Search

Derived from the Expectancy-Value Theory (EVT) model, cost has drawn scholarly interest for being predicative of avoidance motivation. The study is an effort to develop and validate an instrument to measure students’ perceived costs in physical education. Through literature review and student interviews, a draft of 39 items under seven domains was developed for content validation. A total of 29 items were sent to collect psychometric evidence from two samples of 6th to 8th grade middle school students, age 11 to 15. Exploratory factor analyses (EFA) were applied on the first sample and yielded a three-factor construct to measure social costs (six items), physical costs (five items), and loss of valuable alternatives (five items). with item loadings ranging from .48 to .73. Following confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) applied on the second student sample confirmed the construct with satisfactory fitting indexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We begin with a degree m real homogeneous polynomial in n indeterminants and bound the distance from a given n-dimensional real vector to the real vanishing of the homogeneous polynomial. We then apply these bounds to the real homogeneous polynomial associated with a nonzero m-order n-dimensional weakly symmetric tensor which has zero as an eigenvalue. We provide "nested spheres" conditions to bound the distance from a given n-dimensional real vector to the nearest zero eigenvector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Rotating machinery is a crucial component of large equipment, and detecting faults in it accurately is critical for reliable operation. Although fault diagnosis methods based on deep learning have been significantly developed, the existing methods model spatial and temporal features separately and then weigh them, resulting in the decoupling of spatiotemporal features. Design/methodology/approach: The authors propose a spatiotemporal long short-term memory (ST-LSTM) method for fault diagnosis of rotating machinery. The authors collected vibration signals from real rolling bearing and gearing test rigs for verification. Findings: Through these two experiments, the authors demonstrate that machine learning methods still have advantages on small-scale data sets, but our proposed method exhibits a significant advantage due to the simultaneous modeling of the time domain and space domain. These results indicate the potential of the interactive spatiotemporal modeling method for fault diagnosis of rotating machinery. Originality/value: The authors propose a ST-LSTM method for fault diagnosis of rotating machinery. The authors collected vibration signals from real rolling bearing and gearing test rigs for verification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: The latest vancomycin guideline recommends area under the curve (AUC)-targeted dosing and monitoring for efficacy and safety. However, guidelines for AUC-targeted starting dosing in patients with obesity and/or renal insufficiency are currently lacking. This study quantifies the pharmacokinetics (PK) of vancomycin in this population and provides AUC-targeted dosing recommendations. Methods: Vancomycin concentrations (n = 1188) from therapeutic drug monitoring of 210 overweight and obese patients with varying degrees of renal (dys)function from the ward (74.8%) and intensive care unit (ICU, 25.2%) were pooled with published rich concentration–time data (n = 207) from 20 (morbidly) obese subjects undergoing bariatric surgery. A population model was developed using NONMEM 7.4. Stochastic simulations were performed to design dosing guidelines targeting an AUC24 between 400–600 mg·h/L. Results: Vancomycin clearance (CL) was found to increase linearly with total bodyweight and with renal function (CKD-EPI) in a power relation. Additionally, CL proved 15.5% lower in ICU patients. Our model shows that, to reach the target AUC between 400 and 600 mg·h/L in the first 48 h, two loading doses are required for both continuous infusion and intermittent dosing regimens. Maintenance doses were found to require adjustment for total bodyweight, renal function, and ICU admission status. With this guideline, the median AUC24 is well within the target from the start of the treatment onwards. Conclusions: To achieve safe and effective vancomycin exposure for maintenance doses in overweight and obese patients, renal function, total bodyweight, and ICU admission status should be taken into account. Trial Registration: The AMIGO trial was registered in the Dutch Trial Registry [NTR6058]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, an improved symmetric integral barrier function-based tracking control is addressed for a robotic manipulator in the presence of position error performance requirements and unknown uncertain terms. First of all, we construct an improved symmetric time-variant integral barrier function to solve the robotic system's constrained requirements. The novel barrier function is constructed by developing an integral upper limit function that can be used in conjunction with existing performance envelope functions. Then, the equivalent conversion error is taken as the upper limit of the integral function to achieve the specified steady-state as well as transient behaviors of the system. Additionally, a disturbance observer based on the velocity tracking error is introduced to compensate for unknown uncertain terms. In the end, a numeral simulation study on a robot with two degrees is performed to indicate that the present scheme is feasible in handling the performance constraint and uncertain terms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review highlights the effectiveness and robust nature of eco-friendly room-temperature polymerization initiated in emulsions, and some of its applications in polymer and materials science. The polymerization in emulsions initiated through a thermal or redox approach can be safely conducted under ambient conditions without using other hazardous chemicals. Thermal initiators decompose efficiently at the surfactant-stabilized oil–water interfaces at room temperature. The interface-induced initiation is found to be somewhat independent of surfactant type, insensitive to oxygen, and works for several thermal initiators. Redox initiators without transition metal compounds also effectively initiate room-temperature polymerization in emulsions. With the assistance of room temperature initiation, the polymers synthesized at room temperature are of high molecular mass. In addition, room-temperature polymerization allows temperature-sensitive molecules, for example, proteins and enzymes, to be incorporated with the polymers in situ. The applications of room-temperature polymerization in high internal phase emulsions and biomedicine are also discussed. The initiation of radicals from oil–water interfaces or transition metal-free redox systems is a promising eco-friendly method to promote radical reactions at room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atriplex canescens is widely cultivated as drought and salt-tolerant fodder in arid regions of Northwest China, which is used for photoremediation of degraded land and soil and water conservation. To explore the growth performance of A. canescens when exposed to drought and salt stress, seedlings were treated with a range of drought stress (WC1: 75 ± 3.6%, WC2: 49 ± 2.9% and WC3: 27 ± 2.5% of soil water content) and the corresponding drought stress with additional sodium salt supplementation (NaCl:Na2SO4 = 1:1 with the total concentration of Na+ set to 150 mM). The findings of this paper indicated that moderate sodium salt could stimulate the growth of A. canescens and effectively alleviate the deleterious impact of drought stress by increasing the turgor potential (ψt) and relative water content (RWC) and decreasing the leaf water osmotic potential (ψs). Furthermore, the photosynthetic capacity was improved and the negative effects of drought stress on photosystem II (PSII) were mitigated. The extra 150 mM sodium salt also markedly increased the contribution of Na+ to ψs and the contribution of betaine to ψs. In summary, these results indicate that A. canescens can adapt to drought stress by accumulating enough Na+ for osmotic adjustment (OA). Additionally, this paper is aimed to provide a fundamental basis for the utilization and cultivation of A. canescens as a favored pasture crop in the Qaidam basin, thus increasing the ecological and environmental benefits for arid regions worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Contradictory pharmacokinetic (PK) results have been observed between obese adults and obese adolescents, with absolute clearance (CL) reported to be either unaltered, lower, or higher in obese adolescents compared to obese adults. This study investigates the PK of vancomycin in adolescents and adults who are overweight or obese. Methods: Data from 125 overweight and obese adolescents (aged 10–18 years, weight 28.3–188 kg) and 81 overweight and obese adults (aged 29–88 years, weight 66.7–143 kg) were analysed using population PK modelling. In addition to age, sex, renal function estimates, and regular weight descriptors, we evaluated standard weight (WTstandard, defined as weight for length, age, and sex in adolescents and weight for length in adults) and excess weight (WTexcess, defined as total body weight (TBW) minus WTstandard) as covariates in order to distinguish between weight resulting from length versus weight resulting from obesity. Results: Analyzing adolescents and adults together, vancomycin CL was found to increase with TBW and decrease with increasing age (p < 0.001). A covariate analysis investigating adolescents and adults separately found that vancomycin CL increased with WTstandard in adolescents and adults, albeit with different functions, with adolescents having a higher CL per WTstandard than adults. Moreover, in this separate model, adolescent males had 21% higher CL than adolescent females of the same WTstandard, while in adults, CL decreased with increasing age (p < 0.001). Conclusion: There are apparent differences in vancomycin CL in overweight and obese adults versus overweight and obese adolescents, implying that dosing of vancomycin cannot be directly extrapolated between these populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The steel box arch bridge in this study will be subjected to various temperature effects from the construction to the operation stage, including the cement hydration heat effect and the sunshine temperature effect caused by an ambient temperature change. Therefore, it is very important to control the temperature effect of steel box arch bridges. In this study, the newly built Dafeng River Bridge is selected as the steel box arch bridge. This study aims to investigate the temperature effect including hydration heat and the sunshine temperature effect of the construction process of a rigid frame-tied steel box arch bridge. The manuscript presents that the heat dissipation performance of concrete decreases with the increase in the thickness of a mass concrete structure. The average maximum temperature values of layer No. 3 are about 1.3, 1.2, and 1.1 times the average maximum temperature value of layer No. 1 for the mass concrete of the cushion cap, main pier and arch abutment, respectively. The higher the molding temperature is, the higher the maximum temperature by the hydration heat effect is. With each 5 °C increase in the molding temperature, the maximum temperature at the core area increases by about 4~5 °C for the mass concrete. The pipe cooling method is conducive to the hydration heat control effect of mass concrete. Based on the monitored temperature change and displacement change, the influences of daily temperature change on the steel lattice beam and arch rib are analyzed. A temperature rise will cause the structure to have a certain camber in the longitudinal direction, and the longitudinal or transverse displacement caused by the sunshine temperature change is no less than the vertical displacement. Due to the symmetrical construction on both sides of the river, the arch rib deformation on both sides presents symmetrical synchronous changes. Based on 84 h of continuous temperature monitoring on-site, the changing trends of the arch back temperature and ambient temperature are consistent and their difference is small during 1:00~4:00 in the morning, which is determined as the appropriate closure time for the newly built Dafeng River Bridge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the greatest triumph of condensed matter physics in the past ten years is the classification of materials by the principle of topology. The existence of topological protected dissipationless surface state makes topological insulators great potential for applications and hotly studied. However, compared with the prosperity of strong topological insulators, theoretical predicted candidate materials and experimental confirmation of weak topological insulators (WTIs) are both extremely rare. By combining systematic first-principles calculation and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements, we have studied the electronic structure of the dark surface of the WTI candidate Zintl Ba3Cd2Sb4 and another related material Ba3Cd2As4. The existence of two Dirac surface states on specific side surfaces predicted by theoretical calculations and the observed two band inversions in the Brillouin zone give strong evidence to prove that the Ba3Cd2Sb4 is a WTI. The spectroscopic characterization of this Zintl Ba3Cd2N4 (N = As and Sb) family materials will facilitate applications of their novel topological properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a focus on the American context, the study investigates a teacher accountability reform as an expanding assemblage of neoliberal governance by providing an account of physical education teachers who were experiencing an accountability reform that required them to document student learning growth for teacher evaluation. Through stratified sampling, 51 teachers were sampled from elementary, middle and high schools in North Carolina that served socioeconomically diverse communities for an online survey and a semi-structured in-depth interview on their experiences with the accountability system and their envisioning of the future system. Reductive analysis yielded three themes. First, to prevent their program from being expendable, teachers subjected themselves to the accountability system by identifying with assessment and evaluation knowledge and adopting self-disciplinary practices. Second, they recognized the partiality, irrationality and discontinuity of various assessment as it reduced complex physical education learning through questionable quantification processes. Third, teachers experienced profound inequality in the accountability system, as the system applied different governance technologies towards the tested and non-tested subjects. Situated in theories of power (Foucault, 1982), assemblage (Deleuze & Guattari, 1988) and graduated governance (Ong, 2006), the study conceptualizes the teacher accountability system as an expanding assemblage of neoliberal governance. It attempted to include physical education under its governance but exacerbated the existing inequality across tested and non-test subjects. The results of the study suggest scholars and teachers in physical education to seek creative strategies to quantify student learning, having the values of the subject recognized in and beyond the accountability system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vinyl acetate (VAc) was polymerized to about 90% conversion in 9 h at 40°C from the colloidal microstructure of the VAc/fumed silica/cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) system. The glass transition ( T g ) of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) polymerized in these emulsion gels with silica was higher ( T g = 41 ° C) than those of PVAc made from bulk polymerization at 60°C ( T g = 31 ° C) and the weight average molar mass ( M w ) was also larger ( M w about 300 kg/mol) than those from bulk polymerization ( M w = 125 kg / mol). Increased M w , T g , and lowered processing temperature for these composites could facilitate new applications for PVAc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a common pathogen in aquatic products, such as shellfishes. Laboratory-based simulated studies demonstrated that V. parahaemolyticus can tolerate high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) up to 20 MPa. However, the molecular mechanisms of high-pressure adaptation remain unclear. Herein, we analyzed the physiological changes and transcriptomic responses of V. parahaemolyticus ATCC 17,802 under HHP conditions to determine the possible survival mechanisms. Under HHP conditions, the morphology of V. parahaemolyticus was notably changed exhibiting the coccoid microbial cells. The transcriptome analysis revealed that there were 795 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) under the 20 MPa condition, including 406 upregulated DEGs and 389 downregulated DEGs. Most of the downregulated DEGs encoded proteins related to energy metabolism, such as citrate synthase (gltA), pyruvate kinase (pyk), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gapA). Many of the upregulated DEGs encoded proteins related to adhesion and virulence factors, such as RNA polymerase σ factor (rpoE), L-threonine 3-dehydrogenase, and bacterial nucleotide signal c-di-GMP (WU75_RS02745 and WU75_RS07185). In our proposed mechanism model, V. parahaemolyticus responds to HHP stress through RNA polymerase σ factor RpoE. These findings indicate that V. parahaemolyticus cells may adopt a complex adaptation strategy to cope with HHP stress. Key points: •The transcriptomic response of Vibrio parahaemolyticus under HHP conditions was studied for the first time. •V. parahaemolyticus may adopt a complex adaptation strategy to cope with HHP stress. •ToxRS and RpoE played an important role in sensing and responding the HHP signal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, the water and lipid migration of salted duck eggs during storage were systematically explored in three different packaging conditions of long‐term salting, no packaging, and vacuum packaging. Bound water, multilayer bound water, lipid, and bulk water were observed in the whole duck egg by low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF‐NMR) relaxation. Five weeks of salting process led to the redistribution of water and lipid due to the watery state of egg white and the gelation of egg yolk due to the permeation of salt, and boiling mainly caused an obvious decrease in the mobility of bulk water due to the gelation of egg white. Among these three conditions, long‐term salting with 6 months storage caused the most serious redistribution of water and lipid as well as the rupture of the vitelline membrane, but could prevent the oxidation of egg yolk. Vacuum packaging had the least influence on the water and lipid distribution, mass change, and water content but led to lipid oxidation with high degree in egg yolk. However, the most obvious mass loss was observed in the salted duck eggs during the storage without packaging. In addition, principal component analysis of Carr–Purcell–Meiboom–Gill data suggested that LF‐NMR could distinguish the salted duck eggs with different storage times during the early stage of the storage. Practical Application: Water and lipid migration of salted duck eggs during storage with three packaging conditions were explored by using low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance and magnetic resonance imaging. Understanding the impacts of packaging conditions on water and lipid migration of salted duck eggs during storage could provide a new method for the quality identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Topological materials is one of the hottest topics in condensed matter physics because of its exotic properties such as robust metallic boundary states, Fermi arcs, and the spin‐momentum‐locking helicity. The topologically protected conducting boundary states spanning the whole bandgap are expected to serve as robust and wide‐range‐energy transition states facilitating catalytic reactions. Recently, some topological materials have been found to be high‐performance catalysts, which might open an emerging research field. Herein, an overview of topological materials is given and then recent progress in topological material catalysts (TMCs) is presented. As it is a new field, more detailed and accurate mechanisms behind the high performance of TMCs are urgently needed. Combining theoretical and experimental studies is a promising way to resolve these puzzles. Heterostructures, dopants, and defects have the chance to tune the catalytic activity of TMCs while retaining topological surface states (TSSs). Also, more TMCs are needed to be discovered, and more catalytic reactions are to be investigated for TMCs in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The prognostic role of hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio (HRR) in HBV-related decompensated cirrhosis (HBV-DeCi) has not been established. The present study is aimed at determining the potential of HRR as a predictive factor for the prognosis of HBV-DeCi patients. Methods. The study included 177 HBV-DeCi patients. The clinical outcome was death at 30 days. Multivariate regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were applied to assess the predictive value of HRR for poor outcomes. Results. A total of 26 patients (14.7%) had died by 30 days. Patients with unfavorable outcomes had lower HRR than patients with favorable outcomes. Multivariate analysis revealed that HRR and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score were independently associated with poor outcomes. Combination of HRR and MELD score may improve prognostic accuracy in HBV-DeCi. Conclusions. The present findings indicate that low HRR may be a promising predictor for mortality in HBV-DeCi patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article creates a trajectory tracking controller for a surface vessel with or without output limitations. For the first time, a novel high-order barrier function is created to tackle the system constraints. The inequality about the created barrier function for proving the system stability is given in Theorem 1. Specifically, both systems with and without output limitations can be successfully stabilized by the control strategy developed using the created barrier function. To eliminate the impact of the system's unknown term on trajectory tracking accuracy, an improved observer with additional items is established to compensate for the unknowable parts of surface vessels. In the framework of the backstepping method, the trajectory tracking controller for the vessel is designed based on the barrier function and the disturbance observer to prevent boundary-constraints on output from being broken. In order to demonstrate the efficacy of the presented control, numerical simulations are lastly run in Case 1, where the system's output must be limited within the time-varying region, and in Case 2, where the system is not subject to output limits. • A barrier function is proposed to work for systems with or without constraints. • An observer is proposed to enable stability analysis of the entire system. • The constrained errors can exponentially trend to small domains around zero. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: It is argued that the constructivist physical education has the potential to overcome socioeconomic (SES) constraints and promote learning. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which school SES-related class environmental factors influenced student learning in a constructivist physical education context. Methods: Students in 8th grade (N = 1,256) from 10 middle schools with varied SES were tested on exercise knowledge before and after a constructivist physical education intervention. School SES was determined using free and reduced meal ratio (FARM) and physical education related factors. Data on lesson frequency, length, facilities, equipment, and class size were collected from teachers. Results: Hierarchical linear model analyses reveal that SES is not predictive of intervention induced learning ( γ = 0.73, t =.91, p =.37). Lesson frequency ( γ 02 =.52, t =.31, p =.06), length ( γ 03 = −.03, t = −1.82, p =.07), facilities ( γ 04 = −.11, t = −.49, p =.63), equipment ( γ 05 = −.36, t = −1.36, p =.18), and class size ( γ 06 = −.05, t = −1.36, p =.18) are not predictive of learning. Student prior knowledge ( γ = −.59, t = −18.37, p <.001) and teacher factor ( γ =.04, t = 3.72, p <.001) are predictive of learning. Conclusion: The findings suggest that school SES's detrimental impact on learning in physical education could be overcome by the power of a constructivist curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to reveal the work life of physical educators who were experiencing a teacher accountability system in the US. A combination of stratified and purposeful sampling procedures was adopted to select a sample of schools that served communities with various socioeconomic backgrounds. The schools were recently incorporated in a state teacher accountability system that used student learning growth for teacher evaluation. A group of 51 certified physical educators was selected from the sampled schools. Data were collected from three sources: an online survey, in-school observations, and semi-structured interviews. The survey and observations cross-validated data related to job description, workload, general working environment, and demographic information. The interviews detailed the teachers' accounts about their work life, perceptions of the job demands, and resources under the teacher accountability system. Inductive analysis revealed that the lack of critical job resources, especially curricular supports, equipment, and professional development, limited the teachers from promoting student learning that the teacher accountability system required. Teachers were subjected to immense job demands, specifically a large body of content knowledge to teach with shrinking instruction time and ambiguous role. They also felt pressured to incorporate reading, writing, and mathematics in physical education lessons with little or no curricular support. For teachers to teach physical education successfully in this accountability context, systemic changes are needed to provide teachers with adequate professional development and curricular resources to promote learning in physical education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: It has been acknowledged in physical education (PE) that knowledge empowers learners to develop a physically active lifestyle In this study, we consider Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) as a valuable extension of the constructivist learning theory to help articulate the role of three pivotal instructional factors, content knowledge, learners, and instructional process, in learning fitness knowledge in PE. Guided by CLT, this study was intended to identify middle school students' cognitive architecture about aerobic and anaerobic concepts and pedagogical factors that might enhance or limit scientific conceptualization. Methods: We employed a mixed-methods approach. A total of 291 students randomly drawn from the 24 schools provided data on conceptual knowledge levels via standardized test and conceptual structures of understanding via semi-structured interviews about the aerobic/anaerobic concepts. Results: Results from integrated quantitative and qualitative analyses reveal the role of task element interactivity as a function of conceptualization in the students' cognitive architecture. The students lack the understanding that aerobic and anaerobic concepts are associated with the concepts of complex metabolic systems that dictate the energy pathways experienced in physical activity. Their understandings are characterized by a tendency of overly simplifying the complex conceptions for convenient schema activation. The simplified conception is likely to prohibit their understanding from becoming consistent with the science. The findings suggest that teachers should anticipate lack of understanding of knowledge connectivity when teaching fitness concepts and establish the task element interactivity with enhanced clarity to facilitate knowledge learning. Conclusion: Consistent with the constructivist learning theory, the findings inform us that teaching complex fitness concepts require the teacher to connect prior knowledge as a prerequisite to activate relevant cognitive architecture and actively build connections between the prior knowledge and the to-be learned concepts. PE curriculum designers and teachers should anticipate the complex challenges in teaching the aerobic and anaerobic concepts because of their connections to other concepts associated with human energy systems such as intensity and oxygen supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used mixed methods to identify middle school students' conceptions and misconceptions of energy in the domain of health and fitness. We selected a total of 24 middle schools from six school districts in a Southeastern state of the U. S. through stratified sampling. Students were first given a standardized knowledge test to establish their knowledge level membership in the domain of health and fitness. A sample of 291 students was selected from the 24 schools for semi-structured interviews on their understanding of energy sources for physical activities and consequences of energy surplus. Analysis of the interview data identified a variety of misconceptions on energy by grade and knowledge levels. Different conceptual change theories were adopted to form four themes to explain the identified misconceptions. We discussed pedagogical implications that may help address the misconceptions in and beyond the domain of health and fitness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background SLC16A11, a member of the SLC16 family, is associated with lipid metabolism, causing increased intracellular triacylglycerol (TAG) levels. In the current study, our primary goal was to determine if an SLC16A11 knockdown would improve glucose tolerance and hepatic insulin signaling in high fat diet (HFD)–fed mice. Additionally, the mechanism for exercise-improved insulin sensitivity remains unclear, and there is no mechanistic insight into SLC16A11's role in insulin sensitivity under exercise stress. Therefore, we also examined the impact of endurance exercise on the abundance of SLC16A11. Methods C57BL/6 J male mice were fed either regular chow (Control) or HFD for 8 weeks and then injected with adeno-associated virus (AAV). Plasma parameters, tissue lipid contents, glucose tolerance, and expression profiles of hepatic insulin signaling were detected. Also, other mice were divided randomly into sedentary and exercise groups. We assessed hepatic expression of SLC16A11 after 8 weeks of endurance exercise. Results 1) Hepatic SLC16A11 expression was greater in HFD-fed mice compared to Control mice. 2) AAV-mediated knockdown of SLC16A11 improved glucose tolerance, prevented TAG accumulation in serum and liver, and increased phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt) and glycogen synthesis kinase-3β (GSK3β) in HFD-fed mice. 3) Endurance exercise decreased hepatic SLC16A11 expression. Conclusions Inactivation of SLC16A11, which is robustly induced by HFD, improved glucose tolerance and hepatic insulin signaling, independent of body weight, but related to TAG. Additionally, SLC16A11 might mediate the health benefits of endurance exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Gas action inhibits initial coal oxidation, but promotes pyrolysis and combustion. • Significant differences in the effect of particle size on oxidation and pyrolysis. • The mechanism of gas transport on the process of coal spontaneous combustion was analyzed. • Gas has a stage-specific effect on the derivation of oxidized gas from the coal body. Heat release and gas derivation can reflect the degree of coal spontaneous combustion (CSC) as important indicators. Meanwhile, both physical and chemical properties of gas-containing coal and methane molecules are important factors for CSC. The C600 high-precision microcalorimeter was coupled with a gas chromatograph to conduct oxidation and pyrolysis experiments on gas-containing coal. The thermal effects and gas derivation rules in the process were analyzed. The influence of the physicochemical properties of gas-containing coal on the spontaneous combustion process was clarified. The quantitative relationship between particle size and heat release coal was discussed. The experimental results show that compared with raw coal, the unique characteristics of gas-containing coal are as follows: (1) The oxidation process is slowed down, while high temperature combustion is more adequate, and pyrolysis is more likely to occur and more intense; (2) The heat absorption and release intensity increased to different degrees, and the characteristic temperature shifted forward; (3) With the decrease of oxygen consumption and generation of CO 2 , CO release increases significantly; (4) As the particle size of gas-containing coal decreases, the oxidation is more likely to occur, while pyrolysis is slowed down. The research results provide an important theoretical basis for the prevention and control of spontaneous combustion of gas-containing coal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defect detection is critical in production systems. The traditional methods are primarily manual, prohibiting its large-scale industrial application. The current deep learning methods usually require a large amount of data, which is challenging in some cases. This paper presents a novel deep learning method to detect a large variety of defects based on small datasets only. Specifically, the method is based on the deep random chain combined with the adaptive Faster R-CNN. The idea behind this method is to fuse both common and different types of information among candidate groups to each defect candidate, which thus improves the model's generalization for small sample datasets with a wide variety of defects. Indeed, the deep random chains focus on learning the relationship among the pixels inside each defect, while many features are added to each defect using Faster R-CNN. Several experiments on industrial products demonstrate the merit of the proposed method for small sample datasets with yet a wide variety of defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controlling light at the nanoscale by exploiting ultra‐confined polaritons—hybrid light and matter waves—in various van der Waals (vdW) materials empowers unique opportunities for many nanophotonic on‐chip technologies. So far, mainstream approaches have relied on interfacial techniques (e.g., refractive optics, meta‐optics, and moire engineering) to manipulate the polariton wavefront. Here, it is proposed that orbital angular momentum (OAM) of incident light can offer a new degree of freedom to structure vdW polaritons. With vortex excitations, a new class of accelerating polariton waves is observed—Airy‐like hyperbolic phonon polaritons (PhPs) in high‐symmetry orthorhombic vdW crystal α‐MoO3. In analogous to the well‐known Airy beams in free space, such Airy‐like PhPs also exhibit self‐accelerating, nonspreading, and self‐healing characteristics. Interestingly, the helical phase gradient of the vortex beam leads to asymmetry excitation of polaritons, as a result, the Airy‐like PhPs possess asymmetric propagation features even with a symmetric mode, analogous to the asymmetry hyperbolic shear polaritons in low‐symmetry crystals. The finding highlights the potential of OAM to manipulate polaritons in vdW materials, which can be further extended into a variety of applications such as active structured polaritonic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Forced polyploidization is an effective strategy for acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL) therapy and factors controlling polyploidization are potential targets for drug development. Although bone morphology protein 2-inducible kinase (BMP2K) has been implied to be a potential target for fasudil, a potent polyploidy-inducing compound, the function of BMP2K in megakaryopoiesis and AMKL remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the role of BMP2K as a novel regulator in megakaryocyte polyploidization and differentiation and its implication in AMKL therapy. Results: BMP2K upregulation was observed in human megakaryopoiesis and leukemia cells whereas BMP2K was downregulated in AMKL cells forced to undergo terminal differentiation. Functionally, BMP2K suppressed MLN8237-induced megakaryocytic differentiation in AMKL cells and dampened megakaryocyte differentiation in primary mouse fetal liver cells. Furthermore, BMP2K overexpression conferred resistance to multiple chemotherapy compounds in AMKL cells. Mechanistically, cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) interacted with BMP2K and partially mediated its function. In transient MLN8237 and nocodazole challenge cell model, BMP2K reduced cell percentage of G2/M phase but increased G1 phase, suggesting a role of BMP2K antagonizing polyploidization and promoting mitosis by regulating cell cycle in megakaryopoiesis. Conclusions: BMP2K negatively regulates polyploidization and megakaryocyte differentiation by interacting CDK2 and promoting mitosis in megakaryopoiesis. BMP2K may serve as a potential target for improvement of AMKL therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon nanotube (CNT)-copper nanocomposites are promising materials for light-weight high-ampacity conductors. The key issue in hybridization of CNT and metal is creating a strong bonding between them. This requires proper modification of the CNT surface. However, experimental works on determining the effect of interfacial functionalization on the properties of the metal/CNT system is scarce. In this paper, the effect of CNT surface modification on the morphology, interfacial interactions, and electrical properties Cu/CNT hybrid system is investigated. For this purpose, CNTs with carboxyl, thiol, and nitrogen doped surface groups were used as substrate for growth of Cu particles via a facile electrochemical process. It is observed that not only the morphology but also the chemical state of the Cu deposits are affected by the surface functional group on CNT. Thiol group significantly enhances copper wettability towards CNT, facilitating a uniform deposition of copper, and impedes oxidation. Also, Cu/CNT thin films fabricated via vacuum filtration that contain thiol-activated CNTs shows four and seven times higher electrical conductivity compared with systems that contain carboxyl and N-doped surface groups, respectively. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to specifically prepare angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides rich in C-terminal proline from oyster proteins using chymotrypsin and proline-specific endopeptidases (PSEases). The hydrolysates were purified with Sephadex G25, Superdex™ 30 Increase 10/300 GL gel filtration chromatography and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The ACE inhibitory IC50 of purified fraction (G1E1C1) was 0.032 ± 0.003 mg/mL. According to ESI–MS and ESI–MS/MS analyses, there were three novel ACE inhibitory peptides in G1E1C1 fraction. Their sequences were Ser-Ala-Pro, Ala-Met-Pro and Thr-Ser-Gly-Pro. Molecular docking of peptides to ACE was studied. Metal–acceptor interactions and conventional hydrogen bonds greatly promoted the stability of peptides to ACE interaction. Pyrrole ring of proline may lead to higher inhibitory activity of peptides. It easily formed a Pi–alkyl interaction with aromatic ring residues (His353, His387, His513, and Phe512). Pi interactions may promote the effect of peptides on ACE. Also, C atom adjacent to the N atom of the pyrrole ring easily formed a carbon hydrogen bond with Ala354. The research discovered three novel ACE inhibitory peptides and provided a method to obtain ACE inhibitory peptides with specific structure X-Pro. The research result played an important role in revealing the structure–activity relationship of ACE inhibitory peptides and designing novel peptides with enhanced biological activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of ammonia via electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) provides an attractive alternative approach to the traditional Haber-Bosch process. In this regard, a one-step hydrothermal method was adopted to synthesize a bimetallic oxide， ferric molybdate (Fe 2 (MoO 4) 3), coated with carbon black on the surface (denoted as Fe 2 (MoO 4) 3 /C). The carbon black coating minimizes aggregation of Fe 2 (MoO 4) 3 , leading to increased electrochemical active sites for NRR. Additionally, this coating improves the electrical conductivity of Fe 2 (MoO 4) 3 thereby accelerating electron transfer between carbon black and Fe 2 (MoO 4) 3 , which is beneficial to charge transfer and enlarge the electrochemical active surface areas. At a potential of −0.4 V RHE (vs. reversible hydrogen electrode, RHE), the ammonia yield achieved was up to 51.76 μg h−1 mg cat −1, with a Faradaic efficiency of 90.63% at −0.35V RHE. Impressively, this electrocatalyst exhibited excellent cycle stability and durability. Fe 2 (MoO 4) 3 /C electrocatalyst was prepared via a one-step hydrothermal method and demonstrated to be a highly efficient non-noble metal catalyst towards electrocatalytic NRR. The obtained Fe 2 (MoO 4) 3 /C gives an NH 3 yield rate of 51.76 μg h−1 mg cat −1 at −0.4 V RHE and FE of 90.63% at −0.35 V RHE in 0.1 M Na 2 SO 4 solution, which is much higher than that of the contrast Fe 2 (MoO 4) 3 sample. [Display omitted] • Fe 2 (MoO 4) 3 /C composite electrocatalyst is reasonably designed and synthesized. • Fe 2 (MoO 4) 3 /C shows excellent stability for electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction in 0.1 M Na 2 SO 4 electrolyte. • The excellent NRR activities of Fe 2 (MoO 4) 3 /C own to the enhanced electron transfer and enlarged ECSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive bone resorption by osteoclasts (OCs) plays an important role in lytic bone diseases, such as osteoporosis. Although the pharmacological treatment of osteoporosis has been extensively developed, alternative treatments are still needed. Deguelin, a rotenoid isolated from several plant species, is a strong antitumor agent; however, its effect on OCs remains unclear. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report that deguelin inhibits the receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) ligand (RANKL)‐induced osteoclastogenesis, messenger RNA expression of osteoclastic‐specific genes, and osteoclastic bone resorption, in primary bone marrow‐derived macrophages. At the molecular level, deguelin markedly blocked RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis by attenuating the phosphorylation of NF‐κB p65 and inhibiting p65 nuclear translocation. In addition, deguelin suppressed the downstream expression of nuclear factor of activated T‐cell cytoplasmic 1, which is a crucial transcription factor in OC differentiation. Consistent with the in vitro results, deguelin inhibited lipopolysaccharide‐induced bone resorption by suppressing osteoclastogenesis. Taken together, our findings reveal that deguelin has antiosteoclastic effects in vitro and in vivo and possesses potential as a new therapeutic option for osteolytic bone diseases. Deguelin suppresses osteoclast formation and function in vitro. Deguelin impairs the receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) ligand (RANKL)‐induced NF‐κB signaling pathway. Deguelin suppresses osteolysis in vivo. Deguelin may be used for treating osteoclast‐related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics (PKs), safety, and immunogenicity of GB242 as a potential biosimilar infliximab with those of reference infliximab in healthy Chinese subjects.Methods: We conducted a randomized, single-center, double-blind, parallel-controlled phase I study in which 48 healthy subjects were divided equally into a GB242 group and reference infliximab group. Both the test and reference drug were administered as a single intravenous dose of 3 mg/kg. Blood samples were collected as per a designated schedule to evaluate PKs and immunogenicity. Safety was assessed throughout the study. PK similarity was concluded if the 90% confidence intervals (CIs) for the geometric mean ratios of the GB242 to reference infliximab for maximum concentration (Cmax), area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) from time zero to the last quantifiable concentration (AUCt), and AUC from time zero to infinity (AUC∞) were within the predefined bioequivalence range of 80-125%.Results: The mean serum concentration-time curves were similar between GB242 and reference infliximab. The 90% CIs for the geometric mean ratios of the GB242 to reference infliximab for Cmax, AUCt, and AUC∞ were completely within 80-125% for the PK similarity comparison. The proportion of subjects with treatment-emergent adverse events was similar between the GB242 group and the reference infliximab group. Antidrug antibody profiles were comparable between the two treatments groups.Conclusions: This study demonstrated high PK similarity between GB242 and its marketed reference infliximab in healthy subjects. Both treatments showed comparable safety and immunogenicity.Registration number: ChiCTR-IPR-15007098 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Phenylenediamine (PDA) was chosen as a coordinating, reducing, and capping agent to effectively direct growth and protect against oxidation of Cu nanowires (Cu NWs) in an aqueous solution. PDA was found to reduce Cu (II) to Cu (I) at room temperature, and stabilize the resulting Cu (I) by forming a coordination complex. The presence of a stable, intermediate Cu (I) complex is an essential step in the synthesis of Cu NWs under mild conditions. Incorporation of different PDA isomers leads to different growth paths of forming Cu NWs. Both p PDA and m PDA-synthesized Cu NWs are covered with a thin layer of polyphenylenediamine and show excellent oxidation-resistant in boiling water (3 days), and long-term stability in water at room temperature (10 months). The polyPDA-coated Cu NWs are electrochemically active even after a long-term storage in water. The usefulness of the oxidation-resistant electrochemical-active Cu NWs prepared here for a variety of nanotechnology applications is discussed. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Cu nanowire/polyphenylenediamine core/shell structures were first time synthesized under a mild condition by forming a Cu (I) intermediate. • As-synthesized Cu nanowires show excellent oxidation-resistant in boiling water (3 days), and long-term stability in water at room temperature (10 months). • As-synthesized Cu nanowires are electrochemically active even after 10 months of storage in water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Based on the global method, an approach is proposed to consider the effect of anchor reinforcement on slope stability, where equilibrium conditions are formulated in terms of the whole slip body. Anchor pre‐tension is assumed to be undertaken by the whole slip body instead of individual slices, causing internal force within slope more realistic. Meanwhile, the optimization model for locating the critical slip surface is of weak nonlinearity and easy to solve using the conventional optimization procedures. The effects of anchoring orientation and position are thoroughly investigated, and interesting results are obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to explore and reveal naïve conceptions and misconceptions about energy embedded in elementary school students’ prior knowledge. Students’ performance on standardized knowledge test was used to classify students into low, median and high levels of knowledge about the cardiovascular system. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with students in each group to extract their understanding of energy in relation to food choices, physical activities, and exercises. Analysis of the interview data generated six categories of naïve conceptions and two categories of misconceptions. Different conceptual change theories, including Chi’s ontological change theory, Ohlsson’s resubsumption theory, and enculturation theory were used to analyze and understand these naïve conceptions and misconceptions and why they could be robust to change. The analyses confirm the need to adopt a multi-theoretical approach to the understanding of students’ naïve conceptions and misconceptions (Chinn & Samarapungavan, 2009. Conceptual change-multiple routes, multiple mechanisms: A commentary on Ohlsson. Educational Psychologist, 44(1), 1-10). The findings encourage physical and health educators adopt different strategies to address the potential learning obstacles brought by students’ naïve conceptions and misconceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water and lipid changes play important roles for the quality formation of salted duck eggs. In the present study, low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were introduced to monitor water and lipid dynamics of duck egg during salting as nondestructive methods. Four proton pools with different mobilities in fresh duck egg matrix were identified by LF-NMR transverse relaxation, and salting significantly changed the proton mobility due to the gelation of egg yolk, release of lipid and watery of egg white. MRI showed high density of proton with lower mobility and higher mobility in egg yolk and white, respectively, and the brighter region of egg yolk in T 1 images continuously decreased from vitelline membrane to center. The variations in the relaxation parameters and MRI images have a close relationship with other quality characteristics of duck eggs induced by salt. Therefore, LF-NMR and MRI could provide information about water and lipid dynamics of duck eggs during salting, and have great potential for quality assurance in salted duck eggs as a fast and non-destructive method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological cells and tissues have diversified behaviors, which are supported by active tissues and passive tissues. Inspired by this, an underactuated self-reconfigurable robot was designed with passive joints and active joints. The inclusion of passive joints can offer benefits not only on cost but also on functionality. This paper presents the architecture of the underactuated self-reconfigurable robot, a computational model of reconfiguration planning and reconfiguration scheduling. An experiment is given to demonstrate the reconfiguration process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apple jam is one of the favorite foods consumed worldwide. This study investigated the effect of storage time and sugar concentration on water dynamics in Fuji and Yinduqing, using low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. The samples were taken for jam preparation with various concentrations of sugar solution (0, 25, 50 and 75-oBrix) and stored at a room temperature of 20 °C for 16 days. The LF-NMR relaxation time T2 distribution displayed bound, intermediate and free water, respectively. The lowest T2 range reflected lowest sugar hydrogen mobility depending on total soluble solids (TSS) and water content. A significant correlation (r > 0.9) existed between LF-NMR analysis and physicochemical parameters (water content, color, pH and TSS). MRI displayed uniform water distributions in samples with low sugar concentration. Fluorescence microscopy was used to evaluate sugar crystals and microstructural changes during processing. The study demonstrated the viability of LF-NMR method in determining water dynamics in the apple jams upon processing and storage that may be implemented for quality analysis in other jam products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used to monitor the water mobility and distribution of Pacific oyster during drying process. The results show the mobilities of bulk, immobilized, and free water were reduced, and the immobilized water was removed dramatically.T2-weighted images displayed the water decrease from the external surface to inner center of oyster during drying. In addition, excellent correlations between the total moisture content andT22andA22were observed with coefficients 0.9777 and 0.9832, respectively. Principal component analysis showed the drying degree of oyster could be monitored based on raw relaxation data. Thus, the result revealed that LF-NMR and MRI have great potential in assessing water mobility and distribution in oyster during drying process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surfactant-catalyzed room-temperature radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was conducted in the presence of fumed silica nanoparticles and water. Three types of surfactants, cationic (CTAB), nonionic (Triton X-100) or anionic (SDS), were used to catalyze the decomposition of the initiator, 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN). The surfactant-catalyzed decomposition rate constant for AIBN at room temperature was found to be independent of the surfactant type. However, the rates of polymerization of the MMA emulsion gels at room temperature were found to depend on the types of surfactant with: cationic > nonionic > anionic. An inhibition period was observed for the polymerizations with nonionic and anionic surfactants. The radical-inhibition was likely due to the reactions between the radicals and the silanol groups on fumed silica. This inhibition can be reduced by using cationic surfactants to block these surface silanols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homopolymers of n-butyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, styrene, and their random copolymers were prepared via interface-initiated polymerization of emulsion gels at 20 °C. The polymerization was conducted in a free radical polymerization manner without inert gas protection. Compared with the polymers synthesized at 60 °C, the polymerization of emulsion gels at 20 °C produced homo- and copolymers with a higher molecular mass and a narrower molecular mass distribution. The polydispersity indices for the polymers synthesized at 20 °C were found to be between 1.12 and 1.37. The glass transition temperatures for the as-synthesized butyl acrylate copolymers agree well with the prediction from the Gordon–Taylor equation. Interface-initiated room-temperature polymerization is a robust, energy-saving polymerization technique for synthesizing polymers with a narrow molecular mass distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Auxin plays an essential role in regulating Arabidopsis growth and development. YUCCA (YUC) family genes encode flavin monooxygenases, which are rate-limiting enzymes in the auxin biosynthetic pathway. Previous studies showed that YUC8 overexpression (YUC8 OE), as well as ectopic expression of YUC8 driven by GL2 (GLABRA 2) and TT12 (TRANSPARENT TESTA 12) promoters, which are specifically expressed in the epidermis and inner seed integument, respectively, produced larger seeds compared to the Col. However, the impact of these transgenic lines on the vegetative growth of Arabidopsis remains unclear. Here, we show that the GL2pro:YUC8-GFP and TT12pro:YUC8-GFP transgenic plants produce a moderate excessive auxin accumulation phenotype compared to the YUC8 OE. These two transgenic lines produced smaller rosette and leaf, higher plant height, fewer branches, and longer siliques. These data will provide a basis for the study of the relationship between the ectopic expression of auxin synthesis genes and crop yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the job demands--resources model, the study developed and validated an instrument that measures physical education teachers' job demands--resources perception. Expert review established content validity with the average item rating of 3.6/5.0. Construct validity and reliability were determined with a teacher sample (n = 397). Exploratory factor analysis established a five-dimension construct structure matching the theoretical construct deliberated in the literature. The composite reliability scores for the five dimensions range from .68 to .83. Validity coefficients (intraclass correlational coefficients) are .69 for job resources items and .82 for job demands items. Inter-scale correlational coefficients range from -.32 to .47. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the construct validity with high dimensional factor loadings (ranging from .47 to .84 for job resources scale and from .50 to .85 for job demands scale) and adequate model fit indexes (root mean square error of approximation = .06). The instrument provides a tool to measure physical education teachers' perception of their working environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the Gynecology Imaging Reporting and Data System (GI-RADS) for diagnosis of malignant adnexal masses in a Chinese population.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of patients who underwent evaluation of suspected adnexal masses at a hospital in Tianjin, China, between January 1, 2015, and January 31, 2016. Ultrasonographic diagnosis was based on the GI-RADS classification-a standardized summary of imaging data that estimates the risk of malignancy-and compared with the final pathological diagnosis.Results: Among 242 patients, thick wall, solid papillary projection, solid area, central blood flow, ascites, and GI-RADS classification were associated with malignancy (P<0.05 for all variables). The 263 masses evaluated were classified as GI-RADS 2 (functional cyst; n=65), GI-RADS 3 (benign neoplasm; n=68), GI-RADS 4 (one or two morphological findings suggestive of malignancy; n=101), and GI-RADS 5 (≥3 morphological findings suggestive of malignancy; n=28). Four malignant cases with false-negative findings were misclassified as GI-RADS 3, whereas 24 benign cases with false-positive findings were misclassified as GI-RADS 4. The sensitivity, specificity, false-positive rate, false-negative rate, accuracy, and Youden index of the GI-RADS classification were 96.4%, 84.3%, 18.5%, 3.0%, 89.3%, and 80.7%, respectively.Conclusion: The GI-RADS classification performed well in the diagnosis of malignant adnexal masses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the significance of ultrasonic features in differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules via combining the thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TI-RADS) and multivariate statistical analysis. Methods: Patients who received surgical treatment and was diagnosed with single thyroid nodule by postoperative pathology and preoperative ultrasound were enrolled in this study. Multivariate analysis was applied to assess the significant ultrasonic features which correlated with identifying benign or malignance and grading the TI-RADS classification of thyroid nodule. Results: There were significant differences in the nodule size, aspect ratio, internal, echogenicity, boundary, presence or absence of calcifications, calcification type and CDFI between benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Multivariate analysis showed clear-cut distinction both between benign and malignance and among different TI-RADS categories of malignancy nodules. The shape and calcification of the nodule were important factors for distinguish the benign and malignance. Height of the nodule, aspect and calcification was important factors for grading TI-RADS categories of malignancy thyroid nodules. Conclusions: Ill-defined boundary, irregular shape and presence of calcification related with highly malignant risk for thyroid nodule. The larger height and aspect and presence of calcification related with higher TI-RADS classification of malignancy thyroid nodule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has shown that interest in knowledge facilitates students' academic achievement in learning. Because individual interest is often based on how much one knows, in other words existing or prior knowledge, studying adolescents' interest in health-enhancing physical activity and its benefits should address the relation between the interest and their existing or prior physical activity knowledge. Understanding this relationship may help us facilitate students to not only develop interest in knowing more about but also actual adopt a healthy, active lifestyle. This study used a large-sample structural equation design to identify the relationship between middle school students' interest in physical activity knowledge and their prior physical activity knowledge, and to assess the change of this relationship over time. Guided by the declarative-procedural knowledge framework, latent growth models were developed and tested on data collected from a random sample of 3882 students from ten middle schools. The latent growth curve model indicated that, 1) on average, students experienced a significant interest decline in both procedural and declarative knowledge; 2) prior knowledge helped slow the decline and facilitated interest growth in knowledgeable students. The results suggest that existing knowledge determined the interest change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to modern atmospheric circulation models, the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), as the Earth's meteorological equator, plays an essential role in the low-latitude hydrologic cycles. The limited availability of high-resolution tropical climate archives, especially from the Early Paleozoic Era, severely limits our understanding of ITCZ migration dynamics in deep time. Here we present high-resolution climate-proxy records (i.e., magnetic susceptibility (MS) and Zirconium/Aluminum (Zr/Al)) from tropical marine sediments of the ∼526-million-year-old Qiongzhusi Formation in South China to investigate the link between orbitally forced insolation changes, ITCZ migration dynamics, and low-latitude climate processes. These orbital-scale variations in MS and Zr/Al series are interpreted as alternations between wet and dry cycles, controlled by monsoon intensity under the orbitally forced ITCZ-related paleo-Hadley Cell dynamics. Our results show that combined precession and obliquity orbital cycles had an impact on the Early Cambrian ITCZ migration. Specifically, the precession and obliquity forcing shift the mean position of the ITCZ latitudinally by changing the interhemispheric pressure contrasts, thus affecting the low latitude hydroclimate cycle. We report semi-precession cycles of 8.3–7.9 kyr, which were probably associated with the twice-annual passage of the ITCZ across the intertropical zone, consistent with the paleogeographical location of South China near the equator during the Early Cambrian. Observed ∼1.1 – ∼1.5 Myr eccentricity amplitude modulation (AM) cycles and ∼ 1.0 – ∼1.2 Myr obliquity AM cycles may provide geological evidence for the chaotic motion between Earth and Mars in the Early Cambrian. • Combined precession and obliquity cycles regulated the Early Cambrian ITCZ migration. • We report the semi-precession cycles of 7.9–8.3 kyr in the Early Cambrian. • Our study provides geological evidence for the chaotic Solar System in the Early Cambrian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bipolar junction transistor (BJT)‐based CMOS temperature sensor exploiting the piecewise BJT process spread compensation property of the base recombination current is proposed to reduce the process variations of the base–emitter voltage (Vbe). The weighted combinations of different on‐chip resistors are explored to minimise their associated process spread. Fabricated in standard 0.18‐μm CMOS, the chip prototype occupies an active area of 0.036 mm2 and draws 3 μA from a 1.2 V supply, with a measured maximum inter‐/intra‐die variation in Vbe of <1.5 mV from −40 to 125°C from two batches. Using the measured Vbe, ΔVbe and the first‐batch‐only calibration parameters, the chip prototype demonstrates an untrimmed batch‐to‐batch inaccuracy of ± 1.5°C (3σ) within the same temperature range (24 samples from 2 batches). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a fractional-order chaotic system using a tri-stable locally active memristor. The characteristics of the memristor, dynamic mechanism of oscillation, and behaviors of the proposed system were analyzed, and then a visually meaningful image encryption scheme was designed based on the chaotic system, DNA encoding, and integer wavelet transform (IWT). Firstly, the mathematical model of the memristor was designed, which was nonvolatile, locally active, and tri-stable. Secondly, the stability, dynamic mechanism of oscillation, bifurcation behaviors, and complexity of the fractional-order memristive chaotic system were investigated and the conditions of stability were obtained. Thirdly, the largest Lyapunov exponent, bifurcation diagram, and complexity of the novel system were calculated and the coexisting bifurcation, coexisting attractors, spectral entropy, and so on are shown. Finally, a visually meaningful image encryption scheme based on the proposed system was designed, and its security was assessed by statistical analysis and different attacks. Numerical simulation demonstrated the effectiveness of the theoretical analysis and high security of the proposed image encryption scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]