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We study the dynamics of the end monomers of a real chain confined in a spherical cavity to search for a small target on the cavity surface using Langevin dynamics simulation. The results are compared and contrasted with those of a Rouse chain to understand the influence of excluded volume interactions on the search dynamics, as characterized by the first passage time (FPT). We analyze how the mean FPT depends on the cavity size Rb, the target size a, and the degree of confinement quantified by Rg/Rb, with Rg being the polymer radius of gyration in free space. As a basic finding, the equilibrium distribution of the end monomers of a real chain in a closed spherical cavity differs from that of a Rouse chain at a given Rg/Rb, which leads to the differences between the mean FPTs of real and Rouse chains. Fitting the survival probability S(t) by a multi-exponential form, we show that the S(t) of real chains exhibits multiple characteristic times at large Rg/Rb. Our simulation results indicate that the search dynamics of a real chain exhibit three characteristic regimes as a function of Rg/Rb, including the transition from the Markovian to non-Markovian process at Rg/Rb ≈ 0.39, along with two distinct regimes at 0.39 < Rg/Rb < 1.0 and Rg/Rb > 1.0, respectively, where S(t) exhibits a single characteristic time and multiple characteristic times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We develop a theory for the motion of a particle grafted with inhomogeneous bead-spring Rouse chains via the generalized Langevin equation (GLE), where individual grafted polymers are allowed to take different bead friction coefficients, spring constants, and chain lengths. An exact solution of the memory kernel K(t) is obtained for the particle in the time (t) domain in the GLE, which depends only on the relaxation of the grafted chains. The t-dependent mean square displacement g(t) of the polymer-grafted particle is then derived as a function of the friction coefficient γ0 of the bare particle and K(t). Our theory offers a direct way to quantify the contributions of the grafted chain relaxation to the mobility of the particle in terms of K(t). This powerful feature enables us to clarify the effect on g(t) of dynamical coupling between the particle and grafted chains, leading to the identification of a relaxation time of fundamental importance in polymer-grafted particles, namely, the particle relaxation time. This timescale quantifies the competition between the contributions of the solvent and grafted chains to the friction of the grafted particle and separates g(t) into the particle- and chain-dominated regimes. The monomer relaxation time and the grafted chain relaxation time further divide the chain-dominated regime of g(t) into subdiffusive and diffusive regimes. Analysis of the asymptotic behaviors of K(t) and g(t) provides a clear physical picture of the mobility of the particle in different dynamical regimes, shedding light on the complex dynamics of polymer-grafted particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify different patterns of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction management among Chinese community-dwelling individuals with spinal cord injury and explore the factors associated with latent classes. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in communities throughout China Mainland. Participants were recruited through the China Association of Persons with Physical Disability and a total of 2582 participants was included in the analysis. The data were collected by a questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic factors, disease-related factors, and a list of 8 bladder management methods. Latent class analysis was used to identify different latent classes of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction management. Then the multinomial logistic regression was applied to analyze the relationship between neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction management patterns and socio-demographic and disease-related factors. Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction management pattern among community-dwelling individuals with spinal cord injury was divided into four latent classes: "urinal collecting apparatus dominated pattern" (40.3%), "bladder compression dominated pattern" (30.7%), "intermittent catheterization dominated pattern" (19.3%) and "urethral indwelling catheterization dominated pattern" (9.6%). Multinomial logistic regression analysis found that the employment status, residential region, nursing need, payment method for catheterization products, hand function, time since spinal cord injury, urinary incontinence and concerns about social interaction affected by urination problems were significantly associated with latent classes. Only 19.3% of people used the intermittent catheterization as their main neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction management method. More attention needs to be paid to the promotion of the standardization process of intermittent catheterization in community-dwelling individuals with spinal cord injury. The associated factors of the four classes can be used for tailored and targeted interventions to increase the use of intermittent catheterization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary This article addresses the challenge of estimating the state of a discrete‐time stochastic multiplicative system with zonotopic set‐membership and stochastic uncertainties. The stochastic system model incorporates additive and multiplicative Gaussian and zonotopic set‐membership uncertainties, posing challenges in accurately managing these sources of uncertainty. In practical scenarios with limited communication resources, it is crucial to reduce communication overhead, save resources, and prevent unnecessary information transmission. To achieve these objectives, this article proposes an event‐triggered mechanism and a corresponding state estimator. The optimal gain matrix of the state estimator is derived to minimize the estimation uncertainty represented by the size of zonotope and Gaussian confidence ellipsoid regions. Conditions are established to guarantee the mean square stability of the estimation error, ensuring reliable estimation performance. The configuration of the triggering condition parameters, which play a vital role in determining the event‐triggered updates, is presented. is presented. The effectiveness of the proposed event‐triggered mechanism and the corresponding estimator is demonstrated through simulation results and analyses, using specific metrics and evaluation criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stabilization and learning are imperative to the high-performance feedback control of nonlinear systems. A dual adaptive robust control (DARC) scheme is proposed for nonlinear systems with model uncertainties to achieve a desired level of performance. Only the output of the nonlinear system is accessible in this work, all the states and parameters are learned online. Firstly, the DARC uses the prior physical bounds of systems to design a discontinuous projection with update rate limits which confines the bounds of parameter and state estimation. Then robustness of the nonlinear system can be guaranteed by the deterministic robust control (DRC) method. Secondly, a dual adaptive estimation mechanism (DAEM) is developed to learn the unknown parameters and states of systems. One part of the DAEM is the bounded gain forgetting (BGF) estimator, which is developed to handle inaccurate parameters and parametric variations. The other is the adaptive unscented Kalman filter (AUKF) synthesized for state estimation. The AUKF contains a statistic estimator based on the maximum a posterior (MAP) rule to estimate the unknown covariance matrix. Finally, simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the suggested method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The glycocalyx is a proteoglycan–glycoprotein structure lining the luminal surface of the vascular endothelium and is susceptible to damage due to blast overpressure (BOP) exposure. The glycocalyx is essential in maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the vasculature and regulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF). Assessment of alterations in the density of the glycocalyx; its components (heparan sulphate proteoglycan (HSPG/syndecan-2), heparan sulphate (HS), and chondroitin sulphate (CS)); CBF; and the effect of hypercapnia on CBF was conducted at 2–3 h, 1, 3, 14, and 28 days after a high-intensity (18.9 PSI/131 kPa peak pressure, 10.95 ms duration, and 70.26 PSI·ms/484.42 kPa·ms impulse) BOP exposure in rats. A significant reduction in the density of the glycocalyx was observed 2–3 h, 1-, and 3 days after the blast exposure. The glycocalyx recovered by 28 days after exposure and was associated with an increase in HS (14 and 28 days) and in HSPG/syndecan-2 and CS (28 days) in the frontal cortex. In separate experiments, we observed significant decreases in CBF and a diminished response to hypercapnia at all time points with some recovery at 3 days. Given the role of the glycocalyx in regulating physiological function of the cerebral vasculature, damage to the glycocalyx after BOP exposure may result in the onset of pathogenesis and progression of cerebrovascular dysfunction leading to neuropathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: China has implemented policies to make rare diseases more affordable. While previous studies evaluated overall affordability, few have examined affordability differences across regions and disease types. Given the vastness of China and varying medical policies across cities, this study assesses the affordability of rare diseases based on China's First List of Rare Diseases (CFLRD), National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL), and outpatient chronic and special disease policies in each prefecture. Method: Six rare diseases were selected and the average annual treatment cost of all relevant drugs in NRDL was calculated for each disease. Based on the WHO/HAI standardized approach, the study analyzed 289 cities with outpatient chronic and special disease policies, measured the security levels by the actual reimbursement ratio of Basic Medical Insurance (BMI) and affordability by the ratio of individual expenses after reimbursement to the annual disposable income of urban residents in the province. The security levels and affordability differences across disease types and provinces were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test and the K-W test. Result: The affordability of rare diseases varied significantly on the disease types and annual treatment cost. Diseases with an annual treatment cost below 100 000 yuan are affordable to all prefectures even with low reimbursement rates, while those with a higher treatment cost were not affordable in at least 80% of prefectures even though the reimbursement ratio is high. The affordability of the same disease varies significantly across provinces and municipalities. Outpatient chronic and special diseases insurance and critical illness insurance, and the inconsistencies between them, result in regional differences. Conclusion: Although China has made progress in improving the affordability of rare diseases, significant differences persist between cities and diseases. The study suggests the optimization of the BMI system and explores independent funds and innovative insurance models to enhance the affordability of rare diseases, particularly those with extremely high treatment costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have garnered significant attention in the field of bioelectrochemistry as a clean energy source, with a focus on increasing their power density. This study reports the successful application of a spinel-type high-entropy oxide (Mg 0.2 Co 0.2 Ni 0.2 Cu 0.2 Zn 0.2)Fe 2 O 4 as an anode material for microbial fuel cells. The samples were prepared through ball milling and sintering at 900 °C. Electrochemical tests demonstrated that the high-entropy oxide significantly enhanced the electrochemical performance and biocompatibility of the anode. The MFCs loaded with (Mg 0.2 Co 0.2 Ni 0.2 Cu 0.2 Zn 0.2)Fe 2 O 4 exhibited a power density of up to 3.43 W/m2, which is significantly higher than that of a simple mixture of six metals (2.61 W/m2) and pure Fe 2 O 3 (2.64 W/m2). This outstanding performance results from the disorder induced by the high-entropy composition. This disorder facilitates improved coordination among the primary constituent oxides, maximizing their advantages. Simultaneously, it minimizes the reduction in active sites caused by uneven distribution. High-throughput sequencing results revealed an enrichment of Geobacter in the anodic biofilm, reaching a content as high as 52.51% after domestication. This study elucidates the contribution of entropy to biocatalysis from an entropy perspective and provides a new strategy for developing high-performance materials for microbial fuel cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background There is no criterion on the length of the uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (UVATS) incision when performing lobectomy. We aimed to develop a nomogram to assist surgeons in designing incision length for different individuals. Methods A cohort consisting of 290 patients were enrolled for nomogram development. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify candidate variables among perioperative characteristics. C -index and calibration curves were utilized for evaluating the performance of the nomogram. Short-term outcomes of nomogram-predicted high-risk patients were compared between long incision group and conventional incision group. Results Of 290 patients, 150 cases (51.7%) were performed incision extension during the surgery. Age, tumor size, and tumor location were identified as candidate variables related with intraoperative incision extension and were incorporated into the nomogram. C -index of the nomogram was 0.75 (95% confidence interval: 0.6961–0.8064), indicating the good predictive performance. Calibration curves presented good consistency between the nomogram prediction and actual observation. Of high-risk patients identified by the nomogram, the long incision group (n = 47) presented shorter duration of operation (p = 0.03), lower incidence of total complications (p = 0.01), and lower incidence of prolonged air leak (p = 0.03) compared with the conventional incision group (n = 55). Conclusion We developed a novel nomogram for predicting the risk of intraoperative incision extension when performing uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy. This model has the potential to assist clinicians in designing the incision length preoperatively to ensure both safety and minimal invasiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To characterize Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission dynamics in each of the metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) surrounding Dallas, Houston, New York City, and Phoenix in 2020 and 2021, we extended a previously reported compartmental model accounting for effects of multiple distinct periods of non-pharmaceutical interventions by adding consideration of vaccination and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants Alpha (lineage B.1.1.7) and Delta (lineage B.1.617.2). For each MSA, we found region-specific parameterizations of the model using daily reports of new COVID-19 cases available from January 21, 2020 to October 31, 2021. In the process, we obtained estimates of the relative infectiousness of Alpha and Delta as well as their takeoff times in each MSA (the times at which sustained transmission began). The estimated infectiousness of Alpha ranged from 1.1x to 1.4x that of viral strains circulating in 2020 and early 2021. The estimated relative infectiousness of Delta was higher in all cases, ranging from 1.6x to 2.1x. The estimated Alpha takeoff times ranged from February 1 to February 28, 2021. The estimated Delta takeoff times ranged from June 2 to June 26, 2021. Estimated takeoff times are consistent with genomic surveillance data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pressure sensing plays an important role in many industrial fields; conventional electronic pressure sensors struggle to survive in the harsh environment. Recently microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) fiber-optic Fabry–Perot (FP) pressure sensors have attracted great interest. Here we review the basic principles of MEMS fiber-optic FP pressure sensors and then discuss the sensors based on different materials and their industrial applications. We also introduce recent progress, such as two-photon polymerization-based 3D printing technology, and the state-of-the-art in this field, e.g., sapphire-based sensors that work up to 1200 °C. Finally, we discuss the limitations and opportunities for future development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study aims to establish a population pharmacokinetic (PK) model of teicoplanin in Chinese adult patients to evaluate the dosing regimen in the label sheet and optimize it. Methods: Nonlinear mixed‐effects modelling was used to estimate PK parameters. Monte Carlo simulations were used to evaluate the attainment of various dosing regimens in achieving the target trough concentrations in patients with normal or decreased renal function. Results: A total of 115 patients were enrolled in this retrospective study. Creatinine clearance (CrCL) and albumin (ALB) were identified as covariates on the clearance of teicoplanin. For the treatment of non‐complicated methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in patients with normal renal function and serum ALB concentration, the recommended dosing regimen was 600 mg q12h with five administrations as the loading dose followed by 600 mg qd as the maintenance dose; for the treatment of serious and/or complicated MRSA infections, the recommended dosing regimen was 800 mg q12h with five administrations as the loading dose followed by 800 mg qd as the maintenance dose. It is worth noting that both the loading and maintenance doses ought to be modified based on the patient's renal function and serum ALB concentration. In addition, trough concentrations of teicoplanin were significantly increased every other week. Conclusions: Both loading dosing and maintenance dosing regimens were recommended to be adjusted according to patient's renal function and serum ALB concentration. In addition, it is necessary to perform follow‐up therapeutic drug monitoring of teicoplanin at least once every week. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The history of planning development in various countries shows that the core logic of planning is the spiral interweaving of control and development, and constantly makes corresponding adjustments to respond to changes and challenges in social and economic development. Most of the planning in western countries originated from control-oriented paradigm, then integrated development-oriented elements, and finally has evolved into comprehensive coordination-oriented planning paradigm. China's planning, which originated from development-oriented paradigm, has shifted towards control-oriented planning as represented by territorial spatial planning to tackle issues such as excessive consumption of resources. In the face of economic, social and environmental challenges, China's urban planning in the future should also move towards a comprehensive balance between control and development. The common thread of control is the sustainable development of economy, society, and environment. The common thread of development is to achieve the Chinese path to modernization. The content of control and development will vary with different spatial scales and time stages. Take Hubei's practice as an example, planning control is driven by the integrated management of watershed and planning development is led by the synchronization of new industrialization, IT application, new urbanization, and agricultural modernization. Hubei Province seeks to promote high-quality, sustainable development through comprehensive coordination-oriented planning that combines control and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the refinement of two microstructures was controlled in medium carbon 25Cr2Ni3MoV steel via multi-step tempering and partition (MTP) to achieve high cryogenic strength–ductility combinations. Microstructure evolution, the distribution of stress concentration, and microcrack formation and propagation during cryogenic Charpy impact testing were investigated. Compared with their performance in the quenching and tempering states (QT), the MTP steels showed a significant improvement in yield strength (1300 MPa), total elongation (25%), and impact toughness (>25 J) at liquid nitrogen temperature (LNT). The strengthening contributions mainly originated from the high dislocation density and refinement cementite (size: 70 nm) in the martensite lath (width: 1.5 μm) introduced by refined reversed austenite and its latter decomposition. The instrumented Charpy impact results indicated that cracks nucleated in the primary austenite grain (PAG) boundary for two steels due to the strain concentration band preferring to appear near PAGs, while cracks in the QT and MTP samples propagated along the PAGs and high-angle grain boundary (HAGB), respectively. The crystallized plasticity finite element simulation revealed that the PAG boundary with cementite precipitates of large size (>200 nm) was less able to dissipate crack propagation energy than the HAGBs by continuously forming a high strain concentration area, thus leading to the low-impact toughness of the QT steel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experimental observation of quantum phase transitions predicted by the quantum Rabi model in quantum critical systems is usually challenging due to the lack of signature experimental observables associated with them. Here, we describe a method to identify the dynamical critical phenomenon in the quantum Rabi model consisting of a three-level atom and a cavity at the quantum phase transition. Such a critical phenomenon manifests itself as a sudden change of steady-state output photons in the system driven by two classical fields, when both the atom and the cavity are initially unexcited. The process occurs as the high-frequency pump field is converted into the low-frequency Stokes field and multiple cavity photons in the normal phase, while this conversion cannot occur in the superradiant phase. The sudden change of steady-state output photons is an experimentally accessible measure to probe quantum phase transitions, as it does not require preparing the equilibrium state. Quantum Rabi model as an outstanding model can support superradiant phase transitions, and gets increasing interest in the quantum physics. This work presents an effective method to demonstrate the dynamical critical phenomenon in quantum Rabi model without preparing the Confirmed equilibrium state, i.e., a sudden change of the photon number distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, degenerative joint disease presenting a significant global health threat. While current therapeutic approaches primarily target symptom relief, their efficacy in repairing joint damage remains limited. Recent research has highlighted mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as potential contributors to cartilage repair, anti-inflammatory modulation, and immune regulation in OA patients. Notably, MSCs from different sources and their derivatives exhibit variations in their effectiveness in treating OA. Moreover, pretreatment and gene editing techniques of MSCs can enhance their therapeutic outcomes in OA. Additionally, the combination of novel biomaterials with MSCs has shown promise in facilitating the repair of damaged cartilage. This review summarizes recent studies on the role of MSCs in the treatment of OA, delving into their advantages and exploring potential directions for development, with the aim of providing fresh insights for future research in this critical field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) has been widely used in foods, and pharmaceutical products due to its beneficial effects. The content of n-3 PUFA in natural oils is usually low, which decreases its added value. Thus, there is an increasing demand on the market for n-3 PUFA concentrates. This review firstly introduces the differences in bioavailability and oxidative stability between different types of PUFA concentrate (free fatty acid, ethyl ester and acylglycerol), and then provides a comprehensive discussion of different methods for enrichment of lipids with n-3 PUFA including physical-chemical methods and enzymatic methods. Lipases used for catalyzing esterification, transesterification and hydrolysis reactions play an important role in the production of highly enriched various types of n-3 PUFA concentrates. Lipase-catalyzed alcoholysis or hydrolysis reactions are the mostly employed method to prepare high-quality n-3 PUFA of structural acylglycerols. Although many important advantages offered by lipases in enrichment of n-3 PUFA, the high cost of enzyme limits its industrial-scale production. Further research should focus on looking for biological enzymes with extraordinary catalytic ability and clear selectivity. Other novel technologies such as protein engineering and immobilization may be needed to modify lipases to improve its selectivity, catalytic ability and reuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone weakness causes many problems such as osteoporosis, bone fractures, and economic loss, especially at the late stage of lay, in laying hen production. However, the genetic factors and molecular mechanism affecting the bone strength is still largely unknown. To elucidate the molecular mechanism and genetic factors affecting bone strength, a total of six cDNA libraries were constructed and used to compare genetic differences between tibia with higher（Group HBS）and lower（Group LBS）breaking strength in Hyline grey layers. A comparison between Groups HBS and LBS revealed nine differentially expressed genes, of which five were upregulated and four were downregulated in the LBS relative to the HBS in tibia. Our results showed novel candidate genes concerned with bone strength in the late laying period. These include transcription factor paired box protein Pax-5 (Pax5), tissue inhibitor of Metallopoteinase-4 (TIMP4), Kelch-like protein 14 (KLHL14), predicted MAGUK p55 subfamily member 7 isoform X4 (MPP7) and Osteoclast-associated Ig-like receptor (OSCAR). Our data provide a vital resource for discovering important candidate genes associated with bone strength and will help further study the molecular mechanisms for bone remodeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper mainly investigates the problem of direction of arrival (DOA) estimation for a monostatic MIMO radar. Specifically, the proposed array, which is called a nested–nested sparse array (NNSA), is structurally composed of two nested subarrays, a NA with N 1 + N 2 elements and a sparse NA, respectively, with N 3 + N 4 elements. The design process of NNSA is optimized into two steps and presented in detail. Setting NNSA as transmitter/receiver arrays, we derive the closed-form expression of consecutive DOFs and calculate the mutual coupling coefficient. Eventually, extensive simulations are carried out and the results verify the superiority of the proposed array over the previous arrays in terms of consecutive DOFs, array aperture and mutual coupling effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To describe the phenomenon of platoon dispersion in the mixed traffic environment and provide a theoretical basis for signal timing optimization in the mixed traffic environment. Based on Robertson's platoon dispersion model, this paper fully considers the characteristics of mixed traffic conditions, and models the platoon dispersion in the mixed traffic environment. Firstly, considering the influence of the percentage of non-motor vehicles on the platoon dispersion, the functional relationship between the percentage of non-motor vehicles and the parameters of the platoon dispersion model is derived, and the parameters of the Robertson platoon dispersion model are calibrated. Secondly, through the data collected from Zitai Road in the city of Kunming, the required model parameters are calculated, and the arrival flow rate distribution downstream of the intersection is obtained. Finally, according to the measured data, the proposed model is compared with the classical Robertson model. The results show that compared with the Robertson model, the average prediction mean square error of the proposed model is reduced by 5.89%, which can better describe the dispersion law of the mixed traffic under the influence of different percentage of non-motorized vehicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Guaranteeing prescribed transient and steady state performance (TSSP) for mechanical systems is of great significance to their motion control, motivating the prescribed performance control (PPC). This study investigates the PPC for uncertain underactuated systems. We consider time‐varying (possibly fast), bounded uncertainty including large mismatched portions, however the bound is unknown. The control design is implemented via constraint‐following, that is, rendering the system to follow a series of servo constraints. We hence impose the prescribed TSSP on the constraint‐following error. An approximation‐free adaptive robust PPC based on a state transformation technique is designed, achieving approximate constraint‐following and guaranteeing the prescribed TSSP to be satisfied. It employs an adaptive law to online estimate the unknown bounds for uncertainty compensation. It does not assume sufficiently small mismatched uncertainties, hence admitting large mismatched uncertainties. The stability of the controlled underactuated systems is sustained by rigorous proofs. By the proposed approach, the PPC of a planar vertical take‐off and landing aircraft is explored, which also illustrates the effectiveness of the approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite major advances in cancer therapeutics, the therapeutic options of Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma (LSCC)-specific remain limited. Furthermore, the current staging system is imperfect for defining a prognosis and guiding treatment due to its simplicity and heterogeneity. We sought to develop prognostic decision tools for individualized survival prediction and treatment optimization in elderly patients with LSCC. Methods: Clinical data of 4564 patients (stageIB-IIIB) diagnosed from 2010 to 2015 were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database for prognostic nomograms development. The proposed models were externally validated using a separate group consisting of 1299 patients (stage IB-IIIB) diagnosed from 2012–2015 in China. The prognostic performance was measured using the concordance index (C-index), calibration curves, the average time-dependent area under the receiver operator characteristic curves (AUC), and decision curve analysis. Results: Eleven candidate prognostic variables were identified by the univariable and multivariable Cox regression analysis. The calibration curves showed satisfactory agreement between the actual and nomogram-estimated Lung Cancer-Specific Survival (LCSS) rates. By calculating the c-indices and average AUC, our nomograms presented a higher prognostic accuracy than the current staging system. Clinical usefulness was revealed by the decision curve analysis. User-friendly online decision tools integrating proposed nomograms were created to estimate survival for patients with different treatment regimens. Conclusions: The decision tools for individualized survival prediction and treatment optimization might facilitate clinicians with decision-making, medical teaching, and experimental design. Online tools are expected to be integrated into clinical practice by using the freely available website (https://loyal-brand-611803.framer.app/). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adopting a Poisson approach in Li and Zhou [Statist. Probab. Lett., 2014, 94: 48–55], for one-dimensional diffusion processes, we consider some joint distributions, including the last exit time from a semi-infinite interval, the value of the process at the last exit time and the associated occupation time. Our results are expressed in term of solutions to the differential equations associated with the diffusion generator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microorganisms in sediments are critical to marine ecosystems. The microbial communities in marine sediments of the Bohai Sea (BS) and Yellow Sea (YS), the eastern Chinese marginal seas, were uncovered in employing the metagenomic approach. In addition, the taxonomic and functional compositions of microbes were compared among various sediment core depths. Results showing the compositions, diversities, and functions of the microbial communities showed no significant variations with sea areas, and significant seasonal variations was observed in station 3500–7 only on functions of the microbial communities. Moreover, the compositions, diversities, and functions of the microbial communities changed noticeably in different sediment depths in close correlation with physical and chemical properties of sediments. However, the large fraction of the variation in functional communities remained unexplained. From bioinformatic analysis of the metagenomic data, the carbon-metabolism-related genes such as glycosyl transferase (GT), glycoside hydrolase (GH), and carbohydrate esterase (CE) genes were rich in the microbial community, especially in the top sediment depth. Additionally, in this N-polluted habitat, nitrification and anaerobic ammonia oxidation (anammox) were dominant in the top sediment depth, whereas dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) and denitrification were dominant in the middle and bottom depth, respectively. Further identification of possible biogeochemical links suggested that Gammaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Nitrospirae, Nitrospinae, Chloroflexi, and Methanomicrobia might promote effective circulation of carbon and nitrogen cycling. This study expanded our knowledge about the structure and functional potential of microbial communities associated with different sediment depth, and provided further comprehensive information on element cycles in marine environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metschnikowia bicuspidata causes a "milky disease" in Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis, which inflicts significant damage on the breeding industry, but there are no effective drugs for this disease. Precise detection technologies and clarification of transmission routes are now essential to prevent its occurrence. A real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qPCR) detection method targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit VIA (COX6A) of M. bicuspidata was developed and its sensitivity, specificity, repeatability, and application effectiveness evaluated. There was a robust linear relationship between the qPCR threshold cycle value (Ct) and copy number of the standard with a wide dynamic range. The standard curve had a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.996, amplification efficiency of 103.092%, and a lower limit of detection sensitivity of 7.6 × 101 copies/µL. The COX6A-qPCR method exhibited high specificity for the detection of M. bicuspidata, with no cross-reactivity. The intra- and inter-group variation coefficients were <1% and 2%, respectively. The qPCR exhibited superior sensitivity compared to existing detection methods, with a positivity rate of 76.67%. The M. bicuspidata content ranged from 1.0 × 101–2.7 × 106 copies/µL. The COX6A-qPCR detection technology exhibited high sensitivity, strong specificity, and excellent repeatability, enabling the accurate quantification of M. bicuspidata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In aviation fire extinguishing systems, the extinguishing agent is stored in a bottle, which is pressurized by nitrogen. When fire occurs, the agent is discharged via pipe and nozzle to the target compartment. The geometry of the pipe has a significant impact on the discharge process, and merits study. In this study of the discharge process of halon1301 using pipes of different diameters, the pressure distribution was significantly influenced by varying pipe diameter. Contributions to pressure drops through the valve/pipe/nozzle were approximately 2%, 8%, and 90%, respectively, when the pipe diameter was larger than the nozzle diameter. The contribution through the pipe increased, and the contribution through the nozzle decreased, as the pipe diameter became smaller. When the pipe diameter was decreased to the nozzle diameter, pressure drops through the valve/pipe/nozzle were 10%, 45%, and 45%, respectively; there was an increased pressure drop through the pipe. Distinctions in pressure distribution led to temperature differences; when there were more pressure drops through the nozzle, the temperature in the pipe was lower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is a rodent-related zoonotic disease induced by hantavirus. Previous studies have identified the influence of meteorological factors on the onset of HFRS, but few studies have focused on the stratified analysis of the lagged effects and interactions of pollution and meteorological factors on HFRS. Methods: We collected meteorological, contaminant and epidemiological data on cases of HFRS in Shenyang from 2005–2019. A seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) model was used to predict the incidence of HFRS and compared with Holt-Winters three-parameter exponential smoothing model. A distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) with a maximum lag period of 16 weeks was applied to assess the lag, stratification and extreme effects of pollution and meteorological factors on HFRS cases, followed by a generalized additive model (GAM) to explore the interaction of SO2 and two other meteorological factors on HFRS cases. Results: The SARIMA monthly model has better fit and forecasting power than its own quarterly model and the Holt-Winters model, with an optimal model of (1,1,0) (2,1,0)12. Overall, environmental factors including humidity, wind speed and SO2 were correlated with the onset of HFRS and there was a non-linear exposure-lag-response association. Extremely high SO2 increased the risk of HFRS incidence, with the maximum RR values: 2.583 (95%CI:1.145,5.827). Extremely low windy and low SO2 played a significant protective role on HFRS infection, with the minimum RR values: 0.487 (95%CI:0.260,0.912) and 0.577 (95%CI:0.370,0.898), respectively. Interaction indicated that the risk of HFRS infection reached its highest when increasing daily SO2 and decreasing humidity. Conclusions: The SARIMA model may help to enhance the forecast of monthly HFRS incidence based on a long-range dataset. Our study had shown that environmental factors such as humidity and SO2 have a delayed effect on the occurrence of HFRS and that the effect of humidity can be influenced by SO2 and wind speed. Public health professionals should take greater care in controlling HFRS in low humidity, low windy conditions and 2–3 days after SO2 levels above 200 μg/m3. Author summary: China has the highest number of people infected with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in the world, and Shenyang, located in the northeast, is a high prevalence area for infection in China. Previous studies have found that there are several analytical methods on outbreak prediction and that HFRS infection is climate-related. However, HFRS has been less studied in terms of comparative time series prediction, and the link between outbreaks and atmospheric pollution and the identification of the joint effects of meteorological factors affecting this link have not been studied. These are the two main focuses of this study. A synchronous periodicity and seasonality between pollutants, climate change and HFRS infection were found throughout the study area, both located in spring-summer and winter-related. Specifically, on the one hand, high sulfur dioxide concentrations increase the risk of developing HFRS. On the other hand, the combined effect of climate and pollutants on HFRS became increasingly sensitive over time, showing as the highest risk of contracting HFRS when increasing daily sulfur dioxide and decreasing humidity. Time series analysis showed that seasonal SARIMA models are more suitable for prediction, and the association between climate and pollution and HFRS infection has been confirmed within the time series analysis. The above findings help to improve the understanding of the transmission effects of HFRS in different meteorological and pollution levels and the prediction of HFRS outbreak epidemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNA is a vital biomarker because of its abnormal expression in the emergence and development of diseases, especially in cancers. Herein, a label‐free fluorescent sensing platform is proposed for detecting microRNA‐21, coupled with the cascade toehold‐mediated strand displacement reaction and magnetic beads. Target microRNA‐21 acts as an initiator to trigger the cascade toehold‐mediated strand displacement reaction and it outputs double‐stranded DNA. After magnetic separation, the double‐stranded DNA is intercalated by SYBR Green I, resulting in an amplified fluorescent signal. Under the optimal conditions, a wide linear range (0.5–60 nmol/L) and low limits of detection (0.19 nmol/L) are exhibited. What's more, the biosensor shows great specificity and reliability between microRNA‐21 and other microRNAs involved in cancer (microRNA‐34a, microRNA‐155, microRNA‐10b, and let‐7a). Owing to the properties of fabulous sensitivity, high selectivity, and simplicity of operator, the proposed method paves a promising way for microRNA‐21 detection in cancer diagnosis and biological research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is concerned with a composite adaptive robust control (CARC) for non‐strict feedback nonlinear systems with model uncertainties including parametric uncertainties and uncertain nonlinearities. It is assumed that the model uncertainties of the nonlinear system are bounded but unknown. Firstly, prescribed tracking performance is achieved by the CARC control law even the unknown parameters are time‐varying. This is accomplished firstly by designing a discontinuous projection that confines the unknown parameters in an estimated region. Then the robustness of the closed‐loop system is guaranteed by leveraging the deterministic robust control philosophy. Also, a command filter has been designed to avoid computing complex derivatives of virtual control law in the backstepping procedure. Secondly, a composite adaptation law that intelligently integrates information of both tracking error and prediction error is constructed for improving the performance of controllers. The high adaptation gain of CARC leads to higher parameter convergence speed and smaller tracking errors. Moreover, if the actual parameters are within the design range, asymptotic stability can be achieved in presence of parametric uncertainties only. In addition, exponential convergence of tracking errors and parameters can be shown under certain conditions. Finally, numerical examples are made to validate the superiority and effectiveness of the proposed control scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the output torque of an in-plane bending mode traveling wave rotary ultrasonic motor, a double-sided tapered teeth traveling wave rotary ultrasonic motor was proposed. The motor is designed with three types of adaptive rotors that can be used for replacement in different output environments. Simulation analysis was conducted using ANSYS, and prototype production and experimental testing were conducted. The experimental results show that when the excitation voltage is 300 V and the excitation frequency is 22.665 kHz, the maximum output torque that the motor provide is 3.087 N·mm, and the maximum no-load speed is 295 rpm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although thymic squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is among the most prevalent forms of thymic carcinoma, there are relatively few studies on this tumor type, and its staging, optimal treatment strategies, and relevant prognostic factors remain controversial. Methods: The present study analyzed 79 patients diagnosed with TSCC between January 2008 and January 2021. Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to explore factors associated with overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) in the overall patient cohort and patient subgroups stratified according to the TNM stage. Time‐dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were used to compare the TNM and Masaoka systems as predictors of patient prognosis. Results: The 5‐ and 10‐year OS rates in this study were 65.5% and 49.4%, respectively, with corresponding 5‐ and 10‐year PFS rates of 52.3% and 37.9%. Survival outcomes were better for patients with early‐stage disease (p < 0.001) and patients that underwent surgical treatment (p < 0.001). Neither extent of resection (p = 0.820) nor the surgical approach (p = 0.444) influenced patient survival. In individuals with advanced disease, all forms of adjuvant therapy including radiotherapy (p = 0.021), chemotherapy (p = 0.035), and chemoradiation (p = 0.01) significantly improved patient PFS, but only adjuvant chemoradiotherapy improved patient OS (p = 0.035). When predicting the patient survival outcomes, the TNM system was slightly superior to the Masaoka system (area under the ROC curve [AUC] at 5 years: OS, 0.742 vs. 0.723; PFS, 0.846 vs. 0.816). Conclusion: TSCC is an orphan malignancy with a poor prognosis. TNM staging may be superior to Masaoka staging as a predictor of TSCC patient prognosis. Surgery is the mainstay of TSCC treatment. Video‐assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) should be considered for selected patients. Multimodal therapy was associated with excellent results for patients with advanced TNM stage, particularly when surgery was accompanied by adjuvant chemoradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective and design: Post-traumatic urethral stricture is a clinical challenge for both patients and clinicians. Targeting glutamine metabolism to suppress excessive activation of urethral fibroblasts (UFBs) is assumed to be a potent and attractive strategy for preventing urethral scarring and stricture. Material or subjects: In cellular experiments, we explored whether glutaminolysis meets the bioenergetic and biosynthetic demands of quiescent UFBs converted into myofibroblasts. At the same time, we examined the specific effects of M2-polarized macrophages on glutaminolysis and activation of UFBs, as well as the mechanism of intercellular signaling. In addition, findings were further verified in vivo in New Zealand rabbits. Results: It revealed that glutamine deprivation or knockdown of glutaminase 1 (GLS1) significantly inhibited UFB activation, proliferation, biosynthesis, and energy metabolism; however, these effects were rescued by cell-permeable dimethyl α-ketoglutarate. Moreover, we found that exosomal miR-381 derived from M2-polarized macrophages could be ingested by UFBs and inhibited GLS1-dependent glutaminolysis, thereby preventing excessive activation of UFBs. Mechanistically, miR-381 directly targets the 3′UTR of Yes-associated protein (YAP) mRNA to reduce its stability at the transcriptional level, ultimately downregulating expression of YAP, and GLS1. In vivo experiments revealed that treatment with either verteporfin or exosomes derived from M2-polarized macrophages significantly reduced urethral stricture in New Zealand rabbits after urethral trauma. Conclusion: Collectively, this study demonstrates that exosomal miR-381 from M2-polarized macrophages reduces myofibroblast formation of UFBs and urethral scarring and stricture by inhibiting YAP/GLS1-dependent glutaminolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduce the concepts of -remotely almost periodic processes and remotely almost periodicity in distribution. Under the framework of evolution system, we establish -remotely almost periodicity and remotely almost periodicity in distribution for solutions to stochastic differential equations (SDEs) d X (t) = A (t) X (t) d t + F (t , X (t)) d t + G (t , X (t)) d W (t) , t ∈ ℝ in infinite dimensions. Our main results extend some earlier results about the above SDEs in the cases of A (t) ≡ A and almost periodic coefficients, without assuming that A (t) is periodic as in a classical result by Da Prato and Tudor. The main difficulties lie in the loss of compactness for -remotely almost periodic processes and the delicate analysis caused by evolution system. Moreover, our abstract results can be applied to some stochastic parabolic partial differential equations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Red mud (RM) was used for catalytic pyrolysis of NMFs. • Enhanced bromine fixation and tar lightweighting were realized. • Fe 2 O 3 , CaCO 3 and Al 2 O 3 in RM played key roles in catalytic pyrolysis of NMFs. • 89.55 wt% bromine in NMFs could be fixed in solid residue with adding 15 wt% RM. • RM increased the content of lightweight tar by 44.29 % in co-pyrolysis system. A co-pyrolysis process for non-metallic fractions (NMFs) from WPCBs with Bayer red mud (RM) is proposed to upgrade pyrolysis products in this study. High bromine fixation efficiency was realized, and higher content of lightweight pyrolysis tar was obtained. The mechanism of catalytic pyrolysis and simultaneous bromine fixation of NMFs by RM was investigated by experiments and theoretical calculations. The three inorganic components of Fe 2 O 3 , CaCO 3 and Al 2 O 3 in RM played key roles in the catalytic pyrolysis of NMFs, and their order of catalytic debromination effect was CaCO 3 > Fe 2 O 3 > Al 2 O 3. By adding 15 wt% RM, the pyrolysis solid residue could fix 89.55 wt% bromine, compared with 35.42 wt% of NMFs without adding RM, due to the formation of FeBr 2 and CaBr 2 from Fe 2 O 3 and CaCO 3 in RM, respectively. Tar lightweighting was realized by reducing the energy barrier of the direct decomposition of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) in NMFs. The order of effect of the three key components on the tar lightweighting was Fe 2 O 3 > Al 2 O 3 > CaCO 3. The content of lightweight tar in the tar obtained by catalytic pyrolysis of NMFs with 15 wt% RM was 44.29% higher than that in the tar obtained by direct pyrolysis of NMFs. This work provides a theoretical guidance for the low-cost and eco-friendly recycling of e-wastes by co-pyrolysis with RM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study presents an adaptive robust control method for the Pendubot subjects to matched and mismatched uncertainty. First, the control task is formatted as a reduced-dimension equality constraint of the system states. To handle the matched and mismatched uncertainties, an orthogonal decomposition method is employed to make the mismatched part disappear after decomposition. Based on the above, an adaptive robust control law based on constraint-following is devised. By the Lyapunov approach, it is rigorously proven that the proposed approach ensures the uniform boundedness and uniform ultimate boundedness of the closed-loop control system and thus renders approximate constraint-following, regardless of uncertainty. Simulation and experimental results are provided and discussed, demonstrating the good performance of the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic photothermal cocrystals, integrating the advantages of intrinsic organic cocrystals and the fascinating photothermal conversion ability, hold attracted considerable interest in both basic science and practical applications, involving photoacoustic imaging, seawater desalination, and photothermal therapy, and so on. However, these organic photothermal cocrystals currently suffer individual cases discovered step by step, as well as the deep and systemic investigation in the corresponding photothermal conversion mechanisms is rarely carried out, suggesting a huge challenge for their further developments. Therefore, it is urgently necessary to investigate and explore the rational design and synthesis of high‐performance organic photothermal cocrystals for future applications. This review first and systematically summarizes the organic photothermal cocrystal in terms of molecular classification, the photothermal conversion mechanism, and their corresponding applications. The timely interpretation of the cocrystal photothermal effect will provide broad prospects for the purposeful fabrication of excellent organic photothermal cocrystals toward great efficiency, low cost, and multifunctionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the impact of tourists' travel experience sharing via mobile social media (MSM) on perceptions of smartphone usage-based travel experience improvement and tourists' post-trip evaluations of their travel experiences. We also examined how two self-enhancement tendencies, self-promotion and self-protection, moderate the relationship between tourists' MSM travel experience sharing and their perceptions of smartphone usage-based travel experience improvement as well as post-trip evaluations of their travel experiences. A moderated moderation analysis revealed that MSM involvement can condition how tourists' tendencies for self-promotion moderate the effect of tourists' travel experience sharing via MSM on their perceptions of smartphone usage-based travel experience improvement. This moderated moderation pattern was similar for the relationship between travel experience sharing via MSM and tourists' post-trip evaluations of their travel experiences. Theoretical and managerial implications are provided based on the findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the impact of fiscal pressure on the degree of deviation from budgetary revenue based on provincial panel data from 2011 to 2020. The results show that fiscal pressure has a positive impact on the deviation of local government budget revenues, with the impact of fiscal pressure on the deviation of non-tax revenues significantly higher than that of tax revenues; the positive impact of fiscal pressure on the deviation of local government budget revenues is more obvious in regions with higher reliance on land finance; the proportion of tax revenues in fiscal revenues negatively moderates the impact of fiscal pressure on the deviation of local government budget revenues. The impact of fiscal pressure on the degree of deviation of local government budgetary revenue is negatively moderated by the share of tax revenue in fiscal revenue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wasted iron tailings have poor engineering properties. Using polypropylene fiber and cement to modify iron tailings and in road engineering is an efficient way to utilize iron tailings as a resource. Dynamic triaxial tests were used to investigate the cumulative deformation and damage evolution of fiber cement–modified iron tailings (FCITs) with different fiber contents (Wf) and dynamic static ratios (Rcr) under cyclic load. In a study of the cumulative deformation of FCIT, it was found that increasing Rcr results in the cumulative deformation of FCIT. However, adding fibers to FCIT could minimize cumulative deformation by up to 70%. Furthermore, with an increase of Rcr, FCIT gradually changed from plastic shakedown to plastic creep and finally realized the deformation behavior of incremental failure. A plastic shakedown creep prediction formula with an error within ± 10% could be established according to the deformation behavior. The plastic shakedown creep prediction model could be further developed, and it was found that FCIT has the best deformation resistance when Wf = 0.75%. In the study of FCIT damage evolution, it was observed that adding fibers can improve the failure form of iron tailings under IF (incremental failure) conditions. The cumulative damage variable formula proved that the fiber significantly improves the cumulative damage of FCIT. However, when Wf > 0.75% and Wf < 0.75%, FCIT cumulative damage increased faster when Wf = 0.75%. Wf = 0.75% had the best effect on reducing FCIT cumulative damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gaseous fire suppressants are usually stored in a vessel via pressurization, and then discharged out through pipelines. The flow behaviors of the agents in pipes greatly affect its dispersion in space, as well as the fire extinguishing results. Here, an experimental study was carried out on the transportation characteristics of perfluoro(2-methyl-3-pentanone) (C6F12O) in a horizontal straight pipe with the temperature and pressure recorded synchronously. At a filling pressure of 1800 kPa and a filling density of 517 kg·m−3, the agent release was completed in 2.0 s with the pipeline pressure peak of 1145 kPa and the pipeline temperature nadir of −10.6 °C. In comparison to that of bromotrifluoromethane (CF3Br) under the same conditions, the temperature and pressure curves of C6F12O exhibited similar varying trajectories but a much smaller amplitude, which could be ascribed to their different thermophysical properties. When keeping the other conditions unchanged, raising the filling pressure C6F12O reduces the discharge duration and the pipeline temperatures. Increasing the filling density extends the discharge duration, but shows little influence on the pipeline temperatures. The results were expected to provide useful information for the model validation and engineering design of a C6F12O fire-suppressing system with a predictable performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The case shows that the Jiujiawan landslide had a pronounced hysteresis effect due to the particularity of mudstone and gypsum rock (Xu et al. [5]). At 17:25 (UTC + 8) on 15 September 2022, a landslide occurred in Jiujiawan village, Xining city, Qinghai province (N 36°41'45", E 101°47'05"). [Extracted from the article]

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a powerful and commonly used chemotherapeutic drug, used alone or in combination in a variety of cancers, while it has been found to cause serious cardiac side effects in clinical application. More and more researchers are trying to explore the molecular mechanisms of DOX-induced cardiomyopathy (DIC), in which oxidative stress and inflammation are considered to play a significant role. This review summarizes signaling pathways related to oxidative stress and inflammation in DIC and compounds that exert cardioprotective effects by acting on relevant signaling pathways, including the role of Nrf2/Keap1/ARE, Sirt1/p66Shc, Sirt1/PPAR/PGC-1α signaling pathways and NOS, NOX, Fe2+ signaling in oxidative stress, as well as the role of NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD, HMGB1/TLR4/MAPKs/NF-κB, mTOR/TFEB/NF-κB pathways in DOX-induced inflammation. Hence, we attempt to explain the mechanisms of DIC in terms of oxidative stress and inflammation, and to provide a theoretical basis or new idea for further drug research on reducing DIC. 3CMYYxk6paSP_nYNdRJu_R Video Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic field‐effect transistor (OFET) memory devices are benefiting from their independent gate modulation advantages for hardware implementation of synaptic functionalities. However, the imitation of selective release of excitatory–inhibitory neurotransmitters in a unipolar synaptic OFET is challenging due to the unbalanced mobile carrier concentration. Here, a p‐type synaptic OFET memory with CsPbBr3 quantum dots (QDs) as nano‐floating gates (NFGs) is developed, which can emulate both the excitatory–inhibitory responses of the biological synapse and their reconfigurable nature. By controlling the offset difference between stimulus voltage and reading voltage, the concomitant and independently expressed excitatory and inhibitory responses are successfully implemented in a negative gate modulation manner, but without introducing an ambipolar semiconductor or additional optical terminal. This reconfigurable modulation is ascribed to the dynamic competition between external electric field and built‐in electric field assisted by charge trapping in shallow traps. The proposed gate voltage‐offset method can be generally adapted to other unipolar synaptic OFETs. These results provide insight into OFET memory devices for building neuromorphic hardware elements with tailorable synaptic plasticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to identify potential biomarkers for prostate cancer (PCa) progression and metastasis, and to discern their biological functions. Methods: Bioinformatics methods were used to screen for hub genes. The expression level of key hub genes in PCa was determined and their prognostic significance was examined. A series of functional assays were performed to investigate the function of the highest-ranking hub gene. Results: Actin related protein 2/3 complex subunit 1A (ARPC1A) was identified as the hub gene. ARPC1A was highly expressed in PCa tissues and cell lines, and was an independent prognostic factor for predicting biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy and overall survival of PCa patients. Knockdown of ARPC1A inhibited PCa cell migration, invasion and cytoskeleton formation, but had no impact on cell proliferation and cell cycle progression. In vivo, ARPC1A overexpression promoted lung metastasis of PCa, but had no efffect on tumor growth. Additionally, glutamine metabolism was identified as an upstream regulator of ARPC1A, and promoted migration, invasion and cytoskeletal changes of PCa cell through ARPC1A. Conclusion: These findings suggested that ARPC1A, which correlates with poor prognosis in PCa, functions downstream of glutamine metabolism to regulate cytoskeletal changes, cellular migration and cellular invasion in this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The characteristics of active sites on the surface of albite were theoretically analyzed by density functional theory, and the activation of the C-H bond of methane using an albite catalyst and the reaction mechanism of preparing C2 hydrocarbons by nonoxidative coupling were studied. There are two frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) on the (001) and (010) surfaces of albite; they can dissociate H2 under mild conditions and show high activity for the activation of methane C-H bonds. CH4 molecules can undergo direct dissociative adsorption on the (010) surface, whereas a 50.07 kJ/mol activation barrier is needed on the (001) surface. The prepared albite catalyst has a double combination function of the (001) and (010) surfaces; these surfaces produce a spillover phenomenon in the process of CH4 activation reactions, where CH3 overflows from the (001) surface with CH3 adsorbed on the (010) surface to achieve nonoxidative high efficiently C-C coupling with an activation energy of 18.51 kJ/mol. At the same time, this spillover phenomenon inhibits deep dehydrogenation, which is conducive to the selectivity of the C2 hydrocarbons. The experimental results confirm that the selectivity of the C2 hydrocarbons is maintained above 99% in the temperature range of 873 K to 1173 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the dynamic relationship between the digital economy, science and technology innovation and carbon emissions using a panel vector autoregressive model with data from 30 Chinese provinces from 2011 to 2019. The results show that: initial development of the digital economy will lead to an increase of carbon emissions, but the effect will be gradually weakened in later stages and become a reverse inhibitory effect; the growth of digital economy development level and the increase of carbon emissions intensity are mutually Granger causative; carbon emissions will inhibit the development of the digital economy in the short term, and will have a significant self-promoting effect; the improvement of science and technology innovation level on the growth of digital economy development level is the driving effect of the improvement of STI level on the growth of digital economy development level is not yet stable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a new type of circular ring traveling wave linear ultrasonic motor with incomplete teeth. The motor's movable slider is pressed against the end face of the tooth structure on the outer surface of the circular ring vibrator under a certain pre-pressure, four piezoelectric ceramic plates are evenly distributed at 90° intervals on the inner side of the circular structure, and four sets of driving teeth are arranged at 45° intervals from the position of the piezoelectric ceramic plates.When the motor is in operation, only one driving tooth works, and the life of the ultrasonic motor can be increased by rotating the different working teeth. The motor operates in two in-plane third-order bending modes that are orthogonal to each other at the same frequency. The dynamic design and simulation of the vibrator was carried out using ANSYS finite element software to analyze the effect of the structure on the mode. The principle prototype was fabricated, and the operating mode of the vibrator was measured using a laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV), and the vibration characteristics and output performance of the prototype were tested. Experimental results show that the motor runs smoothly at the excitation voltage of 240 V peak-to-peak, the excitation frequency of 30.459 kHz and the pre-pressure of 0.6 N, with the maximum output force of 90 mN and the motor no-load speed of 102 mm/s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]