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The orthorhombic phase of FeNbO4, a promising anode material for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), exhibits good catalytic activity toward hydrogen oxidation. However, the low electronic conductivity of the material specifically in the pure structure without defects or dopants limits its practical applications as an SOFC anode. In this study, we have employed density functional theory (DFT + U) calculations to explore the bulk and electronic properties of two types of doped structures, Fe0.9375A0.0625NbO4 and FeNb0.9375B0.0625O4 (A, B = Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni) and the oxygen-deficient structures Fe0.9375A0.0625NbO3.9375 and FeNb0.9375B0.0625O3.9375, where the dopant is positioned in the first nearest neighbor site to the oxygen vacancy. Our DFT simulations have revealed that doping in the Fe sites is energetically favorable compared to doping in the Nb site, resulting in significant volume expansion. The doping process generally requires less energy when the O-vacancy is surrounded by one Fe and two Nb ions. The simulated projected density of states of the oxygen-deficient structures indicates that doping in the Fe site, particularly with Ti and V, considerably narrows the bandgap to ∼0.5 eV, whereas doping with Co at the Nb sites generates acceptor levels close to 0 eV. Both doping schemes, therefore, enhance electron conduction during SOFC operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal halide perovskites, both lead‐based and lead‐free variants, have emerged as highly versatile materials with widespread applications across various fields, including photovoltaics, optoelectronics, and photocatalysis. This review provides a succinct overview of the recent advancements in the utilization of lead and lead‐free halide perovskites specifically in photocatalysis. We explore the diverse range of photocatalytic reactions enabled by metal halide perovskites, including organic transformations, carbon dioxide reduction, pollutant degradation, and hydrogen production. We highlight key developments, mechanistic insights, and challenges in the field, offering our perspectives on the future research directions and potential applications. By summarizing recent findings from the literature, this review aims to provide a timely resource for researchers interested in harnessing the full potential of metal halide perovskites for sustainable and efficient photocatalytic processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The current literature lacks robust clinical data and evidence delineating the relationship between obesity measurement indexes and knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Consequently, this investigation seeks to elucidate the potential link between obesity measurement indexes and KOA among Chinese adults in a nationally representative study. Methods: Firstly, this research performed an observational study in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). The variables were extracted from interviews and compared between KOA and non-KOA participants. The relationship between obesity measurement indexes and KOA was analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression tests the nonlinearity of the relationship between obesity measurement indexes and KOA. Subgroup analyses were performed by sex to verify the robustness of the findings. Results: In this cross-sectional analysis, we found a positive association between obesity measurement indexes and KOA. These results did not change on multiple imputations(BMI: OR = 1.02, 95% CI, 1.01–1.04, P < 0.05; WHtR: OR = 2.85, 95% CI, 1.08–7.51, P < 0.05; BRI: OR = 1.07, 95% CI, 1.01–1.12, P < 0.05; BFP: OR = 1.02 95% CI, 1.00-1.03, P < 0.05). All the effects of obesity measurement indexes with KOA are present in females. None of the stratifying variables significantly affected the association between obesity measurement indexes and KOA. RCS regression test revealed the linear positive correlation between obesity measurement indexes and KOA. Conclusion: In this cross-sectional study, we found a significant association between obesity measurement indexes and KOA. This relationship is not affected by stratification and confounding factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate crop yield prediction is crucial for optimizing cultivation practices and informing breeding decisions. Integrating UAV-acquired multispectral datasets with advanced machine learning methodologies has markedly refined the accuracy of crop yield forecasting. This study aimed to construct a robust and versatile yield prediction model for multi-genotyped oat varieties by investigating 14 modeling scenarios that combine multispectral data from four key growth stages. An ensemble learning framework, StackReg, was constructed by stacking four base algorithms—ridge regression (RR), support vector machines (SVM), Cubist, and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost)—to predict oat yield. The results show that, for single growth stages, base models achieved R2 values within the interval of 0.02 to 0.60 and RMSEs ranging from 391.50 to 620.49 kg/ha. By comparison, the StackReg improved performance, with R2 values extending from 0.25 to 0.61 and RMSEs narrowing to 385.33 and 542.02 kg/ha. In dual-stage and multi-stage settings, the StackReg consistently surpassed the base models, reaching R2 values of up to 0.65 and RMSE values as low as 371.77 kg/ha. These findings underscored the potential of combining UAV-derived multispectral imagery with ensemble learning for high-throughput phenotyping and yield forecasting, advancing precision agriculture in oat cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic evolution in friction and wear can lead to interface failure and induce vibrations in pipeline inspection gauge. The friction behavior between polyurethane and X70 steel was evaluated with annular face contact under 0.042 to 0.07 MPa. The temperature increase was recorded using infrared cameras. Dynamic simulations of frictional heat and stress-strain were conducted using Abaqus software. The results indicate that in the initial stages, abrasive wear, stress (1.5 MPa), and frictional temperature rise (65 °C) of PU were observed in the inner-ring region at 0.056 MPa. The surface roughness (3.394 μm) of the PU became comparable to that of the steel ring (3.768 μm) due to abrasive wear. In the later stages, a higher frictional temperature (80 °C) and increased stress (3.8 MPa) were observed in the outer ring. Concurrently, Schallamach waves and ridge-like stripes indicative of stick-slip behavior emerged in the outer ring. The viscoelastic hysteresis effect is the fundamental cause of the dynamic evolution of the friction coefficient and wear. Frictional heat exacerbates the evolution of stick-slip behavior and increases fluctuations in the friction coefficient. The findings of this research can be utilized to analyze the causes of interface failure and vibration in pipeline inspection gauge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common complication of pregnancy, affecting an estimated 16.7% of live births worldwide, which translates to approximately 21 million cases annually. Although poor sleep quality is a prevalent concern in this population, most existing studies predominantly focus on the impact of sleep disorders on GDM, rather than directly assessing sleep quality in women diagnosed with GDM. This study aimed to investigate sleep quality and its associated factors specifically among women with GDM. Methods: We originally aimed to include 287 women with GDM; ultimately, 618 were invited, of whom 393 participated in the survey through a convenience sampling method at the obstetric clinics of four general tertiary hospitals in Chongqing, China, from June to August 2022. Data were collected utilizing sociodemographic characteristics, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Sleep Hygiene Scale, and the Pregnancy-related Anxiety Scale (PrAS). We employed linear regression analysis to identify factors associated with sleep quality. Results: The PSQI score of participants was (5.83 ± 3.41). Notably, 43.77% of participants reported an actual sleep duration of less than 8 h per night, whereas 45.55% experienced poor sleep quality. Worrying during the day about your inability to fall asleep (β = 0.204, P < 0.01), body image concern (β = 0.159, P < 0.01), going to bed thirsty (β = 0.160, P < 0.01), educational attainment (β=-0.150, P < 0.01), avoidance (β = 0.124, P < 0.01), sleep disturbed by bed partner's sleep (β = 0.126, P < 0.01), and worrying as you prepare for bed about your inability to fall asleep (β = 0.137, P < 0.05) significantly affected the sleep quality of participants. Conclusions: The study revealed a high prevalence of insufficient sleep duration and poor sleep quality among women with GDM, which was significantly influenced by inadequate sleep hygiene habits and pregnancy-related anxiety. These findings enhance our understanding of the factors affecting sleep quality in this population and underscore the necessity for healthcare professionals to timely identify sleep disorders. Implementing appropriate interventions, such as the development of educational programs focused on sleep hygiene and body image acceptance through cognitive behavioral therapy, could enhance the quality of care for women with GDM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intercropping, particularly within legume‐based systems, has been shown to enhance yields and optimize resource use efficiency. Yet, the potential contribution of intercropping on soil microbial communities and functions to soil nutrients cycling are not fully understood. We conducted the same field experiments at Youyu (Site1) and Zhangbei (Site2) in Northern China to evaluate the impact of oat/soybean intercropping on the rhizosphere soil bacterial community structure, composition, and co‐occurrence networks. Our results indicated that intercropping significantly modified the bacterial community structure for both oat and soybean at Site1, with changes observed only in the oat community at Site2. Specifically, intercropping led to a substantial increase in the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Patescibacteria in the oat rhizosphere by 48.3% and 65.4% (Site1), respectively. Conversely, in the soybean rhizosphere at Site1, there was a notable decrease in the abundance of Patescibacteria and Nitrospirae by 32.4% and 40.0%, respectively. The soil bacterial functional groups demonstrated robust positive correlations with key soil parameters such as available nitrogen (Nmin), available phosphorus (Avail‐P), and the activities of nitrogen‐ and phosphorus‐acquiring enzymes in the rhizosphere. In conclusion, intercropping is an effective agricultural practice for enhancing nitrogen and phosphorus cycling by reshaping the soil bacterial community, offering a distinct advantage over monoculture practices. This insight underscores the potential of intercropping to foster sustainable soil nutrient management, highlighting the importance of integrating such practices into modern agricultural strategies to ensure long‐term productivity and environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yunnan Dendrocalamus sinicus Chia et J. L. Sun (YDS) is a giant bamboo species with a diameter at breast height of up to nearly 40 cm. It is endemic to Yunnan, China, and only a very small portion of it is directly used as load-bearing beams and columns in the dwellings of ethnic minorities, such as in Dai architecture. Due to the structural characteristics of its hollow and thin walls, systematic physical and mechanical property testing of this species faces significant challenges in terms of methods and means. This issue has become one of the main barriers to the realization of its large-scale industrial use. Therefore, this paper systematically tests and studies YDS's three kinds of strength (tension, compression, and shear), modulus of elasticity, and six Poisson's ratios with the help of digital image correlation (DIC) technology and self-created material testing methods. The (1) tensile, compressive, and shear strengths and moduli in longitudinal, radial, and chordal directions; (2) tensile strengths and moduli of bamboo green, flesh, and yellow layers in the thickness direction of the bamboo wall; and (3) six Poisson's ratios under tensile and compressive stresses were obtained for YDS. It was also found that the tensile strength (378.8 MPa) of the green layer of YDS exceeded the yield strength (355 MPa) of 45# steel, making it a potential high-strength engineering material or fiber-reinforced material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to address the degradation and damage of traditional bridge expansion joints by proposing a seamless expansion joint device based on polyurethane elastomer (PUE). Design/methodology/approach: A series of laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of PUE, including elasticity recovery, interfacial bonding and hygrothermal aging tests. Indoor model tests were also designed to analyze PUE's performance in actual bridge expansion structures. Based on these evaluations, the design of a seamless PUE expansion joint structure was completed. Findings: The study reveals that PUE achieves optimal interfacial bond strength with PUC at −30°C after 7 h of curing and adhesive application, with a tensile strength of 9.2 MPa. PUE's elongation at break exceeds 3% at −30°C and retains its toughness and tensile strength after hygrothermal aging. When the beam end rotation reaches 0.0144 rad, PUE maintains a linear elastic state. With a groove width of 340 mm, PUE can withstand compressive displacements over 40 mm and tensile displacements up to 60 mm. Originality/value: The findings highlight the excellent elasticity recovery and toughness characteristics of PUE, demonstrating the significant improvement in durability of the PUE seamless expansion joint structure and the rationality of the groove width calculation method based on the elongation at break of PUE. The broader impact of this study lies in its potential to innovate the design and maintenance strategies of bridge expansion joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stroke is a leading global cause of death and disability. Daily tea/coffee intake is consumed by > 50% of populations and may represent an important population-level exposure. Therefore, it is first essential that we better understand the associations between the tea/coffee intake and stroke. Aims: This research aims to generate hypotheses about the global associations between tea and coffee intake and stroke. These insights will identify interventions for stroke prevention that can be further explored using alternative study designs. Methods: INTERSTROKE is a large international matched case–control study of first stroke from 32 countries. Participants were asked "how many cups do you drink each day?" of coffee, green tea, black tea, and other tea. Multivariable conditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between intake and stroke. Results: We included 13,462 cases and 13,488 controls from INTERSTROKE; mean age was 61.7 (13.4) years and 59.6% (n = 16,010) were male. Overall, 19.4% (n = 5239) did not consume tea/coffee, 47.0% (n = 12,666) consumed tea only, 14.9% (n = 4024) consumed coffee alone, and 18.6% (n = 5021) consumed both, with significant regional variations. After multivariable adjustment, there was no association between low/moderate coffee intake and stroke, but high consumption (> 4/day) was associated with higher odds of all stroke (OR = 1.37 (95% CI = 1.06–1.77)) or ischemic stroke (OR = 1.32 (95% CI = 1.00–1.74)). Tea consumption was associated with lower odds of all (OR = 0.81 (95% CI = 0.69–0.94) for highest intake) or ischemic stroke (OR = 0.81 (95% CI = 0.68–0.98) for highest intake). Conclusions: High coffee consumption was associated with higher odds of all or ischemic stroke; low–moderate coffee had no association with stroke. In contrast, tea consumption was associated with lower odds of stroke. These associations suggest that individuals consider avoiding high coffee consumption (⩾ five cups/day) to impact future stroke risk. Data Access Statement: The design and rationale of INTERSTROKE was published previously. Individual participant data, or other documents are not available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research focuses on the influence of SiO2 and Al2O3 additives on the structure and dielectric properties of basalt glasses. Upon the introduction of SiO2 and Al2O3, all the prepared basalt glasses were found to exhibit a non-crystalline nature. The initial dielectric constant of the basalt glass without the addition of SiO2 and Al2O3 was 7.893. However, as the content of SiO2 and Al2O3 increased, the dielectric constant of the basalt glasses initially decreased, but then started to rise. Remarkably, the lowest dielectric constant, achieved with the addition of 1 wt% Al2O3, was measured at 6.561. Similarly, the lowest dielectric constant, attained with the addition of 1 wt% SiO2, was recorded at 6.368. This value was lower than that produced by Al2O3 addition. These findings provide a new perspective on the dielectric properties of basalt glasses and continuous basalt fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition metal phosphate is the prospective electrode material for supercapacitors (SCs). It has an open frame construction with spacious cavities and wide aisles, resulting in excellent electric storage capacity. However, the inferior rate behavior and cycling stability of transition metal phosphate materials in alkaline environments pose significant barriers to their application in SCs. Herein, Ni11(HPO3)8(OH)6/Co3(HPO4)2(OH)2 heterostructured materials synthesized through a one-step hydrothermal process exhibiting remarkable rate capability coupled with exceptional cycling endurance. Ni11(HPO3)8(OH)6/Co3(HPO4)2(OH)2 samples exhibit a micron-scale structure composed of sheet-like compositions and unique pore structure. The multistage pore structure is favorable for promoting the diffusion of protons and ions, enhancing the sample's electrochemical storage capacity. Upon conducting electrochemical tests, it was observed that Ni11(HPO3)8(OH)6/Co3(HPO4)2(OH)2 composite electrode surpassed both the standalone Ni11(HPO3)8(OH)6 and Co3(HPO4)2(OH)2 electrode, achieving a remarkable specific capacity of 163 mAh g−1 with exceptional stability and efficiency at 1 A g−1. Notably, this electrode also exhibits superior rate performance, maintaining 82.5% and 71% of its original full capacity even at 50 A g−1 and 100 A g−1, respectively. Furthermore, it demonstrates superior stability in cycling, retaining a capacity of 92.7% at 10 A g−1 after 5000 cycles. Moreover, Ni11(HPO3)8(OH)6/Co3(HPO4)2(OH)2 and porous carbon (PC) were assembled into a hybrid supercapacitor (HSC). Electrochemical tests reveal an impressive power density of up to 36 kW kg−1 and an exceptional energy density of up to 47.4 Wh kg−1 for the HSC. Moreover, Ni11(HPO3)8(OH)6/Co3(HPO4)2(OH)2//PC HSC exhibits robust capacity retention stability of 92.9% after enduring 10,000 cycles at 3 A g−1, demonstrating its remarkable durability. This work imparts viewpoints into the design of transition metal phosphate heterostructured materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development and deep application of artificial intelligence, modern air combat is incrementally evolving towards intelligent combat. Although deep reinforcement learning algorithms have contributed to dramatic advances in in air combat, they still face challenges such as poor interpretability and weak transferability of adversarial strategies. In this regard, this paper proposes a tactical intent-driven method for autonomous air combat behaviour generation. Firstly, this paper explores the mapping relationship between optimal strategies and rewards, demonstrating the detrimental effects of the combination of sparse rewards and dense rewards on policy. Built around this, the decision-making process of pilot behavior is analyzed, and a reward mapping model from intent to behavior is established. Finally, to address the problems of poor stability and slow convergence speed of deep reinforcement learning algorithms in large-scale state-action spaces, the dueling-noisy-multi-step DQN algorithm is devised, which not only improves the accuracy of value function approximation but also enhances the efficiency of space exploration and network generalization. Through experiments, the conflicts between sparse rewards and dense rewards are demonstrated. The superior performance and stability of the proposed algorithm compared to other algorithms are captured by our empirical results. More intuitively, the strategies under different intents exhibit strong interpretability and flexibility, which can provide tactical support for intelligent decision-making in air combat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecological compensation mechanism is a tool for managing regional development and promoting the green economy. This paper proposes a revised model for carbon emissions and absorption based on IPCC, then analyses the spatial and temporal variations of carbon emissions, absorption, and deficit in 31 provinces of China from 2001 to 2019. A model was developed to redistribute carbon deficits and compensate for ecological imbalances, with the aim of eliminating background differences between regions. The concept of ecological compensation sensitivity was proposed, and a redundancy analysis (RDA) was conducted to detect possible influencing factors. Results indicate that: (1) The carbon deficits were relatively substantial in the centre and developed coastal regions, which were the subject regions of China's ecological compensation. Meanwhile, the northwest and southwest regions were the object regions of ecological compensation, and the compensated object regions tended to extend towards the southeast. The majority of compensated subject areas are generally less sensitive than compensated object regions. (2) The graph of carbon deficit volume over time shows that China's two carbon targets are closely aligned. The distribution of China's ecological compensation amounts follows the pattern of provincial economic development levels, with higher compensation amounts concentrated in the central and coastal regions. There is a positive correlation between GDP, year, and population size with carbon emission and carbon deficit. Additionally, there is a positive correlation between year, region, and carbon absorption. (3) This compensation model can strongly incentivise the compensation subject area to proactively adjust its economic development model to cope with the significant compensation pressure. Additionally, it can fully encourage the compensation recipient area to continue adhering to the green economic development model. The conclusions of the study hold significant reference value for promoting the development of a green, low-carbon economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tiller angle is a key agricultural trait that establishes plant architecture, which in turn strongly affects grain yield by influencing planting density in rice. The shoot gravity response plays a crucial role in the regulation of tiller angle in rice, but the underlying molecular mechanism is largely unknown. Here, we report the identification of the BIG TILLER ANGLE2 (BTA2), which regulates tiller angle by controlling the shoot gravity response in rice. Loss‐of‐function mutation of BTA2 dramatically reduced auxin content and affected auxin distribution in rice shoot base, leading to impaired gravitropism and therefore a big tiller angle. BTA2 interacted with AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR7 (ARF7) to modulate rice tiller angle through the gravity signaling pathway. The BTA2 protein was highly conserved during evolution. Sequence variation in the BTA2 promoter of indica cultivars harboring a less expressed BTA2 allele caused lower BTA2 expression in shoot base and thus wide tiller angle during rice domestication. Overexpression of BTA2 significantly increased grain yield in the elite rice cultivar Huanghuazhan under appropriate dense planting conditions. Our findings thus uncovered the BTA2‐ARF7 module that regulates tiller angle by mediating the shoot gravity response. Our work offers a target for genetic manipulation of plant architecture and valuable information for crop improvement by producing the ideal plant type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate axial elongation (AE) and changes in relative peripheral refraction (RPR) in anisomyopic children undergoing orthokeratology (ortho‐k). Methods: Bilateral anisomyopic children, 7–12 years of age, were treated with ortho‐k. Axial length (AL) and RPR, from 30° nasal (N30°) to 30° temporal (T30°), were measured at baseline and every 6 months over the study period. AE, changes in RPR and changes in the interocular AL difference were determined over time. Results: Twenty‐six of the 33 subjects completed the 2‐year study. The AE of the higher myopic (HM) eyes (at least 1.50 D more myopia than the other eye) (0.26 ± 0.29 mm) was significantly smaller than for the less myopic (LM) eyes (0.50 ± 0.27 mm; p = 0.003), leading to a reduction in the interocular difference in AL (p = 0.001). Baseline RPR measurements in the HM eyes were relatively more hyperopic at T30°, N20° and N30° (p ≤ 0.02) and greater myopic shifts were observed at T20° (p < 0.001), T30° (p < 0.001), N20° (p = 0.02) and N30° (p = 0.01) after lens wear. After 2 years of ortho‐k lens wear, temporal–nasal asymmetry increased significantly, being more myopic at the temporal locations in both eyes (p < 0.001), while AE was associated with the change in RPR at N20° (β = 0.134, p = 0.01). The interocular difference in AE was also positively associated with the interocular difference in RPR change at N30° (β = 0.111, p = 0.02). Conclusions: Ortho‐k slowed AE in bilateral anisomyopia, with slower growth in the HM eyes leading to a reduction in interocular AL differences. After ortho‐k, RPR changed from hyperopia to myopia, with greater changes induced in the HM eyes, and slower AE was associated with a more myopic shift in RPR, especially in the nasal field of both eyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Natural medicines present a considerable analytical challenge due to their diverse botanical origins and complex multi‐species composition. This inherent complexity complicates their rapid identification and analysis. Tangerine peel, a product of the Citrus species from the Rutaceae family, is widely used both as a culinary ingredient and in traditional Chinese medicine. It is classified into two primary types in China: Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (CP) and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride (QP), differentiated by harvest time. A notable price disparity exists between CP and another variety, Citri reticulatae "Chachi" (GCP), with differences being based on the original variety. Methods: This study introduces an innovative method using portable miniature mass spectrometry for swift on‐site analysis of QP, CP, and GCP, requiring less than a minute per sample. And combined with machine learning to differentiate the three types on site, the method was used to try to distinguish GCP from different storage years. Results: This novel method using portable miniature mass spectrometry for swift on‐site analysis of tangerine peels enabled the characterization of 22 compounds in less than one minute per sample. The method simplifies sample processing and integrates machine learning to distinguish between the CP, QP, and GCP varieties. Moreover, a multiple‐perceptron neural network model is further employed to specifically differentiate between CP and GCP, addressing the significant price gap between them. Conclusions: The entire analytical time of the method is about 1 minute, and samples can be analyzed on site, greatly reducing the cost of testing. Besides, this approach is versatile, operates independently of location and environmental conditions, and offers a valuable tool for assessing the quality of natural medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guided nanowires grown on polymer surfaces facilitate their seamless integration as flexible devices without post‐growth processing steps. However, this is challenging due to the inability of polymer films to provide the required lattice‐matching effect. In this work, this challenge is addressed by replicating highly aligned nanogrooves from a compact disc (CD) onto a casted flexible polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surface. Leveraging the replicated nanogrooves, copper hexadecafluorophthalocyanine (F16CuPc) and various metal phthalocyanines are guided into large‐area, self‐aligned nanowires. Subsequently, by employing specifically designed shadow masks during electrode deposition, these nanowires are seamlessly integrated as either a monolithic flexible photodetector with a large sensing area or on‐chip flexible photodetector arrays. The resulting flexible photodetectors exhibit millisecond and long‐term stable response to UV–vis–NIR light. Notably, they demonstrate exceptional bending stability, retaining stable and sensitive photoresponse even at a curvature radius as low as 0.5 cm and after enduring 1000 bending cycles. Furthermore, the photodetector array showcases consistent sensitivity and response speed across the entire array. This work not only proves the viability of guided nanowire growth on flexible polymer surfaces by replicating CD nanogrooves but also underscores the potential for large‐scale monolithic integration of guided nanowires as flexible devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Naringenin (NRG) is widely found in citrus fruits and has anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, and immunomodulatory effects. Previous studies have shown that NRG promotes gastrointestinal motility in mice constipation models, but there are few systematic evaluations of its effects on normal animals. This study first clarified the promotive effects of NRG on gastric emptying and small intestine propulsion (p < 0.01). NRG can also regulate the release of gastrointestinal hormones, including enhancing gastrin (GAS) and motilin (MTL) (p < 0.01), while reducing vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) secretion (p < 0.01). Using NRG to stimulate the isolated stomach, duodenum, and colon showed similar promotive effects to those observed in vivo (p < 0.01). A Western blot analysis indicated that this effect may be mediated by increasing the expression of stem cell factor (SCF) and its receptor (c-Kit) in these three segments, thus regulating their downstream pathways. It is worth noting that NRG can also increase the proportion of beneficial bacteria (Planococcaceae, Bacteroides acidifaciens, Clostridia_UCG-014) in the intestine and reduce the quantity of harmful bacteria (Staphylococcus). These findings provide a new basis for the application of NRG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The irreversible deterioration of electrochemical performance in Ni‐rich cathode materials, attributed to crack propagation and undesired side reactions, poses a critical barrier to the further development of high‐energy power batteries for electrical vehicles (EVs). Herein, a concentration gradient strategy is proposed for synthesizing a Ni‐rich cathode with enhanced mechanical and electrochemical stability to address the issues related to the irreversible structural deterioration. Notably, the concentration gradient structure contributes to superior mechanical strength in secondary particles due to the radially orientated primary particles resulted from Mn composition grading, which effectively alleviate the internal strain caused by structural changes and fatigue destruction during successive cycling. Moreover, the Mn‐rich surface minimizes the parasitic side reactions at the electrode–electrolyte interface. Benefitting from the above, the concentration gradient sample can deliver ≈180.1 mA h g−1 at 1 C and retain 96.2% of its initial discharge capacity after 100 cycles. This work demonstrates that the concentration gradient structure can simultaneously improve the mechanical and chemical stabilities of Ni‐rich cathode and offers a feasible way for designing stable lithium‐ion batteries with high energy density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize is a significant food and feed product, and abiotic stress significantly impacts its growth and development. Arabidopsis Toxicosa en Levadura (ATL), a member of the RING-H2 E3 subfamily, modulates various physiological processes and stress responses in Arabidopsis. However, the role of ATL in maize remains unexplored. In this study, we systematically identified the genes encoding ATL in the maize genome. The results showed that the maize ATL family consists of 77 members, all predicted to be located in the cell membrane and cytoplasm, with a highly conserved RING domain. Tissue-specific expression analysis revealed that the expression levels of ATL family genes were significantly different in different tissues. Examination of the abiotic stress data revealed that the expression levels of ATL genes fluctuated significantly under different stress conditions. To further understand the biological functions of maize ATL family genes under high-temperature stress, we studied the high-temperature phenotypes of the maize ZmATL family gene ZmATL10 and its homologous gene AtATL27 in Arabidopsis. The results showed that overexpression of the ZmATL10 and AtATL27 genes enhanced resistance to high-temperature stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Blood pressure variability, in acute stroke, may be an important modifiable determinant of functional outcome after stroke. In a large international cohort of participants with acute stroke, it was sought to determine the association of blood pressure variability (in the early period of admission) and functional outcomes, and to explore risk factors for increased blood pressure variability. Patients and methods: INTERSTROKE is an international case–control study of risk factors for first acute stroke. Blood pressure was recorded at the time of admission, the morning after admission and the time of interview in cases (median time from admission 36.7 h). Multivariable ordinal regression analysis was employed to determine the association of blood pressure variability (standard deviation [SD] and coefficient of variance) with modified Rankin score at 1‐month follow‐up, and logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for blood pressure variability. Results: Amongst 13,206 participants, the mean age was 62.19 ± 13.58 years. When measured by SD, both systolic blood pressure variability (odds ratio 1.13; 95% confidence interval 1.03–1.24 for SD ≥20 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure variability (odds ratio 1.15; 95% confidence interval 1.04–1.26 for SD ≥10 mmHg) were associated with a significant increase in the odds of poor functional outcome. The highest coefficient of variance category was not associated with a significant increase in risk of higher modified Rankin score at 1 month. Increasing age, female sex, high body mass index, history of hypertension, alcohol use, and high urinary potassium and low urinary sodium excretion were associated with increased blood pressure variability. Conclusion: Increased blood pressure variability in acute stroke, measured by SD, is associated with an increased risk of poor functional outcome at 1 month. Potentially modifiable risk factors for increased blood pressure variability include low urinary sodium excretion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Falling from height (FFH) is a significant safety concern in the construction industry. It requires construction safety managers to identify and prevent FFH from occurring as early as possible. However, due to insufficient expertise and the shortage of relevant personnel, it is often challenging to accurately and promptly identify FFH risks, especially those more dangerous ones. To address this issue, we proposed a new identification method for FFH risk points by incorporating BIM, path simulation, and machine learning techniques. Our approach, based on the likelihood exposure consequence criterion, efficiently identified and prioritized hazardous FFH risk points. Unlike prior studies, we emphasized the spatial distribution of workers by incorporating site layout and construction schedule considerations. The algorithm generated a safe routing plan, which was validated in experiments, emphasizing its effectiveness in early detection and mitigation of FFH risks. This research provided a comprehensive approach to FFH risk management that integrates building information modeling, path simulation, and machine learning to comprehensively address FFH risks in construction and generate safe route plans for effective safety management. The proposed method significantly contributes to the early detection and elimination of potential FFH risks in construction projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of terrestrial- and satellite-based quantum key distribution (QKD) experiments has markedly advanced global-scale quantum networks, showcasing the growing maturity of quantum technologies. Notably, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as relay nodes has emerged as a promising method to overcome the inherent limitations of fiber-based and low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite connections. This paper introduces a protocol for measurement-device-independent QKD (MDI-QKD) using photon orbital angular momentum (OAM) encoding, with UAVs as relay platforms. Leveraging UAV mobility, the protocol establishes a secure and efficient link, mitigating threats from untrusted UAVs. Photon OAM encoding addresses reference frame alignment issues exacerbated by UAV jitter. A comprehensive analysis of atmospheric turbulence, state-dependent diffraction (SDD), weather visibility, and pointing errors on free-space OAM-state transmission systems was conducted. This analysis elucidates the relationship between the key generation rate and propagation distance for the proposed protocol. Results indicate that considering SDD significantly decreases the key rate, halving previous data results. Furthermore, the study identifies a maximum channel loss capacity of 26 dB for the UAV relay platform. This result is pivotal in setting realistic parameters for the deployment of UAV-based quantum communications and lays the foundation for practical implementation strategies in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, high-performance lead zirconate titanate (Pb( Zr 1 − x Tix)O3, PZT) ferroelectric ceramics have attracted intensive attention due to their wider operating temperature range, better temperature stability, as well as larger piezoelectric properties and higher energy conversion efficiency. In this study, the perovskite-type ferroelectric ceramics with a chemical formula of Pb 0. 9 9 − x Gd 0. 0 1 Srx Zr 0. 5 3 Ti 0. 4 7 O3 (x = 0 and 0.02, abbr. PGZT and PGSZT, respectively) were prepared by the traditional solid-state reaction route. The influences of Sr-doping on the phase structure, dielectric properties, ferroelectric properties and piezoelectric properties of the PGZT ceramics were comprehensively investigated. The field-dependent P–E hysteresis loops of PGSZT were measured in the frequency range of 0.05–10 Hz and temperature range of 20–100∘C. The results show that Sr-doping not only enhances the dielectric permittivity and piezoelectric coefficient of PGZT, but also decreases its dielectric loss tangent, with the d 3 3 value of 473 pC/N, ε r value of 1586 and tan δ value of 0.016 found in PGSZT. Also, PGSZT shows a high Curie temperature ( T C ) of 3 5 0 ∘ C. The underlying mechanisms of the property enhancement were identified as that the introduced Sr 2 + replaces the volatile Pb 2 + located at the A-site of the perovskite structure, thereby reducing the concentration of lead vacancies and promoting the grain growth of the ceramics, consequently enhancing the dielectric and piezoelectric properties of PGZT. On the other hand, the frequency change in the low-frequency range (< 1 Hz) played a significant impact on the remanent polarization ( P r ) and internal biased electric field ( E i ) of PGSZT, but the frequency dependence of coercive field ( E c ) tends to diminish in the high-frequency range (≥ 1 Hz). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renowned for their nutritional benefits, citrus fruits are harvested at various stages in China for functional food production. This study introduces an innovative analytical method, DART-MS, enabling direct qualitative analysis of citrus samples without the need for preprocessing. Simultaneously, the combination of chemometrics can be applied to distinguish between three different citrus samples: Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride, and Citri Reticulatae "Chachi". Notably, given the international regulatory concerns surrounding synephrine, a precise quantitative analysis method for synephrine was developed. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) were 39 ng mL−1 and 156 ng mL−1, respectively. The recovery rates obtained varied from 98.46% to 100.71%. Furthermore, the intra-day and inter-day precision demonstrated robust consistency, with values spanning 5.0–6.1% and 5.03–6.08%, respectively, offering quicker results compared to those from HPLC-MS, promising a safer assessment of herbal and food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Muscle fatigue represents the most prevalent symptom of long-term COVID, with elusive pathogenic mechanisms. We performed a longitudinal study to characterize histopathological and transcriptional changes in skeletal muscle in a hamster model of respiratory SARS-CoV-2 infection and compared them with influenza A virus (IAV) and mock infections. Histopathological and bulk RNA sequencing analyses of leg muscles derived from infected animals at days 3, 30, and 60 post-infection showed no direct viral invasion but myofiber atrophy in the SARS-CoV-2 group, which was accompanied by persistent downregulation of the genes related to myofibers, ribosomal proteins, fatty acid β-oxidation, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation complexes. While both SARS-CoV-2 and IAV infections induced acute and transient type I and II interferon responses in muscle, only the SARS-CoV-2 infection upregulated TNF-α/NF-κB but not IL-6 signaling in muscle. Treatment of C2C12 myotubes, a skeletal muscle cell line, with combined IFN-γ and TNF-α but not with IFN-γ or TNF-α alone markedly impaired mitochondrial function. We conclude that a respiratory SARS-CoV-2 infection can cause myofiber atrophy and persistent energy metabolism suppression without direct viral invasion. The effects may be induced by the combined systemic interferon and TNF-α responses at the acute phase and may contribute to post-COVID-19 persistent muscle fatigue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium metal, with ultrahigh theoretical specific capacity, is considered as an ideal anode material for the lithium‐ion batteries. However, its practical application is severely plagued by the uncontrolled formation of dendritic Li. Here, a cation‐loaded porous Mg2+‐Zeolite layer is proposed to enable the dendrite‐free deposition on the surface of Li metal anode. The skeleton channels of zeolite provide the low coordinated Li+‐solvation groups, leading to the faster desolvation process at the interface. Meanwhile, anions‐involved solvation sheath induces a stable, inorganic‐rich SEI, contributing to the uniform Li+ flux through the interface. Furthermore, the co‐deposition of sustained release Mg2+ realizes a new faster migration pathway, which proactively facilitates the uniform diffusion of Li on the lithium substrate. The synergistic modulation of these kinetic processes facilitates the homogeneous Li plating/stripping behavior. Based on this synergistic mechanism, the high‐efficiency deposition with cyclic longevity exceeding 2100 h is observed in the symmetric Li/Li cell with Mg2+‐Zeolite modified anode at 1 mA cm−2. The pouch cell matched with LiFePO4 cathode fulfills a capacity retention of 88.4% after 100 cycles at a severe current density of 1 C charge/discharge. This synergistic protective mechanism can give new guidance for realizing the safe and high‐performance Li metal batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer‐clay nanocomposites (PCNs) are commonly applied as multi‐functional structural materials with exceptional thermomechanical properties, while maintaining the characteristics of lightweight and optical clarity. In this study, building upon previously developed coarse‐grained (CG) models for nanoclay and poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), we employ molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to systematically investigate the thermomechanical properties of PCNs when arranged in stacked configurations. Incorporating stacked clay nanofillers into a polymer matrix, we systematically conduct shear and tensile simulations to investigate the influences of variations in weight percentage, system temperature, and nanoclay size on the thermomechanical properties of PCNs at a fundamental level. The weight percentage of nanoclay in nanocomposites proves to have a significant influence on both the shear and Young's modulus (e.g., the addition of 10 Wt% nanoclay leads to an increase of 32.6% in the Young's modulus), with each exhibiting greater mechanical strength in the in‐plane direction compared to the out‐of‐plane direction, and the disparity between these two directions further widens with an increase in the weight percentage of nanoclay. Furthermore, the increase in the size of nanoclay contributes to an overall modulus enhancement in the composite while the growth reaches a saturation point after a certain threshold of about 10 nm. Our simulation results indicate that the overall dynamics of PMMA are suppressed due to the strong interactions between nanoclay and PMMA, where the confinement effect on local segmental dynamics of PMMA decays from the nanoclay‐polymer interface to the polymer matrix. Our findings provide valuable molecular‐level insights into microstructural and dynamical features of PCNs under deformation, emphasizing the pivotal role of clay‐polymer interface in influencing the thermomechanical properties of the composite materials. Highlights: CG modeling is performed to explore the thermomechanical behavior of PCN.Effects of nanoclay weight percentage and size on modulus are studied.Interface leads to nanoconfinement effect on Tg and molecular stiffness.Correlations between molecular stiffness and modulus are identified.Simulations show spatial variation of dynamical heterogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Whilst sleep disturbances are associated with stroke, their association with stroke severity is less certain. In the INTERSTROKE study, the association of pre‐morbid sleep disturbance with stroke severity and functional outcome following stroke was evaluated. Methods: INTERSTROKE is an international case–control study of first acute stroke. This analysis included cases who completed a standardized questionnaire concerning nine symptoms of sleep disturbance (sleep onset latency, duration, quality, nocturnal awakening, napping duration, whether a nap was planned, snoring, snorting and breathing cessation) in the month prior to stroke (n = 2361). Two indices were derived representing sleep disturbance (range 0–9) and obstructive sleep apnoea (range 0–3) symptoms. Logistic regression was used to estimate the magnitude of association between symptoms and stroke severity defined by the modified Rankin Score. Results: The mean age of participants was 62.9 years, and 42% were female. On multivariable analysis, there was a graded association between increasing number of sleep disturbance symptoms and initially severe stroke (2–3, odds ratio [OR] 1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07–1.94; 4–5, OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.23–2.25; >5, OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.83–3.66). Having >5 sleep disturbance symptoms was associated with significantly increased odds of functional deterioration at 1 month (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.01–2.34). A higher obstructive sleep apnoea score was also associated with significantly increased odds of initially severe stroke (2–3, OR 1.48; 95% CI 1.20–1.83) but not functional deterioration at 1 month (OR 1.19, 95% CI 0.93–1.52). Conclusions: Sleep disturbance symptoms were common and associated with an increased odds of severe stroke and functional deterioration. Interventions to modify sleep disturbance may help prevent disabling stroke/improve functional outcomes and should be the subject of future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to good chemical stability, high catalytic activity and selectivity for target products as well as long service life, platinum alloy gauzes are irreplaceable catalysts for the synthesis of nitric acid, hydrocyanic acid and other chemicals via the ammonia oxidation process. In this paper, the preparation and processing of platinum alloy catalyst gauzes were briefly summarized from alloying to knitting. And then the mechanism of ammonia oxidation involved in the production of nitric acid and hydrocyanic acid was explored and the recent progress in the reaction-induced surface reconstruction was also introduced. Finally, the future development trends for the catalyst gauzes and ammonia oxidation method were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monolithic integration of bottom‐up nanowires into devices requires rational growth of aligned nanowires. Of the proposed aligned growth methods, few are sufficiently general to be applicable to diverse materials and substrates. In this work, oriented poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) grooves with nanoscale depth and width are transferred onto different substrates through a simple directional mechanical friction. This friction is achieved in a few seconds by a program‐driven handwriting machine. Various organic molecules (e.g., Alq3, NiPc, CoPc, CuPc, F16CuPc) are therefore assembled into oriented crystalline nanowires on the surface of Si, Si/SiO2, and glass. The self‐alignment of these nanowires enables a scalable device fabrication directly on growth substrates, eliminating structural damage and contamination during post‐growth alignment. For example, using the aligned F16CuPc nanowires on PTFE‐coated Si/SiO2 wafers, back‐gate field‐effect phototransistors are fabricated in a scalable manner by directly depositing an array of micro‐sized electrodes. Statistical results show that these phototransistors operate in n‐type enhancement mode with thresholds of a few volts. In addition, they exhibit fast photoresponse on the order of tens of milliseconds and long‐term stability in the vis–NIR spectrum. The generality of this guided nanowire growth and resulting monolithic devices offer new opportunities for the monolithic integration of nanowire‐based devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Realizing the common wealth of all people is the essential requirement of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Measuring the process of realizing common wealth and the differences between groups is one of the important issues that need to be addressed urgently. In order to reasonably measure the process of realizing common wealth in China, on the premise of horizontal comparability and vertical consistency, the principles of comparability and consistency are introduced, and a comparative method of opportunity advantage based on income distribution is proposed from the perspective of opportunity equity. Using the 2012–2020 CFPS data to measure and test the opportunity advantages and their differences across regions and groups in China. The study found, firstly, that the opportunity advantage persists but tends to diminish across groups, with the more educated group having a more pronounced opportunity advantage, but that this advantage is diminishing over time. Secondly, the doctoral degree group has a greater probability of earning higher incomes, followed by the master's and bachelor's degree groups, but this opportunity advantage, i.e., the probability of earning higher incomes, is diminishing, i.e., the education dividend is diminishing. Third, the difference in opportunity advantage between urban and rural areas still exists, as evidenced by the greater probability of higher incomes in towns than in rural areas, but this advantage has narrowed further over time, with a clear process of urban-rural integration. Fourthly, in terms of gender, men have a certain opportunity advantage over women, but this difference is not significant. Fifthly, in the context of education levels, gender and urban/rural subgroups, under the framework proposed in this paper, China has achieved some success in the process of realizing the common wealth, and is showing a steady upward trend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen‐containing corrosion inhibitors have a wide range of promising applications, and current conventional corrosion design and evaluation methods are largely based on empirical speculation and extensive exploratory experiments. Unfortunately, these efforts are often associated with high costs, long lead times, and a lot of "blind work." In this work, we have computationally screened the quantum chemical parameters of five nitrogen‐containing corrosion inhibitor molecules and their corrosion inhibition properties by a molecular simulation method based on density functional theory calculations. The ultimate relationship between the corrosion inhibition efficiency (IE) of an adsorbent and its quantum chemical parameters was analyzed using linear regression by comparing the various quantum mechanical parameters of each inhibitor molecule, as well as the fraction of electrons (ΔN) that are transferred to the metal surface from the chemisorbed inhibitor molecule. Five different nitrogen‐containing corrosion inhibitor molecules were screened based on structural similarity. Meanwhile, their corrosion inhibition performance was evaluated using the most relevant structure–activity equations. The results showed that the synergistic effect between the corrosion inhibition performance and the orbital energies of highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital was optimal under the HF/6‐31G(d) method, and the corresponding structure–activity relationship was established. Based on these results, a specific inhibitor molecule was found to have excellent corrosion inhibition performance with a predicted corrosion IE of up to 94.12 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skeletal muscle is the largest metabolic organ of the human body. Maintaining the best quality control and functional integrity of mitochondria is essential for the health of skeletal muscle. However, mitochondrial dysfunction characterized by mitochondrial dynamic imbalance and mitophagy disruption can lead to varying degrees of muscle atrophy, but the underlying mechanism of action is still unclear. Although mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy are two different mitochondrial quality control mechanisms, a large amount of evidence has indicated that they are interrelated and mutually regulated. The former maintains the balance of the mitochondrial network, eliminates damaged or aged mitochondria, and enables cells to survive normally. The latter degrades damaged or aged mitochondria through the lysosomal pathway, ensuring cellular functional health and metabolic homeostasis. Skeletal muscle atrophy is considered an urgent global health issue. Understanding and gaining knowledge about muscle atrophy caused by mitochondrial dysfunction, particularly focusing on mitochondrial dynamics and mitochondrial autophagy, can greatly contribute to the prevention and treatment of muscle atrophy. In this review, we critically summarize the recent research progress on mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy in skeletal muscle atrophy, and expound on the intrinsic molecular mechanism of skeletal muscle atrophy caused by mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy. Importantly, we emphasize the potential of targeting mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy as therapeutic strategies for the prevention and treatment of muscle atrophy, including pharmacological treatment and exercise therapy, and summarize effective methods for the treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we have performed extensive swarm-intelligence structures searching simulations on the RbBSi compounds within the pressure range from 0 to 100 GPa. We have proposed three different phases of RbBSi, of which the stability, the electronic structure and the potential superconductivity were calculated by first-principles calculations. All predicted phases are thermodynamically and dynamically stable within the studied pressure range. The bands of the three phases crossing the Fermi level indicate the structures are all metallic. In addition, P4/nmm-RbBSi is a superconductor with Tc of 14.4 K at ambient pressure. This work extends the understanding and potential application of alkali metal boron-silicide compounds in the field of superconductor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multi-vision defect sensing system, lining composed primarily of IRT and RGB cameras, allows for automatic identification and extraction of small surface ailments, greatly enhancing detection efficiency. However, the presence of various issues like train vibration, inconsistent lighting, fluctuations in temperature and humidity leads to the images showing inadequate uniformity in illumination, blurriness, and a decrease in the level of detail. The above issues have led to unsatisfactory fusion processing results for multiple visual images and increased missed detection rates. To address the above-mentioned issue, multi visual images fusion approach for subway tunnel defects based on saliency optimization of pixel level defect image features is proposed. The approach initially analyses the train's motion status and image blurring conditions. It then eliminates the dynamic blurring in the image. Secondly, Image weights are allocated based on the uniformity of visible light image illumination in the tunnel, as well as real-time temperature and humidity. Finally, image feature extraction and fusion are performed by a U-Net network that integrates channel attention mechanisms. The entire experiment was carried out on a dataset consisting of leakage data from the tunnel lining of Shanghai Metro and tunnel defect data from Beijing Metro. The experimental results demonstrate that this approach improves the image pixel value variation rate by 39.7%, enhances the edge quality by 23%, and outperforms similar approach in terms of average gradient, gradient quality, and sum of difference correlation with improvements of 15.9%, 7.3%, and 26.6% respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve the low temperature synthesis of cordierite, according to its theoretical ratio, porous cordierite ceramics were prepared using calcined kaolin (≤0.044 mm), sintered magnesia (≤0.074 mm) and silica micropowder (d50 =2.6 µm) as main raw materials, analytically pure zirconia and lanthana as sintering aids, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution as the binder, pressing to samples of Φ30 mm x30 mm at 60 MPa, drying and calcining. The effects of the extra additions of zirconia (0 and 8%, by mass) and lanthana (0, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6% and 0.8%, by mass) and calcination temperatures (1 200, 1 250 and 1 300 °C) on the cold physical properties, phase composition and microstructure of the porous cordierite ceramics were studied. The results show that: (1) the sample fired at 1 300 °C and introduced with 8% zirconia and 0.6% lanthana shows good physical properties; (2) the co-doping of zirconia and lanthana can improve the mechanical properties of the sample while maintaining the apparent porosity, and promote the formation of cordierite; (3) the co-doping of zirconia and lanthana can reduce the synthesis temperature of cordierite and improve the comprehensive performance of the sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low comprehensive compressibility coefficient characteristic of fracture-vuggy reservoirs often leads to imprecise dynamic reserve calculations. This study introduces a novel method for estimating dynamic reserves, which incorporates a modified comprehensive compressibility coefficient to enhance accuracy. This methodology has been applied to 23 wells in the Tahe Oilfield, resulting in error rates substantially lower than those associated with traditional techniques, thereby markedly enhancing the accuracy of dynamic reserve estimations. Specifically, for karst cave and fracture-vuggy reservoirs, the error rate in dynamic reserve calculations is reduced to under 10%, surpassing conventional methods by more than fivefold. In the case of fractured reservoirs, despite minor fluctuations in error rates due to stress sensitivity, diversion capacity, and channel variations, the proposed method still demonstrates a significant reduction in error rates compared to standard practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the critical issue of low-altitude wind shear, vital for aircraft safety during takeoff and landing. Using the WRF-CALMET model, we assess the impact of topography on low-level wind shear at Zhongchuan Airport. CALMET outperforms WRF, showing improved simulation accuracy. CALMET's simulation highlights diurnal variations in vertical wind shear, especially pronounced from 13:00 to 24:00. Notably, CALMET indicates 1–2 hazard levels higher wind shear for aircraft operations compared to WRF in a significant area. Terrain sensitivity experiments reveal CALMET's responsiveness to terrain changes during high wind shear periods, with reduced impact at higher altitudes. CALMET's incorporation of kinematic terrain influences, blocking effects, slope flow, and strengthened diversion of near-surface airflow on complex terrain contribute to these findings. This study confirms the efficacy of CALMET in simulating low-altitude wind shear, emphasizing its superiority in capturing terrain influences and reducing the aviation safety threat posed by low-altitude wind shear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Negative air ions (NAIs) are important in improving air quality and developing new materials and clinical medicine. NAI concentrations are higher in urban forests than in other areas, which is good for public health. The Hualou Scenic Area in Qingdao Laoshan National Forest Park was the study site in this paper. Ten plant communities' ecological health factors (NAI, temperature, relative humidity, light, wind speed, and particulate matter) were measured concurrently, and plant factors within them were investigated. The Origin, R, and SPSS software were all used to analyze the daily dynamic patterns of NAI concentrations, the relationship between NAI and other ecological health factors, and plant factors. Results showed that (1) during spring field monitoring, NAI levels in Hualou Scenic spot maintained a high level. The concentration of NAI in the air is the highest from 16:30 to 18:00. This may be due to the gradual reduction of light in the late afternoon, when the plant's hibernation is broken, leaf stomata open, and NAI levels in the environment peak; (2) influenced by species richness and compound environment, hillside mixed forests have higher levels of NAI and more environmental advantages than other forests; (3) Mantel test analysis of NAI with other ecological health factors revealed that changes of NAI were negatively correlated with wind speed (p<0.05), PM2.5, and PM10 (p<0.001), and positively correlated with temperature, relative humidity (p<0.001), and noise (p<0.05); (4) multiple factors influence the spatial distribution and dynamics of forest ecological health factors. The study chose 13 plant community variables as benchmarks for principal component analysis, and the results can be comprehensively interpreted by four principal components: plant biotypes, stand structure characteristics, geographic characteristics, and spatial characteristics. Correlation analysis showed that the richer the forest flora and the higher the level of community structure, the greater the influence on NAI (p<0.05). Green space management departments can enhance the functional spatial layout and optimal control of forest vegetation based on the influence of negative air ion concentration and spatial and temporal distribution characteristics to improve the ecological and recreational function gathering of urban forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The interface of Hsp70-Bim protein–protein interaction (PPI) has been identified as a specific target for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) therapy and the specific inhibitors were developed to exhibit in vivo anti-leukemia activities. Herein, we explored the binding mechanism of a Hsp70-Bim inhibitor, 6-(cyclohexylthio)-3-((2-morpholinoethyl) amino)-1-oxo-1H-phenalene-2-carbonitrile (S1g-6), to Hsp70 at the atomic level by MD simulation. TYR-149, THR-222, ALA-223, and GLY-224 on Hsp70 were identified as four key residues that contribute to Hsp70/S1g-6 complex. Moreover, the site mutation validation demonstrated the TYR-149 of Hsp70 is a "hot-spot" in the Hsp70-Bim PPI interface. These results could benefit the design of further inhibitors to occupy the Bim binding site on the Hsp70 surface. Methods: The binding mechanism of S1g-6 and Hsp70 was predicted through the molecular dynamics (MD) method by Gromacs-2021.3. The MD simulation was performed with 100-ps NVT and 100-ps NPT ensemble, and the force field was chosen as the Charmm36 force field. The temperature was set as 300 K, the time step was 2 fs and the total MD simulation time was 500 ns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The real-time and accurate monitoring of severe weather is the key to reducing traffic accidents on highways. Currently, rainy day monitoring based on video images focuses on removing the impact of rain. This article aims to build a monitoring model for rainy days and rainfall intensity to achieve precise monitoring of rainy days on highways. This paper introduces an algorithm that combines the frequency domain and spatial domain, thresholding, and morphology. It incorporates high-pass filtering, full-domain value segmentation, the OTSU method (the maximum inter-class difference method), mask processing, and morphological opening for denoising. The algorithm is designed to build the rain coefficient model Prain coefficient and determine the intensity of rainfall based on the value of Prain coefficient. To validate the model, data from sunny, cloudy, and rainy days in different sections and time periods of the Jinan Bypass G2001 line were used. The aim is to raise awareness about driving safety on highways. The main findings are: the rain coefficient model Prain coefficient can accurately identify cloudy and rainy days and assess the intensity of rainfall. This method is not only suitable for highways but also for ordinary road sections. The model's accuracy has been verified, and the algorithm in this study has the highest accuracy. This research is crucial for road traffic safety, particularly during bad weather such as rain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The simultaneous control of the orientation and position of organic semiconductor nanowires remains a major challenge when integrating them into monolithic devices. In this study, tris(8‐hydroxyquinoline)aluminum(III) (Alq3) molecules are self‐assembled into single‐crystalline nanowires with consistent orientation and predictable positions by selective‐area graphoepitaxial growth. The nanowire orientation is determined by parallel nanogrooves on a periodically modified faceted sapphire surface, and the position is simultaneously defined using a shadow mask. Computational fluid dynamics simulations showed that the mass flow field over the sapphire surface is tailored by the mask, resulting in preferential nanowire nucleation around the hole centers and leaving sufficient free space for the subsequent growth. Accordingly, the number, length, and density of the nanowires can be controlled by adjusting the mask layout. The good alignment and predictable positions of these nanowires facilitated their subsequent device integration, eliminating laborious assembly steps and potential damage after nanowire growth. Measurements from an in situ integrated two‐terminal device based on the Alq3 nanowires revealed that the nanowires exhibit a remarkable negative differential resistance and fast photoresponse in the UV region. Overall, selective‐area graphoepitaxial growth provides a versatile protocol for fabricating site‐ and orientation‐controlled organic semiconductor nanowires for the monolithic fabrication of nanowire‐based devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Little is known about whether early menopause in Chinese ethnicity is associated with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We aimed to determine whether self-reported early menopause (either surgical or natural menopause at an age <50 year) was associated with first AMI in Chinese women. Methods: The study population was from the INTERHEART China Study, part of the INTERHEART global study. INTERHEART global study was a standardized case–control study that was designed to evaluate the risk factors for first AMI among 52 countries. Data for demographic factors, education, income, and cardiovascular risk factors were obtained by structured questionnaires. A standard set of questions that inquired about menstrual history was included in the interview. Results: Of the 1,771 Chinese women, 1,563 (88.3%) reported either natural or surgical menopause. In univariate logistic regression model, women with early menopause had higher risk of AMI (odds ratio [OR]: 1.51; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23–1.87). After controlling for age, birth control measures, type of menopause, and other traditional risk factors (including waist/hip ratio, lifestyle factors, history of hypertension and diabetes, psychosocial factors, and apolipoprotein B [ApoB]/A1 [ApoA1]), the risk for AMI remained (OR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.03–1.79). The population attributable risk for AMI in women with early menopause at <50 years was 10.1% (95% CI: 4.0–20.0) compared with women who had menopause at ≥50 years. Conclusion: Early menopause is associated with increased risk of AMI in Chinese women, independent of other traditional coronary heart disease risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]