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The production of ammonia (NH3) from nitrogen sources involves competitive adsorption of different intermediates and multiple electron and proton transfers, presenting grand challenges in catalyst design. In nature nitrogenases reduce dinitrogen to NH3 using two component proteins, in which electrons and protons are delivered from Fe protein to the active site in MoFe protein for transfer to the bound N2. We draw inspiration from this structural enzymology, and design a two‐component metal–sulfur–carbon (M−S−C) catalyst composed of sulfur‐doped carbon‐supported ruthenium (Ru) single atoms (SAs) and nanoparticles (NPs) for the electrochemical reduction of nitrate (NO3−) to NH3. The catalyst demonstrates a remarkable NH3 yield rate of ~37 mg L−1 h−1 and a Faradaic efficiency of ~97 % for over 200 hours, outperforming those consisting solely of SAs or NPs, and even surpassing most reported electrocatalysts. Our experimental and theoretical investigations reveal the critical role of Ru SAs with the coordination of S in promoting the formation of the HONO intermediate and the subsequent reduction reaction over the NP‐surface nearby. Such process results in a more energetically accessible pathway for NO3− reduction on Ru NPs co‐existing with SAs. This study proves a better understanding of how M−S−Cs act as a synthetic nitrogenase mimic during ammonia synthesis, and contributes to the future mechanism‐based catalyst design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of ammonia (NH3) from nitrogen sources involves competitive adsorption of different intermediates and multiple electron and proton transfers, presenting grand challenges in catalyst design. In nature nitrogenases reduce dinitrogen to NH3 using two component proteins, in which electrons and protons are delivered from Fe protein to the active site in MoFe protein for transfer to the bound N2. We draw inspiration from this structural enzymology, and design a two‐component metal–sulfur–carbon (M−S−C) catalyst composed of sulfur‐doped carbon‐supported ruthenium (Ru) single atoms (SAs) and nanoparticles (NPs) for the electrochemical reduction of nitrate (NO3−) to NH3. The catalyst demonstrates a remarkable NH3 yield rate of ~37 mg L−1 h−1 and a Faradaic efficiency of ~97 % for over 200 hours, outperforming those consisting solely of SAs or NPs, and even surpassing most reported electrocatalysts. Our experimental and theoretical investigations reveal the critical role of Ru SAs with the coordination of S in promoting the formation of the HONO intermediate and the subsequent reduction reaction over the NP‐surface nearby. Such process results in a more energetically accessible pathway for NO3− reduction on Ru NPs co‐existing with SAs. This study proves a better understanding of how M−S−Cs act as a synthetic nitrogenase mimic during ammonia synthesis, and contributes to the future mechanism‐based catalyst design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The importance of the agri-food supply chain in both food production and distribution has made the issue of its development a critical concern. Based on configuration theory and congruence theory, this research investigates the complex impact of supply chain concentration on financial growth in agri-food supply chains. Design/methodology/approach: The cluster analysis and response surface methodology are employed to analyse the data collected from 207 Chinese agri-food companies from 2010 to 2022. Findings: The results indicate that different combination patterns of supply chain concentration can lead to different levels of financial growth. We discover that congruent supplier and customer concentration is beneficial for companies' financial growth. This impact is more pronounced when the company is in the agricultural production stage of agri-food supply chains. Post-hoc analysis indicates that there exists an inverted U-shaped relationship between the overall levels of supply chain concentration and financial growth. Practical implications: Our research uncovers the complex interplay between supply chain base and financial outcomes, thereby revealing significant ramifications for agri-food supply chain managers to optimise their strategies for exceptional financial growth. Originality/value: This study proposes a combined approach of cluster analysis and response surface analysis for analysing configuration issues in supply chain management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cross‐dehydrogenative couplings (CDC) present an efficient strategy for the assembly of biorelevant heterocycles, but are thus far largely limited to toxic transition metals and rather harsh reaction conditions. In sharp contrast, we, herein report on a mild photoelectrocatalyzed CDC‐[4+2] annulation enabling the synthesis of functionalized isothiochromenes enabled by a proton‐coupled electron transfer (PCET) strategy. The transformative photoelectrocatalysis obviated toxic transition‐metal, high reaction temperatures, and stoichiometric chemical redox reagents. This approach was characterized by exceedingly mild conditions, ample substrate scope, and a commercially available catalyst. Gram‐scale reactions and a telescoped synthesis route reflected the unique potential in the green synthesis of important S‐heterocycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper mainly discusses the dynamics of poroelastic media using the finite element analysis based on the u‐v‐p full formulation, where u${{\bm u}}$, v${{\bm v}}$, and p denote the solid displacement, relative fluid velocity with respect to solid velocity, and pore fluid pressure. It incorporates the effect of relative fluid acceleration with respect to solid acceleration on soil dynamic response. The u${ {\bm u}}$‐v${ {\bm v}}$‐p formulation is first verified through the comparison with the analytical solution. After that, the response of one‐dimensional saturated soil column and two‐dimensional partially saturated soil layer subjected to vertical loading with different combinations of soil permeability and loading frequency are investigated using the analyses with the u${ {\bm u}}$‐v${ {\bm v}}$‐p and u${ {\bm u}}$‐p formulations, based on which the effect of relative pore fluid motion is discussed and the differences in the soil response between two kinds of analysis approaches are examined. Results reveal that the rapid fluid flow has a pronounced effect on soil dynamics and the soil with a greater degree of saturation is more sensitive to the increase of loading frequency and soil permeability. The soil dynamic response can basically be divided into two main categories that represent insignificant and significant flow motion depending on loading frequency and soil permeability. Furthermore, despite vertical loading, horizontal soil response can also be affected by the large relative pore fluid flow when loading frequency and soil permeability are large. In addition, the simplified formulation can still be applicable to predict dynamics of poroelastic media in cases with high loading frequency and low soil permeability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a lack of in-depth research on the impacts and changes in chronic psychological stress (CPS) on the cardiovascular system after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study aims to explore the comorbid mechanism and dynamic evolution of AMI exposed to CPS. 120 Wistar rats were randomly divided into Sham Operation group, Sham Operation + Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress (CUMS) group, AMI group and AMI + CUMS group, with each group further divided into subgroups at days 7, 14, and 28. The AMI model was created by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery, and CUMS model was used to induce CPS in rats. Behavioral changes were assessed through open field tests and sucrose preference tests. Cardiac function and structure were evaluated via echocardiography. The serum levels of TNFα, IL-6, NO, ET, CK-MB, cTNT, and ANP were measured using assay kits. Pathological changes in cardiac and brain tissues were observed under an optical microscope. Comparative analysis across different models revealed that CUMS significantly reduced behavioral activities in rats, with an interaction between CUMS and AMI affecting total distance (P < 0.05). Both CUMS and AMI significantly reduced cardiac function indicators, with their interaction effects on LVEF, LVFS, and CO (P < 0.05). AMI significantly altered cardiac structural parameters, particularly on day 28 (P < 0.05); while the impact of CUMS on cardiac structure was not significant, except for a notable reduction in LVAW/s on day 7 in AMI + CUMS group (P < 0.05). AMI caused significant changes in the serum biomarkers, while CUMS only significantly increased cTnT on day 7, ANP, TNFα, and IL-6 on day 14, and CK-MB on day 28, with their interaction effects on the three myocardial injury markers and TNFα (P < 0.05). Comparative analysis across different time points demonstrated that behavioral activity, cardiac function, CK-MB, cTnT, ANP, TNFα, and ET levels decreased significantly over time in the AMI model rats, while the left ventricular mass increased significantly (P < 0.05). Pathologically, compared with stress or AMI alone, the AMI + CUMS group exhibited more severe myocardia cellular degeneration and inflammatory infiltration, causing larger infract areas in myocardial tissue, as well as cell number decreases and morphological changes in hippocampal tissue. AMI with CPS exacerbates myocardial injury through sustained inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, leading to heart-brain pathology manifestations characterized by decreased cardiac function and hippocampal tissue damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Approximately 25–30% of patients suffer from breast deformity and/or asymmetry after conventional breast-conserving surgery (CBCS). Generally, it is thought that oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery (OBCS) results in an improved cosmetic result; however, studies comparing the prognosis and aesthetic outcomes of CBCS and OBCS in early breast cancer (EBC) are inadequate. Methods: A total of 143 patients were included in this retrospective cohort study; 53 underwent OBCS and 90 underwent CBCS. The resected weight, complications, esthetic results, patient satisfaction, and recurrence rate were compared between the groups. Patient-reported outcomes (PRO) were assessed by the BREAST-Q questionnaire. Results: The mean age of the patients in OBCS group was 43.8 years. This was younger than that in CBCS group (49.1 years, p < 0.001). Postoperative complications (11.3% vs. 8.9%, p = 0.64) and re-excision (5.7% vs. 6.7%, p > 0.99) rates were similar. The OBCS group had higher breast satisfaction and psychosocial well-being than the CBCS group (75 vs. 63, p < 0.001 and 84 vs. 77, p = 0.05); however, sexual well-being (56 vs. 66, p = 0.05) and physical well-being (65 vs. 76, p < 0.001) were worse in OBCS. After 42.3 (range: 12.6–69.2)-month median follow-up, no difference in event-free survival (EFS) was demonstrated between the groups (p = 0.13). Conclusion: Although OBCS has the better aesthetic outcomes and identical oncological safety in comparison with CBCS, the sexual and physical well-being in OBCS are not improved for Asian patients. Hence, choosing an appropriate procedure may be more important for the typically small to moderate-sized breasts characteristic of Asian females unlike Westerners. Level of Evidence IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate electrical load forecasting is crucial for the stable operation of power systems. However, existing forecasting models face limitations when handling multidimensional features and feature interactions. Additionally, traditional metaheuristic algorithms tend to become trapped in local optima during the optimization process, negatively impacting model performance and prediction accuracy. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a short-term electrical load forecasting method based on a parallel Temporal Convolutional Network–Gated Recurrent Unit (PTCN-GRU) model, optimized by an improved Dung Beetle Optimization algorithm (IDBO). This method employs a parallel TCN structure, using TCNs with different kernel sizes to extract and integrate multi-scale temporal features, thereby overcoming the limitations of traditional TCNs in processing multidimensional input data. Furthermore, this paper enhances the optimization performance and global search capability of the traditional Dung Beetle Optimization algorithm through several key improvements. Firstly, Latin hypercube sampling is introduced to increase the diversity of the initial population. Next, the Golden Sine Algorithm is integrated to refine the search behavior. Finally, a Cauchy–Gaussian mutation strategy is incorporated in the later stages of iteration to further strengthen the global search capability. Extensive experimental results demonstrate that the proposed IDBO-PTCN-GRU model significantly outperforms comparison models across all evaluation metrics. Specifically, the mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and root mean square error (RMSE) were reduced by 15.01%, 14.44%, and 14.42%, respectively, while the coefficient of determination (R2) increased by 2.13%. This research provides a novel approach to enhancing the accuracy of electrical load forecasting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Postoperative recurrence is a vital reason for poor 5-year overall survival in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. The ADV score is considered a parameter that can quantify HCC aggressiveness. This study aimed to identify HCC patients at high-risk of recurrence early using the ADV score. Methods: The medical data of consecutive HCC patients undergoing hepatectomy from The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (TFAHNJMU) and Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital (NJDTH) were retrospectively reviewed. Based on the status of microvascular invasion and the Edmondson-Steiner grade, HCC patients were divided into three groups: low-risk group (group 1: no risk factor exists), medium-risk group (group 2: one risk factor exists), and high-risk group (group 3: coexistence of two risk factors). In the training cohort (TFAHNJMU), the R package nnet was used to establish a multi-categorical unordered logistic regression model based on the ADV score to predict three risk groups. The Welch's T-test was used to compare differences in clinical variables in three predicted risk groups. NJDTH served as an external validation center. At last, the confusion matrix was developed using the R package caret to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the model. Results: 350 and 405 patients from TFAHNJMU and NJDTH were included. HCC patients in different risk groups had significantly different liver function and inflammation levels. Density maps demonstrated that the ADV score could best differentiate between the three risk groups. The probability curve was plotted according to the predicted results of the multi-categorical unordered logistic regression model, and the best cut-off values of the ADV score were as follows: low-risk ≤ 3.4 log, 3.4 log < medium-risk ≤ 5.7 log, and high-risk > 5.7 log. The sensitivities of the ADV score predicting the high-risk group (group 3) were 70.2% (99/141) and 78.8% (63/80) in the training and external validation cohort, respectively. Conclusion: The ADV score might become a valuable marker for screening patients at high-risk of HCC recurrence with a cut-off value of 5.7 log, which might help surgeons, pathologists, and HCC patients make appropriate clinical decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pectobacterium carotovorum and Pectobacterium aroidearum represent the primary pathogens causing variable soft rot disease. However, the fundamental defense responses of Pinellia ternata to pathogens remain unclear. Our investigation demonstrated that the disease produced by P. carotovorum is more serious than P. aroidearum. RNA-seq analysis indicated that many cell wall-related genes, receptor-like kinase genes, and resistance-related genes were induced by P. aroidearum and P. carotovorum similarly. But many different regulatory pathways exert a crucial function in plant immunity against P. aroidearum and P. carotovorum, including hormone signaling, whereas more auxin-responsive genes were responsive to P. carotovorum, while more ethylene and gibberellin-responsive genes were responsive to P. aroidearum. 12 GDSL esterase/lipase genes and 3 fasciclin-like arabinogalactan protein genes were specifically upregulated by P. carotovorum, whereas 11 receptor-like kinase genes and 8 disease resistance genes were up-regulated only by P. aroidearum. Among them, a lectin gene (part1transcript/39001) was induced by P. carotovorum and P. aroidearum simultaneously. Transient expression in N. benthamiana demonstrated that the lectin gene improves plant resistance to P. carotovorum. This study offers a comprehensive perspective on P. ternata immunity produced by different soft rot pathogens and reveals the importance of lectin in anti-soft rot of P. ternata for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional near-field synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging algorithms reveal target features by exploiting signal amplitude and phase information. However, electromagnetic wave propagation is constrained by short distance. Therefore, the spherical wave approximation needs to be considered. In addition, it is also limited by equipment ambient noise, azimuth-distance coupling, wave scattering, and transmission power. Both the amplitude and phase of the signal suffer from the interference of multiple clutter, so they cannot be effectively utilized. To address these issues, this paper introduces a covering penetration detection system based on an improved Range Migration Algorithm (IMRMA) imaging method. Firstly, the proposed method minimizes interferences from the front end of the system using an optimized window to balance denoising and information preservation. Next, interval non-uniform interpolation, instead of Stolt interpolation decoupling, is employed to reduce the computational overhead significantly. To minimize the effects due to wave scattering and propagation loss, distance information is enhanced using amplitude and phase compensation. This reduces scattering effects and enhances image quality. An experimental system is constructed based on a vector network analyzer (VNA) to image the target. The proposed method takes about half the time of traditional RMA. The PSNR in the chunky bowl experiment is higher than 14 dB, which is higher than all the compared methods in the paper. The test results show that the designed system and the reported method can effectively achieve high-resolution images by strengthening the target intensity and suppressing the environmental artifacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lightweight artificial muscles with large strain and large stress output have great application prospects in robotics, rehabilitation, prosthetic, and exoskeletons. Despite the excellent performance of carbon nanotube‐based artificial muscles in recent years, their widespread use is hindered by the high manufacturing costs associated with carbon nanotubes. In this paper, the study introduces a novel approach by developing artificial muscles based on pure conductive polymer coiled yarns. This achievement is facilitated by the successful fabrication of high‐strength conductive polymer microfibers. Furthermore, the study elucidates the molecular structural changes occurring during electrochemical processes that induce a substantial radial volume expansion in the microfibers. The resultant anisotropic volume change is magnified by the coiled yarn, yielding a remarkable contractile strain exceeding 11% at a high stress of 5 MPa, equivalent to lifting loads more than 4000 times their own masses, all achieved with a low input voltage of 1 V. Additionally, these conductive polymer‐based artificial muscles exhibit hydration‐induced contraction up to 33%, with swift recovery through electrical heating, leveraging their intrinsic high conductivity. This breakthrough positions high‐performance conductive polymer microfibers as a promising cost‐effective alternative to carbon nanotubes, establishing them at the forefront of lightweight artificial muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Fish passage facilities are crucial for restoring river connectivity and protecting ecosystems. This study quantitatively assessed the upstream migration of fish under various environmental conditions. In the Heishuihe River downstream of the Songxin Dam, 19 fish species were monitored, with 15 species reaching the fishway entrance and 12 successfully passing through. The entrance attraction and passage rates of the vertical-slot fishway at Songxin were 15.7% and 40.42%, respectively. The results indicate that May is the optimal period for fish migration, with better performance observed during nighttime than daytime. Optimal entrance attraction occurred at a flow rate of 6–7 m3/s and a temperature of 19–20 °C, while the best passage efficiency was achieved at a flow rate of 0–0.5 m3/s and a temperature of 17–20 °C. A multifactorial Cox regression model identified diurnal rhythms, release location, temperature, and flow rate as primary hindering factors, while body length and water level were found to be promoting factors. A nomogram was developed to predict the success rates of fishway attraction and passage based on these key factors. This study provides theoretical and data support for optimizing fishway operations and offers scientific insights into ecological restoration. Fish passage facilities are essential for restoring river connectivity and protecting ecosystems, effectively balancing economic and ecological benefits. Systematic and comprehensive monitoring, assessment, and optimized management are therefore crucial. This study quantitatively evaluated the entire upstream migration process of fish from the downstream river to the entrance and exit of the fishway and investigated the upstream movement patterns of fish under various environmental factors. A total of 19 fish species were monitored in the Heishuihe River downstream of the dam, with 15 species reaching the fishway entrance and 12 species successfully passing through it. The entrance attraction and passage rates of the vertical-slot fishway at the Songxin hydropower station were 15.7% and 40.42%, respectively. The best upstream performance was observed in May, with fish demonstrating better upstream timing and speed during nighttime compared to daytime. Specifically, the highest entrance attraction efficiency was recorded at a flow rate of 6–7 m3/s and a temperature of 19–20 °C, while the optimal passage efficiency was observed at a flow rate of 0–0.5 m3/s and a temperature of 17–20 °C. Additionally, a multifactorial Cox proportional hazards regression model was constructed to identify key factors influencing the probability of fishway entrance attraction and successful passage. The model elucidated the impact patterns of these key factors on fish upstream migration, ultimately generating an alignment diagram for prediction and control. This study provides a theoretical foundation and data support for developing optimized operational schedules for fishways. The findings offer a more comprehensive and systematic approach for monitoring and evaluating fish passage facilities, serving as a scientific basis for ecological restoration and fish conservation in this region and similar areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the development and progression of cervical cancer, oxidative stress plays an important role within the cells. Among them, Solute Carrier Family 7 Member 11 (SLC7A11/xCT) is crucial for maintaining the synthesis of glutathione and the antioxidant system in cervical cancer cells. In various tumor cells, studies have shown that SLC7A11 inhibits ferroptosis, a form of cell death, by mediating cystine uptake and maintaining glutathione synthesis. Additionally, SLC7A11 is also involved in promoting tumor metastasis and immune evasion. Therefore, inhibiting the SLC7A11/xCT axis has become a potential therapeutic strategy for cervical cancer. In this study, through structure-based high-throughput virtual screening, a compound targeting the SLC7A11/xCT axis named compound 1 (PubChem CID: 3492258) was discovered. In vitro experiments using HeLa cervical cancer cells as the experimental cell model showed that compound 1 could reduce intracellular glutathione levels, increase glutamate and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, disrupt the oxidative balance within HeLa cells, and induce cell death. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulation results showed that compound 1 has a stronger binding affinity with SLC7A11 compared to the positive control erastin. Overall, all the results mentioned above indicate the potential of compound 1 in targeting the SLC7A11/xCT axis and treating cervical cancer both in vitro and in silico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a two-parameter inversion problem is analyzed, related to surface crack widths for measuring depths of normal surface notches, based on a laser-based ultrasonic measurement method in the time domain. In determining the depth measurement formulas, the main technique is the time delay between reflected and scattered waves. Scattered waves are generated by two reflections along the bottom and three mode transformations at the surface of the crack tips. Moreover, the scattering angle of the mode-conversion waves is 30°. These two key factors lead to corrected item "2wβ" in the depth measurement formula. A laser-based ultrasonic experimental platform is built to generate and receive surface waves in a non-contact manner on aluminum and steel specimens with surface cracks. The depth measurement method proposed in this paper has been validated through theoretical, simulation, and experimental methods. Finally, in this paper, an effective approach for quantitatively measuring crack depths, based on laser ultrasound, using the time-domain properties of surface wave propagation is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Despite the available secondary preventive treatments, the management of stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) remains challenging. Intermediate coronary lesion (ICL), defined as luminal stenosis between 50% and 70%, is a key stage of SCAD. However, existing therapeutic strategies are limitated in delaying plaque progression and associated with various adverse effects and economic burdens. Qing-Xin-Jie-Yu Granules (QXJYG) with proven anti-platelet, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering effects may compensate for the drawbacks of current treatments and can be tested as a complementary therapy. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of QXJYG in treating ICL, with a particular focus on its impact on myocardial ischemia and plaque progression. Materials and methods: This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. A total of 120 participants with ICL will be randomly assigned to two groups in a 1:1 ratio. In addition to basic medications, the intervention group will receive QXJYG, while the control group will receive a placebo for over 6 months, followed by a 12-month follow-up. The primary efficacy outcome is computed tomography-derived fractional flow reserve. The secondary outcomes include the degree of coronary stenosis, coronary artery calcification score, Gensini score, Seattle Angina Questionnaire score, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, matrix metalloproteinase-9, blood lipids, and carotid artery ultrasound parameters. Major adverse cardiovascular events are recorded as endpoints. The safety outcomes include composite events of bleeding, laboratory test results, and adverse events. Clinical visits are scheduled at baseline, every 2 months during the treatment, and after a 12-month follow-up. Discussion: This trial is anticipated to yield reliable results to verify the efficacy and safety of QXJYG in the treatment of ICL, which will provide novel insights to help address the prevailing therapeutic dilemma of ICL, thereby facilitating for the management of SCAD. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2200059262. Registered on April 27, 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The single-phase photovoltaic energy storage inverter represents a pivotal component within photovoltaic energy storage systems. Its operational dynamics are often intricate due to its inherent characteristics and the prevalent usage of nonlinear switching elements, leading to nonlinear characteristic bifurcation such as bifurcation and chaos. In this paper, a deep investigation of a single-phase H-bridge photovoltaic energy storage inverter under proportional–integral (PI) control is made, and a sinusoidal delayed feedback control (SDFC) strategy to mitigate the nonlinear characteristics is proposed. A frequency domain mapping model of the system is established, then, by analyzing the Jacobian matrix and equilibrium points, the bifurcation diagram is formed, and finally, the stable operational domains are determined under double and triple bifurcation parameters. Through simulation experiments, the efficacy of this strategy is validated. The findings show that through the control strategy, the stable operational envelope of the inverter can be greatly expanded and the nonlinear dynamic phenomena can be notably suppressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pick-up and transfer of easily deformable multi-layer fabrics is a challenge in the automation process of the textile industry. A transfer manipulator using interfacial adhesion forces has potential applications in the pick-up and transfer of fabrics. However, rapid adhesion and detachment cannot be achieved because of the small variability of adhesion and detachment forces between the fabric and the adhering material, which results in difficulty of picking and placing of fabric. To address this problem, in this study, an innovative pressure and strip manipulator structure is designed, utilizing the fabric gesture presented during the fabric peeling process to adjust the peel angle, and thereafter affect the adhesion force. The factors affecting the adhesion force, such as peeling speed, duration, and preload are analyzed, and a control method to regulate the adhesion force by peeling speed and the gap between the adhesion element and positioning block is proposed. Based on the interface adhesion force, the transfer manipulator can realize low-cost, high-stability, and high-efficiency fabric picking, which has good prospects for application in fabric production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flow characteristics of blasthole stemming slurry (BSS), predominantly comprising yellow mud (YM), tail mud (TM), or drilling cuttings (DC), were systematically investigated. Various influencing factors, including slurry mass concentration, the addition of TM or DC, and the mass ratio of TM to YM (TM/YM) and DC to YM (DC/YM), were meticulously examined. Experiments were conducted to assess the fluidity, rheological properties, and bleeding rate of BSS samples, which were prepared by manipulating slurry mass concentration and the proportions of TM or DC. The results indicate that the rheological properties of BSS are suitably described by the Herschel-Bulkley model. A critical mass concentration was identified, beyond which the flowability of BSS rapidly deteriorates. Replacing YM with an equivalent amount of TM at a mass concentration of 59% increased the yield stress by 167.30%, while reducing the bleeding rate to 0 within the 53%-59% mass concentration range. Conversely, replacing YM with DC at a mass concentration of 62% reduced the yield stress by 63.96%, while increasing the 60-minute bleeding rate from 0% to 1.44%. Increasing the TM/YM ratio resulted in reduced fluidity, elevated yield stress, and a variable degree of shear thickening. The degree of shear thickening was highest when the TM/YM ratio was 1, with significant impacts on differential viscosity at higher shear rates. On the other hand, increasing the DC/YM ratio enhanced fluidity, decreased yield stress, and influenced the degree of shear thickening and differential viscosity, with the highest shear thickening and lowest differential viscosity observed at a DC/YM ratio of 3. The bleeding rate of BSS consistently rose with the increase in the DC/YM ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanical vibration in the high-temperature forging production line often causes large forging thermal dimensional measurement error in the detection task, so a vibration point cloud compensation method based on an acceleration sensor is proposed in this study. First, the vibration signal is obtained through the built-in acceleration sensor in the laser camera. After the acceleration of the camera vibration is detected, the displacement of the camera in three directions is solved by secondary integration. Subsequently, the coordinate value of the corresponding point is obtained by the rotation matrix transformation so as to compensate and correct the point cloud deviation caused by the camera vibration. Finally, the forging point cloud is matched using the surface matching algorithm in Halcon. An automatic forging production line for wheel hubs has been built, and the key dimensions of high-temperature forging products have been measured online using the developed method. After the forging point cloud is compensated, the average measurement error of dimensions is reduced from ±0.9 mm to ±0.1 mm, and the standard deviation is reduced from 0.52 mm to 0.056 mm. Using the vibration point cloud compensation method based on the acceleration sensor, as well as using silica aerogel insulation, vibration structural parts, heat insulation and constant temperature, a blue-violet 3D laser camera, and other measures, the dimensional detection accuracy of high-temperature forgings in the forging production line can be improved, and the instability of dimensional detection can be reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The narrow-width steel box girder is an important type of steel–concrete composite bridge structure, which is usually composed of reinforced concrete wing plates, narrow steel boxes partially injected with concrete, and shear connectors that promote shear force transfer. The utilization of narrow-width steel box girders, augmented by partially filled concrete, embodies the synthesis of steel and concrete elements, fostering structural efficiency. Moreover, its attributes, including reduced structural weight, diminished vertical profile, enhanced load-bearing capacity, and augmented stiffness, have prompted its gradual integration into bridge engineering applications. In this study, the calculated values of shear strength under three current design codes were reviewed, and the shear failure phenomena and its determinants of narrow-width steel box–ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) composite beams under negative bending moment conditions were investigated, which were mainly determined by shear span ratio, concrete wing plate, UHPC steel fiber content, UHPC plate thickness, and transverse partition inside the box. Concurrently, this paper evaluates two innovative structural designs, including a double-narrow steel box girder and a three-narrow steel box girder. In addition, strategies to reduce crack formation under the negative bending moment of long-span continuous narrow and wide box girder abutments are discussed, and we show that this measure can effectively control the formation of cracks to support the negative bending moment zone. At the same time, the scope of the application of a narrow-width steel box girder composite bridge is reviewed, and the conclusion is that a narrow-width steel box girder is mainly used in small-radius flat-curved bridges or widened-ramp bridges with a span of 30 m or more in interworking areas and in the main line with a 60–100 m span in mountainous or urban areas. Finally, the research direction of the shear resistance of the UHPC–narrow steel box girder under negative bending moments is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a study conducted in China that explores the treatment satisfaction of individuals with type 2 diabetes who were treated with dulaglutide, a medication used to lower blood sugar levels. The study found that participants reported high levels of satisfaction with dulaglutide, indicating that it may be a beneficial treatment option for individuals with type 2 diabetes in the Chinese population. Factors such as longer treatment duration, lower HbA1c levels, weight loss, absence of adverse events, and the convenience and ease of use of the medication were associated with higher treatment satisfaction. The study suggests that high treatment satisfaction may lead to improved adherence and better clinical outcomes for individuals with type 2 diabetes. [Extracted from the article]

Soil moisture strongly interferes with the spectra of soil organic matter (SOM) in the near-infrared region, which reduces the correlation between organic matter and spectra and decreases accuracy in the prediction of SOM. In this study, we explored the feasibility of two types of spectral indices, two- and three-band mixed (SI) and three-band spectral indices (SI3), and two water removal algorithms, direct standardization (DS) and external parameter orthogonalization (EPO), to estimate SOM in wet soils using a total of 192 soil samples at six water content gradients. The estimation accuracies of spectral indices combined with water removal algorithms were better than those of full spectral data combined with water removal algorithms: the prediction accuracies of SI-EPO (R2 = 0.735, RMSEp = 3.4102 g/kg) were higher than those of EPO (R2 = 0.63, RMSEp = 4.1021 g/kg), and those of SI-DS (R2 = 0.70, RMSEp = 3.7085 g/kg) were higher than those of DS (R2 = 0.61, RMSEp = 4.2806 g/kg); SI3-EPO (R2 = 0.752, RMSEp = 3.1344 g/kg) was better than SI-EPO; both EPO and DS effectively mitigated the influence of soil moisture, with EPO demonstrating superior performance in small-sample prediction scenarios. This study introduces a novel approach to counteract the impact of soil moisture on SOM estimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the lack of studies on the transient vibro-acoustic properties of conical shell structures, a Jacobi–Ritz boundary element method for forced vibro-acoustic behaviors of structure is proposed based on the Newmark-β integral method and the Kirchhoff time domain boundary integral equation. Based on the idea of the differential element method and the first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT), the vibro-acoustic model of conical shells is established. The axial and circumferential displacement tolerance functions are expressed using Jacobi polynomials and the Fourier series. The time domain response of the forced vibration of conical shells is calculated based on the Rayleigh–Ritz method and Newmark-β integral method. On this basis, the time domain response of radiated noise is solved based on the Kirchhoff integral equation, and the acoustic radiation characteristics of conical shells from forced vibration are analyzed. Compared with the coupled FEM/BEM method, the numerical results demonstrate the high accuracy and great reliability of this method. Furthermore, the semi-vertex angle, load characteristics, and boundary conditions related to the vibro-acoustic response of conical shells are examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid cable-stayed suspension (HCSS) bridges enjoy broad application prospects due to their excellent stability and economic benefits. The mechanical response of the transition section between the two subsystems of this novel bridge type is a common concern in the design and use stages. This paper took the design scheme of an HCSS bridge with a main span of 1440 m as the research object. A global finite element model (FEM) of the example bridge and local finite element models of the transition section were established, and the mechanical performance of the subsystem and components of the transition section was investigated. Moreover, parametric studies were conducted to investigate the influences of varies structural parameters on the mechanical performance of the transition sections of HCSS bridges. The results show that the mechanical behavior suddenly changes significantly at the transition between the cable-stayed section and the suspension section. Performance mutations in the transition section of a HCSS bridge can be improved by changing structural parameters, such as the transition section length, the number of cross cables, the area of the outermost cables, and the distance between the outermost cables and adjacent cables. The present findings may provide a reference for the better understandings and design of HCSS bridges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve Wi-Fi cross-domain human activity perception that was not dependent on target domain data, a domain-generalization human activity recognition model based on CSI instance normalization called INDG-Fi was proposed. The instance normalization standardization was utilized to remove domain information from the representation of CSI features by INDG-Fi. Then action classifiers and domain classifiers were constructed for shared feature extraction. By employing activity bias learning and adversarial domain learning, the model biased the features extracted from the encoding layer towards signal variations caused by human actions while moving away from domain signals. To enhance the model's focus on subcarrier signals that were more significantly influenced by human actions, a subcarrier attention module was incorporated into the encoding layer. The implemented results demonstrate that the proposed INDG-Fi achieves perceptual accuracies of 97.99% and 92.73% for unseen users and locations, respectively, thus enabling robust cross-domain perception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Airway epithelium is an important component of airway structure and the initiator of airway remodeling in asthma. The changes of extracellular matrix (ECM), such as collagen deposition and structural disturbance, are typical pathological features of airway remodeling. Thus, identifying key mediators that derived from airway epithelium and capable of modulating ECM may provide valuable insights for targeted therapy of asthma. Methods: The datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus database were analyzed to screen differentially expressed genes in airway epithelium of asthma. We collected bronchoscopic biopsies and serum samples from asthmatic and healthy subjects to assess lysyl oxidase like 2 (LOXL2) expression. RNA sequencing and various experiments were performed to determine the influences of LOXL2 knockdown in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced mouse models. The roles and mechanisms of LOXL2 in bronchial epithelial cells were explored using LOXL2 small interfering RNA, overexpression plasmid and AKT inhibitor. Results: Both bioinformatics analysis and further experiments revealed that LOXL2 is highly expressed in airway epithelium of asthmatics. In vivo, LOXL2 knockdown significantly inhibited OVA-induced ECM deposition and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in mice. In vitro, the transfection experiments on 16HBE cells demonstrated that LOXL2 overexpression increases the expression of N-cadherin and fibronectin and reduces the expression of E-cadherin. Conversely, after silencing LOXL2, the expression of E-cadherin is up-regulated. In addition, the remodeling and EMT process that induced by transforming growth factor-β1 could be enhanced and weakened after LOXL2 overexpression and silencing in 16HBE cells. Combining the RNA sequencing of mouse lung tissues and experiments in vitro, LOXL2 was involved in the regulation of AKT signaling pathway. Moreover, the treatment with AKT inhibitor in vitro partially alleviated the consequences associated with LOXL2 overexpression. Conclusions: Taken together, the results demonstrated that epithelial LOXL2 plays a role in asthmatic airway remodeling partly via the AKT signaling pathway and highlighted the potential of LOXL2 as a therapeutic target for airway remodeling in asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing electrocatalysts that exhibit both high activity and ammonia selectivity for nitrate reduction is a significant and demanding challenge, primarily due to the complex nature of the multiple-electron reduction process involved. An encouraging approach involves coupling highly active precious metals with transition metals to enhance catalytic performance through synergy. Here, we report a ruthenium-nickel alloy catalyst with nanosheets (Ru-Ni NSs) structure that achieves a remarkable ammonia Faradaic efficiency of approximately 95.93%, alongside a yield rate of up to 6.11 g·h−1·cm−2. Moreover, the prepared Ru-Ni NSs exhibit exceptional stability during continuous nitrate reduction in a flow reactor for 100 h, maintaining a Faradaic efficiency of approximately 90% and an ammonia yield of 37.4 mg·L−1·h−1 using 0.05 M nitrate alkaline electrolyte. Mechanistic studies reveal that the catalytic process follows a two-step pathway, in which HONO serves as a migration intermediate. The presence of a partially oxidized Ru (002) surface enhances the adsorption of nitrate and facilitates the release of the migration intermediate by adjusting the strength of the electrostatic and covalent interactions between the adsorbate and the surface, respectively. On the other hand, the Ni (111) surface promotes the utilization of the migration intermediate and requires less energy for NH3 desorption. This tandem process contributes to a high catalytic activity of Ru-Ni NSs towards nitrate reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To assess the immunogenicity of the current primary polio vaccination schedule in China and compare it with alternative schedules using Sabin or Salk-strain IPV (sIPV, wIPV). Methods: A cross-sectional investigation was conducted at four sites in Chongqing, China, healthy infants aged 60–89 days were conveniently recruited and divided into four groups according to their received primary polio vaccination schedules (2sIPV + bOPV, 2wIPV + bOPV, 3sIPV, and 3wIPV). The sero-protection and neutralizing antibody titers against poliovirus serotypes (type 1, 2, and 3) were compared after the last dose. Results: There were 408 infants completed the protocol. The observed seropositivity was more than 96% against poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3 in all groups. IPV-only groups induced higher antibody titers(GMT) against poliovirus type 2 (Median:192, QR: 96–384, P<0.05) than the "2IPV + bOPV" group. While the "2IPV + bOPV" group induced significantly higher antibody titers against poliovirus type 1 (Median:2048, QR: 768–2048, P<0.05)and type 3 (Median:2048, QR: 512–2048, P<0.05) than the IPV-only group. Conclusions: Our findings have proved that the two doses of IPV with one dose of bOPV is currently the best polio routine immunization schedule in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2D porous carbon materials have demonstrated immense potential in electrochemical energy storage, whereas the challenge of achieving their efficient preparation remains substantial. Herein, 2D carbon materials with high specific surface area (SSA), well‐developed porous structures, and controllable carbon layer thickness are successfully prepared by direct co‐pyrolysis of agroforestry biomass with potassium oxalate. It is found that the potassium oxalate acts as reactant and its decomposition product potassium carbonate acts as in situ template and activator. The potassium carbonate in the core activates the outer carbon structure to form nanopores, and regulates the thickness and the graphitization degree of the carbon material. Moreover, the N‐doping strategy seriously affects the structure of the materials. CSAN‐800 prepared with 0.2 vol.% NH3 addition can achieve N doping and SSA improvement (1802 m2 g−1) without damaging the ultra‐thin 2D structure. As a cathode material of sodium ion capacitors, CSAN‐800 exhibits excellent electrochemical with particularly a high‐capacity retention (90.3%) achieved (0.1 A g−1–2 A g−1). The 2D porous structure, high SSA, and rich pyridine‐N content significantly enhance the ion transport, storage, and optimize the charge carrier's adsorption and desorption. This study provides a low‐cost and eco‐friendly preparation strategy for ultra‐thin 2D porous carbon materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the development of a humanized mouse model for studying asthma. The researchers used NOG-EXL mice, which were modified to have a human immune system, and transplanted human cord blood-derived hematopoietic stem cells into them. The mice were then induced with human IL-33 to simulate asthmatic airway remodeling and mucous secretion. The study found that the model successfully replicated key features of asthma, including inflammatory cell infiltration, collagen deposition, and increased mucous secretion. This humanized mouse model has the potential to be a valuable tool for studying asthma and developing clinical strategies for treatment. [Extracted from the article]

The transpedicular procedure has been widely used in spinal surgery. The determination of the best entry point is the key to perform a successful transpedicular procedure. Various techniques have been used to determine this point, but the results are variable. This study was carried out to determine the posterior endpoint of the lumbar pedicle central axis on the standard anterior–posterior (AP) fluoroscopic images. Computer-aided design technology was used to determine the pedicle central axis and the posterior endpoint of the pedicle central axis on the posterior aspect of the vertebra. The standard AP fluoroscopic image of the lumbar vertebral models by three-dimensional printing was achieved. The endpoint projection on the AP fluoroscopic image was determined in reference to the pedicle cortex projection by the measurements of the angle and distance on the established X–Y coordinate system of the radiologic image. The projection of posterior endpoint of the lumbar pedicle central axis were found to be superior to the X-axis of the established X–Y coordinate system and was located on the pedicle cortex projection on the standard AP fluoroscopic image of the vertebra. The projection point was distributed in different sectors in the coordinate system. It was located superior to the X-axis by 18° to 26° at L1, while they were located superior to the X-axis by 12° to 14° at L2 to L5. The projections of posterior endpoints of the lumbar pedicle central axis were located in different positions on the standard AP fluoroscopic image of the vertebra. The determination method of the projection point was helpful for selecting an entry point for a transpedicular procedure with a fluoroscopic technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Zygotic genome activation (ZGA) is a critical event in early embryonic development, and thousands of genes are involved in this delicate and sophisticated biological process. To date, however, only a handful of these genes have revealed their core functions in this special process, and therefore the roles of other genes still remain unclear. In the present study, we used previously published transcriptome profiling to identify potential key genes (candidate genes) in minor ZGA and major ZGA in both human and mouse specimens, and further identified the conserved genes across species. Our results showed that 887 and 760 genes, respectively, were thought to be specific to human and mouse in major ZGA, and the other 135 genes were considered to be orthologous genes. Moreover, the conserved genes were most enriched in rRNA processing in the nucleus and cytosol, ribonucleoprotein complex biogenesis, ribonucleoprotein complex assembly and ribosome large subunit biogenesis. The findings of this first comprehensive identification and characterization of candidate genes in minor and major ZGA provide relevant insights for future studies on ZGA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nowadays, diabetic wound healing remains a crucial challenge due to their protracted and uncertain healing process. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has demonstrated the therapeutic value of Sanguis draconis (SD)‐Salvia miltiorrhiza (SMR) Herb Pair in diabetic wound healing. However, new administration modes are urgently needed for their convenient and wide‐ranging applications. Objective: We propose a soluble polyvinylpyrrolidone‐based microneedle patch containing the herbal extracts of SD and SMR (MN‐SD@SMR) for diabetic wound healing. Methods: The herbal extracts of SD and SMR are purification and concentration via traditional lyophilization. SD endowed MN‐SD@SMR with functions to improve high glycemic blood environment and migration of keratinocyte and fibroblast cells. Results: SMR in MN‐SD@SMR could improve blood flow velocity and microcirculation in the wound area. The effectiveness of transdermal release and mechanical strengths of MN‐SD@SMR were verified. Conclusion: Integrating the advantages of these purified herbal compositions, we demonstrated that MN‐SD@SMR had a positive healing effect on the wounds in vitro and vivo. These results indicate that soluble polyvinylpyrrolidone‐based microneedle patch containing the herbal extracts of SD and SMR has a promising application value due to their superior capability to promote diabetic wound healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploiting emissive hydrophobic nanoclusters for hydrophilic applications remains a challenge because of photoluminescence (PL) quenching during phase transfer. In addition, the mechanism underlying PL quenching remains unclear. In this study, the PL‐quenching mechanism was examined by analyzing the atomically precise structures and optical properties of a surface‐engineered Ag29 nanocluster with an all‐around‐carboxyl‐functionalized surface. Specifically, phase‐transfer‐triggered PL quenching was justified as molecular decoupling, which directed an unfixed cluster surface and weakened the radiative transition. Furthermore, emission recovery of the quenched nanoclusters was accomplished by using a supramolecular recoupling approach through the glutathione‐addition‐induced aggregation of cluster molecules, wherein the restriction of intracluster motion and intercluster rotation strengthened the radiative transition of the clusters. The results of this work offer a new perspective on structure‐emission correlations for atomically precise nanoclusters and hopefully provide insight into the fabrication of highly emissive cluster‐based nanomaterials for downstream hydrophilic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploiting emissive hydrophobic nanoclusters for hydrophilic applications remains a challenge because of photoluminescence (PL) quenching during phase transfer. In addition, the mechanism underlying PL quenching remains unclear. In this study, the PL‐quenching mechanism was examined by analyzing the atomically precise structures and optical properties of a surface‐engineered Ag29 nanocluster with an all‐around‐carboxyl‐functionalized surface. Specifically, phase‐transfer‐triggered PL quenching was justified as molecular decoupling, which directed an unfixed cluster surface and weakened the radiative transition. Furthermore, emission recovery of the quenched nanoclusters was accomplished by using a supramolecular recoupling approach through the glutathione‐addition‐induced aggregation of cluster molecules, wherein the restriction of intracluster motion and intercluster rotation strengthened the radiative transition of the clusters. The results of this work offer a new perspective on structure‐emission correlations for atomically precise nanoclusters and hopefully provide insight into the fabrication of highly emissive cluster‐based nanomaterials for downstream hydrophilic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Influenza A virus (IAV) is a zoonotic pathogen that infects humans and various animal species. Infection with IAV can cause fever, anorexia, and dyspnea and is often accompanied by pneumonia characterized by an excessive release of cytokines (i.e., cytokine storm). Nanodrug delivery systems and nanoparticles are a novel approach to address IAV infections. Herein, UiO-66 nanoparticles (NPs) are synthesized using a high-temperature melting reaction. The in vitro and in vivo optimal concentrations of UiO-66 NPs for antiviral activity are 200 μg mL−1 and 60 mg kg−1, respectively. Transcriptome analysis revealed that UiO-66 NPs can activate the RIG-I-like receptor signaling pathway, thereby enhancing the downstream type I interferon antiviral effect. These NPs suppress inflammation-related pathways, including the FOXO, HIF, and AMPK signaling pathways. The inhibitory effect of UiO-66 NPs on the adsorption and entry of IAV into A549 cells is significant. This study presents novel findings that demonstrate the effective inhibition of IAV adsorption and entry into cells via UiO-66 NPs and highlights their ability to activate the cellular RIG-I-like receptor signaling pathway, thereby exerting an anti-IAV effect in vitro or in mice. These results provide valuable insights into the mechanism of action of UiO-66 NPs against IAV and substantial data for advancing innovative antiviral nanomedicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ratiometric electrochemical sensors have been highly explored to minimize system errors and environmental interference. However, it is extremely desirable on the development of an effective ratiometric electrochemical sensor in a facile approach without the complicated assembly process. In this work, an effective internal reference probe was coupled based on the polymerized thionine (pTh) via a one‐step electrodeposition method. The ratiometric electrochemical sensing platform was applied for 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) detection, where the internal reference probe, Th, presented the robust redox signal and can be clearly distinguished from the oxidation signal of 5‐HT. The proposed pTh modified GCE presented the outstanding electrochemical performance on sensing 5‐HT in a wide concentration range with a detection limit of 8.4 nΜ. Further, the fabricated sensor was efficiently employed for the detection of 5‐HT in various human serum samples and the obtained results were consistent with the reported range in serum samples. This work offers the great possibility on the fabrication of efficient ratiometric sensors in a facile approach and presents great application prospects in clinical diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shaft seal covers a very wide range of machinery and applications. Lip seals, which are used for sealing shafts against the exit or ingress of liquids, are a type of shaft seal. Reducing the wear of the sealing ring and extending its service life can increase the time interval for machine maintenance and inspection. In this paper, a disk structure for reducing the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the lip seals is proposed. The disk structure forms a layer of rotating oil film on the seal ring, so the oil pressure near the seal ring is less than in a sealing chamber. First, based on the similarity principle and the hypothesis of von Kármán, a theoretical model of the rotating oil film was established, and the dominant influence of inertia of circumferential velocity and viscosity of radial velocity on pressure distribution was expounded. Then, an experimental device that can measure pressure distribution and temperature was constructed, and a pressure distribution measurement experiment was conducted. Based on theoretical models and experiments, it was proved that the rotating disk could generate a pressure drop and the pressure drop was a function of the square of the rotating speed. The influence of temperature and oil film thickness was studied, and it was found that the increase in the temperature and oil film thickness weakened rotational flow inertia and enhanced radial flow viscosity, increasing pressure within the oil film. Additionally, it was observed that the oil in the sealing chamber produced a sunken liquid level due to the stirring of the rotating disk, which would reduce the boundary pressure at the periphery of the oil film and produce a greater pressure drop inside the oil film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNA (miRNA) is a kind of small non-coding single stranded RNA that can participate in multiple biological processes. It also plays an important role in regulating the immune function of the body. Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disease, whose cause and deterioration are closely related to miRNA regulates immune function of CD4+T cells subsets. In ITP patients, different expression of miRNA can affect the immune function of CD4+T cells subsets, which causes not only unbalanced expression of Th1/Th2, Th17/Treg and excessive differentiation of TFH, but also abnormal cytokine secretion furthermore. This paper summarizes the unbalanced mechanism of miRNA regulating immune function of CD4+T cells subsets in ITP, so as to provide inspiration for exploring the immunology and immunotherapy of ITP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly variable neurodevelopmental disorder that typically manifests childhood, characterized by a triad of symptoms: impaired social interaction, communication difficulties, and restricted interests with repetitive behaviors. De novo variants in related genes can cause ASD. We present the case of a 6‐year‐old Chinese boy with autistic behavior, including language communication impairments, intellectual disabilities, stunted development, and irritability in social interactions. Using Sanger sequencing, we confirmed a pathogenic in the RERE gene (NM_012102.4) (c.3732delC, p.Tyr1245Thrfs*12; EX21; Het). Subsequently, we generated an RERE point mutation cell line (ReMut) using CRISPR/Cas9 Targeted Genome Editing. Immunofluorescence was conducted to determine the location of the mutant RERE. RNA‐sequencing and mass spectrometry analyses were performed to elucidate the ASD‐related genes and signaling pathways disrupted by this variant in RERE. We identified 3790 differentially expressed genes and 684 differentially expressed proteins. The SHH signaling pathway was found to be downregulated, and the Hippo pathway was upregulated in ReMut. Genes implicated in autism, such as CNTNAP2, STX1A, FARP2, and GPC1, were significantly downregulated. Simultaneously, we noted alterations in HDAC1 and HDAC2, which are members of the WHHERE complex, suggesting their role in the pathogenesis of this patient. In conclusion, we report a de novo variant in RERE associated with autistic behavior. The finding that ASD is associated with RERE variants underscore the role of genetic factors in ASD and provides insights regarding the mechanisms underlying RERE variants in disease onset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Phenylethylamines are one of the most common types of new psychoactive substances, following synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones. They are regulated in many countries because of their strong hallucinogenic effects, which can cause serious nerve damage. There is a wide variety of phenylethylamines, exhibiting rapid renewal and extremely similar structures, therefore accurate qualitative analysis of isomers is a difficult problem in current drug analysis. Methods: The dissociation pathways of the position isomers 2‐(2‐methylaminoprolyl)benzofuran (2‐MAPB) and 5‐(2‐methylaminopropyl)benzofuran (5‐MAPB) were investigated by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography coupled to high‐resolution quadrupole Orbitrap MS. The dissociation patterns of the phenethylamine‐based designer drugs 2‐MAPB and 5‐MAPB were explored and extended in this work based on MS combined with density functional theory studies. Results: For electron ionization mass spectrometry (EI‐MS) analysis, the dissociation patterns of 2‐MAPB were similar to those of 5‐MAPB. For electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MSn) analysis, the hydrogen atom on amino group was facile to form a intramolecular hydrogen bond with the oxygen atom on the parent nucleus of benzofuran in the structure of 2‐MAPB, leading to higher abundance of the product ion at m/z 58. However, there was a conjugated system between the positive charge formed by the cleavage of the 5‐MAPB side chain and the benzofuran ring, enabling the 5‐MAPB to generate a product ion at m/z 131. Computational study showed that energy barrier and spin density difference distribution jointly control the selective dissociation in EI‐MS, while different types of orbital interaction induced by intramolecular hydrogen bond led to different dissociation results in ESI‐MSn. Conclusions: These different dissociation patterns could be used to distinguish 2‐MAPB from 5‐MAPB. This could assist forensic laboratories in the differentiation and characterization of potential isomers in these kinds of compounds, especially in mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper researches the nonlinear behavior of a nonlinear torsional vibration isolator (NTVI) which is composed of flexible rod element and electromagnetic element. And the NTVI has a quasi-zero stiffness (QZS) characteristic. Firstly, a statics model of the QZS-NTVI and the parameter relationship between the nonlinear electromagnetic element and the flexible rod are established; the effects of geometric parameters on the QZS behavior and restoring torque are described. Then, the statics model approximated by the Taylor series is incorporated into the dynamic model of QZS-NTVI. The stability of the harmonic solution is analyzed, and the amplitude–frequency response and the torque transmissibility curves under different geometric parameters are derived according to the harmonic balance method. Furthermore, numerical analysis effort is performed to study the nonlinear behavior of QZS-NTVI. The results show that the QZS-NTVI exhibits super-harmonic and sub-harmonic resonances and undergoes the periodic and chaotic motions alternatively with the change in the excitation amplitude and the angular frequency. Finally, both the simulation and experimental efforts are performed to validate the statics model of the flexible rod and to study the vibration isolation performance and nonlinear behavior of QZS-NTVI. The results demonstrate that the vibration isolation performance of QZS-NTVI notably outperforms the linear system, as well as nonlinear behavior with frequency jump. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since robotic arms operating close to people are becoming increasingly common, there is a need to better understand how they can be made safe when unintended contact occurs, while still providing the required performance. Several actuators and methods for improving robot safety are studied and compared in this paper. A robotic arm moving its end effector horizontally and colliding with a person's head is simulated. The use of a conventional electric actuator (CEA), series elastic actuator (SEA), pneumatic actuator (PA) and hybrid pneumatic electric actuator (HPEA) with model-based controllers are studied. The addition of a compliant covering to the arm and the use of collision detection and reaction strategies are also studied. The simulations include sensor noise and modeling error to improve their realism. A systematic method for tuning the controllers fairly is proposed. The motion control performance and safety of the robot are quantified using root mean square error (RMSE) between the desired and actual joint angle trajectories and maximum impact force (MIF), respectively. The results show that the RMSE values are similar when the CEA, SEA, and HPEA drive the robot's first joint. Regarding safety, using the PA or HPEA with a compliant covering can reduce the MIF below the safety limit established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). To satisfy this ISO safety limit with the CEA and SEA, a collision detection and reaction strategy must be used in addition to the compliant covering. The influences of the compliant covering's stiffness and the detection delay are also studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Head smut is a soil-borne fungal disease caused by Sporisorium reilianum that infects maize tassels and ears. This disease poses a tremendous threat to global maize production. A previous study found markedly different and stably heritable tassel symptoms in some maize inbred lines with Sipingtou blood after infection with S. reilianum. In the present study, 55 maize inbred lines with Sipingtou blood were inoculated with S. reilianum and classified into three tassel symptom types (A, B, and C). Three maize inbred lines representing these classes (Huangzao4, Jing7, and Chang7-2, respectively) were used as test materials to investigate the physiological mechanisms of tassel formation in infected plants. Changes in enzyme activity, hormone content, and protein expression were analyzed in all three lines after infection and in control plants. The activities of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and phenylalanine-ammonia-lyase (PAL) were increased in the three typical inbred lines after inoculation. POD and SOD activities showed similar trends between lines, with the increase percentage peaking at the V12 stage (POD: 57.06%, 63.19%, and 70.28% increases in Huangzao4, Jing7, and Chang7-2, respectively; SOD: 27.01%, 29.62%, and 47.07% in Huangzao4, Jing7, and Chang7-2, respectively. These were all higher than in the disease-resistant inbred line Mo17 at the same growth stage); this stage was found to be key in tassel symptom formation. Levels of gibberellic acid (GA3), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and abscisic acid (ABA) were also altered in the three typical maize inbred lines after inoculation, with changes in GA3 and IAA contents tightly correlated with tassel symptoms after S. reilianum infection. The differentially expressed proteins A5H8G4, P09233, and Q8VXG7 were associated with changes in enzyme activity, whereas P49353, P13689, and P10979 were associated with changes in hormone contents. Fungal infection caused reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) bursts in the three typical inbred lines. This ROS accumulation caused biofilm disruption and altered host signaling pathways, whereas NO signaling triggered strong secondary metabolic responses in the host and altered the activities of defense-related enzymes. These factors together resulted in the formation of varying tassel symptoms. Thus, interactions between S. reilianum and susceptible maize materials were influenced by a variety of signals, enzymes, hormones, and metabolic cycles, encompassing a very complex regulatory network. This study preliminarily identified the physiological mechanisms leading to differences in tassel symptoms, deepening our understanding of S. reilianum-maize interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre-synchronization control is needed when the microgrid changes from an off-grid state to a grid-connected state. Aiming to resolve the problems of frequency overstep and voltage fluctuation in traditional pre-synchronous grid-connection schemes, a micro-grid pre-synchronous grid-connection scheme is proposed that can solve both frequency overstep and voltage fluctuation at the same time. Firstly, the feedforward disturbance compensation V/f control strategy of the load voltage and current is introduced to the energy storage system to suppress voltage fluctuations caused by power changes. Then, the V/f control strategy of the energy storage system is improved to suppress voltage fluctuations caused by frequency fluctuations when the starting phase of pre-synchronization is enacted. Finally, PI parameters are optimized based on the golden jackal optimization algorithm to meet the requirements of frequency fluctuation and grid-connection speed in the pre-synchronization process. A large number of simulation experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]