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The northwest Yunnan rift zone develops along the western boundary of the Sichuan-Yunnan block. The N-S trending eastern foothill fault of Yulong Snow Mountain on the northern edge of the rift zone extends between the Yulong Snow Mountain and the Lijiang Basin. It is the innermost part of the western boundary of the Sichuan-Yunnan block. The formation mechanism and activity characteristics of the eastern foothill fault of Yulong Snow Mountain are not only related to the complex structural boundary issues on the western side of Sichuan and Yunnan, but also can explain the uplift process of the Yulong Mountain and the Haba Mountain. After the MS7.0 earthquake in Lijiang in 1996, the eastern foothill fault of Yulong Snow Mountain widely attracted attention. However, previous research results about the Late Quaternary activity of this fault were diverse, including normal faulting, strike-slip faulting, and thrusting. It indicates that although this fault is only 60 kilometers long, it belongs to a complex tectonic system. Understanding the activity characteristics and earthquake-generating behavior of this fault is of great significance for establishing a complex structural model in the western Sichuan-Yunnan block. This article summarizes previous research data, reinterprets the fault based on satellite images, analyzes the typical fault-related landforms and identifies clear evidence of a combination of normal faulting and sinistral strike-slip along the fault. Field investigations have further validated these interpretations. Based on the conclusions and analysis presented in this paper, we have summarized different regional tectonic models corresponding to the different activity properties of eastern foothill fault of Yulong Snow Mountain. Meanwhile, from the perspective of plateau expansion, it is believed that the complex fault combination in the western Sichuan-Yunnan block is new and is forming a new western boundary of the Sichuan-Yunnan block.

Abstract Background Gangrene and perforation are severe complications of acute appendicitis, associated with a higher mortality rate compared to uncomplicated appendicitis. Accurate preoperative identification of Gangrenous or perforated appendicitis (GPA) is crucial for timely surgical intervention. Methods This retrospective multicenter study includes 796 patients who underwent appendectomy. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses are used to develop a nomogram model for predicting GPA based on laboratory tests and computed tomography (CT) findings. The model is validated using an external dataset. Results Seven independent predictors were included in the nomogram: white blood cell count, lymphocyte count, D-dimer, serum glucose, albumin, maximum outer diameter of the appendix, and presence of appendiceal fecalith. The nomogram achieved good discrimination and calibration in both the training and testing sets. In the training set, the AUC was 0.806 (95%CI: 0.763–0.849), and the sensitivity and specificity were 82.1% and 66.9%, respectively. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed good calibration (P = 0.7378). In the testing set, the AUC was 0.799 (95%CI: 0.741–0.856), and the sensitivity and specificity were 70.5% and 75.3%, respectively. Decision curve analysis (DCA) confirmed the clinical utility of the nomogram. Conclusion The laboratory test-CT nomogram model can effectively identify GPA patients, aiding in surgical decision-making and improving patient outcomes.

Abstract The analysis of magnetic near‐field radiation emissions (MNRE) has recently raised more attention in device‐level electromagnetic compatibility testing. Pattern clustering of MNRE for integrated circuits manually is very time‐consuming because of the multi‐dimensional characteristics of MNRE, such as frequency, spatial position, emission intensity, etc. This paper proposes a novel pattern clustering method of MNRE, including strong emission frequency extraction, feature extraction, and density‐based clustering. Ring oscillator and five working states are designed on a Field Programmable Gate Array with 256 Ball Grid Array package, which are used to create a complex multi‐source emission case for verifying the effectiveness of the clustering method. The verification results show that the proposed method can correctly cluster the multi‐source emission patterns. Further, the method is also applied to a Microcontroller Unit with unknown operating states; the results show that the proposed method also can effectively distinguish the unknown emission patterns and locate the unknown interference source. The accuracy of the interference source location is proven by 3D X‐ray microscope inspection.

Abstract Antioxidant capacity is an important indicator for evaluating the growth and developmental quality of rice. This study has guiding significance for the cultivation of high-nutrient-value varieties. To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the antioxidant characteristics of rice grains after the filling stage, Yangzinuo 1 (YZN1) was used as the experimental material, and grains collected at five different time points (7 days apart) after the filling stage were used for transcriptome sequencing. Through weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA), a coexpression network of gene weights related to antioxidant characteristics was constructed. LOC_Os10g39140, LOC_Os10g38276, and LOC_Os05g45740 were identified from the 2 modules showing the highest correlations with the target traits. GO functional annotation showed that target modules were enriched in pathways related to phenylalanine, flavonoids, and other related pathways, such as GO:0006558, GO:0006559, GO:0009812, and GO:0009813. Correlation analysis with metabolites revealed that differentially expressed genes were significantly enriched in pathways related to antioxidant characteristics and energy metabolism processes, such as glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and flavonoid biosynthesis. The core genes identified in this study were found to be highly correlated with antioxidant characteristics and enriched in pathways related to metabolic and energy pathways and molecular activities. These results provide an effective dataset supporting breeding targeting functional rice characteristics.

Aiming at the difficult problem of gas drainage in low permeability outburst coal seam in China, taking the transportation lane of coal mining face in K15 coal seam of Maizigou Coal Mine in Guizhou Province as the engineering background, through the establishing the multi-field coupling model of gas flow in coal mining face under high temperature field, the gas drainage effect of coal seam boreholes under different heating temperature, borehole diameter and borehole spacing conditions was simulated and studied. The research shows that temperature has a significant impact on the effect of coal seam gas emission. When the heating temperature is 86 ℃, the gas pressure decreases significantly; the borehole diameter has a great influence on the effect of coal seam gas emission. When the borehole diameter is 113 mm, the maximum gas pressure between boreholes is 0.36 MPa, the maximum gas pressure decreases by 14.28% year on year, and the gas emission from boreholes increases by 27.27%. The effect of borehole spacing on coal seam gas pressure and discharge effect is also very obvious. When the borehole spacing is 1 m, the maximum gas pressure between boreholes is 0.45 MPa, and the influence range is 5.72 m. The decrease range of gas pressure increased by 37.8% compared with the hole spacing of 1.5 m and the influence range increased by 18.18% compared with the hole spacing of 1.5 m. The comprehensive gas discharge effect was the best. Comparing the simulation results of different schemes, the numerical simulation scheme 9 has the best gas emission effect.

A melting failure of W monoblock components of the upper divertor outer target in EAST occurred during the plasma campaigns in 2019. The failure characters and microstructure evolution of the failed W monoblock have been well investigated on one string (W436 string). Near the strike point region where heat flux density is highest, macroscopic cracks and severe surface damage such as dimensional change, melting and solidification are visible in several W monoblocks. At the same time, debonding, melting and migration of Cu/CuCrZr cooling tube components introduced fatal damage to the structure and function. The heat-induced microstructure evolution in the rest part has been examined via hardness tests and metallography. From the heat flux surface to the cooling tube, hardness increased gradually and the recrystallized grains could be found in the region with the highest temperature, while recrystallization grains also appear in some W monoblocks near the cooling tube area. The detailed microstructure has been investigated by metallography and EBSD. Such cases in EAST provide experiences on the extreme condition of accidental loss of coolant or higher discharge power in future devices.

Urban eco-efficiency (EE) refers to the ability of a city to balance economic growth with environmental protection through the optimal use of resources and environmental management, reflecting the city’s performance in sustainable development. Quantitative EE analysis is a crucial evaluation criterion for measuring the process of sustainable development (SD). To assess the current state of sustainable development in China, this study employs the slacks-based super efficiency model (Super-SBM) to measure the the urban eco-efficiency in China (CUEE) of 284 cities. The study utilizes Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) and Spatial Autocorrelation Analysis (SAA) to investigate the fundamental patterns of CUEE in terms of inter-city differences and relationships. Complex Network Analysis (CNA) and Link Prediction methods are applied to examine the characteristics and future trends of the CUEE network. Additionally, Geodetector and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) are used to analyze the influencing factors of CUEE. The findings are as follows: Overall CUEE is relatively low but shows a steady increase. The spatial association network of CUEE is becoming more complex, with increasing association strengths. The Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle (CCEC) is expected to further enhance its spatial association strength and may emerge as a new core area. The effectiveness of the interactions among selected factors is greater than that of individual factors. Degree centrality (X1) is identified as a core explanatory factor influencing CUEE, showing a positive correlation with CUEE. Scientific expenditure (X5) is also positively correlated with CUEE. Local fiscal budget expenditure (X3), industrial output value of foreign-invested enterprises (X7), and total cargo transportation volume (X9) are negatively correlated with CUEE. The analytical framework and research conclusions of this study offer valuable insights into the development of urban ecological efficiency in China and provide constructive recommendations for promoting sustainable urban development.

Water disinfection by copper vessels has been prevalent over thousands of years. Unfortunately, people are still suffering from the bacterial pollution in drinking water. Here we show that, only through steeping with tiny amounts of common plant leaves, the room-temperature water in copper pots has unexpectedly high antibacterial ability. Remarkably, copper ions released from copper pots into water are in concentrations lower than the WHO safety threshold for drinking water, and have effective antibacterial ability when water contains specific leave components (polyphenols and/or lignin). Our computations show that the key to enhance antibacterial ability is the great increase in the proportion of Cu+ induced by aromatic rings in these leave components, which has been demonstrated by our experiments. The findings may disclose the mystery of copper vessels for water disinfection, and more importantly, provide effective antibacterial applications in industries and daily lives, by safely using copper ions together with biocompatible natural substances.

Abstract Since the impressive superior performance demonstrated by deep learning methods is widely used in histopathological image analysis and diagnosis, existing work cannot fully extract the information in the breast cancer images due to the limited high resolution of histopathological images. In this study, we construct a novel intermediate layer structure that fully extracts feature information and name it DMBANet, which can extract as much feature information as possible from the input image by up-dimensioning the intermediate convolutional layers to improve the performance of the network. Furthermore, we employ the depth-separable convolution method on the Spindle Structure by decoupling the intermediate convolutional layers and convolving them separately, to significantly reduce the number of parameters and computation of the Spindle Structure and improve the overall network operation speed. We also design the Spindle Structure as a multi-branch model and add different attention mechanisms to different branches. Spindle Structure can effectively improve the performance of the network, the branches with added attention can extract richer and more focused feature information, and the branch with residual connections can minimize the degradation phenomenon in our network and speed up network optimization. The comprehensive experiment shows the superior performance of DMBANet compared to the state-of-the-art method, achieving about 98% classification accuracy, which is better than existing methods. The code is available at https://github.com/Nagi-Dr/DMBANet-main .

With the electromagnetic environment becoming increasingly complex, it is crucial to address the risk posed by electromagnetic pulse, which critically impairs the performance and reliability of electronic systems based on complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors. In this context, research on the failure types of CMOS image sensors in a high-power electromagnetic environment, caused by strong electromagnetic pulses and the rapid evaluation method of interference immunity, has garnered significant interest. This paper conducts electromagnetic pulse simulation experiments on CMOS image sensors to first study their failure types, such as image abnormalities and functional interruption, and then identify the corresponding failure criteria. Furthermore, this study builds on the small sample test evaluation method to investigate the interference threshold of functional interruptions in CMOS image sensors by calculating the failure probability at different field strengths. The obtained data were combined with the Weibull distribution function for fitting, the results of which found the interference threshold to be at 40.4 kV/m. The findings of this study provide a basis for evaluating the survivability of CMOS image sensors and their associated reinforcement technology in high-power electromagnetic environments.

BackgroundDepression symptoms are a growing concern for adolescent girls with PCOS around the world. However, relatively small samples have given varying reports of its prevalence and risk factors in previous studies. Therefore, there is an urgent need for further research on the prevalence and associated factors of depression among adolescent girls with PCOS.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed from October 2021 to May 2022 using a questionnaire and examination of the medical records of a convenience sample of 335 adolescent girls with PCOS. The Chinese version of the Children’s Depression Scale (CDI) was used to investigate depression symptoms. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to determine factors that were significantly associated with depression symptoms.ResultsThe prevalence of depression symptoms was 36.12% among adolescent girls with PCOS. A multivariate logistic regression model identified significant factors as perceived social support (95% CI: 0.921 ~ 0.965%, p = 0.000), sleep quality (95% CI: 1.134 ~ 1.324%, p = 0.000), belief illness (95% CI, 1.040 ~ 1.102%, p = 0.000), hirsutism (95% CI, 1.292 ~ 4.392%, p = 0.005), and LH/FSH ≥ 2 (95% CI, 1.939 ~ 6.369%, p = 0.000).ConclusionDepression symptoms are an important problem among adolescent girls with PCOS in China. A comprehensive approach that encompasses social support, structured health education for the disease, and evaluation of the psychological status of PCOS girls with hirsutism (and) or LH/FSH ≥ 2 in time is important to minimize depression symptoms and improve psychological health among adolescent girls with PCOS.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a severe subtype of hemorrhagic stroke. The molecular mechanisms of its secondary brain damage remain obscure. To investigate the alterations in gene and metabolite levels following SAH, we construct the transcriptome and metabolome profiles of the rat cerebral cortex post-SAH using whole transcriptome sequencing and untargeted metabolomics assays. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that there were 982 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 540 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) between the sham group and SAH 1d, and 292 DEGs and 254 DEMs between SAH 1d and SAH 7d. Most notably, DEGs were predominantly involved in the activation of immune and inflammatory pathways, particularly the Complement and coagulation cascades, TNF signaling pathway, and NOD-like receptor signaling pathway. Metabolic analysis revealed that the metabolic pathways of Arginine and proline, Arachidonic acid, Folate biosynthesis, Pyrimidine, and Cysteine and methionine were remarkably affected after SAH. Metabolites of the above pathways are closely associated not only with immune inflammation but also with oxidative stress, endothelial cell damage, and blood–brain barrier disruption. This study provides new insights into the underlying pathologic mechanisms of secondary brain injury after SAH and further characterization of these aberrant signals could enable their application as potential therapeutic targets for SAH.

Abstract Platinum‐based alloy nanoparticles are the most attractive catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction at present, but an in‐depth understanding of the relationship between their short‐range structural information and catalytic performance is still lacking. Herein, we present a synthetic strategy that uses transition‐metal oxide‐assisted thermal diffusion. PtCo/C catalysts with localized tetragonal distortion were obtained by controlling the thermal diffusion process of transition‐metal elements. This localized structural distortion induced a significant strain effect on the nanoparticle surface, which further shortened the length of the Pt–Pt bond, improved the electronic state of the Pt surface, and enhanced the performance of the catalyst. PtCo/C catalysts with special short‐range structures achieved excellent mass activity (2.27 A mgPt−1) and specific activity (3.34 A cm−2). In addition, the localized tetragonal distortion‐induced surface compression of the Pt skin improved the stability of the catalyst. The mass activity decreased by only 13% after 30,000 cycles. Enhanced catalyst activity and excellent durability have also been demonstrated in the proton exchange membrane fuel cell configuration. This study provides valuable insights into the development of advanced Pt‐based nanocatalysts and paves the way for reducing noble‐metal loading and increasing the catalytic activity and catalyst stability.

W/Cu monoblocks will be employed in ITER as divertor targets for high heat loads. Experimental results of W/Cu monoblocks in high heat flux (HHF) tests have demonstrated their endurance on 5000 cycles at 10 MW/m2 and occasionally 300 cycles at 20 MW/m2. However, plasma-facing units (PFUs) serve in a harsh and complex environment in tokamaks and whether W/Cu monoblocks can show the same excellent properties in tokamaks needs to be further tested. Experimentally evaluating the evolution of ITER-like PFUs is one of the main missions for the EAST tokamak. The ITER-like actively cooled W/Cu monoblocks installed in the EAST lower divertor in 2021 exhibited abnormal behavior after 13,346 plasma discharges. The abnormal temperature evolution of the component was observed via infrared cameras (IR). Subsequent non-destructive testing (NDT) indicated that it might primarily arise from interface damage and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed that there were obvious cracks at the interface. The cracking center was also found above the interface. Simulation of the structural characteristics of W/Cu monoblocks under heat load in EAST can obtain temperature distribution and stress–strain distribution, which can be used to analyze the causes of material interface cracks. These findings unveil the phenomenon and mechanism of interface damage in W/Cu monoblocks after enduring over 10,000 plasma discharges in EAST, providing valuable insights for the future long-term application of W/Cu monoblocks in ITER and fusion reactors.

Abstract Background The learning of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine in undergraduate college students in China has been hindered by various factors. This study aimed to explore the effects of the application of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) & Problem-based learning (PBL) in the learning of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine in undergraduate college students in China. Methods Students enrolled in 2017 and 2018 were categorized in the control group and study group, and received PBL learning and MOOC + PBL learning, respectively. The effects of learning were assessed by scores of final exam, satisfaction degree of students, and feedbacks. Results The mean score of the final exam was not significantly different between the two groups. However, the further comparison by levels of scores showed that the percentages of good and excellent were both significantly higher in the study group than control group. The overall satisfaction degree was significantly higher in the study group than control group. In addition, the scores of the 3 dimensions of satisfaction degree, i.e. learning preparation, learning process, and learning effect, were all significantly higher in the study group than control group. The feedbacks of the students showed that they thought MOOC + PBL learning could better improve the learning efficacy, despite a substantial proportion of students reported that MOOC + PBL learning more time-consuming. Conclusions The findings showed that the combination of MOOC and PBL in the learning of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine is an effective method capable of improving the learning efficacy in college students of Prophylactic Medicine. Further efforts are needed to optimize the MOOC platform to provide a friendlier interface.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of ultrasonic-assisted marination on the mass transfer kinetics and quality of duck breast meat and thigh meat. Results showed that the increase of ultrasonic power greatly accelerated the transfer of moisture and NaCl, and the highest yield was obtained by ultrasonic power of 450 W. The values of the mass transfer kinetics parameter (k2) for weight changes improved as the ultrasonic power increased. The application of ultrasound treatment enhanced the NaCl effective diffusion coefficients (De) of duck breast and thigh meat from 0.7889−0.9472 × 10−9 m2/s to 1.2661−1.3775 × 10−9 m2/s and the highest De was found with 450 W. The treatment of ultrasound can reduce shear force and water loss of duck samples. According to the analysis of water distribution, ultrasound could decrease the T22 values which indicated a decrease in water mobility. Thus, ultrasonic-assisted marination could be employed as an emerging technology for various meat-curing processes.

For high spatiotemporal resolution global navigation satellite system interferometric reflectometry (GNSS-IR) snow depth monitoring, addressing terrain effects and multi-GNSS data fusion together is essential due to their coupling. Analyzed multi-GNSS spatiotemporal availability to ensure coverage and revisit rate. Improved data usage and inversion accuracy through complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition. Corrected anisotropic terrain errors using digital elevation model to account for varied reflection footprints. A grid was established for data partitioning and fusion. Considering intersystem errors, the proposed signal peak ratio weighting (PRW) fusion of single-system inversions is based on signal quality. Then, by using inverse distance weighting, the multi-GNSS results were fused, achieving high-accuracy, hourly snow depth inversions with high spatial resolution. With terrain correction, the correlation coefficient (R) reached 0.984, root mean square error (RMSE) 0.136 m, and mean error (ME) –0.060 m, reduced by 9.05% and 24.84%. PRW further enhanced accuracy, increasing R to 0.985, reducing RMSE 14.6% to 0.128 m, improving ME 40.57% to –0.047 m. Grid fusion effectively integrated multi-GNSS data, showing daily R 0.865, RMSE 0.102 m, ME –0.050 m. Across season, R 0.984, RMSE 0.134 m, ME –0.065 m. Compared to equal weighting, R improved 4.72% and 3.05%, RMSE reduced 26.09% and 14.10%, ME decreased 28.57% and 16.44%. Hourly results achieved 94.44% coverage, averaging 5.19 usable tracks, demonstrating effectiveness. Overall, this article presents an end-to-end solution for high spatiotemporal resolution snow depth inversion using GNSS-IR, and the methodology can be extended to other geophysical parameter retrievals.

Abstract The de‐embedding calibration method has been proposed to achieve high‐precision calibration for a single port electric field or magnetic field probe, which can effectively eliminate the calibration ripple. However, the method's effectiveness for a four‐port calibration system has not been verified yet. In this paper, a four‐port de‐embedding calibration method with a differential magnetic field probe is proposed, and its effectiveness is proved. Two symmetric grounded coplanar waveguide transmission lines are applied in the proposed method to solve the ABCD‐matrix of the embedded part of the calibrator. The de‐embedded S‐parameter model of the four‐port calibration system for differential magnetic field probe can be obtained. The calibration results indicate that the proposed method can also reduce the calibration ripple and compensate for the attenuation caused by the calibrator. Compared with the traditional calibration method using a microstrip line calibrator, the ripples of the proposed method can be reduced by 34%. The analysis results of the frequency interval of the ripple (FIR) in different methods show that the de‐embedding method can reduce the FIRs (except around 1.2 GHz) caused by the reflection of the calibrator and retain the FIR (about 1.2 GHz) caused by the reflection of the probe itself.

The Lijiang–Jinpingshan fault (LJF) is an important secondary boundary fault that obliquely cuts the Sichuan–Yunnan rhombic block. It is of great significance for understanding the tectonic evolution of the Sichuan–Yunnan rhombic block and even the southeastern margin of the Tibet Plateau. Based on a digital elevation model (DEM), this work combines ArcGIS with MATLAB script programs to extract geomorphic indices including slope, the relief degree of the land surface (RDLS), hypsometric integral (HI), and channel steepness index (ksn) of 593 sub–watersheds and strip terrain profiles around the LJF. By analyzing the spatial distribution characteristics of the geomorphic indices and combining the regional lithology and precipitation conditions, the spatial distribution of the geomorphic indices around the study area was analyzed to reveal the implications of the LJF’s activity. The results of this work indicate that (1) the distribution of geomorphic indices around the LJF may not be controlled by climate and lithological conditions, and the LJF is the dominant factor controlling the geomorphic evolution of the region. (2) The spatial distribution patterns of geomorphic indices and strip terrain profiles reveal that the vertical movement of the LJF resulted in a pronounced uplift on its northwest side, with tectonic activity gradually diminishing from northeast to southwest. Furthermore, based on the spatial distribution characteristics of these geomorphic indices, the activity intensity of the LJF can be categorized into four distinct segments: Jianchuan–Lijiang, Lijiang–Ninglang, Ninglang–Muli, and Muli–Shimian. (3) The activity of the LJF obtained from tectonic geomorphology is consistent with the conclusions obtained in previous geological and geodesic studies. This work provides evidence of the activity and segmentation of the LJF in tectonic geomorphology. The results provide insight for the discussion of tectonic deformation and earthquake disaster mechanisms in the southeastern margin of the Tibet Plateau.

The quanta-to-energy ratio plays a crucial role in converting energy units to quantum units in the context of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Despite its widespread use, the effects of atmospheric particles and solar zenith angle (SZA) on the quanta-to-energy ratio remain unclear. In this study, both simulation and observation data revealed that the principal wavelength, which can be transformed into the quanta-to-energy ratio using a constant, exhibits a slow initial growth, followed by a rapid increase beyond 60° solar zenith angles and a subsequent dramatic decrease after reaching its maximum value. The measured quanta-to-energy ratio demonstrates a variable range of less than 3% for SZA under 70° in a cloudless atmosphere, with significant changes only occurring at zenith angles above 80°. Simulation data indicate that ozone, wind speed, surface-level pressure, surface air temperature, and relative humidity have negligible effects on the quanta-to-energy ratio. The Ångstrom exponent exerts a minor influence on the quanta-to-energy ratio by affecting diffuse radiation. Visibility, however, is found to have a substantial impact on the quanta-to-energy ratio. As a result, two relationships are established, linking the principal wavelength to visibility and the diffuse fraction of PAR. The principal wavelength serves as an effective measure of solar spectrum variability, remaining unaffected by radiation energy. This implies that atmospheric parameters which do not alter the solar spectrum will not influence the principal wavelength. The strong correlations between the principal wavelength, visibility, and the diffuse fraction of PAR suggest a broader range of applications for the principal wavelength in various research domains, opening up new avenues for exploration and potential contributions to numerous fields.

Abstract Wounds infected with multidrug‐resistant (MDR) bacteria are increasingly threatening public health and challenging clinical treatments because of intensive bacterial colonization, excessive inflammatory responses, and superabundant oxidative stress. To overcome this malignant burden and promote wound healing, a multifunctional cryogel (HA/TA2/KR2) composed of hyaluronic acid (HA), tannic acid (TA), and KR‐12 peptides is designed. The cryogel exhibited excellent shape‐memory properties, strong absorption performance, and hemostatic capacity. In vitro experiments demonstrated that KR‐12 in the cryogel can be responsively released by stimulation with hyaluronidase produced by bacteria, reaching robust antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli), MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDR‐PA), and methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by disrupting bacterial cell membranes. Furthermore, the synergetic effect of KR‐12 and TA can efficiently scavenge ROS and decrease expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α & interleukin (IL)−6), as well as modulate the macrophage phenotype toward the M2 type. In vivo animal tests indicated that the cryogel can effectively destroy bacteria in the wound and promote healing process via accelerating angiogenesis and re‐epithelialization. Proteomic analysis revealed the underlying mechanism by which the cryogel mainly reshaped the infected wound microenvironment by inhibiting the Nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) signaling pathway and activating the Janus kinase‐Signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK‐STAT6) signaling pathway. Therefore, the HA/TA2/KR2 cryogel is a promising dressing candidate for MDR bacteria‐infected wound healing.

E3 ubiquitin ligases comprise a family of ubiquitination-catalyzing enzymes that have been extensively researched and are considered crucial components of the ubiquitin-proteasome system involved in various diseases. The ubiquitin-protein ligase E3 component n-recognition 5 (UBR5) is an E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase that has garnered considerable interest of late. Recent studies demonstrate that UBR5 undergoes high-frequency mutations, chromosomal amplification, and/or abnormalities during expression of various malignant tumors. These alterations correlate with the biological behaviors and prognoses of malignancies, such as tumor invasion, metastasis, and resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. This study aimed to comprehensively elucidate the biological functions of UBR5, and its role and relevance in the context of gastrointestinal cancers. Furthermore, this article expounds a scientific basis to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying gastrointestinal cancers and developing targeted therapeutic strategies for their remediation.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are promising biomarkers for the early detection of disease, and many miRNA-based diagnostic models have been constructed to distinguish patients and healthy individuals. To thoroughly utilize the miRNA-profiling data across different sequencing platforms or multiple centers, the models accounting the batch effects were demanded for the generalization of medical application. We conducted transcription factor (TF)-mediated miRNA–miRNA interaction network analysis and adopted the within-sample expression ratios of miRNA pairs as predictive markers. The ratio of the expression values between each miRNA pair turned out to be stable across multiple data sources. A genetic algorithm-based classifier was constructed to quantify risk scores of the probability of disease and discriminate disease states from normal states in discovery, with a validation dataset for COVID-19, renal cell carcinoma, and lung adenocarcinoma. The predictive models based on the expression ratio of interacting miRNA pairs demonstrated good performances in the discovery and validation datasets, and the classifier may be used accurately for the early detection of disease.

Objective:Bioinformatics methods were applied to investigate the pivotal genes and regulatory networks associated with atherosclerotic carotid artery stenosis (ACAS) and provide new insights for the treatment of this disease.Methods:The study utilized five ACAS datasets (GSE100927, GSE11782, GESE28829, GSE41571, and GSE43292) downloaded from the NCBI GEO database. The first four datasets were combined as the training set (n = 99), while GSE43292 (n = 64) was used as the validation set. Difference analysis and functional enrichment analysis were then performed on the training set. The pathogenic targets of ACAS were screened by protein-protein interaction networks and MCODE analyses, combined with three machine learning algorithms. The results were next verified by analysis of inter-group differences and ROC curve analysis. Next, immune-related function and immune cell correlation analyses were performed, and plaques of human ACAS were applied to verify the results via immunohistochemistry (IH) and immunofluorescence (IF). Finally, the competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNA) and transcription factors (TFs) regulatory networks of the characterized genes were constructed.Results:A total of 177 differentially expressed genes were identified, including 67 genes downregulated and 110 genes upregulated. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that five pathways were active in the experimental group, including xenograft rejection, autoimmune thyroid disease, graft-versus-host disease, leishmaniasis infection, and lysosomes. Four key genes were identified, with C3AR1 being upregulated and FBLN5, PPP1R12A, and TPM1 being downregulated. The analysis of inter-group differences demonstrated that the four characterized genes were differentially expressed in both the control and experimental groups. The ROC analysis showed that they had high AUC values in both the training and validation sets. Therefore, a predictive ACAS patient nomogram model based on the screened genes was established. Correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between C3AR1 expression and neutrophils, which was further validated in IH and IF. One or multiple lncRNAs may compete with the characterized genes for binding miRNAs. Additionally, each characterized gene interacts with multiple TFs.Conclusion:Four pivotal genes were screened, and relevant ceRNA and TFs were predicted. These molecules may exert a crucial role in ACAS and serve as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Risk-taking often occurs in childhood as a compex outcome influenced by individual, family, and social factors. The ability to govern risky decision-making in a balanced manner is a hallmark of the integrity of cognitive and affective development from childhood to adulthood. The Triadic Neural Systems Model posits that the nuanced coordination of motivational approach, avoidance and prefrontal control systems is crucial to regulate adaptive risk-taking and related behaviors. Although widely studied in adolescence and adulthood, how these systems develop in childhood remains elusive. Here, we show heterogenous age-related differences in the triadic neural systems involved in risky decision-making in 218 school-age children relative to 80 young adults. Children were generally less reward-seeking and less risk-taking than adults, and exhibited gradual increases in risk-taking behaviors from 6 to 12 years-old, which are associated with age-related differences in brain activation patterns underlying reward and risk processing. In comparison to adults, children exhibited weaker activation in control-related prefrontal systems, but stronger activation in reward-related striatal systems. Network analyses revealed that children showed greater reward-related functional connectivity within and between the triadic systems. Our findings support an immature and unbalanced developmental view of the core neurocognitive systems involved in risky decision-making and related behaviors in middle to late childhood.

To study material erosion and deposition during different wall conditioning processes in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), two newly developed quartz crystal microbalances (QMBs) at the mid-plane of port C (C-QMB) and port J (J-QMB) with the same radial radius were used for in-situ and real-time measurements during the 2021 autumn experimental campaign. It was found that the material deposition was mainly influenced by the location of the antenna and the power of the ion cyclotron range of frequency (ICRF), rather than the location of the gas inlet, during the wall cleaning with helium plasma and siliconization assisted with ICRF plasma. The higher energy and density of plasma could result in higher deposition rates near the antenna. While, during lithium (Li) coating, the material deposition was greatly influenced by the location of the Li oven due to the deposition of unionized Li atoms. The ICRF power influenced the material deposition behavior far away from the Li ovens. Besides, a stronger effect on impurity suppression was observed with a more uniform deposition trend of Li coating. This necessitates further study on the influence of factors such as the location of the Li oven and ICRF antenna, the temperature of ovens, and ICRF power on the homogeneity of wall conditioning.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inhaler skills of patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a hospital in western China after receiving one medication education by pharmacists and the factors related to these skills. Methods We included 96 subjects using Turbuhaler and 74 subjects using Diskus in a hospital in western China. They were educated once by pharmacists before medication, and then their skills of operating these inhalers were visually evaluated the next time they were used. Using the seven-step inhalation administration method designed by AnnaMurphy, a clinical pharmacist at GLENFIELD Hospital in the UK, the inhaler use technique score scale was established and scored in turn. The age, sex, time of first illness, smoking status, education level and type of health insurance purchased by each patient were recorded to assess their relationship with overall inhaler skills. Results 19.8% of the subjects who used Turbuhaler could not use it correctly, and 43.2% of the subjects who used Diskus could not use it correctly. The step with the highest error rate with Turbuhaler and Diskus is to "exhale slowly to residual volume". Chi-square test was carried out for each step of the operation of the two kinds of inhalers, and it was found that there was a significant difference in the operation accuracy of the two kinds of inhalers in the first, third and eighth steps. In univariate analysis, advanced age, female and low educational level were related to the lack of inhaler technology, but in multivariate analysis, only low educational level was a significant independent risk factor. Conclusion Among the patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in western China, some patients have good inhaler operation skills, but there are still many patients who can not use inhalers correctly, and the lower education level is significantly related to the incorrect use of inhalers.

The integrated satellite-terrestrial communication system is considered one of the development trends of future communication systems for its ability to provide seamless coverage and service.However, the differences between satellite and terrestrial communication networks, e.g., large propagation delays, large Doppler shifts, and large cell radius, pose challenges to fulfilling integrated satellite-terrestrial communication systems.The network architectures and key enabling technologies were discussed and analyzed and a prototype system for the terrestrial verification of integrated satellite-terrestrial communication systems was proposed.

Abstract Many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) do not remanufacture by themselves, but instead license the remanufacturing business to other companies for a royalty. This paper examines to whom OEM should outsource remanufacturing when both distributors and independent third-party remanufacturers (TPR) are capable of remanufacturing. We have established three models: OEM licenses remanufacturing to the distributor (model DR); OEM licenses remanufacturing to TPR (model TR); OEM licenses remanufacturing to both the distributor and TPR (model DTR). We compared the optimal strategies of each member of the supply chain in the three models and analyzed the influence of consumers' dual preference for the remanufactured product on the decision making. The results showed that when consumers are reluctant to purchase a certain type of remanufactured product, OEM prefers to outsource the remanufacturing business to TPR. Otherwise, OEM prefers to license remanufacturing to both the distributor and TPR. In terms of two single remanufacturing modes, whether for OEM or TPR, TPR remanufacturing mode is always better than the distributor remanufacturing mode.

Bayesian network (BN) inference is an important statistical tool with additive symmetry. However, BN inference cannot deal with the uncertain, fuzzy, random, and conflicting information from experts’ knowledge in the process of conducting a risk assessment. To tackle this issue, a new fuzzy BN inference approach for risk assessments was proposed based on cloud model (CM), interval type-2 fuzzy set (IT2 FS), interval type-2 fuzzy logic system (IT2 FLS), modified Dempster–Shafer (D-S) evidence theory (ET), and Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) methods along the following lines. Firstly, CM was integrated into IT2 FS, and CM-based IT2 FS (CM-IT2 FS) was defined in the IT2 FLS. Secondly, modified D-S ET was utilized to determine the CM-IT2 FS-based a priori probabilities, and the CM-IT2 FS-based BN model was established. Thirdly, the CM-IT2 FS-based a priori probabilities were reduced to the CM-IT1 FS-based ones using a type reducer in the IT2 FLS, LHS was applied to propose a new fuzzy BN inference algorithm, and then, the new algorithm was used in a typical case to perform the fuzzy BN positive inference for risk prediction and the fuzzy BN reverse inference for risk sensitivity analysis. Finally, the BN inference results were analyzed using the proposed algorithm and the two common BN inference algorithms, and the effectiveness of the proposed approach was validated. It can be concluded that the proposed approach was both accurate and promising.

Abstract Background While spicy food is believed to have cardiovascular-protective effects, its impact on hypertension remains uncertain due to conflicting findings from previous studies. This study aimed to explore the association between spicy food and hypertension in Sichuan Basin, China. Methods The baseline data of 43,657 residents aged 30–79 in the Sichuan Basin were analyzed including a questionnaire survey (e.g., sociodemographics, diet and lifestyle, medical history), medical examinations (e.g., height, body weight, and blood pressure), and clinical laboratory tests (e.g., blood and urine specimens). Participants were recruited by multi-stage, stratified cluster sampling in consideration of both sex ratio and age ratio between June 2018 and February 2019. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to explore the effect of spicy food on hypertension and multivariable linear regression was applied to estimate the effect of spicy food on systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP). Results Concerning hypertension, negative associations with spicy food consumption were observed only in females: compared to those who do not eat spicy food, the odds ratios of consuming spicy food 6–7 days/week, consuming spicy food with strong strength, and years of eating spicy food-to-age ratio were 0.886 (0.799, 0.982), 0.757 (0.587, 0.977), 0.632 (0.505, 0.792), respectively. No significant association was found in males (All P trends > 0.05). In the stratified analyses, participants in the subgroup who were 50 to 79 years old (OR, 95%CI: 0.814, 0.763, 0.869), habitually snored (OR, 95%CI: 0.899, 0.829, 0.976), had a BMI 0.05), except for a decrease of 0.591 mmHg ( 95%CI: -1.078, -0.105) in DBP among participants who consumed spicy food 1–2 days/week, compared to those who did not consume spicy food. Conclusion Spicy food may lower SBP and has an antihypertensive effect, particularly beneficial for women and individuals with fewer risk factors in the Sichuan Basin. Spicy food consumption may decrease DBP in women but increase it in men. Further multicenter prospective cohort studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Abstract Objective Systemic chemotherapy is the first-line therapeutic option for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), but it often fails. This study aimed to develop an effective prognostic model for evaluating the therapeutic effects of systemic chemotherapy. Methods This study utilized CRISPR/cas9 whole gene loss-of-function library screening and data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) HNSCC patients who have undergone systemic therapy to examine differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A lipid metabolism-related clustered polygenic model called the lipid metabolism related score (LMRS) model was established based on the identified functionally enriched DEGs. The prediction efficiency of the model for survival outcome, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy response was evaluated using HNSCC datasets, the GEO database and clinical samples. Results Screening results from the study demonstrated that genes those were differentially expressed were highly associated with lipid metabolism-related pathways, and patients receiving systemic therapy had significantly different prognoses based on lipid metabolism gene characteristics. The LMRS model, consisting of eight lipid metabolism-related genes, outperformed each lipid metabolism gene-based model in predicting outcome and drug response. Further validation of the LMRS model in HNSCCs confirmed its prognostic value. Conclusion In conclusion, the LMRS polygenic prognostic model is helpful to assess outcome and drug response for HNSCCs and could assist in the timely selection of the appropriate treatment for HNSCC patients. This study provides important insights for improving systemic chemotherapy and enhancing patient outcomes.

Abstract With the increasing number of user terminals (UTs), the interference among UTs might significantly decrease the throughput of the low earth orbit satellite communication system. In this paper, the user scheduling method is investigated to suppress user interference. Specifically, leveraging the strong spatial directivity of satellite channels, a low‐complexity angle‐based orthogonal user selection (AOUS) algorithm is proposed, which selects UTs with nearly orthogonal channels via angle information of UTs. A rate‐based proportionally fair (PF)‐AOUS algorithm is further proposed to ensure fairness among UTs, which combines the AOUS with the PF criterion. To reduce complexity, an improved angle‐based PF‐AOUS algorithm that schedules UTs according to their pitch angles rather than their rates is proposed. In addition, efficient precoding schemes for orthogonal UTs are designed by combining the steering vector and power allocation matrix, and it is shown that precoding can be converted into power allocation problems that further balance fairness and throughput. The numerical results indicate that the AOUS achieves a near‐optimal sum rate performance, and the angle‐based PF‐AOUS has the similar performance to the rate‐based PF‐AOUS, which achieves a high fairness index with the proposed precoding scheme.

Abstract Objective Using latent class to analyze whether there are subtypes of health behaviors in patients with PCOS can be addressed using targeted interventions. Methods October 2021 to June 2022, 471 PCOS patients were surveyed using the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile Questionnaire. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify subgroups of PCOS patients. Subsequent multinomial latent variable regressions identified factors that were associated with health behaviors. Results A three-class subtypes was the optimum grouping classification: (1)High healthy behavior risk; (2)high healthy responsibility and physical activity risk; (3)low healthy behavior risk. The multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that (1)Single (OR = 2.061,95% CI = 1.207–3.659), Education level is primary school or below (OR = 4.997,95%CI = 1.732–14.416), participants is student (OR = 0.362,95%=0.138–0.948), participants with pregnancy needs (OR = 1.869,95%=1.009–3.463) were significantly more likely to be in the high healthy behavior risk subtypes; (2)The older the age (OR = 0.953,95%=0.867–1.047) and the larger the WC (OR = 0.954,95%=0.916–0.993), participants is married (OR = 1.126,95%=0.725–1.961), participants is employed ( OR = 1.418,95%=0.667–3.012) were significantly more likely to be in the high health responsibility and physical activity risk subtypes. Conclusion Patients with PCOS are a heterogeneous population with potential subtypes that may be suitable for customized multi-level care and targeted interventions.

ABSTRACT Sanguinarine-containing phytobiotic is becoming increasingly popularly utilized as antibiotic alternatives in animal production. However, their potential risks to the human health and environment remain poorly understood. The present study aims to evaluate the occurrence of drug resistance in Escherichia coli after treatment with sanguinarine and investigate the molecular basis associated with sanguinarine resistance. Repetitive exposure of E. coli to subinhibitory dose of this phytochemical selected for mutants within genes encoding AcrR or MarR, transcriptional regulators of the multidrug tripartite efflux pump AcrAB-TolC. Disruption of the gene acrB caused a 16-fold MIC decrease for sanguinarine against E. coli strains, while the susceptibility of acrB-deficient mutants to sanguinarine was restored in complemented strains with ectopically expressed acrB. Accumulation assays suggested that the high susceptibility of acrB-deficient mutants was a consequence of a decrease in drug efflux. Consistent with this, the antibacterial activity of sanguinarine against wild-type (WT) strains of E. coli was significantly strengthened by combining it with 1-(1-naphthylmethyl)-piperazine (NMP), a classical efflux pump inhibitor. In addition, the combination of in silico prediction, competitive inhibition assay, and functional analysis of AcrB variants led to the identification of sanguinarine as a CH3-preferring substrate of AcrB, which could partly explain the selectively enhanced antibacterial effect of NMP on sanguinarine. IMPORTANCE The use of plant extracts is increasing as an alternative to synthetic compounds, especially antibiotics. However, there is no sufficient knowledge on the mechanisms and potential risks of antibiotic resistance induced by these phytochemicals. In the present study, we found that stable drug resistant mutants of E. coli emerged after repetitive exposure to sanguinarine and demonstrated that the AcrB efflux pump contributed to the emerging of induced and intrinsic resistance of E. coli to this phytochemical. Our results offered some insights into comprehending and preventing the onset of drug-resistant strains when utilizing products containing sanguinarine.

Cholesterol is the most abundant sterol molecule in mammalian cells, which not only constitutes the cell membrane but also plays essential roles in the synthesis of important hormones, synapse formation, and cell signal transduction. The effect of hypercholesterolemia on hearing has been studied extensively, and multiple studies have demonstrated that hypercholesterolemia is a risk factor for hearing loss. However, the impact of cholesterol homeostasis within auditory cells on peripheral auditory development and maintenance has not been evaluated in detail. Mutations in certain cholesterol metabolism-related genes, such as NPC1, SERAC1, DHCR7, and OSBPL2, as well as derivatives of cholesterol metabolism-related ototoxic drugs, such as β-cyclodextrin, can lead to disruptions of cholesterol homeostasis within auditory cells, resulting in hearing loss. This article aims to review the impact of cholesterol homeostasis within auditory cells on the peripheral auditory function from the following two perspectives: (1) changes in cholesterol homeostasis regulatory genes in various hearing loss models; (2) mechanisms underlying the effects of some drugs that have a therapeutic effect on hearing loss via regulating cholesterol homeostasis. This article aims to summarize and analyze the impact of disruption of cellular cholesterol homeostasis within auditory cells on hearing, in order to provide evidence regarding the underlying mechanisms.

ObjectiveTo assess the efficacy and safety of camrelizumab plus different targeted drugs in adjuvant therapy after hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surgery.Patients and methodsThis retrospective cohort study included HCC patients who, after undergoing failed postoperative adjuvant lenvatinib therapy, received intravenous camrelizumab 200 mg every 3 weeks (C group, n = 97), camrelizumab plus oral apatinib 250 mg daily (C+A group, n = 125), camrelizumab plus oral lenvatinib 12 mg daily (for bodyweight ≥60 kg)/lenvatinib 8 mg daily (for bodyweight

Objective To investigate the relationship between alcohol consumption and hyperuricaemia (HUA), we conducted a study based on a large population.Setting Cross-sectional study.Participants A total of 20 833 participants aged 30–79 years were enrolled in the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort, Chongqing region.Outcomes The serum level of uric acid, fasting blood glucose and blood lipids were tested. Basic demographic statistics such as age, gender, marital status, education level, family annual income and the detail information of alcohol consumption were collected using a standardised questionnaire.Results After controlling for potential confounders, compared with participants who never consumed alcohol, participants who drank 3–5 days per week had the highest risk of HUA (OR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.25 to 1.82) and those who drank alcohol harmfully had the highest risk of HUA (OR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.41 to 2.32). In addition, we found that those who drank moderately had no significant association with risk of HUA. However, among men, compared with participants who never consumed alcohol, those who drank moderately was also a risk factor of HUA (OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.46) and those who drank alcohol harmfully had the highest risk of HUA (OR: 2.13, 95% CI: 1.64 to 2.78). Compared with participants who drank alcohol moderately, the OR (95% CI) for those who drank alcohol harmfully had the highest risk of HUA was 1.88 (1.42 to 2.48), and the corresponding OR (95% CI) for each level increment in the degree of alcohol consumption was 1.22 (1.12 to 1.33). Among men, compared with participants who drank alcohol moderately, those who drank alcohol harmfully had the highest risk of HUA (OR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.45 to 2.57), as well as the corresponding OR (95% CI) for each level increment in the degree of alcohol consumption was 1.24 (1.13 to 1.35).Conclusion This study suggested that the frequency and degree of alcohol consumption may be the risk factors for HUA, especially in males.

Transpiration cooling is a potential active thermal protection method for aircraft under severe thermal environment. Though it is cooling efficiency that is of concern in most structural designs, the injection pressure is equally critical for transpiration cooling especially when using liquid as coolant. To enhance the cooling performance of transpiration cooling with phase change, double-layer porous plate that upper and lower layers have different porosities is presented and adopted. A new numerical simulation model, modified Two-Phase Mixture Model with Local Thermal Non-Equilibrium is used to investigate two-phase flow and fluid-solid coupled heat transfer under different heat flux. The results reveal that overall pressure drop of the porous plate is mostly dependent on vapor region which has higher flow resistance, so designing larger porosity for the upper layer where is occupied by vapor region can effectively reduce the coolant injection pressure. Besides, since the specific heat of liquid is larger than that of vapor, designing smaller porosity for the lower layer where liquid region is located can lead to lower surface temperature when increasing coolant mass flow. Moreover, designing a thinner lower layer in the region exposed to high heat flux could obtain desired coolant distribution. The double-layer porous plate with unequal thickness can reduce the injection pressure by 20.8 % and improve its relative uniformity by 33.3 % while decreasing the surface temperature at the same time. The new evaluation of cooling performance and the new structure have important guidance and practical significance of transpiration cooling in the actual application of aircraft in severe thermal environment.

EAST is the first tokamak to feature fully actively water-cooled ITER-like W/Cu monoblocks on the divertor target. In 2014 and 2021, the graphite tiles in the upper and lower divertor were upgraded to W/Cu monoblocks, respectively. With the increase in plasma parameters, severe melting phenomena were inspected at the leading edges of upper divertor from 2017 to 2020. Through theoretical analysis and numerical simulation, two main factors, radial misalignment and chamfer structure have been identified to mainly impact the leading-edge induced melting of MBs. It was found that assembly misalignments increased gradually during the plasma discharges from 2015 to 2017 and the maximum misalignment can reach up to 3 mm, which play an important role that is responsible for the melting during 2018 to 2020. In 2020, engineering assembly improvements were implemented, resulting in a significant improvement compared to the previous situation, with all misalignments brought below 1 mm, and thus effectively prevent melting at the leading edge on upper divertor. In addition, the modification of chamfer structure to 1.5 × 17 mm at inter-CMs of the lower divertor further mitigated the issue of leading-edge-induced melting compared to upper divertor. Such experiences and lessons from the mitigation of leading edge induced melting provide important references for future fusion devices.

This paper explores whether Chinese capital providers can benefit from the integrated reporting (IR) approach. Using a sample of 7168 observations selected from 1169 firms listed in China between 2006 and 2019, we examine the relation between the integration level of ESG disclosures and firm value. We provide strong empirical evidence showing that the integration level of ESG disclosures is negatively associated with firm value. The results are robust to different model specifications. Institutional features (especially Chinese culture with regard to resistance to transparency, which influences investors' perceived cost-benefit considerations), the low level of investor sophistication, and the nature of the ESG disclosures concerning the low understandability are the reasons for the negative association between the integration level of ESG disclosures and firm value. Additional analysis suggests that the negative association is more pronounced for firms that provide external assurance for ESG disclosures and non-state-owned firms.

ObjectiveTo verify the reliability and rationality of the National Disability Rating Criteria for the Elderly with Long-term Care – Trial Edition using hierarchical model. MethodsUsing complex sampling method and a self-designed questionnaire, we conducted face-to-face interview and onsite assessment among 9 577 long-term caretakers aged 60 years and above in urban nursing facilities in 23 cities of 12 provincial level administrative divisions across various geographical areas in China during March 2022. The collected data were analyzed with analytic hierarchy process, rank sum ratio method and paired Chi-square test to comprehensively evaluate the long-term caretakers' disability degrees and to compare the evaluations with those based on the national criteria. ResultsFor the 9 577 valid participants averagely aged 81.43 ± 8.46 years, 80.0% were assessed as having disability and 47.0% as having moderate and severe disability. A four-level hierarchical model was established based on the regression equation (weighted rank-sum ratio [WRSR] = – 0.5679 + 0.2097 × probit) obtained with analytic hierarchy process and rank sum ratio method. Paired comparison with the original hierarchical model, the Kappa value of the analysis was 0.540 (P < 0.001) and the value of McNemar-Bowker test was 3 376.471 (P < 0.001). There were some differences between the two hierarchical models, and the overall coincidence rate between the two models was 63.6% although there were some differences. Of all the elderly long-term caretakers, 566 (5.9%) were assessed as having severe disability based on combined evaluation with the two hierarchical models; whereas, of all the long-term caretakers assessed as having moderate disability using the hierarchical model established in the study, 30.1% were assessed as having severe disability according to the evaluation with the National Disability Rating Criteria. ConclusionBased on the analysis using the hierarchical model established in the study, there are some defects in the original hierarchical model adopted by the National Disability Rating Criteria and further researches are needed to address the issue.

Abstract Background Health literacy is a crucial factor that affects health outcomes. Understanding the current status of health literacy among patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the basis for helping patients better manage risk factors and improve their health outcomes. This study aimed to explore the status of and factors influencing health literacy in patients with PCOS, and to validate the pathway between health literacy, quality of life, and self-efficacy for these patients. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using a convenience sample of 300 patients with PCOS in the gynecology outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital in Zunyi from March to September 2022. Data on health literacy, demographic features, quality of life, and self-efficacy were collected. Multiple stepwise linear regression was conducted to assess the risk factors associated with health literacy for the study participants. A structural equation model was used to construct and validate the pathways. Results Most participants exhibited low health literacy (3.61 ± 0.72), and only 25.70% had adequate health literacy. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the main factors associated with health literacy among participants included Body Mass Index (BMI) (B = −0.95, p

With the active promotion of the “carbon peaking and carbon neutrality” goals, science and technology finance (STF) is the important driving force of low-carbon development, and financial networks facilitate the aggregation and transformation of resources in space, so it is of great theoretical and practical significance to investigate the impact of science and technology finance networks (STFN) on carbon emissions (CE). Based on the 30 provinces of China from 2011 to 2019, this article used the STF development level in each province as the main indicator to construct the STFN. The complex network analysis and econometric models are combined, with the weighted degree values and betweenness centrality selected as typical network structure indicators incorporating into the econometric model to explore their impact on CE. Then, the Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression (GTWR) model is applied to analyse the spatio-temporal heterogeneity of influencing factors. The results show the following: (1) From 2011 to 2019, the spatial structure of China’s STFN has changed significantly, and the status of the triangle structure consisting of Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH)–Yangtze River Delta (YRD)–Pearl River Delta (PRD) is gradually consolidated in the overall network, and the network structure tends to be stable. (2) The results of the benchmark regression show that the weighted degree value of the STFN has a significant inhibitory effect on CE, while betweenness centrality shows a certain positive effect on CE. (3) The weighted degree value has a more significant effect on CE reduction in the eastern region, while the betweenness centrality has a more significant effect on CE reduction in the central and western regions, but shows a significant promotion effect in the eastern region. (4) There is spatio-temporal heterogeneity in the effects of residents’ affluence, energy consumption, industrial structure, and environmental pollution on CE.

This study proposes an approach for simultaneously treating fuzziness and randomness when conducting safety risk assessments of nuclear power plant building projects (NPPBPs). First, the interval type-2 fuzzy set (IT2FS) and analytic network process (ANP) were employed to establish an IT2FS-ANP method for modifying the solution for the weight vector and determining the mutual relationships between the assessment indexes and their weights. Second, the IT2FS and cloud model (CM) were used to establish the IT2FS-CM method to modify the solution for the expectation value. Third, the IT2FS-ANP and IT2FS-CM methods were combined to establish a model for ranking the safety risks and determining the overall safety risk level. Finally, the approach was applied to an NPPBP in northeast China to validate its applicability.

Quantifying potential reductions in environmental impacts for multi-crop agricultural production is important for the development of environmentally friendly agricultural systems. To analyze the spatial differences in the potential reduction in nitrogen (N) use, we provided a framework that comprehensively assesses the potential of improving N use efficiency (NUE) and mitigating environmental impacts in Hubei Province, China, for multiple crops including rice, wheat, maize, tea, fruits, and vegetables, by considering N and its environmental indicators. This framework considers various sources such as organic N fertilizers and synthetic fertilizers, along with their respective environmental indicators. We designed different scenarios assuming varying degrees of improvement in the NUE for cities with a low NUE. By calculating the N rate, N surplus, N leaching, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under different scenarios, we quantified the environmental mitigation potential of each crop during the production process. The results showed that when the NUE of each crop reached the average level in Hubei Province, the improvement in environmental emissions is favorable compared to other scenarios. The N rate, N surplus, N leaching, and GHG emissions of grain (cash) crops could be reduced by 25.87% (41.26%), 36.07% (38.90%), 49.47% (36.14%), and 51.52% (41.67%), respectively. Overall, improving the NUE in cash crops will result in a greater proportionate reduction in environmental impacts than that in grain crops, but grain crops will reduce the total amount of GHG emissions. Our method provides a robust measure to assess the reduction potential of N pollution and GHG emissions in multi-crop production systems.

Abstract Objective Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients are at risk during the COVID‐19 pandemic, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This study sought to analyze the potential molecular connections between COVID‐19 and SLE, employing a bioinformatics approach to identify effective drugs for both conditions. Methods The data sets GSE100163 and GSE183071 were utilized to determine share differentially expressed genes (DEGs). These DEGs were later analyzed by various bioinformatic methods, including functional enrichment, protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, regulatory network construction, and gene–drug interaction construction. Results A total of 50 common DEGs were found between COVID‐19 and SLE. Gene ontology (GO) functional annotation revealed that “immune response,” “innate immune response,” “plasma membrane,” and “protein binding” were most enriched in. Additionally, the pathways that were enriched include “Th1 and Th2 cell differentiation.” The study identified 48 genes/nodes enriched with 292 edges in the PPI network, of which the top 10 hub genes were CD4, IL7R, CD3E, CD5, CD247, KLRB1, CD40LG, CD7, CR2, and GZMK. Furthermore, the study found 48 transcription factors and 8 microRNAs regulating these hub genes. Finally, four drugs namely ibalizumab (targeted to CD4), blinatumomab (targeted to CD3E), muromonab‐CD3 (targeted to CD3E), and catumaxomab (targeted to CD3E) were found in gene–drug interaction. Conclusion Four possible drugs that targeted two specific genes, which may be beneficial for COVID‐19 patients with SLE.

Objective Healthy behaviours are important for people with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, adopting and maintaining lifestyle changes involves a complex set of behavioural changes, which most patients fail to adhere to. The current research on health literacy, which includes individual and social skills needed in health self-management, in patients with PCOS is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to explore health literacy, health behaviours and the relationship between the two to expand research on PCOS management.Design Cross-sectional study.Setting A gynaecological outpatient clinic.Participants A total of 286 patients with PCOS (≥18 years, diagnosed via Rotterdam criteria, able to self-report and give informed consent) were recruited from March to June 2022.Outcome measures Health literacy and health behaviours in patients with PCOS were assessed using the Health Literacy Management Scale and the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile (Chinese version). Multiple logistic regression was used to analyse the factors influencing health literacy, and linear regression to assess the relationship between health literacy and health behaviours, with an F-significance test; p

Abstract Although the MAPK/MEK/ERK pathway is prevalently activated in colorectal cancer (CRC), MEK/ERK inhibitors show limited efficiency in clinic. As a downstream target of MAPK, ELK4 is thought to work primarily by forming a complex with SRF. Whether ELK4 can serve as a potential therapeutic target is unclear and the transcriptional regulatory mechanism has not been systemically analyzed. Here, it is shown that ELK4 promotes CRC tumorigenesis. Integrated genomics‐ and proteomics‐based approaches identified SP1 and SP3, instead of SRF, as cooperative functional partners of ELK4 at genome‐wide level in CRC. Serum‐induced phosphorylation of ELK4 by MAPKs facilitated its interaction with SP1/SP3. The pathological neoangiogenic factor LRG1 is identified as a direct target of the ELK4‐SP1/SP3 complex. Furthermore, targeting the ELK4‐SP1/SP3 complex by combination treatment with MEK/ERK inhibitor and the relatively specific SP1 inhibitor mithramycin A (MMA) elicited a synergistic antitumor effect on CRC. Clinically, ELK4 is a marker of poor prognosis in CRC. A 9‐gene prognostic model based on the ELK4‐SP1/3 complex‐regulated gene set showed robust prognostic accuracy. The results demonstrate that ELK4 cooperates with SP1 and SP3 to transcriptionally regulate LRG1 to promote CRC tumorigenesis in an SRF‐independent manner, identifying the ELK4‐SP1/SP3 complex as a potential target for rational combination therapy.

IntroductionThere are conflicting reports on the association between environmental endocrine disruptors (EEDs) and thyroid cancer. This meta-analysis aimed to elucidate the relationship between EEDs and thyroid cancer.MethodsWe searched for epidemiological studies on EEDs and thyroid cancer published in PubMed and Web of Science up to December 2022. We then screened the articles that could extract data on EEDs concentration levels in both thyroid cancer patients and healthy controls. We excluded articles that could not calculate effect sizes, focused on other thyroid diseases, or lacked controls. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated to analyze the association between EEDs and thyroid cancer. We measured the heterogeneity among the included studies using I2, assessed publication bias by Egger’s and Begg’s test, and evaluated article quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Score (NOS). In the end, fifteen eligible case-control studies were included.ResultsOur comprehensive analysis revealed that polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were negatively associated with thyroid cancer{ SMD = -0.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) = (-0.05, -0.00), P = 0.03}, while polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), phthalates (PAEs), and heavy metals were positively associated with thyroid cancer{PBDEs: SMD = 0.14, 95%CI = (0.04, 0.23), P = 0.007; PAEs: SMD = 0.30, 95%CI = (0.02, 0.58), P = 0.04; heavy metals: SMD = 0.21, 95%CI = (0.11, 0.32), P < 0.001}. We did not find a statistically significant relationship between bisphenol A (BPA) and thyroid cancer. Most of the included studies did not show publication bias, except for those on PCBs.DiscussionOur results indicate that exposure to certain EEDs, such as PBDEs, PAEs, and heavy metals, increases the risk of thyroid cancer. However, further large-scale epidemiological studies and mechanism studies are needed to verify these potential relationships and understand the underlying biological mechanisms.