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In the field of collaborative visual simultaneous localization and mapping (CVSLAM), efficient data communication poses a significant challenge, particularly in environments with limited bandwidth. To address this issue, we introduce a method aimed at reducing communication consumption. Our approach starts with a strategic culling of map points, aiming at maximizing pose-visibility and expanding spatial diversity to effectively eliminate redundant data in CVSLAM. We achieve this by formulating the problem of maximizing pose-visibility and spatial diversity as a minimum-cost maximum-flow graph optimization problem. Subsequently, we apply finite state entropy encoding for the compression of visual information, further alleviating bandwidth constraints. To verify the proposed method, we implement it within a centralized collaborative monocular simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) system. Our approach has been tested on publicly available datasets and in real-world scene. The results show a prominent reduction in bandwidth usage by 49% while maintaining mapping accuracy and without introducing additional latency, confirming its effectiveness in a multi-agent system setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive cognitive decline and late-stage neurobehavioral issues marked by amyloid-beta plaques and Tau protein tangles. This study aims to investigate Fibulin-1(FBLN1) gene expression in the hippocampal tissue of Presenilin-1/Presenilin-2 conditional double-knockout (DKO) and double-transgenic (DTG) mice, using single-cell sequencing and experimental methods to verify abnormal methylation status and correlation with AD. Genomic DNA from DKO and DTG mice was used for genotyping. Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing (RRBS) identified 10 genes with abnormal methylation changes, with protein–protein interaction (PPI) analysis highlighting five core genes, including FBLN1. Single-cell sequencing, RT-PCR, and Western blotting (WB) were used to analyze FBLN1 mRNA and protein levels in the hippocampal tissues of early-stage and mid-stage AD DKO, DTG, and CBAC57 mice. RRBS identified 10 genes with abnormal methylation, with PPI highlighting five core genes. Single-cell sequencing showed significant FBLN1 expression in AD groups. RT-PCR and WB indicated elevated FBLN1 mRNA and protein levels in mid-stage AD DKO and DTG mice compared to CBAC57 mice, with no differences in early-stage AD DKO and CBAC57 mice. RRBS revealed hypomethylation of the FBLN1 gene in mid-stage AD DKO mice. Elevated FBLN1 expression in AD models suggests an age-dependent neurodegenerative mechanism independent of amyloid-beta deposition. This study enhances our understanding of AD's epigenetic mechanisms, which will aid targeted diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic adipose tissue inflammation accompanied by macrophage accumulation and activation is implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes in humans. The transcriptional coregulator CREBZF is a key factor in hepatic metabolism, yet its role in modulating adipose tissue inflammation and type 2 diabetes remains elusive. The present study demonstrates that overnutrition‐induced CREBZF links adipose tissue macrophage (ATM) proinflammatory activation to insulin resistance. CREBZF deficiency in macrophages, not in neutrophils, attenuates macrophage infiltration in adipose, proinflammatory activation, and hyperglycemia in diet‐induced insulin‐resistant mice. The coculture assays show that macrophage CREBZF deficiency improves insulin sensitivity in primary adipocytes and adipose tissue. Mechanistically, CREBZF competitively inhibits the binding of IκBα to p65, resulting in enhanced NF‐κB activity. In addition, bromocriptine is identified as a small molecule inhibitor of CREBZF in macrophages, which suppresses the proinflammatory phenotype and improves metabolic dysfunction. Furthermore, CREBZF is highly expressed in ATM of obese humans and mice, which is positively correlated with proinflammatory genes and insulin resistance in humans. This study identifies a previously unknown role of CREBZF coupling ATM activation to systemic insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a numerical simulation-based investigation of a MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems)technology-based deformable mirror employing a piezoelectric film for fundus examination in adaptive optics. Compared to the classical equal-area electrode arrangement model, we optimize the electrode array for higher-order aberrations. The optimized model centralizes electrodes around the mirror center, which realizes low-voltage driving with high-accuracy correction. The optimized models exhibited commendable correction abilities, achieving a unidirectional displacement of 5.74 μm with a driven voltage of 15 V. The voltage–displacement relationship demonstrated high linearity at 0.99. Furthermore, the deformable mirror's influence matrix was computed, aligning with the Zernike standard surface shape of the order 1–3. To quantify aberration correction capabilities, fitting residuals for both models were calculated. The results indicate an average removal of 96.8% of aberrations to the human eye. This underscores that the optimized model outperforms the classical model in correcting high-order aberrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the calculated equations of state (EOSs) for deuterium-xenon mixtures using mixing rules. Three mixing rules, which are the ideal rule, volume rule, and pressure rule, were used for the calculations, and the thermodynamic self-consistency was evaluated. The volume rule predicts the pressures of mixtures rather accurately, but it fails in the predictions of energies. The pressure ionization has an impact on energy and pressure. Furthermore, the calculated results of the mixing rules were compared with average-atom molecular dynamics (AAMD) simulations, and the pressure rule performs better than the ideal and volume rules over the investigated range.Key words: equation of state, mixing rule, average-atom molecular dynamics, mixing, deuterium-xenon.Nous presentons les equations d'etat (EdE) calculees pour des melanges deuterium-xenon en utilisant les regles de melange. Trois regles de melange, qui sont la regle ideale, la regle de volume et celle de pression, sont utilisees ici pour les calculs et nous verifions l'auto-coherence thermodynamique. La regle de volume predit la pression des melanges de facon assez precise, mais echoue a predire les energies. L'ionisation par pression a un impact surl'energie et la pression. De plus, les resultats calcules des regles de melange sont compares avec des simulations de dynamique moleculaire atomiste (moyenne) (DMAM) et la regle de pression donne de meilleurs resultats que la regle ideale et la regle de volume sur le domaine etudie des parametres physiques. [Traduit par la Redaction.]Mots-cles: equation d'etat, regle de melange, dynamique moleculaire atomiste (moyenne), melange, deuterium-xenon., 1. IntroductionIn the field of inertial confinement fusion (ICF) research [1], high-Z elements could mix into the fusion fuel (i.e., hydrogen isotopes), because of hydrodynamics instabilities. The performance of the [...]

Radiogenic skin injury (RSI) is a common complication during cancer radiotherapy or accidental exposure to radiation. The aim of this study is to investigate the metabolism of bile acids (BAs) and their derivatives during RSI. Rat skin tissues were irradiated by an X-ray linear accelerator. The quantification of BAs and their derivatives were performed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS)-based quantitative analysis. Key enzymes in BA biosynthesis were analyzed from single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq) data of RSI in the human patient and animal models. The in vivo radioprotective effect of deoxycholic acid (DCA) was detected in irradiated SD rats. Twelve BA metabolites showed significant differences during the progression of RSI. Among them, the levels of cholic acid (CA), DCA, muricholic acid (MCA), chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), glycocholic acid (GCA), glycohyodeoxycholic acid (GHCA), 12-ketolithocholic acid (12-ketoLCA) and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) were significantly elevated in irradiated skin, whereas lithocholic acid (LCA), tauro-β-muricholic acid (Tβ-MCA) and taurocholic acid (TCA) were significantly decreased. Additionally, the results of scRNA-Seq indicated that genes involved in 7a-hydroxylation process, the first step in BA synthesis, showed pronounced alterations in skin fibroblasts or keratinocytes. The alternative pathway of BA synthesis is more actively altered than the classical pathway after ionizing radiation. In the model of rat radiogenic skin damage, DCA promoted wound healing and attenuated epidermal hyperplasia. Ionizing radiation modulates the metabolism of BAs. DCA is a prospective therapeutic agent for the treatment of RSI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the increasing interest in learning non-alphabetical languages such as Chinese, research about its learning process for alphabet users is scarce. Research conducted on Latin alphabet users on learning languages written in Latin alphabet, or on Chinese language learning in Chinese native speakers, users is undoubtedly useful but it does not inform about the peculiarities of leaning Chinese language by other alphabet users. Additionally, several authors have highlighted the need to inform and extend the current second language acquisition theories on the particular challenges of learning a language that uses another script. In this research we aim to contribute filling this research gap and studied the learning process of Chinese vocabulary by users of scripts different from Chinese. In particular, we examined the role of pictures and translations as learning aids for Chinese language vocabulary learning in participants familiarized with either one or two alphabetical scripts (different from the Chinese logographic script). One hundred thirteen participants studied word-aid pairs in different conditions: Hanzi (Chinese in Chinese characters)-picture; Pinyin (Chinese in Latin alphabet)-picture; Hanzi-translation; Pinyin-translation. Participants evaluated the future recallability of the words and their meanings (i.e., judgements of learning) and completed two recognition tests. Words in Pinyin and words-translation pairs were judged to be easier to remember than Hanzi and word-pictures pairs. Participants remembered the meaning of words written in Hanzi better than in Pinyin, and word-translations pairs better than pictures, but they were more confident about word-picture pairs. These results suggest that pictures boost confidence in learning Chinese, but do not affect performance. These findings suggest that while pictures may boost confidence in learning Chinese, they may not necessarily lead to better performance. Our study provides valuable insights into the interaction of learning aids and writing system in (meta)memory during vocabulary acquisition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L-shell electron-impact ionization (EII) cross sections for highly charged tungsten ions were measured at incident electron energies of 29.10 and 38.92 keV using the Shanghai-EBIT. Resolved x-rays from radiative recombination (RR) processes were recorded with a high-purity Ge detector in a static electron energy scanning mode. Absolute EII cross sections were obtained by normalizing to the theoretical RR cross sections. The experimental results were compared with the calculated results using the relativistic distorted-wave method implemented in the flexible atomic code and the relativistic Lotz semi-empirical equation. The measurements showed general agreement with the calculated results by two theoretical methods for Li- to N-like W ions. The experimental uncertainties are not sufficiently small to discern the two theoretical results. Furthermore, the influence of Breit interaction on the EII cross sections of open L-shell tungsten ions was studied, and the effect is small but non-negligible. The measured EII cross sections of open L-shell tungsten ions would contribute to fusion plasma studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been implicated in various aspects of tumor development, including tumor invasion and metastasis, cancer stemness, and therapy resistance. Diverse stroma cell types along with biochemical and biophysical factors in the tumor microenvironment impinge on the EMT program to impact tumor progression. Here we provide an in-depth review of various tumor microenvironmental signals that regulate EMT in cancer. We discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of EMT in therapy resistance and highlight new therapeutic approaches targeting the tumor microenvironment to impact EMT and tumor progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Although complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is used around the world, there has been a lack of comprehensive understanding of major factors affecting patients' decision to use CAM. This study aimed to describe the preferences of Chinese patients regarding what conditions they will use Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for and to determine the factors associated with these preferences. Patients and Methods: This study used data from the China Healthcare Improvement Evaluation Survey in January 2021, a national cross-sectional survey conducted at 163 hospitals across 31 provinces. A convenient sampling method was used to conduct the patient satisfaction survey, and 28,993 patients in an ambulatory setting constituted our study sample on TCM use. A multiple-choice question regarding TCM listed nine medical conditions and asked the patient about what condition he/she and his/her family members would use TCM. In addition to descriptive statistics, we used a binary logistic regression model to investigate factors affecting the likelihood of patients' decision to use TCM for multiple conditions. Results: The majority of the surveyed patients (76.3%) would use TCM for the purpose of disease prevention, and more than half (67.3%) for multiple medical/health conditions, 34.0% for dealing with chronic diseases, 33.0% for common symptoms, 26.9% for rehabilitation, and 26.3% for sleeping disorder. Female and older patients, as well as patients with a higher education level, urban residency, and higher family income, were found to be associated with a higher probability of using TCM for multiple conditions than their counterparts (odd ratios [OR]> 1, P< 0.05). Conclusion: This study reveals a preference for TCM in a large sample of Chinese patients, especially used for prevention. Generally, patients with a higher socioeconomic status had a more positive attitude toward TCM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bronchoscopic TransParenchymal Nodule Access (BTPNA) technology is mainly used for sampling or ablative treatment of lung parenchymal lesions that cannot be reached by bronchoscopy and its appendages, generally for palliative treatment of some lung tumors. We used BTPNA to treat a 32‐year‐old young woman with pulmonary tuberculosis and successfully perforated her occluded left main bronchus. Her left atelectasis was recovered, and a silicone stent was inserted to preserve the shape of the left main bronchus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research progresses on the investigations of atomic structure and collision dynamics with highly charged ions based on the heavy ion storage rings and electron ion beam traps in recent 20 years are reviewed. The structure part covers test of quantum electrodynamics and electron correlation in strong Coulomb field studied through dielectronic recombination spectroscopy and VUV/x-ray spectroscopy. The collision dynamics part includes charge exchange dynamics in ionâ€"atom collisions mainly in Bohr velocity region, ion-induced fragmentation mechanisms of molecules, hydrogen-bound and van de Waals bound clusters, interference, and phase information observed in ionâ€"atom/molecule collisions. With this achievements, two aspects of theoretical studies related to low energy and relativistic energy collisions are presented. The applications of data relevant to key atomic processes like dielectronic recombination and charge exchanges involving highly charged ions are discussed. At the end of this review, some future prospects of research related to highly charged ions are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diterpenoids, including more than 18,000 compounds, represent an important class of metabolites that encompass both phytohormones and some industrially relevant compounds. These molecules with complex, diverse structures and physiological activities, have high value in the pharmaceutical industry. Most medicinal diterpenoids are extracted from plants. Major advances in understanding the biosynthetic pathways of these active compounds are providing unprecedented opportunities for the industrial production of diterpenoids by metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. Here, we summarize recent developments in the field of diterpenoid biosynthesis from medicinal herbs. An overview of the pathways and known biosynthetic enzymes is presented. In particular, we look at the main findings from the past decade and review recent progress in the biosynthesis of different groups of ringed compounds. We also discuss diterpenoid production using synthetic biology and metabolic engineering strategies, and draw on new technologies and discoveries to bring together many components into a useful framework for diterpenoid production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper constructs a supply chain model composed of a manufacturer and a recycler. The manufacturer's CSR and the recycler's fairness concerns are introduced to the benchmark model in turn, and the optimal decision-making problems under different models are studied and compared. The findings show that the manufacturer's utility will increase and the recycler's utility will decrease when the manufacturer undertakes CSR within a reasonable range. The optimal utility of manufacturers does not change, and the utility of the recycler is affected by the proportion of CSR undertaken by the manufacturer when the recycler considers fairness concerns. Based on the CSR and fairness model, this paper constructs a dynamic decision system of production quantity and eco-innovation effort. We analyze the influence of adjustment speed on the dynamic decision system and obtain the conditions required to maintain system stability. The research conclusion indicates that with the increase of adjusting parameters, the system gradually appears chaotic state from a stable state and the chaotic state of the system has a negative impact on the utility of manufacturer and recycler. In order to avoid chaos in the system, this paper uses the delayed feedback method to control the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Great efforts have been made to create a bright K-shell source using the thin metal cylindrical cavities in the past few decades. Several metal materials such as titanium (Ti), iron, and so on have been tested for high x-ray conversion efficiency mainly at the OMEGA and NIF laser facilities. Recently, x-ray sources in Ti K-shell transition energy range were investigated at the Shenguang-III prototype laser facility with ∼5 kJ laser energy. The experiments were aimed to reproduce the previous ones at OMEGA, but with an extraordinarily small volume of cylindrical cavity and detailed characterizations of the x-ray source. The cavities were 800 μm inner diameter, 800 μm length, and 30 μm thick plastic tubes supporting 1 μm thick Ti. Seven laser beams were focused to 200 μm diameter. The combination of the small cavity volume and the focused laser spots is intended to improve the electron temperature with limited laser energy since the electron temperature is a key issue for high x-ray conversion efficiency. Thomson scattering was adopted to experimentally probe the electron temperatures at special time and space zones as well as the average temperature obtained from the Ti K-shell spectrum. The evolutions of the electron temperature and density are predicted by the radiation hydrodynamic simulation. A top view and two photon energy bands of x-ray source images provide a way to directly observe the plasma movement toward the cavity axis and distinguish the different emission mechanisms between the Ti K-shell and lower energy x rays. Six Higher-energy x-ray detectors located at different angles were used to record the Ti K-shell x-ray emission and demonstrate its isotropic feature. The characteristics of the x-ray radiate intensity including the time evolution, the angular distribution, and the total yields for both the photon energy regions above and below 4 keV are compared between the cavity and planar targets. Obviously, different behaviors were found between the two photon energy regions and the two types of targets. The x-ray conversion efficiency of the Ti cylinder was determined to be ∼ 4 % and ∼ 21 % in 4 π sr in the Ti K-shell (4–7 keV) and <4 keV range, respectively. The Ti K-shell conversion efficiency obtained in the present experiments is between the ones driven by 13.5 and 4.5 kJ laser energy at OMEGA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-resolution x-ray spectrometer has been designed and constructed, using a highly oriented pyrolytic graphite Bragg crystal in von Hamos geometry. The spectrometer was designed to study x-ray fluorescence emissions of Ti, and it covers a detecting energy range from 4000 eV to 5500 eV. The factors affecting the spectral resolution and efficiency of the spectrometer were discussed. In particular, the bending of the spectral lines on the image plate was also corrected, due to the detecting plane not being parallel to the axis of the cylindrically curved crystal. Its performance has been evaluated in a laser–foil interaction experiment. The experimental results indicate that the spectrometer is of good spectral resolution and relatively high efficiency, which enables it as a suitable device for the measurements of high-resolution x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Data on clinical, laboratory, and radiographic characteristics and risk factors for in‐hospital mortality of lung cancer patients with COVID‐19 are scarce. Here, we aimed to characterize the early clinical features of lung cancer patients with COVID‐19 and identify risk factors associated with in‐hospital mortality. Methods: All consecutive lung cancer patients with laboratory‐confirmed COVID‐19 admitted to 12 hospitals in Hubei province, China, from 3 January to 6 May 2020 were included in the study. Patients without definite clinical outcomes during the period were excluded. Data on initial clinical, laboratory and radiographic findings were compared between survivors and nonsurvivors. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to explore the risk factors associated with in‐hospital mortality. Results: Of the 45 lung cancer patients (median [interquartile range] age, 66 [58–74] years; 68.9% males) included, 34 (75.6%) discharged and 11 (24.4%) died. Fever (73.3%) and cough (53.3%) were the dominant initial symptoms, and respiratory symptoms were common. Lung cancer patients also presented atypical appearances of COVID‐19. In the multivariable analysis, prolonged prolongation prothrombin time (PT) (OR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.00–4.41, P = 0.0497) and elevated high sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs‐TNI) (OR = 7.65, 95% CI: 1.24–47.39, P = 0.0287) were associated with an increased risk of in‐hospital mortality. Conclusions: Lung cancer patients with COVID‐19 have high in‐hospital mortality. Prolonged PT and elevated hs‐TNI are independent risk factors for in‐hospital mortality of lung cancer patients with COVID‐19. Key points: Significant findings of the study: Lung cancer patients with COVID‐19 have atypical early symptoms and imaging features.The prolonged prothrombin time and elevated high sensitivity cardiac troponin I are independent risk factors for in‐hospital mortality of lung cancer patients with COVID‐19. What this study adds: This study characterizes the early clinical features of lung cancer patients with COVID‐19 in China, and identifies the risk factors associated with in‐hospital mortality of lung cancer patients with COVID‐19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present ab initio calculations of cross sections for projectile and target excitation occurring in the course of He+ + He collisions using a three-active-electron semiclassical nonperturbative approach. Intermediate impact energies ranging from 1 keV to 225 keV/u are considered. The results of our calculations agree well with available measurements for both projectile and target excitation in the respective overlapping energy regions. A comparison of our results with those of other theoretical calculations further demonstrates the importance of a nonperturbative approach that includes a sufficient number of channels. Furthermore, it is found that the cross sections for target excitation into singlet states show a valley centered at about 25 keV/u, resulting from competition with electron transfer to singlet projectile states. By contrast, the cross sections for target excitation into triplet states do not exhibit any such structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]