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DDWC (Directional Drilling with Casing) is an effective wellbore construction technique, particularly suitable for soft marine formations. In DDWC, the casing replaces the drill pipe for sliding drilling operations, and the passability of the drill string through the casing has become one of the primary challenges in applying DDWC. This study uses ANSYS Workbench to simulate the strain and bending behavior of the casing under various geological conditions. Simulations were conducted for different wellbore trajectories, casing specifications, and materials to evaluate the feasibility of the drill string passing through the casing under different conditions. The results show that, when the dogleg severity reaches 18°/30 m and the casing's inner diameter is 315 mm, the maximum radial strain of the casing is 4.2 mm, which cannot guarantee the successful passage of a drill string assembly with a 311 mm outer diameter. For other casing specifications, with a minimum inner diameter of 317 mm, the drill string can pass through under the maximum dogleg severity. Additionally, since the elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio of the casing materials are identical, the strain behavior is consistent across different materials, meaning that the material does not affect the passability of the casing. Moreover, the study optimized the selection of casing specifications and materials. From the perspective of ensuring drill string passability and resource conservation, a casing with an inner diameter of 319.4 mm was chosen. To ensure the longevity of the casing and the stability of the wellbore, N80 steel was selected as the material. A sensitivity analysis was conducted on the factors affecting casing strain, and the results aligned with the simulation findings, showing that wellbore trajectory and casing specifications have a significant impact on casing strain. Verifying the passability of the drill string through the casing is critical for the development and application of DDWC technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: This paper develops an innovative post-weld composite treatment process, which can significantly improve the formability of aluminum alloy tailor welded blanks compared with the traditional single post-weld treatment method. The mechanical properties and cross-sectional geometric dimensions of the fusion zone (FZ), heat affected zone (HAZ), and base metal (BM) of 6xxx series aluminum alloys are inconsistent after filler wire welding, which reduces the formability of aluminum alloy tailor welded blanks (TWBs). This paper proposes a post-weld cold rolling-solution heat treatment (PWCR-SHT) composite process, and the effects of weld excess metal, plastic deformation, and SHT on the formability of aluminum alloy TWBs are studied. The results show that the PWCR-SHT composite process eliminates the weld excess metal and internal pores, reduces the stress concentration at the weld toe, eliminates the local strain hardening behavior, and causes recrystallization in the FZ region. The cupping value of aluminum alloy TWBs using SHT is 105% of BM, in comparison, the cupping value of aluminum alloy TWBs using the PWCR-SHT composite process is 119% of BM, which is the result of the combined effect of geometric dimensions consistency and mechanical properties consistency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An exopolysaccharide (EPS)-producing strain, identified as Weissella cibaria HDL-4, was isolated from litchi. After separation and purification, the structure and properties of HDL-4 EPS were characterized. The molecular weight of HDL-4 EPS was determined to be 1.9 × 10⁶ Da, with glucose as its monosaccharide component. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses indicated that HDL-4 EPS was a D-glucan with α-(1→6) and α-(1→4) glycosidic bonds. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that HDL-4 EPS was amorphous. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM) observations showed that HDL-4 EPS possesses pores, irregular protrusions, and a smooth layered structure. Additionally, HDL-4 EPS demonstrated significant thermal stability, remaining stable below 288 °C. It exhibited a strong metal ion adsorption activity, emulsification activity, antioxidant activity, and water-retaining property. Therefore, HDL-4 EPS can be extensively utilized in the food and pharmaceutical industries as an additive and prebiotic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional fermentation process of soy sauce employs a hyperhaline model and has a long fermentation period. A hyperhaline model can improve fermentation speed, but easily leads to the contamination of miscellaneous bacteria and fermentation failure. In this study, after the conventional koji and moromi fermentation, the fermentation broth was pasteurized and diluted, and then inoculated with three selected microorganisms including Corynebacterium glutamicum, Corynebacterium ammoniagenes, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum for secondary fermentation. During this ten-day fermentation, the pH, free amino acids, organic acids, nucleotide acids, fatty acids, and volatile compounds were analyzed. The fermentation group inoculated with C. glutamicum accumulated the high content of amino acid nitrogen of 0.92 g/100 mL and glutamic acid of 509.4 mg/100 mL. The C. ammoniagenes group and L. plantarum group were rich in nucleotide and organic acid, respectively. The fermentation group inoculated with three microorganisms exhibited the best sensory attributes, showing the potential to develop a suitable fermentation method. The brewing speed of the proposed process in this study was faster than that of the traditional method, and the umami substances could be significantly accumulated in this low-salt fermented model (7% w/v NaCl). This study provides a reference for the low-salt and rapid fermentation of seasoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a novel laser-induced TIG arc narrow-gap welding technology is proposed for thick plates of TC4 titanium alloy. The feasibility of achieving high-performance welding joints is investigated by adjusting the spatial deviation position of the laser, arc, and filler wire. The results exhibited remarkable capabilities. By augmenting the laser-arc malposition, a stable deflection of the arc can be achieved, resulting in enhanced heat input to the sidewall adjacent to the laser side and improved fusion capability. Moreover, an inclined weld can be obtained through increased malposition between the filler wire and arc, which helps to improve interlayer fusion and suppress porosity defects. This method, involving alternating bilateral offsets between passes, successfully achieved narrow-gap welding of 24 mm-thick TC4 titanium alloy with an average tensile strength of 880.68 MPa (equivalent to 95.05% of base material strength). Therefore, this technology exhibits promising potential as an automated welding technique for achieving high-quality narrow-gap welding in titanium alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of pork is significantly impacted by intramuscular fat (IMF). However, the regulatory mechanism of IMF depositions remains unclear. We performed whole-transcriptome sequencing of the longissimus dorsi muscle (IMF) from the high (5.1 ± 0.08) and low (2.9 ± 0.51) IMF groups (%) to elucidate potential mechanisms. In summary, 285 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 14 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMIs), 83 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs), and 79 differentially expressed circRNAs (DECs) were identified. DEGs were widely associated with IMF deposition and liposome differentiation. Furthermore, competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory networks were constructed through co-differential expression analyses, which included circRNA-miRNA-mRNA (containing 6 DEMIs, 6 DEGs, 47 DECs) and lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA (containing 6 DEMIs, 6 DEGs, 36 DELs) regulatory networks. The circRNAs sus-TRPM7_0005, sus-MTUS1_0004, the lncRNAs SMSTRG.4269.1, and MSTRG.7983.2 regulate the expression of six lipid metabolism-related target genes, including PLCB1, BAD, and GADD45G, through the binding sites of 2-4068, miR-7134-3p, and miR-190a. For instance, MSTRG.4269.1 regulates its targets PLCB1 and BAD via miRNA 2_4068. Meanwhile, sus-TRPM7_0005 controls its target LRP5 through ssc-miR-7134-3P. These findings indicate molecular regulatory networks that could potentially be applied for the marker-assisted selection of IMF to enhance pork quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A strain of Leuconostoc mesenteroides HDE-8 was isolated from homemade longan fermentation broth. The exopolysaccharide (EPS) yield of the strain was 25.1 g/L. The EPS was isolated and purified, and the structure was characterized using various techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, high-performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The monosaccharide composition of the EPS was glucose, with a molecular weight (Mw) of 1.7 × 106 Da. NMR spectroscopy revealed that the composition of the HDE-8 EPS consisted of D-glucose pyranose linked by α-(1→4) and α-(1→6) bonds. The SEM analysis of the EPS showed an irregular sheet-like structure. Physicochemical analysis demonstrated that EPSs exhibit excellent thermal stability and high viscosity, making them suitable for fermentation in heat-processed and acidic foods. Additionally, milk coagulation tests showed that the presence of EPSs promotes milk coagulation when supplemented with sucrose. It suggests that EPSs have wide-ranging potential applications as food additives, improving the texture and taste of dairy products. This study provides practical guidance for the commercial use of HDE-8 EPSs in the food and related industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mg alloy AZ31B was directly bonded to SK7 with a low alloy content, DP980 with a high Mn content, 316L with a high Cr and high Ni content by laser-gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and hybrid direct lap welding. The results showed that the tensile loads of AZ31B/SK7 and AZ31B/DP980 joints were 283 N/mm and 285 N/mm respectively, while the tensile load of AZ31B/316L joint was only 115 N/mm. The fracture and interface microstructures were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), and identified through X-ray diffractometry (XRD). For AZ31B/SK7 and AZ31B/DP980, the interface of the front reaction area and the keyhole reaction area was mainly composed of an Fe-Al phase and an Al-Mn phase. However, for AZ31B/316L, the interface of the keyhole reaction area was mainly composed of an Fe-Al phase and an Al-Mn phase, but a multi-layer composite structure consisting of the Mg17Al12 compound layer and eutectic layer was formed in the front reaction area, which led to a deterioration in the joint property. The influencing mechanism of Mn, Cr and Ni elements in steel on the properties and interface structure of the laser-GTAW lap joint between the Mg alloy and the steel was systematically analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the differential immunology in Ningxiang and Berkshire pigs and their F1 offspring (F1 offspring), physiological and biochemical indicators in the plasma and spleen were analyzed. Then, transcriptomic analysis of the spleen identified 1348, 408, and 207 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in comparisons of Ningxiang vs. Berkshire, Berkshire vs. F1 offspring, and Ningxiang vs. F1 offspring, respectively. In Ningxiang vs. Berkshire pigs, the gene ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis indicated that the DEGs included CD163, MARCO, CXCL14, CCL19, and PPBP, which are associated with immunity. GO and KEGG analyses were also conducted comparing F1 offspring and their parents. The DEGs, including BPIFB1, HAVCR2, CD163, DDX3X, CCR5, and ITGB3, were enriched in immune-related pathways. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) analysis indicated that the EGFR and ITGA2 genes were key hub genes. In conclusion, this study identifies significant immune DEGs in different pig breeds, providing data to support the exploration of breeding strategies for disease resistance in local and crossbred pig populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusion welding causes joint deterioration when joining aluminum alloys, which limits the use of aluminum alloy components in high-end equipment. This paper focuses on an overview of how to achieve high-strength aluminum alloy welded joints using welding/plastic deformation composite forming technology. The current technology is summarized into two categories: plastic deformation welding and plastic deformation strengthening. Plastic deformation welding includes friction stir welding, friction welding, diffusion welding, superplastic solid-state welding, explosive welding, and electromagnetic pulse welding. Plastic deformation strengthening refers to the application of plastic deformation to the weld seam or heat-affected zone, or even the whole joint, after welding or during welding, including physical surface modification and large-scale plastic deformation technology. Important processing parameters of plastic deformation welding and their effects on weld quality are discussed, and the microstructure is described. The effect of plastic deformation strengthening technology on the microstructure and performance evolution, including the hardness, tensile strength, fatigue property, residual stress, and hot cracking of aluminum alloy welded joints, and its evolution mechanism are systematically analyzed. Finally, this paper discusses the future development of plastic deformation strengthening technology and anticipates growing interest in this research area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Understanding differential mechanisms of the subcutaneous adipose tissue between indigenous breeds and modern pig breeds is important. After transcriptome sequencing and liposome detection of the subcutaneous adipose tissue in Ningxiang pigs, Berkshires and F1 offspring, we retrieved differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and significantly changed lipids (SCLs) in different groups. Integrative analysis of transcriptomic and lipidomic profiles and KEGG annotation revealed that the difference in fat deposition among Ningxiang pig, Berkshires, and F1 offspring may be caused by differences in the expression patterns of key genes in multiple enriched KEGG pathways. This study identified the key genes and lipids and also provided insights into selection for backfat thickness and the fat composition of adipose tissue for pig breeding. Adipose tissue composition contributes greatly to the quality and nutritional value of meat. Transcriptomic and lipidomic techniques were used to investigate the molecular mechanisms of the differences in fat deposition in Ningxiang pigs, Berkshires and F1 offspring. Transcriptomic analysis identified 680, 592, and 380 DEGs in comparisons of Ningxiang pigs vs. Berkshires, Berkshires vs. F1 offspring, and Ningxiang pigs vs. F1 offspring. The lipidomic analysis screened 423, 252, and 50 SCLs in comparisons of Ningxiang pigs vs. Berkshires, Berkshires vs. F1 offspring, and Ningxiang pigs vs. F1 offspring. Lycine, serine, and the threonine metabolism pathway, fatty acid biosynthesis and metabolism-related pathways were significantly enriched in comparisons of Berkshires vs. Ningxiang pigs and Berkshires vs. F1 offspring. The DEGs (PHGDH, LOC110256000) and the SCLs (phosphatidylserines) may have a great impact on the glycine, serine, and the threonine metabolism pathway. Moreover, the DEGs (FASN, ACACA, CBR4, SCD, ELOV6, HACD2, CYP3A46, CYP2B22, GPX1, and GPX3) and the SCLs (palmitoleic acid, linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, and icosadienoic acid) play important roles in the fatty acid biosynthesis and metabolism of fatty acids. Thus, the difference in fat deposition among Ningxiang pig, Berkshires, and F1 offspring may be caused by differences in the expression patterns of key genes in multiple enriched KEGG pathways. This research revealed multiple lipids that are potentially available biological indicators and screened key genes that are potential targets for molecular design breeding. The research also explored the molecular mechanisms of the difference in fat deposition among Ningxiang pig, Berkshires, and F1 pigs, and provided an insight into selection for backfat thickness and the fat composition of adipose tissue for future breeding strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In this study, we conducted a comprehensive investigation of the fatty acid composition in Ningxiang pigs using a genome-wide association study. Our findings revealed a combination of previously reported and novel candidate genes associated with saturated fatty acids (SFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Notably, we identified significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are closely linked to specific fatty acids, and some of these genes explained substantial phenotypic variance. These noteworthy discoveries have the potential to significantly improve meat quality and fat deposition in Ningxiang pigs through targeted breeding approaches. Our research provides valuable insights into the intricate composition of fatty acids, thus offering practical implications for elevating meat quality and ultimately benefiting both the pig industry and consumers. The significance of this study is underscored by its potential to drive positive changes in society by promoting healthier and superior-quality pork products. Ningxiang pigs exhibit a diverse array of fatty acids, making them an intriguing model for exploring the genetic underpinnings of fatty acid metabolism. We conducted a genome-wide association study using a dataset comprising 50,697 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and samples from over 600 Ningxiang pigs. Our investigation yielded novel candidate genes linked to five saturated fatty acids (SFAs), four monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), and five polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Significant associations with SFAs, MUFAs, and PUFAs were found for 37, 21, and 16 SNPs, respectively. Notably, some SNPs have significant PVE, such as ALGA0047587, which can explain 89.85% variation in Arachidic acid (C20:0); H3GA0046208 and DRGA0016063 can explain a total of 76.76% variation in Elaidic Acid (C18:1n-9(t)), and the significant SNP ALGA0031262 of Arachidonic acid (C20:4n-6) can explain 31.76% of the variation. Several significant SNPs were positioned proximally to previously reported genes. In total, we identified 11 candidate genes (hnRNPU, CEPT1, ATP1B1, DPT, DKK1, PRKG1, EXT2, MEF2C, IL17RA, ITGA1 and ALOX5), six candidate genes (ALOX5AP, MEDAG, ISL1, RXRB, CRY1, and CDKAL1), and five candidate genes (NDUFA4L2, SLC16A7, OTUB1, EIF4E and ROBO2) associated with SFAs, MUFAs, and PUFAs, respectively. These findings hold great promise for advancing breeding strategies aimed at optimizing meat quality and enhancing lipid metabolism within the intramuscular fat (IMF) of Ningxiang pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ningxiang pig is a breed renowned for its exceptional meat quality, but it possesses suboptimal carcass traits. To elucidate the genetic architecture of meat quality and carcass traits in Ningxiang pigs, we assessed heritability and executed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) concerning carcass length, backfat thickness, meat color parameters (L.LD, a.LD, b.LD), and pH at two postmortem intervals (45 min and 24 h) within a Ningxiang pig population. Heritability estimates ranged from moderate to high (0.30~0.80) for carcass traits and from low to high (0.11~0.48) for meat quality traits. We identified 21 significant SNPs, the majority of which were situated within previously documented QTL regions. Furthermore, the GRM4 gene emerged as a pleiotropic gene that correlated with carcass length and backfat thickness. The ADGRF1, FKBP5, and PRIM2 genes were associated with carcass length, while the NIPBL gene was linked to backfat thickness. These genes hold the potential for use in selective breeding programs targeting carcass traits in Ningxiang pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The gut microbiota plays a critical role in regulating human health and athletic performance. Probiotic supplementation has been shown to modulate gut microbiota composition and improve exercise performance. This study aimed to investigate the effect of probiotic yogurt supplementation on gut microbiota and its relationship with exercise-related psychological fatigue in female taekwondo athletes. Methods: Twenty female taekwondo athletes were randomly assigned to either a dietary intervention group (DK) or a control group (CK). The athletes' exercise-related psychological fatigue was measured using the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ) before and after an 8-week intervention. High-throughput sequencing was used to profile the gut microbiota, and functional prediction of the microbial community was performed. The effect of the dietary intervention on the athletes' exercise-related psychological fatigue clearance rate and its relationship with the gut microbiota were explored. Results: (1) The probiotic supplementation of Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis BB-12 for 8 weeks significantly increased the ABQ scores of the DK group compared to the CK group (p < 0.05). (2) The abundances of Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides, Lachnospiraceae, family _Lactobacillaceae, and genus _Lactobacillus were significantly higher in the DK group than in the CK group after probiotic supplementation, while Escherichia coli was significantly lower in the DK group than in the CK group. (3) The ABQa scores were positively correlated with Proteus; ABQb scores were positively correlated with Streptococcus and Enterococcus; and ABQc scores were positively correlated with Klebsiella, Bacteroides, and Streptomyces. (4) The DK group had significantly higher levels of L-arginine biosynthesis I (via L-ornithine), fatty acid biosynthesis and oxidation, and L-isoleucine biosynthesis III pathways compared to the CK group. Tyrosine degradation I (via 2,3-dihydroxyphenylpropionate) was significantly lower in the DK group than in the CK group. Conclusions: Probiotic yogurt supplementation of Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis can promote the clearance of exercise-related psychological fatigue in female taekwondo athletes by upregulating beneficial gut microbiota, inhibiting harmful gut microbiota, and regulating relevant metabolic pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The Hengduan Mountain area in southwest China is an important migratory channel for migratory birds in the Central Asian flyway. The lakes along the way have different ecological functions for the life histories of waterbirds. In order to determine the ecological functions of high-altitude lakes, we selected Mangcuo Lake in Markam County to investigate the waterbird community in four seasons. The results show that Mangcuo Lake provides a breeding habitat for nine species of birds and also supports excellent numbers of birds migrating in the spring and autumn. In view of the role of Mangcuo Lake in the migration route, we propose upgrading the protection level of the Mangcuo Lake. The stopovers provide food and habitat for migratory birds and therefore play an important role in facilitating the birds' completion of their migration. The Hengduan Mountains, which have a complex topography, are located in a large corridor of the Central Asian migratory flyway, so the lakes along the Hengduan Mountains are important for waterbird migration. The existing research on lakes in the Hengduan Mountain area is mostly concentrated in the central and southern parts of the mountains, which proves that many lakes are wintering grounds for migrating birds. We wonder whether the ecological functions of lakes will change more with further elevation. With this question, we conducted four surveys for the seasonal bird survey in Mangcuo Lake, which is located in the northwest of the Hengduan Mountains, in Markam County of Qamdo City, between October 2019 and July 2020. We recorded a total of 6109 birds from 20 species of waterbirds, including 20 species of migratory waterbirds, accounting for 100% of all bird species. The diversity and richness of waterbirds in Mangtso Lake is shown as spring > autumn ≥, summer > winter, with no waterbirds in winter. The black-necked grebe (Podiceps nigricollis), great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus), bar-headed goose (Anser indicus), and ruddy shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) were the dominant species in the waterbird community. The highest number of waterbird species and total individuals were found in the transition zone between the marsh wetlands and lakes, and the number of waterbird species differed significantly among habitats (X2 = 14.405, p = 0.000), with habitat complexity being an important factor influencing waterfowl abundance and distribution. The IUCN Red-listed species recorded include the black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis), painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala), and common pochard (Aythya ferina). By comparing with other lakes in Hengduan Mountain, we found that the ecological functions of the plateau lakes in the Hengduan Mountains, to support the life histories of migrating waterbirds, are gradually transforming as the altitude rises, and can be divided into approximately three levels, with the first level of Qionghai, Chenghai, Erhai, and Jianhu at altitudes of 1500–2200 m being the most important ecological function in terms of providing wintering grounds for migrating birds. The second layer, at an altitude of 2400–3300 m, includes Lashihai, Lugu Lake, and Napahai, which are not only wintering wetlands for migratory birds but also important stopover sites. The third layer of Mangcuo Lake, which is above 4000 m above sea level, provides a breeding ground for some migratory waterbirds in summer and a migratory resting place for migratory waterbirds in spring and autumn. We advocate for the importance of Mangcuo Lake in the alpine region along the central Asian flyway, as well as emerging nature conservation action that was previously neglected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a platform chemical, 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO) has been widely used in various industrial fields. To improve the yield of 2,3-BDO produced by Saccharomyces cerevisiae W141, this paper explored the effects of exogenous short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as well as the synergistic effects of acetic acid and dissolved oxygen content on the yield of 2,3-BDO from the perspective of physiological metabolism. The results indicated that different SCFAs had different effects on the production of 2,3-BDO, and higher or lower concentrations of SCFAs were not conducive to the generation of 2,3-BDO. However, exogenically adding 1.0 g/L acetic acid significantly increased the yield of 2,3-BDO and the expression level of bdh1, a key gene in the synthesis of 2,3-BDO (p < 0.05). In addition, a dissolved oxygen concentration of 4.52 mg/L was proven to be the optimal condition for 2,3-BDO production. When the dissolved oxygen content and acetic acid concentration were 4.52 mg/L and 1.0 g/L, respectively, the maximum yield of 2,3-BDO was 3.25 ± 0.03 g/L, which was 66.59% higher than that produced by S. cerevisiae W141 alone. These results provide methodological guidance for the industrial production of 2,3-BDO by S. cerevisiae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Previous studies have demonstrated that prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD) may aid in predicting Gleason grade group (GG) upgrading and pathological upstaging in patients with prostate cancer (PCa). However, the differences and associations between patients with apex prostate cancer (APCa) and non-apex prostate cancer (NAPCa) have not been described. The aim of this study was to explore the different roles of PSAD in predicting GG upgrading and pathological upstaging between APCa and NAPCa. Patients and Methods: Five hundred and thirty-five patients who underwent prostate biopsy followed by radical prostatectomy (RP) were enrolled. All patients were diagnosed with PCa and classified as either APCa or NAPCa. Clinical and pathological variables were collected. Univariate, multivariate, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed. Results: Of the entire cohort, 245 patients (45.8%) had GG upgrading. Multivariate analysis revealed that only PSAD (odds ratio [OR]: 4.149, p < 0.001) was an independent, significant predictor of upgrading. A total of 262 patients (49.0%) had pathological upstaging. Both PSAD (OR: 4.750, p < 0.001) and percentage of positive cores (OR: 5.108, p = 0.002) were independently significant predictors of upstaging. Of the 374 patients with NAPCa, 168 (44.9%) displayed GG upgrading. Multivariate analysis also showed PSAD (OR: 8.176, p < 0.001) was an independent predictor of upgrading. Upstaging occurred in 159 (42.5%) patients with NAPCa, and PSAD (OR: 4.973, p < 0.001) and percentage of positive cores (OR: 3.994, p = 0.034) were independently predictive of pathological upstaging. Conversely, of the 161 patients with APCa, 77 (47.8%) were identified with GG upgrading, and 103 (64.0%) patients with pathological upstaging. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that there were no significant predictors, including PSAD, for predicting GG upgrading (p = 0.462) and pathological upstaging (p = 0.100). Conclusions: PSAD may aid in the prediction of GG upgrading and pathological upstaging in patients with PCa. However, this may only be practical in patients with NAPCa but not with APCa. Additional biopsy cores taken from the prostatic apex region may help improve the accuracy of PSAD in predicting GG upgrading and pathological upstaging after RP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of the subway rail transit, tunnels are buried at an increasing depth, raising the requirements of bearing capacity and waterproofness for linings. Functionally graded materials are introduced into the design of linings to save costs, and concrete with different elastic moduli is equipped at different positions to reduce the waste of materials, compared to the homogeneous lining. The significance of this study includes that the functionally graded lining for the buried subway tunnel is under the non-uniform confining pressure and the calculation model of internal force and deformation for the functionally graded lining is established. The elastic modulus of the lining is set to vary with the angle in the form of a power function, and the function parameters are analyzed on the basis of this model. The results show that the radial displacement of the lining axis decreases with the increase in a and b, but the deformation mode remains the same, and the reduction in deformation is smaller and smaller. With the increase in a and b, the distribution trend of the moment remains the same. The lateral pressure coefficient λ has a great impact on the safety of the structure, which exceeds the influence of the function parameters on the safety of the structure. The displacement of the lining axis and the section moment change linearly with the increase in λ. With the increase in λ , the shape of the lining changes significantly, which shows that the side with larger pressure deforms to the inside and the side with smaller pressure expands to the outside. When the maximum deformation occurs at 0 ° , the parameter a should be larger than b. When the maximum deformation occurs at 90 ° , the parameter b should be larger than a, so as to minimize the cost of materials and reduce the structural deformation. Finally, the numerical simulation is conducted to verify the theoretical results, showing that the calculation model of internal force and deformation is suitable for the cylinder with t / R ≤ 0.2 , and there is a certain gap between the theoretical calculation and numerical simulation, but the largest gap of the displacement is within 8%. Compared with Function I, Function II has some advantages in reducing the maximum deformation of the structure, but the advantages are relatively low. The analysis results have significant reference value for designers and relevant scholars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria are natural preservatives that inhibit foodborne pathogenic microorganisms. Co-culture is a form of population competition to induce bacteriocin production. In this study, we aimed to investigate the regulatory response of Lactaseibacillus paracasei HD1.7 to population competition and examine acetic stress during bacteriocin production. The cell-free supernatant of Bacillus subtilis positively and negatively regulated L. paracasei HD1.7 bacteriocin production, which depended on the growth period of B. subtilis ATCC 11774 and the addition ratio of the cell-free supernatant. We found that L. paracasei HD1.7 sensed B. subtilis ATCC 11774 through the cell-free supernatant, and then, acetic acid was secreted to promote bacteriocin production. There was a close connection between acetic acid metabolism and the bacteriocin regulatory system. In addition, transcriptomic analysis revealed that the functions of the transcriptional regulators rgg and rpoD in the bacteriocin regulatory system were enhanced with increasing acetic acid stress concentration. Collectively, the results of this study increase our current understanding of L. paracasei HD1.7 bacteriocin production and provide insights into high bacteriocin production by co-culture or acetic acid induction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Placental oxidative stress has been implicated as a main risk factor for placental dysfunction. Alleviation of oxidative stress and enhancement of antioxidant capacity of porcine trophectoderm (PTr2) cells are effective means to maintaining normal placental function. The present study was conducted to evaluate the protective effect of melatonin (MT) on H2O2-induced oxidative damage in PTr2 cells. Our data revealed that pretreatment with MT could significantly improve the decrease in cell viability induced by H2O2, and reduce intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and the ratio of apoptotic cells. Here, we compared the transcriptomes of untreated versus melatonin-treated PTr2 cells by RNA-seq analysis and found that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were highly enriched in the Wnt signaling, TGF-beta signaling and mTOR signaling pathways. Moreover, pretreatment with MT upregulated the antioxidant-related genes such as early growth response3 (EGR3), WAP four-disulfide core domain1 (WFDC1), heme oxygenase1 (HMOX1) and vimentin (VIM). These findings reveal that melatonin protects PTr2 cells from H2O2-induced oxidative stress damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a novel cross-rib micro-channel (MC-CR) heat sink to make fluid self-rotate. For a thermal test chip (TTC) with 100 w/cm2, the cross-ribs micro-channel were compared with the rectangular (MC-R) and horizontal rib micro-channel (MC-HR) heat sinks. The results show that, with the cross-rib micro-channel, the junction temperature of the thermal test chip was 336.49 K, and the pressure drop was 22 kPa. Compared with the rectangular and horizontal ribs heat sink, the cross-rib micro-channel had improvements of 28.6% and 14.3% in cooling capability, but the pressure drop increased by 10.7-fold and 5.5-fold, respectively. Then, the effects of the aspect ratio (λ) of micro-channel in different flow rates were studied. It was found that the aspect ratio and cooling performance were non-linear. To reduce the pressure drop, the inclination (α) and spacing (S) of the cross-ribs were optimized. When α = 30°, S = 0.1 mm, and λ = 4, the pressure drop was reduced from 22 kPa to 4.5 kPa. In addition, the heat dissipation performance of the rectangular, staggered fin (MC-SF), staggered rib (MC-SR) and cross-rib micro-channels were analyzed in the condition of the same pressure drop, MC-CR still has superior heat dissipation performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Room-temperature liquid metal is a very ideal material for the design of catalytic materials. At low temperatures, the liquid metal enters the liquid state. It provides an opportunity to utilize the liquid phase in the catalysis, which is far superior to the traditional solid-phase catalyst. Aiming at the low performance and narrow application scope of the existing single-phase liquid metal catalyst, this paper proposed a type of liquid metal/metal oxide core-shell composite multi-metal catalyst. The Ga2O3 core-shell heterostructure was formed by chemical modification of liquid metals with different nano metals Cu/W/Mo/Ni, and it was applied to photocatalytic degrading organic contaminated raw liquor. The effects of different metal species on the rate of catalytic degradation were explored. The selectivity and stability of the LM/MO core-shell composite catalytic material were clarified, and it was found that the Ni-LM catalyst could degrade methylene blue and Congo red by 92% and 79%, respectively. The catalytic mechanism and charge transfer mechanism were revealed by combining the optical band gap value. Finally, we provided a theoretical basis for the further development of liquid metal photocatalytic materials in the field of new energy environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The softening phenomenon of age-hardening aluminum alloy-welded joints is severe during conventional fusion welding, which increases the likelihood of stress and strain concentration in the joint during the period of service, significantly reduces the mechanical properties compared to the base metal, and represents an obstacle to the exploration of the potential structural performance. This review paper focuses on an overview of the softening phenomenon. Firstly, the welding softening mechanism and the characteristics of age-hardening aluminum alloys are clarified. Secondly, the current main research methods that can effectively improve joint softening are summarized into three categories: low-heat-input welding, externally assisted cooling during welding, and post-weld treatment. The strengthening mechanism and performance change rule of age-hardening aluminum alloy joints are systematically analyzed. Finally, this paper considers the future development trends of further research on joint softening, and it is expected that interest in this topic will increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aims of this study are as follows: (1) to understand the relationship between gut microbiota and the choking phenomenon in diving athletes, and (2) to regulate the gut microbiota in diving athletes by drinking yogurt containing Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 and observe changes in the choking phenomenon in diving athletes. Methods: Experiment 1: A total of 20 diving athletes were tested in low- and high-pressure situations. Gut microbiota (n = 18) composition was then determined and differences in the gut microbiota composition among diving athletes who presented choking vs. no choking were identified. Experiment 2: A total of 16 divers who presented choking were divided into a high yogurt group (n = 6) and a low yogurt group (n = 10) for 15 days. Results: (1) The content of Veillonellaceae in divers who presented choking was significantly higher when compared to divers who did not present choking (p < 0.05). Bifidobacteriaceae (r = −0.52, p < 0.05) and Lactobacillaceae (r = −0.66, p < 0.05) were negatively correlated with the choking index. (2) During experiment 2, the average daily intake of the high yogurt group was 611.78 ± 94.94 mL and the average daily intake of the low yogurt group was 338 ± 71.45 mL and the abundance of Bifidobacteriaceae was significantly higher in the high yogurt group than in the low yogurt group. After the experiment, the choking index in the high yogurt group became significantly lower than that of the low yogurt group (z = −3.26, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The intake of yogurt containing B. animalis subsp. lactis can increase the abundance of Bifidobacteriaceae in elite diving athletes and their performance under high pressure. Hence, gut microbiota may affect the choking phenomenon in elite diving athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microstructural and mechanical properties of laser–tungsten inert gas (TIG) hybrid welding of Mg alloy sheets for automobiles are investigated in the present work, including AZ31 and ME21, AZ31 and AZ31, ME21 and ME21, and corresponding comparisons were carried out. The results show that columnar crystals appear in the ME21/ME21 and ME21/AZ31 heat-affected zones, and no columnar crystals formed in the AZ31/AZ31 fusion zone under a constant heat ratio of arc to laser. Heat accumulation in a narrow area and the undercooling degree are the two main factors for the formation of columnar crystal. The ME21/ME21 joint has a tensile strength of up to 185.2 MPa, which is about 81.8% of that of the ME21 base metal (BM-ME21). The tensile strength of the ME21/AZ31 joint (158.8 MPa) is lower than that of the ME21/ME21 joint. The fracture of the ME21/ME21 and ME21/AZ31 joints occurs at the junction of the columnar crystal and the heat-affected zone. The microhardness of the ME21/AZ31 joint presents a low–high–low–high trend from BE-ME21 to BE-AZ31, and the distribution of the ME21/AZ31 welded joint microhardness in the cross-section presents a low–high–low trend. The ME21/ME21 weld seam is composed of an AlCe3 intermetallic compound, Mn particles, and α-Mg, and the ME21/AZ31 weld seam is composed of a α-Mg, Mg17Al12, and AlCe3 intermetallic compound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenge of joining immiscible Mg/Steel dissimilar metals lies in the absence of an Fe-Mg intermetallic or Fe-Mg solid solution in an Mg-Fe system, and differences in their physical and chemical properties. Promoting interfacial reaction and regulating the composition of interface layer are beneficial for the formation of an Mg/steel interface layer and to obtain an effective Mg/steel joint. This research work focusses on the bonding of immiscible Mg/steel dissimilar metals: First, an Mg/steel interface layer was designed by controlling the composition of added alloy elements and trace elements in the base metal. Second, the Mg/steel dissimilar metals welding methods were divided into three parts—solid state welding, welding-brazing and fusion welding. The main distinctions between them were difference in interfacial temperature, thickness of interface layer, and type of compound. Third, the orientation relationships (OR) of the Mg/interface layer system and the interface layer/steel system was investigated. In this review, the effect of welding processing parameters, addition of alloy elements, base metal, and different welding methods on the joint's performance was studied. The mechanical property, microstructure, interface layer and metallurgical reactions of the joint were also examined. The most recent progress in joining immiscible Mg/Steel dissimilar metals and future research prospects are presented at the end of the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ubiquitin-specific protease 39 (USP39), a member of the deubiquitinating enzyme family, has been reported to participate in cytokinesis and metastasis. Previous studies determined that USP39 functions as an oncogenic factor in various types of cancer. Here, we reported that USP39 is frequently overexpressed in human lung cancer tissues and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines. USP39 knockdown inhibited the proliferation and colony formation of A549 and HCC827 cells and decreased tumorigenic potential in nude mice. Specifically, knocking down USP39 resulted in cell cycle arrest at G2/M and subsequent apoptosis through the activation of the p53 pathway, including upregulation of p21, cleaved-cas3, cleaved-cas9 and downregulation of CDC2 and CycinB1. Moreover, USP39 knockdown significantly inhibited migration and invasion of A549 and HCC827 cells, also via activation of the p53 pathway, and downregulation of MMP2 and MMP9. Importantly, we verified these results in metastasis models in vivo. Collectively, these results not only establish that USP39 functions as an oncogene in lung cancer, but reveal that USP39 has an essential role in regulating cell proliferation and metastasis via activation of the p53 pathway.

Recent phylogeographical studies indicated that glacial oscillations played a key role on the phylogeographic pattern of extant species. As most studies have previously been carried out on heavily ice-covered regions, such as in European and North American regions, potential effects of climatic oscillations on species that are distributed on ice-free regions are less known. To address this, we investigated the phylogeographic pattern of an avian species endemic to South China, which was not glaciated during the Pleistocene glaciations. By using 2142 bp mitochondrial DNA, we identified 89 haplotypes defined by 39 polymorphic sites. A combination of high haplotype diversity (0.786-1.00) and low nucleotide diversity (0.00132-0.00252) was detected among geographic populations. Explicit genetic divergence was observed between S. s. semitorques and S. s. cinereicapillus but not detected among geographic populations of S. s. semitorques. Divergence time of the two subspecies was dated back to 87 Kyr which is congruent with the interglacial MIS 5. A weak phylogeographic structure due to strong gene flow among geographic populations was identified in this species, suggesting complex topography of South China has not formed barriers for this species.