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This is an article in the field of mineral processing engineering. A pegmatitic lithium polymetallic mine in Xinjiang Province, in which the main target mineral is spodumene, accompanied by a small amount of niobium-tantalite, and the gangue minerals are mainly feldspar, quartz and mica. In this article, the DMS test is carried out for the spodumene ore firstly. The middling of DMS and the fine sample of -0.6 mm are combined as feed for flotation test. After grinding the feed, the systematic flotation tests were carried out. Finally, as to the raw ore containing Li2O 1.68%, by adopting the combined technology of DMS-Flotation, the dense medium concentrate obtained contains Li2O 6.5% and 51.58% of recovery, the flotation concentrate obtained contains Li2O 5.37%, and 31.94% of recovery. The total concentrate contains Li2O 6.02%, and the recovery is 83.52%. DMS for this spodumene ore can directly produce high-grade concentrate with a recovery of 50%, and discard tailings with a yield of 43%, which can greatly save the cost of crushing grinding.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the value of a CT-enhanced scanning radiomics nomogram in distinguishing between early hepatic abscess (EHA) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and to validate its diagnostic efficacy.Materials and MethodsClinical and imaging data on 112 patients diagnosed with EHA and ICC who underwent double-phase CT-enhanced scanning at our hospital were collected. The contours of the lesions were delineated layer by layer across the three phases of CT scanning and enhancement using 3D Slicer software to define the region of interest (ROI). Subsequently, the contours were merged into 3D models, and radiomics features were extracted using the Radiomics plug-in. The data were randomly divided into training (n = 78) and validation (n = 34) cohorts at a 7:3 ratio, using the R programming language. Standardization was performed using the Z-score method, and LASSO regression was used to select the best λ-value for screening variables, which were then used to establish prediction models. The rad-score was calculated using the best radiomics model, and a joint model was constructed based on the rad-score and clinical scores. A nomogram was developed based on the joint model. The diagnostic efficacy of the models for distinguishing ICC and EHA was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the curve (AUC) analyses. Calibration curves were used to evaluate the reliability and accuracy of the nomograms, while decision curves and clinical impact curves were utilized to assess their clinical value.ResultsCompared with the ICC group, significant differences were observed in clinical data and imaging characteristics in the EHA group, including age, centripetal enhancement, hepatic pericardial depression sign, arterial perfusion abnormality, arterial CT value, and arteriovenous enhancement (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis identified centripetal enhancement, hepatic pericardial depression sign, arterial perfusion abnormality, arterial CT value, and arteriovenous enhancement as independent influencing factors. Three, five, and four radiomics features were retained in the scanning, arterial, and venous phases, respectively. Single-phase models were constructed, with the radiomics model from the arterial phase demonstrating the best diagnostic efficacy. The rad-score was calculated using the arterial-phase radiomics model, and nomograms were drawn in conjunction with the clinical model. The nomogram based on the combined model exhibited the highest differential diagnostic efficacy between EHA and ICC (training cohort: AUC of 0.972; validation cohort: AUC of 0.868). The calibration curves indicated good agreement between the predicted and pathological results, while decision curves and clinical impact curves demonstrated higher clinical utility of the nomograms.ConclusionThe CT-enhanced scanning radiomics nomogram demonstrates high clinical value in distinguishing between EHA and ICC, thereby enhancing the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis.

BackgroundMechanical thrombectomy (MT) is one of the effective treatment methods for acute ischemic stroke (AIS), which requires a period of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after endovascular treatment. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of 3-month DAPT and 1-month DAPT in AIS patients receiving MT through a retrospective study.MethodsAIS patients who received MT from May 2018 to March 2023 were grouped into a 1-month group (1-M group) and a 3-month group (3-M group) according to the duration of DAPT after MT. The primary outcome was the mRS score at 90 days. Secondary outcomes included a good prognosis (mRS score of 0–2) at 90 days post-surgery, 6-month mortality, recurrence of cerebral infarction, Barthel's index, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score, and incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) during hospitalization.ResultA total of 147 patients with AIS were included in the final analysis, with 78 patients in the 1-M group and 69 patients in the 3-M group. The baseline and neurological characteristics were comparable between both groups. At 3-month follow-up, a total of 61 patients had an mRS of 0–2 at 90 days, with an average mRS of 3.3 ± 0.9 for all patients. There was no statistically significant difference in the mRS between the two groups of patients at 90 days (P > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the mortality rate and incidence of sICH between the two groups of patients during the 6-month follow-up period (P > 0.05), but the recurrence rate of AIS in the 3-M group was lower than that in the 1-M group (P < 0.05). The improvement of Barthel index and MoCA in patients in the 3-M group was higher than those in the 1-M group at 6 months but not statistically different (P > 0.05).ConclusionFor AIS patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy, compared to 1-month DAPT, 3-month DAPT can reduce the recurrence rate of IS during a 6-month follow-up period, without increasing the mortality and risk of cerebral hemorrhage.

The microstructures and mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-5Sn-1Si magnesium alloy modified with trace elements Y, Bi, Sb and Sr were investigated and compared. Results show that the microstructure of the as-cast Mg-5Sn-1Si alloy consists of α-Mg, Mg2Si, Mg2Sn and Mg2(SixSn1-x) phases. After adding 0.8wt.% Y, 0.3wt.% Bi, 0.9wt.% Sb and 0.9wt.% Sr, respectively into the Mg-5Sn-1Si magnesium alloy, Mg24Y5, Mg3Bi2, Mg3Sb2 and Mg2Sr phases are precipitated accordingly. Trace elements can refine α-Mg grain and Chinese scriptshaped Mg2Si phase. Refinement efficiency of different trace elements on α-Mg grain and Mg2Si phase is varied. Sr element has the best refinement effect, followed by Sb and Bi, while Y has the least refinement effect. Mg-5Sn- 1Si-0.9Sr alloy has higher tensile properties than the other three modified alloys. The refinement mechanism of Y, Bi and Sr elements on Mg-5Sn-1Si magnesium alloy can be explained by the growth restriction factors and the solute undercooling. For Mg-5Sn-1Si-0.9Sb alloy, the heterogeneous nuclei of Mg3Sb2 phase is the main reason for the refinement of grains and second phases.

HIV-1CRF08_BC is the most prevalent epidemic subtype among heterosexual (HET) and intravenous drug users (IDUs) in Kunming, Yunnan. Using the pol region of gene sequences derived from molecular epidemiological surveys, we developed a molecular transmission network for the purpose of analyzing its epidemiological characteristics, assessing its epidemiological trends, identifying its potential transmission relationships, and developing targeted interventions. HyPhy 2.2.4 was used to calculate pairwise genetic distances between sequences; GraphPad-Prism 8.0 was employed to determine the standard genetic distance; and Cytoscope 3.7.2 was applied to visualize the network. We used the network analysis tools to investigate network characteristics and the Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) tool to observe the growth of the network. We utilized a logistic regression model to examine the factors influencing clustering and a zero-inflated Poisson model to investigate the factors influencing potential transmission links. At the standard genetic distance threshold of 0.008, 406 out of 858 study participants were clustered in 132 dissemination networks with a total network linkage of 868, and the number of links per sequence ranged from 1 to 19. The MCODE analysis identified three significant modular clusters in the networks, with network scores ranging from 4.9 to 7. In models of logistic regression, HET, middle-aged and elderly individuals, and residents of northern and southeastern Kunming were more likely to enter the transmission network. According to the zero-inflated Poisson model, age, transmission category, sampling year, marital status, and CD4+ T level had a significant effect on the size of links. The molecular clusters in Kunming's molecular transmission network are specific and aggregate to a certain extent. HIV-1 molecular network analysis provided information on local transmission characteristics, and these findings helped to determine the priority of transmission-reduction interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peripheral CB1R blockers without crossing the blood–brain barrier (BBB) have demonstrated therapeutic benefits in metabolic syndromes, including obesity. Among them is Alisol G, a tetracyclic triterpene from Alismatis rhizoma (zexie), which can effectively reduce the weight of obese mice. Results from CP55940-induced [35S] GTPγS cannabinoid-type 1 receptor (CB1R) binding assay show an IC50 of 34.8 μmol/L for Alisol G, implicating its role as a CB1R antagonist. The purpose of our study is to assess whether Alisol G could serve as a peripheral CB1R antagonist for obesity treatment. In this study, we build a simple, reliable, and sensitive method to detect the concentration of Alisol G in rat tissue by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The results showed that Alisol G was mainly distributed in intestinal midgut, mucosa and small intestine, with little brain exposure. We suggested that intestine may be the main acting sites of Alisol G. Through comparison of brain and blood concentrations of Alisol G, our data showed that Alisol G cannot penetrate the BBB easily. In conclusion, Alisol G may represent a peripheral CB1R antagonist for the further treatment of obesity.

Nowadays robots have been commonly adopted in various manufacturing industries to improve product quality and productivity. The selection of the best robot to suit a specific production setting is a difficult decision making task for manufacturers because of the increase in complexity and number of robot systems. In this paper, we explore two key issues of robot evaluation and selection: the representation of decision makers’ diversified assessments and the determination of the ranking of available robots. Specifically, a decision support model which utilizes cloud model and TODIM (an acronym in Portuguese of interactive and multiple criteria decision making) method is developed for the purpose of handling robot selection problems with hesitant linguistic information. Besides, we use an entropy-based combination weighting technique to estimate the weights of evaluation criteria. Finally, we illustrate the proposed cloud TODIM approach with a robot selection example for an automobile manufacturer, and further validate its effectiveness and benefits via a comparative analysis. The results show that the proposed robot selection model has some unique advantages, which is more realistic and flexible for robot selection under a complex and uncertain environment.

Objectives: This study aimed to systematically review the efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment in reducing suicidal ideation in depression. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, CBMdisc, WanFang, Chongqing VIP, and CNKI databases were electronically searched for randomized controlled trials of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) intervention in the management of suicidal ideation from inception to February 24, 2021. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed the quality of included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed using STATA 15.1 software. Results: A total of eight articles involving 566 patients were included. The meta-analysis results showed that the suicidal ideation scores of the group who received TMS treatment were significantly lower [standardized mean difference (SMD) = −0.415, 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.741 to −0.090, P = 0.012] than those of the control group. Subgroup analysis showed that age, TMS pattern, frequency of intervention, and stimulation threshold altered the TMS efficacy. Conclusions: Evidence showed that TMS achieved superior results in reducing suicidal ideation. Because of the limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high-quality studies are required to verify the conclusions. Systematic Review Registration: https://inplasy.com/, identifier: INPLASY202180065. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FV520B stainless steel is an important material for compression turbine impellers. Its corrosion resistance at high temperatures is critical for the manufacturing and service reliability management of impellers. Therefore, this study investigated the electrochemical corrosion of FV520B stainless steel in an acetic acid solution bearing hydrogen bromine from 130 to 200 °C by potentiodynamic polarisation, electrochemical impedance and corrosion morphology observation. Active corrosion peaks were evident, and the corrosion current densities increased with the increase of the concentration of hydrogen bromine and temperature. However, the breakdown potential first shifted into noble value and then decreased with the further rise in temperature, where the maximum value was at 175 °C. EIS analysis and corrosion morphology revealed that the presence of pitting potential peak is possibly attributed to the competition between the attack of bromine ion and the growth of a surface oxide film under high-temperature water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we investigate green supplier evaluation and selection problems within the interval 2-tuple linguistic environment. Based on the operational laws and comparison rule of interval 2-tuple linguistic variables, we develop some new aggregation operators, such as the interval 2-tuple hybrid averaging (ITHA) operator, the interval 2-tuple ordered weighted averaging-weighted averaging (ITOWAWA) operator and the interval 2-tuple hybrid geometric (ITHG) operator. Then, an approach for green supplier evaluation and selection under the context of interval 2-tuple linguistic variables is proposed based on the developed interval 2-tuple linguistic hybrid aggregation operators. Finally, a practical application to the green supplier selection problem of an automobile manufacturer is presented to reveal the potentiality and aptness of the proposed green supplier selection approach. According to the findings, the supplier number 'five' got the highest rank, out of the five alternative green suppliers. The approach proposed in this paper may help managers and business professionals to evaluate and select the optimal green supplier by considering the importance degrees of both the given arguments and their ordered positions. Furthermore, it is able to take different scenarios into account and provide a more complete picture to the decision maker by using different hybrid aggregation operators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) represents the most commonly occurring inflammatory type of arthritis and is a major cause of disability. Reports have placed emphasis on the potential of, granzyme B (GZMB) as a potentially valuable prognostic marker in early RA, the mechanism of which still remains largely unclear. Thus, the aim of the current study was to investigate the effects GZMB gene silencing influences synovial tissue hyperplasia and articular cartilage tissue injury of RA through the regulation of the MAPK signaling pathway. Methods Following the successful establishment of the collagen-induced animal model of RA in rats, a five-grade scoring method was applied to evaluate the swelling degree measurement of the rats for model identification. The various rat responses to GZMB shRNA and U-46619 (activator of the MAPK signaling pathway) were subsequently detected. The general status of rats was observed and recorded, with their weight and ankle diameter kept accurate record of. ELISA was employed to detect the levels of inflammatory cytokines, while RT-qPCR and Western blotting techniques were applied to determine the expressions of GZMB and pathway-related genes and proteins. Results GZMB gene silencing was observed to aid in the maintenance of rat weight increases, while acting to reduce the degree of ankle swelling, while hypertrophy of the synovial tissue and the injury of the articular cartilage tissue were not obvious. GZMB gene silencing was shown to decrease inflammatory cytokine levels, as well as decreased bcl-2, Cyclin D1, VEGF and bFGF while increasing caspase 3. Notably, GZMB gene silencing suppressed the activation of the MAPK signaling pathway by reducing the phosphorylation extent of ERK and MEK. Conclusion Taken together, the key findings of the present study ultimately suggest that GZMB gene silencing acts to inhibit MAPK signaling pathway through regulating the expressions of inflammatory factors, factors correlated with apoptosis (bcl-2 and caspase), as well as factors associated with angiogenesis (VEGF and bFGF), thus relieving synovial tissue hyperplasia and articular cartilage tissue injury brought about by RA. The GZMB gene could well be a new therapeutic target for RA treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to determine the toxic effects of chromium (Cr) on cabbage ( Brassica oleracea), cucumber ( Cucumis sativus), lettuce ( Lactuca sativa), wheat ( Triticum aestivum), and corn ( Zea mays), and identify the sensitive plant species and appropriate bioassays for potential use in phytotoxicity assessment of Cr in soil. Results showed that seed germination might not be a sensitive assay for assessing Cr toxicity because at most of the Cr levels there were no toxic effects. Root elongation was more sensitive to Cr than seed germination. The lowest concentration of adverse effect (LOAEC) of lettuce was 20 mg Cr/kg−1 soil, and that of the other 4 species was 50 mg Cr/kg−1 soil. The mitotic index fluctuated with increasing Cr concentration, thus it was insufficient to assess toxicity of Cr in soil. However, micronucleus assay showed that 5 mg Cr/kg−1 soil caused a significant increase in micronucleus frequency in cabbage, cucumber, and lettuce. For wheat and corn, however, the LOAEC was 20 and 50 mg/Cr/kg−1 soil, respectively. Furthermore, the analysis of Cr accumulation showed that lettuce significantly accumulated Cr for all the tested concentrations. However, corn and wheat significantly accumulated Cr only with the highest tested dose. This may explain the higher inhibitory effects of Cr on root growth. It can be concluded that root elongation and micronucleus assay are good indicators to assess the phytotoxicity of Cr in soil. Lettuce is the most sensitive species for indicating the toxicity of Cr in soil. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:671-676. © 2013 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim:To determine the effects and potential mechanisms of ibrolipim on ATP-binding membrane cassette transporter A-1 (ABCA1) and ATP-binding membrane cassette transporter G-1 (ABCG1) expression from human macrophage foam cells, which may play a critical role in atherogenesis.Methods:Human THP-1 cells pre-incubated with ox-LDL served as foam cell models. Specific mRNA was quantified using real-time RT-PCR and protein expression using Western blotting. Cellular cholesterol handling was studied using cholesterol efflux experiments and high performance liquid chromatography assays.Results:Ibrolipim 5 and 50 μmol/L significantly increased cholesterol efflux from THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells to apoA-I or HDL. Moreover, it upregulated the expression of ABCA1 and ABCG1. In addition, LXRα was also upregulated by the ibrolipim treatment. In addition, LXRα small interfering RNA completely abolished the promotion effect that was induced by ibrolipim.Conclusion:Ibrolipim increased ABCA1 and ABCG1 expression and promoted cholesterol efflux, which was mediated by the LXRα signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies delay-dependent asymptotical stability problems for the neural system with time-varying delay. By dividing the whole interval into multiple segments such that each segment has a different Lyapunov matrix, some improved delay-dependent stability conditions are derived by employing an integral equality technique. A numerical example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness and less conservativeness of the proposed methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Flying capacitor multilevel inverters are increasingly used in industry applications. In order to improve the harmonic performance of the output voltage under low modulation index region, the paper presents a novel PWM method for flying capacitor multilevel inverters based on the idea of controlling freedom degree. The novel PWM method can balance the flying capacitor voltage in a certain period. The validity of the novel PWM method is demonstratedby the experimental results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract Background Glucose regulated protein 78 (Grp78) is involved in the invasion and metastasis in many human cancers including gastric cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer. But the role of Grp78 in the invasion of human hepatocellular carcinoma has not been reported. In this article, we examined if Grp78 was associated with the invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma and explored the possible underlying mechanism. Methods The Grp78 and FAK expression levels in 44 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were examined using immunohistochemistry. Grp78 overexpressing SMMC7721 cells were established by pcDNA3.1 (+)-Grp78 transfection and screened by G418. Grp78 and FAK levels in Grp78 overexpressing cells were down-regulated by siRNA transfection. The invasion status of tumor cells was evaluated by transwell assay in vitro, and chick embryo metastasis model in vivo. Cell spreading was determined by cell spreading assay, and quantitatively measured by Orisis software HUG. Grp78, pY397 FAK, pY576/577 FAK and FAK levels were detected by western blot. RhoA activity was detected by GST pulldown assay. The distribution of actin cytoskeleton was observed by fluorescent staining. Results Grp78 expression levels in 44 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were negatively correlated with tumor grading, and positively correlated with portal invasion and intra-hepatic invasion. Overexpression of Grp78 in SMMC7721 cells promoted the invasion of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, and this increase in tumor cell invasion was blocked by Grp78 siRNA knockdown. Our results also revealed that overexpression of Grp78 in SMMC7721 cells accelerated the process of cell spreading and promoted lamellipodia formation. Further analysis showed that overexpression of Grp78 in SMMC7721 cells increased pY397 and pY576/577 levels of FAK. Grp78 siRNA knockdown decreased FAK activation and activity. Our results also revealed that Grp78 overexpression in SMMC7721 cells decreased RhoA-GTP level, and Grp78 siRNA knockdown rescued RhoA-GTP level in Grp78 overexpressing cells, indicating Grp78 inhibited RhoA activity in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Furthermore, overexpression of Grp78 in SMMC7721 cells increased phospho-p190RhoGAP level. FAK siRNA knockdown in Grp78 overexpressing cells reversed phospho-p190RhoGAP level. These data suggested that Grp78 inhibited RhoA activity by up-regulated phospho-p190RhoGAP level and Grp78 mediated p190RhoGAP phosphorylation is FAK dependent. Conclusion Grp78 promoted the invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma both in vitro and in vivo. Overexpression of Grp78 in hepatocellular carcinoma cells enhanced the activation and activity of FAK which negatively regulated Rock kinase activity by promoting the phosphorylation of p190RhoGAP.

An electrostatic film composed of [(bpy) 2 Ru(tpphz)Ru(bpy) 2 ] 4+ {bpy=2,2’-bipyridine; tpphz=tetrapyrido[3,2- a :2’,3’- c :3”,2”- h :2”‘,3”‘- j ]phenazine} and poly(sodium- p -styrenesulfonate), was prepared, and the film-modified indium-tin oxide electrode was applied to detect nitrite in an aqueous solution. The modified electrode showed highly selective and sensitive electrocatalytic detection of nitrite in an aqueous solution buffered with 0.1 M H 2 PO 4 2− at pH 2.5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease characterized by the accumulation of macrophages in the arterial intima. The activated macrophages secreted more pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, which promote the development of the disease. Apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), the major component of high density lipoprotein, is involved in reverse cholesterol transport of lipid metabolism. Recently, it has been found that apoA-I suppresses inflammation via repression of inflammatory cytokine expression; the mechanisms of the apoA-I-suppressive action, however, are not yet well characterized. In this study, we have for the first time found that apoA-I suppresses the expression of some inflammatory cytokines induced by lipopolysaccharide via a specific post-transcriptional regulation process, namely mRNA destabilization, in macrophages. Our further studies have also shown that AU-rich elements in the 3′-untranslated region of TNF-α mRNA are responsive to the apoA-I-mediated mRNA destabilization. The apoA-I-induced inflammatory cytokine mRNA destabilization was associated with increased expression of mRNA-destabiizing protein tristetraprolin through aJAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway-dependent manner. When blocking interaction of apoA -I with ATP-binding membrane cassette transporter Al (ABCA1), a major receptor for apoA -I in macrophages, it would almost totally abolish the effect of apoA-I on tristetraprolin expression. These results present not only a novel mechanism for the apoA-I-mediated inflammation suppression in macrophages but also provide new insights for developing strategies for modulating vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]