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Objective This study aimed to explore the effects of tea polyphenols (TP) on inflammation of orbital fibroblasts in Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO) and to provide new ideas for GO treatment. Methods Primary orbital fibroblasts were extracted from orbital adipose/connective tissues of patients with and without GO. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 in non-GO and GO orbital fibroblasts. The CCK-8 assay was used to determine the appropriate concentration of TP for subsequent experiments. RT-qPCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were performed to investigate the effects of TP on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of inflammatory cytokines. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) expression was measured using Western blotting analysis. NOD-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) expression was detected using both Western blotting analysis and immunofluorescence staining. Results The mRNA levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and MCP-1 in GO orbital fibroblasts were significantly higher than those in non-GO cells. TP treatment significantly inhibited LPS-induced production of inflammatory factors, including IL-6, IL-1β, and MCP-1. TP also inhibited the expression levels of NF-κB and NLRP3. Inflammation in the GO orbital fibroblasts was higher than that in non-GO cells. TP inhibited the production of inflammatory cytokines in GO orbital fibroblasts in vitro through the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway. Conclusion These findings suggest that TP may have a potential role in GO treatment.

Identifying the key parameters or components mainly contributing to the acute toxicity of wastewater would be helpful to quickly and conveniently reflect their biological toxicity. In this study, the components/parameters and biological toxicity of 64 effluent samples collected from two factories producing konjac and glass were analyzed. It was found that the two types of wastewaters were not effectively dealt with. Moreover, the acute biological toxicity evaluated by the bioluminescence inhibition to Vibrio fischeri revealed that ∼90% of the effluents were marked as toxic with bioluminescence inhibition higher than 50%. By applying a grey relational analysis (GRA) method to investigate the influential priorities of the effluent characteristics on biological toxicity, the results demonstrated that the top four influential factors on the bioluminescence inhibition were as follows: TN ≈ SO42− > Cl− > As ≈ Hg (for konjac-manufacturing effluents) and Zn > SO42− ≈ TN > As > Cl− (for glass-producing effluents). These results would be useful for fast recognizing the biological toxicity features of industrial effluents via evaluating the most influential parameters, and helpful for reducing the biological acute toxicity to protect the downstream wastewater treatment plant from abrupt collapse.

SUMMARY The propagation of Tibetan Plateau high-elevation towards the Asian interior remains poorly understood. We conduct a series of 2-D viscoelastic plastic finite element models addressing the development of the Liupan Shan fold-and-thrust belt with multiple detachments in the NE Tibetan Plateau. We focus on the spatio–temporal relations of the Liupan Shan fold-and-thrust belt and dynamic mechanisms of growth in the NE margin of Tibetan Plateau during the late Cenozoic. Our models, consisting of a seismically-constrained two-layer-crust (of variable thicknesses) plus lithospheric mantle consider tectonic horizontal contraction and the influence of elastoplastic materials, including Model 1 (only the upper crust is elastoplastic), Model 2 (both the upper crust and the middle part of the lower crust are elastoplastic) and Model 3 (the whole lithosphere is elastoplastic). The results show that Model 1 can only reflect the properties of shallow detachment layer. Models 2 and 3 can better reflect the properties of multidetachment layers and approximately represent the process of fold-and-thrust belt formation and evolution; thus suggesting the importance of plastic rheology in the deep crust. In addition, Model 3 suggests that the pre-existing fault near the Moho below Liupan Shan is activated during the evolution process of ∼8 Ma. In summary, the results embody that the initiation and evolution of the fold-and-thrust belt depend on detachment structures: the deep and shallow detachments control the evolution of surface deformation and fold-and-thrust belt altogether. The simulated surface deformation is generally consistent with actual surface elevation distribution. Moreover, the growth of the Liupan Shan range may represent an expansion of the NE Tibetan Plateau toward the Ordos basin vicinity. Additionally, the tectonically driven uplift of Liupan Shan area supports the general crustal shortening tectonic mechanism of the Tibetan Plateau.

Gouty arthritis (GA) is an inflammatory disease, and renal impairment may occur to varying degrees with the progress of disease. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an inflammatory marker. In this study, we aimed to explore the association between NLR and renal impairment in GA.The subjects comprised 499 patients with gouty arthritis (GA) (473 men, 26 women; age range, 39-61 years old) from our hospital. They were divided into a chronic kidney disease (CKD) group (n = 206) and non-CKD group (n = 293) according to the glomerular filtration rate. Blood samples were collected during the gout flares. The differences in NLR, general data, and laboratory indexes of patients with GA between the two groups were compared, such as serum uric acid (SUA), serum creatinine (SCREA), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL).NLR (3.38 vs. 2.38 (p 0.001)) was higher in the CKD group, compared to the non-CKD group. Similarly, both SUA (527 vs. 507 (p 0.05)) and SCREA (122 vs. 87 (p 0.001)) were higher in the CKD group than in the non-CKD group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that NLR (OR = 1.122, p 0.05), age, hypertension, and SUA were risk factors for CKD in patients with GA, although HDL and HGB were protective factors. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated that the area under the curve of NLR for predicting CKD in patients with GA was 0.646 (95% CI 0.597-0.694).Our data showed that NLR might be an important potential factor for evaluating renal impairment in GA during flares.

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Objectives: Previous studies of archaeology and history suggested that the rise and prosperity of Bronze Age culture in East Asia had made essential contribution to the formation of early state and civilization in this region. However, the impacts in perspective of genetics remain ambiguous. Previous genetic researches indicated the Y-chromosome Q1a1a-M120 and N1a2a-F1101 may be the two most important paternal lineages among the Bronze Age people in ancient northwest China. Here, we investigated the 9,000-years history of haplogroup N1a2a-F1101 with revised phylogenetic tree and spatial autocorrelation analysis.Materials and Methods: In this study, 229 sequences of N1a2a-F1101 were analyzed. We developed a highly-revised phylogenetic tree with age estimates for N1a2a-F1101. In addition, we also explored the geographical distribution of sub-lineages of N1a2a-F1101, and spatial autocorrelation analysis was conducted for each sub-branch.Results: The initial differentiation location of N1a2a-F1101 and its most closely related branch, N1a2b-P43, a major lineage of Uralic-speaking populations in northern Eurasia, is likely the west part of northeast China. After ~4 thousand years of bottleneck effect period, haplgroup N1a2a-F1101 experienced continuous expansion during the Chalcolithic age (~ 4.5 kya to 4 kya) and Bronze age (~ 4 kya to 2.5 kya) in northern China. Ancient DNA evidence supported that this haplogroup is the lineage of ruling family of Zhou Dynasty (~ 3 kya-2.2 kya) of ancient China.Discussion: In general, we proposed that the Bronze Age people in the border area between the eastern Eurasian steppe and northern China not only played a key role in promoting the early state and civilization of China, but also left significant traces in the gene pool of Chinese people.

In this work, we report on the synthesis of InSe nanobelts through a catalyst-free chemical vapor deposition (CVD) growth approach. A remarkable blue shift of the peak photoresponse was observed when the thickness of the InSe nanobelt decreases from 562 to 165 nm. Silvaco Technology Computer Aided Design (TCAD) simulation reveals that such a shift in spectral response should be ascribed to the wavelength-dependent absorption coefficient of InSe, for which incident light with shorter wavelengths will be absorbed near the surface, while light with longer wavelengths will have a greater penetration depth, leading to a red shift of the absorption edge for thicker nanobelt devices. Considering the above theory, three kinds of photodetectors sensitive to blue (450 nm), green (530 nm), and red (660 nm) incident light were achieved by tailoring the thickness of the nanobelts, which can enable the spectral reconstruction of a purple "H" pattern, suggesting the potential application of 2D layered semiconductors in full-color imaging.

A visible-light-promoted atomic substitution reaction for transforming thiocacids into carboxylic acids with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as the oxygen source has been developed, affording various alkyl and aryl carboxylic acids in over 90% yields. The atomic substitution process proceeds smoothly through the photochemical reactivity of the formed hydrogen-bonding adduct between thioacids and DMSO. A DMSO-involved proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) and the simultaneous generation of thiyl and hydroxyl radicals are proposed to be key steps for realizing the transformation.

The continental collision-induced far-field intraplate deformation may be topographically separated from or coherent with the collision front, the mechanism of which is poorly constrained. Here, we build a series of 2D thermo–mechanical models to explore the controlling factors of distal orogenesis in the framework of a composite terrane sandwiched between two strong continental blocks. The model results suggest that the development of distal orogenesis requires a strong rheological heterogeneity in the overriding lithosphere. Two types of far-field collisional effects with distinct patterns of topographic evolution are identified, characterized by (I) a delayed and discrete distal orogenesis separated from the collision front by a low-relief, less-deformed terrane interior, and (II) an instant distal orogenesis subsequently integrated into a progressively growing plateau. These two types of far-field orogenesis are revealed to be analogous to the development of the Kopet Dagh and northern Tibet. The comparisons between model results and geological observations provide significant constraints on the dynamics of crustal-scale deformation propagation and the formation of distinct lithospheric architectures.

The Tarim basin not only is one of the main targets for hydrocarbon exploration in China, but also hosts the Early Permian LIP, thereby providing an ideal laboratory to investigate how the LIP eruptions interact with the petroleum system in the volcanic-affected basins. Six major second-order domes were identified in the first-order dome that involves the entire Tarim LIP, based on seismic probing and lithofacies and stratigraphic observations in boreholes and the stratigraphic sections. These second-order domes are characterized by abundant Permian basaltic dykes and volcanic craters, indicative of the origin from the LIP eruption. They also are the sites of the almost all Paleozoic oil and gas reservoirs in the Tarim basin. Dating on authigenic illites collected from 20 Silurian bituminous and oil-saturated sandstone samples in the Tarim basin, along with literature data, indicates that hydrocarbon charge and emplacement in the Paleozoic reservoirs prevalently occurred during 300–255 Ma, approximately concurrent with the eruption of the Tarim LIP lavas (300–262 Ma). Therefore, we propose that the LIP eruption not only created the second-order domes that provided space for the oil and gas charge but also triggered the rapid release of hydrocarbon through the volcanic vents, thereby controlling the formation of Paleozoic oil and gas fields in the Tarim basin.

Prussian blue analogue Na2Ni[Fe(CN)6] (Ni–PB) has been widely studied as a cathode material for sodium‐ion battery due to its excellent cycling performance. However, Ni–PB has a low theoretical capacity of 85 mAh g−1 because of the electrochemical inertness of Ni. Herein, ternary Ni–PB is successfully synthesized by double doping with Co and Fe at Ni‐site, and the effect of doping with Co and Fe on the electrochemical performance of Ni–PB is systematically investigated through theoretical calculations and electrochemical tests. The first principles calculations confirm that double doping with Co and Fe can significantly reduce the energy barrier and bandgap of Ni–PB. X‐ray diffraction and composition analysis results indicate that ternary NiCoFe–PB composite not only has good crystallinity and high Na content but also has low defects and crystal water. Electrochemical tests reveal that, besides the capacity contribution of high‐spin Co/Fe and low‐spin Fe, Co‐doping enhances the electrochemical activity of low‐spin Fe and Fe‐doping improves the activity of high‐spin Co; moreover, double doping can decrease the diffusion resistance of Na+ ions through solid electrolyte interface film, accelerate the kinetics for both ion diffusion process and Faradic reaction, and increase active sites. Under the synergistic effect of Co and Fe, this ternary NiCoFe–PB exhibits outstanding electrochemical performance with a high initial discharge capacity of 120.4 mAh g−1 at 20 mA g−1 and an extremely low capacity fading rate of 0.0044% per cycle at a high current density of 2 A g−1 even after 10,000 cycles, showing great application potential of ternary NiCoFe–PB in the field of large‐scale energy storage.

To retrospectively analyze homicide cases of death after injection and provide reference for forensic identification.Six homicide cases of death after injection which were investigated by the Criminal Investigation Team of Shanghai Public Security Bureau were collected and analyzed, including case situation, scene investigation, autopsy and other materials.The 6 cases were premeditated crimes, 5 cases took place in private spaces, and 5 cases involved the victims approached by suspects' decoy. There were no obvious abnormalities at the scene of the 6 cases. In 6 cases, the victim's body surface injury was mild or no, lividity color was abnormal, and the needlestick injury showed different manifestations from conventional medical measures.Death after injection is a highly concealed crime and easy to be ignored. For the suspected injection injury found in autopsy, it is necessary to carefully examine, identify and analyze, be alert to the situation of injecting poison (drug) and do a good job in evidence fixation and material extraction.

Individual identification is one of the research hotspots in the practice of forensic science, and the judgment is usually built on the comparison of the unique biological characteristics of the individual, such as fingerprints, iris and DNA. With the dramatic increase in the number of cases related to video image investigations, there is an increasing need for the technology to identify individuals based on the macroscopic comparison of facial appearance biometrics. At present, with the introduction of computer three-dimensional (3D) modeling and 3D superimposition comparison technology, considerable progress has been made in individual identification methods based on macroscopic comparison of facial appearance biometrics. This paper reviews individual facial appearance biometric methods based on macroscopical comparison, comprehensively analyzes the advantages and limitations of different methods, and puts forward recommendations and prospects for subsequent research.个体识别是法庭科学实践的研究热点之一，通常依据具有个体唯一性的生物特征（如指纹、虹膜、DNA等）比对结果进行判别。随着视频图像侦查相关案件数量的剧增，基于宏观比对面部表观生物特征进行个体识别的技术需求日益增长。目前，由于计算机3D建模及3D叠加比对技术的引入，基于宏观比对面部表观生物特征的个体识别方法取得了可观进展。本文综述了基于宏观比对面部表观生物特征进行个体识别的不同方法，对其优势和局限性进行分析，并对后续研究提出建议与展望。.

Alongside sustainable development as a major global aim, the contribution made by globalization to environmental issues has become crucial in recent decades. Prior studies have focused on how trade in globalization influences the environment. However, multiple economic, social, and political factors are also important, the integration of which needs to be considered in sustainable development. Sharp and smooth breaks in time series models are the consequence of real-world structures. Using the bootstrap autoregressive-distributed lag test with a Fourier function, the present study reexamined the nexus between globalization and the environment in China, the United States, and India. The empirical results indicate that in the United States, the nexus between globalization and the environment is cointegrated in the long-term. In the short term, globalization is improving the environment in the United States and India. However, in China, globalization is resulting in environmental degradation. This research will assist policymakers in developing comprehensive strategies for sustainable development.

The viral envelope is essential for virus maturation. Virus-mediated syncytium formations are induced by viral envelope proteins that cause membrane fusion of the infected cells.

Bioactivity-guided fraction of an extract of Sophora flavescens to identify antibacterial compounds against Acinetobacter baumannii, led to the isolation of two new compounds, (2″R)-5-methoxy-7-hydroxy-8-lavandulylchromone (13) and (2S,βS)-(-)-sophobiflavonoid CE (19), and 18 known flavonoids, (6aR,11aR)-(-)-maackiain (1), (2S)-(-)-8-prenylnaringenin (2), (2S)-(-)-exiguaflavanone K (3), (2S)-(-)-sophoraflavanone G (4), (2S)-(-)-leachianone A (5), (2S)-(-)-kushenol E (6), (2S)-(-)-leachianone G (7), (±)-kushenol F (8), (2S)-(-)-kurarinone (9), (2S)-(-)-kurarinol (10), (2 R,3R)- (+)-3,7,4'-trihydroxy-5-methoxy-8-prenylflavanone (11), (2S)-(-)-isoxanthohumol (12), (2S)-(-)-2'-methoxykurarinone (14), (2 R,3R)-(+)-kushenol I (15), calycosin (16), kuraridin (17), (2S)-(-)-kushenol A (18), and trifolirhizin (20). Their structures were elucidated based on NMR, MS, and CD spectroscopic analysis. Among them, 1, 2, 5, and 15 exerted modest antibacterial activity against A. baumannii, with MIC95 of 128-256 μg/mL for 2 and 256-512 μg/mL for 1, 5 and 15.

Trade-off theory has long been the central to evolutionary biology and is extensively employed to explain the correlations between life-history traits. It is generally accepted that trade-off occurs when one trait cannot increase without a decrease in another. In this study, we collected data on spider mites (70 papers for females and 35 papers for males) and explored the relationships between life-history traits to test the trade-off theory in both sexes. The results demonstrate that for both males and females, there was a statistically significant negative correlation between developmental rate and lifespan, in agreement with the trade-off theory. However, in contradiction with our assumption, the developmental rate of females was positively correlated with maximum daily fecundity, but not with the total fecundity. This indicates that developing fast does not necessarily bring the cost to late life-history traits. The long-lived females also showed higher lifetime fecundity, contrary to our prediction that investment in survival comes at the cost of lower investment in reproduction. These fundings are congruent with life history theory in that spider mites “live fast, die young”, convincing the trade-off between growth and longevity. Nevertheless, this study highlights that there is no clear evidence that spider mites trade off growth and survival for reproduction. The implications of this phenomenon are discussed.

Diatom test is the main laboratory test method in the diagnosis of drowning in forensic medicine. It plays an important role in differentiating the antemortem drowning from the postmortem drowning and inferring drowning site. Artificial intelligence (AI) automatic diatom test is a technological innovation in forensic drowning diagnosis which is based on morphological characteristics of diatom, the application of AI algorithm to automatic identification and classification of diatom in tissues and organs. This paper discusses the morphological diatom test methods and reviews the research progress of automatic diatom recognition and classification involving AI algorithms. AI deep learning algorithm can assist diatom testing to obtain objective, accurate, and efficient qualitative and quantitative analysis results, which is expected to become a new direction of diatom testing research in the drowning of forensic medicine in the future.硅藻检验是法医学溺死诊断中的主要实验室检验方法，在鉴别水中尸体生前溺死和死后入水以及推断落水点中发挥了重要作用。人工智能自动化硅藻检验基于硅藻形态学特征，应用人工智能算法对组织器官中的硅藻进行自动化识别和分类，是法医学硅藻检验的一次技术革新。本文从形态学硅藻检验方法展开讨论，并对人工智能算法参与的自动化硅藻识别和分类研究进展进行综述。人工智能深度学习算法可以辅助硅藻检验得到客观、准确、高效的定性定量分析结果，有望成为未来法医学溺死硅藻检验研究的新方向。.

To retrospectively analyze diatom test cases of corpses in water and discuss the value of quantitative analysis of diatoms in the diagnosis of drowning.A total of 490 cases of water-related death were collected. They were divided into drowning group and postmortem immersion group according to the cause of death. Diatoms in lung, liver, kidney tissue and water sample were analyzed quantitatively by microwave digestion-vacuum filtration-automated scanning electron microscopy (MD-VF-Auto SEM) method. The ratios of content of diatoms in lung tissue and water sample (The results of diatom test for three organs (lung, liver and kidney) were all positive in 400 cases (85.5%); the content of diatom in lung, liver, kidney tissues, and water samples of drowning group were (113 235.9±317 868.1), (26.7±75.6), (23.3±52.2) and (12 113.3±21 760.0) cells/10 g, respectively; the species of diatom were (7.5±2.8), (2.6±1.9), (2.9±2.1) and (8.9±3.0) types, respectively; theQuantitative analysis of diatoms can provide supportive evidence for the diagnosis of drowning, and the parameter

Multiple assessment tools are used in arthroscopic training and play an important role in feedback. However, it is not fully recognized as to the standard way to apply these tools. Our study aimed to investigate the use of assessment tools in arthroscopic training and determine whether there is an optimal way to apply various assessment tools in arthroscopic training.A search was performed using PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library electronic databases for articles published in English from January 2000 to July 2021. Eligible for inclusion were primary research articles related to using assessment tools for the evaluation of arthroscopic skills and training environments. Studies that focussed only on therapeutic cases, did not report outcome measures of technical skills, or did not mention arthroscopic skills training were excluded.A total of 28 studies were included for review. Multiple assessment tools were used in arthroscopic training. The most common objective metric was completion time, reported in 21 studies. Technical parameters based on simulator or external equipment, such as instrument path length, hand movement, visual parameters and injury, were also widely used. Subjective assessment tools included checklists and global rating scales (GRS). Among these, the most commonly used GRS was the Arthroscopic Surgical Skill Evaluation Tool (ASSET). Most of the studies combined objective metrics and subjective assessment scales in the evaluation of arthroscopic skill training.Overall, both subjective and objective assessment tools can be used as feedback for basic arthroscopic skill training, but there are still differences in the frequency of application in different contexts. Despite this, combined use of subjective and objective assessment tools can be applied to more situations and skills and can be the optimal way for assessment.Level III, systematic review of level I to III studies. Key messagesBoth subjective and objective assessment tools can be used as feedback for basic arthroscopic skill training.Combined use of subjective and objective assessment tools can be applied to more situations and skills and can be the optimal way for assessment.

A typical characteristics of polydnavirus (PDV) infection is a persistent immunosuppression, governed by the viral integration and expression of virulence genes. Recently, activation of caspase-3 by Microplitis bicoloratus bracovirus (MbBV) to cleave Innexins, gap junction proteins, has been highlighted, further promoting apoptotic cell disassembly and apoptotic body (AB) formation. However, whether ABs play a role in immune suppression remains to be determined. Herein, we show that ABs transmitted immunosuppressive signaling, causing recipient cells to undergo apoptosis and dismigration. Furthermore, the insertion of viral–host integrated motif sites damaged the host genome, stimulating eIF5A nucleocytoplasmic transport and activating the eIF5A-hypusination translation pathway. This pathway specifically translates apoptosis-related host proteins, such as P53, CypA, CypD, and CypJ, to drive cellular apoptosis owing to broken dsDNA. Furthermore, translated viral proteins, such Vank86, 92, and 101, known to complex with transcription factor Dip3, positively regulated DHYS and DOHH transcription maintaining the activation of the eIF5A-hypusination. Mechanistically, MbBV-mediated extracellular vesicles contained inserted viral fragments that re-integrated into recipients, potentially via the homologous recombinant repair system. Meanwhile, this stimulation regulated activated caspase-3 levels via PI3K/AKT 308 and 473 dephosphorylation to promote apoptosis of granulocyte-like recipients Sf9 cell; maintaining PI3K/AKT 473 phosphorylation and 308 dephosphorylation inhibited caspase-3 activation leading to dismigration of plasmatocyte-like recipient High Five cells. Together, our results suggest that integration-mediated eIF5A hypusination drives extracellular vesicles for continuous immunosuppression.

Nanophotonics, driven by low processing power and high density integration, is appearing as the next logical step for microwave photonics. Optical frequency combs (OFCs), which play a vital role in integrated microwave photonics, have not yet generated using nano-structured devices. In this paper, we propose OFC generation based on all-optical modulation of nanophotonic structures. A theoretical model based on temporal coupled mode theory is developed to describe cascaded all-optical photonic crystal intensity and phase modulators. Using a modulation light with a sinusoidal waveform, a separate carrier light is modulated to generate an OFC. By manipulating the modulation power and device dimensions, a flat OFC that spans over a 600 GHz is delivered. The proposed system offers OFC generation with tunable comb line spacing using devices with high density integration capabilities.

In this paper, we compare the performances of radio frequency interference (RFI) suppression between radio frequency interference mitigation (RFIM) and frequency-domain adaptive clutter suppression (FACS) algorithms that apply to ionograms for foF2 scaling through true height analysis. We find that the use of RFIM and FACS can both effectively suppress RFIs in ionograms to improve the signal-to-clutter (SCR) of the original ionogram. Overall, the RFI clutter suppressed by FACS is about 5–7 dB better than that by RFIM. In addition, the SCR improvement made by FACS with neighboring range cells in a range of 10–40 is also better than that made by RFIM, which is about 5–10 dB for FACS and 4–8 dB for RFIM, respectively. However, the signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of the ionospheric echoes of the ionograms with FACS are about 3–5 dB (2–3 dB) smaller than those of RFIM during daytime (nighttime). Intercomparisons reveal that the correlations of the scaled foF2 values between the original and RFIM ionograms are slightly higher than those between the original and FACS ionograms, while the root-mean-square-error (RMSE) and mean bias of the former are slightly larger than the latter. These results indicate that the use of RFIM and FACS algorithms to suppress RFIs in ionograms can conditionally improve the quality of scaled foF2 using Ke et al.’s autoscaling algorithm. Statistical results reveal that the use of FACS algorithms can result in about a 5–12% improvement in uncertainty and a 9–80% improvement in accuracy, provided that 5–20 neighboring range cells are selected. As for the RFIM algorithm with a threshold of 2–2.5 times standard deviation, the improvements in uncertainty and accuracy are, respectively, about 0.9–10% and 11–90%.

Dust comprises particles usually present in the atmosphere. The deposition of dust on the surface of the solar panel seriously affects the light transmittance, resulting in lower pow-er generation efficiency and shortening the service life of the solar panel. Therefore, it is important to understand the dust distribution on the surface of solar panels and discuss the influence of dust on the power generation efficiency of solar panels for the efficient prevention of dust deposition on the panel. In this study, to analyze the dust distribution on the surface of the solar panel, the discrete element method was used to establish the contact mechanics model between dust particles and the solar panel. The number of dust particles on the surface of solar panels was calculated at different solar panel inclination angles, wind speeds, and wind directions. The wind speed of 1 and 3 m/s did not affect the dust deposition significantly but the speed over 5 m/s reduced the dust particles from the surface of the solar panel. The inclination angle of 23° influenced dust deposition on the surface of the solar panel. Wind direction did not show a significant effect on dust deposition. The longer the deposition time, the more particles remained on the surface due to the increased force between the particles and the surface of the solar panel. The results from calculation and measurement from transmittance were similar with a different rate of 3.41%. Thus, the result of the proposed calculation in this study provides a basis for de-signing the solar power generation plant and decision-making on the maintenance of the solar panel.

A new $1\times $ 4 phase distribution network (PDN) featuring a fully controllable progressive phase shift between outputs is proposed for continuous beam-scanning arrays. The PDN is made up of two parts: a modified $2\times $ 4 Butler matrix integrated with four phase shifters (PSs), and a tunable power divider (TPD) whose power division ratio can be controlled over a wide tuning range. The synthesis equations show that the relative phase shift between PDN outputs can be fully controlled by the TPD and embedded PSs without using an external single-pole quad-throw (SP4T) switch. The proposed PDN is demonstrated at 2.4 GHz as the feed network of a 4-element linear array. The experimental results display a fully controllable progressive phase shift (from −180° to 180°) between PDN outputs over a 20% bandwidth with good performance of matching, power division, and relative phase shifts. A spatial coverage of 116° with the feature of continuous beam scanning and negligible dc power consumption is achieved. Benefitting from the single-input topology, a planar 16-element phased array for 2D beam scanning is then realized by simply stacking and cascading five instead of eight PDN modules. It removes the high-cost and bulky SP16T switch. Experimental results demonstrate the uniqueness of the proposed designs.

Subduction and exhumation processes, interacting with each other, play a key role in crustal recycling. Downgoing oceanic lithosphere constitutes the dominant input at subduction margins, but subduction erosion, the removal of crustal material from the overriding plate, may add additional ingredients and complexity to the subduction factory. Different exhumation models have been proposed to explain how subducted materials are exhumed and therefore contribute to crustal recycling, e.g., exhumation up the subduction channel versus diapiric rise through the mantle wedge that overlies the subducted plate. The recently discovered Baqing eclogite-bearing high-pressure metamorphic complex, central Tibet, China, provides an excellent opportunity to decode the exhumation process, the origin of subduction-related magmatism, and the crustal structure of the North Qiangtang block, in addition to elucidating processes of crustal recycling. Pressure-temperature-time (P-T-t) paths and zircon U-Pb ages and trace-element compositions for Baqing high-pressure rocks were used to evaluate exhumation processes and to determine the geochemical and tectonic affinity of the Baqing metamorphic complex. The Baqing metamorphic complex is mainly composed of eclogite, gneiss, and schist. It is located between two geologically distinct terranes—the South Qiangtang block, which has early Paleozoic basement, and the North Qiangtang block, which has Proterozoic basement. In the schist, zircon cores with steep heavy rare earth element (HREE) slopes and oscillatory zoning yielded inherited ages that are similar to detrital zircon ages for the South Qiangtang block schist; in contrast, zircon rims with flat HREE slopes yielded metamorphic ages of 224 Ma that are similar to the metamorphic ages obtained for the Baqing eclogite. In contrast, zircons from the gneiss yielded an upper-intercept age of 1033 ± 32 Ma (interpreted as the crystallization age) and a lower-intercept metamorphic age of 198 ± 4 Ma. Field relations indicate that gneiss and eclogite/amphibolite were exhumed together, so the ∼20 m.y. gap between the gneiss and the metabasite metamorphism may indicate a long exhumation duration. In the region, Proterozoic ages of ca. 1000 Ma are known only from the North Qiangtang block; we thus propose that the Baqing gneiss originated from North Qiangtang block Proterozoic basement, which, along with North Qiangtang block Triassic arc magmatic rocks and the discrepancies between ancient and current arc-trench distances, results in estimates of ∼20–170 km of Triassic subduction erosion. Results of P-T analyses show that most eclogite, amphibolite, and schist shared a similar clockwise P-T path, different from that of the gneiss, which records a higher geothermal gradient. The clockwise P-T trajectory, long exhumation duration, lack of significant heating during exhumation, and the South Qiangtang block affinity of the schist (host rock of the Baqing eclogite) are consistent with subduction-channel exhumation rather than diapiric rise through the mantle wedge. Geochemical similarities between the North Qiangtang block Triassic subduction-related rocks and the Baqing gneiss may signal the involvement of unexhumed Baqing metamorphic complex in the recycling of the Qiangtang crust.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis is regulated by ER-resident E3 ubiquitin ligase Hrd1, which has been implicated in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1) is the major ginsenoside in ginseng with multiple pharmacological activities. In this study we investigated the role of Hrd1 in IBD and its regulation by GRb1. Two mouse colitis models were established to mimic human IBD: drinking water containing dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) as well as intra-colonic infusion of 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). Colitis mice were treated with GRb1 (20, 40 mg·kg(−1)·d(−1), ig) or a positive control drug sulfasalazine (500 mg·kg(−1)·d(−1), ig) for 7 days. The model mice showed typical colitis symptoms and pathological changes in colon tissue. In addition to significant inflammatory responses and cell apoptosis in colon tissue, colon epithelial expression of Hrd1 was significantly decreased, the expression of ER stress markers GRP78, PERK, CHOP, and caspase 12 was increased, and the expression of Fas was increased (Fas was removed by Hrd1-induced ubiquitination). These changes were partially, or completely, reversed by GRb1 administration, whereas injection of Hrd1 inhibitor LS102 (50 mg·kg(−1)· d(−1), ip, for 6 days) exacerbated colitis symptoms in colitis mice. GRb1 administration not only normalized Hrd1 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels, but also alleviated the ER stress response, Fas-related apoptosis, and other colitis symptoms. In intestinal cell line IEC-6, the expression of Hrd1 was significantly decreased by LPS treatment, but was normalized by GRb1 (200 μM). GRb1 alleviated LPS-induced ER stress and cell apoptosis in IEC-6 cells, and GRb1 action was inhibited by knockdown of Hrd1 using small interfering RNA. In summary, these results reveal a pathological role of Hrd1 in colitis, and provide a novel insight into alternative treatment of colitis using GRb1 activating Hrd1 signaling pathway.

Purpose To investigate whether acquiring basic knee arthroscopic skills via a spaced retraining schedule could prevent skills deterioration and achieve further skills improvement. Methods In the learning phase, 16 residents with no previous hands-on experience in practicing arthroscopic skills were asked to perform basic arthroscopic tasks on a simulator until they attained perfect scores in each task. Immediately after completing the learning phase, a pretest was performed to assess their performance. Next, they were randomly assigned into 2 groups. The spaced retraining group, which undertook a spaced repetitive training phase with a fixed-time interval, returned on days 2, 4 and 6 to repeat the same tasks for 20 minutes per day, whereas the control group did nothing. On day 7, all participants performed a posttest. A 2 × 2 mixed analysis of variance model was used for statistical analysis. Results Significant differences between the 2 groups were found in task completion time (P = .003) and camera path length (P = .043) but not cartilage injury (P = .186). Residents in the spaced retraining group decreased their task completion time (163.2 ± 23.9 seconds) whereas the task time in the control group increased (351.3 ± 25.5 seconds). The same pattern was found with the camera path length. Conclusions Implementing a spaced retraining schedule in 1 week resulted in a reduced task completion time and camera path length but no significant reduction in cartilage injury. It appears that introducing a spaced retraining schedule to retain arthroscopic skills acquired through massed learning may be advantageous. Clinical Relevance In consideration of the training time available to residents and the trend toward massed learning, this spaced retraining schedule may offer a cost-effective and convenient way for residents to maintain and improve their basic arthroscopic skills with no significant increase in time invested.

The study aimed to examine the learning curve and short-term retention of arthroscopic skills acquired on a simulator.Cohort study.Clinical Skills Training Center of Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University PARTICIPANT AND METHODS: Orthopaedic residents (n = 14) without previous arthroscopy experience were included. After basic information was collected and an initial arthroscopy knowledge level test was administered, the subjects received standardised training on the simulator (day 1); then, they completed tasks on the simulator, including guided diagnostics (4 times), triangulation (5 times) and loose body removal (7 times). A learning curve for each skill was generated based on the total scores. The score of the last repetition of each task was the training level.A total of 14 orthopedic residents were enrolled. All participants completed the training and testing. There was a learning curve over the course of training for all 3 arthroscopic skills (p0.001). On day 8 after the training, the mean score for guided diagnostics decreased from 49.9 to 48.9 (p = 0.001), and the retention rate was 97.8%. For triangulation, the mean total score decreased from 58.9 to 53.6 (p0.001), and the retention rate was 90.8%. For loose body removal, the mean total score decreased from 87.1 to 80.7 (p0.001), and the retention rate was 92.7%.Orthopaedic residents' arthroscopic skills learned through simulator training declined significantly in 1 week after the training, especially more difficult skills.

Alongside sustainable development as a major global aim, the contribution made by globalization to environmental issues has become crucial in recent decades. Prior studies have focused on how trade in globalization influences the environment. However, multiple economic, social, and political factors are also important, the integration of which needs to be considered in sustainable development. Sharp and smooth breaks in time series models are the consequence of real-world structures. Using the bootstrap autoregressive-distributed lag test with a Fourier function, the present study reexamined the nexus between globalization and the environment in China, the United States, and India. The empirical results indicate that in the United States, the nexus between globalization and the environment is cointegrated in the long-term. In the short term, globalization is improving the environment in the United States and India. However, in China, globalization is resulting in environmental degradation. This research will assist policymakers in developing comprehensive strategies for sustainable development.