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Abstract To effectively mitigate unsafe events and accident symptoms stemming from flight dispatchers’ human factors, this paper proposes a novel risk evaluation model to accurately identify and evaluate potential human risks associated with flight dispatchers. First, the HFACS (Human Factors Analysis and Classification System, HFACS) model is employed to construct a human risk assessment indicator system for flight dispatchers. Second, the hesitant fuzzy set is introduced to represent the uncertainty during experts’ evaluation, and the improved TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution, TOPSIS) method is applied within a hesitant fuzzy environment to obtain rankings of human factors. Third, the hesitant fuzzy DEMATEL (Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory, DEMATEL)-ISM (Interpretive Structural Modeling, ISM) approach is constructed to analyze the correlation among human factors, leading to the establishment of a multi-level hierarchical structure model. Finally, a case study of risk assessment for human factors of flight dispatchers in Sichuan Airlines is conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results revealed the flight dispatchers’ human factors associated with higher risks and identified the key factors with a larger impact on other factors in Sichuan Airlines. Subsequently, a multi-level hierarchical structure model comprising five layers is developed to investigate the internal correlations among human factors, facilitating the formulation of targeted improvement suggestions for the higher risk indicators and key influencing factors.

Low-emittance photoinjector-enabled cutting-edge scientific instruments, such as free-electron lasers, inverse Compton scattering light sources, and ultrafast electron diffraction, will greatly benefit from the improved repetition rate. In this paper, we proposed a specifically designed S-band radio frequency (RF) photoinjector to obtain low emittance and kilohertz (kHz) high-repetition rates simultaneously. By lowering the gradient, much lower RF power is needed to feed the electron gun, and then the heat problem is much easier to handle. Meanwhile, by optimizing the length of the gun’s first cell from the normal case of 0.6-cell to 0.4-cell, the launch phase and the extraction field are significantly improved, thus ensuring the generation of low-emittance electron beams. In our design, the proposed 1.4-cell RF gun can work effectively under different field gradients ranging from 30 MV/m to 100 MV/m. For a standard case of 60 MV/m, 2.5 MW peak RF power with μs level pulse width is sufficient, thus offering the feasibility of improving the repetition rate to kHz level with a standard 5 MW irradiation klystron. In addition, simulated electron beams with a low emittance of 0.29 mm.mrad@200 pC can be generated by this proposed photoinjector, showing that this high-repetition rate injector holds the potential to deliver high-quality beams comparable to those of state-of-the-art S-band photoinjectors. Combining the merits of low emittance and high-repetition rate, this proposed photoinjector will provide a new possibility for future free-electron laser facilities operating at repetition rates ranging from kHz to tens of kHz.

Developing high−efficiency membrane materials for the rapid removal of organic dyes is crucial but remains a challenge. Polyoxometalates (POMs) clusters with anionic structures are promising candidates for the removal of cationic dyes via electrostatic interactions. However, their shortcomings, such as their solubility and inability to be mass−produced, hinder their application in water pollution treatment. Here, we propose a simple and green strategy utilizing the room temperature stirring method to mass produce nanoscale polyoxometalate−based metal−organic frameworks (POMOFs) with porous rhomboid−shaped dodecahedral and hexagonal prism structures. The products were labeled as POMOF1 (POMOF-PW12) and POMOF2 (POMOF-PMo12). Subsequently, a series of x wt% POMOF1/PAN (x = 0, 3, 5, and 10) nanofiber membranes (NFMs) were prepared using electrospinning technology, where polyacrylonitrile (PAN) acts as a “glue” molecule facilitating the bonding of POMOF1 nanoparticles. The as−prepared samples were comprehensively characterized and exhibited obvious water stability, as well as rapid selective adsorption filtration performance towards cationic dyes. The 5 wt% POMOF1/PAN NFM possessed the highest removal efficiency of 96.7% for RhB, 95.8% for MB, and 86.4% for CV dyes, which realized the selective separation over 95% of positively charged dyes from the mixed solution. The adsorption mechanism was explained using FT−IR, SEM, Zeta potential, and adsorption kinetics model, which proved that separation was determined via electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bonding, and π–π interactions. Moreover, the POMOF1/PAN membrane presented an outstanding recoverable and stable removal rate after four cycles. This study provides a new direction for the systematic design and manufacture of membrane separation materials with outstanding properties for contaminant removal.

Background/Purpose: Investigating the antitumor effect and intratumor as well as local immune response in breast cancer-bearing mice after MV X-ray ultra-high dose rate radiotherapy (FLASH-RT) and conventional dose rate radiotherapy (CONV-RT). Materials/Methods: Six-week-old female C57BL/6 mice were inoculated subcutaneously with Py8119 and Py230 breast tumor cells in the inguinal mammary gland and administered 10 Gy abdominal 6 MV X-ray FLASH-RT (125 Gy/s) or CONV-RT (0.2 Gy/s) 15 days after tumor inoculation. Tumor and spleen tissues were obtained at different time points post-irradiation (PI) for analysis of immune cell infiltration using flow cytometry and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. Intestine tissues were collected 3 days PI to evaluate normal tissue damage and immune cell infiltration. Results: Both FLASH-RT and CONV-RT significantly delayed tumor growth. Flow cytometry showed increased CD8+/CD3 + and CD8+/CD4 + ratios, and IHC confirmed a similar increased CD8 + T cell infiltration at 2 weeks PI in Py8119 tumor tissues in both irradiation groups. No statistical difference was observed between the irradiation groups in terms of tumor growth and increased T cell infiltration in the tumor. Unexpectedly, significantly smaller spleen weight and substantially higher CD8+/CD3 + and lower CD4+/CD3 + ratios were observed in the spleens of the FLASH-RT group than in the spleens of the non-irradiated control and CONV-RT groups 4 weeks PI. Pathological analysis revealed severe red pulp expansion in several spleens from the CONV-RT group, but not in the spleens of the FLASH-RT group. Reduced intestinal damage, macrophage and neutrophil infiltration were observed in the FLASH-RT group compared with CONV-RT group. Conclusions: FLASH-RT and CONV-RT effectively suppressed tumor growth and promoted CD8 + T cell influx into tumors. FLASH-RT can induce different splenic immune responses and reduce radiation-induced damage in the spleen and intestine, which may potentially enhance the therapeutic ratio of FLASH-RT.

Abstract In this paper, we construct toy models of the black hole and the white hole by setting proper boundaries in the Minkowski spacetime, according to the modern definition. We calculate the thermal effect of the black hole with the tunneling mechanism. We consider the role of boundary conditions at the singularity and on the horizon. In addition, we show that the white hole possesses a thermal absorption.

FLASH radiotherapy (FLASH-RT) is a novel radiotherapy technology defined as ultra-high dose rate (≥ 40 Gy/s) radiotherapy. The biological effects of FLASH-RT include two aspects: first, compared with conventional dose rate radiotherapy, FLASH-RT can reduce radiation-induced damage in healthy tissue, and second, FLASH-RT can retain antitumor effectiveness. Current research shows that mechanisms of the biological effects of FLASH-RT are related to oxygen. However, due to the short time of FLASH-RT, evidences related to the mechanisms are indirect, and the exact mechanisms of the biological effects of FLASH-RT are not completely clear and some are even contradictory. This review focuses on the mechanisms of the biological effects of FLASH-RT and proposes future research directions.

Graphene is widely used in tunable photonic devices due to its numerous exotic and exceptional properties that are not found in conventional materials, such as high electron mobility, ultra-thin width, ease of integration and good tunability. In this paper, we propose a terahertz metamaterial absorber that is based on patterned graphene, which consists of stacked graphene disk layers, open ring graphene pattern layers and metal bottom layers, all separated by insulating dielectric layers. Simulation results showed that the designed absorber achieved almost perfect broadband absorption at 0.53–1.50 THz and exhibited polarization-insensitive and angle-insensitive characteristics. In addition, the absorption characteristics of the absorber can be adjusted by changing the Fermi energy of graphene and the geometrical parameters of the structure. The above results indicate that the designed absorber can be applied to photodetectors, photosensors and optoelectronic devices.

Using bilayer graphene structures (L-type and disk-type structures), we numerically demonstrate a tunable single-band terahertz metamaterial absorber with nearly perfect (100%) absorption by continuously adjusting the graphene Fermi energy parameters to determine the maximum absorption rate, the corresponding center frequency, and bandwidth. Graphene distinct dielectric–metal transition properties make it possible to achieve tunable terahertz absorption. The maximum absorption rate increases from 18% to 100% when the Fermi energy is increased from 0.1 to 1 eV. At 1 eV, the absorption rate exceeds 90% in the range of 0.57–1.03 THz. The incident angle is also tested. When the angle is in the range of 60°, excellent adsorption performance is maintained.

Understanding the vibrational information encoded within the terahertz (THz) spectrum of biomolecules is critical for guiding the exploration of its functional responses to specific THz radiation wavelengths. This study investigated several important phospholipid components of biological membranes—distearoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DSPE), dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC), sphingosine phosphorylcholine (SPH), and lecithin bilayer—using THz time-domain spectroscopy. We observed similar spectral patterns for DPPC, SPH, and the lecithin bilayer, all of which contain the choline group as the hydrophilic head. Notably, the spectrum of DSPE, which has an ethanolamine head group, was different. Interestingly, density functional theory calculations confirmed that the absorption peak common to DSPE and DPPC at approximately 3.0 THz originated from a collective vibration of their similar hydrophobic tails. Accordingly, the cell membrane fluidity of RAW264.7 macrophages with irradiation at 3.1 THz was significantly enhanced, leading to improved phagocytosis. Our results highlight the importance of the spectral characteristics of the phospholipid bilayers when studying their functional responses in the THz band and suggest that irradiation at 3.1 THz is a potential non-invasive strategy to increase the fluidity of phospholipid bilayers for biomedical applications such as immune activation or drug administration.

Purpose: To inquire into the relationship between diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and serum levels of growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Patients and Methods: Out of 162 T2DM patients classified according to the diagnostic criteria of DPN, 75 were allocated to the non-DPN group and 87 to the DPN group. In turn, based on serum GDF-15 quartiles, all patients were additionally divided (GDF-15 low to high) into group A (40 cases), group B (41 cases), group C (41 cases), and group D (40 cases). General data and laboratory indexes of patients were collected, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine serum GDF-15 levels. Results: Compared to the non-DPN group, in the DPN group GDF-15 levels were noticeably greater (P < 0.001). Using serum GDF-15 as a grouping variable, DPN prevalence and body mass index were gradually increased, motor and sensory nerve latencies were gradually lengthened, and amplitude (Amp) and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) were gradually decreased with increasing GDF-15 levels (P < 0.05). Linear regression modeling revealed that GDF-15 levels correlated positively with the latencies of sensory and motor nerves, and negatively with their corresponding NCV (P < 0.05). Binary logistic regression results indicated GDF-15 as an independent predictor for DPN (P < 0.05), whereas restricted cubic spline analysis indicated a dose-response, nonlinear relationship between GDF-15 and DPN. Conclusion: Serum GDF-15 level strongly correlates with DPN, and may represent an independent predictor and a biological marker for the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparisons of mitogenomes are widely used for species identification and to explore the phylogenetic relationship among insect taxa. Batracomorphus is the third most diverse and widely distributed genus in the Cicadellidae (Hemiptera). However, there have been no analyses of genome structure and phylogenetic relationships within the genus. To compensate for the paucity of genomic information in this genus, we sequenced novel complete mitochondrial genomes of 11 Batracomorphus species and combined these with 23 previously sequenced mitochondrial genomes to perform structural comparisons and phylogenomic studies. Our results reveal generally conserved mitogenome organization, with one case of tRNA gene rearrangement, with trnI-trnQ reversed to trnQ-trnI when compared with the ancestral arrangement. Analysis of the ratio of nonsynonymous (Ka) to synonymous substitutions (Ks) showed ATP8 is the fastest and COI is the slowest evolving gene. ND2 and ND6 have highly variable nucleotide diversity, whereas COI and ND1 exhibit the lowest diversity. Phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide sequences grouped Batracomorphus species into a clade within the subfamily Iassinae. Within Batracomorphus , 3 clades were reconstructed consistent with the observed gene rearrangement, indicating that such rearrangements can serve as reliable molecular markers supporting phylogenetic hypotheses. These clades also correspond to clusters of species recovered by morphometric analysis of aedeagal shape, suggesting that characters of the male genitalia traditionally used for species delimitation are phylogenetically informative. Molecular divergence time estimates indicate that most speciation events within Batracomorphus occurred between the Paleogene and Neogene. This study provides insight into the population genetics, molecular biology, phylogeny, and morphological evolution of the leafhopper subfamily Iassinae and its largest genus, Batracomorphus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Growing evidence indicates that there is a close relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and sarcopenia, and T2DM patients are often accompanied by obesity. However, research exploring the connection between body fat percentage (BFP) and sarcopenia is currently limited. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that included 676 patients with T2DM over 50 years old. The appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI), handgrip strength, and 5-time chair stand test (5-TCST) were measured, and sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia (AWGS). Spearman's coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation of BFP and body mass index (BMI) with the diagnostic elements of sarcopenia, and BFP and other relevant covariates were included in the binary logistic regression model. The subgroup performed an interaction test for statistically significant population baseline information. Results: The prevalence of sarcopenia was 18.0% in males and 11.6% in females. Spearman correlation analysis showed that BFP was positively correlated with ASMI in women (R=0.107, P=0.029), but not in men. BFP was negatively correlated with grip strength (male: R= − 0.187, P=0.003; female: R=− 0.108, P=0.029). There was a positive correlation between BFP and 5-TCST (male: R=0.199, P=0.001; female: R=0.144, P=0.003). After adjusting for confounding factors, BFP was an independent risk factor for sarcopenia (men, OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.15– 1.54; women, OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.13– 1.41). This correlation was generally consistent, as demonstrated in further subgroup analyses. Conclusion: High BFP was significantly associated with sarcopenia risk, and this association was independent of gender, age, and BMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biological effects of radiation dose to organs at risk surrounding tumor target volumes are a major dose-limiting constraint in radiotherapy. This can mean that the tumor cannot be completely destroyed, and the efficacy of radiotherapy will be decreased. Thus, ways to reduce damage to healthy tissue has always been a topic of particular interest in radiotherapy research. Modern radiotherapy technologies such as helical tomotherapy (HT), intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), and proton radiotherapy can reduce radiation damage to healthy tissues. Recent outcomes of animal experiments show that FLASH radiotherapy (FLASH-RT) can reduce radiation-induced damage in healthy tissue without decreasing antitumor effectiveness. The very short radiotherapy time compared to that of conventional dose-rate radiotherapy is another advantage of FLASH-RT. The first human patient received FLASH-RT in Switzerland in 2018. FLASH-RT may become one of the main radiotherapy technologies in clinical applications in the future. We summarize the history of the development of FLASH-RT, its mechanisms, its influence on radiotherapy, and its future.

Hypertension is an essential regulator of cardiac injury and remodeling. However, the pathogenesis that contributes to cardiac hypertrophy remains to be fully explored. BRD4, as a bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) family member, plays an important role in critical biological processes. In the study, our results showed that BRD4 expression was up-regulated in human and mouse hypertrophied hearts, and importantly these effects were modulated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. In angiotensin II (Ang II)-treated cardiomyocytes, BRD4 decrease markedly blunted the prohypertrophic effect, which was further promoted by the combinational treatment of ROS scavenger (N-acetyl-cysteine, NAC). In addition, NAC pre-treatment markedly elevated the anti-fibrotic role of BRD4 suppression in Ang II-incubated cardiomyocytes by repressing transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)/SMADs signaling pathway. NAC combined with BRD4 reduction further alleviated inflammation and oxidative stress in Ang II-exposed cardiomyocytes, which was partly through inhibiting nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling and improving nuclear erythroid factor 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathway, respectively. Furthermore, the in vivo results confirmed the protective effects of BRD4 suppression on mice against aortic banding (AB)-induced cardiac hypertrophy, as evidenced by the reduced cross sectional area and fibrotic area using H&E and Masson trichrome staining. What’s more, the degree of cardiac hypertrophy (ANP and BNP), the expression of pro-fibrotic genes (TGF-β1, Collagen I, Collagen III and CTGF), the levels of inflammation and oxidative stress were all significantly attenuated by the blockage of BRD4 in AB-operated mice. Taken together, repressing BRD4 expression was found to confer a protective effect against experimental cardiac hypertrophy in mice, demonstrating its potential as an effective therapeutic target for pathological cardiac hypertrophy.

We introduce probability thermodynamics and probability quantum fields. By probability we mean that there is an unknown operator, physical or nonphysical, whose eigenvalues obey a certain statistical distribution. Eigenvalue spectra define spectral functions. Various thermodynamic quantities in thermodynamics and effective actions in quantum field theory are all spectral functions. In the scheme, eigenvalues obey a probability distribution, so a probability distribution determines a family of spectral functions in thermodynamics and quantum field theory. This leads to probability thermodynamics and probability quantum fields determined by a probability distribution. In constructing spectral functions, we encounter a problem. The conventional definition of spectral functions applies only to lower bounded spectra. In our scheme, however, there are two types of spectra: lower bounded spectra, corresponding to the probability distribution with nonnegative random variables, and the lower unbounded spectra, corresponding to probability distributions with negative random variables. To take the lower unbounded spectra into account, we generalize the definition of spectral functions by analytical continuation. In some cases, we encounter divergences. We remove the divergence by a renormalization procedure. In virtue of spectral theory in physics, we generalize some concepts in probability theory. For example, the moment-generating function in probability theory does not always exist. We redefine the moment-generating function as the generalized heat kernel introduced in this paper, which makes the concept definable when the definition in probability theory fails. We construct examples corresponding to some probability distributions. Thermodynamic quantities, vacuum amplitudes, one-loop effective actions, and vacuum energies for various probability distributions are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We build a model of the origin of physical constants, including masses and coupling constants. We consider the quantum correction of masses and coupling constants. Some exactly solved leading quantum corrections are given. In the model, the physical constant originates from a coupling between the matter field and a background field. We show that if such a background field as it should be in the real physical world is a quantum field, then the physical constant will have a space- and time-dependent quantum correction and will no longer be a constant. We build a scalar field model and a mechanics model. In these two models, we discuss the quantum correction of masses and coupling constants in the field framework and in the mechanics framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Insect cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) play a key role in the detoxification metabolism of insecticides and their overexpression is often associated with insecticide resistance. Our previous research showed that the overexpression of four P450 genes is responsible for clothianidin resistance in B. odoriphaga. In this study, we characterized another P450 gene, CYP6FV21, associated with clothianidin resistance. However, the molecular basis for the overexpression of P450 genes in clothianidin‐resistant strain remains obscure in B. odoriphaga. RESULTS: In this study, the CYP6FV21 gene was significantly overexpressed in the clothianidin‐resistant (CL‐R) strain. Clothianidin exposure significantly increased the expression level of CYP6FV21. Knockdown of CYP6FV21 significantly increased the susceptibility of B. odoriphaga larvae to clothianidin. The transcription factor Cap 'n' Collar isoform‐C (CncC) was highly expressed in the midgut of larvae in B. odoriphaga. The expression level of CncC was higher in the CL‐R strain compared with the susceptible (SS) strain. Clothianidin exposure caused reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and significantly increased the expression level of CncC. Knockdown of CncC caused a significant decrease in the expression of CYP3828A1 and CYP6FV21, and P450 enzyme activity, and led to a significant increase in mortality after exposure to lethal concentration at 30% (LC30) of clothianidin. After treatment with CncC agonist curcumin, the P450 activity and the expression levels of CYP3828A1 and CYP6FV21 significantly increased, and larval sensitivity to clothianidin decreased. The ROS scavenger N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) treatment significantly inhibited the expression levels of CncC, CYP3828A1 and CYP6FV21 in response to clothianidin exposure and increased larval sensitivity to clothianidin. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results indicate that activation of the CncC pathway by the ROS burst plays a critical role in clothianidin resistance by regulating the expression of CYP3828A1 and CYP6FV21 genes in B. odoriphaga. This study provides more insight into the mechanisms underlying B. odoriphaga larval resistance to clothianidin. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIM:To analyze the relationship of carbonic anhydrase Ⅱ gene polymorphism with primary open angle glaucoma genetic susceptibility. METHODS:From January 2012 to December 2014, 50 cases in our hospital for treatment of primary open angle glaucoma(study group)and 50 cases in outpatient department of our hospital for health examination(control group)were tested. The conventional elbow venous blood was taken. The use of polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and restriction fragment length polymorphism test were used to detect the characteristics of carbonic anhydrase Ⅱ gene polymorphism. RESULTS:The locus site of rs3758078 and rs10504813 of the two groups were in line with Hardy - Weinberg equilibrium law(Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium).The results displayed in rs10504813 site, the difference of genotype frequencies between the two groups was not statistically significant(P>0.05). But the difference in allele frequencies between the two groups was statistical significance(PP>0.05). After the carbonic anhydrase Ⅱ polymorphism haplotype analysis in the two groups, TAC(Tracking area code of cell served by neighbor Enb)haplotype carriers appeared lawer risk of primary open-angle glaucoma. CONCLUSION:There is certain relation between the polymorphism and the risk of carbonic anhydrase primary open-angle glaucoma, and rs3758078 locus balance may be the main reason for low risk; TAC haplotype carriers appear lower risk of primary open angle glaucoma.

Simple Summary: Planaphrodes is a genus of Aprhodinae distributed in the Palaearctic region from Portugal to Japan. This paper reconstructs phylogenetic relationships among species of Planaphrodes based on morphological characteristics for the first time, elucidates the phylogenetic status of the genus and describes two new species found in China. A morphology-based phylogeny of the Holarctic leafhopper genus Planaphrodes Hamilton is reconstructed for the first time based on 39 discrete male adult morphological characters. The results support the monophyly of Planaphrodes, with the included species forming two monophyletic lineages defined mainly by the number and location of aedeagus processes. The position of Planaphrodes in the Aphrodini was resolved as follows: (Stroggylocephalus + (Anoscopus + (Planaphrodes + Aphrodes))). The fauna of Planaphrodes from China, Japan and Korea are reviewed and six species are recognized, including two new species: P. bifasciatus (Linnaeus), P. sahlbergii (Signoret), P. nigricans (Matsumura), P. laevus (Rey), P. baoxingensis sp. nov. (China: Sichuan) and P. faciems sp. nov. (China: Hubei). Acocephalus alboguttatus Kato, 1933 syn. nov. and Aphrodes daiwenicus Kuoh, 1981 syn. nov. are considered junior synonyms of Planaphrodes sahlbergii (Signoret, 1879). Planaphrodes bella Choe, 1981 is a junior synonym of Planaphrodes nigricans (Matsumura, 1912). A checklist and key to species of Planaphrodes are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]