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The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of three different types of bariatric surgeries, namely, sleeve gastrectomy (SG), one-anastomotic gastric bypass (OAGB), and single anastomosis sleeve ileal (SASI) bypass, in the treatment of metabolic syndrome (MS). The optimal approach for managing MS remains uncertain, and thus this study aimed to provide a recent analysis of the efficacy of these surgical procedures. This retrospective study evaluated data of individuals who underwent SG, OAGB, and SASI bypass. The primary outcome measures included weight, body mass index (BMI), glucolipid metabolic index, and the occurrence of treatment-related complications within 6 to 12 months post-surgery. A total of 324 patients were included in this study. Of these, 264 patients underwent SG, 30 underwent OAGB, and 30 underwent SASI bypass. A significant decrease in weight was observed at the 6-month and 12-month marks following all three surgical procedures. Of these, patients who underwent SASI bypass exhibited the greatest reduction in weight and BMI post-surgery. Furthermore, the SASI bypass was associated with a significantly higher percentage of total weight loss (%TWL) and excess body mass index loss (%EBMIL) compared to SG and OAGB. Patients who underwent OAGB and SASI bypass demonstrated notable improvements in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Patients who underwent SASI bypass and OAGB experienced greater postoperative comfort and reported fewer complaints of discomfort compared to the other procedure. Based on the retrospective analysis of the data, SASI bypass was associated with greater reductions in weight and BMI, higher percentages of %TWL and %EBMIL, and better improvement in T2DM compared to SG and OAGB. Therefore, both SASI bypass and OAGB were found to be more effective than SG in the treatment of MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-scale feature fusion techniques and covariance pooling have been shown to have positive implications for completing computer vision tasks, including fine-grained image classification. However, existing algorithms that use multi-scale feature fusion techniques for fine-grained classification tend to consider only the first-order information of the features, failing to capture more discriminative features. Likewise, existing fine-grained classification algorithms using covariance pooling tend to focus only on the correlation between feature channels without considering how to better capture the global and local features of the image. Therefore, this paper proposes a multi-scale covariance pooling network (MSCPN) that can capture and better fuse features at different scales to generate more representative features. Experimental results on the CUB200 and MIT indoor67 datasets achieve state-of-the-art performance (CUB200: 94.31% and MIT indoor67: 92.11%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The near-space atmosphere is thin, and the atmospheric refraction and scattering on optical observation is very small, making it very suitable for wide-area and high-resolution surveillance using high-altitude balloon platforms. This paper adopts a 9344 × 7000 CMOS sensor to obtain high-resolution images, generating large-field-of-view imaging through the swing scanning of the photoelectric sphere and image stitching. In addition, a zoom lens is designed to achieve flexible applications for different scenarios, such as large-field-of-view and high-resolution imaging. The optical design results show that the camera system has good imaging quality within the focal length range of 320 mm–106.7 mm, and the relative distortion values at different focal lengths are less than 2%. The flight results indicate that the system can achieve seamless image stitching at a resolution of 0.2 m@20 km and the imaging field of view angle exceeds 33°. This system will perform other near-space flight experiments to verify its ultra-wide (field of view exceeding 100°) high-resolution imaging application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The pathogenesis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection involves cytoadherence of M. pneumoniae to the ciliated respiratory epithelium (CRE), followed by CRE injury caused by the M. pneumoniae. However, whether CRE abnormalities are related to the severity of M. pneumoniae pneumonia (MP) remains to be determined. Methods: Thirty-eight patients with MP and 8 controls who underwent fiber-optic bronchoscopy with bronchial biopsy were included in this study. Patients with MP were divided into 2 groups: a mild disease group (12 patients) and a severe disease group (26 patients). The clinical features, laboratory findings, chest radiographic findings, and CRE abnormalities were characterized. Results: Patients with severe pneumonia had a higher epithelial integrity score than those with mild pneumonia (5.1 ± 0.76 vs 3.8 ± 0.75; p < 0.01). Patients with severe CRE abnormalities had a longer duration of fever ( p < 0.01), higher C-reactive protein ( p < 0.01), and lower proportion of blood lymphocytes ( p < 0.05) compared to those with mild abnormalities. Patients with a positive bacteria culture had a higher epithelial integrity score compared to those with a negative culture (6.0 ± 0.44 vs 4.8 ± 0.71; p < 0.01). Conclusions: CRE abnormalities are closely related to the severity of MP. These findings extend our current knowledge of MP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impressive capabilities of the mammalian brain-ranging from perception, pattern recognition and memory formation to decision making and motor activity control-have inspired their re-creation in a wide range of artificial intelligence systems for applications such as face recognition, anomaly detection, medical diagnosis and robotic vehicle control. Yet before neuron-based brains evolved, complex biomolecular circuits provided individual cells with the 'intelligent' behaviour required for survival. However, the study of how molecules can 'think' has not produced an equal variety of computational models and applications of artificial chemical systems. Although biomolecular systems have been hypothesized to carry out neural-network-like computations in vivo and the synthesis of artificial chemical analogues has been proposed theoretically, experimental work has so far fallen short of fully implementing even a single neuron. Here, building on the richness of DNA computing and strand displacement circuitry, we show how molecular systems can exhibit autonomous brain-like behaviours. Using a simple DNA gate architecture that allows experimental scale-up of multilayer digital circuits, we systematically transform arbitrary linear threshold circuits (an artificial neural network model) into DNA strand displacement cascades that function as small neural networks. Our approach even allows us to implement a Hopfield associative memory with four fully connected artificial neurons that, after training in silico, remembers four single-stranded DNA patterns and recalls the most similar one when presented with an incomplete pattern. Our results suggest that DNA strand displacement cascades could be used to endow autonomous chemical systems with the capability of recognizing patterns of molecular events, making decisions and responding to the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To construct sophisticated biochemical circuits from scratch, one needs to understand how simple the building blocks can be and how robustly such circuits can scale up. Using a simple DNA reaction mechanism based on a reversible strand displacement process, we experimentally demonstrated several digital logic circuits, culminating in a four-bit square-root circuit that comprises 130 DNA strands. These multilayer circuits include thresholding and catalysis within every logical operation to perform digital signal restoration, which enables fast and reliable function in large circuits with roughly constant switching time and linear signal propagation delays. The design naturally incorporates other crucial elements for large-scale circuitry, such as general debugging tools, parallel circuit preparation, and an abstraction hierarchy supported by an automated circuit compiler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a DNA algorithm which adds two nonnegative binary integers using self-assembly in constant steps. The approach has the benefit of greater experimental simplicity when compared with previous DNA addition algorithms. For the addition of two binary n-bit integers, O(n) is different from DNA strands and only O(1) biochemical experimental procedures are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is the most widely distributed neurotrophin in the central nervous system (CNS), and performs many biological functions such as neural survival, differentiation, and plasticity. Previous studies have suggested that variants in the BDNF gene increase the risk of schizophrenia. In this study, we genotyped one (GT) n dinucleotide repeat and three SNPs (rs6265, rs2030324, and rs2883187) in a Chinese sample (617 cases and 672 controls). In addition, we performed an updated meta-analysis based on 16 population-based case-control studies examining association between rs6265 and schizophrenia. In single-locus analysis, no significant association was found between BDNF polymorphisms and schizophrenia in our subjects. The meta-analysis based on Asian and Caucasian subjects did not give positive result that rs6265 is associated with schizophrenia. However, haplotype analysis found a common four-locus haplotype is protective against schizophrenia (Case 3.1% vs Control 7%, p =0.0011). Our data provides evidence that BDNF is a susceptibility gene for schizophrenia in Chinese subjects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this research, a nanoscale DNA structure of analogic China map is created. The nanostructure of roughly 150 nm in diameter with a spatial resolution of 6 nm is purely constructed by folding DNA. The picture observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) is almost identical with the designed shape. The DNA origami technology invented by Rothemund in 2006 is employed in the construction of this shape, which has proved the capability of constructing almost any complicated shape enabled by DNA origami, and provides new bottom-up method for constructing nanostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rural commodity economy in the Edo period developed by leaps and bounds under the influence of institution, policy, technology and other factors. From the mid 17th century, the specific area of cash crops gradually took shape in Japan and the largescale cultivation of cash crops gready promoted the development of rural handicrafts, thereby creating the conditions for the initiation of the capitalist relations of production. The development of rural commodity economy not only changed the traditional mode of operation and production of Japanese farmers, but also accelerated the class differentiation, shook and disintegrated he economic foundation and class basis of Bakuhan society, and created the preconditions for the later Meiji Restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Safinamide reduced LPS-induced expression of IL-1α, IL-6, TNF-α, CXCL1, CCL2, MMP-2, and MMP-9 in U937 macrophages; • Safinamide prevented LPS-induced expression of COX-2, iNOS, and the production of PGE 2 and NO; • Safinamide prevented activation of NF-κB mediated by Nrf2 in U937 macrophages. Inflammation is a basal host defense response that eliminates the causes and consequences of infection and tissue injury. Macrophages are the primary immune cells involved in the inflammatory response. When activated by LPS, macrophages release various pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, inflammatory mediators, and MMPs. However, unbridled inflammation causes further damage to tissues. Safinamide is a selective and reversible monoamine oxidase B (MAOB) inhibitor that has been used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether safinamide has effects on LPS-treated macrophages. Our results show that safinamide inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1α, TNF-α, and IL-6. Furthermore, safinamide suppressed the production of CXCL1 and CCL2, thereby preventing leukocyte migration. In addition, safinamide reduced iNOS-derived NO, COX-2-derived PGE 2 , MMP-2, and MMP-9. Importantly, the functions of safinamide mentioned above were found to be dependent on its inhibitory effect on the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. Our data indicates that safinamide may exert a protective effect against inflammatory response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric clouds and fogs can weaken the intensity of the visible light by absorption, refraction, scattering and reflection, which greatly affect the detection effect of ground-based optical observation instruments. To solve this problem, near-earth space-based optical observation platform is a good choice which is more flexible and cheaper than satellite-based optical observation platform in space. This paper describes the whole design of the near-earth space optical observation payload cabin including electronics design and mechanical design. The payload capacity is 100Kg and supports 4x RS422, 4x CameraLink, 4x analog video and 4x LAN, it can provide energy supply, mode control, temperature control, data storage and data transmission services for the experiment loads. The payload cabin developed in this paper has participated in the actual experiment and reached to an altitude of 20 Km, and then safely landed after staying for 2 h in the stratosphere. The scientific load obtained real and reliable experimental data and the optical loads also obtained precious data and images during the experiment. The payload cabin developed in this experiment will take ultraviolet spectrograph, low-light level night vision device, planetary telescope and multi-band airglow imager to an altitude above 20Km for experiment in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A natural feature of molecular systems is their inherent stochastic behavior. A fundamental challenge related to the programming of molecular information processing systems is to develop a circuit architecture that controls the stochastic states of individual molecular events. Here we present a systematic implementation of probabilistic switching circuits, using DNA strand displacement reactions. Exploiting the intrinsic stochasticity of molecular interactions, we developed a simple, unbiased DNA switch: An input signal strand binds to the switch and releases an output signal strand with probability one-half. Using this unbiased switch as a molecular building block, we designed DNA circuits that convert an input signal to an output signal with any desired probability. Further, this probability can be switched between 2n different values by simply varying the presence or absence of n distinct DNA molecules. We demonstrated several DNA circuits that have multiple layers and feedback, including a circuit that converts an input strand to an output strand with eight different probabilities, controlled by the combination of three DNA molecules. These circuits combine the advantages of digital and analog computation: They allow a small number of distinct input molecules to control a diverse signal range of output molecules, while keeping the inputs robust to noise and the outputs at precise values. Moreover, arbitrarily complex circuit behaviors can be implemented with just a single type of molecular building block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs), have exhibited potential value for revolutionizing photovoltaic technology for space applications, and they have passed a series of tests in a simulated space environment. Nevertheless, the simulated space environment on land is definitely distinguished from the real‐space conditions, and the results cannot completely represent the real operating state of PSCs in space. Herein, PSCs mounted on a high‐altitude balloon are launched into near‐space and the current–voltage characteristics are measured in situ throughout the 19‐h flight, during which the PSCs are exposed directly to near‐space and experience wide temperature variation, vacuum, and strong irradiation. Thus, the diurnal performance evolution of PSCs is obtained for the first time and a possible variation mechanism is identified. The PSCs present expected stability and a champion power density of ≈12 mW cm−2 at noon, which is demonstrated as the highest result achieved in near‐space for PSCs. Additionally, despite a complex degradation process, the PSCs still deliver a high energy density comparable to that of silicon solar cells. Finally, the challenges facing the space application of PSCs are discussed. This work highlights the feasibility of PSCs in near space and provides direction for further exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming, short rod-shaped strain, NEAU-LLCT, was isolated from cow dung in Shangzhi City, Heilongjiang Province, Northeast China and identified by a polyphasic taxonomic study. Colonies was light yellow, round, with entire margin. Strain NEAU-LLCT was grown at 15–45 ℃ and pH 6.0–10.0. NaCl concentration ranged from 0 to 5% (W/V). The 16S rRNA gene sequence of NEAU-LLCT showed the high similarities with Microbacterium kyungheense JCM 18735T (98.5%), Microbacterium trichothecenolyticum JCM 1358T (98.3%) and Microbacterium jejuense JCM 18734T (98.2%). The whole-cell sugars were glucose, rhamnose and ribose. The menaquinones contained MK-12 and MK-13. Ornithine, glutamic acid, lysine and a small amount of alanine and glycine were the amino acids in the hydrolyzed products of the cell wall. The major fatty acids were iso-C16:0, iso-C18:0, anteiso-C15:0 and anteiso-C17:0. The main polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified glycolipid. The genome of NEAU-LLCT was 4,369,375 bp and G + C content is 70.28 mol%. A combination of DNA–DNA hybridization result and some phenotypic characteristics demonstrated that strain NEAU-LLCT could be distinguished from its closely related strains. Therefore, the strain NEAU-LLCT was considered to represent a novel species, which was named Microbacterium helvum sp. (Type strain NEAU-LLCT = CCTCC AA 2018026T = JCM 32661T). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a kind of large-scale unmanned aerial vehicle, a high-altitude balloon can carry a large load up to tens of kilometers in the near space for a long time, which brings a new way for the stratosphere atmospheric detection. In order to provide a suitable working environment for the near-space detection load, it is necessary to design a sensor system based on a high-altitude balloon, which is used to provide environmental temperature, height position, and attitude information, current working, and video surveillance. The high-altitude balloon-based sensor system designed in this paper had participated in the near-space flight experiment, whose total flight time was 30 h and 53 min, and the horizontal flight time was 28 h and 58 min crossing the day and night. The high-altitude balloon-based sensor system had withstood the severe environment of the near-space during the day and night, providing accurate temperature measurement, real-time altitude position and attitude data acquisition, reliable current monitoring, and comprehensive video surveillance. In the next three years, the high-altitude balloon-based sensor system developed in this paper will continue to participate in the experiment and provide support for more detection loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Near earth space is a space which has important strategic significance and application value in military, scientific exploration and other industry fields, one of the most practical application is to make a reconnaissance platform that can work normally in the near earth space. In this paper, a two-dimensional photoelectric turntable for video surveillance in near-earth space is designed, which can observe the azimuth angle 360° and pitch angle from −110° to 10°, and the capacity of this photoelectric turntable is 7 kg in a space of ϕ300 mm. The optical imaging load in the photoelectric turntable can output high-definition video in real time and the original image is stored in the memory card simultaneous. What is more, the imaging effect can be adjusted by controlling the magnification and focal length by sending commands through serial communication ports. The two-dimensional photoelectric turntable designed in this paper is mounted on the payload cabin and raised to 32.5 km for surveillance imaging. The experimental results show that the two-dimensional photoelectric turntable can work normally in the harsh near space environment, and the optical imaging load can output and record fluent high-definition video. The photoelectric turntable designed in this paper will be equipped with other optical load and take part in some near space exploration tasks in the future and obtain corresponding result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the characteristics of simple process, environmental friendliness and low operating costs, biometallurgy has become a popular technology for metals recovering from low-grade ores and tailings. In order to enhance the efficiency of bioleaching functional bacteria acquisition, the 9K agar was optimized by adjusting the ratio of two solutions to achieve better and faster solidification for the functional bacteria growth and isolation. By using the improved 9K agar, six functional stains within genera of Acidithiobacillus ferriphilus , A. ferrooxidans and Leptospirillum ferrooxidans were isolated from the enrichment of acid mine drainage. After the Fe2+ oxidation ability evaluation, three strains of WT1-1, XT2-2, and YT3-1 within the three genera were selected and employed as the individual inoculum for the bioleaching from polymetallic sulfide tailings. Eventually, a maximum leaching efficiency of 58.37% Cu, 53.14% Al, 80.09% Mg, and 76.95% Zn were observed by A. ferriphilus WT1-1 after 28 d. To further improve the bioleaching efficiency, the three strains were mixed proportionally as the inoculum in both one-step and two-step bioleaching processes. Comparing to the pure cultures, the leaching efficiencies of Cu and Mg were significantly enhanced in both one- and two-steps, while no significant change in Zn. By comparing the one- and two-step processes, leaching efficiencies of Al, Mg, and Zn were higher in the one-step process, whereas Cu was observed to be higher in the two-step process. Therefore, the selection on leaching process of one or two steps should be determined based on tailings composition and target metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A novel method for BR neutralization with waste sludge and acid-producing bacteria. • Applying the anaerobic fermented sludge improved the alkalinity and nutrition of BR. • Harmful metals reducing and mineral composition changes promote the BR soil formation. • The well growth of grass is achieved with the anaerobic fermented sludge remedied BR. • Bio-acid from organic wastes fermentation achieved the BR alkalinity neutralization. • Efficient acid-producing bacteria via low cost substrates will promote the BR remediation. The bioneutralization of alkaline bauxite residues (BR) presents a significant environmental challenge. However, this can be mitigated by generating organic acids in situ through the fermentative decomposition of carbohydrate-rich organic matter. This process is driven by organophilic and heterotrophic prokaryotes that are tolerant to extreme saline and alkaline conditions. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive evaluation on the effectiveness of various carbon sources and microbial inocula substrates, each with differing complexities, in modifying the physicochemical properties of BR. Our laboratory-scale bioreactors, integrating waste sludge and acid-producing bacteria for BR neutralization, achieved a significantly lower minimum pH (<8) in a considerably reduced timeframe (<20 days) compared to bioreactors using other inocula or carbon sources. This outcome was attributed to the fact that incorporation of waste sludge and acid-producing bacteria promoted fermentation pathways, yielding higher amounts of acetate and formate compared to other inocula. Overall, our findings indicate that the use of cost-effective carbon sources and acid-producing bacteria is a key component of an optimal system for BR treatment and effective bioneutralization. These results provide a comprehensive framework for creating more sustainable and cost-efficient strategies for managing BR waste, while mitigating environmental risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the third pole of the earth, Qinghai Tibet Plateau breeds many unique species; their population size, living environment and migration process have been observed and studied by many researchers. However, these observations are mainly carried out in summer with UAVs when the temperature is high, while they are hard to work in winter since the harsh environment such as low temperature and strong wind. Here, we used a tethered balloon to observe and monitor Tibetan animals in the winter of Tibet Plateau with a long wave refrigeration infrared camera (resolution is 0.2 m@2 Km). The camera was installed on a two dimensional stable platform and was raised up to 150 m by the tethered balloon. The experiment results show that the camera on the tethered balloon can complete the observation in the harsh environment and obtain better images and videos including the mating process of two Tibetan antelopes. After this experiment, the acquired videos were used for further processing, such as motion detection and animal counting. This method can be used to observe other species occupying similar environment, such as Tibetan yak and Equus kiang. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic responses and load sharing features of a two-path split torque gear transmission system are investigated in this study. The possible combinations of shaft angles to ensure the gear pairs work properly are determined considering the adjacency relationship, concentric relationship, geometrical conditions and installation conditions. A dynamic model of the system considering time-varying mesh stiffness, backlash, static transmission error, stagger angle excitations and gyroscopic effects of gear body and flexible shaft is proposed. The natural characteristics of the system including natural frequencies and critical speeds are obtained. The influences of the shaft angle, asymmetric transmission error excitations and right-to-left stagger angle of double-helical gear teeth on the dynamic transmission error responses and load sharing features of the two-path split torque gear transmission system are investigated. Several references to determine the system parameters to improve the transmission property and load sharing performance of the system are provided based on the numerical simulation results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]