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Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) enables mobile robots to autonomously perform localization and mapping tasks in unknown environments. Despite significant progress achieved by visual SLAM systems in ideal conditions, relying solely on a single robot and point features for mapping in large-scale indoor environments with weak-texture structures can affect mapping efficiency and accuracy. Therefore, this paper proposes a multi-robot collaborative mapping method based on point-line fusion to address this issue. This method is designed for indoor environments with weak-texture structures for localization and mapping. The feature-extraction algorithm, which combines point and line features, supplements the existing environment point feature-extraction method by introducing a line feature-extraction step. This integration ensures the accuracy of visual odometry estimation in scenes with pronounced weak-texture structure features. For relatively large indoor scenes, a scene-recognition-based map-fusion method is proposed in this paper to enhance mapping efficiency. This method relies on visual bag of words to determine overlapping areas in the scene, while also proposing a keyframe-extraction method based on photogrammetry to improve the algorithm's robustness. By combining the Perspective-3-Point (P3P) algorithm and Bundle Adjustment (BA) algorithm, the relative pose-transformation relationships of multi-robots in overlapping scenes are resolved, and map fusion is performed based on these relative pose relationships. We evaluated our algorithm on public datasets and a mobile robot platform. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm exhibits higher robustness and mapping accuracy. It shows significant effectiveness in handling mapping in scenarios with weak texture and structure, as well as in small-scale map fusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focused on developing an advanced bitterness sensor designed to minimize interference from common anions such as nitrate (NO3−) and iodide (I−) by incorporating partially dissociated amine compounds into the sensor membrane. The conventional bitter sensor (C00) uses fully dissociated quaternary ammonium salt tetradecyl ammonium bromide (TDAB), which typically exhibits high responses to these anions, leading to inaccurate bitterness assessments. To address this issue, we explored the use of three partially dissociated amines—oleylamine (OAm), dioctadecylamine (DODA), and tridodecylamine (TDA)—as lipids in the membrane components. We fabricated sensor membranes and tested their ion selectivity, interference resistance to anion, and sensitivity to iso-alpha acids (IAAs), representative bitter compounds in beer. The results showed that the membranes with partially dissociated amines significantly reduced anion interference. Notably, the sensitivity of the TDA membrane to IAAs was 80.4 mV/dec in concentration, exceeding the 68.5 mV/dec of the TDAB membrane. This enhanced sensitivity, coupled with reduced anion interference, reveals a novel property of partially dissociated lipids in taste sensors, distinguishing them from fully dissociated lipids. These findings pave the way for the development of sensors that can accurately assess a bitter taste and have potential applications in the food and beverage industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic pathogenic apicomplexan parasite that infects approximately one third of the global population. In immunosuppressed individuals, the infection may be fatal. Current anti-toxoplasmosis drugs have low efficacy and cause side effects, and no vaccine is available to prevent human toxoplasmosis. To search for potential virulence genes of T. gondii with a view to serving as new drug or vaccine targets for toxoplasmosis, we selected 11 genes of interest (GOIs), which were tentative microneme proteins (MICs) with unknown functions, and applied the CRISPR-Cas9 system to construct 11 epitope tagging strains and gene knockout strains to explore their intracellular localization and biological functions. The results showed that nine tentative MICs were localized or partially localized in the microneme, one GOI was localized in endoplasmic reticulum, and another GOI was localized in the dense granule. Deletion of the 11 genes showed no significant effect on the in vitro growth and virulence of the tachyzoites of T. gondii type I RH strain. This study investigated the role of the 11 tentative mics in T. gondii tachyzoites, which expanded the knowledge of the functionally unknown genes of T. gondii. In the future, roles of these genes in other life stages and other genotypes of T. gondii will be explored. Toxoplasma gondii, a pathogenic apicomplexan parasite, infects approximately one third of the world's population and poses a serious threat to global public health. Microneme proteins (MICs) secreted by the microneme, an apical secretory organelle of T. gondii, play important roles in the invasion, motility, and intracellular survival of T. gondii. In this study, we selected 11 genes of interest (GOIs) of T. gondii, tentative MICs predicted to be localized in micronemes, and we used the CRISPR-Cas9 system to construct epitope tagging strains and gene knockout strains to explore the localization and function of these 11 tentative MICs. Immunofluorescence assay showed that nine tentative MICs (TGME49_243930, TGME49_200270, TGME49_273320, TGME49_287040, TGME49_261710, TGME49_205680, TGME49_304490, TGME49_245485, and TGME49_224620) were localized or partially localized in the microneme, consistent with the prediction. However, TGME49_272380 and TGME49_243790 showed different localizations from the prediction, being localized in the endoplasmic reticulum and the dense granule, respectively. Further functional characterization of the 11 RHΔGOI strains revealed that deletion of these 11 GOIs had no significant effect on plaque formation, intracellular replication, egress, invasion ability, and virulence of T. gondii. Although these 11 GOIs are not essential genes for the growth and virulence of tachyzoites of type I RH strain, they may have potential roles in other developmental stages or other genotypes of T. gondii. Thus, further research should be performed to explore the possible role of the nine mics and the other two GOIs in other life cycle stages and other genotypes of T. gondii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extraction of total flavonoids from Hylotelephium spectabile (Boreau) H. Ohba (H. spectabile) leaves was studied through the use of a double enzyme-assisted ultrasonic method, and the extraction process was optimized using the Box–Behnken design. Eight different macroporous resins were screened for purification in single-factorial experiments, and the flavonoid compounds in the extract of H. spectabile leaves were identified using HPLC-MS. Through the evaluation of the total reducing capacity and capacity for reducing 1,1-diphenyl-2-trinitrophenylhydrazine (DPPH), hydroxyl radicals (·OH), and 2,2'-biazobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), the in vitro antioxidant activities of the crude extracts of the total flavonoids and purified total flavonoids of H. spectabile leaves were investigated. The results showed that the most efficient conditions for flavonoid extraction were an ultrasonic extraction time of 60 min, an ethanol concentration of 35%, a liquid-to-material ratio of 20:1 mL/g, and an amount of enzyme (cellulose/pectinase = 1:1) of 1.5%, forming H. spectabile powder. Under these conditions, the total flavonoid extraction rate in the H. spectabile leaf extract was 4.22%. AB-8 resin showed superior performance in terms of purification, and the optimal adsorption and desorption times were 1.5 h and 3 h, respectively. The recommended parameters for purification included a liquid volume of 5.5 BV, a flow rate of 1.2 BV/min, a pH of 5, and a concentration of 0.8 mg/mL. The observed order for reducing capacity was ascorbic acid (VC) > rutin > purified total flavonoids > crude extract of total flavonoids. The purified total flavonoid extract from H. spectabile showed a good scavenging ability against DPPH, ·OH, and ABTS·+, suggesting strong antioxidant activity. Therefore, this study can serve as technical support and reference data for the further development and utilization of H. spectabile resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the country that emits the most carbon in the world, China needs significant and urgent changes in carbon emission control in the transportation sector in order to achieve the goals of reaching peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. Therefore, the promotion of new energy vehicles has become the key factor to achieve these two objectives. For the reason that the comprehensive transportation cost directly affects the end customer's choice of heavy truck models, this work compares the advantages, disadvantages, and economic feasibility of diesel, liquefied natural gas (LNG), electric, hydrogen, and methanol heavy trucks from a total life cycle cost and end-user perspective under various scenarios. The study results show that when the prices of diesel, LNG, electricity, and methanol fuels are at their highest, and the price of hydrogen is 35 CNY/kg, the total life cycle cost of the five types of heavy trucks from highest to lowest are hydrogen heavy trucks (HHT), methanol heavy trucks (MHT), diesel heavy trucks (DHT), electric heavy trucks (EHT), and LNG heavy trucks (LNGHT), ignoring the adverse effects of cold environments on car batteries. When the prices of diesel, LNG, electricity, and methanol fuels are at average or lowest levels, and the price of hydrogen is 30 CNY/kg or 25 CNY/kg, the life cycle cost of the five heavy trucks from highest to lowest are HHT, DHT, MHT, EHT, and LNGHT. When considering the impact of cold environments, even with lower electricity prices, EHT struggle to be economical when LNG prices are low. If the electricity price is above 1 CNY/kWh, regardless of the impact of cold environments, the economic viability of EHT is lower than that of HHT with a purchase cost of 500,000 CNY and a hydrogen price of 25 CNY/kg. Simultaneously, an exhaustive competitiveness analysis of heavy trucks powered by diverse energy sources highlights the specific categories of heavy trucks that ought to be prioritized for development during various periods and the challenges they confront. Finally, based on the analysis results and future development trends, the corresponding policy recommendations are proposed to facilitate high decarbonization in the transportation sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper relics, as carrieres of historical civilization's records and inheritance, could be severely acidic and brittle over time. In this study, the multi-functional dispersion of nanometer magnesium oxide (MgO) carried by 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane-modified bacterial cellulose (KH550-BC) was applied in the impregnation process to repair aged paper, aiming at solving the key problems of anti-acid and strength recovery in the protection of ancient books. The KH550-BC/MgO treatment demonstrated enhanced functional efficacy in repairing aged paper, attributed to the homogeneous and stable distribution of MgO within the nanofibers of BC networks, with minimal impact on the paper's wettability and color. Furthermore, the treatment facilitated the formation of adequate alkali reserves and hydrogen bonding, resulting in superior anti-aging properties in the treated paper during prolonged preservation. Even after 30 days of hygrothermal aging tests, the paper repaired by KH550-BC/MgO was still in a gently alkaline environment (pH was about 7.56), alongside a 32.18% elevation compared to the untreated paper regarding the tear index. The results of this work indicate that KH550-BC/MgO is an effective reinforcement material for improving the long-term restoration of ancient books. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, polysaccharides were extracted at a rate of 87.5% ± 1.5% from native dandelion roots, and the dandelion root polysaccharides (DRPs) were then chemically modified to obtain sulfated polysaccharides (SDRPs) with a degree of substitution of 1.49 ± 0.07. The effects of modification conditions, physicochemical characterizations, structural characteristics, antioxidant properties, hypoglycemic activity, and proliferative effects on probiotics of DRP derivatives were further investigated. Results showed that the optimum conditions for sulfation of DRPs included esterification reagents (concentrated sulfuric acid: n-butanol) ratio of 3:1, a reaction temperature of 0 °C, a reaction time of 1.5 h, and the involvement of 0.154 g of ammonium sulfate. The DRPs and SDRPs were composed of six monosaccharides, including mannose, glucosamine, rhamnose, glucose, galactose, and arabinose. Based on infrared spectra, the peaks of the characteristic absorption bands of S=O and C-O-S appeared at 1263 cm−1 and 836 cm−1. Compared with DRPs, SDRPs had a significantly lower relative molecular mass and a three-stranded helical structure. NMR analysis showed that sulfated modification mainly occurred on the hydroxyl group at C6. SDRPs underwent a chemical shift to higher field strength, with their characteristic signal peaking in the region of 1.00–1.62 ppm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis indicated that the surface morphology of SDRPs was significantly changed. The structure of SDRPs was finer and more fragmented than DRPs. Compared with DRPs, SDRPs showed better free radical scavenging ability, higher Fe2+chelating ability, and stronger inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase. In addition, SDRPs had an excellent promotional effect on the growth of Lactobacillus plantarum 10665 and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Therefore, this study could provide a theoretical basis for the development and utilization of DRPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The meat of local livestock breeds often has unique qualities and flavors. In this study, three Shanghai native pig breeds (MSZ, SWT, and SHB) exhibited better meat quality traits than globalized commercial pig breeds (DLY). Subsequently, metabolomic and lipidomic differences in the longissimus dorsi (L) and gluteus (T) muscles of the Shanghai native pig breeds and DLY pig breed were compared using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS). The results demonstrated that the metabolites mainly consisted of (28.16%) lipids and lipid-like molecules, and (25.87%) organic acids and their derivatives were the two most dominant groups. Hundreds of differential expression metabolites were identified in every compared group, respectively. One-way ANOVA was applied to test the significance between multiple groups. Among the 20 most abundant differential metabolites, L-carnitine was significantly different in the muscles of the four pig breeds (p-value = 7.322 × 10−11). It was significantly higher in the L and T muscles of the two indigenous black pig breeds (MSZ and SWT) than in the DLY pigs (p-value < 0.001). Similarly, lipidomic analysis revealed the PA (18:0/18:2) was significantly more abundant in the muscle of these two black breeds than that in the DLY breed (p-value < 0.001). These specific metabolites and lipids might influence the meat quality and taste properties and lead to customer preferences. Therefore, this study provided insights into the characterization of meat metabolites and lipids in Shanghai native pig breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the action of waves, a small unmanned surface vehicle (USV) will experience continuous oscillation, significantly impacting its photovoltaic power generation system. This paper proposes a USV photovoltaic power generation simulation model, and the efficiency of photovoltaic MPPT control under wave action is studied. A simulation model for solar irradiance on solar panels of USV under wave action is established based on CFD and solar irradiation models. The dynamic changes in irradiance of USV solar panels under typical wave conditions are analyzed. The MPPT efficiency of USV photovoltaic power generation devices under continuously changing irradiance conditions is studied on this basis. The simulation research results indicate that waves and solar altitude angles significantly impact the instantaneous irradiation energy of USV photovoltaic devices. However, the impact of waves on the average irradiance is relatively tiny. The sustained oscillation of irradiance poses certain requirements for the Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) control frequency of USV photovoltaic systems; a disturbance control frequency of no less than 50 Hz is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is an important component in many national net-zero strategies, and ensuring that CO2 can be safely and economically stored in geological systems is critical. Recent discoveries have shown that microbial processes (e.g., methanogenesis) can modify fluid composition and fluid dynamics within the storage reservoir. Oil reservoirs are under high pressure, but the influence of pressure on the petroleum microbial community has been previously overlooked. To better understand microbial community dynamics in deep oil reservoirs, we designed an experiment to examine the effect of high pressure (12 megapascals [MPa], 60 °C) on nitrate-reducing, sulfate-reducing, and methanogenic enrichment cultures. Cultures were exposed to these conditions for 90 d and compared with a control exposed to atmospheric pressure (0.1 MPa, 60 °C). The degradation characteristic oil compounds were confirmed by thin-layer analysis of oil SARA (saturates, aromatics, resins, and asphaltenes) family component rods. We found that the asphaltene component in crude oil was biodegraded under high pressure, but the concentration of asphaltenes increased under atmospheric pressure. Gas chromatography analyses of saturates showed that short-chain saturates (C8–C12) were biodegraded under high and atmospheric pressure, especially in the methanogenic enrichment culture under high pressure (the ratio of change was −81%), resulting in an increased relative abundance of medium- and long-chain saturates. In the nitrate-reducing and sulfate-reducing enrichment cultures, long-chain saturates (C22–C32) were biodegraded in cultures exposed to high-pressure and anaerobic conditions, with a ratio of change of −8.0% and −2.3%, respectively. However, the relative proportion of long-chain saturates (C22–C32) increased under atmospheric pressure. Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry analyses of aromatics showed that several naphthalene series compounds (naphthalene, C1-naphthalene, and C2-naphthalene) were biodegraded in the sulfate-reducing enrichment under both atmospheric pressure and high pressure. Our study has discerned the linkages between the biodegradation characteristics of crude oil and pressures, which is important for the future application of bioenergy with CCUS (bio-CCUS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eukaryotic translation initiation factors (eIFs) are crucial for initiating protein translation and ensuring the correct assembly of mRNA-ribosomal subunit complexes. In this study, we investigated the effects of deleting six eIFs in the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. We determined the subcellular localization of these eIFs using C-terminal endogenous tagging and immunofluorescence analysis. Four eIFs (RH::315150-6HA, RH::286090-6HA, RH::249370-6HA, and RH::211410-6HA) were localized in the cytoplasm, while RH::224235-6HA was localized in the apicoplast. Additionally, RH::272640-6HA was found in both the basal complex and the cytoplasm of T. gondii. Functional characterization of the six RHΔeIFs strains was conducted using plaque assay, cell invasion assay, intracellular growth assay and egress assay in vitro, and virulence assay in mice. Disruption of five eIF genes (RHΔ315150, RHΔ272640, RHΔ249370, RHΔ211410, and RHΔ224235) did not affect the ability of the T. gondii RH strain to invade, replicate, form plaques and egress in vitro, or virulence in Kunming mice (p > 0.05). However, the RHΔ286090 strain showed slightly reduced invasion efficiency and virulence (p < 0.01) compared to the other five RHΔeIFs strains and the wild-type strain. The disruption of the TGGT1_286090 gene significantly impaired the ability of tachyzoites to differentiate into bradyzoites in both type I RH and type II Pru strains. These findings reveal that the eukaryotic translation initiation factor TGGT1_286090 is crucial for T. gondii bradyzoite differentiation and may serve as a potential target for drug development and an attenuated vaccine against T. gondii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: After approximately two decades of controlled breeding at the Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences in China, Luchuan (LC) pigs have developed two distinct phenotypes: one with obesity (FLC) and the other with leanness (LLC). Since recent research suggests a link between microorganisms and the development of these different phenotypes, this study investigated the fecal microbiota profiles and serum metabolites of FLC and LLC pigs. We found significant changes in the microbiota and metabolites between the two groups. The correlation studies showed a significant link between the modified microbiota, metabolites, and the observed phenotypic differences in the LC pigs. Notably, Jeotgalicoccus was positively correlated with the body weight and chest circumference, but negatively correlated with certain metabolites like 2-mercaptobenzothiazole and N1-pyrazin-2-yl-4-chlorobenzamide, which were positively associated with Bacteroides. These findings provide strong evidence for a new connection between the gut microbiome, metabolome, and phenotypic variation in LC pigs. Luchuan (LC) pigs are a Chinese breed renowned for their distinctive black and white coloring, superior meat quality and rapid reproduction, but their growth rate is slow. Over the course of approximately two decades of controlled breeding, the LC pigs maintained at the Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences (Shanghai, China) have diverged into two phenotypes: one characterized by obesity (FLC) and the other by leanness (LLC). Recent studies indicate a correlation between microorganisms and the differentiation of host phenotypes. In this study, we examined the fecal microbiota profiles and serum metabolites of FLC and LLC pigs. The body weight, chest circumference, and alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase enzyme activities were increased in the FLC pigs compared to the LLC pigs. Conversely, the levels of the Fusobacterium and Streptococcus genera were lower in the FLC pigs, while the number of Firmicutes, Lactobacillus, Phascolartobacterium, and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group members were higher. A total of 52 metabolites were altered between the two groups, with many playing crucial roles in prolactin signaling, oocyte meiosis, and aldosterone-regulated sodium reabsorption pathways. The correlation analyses demonstrated a significant association between the modified microbiota and metabolites and the phenotypic variations observed in the LC pigs. Specifically, Jeotgalicoccus was positively correlated with the body weight and chest circumference, but was negatively correlated with metabolites such as 2-mercaptobenzothiazole and N1-pyrazin-2-yl-4-chlorobenzamide, which were positively associated with Bacteroides. These results provide compelling evidence for a novel relationship between the gut microbiome and metabolome in the phenotypic differentiation of LC pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pinus is an important economic tree species, but pine wilt disease (PWD) seriously threatens the survival of pine trees. PWD caused by Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is a major quarantine disease worldwide that causes significant economic losses. However, more information about its molecular pathogenesis is needed, resulting in a lack of effective prevention and treatment measures. In recent years, effectors have become a hot topic in exploring the molecular pathogenic mechanism of pathogens. Here, we identified a specific effector, BxNMP1, from B. xylophilus. In situ hybridization experiments revealed that BxNMP1 was specifically expressed in dorsal gland cells and intestinal cells, and RT–qPCR experiments revealed that BxNMP1 was upregulated in the early stage of infection. The sequence of BxNMP1 was different in the avirulent strain, and when BxNMP1-silenced B. xylophilus was inoculated into P. thunbergii seedlings, the disease severity significantly decreased. We demonstrated that BxNMP1 interacted with the thaumatin-like protein PtTLP-L2 in P. thunbergii. Additionally, we found that the β-1,3-glucanase PtGLU interacted with PtTLP-L2. Therefore, we hypothesized that BxNMP1 might indirectly interact with PtGLU through PtTLP-L2 as an intermediate mediator. Both targets can respond to infection, and PtTLP-L2 can enhance the resistance of pine trees. Moreover, we detected increased salicylic acid contents in P. thunbergii seedlings inoculated with B. xylophilus when BxNMP1 was silenced or when the PtTLP-L2 recombinant protein was added. In summary, we identified a key virulence effector of PWNs, BxNMP1. It positively regulates the pathogenicity of B. xylophilus and interacts directly with PtTLP-L2 and indirectly with PtGLU. It also inhibits the expression of two targets and the host salicylic acid pathway. This study provides theoretical guidance and a practical basis for controlling PWD and breeding for disease resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deploying renewable generation to replace conventional fossil-fuel-based energy supplies provides an important pathway for the decarbonization of steelmaking plants. Meanwhile, it is also crucial to improve the flexibility of blast-furnace-gas-fired combined-cycle power plants (BFGCCs) to ease the accommodation of uncertain renewable generation. To this end, this paper proposes the deployment of a molten salt heat storage (MSHS) system in BFGCCs to store the heat of gas turbine flue gas so that the power–heat coupling of these BFGCCs can be unlocked to enhance the flexibility of the energy supply. A stochastic capacity optimization of an integrated BFGCC–MSHS–wind–solar (BMWS) energy system is presented to determine the optimal installed capacities of a BFG holder, MSHS, wind turbine, and PV panel, aiming to achieve an economic and safe energy supply for the entire system. Multiple scenarios considering uncertain fluctuations in load demands and renewable generation are generated with the Monte Carlo method based on a typical scenario. These scenarios are then reduced to representative scenarios using the synchronous substitution and reduction method for stochastic capacity optimization to enhance the reliability of the results. The case study results demonstrate that configuring MSHS reduces the total annualized cost of the BMWS system by 2.28%. Furthermore, considering the uncertainties of the power/heating load and wind/PV generation can reduce the expected annualized total cost of the BMWS system and the corresponding standard deviation by 5.66% and 81.45%, respectively. The BMWS system can achieve 730.68 tons of equivalent CO2 reduction in 24 h due to the successful utilization of renewable energy. This paper provides an effective approach for the decarbonization of energy generation systems in steelmaking plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of the Internet and information technology, optical fiber communication systems need to meet people's information demand for large capacity and high speed. High-order phase modulation and channel multiplexing can improve the capacity and data rate of optical fiber communication systems, but they also bring the problem of bit error. To improve the transmission quality and reliability of optical fiber communication systems, forward error correction (FEC) coding techniques are commonly used, which serve as the fundamental approach to enhance the quality and reliability of fiber optic communication systems, ensuring that the received data remain accurate and reliable. The FEC in optical fiber communication systems is divided into three generations. The first generation FEC is mainly hard decision codewords, represented as RS code. The second generation FEC is mainly cascaded code, which stands for interleaved cascaded code. The third generation of FEC mainly refers to soft decision codes, which are represented as low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes. As a kind of FEC, LDPC codes stand out as pivotal contributors in the field of optical communication and have gained remarkable attention due to exceptional error correction performance and low decoding complexity. Based on IEEE802.16e standard, LDPC code with specific code length and rate is compiled and simulated in MATLAB and VPItransmissionMaker 10.1 and successfully incorporated into polarization multiplexed differential quadrature phase shift keying (PM-DQPSK) coherent optical transmission system. The simulation results indicate that the bit error rate (BER) can be reduced to 10−3 when the optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) reaches 14.2 dB, and the BER experiences a reduction by nearly three orders of magnitude when the OSNR is 17.2 dB. These findings underscore the efficacy of LDPC codes in significantly improving the performance of optical communication systems, particularly in scenarios demanding robust error correction capabilities. This study provides valuable, significant results regarding the potential of LDPC codes for enhancing the reliability of optical transmission in real-world applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chrysoeriol is an active ingredient derived from the Chinese medicinal herb (CMH) "Lonicerae japonicae flos" in the dried flower bud or bloomed flower of Lonicera japonica Thunberg. Dermatoses are the most common diseases in humans, including eczema, acne, psoriasis, moles, and fungal infections, which are temporary or permanent and may be painless or painful. Topical corticosteroids are widely used in Western medicine, but there are some side effects when it is continuously and regularly utilized in a large dosage. Chrysoeriol is a natural active ingredient, nontoxic, and without any adverse reactions in the treatment of dermatological conditions. Methods: Nine electronic databases were searched, including WanFang Data, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, Springer Link, SciFinder, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), without regard to language constraints. The pharmacological activities of chrysoeriol from Lonicerae japonicae flos to fight against skin diseases were explained and evaluated through the literature review of either in vitro or in vivo studies. Results: Chrysoeriol decreased the mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α. These were transcriptionally regulated by NF-κB and STAT3 to combat skin inflammation. It also showed promising actions in treating many skin ailments including wound healing, depigmentation, photoprotection, and antiaging. Conclusion: The cutaneous route is the best delivery approach to chrysoeriol across the skin barrier. However, toxicity, dosage, and safety assessments of chrysoeriol in a formulation or nanochrysoeriol on the human epidermis for application in skin diseases must be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A polarized light microscope (PLM) was utilized to examine the optical textures of mesophase pitch (MP) and MP-derived fibers, which aimed to reveal the arrangement and orientation characteristics of pitch molecules and to clarify the evolution and transformation mechanism of carbonaceous microcrystalline from pitch fibers to graphitized fibers. The results found that there were distinct optical textures in MP, where one side exhibited a transition from a flattening plane to a mountain-like undulating plane. This transition corresponded to the arrangement of pitch molecules, resembling stacked lamellar structures reminiscent of curved paper. Meanwhile, the optical textures of fibers revealed that the blue substance was wrapped around the red grain-like domains in the longitudinal section and confirmed that the red part belonged to the pyridine insoluble fraction of MP and the blue part belonged to its pyridine-soluble fraction. After graphitization, the red part was transformed into graphite sheets and the blue part was transformed into an amorphous carbon layer which was wrapped around the graphite sheets, forming a carbonaceous microcrystalline package-like bag. Therefore, this study provided a comprehensive interpretation of the structural evolution mechanism of MP and MP-derived fibers based on their macro-optical textures and micro-nanostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesophase pitch is usually prepared by radical polymerization or catalytic polymerization from coal tar, petroleum, and aromatic compounds, and the catalytic synthesis of mesophase pitch from pure aromatic compounds is more controllable in the preparation of high-quality mesophase pitch. However, the corrosive and highly toxic nature of the catalyst has limited the further development of this method. In this study, mesophase pitch was synthetized using ethylene tar and naphthalene as raw materials and boron trifluoride diethyl etherate as a catalyst. The effect of the catalytic reaction on the structure and properties of the mesophase pitch was investigated. The results show that naphthalene plays an important role in the mesophase content and reaction pressure (from above 6 MPa to 2.35 MPa). Mesophase pitch with fine-flow texture can be prepared by introducing more methylene groups, naphthenic structures, and aliphatic hydrocarbons during synthesis. Carbon fibers prepared from mesophase pitch show a split structure, and the thermal conductivity is 730 W/(m·K). This work provides theoretical support for lower toxicity and causticity and for reaction-controlled technology for the synthesis of high-purity mesophase pitch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, with the rapid development of consumer Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), utilizing UAV platforms for visual surveillance has become very attractive, and a key part of this is remote vision-based pedestrian attribute recognition. Pedestrian Attribute Recognition (PAR) is dedicated to predicting multiple attribute labels of a single pedestrian image extracted from surveillance videos and aerial imagery, which presents significant challenges in the computer vision community due to factors such as poor imaging quality and substantial pose variations. Despite recent studies demonstrating impressive advancements in utilizing complicated architectures and exploring relations, most of them may fail to fully and systematically consider the inter-region, inter-attribute, and region-attribute mapping relations simultaneously and be stuck in the dilemma of information redundancy, leading to the degradation of recognition accuracy. To address the issues, we construct a novel Mask-Relation-Guided Transformer (MRG-T) framework that consists of three relation modeling modules to fully exploit spatial and semantic relations in the model learning process. Specifically, we first propose a Masked Region Relation Module (MRRM) to focus on precise spatial attention regions to extract more robust features with masked random patch training. To explore the semantic association of attributes, we further present a Masked Attribute Relation Module (MARM) to extract intrinsic and semantic inter-attribute relations with an attribute label masking strategy. Based on the cross-attention mechanism, we finally design a Region and Attribute Mapping Module (RAMM) to learn the cross-modal alignment between spatial regions and semantic attributes. We conduct comprehensive experiments on three public benchmarks such as PETA, PA-100K, and RAPv1, and conduct inference on a large-scale airborne person dataset named PRAI-1581. The extensive experimental results demonstrate the superior performance of our method compared to state-of-the-art approaches and validate the effectiveness of mask-relation-guided modeling in the remote vision-based PAR task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the effect of hob temperature on the rock-breaking characteristics of full-section tunnel boring machines (TBMs) in sandstone strata, high-temperature furnace heating experiments of sandstone and physical and mechanical experiments at room temperature and high temperatures were conducted to obtain the mechanical properties of sandstone at different temperatures. The mechanical properties at different temperatures were calibrated using PFC3D to obtain micro-mechanical and thermodynamic parameters and establish a rock-breaking model. The orthogonal experiments were used to establish the simulation experiments of rock breaking under different temperatures, confining pressure conditions, knife tip distances, and penetration degrees. The results show that the hob tip force is gradually increasing with an increase in the confining pressure. When below 600 °C, there is little temperature transfer from particle to particle as the temperature increases. At this time, with the two sides of the rock slag flaking, the hob knife tip force is the first to reduce. After 600 °C, with the expansion of the rock extrusion hob, the temperature rises on both sides; at this time, the hob tip force also increased. The hob tip force is minimal at a tip distance of 70 mm and an S/P of 14. As the surrounding pressure increases, the rock-breaking efficiency of the hobber decreases. The highest rock-breaking efficiency is achieved at 25 °C and 600 °C. The rock-breaking efficiency is highest when the knife tip distance is designed to be 70 mm, and when the S/P is 14. The three-dimensional constitutive analysis of rock-breaking particles showed that the increment caused by the hob temperature is mainly distributed in the normal force direction in the surrounding rock without any confining pressure, and the increment caused by the hob temperature exposed to the confining pressure occurs in all directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by lung inflammation and increased membrane permeability, which represents the leading cause of mortality in ICUs. Mechanical ventilation strategies are at the forefront of supportive approaches for ARDS. Recently, an increasing understanding of RNA biology, function, and regulation, as well as the success of RNA vaccines, has spurred enthusiasm for the emergence of novel RNA-based therapeutics. The most common types of RNA seen in development are silencing (si)RNAs, antisense oligonucleotide therapy (ASO), and messenger (m)RNAs that collectively account for 80% of the RNA therapeutics pipeline. These three RNA platforms are the most mature, with approved products and demonstrated commercial success. Most recently, miRNAs have emerged as pivotal regulators of gene expression. Their dysregulation in various clinical conditions offers insights into ARDS pathogenesis and offers the innovative possibility of using microRNAs as targeted therapy. This review synthesizes the current state of the literature to contextualize the therapeutic potential of miRNA modulation. It considers the potential for miR-based therapeutics as a nuanced approach that incorporates the complexity of ARDS pathophysiology and the multifaceted nature of miRNA interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Rodents in the Alxa desert area (Inner Mongolia, China) face more human disturbance (including grazing, reclamation, excavation of wild medicinal materials, etc.) than in other areas. We used the capture-mark-recapture method to continuously monitor the four main rodent spatial niches from 2017 to 2021. At the same time, we monitored the vegetation, soil, temperature, and humidity in the survey area. The results showed that the spatial niche breadth of rodents was mainly affected by population density (rodents) and shrubs (height and density) in the habitat. The coexistence strategy of the northern three-toed jerboa (Dipus sagitta) with midday gerbil (Meriones meridianus) and desert hamster (Phodopus roborovskii) is based on the difference in body size and foraging strategy. The five-toed jerboa (Orientallactaga sibirica) promotes coexistence through spatial niche separation. Rodents can make a trade-off between foraging efficiency and the cost of travel to achieve coexistence. Resource partitioning may allow species coexistence. Sand dunes in the typical steppe of Alxa Desert Inner Mongolia, China, consisting of desert, shrub, and grass habitats, provide an appropriate system for studies of spatial niche partitioning among small mammals. In this study, the spatial niche characteristics of four rodents, Orientallactaga sibirica, Meriones meridianus, Dipus sagitta, and Phodopus roborovskii, and their responses to environmental changes in the Alxa Desert were studied from 2017 to 2021. Using the capture-mark-recapture method, we tested if desert rodents with different biological characteristics and life history strategies under heterogeneous environmental conditions allocate resources in spatial niches to achieve sympatric coexistence. We investigated the influence of environmental factors on the spatial niche breadth of rodents using random forest and redundancy analyses. We observed that the spatial niche overlap between O. sibirica and other rodents is extremely low (overlap index ≤ 0.14). P. roborovskii had the smallest spatial niche breadth. Spatial niche overlap was observed in two distinct species pairs, M. meridianus and D. sagitta, and P. roborovskii and D. sagitta. The Pielou evenness index of rodent communities is closely related to the spatial distribution of rodents, and the concealment of habitats is a key factor affecting the spatial occupation of rodents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate and complete 3D point clouds are essential in creating as-built building information modeling (BIM) models, although there are challenges in automating the process for 3D point cloud creation in complex environments. In this paper, an autonomous scanning system named BIMBot is introduced, which integrates advanced light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology with robotics to create 3D point clouds. Using our specially developed algorithmic pipeline for point cloud processing, iterative registration refinement, and next best view (NBV) calculation, this system facilitates an efficient, accurate, and fully autonomous scanning process. The BIMBot's performance was validated using a case study in a campus laboratory, featuring complex structural and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) elements. The experimental results showed that the autonomous scanning system produced 3D point cloud mappings in fewer scans than the manual method while maintaining comparable detail and accuracy, demonstrating its potential for wider application in complex built environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has indicated that Pseudomonas aurantiaca ST-TJ4 possesses a notable antagonistic impact on Phytophthora cinnamomi and holds promising potential for biocontrol. In this study, a combination of a single-factor experiment, a Plackett–Burman design and a response surface approach was employed to investigate the optimal formula of ST-TJ4 fermentation medium. Furthermore, the stability of ST-TJ4 fermentation filtrate and its biocontrol effect on Ph. cinnamomi in vivo were also evaluated. The results revealed that the optimal culture conditions for ST-TJ4 involved the use of 20.59 g/L of glucose and 18.76 g/L of yeast extract powder. Following optimization, the fermentation filtrate of ST-TJ4 exhibited an inhibition rate of 76.5%, representing a 15% increase compared to previous levels. Additionally, phzA, phzB, phzD, phzE, phzF and phzO genes involved in the synthesis of phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA) and 2-hydroxyphenazine (2-OH-PHZ) were also upregulated. The ST-TJ4 fermentation filtrate demonstrated strong alkali resistance, weak acid resistance and favorable temperature and UV light stability. Furthermore, in vitro inoculation experiments confirmed that optimizing the fermentation medium reduced Ps. cinnamomi's ability to infect the leaves of Rhododendron pulchrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

KRAS and BRAF mutation rates in colorectal cancer (CRC) reported from various mono-ethnic studies vary amongst different ethnic groups. However, these differences in mutation rates may not be statistically significant or may be due to differences in environmental and/or laboratory factors across countries rather than racial genetic differences. Here, we compare the KRAS/BRAF mutation rates and survival outcomes in CRC between ethnic groups at a single institution. We also investigate the contributions of genetic, environmental, and laboratory factors to the variations in KRAS/BRAF mutation rates reported from different countries. Clinicopathological data from 453 ethnically diverse patients with CRC were retrospectively analyzed at Liverpool Hospital, NSW Australia (2014–2016). KRAS/BRAF mutations were detected using real-time PCR (Therascreen kits from Qiagen). Mismatch repair (MMR) status was determined using immunohistochemical staining. Four ethnic groups were analyzed: Caucasian, Middle Eastern, Asian, and South American. Overall survival data were available for 406 patients. There was no significant difference in KRAS mutation rates between Caucasians (41.1%), Middle Easterners (47.9%), Asians (44.8%), and South Americans (25%) (p = 0.34). BRAF mutation rates differed significantly between races (p = 0.025), with Caucasians having the highest rates (13.5%) and Middle Easterners the lowest (0%). A secondary analysis in which Caucasians were divided into three subgroups showed that ethnic grouping correlated significantly with KRAS mutation rate (p = 0.009), with central and eastern Europeans having the highest rates (58.3%). There were no significant differences in overall survival (OS) or disease-free survival (DFS) between the four races. The similarity in KRAS mutation rates across races raises the possibility that the differences in KRAS mutation rates reported from various countries may either not be statistically significant or may be due to environmental and/or laboratory factors rather than underlying racial genetic differences. In contrast, we verified that BRAF mutation rates differ significantly between races, suggesting racial genetic differences may be responsible for the discrepant BRAF mutation rates reported from different countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research comprehensively analyzes the spatial morphology of 177 traditional villages within Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province. The study delineates these characteristics utilizing a combination of five quantitative measured indices—ratio, boundary, saturation, building density, and dispersion coefficients. Leveraging sophisticated analytical techniques facilitated by "SPSS + GIS" integration, the investigation systematically explores the intricate details of village spatial form. Their overarching distribution patterns, and the determinant factors influencing them, provide insights across both granular and broad-scale dimensions. The aim is to establish a robust quantitative data analysis framework, facilitating a precise description of traditional villages' spatial dynamics. The findings categorize the spatial morphology of Linxia's traditional villages into three distinct types: linear multi-point concentration, dense clustering, and irregular dispersion. Common traits among these categories include widespread dispersal, small settlements, and a mix of dwellings. Spatial distribution patterns vary, with dense clusters forming an "olive-shaped" trend in the southeast–northwest direction, while irregularly dispersed villages develop along mountains and valleys, exhibiting multi-core structures. Additionally, linear multi-point concentrated villages display a random, multi-point distribution interspersed with dense clusters. The survival strategies of these commercial, subsistence, and resource-based villages are shaped by a confluence of factors such as elevation, river proximity, ancient road networks, and the interplay between Han Chinese and Tibetan cultural influences. The implications of this study are significant for understanding traditional village dynamics, promoting sustainable development, and refining quantitative methods for rural studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread use of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in many fields has brought convenience to human lives but has also caused unavoidable environmental pollution issues. In particular, the resistance gene problem resulting from accumulating antibiotics that cannot be fully absorbed by biological individuals has been a concern; thus, it is urgent to find efficient technologies to boost the degradation efficiency of antibiotics in the environment. Here, an ε-MnO2 catalyst was prepared by a novel droplet-interface-drying method and utilized as a Fenton-like catalyst for efficiently degrading ciprofloxacin (CIP). The ε-MnO2 shell was formed preferentially at the gas–liquid interface and then continued to decompose into ε-MnO2 with abundant O vacancies in the air-insulated microcavity. The XPS result confirms that this particular preparation method can regulate the content of O vacancies in the material. Compared with ε-MnO2 samples obtained by the direct drying method (ε-MnO2-B), the catalytic performance of ε-MnO2 prepared by the droplet-interface-drying method (ε-MnO2-P) is significantly improved. By activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS) with the ε-MnO2-P catalyst, the CIP degradation efficiency can reach 84.1%. The detection and analysis of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the ε-MnO2-P/PMS oxidation system confirms that ·OH, SO4·− and 1O2 are the main ROS for CIP degradation. This study highlights the creation of miniature hypoxic space to regulate the content of O vacancies in ε-MnO2, providing a new idea for the synthesis of other O-vacancy-rich materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of ocean thermal energy conversion is an effective method to extend underwater vehicles' running times and operating ranges, and the solid–liquid phase transition of the phase change material (PCM) in the heat exchanger is a key process for underwater vehicles to collect ocean thermal energy. This study proposes a heat exchanger structure for a small-size thermal energy power generation device and establishes the heat transfer model for the heat exchanger. Simulations were conducted considering convective heat transfer, and the obtained results demonstrated the feasibility of the designed structure. A prototype of the heat exchanger was developed, and physical experiments were conducted to validate the performance of the prototype. The results show that the melting process of the heat exchanger can be completed within 6 to 12 h, the solidification process can be completed within 3 to 7 h, and the heat transfer time decreases with the increase in temperature difference, verifying the compatibility with the underwater vehicles' working patterns. Moreover, the heat exchanger could theoretically extend their lifetime. The results can provide a reference for the structural design and optimization of the heat exchanger for small ocean thermal energy power generation devices in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glomalin, a glycoprotein secreted by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMFs), exhibits multiple beneficial functions in regard to plant growth. However, the roles and regulatory mechanisms of exogenous easily extractable glomalin-related soil protein (EE-GRSP) in water and their effects on the quality of tea plants (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Ktze.) remain unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of a quarter-strength exogenous EE-GRSP solution (1/4 EE-GRSP), half-strength exogenous EE-GRSP solution (1/2 EE-GRSP), three-quarter-strength exogenous EE-GRSP solution (3/4 EE-GRSP), and full-strength exogenous EE-GRSP solution (full EE-GRSP) on plant growth, the root system architecture, leaf water status, and the tea quality of tea seedlings, along with examining the changes in the relative expression of water channel proteins (AQPs) in tea plants. The results indicated that exogenous EE-GRSP of different strengths had different effects on both the growth performance (height, leaf numbers, and biomass) and root architecture parameters of tea seedlings, and the best positive effects on plant growth and the root architecture appeared under the three-quarter-strength exogenous EE-GRSP treatment. Similarly, the exogenous EE-GRSP application also differently affected tea quality indicators, in which only the quarter- and half-strength exogenous EE-GRSP solutions significantly increased most of the indicators, including carbohydrates, tea polyphenols, total amino acids, catechins, and flavonoids. Moreover, the half- and three-quarter-strength exogenous EE-GRSP treatments significantly increased the leaf relative water content (LRWC), but all of the exogenous EE-GRSP treatments significantly decreased the leaf water potential (LWP). Furthermore, the expression of AQP genes in the root system of tea plants was related to the strength of the exogenous EE-GRSP treatments, and different genes were significantly up-regulated or down-regulated under the treatment of exogenous EE-GRSP at different strengths. Moreover, the correlation analysis showed that most of the relative expression of AQPs was significantly and positively correlated with tea plant growth, the root architecture, and the leaf relative water content, but negatively correlated with tea quality indicators; however, the expression of CsNIPs and CsSIPs was markedly and negatively correlated with plant growth performance. Therefore, we speculated that the application of exogenous EE-GRSP could facilitate plant growth and improve the quality indirectly by regulating the expression of root AQPs, thus ameliorating the water uptake and nutrient accumulation in tea plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The teaching–learning-based optimization (TLBO) algorithm, which has gained popularity among scholars for addressing practical issues, suffers from several drawbacks including slow convergence speed, susceptibility to local optima, and suboptimal performance. To overcome these limitations, this paper presents a novel algorithm called the teaching–learning optimization algorithm, based on the cadre–mass relationship with the tutor mechanism (TLOCTO). Building upon the original teaching foundation, this algorithm incorporates the characteristics of class cadre settings and extracurricular learning institutions. It proposes a new learner strategy, cadre–mass relationship strategy, and tutor mechanism. The experimental results on 23 test functions and CEC-2020 benchmark functions demonstrate that the enhanced algorithm exhibits strong competitiveness in terms of convergence speed, solution accuracy, and robustness. Additionally, the superiority of the proposed algorithm over other popular optimizers is confirmed through the Wilcoxon signed rank-sum test. Furthermore, the algorithm's practical applicability is demonstrated by successfully applying it to three complex engineering design problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

β-Ga2O3, with excellent bandgap, breakdown field, and thermal stability properties, is considered to be one of the most promising candidates for power devices including field-effect transistors (FETs) and for other applications such as Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) and solar-blind ultraviolet photodetectors. Ohmic contact is one of the key steps in the β-Ga2O3 device fabrication process for power applications. Ohmic contact techniques have been developed in recent years, and they are summarized in this review. First, the basic theory of metal–semiconductor contact is introduced. After that, the representative literature related to Ohmic contact with β-Ga2O3 is summarized and analyzed, including the electrical properties, interface microstructure, Ohmic contact formation mechanism, and contact reliability. In addition, the promising alternative schemes, including novel annealing techniques and Au-free contact materials, which are compatible with the CMOS process, are discussed. This review will help our theoretical understanding of Ohmic contact in β-Ga2O3 devices as well as the development trends of Ohmic contact schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exceptional biocompatibility of emulsion systems that rely on stabilizing protein–polysaccharide particles presents extensive possibilities for the transportation of bioactive carriers, making them highly promising for various biological applications. The current work aimed to explore the phenomenon of complex coacervation between sesame protein isolate (SPI) and four distinct polysaccharides, namely, Arabic gum (GA), carrageenan (CAR), sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and sodium alginate (SA). The study objective was achieved by fabricating emulsions through the blending of these polymers with oil at their maximum turbidity level (φ = 0.6), followed by the measurement of their rheological properties. The turbidity, ζ-potential, and particle size were among the techno-parameters analyzed to assess the emulsion stability. The microstructural characterization of the emulsions was conducted using both transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, the functional properties were examined using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The SPI incorporated with SA, CMC, and CAR reached the maximum turbidity (0.2% w/v) at a ratio of 4:1, corresponding to the pH values of 4.5, 3, or 3.5, respectively. The SPI–GA mixture exhibited the maximum turbidity at a ratio of 10:1 and pH 4.5. Results from the FTIR and XRD analyses provided evidence of complex formation between SPI and the four polysaccharides, with the electrostatic and hydrogen bond interactions facilitating the binding of SPI to these polysaccharides. SPI was bound to the four polysaccharides through electrostatic and hydrogen bond interactions. The SPI–CMC and SPI–SA emulsions were more stable after two weeks of storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-quality development of agricultural and rural areas is the foundation of national modernization and sustainable development in China. Therefore, the evaluation of the degree of development of modernization of China's agricultural and rural areas and the summarization of its main characteristics are crucial. However, studies on rural modernization and coordinated development are limited. Here, we developed a statistical evaluation system to effectively identify and assess the levels of agricultural and rural modernization, urban–rural integration, and agricultural rural coordination. We found that agricultural and rural modernization in China has continued to improve, but low scores were attributed to the factors of coordinated development of urban–rural areas, livable ecological environment, farmer prosperity, industrial structure upgrade, and resource allocation efficiency, limiting high-quality agricultural and rural development. Agricultural and rural modernization is lower in the central and western regions, compared to that in the eastern regions, but it is picking up the pace, indicating convergence. Rural modernization is lower than agricultural modernization and the two subsystems are not sufficiently coordinated, especially in undeveloped areas. Furthermore, the regional differences in rural modernization are greater than those in agricultural modernization. The system developed here can provide valuable experience for developing countries to open new paths toward modernization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vernacular dwellings carry both material and spiritual connotations, playing a significant role in preserving and developing regional culture. While current research on vernacular dwellings has primarily focused on the cultural center, there is a critical knowledge gap regarding the "differentiation" of dwellings in border areas. This knowledge gap poses risks to the sustainable development of vernacular dwellings. Therefore, this study employs a space syntax approach to analyze the spatial configuration of the Tibetan vernacular dwellings of the semi-agricultural and semi-pastoral areas in Gannan prefecture, China, which is situated in the Tibetan border area. The findings reveal the following key insights: (i) disparities exist in the spatial organization of "sacred–secular" node spaces and the structural characteristics of buildings, resulting in a misalignment between physical center spaces and psychological center spaces; (ii) variation in cultural intensity contributes to distinct characteristics, i.e., "prototype", "transition", and "mutant", among dwellings in different counties; and (iii) the continuous development and adaptation of dwellings hinge on the homogeneity and differentiation of regional culture. The crux of achieving sustainable dwelling development lies in preserving the diversity of dwellings. This study offers a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between the spatial configuration of vernacular dwellings in the Tibetan border area and their sociocultural connotations. Consequently, it provides valuable guidance for promoting the sustainable development of these dwellings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen energy from solar water-splitting is known as an ideal method with which to address the energy crisis and global environmental pollution. Herein, the first-principles calculations are carried out to study the photocatalytic water-splitting performance of single-layer GaInSe3 under biaxial strains from −2% to +2%. Calculations reveal that single-layer GaInSe3 under various biaxial strains has electronic bandgaps ranging from 1.11 to 1.28 eV under biaxial strain from −2% to +2%, as well as a completely separated valence band maximum and conduction band minimum. Meanwhile, the appropriate band edges for water-splitting and visible optical absorption up to ~3 × 105 cm−1 are obtained under biaxial strains from −2% to 0%. More impressively, the solar conversion efficiency of single-layer GaInSe3 under biaxial strains from −2% to 0% reaches over 30%. The OER of unstrained single-layer GaInSe3 can proceed without co-catalysts. These demonstrate that single-layer GaInSe3 is a viable material for solar water-splitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Zinc finger protein (ZFP) family is widely distributed in eukaryotes and interacts with DNA, RNA, and various proteins to participate in many molecular processes. In the present study, the biological functions of eight ZFP genes in the lytic cycle and the pathogenicity of Toxoplasma gondii were examined using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Immunofluorescence showed that four ZFPs (RH248270-HA, RH255310-HA, RH309200-HA, and RH236640-HA) were localized in the cytoplasm, and one ZFP (RH273150-HA) was located in the nucleus, while the expression level of RH285190-HA, RH260870-HA, and RH248450-HA was undetectable. No significant differences were detected between seven RHΔzfp strains (RHΔ285190, RHΔ248270, RHΔ260870, RHΔ255310, RHΔ309200, RHΔ248450, and RHΔ236640) and the wild-type (WT) strain in the T. gondii lytic cycle, including plaque formation, invasion, intracellular replication, and egress, as well as in vitro virulence (p > 0.05). However, the RHΔ273150 strain exhibited significantly lower replication efficiency compared to the other seven RHΔzfp strains and the WT strain, while in vivo virulence in mice was not significantly affected. Comparative expression analysis of the eight zfp genes indicates that certain genes may have essential functions in the sexual reproductive stage of T. gondii. Taken together, these findings expand our current understanding of the roles of ZFPs in T. gondii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, to systematically investigate the evolution characteristics of electrical properties in polymorphic piezoceramics, the Ba(Ti0.92Zr0.08)O3 ceramics are selected as a paradigm that possesses all the general phase structures above room temperature. It is found that the evolution of electrical properties with temperature change can be divided into three stages based on phase structure transforming: high ferroelectric and stable strain properties at R and R-O, high ferroelectric and enhanced strain/converse piezoelectric properties at O, O-T, and T phase, and the rapidly decreased ferroelectric and strain properties in T-C and C phase. However, the ferroelectric and strain properties all increase with rising electric field and their evolution can be divided into two parts based on phase structures. The high property and slow increase rate are present at R, R-O, O, and O-T, while the poor property but a high increase rate is present around T-C. Similar results can be found in the evolution of electrostrictive property. Finally, the highest d33* of ~1240 pm/V and Q33 of ~0.053 m4/C2 are obtained at O-T due to the high ferroelectricity but easy domain switching. This work affords important guidance for the property optimization of polymorphic piezoceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have the function of promoting water absorption for the host plant, whereas the role of easily extractable glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP), an N-linked glycoprotein secreted by AMF hyphae and spores, is unexplored for citrus plants. In this study, the effects on plant growth performance, root system characteristics, and leaf water status, along with the changes of mineral element content and relative expressions of tonoplast intrinsic protein (TIP) genes in lemon (Citrus limon L.) seedlings, were investigated under varying strengths of exogenous EE-GRSP application under potted conditions. The results showed that 1/2, 3/4, and full-strength exogenous EE-GRSP significantly promoted plant growth performance, as well as increased the biomass and root system architecture traits including root surface area, volume, taproot length, and lateral root numbers of lemon seedlings. The four different strengths of exogenous GRSP displayed differential effects on mineral element content: notably increased the content of phosphorus (P) and iron (Fe) in both leaves and roots, as well as magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn) content in the roots, but dramatically decreased the content of calcium (Ca) and manganese (Mn) in the roots, as well as Zn and Mn in the leaves. Exogenous EE-GRSP improved leaf water status, manifesting as decreases in leaf water potential, which was associated with the upregulated expressions of tonoplast intrinsic proteins (TIPs), including ClTIP1;1, ClTIP1;2, ClTIP1;3, ClTIP2;1, ClTIP2;2, ClTIP4;1, and ClTIP5;1 both in leaves and roots, and TIPs expressions exhibited diverse responses to EE-GRSP application. It was concluded that exogenous EE-GRSP exhibited differential responses on plant growth performance, which was related to its strength, and the effects were associated with nutrient concentration and root morphology, especially in the improvement in water status related to TIPs expressions. Therefore, EE-GRSP can be used as a biological promoter in plant cultivation, especially in citrus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) are established prognostic biomarkers for patients with gastric cancer. However, their potential as predictive markers for neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) efficacy has not been fully elucidated. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis to determine values of CEA and CA19-9 prior to NACT (pre-NACT) and after NACT (post-NACT) in 399 patients with locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC) who received intended NACT and surgery. Results: Among the 399 patients who underwent NACT plus surgery, 132 patients (33.1%) had elevated pre-NACT CEA/CA19-9 values. Furthermore, either pre-NACT or post-NACT CEA /CA19-9 levels were significantly associated with prognosis (p = 0.0023) compared to patients with non-elevated levels. Moreover, among the patients, a significant proportion (73/132, 55.3%) achieved normalized CEA/CA19-9 following NACT, which is a strong marker of a favorable treatment response and survival benefits. In addition, the patients with normalized CEA/CA19-9 also had a prolonged survival compared to those who underwent surgery first (p = 0.0140), which may be attributed to the clearance of micro-metastatic foci. Additionally, the magnitude of CEA/CA19-9 changes did not exhibit a statistically significant prognostic value. Conclusions: Normalization of CEA/CA19-9 is a strong biomarker for the effectiveness of treatment, and can thus be exploited to prolong the long-term survival of patients with LAGC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shitake mushroom (lentinula edodes) industry in the Gobi Desert region of southern Xinjiang has experienced rapid development and has reached a certain scale. To clarify the laws governing different cooling methods in greenhouses and identify suitable cooling methods for mushroom production in the Gobi Desert region, this study focused on monitoring the environmental changes in greenhouses using three different cooling methods: natural ventilation cooling, water-sprinkling roof cooling, and a fan and pad cooling system. The results showed that when combined with external shading (shade netting), natural ventilation cooling, fan and pad cooling, and water-sprinkling roof cooling, respectively, reduced the air temperature by 8.6 °C, 14.0 °C, and 15.2 °C. They also increased the relative humidity by 15.3%, 43.3%, and 51.2%, resulting in cooling efficiencies of 28.5%, 56.3%, and 68.1%, respectively. The water-sprinkling roof cooling system demonstrated the best cooling effect and temperature uniformity and had higher economic benefits. Therefore, the use of the external sprinkler cooling method in double-skeleton greenhouses is suitable for summer lentinula edodes production in the Gobi Desert region of southern Xinjiang. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the maturation stress and wood properties of poplar tension wood is critical for improving lumber yields and utilization ratio. In this study, the released longitudinal maturation strains (RLMS), anatomical features, physical and mechanical properties, and nano-mechanical properties of the cell wall were analyzed at different peripheral positions and heights in nine artificially inclined, 12-year-old poplar (Populus × euramericana cv. 'Zhonglin46') trees. The correlations between the RLMS and the wood properties were determined. The results showed that there were mixed effects of inclination on wood quality and properties. The upper sides of inclined stems had higher RLMS, proportion of G-layer, bending modulus of elasticity, and indentation modulus of the cell wall but a lower microfibril angle than the lower sides. At heights between 0.7 m and 2.2 m, only the double-wall thickness increased with height; the RLMS and other wood properties such as fiber length and basic density fluctuated or changed little with height. The RLMS were good indicators of wood properties in the tension wood area and at heights between 0.7 m and 1.5 m. The results of this study present opportunities to better understand the interactions and effects of these two phenomena, which both occur quite frequently in poplar stands and can influence the wood quality of valuable assortments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sphingolipids, a type of bioactive lipid, play crucial roles within cells, serving as integral components of membranes and exhibiting strong signaling properties that have potential therapeutic implications in anti-cancer treatments. However, due to the diverse group of lipids and intricate mechanisms, sphingolipids still face challenges in enhancing the efficacy of different therapy approaches. In recent decades, mass spectrometry has made significant advancements in uncovering sphingolipid biomarkers and elucidating their impact on cancer development, progression, and resistance. Primary sphingolipids, such as ceramide and sphingosine-1-phosphate, exhibit contrasting roles in regulating cancer cell death and survival. The evasion of cell death is a characteristic hallmark of cancer cells, leading to treatment failure and a poor prognosis. The escape initiates with long-established apoptosis and extends to other programmed cell death (PCD) forms when patients experience chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and/or immunotherapy. Gradually, supportive evidence has uncovered the fundamental molecular mechanisms underlying various forms of PCD leading to the development of innovative molecular, genetic, and pharmacological tools that specifically target sphingolipid signaling nodes. In this study, we provide a comprehensive overview of the sphingolipid biomarkers revealed through mass spectrometry in recent decades, as well as an in-depth analysis of the six main forms of PCD (apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis, and cuproptosis) in aspects of tumorigenesis, metastasis, and tumor response to treatments. We review the corresponding small-molecule compounds associated with these processes and their potential implications in cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to investigate the role that a deep learning approach could play in computational mechanics. In this paper, a convolutional neural network technique based on modified loss function is proposed as a surrogate of the finite element method (FEM). Several surrogate-based physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) are developed to solve representative boundary value problems based on elliptic partial differential equations (PDEs). According to the authors' knowledge, the proposed method has been applied for the first time to solve boundary value problems with elliptic partial differential equations as the governing equations. The results of the proposed surrogate-based approach are in good agreement with those of the conventional FEM. It is found that modification of the loss function could improve the prediction accuracy of the neural network. It is demonstrated that to some extent, the deep learning approach could replace the conventional numerical method as a significant surrogate model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferroptosis is a new form of iron-dependent programmed cell death discovered in recent years, which is caused by the accumulation of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Recent studies have shown that cellular ferroptosis is closely related to tumor progression, and the induction of ferroptosis is a new means to inhibit tumor growth. Biocompatible Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4-NPs), rich in Fe2+ and Fe3+, act as a supplier of iron ions, which not only promote ROS production but also participate in iron metabolism, thus affecting cellular ferroptosis. In addition, Fe3O4-NPs combine with other techniques such as photodynamic therapy (PDT); heat stress and sonodynamic therapy (SDT) can further induce cellular ferroptosis effects, which then enhance the antitumor effects. In this paper, we present the research progress and the mechanism of Fe3O4-NPs to induce ferroptosis in tumor cells from the perspective of related genes and chemotherapeutic drugs, as well as PDT, heat stress, and SDT techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oplopanax elatus is an endangered medicinal plant, and adventitious root (AR) culture is an effective way to obtain its raw materials. Yeast extract (YE) is a lower-price elicitor and can efficiently promote metabolite synthesis. In this study, the bioreactor-cultured O. elatus ARs were treated with YE in a suspension culture system to investigate the elicitation effect of YE on flavonoid accumulation, serving for further industrial production. Among YE concentrations (25−250 mg/L), 100 mg/L YE was the most suitable for increasing the flavonoid accumulation. The ARs with various ages (35-, 40-, and 45-day-old) responded differently to YE stimulation, where the highest flavonoid accumulation was found when 35-day-old ARs were treated with 100 mg/L YE. After YE treatment, the flavonoid content increased, peaked at 4 days, and then decreased. By comparison, the flavonoid content and antioxidant activities in the YE group were obviously higher than those in the control. Subsequently, the flavonoids of ARs were extracted by flash extraction, where the optimized extraction process was: 63% ethanol, 69 s of extraction time, and a 57 mL/g liquid–material ratio. The findings provide a reference for the further industrial production of flavonoid-enriched O. elatus ARs, and the cultured ARs have potential application for the future production of products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inkjet printing technology based on piezoelectric micro-jets can effectively realize the efficient and high-precision processing of special-shaped structures. In this work, a nozzle-driven piezoelectric micro-jet device is proposed, and its structure and micro-jet process are described. ANSYS two-phase, two-way fluid–structure coupling simulation analysis is carried out, and the mechanism of the piezoelectric micro-jet is described in detail. The effects of voltage amplitude, input signal frequency, nozzle diameter and oil viscosity on the injection performance of the proposed device are studied, and a set of effective control methods is summarized. The correctness of the piezoelectric micro-jet mechanism and the feasibility of the proposed nozzle-driven piezoelectric micro-jet device are proved by experiments, and an injection performance test is carried out. The experimental results are consistent with the ANSYS simulation results, which confirms the correctness of the experiment. Finally, the stability and superiority of the proposed device are verified via comparation experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptotanshinone (CT), an active component of the traditional Chinese medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, exhibits a wide range of biological and pharmacological activities. Although the anticancer activity of CT is well known, the knowledge of its effect on the regulation of cancer cell metabolism is relatively new. The present study investigated the anticancer mechanism of CT in ovarian cancer with a focus on cancer metabolism. CCK8 assays, apoptosis assays, and cell cycle assays were conducted to reveal the growth-suppressive effect of CT on ovarian cancer A2780 cells. To explore the potential underlying mechanisms of CT, the changes in endogenous metabolites in A2780 cells before and after CT intervention were investigated using the gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) approach. A total of 28 important potential biomarkers underwent significant changes, mainly involving aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, energy metabolism, and other pathways. Changes in the ATP and amino acid contents were verified with in vitro and in vivo experiments. Our results indicate that CT may exert an anti-ovarian cancer effect by inhibiting ATP production, promoting the protein catabolic process, and inhibiting protein synthesis, which may lead to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salt stress is an environmental stress that severely limits plant growth, development and productivity. The use of symbiotic relationships with beneficial microorganisms provides an efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly preventative method. The plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) Rahnella aquatilis JZ-GX1 is a moderately salinophilic strain with good probiotic properties, although its ability to improve woody plant salt tolerance has not been reported. In this study, the effect of JZ-GX1 on Cinnamomum camphora under different salt concentrations (0, 50 and 100 mM NaCl) was investigated to reveal the mechanism by which JZ-GX1 improves salt tolerance in C. camphora. The results showed that JZ-GX1 promoted plant growth and root development. The relative electrolyte leakage (REL) and malondialdehyde (MDA) production of inoculated C. camphora plants were reduced by 37.38% and 21.90%, respectively, and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the leaves was enhanced by 321.57% under a 100 mM NaCl treatment. It was observed by transmission electron microscopy that under 100 mM salt concentration conditions, the inoculated C. camphora leaf cells showed a significant reduction in plasma membrane–cell wall separation and intact chloroplast structures, with tightly packed thylakoids. Importantly, inoculation reduced Na+ accumulation and promoted K+ accumulation in the seedlings, and these changes were consistent with the upregulated expression of the K+ channel SKOR and the vesicular membrane (Na+, K+)/H+ reverse cotransporter NHX1 in the plant roots. This study revealed the mechanism of the Rahnella aquatilis JZ-GX1 enhancing salt tolerance of C. camphora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The forest spatial structure and diversity of tree species, as the important evaluation indicators of forest quality, are key factors affecting forest carbon storage. To analyze the impacts of biodiversity indices and stand spatial structure on forest carbon density, five tree diversity indices were calculated from three aspects of richness, diversity and evenness, and three indices (Reineke's stand density index, Hegyi's competition index and Simple mingling degree) were calculated from stand spatial structure. The relationships between these eight indices and forest carbon density were explored using the Structural Equation Model (SEM). Then, these eight indices were used as characteristic variables to predict the aboveground carbon density of trees (abbreviated as forest carbon density) in the sample plots of the National Forest Resources Continuous Inventory (NFCI) in Shaoguan City in 2017. Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) and four typical machine learning models of Random Forest (RF), Tree-based Piecewise Linear Model (M5P), Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Support Vector Regression (SVR) were used to predict the forest carbon density. The results show that: (1) Based on the analysis results of the structural equation model (SED), the species diversity and forest stand spatial structure have greater impacts on carbon density. (2) The R2 of all the five prediction models is greater than 0.6, among which the random forest model is the highest. (3) Based on the calculation results of optimal model of RF, the mean forest carbon density of Shaoguan city in 2017 was 43.176 tC/ha. The forest carbon density can be accurately estimated based on the species diversity index and stand spatial structure with machine learning algorithms. Therefore, a new method for the prediction of forest carbon density and carbon storage using species diversity indices and stand spatial structure can be explored. By analyzing the impacts of different biodiversity indices and stand spatial structure on forest carbon density, a scientific reference for the making of management measures for increasing forest carbon sinks and reducing emissions can be provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Hepatocellular carcinoma has a clear male predominance, but gender-specific differences remain incompletely understood. Our findings look specifically at the Louisiana population, which has some of the highest rates of hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, and metabolic syndrome—thus providing important data to better evaluate HCC trends. Our findings help illustrate specific gender differences in this disease, which remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a male-dominated disease. Currently, gender differences remain incompletely defined. Data from the state tumor registry were used to investigate differences in demographics, comorbidities, treatment patterns, and cancer-specific survival (HSS) among HCC patients according to gender. Additional analyses were performed to evaluate racial differences among women with HCC. 2627 patients with HCC were included; 498 (19%) were women. Women were mostly white (58%) or African American (39%)—only 3.8% were of another or unknown race. Women were older (65.1 vs. 61.3 years), more obese (33.7% vs. 24.2%), and diagnosed at an earlier stage (31.7% vs. 28.4%) than men. Women had a lower incidence of liver associated comorbidities (36.1% vs. 43%), and more often underwent liver-directed surgery (LDS; 27.5% vs. 22%). When controlling for LDS, no survival differences were observed between genders. African American women had similar HSS rates compared to white women (HR 1.14 (0.91,1.41), p = 0.239) despite having different residential and treatment geographical distributions. African American race and age >65 were predictive for worse HSS in men, but not in women. Overall, women with HCC undergo more treatment options—likely because of the earlier stage of the cancer and/or less severe underlying liver disease. However, when controlling for similar stages and treatments, HCC treatment outcomes were similar between men and women. African American race did not appear to influence outcomes among women with HCC as it did in men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]