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Modeling complex physical dynamics is a fundamental task in science and engineering. Traditional physics-based models are first-principled, explainable, and sampleefficient. However, they often rely on strong modeling assumptions and expensive numerical integration, requiring significant computational resources and domain expertise. While deep learning (DL) provides efficient alternatives for modeling complex dynamics, they require a large amount of labeled training data. Furthermore, its predictions may disobey the governing physical laws and are difficult to interpret. Physics-guided DL aims to integrate first-principled physical knowledge into datadriven methods. It has the best of both worlds and is well equipped to better solve scientific problems. Recently, this field has gained great progress and has drawn considerable interest across discipline Here, we introduce the framework of physics-guided DL with a special emphasis on learning dynamical systems. We describe the learning pipeline and categorize state-of-the-art methods under this framework. We also offer our perspectives on the open challenges and emerging opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the dissimilarity among different producing layers, the influences of inter-layer interference on the production performance of a multi-layer gas reservoir are possible. However, systematic studies of inter-layer interference for tight gas reservoirs are really limited, especially for those reservoirs in the presence of water. In this work, five types of possible inter-layer interferences, including both absence and presence of water, are identified for commingled production of tight gas reservoirs. Subsequently, a series of reservoir-scale and pore-scale numerical simulations are conducted to quantify the degree of influence of each type of interference. Consistent field evidence from the Yan'an tight gas reservoir (Ordos Basin, China) is found to support the simulation results. Additionally, suggestions are proposed to mitigate the potential inter-layer interferences. The results indicate that, in the absence of water, commingled production is favorable in two situations: when there is a difference in physical properties and when there is a difference in the pressure system of each layer. For reservoirs with a multi-pressure system, the backflow phenomenon, which significantly influences the production performance, only occurs under extreme conditions (such as very low production rates or well shut-in periods). When water is introduced into the multi-layer system, inter-layer interference becomes nearly inevitable. Perforating both the gas-rich layer and water-rich layer for commingled production is not desirable, as it can trigger water invasion from the water-rich layer into the gas-rich layer. The gas-rich layer might also be interfered with by water from the neighboring unperforated water-rich layer, where the water might break the barrier (eg weak joint surface, cement in fractures) between the two layers and migrate into the gas-rich layer. Additionally, the gas-rich layer could possibly be interfered with by water that accumulates at the bottom of the wellbore due to gravitational differentiation during shut-in operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine whether the use of telerehabilitation leads to improved independence, balance, and quality of life, reduces disability, and enhances the function to perform activities of daily living among stroke survivors compared with usual care. Methods: This is a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that have been conducted. Relevant published studies from inception to November 2022 were retrieved from Embase (Ovid), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, CBM, VIP, CNKI and Wanfang. The literature search and data extraction processes were conducted by two independent authors. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed by the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias Assessment Tool, version 2. The data analysis was performed using Review Manager (Version 5.4). Results: Ten randomized controlled trials published between 2009 and 2022 were included in this meta-analysis. Most of the studies were assessed as having some concerns. The certainty of the evidence in this review varied across outcomes, ranging from low to high. The meta-analysis showed statistically significant effects of tele-rehabilitation on function (standardized mean difference (SMD)=1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.42 to 1.67, P = 0.44), balance((SMD)= 0.88, 95% CI: 0.25 to 1.51, P = 0.20). However, no statistically significant effect on disability, independence and quality of life were found in our review. Conclusions: Telerehabilitation may be effective for improving functional outcomes and balance among adult stroke patients, but the effect on disability, independence and quality of life is nonsignificant. More randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes, more follow-up times, and rigorous study designs should be further conducted to identify the effect of Telerehabilitation on stroke patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable production of pome fruit crops is dependent upon having virus-free planting materials. The production and distribution of plants derived from virus- and viroid-negative sources is necessary not only to control pome fruit viral diseases but also for sustainable breeding activities, as well as the safe movement of plant materials across borders. With variable success rates, different in vitro-based techniques, including shoot tip culture, micrografting, thermotherapy, chemotherapy, and shoot tip cryotherapy, have been employed to eliminate viruses from pome fruits. Higher pathogen eradication efficiencies have been achieved by combining two or more of these techniques. An accurate diagnosis that confirms complete viral elimination is crucial for developing effective management strategies. In recent years, considerable efforts have resulted in new reliable and efficient virus detection methods. This comprehensive review documents the development and recent advances in biotechnological methods that produce healthy pome fruit plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) play important roles in plant stress response. As a major member of the MAPK family, MPK3 has been reported to participate in the regulation of chilling stress. However, the regulatory function of wheat (Triticum aestivum) mitogen-activated protein kinase TaMPK3 in freezing tolerance remains unknown. Dongnongdongmai No.1 (Dn1) is a winter wheat variety with strong freezing tolerance; therefore, it is important to explore the mechanisms underlying this tolerance. In this study, the expression of TaMPK3 in Dn1 was detected under low temperature and hormone treatment. Gene cloning, bioinformatics and subcellular localisation analyses of TaMPK3 in Dn1 were performed. Overexpressed TaMPK3 in Arabidopsis thaliana was obtained, and freezing tolerance phenotype observations, physiological indices and expression levels of ICE-C-repeat binding factor (CBF)-COR-related genes were determined. In addition, the interaction between TaMPK3 and TaICE41 proteins was detected. We found that TaMPK3 expression responds to low temperatures and hormones, and the TaMPK3 protein is localised in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Overexpression of TaMPK3 in Arabidopsis significantly improves freezing tolerance. TaMPK3 interacts with the TaICE41 protein. In conclusion, TaMPK3 is involved in regulating the ICE-CBF-COR cold resistance module through its interaction with TaICE41, thereby improving freezing tolerance in Dn1 wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slab tearing is widely reported in oceanic slabs; however, tearing in continental slabs is still not very well understood. Geophysical data have shown the existence of tearing of the Indian lithosphere underneath the Yadong-Gulu rift in southern Tibet. Along this rift, the Jiacun lamprophyres and the Yangying trachytes comprise the youngest alkaline volcanic rocks in the Himalayan-Tibetan orogen, and hence provide evidence for understanding the operation of continental slab tearing. Jiacun lamprophyres, with an age of 13 Ma as determined by Ar-Ar dating, are the only outcrop of alkaline volcanic rocks in the Himalayan block. Geochemical analysis indicates that they were derived from a peridotite source in the Indian lithospheric mantle near the spinel field. Yangying trachytes, dated at 8.81 ± 0.15 Ma by the U-Pb dating method, were derived from a pyroxenite melt in the Tibetan lithospheric mantle with a higher crustal influence. Both sites show high phlogopite and pyroxene temperatures, indicating a hot influx favoring the melting of these magmas, which is likely associated with the tearing of the Indian slab. Ages of this magmatism suggest that the activity along the rift lasted at least 4 m.y. and migrated from south to north. This shows that slab tearing can trigger over-thickened lithospheric melting in a collisional orogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A wideband planar microstrip antenna with good horizontally polarized omnidirectional radiation performance is presented. Using tightly coupled structures, six planar dipole elements are deployed in a circular pattern, and radiation is synthesized into a horizontal omnidirectional radiation pattern by superposing the far‐field pattern of the six dipoles. Owing to the tight coupling between radiating elements, the proposed antenna has a wide operating band. The radiating elements are printed on a printed circuit board and excited by a balun with uniform magnitude and synchronized current. A prototype is manufactured and measured. The measurement results show that the impedance bandwidth of the proposed antenna is 102% $ \% $. The gain variation of the horizontal omnidirectional pattern is less than 1.2 dB in the 1.27–3.89 GHz band. Within the operating frequency band, the total efficiency and radiation efficiency are greater than 82% and 88%, respectively. The diameter of the antenna is 0.48λL ${\lambda }_{L}$, where λL ${\lambda }_{L}$ is the wavelength corresponding to the lowest frequency in the operating band. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we demonstrate that the first example of harmaline scaffolds serving as acceptor/acceptor-based N-C-C synthons triggered the ring opening and skeletal reconstruction of 3-vinyl benzofuranones for the construction of a library of skeletally diverse polycyclic harmaline scaffolds. These products were smoothly afforded in up to 77% yield, 420: 1 dr under catalyst-free conditions, and expanded the chemical space of biologically significant harmaline derivative species. All synthetic compounds showed cytotoxic activity against tumor cells, especially compound 3at, which exhibited selective cytotoxicity against A549 cells and lower cytotoxicity against normal cells MRC-5 and HK-2. In further mechanism research, 3at inhibited A549 cell proliferation through the G1 phase arrest, induced A549 cell apoptosis through internal and external apoptosis pathways, and suppressed the migration and invasion abilities of A549 cells. These data indicated that compound 3at is the most effective compound in the series and can serve as a promising precursor for drug development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to effectively reduce the vibration of the product in the process of transportation, the cushioning pad is applied in the packaging of the computer case, which can not only greatly reduce the cost of the cushioning packaging design, but also promote the sales of the product. The vibration response of the key components in the computer case was tested and analyzed under the conditions of force hammer experiment and random vibration experiment, and the direct transmission rate of the buffer liner system to the key components was obtained. The excitation of three vibration levels of the standard truck vibration spectrum was used to simulate the excitation of different intensities in actual transportation, and the excitation acceleration power spectrum was obtained. The direct transmission rate quantified the vibration transmission characteristics of each buffer pad to the key components, and the size of the direct transmission rate reflected the degree of vibration energy absorption of each buffer pad to the key components. The critical buffer pad was optimized to absorb more vibration energy by increasing the buffer area of the critical buffer pad, reducing its vibration transmission capacity in the main resonance area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mangiferin (MGN) is primarily found in the fruits, leaves, and bark of plants of the Anacardiaceae family, including mangoes. MGN exhibits various pharmacological effects, such as protection of the liver and gallbladder, anti-lipid peroxidation, and cancer prevention. This study aimed to investigate the effects of MGN supplementation during in vitro culture (IVC) on the antioxidant capacity of early porcine embryos and the underlying mechanisms involved. Porcine parthenotes in the IVC medium were exposed to different concentrations of MGN (0, 0.01, 0.1, and 1 µM). The addition of 0.1 µM MGN significantly increased the blastocyst formation rate of porcine embryos while reducing the apoptotic index and autophagy. Furthermore, the expression of antioxidation-related (SOD2, GPX1, NRF2, UCHL1), cell pluripotency (SOX2, NANOG), and mitochondria-related (TFAM, PGC1a) genes was upregulated. In contrast, the expression of apoptosis-related (CAS3, BAX) and autophagy-related (LC3B, ATG5) genes decreased after MGN supplementation. These findings suggest that MGN improves early porcine embryonic development by reducing oxidative stress-related genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significance: In recent years, we and others have developed non-destructive methods to obtain three-dimensional (3D) pathology datasets of clinical biopsies and surgical specimens. For prostate cancer risk stratification (prognostication), standard-of-care Gleason grading is based on examining the morphology of prostate glands in thin 2D sections. This motivates us to perform 3D segmentation of prostate glands in our 3D pathology datasets for the purposes of computational analysis of 3D glandular features that could offer improved prognostic performance. Aim: To facilitate prostate cancer risk assessment, we developed a computationally efficient and accurate deep learning model for 3D gland segmentation based on open-top light-sheet microscopy datasets of human prostate biopsies stained with a fluorescent analog of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Approach: For 3D gland segmentation based on our H&E-analog 3D pathology datasets, we previously developed a hybrid deep learning and computer vision-based pipeline, called image translation-assisted segmentation in 3D (ITAS3D), which required a complex two-stage procedure and tedious manual optimization of parameters. To simplify this procedure, we use the 3D gland-segmentation masks previously generated by ITAS3D as training datasets for a direct end-to-end deep learning-based segmentation model, nnU-Net. The inputs to this model are 3D pathology datasets of prostate biopsies rapidly stained with an inexpensive fluorescent analog of H&E and the outputs are 3D semantic segmentation masks of the gland epithelium, gland lumen, and surrounding stromal compartments within the tissue. Results: nnU-Net demonstrates remarkable accuracy in 3D gland segmentations even with limited training data. Moreover, compared with the previous ITAS3D pipeline, nnU-Net operation is simpler and faster, and it can maintain good accuracy even with lower-resolution inputs. Conclusions: Our trained DL-based 3D segmentation model will facilitate future studies to demonstrate the value of computational 3D pathology for guiding critical treatment decisions for patients with prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the problems of high-temperature gas intrusion and ablation in the expansion slit between ceramic tiles under complex flow conditions in the floating-wall combustion chamber, as well as the issue of hooks exceeding their service temperature, numerical simulations and analysis were conducted for this paper. The study revealed the mechanisms of gas intrusion and sealing and proposed two evaluation metrics for evaluating the cooling effect: the maximum temperature of the hook and the proportion of high-temperature area on the sidewall of the tile. Furthermore, the CRITIC weighting method was used to analyze the weight of these metrics. Based on this, the spacing, radius, and length effects on sealing and cooling effectiveness were studied, and multi-parameter calculations and optimization were performed. The results showed that the degree of gas intrusion in the transverse slit was significantly higher than that in the longitudinal slit. In addition, the sealing method of the jet impingement could effectively cool the downstream of both the transverse and longitudinal slit. The spacing of the jet impingement holes had the greatest impact on the cooling effect, followed by the radius and length. Finally, when the spacing of the holes is 10 mm, the length is 18.125 mm, and the radius is 1.6 mm, the cooling effect is optimal, with the proportion of high-temperature area on the side wall of the tile being 20.86% and the highest temperature of the hook reaching 836.02 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glioblastomas (GBMs) are the most lethal primary brain tumors with limited survival, even under aggressive treatments. The current therapeutics for GBMs are flawed due to the failure to accurately discriminate between normal proliferating cells and distinctive tumor cells. Mitochondria are essential to GBMs and serve as potential therapeutical targets. Here, we utilize cryo-electron tomography to quantitatively investigate nanoscale details of randomly sampled mitochondria in their native cellular context of GBM cells. Our results show that compared with cancer-free brain cells, GBM cells own more inter-mitochondrial junctions of several types for communications. Furthermore, our tomograms unveil microtubule-dependent mitochondrial nanotunnel-like bridges in the GBM cells as another inter-mitochondrial structure. These quantified inter-mitochondrial features, together with other mitochondria-organelle and intra-mitochondrial ones, are sufficient to distinguish GBM cells from cancer-free brain cells under scrutiny with predictive modeling. Our findings decipher high-resolution inter-mitochondrial structural signatures and provide clues for diagnosis and therapeutic interventions for GBM and other mitochondria-related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shield tunnel backfill grouting is vital to stabilize tunnel settlement at a later stage; however, most shield tunnel backfill grouting designs lack a complete theoretical reference, and numerical simulations of the grouting process are rarely conducted. This study presents the fundamental theories of grout diffusion and pressure variation for backfill grouting during shield construction. Moreover, the numerical simulation methods coupled with discrete element methods (DEM) and finite difference methods (FDM) are achieved to simulate the process of grout injection from the grouting hole into the shield tail gap and generate grout pressure on the surrounding rock. The diffusion state of the grout in the shield tail gap and the squeezing effect on the surrounding rock under two shield tail disengagement modes are analyzed, as well as the impact of various grouting pressure on the surface settlement. The results indicated that the grout diffusion in the shield tail gap can be divided into three stages: the stage of diffusion with each grouting hole as the starting point, the stage of interconnection and contact of the grout injected in each grouting hole, and the final gap filling stage. Each of the three stages can be described using the proposed equation. During the grouting process, the grout is injected into the shield tail gap at a certain pressure, but the grout diffuses slowly to both sides and upwards, which causes a rapid rise of the principal stresses in the soil around the tunnel. After grouting is complete, the grout pressure gradually dissipates and stabilizes, and the principal stress decreases. In addition, backfill grouting can reduce surface settlement, but it does not affect its distribution width. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water flooding can be ineffective in highly heterogeneous low-permeability beach-bar sand reservoirs. The introduction of CO2 flooding helps boost the oil production of the reservoirs but only in an early stage. During the late stage of flooding, gas channeling would occur. Water alternating gas (CO2) (WAG) process can be used to delay gas channeling and improve the effect of CO2 injection, though its adaptability to beach-bar sand reservoirs remains unclear. In order to clarify CO2 injection characteristics in these reservoirs, experiments were carried out in high-temperature high-pressure NMR on-line displacement experiment apparatus to simulate different flooding modes on synthetic cores that can reflect the vertical heterogeneity of beach-bar reservoirs. Different CO2 injection modes were implemented on these cores and the displacement characteristics and residual oil distribution features during both WAG injection and continuous CO2 injection were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The results show that the scheme of WAG injection after continuous CO2 injection can obtain better oil displacement efficiency than that of the scheme of continuous CO2 injection after WAG injection, but there is no significant difference in respect of oil displacement efficiency of WAG flooding between the mode of bar-injection e beach-production (injection into bar sand e production from beach sand) and the mode of beach-injection e beach-production (injection into and production from beach sand), with the former mode having a higher oil recovery rate. The wider pore-size distribution range of microscopic residual oil after WAG injection shows great potential of enhancing oil recovery from subsequent continuous gas injection. When WAG injection is implemented prior to continuous CO2 injection, the displacement effect of the latter is more significant. This research may provide a theoretical basis for CO2 EOR in this type of reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon dioxide (CO2) flooding is a widely applied recovery method during the tertiary recovery of oil and gas. A high water saturation condition in reservoirs could induce a 'water shielding' phenomenon after the injection of CO2. This would prevent contact between the injected gas and the residual oil, restricting the development of the miscible zone. A micro-visual experiment of dead-end models, used to observe the effect of a film of water on the miscibility process, indicates that CO2 can penetrate the water film and come into contact with the residual oil, although the mixing is significantly delayed. However, the dissolution loss of CO2 at high water-cut conditions is not negligible. The oil-water partition coefficient, defined as the ratio of CO2 solubility in an oil-brine/two-phase system, keeps constant for specific reservoir conditions and changes little with an injection gas. The NMR device shows that when CO2 flooding follows water flooding, the residual oil decreasesdnot only in medium and large pores but also in small and micro pores. At levels of higher water saturation, CO2 displacement is characterized initially by a low oil production rate and high water-cut. After the CO2 breakthrough, the water-cut decreases sharply and the oil production rate increases gradually. The response time of CO2 flooding at high watercut reservoirs is typically delayed and prolonged. These results were confirmed in a pilot test for CO2 flooding at the P1-1 well group of the Pucheng Oilfield. Observations from this pilot study also suggest that a larger injection gas pore volume available for CO2 injection is required to offset the dissolution loss in high water saturation conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) technology is an important means to effectively reduce carbon emissions from fossil energy combustion and industrial processes. With the crisis of climate change, CCUS has attracted increasing attention in the world. CCUS technology as developed rapidly in China is technically feasible for large-scale application in various industries. The R&D and demonstration of CCUS in China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) are summarized, including carbon capture, carbon transport, CO2 enhanced energy recovery (including oil, gas, and water, etc.), and comprehensive utilization of CO2. Based on the source-sink matching characteristics in China, two CCUS industrialization scenarios are proposed, namely, CO2-EOR, CO2-driven enhanced oil recovery using centralized carbon sinks in East China and CO2-EWR, CO2-driven enhanced water recovery (EWR) using centralized carbon sources from the coal chemical industry in West China. Finally, a CCUS industrialization path from Sinopec's perspective is suggested, using CO2-EOR as the major means and CO2-EWR, CO2-driven enhanced gas recovery (CO2-EGR) and other utilization methods as important supplementary means. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HIF1α is one of the master regulators of the hypoxia signaling pathway and its activation is regulated by multiple post-translational modifications (PTMs). Deubiquitination mediated by deubiquitylating enzymes (DUBs) is an essential PTM that mainly modulates the stability of target proteins. USP38 belongs to the ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs). However, whether USP38 can affect hypoxia signaling is still unknown. In this study, we used quantitative real-time PCR assays to identify USPs that can influence hypoxia-responsive gene expression. We found that overexpression of USP38 increased hypoxia-responsive gene expression, but knockout of USP38 suppressed hypoxia-responsive gene expression under hypoxia. Mechanistically, USP38 interacts with HIF1α to deubiquitinate K11-linked polyubiquitination of HIF1α at Lys769, resulting in stabilization and subsequent activation of HIF1α. In addition, we show that USP38 attenuates cellular ROS and suppresses cell apoptosis under hypoxia. Thus, we reveal a novel role for USP38 in the regulation of hypoxia signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the production of air conditioners, there are various issues such as complex requirements, redundant stations, excessive man-hours, and low production line balance rate. This paper aims to address these problems by analyzing the historical data of H Company’s commercial air conditioner production line. The data is categorized into five aspects: station, working hours, standard working hours, labor capacity, and presence of bottleneck processes. To optimize and improve the second production line, this paper applies the production line balance management method based on data mining. It utilizes the decision tree model in data mining and incorporates lean production knowledge from industrial engineering. The goal is to identify crucial factors that affect the balance of the production line and address the issues caused by these factors. The aim is to reduce and eliminate redundant working hours and enhance the balance rate of the production line. By implementing the approach outlined in this paper, the bottleneck time of the second production line was reduced from 96.67 s to 74.6 s, and the production line balance rate increased from 68% to 85%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a primary cause of end-stage renal disease. Proteinuria is a clinical indicator of the different stages of DKD, and podocyte injury is a major cause of proteinuria. Podocyte-specific proteins (PSPs) play important roles in the normal filtration of podocytes. Studies have shown that natural active compounds (NACs) can ameliorate proteinuria; however, the mechanism related to PSPs needs to be explored. In this study, the five stages of DKD related to proteinuria and the functions of PSPs are displayed separately. Mechanisms for ameliorating proteinuria and improving the PSPs of the 15 NACs are summarized. The in vitro and in vivo mechanistic research showed that five compounds, astragaloside IV, ligustrazine, berberine, emodin and resveratrol, exerted renal protective effects via AMPK signaling, icariin and berberine via TLR4 signaling, hirudin and baicalin via MAPK signaling, curcumin and baicalin via NF-κB signaling, and emodin via protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase signaling. The 13 PSPs were divided into five categories: actin cytoskeleton, basal domain, apical domain, slit diaphragm, and others. In conclusion, anti-inflammatory effects, anti-oxidative stress, and enhanced autophagy are the main mechanisms underlying the ameliorative effects of NACs. Podocyte apoptosis is mainly related to nephrin and podocin, which are the most studied slit diaphragm PSPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Unusual clinical course Background: Surgery for locally advanced rectal cancer with frozen pelvis is challenging. Therefore, we designed the "modular pelvic exenteration" surgical strategy to achieve better radical resection. Case Report: A 51-year-old man with rectal cancer refused surgery and received chemotherapy and radiotherapy. He was intolerant to chemotherapy and did not respond well to radiotherapy. With cancer progression, he presented at our hospital with emaciation, fatigue, dysuria, bloody urine, bloody stool, and anal pain. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed the rectal tumor involved multiple adjacent organs and caused rectovesical fistula, bilateral hydronephrosis, hydroureterosis, and local pelvic infection. The rectal tumor was fixed in the pelvic cavity, presenting a frozen pelvis pattern. There was no distant metastasis. As the patient could not tolerate chemotherapy, was unsuitable for immune-check point inhibitor because the tumor had microsatellite stability, and did not respond well to radiotherapy, surgical resection seemed the most suitable treatment option. After the patient's anemia and malnutrition improved, our designed modular pelvic exenteration surgery was performed. In this strategy, we divided pelvic organs and tissues into 4 independent modules. After combining the modules planned to be resected, we delineated the pre-resection margin. By this strategy, the tumor was removed en bloc, with a clear resection margin. The patient was discharged 13 days after the operation, without complications. Follow-up for 24 months revealed no signs of tumor recurrence. Conclusions: For locally advanced rectal cancer with frozen pelvis, the modular pelvic exenteration strategy may help to achieve satisfactory surgical effects in selected patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most malignant and lethal brain tumor in adults, with limited therapeutic options and dismal prognosis. Atractylenolide-II (AT-II) is a major bioactive compound from Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. (Baizhu in Chinese), with anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities. However, the anti-tumor effects of AT-II on GBM cells remain unclear. In the present study, the cytotoxicity of AT-II on GBM cells was analyzed using CCK-8 assay, and it revealed that the cell viability was inhibited by AT-II in a dose-dependent manner. The results of Transwell migration assay indicated that AT-II treatment significantly inhibited the cell migration. Furthermore, the cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase in AT-II treated cells was presented in the flow cytometry data. Consistently, real-time PCR and western blotting revealed a remarkable decrease of the CCNA and CCNB expression upon AT-II treatment. Moreover, the phosphorylation of both extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was triggered by AT-II. Collectively, these results suggested that MAPK signaling was involved in AT-II induced cell cycle arrest, contributing to the inhibition of cell viability and migration of GBM cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tunnel geohazard evaluation method is an important method for evaluating the geo-hazard during tunnel construction. The seismic method has become the most widely used approach for understanding the geological conditions ahead of the tunnel face. Limited by the small aperture in the tunnel and the little offset of the observation system, migration methods for imaging geological structures are mainly based on Ray theory without using the dynamic information of reflected waves, resulting in less accurate imaging results. To improve the detection accuracy, the time reversal mirror method was studied and improved for better imaging geological conditions ahead of the tunnel face. Specifically, for the positioning error caused by the traditional time reversal mirror method (based on constant velocity), the parameter of variable velocity was added and optimized for the calculation process. By calculating each velocity value in different propagation paths, the reflected waves can focus on the scattering point with a more accurate location. Based on several typical adverse geology numerical simulations proved that the improved time reverse mirror method can get more accurate imaging results than the traditional method, achieving the position and imaging of fault, fractured zone, etc. Then the improved method has been applied in a water supply project and successfully predicted the distribution of adverse geologies ahead of the tunnel face, which further verified the applicability and effectiveness of the improved time reversal mirror method. This paper provides reference and guidance for similar water diversion projects and tunnel engineering geological detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To explore the association of polymorphisms of apoptosis-linked genes caspase3 (CASP3), integrin a subunit 1 (ITGA1), glutathione sulfur transferase M1 (GSTM1) with susceptibility to gastric cardia carcinoma (GCC). Methods: From February 2016 to March 2018, selection of 113 GCC patients was as the gastric cancer (GC), and selection of 75 patients without gastric disease was as the control. Detection of CASP3, ITGA1 and GSTM1 gene polymorphisms in patients' peripheral blood was to analyze their association with GC. Division of the GC was into the good prognosis and the unpleasing prognosis in the light of the survival of patients after surgery of 3 years, and the predictable value of gene polymorphisms of CASP3, ITGA1 and GSTM1 in GCC patients was analyzed. Results: CASP3 gene rs12108497 locus, ITGA1 gene rs1862610 locus and GSTM1 genotype of the GC and the control were in accord with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.05); The detection rate of CASP3 gene rs12108497 locus TC/CC type, lTGATs gene rs1862610 locus AC/A A type and GSTM1 blank type in the GC was elevated vs. the control (P < 0.05); Logistic regression analysis manifested smoking, anxiety, helicobacter pylori infection, family history of gastrointestinal tumor, combination with chronic gastric disease, CASP3 gene and GSTM1 gene polymorphism were risk factors for GC (P < 0.05); Stratification was in the light of individual smoking status, discovering that the detection rates of CASP3 gene rs12108497 locus TC/CC type, ITGA1 gene RS1862610 locus AC/AA type and GSTM1 blank type in the smoking were crucially augmented vs. the smoking (P < 0.05); The detection rates of CASP3 gene rs12108497 locus TC/CC type, ITGA1 gene rs1862610 locus AC/AA type and GSTM1 blank type in the death were augmented vs. the survival (P < 0.05); Combined detection of CASP3, ITGA1 and GSTM1 gene polymorphisms was provided with predictive value for GCC's prognosis (P < 0.05). Conclusions: CASP3 and GSTM1 genes are susceptibility genes for GCC, which might be associated with the occurrence of GCC in smoking patients, and the joint detection of multiple genes is provided with predictive value for patients' prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the role of circ_0084927 in lung cancer cell sensitivity to cisplatin. Half-maximal inhibitory concentration value of cisplatin was detected by cell counting kit-8. circ_0084927 and microRNA-634 expression were determined by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Cell counting kit-8, scratch healing, colony formation as well as Transwell experiments were used for analyzing cell viability, scratch healing rate, clone number and invasive ability, respectively. Dualluciferase reporter method was utilized to validate targeting relationship. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration value of cisplatin and circ_0084927 expression were increased in A549/DDP cells, whereas microRNA-634 expression displayed an opposite result in comparison with A549 cells (p<0.05). Relative to the DDP+si-NC group, the cell optical density value, scratch healing rate, clone numbers and invasion numbers were significantly reduced in the DDP+si-circ_0084927 group (p<0.05). Optical density value, scratch healing rate, clone numbers as well as invasion numbers in the DDP+microRNA-634 group were significantly reduced relative to the DDP+microRNA-NC group (p<0.05). Circ_0084927 directly bound to microRNA-634. Relative to the DDP+si-circ_0084927+anti-microRNA-NC group, optical density value, scratch healing rate, clone numbers as well as invasion numbers in the DDP+si-circ_0084927+antimicroRNA-634 group were increased (p<0.05). Interference with circ_0084927 reduced the cisplatin resistance of lung cancer cells by promoting microRNA-634. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deadliest anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) often transforms from indolent differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC); however, the complex intratumor transformation process is poorly understood. We investigated an anaplastic transformation model by dissecting both cell lineage and cell fate transitions using single-cell transcriptomic and genetic alteration data from patients with different subtypes of thyroid cancer. The resulting spectrum of ATC transformation included stress-responsive DTC cells, inflammatory ATC cells (iATCs), and mitotic-defective ATC cells and extended all the way to mesenchymal ATC cells (mATCs). Furthermore, our analysis identified 2 important milestones: (a) a diploid stage, in which iATC cells were diploids with inflammatory phenotypes and (b) an aneuploid stage, in which mATCs gained aneuploid genomes and mesenchymal phenotypes, producing excessive amounts of collagen and collagen-interacting receptors. In parallel, cancer-associated fibroblasts showed strong interactions among mesenchymal cell types, macrophages shifted from M1 to M2 states, and T cells reprogrammed from cytotoxic to exhausted states, highlighting new therapeutic opportunities for the treatment of ATC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Psoriatic patients tend to develop metabolic syndrome (MS). MS accelerates psoriasis, but the exact molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Objectives: We aim to investigate the impact of leptin on keratinocyte insulin sensitivity and explore its underlying molecular mechanism, which might play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease. Methods: ELISA and immunohistochemistry were applied respectively to detect the level of leptin in serum and in lesion of psoriatic patients with and without MS. The HaCaT cell line was cultured and western-blot assay was performed to assess the change of insulin sensibility. q-PCR and western-blot assay were applied to detect the SOCS3 expressions. Knockdown of SOCS3 were generated in HaCaT cell line by siRNA. Leptin and insulin were treated for 6days and K10 expression was evaluated by western-blot assay. Results: Patients with MS had higher level of leptin in serum and lesions than their counterparts without MS. Serum levels of leptin was negatively correlated to PASI decline index in psoriatic patients. Long-term treatment of leptin induced insulin resistance in HaCaT cell line, as indicated by elevated expression of p-IRS-1 (ser636) and lower p-PKB (ser473). Leptin treatment up-regulated the mRNA and protein expression of SOCS3. Knockdown of SOCS3 blocked the effect of leptin-induced insulin resistance. Leptin treatment attenuated insulin-elicited K10 expression. Conclusions: Leptin induces insulin resistance by upregulating SOCS3 and give rise to differentiation disorder of keratinocyte. Insulin resistance may serve as a target for anti-psoriatic therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To realize the multi-functional manipulation of the acoustic field with a simple artificial structure, a waveguide array based on resonant units was proposed in this work. Based on the transmission spectrum and zero-like refractive index of the waveguide unit, the amplitude of the transmitted wave can be manipulated. By changing the size of the waveguide unit flexibly, the phase of the transmitted wave can be manipulated. In addition, by extending the waveguide array to the sub-wavelength scale, an acoustic metasurface with both amplitude and phase modulation functions can be implemented, which provides new ways for the design of lightweight artificial periodic structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries are emerging as one of the most promising large-scale energy storage systems due to their low cost and high safety. However, Zn anodes often encounter the problems of Zn dendrite growth, hydrogen evolution reaction, and formation of by-products. Herein, we developed the low ionic association electrolytes (LIAEs) by introducing 2, 2, 2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) into 30 m ZnCl2 electrolyte. Owing to the electron-withdrawing effect of -CF3 groups in TFE molecules, in LIAEs, the Zn2+ solvation structures convert from larger aggregate clusters into smaller parts and TFE will construct H-bonds with H2O in Zn2+ solvation structure simultaneously. Consequently, ionic migration kinetics are significantly enhanced and the ionization of solvated H2O is effectively suppressed in LIAEs. As a result, Zn anodes in LIAE display a fast plating/stripping kinetics and high Coulombic efficiency of 99.74%. The corresponding full batteries exhibit an improved comprehensive performance such as high-rate capability and long cycling life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of a large number of reactive -OH groups on the surface of the microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) causes the MCC to easily agglomerate together due to hydrogen bonding, reducing the dispersion of the MCC in the NRL matrix. At the same time, the poor interfacial compatibility between the hydrophilic MCC and the hydrophobic NRL substrate does not achieve a good reinforcement effect, thus limiting to a certain extent the application of MCC in rubber substrates. The surface modification of MCC by poly(dopamine) (PDA) for improving the performance of rubber composites and broadening the application of MCC in NRL matrix, and improving the dispersibility and interfacial interaction of nanofillers in natural rubber latex (NRL) composites was studied. We report the effects of the MCC/PDA ratios on the vulcanization characteristics, the Payne effect, and the mechanical properties of the developed composites. These facts exhibit that not only the processing properties but also the mechanical performance of NRL/MCC/PDA are better than those of the NRL/MCC composites. This study reports an efficient approach to improving the interfacial interaction of the nanocomposite. Based on this, as a green reinforcing filler, MCC modified with PDA shows great potential in reinforcing NRL composites. Furthermore, a simple dip-coating method was used to modify the surface of MCC with dopamine. FTIR, TGA, and XRD confirmed the interaction between PDA and MCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct seeded canola (Brassica napus L.) has become increasingly popular in China's key canola-producing regions. The studies on the K response of direct-seeded canola performance are limited. This research aimed to investigate the K utilization efficiency and canopy radiation interception rate of direct seeded winter canola at various K application rates. Two seasons field trials were done with five K levels (0, 75, 150, 225, and 300 kg K2O ha-1) utilizing two key local cultivars (Huayouza no. 9 and Zhongshuang no. 11) in Southwest China. Canola yield rose by 17.9%-82.6% in 2017-2018 and 21.1%-73.6% in 2018-2019 when K was applied, compared to Kunfertilized. Canola yield go up rapidly at first and then gradually when K ingestion grew, demonstrating the phenomena of K luxury consumption. As K levels rose, internal utilization efficiency, agronomic efficiency, and physiological efficiency all decreased. In canola pod development and maturation period, 150 kg K2O ha-1 intercepted the most solar radiation (73.8%), while K-unfertilized treatment intercepted the least (61.6%) on average. The K supply rates had a significant effect on canopy radiation interception and K absorption in winter canola. When K application exceeded a specific rate, luxury consumption occurred. Canola's luxury K consumption was mostly stored in the pericarp and plant stem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): The aim of this study was to detect the expression levels of α-Actinin 1 (ACTN1) and ITGA5 in HNSCC and to explore how ACTN1/ITGA5 regulated the proliferative and invasive abilities, as well as the EMT of Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells. Materials and Methods: The viability, proliferative, invasive and migrative abilities of HNSCC cells after transfection were, in turn, detected by CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, EdU staining, transwell, as well as wound healing. E-cadherin in transfected cells was assessed utilizing immunofluorescence. RT-qPCR confirmed the transfection effect of ACTN1 and ITGA5 in HNSCC cells and the interaction between ACTN1 and ITGA5 in HNSCC cells was determined by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). With Western blot application, the contents of ACTN1, ITGA5, proliferation-, invasion- and migration-related proteins were estimated. A xenograft model based on nude mice was conducted and Ki-67 content in tumor tissues was evaluated employing immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. Results: ACTN1 interacted with ITGA5. The contents of ACTN1 and ITGA5 were found to be abundant in HNSCC tissues and cells and associated with poor prognosis. ACTN1 depletion imparted suppressive impacts on cell proliferative, invasive and migrative abilities as well as EMT of HNSCC cells, which were reversed by ITGA5 overexpression. In addition, ACTN1 deficiency repressed the growth and metastasis of tumor tissues in tumor xenografts of nude mice. Conclusion: ACTN1 positively interacts with ITGA5 to promote proliferation, invasion and EMT of HNSCC cells. Also, ACTN1 promotes tumor growth and metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the risk factors of duodenogastric reflux (DGR) in relation to different dietary habits. Methods: A total of 106 patients with symptoms of DGR who underwent electronic gastroscopy from June 2019 to June 2020 were selected and divided into the DGR group (n = 33) and the non-DGR group (n = 73) according to the diagnosis of bile reflux. Questionnaires were used to collect the basic information and dietary habits of the patients, including age, gender, body mass index, place of residence, comorbidities, dietary composition, salt intake, smoking and drinking consumption. The total bile acid (TBA) and cholesterol (CHO) of the gastric juice were measured using a fully automated biochemical analyser, with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay used for the serum cholecystokinin, gastrin and gastrin levels. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to predict the attendant DGR risk factors. Results: There was no significant difference in age or gender between the DGR and the non-DGR groups (P > 0.05). The proportion of patients living in the Bashang region was significantly higher in the DGR group (78.79%) than in the non-DGR group (38.36%) (P < 0.05). The levels of TBA and CHO in the gastric juice and the cholecystokinin and gastrin levels in the serum of the DGR group were higher than those in the non-DGR group, while the serum motilin levels were significantly lower in the DGR group than in the non-DGR group (P < 0.05). The univariate analysis indicated that the proportion of patients with daily consumption of dairy products and fried foods, a high salt intake and smoking and drinking consumption were significantly higher in the DGR than in the non-DGR group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The daily consumption of dairy products and a preference for fried food are independent risk factors for the occurrence of DGR (odds ratio ≥ 1, P < 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diode-pumped rare gas lasers are potential candidates for high-energy and high-beam quality laser systems. Currently, most investigations are focused on metastable Ar lasers. The Kr system has the unique advantages of higher quantum efficiency and lower discharge requirements for comparison. In this paper, a diode-pumped metastable Kr laser was demonstrated for the first time. Using a repetitively pulsed discharge at a Kr/He pressure of up to approximately 1500 Torr, metastable Kr atoms of more than 1013 cm-3 were generated. Under diode pumping, the laser realized a dual-wavelength output with an average output power of approximately 100 mW and an optical conversion efficiency of approximately 10% with respect to the absorbed pump power. A kinetics study involving population distribution and evolution was conducted to analyze the laser performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We sequenced DNA from spleens of rodents captured in rural areas of Qingdao, East China, during 2013-2015. We found 1 Apodemus agrarius mouse infected with Rickettsia conorii, indicating a natural Mediterranean spotted fever foci exists in East China and that the range of R. conorii could be expanding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To explore the effectiveness of vitamin E in male infertility, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted.Materials and Methods: The retrieval time was from January 1947 to May 2021, without language restriction. Stata 12.0 was used for the meta-analysis.Results: A total of 8 randomized controlled trials involving 459 patients were included. The results showed that after vitamin E treatment, semen volume was reduced (95% CI: - 0.55 to - 0.06, SMD = - 0.30, p = 0.015), total sperm count was increased (95% CI: 0.02-0.45, SMD = 0.23, p = 0.035), and the differences were statistically significant. There were no statistically significant differences in increasing sperm concentration (95% CI: -0.21-0.29, SMD = 0.04, p = 0.769), total sperm motility (95% CI: -0.01-0.42, SMD = 0.20, p = 0.061) or sperm forward motility rate (95% CI: -0.06-0.65, SMD = 0.29, p = 0.106). Subgroup analysis showed that vitamin E treatment for six months could improve sperm forward motility (95% CI: 0.46-1.14, SMD = 0.80, p <0.001).Conclusion: Vitamin E could increase the total sperm count and reduce the volume of semen in male infertility patients, and long-term treatment could improve the forward motility rate of sperm. The decrease of semen volume may be the result of different abstinence time before and after the test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the protective effect of Yuebi Jiazhu Decoction (YBJZD) on the kidney of adriamycin nephropathy (AN) rats. Rats were injected with adriamycin for modeling, except for the control group. After the successful establishment of the animal model, rats were randomly divided into the model group, YBJZD low-, medium-, and high-dose groups, and the positive group. The 24-h urine samples were collected. Biochemical indicators were monitored, and kidney tissues were collected for pathological analysis using light microscopy. The results showed that through 4 weeks of drug intervention, the urinary protein level was lower in the YBJZD and positive groups compared with the model group (P < 0.05). Serum levels of BUN, SCr, and TG were significantly lower (P < 0.01), and ALB was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in the YBJZD and positive groups compared with the model group. Compared with the model group, the pathological injury of kidney tissue in the YBJZD and positive groups was significantly alleviated. These outcomes proved that YBJZD had a renal protective effect on AN rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze differences in feasibility and efficacy between the paravertebral approach and microtubular tumorectomy (PAMT) or percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic tumorectomy (PTET) for the treatment of lumbar dumbbell-shaped tumors. Methods: Clinical data of dumbbell-shaped lumbar tumors in patients treated with PAMT or PTET in our hospital between June 2015 and November 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The gross total resection (GTR) rate, operation time, estimated blood loss, postoperative hospital stay (PHS), postoperative neurological function, and spinal stability were compared between the 2 surgical methods. Neurological improvement was assessed using the pain visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score. Results: Fifteen cases of GTR (93.8%) and 1 case of subtotal resection were included in the PTET group, whilst all 18 patients in the PAMT group achieved GTR. There was no significant difference in the GTR rate, operation time, and PHS between the PAMT and PTET groups. The estimated blood loss was significantly lower in the PTET group than in the PAMT group. At the last follow-up, there was no significant difference in the VAS or JOA scores between PTET and PAMT. No tumor recurrence or spinal instability was observed in either group during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Both PAMT and PTET can achieve Eden type III-IV lumbar 1-stage tumor resection without additional spinal internal fixation due to reduced muscle, ligament, and facet joint damage. No lumbar instability and tumor recurrence occurred, and neurological function was improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional (2D) tri-TMDCs carrier dynamics provide a platform for studying excitons through Ultrafast Pump-Probe Transient Absorption Spectroscopy. Here we studied the ZrTe3 nanosheets (NTs) exciton dynamics by transient absorption (TA) spectrometer. We observed different carrier dynamics in the ZrTe3 NTs sample at different pump powers and with many wavelengths in the transient absorption spectrometer. The shorter life decay constant is associated with electron-phonon relaxation. Similarly, the longer-life decay constant represents the long live process that is associated with charge separation. The interactions between carrier-phonons at nanoscale materials can be changed by phonons quantum confinements. The hot carrier lifetime determined the strength of carrier phonon interactions. The value of fast decay in the conduction band is due to carrier relaxation or the carrier gets trapped due to surface states or localized defects. The value of slow decay is due to the recombination of surface state and localized defects processes. The lifetime declines for long wavelengths as size decreases. Whereas, during short wavelength-independent decay, carrier characteristics have been observed. TA spectroscopy is employed to investigate insight information of the carrier's dynamical processes such as carrier lifetime, cooling dynamics, carrier diffusion, and carrier excitations. The absorption enhanced along excitons density with the increase of pump power, which caused a greater number of carriers in the excited state than in the ground state. The TA signals consist of trap carriers and (electron-hole) constituents, which can be increased by TA changes that rely on photoexcitation and carrier properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), S-type cytoplasmic male sterile (S-CMS) lines can mainly transform from sterility to fertility at the mononuclear pollen stage. Observations from microscopy revealed an inhibition of starch accumulation within the pollen grain, suggesting that an alteration in carbohydrate metabolism or assimilate supply may be involved in S-CMS pollen abortion. We measured levels of various carbohydrates and activities of key enzymes of sucrose metabolism at the mononuclear pollen stage in anthers collected from an S-CMS line and its maintainer line and found that nonreducing sugars increased in S-CMS anthers. Sucrose accounted for part of the nonreducing sugar accumulation. The activity of invertase declined significantly, whereas sucrose synthase activity during starch accumulation in pollen showed no significant change in S-CMS anthers at the mononuclear pollen stage. The results suggest that sucrose conversion and inhibition of invertase were probably responsible for the pollen abortion. Because there is a high correlation between the rate of ethylene evolution and sucrose content, ethylene anabolism was determined. TaACS2 regulates sucrose metabolism in pollen probably through catalysing the synthesis of ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid in wheat. In this study, ethylene production of anthers underwent accumulation, revealed by gas chromatography, and expression levels of TaACS2 were upregulated in the S-CMS line, as determined by quantitative real-time PCR. We investigated the DNA methylation pattern of TaACS2 in the core promoter region using bisulfite genomic sequencing, and lower methylation was observed in the S-CMS line. These results suggest that DNA methylation of the TaACS2 gene may be involved in the sterility–fertility transition by regulating the synthesis of ethylene in S-CMS anthers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Root-zone temperature (RZT) is closely related to nutrient transportation and biomass production. However, its influence on biomass production and dry matter distribution remains unknown, especially in year-long production greenhouses. We explore the potential of RZT as an environmental control method to promote spinach field production by quantifying the effects of RZT to increase spinach production. Three RZT treatments using a nutrient film technique (NFT) system quantified and evaluated the effects of spring, summer, and winter spinach cultivation. We investigated the growth characteristics, total aboveground dry matter, and fraction of dry matter distribution to the leaf and root (which corresponded with yield). The RZT effects on total aboveground dry matter varied with the average air temperature inside the greenhouse. The total aboveground dry matter correlated positively with RZT in optimal air temperature conditions (15–20°C). The dry matter-to-leaves ratio of the spinach did not correlate significantly with RZT in suboptimal (5°C < air temperature < 15°C) or supraoptimal (20°C < air temperature) conditions. Therefore, RZT can promote biomass accumulation. We suggest RZT provides a feasible method for controlling the dry matter distribution fraction. Further research into the functional role of RZT will support hydroponic growers in improving crop yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the biosorption characteristics of low concentration Cr(III) by four biosorbents of microbial powders (TP, XB, MY and TQ). All biosorbents showed promising sorption efficiency towards Cr(III). The results of SEM and FTIR showed that the gaps of the adsorbent surface were filled, and the groups of hydroxyl, carboxyl, polyglucose, amine, phosphoric acid, and sulfur functional groups played an important role. The equilibrium adsorption capacity of TP, XB, MY, and TQ were achieved by 6.92, 10.35, 9.20 and 8.72 mg/g, respectively. The data of isotherm models (Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubimim-Radushkevich isotherm models) revealed that TP, MY and TQ were fitted well with the Langmuir model which means the adsorption functional group or activity site on the surface was monolayer; XB was fitted well with Temkin model which means that the surface coverage of adsorbent increased while the adsorption heat decreased linearly. The Lagergren model and intraparticle diffusion model were used to present the kinetic process, the results showed that the biosorption process for all the studied adsorbent followed three phases: rapid phase, slow phase, and equilibrium. The first phase was the rate-controlling one. Moreover, the four biosorbents were regenerated by desorption and still had adsorption performance after four times of reuse. We proved that the four biosorbents can be feasible biomass for the removal of low concentration Cr(III) from aqueous solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction • Poor sleep quality among college students is a global problem. Chinese college students were required to home quarantine, social distance and participate in online learning during the COVID-19 epidemic. This study aimed to investigate the sleep quality of college students during the epidemic and identify the factors related to poor sleep quality. Methods • Study participants completed an online survey that included questionnaires about sleep symptoms and lifestyle during the COVID-19 outbreak. The study participants included 3416 college students (mean age 20.4 ± 1.8 years). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to measure sleep quality, and a PSQI score >7 was defined as poor sleep quality. A logistic regression model was used to analyze the factors related to sleep quality. Results • The percentage of college students with poor sleep quality was 15.97 % in southern Anhui province during the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of the students were female (67.4%) and most were from urban areas (53.9%). Single-parent (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.39; 95% CI, 1.02-1.89) domestic violence incidents ≥5×/yr (aOR, 3.68; 95% CI, 1.70 to 7.96), nap time >4 hr/d (aOR, 1.90; 95% CI, 25-2.90) were significantly associated with poor sleep quality. While knowledge of COVID-19 was prevalent (aOR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.96) light exercise >1 hour/day (aOR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.28 to 0.78), parent-accompanied exercise >3×/wk (aOR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.38 to 0.90) were protective factors against poor sleep quality. Conclusions • The present study found that college students in single-parent families and students who had experienced domestic violence had a high risk of poor sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. College students who were familiar with COVID-19 and had light exercise habits or parent-accompanied exercise habits had better sleep quality. At the time of writing, COVID-19 was still pandemic worldwide, so targeted sleep health interventions must be established to actively guide college students’ healthy living habits. In addition, the sleep disorders and other health problems that may occur in college students should be dealt with in advance, and should be part of the routine work of global disease prevention. (Altern Ther Health Med. 2022;28(3):58-64). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yadong-Gulu Rift, cutting across the Gangdese belt and Himalayan terranes, is currently associated with a thermal anomaly in the mantle and crustal melting at 15-20 km depth. The rift follows the trace of a tear in the underthrusted Indian continental lithospheric slab recognized by high resolution geophysical methods. The Miocene evolution of a 400-km-wide band following the trace of the tear and the rift, records differences interpreted as indicative of a higher heat flow than its surroundings. In the Gangdese belt, this band is characterized by high-Sr/Y granitic magmatism that lasted 5 m.y. longer than elsewhere and by the highest values of eHf(i) and association with the largest porphyry Cu-Mo deposits in the Gangdese belt. Anomalously young magmatic rocks continue south along the rift in the Tethyan and Higher Himalayas. Here, a 300-km-wide belt includes some of the youngest Miocene Himalayan leucogranites; the only occurrence of mantle-derived mafic enclaves in a leucogranite; young mantle-derived lamprophyre dikes; and the youngest and hottest migmatites in the Higher Himalayas. These migmatites record a history of rapid exhumation contemporaneous with the exhumation of Miocene mafic eclogite blocks, which are unique to this region and which were both heated to >800 °C at ca. 15-13 Ma, followed by isothermal decompression. We suggest that the prominent tear in the Indian lithosphere, sub-parallel to the rift, is the most likely source for these tectono-thermal anomalies since the Miocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crustal growth is commonly associated with porphyry deposit formation whether in continental arcs or collisional orogens. The Miocene high-K calc-alkaline granitoids in the Gangdese belt in southern Tibet, associated with porphyry copper deposits, are derived from the juvenile lower crust with input from lithospheric mantle trachytic magmas, and are characterized by adakitic affinity with high-Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios as well as high Mg# and more evolved isotopic ratios. Researchers have argued, lower crust with metal fertilization was mainly formed by previous subduction-related modification. The issue is that the arc is composed of three stages of magmatism including Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Paleocene--Eocene, with peaks of activity at 200 Ma, 90 Ma, and ca. 50 Ma, respectively. All three stages of arc growth are essentially similar in terms of their whole-rock geochemistry and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic compositions, making it difficult to distinguish Miocene magma sources. This study is based on ~430 bulk-rock Sr-Nd isotope data and ~270 zircon Lu-Hf isotope data and >800 whole-rock geochemistry analyses in a 900-km-long section of the Gangdese belt. We found large scale variations along the length of the arc where the Nd-Hf isotopic ratios of the Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Paleocene--Eocene arc rocks change differently from east to west. A significant feature is that the spatial distribution of Nd-Hf isotopic values of the Paleocene--Eocene arc magmas and the Miocene granitoids, including metallogenic ones, are "bell-shaped" from east to west, with a peak of εNd(t) and εHf(t) at ~91°E. In contrast, the Jurassic and Cretaceous arc magmas have different isotopic distribution patterns as a function of longitude. The isotopic spatial similarity of the Paleocene--Eocene and Miocene suites suggests that the lower crust source of the metallogenic Miocene magmas is composed dominantly of the Paleocene--Eocene arc rocks. This is further supported by abundant inherited zircons dominated by Paleocene--Eocene ages in the Miocene rocks. Another important discovery from the large data set is that the Miocene magmatic rocks have higher Mg# and more evolved Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic compositions than all preceding magmatic arcs. These characteristics indicate that the involvement of another different source was required to form the Miocene magmatic rocks. Hybridization of the isotopically unevolved primary magmas with isotopically evolved, lithospheric mantle-derived trachytic magmas is consistent with the geochemical, xenolith, and seismic evidence and is essential for the Miocene crustal growth and porphyry deposit formation. We recognize that the crustal growth in the collisional orogen is a two-step process, the first is the subduction stage dominated by typical magmatic arc processes leading to lower crust fertilization, the second is the collisional stage dominated by partial melting of a subduction-modified lower crust and mixing with a lithospheric mantle-derived melt at the source depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formation of pollen wall exine is preceded by the development of several transient layers of extracellular materials deposited on the surface of developing pollen grains. One such layer is primexine (PE), a thin, ephemeral structure that is present only for a short period of time and is difficult to visualize and study. Recent genetic studies suggested that PE is a key factor in the formation of exine, making it critical to understand its composition and the dynamics of its formation. In this study, we used high-pressure frozen/freeze-substituted samples of developing Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) pollen for a detailed transmission electron microscopy analysis of the PE ultrastructure throughout the tetrad stage of pollen development. We also analyzed anthers from wild-type Arabidopsis and three mutants defective in PE formation by immunofluorescence, carefully tracing several carbohydrate epitopes in PE and nearby anther tissues during the tetrad and the early free-microspore stages. Our analyses revealed likely sites where these carbohydrates are produced and showed that the distribution of these carbohydrates in PE changes significantly during the tetrad stage. We also identified tools for staging tetrads and demonstrate that components of PE undergo changes resembling phase separation. Our results indicate that PE behaves like a much more dynamic structure than has been previously appreciated and clearly show that Arabidopsis PE creates a scaffolding pattern for formation of reticulate exine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Haplodontium altunense X.R.Wang & S.Mamtimin, a new moss species of the family Bryaceae from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China is described and illustrated. Genetic analysis based on ITS sequences shows that this species is a member of the Bryaceae and in the same clade as Anomobryum. Particularly distinctive features of the new species include: double peristome; the exostome has raised and membranous chomata with united lamellae between two teeth proximally; the endostome is poorly developed and all the endostomial material tightly adherent to the exostome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integrity of myelination is crucial for maintaining brain interstitial fluid (ISF) drainage in adults; however, the mechanism of ISF drainage with immature myelin in the developing brain remains unknown. In the present study, the ISF drainage from the caudate nucleus (Cn) to the ipsilateral cortex was studied at different developmental stages of the rat brain (P 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, 10-80). The results show that the traced ISF drained to the cortex from Cn and to the thalamus in an opposite direction before P30. From P40, we found impeded drainage to the thalamus due to myelin maturation. This altered drainage was accompanied by enhanced cognitive and social functions, which were consistent with those in the adult rats. A significant difference in diffusion parameters was also demonstrated between the extracellular space (ECS) before and after P30. The present study revealed the alteration of ISF drainage regulated by myelin at different stages during development, indicating that a regional ISF homeostasis may be essential for mature psychological and cognitive functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to visually detect low numbers of Salmonella in food samples is highly valuable but remains a challenge. Here we present a novel platform for ultrasensitive and visual detection of Salmonella Typhimurium by integrating the bio-barcode immunoassay (BCA), recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), and CRISPR-Cas12a cleavage in a single reaction system (termed as BCA--RPA--Cas12a). In the system, the target bacteria were separated by immunomagnetic nanoparticles and labeled with numerous barcode AuNPs, which carry abundant bio-barcode DNA molecules to amplify the signal. Afterwards, the bio-barcode DNA molecules were amplified by RPA and subsequently triggered the cleavage activity of Cas12a to generate the fluorescence signal. Due to this triplex signal amplification, the BCA--RPA--Cas12a system can selectively detect Salmonella Typhimurium at the single-digit level with the naked eye under blue light within 60 min. Meanwhile, this novel platform was successfully applied to detect Salmonella Typhimurium in spiked milk samples with a similar sensitivity and satisfactory recovery, indicating its potential application in real samples. Furthermore, in virtue of the versatility of the antibody in the stage of BCA, the BCA--RPA--Cas12a system can be extended to further application in other bacteria detection and food safety monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influent quality and quantity were important factors that caused the abnormal operation of WWTP. In this study, the prediction models of influent quality and quantity were established based on four machine learning methods of Linear Regression, Ridge Regression, ElasticNet Regression and Lasso Regression. The meteorological conditions (precipitation and air temperature) and influent indicators (influent quantity, COD, and NH3-N) were used as training data. The influent quantity prediction of the models were evaluated using the historical data obtained from a WWTP located in western China, and the results showed that the normal rates of influent quantity were ranged from 98.9%-100%. The highest accuracy was obtained with Ridge method which was 86.19%. For influent quality (COD) prediction, Ridge method is relatively ideal, with 82% accuracy. For influent quality (NH3-N) prediction, because of higher data normality rates, Lasso and ElasticNet method were more ideal, both with 74% accuracy. Further, in view of the reason of low prediction accuracy, this paper puts forward the idea of model improvement from the three directions of data fluctuation, correlation and amount. It is expected that this study will provide reference for similar research and provide a reference and thought for similar research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]