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• The spectral characteristics of different types of deterioration are analyzed. • The normalized spectral index is constructed to preliminarily identify the deterioration. • The relationship between spectral reflectance and Schmidt rebound value is established. • The deterioration identification models are established based on hyperspectral image texture features. Deterioration investigation is an essential foundation for understanding the preservation status of stone cultural heritage, as well as for carrying out emergency and preventive conservation. Traditional photogrammetry method for deterioration investigation in stone cultural heritage heavily relies on personnel experience and has low automation. To accurately evaluate the degree of deterioration and quantify its scale, different algorithms are used to establish the rebound value prediction model and deterioration identification model based on the hyperspectral image. The effects of different wavelength selection methods and different classification models are compared. The results show that the rebound value inversion model constructed by CARS and PLS delivers the most accurate forecasts, with R2 being no less than 0.85. The maximum error of the model when applied in the field does not exceed 20%. Different types of deterioration can be initially identified by the normalized spectral index constructed from the 530 nm and 675 nm wavelengths. In addition, all four classification models based on hyperspectral imaging texture features can identify different types of deterioration. The LGBM model has the highest identification accuracy of 0.98. It also has good performance in field identification. This study provides a new method for deterioration investigation in stone cultural heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The evaluation of patients with fatty liver as defined by metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in the real world remains poorly researched. This study aimed to analyse the clinical and histological features of patients with MAFLD and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and to characterize each metabolic subgroup of MAFLD. Methods A total of 2563 patients with fatty liver confirmed by ultrasonography and/or magnetic resonance tomography and/or liver biopsy-proven from three hospitals in China were included in the study. Patients were divided into different groups according to diagnostic criteria for MAFLD and NAFLD, and MAFLD into different subgroups. Results There were 2337 (91.2%) patients fitting the MAFLD criteria, and 2095 (81.7%) fitting the NAFLD criteria. Compared to patients with NAFLD, those with MAFLD were more likely to be male, had more metabolic traits, higher liver enzyme levels, and noninvasive fibrosis scores. Among the patients with liver biopsy, the extent of advanced fibrosis in cases with MAFLD was significantly higher than those with NAFLD, 31.8% versus 5.2% (P  < .001); there was no significant difference in advanced fibrosis between obese cases and lean individuals in MAFLD (P  > .05); MAFLD complicated with diabetes had significantly higher advanced fibrosis than those without diabetes (43.3% and 17.2%, respectively; P  < .001). Conclusions Patients with MAFLD have a higher degree of liver fibrosis than NAFLD patients. In addition, diabetic patients should be screened for fatty liver and liver fibrosis degree. Key message What is already known on this topic   Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a novel diagnostic criterion proposed in 2020. Based on the opportunities and challenges brought by the renaming of NAFLD to MAFLD, it is necessary to further describe the clinical and pathological features of the population with criteria for the diagnosis of MAFLD. What this study adds   The risk of advanced fibrosis in MAFLD patients who underwent liver biopsy was significantly higher than in NAFLD patients. Lean individuals were not protected from MAFLD. The prevalence of advanced fibrosis was significantly higher in MAFLD patients with diabetes (43.3%), suggesting that patients with diabetes should be screened for fatty liver and degree of liver fibrosis. How this study might affect research, practice, or policy   Further validation of MAFLD diagnostic terminology to identify more high-risk patients in clinical practice enables clinicians to optimize the management of liver disease-related comorbidities for future treatment of fatty liver. To describe the incidence of advanced liver fibrosis in patients with MAFLD and diabetes mellitus for early management and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary factors controlling regional gully distribution in mountainous areas are poorly understood. To investigate the spatial characteristics and controlling factors of mountainous gullies at the regional scale, kernel density (KD) estimation, semivariogram, and Geodetector methods were used based on 11 environmental factors of gullies in the Yuanmou dry-hot valley. The results show that (a) gullies are widely but unevenly distributed in the valley, with an average KD of 1.155 km/km2, and gully distribution displays spatial autocorrelation with environmental factors over diverse scales; (b) relief amplitude (Ra), landform type, and slope are the primary factors controlling gully distribution, and land use type, precipitation, and elevation are also important factors; and (c) a high risk of gully erosion occurs in areas with an elevation of more than 1437 m, slope greater than 15°, and Ra greater than 173 m, with grassland vegetation or luvisols and cambisols soil types. These results will not only help to understand the spatial pattern and formation mechanism of gullies at the macroscopic scale but also provide a scientific reference for regional gully management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peach brown rot caused by Monilinia fructicola is one of the most economically destructive diseases of peach (Prunus persica L.) in some orchards of China. Biocontrol is a significant strategy that exhibits strong levels of control and ecologically sound concepts in disease management. The purpose of this study was to investigate the combined suppressive effects of three endophytic bacterial strains (xj-14, xj-15, and xj-16) and two soil rhizosphere bacterial strains (xj-A and xj-C) that were shown to have strong inhibitory activity toward M. fructicola in our previous study. The optimal strains and the optimized combination of strains were determined. The combination of strains xj-15 and xj-C inhibited M. fructicola more intensively for a longer period of time. Following the application of 1 × 109 CFU/mL bacterial complex to the fruits, leaves, and shoots of peach trees infected with M. fructicola, the rate of inhibition reached 73.80%, 83.33%, and 90.43%, respectively. A pot experiment using lettuce (Lactuca sativa) showed that inoculation with the bacterial complex significantly increased the growth of seedlings. In this study, some compound bacteria were more effective than those in previous study in suppressing disease and promoting growth, which have the potential to be further applied in the field.

A novel drive power supply is proposed for full bridge module of IGBT，traditional drive power supply adopts flyback topology or single primary side and multiple second side of transformer.The flyback topology only transmits energy to the secondary side when the switch is off which leads to poor transient performance.For transformer,the spatial distribution of 6 groups of driving power sources is too dense, and the electrical clearance and creepage path are difficult to meet the requirements. A driving power based on infineon FS400R07A3E3 full bridge module was designed in this paper. Firstly, the working principle and parameter calculation of each module was analyzed. Then the rationality of design on the simulation software was verified. Finally, prototype testing shows that the power supply has good adjustment rate and output accuracy which can drive IGBT stably.

Trees in forests can obstruct falling rocks and serve as a natural barrier to reduce the velocity of falling rocks. Recently, there has been growing interest in utilizing forests to safeguard against potential rockfall. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of research regarding the impact of rock size and forest structure on forest preservation against rockfall. This study takes the Jiweishan rock avalanche that occurred in China in June 2009 as an example to discuss the protection mechanism of forests against rockfall in rock avalanche disasters. Three sizes of rockfalls from the Jiweishan rock avalanche were simulated and analyzed with and without forests using Rockyfor3D software. The findings indicate that forests can mitigate the energy impact of falling rocks. Especially in the debris flow area of rock avalanches, the protective effect of trees on small-sized falling rocks is most obvious, reducing the runout distance and damage range of the debris flow. Moreover, the protective effect of forest structures on rockfall risk was explored. It was found that broad-leaved forests had the best protection against falling rocks, followed by coniferous broad-leaved mixed forests, and coniferous forests had the worst protective effect. Furthermore, increasing forest planting density and tree diameter at breast height (DBH) can result in better protection against rockfall. Thus, rational planning of forest species and planting density in areas of rockfall can effectively reduce the threat of rockfall risk. The research ideas in this study can provide a basis for evaluating the mitigation of rockfall hazards by forests and provide a reference for constructing and planning protective forests in rockfall and rock avalanche hazard areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruit ripening and softening are important physiological processes in fruit quality formation, and auxin is involved in regulating the ripening and softening process in peach fruit. Little research has been reported on the role of Aux/IAA (auxin/indole-3-acetic acid)-ARF (auxin response factor) protein interactions in the ripening process of peach fruit. The transcriptomics and RT–qPCR results revealed that PpIAA5 expression increased before ripening in peach fruits. Overexpression of PpIAA5 significantly represses the expression of peach fruit ripening- and softening-related genes PpPG and PpACO1 in peach fruit tissues using transient transformation. A yeast library and yeast two-hybrid screen yielded PpARF8, a protein that interacts with PpIAA5. The interaction relationship was further established using a bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay. Transient overexpression of PpARF8 in peach fruit tissues promoted the expression of PpPA, PpPG, and PpACO1. Furthermore, a tomato transient transformation assay validated that the PpARF8 gene promotes fruit ripening and softening. Taken together, our results suggest that the PpIAA5-ARF8 signaling module can affect the ripening and softening of peach fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]