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As a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid, oleanolic acid has hepatoprotective, anti‐inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. This work performed the in vitro experiments and animal assay to explore whether oleanolic acid alleviates lipid accumulation induced by high‐fat diet by mediating PPARγ. Oil red O staining showed that oleanolic acid can reduce lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells, which were treated with oleic acid and palmitic acid. Immunofluorescence, western blot analysis, and RT‐qPCR showed that oleanolic acid could promote nuclear translocation of PPARγ and reduce the expression level of PPARγ, C/EBP‐β, and SREBP‐1c. The results of in vivo experiments indicated that dietary intervention with oleanolic acid can effectively improve the fat accumulation in liver tissue and attenuate the level of IL‐6 and TNF‐α in serum caused by high‐fat diet. Meanwhile, oleanolic acid did not cause lesions in vital organs at the experimental concentrations. In addition, the computer simulation indicated that oleanolic acid could directly bind to PPARγ with a reasonable and stable docking conformation. The above research results can provide new evidence for oleanolic acid to prevent nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open innovation (OI) is a smart way for firms to explore new opportunities, develop new products and new processes to create value. When firms keep open to reveal knowledge for collaborating with external partners, they simultaneously protect their innovations from being copied, i.e. appropriability. The understanding of whether appropriability enables or hinders open innovation to impact innovation performance still remains inconsistent. OI can be divided into formal and informal OI. Specifically, formal OI is based on contractual agreements, informal OI is involved in non-contractual and unplanned knowledge exchange. The different dimensions of OI may impact innovation performance differently when interact with appropriability. It is necessary to study how the interplay between formal/informal OI and appropriability impact innovation performance. An empirical study is performed based on an innovation survey with a sample of 764 manufacturing firms. The results suggest that both formal and informal OI enhance innovation performance, and informal OI is found to exert a stronger impact on innovation performance compared to formal OI. The interaction between formal OI and appropriability enhances innovation performance. In contrast, the combination of informal OI and appropriability reduces innovation performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of sponge cities is widely recognized, but there is still no research on what a new drainage system for sponge cities should look like. This study proposes a new drainage system for sponge cities, a sponge-type comprehensive pipe corridor rainwater chamber (SCRC) system, which combines a comprehensive pipe corridor with low-impact development measures (LIDs) into one system. The SCRC system is predicted by using a long- and short-term neural network to verify whether the neural network can be applied to the prediction of flooding in sponge cities. The results show that the SCRC system can effectively control sponge city flooding, where the surface runoff coefficient under different rainfall intensities (P = 1–10 yr) is between 0.273 and 0.44, the pipe overload time is between 0.11 and 3.929 h, and the node overflow volume is between 0 and 23.89 Mltr. The neural network has a high reliability in sponge city flood prediction, and the coefficients of determination R2 of the test set of PSO–LSTM prediction models are all above 0.95. This study may provide an idea for predicting flooding in sponge cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Yangjiang douchi (YD) is a traditional fermented soybean product, which is popular in Chinese cuisine for its unique flavor. However, due to its high salt content and unstable flavor, its competitiveness in the international market is gradually weakening. Microorganisms have a key role in the production process of YD because it is a fermented food but the effect of microorganisms on the volatile compounds of YD is also not currently clear. RESULTS: In this paper, aroma compounds and microbial diversity in different fermentation stages of YD were analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry/olfactometry (GC–MS/O) and IlluminaMiseq system sequencing. A total of 78 aroma‐active compounds were detected throughout the fermentation process and they influenced the formation of flavor in YD. Fungi flora were relatively single in YD, and bacteria were rich and varied. A total of 418 species of bacteria were present during fermentation, with unclassified_Staphylococcus, Staphylococcus_kloosii, and Bacillus_velezensis_Bacillus predominating. There were 25 species of fungi at the species level, and Aspergillus minisclerotigenes (OTU 4) played a dominant role in the whole fermentation process. CONCLUSION: Staphylococcus and Bacillus in the bacterial genus were strongly correlated with most flavor compounds detected, and A. minisclerotigenes in the fungi were more relevant to flavor compounds. This research provides a theoretical basis for the enhancement of the flavor of traditional fermented douchi in China. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In sports practices, the intensity and type of forces exerted on the human body are totally different from everyday living. Harsh movements and impact loadings are very common in sports and sometimes cause severe injuries to both muscles and bones. In a specific case, in volleyball games, the lower arm of the player is continuously exposed to heavy impacts by the ball. The main part of the body enduring these impact loads are the two ulna and radius bones in the lower arm. Therefore, in this type of ball impacts it is important to investigate the effect of ball movement and condition on the stress-induced in bones. In the present study, using numerical finite element and generalized differential quadrature (GDQ) methods, stability conditions in the ulna and radius bones in volleyball players under several static and harmonic loading types are investigated. Furthermore, change in the ball mass in the standard range is also considered in analyses. The bone structure is modeled as a cylindrical shell with classical elasticity theory and for inhomogeneous material properties. The results obtained using the numerical method are presented with a focus on the state of stability of the both ulna and radius bones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Improving health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among hypertensive individuals has emerged as a significant public health issue. However, current research has ignored the individual heterogeneity of perceived social support (PSS) among hypertensive patients. The potential mechanism of delay discounting (DD), living alone, and PSS on HRQoL remains unclear, and further exploration is required. Aim: This study aimed to ascertain PSS profiles among hypertensive patients and examine the hypotheses that DD mediates the relationship between PSS and HRQoL and that this mediating process is moderated by living alone in hypertensive patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Jiangsu, China. In total, 1815 hypertensive patients completed socio-demographic and HRQoL questionnaires, a PSS scale, and a DD task. Data analyses included a latent profile analysis, χ2-test, Spearman correlation analysis, and PROCESS macro for regression analysis. Results: Four potential PSS profiles were identified: lowest (3.2%), moderate–low (26.6%), moderate–high (42.4%), and highest (27.8%). DD mediated the association between PSS and HRQoL. The first half of this mediating process was moderated by living alone. Conclusion: Our findings indicated that PSS, DD, and living alone significantly influence the HRQoL of individuals with hypertension. Healthcare professionals should consider variations in PSS among hypertensive patients and implement interventions to reduce DD by enhancing PSS, in order to improve the HRQoL of this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at the improvement of innovation efficiency after enterprise obtaining subsidies, this paper constructs two-stage innovation benefit model about research and development (R&D) and transformation and achieves Nash equilibrium of innovative inputs to solve the objective discrepancy of innovation between government and enterprise. The main conclusions are as follows: there are three kinds of resource allocation structure in the way of achieving Nash equilibrium. The allocation structure is determined by the sensitivity of benefits (differentiated by social benefits and enterprise benefits) to R&D and transformation. After obtaining subsidies, enterprise optimizes resource allocation and results in crowding out effect, which is the inevitable choice for enterprise to seek benefits. Relative to the enterprise budget, when the proportion of government subsidies is few, the way of subsidies does not affect benefits. When the government invests more subsidies, which are designated for R&D, there is the possibility of dual losses of social benefits and enterprise benefits. The conclusion defines the proportion of subsidies to enterprise budgets so as to differentiate the allocation structure of innovative inputs. The practical significance is to provide a precise method of resource allocation from the microlevel of enterprise project, which alleviates the objective discrepancy between the government and enterprise.

Opioid receptors are important pharmacological targets for the management of numerous medical conditions (eg, severe pain), but they are also the gateway to the development of deleterious side effects (eg, opiate addiction). Opioid receptor signaling cascades are well characterized. However, quantitative information regarding their lateral dynamics and nanoscale organization in the plasma membrane remains limited. Since these dynamic properties are important determinants of receptor function, it is crucial to define them. Herein, the nanoscale lateral dynamics and spatial organization of kappa opioid receptor (KOP), wild type mu opioid receptor (MOPwt ), and its naturally occurring isoform (MOPN40D ) were quantitatively characterized using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and photoactivated localization microscopy. Obtained results, supported by ensemble-averaged Monte Carlo simulations, indicate that these opioid receptors dynamically partition into different domains. In particular, significant exclusion from GM1 ganglioside-enriched domains and partial association with cholesterol-enriched domains was observed. Nanodomain size, receptor population density and the fraction of receptors residing outside of nanodomains were receptor-specific. KOP-containing domains were the largest and most densely populated, with the smallest fraction of molecules residing outside of nanodomains. The opposite was true for MOPN40D . Moreover, cholesterol depletion dynamically regulated the partitioning of KOP and MOPwt , whereas this effect was not observed for MOPN40D .

The level of mobile government services has become a crucial metric for modernizing a government's governance capabilities, and it plays a significant role in promoting sustainable development. This study aims to explore the key factors influencing the level of mobile government services across 31 provinces in China, along with their combinatory pathways. Using the technology–organization–environment (TOE) framework and employing fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), this study conducts an in-depth analysis of mobile government service levels across these provinces, focusing on the dimensions of technology, organization, and environment. The results identify three pathways that promote high levels of mobile government services: technology–organization, technology–environment, and internal–external linkage-driven pathways. These pathways offer viable strategies for achieving sustainable development in mobile government services. Additionally, this study identifies two pathways associated with lower service levels, technology deficiency, and organization–environment misalignment, highlighting key factors that hinder sustainable development. The findings suggest that organizational and environmental factors can complement each other based on technological conditions, internet penetration rates, and citizen participation levels. Based on these insights, this study recommends that provincial governments proactively explore sustainable development pathways, optimize the "technology–organization–environment" conditions to harness synergies, and work towards enhancing mobile government service levels, thereby reducing inter-provincial disparities and advancing sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Microcystin-leucine-arginine (MC-LR) exposure induces lipid metabolism disorders in the liver. Secreted frizzled-related protein 5 (SFRP5) is a natural antagonist of winglesstype MMTV integration site family, member 5A (Wnt5a) and an anti-inflammatory adipocytokine. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether MC-LR can induce lipid metabolism disorders in hepatocytes and whether SFRP5, which has anti-inflammatory effects, can alleviate the effects of hepatic lipid metabolism by inhibiting the Wnt5a/Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway. Methods We exposed mice to MC-LR in vivo to induce liver lipid metabolism disorders. Subsequently, mouse hepatocytes that overexpressed SFRP5 or did not express SFRP5 were exposed to MC-LR, and the effects of SFRP5 overexpression on inflammation and Wnt5a/JNK activation by MC-LR were observed. Results MC-LR exposure induced liver lipid metabolism disorders in mice and significantly decreased SFRP5 mRNA and protein levels in a concentration-dependent manner. SFRP5 overexpression in AML12 cells suppressed MC-LR-induced inflammation. Overexpression of SFRP5 also inhibited Wnt5a and phosphorylation of JNK. Conclusion MC-LR can induce lipid metabolism disorders in mice, and SFRP5 can attenuate lipid metabolism disorders in the mouse liver by inhibiting Wnt5a/JNK signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the quest to elevate the sodium‐ion intercalation kinetics of transition metal oxide electrodes, the intrinsic low conductivity of these materials often acts as a bottleneck, restricting Na+ storage. Herein, the mechanism behind sodium‐ion diffusion kinetics in MnO2 is explored, specifically focusing on the manipulation of π* antibonding orbital occupancy. This is accomplished through strategic doping with strongly electron‐withdrawing Rh3+ (t2g6eg0), enhancing the hybridization of Mn 3d‐O 2p orbitals and significantly increasing the electrical conductivity of MnO2. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) results demonstrate that the smaller orbital energy difference between Rh3+eg and Mn4+t2g, compared to that between Rh3+eg and Mn4+eg, fosters direct electron transfer from the Mn4+t2g to the vacant Rh3+eg. This electron movement induces an upshift in the Mn‐t2g orbital energy levels while concurrently diminishing the occupancy of π* antibonding orbitals formed via Mn t2g‐O 2p hybridization. The resultant Rh‐MnO2 electrode exhibits an impressive specific capacity of 335 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 and a substantial rate capacity of 224.8 F g−1 at 20 A g−1. This investigation elucidates the intricate mechanism underlying the sluggish kinetics of sodium ion intercalation within transition metal oxide frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper mainly studies the synchronization problem of memristor-based bidirectional associative memory neural networks (MBAMNNs) via finite-time technology. Different from the existing neural network dynamic models, the given model in this paper is focused on the impact of parameter perturbation and strong mismatch, where strong mismatch includes parameter mismatch and time-varying delay mismatch. These characteristics can make the model be closer to the actual situation. A delay-independent feedback control scheme, which can stabilize the error system within finite-time regardless of whether the past state is known or not, is designed. It is worth noting that the constant is replaced by a function with the exponential term in the delay-independent controller, which can save the control cost to a certain extent. Based on the integral inequality technique, some sufficient conditions for MBAMNNs to converge to the equilibrium point within finite-time are provided. The validity and correctness of the theoretical results are finally confirmed by numerical simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Mung bean (Vigna radiata) stands as a crucial legume crop in Asia, contributing to food security. However, our understanding of the underlying genetic foundation governing domesticated agronomic traits, especially those linked to pod architecture, remains largely unexplored. In this study, we delved into the genomic divergence between wild and domesticated mung bean varieties, leveraging germplasm obtained from diverse sources. Our findings unveiled pronounced variation in promoter regions (35%) between the two mung bean subpopulations, suggesting substantial changes in gene expression patterns during domestication. Leveraging transcriptome analysis using distinct reproductive stage pods and subpopulations, we identified candidate genes responsible for pod and seed architecture development, along with Genome‐Wide Association Studies (GWAS) and Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) analysis. Notably, our research conclusively confirmed PDH1 as a parallel domesticated gene governing pod dehiscence in legumes. This study imparts valuable insights into the genetic underpinnings of domesticated agronomic traits in mung bean, and simultaneously highlighting the parallel domestication of pivotal traits within the realm of legume crops. Significance Statement: This study elucidates the genetic mechanisms underpinning pod development traits in mung bean, a key crop in Asian agriculture. By focusing on the PDH1 gene, our research reveals its pivotal role in pod dehiscence and contributes to the broader understanding of parallel domestication processes in legumes, providing valuable insights for future crop improvement strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ice phase in clouds is essential for precipitation formation over continents. The underlying processes for ice growth are still poorly understood, leading to large uncertainties in precipitation forecasts and climate simulations. One crucial aspect is the Wegener–Bergeron–Findeisen (WBF) process, which describes the growth of ice crystals at the expense of cloud droplets, leading to a partial or full glaciation of the cloud. In the CLOUDLAB project, we employ glaciogenic cloud seeding to initiate the ice phase in supercooled low-level clouds in Switzerland using uncrewed aerial vehicles with the goal of investigating the WBF process. An extensive setup of ground-based remote-sensing and balloon-borne in situ instrumentation allows us to observe the formation and subsequent growth of ice crystals in great detail. In this study, we compare the seeding signals observed in the field to those simulated using a numerical weather model in large-eddy mode (ICON-LEM). We first demonstrate the capability of the model to accurately simulate and reproduce the seeding experiments across different environmental conditions. Second, we investigate the WBF process in the model by comparing the simulated cloud droplet and ice crystal number concentration changes to in situ measurements. In the field experiments, simultaneous reductions in cloud droplet number concentrations with increased ice crystal number concentrations were observed, with periods showing a full depletion of cloud droplets. The model can reproduce the observed ice crystal number concentrations most of the time; however, it cannot reproduce the observed fast reductions in cloud droplet number concentrations. Our detailed analysis shows that the WBF process appears to be less efficient in the model than in the field. In the model, exaggerated ice crystal number concentrations are required to produce comparable changes in cloud droplet number concentrations, highlighting the inefficiency of the WBF process in the numerical weather model ICON. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]