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Abstract The oversized TE11 mode bend is able to make the transmission direction of electromagnetic wave to turn 90°, and it is one of the key components in the high‐power microwave system. The mode coupling characteristics between the TE11 and parasitic modes under two different polarisations in the bending waveguide are analysed, and it is found that the TE11 suffers less interferences from parasitic modes when its polarisation direction is perpendicular to the bending plane, and the corresponding 90° TE11 bend is easier to realise high performance. To verify this analysis, an oversized 90° TE11 bend waveguide working at 10 GHz is designed, and its structural length is only 7.5 times the central working wavelength. Simulated results indicate that its relative bandwidth is 15.6% when the transmission efficiency is over 98%, and its maximum power handling capacity reaches 5.6 GW at short microwave pulse duration (less than 100 ns). The S‐parameters indicate that its S21 is about −0.1 dB from 9.5 to 10.5 GHz, and its S11 is under −25 dB in the same frequency range. Meanwhile, the high power test indicates that the bend works stably when the injected power is 3 GW.

Abstract Background Clinical imaging tools to probe aggressiveness of renal masses are lacking, and T2-weighted imaging as an integral part of magnetic resonance imaging protocol only provides qualitative information. We developed high-resolution and accelerated T2 mapping methods based on echo merging and using k-t undersampling and reduced flip angles (TEMPURA) and tested their potential to quantify differences between renal tumour subtypes and grades. Methods Twenty-four patients with treatment-naïve renal tumours were imaged: seven renal oncocytomas (RO); one eosinophilic/oncocytic renal cell carcinoma; two chromophobe RCCs (chRCC); three papillary RCCs (pRCC); and twelve clear cell RCCs (ccRCC). Median, kurtosis, and skewness of T2 were quantified in tumours and in the normal-adjacent kidney cortex and were compared across renal tumour subtypes and between ccRCC grades. Results High-resolution TEMPURA depicted the tumour structure at improved resolution compared to conventional T2-weighted imaging. The lowest median T2 values were present in pRCC (high-resolution, 51 ms; accelerated, 45 ms), which was significantly lower than RO (high-resolution; accelerated, p = 0.012) and ccRCC (high-resolution, p = 0.019; accelerated, p = 0.008). ROs showed the lowest kurtosis (high-resolution, 3.4; accelerated, 4.0), suggestive of low intratumoural heterogeneity. Lower T2 values were observed in higher compared to lower grade ccRCCs (grades 2, 3 and 4 on high-resolution, 209 ms, 151 ms, and 106 ms; on accelerated, 172 ms, 160 ms, and 102 ms, respectively), with accelerated TEMPURA showing statistical significance in comparison (p = 0.037). Conclusions Both high-resolution and accelerated TEMPURA showed marked potential to quantify differences across renal tumour subtypes and between ccRCC grades. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03741426 . Registered on 13 November 2018. Relevance statement The newly developed T2 mapping methods have improved resolution, shorter acquisition times, and promising quantifiable readouts to characterise incidental renal masses. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Electrochemical urea oxidation offers a sustainable avenue for H2 production and wastewater denitrification within the water-energy nexus; however, its wide application is limited by detrimental cyanate or nitrite production instead of innocuous N2. Herein we demonstrate that atomically isolated asymmetric Ni–O–Ti sites on Ti foam anode achieve a N2 selectivity of 99%, surpassing the connected symmetric Ni–O–Ni counterparts in documented Ni-based electrocatalysts with N2 selectivity below 55%, and also deliver a H2 evolution rate of 22.0 mL h–1 when coupled to a Pt counter cathode under 213 mA cm–2 at 1.40 VRHE. These asymmetric sites, featuring oxygenophilic Ti adjacent to Ni, favor interaction with the carbonyl over amino groups in urea, thus preventing premature resonant C⎓N bond breakage before intramolecular N–N coupling towards N2 evolution. A prototype device powered by a commercial Si photovoltaic cell is further developed for solar-powered on-site urine processing and decentralized H2 production.

Abstract C–H bond activation enables the facile synthesis of new chemicals. While C–H activation in short-chain alkanes has been widely investigated, it remains largely unexplored for long-chain organic molecules. Here, we report light-driven C–H activation in complex organic materials mediated by 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) and the resultant solid-state synthesis of luminescent carbon dots in a spatially-resolved fashion. We unravel the efficient H adsorption and a lowered energy barrier of C–C coupling mediated by 2D TMDCs to promote C–H activation and carbon dots synthesis. Our results shed light on 2D materials for C–H activation in organic compounds for applications in organic chemistry, environmental remediation, and photonic materials.

Abstract Background Previous research on ABO blood types and stroke has been controversial, predominantly suggesting heightened risk of stroke in non-O blood types. Nonetheless, investigations into the correlation and underlying mechanisms between ABO blood groups and stroke subtypes, especially within Chinese cohorts, remain limited. Methods The ABO blood types of 9,542 ischaemic stroke (IS) patients were inferred using two ABO gene loci (c.261G > del; c.802G > A). The healthy population was derived from the 1000 Genomes Project. Patients were classified by the causative classification system (CCS). Volcano plot and gene ontology (GO) analysis were employed to explore protein differential expression among blood types. Additionally, HT29 and SW480 cell lines with downregulated ABO expression were generated to evaluate its impact on cholesterol uptake and efflux. Results A greater proportion of stroke patients had non-O blood types (70.46%) than did healthy individuals (61.54%). Notable differences in blood type distributions were observed among stroke subtypes, with non-O blood type patients mainly classified as having large artery atherosclerosis (LAA). Clinical baseline characteristics, such as the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, activated partial thromboplastin time and thrombin time, varied significantly among blood types. A volcano plot revealed 17 upregulated and 42 downregulated proteins in the O blood type. GO term analysis indicated that downregulated proteins were primarily associated with lipid metabolism pathways. In vitro experiments revealed that reducing ABO gene expression decreased cholesterol uptake and increased cholesterol efflux. Conclusions This study revealed that the non-O blood type increased the risk of LAA stroke through cholesterol metabolism.

Abstract Background Diabetic wounds present significant challenges, specifically in terms of bacterial infection and delayed healing. Therefore, it is crucial to address local bacterial issues and promote accelerated wound healing. In this investigation, we utilized electrospinning to fabricate microgel/nanofiber membranes encapsulating MXene-encapsulated microgels and chitosan/gelatin polymers. Results The film dressing facilitates programmed photothermal therapy (PPT) and mild photothermal therapy (MPTT) under near-infrared (NIR), showcasing swift and extensive antibacterial and biofilm-disrupting capabilities. The PPT effect achieves prompt sterilization within 5 min at 52 °C and disperses mature biofilm within 10 min. Concurrently, by adjusting the NIR power to induce local mild heating (42 °C), the dressing stimulates fibroblast proliferation and migration, significantly enhancing vascularization. Moreover, in vivo experimentation successfully validates the film dressing, underscoring its immense potential in addressing the intricacies of diabetic wounds. Conclusions The MXene microgel-loaded nanofiber dressing employs temperature-coordinated photothermal therapy, effectively amalgamating the advantageous features of high-temperature sterilization and low-temperature promotion of wound healing. It exhibits rapid, broad-spectrum antibacterial and biofilm-disrupting capabilities, exceptional biocompatibility, and noteworthy effects on promoting cell proliferation and vascularization. These results affirm the efficacy of our nanofiber dressing, highlighting its significant potential in addressing the challenge of diabetic wounds struggling to heal due to infection. Graphical Abstract

The management of burn injuries presents a significant challenge in clinical settings, yet an optimal solution remains elusive. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a topical therapeutic formulation to address the complex issues hindering burn wound healing. Emphasizing the sustained presence of bioactive principles, we synthesized a bioactive gel derived from decellularized caprine small intestine submucosa (D-CIS) and encapsulated it with nano-formulations of cerium oxide and curcumin to create a burn wound dressing material with enhanced properties. The choice of encapsulated components was guided by their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immune-modulating characteristics, along with their inherent ability to gradually release bioactive substances. The encapsulated (cerium oxide and curcumin) D-CIS bioactive gel demonstrated a range of properties, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, along with sustained release kinetics of bioactive molecules. These combined effects facilitated accelerated burn wound healing by mitigating oxidative stress, reducing inflammation, and promoting cell recruitment for epithelial and vascular regeneration. This study contributes to the development of a novel bioactive gel incorporating cerium oxide and curcumin, offering a promising approach to enhance burn wound healing.

Objective To investigate the correlation and consistency between the parameters of thromboelastography(TEG) and routine coagulation tests, and to evaluate the application value of the two methods in heparin anticoagulation monitoring and coagulation function monitoring in patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO) therapy. Methods A total of 138 patients who recieved ECMO in the Department of Critical Care Medicine of the People′s Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from October 2021 to December 2022 were selected. A total of 317 pairs of ordinary TEG and heparinase-modified TEG(hmTEG) parameters measured simultaneously were analyzed for correlation and consistency with activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT), fibrinogen(Fib), and platelet count(Plt), and the parameters tested when ECMO was established and 24 hours after ECMO operation were compared. Results The correlation coefficient between R values and APTT of hmTEG(r=0.441, P0.05), while as for hmTEG, the correlation was 0.359(P0.05). Conclusion The parameters of hmTEG can better reflect the real level of coagulation factors in patients receiving ECMO. The results of hmTEG and APTT are complementary to assess whether heparin in ECMO patients is overdosed, and hmTEG has unique advantages. Routine coagulation tests and TEG cannot replace each other, and the combination of them can achieve better anticoagulation and coagulation management.

Superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) are directly sensitive to magnetic flux. Nano-fabricated SQUID chip with miniaturized superconducting circuits can be further utilized as scanning probes for imaging of materials. Scanning SQUID microscopy (SSM) combines both high spatial resolution and high magnetic field sensitivity and is especially suitable for studying low dimensional materials with small sensing volumes. Here, we briefly review the fabrication of different types of nano-SQUIDs and the recent progress of utilizing them for scanning microscopy of quantum materials. We focus on but are not limited to topological states, unconventional superconductivity and exotic magnetism with a particular interest in two-dimensional materials. The magnetometry, susceptometry and current imaging modes of the SSM coupled with the external tuning of the material by magnetic field, electrical field gating and strain reveals a multitude of information beyond the scopes of charge-sensing probes.

Abstract Background The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) is closely associated with the onset of diabetes, with obesity being a significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the association between the AIP and T2DM in overweight and obese populations has been infrequently studied. Therefore, this study aimed to explore this association in overweight and obese individuals with T2DM. Methods This cross-sectional analysis utilized data from 40,633 participants with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 24 kg/m2 who were screened from January 2018 to December 2023 at Henan Provincial People’s Hospital. Participants were categorized into groups of overweight and obese individuals with and without diabetes according to the T2DM criteria. The AIP, our dependent variable, was calculated using the formula log10 [(TG mol/L)/HDL-C (mol/L)]. We investigated the association between the AIP and T2DM in overweight and obese individuals using multivariate logistic regression, subgroup analysis, generalized additive models, smoothed curve fitting, and threshold effect analysis. Additionally, mediation analysis evaluated the role of inflammatory cells in AIP-related T2DM. Results Overweight and obese patients with T2DM exhibited higher AIP levels than those without diabetes. After adjusting for confounders, our results indicated a significant association between the AIP and the risk of T2DM in overweight and obese individuals (odds ratio (OR) = 5.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.69–5.69). Notably, participants with a high baseline AIP (Q4 group) had a significantly greater risk of T2DM than those in the Q1 group, with an OR of 3.18 (95% CI 2.94–3.45). Subgroup analysis revealed that the association between the AIP and T2DM decreased with increasing age (interaction P – 0.07 indicating a significant increase in T2DM risk. Various inflammatory cells, including neutrophils, leukocytes, and monocytes, mediated 4.66%, 4.16%, and 1.93% of the associations, respectively. Conclusion In overweight and obese individuals, the AIP was independently associated with T2DM, exhibiting a nonlinear association. Additionally, the association between the AIP and T2DM decreased with advancing age. Multiple types of inflammatory cells mediate this association.

The distribution of overlying rock fractures and water inflow during mining in shallow and thick coal seams under the river is one of the decisive factors for the safe production of working faces. Numerical simulation is an important prediction method for both, and the key to its rationality lies in the establishment of a rock mass failure fracture fluid coupling theory and corresponding simulation methods. Taking the 15404 working face of Lujiacun Mine as the research background, the normal and tangential constitutive relationships of non through crack cracking and through crack under tensile/shear stress are constructed. Based on the conservation of mass, momentum, and state equations of two-phase flow, the enhanced immersion boundary algorithm is combined to identify the fluid solid interface. The fluid volume method is used to track and reconstruct the fluid free surface inside the crack. On this basis, a coupling program of FDEM-CFD numerical model for predicting overlying rock fractures and water inflow in coal mining under the river is formed. The development height of the water conducting fracture zone is verified through the observation of the consumption of flushing fluid in adjacent working faces, and the results of water inflow are compared using the large well method theory. The results indicate that the coupling theory of mining rock mass failure and fracture fluid, as well as the corresponding FDEM-CFD program, can numerically achieve the formation of overlying rock fractures in shallow and thick coal seams under rivers during mining, as well as the fluid transport process within the fractures. When the working face advances to 80-120 m, a water conducting crack that runs through the surface is formed within the overlying rock. The main discharge path of the Zhaoshan River is the water diversion fissure located about 8-20 m behind the working face, which is inclined towards the goaf and has an inclination angle of about 65°-72°. The simulated water inflow in the goaf is 18.78 m3/h, which is close to the calculation results of the large well method. The above achievements have been preliminarily applied in the Lujiacun mining area, providing theoretical support for further carrying out water prevention and control projects in shallow and thick coal seams under the river.

The ultra-thick coal seam has a large mining space and a wide range of overburden disturbance. The strong disturbance of loading and unloading caused by the roof collapse can easily exacerbate the failure of floor faults. Studying the mechanism of the linkage effect between water inrush from the floor fault and roof collapse in ultra-thick coal seam through numerical simulation is the basis for water hazard prevention and control. The key lies in understanding the coupling characteristics of progressive rock failure and fracture flow under loading and unloading. In this study, the evolution equations of tension and shear damage under loading and unloading were constructed, and combined with the yield criterion and plastic potential function with effective partial/spherical stress as the basic variable, the plastic-damage constitutive model of intact rock was obtained. The relationship between plastic displacement and strength deterioration during tension/shear/mixed loading and unloading was established, using the square tensile shear stress and B-K criterion as initial and complete fracture criteria, the fracture constitutive model of non-penetrating fracture was formed. The separation, compression and shear criteria of discrete rock blocks were put forward, and the extrusion, shear friction constitutive and dilation equations between discrete blocks were established based on experimental data. Based on the conservation of mass/momentum, the equation of state, and combined with the method of fluid volume and immersion boundary, the simulation theory of gas-water two-phase flow in the fractured rock mass was formed. Thus, the CFDEM numerical calculation program was developed, and the plastic damage, fracture, extrusion/friction, and fluid properties under loading and unloading were assigned to solid elements (rock blocks), cohesion elements (non-penetrating cracks), contact pairs (penetrating cracks), and Euler units (water and gas) respectively. According to the engineering geological conditions in the northern mining area of Ningwu coalfield, a numerical calculation model of linkage effect between water inrush from floor fault and roof collapse in extra-thick coal seam was established. The results indicate that ① the CFDEM coupling program and corresponding theoretical models can numerically achieve the transformation of overlying rocks and floor faults in ultra-thick coal seams from quasi-continuous to discrete rock, as well as the migration of groundwater in fractures. ② Under simulated conditions, the mining fractures envelope line of the fault floor of the ultra-thick coal seam is w-shaped, with the deepest point exceeding 55 m located on the fault and its hanging wall, the shallowest point 23 m located on the footwall of the fault, and the failure depth at the intact floor is 24−36 m, which has already connected to the Ordovician limestone aquifer. ③ Secondary damage is commonly observed on the floor of ultra-thick coal seam. The failure depth of the intact floor at the advanced working face is 24.0−29.3 m, but it generally increases to 31.5−36.0 m in the goaf. The total cracks opening of the fault and its hanging wall at the advanced working face is 0.34−0.86 m, but it rapidly increases to 3.6 m in the goaf, forming a dominant channel for water inrush. ④ The linkage effect of water inrush from floor fault and roof collapse is rooted in the collapse instability of key strata in overlying strata, the sinking of masonry beams and the secondary fracture, which leads to the secondary damage of floor and aggravates the risk of water inrush.

Abstract Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) has emerged as a valuable diagnostic tool for cardiac diseases. However, a significant drawback of CMR is its slow imaging speed, resulting in low patient throughput and compromised clinical diagnostic quality. The limited temporal resolution also causes patient discomfort and introduces artifacts in the images, further diminishing their overall quality and diagnostic value. There has been growing interest in deep learning-based CMR imaging algorithms that can reconstruct high-quality images from highly under-sampled k-space data. However, the development of deep learning methods requires large training datasets, which have so far not been made publicly available for CMR. To address this gap, we released a dataset that includes multi-contrast, multi-view, multi-slice and multi-coil CMR imaging data from 300 subjects. Imaging studies include cardiac cine and mapping sequences. The ‘CMRxRecon’ dataset contains raw k-space data and auto-calibration lines. Our aim is to facilitate the advancement of state-of-the-art CMR image reconstruction by introducing standardized evaluation criteria and making the dataset freely accessible to the research community.

Abstract Developing superporous hemostatic sponges with simultaneously enhanced permeability and mechanical properties remains challenging but highly desirable to achieve rapid hemostasis for non-compressible hemorrhage. Typical approaches to improve the permeability of hemostatic sponges by increasing porosity sacrifice mechanical properties and yield limited pore interconnectivity, thereby undermining the hemostatic efficacy and subsequent tissue regeneration. Herein, we propose a temperature-assisted secondary network compaction strategy following the phase separation-induced primary compaction to fabricate the superporous chitosan sponge with highly-interconnected porous structure, enhanced blood absorption rate and capacity, and fatigue resistance. The superporous chitosan sponge exhibits rapid shape recovery after absorbing blood and maintains sufficient pressure on wounds to build a robust physical barrier to greatly improve hemostatic efficiency. Furthermore, the superporous chitosan sponge outperforms commercial gauze, gelatin sponges, and chitosan powder by enhancing hemostatic efficiency, cell infiltration, vascular regeneration, and in-situ tissue regeneration in non-compressible organ injury models, respectively. We believe the proposed secondary network compaction strategy provides a simple yet effective method to fabricate superporous hemostatic sponges for diverse clinical applications.

Abstract Understanding the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) of metal nanoparticles at the atomic level has long been a challenge due to the lack of accurate systems with definite distance and orientation of molecules. Here we present the realization of achieving FRET between two atomically precise copper nanoclusters through cocrystallization-induced spatial confinement. In this study, we demonstrate the establishment of FRET in a cocrystallized Cu8(p-MBT)8(PPh3)4@Cu10(p-MBT)10(PPh3)4 system by exploiting the overlapping spectra between the excitation of the Cu10(p-MBT)10(PPh3)4 cluster and the emission of the Cu8(p-MBT)8(PPh3)4 cluster, combined with accurate control over the confined space between the two nanoclusters. Density functional theory is employed to provide deeper insights into the role of the distance and dipole orientations of molecules to illustrate the FRET procedure between two cluster molecules at the electronic structure level.

Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is a devastating disease in wheat worldwide. Discovering and characterizing new resistance genes/QTL is crucial for wheat breeding programs. In this study, we fine-mapped and characterized a stripe rust resistance gene, YRAYH, on chromosome arm 5BL in the Chinese wheat landrace Anyuehong (AYH). Evaluations of stripe rust response to prevalent Chinese Pst races in near-isogenic lines derived from a cross of Anyuehong and Taichung 29 showed that YrAYH conferred a high level of resistance at all growth stages. Fine mapping using a large segregating population of 9748 plants, narrowed the YRAYH locus to a 3.7 Mb interval on chromosome arm 5BL that included 61 annotated genes. Transcriptome analysis of two NIL pairs identified 64 upregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the resistant NILs (NILs-R). Annotations indicated that many of these genes have roles in plant disease resistance pathways. Through a combined approach of fine-mapping and transcriptome sequencing, we identified a serine/threonine-protein kinase SRPK as a candidate gene underlying YrAYH. A unique 25 bp insertion was identified in the NILs-R compared to the NILs-S and previously published wheat genomes. An InDel marker was developed and co-segregated with YrAYH. Agronomic trait evaluation of the NILs suggested that YrAYH not only reduces the impact of stripe rust but was also associated with a gene that increases plant height and spike length.

Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) is widely prevalent, has a rapid onset, and has high mortality in shrimp culture, making it a key limiting factor affecting shrimp aquaculture development in recent years, resulting in massive economic losses to the industry worldwide. Systematic studies that investigate which factors significantly correlate with the occurrence of AHPND, and further establishment of a prediction model for the occurrence of shrimp AHPND, are important for preventing and controlling the disease. In this study, Penaeus vannamei in pond culture were preliminarily analyzed for the coupling relationship between the occurrence and prevalence of AHPND in shrimps and pathogens, and for environmental and host autoimmune factors by assessing the environmental factors, pathogen abundance, and host health indicators under AHPND incidence. Then, a mathematical early warning model of AHPND occurrence in pond-cultured P.vannamei was constructed using Deep Forest algorithm. The occurrence of AHPND and its environment, pathogen, and shrimp immunity factors in pond-cultured P.vannamei were continuously monitored to explore the relationship between the occurrences of AHPND in relation to these factors. A total of 18 parameters were assessed, including the air and water temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N) and nitrite (NO2-N) concentrations, culturable bacteria and Vibrio in water, culturable bacteria and Vibrio in the shrimp hepatopancreas, the proportion of Vibrio in water and the shrimp hepatopancreas, and the activities of acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), lysozyme (LZM), and phenol oxidase (PO) in shrimp muscles. The parameter simulation prediction data based on the P.vannamei AHPND occurrence-related factor sequence (environmental factor, microbial factor, and shrimp health indicator) were constructed for the first time. The one-dimensional sequence was mapped into the three-dimensional space, different kernel functions were selected in combination with the actual classification problem to compare the model fitting accuracy, and the test algorithm optimized the parameters in the model. A total of 140 relevant data groups were collected under the same mode, and the groups of additional exogenous inputs during the breeding process were eliminated. After deleting invalid data, there were 100 groups of classified monitoring data, including 25 groups of morbidity data and 75 groups of health data. Moreover, the model was affected due to the dimensional and quantitative differences among different factors. In order to improve the speed of subsequent experimental training and prediction accuracy, the 100 groups of training test data processed by the mapminmax function were normalized for data processing. The relationship between 18 parameters and the occurrence of AHPND in P.vannamei was analyzed using Pearson′s correlation, and the main influencing factors were further screened using pairwise analysis between the factors. Pearson′s correlation analysis indicated that the incidence of AHPND positively correlated (P < 0.05) with salinity, the number of culturable bacteria and Vibrio in the shrimp, the proportion of Vibrio in the shrimp, the number of culturable bacteria and Vibrio in water, and the activities of LZM, ACP, and PO in shrimp muscles. The correlation coefficients were 0.350 1, 0.574 1, 0.521 1, 0.391 1, 0.374 7, 0.238 3, 0.438 2, 0.257 1, and 0.228 9, respectively, indicating that AHPND was more likely to occur with an increase of these parameter values within a certain range. The incidence of AHPND negatively correlated with water temperature (P < 0.05), and the correlation coefficient was –0.227 9. Moreover, the water temperature, pH, DO, NH4+-N and NO2-N concentrations, Vibrio proportion in water, AKP, and SOD had a weak correlation with the incidence of AHPND (P > 0.05). Furthermore, parameters were removed in the model construction process according to the correlation between parameters and factors. The occurrence of AHPND in P.vannamei directly and significantly correlated with seven parameters, including the total number of shrimp bacteria, the total number of shrimp Vibrio, LZM, the proportion of shrimp Vibrio, the total number of water bacteria, salinity, and the total number of water Vibrio. The prediction performance of three popular integrated learning method algorithms based on decision tree, Deep Forest, LightGBM, and XGBoost was evaluated using Python language programming, and, finally, a four-dimensional vector early warning prediction model based on the Deep Forest algorithm for the total number of shrimp bacteria, the proportion of Vibrio shrimp, the total number of water bacteria, and salinity was established (accuracy: 89.00%). Although the prediction performance of the Deep Forest model decreased somewhat compared with that of the support vector machine model established in this study, the algorithm was gradually screened out based on the correlation between factors, including the effects of all factors. It was proven that the Deep Forest model established in this study was the ideal prediction model for predicting the occurrence of AHPND in P.vannamei among the 10 dimension parameters tried, and the superiority of the Deep Forest algorithm was also further verified. The results provide basic data and technical support for shrimp AHPND disease prediction, prevention and control, and lay a theoretical foundation for further establishment of aquaculture animal disease early warning theory.

Based on the geochemical parameters and analytical data, the heat conservation equation, mass balance law, Rayleigh fractionation model and other methods were used to quantify the in-situ yield and external flux of crust-derived helium, and the initial He concentration and thermal driving mechanism of mantle-derived helium, in the Ledong Diapir area, the Yinggehai Basin, in order to understand the genetic source, migration and accumulation mechanisms of helium under deep thermal fluid activities. The average content of mantle-derived He is only 0.001 4%, the 3He/4He value is (0.002–2.190)×10−6, and the R/Ra value ranges from 0.01 to 1.52, indicating the contribution of mantle-derived He is 0.09%–19.84%, while the proportion of crust-derived helium can reach over 80%. Quantitative analysis indicates that the crust-derived helium is dominated by external input, followed by in-situ production, in the Ledong diapir area. The crust- derived helium exhibits an in-situ 4He yield rate of (7.66– 7.95)×10−13 cm3/(a·g), an in-situ 4He yield of (4.10–4.25)× 10−4 cm3/g, and an external 4He influx of (5.84–9.06)×10−2 cm3/g. These results may be related to atmospheric recharge into formation fluid and deep rock-water interactions. The ratio of initial mole volume of 3He to enthalpy (W) is (0.004–0.018) ×10−11 cm3/J, and the heat contribution from the deep mantle (XM) accounts for 7.63%–36.18%, indicating that deep hot fluid activities drive the migration of mantle-derived 3He. The primary helium migration depends on advection, while the secondary migration is controlled by hydrothermal degassing and gas-liquid separation. From deep to shallow layers, the CO2/3He value rises from 1.34×109 to 486×109, indicating large amount of CO2 has escaped. Under the influence of deep thermal fluid, helium migration and accumulation mechanisms include: deep heat driven diffusion, advection release, vertical hydrothermal degassing, shallow lateral migration, accumulation in traps far from faults, partial pressure balance and sealing capability.

Abstract Interactions between osteolineage cells and myeloid cells play important roles in maintaining skeletal homeostasis. Herein, we find that osteolineage cells transfer mitochondria to myeloid cells. Impairment of the transfer of mitochondria by deleting MIRO1 in osteolineage cells leads to increased myeloid cell commitment toward osteoclastic lineage cells and promotes bone resorption. In detail, impaired mitochondrial transfer from osteolineage cells alters glutathione metabolism and protects osteoclastic lineage cells from ferroptosis, thus promoting osteoclast activities. Furthermore, mitochondrial transfer from osteolineage cells to myeloid cells is involved in the regulation of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, and glutathione depletion alleviates the progression of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. These findings reveal an unappreciated mechanism underlying the interaction between osteolineage cells and myeloid cells to regulate skeletal metabolic homeostasis and provide insights into glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis progression.

Terracing is a widely adopted agricultural practice in mountainous regions around the world that aims to conserve soil and water resources. Soil nutrients play a crucial role in determining soil quality, particularly in landscapes prone to drought. They are influenced by factors such as land-use type, slope aspect, and altitude. In this study, we sought to examine the impact of terracing on soil nutrients (soil organic content (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), nitrate-nitrogen (NO3–-N), ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N), total phosphorus (TP), available phosphorus (AP), total potassium (TK), and available potassium (AK)) and how they vary with environmental factors in the Chinese Loess Plateau. During the growing season, we collected 540 soil samples from the 0 to 100 cm soil layer across five major land-use types, different slope aspects, and varying altitudes. Additionally, a meta-analysis of literature data further corroborated the effective accumulation of soil nutrients through terracing in the Loess Plateau. Our findings are as follows: (1) Terraced fields, regardless of land-use type, showed a significant improvement in SOC and TN content. (2) Soil nutrient contents within terraced fields were predominantly higher on sunny slopes. (3) Terraces at lower altitudes are characterized by elevated SOC concentrations. (4) A meta-analysis of literature data pertaining to terracing and soil nutrients in this region confirmed the effective accumulation of soil nutrients through terracing. The elucidated outcomes of this study offer a profound theoretical underpinning for the accurate planning and management of terraces, the scientific utilization of land resources, and the enhancement of land productivity.

The treatment of digestive system tumors presents challenges, particularly in immunotherapy, owing to the advanced immune tolerance of the digestive system. Nanomaterials have emerged as a promising approach for addressing these challenges. They provide targeted drug delivery, enhanced permeability, high bioavailability, and low toxicity. Additionally, nanomaterials target immunosuppressive cells and reshape the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Among the various cells in the TIME, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the most abundant and play a crucial role in tumor progression. Therefore, investigating the modulation of TAMs by nanomaterials for the treatment of digestive system tumors is of great significance. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the utilization of nanomaterials to modulate TAMs for the treatment of gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and pancreatic cancer. We also investigated the underlying mechanisms by which nanomaterials modulate TAMs to treat tumors in the digestive system. Furthermore, this review summarizes the role of macrophage-derived nanomaterials in the treatment of digestive system tumors. Overall, this research offers valuable insights into the development of nanomaterials tailored for the treatment of digestive system tumors.

Underground constructions often encounter water environments, where water–rock interaction can increase porosity, thereby weakening engineering rocks. Correspondingly, the failure criterion for chemically corroded rocks becomes essential in the stability analysis and design of such structures. This study enhances the applicability of the Hoek-Brown (H-B) criterion for engineering structures operating in chemically corrosive conditions by introducing a kinetic porosity-dependent instantaneous mi (KPIM). A multiscale experimental investigation, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), pH and ion chromatography analysis, and triaxial compression tests, is employed to quantify pore structural changes and their linkage with the strength responses of limestone under coupled chemical-mechanical (C-M) conditions. By employing ion chromatography and NMR analysis, along with incorporating the principles of free-face dissolution theory accounting for both congruent and incongruent dissolution, a kinetic chemical corrosion model is developed. This model aims to calculate the kinetic porosity alterations within rocks exposed to varying H+ concentrations and durations. Subsequently, utilizing the generalized mixture rule (GMR), the kinetic porosity-dependent mi is formulated. Evaluation of the KPIM-enhanced H-B criterion using compression test data from 5 types of rocks demonstrated a high level of consistency between the criterion and the experimental results, with a coefficient of determination greater than 0.96, a mean absolute percentage error less than 4.84%, and a root-mean-square deviation less than 5.95 MPa. Finally, the physical significance of the porosity-dependent instantaneous mi is clarified: it serves as an indicator of a rock’s capacity to leverage the confining pressure effect.

Realizing fast and continuous generation of reactive oxygen species (ROSs) via iron-based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) is significant in the environmental and biological fields. However, current AOPs assisted by co-catalysts still suffer from the poor mass/electron transfer and non-durable promotion effect, giving rise to the sluggish Fe2+/Fe3+ cycle and low dynamic concentration of Fe2+ for ROS production. Herein, we present a three-dimensional (3D) macroscale co-catalyst functionalized with molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) to achieve ultra-efficient Fe2+ regeneration (equilibrium Fe2+ ratio of 82.4%) and remarkable stability (more than 20 cycles) via a circulating flow-through process. Unlike the conventional batch-type reactor, experiments and computational fluid dynamics simulations demonstrate that the optimal utilization of the 3D active area under the flow-through mode, initiated by the convection-enhanced mass/charge transfer for Fe2+ reduction and then strengthened by MoS2-induced flow rotation for sufficient reactant mixing, is crucial for oxidant activation and subsequent ROS generation. Strikingly, the flow-through co-catalytic system with superwetting capabilities can even tackle the intricate oily wastewater stabilized by different surfactants without the loss of pollutant degradation efficiency. Our findings highlight an innovative co-catalyst system design to expand the applicability of AOPs based technology, especially in large-scale complex wastewater treatment.

Background and Purpose Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), which represents the total cholesterol content of all pro-atherogenic lipoproteins, has recently been included as a new target for lipid-lowering therapy in high-risk atherosclerotic patients in multiple guidelines. Herein, we aimed to explore the relationship between non-HDL-C level and the efficacy and safety of ticagrelor-aspirin versus clopidogrel-aspirin in preventing stroke recurrence. Methods This study comprised a post hoc analysis of the CHANCE-2 (Ticagrelor or Clopidogrel in High-Risk Patients with Acute Nondisabling Cerebrovascular Events II) trial, from which 5,901 patients with complete data on non-HDL-C were included and categorized by median non-HDL-C levels, using a cutoff of 3.5 mmol/L. The primary efficacy and safety outcomes were recurrent stroke and severe or moderate bleeding within 90 days. Results Ticagrelor-aspirin significantly reduced the risk of recurrent stroke in patients with low non-HDL-C (71 [4.8%] vs. 119 [7.7%]; adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40–0.74), but not in those with high non-HDL-C (107 [7.3%] vs. 108 [7.6%]; adjusted HR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.67–1.16), compared with clopidogrel-aspirin (P for interaction=0.010). When analyzed as a continuous variable, the benefit of ticagrelor-aspirin for recurrent stroke decreased as non-HDL-C levels increased. No significant differences in the treatment assignments across the non-HDL-C groups were observed in terms of the rate of severe or moderate bleeding (5 [0.3%] vs. 8 [0.5%] in the low non-HDL-C group; 4 [0.3%] vs. 2 [0.1%] in the high non-HDL-C group; P for interaction=0.425). Conclusion CHANCE-2 participants with low non-HDL-C levels received more clinical benefit from ticagrelor-aspirin versus clopidogrel-aspirin compared to those with high non-HDL-C, following minor ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack.

Abstract Background Myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery (MINS) is a common and insidious postoperative complication. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) and MINS in advanced-age patients. Methods We performed a single-center retrospective study including patients ≥ 65 years of age who underwent non-cardiac surgery. The relationship between TyG and MINS was investigated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Multivariate logistic regression analysis involved three models: Model I adjusted for preoperative factors, Model II adjusted for surgery-related factors, and Model III adjusted for both preoperative and surgery-related factors. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to reduce the confounding effects of covariates. Subgroup analyses were then performed to evaluate the relationship between TyG and MINS in various subsamples. Results A total of 7789 patients were studied, among whom 481 (6.2%) developed MINS. A cut-off value of TyG of 8.57 was determined using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to be associated with the best predictive performance. Participants with TyG ≥ 8.57 were at a higher risk of developing MINS than those with TyG

Abstract The signal sequence played a crucial role in the efficacy of mRNA vaccines against virus pandemic by influencing antigen translation. However, limited research had been conducted to compare and analyze the specific mechanisms involved. In this study, a novel approach was introduced by substituting the signal sequence of the mRNA antigen to enhance its immune response. Computational simulations demonstrated that various signal peptides differed in their binding capacities with the signal recognition particle (SRP) 54 M subunit, which positively correlated with antigen translation efficiency. Our data revealed that the signal sequences of tPA and IL-6-modified receptor binding domain (RBD) mRNA vaccines sequentially led to higher antigen expression and elicited more robust humoral and cellular immune protection against the SARS-CoV-2 compared to the original signal sequence. By highlighting the importance of the signal sequence, this research provided a foundational and safe approach for ongoing modifications in signal sequence-antigen design, aiming to optimize the efficacy of mRNA vaccines.

Compositions, surface morphologies and mechanical properties of a novel designed TiNi/Ag bi-layer film grown by DC magnetron sputtering at various processes have been investigated. Ar pressure and sputtering power had significant effects on quality and composition of TiNi/Ag bi-layer films. The TiNi/Ag bi-layer film processed by sputtering under high Ar pressure (0.36 Pa) was porous, while better density films can only be obtained at low pressure (0.12 Pa). The composition of TiNi/Ag bi-layer films can be adjusted by sputtering power. The load-displacement curves show the multiple “pop-ins”along nanoindentation loading, as indentation depth does not exceed the pure Ag film thickness (∼340 nm). At the maximum loading of 140 mN, martensitic transformation induced by nanoindentation in TiNi/Ag bi-layer films was not found, and depth recovery ratio was 39%. Moreover, based on the load displacement curve analysis, the hardness and elastic modulus values of TiNi/Ag bi-layer films were 4 ± 0.2 Gpa and 79 ± 2 Gpa, respectively. Comparing with martensitic phase of single-layer TiNi thin films at room temperature, the coexistence of parent phase and martensitic phase of TiNi/Ag bi-layer films were mainly due to strong confinement effect of Ag layer deposition on TiNi thin film. The residual stress calculated by using conventional sin2ψ method was around −0.458 GPa. The present study provided an important theoretical basis for the preparation of TiNi/Ag bi-layer film with higher quality and performance.

Abstract Background Endothelial cell (EC)-driven intraneural revascularization (INRV) and Schwann cells-derived exosomes (SCs-Exos) both play crucial roles in peripheral nerve injury (PNI). However, the interplay between them remains unclear. We aimed to elucidate the effects and underlying mechanisms of SCs-Exos on INRV following PNI. Results We found that GW4869 inhibited INRV, as well as that normoxic SCs-Exos (N-SCs-Exos) exhibited significant pro-INRV effects in vivo and in vitro that were potentiated by hypoxic SCs-Exos (H-SCs-Exos). Upregulation of glycolysis emerged as a pivotal factor for INRV after PNI, as evidenced by the observation that 3PO administration, a glycolytic inhibitor, inhibited the INRV process in vivo and in vitro. H-SCs-Exos more significantly enhanced extracellular acidification rate/oxygen consumption rate ratio, lactate production, and glycolytic gene expression while simultaneously suppressing acetyl-CoA production and pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 subunit alpha (PDH-E1α) expression than N-SCs-Exos both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, we determined that H-SCs-Exos were more enriched with miR-21-5p than N-SCs-Exos. Knockdown of miR-21-5p significantly attenuated the pro-glycolysis and pro-INRV effects of H-SCs-Exos. Mechanistically, miR-21-5p orchestrated EC metabolism in favor of glycolysis by targeting von Hippel-Lindau/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and PDH-E1α, thereby enhancing hypoxia-inducible factor-1α-mediated glycolysis and inhibiting PDH-E1α-mediated oxidative phosphorylation. Conclusion This study unveiled a novel intrinsic mechanism of pro-INRV after PNI, providing a promising therapeutic target for post-injury peripheral nerve regeneration and repair. Graphical Abstract

The magnetic immiscible copper matrix alloys are extensively industrial applications due to their comprehensive properties such as high strength, high conductivity, high thermal conductivity and excellent magnetic permeability. Here, we investigated the effects of the addition of Co and Al elements on the microstructural evolution of magnetic Cu–Fe alloys (CFAs) and comprehensive properties after annealing under the static magnetic field (SMF). The results show that the microalloying was effective in enhancing the mechanical and magnetic properties but negative for the electric conductivity. The addition of Co element significantly suppressed the grains recrystallization of CFAs during the annealing process and improved the thermal stability of CFAs. Al elements homogeneously dispersed in the sample. SMF facilitated the nucleation and precipitation processes of the secondary precipitated particles in the Cu-rich matrix through the introducing the extra magnetic Gibbs free energy and also promoted the structural transformation of the secondary precipitated particles from FCC to BCC. This work indicates that SMF can be effectively used to modify the magnetic materials with exceptional comprehensive properties during the solid state phase transformation process. It also provides valuable guidance for the development of novel materials with superior comprehensive performance.

Abstract Background Postoperative delirium is a common complication in older patients, with poor long-term outcomes. This study aimed to investigate risk factors and develop a predictive model for postoperative delirium in older patients after major abdominal surgery. Methods This study retrospectively recruited 7577 patients aged ≥ 65 years who underwent major abdominal surgery between January 2014 and December 2018 in a single hospital in Beijing, China. Patients were divided into a training cohort (n = 5303) and a validation cohort (n = 2224) for univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses and to build a nomogram. Data were collected for 43 perioperative variables, including demographics, medical history, preoperative laboratory results, imaging, and anesthesia information. Results Age, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, white blood cell count, glucose, total protein, creatinine, emergency surgery, and anesthesia time were associated with postoperative delirium in multivariate analysis. We developed a nomogram based on the above 8 variables. The nomogram achieved areas under the curve of 0.731 and 0.735 for the training and validation cohorts, respectively. The discriminatory ability of the nomogram was further assessed by dividing the cases into three risk groups (low-risk, nomogram score 199; P

Abstract Mitochondria, with their intricate networks of functions and information processing, are pivotal in both health regulation and disease progression. Particularly, mitochondrial dysfunctions are identified in many common pathologies, including cardiovascular diseases, neurodegeneration, metabolic syndrome, and cancer. However, the multifaceted nature and elusive phenotypic threshold of mitochondrial dysfunction complicate our understanding of their contributions to diseases. Nonetheless, these complexities do not prevent mitochondria from being among the most important therapeutic targets. In recent years, strategies targeting mitochondrial dysfunction have continuously emerged and transitioned to clinical trials. Advanced intervention such as using healthy mitochondria to replenish or replace damaged mitochondria, has shown promise in preclinical trials of various diseases. Mitochondrial components, including mtDNA, mitochondria-located microRNA, and associated proteins can be potential therapeutic agents to augment mitochondrial function in immunometabolic diseases and tissue injuries. Here, we review current knowledge of mitochondrial pathophysiology in concrete examples of common diseases. We also summarize current strategies to treat mitochondrial dysfunction from the perspective of dietary supplements and targeted therapies, as well as the clinical translational situation of related pharmacology agents. Finally, this review discusses the innovations and potential applications of mitochondrial transplantation as an advanced and promising treatment.

Abstract Purpose The research endeavors to explore the implications of CD47 in cancer immunotherapy effectiveness. Specifically, there is a gap in comprehending the influence of CD47 on the tumor immune microenvironment, particularly in relation to CD8 + T cells. Our study aims to elucidate the prognostic and immunological relevance of CD47 to enhance insights into its prospective utilities in immunotherapeutic interventions. Methods Differential gene expression analysis, prognosis assessment, immunological infiltration evaluation, pathway enrichment analysis, and correlation investigation were performed utilizing a combination of R packages, computational algorithms, diverse datasets, and patient cohorts. Validation of the concept was achieved through the utilization of single-cell sequencing technology. Results CD47 demonstrated ubiquitous expression across various cancer types and was notably associated with unfavorable prognostic outcomes in pan-cancer assessments. Immunological investigations unveiled a robust correlation between CD47 expression and T-cell infiltration rather than T-cell exclusion across multiple cancer types. Specifically, the CD47-high group exhibited a poorer prognosis for the cytotoxic CD8 + T cell Top group compared to the CD47-low group, suggesting a potential impairment of CD8 + T cell functionality by CD47. The exploration of mechanism identified enrichment of CD47-associated differentially expressed genes in the CD8 + T cell exhausted pathway in multiple cancer contexts. Further analyses focusing on the CD8 TCR Downstream Pathway and gene correlation patterns underscored the significant involvement of TNFRSF9 in mediating these effects. Conclusion A robust association exists between CD47 and the exhaustion of CD8 + T cells, potentially enabling immune evasion by cancer cells and thereby contributing to adverse prognostic outcomes. Consequently, genes such as CD47 and those linked to T-cell exhaustion, notably TNFRSF9, present as promising dual antigenic targets, providing critical insights into the field of immunotherapy.

Abstract Conventional material processing approaches often achieve strengthening of materials at the cost of reduced ductility. Here, we show that high-pressure and high-temperature (HPHT) treatment can help overcome the strength-ductility trade-off in structural materials. We report an initially strong-yet-brittle eutectic high entropy alloy simultaneously doubling its strength to 1150 MPa and its tensile ductility to 36% after the HPHT treatment. Such strength-ductility synergy is attributed to the HPHT-induced formation of a hierarchically patterned microstructure with coherent interfaces, which promotes multiple deformation mechanisms, including dislocations, stacking faults, microbands and deformation twins, at multiple length scales. More importantly, the HPHT-induced microstructure helps relieve stress concentration at the interfaces, thereby arresting interfacial cracking commonly observed in traditional eutectic high entropy alloys. These findings suggest a new direction of research in employing HPHT techniques to help develop next generation structural materials.

Abstract Background Antibiotic exposure can occur in medical settings and from environmental sources. Long-term effects of brief antibiotic exposure in early life are largely unknown. Results Post a short-term treatment by ceftriaxone to C57BL/6 mice in early life, a 14-month observation was performed using 16S rRNA gene-sequencing technique, metabolomics analysis, and metagenomics analysis on the effects of ceftriaxone exposure. Firstly, the results showed that antibiotic pre-treatment significantly disturbed gut microbial α and β diversities (P

Abstract Diabetic wounds pose a challenge to healing due to increased bacterial susceptibility and poor vascularization. Effective healing requires simultaneous bacterial and biofilm elimination and angiogenesis stimulation. In this study, we incorporated polyaniline (PANI) and S-Nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) into a polyvinyl alcohol, chitosan, and hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (PVA/CS/HTCC) matrix, creating a versatile wound dressing membrane through electrospinning. The dressing combines the advantages of photothermal antibacterial therapy and nitric oxide gas therapy, exhibiting enduring and effective bactericidal activity and biofilm disruption against methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. Furthermore, the membrane’s PTT effect and NO release exhibit significant synergistic activation, enabling a nanodetonator-like burst release of NO through NIR irradiation to disintegrate biofilms. Importantly, the nanofiber sustained a uniform release of nitric oxide, thereby catalyzing angiogenesis and advancing cellular migration. Ultimately, the employment of this membrane dressing culminated in the efficacious amelioration of diabetic-infected wounds in Sprague–Dawley rats, achieving wound closure within a concise duration of 14 days. Upon applying NIR irradiation to the PVA-CS-HTCC-PANI-GSNO nanofiber membrane, it swiftly eradicates bacteria and biofilm within 5 min, enhancing its inherent antibacterial and anti-biofilm properties through the powerful synergistic action of PTT and NO therapy. It also promotes angiogenesis, exhibits excellent biocompatibility, and is easy to use, highlighting its potential in treating diabetic wounds. Graphical Abstract

Amorphous carbon coatings by various physical vapor deposition (PVD) have been widely attempted for enhancing both anti-wear and corrosion resistance of bulk materials used in harsh marine environments. However, PVD coatings are apt to be worn due to the existence of growth defects mostly like macro-size nodular particles. In this work, we deliberately fabricated the SiO2 nanoparticles with a size of 200 nm as nodular defects in Cr and graphite-like carbon (Cr/GLC) multilayer coatings, and the dependence of tribocorrosion behavior of coating on the nodular defects was focused by the comprehensively tribological and electrochemical tests. The results showed that introducing SiO2 nodular particles could not degrade the mechanical properties of Cr/GLC coating, but significantly accelerated both the abrasive wear in early sliding-stage under dry friction and the corrosive failure in chloride solution. Particularly, once the tribocorrosion tests in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution were conducted for the Cr/GLC coating with nodular defects, the distinct ploughing damage originated from abrasive wear promoted the localized spallation of coatings, which thereafter enabled the easy water wedging along spallation for the substantial catastrophe of coatings. The present observations could evident the importance to fabricate the defect-free protective coatings required for harsh tribocorrosion applications.

Abstract Background Patients with sporadic cerebral amyloid angiopathy (sCAA) frequently report cognitive or neuropsychiatric symptoms. The aim of this study is to investigate whether in patients with sCAA, cognitive impairment and neuropsychiatric symptoms are associated with a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker profile associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods In this cross-sectional study, we included participants with sCAA and dementia- and stroke-free, age- and sex-matched controls, who underwent a lumbar puncture, brain MRI, cognitive assessments, and self-administered and informant-based-questionnaires on neuropsychiatric symptoms. CSF phosphorylated tau, total tau and Aβ42 levels were used to divide sCAA patients in two groups: CAA with (CAA-AD+) or without a CSF biomarker profile associated with AD (CAA-AD-). Performance on global cognition, specific cognitive domains (episodic memory, working memory, processing speed, verbal fluency, visuoconstruction, and executive functioning), presence and severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms, were compared between groups. Results sCAA-AD+ (n=31; mean age: 72 ± 6; 42%, 61% female) and sCAA-AD- (n=23; 70 ± 5; 42% female) participants did not differ with respect to global cognition or type of affected cognitive domain(s). The number or severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms also did not differ between sCAA-AD+ and sCAA-AD- participants. These results did not change after exclusion of patients without prior ICH. Conclusions In participants with sCAA, a CSF biomarker profile associated with AD does not impact global cognition or specific cognitive domains, or the presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Abstract The corrosion failure of amorphous carbon (a-C) coatings is commonly ascribed to the existence of growth microdefects, which serve as pathways for corrosive fluids to permeate the substrate. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is renowned for its ability to augment the corrosion resistance of metallic materials. Graphite-like carbon (GLC) is one of the amorphous carbon materials dominated by hybridized sp2-C bonds. In this study, an ALD-deposited Al2O3 layer is specially introduced on the Cr/GLC multilayer coating to solve the aforementioned corrosion risk of a-C by taking the sealing conception for defects. Compared to the as-deposited Cr/GLC coating, the coating encapsulated with Al2O3 layer depicts the reduction of corrosion current density over two orders of magnitude under a wide pressure range of 0.1 ~ 15 MPa. Particularly, the presence of released Crn+ and Fen+ in the corrosion solution is significantly diminished, accompanying with a small quantity of Aln+ generated in sealed coating during corrosion. Microstructural analysis and electrochemical results identified that both the dense Al2O3 layer offered strong safeguard for Cr elements released from multilayers, whilst amorphous carbon network inhibited the likelihood chloride penetration induced by partially infiltrated Al2O3, which made the synergistic contributions to the enhancement of corrosion resistance for Cr/GLC coating for deep-sea applications.

Nickel-based single-crystal superalloys are designed for extreme conditions due to their superior corrosion and creep resistance properties. However, these pose challenges in the subsequent recycling after reaching their end-of-life. Molten magnesium (Mg) can rapidly corrode the stable spent nickel-based superalloys and selectively dissolve nickel (Ni). This waste-free process represents an effective method for recycling spent superalloys and accomplishing metal regeneration. This study investigates the mechanism of selectively dissolving Ni from DD5, a nickel-based single-crystal superalloy, by optimizing process temperature, time, and Mg content in an inert atmosphere. Vacuum distillation was employed to separate the resulting Mg, residual superalloy (i.e., the material left post-extraction), and Ni-rich alloy (i.e., the metal product selectively extracted). The findings revealed that the residual superalloy after selective Ni dissolution is characterized by a porous skeleton structure with pore sizes predominantly ranging from 2 to 30 nm and a low compressive strength which is 1/10 of the original DD5 superalloy.

This study delves into the machining defects encountered during the milling of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics (CFRP), with a special focus on fishbone-like cracks on the machined surface, which have never been focused before. Through a series of experiments, models for post-machining fiber burrs and matrix cracks were developed and analyzed, uncovering the causes of fishbone crack formation. The research reveals that the formation mechanisms of burrs vary with fiber orientation, burrs are not only from fiber bending under tool pressure but also from fiber buckling. Fishbone cracks are believed to be induced by growing burrs as the tool wear, and propagate along the in-plane and subsurface. Propagation downwards is along the fiber direction, while propagation inward is at an angle of approximately 40° ± 3°. This research is vital for enhancing the machining quality of composite materials and their engineering applications.

Increased efforts in neuroscience seek to understand how macro-anatomical and physiological connectomes cooperatively work to generate cognitive behaviors. However, the structure-function coupling characteristics in normal aging individuals remain unclear. Here, we developed an index, the Coupling in Brain Structural connectome and Functional connectome (C-BSF) index, to quantify regional structure-function coupling in a large community-based cohort. C-BSF used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from the Polyvascular Evaluation for Cognitive Impairment and Vascular Events study (PRECISE) cohort (2007 individuals, age: 61.15 ± 6.49 years) and the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study (MAS) cohort (254 individuals, age: 83.45 ± 4.33 years). We observed that structure-function coupling was the strongest in the visual network and the weakest in the ventral attention network. We also observed that the weaker structure-function coupling was associated with increased age and worse cognitive level of the participant. Meanwhile, the structure-function coupling in the visual network was associated with the visuospatial performance and partially mediated the connections between age and the visuospatial function. This work contributes to our understanding of the underlying brain mechanisms by which aging affects cognition and also help establish early diagnosis and treatment approaches for neurological diseases in the elderly.

Gut serves as the largest interface between humans and the environment, playing a crucial role in nutrient absorption and protection against harmful substances. The intestinal barrier acts as the initial defense mechanism against non-specific infections, with its integrity directly impacting the homeostasis and health of the human body. The primary factor attributed to the impairment of the intestinal barrier in previous studies has always centered on the gastrointestinal tract itself. In recent years, the concept of the “gut-organ” axis has gained significant popularity, revealing a profound interconnection between the gut and other organs. It speculates that disruption of these axes plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis and progression of intestinal barrier damage. The evaluation of intestinal barrier function and detection of enterogenic endotoxins can serve as “detecting agents” for identifying early functional alterations in the heart, kidney, and liver, thereby facilitating timely intervention in the disorders. Simultaneously, consolidating intestinal barrier integrity may also present a potential therapeutic approach to attenuate damage in other organs. Studies have demonstrated that diverse signaling pathways and their corresponding key molecules are extensively involved in the pathophysiological regulation of the intestinal barrier. Aberrant activation of these signaling pathways and dysregulated expression of key molecules play a pivotal role in the process of intestinal barrier impairment. Microgravity, being the predominant characteristic of space, can potentially exert a significant influence on diverse intestinal barriers. We will discuss the interaction between the “gut-organ” axes and intestinal barrier damage, further elucidate the signaling pathways underlying intestinal barrier damage, and summarize alterations in various components of the intestinal barrier under microgravity. This review aims to offer a novel perspective for comprehending the etiology and molecular mechanisms of intestinal barrier injury as well as the prevention and management of intestinal barrier injury under microgravity environment.

BackgroundThe early prediction of cerebral edema changes in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) may facilitate earlier interventions and result in improved outcomes. This study aimed to develop and validate machine learning models to predict cerebral edema changes within 72 h, using readily available clinical parameters, and to identify relevant influencing factors.MethodsAn observational study was conducted between April 2021 and October 2023 at the Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. After preprocessing the data, the study population was randomly divided into training and internal validation cohorts in a 7:3 ratio (training: N = 150; validation: N = 65). The most relevant variables were selected using Support Vector Machine Recursive Feature Elimination (SVM-RFE) and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) algorithms. The predictive performance of random forest (RF), GDBT, linear regression (LR), and XGBoost models was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), precision–recall curve (AUPRC), accuracy, F1-score, precision, recall, sensitivity, and specificity. Feature importance was calculated, and the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) and Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanations (LIME) methods were employed to explain the top-performing model.ResultsA total of 84 (39.1%) patients developed cerebral edema changes. In the validation cohort, GDBT outperformed LR and RF, achieving an AUC of 0.654 (95% CI: 0.611–0.699) compared to LR of 0.578 (95% CI, 0.535–0.623, DeLong: p = 0.197) and RF of 0.624 (95% CI, 0.588–0.687, DeLong: p = 0.236). XGBoost also demonstrated similar performance with an AUC of 0.660 (95% CI, 0.611–0.711, DeLong: p = 0.963). However, in the training set, GDBT still outperformed XGBoost, with an AUC of 0.603 ± 0.100 compared to XGBoost of 0.575 ± 0.096. SHAP analysis revealed that serum sodium, HDL, subarachnoid hemorrhage volume, sex, and left basal ganglia hemorrhage volume were the top five most important features for predicting cerebral edema changes in the GDBT model.ConclusionThe GDBT model demonstrated the best performance in predicting 72-h changes in cerebral edema. It has the potential to assist clinicians in identifying high-risk patients and guiding clinical decision-making.

BackgroundWhile hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA) patients commonly undergo radioactive stent (RS) insertion treatment, the relative benefits of unilateral versus bilateral RS insertion procedures remain to be established. Accordingly, this study was designed to evaluate the relative safety and efficacy of percutaneous bilateral and unilateral RS insertion for patients with HCCA.MethodsIn total, 126 HCCA patients who underwent unilateral (n=64) or bilateral (n=62) RS insertion from January 2017 - December 2021 were included in this analysis. Treatment efficacy and long-term outcomes were compared between groups. The primary endpoint was stent patency, and the secondary endpoints included technical success rate, clinical success rate, local control rate, overall survival (OS), and complications.ResultsThe respective technical success rates in the unilateral and bilateral groups were 90.6% (58/64) and 93.5% (58/62) (P = 0.782). The clinical success rates were 82.8% and 86.2% in unilateral and bilateral groups, respectively (P = 0.608). Both groups exhibited comparable medial post-intervention bilirubin levels (100 vs. 99 μmol/L; P = 0.501), and restenosis occurred in 12 (20.7%) and 15 (25.9%) patients over the follow-up interval (P = 0.510). The stent reintervention rate was significantly higher in the unilateral group than bilateral group (66.7% vs. 0.0%, P < 0.001). The median stent patency in the unilateral and bilateral groups was 189 and 210 days, respectively (P = 0.796), while the median OS interval was 222 and 229 days, respectively (P = 0.969). Comparable cholangitis (17.2% vs. 22.4%, P = 0.485) and cholecystitis (3.4% vs. 3.4%, P = 1.000) rates were also detected in these two groups.ConclusionsIn summary, HCCA patients exhibit comparable efficacy when undergoing unilateral and bilateral radioactive stenting, suggesting that unilateral RS can be routinely performed owing to the simpler nature of this procedure.

In response to the growing demand for high-performance magnesium alloys in the aerospace and transportation industries, researchers conducted a study on the AZ80 magnesium alloy. The primary objective was to achieve a nanocrystalline structure in the alloy through severe plastic deformation using low-strain multi-directional compression at room temperature. Subsequently, an aging treatment was performed to induce the transformation of the structure into a stable state. The study aimed to investigate the morphology and mode of the second phase precipitation in the magnesium alloy after undergoing severe plastic deformation. The research findings revealed that the application of multi-directional and multi-pass compression during room temperature deformation of the magnesium alloy effectively prevented instability and fracture. Moreover, this process facilitated the accumulation of larger true strain. As the number of compression passes increased, deformation twins became increasingly denser, particularly in the intersecting areas. Consequently, ultrafine high-angle grain structures were preferentially formed in these regions. Furthermore, the number of fine-grained areas gradually increased with each deformation pass. After ΣΔε 5.12, the grain size was refined to a range of 100–200 nm. Additionally, the aging treatment following severe plastic deformation brought about a significant change in the traditional lamellar precipitation mode of the second phase Mg17Al12 in the magnesium alloy. Instead, spherical precipitation occurred.

Arsenic (As) is a widespread global pollutant, and there is significant controversy surrounding its complex relationship with obesity, primarily focused on short-term exposure. Recognizing the prolonged nature of dietary arsenic exposure, this study involved feeding mice with arsenic-contained food for 14 months. The results showed that mice exposed to arsenic developed a non-alcoholic fatty liver condition, characterized by a light-yellow hue on the liver surface and various pathological alterations in the liver cells, including enlarged nuclei, cellular necrosis, inflammatory infiltration, dysfunctional mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum disorganization. There were also disruptions in biochemistry indices, with a significant increase in total cholesterol (TC) level and a decrease in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level. However, some contradictory observations occurred, such as a significant decrease in body weight, triglyceride (TG) level, and the numbers of lipid droplets. Several genes related to lipid metabolism were tested, and a model was used to explain these discrepancies. Besides, examinations of the colon revealed compromised intestinal barrier function and signs of inflammation. Fecal 16S rRNA sequencing and pseudo-targeted metabolomics revealed disruptions in internal homeostasis, such as modules, nodes, connections, and lipid-related KEGG pathways. Fecal targeted metabolomics analyses of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and bile acids (BAs) demonstrated a significant upregulation in three primary bile acids (CA, CDCA, TCDCA), four secondary bile acids (TUDCA, DCA, LCA, GUDCA), and total SCFAs level. Oxidative stress and inflammation were also evident. Additionally, based on correlation analysis and mediation analysis, it was assumed that changes in the microbiota (e.g., Dubosiella) can impact the liver metabolites (e.g., TGs) through alterations in fecal metabolites (e.g., LPCs). These findings provide a theoretical reference for the long-term effect of arsenic exposure on liver lipid metabolism.

Strong evidence indicates that environmental stressors are the risk factors for male testosterone deficiency (TD). However, the mechanisms of environmental stress-induced TD remain unclear. Based on our all-cause male reproductive cohort, we found that serum ferrous iron (Fe2⁺) levels were elevated in TD donors. Then, we explored the role and mechanism of ferroptosis in environmental stress-reduced testosterone levels through in vivo and in vitro models. Data demonstrated that ferroptosis and lipid droplet deposition were observed in environmental stress-exposed testicular Leydig cells. Pretreatment with ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1), a specific ferroptosis inhibitor, markedly mitigated environmental stress-reduced testosterone levels. Through screening of core genes involved in lipid droplets formation, it was found that environmental stress significantly increased the levels of perilipins 4 (PLIN4) protein and mRNA in testicular Leydig cells. Further experiments showed that Plin4 siRNA reversed environmental stress-induced lipid droplet deposition and ferroptosis in Leydig cells. Additionally, environmental stress increased the levels of METTL3, METTL14, and total RNA m6A in testicular Leydig cells. Mechanistically, S-adenosylhomocysteine, an inhibitor of METTL3 and METTL14 heterodimer activity, restored the abnormal levels of Plin4, Fe2⁺ and testosterone in environmental stress-treated Leydig cells. Collectively, these results suggest that Plin4 exacerbates environmental stress-decreased testosterone level via inducing ferroptosis in testicular Leydig cells.

Diminished testosterone levels have been documented as a key factor in numerous male health disorders. Both human and animal studies have consistently demonstrated that cadmium (Cd), a pervasive environmental heavy metal, results in decreased testosterone levels. However, the exact mechanism through which Cd interferes with testosterone synthesis remains incompletely elucidated. This research sought to examine the impact of cellular senescence on Cd-suppressed testosterone synthesis. We also investigated the related m6A modification mechanism. The results demonstrated that Cd (100 mg/L) led to a decrease in testosterone levels, along with downregulated expression of testosterone synthase in C57BL/6 N male mice. Furthermore, Cd significantly increased β-galactosidase staining intensity, senescence-related proteins, and senescence-related secretory phenotypes in mouse testicular Leydig cells. Subsequent investigations revealed that Cd decreased the mRNA and protein levels of NAD-dependent deacetylase Sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) in Leydig cells. Mechanistically, mice treated with resveratrol (50 mg/kg), a specific SIRT1 activator, mitigated Leydig cell senescence and reversed Cd-reduced testosterone levels in mouse testes. These effects were also restored by SIRT1 overexpression in Leydig cells. Additionally, we found that Cd increased the level of methyltransferase enzyme METTL3 and Sirt1 m6A modification in Leydig cells. Mettl3 siRNA effectively restored Cd-enhanced Sirt1 m6A level and reversed Cd-downregulated Sirt1 mRNA expression in Leydig cells. Overall, our findings suggest that Cd exposure inhibits testosterone synthesis via Sirt1 m6A modification-mediated senescence in mouse testes. These results offer an experimental basis for investigating the causes and potential treatments of hypotestosteronemia induced by environmental factors.

This study explores the synthesis of nickel-cobalt bimetallic precursors using phytic acid (PA) as a phosphorus source and their application as supercapacitor electrodes. Through high-temperature annealing, these precursors were converted into phosphorus-doped nickel-cobalt bimetallic oxides (NCO) with certain defects. The morphologies and particle size of NCO can be easily adjusted by the amount of PA. Compared to the undoped nickel-cobalt bimetallic oxides, the phosphorus-doped materials exhibited significantly enhanced electrochemical activity and specific capacitance. The optimized electrode exhibits the highest specific capacitance of 1075 F·g−1 at a current density of 1 A·g−1. The asymmetric supercapacitor assembled together with activated carbon can deliver a relatively high energy density of 39.8 Wh·kg−1 at a power density of 696 W·kg−1. Additionally, this paper provides a detailed discussion on the impact of phosphorus doping on the performance of supercapacitor electrodes and the potential of PA as an eco-friendly phosphorus source in the synthesis of high-performance electrode materials.

This study empirically tested that emotional intelligence as an important antecedent in tacit knowledge sharing through the mediating role of professional commitment as well as the moderating effect of perceived organizational support. A self-administrated questionnaire was employed to collect relevant data from employees working in knowledge-intensive and challenging industries such as IT, semiconductors, electronics, medicine, chemistry and biochemistry. The survey yielded a total of 278 effective responses, PROCESS package developed by Hayes was utilized to evaluate the hypotheses. Consistent with theoretical perspective gained from social exchange theory and self-determination theory, the results indicated that employees with higher level of emotional intelligence tend to have higher professional commitment toward the organization, which further fosters tacit knowledge sharing behavior. Prior research predominantly focused on team and organizational motivations and outcomes, relatively little knowledge is known about the link between individual characteristics and tacit knowledge sharing. The current study aims to contribute to knowledge management literature by addressing such research gap. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed in the last part. JEL Classification: M10, M12, O39.