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This study was designed to develop a 30 m resolution land cover dataset to improve the performance of regional weather forecasting models in East China. A 10-class land cover mapping scheme was established, reflecting East China's diverse landscape characteristics and incorporating a new category for plastic greenhouses. Plastic greenhouses are key to understanding surface heterogeneity in agricultural regions, as they can significantly impact local climate conditions, such as heat flux and evapotranspiration, yet they are often not represented in conventional land cover classifications. This is mainly due to the lack of high-resolution datasets capable of detecting these small yet impactful features. For the six-province study area, we selected and processed Landsat 8 imagery from 2015–2018, filtering for cloud cover. Complementary datasets, such as digital elevation models (DEM) and nighttime lighting data, were integrated to enrich the inputs for the Random Forest classification. A comprehensive training dataset was compiled to support Random Forest training and classification accuracy. We developed an automated workflow to manage the data processing, including satellite image selection, preprocessing, classification, and image mosaicking, thereby ensuring the system's practicality and facilitating future updates. We included three Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model experiments in this study to highlight the impact of our land cover maps on daytime and nighttime temperature predictions. The resulting regional land cover dataset achieved an overall accuracy of 83.2% and a Kappa coefficient of 0.81. These accuracy statistics are higher than existing national and global datasets. The model results suggest that the newly developed land cover, combined with a mosaic option in the Unified Noah scheme in WRF, provided the best overall performance for both daytime and nighttime temperature predictions. In addition to supporting the WRF model, our land cover map products, with a planned 3–5-year update schedule, could serve as a valuable data source for ecological assessments in the East China region, informing environmental policy and promoting sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid wastes have been widely used as a cement substitute in precast concrete. On the one hand, solid waste can effectively ameliorate a series of problems caused by steam curing. On the other hand, the use of solid waste can reduce the amount of cement used in the construction industry and reduce carbon emissions. However, due to the complexity of the steam curing system, the performance of precast concrete prepared under different steam curing conditions varies greatly. Moreover, there are a wide variety of solid wastes, and the differences in the physicochemical properties of different solid wastes are significant. Therefore, it is necessary to systematically determine the mechanism of action of commonly used solid wastes. In this paper, the steam curing system is introduced in detail, and the mechanism of action of solid waste in precast concrete is systematically summarized. It was found that an appropriate increase in the temperature and duration of steam curing facilitates the strength development of precast concrete. In addition, there is a difference in the effect of the addition of solid wastes on the early and late strength of precast concrete, which usually leads to a decrease in the demolding strength of precast concrete, but increases the late strength of precast concrete. This study provides a reference for rationally regulating steam curing systems and realizing the comprehensive utilization of solid wastes in precast concrete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preliminary evidence demonstrates that visit-to-visit systolic blood pressure (SBP) variability is a prognostic factor of TBI. However, literature regarding the impact of initial blood pressure management on the outcomes of TBI patients is limited. We aimed to further validate the clinical significance of BPV on the prognostic outcomes of patients with TBI. Methods: We performed the analysis by using individual patient-level data acquired from the eICU-CRD, which collected 200,859 ICU admissions of 139,367 patients in 2014 and 2015 from 208 US hospitals. Adult patients with traumatic intraparenchymal hemorrhage or contusion were included. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality and the secondary outcome was discharge-home rate. Blood pressure variability (BPV) was calculated according to standard criteria: at least six measurements were taken in the first 24 h (hyperacute group) and 36 over days 2–7 (acute group). We estimated the associations between BPV and outcomes with logistic and proportional odds regression models. The key parameter for BPV was standard deviation (SD) of SBP, categorized into quintiles. We also calculated the average real variability (ARV), as well as maximum, minimum, and mean SBP for comparison in our analysis. Results: We studied 1486 patients in the hyperacute group and 857 in the acute group. SD of SBP had a significant association with the in-hospital mortality for both the hyperacute group (highest quintile adjusted OR 2.28 95% CI 1.18–4.42; ptrend<0.001) and the acute group (highest quintile adjusted OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.08–4.36; ptrend<0.001). The strongest predictors of primary outcome were SD of SBP in the hyperacute phase and minimum SBP in the acute phase. Associations were similar for the discharge-home rate (for the hyperacute group, highest quintile adjusted OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.37–0.89; ptrend<0.001; for the acute group OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.32–0.95; ptrend<0.001). Conclusion: Systolic BPV seems to predict a poor outcome in patients with TBI. The benefits of early treatment to maintain appropriate SBP level might be enhanced by smooth and sustained control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In satellite imagery, clouds obstruct the ground information, directly impacting various downstream applications. Thus, cloud annotation/cloud detection serves as the initial preprocessing step in remote sensing image analysis. Recently, deep learning methods have significantly improved in the field of cloud detection, but training these methods necessitates abundant annotated data, which requires experts with professional domain knowledge. Moreover, the influx of remote sensing data from new satellites has further led to an increase in the cost of cloud annotation. To address the dependence on labeled datasets and professional domain knowledge, this paper proposes an automatic cloud annotation method for satellite remote sensing images, CloudAUE. Unlike traditional approaches, CloudAUE does not rely on labeled training datasets and can be operated by users without domain expertise. To handle the irregular shapes of clouds, CloudAUE firstly employs a convex hull algorithm for selecting cloud and non-cloud regions by polygons. When selecting convex hulls, the cloud region is first selected, and points at the edges of the cloud region are sequentially selected as polygon vertices to form a polygon that includes the cloud region. Then, the same selection is performed on non-cloud regions. Subsequently, the fast KD-Tree algorithm is used for pixel classification. Finally, an uncertainty method is proposed to evaluate the quality of annotation. When the confidence value of the image exceeds a preset threshold, the annotation process terminates and achieves satisfactory results. When the value falls below the threshold, the image needs to undergo a subsequent round of annotation. Through experiments on two labeled datasets, HRC and Landsat 8, CloudAUE demonstrates comparable or superior accuracy to deep learning algorithms, and requires only one to two annotations to obtain ideal results. An unlabeled self-built Google Earth dataset is utilized to validate the effectiveness and generalizability of CloudAUE. To show the extension capabilities in various fields, CloudAUE also achieves desirable results on a forest fire dataset. Finally, some suggestions are provided to improve annotation performance and reduce the number of annotations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pursuit of device miniaturization and the generation of complex output responses has driven the development of optically tunable metasurfaces. Among these advancements, metasurface‐based vortex beams (VBs) have emerged as promising optically tunable knob technology due to their infinite output states through various orbital angular momentum (OAM) modes. In this study, the metasurface‐based VBs are successfully fabricated with exceptionally high OAM modes of 32 and 16, carefully examined using the Mach‐Zehnder interferometer. Throughout this study, these devices are referred to as infinite‐OAM meta‐knobs (IOMKs). The optical tunability of IOMKs is demonstrated by illuminating them with incident light possessing diverse degrees of freedom, including different polarizations and wavelengths. Furthermore, the interference nature of the IOMKs is experimentally explored by incorporating them into interference eraser measurements, providing an additional degree of freedom to the optical knob. In the interference eraser experiment, the broadband capability and the high reproducibility of the IOMKs with the OAM modes of 32 and 16 at three distinct wavelengths of 450, 530, and 610 nm is demonstrated. These findings represent a significant step toward understanding the potential applications of IOMKs in quantum optics and their promising role in the generation of complex output states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Singleton distractors may inadvertently capture attention, interfering with the task at hand. The underlying neural mechanisms of how we prevent or handle distractor interference remain elusive. Here, we varied the type of salient distractor introduced in a visual search task: the distractor could be defined in the same (shape) dimension as the target, a different (color) dimension, or a different (tactile) modality (intra‐dimensional, cross‐dimensional, and, respectively, cross‐modal distractor, all matched for physical salience); and besides behavioral interference, we measured lateralized electrophysiological indicators of attentional selectivity (the N2pc, Ppc, PD, CCN/CCP, CDA, and cCDA). The results revealed the intra‐dimensional distractor to produce the strongest reaction‐time interference, associated with the smallest target‐elicited N2pc. In contrast, the cross‐dimensional and cross‐modal distractors did not engender any significant interference, and the target‐elicited N2pc was comparable to the condition in which the search display contained only the target singleton, thus ruling out early attentional capture. Moreover, the cross‐modal distractor elicited a significant early CCN/CCP, but did not influence the target‐elicited N2pc, suggesting that the tactile distractor is registered by the somatosensory system (rather than being proactively suppressed), without, however, engaging attention. Together, our findings indicate that, in contrast to distractors defined in the same dimension as the target, distractors singled out in a different dimension or modality can be effectively prevented to engage attention, consistent with dimension‐ or modality‐weighting accounts of attentional priority computation. This study contributes to resolving hot debates of attentional capture. Participants ignored task‐irrelevant distractors without attentional engagement rather than actively suppressing them. Especially, the cross‐modal distractor elicited sensorimotor ERPs, but participants did not deploy attentional resources to it. The results supported distractor handling via down‐weighted or no‐engagement to task‐irrelevant features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the effect of microRNA 146a (miR-146a) overexpressed bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) exosomes on spinal cord injury (SCI) recovery. Rat BMMSCs were isolated and transfected with miR-146a mimic (miR-mimic) and control mimic (NC-mimic), after which their exosomes were isolated. Afterward, SCI rat models were constructed, then treated with phosphate buffer saline (PBS), NC BMMSCs exosomes (separated from the culture medium of BMMSCs with NC-mimic), and miR-146a overexpressed BMMSCs exosomes (isolated from the culture medium of BMMSCs with miR-mimic), respectively; additionally, rats underwent sham surgery were treated with PBS as controls. MiR-146a was upregulated in BMMSCs, and BMMSCs derived exosomes post miR-mimic transfection. Then in SCI rats, BMMSCs exosomes elevated the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) score and reduced hematoxylin&eosin-reflected spinal cord tissue injury. In addition, BMMSCs exosomes did not affect TUNEL positive cells rate while increased NeuN(+) cells/field in spinal cord tissue from SCI rats. As for inflammation, BMMSCs exosomes repressed pro-inflammatory cytokine expressions, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, in spinal cord tissue from SCI rats. Furthermore, miR-146a overexpressed BMMSCs exosomes presented with notably better effects regarding elevating BBB score in SCI rats and reducing tissue injury, neuron apoptosis, and inflammation while enhancing neuron viability in spinal cord tissue from SCI rats. MiR-146a overexpressed BMMSCs exosomes enhance locomotor capacity and neuron viability while reducing neuron apoptosis and spinal cord tissue inflammation in SCI rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem: Immunomodulation profoundly affects the process of human implantation. Trophoblast cell‐derived microparticles (Tr‐MPs) may activate specific T cells to attack trophoblast cells, thus potentially acting as an immunocontraceptive vaccine. The safety and persistence of Tr‐MP vaccine are needed to address. Method of study: Flow cytometry and confocal fluorescent microscopy were conducted to detect cellular absorptivity and localization of Tr‐MPs in bone marrow‐derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). The phenotype and cytokine secretion of BMDC and T cells were performed by flow cytometry and enzyme‐linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA). The constructed vaccine female moused model were used to observe the infertile effect and safety of Tr‐MPs. Results: As compared with non‐irradiation exposure groups, the number of MPs released by trophoblast cells in ultraviolet immunized groups significantly increased. The phagocytosis of Tr‐MPs led to the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs), which, in turn, activate T cells. Then cytotoxic T cells attacking trophoblast cells. In mouse model, female mice were infertile after receiving Tr‐MPs, and the effect of contraception is transient and safety. Conclusion: Using Tr‐MPs to initiate an adaptive immune response against alloantigens in trophoblast cells. Tr‐MPs may be a new candidate for the development of contraceptive vaccines due to its effectiveness, safety, and reversibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) represents a common and serious disease that can cause intestinal barrier dysfunction. However, the pathogenesis of this barrier dysfunction remains unclear. Exosomes are a new intercellular communication method involved in multiple diseases. Consequently, the present study sought to determine the function of circulating exosomes in barrier dysfunction associated with SAP. A rat model of SAP was established by injecting biliopancreatic duct with 5% sodium taurocholate. Circulating exosomes were purified from SAP (SAP‐Exo) and sham operation rats (SO‐Exo) using a commercial kit. In vitro, SO‐Exo and SAP‐Exo were cocultured with rat intestinal epithelial (IEC‐6) cells. In vivo, naive rats were treated with SO‐Exo and SAP‐Exo. We found SAP‐Exo‐induced pyroptotic cell death and barrier dysfunction in vitro. In addition, miR‐155‐5p exhibited a remarkable increase in SAP‐Exo than SO‐Exo, and miR‐155‐5p inhibitor partially abolished the negative effect of SAP‐Exo on IEC‐6 cells. Furthermore, miRNA functional experiments revealed that miR‐155‐5p could induce pyroptosis and barrier loss in IEC‐6 cells. Overexpression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1), a miR‐155‐5p target, could partially reverse IEC‐6 cells from the harmful impact of miR‐155‐5p. In vivo, SAP‐Exo significantly triggered pyroptosis in intestinal epithelial cells and caused intestinal injury. In addition, blocking exosome release with GW4869 attenuated intestinal injury in SAP rats. In summary, our study demonstrated that miR‐155‐5p is highly enriched in circulating exosomes from SAP rat plasma and can be transported to intestinal epithelial cells, where it targets SOCS1 to activate NOD‐like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome‐mediated pyroptosis leading to intestinal barrier damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus (P) is an important indicator for evaluating eutrophication in water bodies. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), as a total elemental analysis technique, is widely used in various fields. This work proposes a new application for this technique based on the adsorption of P using iron hydroxide. Using this method, a calibration curve with an R2 of 0.996 was obtained along with an optimal limit of detection (LoD) of P in water of 0.1 mg L−1. The analysis of spiked river and pond water samples showed P recoveries ranging from 94% to 113%. This adsorption-based analytical method of P allows the highly accurate assessment of actual water samples and could have practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Caspase-11-mediated pyroptosis is essential for the progression of multiple diseases, but its role in SAP-induced AKI remains unknown. Aims: This research investigated whether caspase-11-mediated pyroptosis is involved in SAP-induced AKI and whether inhibiting caspase-11-mediated pyroptosis improves SAP-induced AKI. Methods: A rat model of SAP with AKI was established by slowly injecting 5% sodium taurocholate into the biliopancreatic duct, then wedelolactone (25 or 50 mg/kg), an inhibitor of caspase-11, was injected through the intra-peritoneum 1 and 6 h after SAP induction. Serum biochemical indexes, including serum amylase, lipase, interleukin (IL)-6, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and creatinine (Cr) in rats, were evaluated using biochemical test kits. Caspase-11 and gasdermin D (GSDMD) expression in the kidney tissues was evaluated by western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. IL-1β and IL-18 levels in kidney tissues were detected by ELISA kits. Furthermore, histopathological alterations of pancreas and kidney were assessed by H&E staining. Results: The serum biochemical indexes and pyroptosis-related proteins in kidney tissues were significantly increased after SAP induction. Furthermore, wedelolactone decreased the expression of pyroptosis-linked proteins in kidney tissues, reduced serum lipase, amylase, IL-6, TNF-α, BUN, and Cr, and ameliorated the renal and pancreatic histological damage in SAP rats. Conclusion: Caspase-11-mediated pyroptosis contributes to SAP-induced AKI, and targeting caspase-11-mediated pyroptosis might be a novel treatment strategy for SAP-induced AKI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A new screening strategy has been developed to select nucleic acid aptamer probes with an " in vivo -like" systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) process. • One methylation-specific aptamer with high affinity and specificity was selected and it could capture methylated cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from unfiltered blood of ovarian cancer (OvCa) patients. • This aptamer was conjugated onto magnetic beads and integrated into a new microfluidic chip for rapid and automatic detection and quantification of two prevalent methylated tumor suppressor genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, in the molecular profile of OvCa. A new screening strategy has been developed to select nucleic acid aptamer probes with an " in vivo -like" systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) process featuring positive, negative selection and in vivo -like selection steps. One methylation-specific aptamer with high affinity and specificity was selected and it could capture methylated cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from unfiltered blood of ovarian cancer (OvCa) patients. This aptamer was conjugated onto magnetic beads and integrated into a new microfluidic chip for rapid and automatic detection and quantification of two prevalent methylated tumor suppressor genes, breast cancer type 1 and 2 susceptibility protein (BRCA 1/2), in the molecular profile of OvCa. The assay was conducted under physiological conditions that mimic the microenvironment of cancer patients at 25–37 °C, with a low pH value (5.5) and/or high blood ion levels, without requiring additional sample preparation steps. The results of this study could be extrapolated to the direct detection of methylated cfDNA at levels as low as 1 pM in blood or plasma. Not only was DNA methylation observed in OvCa patients, but it was also detected in many other types of cancer; it is therefore considered an important factor in carcinogenesis. Hence, it is inferred that this screened aptamer should not only be used for OvCa diagnosis but also for multiple cancer epigenetic detection and drug development research in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiation grafting modification represents an eco-friendly approach to material alteration. In recent years, the application of electron beam radiation has seen substantial advancements due to its superior safety, controllability, and efficiency. Textiles, as vital human materials, are extensively employed in diverse sectors such as daily life, industrial production, medicine, and environmental protection. By undergoing physical and chemical modifications, textiles can gain additional functionalities and applications, thereby enhancing their effectiveness and broadening their usage scope. This paper offers a comparative analysis of the merits and drawbacks of plasma radiation, gamma radiation, and electron beam radiation for textile modification. It also provides an in-depth exploration of the impact of the electron beam radiation grafting modification method on textile fibers and fabric substrates. Additionally, this paper presents a comprehensive review of recent advancements in the application of electron beam radiation grafting methods in areas such as antibacterial textiles, flame retardant textiles, and hydrophilic/hydrophobic textiles. The current strengths, weaknesses, and development trends within this field are discussed, along with future prospects. • This study elucidates the impacts of electron beam radiation on textile materials and fibers. • Introduction to the principles of electron beam radiation grafting for textile modification. • Plasma, gamma and electron beam radiation modified textiles were compared. • Recent advances in the study of electron beam radiation graft-modified textiles are summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

W-NiTi tungsten heavy alloys were prepared by an infiltration process using submicron W powders, and the effect of sintering temperatures on grain-coarsening behaviors and the mechanical properties of W-NiTi tungsten heavy alloys were investigated. The microstructures and mechanical properties were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and compression tests. The results showed that tungsten particles were uniformly distributed in the NiTi binder. The W-NiTi tungsten heavy alloys consisted of B19′-NiTi and body-centered cubic W phases. The average tungsten particle sizes of W-NiTi tungsten heavy alloys sintered at 1400 °C, 1480 °C and 1560 °C were 2.62 μm, 4.04 μm and 5.20 μm, respectively. The average tungsten particle size increased with sintering temperatures, while the densities decreased at higher temperatures. The cavities retained in the W-NiTi tungsten heavy alloy sintered at 1560 °C, which degraded the mechanical properties. The calculated grain growth activation energy of W particles in the NiTi binder was 330 kJ/mol, which was higher than those in conventional W-NiFe and W-NiCo tungsten heavy alloys. The higher activation energy means more difficult diffusion process of W atoms in NiTi binders during sintering. Therefore, finer-grained heavy tungsten alloys were more easily obtained by using NiTi binders. Yield strength of W-NiTi tungsten heavy alloys decreased with increasing sintering temperatures due to coarsened tungsten particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cooperative navigation is part of the essential method for multiple autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) to gain an accurate position when performing tasks underwater. However, the positioning accuracy and stability of the traditional algorithms are affected by the dimension of state-space and the unknown time-varying noise in the ocean, which cannot meet the demand of the increasing positioning performance. For this problem, we propose a cooperative navigation method based on the augmented adaptive embedded cubature Kalman filter (A-AECKF) algorithm. Due to the non-additivity of the system noise in the realistic model of multi-AUV cooperative navigation, we augment the dimension of the state variables firstly, which combines with the system model to estimate the noise. Then we adopt embedded cubature criterion reselecting cubature points and their weights to minimize the positioning error caused by state augmentation. Finally, a nonlinear noise statistical estimator is used to estimate the time-varying ranging noise in real time, which effectively suppresses the positioning error caused by the non-Gaussian white noise. We evaluate the performance of the proposed A-AECKF cooperated navigation method comprehensively under the circumstance with high-dimensional state-space and the unknown time-varying measurement noise. Compared with other related algorithms, the experimental results indicate that the presented method possesses higher positioning accuracy and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dengue fever (DF), influenza, and hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) have had several various degrees of outbreaks in China since the 1900s, posing a serious threat to public health. Previous studies have found that these infectious diseases were often prevalent in the same areas and during the same periods in China.Methods: This study combined traditional descriptive statistics and spatial scan statistic methods to analyze the spatiotemporal features of the epidemics of DF, influenza, and HFMD during 2013-2015 in mainland China at the provincial level.Results: DF got an intensive outbreak in 2014, while influenza and HFMD were stable from 2013 to 2015. DF mostly occurred during August-November, influenza appeared during November-next March, and HFMD happened during April-November. The peaks of these diseases form a year-round sequence; Spatially, HFMD generally has a much higher incidence than influenza and DF and covers larger high-risk areas. The hotspots of influenza tend to move from North China to the southeast coast. The southeastern coastal regions are the high-incidence areas and the most significant hotspots of all three diseases.Conclusions: This study suggested that the three diseases can form a year-round sequence in southern China, and the southeast coast of China is a particularly high-risk area for these diseases. These findings may have important implications for the local public health agency to allocate the prevention and control resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To identify the potential pharmacological targets of Jisuikang (JSK) for the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI) using network pharmacology. Methods. The bioactive compounds of JSK herbs and their corresponding potential SCI targets were obtained from three traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) databases. SCI-related therapeutic target genes were obtained from the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database and the GeneCards Database. The common target genes between the JSK compounds and SCI-related therapeutic targets were screened using GO/KEGG functional enrichment and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analyses to identify hub genes and their categories of biological function. Gene expression distribution and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analyses were used to identify probable SCI-related target genes. Molecular docking was used to quantify molecular interactions between target genes and the bioactive compounds of JSK. Results. A total of 183 JSK bioactive compounds and 197 target genes for the treatment of SCI were screened and assessed. The target genes were enriched primarily in drug metabolism and in inflammation-related biological processes. Ten genes with statistical significance were identified as therapeutic SCI-related target genes of JSK. Molecular docking experiments demonstrated that the proteins of these 10 genes docked with binding energies of less than −5 kcal/mol with the bioactive compounds in JSK. Conclusion. This study showed that the anti-SCI effects of JSK may be mediated through numerous bioactive components, multiple gene targets, and inflammation-related pathways and provided potential novel targets for directed therapies for treating SCI. These results provide a foundation for further experimental investigations into treatment options for SCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic cognitive dysfunction is a serious complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which can cause neurological and microvascular damage in the brain. At present, there is no effective treatment for this complication. Bushen Huoxue prescription (BSHX) is a newly formulated compound Chinese medicine containing 7 components. Previous research indicated that BSHX was neuroprotective against advanced glycosylation end product (AGE)-induced PC12 cell insult; however, the effect of BSHX on AGE-induced cerebral microvascular endothelia injury has not been studied. In the current research, we investigated the protective effects of BSHX on AGE-induced injury in bEnd.3 cells. Our findings revealed that BSHX could effectively protect bEnd.3 cells from apoptosis. Moreover, we analyzed the network regulation effect of BSHX on AGE-induced bEnd.3 cells injury at the proteomic level. The LC-MS/MS-based shotgun proteomics analysis showed BSHX negatively regulated multiple AGE-elicited proteins. Bioinformatics analysis revealed these differential proteins were involved in multiple processes, such as Foxo signaling pathway. Further molecular biology analysis confirmed that BSHX could downregulate the expression of FoxO1/3 protein and inhibit its nuclear transfer and inhibit the expression of downstream apoptotic protein Bim and the activation of caspase, so as to play a protective role in AGE-induced bEnd.3 injury. Taken together, these findings demonstrated the role of BSHX in the management of diabetic cerebral microangiopathy and provide some insights into the proteomics-guided pharmacological mechanism study of traditional Chinese Medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a synbiotic composite an extract from a by-product of king oyster mushroom, Pleurotus eryngii (KOME), and probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum 7–40 on the growth performance and health status of white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. The KOME was able to stimulate the growth of probiotic, but not the growth of Vibrio pathogens, including V. alginolyticus , V. parahaemolyticus , and V. harveyi. Four diets were formulated, including a control diet supplemented without prebiotic and probiotic, a basal diet supplemented with KOME (5 g kg−1) (ME), a basal diet supplemented with probiotic (1 × 108 CFU kg−1) (LP), and a basal diet supplemented with KOME (5 g kg−1) and probiotic (1 × 108 CFU kg−1) (SYN). Shrimp fed the ME, LP, and SYN diets had significantly higher survival than that of shrimp fed with the control diet for 8 weeks. Shrimp in the SYN group also had a significantly higher weight gain and total final weight in comparison with the control and other treatments. In the intestinal tract, lactic acid bacteria count was significantly higher in the SYN group, whereas the Vibrio -like bacteria count was significantly higher in the ME group than in the control group. For the health status assessment, the disease resistance of shrimp against V. alginolyticus was improved in all treatments compared to the shrimp in control. Shrimps in the SYN group had significantly lower cumulative mortality due to the significant increase in immune responses, including phenoloxidase, respiratory burst, and lysozyme activity, and the gene expression of pexn and pen4 in the haemocytes, and lgbp , sp , propoii , pexn , pen3a , pen4 , and gpx in the haepatopancreas of shrimp as compared to the control. Therefore, it is suggested that a combination of KOME and probiotics can be used as a synbiotic to improve the growth performance and reduce the risk of infectious diseases caused by Vibrio and at the same time significantly contribute to the circular economy. • King oyster mushroom extract (KOME) was able to support the growth of probiotic, Lactobacillus plantarum rather than pathogenic Vbrio. • Synbiotic was able to increase the growth performance of shrimp. • Synbiotic was able to improve the immunity and disease resistance of shrimp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article proposes a new approach for computing a semiexplicit form of the solution to a class of traffic flow problems encoded by a Hamilton–Jacobi (HJ) partial differential equation (PDE), with time-switched Hamiltonian. Using a characterization of the problem derived from viability theory, we show that the solution associated with the problem can be formulated as a minimization problem involving the trajectory of an auxiliary dynamical system. A generalized Lax–Hopf formula for the switched Hamiltonian problem is derived, which enables us to compute the solution associated with affine initial or boundary conditions as a linear program involving the control function of the auxiliary dynamical system. This formulation allows us to compute the solution to the original problem exactly, unlike dynamic programming methods. In addition, this method allows one to very efficiently recompute the boundary conditions associated with an initial condition problem, allowing large-scale variable speed limit traffic control problems to be solved. Note to Practitioners—Most dynamic speed limit control techniques used to manage traffic flow on highways rely on discretizations of partial differential equations, which require one to compute the solution on a computational grid. This article focuses on an alternate solution method that does not require the solution to be found on all grid points, potentially saving computational time on large-scale problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome featuring ectopic lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. NAFLD has been a severe threat to humans with a global prevalence of over 25% yet no approved drugs for the treatment to date. Previous studies showed that procyanidin B2 (PCB2), an active ingredient from herbal cinnamon, has an excellent hepatoprotective effect; however, the mechanism remains inconclusive. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effect and underlying mechanism of PCB2 on PA-induced cellular injury in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Our results showed that PA-induced oxidative stress, calcium disequilibrium, and subsequent endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) mediated cellular injury, with elevated protein levels of GRP78, GRP94, CHOP, and hyperphosphorylation of PERK and IRE1α as well as the increased ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, which was restored by PCB2 in a concentration-dependent manner, proving the excellent antiapoptosis effect. In addition, 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA), the ER stress inhibitor, increased cell viability and decreased protein levels of GRP78 and CHOP, which is similar to PCB2, and thapsigargin (TG), the ER stress agonist, exhibited conversely meanwhile partly counteracted the hepatic protection of PCB2. What is more, upregulated protein expression of p-IKKα/β, p-NF-κB p65, NLRP3, cleaved caspase 1, and mature IL-1β occurred in HepG2 cells in response to PA stress while rescued with the PCB2 intervention. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that PA induces ERS in HepG2 cells and subsequently activates downstream NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated cellular injury, while PCB2 inhibits NLRP3/caspase 1/IL-1β pathway, inflammation, and apoptosis with the presence of ERS, thereby promoting cell survival, which may provide pharmacological evidence for clinical approaches on NAFLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant salt tolerance is associated with a high rate of root growth. Although root growth is governed by cell wall and apoplastic pH, the relationship between these factors in the root elongation zone under salinity stress remains unclear. Herein, we assess apoplastic pH, pH‐ and expansin‐dependent cell wall extensibility, and expansin expression in the root elongation zone of salt‐sensitive (Yongliang‐15) and ‐tolerant (JS‐7) cultivars under salinity stress. A six‐day 80 mM NaCl treatment significantly reduced apical root apoplastic pH in both cultivars. Using a pH‐dependent cell wall extensibility experiment, we found that, under 0 mM NaCl treatment, the optimal pH for cell wall loosening was 6.0 in the salinity‐tolerant cultivar and 4.6 in the salinity‐sensitive cultivar. Under 80 mM treatment, a pH of 5.0 mitigated the cell wall stiffness caused by salinity stress in the salinity‐tolerant cultivar but promoted cell wall stiffening in the salinity‐sensitive cultivar. Salinity stress altered expansin expression and differentially affecting cell wall extensibility under pH 5.0 and 6.0. TaEXPA8 might be relative to cell wall loosening at pH 5.0, whereas TaEXPA5 relative to cell wall loosening at pH 6.0. These results elucidate the relationship between expansins and cell wall extensibility in the root elongation zone, with important implications for enhancing plant growth under salinity stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endometrial cancer (EC) presents significant clinical challenges due to its heterogeneity and complex pathophysiology. SAMHD1, known for its role as a deoxynucleotide triphosphate triphosphohydrolase, has been implicated in the progression of various cancers, including EC. This study focuses on elucidating the role of SAMHD1 in EC through its impact on TRIM27-mediated PTEN ubiquitination. Results: Utilizing a combination of bioinformatics and cellular biology techniques, we investigated the interactions among SAMHD1, TRIM27, and PTEN. Our findings reveal that SAMHD1 modulates PTEN ubiquitination via TRIM27, impacting key pathways involved in EC pathogenesis. These interactions suggest a critical mechanism by which SAMHD1 could influence tumor behavior and progression in EC. Conclusions: The results from this study underscore the potential of targeting the SAMHD1-TRIM27-PTEN axis as a therapeutic strategy in EC. By providing new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying EC progression, our research supports the development of novel therapeutic approaches that could contribute to improve treatment strategies for patients with EC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contamination of soil with the heavy metal cadmium (Cd) is increasingly prominent and severely threatens food security in China. Owing to its low cost, suitable efficacy, and ability to address the shortcomings of plant remediation by enhancing the ability of plants to take up Cd, plant–microbe combination remediation technology has become a research hotspot in heavy metal pollution remediation. A pot experiment was performed to examine the effects of inoculation with the plant-growth-promoting bacterium Brevibacillus sp. SR-9 on the biomass, Cd accumulation, and soil nutrients of hybrid Pennisetum. The purpose of this study was to determine how Brevibacillus sp. SR-9 alleviates stress caused by heavy metal contamination. High-throughput sequencing and metabolomics were used to determine the effects of inoculation on the soil bacterial community composition and microbial metabolic functions associated with hybrid Pennisetum. The results suggest that mutation of Brevibacillus sp. SR-9 effectively alleviates Cd pollution stress, leading to increased biomass and accumulation of Cd in hybrid Pennisetum. The aboveground biomass and the root weight increased by 12.08% and 27.03%, respectively. Additionally, the accumulation of Cd in the aboveground sections and roots increased by 21.16% and 15.50%, respectively. Measurements of the physicochemical properties of the soil revealed that the strain Brevibacillus sp. SR-9 slightly increased the levels of available phosphorus, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and available potassium. High-throughput DNA sequencing revealed that Brevibacillus sp. SR-9 implantation modified the composition of the soil bacterial community by increasing the average number of Actinobacteria and Bacillus. The total nitrogen content of the soil was positively correlated with the Actinobacteria abundance, total phosphorus level, and available phosphorus level. Metabolomic analysis revealed that inoculation affected the abundance of soil metabolites, and 59 differentially abundant metabolites were identified (p < 0.05). Among these, 14 metabolites presented increased abundance, whereas 45 metabolites presented decreased abundance. Fourteen metabolic pathways were enriched in these metabolites: the folate resistance pathway, the ABC transporter pathway, D-glutamine and D-glutamic acid metabolism, purine metabolism, and pyrimidine metabolism. The abundance of the metabolites was positively correlated with the levels of available phosphorus, total potassium, total phosphorus, and total nitrogen. According to correlation analyses, the development of hybrid Pennisetum and the accumulation of Cd are strongly associated with differentially abundant metabolites, which also impact the abundance of certain bacterial populations. This work revealed that by altering the makeup of microbial communities and their metabolic processes, bacteria that promote plant development can mitigate the stress caused by Cd. These findings reveal the microbiological mechanisms through which these bacteria increase the ability of hybrid Pennisetum to take up the Cd present in contaminated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Root morphology, an important determinant of nutrient absorption and plant growth, can adapt to various growth environments to promote survival. Solution flow under hydroponic conditions provides a mechanical stimulus, triggering adaptive biological responses, including altered root morphology and enhanced root growth and surface area to facilitate nutrient absorption. To clarify these mechanisms, we applied untargeted metabolomics technology, detecting 1737 substances in lettuce root samples under different flow rates, including 17 common differential metabolites. The abscisic acid metabolic pathway product dihydrophaseic acid and the amino and nucleotide sugar metabolism factor N-acetyl-d-mannosamine suggest that nutrient solution flow rate affects root organic acid and sugar metabolism to regulate root growth. Spatial metabolomics analysis of the most stressed root bases revealed significantly enriched Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways: "biosynthesis of cofactors" and "amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism". Colocalization analysis of pathway metabolites revealed a flow-dependent spatial distribution, with higher flavin mononucleotide, adenosine-5′-diphosphate, hydrogenobyrinic acid, and D-glucosamine 6-phosphate under flow conditions, the latter two showing downstream-side enrichment. In contrast, phosphoenolpyruvate, 1-phospho-alpha-D-galacturonic acid, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, and N-acetyl-D-galactosamine were more abundant under no-flow conditions, with the latter two concentrated on the upstream side. As metabolite distribution is associated with function, observing their spatial distribution in the basal roots will provide a more comprehensive understanding of how metabolites influence plant morphology and response to environmental changes than what is currently available in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gene upregulation through genome editing is important for plant research and breeding. Targeted insertion of short transcriptional enhancers (STEs) into gene promoters may offer a universal solution akin to transgene-mediated overexpression while avoiding the drawbacks associated with transgenesis. Here, we introduce an " in locus activation" technique in rice that leverages well-characterized STEs for refined, heritable, and multiplexed gene upregulation. To address the scarcity of potent enhancers, we developed a large-scale mining approach and discovered a suite of STEs that are capable of enhancing gene expression in rice protoplasts. The in locus integration of these STEs into eight rice genes resulted in substantial transcriptional upregulation in the edited plants, with up to 869.1-fold increases in their transcript levels. Employing a variety of STEs, we achieved delicate control of gene expression, enabling the fine-tuning of key phenotypic traits such as plant height. Our approach also enabled efficient multiplexed gene upregulation, with up to four genes activated simultaneously, significantly enhancing the nicotinamide mononucleotide metabolic pathway. Importantly, heritability studies from the T0 to T3 generations confirmed the stable and heritable nature of STE-driven gene activation. Collectively, our work demonstrates that coupled with STE mining, leveraging genome editing for in locus activation and gene upregulation holds great promise to be widely adopted in fundamental plant research and crop breeding. This study has developed a genome-wide screening approach for the discovery of short transcriptional enhancers (STEs) and introduced an " in locus activation" technique in rice. Targeted knockin of these specifically screened STEs into optimized promoter regions enables robust, heritable, and multiplexed gene upregulation by up to ∼1,000-fold, offering a universal solution for gene overexpression alternative to transgenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Timely and reliable information about irrigated croplands is important for crop water stress analysis and studies of water, energy, and food security. This study mapped irrigated and non-irrigated corn at 30 m resolution for the state of Nebraska using a two-step multi-temporal image classification of MODIS and Landsat Analysis Ready Data (ARD). Starting from the drought year of 2012, when there was a high contrast between irrigated and non-irrigated fields, we first conducted image classification using the 250 m MODIS multi-temporal NDVI data. Training pixels were automatically derived, based on counties with predominant irrigated and non-irrigated cornfields. The MODIS-derived irrigated vs. non-irrigated map was further spatially filtered to generate training data covering the entire Nebraska to support automated Landsat ARD classification, footprint-by-footprint. Three classification algorithms of multi-layer perceptron (MLP) neural network, Random Forest (RF), and Support Vector Machine (SVM) were implemented to classify all available Landsat ARD images within the growing season (i.e. May to November). Given the issues of scanline corrector (SLC) error and cloud contamination, the provisional Landsat-based classifications were finally gap-filled to generate a seamless state-wise irrigation map guided by decreasing cross-validation accuracy. Pixel-wise accuracy assessments showed similar overall accuracies of 89.6%, 89.3%, and 90.0% for MLP, RF, and SVM, respectively. They are 3-6% higher than a commonly used gap-filing procedure based on valid (cloud free) pixel count for growing season images. The estimated areas of irrigated corn from Landsat-based mapping were consistent with the 2012 USDA county level census data (R2 = 0.97 and RMSE = 37.70 km2). Using the 2012 Landsat-derived irrigation map and the USDA's annual Cropland Data Layer as inputs, we further developed training data for annual irrigation mapping between 2013 and 2018. Pixel-wise assessment of the 2016 map showed reasonable overall accuracies of 78.4–79.6% for three classification algorithms. The annual maps yielded R2 of 0.94–0.98 and RMSE values of 37.70–57.62 km2 for various mapping years compared with USDA county statistics. These results suggest that our proposed two-step analytical method has a high potential for automated annual irrigation mapping at 30 m spatial resolution (especially for the arid and semi-arid western U.S.), providing clear field boundaries and irrigation frequency information that are vitally important for accurate agricultural water use analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of tungsten content on the microstructure, mechanical properties and shape memory effect of Ti–W alloys were investigated in detail. The results showed that the microstructures and phase constitutions of Ti–W alloys were sensitive to tungsten contents. Only hexagonal α′ phase was found in Ti–10W alloy, while orthorhombic α″ martensite formed in Ti–15W alloy. When the content of W increased to 20 wt.%, metastable β phase was found. The content of α″ phase decreased with further increasing W content. Transmission electron microscope results confirmed the presence of ω phase in Ti–20W and Ti–25W. The density of Ti–25W alloy was 5.65 g/cm3. The elastic modulus, yield strength and hardness of Ti–W alloys decreased firstly and then increased with the additions of W. Ti–15W alloy exhibited the lowest elastic modulus of 68.4 GPa and yield strength of 309 MPa among all studied alloys, while the tensile elongation monotonically increased with increasing W additions. The Ti–10W alloy showed the highest yield strength of 516 MPa and the lowest elongation of 7.4%. The X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope results also confirmed the occurrence of the stress induced martensitic transformation of β to α″ during tensile tests for Ti–25W alloy. Shape memory effect was also observed in Ti–W alloys. The Ti–25W alloy showed the maximal shape memory recovery ratio of 22%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cu is an essential element that significantly influences the glass-forming ability (GFA), structure, and magnetic properties of Fe-based nanocrystalline alloys. In this work, the effects of Cu on the GFA, saturation magnetic flux density (B s), coercivity (H c), and structure of high-Fe-content nanocrystalline alloys, along with the role of annealing heating rate (HR), have been systematically studied. The influence of Cu addition on B s is revealed: Increment in Cu content induces a competitive mechanism of increasing the volume fraction of α-Fe while decreasing the mass fraction of Fe, causing the initial rise and the eventual decline of B s. By utilizing the Fe 83 B 10-x C 3 Si 3 P 1 Cu x (x = 0.25–1.5 at.%) alloys as the starting point, asynchronous property changes induced by Cu addition in Fe-metalloids-Cu type nanocrystalline alloys, along with the corresponding correlations between Cu content and properties, have been revealed. We further demonstrate that the effect of Cu on crystallization behavior, heating rate requirement, and corresponding coercivity is universal and quantifiable among various Fe-metalloids-Cu type nanocrystalline alloys. By using correlations revealed in this work, Fe 85 B 8 C 4 Si 1 P 1 Cu 1 nanocrystalline alloy with ultrahigh B s of 1.90 T was successfully developed, proving the potential of our findings to facilitate the design and development of high- B s Fe-based nanocrystalline alloys. [Display omitted] • The effects and mechanisms of Cu on Fe-based nanocrystalline alloys were revealed. • Quantified correlations of Cu content with crystallization behavior were revealed. • Quantified correlations of Cu content with heating rate were established. • A nanocrystalline alloy with saturation magnetization over 1.9 T was developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Guidelines for laboratory assessment of fetomaternal haemorrhage (FMH) was published by the Australian and New Zealand Society of Blood Transfusion (ANZSBT) in 2002. However, data on adherence by practitioners and clinical outcomes are lacking. Aims: The primary objective is to examine the follow‐up testing and dosing of additional RhD immunoglobulin in RhD negative women who experienced large‐volume FMH for whom additional intravenous RhD immunoglobulin was requested in Queensland, Australia. The secondary objectives are to examine the rate and risk factors of RhD alloimmunisation in these women. Materials and Methods: RhD negative women with FMH >6 mL for whom additional dose(s) of intravenous RhD immunoglobulin was requested through Australian Red Cross Lifeblood from February 2007 to February 2018 were identified. For each patient, the volume of FMH, methods and timing of FMH quantitation, dose of RhD immunoglobulin, maternal and cord blood groups were analysed against the corresponding antibody screen and identification. Results: Following FMH >6 mL, only 15% and 11.5% of cases adhered to current ANZSBT guideline on follow‐up testing and supplemental RhD immunoglobulin dosing respectively. Despite the provision of single supplemental RhD immunoglobulin at a ratio of 100 IU to 1 mL fetal red cells, the rate of RhD alloimmunisation in RhD negative women with RhD positive fetus or fetus of unknown RhD status following FMH >6 mL is at least 4%. Conclusions: Poor compliance with guidelines for follow‐up and management of large‐volume FMH may contribute to increased risk of RhD alloimmunisation. Further analysis of data is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic cognitive impairment is one of the common complications of type 2 diabetes, which can cause neurological and microvascular damage in the brain. Bushen Huoxue prescription (BSHX), a compound Chinese medicine, has been used clinically to treat diabetes-induced cognitive impairment. However, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, KK-Ay diabetic model mouse was administered BSHX daily for 12 weeks. Bodyweight, random blood glucose (RBG), and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were measured every 4 weeks. Triglycerides (TG), cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), fasting serum insulin (FINS), and Morris water maze were tested after 12 weeks of administration. On the day of sacrifice, the hippocampus was collected for pathological staining and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) analysis to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of BSHX. Our results showed that BSHX treatment significantly ameliorated the T2DM related insults, including the increased bodyweight, blood glucose, TG, insulin levels, AGEs, the reduced HDL-C, the impaired spatial memory, and the neurological impairment. Moreover, Western blot analysis showed that increased expression of receptors of AGEs (RAGEs), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the hippocampus were significantly inhibited by BSHX treatment. These results indicate that BSHX can significantly ameliorate glucose and lipid metabolism dysfunction, reduce the morphological changes in hippocampus tissues, and improve the cognitive function of KK-Ay mice. These protective effects of BSHX may involve regulation of the AGEs/RAGE/NF-κB signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold atom clocks have made remarkable progresses in the last two decades and played critical roles in precision measurements. Primary Cs fountain frequency standards have achieved a total uncertainty of a few parts in 1016, and the best optical clock has reached a type B uncertainty below 10−18. Besides applications in the metrology, navigation, etc., ultra-stable and ultra-accurate atomic clocks have also become powerful tools in the basic scientific investigations. In this paper, we focus on the recent developments in the high-performance cold atomic clocks which can be used as frequency standards to calibrate atomic time scales. The basic principles, performances, and limitations of fountain clocks and optical clocks based on signal trapped ion or neutral atoms are summarized. Their applications in metrology and other areas are briefly introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined how the nutrient flow environment affects lettuce root morphology in hydroponics using multi‐omics analysis. The results indicate that increasing the nutrient flow rate initially increased indicators such as fresh root weight, root length, surface area, volume, and average diameter before declining, which mirrors the trend observed for shoot fresh weight. Furthermore, a high‐flow environment significantly increased root tissue density. Further analysis using Weighted Gene Co‐expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) and Weighted Protein Co‐expression Network Analysis (WPCNA) identified modules that were highly correlated with phenotypes and hormones. The analysis revealed a significant enrichment of hormone signal transduction pathways. Differences in the expression of genes and proteins related to hormone synthesis and transduction pathways were observed among the different flow conditions. These findings suggest that nutrient flow may regulate hormone levels and signal transmission by modulating the genes and proteins associated with hormone biosynthesis and signaling pathways, thereby influencing root morphology. These findings should support the development of effective methods for regulating the flow of nutrients in hydroponic contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen peroxide is considered deleterious molecule that cause cellular damage integrity and function. Its key redox signaling molecule in oxidative stress and exerts toxicity on a wide range of organisms. Thus, to understand whether oxidative stress alters visual development, zebrafish embryos were exposed to H2O2 at concentration of 0.02 to 62.5 mM for 7 days. Eye to body length ratio (EBR) and apoptosis in retina at 48 hpf, and optomotor response (OMR) at 7 dpf were all measured. To investigate whether hydrogen peroxide-induced effects were mediated by oxidative stress, embryos were co-incubated with the antioxidant, glutathione (GSH) at 50 μM. Results revealed that concentrations of H2O2 at or above 0.1 mM induced developmental toxicity, leading to increased mortality and hatching delay. Furthermore, exposure to 0.1 mM H2O2 decreased EBR at 48 hpf and impaired OMR visual behavior at 7 dpf. Additionally, exposure increased the area of apoptotic cells in the retina at 48 hpf. The addition of GSH reversed the effects of H2O2, suggesting the involvement of oxidative stress. H2O2 decreased the expression of eye development-related genes, pax6α and pax6β. The expression of apoptosis-related genes, tp53, casp3 and bax, significantly increased, while bcl2α expression decreased. Antioxidant-related genes sod1, cat and gpx1a showed decreased expression. Expression levels of estrogen receptors (ERs) (esr1, esr2α, and esr2β) and ovarian and brain aromatase genes (cyp19a1a and cyp19a1b, respectively) were also significantly reduced. Interestingly, co-incubation of GSH effectivity reversed the impact of H2O2 on most parameters. Overall, these results demonstrate that H2O2 induces adverse effects on visual development via oxidative stress, which leads to alter apoptosis, diminished antioxidant defenses and reduced estrogen production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inthomycins belong to growing family of oxazole-containing polyketides, and exhibit a broad spectrum of anti-oomycete and herbicidal activities. In this study, we purified inthomycins A and B from the metabolites of Streptomyces sp. SYP-A7193 and determined their chemical structures. Genome sequencing, comparative genomic analysis, and gene disruption of Streptomyces sp. SYP-A7193 showed that the inthomycin biosynthetic gene cluster (itm) belonged to the hybrid polyketide synthase (PKS)/non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) system. Functional domain comparison and disruption/complementation experiments of itm12 resulted in the complete loss of inthomycins A and B and the subsequent restoration of their production, confirming that itm12 encodes a discrete acyltransferase and hence itm was considered to belong to the trans-AT type I PKS system. Moreover, the disruption/complementation experiments of itm15 also resulted in the loss and restoration of inthomycins A and B formation. Further gene cloning, expression, purification and activity verification of itm15 revealed that Itm15 as a cyclodehydratase that catalyzes a straight chain dehydration reaction to form an oxazole ring for the biosynthesis of inthomycins A and B. Thus, we discovered a novel enzyme that catalyzes oxazole ring formation and elucidated the complete biosynthetic pathway of inthomycins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an oscillator of optically generated microwaves (OGMs) based on an optical frequency comb (OFC) and an ultrastable laser (USL). The USL provides short-term stability, and the OFC transfers the short-term stability to radio frequencies. Frequency synthesis is used to transfer the stability of the OGM oscillator to an oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO). To improve the long-term stability of the OCXO, an additional compensating loop was applied to lock the long term stability of OGM at a hydrogen maser by compensating the frequency drift of the USL. The phase noise of the OCXO is maintained sufficiently low through these locked loops. The OCXO's phase noise at 1 Hz is about −116 dBc/Hz. The short-term stability (1–100 s) of the OCXO with different compensating periods is better than 4 × 10−15. By replacing the H-maser (BIPM code: 1404850) with the OGM as the local oscillator, the stability of the NIM6 Cs fountain clock is improved from (1.2 × 10−13)τ−1/2 to (5.1 × 10−14)τ−1/2. This work should help optimize fountain clocks for better type A uncertainty or faster frequency offset evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) categorization of focal liver lesions (FLLs) on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in comparison with contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI). A total of 63 patients with 84 FLLs were included in the final study population, after review of the electronic medical records and clinical data. Two trained radiologists evaluated all CEUS and CE-MRI images independently. They assigned a LI-RADS category to each FLL and assessed major features based on CEUS LI-RADS Version 2017 and computed tomography/MRI LI-RADS Version 2018. The generalized estimating equation method was used to compare the diagnostic performance of the LI-RADS algorithm between CEUS and CE-MRI. The sensitivity of LR-5/LR-TIV (tumor in vein) categories for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) differed significantly between CEUS and CE-MRI (88.9% [40/45], 95% confidence interval [CI]: 76.5%-95.2%), versus 64.4% (29/45; 95% CI: 49.8%-76.8%), p = 0.006; 82.2% (37/45; 95% CI: 68.7%-90.7%), versus 62.2% (28/45; 95% CI: 47.6%-74.9%), p = 0.034. Inter-observer agreement was substantial for assigning LR-5 on both CEUS and CE-MRI. For both reviewers, there was a higher frequency of LR-5 (44.0% vs. 25.0%, p = 0.009; 42.9% vs. 26.2%, p = 0.023) in CEUS compared with CE-MRI. Arterial phase hyper-enhancement (APHE) was less frequently observed on CEUS than on CE-MRI (46.4% vs. 61.9%, p = 0.044). However, the washout appearance was observed more frequently on CEUS than on CE-MRI (50.0% vs. 28.6%, p = 0.004). Inter-observer agreement between the two reviewers on APHE and washout appearance was excellent for both CEUS and CE-MRI. These findings suggest that CEUS had a much higher sensitivity than CE-MRI in the diagnosis of HCC using LI-RADS, and although the frequencies of major features differed, inter-observer agreement between the two reviewers on major features of HCC was excellent for both CEUS and CE-MRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A perturbation model is used to evaluate the phase stabilities of high entropy alloys. The calculation results can successfully predict the phase stabilities of many high entropy alloys and shows that stable single phase high entropy alloys are rare. The effect of increased entropy cannot balance the fast-increased driving force for the formation of intermetallics. As the temperature increases, the stabilities of solid solutions will increase and the portion of single-phase alloys will expand. The model we propose provides a new paradigm to understand the phase stabilities of high entropy alloys. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Definitive chemoradiation therapy (dCRT) is the standard treatment for patients with nonsurgical esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), yet patients have demonstrated great variations in their responses to dCRT and inevitably progressed following treatment. Methods: To identify prognostic biomarkers, we performed targeted next‐generation sequencing of 416 cancer‐related genes on primary tumors from 47 nonsurgical ESCC patients prior to dCRT treatment. The association between genetic alterations and patients' local recurrence‐free survival (LRFS), progression‐free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) was analyzed. Results: TP53 (78% of patients), NOTCH1 (32%), ARID1A (13%), FAT1 (13%), and CDKN2A (13%) were commonly mutated in ESCC patients, while gene amplifications frequently occurred in MCL1 (36%), FGF19 (34%), MYC (32%), CCND1 (27%), ZNF217 (15%), CDKN2A (13%), and YAP1 (11%). Univariate and multivariate analyses of clinical factors and genetic alterations indicated that sex is an independent prognostic factor, with males tending to have better LRFS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.25; 95%CI, 0.08‐0.77, P =.015) and progression‐free survival (PFS) (HR, 0.35; 95%CI, 0.13‐0.93, P =.030) following dCRT. Meanwhile, YAP1 amplification (n = 7) was an adverse prognostic factor, and patients with this alteration demonstrated a tendency toward worse outcomes with shorter LRFS (HR, 4.06; 95%CI, 1.26‐13.14, P =.019) and OS (HR, 2.78; 95%CI, 0.95‐8.17, P =.062). In a subgroup analysis, while sex and M‐stage were controlled, a much stronger negative effect of YAP1 amplification vs wild‐type in LRFS was observed (log‐rank P =.0067). Conclusion: The results suggested that YAP1 amplification is a potentially useful biomarker for predicting treatment outcomes and identifying patients with a high risk of relapse who should be closely monitored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor visual conditions in tunnels can easily cause traffic accidents, and it is difficult for emergency services to reach these areas. As an economical and effective visual guiding device, delineators have attracted wide attention. Based on the actual alignment of the Qinling Mountain No.1, No.2 and No.3 tunnels of the G5 Expressway in Xi'an City (Shaanxi Province, China), this paper designs a simulation experiment. Through a simulator study and a questionnaire survey, this paper discusses how delineators affect drivers' visual characteristics (including fixation area and pupil size) in different settings and with different road alignments. Twenty-five subjects participated in this research. The results show that setting delineators in tunnels can continuously guide drivers' vision and attract their attention to focus on the pavement. Compared with setting only pavement delineators, setting wall delineators and pavement delineators together can provide better guiding effects and ensure driving safety in both straight and curved sections. In addition, when driving in tunnels equipped with delineators, especially tunnels with both wall delineators and pavement delineators, the participants exhibited a smaller pupil diameter and lower pupil diameter change rate. In terms of the relationship between pupil size and road alignment, the results indicated that regardless of what type of delineator was used, the drivers exhibited the smallest pupil size and lowest pupil change rate when driving on the straight section compared with the curved sections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synergistic effect red mud (RM) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) in cementitious materials has been widely reported, which is attributed to improve the performance of low-clinker cement. However, the existence of synergistic effect between RM and GGBS under high-temperature steam curing conditions has rarely been studied. In order to maximize the use of solid waste for the purpose of low carbon and conserving resources, 65% RM and GGBS were used to replace cement for the preparation of precast concrete, and two types of water/binder (W/B) ratios and steam curing temperatures were set to investigate the synergistic effect of multisolid waste under high-temperature steam curing conditions. With decreasing RM and increasing GGBS, the demolding strength of precast concrete samples cured by 60 °C with two different W/B ratios decreases, but the demolding strength rises and then decreases when the steam curing temperature is 80 °C. This suggests that the simultaneous use of two mineral admixtures in place of cement at 80 °C produces a significant synergistic effect and is able to increase the demolding strength of the samples by up to 50%. The change in compressive strength of precast concrete samples from 3 to 90 d is significantly different from the demolding strength. At a W/B ratio of 0.3, there is still prominent synergy between RM and GGBS after 28 d of hydration of precast concrete samples at both steam curing temperatures. In contrast, with a high W/B ratio (0.45), the synergistic effect is not evident throughout the period at either steam curing temperature. From the results of the whole experiment, synergistic effect between GGBS and RM is more pronounced at low W/B ratios or high steam curing temperatures. This study provides a new idea for the synergistic utilization of high-dose of multisolid waste in the preparation of precast concrete under high-temperature curing conditions. [Display omitted] • Mechanical and microscopic properties of precast concrete were investigated. • Synergistic effect exists in large admixture of multisolid waste precast concrete. • Synergistic effect in demolding strength is more pronounced at high temperature. • Synergistic effect in compressive strength is clearer at low water-cement ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a boundary nucleation and growth model with a time-dependent growth rate was proposed to quantitively characterize the precipitation of CSH. The newly constructed model was typically applied to quantitively analyse the influence of alkali content on the growth of CSH, and the value-taking equations of the time-dependent growth rate of CSH in various alkali content systems were proposed and verified. The experimental and simulation results proved that a high soluble alkali content stimulated early hydration (within the initial several hours) and inhibited the late growth of CSH (>20 h) in cement paste. The time-varying ion concentrations in cement solutions were the main driving force for the change in the growth rate of CSH with time. Likewise, the variation in the aqueous phase properties of cement pastes also explains the influence of alkali content on the growth rate of CSH, i.e., the high initial pH of the solution with high soluble alkali led to the high supersaturation degree and high growth rate of CSH, consuming large amounts of calcium ions and in turn reducing the later supersaturation degree and growth rate. The newly constructed model is also expected to precisely characterize the factors that have a significant influence on the precipitation of cement hydrates. • A boundary nucleation and growth model with a time-dependent growth rate was proposed. • The effect of the alkali content on the early hydration kinetics of cement was investigated. • The influence mechanism of the alkali on the hydration of cement was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• GW4869 suppresses circulating exosomes release in SAP rats. • GW4869 attenuates NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis in the intestines of SAP rats. • GW4869 mitigates intestinal barrier dysfunction in SAP. • GW4869 alleviates remote organ (kidney and lung) injury associated with SAP. Intestinal barrier dysfunction frequently occurs as a complication in cases of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP); however, no effective therapeutic methods are available because the precise mechanism remains obscure. Recent research has elucidated the role of circulating exosomes in the progression of SAP. Therefore, the present study explored whether inhibiting circulating exosomes release would improve intestinal barrier injury triggered via SAP and investigated the possible underlying mechanism. In vivo , we found that circulating exosomes release exhibited a considerable increase in SAP rats than in SO rats, and GW4869, a suppressor of exosomes release, significantly decreased exosomes release in SAP rats. We also observed that GW4869 suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis within the intestine and alleviated intestinal barrier injury within SAP. Moreover, the inflammatory response and remote organ (kidney and lung) injury associated with SAP improved after GW4869 treatment. In vitro , we confirmed that depletion of exosomes with GW4869 could partially abolish the destructive effects of SAP rat plasma on the viability and barrier function of IEC-6 cells. In summary, our findings show that the suppression of the release of circulating exosomes effectively inhibits the process of pyroptosis mediated by the NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and, therefore, mitigates intestinal barrier dysfunction in SAP, suggesting that circulating exosomes may be a potential target for treating SAP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excellent sludge floc structure and settleability are essential to maintain the process stability and excellent effluent quality during the activated sludge process. The underlying effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) within wastewater on sludge floc structure and settleability is still unclear. The potential role of AgNPs in promoting filamentous bacterial proliferation and deteriorating sludge floc structure and settleability based on quorum sensing (QS) were investigated in this study. The results indicated that N-acyl homoserine lactose (AHL) concentration sharply increased from 23.56 to 108.41 ng/g VSS in the sequencing batch reactor with 1 mg/L AgNPs. AgNPs strengthened communication between filamentous bacteria, which triggered the filamentous bacterial QS system involving the synthetic gene hdtS and sensing genes traR and lasR. Filamentous bacterial proliferation was promoted by the triggered QS via positively regulating its cell cycle progression including chromosomal replication and divisome formation. In addition, extracellular protein production was obviously increased from 43.56 to 97.91 mg/g VSS through QS by regulating arginine and tyrosine secretion during filamentous bacterial proliferation under 1 mg/L AgNPs condition, which led to an increase in the negative charge and hydrophily at the cell surface. AgNPs resulted in an obvious increase in the surface energy barrier (W T) between bacteria. The change in the physicochemical properties of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) induced by QS among filamentous bacteria obviously inhibited bacterial aggregation between filamentous bacteria and floc-forming bacteria under AgNPs condition, thus resulting in serious deterioration of the sludge floc structure and settleability. This study provided new insights into the microcosmic mechanism for the effect of AgNPs on sludge floc structure and settleability. [Display omitted] • AgNPs triggered the AHL-quorum sensing (QS) system of filamentous bacteria. • AgNPs promoted filamentous bacterial proliferation by QS system. • The QS system triggered by AgNPs promoted extracellular protein (PN) secretion. • The increase in the PN resulted in a stronger surface energy barrier. • AgNPs induced the deterioration of sludge floc structure and settleability by QS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the article "Optical Metasurfaces for Tunable Vortex Beams," V.‐C. Su and co‐workers discuss their experimental demonstration of metasurface-based vortex beams with high optical angular momentum modes. These devices, called "infinite-OAM meta-knobs" (IOMKs), can be tuned optically through various incident light characteristics such as polarizations, wavelengths, and interference eraser measurements. The study highlights the versatility and potential significance of IOMKs in generating complex output states. This research represents a significant advancement in the field of optical devices. [Extracted from the article]

The expansion of autophagosomes requires a controlled association with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). However, the mechanisms governing this process are not well defined. In plants, ATG18a plays a key role in autophagosome formation in response to stress, yet the factors regulating the process are unknown. This study finds that ATG18a acts as a downstream effector of RABC1, a member of the poorly characterized Rab18/RabC GTPase subclass in plants. Active RABC1 interacts with ATG18a on the ER, particularly under nutrient starvation. In rabc1 mutants, autophagy is compromised, especially under nutrient deprivation, affecting the ER association and expansion of ATG18a-positive autophagosomes. Furthermore, both dominant-negative and constitutively active RABC1 forms inhibit autophagy. The dominant inactive RABC1 impedes the ER association of ATG18a, whereas the constitutively active RABC1 delays ATG18a detachment from the ER. Collectively, RABC1 regulates the ER association and the subsequent detachment of ATG18a-positive autophagosomes during nutrient starvation. [Display omitted] • In rabc1 mutant cells, autophagy is compromised under nutrient starvation • RABC1 plays a role in autophagosome expansion in response to nutrient starvation • Active RABC1 specifically interacts with ATG18a • RABC1 regulates ER association of ATG18a and its subsequent detachment from the ER The regulation of autophagy in plant response to stresses is not well defined. Sun and Shao et al. have found that RABC1, an Arabidopsis Rab18, interacts with and recruits ATG18a to the ER to facilitate autophagosome expansion on the ER in plant response to nutrient starvation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]