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The Covid-19 pandemic has precipitated a global shift to a ‘new normal’ of online and hybrid learning, significantly affecting language education. This study investigates the impact of emergency remote teaching on language learners’ anxiety, examining their preferences for teaching modes and the reasons behind them. Diverging from prior research conducted in well-established digital environments, this inquiry delves into the improvised and stressful context of emergency remote teaching during a pandemic, shedding light on the unexplored facets of the online learning experience. This study, through a quantitative lens, assesses the experiences of 376 English as a foreign language (EFL) students in China, 65 Chinese as a foreign language (CFL) students in Vietnam, and 44 Chinese as a second language (CSL) students enrolled at universities in mainland China. These groups navigated foreign language learning in their home countries amid pandemic constraints, offering a varied landscape of language learning experiences. Our results indicate that different factors trigger anxiety across different groups, despite a general preference for face-to-face learning, which contrasts with the notion that online learning may offer a more relaxed environment. The findings address critical issues that surfaced during the pandemic and explore implications for language education practices in the post-pandemic context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2‐Nitroglycals are important synthons for biological active 2‐aminoglycosides, glycoconjugates and natural products synthesis. Herein, we summarized the recent advances of 2‐nitroglycals including its synthetic methods and its applications. Using 2‐nitroglycals, 2‐aminoglycosides, nitro‐polyol derivatives, sugar‐furan derivatives, sugar‐pyrrole molecules, 2,3‐diaminoglycosides and 2‐amino‐1,3‐dithioglycosides were obtained via Michael–type addition, retro‐Henry‐type reaction, C1/C3‐Ferrier rearrangement and [3+2] N‐heterocyclic addition. Most of these conversions are achieved via mild organo‐catalysis glycosylation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study the average Kolmogorov σ –widths and the average linear σ –widths of multivariate isotropic and anisotropic Besov classes in Orlicz spaces and give the weak asymptotic estimates of these two widths. At the same time, we also give the asymptotic property of the optimal recovery of isotropic Besov classes in Orlicz spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The surface modification technique is applied in microfluidic devices to modify wettability and achieve different flow velocities. Currently available methods for poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) surfaces may reliably induce wettability changes, but only one area can be altered at a time. This work introduces the controlled gradient oxygen plasma modification (CGPM) technique, which layers several resin masks with varying porosities on top of the PDMS surface. Selective wettability of the PDMS surface can be achieved by varying the oxygen plasma density above the modified material's surface by manipulation of the porosity value. Through the implementation of the COMSOL plasma module, the impact of the mask's porosity, through-hole size, distribution, and distance from the PDMS surface on wettability was studied. The suggested CGPM approach was characterized by contact angle measurements. During the 25-second CGPM procedure, the PDMS surface's contact angle continually changed from 8.77° to 76.98°. An integrated microfluidic device was created and manufactured to identify D-dimers to illustrate this method. In comparison with standard oxygen plasma treatment, the D-dimer assay was finished in 10 minutes and had a dynamic range of 1–1000 ng mL−1, with a peak fluorescence signal augmentation of 78.3% and an average fluorescence intensity enhancement of 31.1%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the differences in risk perception among various groups is crucial for policy development, and the cultural theory of risk provides significant insights into these group variations. Utilising data from Mainland China during the COVID-19 pandemic, we constructed a structural model that encompasses occupational background, risk culture, and risk perception, examining the interplay between these elements. Our findings reveal that risk culture, as initially conceptualised by Mary Douglas, acts as a mediating factor between occupational roles and the differences in risk perception, offering a deeper understanding of how diverse risk perceptions are shaped across distinct demographic groups. This study underscores the importance of considering cultural factors in risk perception and provides valuable guidance for the development of targeted risk communication and intervention policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The topological simulation of acoustic waves has induced unconventional propagation characteristics, thereby offering extensive application potential in the field of acoustics. In this paper, we propose a machine learning-assisted method for the inverse design of acoustic wave topological edge states and demonstrate its practical applicability. Leveraging the predictions from a trained artificial neural network algorithm, the design of wide-bandwidth topological insulators is achieved, with simulation results indicating an approximately 2.8-fold enlargement of the single-cell topological bandgap. Further investigation into their wide-bandwidth topological transport properties is conducted. Additionally, two distinct functional acoustic routing devices are devised. Superior performance of the wide-bandwidth acoustic topological devices has been verified through simulation experiments. This approach provides an efficient and viable avenue for the design and optimization of acoustic devices, with the potential to enhance the management and control efficiency of acoustic signal propagation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of optical topological insulators (PTIs) has revealed intriguing optical properties that diversify the ways in which light can be manipulated, offering significant potential for a wide range of applications. This paper presents a machine learning (ML)-based approach for the reverse design of optical PTIs. Using finite element methods, the paper addresses the challenge of computing the band structure of a dual-band model, enabling the construction of a dataset suitable for ML training. With the goal of maximizing dual-band bandgaps, the study employs the random forest algorithm to predict target parameters and further designs topological edge states. Leveraging these boundary state patterns, two different optical PTI beam splitters are devised, and their transmission coefficients and losses are computed. The results demonstrate that optical devices designed using topological boundary states exhibit enhanced stability and robustness. This approach offers a reliable solution for applications in fields such as optical communication and optical sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The objective of this study was to examine the potential induction of senescence in vascular endothelial cells (VECs) by chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH), a defining characteristic of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This investigation seeks to elucidate the underlying mechanisms that contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases in patients with OSA, with a particular focus on CIH-induced vascular aging. Methods: The BioSpherix-OxyCycler system was used to establish models of CIH in both rats and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). To assess VECs' senescence, various methods were employed including EdU incorporation assay, cell cycle analysis, senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining, and senescence protein testing. Vascular aging was evaluated through measurements of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, intima-media thickness, and Ki67 immunohistochemical staining. In order to identify the molecular mechanisms associated with CIH-induced senescence in VECs, a bioinformatics study was conducted utilizing the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Results: Under conditions of CIH, HUVECs exhibited inhibited proliferation, arrested cell cycle, increased activity of SA-β-gal, and elevated expression levels of p53 and p21 compared to HUVECs under normoxic conditions. Similarly, rats exposed to CIH displayed increased carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, intima-media thickness, vascular permeability, and SA-β-gal activity in VECs, along with decreased expression of arterial Ki67. BTG3-associated protein (BANP) was found to be highly expressed in CIH-induced VECs. Furthermore, the overexpression of BANP resulted in the senescence of VECs, along with elevated levels of p53 phosphorylation and nuclear localization. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that CIH can induce VECs senescence and contribute to vascular aging. Additionally, BANP can induce VECs senescence by promoting p53 phosphorylation and nuclear retention. These discoveries offer novel insights into the increased cardiovascular risk associated with OSA, thereby presenting new possibilities for therapeutic intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The common carp (Cyprinus carpio) might best represent the domesticated allopolyploid animals. Although subgenome divergence which is well-known to be a key to allopolyploid domestication has been comprehensively characterized in common carps, the link between genetic architecture underlying agronomic traits and subgenome divergence is unknown in the selective breeding of common carps globally. Results: We utilized a comprehensive SNP dataset in 13 representative common carp strains worldwide to detect genome-wide genetic variations associated with scale reduction, vibrant skin color, and high growth rate in common carp domestication. We identified numerous novel candidate genes underlie the three agronomically most desirable traits in domesticated common carps, providing potential molecular targets for future genetic improvement in the selective breeding of common carps. We found that independently selective breeding of the same agronomic trait (e.g., fast growing) in common carp domestication could result from completely different genetic variations, indicating the potential advantage of allopolyploid in domestication. We observed that candidate genes associated with scale reduction, vibrant skin color, and/or high growth rate are repeatedly enriched in the immune system, suggesting that domestication of common carps was often accompanied by the disease resistance improvement. Conclusions: In common carp domestication, asymmetric subgenome selection is prevalent, while parallel subgenome selection occurs in selective breeding of common carps. This observation is not due to asymmetric gene retention/loss between subgenomes but might be better explained by reduced pleiotropy through transposable element-mediated expression divergence between ohnologs. Our results demonstrate that domestication benefits from polyploidy not only in plants but also in animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Superhydrophobic surface has been investigated on polyurethane coating of GFRP using femtosecond laser texturing. • The contacting models between water droplets and substrates have been demonstrated. • Hydrophobicity and anti-icing performance of laser-treated surface have been largely improved at a low temperature. • The superhydrophobic surface has exhibited excellent self-cleaning effect and stability. Polyurethane coating has been commonly used in aerospace and construction, and enhancing anti-icing capabilities in low temperatures is crucial for preventing mechanical failures and reducing energy consumption. Utilizing a superhydrophobic surface was considered an important option to improve anti-icing performance. In this study, femtosecond laser treatment has applied to polyurethane coating on glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) to transform from hydrophilic to superhydrophobic. Results have indicated that laser treatment significantly reduced the solid–liquid contact area compared to the original surface. The non-polar groups on the surface contributed greatly to the enhancement of hydrophobicity. In comparison to the original surface, the freezing temperature of droplets on the superhydrophobic surface with improved anti-icing performance was reduced from −4.5 °C to −9.2 °C, while the freezing time was extended from 65 s to 269 s. This improvement was attributed to the reduction of solid–liquid contact area, resulting in a low heat transfer rate and a low heterogeneous nucleation rate. Additionally, the laser-treated surface exhibited excellent self-cleaning effects, along with mechanical and chemical stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fiber flexible strain sensors have the characteristics of small volume, light weight, good flexibility, easy deformation/recovery, and easy weaving. They can conform to various complex surfaces and endure various deformations, such as twisting and bending. Furthermore, the simple preparation process of fiber sensors lowers the production cost significantly. These features make them promising candidates for applications in motion monitoring, human-machine interface, and flexible intelligent products. However, the low sensitivity and narrow sensing range of existing sensors are still major challenges for their further development. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a MXene/MXene:MWCNTs@TPU fiber sensor, which adopts a two-step pre-stretching strategy to modify the porous TPU fiber surface with MXene and MWCNTs. The graded porous TPU fibers obtained by wet spinning can achieve 805 % stretching, providing a reliable substrate support for the fiber sensor, the combination of multi-dimensional conductive materials and the introduction of cracks and wrinkles enhance the sensitivity 277 and sensing range 510 % of the fiber sensor. The fiber sensor can detect various human motions and gestures by directly attaching to the skin or weaving into textiles, and can also be applied to information encryption transmission, demonstrating its huge potential in human health monitoring, intelligent flexible electronic products and encrypted communication. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A comprehensive HLA gene expression profile in human skin at single-cell resolution. • The cell type-specific variation in HLA expression was revealed among skin populations. • HLA expression changed dynamically among fetal skin populations with cell type-dependent variation during development. • Immune-privileged properties of hair follicle were illustrated at the cell type-specific transcriptomic level. Skin, the largest organ of body, is a highly immunogenic tissue with a diverse collection of immune cells. Highly polymorphic human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules have a central role in coordinating immune responses as recognition molecules. Nevertheless, HLA gene expression patterns among diverse cell types within a specific organ, like the skin, have yet to be thoroughly investigated, with stromal cells attracting much less attention than immune cells. To illustrate HLA expression profiles across different cell types in the skin, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analyses on skin datasets, covering adult and fetal skin, and hair follicles as the skin appendages. We revealed the variation in HLA expression between different skin populations by examining normal adult skin datasets. Moreover, we evaluated the potential immunogenicity of multiple skin populations based on the expression of classical HLA class I genes, which were well represented in all cell types. Furthermore, we generated scRNA-seq data of developing skin from fetuses of 15 post conception weeks (PCW), 17 PCW, and 22 PCW, delineating the dynamic expression of HLA genes with cell type-dependent variation among various cell types during development. Notably, the pseudotime trajectory analysis unraveled the significant variance in HLA genes during the evolution of vascular endothelial cells. Moreover, we uncovered the immune-privileged properties of hair follicles at single-cell resolution. Our study presents a comprehensive single-cell transcriptomic landscape of HLA genes in the skin, which provides new insights into variation in HLA molecules and offers a clue for allogeneic skin transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the accuracy of 14 formulas in calculating intraocular lens (IOL) power in extremely long eyes with axial length (AL) over 30.0 mm.In this retrospective study, 211 eyes (211 patients) with ALs > 30.0 mm were successfully treated with cataract surgery without complications. Ocular biometric parameters were obtained from IOLMaster 700. Fourteen formulas were evaluated using the optimized A constants: Barrett Universal II (BUII), Kane, Emmetropia Verifying Optical (EVO) 2.0, PEARL-DGS, T2, SRK/T, Holladay 1, Holladay 2, Haigis and Wang-Koch AL adjusted formulas (SRK/Tmodified-W/K, Holladay 1modified-W/K, Holladay 1NP-modified-W/K, Holladay 2modified-W/K, Holladay 2NP-modified-W/K). The mean prediction error (PE) and standard deviation (SD), mean absolute errors (MAE), median absolute errors (MedAE), and the percentage of prediction errors (PEs) within ± 0.25 D, ± 0.50 D, ± 1.00 D were analyzed.The Kane formula had the smallest MAE (0.43 D) and MedAE (0.34 D). The highest percentage of PE within ± 0.25 D was for EVO 2.0 (37.91%) and the Holladay 1NP-modified-W/K formulas (37.91%). The Kane formula had the highest percentage of PEs in the range of ± 0.50, ± 0.75, ± 1.00, and ± 2.00 D. There was no significant difference in PEs within ± 0.25, ± 0.50 ± 0.75 and ± 1.00 D between BUII, Kane, EVO 2.0 and Wang-Koch AL adjusted formulas (P > .05) by using Cochran’s Q test. The Holladay 2modified-W/K formula has the lowest percentage of hyperopic outcomes (29.38%).The BUII, Kane, EVO 2.0 and Wang-Koch AL adjusted formulas have comparable accuracy for IOL power calculation in eyes with ALs > 30.0 mm.Methods: To compare the accuracy of 14 formulas in calculating intraocular lens (IOL) power in extremely long eyes with axial length (AL) over 30.0 mm.In this retrospective study, 211 eyes (211 patients) with ALs > 30.0 mm were successfully treated with cataract surgery without complications. Ocular biometric parameters were obtained from IOLMaster 700. Fourteen formulas were evaluated using the optimized A constants: Barrett Universal II (BUII), Kane, Emmetropia Verifying Optical (EVO) 2.0, PEARL-DGS, T2, SRK/T, Holladay 1, Holladay 2, Haigis and Wang-Koch AL adjusted formulas (SRK/Tmodified-W/K, Holladay 1modified-W/K, Holladay 1NP-modified-W/K, Holladay 2modified-W/K, Holladay 2NP-modified-W/K). The mean prediction error (PE) and standard deviation (SD), mean absolute errors (MAE), median absolute errors (MedAE), and the percentage of prediction errors (PEs) within ± 0.25 D, ± 0.50 D, ± 1.00 D were analyzed.The Kane formula had the smallest MAE (0.43 D) and MedAE (0.34 D). The highest percentage of PE within ± 0.25 D was for EVO 2.0 (37.91%) and the Holladay 1NP-modified-W/K formulas (37.91%). The Kane formula had the highest percentage of PEs in the range of ± 0.50, ± 0.75, ± 1.00, and ± 2.00 D. There was no significant difference in PEs within ± 0.25, ± 0.50 ± 0.75 and ± 1.00 D between BUII, Kane, EVO 2.0 and Wang-Koch AL adjusted formulas (P > .05) by using Cochran’s Q test. The Holladay 2modified-W/K formula has the lowest percentage of hyperopic outcomes (29.38%).The BUII, Kane, EVO 2.0 and Wang-Koch AL adjusted formulas have comparable accuracy for IOL power calculation in eyes with ALs > 30.0 mm.Results: To compare the accuracy of 14 formulas in calculating intraocular lens (IOL) power in extremely long eyes with axial length (AL) over 30.0 mm.In this retrospective study, 211 eyes (211 patients) with ALs > 30.0 mm were successfully treated with cataract surgery without complications. Ocular biometric parameters were obtained from IOLMaster 700. Fourteen formulas were evaluated using the optimized A constants: Barrett Universal II (BUII), Kane, Emmetropia Verifying Optical (EVO) 2.0, PEARL-DGS, T2, SRK/T, Holladay 1, Holladay 2, Haigis and Wang-Koch AL adjusted formulas (SRK/Tmodified-W/K, Holladay 1modified-W/K, Holladay 1NP-modified-W/K, Holladay 2modified-W/K, Holladay 2NP-modified-W/K). The mean prediction error (PE) and standard deviation (SD), mean absolute errors (MAE), median absolute errors (MedAE), and the percentage of prediction errors (PEs) within ± 0.25 D, ± 0.50 D, ± 1.00 D were analyzed.The Kane formula had the smallest MAE (0.43 D) and MedAE (0.34 D). The highest percentage of PE within ± 0.25 D was for EVO 2.0 (37.91%) and the Holladay 1NP-modified-W/K formulas (37.91%). The Kane formula had the highest percentage of PEs in the range of ± 0.50, ± 0.75, ± 1.00, and ± 2.00 D. There was no significant difference in PEs within ± 0.25, ± 0.50 ± 0.75 and ± 1.00 D between BUII, Kane, EVO 2.0 and Wang-Koch AL adjusted formulas (P > .05) by using Cochran’s Q test. The Holladay 2modified-W/K formula has the lowest percentage of hyperopic outcomes (29.38%).The BUII, Kane, EVO 2.0 and Wang-Koch AL adjusted formulas have comparable accuracy for IOL power calculation in eyes with ALs > 30.0 mm.Conclusions: To compare the accuracy of 14 formulas in calculating intraocular lens (IOL) power in extremely long eyes with axial length (AL) over 30.0 mm.In this retrospective study, 211 eyes (211 patients) with ALs > 30.0 mm were successfully treated with cataract surgery without complications. Ocular biometric parameters were obtained from IOLMaster 700. Fourteen formulas were evaluated using the optimized A constants: Barrett Universal II (BUII), Kane, Emmetropia Verifying Optical (EVO) 2.0, PEARL-DGS, T2, SRK/T, Holladay 1, Holladay 2, Haigis and Wang-Koch AL adjusted formulas (SRK/Tmodified-W/K, Holladay 1modified-W/K, Holladay 1NP-modified-W/K, Holladay 2modified-W/K, Holladay 2NP-modified-W/K). The mean prediction error (PE) and standard deviation (SD), mean absolute errors (MAE), median absolute errors (MedAE), and the percentage of prediction errors (PEs) within ± 0.25 D, ± 0.50 D, ± 1.00 D were analyzed.The Kane formula had the smallest MAE (0.43 D) and MedAE (0.34 D). The highest percentage of PE within ± 0.25 D was for EVO 2.0 (37.91%) and the Holladay 1NP-modified-W/K formulas (37.91%). The Kane formula had the highest percentage of PEs in the range of ± 0.50, ± 0.75, ± 1.00, and ± 2.00 D. There was no significant difference in PEs within ± 0.25, ± 0.50 ± 0.75 and ± 1.00 D between BUII, Kane, EVO 2.0 and Wang-Koch AL adjusted formulas (P > .05) by using Cochran’s Q test. The Holladay 2modified-W/K formula has the lowest percentage of hyperopic outcomes (29.38%).The BUII, Kane, EVO 2.0 and Wang-Koch AL adjusted formulas have comparable accuracy for IOL power calculation in eyes with ALs > 30.0 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Rare-earth cations with smaller sizes cause more significant framework dealumination. • Framework dealumination mainly occurs in the rehydration stage after calcination. • Smaller-sized rare-earth cations are inclined to migrate into the small cages of faujasite zeolite after calcination. • The hydride transfer activity of REX zeolites exhibits a parabolic relationship with the RE3+ radius. • The stability of REX zeolites in isobutane alkylation is more influenced by the acid concentration. A series of rare-earth cation-modified X zeolites (RE3+: La3+, Ce3+, Pr3+, Nd3+, Sm3+) were synthesized and evaluated for butene/isobutane alkylation. Based on the hypothesis that small RE3+ ions could more effectively polarize the tertiary C H bond of isobutane, the alkylation performances of REX zeolite are anticipated to improve as the RE3+ radius decreases. However, our study reveals an opposite result. With the exception of Ce3+, which underwent oxidation during calcination, small RE3+ ions showed greater efficacy in facilitating framework dealumination, resulting in lower relative crystallinities, micropore structures, and acid concentrations. Consequently, the stability of REX zeolite essentially declined as the RE3+ radius decreased. Furthermore, it was observed that small RE3+ ions exhibited a preference for occupying sites within small cages. As a result, the concentration of accessible RE3+ ions reduced with decreasing RE3+ radius. In conjunction with the escalating electrostatic field of small RE3+ ions, the hydride transfer activity of REX zeolites displayed a non-linear relationship with reducing RE3+ radius, following a parabolic trend. PrX showed the highest activity in the hydride transfer reaction, as evidenced by its remarkable selectivity towards n-butane and trimethylpentanes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ni-ReO x /CeO 2 was designed for switchable conversion of lignocellulose into aromatics and alkanes. • A strong electronic interaction and synergic effects of Ni and ReO x species in Ni-ReO x /CeO 2 was disclosed. • Direct transformation of lignocellulose avoids the pretreatment process and achieves utilization of all three components. • The catalyst can be reused by simple magnetic separation. Complete conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into chemicals and fuels is particularly attractive in biorefinery concept while remains a great challenge due to complicated structure of lignocellulose and its notorious resistance to chemical transformation. Herein, a recyclable multifunctional Ni-ReO x /CeO 2 catalyst was designed for switchable conversion of lignocellulose to either aromatics or liquid fuels by simple tuning reaction parameters. Under the condition of 200 °C, 1 MPa H 2 , lignin in woody biomass was deconstructed via lignin-first manner to produce aromatic oil with the mass yield up to 88.4 %, leaving cellulose and hemicellulose intact. Under harsher condition (260 °C, 4 MPa H 2), complete conversion of lignocellulose to alkanes was achieved in 43.8 % carbon yield. The control experiments and characterization of the catalyst revealed that ReO x species of Ni-ReO x /CeO 2 enhanced Ni dispersion, the strong electronic interaction and synergic effects of Ni and ReO x species played major roles for the flexible transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently available PARP inhibitors are mainly used for the treatment of BRCA-mutated triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), with a narrow application range of approximately 15% of patients. Recent studies have shown that EZH2 inhibitors have an obvious effect on breast cancer xenograft models and can promote the sensitivity of ovarian cancer cells to PARP inhibitors. Here, a series of new dual-target PARP1/EZH2 inhibitors for wild-BRCA type TNBC were designed and synthesized. SAR studies helped us identify compound 12e , encoded KWLX-12e , with good inhibitory activity against PARP1 (IC 50 = 6.89 nM) and EZH2 (IC 50 = 27.34 nM). Meanwhile, KWLX-12e showed an optimal cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 cells (IC 50 = 2.84 μM) and BT-549 cells (IC 50 = 0.91 μM), with no toxicity on normal breast cell lines. KWLX-12e also exhibited good antitumor activity with the TGI value of 75.94%, more effective than Niraparib plus GSK126 (TGI = 57.24%). Mechanistic studies showed that KWLX-12e achieved synthetic lethality indirectly by inhibiting EZH2 to increase the sensitivity to PARP1, and induced cell death by regulating excessive autophagy. KWLX-12e is expected to be a potential candidate for the treatment of TNBC. [Display omitted] • Novel dual-target PARP1/EZH2 inhibitors were designed and synthesized. • KWLX-12e showed potential inhibitory activity on PARP1/EZH2 and had no toxicity. • KWLX-12e increased sensitivity to PARP1 by inhibiting EZH2. • KWLX-12e could significantly inhibit tumor growth and proliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-pass single-point incremental forming achieves large-angle part processing through multiple forming, and as the number of forming times increases, the number of forming defects on the workpiece also increases, significantly affecting the forming quality of the workpiece. This study focuses on multi-pass single-point incremental forming defects, investigating the effects of machining paths and different variable parameters on forming defects. It comprehensively analyses the effects of axial and radial compensation machining paths on forming defects through simulations and experiments. The results show that the greater the axial compensation, the more severe the wall thickness reduction and the fewer the sink mark defects. After radial compensation, the minimum wall thickness of the formed parts is reduced, and the larger the radial compensation, the more obvious the sink mark defects. The effects of variable pass angle, tool diameter, and layer feed rate on forming defects were also investigated. The results show that a decrease in the angle between passes reduces the minimum wall thickness of the workpiece. Furthermore, gradually increasing the tool diameter and decreasing the feed rate can increase the wall thickness of the workpiece; gradually decreasing the angle between passes increases the number of sink defects, whereas gradually increasing the tool diameter can reduce the number of sink defects. The sink defect is the smallest with the same layer feed rate. The effectiveness and accuracy of the simulation results have been verified through experiments, and this is of great significance for improving the forming accuracy of workpieces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonlinear output frequency response functions (NOFRFs) and its modified version, normalized NOFRFs (norm‐NOFRFs), are composed of multiple spectra, which can sensitively indicate the occurrence of fatigue damage in machinery. However, their application is restricted to a certain extent. Currently, neither NOFRFs nor norm‐NOFRFs can be estimated with only a single response signal. Aimed at this problem, the nonlinear auto‐regressive (NAR) model was introduced, and an estimation method of norm‐NOFRFs is proposed in this paper. Only one stochastic response signal is required in the proposed method, which removes the restrictions on the number and intensity of signals to identify norm‐NOFRFs, and expands the range of scenarios for using norm‐NOFRFs in damage detection. The feasibility and robustness of the proposed method are verified by the nonlinear model in numerical simulation. The effectiveness of revealing and quantifying the fatigue damage is verified by experimental study for three kinds of mechanical parts. Highlights: A method for estimating normalized NOFRFs based on NAR model is proposed.The required signal for estimating normalized NOFRFs is reduced to one.Only response signal needs to be measured in NAR model‐based estimation method.Fatigue damage can be detected through NAR model‐based estimation method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research on photovoltaic (PV) forecasting is devoted to the use of spatial information about PV sites to improve the accuracy of the models, but most of the models have to increase their network complexity to learn the spatial dependence. In this paper, we propose to take advantage of the known geographic location information of PV sites and embed them directly into the input information of Decoder, which makes it easier for the model to focus its attention. We refer to this process as relevance amplification. Based on this, this paper proposes Relevance Amplification based DeepFEDformer (RAD-FEDformer), where DeepFEDformer adds multiple Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) layers to FEDformer to improve the perception of deep features. The Relevance Amplification Module (RAM) is designed to receive geographic correlation information as a way to enhance its influence on the Seasonality component of the Decoder input and improve the performance of the attention mechanism in the model. Using the power generation data from PV plants distributed in 11 regions of Belgium as our case study, we evaluated the performance of RAD-FEDformer in predicting PV data at 48/96/192 time steps into the future for each plant. Compared to other Transformer family models, RAD-FEDformer achieved SOTA results by demonstrating significant R 2 improvements of 16.70%, 51.45%, and 23.50% over FEDformer, along with an average MSE reduction of 16.9%. We designed Ablation Experiments to validate and compare the performance of MLPs of different sizes based on the ETTm1 dataset and discussed the performance of RAM and its effect on the attention mechanism based on the PV dataset. The results show that our model enhances the performance of the attention mechanism in Multi-Site PV prediction scenarios, and conclude that the optimization of RAM is more effective in longer sequence predictions. • Propose a module for embedding geographic information into input data with low overhead. • Improving the FEDformer model using Multi-layer Perception. • Discuss the performance of the model on multivariate prediction task based on ETT and PV datasets. • Compare several popular Transformer family forecasting models in the case study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vascular dementia (VaD) has a serious impact on the patients' quality of life. Icariin (Ica) possesses neuroprotective potential for treating VaD, yet its oral bioavailability and blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability remain challenges. This research introduced a PEG–PLGA-loaded chitosan hydrogel-based binary formulation tailored for intranasal delivery, enhancing the intracerebral delivery efficacy of neuroprotective agents. The formulation underwent optimization to facilitate BBB crossing, with examinations conducted on its particle size, morphology, drug-loading capacity, in vitro release, and biodistribution. Using the bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) rat model, the therapeutic efficacy of this binary formulation was assessed against chitosan hydrogel and PEG–PLGA nanoparticles loaded with Ica. Post-intranasal administration, enhanced cognitive function was evident in chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) rats. Further mechanistic evaluations, utilizing immunohistochemistry (IHC), RT-PCR, and ELISA, revealed augmented transcription of synaptic plasticity-associated proteins like SYP and PSD-95, and a marked reduction in hippocampal inflammatory markers such as IL-1β and TNF-α, highlighting the formulation's promise in alleviating cognitive impairment. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/tropomyosin related kinase B (TrkB) pathway was activated significantly in the binary formulation compared with the other two. Our study demonstrates that the intranasal application of chitosan hydrogel loaded with Ica-encapsulated PEG–PLGA could effectively deliver Ica into the brain and enhance its neuroprotective effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conductive hydrogel is considered a promising wearable sensor material. Developing flexible conductive hydrogel sensors with stretchability, adhesion, and stability remains challenging. In this study, a transparent, self‐adhesive, antifreeze, anti‐UV, stretchable, conductive, and reusable hydrogel with polyacrylamide/glycerol/gelatin/tannic acid/Fe3+ (PGGT‐Fe3+) structure is successfully constructed through a simple one‐pot polymerization method. The PGGT‐Fe3+ hydrogel is composed of dual networks of polyacrylamide and gelatin for organic cross‐linking, using water/glycerol as the dispersion medium, and incorporates a viscous substance: tannic acid, and a conductive substance: metal ions (Fe3+). Due to the introduction of the abundant amino, carboxylic acid, and hydroxyl functional groups on gelatin and tannic acid, the PGGT‐Fe3+ hydrogel exhibits excellent and repeatable adhesion capabilities on various surfaces (including glass, metal, plastic, and pigskin) with maximum adhesion strength of 98 kPa when attached to pigskin. Furthermore, based on the stable conductive network and high conductivity, the hydrogel not only exhibits strain sensitivity, fast response, and stability but also can stably collect epidermal bio signals. In conclusion, this work provides a new approach to the design and development of next‐generation multifunctional conductive hydrogels and opens up vast possibilities for their applications in the flexible electronics field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid and simple detection methods of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) residues is highly required for food safety. Herein, an electrochemical H2O2 sensor is developed with cerium oxide nanocubes as highly active non‐enzymatic catalyst. Combined with carbon black to improve conductivity, the disposable sensor can determine H2O2 in the range from 100 to 100 μM with a limit of detection (LOD) of 100 nM. This sensor also shows good selectivity and reproducibility, which is enabled to detect H2O2 in real food samples without any pretreatment in 100 s, providing a new solution for the direct quantitative measurement of H2O2 residues for food safety. © 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineer of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, China and some other countries and regions are adopting both electricity and carbon trading markets to optimize the resource allocation of the power industry. The aim of this research is to explain the production behaviors of fossil fuel power enterprises in these complex dual market conditions and then evaluate the market effects. On the basis of the real market rules of China and the production characteristics of these enterprises, we describe the production decision process of enterprises with different market positions (leader, follower, and taker), obtain their optimal yield, and then offer market equilibrium results (total electricity supply, clearing price, total CO 2 emissions, and carbon intensity level). Besides, we evaluate the impacts of government interventions (market condition changes) on regional market equilibrium situations by numerical simulation. Our results indicate that the direction (positive or negative) of the above impacts is determined by the level of the allocation coefficients of the carbon emission quota, and the degree of these impacts is determined by the level of fine for unit excess carbon emissions. Moreover, our research also proves that enterprise collusion behaviors aggravate market failure but lower the carbon intensity level. • Fossil fuel power enterprises in China are facing complex dual market conditions. • We describe the production decision process of enterprises with different market positions. • We offer the equilibrium results of electricity and carbon trading markets. • We evaluate the impacts of government interventions and enterprise collusion behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complemented croplands are a crucial component of cropland resources and play a significant role in ensuring national food security. In recent decades, to counter the loss of prime farmland caused by urban construction, the Chinese government introduced a requisition–compensation balance policy, leading to the substantial expansion of new croplands. Therefore, there is an urgent need to determine whether these complemented croplands can be effectively used. Taking Southwest China as a case study, we used high-precision long-term land-use data from 1990 to 2020 to reveal the dynamics of complemented cropland utilization, evaluate the efficiency of complemented cropland utilization from the perspective of abandoned farmland, and identify the factors driving complemented cropland use efficiency based on more than 13 million land parcels. The results showed that: (1) From 1990 to 2020, complemented cropland amounted to approximately 1170.07 × 104 hm2, accounting for 32.67% of the total arable land area in 1990. The potential grain production capacity of these complemented croplands was significantly lower than that of base croplands. (2) The abandonment of complemented croplands was more serious than that of base croplands, and 47.03% of the complemented croplands experienced abandonment at least once during the study period, and the average efficiency of the complemented croplands was 75.61%. (3) The labor population ratio, elevation, and land parcel size played pivotal roles in influencing the complemented cropland utilization efficiency; however, there was substantial variation among the different provinces. Labor replacement, overcoming farming difficulties brought by mountainous terrain, and improving farmers' income are the keys to alleviating cropland abandonment in mountainous areas and improving cropland utilization efficiency. This study provides novel insights into the efficiency assessment and exploration of the mechanisms driving complemented croplands and can provide references for cropland management. [Display omitted] • A novel perspective for the evaluation of cropland use efficiency was developed. • Complemented cropland abandonment was more serious than that of base cropland. • Average use efficiency of complemented cropland was 75.61% in Southwest China. • Labor force ratio, elevation, and land parcel size were the primary driving factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mixed polysaccharide system is an important strategy to improve the performance of a single polysaccharide. Herein, quaternary polysaccharide gels were prepared by konjac glucomannan (KGM), xanthan gum (XG), κ-carrageenan (κ-CA), and agar (AR). The effects of KGM were evaluated by combining water holding capacity (WHC), rheological analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and texture profile analysis (TPA). More KGM gradually increased the springiness of the compounded gels. WHC increased and then decreased with the addition of KGM, performing best at KGM4 (KGM: κ-CA:XG:AR = 2:2:1:2). Rheological analysis showed that the compounded gels exhibited a pseudoplastic characteristic of shear thinning, KGM endowed the gel with a stronger shear thinning behavior and improved the solid-like nature of the gels at high temperatures. The thermal stability of the composite gel was improved by the participation of KGM. FTIR analysis showed that the interactions were mainly related to intermolecular hydrogen bonds and acetyl groups. The microscopic morphology of KGM4 was significantly continuous, smooth, and compact, exhibiting the best practical performance and taking the maximum advantage. • The composite gel is a four-component system consisting of konjac glucomannan, κ-carrageenan, xanthan gum and agar. • More KGM can improve gel springiness and thermal stability. • The gel microstructure is more dense and WHC is better when KGM:κ-CA:XG:AR = 2:2:1:2. • The addition of KGM results in stronger shear thinning behavior and enhances solid-like properties of gels at high temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractTitanium (Ti) implants are widely used in orthopedic and dental applications due to their excellent biocompatibility and mechanical properties. However, bacterial adhesion and subsequent biofilm formation on implant surfaces pose a significant risk of postoperative infections and complications. Conventional surface modifications often lack long-lasting antibacterial efficacy, necessitating the development of novel coatings with enhanced antimicrobial properties. This study aims to develop a novel Ag-TiO2-OTS (Silver-Titanium dioxide-Octadecyltrichlorosilane, ATO) nanocomposite coating, through a chemical plating method. By employing a ‘resist-killing-disintegrate’ approach, the coating is designed to inhibit bacterial adhesion effectively, and facilitate pollutant removal with lasting effects. Characterization of the coatings was performed using spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and contact angle analysis. Antibacterial efficacy, quantitatively evaluated against E. coli and S. aureus over 168 h, showed a significant reduction in bacterial adhesion by 76.6% and 66.5% respectively, and bacterial removal rates were up to 83.8% and 73.3% in comparison to uncoated Ti-base material. Additionally, antibacterial assays indicated that the ratio of the Lifshitz-van der Waals apolar component to electron donor surface energy components significantly influences bacterial adhesion and removal, underscoring a tunable parameter for optimizing antibacterial surfaces. Biocompatibility assessments with the L929 cell line revealed that the ATO coatings exhibited excellent biocompatibility, with minimal cytotoxicity and no significant impact on cell proliferation or apoptosis. The ATO coatings provided a multi-functionality surface that not only resists bacterial colonization but also possesses self-cleaning capabilities, thereby marking a substantial advancement in the development of antibacterial coatings for medical implants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis, sugars in root cortical cells could be exported as glucose or sucrose into peri‐arbuscular space for use by AM fungi. However, no sugar transporter has been identified to be involved in sucrose export. An AM‐inducible SWEET transporter, GmSWEET6, was functionally characterised in soybean, and its role in AM symbiosis was investigated via transgenic plants. The expression of GmSWEET6 was enhanced by inoculation with the cooperative fungal strain in both leaves and roots. Heterologous expression in a yeast mutant showed that GmSWEET6 mainly transported sucrose. Transgenic plants overexpressing GmSWEET6 increased sucrose concentration in root exudates. Overexpression or knockdown of GmSWEET6 decreased plant dry weight, P content, and sugar concentrations in non‐mycorrhizal plants, which were partly recovered in mycorrhizal plants. Intriguingly, overexpression of GmSWEET6 increased root P content and decreased the percentage of degraded arbuscules, while knockdown of GmSWEET6 increased root sugar concentrations in RNAi2 plants and the percentage of degraded arbuscules in RNAi1 plants compared with wild‐type plants when inoculated with AM fungi. These results in combination with subcellular localisation of GmSWEET6 to peri‐arbuscular membranes strongly suggest that GmSWEET6 is required for AM symbiosis by mediating sucrose efflux towards fungi. Summary statement: GmSWEET6 is localised to the peri‐arbuscular membranes and essential for stabilisation of AM symbiosis by mediating sucrose efflux towards AM fungi in soybean. Soybean growth and sugar allocation are affected by GmSWEET6 overexpression and RNA interference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rising global wind power capacity urgently requires effective real-time turbine monitoring. Complex installations, high maintenance costs, and the occasional need for turbine shutdown hinder conventional monitoring methods. Acoustic-based techniques, while cost-efficient for health assessments, currently face challenges with detection precision and signal processing capabilities in complex acoustic environments. To overcome these challenges, this study proposes a low-cost, AI-driven acoustic-based health monitoring system framework for wind turbine blades, featuring enhanced detection accuracy and signal processing capabilities in complex sound environments. Firstly, a microphone array is employed to capture blade sounds with rich spatial attributes, while beamforming algorithms with a fixed orientation integrate prior spatial information. Furthermore, to further strengthen signal processing and fault detection capabilities, the Transformer model based on self-attention mechanisms is employed for feature extraction and fault diagnosis. An actual wind turbine blade health monitoring system is designed and developed to validate the usability of the proposed framework. Experimental results based on a scaled-down wind turbine model validate the proposed algorithm's effectiveness and practicality, presenting an effective approach in the wind turbine blade health monitoring domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The condition monitoring system of the hydropower generator unit (HGU) contains a vast amount of monitoring data related to equipment performance. It is challenging to reveal the HGU performance change law from these data. This paper constructed a correlation transmissibility damage indicator (CTDI) to analyze HGU degradation performance based on the transmissibility function (TF). Unlike traditional TF damage indicators, CTDI can use different types of monitoring data to obtain system TF to increase TF combination and improve detection sensitivity. The analysis is performed using actual monitoring data from a hydropower plant in Guangxi, China. Firstly, a new frequency concept is defined based on the characteristics of HGU obtaining data every 10 minutes. Then, the HGU is considered a system and divided into three subsystems according to the sensor installation locations of the monitoring system. The damage indicator is used to analyze the system and its subsystems at the time scales of day, week, and month to locate and quantify the damage of HGU. The final results of this analysis show that the method can accurately detect and locate faults, applies to different operating conditions, and reveals the HGU performance deterioration pattern, which is of great significance for HGU maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal malignancy with a five-year survival rate of approximately 10%. Genetic mutations are pivotal drivers in PDAC pathogenesis, but recent investigations also revealed the involvement of non-genetic alterations in the disease development. In this study, we undertook a multi-omics approach, encompassing ATAC-seq, RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, and Hi-C methodologies, to dissect gene expression alterations arising from changes in chromosome accessibility and chromatin three-dimensional interactions in PDAC. Results: Our findings indicate that chromosomal structural alterations can lead to abnormal expressions on key genes during PDAC development. Notably, overexpression of oncogenes FGFR2, FOXA2, CYP2R1, and CPOX can be attributed to the augmentation of promoter accessibility, coupled with long-range interactions with distal elements. Additionally, our findings indicate that chromosomal structural alterations caused by genomic instability can lead to abnormal expressions in PDACs. As an example, by analyzing chromosomal changes, we identified a putative oncogenic gene, LPAR1, which shows upregulated expression in both PDAC cell lines and clinical samples. The overexpression is correlated with alterations in LPAR1-associated 3D genome structure and chromatin state. We further demonstrated that high LPAR1 activity is required for enhanced PDAC cell migration in vitro. Conclusions: Collectively, our findings reveal that the chromosomal conformational alterations, in addition to the well-known genetic mutations, are critical for PDAC tumorigenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breath analysis may provide a convenient and non-invasive method for clinical monitoring of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. However, few breath volatile organic compounds (VOCs) indicating progression of CKD have been reported. In this study, we used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for untargeted detection of breath VOCs in stage 1, 3, and 5 CKD patients. The results showed that, the levels of breath 4-heptanone, n-octane, and n-dodecane gradually increased from CKD stage 1 to stage 5, and their increasing rates from CKD stage 3 to stage 5 were higher than those from CKD stage 1 to stage 3. Gender, smoking habits, age, and body mass index (BMI) had insignificant impact on the levels of the three breath VOCs. The accuracies of the polynomial support vector machine (SVM) and K-nearest neighbour (KNN) models based on 4-heptanone + n-octane + n-dodecane combination in distinguishing CKD stages 1, 3, and 5 were 76.3% and 72.8%, respectively. The combination of 4-heptanone + n-octane + n-dodecane was superior to any single component for monitoring CKD progression. These discoveries have valuable implications for long-term clinical monitoring of CKD and improving our understanding of CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The "clip-cycle" synthesis of 2-pyridazinones containing enaminonitriles from thioesters with dicyanohydrazones is achieved through a AgOAc-promoted acylation-cyclization-tautomerization cascade reaction. Moreover, the obtained 2-pyridazinones are further transformed into biologically significant bicyclic-fused pyridazinones exhibiting intriguing fluorescence emission properties. Additionally, quantum chemical calculations were performed to provide a rational explanation for the observed photophysical characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The state of charge estimation of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles is critical in battery management systems. Using a single model and algorithm for state of charge estimation has some limitations, therefore fusion algorithms are investigated by researchers. However, among many fusion methods, there are no basis for judgement concerning which models and algorithms to be chosen for fusion in different discharge intervals in order to obtain the desired results. To address this problem, this study proposes a three-interval fusion method for state of charge estimation based on fitness values. Firstly, three different types of equivalent circuit models and six filtering algorithms are built in this study. Next, the whole state of charge is divided into three intervals in discharging process and the estimation error characteristics of each interval are extracted. Then, assessment of model-algorithm fits through fitness values. Finally, the combinations of better fitness values in each interval are selected and the three-interval fusion method for estimation of state of charge is achieved by adaptive weighted average. The results show that the maximum absolute error of the three-interval fusion method is less than 0.5 % and the accuracy is improved by 40 % compared to other fusion methods. • The proposed fitness values allow the evaluation of model and algorithm matching. • The discharging process is divided into three intervals for analysis. • SOC can be maintained with high accuracy throughout the discharge interval. • The SOC estimation can converge easily under special conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) is involved in the pathological processes of many metabolic diseases. However, studies on the relevance of SPARC to hypertension and its involvement in endothelial function are scarce. In this study, we aim to explore the relevance of SPARC to hypertension and investigate its role in endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR). 110 patients who met the criteria were recruited as participants. Serum SPARC concentrations were determined by Luminex assay. The correlation between SPARC levels and hypertension was analyzed. After treatment with SPARC ex vivo or in vivo , endothelial-dependent relaxation (EDR) was measured by wire myography. Western blotting was performed to detect the expression of proteins relevant to endothelial function. Our results showed that serum SPARC levels were significantly higher in the hypertensive group and were positively associated with systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Functional results demonstrated that SPARC dramatically impaired EDR and induced the excess production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in endothelial cells. Further experimental results confirmed that SPARC reduced angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) expression and ACE2 overexpression or activation completely abolished the impairing effect of SPARC on endothelial function. The present study reveals the correlation between elevated SPARC and hypertension and confirms its adverse effect on endothelial function, helping establish a comprehensive understanding of hypertension-related endothelial dysfunction in a new scope. [Display omitted] • Serum SPARC is elevated in hypertensive patients and is independently associated with hypertension. • SPARC impairs endothelial function. • ACE2 expression is induced by SPARC in endothelial cells and is involved in SPARC-promoted endothelial dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glass fibers (GFs) are frequently employed as reinforcement fibers for polymer resins such as epoxy and polyester. The mechanical behaviors of GFs polymer composites are nevertheless constrained by weak interfacial adhesion between polymer matrix and GFs. Herein, we invented a cross‐linking modified sizing agent using polyethyleneimine and bisphenol A epoxy emulsion, and studied the effect of cross‐linking extent on GF surface characteristics and GF/epoxy interfacial adhesion. The treatment of GFs with cross‐linking modified sizing agent facilitated the formation of interpenetrating polymer networks in composites for strengthening interface interaction. The results show that the modified GFs have a rough surface and improved interfacial adhesion with epoxy matrix. When sizing agents with cross‐linking extent of the 23.0%, the GF/epoxy composites show advanced interfacial shear strength (IFSS) and transverse fiber bundle tension (TFBT) strength. This work demonstrates that the cross‐linking extent of sizing agent could regulate interfacial adhesion, which is a facile and promising strategy in reinforcing glass fiber polymer composites. Highlights: Crosslink the sizing agent to enhance GF mechanical properties was reported.GF surface energy was enhanced and thickness of GF/epoxy interphase increased.IFSS and TFBT strength of the GF/resin composites increased by 23.65% and 30.54%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CD30 is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily and expressed in both normal and malignant lymphoid cells. However, the role of CD30 in lymphopoiesis is not known. In this study, we showed CD30 was expressed both in T and B cells, but its deficiency in mice had no effect on T‐ and B‐cell development. In fact, CD30 deficiency attenuated B‐cell response to T‐cell‐dependent antigens. The impaired B cell response in CD30‐deficient mice is caused by the reduction of activation‐induced cytidine deaminase (AID) expression. Moreover, CD30‐deficient mice exhibited decreased TCR‐mediated T cell proliferation and slightly impaired TCR signaling. High‐throughput RNA sequencing analysis revealed that CD30 deficiency led to a decrease of FOXO‐autophagy axis in T cells upon TCR stimulation. Thus, CD30 positively regulates T‐cell‐dependent immune response and T cell proliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cu-Cr-Zr alloy is widely recognized as one kind of high-strength and conductivity Cu alloy, understanding the basic properties of compositional phases is crucial for preparing alloys with excellent properties. The structural, mechanical, thermodynamic, and electrical properties of Cu 5 Zr, CuZr, CuZr 2 , CuZr 3 and ZrCr 2 (CCZs) were systematically investigated by first-principles calculation in this paper. The results indicated that all optimized structures are mechanically and dynamically stable, and the hardest structure was confirmed as Cu 5 Zr in CCZs. Moreover, the overlapped phenomenon of band structures at Fermi energy level revealed these phases all possessed a metallic characteristic with conductor properties. Furthermore, the interaction of d orbit in Cu, Cr and Zr element is dominant in CCZs, and the magnitude of the electron orbital density of states of alloy elements reflects their contribution to the conductivity. The comprehensive results indicate that Cu alloys alloyed with Cr and Zr have excellent mechanical strength, conductivity, and thermal properties, laying the foundation for their applications in electrical, infrastructure, and welding fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Mg doping greatly increases the action sites of monometallic-centered MIL-101(Fe). • Construction of bis-MIL composite MOM tunes the structure and enhances the properties. • The maximum sorption capacity of MOM towards Pb(II) is 320.941 mg·g−1. • MOM has good resistance to salt interferences and regeneration performance. MIL-101(Fe) has received more and more attention in wastewater treatment, and how to further improve its stability and sorption capacity has become a research focus. In this study, metal Mg was used to dope MIL-101(Fe) to construct Mg@MIL-101(Fe) with bimetallic sites, which was then mixed with NH 2 -MIL-125(Ti) to successfully fabricate Mg@MIL-101(Fe)/NH 2 -MIL-125(Ti) (MOM) bis-MIL composites. MOM not only contains a large number of sorption sites but also exhibits excellent stability and reusability, realizing efficient sorption of Pb(II) from aqueous solution. In addition, the sorption performance and mechanism of Pb(II) on MOM were investigated by the characterizations of SEM, BET, TG, XRD, FTIR and XPS, as well as the kinetic and thermodynamic analyses. The sorption of Pb(II) on MOM is in accordance with the Langmuir isothermal model and pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The maximum sorption capacity of Pb(II) on MOM derived from the Langmuir model fitting is 320.941 mg·g−1. The sorption of Pb(II) on MOM is strongly affected by pH, but not by ionic strength, which indicates that MOM has good resistance to salt interferences. The strong complexation of carboxyl, hydroxyl and amino functional groups with Pb(II) is the main sorption mechanism of Pb(II) on MOM, and electrostatic interaction and ion exchange also contribute to the sorption. In conclusion, MOM has strong practical application prospects in the treatment of Pb(II)-containing wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Muscle fiber properties exert a significant influence on pork quality, with cross-sectional area (CSA) being a crucial parameter closely associated with various meat quality indicators, such as shear force. Effectively identifying and segmenting muscle fibers in a robust manner constitutes a vital initial step in determining CSA. This step is highly intricate and time-consuming, necessitating an accurate and automated analytical approach. One limitation of existing methods is their tendency to perform well on high signal-to-noise ratio images of intact, healthy muscle fibers but their lack of validation on more complex image datasets featuring significant morphological changes, such as the presence of ice crystals. In this study, we undertake the fully automatic segmentation of muscle fiber microscopic images stained with myosin adenosine triphosphate (mATPase) activity using a deep learning architecture known as SOLOv2. Our objective is to efficiently derive accurate measurements of muscle fiber size and distribution. Tests conducted on actual images demonstrate that our method adeptly handles the intricate task of muscle fiber segmentation, yielding quantitative results amenable to statistical analysis and displaying reliability comparable to manual analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• LBL self-assembly strategy utilized to enhance thermoelectric properties and durability of thermoelectric fabrics. • The fabric can be self-powered for temperature sensing, such as respiratory monitoring. • Fabric-based wearable system can synergistically monitor human physiological signals with multiple signals. Thermoelectric devices have received widespread attention in next-generation flexible electronics due to their excellent self-powered characteristics, multifunctionality and high integrability. However, current thermoelectric devices suffer from drawbacks such as poor durability, complex preparation processes, and terrible air permeability which is the necessary metric in wearing comfort. Here, we propose a layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly strategy to prepare multifunctional thermoelectric fabrics with enhanced thermoelectric performance and durability. Based on the self-assembly effect, the interfacial bonding between the thermoelectric material and the fabric substrate is effectively improved, so that the thermoelectric properties of the fabrics can still be maintained stable after 2000 bending cycles and 600 washing cycles. Moreover, this strategy increases the electrical conductivity of the fabric by a factor of 4 without affecting the fabric's air permeability (up to 400 mm s−1 at 50 Pa) and tensile properties (strains exceeding 100 %). Due to its wearability and multifunctionality, the fabric was designed as a synergistic monitoring system that includes facial respiration monitoring and knee joint motion monitoring for continuous monitoring of the athlete's dynamic body condition. This thermoelectric fabric shows amazing potential for advanced smart textiles, soft robotics and human–computer interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimizing the cropping structure is of great significance for ensuring efficient water use and ecological sustainability in irrigation districts experiencing water shortages. However, how farmers choose the crops to plant under the intervention of factors such as behavioral economics and policies has been less considered in agricultural land-use planning. This study proposes an agent-based socio-hydrological model embedding a geographic information system (ABSHM-GIS). In ABSHM-GIS, a bottom-up research methodology coupled with farmers' behavioral economics and government policies is used to examine the factors influencing farmers' cropping structure and the impact of cropping decisions on farmers' income and the spatial and temporal distributions of water resources. In this study, ABSHM-GIS was applied in the context of planting structure and crop subsidy policy in Qira oasis, Xinjiang, China as a case study area. Results showed that government intervention in cropping structure was effective in reducing water use for agricultural irrigation (18–30 million m3/year) relative to farmer intervention, but it also reduced farmer returns (17,850–25,860 yuan/ha). During the period of agricultural irrigation, regulating the increase in the lower residual volume of irrigation gates 2–4 in the range of 666–869 m3/day and that of irrigation gates 5–9 in the range of 211–342 m3/day could effectively ensure the even spatial distribution of surface water and groundwater. In the planting structure, an increase in government subsidy by 300 yuan/ha could save an average of 2 million m3/year of water resources for ecological water use to ensure ecological safety. The behavioral economics showed that the learning factor was the main behavioral factor that changed the decision-making behavior of farmers. The ABSHM-GIS model proposed in this paper could help researchers reveal the causes and provide insights into the emergence of macro-patterns, such as changes in cropping structure and irrigated agriculture, as a result of microfarmers' economic behavior in a bottom-up research approach. • A socio-hydrological ABM coupling behavioral economics and water policies was proposed. • Government intervention saves water use via cropping structure, but reducing farmer returns. • Learning factor was main behavioral factor changing decision-making behavior of farmers. • Sensitivity factor and radius of information has a less significant effect on income of farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The controllable stretchability of the composite fiber membrane was achieved. • The Janus fiber membrane features opposing optical-thermal properties on both sides. • Radiant cooling or heating temperature of different objects exceeds 15 °C. With the frequent occurrence of extreme climates, passive daytime radiant cooling (PDRC) and passive daytime radiant heating (PDRH) technologies are receiving more and more attention as green and sustainable ways to regulate temperature. Here we present a Janus composite porous fiber membrane (MXene@PVDF/TPU), prepared by controlling the ratio of two components, PVDF and TPU, in the electrospinning precursor solution, to regulate the optical, mechanical, and other properties of the fiber membrane. By spraying MXene on one side of the fiber membrane, we achieve radiative heating performance, while the side without MXene spraying exhibits radiative cooling performance. Switching between cooling and heating modes can be accomplished by simply flipping the composite fiber membrane. The cooling side of the fiber membrane has high solar reflectance (93.75 %) and mid-infrared emissivity (83.09 %), and can cool the ambient temperature up to 8.2 °C at noon. At the same time, the heating side of the fiber membrane has low reflectance (14.18 %) and mid-infrared emissivity (24.22 %), and can heat the environment up to 7.4 °C at noon. Besides, due to the electrical and thermal properties of MXene, the MXene@PVDF/TPU fiber membrane exhibits excellent Joule heating characteristics, which can effectively compensate for the PDRH. Switching between the modes of cooling and heating can be achieved by a simple flip of the composite fiber membrane, which is important to reduce carbon emissions to alleviate the energy crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Up to now, it has been believed that invertebrates are unable to synthesize ascorbic acid (AA) in vivo. However, in the present study, the full-length CDs (Coding sequence) of L-gulonolactone oxidase (GLO) from Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus hannai Ino) were obtained through molecular cloning. The Pacific abalone GLO contained a FAD-binding domain in the N-termination, and ALO domain and conserved HWAK motif in the C-termination. The GLO gene possesses 12 exons and 11 introns. The Pacific abalone GLO was expressed in various tissues, including the kidney, digestive gland, gill, intestine, muscle and mantle. The GLO activity assay revealed that GLO activity was only detected in the kidney of Pacific abalone. After a 100-day feeding trial, dietary AA levels did not significantly affect the survival, weight gain, daily increment in shell length, and feed conversion ratio of Pacific abalone. The expression of GLO in the kidney was downregulated by dietary AA. These results implied that the ability to synthesize AA in abalone had not been lost. From the evolutionary perspective, the loss of GLO occurred independently as an independent event by matching with the genomes of various species. The positive selection analysis revealed that the GLO gene underwent purifying selective pressure during its evolution. In conclusion, the present study provided direct evidence to prove that the GLO activity and the ability to synthesize AA exist in abalone. The AA synthesis ability in vertebrates might have originated from invertebrates dating back 930.31 million years. • The full-length coding sequence of GLO from abalone Haliotis discus hannai was obtained. • It was confirmed that abalone had the ability to synthesize ascorbic acid (AA). • From the evolutionary perspective, the loss of GLO occurred independently as an independent event. • The GLO gene underwent purifying selective pressure during its evolution. • The AA synthesis ability in vertebrates might be originated from invertebrates dating back 930.31 million years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-performance catalysts are crucial for many applications, including high-performance gas sensors. However, the catalysts used in gas sensors need to be screened through many experimental measurements, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Herein, the catalytic activity of ZSM-5 zeolites with different Si/Al ratios is quantitatively evaluated using a resonant microcantilever that enables in-situ temperature-programmed desorption (cantilever-TPD) measurements. Since the frequency shift obtained by the cantilever-TPD measurement is proportional to the number of probe molecules, the cantilever-TPD experiment can successfully measure the number of active sites and desorption activation energy of the catalyst. Therefore, the cantilever-TPD experiment quantitatively characterizes the catalytic activity through the comprehensive analysis of the number of active sites and the desorption activation energy, eliminating the need for the traditional trial-and-error method to study the gas-sensing performance. According to the test results of cantilever-TPD, the ZSM-5 zeolite with satisfactory performance is preferred as the catalytic material, and the ZnO/ZSM-5 double-layer sensor is made to detect trace amounts of the greenhouse gas Freon R134a. The gas sensing results show that the optimized ZSM-5 sensor has good sensitivity, limit of detection (LOD), repeatability, and selectivity, fully confirming the evaluation results of the cantilever-TPD. • Resonant microcantilever is used for TPD measurements of catalytic-induced sensing materials. • The catalytic activity of ZSM-5 zeolites with different Si/Al ratios has been quantitatively evaluated. • ZSM-5 zeolite, with satisfactory performance, was selected as the catalytic-induced sensing material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PD-1/PD-L1 pathway blockade is a promising immunotherapy for the treatment of cancer. In this manuscript, a series of triaryl compounds containing ester chains were designed and synthesized based on the pharmacophore studies of the lead BMS-1. After several SAR iterations, 22 showed the best biochemical activity binding to hPD-L1 with an IC 50 of 1.21 nM in HTRF assay, and a K D value of 5.068 nM in SPR analysis. Cell-based experiments showed that 22 effectively promoted A549 cell death by restoring T-cell immune function. 22 showed significant in vivo antitumor activity in a 4T1 mouse model without obvious toxicity, with a TGI rate of 67.8 % (20 mg/kg, ip). Immunohistochemistry data indicated that 22 activates the immune activity in tumors. These results suggest that 22 is a promising compound for further development of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor for cancer therapy. [Display omitted] • Synthesis of a series of novel triaryl derivatives containing ester chains. • 22 Showed the best biochemical activity binding to hPD-L1 with an IC 50 of 1.21 nM. • 22 effectively promoted A549 cell death by restoring T cell immune function. • 22 showed significant in vivo antitumor activity in a 4T1 mouse model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics are ubiquitous in the environment. Human body can be exposed to microplastics through inhalation and ingestion and some microplastics can enter the blood and accumulate in various tissues and organs throughout the body. Animal experiments have suggested that microplastics may promote atherosclerosis. However, data on microplastics in human arteries and clinical evidence supporting a link between microplastics and atherosclerosis are currently lacking. Pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) was used in this study to detect microplastics in three types of human arteries: coronary and carotid arteries with atherosclerotic plaques, as well as the aorta without plaques. Microplastics were detected in all 17 arterial samples, with an average concentration of 118.66 ± 53.87 μg/g tissue. Four types of microplastics were identified: polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 73.70%), polyamide-66 (PA-66, 15.54%), polyvinyl chloride (PVC, 9.69%), and polyethylene (PE, 1.07%). Most importantly, the concentration of microplastics in arteries containing atherosclerotic plaques, both coronary arteries (156.50 ± 42.14 vs. 76.26 ± 14.86 μg/g tissue, P = 0.039), and carotid arteries (133.37 ± 60.52 vs. 76.26 ± 14.86 μg/g tissue, P = 0.015), was significantly higher than that in aortas which did not contain atherosclerotic plaques, suggesting that microplastics might be associated with atherosclerosis in humans. This study provides valuable data for further hazard assessments of microplastics on human cardiovascular health. [Display omitted] • Microplastics can accumulate in human arteries. • Microplastics in arteries are predominantly PET, followed by PA, PVC and PE. • Microplastics in arteries may be associated with atherosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • An alternating layered structure of CNT and GaInCu alloy (GCLA) is proposed. • Fibers with wrinkled GCLA layer show extremely high stretchability and conductivity. • Wrinkled GCLA layer enables fiber to achieve stable conductivity during stretching. • The GCLA structure can be patterned on hydrophilic and hydrophobic substrates. Liquid metal (LM) composites, known for their excellent conductivity and fluidity, hold great promise in the fields of printed electronics and wearable technology. However, their high surface tension and fluidity can lead to circuit instability, such as leakage during deformation, resulting in short circuits. Therefore, additional methods are necessary to enhance the stability of LM within composite material systems. In this paper, Carbon nanotube (CNT) was introduced as a transition layer to enhance the adhesion of gallium-indium-copper-alloy ink (GCLA) on different elastic substrates and to obtain interface fusion conductive layers. The modified GCLA conductive fibers achieved high conductivity (conductivity up to 3.13 × 105 S/m), ultra-stretchability (1580 % of ultra-large deformation, the resistance changes less than 3 Ω), and ultra-stability (within 200 % of large deformation, the change of resistance less than 1 Ω). In addition, we also demonstrated the operability of GCLA in forming patterns on hydrophilic and hydrophobic substrate surfaces and obtained conductive patterns through printing, transfer printing, and hand drawing, making it a promising candidate for flexible electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In fine-grained recognition, classical high-order coding has inherent contradiction between visual burstiness and feature redundancy, the core of which is the inherent instability of high-order features. Existing methods mainly use EIG and SVD decomposition to maintain feature stability, but this process increases feature redundancy. To address this problem, this paper proposes a Graph Bilinear Pooling (GBP) model to obtain stable fine-grained features through the effective aggregation ability of graph networks. GBP avoids explicit feature decomposition and reconciles the contradiction between visual burstiness and feature redundancy. First, GBP transforms images into a graph spectrum through feature correlation measurement. Then, an improved multi-head graph convolution structure is proposed by using Graph Isomorphism Networks (GIN) to realize feature aggregation. Finally, bilinear pooling operations are performed between graph convolution feature maps and original feature maps to obtain more compact and stable fine-grained feature representations. Experiments on CUB, Cars, and Aircrafts datasets demonstrate that the accuracy of the proposed method is 87.8 %, 93.5 %, and 89.6 % respectively, with a feature representation of 2048 dimensions. Compared to the baseline, the feature number is only 25 % of the baseline model, and the accuracy is increased by 2.6 %, 1.7 %, and 1.3 % respectively. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of graph neural network embedding in improving feature stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead (Pb) can possess its solubility, bioavailability and toxicity modified with solid phase transformation, but the potential for such processes in heterogeneous soil-plant system remains unclear. Herein, we investigated the biogeochemical pathways controlling Pb partitioning mediated by strengite (FeIIIPO 4) and oxalated zero-valent iron (Ox-nZVI). Batch tests verified that FeIIIPO 4 and Ox-nZVI achieved the dissolution of stable P and Fe while fixing Pb. Pot experiments with Solanum nigrum L. further showed the simultaneous addition of FeIIIPO 4 and Ox-nZVI to soil reduced porewater Pb and boosted the utilization efficiency of P and Fe as a result of favoring Pb retention in the soild phase as Pb 5 (PO 4) 3 OH and PbFe 12 O 19. Characterization results revealed the liquid-solid transfer mass fluctuation depends on precipitation-dissolution and adsorption-desorption reactions of Pb-containing solids driven by FeIIIPO 4 reductive dissolution and Ox-nZVI oxidative corrosion. Both FeIIIPO 4 and Ox-nZVI promoted plant uptake of Pb in root cell wall as chloropyromorphite crystals but suppressed its upward translocation due to iron plaque barrier. Both FeIIIPO 4 and Ox-nZVI recruited more Fe(II)-oxidizing genera and thus facilitated electron transfer processes in near-rhizosphere soil. These findings provide new insights into the role of FeIIIPO 4 and Ox-nZVI in microscale Pb stabilization coupled with Fe and P cycling for contaminated media. [Display omitted] • The simultaneous addition of FeIIIPO 4 and Ox-nZVI to soil reduced porewater Pb. • Liquid-solid mass transfer of Pb is driven by adsorption and precipitation. • Fe plaque effect raised plant root uptake of Pb rather than soil pH-induced change. • Pb was preferentially retained in the root cell walls rather than being taken up. • FeIIIPO 4 and Ox-nZVI mediated functional diversity of soil bacterial community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]