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The rampant dendrites growth caused by uncontrolled deposition of Zn2+ ions at Zn metal anode poses a significant obstacle to the practical applications of aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs). Herein, an ultrathin (5 µm) aramid nanofiber (ANF) separator is reported to enhance the Zn anode stability and the ZIB energy density. Through systematic experimental studies and DFT simulations, it is demonstrated that the ANF separator with unique surface polarity can modify the solvation configuration, facilitate desolvation, and regulate the deposition orientation of Zn2+ ions. Consequently, the Zn anode with the ANF separator demonstrates an 85‐fold increase in running time beyond 850 h compared with the conventional glass fiber separator at 5 mA cm−2/2.5 mAh cm−2. Even under the harsh depth of discharge conditions of 50% and 80%, the Zn anodes still sustain extended cycling periods of over 475 and 200 h, respectively. As pairing this ANF separator with thin Zn anode and high‐areal‐capacity Mn2.5V10O24∙5.9H2O cathode in a low negative capacity/positive capacity ratio (2.64) full cell, superior gravimetric/volumetric energy density (129.2 Wh kg−1/142.5 Wh L−1) is achieved, far surpassing majority of the ZIB counterparts reported in the literature. This work offers a promising ultrathin separator for promoting the utilization of energy‐dense aqueous ZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Physical activity (PA) exerts an important influence on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. Alterations in body composition in patients with T2D may be involved in the overall pathophysiologic process, but PAs and alterations in body composition have been poorly studied. Methods: A total of 615 patients with T2D were selected by convenient sampling. The patients were investigated with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-S). Moreover, biochemical indices were collected, and the progression of the body composition of the subjects was determined via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The variables included lumbar bone mineral density (LSBMD), femoral neck bone mineral density (FNBMD), hip bone mineral density (HBMD), whole-body bone mineral density (TBMD), limb skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI), whole-body fat percentage (B-FAT) and trunk fat percentage (T-FAT). Moreover, the levels of physical activity (high level of physical activity [H-PA], medium level of physical activity [M-PA] and low level of physical activity [L-PA]) were divided into three groups to analyze the changes in patient body composition with changes in physical activity level. Results: One-way analysis of variance showed that β-CTX, TP1NP, HbA1c, B-FAT and T-FAT increased significantly (p< 0.05), while 25(OH)D, LSBMD, FNBMD, HBMD, TBMD and ASMI decreased significantly (p< 0.001) with the decrease of physical activity. However, there was no significant difference in serum lipids between lnHOMA-ir and lnHOMA-β (p 0.05). Multiple linear regression model was established to gradually adjust for clinical confounding factors. It was found that physical activity level was independently positively correlated with LSBMD, FNBMD, HBMD, TBMD, and ASMI, and was independently negatively correlated with B-FAT and T-FAT in patients with type 2 diabetes. Conclusion: A lack of physical activity is an independent risk factor for decreased bone mineral density, decreased skeletal muscle content and increased fat content in patients with T2D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bell test, as an important method for detecting nonlocality, is widely used in device-independent quantum information processing tasks. The security of these tasks is based on an assumption called measurement independence. Since this assumption is difficult to be guaranteed in practical Bell tests, it is meaningful to consider the effect of reduced measurement independence (i.e., measurement dependence) on Bell tests. Some research studies have shown that nonlocality can be detected even if measurement dependence exists. However, the relevant results are all based on bipartite Bell tests, and the results for multipartite Bell tests are still missing. In this paper, we explore this problem in the tripartite Svetlichny test. By considering flexible lower and upper bounds on the degree of measurement dependence, we obtain the relation among measurement dependence, guessing probability, and the maximal value of Svetlichny inequality. Our results reveal the case in which genuine nonlocality is nonexistent; at this point, the outcomes of the Bell test cannot be applied in device-independent quantum information processing tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Glycoside hydrolases (GHs) encoded by prokaryotes play a crucial role in the degradation of carbohydrates, which is a key step in the carbon cycle. However, their global distribution remains poorly understood. Here, we conducted a comprehensive investigation of the global biogeographic patterns of prokaryotic‐encoded GHs. Location: Global. Time period: Present. Major taxa studied: Prokaryotes. Methods: We conducted a global survey of GH distribution based on 10,000 samples from the Earth Microbiome Project (EMP) and 17,923 completely sequenced prokaryotic genomes. The samples were retrieved from seven continents, covering all 17 EMP Ontology environments. We evaluated the assembly process and influencing factors of GH functional genes within prokaryotic communities, and analysed the rank abundance distributions (RADs), occupancy frequency distributions (OFDs), and taxonomic sources of GH families across various environments. Results: The median number of GH genes per thousand genes encoded by global prokaryotic communities was 9.11 (7.16–11.58), with a higher GH abundance in host‐associated communities than in free‐living communities. The median number of GH families in prokaryotic communities was 105 (86–121), with fewer families but tighter functional connections between families in host‐associated communities compared to free‐living communities. In any environment, the RAD of GH families followed a lognormal model, and their OFD was bimodal, with a strong positive correlation between the two. In addition, most GH families had complex and diverse taxonomic sources across different environments. Main conclusions: This study provides a panoramic view of the functional potentials for carbohydrate degradation across prokaryotic communities under diverse environmental conditions. The composition of GHs encoded by prokaryotic communities exhibits clear habitat specificity, which is driven by a combination of biotic and abiotic factors and generated through highly deterministic assembly processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is a multifactorial disease, the exact causes of which are still unknown. Environmental, maternal, and genetic factors have been shown to contribute to this condition. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of mutations in the ANXA4 gene in patients with RSA., Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from 325 patients with RSA and 941 control women with a normal reproductive history for whole-exome sequencing (WES). The detected variants were annotated and filtered, and the pathogenicity of the variants was predicted through the SIFT online tool, functional enrichment analyses, Sanger sequencing validation, prediction of changes in protein structure, and evolutionary conservation analysis. Furthermore, plasmid construction, Western blotting, RT-qPCR, and cell migration, invasion and adhesion assays were used to detect the effects of ANXA4 mutations on protein function., Results: An ANXA4 mutation (p.G8D) in 1 of the 325 samples from patients with RSA (RSA-219) was identified through WES. This mutation was not detected in 941 controls or included in public databases. Evolutionary conservation analysis revealed that the amino acid residue affected by the mutation (p.G8D) was highly conserved among 13 vertebrate species, and the SIFT program and structural modeling analysis predicted that this mutation was harmful. Furthermore, functional assays revealed that this mutation could inhibit cell migration, invasion and adhesion., Conclusion: Our study suggests that an unreported novel ANXA4 mutation (p.G8D) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of RSA and may contribute to the genetic diagnosis of RSA., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Ye, Liu, Xia, Chen, Zou, Wu, Li, Xia, Huang, Cui and Zou.)

In order to analyze the growth pattern of tree height of planted Pinus koraiensis and screen the provenances with fastest growth, we grouped the provenances using the differences in tree height, diameter at breast height (DBH) and volume of timber of 234 individuals of planted P. koraiensis from 26 provenances in Maoershan Experimental Forest Farm. We constructed the growth equation for tree height by combining the base models of Gompertz, Korf, Richards, Logistic, and Schumacher, and then selected the optimal one. We introduced the prove-nance grouping as a dummy variable into the base model, and evaluated the optimal tree height growth equation by a comprehensive evaluation of the model according to the coefficient of determination ( R 2 ), the root-mean-square error (RMSE), the Akaikei Information Criterion (AIC), and the model's predictive precision ( F P ). The results showed that the growth traits of the 26 provenances had significant difference among the groups, and that tree height and DBH showed significant differences among the provenances. According to the comprehensive consideration of different growth traits, the four groups of provenance growth were divided into group A (Wuying, Hebei, Linjiang, Dongfanghong, Huanan, Lushuihe, Fangzheng) >group B (Aihuisanzhan, Liangshui, Tieli, Qinghe) > group C (Wuyiling, Zhanhe, Liangzihe, Baihe, Chaihe, Caohekou, Bajiazi) >group D (Tongzigou, Dashitou, Wangqing, Helong, Yanshou, Dahailin, Xiaobeihu, Muling). The optimal base tree height growth model of the four groups was the Gompertz model, and the fitting accuracy of the model after the introduction of dummy variables ( R 2 =0.9353) was higher than that of the base model ( R 2 =0.9303), and the model prediction accuracy was also improved. The tree height growth curves of each provenance group conformed to the "S"-shaped rule of change. There were obvious differences among the groups, with the best performance of the provenances in group A. The growth of P. koraiensis from different provenances was different, and the tree height growth model with dummy variables of provenance groups could effectively improve the prediction accuracy of the model, reflect the differences in height growth of P. koraiensis of different provenances, which could provide the scientific basis for the selection and cultivation of P. koraiensis plantations.

In this paper, we collected the individual tree point cloud data in the plots of Larix olgensis plantations with different thinning intensities in Mengjiagang Forest Farm, applied the fractal analysis theory to extract box dimensions ( D b ) on MATLAB platform, and characterized the structural complexity of L. olgensis . We assessed the effect of different thinning intensities and tree attributes on the structural complexity of L. olgensis . The results showed significant differences in L. olgensis D b between control (CK: 1.68±0.07), low and medium intensity thinning (T 1 , T 2 , T 3 : 1.74±0.07), and high intensity thinning (T 4 : 1.81±0.06), which indicated that the thinning intensity increased tree structural complexity. For trunk attribute, the diameter at breast height and tree height was significantly positively correlated with D b , while the height-to-diameter ratio was significantly negatively correlated with D b . For canopy attribute, crown volume, surface area, projected area, and crown diameter was significantly positively correlated with D b . Hegyi competition index was significantly negatively correlated with D b in the control and low-moderate-intensity thinning treatments, but not significantly correlated with D b in the high-intensity thinning treatment. It indicated that thinning influenced L. olgensis structural complexity, with trunk attribute and canopy attribute as the main drivers of L. olgensis structural complexity.

This article is committed to studying projective synchronization and complete synchronization (CS) issues for one kind of discrete-time variable-order fractional neural networks (DVFNNs) with time-varying delays. First, two new variable-order fractional (VF) inequalities are built by relying on nabla Laplace transform and some properties of Mittag-Leffler function, which are extensions of constant-order fractional (CF) inequalities. Moreover, the VF Halanay inequality in discrete-time sense is strictly proved. Subsequently, some sufficient projective synchronization and CS criteria are derived by virtue of VF inequalities and hybrid controllers. Finally, we exploit numerical simulation examples to verify the validity of the derived results, and a practical application of the obtained results in image encryption is also discussed.

This study aims to explore the mechanism of Shoutai Pills in treating threatened abortion. According to the random number table method, ICR female mice were randomized into a normal group, a model group, a dydrogesterone group, and a Shoutai Pills group, with 15 mice in each group. Mice were administrated with normal saline(normal and model groups) or the suspension of Shoutai Pills or dydrogesterone by gavage at 9:00 am every day. At 16:00 every day, mice in the normal group were administrated with an equal volume of distilled water, while those in the model, Shoutai Pills, and dydrogesterone groups were administrated with hydrocortisone solution by gavage for 4 consecutive days. ICR female and male mice were caged in a ratio of 2∶1 during the pre-estrous or estrous period. From the first day of pregnancy, drug administration was continued for 5 consecutive days. On day 6, mice were administrated with mifepristone by gavage to establish the model of kidney deficiency-induced abortion. On day 6 of pregnancy, 10 female ICR mice were randomly selected from each group, and the uterus was collected for observation of the pathological changes of trophoblasts at the maternal-fetal interface by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The protein levels of key enzymes of glycolysis, hexokinase 2(HK2), enolase 1(ENO1), pyruvate kinase M2(PKM2), and lactate dehydrogenase A(LDHA), were determined by Western blot and immunofluorescence. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins including B cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated protein X(Bax), and cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-3(caspase-3) was determined by Western blot and real-time PCR. Terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase-mediated nick-end labeling was employed to examine apoptosis. The embryo loss rate of the remaining five female mice was calculated by trypan blue staining method on day 14 of pregnancy. On day 14 of pregnancy, the embryo loss rate of the normal group was 5.00%, which was lower than that(27.78%) in the model group(P&lt;0.05). Dydrogesterone and Shoutai Pills groups showed reduced embryo loss rates(10.26% and 7.50%, respectively) compared with the model group. On day 6 of pregnancy, compared with the normal group, the model group showed down-regulated expression of HK2, ENO1, PKM2, LDHA, and Bcl-2 and up-regulated expression of Bax and caspase-3(P&lt;0.05). Compared with the model group, dydrogesterone and Shoutai Pills up-regulated the expression of HK2, ENO1, PKM2, LDHA, and Bcl-2 and down-regulated the expression of Bax and caspase-3(P&lt;0.05). Compared with that in the normal group, the apoptosis rate in the model group increased(P&lt;0.05). Compared with the model group, dydrogesterone and Shoutai Pills reduced the apoptosis rate(P&lt;0.05). In conclusion, Shoutai Pills can reduce the embryo loss rate and protect embryos by promoting aerobic glycolysis at the maternal-fetal interface and inhibiting the apoptosis of trophoblasts in mice.

Objective: To provide novel insights into the aetiology of non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) by integrating multi-omics data and exploring susceptibility genes associated with NSCL/P., Methods: A two-stage genome-wide association study (GWAS) of NSCL/P was performed, involving a total of 1,069 cases and 1,724 controls. Using promoter capture Hi-C (pCHi-C) datasets in human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) in craniofacial tissues, we filtered out single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with active cis-regulation and their target genes. Additionally, we employed expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis to identify candidate genes., Results: Thirteen SNPs were identified as cis-regulation units associated with the risk of NSCL/P. Five of these were proven to be active in chromatin states in early human craniofacial development (rs7218002: odds ratio [OR] 1.50, P = 8.14E-08; rs835367: OR 0.78, P = 3.48E- 05; rs77022994: OR 0.55, P = 1.05E-04; rs961470: OR 0.73, P = 1.38E-04; rs17314727: OR 0.73, P = 1.85E-04). Additionally, pCHi-C and eQTL analysis prioritised three candidate genes (rs7218002: NTN1, rs835367: FGGY, LINC01135). NTN1 and FGGY were expressed in mouse orofacial development. Deficiencies in NTN1, FGGY and LINC01135 were associated with cleft palate and cleft lip, abnormal facial shape and bifid uvula, and abnormality of the face, respectively., Conclusion: Our study identified five SNPs (rs7218002, rs835367, rs77022994, rs961470 and rs17314727) and three susceptibility genes (NTN1, FGGY and LINC01135) associated with NSCL/P. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the genetic factors involved.