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The effects of foliar application of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) on rice growth and Se accumulation has been studied, but soil application of SeNPs on rice Se uptake and its transformation in soil remain limited. Water management is a key agronomic practice in rice cultivation. This study examined the effects of varying water management regimes (continuous flooding [CF] and alternating wet and dry [AWD]) and concentrations (0, 0.5, and 2 mg·kg−1) of SeNPs on rice growth, Se accumulation, soil Se transformations, and bacterial communities in a pot experiment. Results revealed that soil-applied SeNPs enhanced growth and Se accumulation of rice. Compared with CF treatment, AWD treatment promoted the accumulation of Se in rice but decreased leaf photosynthetic activity and Se content in leaf organelles. After soil application of SeNPs, soil Se fractions were dominated by organic-bound Se (OM-Se) and residual Se (RES-Se). SeNPs in soil have higher transformation rate at low concentration and AWD water management. Water management and SeNP application jointly affected the rhizosphere bacterial community structure. 2 mg·kg−1 SeNPs increased Chloroflexi abundance by 12.3 % and 30.6 % in CF and AWD water management, respectively. The increase in Chloroflexi abundance facilitated the conversion of stable Se fractions (OM-Se and RES-Se) to active Se fractions (soluble Se and carbonate bound Se) in soil. The present study may provide theoretical support for Se biofortification in rice grown in Se-deficient regions.

Drought and salt stress pose great challenges to global agriculture, yet mild deficit irrigation and salt stress have the potential to enhance water productivity (WP). However, it is not desirable to improve WP by reducing irrigation if it leads to a decrease in yield. This study aimed to investigate the effects of deficit irrigation and salt stress on maize yield and WP, as well as the underlying mechanism, and to explore agronomic practices to jointly improve maize yield and WP based on literature analysis. To achieve this, we conducted a 2–year field experiment with two maize genotypes (ZD958 and XY335), involving two irrigation levels (F: full irrigation and D: deficit irrigation, 65 % ET/80 % ET) and two salt levels (S0: no salt and S1: 2 ‰). Additionally, we performed a synthesis analysis of peer–reviewed literature to assess the effects of deficit irrigation and/or salt stress on maize yield, evapotranspiration and WP. Our results showed that both deficit irrigation and salt stress increased leaf intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEi) and WP. Compared to the control (FS0), WP significantly increased by 11.5 % in DS0 and by 9.6 % in FS1, while decreased by 3.5 % in DS1. Furthermore, the increase in WP under single water and salt stress was attributed to the reduction in ET, while the decrease in WP under combined stress was attributed to the negative effect on grain yield. Both deficit irrigation and salt stress had adverse effects on leaf morpho–physiological traits and dry matter accumulation, with salt severely inhibiting the recovery ability after rewatering. Literature analysis showed that deficit irrigation increased WP by 10.5 %, and when coupled with agronomic practices such as controlled–release fertilizers and mulching, WP improved by 19.2 % without reducing the grain yield of maize. Deficit irrigation coupled with agronomic practices can achieve a win–win situation for both maize yield and WP. This study provides valuable insights into improving irrigation practices dealing with water shortages and salt stress in arid and semi–arid regions, further ensuring national food security.

Soil salinization and low resource utilization efficiency present significant challenges to cotton production. The application of salt-tolerant composite plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (STC-PGPR) is considered an effective strategy to address these issues. However, its broad adaptability and regulatory mechanisms require further exploration. We hypothesize that under non-saline or moderately saline conditions, STC-PGPR directs resources to shoots, especially reproductive organs, by altering the rhizosphere bacterial community, thereby enhancing seed cotton yield (SY) and resource use efficiency. To validate our hypothesis, we conducted an experiment using two cotton varieties: Xinluzao 72 (G1) and Zhongmiansuo 49 (G2); two microbial treatments: without STC-PGPR (B1) and with STC-PGPR (B2); and three salinity levels: 0, 4, and 8 g NaCl kg−1 soil (S1, S2, S3). The results demonstrated that STC-PGPR enhanced SY and resource use efficiency under both S1 and S2 salinity levels, with significant improvements observed in G2S1 and G1S2 . Under G2S1, STC-PGPR increased nitrogen uptake efficiency, optimized shoot resource allocation to stems and squares, enhanced stem support, and improved resource storage and transport. Consequently, SY and nitrogen partial factor productivity (NPFP) increased by 9.1 % and 9.0 %, respectively. Under G1S2, STC-PGPR reduced the root-shoot ratio, directing more resources to shoots, which led to increases in SY, irrigation water productivity, and NPFP by 46.2 %, 44.8 %, and 45.9 %, respectively. These changes were primarily due to altered indigenous biomarkers after STC-PGPR application, rather than the bacteria in STC-PGPR. This study highlights the potential of STC-PGPR, emphasizing the importance of optimizing resource allocation rather than merely promoting growth. Additionally, it underscores the significant role of indigenous biomarkers in mediating these effects.

Light quality is an important variable affecting plant growth, so we aimed to explore the impact of light quality on plants under salt stress. The salt tolerance of pea (Pisum sativum L.) seedlings illuminated by LED red light and 4:1 of red/blue light in a hydroponic system was evaluated at three salinity levels (0, 50, and 100 mmol/L of NaCl) for their morphological and physiological parameters and their root growth characteristics in response to salt stress. Results demonstrated that, as salt stress intensified, the plant height, aboveground fresh/dry mass, root growth indices, and chlorophyll content of pea seedlings exhibited a decreasing trend, while the malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) in leaves increased. Also, more sodium (Na⁺) but less potassium (K⁺) ions were detected due to the change in electrolyte balance. Compared with pea seedlings under no salt stress, the growth rate, plant height, and K⁺ ion content significantly increased with the red light treatments, but both lights did not affect the aboveground fresh/dry mass, chlorophyll content, or root growth index. Under medium salt stress (50 mmol/L), red light helped generate more chlorophylls by 17.06%, accelerate leaf electrolyte exudation by 23.84%, accumulate more K⁺ ions by 46.32%, and increase the K⁺/Na⁺ ratio by 45.45%. When pea seedlings were stressed by 100 mmol/L salinity stress, red light was able to maintain the leaf chlorophyll level by 114.66%, POD enzyme activity by 157.78%, MDA amount by 14.16%, leaf and stem electrolyte leakage rate by 38.76% and 21.80%, respectively, K⁺ ion content by 45.47%, and K⁺/Na⁺ ratio by 69.70%. In conclusion, the use of red light has proven to enhance the salt tolerance of pea seedlings in a hydroponic system, which can and should be a promising approach to prime pea seedlings for more salt tolerance.

Lithium-ion battery heat dissipation difficulties seriously affect the efficient and stable operation of electronic devices and electric vehicles. Faced with the increasing heat dissipation demand, traditional liquid cooling systems cannot ensure the quality of heat dissipation and are seriously limited in the ability to provide uniform temperature adjustments. Combining microchannels with PCMs is beneficial. For the hybrid system here described, the maximum and average values of the temperature field were 10.35 K and 1 K, respectively, surpassing those of a liquid cooling system. By introducing suitable PCMs, the maximum value could be reduced by 5.6 K (under a 2C discharge rate) and by 16.2 K (under a 3C discharge rate). This article briefly introduces the development status and main problems of the technology combining microchannels and PCMs in BTMSs, then reviews the research progress for lithium-ion battery heat dissipation achieved by using the technology coupling microchannels and PCMs, analyzes its performance advantages, and finally prospects the future development direction of the microchannel–PCM coupling technology.

Water scarcity hinders sustainable agriculture in arid and semi-arid regions. This study investigated the combined effects of trickle irrigation and biochar application on sugar beet cultivation in northwest China’s arid and semi-arid regions, addressing challenges of water scarcity. Three-year field experiments were conducted using plastic film mulch, four irrigation levels based on crop evapotranspiration (0.6–1.2 ETc), and four biochar application rates (0–30 t ha−1). Results showed that biochar application increased sugar beet germination rates by 7.2–24.5% and enhanced relative chlorophyll content by 3.1–22.1%. Optimal combinations of irrigation and biochar significantly improved growth indices and yield, with maximum values observed under the highest irrigation (1.2 ETc) and 10 t ha−1 biochar treatment. However, the 1.0 ETc irrigation treatment with 10 t ha−1 biochar demonstrated superior water use efficiency (14.8% higher), sustainable yield index (1.1% higher), and economic benefits (1.4% higher) compared to the highest irrigation treatment. Considering growth, yield, quality, water use efficiency, sustainability, and economic factors, an irrigation level of 1.0 ETc combined with a biochar application rate of 10 t ha−1 is recommended for sugar beet cultivation in Xinjiang. This study provides valuable insights and practical strategies for water conservation, high yield, and quality improvement in sugar beet cultivation under arid and semi-arid conditions, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices in water-scarce regions.

Background Cancer pain remains highly prevalent and persistent throughout survivorship, and it is crucial to investigate the potential of leveraging the advanced features of mobile health (mHealth) apps to empower individuals to self-manage their pain. Objective This review aims to comprehensively understand the acceptability, users’ experiences, and effectiveness of mHealth apps in supporting cancer pain self-management. Methods We conducted an integrative review following Souza and Whittemore and Knafl’s 6 review processes. Literature was searched in PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, PsycINFO, and Embase, from 2013 to 2023. Keywords including “cancer patients,” “pain,” “self-management,” “mHealth applications,” and relevant synonyms were used in the search. The Johns Hopkins research evidence appraisal tool was used to evaluate the quality of eligible studies. A narrative synthesis was conducted to analyze the extracted data. Results A total of 20 studies were included, with the overall quality rated as high (n=15) to good (n=5). Using mHealth apps to monitor and manage pain was acceptable for most patients with cancer. The internal consistency of the mHealth in measuring pain was 0.96. The reported daily assessment or engagement rate ranged from 61.9% to 76.8%. All mHealth apps were designed for multimodal interventions. Participants generally had positive experiences using pain apps, rating them as enjoyable and user-friendly. In addition, 6 studies reported significant improvements in health outcomes, including enhancement in pain remission (severity and intensity), medication adherence, and a reduced frequency of breakthrough pain. The most frequently highlighted roles of mHealth apps included pain monitoring, tracking, reminders, education facilitation, and support coordination. Conclusions mHealth apps are effective and acceptable in supporting pain self-management. They offer a promising multi-model approach for patients to monitor, track, and manage their pain. These findings provide evidence-based insights for leveraging mHealth apps to support cancer pain self-management. More high-quality studies are needed to examine the effectiveness of digital technology–based interventions for cancer pain self-management and to identify the facilitators and barriers to their implementation in real-world practice.

In the present study, a field establishment was initiated in 2018 with eight treatment conditions using biochar application rates of 0, 10, 20, or 30 t/ha and nitrogen application rates of 0 or 150 kg/ha. After two years, the impact of biochar on carbon-nitrogen distributions, soil aggregate stability, and wheat yields was then assessed. The predominant mechanical aggregates after two years were > 5 mm and 2-5 mm granular aggregates, with notable increases in the amounts of these aggregates following the application of biochar with or without nitrogen that coincided with an increase in soil aggregate mechanical stability. Relative to control conditions, aggregate mean weight diameter (MWD) and geometric weight diameter (GMD) values rose by 17.6% and 24.3% for biochar with nitrogen treatment (N: 150 kg/ha; biochar: 20 t/ha), respectively. Biochar application alone and the application of both biochar and nitrogen fertiliser were associated with 6.4-20.2% and 20.7-42.7% increases in spring wheat yields, respectively. Overall, the results of these analyses highlight the value of applying biochar to improve soil quality and boost crop yields proximal to the study site. This study provided the scientific basis for the rational fertilisation and scientific management of biochar combined with nitrogen fertiliser in the irrigation area of Northern Xinjiang, China.

Freezing saline water irrigation is an effective technique for leaching soil salts. However, the coupling effects between initial salinity, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), and freezing temperature of saline water have not been systematically studied. Therefore, a three-factor and five-level quadratic general rotation combination design was adopted, employing indoor simulated freeze–thaw experiments to investigate the influence of these three factors on the freshwater production ratio. The results indicated the following: (1) Within the range of the set experimental factor levels, the freshwater production ratio after the freezing of saline water ranged from 23.34% to 81.11%. (2) The significant negative effect of the main factor on the freshwater production ratio was descending order: initial salinity > freezing temperature. Although the impact of saline water SAR on the freshwater production ratio is insignificant, the interaction between saline water SAR and the freezing temperature has a highly significant negative effect on the freshwater production ratio. (3) At least 83% of the salt content was leached out in the first 16 h when the ice was thawed at 6 °C. These findings are beneficial for selecting appropriate irrigation times based on irrigation water quality in the actual field application of saline water freezing irrigation, with the aim of more efficiently reducing soil salt content.

Biomass pyrolysis by-products, such as biochar (BC) and wood vinegar (WV), are widely used as soil conditioners and efficiency enhancers in agriculture. A pot experiment was conducted to examine the effects of WV, both alone and in combination with BC, on soil properties in mildly saline soil and on cotton stress tolerance. The results demonstrated that BC and WV application, either individually or together, increased soil nutrient content. The combined application was more effective than the individual applications, resulting in a 5.18–20.12% increase in organic matter, a 2.65–15.04% increase in hydrolysable nitrogen, a 2.23–58.05% increase in effective phosphorus, and a 2.71–29.38% increase in quick-acting potassium. Additionally, the combined application of WV and BC led to greater improvements in cotton plant height, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), leaf nitrate reductase (NR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities compared to the application of BC or WV alone. The enhancements in this study varied across different parameters. Plant height showed an increase of 14.32–21.90%. Net photosynthetic rate improved by 13.56–17.60%. Leaf nitrate reductase increased by 5.47–37.79%. Superoxide dismutase and catalase showed improvements of 5.82–64.95% and 10.36–71.40%, respectively (p < 0.05). Moreover, the combined treatment outperformed the individual applications of WV and BC, resulting in a significant decrease in MDA levels by 2.47–51.72% over the experimental period. This combined treatment ultimately enhanced cotton stress tolerance. Using the entropy weight method to analyze the results, it was concluded that the combined application of WV and BC could enhance soil properties in mildly saline soils, increase cotton resistance, and hold significant potential for widespread application.

IntroductionPrivate enterprises are playing an increasingly important role in production and employment in China. However, due to less regulation and a stronger profit motivation than state-owned enterprises with more standardized management, a considerable portion of these private enterprises fall short of fulfilling their basic responsibilities for government-mandated old-age insurance.MethodsThis study establishes a comprehensive research framework aimed at delving into the precise factors contributing to the lax adherence of private enterprises to their basic old-age insurance obligations. This framework takes into account a range of factors, including enterprise profitability, the external environmental context (specifically the level of regional development), and internal organizational dynamics (such as the presence of labor unions and workers’ congresses). To validate this framework, empirical data from a substantial sample of 3,123 private enterprises, which were part of the 10th Chinese Private Enterprise Survey (CPES), were utilized. This study employs the stepwise multiple regression analysis and conducts robustness tests to ensure the model’s effectiveness.ResultsEnterprise profitability, regional development levels, and the existence of labor unions all wield a positive influence on basic old-age insurance coverage that private enterprises extend to their workforce. Moreover, an intriguing aspect emerges: the developmental stage of the region, as well as the presence of labor unions exercise a negative moderating effect on the relationship between enterprise profitability and the coverage rate of basic old-age insurance. In essence, this implies that the basic old-age insurance coverage rate for private enterprises operating in well-developed regions and those with established labor unions is relatively insulated from fluctuations in profitability.DiscussionTo increase the participation rate of private enterprises’ basic old-age insurance, it is important to improve the overall development environment for private enterprises, enhance internal organizational mechanisms, and strengthen regulatory oversight of enterprises in various regions.

BackgroundInterventions that promote adaptive emotion regulation (ER) skills reduce pain in patients with chronic pain; however, whether the effects of yoga practice on chronic low back pain (CLBP) are due to improvements in ER remains to be examined. ObjectiveThis study will test whether the effects of yoga on CLBP (improved pain severity and interference) are mediated by improved ER, the extent to which effects are related to specific aspects of ER, and the role of pain sensitization as a mediator or moderator of effects. In this study, pain sensitization will be assessed by quantitative sensory testing and gene expression profiles to examine whether pain sensitization moderates yoga’s effects on pain or whether yoga and ER abilities reduce pain sensitization, leading to decreased pain severity and interference. MethodsFor this 2-arm parallel group blinded randomized controlled trial, we will enroll 204 adults with CLBP who will be randomized to receive the yoga (n=102) or a control stretching and strengthening (n=102) intervention, which are delivered via web-based synchronous biweekly 75-minute sessions over 12 weeks. Participants are encouraged to practice postures or exercises for 25 minutes on other days using accessible prerecorded practice videos that are sent to participants digitally. Participants will be assessed at 5 time points: baseline, midintervention (6 weeks), postintervention (12 weeks), and 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Assessments of ER, pain severity and interference, pain sensitivity including somatosensory and gene expression profiles, and physical strength and flexibility will be conducted at each visit. The fidelity of the interventions is assessed using a manualized checklist to evaluate recorded group sessions to ensure consistent instructor delivery. ResultsThe primary outcome will be the mean change in pain severity as measured by the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form at 12 weeks. The primary mechanism of action is ER measured by change in the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale total score. Secondary outcomes include pain sensitivity, physical strength and flexibility, pain interference, and quality of life. A mediation path analysis and series of moderated mediation path analyses will be conducted to test the study hypotheses. As of January 2024, we have enrolled 138 participants. We expect the study to be completed by May 2025. ConclusionsThe study will provide important data for evaluating whether improvements in ER are responsible for reduced pain perception and pain sensitivity as well as increased quality of life in the context of chronic pain. The study findings have important implications for determining the mechanism of action for yoga and possibly other mind-body interventions as nonpharmacological therapies for pain management. The results of the study will inform the content, delivery, and measures for intervention trials involving yoga as a modality for relieving pain and improving function. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04678297; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04678297 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/56016

In this paper, MgAl layered double hydroxides (LDH) with molar ratio of nMg:nAl = 2:1 was successfully synthesized by conventional co-precipitation method to remove direct blue FFRL (FFRL). In order to study the influence of calcined temperature to FFRL removal, a series of calcined layered double hydroxides (CLDH) samples was obtained by calcination at 200, 450, 600, 800 °C for 6 h, respectively. BET, XRD and SEM were used to analyze the structure of MgAl-CLDH calcined at different temperature. The MgAl-CLDH calcined at 450 °C exhibits the most considerable removal efficiency, which is corresponding to the results of BET. The equilibrium isotherm of FFRL removal by MgAl-CLDH can be better described by Langmuir model. The process of FFRL removal by MgAl-CLDH is spontaneous and exothermic with an increasing in molecular order. Removal of FFRL by MgAl-CLDH also conforms to the pseudo-first-order model with activating energy of 129.6 kJ/mol, which proves that the removal of FFRL by MgAl-CLDH is controlled by a chemical reaction between FFRL and MgAl-CLDH.

Abstract Background Chronic low back pain can lead to individual suffering, high medical expenditures, and impaired social well-being. Although the role of physical activity in pain management is well established, the underlying mechanisms of biological and clinical outcomes are unknown. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a pain self-management intervention, Problem-Solving Pain to Enhance Living Well, which employs wearable activity tracking technology and nurse consultations for people with chronic low back pain. Methods This one-arm longitudinal study recruited 40 adults aged 18–60 years with chronic low back pain. Over 12 weeks, participants watched 10 short video modules, wore activity trackers, and participated in nurse consultations every 2 weeks. At baseline and the 12-week follow-up, they completed study questionnaires, quantitative sensory testing, and blood sample collection. Results Forty participants were recruited, and their mean age was 29.8. Thirty-two participants completed the survey questionnaire, quantitative sensory testing, Fitbit activity tracker, and bi-weekly nurse consultation, and 25 completed the evaluation of biological markers. The overall satisfaction with the Problem-Solving Pain to Enhance Living Well video modules, nurse consultations, and Fitbit in pain management was rated as excellent. No adverse events were reported. Between the baseline and 12-week follow-up, there was a significant decrease in pain intensity and interference and an increase in the warm detection threshold at the pain site. Conclusions Despite concerns about the participant burden due to multidimensional assessment and intensive education, the feasibility of the Problem-Solving Pain to Enhance Living Well intervention was favorable. Technology-based self-management interventions can offer personalized strategies by integrating pain phenotypes, genetic markers, and physical activity types affecting pain conditions. Trial registration This pilot study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov [NCT03637998, August 20, 2018]. The first participant was enrolled on September 21, 2018.

Non-dairy creamers have been widely used for coffee whitening and texture improvement. To avoid the intake of trans fatty acids from partially hydrogenated oil, coconut oil-based diacylglycerol (CO-DAG) was applied in non-dairy creamer as core material. In this study, effects of DAG content (30, 50, 70, 90%) on the characteristics of CO-DAG were evaluated, including rheological and thermodynamic properties. The CO-DAG with a content of 50% exhibited a wide plastic range and contained mixture of β and β' polymorphic forms. Using CO-DAG (50%) as core material, the physicochemical properties of non-dairy creamer were characterized and compared with commercial products. The results indicated that CO-DAG-based non-dairy creamers showed similar encapsulation efficiency (92.74%) and thermal stability to commercial products. Furthermore, CO-DAG-based non-dairy creamer showed higher whiteness index (54.20) than commercial non-dairy creamers (50.22) when applied to black coffee. Overall, it is anticipated that CO-DAG-based non-dairy creamers have great potentials in coffee whitening.

The purpose of this paper is to automate the interpretation of data during ultrasonic diffraction using a non-destructive testing (NDT) technique to accurately size defects for assisting in decision-making. A convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture was developed to automatically measure the length of the defect. Using the architecture, the population of A-scan signals in the scanning path was classified. The defect region was extracted and its size in the scanning direction was obtained by the connected region solution algorithm based on the classification results. The arrival time of diffraction waves was accurately identified by the intelligent denoising framework proposed, combined with Hilbert transform, and then the height of defects was calculated by corresponding geometric relations. The estimation results demonstrate that the measurement method can be considered as a useful technique for crack sizing in industrial structures, even in the case of complex noise.

Objective: Preterm infants are subjected to numerous painful procedures during their neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization. Despite advancements in pain alleviation, nurses remain challenged to provide timely and effective pain management for preterm infants. Greater understanding of the lived experience of nurses caring for preterm infants in pain could provide novel insights to improve pain management for this vulnerable population. The aim of this meta-ethnography was to synthesize and interpret qualitative findings of nurses’ experiences of taking care of preterm infants in pain. Methods: An extensive literature search in PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, BIOSIS and ProQuest Dissertation and Theses Database was conducted, including studies within the past 10 years. Two nursing researchers conducted data extraction and analysis independently. Inclusion criteria were applied to search for qualitative studies of nurse participants who worked in the NICU taking care of preterm infants. Studies published in a language other than English, articles that did not include qualitative data and qualitative data that could not be extracted from the findings or did not discuss nurses’ experiences were excluded. Critical Appraisal Skills Programme was used for literature quality evaluation. Results: Eight studies remained after further screening according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. These eight studies were conducted from 2013 to 2018 and totally enrolled 205 nurses from Iran, Canada, the United States, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, and Australia. Five themes emerged on the nurses’ perspectives of taking care of preterm infants in pain: 1) They sense the neonatal pain; 2) Adverse consequences of unrelieved pain; 3) Barriers of managing pain; 4) Concerns of available approaches for pain relief; 5) Failure to work with parents. Conclusions: This meta-ethnography identified nurses’ understanding of pain in preterm infants that can be assessed, and they acknowledged that unrelieved pain could cause developmental deficits in infants. The barriers are lack of training and support on pain assessment and intervention in preterm infants. Optimizing workload and environment, developing age-specified pain assessment and intervention, receiving emotional support and training, and building up a rapport with parents are urgent needs for nurses to provide better care to infants having pain.

Abstract Comprehensive research on the wireless power transfer technology of autonomous underwater vehicles is necessary to address the issue of significant energy loss in such vehicles during wireless power transfer. Previous analysis on factors that affect wireless power transfer in seawater environment demonstrated that the eddy current loss generated during transmission and offset of the coupling mechanism are the main factors that degrade the efficiency. In this study, existing literature on wireless power transfer for autonomous underwater vehicles in recent years is reviewed, and it is concluded that the energy loss during underwater wireless power transfer can be effectively reduced through coupling mechanism optimization, adaptive control, and docking device design. This study analyses the challenges of low‐loss wireless power transfer for autonomous underwater vehicles and the prospects for future development trends and research areas, providing a reference for realizing efficient and flexible energy supply for autonomous underwater vehicles.

Abstract Introduction Yoga has been shown to reduce pain and improve function in populations with chronic low back pain (cLBP), yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of a yoga research protocol, including recruitment, retention, and data collection, and investigated the preliminary effects of yoga on psychological and neurophysiological functions, including gene expression and DNA methylation profiles, in participants with cLBP. Methods A one-arm trial was conducted with 11 participants with cLBP who enrolled in a 12-week yoga intervention. Data on subjective pain characteristics, quantitative sensory testing, and blood for analysis of differentially expressed genes and CpG methylation was collected prior to the start of the intervention and at study completion. Results Based on pre-determined feasibility and acceptability criteria, the yoga intervention was found to be feasible and highly acceptable to participants. There was a reduction in pain severity, interference, and mechanical pain sensitivity post-yoga and an increase in emotion regulation and self-efficacy. No adverse reactions were reported. Differential expression analysis demonstrated that the yoga intervention induced increased expression of antisense genes, some of which serve as antisense to known pain genes. In addition, there were 33 differentially hypomethylated positions after yoga (log2 fold change ≥ 1), with enrichment of genes involved in NIK/NF-kB signaling, a major pathway that modulates immune function and inflammation. Discussion/conclusions The study supports the feasibility and acceptability of the proposed protocol to test a specific mechanism of action for yoga in individuals with cLBP. These results also support the notion that yoga may operate through our identified psychological and neurophysiologic pathways to influence reduced pain severity and interference.

Biochar, as a soil conditioner, has been widely used to promote the growth of maize, but most of the current research is short-term experiments, which limits the research on the long-term effects of biochar, especially the physiological mechanism of biochar on maize growth in aeolian sandy soil is still unclear. Here, we set up two groups of pot experiments, respectively after the new biochar application and one-time biochar application seven years ago (CK: 0 t ha-1, C1: 15.75 t ha-1, C2: 31.50 t ha-1, C3: 63.00 t ha-1, C4: 126.00 t ha-1), and planted with maize. Subsequently, samples were collected at different periods to explore the effect of biochar on maize growth physiology and its after-effect. Results showed that the plant height, biomass, and yield of maize showed the highest rates of increase at the application rate of 31.50 t ha-1 biochar, with 22.22% increase in biomass and 8.46% increase in yield compared with control under the new application treatment. Meanwhile, the plant height and biomass of maize increased gradually with the increase of biochar application under the one-time biochar application seven years ago treatment (increased by 4.13%-14.91% and 13.83%-58.39% compared with control). Interestingly, the changes in SPAD value (leaf greenness), soluble sugar and soluble protein contents in maize leaves corresponded with the trend of maize growth. Conversely, the changes of malondialdehyde (MDA), proline (PRO), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) manifested an opposite trend to the growth of maize. In conclusion, 31.50 t ha-1 biochar application can promote the growth of maize by inducing changes in its physiological and biochemical characteristics, but excessive biochar application rates ranging from 63.00-126.00 t ha-1 inhibited the growth of maize. After seven years of field aging, the inhibitory effect of 63.00-126.00 t ha-1 biochar amount on maize growth disappeared and changed to promoting effect.

Abstract Laser wireless power transmission technology avoids the traditional cable transmission requirements regarding the territory and environment, and facilitates vehicle-mounted laser wireless power transmission to provide accompanying power supplies to multi-target unmanned clusters. This can reduce the dependence of unmanned equipment (especially unmanned aerial vehicles) on power storage batteries, providing broad application prospects for the battlefield. However, the current laser wireless power transmission technology lacks a standardized technical index system and mature test and evaluation method; this is not conducive to the application of this technology in diverse combat scenarios. Accordingly, this paper proposes specific indicators for the component-level and system-level performance testing of laser wireless power transmission technology and constructs a corresponding test system and evaluation method, providing a yardstick for selecting laser wireless power transmission systems adapted to the battlefield.

Abstract Microwave wireless power transmission technology has broad application prospects in improving the endurance and range of unmanned equipment. It is also of great significance in the field of the Internet of things, which can effectively solve the problem of energy supply for devices in the Internet of things. In addition, using vehicle-mounted microwave wireless power transmission to power multi-objective unmanned aerial vehicle swarms and to build an air-ground integrated power transmission network. In this study, the corresponding technical index system and test evaluation methods, which are conducive to promoting the development and progress of this technology, were established. The topology of a microwave wireless power transmission system was analyzed, and technical evaluation indices were developed for microwave wireless power transmission systems, signal generators, power amplifiers, transceiver antennas, and rectifier circuits. Test evaluation methods were established consisting of test equipment, methods, and processes to provide powerful technical means for the development of microwave wireless power transmission systems.

As a good carbon source and soil conditioner, biochar is widely used in acidic soils but seldom in alkaline soils due to its high pH. In this study, cotton straw biochar was modified with five different acidic materials to obtain wood-vinegar- (WBC), monosodium-glutamate (MSG)-wastewater- (MBC), citric-acid- (CBC), phosphoric-acid- (PBC), and nitric-acid-modified biochars (NBC), and three dosages were used for each modifier. The pristine and modified biochars were characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The biochar properties such as pH, specific surface area (SSA), and elemental contents were measured. In addition, the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) model based on entropy weight was used to evaluate the application potential of the biochars in alkaline soils. The FTIR spectra showed that modification with the five acidic materials, MSG wastewater in particular, resulted in more oxygen-containing functional groups such as O-H, C=O, and C-O on the biochar surface. In addition, acid modification greatly decreased the pH: phosphoric acid modification significantly decreased the pH of cotton straw biochar by 5.71–7.88 units. For the same modifier, a higher dosage (i.e., a smaller biochar:modifier ratio) led to a larger decrease in the pH of cotton straw biochar. The magnitudes of increase in total soluble salt content followed the general order of CBCs > PBCs > WBCs > NBCs > MBCs. The SSA, average pore diameter, and total pore volume of biochar were changed as well. Modification using wood vinegar and MSG wastewater significantly decreased the SSA of cotton straw biochar by 15.58–16.24 m2 g−1 (82.7–86.2%) and 15.87–16.80 m2 g−1 (84.2–89.2%), respectively, whereas modification using citric acid and nitric acid significantly increased the SSA of cotton straw biochar by 4.51–4.66 m2 g−1 (23.9–24.7%) and 0.55–54.21 m2 g−1 (2.9–287.7%). The evaluation based on entropy weight TOPSIS model suggested that the MBCs have the highest potential for application in alkaline soils. This study presents a theoretical basis for evaluation of biochar application potential, demonstrates a way of improving biochar application potential, and provides a support for beneficial utilization of agricultural and industrial wastes such as cotton straw, wood vinegar, and MSG wastewater.

This paper proposes a method for the detection and depth assessment of tiny defects in or near surfaces by combining laser ultrasonics with convolutional neural networks (CNNs). The innovation in this study lies in several key aspects. Firstly, a comprehensive analysis of changes in ultrasonic signal characteristics caused by variations in defect depth is conducted in both the time and frequency domains, based on discrete frequency spectra and original A—scan signals. Continuous wavelet transform (CWT) is employed to obtain wavelet time–frequency maps, demonstrating the consistent characteristics of this image with crack depth variations. A crucial innovation in this research involves the targeted design and optimization of the model based on the characteristics of ultrasonic signals and dataset size. This includes aspects such as data preparation, CNN architecture construction, and hyperparameter selection. The model is tested using a random validation set, which effectively demonstrates the CNN model’s validity and high precision. The proposed method enables the recognition and depth assessment of tiny defects on or near surfaces.

Aeolian sandy soil is a key resource for supporting food production on a global scale; however, the growth of crops in Aeolian sandy soil is often impaired due to its poor physical properties and lack of nutrients and organic matter. Biochar can be used to enhance the properties of Aeolian sandy soil and create an environment more suitable for crop growth, but the long-term effects of biochar on Aeolian sandy soil and microbial communities need to be clarified. Here, a field experiment was conducted in which biochar was applied to a maize (Zea mays L.) field in a single application at different rates: CK, 0 Mg ha−1; C1, 15.75 Mg ha−1; C2, 31.50 Mg ha−1; C3, 63.00 Mg ha−1; and C4, 126.00 Mg ha−1. After 7 years of continuous maize cropping, verify the relationship between root architecture and soil microbial communities under biochar application using a root scanner and 16S/ITS rRNA gene sequencing. The application of biochar promoted the growth of maize. Specifically, total root length, total root surface area, total root volume, and root biomass were 13.99–17.85, 2.52–4.69, 23.61–44.41, and 50.61–77.80% higher in treatments in which biochar was applied (C2, C3, and C4 treatments) compared with the control treatment, respectively. Biochar application increased the diversity of bacterial communities, the ACE index, and Chao 1 index of C1, C2, C3, and C4 treatments increased by 5.83–8.96 and 5.52–8.53%, respectively, compared with the control treatment, and significantly changed the structure of the of bacterial communities in rhizosphere soil. However, there was no significant change in the fungal community. The growth of maize roots was more influenced by rhizosphere bacteria and less by fungal community. A microbial co-occurrence network revealed strong associations among rhizosphere microorganisms. The core taxa (Module hubs taxa) of the bulk soil microbial co-occurrence network were closely related to the total length and total surface area of maize roots, and the core taxa (Connectors taxa) of the rhizosphere soil were closely related to total root length. Overall, our findings indicate that the application of biochar promotes the growth of maize roots in aeolian sandy soil through its effects on bacterial communities in rhizosphere soil.

A randomized block field experiment was conducted in the irrigated area of northern Xinjiang, China, to clarify the effects of biochar (0, 30 × 103 kg·hm−2 (B)) combined with nitrogen (0, 150 (N1), and 300 kg·hm−2 (N2)) on soil fertility, which was represented by CK, B, N1, N2, BN1, and BN2, respectively. The performance of eleven indices related to soil chemical, physical, and biological properties was evaluated by factor analysis and cluster analysis to determine the most appropriate mode for soil fertilization and to identify the main soil environmental factors affecting wheat yield under biochar combined with nitrogen. The results indicated that the first factor was the activity factor, including the Shannon index, McIntosh index, and Simpson index. The second factor was the available nutrient factor, including organic matter, available phosphorus, and available potassium. Factor 3 can be taken as the nutrient-supplying and retaining factor containing total phosphorus, total potassium, and bacterial quantity. The highest score of soil quality was observed in the BN1 treatment, followed by the BN2 and B treatments, which were almost in line with the results of wheat yields. Cluster analysis classified six treatments into four main groups on the basis of the measured parameters, which was mostly consistent with the results of soil quality scores. Considering both economic and environmental benefits, 30 × 103 kg·hm−2 biochar combined with 150 kg·hm−2 nitrogen was the best combination to restore crop productivity and soil quality and to achieve nitrogen decrease and benefit increase. This study provided the scientific basis for the rational fertilization and scientific management of biochar combined with nitrogen fertilizer in the irrigated area of northern Xinjiang, China.

Biochar applied to soil has been considered as an effective tool for mitigation of atmospheric carbon dioxide emission and enhancement of carbon storage in soil, which may also enhance soil quality. However, the effect of biochar aged for 5 years on the different carbon fractions and enzyme activities as well as its changes, is not well understood in the cropland sandy soil of northern China. Therefore, a field trial was carried out in 2014 with biochar applied once at 0, 5.25, 10.50, 21.00 and 42.00 g·kg−1 (BC0, BC1, BC2, BC3, and BC4, respectively). We evaluated the influence of biochar addition to the changes in soil organic carbon (SOC), labile carbon pools (readily oxidized carbon, dissolved organic carbon, and microbial biomass carbon) and enzyme activities (invertase, urease, and catalase). Biochar significantly increased SOC (122.00%) and altered the content of labile carbon (increased ROC, DOC and MBC by 71.29%, 10.35%, and 900.00%, respectively). Soil urease and invertase activities increased by 55.81% and 46.76%, respectively, with an increase in biochar application rate, but catalase activity significantly decreased by 31.79%. The values of the geometric means of labile carbon (0.88) and enzyme activities (2.39) for the BC3 treatment were higher than others, which indicated that the biochar application rate of 21.00 g·kg−1 is suggested for the sandy soil. Our results suggest that the application of biochar in sandy soil for five years increased soil carbon sequestration, changed enzyme activities and ameliorated soil quality.

Abstract Background Raising nitrogen use efficiency of crops by improving root system architecture is highly essential not only to reduce costs of agricultural production but also to mitigate climate change. The physiological mechanisms of how biochar affects nitrogen assimilation by crop seedlings have not been well elucidated. Results Here, we report changes in root system architecture, activities of the key enzymes involved in nitrogen assimilation, and cytokinin (CTK) at the seedling stage of cotton with reduced urea usage and biochar application at different soil layers (0–10 cm and 10–20 cm). Active root absorption area, fresh weight, and nitrogen agronomic efficiency increased significantly when urea usage was reduced by 25% and biochar was applied in the surface soil layer. Glutamine oxoglutarate amino transferase (GOGAT) activity was closely related to the application depth of urea/biochar, and it increased when urea/biochar was applied in the 0–10 cm layer. Glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activity (GPT) increased significantly as well. Nitrate reductase (NR) activity was stimulated by CTK in the very fine roots but inhibited in the fine roots. In addition, AMT1;1, gdh3, and gdh2 were significantly up-regulated in the very fine roots when urea usage was reduced by 25% and biochar was applied. Conclusion Nitrogen assimilation efficiency was significantly affected when urea usage was reduced by 25% and biochar was applied in the surface soil layer at the seedling stage of cotton. The co-expression of gdh3 and gdh2 in the fine roots increased nitrogen agronomic efficiency. The synergistic expression of the ammonium transporter gene and gdh3 suggests that biochar may be beneficial to amino acid metabolism.

Abstract Long-distance wireless power transmission can reduce the dependence of unmanned systems on energy storage systems, which is especially advantageous for unmanned aerial vehicles. This approach is key for building an integrated and uninterrupted air-to-ground power supply network. This paper introduces the technical characteristics of long-distance wireless power transmission systems, reports the development of such systems at home and abroad, and proposes technical indices and methods for performance evaluation of these systems. A test was conducted using a testing device, and the key parameters of the system performance were obtained. This work provides a solid foundation for the performance evaluation studies of long-distance wireless power transmission systems.

Astragalus species have a certain capacity to enrich selenium (Se) and are the strongest Se hyperaccumulator legumes known globally at present. The biochar application to medicinal plants has been reported to affect plant metabolites. In this study, we aimed to employ hyperaccumulating Astragalus species in the plant growth of selenium-lacked soil, while also investigating the impact of varying selenium doses and biochar application on legumes growth, selenium content, and secondary metabolite production. Applying biochar to soil, along with a Se concentration of 6 mg/kg, significantly enhanced the growth, Se content, total polysaccharide content, and calycosin-7-glucoside content of Astragalus species (p < 0.05). Importantly, the Se and biochar application also led to a significant improvement in Se content in ABH roots (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the content of total flavonoids in ABH roots could be promoted by a Se concentration of 3 mg/kg and biochar application in soil. Additionally, the Se enrichment coefficients of Astragalus species under Se treatments were significantly higher than those under control treatment, with a marked difference observed across all treatments, whether roots or above-ground (p < 0.05). Remarkably, the Se transport coefficients of Astragalus species were observed to be lower than one, except for the transport coefficient of AB in the Se concentration of the control treatment (0 mg/kg). This result showed that a medium concentration treatment of Se and biochar application in soil not only promotes the growth of Astragalus species and the uptake of exogenous Se but also increases the active component content, meanwhile enhancing the Se enrichment and transport capacity. Taken as a whole, the present findings offer a more comprehensive understanding of the interplay between distinct Se levels, as well as the addition of biochar in soil, providing valuable insight for the cultivation of Se-rich Astragalus in Se-deficient soil-plant systems.

The ultrasonic testing method has been widely used for measuring the axial load of bolts. However, systematic calibrations are prerequisite if specific bolts have different clamping length configurations, which leads to low efficiency and measurement errors. The focus of this work was to measure the axial load of bolts with different clamping lengths by proposing a method of clamping length correction based on piezoelectric films in order to avoid the complicated calibration steps. Firstly, the relationship between longitudinal wave time-of-flight (TOF) and axial load under different clamping lengths was studied to correct the difference between the effective stress length and the actual clamping length. Secondly, the high-frequency ZnO piezoelectric film sensor was fabricated on the bolts to improve the accuracy of longitudinal wave TOF measurement. The results showed that the center frequency of the fabricated ultrasonic sensor reached 25 MHz, which could realize the high precision measurement of TOF. The proposed correction model proved to be effective for decreasing the measurement error below 2.7% in this experiment. In conclusion, the proposed method simplified the calibration procedure for different application configurations of the same bolt and realized the efficient measurement of bolt axial load.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of early life experiences and gut microbiota on neurobehavioral development in preterm infants during neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization. Methods: Preterm infants were followed from NICU admission until their 28th postnatal day or until discharge. Daily stool samples, painful/stressful experiences, feeding patterns, and other clinical and demographic data were collected. Gut microbiota was profiled using 16S rRNA sequencing, and operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were selected to predict the neurobehaviors. The neurobehavioral development was assessed by the Neonatal Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS) at 36 to 38 weeks of post-menstrual age (PMA). Fifty-five infants who had NNNS measurements were included in the sparse log-contrast regression analysis. Results: Preterm infants who experienced a high level of pain/stress during the NICU hospitalization had higher NNNS stress/abstinence scores. Eight operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified to be associated with NNNS subscales after controlling demographic and clinical features, feeding patterns, and painful/stressful experiences. These OTUs and taxa belonging to seven genera, i.e., Enterobacteriaceae_unclassified, Escherichia-Shigella, Incertae_Sedis, Veillonella, Enterococcus, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, and Streptococcus with five belonging to Firmicutes and two belonging to Proteobacteria phylum. The enriched abundance of Enterobacteriaceae_unclassified (OTU17) and Streptococcus (OTU28) were consistently associated with less optimal neurobehavioral outcomes. The other six OTUs were also associated with infant neurobehavioral responses depending on days at NICU stay. Conclusions: This study explored the dynamic impact of specific OTUs on neurobehavioral development in preterm infants after controlling for early life experiences, i.e., acute and chronic pain/stress and feeding in the NICU. The gut microbiota and acute pain/stressful experiences dynamically impact the neurobehavioral development in preterm infants during their NICU hospitalization.

Background: Little is known about chronic cannabis smoking-associated oral microbiome and its effects on central nervous system (CNS) functions. Methods: In the current study, we have analyzed the saliva microbiome in individuals who chronically smoked cannabis with cannabis use disorder (n = 16) and in non-smoking controls (n = 27). The saliva microbiome was analyzed using microbial 16S rRNA sequencing. To investigate the function of cannabis use-associated oral microbiome, mice were orally inoculated with live Actinomyces meyeri, Actinomyces odontolyticus, or Neisseria elongata twice per week for six months, which mimicked human conditions. Findings: We found that cannabis smoking in humans was associated with oral microbial dysbiosis. The most increased oral bacteria were Streptococcus and Actinomyces genus and the most decreased bacteria were Neisseria genus in chronic cannabis smokers compared to those in non-smokers. Among the distinct species bacteria in cannabis smokers, the enrichment of Actinomyces meyeri was inversely associated with the age of first cannabis smoking. Strikingly, oral exposure of Actinomyces meyeri, an oral pathobiont, but not the other two control bacteria, decreased global activity, increased macrophage infiltration, and increased β-amyloid 42 protein production in the mouse brains. Interpretation: This is the first study to reveal that long-term oral cannabis exposure is associated oral enrichment of Actinomyces meyeri and its contributions to CNS abnormalities.

Infant gut microbiota plays a vital role in immune response, mediates neurobehavioral development and health maintenance. Studies of twins’ gut microbiota found that gut microbiota composition and diversity tend to be mature and stable with increasing postnatal age (PNA). Preterm infant gut microbiome shifts dramatically when they were staying in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Compositions and shifting characteristics of gut microbiota among neonatal preterm twins and triplets during their early life are still unknown, which impedes a better understanding of the mechanism underpinning neurobehavioral development and precise intervention/health of preterm neonates. This longitudinal cohort study used a twins/triplets design to investigate the interaction of genetic (e.g., male vs. female) and environmental factors influencing the development of the gut microbiome in early life. We included 39 preterm infants, 12 were Female twins/triplets (Female T/T) including 3 twins pairs and 2 triplets, 12 were male twins (Male T) including 6 twins pairs, and 15 were mixed-sex twins/triplets (Mix T/T) including 6 twins pairs and 1 triplet (8 females and 7 males) during the first four weeks of NICU stay. Weekly gut microbiota patterns between females and males were compared by linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size (LEfSe). Metagenomics function of gut microbiota was predicted by using Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt). Weekly function (KEGG pathways) differences between females and males were detected by using Statistical Analysis of Metagenomic Profiles (STAMP). Results found that female pairs and male pairs were significantly different in gut microbiome diversity, compositions, and predicted metabolic profiles, importantly, females and males were also significantly dissimilar within their co-twin/triplet pairs of the mixed-sex group, infants of co-twins/triplets shared more similar features than un-related infants from different twins’ pair. Future research developing personalized interventions for vulnerable high-risk infants should consider sex, and the interaction of sex and environmental factors.

Ultrasonic signal classification in nondestructive testing is of great significance for the detection of defects. The current methods have mainly utilized low-level handcrafted features based on traditional signal processing approaches, such as the Fourier transform, wavelet transform and the like, to interpret the information carried by signals for classification. This paper proposes an automatic classification method via a convolutional neural network (CNN) which can automatically extract features from raw data to classify ultrasonic signals collected of a circumferential weld composed of austenitic and martensitic stainless steel with internal slots. Experiments demonstrate that our method outperforms the traditional classifier with manually extracted features, achieving an accuracy rate of classification up to 0.982. Furthermore, we visualize the shape, location and orientation of defects with a C-scan imaging process based on classification results, validating the effectiveness of the results.

A new method to measure the depth of subsurface defects in additive manufacturing components is proposed based on the velocity dispersion analysis of Lamb waves by the wavelet-transform of laser ultrasound. Firstly, the mode-conversion from laser-generated surface waves to Lamb waves caused by subsurface defects at different depths is studied systematically. Secondly, an additive manufactured 316L stainless steel sample with six subsurface defects has been fabricated to validate the efficiency of the proposed method. The measured result of the defect depth is very close to the real designed value, with a fitting coefficient of 0.98. The defect depth range for high accuracy measurement is suggested to be lower than 0.8 mm, which is enough to meet the inspection of layer thickness during additive manufacturing. The result indicates that the proposed method based on laser-generated ultrasound (LGU) velocity dispersion analysis is robust and reliable for defect depth measurement and meaningful to improve the processing quality and processing efficiency of additive/subtractive hybrid manufacturing.

In this work, graphene/nature rubber (GE/NR) composites with filler content from 0 wt% to 1 wt% were prepared by an in situ reduction process. Thermal properties of the nanocomposites were studied by thermogravimetric (TG) analysis and thermogravimetric difference (ΔTG). Composites with higher GE content evidenced stronger thermal stability-enhancing effect. Kinetic analysis showed that the activation energies (Ea) during degradation of composites were always higher than pure NR. However, Ea reached its maximum at 0.1 wt% GE content and started to decrease with further increase in GE loading. The changes in the thermal properties were attributed to the chemical structure and heat transfer properties of graphene sheets.

With the wide application of various wireless energy transmission technologies and unmanned aerial vehicle clusters in both production and life, the use of microwave wireless energy transmission to provide a real-time energy supply for an unmanned aerial vehicle network in flight has become an effective way to extend its working time. This paper focuses on the optimization of the energy transmission efficiency and cost in the microwave wireless power receiving process of an unmanned aerial vehicle network. Considering the overall energy transmission efficiency from the power supply terminal to the power receiving network and the cost of the wireless power transmission equipment of the network, we have established a multiobjective wireless power receiving optimization model including a microwave energy emission source and an unmanned aerial vehicle network that receives energy. The model is optimized to select the best wireless power access point and the number of wireless power receiving modules in a network node. In the case study, the optimization model is solved using an evolutionary algorithm, and the solution results verify the effectiveness and correctness of the model.

La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 (LSM) catalyst is prepared via a sol-gel method and modified via a typical silver mirror reaction. Silver ammonia solution is reduced in a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-containing solution to obtain silver nanoparticles and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is added as a surfactant. The microstructure and morphology of the LSM-Ag composite powder are characterized. According to the results, the Ag particles precipitate on the LSM surface in elemental form and the grain size is about one hundred nanometers. The analysis of electrocatalytic performance of LSM-Ag cathodes with different amounts of silver loading reveals that the number of electrons transferred during the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of the cathode with an Ag content of 14% by weight reached 3.9, which is very close to that of commercial Pt/C catalysts. Similarly, the maximum power density of the air battery made of LSM-14%Ag is 73 mW/cm2, which exceeds that of 63 mW/cm2, found for the LSM battery. Finally, increasing the amount of silver loading allows one to improve the electrochemical performance of LSM catalysts. The best effect is achieved when the Ag loading exceeds 14%.

Gut microbiota plays a key role in multiple aspects of human health and disease, particularly in early life. Distortions of the gut microbiota have been found to correlate with fatal diseases in preterm infants, however, developmental patterns of gut microbiome and factors affecting the colonization progress in preterm infants remain unclear. The purpose of this prospective longitudinal study was to explore day-to-day gut microbiome patterns in preterm infants during their first 30 days of life in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and investigate potential factors related to the development of the infant gut microbiome. A total of 378 stool samples were collected daily from 29 stable/healthy preterm infants. DNA extracted from stool was used to sequence the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene region for community analysis. Operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and α-diversity of the community were determined using QIIME software. Proteobacteria was the most abundant phylum, accounting for 54.3% of the total reads. Result showed shift patterns of increasing Clostridium and Bacteroides, and decreasing Staphylococcus and Haemophilus over time during early life. Alpha-diversity significantly increased daily in preterm infants after birth and linear mixed-effects models showed that postnatal days, feeding types and gender were associated with the α-diversity, p< 0.05-0.01. Male infants were found to begin with a low α-diversity, whereas females tended to have a higher diversity shortly after birth. Female infants were more likely to have higher abundance of Clostridiates, and lower abundance of Enterobacteriales than males during early life. Infants fed mother's own breastmilk (MBM) had a higher diversity of gut microbiome and significantly higher abundance in Clostridiales and Lactobacillales than infants fed non-MBM. Permanova also showed that bacterial compositions were different between males and females and between MBM and non-MBM feeding types. In conclusion, infant postnatal age, gender and feeding type significantly contribute to the dynamic development of the gut microbiome in preterm infants.

OBJECTIVES: To describe longitudinal oral health symptom patterns of patients receiving concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy for head and neck cancer (HNC) and examine associations between phenotypic characteristics, including human papillomavirus (HPV) status and oral health symptoms. SAMPLE & SETTING: A pilot retrospective longitudinal chart review (N = 270) of patients with HNC at a northeastern U.S. regional cancer institute. METHODS & VARIABLES: HPV status and oral health symptoms (pain, mucositis, taste alteration, xerostomia, dysphagia, and candidiasis) were examined during treatment (six weeks) and survivorship (three months). Latent transition analysis was conducted across each time point. RESULTS: The latent transition analysis revealed classes with moderate to high symptom expression persisted into survivorship. The HPV-negative phenotype had higher symptom expression across treatment and survivorship. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Patients with HPVnegative HNC may require early intervention, while considering social determinants of health to attenuate symptom expression and improve outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]