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Background: The stress hyperglycemia ratio (SHR) was developed to mitigate the influence of long-term chronic glycemic factors on stress hyperglycemia levels, which are associated with adverse clinical events, particularly cardiovascular events. However, studies examining the SHR index and its prognostic significance in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are lacking. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between the SHR index and all-cause mortality in critically ill patients with AF upon Intensive Care Unit admission. Methods: The patients' data were extracted from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database. All patients were categorized into four groups based on the SHR index. The outcomes include both primary and secondary endpoints, with the primary endpoints being 30-day and 365-day all-cause mortality, and the secondary endpoints being 90-day and 180-day all-cause mortality. The SHR index was analyzed using quartiles, and the Kaplan-Meier curve was employed to compare the outcomes across groups. Cox proportional-hazards regression and restricted cubic splines (RCS) were used to assess the relationship between the SHR index and the outcomes. Results: Out of a total of 1,685 participants, the average age was 63.12 years (range: 40.17 to 101.49), with 1,004 (59.58%) being male. Higher levels of the SHR index were associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality at 30 days, 90 days, 180 days, and 365 days, as indicated by the Kaplan-Meier curves (log-rank P < 0.01). Additionally, Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis revealed that the risk of mortality at these time points was significantly higher in the highest quartile of the SHR index. Restricted cubic splines (RCS) analysis demonstrated U-shaped relationships between the SHR index and all-cause mortality, with inflection points at 0.73 for 30-day mortality and 0.76 for 365-day mortality. Compared to patients with SHR levels below these inflection points, those with higher levels had a 69.9% increased risk for 30-day all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.699; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.336 to 2.159) and a 61.6% increased risk for 365-day all-cause mortality (HR 1.616; 95% CI 1.345 to 1.942). Conclusion: In critically ill patients with AF, higher levels of the SHR index are significantly associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality at 30 days, 90 days, 180 days, and 365 days. The SHR index may serve as a valid indicator for assessing the severity and guiding the treatment of AF patients in the ICU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An improved method for fast and reasonable estimation of seismically induced permanent displacement of bedding rock slopes is proposed in this study. The proposed method introduces the pseudo-dynamic seismic force to account for the amplification effect induced by the slope topography. In addition, real-time updates of the tangential-normal coupling forces on the sliding surface during seismic excitations are implemented. The feasibility and adaptability of the proposed method are verified through a comparison with existing methods. Additionally, the differences between the earthquake-induced displacements calculated using the proposed method and the Newmark method are analyzed using 171 strong ground motion records as input excitations. A parametric sensitivity analysis shows that permanent displacement is significantly influenced by the friction angle of the joint ϕ , amplitude of the input acceleration P 0 , dip angle of the slope failure plane β , and slope height H . Finally, a set of landslide probability maps is obtained, and a landslide probability estimation procedure for slopes is recommended, which provides a convenient way to preliminarily evaluate the seismic stability of bedding rock slopes. Highlights: The amplification effect on the seismic response of rock slopes is considered. Tangential-normal forces on the sliding surface were coupled. Automatic recognition of sliding status is based on the Mohr–Coulomb criterion. Landslide probability maps are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reexamines the linear and nonlinear free vibration responses of porous sandwich cylindrical shells with graphene platelet (GPL) reinforcements surrounded by an elastic medium under temperature conditions. The graphene platelets reinforced composite (GPLRC) core is assumed to be multilayers, and each layer may have different values of porosity coefficient to achieve a piece-wise functionally graded pattern. By introducing an inhomogeneous model instead of the equivalent isotropic model (EIM), the Young's moduli along with the shear modulus of porous GPLRC core are predicted through a generic Halpin–Tsai model in which the porosity is included. Thermo-mechanical properties of porous GPLRC core and metal face sheets are assumed to be temperature dependent. Motion equations of porous sandwich cylindrical shells reinforced by GPLs are formulated based on the Reddy's third order shear deformation theory. In the modeling, von Kármán nonlinear strain-displacement relationships, shell-foundation interaction and thermal effect are also taken into account. The analytical solution for the nonlinear vibration problem is obtained by applying a two-step perturbation approach. Numerical studies are performed to compare the results obtained from the present model and the EIM. The results reveal that, in most cases, the difference of the fundamental frequency between the two models is over 10% and in that case the EIM is not suitable for the linear free vibration analysis of porous sandwich cylindrical shells reinforced by GPLs, whereas for the nonlinear-to-linear frequency ratio curves, the difference between the two models is less than 2% when the non-dimensional vibration amplitude reaches 1.0 and in that case the EIM may be valid in the analysis for the same shell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The zero-dimensional copper halide perovskite Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 displays extraordinary luminescence and scintillation characteristics, and high-quality crystals are extremely desirable for exploring the commercial applications. Currently, the most critical issue in the solution growth of Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 crystals is the easy oxidation of halides, which significantly hinders the optimization of crystal qualities. The hypophosphorous acid (H 3 PO 2) has been applied to inhibit the oxidation, nevertheless, the related mechanism is elusive and has been largely ignored. Herein, Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 crystals have been grown from N, N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent by the antisolvent vapor-assisted crystallization (AVC) method. It is verified that H 3 PO 2 effectively prevents the oxidation of Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 by rapidly reducing Cu2+ and I 3 −, maintaining the stability of the precursor solution and continuously suppressing oxidation during the whole growth process. Meanwhile, by increasing the acidity of the solution, H 3 PO 2 dissolve precursor colloids and efficiently enhance the solubility of halides. Thus, the addition of H 3 PO 2 favors the rapid growth of centimeter-sized Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 crystals with well-defined crystallographic planes within several days. As excellent gamma ray scintillator, the crystal exhibits high light yield of 38000 photons/MeV, with energy resolution of 5.6 % under 662 keV radiation from a 137Cs source. This work deeply elucidates new insight into the critical effect of H 3 PO 2 in the DMF based solution crystal growth, facilitating the preparation of large-size and high-performance copper halide perovskite crystals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) is an uncommon primary brain tumor with highly variable clinical outcomes. Our study aimed to develop practical tools for clinical decision-making in a population-based cohort study. Data from 2997 patients diagnosed with AA between 2004 and 2015 were retrospectively extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. The Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator and multivariate Cox regression analyses were applied to select factors and establish prognostic nomograms. The discriminatory ability of these nomogram models was evaluated using the concordance index and receiver operating characteristic curve. Risk stratifications were established based on the nomograms. Selected 2997 AA patients were distributed into the training cohort (70%, 2097) and the validation cohort (30%, 900). Age, household income, tumor site, extension, surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were identified as independent prognostic factors for both overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). In the training cohort, our nomograms for OS and CSS exhibited good predictive accuracy with concordance index values of 0.752 (95% CI: 0.741–0.764) and 0.753 (95% CI: 0.741–0.765), respectively. Calibration and decision curve analyses curves showed that the nomograms demonstrated considerable consistency and satisfactory clinical utilities. With the establishment of nomograms, we stratified AA patients into high- and low-risk groups, and constructed risk stratification systems for OS and CSS. We constructed two predictive nomograms and risk classification systems to effectively predict the OS and CSS rates in AA patients. These models were internally validated with considerable accuracy and reliability and might be helpful in future clinical practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: An imbalance of antiproliferative BMP (bone morphogenetic protein) signaling and proliferative TGF-β (transforming growth factor-β) signaling is implicated in the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The posttranslational modification (eg, phosphorylation and ubiquitination) of TGF-β family receptors, including BMPR2 (bone morphogenetic protein type 2 receptor)/ALK2 (activin receptor-like kinase-2) and TGF-βR2/R1, and receptor-regulated Smads significantly affects their activity and thus regulates the target cell fate. BRCC3 modifies the activity and stability of its substrate proteins through K63-dependent deubiquitination. By modulating the posttranslational modifications of the BMP/TGF-β–PPARγ pathway, BRCC3 may play a role in pulmonary vascular remodeling, hence the pathogenesis of PAH. METHODS: Bioinformatic analyses were used to explore the mechanism by which BRCC3 deubiquitinates ALK2. Cultured pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), mouse models, and specimens from patients with idiopathic PAH were used to investigate the rebalance between BMP and TGF-β signaling in regulating ALK2 phosphorylation and ubiquitination in the context of pulmonary hypertension. RESULTS: BRCC3 was significantly downregulated in PASMCs from patients with PAH and animals with experimental pulmonary hypertension. BRCC3, by de-ubiquitinating ALK2 at Lys-472 and Lys-475, activated receptor-regulated Smad1/5/9, which resulted in transcriptional activation of BMP-regulated PPARγ, p53, and Id1. Overexpression of BRCC3 also attenuated TGF-β signaling by downregulating TGF-β expression and inhibiting phosphorylation of Smad3. Experiments in vitro indicated that overexpression of BRCC3 or the de-ubiquitin–mimetic ALK2-K472/475R attenuated PASMC proliferation and migration and enhanced PASMC apoptosis. In SM22α-BRCC3-Tg mice, pulmonary hypertension was ameliorated because of activation of the ALK2-Smad1/5-PPARγ axis in PASMCs. In contrast, Brcc3 -/- mice showed increased susceptibility of experimental pulmonary hypertension because of inhibition of the ALK2-Smad1/5 signaling. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a pivotal role of BRCC3 in sustaining pulmonary vascular homeostasis by maintaining the integrity of the BMP signaling (ie, the ALK2-Smad1/5-PPARγ axis) while suppressing TGF-β signaling in PASMCs. Such rebalance of BMP/TGF-β pathways is translationally important for PAH alleviation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using mechanically activated Mg(OH) 2 /AlO(OH) powder, we obtained nearly fully dense MgAl 2 O 4 ceramics with small grains by combining reactive cold sintering and ultrafast high-temperature sintering (UHS). During reactive cold sintering, the intermediate products, γ -Al 2 O 3 and α -Al 2 O 3 , stemming from the dehydration of AlO(OH), reacted with MgO to form nanocrystalline bulk MgAl 2 O 4 with a relative density of up to ∼65%. After the subsequent UHS process (1930 °C for 60 s), the relative density of the samples reached 97%. The sintering efficiency and the final density of the samples were substantially higher than those of conventional sintering (1500 °C/6 h). This work provides a new technical route for the efficient fabrication of dense and fine-grained spinel ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The origin and development of agriculture and its relationship with climate change are hotly debated topics among environmental archaeologists. In this study, we analyzed wood charcoal materials from the Neolithic Xinglong site in northern China in order to understand the woody vegetation around the site and how early millet farmers shaped local woodlands. Our results suggest that the area around the Xinglong sites during 8700–7000 yr BP was primarily woodlands, including Prunus sibirica shrubs, Ulmus and Acer forests, and Populus stands near waterways. From 8000 to 7000 yr BP, the warm and humid climate probably contributed to the expansion of Acer, Rhamnus, and Juniperus, and may have facilitated the development of early millet agriculture. Among these ancient wood fragments that we studied, the high percent of Prunus charcoal appears to indicate an abundance of fruit trees, which might have constituted the main component of local vegetation. Meanwhile, the wood taxa illustrate the existence of a variety of ecological habitats, and it is logical to assume that people made full use of the locally available wood resources. Notably, Populus and Ulmus were the dominant sources of fuel. The results of tree-ring curvature analyses indicate that people mainly collected trunks or large branches of Ulmus, Populus, Acer, and Juniperus timbers. We interpret the increasing use of Prunus twigs and the declining percentage of Prunus charcoal in the period between 8000–7000 yr BP as indicating that people started to protect and manage wild fruit trees. They may have started pruning to acquire more food resources as part of the cultural responses and adaptation strategies employed by these early millet cultivators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Human exhaled breath usually contains unique proteins that may provide clues to characterize individual physiological activities and many diseases. However, the concentration of exhaled proteins in exhaled breath is extremely low and usually does not reach the detection limits of all online breath mass spectrometry instruments. Therefore, developing a new breath sampler for collecting and characterizing exhaled proteins is important. Methods: In this study, a new mask‐based wearable sampler was developed by fixing metal materials into the inner surface of the KN95 mask. Human exhaled proteins could be directly adsorbed onto the metal material while wearing the mask. After sampling, the collected proteins were eluted, digested, and identified using nano‐liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (nano‐LC–MS/MS). Results: The adsorption of exhaled proteins was evaluated, showing that modified gold foil is an effective material for collecting exhaled proteins. Various endogenous proteins were successfully identified from exhaled breath, many of which can be potential biomarkers for disease diagnosis. Conclusions: By coupling the newly developed mask sampler with nano‐LC–MS/MS, human exhaled proteins were successfully collected and identified. Our results show that the mask sampler is wearable, simple, and convenient, and the method is noninvasive for investigating disease diagnosis and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tomato fruit is a complex organ and is composed of various structures from the inside out, such as columella, septum, and placenta. However, our understanding of the development and function of these internal structures remains limited. In this study, we identified a plant-specific YABBY protein, SlYABBY2a, in the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). SlYABBY2a exhibits relatively high expression levels among the nine YABBY genes in tomatoes and shows specific expression in the septum of the fruit. Through the use of a gene-editing technique performed by CRISPR/Cas9, we noticed defects in septum development in the Slyabby2a mutant fruits, leading to the inward concavity of the fruit pericarp and delayed septum ripening. Notably, the expression levels of key genes involved in auxin (SlFZY4, SlFZY5, and SlFZY6) and ethylene (SlACS2) biosynthesis were significantly downregulated in the septum of the Slalkbh10b mutants. Furthermore, the promoter activity of SlYABBY2a was regulated by the ripening regulator, SlTAGL1, in vivo. In summary, these discoveries provide insights into the positive regulation of SlYABBY2a on septum development and ripening and furnish evidence of the coordinated regulation of the auxin and ethylene signaling pathways in the ripening process, which expands our comprehension of septum development in the internal structure of the fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bio-inspired helicoidal carbon fiber reinforced polymer composite (CFRPC) laminates stacked with Bouligand configurations are considered to own great potential in engineering fields. The optimization design of helicoidal layups with single-form and combination-form of linear and nonlinear helicoidal arrangements is carried out using ABAQUS and Isight. Two single-objective optimizations and one multi-objective optimization of maximum fundamental frequency and the difference among the first four adjacent vibration frequencies of helicoidal CFRPC laminated plates are performed and the nonlinear free vibration characteristics of optimal ones are investigated for the first time. Numerical studies are carried out for 16-ply symmetrical rectangular helicoidal laminated plates under two different boundary conditions compared with quasi-isotropic counterparts. The results show that the combination-form helicoidal layup sequences can improve the linear vibration characteristics of CFRPC laminated plates. The plates stacked with the combination form of nonlinear Fibonacci and linear patterns are expected to provide better vibration characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due largely to demographic growth, agricultural populations during the Holocene became increasingly more impactful ecosystem engineers. Multidisciplinary research has revealed a deep history of human–environmental dynamics; however, these pre-modern anthropogenic ecosystem transformations and cultural adaptions are still poorly understood. Here, we synthesis anthracological data to explore the complex array of human–environmental interactions in the regions of the prehistoric Silk Road. Our results suggest that these ancient humans were not passively impacted by environmental change; rather, they culturally adapted to, and in turn altered, arid ecosystems. Underpinned by the establishment of complex agricultural systems on the western Loess Plateau, people may have started to manage chestnut trees, likely through conservation of economically significant species, as early as 4600 BP. Since ca. 3500 BP, with the appearance of high-yielding wheat and barley farming in Xinjiang and the Hexi Corridor, people appear to have been cultivating Prunus and Morus trees. We also argue that people were transporting preferred coniferous woods over long distances to meet the need for fuel and timber. After 2500 BP, people in our study area were making conscious selections between wood types for craft production and were also clearly cultivating a wide range of long-generation perennials, showing a remarkable traditional knowledge tied into the arid environment. At the same time, the data suggest that there was significant deforestation throughout the chronology of occupation, including a rapid decline of slow-growing spruce forests and riparian woodlands across northwestern China. The wood charcoal dataset is publicly available at 10.5281/zenodo.8158277 (Shen et al., 2023). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of the structures, applications, and structure‐property relationships of atomically precise metal nanoclusters relies heavily on their controlled synthesis. Although great progress has been made in the controlled synthesis of Group 11 (Cu, Ag, Au) metal nanoclusters, the preparation of Pd nanoclusters remains a grand challenge. Herein, a new, simple, and versatile synthetic strategy for the controlled synthesis of Pd nanoclusters is reported with tailorable structures and functions. The synthesis strategy involves the controllable transformations of Pd4(CO)4(CH3COO)4 in air, allowing the discovery of a family of Pd nanoclusters with well‐defined structure and high yield. For example, by treating the Pd4(CO)4(CH3COO)4 with 2,2‐dipyridine ligands, two clusters of Pd4 and Pd10 whose metal framework describes the growth of vertex‐sharing tetrahedra have been selectively isolated. Interestingly, chiral Pd4 nanoclusters can be gained by virtue of customized chiral pyridine‐imine ligands, thus representing a pioneering example to shed light on the hierarchical chiral nanostructures of Pd. This synthetic methodology also tolerates a wide variety of ligands and affords phosphine‐ligated Pd nanoclusters in a simple way. It is believed that the successful exploration of the synthetic strategy would simulate the research enthusiasm on both the synthesis and application of atomically precise Pd nanoclusters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of different levels of quercetin in diets on the laying performance, egg quality, and lipid metabolism of Hyline brown laying hens in late laying period, and to determine the optimal supplemental level of quercetin in laying hens. A total of 1 600 sixty-week-old healthy Hyline brown laying hens were randomly divided into four groups with four replicates per group and 100 laying hens per replicate. Hens in control group were fed a basal diet, and hens in experimental groups were fed diets supplemented with 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg quercetin, respectively. The pre-test lasted for one week and the formal test lasted for 60 days. The results showed as follows: Compared with the control group, the laying rate of Hyline brown laying hens in all quercetin groups was significantly increased (P<0.05), the egg weight and average daily egg weight of the test group 2 and group 3 were significantly increased (P<0.05), and the ratio of feed to egg was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the eggshell thickness and egg weight of the test group 2 and group 3 were significantly increased (P<0.05), the eggshell strength and eggshell weight in the test group 2 were significantly increased (P<0.05), and the yolk color and Haugh unit were significantly improved in all quercetin groups (P<0.05). The crude protein content in yolk of the test group 2 and group 3 was significantly increased (P<0.05), the cholesterol and triglyceride content in yolk of the test group 2 were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the phospholipid content in yolk of all quercetin groups was significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the serum adiponectin content in the test group 2 and group 3 was significantly increased (P<0.05), the serum leptin content in all quercetin groups was increased (P<0.05), and the serum cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and glucose content in the test group 2 were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The serum free fatty acid content in the test group 2 and group 3 was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The results show that adding proper quercetin to the production of Hyline brown laying hens can improve the laying performance and egg quality, regulate the metabolism of blood lipids, and improve the body's health. The appropriate supplemental level of quercetin is 400 mg/kg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the post-pandemic era, there is a need for medical professionals with creativity, clinical expertise, and social responsibility. The Chinese government issued a directive to enhance the "Five Characteristics" perceptions of medical students, incorporating moral integrity and adeptness in saving lives and aiding the injured, embracing a compassionate approach to medical practice, possessing the knowledge essential for academic distinction, mastering technical expertise, and the artistry of applying scientific methodologies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the opinions related to ethics and professional behaviors of medical students at one Chinese medical school using a validated 19-item survey instrument and analyze its influencing factors. We conducted a survey in a medical university in Anhui Province, China, and collected 1966 valid questionnaires using the "Five Characteristics Rating Scale". The results indicated high perceptions of "Five Characteristics" among Chinese medical students (85.42 ± 8.727). Lower-grade-year medical students (86.59 ± 7.888) had higher "Five Characteristics" perceptions than upper-grade-year medical students (84.29 ± 9.327, P < 0.05). In addition, medical students experiencing voluntary work during the COVID-19 pandemic showed higher perceptions (86.21 ± 8.357) than those without such experience (85.13 ± 8.842, P < 0.05). Grade year and voluntary work experience during the COVID-19 pandemic were influencing factors of "Five Characteristics" perceptions. Our research offers a theoretical foundation for governments and medical schools to cultivate doctors with high ethical standards and professional expectations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gun ranges in the United States are underinvestigated regarding indoor air quality (IAQ) and energy efficiency. Navy Environmental Health Center (NEHC), National Guard Bureau (NGB), and Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency (AFCESA) recommend using 100% outdoor air, but this measure will cause prohibitive energy costs since indoor gun ranges must maintain a low air velocity ranging from 0.25 to 0.36 m/s and a supply temperature close to the range target temperature. Hence, typical commercial firing ranges use a fixed outdoor air ratio (OAR) ranging from 25% to 30% together with high-efficiency particulate air filtration to save energy. This OAR is arbitrary and not supported by any standards or guidelines. To obtain reliable control of contaminant levels and better energy efficiency, we propose a model-based demand control ventilation feedback control strategy in which carbon monoxide is monitored and controlled as a proper IAQ indicator around the clock. Our 52-day field study demonstrates that our demand control ventilation control strategy can ensure proper IAQ, reduce the OAR from 30% to as low as 2.5%, and cut up to 85% cooling load and 70% heating load introduced by ventilation. Indoor gun ranges in the United States often struggle with keeping the air clean and energy costs down. Existing recommendations suggest using a lot of outdoor air for ventilation, but this can be expensive because gun ranges need to maintain specific air conditions. Most gun ranges use a fixed amount of outdoor air and special filters to save energy, even though there are no clear guidelines for this. To tackle these issues, we have come up with a smart ventilation system. It constantly checks the air for carbon monoxide, a sign of bad air quality. Our 52-day study showed that this system works considerably well. It keeps the air clean, reduces the need for outdoor air substantially, and cuts down on heating and cooling costs. This means that indoor gun ranges can have clean air and save energy at the same time. It is a practical and efficient solution for making indoor shooting ranges safer and more cost-effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, biomineralization is widely used as a surface modification approach to obtain ideal material surfaces with complex hierarchical nanostructures, morphologies, unique biological functions, and categorized organizations. The fabrication of biomineralized coating for the surfaces of scaffolds, especially synthetic polymer scaffolds, can alter surface characteristics, provide a favorable microenvironment, release various bioactive substances, regulate the cellular behaviors of osteoblasts, and promote bone regeneration after implantation. However, the biomineralized coating fabricated by immersion in a simulated body fluid has the disadvantages of non-uniformity, instability, and limited capacity to act as an effective reservoir of bioactive ions for bone regeneration. In this study, in order to promote the osteoinductivity of 3D-printed PCL scaffolds, we optimized the surface biomineralization procedure by nano-topographical guidance. Compared with biomineralized coating constructed by the conventional method, the nano-topographically guided biomineralized coating possessed more mineral substances and firmly existed on the surface of scaffolds. Additionally, nano-topographically guided biomineralized coating possessed better protein adsorption and ion release capacities. To this end, the present work also demonstrated that nano-topographically guided biomineralized coating on the surface of 3D-printed PCL scaffolds can regulate the cellular behaviors of USCs, guide the osteogenic differentiation of USCs, and provide a biomimetic microenvironment for bone regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Age-related changes in the ovarian microenvironment are linked to impaired fertility in women. Macrophages play important roles in ovarian tissue homeostasis and immune surveillance. However, the impact of aging on ovarian macrophage function and ovarian homeostasis remains poorly understood. Methods: Senescence-associated beta-galactosidase staining, immunohistochemistry, and TUNEL staining were used to assess senescence and apoptosis, respectively. Flow cytometry was employed to evaluate mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and apoptosis in granulosa cells lines (KGN), and macrophages phagocytosis. After a 2-month treatment with low molecular weight Chitosan (LMWC), ovarian tissues from mice were collected for comprehensive analysis. Results: Compared with the liver and uterus, the ovary displayed accelerated aging in an age-dependent manner, which was accompanied by elevated levels of inflammatory factors and apoptotic cells, and impaired macrophage phagocytic activity. The aged KGN cells exhibited elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptotic levels alongside decreased MMP. H2O2-induced aging macrophages showed reduced phagocytosis function. Moreover, there were excessive aging macrophages with impaired phagocytosis in the follicular fluid of patients with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). Notably, LMWC administration alleviated ovarian aging by enhancing macrophage phagocytosis and promoting tissue homeostasis. Conclusions: Aging ovarian is characterized by an accumulation of aging and apoptotic granulosa cells, an inflammatory response and macrophage phagocytosis dysfunction. In turn, impaired phagocytosis of macrophage contributes to insufficient clearance of aging and apoptotic granulosa cells and the increased risk of DOR. Additionally, LMWC emerges as a potential therapeutic strategy for age-related ovarian dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

R 3 Fe 5 O 12 (RIG) crystals are the key elements for magneto-optical isolators in the near-infrared (NIR) to mid-infrared (MIR) region, with ever-growing demands for integrated photonics. However, the growth of high-quality single crystals is still a big obstacle. The effect of rare earths on the optical and magneto-optical properties of YIG crystals is not well understood. Herein, a series of high quality Tb3+ doped yttrium iron garnet (Y 3-x Tb x Fe 5 O 12 , x = 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 3.0) crystals have been successfully obtained by the flux-Bridgman method, with sizes over 20 mm. Tb:YIG crystals reserve typical cubic garnet structure, with spatial group of Ia3d. The lattice constants increase from 12.377 Å (YIG) to 12.448 Å (TbIG). The refractive index decreases from 2.38 (500 nm) to 2.11 (2500 nm) for YIG crystal, and it reduces from 2.51 (500 nm) to 2.17 (2500 nm) for TbIG crystal. The optical dispersion of the refractive indices was well fitted by the Wemple and DiDomenico (WDD) and the Sellmeier models, respectively. Relatively lower values of the absorption coefficient of the Tb:YIG crystals confirm the high transparency in the NIR region. The characteristic absorption of Tb3+ was observed from 1700 nm to 2500 nm. The specific Faraday rotation angles (θ F) of both YIG and TbIG decrease with increasing wavelength, reaching 235.4 and 366.5 °/cm at 1300 nm, respectively. Compared with that of YIG, θ F of TbIG crystal shows stronger wavelength dependence. This work provides more insight into the role of rare earths on the optical and magneto-optical behavior of RIG crystals, which will accelerate the design of high-performance magneto-optical crystals for application in NIR-MIR wavelength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While extensive research highlighted the involvement of metabolism and immune cells in female reproductive diseases, causality remains unestablished. Methods: Instrumental variables for 486 circulating metabolites (N = 7824) and 731 immunophenotypes (N = 3757) were derived from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis. FinnGen contributed data on 14 female reproductive disorders. A bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study was performed to determine the relationships between exposures and outcomes. The robustness of results, potential heterogeneity, and horizontal pleiotropy were examined through sensitivity analysis. Results: High levels of mannose were found to be causally associated with increased risks of gestational diabetes (GDM) (OR [95% CI], 6.02 [2.85–12.73], p = 2.55 × 10−6). A genetically predicted elevation in the relative count of circulating CD28−CD25++CD8+ T cells was causally related to increased female infertility risk (OR [95% CI], 1.26 [1.14–1.40], p = 1.07 × 10−5), whereas a high absolute count of NKT cells reduced the risk of ectopic pregnancy (OR [95% CI], 0.87 [0.82–0.93], p = 5.94 × 10−6). These results remained consistent in sensitivity analyses. Conclusions: Our study supports mannose as a promising GDM biomarker and intervention target by integrating metabolomics and genomics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clustering is a fundamental tool for exploratory data analysis. One central problem in clustering is deciding if the clusters discovered by clustering methods are reliable as opposed to being artifacts of natural sampling variation. Statistical significance of clustering (SigClust) is a recently developed cluster evaluation tool for high-dimension, low-sample size data. Despite its successful application to many scientific problems, there are cases where the original SigClust may not work well. Furthermore, for specific applications, researchers may not have access to the original data and only have the dissimilarity matrix. In this case, clustering is still a valuable exploratory tool, but the original SigClust is not applicable. To address these issues, we propose a new SigClust method using multidimensional scaling (MDS). The underlying idea behind MDS-based SigClust is that one can achieve low-dimensional representations of the original data via MDS using only the dissimilarity matrix and then apply SigClust on the low-dimensional MDS space. The proposed MDS-based SigClust can circumvent the challenge of parameter estimation of the original method in high-dimensional spaces while keeping the essential clustering structure in the MDS space. Both simulations and real data applications demonstrate that the proposed method works remarkably well for assessing the statistical significance of clustering. for this article are available online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ALKBH proteins, the homologs of Escherichia coli AlkB dioxygenase, constitute a single-protein repair system that safeguards cellular DNA and RNA against the harmful effects of alkylating agents. ALKBH10B, the first discovered N6-methyladenosine (m6A) demethylase in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), has been shown to regulate plant growth, development, and stress responses. However, until now, the functional role of the plant ALKBH10B has solely been reported in arabidopsis, cotton, and poplar, leaving its functional implications in other plant species shrouded in mystery. In this study, we identified the AlkB homolog SlALKBH10B in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) through phylogenetic and gene expression analyses. SlALKBH10B exhibited a wide range of expression patterns and was induced by exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) and abiotic stresses. By employing CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing techniques to knock out SlALKBH10B, we observed an increased sensitivity of mutants to ABA treatment and upregulation of gene expression related to ABA synthesis and response. Furthermore, the Slalkbh10b mutants displayed an enhanced tolerance to drought and salt stress, characterized by higher water retention, accumulation of photosynthetic products, proline accumulation, and lower levels of reactive oxygen species and cellular damage. Collectively, these findings provide insights into the negative impact of SlALKBH10B on drought and salt tolerance in tomato plant, expanding our understanding of the biological functionality of SlALKBH10B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The topography and the incident angle of seismic waves both have considerable effects on the seismic ground motions of canyons in a half-space. In this paper, the theory of wavefield decomposition and the artificial boundary is used to develop a method for inputting obliquely incident SV waves. Formulas for the equivalent nodal forces applied to the truncated boundary are derived and implemented in the finite element method. The validity of the proposed method is verified by a test case. A parametric study is then performed to investigate the influence of canyon geometry and incident angle of SV waves on the seismic response of trapezoidal canyons. The numerical results indicate that the canyon inclination has a more significant effect on the ground motion amplification than its height and width. The amplification effects are strongly related to the canyon inclination and the incident angle of SV waves. Additionally, the dominant frequency corresponding to the acceleration of the canyon crests is not sensitive to the incident angle of SV waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Our previous study first showed that ATR-binding long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) is necessary for ATR function and promotes cancer resistance. However, the specific lncRNAs instrumental in ATR activation remain largely unclear, which limits our comprehensive understanding of this critical biological process. Methods: RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) followed by RNA sequencing was employed to identify ATR-binding lncRNAs, which were further validated using RIP-qPCR assays. Immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting were applied to detect the activation of DNA damage repair factors. After the effect of scaRNA2 on cellular sensitivity to DNA-damaging reagents was determined, the effects of scaRNA2 on radiotherapy were investigated in patient-derived organoids and xenograft preclinical models. The clinical relevance of scaRNA2 was also validated in tissues isolated from rectal cancer patients. Results: ScaRNA2 was identified as the most enriched ATR-binding lncRNA and was found to be essential for homologous recombination (HR) mediated DNA damage repair. Furthermore, scaRNA2 knockdown abrogated the recruitment of ATR and its substrates in response to DNA damage. Mechanistically, scaRNA2 was observed to be necessary for Exo1-mediated DNA end resection and bridged the MRN complex to ATR activation. Knockdown of scaRNA2 effectively increased the sensitivity of cancer cells to multiple kinds of DNA damage-related chemoradiotherapy. Preclinically, knockdown of scaRNA2 improved the effects of radiotherapy on patient-derived organoids and xenograft models. Finally, an increase in scaRNA2 colocalized with ATR was also found in clinical patients who were resistant to radiotherapy. Conclusions: ScaRNA2 was identified as the most abundant lncRNA bound to ATR and was demonstrated to bridge DNA end resection to ATR activation; thus, it could be applied as a potent target for combined cancer treatments with chemoradiotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been increasingly used to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but lack effective biomarkers. Our study aimed to investigate the related factors affecting the efficacy of ICIs treatment and develop a prognostic nomogram for patients with unresectable HCC receiving ICIs therapy. The nomogram may predict the treatment efficacy and help decision making in daily clinical practice. Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been increasingly used to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Prognostic biomarkers are an unmet need. We aimed to develop a prognostic nomogram for patients with unresectable HCC receiving ICIs therapy. Methods: A total of 120 patients with unresectable HCC receiving ICIs treatment were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomly divided into a training set (n = 84) and a validation set (n = 36) in a 7:3 ratio. Clinical characteristics were retrospectively analyzed. Serum α-fetoprotein protein (AFP) response was defined as a decline of ≥20% in AFP levels within the initial eight weeks of treatment. Univariable and multivariable Cox analyses were used to select relevant variables and construct the nomogram. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) were used to determine the performance of the model. Kaplan–Meier analysis with the log-rank test was used to compare different risk groups. Results: The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 7.7 months. In the multivariate Cox analysis, the presence of extrahepatic metastasis (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.08, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–4.27, p < 0.05), white blood cell count (HR = 3.48, 95% CI: 1.02–11.88, p < 0.05) and AFP response (HR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.18–0.95, p < 0.05) independently predicted PFS. A nomogram for PFS was established with AUCs of 0.79 and 0.70 in the training and validation sets, respectively. The median PFS of the high- and low-risk subgroups was 3.5 and 11.7 months, respectively (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The nomogram could predict PFS in patients with unresectable HCC receiving ICIs treatment and further help decision making in daily clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their remarkable advantages, composite adhesively bonded joints are intensively used in many engineering fields. There are many investigations performed by researchers to study the fracture behavior of the adhesively bonded joints. However, there exist discrepancies between the numerical predictions and the experimental results in some cases. This paper reports an investigation on the finite fracture behavior of composite adhesively bonded joints subjected to four-point bending. Experiments are performed for composite adhesively bonded joints with four different configurations. The fracture behavior is observed experimentally by utilizing a high-speed camera. The failure analysis employing the energy-stress coupled criterion is performed. The experimental results are compared with the numerical predictions by using an experimental-based approach where both geometric nonlinearity and interfacial energy are considered. Numerical illustrations are carried out to assess the effect of interface energy, geometric nonlinearity, joint type and dimensions on the fracture behavior of the considered bonded joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Our previous study first showed that ATR-binding long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) is necessary for ATR function and promotes cancer resistance. However, the specific lncRNAs instrumental in ATR activation remain largely unclear, which limits our comprehensive understanding of this critical biological process. Methods: RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) followed by RNA sequencing was employed to identify ATR-binding lncRNAs, which were further validated using RIP-qPCR assays. Immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting were applied to detect the activation of DNA damage repair factors. After the effect of scaRNA2 on cellular sensitivity to DNA-damaging reagents was determined, the effects of scaRNA2 on radiotherapy were investigated in patient-derived organoids and xenograft preclinical models. The clinical relevance of scaRNA2 was also validated in tissues isolated from rectal cancer patients. Results: ScaRNA2 was identified as the most enriched ATR-binding lncRNA and was found to be essential for homologous recombination (HR) mediated DNA damage repair. Furthermore, scaRNA2 knockdown abrogated the recruitment of ATR and its substrates in response to DNA damage. Mechanistically, scaRNA2 was observed to be necessary for Exo1-mediated DNA end resection and bridged the MRN complex to ATR activation. Knockdown of scaRNA2 effectively increased the sensitivity of cancer cells to multiple kinds of DNA damage-related chemoradiotherapy. Preclinically, knockdown of scaRNA2 improved the effects of radiotherapy on patient-derived organoids and xenograft models. Finally, an increase in scaRNA2 colocalized with ATR was also found in clinical patients who were resistant to radiotherapy. Conclusions: ScaRNA2 was identified as the most abundant lncRNA bound to ATR and was demonstrated to bridge DNA end resection to ATR activation; thus, it could be applied as a potent target for combined cancer treatments with chemoradiotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of metamaterial structures with auxeticity can result in exceptional mechanical properties, such as high energy absorption and fracture resistance. However, traditional design approaches rely heavily on researchers' subjective experiences, while existing inverse design methods limit design possibilities by ignoring generative diversity. In this study, we report a deep-learning-based inverse design approach for 3D auxetic unit cells that overcomes these limitations by providing diverse and accurately conditioned design options. We construct a dataset of symmetric 3D auxetic unit cells and apply an elastic modulus optimization network to generate diversified spatial topological structures with negative Poisson's ratios and optimized stiffness. The resulting 3D unit cells exhibit improved mechanical properties, as confirmed by finite element simulations and experiments. Our approach offers better coverage of the design space and generates optimized 3D unit cells with rich and diverse properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modeling, analysis, and design are conducted to reveal the nonlinear forced and free vibration behaviors of the functionally graded (FG) sandwich beams with auxetic porous copper core and metal-ceramic facesheets. The copper foams with negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) are designed to be functionally distributed along the structural thickness direction and possess greater relative density in the adjacent sublayers to the facesheets. Meanwhile, the functionally graded material (FGM) facesheets are designed to be metal-rich in the inner surfaces. Through micromechanical modeling and following the Mori–Tanaka model, material properties of FGM facesheets are determined and further taken to be temperature-dependent with the consideration of thermal environments. Nonlinear finite element (FE) simulations are then conducted. From the results of numerical analysis, one can conclude that when compared with the counterpart having a non-auxetic core, the sandwich beam with an auxetic core has lower nonlinear-to-linear frequency ratios of free vibrations and smaller dynamic deflections under a sudden load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The surface and interface effects of back-gated transition metal dichalcogenide channel MOSFETs are of great importance to device applications. This paper reports the transient current-time (I-t) characteristics of back-gated multilayer MoS2 and WSe2 channel n-type MOSFETs due to the charge trapping into the surface and interface traps of the devices. By investigating the current-voltage and I-t results measured from the devices with a similar structure and bias conditions under ambient and vacuum conditions, we find that the WSe2 devices show more significant surface and interface effects as compared to the MoS2 devices. The comparison of the experimental results with the technology computer aided design simulation shows that a single type trap model can account for the main characteristics of the transient process observed from the MoS2 and WSe2 devices. As compared to the trap on the MoS2 device, the surface trap on the WSe2 device has higher density, lower energy, and smaller trapping time. A further experimental comparison with WS2 devices suggests that the difference is microscopically originated from the chalcogen of Se and S rather than the metal element of Mo and W. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inspired by the bionic Bouligand structure, helicoidal carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composite (CFRPC) laminates have been proven to own outstanding out-of-plane mechanical properties. This work aims to further explore the excellent bending characteristics of helicoidal CFRPC laminated plates and find out the optimal helicoidal layup patterns. The optimization design of laminated plates stacked with single-form and combination-form helicoidal layup sequences are carried out by using the finite element method (FEM) and adaptive simulated annealing (ASA) optimization algorithm on the Isight platform. Then, the nonlinear bending responses of optimal helicoidal CFRPC laminated plates are investigated via the FEM for the first time. The helicoidal CFRPC laminated plates under three different types of boundary conditions subjected to transverse uniformly distributed load are considered. The numerical results reveal that the combination-form helicoidal layup sequences can decrease the dimensionless bending deflection of laminated plates by more than 5% compared with the quasi-isotropic plate and enhance the out-of-plane bending characteristics of CFRPC laminated plates effectively. The boundary conditions can significantly influence the nonlinear bending responses of helicoidal CFRPC laminated plates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water electrolysis represented a promising avenue for the large-scale production of high-purity hydrogen. However, the high overpotential and sluggish reaction rates associated with the anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) posed significant obstacles to efficient water splitting. To tackle these challenges, the urea oxidation reaction (UOR) emerged as a more favorable thermodynamic alternative to OER, offering both the energy-efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the potential for the treating of urea-rich wastewater. In this work, a two-step methodology comprising nanowire growth and phosphating treatment was employed to fabricate Cu3P nanowires on Cu foam (Cu3P-NW/CF) catalysts. These novel catalytic architectures exhibited notable efficiencies in facilitating both the UOR and HER in alkaline solutions. Specifically, within urea-containing electrolytes, the UOR manifested desirable operational potentials of 1.43 V and 1.65 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (vs. RHE) to reach the current densities of 10 and 100 mA cm−2, respectively. Concurrently, the catalyst displayed a meager overpotential of 60 mV for the HER at a current density of 10 mA cm−2. Remarkably, the two-electrode urea electrolysis system, exploiting the designed catalyst as both the cathode and anode, demonstrated an outstanding performance, attaining a low cell voltage of 1.79 V to achieve a current density of 100 mA cm−2. Importantly, this voltage is preferable to the conventional water electrolysis threshold in the absence of urea molecules. Moreover, our study shed light on the potential of innovative Cu-based materials for the scalable fabrication of electrocatalysts, energy-efficient hydrogen generation, and the treatment of urea-rich wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main research goal of high‐performance conductive polymer composites is to improve electrical conductivity and reduce the percolation threshold. Designing an effective conductive network is one of the fundamental ways to improve the conductivity. In this study, polypropylene composite powders coated with carbon black (CB) and graphene nanosheets (GNSs) were prepared by a combination of ultrasonic dispersion and liquid‐phase deposition, and sintered using a selective laser sintering process to prepare polypropylene composites with three‐dimensional separated conductive networks. The synergistic effect of binary compound fillers of CB and GNSs was utilized to further improve the electrical conductivity of the composites. When the filler loading was 2% and the ratio of CB to graphene was 7:3, the electrical conductivity of the polypropylene composite was 1.315 × 10−3 S/m, which was eight orders of magnitude higher than that of pure polypropylene. In addition, the tensile strength and elongation at break of CB/GNSs/PP composites were improved by 36.4% and 20.77% with excellent mechanical properties. The effects of fillers on the SLS process, thermal stability, melting, and crystallization behavior of the composites were investigated. This study provides an effective and feasible strategy for the preparation of high‐performance conductive polymer composites using SLS 3D printing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The surface and interface coordination structures of heterogeneous metal catalysts are crucial to their catalytic performance. However, the complicated surface and interface structures of heterogeneous catalysts make it challenging to identify the molecular-level structure of their active sites and thus precisely control their performance. To address this challenge, atomically dispersed metal catalysts (ADMCs) and ligand-protected atomically precise metal clusters (APMCs) have been emerging as two important classes of model heterogeneous catalysts in recent years, helping to build bridge between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. This review illustrates how the surface and interface coordination chemistry of these two types of model catalysts determines the catalytic performance from multiple dimensions. The section of ADMCs starts with the local coordination structure of metal sites at the metal–support interface, and then focuses on the effects of coordinating atoms, including their basicity and hardness/softness. Studies are also summarized to discuss the cooperativity achieved by dual metal sites and remote effects. In the section of APMCs, the roles of surface ligands and supports in determining the catalytic activity, selectivity, and stability of APMCs are illustrated. Finally, some personal perspectives on the further development of surface coordination and interface chemistry for model heterogeneous metal catalysts are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An amplified DNA logic sensor was constructed for the identification of multiple biomarkers, in which the inputs of targets triggered the disassembly of a V-shaped probe (VSP) structure by a strand displacement reaction, leading to the synthesis of silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) for electrocatalytic reduction of H2O2. The sensing platform achieved sensitive detection of methylated DNA and microRNA 122 with detection limits down to 3.4 and 4.1 fM, respectively, and can be used for the assay of clinical serum samples from healthy volunteers and liver injury patients with satisfactory results. The DNA logic sensor exhibited the advantages of convenience, low cost, and versatility without the involvement of electroactive label modification, which is helpful for disease diagnosis as well as the fundamental investigation of interfacial electrochemistry and molecular biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: We systematically reviewed genetic studies employing single-cell transcriptomics (scRNA-seq) or spatial genomics in Alzheimer's disease (AD) research to highlight potential molecular mechanisms and explore what changed from previous findings. An overview of molecular imbalances in AD and differences in their mechanisms across sex, period of onset, age, and immunity are presented. Our study provides evidence for continuing research to identify common causes and possible solutions to ameliorate AD. scRNA-seq and spatial transcriptomics have the advantage of providing more in-depth results, which is vital for identifying crucial factors for AD-modifying investigations. The devastating effects of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are yet to be ameliorated due to the absence of curative treatment options. AD is an aging-related disease that affects cognition, and molecular imbalance is one of its hallmarks. There is a need to identify common causes of molecular imbalance in AD and their potential mechanisms for continuing research. A narrative synthesis of molecular mechanisms in AD from primary studies that employed single-cell sequencing (scRNA-seq) or spatial genomics was conducted using Embase and PubMed databases. We found that differences in molecular mechanisms in AD could be grouped into four key categories: sex-specific features, early-onset features, aging, and immune system pathways. The reported causes of molecular imbalance were alterations in bile acid (BA) synthesis, PITRM1, TREM2, olfactory mucosa (OM) cells, cholesterol catabolism, NFkB, double-strand break (DSB) neuronal damage, P65KD silencing, tau and APOE expression. What changed from previous findings in contrast to results obtained were explored to find potential factors for AD-modifying investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the postbuckling behaviors of pressure-loaded laminated cylindrical shells made of carbon nanotube reinforced composite (CNTRC) under thermal environmental conditions. The shell has negative in-plane or out-of-plane effective Poisson's ratio (EPR). The thermo-mechanical properties of CNTRCs are temperature dependent. The CNT volume fraction of the shell is in a piece-wise functionally graded (FG) distribution across the shell thickness. The extended rule of mixture (EROM) model is applied to determine the thermo-mechanical properties of CNTRCs. Based on the framework of the Reddy's third order shear deformation shell theory and the von Kármán-type of kinematic assumptions, the governing partial differential equations for pressure-loaded CNTRC laminated cylindrical shells are formulated. The thermal environmental condition effect is also included. The postbuckling solution for pressure-loaded FG-CNTRC laminated cylindrical shell is obtained in the asymptotic sense by means of a singular perturbation technique in associate with a two-step perturbation approach. Numerical investigations are carried out for the (10/60/10)S shell including in-plane NPR effect, and (20/-20/20)S and (70/-70/70)S shells including out-of-plane NPR effect. Assessment is presented through numerical comparisons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute leukemia (AL) is one of the top life-threatening diseases. Accurate typing of AL can significantly improve its prognosis. However, conventional methods for AL typing often require cell staining, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Furthermore, their performance is highly limited by the specificity and availability of fluorescent labels, which can hardly meet the requirements of AL typing in clinical settings. Here, we demonstrate AL typing by intelligent optical time-stretch (OTS) imaging flow cytometry on a microfluidic chip. Specifically, we employ OTS microscopy to capture the images of cells in clinical bone marrow samples with a spatial resolution of 780 nm at a high flowing speed of 1 m s−1 in a label-free manner. Then, to show the clinical utility of our method for which the features of clinical samples are diverse, we design and construct a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) to analyze the cellular images and determine the AL type of each sample. We measure 30 clinical samples composed of 7 acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) samples, 17 acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) samples, and 6 samples from healthy donors, resulting in a total of 227 620 images acquired. Results show that our method can distinguish ALL and AML with an accuracy of 95.03%, which, to the best of our knowledge, is a record in label-free AL typing. In addition to AL typing, we believe that the high throughput, high accuracy, and label-free operation of our method make it a potential solution for cell analysis in scientific research and clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ni-MoN nanosheet-assembled microspheres are developed as efficient bi-functional catalyst towards urea oxidation and hydrogen evolution reactions. [Display omitted] Electrocatalytic water splitting is a promising technology for sustainable hydrogen (H 2) production; however, it is restricted by the kinetically sluggish anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Replacing OER with urea oxidation reaction (UOR) with low thermodynamic potential can simultaneously improve the energy efficiency of H 2 production and purify urea-containing wastewater. Here we report a facile assembly-calcination two-step method to synthesize heterogeneous Ni-MoN nanosheet-assembled microspheres (Ni-MoN NAMs). The nanosheet-assembled structure and the synergistic metallic Ni-MoN heterogeneous interface endow the Ni-MoN NAMs with good OER (1.52 V@10 mA cm−2), UOR (1.28 V@10 mA cm−2), and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER, 0.16 V@10 mA cm−2) activity. The two-electrode urea electrolysis cell with Ni-MoN NAMs as both the cathode and anode requires an extremely low cell voltage of 1.41 V to afford 20 mA cm-2, which is 0.3 V lower than that of the water electrolyzer, paving the way for energy-saving H 2 production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper has proposed a multi-piezoelectric input synchronized switch harvesting on inductor (MI-SSHI) circuit. The MI-SSHI circuit is mainly composed of an extreme detector unit and synchronized switch harvesting on inductor (SSHI) units. The extreme detector unit generates real-time control signals. Since the principle of SSHI circuit, each voltage on piezoelectric element can be switched at different instant in a period. In this paper, two piezoelectric element inputs are selected as an example. The experimental result validates that the output power of the MI-SSHI circuit is improved by 11.67%, in comparison to the traditional S-SSHI circuit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Residual negative symptoms and cognitive impairment are common for chronic schizophrenia patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) on negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia patients with residual negative symptoms. Methods: In this 6-week, randomized, single-blind, controlled study, a total of 100 schizophrenia patients with residual negative symptoms were randomly assigned to the MBI or control group. The 6-week MBI group and the control group with general rehabilitation programs maintained their original antipsychotic treatments. The scores for the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), and the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) were recorded at baseline and week 6 to assess psychotic symptoms, cognitive performance, and emotional state, respectively. Results: Compared with general rehabilitation programs, MBI alleviated the PANSS-negative subscore, general psychopathology subscore, and PANSS total score in schizophrenia patients with residual negative symptoms (F = 33.77, p Bonferroni < 0.001; F = 42.01, p Bonferroni < 0.001; F = 52.41, p Bonferroni < 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, MBI improved RBANS total score and immediate memory subscore (F = 8.80, p Bonferroni = 0.024; F = 11.37, p Bonferroni = 0.006), as well as SCL-90 total score in schizophrenia patients with residual negative symptoms (F = 18.39, p Bonferroni < 0.001). Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that MBI helps schizophrenia patients with residual negative symptoms improve clinical symptoms including negative symptom, general psychopathology symptom, and cognitive impairment. Trial registration: ChiCTR2100043803. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Musical training has been associated with various cognitive benefits, one of which is enhanced speech perception. However, most findings have been based on musicians taking part in ongoing music lessons and practice. This study thus sought to determine whether the musician advantage in pitch perception in the language domain extends to individuals who have ceased musical training and practice. To this end, adult active musicians (n = 22), former musicians (n = 27), and non-musicians (n = 47) were presented with sentences spoken in a native language, English, and a foreign language, French. The final words of the sentences were either prosodically congruous (spoken at normal pitch height), weakly incongruous (pitch was increased by 25%), or strongly incongruous (pitch was increased by 110%). Results of the pitch discrimination task revealed that although active musicians outperformed former musicians, former musicians outperformed non-musicians in the weakly incongruous condition. The findings suggest that the musician advantage in pitch perception in speech is retained to some extent even after musical training and practice is discontinued. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactive cold sintering (RCS) is a combination of a low-temperature reaction and the cold sintering process, and it is used for the direct synthesis and simultaneous consolidation of ceramic powders. Here, we investigated RCS of BaZrO 3 through the reaction between Ba(OH) 2 ⋅8H 2 O and Zr(OH) 4 , and obtained pure BaZrO 3 compacts with a relative density of ∼92% under the conditions of Zr(OH) 4 ball-milling for 30 min, Ba/Zr ratio of 1.15, and holding a temperature of 350 °C for 60 min. The effects of processing parameters on the phase structure, relative density, microstructure evolution, and dielectric property of the BaZrO 3 bulk were studied in detail. The results suggest that the synthesis and densification of BaZrO 3 bulk in the RCS process involved the steps of dissolution, reaction, agglomeration, collapse, and densification. The present study extends the applicability of RCS to the preparation of high-density perovskite ceramics with nanograins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A generalized cold sintering densification strategy based on a hydroxide precursor transformation route is proposed for oxides. The densification of MgO, CuO, ZnO and WO 3 was achieved via cold sintering by using their corresponding hydroxides at temperatures not exceeding 450 °C. Nano-oxides formed by the decomposition of the hydroxides exhibited good low-temperature sinterability. The densification mechanisms mainly involved particle rearrangement promoted by in situ released water and intergranular diffusion accelerated by surface defects of the oxide particles generated from hydroxide decomposition. During the cold sintering process, the oxides with relatively higher solubility in a water vapor environment are more likely to form surface defects, which promoted water-aided densification. Owing to the possibility of obtaining the corresponding hydroxides for almost all oxides, this strategy renders cold sintering feasible for a wide range of materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We attempt to modify the magnetoelectric properties of antiferromagnetic Bi2Fe4O9 nanograins by substituting multivalent Mn ions at Fe sites. The doped Bi2Fe4O9 nanograins are synthesized by a hydrothermal method with a different Mn content x (x is the mole ratio of Mn to Mn plus Fe; x = 0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, and 0.10). Among them, the x = 0.04 sample shows the anomalous decrease of lattice parameters a and b, the lowest antiferromagnetic transition temperature, and the largest saturated magnetization. Besides, the magneto-dielectric effect (Δɛ/ɛ ∼ −4.9%) and the magneto-striction constant (λ ∼ −1.1 × 10−4) of the x = 0.04 sample are also the largest compared with others (220 K and 0.6 T). Combined with Raman scattering and x-ray photoelectron measurement, it is considered that the substitution site of Mn ions varies with an increase of doping amount x, which also leads to the change of valence state of Mn ions and the lattice structure, and further affects the strength of magnetic interaction and spin-lattice coupling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SnO2:Cu memristor devices were fabricated to investigate the influence of Frenkel defects on endurance behavior. We controlled the oxygen pressure during pulsed laser deposition to obtain different Frenkel defect conditions. For SnO2:Cu devices with homogeneous Frenkel defects, high-resistance state (HRS) fatigue was observed with increasing switching cycles due to the reduction of interfacial barriers caused by unrecoverable fragments of conductive filaments. In bilayer SnO2:Cu devices with Frenkel defect concentration gradients, the vertical Fick force resulting from the concentration gradient can drive mobile oxygen ions to restrain the formation of unrecoverable fragments. Thus, HRS fatigue was improved by restraining the reduction of interfacial barriers. When the gradient becomes large, the bilayer devices demonstrate HRS rise and stuck switching in several switching cycles. In this case, the Fick force may dominate the diffusion of mobile oxygen ions, leading to the overfilling of oxygen vacancies at the interface and an increase in interfacial barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the perovskite solar cells have been developed rapidly, the industrialization of perovskite photovoltaics is still facing challenges, especially considering their stability issues. Here, the new type of benzimidazolium salt, N,N′‐dialkylbenzimidazolium iodide, is proposed and functionalized to convert the three‐dimensional (3D) FACs‐perovskite films into one‐dimensional (1D) capping layer topped 1D/3D structure either in individual device or module levels. This conformal interface modulation demonstrates that not only can effectively stabilize FACs‐based perovskite films by inhibiting the lateral and vertical iodide diffusions in devices or modules, ensuring an excellent operation and environmental stability, but also provides an excellent charge transporting channel through the well‐designed 1D crystal structure. Consequently, efficient device performance with power conversion efficiency up to 24.3% is readily achieved. And the large‐area perovskite solar modules with high efficiency (19.6% for the active areas of 18 cm2) and long‐term stability (about 500 h in AM 1.5G illumination or about 1000 h under double‐85 conditions) are also successfully verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have established a strong association between Malassezia and various skin disorders, including atopic dermatitis. Finding appropriate methods or medications to alleviate Malassezia -induced skin damage is of notable public interest. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of the exopolysaccharide EPS1, produced by Paenibacillus polymyxa , on Malassezia restricta -induced skin damage. In vitro assays indicated that EPS1 reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes in TNF-α-induced HaCaT cells. In a murine model, EPS1 was found to mitigate clinical symptoms, reduce epidermal thickness and mast cell infiltration, improve skin barrier function, decrease pro-inflammatory cytokine levels associated with type 17 inflammation, enhance Tregs in the spleen, upregulate the transcription of Treg-related genes in skin lesions, and modulate the skin microbiota. This study is the first to report the alleviating effect of Paenibacillus exopolysaccharide on Malassezia -induced skin inflammation and its impact on the skin microbiota. These findings support the potential of Paenibacillus exopolysaccharides as consumer products and therapeutic agents for managing Malassezia -induced skin damage by improving skin barrier function, modulating immune responses, and influencing skin microbiota. • Paenibacillus EPS inhibited TNF-α-induced inflammation in HaCaT cells. • Bacterial EPS to alleviate Malassezia -induced skin inflammation was first reported. • EPS1 improved skin barrier function and influenced the skin microbiota. • EPS1 regulated immune responses by altering type 17 inflammation and Tregs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transcription factors (TFs) are crucial for regulating fruit ripening in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). The GRAS (GAI, RGA, and SCR) TFs are involved in various physiological processes, but their role in fruit ripening has seldom been reported. We have previously identified a gene encoding GRAS protein named SlFSR (F ruit S helf-life R egulator), which is implicated in fruit ripening by regulating cell wall metabolism; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that SlFSR proteins are localized to the nucleus, where they could bind to specific DNA sequences. SlFSR acts downstream of the master ripening regulator RIN and could collaborate with RIN to control the ripening process by regulating expression of ethylene biosynthesis genes. In SlFSR -CR (CRISPR/Cas9) mutants, the initiation of fruit ripening was not affected but the reduced ethylene production and a delayed coloring process occurred. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) and promoter analysis reveal that SlFSR directly binds to the promoters of two key ethylene biosynthesis genes (SlACO1 and SlACO3) and activates their expression. However, SlFSR -CR fruits displayed a significant down-regulation of key rate-limiting genes (SlDXS1 and SlGGPPS2) in the 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway, which may account for the impaired lycopene synthesis. Altogether, we propose that SlFSR positively regulates ethylene biosynthesis and lycopene accumulation, providing valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying fruit ripening. • SlFSR regulates ET biosynthesis by activating the transcription of SlACO1 and SlACO3. • SlFSR regulates carotenoids accumulation by influencing the MEP pathway. • SlFSR and RIN cooperate to regulate the ripening processes in tomato. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]