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Astrometry of pulsars, particularly their distances, serves as a critical input for various astrophysical experiments using pulsars. Pulsar timing is a primary approach for determining a pulsar's position, parallax, and distance. In this paper, we explore the influence of the solar wind on astrometric measurements obtained through pulsar timing, focusing on its potential to affect the accuracy of these parameters. Using both theoretical calculation and mock-data simulations, we demonstrate a significant correlation between the pulsar position, annual parallax, and the solar-wind density parameters. This correlation strongly depends on the pulsar's ecliptic latitude. We show that fixing solar-wind density to an arbitrary value in the timing analysis can introduce significant bias in the estimated pulsar position and parallax, and its significance is highly dependent on the ecliptic latitude of the pulsar and the timing precision of the data. For pulsars with favourable ecliptic latitude and timing precision, the astrometric and solar-wind parameters can be measured jointly with other timing parameters using single-frequency data. The parameter correlation can be mitigated by using multifrequency data, which also significantly improves the measurement precision of these parameters; this is particularly important for pulsars at a medium or high ecliptic latitude. Additionally, for a selection of pulsars we reprocess their European Pulsar Timing Array Data Release 2 data to include modelling of solar-wind effect in the timing analysis. This delivers significant measurements of both parallax and solar-wind density, the latter of which are consistent with those obtained at low-frequency band. In the future, combining pulsar timing data at gigahertz and lower frequencies will probably deliver the most robust and precise measurements of astrometry and solar wind properties in pulsar timing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of Ti films prepared by plasma surface alloying technique on the sapphire for improving the bonding properties of sapphire/γ-TiAl alloy. The Ti films contained pure Ti, oxides (e.g., Ti2O and TiO2) and intermetallic (Ti3Al) because of the deposition and chemical reactions between Ti element and sapphire. The wettability and brazing quality for sapphire/γ-TiAl alloy have been improved effectively by formation of new phases such as TiCuAl and AlCu(Ti,Nb) and Cu4Ti and Ti3Cu3O phases. The results show that with the increased brazing temperature, the width of diffusion and reaction regions enlarged because of the diffusion and reaction, leading to the raised shear strength of the joints. After brazing at 875°C for 10 min, the maximum shear strength reached as high as 158 MPa. Therefore, the current results provide a promising future for brazing the sapphire/γ-TiAl alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Individualizing transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) parameters can improve precision in neuropsychiatric disorders. One important decision for the clinician is the selection of an appropriate montage—conventional or high-definition (HD)—to implement dose-controlled tDCS while maintaining the patient's safety. Method: The present study simulated tDCS administration using T1-weighted brain images of 50 dementia, 25 depression patients, and 25 healthy individuals for two conventional and HD montages, targeting the regions of interest (ROIs) in the dorsal and ventral pathways that support language processing. For each tDCS configuration, the electric fields at the ROIs and the individualized dose required to achieve the desired current intensity at the target ROI across the subjects were estimated. Linear regression was performed on these parameters. Result: A significant relationship between atrophy and current dose that varies according to the disease was found. The dementia patients with significant brain atrophy required a higher personalized dosage for HD montage, as the current intensity at the target ROIs was lower and more variable than that of conventional montage. For dementia, tDCS individualization is pathway-dependent, wherein HD configuration of the dorsal route requires current dosages above the safety limit (>4 mA) for 46% of individuals. However, there was no significant difference in electrode configurations between the HD and traditional setups for depression and healthy volunteers without significant brain atrophy. Conclusions: HD-tDCS with fixed locations is limited, making conventional tDCS more effective for dose-controlled applications. In patients with atrophy, individualized adjustments based on simulations are needed due to the variable stimulation strength in the ROI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While a large part of the deception literature focuses on lying detection, the factors contributing to one's ability to lie remain unclear. The present study examined the contribution of Theory of Mind (ToM) and interoception on our ability to lie using a directed lie paradigm with two conditions ("Interrogation" and "Polygraph"), designed to enhance each of the two mechanisms. Given the relatively small sample size (n = 26 × 40 trials), special steps were taken to avoid false positives. Our results suggest that various facets of interoceptive abilities are positively related to the self-rated confidence in one's own lies, especially when under the belief that bodily signals are being monitored (i.e., in the "Polygraph" condition). Beyond providing evidence for the role of the body in lying and raising interesting questions for deception science, these results carry practical implications for criminology and lie detection protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interactions between magnetic fields advected by matter play a fundamental role in the Universe at a diverse range of scales. A crucial role these interactions play is in making turbulent fields highly anisotropic, leading to observed ordered fields. These in turn, are important evolutionary factors for all the systems within and around. Despite scant evidence, due to the difficulty in measuring even near-Earth events, the magnetic field compression factor in these interactions, measured at very varied scales, is limited to a few. However, compressing matter in which a magnetic field is embedded, results in compression up to several thousands. Here we show, using laboratory experiments and matching three-dimensional hybrid simulations, that there is indeed a very effective saturation of the compression when two independent parallel-oriented magnetic fields regions encounter one another due to plasma advection. We found that the observed saturation is linked to a build-up of the magnetic pressure, which decelerates and redirects the inflows at their encounter point, thereby stopping further compression. Moreover, the growth of an electric field, induced by the incoming flows and the magnetic field, acts in redirecting the inflows transversely, further hampering field compression. The interaction of magnetic fields embedded in plasmas is central to many astrophysical phenomena. Here, authors show that plasma flow disruption caused by enhanced magnetic field is unexpectedly small compared to magnetic field compression by shocks, which significantly limits the growth of field strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In global agriculture, the challenges facing agricultural production are escalating, especially in the current international situation, which underscores the urgency of addressing food production issues. This study aims to investigate various factors influencing the food production process and yield fluctuations, crucial for developing efficient agricultural planting strategies and adjusting related policies. It combines natural science and social economics perspectives, taking maize production in Qiqihar City, Heilongjiang Province as the research object. Using data from 1995 to 2020, it examines the comprehensive effects of natural climate and agricultural mechanization development level (AMDL) on maize production and constructs an AMDL evaluation system. To predict future agricultural development more accurately, this paper proposes the climate economic prediction model(C-D-AS), incorporating a multi-variable system. To ensure research accuracy and reliability, the TensorFlow 2.4.0 framework was used for multiple linear regression based on the gradient descent method, and prediction results were compared and analyzed. The results indicate that the variation in the effects of climate and AMDL on crop yield is as high as 62.1%, and the correlation between predicted results and real data is 95.3%. This study not only provides robust theoretical support for local agricultural production but also offers the government and farmers a new understanding of the vulnerability and adaptability of the agricultural system, with far-reaching implications for sustainable agricultural development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urea, renowned for its exceptional moisturizing capabilities, finds extensive application in pharmaceuticals and cosmetic products. However, its gradual decomposition in aqueous formulations poses a limitation to its broader utilization. This study introduces an effective cocrystal strategy designed to mitigate urea's decomposition. Through computational chemistry, we simulated cocrystal systems of anhydrous citric acid with urea at various molar ratios and identified the most stable combination. The formation of the cocrystal with the mole ratio of citric acid and urea as 1 : 2, was subsequently confirmed using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. High-temperature accelerated degradation tests revealed that the decomposition rate of urea was reduced by over 10% when complexed with citric acid, thus validating the efficacy of the cocrystal approach. To ascertain that the cocrystallization process does not compromise urea's moisturizing efficacy, we conducted hyaluronidase inhibition assays. The findings indicated that there was no significant variation in the hyaluronidase inhibition rate before and after cocrystal formation, thereby affirming the preservation of urea's moisturizing properties throughout the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digisonde data showed a peculiar behavior in the nighttime lower ionosphere over Cachoeira Paulista (CXP, 22.7°S, 45°W, dip ∼35°), a low‐latitude station located inside the South American Magnetic Anomaly (SAMA) during the main phase of the extreme magnetic storm on 11 May 2024. The E region appeared in observational data at high altitudes after sunset, which is unexpected. In sequence, it performed an unusual descending movement due to the disturbed electric field. The extra ionization responsible for forming the nocturnal E layer is due to the precipitation (EPP) of low energic (<30 keV) particles. Moreover, a diurnal cusp‐type Es layer (Esc) appeared simultaneously, which has never been reported in the literature at such hours. Thus, the results further suggest that the EPP may have caused an oscillation in the thermosphere, forming the Esc usually seen in the daytime. Therefore, this study shows the different mechanisms acting together during this magnetic storm, creating a daytime ionosphere after sunset over the SAMA region, as confirmed by observational data and simulations. Key Points: Atypical Sporadic (Es) layer type was detected for the first‐time during nighttime in the South American Magnetic AnomalyDigisonde data and simulations show the extra ionization that occurred in the main phase of the strong magnetic storm on 11 May 2024The E region presence enabled the formation of the cusp‐type Es layer (Esc), which had only been seen during daytime periods until now [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fibrocartilage stem cells (FCSCs) on the surface of the condyle play an essential role in cartilage homeostasis and regeneration. However, few well-defined stem cell markers have been identified for the analysis of FCSCs' cell fate and regulation mechanism. In this study, we first mapped the transcriptional landscape of the condylar cartilage and identified a Gli1+ subset. Label-retaining cells and our lineage-tracing study showed that Gli1 labeled a group of FCSCs. Conditional knockout β-catenin inhibited Gli1+ cells differentiating into hypertrophic chondrocytes. In discectomy-induced temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA), Gli1+ cells were further activated, and their differentiation into hypertrophic chondrocytes was accelerated, which induced stem cell pool depletion. The deletion of β-catenin in Gli1+ cells preserved the FCSC pool and alleviated TMJOA cartilage degeneration. Collectively, we uncovered that a Gli1+ FCSC subpopulation and Wnt/β-catenin signaling orchestrate the Gli1+ cell fate in condyle postnatal development and TMJOA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of how fitting of baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO) is carried out within the upcoming Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument's (DESI) 2024 results using its DR1 data set, and the associated systematic error budget from theory and modelling of the BAO. We derive new results showing how non-linearities in the clustering of galaxies can cause potential biases in measurements of the isotropic (⁠|$\alpha _{\mathrm{iso}}$|⁠) and anisotropic (⁠|$\alpha _{\mathrm{ap}}$|⁠) BAO distance scales, and how these can be effectively removed with an appropriate choice of reconstruction algorithm. We then demonstrate how theory leads to a clear choice for how to model the BAO and develop, implement, and validate a new model for the remaining smooth-broad-band (i.e. without BAO) component of the galaxy clustering. Finally, we explore the impact of all remaining modelling choices on the BAO constraints from DESI using a suite of high-precision simulations, arriving at a set of best practices for DESI BAO fits, and an associated theory and modelling systematic error. Overall, our results demonstrate the remarkable robustness of the BAO to all our modelling choices and motivate a combined theory and modelling systematic error contribution to the post-reconstruction DESI BAO measurements of no more than 0.1 per cent (0.2 per cent) for its isotropic (anisotropic) distance measurements. We expect the theory and best practices laid out to here to be applicable to other BAO experiments in the era of DESI and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work demonstrates the feasibility of creating a sub-millimeter, subsonic nitrogen gas jet using a 178-μm diameter orifice to conduct laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA) with 1-TW, 40-fs laser pulses. More importantly, our findings reveal that using a blade to impede part of the gas flow and create an asymmetric density profile with a shortened down-ramp leads to a notable reduction in pointing fluctuations and an increase in the total charge of the output electron beams. As evidenced by the corresponding particle-in-cell simulation, the laser intensity is more effectively sustained toward the downstream end of the shaped gas jet, allowing for effective excitation of low-amplitude plasma waves that help preserve the accelerated electrons over the target rear side. In contrast, the pulse intensity drops significantly within the rear side of the unshaped gas jet, resulting in continuously diminishing plasma waves and decreased beam charge. The steeper gradient of the density down-ramp in the shaped gas jet also leads to a more rapid increase in the plasma wavelength over a reduced propagation distance, which helps mitigate the dephasing of accelerated electrons and increase the charge at the high-energy side of the spectrum. Our study paves the way for the future development of few-TW LWFA using a subsonic gas jet with sharp edges to further enhance the properties of output electron beams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asthma is a prevalent chronic inflammatory airway disease that affects both adults and children. Inflammation-induced airway remodeling can lead to irreversible damage to the airways. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) plays a significant role in healthcare, offering potential improvements for chronic airway inflammation associated with asthma. The objective of this study is to investigate the efficacy of Pingchuan formula (PCF) in treating asthma and explore its underlying mechanisms. The asthmatic model mice were sensitized on days 1 and 7, followed by aerosolized OVA challenge for a total of 21 times starting from day 14, spanning weeks 3 to 9. PCF was administered daily after the first challenge. The mice were orally dosed daily based on their individual body weights for a continuous period of 47 days. The examined items encompassed proteomic analysis of the target proteins impacted by PCF. The levels of interleukins IL-1β, IL-18, and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured using ELISA. Immunohistochemistry was employed to assess the expression levels of nucleotide-βinding domain, leucine-richcontaining family, pyrin domain-containing-3 (NLRP3), caspase-1, and TGF-β in the airways. Western blotting and realtime quantitative PCR analysis were conducted to determine NLRP3 and caspase-1 expression levels. Additionally, Western blotting was performed to evaluate C-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), phosphorylated JNK (p-JNK), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), N-cadherin, E-cadherin, and tenascin C (T-NC) expression. Compared to the asthma model group, histological analysis using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and Masson staining revealed that PCF exhibited a significant reduction in airway inflammation exudation and collagen fiber production in asthmatic mice. The proteomics analysis revealed that there were 174 proteins exhibiting differential expression in the PCF group compared to the asthma model group, indicating a strong association with negative regulation of the cell cycle and inflammation in the airways of asthmatic individuals. The PCF also exhibited a significant reduction in the protein and mRNA expressions of NLRP3 and caspase-1 in lung tissue (P<0.05). Additionally, it decreased the protein expressions of ASC, p-JNK, MMP-9, E-cadherin, and T-NC while increasing N-cadherin levels (P<0.05). The inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-18 and TGF-β were reduced (P<0.05). This study revealed that Pingchuan Decoction can inhibit airway remodeling by inhibiting NLRP/IL-1β and JNK pathway activation, and effectively improve airway histological inflammation and remodeling in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soilbag cushion is one of the promising base isolation methods to reduce seismic energy transfer from ground to building structure. In this study, a series of shaking table tests were conducted comparatively on foundation models with soilbag cushion and sand cushion to evaluate their dynamic performance. The test results indicate that soilbag cushion could significantly reduce acceleration response and accumulated settlement compared to sand cushion. And the relatively smaller amplitude of dynamic lateral earth pressure measured on contact surface of soilbags within soilbag cushion also indicates its stability during oscillation. The advantages of soilbag cushion for energy dissipation and damping are more easily highlighted under the condition of high-acceleration, high-frequency or high uniformly distributed load. The dynamic performance of soilbag cushion is dependent on embedded depth and thickness. It is most effective for soilbag cushion to be arranged near the rigid footing of building structures; it is suggested that the number of layers of soilbag cushion be controlled on the premise of the designed ratio of the thickness to the width of soilbag cushion ranging from 0.125 to 0.4 for low- or middle-rise masonry buildings in practical engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we shall concentrate on fractal-harmonic analysis of a class of Moran measures. Let { M n } n = 1 ∞ be a sequence of expanding matrix in M 2 (Z) and { D n } n = 1 ∞ be a sequence of non-collinear integer digit sets satisfying D n = 0 0 , α n 1 α n 2 , β n 1 β n 2 , - α n 1 - β n 1 - α n 2 - β n 2 . The associated Moran-type measure μ { M n } , { D n } is generated by the infinite convolution μ { M n } , { D n } = δ M 1 - 1 D 1 * δ M 1 - 1 M 2 - 1 D 2 * δ M 1 - 1 M 2 - 1 M 3 - 1 D 3 * ⋯ in the weak ∗ -topology. Our result shows that if { α n 1 α n 2 β n 1 β n 2 } n = 1 ∞ is bounded, then L 2 (μ { M n } , { D n } ) admits an infinite orthogonal set of exponential functions if and only if there exists a subsequence { n k } k = 1 ∞ of { n k } k = 1 ∞ such that det (M n k) ∈ 2 Z . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the results of a search for continuous gravitational wave signals (CGWs) in the second data release (DR2) of the European Pulsar Timing Array (EPTA) Collaboration. The most significant candidate event from this search has a gravitational wave frequency of 4–5 nHz. Such a signal could be generated by a supermassive black hole binary (SMBHB) in the local Universe. We present the results of a follow-up analysis of this candidate using both Bayesian and frequentist methods. The Bayesian analysis gives a Bayes factor of 4 in favour of the presence of the CGW over a common uncorrelated noise process. In contrast, the frequentist analysis estimates the p-value of the candidate to be < 1%, also assuming the presence of common uncorrelated red noise. However, comparing a model that includes both a CGW and a gravitational wave background (GWB) to a GWB only, the Bayes factor in favour of the CGW model is only 0.7. Therefore, we cannot conclusively determine the origin of the observed feature, nor can we rule it out as a CGW source. We present results of simulations that demonstrate that data containing a weak gravitational wave background can be misinterpreted as data including a CGW and vice versa, providing two plausible explanations for the EPTA DR2 data. Further investigations combining data from all PTA collaborations will be needed to reveal the true origin of this feature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persulfate-based advanced oxidation processes (PS-AOPs) have emerged as a highly promising approach for remediating organic-contaminated soil. However, the substantial cost associated with the large injection volume of persulfate and the potential ecological risks arising from sulfate accumulation in the post-remediated soil have hindered the widespread application of this technology. To address these challenges, this study proposed a novel and environmental-friendly approach based on the reversible regeneration of ammonium persulfate (APS) through electrochemical synthesis, with the aim of realizing cyclic utilization of APS. Through our in-depth investigation, we have scrutinized the performance and kinetic behaviors of Fe2+-APS in the remediation of organic-contaminated soil, utilizing NAP as the target. By identifying the decisive factors for electrochemical regeneration of APS, we have also unraveled the underlying mechanisms governing the electrochemical synthesis of APS. Experimental results demonstrate an impressive degradation rate of 76.39% of naphthalene (NAP) in contaminated soil through Fe2+-APS remediation with the optimal parameter (voltage of 8 V, flow velocity of 10 mL/min, ammonium sulfate concentration of 3 M). Moreover, our dynamic electrochemical devices significantly outperform the static setup in terms of regeneration of APS, with the concentration and current efficiency achieving 75 and 20 times higher, respectively. Notably, the NAP degradation rate in the soil remains at a commendable 75% even after five cycles, thereby validating the practicality and efficacy of this approach. This innovative approach provides both theoretical and practical foundations to advance the development and adoption of persulfate-based technologies in soil remediation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweeping jet actuator (SJA) has been widely applied for active flow control in open flows. In this paper, the SJA character in compressor cascade and its performance for separation control in inner flows are discussed. Time-averaged and transient flow field measurement, together with visualization methods are utilized. It is found that endwall effects are important for both SJA behaviors and SJA performance for separation control in compressor cascades. There is a maximum of 12.7% total pressure loss reduction with SJA placed near the separation position, close to the endwall and under appropriate flowrate. The characteristic frequencies in the flow field contribute to the capture of influence regions of vortices and excitation jets. Two concentrated shedding vortices and SJA jets impact region helped to judge that SJA energizes low momentum fluids in a large region and matches the high loss core well. To be concrete, the flow separation control mechanism of SJA lies on the interruption of the blade suction surface boundary layer development and the restriction of the lifting of the boundary layer from end- wall towards blade suction surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferroelectric HfO2 has attracted much attention owing to its superior ferroelectricity at an ultra-thin thickness and good compatibility with Si-based complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) technology. However, the crystallization of polar orthorhombic phase (o-phase) HfO2 is less competitive, which greatly limits the ferroelectricity of the as-obtained ferroelectric HfO2 thin films. Fortunately, the crystallization of o-phase HfO2 can be thermodynamically modulated via interfacial stress engineering. In this paper, the growth of improved ferroelectric Al doped HfO2 (HfO2:Al) thin films on (111)-oriented Si substrate has been reported. Structural analysis has suggested that nonpolar monoclinic HfO2:Al grown on (111)-oriented Si substrate suffered from a strong compressive strain, which promoted the crystallization of (111)-oriented o-phase HfO2 in the as-grown HfO2:Al thin films. In addition, the in-plane lattice of (111)-oriented Si substrate matches well with that of (111)-oriented o-phase HfO2, which further thermally stabilizes the o-phase HfO2. Accordingly, an improved ferroelectricity with a remnant polarization (2 P r) of 26.7 μC/cm2 has been obtained. The results shown in this work provide a simple way toward the preparation of improved ferroelectric HfO2 thin films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

tDCS modulates the activity of the neuronal networks to induce the desired behavioural changes. Two factors determine its effectiveness- (1) whether the network being stimulated is relevant to the task, and (2) if there is a scope for improvement in behavioral performance. To explore this, both dorsal (sub-lexical) and ventral (lexical) reading networks were stimulated (20 min, 2 mA) in 25 healthy young volunteers. Participants performed two reading tasks with different levels of lexical involvement: word fragment completion tasks (WCT) and word association tasks (WAT), while event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded simultaneously. The study used a within-subject design over three sessions, comparing various electrode montages targeting the dorsal pathway's left inferior parietal lobule or the ventral reading pathway's left middle temporal lobule, as well as sham stimulation. The impact of tDCS sessions (dorsal, ventral, & sham) and task type (WCT & WAT) on priming effects (primed vs. unprimed) of behavioral performance (accuracy and reaction times), and ERP parameters (N400 amplitudes and latencies) were statistically analyzed.It was found that tDCS modulated the performance of WAT only (a task with a lower priming effect). The failure to modulate WCT (larger priming effect) indicated that tDCS was effective for conditions with room for improvement compared to a task where performance has reached the ceiling. Ventral stimulation enhanced accuracy in the WAT condition and shortened the N400 latency of the priming effect. In contrast, dorsal stimulation delayed the priming effect reaction time in the WAT condition and enhanced the N400 amplitude. To conclude, enhancement in performance due to tDCS occurs when the network (ventral) being stimulated aligns with the cognitive demands of the task and there is a scope for improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Larger fusion experiments require long beam paths for laser diagnostics, which requires mechanical stability and measures to deal with remaining alignment variations. At the same time, due to technical and organizational boundary conditions, calibrations become challenging. The current mid-sized experiments face the same issues, yet on a smaller scale, which makes them ideal testing environments for novel calibration methods, since a comparison with the established best practices is still possible. At the stellarator Wendelstein 7-X, the calibration and operation of the Thomson scattering diagnostic is hampered by beam displacements, coating of windows during operation, and access restrictions while the superconducting coils are active. New calibration techniques were developed to improve the profile quality and reduce calibration time. While positional variations of the laser beam have to be minimized, the remaining displacements can be accounted for during the absolute calibration. An in situ spectral calibration has been developed based on Rayleigh scattering, which calibrates the whole diagnostic, including observation windows. In addition, a less accurate but faster method has been developed, which utilizes stray-light of a tunable OPO to perform spectral calibration within minutes and does not require torus hall access. Finally, a workflow has been established to consider finite linewidths of the calibration source in the spectral calibration. While these methods will be used at W7-X to complement existing calibration techniques, they may also solve some of the aforementioned issues expected for even larger and nuclear experiments, where access restrictions are stringent and calibration becomes even more demanding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neurological consequences of combat blast-induced neurotrauma (BINT) pose important clinical concerns for military service members and veterans. Previous studies have shown that low-intensity blast (LIB) results in BINT with multifaceted characteristics in mice exposed to open-field blast in prone position. Although the prone position is natural for rodents, experimental models of blast using this position do not represent common scenarios of human standing while being exposed to blast during deployment or military training. In this study, we used our previously developed BINT mouse model of open-field LIB with mice in an upright position and then used quantitative proteomics and multiple bioinformatic approaches to analyze brain tissue taken from multiple subregions during the acute post-injury phase. We identified: (1) region-specific BINT-induced proteome changes, which were significantly and differently influenced by animal positioning (upright vs. prone): the upright positioning caused more significant protein alterations in cortex and cerebellum, which were less significant in striatum as compared to prone position; (2) synapse- and mitochondrion-related damage contributed to BINT in both positions; and (3) some molecular signatures were exclusively and/or oppositely regulated in two positions. This study delineates the molecular signatures of the position-dependent blast effects, indicating the importance of brain–body position for BINT translational studies and for modeling the location and extent of position-related blast injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alveolar bone (AB) remodeling, including formation and absorption, is the foundation of orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). However, the sources and mechanisms underlying new bone formation remain unclear. Therefore, we aimed to understand the potential mechanism of bone formation during OTM, focusing on the leptin receptor+ (Lepr+) osteogenitors and periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs). We demonstrated that Lepr+ cells activated by force-induced PDLC apoptosis served as distinct osteoprogenitors during orthodontic bone regeneration. We investigated bone formation both in vivo and in vitro. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis and lineage tracing demonstrated that Lepr represents a subcluster of stem cells that are activated and differentiate into osteoblasts during OTM. Targeted ablation of Lepr+ cells in a mouse model disrupted orthodontic force–guided bone regeneration. Furthermore, apoptosis and sequential fluorescent labeling assays revealed that the apoptosis of PDLCs preceded new bone deposition. We found that PDL stem cell–derived apoptotic vesicles activated Lepr+ cells in vitro. Following apoptosis inhibition, orthodontic force–activated osteoprogenitors and osteogenesis were significantly downregulated. Notably, we found that bone formation occurred on the compression side during OTM; this has been first reported here. To conclude, we found a potential mechanism of bone formation during OTM that may provide new insights into AB regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the individual biology of endemic fish in China, lay a foundation for the conservation of its germplasm resources, and consolidate the basic biological data of endemic fish in the world. According to the ethical code and fishing permit, 21 samples of Schizothorax (Racoma) biddulphi (Günther, 1876) were collected from the Muzati River in Tarim River system from 2021 to 2022, and their morphological characteristics, age identification and anatomical observation were analyzed by classical biological methods. S. biddulphi has a long body, a conical head, a pointed snout and a lower mouth. Requires 2 pairs. The scales are small and neatly arranged; Bare or scaly chest; The lateral line scale is slightly larger. The lateral line is complete. The correlation equation between body length and body weight is: W = 4.148 × 10-5L2.791. There were 5 kinds of age identification materials: 15+ for lapillus and asteriscus, 14+ for vertebra, 11+ for opercular bone, and 9+ for anal scale. The peritoneal wall of S. biddulphi is black; The tooth type is 2·3·5-5·3·2; The gill harrow was 11~13 for laymen and 15~18 for experts. Diphysocyte; Gallbladder oval; The number of vertebrae is 4+42-43+1, and the number of ribs is 23 or 24. S. biddulphi is a special species in the Tarim River system, and its evolutionary adaptation is closely related to the uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the fascinating phenomena of resonant radiation emitted by transient rogue waves in cubic and quadratic nonlinear media, particularly those shed from Peregrine solitons, one of the main wavepackets used today to model real-world rogue waves. In cubic media, it turns out that the emission of radiation from a Peregrine soliton can be attributed to the presence of higher-order dispersion, but is affected by the intrinsic local longitudinal variation of the soliton wavenumber. In quadratic media, we reveal that a two-color Peregrine rogue wave can resonantly radiate dispersive waves even in the absence of higher-order dispersion, subjected to a phase-matching mechanism that involves the second-harmonic wave, and to a concomitant difference-frequency generation process. In both cubic and quadratic media, we provide simple analytic criteria for calculating the radiated frequencies in terms of material parameters, showing excellent agreement with numerical simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yak (Bos grunniens) is a unique livestock animal originating from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China. In the current study, we investigated the maternal genetic diversity, differentiation and phylogeny of wild yak population and four domestic yak breeds (Qinghai-Gaoyuan, Huanhu, Xueduo, and Yushu) in Qinghai, China by analyzing 166 mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cytb) gene sequence variations. The results showed that the five yak breeds/populations had high genetic diversity (Hd = 0.501 ± 0.088–0.770 ± 0.053) and each yak breed/population owned unique haplotypes. Estimates of FST values showed a moderate genetic differentiation between wild yak and Huanhu yak (FST = 0.0577) as well as that between Huanhu yak and Yushu yak breeds (FST = 0.0520), but a weak genetic differentiation was observed between the other yak breeds/populations (–0.0209 < FST < 0.0372). Additionally, the clustering analysis based on RST values showed that Xueduo yak and Huanhu yak were clustered into one group, and each of the other three yak breeds/populations was separated into one group, respectively. Overall, the clustering relationship between wild yak and Yushu yak was closer. Maternal phylogenetic analysis showed that wild yak and four domestic yak breeds/populations in Qinghai represented in three maternal lineages (Mt-I, Mt-II, and Mt-III), indicating three maternal origins in yak. Our study would provide valuable information for the conservation and utilization of wild yak and Qinghai domestic yak breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infrared (IR) luminosity of lightning channel in the 3–5 μm range usually persisted throughout the entire interstroke interval, which is in contrast to the simultaneously recorded visible (0.4–0.8 μm) luminosity that always decayed to an undetectable level prior to a subsequent return stroke pulse. A longer visible luminosity period at the end of flash tended to be associated with a longer IR afterglow period following the decay of visible luminosity (and by inference current) to an undetectable level. At the end of flash, the IR luminosity persisted up to about 1 s, and the median IR afterglow duration was a factor of 10 longer than the median visible luminosity duration. The IR luminosity often exhibited a hump when the visible luminosity was monotonically decaying or undetectable, with the corresponding channel temperature being likely around 3400 K. Plain Language Summary: Lightning is usually imaged in the visible (0.4–0.8 μm) range, although it also produces significant infrared (IR) emission. In this study, we compare, for the first time, the medium‐to‐far (3–5 μm) IR luminosity of lightning channels with the simultaneously recorded visible luminosity. The key findings include the persistent nature of IR luminosity throughout interstroke intervals, which is in contrast to visible luminosity that always decayed to an undetectable level before the following return‐stroke onset. After the last stroke, IR luminosity persisted much longer than visible luminosity. The IR luminosity often exhibited a hump when visible luminosity was monotonically decreasing or already undetectable. We inferred that the IR hump, occurring when the channel temperature decreases to a few thousand Kelvin, is associated with enhanced IR emission from nitric oxide molecules whose concentration is expected to be maximum around 3400 K. We also examined a number of factors influencing IR afterglow duration, such as the number of preceding strokes, return‐stroke peak current, and the occurrence of M‐components. This study contributes to the very limited literature on the IR emission from lightning and provides new insights into the dynamics of lightning channel cooling process. Key Points: In contrast to the visible, infrared (IR) channel luminosity between strokes usually persisted through the following return‐stroke onsetIR luminosity profile often exhibited an increase (hump) when the visible luminosity was monotonically decaying or undetectableAt the end of flash, IR luminosity persisted up to ∼1 s and its median duration was a factor of 10 longer than its visible counterpart [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digestive tract plays a crucial role in an organism's health. Here, the digestive tract morphology and argyrophil cell distribution of three sympatric lizard species, Teratoscincus roborowskii, Phrynocephalus axillaris and Eremias roborowskii, were studied. Our results show that T. roborowskii's snout–vent length (SVL) and digestive tract length (DTL) were significantly longer than those of P. axillaris and E. roborowskii. P. axillaris' relative intestine length was 1.25, which was significantly longer than those of the other two species. The three lizard species' digestive tract structures were generally similar, whereas their histologic characteristics exhibited significant differences. Particularly, T. roborowskii's and P. axillaris' esophagus mucosa was pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium, whereas simple columnar epithelium was observed in E. roborowskii, which also had fewer mucosal folds than the other two species. In all three lizard species, the small intestines' mucosal lining consisted of simple columnar epithelium with many goblet cells; the largest quantity of villi was found in T. roborowskii. Moreover, T. roborowskii's mucous membrane (MM) and tunica muscularis (TM) were obviously thicker than those of the other two species. However, the argyrophil cells' distribution densities of the three species were remarkably different; such differences were highest in the cardia of T. roborowskii and E. roborowskii, but P. axillaris was observed to have more argyrophil cells in its stomach body. Our results indicated that the three lizards' different histomorphologies might be due to limited food resources, availability of a single food type in the Turpan Basin's extremely arid and hot environment, as well as T. roborowskii's special frugivorous behavior. Morphological studies of these lizards are necessary to understand their digestive systems' structure and operation, as well as to facilitate physiological studies of adaptions to extreme desert habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species of Cylindrocladiella are saprobic or plant pathogenic, and widely distributed in soil in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Limited information is available about the species diversity and distribution of Cylindrocladiella in China. The aim of this study was to identify the Cylindrocladiella isolates from soils collected in a Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation in the Yunnan Province of southwestern China. Species identification was based on DNA phylogeny of his3, ITS, tef1 and tub2 regions, combined with morphological characteristics. Isolates obtained were identified as Cylindrocladiella longistipitata and a novel species, described here as C. yunnanensis sp. nov. Further studies are required, however, to elucidate the lifestyles of these taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cannabis has been shown to impact driving due to changes produced by delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of cannabis. Current legal thresholds for blood THC while driving are based predominantly on evidence utilizing smoked cannabis. It is known that levels of THC in blood are lower after eating cannabis as compared to smoking yet the impact of edibles on driving and associated blood THC has never been studied. Methods: Participants drove a driving simulator before and after ingesting their preferred legally purchased cannabis edible. In a counterbalanced control session, participants did not consume any THC or cannabidiol (CBD). Blood was collected for measurement of THC and metabolites as well as CBD. Subjective experience was also assessed. Results: Participants consumed edibles with, on average, 7.3 mg of THC, which is less than the maximum amount available in a single retail package in Ontario, providing an ecologically valid test of cannabis edibles. Compared to control, cannabis edibles produced a decrease in mean speed 2 h after consumption but not at 4 and 6 h. Under dual task conditions in which participants completed a secondary task while driving, changes in speed were not significant after the correction for multiple comparison. No changes in standard deviation of lateral position (SDLP; 'weaving'), maximum speed, standard deviation of speed or reaction time were found at any time point or under either standard or dual task conditions. Mean THC levels were significantly increased, relative to control, after consuming the edible but remained relatively low at approximately 2.8 ng/mL 2 h after consumption. Driving impairment was not correlated with blood THC. Subjective experience was altered for 7 h and participants were less willing/able to drive for up to 6 h, suggesting that the edible was intoxicating. Interpretation: This is the first study of the impact of cannabis edibles on simulated driving. Edibles were intoxicating as revealed by the results of subjective assessments (VAS), and there was some impact on driving. Detection of driving impairment after the use of cannabis edibles may be difficult. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There continues to be growing interest in the Science of Learning including identifying applications for findings from this work outside the laboratory to support learning. Presently, there exists a gap in our understanding of learning during healthy adulthood as well as effective ways in which that learning can be improved. Developing a more comprehensive understanding of learning during adulthood, and effective ways of improving that learning, are crucial goals given the impact of a rapidly aging global population. The main objective of the proposed systematic review is to identify and synthesize all recent cognitive and brain research investigating learning across the adult lifespan. Methods: Searches will be performed across Scopus, Web of Science, and ProQuest databases. Both published and unpublished literature will be screened for inclusion. Included articles will be limited to research in healthy adult samples reporting measures of learning-related cognition, brain structure or function and their relationship with age, or the impact of interventions to improve learning. All steps of the review will be performed by three trained reviewers. Tabular, narrative, and quantitative syntheses will be provided based on the characteristics of included studies. Discussion: Findings from the proposed review will contribute to our understanding of learning in adulthood. Additionally, this review will identify research gaps in need of further investigation and relevant findings for translation, informing the scope of future funding priorities in the Science of Learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Pulsar Timing Array (EPTA) and Indian Pulsar Timing Array (InPTA) collaborations have measured a low-frequency common signal in the combination of their second and first data releases, respectively, with the correlation properties of a gravitational wave background (GWB). Such a signal may have its origin in a number of physical processes including a cosmic population of inspiralling supermassive black hole binaries (SMBHBs); inflation, phase transitions, cosmic strings, and tensor mode generation by the non-linear evolution of scalar perturbations in the early Universe; and oscillations of the Galactic potential in the presence of ultra-light dark matter (ULDM). At the current stage of emerging evidence, it is impossible to discriminate among the different origins. Therefore, for this paper, we consider each process separately, and investigated the implications of the signal under the hypothesis that it is generated by that specific process. We find that the signal is consistent with a cosmic population of inspiralling SMBHBs, and its relatively high amplitude can be used to place constraints on binary merger timescales and the SMBH-host galaxy scaling relations. If this origin is confirmed, this would be the first direct evidence that SMBHBs merge in nature, adding an important observational piece to the puzzle of structure formation and galaxy evolution. As for early Universe processes, the measurement would place tight constraints on the cosmic string tension and on the level of turbulence developed by first-order phase transitions. Other processes would require non-standard scenarios, such as a blue-tilted inflationary spectrum or an excess in the primordial spectrum of scalar perturbations at large wavenumbers. Finally, a ULDM origin of the detected signal is disfavoured, which leads to direct constraints on the abundance of ULDM in our Galaxy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated space and astrophysical phenomena in nonrelativistic laboratory plasmas with long high-power lasers, such as collisionless shocks and magnetic reconnections, and have been exploring relativistic regimes with intense short pulse lasers, such as energetic ion acceleration using large-area suspended graphene. Increasing the intensity and repetition rate of the intense lasers, we have to handle large amounts of data from the experiments as well as the control parameters of laser beamlines. Artificial intelligence (AI) such as machine learning and neural networks may play essential roles in optimizing the laser and target conditions for efficient laser ion acceleration. Implementing AI into the laser system in mind, as the first step, we are introducing machine learning in ion etch pit analyses detected on plastic nuclear track detectors. Convolutional neural networks allow us to analyze big ion etch pit data with high precision and recall. We introduce one of the applications of laser-driven ion beams using AI to reconstruct vector electric and magnetic fields in laser-produced turbulent plasmas in three dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The full data set of the Daya Bay reactor neutrino experiment is used to probe the effect of the charged current non-standard interactions (CC-NSI) on neutrino oscillation experiments. Two different approaches are applied and constraints on the corresponding CC-NSI parameters are obtained with the neutrino flux taken from the Huber-Mueller model with a 5% uncertainty. For the quantum mechanics-based approach (QM-NSI), the constraints on the CC-NSI parameters ϵeα and ϵ eα s are extracted with and without the assumption that the effects of the new physics are the same in the production and detection processes, respectively. The approach based on the weak effective field theory (WEFT-NSI) deals with four types of CC-NSI represented by the parameters [εX]eα. For both approaches, the results for the CC-NSI parameters are shown for cases with various fixed values of the CC-NSI and the Dirac CP-violating phases, and when they are allowed to vary freely. We find that constraints on the QM-NSI parameters ϵeα and ϵ eα s from the Daya Bay experiment alone can reach the order O (0.01) for the former and O (0.1) for the latter, while for WEFT-NSI parameters [εX]eα, we obtain O (0.1) for both cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we examine the spatiotemporal variability of the global equivalent ionospheric current system estimated from geomagnetic Solar‐quiet (Sq) variations at 124 mid‐ to low‐latitude ground‐based magnetometer stations during 1–31 May 2020. In this period, geomagnetic activity was particularly low, that is, the hourly geomagnetic activity index Hp60 did not exceed 4o. The spherical harmonic analysis is performed on the Sq variations to estimate the equivalent current function at each universal time hour. Hourly maps of the global Sq current system are used to evaluate, for the first time, the tidal composition of mid‐latitude Sq currents and its temporal evolution. Although tides are known to be an important driver of Sq currents, the tidal composition analysis was difficult in previous studies that focused on Sq currents at particular longitude sectors. Our results show that the migrating tidal components (DW1, SW2, and TW3) are predominant in both hemispheres. This is as expected from the strong day‐night contrast in ionospheric conductivities. The day‐to‐day variations of the migrating tidal components are, however, not strongly correlated between the two hemispheres, suggesting that these variations arise not only from the global effect of solar radiation on ionospheric conductivities but also from the local effect of neutral winds. Variations associated with non‐migrating tides are also found. Especially, eastward‐propagating diurnal and semidiurnal tides with zonal wavenumber 1 (DE1 and SE1) are the largest non‐migrating components. Their production mechanisms remain to be understood. Key Points: Global ionospheric current system is examined by analyzing solar quiet variations of the geomagnetic field during 1–31 May 2020Migrating tidal components are dominant in both the Northern and Southern HemispheresEastward‐propagating non‐migrating tides with zonal wavenumber 1 are also detected [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to analyze and evaluate the diversity of the flora of Tan Phu Forest, a hotspot plant diversity in southern Vietnam, by considering variety at taxonomic levels, life form spectrum, phytogeographical factors, and forest resource value. A total of 1066 species/subspecies of vascular plants belonging to 571 genera and 136 families of 4 phyla were recorded. The life form spectrum was determined as SB = 76.64%Ph + 4.13%Ch + 2.63%Hm + 8.53%Cr + 8.07%Th. The flora of Tan Phu Forest was characterized by a typical tropical flora in southern Vietnam, with the Phanerophytes accounting for 76.64% and the tropical elements accounting for 88.27%. The flora of Tan Phu Forest has a close relationship with the Indo-Malezi flora (22.89% of tropical Asia). Eight hundred and nine useful plant species/subspecies (75.89%) were identified and classified into 9 different use value groups. In addition, 47 species were recognized as endangered, precious, and rare plants at the domestic and global levels. On the other hand, 12 endemic species in the Dong Nai region were also discovered. We propose upgrading the conservation level from the Protection Forest Management Board to a Nature Reserve to match the hotspot for plant biodiversity in Southern Vietnam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We observed five clusters of upper‐level compact intracloud discharges (CIDs) moving positive charge up over land and over water in Florida. The clusters each contained 3 to 6 CIDs, and the overall cluster duration ranged from 27 to 58 s. On average, the CIDs in a given cluster occurred 11 s apart and were separated by a 3D distance of about 1.5 km. All the clustered CIDs were located above the tropopause and were likely associated with convective surges that penetrated the stratosphere. The average periodicity of CID occurrence within a cluster (every 11 s) was comparable to the periodicity at which the average cluster area is expected to be bombarded by ≥1016 eV cosmic‐ray particles (every 5 s). Each of such energetic particles gives rise to a cosmic ray shower (CRS) and, in the presence of sufficiently strong electric field over a sufficiently large distance, to a relativistic runaway electron avalanche (RREA). We infer that each of our upper‐level CIDs is likely to be caused by a CRS‐RREA traversing, at nearly the speed of light, the electrified overshooting convective surge and triggering, within a few microseconds, a multitude of streamer flashes along its path, over a distance of the order of hundreds of meters (as per the mechanism recently proposed for lightning initiation by Kostinskiy et al., 2020, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JD033191). The upper‐level CID clustering was likely made possible by the recurring action of energetic cosmic rays and the rapid recovery of the negative screening charge layer at stratospheric altitudes. Plain Language Summary: Compact intracloud discharges (CIDs) are non‐conventional lightning discharges inside the cloud that are characterized by a relatively small spatial extent (less than 1 km), very strong HF‐VHF (3–300 MHz) electromagnetic emissions, and characteristic wideband radiofrequency field pulses. It has been recently discovered, using space‐based detectors, that CIDs also produce optical signals, the so‐called blue flashes at cloud tops. Our understanding of the physics of CIDs is still poor. CIDs are usually solitary events, but we observed five clusters of CIDs, mostly at altitudes in the 18–20 km range, which were likely associated with kilometer‐scale convective surges that penetrated the stratosphere. Each cluster contained 3 to 6 CIDs, and the cluster duration ranged from 27 to 58 s. On average, the CIDs in a given cluster occurred 11 s apart and were separated by a 3D distance of about 1.5 km. Some CIDs within a cluster were essentially collocated, while being separated in time by up to several tens of seconds. We inferred that the CID clustering observed in our study was made possible by (a) the recurring action of omnipresent energetic cosmic rays and (b) the rapid recovery of the negative screening charge layer at stratospheric altitudes. Key Points: 5 clusters of 3–6 compact intracloud discharges (CIDs) moving positive charge up in convective surges overshooting the tropopause in Florida were examinedCID clustering was tight in both time and space: average time interval was 11 s and average 3D distance within a cluster was 1.5 kmCID clustering was made possible by recurring action of ≥1016 eV cosmic‐ray particles and rapid recovery of negative screening charge layer [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing evidence suggests that simply reducing β‐amyloid (Aβ) plaques may not significantly affect the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). There is also increasing evidence indicating that AD progression is driven by a vicious cycle of soluble Aβ‐induced neuronal hyperactivity. In support of this, it has recently been shown that genetically and pharmacologically limiting ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2) open time prevents neuronal hyperactivity, memory impairment, dendritic spine loss and neuronal cell death in AD mouse models. By contrast, increased RyR2 open probability (Po) exacerbates the onset of familial AD‐associated neuronal dysfunction and induces AD‐like defects in the absence of AD‐causing gene mutations. Thus, RyR2‐dependent modulation of neuronal hyperactivity represents a promising new target for combating AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim was to validate the correlation between corneal shape parameters and axial length growth (ALG) during orthokeratology using Image-Pro Plus (IPP) 6.0 software. Methods: This retrospective study used medical records of myopic children aged 8–13 years (n = 104) undergoing orthokeratology. Their corneal topography and axial length were measured at baseline and subsequent follow-ups after lens wear. Corneal shape parameters, including the treatment zone (TZ) area, TZ diameter, TZ fractal dimension, TZ radius ratio, eccentric distance, pupil area, and pupillary peripheral steepened zone(PSZ) area, were measured using IPP software. The impact of corneal shape parameters at 3 months post-orthokeratology visit on 1.5-year ALG was evaluated using multivariate linear regression analysis. Results: ALG exhibited significant associations with age, TZ area, TZ diameter, TZ fractal dimension, and eccentric distance on univariate linear regression analysis. Multivariate regression analysis identified age, TZ area, and eccentric distance as significantly correlated with ALG (all P < 0.01), with eccentric distance showing the strongest correlation (β = −0.370). The regressive equation was y = 1.870 − 0.235a + 0.276b − 0.370c, where y represents ALG, a represents age, b represents TZ area, and c represents eccentric distance; R2 = 0.27). No significant relationships were observed between the TZ radius ratio, pupillary PSZ area, and ALG. Conclusions: IPP software proves effective in capturing precise corneal shape parameters after orthokeratology. Eccentric distance, rather than age or the TZ area, significantly influences ALG retardation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of hyper-resistivity on non-ideal ballooning modes (BMs) is studied in the presence of resonant magnetic perturbation (RMP) through considering the hyper-resistivity, resistivity and diamagnetic effect in the BM model with an equilibrium distorted by RMP, which is stable for ideal BMs. Similar to the resistivity, the hyper-resistivity is also destabilizing for the BMs, but RMPs make the mode spectrum of the BMs destabilized by the hyper-resistivity move towards the low toroidal mode number side on the flux surface with a safety factor slightly larger than the RMP resonance safety factor, where the growth rates of the BMs destabilized by the resistivity decrease due to RMP. When both the hyper-resistivity and the resistivity are considered, there is a sort of competitive relationship between them in determining the properties of BMs. If either of the hyper-resistivity term and the resistivity term is much larger than the other one, the instability of BMs is mainly determined by the larger one, and the effect of the smaller one is masked. The destabilizing mechanisms of the hyper-resistivity and the resistivity on BMs are similar, namely, the diffusion and dissipation of current and magnetic field weaken the stabilizing effect of magnetic field line bending. The research results may be important for understanding the enhancement of plasma transport and the mechanism of small edge localized mode (ELM) during ELM control with RMP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The To measure regulatory T cells (Tregs) expression in driver-genenegative advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as well as its effect on the therapeutic efficacy and prognosis of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Materials and Methods: Fifty patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer without driving genes who were receiving treatment with a monoclonal antibody targeting the programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) made up the study group. 30 healthy subjects in the same period were chosen into the control group. Flow cytometry was used to identify CD4highCD25+Foxp3+Treg cells in peripheral blood of all participants. Relation between CD4highCD25+Foxp3+Treg cells and tumor markers were explored, and efficacy and prognosis in patients before and after therapy was analyzed. Results: The fraction of CD4highCD25+Foxp3+Treg cells in the study group was higher (P<0.05). Following three rounds of PD-1 monoclonal antibody treatment, patients' CD4highCD25+Foxp3+Treg cells proportion was lower than before treatment (P<0.01), and showed a positive correlation with tumor markers (P<0.05). The fraction of CD4highCD25+Foxp3+Treg cells in the CR+PR group decreased in both the second and third cycles after treatment compared to the SD+PD group (P<0.01), but no change was found before or during the first cycle (P>0.05). CD4highCD25+Foxp3+Treg cells proportion in the death group presented higher relative to the survival group (P<0.05). CD4highCD25+Foxp3+Treg cells predicted the area under the ROC curve was 0.8134, with significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusion: CD4highCD25+Foxp3+Treg cells proportion in peripheral blood of NSCLC patients shows increased, and has predictive value for therapeutic efficacy of ICIs and prognosis of driver-gene-negative advanced NSCLC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]