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Abstract To evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic-assisted Soave procedure of Hirschsprung’s Disease (HSCR) in neonates and infants within 3 months of age. Patients with HSCR who were admitted to the Department of Fetal and Neonatal Surgery of Hunan Children’s Hospital from June 2012 to July 2020 and underwent laparoscopic-assisted Soave procedure were selected. The clinical manifestations, surgical procedures, postoperative fecal contamination, constipation, enterocolitis, and defecation function were analyzed. A total of 267 children were included, 230 males and 37 females. Vaginal delivery occurred in 138 cases (51.7%) and cesarean delivery in 129 cases (48.3%). There were 217 cases (81.3%) of delayed excretion of meconium, preoperative HAEC (Hirschsprung’s Disease Associated enterocolitis) 116 cases (43.4%), postoperative HAEC 54 cases (20.2%), 1 cases of postoperative death, 266 cases (99.6%) were cured. There were 37 cases (13.9%) of long-segment type, 226 cases (84.6%) of common type, and 4 cases (1.5%) of short-segment type. Of the 267 cases, 214 cases were followed up (80.1%), 60 cases with fecal contamination, the incidence rate was 28.0%, and 5 cases were tertiary fecal contamination. The overall incidence of constipation was 3.7% (8 cases), and 2 cases were third-degree constipation. Evaluation of defecation function: The excellent rate was 94.4%. Laparoscopic-assisted Soave procedure in neonates and infants within 3 months of age is generally safe and feasible, most infants have good postoperative defecation function, and the incidence of postoperative fecal contamination, constipation, and enterocolitis is relatively low.

The Mg–Sc alloys have attracted considerable attention from researchers due to their martensitic transformation behavior. However, the relatively low yield strength limits their practical application. Thus, Zn alloying combined with annealing treatment was used to improve the mechanical properties by modulating its microstructure. Zn alloying can effectively delay the recrystallization rate and refine the grain size of the alloy. The β/α intensity ratio and grain size of β phase increase with the increasing annealing temperature. When the annealing temperature is 600 °C, the major phase is β-Mg-Sc with minor α-Mg-Sc, ScZn and Mg3Sc phases. Further increasing the temperature to 650 °C would lead to the dissolution of ScZn and Mg3Sc phases into the matrix, resulting in smaller precipitations. The Mg-Sc-Zn alloy annealed at 600 °C for 60 min owns the best comprehensive mechanical properties, with yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and elongation of 307.2 MPa, 330.5 MPa, and 21.1%, respectively. Further TEM analysis reveals that fine grain reinforcement, precipitation reinforcement, and stress-induced martensitic transformation during tensile deformation are the main factors for the enhancement of strength and ductility in this alloy.

Abstract Background T1 mapping can quantify the longitudinal relaxation time of tissues. This study aimed to investigate the repeatability and reproducibility of T1 mapping radiomics features of lung cancer and the feasibility of T1 mapping-based radiomics model to predict its pathological types. Methods The chest T1 mapping images and clinical characteristics of 112 lung cancer patients (54 with adenocarcinoma and 58 with other types of lung cancer) were collected retrospectively. 54 patients underwent twice short-term T1 mapping scans. Regions of interest were manually delineated on T1 mapping pseudo-color images to measure the mean native T1 values of lung cancer, and radiomics features were extracted using the semi-automatic segmentation method by two independent observers. The patients were randomly divided into training group (77 cases) and validation group (35 cases) with the ratio of 7:3. Interclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), Student’s t-test or Mann-Whitney U tests and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were used for feature selection. The optimum features were selected to establish a logistic regression (LR) radiomics model. Independent sample t-test, Mann Whitney U-test or chi square test were used to compare the differences of clinical characteristics and T1 values. Performance was compared by the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC). Results In the training group, smoking history, lesion type and native T1 values were different between adenocarcinoma and non-adenocarcinoma patients (P = 0.004–0.038). There were 1035 (54.30%) radiomics features meet the intra-and inter-observer, and test-retest reproducibility with ICC > 0.80. After feature dimensionality reduction and model construction, the AUC of T1 mapping-based radiomics model for predicting the pathological types of lung cancer was 0.833 and 0.843, respectively, in the training and validation cohorts. The AUCs of T1 value and clinical model (including smoking history and lesion type) were 0.657 and 0.692 in the training group, and 0.722 and 0.686 in the validation group. Combined with T1 mapping radiomics, clinical model and T1 value to establish a combined model, the prediction efficiency was further improved to 0.895 and 0.915 in the training and validation groups. Conclusions About 50% of the T1 mapping-based radiomics features displayed relatively poor repeatability and reproducibility. While T1 mapping-based radiomics model is valuable in identification of histological types of lung cancer despite the measurement variability. Combination of T1 mapping radiomics model, clinical characteristics and native T1 value can improve the predictive value of pathological types of lung cancer.

Currently, limited studies focused on the variations in submarine fresh groundwater discharge rates, seawater recirculation rates, and their respective proportions with tidal level change in sandy intertidal zones. This study conducted in-situ dynamic monitoring of the salinity at the groundwater seepage face in a sandy tidal flat in Xiamen Bay. Using variable-density flow numerical model, the dynamic groundwater salinity in the intertidal zone was simulated to calculate the submarine fresh groundwater discharge in the intertidal zone. The results show that groundwater salinity at different locations in the intertidal zone exhibits varying patterns with the tides. The submarine groundwater discharge at a typical profile was estimated to be 17.47 m3/(m·d), in which the submarine fresh groundwater discharge was calculated to be 3.19 m3/(m·d), accounting for 18.26% of the total submarine groundwater discharge. In contrast, recirculated submarine groundwater discharge was estimated to be 14.28 m3/(m·d), constituting 81.74% of the total submarine groundwater discharge and thus playing a dominant role. Under the influence of tides, seawater infiltration and submarine groundwater discharge are alternate. The alternation during ebb tide occurs slightly earlier than the slack water level, while during flood tide, it occurs slightly later. The peak moment of seawater infiltration rate and submarine groundwater discharge rate precede the tidal peaks at high and low tides, respectively. Throughout the tidal cycle (from high tide to the next high tide), the proportion of submarine fresh groundwater discharge gradually increases. The variation in groundwater salinity in the intertidal zone can represent the changes in submarine fresh groundwater discharge. The proportion of submarine fresh groundwater discharge in the total submarine groundwater discharge is relatively high in this typical profile than that in the previous studies. It indicates the presence of a substantial amount of submarine fresh groundwater discharge in the intertidal zone. Through sensitivity analysis, it reveals that inland hydraulic head has significant influences on submarine fresh groundwater discharge and spatial distribution of salinity. This study can provide scientific information for the development and utilization of coastal groundwater and the management of coastal environments.

Abstract Background Greater yam is a key staple crop grown in tropical and subtropical regions, while its asexual propagation mode had led to non-flowering mutations. How transposable elements contribute to its genetic variations is rarely analyzed. We used transcriptome and whole genome sequencing data to identify active transposable elements (TEs) and genetic variation caused by these active TEs. Our aim was to shed light on which TEs would lead to its intraspecies variation. Results Annotation of de novo assembly transcripts indicated that 0.8 − 0.9% of transcripts were TE related, with LTR retrotransposons (LTR-RTs) accounted for 65% TE transcripts. A large portion of these transcripts were non-autonomous TEs, which had incomplete functional domains. The majority of mapped transcripts were distributed in genic deficient regions, with 9% of TEs overlapping with genic regions. Moreover, over 90% TE transcripts exhibited low expression levels and insufficient reads coverage to support full-length structure assembly. Subfamily analysis of Copia and Gypsy, the two LTR-RTs revealed that a small number of subfamilies contained a significantly larger number of members, which play a key role in generating TE transcript. Based on resequencing data, 15,002 L-RT insertion loci were detected for active LTR-RT members. The insertion loci of LTR-RTs were highly divergent among greater yam accessions. Conclusions This study showed the ongoing transcription and transpositions of TEs in greater yam, despite low transcription levels and incomplete proteins insufficient for autonomous transposition. While our research did not directly link these TEs to specific yam traits such as tuber yield and propagation mode, it lays a crucial foundation for further research on how these TE insertion polymorphisms (TIPs) might be related to variations in greater yam traits and its tuber propagation mode. Future research may explore the potential roles of TEs in trait variations, such as tuber yield and stress resistance, in greater yam.

【Objective】The effects of operation parameters of multi-rotor plant protection unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at different growth stages of maize on deposition quality and the control efficacy of Spodoptera frugiperda were compared to select the optimal operation parameters, with an aim to provide scientific basis for precise pesticide application of S. frugiperda.【Method】DJI T20 six-rotor plant protection UAV was used as the research object, the operation parameters including flight altitude, flight speed and nozzle type were tested for optimization of deposition distribution at the trumpet stage and heading stage of maize, and the population decline rate and control effect of S. frugiperda 7 d after the application of pesticides were investigated.【Result】At trumpet stage of maize, when a SX110015VS nozzle operated at a flight speed of 4 m/s and at a flight altitude of 2.5 m above the maize canopy, the maximum normalized average droplet deposition was 0.45 μL/cm2. When a SX110015VS nozzle operated at a flight speed of 4 m/s and a flight altitude of 1.5 m, both average droplet coverage and average droplet density were the highest, which were 44.92 drops/cm2 and 9.31%, respectively. At heading stage of maize, the normalized average droplet deposition, average droplet coverage and average droplet density were the highest when a SX110015VS nozzle operated at a flight speed of 4 m/s and a flight altitude of 2.5 m, which were 0.50 μL/cm2, 82.92 drops/cm2 and 7.67%, respectively.【Conclusion】The actual occurrence level of pests should be taken into consideration in the selection of operation parameters at trumpet stage and heading stage of maize. The highest droplet deposition was achieved when the UAV flew at a speed of 4 m/s, an altitude of 2.5 m and a nozzle type of SX110015VS, the corrected control efficiency was more than 85% after 7 days of application.

Background: Emerging perspectives on tumor metabolism reveal its heterogeneity, a characteristic yet to be fully explored in gliomas. To advance therapies targeting metabolic processes, it is crucial to uncover metabolic differences and identify distinct metabolic subtypes. Therefore, we aimed to develop a classification system for gliomas based on the enrichment levels of four key metabolic pathways: glutaminolysis, glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway, and fatty acid oxidation. Methods: Energy-related features of glioma were characterized through integrative analyses of multiple datasets, including bulk, single-cell, and spatial transcriptome profiling. The glioma energy metabolic subtypes were constructed using the R package ConsensusClusterPlus. Kaplan–Meier analysis was conducted to compare clinical outcomes between different metabolic groups. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were employed to elucidate the biological functions of genes of interest. Cell-cell communication analysis was performed at single-cell resolution using the R package CellChat and at spatial resolution using the standard stLearn pipeline. Results: Glioma samples were stratified into two prognostic subtypes. Group 1, enriched in the glutaminolysis pathway, had better clinical outcomes. In contrast, Group 2 exhibited high activities in glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway, and fatty acid oxidation, correlating with decreased survival time. Group 1 samples were predominantly located in the peripheral region and had a high composition of neuron cells. Group 2, however, had increased infiltration of tumor-promoting immune cells, such as M2 macrophages, and was characterized by traits of invasion, hypoxia, and immunity. Lastly, cell-cell communications were compared across different tumor regions, and the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 ligand-receptor pair was validated using spatial transcriptomic data. Conclusions: Our work revealed the metabolic heterogeneity in glioma by developing a new classification system with significant prognostic and therapeutic value. Single-cell transcriptional profiles offer novel insights into tumor metabolic reprogramming, which could enhance therapies tailored to cell- or patient-specific metabolic patterns.

ABSTRACT: The safety of ethoxyquin has garnered increasing attention. This study evaluated the effects of partially substituting ethoxyquin with tea polyphenols and propyl gallate on feed oxidative stability, hepatic antioxidant properties, intestinal morphology and barrier functions, as well as the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory profiles of the intestinal mucosa in broilers. A total of 351 one-day-old male Arbor Acres Plus broilers were randomly assigned to 3 groups, each comprising 9 replicates with 13 birds per replicate. The treatments included a control group (CON) fed a basal diet, an ethoxyquin group (EQ) that received the basal diet supplemented with 120 g/t of ethoxyquin, and a substitution group (TP) receiving the basal diet supplemented with 6 g/t of tea polyphenols, 6 g/t of propyl gallate, and 30 g/t of ethoxyquin. In vitro experiments showed that both EQ and TP supplementation significantly reduced the acid value (AV), peroxide value (POV), and total oxidation value (TOV) of the feeds, with the TP group exhibiting lower AV and TOV than the EQ group. In vivo assessments revealed no significant differences in growth performance among the groups. Additionally, the TP group exhibited significantly higher glutathione peroxidase activity, increased glutathione content, and elevated protein expression of Keap1, Nrf2, and NQO1 in the liver compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, dietary TP significantly increased liver catalase activity, glutathione content, and NQO1 protein levels compared to the EQ group (P < 0.05). Both additives effectively reduced malondialdehyde levels in the intestinal mucosa by approximately 50% (P < 0.05) through the activation of the Nrf2/ARE pathway, as indicated by increased mRNA expression of TXN, CAT, GPX1, and GPX4 (P < 0.05). Furthermore, compared to the control group, the TP group exhibited greater villus height and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio (VCR) in the jejunum, as well as elevated VCR in the ileum (P < 0.05). The TP group also achieved the lowest serum levels of diamine oxidase activity, D-lactate and lipopolysaccharide contents among all groups (P < 0.05). The inclusion of both EQ and TP increased the mRNA expression of Occludin, Claudin-1, Mucin-2, and E-cadherin in the jejunum (P < 0.05). Moreover, the combination of tea polyphenols and propyl gallate effectively mitigated the proinflammatory effect of ethoxyquin, as evidenced by reductions in TNF-α, IL-18, and IFN-γ expression, potentially mediated by inhibition of the TLR-4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that partially replacing ethoxyquin with tea polyphenols and propyl gallate enhances feed oxidative stability, liver antioxidant capacity, and gut health in broilers, suggesting an efficient alternative with a lower dosage requirement.

IntroductionBASIC PENTACYSTEINE (BPC) is a small transcription factor family known for its role in various developmental processes in plants, particularly in binding GA motifs and regulating flower and seed development. However, research on the functional characteristics and target genes of BPCs in coconut (Cocos nucifera) is limited.MethodsIn this study, we systematically characterized the gene structure, conserved protein domains, gene expansion, and target genes of CnBPCs in the coconut genome. We conducted yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) and dual-luciferase assay to explore gene interactions. We identified genes with the GA motif in their promoter regions and combined this information with a weighted gene co-expression network to identify the target genes of CnBPCs.ResultsEight CnBPCs were identified, including three Class I CnBPCs from triplication, four Class II CnBPCs (with CnBPC6A and CnBPC6B resulting from segmental duplication), and one Class III CnBPC (CnBPC7). Three conserved DNA-binding motifs were detected, exhibiting variation in certain sites. Widespread BPC gene expansion was detected in coconut and other plant species, while only three BPCs were found in the most basal extant flowering plant. Notably, 92% of protein-coding genes contained at least one GA motif, with the (GA)3 motif being most prevalent. Genes containing the GA motif that exhibit a high expression correlation with CnBPCs, tend to interact strongly with the corresponding CnBPCs. Additionally, promoters rich in the GA motif tend to interact with all members of CnBPC. The dual-luciferase assay showed that CnBPCs could activate or repress the transcriptional activities of promoters containing either (GA)3 or (GA)11 motif but with a bias toward certain genes. Furthermore, we constructed co-expressed networks identifying 426 genes with GA motifs as potential CnBPC targets.DiscussionOur findings suggest that CnBPCs may play significant roles in seed germination, flower development, and mesocarp development by interacting with genes such as CnAG1, CnAG2, CnSTK, CnMFT, and CnCS. This study characterized CnBPCs’ binding motif and possible target genes, laying a theoretical foundation to reveal CnBPCs’ function in flower and seed development.

Study Region: Tongde Basin, a typical alpine basin on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau Study focus: Research on the hydrochemical pattern and availability of groundwater is very limited in alpine regions, which greatly hinders the rational ulitilization and scientific management of groundwater resources. Multiple approaches integrating self-organizing map, K-means, entropy weight were employed to elucidate the distinct hydrochemical evolution patterns and controlling mechanisms of groundwater in alpine basins with dense human activities. New hydrological insights for the region: Multiple hydrochemical evolution patterns were discovered for groundwater in present alpine basin on northeastern Tibetan Plateau. Groundwater presents a gradual hydrochemical evolution from the piedmont to the riverside under the natural regulation with the increasing of TDS and major ions along the flow path. While, groundwater at some sporadic sites is featured with relatively high total alkalinity due to carbonate mineral dissolution. The riverine groundwaters are regulated by the strong hydrodynamic condition of river and demonstrate fresher hydrochemical characteristics. Groundwaters in the irrigation areas are featured by elevated nitrate levels with a maximum of 42.86 mg/L, attributed to agricultural pollution inputs. A conceptual model was established to illustrate the distinct hydrochemical fingerprints, evolution patterns and controlling mechanisms of groundwater in alpine basins that with dense human activities. This research can enhance the understanding of groundwater chemical status, genesis and availability, and is beneficial for the conservation and sustainable management of groundwater resources in ecologically fragile alpine regions worldwide.

Macrophage polarization facilitates the inflammatory response and intensified fibrosis in the silicosis microenvironment by a mechanism related to macrophage pyroptosis, although the upstream target remains poorly defined. Currently, there are few reports on the development of drugs that alleviate macrophage polarization by dampening pyroptosis. The present study aims to explore the mechanics of silica mediating macrophage polarization and to investigate whether quercetin (Que) can depolarize macrophages with this mechanism. Silica processing led to prominent M1 polarization of macrophages. Additionally, significant macrophage polarization could be detected in the lung tissue of mice with airway-perfused silica. Further investigation turned out that pronounced mitochondria damage, mtDNA cytoplasmic ectomy, and pyroptosis occurred in response to silica. Nevertheless, Que treatment could effectively attenuate silica-induced mitochondria damage and pyroptosis as demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. Further exploration presented Que could bind to TOM70 and restore silica-induced mitochondrial damage. More importantly, the M1 polarization of macrophage was depressed with the co-treatment of Que and silica, wherein the inflammatory response and pulmonary fibrosis were also mitigated without obvious damage to vital organs. In conclusion, these findings proved that silica leads to mitochondrial damage, thereby evoking pyroptosis and promoting macrophage M1 polarization. Que could bind to TOM70 and restore its function, suppressing mitochondrial damage and pyroptosis, and depolarizing macrophages to reduce fibrosis, which provides a promising strategy for silicosis treatment in the future.

The interaction between irradiation defects and dislocations could lead to macroscopic hardening and embrittlement. In this study, molecular dynamics (MD) and machine learning were conducted to study three-dimensional void- and Cu-cluster-induced kinetics models under interaction with dislocations in body-centered cubic Fe-based alloys. MD Results show that dislocation climb and shear are two types of interaction mechanism based on the defect size. Combined MD results and machine learning, it was found that the dislocation length increased linearly with an increase in the size of the defects after the interaction. In addition, the number of atoms in the Cu-rich cluster and the reduced number of vacancies in the voids had a square relationship with the defect size where 0.85D2 is for Cu-rich cluster and 0.50D2 is for void. Furthermore, atomic-scale three-dimensional irradiation-induced defect kinetics models were developed and incorporated into the crystal plasticity finite element model (CPFEM). We also analyzed the contributions of various defects to the increase in the yield stress during CPFEM simulation. Compared with DBH model, the prediction of MD data-driven CPFEM matches better with the experimental data. Cluster contributed the most to hardening with low obstacle strength due to the higher number density compared with dislocation loops and voids. The loops also contributed to hardening; however, their contribution was smaller than that of the clusters. Although the number density and size of voids were minimized, they may have contributed because of the high obstacle strengths. This work can indeed deepen the understanding of irradiation effect in Fe-based alloys.

Gaining insight into the underlying mechanisms driving nanoindentation-induced behavior in tungsten is essential for comprehending its mechanical properties. Although the plasticity of conventional pure tungsten under nanocontact conditions is well understood, these theoretical constructs may become inadequate when applied to irradiated tungsten due to the interplay between helium bubbles and dislocations. Here, we employed an integrated approach, combining crystal defect theories, molecular dynamics simulations, and machine learning, to explore the initiation and progression of dislocations in tungsten containing helium bubbles during nanoindentation, focusing on elucidating the impact of helium bubbles. In contrast to the typical dislocation nucleation in pure tungsten, the presence of helium bubbles mitigates local shear strain, thereby hindering dislocation nucleation and propagation, leading to a reduction of indentation force. Additionally, we conducted a comparative analysis between samples with and without helium bubbles, examining factors such as atomic displacement, strain localization parameters, dislocation line length, and stress component distribution. More importantly, a significant outcome of our study is the establishment of a relationship between the consistent alteration in the shape of helium bubbles and their size during micro-scale nanoindentation, achieved through machine learning techniques. Our findings reveal that the area occupied by helium bubbles post-nanoindentation is inversely correlated with indentation depth and directly linked to helium bubble size. These discoveries represent a notable advancement in understanding the effects of irradiation to a certain degree.

In this work we study the effects of different factors of dislocation loop on its obstacle strength when interacting with an edge dislocation. At first, the interaction model for dislocation and dislocation loop is established and the full and partial absorption mechanism is obtained. Then, the effect of temperature, size and burgers vector of dislocation loop are investigated. The relation between the obstacle strength and irradiation dose has been established, which bridges the irradiation source and microscale properties. Except that, the obstacle strength of C, Cr, Ni, Mn, Mo and P decorated dislocation loop is studied. Results show that the obstacle strength for dislocation loop decorated by alloy element decreases in the sequence of Cr, Ni, Mn, C, P and Mo, which could be used to help parameterize and validate crystal plasticity finite element model and therein integrated constitutive laws to enable accounting for irradiation-induced chemical segregation effects.

Abstract Super low frequency electric field measurements are crucial in analysing electromagnetic compatibility, assessing equipment status, and other related fields. Rydberg atom‐based super low frequency electric field measurements are performed by observing the Stark shift in the spectrum of the Rydberg state. In a specific range of field strength (E

Groundwater is a crucial water resource for various usages worldwide. The Quetta Valley of Pakistan was investigated regarding its groundwater quality sustainability based on integrated approaches of hydrochemistry, geographic information system, and multivariate statistics. A total of 29 groundwater samples were collected from monitoring wells to get insights into the hydrochemical suitability of groundwater for sustainable irrigation and drinking utilization. The results indicate groundwater is mainly featured by the hydrochemical facies of HCO3·Cl-Ca. Groundwater hydrochemical composition is dominantly governed by the dissolution of carbonates and silicate minerals in combination with positive cation exchange in the valley. Principal component analysis reveals a significant influence of geogenic factors on groundwater chemistry, further supported by PHREEQC simulation that detects a supersaturation of calcite, dolomite, and sulphate minerals in the aquifer. The irrigation water quality index divides groundwater in the study area into three zones, which signify low restriction and no restriction, except for a severe restriction in the southwestern part of the valley. Groundwater is generally suitable for irrigation across the valley. The entropy-weighted water quality index classifies groundwater as excellent and good quality for drinking. This study can provide crucial insights for authorities on groundwater suitability in Quetta Valley and similar regions worldwide. HIGHLIGHTS Traditional hydrochemical techniques integrated with multivariate statistical analysis and Geographic Information System (GIS)-based methods were employed to provide a nuanced understanding of hydrochemical parameters and their spatial distribution.; Hydrochemical fingerprints were recognized to assess groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation purposes.; The irrigation water quality index delineates zones for irrigation suitability, while the entropy-weighted water quality index ranks water quality for drinking purposes.;

Tailoring the phase constitutions of the interfacial reaction layers under the assistance of ultrasonic vibration is a convenient method to fabricate high-strength Al/Cu brazing joints. In this study, 1060-Al and T2-Cu dissimilar metals were ultrasonically brazed with Zn-3Al (wt. %) filler metals. Effects of ultrasonic brazing time on the microstructure and mechanical properties of joints were investigated. Results showed that the CuZn5 intermetallic compound (IMC) layer and Cu-based diffusion layer were created on the Cu substrate surface in the joint ultrasonically brazed at 400 ℃ for 2 s. However, the CuZn5 IMC layer was gradually transformed into a thin Al4.2Cu3.2Zn0.7 IMC layer by increasing the ultrasonic vibration time to 15 s. A well-matched coherent interface was formed between the Al4.2Cu3.2Zn0.7 ternary phase and the Cu-based diffusion layer. The phase transition of the Cu-side interfacial layer correlated closely with the acoustic cavitations induced super-saturation regions near the Cu substrate surface. The measured tensile strength of the Al/Zn-3Al/Cu joint ultrasonically brazed for 15 s was 89.3 MPa, which was approximately 2.5 times higher than that brazed for 2 s, and the tensile failure mainly occurred at the interface between the Al4.2Cu3.2Zn0.7 layer and the Cu-based diffusion layer.

The development of sound-absorbing metamaterials/metastructures provides a new way to solve the problem of low-frequency and broadband sound absorption. However, designing ultra-broadband sound-absorbing metamaterials/metastructures with simple constructions is still a challenge. To address this problem, this paper proposes a type of hybrid metastructure (HMS) consisting of slit-embedded Helmholtz resonators (HRs) covered with porous material modulation crowns (PMMCs) for ultra-broadband efficient sound absorption, with virtually no upper limit on the absorption frequency. Based on double porosity theory, an analytical prediction method for the absorption performance of HMS is developed and validated by comparison with finite element simulations and experiments. Analysis of the absorption mechanism reveals that the PMMCs facilitate impedance matching and energy dissipation within the HMS. This not only enhances low-frequency absorption but also grants excellent tunability and absorption performance at mid-to-high frequencies. It is demonstrated that a typical HMS composed of only four subunits can achieve efficient ultra-broadband absorption (α ≥ 0.8) ranging from 100 Hz to more than 10000 Hz with a thickness of 200 mm. This work brings a new pathway for achieving low-frequency and ultra-broadband sound absorption using metastuctures with simple and lightweight constructions.

AimsWe evaluated the association of multiple thyroid parameters with the levels interleukin 6 (IL6) and interleukin 8 (IL8) in patients with euthyroid type 2 diabetes (T2D).MethodsA total of 166 adults with euthyroid T2D were examined. Serum IL6, IL8, triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxin (FT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), five thyroid sensitivity indexes (FT3/FT4, TSH index [TSHI], thyrotroph T4 resistance index [TT4RI], thyroid feedback quantile-based index by FT3 [TFQIFT3], and TFQIFT4), and biochemical parameters were determined.ResultsThe median age was 64 years (IQR: 54.75,70) and the median duration of diabetes was 10 years (IQR: 3,18). Patients with high levels of IL6 (≥2.38 pg/mL) had lower levels of FT3 and TFQIFT3 (P

The effectiveness, tolerance, and safety of pesticides must be established before their scientific or rational. This study evaluates the field control efficacy of broflanilide, tetraniliprole, and chlorantraniliprole in combating Spodoptera frugiperda in maize crops, as well as the resistance of S. frugiperda to these three diamide pesticides after exposure. By assessing field control efficiency, toxicity, effects on development and reproduction, and detoxification enzyme activity of these diamide pesticides on S. frugiperda, highlights broflanilide's significant insecticidal potential. A highly sensitive and efficient method using QuEChERS/HPLCMS/MS was developed to simultaneously detect residues of these three pesticides on maize. Initial concentrations of broflanilide, tetraniliprole, and chlorantraniliprole ranged from 2.13 to 4.02 mg/kg, with their respective half-lives varying between 1.23 and 1.51 days. Following foliar application, by the time of harvest, the terminal residue concentrations of these pesticides were all under 0.01 mg/kg. Chronic dietary intake risk assessments and cumulative chronic dietary exposure for three pesticides indicated that the general population's terminal residue concentration was within acceptable limits. Not only does this research provide valuable insights into field control efficiency, insecticidal effects, resistance, residues, and risk assessment results of broflanilide, tetraniliprole, and chlorantraniliprole on maize, but additionally, it also paves the way for setting suitable Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) values based on pre-harvest interval values, rational dosage, and application frequency.

Microplastics (MPs) are of increasing concern due to their role as reservoirs for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and pathogens. To date, few studies have explored the influence of anthropogenic activities on ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) within various riverine MPs, in comparison to their natural counterparts. Here an in-situ incubation was conducted along heavily anthropogenically-impacted Houxi River to characterize the geographical pattern of antibiotic resistome, mobilome and pathogens inhabiting MPs- and leaf-biofilms. The metagenomics result showed a clear urbanization-driven profile in the distribution of ARGs, MGEs and pathogens, with their abundances sharply increasing 4.77 to 19.90 times from sparsely to densely populated regions. The significant correlation between human fecal marker crAssphage and ARG (R2 = 0.67, P=0.003) indicated the influence of anthropogenic activity on ARG proliferation in plastisphere and natural leaf surfaces. And mantel tests and random forest analysis revealed the impact of 17 socio-environmental factors, e.g., population density, antibiotic concentrations, and pore volume of materials, on the dissemination of ARGs. Partial least squares-path modeling further unveiled that intensifying human activities not only directly boosted ARGs abundance but also exerted a comparable indirect impact on ARGs propagation. Furthermore, the polyvinylchloride plastisphere created a pathogen-friendly habitat, harboring higher abundances of ARGs and MGEs, while polylactic acid are not likely to serve as vectors for pathogens in river, with a lower resistome risk score than that in leaf-biofilms. This study highlights the diverse ecological risks associated with the dissemination of ARGs and pathogens in varied MPs, offering insights for the policymaking of usage and control of plastics within urbanization.

Abstract The mechanical properties of a coal–rock body were examined through uniaxial compression tests, and the rupture process of the coal–rock body was monitored in real time using a combined acoustic emission (AE) monitoring system and a digital image correlation (DIC) full-field strain measurement system. From a comparison of the mechanical properties of coal and sandstone, clear differences are apparent regarding the uniaxial compressive strength, deformation characteristics, and damage mode; the brittle failure characteristics of the coal samples are also more evident. The change in AE energy reflects the accumulation and release of elastic energy during the rupture process, and the evolution of AE localization points under different stress levels can effectively reflect rupture propagation. Further, the DIC full-field strain measurement method can quantitatively monitor the evolution of the displacement and strain fields at the marking point and surface simultaneously, thereby overcoming the limitations of traditional empirical and qualitative rupture processes. During monitoring, the AE focuses on the internal rupture of the specimen and the DIC focuses on the surface deformation. These complement each other and reflect the rupture process more comprehensively.

Objective: To explore the hypolipidemic activity and toxic side effect of lansiumamide B (LB) from chicken-heart shaped wampee (Clausena lansium) seeds in C57BL/6J mice fed on a high-fat-diet (HFD) model. Methods: The no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of LB in mice was assessed by oral acute toxicity test. HFD-fed mice were intragastrically administered with LB at 1/100, 1/50 and 1/25 NOAEL for 4 weeks. To evaluate the lipid-lowering activity of LB, body mass, serum lipids, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress indicators were measured. Results: The NOAEL of LB was 2 g/kg mb. LB significantly reduced body mass in HFD-fed mice. Compared with the HFD model group, body mass decreased by 15.51% and Lee’s index declined by 3.25% in the high-dose LB group; the concentration of high-density lipid-cholesterol (HDL-C) increased by 38.04%, and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) in the serum increased by 41.86%, 41.95%, and 105.50%, respectively. Conclusion: LB within the NOAEL range has significant lipid-lowering activity in mice without obvious toxicity.

In recent years, the continuous evolution of communication technology has led to a significant increase in energy consumption.With the widespread application and deep deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) technology and algorithms in telecommunication networks, the network architecture and technological evolution of network intelligent will pose even more severe challenges to the energy efficiency and emission reduction of future 6G.Federated edge intelligence (FEI), based on edge computing and distributed federated machine learning, has been widely acknowledged as one of the key pathway for implementing network native intelligence.However, evaluating and optimizing the comprehensive carbon emissions of federated edge intelligence networks remains a significant challenge.To address this issue, a framework and a method for assessing the carbon emissions of federated edge intelligence networks were proposed.Subsequently, three carbon emission optimization schemes for FEI networks were presented, including dynamic energy trading (DET), dynamic task allocation (DTA), and dynamic energy trading and task allocation (DETA).Finally, by utilizing a simulation network built on real hardware and employing real-world carbon intensity datasets, FEI networks lifecycle carbon emission experiments were conducted.The experimental results demonstrate that all three optimization schemes significantly reduce the carbon emissions of FEI networks under different scenarios and constraints.This provides a basis for the sustainable development of next-generation intelligent communication networks and the realization of low-carbon 6G networks.

High reliable packaging materials are essential for wide band-gap power devices due to the thermal and mechanical stresses arising from extreme environmental conditions. In this study, two-dimensional pure Cu mesh or Cu–10Ni (wt.%) alloy mesh reinforced SAC305 composite solders were employed to create solid-liquid interdiffusion (SLID) soldering of Cu substrates at 250 °C. The microstructure evolution behavior of the soldering seam was investigated based on EPMA and EBSD characterizations, and the strengthening mechanism of the joint was discussed. Results showed that the pure Cu mesh reacted slowly in the Sn matrix and large-sized Cu6Sn5 grains were formed in the solder seam; while for joints using Cu–10Ni alloy mesh, the addition of Ni causes the Cu–Ni mesh to quickly dissolve and promote the formation of the fine-grained (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 phase. Increasing the mesh number of Cu–10Ni alloy skeleton could enhance the metallurgical reaction rate of the soldering seam and the grain-size reduction of the (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 phase; ultimately, the joints were completely composed of fine-grained (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 phase and reaction-residual Cu–10Ni skeletons. The refining mechanism of the (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 grains was discussed in detail. The shear strength of the Cu alloy joints varied with changing alloy skeletons and soldering time, and the joint soldered with 300 mesh Cu–10Ni skeleton for 210 s obtained the highest shear strength of 47.8 MPa. The grain boundary strengthening effect of fine-grained (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 phase, synergized with the toughening effect of the alloy skeleton, ultimately achieving highly reliable joints.

As two major pests of cowpea in South China, bean flower thrips [Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall)] and flower thrips [Frankliniella intonsa (Trybom)] always occur on the same plant. In this study, the two-sex life table parameters of these two species were investigated on three bean pods: cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. var. Chunqiu Wujiadou), snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. Yonglong 3), and green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. Linghangzhe) using standard cut bean protocols. Longevity of female adult M. usitatus showed no significant difference on cowpea and snap bean, but was shortest on green bean, with the highest fecundity on snap bean, followed by cowpea and green bean. Longevity and fecundity of female adult F. intonsa were both highest on cowpea, followed by snap bean and green bean. On snap bean, the population parameters (R0, GRR, T) of M. usitatus were higher than F. intonsa, whereas r and λ were not different, suggesting that M. usitatus were more competitive on snap bean. On cowpea, the population parameters (R0, GRR, r, λ) of F. intonsa were higher than M. usitatus, suggesting a competitive advantage of F. intonsa on cowpea. To better mimic field conditions, we investigated the survival and fecundity of adult M. usitatus under two distinct scenarios: when they could feed directly on cut surfaces of cowpeas (standard lab protocol), and when they could not. Adult survival of M. usitatus is not significantly influenced by whether or not they fed directly on cut surfaces of cowpeas. However, a notable decrease in fecundity was observed in M. usitatus that fed on surface-covered cut pods. This suggested that direct feeding on cut surfaces of cowpea did have an impact on thrips’ fecundity, offering fresh perspectives for future research into the growth and development of thrips in a laboratory. Our study suggests that experiments involving cut surfaces may be misleading, and further investigations are ongoing to address these concerns.

Pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs) are a major contributor to hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (PH) due to the possible roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the molecular mechanisms and functional roles of ROS in PAECs are not well established. In this study, we first used Amplex UltraRed reagent to assess hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generation. The result indicated that hypoxic exposure resulted in a significant increase in Amplex UltraRed-derived fluorescence (i.e., H2O2 production) in human PAECs. To complement this result, we employed lucigenin as a probe to detect superoxide (O2−) production. Our assays showed that hypoxia largely increased O2− production. Hypoxia also enhanced H2O2 production in the mitochondria from PAECs. Using the genetically encoded H2O2 sensor HyPer, we further revealed the hypoxic ROS production in PAECs, which was fully blocked by the mitochondrial inhibitor rotenone or myxothiazol. Interestingly, hypoxia caused an increase in the migration of PAECs, determined by scratch wound assay. In contrast, nicotine, a major cigarette or e-cigarette component, had no effect. Moreover, hypoxia and nicotine co-exposure further increased migration. Transfection of lentiviral shRNAs specific for the mitochondrial Rieske iron–sulfur protein (RISP), which knocked down its expression and associated ROS generation, inhibited the hypoxic migration of PAECs. Hypoxia largely increased the proliferation of PAECs, determined using Ki67 staining and direct cell number accounting. Similarly, nicotine caused a large increase in proliferation. Moreover, hypoxia/nicotine co-exposure elicited a further increase in cell proliferation. RISP knockdown inhibited the proliferation of PAECs following hypoxia, nicotine exposure, and hypoxia/nicotine co-exposure. Taken together, our data demonstrate that hypoxia increases RISP-mediated mitochondrial ROS production, migration, and proliferation in human PAECs; nicotine has no effect on migration, increases proliferation, and promotes hypoxic proliferation; the effects of nicotine are largely mediated by RISP-dependent mitochondrial ROS signaling. Conceivably, PAECs may contribute to PH via the RISP-mediated mitochondrial ROS.