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Copper (Cu) interconnections have been widely used in advanced electronic packaging due to their outstanding thermal and electric properties. Preparing a smooth and uniform Cu seed thin layer is one of the critical processes to obtain high-reliability Cu interconnections. The barrier layer between Cu and silicon (Si) devices is necessary to prevent the inter-diffusion between Cu and Si. However, little work has been done on the surface roughness analysis of the Cu seed layer deposited on the diffusion barrier layer. In this paper, the influences of deposition thickness, incident energy, barrier layer temperature, and surface morphology on the surface roughness of the Cu seed layer deposited on α-titanium (α-Ti) barrier layer were studied in detail by the molecular dynamics (MD). The simulation results indicated that appropriate parameters have a beneficial effect on reducing the surface roughness, and the surface morphology of the Cu seed layer strongly connects with that of the barrier layer. These results provided a foundation for optimizing the quality of the Cu seed layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, conventional sintering, hot-pressing sintering, and spark plasma sintering techniques were utilized to simulate the thermal field, thermal-stress field, and thermal-stress-electric field, respectively. The effects of these fields on the microstructure and cation distribution of the (Mg 0.1 Mn 0.1 Co 0.1 Ni 0.2 Ti 0.1 Cu 0.1 Zn 0.2)Fe 2.1 O 4 ferrite (HEF) material were comprehensively analyzed. The results indicate that in the temperature range of 1000–1100 °C, the thermal field provides the driving force for sintering, promotes grain growth (average particle size: 2→7 μm), and increases crystallinity degree. The stress field brings the particles into close contact with each other, facilitates diffusion, and delays grain growth (0.5→5 μm). The electric field reduces grain boundary energy, causes mass transfer, and makes the grains finer (0.5→0.7 μm) and more uniform. Mathematical model analysis reveals that the thermal field is beneficial to the random distribution of cations, which yields an inversion degree (γ) of about 2/3 and increases the configuration entropy of HEF. The stress field leads to lattice distortion, permits ions with larger radius to occupy tetrahedral positions, and changes the cell parameters and oxygen position parameter of HEF. Finally, the interaction between electric field and crystal charges increases the electrostatic field energy, which promotes the formation of positive spinel structure and maximizes the crystal field stability energy. X-ray photoelectron spectra, Raman spectra, and change in lattice constant confirm the rationality of the mathematical model, and can be used to establish the model of the crystal structure under field effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steep fill–bedrock interfaces usually appear in many filling soil infrastructures, such as airports, houses, and road embankments in mountainous areas, when the excavation of rock slopes is constrained. These interfaces are prone to be tensioned up to failure, which easily triggers landslides of fill slopes. The anchor system buried in the fill soil, named radial cable system, was proposed for effectively enhancing the stability of steep fill–bedrock interfaces. At the interface, the steel ropes of the anchor section cable were equally divided into three subcables with a radial distribution. The pullout performance, failure evolution, and branching effect of the radial cable coupled with anchor plates were studied by a pullout test (in a laboratory setup) and a numerical simulation. The results showed that (1) the ultimate pullout capacities (Pu) of the radial cables were 193.53%–312.94% (for the 7 mm diameter of the anchor plate) and 141.25%–247.50% (for the 10 mm diameter of the anchor plate) greater than those of the single cables; (2) the pullout performance of the radial cable was significantly improved with an increase in the diameter of the anchor plate, and the optimal radial inclined angle of subcables coupled with anchor plates was 15°; (3) the soil surrounding the radial cable showed a progressive failure pattern, and its failure area was basically a symmetric conical; and (4) the radial cable can better reinforce the steep fill–rock interface than the conventional cable, as verified by a hill-fill project. The results of this study provide some new and important guidelines for the design and application of the radial cable system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we derive the Darboux solutions of Ito-type coupled KdV equation in Darboux framework which is associated with Hirota Satsuma systems. One of the main results is the generalization of Nth-fold Darboux solutions in terms of Wronskians. We also derive the exact multi-soliton solutions for the coupled field variables of that system in the background of zero seed solutions. With the addition of these findings, we also enrich our results with the graphical interpretations of interacting solitons which preserve their profiles after the collision as usually solitons possess such property intrinsically. Subsequently, we construct the equation of continuity that yields the infinite conserved quantities associated with interacting phenomenon of multi-solitons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explore the chemodynamical properties of the Galaxy in the azimuthal velocity V ϕ and metallicity [Fe/H] space using red giant stars from Gaia Data Release 3. The row-normalized V ϕ –[Fe/H] maps form a coherent sequence from the bulge to the outer disk, clearly revealing the thin/thick disk and the Splash. The metal-rich stars display bar-like kinematics, while the metal-poor stars show dispersion-dominated kinematics. The intermediate-metallicity population (−1 < [Fe/H]< − 0.4) can be separated into two populations, one that is bar-like, i.e., dynamically cold ( σ V R ∼ 80 km s−1) and fast-rotating (V ϕ ≳ 100 km s−1), and the Splash, which is dynamically hot ( σ V R ∼ 110 km s−1) and slow-rotating (V ϕ ≲ 100 km s−1). We compare the observations in the bulge region with an Auriga simulation where the last major merger event occurred ∼10 Gyr ago: only stars born around the time of the merger reveal a Splash-like feature in the V ϕ –[Fe/H] space, suggesting that the Splash is likely merger-induced, predominantly made up of heated disk stars and the starburst associated with the last major merger. Since the Splash formed from the proto-disk, its lower metallicity limit coincides with that of the thick disk. The bar formed later from the dynamically hot disk with [Fe/H] > − 1 dex, with the Splash not participating in the bar formation and growth. Moreover, with a set of isolated evolving N -body disk simulations, we confirm that a nonrotating classical bulge can be spun up by the bar and develop cylindrical rotation, consistent with the observations for the metal-poor stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This network meta-analysis (NMA) aimed to compare the efficacy of five non-pharmacological interventions, including exercise intervention (EI), nutritional intervention (NI), respiratory intervention (RI), psychological intervention (PSI), and integrated physical intervention (IPI), on functional status, quality of life, muscle strength, pulmonary function, and safety in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We searched nine databases, PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, CNKI, CBM, WFPD, and CSTJ, for randomized controlled trials of ALS patients. The primary outcome was the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) score. Secondary outcomes were the McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire (McGill-QoL), Medical Research Council (MRC)-sum score, Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) score. This NMA was conducted using random-effect models to calculate the standard mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). All types of supplemental interventions had some benefit for patients with ALS. EI had a beneficial effect on the ALSFRS-R score (SMD: 1.01; 95% CI 0.50–1.51), FVC (SMD: 0.78; 95% CI 0.02–1.55), McGill-QoL (SMD: 0.71 95% CI 0.33–1.08), and MRC (SMD: 1.11; 95% CI 0.08–2.14). RI had a beneficial effect on the ALSFRS-R score (SMD: 0.83 95% CI 0.12–1.55). IPI had a beneficial effect on the ALSFRS-R score (SMD: 0.65 95% CI 0.06–1.24). NI had a beneficial effect on the McGill-QoL (SMD: 0.63 95% CI 0.02–1.23). The current study findings support a multimodal intervention strategy with an emphasis on EI for slowing disease progression in patients with ALS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adaptive output feedback control based on output feedback exponential passivity (OFEP) has a simple structure and strong robustness in regard to disturbances and system uncertainties. However, it is difficult for most nonlinear systems to satisfy the conditions of OFEP. Thus, the introduction of a suitable parallel feedforward compensator (PFC) to construct an OFEP‐augmented system with the controlled system has been used, but the control output cannot achieve perfect tracking because of the output of the introduced PFC. As a solution, introducing a feedforward (FF) input to build a 2 degree of freedom (2‐DOF) is a simple and effective way to solve this problem. In this paper, we propose the design schemes for suitable PFC and FF input of nonlinear systems via the use of neural networks (NN), respectively. Besides, to cope with possibly present input disturbances, we also provide a method to achieve disturbance compensation based on NN to reduce their interference. Finally, the effectiveness of all proposed design schemes is confirmed through numerical simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Noninvasive quantifying activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) by molecular imaging is helpful for assessing disease progression and therapeutic responses of liver fibrosis. Our purpose is to develop platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ)-targeted radioactive tracer for assessing liver fibrosis by positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of aHSCs. Methods: Comparative transcriptomics, immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry were used to evaluate PDGFRβ as biomarker for human aHSCs and determine the correlation of PDGFRβ with the severity of liver fibrosis. The high affinity affibody for PDGFRβ (ZPDGFRβ) was labeled with gallium-68 (68Ga) for PET imaging of mice with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis. Binding of the [68Ga]Ga-labeled ZPDGFRβ ([68Ga]Ga-DOTA-ZPDGFRβ) for aHSCs in human liver tissues was measured by autoradiography. Results: PDGFRβ overexpressed in aHSCs was highly correlated with the severity of liver fibrosis in patients and CCl4-treated mice. The 68Ga-labeled ZPDGFRβ affibody ([68Ga]Ga-DOTA-ZPDGFRβ) showed PDGFRβ-dependent binding to aHSCs. According to the PET imaging, hepatic uptake of [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-ZPDGFRβ increased with the accumulation of aHSCs and collagens in the fibrotic livers of mice. In contrast, hepatic uptake of [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-ZPDGFRβ decreased with spontaneous recovery or treatment of liver fibrosis, indicating that the progression and therapeutic responses of liver fibrosis in mice could be visualized by PDGFRβ-targeted PET imaging. [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-ZPDGFRβ also bound human aHSCs and visualized fibrosis in patient-derived liver tissues. Conclusions: PDGFRβ is a reliable biomarker for both human and mouse aHSCs. PDGFRβ-targeted PET imaging could be used for noninvasive monitoring of liver fibrosis in mice and has great potential for clinical translation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hydrogen-bonded organic framework (HOF) nanowire was developed as a precursor and template for the synthesis of CoRu-MOF nanotubes and densely isolated CoRu alloy catalysts. The optimized Co-15Ru@NG-500 catalyst demonstrated superior catalytic performance for the HER in alkaline electrolytes with an overpotential of only 30 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and robust durability. [Display omitted] Designing highly efficient and stable electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) is essential to the production of green and renewable hydrogen. Metal-organic framework (MOF) precursor strategies are promising for the design of excellent electrocatalysts because of their porous architectures and adjustable compositions. In this study, a hydrogen-bonded organic framework (HOF) nanowire was developed as a precursor and template for the controllable and scalable synthesis of CoRu-MOF nanotubes. After calcination in Ar, the CoRu-MOF nanotubes were converted into N -doped graphene (NG) nanotubes with ultrafine CoRu nanoclusters (hereon called Co- x Ru@NG- T ; x = 0, 5, 10, 15, 25 representing the Ru content of 0–0.25 mmol; T = 400 °C to 700 °C) that were densely encapsulated and isolated on the shell. Taking advantage of the synergistic effects of the porous, one-dimensional hollow structure and ultrafine CoRu nanoclusters, the optimized Co-15Ru@NG-500 catalyst demonstrated superior catalytic performance for HERs in alkaline electrolytes with an overpotential of only 30 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and robust durability for 2000 cycles, which outperforms many typical catalytic materials, such as commercial Pt/C. This work introduces a novel high-efficiency and cost-effective HER catalyst for application in commercial water-splitting electrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Crowding stress from stocking density is one of the critical stress factors in mariculture. Exposure of fish to chronic crowding stress substantially affects their well-being and physiological state, resulting in decreased growth performance, disordered metabolism, and consequent economic losses. In this research, we aimed to provide a deeper understanding of the effects of chronic crowding stress from stocking density on rainbow trout in mariculture. The obtained data offer unprecedented insights into the relationship between the growth performance and lipid metabolism of rainbow trout under chronic stress from stocking density in mariculture. (1) Background: In aquaculture, chronic stress due to high stocking density impairs animals' welfare and results in declined fishery production with low protein quality. However, most previous studies evaluated the effects of high stocking density on trout in freshwater rather than seawater. (2) Methods: Juvenile trout were reared for 84 days in circular tanks under three stocking densities, including low density ("LD", 9.15 kg/m3), moderate density ("MD", 13.65 kg/m3), and high density ("HD", 27.31 kg/m3) in seawater. The final densities of LD, MD, and HD were 22.00, 32.05 and 52.24 kg/m3, respectively. Growth performance and lipid metabolism were evaluated. (3) Results: Growth performance and feeding efficiency were significantly reduced due to chronic stress under high density in mariculture. The digestive activity of lipids was promoted in the gut of HD fish, while the concentration of triglycerides was decreased in the blood. Furthermore, decreased acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and fatty acid synthase (FAS), increased hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) concentrations, and activated hepatic β-oxidation processes were observed in trout under HD. Redundancy analysis showed that glycerol and HSL can be used as potential markers to evaluate the growth performance of trout in mariculture. (4) Conclusions: We showed that chronic high stocking density led to negative effects on growth performance, reduced de novo synthesis of fatty acids, and enhanced lipolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: White matter injury (WMI) is an important pathological process after traumatic brain injury (TBI). The correlation between white matter functions and the myeloid cells expressing triggering receptor‐2 (TREM2) has been convincingly demonstrated. Moreover, a recent study revealed that microglial sterol metabolism is crucial for early remyelination after demyelinating diseases. However, the potential roles of TREM2 expression and microglial sterol metabolism in WMI after TBI have not yet been explored. Methods: Controlled cortical injury was induced in both wild‐type (WT) and TREM2 depletion (TREM2 KO) mice to simulate clinical TBI. COG1410 was used to upregulate TREM2, while PLX5622 and GSK2033 were used to deplete microglia and inhibit the liver X receptor (LXR), respectively. Immunofluorescence, Luxol fast blue staining, magnetic resonance imaging, transmission electron microscopy, and oil red O staining were employed to assess WMI after TBI. Neurological behaviour tests and electrophysiological recordings were utilized to evaluate cognitive functions following TBI. Microglial cell sorting and transcriptomic sequencing were utilized to identify alterations in microglial sterol metabolism‐related genes, while western blot was conducted to validate the findings. Results: TREM2 expressed highest at 3 days post‐TBI and was predominantly localized to microglial cells within the white matter. Depletion of TREM2 worsened aberrant neurological behaviours, and this phenomenon was mediated by the exacerbation of WMI, reduced renewal of oligodendrocytes, and impaired phagocytosis ability of microglia after TBI. Subsequently, the upregulation of TREM2 alleviated WMI, promoted oligodendrocyte regeneration, and ultimately facilitated the recovery of neurological behaviours after TBI. Finally, the expression of DHCR24 increased in TREM2 KO mice after TBI. Interestingly, TREM2 inhibited DHCR24 and upregulated members of the LXR pathway. Moreover, LXR inhibition could partially reverse the effects of TREM2 upregulation on electrophysiological activities. Conclusions: We demonstrate that TREM2 has the potential to alleviate WMI following TBI, possibly through the DHCR24/LXR pathway in microglia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermal expansion effects of GNSS stations are influenced by not only temperature variations, but also bedrock depths and types. Unfortunately, the current studies treat the subsurface GNSS monument and their nearby bedrock as a whole, without taking into account the inconsistencies among bedrock depths and types, while the existing full-spectrum finite element method (FEM) cannot be easily extended to consider the bedrock information. To solve this problem, we propose a refined full-spectrum temperature-induced subsurface thermal expansion model (FSHBDT) that considers both seasonal and non-seasonal temperature variations as well as bedrock information based on the half-space harmonic model. Results show that the full-spectrum half-space harmonic model (FSH), which considers only seasonal and non-seasonal temperature variations, can obtain comparable results to the FEM and even outperform the FEM for inland stations. In addition, the depth and type of bedrock have significant effects on the annual amplitude and phase of thermal expansion-induced vertical displacement. In particular, we find that the station displacement increases by more than 1 mm and the annual phase delays by up to 10° for high-latitude and deeper bedrock stations when bedrock depths are taken into account. The FSHBDT improves the correlation coefficient between GNSS height and mass load displacements by up to 42.3% compared to the FEM and explains up to 8.2% of the nonlinear variation in the GNSS height time series. Our work confirms the advantage of rigorous subsurface thermal expansion modeling to correct the nonlinear variations of global GNSS stations, which might provide a potential opportunity to improve the terrestrial reference frame toward the goal of 1 mm accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particle emission from a Bose‐Einstein condensate with periodically modulated interactions is investigated in a 1D lattice. Within perturbative analysis, which leads to instabilities for discrete modes, the main regimes are obtained where the system can emit a large particle jet, and the distinctly intermittent rather than continuous emission is found. The time evolution of the trapped particles exhibits a stair‐like decay, and a larger drive induces a more significant intermittency. This study further sheds light on the dynamics of the stimulating process, and demonstrates that instead of a real suspension, the intermittency represents a build‐up stage of the system. The theoretical framework might be generalized to the explorations on multiple‐site systems with analogous configurations and couplings, and offer new insights into other fundamental nonequilibrium problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: Following the classification of metabolic dysfunction‐associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has recently been redefined again as metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). However, the distinctions in characteristics and mortality outcomes between NAFLD, MAFLD and MASLD remain unclear. Methods: We analysed data from 7519 participants in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys of United States (US) and their linked mortality until 2019. Survey weight‐adjusted multivariable Cox proportional model was used to study the mortality over three terms. Results: The prevalence of NAFLD, MAFLD and MASLD was 18.5%, 19.3% and 20.8%, respectively. Most individuals with NAFLD (94.5%) or MAFLD (100%) can be classified as MASLD, while a relatively low percentage of those with MASLD were also diagnosed with either NAFLD (84.1%) or MAFLD (92.7%). During a median follow‐up of 26.9 years, both MAFLD and MASLD were associated with increased risk of all‐cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.18, 95% CI 1.04–1.33 and 1.19, 1.06–1.34, respectively), this association was mainly observed in NAFLD−/MASLD+ subgroups. NAFLD was not associated with all‐cause mortality. However, all three terms were associated with an increased risk of all‐cause mortality in individuals with advanced fibrosis (aHR: 1.71–1.81). Subgroup analyses showed that higher risk of all‐cause mortality for both MAFLD and MASLD were observed among older adults (≥65 year), non‐Hispanic whites and those without diabetes. Conclusions: Both MASLD and MALFD were linked to higher all‐cause mortality risk, but MASLD identified a greater number of individuals compared to MAFLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Objective: The Tubridge flow diverter is a commonly used device in China for reconstructing the parental artery and occluding complex intracranial aneurysms. However, there is limited experience with the device in treating recurrent intracranial aneurysms. The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and effectiveness of the Tubridge flow diverter in treating recurrent singlecoiling aneurysms. Methods: The clinical records of patients with recurrent intracranial aneurysms who were treated with a Tubridge flow diverter were reviewed to show the therapeutic process, occlusion rate, and clinical outcomes associated with this treatment method. Results: Five patients with recurrent aneurysms of the internal carotid artery after singe coiling were included in the study. The recurrent aneurysmal sac had a mean length and width of 8.34/4.30 mm. All five Tubridge flow diverters were implanted without any unfold failure. The last angiographic follow-up showed a complete occlusion rate of 100%. Five branch arteries were covered, and only one branch artery disappeared during follow-up. No cases of cerebral infarction or intracranial hemorrhage were found among the patients. Conclusions: Our initial findings indicate that the Tubridge flow diverter could be a reliable and successful method for treating recurring single-coil aneurysms. We observed that the branch arteries were well-preserved, and no patients experienced cerebral infarction or hemorrhage. However, further research is necessary to establish clear indications and potential complications through a multicenter randomized controlled trial with long-term follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the σ-error pth $ (p>0) $ (p > 0) -moment stability and synthesis problems for a class of discrete-time semi-Markov jump singular systems (DTSMJSSs). In view of the Lyapunov functions approach, we first derive the σ-error pth $ (p>0) $ (p > 0) -moment stable behaviour of interested systems. Based on semi-Markov kernel approach and the techniques of eliminating power of matrices (EPMs), we then obtain several LMI conditions for σ-error mean square stability. Subsequently, due to the time-varying singular E-matrix in DTSMJSSs, two different forms of controller gain are exploited in order to design stabilising state-feedback strategies. In particular, computational analysis and comparison of the proposed control schemes are provided, which shows the numerical complexity of the proposed control schemes is vastly lower than that of the existing literature. Finally, an example has been performed to verify the obtained analytical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a validated mathematical model for a composite air conditioning system was established based on onsite test data. The system consists of a refrigerant pump driven two-phase cooling loop (RPTCL) and vapor compression refrigeration (VCR) cycles. The system can be switched to refrigerant pump (RP) mode, compressor mode, or hybrid mode, according to the outdoor temperature. By analyzing, the inadequacy of the existing Internet Data center (IDC) air conditioning system operation strategy was confirmed, and subsequently, five optimization strategies were proposed. The optimization strategies took two identical composite air conditioning systems as optimization unit, and under the premise of meeting the demand for cooling capacity, maximizing the operating time of RP and hybrid mode, which with higher energy efficiency, through complementary cooling capacity, to reduce the energy consumption. Meanwhile, when the cooling supply was higher than the demand, paired with optimization unit’s ON/OFF ratio control, the unit’s energy consumption was further reduced. The most optimization strategy provided 525.6 MWh of cooling energy to meet demand while consuming a minimum of 182.5 MWh. The optimization strategy also achieved a minimum of 12.1% and a maximum of 52.5% energy savings for IDCs in other climate zones of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evapotranspiration (ET) is an important component of surface energy balance and a key process of hydrological cycle. Continuous and accurate estimation of regional ET is meaningful for water management, agricultural production, and climate change adaptation. Remote sensing (RS) technique is of important meaning for estimating ET on regional scale. In this study, a new method is developed to integrate the RS information and meteorological data based on the decouple model which is deduced from Penman–Monteith (PM) model. Firstly, a parameterization method for decoupling factor (Ω) which is key parameter in the decouple model and could reflect the coupling relationship between the land surface and atmosphere systems is introduced. Subsequently, the decouple model is applied to inverse regional ET in Beijing City and nearby region, from 1st, May, 2013 to 31th, October, 2020. Thirdly, the inversed daily ET values are evaluated based on the measured data at Huailai station and in Badaling Forest Farm. The results show that the changing trend of estimated ET and measured ET are basically the similar. The bias value is −0.12 mm d−1, the RSME value is 0.66 mm d−1, and the correlation coefficient is 0.52. Finally, the spatiotemporal trend of water consumption in study area is analysed based on the ET estimation results. The month with the largest water consumption in 2013 is July with the quantity of 0.92 billion m3, accounting for about 22% of the regional total water consumption in growing season. The regions with high ET values agree well with the regions of high soil moisture and high air humidity as well as high biomass. These results suggest that the decouple model is with great potential to generate regional daily ET products and to support irrigation management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Unusual clinical course. Background: Hyperparathyroidism is a common issue in patients on long-term hemodialysis, necessitating parathyroidectomy with deep venipuncture. These patients frequently exhibit a heightened incidence of vascular calcification, complicating deep venipuncture and increasing the risk of associated complications. Therefore, a crucial aspect of preoperative assessment in this population involves identifying vascular calcification, with a preference for ultrasound-guided intraplane puncture. Special care is required to prevent blood vessel injuries and postoperative complications such as deep vein thrombosis. Case Report: We present the case of a 66-year-old woman with secondary hyperparathyroidism who encountered challenges during an internal jugular vein puncture, leading to subsequent thrombosis. Initial attempts were hindered by calcification of the internal jugular vein's vascular wall, resulting in stratified damage to the vessel's wall. However, the ultrasound-guided in-plane puncture technique successfully allowed the insertion of a central venous catheter without further damage to the vascular wall. On the postoperative fourth day, thrombus formation was observed in the damaged vascular wall from the initial puncture. Conclusions: The ultrasound-guided in-plane puncture technique is advantageous in overcoming the difficulties associated with puncturing through deep vein calcification in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism. This technique also diminishes the likelihood of complications such as venous thrombosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

lithium-rich manganese base cathode material (xLi 2 MnO 3-(1-x) LiMO 2 , M = Ni, Co, Mn, etc.) is regarded as one of the finest possibilities for future lithium-ion battery cathode materials due to its high specific capacity, low cost, and environmental friendliness. The cathode material encounters rapid voltage decline, poor rate and during the electrochemical cycling. A series of problems that hinder the commercial application of lithium-rich manganese base cathode material in energy storage area. In view of this, the structural characteristics and discharge performance of lithium-rich manganese base cathode material are discussed in this manuscript as well as the mechanisms governing ion doping, surface coating, morphology, and component design. The reasons behind the performance differences between various doping ions and coating materials acting on Li-rich layered materials are also examined in detail, along with the benefits of double doping and double coating. In order to solve the shortcomings of single ion doping, surface coating, and morphology and component design in the modification of lithium-rich layered materials, a combined modification process based on the aforementioned three alterations is lastly proposed and briefly explained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants possess the remarkable ability to sense detrimental environmental stimuli and launch sophisticated signal cascades that culminate in tailored responses to facilitate their survival, and transcription factors (TFs) are closely involved in these processes. Phytochrome interacting factors (PIFs) are among these TFs and belong to the basic helix–loop–helix family. PIFs are initially identified and have now been well established as core regulators of phytochrome-associated pathways in response to the light signal in plants. However, a growing body of evidence has unraveled that PIFs also play a crucial role in adapting plants to various biological and environmental pressures. In this review, we summarize and highlight that PIFs function as a signal hub that integrates multiple environmental cues, including abiotic (i.e., drought, temperature, and salinity) and biotic stresses to optimize plant growth and development. PIFs not only function as transcription factors to reprogram the expression of related genes, but also interact with various factors to adapt plants to harsh environments. This review will contribute to understanding the multifaceted functions of PIFs in response to different stress conditions, which will shed light on efforts to further dissect the novel functions of PIFs, especially in adaption to detrimental environments for a better survival of plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study has developed two hemi‐isoindigo (HID)‐based polymers for printed flexible resistor‐type nitrogen oxide (NO2) sensors: poly[2‐ethylhexyl 3‐((3′“,4′‐bis(dodecyloxy)‐3,4‐dimethoxy‐[2,2′:5′,2′”‐terthiophen]‐5‐yl)methylene)‐2‐oxoindoline‐1‐carboxylate] (P1) and poly[2‐ethylhexyl 2‐oxo‐3‐((3,3′“,4,4′‐tetrakis(dodecyloxy)‐[2,2′:5′,2′”‐terthiophen]‐5‐yl)methylene)indoline‐1‐carboxylate] (P2). These polymers feature thermally removable carbamate side chains on the HID units, providing solubility and creating molecular cavities after thermal annealing. These cavities enhance NO2 diffusion, and the liberated unsubstituted amide ─C(═O)NH─ groups readily form robust double hydrogen bonds (DHB), as demonstrated by computer simulations. Furthermore, both polymers possess elevated highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy levels of −4.74 and −4.77 eV, making them highly susceptible to p‐doping by NO2. Gas sensors fabricated from P1 and P2 films, anneal under optimized conditions to partially remove carbamate side chains, exhibit remarkable sensitivities of +1400% ppm−1 and +3844% ppm−1, and low detection limit (LOD) values of 514 ppb and 38.9 ppb toward NO2, respectively. These sensors also demonstrate excellent selectivity for NO2 over other gases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The features of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) after SARS-CoV-2 infection have not been well characterized. In this study, we compared the clinical and pathological characteristics of patients with IgAN who had experienced SARS-CoV-2 infection to those who had not. We conducted a retrospective study that enrolled 38 patients with biopsy-proven IgAN following SARS-CoV-2 infection with 4 months (post-SARS-CoV-2 infection group) and 1154 patients with IgAN prior to the pandemic (pre-SARS-CoV-2 infection group). Among the SARS-CoV-2 group cases, 61% were females. The average duration from SARS-CoV-2 infection to renal biopsy was 78.6 days. Prior to SARS-CoV-2 infection, the patients had different presentations of nephropathy. One patient had isolated hematuria, two had isolated proteinuria, twenty presented with both hematuria and proteinuria, and one patient had elevated serum creatinine. Additionally, there were eight cases with uncertain nephropathy history, and six cases did not have a history of nephropathy. Following SARS-CoV-2 infection, five patients experienced gross hematuria, one case exhibited creatinine elevation, and five cases showed an increase in proteinuria. The group of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 after the COVID-19 pandemic exhibited older age, higher hypertension ratio and lower eGFR values compared to the pre-SARS-CoV-2 infection group. As for pathological parameters, a higher proportion of patients in the post-SARS-CoV-2 infection group exhibited a higher percentage of sclerotic glomeruli and glomerular ischemic sclerosis. There were no significant differences observed between the two groups in terms of therapy involving steroids, immunosuppressants, or RAS inhibitors. IgA nephropathy patients who were infected with SARS-CoV-2 were generally older and experienced more severe kidney damage compared to those without SARS-CoV-2 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, lithium–zinc ferrite (LZF) ceramics were prepared by spark plasma sintering. Problem of carbon pollution was effectively resolved by annealing decarburization, formation of BN-coated carbon paper, and formation of protective layer of different metal foils (Ti, Mo, W, and Ta). The effects of carbon pollution and different protective layers on microstructure and dielectric and magnetic properties of LZF ceramics were studied comprehensively. Results reveal that annealing decarburization and BN-coated carbon paper could significantly improve resistance and saturation magnetization (M s) of LZF, while real part of dielectric constant (ε′) and dielectric loss (tanδ) were significantly reduced. X-ray diffraction patterns indicate that all selected protective layers can provide good spinel-phase LZF ceramics. The utilization of metallic foil as protective layer can effectively reduce carburization, improve the resistance of LZF ceramics, and reduce ε′ and tanδ values. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy results reveal that cations with the highest valence state replace Fe3+ at B-site. The use of metal foil protective layer leads to the infiltration of metal ions into LZF lattice, leading to the increase in the lattice constant and decrease in the M s value. This study deepens the understanding of carburization during SPS, providing a reference scheme for future applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Airway remodeling is a poorly reversible feature of asthma which lacks effective therapeutic interventions. CD147 can regulate extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and tissue fibrosis, and participate in the pathogenesis of asthma. In this study, the role of CD147 in airway remodeling and activation of circulating fibrocytes was investigated in asthmatic mice. Methods: Asthmatic mouse model was established by sensitizing and challenging mice with ovalbumin (OVA), and treated with anti-CD147 or Isotype antibody. The number of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was examined by microscope, and the levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5 and IL-13 in BALF were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The number of CD45+ and collagen I (COL-I)+ circulating fibrocytes in BALF was detected by flow cytometry. Lung tissue sections were respectively stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE), periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) or Masson trichrome staining, or used for immunohistochemistry of CD31 and immunohistofluorescence of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), CD45 and COL-I. The protein expression of α-SMA, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), Fibronectin, and COL-I was determined by western blotting. Results: Anti-CD147 treatment significantly reduced the number of eosinophils and the levels of IL-4, IL-13, and IL-5 in BALF, and repressed airway inflammatory infiltration and airway wall thickening in asthmatic mice. Anti-CD147 treatment also reduced airway goblet cell metaplasia, collagen deposition, and angiogenesis in asthmatic mice, accompanied by inhibition of VEGF and α-SMA expression. The number of CD45+COL-I+ circulating fibrocytes was increased in BALF and lung tissues of OVA-induced asthmatic mice, but was decreased by anti-CD147 treatment. In addition, anti-CD147 treatment also reduced the protein expression of COL-I, fibronectin, and TGF-β1 in lung tissues of asthmatic mice. Conclusion: OVA-triggered airway inflammation and airway remodeling in asthmatic mice can be repressed by anti-CD147 treatment, along with inhibiting the accumulation and activation of circulating fibrocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The explicit topology optimization method based on moving morphable component (MMC) has attracted more and more attention, and components are the basic building blocks of the implementation of MMC method. In the present work, a MMC topology optimization method based on component with void structure is followed with interest. On the basis of analyzing the characteristics of components used by MMC method, the topology description function for component with void structure is presented, where a quantitative scaling factor is introduced without increasing the number of design variables. Taking the minimum flexibility as the optimization objective, an example of short beam is analyzed with different void structure scaling factors. The results show that different scaling factors have a greater impact on the final topology optimization structure, and an ideal topology structure can be obtained with an appropriate scaling factor. Finally, some problems in the optimization process are analyzed and indicate that appropriate mesh density should be chose for component with void structure in order to achieve good optimization results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Objective: The Tubridge flow diverter is a commonly used device in China for reconstructing the parental artery and occluding complex intracranial aneurysms. However, there is limited experience with the device in treating recurrent intracranial aneurysms. The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and effectiveness of the Tubridge flow diverter in treating recurrent singlecoiling aneurysms. Methods: The clinical records of patients with recurrent intracranial aneurysms who were treated with a Tubridge flow diverter were reviewed to show the therapeutic process, occlusion rate, and clinical outcomes associated with this treatment method. Results: Five patients with recurrent aneurysms of the internal carotid artery after singe coiling were included in the study. The recurrent aneurysmal sac had a mean length and width of 8.34/4.30 mm. All five Tubridge flow diverters were implanted without any unfold failure. The last angiographic follow-up showed a complete occlusion rate of 100%. Five branch arteries were covered, and only one branch artery disappeared during follow-up. No cases of cerebral infarction or intracranial hemorrhage were found among the patients. Conclusions: Our initial findings indicate that the Tubridge flow diverter could be a reliable and successful method for treating recurring single-coil aneurysms. We observed that the branch arteries were well-preserved, and no patients experienced cerebral infarction or hemorrhage. However, further research is necessary to establish clear indications and potential complications through a multicenter randomized controlled trial with long-term follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six species in two genera of the family Cheiracanthiidae Wagner, 1887 are studied from Hainan Island, China, including two new species: Cheiracanthium bawanglingense sp. n. (♀♂) and Eutittha hainanensis sp. n. (♀). Cheiracanthium ningmingense Zhang and Yin, 1999 syn. n. is synonymised with C. exquestitum Zhang and Zhu, 1993, and C. adjacensoides Song, Chen and Hou, 1990 stat. resurr. (♀♂) is removed from synonymy with C. approximatum O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1885. Cheiracanthium insigne O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1874 (♀♂) and C. taegense Paik, 1990 (♀♂) are reported from Hainan Province, China, for the first time. Photos of habitus and genitalia and a distribution map of all species are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High temperatures and particulate matter (PM) pollution can make environments uninhabitable. Using air conditioners to cool rooms and air filters to remove PM is effective, but it consumes lots of energy. To save energy, a novel curtain made of polyvinylidene fluoride–hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-HFP) nanofiber membrane has successfully been produced by simple electrospinning technology, which could block PM from outside through natural ventilation and also cool the room by reflecting and scattering sunlight and radiating energy to the outside. The results showed that the curtain was able to effectively reflect sunlight and reduce the subambient temperature by about 10 °C, achieving effective passive radiative cooling. Moreover, the electrospun PVDF-HFP with good piezoelectric properties could be used as a nano-generator to collect the mechanical energy of the wind, and the PVDF-HFP nanofiber films were used as efficient air filtration curtains with 98% filtration efficiency and 64 Pa pressure drop. This simple method to fabricate double energy-saving curtains is more conducive to dissemination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at the problem of feature extraction of ship-radiated noise in complex marine environment, an adaptive weighted multiscale mathematical morphological filtering method is proposed. The weight coefficients of the structure elements of different scales in multiscale morphological filtering are determined adaptively by an improved particle swarm optimization algorithm, and the Teager energy kurtosis is used as the evaluation index of the filtered optimal signal to provide optimized weights for each scale. Finally, the optimized multiscale mathematical morphology filter with selective adaptive weights is bound and applied to the feature extraction of ship-radiated noise. The analysis results of simulated signal and measured ship-radiated noise show that this method has strong noise suppression and feature extraction ability, and the calculation is simple and fast, which provides an effective method for ship feature extraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this manuscript is to investigate the precise soliton solution of the (1 + 1) -dimensional Sharma–Tasso–Olver–Burgers equation. This study thoroughly explores the characteristics and solutions of this nonlinear equation. To pinpoint the exact soliton solution, we employ analytical techniques, specifically the exp (- ϕ (ξ)) -expansion method, as well as stability and sensitivity analysis. We begin by introducing the equation and discussing its role in mathematical modeling. It's worth noting that the equation's inherent nonlinearity adds complexity and poses challenges for analysis and solution. Our research objective is to identify solutions through graphical interpretation, allowing us to gain insights into their behavior. To achieve this, we utilize relevant parameter values to emphasize the physical properties of the provided data. We use the Mathematica and Maple software to demonstrate the solutions that have been discovered in 3D, 2D, and contour plots for the purpose of physical expression and graphical representation. The investigated system is shown to be stable since a little change in the initial conditions does not result in an immense shift in solutions. The sensitivity and stability analyses are also provided at various initial conditions. Importantly, these methods have broader applications and are valuable for conveying nonlinear physical models in the field of nonlinear sciences, not limited to the Sharma–Tasso–Olver–Burgers equation alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the applicability of perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) in evaluating the curative effect of endostar (EN) combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in advanced cervical cancer. Methods: Between January 2021 and December 2022, 85 patients from Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child-care Hospital, China with advanced cervical cancer received NAC intravenously and underwent pre and post-chemotherapy PWI. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) consisted of paclitaxel (135 - 175 mg/m²) and carboplatin (300 - 400 mg/m²). The NAC regimen comprised three courses, with each course lasting three weeks. General data, gross tumor volume (GTV), maximum signal intensity loss rate (MSILR), tumor regression rate (TRR), and post-chemotherapy MSILR reduction were compared between effective and non-effective groups. Results: There was a significant difference in International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging, pathological types and proportion of lymph node metastasis between effective and noneffective groups (p < 0.05). At the end of 3 cycles of chemotherapy, ORR was 72.94 %. After treatment with EN combined with NAC, GTV and MSILR in effective group were significantly lower compared to non-effective group (p < 0.05). After chemotherapy, the mean relative ratio (MRR) and MSILR in effective group were significantly higher compared to non-effective group (p < 0.05). Also, MSILR before treatment (EN combined with NAC) was positively correlated with TRR after chemotherapy in patients with advanced cervical cancer (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Perfusion-weighted imaging effectively changes tumor volume in patients with advanced cervical cancer after treatment with EN combined with NAC, and this has high application in evaluating the drug's curative effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the issues in the teaching of the medicinal chemistry course, we propose an innovative teaching approach based on a higher-order skills-oriented advanced research-oriented learning model. By combining the P-MASE research-oriented learning model with advanced instructional activity design, we create a higher-order skills-oriented teaching activity that integrates "interesting case research + creative research activities + project challenges", and construct a teaching scenario that incorporates the instructional content. Under the guidance of teachers, students advance their research-oriented learning in medicinal chemistry through the P-MASE framework, which involves problem identification, method exploration, scientific analysis, effective solution, and evaluation of outcomes. This approach facilitates theoretical development and enhances students' research and innovation thinking skills. Through an analysis of the achievement of the medicinal chemistry course, it is confirmed that this model can effectively enhance the higher-order nature, innovation, and challenge of the course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Land cover changes (LCCs) affect surface temperatures at local scale through biophysical processes. However, previous observation-based studies mainly focused on the potential effects of virtual afforestation/deforestation using the space-for-time assumption, while the actual effects of all types of realistic LCCs are underexplored. Here, we adopted the space-and-time scheme and utilized extensive high-resolution (1-km) satellite observations to perform the first such assessment. We showed that, from 2006 to 2015, the average temperature in the areas with LCCs increased by 0.08 K globally, but varied significantly across latitudes, ranging from −0.05 to 0.18 K. Cropland expansions dominated summertime cooling effects in the northern mid-latitudes, whereas forest-related LCCs caused warming effects elsewhere. These effects accounted for up to 44.6% of overall concurrent warming, suggesting that LCC influences cannot be ignored. In addition, we revealed obvious asymmetries in the actual effects, i.e., LCCs with warming effects occurred more frequently, with stronger intensities, than LCCs with cooling effects. Even for the mutual changes between two covers in the same region, warming LCCs generally had larger magnitudes than their cooling counterparts due to asymmetric changes in transition fractions and driving variables. These novel findings, derived from the assessment of actual LCCs, provide more realistic implications for land management and climate adaptation policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the matrix cracking of LiZn ferrite (LZF) ceramics during spark plasma sintering, fiber-reinforced LZF materials were prepared using silicon carbide nanofibers (SCFs) and alumina whiskers (AWs) as reinforcement phases. The effect of fiber reinforcement on the microstructure and mechanical, electrical, and magnetic properties of LZF was systematically studied. The results reveal that SCFs lead to an increase in grain size of SCF-reinforced LiZn ferrites (LZF-S) and a deterioration of grain morphology due to the transgranular behavior of SCFs. The increase in complex dielectric constant and dielectric loss, as well as the decrease in resistance of LZF-S, is due to the increase in Fe2+ concentration in ceramics and low resistance of SCFs. AW-reinforced LiZn ferrites (LZF-A) show the opposite effect due to the high porosity caused by AWs and the high resistance of AWs. LZF-S exhibits high fiber/matrix bonding strength, which permits the transfer of the load from the matrix to the fiber to be more effective, leading to a high fracture toughness (K IC) of 5.1 MPa m1/2. The bonding strength between fiber and matrix of LZF-A is low, but a large number of pores passivate the crack tip. At an SCF content of less than 2.5 wt%, the saturation magnetization (M s) of LZF does not decrease obviously, but a small amount of AWs leads to a significant decrease in M s (pure LZF: 83 emu·g−1; 1.0 wt% SCFs: 80 emu·g−1; 1.0 wt% AWs: 62 emu·g−1), which can be ascribed to the partial substitution of Fe3+ by nonmagnetic Al3+ ions. When the content of reinforcement phases is 1 wt%, the ferroresonance linewidth increases significantly due to the high porosity caused by the secondary phases (pure LZF: 234 Oe; 1.0 wt% SCFs: 2161 Oe; 1.0 wt% AWs: 1020 Oe). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on 10 multidisciplinary investigations conducted from February 2015 to January 2016, the phytoplankton community and its association with ambient seawater physicochemical parameters in the Changjiang (Yangtze) River estuary (CE) and its adjacent waters were comprehensively examined. In total, 265 taxa were identified, belonging to 5 phyla and 94 genera. Diatoms (63.78%) and dinoflagellates (33.21%) were the dominant groups. The variation of diatom abundance showed a positive relationship with the nutrient concentrations while the dinoflagellate abundance showed a negative relationship. Two algal bloom events occurred during the investigation period. The Changjiang Diluted Water (CDW) induced environmental gradients in the upper layer, favoring the diatom bloom in July. The invasion of the nearshore Kuroshio branch current could affect the formation of a bloom of Prorocentrum donghaiense. With the blooming and senescence of phytoplankton, low dissolved oxygen (DO) and hypoxia occurred in the bottom waters. The bottom DO concentration displayed a significantly negative correlation with phytoplankton carbon flux. The present study provides straightforward evidence for the source of organic matter for oxygen consumption in the CE and its adjacent waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main application scenario for wearable sensors involves the generation of data and monitoring metrics. fNIRS (functional near-infrared spectroscopy) allows the nonintrusive monitoring of human visual perception. The quantification of visual perception by fNIRS facilitates applications in engineering-related fields. This study designed a set of experimental procedures to effectively induce visible alterations and to quantify visual perception in conjunction with the acquisition of Hbt (total hemoglobin), Hb (hemoglobin), and HbO2 (oxygenated hemoglobin) data obtained from HfNIRS (high-density functional near-infrared spectroscopy). Volunteers completed the visual task separately in response to different visible changes in the simulated scene. HfNIRS recorded the changes in Hbt, Hb, and HbO2 during the study, the time point of the visual difference, and the time point of the task change. This study consisted of one simulated scene, two visual variations, and four visual tasks. The simulation scene featured a car driving location. The visible change suggested that the brightness and saturation of the car operator interface would change. The visual task represented the completion of the layout, color, design, and information questions answered in response to the visible change. This study collected data from 29 volunteers. The volunteers completed the visual task separately in response to different visual changes in the same simulated scene. HfNIRS recorded the changes in Hbt, Hb, and HbO2 during the study, the time point of the visible difference, and the time point of the task change. The data analysis methods in this study comprised a combination of channel dimensionality reduction, feature extraction, task classification, and score correlation. Channel downscaling: This study used the data of 15 channels in HfNIRS to calculate the mutual information between different channels to set a threshold, and to retain the data of the channels that were higher than those of the mutual information. Feature extraction: The statistics derived from the visual task, including time, mean, median, variance, extreme variance, kurtosis, bias, information entropy, and approximate entropy were computed. Task classification: This study used the KNN (K-Nearest Neighbors) algorithm to classify different visual tasks and to calculate the accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 scores. Scoring correlation: This study matched the visual task scores with the fluctuations of Hbt, Hb, and HbO2 and observed the changes in Hbt, Hb, and HbO2 under different scoring levels. Mutual information was used to downscale the channels, and seven channels were retained for analysis under each visual task. The average accuracy was 96.3% ± 1.99%; the samples that correctly classified the visual task accounted for 96.3% of the total; and the classification accuracy was high. By analyzing the correlation between the scores on different visual tasks and the fluctuations of Hbt, Hb, and HbO2, it was found that the higher the score, the more obvious, significant, and higher the fluctuations of Hbt, Hb, and HbO2. Experiments found that changes in visual perception triggered changes in Hbt, Hb, and HbO2. HfNIRS combined with Hbt, Hb, and HbO2 recorded by machine learning algorithms can effectively quantify visual perception. However, the related research in this paper still needs to be further refined, and the mathematical relationship between HfNIRS and visual perception needs to be further explored to realize the quantitative study of subjective and objective visual perception supported by the mathematical relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: While the etiopathogenesis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) remains unclear, it is assumed that muscular asymmetries contribute to curve progression. As previous studies have found asymmetries of the thoracic paraspinal muscles in AIS patients, our study's aim was to analyze differences in the erector spinae, multifidus, quadratus lumborum, and psoas muscles of the lumbar spine depending on the curve's radiographic characteristics. Methods: We retrospectively included all patients who received posterior reposition spondylodesis for AIS treatment at our institution. Patients were classified according to the Lenke classification. Muscle cross-sectional areas were obtained from magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine. Data were analyzed with the Wilcoxon rank sum test, the Kruskal–Wallis test with post hoc testing, or the Spearman's correlation coefficient. Results: Seventy-four (14 males and 60 females) AIS patients with a median age of 16 (IQR ± 4) years and a mean Cobb angle of 56.0° (± 18.0°) were included. In curve types Lenke 1 and 2 (n = 45), the erector spinae (p < 0.001) and multifidus (p < 0.001) muscles had a significantly larger cross-sectional area on the convex side, whereas the quadratus lumborum (p = 0.034) and psoas (p < 0.001) muscles each had a significantly larger cross-sectional area on the lumbar contralateral side. Conclusion: Our results show an asymmetry of the lumbar spine's muscles which depends on both the convexity and the extent of the scoliotic curve. While our results cannot prove whether these differences are the deformity's cause or effect, they may contribute to a better understanding of AIS pathogenesis and may allow for more specific preoperative physiotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatic stones are the result of pathophysiologic changes in chronic pancreatitis with an incidence of more than 90%. At present, pancreatic extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (P-ESWL) can be used as the first-line treatment for large or complex stones. Although a large number of studies have proven the safety and effectiveness of P-ESWL, we should also pay attention to postoperative adverse events, mainly due to the scattering of shock waves in the conduction pathway. Adverse events can be classified as either complications or transient adverse events according to the severity. Because the anatomic location of organs along the shock wave conducting pathway differs greatly, adverse events after P-ESWL are varied and difficult to predict. This paper outlines the mechanism, definition, classification, management and risk factors for adverse events related to P-ESWL. It also discusses the technique of P-ESWL, indications and contraindications of P-ESWL, and adverse events in special populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the fractional perturbed Chen–Lee–Liu model with beta time-space derivative is under consideration. First, the traveling wave transformation is applied to transform the fractional perturbed Chen–Lee–Liu model into two-dimensional planar dynamic systems. Second, the bifurcation of the dynamics system of the fractional perturbed Chen–Lee–Liu model with beta time-space derivative is discussed by using the theory of the plane dynamics systems. Finally, the traveling wave solutions of the fractional perturbed Chen–Lee–Liu model are obtained via the analysis method of planar dynamical system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individual campaign donors offer reliable support for extremists in US politics. Can such support waiver during economic crises, which often bolster extremists' popular appeals? Linking nationwide campaign finance and real estate transactions, I examine how the foreclosure crisis affected Republican donors' willingness to donate to Tea Party candidates, an insurgent right-wing faction of the Republican Party that opposed foreclosure relief. Individual-level longitudinal analyses demonstrate that Republican donors in distressed neighborhoods became less likely to contribute to Tea Party candidates but continued to give to other, more mainstream, Republican candidates. The Tea Party movement's unsympathetic portrayal of underwater home owners likely alienated Republican donors who witnessed neighbors of the same race as themselves suffering the plight of foreclosures. Despite the resulting fund-raising losses, Tea Party candidates performed better in primary elections in crisis-stricken districts. These findings challenge long-standing claims about how the US campaign finance system fuels polarization and extremism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digital skills divide has been raised as a serious issue during the COVID-19. However, few studies explored the predictive influence of personality traits on college students' digital skills in online learning. To address this gap, this study took the second-level digital divide as the focus to conduct a two-round survey of college students over nearly 2 years based on cross-sectional and longitudinal methods to explore whether there is a digital skill divide or personality trait differences between urban and rural college students while learning online, and whether college students' personality traits can predict their digital skills. The results confirmed the rural and urban college students' digital skills divide. There were significant differences in all dimensions of their digital skills except for mobile skills. In addition, the digital skills divide of these college students persisted for nearly 2 years. Specifically, this study further confirmed that there were significant differences in the urban and rural college students' extraversion, neuroticism, and agreeableness, but there was no significant difference in their openness and conscientiousness. Additionally, there was no change in the urban and rural college students' personality trait differences in nearly 2 years. Personality traits could positively predict college students' digital skills. This study provides evidence for bridging the second-level digital divide of the rural and urban college students from the perspective of personality traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A machine learning (ML) methodology that uses a histogram of interaction energies has been applied to predict gas adsorption in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) using results from atomistic grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations as training and test data. In this work, the method is first extended to binary mixtures of spherical species, in particular, Xe and Kr. In addition, it is shown that single-component adsorption of ethane and propane can be predicted in good agreement with GCMC simulation using a histogram of the adsorption energies felt by a methyl probe in conjunction with the random forest ML method. The results for propane can be improved by including a small number of MOF textural properties as descriptors. We also discuss the most significant features, which provides physical insight into the most beneficial adsorption energy sites for a given application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the early stage of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in March 2020, a series of restrictions were released to minimize the exposure and spread of the communicable virus. These restrictions had significant impacts on the mobility and safety of transportation networks. The objective of this study is to assess the causal effects of the COVID-19 restrictions on traffic crashes on interstate highways. Specifically, compared with previous years, the study is to understand whether the COVID-19 outbreak has increased the rate of traffic crashes on Interstate 80 in Nebraska. A comparative interrupted time series (CITS) model was established to examine the week-to-week differences in traffic crashes before, during, and after the implementation of the COVID restrictive measures in Nebraska. Traffic crash data and traffic count data on Interstate 80 for 33 weeks, from Day 1 to Day 183, of 2020 were used. Meanwhile, the same periods of data in 2018 and 2019 were also included as a control group in the models. Results show that the COVID-19 restrictive measures were associated with significant, immediate, positive effects on crashes (i.e., crash reduction or mitigation) with no or minor injuries, crashes with single or two vehicle(s), and crashes with one injury involved. The findings contribute to the understanding of the impact of COVID-19 interventions on interstate highway safety when future outbreaks of COVID-19 or other pandemics become possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effects of different parameters (sintering temperature and holding time) of spark plasma sintering (SPS) on the microstructure and magnetic properties of LiNiZn ferrite ceramics were systematically investigated, and the samples sintered by SPS (SPS samples) were compared with the samples sintered by traditional sintering (TS samples). X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that all the samples were ferrites with spinel structure. The microstructure of the samples was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Compared with TS samples, SPS samples exhibited finer and more uniform grains and denser structure. At the sintering temperature of 1000 °C, SPS samples exhibited higher saturation magnetization (M s , 79.7 emu⋅g−1) and lower ferromagnetic resonance linewidth (ΔH , 231 Oe) than TS samples (M s : 69.3 emu⋅g−1, ΔH : 298 Oe). The phase structure and cation distribution of the samples were analyzed by Raman spectroscopy. Herein, it was speculated that the instantaneous high temperature generated by spark plasma redistributed the cations in the crystal, and the distribution mode was stabilized by rapid cooling. Based on the change of magnetic moment of ferrite molecules caused by cation distribution, a method of judging the specific M s by fitting analysis of Lorentz curve of A 1g Raman signal of ferrite ceramics was proposed. The SPS samples showed more compact and uniform microstructure and more reasonable cation distribution than TS samples, and these characteristics were mainly responsible for the remarkable improvement of magnetic properties. The results indicate that SPS method can effectively alleviate the contradiction between M s and ΔH , and provide an alternative pathway to prepare high-performance soft magnetic ferrite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead zirconate titanate (PZT)-based piezoelectric ceramics are important functional materials for various electromechanical applications due to their excellent performance and temperature stability. Herein, the rhombohedral PbZr 0.55 Ti 0.45 O 3 ceramics with increasing average grain size from 3.57 μm to 10.85 μm were prepared by a conventional solid-state reaction method. The grain-size dependent dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties were systematically investigated. With the increasing grain size, a significant softening effect with enhanced electromechanical properties was observed. Results of piezoresponse force microscopy show that the formation of non-180° domain walls was strongly repressed in the fine-grain samples, resulting in decreased domain wall mobility. Meanwhile, a noteworthy hardening effect was also observed in the coarse-grain samples with high domain wall mobility, which may be related to the enhanced bulk effect with increasing grain size. The results of this work confirmed that grain size engineering is an effective strategy for designing piezoelectric materials with excellent combination properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The family Nidulariaceae, consisting of five genera including Cyathus, is a unique group of mushrooms commonly referred to as bird's nest fungi due to their striking resemblance to bird's nests. These mushrooms are considered medicinal mushrooms in Chinese medicine and have received attention in recent years for their anti-neurodegenerative properties. However, despite the interest in these mushrooms, very little is known about their mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes). This study is the first comprehensive investigation of the mitogenomes of five Nidulariaceae species with circular genome structures ranging in size from 114,236 bp to 129,263 bp. Comparative analyses based on gene content, gene length, tRNA, and codon usage indicate convergence within the family Nidulariaceae and heterogeneity within the order Agaricales. Phylogenetic analysis based on a combined mitochondrial conserved protein dataset provides a well-supported phylogenetic tree for the Basidiomycetes, which clearly demonstrates the evolutionary relationships between Nidulariaceae and other members of Agaricales. Furthermore, phylogenetic inferences based on four different gene sets reveal the stability and proximity of evolutionary relationships within Agaricales. These results reveal the uniqueness of the family Nidulariaceae and its similarity to other members of Agaricales; provide valuable insights into the origin, evolution, and genetics of Nidulariaceae species; and enrich the fungal mitogenome resource. This study will help to expand the knowledge and understanding of the mitogenomes in mushrooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combining metal nanoparticles (NPs) featured with localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) with metal–organic framework (MOF)‐based photocatalysts is a novel means for achieving efficient separation of electron–hole pairs. Herein, the Au@NH2‐UiO‐66/CdS composites are successfully synthesized by encapsulating Au NPs with LSPR into the NH2‐UiO‐66 nanocage, further growing CdS NPs on the surface of the NH2‐UiO‐66, which exhibits higher photocatalytic activity in hydrogen evolution reaction under visible‐light irradiation than that of NH2‐UiO‐66/CdS and CdS, respectively. Transient absorption measurements reveal that MOF is not only a transit station for electrons generated from CdS to Au, but also a receiver for hot electrons generated from plasmonic Au in Au@MOF/CdS composites. Thus, the LSPR‐induced hot electron transfer from Au NPs is an important manifestation to prolong the carrier lifetime and enhance the photocatalytic performance. This work provides insights into investigating the photoinduced carrier dynamics of nanomaterials with LSPR effects for enhancing the MOF‐based photocatalytic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the implementation of China's "two-carbon" target strategy, the status of renewable energy in the power system is gradually improving. In order to improve the carbon emission control level of power grid, it is necessary to predict the peak carbon emission of power grid. A prediction method of grid carbon emission peak based on energy elasticity coefficient is proposed. A time series model of grid carbon emission samples was constructed, and a combination of combinatorial sorting and machine learning was used to reconstruct the time series of grid carbon emission peaks. Based on the results of time series reconstruction, feature extraction and classification training of grid carbon emission peak are carried out, and the measurement error correction of grid carbon emission under the constraint of energy consumption elasticity is realized. Combined with the association rule mining method, the fusion processing of grid carbon emission peak samples under the elastic constraint of energy consumption is realized. Through characteristic detection and fusion processing of energy consumption elasticity coefficient, the reconstituted carbon emission samples of power grid constrained by energy consumption elasticity were reconstructed, and the peak carbon emission of power grid was predicted. The simulation results show that this method has high accuracy and convergence in predicting the peak carbon emission of power grid, and improves the error correction ability in the prediction process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]