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The sedimentary environment of a large coastal embayment, Jiaozhou Bay, eastern China, in terms of erosion/siltation, has been assessed on the basis of seabed bathymetry and coastline data sets from sea charts ( 1936-2002) and Landsat-5 TM images (1986-2011). Nine types of sedimentary environment are identified according to the sedimentation rate. The results indicate that slow siltation was generally present from 1936 to 1963, with exceptions of some patchy, slightly eroding areas within the embayment. Transformation to a slow erosion pattern occurred in the main channels over the central embayment in 1963, and such a situation continued until 1982. Subsequently, since 1986, most of the coastlines extended toward the sea at a rate of 101-102 m y-1; this was mainly attributable to human activities, including reclamation over the NW tidal-flat and harbour construction along the east and south coastlines. Using the same data set, patterns of changes in tidal prism and deposition rate within the entrance channel were established. An equivalent friction coefficient (K) is proposed to evaluate the P-A relationship of the large tidal inlets in Jiaozhou Bay. The K value increases gradually over time, indicating a trend toward stable equilibrium in Jiaozhou Bay. This coefficient can be used to examine the status of morphological stability and equilibrium of coastal embayments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which examined the effects of the traditional Chinese medicine called Shuyusan on rats with chronic stress-induced depression. Researchers found that Shuyusan increased 5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and 5-hydroxytryptophan levels but did not affect dopamine, noradrenalin, and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol expressions. It concludes that Shuyusan improved symptoms of chronic stress-induced depression.

The removal of one kind of dye, acid red B (ARB), by two kinds of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs) and muti-walled CNTs (MWCNTs), were investigated. The results show that CNTs have high adsorption capacity for ARB, and the adsorption capacities for SWCNTs and MWCNTs are 585 and 85 mg/g, respectively. Kinetic study shows that the equilibrium time for adsorption of ARB to CNTs is 60 min, and the adsorption kinetic can be well described by the pseudo-second-order model. The adsorption increases with the increase in solution pH, and coexisting NaCl and CaCl2 enhance the removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with the dynamic characteristics of the SIQR model with media coverage and regime switching. Firstly, the existence of the unique positive solution of the proposed system is investigated. Secondly, by constructing a suitable random Lyapunov function, some sufficient conditions for the existence of a stationary distribution is obtained. Meanwhile, the conditions for extinction is also given. Finally, some numerical simulation examples are carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of theoretical results.

Lithium metal is an ideal anode material for rechargeable batteries but suffer from the growth of lithium dendrites and low Coulombic efficiency. Here the authors show that nanodiamonds serve as an electrolyte additive to co-deposit with lithium metal and suppress the formation of dendrites.

Objectives Diabetes mellitus (DM) attenuates the development of aortic aneurysms (AA). This study investigated the expression of cathepsin L and cystatin C in a hyperglycemic environment, and the influence of these proteins on AA development. Methods Mice were divided into AA and DM+AA groups ( n =30 per group). DM was induced by injection of streptozotocin; AA was induced by injection of angiotensin II. Doppler examination was used to measure aortic diameter, and Weigert’s elastic stain was used to detect elastin degradation. Cathepsin L and cystatin C in aortic tissue were examined by western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and polymerase chain reaction. Results Aortic diameter in the DM+AA group was less than that in the AA group, and elastin fragmentation grade of the aortic wall was reduced in the DM+AA group. More cathepsin L-positive cells were observed in the AA group than in the DM+AA group; conversely, more cystatin C-positive cells were observed in the DM+AA group than in the AA group. Both protein and mRNA levels of cathepsin L and cystatin C showed similar trends to those observed in immunohistochemistry. Conclusions Expression levels of cathepsin L and cystatin C in a hyperglycemic environment were associated with AA development in a mouse model.

Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand PD-L1 have attracted wide attention from researchers in the field of immunotherapy. PD-1/PD-L1 have been shown to exist in many types of cells in addition to T lymphocytes, and studies have accordingly extended from their suppressive effect on T cell activation and function to examining their role in other cells. In this review, we summarize recent research on PD-1/PD-L1 in macrophages, with the aim of furthering our understanding of PD-1/PD-L1 and their detailed roles in macrophages. This information may provide additional insights for researchers, enrich the basic theory of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy, and thus ultimately benefit more patients.

In existing simulations of the Almen intensity test, arc height is indirectly obtained by an equivalent method including a representative cell, a few shots and equivalent loading. Most of these equivalent methods cannot consider the transverse deformation of the strip, the complex stress state of the plastic hardening layer and process parameters, resulting in deviation from the actual test. This paper introduces an improved and experimentally validated discrete element model (DEM)-finite element model (FEM) to predict the actual Almen intensity. The improvement of this model is mainly reflected in the large and real number of shots involved in the actual Almen intensity test, shot–shot interactions, and real-size solid finite element model of the Almen strip. A new method for calculating the shot stream is proposed based on the test and considering test process parameters such as the mass flowrate, nozzle movement speed and nozzle–workpiece distance. The shot stream impacting the strip with a fully restrained underside was first simulated in improved DEM-FEM to bring the forming energy. As a second step, an implicit solver of the Almen strip FEM calculates the spring-back to simulate strip removal from the holder. The results achieved by the present approach are compared with the results obtained by the experimental results and those in the literature. The results show that the arc height and Almen intensity obtained by the present approach match much better with the literature than the traditional method. Some new results obtained by the improved coupling DEM-FEM method are presented. The influences of the transverse deformation and surface plastic layer on the deformation of the Almen strip are discussed. This improved method provides an alternative characterization method for precision peen forming simulation.

In this paper, we present the recent progress in the experimental studies of the electrical conductivity of dominant nominally anhydrous minerals in the upper mantle and mantle transition zone of Earth, namely, olivine, pyroxene, garnet, wadsleyite and ringwoodite. The main influence factors, such as temperature, pressure, water content, oxygen fugacity, and anisotropy are discussed in detail. The dominant conduction mechanisms of Fe-bearing silicate minerals involve the iron-related small polaron with a relatively large activation enthalpy and the hydrogen-related defect with lower activation enthalpy. Specifically, we mainly focus on the variation of oxygen fugacity on the electrical conductivity of anhydrous and hydrous mantle minerals, which exhibit clearly different charge transport processes. In representative temperature and pressure environments, the hydrogen of nominally anhydrous minerals can tremendously enhance the electrical conductivity of the upper mantle and transition zone, and the influence of trace structural water (or hydrogen) is substantial. In combination with the geophysical data of magnetotelluric surveys, the laboratory-based electrical conductivity measurements can provide significant constraints to the water distribution in Earth’s interior.

Deep belief networks (DBNs) of deep learning technology have been successfully used in many fields. However, the structure of a DBN is difficult to design for different datasets. Hence, a DBN structure design algorithm based on information entropy and reconstruction error is proposed. Unlike previous algorithms, we innovatively combine network depth and node number and optimizes them simultaneously. First, the mathematical model of the structural design problem is established, and the boundary constraint for node number based on information entropy is derived by introducing the idea of information compression. Moreover, the optimization objective of the network performance based on reconstruction error is proposed by deriving the fact that network energy is proportional to reconstruction error. Finally, the improved simulated annealing (ISA) algorithm is used to adjust the DBN network layers and nodes simultaneously. Experiments were carried out on three public datasets (MNIST, Cifar-10 and Cifar-100). The results show that the proposed algorithm can design its proper structure to different datasets, yielding a trained DBN which has the lowest reconstruction error and prediction error rate. The proposed algorithm is shown to have the best performance compared with other algorithms and can be used to assist the setting of DBN structural parameters for different datasets.

The Raman spectroscopy of natural molybdenite powder was investigated at simultaneous conditions of high temperature and high pressure in a heatable diamond anvil cell (DAC), to obtain the temperature and pressure dependence of the main Raman vibrational modes (E1g, E 2 g 1 ,A1g, and 2LA(M)). Over our experimental temperature and pressure range (300–600 K and 1 atm−18.5 GPa), the Raman modes follow a systematic blue shift with increasing pressure, and red shift with increasing temperature. The results were calculated by three-variable linear fitting. The mutual correlation index of temperature and pressure indicates that the pressure may reduce the temperature dependence of Raman modes. New Raman bands due to structural changes emerged at about 3–4 GPa lower than seen in previous studies; this may be caused by differences in the pressure hydrostaticity and shear stress in the sample cell that promote the interlayer sliding.

Multiple human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes often coexist within the cervical epithelia and are frequently detected together in various grades of the cervical neoplasia. To date, only a few reports exist on multiple HPV infections of HPV in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR). In the present study, we investigated the prevalence of High-Risk HPV (HR-HPV) genotypes and multiple infections. Cervical cytology samples were collected from 428 women who presented cervical abnormalities. Genotyping of HPV was performed by polymerase chain reaction-sequencing based typing (PCR-SBT) using consensus primers and specific primers. Of them, 166 samples were positive for HPV according to PCR results using the consensus primers. These samples contained cervical abnormalities enriched with inflammation (n = 107), cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) I (n = 19), CINII-III (n = 9) and cervical cancer (n = 31). Of the 166 HPV positive samples as determined by PCR analysis, 151 were further typed by PCR-SBT using 19 pairs of genotype-specific primers. Using this method, 17 different HR-HPV genotypes were identified. The most frequently observed HPV genotypes were HPV16 (44.0%, 73/166), 53 (28.9%, 48/166), 52 (25.3%, 42/166), 58 (22.3%, 37/166) and 35 (17.5%, 29/166). The proportions of single and multiple infections in the HPV-positive specimens were 34.9% and 65.1%, respectively. Multiple HPV types were most prevalent in the inflammatory state (63.0%), followed by cervical cancer (24.1%), CINI (11.1%), and CINII-III (1.9%). The results of our data analyses suggested that i) multiple HPV infection is not necessarily correlated with the severity of cervical abnormalities; and ii) among the multiple HPV infections, double infections combined with HPV16 is the most common. In addition, L1 full-length sequences of the top five high-risk HPV genotypes were amplified and sequenced. According to the L1 sequence of the epidemic genotypes that were amplified, we found that these genotypes contained the sequence point mutation, and that some of these genotypes further showed amino acid modifications. These results provide a basis for the construction of a polyvalent vaccine that is suitable for use in the XUAR, even in economically challenged communities located in China.

With the development of science and technology, modern communication scenarios have put forward higher requirements for passive location technology. However, current location systems still use manual scheduling methods and cannot meet the current mission-intensive and widely-distributed scenarios, resulting in inefficient task completion. To address this issue, this paper proposes a method called multi-objective, multi-constraint and improved genetic algorithm-based scheduling (MMIGAS), contributing a centralized combinatorial optimization model with multiple objectives and multiple constraints and conceiving an improved genetic algorithm. First, we establish a basic mathematical framework based on the structure of a passive location system. Furthermore, to balance performance with respect to multiple measures and avoid low efficiency, we propose a multi-objective optimal function including location accuracy, completion rate and resource utilization. Moreover, to enhance its practicability, we formulate multiple constraints for frequency, resource capability and task cooperation. For model solving, we propose an improved genetic algorithm with better convergence speed and global optimization ability, by introducing constraint-proof initialization, a penalty function and a modified genetic operator. Simulations indicate the good astringency, steady time complexity and satisfactory location accuracy of MMIGAS. Moreover, compared with manual scheduling, MMIGAS can improve the efficiency while maintaining high location precision.

BACKGROUND: Registration can help with transparency of acupuncture clinical trials (ACTs) by making protocol information and results available to the public. Recently, the number of registered ACTs has increased greatly, but only a few researchers have focused on the quality of ACTs registration. This review provides the first assessment of the registration quality of ACTs and the baseline information for future development. METHODS: All records of ACTs registered in the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) were collected. Data was extracted and input to Excel spreadsheets. The current 20 items of the WHO Trial Registration Data Set (TRDS) and the special prepared items for acupuncture intervention details were used to assess the registration quality of ACTs. RESULTS: A total of 740 records, found in 11 registries, were examined. The number of registered ACTs increased rapidly and involved a number of different diseases. The completeness of 20 items was not too poor due to 16 of them had a higher reported percentage (>85%). The completeness of the 20 items was different among registries. For example, the average registration percentage of 20 items in Clinicaltrials.gov, ChiCTR, ISRCTN and ANZCTR were 89.6%, 92.2%, 82.4% and 91.6% respectively. Detailed information regarding acupuncture intervention was seriously insufficient. Among the 740 registration records, 89.2% lacked information on the style of acupuncture, 80.8% did not contain details regarding the needles used, 53.5% lacked information on the treatment regimen and 76.2% did not give details of other interventions administered with acupuncture. CONCLUSIONS: The overall registration quality of ACTs is not high enough due to the serious lack of information on the specifics of acupuncture intervention. It is vital that a number of special items be set regarding acupuncture in order to develop a suitable system for the registration of ACTs.

Carbon nanotube (CNT) coatings were utilized to enhance the interfacial properties of carbon fiber (CF)/epoxy(EP) composites by ultrasonically assisted electrophoretic deposition (EPD). A characterization of the CF surface properties was done before and after coating (surface chemistry, surface morphologies, and surface energy). The result shows that oxygenated groups concentrations of the CF surfaces experienced significant increases from 12.11% to 24.78%. Moreover, the uniform and homogeneous CNT films were tightly attached on the surface of CF, and the surface wettability of CF is significant improved by enhanced surface free energy when introduced ultrasonic during the EPD process. In addition, the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and water absorption of CF/EP composite were measured. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the fracture mechanisms of the new interface layer formed by depositing CNTs on the CF surface contributed to the enhancement of the mechanical performance of the epoxy. This means that the efficient method to improve interfacial performance of composites has shown great commercial application potential.

We investigate a predator-prey model with impulsive diffusion on predator and stage structure on prey. The globally attractive condition of prey-extinction periodic solution of the system is obtained by the stroboscopic map of the discrete dynamical system. The permanent condition of the system is also obtained by the theory of impulsive delay differential equation. The results indicate that the discrete time delay has influence on the dynamical behaviors of the system. Finally, some numerical simulations are carried out to support the analytic results.

A chemostat model with delayed response in growth and impulsive diffusion and input on nutrients is considered. Using the discrete dynamical system determined by the stroboscopic map, we obtain a microorganism-extinction periodic solution. Further, it is globally attractive. The permanent condition of the investigated system is also obtained by the theory on impulsive delay differential equation. Finally, numerical analysis is inserted to illustrate dynamical behaviors of the chemostat system. Our results reveal that the impulsive input amount of nutrients plays an important role on the outcome of the chemostat. Our results provide strategy basis for biochemical reaction management.

How climate controls tropical cyclone variability has critical implications for modern human society but is not well understood due to the short length of observational records. To probe this knowledge gap, we present a synthesis of intense typhoon activity from the northwestern Pacific over the past 2000 years, which is supported by a new, wellresolved tidal flat sedimentary record from the Jiangsu coast, eastern China. The record reveals nine intervals of typhoon frequency, indicating that the frequency of intense typhoons has varied on multi-centennial scales over the past 2000 years. Our synthesis shows strong evidence for a seesaw pattern of intense typhoon frequency between southeastern China and Japan and Korea. This pattern can be explained by the El Niño and Southern Oscillation-East Asian Monsoon- sea surface temperature hypothesis, which potentially explains the basin-wide typhoon climate in the northwestern Pacific region. A shift in typhoon activity was identified from 550-280 to 280-50 yr B.P. during the Little Ice Age, when typhoon activity changed from active to quiescent or vice versa. Centennialscale shifts in Intertropical Convergence Zone and Western Pacific Warm Pool sea surface temperature are likely to be the primary forcing mechanisms driving this shift. Results obtained here provide links between typhoon activity and the El Niño and Southern Oscillation, the East Asian Monsoon, and the Western Pacific Warm Pool sea surface temperature, and therefore improve our ability to fully assess intense typhoon activity in future climate warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This practice guideline focuses on the cognitive assessment for mild cognitive impairment in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. To achieve the standardization and normalization of its clinical practice and generate individualized intervention, the National Core Cognitive Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, the Cognitive Disorders Branch of Chinese Geriatic Society, the Dementia Group of Neurology Branch of Guangdong Medical Association and specialists from Hong Kong and Macao developed guidelines based on China's actual conditions and efficiency, economic cost and accuracy. The article addresses the significance, background, and the process of the assessment and follow-up to realize the promotion and dissemination of cognitive assessment., Competing Interests: All of the authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest., (© 2024 The Author(s). Aging Medicine published by Beijing Hospital and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)