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CHK1 mutations could cause human zygote arrest at the pronuclei stage, a phenomenon that is not well understood at the molecular level. In this study, we conducted experiments where pre-pronuclei from zygotes with CHK1 mutation were transferred into the cytoplasm of normal enucleated fertilized eggs. This approach rescued the zygote arrest caused by the mutation, resulting in the production of a high-quality blastocyst. This suggests that CHK1 dysfunction primarily disrupts crucial biological processes occurring in the cytoplasm. Further investigation reveals that CHK1 mutants have an impact on the F-actin meshwork, leading to disturbances in pronuclear envelope breakdown. Through co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry analysis of around 6000 mouse zygotes, we identified an interaction between CHK1 and MICAL3, a key regulator of F-actin disassembly. The gain-of-function mutants of CHK1 enhance their interaction with MICAL3 and increase MICAL3 enzymatic activity, resulting in excessive depolymerization of F-actin. These findings shed light on the regulatory mechanism behind pronuclear envelope breakdown during the transition from meiosis to the first mitosis in mammals. Synopsis: CHK1 mutations disrupt its closed auto-inhibitory conformation and elevate MICAL3 monooxygenase activity, which in turn dismantles F-actin meshwork of the zygote and impairs pronuclear envelope breakdown (PNEB). Pre-pronuclei transfer to replace the cytoplasm of patient derived zygotes by normal cytoplasm rescues the zygote arrest caused by the CHK1 mutation. F-actin contributes to the regulation of PNEB process in the zygote, while CHK1 mutants disturb the F-actin meshwork in the zygote, leading to disturbances in PNEB. An interaction between CHK1 and MICAL3, a key regulator of F-actin disassembly, is identified in the zygotes. Mutants of CHK1 alter their auto-inhibitory conformation and enhance their interaction with MICAL3 to increase the MICAL3 enzymatic activity, resulting in excessive depolymerization of F-actin. CHK1 mutations disrupt its closed auto-inhibitory conformation and elevate MICAL3 monooxygenase activity, which in turn dismantles F-actin meshwork of the zygote and impairs pronuclear envelope breakdown (PNEB). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radar echo extrapolation is a critical technique for short-term weather forecasting. Timely warnings of severe convective weather events can be provided according to the extrapolated images. However, traditional echo extrapolation methods fail to fully utilize historical radar echo data, resulting in limited accuracy for future radar echo prediction. Existing deep learning echo extrapolation methods often face issues such as high-threshold echo attenuation and blurring distortion. In this paper, we propose a UNet-based multi-branch feature extraction model named MBFE-UNet for radar echo extrapolation to mitigate these issues. We design a Multi-Branch Feature Extraction Block, which extracts spatiotemporal features of radar echo data from various perspectives. Additionally, we introduce a Temporal Cross Attention Fusion Unit to model the temporal correlation between features from different network layers, which helps the model to better capture the temporal evolution patterns of radar echoes. Experimental results indicate that, compared to the Transformer-based Rainformer, the MBFE-UNet achieves an average increase of 4.8% in the critical success index (CSI), 5.5% in the probability of detection (POD), and 3.8% in the Heidke skill score (HSS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of barium sulfate scale is a persistent and formidable challenge across various industrial processes. In order to effectively mitigate this problem, this study proposed the development of an innovative azacrown ether-based macrocycle descaling agent. Using density functional theory, an in-depth analysis of the surface energy of different barium sulfate crystal facets was carried out, together with a detailed investigation into the adsorption properties of the functional groups on the (001) surface. A further comprehensive investigation was carried out to determine how changes in the nitrogen and oxygen atoms in the crown ether framework influence its adsorption affinity to barium ions. In addition, a detailed analysis was carried out to elucidate the molecular interactions between crown ethers with pyridine carboxylic acid side chains and barium sulfate. The newly developed decalcifying macrocycle descaling agent exhibited superior adsorption performance, achieving an adsorption energy for barium ions approximately −4.1512 ev higher than that of conventional DTPA decalcifiers. This remarkable improvement is mainly attributed to the pivotal role of electrostatic forces in the coordination process between the macrocycle descaling agent and barium ions, with an electrostatic potential value reaching −143.37 kcal/mol. This discovery not only introduces a novel approach to the removal of barium sulfate scale but also highlights the significant potential of macrocycle chemistry in industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nano-emulsions stabilized by nonionic surfactants have the characteristics of ultra-low interfacial tension (IFT) and altered wettability in ultra-low permeability reservoirs. Thus, in this work, a new nanoemulsion is proposed to enhance spontaneous imbibition recovery in ultra-low permeability reservoirs. The nanoemulsion is prepared using n-dodecane, Tween-20, and coconut oil acid diethanolamine n-amyl alcohol. The effects of temperature and salinity on particle size, IFT, and wettability alteration performance of the nanoemulsions were systematically studied. Experimental results show that the particle size of nanoemulsions increases with salinity, and the highest level is up to 100 nm, while an increase in temperature is beneficial to the formation of smaller nanoemulsions. The IFT of the nanoemulsion system can be reduced to an ultra-low level (10–3 mN/m) when the salinity is lower than 50,000 mg/L. As for the wettability alteration property of a nanoemulsion system, an increase in temperature can improve its performance, but variations in salinity seldom have any effects. At 56 °C and 30,000 mg/L salinity, the spontaneous imbibition recovery of 1.00 wt% nanoemulsion can reach 53.8% under the synergistic effect of three mechanisms: extremely small droplet size, excellent wettability alteration performance, and ultra-low IFT. These three mechanisms work together to significantly improve the displacement efficiency of ultra-low-permeability reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the electronic industry develops rapidly, the miniaturisation, integration and multifunctionality of electronic devices have resulted in a dramatic increase in power density, and the heat dispersal of electronic devices has attracted much attention. In this work, hydroxylated hexagonal boron nitride (BN-H) was obtained by hot alkali treatment, and boron nitride nanosheets (BNNS) with a thickness of about 4 nm were obtained by boric acid-assisted ball milling stripping. The effects of different types of fillers as well as filler contents on the thermally conductive and mechanical performance of organosilicon composites were also compared. Notably, when BN-H and BNNS thermally conductive fillers were added at 12 wt%, the thermally conductive coefficients of the composites were 0.4831 W·m−1·K−1 and 0.7131 W·m−1 K−1, respectively, which were 183% and 318% of higher than that for the pure silicone rubber (SR, with a thermally conductive coefficient of 0.1706 W·m−1·K−1). In addition, in respect of mechanical performance, the tensile strengths of SR/BN-H and SR/BNNS composites with a filling level of 12 wt% were 3.59 MPa and 3.89 MPa, respectively, and the storage moduli were 4501 MPa and 4583 MPa, respectively, which were improved to a certain extent compared with pure SR. The present work provides an effective way to develop organosilicone rubber composites with good thermal conductivity and mechanical properties by boric acid assisted ball milling to strip boron nitride in the field of electronics packages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the analysis of a train–bridge coupled system, fuzzy uncertainty is a factor that must be considered in the prediction of coupled vibration response, but it has not been considered so far. In this work, the concept of information entropy is used to unify the fuzzy uncertainty and random variables into the train–bridge coupled system, and the fuzzy random train–bridge coupled system is established. The fuzzy dynamic response of trains and bridges with fuzzy parameters of the bridge structures and the mass of the carriage were studied, and the mean and variance of the response quantities were calculated using the new point estimation method (NPEM). The combined effect of the fuzziness is considered and the fuzzy value of the system dynamics is obtained. The feasibility of applying this method to train–bridge problems was verified. The calculation results indicated that the maximum amplitude of the fuzzy vertical displacement of the bridge exceeded the conventional vertical displacement by 25.57%, and the maximum amplitude of the fuzzy vertical acceleration of the train exceeded the conventional vertical acceleration by 23.42%. Obviously, in this case, the traditional deterministic calculation method cannot comprehensively and accurately analyze the dynamic response of the train–bridge system. The method in this paper can provide theoretical guidance for evaluating the safety of bridge structures and running safety research in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the adverse effects of near-fault ground motions on the long-term development of high-speed railways. In this paper, the ground motions are analyzed based on the Train–Track–Bridge Coupling Braking System (TTBCBS) which has been validated during earthquakes. The effects of earthquakes on the whole system are discussed in depth, focusing on the random nature of earthquakes, the impulsive character of near-fault earthquakes and the effects of different initial speeds on the system behavior. The results show that under random earthquakes, the probability of train derailment gradually increases with the increase of peak ground acceleration (PGA) of earthquakes. When the PGA exceeds 0.2 g, the train is highly susceptible to derailment and the bridge itself may incur damage. When analyzing the nature of pulses of near-fault ground motions, it was found that the responses induced by class B and class C pulses are significantly similar. Meanwhile, the calculated values of derailment coefficients are basically the same when the PGA of class A pulse wave is at 0 g and 0.1 g. This suggests that train braking somewhat mitigates the response induced by near-fault ground motions. Furthermore, the value of improved spectral intensity (SI) for the running safety during earthquakes indicates that the increase in seismic intensity is detrimental to the system. In terms of the effect of train initial speeds on the system during earthquakes, it is observed that the system response reaches the lowest point when the train speed is 250 km/h, which is more favorable to the smooth deceleration of the train. When the train speed is 400 km/h, the system response reaches its maximum value. These research findings provide crucial insights and guidance for seismic safety design and management of high-speed railways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defective renal excretion and increased production of uric acid engender hyperuricemia that predisposes to gout. However, molecular mechanisms underlying defective uric acid excretion remain largely unknown. Here, we report a rare genetic variant of gout-unprecedented NUMB gene within a hereditary human gout family, which was identified by an unbiased genome-wide sequencing approach. This dysfunctional missense variant within the conserved region of the NUMB gene (NUMBR630H) underwent intracellular redistribution and degradation through an autophagy-dependent mechanism. Mechanistically, we identified the uric acid transporter, ATP Binding Cassette Subfamily G Member 2 (ABCG2), as a novel NUMB-binding protein through its intracellular YxNxxF motif. In polarized renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs), NUMB promoted ABCG2 trafficking towards the apical plasma membrane. Genetic loss-of-function of NUMB resulted in redistribution of ABCG2 in the basolateral domain and ultimately defective excretion of uric acid. To recapitulate the clinical situation in human gout patients, we generated a NUMBR630H knock-in mouse strain, which showed marked increases of serum urate and decreased uric acid excretion. The NUMBR630H knock-in mice exhibited clinically relevant hyperuricemia. In summary, we have uncovered a novel NUMB-mediated mechanism of uric acid excretion and a functional missense variant of NUMB in humans, which causes hyperuricemia and gout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Working memory (WM), a core component of executive functions, relies on a dedicated brain system that maintains and stores information in the short term. While extensive neuroimaging research has identified a distributed set of neural substrates relevant to WM, their underlying molecular mechanisms remain enigmatic. This study investigated the neural correlates of WM as well as their underlying molecular mechanisms. Results: Our voxel-wise analyses of resting-state functional MRI data from 502 healthy young adults showed that better WM performance (higher accuracy and shorter reaction time of the 3-back task) was associated with lower functional connectivity density (FCD) in the left inferior temporal gyrus and higher FCD in the left anterior cingulate cortex. A combination of transcriptome-neuroimaging spatial correlation and the ensemble-based gene category enrichment analysis revealed that the identified neural correlates of WM were associated with expression of diverse gene categories involving important cortical components and their biological processes as well as sodium channels. Cross-region spatial correlation analyses demonstrated significant associations between the neural correlates of WM and a range of neurotransmitters including dopamine, glutamate, serotonin, and acetylcholine. Conclusions: These findings may help to shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the neural correlates of WM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Traditional topical drug delivery for treating inflammatory skin diseases suffers from poor skin penetration and long-term side effects. Metal nanoparticles show promising application in topical drug delivery for inflammatory skin diseases. Methods: Here, we synthesized a new type of nanoparticles, azelamide monoethanolamine-functionalized gold nanoparticles (Au-MEA NPs), based on citrate-capped gold nanoparticles (Au-CA NPs) via the ligand exchange method. The physical and chemical properties of Au-CA NPs and Au-MEA NPs were characterized. In vivo studies were performed using imiquimod-induced psoriasis and LL37-induced rosacea animal models, respectively. For in vitro studies, a model of cellular inflammation was established using HaCaT cells stimulated with TNF-α. In addition, proteomics, gelatin zymography, and other techniques were used to investigate the possible therapeutic mechanisms of the Au-MEA NPs. Results: We found that Au-MEA NPs exhibited better stability and permeation properties compared to conventional Au-CA NPs. Transcutaneously administered Au-MEA NPs exerted potent therapeutic efficacy against both rosacea-like and psoriasiform skin dermatitis in vivo without overt signs of toxicity. Mechanistically, Au-MEA NPs reduced the production of pro-inflammatory mediators in keratinocytes by promoting SOD activity and inhibiting the activity of MMP9. Conclusion: Au-MEA NPs have the potential to be a topical nanomedicine for the effective and safe treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selective oxidation of alcohols to aldehyde or ketone is a fundamental reaction in organic synthesis. Herein, a self-catalyzed Pickering emulsion microreactor (PEM) was designed for the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol (BzOH) to benzaldehyde (BzH) using peroxymonosulfate (PMS) as an oxidant. Featuring inherent pyridinic N and pyridine N-oxide species, Enteromorpha prolifera-derived biochar displayed particular super-amphiphilicity, able to serve as an emulsifier and catalyst simultaneously in the PMS-based PEM (PPEM) system. The results showed that, without extra additives, the PPEM system could 100% selectively oxidize 2.88 mM of BzOH to BzH (yield: 90.4%) within 30 min at room temperature. After systematic and theoretical studies, we found that radical (O2˙−) and non-radical (1O2 and mediated electron transfer) oxidation routes were responsible for the selective BzOH oxidation to BzH, where the reaction energy barrier for the oxidation of BzOH by 1O2 (18.0 kcal mol−1) is lower compared to that of O2˙− (25.8 kcal mol−1). Overall, the rationally fabricated biochar with special surface wettability and catalytic activity offers a novel emulsion self-catalysis route to achieve the selective oxidation of alcohol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As urbanization accelerates, characteristics of urban spatial expansion play a significant role in the future utilization of land resources, the protection of the ecological environment, and the coordinated development of population and land. In this study, Yunnan and Guizhou provinces were selected as the study area, and the 2013–2021 National Polar-Orbiting Partnership's Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (NPP-VIIRS) nighttime light (NTL) data were utilized for spatial and temporal change analysis of urban built-up areas. Firstly, the built-up areas in Yunnan and Guizhou provinces were extracted through ENUI (Enhanced Nighttime Lighting Urban Index) indices, and then the urban expansion speed and urban center of gravity migration were constructed and used to explore and analyze the spatial and temporal change and expansion characteristics of built-up areas in Yunnan and Guizhou provinces. The results showed the following. (1) Due to the complementarity between data types, such as NTL, EVI, NDBI, and NDWI, ENUI has better performance in expressing urban characteristics. (2) Influenced by national and local policies, such as "One Belt, One Road", transportation infrastructure construction, geographic location, the historical background, and other factors, the urban expansion rate of Yunnan and Guizhou provinces in general showed a continuous advancement from 2013 to 2021, and there were three years in which the expansion rate was positive. (3) The center of gravity migration distance of most cities in Guizhou Province shows a trend of increasing and then decreasing, while the center of gravity migration distance in Yunnan Province shows a trend of continuous decrease in general. From the perspective of migration direction, Guizhou Province has the largest number of migrations to the northeast, while Yunnan Province has the largest number of migrations to the southeast. (4) Influenced by policy, economy, population, geography, and other factors, urban compactness in Yunnan and Guizhou provinces continued to grow from 2013 to 2021. The results of this study can help us better understand urbanization in western China, reveal the urban expansion patterns and spatial characteristics of Yunnan and Guizhou provinces, and provide valuable references for development planning and policymaking in Yunnan and Guizhou provinces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Satellite image time series (SITS) segmentation is crucial for many applications, like environmental monitoring, land cover mapping, and agricultural crop type classification. However, training models for SITS segmentation remains a challenging task due to the lack of abundant training data, which requires fine-grained annotation. We propose S4, a new self-supervised pretraining approach that significantly reduces the requirement for labeled training data by utilizing two key insights of satellite imagery: (a) Satellites capture images in different parts of the spectrum, such as radio frequencies and visible frequencies. (b) Satellite imagery is geo-registered, allowing for fine-grained spatial alignment. We use these insights to formulate pretraining tasks in S4. To the best of our knowledge, S4 is the first multimodal and temporal approach for SITS segmentation. S4's novelty stems from leveraging multiple properties required for SITS self-supervision: (1) multiple modalities, (2) temporal information, and (3) pixel-level feature extraction. We also curate m2s2-SITS, a large-scale dataset of unlabeled, spatially aligned, multimodal, and geographic-specific SITS that serves as representative pretraining data for S4. Finally, we evaluate S4 on multiple SITS segmentation datasets and demonstrate its efficacy against competing baselines while using limited labeled data. Through a series of extensive comparisons and ablation studies, we demonstrate S4's ability as an effective feature extractor for downstream semantic segmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tumor neoantigen peptide-based vaccines, systemic immunotherapies that enhance antitumor immunity by activating and expanding antigen-specific T cells, have achieved remarkable results in the treatment of a variety of solid tumors. However, how to effectively deliver neoantigens to induce robust antitumor immune responses remains a major obstacle. Results: Here, we developed a safe and effective neoantigen peptide delivery system (neoantigen-ferritin nanoparticles, neoantigen-FNs) that successfully achieved effective lymph node targeting and induced robust antitumor immune responses. The genetically engineered self-assembled particles neoantigen-FNs with a size of 12 nm were obtained by fusing a neoantigen with optimized ferritin, which rapidly drainage to and continuously accumulate in lymph nodes. The neoantigen-FNs vaccine induced a greater quantity and quality of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells and resulted in significant growth control of multiple tumors, dramatic inhibition of melanoma metastasis and regression of established tumors. In addition, no obvious toxic side effects were detected in the various models, indicating the high safety of optimized ferritin as a vaccine carrier. Conclusions: Homogeneous and safe neoantigen-FNs could be a very promising system for neoantigen peptide delivery because of their ability to efficiently drainage to lymph nodes and induce efficient antitumor immune responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ovarian cancer has brought serious threats to female health. CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins (C/EBPs) are key transcription factors involved in ovarian cancer. Therefore, comprehensive profiling C/EBPs in ovarian cancer is needed. Methods: A comprehensive analysis concerning C/EBPs in ovarian cancer was performed. Firstly, detailed expression of C/EBP family members was integrally retrieved and then confirmed using immunohistochemistry. The regulatory effects and transcription regulatory functions of C/EBPs were studied by using regulatory network analysis and enrichment analysis. Using survival analysis, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, and target-disease association analysis, the predictive prognostic value of C/EBPs on survival and drug responsiveness was systematically evaluated. The effects of C/EBPs on tumor immune infiltration were also assessed. Results: Ovarian cancer tissues expressed increased CEBPA, CEBPB, and CEBPG but decreased CEBPD when compared with normal control tissues. The overall alteration frequency of C/EBPs in ovarian cancer was approaching 30%. C/EBP family members formed a reciprocal regulatory network involving carcinogenesis and had pivotal transcription regulatory functions. C/EBPs could affect survival of ovarian cancer and correlated with poor survival outcomes (OS: HR = 1.40, P =.0053 and PFS: HR = 1.41, P =.0036). Besides, expression of CEBPA, CEBPB, CEBPD, and CEBPE could predict platinum and taxane responsiveness of ovarian cancer. C/EBPs also affected immune infiltration of ovarian cancer. Conclusions: C/EBPs were closely involved in ovarian cancer and exerted multiple biological functions. C/EBPs could be exploited as prognostic and predictive biomarkers in ovarian cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seasonality in temperate regions is prominent during the era of increased climatic variability. A hydraulic trait that can adjust to seasonally changing climatic conditions is crucial for tree safety. However, little attention has been paid to the intraspecific seasonality of drought-related traits and hydraulic safety of keystone forest trees. We examined seasonal variations in the key morphological and physiological traits as well as multiple hydraulic safety margins (SMs) at the branch and leaf levels in oriental cork oak (Quercus variabilis Bl.), which is predominant in Chinese temperate forests. Pneumatic measurements indicated that, as seasons progressed, the water potential at which 50% of branch embolisms occur (P 50_branch) decreased from −3.34 to −4.23 MPa, with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 9.08%. Sapwood capacitance ranged from 48.19 to 248.08 kg m−3 MPa−1, peaking in autumn and reaching minimum in winter (CV 60.58%). Rehydration kinetics confirmed higher leaf embolism vulnerability (P 50_leaf) in spring and autumn than those in summer, with values ranging from −1.06 to −3.02 MPa (CV 39.85%). All leaf pressure–volume (PV) traits shifted with growth, with CVs ranging from 6.95% to 46.69%. Sapwood density had significant negative correlations with P 50_branch and hydraulic capacitance for elastic water storage, whereas leaf mass per area was linearly associated with PV traits but not with P 50_leaf. Furthermore, the branch typical SMs (difference between branch midday water potential and P 50_branch) were consistently >1.84 MPa, and vulnerability segmentation was prevalent throughout, implying a plausible hydraulic foundation for the dominance of Q. variabilis. Diverse hydraulic response patterns existed across seasons, leading to positive SMs mediated by the aforementioned physiological traits. Although Q. variabilis exhibits a high level of hydraulic safety, its susceptibility to sudden summer droughts may increase due to global climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the accelerated aging of the global population, the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) is increasing year by year. Because of the presence of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), the low concentration of the biomarkers in peripheral blood and the low penetration rate of the drugs through BBB into brain hinders the development of diagnosis and treatment of NDDs. As an effective mediator to penetrate through BBB in both directions, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have attracted much attention in the early diagnosis and treatment of NDDs because of their superior performance as drug carriers and detection biomarkers. Brain‐derived EVs in body fluids contain disease‐related biomolecules can be used as early diagnostic biomarkers for NDDs. In addition, as one of the subpopulations of EVs, exosomes, especially stem cell‐derived exosomes, have great potential in the treatment of NDDs. The ability to cross the BBB, together with the feasibility of versatile functionalization of EV for NDDs pathogen targeting facilitate EVs a potential tool for targeted drug delivery systems for NDDs. In this review, the important role of EVs in the diagnosis and treatment of NDDs and the current research progress will be discussed. This article is categorized under:Diagnostic Tools > Diagnostic NanodevicesTherapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Neurological Disease [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of machine learning algorithms and the increasing computational resources available, artificial intelligence has achieved great success in many application domains. However, the success of machine learning has also raised concerns about the fairness of the learned models. For instance, the learned models can perpetuate and even exacerbate the potential bias and discrimination in the training data. This issue has become a major obstacle to the deployment of machine learning systems in high‐stakes domains, for example, criminal judgment, medical testing, online advertising, hiring process, and so forth. To mitigate the potential bias exhibited by machine learning models, fairness criteria can be integrated into the training process to ensure fair treatment across all demographics, but it often comes at the expense of model performance. Understanding such tradeoffs, therefore, is crucial to the design of optimal and fair algorithms. My research focuses on characterizing the inherent tradeoff between fairness and accuracy in machine learning, and developing algorithms that can achieve both fairness and optimality. In this article, I will discuss our recent work on designing post‐processing algorithms for fair classification, which can be applied to a wide range of fairness criteria, including statistical parity, equal opportunity, and equalized odds, under both attribute‐aware and attribute‐blind settings, and is particularly suited to large‐scale foundation models where retraining is expensive or even infeasible. I will also discuss the connections between our work and other related research on trustworthy machine learning, including the connections between algorithmic fairness and differential privacy as well as adversarial robustness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of the aquaculture industry, finding effective ways to improve the health and production efficiency of aquatic animals has become a research hotspot. Probiotics help reduce the risk of diseases in aquaculture animals and improve production performance. Lactobacillus acidophilus belongs to the genus Lactobacillus, and is a gram-positive probiotic, which exists widely in the natural environment and the digestive system of animals. It can regulate pH value, improve the growth performance and feed utilization of animals, and enhance the immune function of animals. This paper reviewed the application of Lactobacillus acidophilus in promoting the growth and nutrient utilization of aquatic animals, enhancing the immune function of aquatic animals and improving the intestinal structure and function of aquatic animals. It also discussed the role of Lactobacillus acidophilus in the prevention and control of bacterial diseases and water quality regulation, and put forward suggestions for future research direction of Lactobacillus acidophilus, to provide reference for the research and development of Lactobacillus acidophilus products and the sustainable development of aquaculture industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Recently, metal oxide semiconductors have attracted considerable interest in certain areas, such as displays. Applications of transparent metal oxide semiconductors in photosensors are also starting to develop owing to their high charge carrier concentration and mobility. By including a narrow bandgap material in the device, photoresponsivity can be improved, but it increases the number of fabrication steps. This paper suggests embedding an indium oxide thin film with graphene oxide (GO) photoactive particles in a single step from a mixed aqueous precursor solution by spin coating. The device performance was assessed as a function of the GO content. The device stability data showed that a higher GO content induced hole trapping under prolonged gate bias stress. Hole trapping at the In2O3/GO interface is important under illumination, where the trapping of the minor photogenerated carrier can improve the photocurrent via the photogating effect. The long-term trapping of holes in the n-type device also produces a persistent photocurrent, which makes the device respond to illumination like an artificial neuron. In addition to photodetection, the device applicability in binary logic circuits was also demonstrated via a load-type inverter. The phototransistor proposed in this study could achieve sensing, memory, and binary logic in the same device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(Pb,La)(Zr,Sn,Ti)O3‐based antiferroelectric ceramics have excellent energy storage performance(more than 90% efficiency), which make them have great application advantages in the field of ceramic capacitors. However, the sintering temperature of (Pb,La)(Zr,Sn,Ti)O3‐based antiferroelectric ceramics is generally above 1250 °C, which limits application as a material for ceramic capacitors. Cu inner electrode has a low co‐firing temperature and high conductivity and a low cost price, making it more competitive in the field of ceramic capacitor inner electrode. Therefore, the first step is to reduce the sintering temperature of (Pb,La)(Zr,Sn,Ti)O3‐based ceramics to below 1000 °C(co‐firing temperature with Cu inner electrode), which is the key and difficult point. In this paper, Pb0.94La0.02Sr0.04(Zr0.45Sn0.47Ti0.08)0.995O3(PLSZST) antiferroelectric ceramics are doped with ZnO, which effectively reduce the sintering temperature. Among them, PLSZST‐1 wt% ZnO is sintered at an ultra‐low sintering temperature (TSintering = 940 °C), which is 330 °C lower than that of PLSZST(TSintering = 1270 °C) without doping ZnO. At the same time, PLSZST‐1 wt%ZnO obtain a recoverable energy density of 4.26J cm−3 and an energy efficiency of 95.5% at 230 kV cm−1. The pulse discharge energy density (Wdis = 3.92 J cm−3) and discharge time (t0.9 = 351 ns) are obtained at 220 kV cm−1, and the current density (CD = 1338A cm−2) and power density (PD = 134MW cm−3) are obtained at 200 kV cm−1. The results provide a possible material basis for Cu internal electrode ceramic capacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High complexity and randomness in high-speed train-bridge interactive dynamic analysis under earthquake lead to massive calculations in high-speed railway seismic design. To address this challenge, this paper introduces a deep learning-based method at enhancing the computational efficiency of the train-bridge coupled (TBC) system's seismic response prediction. Accordingly, a deep learning framework for predicting stochastic seismic response is established by using a long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network. Meanwhile, a feasible training strategy for the LSTM network is proposed. A traditional TBC theory and the LSTM neural network are used to perform the seismic response analysis as illustrative examples. The comparative analysis demonstrates the LSTM network's remarkable accuracy and efficiency in predicting the TBC system's seismic response. The prediction performance and extrapolation capability of the LSTM network is evaluated to be good enough to meet the requirement of engineering applications. In contrast to conventional methods like TBC theory or finite element analysis, the LSTM network significantly improves computational efficiency. Furthermore, the computed response data and the evolution characteristics of the probability density function are in good agreement with the conventional method. Therefore, the established LSTM network serves as an effective surrogate model for predicting the TBC system's seismic response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex disorder. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified several genes associated with this condition, including DENND1A. DENND1A encodes a clathrin-binding protein that functions as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor involved in vesicular transport. However, the specific role of DENND1A in reproductive hormone abnormalities and follicle development disorders in PCOS remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated DENND1A expression in ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) from PCOS patients and its correlation with hormones. Our results revealed an upregulation of DENND1A expression in GCs from PCOS cases, which was positively correlated with testosterone levels. To further explore the functional implications of DENND1A, we generated a transgenic mouse model overexpressing Dennd1a (TG mice). These TG mice exhibited subfertility, irregular estrous cycles, and increased testosterone production following PMSG stimulation. Additionally, the TG mice displayed diminished responsiveness to FSH, characterized by smaller ovary size, less well-developed follicles, and abnormal expressions of FSH-priming genes. Mechanistically, we found that Dennd1a overexpression disrupted the intracellular trafficking of follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), promoting its internalization and inhibiting recycling. These findings shed light on the reproductive role of DENND1A and uncover the underlying mechanisms, thereby contributing valuable insights into the pathogenesis of PCOS and providing potential avenues for drug design in PCOS treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sorghum is an important C4 crop with various food and nonfood uses. Although improvements through hybridization and selection have been exploited, the introduction of genetic variation and the development of new genotypes in sorghum are still limited. Fast-neutron (FN) mutagenesis is a very effective method for gene functional studies and to create genetic variability. However, the full spectrum of FN-induced mutations in sorghum is poorly understood. To address this, we generated an FN-induced mutant population from the inbred line 'BTx623' and sequenced 40 M1 seedlings to evaluate the mutagenic effects of FNs on sorghum. The results show that each line had an average of 43.7 single-base substitutions (SBSs), 3.7 InDels and 35.15 structural variations (SVs). SBSs accounted for approximately 90.0% of the total number of small mutations. Among the eight treatment groups, FN irradiation at a dose of 19 Gy generated the highest number of mutations. The ratio of transition/transversion ranged from 1.77 to 2.21, and the G/C to A/T transition was the most common substitution in all mutant lines. The distributions of the identified SBSs and InDels were similar and uneven across the genome. An average of 3.63 genes were mutated in each mutant line, indicating that FN irradiation resulted in a suitable density of mutated genes, which can be advantageous for improving elite material for one specific or a few traits. These results provide a basis for the selection of the suitable dose of mutagen and new genetic resources for sorghum breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We summarize the copy number variations (CNVs) and phenotype spectrum of infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS) in a Chinese cohort. The CNVs were identified by genomic copy number variation sequencing. The CNVs and clinical data were analyzed. 74 IESS children with CNVs were enrolled. 35 kinds of CNVs were identified. There were 11 deletions and 5 duplications not reported previously in IESS, including 2 CNVs not reported in epilepsy. 87.8% were de novo, 9.5% were inherited from mother and 2.7% from father. Mosaicism occurred in one patient with Xq21.31q25 duplication. 16.2% (12/74) were 1p36 deletion, and 20.3% (15/74) were 15q11‐q13 duplication. The age of seizure onset ranged from 17 days to 24 months. Seizure types included epileptic spasms, focal seizures, tonic seizures, and myoclonic seizures. All patients displayed developmental delay. Additional features included craniofacial anomaly, microcephaly, congenital heart defects, and hemangioma. 29.7% of patients were seizure‐free for more than 12 months, and 70.3% still had seizures after trying 2 or more anti‐seizure medications. In conclusion, CNVs is a prominent etiology of IESS. 1p36 deletion and 15q duplication occurred most frequently. CNV detection should be performed in patients with IESS of unknown causes, especially in children with craniofacial anomalies and microcephaly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a novel neural network-based control algorithm with fixed-time performance constraints for manipulator systems in workspaces. The algorithm efficiently controls the manipulator's trajectory tracking by tuning a preset performance function, thereby optimizing both speed and accuracy within a fixed timeframe. Initially, a tangent-type error transformation, applied through homogeneous embryonic transformation, ensures rapid convergence of tracking errors to a specific region. Subsequently, integrating a predetermined control strategy into the fixed-time stability framework ensures the system's state reaches a defined boundary within a finite period. Lastly, neural networks are employed to approximate dynamic parameters and adjust the controller, achieving optimal parameter approximation and significantly enhancing trajectory tracking robustness. Simulation analyses and comparisons confirm the controller's effectiveness and superiority in enhancing both the transient and steady-state performance of the control system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has seriously threatened people's health worldwide and there is an urge need for early diagnosis and effective treatment of AIS. This research intended to clarify the regulatory role of circ_0008146/miR-342-5p/ACSL4 axis in AIS. Methods: High-throughput small RNA sequencing analysis was adapted to identify differentially expressed miRNAs between the AIS and control group. The circ_0008146, miR-342-5p, and ACSL4 levels were detected by qRT-PCR. Middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) models were constructed in C57BL/6J mice. Assay kits were used to determine Fe2+ levels and a battery of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation indicators, including ROS, MDA, LPO, SOD and GSH/GSSG ratio. The protein levels of ACSL4 were measured by Western blot. The behavioral function was assessed using neurobehavioral tests. TTC staining was employed to visualize infarction size. Nissl staining was adapted to detect histopathological changes. Receiver operating characteristic curve and correlation analysis were applied to investigate the clinical value and association of miR-342-5p and ACSL4. Results: A total of 44 AIS patients and 49 healthy controls were enrolled in our study. The small RNA sequencing unveiled a significant decrease in miR-342-5p levels in AIS patients. MiR-342-5p inhibited oxidative stress and RSL3-induced ferroptosis after cerebral ischemic/reperfusion injury in vivo by targeting ferroptosis-related gene ACSL4. Circ_0008146 acted as a sponge of miR-342-5p, and overexpression of circ_0008146 increased neurological deficits and brain injury in mice. Circ_0008146 contributed to ferroptosis in cerebral infarction via sponging miR-342-5p to regulate ACSL4. Plasma miR-342-5p and ACSL4 demonstrated significant correlation and good diagnostic value for AIS patients. Conclusion: This study provides the first in vivo evidence to show that circ_0008146 exacerbates neuronal ferroptosis after AIS via the miR-342-5p/ACSL4 axis. Furthermore, miR-342-5p/ACSL4 axis holds promise as a viable therapeutic target and practical biomarkers for AIS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Investigations of water flow movements affected by vegetation is a research hotspot in vegetation ecological restoration. The theory and equations of the flow velocity distribution under the influence of rigid vegetation are relatively mature. This study proposes a new drag force equation that varies with the vegetation bending angle and a new analytical solution of the velocity profile. Comparisons between the model calculation and experimental data, results showed that this new proposed model produced accurate simulations for flow through flexible vegetation for various deflections. In addition, this analytical model was verified to be applicable to rigid vegetation without a bending angle. Moreover, the features of the parameters adopted in this analytical equation are discussed, and the empirical equation for these parameters are presented. This study further improves the research in the field of environmental fluid mechanics and can serve as a theoretical underpinning for the ecological restoration of river courses. Key Points: A new drag force equation of flexible vegetation is proposed based on the bending angleThis new drag force equation of bending vegetation can recover to the traditional equation when applied to erect rigid vegetationNew analytical solutions of velocity profiles for flexible and rigid vegetation are established [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study proposes a new fuzzy finite element method for dynamic multibody interaction with consideration for structural damage. Here, fuzzy parameters are equivalently transformed into stochastic parameters using information entropy, and the fuzzy response of the structure is obtained by fuzzy calculation combined with the new point estimation method. Numerical examples are used to illustrate the accuracy and efficiency of the presented methods, and scanning method simulations are implemented to validate the computational results. Considering that the damage degree of the pier is uncertain, namely fuzzy uncertainty, stiffness reduction is used to simulate the damage of the pier. The fuzzy dynamic response of the train–bridge system is investigated when the pier structure and the mass of the train are fuzzy parameters. The response of the train–bridge interaction considering damage far exceeds that obtained from conventional deterministic parameter calculations. To ensure running safety, studying the response of the vehicle-system coupled vibration with fuzzy parameters is of great significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the mediating effect of attitude toward older adults on the relationship between aging knowledge and willingness to care for older adults. We applied the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the knowledge-attitude-behavior (KAB) model as theoretical frameworks to examine the mediation effect of attitude toward older adults. Data from 388 Chinese nursing students were analyzed. The Willingness to Care for Older People (WCOP) scale, Kogan's Attitude toward Older People scale (KAOP) and Facts on Aging Quiz (FAQ) were utilized to assess willingness, attitude and aging knowledge, respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22. 0 with the PROCESS macro. Bootstrap methods were used to obtain the significance of mediating effects. The study showed that aging knowledge was significantly associated with willingness to care for older adults and that attitude toward older adults mediated the association. Bootstrapping method confirmed the significance of the indirect effect of aging knowledge through attitude, accounting for 18.9% of the total willingness variance. Overall, based on the TPB and the KAB theoretical framework, our data support the notion that improving aging knowledge and attitude may contribute to improve the willingness to aged care among nursing students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrobenzene (NB) as essential products and raw materials in industrial production is a highly toxic and prevalent water pollutant that threatens human health and eco-safety. Photocatalytic methods are widely applied in the field of environmental remediation due to their unique photoexcited redox capacity, which provides a great potential for photoreduction of NB. Here, ultrafast photoreduction and detoxification of NB were explored by establishing a biohybrid photocatalytic system with mild biomineralization. It was discovered that the whole-cell hybrid system developed by biomineralization of CdS nanoparticles on the cell surface of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 (SW) exhibited high photoreduction activity on NB. Strikingly, SW-CdS exhibited a first-order photoreduction rate constant (k) of 1.1 h–1, which was 54 times higher than that with S. oneidensis MR-1 (metabolic reduction). Impressively, this photoreduction rate achieved by SW-CdS was the highest photoreduction rate of NB ever reached by various nanoparticles. In addition, the photoreduction products obtained showed toxicity even lower than that of the traditional reduction product (aniline) for NB detoxification. Further analysis revealed that the biomineralized CdS nanoparticles served as the main catalytical center and contributed to the ultrahigh photoreduction efficiency of SW-CdS. This work provided a simple, ultrafast, and low-toxic method for the photoreduction and detoxification of NB, which would be promising for application in environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) damages liver cells through abnormal immune responses. Mitochondrial metabolism is necessary for effector functions of white blood cells (WBCs). The aim was to investigate the altered counts and mitochondrial mass (MM) of WBCs by two novel indicators of mitochondrial mass, MM and percentage of low mitochondrial membrane potential, MMPlow%, due to chronic HBV infection. The counts of lymphocytes, neutrophils and monocytes in the HBV infection group were in decline, especially for lymphocyte (p = 0.034) and monocyte counts (p = 0.003). The degraded MM (p = 0.003) and MMPlow% (p = 0.002) of lymphocytes and MM (p = 0.005) of monocytes suggested mitochondrial dysfunction of WBCs. HBV DNA within WBCs showed an extensive effect on mitochondria metabolic potential of lymphocytes, neutrophils and monocytes indicated by MM; hepatitis B e antigen was associated with instant mitochondrial energy supply indicated by MMPlow% of neutrophils; hepatitis B surface antigen, antiviral therapy by nucleos(t)ide analogues and prolonged infection were also vital factors contributing to WBC alterations. Moreover, degraded neutrophils and monocytes could be used to monitor immune responses reflecting chronic liver fibrosis and inflammatory damage. In conclusion, MM combined with cell counts of WBCs could profoundly reflect WBC alterations for monitoring chronic HBV infection. Moreover, HBV DNA within WBCs may be a vital factor in injuring mitochondria metabolic potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel quinoxaline-based phthalonitrile monomer, namely, 4,4′-(((quinoxaline-2,3-diylbis (oxy))bis (3,1-phenylene))bis (oxy))di-phthalonitrile (QDOP), was successfully synthesized by nucleophilic substitution reaction, which exhibits a low melting point (85°C) and a wide processing window (150°C). The QDOP monomer was cured with 4-aminophenoxy phthalonitrile (APPH) as catalyst by different temperature programs, and the curing process and kinetics were discussed in detail by non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetric (DSC). The QDOP polymer mainly forms triazine, isoindoline and phthalocyanine structure, as revealed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and its properties improved with the increase of post-curing temperature and curing time. After post-curing at 380°C, the polymer exhibited high storage modulus (3731 MPa), high glass-transition temperature (>400°C), and outstanding thermal stability and thermal oxidation stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The strength and sealing failure of the connecting thread of the casing head mandrel hanger causes huge economic losses. One of the major challenges is the thread seal failure mechanism of the casing hanger in the wellhead during pressure testing in shale gas wells. In order to analyze the failure causes of connecting threads and put forward improvement measures, a typical case of a well accompanied by a hanger seal failure is analyzed in this paper, and a series of material tests are carried out. The microstructure and mechanical properties of casing materials and hanger materials could meet the field requirements. It is concluded that both the hanger material and casing material are characterized with significant ductile fracture. A three-dimensional model of the hanger and casing system is established, and the mechanical behavior is calculated for the connecting thread under different working conditions. The results showed that the connection degree of the hanger–casing is insufficient at the torque recommended by the manufacturer because of the difference in wall thickness between the box thread of the hanger and the box thread of the joint according to the connection degree of the coupling casing. It is seen that the high contact pressure ring of zone three on the sealing surface plays an effective sealing role under the manufacturer's recommended torque (20,465 N·m). Finally, when the torque is increased by 25%, the maximum contact pressure between the pin thread of the casing and the box thread of the hanger can fully meet the internal pressure from the wellbore pressure test and the internal pressure strength required for subsequent operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addressing the challenges of analyzing seismic response data for high-speed railroads, this research introduces a hybrid prediction model combining convolutional neural networks (CNN) and long short-term memory networks (LSTM). The model's novelty lies in its ability to significantly improve the precision of fiber grating monitoring for high-speed railroads. Employing quasi-distributed fiber optic gratings, seven grating monitoring points were strategically placed on each fiber to capture responses of the track plate, rail, base plate, and beam during seismic activities. Using data from peripheral gratings, the model predicts the central point's response. A continuous feature map, formed via a time-sliding window from the rail's acquisition location, undergoes initial feature extraction with CNN. These features are then sequenced for the LSTM network, culminating in prediction. Empirical results validate the model's efficacy, with an RMSE of 0.3753, MAE of 0.2968, and a R2 of 0.9371, underscoring its potential in earthquake response analysis for rail infrastructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trajectory tracking control performance of the wheeled mobile robot (WMR) is subject to position constraints, system uncertainties, and external disturbances. This paper explores the mechanism of the position constraints (equality and inequality) and considers the system uncertainties to be time-varying but bounded with fuzzy prescribed bounds. To solve the position constraints and uncertainties problems, a cooperative game-oriented optimal robust control method is proposed to provide high-precision, fast-response performance and robustness for WMR. First, a creative diffeomorphism transformation is proposed to convert the bounded state variables (subject to inequality constraints) into unbounded state variables. Accordingly, a restructured WMR system with the new state variables is established, which is free from inequality constraints. The uncertainties' bound is described as a fuzzy number by employing fuzzy set theory, which builds the fuzzy dynamic system of the WMR. Second, the control goal for this study is to drive the WMR to follow the position constraints despite uncertainties. An optimal robust control is developed to guarantee that the tracking errors of the WMR converge to a predefined neighborhood of origin. Using Lyapunov stability analysis, a fuzzy performance index is constructed, including steady-state performance, time performance, and control effort. The fuzzy performance index is employed as the cost function based on the cooperative game theory. The optimal control design is formulated to seek the Pareto-optimal solution of control parameters. Finally, the stability analysis and comparative experiments demonstrate that the proposed control algorithm can ensure the WMR's superior trajectory tracking convergence performance and strong robustness against uncertainties/disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: White matter hyperintensity (WMH) is suggested to cause stroke and dementia in older adults. Retinal structural thicknesses revealed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) are associated with structural changes in the brain. We aimed to explore the association between the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and cerebral microstructural changes in participants with white matter hyperintensities (WMH). Methods: Seventy-four participants (37 controls, healthy control (HC), and 37 older adults with WMH) underwent retinal and brain imaging using OCT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) respectively. Peripapillary RNFL thickness was assessed by the OCT. Gray matter volume (GMV) was assessed from a T1-weighted MRI. White matter integrity was assessed with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) while WMH severity was assessed with the Fazekas scale. All participants underwent a neuropsychological examination (Mini-Mental State Examination, MMSE). Results: Older adults with WMH showed thinner peripapillary RNFL (p = 0.004) thickness when compared with the control group after adjusting for age, hypertension and gender. In our older adults with WMH, RNFL thickness correlated with fractional anisotropy (FA) in the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) (Rho = -0.331, p < 0.001). In older adults with WMH, RNFL was significantly associated with MMSE scores (Rho = 0.422, p < 0.001) and Fazekas scores (Rho = -0.381, p = 0.022) respectively. Conclusions: We suggest neurodegeneration of peripapillary RNFL in older adults with WMH was associated with cerebral microstructural volume, impaired cerebral axonal damage, and cognitive performances. OCT metrics may provide evidence of neurodegeneration that may underpin WMH and cerebral microstructural changes in the brain. Clinical Trial Registration: This study was registered online at the China Clinical Trial Registration Center (registration number: ChiCTR-ROC-17011819). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for high-power density motors has been increasing due to their remarkable output capability and compact construction. To achieve a significant improvement in motor power density, lightweight design methods have been recognized as an effective enabler. Therefore, extensive investigations have been conducted to reduce motor mass and achieve lightweight configurations through the exploration of lightweight materials, structures and manufacturing techniques. This article provides a comprehensive review and summary of state-of-the-art lightweight implementation methods for electrical machines, including the utilization of lightweight materials, structural lightweight design, and incorporation of advanced manufacturing technologies, such as additive manufacturing techniques. The advantages and limitations of each approach are also discussed in this paper. Furthermore, some comments and forecasts on potential future methodologies for motor lightweighting are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vulnerability of plant xylem to embolism can be described as the water potential at which xylem conductivity is lost by 50% (P50). According to the traditional hypothesis of hydraulic vulnerability segmentation, the difference in vulnerability to embolism between branches and roots is positive (P50 root−branch > 0). It is not clear whether this occurs broadly across species or how segmentation might vary across aridity gradients. We compiled hydraulic and anatomical datasets from branches and roots across 104 woody species (including new measurements from 10 species) in four biomes to investigate the relationships between P50 root–branch and environmental factors associated with aridity. We found a positive P50 root–branch relationship across species, and evidence that P50 root–branch increases with aridity. Branch xylem hydraulic conductivity transitioned from more efficient (e.g., wider conduit, higher hydraulic conductivity) to safer (e.g., narrower conduit, more negative P50) in response to the increase of aridity, while root xylem hydraulic conductivity remained unchanged across aridity gradients. Our results demonstrate that the hydraulic vulnerability difference between branches and roots is more positive in species from arid regions, largely driven by modifications to branch traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal castings are essential parts and their quality greatly impacts the product’s performance. Current techniques for identifying surface defects in metal castings usually suffer from issues like inadequate accuracy in defect recognition. In comparison to other models, the performance of the Deformable DETR model in detecting defects in metal castings is commendable, yet its attentional mechanism inherently demands a larger sample size and exhibits a slower convergence rate. However, the dataset collected in this paper for metal castings possesses a limited number of samples and imbalanced data, which consequently limits the overall effectiveness of the Deformable DETR model on this task. Responding to the above, a supervised enhancement algorithm for one-to-many assignment based on the Deformable DETR was proposed in this paper. This algorithm accelerates convergence speed and reduces data requirements while eliminating Non-Maximum Suppression post-processing. Applying the supervised enhancement algorithm to DETR on this dataset also improves defect recall. In addition, attention distillation was applied to the deformable attention mechanism to reduce time and space complexity to O(Llog(L)). It creates favourable conditions for the generation of attention weights, which are changed from a linear transformation of query to query-key interaction, and emphasises casting defects while ensuring global attention. Furthermore, data processing methods such as image slicing and data augmentation are also used to enhance casting defect detection ability in this paper. Finally, the recall rate and precision rate of metal casting defects have been improved, increasing to 97.7% and 85.0%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive endocrine disorder, which is closely associated with insulin resistance, glucose and lipid metabolism disorders. Patients with PCOS have a significantly higher risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and are associated with hyperandrogenemia (HA). However, the exact mechanism by which HA exacerbates hepatic steatosis in PCOS has not yet been fully elucidated. This work aims to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of androgens on hepatic triglyceride (TG) metabolism in rats with PCOS. Methods: Twenty-four female Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups (6 rats/group): control, high-fat diet (HFD), PCOS, and PCOS + flutamide (Flu). Changes in the estrous cycle, liver and ovarian tissue sections, serum total testosterone, serum and liver biochemical indicators, and key enzymes involved in TG metabolism were studied. Results: Hepatocyte steatosis and TG accumulation were more evident in the PCOS group than in the control and HFD groups. The PCOS group showed apparent increases in the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, TG, free fatty acid, fasting insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance. Hepatic VLDL and apoB-100 levels decreased in the PCOS group. After Flu was administered to block the actions of androgens, the above abnormalities had been improved. The expression of MTTP was greatly decreased in the PCOS group and significantly increased after Flu administration. Conclusion: Hepatic steatosis in PCOS rats was correlated with HA. Androgens may exacerbate hepatic TG accumulation by downregulating MTTP expression in PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to study the influence of microparticles on the surface cavitation behavior of 2Cr3WMoV steel; microparticle suspensions of different concentration, particle size, material and shape were prepared based on ultrasonic vibration cavitation experimental device. Design/methodology/approach: 2Cr3WMoV steel was taken as the research object for ultrasonic cavitation experiment. The morphology, quantity and distribution of cavitation pits were observed and analyzed by metallographic microscope and scanning electron microscope. Findings: The study findings showed that the surface cavitation process produced pinhole cavitation pits on the surface of 2Cr3WMoV steel. High temperature in the process led to oxidation and carbon precipitation on the material surface, resulting in the "rainbow ring" cavitation morphology. Both the concentration and size of microparticles affected the number of pits on the material surface. When the concentration of microparticles was 1 g/L, the number of pits reached the maximum, and when the size of microparticles was 20 µm, the number of pits reached the minimum. The microparticles of Fe3O4, Al2O3, SiC and SiO2 all increased the number of pits on the surface of 2Cr3WMoV steel. In addition, the distribution of pits of spherical microparticles was more concentrated than that of irregularly shaped microparticles in turbidity. Originality/value: Most of the current studies have not systematically focused on the effect of each factor of microparticles on the cavitation behavior when they act separately, and the results of the studies are more scattered and varied. At the same time, it has not been found to carry out the study of microparticle cavitation with 2Cr3WMoV steel as the research material, and there is a lack of relevant cavitation morphology and experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]