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Perceived threat of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) has been found a widespread phenomenon in developed countries, but has not yet been fully explored in developing countries. Analyzing data from 300 family caregivers of older adults with cognitive impairment in China, this study found caregiver burden was positively associated with the perceived threat of ADRD, and this association was buffered by higher family income and longer caregiving time. To alleviate undue ADRD concerns, it suggests expanding respite care and community elder care beds, and initiating education programs on reducing unnecessary worries about developing ADRD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addressing the spiritual needs of older adults is a central component of holistic service provision. Using a qualitative description design, this study identified: (1) common spiritual needs among Chinese nursing home residents, including the needs of residents with dementia, (2) the process staff use to identify these needs when residents are unable to verbalize them, and (3) the strategies staff implement to meet the identified needs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 nursing home administrators. Analysis produced five themes, including the need for older adults to express their faith, receive love and care, have contact with their children, interact with others, and participate in activities. For residents with dementia who are unable to verbalize their concerns, staff used two primary strategies to identify spiritual needs: careful observation and communication with family members. To address the identified spiritual needs, multiple strategies were offered including arranging clergy visits and personalizing care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to deeply understand calix[4]arene bridge mononitration, four representative tetrasubstituted p‐tert‐butylcalix[4]arenes were selected as substrates to theoretically explore calix[4]arene structural effects. Based on our proposed mechanism, the four corresponding calix[4]arene bridge radicals were artificially constructed. Then, three different levels of density functional theory (DFT) were used to calculate their pertinent species energies in radical generations and radical spin densities. The nitration differences of these four substrates were tentatively interpreted through comparison of their reaction activation energies in radical generations and radical stability. As a result, Gibbs activation free energies in radical generations cannot rationally interpret their nitration behaviors while radical stability can, which are characterized with radical stability energies (RSEs) and center carbon spin densities (SDcs). From radical structural analysis, it can be concluded that aromatic ring inversion is remarkably beneficial to enhance calix[4]arene bridge radical stability through strengthening spin delocalization onto their connecting aromatic rings, whereas a substituent with large steric hindrance is unbeneficial due to weakening spin delocalization. The theoretical analysis of radical intrinsic structural effects on their spin delocalizations provides guidance in designing new efficient calix[4]arene‐based substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

tRNAs are codon decoders that convert the transcriptome into the proteome. The field of tRNA research is excited by the increasing discovery of specific tRNA modifications that are installed at specific, evolutionarily conserved positions by a set of specialized tRNA-modifying enzymes and the biogenesis of tRNA-derived regulatory fragments (tsRNAs) which exhibit copious activities through multiple mechanisms. Dysregulation of tRNA modification usually has pathological consequences, a phenomenon referred to as "tRNA modopathy". Current evidence suggests that certain tRNA-modifying enzymes and tsRNAs may serve as promising diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets, particularly for chemoresistant cancers. In this review, we discuss the latest discoveries that elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the functions of clinically relevant tRNA modifications and tsRNAs, with a focus on malignancies. We also discuss the therapeutic potential of tRNA/tsRNA-based therapies, aiming to provide insights for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. Further efforts to unravel the complexities inherent in tRNA biology hold the promise of yielding better biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of diseases, thereby advancing the development of precision medicine for health improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As analogies to magnetic skyrmions, polar skyrmions in ferroelectric superlattices and multilayers have garnered widespread attention for their non-trivial topology and novel properties like negative capacitance and nonlinear optical effect. So far, they have only been theoretically predicted to be able to assemble ordered hexagonal skyrmion lattices (SkLs) in ferroelectric thin films. Here, based on phase-field simulations, we report the critical roles of flexoelectricity playing in the stabilization and transformation of polar SkLs. Different polar SkL patterns can emerge in the ferroelectric thin films, including tetragonal-SkL, and hexagonal-SkLs with diverse orientations, as summarized by phase diagrams. These emergent SkL states are attributed to the material anisotropy modified by the flexoelectric effect. Interestingly, we further found that the hexagonal-SkLs can be rotated by applying strain gradient or in-plane electric field to the films. Moreover, a nonreciprocal bending response of tetragonal-SkL is also induced by the flexoelectric effect. Our results provide useful guidelines for the implementation of polar skyrmion lattices in experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of circ_0013958 in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients and its influence on the prognosis of AMI patients. Methods: The GSE160717 dataset was downloaded from the NCBI database and differentially expressed genes were analyzed between the control group and the AMI group. The up-regulated genes included circ_0013958. The expression of circ_0013958 in both groups was further verified by RT-qPCR. The Receiver Operating Characteristic curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of circ_0013958 in AMI. Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine the correlation between circ_0013958 levles and biochemical indicators. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors affecting the occurrence of AMI. Prognostic analysis was performed using COX regression analysis and the Kaplan-Meier Curve. Results: Compared to the control group, the level of circ_0013958 in AMI patients increased. Circ_0013958 can effectively distinguish AMI patients from non-AMI patients. Circ_0013958 levels were positively correlated with cTnI, LDH, CRP and TC levels. The elevated level of circ_0013958 was an independent risk factor for the occurrence of AMI. Higher circ_0013958 levels were also associated with the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in AMI patients. Additionally, elevated circ_0013958 levels reduced the survival probability of AMI patients. Conclusion: Circ_0013958 levels were up-regulated in AMI patients. It can be used as a diagnosis biomarker for AMI. The level of circ_0013958 was correlated with the disease severity and was an independent risk factor for the occurrence of AMI. Elevated circ_0013958 levels were associated with poor prognosis in AMI patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prefabricated steel structure buildings have the advantages of good seismic performance,light weight and fast con struction speed. However,due to the lack of supporting exterior wall panels,the development of prefabricated steel structures is re stricted. In recent years,light steel keel composite wall panels with the advantages of light structure,good thermal insulation perfor mance and excellent seismic performance have been gradually applied to prefabricated steel structure buildings. This paper classi fies the existing light steel keel wall panels,summarizes the characteristics of various wall panels,and introduces the research status of light steel keel wall panels at home and abroad from the aspects of bending resistance,shear resistance,seismic resistance and thermal performance of wall panels. On this basis,the existing problems of light steel keel composite wallboard are analyzed,and a new type of light steel keel composite wallboard with good thermal and fire resistance,light weight,safe and reliable connection, easy separation of pipelines and industrial production is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the interplay between the information strategy of an e‐commerce platform and the selling mode strategy of a manufacturer within a co‐opetitive supply chain, as well as the identification of the optimal supply chain strategy. We develop a supply chain model where a platform outsources production of its private label product to a manufacturer, who also sells its national brand product through the platform. The platform must decide whether to acquire consumer quality preference information at a cost and share it with the manufacturer, while the manufacturer needs to choose between the reselling mode or the agency selling mode for its national brand product. The two driving effects (competition‐intensification effect and mode differentiation effect) are identified. Our findings show that the platform will acquire and share information when the acquisition cost is sufficiently low, leading to the "competition‐intensification effect." Additionally, the manufacturer prefers the agency selling mode when cost‐quality efficiency is low, and the reselling mode otherwise, driven by the "mode differentiation effect." In cases where information sharing is absent, the manufacturer is more likely to choose the agency selling mode. Interestingly, when the cost‐quality efficiency of the manufacturer's product is moderate and the information acquisition cost is low, the "competition‐intensification effect" and the "mode differentiation effect" offset each other, resulting in the expansion of the region where the manufacturer chooses the reselling mode due to the platform's information‐sharing strategy. As a result, this enhances a cooperative relationship between the manufacturer and the platform. We also derive the optimal supply chain strategy, providing insights into both the manufacturer's selling mode and the platform's information strategies in online retailing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The doping of Ni2O3 has significantly enhanced the electrical properties and density of SnO2–Co3O4–Cr2O3–Nb2O5 varistor ceramics. The leakage current density is reduced to 4.73 µA/cm2, the nonlinear coefficient is 37, and the voltage gradient is 549 V/mm. The undoped varistor ceramics exhibited a considerably higher leakage current of 48.04 µA/cm2. The performance improvement comes from alterations in grain boundary parameters. The doping of an appropriate amount of Ni improves the grain boundary barrier of SnO2 varistor ceramics and makes samples obtain higher grain boundary resistance, which hinders the leakage current path and results in excellent nonohmic characteristics. The stable grain boundary barrier structure dominated by Ni enables the sample to obtain stable power loss performance under long‐term direct current (DC) bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wearable products have significant applications in medical assistance, posture correction, and humancomputer interaction. In this study, we present a knitting method for a one-piece knitted embedded hang-needle sensor. This method involves simultaneously knitting conductive yarn into the sensing zone while creating the monitoring garment in a seamless manner. By implementing a tight hanging needle structure in the sensing zone design and adjusting knitting parameters, the effect of pre-stretching on the sensor caused by the base garment is minimized. Furthermore, integrating the sensing area of the hang-needle structure with the monitoring garment eliminates the need for additional sensor integration steps and simplifies the preparation process, resulting in reduced time and material costs. Moreover, the monitoring garment offers a comfortable wearing experience without any foreign body sensation and accurately captures the initial shoulder posture of the wearer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is increasing, therefore, identifying biomarkers to predict those vulnerable to AD is imperative. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) serves as an independent risk factor for AD. Early prediction of T2D patients who may be more susceptible to AD, so as to achieve early intervention, is of great significance to reduce the prevalence of AD. Objective: To establish periphery biomarkers that could predict conversion of T2D into pre-AD-like cognitive decline. Methods: A follow-up study was carried out from 159 T2D patients at baseline. The correlations of cognitive states (by MMSE score) with multi-periphery biomarkers, including APOE genotype, plasma amyloid-β level, platelet GSK-3β activity, and olfactory score were analyzed by logistic regression. ROC curve was used for establishing the prediction model. Additionally, MRI acquired from 38 T2D patients for analyzing the correlation among cognitive function, biomarkers and brain structure. Results: Compared with the patients who maintained normal cognitive functions during the follow-up period, the patients who developed MCI showed worse olfactory function, higher platelet GSK-3β activity, and higher plasma Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio. We conducted a predictive model which T2D patients had more chance of suffering from pre-AD-like cognitive decline. The MRI data revealed MMSE scores were positively correlated with brain structures. However, platelet GSK-3β activity was negatively correlated with brain structures. Conclusions: Elevated platelet GSK-3β activity and plasma Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio with reduced olfactory function are correlated with pre-AD-like cognitive decline in T2D patients, which used for predicting which T2D patients will convert into pre-AD-like cognitive decline in very early stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mild Pd-catalyzed three-component cascade cyclization functionalization of o-iodostyrenes, internal alkynes and boron reagents is presented. The transformation is driven by a controlled reaction sequence of intermolecular carbopalladation, intramolecular Heck-type cyclization, and a borylation process to give versatile boryl-functionalized indene skeletons in a selective fashion. Significantly, (Bpin)2, (Bneop)2 and CH2(Bpin)2 as boron sources are all tolerated. Additionally, the synthetic utility of this approach is demonstrated by gram-scale synthesis and synthetic transformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a family of "forever chemicals" including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). These toxic chemicals do not break down in the environment or in our bodies. In the human body, PFOS and perfluoroctanoic acid (PFOA) have a half-life (T1/2) of about 4–5 yr so low daily consumption of these chemicals can accumulate in the human body to a harmful level over a long period. Although the use of PFOS in consumer products was banned in the United States in 2022/2023, this forever chemical remains detectable in our tap water and food products. Every American tested has a high level of PFAS in their blood (https://cleanwater.org/pfas-forever-chemicals). In this report, we used a Sertoli cell blood-testis barrier (BTB) model with primary Sertoli cells cultured in vitro with an established functional tight junction (TJ)-permeability barrier that mimicked the BTB in vivo. Treatment of Sertoli cells with PFOS was found to perturb the TJ-barrier, which was the result of cytoskeletal disruption across the cell cytoplasm, disrupting actin and microtubule polymerization. These changes thus affected the proper localization of BTB-associated proteins at the BTB. Using RNA-Seq transcriptome profiling, bioinformatics analysis, and pertinent biochemical and cell biology techniques, it was discovered that PFOS -induced Sertoli cell toxicity through the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK; also known as stress-activated protein kinase, SAPK) and its phosphorylated/active form p-JNK signaling pathway. More importantly, KB-R7943 mesylate (KB), a JNK/p-JNK activator, was capable of blocking PFOS-induced Sertoli cell injury, supporting the notion that PFOS-induced cell injury can possibly be therapeutically managed. NEW & NOTEWORTHY: PFOS induces Sertoli cell injury, including disruption of the 1) blood-testis barrier function and 2) cytoskeletal organization, which, in turn, impedes male reproductive function. These changes are mediated by JNK/p-JNK signaling pathway. However, the use of KB-R7943, a JNK/p-JNK activator was capable of blocking PFOS-induced Sertoli cell injury, supporting the possibility of therapeutically managing PFOS-induced reproductive dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study examined the relationship between mindfulness and perceived marital stability among older couples in China. Method: Based upon a sample of 187 heterosexual Chinese couples aged 53–85, we conducted dyadic analyses to identify whether individuals' stress and marital stability were influenced by the practice of mindfulness of their partners. In line with actor-partner interdependence mediation models (APIMeM), we examined four indirect effects: actor-actor (mindfulness, mediator, and outcome of one's own), actor-partner (mindfulness, and mediator of oneself, and outcome of the partner), partner-actor (the partner's mindfulness, and mediator, and outcome of one's own), and partner-partner (mindfulness, and outcome of oneself, and mediator of the partner). Results: Results of the dyadic actor-partner interdependence mediation models suggested different indirect effects for females and males. For females, there were significant actor-actor, actor-partner indirect effects across mindfulness and its four subdomains (Describing, Acting with Awareness, Non-judging, and Non-reactivity). For males, there were significant actor-partner, partner-actor, and partner-partner across mindfulness and Describing and Acting with Awareness facets. Conclusions: Trait mindfulness may have helped couples maintain their relationships by decreasing their and their partners' perceived stress within and across dyads. Preregistration: This study is not preregistered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are known to promote tumor growth, invasion, metastasis, and protumor angiogenesis, but the role of TAMs in evading radiotherapy in esophagus cancer remains unclear. In this study, we first induced TAMs from human monocytes (THP-1) and identified using immunofluorescence and Western blotting assays. We then co-cultured them with human esophageal cancer cell lines. CCK-8, colony formation, Transwell, scratch test, and TUNEL assays showed that TAMs could promote proliferation, survival rate, invasion, migration, and radioresistance and could inhibit apoptosis of the esophageal squamous carcinoma cell lines KYSE-150 and TE-1 before and after radiotherapy both in vivo and in vitro. Using LV-VEGFA-RNAi lentiviral vectors, we also found that TAMs could increase the expression of VEGFA and that inhibition of VEGFA could inhibit the biological function caused by TAMs. Finally, a Western blotting assay was used to evaluate the expression of various factors underlying the mechanism of TAMs. VEGFA, MAPK, P-MAPK, BCL-2, and Snail proteins were found to be overexpressed in co-cultured groups, whereas after VEGFA inhibition, MAPK, P-MAPK, BCL-2, and Snail proteins were found to be significantly downregulated in the radiotherapy group. These study results offer important information regarding the mechanism of radioresistance in esophageal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The uniaxial compression tests are conducted on single-fissured sandstone with different angles, and the effect of fissure angle (β) on mechanical properties, acoustic emission (AE) features, crack propagation characteristics, and failure mode of sandstone are studied with the AE monitoring and photographic system. The research results reveal that as the β increases, the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) exhibits an asymmetric inverted "U" shape and the minimum is only 33.14 MPa when β = 30°, while the elastic modulus increases monotonously from 8.98 to 15.14 GPa. During the loading process, the AE parameters demonstrate obvious stage characteristics, while tension cracks dominate and the shear cracks significantly increase. As β increases, the AE activity gradually shifts to the post-peak destruction stage, and the effect of shear crack on the final failure mode of the specimens becomes more significant. The stress–strain relationship, AE features, and real-time photographic system are sufficient to comprehensively depict the crack evolution process in each stage, and there is a good correlation between each parameter. Increase in β makes the crack initiation stress and its ratio to UCS increase, from 68.74% to 79.92%, which makes it more difficult for crack initiation, and the secondary crack propagation gradually transforms from tension to shear. The macroscopic failure mode of fissured sandstone gradually changes from tension failure to mixed tension–shear failure and finally to shear failure, the angle between the propagation direction of initial cracks and fissure gradually decreases, and the surface spalling zone becomes more obvious. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a degradable polymer material, polybutylene succinate (PBS) has the disadvantages of high cost, slow crystallization rate, and low strength modulus. Reinforcing modification with plant fibers is a popular method. A unique three-dimensional network structure was found in luffa fiber (LF). Compared to other plant fibers, this fiber has excellent mechanical strength due to its unique three-dimensional structure. Its structure allows it to maintain the integrity of the reinforcement phase in the polymer aggregate, overcoming the dispersion and defects of short fiber reinforcement. Herein, the LF was treated with alkali treatment and silanated with three coupling agents and pre-impregnation methods to improve interfacial properties with the PBS matrix. Then it was laminated with polybutylene succinate to prepare a PBS/LF composite board with three layers of LF. The performance of the composite material using the KH550 coupling agent was improved the most. The tensile strength and modulus of the material were increased by 24.9% and 82.9%, respectively, the flexural strength and modulus were increased by 21.7% and 18.5%, and the impact strength was increased by 12.5%. The water absorption weight gain rate is also the lowest, about 3.5%. For the LF-reinforced PBS, the preparation method is simple, and the reinforcement effect is better, that the cost was effectively reduced, and the application field of the PBS green material was expanded. A new possibility for the development of green degradable polymer composites was provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of Endostar in the management of locally advanced cervical cancer. Methods: This retrospective, 2-center study enrolled 41 patients with locally advanced cervical cancer between June 2017 and December 2020. The patients were subjected to a combination of Endostar and chemoradiotherapy until they experienced disease progression or an unacceptable level of toxicity. The patients in the Endostar combined chemoradiotherapy (E + CRT) and CRT groups were matched 1:1 based on clinical features, including age, disease stage, and pathological type. The therapeutic efficacy and safety outcomes were compared between the 2 groups. Results: Early treatment response: the CR rates in E + CRT and CRT groups were 48.8% and 26.8%, respectively (χ 2 = 4.20, P <.05). The ORR and DCR were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Long-term efficacy: there was no significant difference in the 1-year and 2-year PFS rates and OS rates between 2 groups. However, in patients with stage IIB, subgroup analyses revealed a significant difference in PFS between the 2 groups (P <.05). Prognostic factors: stage, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score, and tumor size were independent predictive factors for PFS, while ECOG score and tumor size were those of OS in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. Safety: The incidence of grade III-IV myelosuppression was significantly lower in E + CRT group than in CRT group (P <.05). Conclusions: The combination of Endostar and concurrent CRT exhibited greater efficacy in treating locally advanced cervical cancer with no severe adverse reactions, when compared to simple CRT. It is expected that this approach will evolve into a new treatment alternative for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ornithine carbamoyltransferase deficiency (OTCD) is a kind of X-linked metabolic disease caused by a deficiency in ornithine transcarbamylase leading to urea cycle disorders. The main reason is that the OTC gene variants lead to the loss or decrease of OTC enzyme function, which hinders the ammonia conversion to urea, resulting in hyperammonemia and severe neurological dysfunction. Here, we studied one Chinese family of three generations who consecutively gave birth to two babies with OTCD. This study aims to explore the pathogenicity of two missense variants in the OTC gene and investigate the application of preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic (PGT-M) for a family troubled by Ornithine carbamoyltransferase deficiency (OTCD). Methods: The retrospective method was used to classify the pathogenicity of two missense variants in the OTC gene in a family tortured by OTCD. Sanger sequencing was used to validate the variants in the OTC gene, and then the pathogenicity of variants was confirmed through family analysis and bioinformatics software. We used PGT-M to target the OTC gene and select a suitable embryo for transplantation. Prenatal diagnosis was recommended to confirm previous results using Sanger sequencing and karyotyping at an appropriate gestational stage. Tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to detect fetal metabolism after birth. The number of the study cohort is ChiCTR2100053616. Results: Two missense variants, c.959G > C (p.Arg320Pro) and c.634G > A (p.Gly212Arg), were validated in the OTC gene in this family. According to the ACMG genetic variation classification criteria, the missense variant c.959G > C can be considered as "pathogenic", and the missense variant c.634G > A can be regarded as "likely benign." PGT-M identified a female embryo carrying the heterozygous variant c.959G > C (p.Arg320Pro), which was selected for transplantation. Prenatal diagnosis revealed the same variant in the fetus, and continued pregnancy was recommended. A female baby was born, and her blood amino acid testing and urine organic acid testing were regular. Follow-up was conducted after six months and indicated the girl was healthy. Conclusion: Our research first validated the segregation of both c.959G > C and c.634G > A variants in the OTC gene in a Chinese OTCD family. Then, we classified variant c.959G > C as "pathogenic" and variant c.634G > A as "likely benign", providing corresponding theoretical support for genetic counseling and fertility guidance in this family. PGT-M and prenatal diagnosis were recommended to help the couple receive a female baby successfully with a six-month follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We performed a machine learning-aided analysis of the rolling and recrystallization textures in pure iron with different cold reduction ratios and cold-rolling directions. Five types of specimens with different cold reduction ratios and cold-rolling directions were prepared. The effect of two-way cold-rolling on the rolling texture was small at cold reduction ratios different from 60%. The cold reduction ratio in each stage hardly affected the texture evolution during cold-rolling and subsequent short-term annealing. In the case of long-term annealing, although abnormal grain growth occurred, the crystal orientation of the grains varied. Moreover, the direction of cold-rolling in each stage also hardly affected the texture evolution during cold-rolling and subsequent short-term annealing. During long-term annealing, sheets with the same cold-rolling direction in the as-received state and in the first stage showed the texture evolution of conventional one-way cold-rolled pure iron. Additionally, we conducted a machine learning-aided analysis of rolling and recrystallization textures. Using cold-rolling and annealing conditions as the input data and the degree of Goss orientation development as the output data, we constructed high-accuracy regression models using artificial neural networks and XGBoost. We also revealed that the annealing temperature is the dominant factor in the nucleation of Goss grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acid mine drainage (AMD), arising from mineral resource exploitation, has transformed into a significant global environmental issue for the mining sector, posing considerable risks to water, soil, ecosystems, and human health. In this study, the current status and cutting-edge dynamics of AMD remediation research were evaluated using a bibliometrics approach. Publications on AMD remediation were collected from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) database, and the relevant literature was analyzed quantitatively using various statistical methods, including keyword co-occurrence and burst analysis. In total, 2743 articles related to AMD remediation published from 1990 to 2023 were obtained. The number of publications tended to increase annually, with a relatively fast rate of increase in recent years. Recent research related to AMD remediation has mainly focused on the ecological risks, the environmental geochemical cycling, the application of sulfate-reducing bacteria and adsorption, and the recovery of heavy metals (HMs) and rare earth elements (REEs). It is anticipated that these topics of AMD remediation research are expected to be at the forefront of future research endeavors. In addition, the current status, advantages, and challenges of AMD remediation technologies are discussed from both active and passive management perspectives, providing a theoretical basis and reference for AMD remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a technology for water landscape performance that considers landscape, ecological, and social effects, nature-based solutions play a crucial role in enhancing the functionality of integrated ecosystem services on the micro-scale. This study conducted a systematic investigation into the landscape performance of the "Clear as a Drain" composite sponge facility at Handan Garden Expo Park. The following conclusions were drawn: (1) In terms of ecological restoration support services, the "Clear as a Drain" artificial wetland exhibited diverse habitat types, a rich variety of plant species specific to the site's region, and high plant diversity indices for shrubs (1.776) and herbaceous aquatic plants (3.352). Reclaimed water reused in the artificial terraced wetland promoted plant growth and diversity while contributing to site self-rehabilitation; plants also significantly contributed to carbon fixation, oxygen release, and carbon emission reduction. (2) Regarding ecological restoration regulation services, the artificial wetland effectively purified reclaimed water with substantial improvements observed in incoming water quality during spring, summer, and autumn—particularly notable purification effects were observed during the summer months. Pollutant reduction rates for COD, BOD5 ammonia nitrogen, TP, and TN reached 75.8%, 72.1%, 93.8%, 96.7%, and 90.3%, respectively; different independent subsystems within the wetland demonstrated distinct advantages in pollutant removal; park plants displayed strong air purification capabilities; annual energy savings from park plants could fully cover daily energy consumption for nearby residents. This case could serve as guidance for scientific management and design parameter optimization of other composite sponge facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a second‐order time discretizing block‐centered finite difference method is introduced to solve the compressible wormhole propagation. The optimal second‐order error estimates for the porosity, pressure, velocity, concentration and its flux are established carefully in different discrete norms on non‐uniform grids. Then by introducing Lagrange multiplier, a novel bound‐preserving scheme for concentration is constructed. Finally, numerical experiments are carried out to demonstrate the correctness of theoretical analysis and capability for simulations of compressible wormhole propagation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tensile properties of vanadium-added steels with different ferrite and pearlite hardness ratios were evaluated. In this study, four types of specimens were prepared. The specimen without vanadium (specimen A) was cooled from 1359 K to room temperature (298 K ± 2 K) in a furnace. The specimens containing vanadium (specimens B, C, and D) were cooled from 1359 to 1073, 1023, and 923 K, held for 60 min, and then cooled to room temperature in the furnace. The microstructures of all specimens consisted of ferrite and pearlite, and the volume fraction of each phase in all specimens was nearly the same. Compared to specimen A, the size and morphology of each phase in the vanadium-added steels were finer and more equiaxed, and the hardness of ferrite and pearlite increased. The increase in the ferrite hardness was attributed to the precipitation strengthening due to vanadium carbide, whereas that of pearlite was attributed not only to the precipitation strengthening due to vanadium carbide but also the ferrite/cementite misfit causing lattice strain increment. The ferrite hardness of specimen B was the highest, and that in pearlite of specimen D was the lowest. As a result, the hardness ratios of B and D were lower than those of A and C. Strength–ductility balance was improved by adding vanadium. Moreover, it was further enhanced by improving local elongation due to the decrease in ferrite and pearlite hardness ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We attempted to improve the strength–ductility balance of tempered martensite steel by controlling cementite particle size distribution. Four types of samples of varying tempering temperatures were prepared: T973-60m and T823-60m samples were heated to 973 and 823 K and isothermally held for 1 h, while DT-60m and DT-15m samples were heated to 973 K and isothermally held for 1 h and 15 min and cooled to 823 K and isothermally held for 15 min and 1 h. As a result, the strength–ductility balance of DT-60m and DT-15m samples using two-stage tempering was superior to that of T973-60m and T823-60m samples. From microstructural observations, T973-60m sample mainly included large cementite particles in contrast to T823-60m sample which mainly included small cementite particles. DT-60m and DT-15m samples included both small and large cementite particles. The larger the area fraction of the small cementite particles, the higher was the tensile strength and the larger the area fraction of the large cementite particles, the higher was the total elongation. In the case of DT-60m and DT-15m samples, the nucleated voids were hard to coalesce due to the suppression of strain concentration at the interface between the matrix and coarse cementite particles. From these results, we concluded that strength–ductility balance could be improved by dispersing both small and large cementite particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activated coke is a type of commonly used adsorbent for benzene series VOCs such as toluene, but traditional microporous activated coke usually faces the challenge of poor regeneration performance. Herein, based on self-made activated cokes with typical pore configuration, we found that adsorption and regeneration of toluene can be simultaneously enhanced by constructing hierarchical pore in activated coke. Correlations of pore configuration with toluene adsorption capacity and regeneration efficiency reveal that micropore contributes for strong toluene adsorption; meso-macropore provides mass transfer channel for toluene desorption and regeneration process. Hierarchical porous activated coke prepared from Zhundong subbituminous coal not only achieves the highest toluene adsorption capacity of 340.92 mg·g−1, but also can retain more than 90% of initial adsorption capacity after five adsorption-regeneration cycles. By contrast, micropore-dominant activated cokes can only retain 70% of initial adsorption capacity. Adsorption kinetic modelling on adsorption breakthrough curves shows that hierarchical porous activated coke prepared from Zhundong subbituminous coal exhibits high adsorption and diffusion rate constants of 14.39 and 33.45 min−1, respectively, much higher than those of micropore-dominant activated cokes. Due to the accelerated surface adsorption and diffusion processes induced by meso-macropore, toluene adsorption and regeneration behavior can be simultaneously improved. Results from this work validated the role of pore hierarchy in toluene adsorption-regeneration process, providing guidance for designing high-performance activated coke with synergistically improved toluene adsorption capacity and regeneration performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drylands are characterized by unique ecosystem types, sparse vegetation, fragile environments, and vital ecosystem services. The accurate mapping of dryland ecosystems is essential for their protection and restoration, but previous approaches primarily relied on modifying land use data derived from remote sensing, lacking the direct utilization of latest remote sensing technologies and methods to map ecosystems, especially failing to effectively identify key ecosystems with sparse vegetation. This study attempts to integrate Google Earth Engine (GEE), random forest (RF) algorithm, multi-source remote sensing data (spectral, radar, terrain, texture), feature optimization, and image segmentation to develop a fine-scale mapping method for an ecologically critical area in northern China. The results showed the following: (1) Incorporating multi-source remote sensing data significantly improved the overall classification accuracy of dryland ecosystems, with radar features contributing the most, followed by terrain and texture features. (2) Optimizing the features set can enhance the classification accuracy, with overall accuracy reaching 91.34% and kappa coefficient 0.90. (3) User's accuracies exceeded 90% for forest, cropland, and water, and were slightly lower for steppe and shrub-steppe but were still above 85%, demonstrating the efficacy of the GEE and RF algorithm to map sparse vegetation and other dryland ecosystems. Accurate dryland ecosystems mapping requires accounting for regional heterogeneity and optimizing sample data and feature selection based on field surveys to precisely depict ecosystem patterns in complex regions. This study precisely mapped dryland ecosystems in a typical dryland region, and provides baseline data for ecological protection and restoration policies in this region, as well as a methodological reference for ecosystem mapping in similar regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age is a significant contributing factor to the occurrence and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Pharmacological treatment can effectively alleviate CVD symptoms caused by aging. However, 90% of the drugs have failed in clinics because of the loss of drug effects or the occurrence of the side effects. One of the reasons is the disparity between animal models used and the actual physiological levels in humans. Therefore, we integrated multiple datasets from single‐cell and bulk‐seq RNA‐sequencing data in rats, monkeys, and humans to identify genes and pathways with consistent/differential expression patterns across these three species. An approach called "Cross‐species signaling pathway analysis" was developed to select suitable animal models for drug screening. The effectiveness of this method was validated through the analysis of the pharmacological predictions of four known anti‐vascular aging drugs used in animal/clinical experiments. The effectiveness of drugs was consistently observed between the models and clinics when they targeted pathways with the same trend in our analysis. However, drugs might have exhibited adverse effects if they targeted pathways with opposite trends between the models and the clinics. Additionally, through our approach, we discovered four targets for anti‐vascular aging drugs, which were consistent with their pharmaceutical effects in literatures, showing the value of this approach. In the end, software was established to facilitate the use of "Cross‐species signaling pathway analysis." In sum, our study suggests utilizing bioinformatics analysis based on disease characteristics can help in choosing more appropriate animal models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study examines the association between family conflict and self-efficacy in discussing end-of-life (EOL) care with family members and whether such an association differs by acculturation levels among older Chinese Americans. Method: Data were collected from 213 Chinese Americans ages 65–102 in Phoenix, AZ, and Germantown, MD. We conducted ordinary least squares regression to examine the association between family conflict, acculturation, and self-efficacy in discussing EOL care with family. Results : Family conflict was negatively associated with older adults' self-efficacy in discussing EOL care with family. The negative association between family conflict and self-efficacy in discussing EOL care with family was more pronounced for those with higher levels of acculturation. Conclusions: As one of the first research efforts to study advance care planning among older Chinese Americans, our findings highlight differential effects of family conflict on self-efficacy of EOL care plan discussion within the context of acculturation levels. Geriatric and health social workers should assess and address acculturation to develop family-centered interventions that improve EOL care planning for older Chinese Americans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

That certain preconceptual paternal exposures reprogram the developmental phenotypic plasticity in future generation(s) has conceptualized the "paternal programming of offspring health" hypothesis. This transgenerational effect is transmitted primarily through sperm epigenetic mechanisms—DNA methylation, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and associated RNA modifications, and histone modifications—and potentially through non-sperm-specific mechanisms—seminal plasma and circulating factors—that create 'imprinted' memory of ancestral information. The epigenetic landscape in sperm is highly responsive to environmental cues, due to, in part, the soma-to-germline communication mediated by epididymosomes. While human epidemiological studies and experimental animal studies have provided solid evidences in support of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, how ancestral information is memorized as epigenetic codes for germline transmission is poorly understood. Particular elusive is what the downstream effector pathways that decode those epigenetic codes into persistent phenotypes. In this review, we discuss the paternal reprogramming of offspring phenotype and the possible underlying epigenetic mechanisms. Cracking these epigenetic mechanisms will lead to a better appreciation of "Paternal Origins of Health and Disease" and guide innovation of intervention algorithms to achieve 'healthier' outcomes in future generations. All this will revolutionize our understanding of human disease etiology. Highlight: Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance defines phenotypic plasticity in future generations. Paternally acquired phenotype is primarily transmitted through sperm epigenetic mechanisms. Epigenetic information in sperm is highly responsive to environmental cues. Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance revolutionizes our understanding of human disease etiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fat (FAT atypical cadherin) and Dchs (Dachsous cadherin–related protein) in adjacent Sertoli:Sertoli, Sertoli:spermatid, and spermatid:spermatid interfaces create an important intercellular bridge whose adhesive function is in turn supported by Fjx1, a nonreceptor Ser/Thr protein kinase. This concept is derived from earlier studies of Drosophila , which has been confirmed in this and earlier reports as well. Herein, we use the approach of knockdown of Fat1 by RNAi using primary cultures of Sertoli cells that mimicked the blood–testis barrier (BTB) in vivo, and a series of coherent experiments including functional assays to monitor the Sertoli cell tight junction (TJ) permeability barrier and a functional in vitro TJ integrity assay to assess the role of Fat1 in the testis. It was shown that planar cell polarity (PCP) protein Fat1 affected Sertoli cell function through its modulation of actin and microtubule cytoskeletal function, altering their polymerization activity through the Fat1/Fjx1 complex. Furthermore, Fat1 is intimately associated with β-catenin and α-N-catenin, as well as with Prickle 1 of the Vangl1/Prickle 1 complex, another PCP core protein to support intercellular interactions to confer PCP. In summary, these findings support the notion that the Fat:Dchs and the Vangl2:Fzd PCP intercellular bridges are tightly associated with basal ES/TJ structural proteins to stabilize PCP function at the Sertoli:Sertoli, Sertoli:spermatid, and spermatid:spermatid interface to sustain spermatogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Agitation/delirium is commonly seen in children after anesthesia, and a proper dose of dexmedetomidine can prevent this complication. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different doses of Dexmedetomidine (DEX) on agitation/delirium and other complications in anesthetized children, providing clinical evidence for dose recommendations of DEX. Methods: This study was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). A systematic search was conducted in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE. Two independent researchers performed literature screening, data extraction, and assessed the methodological quality. Data analysis was conducted using R and STATA 16.0. Results: In the final analysis, 20 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 2521 children were included. The results showed that in comparison to normal saline, 1 µg/kg, 1.5 µg/kg, and 2 µg/kg intranasal DEX significantly reduced the incidence of post-anesthetic emergence agitation in children with the most effective dose being 2 µg/kg (SUCRA = 0.91). Compared with normal saline, 1 µg/kg, 1.5 µg/kg, and 2 µg/kg intranasal DEX reduced patient's need for postoperative analgesia, with the most effective dose being 1.5 µg/kg (SUCRA = 0.78). However, 1 µg/kg DEX performed the best in reducing Pediatric Anaesthesia Emergence Delirium (PAED) Scale score (SUCRA = 0.88). Conclusion: Compared with normal saline, intranasal administration of 2 µg/kg DEX and 1.5 µg/kg DEX are the optimal doses to reduce the incidence of agitation and the need for postoperative pain relief in children under general anesthesia. Given effectiveness and safety, intranasal use of 1 µg/kg DEX appears to be the most effective dosage for anesthetized children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fast development of electron devices requires new materials with high mobility and low resistivity. Since mobility exceeding 300 cm2/Vs has been reported in stannates, many efforts have been made to improve the mobility in stannate films. SrSnO3 (SSO), a type of stannate with an orthorhombic crystal system, has attracted interest due to its large bandgap and high optical transparency. Although single crystals have demonstrated high mobility, it is difficult to achieve similar high mobility in thin films. Here, we study the influences of growth temperature and substrate strain on film quality and electrical properties. After attempting growth at different temperatures, we demonstrate that 750 °C is more suitable for improving the quality and conductivity of La-doped SrSnO3 (LSSO) films. We also investigate the influence of strain caused by the substrate and find the LSSO film with best electronic properties on BaSnO3 buffer, which may be caused by less dislocations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the booming development of communication technology and electronic devices, increasingly complex real-world scenarios propose higher demands on electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials. Wearable EMI shielding materials with Joule heating capability and human motion detection can effectively promote benign functioning of the human body and protect sensitive electronic devices in cold and harsh environments. In this paper, silver nanowires (AgNWs)/polyurethane (PU) composite foams with multicellular structures were prepared by a simple dip-drying method. Benefiting from the high conductivity (10,417 S m–1) of the ultralong AgNW network and the interfacial polarization between the silver nanoparticles and the AgNWs, the composite foams have a high EMI shielding performance dominated by microwave absorption. The EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) and specific EMI shielding effectiveness (SSE/t) of the composite foam in the X-band (8.2–12.4 GHz) reached 94.96 dB and 9,169.8 dB cm2 g–1, respectively. The electromagnetic shielding effectiveness is up to 99.99999997%. Meanwhile, at an external voltage of 0.75 V, the surface saturation temperature of the IAgNWs–5/PU composite foam rapidly increased from room temperature to 125.6 °C and remained steady. Furthermore, the IAgNWs–5/PU composite foam can be used as a multifunctional sensing device for monitoring human motion signals based on the good resilience of the PU foam and the stability of the AgNW conductive network. These superior properties make the AgNWs/PU composite foam have great potential applications in military equipment, aerospace, and wearable electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BiFeO3 is a rare single‐phase multiferroic which shows coupled ferroelectricity, ferroelasticity and antiferromagnetism at room temperature. Many fantastic properties of BiFeO3 are regulated by its domain structure. While (001) rhombohedral BiFeO3 thin films can possibly develop up‐to eight degenerate states of two‐variant 71° ferroelastic domain stripes, complete selective control of all possible switching paths between these states has not yet been achieved. Here, combining phase field simulations and scanning probe microscopy experiments, we demonstrated such a complete selective control. The tip bias and the built‐in field were shown to affect the volume fraction of the 71°, 109° and 180° switched domains in rhombohedral BiFeO3 thin films under single‐point loading. Meanwhile, tip scanning further broke the symmetry of the nucleated domains, leading to different switched domain patterns. We then grew BiFeO3 thin films with a specific two‐variant 71° ferroelastic domain state and showed that such a state could be deterministically switched into the other seven two‐variant domain states by collaborative controlling tip scanning and tip bias in scanning probe microscopy experiments. These results should deepen our current understanding on the domain switching kinetics in BiFeO3 thin films and indicate they are promising platforms for developing configurable electronic and spintronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Massive datasets bring new challenges to traditional statistical inference, particularly in terms of memory restriction and computation time. Support vector regression is a robust and efficient estimation method. We first adopt smoothing techniques to develop smoothed support vector regression (S-SVR) estimation method. Then we propose distributed S-SVR (DS-SVR) algorithm for massive datasets. The proposed method solves the problems of memory restriction and computation time, and the resulting estimate can achieve the same efficiency as the estimator computed on all data. We also establish the asymptotic normality of the resulting estimate. In addition, we propose an adaptive learning process of parameters by using a combination of grid search and k − fold cross-validation, in which the optimal parameters (λ , ϵ) are automatically selected by each data. Finally, the performance of the proposed method is illustrated well by simulation studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The corrosion behavior of copper was investigated in synthetic tap water with and without sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) at different temperatures during immersion for 70 d by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electrochemical measurement techniques. The weight loss corrosion rate and pit depth of copper first increase and then decrease with the change in solution temperature from 25 to 80 °C. This is mainly related to the corrosion products formed on the copper surface. The main corrosion products change from Cu2O and Cu2(OH)2CO3 to CuO with the increase in solution temperature. The presence of 3 ppm NaClO slightly increases the weight loss corrosion rate and pit depth of copper under all temperatures except for 50 °C and reduces the temperature of the maximum corrosion rate from 50 to 40 °C. Free chlorine reduction accelerates the cathodic reaction of the corrosion process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on teacher beliefs has gained significant attention from scholars, resulting in a vast body of literature. To understand the current trends, themes, key contributors, and emerging areas in this domain, we utilized CiteSpace to review 1,731 teacher beliefs publications from 1951 to 2023 through the WOS database. The findings indicate that:1) Over recent decades, there has been a consistent increase in publications concerning teacher beliefs, which is still promising in recent years. 2) The research themes can be divided into professional development, teaching practices, self-efficacy, theoretical orientation, and student performance. 3) There is a noticeable lack of collaboration both across academic institutions and among different authors in the field of teacher beliefs research. 4) In terms of research hotspots, it can be roughly divided into the external environment, the belief ontology, and teaching practices. 5) In terms of research frontiers, four main research frontiers were identified in different periods: epistemological belief, implementation, inclusive education, and English. This study contributes to researchers' understanding of the developmental trajectory of teacher beliefs research, thus providing references and guidance for future research endeavors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

10‐Hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) is a widely used clinical anticancer drug but has a significant side effect profile. Melatonin has a beneficial impact on the chemotherapy of different cancer cells and reproductive processes, but the effect and underlying molecular mechanism of melatonin's involvement in the HCPT‐induced side effects in cells, especially in the testicular cells, are poorly understood. In this study, we found that melatonin therapy significantly restored HCPT‐induced testicular cell damage and did not affect the antitumor effect of HCPT. Further analysis found that melatonin therapy suppressed HCPT‐induced DNA damage associated with ataxia‐telangiectasia mutated‐ and Rad3‐related and CHK1 phosphorylation levels in the testis. Changes in apoptosis‐associated protein levels (Bax, Bcl‐2, p53, and Cleaved caspase‐3) and in reactive oxygen species‐associated proteins (Nrf2 and Keap1) and index (malondialdehyde and glutathione) suggested that melatonin treatment relieved HCPT‐induced cell apoptosis and oxidative damage, respectively. Mechanistically, melatonin‐activated autophagy proteins (ATG7, Beclin1, and LC3bII/I) may induce p62‐dependent autophagy to degrade Keap1, eliciting Nrf2 from Keap1‐Nrf2 interaction to promote antioxidant enzyme expression such as HO‐1, which would salvage HCPT‐induced ROS production and mitochondrial dysfunction. Collectively, this study reveals that melatonin therapy may protect testicular cells from HCPT‐induced damage via the activation of autophagy, which alleviates oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cell apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has been shaping Chinese social workers to contribute to public health. To study the details, this article aims to explore the roles of social workers during the pandemic in China's mainland and how social workers fulfilled their roles. The study used a cross-sectional design with a convergent parallel-mixed methodology. Its findings provide another piece of evidence demonstrating the functions of social work practitioners during a health crisis worldwide. However, the ambiguities of the social work profession in addressing public health emergencies were also unveiled in the case of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared to Zr-based bulk metallic glasses (BMGs), glass forming abilities (GFAs) of Hf-based counterparts limit practical applications. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that only HfNiAl and CuHf2 crystal phases existed in Hf47Cu29Ni10Al14 master ingots. However, when partially substituting Ni with Ag or Co, the GFAs were remarkably improved. Particularly, alloying 3 at.% Ag resulted in an almost fully amorphous master ingot with a maximum thickness of 10.75 mm. Our experimental results conflict with conventional theories such as the deep eutectics theory. A large negative heat of mixing (HM) between constituent elements has been widely accepted as a key factor in enhancing GFAs. Our results posed a puzzling problem due to the non-negative HM between two similar elements either Ag and Cu or Co and Ni. To address the contradiction, a similar competition mechanism was proposed to elucidate the apparent difference in GFAs between quaternary and quinary alloys. Competition is triggered between similar elements when interacting with another element due to their analogous properties, which undermines the interaction between each of similar elements and another element and then suppresses crystal phases containing one similar element. To quantitatively describe this mechanism, we introduced a dimensionless parameter, χ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seminal extracellular vesicles (EVs) contain different subgroups that have diverse effects on sperm function. However, the effect of seminal EVs—especially their subgroups—on endometrial receptivity is largely unknown. Here, we found that seminal EVs could be divided into high-density EVs (EV-H), medium density EVs, and low-density EVs after purification using iodixanol. We demonstrated that EV-H could promote the expression and secretion of leukemia inhibitor factor (LIF) in human endometrial cells. In EV-H–treated endometrial cells, we identified 1274 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). DEGs were enriched in cell adhesion and AKT and STAT3 pathways. Therefore, we illustrated that EV-H enhanced the adhesion of human choriocarcinoma JAr cell spheroids to endometrial cells through the LIF-STAT3 pathway. Collectively, our findings indicated that seminal EV-H could regulate endometrial receptivity through the LIF pathway, which could provide novel insights into male fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fano resonance with high quality (Q) factor and figure of merit (FoM) has significant application prospects in biosensors and lasers. However, most of the previous studies achieve Fano resonance with high Q and FoM by directly regulating the structural asymmetry, which needs high processing precision. To maximize the Q factor of a given resonator, the best constituent material could be a hypothetical perfect electrical conductor (PEC) without ohmic losses. Here, we can indirectly regulate the asymmetry of the structure by perturbation between structures. At low asymmetry, PEC double split rings can obtain high Q factor of 374 and FoM of 257 by adjusting structural asymmetry based on structural perturbation. These are significant for Fano resonances of extremely low-loss and low ohmic losses practical application in the THz band. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sub-micro dislocation cellular structures formed during rapid solidification break the strength–ductility trade-off in laser powder bed fusion (LPBF)-processed 316L stainless steel through high-density dislocations and segregated elements or precipitates at the cellular boundaries. The high-density dislocation entangled at the cellular boundary accommodates solidification strains among the cellular structures and cooling stresses through elastoplastic deformation. Columnar grains with cellular structures typically form along the direction of thermal flux. However, the ultra-low misorientations between the adjacent cellular structures and their interactions with the cellular boundary formation remain unclear. In this study, we revealed the ultra-low misorientations between the cellular structures in LPBF-processed 316L stainless steel using conventional electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), transmission Kikuchi diffraction (TKD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The conventional EBSD and TKD analysis results could provide misorientation angles smaller than 2°, while the resolution mainly depends on the specimen quality and scanning step size, and so on. A TEM technique with higher spatial resolution provides accurate information between adjacent dislocation cells with misorientation angles smaller than 1°. This study presents evidence that the TEM method is the better and more precise analytical method for the misorientation measurement of the cellular structures and provides insights into measuring the small misorientation angles between adjacent dislocation cells and nanograins in nanostructured metals and alloys with ultrafine-grained microstructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: CSLCs(Cancer stem cell-like cells), which are central to tumorigenesis, are intrinsically influenced by epigenetic modifications. This study aimed to elucidate the underlying mechanism involving the DNMT1/miR-152-3p/SOS1 axis in regulating the self-renewal and tumor growth of LCSLCs (lung cancer stem-like cells). Materials and methods: Target genes of miR-152-3p were predicted using TargetScan Human 8.0. Self-renewal and tumor growth of LCSLC were compared in suspension-cultured non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines H460 and A549 cell-derived globe cells. Functional effects of the DNMT1/miR-152-3p/SOS1 axis were assessed through gain-of-function experiments in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, luciferase reporter assays were employed to analyze the interaction among DNMT1, miR-152-3p, and SOS1. Results: Our findings highlight a negative interaction between DNMT1 and miR-152-3p, resulting in reduced miR-152-3p level. This, in turn, leads to the alleviation of the inhibitory effect of miR-152-3p on the target gene SOS1, ultimately activating SOS1 and playing an essential role in self-renewal and tumor growth of LCSLC. However, the alteration of SOS1 does not affect DNMT1/miR-152-3p regulation. Therefore, it is reasonable to infer that the DNMT1/miR-152-3p negative feedback loop critically sustains self-renewal and tumor growth of LCSLC through SOS1. Conclusions: This study reveals a novel mechanism underpinning self-renewal and tumor growth of CSLC (cancer stem cell) in NSCLC and identifies potential therapeutic targets for NSCLC treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]