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Unique challenges have been elicited by climate change, demanding the utilisation of effective adaptation strategies that are both environmentally and economically sustainable. Regrettably, the agricultural sector has not been spared from the effects of climate change, but it is among the largest employers and the primary source of food security globally. The situation is worse in Pakistan, where poverty, hunger, and malnutrition are reported to be prevalent. The complexity of risks posed by climate change has called for climate-smart agriculture (CSA) technologies, which potentially could augment cost efficiency and yield in wheat production. Surprisingly, previous studies have largely overlooked this crucial aspect. Therefore, our research seeks to address two fundamental questions: What is the comparative cost efficiency between adopters and non-adopters of CSA practices in wheat production? And what are the yield effects associated with CSA adoption, particularly compared to non-adopters? To this end, a multi-stage sampling technique was employed to randomly select 400 farm households in a climate risk hotspot province in Pakistan, on which the stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) and endogenous switching regression (ESR) were applied. The results revealed that CSA adoption was associated with improved cost efficiency and yield. Interestingly, if non-adopters decided to adopt CSA, they would increase their wheat yield by about 20%. Given the importance of wheat for food security, this would contribute to poverty and hunger eradication. Therefore, our study conforms to the aspirations of the 2030 agenda by promoting rethinking food production through possible improvement in cost efficiency and yield in the face of a changing climate.

Abstract Background The occurrence of blastocyst collapse may become an indicator of preimplantation embryo quality assessment. It has been reported that collapsing blastocysts can lead to higher rates of aneuploidy and poorer clinical outcomes, but more large-scale studies are needed to explore this relationship. This study explored the characteristics of blastocyst collapse identified and quantified by artificial intelligence and explored the associations between blastocyst collapse and embryo ploidy, morphological quality, and clinical outcomes. Methods This observational study included data from 3288 biopsied blastocysts in 1071 time-lapse preimplantation genetic testing cycles performed between January 2019 and February 2023 at a single academic fertility center. All transferred blastocysts are euploid blastocysts. The artificial intelligence recognized blastocyst collapse in time-lapse microscopy videos and then registered the collapsing times, and the start time, the recovery duration, the shrinkage percentage of each collapse. The effects of blastocyst collapse and embryo ploidy, pregnancy, live birth, miscarriage, and embryo quality were studied using available data from 1196 euploid embryos and 1300 aneuploid embryos. Results 5.6% of blastocysts collapsed at least once only before the full blastocyst formation (tB), 19.4% collapsed at least once only after tB, and 3.1% collapsed both before and after tB. Multiple collapses of blastocysts after tB (times ≥ 2) are associated with higher aneuploid rates (54.6%, P > 0.05; 70.5%, P

Multistage thermomechanical treatment experiments were conducted on Cu–Ni–Co–Si–Mg alloy strip prepared by the Heating Cooling Combined Mold (HCCM) horizontal continuous casting-cold rolling process. Effects of various heat treatments on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and electrical conductivity of the alloy were studied. The strengthening mechanisms and factors influencing the performance of each process has been analyzed. The tensile strength, yield strength, and electrical conductivity of Cu–Ni–Co–Si–Mg alloy can reach 894 MPa, 855 MPa, and 47.1 %IACS after a third-stage of thermomechanical treatment (TTMT). The cold rolling in first-stage of thermomechanical treatment (FTMT) not only caused work hardening of the alloy but also promoted the precipitation of solute atoms and the growth of second phase particles, limiting the increase in strength. Second-stage of thermomechanical treatment (STMT) effectively hindered the excessive growth of second phase particles in FTMT but shortened recrystallization process. The superior performance of Cu–Ni–Co–Si–Mg alloy after TTMT was attributed to dispersive precipitation of Ni, Co, and Si elements as (Ni, Co) 2Si phases in the copper matrix, strengthening the interaction between the precipitates and dislocations. A short process of HCCM horizontal continuous casting-cold rolling-thermomechanical treatment was developed to produce a high strength and highly electrically conductive Cu–Ni–Co–Si alloy strip used in lead frames.

Complex mapping relationships between high-entropy alloy compositions and performances struggle to precisely elucidate by traditional machine learning models, hindering the accurate and efficient design of high-performance alloys. In this work, a novel alloy design strategy combined self-decision deep neural network, data reconstruction with network structure optimization was proposed, which effectively enhanced the model's ability to predict the mapping relationships between high-dimensional composition spaces and mechanical properties of alloy. Compared to other machine learning methods, significantly improves model prediction accuracy (hardness model: 97.98%; strength model: 94.40%). Through above model, the mechanical properties of 308 new (CuNiMn)-X high-entropy copper alloys was studied added other elements such as Al, Ti, Cr, and Fe, which designed and produced a novel (CuNiMn)60Al20Cr20 alloy with high hardness of 474 HV, high compressive strength of 2322 MPa, and high fracture strain of 25.20%. The primary factors influencing alloy performance and their respective thresholds were also quantitatively revealed (hardness: electronegativity deviation (0.02, 0.1) and nuclear charge deviation (0, 0.25); compressive strength: mean nuclear charge (25, 30) and mean atomic radius (134 p.m.)). These findings provide a new perspective and approach for the design and mechanism understanding of high-performance alloys with complex compositions.

Introduction: Guilingji, a famous traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, has been used to combat aging and male sexual dysfunction in China for centuries. To date, there has been little evidence-based clinical research on the use of Guilingji to treat idiopathic oligo-asthenoteratozoospermia (OAT), and the therapeutic mechanism from a metabolic perspective needs to be investigated further. Methods: This was a multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled clinical study of 240 patients with idiopathic OAT recruited from four hospitals between January 2020 and January 2022. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1꞉1 ratio to receive oral Guilingji capsules or placebo for 12 weeks. The total progressive motile sperm count (TPMSC) was considered the primary outcome, and the other sperm parameters, seminal plasma parameters and serum hormones were considered the secondary outcome. A nontargeted metabolomics analysis of serum from OAT patients before and after Guilingji administration was performed by HPLC–MS to identify key metabolites. Furthermore, we used a rat model to show spermatogenesis phenotypes to validate the effect of the key metabolites screened from the patients. Results: At weeks 4, 8 and 12, TPMSC and other sperm parameters were significantly improved in the Guilingji group compared with the placebo group (P

Examining the cryogenic-temperature characteristics of composites is imperative for ensuring the sustained functionality of their components in environments with cryogenic temperatures. The plastic deformation and fracture mechanisms of a novel Al/Mg bimetal composite (5052/AZ31B alloys bimetal composite) fabricated by the corrugated and flat rolling were investigated at cryogenic temperatures in this study. A mixture-law constitutive model was established to describe the flow behaviour of each constitute alloy of bimetal composite based on the stress-strain relationships obtained from cryogenic tensile tests, which were performed on a universal testing machine equipped with a liquid nitrogen in the temperatures of −180 °C, −80 °C and room temperature (RT) at the strain rate of 0.001 s−1. It is found that the elastic modulus of the 5052/AZ31B bimetal composite experiences minimal impact at lower temperatures, whereas the flow stress shows an increase with decreasing temperature. The AZ31B layer exhibits a quasi-disintegrated brittle fracture and reduced elongation to failure, leading to premature fracture, while the 5052 layer demonstrates a mixed tough-brittle fracture and increased plasticity, resulting in a two-stage fracture process with AZ31B fracturing earlier at the temperature of −180 °C. These findings align with finite element simulations, validating the intricate interplay between bimetal composite properties and cryogenic temperature in influencing fracture behaviour.

Wear is the key issue hindering the further application of titanium alloy. The aim of this work was to explore the strengthening mechanisms for the wear properties of Ti–15Mo alloys via laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) by the La2O3 addition. The results showed that the grain of LPBF-fabricated Ti–15Mo/La2O3 composites was obviously refined after La2O3 addition by heterogeneous nucleation and inhibited grain growth. The average grain size of Ti–15Mo/(0.2 wt%, 0.4 wt%, 0.6 wt% and 0.8 wt%) La2O3 composites is 11.75 μm, 10.85 μm, 10.39 μm, and 9.99 μm, respectively. The wear rate of Ti–15Mo/(0.2 wt% - 0.8 wt%) La2O3 composites is 1.5916 × 10−4mm3N−1m−1, 1.2885 × 10−4mm3N−1m−1, 0.6821 × 10−4mm3N−1m−1 and 0.6063 × 10−4mm3N−1m−1, respectively. Thanks to the combined effect of fine grain strengthening, grain boundary strengthening, precipitation strengthening, dispersion strengthening and dislocation strengthening, the wear resistance of the obtained sample exceeds that of the LPBF-fabricated Ti–15Mo sample more than five times and that of the LPBF-fabricated CP-Ti sample more than ten times.

Abstract. Background:. Growth retardation is a common complication of chronic kidney disease in children, which can be partially relieved after renal transplantation. This study aimed to develop and validate a predictive model for growth patterns of children with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) after kidney transplantation using machine learning algorithms based on genomic and clinical variables. Methods:. A retrospective cohort of 110 children who received kidney transplants between May 2013 and September 2021 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were recruited for whole-exome sequencing (WES), and another 39 children who underwent transplant from October 2021 to March 2022 were enrolled for external validation. Based on previous studies, we comprehensively collected 729 height-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in exon regions. Seven machine learning algorithms and 10-fold cross-validation analysis were employed for model construction. Results:. The 110 children were divided into two groups according to change in height-for-age Z-score. After univariate analysis, age and 19 SNPs were incorporated into the model and validated. The random forest model showed the best prediction efficacy with an accuracy of 0.8125 and an area under curve (AUC) of 0.924, and also performed well in the external validation cohort (accuracy, 0.7949; AUC, 0.796). Conclusions:. A model with good performance for predicting post-transplant growth patterns in children based on SNPs and clinical variables was constructed and validated using machine learning algorithms. The model is expected to guide clinicians in the management of children after renal transplantation, including the use of growth hormone, glucocorticoid withdrawal, and nutritional supplementation, to alleviate growth retardation in children with ESRD.

Abstract To improve the recognition effect of the folk dance image recognition model and put forward new suggestions for teachers’ teaching strategies, this study introduces a Deep Neural Network (DNN) to optimize the folk dance training image recognition model. Moreover, a corresponding teaching strategy optimization scheme is proposed according to the experimental results. Firstly, the image preprocessing and feature extraction of DNN are optimized. Secondly, classification and target detection models are established to analyze the folk dance training images, and the C-dance dataset is used for experiments. Finally, the results are compared with those of the Naive Bayes classifier, K-nearest neighbor, decision tree classifier, support vector machine, and logistic regression models. The results of this study provide new suggestions for teaching strategies. The research results indicate that the optimized classification model shows a significant improvement in classification accuracy across various aspects such as action complexity, dance types, movement speed, dance styles, body dynamics, and rhythm. The accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 scores have increased by approximately 14.7, 11.8, 13.2, and 17.4%, respectively. In the study of factors such as different training images, changes in perspective, lighting conditions, and noise interference, the optimized model demonstrates a substantial enhancement in recognition accuracy and robustness. These findings suggest that, compared to traditional models, the optimized model performs better in identifying various dances and movements, enhancing the accuracy and stability of classification. Based on the experimental results, strategies for optimizing the real-time feedback and assessment mechanism in folk dance teaching, as well as the design of personalized learning paths, are proposed. Therefore, this study holds the potential to be applied in the field of folk dance, promoting the development and innovation of folk dance education.

Twins play a crucial role in elucidating the structure and deformation characteristics of materials. However, in materials with low-symmetry crystal structures, solving the twin relationships remains a challenging task. In this study, we propose a general method for determining twin elements K1, η1, K2, and η2, which are essential for twin analysis. The proposed method involves three main steps: (1) representing misorientation data measured by electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in matrix form, (2) identifying additional 180° rotation elements related to twin elements K1 or η1 by traversing all symmetrically equivalent misorientations, and (3) using a minimum and crystal structure-dependent uniform shear as the constraint to determine the other twin elements (K2andη2). By combining the experimental data and the proposed method, we systematically analyze the complex twin relationships of Cu–Zn–Al shape memory alloys (SMAs) with monoclinic martensite (M18R). This methodology has been demonstrated to be effective and possesses broad applicability.

Postoperative pain seriously affects the recovery process of patients, resulting in prolonged hospital stay and increased care costs. Appropriate application of patient-controlled analgesia devices can effectively relieve perioperative acute pain. In 1994 patient-controlled analgesia began to be used in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, and the Acute Pain Service Working Group was established in 2004. With the cooperation of anesthesiologists and specialist nurses, the group jointly has implemented the whole process and standardized management based on patient-controlled analgesia, and constantly improved and innovated working methods, laying a solid foundation for the development of postoperative pain management. This paper systematically reviews and summarizes the work from the aspects of clinical focus, nursing management experience, promotion and dissemination of pain treatment concepts, and development of acute pain service model under the new situation, with the hope of providing valuable reference for comprehensively strengthening pain management in the process of diagnosis and treatment, and enhancing patients' satisfaction with perioperative analgesia services.

Agronomic measures are the key to promote the sustainable development of ratoon rice by reducing the damage from mechanical crushing to the residual stubble of the main crop, thereby mitigating the impact on axillary bud sprouting and yield formation in ratoon rice. This study used widely recommended conventional rice Jiafuzhan and hybrid rice Yongyou 2640 as the test materials to conduct a four-factor block design field experiment in a greenhouse of the experimental farm of Fujian Agricultural and Forestry University, China from 2018 to 2019. The treatments included fertilization and no fertilization, alternate wetting and drying irrigation and continuous water flooding irrigation, and plots with and without artificial crushing damage on the rice stubble. At the same time, a 13C stable isotope in-situ detection technology was used to fertilize the pot experiment. The results showed significant interactions among varieties, water management, nitrogen application and stubble status. Relative to the long-term water flooding treatment, the treatment with sequential application of nitrogen fertilizer coupled with moderate field drought for root-vigor and tiller promotion before and after harvesting of the main crop, significantly improved the effective tillers from low position nodes. This in turn increased the effective panicles per plant and grains per panicle by reducing the influence of artificial crushing damage on rice stubble and achieving a high yield of the regenerated rice. Furthermore, the partitioning of 13C assimilates to the residual stubble and its axillary buds were significantly improved at the mature stage of the main crop, while the translocation rate to roots and rhizosphere soil was reduced at the later growth stage of ratooning season rice. This was triggered by the metabolism of hormones and polyamines at the stem base regulated by the interaction of water and fertilizer at this time. We therefore suggest that to achieve a high yield of ratoon rice with low stubble height under mechanized harvesting, the timely application of nitrogen fertilizer is fundamental, coupled with moderate field drying for root-vigor preservation and tiller promotion before and after the mechanical harvesting of the main crop.

Abstract The Xinjiang unearthed brocade as a significant cultural heritage records the historical and cultural information of diverse ethnic groups, and it also influences cultural product development. However, the existing knowledge concerning these brocades is disorganized, fragmented, and incomplete, hindering a comprehensive understanding of their intricate relationships. To address these issues, this study has developed an integrated ontological model for Xinjiang’s unearthed brocades (XJUBontology). By applying Conceptual Reference Model of International Committee for Documentation (CIDOC CRM) ontology and the Remanufactured Process Planning (RPP) approach, this XJUBontology comprises knowledge about both the brocades and their cultural derivatives, and knowledge in these two domains are able to be organized and refined. The implementation of XJUBontology in Protégé and validation via SPARQL queries not only centralize and manage Xinjiang unearthed brocade-related knowledge but also establish vital connections among this fragmented information. The contribution is to help in associating, managing, and sharing knowledge in the domain of Xinjiang unearthed brocades, providing a framework for establishing related data repository, and helping researchers, apparel and accessories designers, museums, and other cultural and tourism institutions to access a more systematic information to assist their works.

Abstract Ionically conductive fibers have promising applications; however, complex processing techniques and poor stability limit their practicality. To overcome these challenges, we proposed a stress-induced adaptive phase transition strategy to conveniently fabricate self-encapsulated hydrogel-based ionically conductive fibers (se-HICFs). se-HICFs can be produced simply by directly stretching ionic hydrogels with ultra-stretchable networks (us-IHs) or by dip-drawing from molten us-IHs. During this process, stress facilitated the directional migration and evaporation of water molecules in us-IHs, causing a phase transition in the surface layer of ionic fibers to achieve self-encapsulation. The resulting sheath-core structure of se-HICFs enhanced mechanical strength and stability while endowing se-HICFs with powerful non-contact electrostatic induction capabilities. Mimicking nature, se-HICFs were woven into spider web structures and camouflaged in wild environments to achieve high spatiotemporal resolution 3D depth-of-field sensing for different moving media. This work opens up a convenient route to fabricate stable functionalized ionic fibers.

High entropy alloy (HEA) has high hardness, strength and excellent friction and wear properties, which also has broad application prospects in wear-resistant and high temperature coating, aerospace and military fields. However, one third of the world's total energy is consumed by various forms of friction or wear and tear, causing untold economic losses each year. The important way to reduce the wear is to increase the hardness of materials. The surface modification of high entropy alloy is an effective way to improve the friction and wear properties. In this paper, the research progress of high entropy alloys at home and abroad in recent years is reviewed, especially the surface treatment technology which can improve the friction and wear properties of high entropy alloys is introduced, and the influence of surface strengthening treatment on the friction and wear properties and mechanism of high entropy alloys is discussed. Surface treatment mainly includes surface mechanical strengthening, surface heat treatment strengthening, chemical heat treatment strengthening, surface laser cladding treatment, surface plasma treatment, surface electron beam treatment, vapor deposition technology. The purpose of this work is to provide a reference for the research on the friction and wear property of high entropy alloy, to provide corresponding ideas for the possible industrial demand in the future, and to provide the key research direction for future application.

Abstract Harvesting biomechanical energy from cardiac motion is an attractive power source for implantable bioelectronic devices. Here, we report a battery-free, transcatheter, self-powered intracardiac pacemaker based on the coupled effect of triboelectrification and electrostatic induction for the treatment of arrhythmia in large animal models. We show that the capsule-shaped device (1.75 g, 1.52 cc) can be integrated with a delivery catheter for implanting in the right ventricle of a swine through the intravenous route, which effectively converts cardiac motion energy to electricity and maintains endocardial pacing function during the three-week follow-up period. We measure in vivo open circuit voltage and short circuit current of the self-powered intracardiac pacemaker of about 6.0 V and 0.2 μA, respectively. This approach exhibits up-to-date progress in self-powered medical devices and it may overcome the inherent energy shortcomings of implantable pacemakers and other bioelectronic devices for therapy and sensing.

Combining high hardness carbide of high vanadium cast iron with nano pearlite, which has high strength and toughness, represents an innovative attempt to explore a new technology for preparing high vanadium alloy. In this study, a high-silicon high-vanadium wear-resistance alloy (HSHVWRA) was designed, incorporating a nano pearlite matrix and carbides composite structure. By increasing the vanadium content, numerous high hardness micrometer vanadium carbides were obtained The CCT curve was shifted to the left by increasing the silicon content in the alloy. Subsequently, the nano pearlite matrix was obtained by air cooling after austenite at 1100 °C. After heat treatment, the inter lamellar spacing of pearlite decreased from 500 to 1500 nm in the as-cast state to 50–200 nm. The heat treatment process significantly improved the wear resistance of HSHVWRA by obtaining a nano pearlite matrix. The weight loss due to abrasive wear in the nano pearlite matrix-based HSHVWRA was reduced by 26.9 % compared to the traditional micro-pearlite matrix-based alloy. In the impact wear test, the wear weight of the nano pearlite material was reduced by 63.7 % compared to the cast sample, resulting in a maximum relative wear resistance of 2.75. Nano pearlite has the ability to prevent crack initiation between the matrix and carbides and inhibit the propagation of fatigue cracks, thereby enhancing the fatigue resistance of the matrix. Additionally, with a higher number of layered sheets, nano pearlite can effectively withstand impact loads. Meanwhile, submicron carbides dispersed in the nano pearlite matrix contribute to a second phase strengthening role and cooperate with nano pearlite to enhance the wear resistance of the materials.

The global economy relies heavily on oil production, but it is not without challenges. During the period of economic globalization, the revenue and costs associated with oil production have become disjointed, which has had a detrimental effect on the environment. As a result, environmental protection has been compromised, environmental regulations have been weakened, natural resources have been exploited, and climate change has been exacerbated. This study examines the impact of revenue minus the production cost of oil, energy use, and shadow economy on environmental degradation in APEC countries from 1991 to 2020, using the economic globalization index as a moderating variable. The result explains that revenue minus the oil production cost and the shadow economy are negatively associated with environmental degradation. Energy use and economic globalization are positively associated with environmental degradation in APEC countries. Revenue minus the production cost of oil and shadow economy improve the environment. Energy use and economic globalization degrade the environment in APEC countries. Policymakers are encouraged to advance technologies and upgrade infrastructure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; also, promoting energy-efficient practices in other sectors, like transportation and manufacturing, could contribute to a healthier environment.

Abstract Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is widely used in clinical practice to treat diseases related to central nervous system (CNS) damage. However, the blood‐brain barrier (BBB) constitutes a significant impediment to the effective delivery of TCM, thus substantially diminishing its efficacy. Advances in nanotechnology and its applications in TCM (also known as nano‐TCM) can deliver active ingredients or components of TCM across the BBB to the targeted brain region. This review provides an overview of the physiological and pathological mechanisms of the BBB and systematically classifies the common TCM used to treat CNS diseases and types of nanocarriers that effectively deliver TCM to the brain. Additionally, drug delivery strategies for nano‐TCMs that utilize in vivo physiological properties or in vitro devices to bypass or cross the BBB are discussed. This review further focuses on the application of nano‐TCMs in the treatment of various CNS diseases. Finally, this article anticipates a design strategy for nano‐TCMs with higher delivery efficiency and probes their application potential in treating a wider range of CNS diseases.

A new Cu-1.5Ni-0.7Co-0.7Si-0.3Fe-0.1Mg alloy with low cobalt content was designed. Multi-stage thermo-mechanical treatment (MTT) was used to produce the high-performance alloy with hardness of 286 HV, yield strength of 858 MPa, tensile strength of 910 MPa and electrical conductivity of 45.4 % IACS. The addition of 0.3 wt% Fe element dissolved in (Ni,Co)2Si resulted in the formation of the orthorhombic δ-(Ni,Co,Fe)2Si. During MTT, the δ-(Ni,Co,Fe)2Si, (Ni,Co)2Si, β-Ni3Si, and Fe2Si precipitated successively near the deformation microstructure. Transmission electron microscope observations indicated that the δ-(Ni,Co,Fe)2Si precipitates showed disc-like and rod-like shapes at different orientations, respectively. A new resource-saving, high-strength and medium-conductivity Cu-Ni-Co-Si-Fe-Mg alloy was prepared by replacing an equal amount of Co element with 0.3 wt% Fe element, reducing the amount of scarce metal Co in the alloy.

Summary: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted mental health disorders, affecting both individuals with pre-existing conditions and those with no prior history. However, there is limited evidence regarding the pandemic's impact on mental health visits to primary care physicians. The International Consortium of Primary Care Big Data Researchers (INTRePID) explored primary care visit trends related to mental health conditions in Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, Norway, Peru, Singapore, Sweden, and the USA. Methods: We conducted an interrupted time series analysis in nine countries to examine changes in rates of monthly mental health visits to primary care settings from January 1st, 2018, to December 31st, 2021. Sub-group analysis considered service type (in-person/virtual) and six categories of mental health conditions (anxiety/depression, bipolar/schizophrenia/other psychotic disorders, sleep disorders, dementia, ADHD/eating disorders, and substance use disorder). Findings: Mental health visit rates increased after the onset of the pandemic in most countries. In Argentina, Canada, China, Norway, Peru, and Singapore, this increase was immediate ranged from an incidence rate ratio of 1·118 [95% CI 1.053–1.187] to 2.240 [95% CI 2.057–2.439] when comparing the first month of pandemic with the pre-pandemic trend. Increases in the following months varied across countries. Anxiety/depression was the leading reason for mental health visits in most countries. Virtual visits were reported in Australia, Canada, Norway, Peru, Sweden, and the USA, accounting for up to 40% of the total mental health visits. Interpretation: Findings suggest an overall increase in mental health visits, driven largely by anxiety/depression. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the studied countries adopted virtual care in particular for mental health visits. Primary care plays a crucial role in addressing mental ill-health in times of crisis. Funding: Canadian Institutes of Health Research grant #173094 and the Rathlyn Foundation Primary Care EMR Research and Discovery Fund.

Potato early blight (PEB), a foliar disease of potato during the growing period, caused by Alternaria sp., is common in major potato-producing areas worldwide. Effective agents to control this disease or completely resistant potato varieties are absent. Large-scale use of fungicides is limited due to possibility of increase in pathogen resistance and the requirements of ecological agriculture. In this study, we focused on the composition and infection characteristics of early blight pathogens in Yunnan Province and screened candidate pathogenesis-related pathways and genes. We isolated 85 strains of Alternaria sp. fungi from typical early blight spots in three potato-growing regions in Yunnan Province from 2018 to 2022, and identified 35 strains of Alternaria solani and 50 strains of Alternaria alternata by morphological characterization and ITS sequence comparison, which were identified as the main and conditional pathogens causing early blight in potato, respectively. Scanning electron microscope analysis confirmed only A. solani producing appressorium at 4 h after inoculation successfully infected the leaf cells. Via genome assembly and annotation, combine transcriptome and proteomic analysis, the following pathogenicity-related unit, transcription factors and metabolic pathway were identified: (1) cell wall-degrading enzymes, such as pectinase, keratinase, and cellulase; (2) genes and pathways related to conidia germination and pathogenicity, such as ubiquitination and peroxisomes; and (3) transcription factors, such as Zn-clus, C2H2, bZIP, and bHLH. These elements were responsible for PEB epidemic in Yunnan.

Objective To examine short-term outcomes and long-term survival of elderly patients (aged over 80 years) with colorectal cancer who received laparoscopic versus open surgery. Methods A total of 313 patients over 80 years old with colorectal cancer who underwent radical surgery were included.According to the surgical method, all patients were divided into open-surgery group (n=143) and laparoscopic surgery group (n=170).Baseline data were balanced between the two groups by using propensity score matching.Kaplan-Meier was used to draw the survival curve, and survival was compared by Log rank tests.Cox proportional risk model was used to analyze the effects of all factors on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Results After matching, 93 patients were included in each group.The mean intraoperative blood loss, the incidence of overall postoperative complications and gradeⅠ-Ⅱ complications in the laparoscopic surgery group were significantly lower than those in the open surgery group (all P < 0.05).The time to first flatus, the time to oral feeding, and postoperative hospital stays in the laparoscopic surgery group were significantly shorter than those in the open surgery group (all P < 0.05).The mean number of lymph-node dissection was also significantly higher in the laparoscopic surgery group than in the open surgery group (P=0.030).Patients in both groups had similar 5-year OS (P=0.594) and DFS (P=0.295).Multivariate Cox prognostic analysis showed that CEA level > 5 ng/ml, pathological TNM stage Ⅲ, and perineural invasion were independent risk factors for poor OS and DFS. Conclusion Compared with open surgery, laparoscopic surgery can provide better short-term advantages and similar long-term outcomes for colorectal cancer patients over 80 years of age.

Objective Parry⁃Romberg syndrome is a rare disease characterized by unilateral facial progressive atrophy accompanied by ipsilateral intracranial lesions and/or cerebral atrophy, this article is aimed to analyze the clinical, radiological and pathological features of patients with Parry ⁃ Romberg syndrome and explore the microvascular mechanism in the pathogenesis of the disease, to provide reference for understanding the nature of disease. Methods and Results The age of onset was 27 and 17 years old of the 2 patients respectively. Case 1 initially presented with left⁃sided progressive hemifacial atrophy and developed paroxysmal pain, twitch and numbness on the left face. Case 2 presented with a band ⁃ like alopecia in the left fronto⁃parietal area with cutaneous atrophy, and sudden right limb mild hemiplegia. The MRI of Case 1 revealed a space⁃occupying lesion in the left frontal and insular lobes without enhancement. The MRI of Case 2 showed recent lacunar cerebral infarction in left posterior limb of internal capsule. The histopathological examination of Case 1 showed hemorrhage, microvascular thrombosis, fibrinoid necrosis of vascular walls and mild peri⁃microvascular chronic inflammatory cell infiltration, who was irresponsive to prednisone. Case 2 received aspirin and remained free from any cerebrovascular event at his one⁃year⁃ follow up. Conclusions The microvascular mechanism may be the pathogenesis of Parry ⁃ Romberg syndrome, and the antiplatelet therapy may be an optional schedule for stroke prevention and treatment in patients with Parry⁃Romberg syndrome.

Objective To analyze the effect of asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis on the progression of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) in Shunyi cohort community population. Methods A total of 658 residents aged ≥ 35 years old from Shunyi cohort population (from June 2013 to April 2016) were selected as study subjects. Carotid ultrasound was used to assess the presence of baseline carotid plaque, and CSVD progression was assessed by baseline and follow ⁃ up MRI, which included lacunes, cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) and white matter hyperintensity (WMH). Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the effect of carotid plaque on incident lacunes or CMBs, and linear regression was used to analyze the linear correlation between baseline carotid plaque and WMH progression. Results Among 658 people 250 people (37.99%) had carotid plaque at baseline. After (5.57 ± 0.49) years of follow⁃up, 70 people (10.64%) developed incident lacunes and 56 people (8.51%) had incident CMBs. The annual WMH progression was 0.28 (0.14, 0.55) cm3/year. Logistic regression analysis showed the presence of baseline carotid plaque significantly predicted incident CMBs (OR = 2.411, 95%CI: 1.240- 4.687; P = 0.009). Conclusions Prensence of carotid plaque increased CMBs progression during five⁃year follow⁃up, but the influence on lacunes and WMH progression requires a longer cumulative effect.

The development of high-energy continuous wave (CW) laser has enabled the generation of output powers ranging from 300 to 500 kW. Understanding the ablation mechanism of CW lasers at high laser fluence is crucial for the design of effective high-energy laser protection materials. We note that the particle-like impurities present in the protective coating material can induce defects on the ceramic-like target surface during high-energy CW laser ablation, which can alter the laser absorptivity and manifest a completely different ablation mechanism. Here, we systematically investigate the mechanism of high-energy CW laser ablation of alumina ceramic, with a specific focus on the roles of defect induction, energy transfer, and impact sputtering in the dynamic ablation of target. Specifically, the transient processes between high-energy CW laser and ceramic target will be investigated in terms of the evolution results of the ablation region, the microscopic characteristics of the ablated material, the high time-resolved on-line monitoring, and the multiphase hydrodynamics simulation. Finally, the transparent property of molten alumina ceramic to laser is proved to allow for penetrating damage to ceramic-metal composites.

The bionic-inspired Ti–15Mo gradient porous structures were fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) for the first time in this work. The compression-compression fatigue behavior of functional gradient Ti–15Mo porous structures is investigated, with emphasis on understanding the relationship between fatigue performance and microstructure. The microstructure of the samples was analyzed both before and after fatigue, and correlated with the fatigue performance. During cyclic deformation, the pillars exhibited a non-uniform local stress distribution, primarily attributed to the disparity of gradient density distribution. Fatigue cracks typically initiate at the place with the defects and subsequently propagate until structural damage occurs. Fatigue ratcheting effect occurs throughout the entire fatigue process while the fatigue damage typically initiates at a later stage in the fatigue process. The results indicated that the fatigue performance of the lateral gradient (LG) structure was superior to that of the homogeneous structure, while the vertical gradient (VG) structure exhibited the poorest fatigue performance.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the serotype， drug resistance， and molecular typing characteristics of Salmonella isolated from patients with foodborne diseases in Guizhou Province in 2021.MethodsA total of 164 Salmonella strains were isolated from patients with diarrhea under the Guizhou Provincial Active Surveillance of Foodborne Diseases program in 2021. These strains were subjected to slide agglutination serotyping test， minimum inhibitory concentration tests with 14 antibiotics， and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis （PFGE） for molecular typing.ResultsThe 164 Salmonella strains were divided into 25 serotypes. The dominant serotypes were S. typhimurium （46.34%，76/164）， S. enteritidis （15.24%，25/164）， and S. javana （9.15%，15/164）. The drug resistance rate of the 164 Salmonella strains was 100% （164/164）. The multidrug resistance rate was 86.59% （142/164）. Out of the 15 antibiotics tested， resistance was most frequently observed against ampicillin （95.12%，156/164）， tetracycline （78.05%，128/164）， and nalidixic acid （63.41%，104/164）. Seventy-two S. typhimurium， 24 S. enteritidis， and 15 S. javana strains were divided into 58， 12， and 3 different PFGE clusters， respectively.ConclusionThere were many Salmonella serotypes detected in patients with diarrhea in the Guizhou Province， and multidrug resistance was common. PFGE fingerprints demonstrated genetic diversity of the isolated strains. Monitoring of drug resistance in Salmonella should be strengthened， especially for the clinical treatment of S. typhimurium.

From a coordination chemistry perspective, we aimed to advance the knowledge of Sr/Cs separation in the scheme of spent nuclear fuel reprocessing. Based on data mining of crystal structures and deep learning architecture, we summarized and analyzed coordination chemistry properties of Sr/Cs from complex structures(ca. 3.3×104 samples) of 8 alkaline and alkaline earth elements, especially focusing on coordination bond lengths as a representative figure of merit. Applying a Bayesian optimization approach, we were able to establish a high-performing transformer model which could predict the(differential) coordinative affinities toward Sr/Cs of ligand molecules, with exceptional accuracy. As a proof-of-concept, we systematically analyzed ca. 9.1×103 ligand molecules in terms of potential coordinative selectivity toward Sr/Cs and ranked them. In addition, we also determined different contribution of various functional groups for future molecular design of ligands with selectivity. The present study presented fundamental knowledge for coordination chemistry information in the context of radiochemistry and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing, provided guidance and reference for subsequent experiments regarding Sr/Cs separation.

Cu–Al2O3–TiB2 is an important high-performance dual-phase dispersion strengthened copper alloy. The problem of serious coarseness and agglomeration of TiB2 and Al2O3 particles is a bottleneck that restricts the preparation of high-performance Cu–Al2O3–TiB2 alloys by traditional liquid-phase in-situ reaction method. In this paper, an idea of combining the split cavity melting of complex reactants and efficient solidification of melt was proposed, and a new liquid phase in-situ reaction technology for dual-phase strengthened metal matrix composites was invented. Compared with the traditional liquid phase in-situ reaction method, the strengthening particles in the Cu-0.75Al2O3-0.75TiB2 (wt.%, nominal composition) prepared by the new liquid phase in-situ reaction technology were more uniform, and the tensile strength and hardness were significantly improved. Large-deformation cold rolling can improve distribution of particles. With the increase of deformation, the main deformation mode of the composite changed from matrix plastic deformation to matrix-particle shear deformation, with the main fracture mechanism changing from particle-matrix interface fracture to particle shear fracture. The new liquid phase in-situ reaction technology effectively solved the problem of particle coarsening and agglomeration in Cu–Al2O3–TiB2 composites. The new liquid phase in-situ reaction technology combined with large deformation is a new process with high efficiency and short flow for preparing dual-phase dispersion strengthened copper alloys.

In this study, the effects of differences in grain size, grain boundary type and misorientation on the initiation of discontinuous precipitates are investigated for the Cu–5Ni–1.25Si alloy. Samples with different grain sizes are obtained by thermomechanical treatment, and the smaller the grain size, the higher the percentage of discontinuous precipitate at the same aging time, while there is no significant difference in the growth rate of the reaction front of discontinuous precipitates. EBSD is used to study the effect of grain boundary misorientation on discontinuous precipitates, the characteristics of discontinuous precipitates initiation on different grain boundaries are investigated by multivariate statistical analysis. It is found that discontinuous precipitates only initiate from random grain boundaries instead of coincident site lattice boundaries, where random grain boundaries with misorientation angles of 30–50° are more prone to discontinuous precipitates. And the initiation of DPs at different misorientation axes is different. There is a clear borderline for the axes such as , , and . The grain boundaries below this borderline do not initiate DP, while all grain boundaries below this angle initiate DPs. The cases for axes such as , , and are more complicated. On these misorientation axes, grain boundaries with lower or higher misorientation angles do not initiate DPs, while grain boundaries at intermediate range misorientation angles do initiate DPs.

Hot air, water, and glycerol were studied as foaming mediums for the production of ETPU to evaluate their influence on the behavior of the foam and compare the optimal particles for each of the foaming temperatures selected. The results showed that the times of water foaming and glycerol foaming were shorter by about 2/3 than with hot-air foaming. The best foaming temperatures for hot-air foaming, glycerol foaming, and water foaming are 110–115 °C, 75 °C, and 90 °C, respectively. The particles of glycerol foam have a matte appearance and their gloss is not very good. However, the particles in hot-air foaming are light, and the gloss is very satisfactory. The gloss of the surface of water-foaming particles is dim. At the same time, there is a faint matte appearance. Particles made with glycerol foaming and water foaming are more even than those made with hot-air foaming. The density of foaming materials from glycerol foaming, hot-air foaming, and water foaming are raised accordingly, while the hardness of foaming materials from glycerol foaming, water foaming, and hot-air foaming are successively increased.

The combination of no-till farming and green manure is key to nourishing the soil and increasing crop yields. However, it remains unclear how to enhance the efficiency of green manure under no-till conditions. We conducted a two-factor field trial of silage maize rotated with hairy vetch to test the effects of tillage methods and returning. Factor 1 is the type of tillage, which is divided into conventional ploughing and no-tillage; factor 2 is the different ways of returning hairy vetch as green manure, which were also compared: no return (NM), stubble return (H), mulching (HM), turnover (HR, for CT only), and live coverage (LM, for NT only). Our findings indicate that different methods of returning hairy vetch to the field will improve maize yield and quality. The best results were obtained in CT and NT in HM and LM, respectively. Specifically, HM resulted in the highest dry matter quality and yield, with improvements of 35.4% and 31.9% over NM under CT, respectively. It also demonstrated the best economic and net energy performance. However, other treatments had no significant effect on the beneficial utilization and return of nutrients. The LM improved yields under NT by boosting soil enzyme activity, promoting nitrogen transformation and accumulation, and increasing nitrogen use efficiency for better kernel development. Overall, NTLM is best at utilizing and distributing soil nutrients and increasing silage maize yield. This finding supports the eco-efficient cultivation approach in silage maize production in the region.

The deteriorating soil health under continuous monoculture is commonly found across various cropping systems. This study evaluated the effects of different tillage practices (conventional tillage and no till) and species mixtures (legumes and grasses) on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) community properties, soil nutrients, and enzyme activity in a 3-year experiment. Compared with traditional tillage, the number of AMF species under no-till conditions was increased, with the Glomus group being dominant. Under different tillage conditions, TN (total N) and AN (available N) contents under no till were significantly higher than those under conventional tillage, while no significant differences among other nutrients were found. The activities of soil acid phosphatase (S-ACP), soil dehydrogenase (S-DHA), and soil sucrose (S-SC) under conventional tillage were significantly higher than those under no till, and the cover crop mixtures also had an exclusive advantage in yield. Soil organic matter (SOM) indicated a significant negative correlation with glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP). The increase in diversity associated with the AMF species community was strongly correlated with the increase in three enzyme activities, and AN was negatively correlated with all species. Tillage did not significantly change soil chemistry, except for AN, and the high concentration of AN led to a decrease in AMF species. The results of this study showed that no till was an effective measure for enriching soil micro-organism population. Additionally, soil AMF diversity was improved by cover crop mixtures, and microbial diversity was higher than that under monoculture cover crops. Different AMF groups responded differently to tillage and cover crop mixtures. Across all mixtures, the combination of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa R.) and ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) performed the best.

Phosphorus is one of the major constraints to karst grassland productivity. Understanding the effects of different fertilization practices on soil phosphorus dynamics is essential for enhancing phosphorus bioavailability and rational management of soil phosphorus in karst grasslands. Here, we investigated the effects of fertilizers and manures on soil bioavailability of phosphorus fractions and explored the relationship between soil properties and soil phosphorus fractions. The four fertilizer application designs were as follows: control (CK; no fertilizer or manure); fertilization (F); manure application (M); fertilization and manure application (FM). The results showed that total phosphorus (TP) concentration was elevated by 23%, 1%, and 42% in F, M, and FM treatments, respectively, compared with CK. F and FM treatments enhanced the total inorganic phosphorus (Pi) concentration by 65% and 66%, respectively, while M and FM treatments enhanced the total organo-phosphorus (Po) concentration by 21% and 35%, respectively. FM treatment elevated bioavailable P, active Po, secondary mineral P, primary mineral P, and occluded P by 69%, 39%, 50%, 31%, and 41%, respectively. Fertilizers inhibited soil acid phosphatase activity, whereas alkaline phosphatase did not respond significantly to fertilizer management in low-latitude karst regions. SOM, TN, AP, and MBP are the key factors affecting the bioavailability of phosphorus fractions. The combined application of fertilizer and manure is the most beneficial measure for enhancing soil phosphorus bioavailability. This research helps deepen our understanding of soil phosphorus dynamics in the karst areas and provides a basis for further enhancement of nutrient availability and vegetation productivity of grassland ecosystems.

Spermidine is well known to accumulate in plants exposed to drought, but the regulatory network associated with its biosynthesis and accumulation and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we demonstrated that the Trifolium repens TrMYB33 relayed the ABA signal to modulate drought-induced spermidine production by directly regulating the expression of TrSAMS1, which encodes an S-adenosylmethionine synthase. This gene was identified by transcriptome and expression analysis in T. repens. TrSAMS1 overexpression and its pTRV-VIGS-mediated silencing demonstrated that TrSAMS1 is a positive regulator of spermidine synthesis and drought tolerance. TrMYB33 was identified as an interacting candidate through yeast one-hybrid library screening with the TrSAMS1 promoter region as the bait. TrMYB33 was confirmed to bind directly to the predicted TAACCACTAACCA (the TAACCA MYB binding site is repeated twice in tandem) within the TrSAMS1 promoter and to act as a transcriptional activator. Additionally, TrMYB33 contributed to drought tolerance by regulating TrSAMS1 expression and modulating spermidine synthesis. Additionally, we found that spermidine accumulation under drought stress depended on ABA and that TrMYB33 coordinated ABA-mediated upregulation of TrSAMS1 and spermidine accumulation. This study elucidated the role of a T. repens MYB33 homolog in modulating spermidine biosynthesis. The further exploitation and functional characterization of the TrMYB33–TrSAMS1 regulatory module can enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for spermidine accumulation during drought stress.

Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) is an excellent cool-season turfgrass that is widely used in urban gardening, landscaping, and golf turf. Triennial field experiments from 2017 to 2019 were conducted to investigate effects of the foliar application of chitosan (CTS), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), or sodium chloride (NaCl) on mitigating summer bentgrass decline (SBD) and exploring the CTS, GABA, or NaCl regulatory mechanism of tolerance to summer heat stress associated with changes in chlorophyll (Chl) loss and photosynthetic capacity, osmotic adjustment (OA), oxidative damage, and cell membrane stability. The findings demonstrated that persistent ambient high temperatures above 30 °C during the summer months of 2017, 2018, and 2019 significantly reduced the turf quality (TQ), Chl content, photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm and PIABS), leaf relative water content, and osmotic potential (OP) but significantly increased electrolyte leakage (EL) and the accumulations of free proline, water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and malondialdehyde (MDA). The foliar application of CTS, GABA, or NaCl could significantly alleviate SBD, as reflected by improved TQ and delayed Chl loss during hot summer months. Heat-induced declines in Fv/Fm, PIABS, the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), the transpiration rate (Tr), and water use efficiency (WUE) could be significantly mitigated by the exogenous application of CTS, GABA, or NaCl. In addition, the foliar application of CTS, GABA, or NaCl also significantly improved the accumulations of free proline and WSC but reduced the EL, OP, and H2O2 content and the MDA content in leaves of creeping bentgrass in favor of water and redox homeostasis in summer. Based on the comprehensive evaluation of the subordinate function value analysis (SFVA), the CTS had the best effect on the mitigation of SBD, followed by GABA and NaCl in 2017, 2018, and 2019. The current study indicates that the foliar application of an appropriate dose of GABA, CTS, or NaCl provides a cost-effective strategy for mitigating SBD.

Root-associated microorganisms, which can be recruited specially by plants to cope with environmental stress under extreme conditions, are one of the major mediators of nutrient exchange between plants and the environment. To obtain more crop-beneficial microbes, rhizosphere bacteria of Désirée potatoes cultivated in poor and alkaline soil have been studied. The screening of 83 strains with incomplete identical 16S rDNA sequences showed that 47 strains produced indole acetic acid (IAA), with contents ranging from 0.2 to 42 mg/L, and seven strains were phosphorus-solubilizing, among which six strains significantly increased the growth rate of potato plants. Thirty-seven strains produced siderophore and four strains were zinc-solubilizing, among which three strains significantly alleviated the chlorosis of potato plants. In all of the isolates, the species Variovorax soli (ST98) and Cellulomonas biazotea (ST118) were first found to possess an IAA-secreting ability; the species Leifsonia aquatica (ST172) and Leifsonia naganoensis (ST177) and the genus Sutcliffiella (ST11) were first discovered to be capable of phosphorus solubilization; the species Chryseobacterium daecheongense (ST32) was the first reported to be capable of zinc solubilization; and the species V. soli (ST98), C. biazotea (ST118) and L. naganoensis (ST177) were first found to be capable of plant growth promotion. The discovery of multiple functional bacteria enriched the resources of plant growth-promoting bacteria and provided a foundation for biofertilizer production to improve soil conditions and crop production.

The classroom teaching mode combining the flipped classroom and the paired classroom can better emphasize the exchange of information between teaching and learning, learning and learning, and then solve the problems of students’ explanation, demonstration, and practice ability. This paper explores the English teaching process in public security colleges under the guidance of the new teaching mode on the basis of the flipped classroom and analyzes the applicability and feasibility of the flipped classroom to English teaching in public security colleges. In order to explore whether the English teaching mode of public security colleges under the flipped classroom can improve students’ English performance, this paper constructs an English teaching quality evaluation model for public security colleges under the flipped classroom by improving the BP neural network. Through the teaching experiment to explore the changes in students’ English performance, the English performance of the experimental class fluctuated greatly, with an average score rising from 60.563 to 77.582, which is an improvement of 28.1%. It shows that the effectiveness of English teaching is better in the flipped classroom teaching mode.

To explore whether dance movement techniques in colleges and universities in the context of artificial intelligence can bring new developments in teaching methods in the field of teaching and whether its effectiveness can bring some new power to professional training. In this paper, the principle model of the dance technique movement system is used to calculate the correlation coefficient between music and dance movement characteristics. On this basis combined with a genetic algorithm to train the corresponding relationship of different music dance movements, through the accuracy of the corresponding relationship as an adaptation function, to obtain an optimal dance movement correspondence, to get the dance movement matching optimization objective function, and combined with ant colony theory to optimize the solution of this objective function, thus completing the optimization of dance movement matching in music choreography. The research results show that 83.5% of the students think that dance movement skills are relevant in teaching and can achieve the teaching effect faster and more effectively, and 70% of the students think that they have enough learning time to grasp the form of technical movements more skillfully. Therefore, it is very important to analyze the dance movement techniques in colleges and universities to teach and improve the quality of teaching.

Abstract Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive endocrine disorder that frequently exhibits low-grade inflammation, pro-oxidant activity, and gut dysbiosis. PCOS has become one of the leading causes of female infertility worldwide. Recently, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been proven to benefit metabolic disorders in PCOS patients. However, its roles in the regulation of metabolic and endocrinal balances in PCOS pathophysiology are not clear. In the present study, we aimed to explore how omega-3 PUFAs alleviate ovarian dysfunction and insulin resistance in mice with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-induced PCOS by modulating the gut microbiota. Methods We induced PCOS in female mice by injecting them with DHEA and then treated them with omega-3 PUFAs. 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) amplicon sequencing, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and antibiotic treatment were used to evaluate the role of microbiota in the regulation of ovarian functions and insulin resistance (IR) by omega-3 PUFAs. To further investigate the mechanism of gut microbiota on omega-3-mediated ovarian and metabolic protective effects, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in ovaries and thermogenic markers in subcutaneous and brown adipose tissues were investigated. Results We found that oral supplementation with omega-3 PUFAs ameliorates the PCOS phenotype. 16S rDNA analysis revealed that omega-3 PUFA treatment increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria in the gut, thereby alleviating DHEA-induced gut dysbiosis. Antibiotic treatment and FMT experiments further demonstrated that the mechanisms underlying omega-3 benefits likely involve direct effects on the ovary to inhibit inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-18. In addition, the gut microbiota played a key role in the improvement of adipose tissue morphology and function by decreasing multilocular cells and thermogenic markers such as Ucp1, Pgc1a, Cited and Cox8b within the subcutaneous adipose tissues. Conclusion These findings indicate that omega-3 PUFAs ameliorate androgen-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis. The gut microbiota plays a key role in the regulation of omega-3-mediated IR protective effects in polycystic ovary syndrome mice. Moreover, omega-3 PUFA-regulated improvements in the ovarian dysfunction associated with PCOS likely involve direct effects on the ovary to inhibit inflammation. Our findings suggest that omega-3 supplementation may be a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of PCOS by modulating gut microbiota and alleviating ovarian dysfunction and insulin resistance.

Due to its good biocompatibility and compatible hardness with human bones, magnesium (Mg) alloy is considered as a promising material for bone nails and implants. However, Mg and its alloys are characteristics of active chemical properties and high corrosion rate, which is detrimental to the recovery of patients implanted with Mg alloy bone scaffold. In the present work, to retard the corrosion of the Mg alloy, calcium glycerophosphate (C3H7CaO6P•H2O) was added in the electrolyte to form the micro-arc oxidation (MAO) coatings. Various experimental techniques such as XRD, SEM and EDS have been used to characterize the surface morphology and phase composition of MAO coatings. MAO coatings of different CaP content were studied to explore the synergetic effect between the biocompatibility and corrosive properties by means of electrochemical measurements, hemolysis and pyrogen test. The results showed that higher CaP content can improve the biocompatibility and corrosion resistance while decelerating the hemolysis rate.

Objective: To improve the content of effective components, in vitro antioxidant capacity and α-amylase inhibition rate of tartary buckwheat. Methods: Using Tartary buckwheat as raw material, the effects were studied, including the sprouting and sprouting combined with hydrothermal treatment on the effective components （total flavonoids, total phenols, rutin and quercetin）, the antioxidant activity and hypoglycemia in tartary buckwheat. And the quality of the samples was comprehensively evaluated by principal component analysis. Results: The contents of flavonoids and rutin in germinated group reached the maximum at 6 days after germination, which were 26.54 mg/g and 13.88 mg/g, 1.22 and 2.95 times of those in non-germinated group, respectively. The content of polyphenols reached the maximum of 23.44 mg/g on the 2nd day after germination, which was 29.1% higher than that in the non-germinated group. The inhibition rate of α-amylase reached the maximum of 37.29% on the 4th day of germination. Quercetin content reached the maximum of 7.65 mg/g on the 4th day of germination. The content of resistant starch reached the maximum of 34.92% on the first day after germination. In the germinating combined with hydrothermal treatment group, the content of flavonoids reached the maximum of 31.89 mg/g on the 6th day, which was 1.47 times of that in ungerminated group. The content of polyphenols reached the maximum of 31.26 mg/g on the 3rd day, which was 72.2% higher than that in the non-germinated group. The inhibition rate of α-amylase reached the maximum of 47.33% on the 4th day, which increased by 47.90% compared with the non-germinated group. The content of rutin reached the maximum of 22.31 mg/g on the first day, which was 4.75 times of that in the non-germinated group. The content of quercetin reached the maximum of 9.8 mg/g on the 4th day combined with hydrothermal treatment. The scavenging rate of DPPH radical, ABTS radical, and hydroxyl radical and ferric reducing antioxidant power reached the maximum on the 6th, 5th, 4th and 2nd day combined with hydrothermal treatment, which were 62.72%, 65.18%, 33.36% and 13.44 mmol, respectively. The content of resistant starch in Tartary buckwheat reached the maximum of 46.73% after 4 days of germination combined with hydrothermal treatment. The results of principal component analysis showed that the integrated score was the highest on the 4th day of germination combined hydrothermal treatment. Conclusion: The effective components and functional effects of Tartary buckwheat are improved after germination, and the quality of germinating combined with hydrothermal treatment is better than that of germinating group.

Abstract Highly efficient gas sensors able to detect and identify hazardous gases are crucial for numerous applications. Array of conventional single-output sensors is currently limited by problems including drift, large size, and high cost. Here, we report a sensor with multiple chemiresistive and potentiometric outputs for discriminative gas detection. Such sensor is applicable to a wide range of semiconducting electrodes and solid electrolytes, which allows to tailor and optimize the sensing pattern by tuning the material combination and conditions. The sensor performance is boosted by equipping a mixed-conducting perovskite electrode with reverse potentiometric polarity. A conceptual sensor with dual sensitive electrodes achieves superior three-dimensional (sub)ppm sensing and discrimination of humidity and seven hazardous gases (2-Ethylhexanol, ethanol, acetone, toluene, ammonia, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide), and enables accurate and early warning of fire hazards. Our findings offer possibilities to design simple, compact, inexpensive, and highly efficient multivariate gas sensors.

Abstract India’s attempt to forge a distinct role for itself in the global order started soon after independence in 1947. Since this watershed event, India’s policymakers have gradually recast their initial strategy of nonalignment, as they realized that Nehruvian “soft” power was not adequate for creating an especially dynamic presence in an increasingly volatile international environment. In response to this realization, India embarked on a journey of transforming its diplomatic benchmarks. In 2017, to counter China’s assertiveness across the region, India joined then-U.S. President Donald Trump’s advocacy in launching the Indo-Pacific strategy. Transforming the nation’s diplomatic benchmarks while maintaining a coherent narrative of national identity was the main challenge. This paper examines the role that media narratives play in maintaining that coherent national identity. To do so, we analyzed 47 reports by the Times of India (TOI) on the Indo-Pacific strategy in order to reveal how elite media strategically framed the nation’s regional policy, thereby ensuring its ontological security—its sense of continuity and order—while conveying its global aspirations.

The effects of oxygen content on the microstructure and creep properties of the FGH96 superalloy were investigated. When oxygen content increased from 135 ppm to 341 ppm, the prior particle boundary (PPB) rose from degree 2 to degree 3, the size of the γ′ phase on PPB enlarged from 1.07 μm to 1.27 μm, and the MC carbide size grew from 77.4 nm to 104.0 nm. Meanwhile, the steady creep rate accelerated from 4.34 × 10−3 h−1 to 1.87 × 10−2 h−1, and the creep rupture life shortened from 176 h to 94 h, the creep rupture mode transferred from intergranular and transgranular mixed fracture to along PPB fracture. During creep, the micro-twin formation and gliding will be restrained by ∑3 boundaries. FGH96 superalloy with higher oxygen content contains less ∑3 boundaries, and its micro-twins cross-slipped instead of single-direction slip in lower oxygen content superalloy. Consequently, samples with a higher oxygen content crept faster and ruptured earlier.

A new category of Al-doped cobalt-based dual phase entropic alloys with high corrosion resistance properties was designed in the present work. CALPHAD (CALculation of PHAse Diagram) aided prediction was performed to facilitate the alloy design. Two groups of alloys have been extensively investigated by various techniques. One group was quenched in water from the homogenization temperature (i.e. 1200 °C) to room temperature. The other group was subsequently quenched in liquid nitrogen from room temperature. The microstructure of the proposed alloys was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Several kinds of electrochemical tests were performed to study the corrosion behaviors of the designed alloys in NaCl solution, including open circuit potential (OCP), polarization and cyclic polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), electrochemical noise (ECN), linear voltammetry curves and staircase voltammetry scan, and Mott–Schottky method. The obtained results show that Al has a minor influence on the corrosion property of this series alloy with a 0 to 2 at.% Al addition. All the designed alloys hold quite acceptable corrosion resistance. In addition, a mechanical property, i.e. micro-hardness, is also provided as a supplement information. This work sheds light on the correlation between computational thermodynamics and corrosion behaviors in cobalt-based dual-phase entropic alloys, as well as to provide a feasibility study on the important role of CALPHAD method for a rapid development of a new category of high performance alloys.

Objective: This study aimed to optimize the extraction process of Porphyra haitanensis polyphenols to develop natural hypoglycemic foods. Methods: The Box-Behnken response surface method was used to optimize the extraction process of P. haitanensis polyphenols. The α-glucosidase inhibition activity was applied to evaluate the hypoglycemic activity of P. haitanensis polyphenols at different harvest periods, and the antioxidant activities of them were evaluated based on DPPH, ABTS+ radical scavenging rate and ORAC value. Results: The optimal extraction process conditions were liquid-solid ratio (Vethanol∶mP. haitanensis) 51∶1, ethanol concentration 56% and ultrasonication time 51 min. Under the control of these conditions, the extracted content of polyphenols was 5.027 mg/g. The inhibition of α-glucosidase activity by P. haitanensis polyphenols was in a concentration-dependent manner, and the inhibition by the fourth-harvest-period polyphenols was significantly higher than other harvest periods polyphenols. P. haitanensis polyphenols at different harvest periods showed antioxidant activity, and the antioxidant activity of the fourth-harvest-period polyphenols was strongest. Conclusion: The high polyphenol contents, strong inhibition of α-glucosidase activity and strong antioxidant capacity of the fourth-harvest-period makes it an excellent food source for developing natural hypoglycemic foods and antioxidants.

Recrystallization behaviour and texture evolution of Fe–3Si alloy strip by electropulsing treatment (EPT) were investigated through EBSD and X-ray diffraction techniques. It was found that EPT remarkably reduced recrystallization temperature of Fe–3Si alloy, induced full recrystallization at 550 °C in a short time (10 s), fine and uniform recrystallization grains accompanied with a small amount of Goss orientated grains were obtained. Compared with the conventional isothermal annealing, EPT effectively promoted the nucleation of Goss orientated recrystallization grains and suppressed swallowing of Goss orientated grains by other oriented grains due to both short treatment time and fast cooling rate of EPT, which was the main reason for EPT induced Goss orientated grains. EPT can work as a new heat treatment process for silicon steel to simultaneously obtain Goss orientated as well as fine and uniform grains, indicating the advantages of high efficiency, low energy consumption and low cost.