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Porcine sapelovirus (PSV) is a new pathogen that negatively impacts the pig industry in China. Affected pigs experience severe diarrhea and even death. Vaccination is used to control disease outbreaks, and sensitive diagnostic methods that can distinguish infected animals from vaccinated animals (DIVA) are essential for monitoring the effectiveness of disease control programs. Tests based on the detection of the nonstructural protein (NSP) 3AB are reliable indicators of viral replication in infected and vaccinated animals. In this study, the recombinant PSV 3AB protein was expressed by a prokaryotic expression system, and an indirect ELISA method was established. Serum samples from healthy animals, immunized animals, and infected animals were evaluated. The ELISA method identified 3AB with high sensitivity (99.78%) and specificity (100.0%), and no cross-reaction was observed with serum antibodies against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), infection with classical swine fever virus (CSFV), pseudorabies virus (PRV), bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), or foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). The ELISA method described here can effectively distinguish infected and vaccinated animals and is an important inexpensive tool for monitoring serum and controlling PSV.

Statins inhibit 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), the rate-limiting enzyme of the mevalonate pathway, and reduce cholesterol synthesis. They also have been demonstrated to improve prognosis in patients with various cancers, suggesting a potential anti-cancer effect of statins. However, there is no consensus on the molecular targets of statins for their anti-cancer effects. Docetaxel (DOC) is a microtubule-stabilizing agent currently used as a chemotherapeutic drug in several cancers, including lung cancer. Interestingly, the anti-cancer effects of either drug that are related to abnormal or wild-type TP53 gene have been implied. Therefore, the drug sensitivity of DOC and lovastatin in human lung cancer cells was evaluated. We found that H1355 (mutant TP53-E285K), CL1 (mutant TP53-R248W), and H1299 (TP53-null) human non-small cell lung cancer cells were more sensitive to lovastatin than A549 and H460 cells expressing wild-type TP53. Conversely, A549 and H460 cells showed higher sensitivity to DOC than H1299 and CL1 cells, as demonstrated by the MTT assay. When endogenous TP53 activity was inhibited by pifithrin-α in A549 and H460 cells, lovastatin sensitivities significantly increased, and cancer cell viabilities markedly reduced. These results indicate that TP53 status is associated with the anti-cancer effect of statins in human lung cancer cells. Mutated or null TP53 status is correlated with higher statin sensitivity. Furthermore, DOC-resistant H1299 (H1299/D8) cells showed significant sensitivity to lovastatin treatment compared to DOC-resistant A549 (A549/D16) cells, indicating a potential application of statins/chemotherapy combination therapy to control wild-type and abnormal TP53-containing human lung tumors.

Ensuring high reliability and low latency poses challenges for numerous applications that require rigid performance guarantees, such as industrial automation and autonomous vehicles. Our research primarily concentrates on addressing the real-time requirements of ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC). Specifically, we tackle the challenge of hard delay constraints in real-time transmission systems, overcoming this obstacle through a finite blocklength coding scheme. In the physical layer, we encode randomly arriving packets using a variable-length coding scheme and transmit the encoded symbols by truncated channel inversion over parallel channels. In the network layer, we model the encoding and transmission processes as tandem queues. These queues backlog the data bits waiting to be encoded and the encoded symbols to be transmitted, respectively. This way, we represent the system as a two-dimensional Markov chain. By focusing on instances when the symbol queue is empty, we simplify the Markov chain into a one-dimensional Markov chain, with the packet queue being the system state. This approach allows us to analytically express power consumption and formulate a power minimization problem under hard delay constraints. Finally, we propose a heuristic algorithm to solve the problem and provide an extensive evaluation of the trade-offs between the hard delay constraint and power consumption.

A pyridine–tricarboxylic acid, 4-(6-carboxy-pyridin-3-yl)-isophthalic acid (H3cpia), was used as a versatile building block to synthesize three novel coordination polymers under hydrothermal conditions and formulated as [Mn8(μ3-Hcpia)2 (μ6-cpia)4(Hbiim)2(H2O)6]n·6nH2O (1), [Cu3(μ4-cpia)2(bipy)2(H2O)2]n·4nH2O (2), and [Ni3(μ3-cpia)2(dpe)3(H2O)2]n·4nH2O (3). Three supporting ligands, 2,2′-biimidazole (H2biim), 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy), and 1,2-di(4-pyridyl)ethane (dpe), were used in the synthesis. The structures of the studied products 1–3 varied significantly, ranging from a 1D chain (2) to 2D sheets (1 and 3). Furthermore, these compounds were evaluated as heterogeneous catalysts for the Henry reaction, achieving high product yields under optimized conditions. In addition, we investigated various reaction parameters and substrate scopes, and assessed the feasibility of catalyst recycling. This thorough investigation’s results highlight the versatility of H3cpia as a tricarboxylate building block in the formation of functional coordination polymers.

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) comprise a promising therapy for osteoarthritis (OA). The therapeutic potential of ELIXCYTE®, an allogeneic human ADSC (hADSC) product, was demonstrated in a phase I/II OA clinical trial. However, the exact mechanism underlying such effects is not clear. Moreover, studies suggest that interleukin-11 (IL-11) has anti-inflammatory, tissue-regenerative, and immune-regulatory functions. Our aim was to unravel the mechanism associated with the therapeutic effects of ELIXCYTE® on OA and its relationship with IL-11. We cocultured ELIXCYTE® with normal human articular chondrocytes (NHACs) in synovial fluid obtained from individuals with OA (OA-SF) to investigate its effect on chondrocyte matrix synthesis and degradation and inflammation by assessing gene expression and cytokine levels. NHACs exposed to OA-SF exhibited increased MMP13 expression. However, coculturing ELIXCYTE® with chondrocytes in OA-SF reduced MMP13 expression in chondrocytes and downregulated PTGS2 and FGF2 expression in ELIXCYTE®. ELIXCYTE® treatment elevated anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-1RA, IL-10, and IL-13) levels, and the reduction in MMP13 was positively correlated with IL-11 concentrations in OA-SF. These findings indicate that IL-11 in OA-SF might serve as a predictive biomarker for the ELIXCYTE® treatment response in OA, emphasizing the therapeutic potential of ELIXCYTE® to mitigate OA progression and provide insights into its immunomodulatory effects.

Acute lung injury (ALI) and its most severe form, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), are pulmonary conditions that cause significant morbidity and mortality. The common etiologies of these conditions include pneumonia, pulmonary contusion, fat embolism, smoke inhalation, sepsis, shock, and acute pancreatitis. Inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy are key pathophysiological mechanisms underlying ALI. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) are sulfur-containing gas signaling molecules that can mitigate these pathogenic processes by modulating various signaling pathways, such as toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), extracellular signal-regulating protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphatidyl inositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), thereby conferring protection against ALI. Given the limited clinical effectiveness of prevailing ALI treatments, investigation of the modulation of sulfur-containing gas signaling molecules (H2S and SO2) in ALI is imperative. This article presents an overview of the regulatory pathways of sulfur-containing gas signaling molecules in ALI animal models induced by various stimuli, such as lipopolysaccharide, gas inhalation, oleic acid, and ischemia-reperfusion. Furthermore, this study explored the therapeutic prospects of diverse H2S and SO2 donors for ALI, stemming from diverse etiologies. The aim of the present study was to establish a theoretical framework, in order to promote the new treatment of ALI.

Jatropha curcas L. (J. curcas), a shrub plant of the Euphorbiaceae family, has received enormous attention as a promising biofuel plant for the production of biodiesel and medical potential in ethnopharmacology. However, the tumor-promoter toxin phorbol esters present in J. curcas raise concerns for health and environmental risk as its large-scale cultivation limits the use of meal obtained after oil extraction for animal feed. Here, we determined the variation of phorbol ester profiles and contents in eight J. curcas tissues by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and found phorbol esters present in all parts of the plant except the seed shell. We showed tissue-specific patterns of accumulation of phorbol esters and associated terpenoids at the transcriptional level with high transcript levels in reproductive and young tissues. Genes involved in the same module of terpenoids biosynthesis were positively correlated. We further present diverse abiotic and biotic stresses that had different effects on the accumulation of transcripts in terpenoids shared and branched terpenoid pathways in plant seedlings. The fine-tuning of terpenoids biosynthesis may link with ecological functions in plants under extreme environments and defense against pathogens.

Navigating the stock market’s unpredictability and reducing vulnerability to its volatility requires well-informed decisions on stock selection, capital allocation, and transaction timing. While stock selection can be accomplished through fundamental analysis, the extensive data involved often pose challenges in discerning pertinent information. Timing, typically managed through technical analysis, may experience delays, leading to missed opportunities for stock transactions. Capital allocation, a quintessential resource optimization dilemma, necessitates meticulous planning for resolution. Consequently, this thesis leverages the optimization attributes of genetic algorithms, in conjunction with fundamental analysis and the concept of combination with repetition optimization, to identify appropriate stock selection and capital allocation strategies. Regarding timing, it employs deep learning coupled with the Ohlson model for stock valuation to ascertain the intrinsic worth of stocks. This lays the groundwork for transactions to yield favorable returns. In terms of experimentation, this study juxtaposes the integrated analytical approach of this thesis with the equal capital allocation strategy, TAIEX, and the Taiwan 50 index. The findings affirm that irrespective of the Taiwan stock market’s bullish or bearish tendencies, the method proposed in this study indeed facilitates investors in making astute investment decisions and attaining substantial profits.

Structural health monitoring (SHM) is crucial for preventing and detecting corrosion, leaks, and other risks in reinforced concrete (RC) structures, ensuring environmental safety and structural integrity. Optical fiber sensors (OFS), particularly long-period fiber gratings (LPFG), have emerged as a promising method for SHM. Various LPFG sensors have been widely used in SHM due to their high sensitivity, durability, immunity to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and compact size. This review explores recent advancements in LPFG sensors and offers insights into their potential applications in SHM.

In silico toxicogenomics methods are resource- and time-efficient approaches for inferring chemical–protein–disease associations with potential mechanism information for exploring toxicological effects. However, current in silico toxicogenomics systems make inferences based on only chemical–protein interactions without considering tissue-specific gene/protein expressions. As a result, inferred diseases could be overpredicted with false positives. In this work, six tissue-specific expression datasets of genes and proteins were collected from the Expression Atlas. Genes were then categorized into high, medium, and low expression levels in a tissue- and dataset-specific manner. Subsequently, the tissue-specific expression datasets were incorporated into the chemical–protein–disease inference process of our ChemDIS system by filtering out relatively low-expressed genes. By incorporating tissue-specific gene/protein expression data, the enrichment rate for chemical–disease inference was largely improved with up to 62.26% improvement. A case study of melamine showed the ability of the proposed method to identify more specific disease terms that are consistent with the literature. A user-friendly user interface was implemented in the ChemDIS system. The methodology is expected to be useful for chemical–disease inference and can be implemented for other in silico toxicogenomics tools.

The widespread use of data in e-commerce has facilitated the implementation of different pricing strategies for platforms and merchants. However, the excessive use of algorithms for differential pricing has sparked discussions about fairness and price discrimination, disrupting the platform trading system. To address this challenge, we adopt an evolutionary game approach to analyze the evolutionary strategies of all parties from the perspective of platform CSR. It is based on a special type of e-commerce platform trading in which major merchants have data analytics capabilities. We construct an evolutionary game model considering reputation and punishment, explore the impact of different situations and factors on the system’s evolutionary stability strategy, and conduct its verification via simulation experiments. The results show that long-term reputation is the internal driving force for platforms to fulfill responsibilities. The joint punishment of collusion is the external binding force. Consumer complaints are key to restricting merchants’ integrity operation. Moreover, penalties imposed by e-commerce platforms can help eradicate price discrimination. This study provides a new perspective to solve price discrimination in the digital era. Measures based on reputation and punishment can guide platforms to fulfill other social responsibilities.

In recent years, live streaming has become the mainstream way of online shopping in China. As the dominant player and performer in live streaming, streamers play a crucial role in consumers’ purchase decisions. Therefore, this study focuses on the self-presentation behavior of streamers in the context of e-commerce live streaming and explores the mechanism of its influence on consumers’ purchase intention from the perspective of persuasion knowledge. A total of 538 consumers from China participated in this anonymous survey. The results indicate that helpful and empathetic behaviors of streamers can significantly enhance consumers’ purchase intention, while derogatory, exaggerated, and flattering behaviors of streamers can significantly diminish consumers’ purchase intention. Persuasion knowledge played a mediating role and had a significant negative impact on purchase intention, while anticipated inaction regret weakened its effect on purchase intention.

Technological advancements in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) liquid biopsy have triggered exponential growth in numerous clinical applications. While cfDNA-based liquid biopsy has made significant strides in personalizing cancer treatment, the exploration and translation of epigenetics in liquid biopsy to clinical practice is still nascent. This comprehensive review seeks to provide a broad yet in-depth narrative of the present status of epigenetics in cfDNA liquid biopsy and its associated challenges. It highlights the potential of epigenetics in cfDNA liquid biopsy technologies with the hopes of enhancing its clinical translation. The momentum of cfDNA liquid biopsy technologies in recent years has propelled epigenetics to the forefront of molecular biology. We have only begun to reveal the true potential of epigenetics in both our understanding of disease and leveraging epigenetics in the diagnostic and therapeutic domains. Recent clinical applications of epigenetics-based cfDNA liquid biopsy revolve around DNA methylation in screening and early cancer detection, leading to the development of multi-cancer early detection tests and the capability to pinpoint tissues of origin. The clinical application of epigenetics in cfDNA liquid biopsy in minimal residual disease, monitoring, and surveillance are at their initial stages. A notable advancement in fragmentation patterns analysis has created a new avenue for epigenetic biomarkers. However, the widespread application of cfDNA liquid biopsy has many challenges, including biomarker sensitivity, specificity, logistics including infrastructure and personnel, data processing, handling, results interpretation, accessibility, and cost effectiveness. Exploring and translating epigenetics in cfDNA liquid biopsy technology can transform our understanding and perception of cancer prevention and management. cfDNA liquid biopsy has great potential in precision oncology to revolutionize conventional ways of early cancer detection, monitoring residual disease, treatment response, surveillance, and drug development. Adapting the implementation of liquid biopsy workflow to the local policy worldwide and developing point-of-care testing holds great potential to overcome global cancer disparity and improve cancer outcomes.

To help determine the unmet need for improved diagnostic tools to evaluate patients with nonspecific signs and/or symptoms (NSSS) and suspicion of cancer, we examined patient characteristics, diagnostic journey, and cancer incidence of patients with NSSS within The US Oncology Network (The Network), a secondary care community oncology setting. This retrospective, observational cohort study included patients aged ≥40 years with ≥1 NSSS in their problem list at their first visit within The Network (the index date) between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2020. Patients were followed longitudinally with electronic health record data for initial cancer diagnosis, new noncancer diagnosis, death, end of study observation period, or 12 months, whichever occurred first. Of 103,984 patients eligible for inclusion, 96,722 presented with only 1 NSSS at index date; 6537/103,984 (6.3%) were diagnosed with 1 primary cancer within 12 months after the index date; 3825/6537 (58.5%) with hematologic malignancy, and 2712/6537 (41.5%) with solid tumor. Among patients diagnosed with cancer (n = 6774), the median time to cancer diagnosis after their first visit within The Network was 5.13 weeks. This study provides a real-world perspective on cancer incidence in patients with NSSS referred to a secondary care setting and highlights the unmet need for improved diagnostic tools to improve cancer outcomes.

Autoantibodies against apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) are associated with cardiovascular disease risks. We aimed to examine the 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) modification of ApoA-I in coronary artery disease (CAD) and evaluate the potential risk of autoantibodies against their unmodified and HNE-modified peptides. We assessed plasma levels of ApoA-I, HNE-protein adducts, and autoantibodies against unmodified and HNE-peptide adducts, and significant correlations and odds ratios (ORs) were examined. Two novel CAD-specific HNE-peptide adducts, ApoA-I251–262 and ApoA-I70–83, were identified. Notably, immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-ApoA-I251–262 HNE, IgM anti-ApoA-I70–83 HNE, IgG anti-ApoA-I251–262, IgG anti-ApoA-I70–83, and HNE-protein adducts were significantly correlated with triglycerides, creatinine, or high-density lipoprotein in CAD with various degrees of stenosis (70%). The HNE-protein adduct (OR = 2.208-fold, p = 0.020) and IgM anti-ApoA-I251–262 HNE (2.046-fold, p = 0.035) showed an increased risk of progression from >30% stenosis in CAD. HNE-protein adducts and IgM anti-ApoA-I251–262 HNE may increase the severity of CAD at high and low levels, respectively.

Infants born preterm face an increased risk of deleterious effects on lung and brain health that can significantly alter long-term function and quality of life and even lead to death. Moreover, preterm birth is also associated with a heightened risk of diabetes and obesity later in life, leading to an increased risk of all-cause mortality in young adults born prematurely. While these preterm-birth-related conditions have been well characterized, less is known about the long-term effects of preterm birth on skeletal muscle health and, specifically, an individual’s skeletal muscle hypertrophic potential later in life. In this review, we discuss how a confluence of potentially interrelated and self-perpetuating elements associated with preterm birth might converge on anabolic and catabolic pathways to ultimately blunt skeletal muscle hypertrophy, identifying critical areas for future research.

A silicon nanoparticle–graphite nanosheet composite was prepared via a facile ball milling process for use as the anode for high-rate lithium-ion batteries. The size effect of Si nanoparticles on the structure and on the lithium-ion battery performance of the composite is evaluated. SEM and TEM analyses show a structural alteration of the composites from Si nanoparticle-surrounded graphite nanosheets to Si nanoparticle-embedded graphite nanosheets by decreasing the size of Si nanoparticles from 250 nm to 40 nm. The composites with finer Si nanoparticles provide an effective nanostructure containing encapsulated Si and free space. This structure facilitates the indirect exposure of Si to electrolyte and Si expansion during cycling, which leads to a stable solid–electrolyte interphase and elevated conductivity. An enhanced rate capability was obtained for the 40 nm Si nanoparticle–graphite nanosheet composite, delivering a specific capacity of 276 mAh g−1 at a current density of 1 C after 1000 cycles and a rate capacity of 205 mAh g−1 at 8 C.

Low and unstable digestion performance is a challenging issue for anaerobic digestion, which prompts researchers to develop new strategies. In addition to traditional approaches such as co-digestion, pre-treatment, and recirculation, some emerging strategies, namely additive processes and microaeration, have also been recognized and developed in recent years. Many studies have evaluated the effect of these strategies on digestion performance. However, their comprehensive analysis is lacking, especially regarding the mechanisms of the different strategies. This review presents a comprehensive overview of research progress on these strategies based on the latest research, considering the five main strategies listed above. Through critical thinking, a summary of their mechanism, reactor performance, and availability of these strategies is presented. The results demonstrate that the contribution of microaeration is mainly to balance the composition and activity of hydrolysis, acidogenesis, and methanogenic archaea. Recirculation and co-digestion mainly balance mass and reaction environments. Pre-treatment, such as removing lignin, reducing cellulose crystallinity, and increasing the substrate-specific surface area, makes the characteristics of the substrate more conducive to the digestion of microorganisms. The mechanism of additive strategies varies greatly depending on the type of additive, such as enhancing interspecies electron transfer through conductive materials, resisting adverse digestion conditions through functional microbial additives, and accelerating nutrient absorption by regulating the bioavailability of trace elements. Although these strategies have different mechanisms for promoting digestion performance, their ultimate effect is to allow the parameters of the reactor to reach an ideal status and then achieve a balance among the substance, microorganisms, and water in an anaerobic reactor.

Increases in litter size, which are influenced by ovulation, are responsible for between 74% and 96% of the economic value of genetic progress, which influences selection. For the selection and breeding of highly prolific goats, genetic mechanisms underlying variations in litter size should be elucidated. Here, we used single-nucleus RNA sequencing to analyze 44,605 single nuclei from the ovaries of polytocous and monotocous goats during the follicular phase. Utilizing known reference marker genes, we identified 10 ovarian cell types characterized by distinct gene expression profiles, transcription factor networks, and reciprocal interaction signatures. An in-depth analysis of the granulosa cells revealed three subtypes exhibiting distinct gene expression patterns and dynamic regulatory mechanisms. Further investigation of cell-type-specific prolificacy-associated transcriptional changes elucidated that “downregulation of apoptosis”, “increased anabolism”, and “upstream responsiveness to hormonal stimulation” are associated with prolificacy. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the cell-type-specific mechanisms and regulatory networks in the goat ovary, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying goat prolificacy. These findings establish a vital foundation for furthering understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing folliculogenesis and for improving the litter size in goats via molecular design breeding.

Inflammation and collagen-degrading enzymes’ overexpression promote collagen decomposition, which affects the structural integrity of the extracellular matrix. The polysaccharide and peptide extracts of the green alga Caulerpa microphysa (C. microphysa) have been proven to have anti-inflammatory, wound healing, and antioxidant effects in vivo and in vitro. However, the biological properties of the non-water-soluble components of C. microphysa are still unknown. In the present study, we demonstrated the higher effective anti-inflammatory functions of C. microphysa ethyl acetate (EA) extract than water extract up to 16–30% in LPS-induced HaCaT cells, including reducing the production of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Furthermore, the excellent collagen homeostasis effects from C. microphysa were proven by suppressing the matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) secretion, enhancing type 1 procollagen and collagen expressions dose-dependently in WS1 cells. Moreover, using UHPLC-QTOF-MS analysis, four terpenoids, siphonaxanthin, caulerpenyne, caulerpal A, and caulerpal B, were identified and may be involved in the superior collagen homeostasis and anti-inflammatory effects of the C. microphysa EA extract.

In northern Canada where permafrost is prevalent, a persistent shortage of accessible, affordable, and high-quality housing has been ongoing for decades. The design of foundations in permafrost presents unique engineering challenges due to permafrost soil mechanics and the effects of climate change. There is no specific design code for pile or shallow foundations in northern Canada. Consequently, the design process heavily relies on the experience of Arctic engineers. To clearly document the current practice and provide guidance to engineers or professionals, a comprehensive review of the practice in foundation design in the Arctic would be necessary. The main objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the common foundations in permafrost and the geotechnical considerations adopted for building on frozen soils. This study conducted a review of current practices in deep and shallow foundations used in northern Canada. The review summarized the current methods for estimating key factors, including the adfreeze strength, creep settlement, and frost heave, used in foundation design in permafrost. To understand the geotechnical considerations in foundation design, this study carried out interviews with several engineers or professionals experienced in designing foundations in permafrost; the findings and the interviewees’ opinions were summarized. Lastly, in order to demonstrate the design methods obtained from the interviews and review, the paper presents two design examples where screw piles and steel pipe piles were designed to support a residential building in northern Canada, according to the current principles for adfreeze strength, long term creep settlement, and frost heave. The permafrost was assumed to be at −1.5 °C, and the design life span was assumed to be 50 years. The design examples suggested that for an axial load of 75 kN, a 12-m-long steel pipe pile or a 7-m-long screw pile would be needed.

Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is a cutting-edge biomedical imaging modality, providing detailed anatomical and functional information about the area beneath the skin surface. Its light energy deposition is such that PAI typically provides clear images of the skin with high signal-to-noise ratios. Specifically, the rich optical contrast of PAI allows biological information related to lesion growth, malignancy, treatment response, and prognosis to be seen. Given its significant advantages and emerging role in imaging skin lesions, we summarize and comment on representative studies of skin PAI, such as the guidance of skin cancer biopsies and surgical excisions, and the accurate diagnosis of psoriasis. We conclude with our insights about the clinical significance of skin PAI, showing how its use to identify biological characteristics in lesion microenvironments allows early diagnosis and prognosis of disease.

Background: Our study aimed to assess the radiation sensitivity of BT20, a human breast tumor cell line, using the laser-trapping technique and compare it with N2a and 4T1 cells. Additionally, we investigated the impact of the antitumor compound 2-Dodecyl-6-methoxycyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione (DMDD) on radiation sensitivity. Methods and Materials: We employed laser trapping to calculate both the threshold ionization energy (TIE) and threshold radiation dose (TRD) for BT20, N2a, and 4T1 cells. We assessed the effect of DMDD on BT20 cells’ radiosensitivity and conducted comparisons across these cell lines. Results: Our findings reveal that DMDD significantly enhances the radiosensitivity of BT20 breast carcinoma cells. Moreover, we observed distinct trends in TIE and TRD across the three cell lines, with differences attributed to variations in cell size and composition. When multiple cell ionizations were considered, a notable reduction in TRD was observed, implicating factors such as the chain effect of ionizing radiation and the influence of DMDD. The study found that TIE increased with the number of cells in the trap while TRD consistently decreased across all three cell lines, suggesting comparable radiation sensitivity, and oligostilbene treatment further reduced TRD, presenting the potential for enhancing therapeutic ratios in cancer treatment. Conclusion: The antitumor compound DMDD enhances the radiosensitivity of BT20 breast carcinoma cells, highlighting its potential in cancer treatment. Furthermore, our study underscores the impact of cell size and multiple-cell ionizations on TRD. Leveraging laser trapping techniques, biocompatible nanoparticles, and advanced optical tweezers opens promising avenues for personalized and effective cancer therapy approaches.

In the typical landscape of road transportation, about 90% of traffic accidents result from human errors. Vehicle automation enhances road safety by reducing driver fatigue and errors and improves overall mobility efficiency. The advancement of autonomous vehicle technology will significantly impact traffic safety, potentially saving more than 30,000 lives annually in the United States alone. The widespread acceptance of autonomous and connected autonomous vehicles (AVs and CAVs) will be a process spanning multiple decades, requiring their coexistence with traditional vehicles. This study explores the mobility and safety performance of CAVs in mixed-traffic environments using the cumulative-anticipative car-following (CACF) model. This research compares the CACF model with established Wiedemann 99 and cooperative adaptive cruise control (CACC) models using a VISSIM platform. The simulations include single-lane and multi-lane networks, incorporating sensitivity tests for mobility and safety parameters. The study reveals increased throughput, reduced delays, and enhanced travel times with CACF, emphasizing its advantages over CACC. Safety analyses demonstrate CACF’s ability to prevent traffic shockwaves and bottlenecks, emphasizing the significance of communication range and acceleration coefficients. The research recommends early investment in vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication technology, refining CACC logic, and expanding the study to diverse road scenarios.

Background: Vaccine hesitancy is a significant barrier to achieving high vaccination rates, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM), a group at increased risk for Mpox. This study aimed to develop and validate a Mpox vaccine hesitancy scale specifically tailored for Chinese MSM, grounded in the protection motivation theory (PMT). Methods: An online survey through snowball sampling was conducted from October 2023 to March 2024, collecting 2403 valid responses across six representative regions in China. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted to evaluate the scale’s construct validity, while reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s α coefficient. The predictive validity of the scale was analyzed using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: EFA ultimately retained 22 items in the Mpox vaccination scale and identified four distinct dimensions: Maladaptive Rewards (seven items), Self-efficacy (seven items), Response Efficacy (four items), and Response Costs (four items). These dimensions were confirmed by CFA, which demonstrated satisfactory model fit indices (χ²/df = 4.382, RMSEA = 0.053, SRMR = 0.048, GFI = 0.935, CFI = 0.967, NFI = 0.958, TLI = 0.963, and IFI =0.967). All indices were within acceptable ranges. The scale exhibited good internal consistency, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.906, and strong content validity, with an S-CVI/Ave of 0.952. The scale’s predictive accuracy was evaluated using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis. When used to evaluate the scale’s predictive accuracy, it yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.854 after adjustments, indicating good predictive ability between high and low hesitancy. Conclusions: This scale provides a reliable and valid tool for assessing Mpox vaccine hesitancy among MSM and can be used to gauge Mpox vaccination intention within this group.

Ionizing radiation exposure can cause damage to diverse tissues and organs, with the hematopoietic system being the most sensitive. However, limited information is available regarding the radiosensitivity of various hematopoietic cell populations in the bone marrow due to the high heterogeneity of the hematopoietic system. In this study, we observed that granulocyte–macrophage progenitors, hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, and B cells within the bone marrow showed the highest sensitivity, exhibiting a rapid decrease in cell numbers following irradiation. Nonetheless, neutrophils, natural killer (NK) cells, T cells, and dendritic cells demonstrated a certain degree of radioresistance, with neutrophils exhibiting the most pronounced resistance. By employing single-cell transcriptome sequencing, we investigated the early responsive genes in various cell types following irradiation, revealing that distinct gene expression profiles emerged between radiosensitive and radioresistant cells. In B cells, radiation exposure led to a specific upregulation of genes associated with mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes, suggesting a connection between these complexes and cell radiosensitivity. In neutrophils, radiation exposure resulted in fewer gene alterations, indicating their potential for distinct mechanisms in radiation resistance. Collectively, this study provides insights into the molecular mechanism for the heterogeneity of radiosensitivity among the various bone marrow hematopoietic cell populations.

An essential indicator of Eucommia ulmoides Oliver (E. ulmoides) is the axillary bud; the growth and developmental capacity of axillary buds could be used to efficiently determine the structural integrity of branches and plant regeneration. We obtained axillary buds in different positions on the stem, including upper buds (CK), tip buds (T1), and bottom buds (T2), which provided optimal materials for the study of complicated regulatory networks that control bud germination. This study used transcriptomes to analyze the levels of gene expression in three different types of buds, and the results showed that 12,131 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were discovered via the pairwise comparison of transcriptome data gathered from CK to T2, while the majority of DEGs (44.38%) were mainly found between CK and T1. These DEGs were closely related to plant hormone signal transduction and the amino acid biosynthesis pathway. We also determined changes in endogenous hormone contents during the process of bud germination. Interestingly, except for indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) content, which showed a significant upward trend (p < 0.05) in tip buds on day 4 compared with day 0, the other hormones showed no significant change during the process of germination. Then, the expression patterns of genes involved in IAA biosynthesis and signaling were examined through transcriptome analysis. Furthermore, the expression levels of genes related to IAA biosynthesis and signal transduction were upregulated in tip buds. Particularly, the expression of the IAA degradation gene Gretchen Hagen 3 (GH3.1) was downregulated on day 4, which may support the concept that endogenous IAA promotes bud germination. Based on these data, we propose that IAA synthesis and signal transduction lead to morphological changes in tip buds during the germination process. On this basis, suggestions to improve the efficiency of the production and application of E. ulmoides are put forward to provide guidance for future research.

Promoting the mechanization of aquaculture is one of the most important supporting measures to ensure the high-quality development of the aquaculture industry in China. In order to solve the problems of predominantly manual work and to decrease the costs of aquaculture, the influencing factors of China’s aquaculture mechanization were systematically analyzed. The triple bottom theory was selected, and three aspects were identified, including environmental, economic, and social aspects. Through the literature review, the Delphi method, and the analytic hierarchy process, the comprehensive evaluation indicator system, including 18 influencing factors, was proposed. Moreover, the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method was combined with the model to solve the evaluation results. A case study in Liaoning Province was offered and, according to the analysis results, the economic aspect at the first level was the most critical factor; the financial subsidy for the purchase of aquaculture machinery, the energy consumption of the machinery and equipment, and the promotion and use of aquaculture technology were the most important factors and had the greatest impact on the development of aquaculture mechanization in China. The effective implementation paths and countermeasures were proposed, such as the promotion of mechanized equipment and the enhancement of the machinery purchase subsidies, in order to provide an important decision-making basis for the improvement of the level of aquaculture mechanization.

The natural product Desmosdumotin D (hereafter referred to as Des-D), isolated from the plant Desmos dumosus, showed potent anti-HIV activity. However, the subsequent pharmacological activity and clinical studies are limited due to the low content of Des-D in the plant. Therefore, the total synthesis path of Des-D was optimized in this paper, and the total yield was increased from 4.4% to 11.9%. Additionally, twelve analogues were obtained following the synthesis route of Des-D. The anti-HIV activity evaluation results in vitro showed that Des-D had the highest activity, with an IC50 value of 13.6 μM, and compounds 17 and 11 had the lowest anti-HIV activity, with IC50 values of 101.3 μM and 161.0 μM, respectively. Through the molecular docking of compounds Des-D and 17 with HIV-IN, the results show that phenolic hydroxyl groups and two benzene rings interact with HIV-IN and are possible pharmacodynamic groups.

In smart city contexts, traditional methods for semantic segmentation are affected by adverse conditions, such as rain, fog, or darkness. One challenge is the limited availability of semantic segmentation datasets, specifically for autonomous driving in adverse conditions, and the high cost of labeling such datasets. To address this problem, unsupervised domain adaptation (UDA) is commonly employed. In UDA, the source domain contains data from good weather conditions, while the target domain contains data from adverse weather conditions. The Adverse Conditions Dataset with Correspondences (ACDC) provides reference images taken at different times but in the same location, which can serve as an intermediate domain, offering additional semantic information. In this study, we introduce a method that leverages both the intermediate domain and frequency information to improve semantic segmentation in smart city environments. Specifically, we extract the region with the largest difference in standard deviation and entropy values from the reference image as the intermediate domain. Secondly, we introduce the Fourier Exponential Decreasing Sampling (FEDS) algorithm to facilitate more reasonable learning of frequency domain information. Finally, we design an efficient decoder network that outperforms the DAFormer network by reducing network parameters by 28.00%. When compared to the DAFormer work, our proposed approach demonstrates significant performance improvements, increasing by 6.77%, 5.34%, 6.36%, and 5.93% in mean Intersection over Union (mIoU) for Cityscapes to ACDC night, foggy, rainy, and snowy, respectively.

Betel quid (BQ) is the fourth most popular psychoactive substance in the world, and BQ use disorder (BUD) is prevalent in Asian countries. Although the mechanisms underlying BUD remain unclear, studies have reported influences from monoamine oxidase inhibitor. We enrolled 50 patients with BUD and assessed their BQ consumption habits, emotional conditions, and the clinical severity of addiction—assessed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [Fifth Edition] (DSM-5) criteria, Substance Use Severity Rating Scale, and Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Rating Scale for BQ. Patients were categorized into the severe group when showing six or more symptoms defined by DSM-5. A genome-wide association study was conducted for single nucleotide polymorphisms in BRCA1, COL9A1, NOTCH1, HSPA13, FAT1, and MAOA by using patients’ blood samples. More severe BUD symptoms were associated with younger age of using BQ and poor oral hygiene and with severe craving for and more anxiety toward BQ use. The MAOA rs5953210 polymorphism was significantly associated with severe BUD (odds ratio, 6.43; 95% confidence interval, 5.12–7.74; p < 0.01) and might contribute to BQ-associated cancer risk. Further studies are required to investigate the addictive properties of BQ and the development of novel diagnostic tools and pharmacotherapeutic alternatives to BUD treatment.

Aluminum (Al) and manganese (Mn) toxicity are the top two constraints of crop production in acid soil. Crops have evolved common and specific mechanisms to tolerate the two stresses. In the present study, the responses (toxicity and tolerance) of near-isogenic wheat lines (ET8 and ES8) and their parents (Carazinho and Egret) to Al and Mn were compared by determining the physiological parameters and conducting transcriptome profiling of the roots. The results showed the following: (1) Carazinho and ET8 exhibited dual tolerance to Al and Mn compared to Egret and ES8, indicated by higher relative root elongation and SPAD. (2) After entering the roots, Al was mainly distributed in the roots and fixed in the cell wall, while Mn was mainly distributed in the cell sap and then transported to the leaves. Both Al and Mn stresses decreased the contents of Ca, Mg, and Zn; Mn stress also inhibited the accumulation of Fe, while Al showed an opposite effect. (3) A transcriptomic analysis identified 5581 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) under Al stress and 4165 DEGs under Mn stress. Among these, 2774 DEGs were regulated by both Al and Mn stresses, while 2280 and 1957 DEGs were exclusively regulated by Al stress and Mn stress, respectively. GO and KEGG analyses indicated that cell wall metabolism responds exclusively to Al, while nicotianamine synthesis exclusively responds to Mn. Pathways such as signaling, phenylpropanoid metabolism, and metal ion transport showed commonality and specificity to Al and Mn. Transcription factors (TFs), such as MYB, WRKY, and AP2 families, were also regulated by Al and Mn, and a weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified PODP7, VATB2, and ABCC3 as the hub genes for Al tolerance and NAS for Mn tolerance. The identified genes and pathways can be used as targets for pyramiding genes and breeding multi-tolerant varieties.

Developing strategies for the radiosensitization of cancer cells by the inhibition of genes, which harbor low toxicity to normal cells, will be useful for improving cancer radiotherapy. Here, we focused on a β-site of amyloid precursor protein (APP)-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1; β-secretase, memapsin-2). By functional inhibition of this peptidase by siRNA, it has also recently been shown that the DNA strand break marker, γH2AX foci, increased, suggesting its involvement in DNA damage response. To investigate this possibility, we knocked down BACE1 with siRNA in cancer cell lines, and sensitization to γ-irradiation was examined by a colony formation assay, γH2AX foci and level analysis, and flow cytometry. BACE1 knockdown resulted in the sensitization of HeLa, MDA-MB-231, U2OS, and SAOS cells to γ-irradiation in a diverse range. BACE1 knockdown showed a weak radiosensitization effect in osteosarcoma U2OS cells, which has a normal p53 function. HeLa and SAOS cells, which harbor p53 dysfunction, exhibited a greater level of radiosensitization. These results suggest that BACE1 may be a potential target for the radiosensitization in particular cancer cells.

Isocorydine (ICD) exhibits strong antitumor effects on numerous human cell lines. However, the anticancer activity of ICD against oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has not been reported. The anticancer activity, migration and invasion ability, and changes in the cytoskeleton morphology and mechanical properties of ICD in OSCC were determined. Changes in the contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), ATP, and mitochondrial respiratory chain complex enzymes Ⅰ–Ⅳ in cancer cells were studied. ICD significantly inhibited the proliferation of oral tongue squamous cells (Cal-27), with an IC50 of 0.61 mM after 24 h of treatment. The invasion, migration, and adhesion of cancer cells were decreased, and cytoskeletal actin was deformed and depolymerized. In comparison to an untreated group, the activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex enzymes I-IV were significantly decreased by 50.72%, 27.39%, 77.27%, and 73.89%, respectively. The ROS production increased, the MMP decreased by 43.65%, and the ATP content decreased to 17.1 ± 0.001 (mmol/mL); ultimately, the apoptosis rate of cancer cells increased up to 10.57% after 24 h of action. These findings suggest that ICD exerted an obvious anticancer activity against OSCC and may inhibit Cal-27 proliferation and growth by causing mitochondrial dysfunction and interrupting cellular energy.

Medium optimization and development for selective bacterial cultures are essential for isolating and functionalizing individual bacteria in microbial communities; nevertheless, it remains challenging due to the unknown mechanisms between bacterial growth and medium components. The present study first tried combining machine learning (ML) with active learning to fine-tune the medium components for the selective culture of two divergent bacteria, i.e., Lactobacillus plantarum and Escherichia coli. ML models considering multiple growth parameters of the two bacterial strains were constructed to predict the fine-tuned medium combinations for higher specificity of bacterial growth. The growth parameters were designed as the exponential growth rate (r) and maximal growth yield (K), which were calculated according to the growth curves. The eleven chemical components in the commercially available medium MRS were subjected to medium optimization and specialization. High-throughput growth assays of both strains grown separately were performed to obtain thousands of growth curves in more than one hundred medium combinations, and the resultant datasets linking the growth parameters to the medium combinations were used for the ML training. Repeated rounds of active learning (i.e., ML model construction, medium prediction, and experimental verification) successfully improved the specific growth of a single strain out of the two. Both r and K showed maximized differentiation between the two strains. A further analysis of all the data accumulated in active learning identified the decision-making medium components for growth specificity and the differentiated, determinative manner of growth decisions of the two strains. In summary, this study demonstrated the efficiency and practicality of active learning in medium optimization for selective cultures and offered novel insights into the contribution of the chemical components to specific bacterial growth.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted global healthcare systems. The impacts of SARS-CoV-2 infection on urticaria and its management are unknown. This study aimed to collect information about patients with urticaria infected with SARS-CoV-2 and to investigate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on urticaria severity, course, and treatment to better support recovery. This was a questionnaire-based study of patients with urticaria infected with SARS-CoV-2. Changes in urticaria severity (measured with the urticaria activity score (UAS)), course, and treatment were assessed before, during, and after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The mean (±SD) UAS scores were 5.17 ± 1.67, 4.23 ± 1.98, and 4.37 ± 1.93 before, during, and after SARS-CoV-2 infection, respectively (F = 8.839, p < 0.01). The median (IQR) wheal score was 0.464 (0.464, 0.763), 0.464 (0.138, 0.763), and 0.464 (0.138, 0.763) before, during, and after infection, respectively (Kruskal–Wallis H-test, H = 12.230, p = 0.02). The median (IQR) pruritus score was 0.695 (0.395, 0.695), 0.394 (0.123, 0.695), and 0.394 (0.123, 0.695) before, during, and after infection, respectively (Kruskal–Wallis H-test, H = 21.001, p < 0.01). Within the limitations of a questionnaire study, urticaria appears to improve during SARS-CoV-2 infection and worsens slightly after recovery, and the frequency of Western medicine use increases.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented substantial challenges to higher education, leading to economic loss and disruptions in STEM courses. This study addresses these issues through the successful implementation of a problem-based learning research project within the Instrumental Chemistry course at Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC). Focused on instrumental chemistry, the project spans various categories, requiring students to propose solutions to real-case scenarios using specific analytical instruments. Despite the shift to a hybrid teaching modality, students exhibited commendable preparation and investigation skills, as demonstrated by their projects. Assessment data, including a student survey and written report evaluations, underscore significant skill improvements in literature survey, instrument selection, experimental design, and data analysis. This problem-based learning approach not only mitigated the disruptions caused by the pandemic but also fostered enhanced capabilities and motivation among students. The study’s findings contribute insights into the adaptability and effectiveness of problem-based learning in analytical chemistry education within a hybrid teaching framework, offering valuable considerations for future educational strategies in STEM disciplines and beyond.

Magnoliaceae, a family of perennial woody plants, contains several endangered species whose taxonomic status remains ambiguous. The study of chloroplast genome information can help in the protection of Magnoliaceae plants and confirmation of their phylogenetic relationships. In this study, the chloroplast genomes were sequenced, assembled, and annotated in Woonyoungia septentrionalis and three Michelia species (Michelia champaca, Michelia figo, and Michelia macclurei). Comparative analyses of genomic characteristics, repetitive sequences, and sequence differences were performed among the four Magnoliaceae plants, and phylogenetic relationships were constructed with twenty different magnolia species. The length of the chloroplast genomes varied among the four studied species ranging from 159,838 bp (Woonyoungia septentrionalis) to 160,127 bp (Michelia macclurei). Four distinct hotspot regions were identified based on nucleotide polymorphism analysis. They were petA-psbJ, psbJ-psbE, ndhD-ndhE, and rps15-ycf1. These gene fragments may be developed and utilized as new molecular marker primers. By using Liriodendron tulipifera and Liriodendron chinense as outgroups reference, a phylogenetic tree of the four Magnoliaceae species and eighteen other Magnoliaceae species was constructed with the method of Shared Coding Sequences (CDS). Results showed that the endangered species, W. septentrionalis, is relatively genetically distinct from the other three species, indicating the different phylogenetic processes among Magnoliaceae plants. Therefore, further genetic information is required to determine the relationships within Magnoliaceae. Overall, complete chloroplast genome sequences for four Magnoliaceae species reported in this paper have shed more light on phylogenetic relationships within the botanical group.

The AZ91 magnesium alloy was subjected to a complex treatment involving age hardening (supersaturation and artificial aging) and simultaneous surface layer modification. The specimens were supersaturated in contact with a mixture containing varying concentrations of zinc chloride, followed by cooling either in air or water. After supersaturation, the specimens were subjected to artificial aging and then air-cooled. This process resulted in the formation of a surface layer made of zinc-rich phases. The thickness and microstructure of the surface layer were influenced by the process parameters, namely, the zinc chloride content in the mixture and the cooling rate during supersaturation. The treated specimens exhibited favorable tensile strength and greater elongation compared to the as-cast AZ91 alloy, with values comparable to those of the alloy subjected to standard T6 tempering. No cracking of the layer was observed under moderate deformation, though greater deformation resulted in the formation of cracks, primarily in the areas containing the Mg5Al2Zn2 intermetallic phase. The produced layer demonstrated strong metallurgical bonding to the AZ91 substrate.

An enhancement in fatigue life for ferrite–pearlite low-carbon steel (LCS) at high temperature (HT) has been discovered, where it increased from 190,873 cycles at room temperature (RT) to 10,000,000 cycles at 400 °C under the same stress conditions. To understand the mechanism behind this phenomenon, the evolution of microstructure and dislocation density during fatigue tests was comprehensively investigated. High-power X-ray diffraction (XRD) was employed to analyze the evolution of total dislocation density, while Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) and High-Resolution EBSD (HR-EBSD) were conducted to reveal the evolutions of kernel average misorientation (KAM), geometrically necessary dislocations (GND) and elastic strains. Results indicate that the enhancement was attributed to the dynamic strain aging (DSA) effect above the upper temperature limit, where serration and jerky flow disappeared but hindrance of dislocations persisted. Due to the DSA effect, periods of increase and decrease in the total dislocations were observed during HT fatigue tests, and the fraction of screw dislocations increased continuously, caused by viscous movement of the screw dislocations. Furthermore, the increased fraction of screw dislocations resulted in a lower energy configuration, reducing slip traces on sample surfaces and preventing fatigue-crack initiation.

Caused by nonlinear vibration, ocean white noise exhibits complex dynamic characteristics and nonlinear perception characteristics. To explore the potential application of ocean white noise in engineering and health fields, novel methods based on deep learning algorithms are proposed to generate ocean white noise, contributing to marine environment simulation in ocean engineering. A comparative study, including spectrum analysis and auditory testing, proved the superiority of the generation method using deep learning networks over general mathematical or physical methods. To further study the nonlinear perception characteristics of ocean white noise, novel experimental research based on multi-modal perception research methods was carried out within a constructed multi-modal perception system environment, including the following two experiments. The first audiovisual comparative experiment thoroughly explores the system’s user multi-modal perception experience and influence factors, explicitly focusing on the impact of ocean white noise on human perception. The second sound intensity testing experiment is conducted to further explore human multi-sensory interaction and change patterns under white noise stimulation. The experimental results indicate that user visual perception ability and state reach a relatively high level when the sound intensity is close to 50 dB. Further numerical analysis based on the experimental results reveals the internal influence relationship between user perception of multiple senses, showing a fluctuating influence law to user visual concentration and a curvilinear influence law to user visual psychology from the sound intensity of ocean white noise. This study underscores ocean white noise’s positive effect on human perception enhancement and concentration improvement, providing a research basis for multiple field applications such as spiritual healing, perceptual learning, and artistic creation for human beings. Importantly, it provides valuable references and practical insights for professionals in related fields, contributing to the development and utilization of the marine environment.

Few-shot semantic segmentation (FSS) models aim to segment unseen target objects in a query image with scarce annotated support samples. This challenging task requires an effective utilization of support information contained in the limited support set. However, the majority of existing FSS methods either compressed support features into several prototype vectors or constructed pixel-wise support-query correlations to guide the segmentation, which failed in effectively utilizing the support information from the global–local perspective. In this paper, we propose Global–Local Query-Support Cross-Attention (GLQSCA), where both global semantics and local details are exploited. Implemented with multi-head attention in a transformer architecture, GLQSCA treats every query pixel as a token, aggregates the segmentation label from the support mask values (weighted by the similarities with all foreground prototypes (global information)), and supports pixels (local information). Experiments show that our GLQSCA significantly surpasses state-of-the-art methods on the standard FSS benchmarks PASCAL-5i and COCO-20i.

Burkholderia (sensu lato) is a diverse group of β-Proteobacteria that exists worldwide in various environments. The SBE clade of this group was thought to be mutualistic with stinkbugs. Riptortus–Burkholderia was suggested as an ideal model system for studying insect–microbe symbiosis. To explore the strain-level diversity of Burkholderia at the individual and population levels of Riptortus stinkbugs (Hemiptera: Alydidae), and to uncover the factors affecting the Burkholderia community, large-scale sampling of two Riptortus species and deep sequencing data (16S amplicon) were used in the present study. Our results showed that: (1) the proportions of facultative symbiotic bacteria Burkholderia were very high, with an average proportion of 87.1% in the samples; (2) only six out of 1373 Burkholderia amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) did not belong to the SBE clade, accounting for only 0.03% of Burkholderia; (3) a relatively small number of Burkholderia ASVs had a large number of sequences, with 22, 54, and 107 ASVs accounting for more than 1.0%, 0.1%, and 0.01% of the total Burkholderia sequences, respectively; (4) multiple Burkholderia ASVs were present in most Riptortus individuals, but there was one dominant or two codominant ASVs, and codominance was more likely to occur when the genetic distance between the two codominant ASVs was small; and (5) the beta diversity of Burkholderia was significantly different between the two host species (PerMANOVA: both Jaccard and Bray–Curtis, p < 0.001) and among localities (PerMANOVA: both Jaccard and Bray–Curtis, p < 0.001). Two-way PerMANOVA also indicated that both the host (Bray–Curtis, p = 0.020; Jaccard, p = 0.001) and geographical location (Bray–Curtis, p = 0.041; Jaccard, p = 0.045) influence Burkholderia communities; furthermore, Mantel tests showed that the Burkholderia communities were significantly correlated with the geographical distance of sample locations (R = 0.056, p = 0.001). Together, our findings demonstrate the fine-scale diversity of Burkholderia symbionts and suggest a region- and host-dependent pattern of Burkholderia in Riptortus stinkbugs.

The Xuanwei Formation’s claystones in the Dian-Qian District of Southwest China are rich in rare-earth elements (REEs), suggesting their potential as a source of medium and heavy rare earths. However, the REE content in these rocks is lower than other types of rare-earth deposits, and the interrelationship among clay minerals is intricate. There is no direct evidence indicating the mineralization of REEs, limiting their beneficiation and extraction. The objective of this study is the characterization of REE distribution in the Dian-Qian District. The sedimentary rocks in this district are mainly composed of kaolinite, boehmite, quartz, rutile, and pyrite. The results of continuous chemical extraction of REE-rich claystone and transmission electron microscope (TEM) observations have confirmed that REEs occurred as florencite in the rocks, and that the ion-absorption state makes only a negligible contribution to the REE content. A close relationship between florencite and kaolinite makes traditional mineral processing operations very difficult. Combined with the properties of kaolinite, roasting-acid leaching was the efficacious approach for rare-earth resources extracted from the rare earth-rich clay rocks of the Xuanwei Formation.

Background and Objectives: The aging process has always been associated with a higher susceptibility to chronic inflammatory lung diseases. Several studies have demonstrated the gut microbiome’s influence on the lungs through cross-talk or the gut–lungs axis maintaining nutrient-rich microenvironments. Taiwan djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.) provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics that could modulate the gut microbiome. This could induce the gut–lung axis through microbial cross-talk, thus favoring the modulation of lung inflammation. Materials and Methods: Here, we investigate the immune mRNA expression in the spleen, fecal microbiome composition, and hyperplasia of the bronchial epithelium in aged 2-year-old BALB/c mice after 60 days of supplementation of djulis. Results: The pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-1β, T; cells CD4 and CD8; and TLRs TLR3, TLR4, TLR5, TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9 were reduced in their mRNA expression levels, while the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 were highly expressed in the C. formosanum-treated group. Interestingly, the fecal microbiome composition analysis indicated higher diversity in the C. formosanum-treated group and the presence of butyrate-producing bacteria that are beneficial in the gut microbiome. The histopathology showed reduced hyperplasia of the bronchial epithelium based on the degree of lesions. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that Taiwan djulis can modulate the gut microbiome, leading to microbial cross-talk; reducing the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, T cells, and TLRs; and increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines in the spleen, as cytokines migrate in the lungs, preventing lung inflammation damage in aged mice or the gut–lung axis. Thus, Taiwan djulis could be considered a beneficial dietary component for the older adult population. The major limitation includes a lack of protein validation of cytokines and TLRs and quantification of the T cell population in the spleen as a marker of the gut–lung axis.

Complex concentrated alloys, including high-entropy alloys (HEAs) and medium-entropy alloys (MEAs), offer another pathway for developing metals with excellent mechanical properties. However, HEAs/MEAs of different structures often suffer from various drawbacks. So, investigations on the effect of phase and microstructure on their properties become necessary. In the present work, we adjust the phase constitution and microstructure by Al addition in a series of (Ti2ZrHf)100−xAlx (x = 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, at.%, named Alx) MEAs. Different from traditional titanium, Al shows a β-stabilizing effect, and the phase follows the evolution of α′(α)→α″→β + ω + B2 with Al increasing from 12 to 20 at.%, which could not be predicted by the CALPHAD (Calculate Phase Diagrams) method or the Bo-Md diagram because of the complex interactions among composition elements. At a low Al content, the solid solution strengthening of the HCP phase contributes to the extremely high strength with a σ0.2 of 1528 MPa and σb of 1937 MPa for Al14. The appearance of α″ deteriorates the deformation capability with increasing Al content in the Al16 and Al18 MEAs. In the Al20 MEA, Al improves the formations of ordered B2 and metastable β. The phase transformation strengthening, including B2 to BCC and BCC to α″, together with the precipitation strengthening of ω, brings about a high work-hardening ratio (above 5 GPa) and improvements in ductility (6.8% elongation). This work provides guidelines for optimizing the properties of MEAs.

In this study, a new deep-penetration variable-polarity tungsten inert gas (DP-VPTIG) welding process, which is performed by a triple-frequency-modulated pulse, was employed in the welding fabrication of 8 mm AA7075 aluminum plates. The electric signal, arc shape, and weld pool morphology of the welding process were obtained by means of high-speed photography and an electric signal acquisition system under varying parameters of the intermediate frequency (IF) pulse current. The principle of the arc characteristics and the dynamic mechanism of the weld melting during the process are explained. In addition, the macroforming, microstructure, and microhardness of the welded joints were investigated. The results indicate that, with an intermediate frequency pulse of 750 Hz, the arc displayed a higher energy density and a more effective arc contraction, which improved weld appearance and penetration. Moreover, the impact and stirring action of the arc refined the microstructure grains of the weld center. Therefore, this new welding method is feasible for welding medium-thickness aluminum alloy plates without a groove.

Lonicerae japonicae flos (LJF) and Lonicerae flos (LF) are traditional Chinese herbs that are commonly used and widely known for their medicinal properties and edibility. Although they may have a similar appearance and vary slightly in chemical composition, their effectiveness as medicine and their use in clinical settings vary significantly, making them unsuitable for substitution. In this study, a novel 2 × 3 six-channel fluorescent sensor array is proposed that uses machine learning algorithms in combination with the indicator displacement assay (IDA) method to quickly identify LJF and LF. This array comprises two coumarin-based fluorescent indicators (ES and MS) and three diboronic acid-substituted 4,4′-bipyridinium cation quenchers (Q1–Q3), forming six dynamic complexes (C1–C6). When these complexes react with the ortho-dihydroxy groups of phenolic acid compounds in LJF and LF, they release different fluorescent indicators, which in turn causes distinct fluorescence recovery. By optimizing eight machine learning algorithms, the model achieved 100% and 98.21% accuracy rates in the testing set and the cross-validation predictions, respectively, in distinguishing between LJF and LF using Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA). The integration of machine learning with this fluorescent sensor array shows great potential in analyzing and detecting foods and pharmaceuticals that contain polyphenols.

A Dy(III) coordination polymer (CP), [Dy(spasds)(H2O)2]n (1) (Na2Hspasds = 5-(4-sulfophenylazo)salicylic disodium salt), has been synthesized using a hydrothermal method and characterized. 1 features a 2D layered structure, where the spasda3− anions act as pentadentate ligands, adopting carboxylate, sulfonate and phenolate groups to bridge with four Dy centers in η3-μ1: μ2, η2-μ1: μ1, and monodentate coordination modes, respectively. It possesses a unique (4,4)-connected net with a Schläfli symbol of {44·62}{4}2. The luminescence study revealed that 1 exhibited a broad fluorescent emission band at 392 nm. Moreover, the visual blue color has been confirmed by the CIE plot. 1 can serve as a dual-functional luminescent sensor toward Fe3+ and MnO4− through the luminescence quenching effect, with limits of detection (LODs) of 9.30 × 10−7 and 1.19 × 10−6 M, respectively. The LODs are relatively low in comparison with those of the reported CP-based sensors for Fe3+ and MnO4−. In addition, 1 also has high selectivity and remarkable anti-interference ability, as well as good recyclability for at least five cycles. Furthermore, the potential application of the sensor for the detection of Fe3+ and MnO4− was studied through simulated wastewater samples with different concentrations. The possible sensing mechanisms were investigated using Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The results revealed that the luminescence turn-off effects toward Fe3+ and MnO4− were caused by competitive absorption and photoinduced electron transfer (PET), and competitive absorption and inner filter effect (IFE), respectively.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of thirst on later hydration status, total water intake (TWI-MA), and its potential sex differences. Methods: Twelve men (mean ± standard deviation; age: 21 ± 2 years; mass: 81.0 ± 15.9 kg) and twelve women (age: 22 ± 3 years; mass: 68.8 ± 15.2 kg) visited the laboratory in the morning (first thing in the morning) and afternoon (2:00–4:00 p.m.) for three consecutive days under a free-living condition. At each visit, urine osmolality (UOSM), urine specific gravity (USG), urine color (UCOL), body mass loss (BML), thirst, and plasma osmolality (POSM) were collected and analyzed. The participants recorded their food and fluid intake between the visits to determine TWI-MA. Linear regression was used to predict the effect of morning thirst on the afternoon hydration indices for all the participants, as well as for males and females separately. Results: Higher morning thirst predicted lower UOSM (r2 = 0.056, p = 0.045), USG (r2 = 0.096, p = 0.008), UCOL (r2 = 0.074, p = 0.021), and higher thirst (r2 = 0.074, p = 0.021) in the afternoon. However, morning thirst did not predict afternoon BML, POSM, or TWI-MA (p > 0.05). In males, higher morning thirst predicted lower afternoon UOSM (r2 = 0.130, p = 0.031) and USG (r2 = 0.153, p = 0.018). Additionally, higher morning thirst predicted higher TWI-MA (r2 = 0.154, p = 0.018) in females. Conclusions: Morning thirst had a negligible impact on later hydration status, specifically with afternoon urine indices. Furthermore, higher thirst sensation did not impact BML, POSM, or TWI-MA. However, thirst sensation minimally contributed to drinking behavior in females. Overall, individuals may not rely solely on thirst sensation to manipulate their drinking behavior to optimize their fluid balance during their daily lives due to the complexity of thirst mechanisms.