Search

Both CH4 hydrate accumulation and hydrate-based CO2 sequestration involve hydrate formation in mixed clay sediments. The development of realistic clay models and a nanoscale understanding of hydrate formation in mixed clay sediments are crucial for energy recovery and carbon sequestration. Here, we propose a novel molecular model of pseudo-hexagonal montmorillonite nanoparticles. The stress–strain curves of tension, compression, and shear of pseudo-hexagonal montmorillonite nanoparticles exhibit linear characteristics, with tension, compression, and shear moduli of ∼435, 410, and 137 GPa, respectively. We perform microsecond molecular dynamics simulations to study CH4 and CH4/CO2 hydrate formation in montmorillonite–illite mixed clay sediments with surface defects. The results indicate that hydrate formation in mixed clay sediments is significantly influenced by the presence of clay defects. CH4 and CH4/CO2 mixed hydrates are challenging to form at the junction between the inside and outside clay defects. CH4 and CH4/CO2 mixed hydrates exhibit a preference for forming outside the clay defects rather than inside the clay defects. Some CH4 and CO2 molecules from the inside clay defect migrate to the outside clay defect, thereby promoting CH4 and CH4/CO2 mixed hydrate formation outside the clay defects. This molecular insight advances the development of clay particle models and expands an understanding of natural gas hydrate accumulation and hydrate-based CO2 sequestration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we propose a coaxial composite resonator (CCR) structural unit and experimentally demonstrate that a periodic structural plate composed of CCR units effectively suppresses low-frequency vibrations. Each CCR unit comprises a cylindrical resonant element, a steering wheel-shaped elastic connection, and a framework structure. These components collectively generate elastic wave bandgaps through the intrinsic damping properties of the resonant elements. Finite element analysis was employed to investigate the influence of key parameters on the bandgap (BG) characteristics of the CCR structure. The results indicate that the resonator mass is the primary determinant of the BG onset frequency, with larger resonator masses leading to a lower onset frequency. Additionally, the lattice constant was identified as the most sensitive parameter influencing the BG width, such that an increased lattice constant results in an expanded frequency range of the BG. The validity of the finite element models and the predicted BG properties were confirmed through experimental testing. The CCR structure exhibits significant potential for applications in low-frequency vibration and noise control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the impact of titanium (Ti) base-supported single-implant restorations on peri-implant conditions. Materials and Methods: Six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comprising 274 implants met the inclusion criteria and were chosen for data analysis. A random-effects model was employed for the meta-analysis. Results: Data from this study revealed that the Ti-base group exhibited a small but statistically significant increase in peri-implant marginal bone loss (MBL; mean difference = 0.088 mm; 95% CI = 0.003 to 0.17; P = .041) compared to the one-piece abutment group. These effects were consistent in the subgroup analysis of regularly threaded implants compared to the microthreaded subgroup. No significant differences were observed between the Ti-base group and the abutment group concerning probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BoP), and the risk of prosthetic-related complications. Conclusions: The use of a Ti-base in a single implant-supported restoration is associated with a slight increase in peri-implant MBL, while other peri-implant health parameters show no significant correlation. Therefore, the evidence of the impact that Ti-bases have on the peri-implant conditions of single implant-supported restorations is insufficient based on the findings of the present meta-analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pivotal aspect of molecular motors is their capability to generate load capacity from a single entity. However, few studies have directly characterized the load-resisting force of a single light-driven molecular motor. This research provides a simulation analysis of the load-resisting force for a highly efficient, second-generation molecular motor developed by Feringa et al. We investigate the M-to-P photoinduced nonadiabatic molecular dynamics of 9-(2,3-dihydro-2-methyl-1H-benz[e]inden-1-ylidene)-9H-fluorene utilizing Tully's surface hopping method at the semi-empirical OM2/MRCI level under varying load-resisting forces. The findings indicate that the quantum yield remains relatively stable under forces up to 0.003 a.u., with the photoisomerization mechanism functioning typically. Beyond this threshold, the quantum yield declines, and an alternative photoisomerization mechanism emerges, characterized by an inversion of the central double bond's twisting direction. The photoisomerization process stalls when the force attains a critical value of 0.012 a.u. Moreover, the average lifetime of the excited state oscillates around that of the unperturbed system. The quantum yield and mean lifetime of the S1 excited state in the absence of external force are recorded at 0.54 and 877.9 fs, respectively. In addition, we analyze a time-dependent fluorescence radiation spectrum, confirming the presence of a dark state and significant vibrations, as previously observed experimentally by Conyard et al. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of shape, orientation, and motion patterns of magnetic domains in nanocrystalline strips with a high Ni content on soft magnetic properties was studied using normal isothermal annealing and transverse magnetic field annealing (TFA). The results indicate that TFA-10 (with 10 at. % Ni) exhibits the lowest coercivity (Hc) at 0.33 A/m and a remanence ratio (Br/Bm) of 0.2%. Moreover, more stringent conditions for the anisotropy field (Hk) are applied, and the resistance to current bias is assessed by examining the relationship between the field-induced magnetic anisotropy (Ku) and the current magnitude. A highly linear hysteresis loop with an anisotropy field (Hk) of 210 A/m was achieved, resulting in an effective permeability (μe) of 5000 at 500 kHz and 0.5 V. Furthermore, the current required to maintain a 100% bias ratio is determined to be up to 12 A. This study demonstrates the excellent soft magnetic properties of TFA-10 and guides optimizing the constant permeability properties of nanocrystalline alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erbium-doped SnO2 films and devices are fabricated on silicon substrates, and the 1.54 μm emission of erbium ions is realized via energy transfer from the SnO2 host. It is found that the luminescence intensity for SnO2:Er film can be enhanced, by increasing the optical activity and transition probability of Er3+ ions with fluorine codoping. Moreover, the device prepared by the fluorine codoped SnO2 film presents a low turn-on voltage of 1.6 V and an onset electric field of 0.18 MV/cm. The unpackaged device operated for 1028h in the atmosphere, then continued to function at 40 °C/30% RH during 1003 h, with less than 10% optical power attenuation. Through further optimizing the preparation process, the optimal device exhibits an optical power density of 38.5 μW/cm2 at 1.55 μm, due to the improved crystalline quality together with the number of sensitizers. This work demonstrates the practical application potential in silicon-based light sources from erbium-doped SnO2 devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Diode laser represents a practical clinical strategy for treating gingival hyperpigmentation. However, its effectiveness remains controversial. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the quantitative effects of diode laser therapy on gingival hyperpigmentation. Method and materials: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched for the use of diode laser in gingival hyperpigmenta-tion. The primary outcomes assessed were the Dummett-Gupta Oral Pigmentation Index (DOPI), visual analog scale pain scores, and the Wound Healing Index (WHI) for overall evaluation. The I2 index was calculated to identify heterogeneity, and sensitivity analyses were performed to identify sources of heterogeneity. Funnel plots and the Egger test were utilized to evaluate publication bias. Results: Thirteen randomized controlled trials involving a total of 233 participants were included in the study. The analysis demonstrated that diode laser had a significant effect on DOPI (standard mean difference [SMD] = -0.245, 95% CI -0.451 to -0.040, P= .019) and pain (SMD = -0.809, 95% CI -1.332 to -0.285, P= .002), with no significant effect on WHI (SMD = -0.224, 95% CI -1.100 to 0.653, P= .617). Despite the significant heterogeneity in VAS and WHI indicated by the I2 index statistic, the sensitivity analyses' results demonstrated the main findings' reliability. While no significant publication bias was detected for DOPI and WHI, the pain results exhibited notable publication bias. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that diode laser prolongs gingival repigmentation time and reduces pain compared to other treatments. However, efficacy in wound healing was not significantly affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MoS2 can be used for piezoresistive sensors because of its excellent mechanical and electrical properties. Herein, MoS2 nanoparticles with sulfur vacancies synergistically coupled with grain clusters to boost piezoresistive properties are fabricated. Moreover, we have demonstrated that they can be regulated efficiently for gauge factor (GF) from 2.97 to 9.99. In particular, the MoS2 nanoparticles with sulfur vacancies of 31.8% and grain cluster of 29.6 nm at the annealing temperature of 500 °C are compatible with synergistic optimization. The abundant sulfur vacancies provide many free electrons as carriers, benefiting the electron transport capability, and the conductive channels formed by the larger grain clusters endow structural stability and significant piezoresistive properties of the nanoparticles. This work demonstrates the promise of MoS2 nanoparticles as novel piezoresistive advanced materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resistance training is used to combat skeletal muscle function decline in older adults. Few studies have been designed specific for females, resulting in very limited treatment options for skeletal muscle atrophy in aging women. Here, we analyzed the gene expression profiles of skeletal muscle samples from sedentary young women, sedentary older women, and resistance-trained older women, using microarray data from public database. A total of 45 genes that were differentially expressed during female muscle aging and reversed by resistance training were identified. Functional and pathway enrichment analysis, protein–protein interaction network analysis, and receiver operating characteristic analysis were performed to reveal the key genes and pathways involved in the effects of resistance training on female muscle aging. The collagen genes COL1A1, COL3A1, and COL4A1 were identified important regulators of female muscle aging and resistance training, by modulating multiple signaling pathways, such as PI3 kinase-Akt signaling, focal adhesions, extracellular matrix-receptor interactions, and relaxin signaling. Interestingly, the expression of CDKN1A and TP63 were increased during aging, and further upregulated by resistance training in older women, suggesting they may negatively affect resistance training outcomes. Our findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of resistance training on female muscle aging and identify potential biomarkers and targets for clinical intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First-principles calculations were employed to investigate the impact of quantum ionic fluctuations and lattice anharmonicity on the crystal structure and superconductivity of Pm 3 ̄ AlM(M = Hf, Zr)H6 at pressures of 0.3–21.2 GPa (AlHfH6) and 4.7–39.5 GPa (AlZrH6) within the stochastic self-consistent harmonic approximation. A correction is predicted for the crystal lattice parameters, phonon spectra, and superconducting critical temperatures, previously estimated without considering ionic fluctuations on the crystal structure and assuming the harmonic approximation for lattice dynamics. The findings suggest that quantum ionic fluctuations have a significant impact on the crystal lattice parameters, phonon spectra, and superconducting critical temperatures. Based on our anharmonic phonon spectra, the structures will be dynamically stable at 0.3 GPa for AlHfH6 and 6.2 GPa for AlZrH6, ∼6 and 7 GPa lower than pressures given by the harmonic approximation, respectively. Due to the anharmonic correction of their frequencies, the electron–phonon coupling constants (λ) are suppressed by 28% at 11 GPa for AlHfH6 and 22% at 30 GPa for AlZrH6, respectively. The decrease in λ causes Tc to be overestimated by ∼12 K at 11 GPa for AlHfH6 and 30 GPa for AlZrH6. Even if the anharmonic and quantum effects are not as strong as those of Pm 3 ̄ n-AlH3, our results also indicate that metal hydrides with hydrogen atoms in interstitial sites are subject to anharmonic effects. Our results will inevitably stimulate future high-pressure experiments on synthesis, structural, and conductivity measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteopetrosis, a group of highly heterogeneous genetic bone disorders, is characterized by deafness, increased bone density, hepatosplenomegaly, pancytopenia and intellectual disability. Osteopetrosis can be divided into three subtypes: autosomal recessive osteopetrosis (ARO), intermediate autosomal recessive osteopetrosis (IARO), and autosomal dominant osteopetrosis (ADO). CLCN7 has been reported to be the most common gene responsible for the ADO-II subtype. In this study, a novel variant, c.175dupA (p.Met59Asnfs*8), of CLCN7 was identified in a Chinese Han consanguineous family with suspected ADO-II. The proband was homozygous for the p.Met59Asnfs*8 variant and exhibited multiple severe phenotypes, including deafness, short stature, brittle bones, optic atrophy, hepatosplenomegaly, intellectual disability, cleft palate and recurrent infection. However, except for the mother of the proband, who presented a series of clinical phenotypes caused by bone marrow failure, all the other family members who were heterozygous had no obvious abnormal phenotypes. Our study suggested that the novel variant p.Met59Asnfs*8 in CLCN7 was very likely pathogenic factor in our suspected ADO-II family. The phenotypes of heterozygous carriers may be affected by incomplete penetrance. Loss of function of CLCN7 caused by nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) due to the frameshift variant was likely the underlying pathogenic mechanism. This study broadened the mutation spectrum of CLCN7, provided a foundation for timely and effective clinical intervention for related diseases, and demonstrates the importance of genetic counselling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Abnormally expressed circular RNAs (circRNAs) are associated with many diseases and have important biological effects on the regulation of gene expression. However, the circRNA expression profile in incomplete radiofrequency ablation (RFA)-treated liver cancer (LC) patients has not been characterized. This study investigated the potential biological effects of differentially expressed (DE) circRNAs in an incomplete RFA-treated transplantation tumor model of human LC. Material/Methods: A circRNA microarray was utilized to analyze changes in the circRNA expression profiles. CircRNA host gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were also conducted using computational biology. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was also performed on the selected DE-circRNAs to verify the reliability of the microarray. The circRNA/miRNA interactions were predicted by Arraystar software and confirmed by a dual-luciferase assay. Results: Following RFA incomplete ablation, 76 DE-circRNAs were detected (|fold change |>1.5, P-value < 0.05), 21 of which were upregulated and 55 of which were downregulated. Computational biological analysis revealed that the T-cell receptor signaling pathway was the most significantly enriched pathway of the genes related to altered expression, as indicated by enrichment of LCK, AKT3 and DLG1. PCR results for the upregulated hsa_circRNA_103595 and downregulated hsa_circRNA_001264 indicated that the circRNA microarray sequencing results were reliable. Double luciferase reporter assays confirmed that hsa-miR-185-3p was the target miRNA of hsa_circRNA_103595. Conclusions: The current study confirmed the changes in the expression profiles of circRNAs in tumor transplantation models after incomplete ablation, these changes may play a crucial role in the pathophysiological process of residual cancer transplantation tumors. These findings could lead to new directions for investigating the molecular biological mechanisms underlying RFA-treated LC as well as new ideas for treating LC by regulating circRNAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the realm of oil and gas exploration, accurate identification of lithology is imperative for the assessment of resources and the refinement of extraction strategies. While artificial intelligence techniques have garnered considerable success in lithology identification, existing methodologies encounter difficulties when addressing highly heterogeneous and geologically intricate unconventional oil and gas reservoirs. Specifically, they struggle to account for the dynamic variations in sample characteristics across spatial dimensions and temporal sequences. This separate treatment of spatial and temporal dynamics not only confines the precision of fluid prediction but also significantly attenuates the robustness of the models. To address this challenge, we propose the spatiotemporal network (STNet), a dual-branch deep learning framework that integrates seamlessly spatial feature graph methods with time-sequential prediction methods. By employing a graph structure that accounts for spatial characteristics to capture the complex spatial relationships within logging data, and by utilizing a temporal model to discern the dynamic properties of time series data, this dual-mechanism framework enables a more comprehensive understanding of the multidimensional attributes of subsurface fluids, thereby enhancing the accuracy of lithology identification. Experimental results from multiple wells in different regions of the Tarim and Daqing oilfields demonstrate that STNet not only achieves detection accuracy exceeding 95% but also exhibits strong generalizability. The results indicate a significant improvement in the accuracy of lithology identification compared to seven other advanced models. Integrating both temporal and spatial elements of logging data provides a new perspective for enhancing fluid prediction capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an increasingly common cause of food impaction. Aims: This study aims to provide a nationwide analysis of food impaction in patients with or without EoE diagnosis, concentrating on patient demographics, interventions, outcomes, and development of predictive machine-learning models. Methods: A retrospective assessment was conducted using Nationwide Emergency Department Sample data from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019. We compared patients with food impaction with an associated EoE diagnosis to those without EoE and derived machine-learning models to predict EoE using International Classification of Diseases codes at discharge for identification. Results: Of 286,886,714 emergency department visits, 146,084 were for food impaction, with 7093 cases coinciding with an EoE diagnosis (4.9%). Patients with EoE were more commonly young men with fewer overall comorbidities but higher incidences of obesity, asthma, gastritis, and allergic rhinitis. A significantly larger proportion in the EoE group (89.6%) underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy compared to the non-EoE group (51.1%; P < 0.001) and had a higher rate of biopsy during esophagogastroduodenoscopy in the emergency department (54.9% vs 13.4%; P < 0.001). Our machine-learning models, incorporating patient demographics, hospital attributes, and comorbidities, had a sensitivity of 86.1% and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.828. Conclusions: This nationwide study demonstrates that EoE in food impaction is associated with specific patient demographics, comorbidities, and elevated interventions. Our machine-learning models hold promise as screening tools for EoE, aiding medical practitioners in determining the need for biopsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phase transition in gas hydrate reservoirs has a significant effect on the fluid flow dynamic when performing test production, which should be carefully studied. This study systematically investigates the phase transition characteristics of natural gas hydrates during the depressurization extraction process through laboratory-scale numerical simulations. First, a laboratory-scale numerical simulation model is established with dimensions of 1 m × 1 m × 1 m. In the simulation, the nanoscale and microscale effect on phase transition is considered. Then, the analysis of how different sediment types and their properties affecting gas production dynamics is presented. The results show that hydrate dissociation and formation are significantly influenced by factors such as the pore scale, salinity, and water content. In particular, montmorillonite had the most significant effect, leading to a 525.25% increase in gas production, while the impact of silty soil was relatively smaller. The increase in salinity inhibited hydrate formation but promoted dissociation, resulting in a significant increase in gas production, especially when the salinity reached to 3.5%, where gas production increased by 590.21%. An increase in water content led to a significant decrease in production. Through monitoring temperature and pressure changes during the extraction process, the different physical fields are analyzed, providing important theoretical support and practical guidance for the efficient extraction of natural gas hydrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sediment-induced erosion is a primary cause of failure in the flow-passage components of Francis turbine units. This study adopted the Realizable k–ε turbulence model to numerically simulate the effects of sediment-induced erosion on the guide components of Francis turbines. Specifically, using flow similarity theory, a testing device suitable for studying the sediment-induced erosion behavior of turbine vanes was designed, and the similarity between the flow fields of actual vanes and testing device vanes was validated. The results revealed a high degree of consistency between the near-wall flow velocities and sediment volume fractions experienced by both vanes at 0.5 vane height. For instance, the midsection of the suction side of the stay and guide vanes exhibited relatively stable velocities of 12.5 m/s and 42 m/s, respectively. Further, sediment volume fractions at the leading edge of the stay and guide vanes reached 0.015, respectively, owing to the impact of sediment-laden flow. Overall, the proposed testing device design methodology can predict the operational lifespan of actual vanes and assess the wear resistance of various coating materials. These findings provide valuable scientific guidance for optimizing the design and operation of hydropower plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed a tandem reaction of ester-functionalized aziridines with secondary amines for the construction of isoindolin-1-ones. Its mechanism involves sequential ring opening of aziridines and lactamization. The novel features of this tandem reaction include high efficiency, broad substrate scope and mild conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Access to accurate force-field parameters for small molecules is crucial for computational studies of their interactions with proteins. Although a number of general force fields for small molecules exist, e.g., CGenFF, GAFF, and OPLS, they do not cover all common chemical groups and their combinations. The Force Field Toolkit (ffTK) provides a comprehensive graphical interface that streamlines the development of classical parameters for small molecules directly from quantum mechanical (QM) calculations, allowing for force-field generation for almost any chemical group and validation of the fit relative to the target data. ffTK relies on supported external software for the QM calculations, but it can generate the necessary QM input files and parse and analyze the QM output. In previous ffTK versions, support for Gaussian and ORCA QM packages was implemented. Here, we add support for Psi4, an open-source QM package free for all users, thereby broadening user access to ffTK. We also compare the parameter sets obtained with the new ffTK version using Gaussian, ORCA, and Psi4 for three molecules: pyrrolidine, n-propylammonium cation, and chlorobenzene. Despite minor differences between the resulting parameter sets for each compound, most prominently in the dihedral and improper terms, we show that conformational distributions sampled in molecular dynamics simulations using these parameter sets are quite comparable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the well-known benefits of physical activity, less than half of adults aged 55–75 years participate in sufficient physical activity. Short bouts of vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity (VILPA) accumulated throughout the day can contribute toward the recommended volume of physical activity. A rich characterization of the barriers and facilitators to participation in VILPA is needed to develop targeted interventions. This scoping review aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to participation in different components of VILPA in adults aged 55–75 years, and to map barriers and facilitators to the Theoretical Domains Framework. Within the 18 eligible studies, the most prevalent barriers were related to a person's skills, environmental context, and social influences. Most facilitators were related to a person's goals, social influences, and environmental context. Interventions to promote VILPA should test the effectiveness of behavioral change measures related to the unique barriers and facilitators in this age group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Muon radiography, which relies on measuring the absorption and attenuation of muons as they pass through matters, offers a new imaging technique capable of revealing the internal structure of large objects. Recent technological advancement allows for the application or testing of muon radiography in various fields, including mining, civil engineering, security check, etc. This study investigates the factors that influence muon radiography, which is used in density inversion, through simulations and experiments. The materials considered for density inversion include water, standard rock, and iron. Our simulation studies show that the number of events detected and selected has an impact on the reconstruction results, and several factors, such as multiple Coulomb scattering processes, recording time, and spatial resolution, which influence the number of muons, must be taken into account when measuring the rock density. We design and conduct a laboratory scale experiment based on the simulation results. We filter the 220 h of recording signals through time coincidence and straight-line fitting to obtain the selected events. Our results reveal that the statistical error of muons survival ratio in recording time significantly impacts the inversion result and decreases the error can improve accuracy greatly. In the experiment, the deviation between the inversion mean value and the expected value can be reduced to 2.4%–2.9% for iron, 7% for water, and 1.5% for standard rock. This density inversion approach provides insight into future density detection of underground structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the high-quality factor mullite microwave dielectric ceramic is employed to introduce in dielectric resonator antenna (DRA). The microwave dielectric properties of ɛr ∼ 5.8, Q × f ∼ 31 240 at 9.66 GHz, and loss tangent tanδ = 1/Q ∼ 2.7 × 10−4 can be obtained by the solid-state reaction method in mullite microwave dielectric ceramic sintered at 1700 °C. On this basis, the resonant modes of the proposed broadband high-gain rectangular DRA are analyzed by using a dielectric waveguide theoretical model and the antenna performance is evaluated by a commercial CST Microwave Studio 2021® software. It has been found that the proposed rectangular DRA can provide a broad bandwidth of 35.9%, a maximum gain of 10 dBi at 3.61 GHz, and a radiation efficiency of 90% in the range of 3.13–4.42 GHz. For demonstration, adequate consistency between the simulation results and the measurement results was achieved. The proposed DRA has great application potential and value in 5G communication scenarios requiring wideband and high-gain antenna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The desert ecosystem, with its delicate balance, plays a pivotal role in terrestrial environments, providing crucial ecological services such as windbreak, sand fixation, and soil enhancement. In the arid expanses of the Heihe River Basin in western China, the desert landscape accounts for approximately 76.94% of the region's total area. Among the diverse desert flora, the Kalidium shrub stands as a prominent representative, warranting an in-depth investigation into its growth processes and biomass dynamics. This case study delves into the morphological parameters of Kalidium's canopy and root systems, identifying distinct growth stages through a fractal statistical model. By applying modified Malthusian equations, we explore the relationships between crown width/branch height and ground diameter/root length, discussing the morphological implications of the γ value on relative growth rates. Our findings reveal a growth pattern for the canopy that transitions from a flattening-vertical to a nearhemispherical shape, while the root system exhibits a vertical-horizontal to near-cone trend. We deduce a generalized allometric fractal model for estimating the canopy and root biomass, optimizing the use of easily measurable parameters such as branch height (H) and canopy area (SA) through correlation analysis. This study successfully establishes a well-fitting, non-destructive biomass estimation model for Kalidium scrubs, providing a foundation for future ecological assessments and management strategies in desert ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a vital component of blood vessels, endothelial cells play a key role in maintaining overall physiological function by residing between circulating blood and semi-solid tissue. Various stress stimuli can induce endothelial injury, leading to the onset of corresponding diseases in the body. In recent years, the importance of mitochondria in vascular endothelial injury has become increasingly apparent. Mitochondria, as the primary site of cellular aerobic respiration and the organelle for "energy information transfer," can detect endothelial cell damage by integrating and receiving various external stress signals. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial dysfunction often determine the evolution of endothelial cell injury towards necrosis or apoptosis. Therefore, mitochondria are closely associated with endothelial cell function, helping to determine the progression of clinical diseases. This article comprehensively reviews the interconnection and pathogenesis of mitochondrial-induced vascular endothelial cell injury in cardiovascular diseases, renal diseases, pulmonary-related diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, and microvascular diseases associated with diabetes. Corresponding therapeutic approaches are also provided. Additionally, strategies for using clinical drugs to treat vascular endothelial injury-based diseases are discussed, aiming to offer new insights and treatment options for the clinical diagnosis of related vascular injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study employs first-principles calculation methods to explore the characteristics of the TiB2(0001)/L12-Al3Zr(001) interface, including the atomic structure, adhesion work, interfacial energy, and electronic structure of various interface models. Considering four different terminations and three different stacking positions, twelve potential interface models were investigated. Surface tests revealed that a stable interface could be formed when a 9-layer TiB2(0001) surface is combined with a 7-layer ZrAl-terminated and a 9-layer Al-terminated Al3Zr(001) surface. Among these interfaces, the bridge-site stacking at the T/Al termination (TAB), hollow-site stacking at the Ti/ZrAl termination (TZH), top-site stacking at the B/Al termination (BAT), and hollow-site stacking at the B/ZrAl termination (BZH) were identified as the optimal structures. Particularly, the TAB interface exhibits the strongest adhesion strength and the lowest surface energy, indicating the highest stability. A Detailed analysis of the electronic structure further reveals that most interfaces predominantly exhibit covalent bonding, with the TAB, TZH, and BZH interfaces primarily featuring covalent bonds, while the BAT interface displays a combination of ionic and covalent bonds. The study ultimately ranks the stability of the interfaces from highest to lowest as TAB, BZH, TZH, and BAT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The surface optical (SO) phonon replica in photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy of nitride nanowires (NWs) was theoretically investigated in this study. The dispersive relationships of SO phonon mode in anisotropic wurtzite (WZ) and isotropic zinc-blende (ZB) crystal structure NWs with circular and square cross sections (CSs) were derived within the framework of the dielectric continuum model. Based on the energy and momentum conservation laws, a constraint relationship between the frequency and wave-number was constructed for SO phonon-assisted excitonic PL spectra in the NW structure. By combining the dispersive and constraint relationships, the frequency and wave-number of the SO phonon replica in the PL spectra could be determined. The WZ and ZB crystal structures of nitride semiconductor were considered. The influences of surface factors including the CS shape, dielectric medium, and environment temperature on the frequency and photon wavelength of the band-edge emission of the SO phonon replica were studied in detail. Numerical results reveal that the crystal structure, surface factors, and environment temperature greatly affect the frequency and photon wavelength of the band-edge emission of the SO phonon replica. The calculated results for the photon wavelength agree well with the experimental values of the SO phonon replica in AlN NWs. The results of the dielectric effect obtained here are also supported by previous experimental and theoretical results for nitrides and other semiconductor NWs. The present theoretical scheme and numerical results can be used to analyze and design the SO phonon replica in PL spectra of nanostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have observed that Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD) exhibits instability in the denoising and separation of noisy multitone signals. Specifically, minor changes in factors such as signal-to-noise ratio, frequency spacing, sampling rate, and probability distribution can significantly impact the decomposition results. To address this issue, we have developed the Dual-VMD-correlation algorithm. This algorithm effectively mitigates the impact of beat effects when harmonics of closely spaced frequencies are superimposed, enabling stable denoising of noisy multitone signals and the separation of each individual tone signal. The algorithm holds promise for applications in frequency-modulated continuous wave laser detection. It can address challenges related to denoising laser echo signals interfered with by aerosols and the difficulty in separating backscatter interference from the target reflected signal spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The failure of polymeric solid insulation under transient voltages is closely associated with space charge. In this study, DC and AC field dependent conduction characteristics of epoxy resin were investigated using the space charge limited current and high voltage broadband dielectric spectrum methods. The breakdown voltages (BDVs) were examined over a wide range of DC voltage ramp rates. The results reveal a threshold effect of AC conduction loss below 600 Hz with respect to the electric field. By analyzing charge migration laws, a mobility distribution was deduced, with an upper limit of 10 − 9 m 2 V − 1 s − 1 , which is much higher than the measured DC mobility of 10 − 14 m 2 V − 1 s − 1 . A multi-mobility bipolar charge transport model was proposed by introducing the obtained mobility distribution. Compared to the single-mobility model, high-mobility carriers induce larger unblocked space charge currents for high dv/dt voltages, leading to lower values of BDV, which is consistent with experiment results. As the voltage ramp rate decreases, both simulation and experiment demonstrate higher BDVs due to the field shielding effect of homocharges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study examined the acquisition, retention, and transfer effects of a motor program. Children with autism spectrum disorder participated in a 9-week program that targeted 13 fundamental motor skills based upon the Test of Gross Motor Development-3. Assessments were conducted before and after the program, as well as at 2-month follow-up. Significant improvements were found on not only the trained fundamental motor skills (acquisition) but also the untrained tasks on balance (transfer). The follow-up tests revealed continuous improvement on the trained locomotor skills (retention), as well as the untrained skills on balance (retention + transfer). These findings highlight the importance of continuous support and long-term participation on motor practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A green-light-emitting styryl pyridinium probe (EPN) was developed for live-cell imaging applications. EPN exhibited a large Stokes shift (Δλ ≈ 150 nm), due to an efficient ICT across the π–acceptor system. The probe exhibited exceptional biocompatibility and excellent specificity for cellular mitochondria. EPN exhibited great photostability to continuous irradiation and exhibited stable emission in cells up to 5 hours post-staining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recommendation algorithms based on graph convolutional networks can integrate user and item node information along with their interaction topology, better capturing the intricate relationships between users and items, thereby enhancing the accuracy of recommender systems. However, existing methods often overlook the impact of noise in user behavior data on recommendation performance. Additionally, when there are too many convolutional layers in the graph, the node representations tend to smoothing, resulting in an inability to accurately distinguish user preferences. To address these issues, we propose a self-supervised graph convolutional model for recommendation with exponential moving average (SGCERec). Specifically, we first employ exponential moving average (EMA) techniques from the field of time-series analysis to denoise the raw user interaction data. Then, by applying layer filtering technique to update the propagation of information and the representation of nodes within the graph convolutional network, we effectively deepen the model hierarchy, enabling the model to gain a deeper understanding of the features and structures of the graph data, thereby improving the performance and effectiveness of the recommender systems. Finally, experimental results on three real datasets show that SGCERec outperforms state-of-the-art recommendation methods across various common evaluation metrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactive multilayers (RMLs) are alternating nanoscale exothermic materials that release stored energy upon localized energy ignition. We report in this paper the examination of the effects of the number of bilayers, roughness, and substrate on self-propagating reactions and product phases in equiatomic Ni/Si RMLs. Ni/Si RMLs, either freestanding or on FR4 substrates, with bilayer thicknesses of 50 nm, 65 nm, and 170 nm, were fabricated by magnetron sputtering at −20 °C. Infrared laser ignition and high-speed camera observations revealed two-step self-propagation wavefronts. With a fixed bilayer thickness, increasing the number of bilayers reduced radiative heat loss and enhanced self-propagation velocity. Surface undulations on FR4 substrates caused rough freestanding RMLs to have slower self-propagation velocities than flat freestanding RMLs. RMLs with a 50 nm bilayer and total thickness of 3.34 μm enabled successful self-propagating reactions on FR4 substrates. The product phase of the explosive silicidation reaction depended on the bilayer thickness and overall composition. In ultra-thin bilayer, a thickness of 50 nm favored single-phase NiSi2 formation, while 65 nm favored -Ni2Si. In thicker bilayers, a thickness of 170 nm favored single-phase NiSi, the equilibrium phase corresponding to the overall composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bone marrow microenvironment contains heterogeneous stromal cells, which are critical for bone remodeling and provide essential supportive roles for hematopoietic functions. Although the diversity of PDGFRα+β+ mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) get consensus, the osteo-lineage cells (OLCs) that constitute the developmental trajectory of osteoblasts are largely remain unclear. Here, we construct a comprehensive atlas of stromal cell via performing integrative single cell analyses for 77 samples from 14 datasets. Besides previously defined Lepr+ BM-MSCs derived OLC1, we present a novel OLC2 with unique molecular signatures and differentiation pathway. Both OLC1 and OLC2 show significant polygenic association with bone mineral density (BMD), while extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins specifically expressed by OLC2 are particularly decreased in bone tissue of aged mice. Notably, OLC1 and OLC2 are consistently reduced in aged mice, which might be induced by the decreased expression of several lineage drivers. Collectively, our study presents a thorough prospect of OLCs in the bone marrow microenvironment and highlights their important roles in age-related osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a parasitic disease caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus, and the immunosuppressive microenvironment exacerbates disease progression. Ghrelin, a peptide hormone, plays a role in modulating immune inflammation and may influence the progression of E. granulosus infection through its receptor, GHSR (growth hormone secretagogue receptor). However, whether GHSR downregulation can inhibit E. granulosus infection remains unclear. In this study, we extracted liver tissues from E. granulosus-infected mice and those treated with the GHSR antagonist [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6. Proteomic analysis revealed 341 differentially expressed proteins, of which 185 were upregulated and 156 were downregulated. Metabolomic sequencing revealed 101 differentially expressed metabolites, including 62 upregulated and 39 downregulated metabolites. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of both proteomic and metabolomic data revealed seven key signalling pathways, 11 key proteins, and 26 key metabolites that interact through metabolic and organic system networks. Next, we examined the disease progression of E. granulosus infection in GHSR-knockout mice. Compared with the E. granulosus (Eg) group, the GHSR-KO group presented a significant reduction in the number of liver infection foci. The serum and liver ghrelin levels were significantly greater in the E. granulosus group than in the control group, along with increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-2 and IFN-γ) and decreased secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10). In contrast, the GHSR-KO group presented significantly lower ghrelin levels in both the serum and liver, with reduced proinflammatory cytokine secretion and increased anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion, similar to those of the control group. Furthermore, ghrelin and inflammation-related factors, including MyD88, NF-κB p65, iNOS, and Arg-1, exhibited coordinated expression changes in liver lesions and surrounding areas. These findings suggest that GHSR gene knockout can ameliorate the progression of liver E. granulosus infection and associated liver inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Long-term biochemical nonremission and long-delayed diagnosis can increase the incidence of comorbidities of acromegaly and seriously affect patients' quality of life. To identify predictors of biochemical remission and quantify the relationship between delayed diagnosis and comorbidities, we performed a retrospective study of a large, single-centre cohort. Methods: This retrospective cohort included 1692 hospitalised patients with acromegaly seen in a single referral centre between 2012 and 2020. To account for the longitudinal data structure, generalised estimating equation (GEE) regression models were established to further evaluate the factors associated with biochemical remission. Results: Overall, 1692 inpatients (55.4% females, mean age at diagnosis: 40.1 ± 12.2 years, mean age at onset: 34.4 ± 11.71 years, median diagnostic delay: 4.4 years) were included. A total of 86.8% (1306/1504) had macroadenomas, and 34.1% (486/1424) had invasive tumours. According to the international diagnostic criteria, the 5-year biochemical remission rate of this cohort was 26.4%, while the Chinese criterion was 41.4%. According to the GEE model, invasion and large adenoma influence biochemical nonremission. After age 50, comorbidities such as hypertension and hyperlipidaemia were considerably more common in females than in males. The proportion of patients with comorbidities among those with a delayed diagnosis ≥4 years was greater than among those with a delayed diagnosis <4 years (54.9 vs. 47.9%, P=0.004). Conclusion: The older the age at diagnosis and the longer the delay in diagnosis, the greater the incidence of comorbidities, especially in elderly females. Appropriate treatment of acromegaly should be started early to achieve biochemical control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In radiation therapy, precise dose distribution is essential for minimizing damage to normal tissues. Gafchromic EBT3 film is widely used to assure the quality of two-dimensional dosimetry but requires frequent recalibrations due to changes in sensitivity over time. This study presents a new calibration method using a Keras-based generalized additive neural network (GANN) to address film aging. EBT3 films from four lots were calibrated with a 6 MV photon beam and scanned on Epson scanners. The GANN method achieved percentage differences between calibrated and delivered doses within 5%, comparable to traditional recalibration methods, with an overall uncertainty of approximately 2%. It demonstrated improved stability and accuracy, significantly reducing the need for frequent recalibrations and providing a robust solution for long-term film dosimetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]