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In this work, we theoretically investigate the coupling characteristics of optical skyrmions based on localized spoof plasmons (LSPs). First, the single LSP optical skyrmion is realized and resonance modes attributed to different topological features are analyzed. Second, the coupling effect is observed through decreasing the distance between the adjacent LSP optical skyrmions. The coupling LSP optical skyrmions can preserve the topological behaviors, and particularly, three coupling modes (mode-a, mode-b, and mode-c) can be observed. Mode-a presents uniform magnetic field distributions, while mode-b and mode-c can be observed with asymmetric magnetic field distributions. Finally, the ten-coupling LSP optical skyrmions supported by space-coiling cylinders and square structures are realized and the robust topological features are discussed. The results may contribute to the future investigation on designing optical skyrmion crystals and advanced optical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social media's role has grown significantly, emerging as a powerful tool for companies to execute marketing strategies. While numerous studies have delved into social media, few have delved into the impact of Social Media Marketing Activities. This research examines the effects of such activities on Social Identification, Perceived Value, and Satisfaction. To empirically assess these effects, an online survey was conducted among 350 social media users for data analysis. The findings reveal that Social Media Marketing Activities indirectly influence Satisfaction through Social Identification and Perceived Value. Additionally, Social Identification and Perceived Value have a direct impact on Satisfaction, subsequently affecting Continuance Intention, Participate Intention, Purchase Intention, and Revisit Intention. This study offers managerial insights for companies in the marketing realm, emphasizing the importance of crafting and implementing innovative marketing strategies on social media that align with consumer preferences. This, in turn, fosters Social Identification and cultivates positive consumer perceived value, ultimately leading to enhanced Satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unfolding dynamics of ubiquitin were studied using a combination of x-ray solution scattering (XSS) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The kinetic analysis of the XSS ubiquitin signals showed that the protein unfolds through a two-state process, independent of the presence of destabilizing salts. In order to characterize the ensemble of unfolded states in atomic detail, the experimental XSS results were used as a constraint in the MD simulations through the incorporation of x-ray scattering derived potential to drive the folded ubiquitin structure toward sampling unfolded states consistent with the XSS signals. We detail how biased MD simulations provide insight into unfolded states that are otherwise difficult to resolve and underscore how experimental XSS data can be combined with MD to efficiently sample structures away from the native state. Our results indicate that ubiquitin samples unfolded in states with a high degree of loss in secondary structure yet without a collapse to a molten globule or fully solvated extended chain. Finally, we propose how using biased-MD can significantly decrease the computational time and resources required to sample experimentally relevant nonequilibrium states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine the longitudinal impact and mechanism of peer network status on university students' hurdle running academic records. Methods: Conduct a follow-up survey in the hurdle teaching, an experimental class, and analyze the data using the latent growth model. Results: (a) The intercept and slope of peer network status positively predict the slope of academic records. (b) Peer network status influences the slope of academic records through the slope of learning engagement, and the intercept of learning engagement acts as a masking effect between the two. (c) Personality traits moderated the relationship between peer network status and the academic records slope. Conclusions: (a) The impact of peer network status on academic records exhibits social effects. (b) The impact of peer network status on academic records has a double-edged sword effect. (c) Extroverted personality is most advantageous in enhancing peer network status and predicting the rate of improvement in academic records. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the total ion yield near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure spectra of four similar peptoid molecules, which differ in the numbers and positions of methyl groups, were investigated experimentally and theoretically. At each excitation energy, the intensity and branching ratio of each ionic product were measured. At a few resonant excitation energies, a specific dissociation of the C–CO bond at the nitrogen and oxygen K-edges and of the N–CO bond at the carbon K-edge was dominant, which correlated well with the predicted destination antibonding orbitals of the core electron excitation. These specific dissociation mechanisms of small peptoid molecules could provide insights into similar phenomena that occur in peptide molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar fuels catalysis is a promising route to efficiently harvesting, storing, and utilizing abundant solar energy. To achieve this promise, however, molecular systems must be designed with sustainable components that can balance numerous photophysical and chemical processes. To that end, we report on the structural and photophysical characterization of a series of Cu(I)–anthraquinone-based electron donor–acceptor dyads. The dyads utilized a heteroleptic Cu(I) bis-diimine architecture with a copper(I) bis-phenanthroline chromophore donor and anthraquinone electron acceptor. We characterized the structures of the complexes using x-ray crystallography and density functional theory calculations and the photophysical properties via resonance Raman and optical transient absorption spectroscopy. The calculations and resonance Raman spectroscopy revealed that excitation of the Cu(I) metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) transition transfers the electron to a delocalized ligand orbital. The optical transient absorption spectroscopy demonstrated that each dyad formed the oxidized copper–reduced anthraquinone charge-separated state. Unlike most Cu(I) bis-phenanthroline complexes where increasingly bulky substituents on the phenanthroline ligands lead to longer MLCT excited-state lifetimes, here, we observe a decrease in the long-lived charge-separated state lifetime with increasing steric bulk. The charge-separated state lifetimes were best explained in the context of electron-transfer theory rather than with the energy gap law, which is typical for MLCT excited states, despite the complete conjugation between the phenanthroline and anthraquinone moieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to clarify the initiation and propagation behavior of fatigue cracks in pearlite rail, U76CrRE heavy rail steel samples under three different cooling conditions (production line rolling, production line heat treatment and laboratory heat treatment) were taken as the research object. The fatigue crack growth rate was measured by a fatigue testing machine, and the microstructure, pearlite lamellae, fatigue crack growth trajectory and fracture morphology were observed and analyzed by OM, SEM and EBSD. The results show that the general trend of a-N curves of U76CrRE heavy rail steel under three different cooling conditions is similar, but the fatigue fracture life is 6.7 × 105, 7.5 × 105 and 8.3 × 105 cycles. The crack initiation and entering area I of U76CrRE heavy rail steel of laboratory heat treatment is the most delayed, the fatigue crack growth rate is the slowest and the fatigue fracture life is the longest. EBSD image of crack initiation area shows that the proportion of small-angle grain boundaries of U76CrRE heavy rail steel under three different cooling conditions is 79, 68 and 61% in turn. With the increase of cooling rate, the orientation difference between grains increases and gradually transforms into large-angle grain boundaries, and the grain size is refined, and the interlaminar spacing is reduced, which can reduce the hindrance to dislocation slip and thus inhibit the growth of fatigue cracks. The SEM image shows that with the increase of cooling rate, the fatigue striation spacing and cleavage plane size of fatigue fracture area I and area II of U76CrRE heavy rail steel decrease. The fatigue life of the U76CrRE heavy rail steel of laboratory heat treatment is longer than the other two, which is attributed to the obvious branch crack in the crack growth trajectory of U76CrRE heavy rail steel of laboratory heat treatment, and the energy of crack propagation can be consumed by the branch crack. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid transplant recipients are at increased risk for invasive aspergillosis. Tacrolimus and Voriconazole is one of the most frequently utilized treatments for those recipients with invasive fungal infections. However, it is difficult to use them properly due to the interaction between them. This study aimed to investigate the potential drug-drug interaction between Tacrolimus and Voriconazole by multiple methods, including in vitro liver microsome method and the PBPK(Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic) model. Midazolam and testosterone were used as probe substrates to evaluate individual differences in CYP3A4/5 metabolic activity. A comprehensive interaction analysis was also conducted based on the STITCH database and the DD-Inter system. Furthermore, a PBPK model was constructed by the data from the literature to simulate the real metabolic process in vivo. The research employed multiple methodologies to demonstrate that the co-administration of Voriconazole significantly enhances Tacrolimus concentrations, considering genotypes and the activity of CYP3A4/5 genotypes. The findings indicated a decrease in the relative percentages of midazolam and testosterone metabolites with increasing Voriconazole concentration. Moreover, the results for residual Tacrolimus in the 30-minute incubation group revealed that Voriconazole exerts a mild inhibitory effect on the in vitro metabolism of Tacrolimus. The STITCH database and DD-Inter system analysis also suggested that Tacrolimus and Voriconazole share a strong association in liver metabolism, most likely interacting with CYP3A4/5 and CYP2C19. Furthermore, the result of PBPK analysis indicated that Tacrolimus AUC increases with Voriconazole co-therapy. Moreover, the AUC of Tacrolimus in intermediate CYP2C19 metabolizers (IM) was the highest at 10.1 µmol·min/L, followed by poor metabolizers (PM) at 8.13 µmol·min/L, and extensive metabolizers (EM) at 2.18 µmol·min/L. And the genotype of CYP3A5 poor metabolizer (PM) had AUC of Tacrolimus at 3.13µmol·min/L and extensive metabolizer (EM) at 2.18µmol·min/L. Microsomal studies, PBPK models, and multiple other analyses have comprehensively elucidated the impact of Voriconazole on Tacrolimus concentrations. These findings can serve as a valuable point of reference for concurrently administering these two medications. These findings also indicate that the genotypes of CYP2C19 play an important role in the development of DDI during concurrent Tacrolimus and Voriconazole treatment, which may have some guidance for clinical medication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study was conducted to explore the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status of and compare HIV knowledge, HIV testing, and other healthy behaviors between men who have sex with men and women (MSMW) and men who have sex with men only (MSMO), to provide a scientific basis for targeted HIV interventions for this population. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect demographic and behavioral information using questionnaires for statistical analysis. Results: Among 1,993 participants, 772 (38.7%) reported having sexual intercourse with women. The results of the multivariate logistic regression model analysis indicated that MSMW had a lower probability than MSMO of reporting HIV knowledge 1 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]:0.556, 95% CI: 0.409–0.756), knowledge 2 (aOR:0.626; 95% CI, 0.515–0.761), knowledge 3 (aOR:0.569; 95% CI: 0.447–0.724), informing their HIV status to the last casual sex partners offline (aOR: 0.515, 95% CI: 0.358–0.743), HIV testing more than once in the past 6 months (aOR: 0.696, 95% CI: 0.521–0.931), and HIV testing in a hospital in the past 6 months (aOR: 0.696, 95% CI: 0.521–0.931). In contrast, MSMW had a higher probability of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) intake in the past 6 months (aOR: 2.252, 95% CI: 1.570–3.229), pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) intake in the past 6 months (aOR: 1.630, 95% CI: 1.091–2.434), and cumulative HIV testing more than twice (aOR: 1.917, 95% CI: 1.434–2.563). Conclusion: MSMW showed significant differences with MSMO in HIV knowledge and HIV related risky reduction behaviors. It is necessary to enhance awareness and skills on HIV self-testing, PEP, and PrEP among MSM. Encouraging HIV knowledge education and HIV testing service are important for MSMW. PEP and PrEP might be enhanced among MSMO for reducing the risk of HIV transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Appropriate nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization is critical for plant growth and production. Pinus yunnanensis , a silvicultural tree in southwestern China, faces economic and ecological limitations due to nutrient deficiency in the soils in its distribution areas. The slow growth of this species during the seedling stage exacerbates these problems. Therefore, it is important to realize the regulating effects of N and P proportioning fertilization on seedling growth to enhance nutrient-use efficiency. In this study, variations in morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics of seedlings were analyzed under nine treatments of NP proportioning in an open nursery using a regression design. Growth in height and basal diameter increased and showed an approximate tendency in all treatments. The maximum biomass accumulation was observed at 480 d after treatment in roots of T5 (14.714 g) (application N 0.4 g·per−1 and P 3 g·per−1), stems of T5 (12.654 g), leaves of T9 (24.261 g) (application N 0.8 g·per−1 and P 6 g·per−1), aboveground parts of T9 (35.402 g) and individuals of T5 (49 g). The total chlorophyll content peaked in the leaves at 120 d and was correlated with the peak levels of N, P, and K in leaves. The content and reserves of nutrient elements in the organs of seedlings subjected to NP proportioning were significantly higher than those in unfertilized seedlings. Analysis of nutrient utilization efficiency revealed that T5 demonstrated superior seedling growth performance. Appropriate fertilization dosage of N and P for P. yunnanensis seedlings in this study was 0.32 g·per−1–0.58 g·per−1 and 3.02 g·per−1–4.95 g·per−1 respectively, using path analysis and regression equation. Transcriptomic sequencing revealed that there were 2,301 DEGs between T5 and T1 (control), which were involved in the uptake and assimilation of nutrients, biosynthesis of phytohormones and secondary metabolites, and photosynthesis. Additionally, the abundance of genes involved in cell division and proliferation, cellulose biosynthesis, and cell wall extension were dramatically upregulated, which potentially correlated with enhanced seedling growth. In conclusion, this study provides comprehensive information on the response of seedlings to varying proportions of N and P and may promote the growth of P. yunnanensis seedlings by optimizing the proportion of N and P in fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing demand for the performance and accuracy of optical components in the field of technology, optical component processing technology is facing many challenges. Abrasive polishing has become a choice for improving machining accuracy in traditional optical manufacturing due to its characteristics of cold processing and non-contact processing, in order to obtain optical components with higher surface shape accuracy. A layered split polishing path planning method is proposed in this paper, which is based on the optical glass surface topography to plan the polishing path and design the feed rate based on the material removal model. Comparative experiments on polishing with raster path, Hilbert path, and layered split path are carried out on the self-developed abrasive water jet polishing (AWJP) platform, and the peak-to-valley (PV), root mean square (RMS), and power spectral density (PSD) covers of the polished optical glass surface are detected by ZYGO VeriFire laser interferometer. The experimental results show that the PV and RMS of the optical glass surface after polished by the layered split polishing path are less than raster path and Hilbert path, in particular, the PSD curves of the layered split polishing path are significantly lower than the remaining two paths. These prove the layered split polishing path is an effective method which can reduce the surface shape error and restrain the Intermediate frequency error. In general, this work could provide a valuable support for the AWJP process of optical glass and had a certain significance for ultra precision polishing system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the regulatory effects and molecular mechanisms of long non-coding RNA X-inactive-specific transcript (LncRNA-XIST) in lung adenocarcinoma. si-XIST or glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) plasmids were transfected in PC-9 cells to suppress LncRNA-XIST expression or over-express GPX4, respectively. The mRNA expression levels of LncRNA-XIST and GPX4 in lung adenocarcinoma tissues or cells were assessed using RT-qPCR. CCK-8 assay was performed to examine cell activity, and corresponding biochemical kits were used to measure the levels of Fe2+, reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) in cells. Western blot is used to examine relative protein expression of FANCD2, SLC7A11, and GPX4 in lung adenocarcinoma cells. The mRNA and protein expression levels of LncRNA-XIST in clinical tissues and cells of lung adenocarcinoma were significantly higher than those in adjacent tissues and normal cells. Functional analysis showed that knockdown of LncRNA-XIST notably weakened the viability of lung adenocarcinoma cells and promoted ferroptosis (manifested by significantly up-regulated levels of ROS, MDA, and Fe2+ and down-regulated the expression of SLC7A11 and FANCD2, P < 0.05). Further mechanism analysis revealed that knockdown of LncRNA-XIST markedly inhibited the expression of GPX4 in lung adenocarcinoma cells and that GPX4 was significantly over-expressed in clinical tissues and cells of lung adenocarcinoma. Notably, the expression of GPX4 was positively correlated with that of LncRNA-XIST. Over-expression of GPX4 remarkably promoted cell proliferation and inhibited ferroptosis in lung adenocarcinoma. Besides, the GPX4 over-expression reversed the LncRNA-XIST knockdown-induced ferroptosis and decrease in lung adenocarcinoma cell viability. LncRNA-XIST increases the activity of lung adenocarcinoma cells and inhibits ferroptosis by up-regulating GPX4. Knocking down LncRNA-XIST may be an effective treatment for lung adenocarcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to explore the high-risk factors for recurrence in patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) undergoing definitive chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy (dCRT or dRT). Conditional survival (CS) was used to evaluate the dynamic survival and recurrence risk of patients after treatment, and individualized monitoring strategies were developed for patients. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent recurrence risk factors. Calibration curves and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to evaluate nomogram models. Kaplan–Meier curves were used to compare survival rates in different groups and to calculate CS rate. A total of 677 patients were included. Multivariate logistic analyses demonstrated that chemotherapy cycles, tumor length, body mass index (BMI), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR) were independent recurrence risk factors (p < 0.05). Subsequently, we constructed nomogram models to predict recurrence and risk stratification. Kaplan–Meier curves showed that conditional locoregional recurrence-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival of patients in different risk groups and clinical stages progressively increased with survival time, whereas local recurrence and distant metastasis annual recurrence rates decreased yearly with increasing survival time. Finally, we developed an individualized follow-up strategy based on CS at different frequencies. Individualized follow-up strategies developed on the basis of CS can better monitor the changes in patients' conditions and contribute to timely salvage treatment and rational allocation of healthcare resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insulators are a key equipment in power systems. Regular detection of defects in the insulator surface and replacement of defective insulators in time are a must for the operation of the safety system. Whereas manual inspection remains a common practice, the recent maturity of unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV) and artificial intelligence(AI) techniques leads the electrical industry to envision an automated, real-time insulator defect detector. However, the existing detection models mainly operate in very limited weather condition, faltering in generalization and practicality in the wild. To aid in the status quo, this paper proposes a new framework that enables accurate detection of insulator defects in adverse weather conditions, where atmospheric particulates can substantially degrade the quality of aerial images on insulator surfaces. Our proposed framework is embarrassingly simple, yet effective. Specifically, it integrates progressive recurrent network(PReNet) and DehazeFormer to derain and dehaze the noisy aerial images, respectively, and tailors you only look once version 7(YOLOv7) with a new structured intersection over union(SIoU) loss function and similarity-based attention module(SimAM) to expedite convergence with better deep feature extraction. Two new benchmark datasets, Chinese power line insulator dataset(CPLID)_Rainy and CPLID_Hazy, are developed for empirical evaluation, and the comparative study substantiates the viability and effectiveness of our proposed framework. We share our code and dataset at https://github.com/CHLNK/Insulator-defect-detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Group activity recognition can remarkably improve the understanding of video content by analyzing human behaviors and activities in videos. We propose a random walk graph convolutional network (RWGCN) for group activity recognition. (1) Considering the limitation of the convolutional structure to the visual information of group activities, the position feature extraction module is used to compensate for the loss of visual information. (2) A graph convolutional network (GCN) with distance-adaptive edge relations is constructed using individuals as graph nodes to identify the intrinsic relationships among the individuals in the group activities. (3) A Levy flight random walk mechanism is introduced into the GCN to obtain information from different nodes and integrate the previous position information to recognize group activity. Extensive experiments on the publicly available CAD, CAE datasets, and self-built BJUT-GAD dataset show that our RWGCN achieves MPCA of 95.49%, 94.82%, and 96.02%, respectively, which provides a better competitiveness in group activity recognition compared to other methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Group activity recognition can remarkably improve the understanding of video content by analyzing human behaviors and activities in videos. We propose a random walk graph convolutional network (RWGCN) for group activity recognition. (1) Considering the limitation of the convolutional structure to the visual information of group activities, the position feature extraction module is used to compensate for the loss of visual information. (2) A graph convolutional network (GCN) with distance-adaptive edge relations is constructed using individuals as graph nodes to identify the intrinsic relationships among the individuals in the group activities. (3) A Levy flight random walk mechanism is introduced into the GCN to obtain information from different nodes and integrate the previous position information to recognize group activity. Extensive experiments on the publicly available CAD, CAE datasets, and self-built BJUT-GAD dataset show that our RWGCN achieves MPCA of 95.49%, 94.82%, and 96.02%, respectively, which provides a better competitiveness in group activity recognition compared to other methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a two-cable network model, which includes a cross-tie and two concentrated masses installed at the connection points of cross-tie and cable. The characteristic equation of such a cable network system is formulated via the complex modal analysis method. Then, dynamics of a twin-cable network is discussed in details, and the effect of concentrated mass on the system modal frequencies, damping and mode shapes is investigated. Furthermore, a general two-cable network system is analyzed. Results show that the concentrated mass always reduces the modal frequency, as it causes an increase in the modal mass of the system. When installing a concentrated mass in a twin-cable network, the difference of vibration modes between the cables can be increased in the in-phase modes, thereby achieving the damping effect of the damping type cross-tie on these modes. For a twin-cable network with a viscous damper, a small concentrated mass can significantly increase the modal damping of the in-phase modes as long as the damping coefficient of the damper is properly set. Meanwhile, when there is a two-cable network with unequal length cables, the presence of concentrated masses may reduce differences in vibration modes between cables, thus leading to decreased damping of some modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Among malignant tumors, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is both prevalent and highly lethal. Most patients with advanced-stage liver cancer have a poor prognosis. Death-associated protein 3 (DAP3) is reportedly related to tumors and may hold great promise for the future. Methods: DAP3 transcriptome data along with related clinical information were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), GEO, and ICGC databases. We assessed its prognostic value, clinical relevance, associated pathways, immune infiltration, gene mutations, and sensitivity to chemotherapeutics. A prognostic risk model was subsequently developed and evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and Kaplan-Meier (KM) plots. Additionally, a nomogram was created and validated through calibration and decision curve analysis (DCA). Furthermore, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), Western blot, and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining were performed to examine the expression of DAP3 in HCC. Finally, gene knockdown and overexpression experiments, along with cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, colony formation assays, and tests for cell apoptosis, migration, and invasion, were conducted to investigate the role of DAP3 in HCC. Results: The study discovered that DAP3 expression was linked to HCC subtypes, and its high expression was linked to a poor prognosis. There were significant differences in immune infiltration level, mutation level, prognostic value and chemotherapeutic efficacy. Subsequently, we constructed a prognostic model and demonstrated that high risk score was significantly related to a poor survival rate. A predictive nomogram demonstrated that the nomogram model was effective prediction tool that can accurately predict the survival rate of patients with different clinical characteristics. Additionally, DAP3 expression significantly increased in both tissue samples and cell lines. Elevated levels of DAP3 were correlated with larger tumor size and higher alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, and Cox analysis confirmed that DAP3 was a clinically independent prognostic marker. Finally, cell assays revealed that the knockdown of DAP3 significantly impeded cell proliferation and metabolic activity and induced apoptosis. Conversely, the overexpression of DAP3 had opposite effects on these cellular processes. Conclusions: Our study on DAP3 can provide a reference for HCC diagnosis, treatment and prognosis assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to explore the relationship between sleep duration and multimorbidity among elderly Chinese and to determine the optimal sleep duration for preventing multimorbidity. Methods: This study is based on data from the 2020 China Health and Elderly Care Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS), which collected detailed information from 5,761elderly individuals, including demographic characteristics, sleep duration, health status, and lifestyle information. Logistic regression models were used to investigate the relationship between sleep duration and multimorbidity, and restricted cubic spline analysis was employed to analyze the dose-response relationship between sleep duration and multimorbidity. Results: After adjusting for potential confounders, a U-shaped association was found between nighttime sleep duration and the likelihood of multimorbidity among the elderly. Specifically, elderly individuals with a nighttime sleep duration of 7 h had the lowest incidence of multimorbidity. Compared to those with 6–8 h of nighttime sleep, elderly individuals with less than 6 h (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.05–1.48) or more than 8 h (OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.37–2.34) of nighttime sleep had a 24% and 79% increased likelihood of multimorbidity, respectively. The restricted cubic spline analysis further confirmed this U-shaped relationship, showing that the likelihood of multimorbidity gradually decreased as sleep duration increased from 6 to 7 h, but gradually increased as sleep duration exceeded 7 h. Additionally, a positive correlation was found between napping habits and the likelihood of multimorbidity, with elderly individuals without napping habits having a lower likelihood of multimorbidity compared to those with napping habits. Subgroup analysis indicated no significant differences in the impact of 6–8 h of nighttime sleep on multimorbidity among male and female elderly individuals and different age groups. Conclusion: Appropriate nighttime sleep duration may be an important factor in preventing multimorbidity among the elderly, while increased napping duration may increase the likelihood of multimorbidity. These findings provide scientific evidence for sleep health management among the elderly, suggesting the promotion of appropriate sleep duration to reduce the likelihood of multimorbidity in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) is the most common form of focal epilepsy, often associated with hippocampal sclerosis. Increasing evidence suggests the pivotal role of neuroinflammation in mTLE onset and progression. Methods: We used morphometric similarity network (MSN) analysis and the Allen Human Brain Atlas (AHBA) database to investigate structural changes between mTLE and healthy controls, as well as correlation with inflammation-related gene expression. Results: We identified widespread alterations across the frontal and parietal lobes and cingulate cortex linked to neuroinflammatory genes such as PRR5, SMAD3, and IRF3. This correlation was even more pronounced in mTLE patients with hippocampal sclerosis compared to those without. Enrichment analysis highlighted pathways related to neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration, supporting a bidirectional link between mTLE and neurodegenerative diseases. Conclusions: These findings suggest that brain-wide macroscopic morphometric alternations in mTLE are correlated to the neuroinflammation process. It provides circumstantial evidence from a new perspective to support the bidirectional link between mTLE and neurodegenerative diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) is the most common form of focal epilepsy, often associated with hippocampal sclerosis. Increasing evidence suggests the pivotal role of neuroinflammation in mTLE onset and progression. Methods: We used morphometric similarity network (MSN) analysis and the Allen Human Brain Atlas (AHBA) database to investigate structural changes between mTLE and healthy controls, as well as correlation with inflammation-related gene expression. Results: We identified widespread alterations across the frontal and parietal lobes and cingulate cortex linked to neuroinflammatory genes such as PRR5, SMAD3, and IRF3. This correlation was even more pronounced in mTLE patients with hippocampal sclerosis compared to those without. Enrichment analysis highlighted pathways related to neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration, supporting a bidirectional link between mTLE and neurodegenerative diseases. Conclusions: These findings suggest that brain-wide macroscopic morphometric alternations in mTLE are correlated to the neuroinflammation process. It provides circumstantial evidence from a new perspective to support the bidirectional link between mTLE and neurodegenerative diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) and vertically-grown tin disulfide (SnS2) nanosheets are synthesized via hydrothermal method and chemical vapor deposition technique, respectively. The SnS2 nanosheets are directly fabricated on flexible carbon cloth (CC), and then their basal planes are decorated with N-CDs. The as-prepared composite electrodes are used as the counter electrode for the application in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The characterizations of N-CDs and SnS2 nanosheets are studied by high resolution transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopic, energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer, Raman spectrometer and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy etc. Moreover, the cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and photocurrent-density voltage are utilized to understand the electro-catalytic performance of N-CDs/SnS2/CC composite counter electrode. The N-CDs/SnS2/CC composite electrode shows higher cathodic reduction current density and lower charge transfer resistance in CV and EIS measurements, respectively, as compared to those of the electrodes with N-CDs or SnS2 alone. Meanwhile, the DSSC using N-CDs/SnS2/CC exhibits cell efficiency (η) of 7.68%, which is higher than those of cells having SnS2/CC (η = 7.54%) and N-CDs/CC (η = 5.66%) counter electrodes, respectively; it also reaches 94% cell efficiency of the cell using Pt/CC counter electrode (η = 8.15%). The design concept of the modification of the basal planes by defect-rich carbon dots (i.e. N-CDs) and highly-exposed edge sites (i.e. vertically-grown SnS2 nanosheets) makes promising route to enhance the performance of two-dimensional electro-catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Suicide of a loved one significantly affects the physical and mental well-being of close friends and family members, potentially escalating to suicidal ideation in severe cases. Suicidal ideation among survivors of suicide loss is influenced by a multitude of factors. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of suicidal ideation among survivors of suicide loss utilizing a psychological support hotline. Methods: This study included calls identified as survivors of suicide loss from the Beijing Psychological Support Hotline between 2009 and 2023 and evaluated the suicidal ideation of callers. General demographic data and common risk factors of survivors of suicide loss were collected. A comparison was conducted between survivors of suicide loss with and without suicidal ideation. Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for suicidal ideation among survivors of suicide loss. Finally, we evaluated both multiplicative and additive interactions among the risk factors. Results: Among the 308 calls from survivors of suicide loss, 174 (56.5%) exhibited suicidal ideation. Survivors who had experienced chronic negative life events (P=0.019), severe depression (P =0.010), or high levels of hopelessness (P=0.008) were more likely to develop suicidal ideation. The interaction between depression severity and hopelessness was additive, resulting in a 14.56-fold increase in the risk of developing suicidal ideation when both factors are present compared to their absence. Conclusions: In the context of psychological support, chronic life events, high levels of hopelessness, and severe depression are risk factors for suicidal ideation among survivors of suicide loss. Moreover, hopelessness and depression demonstrate an additive interaction effect, substantially increasing the risk of suicidal ideation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spring tripole sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies over the North Atlantic are an outstanding regional mode of interannual climate variability in association with spring North Atlantic Oscillation. Based on the observed and reanalyzed datasets during 1960–2020, this study investigates the relationship between the spring tripole North Atlantic SST (TNAT) anomalies and the following peak summer (July–August) western North Pacific subtropical high (WNPSH). The results show that the ‘+ − +’ TNAT anomalies in spring could induce a strengthened WNPSH in the following peak summer. However, such a climatic effect of spring TNAT anomalies on WNPSH is unstable, exhibiting an evident interdecadal strengthening since the middle 1990s. This is due to a strengthened intensity of spring TNAT anomalies in recent decades. Compared to the early epoch (1960–1995), stronger spring TNAT anomalies in the post epoch (1996–2020) could cause a stronger pan-tropical climate response until the following peak summer through a series of ocean–atmosphere interactions, with the prominent cooling over the central Pacific and warming over the Maritime Continent in response to the ‘+ − +’ TNAT anomalies. This helps maintain an anomalous anticyclone over the Northwest Pacific via the Walker circulation adjustment and Rossby wave response. As a result, the WNPSH is significantly enhanced since the middle 1990s. By contrast, in the early epoch, spring TNAT anomalies are relatively weaker, inducing weaker pan-tropical ocean–atmosphere interactions and thus less change in the WNPSH. Our results highlight a strengthened lagged effect of spring TNAT anomalies on the following peak summer WNPSH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This meta-analysis was aimed to compare the effects of two methods on post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE). We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure from inception to December 2023. Two authors independently selected the included studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias and certainty evidence. The primary meta-analysis compared the effects of blood flow restriction combined with resistance training (BFR-RT) and high-load resistance training (HL-RT) on the indicator jump height (JH) and power output (PO) of PAPE. The secondary meta-analyses compared within-group differences by gender and between-group differences between the optimal combined protocol of arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) combined with resistance load and the HL-RT protocol. This meta-analysis shows that both BFR-RT and HL-RT significantly improved JH (standardized mean difference (SMD)=0.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.20, 0.59]) (SMD=0.34, 95% CI [0.19, 0.48]) and PO (SMD=0.42, 95% CI [0.21, 0.62]) (SMD=0.37, 95%CI [0.19, 0.54]), and there was no significant difference between them. However, subgroup analysis revealed that in terms of gender, BFR-RT was more beneficial for PAPE in females, and in terms of combined protocol, BFR-RT with 50% AOP+30% 1 repetition maximum had the greatest effect compared to HL-RT.BFR-RT can serve as an effective alternative to HL-RT for inducing PAPE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imatinib resistance is a major obstacle to the successful treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) have been identified as important regulatory factors in chemotherapy resistance. This study aimed to identify key lncRNAs involved in imatinib resistance of GISTs. First, MSC-AS1 was found to be upregulated in imatinib-resistant GIST tissues and imatinib-resistant GIST cells. Cellular experiments demonstrated that MSC-AS1 overexpression decreased imatinib sensitivity of GIST cells, evidenced by increased cell survival, colony formation, migration, and invasion. Moreover, suppression of MSC-AS1 improved the imatinib resistance of imatinib-resistant GIST cells. Furthermore, MSC-AS1 upregulated the expression of FNDC1 and Anillin via sponging miR-200b-3p, activated the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-AKT signaling pathway, and thereby driving imatinib resistance in vitro and in vivo. Overall, this study elucidates the crucial role and mechanism of MSC-AS1 in the imatinib resistance of GIST, providing the potential therapeutic strategy for overcoming the imatinib resistance of GIST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To remain competitive in an unpredictable environment where the complexity and frequency of cybercrime are rapidly increasing, a cyber resiliency strategy is vital for business continuity. However, one of the barriers to improving cyber resilience is that security defense and accident recovery do not combine efficaciously, as embodied by emphasizing cyber security defense strategies, leaving firms ill-prepared to respond to attacks. The present study thus develops an expected resilience framework to assess cyber resilience, analyze cyber security defense and recovery investment strategies and balance security investment allocation strategies. Design/methodology/approach: Based on the expected utility theory, this paper presents an expected resilience framework, including an expected investment resilience model and an expected profit resilience model that directly addresses the optimal joint investment decisions between defense and recovery. The effects of linear and nonlinear recovery functions, risk interdependence and cyber insurance on defense and recovery investment are also analyzed. Findings: According to the findings, increasing the defense investment coefficient reduces defense and recovery investment while increasing the expected resilience. The nonlinear recovery function requires a smaller defense investment and overall security investment than the linear one, reflecting the former's advantages in lowering cybersecurity costs. Moreover, risk interdependence has positive externalities for boosting defense and recovery investment, meaning that the expected profit resilience model can reduce free-riding behavior in security investments. Insurance creates moral hazard for firms by lowering defensive investment, yet after purchasing insurance, expanded coverage and cost-effectiveness incentivize firms to increase defense and recovery spending, respectively. Originality/value: The paper is innovative in its methodology as it offers an expected cyber resilience framework for integrating defense and recovery investment and their effects on security investment allocation, which is crucial for building cybersecurity resilience but receives little attention in cybersecurity economics. It also provides theoretical advances for cyber resilience assessment and optimum investment allocation in other fields, such as cyber-physical systems, power and water infrastructure – moving from a resilience triangle metric to an expected utility theory-based method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correlation filters (CFs) manifest the advantage of high computational efficiency in target tracking, especially in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) target tracking. CF-based trackers update their models whenever necessary to improve the discrimination of the models. However, most existing update strategies only use the single-frame information to evaluate the reliability of the current tracking result, while neglecting the temporal relationship between frames, which could lead to the model degradation problem. In this paper, an Efficient spatial-temporal UAV visual tracker with a Temporal Enhancement model Update strategy (ETEU) is proposed. Specifically, this model update strategy is established based on the temporal correlation of the learned filters and the fluctuation degree of the current frame response map, which updates the models only at high confidence levels and thus alleviates the model degradation problem. Meanwhile, in order to achieve robust tracking in both temporal and spatial domains, we introduce a temporal regularization term and extract background patches as samples for training. Extensive experiments on six aerial tracking datasets, i.e., UAVDT, DTB70, UAV123@10fps, UAVTrack112, UAV123, and VisDrone2018, demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed tracker. Furthermore, we deploy the proposed tracker on quadrotor UAVs in real-world scenarios and successfully completed the UAV target tracking task. Our code and results are available at https://github.com/chenxlin222/ETEU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a frequent type of lung cancer. Transcription factor Yin Yang 1 (YY1), an endogenous transcription factor containing zinc finger structure, can accelerate NSCLC progression. However, the impact of YY1 on the stemness of NSCLC cells and the mechanism of promoting NSCLC cell progression is unclear. YY1 and Sonic hedgehog (Shh) expressions were monitored by RT-qPCR, western blot, and immunohistochemistry. Overall survival was tested through Kaplan–Meier analysis. The interaction between YY1 and Shh was confirmed. Then, cell migration, stemness, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were assessed with functional experiments in vitro and in vivo. YY1 and Shh were highly expressed in NSCLC tissues and positively correlated with the poor OS of NSCLC patients. Functional experiments denoted that YY1 or Shh overexpression could accelerate EMT, migration, and stemness of NSCLC cells, and YY1 or Shh knockdown played the opposite role to its overexpression. Mechanism analysis disclosed that Shh, as a target gene of YY1, was positively related to YY1. The rescued experiment manifested that Shh silencing could reverse the induction effect of YY1 overexpression on EMT, migration, and stemness of NSCLC cells. In vivo experiments also confirmed that YY1 could accelerate tumor growth and EMT and weaken apoptosis. YY1 promotes NSCLC EMT, migration, and stemness by Shh, which might be novel diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for NSCLC therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immune cell infiltration in liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) is promising for immunotherapy. However, effective predictive markers to accurately predict a tumour's immune status are lacking. PSMD13, a native component of the 26 S proteasome subunit involved in intracellular metabolism, has an unclear association with cancer and immunity. Using bioinformatics analysis of data from the TCGA, we investigated the expression patterns, prognostic values, gene functions, and tumour immune relationships of PSMD13 in LIHC. We developed a prognostic model that incorporates PSMD13 for LIHC and validated the biological functions of PSMD13 in LIHC cells. Furthermore, we analysed the associations between PSMD13 expression and the tumour immune markers CD206 and CD8 in 101 paired liver tissues using immunohistochemistry. PSMD13 was upregulated in LIHC and served as a prognostic biomarker of LIHC. The knockdown of PMSD13 significantly affected the proliferation, migration, and colony formation of LIHC cells. PSMD13 was closely associated with the infiltration of M2 macrophages and the expression of various tumour immune checkpoints. Our study revealed that PSMD13 is a crucial component contributing to the malignant behaviour of LIHC, indicating its essential role in both the prognosis and potential immune microenvironment profile of LIHC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a strategy of in situ 3D hierarchical porous HKUST-1/cellulose/chitosan (CSGA/HKUST-1) composite aerogels were synthesized using ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDE) as a cross-linking agent. The effect of EGDE on CSGA/HKUST-1 and the adsorption of tetracycline (TC) was investigated: the composite aerogel (CSGA) was produced by the ring-opening reaction of the epoxy group of EGDE in alkaline solution. The chemical structure of CSGA/HKUST-1 composite aerogel was characterized by FT-IR, XRD and XPS.49.33 % mass loading of CSGA1/HKUST-1 was achieved and N2 adsorption and desorption experiment showed the BET specific surface area reached 694.514 m2 g−1. SEM observed the CSGA/HKUST-1 composite aerogel pores were filled with a large number of octahedral HKUST-1 crystal particles. CSGA/HKUST-1 composite aerogel has excellent tetracycline adsorption capacity (285.7 mg g−1), and the removal efficiency remained at 92.7 % after five cycles of adsorption–desorption. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir model adsorption mechanism was successfully concluded. This study can provide ideas for in situ synthesis of MOFs on 3D composite aerogel to prepare adsorption materials, improve the mass loading rate of MOFs and prevent MOFs from falling off, etc., and enrich the application of MOFs materials in the treatment of antibiotic pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The muscular system plays a critical role in the human body by governing skeletal movement, cardiovascular function, and the activities of digestive organs. Additionally, muscle tissues serve an endocrine function by secreting myogenic cytokines, thereby regulating metabolism throughout the entire body. Maintaining muscle function requires iron homeostasis. Recent studies suggest that disruptions in iron metabolism and ferroptosis, a form of iron-dependent cell death, are essential contributors to the progression of a wide range of muscle diseases and disorders, including sarcopenia, cardiomyopathy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Thus, a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms regulating iron metabolism and ferroptosis in these conditions is crucial for identifying potential therapeutic targets and developing new strategies for disease treatment and/or prevention. This review aims to summarize recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying ferroptosis in the context of muscle injury, as well as associated muscle diseases and disorders. Moreover, we discuss potential targets within the ferroptosis pathway and possible strategies for managing muscle disorders. Finally, we shed new light on current limitations and future prospects for therapeutic interventions targeting ferroptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmacologically-induced liver injury from N-acetyl-p-aminophenol (APAP) overdose has become a leading cause of acute liver failure. Extensive research has elucidated the relationship between the intestinal microbiota and the pathophysiology of liver diseases. The growing body of evidence supporting the beneficial effects of probiotics, coupled with their established safety profile, has led to their widespread adoption in clinical practice. Among these, Bifidobacterium bifidum has garnered substantial attention due to its potential hepatoprotective properties, particularly in APAP-induced acute liver injury (AILI). However, the precise therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of its potential to alleviate drug-induced liver toxicity remain largely unexplored. To address this knowledge gap, the present study aimed to investigate the role of a new Bifidobacterium bifidum strain CGMCC No. 29,545 isolated from faeces on AILI. A mouse model was constructed through the administration of heat-killed or active B. bifidum CGMCC No. 29,545 preparations via gavage, followed by an intraperitoneal overdose of APAP. The results showed that the active B. bifidum could significantly reverse the increase in plasma transaminase levels and reduce the necrotic area of liver cells in AILI mice. A reduction in oxidative stress accompanied a reduction in this effect. Furthermore, B. bifidum attenuated plasma endotoxin levels and improved colonic inflammation, reducing hepatocyte apoptosis. The 16 S rRNA diversity of intestinal contents suggests that the involvement of B. bifidum in the regulation of the intestinal microbiota also plays a crucial role in the protection against AILI. The above results suggest that the amelioration of multiple injuries due to APAP overprocessing is closely related to active B. bifidum, which was confirmed by heat-killed B. bifidum preparations. Heat-killed B. bifidum preparations did not attenuate the degree of liver injury and oxidative stress caused by APAP treatment. The effects of two different active B. bifidum preparations provide new insights into the protective strategies of active B. bifidum as a probiotic against AILI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study explores the impact of varying altitudes on the quality characteristics of Mianning ham. Methods: By utilizing Solid-Phase Microextraction—Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) technology and high-throughput sequencing techniques, the physicochemical properties, volatile flavor compounds, and shifts in microbial communities of Mianning ham at different altitudes were investigated. Results: Ham's water content, aw, pH, malondialdehyde content,and nitrite content at high altitudes were higher, while the salt content of ham at low altitudes was higher. 112 volatile compounds were identified in ham fermented for 0, 1, and 2 years at low altitude and high altitude, and the volatile compounds in ham at high altitude were more abundant than those in ham at low altitude. The main flavor compounds were 1-octene-3-ol, Nonyl aldehyde, Octanal, and 15 other volatile compounds. At the phylum level, the dominant bacteria were Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, and the fungus was Basidiomycota. Staphylococcus was the dominant bacterium at the genus level, and Aspergillus was the dominant fungus.The correlation analysis of microorganisms and volatile flavor substances showed that Cobetia promoted the formation of Benzaldehyde in ham at low altitudes. In contrast, Kocuria promoted the formation of 1-Octanol, Heptanol,1-Butanol, 2-Heptanone, 3-Hydroxy-2-butanone, Octanal, and Hexanal in ham at high altitudes. Discussion: There were obvious differences in the quality of Mianning ham between the two altitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is an important etiology of liver failure. This study aimed to explore the associations of blood fibrosis profiles with HEV-related liver failure (HEV-LF) onset and evaluate their prediction performance in hospitalized patients with acute hepatitis E. Methods: Participants were obtained from two tertiary medical centers in Jiangsu, China, between January 2018 and November 2024. Cox proportional hazards regression, restricted cubic splines, and threshold effect analysis were used to examine associations between fibrosis markers and HEV-LF risk. The predictive value of these markers was evaluated for importance ranking, discrimination, calibration, and net benefit. Results: Among 504 included participants, 59 developed HEV-LF during hospitalization. After adjusting for covariates, elevated baseline laminin (HR = 1.432, 95% CI: 1.080–1.900), fibrosis-4 score (HR = 1.865, 95% CI: 1.375–2.530), and aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI) (HR = 1.603, 95% CI: 1.315–1.954) were associated with a higher HEV-LF risk in a dose-dependent manner. Hyaluronic acid (≤ 740 ng/mL: HR = 1.797, 95% CI: 1.177–2.744) and type IV collagen (≤ 137 ng/mL: HR = 3.075, 95% CI: 1.709–5.533) showed nonlinear associations. APRI was ranked the highest in importance, and its combination with the other two top important markers provided good discrimination (7-day HEV-LF: AUROC = 84.98%, 95% CI: 78.55–91.41; 14-day HEV-LF: AUROC = 80.11%, 95% CI: 73.49–86.73), calibration, and clinical utility for predicting HEV-LF onset. Conclusions: Several blood fibrosis markers are closely associated with HEV-LF risk and have promising predictive value. These findings may inform clinical risk stratification in patients with AHE. Trial registration: Not applicable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pinus yunnanensis is an important coniferous species for both ecological and economic purposes in Southwest China. However, its seedlings grow slowly and show low productivity, with notable trait variability under the same cultivation conditions. These characteristics limit its extensive use in reforestation and forest management. Photosynthesis is the foundational process for plant growth and biomass accumulation. Chlorophyll, as the essential pigment in photosynthesis, directly impacts the synthesis of organic materials and the increase in biomass. In this study, the seedlings of P. yunnanensis were classified into three grades (I, II, and III) using the mean value ± 1/2 standard deviation method (H ± 1/2σ). Various growth traits, such as the number of branches, plant height, stem thickness, needle length, root characteristics, and biomass, were measured at multiple time points. The content of photosynthetic pigments was determined using spectrophotometry, endogenous hormone levels were analyzed by LC-MS/MS, and the expression of genes related to chlorophyll metabolism was detected through qRT-PCR. Pearson correlation analysis was employed to quantify the associations between hormone content, gene expression, and the seedlings' morphological characteristics. The results indicate that Grade I significantly outperform Grades II and III in terms of above-ground growth metrics. During the rapid growth period in March, Grade I seedlings had the highest chlorophyll content, potentially enhancing photosynthetic efficiency and increasing biomass allocation. Hormonal analysis revealed that compared to other grades, Grade I seedlings exhibited higher levels of ABA, JAs, and ACC, while Auxins and SAs were lower; there was no significant difference in CTK content between Grade I and Grade II, both of which were lower than in Grade III. qRT-PCR analysis confirmed that the expression of genes related to chlorophyll synthesis was significantly upregulated in Grade I seedlings. In contrast, the expression of genes associated with chlorophyll degradation was more active in Grade III seedlings. Correlation analysis further emphasized the strong link between hormone levels, gene expression, and growth traits. This study delves into the intrinsic mechanisms of morphological differentiation in P. yunnanensis seedlings by examining the synergistic effects of chlorophyll metabolism and endogenous hormone regulation. These findings can provide valuable references for cultivating high-quality seedlings, optimizing seed source selection, and improving afforestation techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-ray nondestructive testing technology is widely used for inspecting welds and identifying defects, and is crucial in the manufacturing industry. However, the diversity of welding defects and the imbalanced defect samples reduce defect classification model accuracy and can cause classifier overfitting. This paper proposes an improved DCGAN model for generating welding defect samples by integrating deep convolutional neural networks to enhance the training relationship between the generator and discriminator, thus increasing the number of training samples. We introduce a lightweight DG-MobileNet model to address low accuracy in welding defect identification and poor model convergence. Dilated convolution modules and Squeeze-and-Excitation self-attention mechanisms expand the convolutional receptive field and improve feature extraction capabilities. The fully connected layer is replaced by a global average pooling layer, reducing training parameters and mitigating overfitting. Additionally, combining DropBlock technology with Batch Normalization optimizes the feature extraction process, enhancing generalization ability. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model achieves a recognition accuracy of 98.78% and exhibits superior performance in terms of efficiency and lightweight design, highlighting its potential for deployment in real-world industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Airway epithelial cells constitute the first line of defense against external noxious stimuli and play crucial roles in the release of epithelial inflammatory cytokines (IL33, IL25 and TSLP), initiating airway allergic inflammatory diseases such as asthma. IL33 plays critical physiological processes in T2-endotype asthma. However, the mechanisms by which allergen exposure triggers IL33 release from airway epithelial cells remain unclear. Methods: Integrated bioinformatic analysis and transcriptional analysis of bulk RNA-seq and single cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) data were used to identify core genes and determine the internal gene network associated with IL33. The expression of EGR1 was subsequently analyzed in vitro in the BEAS-2B cell line and in vivo in a house dust mite (HDM)-induced mouse asthma model. The functional experiments of EGR1 were investigated in vitro via siRNA knockdown and over-expressed plasmid. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-PCR and dual-luciferase reporter assay validation were subsequently performed to investigate the mechanisms by which EGR1 regulates IL33 secretion. Results: Bulk RNA-seq and scRNA-seq data identified EGR1 as an epithelial cell-derived gene implicated in IL33 expressions in asthma. The comprehensive analysis of multiple datasets indicated that the high EGR1 expression in epithelial cells may suggest a mechanistic basis of T2-endotype childhood asthma. Moreover, we verified that the expressions of EGR1 in airway epithelial cells were elevated both in vitro and in vivo asthma models. EGR1 regulated the production of IL33. Ultimately, ChIP and luciferase reporter assays confirmed that transcription factor EGR1 directly regulate the transcription of IL33 mRNA. Conclusions: Our integrated bioinformatic analysis elucidated that EGR1 directly regulates the production of IL33 in T2-asthma and provide insights underlying the progression of asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monocular depth estimation (MDE) is a critical computer vision task that enhances environmental perception in fields such as autonomous driving and robot navigation. In recent years, deep learning-based MDE methods have achieved notable progress in these fields. However, achieving robust monocular depth estimation in low-altitude forest environments remains challenging, particularly in scenes with dense and cluttered foliage, which complicates applications in environmental monitoring, agriculture, and search and rescue operations. This paper presents a comprehensive evaluation of state-of-the-art deep learning-based MDE methods on low-altitude forest datasets. The evaluated models include both self-supervised and supervised approaches, employing different network structures such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and Vision Transformers (ViTs). We assessed the generalization of these approaches across diverse low-altitude scenarios, specifically focusing on forested environments. A systematic set of evaluation criteria is employed, comprising traditional image-based global statistical metrics as well as geometry-aware metrics, to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of depth estimation performance. The results indicate that most Transformer-based models, such as DepthAnything and Metric3D, outperform traditional CNN-based models in complex forest environments by capturing detailed tree structures and depth discontinuities. Conversely, CNN-based models like MiDas and Adabins struggle with handling depth discontinuities and complex occlusions, yielding less detailed predictions. On the Mid-Air dataset, the Transformer-based DepthAnything demonstrates a 54.2% improvement in RMSE for the global error metric compared to the CNN-based Adabins. On the LOBDM dataset, the CNN-based MiDas has the depth edge completeness error of 93.361, while the Transformer-based Metric3D demonstrates the significantly lower error of only 5.494. These findings highlight the potential of Transformer-based approaches for monocular depth estimation in low-altitude forest environments, with implications for high-throughput plant phenotyping, environmental monitoring, and other forest-specific applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of wave and current on floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) are usually treated separately without considering their inherent interaction. In this study, the coupling effect of wave and current on the dynamic responses of a semi-submerged FOWT carrying a 5-MW NREL turbine is investigated. A numerical model considering the wave–current interaction is introduced, which accounts for the frequency shifts and surface profile changes for waves traveling over currents. The dynamic structural model of the semi-submerged FOWT is established in ANSYS AQWA, where the aero-servo-structural loadings on tower and turbine were obtained from the FAST platform by using the FAST-to-AQWA coding program. Irregular waves with 1- and 50-year return periods, in conjunction with a uniform current, were adopted to evaluate the coupling interaction effects. Waves traveling on positive and on opposite currents are examined in different cases with waves and currents propagating along the surge or sway direction. Waves consistently propagate along positive surge or sway direction. Waves interacting with positive or opposite currents have dramatically different modifications on the wave spectrum. Differences of up to 22% are recorded by comparing both the main motions and mooring tension when the interaction of waves and currents is considered or not. The coupling interaction between waves and currents has a limited influence on the tower base shear forces and bending moments. It was found that a straightforward superposition approach to evaluate the effect of the waves and the currents may underestimate the dynamic motions and mooring tension of FOWTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advancement of multi-omics tools has revolutionized the study of complex biological systems, providing comprehensive insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying critical traits across various organisms. By integrating data from genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and other omics platforms, researchers can systematically identify and characterize biological elements that contribute to phenotypic traits. This review delves into recent progress in applying multi-omics approaches to elucidate the genetic, epigenetic, and metabolic networks associated with key traits in plants. We emphasize the potential of these integrative strategies to enhance crop improvement, optimize agricultural practices, and promote sustainable environmental management. Furthermore, we explore future prospects in the field, underscoring the importance of cutting-edge technological advancements and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to address ongoing challenges. By bridging various omics platforms, this review aims to provide a holistic framework for advancing research in plant biology and agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rab GTPases play a crucial role in facilitating the transportation of vesicles during the process of fungal biogenesis. Currently, there is limited understanding regarding the specific biological functions of Rab small GTPase elements within Fusarium oxysporum. In this study, we examined the three proteins FoRab5, FoRab7, and FoRab8 of Foc, which exhibit homology to the Rab protein family found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In addition, we also employed a PEG-mediated homologous recombination approach to create deletion mutants and complementary strains for the FoRab5 , FoRab7 , and FoRab8 genes, thereby facilitating a comprehensive investigation into the functional roles of these genes. FoRab5 was localized on vesicles of various sizes within the cell. Compared to the wild-type strain, the growth rate of the mutant ΔFoRab5 strain decreased, the aerial hyphae decreased, the sporulation decreased, and the spore germination rate decreased. The sensitivity to cell membrane stress, cell wall stress, and endoplasmic reticulum stress increased, the activity of laccase and glucoamylase decreased significantly, and the pathogenicity to cabbage seedlings decreased. FoRab7 was localized on the vacuolar membrane. Compared to the wild type, the growth rate of the mutant ΔFoRab7 strain decreased, the bacteria produced a large amount of pigment deposition, the aerial hyphae decreased significantly, the hyphal branches increased, and the mutant almost lost the ability to produce spores. The sensitivity to osmotic stress, cell membrane stress, cell wall stress, metal ion stress, and endoplasmic reticulum stress was enhanced, and the vacuole was fragmented. Laccase and glucoamylase activities decreased in a significant manner. Moreover, there was a decrease in the pathogenicity of cabbage seedlings. FoRab8 was localized at the tip of the mycelium. Compared to the wild type, the growth rate of the mutant ΔFoRab8 strain decreased, the sporulation decreased, and the sensitivity of the mutant to osmotic stress and endoplasmic reticulum pressure increased. There was a significant decrease in the activity of laccase, glucoamylase, and cellulase. A reduction in the pathogenicity to cabbage seedlings occurred. In summary, these results indicate that members of the Rab family proteins FoRab5, FoRab7, and FoRab8 regulate a series of processes such as growth, sporulation, pathogenicity, and ectoenzyme secretion in Foc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observational studies have reported an association of obesity with periodontitis and tooth loss, yet findings remain inconsistent. We aim to investigate the genetic link underlying obesity-related traits (BMI [body mass index], WHR [waist-to-hip ratio], WHRadjBMI and childhood BMI), periodontitis and tooth loss. Leveraging summary statistics from large-scale genome-wide association studies, we comprehensively investigated the pair-wise genetic correlation using linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) and SUPERGNOVA, identified shared loci using cross-phenotype association analysis (CPASSOC), and estimated causal association using Mendelian randomization. We identified a significant genetic correlation of obesity with tooth loss, but not with periodontitis. Partitioning the genome into LD-independent regions revealed 10 significantly shared local signals across six regions. Genome-wide cross-trait analysis uncovered 14 shared loci, four of which were colocalized: rs2064044 (PP4 = 0.94), rs6000329 (PP4 = 0.86), rs7134628 (PP4 = 0.86), and rs1286769 (PP4 = 0.90). Notably, rs1286769, identified via CPASSOC and validated through colocalization analysis, is located near RARβ, a gene associated with both BMI and denture use. Mendelian randomization revealed a nominally-significant causal association of obesity with periodontitis (P = 0.045) but a robust causal association with tooth loss represented by number of teeth (BMI: beta = 0.20, 95%CI = 0.26 to 0.14, P = 5.27 × 10–11; WHR: beta = 0.16, 95%CI = 0.24 to 0.08, P = 3.71 × 10–5). Results of CAUSE were consistent with main findings. From a genetic perspective, our work highlights an intrinsic link between obesity, periodontitis and tooth loss, which may add new lines of evidence and provide insights for clinical and public oral health applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observational studies have reported an association of obesity with periodontitis and tooth loss, yet findings remain inconsistent. We aim to investigate the genetic link underlying obesity-related traits (BMI [body mass index], WHR [waist-to-hip ratio], WHRadjBMI and childhood BMI), periodontitis and tooth loss. Leveraging summary statistics from large-scale genome-wide association studies, we comprehensively investigated the pair-wise genetic correlation using linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) and SUPERGNOVA, identified shared loci using cross-phenotype association analysis (CPASSOC), and estimated causal association using Mendelian randomization. We identified a significant genetic correlation of obesity with tooth loss, but not with periodontitis. Partitioning the genome into LD-independent regions revealed 10 significantly shared local signals across six regions. Genome-wide cross-trait analysis uncovered 14 shared loci, four of which were colocalized: rs2064044 (PP4 = 0.94), rs6000329 (PP4 = 0.86), rs7134628 (PP4 = 0.86), and rs1286769 (PP4 = 0.90). Notably, rs1286769, identified via CPASSOC and validated through colocalization analysis, is located near RARβ, a gene associated with both BMI and denture use. Mendelian randomization revealed a nominally-significant causal association of obesity with periodontitis (P = 0.045) but a robust causal association with tooth loss represented by number of teeth (BMI: beta = 0.20, 95%CI = 0.26 to 0.14, P = 5.27 × 10–11; WHR: beta = 0.16, 95%CI = 0.24 to 0.08, P = 3.71 × 10–5). Results of CAUSE were consistent with main findings. From a genetic perspective, our work highlights an intrinsic link between obesity, periodontitis and tooth loss, which may add new lines of evidence and provide insights for clinical and public oral health applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is one of the most widely cultivated perennial leguminous forages globally, known for its high yield and quality. Leaf size plays a crucial role in influencing its photosynthetic capacity, forage yield, and quality. Therefore, understanding the genetic factors regulating leaf size is of great importance for breeding new alfalfa varieties with improved yield and quality. In this study, we performed a genome-wide association study on four leaf size-related traits in 176 alfalfa germplasm resources to identify candidate genes associated with leaf size. Results: Phenotypic analysis revealed varying degrees of variation among the four traits, with coefficients of variation ranging from 3.43 to 36.84%. The broad sense heritability of these traits was found to be between 38.30% and 53.23%. Correlation analysis showed a significant positive correlation among the four traits (P < 0.01). The GWAS identified 39 SNPs associated with leaf size, distributed across eight chromosomes, of which 9 SNPs were linked to multiple traits. Haplotype analysis further confirmed that the number of superior alleles in each material was positively correlated with leaf area. Finally, we identified five genes near these 39 significant SNPs that are associated with leaf size or development. Conclusion: Our findings provide new molecular markers for marker-assisted selection in alfalfa breeding programs. Moreover, this study provides a solid foundation for subsequent functional verification and genetic improvement in alfalfa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance: The objective response (ORR) rate in patients with locally advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell-carcinoma (LA-HPSCC) following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) of albumin-bound paclitaxel plus carboplatin is low. At present, it is unclear whether the addition of pembrolizumab could increase the ORR or not. Objective: To investigate whether the addition of pembrolizumab could increase the ORR, and to develop a nomogram to predict the response of pembrolizumab addition. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: This study was conducted at a single institution. Participants: This study included 129 patients who conformed to the inclusion criteria. Intervention or Exposures: NACT with or without pembrolizumab for patients with LA-HPSCC. Main Outcome Measures: The ORR was analyzed according to the RECIST 1.1 criteria and a nomogram was developed based on least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and multivariable Cox regression analysis. Predictive accuracy and discriminative ability of the nomogram were evaluated by receiver operating characteristics, precision recall, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis. Results: Eighty-two patients received NACT and 47 also received pembrolizumab. ORR was higher in patients receiving additional pembrolizumab (66.0% vs 47.6%, χ2 = 4.074, P =.044). The nomogram identified pretreatment levels of lymphocytes and red blood cells as independent predictors of a high ORR, while basophil levels were an independent predictor of a low ORR. Calibration curve showed that the nomogram-based predictions corresponded well with actual observations. C-index of the nomogram was 0.925 (0.848-1.002) and the area under curve was 0.925. Decision curve analysis affirmed that the nomogram had important clinical value. Conclusions and Relevance: Pembrolizumab could improve the ORR in LA-HPSCC patients treated with NACT. Furthermore, a risk-prediction nomogram incorporating readily assessable routine pretreatment blood parameters can accurately estimate the response to NACT with pembrolizumab, leading to precise treatment and minimizing the waste of medical resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]