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The increasing demand for high-strength lightweight hollow shafts in transportation highlights the need for advanced fabrication techniques. Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloys, noted for their superior properties, are selected for three-roll skew rolling (TRSR). In TRSR, the material undergoes combined axial tensile and radial compressive stresses. This study evaluates the feasibility of TRSR for producing high-strength lightweight hollow stepped shafts from Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy. An integrated approach, including constitutive modeling, hot processing map development, and TRSR numerical simulations/experiments, is employed to optimize the TRSR forming process. The constitutive model was established based on 300°C–450 °C & 0.01–10 s−1 hot compression and 350°C–430 °C & 0.1–5 s−1 high-temperature tensile test data. The established Johnson-Cook optimization by genetic algorithms (GA-JC) model and unified viscoplastic constitutive model, accurately capture the alloy's hot deformation behavior, exhibiting minimal average absolute relative errors (AARE) of 5.431% and 5.808%, respectively. Microstructure evolution analyses shed light on the predominant softening mechanisms, emphasizing dynamic recovery (DRV) at elevated strain rates and diminishing texture intensity with escalating deformation temperatures. The composite hot processing map delineates optimal process parameters (400°C–450 °C & 0.1s−1-1s−1), facilitating informed decision-making in manufacturing practices. The validation of numerical simulations through TRSR forming experiments with initial temperature of 450 °C for the billet and axial moving speed of 10 mm/s for the chuck in affirms the feasibility of producing hollow stepped shafts from high-strength Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy. Close agreement was found between simulated and experimental wall thickness variations. This study enhances understanding and optimization of TRSR forming for high-strength lightweight alloys, advancing industrial manufacturing methodologies.

The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is rising globally, increasing interest in food ingredients for its prevention and control. This study evaluated the effect of farnesol (FAR), a key component of pomelo flower volatile oil, on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in C57BL/6 mice. FAR significantly alleviated DSS-induced colitis and secondary liver injury, as shown by improved body weight, DAI, colon length, and pathology, as well as liver function and blood lipid indices. The mechanism involves FAR-mediated regulation of inflammatory cytokines, increased expression of tight junction protein genes, and decreased expression of lipid metabolism-related proteins. FAR also enhanced gut microbiota diversity, balancing harmful and probiotic bacteria. Fecal metabolome analysis indicated FAR's role in reversing metabolic disturbances related to inflammation and liver lipid metabolism. These findings support developing functional foods for IBD treatment using pomelo flower volatile oil.

Background: Different risk factors are responsible for the occurrence of coronary artery disease (CAD). Among these, the main factors are dyslipidemia, dysglycaemia, and endothelial inflammation. The aim of the study was to analyze the levels of lipids, glucose, and cytokine in patients with different coronary heart diseases. Methods: A total of 2147 patients diagnosed with coronary atherosclerosis, stable angina, unstable angina, acute non-ST-segment elevation infarction (NSTEMI) and acute ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) at the Cardiovascular Center of Beijing Tongren Hospital from February 2022 to April 2023. The data were gathered from the medical record system.Nonparametric Wilcoxon test was used for statistical analysis of continuous variables, and chi-square test was used for statistical analysis of categorical variables among multiple groups. Results: Compared with coronary atherosclerosis group, acute myocardial infarction group showed a significant increase in IL-6 level (p

In this work, ginsenoside CK was confirmed as an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, with an IC50 value of 32.58 ± 0.09 μM. Molecular docking showed that ginsenoside CK could fit into EGFR binding pocket, thereby acting as a ligand for EGFR. Ginsenoside CK inhibited proliferation of A549 cells as well as induced its apoptosis via downregulating anti-apoptotic factors and upregulating apoptosis induction factors. Ginsenoside CK alone and combined with gefitinib inhibited the tumor progression of A549 lung cancer xenografts in BALB/c nude mice. ELISA assay showed that ginsenoside CK combined with gefitinib alleviated the inflammatory response by suppressing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, indicating better inhibitory effects than ginsenoside CK or gefitinib alone. This work further confirmed that ginsenoside CK regulated the EGFR/MAPK/ERK signaling both in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, ginsenoside CK can exhibit the anti-lung cancer effect via acting as an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

In this study, the action of creep damage evolution law of deep shale under the influence of disturbance was considered as the research object, and using a self-developed rock disturbance creep test rig, disturbance characteristics of rock creep disturbance were examined using different experiments. The creep of rock burst fracture was examined using scanning electron microscopy. The mesoscopic damage crack of rock creep disturbance syndrome was obtained. To further study the law of crack propagation during shale creep fracture, fracture evolution characteristics during rock disturbance creep were analyzed using a self-developed Fracture Geometry Feature Extraction Tool. Furthermore, the macro- and meso-creep damage evolution law of deep shale was determined. The results showed that the disturbance conditions accelerated the damage and fracture process of shale creep, and compared to the disturbance frequency, the disturbance amplitude was more sensitive to the damage and fracture process of shale creep. Under the increase of disturbance amplitude of 2.5∼5.5MPa, the crack width and weighted average area at the fracture site decrease, while under the increase of disturbance frequency of 1∼3Hz, the crack width and weighted average area at the fracture site increase. A nonlinear creep model of rock disturbance based on the geometrical characteristics of cracks was established, and the overall performance of the model's fitting degree was excellent, and the fitting degree was approximately 93%. The findings of this study provide significant insights for ensuring the long-term stability control of roadway surrounding rocks.

Research purpose: This study aims to outline the fundamental status of the German academic community's research in the field of renewable energy and to foster collaboration between China and Germany in this area. Research methods: This study examines documents published by German scholars from 2008 to 2023, which are part of the “Web of Science (WOS) Core Collection” database and related to renewable energy issues, using the bibliometric visualization tool CiteSpace 6.2.R6. Research conclusions: The study examines the co-occurrence and burst of keywords, changes in publication volume, international collaboration networks, research institution collaboration networks, and researcher collaboration networks. It concluded that: (1) German academic research in the field of renewable energy can be divided into three phases: nascent (2008–2014), surge (2015–2021), and decline (2022–2023). (2) The Helmholtz Association and Reinhard Madlener, among other prominent institutions and academicians, are responsible for the close cooperation among personnel and institutions, the significant leading effect, and the emphasis on cutting-edge topics. Research in this field notably focuses on cutting-edge issues like life cycle assessment and developing countries. The study observes a transition in research concentration from macro to micro perspectives. In the context of a global collective response to climate change, the analysis of the German academic community’s overall situation will enhance the collaboration between the two countries in the field of renewable energy research.

With the development of 5G technology and increasing chip integration, traditional active cooling methods struggle to meet the growing thermal demands of chips. Thermoelectric coolers (TECs) have garnered great attention due to their rapid response, significant cooling differentials, strong compatibility, high stability and controllable device dimensions. In this review, starting from the fundamental principles of thermoelectric cooling and device design, high-performance thermoelectric cooling materials are summarized, and the progress of advanced on-chip TECs is comprehensively reviewed. Finally, the paper outlines the challenges and opportunities in TEC design, performance and applications, laying great emphasis on the critical role of thermoelectric cooling in addressing the evolving thermal management requirements in the era of emerging chip technologies.

Summary: Amygdala serves as a highly cellular, heterogeneous brain region containing excitatory and inhibitory neurons and is involved in the dopamine and serotoninergic neuron systems. An increasing number of studies have revealed the underpinned mechanism mediating social hierarchy in mammal and vertebrate, however, there are rare studies conducted on how amygdala on social hierarchy in poultry. In this study, we conducted food competition tests and determined the social hierarchy of the rooster. We performed cross-species analysis with mammalian amygdala, and found that cell types of human and rhesus monkeys were more closely related and that of chickens were more distant. We identified 26 clusters and divided them into 10 main clusters, of which GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons were associated with social behaviors. In conclusion, our results provide to serve the developmental studies of the amygdala neuron system and new insights into the underpinned mechanism of social hierarchy in roosters.

Linoleic acid is an essential polyunsaturated fatty acid that cannot be synthesized by humans or animals themselves and can only be obtained externally. The amount of linoleic acid present has an impact on the quality and flavour of meat and indirectly affects consumer preference. However, the molecular mechanisms influencing the deposition of linoleic acid in organisms are not clear. As the molecular mechanisms of linoleic acid deposition are not well understood, to investigate the main effector genes affecting the linoleic acid content, this study aimed to screen for hub genes in slow-type yellow-feathered chickens by transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) and weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA). We screened for candidate genes associated with the linoleic acid content in slow-type yellow-feathered broilers. A total of 399 Tiannong partridge chickens were slaughtered at 126 days of age, fatty acid levels were measured in pectoral muscle, and pectoral muscle tissue was collected for transcriptome sequencing. Transcriptome sequencing results were combined with phenotypes for WGCNA to screen for candidate genes. KEGG enrichment analysis was also performed on the genes that were significantly enriched in the modules with the highest correlation. A total of 13 310 genes were identified after quality control of transcriptomic data from 399 pectoral muscle tissues. WGCNA was performed, and a total of 26 modules were obtained, eight of which were highly correlated with the linoleic acid content. Four key genes, namely, MDH2, ATP5B, RPL7A and PDGFRA, were screened according to the criteria |GS|>0.2 and |MM|>0.8. The functional enrichment results showed that the genes within the target modules were mainly enriched in metabolic pathways. In this study, a large-sample-size transcriptome analysis revealed that metabolic pathways play an important role in the regulation of the linoleic acid content in Tiannong partridge chickens, and MDH2, ATP5B, RPL7A and PDGFRA were screened as important candidate genes affecting the linoleic acid content. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for selecting molecular markers and comprehensively understanding the molecular mechanism affecting the linoleic acid content in muscle, providing an important reference for the breeding of slow-type yellow-feathered broiler chickens.

An accurate constitutive model is imperative to describe the deformation behavior of aluminum alloy in numerical simulation of thermal plastic forming process. In this study, isothermal uniaxial compressions of 2A12-T4 aluminum alloy were conducted by Gleeble-3500 thermal-mechanical simulator under the temperature of 300–450 °C and strain rate of 0.01–10 s−1. Three different Arrhenius constitutive models, including strain compensation (SC), genetic algorithm (GA) and K-function modification (KM), were established basing on the double correction of the true stress–strain curve by considering the effect of temperature variation and interfacial friction. The prediction accuracy of three models were assessed by the correlation coefficient (R), average absolute relative error (AARE) and the logarithm of the mean square error (ln (MSE)). The results show that the newly KM constitutive model considering the coupling effect of temperature and strain rate showed excellent agreement with the experimental data and best prediction capability with lowest error. Hot processing map based on the Murty-Rao criterion shows that high temperature and low strain rate is suitable for stable forming. In order to verify the reliability of the proposed model in numerical simulation, the established KM Arrhenius constitutive equation is secondarily developed in DEFORM 3D software and used in the hot compression process under the stable forming conditions obtained from hot processing map. The simulated force–displacement curves and maximum load values under forming conditions were well match with the experiment trends, which proved the reliability of the KM constitutive equation in the finite element numerical simulation.

To solve the long-term instability problem of engineering project in the seasonal frozen region, we carried out the freeze-thaw (F-T) cycle experiments of shale under different F-T temperatures and numbers of cycles, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and triaxial compression creep experiments to study the mesoscopic damage and creep evolution characteristics of rock. The experimental results show that with the increasing number of F-T cycles and decreasing freezing temperature, the creep deformation and steady-state creep rate of shale increased gradually, while the long-term strength decreased greatly. It was found that with increasing axial stress levels, the influence of F-T temperature difference on axial creep deformation and the creep rate of shale was relatively small, while the influence of the number of cycles was relatively notable. Based on the experimental results, the creep damage variables of F-T shale were proposed considering both freeze-thaw damage and creep damage. And then a nonlinear fractional damage creep model considering the number of F-T cycles and temperature difference was established. The reliability and applicability of the model are verified through the experimental results, which can serve as a theoretical basis for the long-term strength determination, engineering stability analysis, and construction in frozen soil areas.

To improve the availability of inorganic phosphorus (P) in soil, we investigated the role of three macromolecular organic acids (MOAs), including fulvic acid (FA), polyaspartic acid (PA), and tannic acid (TA), in reducing the fixation of inorganic P fertilizer in the soil. AlPO4, FePO4, and Ca8H2(PO4)6·5H2O crystals were chosen as insoluble phosphate representatives in the soil to simulate the solubilization process of inorganic P by MOAs. The microstructural and physicochemical properties of AlPO4, FePO4, and Ca8H2(PO4)6·5H2O were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) before and after treatment of MOAs. In addition, the amounts of leached P and fixed inorganic P in Inceptisols and Alfisols affected by MOAs combined with superphosphate (SP) fertilizer were determined by soil leaching experiments. The presence of the three MOAs significantly increased the concentration of leached P and reduced the contents of insoluble inorganic phosphate formed with iron, aluminum, and calcium fixed in the soil, in which PA combined with SP had the most significant effect. Furthermore, the less inorganic P fixation in the combination treatment of MOAs and SP resulted in a greater wheat yield and P uptake. Therefore, MOAs could be a synergistic material for increasing P fertilizer utilization.

Based on the Gurson-Tvergaard-Needleman (GTN) damage model, the damage evolution and ductile fracture of 7075 aluminum alloy sheets during the tensile process were predicted. First, the true stress–strain curve and micro morphology of 7075 aluminum alloy at 310 °C∼460 °C were obtained using ultra-high temperature confocal microscope with tensile and compression functions, and the damage characteristics of the fracture position of the tensile specimen were observed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Then, using the finite element reverse calibration method, the identification method of GTN damage parameters under high temperature was systematically explained and the damage characteristic parameters of 7075 aluminum alloy under high temperature (310 °C∼460 °C) were obtained. The influence of fluctuations in damage parameters on the macroscopic mechanical behavior of materials and the influence of temperature on the value of material damage variables were analyzed. Finally, the void volume fraction of 7075 aluminum alloy at 360 °C was obtained by microscopic observation and compared with the void volume fraction obtained by the finite element reverse calibration method. The results show that the effect of temperature on void volume fraction is basically the same as that of plasticity. The change of void volume fraction has a greater impact on the mechanical properties of the material. There is a small gap between the void volume fraction obtained using the microscopic observation method and the void volume fraction obtained using the finite element reverse calibration method, which verifies the accuracy of the finite element reverse calibration method.

The potential health risks associated with simultaneous presence of residues of heavy metals and antibiotics in the environment and food have been of wide concern. However, the adverse health effects of combined heavy metal and antibiotic exposure at low doses remain unclear. In this study, the effects of combined exposure to florfenicol and copper at low doses during early life on toxicity, gut microbiota, drug resistance genes, and the fecal metabolome were investigated in Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats. The results showed that combined exposure induced inflammatory responses and visceral injury as well as faster weight gain compared with florfenicol or copper exposure alone. Alpha and beta diversity indices indicated that the composition of the gut microbiota and the abundance of bacteria related to energy intake and disease in the combined exposure group were significantly altered. The increase in resistance genes (floR, fexA) induced by florfenicol exposure was suppressed under combined exposure to florfenicol and copper. The fecal metabolome also demonstrated that metabolic pathways related to energy intake and liver injury were significantly affected in the combined exposure group. In conclusion, this study shows that combined exposure to florfenicol and copper during early life can pose a nonnegligible health risk even if the exposure concentration of florfenicol or copper is below the safe limit.

For lithium–sulfur batteries, 3D cathodes might be of interest for containing the active material and trapping the polysulfides during cycling, owing to their binder-free and freestanding features. In this work, the MoS2 grown on the 3D structured Carbon Cloth (CC@MoS2) is firstly used to fabricate the Li–S battery and the sulfur loading can be freely tuned by adjusting thermal annealing time at 200 °C. A two-step melt-diffusion strategy is reported for fabrication of cathodes, which involves in melting and diffusion of sulfur covered by CC@MoS2 composites instead of dissolution of sulfur in the toxic organic solvents. Compared with the non-polar carbon cloth, the CC@MoS2 composites exhibit better adsorption capacity for polysulfides due to more edge active sites, which could effectively facilitate polysulfide redox kinetics. The SEM images of the CC@MoS2 cathode after 300 cycles show that MoS2 can still maintain the nanosheet morphology. After 300 cycles at 0.5 C, the CC@MoS2 cathodes loaded with 2 mg sulfur exhibit a better reversible capacity of 698 mA h g−1 compared with CC@MoS2 loaded with 1 mg sulfur (604 mA h g−1) and CC@MoS2 loaded with 4 mg sulfur (420 mA h g−1). This work proposes an environmentally friendly method to fabricate the lithium–sulfur battery cathode material and the sulfur loading can be freely adjusted.

Florfenicol (FLO) is a third-generation veterinary antibiotic with a high residue detection rate in food, which cause the toxicity of FLO even at low doses, receiving notable attention. The impact of FLO exposure during early life on health and gut microbiota is still unclear. Here, the effects of FLO exposure on toxicity, gut microbiota, drug resistance genes, and the fecal metabolome during early life were investigated in suckling Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The results showed that FLO exposure during early life significantly increased the body weight, and WBC and LY levels in the blood, induced inflammation in the liver and intestines. FLO had a dose-dependent effect on the alpha and beta diversity of the gut microbiota, increasing the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroides and the abundance of some pathogenic bacteria, and changing the abundance of bacteria related to energy metabolism and inflammation, also promoted the enrichment of drug resistance genes. The fecal metabolome also demonstrated the effect of FLO exposure on metabolic pathways related to energy metabolism and inflammation. In conclusion, this research shows that FLO exposure during early life can lead to excessive weight gain, an inflammatory response, gut microbiota imbalance, the enrichment of drug resistance genes, and effects on related metabolic pathways.

ABSTRACT: Egg-laying performance is one of the most important economic traits in the poultry industry. Commercial layers can lay one egg almost every day during their peak-laying period. However, many Chinese indigenous chicken breeds show a relatively low egg-laying rate, even during their peak-laying period. To understand what makes the difference in egg production, we compared the hypothalamus transcriptome profiles of Lushi blue-shelled-egg chickens (LBS), a Chinese indigenous breed with low egg-laying rate and Rhode Island Red chickens (RIR), a commercial layer with relatively high egg-laying rate using RNA-seq. A total of 753 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained. Of these DEGs, 38 genes were enriched in 2 Gene Ontology (GO) terms, namely reproduction term and the reproductive process term, and 6 KEGG pathways, namely Wnt signaling pathway, Oocyte meiosis, GnRH signaling pathway, Thyroid hormone signaling pathway, Thyroid hormone synthesis and MAPK signaling pathway, which have been long known to be involved in egg production regulation. To further determine the core genes from the 38 DEGs, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, co-expression network and transcriptional regulatory network analyses were carried out. After integrated analysis and experimental validation, 4 core genes including RAC1, MRE11A, MAP7 and SOX5 were identified as the potential core genes that are responsible for the laying-rate difference between the 2 breeds. These findings paved the way for future investigating the mechanism of egg-laying regulation and enriched the chicken reproductive regulation theory.

Antibiotic growth promoters have been banned in animal husbandry and aquaculture in China, since 2020. Florfenicol (FLO) is the most used antibiotics in aquaculture for controlling various bacterial disease in fish, although its effect on health of farmed fish remains a concern. In the present study, European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) reared under flow-through aquaculture system (FAS) and recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), were fed on diets supplemented with FLO for 10 d, followed by a 20-d withdrawal period. The effects of FLO on the growth performance, intestinal digestive enzyme activities, serum biochemical parameters, antioxidant enzymes, and expression of related genes, were evaluated. The results showed that FLO exposure inhibited growth performance of D. labrax although this was recovered after stopping the feeding. Besides, FLO suppressed α-Amylase and trypsin activities in the intestine, and the amounts of nutrition-related indicators were also affected. In addition, FLO exposure upregulated liver cellular damage markers (ALT, ALP, and AST) during the treatment phase, although it did not pose a high potential for liver damage. We also observed elevated levels of SOD, CAT, and MDA in gills, indicative of oxidative stress on the cultured fish. Moreover, integrated biomarker response results indicated that fish in RAS had higher growth performance and immunity in the late post-treatment phase, relative to those in RAS, after FLO exposure. This was attributed to high-efficient water treatment of RAS. Overall, these results indicate that exposure to FLO modulates digestive enzyme activities and antioxidant response in European seabass, thereby affecting their growth performance and immune response under different aquaculture modes.

Accumulating studies have suggested that epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) play an important role in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF), but few have characterized the underlying mechanism between their interactions. Recent evidence suggested that bioactive molecules secreted from EAT, including exosomes carrying long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), may modulate atrial remodeling. LncRNAs are associated with cardiovascular disorders, including AF, but their roles in EAT remain elusive. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression profile of lncRNAs in EAT with AF. Differentially expressed lncRNAs and nearby mRNAs interaction networks were constructed.Epicardial adipose samples were collected from patients with persistent non-valvular AF (n = 6) and sinus rhythm (SR) (n = 6), and the expression of lncRNAs and mRNAs were profiled using RNA-sequencing method.A total of 46,577 transcripts, including 35,552 protein-coding pattern, corresponding to 15,404 genes in EAT, among which, 655 mRNAs (265 upregulated and 390 downregulated) and 57 lncRNAs (17 upregulated and 40 downregulated) were differentially expressed between AF and SR (P 1.5). GO enrichment, KEGG pathway analysis and interaction network construction showed that these differentially expressed lncRNAs were enriched in functional categories, including metabolism and stress response, which might contribute to the pathogenesis of AF.Our study demonstrated a differentially expressed lncRNA profile in EAT with AF, and provide a novel insight into the interactions between EAT and AF.

Objective: Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) is a malignancy of epithelium of epithelium of the nasopharynx, with the highest incidence of otolaryngeal malignancies. A growing number of studies confirm that Circular RNA (circRNA) plays an important role in tumor development, including Hsa_circ_0013561. This study aims to elucidate the process and mechanism of NPC regulation hsa_circ_0013561. Methods: In this study, circRNA expression nodes and subcellular localization in NPC tissues were analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The expression of hsa_circ_0013561 in NPC cells was further clarified by RT-qPCR. At the same time, the lentivirus vector interfered by hsa_circ_0013561 was constructed and transfected. The cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 method, EdU assay and plate cloning assay. The cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry, and the cell migration ability was detected by wound healing assay and Transwell assay. Western blotting examined the expression of apoptosis, Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)-associated proteins, and Janus Kinase/Signal Transductor and Activator of Transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway-related proteins. Results: The results showed that the expression of hsa_circ_0013561 in NPC samples was significantly upregulated and hsa_circ_0013561 localized in the cytoplasm. After down-regulating hsa_circ_0013561 expression, it significantly inhibited the proliferation and metastasis ability of NPC, inhibited EMT progression, and promoted apoptosis. Further studies showed that interference hsa_circ_0013561 significantly inhibited JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway activation and induced the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. Conclusion: In summary, we found that hsa_circ_0013561 is a pro-tumor circRNA in NPC, which can reduce the activation of JAK2/STAT3 pathway by knocking down hsa_circ_0013561, thereby slowing down the malignant progression of NPC. Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine 2011 Levels of Evidence: Level 4.

In this study, the impacts of Nd doping on the structural, morphological, magnetic, and magnetocaloric properties of (La0.8-xNdx)Sr0.2MnO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) (LNSMO) have been investigated. LNSMO has been synthesized using the sol-gel technique (SG). XRD analysis revealed that LNSMO has a rhombohedral structure and belongs to the R-3c space group (No. 167). In addition, the XRD refinement using Fullprof software demonstrated that the cell volume and lattice parameters gradually reduced as Nd doping increased, confirming the gradual replacement of the La sites by Nd. The fitting of the Mn 2p peak by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed that Mn is in mixed valence (Mn3+, Mn4+), which contributes to the double exchange interactions (DE). It is confirmed by M−H that the paramagnetic (PM) - ferromagnetic (FM) transition of LNSMO is a second-order magnetic phase transition. There is a significant change in the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) around room temperature. The results of the magnetization measurements indicate that a reduction in the Curie temperature (Tc) and an increase in the Nd doping cause an increase followed by a decrease in the maximum magnetic entropy change (-ΔSMmax). On the contrary, the relative cooling power (RCP) first decreases and then increases. Therefore, we propose La0.62Nd0.18Sr0.2MnO3 sample with Tc = 300 K, -ΔSMmax = 4.22 J/(kg·K) and RCP = 253.39 (J/kg) under an external magnetic field. This material is potentially one of the candidates that could be used to develop magnetic refrigeration technology.

Kidney stones and Emphysematous Pyelonephritis with septic shocks is a critical and urgent occurrence has a high mortality rate, which needs to be paid great attention to. Early anti-infection and removal of obstruction play a key role in the treatment.This case report reviews the diagnosis and treatment of the case, discusses the disease characteristics of the disease, and shares our successful clinical experience in treating the disease.

The reliability of interface bonding strength between internal thermal sprayed coating and cylinder bore substrate causes special concern in the field of internal thermal spraying. In this study, a new approach is proposed to create a large area of metallurgical bonding at the coating-substrate interface by the design of Al-Si based gradient coating on A383 alloy cylinder bore. The internal coating comprises hypereutectic Al-Si-Cu-Fe top layer, near-eutectic Al-Si bond layer, and transition layers, which were fabricated by an advanced internal rotating plasma spraying technology. The tensile adhesive and interfacial indentation tests were conducted to investigate the adhesion properties of the coating. The crystallographic relationship of the bond layer-substrate interface was further investigated using the focused ion beam and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Results show that the Al-Si based gradient coating presents both desirable surface hardness (385.1 ± 46.6 HV0.025) and bonding strength (46.4–58.1 MPa). The tensile failure mode is the fracture at the subsurface of the top layer, without fracture at the coating-substrate interface. The superior bonding strength results from the formation of chemical interdiffusion (estimated thickness of 700–1500 nm) and homo-epitaxial growth at the interface. This study provides a framework for forming a reliable metallurgical bonding interface of internal thermal-sprayed coating.

Background: Although appropriate noninvasive cardiac tests (NICTs) after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) provide useful prognostic information, inappropriate use leads to inefficient expenditure of existing healthcare resources. By using the Alberta Contemporary Acute Coronary Syndrome Patient Invasive Treatment Strategies (COAPT) Registry, we evaluated the use and costs of NICTs among patients discharged within 1 year after ACS. Methods: All patients discharged from the hospital with a primary diagnosis of ACS in Alberta between 2004/2005 and 2015/2016 were included. Frequency of NICTs (stress tests [± imaging] and nonstress imaging tests) was determined from linked provincial databases. Costs were obtained from the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan Medical Procedure List. Results: Of 55,516 patients with ACS, 30,760 had at least 1 NICT (55.4%), with 13,505 (24.3%) having > 1 NICT performed within 1 year. Temporal trends of NICT increased over time (stress tests: P trend < 0.001; nonstress imaging tests: P trend < 0.001). NICT most commonly occurred within the first 4 months after hospital discharge (stress tests at 2 months; nonstress imaging tests at 3-4 months). In 2015/2016, the total estimated costs of NICT were $1.35M, a 22.4% increase from 2004/2005 (1.10M) (P < 0.001), whereas a decrease in incidence of ACS over the same time period was noted (P = 0.008). Conclusions: Rates of NICT 1 year after ACS are high and increasing over time. Estimated costs of NICT appear to be escalating out of proportion to the ACS growth. Further investigation is warranted because it is speculative whether the increase in NICT and costs results in clinical benefit after ACS. Résumé: Contexte: Bien que les différents examens cardiaques non effractifs (ECNE) effectués après un syndrome coronarien aigu (SCA) fournissent des renseignements utiles au pronostic, leur emploi dans des situations inappropriées entraîne un gaspillage des ressources en santé. À l’aide du registre COAPT (Contemporary Acute Coronary Syndrome Patient Invasive Treatment Strategies) de l’Alberta, nous avons évalué l’emploi des ECNE et les coûts qui y sont associés chez les patients qui ont reçu leur congé de l’hôpital dans l’année suivant un SCA. Méthodologie: Tous les patients qui ont reçu leur congé de l’hôpital après un diagnostic primaire de SCA en Alberta entre 2004-2005 et 2015-2016 ont été inclus. La fréquence des ECNE (épreuves d’effort [avec ou sans examen d’imagerie] et examens d’imagerie au repos) a été déterminée à partir des bases de données provinciales couplées. Les coûts ont été établis à partir de la liste des actes médicaux du régime d’assurance-maladie de l’Alberta. Résultats: Des 55 516 patients ayant présenté un SCA, 30 760 ont subi au moins un ECNE (55,4 %) dans l’année qui a suivi l’événement; 13 505 (24,3 %) d’entre eux ont subi plus d’un ECNE. Les tendances temporelles en matière d’ECNE affichent une hausse (épreuves d’effort : p tendance < 0,001; examens d’imagerie au repos : p tendance < 0,001). Les ECNE ont généralement été effectués au cours des 4 premiers mois après la sortie de l’hôpital (épreuves d’effort, dans les 2 mois; examens d’imagerie au repos, dans les 3 à 4 mois). Le coût total des ECNE effectués en 2015-2016 a été évalué à 1,35 M$, soit une hausse de 22,4 % par rapport à 2004-2005 (1,10 M$) (p < 0,001), tandis que l’incidence des SCA a diminué au cours de la même période (p = 0,008). Conclusions: Les taux d’ECNE effectués dans l’année suivant un SCA sont élevés et augmentent au fil du temps. Le coût estimatif de ces ECNE semble s’accroître de façon disproportionnée par rapport à la croissance des SCA. Une enquête plus approfondie s’impose; à l’heure actuelle, on ne peut que spéculer quant aux bienfaits cliniques qui découlent de l’augmentation des ECNE effectués après un SCA et des coûts qu’ils engendrent.

Study Objective: This study aimed to explore the relationship between intravenous 5% dextrose infusion during emergence from anesthesia to postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients after gynecologic laparoscopic surgery., Design: This was a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomized into the experimental group and control group using a computer-generated random number generator. Intervenors and measurers were blinded to group assignments of the study., Setting: A single academic tertiary medical center., Patients: Patients undergoing gynecologic laparoscopic surgery., Interventions: On completion of surgery, participants were randomized into the test group (receive 5% dextrose) and control group (receive Ringer's lactate solution)., Measurements and Main Results: The primary outcome of the present study was the incidence of PONV. Other outcomes included postoperative rescue analgesic and rescue antiemetic, postoperative pain response, and recovery time of postanesthesia care unit. Baseline characteristics were statistically similar between the 2 groups of participants. There were 49 of 105 patients experienced PONV within 24 hours postoperatively. The overall incidence of PONV within 24 hours postoperatively was not significantly different (45.5% vs 48%; relative risk [RR], 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.67-1.37; p = .794). However, fewer patients experienced PONV in the test group than in the control group during 0 to 1 hours (6.0% vs 20.0%; RR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.73-0.99; p = .024) and 1 to 3 hours (14.5% vs 32.0%; RR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.64-0.99; p = .033) postoperatively. In addition, recovery time in the postanesthesia care unit was less in the test group (17.07 ± 6.36 vs 22.04 ± 7.33; mean difference, -4.97; 95% CI, -7.62 to -2.32; p <.001) and pain score was lower in the test group during 0 to 0.5 hours postoperatively (2.29 ± 1.74 vs 3.08 ± 1.64; mean difference, -0.79; 95% CI, -1.45 to -0.13; p = .019)., Conclusion: In patients after gynecologic laparoscopic surgery, postanesthesia 5% dextrose infusion may be useful in improving the early management of PONV and pain response and may warrant further study., (Copyright © 2024 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The downward trend in prevalence and intensity of Schistosoma japonicum infection in the People's Republic of China (P.R. China) has reached a level where accurate methods are required for monitoring the national schistosomiasis control programme and to verify whether transmission has been interrupted. We have assessed the prevalence of active S. japonicum infection by use of an up-converting phosphor lateral-flow (UCP-LF) assay for determination of circulating anodic antigens (CAA) in urine and serum, and compared the findings with those of the Kato-Katz technique for egg detection in stool and an immunohaemagglutination assay (IHA) for specific antibodies in serum. The study was carried out in three villages located in a remaining S. japonicum-endemic area in P.R. China. Overall, 423 individuals were investigated by Kato-Katz, 395 by IHA, 371 with the UCP-LF CAA assay adapted for urine and 178 with the UCP-LF CAA assay applied on serum. The IHA showed the highest number of positive results (n=107, 27.1%). The UCP-LF CAA urine assay detected 36 CAA positives (9.7%) and the serum-based CAA assay 21 positives (11.8%). The Kato-Katz technique revealed only six positive stool samples (1.4%). Among those 166 individuals with complete data records, sensitivities of the different assays were determined versus a combined 'gold' standard, showing the highest sensitivity for the urine CAA assay (93%), followed by the serum CAA (73%) and IHA (53%), whilst triplicate Kato-Katz thick smears had a very low sensitivity (13%). Serum CAA concentrations were about 10-fold higher than in urine and were significantly correlated. Highest prevalences as determined by CAA were found in older age groups (>40 years). Half of the CAA- or egg-positive cases were negative for antibodies by IHA, thereby revealing an important obstacle for the effectiveness of the current schistosomiasis control and elimination efforts. The significantly higher prevalence of active schistosome infections as shown by the urine and serum UCP-LF CAA assays has implications for the national control and elimination programme in P.R. China, particularly in respect to case-finding and intervention strategies., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)