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In the China VI regulations for light-duty vehicles, the (RDE) test is introduced as a supplementary test procedure. In the actual test process, the RDE results are more significantly influenced by driving behavior and vehicle type. To reduce the test cost, the NOx and PN prediction models are established based on the GA-BP method. The results showed that the coefficients of determination of the GA-BP model for NOx and PN predictions are all greater than 0.9 and are linearly highly correlated at the instantaneous emission level. At the overall emission level, the overall error of the GA-BP model is less than 7% for NOx prediction and less than 6% for PN prediction. The model has high accuracy for both instantaneous and overall emissions of light-duty vehicles. This provides practical engineering value for guiding the RDE test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, emissions from 13 buses operated in Beijing, including two Euro-III diesel buses, four Euro-IV diesel buses, three Euro-V diesel buses and four Euro-V CNG buses, were characterized in real world conditions. All of the buses tested were fitted with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems except for the Euro-III diesel buses. A SEMTECH-DS was used for testing the gaseous pollutants, and an electric low pressure impactor (ELPI) was used for measuring of particle numbers and size distributions. A comparison was made based on emission performance of these buses by employing the VSP approach and fuel- based emissions factors. Diesel buses emitted less CO and THC but more NO x and PM pollutants than CNG buses. The NO x reduction efficiencies of the SCR systems for CNG buses were higher because of the high exhaust temperature and high NO 2 /NO x ratio, whereas the efficiencies for diesel buses were lower. This resulted in extremely low NO x emissions from CNG buses, but the high NO 2 /NO x ratio needs further study. Failures of urea injection in the SCR systems were detected in this research, which resulted in very high NO x emissions. The CNG buses also emitted smaller numbers of particles and less particle mass with the presence of oxidation catalysts. Diesel buses satisfying the Euro-V standard performed better than Euro-IV and Euro-III diesel buses in terms of emission performance, except for more nuclei mode particles. Most of time, the Euro-IV diesel buses show no advantages in CO and NO x emissions compared with the Euro-III diesel buses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acne is a chronic facial disease caused by Propionibacterium acnes, which proliferates within sebum-blocked skin follicles and increases inflammatory cytokine production. Several therapeutic drugs and products have been proposed to treat acne, yet no single treatment that ensures long-term treatment efficacy for all patients is available. Here, we explored the use of facial autologous fat transplant of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) to dramatically reduce acne lesions. Methods: THP-1 cells were treated with active P. acnes for 24 h at different multiplicities of infection, and alterations in inflammatory factors were detected. To study the effect of THP-1 on inflammasome-related proteins, we first co-cultured ADSCs with THP-1 cells treated with P. acnes and evaluated the levels of these proteins in the supernatant. Further, an acne mouse model injected with ADSCs was used to assess inflammatory changes. Results: Propionibacterium acnes-mediated stimulation of THP-1 cells had a direct correlation with the expression of active caspase-1 and interleukin (IL)-1β in an infection-dependent manner. ADSCs significantly reduced the production of IL-1β induced by P. acnes stimulation through the reactive oxygen species (ROS)/Nod-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3)/caspase-1 pathway. The results showed that ADSCs inhibit the skin inflammation induced by P. acnes by blocking the NLRP3 inflammasome via reducing the secretion of IL-1β in vivo. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that ADSCs can alter IL-1β secretion by restricting the production of mitochondria ROS, thereby inhibiting the NLRP3/caspase-1 pathway in P. acnes-induced inflammatory responses. This study indicates that anti‐acne therapy can potentially be developed by targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposed a new method to improve the performance of tailings sand autoclaved aerated concrete (SAAC). Firstly, high silicon iron tailings from the Anqian area and low silicon molybdenum tailings from the Weinan area were selected, and the mineral composition of these two tailings was analyzed. Then, the single mineral in the two tailings were used instead of siliceous raw materials to prepare mineral autoclaved concrete (MAC). The autoclaved reactivities of these minerals were analyzed through compressive strength, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TG-DTG), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and which minerals were beneficial for the preparation of SAAC were determined. On this basis, magnetic separation and gravity-magnetic separation processes were used to pretreat Anqian iron tailings and Weinan molybdenum tailings, respectively. Finally, the effectiveness of this method was verified by preparing SAAC made with tailings before and after pretreated. The tested results showed that the autoclaved activities of siliceous minerals were in the following order: quartz hornblende, feldspar, chlorite, while the montmorillonite and biotite, and the metal mine (hematite and pyrite) did not have autoclaved reactivities. The main crystalline phase of hydration products in MAC made with single mineral without autoclaved reactivities were C-S-H, Ca(OH) 2 , CaCO 3 , and hibschite, and that in MAC made with quartz, hornblende, feldspar, and chlorite were C-S-H, tobermorite, Ca(OH) 2 , CaCO 3 , and hibschite (except quartz). After 1.3 T strong magnetic separation treatment, the content of Fe 2 O 3 in iron tailings decreased from 11.11 % to 4.16 %, and the compressive strength of SAAC made with iron tailings with magnetic separation pretreated increased by 11.43 % comparted to that of SAAC made with original iron tailings. After gravity separation and 1.1 T strong magnetic separation pretreated, the content of SiO 2 in molybdenum tailings increased from 63.97 % to 84.03 %, and the mineral content of biotite decreased from 40.5 % to 11.2 %. The compressive strength of SAAC made with molybdenum tailings with gravity-magnetic separation pretreated increased by 24.09 % comparted to that of SAAC made with original molybdenum tailings. • The autoclaved reactivities of the mineral composition in iron tailings and molybdenum tailings were investigated. • The beneficial mineral components for sand autoclaved aerated concrete (SAAC) preparation in tailings were identified. • The harmful mineral components were removed from tailings using magnetic separation and gravity-magnetic separation. • The compressive strength of SAAC prepared using tailings after pretreated was significantly improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An electro-optical cavity-dumped 20Hz Ce:Nd:YAG laser with an optimized thermal-insensitive concavo-convex cavity for aesthetic medicine was demonstrated. The pulse width remained constant at 6.0ns. The maximum output energy and peak power were 120mJ and 20MW, respectively. The average output energy was very stable. The fluctuations of average output energy within 6 cycles and 10min were 0.89% and 7.9%, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: Immediate reconstruction (IR) is a safe and effective surgical treatment for patients with breast cancer. We aimed to assess the prognosis, aesthetic outcomes, and patient satisfaction of IR compared with breast conservation surgery (BCS) and total mastectomy (TM). Methods: This retrospective matched-cohort study was conducted between May 2005 and December 2014. We established two cohorts according to the tumor (T) size of breast cancer. In the T≤3cm group, cases (IR) and controls (BCS or TM) were matched for age, pathological tumor size, and pathologic nodal status in a 1:1:1 ratio. In the T>3cm group, cases (IR) and controls (TM) were matched with the same factors and ratio. The primary outcome was the 5-year disease-free survival (DFS). The secondary outcome was patient satisfaction and quality of life. Results: A total of 12,678 breast cancer patients were assessed for eligibility, of which 587 were included (T≤3 cm group: 155 IR vs 155 BCS vs 155 TM; T>3cm group: 61 IR vs 61 TM). In the T≤3 cm cohort, patients who underwent IR had no difference compared with those who underwent BCS or TM regarding the 5-year DFS (P=0.539); however, an improved aesthetic satisfaction, psychosocial, and sexual well-being were achieved in the IR group (P<0.001). In the T>3 cm cohort, the IR group had a worse median 5-year DFS (P=0.044), especially for Her2+ or triple-negative breast carcinoma (TNBC) subtypes compared with the TM group. Conclusions: IR improves aesthetic satisfaction, psychosocial, and sexual well-being for breast cancer patients with T≤3 cm. For patients with T > 3 cm invasive breast cancer, TM is superior to IR as it predicts a better 5-year DFS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• NG fueling emitted initially lower CO but higher THC and NOx emissions than gasoline. • Emission deteriorated faster in NG mode due to poor calibration and regulation flaws. • NG fueling reduced 20 % CO2 but the GWP benefit was partially offset by fuel leakage. Natural gas (NG) is considered an economically viable transport decarbonization option, especially for developing countries. However, as per the ongoing European and Chinese vehicle emission regulations, the durability and in-service compliance tests of the exhaust emissions from gasoline/NG bi-fuel vehicles are only mandated in gasoline mode, leaving the real-world emission performance of NG fueling at risk. To bridge this gap, the exhaust emissions from five gasoline/NG bi-fuel taxis were traced from new (less than 10,000 km) to 160,000 km after every 10,000 km of field driving. Both room-temperature cold-start and warm-start chassis dynamometer tests were performed over the certification drive cycle. This tracing study lasted for 3.5 years and covered the variations of seasons, routine services, and minor repairs. The results manifested that compared to gasoline fueling, NG had statistically lower carbon monoxide before 100,000 km of driving but higher total hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxides emissions throughout the useful life in both cold- and warm-start tests. By applying linear regression to the data points obtained across the 160,000 km tracing, NG fueling showed a noticeably quicker deterioration with mileage than gasoline. However, given that gasoline and NG modes shared the same catalysts, this is attributed to the less careful calibration of NG mode predominantly because of the void of regulatory requirements. On average, NG fueling produced about 20 % less carbon dioxide emissions than gasoline, but the observed fuel leakage in NG mode partially offset the global warming potential advantage. Overall, NG sees benefits and challenges in mitigating vehicle-related environmental issues. To better control this risk, it is strongly recommended that in future regulations, the durability and in-service compliance requirements of NG fueling shall be complemented, and fuel leakage shall be included in the control of evaporative emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vehicle emissions have a serious impact on urban air quality and public health, so environmental authorities around the world have introduced increasingly stringent emission regulations to reduce vehicle exhaust emissions. Nowadays, PEMS (Portable Emission Measurement System) is the most widely used method to measure on-road NOx (Nitrogen Oxides) and PN (Particle Number) emissions from HDDVs (Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicles). However, the use of PEMS requires a lot of workforce and resources, making it both costly and time-consuming. This study proposes a neural network based on a combination of GA (Genetic Algorithm) and GRU (Gated Recurrent Unit), which uses CC (Pearson Correlation Coefficient) to determine and simplify OBD (On-board Diagnosis) data. The GA-GRU model is trained under three real driving conditions of HDDVs, divided by vehicle driving parameters, and then embedded as a soft sensor in the OBD system to monitor real-time emissions of NOx and PN within the OBD system. This research addresses the existing research gap in the development of soft sensors specifically designed for NOx and PN emission monitoring. In this study, it is demonstrated that the described soft sensor has excellent R2 values and outperforms other conventional models. This research highlights the ability of the proposed soft sensor to eliminate outliers accurately and promptly while consistently tracking predictions throughout the vehicle's lifetime. This method is a groundbreaking update to the vehicle's OBD system, permanently adding monitoring data to the vehicle's OBD, thus fundamentally improving the vehicle's self-monitoring capabilities. • GA-GRU based soft sensor is proposed and integrated in the vehicle OBD system • Real-time NOx and PN from vehicles are assessed using the proposed soft sensor • Proposed soft sensor is a potential regulatory tool for environmental authorities [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term oncologic safety of immediate reconstructive surgery in patients with invasive breast cancer: a retrospective matched-cohort study. A Immediate reconstruction of breast implants (IRBI); B Immediate reconstruction of autologous tissue (IRAT); C Breast conserving surgery (BCS); D Total mastectomy (TM) Graph: Fig. [Extracted from the article]

Summary: Lonicera japonica is a widespread member of the Caprifoliaceae (honeysuckle) family utilized in traditional medical practices. This twining vine honeysuckle also is a much‐sought ornamental, in part due to its dynamic flower coloration, which changes from white to gold during development.The molecular mechanism underlying dynamic flower coloration in L. japonica was elucidated by integrating whole genome sequencing, transcriptomic analysis and biochemical assays.Here, we report a chromosome‐level genome assembly of L. japonica, comprising nine pseudochromosomes with a total size of 843.2 Mb. We also provide evidence for a whole‐genome duplication event in the lineage leading to L. japonica, which occurred after its divergence from Dipsacales and Asterales. Moreover, gene expression analysis not only revealed correlated expression of the relevant biosynthetic genes with carotenoid accumulation, but also suggested a role for carotenoid degradation in L. japonica's dynamic flower coloration. The variation of flower color is consistent with not only the observed carotenoid accumulation pattern, but also with the release of volatile apocarotenoids that presumably serve as pollinator attractants.Beyond novel insights into the evolution and dynamics of flower coloration, the high‐quality L. japonica genome sequence also provides a foundation for molecular breeding to improve desired characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic Rankine cycle (ORC) can improve engine power by recovering exhaust energy. This paper co-optimizes the engine-ORC combined system's power and NOx emission, with decision variables of the engine's excess air ratio, spark advance angle, as well as ORC's pump and expander speeds. Firstly, a simulation model of the combined system is established and validated. Then, the initial dataset is generated by the D-optimum Latin hypercube method and simulation model. The artificial neural network (ANN) prediction models of NOx emission and power are established based on these datasets. Finally, the co-optimization is conducted using the ANN prediction model and genetic algorithm. Focusing on maximizing the combined system's power results in an 18.30 % increase in power, and a significant reduction in brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) and brake-specific NOx (BSNOx) by 10.10 % and 71.30 %, respectively, compared to the unoptimized basis. Targeting the lowest BSNOx leads to a limited 1.20 % increase in power output; however, it results in a 19.50 % increase in BSFC. When optimizing for both system output and BSNOx, the output remains 13.5 % above the unoptimized basis. Meanwhile, up to 89.8 % of BSNOx can be eliminated with negligible deterioration in BSFC. This study could be used for engine performance enhancements. • A data-driven ANN prediction model of engine-ORC combined system is established. • ANN cooperates with GA to co-optimize Combined system's power and NOx emission. • The optimum engine and ORC parameters for the different goals are obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After-treatment devices of diesel engines effectively reduce exhaust emissions but deteriorate over time. Consequently, the China-VI emission regulation mandates a useful life of seven years or 700,000 km for after-treatment devices. Conventional engine bench aging methods, being costly and time-consuming, are inapplicable for long-term emission durability verification. This paper introduces an accelerated aging method based on the thermal accumulation and Arrhenius equation. Accelerated aging of four after-treatment devices of the same model at different temperatures and durations was carried out. Results revealed that barring the CDPF's PN filtration efficiency, the efficiencies of the DOC, SCR, and ASC catalysts declined with accelerated aging, especially under lower temperatures. Deterioration in conversion efficiencies of catalysts increased the NOx, CO, THC, and NH 3 emissions under cold- and warm-WHTC tests. Considering that the equivalent durability mileage of the after-treatment devices under 150 h 650 °C accelerated aging condition is approximately 870,000 km, while the CO, THC, PN, NOx, and NH 3 emission factors are 0.05 g/kWh, 0.21 g/kWh, 2.14 × 1010 #/kWh, 0.44 g/kWh, and 3.48 ppm, respectively, so the durability of the tested after-treatment devices could comply with the China-VI emission regulation. Although accelerated aging did not significantly affect PN emissions, it increased the balanced point temperature of CDPF and the proportion of sub-23 nm particles. If emission regulations further reduce the lower limit of PN measurement to 10 nm, it could negatively impact the emission durability of CDPF. In addition, comparing the 1000 h of conventional aging showed similar characteristics and results in NOx conversion efficiency and NOx emission, suggesting that the accelerated aging method is reliable. In conclusion, the accelerated aging method reduces the durability verification duration, providing a cost-effective regulatory tool for environmental protection authorities and guidance for manufacturers to optimize device performance and durability. • Accelerated aging method for after-treatment devices of diesel engines is developed • Catalyst performance deteriorates more seriously under low temperatures • NOx deterioration is most pronounced during accelerated aging • Accelerated aging is well-equated with conventional bench aging based on SCR [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The grating-assisted contra-directional coupler (contra-DC) is one of the commonly used add-drop filters serving for coarse wavelength-division-multiplexing (CWDM) systems due to its flat-top and wide-band response. However, the free-spectral-range (FSR) of contra-DC is limited by the back reflection to the input port caused by the intra-waveguide coupling. In this paper we propose an anti-reflection grating-assisted contra-DC by simply increasing the sidewall corrugation width. The intra-waveguide coupling coefficient can be decreased to 0 when the corrugation width is increased to a certain value. The simulation result shows that the transmission at drop port is −0.42 dB, while the back reflection to the input port is only −22.0 dB. The 4-channel cascaded contra-DCs with wavelength range of ∼60 nm are also simulated, all the channels are not affected by the intra-waveguide coupling. We believe the proposed contra-DC with large corrugation width can be applied to the CWDM system requiring a broad spectrum range. • Explanation of the vanish of stopband when the corrugation width of waveguide Bragg grating is large. • Proposing an anti-reflection grating-assisted contra-directional coupler by simply increasing the corrugation width. • High suppression of intra-waveguide reflection in the grating-assisted contra-directional coupler of 22.0 dB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Both OMP2b and BCSP31 proteins have several dominant T/B cell epitopes. • Each of OMP2b and BCSP31 protein has one T-B combined epitope. • T-B combined epitopes of OMP2b and BCSP31 have immunogenicity. • CTL epitopes of OMP2b and BCSP31 have immunogenicity. Brucella poses a serious threat to human health. High quality vaccines for Brucella are urgently needed to effectively reduce the incidence of brucellosis. OMP2b and BCSP31 are important component proteins of the Brucella outer membrane and are highly immunogenic. Here, we used the bioinformatics software ProtParam, SOPMA, SWISS-MODEL, Rasmol, BepiPred, SYFPEITHI and IEDB to analyze the structure of these two proteins and predict the epitopes of T cells and B cells. Through analysis, we predicted three Th cell epitopes, seven CTL epitopes, eight B cell epitopes, and one T-B combined epitope of OMP2b protein. Subsequently, we also obtained three Th cell epitopes, six CTL epitopes, nine B cell epitopes and one T-B combined epitope of BCSP31 protein. The T-B combined epitopes and CTL epitopes of OMP2b and those of BCSP31 were synthesized to detect their immunogenicity. The IFN-γ ELISPOT assay showed that the T-B combined epitope peptides of OMP2b and BCSP31 activated Th cell immune responses. ELISA analysis detected the specific antibodies against the T-B combined epitope peptide of OMP2b and BCSP31 in the serum of Brucellosis patients. Additionally, CTL epitope peptide of OMP2b and BCSP31 proteins promoted the secretion of soluble perforin and granzyme B in the culture supernatant. In conclusion, our study shows that the T-B combined epitopes and CTL epitopes of OMP2b and BCSP31 have immunogenicity and immunoreactivity. Our results may lay a theoretical foundation for the development of vaccines against Brucella. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Ammonia emissions cause several negative impacts on the quality of air, water and soil, while secondary ammonia formed on three-way catalysts (TWCs) of gasoline vehicles has not been sufficiently investigated, especially in the developing countries. In this paper, tailpipe ammonia emissions from seven China-6 certified, low-mileage gasoline vehicles were measured over the World Harmonized Light-duty Test Cycle (WLTC). The results demonstrated that ammonia emissions from the seven test vehicles ranged from 0.65 ± 0.38 mg/km to 8.01 ± 3.12 mg/km. A comparison with the emission factors reported in other research indicates that these China-6 certified vehicles emitted similar or less ammonia emissions compared to the vehicles certified to older EU and federal regulations. The ammonia emissions from the test vehicles showed very weak linkage with their engine or transmission technologies. For all the test vehicles, the vast majority of ammonia emissions were emitted within the engine warm-up period due to already lighted-off catalysts but still enriched air/fuel mixtures. No ammonia emissions were noticed within any engine-start events. The masses of ammonia-converted ammonium salts were estimated assuming that all the tailpipe ammonia emissions will transform into ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate, and compared to the primary PM emissions measured with filters. The masses of salts were drastically higher than the primary PM, which underscored the significance of vehicle-related ammonia emissions as a key ambient PM contributor. Highlights • Ammonia emissions from 7 China-6 compliant cars were measured over the WLTC. • Ammonia ranged from 0.65 ± 0.38 to 8.01 ± 3.12 mg/km, smaller than older vehicles. • The vast majority of ammonia was found within the engine warm-up period. • Ammonia formed on catalysts may cause stronger contamination than tailpipe PM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NOx emissions from diesel vehicles generally deteriorate with increased durability mileage owing to the wear and deterioration of engines and after-treatment systems. Three China-VI heavy-duty diesel vehicles (HDDVs) were selected for four-phase long-term real driving emission (RDE) tests using the portable emission measurement system (PEMS). After 200,000 km of on-road driving, the maximum NOx emission factor of the test vehicles (387.06 mg/kWh) was found to be significantly lower than the NOx limit of 690 mg/kWh. Under all driving conditions, the NOx conversion efficiency of selected catalytic reduction (SCR) decreased almost linearly as the durability mileage increased. Importantly, the deterioration rate of the NOx conversion efficiency in low-temperature intervals was discernibly higher than that in high-temperature intervals. The NOx conversion efficiency at 200 °C dropped by 16.67–19.82% with higher durability mileage; however, the highest values at 275–400 °C only decreased by 4.11%. Interestingly, the SCR catalyst at 250 °C showed strong NOx conversion efficiency and durability (maximum decline of 2.11%). Overall, the poor de-NOx performance of SCR catalysts at low temperatures significantly challenges the long-term effective control of NOx emissions from HDDVs. Thus, improving the NOx conversion efficiency and durability at low-temperature intervals is the top priority for SCR catalyst optimization; NOx emissions from HDDVs at low velocities and loads should also be monitored by environmental authorities. The linear fitting coefficient for the NOx emission factors of the four-phase RDE tests was 0.90–0.92, indicating that NOx emissions deteriorated linearly with an increase in mileage. Based on the linear fitting results, the NOx emission control of the test vehicles during 700,000 km of on-road driving was highly likely to be qualified. These results can be used by environmental authorities to supervise the NOx emission conformity of in-use HDDVs after validation using other types of vehicles. [Display omitted] • NOx deterioration of three HDDVs is assessed using long-term PEMS measurement. • NOx conversion efficiency of SCR deteriorates linearly with driving mileage. • Obvious deterioration in NOx conversion efficiency is noticed below 250 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A general accelerated aging method for aftertreatment devices of HDDEs was proposed and its equivalence was verified. • The NH 3 and N 2 O emission factors are not linear deterioration with the intensification of accelerated aging. • The NH 3 emission factors of test HDDE comply with China VI emission regulation in the whole useful life. • The N 2 O emission factors of test HDDE exceed EPA's limit in the whole useful life. A general accelerated aging method for aftertreatment devices of Heavy-duty Diesel Engine (HDDE) is proposed in this paper, and three sets of aftertreatment devices were aged according to this method. The error between the World Harmonized Transient Cycle (WHTC)-NOx emission factors of conventional aging and those of accelerated aging fitted by equivalent thermal accumulation is −4.12 to 3.13 %, which proves that the two methods have good equivalence. Meanwhile, the NH 3 and N 2 O emission characteristics and durability were tested by Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR) equipment. The results show that NH 3 and N 2 O emissions do not deteriorate linearly with the intensification of thermal aging like NOx. Except that the NH 3 emission of AT03 exceeds the limit of China VI emission regulation (the average and maximum NH 3 concentration in the WHTC test are 35.25 ppm and 350.30 ppm, separately), NH 3 emission of other aged devices meet the requirements. Combined with the equivalent durability mileage of 1130000 km of AT02, the test China VI HDDE can effectively control NH 3 emissions and has a large margin with the limit requirements. However, the deterioration rate of N 2 O emission gradually slows down with the intensification of accelerated aging. The accelerated aging tests also indicate that N 2 O generation is closely related to NH 3 in SCR, consistent with previous studies conclusions of low-temperature and high-temperature N 2 O generation mechanisms. Equally important is that the N 2 O emission emitted from test China VI HDDE is significantly higher than the emission limit of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The N 2 O emission factors under the WHTC test are as high as 0.15 to 0.35 g/kWh, which should draw the attention of Chinese environmental regulatory authorities, who should start to formulate N 2 O emission limits and put forward complementary strategies to reduce N 2 O emissions from HDDEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the implementation of stringent emission regulations and the growth of electric vehicles, more attention should be shifted to road traffic-derived non-exhaust emissions. Tyre wear particle (TWP) emissions have outweighed those from the exhaust and are potential for microplastic pollution. However, there are no regulations that specifically limit TWP emissions and no feasible technologies to curb the emissions. Due to the varied measurements and discrepant data, the related results are incomparable and uncertain. This paper gives a comprehensive overview of TWP from four aspects: formation mechanisms, experimental methods, emission characteristics, and influencing factors. Real-road TWP are generally incorporated with existing road particles, so the sampling methods need to be carefully designed to eliminate the influence of undesired particles. In this case, the TWP scattering paths, the effects of sampling flow rate and sampling inlet location, the design principles of sampling geometry based on sampling flow rate and vehicle speed are discussed. The micro-vibration and the stick-slip oscillation between the tyre and road, coupled with the evaporation of tread volatile compounds, lead to the TWP formation. Thus, TWP covers a broader size distribution, diverse shapes, and multiple chemical components. Further studies should be focused on the physicochemical properties of TWP by standardizing experimental procedures and narrow controlling the main influencing factors of vehicle driving behaviours, road types, tyre specifications, and the ambient environment. • TWP sampling, analysis, and parameters affecting the efficiency are summarized. • TWP formation, scattering path, emission, and physicochemical property are compared. • Effects of major influencing factors of driving and environment are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particles emitted during braking account for a significant proportion of transport-related particles. The brake particles are still beyond supervision because no mandatory regulations were introduced to control the brake particle emissions. Many studies have been conducted about the brake particles, but the materials & methods used by these studies vary a lot, thus reducing the result comparability among these studies. This paper reviewed brake particle emissions from four aspects: experimental methods, emission characteristics, influencing factors, and future works. Six experimental methods corresponding to different application scenarios are summarized, and these methods require different modifications, skills, and expenses. Whatever the experimental methods, the sampling method needs careful design to reduce the particle transport loss and to ensure particle sampling efficiency. The reported brake particle emissions could exceed the sixth stage exhaust emission regulation (both EU and China), depending on the test procedures, friction materials, and data processing. The brake particle covers a broad size distribution (from a few nanometers to tens of microns), and more studies are needed about its physicochemical characteristics. The friction materials, system running-in, and friction temperature will significantly affect the brake particle emission characteristics, and these factors should be considered when designing the study procedure. The patterns about gaseous emission and non-brake particle emission need more attention, as these patterns might be helpful to understand the brake particle emission characteristics. Some filter&collection-based brake particle after-treatments have also been invented. Future studies should focus on the homogeneous test procedure, mechanism analysis, after-treatment, and non-airborne wear et al. • Different brake particle research methods were assessed. • Brake particle emission characteristics are summarized and compared. • Major factors affecting the brake particle emission are analyzed. • Future concerns for brake particle emission are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The light-duty moving average window (MAW) method, used for China 6 real driving emission (RDE) calculation, is quite complex with various boundaries. Previous research noticed that the MAW might underestimate the calculation results, while the reasons for this underestimation haven't been studied systematically. With 29 vehicles tested in 10 cities and different boundaries applied for calculation, this study quantitively analyzed the problem, causes, and impacts of the light-duty MAW method. The instantaneous utilization factor (IUF) is proposed for reason analysis. The current MAW method could weaken the supervision of real driving tests as more than 75% of the tests underestimated MAW results, with the largest underestimation being around 100%. The data exclusion could lead to biased MAW results. But without the exclusion, the MAW result couldn't always get an increase due to the IUF and window weighting factor variation. With the extended factors removed, the MAW result bias is significantly reduced. The MAW will lead to a lower IUF of the data at the start/end of the tests, and when the cold-start data is considered, this low utilization must be noticed. The effect from the data exclusion, extended factors, and the window characteristics are closely coupled and they should be taken into consideration simultaneously to consummate the calculation method. The current drift-check progress couldn't effectively monitor the portable emission measurement system (PEMS), especially during the tests. The MAW result might lead to unreasonable emission limits and the emission inventory. Relevant policy based on these results might be implausible. • The moving average window (MAW) method is evaluated systematically. • The MAW method could weaken the supervision of RDE tests. • Data exclusion, extended factors, and the window definition lead to biased results. • The current drift-check progress couldn't effectively monitor the PEMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• How load and temperature affect CO 2 emission was quantified. • Resistance is the dominant reason for the increased CO 2 emission at cold condition. • Correlation (R2 > 0.93) was found between cumulated CO 2 and transient CO 2 rate. • Correlation (R2 = 0.98) was found between ambient temperature and transient CO 2 rate. • Vehicles achieved a quick warm-up at −10 ℃ than 0 ℃. Vehicle CO 2 emissions have been long studied, but the relationship between ambient temperature and CO 2 emission has never been quantified. To quantitatively evaluate the correlation between ambient temperature and CO 2 emission, two light-duty gasoline vehicles were tested over WLTC (Worldwide-harmonized Light vehicles Test Cycle) under four temperatures, −10 ℃, 0 ℃, 23 ℃, and 40 ℃. Obtained results proved that the dominant reason for the increased CO 2 emission under cold ambient temperature is the increased internal resistance rather than fuel enrichments. CO 2 emission from large engines is more sensitive to temperature variation while that from small engines are more sensitive to load variation. The usage of the air-conditioner increased the distance-specific CO 2 emission by 23.07% and 22.49% for vehicle 1 and vehicle 2 respectively. The strong correlation (R2 greater than 0.98) between cumulated CO 2 emission/coolant temperature and transient CO 2 emission means the cumulated CO 2 emission/coolant temperature could be used to describe the engine warm-up status and to improve the transient CO 2 model. For the laboratory tests, using the coolant temperature to describe the engine warm-up needs more verification due to the uneven engine temperature field. This study helps understand the CO 2 emission at various temperatures and the results in this study could be used for microscopic CO 2 modeling & CO 2 -related regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PHEVs (Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) are thought to be energy and environment friendly, while these conclusions are seldom verified during real driving tests. To evaluate PHEV real driving energy consumption, CO 2 emission, and pollutants emission, one parallel PHEV was tested under real driving condition. The results indicate that the distance-specific energy consumption of CD (charge depleting) mode, compared with the CS (charge sustaining) mode, is 45% lower for WTW (Well to Wheel) evaluation. The CD WTW CO 2 emission is 50% higher than the CS due to the electricity generation CO 2 intensity. CD and CS mode could have similar CO 2 emission when electricity CO 2 intensity reaches 397.50 g/kWh. The limited charging reduced the PHEV energy conservation by around 50%, but the WTW CO 2 emission is also reduced. Contrary to common belief, the PHEV CD mode real driving emission is underestimated, and it could be over 30 times higher than the CS mode. The deteriorated CD emission is caused by the inaccurate power demand prejudgments and frequent engine cold high-power re-start. The driving pattern comparison reveals that the deteriorated CD emission should not be a local but global concern. These results could be used for PHEV propulsion strategy optimization and test cycle design. • CD WTW energy consumption (1.39 ± 0.06 MJ/km) is 45% lower than CS (2.52 ± 0.07 MJ/km). • CD WTW CO 2 emission (228.74 ± 9.92 MJ/km) is 49% higher than CS (153.59 ± 4.51 MJ/km). • CD and CS modes get similar CO2 emission with electricity CO2 intensity at 397.5 g/kWh. • Compared to CS mode, significantly deteriorated emission under CD mode is confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Two Euro 4 gasoline passenger vehicles (one gasoline direct injected vehicle and one port fuel injected vehicle) were tested over the cold start New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). Each vehicle was respectively fueled with gasoline and M15 methanol gasoline. Particle number concentrations were measured by the electrical low pressure impactor (ELPI). Particle masses were measured by gravimetric method and estimated from the number distributions using two density distributions (one is constant with the particle size and one is power law related with the size). The first 7 stages of ELPI were used for estimation. The results show that for each vehicle, PM masses measured by gravimetric method, the total PM numbers measured by ELPI and estimated PM masses for M15 are lower than those for gasoline. For each kind of fuel, PM masses by two methods and total PM numbers from the GDI vehicle are higher than those from the PFI one. PM number distribution curves of the four vehicle/fuel combinations are similar. All decline gradually and the maximum number of each curve occurs in the first stage. More than 99.9% numbers locate in the first 8 stages of which diameters are less than 1μm. PM number emissions correlate well with the acceleration of the two vehicles. The estimated particle masses were much lower than the gravimetric measurements. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• 21 vehicles were tested in six cities with altitudes varying from 26.7 m to 2264.7 m. • Both CO 2 and pollutant emissions get inconsistent results. • The air-fuel ratio and engine operation variation could explain inconsistent results. • The conclusions about altitude based on single vehicle/engine tests are unreliable. • The conformity factor and the extended factors should be tightened. How altitudes affect vehicle CO 2 /pollutant emission has long been studied, while different, sometimes conflicting conclusions are reported. To evaluate how altitudes impact vehicle CO 2 /pollutant emission, 21 vehicles were tested in six cities with altitudes ranging from 26.7 m above sea level (masl) to 2264.7 masl. Three of the vehicles were tested in the altitude chamber at five different heights (from 0 to 2400 masl) following the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP). CO 2 /pollutant emissions, conformity factor, and extended factor were evaluated based on the results obtained. No uniform patterns were found between altitudes and CO 2 /pollutant emission in both laboratory and real driving tests. For laboratory tests, the different CO 2 emission results could be explained by air-fuel ratio variations during the transient cycles and engine operation variations between tests. More variables were introduced to the real driving tests, which brings more uncertainty to the CO 2 emission. The average CO 2 emission of the turbocharged and naturally aspirated vehicles at various cities share similar patterns, indicating other parameters (e.g., driving patterns, road conditions, ambient conditions, et al.) might have a larger impact on the CO 2 emission than the altitude growth. These reasons could account for the irregular pollutant results. Besides, the cylinder-to-cylinder variations in equivalence ratio about the mean value have more enormous impacts on the emission results. Discrete results mean that single engine/vehicle tests couldn't reflect the real situations at various heights. The current conformity factors and the extended factors might be too loose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traffic-related volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions are regarded as the primary anthropogenic source of ambient VOCs in urban areas and precursors to ozone formation. Given the extensive use of gasoline-ethanol mixtures on light-duty vehicles, it is essential to discuss its effects on the atmospheric environment, especially the VOCs emissions and ozone forming potential (OFP) values of one typical formulation called the "match-blend." In this paper, VOCs emission factors, VOCs distributions, specific reactivity (SR) values, and OFP values of a China-6 commercial gasoline and four E10 match-blend fuels used on seven China-6 vehicles were studied. Thirteen carbonyls detected by high-performance liquid chromatography along with seven VOCs detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were considered in the calculation of OFP and SR. Besides, the effects of test temperatures are discussed. Results show that ethanol increases VOCs emissions, OFP, and SR values at cold-start/room temperature, but behaves oppositely at cold-start/low temperature. Increases in heavy aromatics always lead to higher VOCs emissions and OFP values. [Display omitted] • Toluene dominates volatile organic compound (VOC), benzene fraction amplifies most. • VOCs emission factors negatively correlate with the toluene concentration in fuel. • Ethanol addition increases VOC, ozone forming potential, and specific reactivity (SR). • Elevated heavy aromatics increase VOC and ozone formation potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ethanol addition to gasoline by removing C8 alkanes increased the PN emissions, more significantly on combined-injection vehicles. • Ethanol addition decreased the PM emissions of GDI vehicles while increased those of combined-injection vehicles. • Elevated heavy aromatics in E10 multiplied both PM and PN emissions of the test vehicle fleet. • PMI fitted the PN emissions of GDI vehicles and PM emissions of combined-injection vehicles but underestimated the impact of C12 aromatics. Gasoline direct injection (GDI) vehicles are up against the great challenge of particulate emissions, which were mandatorily constrained by the China-6 emission standard. Given the worldwide fuel transition from gasoline to gasoline/ethanol blends, it is important to discuss the effects of ethanol and aromatic contents on particulate emissions of GDI vehicles. In this work, 10% volume of ethanol was added into China-6b gasoline replacing C8 (carbon atoms = 8) alkanes (E10), and the specific aromatic compounds in E10 fuels were adjusted under holding total aromatic content. As there was no limit on individual aromatic compounds in the gasoline standard, the effects of aromatic compounds were investigated over the worldwide harmonized light-duty test cycle (WLTC) with engine cold-start and hot-start at room and low temperatures. For GDI vehicles, the results showed that ethanol substituting part of C8 alkanes in gasoline increased the particulate number (PN) but decreased particulate mass (PM) emissions. For vehicles using the combined port fuel injection (PFI)/GDI injection systems, the PM and PN emissions climbed. Aromatic compositions significantly impacted the particulate emissions. With the concentrations of heavy aromatics increased, PM and PN emissions of both GDI and combined-injection vehicles were shown to multiply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• To get better fuel efficiency, vehicle application scenarios must be considered. • Particles emitted during GPF regeneration could occupy 69.92%–84.81% of the total particles. • GPF regeneration brings more thin particle exposure to the public. • CLTC doesn't close the gap between laboratory tests and real driving. Many studies have found that WLTC (The Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Cycles) doesn't accord well to real driving in different regions and it's necessary to develop local test cycles. China announced its local test cycle in 2019: CLTC (China light-duty vehicle test cycle). To evaluate vehicle emission under different cycles, one conventional gasoline vehicle and its hybrid counterpart were tested on the chassis dynamometer following CLTC, WLTC, and RDE (Real Driving Emission). The fuel consumption between WLTC and RDE is at the same level. While for the conventional, CLTC fuel consumption is 8.41% higher than WLTC and for the hybrid, it's 20.23% lower than WLTC. To get better vehicle fuel efficiency, vehicle application scenarios must be considered. Frequent re-start and longer warm-up time of the hybrid leads to high CO emission than the conventional. High engine speed could result in instantaneous CO spikes and with these spikes, 25% of the total CO could be emitted in less than 10 s. For the conventional, NOx emitted during engine warm-up occupied 85.39%, 87.02%, 43.06%, 31.98%, and 55.43% of the total NOx respectively for CLTC, WLTC and three RDE tests. NOx emitted from the hybrid is less than 10% of the conventional due to lower engine load and less fuel enrichment. Hybrid particle emission is under good control with the equipment of the gasoline particle filter, but the regeneration might increase thin particle exposure to the public. For most pollutants, CLTC doesn't close the gap between laboratory tests and real driving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over half of the high altitude RDE tests failed to pass trip validity verification. To find out the reason and proper solution, vehicles were tested over The Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Cycles (WLTC)/RDE at various altitudes and RDE tests were calculated using different WLTC reference data. Generally, the higher the altitude, the lower the vehicle CO 2 emission and CO 2 emission of naturally aspirated test vehicle has a linear correlation with altitudes: every 1000 m the altitude rise, WLTC CO 2 emission will decrease 5.31%. The reasons for urban trip validity verification failure are the intensity of test cycles, different calculation methods and lower air resistance at high altitude, while for rural/motorway trip validity verification failure, lower air resistance is the only reason. Both high altitude reference data and sea level reference data with coefficients are plausible for high altitude RDE calculation. At 2400 m, the coefficients are 0.98, 0.91 and 0.86 for urban, rural and motorway respectively, but the calculation of the coefficients needs to be verified by more study. No correlation was found between reference data and RDE results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertrophic scars, which result from aberrant fibrosis and disorganized collagen synthesis by skin fibroblasts, emerge due to disrupted wound healing processes. These scars present significant psychosocial and functional challenges to affected individuals. The current treatment limitations largely arise from an incomplete understanding of the underlying mechanisms of hypertrophic scar development. Recent studies, however, have shed light on the potential of exosomal non‑coding RNAs interventions to mitigate hypertrophic scar proliferation. The present study assessed the impact of exosomes derived from adipose‑derived stem cells (ADSCs‑Exos) on hypertrophic scar formation using a rabbit ear model. It employed hematoxylin and eosin staining, Masson's trichrome staining and immunohistochemical staining techniques to track scar progression. The comprehensive analysis of the present study encompassed the differential expression of non‑coding RNAs, enrichment analyses of functional pathways, protein‑protein interaction studies and micro (mi)RNA‑mRNA interaction investigations. The results revealed a marked alteration in the expression levels of long non‑coding RNAs and miRNAs following ADSCs‑Exos treatment, with little changes observed in circular RNAs. Notably, miRNA (miR)‑194 emerged as a critical regulator within the signaling pathways that govern hypertrophic scar formation. Dual‑luciferase assays indicated a significant reduction in the promoter activity of TGF‑β1 following miR‑194 overexpression. Reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR and immunoblotting assays further validated the decrease in TGF‑β1 expression in the treated samples. In addition, the treatment resulted in diminished levels of inflammatory markers IL‑1β, TNF‑α and IL‑10. In vivo evidence strongly supported the role of miR‑194 in attenuating hypertrophic scar formation through the suppression of TGF‑β1. The present study endorsed the strategic use of ADSCs‑Exos, particularly through miR‑194 modulation, as an effective strategy for reducing scar formation and lowering pro‑inflammatory and fibrotic indicators such as TGF‑β1. Therefore, the present study advocated the targeted application of ADSCs‑Exos, with an emphasis on miR‑194 modulation, as a promising approach to managing proliferative scarring.

Background: Keloid is a fibroproliferative disease with unsatisfactory therapeutic effects and a high recurrence rate. exosomes produced by adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSC-Exos) have attracted significant interest due to their ability to treat fibrosis. However, the molecular mechanisms of ADSC-Exos in keloids remain inconclusive., Objective: Our study revealed the relationship between ferroptosis and fibrosis in keloids. Subsequently, this study aimed to explore further the anti-fibrotic effect of ADSC-Exos on keloids through ferroptosis and the potential underlying mechanisms., Methods: To investigate the impact of ferroptosis on keloid fibrosis, Erastin and ferrostatin-1 (fer-1) were utilized to treat keloid fibroblast. Keloid keloids treated with Erastin and fer-1 were cocultured with ADSC-Exos to validate the impact of ferroptosis on the effect of ADSC-Exos on keloid anti-ferrotic protein, peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and anti-fibrotic effects in vivo and in vitro by Western blot, as well as variations in iron metabolite expression, malondialdehyde (MDA), liposomal peroxidation (LPO) and glutathione (GSH) were analyzed. The effect of solute carrier family 7-member 11 (SLC7A11) silencing on ADSC-Exo-treated keloid fibroblast was investigated., Results: Iron metabolite dysregulation was validated in keloids. Fibrosis progression is enhanced by Erastin-induced ferroptosis. The anti-fibrotic effects of ADSC-Exos and fer-1 are related to their ability to prevent iron metabolism. ADSC-Exos effectively suppressed keloid fibrosis progression and increased GSH and GPX4 gene expression. Additionally, the use of Erastin limits the effect of ADSC-Exos in keloids. Furthermore, the effect of ADSC-Exos on keloids was associated with SLC7A11-GPX4 signaling pathway., Conclusion: We demonstrated a new potential mechanism by which anti-ferroptosis inhibits the progression of keloid fibrosis and identified an ADSC-Exo-based keloid therapeutic strategy. Resisting the occurrence of ferroptosis and the existence of the SLC7A11-GPX4 signaling pathway might serve as a target for ADSC-Exos., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Tian, Li, Cheng, Chen, Xu, Yuan, Diao and Hao.)

The Penicillium genus exhibits a broad global distribution and holds substantial economic value in sectors including agriculture, industry, and medicine. Particularly in agriculture, Penicillium species significantly impact plants, causing diseases and contamination that adversely affect crop yields and quality. Timely detection of Penicillium species is crucial for controlling disease and preventing mycotoxins from entering the food chain. To tackle this issue, we implement a novel species identification approach called Analysis of whole GEnome (AGE). Here, we initially applied bioinformatics analysis to construct specific target sequence libraries from the whole genomes of seven Penicillium species with significant economic impact: P. canescens , P. citrinum , P. oxalicum , P. polonicum , P. paneum , P. rubens , and P. roqueforti . We successfully identified seven Penicillium species using the target we screened combined with Sanger sequencing and CRISPR-Cas12a technologies. Notably, based on CRISPR-Cas12a technology, AGE can achieve rapid and accurate identification of genomic DNA samples at a concentration as low as 0.01 ng/µL within 30 min. This method features high sensitivity and portability, making it suitable for on-site detection. This robust molecular approach provides precise fungal species identification with broad implications for agricultural control, industrial production, clinical diagnostics, and food safety.

Background: Macrophage-mediated inflammatory response in the early post-grafting period restricts fat graft retention. Pyroptosis is a novel type of programmed cell death that extensively participates in inflammatory pathologies., Objectives: This study sought to determine whether macrophage pyroptosis was activated during the inflammatory phase after fat grafting and to investigate the efficacy of a pyroptosis inhibitor, disulfiram (DSF), in fat graft retention., Methods: We established a C57BL/6 mice fat grafting model and then analyzed macrophage pyroptosis. DSF (50 mg/kg, every other day) was intraperitoneally injected starting 1 hour before fat grafting and continued for 14 days. An in vitro co-culture system was established in which mouse RAW264.7 macrophages were co-cultured with apoptotic adipocytes to further validate the findings of the in vivo studies and to explore the underlying mechanisms., Results: Here we reported that macrophage pyroptosis was activated in both fat grafts and in vitro co-culture models. DSF was found to be a potent pyroptosis inhibitor, promoting M2 macrophage polarization. In addition, DSF was demonstrated to enhance vascularization and graft retention., Conclusions: Our results suggested that pyroptosis plays a crucial role in the inflammatory cascade within fat grafts. DSF, being a clinically available drug, could be translated into a clinically effective drug for improving fat graft survival by inhibiting macrophage pyroptosis, therefore inducing M2 macrophage polarization and promoting neovascularization., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Aesthetic Society.)

High exhaust temperature is an intrinsic nature of natural gas engines which underlies power de-rating and thermal aging of after-treatment system; therefore, this study integrates an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) system between engine and it's three-way catalyst (TWC) to address these challenges. ORC facilitates power output enhancement through exhaust energy recovery and alleviates thermal aging by reducing exhaust temperature. To estimate the effectiveness of this hypothesized system, a simulation-based investigation is performed. First, simulation models, including engine, TWC, and vehicle dynamic models, are built and validated by experimental data. According to the temperature characteristics of different TWCs, three scenarios, representing old, current, and prospective TWC technology, are formulated to estimate the ORC performance under Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Cycle. Results show that ORC system can substantially alleviate the thermal damage caused by high exhaust temperature and extend TWC lifespan. It is estimated that over 98.5 % of thermal damage can be decreased by proper ORC setting, and the average TWC lifespan extension can be at least 55.4, making a reduced noble metal usage and cost of TWC. Meanwhile, with the decrease of the working temperature of TWC, ORC can recover exhaust energy under more road conditions, further improving the net power and shortening the payback period of extra ORC hardware costs. A reduction in the working temperature of TWC from 770.5 K to 618 K yields a 109 % enhancement in maximum power, coupled with a 62.30 % reduction in the payback period. These findings fully reflect the advantage of ORC-TWC coupling and indicate that ORC is supposed to be used more for the TWC with a low working temperature to maximize economic effectiveness. This study provides a novel pathway for thermal aging alleviation of TWC and a valuable reference for prospective studies on matching ORC with TWC under road conditions., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Introduction: Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) is a newly discovered small molecule adipocytokine, and research has shown that it is closely related to the occurrence and development of obesity. However, there are currently few research reports on SDF-1 in childhood obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and this study aims to explore the relationship between SDF-1 and obesity related indicators in obese children., Methods: Serum SDF-1 concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Clinical and biochemical data were collected, such as body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumference, blood pressure, liver enzymes, cholesterol, and fasting insulin. Children with NAFLD or not were evaluated through Color Doppler Ultrasound., Results: Serum SDF-1 concentrations were significantly higher in obese subjects than in non-obese subjects (P < 0.05), and were elevated in the NAFLD obese subjects than in the non-NAFLD obese subjects (P < 0.05). SDF-1 was positively correlated with BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, systolic blood pressure, body fat percentage (BFP), basal metabolic rate (BMR), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), glutyltranspeptidase (GT), and homoeostasis model of HOMA-IR, independent of their uric acid (UA), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), gender and age. BFP and BMR were associated with the serum SDF-1 concentrations in multivariable linear regression analysis., Conclusion: These results suggest that SDF-1 levels are elevated in obese children and are associated with NAFLD, indicating that SDF-1 may play a role in the development of childhood obesity and metabolic disorders., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Menispermaceae species, as early-diverging eudicots, can synthesize valuable benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) like bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids (bisBIAs) and sinomenines with a wide range of structural diversity. However, the evolutionary mechanisms responsible for their chemo-diversity are not well understood. Here, a chromosome-level genome assembly of Menispermum dauricum is presented and demonstrated the occurrence of two whole genome duplication (WGD) events that are shared by Ranunculales and specific to Menispermum, providing a model for understanding chromosomal evolution in early-diverging eudicots. The biosynthetic pathway for diverse BIAs in M. dauricum is reconstructed by analyzing the transcriptome and metabolome. Additionally, five catalytic enzymes - one norcoclaurine synthase (NCS) and four cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYP450s) - from M. dauricum are responsible for the formation of the skeleton, hydroxylated modification, and C-O/C-C phenol coupling of BIAs. Notably, a novel leaf-specific MdCYP80G10 enzyme that catalyzes C2'-C4a phenol coupling of (S)-reticuline into sinoacutine, the enantiomer of morphinan compounds, with predictable stereospecificity is discovered. Moreover, it is found that Menispermum-specific CYP80 gene expansion, as well as tissue-specific expression, has driven BIA diversity in Menispermaceae as compared to other Ranunculales species. This study sheds light on WGD occurrences in early-diverging eudicots and the evolution of diverse BIA biosynthesis., (© 2024 The Authors. Advanced Science published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Fungal identification is a cornerstone of fungal research, yet traditional molecular methods struggle with rapid and accurate onsite identification, especially for closely related species. To tackle this challenge, we introduce a universal identification method called Analysis of whole GEnome (AGE). AGE includes two key steps: bioinformatics analysis and experimental practice. Bioinformatics analysis screens candidate target sequences named Targets within the genome of the fungal species and determines specific Targets by comparing them with the genomes of other species. Then, experimental practice using sequencing or non-sequencing technologies would confirm the results of bioinformatics analysis. Accordingly, AGE obtained more than 1,000,000 qualified Targets for each of the 13 fungal species within the phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Next, the sequencing and genome editing system validated the ultra-specific performance of the specific Targets; especially noteworthy is the first-time demonstration of the identification potential of sequences from unannotated genomic regions. Furthermore, by combining rapid isothermal amplification and phosphorothioate-modified primers with the option of an instrument-free visual fluorescence method, AGE can achieve qualitative species identification within 30 min using a single-tube test. More importantly, AGE holds significant potential for identifying closely related species and differentiating traditional Chinese medicines from their adulterants, especially in the precise detection of contaminants. In summary, AGE opens the door for the development of whole-genome-based fungal species identification while also providing guidance for its application in plant and animal kingdoms., Competing Interests: The authors disclose an International Patent Application (PCT/CN2022/083950) relating to the aspects of this work has been filed under Patent Cooperation Treaty., (Copyright © 2024 Qi, Hao, Xin, Gan, Lou, Xu and Song.)

Survival crises stalk many animals, especially endangered and rare animals. Accurate species identification plays a pivotal role in animal resource conservation. In this study, we developed an animal species identification method called Analysis of whole-GEnome (AGE), which identifies species by finding species-specific sequences through bioinformatics analysis of the whole genome and subsequently recognizing these sequences using experimental technologies. To clearly demonstrate the AGE method, Cervus nippon , a well-known endangered species, and a closely related species, Cervus elaphus , were set as model species, without and with published genomes, respectively. By analyzing the whole genomes of C. nippon and C. elaphus , which were obtained through next-generation sequencing and online databases, we built specific sequence databases containing 7,670,140 and 570,981 sequences, respectively. Then, the species specificities of the sequences were confirmed experimentally using Sanger sequencing and the CRISPR-Cas12a system. Moreover, for 11 fresh animal samples and 35 commercially available products, our results were in complete agreement with those of other authoritative identification methods, demonstrating AGE's precision and potential application. Notably, AGE found a mixture in the 35 commercially available products and successfully identified it. This study broadens the horizons of species identification using the whole genome and sheds light on the potential of AGE for conserving animal resources.

The challenge of discriminating closely related species persists, notably within clinical diagnostic laboratories for invasive aspergillosis (IA)-related species and food contamination microorganisms with toxin-producing potential. We employed Analysis of the whole-GEnome (AGE) to address the challenges of closely related species within the genus Aspergillus and developed a rapid detection method. First, reliable whole genome data for 77 Aspergillus species were downloaded from the database, and through bioinformatic analysis, specific targets for each species were identified. Subsequently, sequencing was employed to validate these specific targets. Additionally, we developed an on-site detection method targeting a specific target using a genome editing system. Our results indicate that AGE has successfully achieved reliable identification of all IA-related species ( Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus flavus , and Aspergillus terreus ) and three well-known species ( A. flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus , and Aspergillus oryzae ) within the Aspergillus section. Flavi and AGE have provided species-level-specific targets for 77 species within the genus Aspergillus . Based on these reference targets, the sequencing results targeting specific targets substantiate the efficacy of distinguishing the focal species from its closely related species. Notably, the amalgamation of room-temperature amplification and genome editing techniques demonstrates the capacity for rapid and accurate identification of genomic DNA samples at a concentration as low as 0.1 ng/μl within a concise 30-min timeframe. Importantly, this methodology circumvents the reliance on large specialized instrumentation by presenting a singular tube operational modality and allowing for visualized result assessment. These advancements aptly meet the exigencies of on-site detection requirements for the specified species, facilitating prompt diagnosis and food quality monitoring. Moreover, as an identification method based on species-specific genomic sequences, AGE shows promising potential as an effective tool for epidemiological research and species classification., Competing Interests: The authors disclose an International Patent Application (PCT/CN2022/083950) relating to the aspects of this work has been filed under Patent Cooperation Treaty., (Copyright © 2024 Qi, Hao, Gan, Xin, Lou, Xu and Song.)

In this Letter, we design and experimentally demonstrate compact mode converters with a lightning-like and arrow-like polygonal subwavelength grating (SWG) structure on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform, which can convert the TE 0 mode to the TE 1 and TE 2 modes, respectively. The footprints of the proposed TE 0-1 and TE 0-2 mode converters are only 4.44 × 1.3 and 5.89 × 1.8 µm 2 , respectively. The experimental results show the mode converters have a low insertion loss (<1 dB) and a broad bandwidth (>50 nm). The measured cross talks of the TE 0-1 and TE 0-2 mode converters are -7.2 dB and -10.3 dB, respectively. In addition, the proposed mode converters with the SWG structure have the advantage in fabrication, since only a one-step full-etching process is required.

Introduction: Childhood obesity is a global health problem that is associated with various metabolic complications, such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases. The mechanisms underlying the development of insulin resistance in childhood obesity are not fully understood. Nephroblastoma overexpressed gene (NOV), also known as CCN3, is a member of the CCN family of matricellular proteins that modulate cell proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, migration, and survival. Previous studies have shown that NOV/CCN3 is involved in glucose metabolism and insulin signaling in various tissues and cell types. However, the role of NOV/CCN3 in childhood obesity and insulin resistance remains unclear., Methods: In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between plasma NOV/CCN3 levels and insulin resistance in 58 obese and 43 non-obese children aged 6-12 years. We measured plasma NOV/CCN3 levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and assessed insulin resistance by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). We also collected clinical and biochemical data, such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), blood pressure (BP), fasting glucose (FG), fasting insulin (FI), lipid profile, and inflammatory markers., Results: We found that plasma NOV/CCN3 levels were significantly higher in obese children than in non-obese children (p &lt; 0.001) and positively correlated with BMI (r = 0.42, p &lt; 0.001), WC (r = 0.38, p &lt; 0.001), BP (r = 0.35, p &lt; 0.001), FG (r = 0.31, p &lt; 0.001), FI (r = 0.45, p &lt; 0.001), HOMA-IR (r = 0.48, p &lt; 0.001), triglycerides (r = 0.28, p &lt; 0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = 0.26, p &lt; 0.001), and C-reactive protein (CRP) (r = 0.32, p &lt; 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that plasma NOV/CCN3 levels were independently associated with HOMA-IR after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, WC, BP, FG, FI, lipid profile, and CRP (β = 0.36, p &lt; 0.001)., Conclusion: These results suggest that plasma NOV/CCN3 levels are elevated in childhood obesity and are associated with insulin resistance, indicating that NOV/CCN3 may play a role in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders in obese children., (© 2024 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: Striae Distensae (SD) is a common dermatological lesion. The mechanism of formation is unclear, the prevailing theory is mechanical pulling of the skin and hormonal changes. Traditional SD treatment methods include topical drugs, photoelectric therapy, stripping and others, but each has limitations. Stromal vascular fraction gel (SVF-gel) is a filler physically prepared from granular fat, enriched with adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and extracellular matrix (ECM). A good effect in the treatment of neck lines, wounds, acne, and other aspects. SD formation and treatment goals are comparable to those of neck lines. In this study, SVF-gel filling will be used to treat mature SD, and its effectiveness and safety will be discussed in detail., Methods: From December 2019 to June 2022, recruit patients who want to treat SD caused by obesity or pregnancy among those who have "autologous fat aspiration" to change their body shape. Preoperatively, the area to be treated for SD was marked, autologous fat aspiration was performed, and the aspirated fat was prepared as SVF-gel and filled into the preoperatively marked SD. All patients had preoperative and postoperative follow-up with planar photographs and VISIA skin analyzer photographs to assess surgical results and safety from subjective and objective perspectives., Results: A total of 36 patients were enrolled, with 31 of them successfully followed up on. The mean Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) score six months after surgery was 1.87 ± 0.03. At six months postoperatively, the overall patient satisfaction rate was 90%. The depth, area, and color of SD improved six months after surgery, and no serious complications occurred in any of the patients., Conclusions: SVF-gel is a safe and effective method of improving mature SD and can be used as a clinical treatment option., (© 2024 The Authors. Skin Research and Technology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Facial rejuvenation is becoming more and more popular, particularly among middle-aged persons. There are currently many techniques for improving the aforementioned situations, but each has its drawbacks. Our study aimed to discuss the treatment effect of a composited technique for reversing both lower eyelid and midface aging., Methods: The patient's face was designed and measured before surgery. During surgery, a traditional lower blepharoplasty incision was made. The layer between the orbital septum and the orbicularis oculi muscle was separated to approximately 4-5 mm below the infraorbital, then the orbital septum and orbicularis retaining ligament were found to be released. A self-made suspension curving needle subconsciously passed through the brim of the superficial cheek fat pad via the "U-type" path and raised them to the proper location. Then sutured them to the infraorbital rim periosteum, as well as the suborbicularis oculi fat (SOOF) and the orbital septum fat. Secured the outside canthus to keep the lower lid position stable., Results: From February 2020 to November 2022, 106 patients underwent the new surgical procedure and were successfully followed up for 20 ± 6.5 months postoperatively. The mean GAIS score was 2.42 ± 0.78, patient satisfaction rate was 95%. All of the Barton grades were decreased. The nasal base level suspension points were elevated to a level of 5 ± 2 mm. 3D measurement data revealed significant improvements., Conclusions: The composited technique is a safe and effective way to reverse the aging of the lower eyelid and midface., (© 2023 The Authors. Skin Research and Technology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Three-dimensional shear wave elastography (3D-SWE) is a promising method in distinguishing benign and malignant thyroid nodules. By combining with conventional method, it may further improve the diagnostic value. The study aimed to assess the diagnostic value of American College of Radiology (ACR) thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TI-RADS) combined with 3D-SWE in ACR TI-RADS 4 and 5 thyroid nodules., Methods: All nodules were examined by conventional ultrasonography, ACR TI-RADS classification, and 3D-SWE examination. Conventional ultrasonography was used to observe the location, size, shape, margin, echogenicity, taller-than-wide sign, microcalcification, and blood flow of thyroid nodules, and then ACR TI-RADS classification was performed. The Young's modulus values (3D-C-Emax, 3D-C-Emean, and elastography standard deviation [3D-C-Esd]) were measured on the reconstructed coronal plane images. According to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the best diagnostic efficiency among 3D-C-Emax, 3D-C-Emean, and 3D-C-Esd was selected and the cut-off threshold was calculated. According to the surgical pathology, they were divided into benign group and malignant group. And appropriate statistical methods such as t -test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the difference between the two groups. On this basis, 3D-SWE combined with conventional ACR TI-RADS was reclassified as combined ACR TI-RADS to determine benign or malignant thyroid nodules., Results: Of the 112 thyroid nodules, 62 were malignant and 50 were benign. The optimal cut-off value of three-dimensional maximum Young's modulus in coronal plane (3D-C-Emax) was 51.5 kPa and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.798. The AUC, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of conventional ACR TI-RADS were 0.828, 83.9%, 66.0%, and 75.9%, respectively. The AUC, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of combined ACR TI-RADS were 0.845, 90.3%, 66.0%, and 79.5%, respectively. The difference between the two AUC values was statistically significant., Conclusions: Combined ACR TI-RADS has higher diagnostic efficiency than conventional ACR TI-RADS. The sensitivity and accuracy of combined ACR TI-RADS showed significant improvements. It can be used as an effective method in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules., (Copyright © 2023 The Chinese Medical Association, produced by Wolters Kluwer, Inc. under the CC-BY-NC-ND license.)

Background: Botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A) is used in the treatment of nasolabial folds (NLFs). However, lighting and clinician subjectivity play a major role in evaluating the efficacy of this treatment., Objectives: By applying 3-dimensional (3D) technology, this study aimed to quantitatively evaluate the effects of BTX-A injection on muscular (M) and muscle-fat pad mixed-type (MF) NLFs., Methods: BTX-A was injected into bilateral marked points on the NLFs, where the levator labii alaeque nasi, zygomaticus minor, and zygomaticus major pull the skin to form the NLF (2 U at each injection site). Pretreatment and posttreatment 3D facial images were captured with static and laughing expressions. The curvature, width, depth, and lateral fat volume of the NLFs were measured to compare the therapeutic efficacy for type M and MF NLFs., Results: Thirty-nine patients with type M and 37 with type MF NLFs completed the follow-up data. In these patients, the curvature, width, and depth of the NLF showed a significant reduction at 1 month and gradually recovered at 3 and 6 months after treatment, with more significant improvement when laughing than when static. Variations compared to the pretreatment values of type MF were greater than those of type M at each time point. The lateral fat volume of the type MF NLF was significantly reduced (P < .05)., Conclusions: 3D technology can quantitatively evaluate the effects BTX-A injection for treating type M and type MF NLFs. BTX-A is more effective on type MF than on type M NLFs., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Aesthetic Society. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

The research developed an improved intelligent enhancement learning algorithm based on AdaBoost, that can be applied for lung cancer breath detection by the electronic nose (eNose). First, collected the breath signals from volunteers by eNose, including healthy individuals and people who had lung cancer. Additionally, the signals' features were extracted and optimized. Then, multi sub-classifiers were obtained, and their coefficients were derived from the training error. To improve generalization performance, K-fold cross-validation was used when constructing each sub-classifier. The prediction results of a sub-classifier on the test set were then achieved by the voting method. Thus, an improved AdaBoost classifier would be built through heterogeneous integration. The results shows that the average precision of the improved algorithm classifier for distinguishing between people with lung cancer and healthy individuals could reach 98.47%, with 98.33% sensitivity and 97% specificity. And in 100 independent and randomized tests, the coefficient of variation of the classifier's performance hardly exceeded 4%. Compared with other integrated algorithms, the generalization and stability of the improved algorithm classifier are more superior. It is clear that the improved AdaBoost algorithm may help screen out lung cancer more comprehensively. Additionally, it will significantly advance the use of eNose in the early identification of lung cancer., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2023 The Authors.)

Background: As a derivative of adipose tissues, stromal vascular fraction gel has been widely utilized in facial soft tissue filling, but it still does not achieve the expected effect in forehead filling. The reason may be related to the corrugator muscles movements., Objectives: The authors aimed to evaluate the effect of botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A) on the retention rate of stromal vascular fraction gel by limiting the corrugator muscles movements and to provide a theoretical basis that short-term inhibition of movement in the affected area could improve the effects of the fat graft., Methods: From January 2019 to June 2021, patients with stromal vascular fraction gel facial filling (including frontal and temporal parts) were selected. According to whether or not BTX-A treatment was received, patients were divided into injected and the noninjected groups. A questionnaire and the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) were administered to evaluate 2-dimensional photos. The retention rate and curvature were calculated with 3-dimensional images utilizing Artec Studio 13 Professional and MATLAB software., Results: The graft retention, forehead curvature, and GAIS scores were all higher in the injected group than the noninjected group (P < .01). On the questionnaire, the injected group also showed more satisfaction with the treatment effect and were more willing to recommend the treatment to their friends., Conclusions: BTX-A injection can improve the retention rate of prefrontal stromal vascular fraction gel filling, with higher patient satisfaction and better postoperative effects., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Aesthetic Society. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

The traveling-wave like Fabry-Perot (F-P) resonators based on transverse-mode-conversion have been extensively studied as on-chip filters. However, the incomplete transverse mode conversion will lead to the coupling between two degenerated resonant modes, which brings additional loss and may further induce the resonance splitting. In this paper, we take the transverse-mode-conversion based resonator with anti-symmetric nanobeam Bragg reflector as an example and study the resonant mode coupling in both the direct-coupled and side-coupled resonators. The coupled mode equations are used to model the incomplete transverse mode conversion of Bragg reflector. The resonant mode coupling can be effectively suppressed by carefully designing the phase shifter length and adding the tapered holes. The insertion loss of less than -1 dB can be achieved in the simulation using the two methods. This work is believed to benefit the design of mode-conversion based resonators with low insertion loss and non-splitting line shape.

Background and Aims: The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index has been demonstrated as an independent marker of ischemic stroke. Whether TyG index predicts short-term outcomes in patients with ischemic stroke remains uncertain. The aim of the study was to investigate the early prognosis value of TyG index in ischemic stroke patients., Methods and Results: A total of 3216 acute ischemic stroke patients from 22 hospitals were included in this analysis. The TyG index was calculated as ln (fasting triglyceride [mg/dL] × fasting glucose [mg/dL]/2). Logistic regression model was performed to estimate the relationship between TyG index and unfavorable functional outcome of death or disability (modified Rankin Scale score of 4-6) at discharge. Risk reclassification with TyG index to predict unfavorable functional outcome was analyzed. During hospitalization, 748 patients (23.3%) experienced poor functional outcome and 105 patients (3.3%) died from all causes. The multivariable adjusted odds ratios for the highest versus lowest quartile of TyG index was 1.62 (95% CI 1.15-2.29) for unfavorable functional outcome at discharge. The addition of TyG index to the conventional model improved the risk reclassification (net reclassification improvement 10.37%; integrated discrimination improvement 0.27%; both p < 0.05) for poor functional outcome. Moreover, TyG index was associated with an odds ratio (95% CI) of 1.26 (1.02-1.55) for an ordinal shift in mRS score and 2.49 (1.21-5.12) for in-hospital mortality., Conclusions: Higher TyG index was associated with higher risk of unfavorable functional outcome at discharge and in-hospital mortality, implicating the significant short-term prognostic effect of TyG index in patients with ischemic stroke., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have nothing to disclose., (Copyright © 2022 The Italian Diabetes Society, the Italian Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis, the Italian Society of Human Nutrition and the Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Plant specialization and pollination network structure play important roles in community assembly. Floral traits can mediate plant-pollinator interactions and thus have important impacts on nestedness and modularity of pollination network. When such traits are phylogenetically conserved, therefore, phylogeny and traits should predict network structure to similar degrees. Moreover, conserved network structures were also found attributed to pollination syndrome or pollination system. However, we still know little about the relation between pollination syndrome and pollination network, especially under a phylogenetic framework. Herein, we established a phylogenetic framework including five floral traits (flower density, floral size, floral shape, floral symmetry, and floral color) and five species-level metrics (species strength, weighted closeness, specialization d ', nestedness contribution, and modularity contribution) to test how floral traits could directly or indirectly influence species' specialization and network structure in central China. Phylogenetic signals were found in all floral traits except flower density. Structural equation model and phylogenetic structural equation model results showed that both floral size and floral density affected plant specialization and its contribution to network modularity indirectly. However, compared with phylogenetic independent flower density, phylogenetic conserved floral size had much more complexed influences, having a direct influence both on species' specialization and on modularity contribution. In this nested and modular network, abundant species with larger flowers tend to be more central and had larger values of z . Floral shape, symmetry, and color could act as co-flowering filters in pollination sharing and help to shape network modularity. Our results emphasize that phylogenetically conserved traits partially represent pollination syndrome and are important drivers for modular structure of local pollination network. This study may improve the understanding how the evolutionary history and ecological process drive local network structure and dynamics., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Xiang, Jiang, Lan, Huang, Hao, Liu and Xia.)

Objective: To explore changes in the alpha rhythm wavelength of background electroencephalography in Alzheimer's disease patients with different degrees of dementia in a resting state; examine their correlation with the degree of cognitive impairment; determine whether the alpha rhythm wavelength can distinguish mild Alzheimer's disease patients, moderately severe Alzheimer's disease patients, and healthy controls at the individual level; and identify a cut-off value to differentiate Alzheimer's disease patients from healthy controls., Methods: Quantitative electroencephalography signals of 42 patients with mild Alzheimer's disease, 42 patients with moderately severe Alzheimer's disease, and 40 healthy controls during rest state with eyes closed were analyzed using wavelet transform. Electroencephalography signals were decomposed into different scales, and their segments were superimposed according to the same length (wavelength and amplitude) and phase alignment. Phase averaging was performed to obtain average phase waveforms of the desired scales of each lead. The alpha-band wavelengths corresponding to the ninth scale of the background rhythm of different leads were compared between groups., Results: The average wavelength of the alpha rhythm phase of the whole-brain electroencephalography signals in Alzheimer's disease patients was prolonged and positively correlated with the severity of cognitive dysfunction (P < 0.01). The ninth-scale phase average wavelength of each lead had high diagnostic efficacy for Alzheimer's disease, and the diagnostic efficacy of lead P3 (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.873) was the highest., Conclusion: The average wavelength of the electroencephalography alpha rhythm phase may be used as a quantitative feature for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, and the slowing of the alpha rhythm may be an important neuro-electrophysiological index for disease evaluation., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)