Search

Increasingly frequent urban floods strain the traditional grey infrastructure, overwhelming the capacity of drainage networks and causing challenges in managing stormwater. The heavy precipitation leads to flooding and damage to drainage systems. Consequently, efficient mitigation strategies for flooding have been researched deeply. Green infrastructure (GI) has proved to be effective in responding the increasing risk of flood and alleviate pressure on drainage systems. However, as the primary infrastructure of stormwater management, there is still a lack of attention to the dynamic operation feature of urban sewer systems during precipitation events. To fill this gap, we proposed a novel approach that integrates hydraulic characteristics and the topological structure of a sewer network system. This approach aims to identify influential nodes, which contribute to the connectivity of the sewer network amidst dynamic changes in inflow during precipitation events. Furthermore, we adopted rain barrels to serve as exemplars of GI, and 14 GI layout schemes are produced based on the different ranks of influential nodes. Implementing GI measures on both poorly performing and well-performing nodes can yield distinct benefits in mitigating node flooding. This approach provides a new perspective for stormwater management, establishing effective synergy between GI and the drainage system. HIGHLIGHTS We propose a novel approach that integrates hydraulic characteristics and the topological structure of drainage systems to identify influential nodes.; The results highlight the importance of targeted GI implementation on both poorly performing and well-performing nodes in alleviating urban flood risks.; The research introduces a new perspective on creating a synergistic relationship between GI and drainage systems.;

Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress (ER stress) is a series of cellular responses activated in response to misfolded and unfolded protein accumulation and calcium imbalance in the ER lumen. Cumulating evidence emphasized the crucial involvement of ER stress in cell survival, death, and proliferation. However, the precise process remained obscure, especially in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In the present study, LARP1B was detected to be one of the genes with significant differential expression in the ER stress ESCC cell model by RNA sequencing. ESCC cells exposed to ER stress stimulants (thapsigargin and tunicamycin) showed increased expression levels of LARP1B. ER stress initiated the expression of LARP1B through activation of the ERN1-XBP1 pathway, with XBP1 acting as a transcription factor to boost LARP1B transcription. Up-regulation of LARP1B was detected in ESCC tissues and cell lines. Suppression of LARP1B effectively curtailed the growth of cells and hindered the progression of the cell cycle. By detecting the expression of some genes closely related to proliferation and cell cycle regulation, CCND1 was identified as the main contributor to the cell proliferation induced by LARP1B. As an RNA-binding protein, LARP1B has the capability to attach to CCND1 mRNA, thereby increasing its stability. Inhibiting CCND1 might partially counterbalance the proliferation-promoting impact of LARP1B overexpression on ESCC cells. These findings indicate that, upon ER stress, up-regulation of LARP1B, triggered by ERN1-XBP1 pathway, facilitates proliferation of ESCC cells through enhancing the mRNA stability of CCND1, and LARP1B may be used as a potential therapeutic target of ESCC.

Microalgae, known for their land-sparing cultivation and remarkable photosynthetic efficiency, play a crucial role in advancing sustainable development goals. This study explored the use of cost-effective inorganic carbon (the ionic form of CO2) and organic carbon sources (lactose, a primary sugar in whey wastewater) to support the growth of Chlorella sorokiniana UTEX 1230, and improved protein content through nitrogen supply optimization. NaHCO3 proved to be more effective than Na2CO3, resulting in a 3.4-fold increase in biomass concentration, with an initial 5 mM HCO3‾ concentration compared to the basal medium. Further addition of 0.75 % lactose led to a 4.05-fold increase in biomass concentration, with the maximum specific growth rate at 1.28/d, maximum biomass concentration at 695.88 mg/L, and maximum biomass productivity at 250.91 mg/L/d. Nitrogen supplementation greatly increased protein concentration from 16.41 % (250 mg/L NaNO3) to 52.95 % (1000 mg/L NaNO3). These results support the potential for utilizing whey wastewater bioremediation to produce high-value protein via microalgal cultivation.

The riparian vegetation buffer zone is an important component of riverbank ecosystems, playing a crucial role in soil consolidation and slope protection. In this study, the riparian vegetation buffer zones in the Tongnan section of the Fujiang River Basin were selected as the research object. Surveys and experiments were conducted to assess the species composition and the soil and water conservation effectiveness of the riparian vegetation buffer zone. There are a total of 35 species, mainly comprising angiosperms and ferns. The dominant species include Cynodon dactylon, Setaria viridis, Phragmites australis, Erigeron canadensis, and Melilotus officinalis. The Patrick richness index (R) and Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H) are more significantly influenced by the types of land use in the surrounding area, whereas the impact on the Simpson diversity index (D) and Pielou uniformity index (E) is comparatively less pronounced. When the root diameter is less than 0.2 mm, the tensile strength of Cynodon dactylon roots is the highest. For root diameters larger than 0.2 mm, Melilotus officinalis roots exhibit the highest tensile strength. The presence of plant root systems significantly reduces erosion, delaying the time to reach maximum erosion depth by 1–4 min, decreasing erosion depth by 9–38 mm, and reducing the total amount of erosion by 20.17–58.90%. The anti-scouribility effect of Cynodon dactylon is significantly better than that of Setaria viridis. The root system notably enhances soil shear strength, delaying the shear peak by 0.26–4.8 cm, increasing the shear peak by 4.76–11.37 kPa, and raising energy consumption by 23.76–46.11%. Phragmites australis has the best resistance to shear, followed by Erigeron canadensis, with Melilotus officinalis being the least resistant. Therefore, to balance the anti-scouribility effect and shear resistance of plant roots, it is recommended to use a combination of Cynodon dactylon and Phragmites australis for shallow-rooted and deep-rooted planting. This approach enhances the water and soil conservation capacity of riverbanks.

To accurately quantify the variation in concrete carbonation depth, selecting an appropriate mathematical curve model is crucial. Currently prevalent models, such as the Fick model and exponential models, confront limitations in prediction accuracy and range of application. Given that a single curve model struggles to precisely describe the pattern of concrete carbonation, this work introduces a mixed-curve-based prediction model for carbonation depth, effectively integrating the Fick model with a hyperbolic model. Compared to the Fick model, the additional term in the mixed-curve model can be viewed as a reasonable correction to better adapt to the complex and varied conditions of concrete carbonation. This hybrid model transcends the limitations of individual models, enhancing fitting precision and broadening the scope of applicability. The new model boasts a concise structure with only two fitting parameters, facilitating ease of application. To validate its superiority, rigorous comparisons were conducted between the proposed model and existing ones, leveraging experimental data from 10 distinct concrete carbonation scenarios. By comparing the average error, standard deviation, and coefficient of determination across these cases, the new model demonstrates a clear advantage over the Fick model and the exponential model. In terms of fitting errors, the average error and standard deviation of the new model are notably lower than those of the other two models. In terms of the coefficient of determination, the values achieved by the new model in all examples are closer to 1 than those of both the Fick model and the exponential model, underscoring the new model’s superior fitting quality and remarkable stability. This research indicates that the combined model presented in this paper holds promising prospects for widespread application in predicting concrete carbonation depth.

Metastatic pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (MPP) is a rare endocrine tumor that originates from extra-adrenal chromaffin cells such as the paraganglia cells of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves. It usually causes multiple solid tumors and exhibits strong aggressiveness with poor prognosis, with a reported 5-year survival rate of less than 50%. Cases of brain and retroperitoneal metastases at the initial diagnosis have not yet been reported. We report a 41-year-old male patient initially diagnosed with MPP in the brain and retroperitoneum who underwent multi-disciplinary collaborative surgery and simultaneous removal of two tumors at our center. Postoperative pathology revealed infiltrative growth of a skull base tumor. The patient chose to receive the tyrosine kinase inhibitor sunitinib as a targeted treatment. A 3-month follow-up after surgery showed that the patient recovered well without signs of metastasis or recurrence. We present multi-disciplinary surgery under similar circumstances for enhanced treatment and postoperative management. The patient demonstrates a favorable prognosis during postoperative follow-up, indicating that simultaneous multidisciplinary surgery may offer greater benefits for MPP patients.

Ecological networks in mountainous regions are vital for enhancing ecosystem functionality and ensuring regional ecological stability, alleviating the contradiction between land use and ecological development in rapid urbanization. However, the complexity of mountains and the need to establish a connection between ecosystem services and human well-being present significant challenges in constructing ecological networks. This study proposes an idea that identifies and derives an optimal scenario for ecological networks, integrating insights from ecosystem services and network analysis. The aim of the ecological network is to improve and protect the ecosystem’s stability while better guiding sustainable development in mountainous regions’ urban and rural areas. This study uses qualitative evaluation methods and a graph theory model to obtain the ecological network’s sources and links. The results indicate that (1) 58 important ecological source areas were identified, with a total area of 5746 km2, mainly covered by woodland and water bodies. (2) An optimal and feasible scenario comprising 5 horizontal and 14 longitudinal corridors was established. Corridors rely primarily on the river system and mountains. (3) A total of 5 key ecological function areas and some ecological zones in important urban development areas were identified. Control measures for these ecological lands were proposed to enhance the effectiveness of ecosystem service construction. It can be concluded that identifying and deriving an optimal scenario of ecological networks in mountainous regions from the perspectives of ecosystem services and network analysis is feasible.

Thin copper plate is widely used in architecture, transportation, heavy equipment, and integrated circuit substrates due to its unique properties. However, it is challenging to identify surface defects in copper strips arising from various manufacturing stages without direct contact. A laser ultrasonic inspection system was developed based on the Lamb wave (LW) produced by a laser pulse. An all-fiber laser heterodyne interferometer is applied for measuring the ultrasonic signal in combination with an automatic scanning system, which makes the system flexible and compact. A 3-D model simulation of an H62 brass specimen was carried out to determine the LW spatial-temporal wavefield by using the COMSOL Multiphysics software. The characteristics of the ultrasonic wavefield were extracted through continuous wavelet transform analysis. This demonstrates that the A0 mode could be used in defect detection due to its slow speed and vibrational direction. Furthermore, an ultrasonic wave at the center frequency of 370 kHz with maximum energy is suitable for defect detection. In the experiment, the size and location of the defect are determined by the time difference of the transmitted wave and reflected wave, respectively. The relative error of the defect position is 0.14% by averaging six different receiving spots. The width of the defect is linear to the time difference of the transmitted wave. The goodness of fit can reach 0.989, and it is in good agreement with the simulated one. The experimental error is less than 0.395 mm for a 5 mm width of defect. Therefore, this validates that the technique can be potentially utilized in the remote defect detection of thin copper plates.

In this work, we investigate the performance improvement of N-polar AlGaN-based deep ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (DUV LEDs) by the inversion of the hole injection layer from N-polar to Ga-polar. The influence of different inversion points on the performance and the energy band of DUV LED is systematically studied, and the principle of performance improvement of DUV LED is explained in detail through the analysis of the energy band. Furthermore, according to the simulation results and practical application, an appropriate inversion point is selected. Under the current of 120 mA, with polarity inversion of the hole injection layer, the light output power of the DUV LEDs increases from 21.34 mW to 29.71 mW, and the applied voltage reduces from 16.06 V to 9.63 V. The DUV LED with polarity inversion has a 132% increase in wall-plug efficiency (WPE) compared with the DUV LED which is totally along [000-1] direction. Therefore, polarity inversion is an effective way to achieve high-performance UV-LEDs.

Green spaces, serving as crucial ecological infrastructure, offer numerous ecological system services and enhance human well-being, particularly in densely built environments [...]

Business parks account for 30% of China’s total carbon emissions. Exploring emissions reduction approaches for business parks is crucial to achieve a net-zero emissions target, as well as for achieving a representative example for all types of emissions entities. Business parks mainly adopt two types of emissions reduction approaches: energy-saving renovations and purchasing carbon reduction products. However, there are limited studies focusing on the optimal combinations of the two approaches for reaching net-zero emissions and evaluating the cost effectiveness. To find a feasible and quantified way to build net-zero business park, a comprehensive path decision model is proposed. The problem is broken down into two parts: the optimal carbon reduction portfolio and the optimal electricity saving were researched. For the optimal product portfolio, the Markowitz theory is employed to balance the risk of carbon reduction products with the expected cost. In the part of optimal electricity saving, considering a ten-year life cycle, the total cost includes renovation investment, carbon reduction products cost, and cost saving of electricity consumption reduction. Based on the energy consumption, technical, and price data, the combination of energy-saving renovations and carbon reduction products is optimized. The model suggests a business park can save 24% of energy consumption through renovation investment and purchase CCER as 66% of the carbon reduction product portfolio. Taking only purchasing carbon reduction products as a benchmark to assess economic efficiency, implementing an optimized level of energy-saving renovation is found to save 16% of the comprehensive cost for the life cycle required to achieve zero carbon emissions. This model provides a new comprehensive optimization idea that will help future parks make decisions to achieve zero-carbon emission targets.

This study aims at investigating the cost-effectiveness of developing a new type of house, the floating house, as a solution to land scarcity in metropolitan coastal cities. Under value management framework, the “function analysis system technique” diagram was established to identify the functions of land-based and floating houses. Participants with different backgrounds shared their views through the two designed questionnaires, assisting in determining the cost allocation and functional performance levels of the houses. Fuzzy set theory was utilized to convert the collected professional knowledge and public opinions into numerical measurements. The obtained function values disclosed that, despite weaknesses in the conventional living and structural issues, the floating house still shows competitiveness and opportunities in customer attraction, environmental sustainability, and encouraging local tourism. This paper offers the evidence and reference to both practitioners and governments seeking for a better value of the money they invest in future floating house projects.

ObjectiveThis study was performed to develop a murine model of elastase-induced proximal thoracic aortic aneurysms (PTAAs).MethodsThe ascending thoracic aorta and aortic arch of adult C57BL/6J male mice were exposed through a midline incision in the anterior neck, followed by peri-adventitial elastase or saline application. The maximal ascending thoracic aorta diameter was measured with high-resolution micro-ultrasound. Twenty-eight days after the operation, the aortas were harvested and analyzed by histopathological examination and qualitative polymerase chain reaction to determine the basic characteristics of the aneurysmal lesions.ResultsFourteen days after the operation, the dilation rate (mean ± standard error) in the 10-min elastase application group (n = 10, 71.44 ± 10.45%) or 5-min application group (n = 9, 42.67 ± 3.72%) were significantly higher than that in the saline application group (n = 9, 7.37 ± 0.94%, P < 0.001 for both). Histopathological examination revealed aortic wall thickening, degradation of elastin fibers, loss of smooth muscle cells, more vasa vasorum, enhanced extracellular matrix degradation, augmented collagen synthesis, upregulated apoptosis and proliferation capacity of smooth muscle cells, and increased macrophages and CD4+ T cells infiltration in the PTAA lesions. Qualitative analyses indicated higher expression of the proinflammatory markers, matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 as well as Collagen III, Collagen I in the PTAAs than in the controls.ConclusionWe established a novel in vivo mouse model of PTAAs through a midline incision in the anterior neck by peri-adventitial application of elastase. This model may facilitate research into the pathogenesis of PTAA formation and the treatment strategy for this devastating disease.

Herein, a highly efficient electro-peroxone (E-peroxone) process with graphite felt as ozone diffusion electrode (ODE) was developed for the synchronous removal of pharmaceutical contaminants and inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms in real hospital wastewater. Under optimal conditions, the total organic carbon (TOC) removal rate of real hospital wastewater could reach 93.9%. Importantly, 126 pharmaceutical compounds (antibiotics, antivirals, analgesics, antiepileptics, hormones, and others) were determined in hospital wastewater by using ultra performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS). 110 pharmaceutical compounds could be efficiently degraded in E-peroxone system. Concurrently, the microbial community analysis through high-throughput sequencing showed that E-peroxone process exhibited an excellent disinfection effect in real hospital wastewater. Escherichia coli as a bacterial indicator could be completely inactivated in E-peroxone process·H2O2 and hydroxyl radical (·OH) were found in E-peroxone system based on the results of chemical probe experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis. The in-situ generation of H2O2 from cathodic oxygen reduction in ODE can react with ozone to produce ·OH, and realize high efficiencies for the elimination of pharmaceutical and sterilization. This work established a green and effective way without extra addition of chemical reagents for high-efficiency treatment of real hospital wastewater.

Among the animal derived food products, contamination of poultry eggs, and egg shell surface is one of the major causes for foodborne salmonellosis in the United States. As a means of reducing the pathogen transfer to the internal egg contents, polysaccharide-based coatings containing antimicrobial phytochemicals could potentially serve as a biocontrol strategy for shelled egg products. The current study investigated the efficacy of four GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe)-status plant-derived compounds, namely, caproic acid (CAO), caprylic acid (CAY), linalool (LIN) and cuminaldehyde (CUM), as pectin-based coating treatments, individually or in combination, for reducing Salmonella Heidelberg (SH) on shell eggs. A three-strain mixture of SH (~8.0 log CFU in 50 μL inoculum) was spot-inoculated on surface sterilized white-shelled eggs. Eggs were evenly coated with either pectin-based treatments of CAO (1%), CAY (1%), LIN (1%) and CUM (1%), individually, or a combination of 4 phytochemicals (COMB- each phytochemical at 0.5% v/v level of inclusion). The treated eggs were stored at 4°C and SH counts were enumerated on days 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, and 21 of storage. The study was replicated thrice, 3 eggs/treatment/day time point, and the data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA with significance tested at p < 0.05. On day 0, pectin-coated control eggs had ~7.6 log CFU of SH/egg. At the end of refrigerated storage (day 21), pectin-based coating of CAO and CAY at 1% level reduced SH by 2.0–2.5 log CFU/egg (P < 0.05) when compared to controls. In addition, the CUM and LIN based coatings produced 3.0 log and 3.9 log reduction, respectively, in SH counts on eggs by day 21 of storage. Among the treatments with phytochemical combinations, COMB1 [pectin (2%) + Caprylic acid, caproic acid and cuminaldehyde (each at 0.5% level)] was found to be most effective, reducing SH counts to 2.5–3.3 log CFU/egg from day 0 through day 14, and by the end of storage period (day 21), a 3.5 log CFU reduction/egg (p < 0.05) compared to untreated controls. Morphological studies of treated eggs using atomic force microscopy (AFM) have shown that the roughness of eggs can be influenced by a combination of various compounds. Results indicate the potential efficacy of the aforesaid phytochemicals in reducing SH on shell eggs; however, further studies investigating their industrial feasibility and effects on sensory attributes of eggs are warranted.

Vegetation can play a crucial role in stabilizing slopes through their hydrological and mechanical properties, yet few studies have systematically compared their effects on soil moisture resistance and slope stability. To investigate this, four steep slopes covered by different forests were analyzed in terms of climatic conditions, soil moisture dynamics, root strength and soil physical properties. The results revealed that the roots of Phyllostachys pubescens forests had a higher number and were deeper than the main plant species in the other three forests. Although the root tensile strength of Phyllostachys pubescens was not the strongest, its additional cohesion contributed more to hillslope stability. In the other three forests, suction stress was the main factor contributing to hillslope stability. The soil moisture change rate in Phyllostachys pubescens was found to be the smallest among the four forests studied, indicating that it had the greatest rainfall interception ability. The stability of the slope land covered by shrub forest was found to be more variable than the other three lands in high temperature conditions. Through its soil moisture reducing ability, root characteristics and magnitude of safety factor, Phyllostachys pubescens was identified as a suitable species for slope stabilization in the study area. The findings of this work may provide useful insights for local forest management in terms of selecting suitable plant species to reduce shallow landslides.

The unclear etiology and pathogenesis of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) are responsible for the lack of effective treatment and the poor patient prognosis. Various studies show that chronic inflammation and immune responses are important factors contributing to the pathogenesis of IC/BPS. The process of immunogenic cell death (ICD) involves both the immune response and inflammatory process, and the involvement of ICD in IC/BPS pathogenesis has not been explored. Two IC/BPS transcriptome datasets collected from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were used to identify distinct ICD-associated molecular patterns (IAMPs). IAMPs and IC/BPS subtypes were found to be related. The inflammatory immune microenvironments (IIME) in different IAMPs were studied. The potential mechanism by which the interleukin 17 receptor A (IL17RA) influences IC/BPS was examined using in vitro assays. The expression of ICD-related genes (IRGs) was upregulated in IC/BPS bladders, compared with normal bladders. Disease prediction models, based on differentially expressed IRGs, could accurately predict IC/BPS. The IC/BPS patients had two distinct IAMPs, each with its own subtype and clinical features and association with remodeling IIME. IL17RA, a well-established IC/BPS bladder biomarker, mediates both the inflammatory insult and the protective responses. In summary, the current study identified different IAMPs in IC/BPS, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of IC/BPS by remodeling the IIME. The chronic inflammatory process in IC/BPS may be prolonged by IL17RA, which could mediate both pro- and anti-inflammatory responses. The IL17RA-associated pathway may play a significant role in the development of IC/BPS and can be used as a therapeutic target.

Ti2AlNb alloy is a three-phase alloy, which consists of O phase, β phase and α2 phase. Because of the difference in the mechanical characteristics between phases, Ti2AlNb alloy often exhibits deformation heterogeneity. Based on EBSD images of the Ti2AlNb alloy, a crystal plasticity finite element model (CPFEM) was built to study the effects of O phase and β phase (dominant phases) on stress and strain distribution. Four types of fatigue experiments, and the Chaboche model with 1.2%~1.6% total strain range were conducted to verify the CPFEM. The simulation results showed that the phase boundary was the important position of stress concentration. The main reason for the stress concentration was the inconsistency deformation of grains which resulted from the different deformation abilities of the O and β phases.

Low-cycle fatigue, creep and creep-fatigue tests of Ti2AlNb-based alloy were carried out at 550 °C. Compared with low-cycle fatigue, a creep-fatigue hysteresis loop has larger area and smaller average stress. The introduction of creep damage will greatly reduce the cycle life, and change the fatigue crack initiation point and failure mechanism. Based on the linear damage accumulation rule, the fatigue damage and creep damage were described by the life fraction method and the time fraction method, respectively, and the creep-fatigue life of the Ti2AlNb-based alloy is predicted within an error band of ±2 times.

Aortic dissection (AD) is one of the most fatal cardiovascular emergency. At the anatomical level, AD occurs due to the formation of intimal tears. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this phenomenon remains unknown. Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a important effector in the development of cardiovascular disease that acts through binding to angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R). Yes-associated protein (YAP) was recently recognized as a key protein in macrophage activation. To determine whether AT1R and YAP are involved in macrophage-induced endothelial cell (EC) inflammation and AD incidence, we co-cultured THP-1 cells and HAECs in transwell chambers under different culture conditions and apply different conditions to the AD mice model. The results showed that Ang II promoted macrophage M1 polarization and adhesion, upregulated YAP phosphorylation, and induced EC injury that was related to increased levels of multiple pro-inflammatory chemokines. Blocking AT1R function pharmacologically or by transfection with AT1R siRNA can reduce the pro-inflammatory effect induced by Ang II. In addition, siRNA knock down of YAP expression further aggravated the pro-inflammatory effects of Ang II. Treatment with ARB effectively alleviated these pro-inflammatory effects. In the mice AD model, ARB effectively reduced the incidence of AD in mice, decreased M1 macrophages infiltration and AT1R content in the aortic wall and increased the tissue content of YAP. We found that AT1R induces YAP phosphorylation through binding to Ang II, and further promotes macrophage M1 polarization and adhesion to ECs. ARB reduces the incidence of AD in mice and affect macrophage polarization in mice aorta.

Abstract Access to good public transit for low-socioeconomic communities has been an important concern in transportation planning and urban studies research. In Portland, Oregon, USA, the rapid growth of housing prices and rents in the urban core has caused displacement of low-income residents to peripheral and suburban neighborhoods where housing is more affordable. Because public transit is generally more limited in the urban periphery and suburbs, there is concern that the low-income suburban residents may have more limited access to Portland’s light rail transit service than more affluent residents do. This study examines the relationships between the light rail transit accessibility and socioeconomic status—income, race and ethnicity—in the Portland metro area. Light rail transit accessibility is compared for all income and racial/ethnic groups across four access zones. Multinomial logistic econometric models were used to measure likelihood differences of being located in different access zones between each demographic group. The results show that there is no significant barrier for low-income and racial and ethnic minority residents to access urban rail transit in Portland. The results suggest that despite low-income residents’ movement to the suburbs, Portland’s urban rail transit system continues to serve all residents by providing cohesive connections between the urban core, periphery and suburbs.

Summary: Organic-inorganic lead halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have received much attention in the last few years due to the high power conversion efficiency (PCE). Generally, perovskite/charge transport layer interface and the defects at the surface and grain boundaries of perovskite film are important factors for the efficiency and stability of PSCs. Herein, we employ an extended benzopentafulvalenes compound (FDC-2-5Cl) with electron-withdrawing pentachlorophenyl group and favorable energy level as charge transfer molecule to treat the perovskite surface. The FDC-2-5Cl with pentachlorophenyl group could accept the electrons from perovskite as a p-type dopant, and passivate the surface defects. The p-type doping effect of FDC-2-5Cl on perovskite surface induced band bending at perovskite surface, which improves the hole extraction from perovskite. As a result, the PSC with FDC-2-5Cl treatment achieves a PCE of 21.16% with an enhanced open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 1.14 V and outstanding long-term stability.

Aortic dissection (AD) is a fatal disease that accounts for a large proportion of aortic-related deaths and has an incidence of about 3–4 per 100,000 individuals every year. Recent studies have found that inflammation plays an important role in the development of AD, and that macrophages are the hub of inflammation in the aortic wall. Aortic samples from AD patients reveal a large amount of macrophage infiltration. The sites of macrophage infiltration and activity vary throughout the different stages of AD, with involvement even in the tissue repair phase of AD. Angiotensin II has been shown to be an important factor in the stimulation of macrophage activity. Stimulated macrophages can secrete metalloproteinases, inflammatory factors and other substances to cause matrix destruction, smooth muscle cell apoptosis, neovascularization and more, all of which destroy the aortic wall structure. At the same time, there are a number of factors that regulate macrophages to reduce the formation of AD and induce the repair of torn aortic tissues. The aim of this review is to take a close look at the roles of macrophages throughout the course of AD disease.

Flooding has presented a significant risk for urban areas around the world. Road inundation is one of the severe consequences leading to traffic issues and congestion. Green infrastructure (GI) offers further potential for stormwater management as an environmentally friendly and sustainable solution. However, sewer system behaviour has been overlooked in GI implementation. This study investigates sewer performance by measuring topological connectivity and hydraulic characteristics, and critical components are identified under different design storms. Three retrofit scenarios, including enlarged pipes (grey infrastructure, Grey I), rain gardens (GI), and the combination of enlarged pipes and increased rain gardens (GI + Grey I), are proposed according to the distribution of critical components. The results show that it is feasible to locate the vulnerable parts of the sewer system and GI site allocations based on the critical components that significantly impact the performance of the entire system. While all three scenarios can mitigate inundation, GI and GI + Grey I perform better than pipe enlargement, especially for runoff reduction during long-duration rainfall. Furthermore, the sewer behaviour and retrofit effect are dynamic under different rainfall patterns, leading to diverse combined effects. The discoveries reveal that the adaptation measures should combine with sewer behaviour and local rainfall characteristics to enhance stormwater management.

Abstract The relocation of 400,000 Beijing municipal employees to Tongzhou promises to reduce congestion and pollution in the city center. Further, the relocation could facilitate economic cooperation and integration of the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei megaregion. Together, these initiatives can help make Beijing and Northern China more resilient, though critical issues of the connectivity of Tongzhou to the rest of Beijing and the megaregion need to be addressed. This paper focuses on two questions related to the success of these efforts: (1) How many additional commuters can be expected to use the existing subway stations in Tongzhou as a result of the relocation; and (2) How can Tongzhou be better connected to the megaregion’s high-speed rail network and a major airport. To answer the first question, a GIS-based model was used to analyze subway ridership data to estimate changes in rush hour commuters at Tongzhou’s subway stations under three scenarios. The results estimate substantial increases in commuters unless large proportions of the workers move their residences to Tongzhou. To answer the second question, a Moving Platform Infrastructure Network (MPIN) was conceptualized as an innovative alternative to provide needed access to high-speed rail and a major airport. The resulting MPIN provides fast and environmentally sensitive connections, while potentially reducing congestion at the Beijing South railway station. In addition, the MPIN concept could be used in other parts of the megaregion.

Abstract Transit-oriented development (TOD) is advocated by urban planners as a tool to promote transportation and land use integration, and it has especially been applied in new town developments in Chinese cities. Since 2000, urban metro system construction in Beijing has accelerated and many new towns in suburban areas have emerged due to rail transit connections with the central city. This paper is a case study of Yizhuang new town, which is located in the southeast suburban area of Beijing. It explores whether light rail is successful in promoting transportation and land use integration. First, by comparing the land use within a 1 km radius of three rail stations, findings suggest that the TOD model in terms of land use may not be implemented. Second, by tracing land use changes over time, we found that commercial functions are critical to support TOD development. Third, the mismatch of urban functions between low-skilled labor employment opportunities and high-skilled residential neighborhoods emphasizes the failure of planned reverse commuting patterns. In conclusion, our findings suggest that without a proper land use policy, TOD based on light rail only may not be a successful model in the case of Yizhuang new town. The policy implication is that the planning code of land use should be more flexible and adaptable, in order to promote the integration of transportation and land use in a synergetic way.

We present the label-free colorimetric visualization in microfluidics using plasmon resonance on a large-area and over a wide field-of-view (>100 mm2) nanohole array device called nanoLycurgus Cup Array (nanoLCA). We demonstrate the spectral detection and colorimetric sensing of static solutions of different concentrations of glycerol–water confined in parallel microfluidic channels integrated with nanoLCA. Taking advantage of the large sensor area and the colorimetric sensing capability of nanoLCA, we visualize in real-time the modulation of two immiscible solutions (water and oil), generated with integrated flow-focus microfluidics, in a label-free manner. Finite Element Method (FEM) based simulation tool (COMSOL) was used to verify the droplet formation in the microfluidics. Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) electromagnetic simulation was used to identify the resonance modes of the plasmonic sensor. Finally, we demonstrate the real-time monitoring of streptavidin–biotin biomolecular interaction with the plasmonic biosensor. Keywords: Microfluidics, Surface plasmon, Colorimetric sensor, Nanohole array, Protein binding, Droplet formation

Background: Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) is an effective approach for treating lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD), and stimulation programming is essential for successful treatment. However, research on SNM programming for various indications is limited. Thus, the authors aimed to determine whether there were differences in the stimulation parameters for different SNM indications and the appropriate programming recommendations. Materials and methods: Clinical data were retrospectively collected from patients with LUTD who underwent SNM and completed internal pulse generator implantation. The parameters with the highest patient satisfaction or the most symptom improvement during the test period were considered optimal and used to set the programming after internal pulse generator implantation. Results: After screening, 282 patients were enrolled and categorized into four groups based on the following indications: refractory overactive bladder (OAB) (n =61), neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (nLUTD) (n= 162), interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/BPS) (n =24), and idiopathic nonobstructive urinary retention (NOUR) (n= 35). When analyzing the optimal stimulus parameters, disparities in the stimulation amplitude and pulse frequency were noted among the four groups. The stimulation amplitude in the nLUTD group was higher than that in the idiopathic NOUR group (P=0.013). Differences in pulse frequency were observed between the refractory OAB and nLUTD groups (P<0.001) and between the refractory OAB and idiopathic NOUR groups (P =0.001). No differences in the electrode configuration or pulse width settings existed among the four groups. Conclusions: The stimulation parameters for SNM varied among the different indications. For the initial programming of stage I, most patients are recommended to start with stimulation amplitudes below 2 V, although patients with nLUTD may benefit from higher amplitudes. A standard pulse width of 210 µs is recommended for all patients. However, for individuals experiencing nLUTD or idiopathic NOUR, the pulse frequency can begin above the standard 14 Hz but not exceed 50 Hz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) has emerged as an effective therapy for refractory lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD). Remote programming holds promise in addressing the time and economic burdens associated with outpatient programming, especially for patients in the observation period following Stage I implant surgery (where the lead is implanted first without the pulse generator). The study aimed to explore the effectiveness and patient satisfaction of remote programming for Stage I SNM patients, and analyze the benefits patients gain from remote programming. Methods: This prospective study was conducted at multiple high-level clinical SNM centres in China. Patients requiring SNM implantation were enroled and divided into two groups based on patient preference: remote programming (RP) group and outpatient control (OC) group. Patient attitudes toward RP were assessed through questionnaires, and the degree of symptom improvement was compared between the two groups to explore the usability of RP. Results: A total of 63 participants from 6 centres were included in the study, with 32 belonging to the RP group. The remote programming system presents a high level of usability (98%) and willingness (satisfaction rate: 96.83%) in result of questionnaire. RP showed a significant advantage in improving patients' score of ICSI/ICPI (medianΔICSI/ICPI RP vs. OC= - 13.50 vs - 2, P=0.015). And slightly ameliorate urinary symptoms such as pain (medianΔVAS RP vs. OC= -1 vs 0, P= 0.164) and urgency (medianΔOBASS - 2.5 vs. -1, P= 0.,229), but the difference was not statistically significant. RP did not significantly impact the quality of life of patients (P=0.113), so do the rate of phase-two conversion (P= 0.926) or programming parameters. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, the presented study is the first multicenter research focusing on the remote programming of Stage I SNM patients. Through the clinical implementation and patient feedback, we demonstrate that remote programming is not inferior to in-person programming in terms of success rate, effectiveness, safety, and patient satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]