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Precipitable water vapor (PWV) is one of the most dynamic components of the atmosphere, playing a critical role in precipitation formation, the hydrological cycle, and climate change. This study used SuomiNet Global Positioning System (GPS) data from April 2021 to June 2023 in the United States to comprehensively evaluate 3 and 6 h Global Forecast System (GFS) PWV products (i.e., PWV3h and PWV6h). There was high consistency between the GFS PWV and GPS PWV data, with correlation coefficients (Rs) higher than 0.98 and a root mean square error (RMSE) of about 0.23 cm. The PWV3h product performed slightly better than PWV6h. PWV tended to be underestimated when PWV > 4 cm, and the degree of underestimation increased with increasing water vapor value. The RMSE showed obvious seasonal and diurnal variations, with the RMSE value in summer (i.e., 0.280 cm) considerably higher than in winter (i.e., 0.158 cm), and nighttime were RMSEs higher than daytime RMSEs. Clear-sky conditions showed smaller RMSEs, while cloudy-sky conditions exhibited a smaller range of monthly RMSEs and higher Rs. PWV demonstrated a clear spatial pattern, with both Rs and RMSEs decreasing with increasing elevation and latitude. Based on these temporal and spatial patterns, Back Propagation neural network and random forest (RF) models were employed, using PWV, Julian day, and geographic information (i.e., latitude, longitude, and elevation) as input data to correct the GFS PWV products. The results indicated that the RF model was more advantageous for water vapor correction, improving overall accuracy by 12.08%. In addition, the accuracy of GFS PWV forecasts during hurricane weather was also evaluated. In this extreme weather, the RMSE of the GFS PWV forecast increased comparably to normal weather, but it remained less than 0.4 cm in most cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is difficult to fully match the current green development initiatives in the context of public policy and industrial economy to the new infrastructure process driven by massive data. Its connotation and extension and the level of the rule of law need to be deepened to ensure that data production, processing, circulation, elimination, and other activities can achieve high-quality and sustainable development within the collaborative construction of hard facilities and the soft environment in the new era. Based on the practical needs of data industry green development in key areas, we can resolve the legal risk of data industry green development from three aspects: improving the legal level of green public policy, clarifying the green legal benchmark of data industry development, and improving the green legal system of digital society. Then, this paper considers the design of an environmental protection system based on hardware facilities and the structural and readable clean data system innovation of the soft data industry development framework mode so as to clarify the legalization scheme of data industry green development under the new infrastructure. Overall, achieving the green development of the data industry requires not only active attempts by China but also joint efforts by China and other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glassy hybrid metal halides have emerged as promising materials in recent years due to their high structural adjustability and low melting points, offering unique merits that overcome the limitations of their crystalline and polycrystalline counterparts as well as other conventional amorphous semiconductors. This review article comprehensively explores the structural characteristics, electronic properties, and chemical coordination of hybrid metal halides, emphasizing their role in the glass transition from the crystalline phase to the amorphous phase. We examine the intrinsic disorder within the amorphous phase that facilitates light transmission and discuss recent advances in device architecture and interface engineering by optimizing the charge transport of glassy hybrid metal halides for high-quality applications. With full theoretical understanding and rational structural design, potential applications in displays, information storage, X-ray imaging, and sensing are highlighted, underscoring the transformative impact of glassy hybrid metal halides in the fields of materials science and information science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar is crucial for agricultural output and plays a significant role in effectively eliminating heavy metals (HMs) from the soil, which is essential for maintaining a soil–plant environment. This work aimed to assess machine learning models to analyze the impact of soil parameters on the transformation of HMs in biochar–soil–plant environments, considering the intricate non-linear relationships involved. A total of 211 datasets from pot or field experiments were evaluated. Fourteen factors were taken into account to assess the efficiency and bioavailability of HM–biochar amendment immobilization. Four predictive models, namely linear regression (LR), partial least squares (PLS), support vector regression (SVR), and random forest (RF), were compared to predict the immobilization efficiency of biochar-HM. The findings revealed that the RF model was created using 5-fold cross-validation, which exhibited a more reliable prediction performance. The results indicated that soil features accounted for 79.7% of the absorption of HM by crops, followed by biochar properties at 17.1% and crop properties at 3.2%. The main elements that influenced the result have been determined as the characteristics of the soil (including the presence of different HM species and the amount of clay) and the quantity and attributes of the biochar (such as the temperature at which it was produced by pyrolysis). Furthermore, the RF model was further developed to predict bioaccumulation factors (BAF) and variations in crop uptake (CCU). The R2 values were found to be 0.7338 and 0.6997, respectively. Thus, machine learning (ML) models could be useful in understanding the behavior of HMs in soil–plant ecosystems by employing biochar additions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil pollution with cadmium (Cd) poses serious health and environmental consequences. The study investigated the incubation of several soil samples and conducted quantitative soil characterization to assess the influence of biochar (BC) on Cd adsorption. The aim was to develop predictive models for Cd concentrations using statistical and modeling approaches dependent on soil characteristics. The potential risk linked to the transformation and immobilization of Cd adsorption by BC in the soil could be conservatively assessed by pH, clay, cation exchange capacity, organic carbon, and electrical conductivity. In this study, Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Bidirectional Gated Recurrent Unit (BiGRU), and 5-layer CNN Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) were applied for risk assessments to establish a framework for evaluating Cd risk in BC amended soils to predict Cd transformation. In the case of control soils (CK), the BiGRU model showed commendable performance, with an R 2 value of 0.85, indicating an approximate 85.37% variance in the actual Cd. The LSTM model, which incorporates sequence data, produced less accurate results ( R 2 = 0.84) , while the 5-layer CNN model had an R2 value of 0.91, indicating that the CNN model could account for over 91% of the variation in actual Cd levels. In the case of BC-applied soils, the BiGRU model demonstrated a strong correlation between predicted and actual values with R 2 (0.93), indicating that the model explained 93.21% of the variance in Cd concentrations. Similarly, the LSTM model showed a notable increase in performance with BC-treated soil data. The R 2 value for this model stands at a robust R 2   (0.94) , reflecting its enhanced ability to predict Cd levels with BC incorporation. Outperforming both recurrent models, the 5-layer CNN model attained the highest precision with an R 2 value of 0.95, suggesting that 95.58% of the variance in the actual Cd data can be explained by the CNN model's predictions in BC-amended soils. Consequently, this study suggests developing ecological soil remediation strategies that can effectively manage heavy metal pollution in soils for environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Red solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIFB) is closely related to the photosynthetically active radiation absorbed by chlorophyll. The scattering and reabsorption of SIFB by the vegetation canopy significantly change the spectral intensity and shape of SIF, which affects the relationship between SIF and crop stress. To address this, we propose a method of modifying SIFB using SIF spectral shape characteristic parameters to reduce this influence. A red pseudokurtosis (PKB) parameter that can characterize spectral shape features was calculated using full-spectrum SIF data. On this basis, we analyzed the photosynthetic physiological mechanism of PKB and found that it significantly correlates with both the fraction of photosynthetically active radiation absorbed by chlorophyll(fPARchl) and the red SIF escape rate (fesc680); thus, it is closely related to the scattering and reabsorption of SIFB by the vegetation canopy. Consequently, we constructed an expression of PKB to modify SIFB. To evaluate the modified SIFB (MSIFB) in monitoring the severity of wheat stripe rust, we analyzed the correlations between SIFB, MSIFB, SIFB-VIs (a fusion of the vegetation index and SIFB), and MSIFB-VIs (a fusion of the vegetation index and MSIFB) with the severity level (SL), respectively. The results show that the correlation between MSIFB and the severity of wheat stripe rust increased by an average of 25.6% and at least 16.95% compared with that for SIFB. In addition, we constructed remote sensing monitoring models for wheat stripe rust using linear regression methods, with SIFB, MSIFB, SIFB-VIs, and MSIFB-VIs as independent variables. PKB significantly improves the accuracy and robustness of models based on SIFB and its fusion index SIFB-VIs in the constructed testing set. The R-value between the predicted SL and the measured SL of the remote sensing monitoring model for wheat stripe rust was established using MSIFB-VIs as the independent variable, and it was improved by an average of 39.49% compared with the model using SIFB-VIs. The RMSE was reduced by an average of 18.22%. Therefore, the SIFB modified by PKB can weaken the effects of chlorophyll reabsorption and canopy architecture on SIFB and improve the ability of SIFB to detect stress information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is little robust quantitative evidence on how community gardens impact on physical activity and other health-related behaviours. This natural experiment study aimed to examine the effects of a community garden within a Chinese neighbourhood on health-related behaviours during the COVID-19 epidemic. The study design was a repeat cross-sectional pre–post study, assessing differences between the non-epidemic period and epidemic period. Camera-based systematic observations were conducted at two locations within a community garden. A total of 180 h of video recordings were collected and coded by two researchers during a "non-epidemic" period when there were no COVID-19 restrictions (120 h) and the "epidemic" when COVID-19 restrictions were implemented (60 h). Observations of these video recordings assessed the total number of users, physical activities (Sedentary, Walking, Vigorous), social interactions (Connect), and people taking notice of the environment (Take Notice), followed by a breakdown of observed gender and age group. Data were analysed using paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, comparing outcomes during the epidemic period and non-epidemic period. Results showed a significant increase in total number of users during the epidemic, particularly in females, older adults and children. Sedentary and moderate physical activities were significantly higher during the epidemic period. The increase in the total number of users of the community garden during the 2022 epidemic outbreak in Suzhou shows the importance of community gardens as a primary space for outdoor activities. This robust natural experiment study demonstrated that the community garden contributed more to physical activity, such as walking, but less to interactions between people (connecting) or people–place interactions (taking notice of the environment). More natural experiment research on community gardens like this is needed to better understand how the health and well-being benefits of community gardens can be maximized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aerosol research is important for the protection of the ecological environment, the improvement of air quality, and as a response to climate change. In this study, a random forest (RF) estimation model of aerosol optical depth (AOD) and extinction coefficient vertical profiles was, respectively, established using Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) oxygen-A band (O2 A-band) data from China and its surrounding areas in 2016, combined with geographical information (longitude, latitude, and elevation) and viewing angle data. To address the high number of OCO-2 O2 A-band channels, principal component analysis (PCA) was employed for dimensionality reduction. The model was then applied to estimate the aerosol extinction coefficients for the region in 2017, and its validity was verified by comparing the estimated values with the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) Level 2 extinction coefficients. In the comprehensive analysis of overall performance, an AOD model was initially constructed using variables, achieving a correlation coefficient (R) of 0.676. Subsequently, predictions for aerosol extinction coefficients were generated, revealing a satisfactory agreement between the predicted and the actual values in the vertical direction, with an R of 0.535 and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.107 km−1. Of the four seasons of the year, the model performs best in autumn (R = 0.557), while its performance was relatively lower in summer (R = 0.442). Height had a significant effect on the model, with both R and RMSE decreasing as height increased. Furthermore, the accuracy of aerosol profile inversion shows a dependence on AOD, with a better accuracy when AOD is less than 0.3 and RMSE can be less than 0.06 km−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a major global health burden and kills over a million people annually. New immunization strategies are required for the development of an efficacious TB vaccine that can potentially induce sterilizing immunity. In this study, we first confirmed that a live vaccine strain of Mycobacterium smegmatis, previously designated as IKEPLUS, conferred a higher survival benefit than the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) in a murine model of intravenous Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. We have shown that there was a significant increase in the expression of the Rv0282 gene, which is encoded in the esx-3 locus, which played an important role in iron uptake when IKEPLUS was grown in both low zinc and iron-containing Sauton medium. We then confirmed using in vitro assays of biofilm formation that zinc plays a vital role in the growth and formation of M. smegmatis biofilms. IKEPLUS grown in low zinc media led to the better protection of mice after intravenous challenge with a very high dosage of Mtb. We also showed that various variants of IKEPLUS induced apoptotic cell-death of infected macrophages at a higher rate than wild-type M. smegmatis. We next attempted to determine if zinc containing ribosomal proteins such as rpmb2 could contribute to protective efficacy against Mtb infection. Since BCG has an established role in anti-mycobacterial efficacy, we boosted BCG vaccinated mice with rmpb2, but this did not lead to an increment in the protection mediated by BCG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the constraints on the invariant distribution in chaotic systems, flexibly setting the probability distribution of chaotic signals poses a significant challenge. To tackle this issue, this paper proposes a strategy that transforms the task into solving and modifying the probability density function of the chaotic intrinsic signal. Initially, kernel density estimation algorithms are employed to address the issue of obtaining smooth probability density functions for high-dimensional chaotic signals. Any chaotic signal can serve as the intrinsic signal source, with its probability density function and distribution function being solvable using this algorithm. Subsequently, a graph-based transformation algorithm is introduced for the flexible adjustment of chaotic signal probability distribution. This algorithm can convert the intrinsic signal into a chaotic signal with the desired distribution type based on the characteristics of the target distribution, providing an analytical expression for the transformation relationship. Finally, the effectiveness of this strategy is validated by generating uniform distribution chaotic signals using a Chua chaotic signal as the intrinsic source. The outstanding performance of this signal in suppressing common-mode conducted electromagnetic interference in high-frequency converters is highlighted. The experimental results demonstrate this strategy's ability to flexibly configure probability distribution types of chaotic signals. Additionally, chaotic signals with a uniform distribution can achieve uniform power spectrum shaping, with a suppression effect on maximum common-mode conducted electromagnetic interference reaching 16.56 dB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the oceanic carbon cycle, particularly in the Arctic regions, is crucial for addressing climate change. However, significant research gaps persist, especially regarding climate effects on the oceanic carbon cycle in these regions. This review systematically explores Arctic-related research, focusing on mechanisms, regulatory frameworks, and modelling approaches in the oceanic carbon cycle, carbon sink, climate change impact, and maritime shipping. The findings highlight the Arctic's limited observer presence and high operational costs, hindering the data availability and studies on carbon-cycle changes. This underscores the need to integrate real-time Arctic Ocean monitoring data. Carbon sink research urgently requires direct methods to measure anthropogenic carbon uptake and address uncertainties in air–ocean carbon fluxes due to sea ice melting. Unlike terrestrial carbon cycling research, carbon-cycle studies in the oceans, which are essential for absorbing anthropogenic emissions, receive insufficient attention, especially in the Arctic regions. Numerous policies often fall short in achieving effective mitigation, frequently depending on voluntary or market-based approaches. Analyzing carbon-cycle and sink models has uncovered limitations, primarily due to their global perspective, hampering in-depth assessments of climate change effects on the Arctic regions. To pave the way for future research, enhancing Arctic Ocean climate data availability is recommended, as well as fostering international cooperation in carbon-cycle research, enforcing carbon policies, and improving regional modelling in the Arctic Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When utilizing high-dimensional chaotic signals for frequency modulation, achieving a uniformly distributed power spectrum is a challenging task. This paper addresses this challenge by proposing a power spectrum homogenization strategy based on distribution transformation. The strategy transforms the task of achieving a uniformly distributed power spectrum in frequency modulation of high-dimensional chaotic signals to solve and equalize the probability density function of the chaotic signals, thereby further enhancing the ability of high-dimensional chaotic signals to suppress electromagnetic interference. Firstly, the difficulty of obtaining a smooth probability density function of chaotic modulation signals is solved using the kernel density estimation algorithm. Then, a distribution transformation algorithm is proposed to convert non-uniformly distributed chaotic modulation signals into uniformly distributed chaotic modulation signals. By using uniformly distributed chaotic modulation signals for frequency modulation, the objective of power spectrum equalization is achieved. Finally, taking the Chua's chaotic signal as an example, the effectiveness of the proposed strategy is verified using an experimental platform based on a digital signal processor-controlled active clamping flyback converter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vibration measurement is crucial in fields like aviation, aerospace, and automotive engineering, which are trending towards larger, lighter, and more complex structures with increasingly complicated dynamics. Consequently, measuring a structure's dynamic characteristics has gained heightened importance. Among non-contact approaches, those based on high-speed cameras combined with laser interferometry or computational imaging have gained widespread attention. These techniques yield sequences of images that form a three-dimensional space-time data set. Effectively processing these data is a prerequisite for accurately extracting dynamic deformation information. This paper presents two examples to illustrate the significant advantages of signal processing along the time axis in dynamic interferometric and digital speckle-image-based dynamic measurements. The results show that the temporal process effectively minimizes speckle and electronic noise in the spatial domain and dramatically increases measurement resolutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnaporthe oryzae, one of the most destructive rice pathogens, causes significant losses during the rice harvest every year. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens has been explored in many crops as a potential biocontrol agent. However, the mechanisms of B. amyloliquefaciens controled rice blast are not fully understood. Here, a biocontrol strain LM-1, isolated from a contaminated medium, was identified as B. amyloliquefaciens using morphological observation, physiological and biochemical tests, and 16S rDNA sequencing. LM-1 inhibited the growth and pathogenicity of M. oryzae and Bipolaris oryzae (Breda de Haan) Shoem. The mycelia of M. oryzae co-cultured with LM-1 were enlarged and broken by fluorescence microscopy using calcofluor white. LM-1 inhibited the mycelia of M. oryzae from producing conidia. Genes itu, srf, and fenB were detected in LM-1. Furthermore, the supernatant of LM-1 interfered with the appressorium formation of M. oryzae, blocked conidial cell death, and reduced autophagy degradation but did not affect the normal germination of rice seeds and seeding growth. Additionally, we observed hypersensitivity reactions, reactive oxygen species, and iron accumulation reduction in rice cells inoculated with supernatant. Our study reveals that LM-1 has a control effect on rice blast and affects cell wall integrity, sporulation, appressorium formation, cell death, and autophagy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this age of digital economy, issues relating to the data security and personal privacy of multimedia systems are increasingly manifesting in the form of unprotected data. The level of governance capability for data protection determines whether the data security and personal privacy of multimedia systems can be protected and developed in the future. In recent years, China has introduced laws and regulations on the protection of personal information, personal privacy, data security, and cybersecurity. Although data protection still needs to be improved, China has been refining the framework and provisions on data security governance through certain practices and the adoption of supporting regulations. The country aims to rapidly promote the current governance capability of data security and gradually form a good institutional environment to support international collaboration in the realm of global data security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stationary or mobile microwave radiometers (MRs) can measure atmospheric temperature, relative humidity, and water vapor density profiles with high spatio-temporal resolution, but cannot obtain the vertical variations of wind field. Based on a dataset of brightness temperatures (TBs) measured with a mobile MR over the Three-River-Source Region of the Tibetan Plateau from 18 to 30 July 2021, we develop a direct retrieval method for the wind profile (WP) based on the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network technique, and obtain the reliable dynamic variation characteristics of the WP in the region. Furthermore, the ground-based radiative transfer model for TOVS (RTTOV-gb) was employed to validate the reliability of the TB observation, and we analyzed the impact of weather conditions, altitude, observational mode, and TB diurnal variation on the accuracy of the TB measurement and the retrieval of the WP. Results show that the TB from the mobile observation (MOTB) on clear and cloudy days are close to those of the simulated TB with the RTTOV-gb model, while TB measurements on rainy days are far larger than the modeled TBs. When compared with radiosonde observations, the WPs retrieved with the LSTM algorithm are better than the ERA5 reanalysis data, especially below 350 hPa, where the root mean square errors for both wind speed and wind direction are smaller than those of ERA5. The major factors influencing WP retrieval include the weather conditions, altitude, observational mode, and TB diurnal variation. Under clear-sky and cloudy conditions, the LSTM retrieval method can reproduce the spatio-temporal evolution of wind field and vertical wind shear characteristics. The findings of this study help to improve our understanding of meso-scale atmospheric dynamic structures, characteristics of vertical wind shear, atmospheric boundary layer turbulence, and enhance the assessment and forecasting accuracy of wind energy resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nonantimicrobial properties and relatively poor mechanical properties of hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) limit its use in packaging. Sulfated rice bran polysaccharides (SRBP) possess significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different concentrations of SRBP on the physical and mechanical properties and the functional characteristics of HEC/SRBP films. The physical properties of the HEC/20% SRBP films, such as water resistance, water vapor barrier, light barrier, and tensile strength, improved significantly (p < 0.05) compared with those of the HEC films. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry showed that HEC formed hydrogen bonds with SRBP and exhibited better compatibility. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the addition of SRBP was beneficial to the thermal stability of the films. In addition, the antioxidant and bacteriostatic properties of the films were enhanced by the addition of SRBP to HEC, with the 20% SRBP films showing the most significant enhancement in activity. Therefore, the HEC/20% SRBP films show potential for development for use as active food packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesenteric ischemia is a challenging condition characterized by insufficient blood perfusion to the mesentery and, consequently, intestinal tissues that continues to perplex clinicians. Despite its low prevalence, the condition's variable clinical presentation and elusive radiographic diagnosis can delay life-saving interventions in the acute setting and deteriorate the quality of life of patients when left undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Purpose: Review and summarize recent diagnostic updates and emergent intervention strategies for acute and chronic mesenteric ischemia. Methods: A narrative review of all relevant studies from January 2022 through September 2023. Results: A total of 11 studies from MEDLINE, supplemented with 44 studies from Google Scholar, were included in the review. Conclusions: Both acute and chronic mesenteric ischemia propose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for interventionalists. Computed tomographic angiography remains the diagnostic modality of choice for both. Open surgical intervention remains the gold standard for acute mesenteric ischemia, while endovascular techniques are preferred for chronic mesenteric ischemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The building operation sector in China represents 22% of the national energy consumption and 22% of the carbon emission, of which urban residential buildings accounted for 24% in 2019. Such figures for the housing sector are projected to increase sharply in the near future, while China aims to peak CO2 emissions by 2030 and reach neutrality before 2060. To reduce the impacts of the urban housing sector and address the energy use and waste generated by large-scale demolition and reconstruction, the central government started promoting the energy retrofit of urban residential buildings, raising such policies to the national strategic level. Jiangsu Province is one of the most urbanised, with a rapid growth in the energy consumption of residential buildings. The Multi-Danyuan and Single-Danyuan Apartment built in 1980–1999 are the most representative residential types in its urban areas. While still adequate functionally, they were designed and built to low energy standards and show significant potential for energy retrofit. Nonetheless, their current performance and energy-saving potential are under-researched, while more detailed and reliable data would be critical to support retrofit design and policy making. This study investigates and characterises the typical use and energy performance of the two building types. Additionally, seven measures and six retrofit scenarios were identified based on the optimal energy reductions and regulations from selected countries. The simulations indicate that, without intervention, the energy consumption of the typical urban residential buildings can reach 122 kWh/m2 under the typical high-energy user scenario. By selecting a set of effective energy-saving measures, the operational energy use for heating and cooling can be reduced by up to 52.4%. Current local standards prove cost-efficient, although less effective in reducing energy use compared to international best practices, indicating potential improvements to the contribution of building retrofit towards achieving the national carbon reduction goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have shown that a pro-inflammatory diet and dysbiosis, especially a high level of trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), are associated with various adverse health conditions. Cardiovascular diseases and pancreatic diseases are two major morbidities in the modern world. Through this narrative review, we aimed to summarize the association between a pro-inflammatory diet, gut microbiota, and cardiovascular and pancreatic diseases, along with their underlying mechanisms. Our review revealed that TMAO is associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases by promoting platelet aggregation, atherosclerotic plaque formation, and vascular inflammation. TMAO is also associated with the development of acute pancreatitis. The pro-inflammatory diet is associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer and cardiovascular diseases through mechanisms that include increasing TMAO levels, activating the lipopolysaccharides cascade, and the direct pro-inflammatory effect of certain nutrients. Meanwhile, an anti-inflammatory diet decreases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and pancreatic cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Pathological humeral shaft fracture (PHSF) is a frequently observed clinical manifestation in the later stages of tumor metastasis. Surgical interventions are typically recommended to alleviate pain and restore functionality. Intramedullary nail fixation (INF) or plate fixation (PF) is currently recommended for the treatment of PHSF. However, there is still no standard for optimal surgical treatment. Thus, we conducted a meta-analysis comparing the clinical outcomes of INF with PF for PHSF treatment. (2) Methods: We conducted searches in databases, such as Scopus, EMBASE, and PubMed, for studies published prior to May 2023. In total, nine studies with 485 patients were reviewed. (3) Results: There were no significant differences noted in the incidence of fixation failure, local recurrence, wound complication or overall complication. However, the INF group demonstrated a significantly lower incidence of postoperative radial nerve palsy than the PF group (OR, 5.246; 95% CI, 1.548–17.774; p = 0.008). A subgroup analysis indicated that there were no statistically significant differences in fixation failure or local recurrence among subgroups categorized by the design of intramedullary nail. (4) Conclusions: Considering the short life expectancy of end-stage patients, the choice of surgical method depends on the patient's individual condition, fracture and lesion patterns, the surgeon's experience, and comprehensive discussion between the surgeon and patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anti-oral cancer effects of santamarine (SAMA), a Michelia compressa var. compressa-derived natural product, remain unclear. This study investigates the anticancer effects and acting mechanism of SAMA against oral cancer (OC-2 and HSC-3) in parallel with normal (Smulow–Glickman; S-G) cells. SAMA selectively inhibits oral cancer cell viability more than normal cells, reverted by the oxidative stress remover N-acetylcysteine (NAC). The evidence of oxidative stress generation, such as the induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial superoxide and the depletion of mitochondrial membrane potential and glutathione, further supports this ROS-dependent selective antiproliferation. SAMA arrests oral cancer cells at the G2/M phase. SAMA triggers apoptosis (annexin V) in oral cancer cells and activates caspases 3, 8, and 9. SAMA enhances two types of DNA damage in oral cancer cells, such as γH2AX and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine. Moreover, all of these anticancer mechanisms of SAMA are more highly expressed in oral cancer cells than in normal cells in concentration and time course experiments. These above changes are attenuated by NAC, suggesting that SAMA exerts mechanisms of selective antiproliferation that depend on oxidative stress while maintaining minimal cytotoxicity to normal cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to explore the effects of frying conditions on the formation of HAs and PAHs in crispy pork spareribs, a popular meat commodity sold on Taiwan's market. Raw pork spareribs were marinated, coated with sweet potato powder, and fried in soybean oil and palm oil at 190 °C/6 min or 150 °C/12 min, followed by an analysis of HAs and PAHs via QuEChERS coupled with UPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS, respectively. Both HAs and PAHs in pork spareribs during frying followed a temperature- and time-dependent rise. A total of 7 HAs (20.34–25.97 μg/kg) and 12 PAHs (67.69–85.10 μg/kg) were detected in pork spareribs fried in soybean oil and palm oil at 150 °C/12 min or 190 °C/6 min, with palm oil producing a higher level of total HAs and a lower level of total PAHs than soybean oil. The content changes of amino acid, reducing sugar, and creatinine played a vital role in affecting HA formation, while the degree of oil unsaturation and the contents of precursors including benzaldehyde, 2-cyclohexene-1-one, and trans,trans-2,4-decadienal showed a crucial role in affecting PAH formation. The principal component analysis revealed that HAs and PAHs were formed by different mechanisms, with the latter being more liable to formation in pork spareribs during frying, while the two-factorial analysis indicated that the interaction between oil type and frying condition was insignificant for HAs and PAHs generated in crispy pork spareribs. Both CcdP (22.67–32.78 μg/kg) and Pyr (16.70–22.36 μg/kg) dominated in PAH formation, while Harman (14.46–17.91 μg/kg) and Norharman (3.41–4.55 μg/kg) dominated in HA formation in crispy pork spareribs during frying. The outcome of this study forms a basis for learning both the variety and content of HAs and PAHs generated during the frying of pork spareribs and the optimum frying condition to minimize their formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even with modern advancements in the management of acute mesenteric ischemia over the past decade, morbidity and mortality remain high, and the best primary treatment modality is still debated amongst interventionalists. Traditionally, interventionalists have favored an open surgical approach but are now trending for endovascular interventions due to apparent reduced mortality and complications. Newer studies suggest hybrid approaches, and intestinal stroke centers may be superior to either strategy alone. This narrative review will explore the natural history of acute mesenteric ischemia with the aim of increasing interventionalist awareness of modern advancements in revascularization strategies for this devastating disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-party reversible data hiding over ciphered images (MRDH-CI) has high restorability since the image is split into multiple ciphered images by secret sharing. However, the MRDH-CI methods either fail to produce satisfied results, or only work well for conventional images. This paper introduces a multi-party reversible data-hiding approach over ciphered overexposed images. First, the pixels of the overexposed images are decomposed into two parts, each of which can be used for secret sharing. Then, the decomposed overexposed images are converted into multiple ciphered overexposed images by using a modified secret sharing method, in which the differences of the ciphered overexposed images are retained. The symmetry of the difference retaining makes the secret data conceal within the ciphered overexposed images such that the marked ciphered overexposed images can be created. Finally, by collecting sufficient marked ciphered overexposed images, it is possible to symmetrically reconstruct the concealed data and primitive overexposed image. Experimental results illustrate that the presented method can efficiently deal with overexposed images while maintaining a low computational overhead. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we introduce a novel design of a remote edge-lit backlight structure featuring blue laser diodes (LDs). These LDs were integrated into a remote yellow phosphor layer on a light guide plate (LGP). Blue light emitted by the LDs passes through the LGP and spreads to the remote phosphor layer, generating white light output. Owing to the incorporation of a scattering layer between sequential LGPs, the remote edge-lit backlight structure facilitates the expansion of the output surface of the LGP by combining multiple individual LGPs. Two- and three-LGP remote edge-lit backlight structures demonstrated acceptable white illuminance uniformity. The proposed architecture serves as a viable solution for achieving uniform illumination in planar lighting systems using blue LDs; thus, this structure is particularly suitable for linear lighting or slender backlighting instead of display stand applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ulva prolifera (U. prolifera), a global eco-environmental issue, has been recurring annually in the Yellow Sea of China since 2007, leading to significant impacts on the coastal ecosystem and the economies of coastal cities. To enhance the frequency of daily monitoring for U. prolifera and to advance the multi-source remote sensing monitoring system, a combination of the Sentinel-1 SAR remote sensing satellite and the Sentinel-3 OLCI and NPP VIIRS optical remote sensing satellites was employed. This comprehensive analysis encompassed the examination of Sentinel-1 C band characteristics, the range of influence of U. prolifera, and the migration trajectory of its enrichment zones. On 6 June 2021, three satellite images depicted the northwest drift of U. prolifera, followed by a southward movement after making contact with the coast of Qingdao, China, on 12 June. The most extensive impact area caused by U. prolifera was observed on 18 June. Subsequently, the images revealed a contraction and enrichment of U. prolifera in an eas–-west direction. The amalgamation of radar and optical remote sensing satellites in a multi-frequency monitoring approach allows for a continuous all-weather surveillance mechanism for U. prolifera. This mechanism serves to provide timely alerts for the prevention and management of U. prolifera outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a very common disease with an estimated 442 million cases worldwide. It is a well-documented independent risk factor for many gastrointestinal pathologies, however, its role in cardiovascular disease (CVD) is unclear, despite its high prevalence in patients with CVD. Although traditionally considered a causative agent of noncardiac chest pain, a common imitator of cardiac chest pain, or an incidentally shared comorbidity in patients with CVD, a number of studies have implicated GERD and its therapies as risk factors for CVD. This narrative review will explore the relationship between GERD and CVD, including medical and mechanical therapeutic approaches for GERD that could potentially impact the incidence, progression, and mortality of CVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT) contributes to knee joint degeneration. Arthroscopic transtibial pullout repair (ATPR) may restore biomechanical integrity for load transmission. However, degeneration persists after ATPR in certain patients, particularly those with preoperative subchondral insufficiency fracture of the knee (SIFK). We explored the relationship between preoperative SIFK and osteoarthritis (OA) progression in retrospectively enrolled patients who were diagnosed as having an MMPRT and had received ATPR within a single institute. Based on their preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), these patients were then categorized into SIFK and non-SIFK groups. OA progression was evaluated by determining Kellgren–Lawrence (KL) grade changes and preoperative and postoperative median joint widths. SIFK characteristics were quantified using Image J (Version 1.52a). Both groups exhibited significant post-ATPR changes in medial knee joint widths. The SIFK group demonstrated significant KL grade changes (p < 0.0001). A larger SIFK size in the tibia and a greater lesion-to-tibia length ratio in the coronal view were positively correlated with more significant KL grade changes (p = 0.008 and 0.002, respectively). Thus, preoperative SIFK in patients with an MMPRT was associated with knee OA progression. Moreover, a positive correlation was observed between SIFK lesion characteristics and knee OA progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Recent studies suggest an association between pancreatitis and cardiovascular disease. This article aims to review the available evidence linking cardiovascular disease with acute and chronic pancreatitis. (2) Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted on the PubMed/MEDLINE database from inception to April 2022 using Medical Subject Heading and keywords related to pancreatitis and cardiovascular disease. The search was limited to English-language literature involving human subjects, and various study types, including observational studies, case–control studies, cohort studies, and clinical trials, were screened for eligibility. Following data extraction, the authors conducted a narrative synthesis of the studies. (3) Results: Longitudinal studies indicate that a history of acute pancreatitis is associated with an increased risk of acute atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and acute coronary syndrome. Elevated triglyceride levels (>2000 mg/dL) have a temporal relationship with acute pancreatitis. Cross-sectional studies have shown that acute pancreatitis is associated with cardiac injury during the acute phase. Based on longitudinal studies, chronic pancreatitis is associated with an increased risk of cerebrovascular diseases. However, data regarding the relationship between chronic pancreatitis and myocardial infarction are conflicting. (4) Conclusions: Based on the available evidence, having a history of acute pancreatitis appears to increase the risk of acute atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, there is insufficient evidence to conclude whether chronic pancreatitis is associated with cardiovascular disease, and no definitive studies have yielded conflicting results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on enhancing the tunable sensitivity of a photo irradiance sensor (PIS) operating in the near-ultraviolet to visible to near-infrared (NUV-VIS-NIR) spectrum using an indium tin oxide-aluminum oxide-zirconia aluminum oxide-silicon oxide-silicon capacitor (hereafter IAZAOS). Unlike other PIS designs such as reverse-biased metal–insulator–semiconductor (MIS) and tunneling MIS, the IAZAOS PIS measures changes in inversion capacitance under strong forward bias with light irradiation. The IAZAOS PIS offers several key advantages over alternative designs. It exhibits high sensitivity, weak bias dependence, low dark current, tunable sensitivity, low power consumption, CMOS process compatibility, simple low-cost manufacturing, and good gate oxide reliability. Under 1 mW/cm2 irradiation at 1 kHz, the inversion carrier concentration reaches approximately 70% saturation. The resolution achieved is 10 nW/cm2 at 1 kHz, with a sensing range spanning from 10 nW/cm2 to 1 W/cm2 across frequencies from 1 kHz to 100 kHz. These performance characteristics surpass those reported for other PIS technologies. Furthermore, the IAZAOS PIS demonstrates a quantum efficiency of about 60% at 405 nm, which surpasses the quantum efficiency of general silicon-based p(i)n diodes. Post-deposition annealing techniques are employed to enhance the sensor's performance. Dielectric annealing improves the ZrAlOx interface trap and permittivity properties, while conducting oxide annealing enhances indium tin oxide transmission and resistivity. The combination of these treatments results in a high-speed, high-sensitivity, high-resolution, and reliable NUV-VIS-NIR sensing capability for the IAZAOS capacitor-based PIS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The development of BCL-2 inhibitors as a pivotal approach in cancer treatment lies in their ability to effectively trigger apoptosis in tumor cells. Venetoclax, a highly selective BCL-2 inhibitor, has exhibited robust antitumor capacity in hematologic malignancies. However, patients undergoing venetoclax treatment often develop drug resistance, leading to a reduced sensitivity to BCL-2 inhibition therapy. Given the pronounced variations in venetoclax effectiveness attributed to patient heterogeneity, we demonstrated crucial gene mutations for the accurate prediction of the clinical responses to venetoclax. Our review encompasses not only advancements in hematologic tumors but also a comprehensive overview of recent progress in employing BCL-2 inhibitors to treat solid tumors. We summarize predictive biomarkers and synergistic drug combinations aimed at enhancing the efficacy of BCL-2 inhibition in solid tumors. This review offers innovative perspectives for translational studies on the application of BCL-2 inhibitors in cancer therapy. Targeting the intrinsic apoptotic pathway regulated by B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) antiapoptotic proteins can overcome the evasion of apoptosis in cancer cells. BCL-2 inhibitors have evolved into an important means of treating cancers by inducing tumor cell apoptosis. As the most extensively investigated BCL-2 inhibitor, venetoclax is highly selective for BCL-2 and can effectively inhibit tumor survival. Its emergence and development have significantly influenced the therapeutic landscape of hematological malignancies, especially in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia, in which it has been clearly incorporated into the recommended treatment regimens. In addition, the considerable efficacy of venetoclax in combination with other agents has been demonstrated in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma and certain lymphomas. Although venetoclax plays a prominent antitumor role in preclinical experiments and clinical trials, large individual differences in treatment outcomes have been characterized in real-world patient populations, and reduced drug sensitivity will lead to disease recurrence or progression. The therapeutic efficacy may vary widely in patients with different molecular characteristics, and key genetic mutations potentially result in differential sensitivities to venetoclax. The identification and validation of more novel biomarkers are required to accurately predict the effectiveness of BCL-2 inhibition therapy. Furthermore, we summarize the recent research progress relating to the use of BCL-2 inhibitors in solid tumor treatment and demonstrate that a wealth of preclinical models have shown promising results through combination therapies. The applications of venetoclax in solid tumors warrant further clinical investigation to define its prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A low-cost and high-efficiency solid reaction method has been reported as an effective technology to synthesize manganese ferrite MnFe2O4 with a spinel crystal structure. This work clarified the underlying reason for the influence mechanism of SiO2 and Al2O3 on the synthesis of MnFe2O4. Synthetic MnFe2O4 polyhedral microparticles with a saturated magnetization of 71.19 emu/g, a ratio of saturation magnetization to residual magnetization (Ms/Mr) of 0.062 and a coercivity (Hc) of 6.50 Oe were successfully obtained at an oxidization roasting temperature of 1100 °C for 60 min. The experimental results indicate that the tetrahedral Mn2+ ions and octahedral Mn3+ ions in the crystal structure of manganese ferrite MnFe2O4 were replaced by tetrahedral Si2+ ions and octahedral Al3+ ions from (Mn2+)x(Fe2+)y(Si2+)1−x−y[Fe3+]2O4 and (Mn2+)[Fe3+]2−x[Al3+]xO4, respectively. In addition, hercynite FexMn1−xAl2O4 with a spinel crystal structure and olivine MnxFe2−xSiO4 with an orthorhombic crystal structure were partially formed in the synthesis of manganese ferrite MnFe2O4, in which some Fe2+ ions were easily replaced by Mn2+ ions to form stable hercynite MnAl2O4 and olivine Mn2SiO4 in these crystal structures. The current research work provides comprehensive insights for synthesizing manganese ferrite MnFe2O4 and continuously advances its technical progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxic compounds such as heterocyclic amines (HAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can be produced during food processing, especially meat products. This study aims to monitor the formation of HAs and PAHs in fried pork fiber, a common meat product in Taiwan, at different processing conditions. A total of six experimental groups, including raw pork tenderloin, dried pork filaments, sesame oil-stir-fried pork at 160 °C for 15 min, sesame oil-stir-fried pork at 200 °C for 6 min, lard-stir-fried pork at 160 °C for 15 min, and lard-stir-fried pork at 200 °C for 6 min, were prepared and analyzed for formation of HAs via UPLC-MS/MS and PAHs via GC-MS/MS in triplicate. Frying in sesame oil or lard showed a greater content of total HAs in fried pork fiber processed at 160 °C for 15 min than at 200 °C for 6 min. However, in the same heating conditions, pork fiber fried in sesame oil produced a higher level of total HAs than that fried in lard. Of the various HAs in fried pork fiber, both Harman and Norharman were generated in the highest amount. The precursors, including reducing sugar, amino acid, and creatine/creatinine, played a vital role in HAs formation in fried pork fiber. For total PAHs, the highest level was shown for pork fiber fried in lard at 200 °C/6 min, followed by frying in sesame oil at 200 °C/6 min and 160 °C/15 min, and in lard at 160 °C/15 min. Like HAs, at the same heating condition, a greater content of total PAHs was produced in pork fiber fried in sesame oil than in lard. Notably, the highly toxic benzo[a]pyrene was undetected in fried pork fiber. The PAH precursor benzaldehyde was shown to generate at a much higher level than 2-cyclohexene-1-one and trans,trans-2,4-decadienal in fried pork fiber, and it should play a more important role in PAH formation. Principal component analysis (PCA) also revealed that the formation mechanism of HAs and PAHs in fried pork fiber was different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to isolate collagen peptides from waste sturgeon fish skin, and prepare nanoemulsions for studying their anti-diabetic and wound-healing effects in mice. Collagen peptides were extracted and purified by acetic acid with sonication, followed by two-stage hydrolysis with 0.1% pepsin and 5% flavourzyme, and ultrafiltration with 500 Da molecular weight (MW) cut-off dialysis membrane. Animal experiments were performed with collagen peptides obtained by pepsin hydrolysis (37 kDa) and pepsin plus flavourzyme hydrolysis (728 Da) as well as their nanoemulsions prepared at two different doses (100 and 300 mg/kg/day). The mean particle size of low-MW and low-dose nanoemulsion, low-MW and high-dose nanoemulsion, high-MW and low-dose nanoemulsion and high-MW and high-dose nanoemulsion was, respectively, 16.9, 15.3, 28.1 and 24.2 nm, the polydispersity index was 0.198, 0.215, 0.231 and 0.222 and zeta potential was −61.2, −63.0, −41.4 and −42.7 mV. These nanoemulsions were highly stable over a 90-day storage period (4 °C and 25 °C) and heating at 40–100 °C (0.5–2 h). Experiments in mice revealed that the low-MW and high-dose nanoemulsion was the most effective in decreasing fasting blood glucose (46.75%) and increasing wound-healing area (95.53%). Collectively, the sturgeon fish skin collagen peptide-based nanoemulsion is promising for development into a health food or wound-healing drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the development of HER2-targeted drugs, achieving favorable outcomes for patients with HR+/HER2+MBC remains challenging. This study utilized Bayesian Network Meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of anti-HER2 combination regimens. The primary analysis focused on progression-free survival (PFS), while secondary analyses included objective response rate, overall survival (OS) and the incidence rate of grade 3/4 adverse events (AEs). A comprehensive search across seven databases identified 25 randomized controlled trials for inclusion in this meta-analysis. For patients eligible for endocrinotherapy, our findings revealed that dual-target combined endocrine therapy, such as Her2-mAb+Her2-mAb+Endo (HR = 0.38; 95%CrI: 0.16–0.88) and Her2-mAb+Her2-tki+Endo (HR = 0.45; 95%CrI: 0.23–0.89), significantly improved PFS compared to endocrine therapy alone. According to the surface under the cumulative ranking curves (SUCRAs), Her2-mAb+Her2-mAb+Endo and Her2-mAb+Her2-tki+Endo ranked highest in terms of PFS and OS, respectively. For patients unsuitable for endocrine therapy, anti-HER2 dual-target combined chemotherapy, such as Her2-mAb+Her2-mAb+Chem (HR = 0.76; 95%CrI: 0.6–0.96) and Her2-mAb+Her2-tki+Chem (HR = 0.48; 95%CrI: 0.29–0.81), demonstrated significant improvements in PFS compared to Her2-mAb+Chem. The results were the same when compared with Her2-tki+Chem. According to the SUCRAs, Her2-mAb+Her2-tki+Chem and Her2-mAb+Her2-mAb+Chem ranked highest for PFS and OS, respectively. Subgroup analyses consistently supported these overall findings, indicating that dual-target therapy was the optimal approach irrespective of treatment line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the role of integrated photovoltaic and energy storage systems in facilitating the net-zero transition for both governments and consumers. A bi-level planning model is proposed to address the challenges encountered by existing power supply systems in meeting the escalating electricity demands. In the upper level, governments provide incentives to users through subsidies for photovoltaic power generation, energy storage system installations, and electricity procurement. Meanwhile, at the lower level, load requirements are optimized, and costs are minimized by integrating solar power generation, battery energy storage, and electricity procurement. To effectively address these complexities, a hybrid physics-inspired algorithm for bi-level programming is utilized for iterative problem solving. The findings indicate that relying on photovoltaic output during peak load periods and conducting small electricity purchases, while storing excess electricity, proves to be an efficient approach. This model offers a cost-effective solution for managing energy consumption, mitigating potential power shortages, and reducing frequent outages. Furthermore, this research contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the net-zero transition and its implications for power supply systems. Specifically, it highlights the significance of integrated photovoltaic and energy storage systems in assisting businesses with specific energy storage planning, determining optimal charging and discharging schedules, and considering government subsidies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although high-quality tourism destinations directly determine the tourism experiences of tourists and the management focuses of tourism management departments, existing studies have paid little attention to the relationship between tourism destinations of differing quality and tourist experiences. This study analyzed the spatiotemporal distribution of tourists and the quality of tourism destinations in Urumqi based on Tencent migration big data and Weibo sign-in big data and ultimately determined whether there are spatial correlations between the two. The results show that there are large differences in quality between different tourist destinations, and although the spatial and temporal distribution of tourists is not strongly correlated with the quality of tourist destinations, we can divide tourist destinations into four categories based on the correlations between the two (e.g., high-quality tourist destinations with a low number of tourists). The results of this study provide tourists with examples of high-quality tourist destinations, thus improving their holiday experiences, and they also provide a basis by which tourism management departments can manage and develop tourist destinations. The results of this study can also be extended to other regions and play a positive role in promoting the development of the tourism industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at problems such as poor precision of laser processing C/SiC composites, low efficiency of grinding C/SiC composites, and serious wear of grinding wheel, a method of laser-grinding chain processing C/SiC composite groove was proposed in this paper. The method combined the high efficiency characteristic of laser ablating and the high precision characteristic of grinding. The relationship between laser processing parameters and the characteristics of ablative grooves was investigated, and the appropriate laser processing parameters were optimized, and then, to further improve the processing quality of the grooves, the grinding parameters optimization experiments of the grooves of C/SiC composites were carried out. The results showed that the C/SiC composites could be quickly removed by laser processing, and the grooves with relatively good size and shape accuracy could be obtained by laser parameters optimization experiments, but the side wall of the groove still had a certain inclination and the surface quality of the groove was yet poor; meanwhile, the size accuracy, shape accuracy, and surface quality of the grooves were greatly improved by further grinding. In addition, then, through the laser and grinding optimization experiments, the optimized parameters were obtained, where the laser power was 80 W, the scanning speed was 300 mm/s, the scanning frequency was 50 kHz, the scanning spacing was 25 μm, the depth of cut was 30 μm, the liner speed of wheel was 62.832 m/min, and the feed speed was 10 mm/min. With these parameters, the time used to process the groove with the laser-grinding chain was about 23/40 of the grinding process, and the quality of grooves could be guaranteed. Therefore, combined with the optimized process parameters, the laser-grinding chain processing scheme could be used to achieve high efficiency and precision grinding of C/SiC composite grooves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the national goal of "emission peaking and carbon neutralization", China has become the largest country in the world for offshore wind farm construction. At the same time, navigational safety problems in offshore wind farm waters have become increasingly frequent. Owing to the complexity of offshore wind farm waters and the small number of accident data samples available for reference, the system theory method is more suitable for selection than the traditional method. Based on causal analysis based on system theory (CAST) and a complex network (CN), in this study, a qualitative and quantitative accident analysis model, CAST-CN, is constructed to analyze a complete case of vessel and wind turbine allision in offshore wind farm waters. The results show that, at the micro level, in addition to the master, crew, shipping company, and typhoon Hato, the maritime safety administration and the wind farm operation management department have a certain impact on the development of the accident discussed in this study. At the macro level, internal and external factors leading to the lack of system safety are identified, and measures and suggestions for system safety improvement are proposed based on analysis. This study can fill the research gap in the systematic analysis of traffic accidents in offshore wind farm waters and provide support for the safety assessment and decision-making of government management departments and research institutes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects the small intestine in genetically predisposed individuals. Previous studies have investigated the potential link between CD and cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, the findings have been inconsistent. We aimed to provide an updated review of the literature on the association between CD and CVD. PubMed was searched from inception to January 2023 using keywords including CD, cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease, cardiac arrhythmia, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and myocarditis. We summarized the results of the studies, including meta-analyses and original investigations, and presented them according to the different forms of CVD. Meta-analyses published in 2015 provided mixed results regarding the relationship between CD and CVD. However, subsequent original investigations have shed new light on this association. Recent studies indicate that individuals with CD are at a higher risk of developing overall CVD, including an increased risk of myocardial infarction and atrial fibrillation. However, the link between CD and stroke is less established. Further research is needed to determine the link between CD and other cardiac arrhythmias, such as ventricular arrhythmia. Moreover, the relationship between CD and cardiomyopathy or heart failure, as well as myopericarditis, remains ambiguous. CD patients have a lower prevalence of traditional cardiac risk factors, such as smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and obesity. Therefore, it is important to discover strategies to identify patients at risk and reduce the risk of CVD in CD populations. Lastly, it is unclear whether adherence to a gluten-free diet can diminish or increase the risk of CVD among individuals with CD, necessitating further research in this area. To fully comprehend the correlation between CD and CVD and to determine the optimal prevention strategies for CVD in individuals with CD, additional research is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine sediments are the ultimate reservoir for black carbon (BC) preservation, and BC burial in sediment/soils is an efficient method for carbon sequestration to mitigate CO2 emissions. A portion of soil charcoal and atmospheric BC is dissolved in inland and oceanic water, but the amount of BC in the ocean remains unclear. We analyzed multi-sediment cores from the northwestern Pacific Ocean and lakes in China and reconstructed the timeline of BC deposition from 1860 to ~2012. The lacustrine sediment cores showed an increase in BC deposition by a factor of 4–7 during the industrialization period in China compared to the years 1860–1950 (reference level). Such increasing trends in BC have also been reproduced by ten global climate model simulations. However, the marine sediment cores did not retain these significant increases in BC deposition. Meanwhile, the model simulations predicted increased trends compared to the observed flat trends of BC deposition in marine sediments. The discrepancy suggests a large amount of BC, i.e., 65 (±11)%, is missing in marine sediment sinks. Thus, since more than half of emitted BC has dissolved into oceanic water, the dissolved BC and carbon cycle should be reconsidered in the global carbon budget. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-performance fertilization equipment with high uniformity is essential for the improvement of fertilizer use efficiency in paddies. The performance of these fertigation systems might be affected by the initial field conditions and fertilizer doses. In this study, the uniformity of fertilization by an automatic system (SF) was investigated; the investigation had two initial field water conditions and fertilizer doses, and manual fertilization by farmers (FF) was used as the control. After fertilization, the Christiansen uniformity coefficient (CU) in the SF paddies was higher than in the FF paddies, and the SF in the non-flooded paddies (SFN) was the highest. With time, the CU of treatments with poor fertilization uniformity was improved; it was driven by the osmotic potential of fertilizer ions, but it was far from exceeding that of the treatments originally conducted with higher CU. For the SF treatments, the fertilizer dose did not affect fertilization uniformity significantly; so, an SF can match the efficient fertilization strategies more precisely. As water-saving irrigation (WSI) is conducive to the production of non-flooded field conditions and the promotion of the efficient use of topdressing, the use of automatic fertilization systems to implement efficient fertilization management practices in WSI paddy fields is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rabbiteye blueberry leaves, a waste produced after harvest of blueberry, are rich in polyphenols. This study aims to analyze phenolic acids and flavonoids in blueberry leaves by UPLC-MS/MS and prepare nanoemulsions for determining anti-aging activity in mice. Overall, 30% ethanol was the most suitable extraction solvent for total phenolic acids and total flavonoids. A total of four phenolic acids and four flavonoids were separated within seven minutes for further identification and quantitation by UPLC-MS/MS in selective reaction monitoring (SRM) mode, with 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid being present in the highest amount (6474.2 μg/g), followed by quercetin-3-O-galactoside (1943.9 μg/g), quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (1036.6 μg/g), quercetin-3-O-glucoside (867.2 μg/g), 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (815.8 μg/g), kaempferol-3-O-glucoside (309.7 μg/g), 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (195.3 μg/g), and 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (60.8 μg/g). The blueberry nanoemulsion was prepared by using an appropriate ratio of soybean oil, Tween 80, glycerol, ethanol, and water at 1.2%, 8%, 2%, 2%, and 86.8%, respectively, and mixing with dried blueberry extract, with the mean particle size and zeta potential being 16 nm and −54 mV, respectively. A high stability was observed during storage of nanoemulsion for 90 days at 4 °C and heated at 100 °C for 2 h. An animal study revealed that this nanoemulsion could elevate dopamine content in mice brain as well as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase activities in mice liver while reducing the contents of malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl in mice brains. Collectively, the high-dose nanoemulsion possessed the highest efficiency in improving mice aging with a promising potential for development into a health food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To better understand the characteristics of coupled heat transfer in liquid rocket engines, a calculation scheme is proposed in this paper. This scheme can simulate the coupled heat transfer processes, including combustion and flow in the thrust chamber, radiation heat transfer, heat conduction in the wall, heat transfer of coolant flow in the cooling channel, and gas film cooling in the thrust chamber wall. The numerical method used in each physical area, the data transfer method between each computing module, the strategy of data transfer on the coupling interface, the calculation process, and the convergence criterion are all introduced in detail. The calculation scheme was verified by analyzing a water-cooled nozzle. Then, the coupled heat transfer calculation was carried out for a liquid rocket engine using a propellant composed of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine and dinitrogen tetroxide. Two working conditions were analyzed: whether the gas film cooling was performed or not. The results showed that the algorithm successfully indicated the protective effect of the gas film on the wall surface, and the calculation results were reasonable. It played a guiding role for the coupled heat transfer of the liquid rocket engine using a composite cooling method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: The typical application of register control technology proposed in this paper is the industrial gravure printing production line. It is also used in various other kinds of industrial production equipment, such as die-cutting machines, bronzing machines and offset presses. The performance of the register control system is critical to printing production efficiency. Register control systems are a necessary technical measure and an important means of large-scale roll-to-roll industrial printing production. They are effective in reducing the generation of unqualified printing products and improving the accuracy and stability of industrial printing production lines. In this paper, we propose a new register control algorithm that effectively improves the detection accuracy and compensation speed of printing register control systems. Firstly, according to the principle of register color mark detection, a new pulse-width subdivision detection algorithm is proposed, which can greatly improve the accuracy of register error detection without increasing the resolution of external encoder pulse signals. Then, the optimized error compensation method can adaptively adjust the corresponding system parameters, such as the output intensity, error filtering period and output period, according to the current register error size. The new output method greatly improves the error compensation speed without increasing error oscillation. Lastly, the experimental results of 0.01 mm show that the proposed control approach significantly improves the detection accuracy of register errors. Furthermore, the new control algorithm can be applied in the industrial field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reservoir bank landslides are a frequent phenomenon, and the stability of these landslides is affected by two essential factors: rainfall and reservoir level changes. Studying the response patterns of reservoir bank landslide movements to these variables is crucial in preventing their occurrence and mitigating their effects. To this end, this study employed 103 European Space Agency (ESA) Copernicus Sentinel-1 images and the SBAS-InSAR (small baseline subset interferometric synthetic aperture radar) technique to obtain a time series of the Guobu slope deformation from September 2015 to December 2019. The Guobu slope showed significant toppling damage. The satellite line of sight (LOS) detected a maximum subsidence rate of −447 mm/y (the negative sign indicates movement away from the satellite, i.e., subsidence) in the upper section of the slope. Subsequently, three wavelet tools were used to quantitatively analyze the effect of rainfall and reservoir water level on the deformation of the Guobu slope. The results demonstrate a positive correlation between rainfall and the deformation of the Guobu slope. Moreover, the deformation lags behind the rainfall by approximately 70 days. In contrast, the reservoir water level and the deformation of the Guobu slope exhibit an inverse relationship. The deformation of the leading edge of the slope body lags behind the reservoir level by approximately 19 days, while the middle and upper sections of the slope body, which have the most significant rate of variability, lag by about 80 days. Among these factors, rainfall plays a dominant role in the deformation of the Guobu slope, while reservoir levels play a synergistic role. The findings of this study highlight the importance of monitoring and understanding the impact of changes in rainfall and reservoir water levels on the stability of reservoir bank landslides. This understanding is crucial in preventing the occurrence of such landslides and minimizing their impact. The use of remote sensing techniques, together with wavelet analysis, enables the accurate and timely monitoring of the deformation of the Guobu slope, providing valuable insights for disaster warnings and disaster prevention and reduction efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to develop a simultaneous analysis method of furan and its 10 derivatives in different food commodities. The results indicated that furan and its 10 derivatives could be separated within 9.5 min by using a HP-5MS column and gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) with multiple reaction monitoring mode for detection. Furthermore, this method could resolve several furan isomers, such as 2-methyl furan and 3-methyl furan, as well as 2,3-dimethyl furan and 2,5-dimethyl furan. The most optimal extraction conditions were: 5 g of the fruit or juice sample mixed with 5 mL of the saturated NaCl solution, separately, or 1 g of the canned oily fish sample mixed with 9 mL of the saturated NaCl solution, followed by the equilibration of each sample at 35 °C for 15 min, using a carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane SPME arrow to adsorb the analytes for 15 min at 35 °C for subsequent analysis by GC-MS/MS. For method validation of all the analytes in the different food matrices, the recovery was 76–117% and the limit of the quantitation was 0.003–0.675 ng/g, while the relative standard deviation (RSD%) of the intra-day variability range from 1–16%, and that of the inter-day variability was from 4–20%. The method validation data further demonstrated that a reliable method was established for the analysis of furan and its 10 derivatives in commercial foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]