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Abstract Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a popular nonparametric tool for measuring the performance of decision making unit (DMU). Cross-efficiency evaluation is an efficient means to rank DMUs, which compensates for efficiency overestimation and incomplete ranking of conventional DEA models. With respect to incomplete rational cross-efficiency evaluation, the common methods construct models with two extreme efficiencies as reference, such as efficiency values of the aggressive and benevolent models. In addition, they only explore the irrational preferences of decision maker (DM) at a certain stage in the evaluation process. They fail to investigate the cross-efficiency evaluation synthetically under incomplete rationality and characterize the complexity of the individuals’ decision making. To fill this gap, a new method must be proposed. This paper proposes a new cross-efficiency termed regret cross-efficiency model using attitudinal entropy approach (RACE), which constructs a secondary goal model from a comprehensive perspective under the framework of regret theory, and introduces attitudinal entropy to aggregate the cross-efficiencies. Besides, this paper presents some empirical examples to illustrate the validity and robustness of the RACE method.

Symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) in legume-rhizobia serves as a sustainable source of nitrogen (N) in agriculture. However, the addition of inorganic N fertilizers significantly inhibits SNF, and the underlying mechanisms remain not-well understood. Here, we report that inorganic N disrupts iron (Fe) homeostasis in soybean nodules, leading to a decrease in SNF efficiency. This disruption is attributed to the inhibition of the Fe transporter genes Natural Resistance-Associated Macrophage Protein 2a and 2b (GmNRAMP2a&2b) by inorganic N. GmNRAMP2a&2b are predominantly localized at the tonoplast of uninfected nodule tissues, affecting Fe transfer to infected cells and consequently, modulating SNF efficiency. In addition, we identified a pair of N-signal regulators, nitrogen-regulated GARP-type transcription factors 1a and 1b (GmNIGT1a&1b), that negatively regulate the expression of GmNRAMP2a&2b, which establishes a link between N signaling and Fe homeostasis in nodules. Our findings reveal a plausible mechanism by which soybean adjusts SNF efficiency through Fe allocation in response to fluctuating inorganic N conditions, offering valuable insights for optimizing N and Fe management in legume-based agricultural systems. Symbiotic nitrogen fixation is a tightly regulated process serving as a sustainable source of nitrogen (N) in agriculture. Here it is shown that external N sources precisely regulate N fixation efficiency by modulating iron transport in nodules of legumes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crouzon syndrome (CS), a syndromic craniosynostosis, is a craniofacial developmental deformity caused by mutations in fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2). Previous CS mouse models constructed using traditional gene editing techniques faced issues such as low targeting efficiency, extended lineage cycles, and inconsistent and unstable phenotypes. In this study, a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated strategy was employed to induce a functional augmentation of the Fgfr2 point mutation in mice. Various techniques, including bone staining, micro-CT, histological methods, and behavioral experiments, were employed to systematically examine and corroborate phenotypic disparities between mutant mice (Fgfr2C361Y/+) and their wild-type littermates. Confirmed via PCR-Sanger sequencing, we successfully induced the p.Cys361Tyr missense mutation in the Fgfr2 IIIc isoform of the extracellular domain (corresponding to the p.Cys342Tyr mutation in humans) based on Fgfr2-215 transcript (ENSMUST00000122054.8). Fgfr2C361Y/+ mice exhibited characteristics consistent with the phenotypic features associated with CS, including skull-vault craniosynostosis, skull deformity, shallow orbits accompanied by exophthalmos, midface hypoplasia with malocclusion, and shortened skull base, notably without any apparent limb defects. Furthermore, mutant mice displayed behavioral abnormalities encompassing deficits in learning and memory, social interaction, and motor dysfunction, without anxiety-related disorders. Histopathological examination of the hippocampal region revealed structural abnormalities, suggesting possible brain development impairment secondary to craniosynostosis. In conclusion, we constructed a novel gene-edited Fgfr2C361Y/+ mice strain based on CRISPR/Cas9, which displayed skull and behavioral abnormalities, serving as a new model for studying genetic molecular mechanisms and exploring treatments for CS. Key messages: CRISPR/Cas9 crafted a Crouzon model by enhancing Fgfr2-C361Y in mice. Fgfr2C361Y/+ mice replicate CS phenotypes—craniosynostosis and midface anomalies. Mutant mice show diverse behavioral abnormalities, impacting learning and memory. Fgfr2C361Y/+ mice offer a novel model for cranial suture studies and therapeutic exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a popular nonparametric tool for measuring the performance of decision making unit (DMU). Cross-efficiency evaluation is an efficient means to rank DMUs, which compensates for efficiency overestimation and incomplete ranking of conventional DEA models. With respect to incomplete rational cross-efficiency evaluation, the common methods construct models with two extreme efficiencies as reference, such as efficiency values of the aggressive and benevolent models. In addition, they only explore the irrational preferences of decision maker (DM) at a certain stage in the evaluation process. They fail to investigate the cross-efficiency evaluation synthetically under incomplete rationality and characterize the complexity of the individuals’ decision making. To fill this gap, a new method must be proposed. This paper proposes a new cross-efficiency termed regret cross-efficiency model using attitudinal entropy approach (RACE), which constructs a secondary goal model from a comprehensive perspective under the framework of regret theory, and introduces attitudinal entropy to aggregate the cross-efficiencies. Besides, this paper presents some empirical examples to illustrate the validity and robustness of the RACE method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the relationships between stress, sleep reactivity, dysfunctional beliefs about sleep and to estimate the distinct roles of occupational and family stress on sleep among military populations in China. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 389 members of the armed forces stationed on islands in China. The Likert scales, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test (FIRST) and Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep Scale (DBAS) were used to measure occupational and family stress, sleep quality, sleep reactivity, and dysfunctional beliefs about sleep, respectively. Mediation and moderation effects were tested using logistic regression. The indirect path between occupational stress and PSQI via FIRST scores was significant (a*b = 0.564, p < 0.001). Mediation accounted for 38.2% of the total effects. The indirect path between family stress and PSQI via FIRST scores was also significant (a*b = 0.295, p < 0.001). The mediating effects accounted for 100%. The mediation effects of sleep reactivity on the association between occupational or family stress and sleep quality became attenuated at one standard deviation (SD) above the mean and one SD below the mean of DBAS scores. Occupational stress can affect sleep quality both in direct and indirect paths, whereas family stress only affects sleep quality through the sleep reactivity system. Geographical factors may prevent individuals on islands from facing family stress directly. These results may open a new avenue for studying the mechanisms of sleep reactivity and ways to prevent sleep disturbance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) is quantified by evaluating a Z-spectra, where CEST signal quantification and Z-spectra fitting have been widely used to distinguish the contributions from multiple origins. Based on the exchange-dependent relaxation rate in the rotating frame (Rex), this paper introduces an additional pathway to quantitative separation of CEST effect. The proposed Rex-line-fit method is solved by a multi-pool model and presents the advantage of only being dependent of the specific parameters (solute concentration, solute‐water exchange rate, solute transverse relaxation, and irradiation power). Herein we show that both solute‐water exchange rate and solute concentration monotonously vary with Rex for Amide, Guanidino, NOE and MT, which has the potential to assist in solving quantitative separation of CEST effect. Furthermore, we achieve Rex imaging of Amide, Guanidino, NOE and MT, which may provide direct insight into the dependency of measurable CEST effects on underlying parameters such as the exchange rate and solute concentration, as well as the solute transverse relaxation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, electrical fires, which constitute the majority of fire incidents, have become a significant concern. This paper presents a quantitative evaluation of the research on electrical fires from 1993 to 2022, using literature measurement and visual analysis techniques. A total of 2915 publications were collected from the Web of Science database to review and analyze the research progress on electrical fires. In this investigation, the quantitative distribution of literature by year as well as the distributions of main source journals, countries and regions, institutions, and discipline categories were analyzed. Additionally, research hotspots were identified and the knowledge field was mapped using VOSviewer. The results indicated an exponential growth in the number of publications on electrical fires, with Ceramics International emerging as the most prolific journal, having published 79 papers and accounting for 2.5% of the total research. The most active countries in electrical fire research were found to be China, the United States, South Korea, India, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, with Chinese publications having the most significant impact. The University of Science and Technology of China, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Tsinghua University are the most productive institutions in the field of electrical fire research; their main research directions include electrical structure, electrical experiment simulation, insulating materials, battery fires, fire extinguishing technology, and detection methods. Further, we observed that the scope of research on electrical fires has expanded from the macro to micro level. Thematic analysis conducted in the last decade has revealed that battery fires and equipment materials have emerged as the primary focus of research in this field. These research findings offer a comprehensive overview of the evolution of research hotspots, which can assist researchers in quickly grasping the research frontiers as well as the overall situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Neoarchean Qingyuan greenstone belt (QGB) is located at the northeastern margin of the North China Craton (NCC) and has experienced amphibolite- to granulite-facies metamorphism. The supracrustal rock assemblage is composed of biotite-hornblende (Bt-Hb) monzonitic gneiss, garnet-biotite-hornblende (Grt-Bt-Hb) monzonitic gneiss, Grt-Bt-Hb plagioclase gneiss, amphibolite and orthopyroxene-biotite-hornblende (Opx-Bt-Hb) plagioclase gneiss. This study involves thorough field and petrographic observations, whole-rock geochemistry and LA-ICP-MS zircon U‒Pb ages of these rocks to constrain the Neoarchean geodynamic setting of the QGB. Zircon U‒Pb dating indicates that these metavolcanic rocks formed during 2.57‒2.52 Ga and experienced subsequent regional metamorphism at 2.52‒2.47 Ga. Lithological and geochemical characteristics show that the QGB protoliths were tholeiitic to calc-alkaline basalts, andesites, dacites and rhyolites. The andesite-dacite-rhyolite assemblage exhibits high SiO2 and Mg# values, low Yb and Y contents, strongly fractionated chondrite-normalized REE patterns and depletion in Nb, Ta, Ti and P, resembling Phanerozoic adakites. These geochemical characteristics suggest an origin from the partial melting of a subducted slab interacting with mantle wedge material. The tholeiitic to calc-alkaline basalts exhibit slightly LREE-enriched chondrite-normalized REE patterns and negative Nb and Ti anomalies, like island arc basalts. These basalts might have originated by partial melting of a mantle source affected by metasomatism from subduction-derived fluids and melts. The lithological associations and geochemical characteristics imply that the Qingyuan greenstone belt developed in a continental margin arc setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil reservoirs, being one of the significant subsurface repositories of energy and carbon, host diverse microbial communities affecting energy production and carbon emissions. Viruses play crucial roles in the ecology of microbiomes, however, their distribution and ecological significance in oil reservoirs remain undetermined. Here, we assemble a catalogue encompassing viral and prokaryotic genomes sourced from oil reservoirs. The catalogue comprises 7229 prokaryotic genomes and 3,886 viral Operational Taxonomic Units (vOTUs) from 182 oil reservoir metagenomes. The results show that viruses are widely distributed in oil reservoirs, and 85% vOTUs in oil reservoir are detected in less than 10% of the samples, highlighting the heterogeneous nature of viral communities within oil reservoirs. Through combined microcosm enrichment experiments and bioinformatics analysis, we validate the ecological roles of viruses in regulating the community structure of sulfate reducing microorganisms, primarily through a virulent lifestyle. Taken together, this study uncovers a rich diversity of viruses and their ecological functions within oil reservoirs, offering a comprehensive understanding of the role of viral communities in the biogeochemical cycles of the deep biosphere. Oil reservoirs host diverse microbial communities affecting energy production and carbon emissions. Here, the authors use metagenomics data to construct and characterize a catalogue of viral and prokaryotic genomes from 182 oil reservoirs world-wide, and further validate an ecological role of viruses in regulating the community structure of sulfate reducing microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The PHC (pre-stressed high-strength concrete) pile foundation, serving as an innovative supporting structure for solar power stations, is subjected to complex loading conditions in engineering scenarios. In this study, field tests of the full-scale PHC Pile foundation were conducted in sand layer, loess layer, and double-layer sites to investigate its operational behavior under different load conditions. The study assessed the inclination of the column top, ground displacement, and torsion to analyze the stress and deformation characteristics of PHC pile foundations. The deformation of PHC short pile foundations exhibited distinct phases. Torsional load reduced the column crack load by 30%. The pile cap effectively controlled plastic deformation, minimizing foundation deformation, while torsional load increased lateral deformation. Under cyclic load, the PHC pile behaved with an approximate elasticity characteristic within the test load range. The deformation increased by approximately 10%. Furthermore, three-dimensional numerical simulations analyzed the effects of foundation dimension, bending-moment-to-lateral-load ratio, torque-to-lateral-load ratio, and pile cap size on internal forces and deformation. Simulations indicated that increasing the pile cap length was more advantageous for reducing deformation and internal forces. The bending-moment-to-lateral-load ratio was significant in design, while the torque-to-lateral-load ratio had a negligible impact. A comprehensive design program is proposed based on field tests and numerical simulations, considering deformation and bearing capacity. The study confirms the reliability of the PHC pile foundation as a support structure for heliostats, aiming to offer valuable insights for practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, because of the complex international situation and combat environment in the future, the development and application of new concept weapons have raised higher performance requirements for manufacturing technologies. However, at present, most weapons are still prepared using traditional charging methods (cast curing, pressure casting, and melt casting), which require subtractive manufacturing (SM) treatments before use. At present, the demand for weapon products is shifting towards reactive micro structures, high preparation efficiency, miniaturization, and controllable energy release. Besides, the modern "energetic-on-a-chip" trend was expected to reduce size and cost while increasing safety and maintaining performance. In this case, the traditional charging methods were not preferred due to their inherent drawbacks, such as being limited to the model, requiring long solvent drying times and recycling required and pores/cracks caused by the shrinkage of slurry, and so on. Therefore, it is necessary to innovate the processing and manufacturing technology of weapons and address the boundaries of existing charging methods, and this will enable the precise customization of high-quality energetic materials and avoid many defects. Additive manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing technology, has been booming recently. The application of additive manufacturing technology in the field of energetic materials (EMs) can promote the innovation of manufacturing technology for EMs and regulate the microstructure. Additionally, 3D printing technology can break through the existing design and development mode, expand explosive charging technology, and enable the distribution of different types of explosives and explosive density in a specific space area. Besides, 3D printing can fabricate "reactive microstructures" (RMS), which offer a deeper understanding of the EMs' combustion and detonation phenomena at the micro- and nanoscale. Thus, the explosive/propellant grains with multiple damage modes can be designed and manufactured. This paper aims to summarize the current progress in the 3D printing of EMs, analyze the corresponding mechanisms, and provide guidance for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the effect of Ti content on the microstructure, mechanical and damping properties of FeCoNi-based multi-principal element alloys. A series of as-cast (FeCoNi)100-xTix medium-entropy alloys with different Ti contents were prepared using electric arc melting. The results show that the composition of (FeCoNi)100-xTix medium-entropy alloy appears sequentially with increase in Ti contents as a single-phase FCC solid solution phase (γ), L12-(Ni, Co)3Ti precipitated phase (γ'), HCP-structured Widmanstätten laths structure and HCP-Fe2Ti-Laves phase. The strength of these alloys decreases after an initial rise due to an increase in the volume fraction of precipitated phases, the Widmanstätten laths structure and the Laves phases, while the ductility generally decreases. Among all samples, the (FeCoNi)95Ti5 alloy has balanced strength and ductility (tensile strength: ~ 840 MPa, elongation: ~ 25%) as well as good damping properties (Q−1: ~ 0.04). This work provides rich data for the study of the formation of multiple phases and their mechanisms of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Swin Transformer is an important work among all the attempts to reduce the computational complexity of Transformers while maintaining its excellent performance in computer vision. Window-based patch self-attention can use the local connectivity of the image features, and the shifted window-based patch self-attention enables the communication of information between different patches in the entire image scope. Through in-depth research on the effects of different sizes of shifted windows on the patch information communication efficiency, this article proposes a Dual-Scale Transformer with double-sized shifted window attention method. The proposed method surpasses CNN-based methods such as U-Net, AttenU-Net, ResU-Net, CE-Net by a considerable margin (Approximately 3% ∼ 6% increase), and outperforms the Transformer based models single-scale Swin Transformer(SwinT)(Approximately 1% increase), on the datasets of the Kvasir-SEG, ISIC2017, MICCAI EndoVisSub-Instrument and CadVesSet. The experimental results verify that the proposed dual scale shifted window attention benefits the communication of patch information and can enhance the segmentation results to state of the art. We also implement an ablation study on the effect of the shifted window size on the information flow efficiency and verify that the dual-scale shifted window attention is the optimized network design. Our study highlights the significant impact of network structure design on visual performance, providing valuable insights for the design of networks based on Transformer architectures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One-dimensional metallic transition-metal chalcogenide nanowires (TMC-NWs) hold promise for interconnecting devices built on two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal dichalcogenides, but only isotropic growth has so far been demonstrated. Here we show the direct patterning of highly oriented Mo6Te6 NWs in 2D molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe2) using graphite as confined encapsulation layers under external stimuli. The atomic structural transition is studied through in-situ electrical biasing the fabricated heterostructure in a scanning transmission electron microscope. Atomic resolution high-angle annular dark-field STEM images reveal that the conversion of Mo6Te6 NWs from MoTe2 occurs only along specific directions. Combined with first-principles calculations, we attribute the oriented growth to the local Joule-heating induced by electrical bias near the interface of the graphite-MoTe2 heterostructure and the confinement effect generated by graphite. Using the same strategy, we fabricate oriented NWs confined in graphite as lateral contact electrodes in the 2H-MoTe2 FET, achieving a low Schottky barrier of 11.5 meV, and low contact resistance of 43.7 Ω µm at the metal-NW interface. Our work introduces possible approaches to fabricate oriented NWs for interconnections in flexible 2D nanoelectronics through direct metal phase patterning. Nanowires made of transition metal chalcogenides are promising as connecting elements in devices, but so far only isotropic growth is feasible. Here, the authors regulate the growth orientation of nanowires by introducing external stimuli into graphite-confined MoTe2 heterostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent cell death form characterized by reactive oxygen species (ROS) overgeneration and lipid peroxidation. Myricetin, a flavonoid that exists in numerous plants, exhibits potent antioxidant capacity. Given that iron accumulation and ROS-provoked dopaminergic neuron death are the two main pathological hallmarks of Parkinson's disease (PD), we aimed to investigate whether myricetin decreases neuronal death through suppressing ferroptosis. The PD models were established by intraperitoneally injecting 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) into rats and by treating SH-SY5Y cells with 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), respectively. Ferroptosis was identified by assessing the levels of Fe2+, ROS, malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH). The results demonstrated that myricetin treatment effectively mitigated MPTP-triggered motor impairment, dopamine neuronal death, and α-synuclein (α-Syn) accumulation in PD models. Myricetin also alleviated MPTP-induced ferroptosis, as evidenced by decreased levels of Fe2+, ROS, and MDA and increased levels of GSH in the substantia nigra (SN) and serum in PD models. All these changes were reversed by erastin, a ferroptosis activator. In vitro, myricetin treatment restored SH-SY5Y cell viability and alleviated MPP+-induced SH-SY5Y cell ferroptosis. Mechanistically, myricetin accelerated nuclear translocation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and subsequent glutathione peroxidase 4 (Gpx4) expression in MPP+-treated SH-SY5Y cells, two critical inhibitors of ferroptosis. Collectively, these data demonstrate that myricetin may be a potential agent for decreasing dopaminergic neuron death by inhibiting ferroptosis in PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the ability to depict MRI features of hepatobiliary agents in microvascular infiltration (MVI) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) during different stages of dynamic enhancement MRI. Materials and methods: A retrospective study included 111 HCC lesions scanned with either Gd-EOB-DTPA or Gd-BOPTA. All cases underwent multiphase dynamic contrast-enhanced scanning before surgery, including arterial phase (AP), portal venous phase (PVP), transitional phase (TP), delayed phase (DP), and hepatobiliary phase (HBP). Two abdominal radiologists independently evaluated MRI features of MVI in HCC, such as peritumoral hyperenhancement, incomplete capsule, non-smooth tumor margins, and peritumoral hypointensity. Finally, the results were reviewed by the third senior abdominal radiologist. Chi-square (χ2) Inspection for comparison between groups. P < 0.05 is considered statistically significant. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate correlation with pathology, and the area under the curve (AUC) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated. Results: Among the four MVI evaluation signs, Gd-BOPTA showed significant differences in displaying two signs in the HBP (P < 0.05:0.000, 0.000), while Gd-EOB-DTPA exhibited significant differences in displaying all four signs (P < 0.05:0.005, 0.006, 0.000, 0.002). The results of the evaluations of the two contrast agents in the DP phase with incomplete capsulation showed the highest correlation with pathology (AUC: 0.843, 0.761). By combining the four MRI features, Gd-BOPTA and Gd-EOB-DTPA have correlated significantly with pathology, and Gd-BOPTA is better (AUC: 0.9312vs0.8712). Conclusion: The four features of hepatobiliary agent dynamic enhancement MRI demonstrate a good correlation with histopathological findings in the evaluation of MVI in HCC, and have certain clinical significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermosensation is vital for the survival, propagation, and adaption of all organisms, but its mechanism is not fully understood yet. Here, we find that TMC6, a membrane protein of unknown function, is highly expressed in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and functions as a Gαq-coupled G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-like receptor to sense noxious heat. TMC6-deficient mice display a substantial impairment in noxious heat sensation while maintaining normal perception of cold, warmth, touch, and mechanical pain. Further studies show that TMC6 interacts with Gαq via its intracellular C-terminal region spanning Ser780 to Pro810. Specifically disrupting such interaction using polypeptide in DRG neurons, genetically ablating Gαq, or pharmacologically blocking Gαq-coupled GPCR signaling can replicate the phenotype of TMC6 deficient mice regarding noxious heat sensation. Noxious heat stimulation triggers intracellular calcium release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of TMC6- but not control vector-transfected HEK293T cell, which can be significantly inhibited by blocking PLC or IP3R. Consistently, noxious heat-induced intracellular Ca2+ release from ER and action potentials of DRG neurons largely reduced when ablating TMC6 or blocking Gαq/PLC/IP3R signaling pathway as well. In summary, our findings indicate that TMC6 can directly function as a Gαq-coupled GPCR-like receptor sensing noxious heat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon interposers embedded with ultra-deep through-silicon vias (TSVs) are in great demand for the heterogeneous integration and packaging of opto-electronic chiplets and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices. Considering the cost-effective and reliable manufacturing of ultra-deep TSVs, the formation of continuous barrier and seed layers remains a crucial challenge to solve. Herein, we present a novel dual catalysis-based electroless plating (ELP) technique by tailoring polyimide (PI) liner surfaces to fabricate dense combined Ni barrier/seed layers in ultra-deep TSVs. In additional to the conventional acid catalysis procedure, a prior catalytic step in an alkaline environment is proposed to hydrolyze the PI surface into a polyamide acid (PAA) interfacial layer, resulting in additional catalysts and the formation of a dense Ni layer that can function as both a barrier layer and a seed layer, particularly at the bottom of the deep TSV. TSVs with depths larger than 500 μm and no voids are successfully fabricated in this study. The fabrication process involves low costs and temperatures. For a fabricated 530-μm-deep TSV with a diameter of 70 μm, the measured depletion capacitance and leakage current are approximately 1.3 pF and 1.7 pA at 20 V, respectively, indicating good electrical properties. The proposed fabrication strategy can provide a cost-effective and feasible solution to the challenge of manufacturing ultra-deep TSVs for modern 3D heterogeneous integration and packaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Due to the broad application of next-generation sequencing, the molecular diagnosis of genetic disorders in pediatric neurology is no longer an unachievable goal. However, treatments for neurological genetic disorders in children remain primarily symptomatic. On the other hand, with the continuous evolution of therapeutic viral vectors, gene therapy is becoming a clinical reality. From this perspective, we wrote this review to illustrate the current state regarding viral-mediated gene therapy in childhood neurological disorders. Data sources: We searched databases, including PubMed and Google Scholar, using the keywords "adenovirus vector," "lentivirus vector," and "AAV" for gene therapy, and "immunoreaction induced by gene therapy vectors," "administration routes of gene therapy vectors," and "gene therapy" with "NCL," "SMA," "DMD," "congenital myopathy," "MPS" "leukodystrophy," or "pediatric metabolic disorders". We also screened the database of ClinicalTrials.gov using the keywords "gene therapy for children" and then filtered the results with the ones aimed at neurological disorders. The time range of the search procedure was from the inception of the databases to the present. Results: We presented the characteristics of commonly used viral vectors for gene therapy for pediatric neurological disorders and summarized their merits and drawbacks, the administration routes of each vector, the research progress, and the clinical application status of viral-mediated gene therapy on pediatric neurological disorders. Conclusions: Viral-mediated gene therapy is on the brink of broad clinical application. Viral-mediated gene therapy will dramatically change the treatment pattern of childhood neurological disorders, and many children with incurable diseases will meet the dawn of a cure. Nevertheless, the vectors must be optimized for better safety and efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel cyclic chalcone fluorescent probe C-PN was synthesized to detect ONOO−. After reaction with peroxynitrite, the double bond of C-PN in the cyclic chalcone structure was disconnected, which caused the change of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) effect, emitting blue fluorescence and quenching orange red fluorescence. Visible to the naked eye, the color of the probe solution changed. The probe showed low sensitivity (detection limit = 20.2 nm), short response time (less than 60 s) at low concentration of ONOO−, good visibility, and good selectivity and stability for ONOO−. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic behavior of a physical system often originates from its spectral properties. In open systems, where the effective non-Hermitian description enables a wealth of spectral structures in the complex plane, the concomitant dynamics are significantly enriched, whereas the identification and comprehension of the underlying connections are challenging. Here we experimentally demonstrate the correspondence between the transient self-acceleration of local excitations and the non-Hermitian spectral topology using lossy photonic quantum walks. Focusing first on one-dimensional quantum walks, we show that the measured short-time acceleration of the wave function is proportional to the area enclosed by the eigenspectrum. We then reveal a similar correspondence in two-dimension quantum walks, where the self-acceleration is proportional to the volume enclosed by the eigenspectrum in the complex parameter space. In both dimensions, the transient self-acceleration crosses over to a long-time behavior dominated by a constant flow at the drift velocity. Our results unveil the universal correspondence between spectral topology and transient dynamics, and offer a sensitive probe for phenomena in non-Hermitian systems that originate from spectral geometry. The strong connection between the dynamics of a physical system and its Hamiltonian's spectrum has scarcely been applied in the non-Hermitian case. Here, the authors use a photonic quantum walk to confirm and expand previous theoretical analyses connecting self-acceleration dynamics with non-trivial point-gap topology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

P-type Fe3CoSb12-based skutterudite thin films are successfully fabricated, exhibiting high thermoelectric performance, stability, and flexibility at medium-to-high temperatures, based on preparing custom target materials and employing advanced pulsed laser deposition techniques to address the bonding challenge between the thin films and high-temperature flexible polyimide substrates. Through the optimization of fabrication processing and nominal doping concentration of Ce, the thin films show a power factor of >100 μW m−1 K−2 and a ZT close to 0.6 at 653 K. After >2000 bending cycle tests at a radius of 4 mm, only a 6 % change in resistivity can be observed. Additionally, the assembled p-type Fe3CoSb12-based flexible device exhibits a power density of 135.7 µW cm−2 under a temperature difference of 100 K with the hot side at 623 K. This work fills a gap in the realization of flexible thermoelectric devices in the medium-to-high-temperature range and holds significant practical application value. The authors fabricate p-type Fe3CoSb12-based skutterudite films exhibiting high thermoelectric performance, stability, and flexibility at medium-to-high temperatures, based on preparing custom target materials and pulsed laser deposition techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brain presents age-related structural and functional changes in the human life, with different extends between subjects and groups. Brain age prediction can be used to evaluate the development and aging of human brain, as well as providing valuable information for neurodevelopment and disease diagnosis. Many contributions have been made for this purpose, resorting to different machine learning methods. To solve this task and reduce memory resource consumption, we develop a mini architecture of only 10 layers by modifying the deep residual neural network (ResNet), named ResNet mini architecture. To support the ResNet mini architecture in brain age prediction, the brain age dataset (OpenNeuro #ds000228) that consists of 155 study participants (three classes) and the Alzheimer MRI preprocessed dataset that consists of 6400 images (four classes) are employed. We compared the performance of the ResNet mini architecture with other popular networks using the two considered datasets. Experimental results show that the proposed architecture exhibits generality and robustness with high accuracy and less parameter number. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macrosegregation is a critical factor that limits the mechanical properties of materials. The impact of equiaxed crystal sedimentation on macrosegregation has been extensively studied, as it plays a significant role in determining the distribution of alloying elements and impurities within a material. To improve macrosegregation in steel connecting shafts, a multiphase solidification model that couples melt flow, heat transfer, microstructure evolution, and solute transport was established based on the volume-averaged Eulerian-Eulerian approach. In this model, the effects of liquid phase, equiaxed crystals, columnar dendrites, and columnar-to-equiaxed transition (CET) during solidification and evolution of microstructure can be considered simultaneously. The sedimentation of equiaxed crystals contributes to negative macrosegregation, where regions between columnar dendrites and equiaxed crystals undergo significant A-type positive macrosegregation due to the CET. Additionally, noticeable positive macrosegregation occurs in the area of final solidification in the ingot. The improvement in macrosegregation is beneficial for enhancing the mechanical properties of connecting shafts. To mitigate the thermal convection of molten steel resulting from excessive superheating, reducing the superheating during casting without employing external fields or altering the design of the ingot mold is indeed an effective approach to control macrosegregation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although there have been significant advances in the treatment of heart failure in recent years, chronic heart failure remains a leading cause of cardiovascular disease-related death. Many studies have found that targeted cardiac metabolic remodeling has good potential for the treatment of heart failure. However, most of the drugs that increase cardiac energy are still in the theoretical or testing stage. Some research has found that botanical drugs not only increase myocardial energy metabolism through multiple targets but also have the potential to restore the balance of myocardial substrate metabolism. In this review, we summarized the mechanisms by which botanical drugs (the active ingredients/formulas/Chinese patent medicines) improve substrate utilization and promote myocardial energy metabolism by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and other related targets. At the same time, some potential protective effects of botanical drugs on myocardium, such as alleviating oxidative stress and dysbiosis signaling, caused by metabolic disorders, were briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)-based thermoelectric materials, valued for their flexibility, lightweight, and cost-effectiveness, show promise for wearable thermoelectric devices. However, their thermoelectric performance requires significant enhancement for practical applications. To achieve this goal, in this work, we introduce rational "triple treatments" to improve the overall performance of flexible SWCNT-based films, achieving a high power factor of 20.29 µW cm−1 K−2 at room temperature. Ultrasonic dispersion enhances the conductivity, NaBH4 treatment reduces defects and enhances the Seebeck coefficient, and cold pressing significantly densifies the SWCNT films while preserving the high Seebeck coefficient. Also, bending tests confirm structural stability and exceptional flexibility, and a six-legged flexible device demonstrates a maximum power density of 2996 μW cm−2 at a 40 K temperature difference, showing great application potential. This advancement positions SWCNT films as promising flexible thermoelectric materials, providing insights into high-performance carbon-based thermoelectrics. Authors introduce triple treatments to advance flexible single-walled carbon nanotube films, achieving a power factor of 20.29 µW cm−1 K−2. High structural stability and flexibility enable the fabrication of a high-power-density flexible device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article proposes a method for regulating elastic deformation of die and dimensional accuracy of tubular components with rectangular cross-sections by controlling the forming pressure during hydroforming process. SAPH440 low-carbon steel tube and 6063 aluminum alloy tube were employed to examine the effect of forming pressure and clamping force. This indicated that the die cavity is flattened by clamping force and expands because of the rise in internal pressure, which leads to an increase in the cross-sectional width of the rectangular tubular component. The section width dimension accuracy of SAPH440 and 6063 tubes obtained under the forming pressure of 150 MPa and 60 MPa, respectively, is the highest, suggesting that expansion deformation of the die cavity can just compensate for springback in the width direction of the cross-section. At this point, the cross-sectional heights show positive deviation + 0.26 mm and + 0.17 mm, respectively. In addition, when the clamping force is > 3200 kN and 1400 kN, respectively, the cross-sectional size of the two tubular components becomes significantly affected by the clamping force. Finally, seven repeated experiments were conducted on two tubes, and the results showed that the cross-sectional width was very stable, with a deviation of ± 0.02 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unsupervised domain adaptation transfers empirical knowledge from a label-rich source domain to a fully unlabeled target domain with a different distribution. A core idea of many existing approaches is to reduce the distribution divergence between domains. However, they focused only on part of the discrimination, which can be categorized into optimizing the following four objectives: reducing the intraclass distance between domains, enlarging the interclass distances between domains, reducing the intraclass distances within domains, and enlarging the interclass distances within domains. Moreover, because few methods consider multiple types of objectives, the consistency of data representations produced by different types of objectives has not yet been studied. In this paper, to address the above issues, we propose a zeroth- and first-order difference discrimination (ZFOD) approach for unsupervised domain adaptation. It first optimizes the above four objectives simultaneously. To improve the discrimination consistency of the data across the two domains, we propose a first-order difference constraint to align the interclass differences across domains. Because the proposed method needs pseudolabels for the target domain, we adopt a recent pseudolabel generation method to alleviate the negative impact of imprecise pseudolabels. We conducted an extensive comparison with nine representative conventional methods and seven remarkable deep learning-based methods on four benchmark datasets. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method, as a conventional approach, not only significantly outperforms the nine conventional comparison methods but is also competitive with the seven deep learning-based comparison methods. In particular, our method achieves an accuracy of 93.4% on the Office+Caltech10 dataset, which outperforms the other comparison methods. An ablation study further demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed constraint in aligning the objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One new seco-cyclic phorbol derivative and one new phorbol 12-monoester, named 13-oxo-14-isopropylphorbol (2), 12-angelylphorbol (5), together with four known compounds, named 4a-deoxyphorbol, 13-oxo-14-isopropenylphorbol, 12-isobutyrylphorbol, and phorbol-12-(2-methylbutyrate) were obtained by hydrolyzing croton oil. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. These compounds showed no cytotoxicity (CC50 > 200 μM). Phorbol-12-monoesters 4–6 showed the weak inhibitory activities on syncytia formation induced by HIV-1IIIB (4, EC50 = 56.05 μM; 5, EC50 = 72.97 μM; 6, EC50 = 52.58 μM). The seco-cyclic phorbol derivatives (2, 3) showed no anti-HIV-1 activities (EC50 > 200 μM), which indicated that chemical cleavage of cyclopropanols might affect anti-HIV-1 activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving utilization of mine water in underground reservoirs requires determining the hydraulic connectivity between goafs. In this study, a new method for detecting the hydraulic connectivity between adjacent goafs based on a chemical tracer was proposed. First, based on the geological and mining conditions of the mine, a FLAC3D numerical model was established to analyze the distribution pattern of plastic zones on both sides of the coal pillar after mining, and the range of hydraulic connectivity testing in the goaf was preliminarily determined. Also, a tracer mass calculation model considering the water storage coefficient of goafs was established. The change rates of tracer concentration and water level of the goaf were used as the evaluation indexes for the hydraulic connectivity. The new detection method was applied to abandoned goafs in a coal mine and a plan was proposed to construct a coal mine underground reservoir, using the 31,301–31,307 goaf where the main reservoirs were constructed in the 31,303 and 31,305 goafs while the 31,307 goaf served as the auxiliary one. The 31,301 goaf cannot be utilized from the perspectives of cost and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we reported the FeS2@C nanocapsules-modified petal-shaped MoS2 nanosheets (MoS2/FeS2@C) peroxidase prepared by arc discharging combined with hydrothermal methods. We thoroughly investigated their peroxidase-like activities in the colorimetric detection of H2O2 and glutathione (GSH). The results indicate that the prepared petal-shaped MoS2/FeS2@C nanocomposites exhibit enhanced peroxidase activity compared to the single-component MoS2 or FeS2@C. The detection ranges and detection limits (LOD) are 1–150 μM and 0.43 μM for H2O2, respectively, while for GSH, they are 0.2–40 μM and 0.14 μM, respectively. The superior peroxidase-like activity of the MoS2/FeS2@C results from the synergy between the MoS2 and FeS2@C. This synergy creates abundant active sites and more substance shuttle channels, which increases the cyclic efficiency among Fe3+/Fe2+ and Mo6+/Mo4+ and improves the yield of hydroxyl radicals. As a result, the MoS2/FeS2@C nanocomposites acquired quick electron transport and improved peroxidase-like catalytic performance. Moreover, the MoS2/FeS2@C nanocomposites exhibit high stability and selectivity, retaining high-activity levels even after 30 days. These make them promising candidates for use in biosensing and catalysis applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transoral vestibular robotic thyroidectomy can really make the patient’s body surface free of scar. This study aimed to compare the surgical and patient-related outcomes between the transoral vestibular robotic thyroidectomy and traditional low-collar incision thyroidectomy. The clinical data of 120 patients underwent transoral vestibular robotic thyroidectomy (TOVRT) or traditional low-collar incision thyroidectomy (TLCIT) were collected from May 2020 to October 2021. Propensity score matching analysis was used to minimize selection bias. All these patients were diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) through ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration prior to surgical intervention and surgical plan was tailored for each patient. An intraoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) detection system was used in all patients, whose RLNs were identified and protected. We performed transoral vestibular robotic thyroidectomy with three intraoral incisions. Additional right axillary fold incisions were adopted occasionally to enhance fine reverse traction of tissue for radical tumor dissection. Clinical data including gender, age, tumor size, BMI, operation time, postoperative drainage volume and time, pain score, postoperative length of stay (LOS),number of lymph nodes removed, complications, and medical expense were observed and analyzed. Propensity score matching was used for 1:1 matching between the TOVRT group and the TLCIT group. All these patients accepted total thyroidectomy(or lobectomy) plus central lymph node dissection and all suffered from PTC confirmed by postoperative pathology. No conversion to open surgery happened in TOVRT group. The operative time of TOVRT group was longer than that of TLCIT group (P < 0.05). The postoperative drainage volume of TOVRT group was more than that of TLCIT group (P < 0.05). The drainage tube placement time of TOVRT group were longer than that of TLCIT group (P < 0.05). Significant differences were also found in intraoperative bleeding volume, pain score and medical expense between the two groups (P < 0.05). The incidence of perioperative common complications such as hypoparathyroidism and vocal cord paralysis in the two groups was almost identical (P > 0.05). However, there were some specific complications such as surgical area infection (one case), skin burn (one case), oral tear (two cases), and paresthesia of the lower lip and the chin (two cases) were found in TOVRT group. Obviously, the postoperative cosmetic effect of the TOVRT group was better than TLCIT group (P < 0.05). TOVRT is safe and feasible for low to moderate-risk PTC patients and is a potential alternative for patients who require no scar on their neck. Patients accepted TOVRT can get more satisfaction and have less psychologic injury caused by surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonators with an ultrahigh Q-factor are designed and fabricated on silicon-based gallium nitride (GaN/Si). The temperature-dependent performance is characterized over a wide range, from 10 to 500 K. Finite element analysis is employed to guide the design of the SAW resonator from indications of the Rayleigh mode and weak propagation direction dependence of SAW in the c-plane of GaN/Si. The SAW resonator with 100 pairs of interdigital transducers (IDT), 100 pairs of grating reflectors (GR) for each side, aperture size of 80 µm, metallization ratio of 0.5, and electrode width of 500 nm resonates at 1.9133 GHz accordingly with an ultrahigh Q-factor of 7622 at room temperature, which contributes the fr × Qr, up to 14.583×1012 Hz. A resonator operating over 10 to 500 K indicates an approximately linear decreasing temperature dependence above 280 K while being approximately constant below 40 K. The fitting to resonator characteristics using the modified Butterworth Van Dyke (mBVD) model reveals a reduction in both the electrode and mechanical losses while worsening the dielectric loss with cooling down. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWIFA) can be reused as a positive additive to strengthen soft soil. In this study, MSWIFA was initially used as a supplementary solidification material in combination with ordinary Portland cement to prepare fly ash cement-stabilized soil (FACS) with silty sand and silty clay, respectively. The ratio of MWSIFA to total mass was 5%, 10%, and 15%, and the cement content was set as 10% and 15%. The mechanical properties of FACS were evaluated by unconfined compressive strength test. The heavy metal-leaching test was conducted to estimate the environmental risk of FACS. The scanning electron microscope was used to test the micro-structure of FACS. The X-ray diffraction was performed to analyze material composition of FACS. The result indicates that the collaborative solidification of soft soil with MSWIFA and cement is feasible. Regarding the silty clay, the FA had positive effects on the silty clay in the service age (between 50 and 100% with 15% MSWIFA), as the MSWIFA reformulated the initial silty clay structure, resulting in interconnection and pore fill between particles. It can be founded that C–S–H and ettringite are the main products of MSWIFA and cement hydration, which are formed by the hydration of C3S and C2S. Regarding the silty sand, the MSWIFA decreased the peak strength (between 35 and 48% with 15% MSWIFA) but increased the ductility of the stabilized cement. Under the same mix proportions, the leaching toxicities of Zn and Pb in FACS of silty clay were obviously lower than were those of silty sand. Generally, the leaching concentrations of tested metals under all the mix proportions were well below the limit value set by GB 18598-2019 for hazardous waste landfill. Thus, the reuse of MSWIFA in cement-stabilized soil would be one of the effective methods in soft soil treatment and solid waste reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: VT (Ventricular Thrombus) is a serious complication of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Our goal is to develop a nomogram for personalized prediction of incident VT in DCM patients. Methods: 1267 patients (52.87 ± 11.75 years old, 73.8% male) were analyzed retrospectively from January 01, 2015, to December 31, 2020. A nomogram model for VT risk assessment was established using minimum absolute contraction and selection operator (LASSO) and multivariate logistic regression analysis, and its effectiveness was validated by internal guidance. The model was evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA). We compared the performance in predicting VT between nomogram and CHA2DS2, CHA2DS2- VASc or ATRIA by AUC, akaike information criterion (AIC), bayesian information criterion (BIC), net reclassification index (NRI), and integrated discrimination index (IDI). Results: 89 patients (7.02%) experienced VT. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), uric acid (UA), N-terminal precursor B-type diuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and D-dimer (DD) were important independent predictors of VT. The nomogram model correctly separates patients with and without VT, with an optimistic C score of 0.92 (95%CI: 0.90–0.94) and good calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow χ2 = 11.51, P = 0.12). Our model showed improved prediction of VT compared to CHA2DS2, CHA2DS2-VASc or ATRIA (all P < 0.05). Conclusions: The novel nomogram demonstrated better than presenting scores and showed an improvement in predicting VT in DCM patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent sustained cardiac arrhythmia, and recent epidemiological studies suggested type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an independent risk factor for the development of AF. Zinc finger and BTB (broad-complex, tram-track and bric-a-brac) domain containing 16 (Zbtb16) serve as transcriptional factors to regulate many biological processes. However, the potential effects of Zbtb16 in AF under T2DM condition remain unclear. Here, we reported that db/db mice displayed higher AF vulnerability and Zbtb16 was identified as the most significantly enriched gene by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis in atrium. In addition, thioredoxin interacting protein (Txnip) was distinguished as the key downstream gene of Zbtb16 by Cleavage Under Targets and Tagmentation (CUT&Tag) assay. Mechanistically, increased Txnip combined with thioredoxin 2 (Trx2) in mitochondrion induced excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) release, calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) overactivation, and spontaneous Ca2+ waves (SCWs) occurrence, which could be inhibited through atrial-specific knockdown (KD) of Zbtb16 or Txnip by adeno-associated virus 9 (AAV9) or Mito-TEMPO treatment. High glucose (HG)-treated HL-1 cells were used to mimic the setting of diabetic in vitro. Zbtb16-Txnip-Trx2 signaling-induced excess ROS release and CaMKII activation were also verified in HL-1 cells under HG condition. Furthermore, atrial-specific Zbtb16 or Txnip-KD reduced incidence and duration of AF in db/db mice. Altogether, we demonstrated that interrupting Zbtb16-Txnip-Trx2 signaling in atrium could decrease AF susceptibility via reducing ROS release and CaMKII activation in the setting of T2DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fundamental quantum mechanical features forbid non-orthogonal quantum states to be distinguished accurately through a single-shot measurement. Using parity-time ( P T ) quantum mechanics, however, a perfect state discrimination with certainty can be implemented. Here, we experimentally implement quantum state discrimination for photonic single-qubit states by executing post-selected gates and loss-based non-unitary evolutions in the P T -symmetric system, providing a relatively superior strategy for state discrimination in non-Hermitian systems. We also unveil the origin of P T quantum state discrimination by embedding the P T dynamics into a higher-level system under unitary dynamics. This experimental work demonstrates the key principle of P T quantum state discrimination and opens a door of other effective approaches in the P T -symmetric quantum mechanics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemically modified graphene is commonly used as a desensitizer and combustion catalyst for energetic composites. However, the interaction between polar functional groups on chemically modified graphene and energetic ionic materials has not been explored systematically. Herein, we use graphene oxide (GO) with different oxidation degrees and dihydroxylammonium 5,5′-bistetrazole-1,1′-diolate (TKX-50) as experimental systems to investigate the effect of oxygen-containing functional groups of GO on the pyrolysis mechanism of energetic ionic materials. The experimental results show that the thermal decomposition of TKX-50 is affected by different oxidation degrees of GO, among which the highly oxidized GO (HGO) has the greatest effect. The thermal decomposition temperature of GO/TKX-50 composites decrease with the increase of oxygen-containing group content. The decomposition products of GO/TKX-50 composites are consistent with those of TKX-50, but the content of gas products changed. We argue that the interaction between the oxygen-containing groups of GO and TKX-50 controls the pyrolysis mechanism by promoting the transfer of protons in hydroxyl, (NH3OH)+, and (NH4)+, at least in the context of oxygen-containing functional groups. This work provides a route to manipulate the thermal decomposition temperature and gaseous product of the final compound through functional group content, which is helpful to study the polar functional group of chemically modified graphene for the modification of energetic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faltings heights over function fields of complex projective curves are modular invariants of families of curves. The question on minimized Faltings heights was raised by Mazur. In this note, we consider this question for a simple class of families of hyperelliptic curves. We obtain a complete result of this question in this case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corals dwelling in coastal reefs persistently inhabit turbid waters characterized by limited light availability. However, the adaptive strategies and mechanisms underlying such resilience to low light stress, particularly the role of heterotrophic inputs and physiological trade-offs, are still poorly understood. Here, we used the dominant coral species in coastal Indo-Pacific reefs, Galaxea fascicularis, as a model and investigated its responses to combinations of four light levels and two feeding regimes. We focused on processes like symbiont physiology, photosynthetic capacity, skeletal growth, and asexual reproduction (budding rate) to determine any physiological strategies utilized by the coral. Our results showed that G. fascicularis acclimates to light limitation by improving photosynthetic efficiency (α), and that heterotrophic input had an apparent enhancement effect on most physiological processes. We also found that G. fascicularis can adopt complex trade-offs between a variety of physiological processes to acclimate to multiple light and feeding conditions. Specifically, in the case of autotrophic limitation, G. fascicularis preferentially maintained skeletal growth and symbiont physiology, while budding rate was compromised. Therefore, our study demonstrates that increased heterotrophic input and physiological trade-offs are critical for the persistence and resilience of corals under low light conditions. The findings of this study can provide valuable insights for targeted conservation and management efforts aimed at protecting coral reefs in light-limited habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study explored the relationship between naps and memory among habitual nappers in China. Methods: Medical college students participated and were divided into 30-min, 60-min, and 90-min time-in-bed groups. To evaluate declarative and procedural memory performance, A–B and A–C interfering word pair and interfering finger tapping tasks were employed. Results: Among 60 students, a significant decrease in the correct recall rate in the declarative task after having a nap was found only in the 30-min group (p = 0.005). After learning interference (A-C word pairs), the correct recall rate for the declarative task decreased significantly in all interference tests (ps < 0.001). In the procedural task, the speed of sequence A in the retests increased after having a nap in all three groups (ps < 0.048), with a significant decrease in accuracy only in the 30-min group (p = 0.042). After learning interference (sequence B) in the procedural task, the speed of sequence A increased in the 60-min group after 1 h (p = 0.049), and both the 60-min and 90-min groups showed increased speed after one night (ps < 0.022). No significant improvement in speed was found in the 30-min group (ps > 0.05), and this group showed the lowest accuracy for sequence A (ps < 0.16). Conclusion: A habitual nap time-in-bed of 60 or 90 min had better effects on declarative and procedural memory consolidation and better memory resistance against interference in procedural memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the involvement of endothelial cells (ECs)-derived exosomes in the anti-apoptotic effect of Danhong Injection (DHI) and the mechanism of DHI-induced exosomal protection against postinfarction myocardial apoptosis. Methods: A mouse permanent myocardial infarction (MI) model was established, followed by a 14-day daily treatment with DHI, DHI plus GW4869 (an exosomal inhibitor), or saline. Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)-induced ECs-derived exosomes were isolated, analyzed by miRNA microarray and validated by droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR). The exosomes induced by DHI (DHI-exo), PBS (PBS-exo), or DHI+GW4869 (GW-exo) were isolated and injected into the peri-infarct zone following MI. The protective effects of DHI and DHI-exo on MI hearts were measured by echocardiography, Masson's trichrome staining, and TUNEL apoptosis assay. The Western blotting and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) were used to evaluate the expression levels of miR-125b/p53-mediated pathway components, including miR-125b, p53, Bak, Bax, and caspase-3 activities. Results: DHI significantly improved cardiac function and reduced infarct size in MI mice (P<0.01), which was abolished by the GW4869 intervention. DHI promoted the exosomal secretion in ECs (P<0.01). According to the results of exosomal miRNA microarray assay, 30 differentially expressed miRNAs in the DHI-exo were identified (28 up-regulated miRNAs and 2 down-regulated miRNAs). Among them, DHI significantly elevated miR-125b level in DHI-exo and DHI-treated ECs, a recognized apoptotic inhibitor impeding p53 signaling (P<0.05). Remarkably, treatment with DHI and DHI-exo attenuated apoptosis, elevated miR-125b expression level, inhibited capsase-3 activity, and down-regulated the expression levels of proapoptotic effectors (p53, Bak, and Bax) in post-MI hearts, whereas these effects were blocked by GW4869 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion: DHI and DHI-induced exosomes inhibited apoptosis, promoted the miR-125b expression level, and regulated the p53 apoptotic pathway in post-infarction myocardium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automated techniques for evaluating sports activities inside dynamic frames are highly dependent on advanced sports analysis by smart machines. The monitoring of individuals and the discerning of athletic pursuits has several potential applications. Monitoring individuals, detecting unusual behavior, identifying medical issues, and tracking patients within healthcare facilities are examples of these applications. An assessment of the feasibility of integrating smart real-time monitoring systems across a variety of athletic environments is provided in this study. Motion and activity detection for recording sporting events has advanced due to the need for a large amount of both real-time and offline data. Through the use of deformable learning approaches, we extend conventional deep learning models to accurately detect and analyze human behavior in sports. Due to its robustness, efficiency, and statistical analysis, the system is a highly suitable option for advanced sports recording detection frameworks. It is essential for sports identification and administration to have a comprehensive understanding of action recognition. An accurate classification of human activities and athletic events can be achieved through the use of a hybrid deep learning framework presented in this study. Using innovative methodologies, we conduct cutting-edge research on action recognition that prioritizes users' preferences and needs. It is possible to reduce the error rate to less than 3% by using the recommended structure and the three datasets mentioned above. It is 97.84% accurate for UCF-Sport, 97.75% accurate for UCF50, and 98.91% accurate for YouTube. The recommended optimized networks have been tested extensively compared to other models for recognizing athletic actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formation of continental crust has shaped the surface and interior of our planet and generated the land and mineral resources on which we rely. However, how the early continental crust of Earth formed is still debated1–7. Modern continental crust is largely formed from wet and oxidizing arc magmas at subduction zones, in which oceanic lithosphere and water recycle into the mantle8–10. The magmatic H2O content and redox state of ancient rocks that constitute the early continental crust, however, are difficult to quantify owing to ubiquitous metamorphism. Here we combine two zircon oxybarometers11,12 to simultaneously determine magmatic oxygen fugacity (fO2) and H2O content of Archaean (4.0–2.5 billion years ago) granitoids that dominate the early continental crust. We show that most Archaean granitoid magmas were ≥1 log unit more oxidizing than Archaean ambient mantle-derived magmas13,14 and had high magmatic H2O contents (6–10 wt%) and high H2O/Ce ratios (>1,000), similar to modern arc magmas. We find that magmatic fO2, H2O contents and H2O/Ce ratios of Archaean granitoids positively correlate with depth of magma formation, requiring transport of large amounts of H2O to the lower crust and mantle. These observations can be readily explained by subduction but are difficult to reconcile with non-subduction models of crustal formation3–7. We note an increase in magmatic fO2 and H2O content between 4.0 and 3.6 billion years ago, probably indicating the onset of subduction during this period.The use of two zircon oxybarometers to simultaneously determine fO2 and H2O contents shows that Archaean granitoids were mostly formed from relatively oxidizing and H2O-rich magmas, probably at ancient subduction zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transformative impact of cloud computing has permeated various industries, reshaping traditional business models and accelerating digital transformations. In the sports industry, the adoption of cloud computing is burgeoning, significantly enhancing efficiency and unlocking new potentials. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the applications of cloud computing in the sports industry, focusing on areas such as athlete performance tracking, fan engagement, operations management, sports marketing, and event hosting. Moreover, the challenges and potential future developments of cloud computing applications in this industry are also discussed. The purpose of this review is to provide a thorough understanding of the state-of-the-art applications of cloud computing in the sports industry and to inspire further research and development in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrothermal bimorph-based scanning micromirrors typically employ standard silicon dioxide (SiO2) as the electrothermal isolation material. However, due to the brittle nature of SiO2, such micromirrors may be incapable to survive even slight collisions, which greatly limits their application range. To improve the robustness of electrothermal micromirrors, a polymer material is incorporated and partially replaces SiO2 as the electrothermal isolation and anchor material. In particular, photosensitive polyimide (PSPI) is used, which also simplifies the fabrication process. Here, PSPI-based electrothermal micromirrors have been designed, fabricated, and tested. The PSPI-type micromirrors achieved an optical scan angle of ±19.6° and a vertical displacement of 370 μm at only 4 Vdc. With a mirror aperture size of 1 mm × 1 mm, the PSPI-type micromirrors survived over 200 g accelerations from either vertical or lateral directions in impact experiments. In the drop test, the PSPI-type micromirrors survived falls to a hard floor from heights up to 21 cm. In the standard frequency sweeping vibration test, the PSPI-type micromirrors survived 21 g and 29 g acceleration in the vertical and lateral vibrations, respectively. In all these tests, the PSPI-type micromirrors demonstrated at least 4 times better robustness than SiO2-type micromirrors fabricated in the same batch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuroinflammation is associated with neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The cytokine interleukin-12 activates signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (Stat4), and consumption of a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet (HFD-C) and Stat4 activity are associated with inflammation, atherosclerosis, and a diabetic metabolic phenotype. In studies of in vitro hippocampal slices from control Stat4fl/flLdlr−/− mice fed a HFD-C diabetogenic diet, we show that Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses exhibited larger reductions in activity-dependent, long-term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic transmission, compared to mice fed a standard diet. Glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity shifts produced by HFD-C diet were reduced in Stat4ΔLysMLdlr−/− mice compared to Stat4fl/flLdlr−/− controls. Stat4ΔLysMLdlr−/− mice, which lack Stat4 under control of the LysMCre promoter, were resistant to HFD-C induced impairments in LTP. In contrast, Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses in Stat4ΔLysMLdlr−/− mice fed the HFD-C diet showed larger LTP than control Stat4fl/flLdlr−/− mice. Expression of a number of neuroinflammatory and synaptic plasticity genes was reduced by HFD-C diet in control mice, and less affected by HFD-C diet in Stat4ΔLysMLdlr−/− mice. These data suggest that suppression of Stat4 activation may protect against effects of Western diet on cognition, type 2 diabetes, and reduce risk of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders associated with neuroinflammation. Mice with myeloid-specific loss of the transcription factor, Stat4, exhibit stronger long-term synaptic plasticity than control animals when given a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet, suggesting that suppressing Stat4 activation may be a useful strategy for protecting against the inflammatory effects of a Western diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study an assembly system wherein one manufacturer purchases components from two suppliers with private production cost information. During the procurement process, the manufacturer can contract the suppliers either simultaneously or sequentially. The main question we address is how the contracting sequence influences the manufacturer's optimal procurement contract design. We find that the manufacturer's optimal procurement contract varies with the contracting sequence and the suppliers' cost structure. Particularly, under simultaneous contracting, the manufacturer will give up disclosing any supplier's cost if her cost uncertainty is low. Under sequential contracting, the manufacturer always discloses the cost of the first supplier who he contracts with, although he may not disclose the cost of the other supplier when the supplier's cost uncertainty is intermediate or low. We also identify individual firms' preferences between different contracting sequences. Particularly, the manufacturer prefers sequential contracting; the first supplier who the manufacturer contracts with under sequential contracting prefers simultaneous contracting; the other supplier prefers either of the two contracting sequences. Additionally, we show that the information rent under simultaneous contracting is higher than that under sequential contracting, while the system generates nearly the same profit under different contracting sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]