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Purpose: The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®) is a group-based social skills training program for adolescents on the autism spectrum. Although the program has been shown to be effective in improving social skills in autistic adolescents, evidence of its effectiveness from the Mandarin-speaking Chinese population is sparse. The present study used a non-randomized, pre- and post-intervention research design to investigate the feasibility and cultural validity of the program, as well as examine the moderators of intervention outcomes. Methods: Thirty-three autistic adolescents with intelligence quotient above 70 (M[subscript age] = 13.57, SD[subscript age] = 1.43; Male: Female 25:8) and their parents received 14 concurrent 90-minute sessions. Adolescents' autistic traits, challenging behaviors, emotional functioning, socio-cognitive process, social environment factors (school support), and caregivers' well-being were evaluated. Results: The findings suggest that with minor adjustments, the Mandarin version of PEERS® was generally acceptable and feasible for autistic adolescents and their parents. PEERS® may improve the social skills knowledge, reciprocal communication abilities, and emotional well-being of autistic adolescents. Also, participants with a higher level of school support, and parents with lower perceived subjective well-being at baseline may gain more benefits from PEERS®. The cultural adaptation and acceptability of the Mandarin Version of PEERS® were discussed. Conclusion: This feasibility study (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2200061417, 2022-06-23, retrospectively registered) provides a basis for further randomized control trials of the Mandarin version of PEERS®.

With the introduction and implementation of core literacy, scientific thinking (ST) has become an essential goal and key dimension of science teaching. At present, there is no agreement on how to cultivate students' ST. This study took 238 sixth grade students from a public primary school in urban China as research sample, built a theoretical model of scientific thinking development based on the theory of the Bronfenbrenner' ecological systems theory, and used multiple data to explore and analyze the impact path of ST development of primary school students using the fuzzy sets of qualitative comparative analysis method (fsQCA). The development of urban primary school students' ST is the result of multiple factors at the level of individual drive, family environment, school teaching, and social resources. The result of data analysis showed that the influence path of ST development of urban primary school students driven by multiple factors includes three paths: parent participation leading, scientific practice leading, and home-school-community integration. We have interpreted the influence mechanism of each path in detail and put forward the enlightenment for science education policy and practice.

The rapid development of artificial intelligence has driven the transformation of educational evaluation into big data-driven. This study used a systematic literature review method to analyzed 44 empirical research articles on the evaluation of big data education. Firstly, it has shown an increasing trend year by year, and is mainly published in thematic journals such as educational technology, science education, and language teaching. Chinese and American researchers have made the greatest contributions in this field. Secondly, the algorithmic models for big data education evaluation research are diverse, the text modality is the most popular, the evaluation subjects are mainly college students, with fewer primary and secondary school students, and science is the discipline that most commonly applies big data education evaluation. The evaluation objectives of big data education evaluation mainly focus on five aspects: high-order thinking analysis, learning performance prediction, learning emotion recognition, teaching management decision-making, and evaluation mode optimization, and the text modality is widely used for data collection in high-order thinking analysis; regardless of the evaluation objectives, higher education students are the most widely evaluated objects; the science discipline is the main field of using big data technology to empower teaching evaluation. Thirdly, the current research topics of big data education evaluation mainly focus on online learning behavior and environmental participation evaluation, process assessment of learning motivation and emotional analysis, development and optimization of subject domain big data models, cognitive diagnosis and high-order thinking skills evaluation, and design of learning analysis frameworks based on data mining.

Abstract Background & objective The Infectious Disease Society of America guidelines recommend vancomycin trough levels of 15–20 mg/L for severe methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. However, recent consensus guidelines of four infectious disease organizations no longer recommend vancomycin dosing using minimum serum trough concentrations. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of low (

Abstract Remaining useful life (RUL) is a key indicator for assessing the health status of lithium (Li)-ion batteries, and realizing accurate and reliable RUL prediction is crucial for the proper operation of battery systems. As high-capacity Li batteries have more complex chemical properties, most of the current RUL prediction methods rely mainly on a priori knowledge to make judgments. As a result, prediction accuracy is not high. In this study, we developed a health indicator-capacity (HI-C) dual Gaussian process regression (GPR) model based on incremental capacity analysis (ICA) and optimized its kernel function to achieve accurate RUL prediction for 280 Ah high-capacity Li batteries. Validation against the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s four battery test datasets showed that the use of the HI-C dual GPR model resulted in a mean absolute percentage error and root mean square error of less than 0.02 and 0.04, respectively, for the four battery-rated capacity predictions. Additionally, this model achieved an absolute error of less than five battery failure turns. Compared with a single model, the HI-C dual GPR model not only had high accuracy but also solved the problem that the HI was not measurable in the actual battery operation, which made it more suitable for RUL prediction of Li batteries.

Abstract Background Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are cell signaling proteins that perform multiple biological processes in many biological processes (cell development, repair, and metabolism). The dynamics of tumor cells, such as angiogenesis, transformation, and proliferation, have a significant impact on neoplasia and are modulated by FGFs. FGFs’ expression and prognostic significance in ovarian cancer (OC), however, remain unclear. Methods Through a series of in silico analysis, we investigated the transcriptional, survival data, genetic variation, gene-gene interaction network, ferroptosis-related genes, and DNA methylation of FGFs in OC patients. Results We discovered that while FGF18 expression levels were higher in OC tissues than in normal OC tissues, FGF2/7/10/17/22 expression levels were lower in the former, and that FGF1/19 expression was related to the tumor stage in OC patients. According to the survival analysis, the clinical prognosis of individuals with OC was associated with the aberrant expression of FGFs. The function of FGFs and their neighboring genes was mainly connected to the cellular response to FGF stimulus. There was a negative correlation between FGF expression and various immune cell infiltration. Conclusions This study clarifies the relationship between FGFs and OC, which might provide new insights into the choice of prognostic biomarkers of OC patients.

Abstract Background Pitt–Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder that results from variants of TCF4 gene. PTHS follows an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern and the underlying pathological mechanisms of this disease are still unclear. Methods Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was conducted to screen for potential pathogenic variant in a boy highly suspected of having a genetic disorder. PCR and Sanger sequencing were used to verify the effects of the variant. Serum TCF4 levels were measured by ELISA. Results We present a 4-year and 3-month-old Chinese boy clinically and molecularly diagnosed with PTHS. The proband experienced global development delay, and the preliminary clinical diagnosis was cerebral palsy. WGS identified a de novo heterozygous variant: c.*1A > G in the 3’UTR of the TCF4 gene as a potential cause of his condition. The variant was verified to cause aberrant mRNA splicing by PCR and the aberrant splicing was confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Conclusion The study identified and demonstrated the pathogenicity of a novel 3’UTR site TCF4 variant for the first time. This research enhances understanding of pathogenetic mechanisms of PTHS and aids genetic counseling and diagnosis.

Abstract Background ‘Kimura’s disease (KD) is a rare chronic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology and is difficult to diagnose due to poor clinical presentation and imaging features. Few studies on characteristics of 18F-FDG PET/CT of KD have been reported. This study aimed to observe the reliable characteristics and usefulness of 18F-FDG PET/CT for the evaluation of consecutive patients with KD. Methods The clinical data and 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging findings of 8 patients with pathologically confirmed KD were reviewed retrospectively.18F-FDG PET/CT images were evaluated visually and semiquantitatively by measuring the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax). The correlations between clinical data and 18F-FDG PET/CT features were analyzed by simple linear regression. Results This study included 7 males and one female ranging in age from 17 to 79 years. The longest diameter of lesions ranged from 0.8 cm to 4.8 cm, and regional or generalized lymphadenopathy was found in all 8 patients with eosinophilia, while subcutaneous masses and salivary gland involvement concurrently were found in 4 patients. 18F-FDG PET/CT revealed that these involved lesions had high 18F-FDG uptake with SUVmax > 2.5 (2.6 to 6.3). Moreover, the margin of the lesions was well defined in 6 cases and ill defined in 2 cases, and homogeneous density and 18F-FDG uptake were both found in all these lesions. There was negative correlation between eosinophils and SUVmax (R 2 = 0.538). Conclusions Kimura’s disease should be considered when 18F-FDG PET/CT is characterized by homogeneous lesions of regional or generalized lymphadenopathy, accompanied with subcutaneous masses and salivary gland involvement concurrently, especially in patients with eosinophilia.

Abstract We investigated fasting hypertriglyceridemia as predictors of all‐cause, cardiovascular, and non‐cardiovascular mortality in an elderly male Chinese population, while accounting for various conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Our participants were elderly men recruited from residents living in a suburban town of Shanghai (≥60 years of age, n = 1583). Hypertriglyceridemia was defined as a fasting serum triglycerides concentration ≥1.70 mmol/L. Subgroup analyses were performed according to current smoking (yes vs. no), alcohol intake (yes vs. no), and the presence and absence of hypertension and hyperglycemia. During a median of 7.9 years follow‐up, all‐cause, cardiovascular, and non‐cardiovascular deaths occurred in 279, 112, and 167 participants, respectively. After adjustment for confounding factors, fasting hypertriglyceridemia was not significantly (p ≥ .33) associated with the risk of all‐cause, cardiovascular, and non‐cardiovascular mortality. However, there was significant (p = .03) interaction between hypertriglyceridemia and the presence and absence of hypertension in relation to all‐cause mortality. In normotensive, but not hypertensive individuals, hypertriglyceridemia was significantly associated with a higher risk of all‐cause mortality (hazard ratio 1.57, 95% confidence interval 1.06–2.31). In further non‐parametric analyses in normotensive individuals, the age‐standardized rate for all‐cause mortality increased from 18.9 in quartile 1 to 20.0, to 24.7, and to 39.9 per 1000 person‐years in quartiles 2, 3, and 4 of serum triglycerides concentration, respectively (ptrend = .0004). Similar results were observed for cardiovascular mortality. Our study in elderly male Chinese showed that fasting hypertriglyceridemia was associated with a higher risk of all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with normotension but not those with hypertension.

Abstract Background There has been a sharp increase in the prevalence of hypertension in young and middle-aged people at high risk of the disease. Despite the fact that good self-management can be effective in controlling blood pressure, patients do not perform well in this area, resulting in poor blood pressure control. It is therefore particularly important to gain a thorough understanding of patients’ attitudes to self-management and the factors that influence them. The aim of this study was to synthesise the qualitative research on attitudes, motivations and challenges of self-management in young and middle-aged hypertensive patients, to analyse the synthesised results using the COM-B model and to propose appropriate improvement actions. Methods From the time of construction until May 2023, the system searched PubMed, Web of Science, ProQuest, Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsyCINFO and CNKI databases. The analyses were carried out using a thematic synthesis approach to summarise the key findings. The findings were then mapped and analysed using the COM-B model. Results A total of 11 studies were included, involving 250 patients between the ages of 18 and 64. Four themes with ten sub-themes were identified: Poor disease recognition (low disease perception, fuzzy disease knowledge); Barriers to doctor-patient interactions (short communication time, unmet knowledge needs, incomplete guidance for disease management); Living in a hostile environment (heavy workload, lack of companionship, ignorance of families); Expectations for a healthy body (responsibility of family roles, witness the cruelty of illness). Analysis of the composite results based on the COM-B model showed that low disease perceptions, barriers to doctor-patient interactions and life circumstances with enemies on all sides were the main challenges faced by young and middle-aged hypertensive patients, whereas the expectation of a healthy body was a motivation to promote self-management of blood pressure in patients. Conclusions This study shows that family responsibilities are a particular motivator for self-management in young and middle-aged hypertensive patients. In response to the problems they face, we believe that meeting patients’ knowledge needs, improving healthcare professionals’ communication skills and valuing the role of community hospitals are effective ways to promote patient self-management. In the future, telemedicine, mobile healthcare and intelligent monitoring devices will provide a solution to reduce the burden on medical resources. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42018100810.

Abstract Background Altered volumes in the hippocampus and amygdala have been linked to anorexia nervosa (AN). This study aimed to investigate amygdala and hippocampal subfields volume abnormalities in AN patients, and their associations with parental rearing practices and clinical psychological characteristics. Methods This study included twenty-nine drug-naive females with AN from West China Hospital of Sichuan University, China, and fifty-nine age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HCs) recruited through advertisement. All participants underwent T1-weighted imaging. Amygdala and hippocampal subfields volume was calculated using FreeSurfer 7.0. The Core Self-Evaluation Scale (CSES) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) were used to assess the psychological characteristics of AN patients. The Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran (EMBU) was employed to evaluate parental rearing practices. Group differences in brain volumes were analyzed with covariates like age and total intracranial volume (TIV). Partial correlation analysis explored the correlations between brain region volumes and clinical psychological characteristics. Results AN patients exhibited lower RSES and CSES scores, and more adverse parental rearing style than healthy norms. After adjusting for covariates, AN patients showed decreased gray matter volume (GMV) in the left medial (Me) and cortical (Co) nucleus, as well as in the right hippocampal-amygdala transition area (HATA). GMV in the left Me was correlated with years of education among HCs but not among AN patients. GMV in the right HATA was positively correlated with paternal penalty and severity, as well as maternal overinterference. Conclusion This study supports structure abnormalities in amygdala and hippocampus in AN patients and suggests that parental rearing practices may be associated with hippocampal abnormalities, potentially contributing to the pathophysiology of AN. Addressing appropriate parental rearing styles may offer a positive impact on AN.

Abstract Second‐life batteries (SLBs), which are batteries retired from electric vehicles (EVs), can be used as energy storage systems to enhance the performance of distribution networks. Two issues should be addressed particularly for the optimal sizing of SLBs. Compared with fresh batteries, the failure rate of SLBs is relatively high, and timely and preventive replacement is needed. In addition, the flexibility introduced by EVs and installed SLBs should be coordinated to achieve optimal economic benefits. This paper focuses on the efficient utilization of SLBs by highlighting reliability‐flexibility concerns in optimal sizing. The model is formulated as a bi‐level model. On the upper‐level, considering the operational reliability constraints of SLBs, decisions regarding the investment and replacement of SLBs are optimized. Distribution network operations are improved on the lowerlevel, with an effective spatiotemporal flexible dispatch strategy for EVs. Finally, a linearized process for the optimal sizing of SLBs is presented and efficiently implemented. The Sioux Falls network and IEEE 69‐node distribution network are coupled as the test system. According to the simulation results, when the state of health of the SLBs decreased to 70%, the conditions were unreliable. The differences in the optimal SLB size and costs considering reliability and flexibility are highlighted.

Background/purpose: Dental plaque is the main cause leading to the dental caries and periodontal diseases. The main purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of oral spray containing the antimicrobial peptide P-113 on the reduction of oral bacteria number and dental plaque formation in a randomized clinical assessment. Materials and methods: This study was divided into two parts. In Part A, we investigated the user experiences with the P-113 containing oral spray. In part B, 14 subjects in the experimental group used the P-113-containing oral spray, while 14 subjects in the control group used a placebo without the P-113 in a 4-week clinical trial. Participants were asked to use the P-113-containing oral spray or placebo 3 times per day and 5 times per use. Moreover, 3 check-ups and 2 washouts were carried out to evaluate the DMFT score, dental plaque weight, dental plaque index, and gingival index. Results: In part A, up to 91.8% of the subjects in the experimental group were satisfied with the use of the P-113-containing oral spray. In part B, based on our PacBio SMRT sequencing platform and DADA2 analysis, the numbers of Streptococcus and Porphyromonas in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group. In addition, decreased dental plaque weight, dental plaque index, and gingival index were all observed in the experimental group. Conclusion: The P-113-containing oral spray has the potential to reduce the dental caries and periodontal disease-related bacteria and to control the dental plaque formation.

Background: An autoimmune etiology has been indicated for thyroid diseases. However, few studies have examined the association between psoriasis and thyroid diseases. Objectives: Explore the risk of thyroid disease in patients with psoriasis. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies to assess the risk of thyroid disease in patients with psoriasis. We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE from their inception to April 4, 2024. Two authors independently selected the studies, assessed their quality, and extracted the data. Any disagreements were resolved through discussions with a third author. Risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to present the results. Results: Three cohort studies were included. The risks of thyroiditis (RR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.23–2.47), hyperthyroidism (RR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.14–1.32), and hypothyroidism (RR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.29–1.57) were higher among the patients with psoriasis than those in the control group. Conclusion: Individuals with psoriasis have a higher risk of developing thyroid disease. Further studies that provide data on different sex and age groups are needed to clarify whether any specific subgroup of patients with psoriasis has an elevated risk of developing thyroid disease.

Abstract Background Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) among children, has resurged in the form of endemic or even pandemic in many countries and areas after the easing of COVID-19 containment measures. This study aimed to investigate the differences in epidemiological and clinical characteristics of children hospitalized for RSV infection during pre- and post-COVID-19 eras in Yunnan, China. Methods A total of 2553 pediatric RSV inpatients from eight hospitals in Yunnan were retrospectively enrolled in this study, including 1451 patients admitted in 2018–2019 (pre-COVID-19 group) and 1102 patients admitted in 2023 (post-COVID-19 group). According to the presence or absence of severe LRTI (SLRTI), patients in the pre- and post-COVID-19 groups were further divided into the respective severe or non-severe subgroups, thus analyzing the risk factors for RSV-associated SLRTI in the two eras. Demographic, epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory data of the patients were collected for the final analysis. Results A shift in the seasonal pattern of RSV activity was observed between the pre-and post-COVID-19 groups. The peak period of RSV hospitalizations in the pre-COVID-19 group was during January–April and October–December in both 2018 and 2019, whereas that in the post-COVID-19 group was from April to September in 2023. Older age, more frequent clinical manifestations (fever, acute otitis media, seizures), and elevated laboratory indicators [neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), c-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), co-infection rate] were identified in the post-COVID-19 group than those in the pre-COVID-19 group (all P

Abstract Background Tea is an important cash crop and buds are its main product. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of the sprouting time of tea plants, ‘Yuchunzao’, which was an early sprouting tea cultivar, was studied. ‘Echa 1’, sprout one week later than ‘Yuchunzao’ in spring, was used as the control. Results A total of 26 hormonal compounds and its derivatives in tea plants were qualified by using Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The result showed that GA20, GA3 and ICA were significantly different in ‘Yuchunzao’ than in ‘Echa 1’, with GA20 and GA3 up-regulated and ICA down-regulated. Based on the Illumina platform, transcriptome analysis revealed a total of 5,395 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A diterpenoid biosynthesis related gene, gibberellin 2-oxidase 1 (CsGA2ox1), was downregulated in ‘Yuchunzao’ compared to ‘Echa 1’. CsGA2ox1 regulate the transformation of GA different forms in plants. The relative expression of CsGA2ox1 showed an adverse trend with the content of GA20 and GA3. Our results suggest that down regulation of CsGA2ox1 resulted in the accumulation of GA3 and GA20, and then promoted sprout of ‘Yuchunzao’. Conclusion This study provides theoretical basis of tea plants sprout and guides the tea breeding in practice.

Abstract Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis), an ecologically and economically important forest species in East Asia, plays vital roles in carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation. However, intensifying climate change threatens moso bamboo survival. Here we generate high-quality haplotype-based pangenome assemblies for 16 representative moso bamboo accessions and integrated these assemblies with 427 previously resequenced accessions. Characterization of the haplotype-based pangenome reveals extensive genetic variation, predominantly between haplotypes rather than within accessions. Many genes with allele-specific expression patterns are implicated in climate responses. Integrating spatiotemporal climate data reveals more than 1050 variations associated with pivotal climate factors, including temperature and precipitation. Climate-associated variations enable the prediction of increased genetic risk across the northern and western regions of China under future emissions scenarios, underscoring the threats posed by rising temperatures. Our integrated haplotype-based pangenome elucidates moso bamboo’s local climate adaptation mechanisms and provides critical genomic resources for addressing intensifying climate pressures on this essential bamboo. More broadly, this study demonstrates the power of long-read sequencing in dissecting adaptive traits in climate-sensitive species, advancing evolutionary knowledge to support conservation.

Abstract The Mw 6.4 and 6.8 Guanshan-Chihshang earthquakes occurred on 17 and 18 September 2022 resulted in prominent surface ruptures within the Longitudinal Valley in eastern Taiwan, particularly along the Yuli fault. Approximately 18 h after the mainshock, we began to document the surface rupture near Yuli Town. Our result suggests the surface rupture formed a confined single left-lateral trace in the town of Yuli, characterized by a series of en échelon right-stepping left-lateral faulting geometry. The rupture of 2022 roughly matches the locations of 1951 surface ruptures inside Yuli Town, with a similar amount of left-lateral cross-fault displacement. North and South of the Yuli residential area, we identified several sections of the surface rupture distributed in the water-saturated paddy fields. The maximum left-lateral displacement recorded across the rupture can reach 1.4 m just south of Yuli, with the fault scarp resembling a high-angle west-dipping fault geometry. In addition to the co-seismic surface ruptures, our repeating cross-fault measurements show significant post-seismic shallow after-slip along the Yuli fault. The amount of post-seismic deformation within 3 months after the mainshock is close to, or even higher than the co-seismic cross-fault displacement, consistent with local witness accounts and post-event field photos which showed continuous damage and displacement of building floors and roads after the earthquake. Such shallow post-seismic slips were also observed along the main fault trace in the 2014 South Napa earthquake, and likely represent the shallow elastoplastic behavior of the sub-vertical fault in the young alluvial sediments.

Abstract Research impact is an important manifestation of research competence and the focus of medical education. This study is dedicated to exploring the relationships between coauthorship networks and the research impact of Chinese medical doctoral students from a social capital perspective. A total of 16291 scientific papers from 237 doctoral students and 126 mentors at Chinese universities were selected from databases, and a study dataset including 19 variables was constructed. Nine independent variables were defined and obtained through coauthorship network analysis, and the doctoral students’ research impact, as the only dependent variable, was used to test the hypothesized relationships among the variables. The results show that the betweenness centrality, student-mentor coauthorship count and the partnership ability index significantly affect the h-index. Specifically, the coauthorship unit count plays the most important role in developing centrality, which, in turn, produces a higher h-index. In addition, betweenness centrality, student–mentor coauthorship count and the partnership ability index are good predictors of the likelihood of doctoral students entering the greater research impact group and especially improving their betweenness centrality. Specifically, doctoral students whose partnership ability index is greater than 2, student-mentor coauthorship count is greater than 4, coauthorship unit count is greater than 6, and betweenness centrality is greater than 0.02 are considered to have greater research impact. These findings suggest that the important roles of cooperation in the development of research competence and good mentorship in the acquisition of social capital by doctoral students should be emphasized. Several strategies are advised for harnessing social capital rooted in doctoral students’ coauthorship network for relevant organizations, mentors and doctoral students who want to increase medical doctoral students’ research impact.

Abstract Iliac vein compression syndrome (IVCS) is a clinical condition defined as obstruction of the iliac vein caused by chronic compression imposed by various causes. Currently, the clinical role of computed tomography venography (CTV) in the diagnosis of IVCS is unclear. Accurately diagnosing IVCS using CTV may enhance the understanding of the pathological anatomy of iliac veins, which may lead to better treatment outcomes, especially for recalcitrant venous leg ulcers (VLU). We aimed to investigate diagnostic criteria, contributing clinical factors, and stenting for IVCS with VLU in this study. CTV, digital subtraction angiography (DSV), and Doppler ultrasound (DUS) data were obtained from the medical and imaging records of 62 patients. Additionally, contributing factors and stenting for IVCS were analysed. Patients (100%) had clinical, aetiological, anatomic, or pathological C6 disease. CTV reduced the procedure time and contrast medium dose and provided more information than DSV. Risk factors for IVCS with VLU included female sex (P = 0.036) and advanced age (P = 0.014). The rate of ulcer healing was lower in the IVCS group without stent implantation (P = 0.020). Significant improvements were noted in venous clinical severity scores (P

Abstract Construction of a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) of zinc (Zn) electrode is an effective strategy to stabilize Zn electrode/electrolyte interface. However, single-layer SEIs of Zn electrodes undergo rupture and consequent failure during repeated Zn plating/stripping. Here, we propose the construction of a robust bilayer SEI that simultaneously achieves homogeneous Zn2+ transport and durable mechanical stability for high Zn utilization rate (ZUR) and Coulombic efficiency (CE) of Zn electrode by adding 1,3-Dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone as a representative electrolyte additive. This bilayer SEI on Zn surface consists of a crystalline ZnCO3-rich outer layer and an amorphous ZnS-rich inner layer. The ordered outer layer improves the mechanical stability during cycling, and the amorphous inner layer homogenizes Zn2+ transport for homogeneous, dense Zn deposition. As a result, the bilayer SEI enables reversible Zn plating/stripping for 4800 cycles with an average CE of 99.95% (± 0.06%). Meanwhile, Zn | |Zn symmetric cells show durable lifetime for over 550 h with a high ZUR of 98% under an areal capacity of 28.4 mAh cm−2. Furthermore, the Zn full cells based on the bilayer SEI functionalized Zn negative electrodes coupled with different positive electrodes all exhibit stable cycling performance under high ZUR.

Abstract Background Migraine and insomnia are prevalent conditions that often co-occur, each exacerbating the other and substantially impacting the quality of life. The locus coeruleus (LC), a brainstem region responsible for norepinephrine synthesis, participates in pain modulation, sleep/wake cycles, and emotional regulation, rendering it a potential nexus in the comorbidity of migraine and insomnia. Disruptions in the LC-noradrenergic system have been hypothesized to contribute to the comorbidities of migraine and insomnia, although neuroimaging evidence in humans remains scarce. In this study, we aimed to investigate the intrinsic functional connectivity (FC) network of the LC in patients with comorbid migraine and subjective chronic insomnia and patients with migraine with no insomnia (MnI) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and seed-based FC analyses. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 30 patients with comorbid migraine and chronic insomnia (MI), 30 patients with MnI, and 30 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. Participants underwent neuropsychological testing and rs-fMRI. The LC-FC network was constructed using seed-based voxel-wise FC analysis. To identify group differences in LC-FC networks, voxel-wise covariance analysis was conducted with sex and age as covariates. Subsequently, a partial correlation analysis was conducted to probe the clinical relevance of aberrant LC-FC in patients with MI and MnI. Results Except for the insomnia score, no other significant difference was detected in demographic characteristics and behavioral performance between the MI and MnI groups. Compared with HCs, patients with MI exhibited altered LC-FC in several brain regions, including the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC), anterior cerebellum, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), thalamus, and parahippocampal gyrus (PHG). Lower FC between the LC and DLPFC was associated with greater insomnia severity, whereas higher FC between the LC and DMPFC was linked to longer migraine attack duration in the MI group. Conclusion Our findings reveal the presence of aberrant LC-FC networks in patients with MI, providing neuroimaging evidence of the interplay between these conditions. The identified LC-FC alterations may serve as potential targets for therapeutic interventions and highlight the importance of considering the LC-noradrenergic system in the management of MI.

Abstract Background Unhealthy lifestyles, which include unhealthy diet and unhealthy sleep duration, have been widely recognized as modifiable risk factors for depressive symptoms. This study aims to explore the associations between dietary quality, sleep duration, and depression symptoms, as well as their combined effects. Methods The NHANES 2007 to 2014 cycles provided the data for this study, in which 19,134 adults aged 20 years and older were included. Unhealthy diet, measured using an average Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015 score below the 60th percentile, and unhealthy sleep duration, measured as sleep duration at night less than 7 h or greater than/equal to 9 h, were the primary exposures. Then participants were divided into four different lifestyles. A weighted-multivariable logistic regression was employed, controlling for relevant variables. Furthermore, stratified analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the findings and identify potential high-risk groups. Results The overall prevalence of depressive symptoms among all participants was 8.44%. Among the participants, 56.58% met the criteria for healthy sleep duration, and 24.83% scored at or above the 60th percentile on the HEI-2015. Unhealthy diet (OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.18–1.67, p

Sorghum faces significant production challenges due to drought stress. Melatonin has been demonstrated to play a crucial role in coping with stresses in plants. This study investigated the effect of exogenous melatonin on the sorghum seedling growth, photosynthetic capacity, and antioxidant system under drought stress. The results indicated that drought stress inhibited the growth of sorghum seedlings by a marked reduction in leaf relative water content, along with a significant increase in both malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide content. The drought stress also led to a significant diminution in chlorophyll contents, thereby curtailing the capacity for light energy capture. Furthermore, the efficiency of the photosynthetic electron transport chain was adversely impacted. However, the application of exogenous melatonin notably mitigated the adverse effects on sorghum seedlings under the drought stress. Additionally, it stimulated an elevation in the photosynthetic rate and a decrease in non-photochemical quenching. The exogenous melatonin also facilitated the preservation of the chloroplast ultra-structure and boosted the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the content of non-enzymatic antioxidants. Cluster heat maps and principal component analysis further revealed significant correlations among various parameters under different treatment conditions. These results highlight melatonin’s role in improving sorghum’s drought tolerance, which is beneficial for agricultural management.

Abstract With a national research-oriented atmosphere in tertiary institutions, many Chinese EFL teachers rise to the challenge by working collaboratively in professional communities, leading to increasing attention to collective agency. However, how their collective agency manifests remains underrepresented. Using a qualitative inductive method, this study investigated the manifestations of the collective agency among six university EFL teachers in a research institute of a Chinese university from a social cognitive perspective. It was found that the teachers’ collective agency manifested as their ability to form a collective mode of practice that aligned their professional goals and paths, to foster a dual-natured social network that supported professional development and to maintain a shared belief in group efficacy that enhanced collaboration and collective identity. The findings point to the importance of understanding collective agency as an emergent and contextualized phenomenon filled with complexities and nuances. Theoretically, the study enriches the understanding of the dynamism and complexities of teachers’ collective agency in a Chinese context and broadens the research perspectives of teacher collaboration. It also has practical implications for teachers and administrators who are seeking ways to cope with pressure in an era of research excellence.

Abstract Objective To investigate the impact of vasculogenic mimicry (VM) and postoperative adjuvant therapy on the prognosis and survival of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), as well as to assess whether VM affects the clinical benefit of postoperative adjuvant therapy. Methods This single-center retrospective analysis included patients who underwent radical surgery for ESCC, which was documented in the medical record system. The presence or absence of VM in surgical specimens was determined using double staining with PAS/CD31. Stratification was applied based on adjuvant therapy and VM status. Survival curves and COX modeling were used to analyze the impact of the presence or absence of VM on the benefit of adjuvant therapy and the survival prognosis of patients. Results VM-positive patients were more prone to postoperative recurrence and metastasis. VM was identified as an independent risk factor for progression-free survival (PFS) (p

Abstract Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a special kind of chronic interstitial lung disease with insidious onset. Previous studies have revealed that mutations in ZCCHC8 may lead to IPF. The aim of this study is to explore the ZCCHC8 mutations in Chinese IPF patients. Methods Here, we enrolled 124 patients with interstitial lung disease from 2017 to 2023 in our hospital. Whole exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing were employed to explore the genetic lesions of these patients. Results Among these 124 patients, a novel mutation (NM_017612: c.1228 C > G/p.P410A) of Zinc Finger CCHC-Type Containing 8 (ZCCHC8)was identified in a family with IPF and chronic obstructive lung disease. As a component of the nuclear exosome-targeting complex that regulates the turnover of human telomerase RNA, ZCCHC8 mutations have been reported may lead to IPF in European population and American population. Functional study confirmed that the novel mutation can disrupt the nucleocytoplasmic localization of ZCCHC8, which further decreased the expression of DKC1 and RTEL1, and finally reduced the length of telomere and led to IPF and related disorders. Conclusions We may first report the ZCCHC8 mutation in Asian population with IPF. Our study broadens the mutation, phenotype, and population spectrum of ZCCHC8 deficiency.

Abstract Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are foundational gene delivery tools for basic science and clinical therapeutics. However, lack of mechanistic insight, especially for engineered vectors created by directed evolution, can hamper their application. Here, we adapt an unbiased human cell microarray platform to determine the extracellular and cell surface interactomes of natural and engineered AAVs. We identify a naturally-evolved and serotype-specific interaction between the AAV9 capsid and human interleukin 3 (IL3), with possible roles in host immune modulation, as well as lab-evolved low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6) interactions specific to engineered capsids with enhanced blood-brain barrier crossing in non-human primates after intravenous administration. The unbiased cell microarray screening approach also allows us to identify off-target tissue binding interactions of engineered brain-enriched AAV capsids that may inform vectors’ peripheral organ tropism and side effects. Our cryo-electron tomography and AlphaFold modeling of capsid-interactor complexes reveal LRP6 and IL3 binding sites. These results allow confident application of engineered AAVs in diverse organisms and unlock future target-informed engineering of improved viral and non-viral vectors for non-invasive therapeutic delivery to the brain.

Accurate prediction of peptide spectra is crucial for improving the efficiency and reliability of proteomic analysis, as well as for gaining insight into various biological processes. In this study, we introduce Deep MS Simulator (DMSS), a novel attention-based model tailored for forecasting theoretical spectra in mass spectrometry. DMSS has undergone rigorous validation through a series of experiments, consistently demonstrating superior performance compared to current methods in forecasting theoretical spectra. The superior ability of DMSS to distinguish extremely similar peptides highlights the potential application of incorporating our predicted intensity information into mass spectrometry search engines to enhance the accuracy of protein identification. These findings contribute to the advancement of proteomics analysis and highlight the potential of the DMSS as a valuable tool in the field.

Abstract Some special manufacturing fields such as aerospace may encounter mixed production of multiple research and development projects and multiple batch production projects. Under these special production conditions resource conflicts are more severe, resulting in uncertain operating times that are difficult to predict. In addition, a single project may have tens of thousands of supporting products, making it difficult to effectively control the total construction process. To address these challenges this paper proposes new methods. A model, EMA-DCPM (dynamic critical path method) incorporating attention mechanisms in Enterprise Resource Planning and Mechanical Engineering Society) has been proposed. This model predicts product job time through machine learning methods and discovers the predictive advantage of the attention mechanism through data comparison. The CPM control algorithm was improved to enhance its robustness and an efficient modeling method, “5+X” was proposed. This new method is suitable for mixed line planning management in sophisticated manufacturing projects and has value for practical applications.

Abstract Beige fat activation involves a fuel switch to fatty acid oxidation following chronic cold adaptation. Mitochondrial acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 1 (ACSL1) localizes in the mitochondria and plays a key role in fatty acid oxidation; however, the regulatory mechanism of the subcellular localization remains poorly understood. Here, we identify an endosomal trafficking component sortilin (encoded by Sort1) in adipose tissues that shows dynamic expression during beige fat activation and facilitates the translocation of ACSL1 from the mitochondria to the endolysosomal pathway for degradation. Depletion of sortilin in adipocytes results in an increase of mitochondrial ACSL1 and the activation of AMPK/PGC1α signaling, thereby activating beige fat and preventing high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and insulin resistance. Collectively, our findings indicate that sortilin controls adipose tissue fatty acid oxidation by substrate fuel selection during beige fat activation and provides a potential targeted approach for the treatment of metabolic diseases.

Abstract Objective To identify factors that influence the severity of tinnitus via a hierarchical multiple linear regression model. Methods The study was a retrospective cross‐sectional analysis. The study included 331 patients experiencing tinnitus as their primary concern, who visited Shanghai Changzheng Hospital of the Navy Medical University between 2019 and 2021. Data on general health status and disease characteristics were collected from all patients. With their consent, participants underwent audiological evaluatons and completed questionnaires to analyze the characteristics of their tinnitus and the factors influencing its severity. Results The correlation analysis showed a positive relationship between tinnitus frequency, tinnitus loudness, SAS scores, and PSQI scores with THI scores (P

Abstract Background Eosinophilic extracellular traps (EETs) are reticular complexes comprising deoxyribonucleic‐Acid (DNA) fibers and granule proteins. Aims EETs play a crucial role in antimicrobial host responses and are pathogenic when overproduced or under degraded. EETs created by eosinophils appear to enable vital immune responses against extra‐cellular pathogens, nevertheless, trap overproduction is evident in pathology. Materials & Methods As considerably research is performed, new data affirmed that EETs can alter the outcome of respiratory ailment. Results We probe into the disclosure and specificity of EETs produced in reaction to various stimuli and propose a role for those frameworks in ailment pathogenesis and the establishment of chronic, unresolved inflammation. Discussion Whether EETs can be used as a prospective brand‐new target for the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of respiratory ailments is a scientific theme worth studying. Conclusion We probe into the disclosure and specificity of EETs produced in reaction to various stimuli and propose a role for those frameworks in ailment pathogenesis and the establishment of chronic, unresolved inflammation.

To achieve efficient chitosan oligosaccharide preparation, chitosan oligosaccharide was prepared from chitosan through a pre-ultrasound-microwave assisted composite enzymatic method. The enzymatic hydrolysis process conditions were optimized using reducing sugar content as an indicator based on the response surface design method. In addition, the antioxidant capacity of chitosan oligosaccharide was examined. The results showed that the composite enzymes consisting α-amylase and chitosanase (1:1) possessed superior hydrolysis ability for chitosan than others. The optimum conditions of chitosan oligosaccharide preparation were as follows: A microwave power of 200 W, ultrasonic power of 200 W, 5 min pre-ultrasound-microwave time, 1% substrate concentration, pH5.8, temperature at 53.5 ℃, 0.24% composite enzyme additive amount, and 5.7 h enzymatic hydrolysis time. Under these conditions, the reducing sugar content reached the maximum (8.10 mg/mL). The prepared chitosan oligosaccharide contained 2~6 sugars with average molecular weight of 993.5 Da. The chitosan oligosaccharide had strong free radical scavenging activity, with the IC50 of DPPH and ABTS+ free radicals at 0.274 and 0.127 mg/mL, respectively, as well as the ferric reducing power reached the maximum value of 24.56 mmol/L at 1.5 mg/mL. The results show that the ultrasound-microwave pretreatment combined with composite enzymatic method has a good application prospect in the preparation of chitosan oligosaccharide.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), as potent reinforcements in composites, have demonstrated excellent strengthening effects when combined with copper in numerous recent studies. Challenges remain in the application of these composites and in fully leveraging the reinforcing capabilities of CNTs to achieve comprehensive performance enhancement. The performance of CNTs/Cu composites can be flexibly regulated owing to the unique structure and properties of CNTs. To achieve the fabrication of high-performance and diverse CNTs/Cu composites, a profound understanding of the reinforcement mechanisms of CNTs in the composites is essential, along with the consideration of key influencing factors on performance. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the reinforcement mechanisms of CNTs on the mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of CNTs/Cu composites. Factors influencing the effectiveness of CNT reinforcement in composites are discussed, including the attributes and dispersion of CNTs, the architectures of composites, and the interface between CNTs and Cu. Furthermore, this study explores the role of CNTs in addressing the trade-off between high strength and high conductivity as well as between high strength and high ductility in the copper matrix.

Inflammation can occur at any time in many diseases, and affect the activity of metabolism enzymes and transporters, so change the blood concentration and therapeutic effect of therapeutic drugs. Therefore, it is necessary to study the metabolic changes during the acute-phase response (APR) of inflammation. In this study, urine metabolomics was performed to investigate the possible differential metabolic pathways in New Zealand white rabbit APR inflammation model. An APR rabbit model with normal hepatic and renal function was induced by intravenous injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in low-dose escalation, at 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 2 μg/kg from 1 to 7 days. The urine samples were collected at prior of dosing, 2-day and 7-day after the first dose of LPS, and detected using ultra-high liquid chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS). The samples were separated by a Kinetex F5 column (150 mm×2.1 mm×2.6 μm) with the mobile phase of water containing 0.05% formic acid and acetonitrile containing 0.05% formic acid. ZenoTOFTM 7600 HRMS was operated under positive and negative ion modes to collect data, and the high-resolution mass spectral data was acquired by utilizing information dependent acquisition (IDA) and dynamic background subtraction (DBS). Non-targeted metabolomics analysis was completed by principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) to search for differential metabolites. Then the differential metabolic pathway analysis was carried out using the metaboAnalyst 5.0 website and KEGG database. The analysis results indicated that the method has high stability and reproducibility with quality control samples clustered together in PCA. The quality control and APR model groups can be separated well by OPLS-DA, which showed that the metabolism in rabbits is significantly disturbed during APR period. Clustering heatmap analysis was performed on the screened differential metabolites which were judged by variable importance projection (VIP>1), significance (p2). The results showed differential metabolites in urine at 2-day and 7-day after LPS administration are significantly different from those before administration, 41 and 161 differential metabolites are identified in the two groups of samples, respectively. Furtherly, the differential metabolic pathway analysis revealed that the differential metabolites are significantly correlated with the steroid hormone biosynthesis pathway (p

Let $ \mathcal{A} $ be a unital algebra with nontrivial idempotents. We considered $ \mathcal{A} $ as a superalgebra according to Ghahramani and Zadeh's method. We provided a description of supercommuting maps on $ \mathcal{A} $. As a consequence, we gave a description of supercommuting maps on matrix algebras, which is different from the result on commuting maps of matrix algebras. Finally, we proved that every supercommuting map on triangular algebras is a commuting map.

Abstract The development of drug resistance remains a major challenge in cancer treatment. Ferroptosis, a unique type of regulated cell death, plays a pivotal role in inhibiting tumour growth, presenting new opportunities in treating chemotherapeutic resistance. Accumulating studies indicate that epigenetic modifications by non-coding RNAs (ncRNA) can determine cancer cell vulnerability to ferroptosis. In this review, we first summarize the role of chemotherapeutic resistance in cancer growth/development. Then, we summarize the core molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis, its upstream epigenetic regulation, and its downstream effects on chemotherapeutic resistance. Finally, we review recent advances in understanding how ncRNAs regulate ferroptosis and from such modulate chemotherapeutic resistance. This review aims to enhance general understanding of the ncRNA-mediated epigenetic regulatory mechanisms which modulate ferroptosis, highlighting the ncRNA-ferroptosis axis as a key druggable target in overcoming chemotherapeutic resistance.

Abstract Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors among oral cancers, and its treatment is based on radio-chemotherapy and surgery, which always produces more serious side effects and sequelae. Traditional medicine can compensate for the shortcomings of modern medical treatments and play a better therapeutic role. Currently, active ingredients derived from plants are attracting the attention of researchers and clinical professionals. We examined capsaicin (CAP), an active ingredient isolated from Capsicum annuum (family Solanaceae), and explored the effect of CAP combined with cisplatin (DDP) on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and TSCC cells migration. Our results demonstrated that Transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1) induced EMT and promoted cell migration in TSCC cells. CAP combined with DDP inhibits non-TGF-β1-induced or TGF-β1-induced EMT and migration. Mechanistically, the inhibition of non-TGF-β1-induced EMT and migration by CAP combined with DDP was mediated by the AMPK/mTOR pathway, whereas TGF-β1-induced EMT and migration were regulated by the Claudin-1/PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. A nude lung metastasis mouse model was established for in vivo validation. These results support our hypothesis that the combination of CAP and DDP inhibits TSCC metastasis. These data set the stage for further studies aimed at validating CAP as an effective active ingredient for enhancing chemotherapy efficacy and reducing the dosage and toxicity of chemotherapeutic drugs, ultimately paving the way for translational research and clinical trials for TSCC eradication.

Abstract Tumors of the urinary system, such as prostate cancer, bladder cancer, and renal cell carcinoma, are among the most prevalent types of tumors. They often remain asymptomatic in their early stages, with some patients experiencing recurrence or metastasis post-surgery, leading to disease progression. Lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) plays a crucial role in the glycolysis pathway and is closely associated with anaerobic glycolysis in urinary system tumors. Therefore, a comprehensive investigation into the intricate mechanism of LDHA in these tumors can establish a theoretical foundation for early diagnosis and advanced treatment. This review consolidates the current research and applications of LDHA in urinary system tumors, with the aim of providing researchers with a distinct perspective.

Altimella Wang & Zhang, gen. nov., a new genus belonging to Cicurinidae, is established, and two new species are described, Altimella nedong Wang & Zhang, sp. nov. (♂♀, type species) and A. ngamring Wang & Zhang, sp. nov. (♂♀), from Xizang, China. Detailed descriptions of somatic features and genital characteristics, photos of the habitus, photos and drawings of the copulatory organs, and a distribution map are provided.

Abstract Background The rapid transmission and high pathogenicity of respiratory viruses significantly impact the health of both children and adults. Extracting and detecting their nucleic acid is crucial for disease prevention and treatment strategies. However, current extraction methods are laborious and time-consuming and show significant variations in nucleic acid content and purity among different kits, affecting detection sensitivity and efficiency. Our aim is to develop a novel method that reduces extraction time, simplifies operational steps, and ensures high-quality acquisition of respiratory viral nucleic acid. Methods We extracted respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) nucleic acid using reagents with different components and analyzed cycle threshold (Ct) values via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to optimize and validate the novel lysis and washing solution. The performance of this method was compared against magnetic bead, spin column, and precipitation methods for extracting nucleic acid from various respiratory viruses. The clinical utility of this method was confirmed by comparing it to the standard magnetic bead method for extracting clinical specimens of influenza A virus (IAV). Results The solution, composed of equal parts glycerin and ethanol (50% each), offers an innovative washing approach that achieved comparable efficacy to conventional methods in a single abbreviated cycle. When combined with our A Plus lysis solution, our novel five-minute nucleic acid extraction (FME) method for respiratory viruses yielded superior RNA concentrations and purity compared to traditional methods. FME, when used with a universal automatic nucleic acid extractor, demonstrated similar efficiency as various conventional methods in analyzing diverse concentrations of respiratory viruses. In detecting respiratory specimens from 525 patients suspected of IAV infection, the FME method showed an equivalent detection rate to the standard magnetic bead method, with a total coincidence rate of 95.43% and a kappa statistic of 0.901 (P < 0.001). Conclusions The FME developed in this study enables the rapid and efficient extraction of nucleic acid from respiratory samples, laying a crucial foundation for the implementation of expedited molecular diagnosis.

Abstract Background In resource-based cities, long-term irrational exploitation of resources has caused severe damage to ecosystem functions, mainly manifested in the significant decline of biodiversity, land degradation, water pollution, and the deterioration of air quality. This has led to a significant decline in the cities' sustainable development capabilities. Establishing and optimizing an ecological spatial network (ESN) can promote the effective transmission of material energy and enhance the ecosystem functions, which holds fundamental importance in ensuring the ecological integrity of the region and promoting sustainable urban development. In this study, by combining the ecological environment with the landscape to determine the ecological sources, we constructed the ESN of Shenmu City, a mining city, based on the minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model, and conducted a correlation analysis between the topological structure of the ESN and the significance of ecosystem functions. Then, the optimization strategy scheme based on ecosystem functions was proposed. Finally, robustness was used to determine the effect before and after optimization. Results The results showed that the high-value ecosystem service areas in Shenmu City were predominantly located in the central and western parts, with the highest value in the southeast. There was a strong correlation between the importance of ecosystem functions and the degree and feature vector of ecological nodes. Conclusions The ESN can be optimized effectively by adding stepping stone nodes and new corridors. Through the robustness of the optimized ESN, we found that the optimized network has more robust connectivity and stability and can show better recovery ability after ecological function damage. This research presents an effective method for the construction and optimization of the ESN in the mining area and provides a theoretical basis for realizing the sustainability of the mining economy, regional development, and ecological protection in Shenmu City.

Abstract An eight-year satellite observation dataset reveals that sulfate aerosols significantly influence the vertical structure of precipitation and latent heat (LH) in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region during summer. In this period, prevalent sulfate aerosols combine with warm, humid southerly winds and elevated convective available potential energy (CAPE), influencing precipitation dynamics. Under polluted conditions with specific CAPE and precipitation top temperature (PTT) ranges, precipitation particles experience accelerated growth within the mixed-phase layer, delineated by the −5 °C to 2 °C isotherms, compared to pristine environments. This results in a marked increase in both the intensity and height at which the maximum LH is released. Subsequent analysis reveals that hygroscopic sulfate aerosols, acting as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), amplify the collision-coalescence process within the mixed layer amid high cloud water content, propelling rapid precipitation particle growth and elevating the PTT. This warming effect surpasses the cooling contribution from robust CAPE, culminating in a net elevation of PTT under polluted scenarios compared to pristine ones. Additionally, quantification of PTT sensitivity to both CAPE and aerosol optical depth (AOD) unveils a high consistency between satellite-detected PTT responses to CAPE and those predicted by cloud-resolving model simulations. The study deduces that the role of aerosols as CCN in either invigorating or diminishing the collision-coalescence process is contingent on the available cloud water.

Abstract The application environment for concrete is becoming increasingly complex, accompanied by an intensification of its functional requirements. This paper presents a method for developing self-compacting concrete with conductive properties using limonite and graphite as the concrete conductive phases. In the process of concrete preparation, the limonite is initially treated by a pre-wetting method to prevent the surface depression caused by the addition of limonite during the concrete curing process. The second stage of the process involved optimising different proportions of limonite and graphite and different dosages of water-reducing agent, defoamer and dispersant to prepare concrete. The influence of different dosages of limonite and graphite and different dosages of water-reducing agent on the mechanics and electrical conductivity of concrete was studied in order to obtain self-compacting conductive concrete with performance indicators meeting the requirements of self-compacting and electrical conductivity. The results demonstrate that the mechanical and electrical properties of self-compacting conductive concrete prepared with polycarboxylic acid superplasticizer and retarding superplasticizer combined with superplasticizer are satisfactory, and the composite superplasticizer can function in conjunction with dispersant. The self-compaction index, slump expansion, expansion time T50 and J-ring expansion of fluid concrete meet the requisite standards. Once the concrete has reached the designated curing age, its compressive strength and flexural strength align with the anticipated design expectations, while its resistivity meets the stipulated conductivity index requirements.

Abstract Microsatellite instability (MSI) has been widely acknowledged as an important factor regulating tumor intrinsic biological behavior and affecting the survival of gastric cancer patients. Here, we firstly identified the RARB as a gene associated with MSI gastric cancer. RARB was downregulated in human gastric cancer tissues compared to paired paracancerous tissues, Knockdown of RARB accelerated the proliferation, invasion and migration of cancer cells in vitro. Mechanismly, RARB knockdown promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process of gastric cancer. However, RARBLow patients exhibited better survival compared to RARBHigh patients. Further study revealed that RARB expression was inversely correlated with MSI status and immune infiltrates in vivo. Thus, RARB may be a potential target for the treatment of gastric cancer.