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The cellular Notch signal transduction pathway is intimately associated with infections by Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and other gamma-herpesviruses. RBP-Jk, the cellular DNA binding component of the canonical Notch pathway, is the key Notch downstream effector protein in virus-infected and uninfected animal cells. Reactivation of KSHV from latency requires the viral lytic switch protein, Rta, to form complexes with RBP-Jk on numerous sites within the viral DNA. Constitutive Notch activity is essential for KSHV pathophysiology in models of Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) and Primary Effusion Lymphoma (PEL), and we demonstrate that Notch1 is also constitutively active in infected Vero cells. Although the KSHV genome contains >100 RBP-Jk DNA motifs, we show that none of the four isoforms of activated Notch can productively reactivate the virus from latency in a highly quantitative trans-complementing reporter virus system. Nevertheless, Notch contributed positively to reactivation because broad inhibition of Notch1-4 with gamma-secretase inhibitor (GSI) or expression of dominant negative mastermind-like1 (dnMAML1) coactivators severely reduced production of infectious KSHV from Vero cells. Reduction of KSHV production is associated with gene-specific reduction of viral transcription in both Vero and PEL cells. Specific inhibition of Notch1 by siRNA partially reduces the production of infectious KSHV, and NICD1 forms promoter-specific complexes with viral DNA during reactivation. We conclude that constitutive Notch activity is required for the robust production of infectious KSHV, and our results implicate activated Notch1 as a pro-viral member of a MAML1/RBP-Jk/DNA complex during viral reactivation. IMPORTANCE Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) manipulates the host cell oncogenic Notch signaling pathway for viral reactivation from latency and cell pathogenesis. KSHV reactivation requires that the viral protein Rta functionally interacts with RBP-Jk, the DNA-binding component of the Notch pathway, and with promoter DNA to drive transcription of productive cycle genes. We show that the Notch pathway is constitutively active during KSHV reactivation and is essential for robust production of infectious virus progeny. Inhibiting Notch during reactivation reduces the expression of specific viral genes yet does not affect the growth of the host cells. Although Notch cannot reactivate KSHV alone, the requisite expression of Rta reveals a previously unappreciated role for Notch in reactivation. We propose that activated Notch cooperates with Rta in a promoter-specific manner that is partially programmed by Rta’s ability to redistribute RBP-Jk DNA binding to the virus during reactivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Older major depressive disorder (MDD) patients have more complex clinical symptoms and higher abnormal lipid metabolism (ALM) rates. This study aimed to compare clinical differences between those with and without ALM in a sample of older first-episode drug naïve (FEDN) patients. Methods: We recruited 266 older MDD patients. Socio-demographic variables, clinical data, and lipid parameters were obtained. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), and the positive subscale of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS-P) were conducted to evaluate patients’ depression, anxiety and psychotic symptoms, respectively. Results: In this study, we found that the prevalence of comorbid ALM was 86.1% in older MDD patients. Compared with the non-abnormal lipid metabolism (NALM) group, the ALM group had a higher duration of illness, higher clinical global impression of severity scale (CGI-S) and HAMD scores, higher thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and glucose levels. Logistic regression analysis indicated that duration of illness (OR = 1.11, P = 0.023, 95%CI = 1.015–1.216) and CGI-S score (OR = 2.28, P = 0.014, 95%CI = 1.18–4.39) were associated with ALM in older MDD patients. Conclusion: The importance of regular lipid assessment in older MDD patients needs to be taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To investigate the value of 3.0T magnetic resonance perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) in the preoperative differential diagnosis and grading assessment of gliomas. Materials and Methods: The PWI features of 23 single brain metastases and 73 gliomas (32 low-grade and 41 high-grade) were retrospectively analyzed with postoperative pathological findings. The cerebral blood volume (CBV) values of the tumour parenchyma, the peritumoral oedema area and the contralateral normal brain tissue were measured, and the relative CBV (rCBV) values were calculated and statistically analysed. Results: A total of 96 patients, comprising 66 men and 30 women with a mean age of 47 ± 11 years, were included in the study. The time-signal curves of gliomas of different grades obtained by magnetic resonance perfusion have different characteristics. The rCBV values for tumor parenchyma and peritumoral edema were higher in the high-grade glioma group than in the low-grade glioma group and the single brain metastasis group ([6.01 ± 1.64] vs [2.16 ± 0.87] vs [4.37 ± 1.03]) and ([1.82 ± 0.47] vs [0.79 ± 0.34] vs [0.81 ± 0.21]), and the differences were significant (p < 0.05). The rCBV value of the tumour parenchyma in the single brain metastasis group was higher than that in the low-grade glioma group ([4.37 ± 1.03] vs [2.16 ± 0.87]), and the difference was significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Magnetic resonance PWI has high clinical value in the preoperative diagnosis and grading evaluation of gliomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article was to explore the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) and to provide valuable information for public health professionals and policymakers to improve quality of life and reduce mortality. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data pooled from the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). This study involved 102,393 US adult participants from the 2020 BRFSS. The zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) and mixed graphical model (MGM) models were used to explore the effect of ACEs on CCI and the interaction between ACEs. In the count part of the model (CCI ≥0), sexual abuse had the strongest association with CCI (relative risk [RR] = 1.111, P < 0.001). In the logit part of the model (CCI = 0), the likelihood of having CCI equal to 0 decreased by 23.0% for household substance abuse, which was the highest percentage decrease for all ACEs. Compared to those with ACE scores equal to 0, individuals with ACE scores ≥4 have an expected CCI RR of 1.222, and the likelihood of having CCI equal to 0 decreased by 50.2%. Household substance abuse and incarceration history in the home had the strongest association among interactions of ACEs (0.85). Associations between ACEs and CCI were observed in this study, and these associations differed between genders. The findings of this study provide data to design strategies for disease prevention and improvement of quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a recent survey of nematodes associated with tobacco in Shandong, China, the root-lesion nematode Pratylenchus coffeae was identified using a combination of morphology and molecular techniques. This nematode species is a serious parasite that damages a variety of plant species. The model plant benthi, Nicotiana benthamiana , is frequently used to study plant-disease interactions. However, it is not known whether this plant species is a host of P. coffeae. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the parasitism and pathogenicity of five populations of the root-lesion nematode P. coffeae on N. benthamiana. N. benthamiana seedlings with the same growth status were chosen and inoculated with 1,000 nematodes per pot. At 60 days after inoculation, the reproductive factors (Rf = final population densities (Pf)/initial population densities (Pi)) for P. coffeae in the rhizosphere of N. benthamiana were all more than 1, suggesting that N. benthamiana was a good host plant for P. coffeae. Nicotiana. benthamiana infected by P. coffeae showed weak growth, decreased tillering, high root reduction, and noticeable brown spots on the roots. Thus, we determined that the model plant N. benthamiana can be used to study plant- P. coffeae interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess and compare the clinical efficacy of “Figure-8” banding and double-row anchor suture-bridge fixation techniques in the arthroscopic management of tibial intercondylar eminence avulsion fractures. Method: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical records of 42 patients who underwent arthroscopic surgery for tibial intercondylar eminence fractures at our institution from June 2017 to June 2022. This cohort included 20 cases treated with “Figure-8” banding and 22 cases managed using double-row anchor suture-bridge fixation. Comparative assessments were made regarding operative duration, duration of fracture consolidation, postoperative knee joint range of motion, joint stability as assessed by the Lachman test, Lysholm score, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) functional score for both treatment groups. Results: The mean follow-up duration was 13.8 months. The analysis indicated that the double-row anchor suture-bridge group had a significantly longer operative duration compared to the “Figure-8” banding group (p < 0.05). Postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans confirmed successful reduction in both groups, with fracture consolidation achieved within an average of three months. Both groups showed significant improvements in postoperative knee range of motion, joint stability, and functional scores compared to preoperative measurements (p < 0.05). During the initial two-month post-surgery, the double-row anchor suture-bridge group demonstrated superior knee joint range of motion and functional scores compared to the “Figure-8” banding group (p < 0.05); however, these differences were not statistically significant beyond three months post-surgery (p > 0.05). By the one-year postoperative mark, joint stability outcomes were comparable between the two treatment groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Both “Figure-8” banding and double-row anchor suture-bridge fixation techniques in the arthroscopic management of tibial intercondylar eminence avulsion fractures can achieve precise reduction and stable fixation. In addition, the figure-8 suture group has the characteristics of shorter surgery time and less cost. Notably, early postoperative knee function appears to be superior with double-row anchor suture-bridge fixation compared to “Figure-8” banding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the trimester‐specific associations between maternal total physical activity level vs moderate‐to‐vigorous exercise and fetal growth disorders. Methods: We analyzed 2062 mother–neonate pairs participating in the longitudinal China Medical University Birth Cohort Study. The Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess the physical activity level of women during the three trimesters. A higher level of total physical activity was defined as meeting or exceeding the cohort‐specific 75th percentile, and a higher level of exercise was defined according to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Fetal growth disorder was defined as small‐for‐gestational age (SGA) or large‐for‐gestational age (LGA) at birth. Results: Of the neonates included in this study, 7.1% were SGA and 15.5% were LGA. A higher level of total physical activity during the first trimester (adjusted relative risk (aRR), 0.62 (95% CI, 0.42–0.91)) and second trimester (aRR, 0.62 (95% CI, 0.41–0.95)) was associated with a lower risk of SGA, and a higher level of total physical activity during the third trimester was associated with a lower risk of LGA (aRR, 0.73 (95% CI, 0.54–0.97)). When analyzing physical activity by subtype, a higher level of occupational physical activity during the first and second trimesters was associated negatively with SGA risk, and higher levels of occupational and low‐intensity physical activity during the first trimester were associated negatively with LGA risk. No significant association was found between maternal adherence to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans and risk of fetal growth disorders. Conclusions: A higher total physical activity level during the first and second trimesters was associated with a decreased risk of SGA, whereas a higher total physical activity level in the third trimester was associated with a decreased risk of LGA. Pregnant women should be advised to increase their total physical activity levels instead of focusing on engaging in only moderate‐to‐vigorous exercise. © 2024 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Davidia involucrata Baill. is a deciduous perennial tree. MADS-box genes are widely distributed in nature and play a key role in the growth and development of plants, especially in regulating the development of floral organs. In the present study, we have used transcriptomics to select 14 MADS-box genes differentially expressed in bract and leaf, followed by cloning and preliminary bioinformatics analysis. We predict that DiMADS-1 and DiMADS-2 belong to AGL and FLC respectively. Two key genes specifically expressed during Davidia involucrate flower development, DiMADS-1 and DiMADS-2, were transformed into Arabidopsis thaliana. Flowering appeared earlier in DiMADS-1 transgenic plants than in the wild type, whereas expression levels of some flowering promoters increased. DiMADS-2 transgenic plants were shorter and flowering was delayed, consistent with an increase in expression of flowering inhibitory factors and a decrease in flowering promoting factors. Subcellular localization displayed that both gene products were located in the nucleus. These results suggest that these two genes are involved in Davidia involucrata flowering time regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The incidence of persistent clinical symptoms and risk factors in Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) in diverse US cohorts is unclear. While there are a disproportionate share of COVID-19 deaths in older patients, ethnic minorities, and socially disadvantaged populations in the USA, little information is available on the association of these factors and PASC.Objective: To evaluate the association of demographic and clinical characteristics with development of PASC.Design: Prospective observational cohort of hospitalized and high-risk outpatients, April 2020 to February 2021.Participants: One thousand thirty-eight adults with laboratory-confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 infection.Main Measures: Development of PASC determined by patient report of persistent symptoms on questionnaires conducted 60 or 90 days after COVID-19 infection or hospital discharge. Demographic and clinical factors associated with PASC.Key Results: Of 1,038 patients with longitudinal follow-up, 309 patients (29.8%) developed PASC. The most common persistent symptom was fatigue (31.4%) followed by shortness of breath (15.4%) in hospitalized patients and anosmia (15.9%) in outpatients. Hospitalization for COVID-19 (odds ratio [OR] 1.49, 95% [CI] 1.04-2.14), having diabetes (OR, 1.39; 95% CI 1.02-1.88), and higher BMI (OR, 1.02; 95% CI 1-1.04) were independently associated with PASC. Medicaid compared to commercial insurance (OR, 0.49; 95% CI 0.31-0.77) and having had an organ transplant (OR 0.44, 95% CI, 0.26-0.76) were inversely associated with PASC. Age, race/ethnicity, Social Vulnerability Index, and baseline functional status were not associated with developing PASC.Conclusions: Three in ten survivors with COVID-19 developed a subset of symptoms associated with PASC in our cohort. While ethnic minorities, older age, and social disadvantage are associated with worse acute COVID-19 infection and greater risk of death, our study found no association between these factors and PASC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we report the first experimental demonstration of InN nanowire solar cells deposited by RF sputtering with a bandgap energy of 1.78 eV. By adding an amorphous Si (a-Si) buffer to the n -InN/ p -Si structure, we have improved the photovoltaic performance of the resulting devices while maintaining their material quality. We have firstly optimized the deposition of Si on Si(100) by DC sputtering, obtaining an amorphous material with bandgap energy of 1.39 eV. Then we have studied the influence of the thickness of the a-Si buffer layer (0–25 nm) on the structural, morphological, electrical, and optical properties of InN nanowires on Si(100) substrates. With the use of a 15-nm buffer, n -InN/a-Si/ p -Si nanowire heterojunction solar cells exhibit a promising short-circuit current density of 17 mA/cm2, open circuit voltage of 0.37 V and fill factor of 35.5%, pointing to a power-conversion efficiency of 2.3% under 1-sun (AM 1.5G) illumination. These work demonstrates that the combination of in-situ sputtered a-Si, which could serve as potential passivation layer, and the light trapping enhancement by the nanostructured active layer leads to an improvement of the photovoltaic efficiency of sputtered III-nitride devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vanadium boasts a relatively small atomic radius among numerous refractory alloying elements, yet its effects on the microstructure and mechanical behavior of refractory alloys remain enigmatic. In this work, a series of NbTiV x Zr high-entropy alloys (HEAs) with low density were formulated to explore the evolution of microstructures and mechanical properties with varying vanadium content. When the vanadium content was low, the matrix exhibited the single-phase body-centered cubic structure. Excessive vanadium contents (NbTiV 0.75 Zr, NbTiVZr) disrupted phase stability and tended to aggregate at grain boundaries, forming V-rich and Zr-rich phases. These precipitated phases pinned grain boundaries, impeding grain growth and resulting in both grain boundary strengthening and precipitation strengthening, albeit at the expense of grain boundary cohesion, ultimately leading to brittleness. However, these deleterious phases were redissolved, and fracture elongation increased more than 2 times after water quenching at 1200 °C. The microstructural changes induced by heat treatment were corroborated by alterations in grain boundary relaxation behavior, where the redissolution of precipitated phases after water quenching caused a shift of the grain boundary relaxation internal friction peak to a lower temperature and an increase in peak height. This study elucidates the intrinsic relationship between mechanical properties and microstructures with vanadium content in NbTiV x Zr alloys, offering insights for the design of TiV-based lightweight refractory HEAs with high strength and excellent ductility. • Excessive V addition results in destabilization of the BCC structure of NbTiV x Zr samples. • When V content exceeds 0.125 at%, grain size significantly refines. • As the V content increases, yield strength significantly rises while plasticity decreases. • Water quenching can restore RT plasticity for high-V content samples. • Zr- and V-rich structures precipitate along grain boundaries, restraining grain boundary relaxation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Snoek anelastic internal friction (IF) peak due to stress-induced dipole ordering associated with interstitial atoms was well observed in IF curves of single-principal element alloys (SPEAs) as early as in the 1950s, however, its behavior remains elusive in multi-principal element alloys (MPEAs) to date. Here the temperature-dependent IF spectra of NbTiV 0.5 Zr refractory MPEAs with varying O contents were presented, and the analysis of these data indicates that for O-doped NbTiV 0.5 Zr MPEAs, the O addition triggers two anelastic IF peaks (the P O1 and P O2), corresponding to the O-Snoek-type relaxation in random solid solution (RSS) and local chemical ordering (LCO) structures, respectively. The half-peak width of the P O1 is 2–3 times broader than that for SPEAs, associated with the wide O migration energy barrier distribution in MPEAs. These phenomena show a striking contrast to the single and narrow Snoek-type peak observed for SPEAs. Our analysis further reveals an approximate linear correlation between the half-peak width of the Snoek-type peak and the mixing entropy. The introduction of O also shifts grain boundary relaxation peaks (P G) towards higher temperatures. Interestingly, high-temperature anomalous modulus changes were observed for the first time in TiV-based lightweight refractory MPEAs, which is suggested to be originated from the order reduction of the body-centered cubic (bcc) structure at elevated temperatures. Moreover, the 1 at.%O doped NbTiV 0.5 Zr MPEA with a favorable balance between the peak heights of the P O2 and P G , exhibits outstanding specific yield stress (SYS) among refractory MPEAs while maintaining an elongation as high as 20 %. This work provides not only a bridge between the anelastic behavior of SPEAs and MPEAs for upcoming studies and theories concerning bcc MPEAs with interstitial atoms, but contributes to the holistic design of bcc MPEAs with high strength and excellent ductility. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a robust adaptive repetitive control (RARC) method for a class of periodically time-varying nonlinear systems with aperiodic uncertainties. A σ modification is introduced in the learning algorithm of RARC, in order to guarantee robustness of the system undertaken. The closed-loop type learning algorithm is examined and it is shown that the realisability cannot be assured when the σ modification is applied. To avoid the causality contradiction, an open-loop type learning algorithm with switching σ modification is proposed to guarantee robustness and achieve the asymptotic convergence of the tracking error, when the disturbances disappear. Extension to the RARC for robotic manipulators is given and the numerical simulation is carried out to verify the effectiveness of the learning control scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To quantify the responses of drivers to traffic information and the congestion evacuation effect on the basis of traffic guidance information, a multilayer network congestion risk propagation model of urban roads was built to analyse the influence of the advanced traveller information system (ATIS) penetration rate, group behaviours of drivers, and traveller flow distribution features on the traffic congestion risk propagation of urban roads. Meanwhile, the dynamic evolutionary characteristics of group behaviours of drivers in a road network under the guidance of traffic information were analysed with the microscopic Markov chain approach (MMCA). A simulation analysis of the artery network in the fourth ring of Beijing was also carried out. Results demonstrated that the influence of traffic information and drivers' information reinforcement psychology on congestion risk propagation depend on the aggregation effect caused by traffic information. Increasing the ATIS market penetration rate and drivers' acceptance of information is beneficial to relieve traffic congestion as long as the drivers' aggregation effect is within a critical range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat stress has become more common in recent years, limiting wheat production in Huang-Huai-Hai plain in China. To identify the effect of long-term heat stress on wheat production, two heat-resistant (JM44, JM23) and two heatsensitive (XM26, GC8901) wheat varieties were sown in heat tents and normal conditions, and heat stress (9 to 12°C higher than control) was imposed for seven days at post-anthesis. All varieties under heat stress exhibited early senescence and reduced grain-filling rate, while the grain-filling period of heat-tolerant varieties was longer than that of the heat-sensitive. Furthermore, long-term heat stress significantly reduced kernel mass, grain number, harvest index, chlorophyll content, maximum quantum yield of PSⅡ photochemistry, effective quantum yield of PSⅡ photochemistry, photosynthetic rate, and transpiration efficiency. In addition, the distribution of dry matter to vegetative organs, catalase activity, and malondialdehyde content increased. These results indicated that the lesser yield reduction of heat-resistant varieties (11-26%) than that of heat-sensitive (16-37%) is due to relatively higher antioxidative and photosynthetic performance and higher assimilation in the grain from vegetative organs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A primary dendrite identification method based on deep learning is proposed. The primary dendrite identification is an important part of laser cladding surface performance test which is the base of mechanical properties research. Traditional primary dendrite identification depends primarily on artificial vision detection. With the rapid development of deep learning, industrial automatic detection has become an inevitable trend, because deep learning technology can greatly improve the accuracy and efficiency, therefore, the study of primary dendrite automatic detection technology has great practical value. In this paper, the semantic segmentation neural network in deep learning is used to label the primary dendrite by using only small-scale dataset training the neural network. The semantic segmentation neural network is constructed based on the improved U-Net structure. The experimental results show that after training, the mean Intersection over Union (IoU) index of the test set results is 0.789, and manual recognition takes about 18 times longer than deep learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The blue straggler binary WOCS 5379 is a member of the old (6–7 Gyr) open cluster NGC 188. WOCS 5379 comprises a blue straggler star with a white dwarf companion in a 120 day eccentric orbit. Combined with the orbital period, this helium white dwarf is evidence of previous mass transfer by a red giant. Detailed models of the system evolution from a progenitor main-sequence binary, including mass transfer, are made using the Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics. Both of the progenitor stars are evolved in the simulation. WOCS 5379 is well reproduced with a primary star of initial mass 1.19 M⊙, whose core becomes the white dwarf. The secondary star initially is 1.01 M⊙. The secondary finished receiving mass from the donor 300 Myr ago, having moved beyond the NGC 188 turnoff as a 1.20 M⊙ blue straggler. The successful model has a mass-transfer efficiency of 22%. This nonconservative mass transfer is key to expanding the orbit fast enough to permit stable mass transfer. Even so, the mass transfer begins with a short unstable phase, during which half of the accreted mass is transferred. With increasing mass, the secondary evolves from a radiative core to a convective core. The final blue straggler interior is remarkably similar to a 2.1 Gyr old 1.21 M⊙ main-sequence star at the same location in the H-R diagram. The white dwarf effective temperature is also reproduced, but the modeled white dwarf mass of 0.33 M⊙ is smaller than the measured mass of 0.42 M⊙. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although a high‐salt diet is associated with high risk of chronic diseases such as hypertension, stroke and cardiovascular disease, little is known about the relationship between a high‐salt diet and the risk of primary liver cancer (PLC). Consequently, we prospectively assessed the association of high perceived salt intake with the risk of PLC in the Kailuan Study. Methods: In total, 97 006 participants who were healthy adults or free living adults at the baseline (2006) were included in the present study. The data of perceived salt intake were collected via questionnaire and classified into three categories: <6 g day−1 for low salt intake, 6–10 g day−1 for intermediate salt intake, >10 g day−1 for high‐salt intake. PLC including hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (excluding liver metastasis), and was confirmed by review of medical records. We used a Cox proportional hazards model to analyse the association between high perceived salt diet and the risk of PLC after adjusting for possible confounders, including age, gender, body mass index, high sensitivity‐C‐reactive protein, low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, alanine aminotransferase, HbsAg positive, cirrhosis, fatty liver, hypertension, diabetes, drinking status, smoking status and physical exercise. Results: During the follow‐up period of 1 113 816 person‐years, 397 PLC events were diagnosed. After adjusting for most potential confounders, subjects in intermediate salt intake and high salt intake had a multivariable hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval of 1.49 (0.97–2.29) and 1.98 (1.22–3.22) (P for trend = 0.0042), respectively, compared to low salt intake. Conclusions: A higher perceived salt intake was associated with a higher risk of PLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the inefficiencies in the logistics activities of rail vehicle manufacturing enterprises, arising from the absence of effective co-evolutionary mechanisms. The research introduces a novel approach using social network analysis and complex network techniques to simulate the coevolution of logistics organizations. This model, incorporating both static structure analysis and dynamic network reorganization, offers a practical pathway for evolving logistic organization networks. The study's relevance is underscored by applying it to real-world simulations within CRRC Corporation Limited's subsidiaries, enhancing the collaborative efficiency and safety of logistic networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the fatigue life of Al‐Zn713 alloy castings was studied. Based on stereological theory and finite element method, a new idea of material fatigue life prediction was proposed. Goldsmith‐Cruz‐Orive method was used to reconstruct the three‐dimensional distribution of micropores that based on the two‐dimensional distribution information. The stress analysis of the reconstructed three‐dimensional geometric model was carried out by finite element method. Combining with the modified Coffin‐Manson formula, a material fatigue life prediction system based on the distribution of micropores was established, which opened up a new direction for the research of material fatigue behavior and fatigue life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two main cracks appear on the upper end of the inner hole of a hammer anvil after 130 hours' impact. The fracture morphology, microstructure, metallographic microscopy results and nonmetallic inclusions of the cracked anvil are analyzed. The chemical composition and mechanical properties of the anvil are examined. In its material, carbon content is shown to be higher than the highest limit of 40CrMnMo specifications, with multiple sulfide inclusions, which affects the comprehensive mechanical properties to some extent. The cracks originate from mechanical fatigue, propagating from the stress concentration point near the upper end of the inner hole. Low material toughness and high local working stresses are the main contributors of fatigue cracking. The lines of optimizing the operating conditions and improving the anvil structure and material are put forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the mitigating effects of spermidine (Spd) application on salinity-induced ion inbalance, physiological properties, and the expression of some genes in foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.). We observed 30-d-old seedlings maintained at a half-strength Hoagland solution (control), 1.0 % NaCl, 10, 20, and 40 μM Spd, and 10, 20, and 40 μM Spd + 1.0 % (m/v) NaCl for 14 d. The results show that salt stress significantly inhibited plant growth, and this was significantly ameliorated by Spd. The mass of the shoots and roots, content of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b, root activity, and K+ content were higher whereas Na+ content, Na+/K+ ratio, relative electrolyte leakage, glutathione content, H2O2 content, activity of glutathione reductase (GR), and catalase (CAT) were lower after application of Spd in comparison with NaCl alone. The expression of GR, ascorbate peroxidase, CAT, and superoxide dismutase genes also significantly decreased in salt stressed plants with Spd. This study has proved the role of Spd in alleviating salt stress in foxtail millet and identified that 20 μM Spd was most effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pure rotational spectrum of the PCN radical (X3Σ-) has been measured for the first time using a combination of millimeter/submillimeter direct absorption and Fourier transform microwave (FTMW) spectroscopy. In the millimeter instrument, PCN was created by the reaction of phosphorus vapor and cyanogen in the presence of an ac discharge. A pulsed dc discharge of a dilute mixture of PCl3 vapor and cyanogen in argon was the synthetic method employed in the FTMW machine. Twenty-seven rotational transitions of PCN and six of P13CN in the ground vibrational state were recorded from 19 to 415 GHz, all which exhibited fine structure arising from the two unpaired electrons in this radical. Phosphorus and nitrogen hyperfine splittings were also resolved in the FTMW data. Rotational satellite lines from excited vibrational states with v2 = 1-3 and v1 = 1 were additionally measured in the submillimeter range. The data were analyzed with a Hund's case (b) effective Hamiltonian and rotational, fine structure, and hyperfine constants were determined. From the rotational parameters of both carbon isotopologues, the geometry of PCN was established to be linear, with a P-C single bond and a C-N triple bond, structurally comparable to other non-metal main group heteroatom cyanides. Analysis of the hyperfine constants suggests that the two unpaired electrons reside almost exclusively on the phosphorus atom in a π2 configuration, with little interaction with the nitrogen nucleus. The fine structure splittings in the vibrational satellite lines differ significantly from the pattern of the ground state, with the effect most noticeable with increasing v2 quantum number. These deviations likely result from spin-orbit vibronic perturbations from a nearby 1Σ+ state, suggested by the data to lie ∼12 000 cm-1 above the ground state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pure rotational spectrum of CuCCH in its ground electronic state (X 1Σ+) has been measured in the frequency range of 7-305 GHz using Fourier transform microwave (FTMW) and direct absorption millimeter/submillimeter methods. This work is the first spectroscopic study of CuCCH, a model system for copper acetylides. The molecule was synthesized using a new technique, discharge assisted laser ablation spectroscopy (DALAS). Four to five rotational transitions were measured for this species in six isotopologues (63CuCCH, 65CuCCH, 63Cu13CCH, 63CuC13CH, 63Cu13C13CH, and 63CuCCD); hyperfine interactions arising from the copper nucleus were resolved, as well as smaller splittings in CuCCD due to deuterium quadrupole coupling. Five rotational transitions were also recorded in the millimeter region for 63CuCCH and 65CuCCH, using a Broida oven source. The combined FTMW and millimeter spectra were analyzed with an effective Hamiltonian, and rotational, electric quadrupole (Cu and D) and copper nuclear spin-rotation constants were determined. From the rotational constants, an rm(2) structure for CuCCH was established, with rCu[Single_Bond]C=1.8177(6) Å, rC[Single_Bond]C=1.2174(6) Å, and rC[Single_Bond]H=1.046(2) Å. The geometry suggests that CuCCH is primarily a covalent species with the copper atom singly bonded to the C=C[Single_Bond]H moiety. The copper quadrupole constant indicates that the bonding orbital of this atom may be sp hybridized. The DALAS technique promises to be fruitful in the study of other small, metal-containing molecules of chemical interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pure rotational spectrum of the CCAs radical in its ground electronic and spin state, X 2Π1/2, has been measured using Fourier transform microwave techniques in the frequency range of 12–40 GHz. This species was created in a supersonic expansion from a reaction mixture of AsCl3 and C2H2 or CH4 diluted in high pressure argon, using a pulsed nozzle containing a dc discharge source. Three rotational transitions were measured for the main isotopologue, 12C12CAs, in the Ω=12 ladder; both lambda-doubling and arsenic (I=3/2) hyperfine interactions were observed in these spectra. In addition, two to four rotational transitions were recorded for the 13C13CAs, 13C12CAs, and 12C13CAs species. In these three isotopologues, hyperfine splittings were also resolved arising from the 13C nuclei (I=12), creating complex spectral patterns. The CCAs spectra were analyzed with a case (a) Hamiltonian, and effective rotational, lambda-doubling, and arsenic and carbon-13 hyperfine constants were determined for the Ω=12 ladder. From the effective rotational constants of the four isotopologues, an rm(1) structure has been derived with rC–C=1.287 Å and rC–As=1.745 Å. These bond lengths indicate that the predominant structure for arsenic dicarbide is C==C==As·, with some contributing C=C and C=As triple bond characters. The hyperfine constants established in this work indicate that about 2/3 of the unpaired electron density lies on the arsenic atom, with the remaining percentage on the terminal carbon. The value of the arsenic quadrupole coupling constant (eqQ=-202 MHz) suggests that the As–C bond has a mixture of covalent and ionic characters, consistent with theoretical predictions that both π backbonding and electron transfer play a role in creating a linear, as opposed to a cyclic, structure for certain heteroatom dicarbides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pure rotational spectrum of HZnCN in its X 1Σ+ electronic state has been recorded using pulsed Fourier transform microwave (FTMW) techniques in the frequency range 7–39 GHz—the first spectroscopic study of this species in the gas phase. The FTMW spectrum of ZnCN(X 2Σ+) has been measured as well. A new FTMW spectrometer with an angled beam and simplified electronics, based on a cryopump, was employed for these experiments. The molecules were created in a dc discharge from a gas mixture of Zn(CH3)2 and cyanogen (1% D2 for the deuterated analogs), diluted with argon, that was expanded supersonically from a pulsed nozzle. Seven isotopologues of HZnCN arising from zinc, deuterium, and 13C substitutions were studied; for every species, between three and five rotational transitions were recorded, each consisting of numerous hyperfine components arising from nitrogen, and in certain cases, deuterium, and 67-zinc nuclear spins. Four transitions of ZnCN were measured. From these data, rotational, nuclear spin-rotation, and quadrupole coupling constants have been determined for HZnCN, as well as rotational, and magnetic and quadrupole hyperfine parameters for the ZnCN radical. The bond lengths determined for HZnCN are rH–Zn=1.495 Å, rZn–C=1.897 Å, and rC–N=1.146 Å, while those for ZnCN are rZn–C=1.950 Å and rC–N=1.142 Å. The zinc-carbon bond length thus shortens with the addition of the H atom. The nitrogen quadrupole coupling constant eqQ was found to be virtually identical in both cyanide species (-5.089 and -4.931 MHz), suggesting that the electric field gradient across the N nucleus is not influenced by the H atom. The quadrupole constant for the 67Zn nucleus in H67ZnCN is unusually large relative to that in 67ZnF (-104.578 versus -60 MHz), evidence that the bonding in the cyanide has more covalent character than in the fluoride. This study additionally suggests that hydrides of other metal cyanide species are likely candidates for high resolution spectroscopic investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pure rotational spectrum of CCP (X 2Πr) has been measured at microwave, millimeter, and submillimeter wavelengths (17–545 GHz), along with its 13C isotopologues (13C13CP, C13CP, and 13CCP). The spectra of these species were recorded using a combination of millimeter/submillimeter direct absorption methods and Fourier transform microwave (FTMW) techniques. The phosphorus dicarbides were created in the gas phase from the reaction of red phosphorus and acetylene or methane in argon in an ac discharge for the direct absorption experiments, and using PCl3 as the phosphorus source in a pulsed dc nozzle discharge for the FTMW measurements. A total of 35 rotational transitions were recorded for the main isotopologue, and between 2 and 8 for the 13C-substituted species. Both spin-orbit components were identified for CCP, while only the Ω=1/2 ladder was observed for 13C13CP, C13CP, and 13CCP. Hyperfine splittings due to phosphorus were observed for each species, as well as carbon-13 hyperfine structure for each of the 13C-substituted isotopologues. The data were fitted with a Hund’s case (a) Hamiltonian, and rotational, fine structure, and hyperfine parameters were determined for each species. The rm(1) bond lengths established for CCP, r(C[Single_Bond]C)=1.289(1) Å and r(C[Single_Bond]P)=1.621(1) Å, imply that there are double bonds between both the two carbon atoms and the carbon and phosphorus atoms. The hyperfine constants suggest that the unpaired electron in this radical is primarily located on the phosphorus nucleus, but with some electron density also on the terminal carbon atom. There appears to be a minor resonance structure where the unpaired electron is on the nucleus of the end carbon. The multiple double bond structure forces the molecule to be linear, as opposed to other main group dicarbides, such as SiC2, which have cyclic geometries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stress-assisted atomic diffusion behavior in NiTiHf shape memory alloys was investigated by measuring the internal friction at temperature range of 300–1070 K. A thermally activated internal friction peak was recorded in the B2-ordered phase in the temperature range of about 850–950 K (at 1 Hz, depending on alloy composition), with activation energy of 1.79 ± 0.05 and 2.00 ± 0.10 eV and relaxation time of 2.7 − 2 + 1 ∙ 10 − 12 and 1.7 − 5 + 1 ∙ 10 − 13 s for Ni 50 Ti 35 Hf 15 and Ni 50 Ti 30 Hf 20 alloys, respectively. It was proposed that the short-range diffusion of Ni-atoms under the stress is the main relaxation mechanism in the studied alloys. The diffusion coefficients of Ni in the B2-ordered phase were estimated to be 3.72·10−8 and 5.90·10−7 m2s−1 for Ni 50 Ti 35 Hf 15 and Ni 50 Ti 30 Hf 20 alloys, correspondingly. [Display omitted] • A thermally activated IF peak was found in the B2-ordered phase of NiTiHf alloys. • The activation energy and relaxation time of relaxation process was estimated. • The main relaxation mechanism is short-range diffusion of Ni-atoms under the stress. • The diffusion coefficients of Ni in B2-ordered phase for NiTiHf alloys were estimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimization of the damping capacity of conventional FeCr-based ferromagnetic high damping alloys (HDAs) usually involves a trade-off in terms of degradation of mechanical properties due to grain coarsening caused by high-temperature annealing. In this work, new ferromagnetic HDAs of FeGaMo alloys with different Mo contents are reported, which can exhibit high damping when treated in a medium temperature range. Among these alloys, the alloy with Mo content of 2 at% exhibits the best damping capacity of 4.20 × 10−2 (Q−1, equivalent to a special damping capacity SDC of 0.26). It is found that the Mo element has a high solid solubility in the FeGa alloy, and when the Mo content is 2 at%, only isolated tiny precipitations are observed in the matrix. These small precipitates have a negligible effect on hindering domain motion, and the corresponding coercivity change is extremely weak compared to the Mo-free FeGa alloy. As the Mo content increases to 4 at% or 6 at%, Mo-rich phases precipitate within the grains and along the grain boundaries, resulting in an increasing coercivity. Interestingly, as the Mo content increases, the domain density in the (001) and (110) surfaces gradually increases and the arrangement of magnetic domains becomes more tortuous due to the decrease in the magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant. For the FeGaMo alloy with 2 at% Mo content, the high damping capacity mainly arises from the energy loss caused by the high density of irreversible motion of domain walls (DWs) under the applied stress, and as the Mo content continues to increase, the significant precipitation of Mo-rich phases severely restricts the movement distance of DWs, leading to a decrease in damping. This work provides valuable insights for the design and research of new ferromagnetic high damping materials in the future. [Display omitted] • Adding 2 at% Mo significantly improves the damping capacity of FeGa alloys. • Mo element has high solid solubility in FeGa alloys. • The addition of Mo atoms reduces the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of FeGa alloys. • 2 at% Mo has little impact on coercivity, but further addition notably boosts it. • The magnetic domain density becomes higher with increasing Mo content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • A new effective approach of online power system inertia calculation is presented. • An improved method of Estimation of the Rate of Frequency Change is proposed. • It increases the awareness of the varied and reduced system inertia in future power system. • The performance is validated by simulations, under laboratory conditions and real-life data. • The method uses wide area monitoring data and can be part of application of WAMPC scheme. Abstract Future developments in power systems, e.g. relatively larger generator sets, the virtual power plant and synthetic inertia concept and connection of generation assets over inverters, will cause the system inertia to vary significantly. During system operation, if the inertia of the system is significantly lower than anticipated at the planning stage, then the existing, deterministic protection and control may fail to ensure system stability. Therefore, the ability to accurately determine the inertia of individual system areas, and the system as a whole, online would be very useful. In this paper, an Inertia Calculation Application (ICA), which could be implemented as part of a Wide Area Monitoring Protection and Control scheme, is presented. The necessary wide area measurements must be processed during large disturbances to the active power balance of the system. The ICA has been validated by using computer simulations, under laboratory conditions and by using real-life data recorded by a transmission system operator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The orbital decay of binaries containing a primary subgiant or red giant star and a stellar or substellar companion is investigated. The tide raised in the primary by the companion leads to an exchange of angular momentum between the orbit and the stellar spin, causing the orbit to contract and the primary to spin-up. The rate of orbital decay is computed including both the equilibrium tide, damped by turbulent viscosity in the convective envelope, and the dynamical tide, assumed to be a traveling internal-gravity wave in the radiative core. For close binaries, the tidal forcing period is expected to be much shorter than the eddy turnover time-scale in the convective envelope, and the prescription for 'reduced' viscosity is an important consideration. The dynamical tide tends to dominate for the closest orbits, while the equilibrium tide dominates for more distant orbits, with the crossover point depending on the stellar mass. The spin-up of the primary to synchronous rotation occurs for sufficiently massive secondaries, and this greatly slows the orbital decay until the Darwin instability occurs. A parameter survey is presented for orbital decay as a function of primary and secondary mass, as well as turbulent viscosity prescription. These results are summarized with analytic formulae and numerical results for the age-dependent critical separation, a crit, inside of which orbital decay is rapid, and few systems are expected to be observed. The calculations of a critare compared with apogee binaries, as well as solar mass exoplanet host stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background We describe the differential diagnosis of an obese 12-year-old boy of Mexican origin who presented with a 6-year history of abnormal lipid profile and elevated liver transaminase levels. Methods The patient underwent routine clinical testing, an abdominal ultrasound and, ultimately, a liver biopsy. Based on the histologic findings, a serum leukocyte lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) assay and DNA sequencing of the lipase A (LIPA) gene were performed. Results Liver biopsy revealed diffuse microvesicular steatosis with clusters of foamy histiocytes in the lobules and portal areas. Our differential diagnosis included nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; medication-induced hepatotoxicity; glycogenic hepatopathy; medium-chain acyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase or long-chain acyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency; and lysosomal storage disorders, including Niemann-Pick disease and lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL-D). Serum LAL activity was absent, and DNA sequencing confirmed homozygous mutation in LIPA. Conclusions Although it occurs rarely, LAL-D should be considered in the differential diagnosis of microvesicular steatosis for a timely diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SmBa2Cu3O7-δ (SmBCO)-coated conductors containing La2Zr2O7 (LZO) artificial pinning centers (APCs) were fabricated on buffered Hastelloy substrates by low fluorine metal organic deposition method (MOD). The properties of LZO-doped SmBCO film were systematically studied by x-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectra, and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Higher critical current density (Jc) values not only in self field but also in applied magnetic field were obtained by moderate LZO doping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ag-doped GdBa2Cu3O7−δ (GdBCO)-coated conductors are fabricated via a metal-organic process. The X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy results show that the growth conditions of the GdBa2Cu3O7−δ matrix are modified, resulting in less a-axis growth and much smoother surface morphology and finally giving rise to much improvement of superconducting performance in a wide range of processing parameters. The orientation behavior and mechanism of Ag-doped GdBCO films are investigated. To reasonably explain the orientation behavior of Ag-doped GdBCO films, a simple nucleation model for Ag-doped GdBCO is established, suggesting quasi-liquid phases are perfected by Ag. As a consequence, a-axis nucleation is suppressed and strong c-axis nucleation is achieved in a wider processing window. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herpesviral haematopoietic necrosis (HVHN), caused by cyprinid herpesvirus 2 (CyHV-2), causes significant losses in crucian carp (Carassius carassius) aquaculture. Rapid and convenient DNA assay detection of CyHV-2 is useful for field diagnosis. Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) is a novel isothermal DNA amplification and detection technology that can amplify DNA within 30 min at ~37°C by simulating in vivo DNA recombination. Herein, a rapid and convenient detection assay based on RPA with a lateral flow dipstick (LFD) was developed for detecting CyHV-2. The highly conserved ORF72 of CyHV-2 was targeted by specific and sensitive primers and probes. The optimized assay takes only 15 min at 38°C using a water bath, with analysis of products by 2% agarose gel electrophoresis within 30 min. A simple lateral flow strip based on the unique probe in reaction buffer was developed for visualization. The entire RPA-LFD assay takes 50 min less than the routine PCR method, is 100 times more sensitive and displays no cross-reaction with other aquatic viruses. The combined isothermal RPA and lateral flow assay (RPA-LFD) provides a simple, rapid, reliable method that could improve field diagnosis of CyHV-2 when resources are limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cerium nitrate (Ce(NO 3 ) 3 ) and benzotriazole (BTA) were applied as immersion post-treatments for Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) coatings on commercially pure magnesium. The surface morphology of the coated samples was characterised by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and it was found that the micro-pores on the coating surface can be effectively sealed by Ce(NO 3 ) 3 immersion post-treatment, whereas BTA did not show any significant effect on the coating microstructure. The corrosion resistance behaviour of the coated samples was examined by electrochemical tests in a 3.5 wt% NaCl solution. According to the results, the Ce(NO 3 ) 3 immersion post-treatment showed the better effect in enhancing the corrosion resistance of the PEO coating, compared with BTA immersion post-treatment. The insoluble Ce-containing compounds can provide both a sealing effect and continuous longer-term protection for the PEO-Ce(NO 3 ) 3 coating. At the same time, BTA provides only a short-term improvement in the corrosion resistance, due to adsorption on the coating surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a dataset of dissolved methane (CH 4 ) in the East China Sea (ECS) during five cruises in March, May, August, October and December 2011. CH 4 distribution in this region showed pronounced spatial and seasonal variability due to the complex mixing of different water masses and other variables. Surface CH 4 concentrations gradually decreased from the coast to the open sea, with maximum values occurring near Changjiang estuary or outside the Hangzhou Bay. The annual mean CH 4 concentration of the surface layer was 9.1 ± 1.6 nmol L −1 in the coastal area, which was nearly twice as large as that in the open sea (4.3 ± 1.3 nmol L −1 ). CH 4 was distributed evenly from the surface to the bottom in the shelf region during March and December, while it increased gradually with depth during May and October. CH 4 depth profiles exhibited various distribution features along the coast, in the middle and on the edge of continental shelf. CH 4 levels at the bottom were generally higher than at the surface during all seasons, indicating obvious CH 4 sources from sediments. Incubation experiments of sediment cores onboard suggested that sediment release was an important source of CH 4 in the water column of the ECS. We estimated that the annual average CH 4 release rate from sediments was about 1.11 μmol·m −2 ·d −1 on the continental shelf of the ECS. The maximum CH 4 concentration and sediment-water CH 4 flux both occurred in summer, which might be related with the occurrence of hypoxia in the bottom water. Surface seawater of the ECS was oversaturated with CH 4 relative to the atmosphere over most of the five cruises, indicating that the ECS was a net source of atmospheric CH 4 . The annual mean area-weighted sea-air flux density of CH 4 in the ECS was estimated to be about 10.7 μmol·m −2 ·d −1 in 2011. Accordingly, an area-weighted, seasonally adjusted annual rate of CH 4 efflux was determined to be 2.98 × 10 9  mol yr −1 (~0.05 Tg CH 4 yr −1 ) from the ECS to the atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct numerical simulations were conducted to investigate the physical structures of a transverse sonic air jet injected into a supersonic air crossflow at a Mach number of 2.7. Simulations were run for two different jet-to-crossflow momentum flux ratios J of 1.85 and 5.5. The main averaged flow features around the transverse jet, such as major counter-rotating vortices and trailing counter-rotating vortices, were captured. The major counter-rotating vortices formed in the lateral portion of the jet plume and absorbed other induced trailing vortices downstream of the jet plume. Upper trailing counter-rotating vortices formed above the major counter-rotating vortices downstream of the jet barrel shock. The streamline analysis indicated that the upper trailing counter-rotating vortices were related to the Mach disk. As the streamlines penetrated the lateral side of Mach disk where a strong shear condition existed, the baroclinic torque induced upper vorticities in the opposite rotating direction against the major counter-rotating vortices. Downstream of the Mach disk, the baroclinic vorticity production along the streamlines tended to approach zero, which means no more torque was pumped into the far field and the upper trailing counter-rotating vortices were merged into the major counter-rotating vortices by their suction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transmission Network Expansion Planning (TNEP) in modern electricity systems is carried out on a cost-benefit analysis basis; the planner identifies investments that maximize the social welfare. As the integration of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) increases, there is a real challenge to accurately capture the vast variability that characterizes system operation within a planning problem. Conventional approaches that rely on a large number of scenarios for representing the variability of operating points can quickly lead to computational issues. An alternative approach that is becoming increasingly necessary is to select representative scenarios from the original population via clustering techniques. However, direct clustering of operating points in the input domain may not capture characteristics which are important for investment decision-making. This paper presents a novel objective-based scenario selection framework for TNEP to obtain optimal investment decisions with a significantly reduced number of operating states. Different clustering frameworks, clustering variable s and clustering techniques are compared to determine the most appropriate approach. The superior performance of the proposed framework is demonstrated through a case study on a modified IEEE 118-bus system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal modification process is becoming popular to be used to upgrade coal quality. The upgraded coal (semi-coke) can be utilized in ironmaking process. Thermogravimetry and DAEM were used to analyze the combustion kinetics of bituminous coal before and after modification in this study. To understand the factors influencing the combustion process, various advanced techniques including X-ray diffraction analysis, Raman spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were adopted to investigate the structural features of the combusted samples. The results showed that the coal aromaticity increases significantly with the side-chains and chain length reduced, while the matrix structure transforms to graphite-like structure after the modification process. Those structural changes lead to the decrease in coal reactivity, thus weakening the coal combustion performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the associations between shift work patterns and risks of specific types of obesity. Methods PubMed was searched until March 2017 for observational studies that examined the relationships between shift work patterns and obesity. Odds ratio for obesity was extracted using a fixed-effects or random-effects model. Subgroup meta-analyses were carried out for study design, specific obesity types and characteristics of shift work pattern. Results A total of 28 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The overall odds ratio of night shift work was 1.23 (95% confidence interval = 1.17-1.29) for risk of obesity/overweight. Cross-sectional studies showed a higher risk of 1.26 than those with the cohort design (risk ratio = 1.10). Shift workers had a higher frequency of developing abdominal obesity (odds ratio = 1.35) than other obesity types. Permanent night workers demonstrated a 29% higher risk than rotating shift workers (odds ratio 1.43 vs . 1.14). Conclusion This meta-analysis confirmed the risks of night shift work for the development of overweight and obesity with a potential gradient association suggested, especially for abdominal obesity. Modification of working schedules is recommended, particularly for prolonged permanent night work. More accurate and detailed measurements on shift work patterns should be conducted in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate several data driven function approximation models to learn the hysteretic behavior of ferromagnetic materials. They include neural networks, linear least squares models based on radial basis functions, and low order polynomial functions. When properly trained, they are capable of predicting major features of magnetization and torque loops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a method for estimating unknown magnetic parameters for coupled thin films of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic materials. Model and method; Examples; Conclusions.

Presents information on a study which calculated the spin configurations in antiferromagnetic layers with an in-plane uniaxial anisotropy using numerical method. Calculation method; Results and discussion.

Lilium 'Siberia' flowers produce a strong scent, with monoterpenes serving as the main volatile component. Using a homology-based PCR strategy, we cloned a monoterpene synthase gene ( LiTPS) from Lilium 'Siberia' petals. The gene consisted of a 1761-bp open reading frame, and encoded a 587-amino acid protein. The deduced amino acid sequence contained a highly conserved DDxxD domain at the C-terminus and RRxW motifs at the N-terminus, which are both characteristic features of terpene synthase genes. Additionally, LiTPS was 40-50% similar to already known monoterpene synthases from other plants. Phylogenetic analysis of LiTPS revealed that it belonged to the TPS-b terpene synthase subfamily. LiTPS was predicted to contain an organelle-targeting peptide and function as a monoterpene synthase in plastids. Analyses of the structure of LiTPS suggested that it is a Class III terpene synthase gene. Furthermore, LiTPS was highly expressed in petals, but almost undetectable in stamens, styles, and leaves. During floral development in Lilium 'Siberia' plants, LiTPS was expressed in mature flower buds, with the highest expression levels registered on day 4 after anthesis (i.e., with fully open flowers), followed by a gradual decrease in expression levels. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing cloning a Lilium terpene synthase gene. We report a positive correlation between the LiTPS expression level and floral scent component emission rate. This study provides potentially useful information for future research into the possible roles of LiTPS in the monoterpene metabolic pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fatigue property of dissimilar spot welds between an aluminium alloy (AA5052) and a magnesium alloy (AZ31) was studied in this research. The AA5052 and AZ31 coupons were resistance spot welded together by using an interlayer of Sn-coated steel between the two coupons. The fatigue test results revealed that the Mg/Al joints had the same level of fatigue strength as Mg/Mg resistance spot welds. It was found that within the life range of Nf < 105 cycles, Mg/Al welds degraded faster than Mg/Mg joints. This was attributed to the larger bending moment on the plane of fatigue failure in the Mg/Al welds. Three failure modes were observed under different cyclic loading regimes: Al/steel interfacial failure, Mg coupon failure and Al coupon failure. Fatigue fracture surface of Mg/Al welds consisted of two distinct regions: crack propagation region with brittle morphology and final rupture with ductile morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Target manoeuvre is one of the key factors affecting guidance accuracy. To intercept highly maneuverable targets, a second-order sliding-mode guidance law, which is based on the super-twisting algorithm, is designed without depending on any information about the target motion. In the designed guidance system, the target estimator plays an essential role. Besides the existing higher-order sliding-mode observer (HOSMO), a first-order linear observer (FOLO) is also proposed to estimate the target manoeuvre, and this is the major contribution of this paper. The closed-loop guidance system can be guaranteed to be uniformly ultimately bounded (UUB) in the presence of the FOLO. The comparative simulations are carried out to investigate the overall performance resulting from these two categories of observers. The results show that the guidance law with the proposed linear observer can achieve better comprehensive criteria for the amplitude of normalised acceleration and elevator deflection requirements. The reasons for the different levels of performance of these two observer-based methods are thoroughly investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs), an important barrier to gut microbiota, are subject to low oxygen tension, particularly during intestinal inflammation. Hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is expressed highly in the inflamed mucosa of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and functions as a key regulator in maintenance of intestinal homeostasis. However, how IEC-derived HIF-1α regulates intestinal immune responses in IBD is still not understood completely. We report here that the expression of HIF-1α and IL-33 was increased significantly in the inflamed mucosa of IBD patients as well as mice with colitis induced by dextran sulphate sodium (DSS). The levels of interleukin (IL)−33 were correlated positively with that of HIF-1α. A HIF-1α-interacting element was identified in the promoter region of IL-33, indicating that HIF-1α activity regulates IL-33 expression. Furthermore, tumour necrosis factor (TNF) facilitated the HIF-1α-dependent IL-33 expression in IEC. Our data thus demonstrate that HIF-1α-dependent IL-33 in IEC functions as a regulatory cytokine in inflamed mucosa of IBD, thereby regulating the intestinal inflammation and maintaining mucosal homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]