the structure water in the channel, and further related to the substitution of Al3+, chemically controlled by the (Mg2++Fe2+) concentration in the ore fluids. When the concentration of (Mg2++Fe2+) was low, the degree of isomorphic substitution was lower, and the emerald structure water was mainly characterized by Ⅰ-type water. The related elements were characterized by high Si and Al but low Mg and Fe, corresponding to the typical infrared characteristics, indicating the relationship between chemical ion concentration and infrared spectral characteristics. CONCLUSIONS The research process showed that Infrared Spectroscopy could assist in the identification of Ⅰ-type water emerald production discrimination and the understanding of the metallogenic environment.

Red Yeast Rice, produced by solid state fermentation of Monascus species on rice, is a traditional food additive and traditional Chinese medicine. With the introduction of modern microbiology and biotechnology to the traditional edible filamentous fungi Monascus species, it has been revealed that the production of red colorant by fermentation of Monascus species involves the biosynthesis of orange Monascus pigments and further chemical modification of orange Monascus pigments into the corresponding derivates with various amine residues. Further study indicates that non-Monascus species also produce Monascus pigments as well as Monascus-like pigments. Based on the chemical modification of orange Monascus pigments, the diversification of native Monascus pigments, including commercial food additives of Red Monascus Pigments® and Yellow Monascus Pigments® in Chinese market, was reviewed. Furthermore, Monascus pigments as well as their derivates as enzyme inhibitors for anti-obesity, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia was also summarized.

Our previous studies find that subcutaneously administered (s.c.) subanesthetic ketamine promotes sustained cortical disinhibition and plasticity in adult mouse binocular visual cortex (bV1). We hypothesized that intranasal delivery (i.n.) of subanesthetic ketamine may have similar actions. To test this, we delivered ketamine (10 mg/kg, i.n.) to adult mice and then recorded excitatory pyramidal neurons or PV+ interneurons in L2/3 of bV1 slices. In pyramidal neurons the baseline IPSC amplitudes from mice treated with ketamine are significantly weaker than those in control mice. Acute bath application of neuregulin-1 (NRG1) to cortical slices increases these IPSC amplitudes in mice treated with ketamine but not in controls. In PV+ interneurons, the baseline EPSC amplitudes from mice treated with ketamine are significantly weaker than those in control mice. Acute bath application of NRG1 to cortical slices increases these EPSC amplitudes in mice treated with ketamine but not in controls. We also found that mice treated with ketamine exhibit increased pCREB staining in L2/3 of bV1. Together, our results show that a single intranasal delivery of ketamine reduces PV+ interneuron excitation and reduces pyramidal neuron inhibition and that these effects are acutely reversed by NRG1. These results are significant as they show that intranasal delivery of ketamine induces cortical disinhibition, which has implications for the treatment of psychiatric, neurologic, and ophthalmic disorders.

The guyed rod is of great importance for supporting tower and resisting wind pressure, and its reliability is an effective guarantee for safe and stable operation of power grid. In this paper, the fractured guyed rod used for cable stayed iron tower in a 110kV transmission line was investigated by means of macro-morphology inspection, chemical composition analysis, microstructure analysis, scanning electron microscope, mechanical properties test, soil physicochemical properties inspection and energy spectrum analysis. The result showed that electrode potentials difference existed between different parts on the surface of the guyed rod caused by the uneven distribution of oxygen concentration was the major reason for electrochemical corrosion. Under the action of oxygen concentration cell, the effective cross-sectional area of the guyed rod decreased below the critical value, leading to the final fracture of the guyed rod.

In view of wiring complexity and low reliability of data transmission existed in wired pressure monitoring system of hydraulic support, a pressure monitoring system of hydraulic support based on wireless sensor network was designed. The system takes CC2530 chip as core, collects pressure value of hydraulic support through data collection node. Routing node receives the collected pressure value and sends it to Sink node by multi-hop mode. The Sink node uploads the pressure value to upper computer through CAN bus, so as to realize pressure monitoring of hydraulic support in covered scope of wireless sensor network. The test result shows that the system can realize real-time and accurate monitoring of pressure data of underground hydraulic support.

The paper proposed to use ideological of virtual multiple input and multiple output to solve energy hole problem of underground wireless sensor network, and proposed a multi-hop uneven hierarchical clustering protocol MUHC based on energy balance. It described MUHC transmission model, and analyzed energy consumption of the system of virtual multiple input and multiple output based on the MUHC. Matlab simulation results show that the MUHC protocol can balance energy of the entire network, extend lifetime of the network, and ease the energy hole problem compared with the classic LEACH protocol and EEUC protocol.

A new orthogonal projection method for computing the minimum distance between a point and a spatial parametric curve is presented. It consists of a geometric iteration which converges faster than the existing Newton’s method, and it is insensitive to the choice of initial values. We prove that projecting a point onto a spatial parametric curve under the method is globally second-order convergence.