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Fireproof sealant is a common sealing material and has a wide range of applications, which has the dual performance of sealing and fireproof. To figure out its thermal degradation behavior, the thermogravimetric experiments combined with Fourier transform infrared technology were conducted at multiple heating rates. The results showed that the pyrolysis process could be separated into three stages and the explicit reaction equations were revealed corresponding to each stage: First, ammonium polyphosphate decomposed to produce a large amount of inorganic acid, along with a small amount of ammonia and water. Then, a large amount of ammonia gas was produced from melamine decomposition, and the substrate including acrylic resin began to react. Furthermore, the remaining base materials and intermediate carbonized materials continued to be decomposed to produce large amounts of carbon dioxide, water and residue. The experimental results indicated that the various components of fireproof sealant could cooperate closely and played a synergistic role in flame retardant, which could be an important reference value for guiding the improvement of fire sealing materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A theoretical model was established to investigate the interaction between hydrogen clusters and edge dislocations emitted from a semi-elliptical surface crack tip in deformed nanometallic materials. The model's solution was obtained by using the complex method, and the influence of the concentration and location of hydrogen clusters, temperature, crack shape, material constants, and the dislocation emission angle on the critical stress intensity factor (SIFs) corresponding to the first dislocation emission from crack tips was investigated through numerical analysis. The results show that dislocations are easily emitted from the crack tip at high hydrogen concentration, and hydrogen clusters close to the crack tip will hinder the emission of dislocations from its crack tip. When considering the influence of hydrogen cluster, an increase in temperature, an extension of crack length or an increase in crack tip curvature radius can all make the emission of dislocations at the crack tip difficult, thereby reducing the toughness of the material caused by dislocation emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper investigates the intersection of the maker movement and educational innovation, using the China-U.S. Young Maker Competition as a foundational example. It examines how maker education, fueled by hands-on learning and a curiosity-driven approach, can evolve and influence. The study explores the roles and impacts of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design-Driven Innovation (DDI), and Cross-Cultural Perspectives (CCP) within maker education. It highlights HCI's connection of technology with learning, DDI's focus on user-centered solutions, and the significance of CCP in enhancing cultural collaboration, vital for fostering an innovative and creative future. This paper offers a detailed perspective on the current state and future potential of maker education. It proposes a roadmap for the coming decade, emphasizing collaborative learning and creative endeavors, all set within the engaging environment of the competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing image analysis algorithms cannot achieve consistency with human visual classification results when classifying particles based on angular levels. To address this issue, this paper proposes an image analysis method based on triangle side ratio to quantify particle angularity, referred to as a TSR method. The proposed method utilizes a primary parameter, Mean Angularity, to assess the mean angularity level, and employs three auxiliary parameters to offer insights into the Sharpest Angularity, the Flat Proportion, and the Number of Angularity. When quantifying the angularity, the method further provides the count of convex angles. Each parameter can reflect different characteristic information of the angularity. When using the mean angularity level to order particles, the TSR method achieves the same results as visual classification, and furthermore introduces a range of values for the main parameter corresponding to the different angularity levels. The TSR method is simpler and more stable, since the particle parameters can be calculated directly without contour smoothing, and consistent results are achieved for different shapes with the same degree of angular sharpness. The results of the study on lunar soil, volcanic rock, mechanism stone, and stream stone, show that the TSR method can objectively and comprehensively analyze and quantify the particle angularity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) confined concrete (PCCC) columns shows considerable engineering application prospects due to their excellent corrosion resistance, high bearing capacity, favorable seismic behavior and reasonable price. The research on the connection between PCCC columns and reinforced concrete (RC) beams is an essential aspect to facilitate the development and application of this novel composite structural system. In this study, thirteen PCCC column-RC beam interior joints reinforced with core steel tube (CST) (hereinafter referred to as PCCCC-RBIJs-CST) are designed and tested under low cyclic loading. Several parameters, such as stirrup ratio of joint ( ρ sj ), diameter-thickness ratio of CST ( d s / t s ), axial compression ratio of column (n ), spacing of CFRP strips ( s f ), reinforcement ratio of beam ( ρ b ) and reinforcement ratio of column ( ρ c ), are considered. All the specimens show large plastic deformation, culminating in shear damage in the joint core area. The failure mode is characterized by crushing of concrete, yielding of stirrups, CST and reinforcement in the joint area. The hysteresis curves are relatively full, and the shape of curves gradually change from shuttle shape to bow shape and eventually to anti-S shape. The impacts of the studied variables on strength, stiffness, energy dissipation capacity and ductility are systematically analyzed and the feasibility of connecting PCCC columns and frame beams by means of built-in CST reinforcement is verified. Subsequently, the shear capacity of PCCCC-RBIJs-CST is evaluated by using four different existing shear capacity formulas. The reasons for deviations between the predicted results and the measured test data are deeply elaborated. A relatively reasonable predicted formula is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic electrode molecules hold significant potential as the next generation of cathode materials for Li-ion batteries. In this study, we have introduced a multi-objective active learning framework that leverages Bayesian optimization and non-dominated sorting genetic algorithms-II. This framework enables the selection of organic molecules characterized by high theoretical energy density and low gap (LUMO-HOMO) (LUMO, lowest unoccupied molecular orbital; HOMO, highest occupied molecular orbital). Remarkably, after only two cycles of active learning, the determination of coefficient can reach 0.962 for theoretical energy density and 0.920 for the gap with a modest dataset of 300 molecules, showcasing superior predictive capabilities. The 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorocyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione, selected by non-dominated sorting genetic algorithms-II, has been successfully applied to Li-ion batteries as cathode materials, demonstrating a high capacity of 288 mAh g−1 and a long cycle life of 1,000 cycles. This outcome underscores the high reliability of our framework. Furthermore, we have also validated the universality and transferability of our framework by applying it to two additional databases, the QM9 and OMEAD. When the training dataset of the model includes at least 500 molecules, the determination of coefficient essentially reaches approximately 0.900 for four targets: gap, reduction potential, LUMO, and HOMO. Therefore, the universal framework in our work provides innovative insights applicable to other domains to expedite the screening process for target materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bentonite colloids and fluid velocity significantly influence the migration behavior of the redox sensitive nuclide Se(IV) in the disposal repository. In this study, the migration behavior of Se(IV) in artificial fracture, which was created by Beishan granite and polyethylene pipe, was studied under reduced condition, with Br− as a tracer. The effects of bentonite colloids and fluid flow rate on the migration of Se(IV) in the fracture were explored. The results show that a part of Se(IV) would adsorb on the surface of granite in reduced condition. The maximum penetration rate of Se(IV) increases with the decrease of water flow rate. In addition, the colloids hindered the migration of nuclide Se(IV) in the fissure to some extent during the process of co-migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of substituting equal concentrations of Ni with 0.7 wt% and 1 wt% Cu on the corrosion behavior of Ni-advanced weathering steels (WS) in the simulated tropical marine atmosphere was studied. The results reveal that the effect of substituting Ni with Cu on enhancing the corrosion resistance of Ni-advanced WS is positively correlated with the substitution of Cu, as the concentration of Cu substitution affects the synergistic effect of Cu/Ni in Ni-advanced WS. With the substitution content of 0.7 wt% Cu, the synergy effect of Cu/Ni on enhancing the densification and protection of the rust layer is weakened which promotes the charge transfer process and accelerates the corrosion process of Ni-advanced WS. As the content of Cu substituting Ni increases up to 1 wt%, the synergy effect of Cu/Ni is stronger than that of Ni at the same content. Consequently, modifies the Ni-depleted region in the rust layer, the α-FeOOH content in the rust layer is increased, makes the rust layer dense, and intensifies the charge transfer resistance at the substrate-rust interface, thereby improving the corrosion resistance of the Ni-advanced WS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Rare Metals is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Pyracantha fortuneana (P. fortuneana), as a medicinal and edible plant resource, is rich in nutrients. In order to screen the high quality yeast used in Firebone fruit wine, 12 strains of yeast were isolated and purified from P. fortuneana fermentation broth by traditional pure culture method. They were identified by molecular biology as Pichia kudriavzevii (P. kudriavzevii) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae), respectively. Strain HJ–2 could grow normally at 30℃, alcohol content 15%, SO2 mass concentration 360 mg/L, pH 3.2, sucrose mass concentration 400 g/L and glucose mass concentration 250 g/L. Strain HJ–6 could grow normally at 30℃, alcohol content 3%, SO2 concentration 360 mg/L, pH 3.2, sucrose concentration 250 g/L, glucose concentration 300 g/L. Based on the technological characteristics of fruit wine, S. cerevisiae HJ–2 has the potential of brewing P. fortuneana fruit wine. P. kudriavzevii HJ–6 has a low tolerance to ethanol and is suitable for the production of fermented beverages such as low–alcohol wine or beer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our previous research, microporous packaging combined with chitosan active coating (MP-CH) treatment extended the shelf life of passion fruit at 25 °C to 12 days by regulating water loss and physiological metabolism. However, proteomic investigation and metabolic changes in passion fruit by MP-CH treatment are unclear. In this study, tandem mass tag (TMT) labeling combined with two-dimensional liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (2D LC‒MS/MS) was used to monitor the metabolic changes in passion fruit treated with the MP-CH group and the control group. A total of 730 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified. Compared with the control group stored for 12 days, there were 359 DEPs in the MP-CH group, including 179 upregulated proteins and 180 downregulated proteins. The upregulated DEPs were mainly involved in the processes of L-ascorbic acid biosynthesis, anthocyanin-containing compound biosynthesis, aspartate family amino acid biosynthesis, and regulation of protein stability. The downregulated DEPs were mainly involved in oxaloacetate metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, organic substance metabolism, cellular lipid metabolism, pectin catabolism, and galacturonan metabolism. Results showed that the expression of antioxidant enzymes in the MP-CH group was upregulated, which could enhance the antioxidant capacity and stress resistance of passion fruit. In addition, the expression of cell wall-degrading enzymes was downregulated, which could delay the degradation of cell wall components and maintain the relative stability of its cell wall structure, making for a further extended shelf life of passion fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the preassigned-time control issue for state-constrained nonlinear systems subject to predefined performance indices (PPIs). In the recursive control design, a predefined performance barrier Lyapunov function is constructed to achieve the objectives, including the specified convergence time, tracking control indices, and compliance with state constraints. To enhance the negative definiteness of the stability function, a time-varying gain term and an additional sign-indefinite term are introduced in the control design. Through detailed stability analyses, the proposed control approach guarantees the preassigned time stability of the closed-loop and satisfies state constraints and PPIs. Two simulation results support the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the implications of incorporating blockchain technology into the process of making decisions for green supply chains, particularly under conditions of demand uncertainty. A model was formulated to encompass both environmentally friendly products enabled by blockchain technology and those without such enabling technology. The study further explores the optimal method of introducing green input in a duopoly market using game theory. It also examines how consumer uncertainty about green products and acceptance of the technical parameters of blockchain influence this strategy. The findings suggest that increased consumer uncertainty can, in some instances, motivate manufacturers to enhance the eco-friendliness of their products and improve supply chain performance. However, the universal adoption of blockchain does not necessarily ensure better results; on the contrary, it may compromise product sustainability while enhancing supply chain profitability. Moreover, research has indicated that products enabled by blockchain typically have lower prices, thereby offering potential benefits to consumers when acceptance of sustainable energy solutions is high or uncertain. Additionally, this paper analyzes the impact of changes in green supply chain decision-making on system reliability. This involves exploring the relationship between decision parameters and consumer reluctance towards sustainable products and the adoption of blockchain technology. To ensure stable market competition in dynamic complex systems, research shows that feedback control technology can effectively regulate unpredictable behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft rot is one of the top ten most dangerous plant pathogens in agricultural production, storage, and transport, and the use of microorganisms and their metabolites to control soft rot is a current research hotspot. In this study, we identified the antimicrobial substance in the metabolite of Paenibacillus polymyxa KH-19, and determined that the antimicrobial substance of this strain was an active protein. The protein was completely precipitated at 40–60% ammonium sulphate saturation and showed good inhibitory effects against seven pathogenic bacteria including Pectobacterium carotovorum BC2 and seven pathogenic fungi including Pyricularia oryzae. The MIC of the protein was 51.563 µg/mL, temperature acid–base UV and light stability insensitive to protease, with high-temperature resistance. The antimicrobial protein was isolated and purified by DEAE-anion exchange column and Sephadex G-75 gel filtration chromatography, and the LC–MS/MS assay identified the protein as lysophosphatidyl esterase with a molecular weight of 25.255 kDa. The purified antimicrobial protein increased the inhibitory effect against P. carotovorum BC2, with the diameter of the circle of inhibition being 26.50 ± 0.915 mm. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the protein has the molecular formula of C1117H1732N316O338S5, encodes 224 amino acids, has an aliphatic index of 88.39, and belongs to the category of hydrophilic unstable proteins. The present study is the first report of an active protein with extreme thermoplastic and resistance to P. carotovorum BC2, which provides a reference for the preparation and application of the antimicrobial substances of P. polymyxa KH-19, as well as a theoretical basis for the study of the function of lysophosphodiesterase protein and its use as a microbial preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the synthesis and evaluation of a magnetic chitosan-modified biochar (M-BC-CS) composite, developed from waste maize straw, for the efficient removal of copper ions (Cu2+) and methylene blue (MB) dye from aqueous solutions. The composite was characterized using advanced techniques such as SEM, BET, FTIR, XPS, and XRD, confirming its enhanced surface area, porosity, and magnetic properties. The study is aimed at investigating the optimal conditions for adsorption of Cu2+ and MB by M-BC-CS through analysis of the influence of diverse adsorbent dosages, pH levels, reaction times, and initial solution concentrations. The findings demonstrated that the equilibrium duration for the adsorption of Cu2+ and MB by M-BC-CS was 60 min, resulting in corresponding equilibrium adsorption quantities of 54.42 mg/g and 67.23 mg/g, respectively. To elucidate the adsorption mechanism, the present investigation applied the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm. The outcomes suggested that the adsorption process is attributable to single molecular layer chemisorption. XPS and FTIR analysis determined that ion exchange and electrostatic interactions are the predominant mechanisms responsible for the simultaneous adsorption of Cu2+ and MB, and a competitive relationship exists between these mechanisms. In addition, M-BC-CS exhibited exceptional magnetic separation performance, enabling effortless and effective separation when exposed to an external magnetic field. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that M-BC-CS has good reusability and high adsorption capacity also in real wastewater, thus emphasizing its potential as a promising adsorbent for the elimination of Cu2+ and MB from aqueous solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Testosterone (T) is a critical predictor of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) but the genetic overlap between T and PCOS has not been established. Here by leveraging genetic datasets from large-scale genome-wide association studies, we assessed the genetic correlation and polygenic overlap between PCOS and three T-related traits using linkage disequilibrium score regression and the bivariate causal mixture model methods. The conjunctional false discovery rate (conjFDR) method was employed to identify shared causal variants. Functional annotation of variants was conducted using FUMA. Total T and bioavailable T exhibited positive correlations with PCOS, while sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) showed a negative correlation. All three traits demonstrated extensive genetic overlap with PCOS, with a minimum of 68% of T-related variants influencing PCOS. The conjFDR revealed 4 to 6 causal variants within joint genomic loci shared between PCOS and T-related traits. Functional annotations suggested that these variants might impact PCOS by modulating nearby genes, such as FSHB. Our findings support the hypothesis that PCOS is significantly influenced by androgen abnormalities. Additionally, this study identified several causal variants potentially involved in shared biological mechanisms between PCOS and T regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, materials exhibiting multimodal luminescence properties from deep red to near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths have been a focal point of research, particularly in the exploration of applications within the realms of stress sensing and dynamic signature anti-counterfeiting. A pyroxene-type layered crystal structure compound, CaMgGe2O6: Mn2+, has been reported as a mechanoluminescent (ML) material. Upon incorporation into the host, Mn2+ ions preferentially substitute for Mg2+ ions, emitting deep red to near-infrared light (600–800 nm) within this six-coordinated [MgO6] octahedral environment. The congruence of photoluminescence and ML spectra indicates that both types of luminescence originate from the same emissive center. The doping of Mn2+ ions introduces impurity band, effectively reducing the optical band gap, as evidenced by ultraviolet diffuse reflectance measurements. Thermoluminescence results reveal three defect centers within the phosphor, whose concentrations decrease with Mn2+ doping, correlating with a reduction in ML intensity. The ML mechanism of the phosphor is elucidated through the analysis of local piezoelectric properties within the crystal. Overall, this study may pave new pathways for the development of efficient near-infrared mechanoluminescent materials, showcasing potential applications within the biological domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Satisfactory reduction of some displaced pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures is not achievable via closed reduction, thus necessitating open procedure, which increases the incidence of complications. Using percutaneous prying-up technique to assist closed reduction may reduce the requirement for transform to an open operation. We retrospectively reviewed displaced pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures treated by the same surgeon from September 2021 to January 2024,with 134 subjects meeting criteria for inclusion. These children were divided into two groups. In Group A(n = 61),the prying-up technique was used to assist with closed reduction of fractures. Group B(n = 73) included fractures treated with conventional manual traction. To balance group size,12 fractures from group A were randomly removed, leaving a final 61 patients in each group. Demographics, operative time, the rate of failed closed reduction, complications and radiographic results were analyzed. The operative time was significantly less in Group A as compared with Group B(mean difference, − 7.22; [95% confidence interval (CI), − 8.49 to − 5.94]; p < 0.001). The rate of failed closed reduction were significantly lower in Group A as compared to Group B(2 of 61 vs. 10 of 61, p = 0.015). However, we found no difference in terms of the radiographic results and complications between the two groups(p > 0.05). percutaneous prying-up technique significantly improves the efficiency of surgery and reduces rate of failed closed reduction of supracondylar humeral fractures in pediatric patients. Level III, retrospective comparative study.See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risks associated with large landslides pose a severe threat to human life and property. Hence, the creep phase, the signal before the occurrence of large landslides, plays a significant role in the safety of mountainous areas. However, the mechanism of movement in the creep phase remains unclear. In this study, landslide events were divided into six blocks based on a thermo-poro-mechanical model. Blocks represent different landslide areas, which cannot be viewed collectively because of their varying external environments or intrinsic properties. We found that the phases of movement (stationary, creep, and rapid) of different blocks differed. Dividing the landslide into blocks may compensate for the disadvantage that a single sliding body model cannot reflect local creep. Additionally, friction strengthening and weakening were considered in this model. Friction strengthening refers to the phenomenon in which the friction coefficient increases with velocity, whereas friction weakening refers to the phenomenon in which the friction coefficient decreases with velocity. In this study, friction strengthening and weakening occurred before and after the critical velocity, respectively. Our findings suggest that the rapid movement of a landslide is mainly affected by the friction-weakening stage and the thermal-pressure generation stage. Furthermore, the former has a more profound influence than the latter. Notably, this model shows that the creep phase is controlled by friction strengthening. This study is expected to stimulate new ideas for landslide prediction. Highlights: The creep phase is controlled by frictional strengthening. Rapid movement of landslides is affected by friction weakening and thermopressure. Multi-block models are better suited to studying local creep. Different instincts for landslide areas should be considered comprehensively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we propose the use of a fiber-reinforced plastic grid with polymer-cement-mortar (FRP Grid-PCM) to reinforce segment joints in tunnel shield linings. These joints play a crucial role in determining bearing capacity but are vulnerable to deterioration during operation. To investigate how to enhance the flexural performance of longitudinal shield lining joints, we built eccentric short column specimens by bolting two half-corbel columns together and tested them in the laboratory. The test program comprised two control specimens and three strengthened specimens with FRP grid applied on one side, away from the axial load. The tests varied two main parameters: loading eccentricity and the number of FRP grid layers. We conducted a detailed analysis of the failure process, bearing capacity, and bending stiffness of longitudinal joints under different conditions. Furthermore, we developed an analytical model to predict the flexural bearing capacity of longitudinal joints upgraded with the FRP Grid-PCM method and validated it through experimental results. The research demonstrates that the FRP grid effectively reduces joint opening and rotation angles while enhancing the bearing capacity of the short column, particularly with concurrent increases in loading eccentricity and the number of FRP grid layers. Overall, our findings offer a novel alternative for improving the flexural performance of longitudinal joints in shield tunnels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, MOFs@AuNPs composites-based catalysts via anchoring of AuNPs onto metal–organic-frameworks (MOFs) have attracted great attention. However, the influence of the AuNPs loading amounts on the catalytic activity of MOFs@AuNPs composites remains largely unexplored. Here, ficin (Fic) protected AuNPs (Fic@AuNPs) anchored onto the surface of UiO-66-NH2 (UiO) modified with poly(2-vinyl-4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazolidine) (PV) were designed and constructed. The UiOPVFic@AuNPs composites with longer PV chains leading to high-loading Fic@AuNPs exhibited intense peroxidase (POD)-mimetic activity in 3,3′5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) oxidation. Further, following the colour-fading, dopamine (DA) was sensitively and selectively monitored in the composites-TMB-H2O2 system. The portable smartphone sensing platform-based colourimetric method had good linearity ranging from 3.34 to 36.7 μM (R2 = 0.995), with a limit of detection of 0.3 μM. This protocol explores high-loading AuNPs on polymer-MOFs composites, providing deep insights into understanding catalytic activity improvements of polymer-MOFs@AuNPs catalysts and revealing their application potential in real biological samples analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A chemiluminescence (CL) method for determination of glutathione (GSH) was developed with magnetic nanoparticle-decorated metal organic frameworks (Fe3O4 NPs@Cu-TATB). The composite material was synthesized via a hydrothermal method and glutathione (GSH) can be detected by both visual and chemiluminescence (CL) methods. The synthesized Fe3O4 NPs@Cu-TATB exhibited excellent catalytic activity in the luminol-H2O2 CL system. The mechanism revealed that three types of oxygen-containing radicals (ROS) were generated in this system. As GSH can reduce the catalytic effect of generated ROS radicals, the inhibiting CL signal was produced in the Fe3O4 NPs@Cu-TATB-luminol-H2O2 system. Based on the established CL system, the detection limits for GSH using CL and visual methods were found to be 0.3 µM and 0.7 µM, respectively. This low-cost and convenient detection method can be applied to the determination of GSH content in human blood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A ratiometric fluorescence sensor (Fe-MIL-88-NH2/curcumin) based on luminescent metal–organic frameworks (LMOFs) for the determination of curcumin was constructed. Upon the addition of curcumin, the 535-nm emission of curcumin was enhanced, while the fluorescence emission at 438 nm was quenched, under 367-nm excitation. This sensor demonstrated a broad linear range from 1.5 to 40 μM, a low detection limit of 35 nM, and a fast response time of at most 30 s. We verified the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) mechanism between donor (Fe-MIL-88-NH2) and acceptor (curcumin), which further proved the selectivity of the approach. The sensing system enabled the detection of curcumin in the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Turmeric. A smartphone-assisted sensing platform was prepared to visually detect curcumin in a portable manner. This study represents the first attempt to fabricate LMOFs for ratiometric fluorescence detection of curcumin, which has promising potential for application in TCM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In search of the better anticancer agents, fifteen bakuchiol-1,3,5-triazine derivatives were designed and synthesized through nucleophilic substitution reaction. Methods: The newly synthesized derivatives were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against Panc-1, MDA-MB-231, A549, and UM-UC-3 using the MTT assay. Results and Discussion: The data revealed that all of the bakuchiol-1,3,5-triazine derivatives could inhibit the proliferation of Panc-1 cells. Four compounds exhibited better antiproliferative activities than that of bakuchiol. Among them, compound (IVj) displayed potent antiproliferative activity with IC50 values of 21.83 μM. Compound (IVj) also showed potent inhibitory activity against the proliferation of MDA-MB-231, A549, and UM-UC-3 cells when compared with bakuchiol. Additionally, compound (IVj) exhibited strong inhibitory effects on the migration, invasion, and adhesion of Panc-1 cells. Conclusions: The results showed that, compound (IVj) could be a promising candidate agent for the treatment of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic waste can exist naturally for hundreds of thousands of years and harm humans, animals, and the environment. In this study, the energy and exergy performances (absorbed energy, energy efficiency, absorbed exergy, and exergy efficiency) of LDPE (low-density polyethylene) plastic particles assisted by microwave heating based on the experimental data as affected by microwave power, feeding load, and chamber volume were evaluated and analyzed. The results showed that as the microwave power raised from 500 to 900 W, the feeding load changed from 10 to 30 g, and the chamber volume decreased from 200 to 100 ml, (a) the absorbed energy at the heating time of 60 min increased from 19.73 kJ, 5.84 kJ, and 22.71 kJ to 37.69 kJ; (b) the energy efficiency for the whole heating process increased from 1.10%, 0.32%, and 1.26% to 2.09%; (c) the absorbed exergy at the heating time of 60 min increased from 0.308, 0.091, and 0.091 to 0.724 kJ; and (d) the exergy efficiency for the whole heating process increased from 0.017, 0.005, and 0.023 to 0.040%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monopolar spindle kinase 1 (MPS1, also called TTK) is an attractive target for the treatment of cancers. Five MPS1 inhibitors have entered the clinical trials, but four of them were discontinued; thus, it is necessary to develop MPS1 inhibitors with novel scaffolds. In the present work, several computational tools were built to design MPS1 inhibitors. The deep recurrent neural network was used for generating potential highly active MPS1 inhibitors. The deep neural network was used to build a ligand-based consensus model for distinguishing the highly and weakly active MPS1 inhibitors. Five co-crystal structures were used to develop the consensus docking score for distinguishing actives and decoys. The ligand-based consensus model and the consensus docking score were used to evaluate the generated molecules, and finally, two scaffolds, which were less reported as MPS1 inhibitors previously, were selected. A total of 15 compounds with the two scaffolds were synthesized and tested by in vitro enzymatic inhibition assays. Five compounds had sub-micromolar to low micromolar in vitro potencies, and the most active compound was 10 with an IC50 of 556 nM. The binding modes of the new compounds were revealed by molecular dynamic simulations. We believe that the computational strategies in the present work were helpful for discovering new potential scaffolds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The effect of tumor budding (TB) on the prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) remains unclear. We evaluated the long-term outcomes of patients with superficial ESCC after ESD and the risk factors of TB for the long-term prognosis. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in a Chinese hospital. All patients with ESCC treated by ESD and reported TB were included consecutively. Comparative analyses were conducted in three parts: specimen analysis, follow-up analyses of unmatched patients, and propensity score-matched (PSM) patients. Cox proportional hazard regression models were constructed to identify risk factors for overall survival and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Results: A total of 437 patients were enrolled [154 TB and 283 no tumor budding (NTB)], and 258 patients (52 TB and 206 NTB) were included in the follow-up analysis. Results showed that the invasion depth, differentiation type, and positive vascular invasion (all p < 0.001) of the TB group were significantly different from the NTB group. The all-cause mortality and the median RFS time between the two groups were comparable. RFS rate at 5 years were 84.6% and 80.6%, respectively (p = 0.43). Cox analyses identified that having other cancers but not TB, as a risk factor independently associated with overall survival and RFS after ESD. Conclusion: TB tends to be associated with invasion depth, differentiation type, and positive vascular invasion. However, it might not affect the long-term outcomes of patients with superficial ESCC after ESD when other high-risk factors are negative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The poor structural stability and cyclability restrict the wide application of natural graphite (NG) in Li-ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, NG was hydrothermally modified with KCl at 200 °C for 12 h. The NG modified with 1.0 wt% KCl exhibits excellent rate performance (revealing average lithiation capacities of 407.7 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C and 341.2 mAh g−1 at 0.5 C) and cyclability. The roles of K+ and Cl− in promoting the electrochemical performance of NG was revealed via systematic characterizations. In the hydrothermal process, K+ entered into graphene interlayers to enhance electronic conductivity and introduce lattice distortion in NG to facilitate Li-ion transport during lithiation and delithiation, while Cl− interacted with the NG surface to create C‒Cl bonds which are partially converted into Li-conductive LiCl during lithiation to function as the component of solid electrolyte interphase. Both the residual C‒Cl bonds and in situ formed LiCl with high stability could stabilize the structure and performance of the NG anode. This simple hydrothermal modification with KCl might promote the wide utilization of the NG anode in LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Image restoration in adverse weather conditions is a difficult task in computer vision. In this paper, we propose a novel transformer-based framework called GridFormer which serves as a backbone for image restoration under adverse weather conditions. GridFormer is designed in a grid structure using a residual dense transformer block, and it introduces two core designs. First, it uses an enhanced attention mechanism in the transformer layer. The mechanism includes stages of the sampler and compact self-attention to improve efficiency, and a local enhancement stage to strengthen local information. Second, we introduce a residual dense transformer block (RDTB) as the final GridFormer layer. This design further improves the network's ability to learn effective features from both preceding and current local features. The GridFormer framework achieves state-of-the-art results on five diverse image restoration tasks in adverse weather conditions, including image deraining, dehazing, deraining & dehazing, desnowing, and multi-weather restoration. The source code and pre-trained models will be released. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Telomere length is a putative biomarker of aging and is associated with multiple age-related diseases. There are limited data on the landscape of rare genetic variations in telomere length. Here, we systematically characterize the rare variant associations with leukocyte telomere length (LTL) through exome-wide association study (ExWAS) among 390,231 individuals in the UK Biobank. We identified 18 robust rare-variant genes for LTL, most of which estimated effects on LTL were significant (> 0.2 standard deviation per allele). The biological functions of the rare-variant genes were associated with telomere maintenance and capping and several genes were specifically expressed in the testis. Three novel genes (ASXL1, CFAP58, and TET2) associated with LTL were identified. Phenotypic association analyses indicated significant associations of ASXL1 and TET2 with cancers, age-related diseases, blood assays, and cardiovascular traits. Survival analyses suggested that carriers of ASXL1 or TET2 variants were at increased risk for cancers; diseases of the circulatory, respiratory, and genitourinary systems; and all-cause and cause-specific deaths. The CFAP58 carriers were at elevated risk of deaths due to cancers. Collectively, the present whole exome sequencing study provides novel insights into the genetic landscape of LTL, identifying novel genes associated with LTL and their implications on human health and facilitating a better understanding of aging, thus pinpointing the genetic relevance of LTL with clonal hematopoiesis, biomedical traits, and health-related outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinson's disease is a chronic neurodegenerative condition accompanied by a variety of motor and non-motor clinical symptoms. Diagnosing Parkinson's disease presents many challenges, such as excessive reliance on subjective scale scores and a lack of objective indicators in the diagnostic process. Developing efficient and convenient methods to assist doctors in diagnosing Parkinson's disease is necessary. In this paper, we study the skeleton sequences obtained from gait videos of Parkinsonian patients for early detection of the disease. We designed a Transformer network based on feature tensor fusion to capture the subtle manifestations of Parkinson's disease. Initially, we fully utilized the distance information between joints, converting it into a multivariate time series classification task. We then built twin towers to discover dependencies within and across sequence channels. Finally, a tensor fusion layer was employed to integrate the features from both towers. In our experiments, our model demonstrated superior performance over the current state-of-the-art algorithm, achieving an 86.8% accuracy in distinguishing Parkinsonian patients from healthy individuals using the PD-Walk dataset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enhance the cooling capacity of traditional microchannels for high heat flux electronic devices, a microchannel design with staggered semi-elliptical ribs is proposed in this paper. Through numerical simulations, the flow characteristics of the designed microchannel are compared with those of a smooth one, and the effects of rib width (Wr), rib height (Hr), and rib length (Lr), on the thermal-hydraulic performance are investigated under laminar flow conditions. The results show that the periodically arranged ribs induce periodic vortices within the microchannel, effectively promoting fluid mixing and enhancing heat transfer. Wr and Hr have similar effects on microchannel performance, with an increase in them leading to an enhanced thermal performance at the expense of deteriorated hydraulic performance. Additionally, Lr has a comparatively weaker influence, with both the heat transfer and flow resistance initially growing with increasing Lr and then declining. To strike a balance between the two performances, a multi-objective optimization on the three geometrical parameters is conducted at a Reynolds number (Re) of 440. Combined with simulation data, artificial neural networks are trained as surrogate models, and a multi-objective genetic algorithm is employed to derive the Pareto front. Using the TOPSIS decision-making method, an optimal compromise solution is determined as Wr = 0.2415 mm, Hr = 0.0976 mm, and Lr = 0.6486 mm. Performance testing on the optimized microchannel reveals that it exhibits high heat transfer, middle flow resistance, and excellent overall performance, with the performance evaluation criterion (PEC) falling between 1.572 and 1.723 within the Re range of 220–660. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online monitoring of lanthanide fission product concentrations has been a great challenge in the pyrochemical reprocessing of spent nuclear fuels. Electrochemical techniques, with the advantages of accuracy and timeliness, provide a feasible strategy. In this work, the relationship between lanthanum ion (La(III)) concentration and reaction current was investigated by various electrochemical methods in LiCl–KCl eutectic salt. Tafel test results show that there is a linear relationship between the exchange current density (i0) and ion concentration (i0 = 0.06618x + 0.04409). In addition, according to the comparative analysis of electrochemical test results, it is found that anodic stripping voltammetry is a potential ion concentration detection technology. The peak current (ipc) and ion concentration satisfy the relationship: ipc = 0.08503x − 0.02245. According to the equation, the calculated La(III) concentration is almost consistent with that analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic spectrometer (ICP-AES), which provides a plausible way for ion concentration monitoring in high-temperature molten salt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Establishing effective pharmacovigilance systems globally is challenging due to the need for comprehensive epidemiological data on pharmacovigilance-related events, particularly in countries at different stages of development. Aim: This study aimed to determine magnitude and drivers of change in the global and regional burden of pharmacovigilance-related events from 1990 to 2019, analyzing variations between age groups and sex, providing data support for policymakers to adjust their pharmacovigilance policies. Method: Pharmacovigilance-related events were defined as Adverse Effects of Medical Treatment (AEMT) and Drug Use Disorders (DUD) in the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019. Time trend analysis utilized joinpoint regression, age-period-cohort model, and decomposition method. Disease burden was measured in incidence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Results: The global burden of pharmacovigilance-related events remained high, driven predominantly by population growth. Children and older adults were identified as particularly susceptible groups. Across various regions and periods of the socio-demographic index (SDI), the risk of death from AEMT showed a decreasing trend. In contrast, the incidence of AEMT and both the incidence and death rates from DUD showed a stable or worsening trend. Significant regional disparities in the burden of these diseases were noted between different SDI levels. Conclusion: The study underscores the critical need for robust pharmacovigilance systems worldwide. The observed trends in the burden of pharmacovigilance-related events offer a clear direction for countries to refine and strengthen their pharmacovigilance policies and practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The remarkable progress of machine learning has had a significant impact on decision-making, thus fairness is an important topic. Existing fair recommendation methods generally design a constraint framework between consumer satisfaction or item exposure in the optimization model. However, these methods only focus on the fairness of consumers and items, but fail to ensure the fairness of platforms. Ignoring platform fairness may lead to an imbalance between consumer satisfaction and platform profit. In this paper, we propose a novel recommendation method based on fairness called CPG-FairRec, which consists of three modules: Data division module, Global fairness-aware module and Local fairness-aware module. Data division module divides the consumers and items into two groups based on spendings and prices, respectively. Global fairness-aware module learns the difference_score of the item group and consumer group based on the consumer's historical behavior, and continuously balance the satisfaction of consumer group and the exposure of item group. Local fairness-aware module aims to optimize the exposure of individual item through the greedy algorithm based on the item price to achieve higher platform profit. We conduct experiments on two real-world datasets and results demonstrate the superiority of the CPG-FairRec in recommendation quality and profitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) silicon solar cells are rising as a competitive photovoltaic technology, seamlessly blending high efficiency with cost-effectiveness and mass production capabilities. However, the numerous defects from the fragile silicon oxide/c-Si interface and the low field-effect passivation due to the inadequate boron in-diffusion in p-type polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) passivated contact reduce their open-circuit voltages (VOCs), impeding their widespread application in the promising perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells (TSCs) that hold a potential to break 30% module efficiency. To address this, we have developed a highly passivated p-type TOPCon structure by optimizing the oxidation conditions, boron in-diffusion, and aluminium oxide hydrogenation, thus pronouncedly improving the implied VOC (iVOC) of symmetric samples with p-type TOPCon structures on both sides to 715 mV and the VOC of completed double-sided TOPCon bottom cells to 710 mV. Consequently, integrating with perovskite top cells, our proof of concept of 1 cm2 n-i-p perovskite/silicon TSCs exhibit VOCs exceeding 1.9 V and a high efficiency of 28.20% (certified 27.3%), which paves a way for TOPCon cells in the commercialization of future tandems. Perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells have attracted great attention for their efficiency and industry-compatible fabrication. Here, authors report a p-type tunnel oxide passivated contact structure with improved implied open-circuit voltage, achieving efficiency over 28% in 1 cm2 n-i-p tandem cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intelligent monitoring of tool condition is the key to ensuring workshop manufacturing efficiency, product machining quality, and accuracy, and is also an indispensable part of intelligent processing. In the face of complex and massive, multi-source heterogeneous, and low-value density machining process data, the monitoring method based on traditional machine learning is challenging to meet the development needs of intelligent manufacturing. In contrast, with its powerful data processing and automatic feature extraction capabilities, deep learning shows broad application prospects in tool condition intelligent monitoring. Given this, this paper first systematically introduces the components of tool condition intelligent monitoring framework based on deep learning. Subsequently, the basic principles, modeling process, and application status of the four most widely used deep learning models (deep belief network, stacked auto-encoder network, convolutional neural network, and recurrent neural network) in the field of tool condition monitoring are detailed, and the advantages and disadvantages of different models are comparably discussed. Finally, the challenges and prospects of the current tool condition intelligent monitoring based on deep learning are summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the timely transmission of signals, the research of low dielectric constant microwave ceramics is essential. In this study, a new type of low-permittivity Lu2MgAl4SiO12 microwave dielectric ceramic was prepared by traditional solid-phase method. The successful synthesis of Lu2MgAl4SiO12 ceramics with cubic crystal system and space group Ia-3d (230) was determined by XRD and Rietveld refinement. SEM observation confirmed the garnet structure of Lu2MgAl4SiO12 ceramics, and verified the dense structure of the ceramic samples with a relative density of 99.1%. In addition, the influence of relative density and packing fraction on Q × f was studied by analyzing the Lu2MgAl4SiO12 system. The findings revealed that τf was affected by the valence state of VSi-O bond. Finally, Lu2MgAl4SiO12 sample sintered at 1490 °C demonstrated notable microwave properties (εr = 9.13, Q × f = 15,100 GHz, τf = –47.1 ppm/°C). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) have significant applications in reproductive medicine and regenerative medicine because of their great plasticity. Nevertheless, it remains unknown about the functions and mechanisms of long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) in regulating the fate determinations of human SSCs. Here we have demonstrated that LncRNA ACVR2B-as1 (activin A receptor type 2B antisense RNA 1) controls the self-renewal and apoptosis of human SSCs by interaction with ALDOA via glycolysis activity. LncRNA ACVR2B-as1 is highly expressed in human SSCs. LncRNA ACVR2B-as1 silencing suppresses the proliferation and DNA synthesis and enhances the apoptosis of human SSCs. Mechanistically, our ChIRP-MS and RIP assays revealed that ACVR2B-as1 interacted with ALDOA in human SSCs. High expression of ACVR2B-as1 enhanced the proliferation, DNA synthesis, and glycolysis of human SSCs but inhibited their apoptosis through up-regulation of ALDOA. Importantly, overexpression of ALDOA counteracted the effect of ACVR2B-as1 knockdown on the aforementioned biological processes. Collectively, these results indicate that ACVR2B-as1 interacts with ALDOA to control the self-renewal and apoptosis of human SSCs by enhancing glycolysis activity. This study is of great significance because it sheds a novel insight into molecular mechanisms underlying the fate decisions of human SSCs and it may offer innovative approaches to address the etiology of male infertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is still one of the most prevalent malignancies. Interleukin factors are closely associated with the initiation and progression of cancer. However, the relationship between interleukin factors and LUAD has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to use Mendelian randomization (MR) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analyses to identify the interleukin factors associated with the onset and progression of LUAD. Methods: Exposure-related instrumental variables were selected from interleukin factor summary datasets. The LUAD summary dataset from FINGENE served as the outcome. MR and sensitivity analyses were conducted to screen for interleukin factors associated with LUAD occurrence. Transcriptome analyses revealed the role of interleukin factors in lung tissues. The results were validated through Western blotting and further confirmed with driver gene-negative patients from multiple centers. Potential mechanisms influencing LUAD occurrence and development were explored using bulk RNA-seq and single-cell RNA-seq data. Results: MR analysis indicated that elevated plasma levels of IL6RB, IL27RA, IL22RA1, and IL16 are causally associated with increased LUAD risk, while IL18R1 and IL11RA exhibit the opposite effect. Transcriptome analyses revealed that IL11RA, IL18R1, and IL16 were downregulated in tumor tissues compared with normal lung tissue, but only higher expression of IL11RA correlated with improved prognosis in patients with LUAD from different centers and persisted even in driver-gene negative patients. The IL11RA protein level was lower in various LUAD cell lines than in human bronchial epithelial cells. The genes co-expressed with IL11RA were enriched in the Ras signaling pathway and glycosylation processes. Fibroblasts were the primary IL11RA-expressing cell population, with IL11RA+fibroblasts exhibiting a more immature state. The genes differentially expressed between IL11RA+and IL11RA- fibroblasts were involved in the PI3K-Akt/TNF signaling pathway. Conclusion: According to the MR and transcriptome analyses, the downregulation of IL11RA was closely related to the occurrence and development of LUAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study delves into the microwave dielectric properties of SrLaMgTaO6 ceramics synthesized via traditional solid-state methods. Precise lattice parameters observed at the optimal temperature were as follows: a = b = c = 7.97327 Å, with a corresponding unit volume of V = 506.884775 Å3. Utilizing X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and detailed Rietveld refinement analysis at various temperatures revealed that SrLaMgTaO6 ceramics possess a cubic structure, specifically within the Fm-3 m (225) space group. The structure of ceramic particles was further studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and it was found that the optimum relative density was 95.7%. Additionally, within SrLaMgTaO6 ceramic samples, the study explored the relationship between relative density, porosity, filler fraction, and microwave performance. A significant finding was the impact of the Ta–O bond valence (VTa–O) on the frequency temperature coefficient. At 1480 °C, SrLaMgTaO6 ceramics demonstrated superior performance metrics: a dielectric constant (εr) of 21.68, a quality factor (Q × f) of 16,739 GHz (f = 8.74 GHz), and a frequency temperature coefficient (τf) of -79.1 ppm/°C. The findings highlight the material’s potential as a robust dielectric in microwave applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glioma is the most aggressive intracranial malignancy and is associated with poor survival rates and limited quality of life, impairing neuropsychological function and cognitive competence in survivors. The Proteasome Subunit Alpha Type-5 (PSMA5) is a multicatalytic proteinase complex that has been linked with tumor progression but is rarely reported in glioma. This study investigates the expression pattern, prognostic characteristics, and potential biological functions of PSMA5 in glioma. PSMA5 was significantly overexpressed in 28 types of cancer when compared to normal tissue. Furthermore, elevated levels of PSMA5 were observed in patients with wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and exhibited a positive correlation with tumor grade. It was also found to be a standalone predictor of outcomes in glioma patients. Additionally, inhibiting PSMA5-induced cell cycle arrest may provide a therapeutic option for glioma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous geothermal systems are hosted by extensional rifts that transect the Himalayas and Lhasa block in the Himalayan–Tibetan orogen. However, the relationships between hydrogeological processes and geothermal fluid circulation in different tectonic units remain unclear. Here, we report an integrated dataset of chemical and isotopic compositions (including major and trace elements, δD, δ18O, and 87Sr/86Sr) of thermal spring water from the Tingri-Tangra Yumco rift to assess their origins and circulation processes. δ18O (− 21.3 to − 17.0‰) and δD (− 166 to − 135‰) values of thermal springs indicate dominant recharge of meteoric waters from areas with elevation of > 6000 m and minor addition of magmatic fluids. Meteoric water could infiltrate to depths of about 1700–2900 m along the faults, whereby it is influenced by geothermal gradient and/or conductive heat transfer of magmatic fluids. The thermal spring waters are mainly Na-HCO3 type and are controlled by dissolution of silicate and carbonate minerals and mixing with deep fluids. The results of chemical and multicomponent geothermometers indicate reservoir temperatures of 115 − 195 ℃, corresponding to a convection heat flux of 3.96 × 105 J/s to 1.78 × 107 J/s from geothermal systems, which are comparable to that of the low-enthalpy geothermal systems in southern Italy. Geochemical modeling is conducted to assess the water–mineral equilibria in the reservoir. Trace elements and 87Sr/86Sr data suggest spatially variable controlling factors for the rift-related geothermal systems: (1) interaction with granitoid and carbonate in the Himalayas; (2) cold groundwater mixing with that leaching from granite and volcanic rocks in the Lhasa block; (3) the input of vapors from magmatic degassing. The geochemistry of thermal springs associated with extensional rift is largely induced by the interaction between fluid and different reservoir rocks in the Himalayas and Lhasa block. Based on these findings, a genetic model is proposed for exploration and development of geothermal resources in the Tingri-Tangra Yumco rift. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discinaceae holds significant importance within the Pezizales, representing a prominent group of macroascomycetes distributed globally. However, there is a dearth of genomic studies focusing on this family, resulting in gaps in our understanding of its evolution, development, and ecology. Here we utilized state-of-the-art genome assembly methodologies, incorporating third-generation single-molecule fluorescence and Hi-C-assisted methods, to elucidate the genomic landscapes of Gyromitra esculenta and Paragyromitra xinjiangensis. The genome sizes of two species were determined to be 47.10 Mb and 48.20 Mb, with 23 and 22 scaffolds, respectively. 10,438 and 11,469 coding proteins were identified, with functional annotations encompassing over 96.47% and 94.40%, respectively. Assessment of completeness using BUSCO revealed that 98.71% and 98.89% of the conserved proteins were identified. The application of comparative genomic technology has helped in identifying traits associated with of heterothallic life cycle traits and elucidating unique patterns of chromosomal evolution. Additionally, we identified potential saprotrophic nutritional modes and systematic phylogenetic relationships between the two species. Therefore, this study provides crucial genomic insights into the evolution, nutritional type, and ecological roles of species within the Pezizales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To select the core target (RAB13) in sepsis patients' peripheral blood and investigate its molecular functions and possible mechanisms. The peripheral blood of sepsis patients (n = 21) and healthy individuals (n = 9) within 24 h after admission were collected for RNA-seq, and differential gene screening was performed by iDEP online analysis software (P < 0.01; log2FC ≥ 2) and enrichment analysis, the potential core target RAB13 was screened out. The association between RAB13 expression and sepsis severity was explored using multiple datasets in the GEO database, and survival analysis was conducted. Subsequently, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from sepsis and control groups were isolated, and 10 × single-cell sequencing was used to identify the main RAB13-expressing cell types. Finally, LPS was used to stimulate THP1 cells to construct a sepsis model to explore the function and possible mechanism of RAB13. We found that RAB13 was a potential core target, and RAB13 expression level was positively associated with sepsis severity and negatively correlated with survival based on multiple public datasets. A single-cell sequencing indicated that RAB13 is predominantly localized in monocytes. Cell experiments validated that RAB13 is highly expressed in sepsis, and the knockdown of RAB13 promotes the polarization of macrophages towards the M2 phenotype. This mechanism may be associated with the ECM-receptor interaction signaling pathway. The upregulation of RAB13 in sepsis patients promotes the polarization of M2-like macrophages and correlates positively with the severity of sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acoustic emission (AE) source localization is a fundamental element of rock fracture damage imaging. To improve the efficiency and accuracy of AE source localization, this paper proposes a joint method comprising a three-dimensional (3D) AE source localization simplex method and grid search scanning. Using the concept of the geometry of simplexes, tetrahedral iterations were first conducted to narrow down the suspected source region. This is followed by a process of meshing the region and node searching to scan for optimal solutions, until the source location is determined. The resulting algorithm was tested using the artificial excitation source localization and uniaxial compression tests, after which the localization results were compared with the simplex and exhaustive methods. The results revealed that the localization obtained using the proposed method is more stable and can be effectively avoided compared with the simplex localization method. Furthermore, compared with the global scanning method, the proposed method is more efficient, with an average time of 10%–20% of the global scanning localization algorithm. Thus, the proposed algorithm is of great significance for laboratory research focused on locating rupture damages sustained by large-sized rock masses or test blocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]