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Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant tumor of digestive tract with an increasing incidence and mortality worldwide, and most patients have lost the opportunity of surgical treatment once diagnosed. With the continuous development of precision targeted therapy, anti-angiogenesis targeted drugs have achieved good therapeutic effect in the treatment of advanced CRC. Regorafenib is a multi-target oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor, which can improve the tumor immune microenvironment by regulating tumor-associated macrophage, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, and has a synergistic effect with immunotherapy. This article reviews the progress of basic and clinical research on regorafenib in the field of CRC.

Proper characterization of the unsaturated hydraulic properties in rocks is significant for predicting fluid flow in soil, hydrogeologic, and petroleum science and engineering problems. In this study, we contributed rigorous analysis of the unsaturated hydraulic properties of three reservoir rock samples (Berea Sandstone, Guelph Dolomite, and Indiana Limestone). An improved version of the standard evaporation method (HYPROP) was developed to cater specifically to rock samples. The improved HYPROP setup enables measurements of local water pressures within rock samples without disturbing the upper portion of the samples. The obtained results were compared with those obtained using the conventional pressure plate method and a state-of-the-art nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method. Observed data were analyzed in terms of four different unimodal and bimodal hydraulic functions. The HYPROP data were found to be relatively close to the pressure plate data of two carbonate rocks. The NMR-based data were reasonably consistent with the HYPROP data, with differences likely due in part to the fact that they were obtained using two different 5-cm long plugs taken from the same core. Heterogeneity along the rock cores from which the samples were taken could be a major reason for the observed differences, and hence should be considered in reservoir analyses.

【Objective】 Optimizing water distribution in canal-irrigation districts is a prerequisite to improve irrigation water use efficiency. This paper proposes an optimization method to distribute water in two-level canal-irrigation systems. 【Method】 The method was based on water supply to irrigation districts; it optimizes volume of water distribution, water distribution flow rate and time for each water use unit. We considered two scenarios. The first one was insufficient irrigation where water supply cannot meet water demand during the growing season of crops, in which the model calculated the allocated water for each water user first using water resource allocation coefficient, and then determined the water distribution using the optimal distribution model. The second was sufficient irrigation where water supply meets water demand; we first ranked the priority of the water distribution to each user, and then determined the volume of optimal water flow and timing. The objective of the optimization in both scenarios was to maximize water flow rate and expedite water distribution. The model was applied to the Bojili Irrigation District. 【Result】 The model can optimally allocate and distribute water across the canal system. When water supply is ample, the model can optimally determine water distribution sequence based on the allocation coefficient. When water is scarce, the model can optimally allocate water to each user based on the distribution coefficient. In both scenarios, water distribution flow rate in the main and branched canals exceed 80% and 75% of the maximum flow limits in the first and second scenarios, respectively. The water distribution period for the first and second scenarios is 10.90 and 17.84 days, respectively. 【Conclusion】 The model we developed is effective and provides an improved water allocation method for water management in irrigation districts.

[Objective] To investigate the spatial variability of trail soils under the influence of anthropogenic trampling in the understory social activities in karst areas. [Methods] To investigate the spatial and temporal variability of soil properties in the 0—20 cm soil layer under drought and precipitation conditions, we took the karst forest trail area as the research object, regularly sampled the soil at a fixed piont on a monthly scale. Geostatistical analyses were performed to assess the spatial and temporal variability of soil properties and their distribution patterns under both drought and precipitation conditions. [Results] Anthropogenic trampling can alter the structure of the soil surface (0—15 cm) and subsurface by increasing soil consolidation and the aggregation capacity of soil particles. The spatial distribution of soil water content in karst forests trails showed moderate variability, with higher values observed in the center of the trails (32.68%) compared to the trail edges (28.46%) and the forest interior (26.99%). Soil compactness and shear strength followed a similar pattern, being highest at the center of the trail, followed by the trail edge, and lowest in the forest interior. Vegetation cover was weakened by anthropogenic trampling, resulting in an increased response time of soil water content to rainfall events. Stochastic factors had a relatively greater influence on soil surface water content but overall showed strong spatial autocorrelation (0.97). Kriging contour plots revealed patchy distribution patterns for soil moisture along forest trails, which exhibited better spatial continuity under precipitation conditions. [Conclusion] Substantial guidance for the implementation of woodland ecological restoration strategies and the development of more accurate soil sampling density programmers in karst areas.

Myopia is becoming more and more common all over the world, and the incidence of myopia is gradually increasing. Many treatments have been used to prevent and control myopia, including optics, drugs, environment or behavior, but the results are different and lack standardization. At present, many experiments have proved that peripheral defocus technology has a certain effect on myopia control. Based on this technology, three kinds of framed eyeglass lenses with peripheral defocus design, namely defocus incorporated multiple segments(DIMS), highly aspherical lenslets(HAL)and cylindrical annular reactive elements(CARE), are commonly used in medical and optometry institutions in China. These lenses provide not only clear vision in the central area, but also a certain amount of myopic defocus in the periphery to control the progression of myopia. This paper aims to focus on the design principle and myopia prevention and control effect of the above three peripheral defocus lenses, and evaluate their effectiveness in clinical practice.

Characterized by their pivotal roles in cell-to-cell communication, cell proliferation, and immune regulation during tissue repair, exosomes have emerged as a promising avenue for “cell-free therapy” in clinical applications. Hydrogels, possessing commendable biocompatibility, degradability, adjustability, and physical properties akin to biological tissues, have also found extensive utility in tissue engineering and regenerative repair. The synergistic combination of exosomes and hydrogels holds the potential not only to enhance the efficiency of exosomes but also to collaboratively advance the tissue repair process. This review has summarized the advancements made over the past decade in the research of hydrogel-exosome systems for regenerating various tissues including skin, bone, cartilage, nerves and tendons, with a focus on the methods for encapsulating and releasing exosomes within the hydrogels. It has also critically examined the gaps and limitations in current research, whilst proposed future directions and potential applications of this innovative approach.

Soil nutrients are essentially regulated by land management practices via modulating biotic element input and metabolism. The Three Gorges Reservoir Area in China was dominated by a farming landscape, but land management has become diversified over recent decades. How these restorative management practices may have affected soil nutrients is not completely understood. In this study, a space-time substitution approach was applied to evaluate soil nutrients and their stoichiometric changes in response to post-farming land management practices. Soil samples (0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, and 20–40 cm) were collected from present-day croplands, cypress plantations, eucalyptus plantations, abandoned croplands, and citrus plantations. Soil organic matter, soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, alkaline hydrolyzed nitrogen, total phosphorus, and available phosphorus were determined. The results showed that soil organic matter and total nitrogen in abandoned croplands, cypress plantations, eucalyptus plantations and citrus plantations were increased by 186% and 190%, 184% and 107%, 45% and 33%, 45% and 54%, respectively, in comparison with those of present-day croplands. Soil nutrients except for total phosphorus decreased with soil depth by exclusion of tillage mixing. Comprehensive soil nutrient index showed that abandoned croplands (0.90) and cypress plantations (0.72) exhibited favorable nutrient recovery capacity. Soil C:P and N:P ratios increased in abandoned croplands, cypress plantations, and eucalyptus plantations. Phosphorus may become a limiting factor for plant growth with prolonged recovery in abandoned croplands, cypress plantations, and eucalyptus plantations, while soil organic matter and total nitrogen deficiencies were exacerbated in citrus plantations and present-day croplands. Therefore, cropland abandonment and reforestation (particularly cypress trees plantation) are recommended options for restoring soil nutrients in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area.

Spectral reconstruction, critical for understanding sample composition, is extensively applied in fields like remote sensing, geology, and medical imaging. However, existing spectral reconstruction methods require bulky equipment or complex electronic reconstruction algorithms, which limit the system’s performance and applications. This paper presents a novel flexible all-optical opto-intelligence spectrometer, termed OIS, using a diffractive neural network for high-precision spectral reconstruction, featuring low energy consumption and light-speed processing. Simulation experiments indicate that the OIS is able to achieve high-precision spectral reconstruction under spatially coherent and incoherent light sources without relying on any complex electronic algorithms, and integration with a simplified electrical calibration module can further improve the performance of OIS. To demonstrate the robustness of OIS, spectral reconstruction was also successfully conducted on real-world datasets. Our work provides a valuable reference for using diffractive neural networks in spectral interaction and perception, contributing to ongoing developments in photonic computing and machine learning.

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical features and genetic characteristics of patients with late-onset Pompe disease(LOPD).MethodsA total of 13 patients diagnosed with LOPD in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from September 2020 to December 2023 were selected, and all patients were subjected to clinical investigation, GAA activity detection and GAA gene testing.ResultsAmong the 13 patients, 7 were males and 6 were females; 5 were family patients and 8 were sporadic patients; and the median age of onset was 17 years(8-52 years), the median age of presentation was 24 years(10-52 years), and the median age of diagnosis was 31 years(14-58 years). In terms of the first symptoms, 10 patients presented with limb weakness and 3 patients presented with dyspnea. The average serum creatine kinase level was 552 U/L(55-1084 U/L), and the serum creatine kinase level was normal in one patient. All patients had scoliosis and different degrees of restrictive ventilatory dysfunction. Neuroelectrophysiological examinations of 9 patients showed myogenic damage, and 8 of them had muscle tonic discharge. The mean value of GAA activity was 0.3 μmol/(L·h)[0.17-0.5 μmol/(L·h)]. A total of 13 mutations were detected in GAA gene, and the most common mutation was c.2238G > C(p.W746C).There were five new variant sites: c.543del(p.F181Lfs*40), c.839_840insCC(p.R281Pfs*34), c.1800_1823del(p.S601_ R608del), c.2296T > C(p.Y766H) and c.995C > A(p.S332*).ConclusionsLOPD is a rare disease that tends to delay diagnosis. Proximal limb weakness, decreased respiratory function, mild-to-moderate elevation of creatine kinase, scoliosis, and clinical inferior tonic discharge on electromyography are high-risk images of LOPD. c.2238G > C(p.W746C)is a hotspot mutation, and the discovery of five new mutations enriches the GAA gene mutations lineage.

The present research employed sodium alginate (SA) and pea protein isolate (PPI) as primary materials to explore the impact of pre-gelation time on the rheological properties, 3D printability, and swallowing properties of SA-PPI composite gel. Additionally, in vitro release capabilities of 3D printed products carrying curcumin (Cur) were studied. The results illustrated that adjusting the pre-gelation time could enhance the rheological properties, 3D printability, swallowing ability, encapsulation efficiency, and slow-release capabilities of the composite gel. Specifically, the SA-PPI composite gel (SA-PPI22) with pre-gelled for 22 min, displayed the optimal viscosity and recovery, which facilitated extrusion and shape retention during the 3D printing process. Moreover, SA-PPI22 exhibited a smooth surface quality in its 3D printed structures, along with exceptional self-supporting ability and swallowing performance meeting grade 5 fine filling food standards. Furthermore, SA-PPI22 delayed its release rate in vitro. This study could contribute to the advancement of hydrogel applications in the field of 3D printing and offer the theoretical groundwork for the development of SA-PPI composite gels in dysphagia-friendly food products.

In this study, sodium alginate (SA), locust bean gum (LBG) and mung bean starch (MBS) were used as raw materials. Dynamic rheometer, texture analyzer, differential scanning calorimeter, X-ray diffractometer and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance were used to explore the effects of SA, LBG and SA-LBG mixtures with different compounding ratios on MBS aging and their influence mechanisms. The results showed that adding SA, LBG and SA-LBG mixture can reduce the hardness, aging enthalpy value, recrystallization rate constant (k), relative crystallinity and water mobility of aged MBS gel, and increase its loss factor. Low-field NMR results found that the SA-LBG mixture increased the T2 of MBS gel. The results show that SA, LBG and SA-LBG mixture can delay the aging of MBS gel, among which the anti-aging effect of SA-LBG mixture is more significant. SA-LBG mixture at mass ratio of 1:1 exhibited a strongest synergistic effect on inhibiting MBS gel retrogradation. This may be due to that the synergistic effects between SA and LBG, as well as hydrogen binding among SA, LBG and starch, which could prevent interactions between starch molecules and inhibit starch recrystallization. These findings might provide useful information for improving MBS-based products’ shelf-life with introduction of SA-LBG.

Abstract Background The global mortality and morbidity rates of bronchiectasis patients due to nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) pulmonary infection are on a concerning upward trend. The aims of this study to identify the phenotype of NTM-positive individuals with bronchiectasis. Methods A retrospective single-center observational study was conducted in adult patients with bronchiectasis who underwent bronchoscopy in 2007-2020. Clinical, laboratory, pulmonary function, and radiological data were compared between patients with a positive or negative NTM culture. Results Compared to the NTM-negative group (n=677), the NTM-positive group (n=94) was characterized (P ≤0.05 for all) by older age, greater proportion of females, and higher rates of gastroesophageal reflux disease and muco-active medication use; lower body mass index, serum albumin level, and lymphocyte and eosinophil counts; lower values of forced expiratory volume in one second, forced vital capacity, and their ratio, and lower diffusing lung capacity for carbon monoxide; higher rates of bronchiectasis in both lungs and upper lobes and higher number of involved lobes; and more exacerbations in the year prior bronchoscopy. On multivariate analysis, older age (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02-1.07, P=0.001), lower body mass index (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.16-1.07, P

【Objective】 Winter wheat in Northern China is often rotated with other crops which are expected to have a legacy effect. This paper aims to study the effect of different tillage and preceding crops on soil nutrients, yield and water use efficiency of the winter wheat. 【Method】 The field experiment consisted of a rotary tillage (RT) and a no-tillage (NT). The preceding crops for each tillage were corn (MW) or soybean (SW). During the experiment, we measured the changes in soil nutrients, soil water content, water and fertilizer use efficiency, and yield of the wheat. 【Result】 For the same preceding crop, non-tillage increased soil water content compared to rotary tillage; under the same tillage, soil water content with maize as the preceding crop was higher than that with soybean as the preceding crop. In all treatments, soil nutrients decreased with soil depth. In the 0-50 cm soil layer, NTSW increased soil organic carbon, soil total nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen by 4.14%-13.54%, 35.51%-54.44% and 55.75%-112%, respectively, compared to the RTMW. RTMW had the highest available phosphorus and potassium in the 10-50 cm soil layer. The RTSW had the highest ammonium nitrogen in the 0-50 cm soil layer, 13.39%-20.64% more than that in the RTMW. The winter wheat in NTSW had the highest spike numbers, spikelet numbers, thousand-grain weight; and its grain yield was 16.62% higher than that of RTMW. The NTSW had the highest water use efficiency, 8.67% more than that of RTMW. The NTSW had the highest nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium use efficiency. 【Conclusion】 The NTSW facilitated nutrient accumulation in the winter wheat field. It had the highest water and fertilizer use efficiency and increased grain yields the most as a result.

Negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistors are key components for temperature sensors and actuators. In this work, Sn0.94-x-yAlxSmySb0.06O2+δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.05, 0 ≤ y ≤ 0.15) ceramics were prepared by solid-state reaction method for potential application of NTC thermistors. The Sm/Al co-doped SnO2 ceramics had the main phase with tetragonal structure as that of SnO2 crystal. The prepared ceramics presented adjustable room temperature resistivity (ρ25) and temperature sensitivity (B value) for various Al contents. Sm/Al co-doping significantly improved the ageing stability, the resistance shift rate was below 3% after ageing at 150°C for 500 h, while the average resistance shift rate was 41.4% of the ceramics without Sm-doping. The conduction mechanisms and the effect of dopants on the ageing stability were investigated by analysis of impedance spectra and element valences combined with defect chemistry theory.

Richter transformation (RT) represents the development of intrusive lymphoma in individuals previously or concurrently diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and is characterized by lymph node enlargement. However, cases involving extra-nodal organ involvement as the first symptom are rare. There are no reports of RT with breast lesions as the first symptom. Nonspecific and atypical clinical manifestations represent key challenges in the accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment of RT. This case report describes an elderly female patient who presented with breast lesions as the first RT symptom. The patient was admitted with a painless mass in the left breast. Examination revealed multiple lymphadenopathies and abnormally high white blood cell levels. The patient was diagnosed with CLL after hematological tests, assessments of bone marrow morphology, and tissue biopsy. Mammography and B-ultrasonography showed solid space-occupying lesions (BI-RADS category 5) in the left breast. Initially, the patient declined a breast biopsy and was therefore prescribed ibrupotinib treatment, which showed limited efficacy. A needle biopsy of the affected breast indicated the presence of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Based on auxiliary and pathological examinations and medical history, the final diagnosis was RT with breast involvement. Zanubrutinib with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone treatment provided initial control; however, the treatment strategy required adjustment because of the patient’s fluctuating condition. The current status of the patient is marked as stable, showing an overall achievement of partial alleviation. The patient is in the process of receiving follow-up treatment. We also performed a comprehensive literature review on RT, with particular emphasis on its biological paradigm, prognosis implications, existing therapeutic approaches, and emerging directions in treatment modalities.

The violent swinging motion of a payload imposes significant safety problems for the operation of offshore ship-mounted cranes (offshore cranes). We therefore propose a stable experimental hoisting platform for an offshore crane payload positioning system with a parallel cable-driven method (PP-PCDM), and an adaptive cable-drive anti-swing tension (ACAT) control method based on the PP-PCDM is developed to resolve the problem of swinging of the payload by limiting its spatial position. The PP-PCDM enables synchronous tracking of the movement of the payload when the crane is working. When the payload deviates from a stable state due to an external disturbance, the anti-swing cables are immediately retracted or released based on the feedback signal. The spatial position of the payload is then limited by adjusting the length and tension of the parallel cables until the payload appears stationary from the perspective of the ship’s deck. Operational safety and efficiency is substantially improved, and the proposed PP-PCDM structure and ACAT control method can be applied to a variety of different types of cranes. The results of simulations and physical experiments show that the anti-swing effect exceeds 89.86%. The PP-PCDM enables excellent performance of synchronous tracking and hoisting assistance, and ensures that the rated lifting weight of the offshore crane is not affected.

Photonic devices based on ferroelectric domain engineering in thin film lithium niobate are key components for both classical and quantum information processing. Periodic poling of ridge waveguide can avoid the selective etching effect of lithium niobate, however, the fabrication of high-quality ferroelectric domain is still a challenge. In this work, we optimized the applied electric field distribution, and rectangular inverted domain structure was obtained in the ridge waveguide which is beneficial for efficient nonlinear frequency conversions. Second harmonic confocal microscope, piezoresponse force microscopy, and chemical selective etching were used to characterize the inverted domain in the ridge waveguide. In addition, the performance of nonlinear frequency conversion of the periodically poled nano-waveguide was investigated through second harmonic generation, and the normalized conversion efficiency was measured to be 1,720 % W−1 cm−2, which is close to 60 % that of the theoretical value. The fabrication technique described in this work will pave the way for the development of high-efficiency, low-loss lithium niobate nonlinear photonic devices.

With the wastewater treatment project of a taurine production enterprise in Hubei as a case study, this paper analyzed the production process and wastewater quality characteristics of the enterprise, the targeted treatment process of “hydrolysis acidification+pre anoxic+aerobic biochemistry+post anoxic+secondary sedimentation” was adopted. When the average influent COD, ammonia nitrogen, and total nitrogen were 956.8, 50.6, 99.1 mg/L, respectively, the average effluent COD, ammonia nitrogen, and TN were 73.6, 1.6, 12.2 mg/L, respectively, with the average removal rates could reach 92.3%, 96.9%, and 87.7%, respectively. The effluent water quality was stable and meet the limits of water pollutants for newly built enterprises in the Chemical Synthesis Pharmaceutical Industry Water Pollutant Discharge Standard(GB 21904-2008). By adopting tapered aeration and fan frequency conversion control, energy consumption was significantly reduced, and the operating cost was 1.60 CNY/m3.

Partial denitrification has a stable nitrite accumulation capacity,which holds the dawn to the application of anaerobic ammonia oxidation. Compared to the segmented partial denitrification-anaerobic ammonia oxidation(PD-A),the integrated PD-A is more compact and convenient in operation. In this paper, the nitrogen removal mechanism of partial denitrification and anaerobic ammonia oxidation was introduced initially. Then, the starting method and process form of integrated PD-A were elaborated from the suspended sludge, biofilm, granular sludge and cell immobilization system. It was found that the spatial structure of the integrated PD-A was not only conducive to the retention of functional bacteria but also beneficial to the development of derivative process. Subsequently, the factors that have effects on PD-A were summarized from the aspects of carbon source, influent water matrix, and pH, etc. The methods to enhance PD-A were introduced. Finally, the application progress of PD-A and its derivative processes was summarized, and the development direction was discussed. It was found that integrated PD-A had broad prospects in nitrogen removal and resource utilization of urban sewage, which met the development requirements of China’s “dual carbon”.

The aim of this study was to observe the remission of primary membranous nephropathy (PMN) and evaluate the efficacy of tacrolimus (TAC) monotherapy for PMN in comparison with TAC combined with a low-dose glucocorticoid (GC) protocol (TAC + GC).

Abstract The cold-water species Ophiura sarsii, a brittle star, is a key echinoderm in the Arctic continental shelf region, highly sensitive to climate change. However, the absence of a high-quality genome has hindered a thorough understanding of its adaptive evolution. In this study, we reported the first chromosome-level genome assembly of O. sarsii. The genome assembly totalled 1.57 Gb, encompassing 19 chromosomes with a GC content of 37.11% and a scaffold N50 length of 78.03 Mb. The Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (BUSCO) assessment yielded a completeness estimate of 93.5% for this assembly. We predicted a total of 27,099 protein-coding genes, with 25,079 functionally annotated. The genome was comprised of 58.09% transposable elements. This chromosome-level genome of O. sarsii contributes to our understanding of the origin and evolution of marine organisms.

Abstract Objective There has been some confusion in earlier research on the connection between thyroid function and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This research is aimed to probe into the correlation between thyroid condition and the risk of PCOS from a new standpoint of thyroid hormone sensitivity. Methods This research comprised 415 females with PCOS from Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated with the Medical School of Nanjing University, and 137 non-PCOS individuals were selected as the normal control. Based on free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), we calculated the thyroid hormone sensitivity indices, which consist of Thyroid Feedback Quantile-based Index (TFQI), Thyroid-stimulating Hormone Index (TSHI), Thyrotroph Thyroxine Resistance Index (TT4RI) and Free Triiodothyronine /Free thyroxine (FT3/FT4). The binary logistic regression model was adopted to investigate the correlation between thyroid hormone sensitivity indices with the risk of PCOS. Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis was employed to explore the association among thyroid-related measures with metabolic parameters in PCOS. Results Results of this research showed that females with PCOS had rising TFQI, TSHI, TT4RI, and FT3/FT4 levels compared with the control group. After adjustment for the impact of various covariates, there was no significant correlation between FT3/FT4 and the risk of PCOS; However, the odds ratio of the third and fourth vs. the first quartile of TFQI were 3.57(95% confidence interval [CI]:1.08,11.87) and 4.90(95% CI:1.38,17.38) respectively; The odds ratio of the fourth vs. the first quartile of TSHI was 5.35(95% CI:1.48,19.37); The odds ratio of the second vs. the first quartile of TT4RI was 0.27(95%CI 0.09,0.82). In addition, no significant correlation was observed between thyroid-related measures and metabolic measures in females with PCOS. Conclusions A reduction in the sensitivity of central thyroid hormone is closely correlated with a higher risk of PCOS. Further research is necessary to corroborate our findings and the supporting mechanisms.

Objective With the increasing number of rail transit vehicles in operation, the maintenance workload for data is also increasing. The existing data landing methods have many drawbacks, necessitating research into new data transmission methods to reduce the failure rate of trains. Method By comparing Wi-Fi and 4G technologies, it is determined to utilize the both. Considering the need for network coverage on main lines and in depots, three channels are ultimately established to ensure data transmission under different conditions and locations. Meanwhile, to ensure the security of data transmission, several security measures are implemented to prevent channel attacks. Result & Conclusion Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach can effectively and reliably download data to ground servers. Moreover, in the event of a channel failure, the remaining channels can continue to operate, ensuring uninterrupted data transmission.

The non-isothermal oxidation behaviors of TiAl and Ti3Al alloys at 1450-1570 ℃ in a pure oxygen atmosphere were studied by using TGA/DSC simultaneous thermal analysis, SEM and EPMA characterizations and theoretical calculation. The results show that a continuous dense Al2O3 barrier layer is formed on the melt surface of TiAl alloy, when the oxidation temperature is higher than the melting point of TiAl alloy. The Gibbs free energy of Al reacting with O in the melt is 50-150 kJ∙mol-1 lower than that of Ti, Cr and Nb. The diffusion coefficient(D) of Al atom in the melt of TiAl alloy is about 1.7 times that of Ti atom. The Al atoms continue to diffuse to the melt surface and preferentially react with O to form a continuous and dense Al2O3 layer. The Al2O3 barrier layer effectively hinders the diffusion of oxygen and metal ions inside and outside the matrix. TiAl alloy melts and absorbs heat to reduce the matrix temperature and slows down the oxidation rate, resulting in the non-isothermal oxidation resistance of TiAl alloy is better than that of Ti3Al alloy in range of 1450-1570 ℃.

Voiceprint detection technology can assist inspectors in assessing the state of transformers. A method for detecting and assessing transformer states based on voiceprint compression and cost-sensitive techniques is proposed. The method first extracts voiceprint features from transformer audio, then filters and compresses these features in the frequency domain. Subsequently, a convolutional neural network is employed to evaluate the transformer′s state, incorporating a cost-sensitive loss function to enhance attention towards difficult samples. Using a 35 kV transformer as the experimental subject, transformer audio data is collected through on-site recordings, simulated experiments and sample augmentation. Test results demonstrate that the proposed method reduces the voiceprint dimensionality from 1 025 to 80, decreasing computational complexity and video memory usage to 8.1% and 7.7% of the original 1 025 dimensions, respectively. Simultaneously, the proposed method achieves a voiceprint recognition accuracy of 83.5% and improves the recall rate of the most challenging short-circuit current anomaly from 48.2% to 63.6%.

Abstract Human hippocampal organoids (hHOs) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have emerged as promising models for investigating neurodegenerative disorders, such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease. However, obtaining the electrical information of these free-floating organoids in a noninvasive manner remains a challenge using commercial multi-electrode arrays (MEAs). The three-dimensional (3D) MEAs developed recently acquired only a few neural signals due to limited channel numbers. Here, we report a hippocampal cyborg organoid (cyb-organoid) platform coupling a liquid metal-polymer conductor (MPC)-based mesh neuro-interface with hHOs. The mesh MPC (mMPC) integrates 128-channel multielectrode arrays distributed on a small surface area (~2*2 mm). Stretchability (up to 500%) and flexibility of the mMPC enable its attachment to hHOs. Furthermore, we show that under Wnt3a and SHH activator induction, hHOs produce HOPX+ and PAX6+ progenitors and ZBTB20+PROX1+ dentate gyrus (DG) granule neurons. The transcriptomic signatures of hHOs reveal high similarity to the developing human hippocampus. We successfully detect neural activities from hHOs via the mMPC from this cyb-organoid. Compared with traditional planar devices, our non-invasive coupling offers an adaptor for recording neural signals from 3D models.

Background: diabetices foot ulcer (DFU) are serious complications. It is crucial to detect and diagnose DFU early in order to provide timely treatment, improve patient quality of life, and avoid the social and economic consequences. Machine learning techniques can help identify risk factors associated with DFU development. Objective: The aim of this study was to establish correlations between clinical and biochemical risk factors of DFU through local foot examinations based on the construction of predictive models using automated machine learning techniques. Methods: The input dataset consisted of 566 diabetes cases and 50 DFU risk factors, including 9 local foot examinations. 340 patients with Class 0 labeling (low-risk DFU), 226 patients with Class 1 labeling (high-risk DFU). To divide the training group (consisting of 453 cases) and the validation group (consisting of 113 cases), as well as preprocess the data and develop a prediction model, a Monte Carlo cross-validation approach was employed. Furthermore, potential high-risk factors were analyzed using various algorithms, including Bayesian BYS, Multi-Gaussian Weighted Classifier (MGWC), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Random Forest Classifier (RF). A three-layer machine learning training was constructed, and model performance was estimated using a Confusion Matrix. The top 30 ranking feature variables were ultimately determined. To reinforce the robustness and generalizability of the predictive model, an independent dataset comprising 248 cases was employed for external validation. This validation process evaluated the model's applicability and reliability across diverse populations and clinical settings. Importantly, the external dataset required no additional tuning or adjustment of parameters, enabling an unbiased assessment of the model's generalizability and its capacity to predict the risk of DFU. Results: The ensemble learning method outperformed individual classifiers in various performance evaluation metrics. Based on the ROC analysis, the AUC of the AutoML model for assessing diabetic foot risk was 88.48 % (74.44–97.83 %). Other results were found to be as follows: 87.23 % (63.33 %–100.00 %) for sensitivity, 87.43 % (70.00 %–100.00 %) for specificity, 87.33 % (76.66 %–95.00 %) for accuracy, 87.69 % (75.00 %–100.00 %) for positive predictive value, and 87.70 % (71.79 %–100.00 %) for negative predictive value. In addition to traditional DFU risk factors such as cardiovascular disorders, peripheral artery disease, and neurological damage, we identified new risk factors such as lower limb varicose veins, history of cerebral infarction, blood urea nitrogen, GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate), and type of diabetes that may be related to the development of DFU. In the external validation set of 158 samples, originating from an initial 248 with exclusions due to missing labels or features, the model still exhibited strong predictive accuracy. The AUC score of 0.762 indicated a strong discriminatory capability of the model. Furthermore, the Sensitivity and Specificity values provided insights into the model's ability to correctly identify both DFU cases and non-cases, respectively. Conclusion: The predictive model, developed through AutoML and grounded in local foot examinations, has proven to be a robust and practical instrument for the screening, prediction, and diagnosis of DFU risk. This model not only aids medical practitioners in the identification of potential DFU cases but also plays a pivotal role in mitigating the progression towards adverse outcomes. And the recent successful external validation of our DFU risk prediction model marks a crucial advancement, indicating its readiness for clinical application. This validation reinforces the model's efficacy as an accessible and reliable tool for early DFU risk assessment, thereby facilitating prompt intervention strategies and enhancing overall patient outcomes.

Abstract Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries have been regarded as the most potential candidate to substitute lithium‐ion batteries. However, many serious challenges such as suppressing zinc dendrite growth and undesirable reactions, and achieving fully accepted mechanism also have not been solved. Herein, the commensal composite microspheres with α‐MnO2 nano‐wires and carbon nanotubes were achieved and could effectively suppress ZnSO4·3Zn(OH)2·nH2O rampant crystallization. The electrode assembled with the microspheres delivered a high initial capacity at a current density of 0.05 A g−1 and maintained a significantly prominent capacity retention of 88% over 2500 cycles. Furthermore, a novel energy‐storage mechanism, in which multivalent manganese oxides play a synergistic effect, was comprehensively investigated by the quantitative and qualitative analysis for ZnSO4·3Zn(OH)2·nH2O. The capacity contribution of multivalent manganese oxides and the crystal structure dissection in the transformed processes were completely identified. Therefore, our research could provide a novel strategy for designing improved electrode structure and a comprehensive understanding of the energy storage mechanism of α‐MnO2 cathodes.

Abstract Ophiothrix (Ophiothrix) exigua is a common brittle star in the northwestern Pacific. As a dominant species, O. exigua inhabiting the intertidal rocky ecosystem are affected by multiple environmental stressors, but molecular insights into their genetic population structure remain poorly studied. In this study, we investigated the population genetics and evolutionary history of six O. exigua populations from the northern China Sea using mitochondrial (COI, NAD4) and nuclear (ITS2, 18S) gene markers. High haplotype diversity, low nucleotide diversity, and low rates of gene differentiation among the populations of O. exigua were detected. Pairwise genetic differentiation (ΦST) statistics between different localities were negative or low and insignificant, suggesting strong gene flow of this species over the study areas. The phylogenetic analyses showed that the populations exhibited high homogeneity between localities in our study area. Demographic analyses indicated that the populations experienced sustained expansion around 0.2 million years ago. This expansion was likely related to transgressions events in the Yellow Sea during the Pleistocene period. Additional samples of O. exigua from disparate geographical locations, especially the Japan Sea and the Korean Peninsula, will be needed to unravel the population genetic patterns and evolutionary history of this species.

Objective Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have an increased risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (CCEs). Furthermore, CCE was a significant factor contributing to mortality in patients with SLE. However, no clinical model exists that can predict which patients are at high risk. The purpose of this study was to develop a practical model for predicting the risk of CCE in people with SLE.Methods This study was based on the Chinese SLE Treatment and Research Group cohort. A total of 2399 patients, who had a follow-up period of over 3 years and were diagnosed with SLE for less than 1 year at the start of the study, were included. Cox proportional hazards regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression were used to establish the model. Internal validation was performed, and the predictive power of the model was evaluated.Results During the follow-up period, 93 patients had CCEs. The prediction model included nine variables: male gender, smoking, hypertension, age of SLE onset >40, cutaneous involvement, arthritis, anti-β2GP1 antibody positivity, high-dose glucocorticoids and hydroxychloroquine usage. The model’s C index was 0.801. Patients with a prognostic index over 0.544 were classified into the high-risk group.Conclusion We have developed a predictive model that uses clinical indicators to assess the probability of CCE in patients diagnosed with SLE. This model has the ability to precisely predict the risk of CCE in patients with SLE. We recommended using this model in the routine assessment of patients with SLE.

BackgroundWhile several studies have noted a higher SII correlates with multiple diseases, research on the association between SII and cataract remains limited. Our cross-sectional study seeks to examine the association between SII and cataract among outpatient US adults.MethodsThis compensatory cross-sectional study utilized NHANES data from 1999 to 2008 cycles, conducting sample-weighted multivariate logistic regression and stratified analysis of subgroups.ResultsAmong 11,205 adults included in this study (5,571 [46.2%] male; 5,634 [53.8%] female), 2,131 (15.2%) had cataract and 9,074 (84.8%) did not have cataract. A fully adjusted model showed that SII higher than 500 × 109/L was positively correlated with an increased risk of cataracts among women (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.02–1.59) (p = 0.036). However, no difference was found in the men subgroup, and there was no significant interaction between SII and sex.ConclusionOur results indicated that a SII higher than 500 × 109/L was positively correlated with an increased risk of cataracts in women. This study is the first to specifically investigate the impact of a high SII on cataract risk in outpatient adults in the United States. By effectively addressing inflammation, it is possible to mitigate cataract progression and significantly enhance patient outcomes.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), as the most common malignancy of the hematopoietic system, poses challenges in treatment efficacy, relapse, and drug resistance. In this study, we have utilized 151 RNA sequencing datasets, 194 DNA methylation datasets, and 200 somatic mutation datasets from the AML cohort in the TCGA database to develop a multi-omics stratification model. This model enables comparison of prognosis, clinical features, gene mutations, immune microenvironment and drug sensitivity across subgroups. External validation datasets have been sourced from the GEO database, which includes 562 mRNA datasets and 136 miRNA datasets from 984 adult AML patients. Through multi-omics-based stratification model, we classified 126 AML patients into 4 clusters (CS). CS4 had the best prognosis, with the youngest age, highest M3 subtype proportion, fewest copy number alterations, and common mutations in WT1, FLT3, and KIT genes. It showed sensitivity to HDAC inhibitors and BCL-2 inhibitors. Both the M3 subtype and CS4 were identified as independent protective factors for survival. Conversely, CS3 had the worst prognosis due to older age, high copy number alterations, and frequent mutations in RUNX1, DNMT3A, and TP53 genes. Additionally, it showed higher proportions of cytotoxic cells and Tregs, suggesting potential sensitivity to mTOR inhibitors. CS1 had a better prognosis than CS2, with more copy number alterations, while CS2 had higher monocyte proportions. CS1 showed good sensitivity to cytarabine, while CS2 was sensitive to RXR agonists. Both CS1 and CS2, which predominantly featured mutations in FLT3, NPM1, and DNMT3A genes, benefited from FLT3 inhibitors. Using the Kappa test, our stratification model underwent robust validation in the miRNA and mRNA external validation datasets. With advancements in sequencing technology and machine learning algorithms, AML is poised to transition towards multi-omics precision medicine in the future. We aspire for our study to offer new perspectives on multi-drug combination clinical trials and multi-targeted precision medicine for AML.

There is a close relationship between preconception health and maternal and child health outcomes, and the consequences may be passed down from generation to generation. In 2018, Lancet published three consecutive articles emphasizing the importance of the preconception period. Phthalic acid ester (PAE) exposure during this period may affect gametogenesis and epigenetic information in gametophytes, thereby affecting embryonic development and offspring health. Therefore, this article reviews the effects of parental preconception PAE exposure on reproductive/birth outcomes and offspring health, to provide new evidence on this topic. We searched Web of Science, MEDLINE (through PubMed), the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), ScienceDirect, and the VIP Journal Library from the date of database establishment to July 3, 2024. Finally, 12 articles were included. Three studies investigated the health hazards (effects on birth weight, abortion, etc.) of women's preconception PAE exposure. Nine studies involved both parents. Nine studies considered the impacts of PAE preconception exposure on reproductive/birth outcomes, focusing on birth weight, pregnancy loss, preterm birth, embryo quality, and placental weight. Three studies considered the impacts of preconception PAE exposure on offspring behavior. The results of this review suggested that parental preconception PAE exposure may have an impact on reproductive/birth outcomes and offspring behavior, including birth weight, child behavior, and dietary behavior. However, studies on the health hazards of preconception PAE exposure are relatively scarce, and the outcomes of current studies are varied. It is necessary to use systematic reviews to verify an accurate research question to provide recommendations for public health policy making.

Recently, promoting inclusive education has become the central initiative for governments worldwide. The Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework has been developed to address students’ differences and meet their learning needs. Although some literature has examined the effectiveness of the UDL framework in teaching practices, little research has explored teachers’ and students’ beliefs toward the UDL framework. This study used a scoping review methodology to locate previous studies about teachers’ and students’ beliefs regarding the UDL framework published in peer-reviewed journals in the past 10 years (2014–2023). The data analysis conceptualized three themes and indicated that most teachers and students held positive beliefs toward the UDL framework and thought that the UDL framework could support inclusive practices. However, some barriers, such as teachers’ misconceptions, inflexible curriculum, and inadequate professionals, influenced teachers’ implementation of the UDL framework. The implications for future research and the recommendations for teachers’ practices and professional development are also provided.

ABSTRACT A substantial percentage of the population remains at risk for cervical cancer due to pre-existing human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, despite prophylactic vaccines. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for better disease outcomes. The development of new treatments heavily relies on suitable preclinical model systems. Recently, we established a mouse papillomavirus (MmuPV1) model that is relevant to HPV genital pathogenesis. In the current study, we validated the use of Papanicolaou (Pap) smears, a valuable early diagnostic tool for detecting HPV cervical cancer, to monitor disease progression in the MmuPV1 mouse model. Biweekly cervicovaginal swabs were collected from the MmuPV1-infected mice for viral DNA quantitation and cytology assessment. The Pap smear slides were evaluated for signs of epithelial cell abnormalities using the 2014 Bethesda system criteria. Tissues from the infected mice were harvested at various times post-viral infection for additional histological and virological assays. Over time, increased viral replication was consistent with higher levels of viral DNA, and it coincided with an uptick in epithelial cell abnormalities with higher severity scores noted as early as 10 weeks after viral infection. The cytological results also correlated with the histological evaluation of tissues harvested simultaneously. Both immunocompromised and immunocompetent mice with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cytology also developed vaginal SCCs. Notably, samples from the MmuPV1-infected mice exhibited similar cellular abnormalities compared to the corresponding human samples at similar disease stages. Hence, Pap smear screening proves to be an effective tool for the longitudinal monitoring of disease progression in the MmuPV1 mouse model.IMPORTANCEPapanicolaou (Pap) smear has saved millions of women's lives as a valuable early screening tool for detecting human papillomavirus (HPV) cervical precancers and cancer. However, more than 200,000 women in the United States alone remain at risk for cervical cancer due to pre-existing HPV infection-induced precancers, as there are currently no effective treatments for HPV-associated precancers and cancers other than invasive procedures including a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) to remove abnormal tissues. In the current study, we validated the use of Pap smears to monitor disease progression in our recently established mouse papillomavirus model. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that provides compelling evidence of applying Pap smears from cervicovaginal swabs to monitor disease progression in mice. This HPV-relevant cytology assay will enable us to develop and test novel antiviral and anti-tumor therapies using this model to eliminate HPV-associated diseases and cancers.

C46H64N2O28S2Zn, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 18.155(2) Å, b = 9.0872(11) Å, c = 16.373(2) Å, β = 108.095(13)°, V = 2567.6(6) Å3, Z = 2, R gt(F) = 0.0712, wR ref(F 2) = 0.1295, T = 296.15 K.

Adaptor signature (AS) is a novel cryptographic primitive that has gained prominence in recent years for its ability to link the signature process with the revelation of a secret value. The process involves adapting a pre-signature to a formal signature, ensuring that the final signature result aligns with conventional signatures. Both the pre-signature and the formal signature are capable of extracting a secret value, which endows AS with atomicity and suggests its promising application within blockchain technologies. However, the lack of anonymity in AS can lead to the exposure of transaction participants' identities, which may limit its application in scenarios demanding high privacy standards, such as electronic payments. To address this issue, a new blind adaptor signature system model and security model were proposed. Subsequently, a blind adaptor signature scheme was developed based on the SM2 signature algorithm, leveraging the new system model. The security of this new scheme, which was founded on the unforgeability and the hardness of the SM2 signature scheme, was demonstrated to meet the requirements of the newly proposed security model. Specifically, the scheme was proven to satisfy properties such as blindness, pre-signature adaptability, unforgeability, and witness extractability. Performance analysis indicates that the computational overhead of the SM2 blind adaptor signature scheme is minimal, with the total operation time of the signature process only increasing by a negligible 5.91ms compared to the SM2 adaptor signature scheme. Moreover, when compared to existing similar schemes, the SM2 blind adaptor signature scheme offers enhanced blindness and autonomy, making it particularly valuable for key application scenarios that necessitate high privacy requirements and the utilization of domestic cryptographic algorithms.

【Objective】 Xinjiang in northwestern China is scarce in freshwater and commonly uses drip irrigation in its agricultural production. In this paper we study the effect of irrigation amount on growth, yield and water use efficiency (WUE) of spring wheat in the north of Xinjiang. 【Method】 The experiment was conducted in a field with the No. 6 variety used as the model plant. During its growth period, the crop was irrigated six times with irrigation amount in each time being 30, 37.5, 45, 52.5, 60, 67.5 mm, respectively. In each irrigation treatment, we measured the growth, yield and WUE of the spring wheat. 【Result】 Plant height increased with irrigation amount until the irrigation amount was 45 mm, after which a further increase in irrigation amount did not have a significant effect on plant height (P>0.05). The leaf area index (LAI) and the above-ground dry matter accumulation both increased with irrigation amount, but started to decline when irrigation amount exceeded 52.5 mm. The water consumption of the crop increased with irrigation amount, peaking when irrigation amount was 67.5 mm. The effective spike numbers, grain numbers per spike, 1000-grain weight, yield and WUE of the crop increased first and then declined as the irrigation amount increased. Among all treatments we compared, irrigating 52.5 mm of water in each of the six irrigations gave the highest yield and WUE, reaching 7 233.2 kg/hm2 and 15.23 kg/(hm2·mm), respectively (P

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent and deadly cancers in the world, which is frequently diagnosed at a late stage. HCC patients have a poor prognosis due to the lack of an efficacious therapeutic strategy. Approved drug repurposing is a way for accelerating drug discovery and can significantly reduce the cost of drug development. Carfilzomib (CFZ) is a second-generation proteasome inhibitor, which is highly efficacious against multiple myeloma and has been reported to possess potential antitumor activities against multiple cancers. However, the underlying mechanism of CFZ on HCC is still unclear. Here, we show that CFZ inhibits the proliferation of HCC cells through cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and suppresses the migration and invasion of HCC cells by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition. We also find that CFZ promotes reactive oxygen species production to induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and activate JNK/p38 MAPK signaling in HCC cells, thus inducing cell death in HCC cells. Moreover, CFZ significantly inhibits HCC cell growth in a xenograft mouse model. Collectively, our study elucidates that CFZ impairs mitochondrial function and activates ER stress and JNK/p38 MAPK signaling, thus inhibiting HCC cell and tumor growth. This indicates that CFZ has the potential as a therapeutic drug for HCC.

Multiple myeloma is a malignant proliferative disease of plasma cells, and some patients may develop systemic amyloidosis. Cardiac amyloidosis is a common cause of death in these patients. Secondary adrenal insufficiency is caused by dysfunction of the hypothalamus and/or the pituitary gland, and multiple myeloma cases combined with secondary adrenal cortical dysfunction have been rarely reported in China. The patient, 55-year-old, male, was admitted to the Emergency Department of Shenzhen Luohu People's Hospital on June 5, 2018 due to "repeated chest tightness and fatigue for 7 months, and fainting for 1 hour". Later, he was transferred to Department of Hematology and was diagnosed as having multiple myeloma (λ light chain type) with systemic amyloidosis through bone marrow puncture and other examinations. The first course regimen of chemotherapy was bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone. After the course, the patient was infected with a mixture of bacteria and fungi in the lung and had improvement after treatment. Then the regimen was adjusted to bortezomib and dexamethasone from the second course. After the fourth course, the patient achieved complete remission of multiple myeloma. After the fifth course, the patient experienced severe pulmonary-mixed infection again, which was improved after treatment. Thereafter, the patient presented with refractory hypotension, and decreased levels of cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which was diagnosed as secondary adrenal cortical dysfunction. Hydrocortisone replacement therapy was administered. After 9 courses of chemotherapy, the patient received maintenance treatment with ixazomib. Multiple myeloma was evaluated as a stringent complete response. Cardiac amyloidosis was evaluated as a very good partial response, and secondary adrenal cortical dysfunction was treated with hydrocortisone maintenance therapy and with the cortisol level in the normal range.

Abstract Background Bolete cultivation is economically and ecologically valuable. Ectomycorrhizae are advantageous for plant development and productivity. This study investigated how boletes affect the formation of Pinus thunbergii and Quercus acutissima ectomycorrhizae using greenhouse-based mycorrhizal experiments, inoculating P. thunbergii and Q. acutissima with four species of boletes (Suillus bovinus, Suillus luteus, Suillus grevillei, and Retiboletus sinensis). Results Three months after inoculation, morphological and molecular analyses identified S. bovinus, S. luteus, S. grevillei and R. sinensis ectomycorrhizae formation on the roots of both tree species. The mycorrhizal infection rate ranged from 40 to 55%. The host plant species determined the mycorrhiza morphology, which was independent of the bolete species. Differences in plant growth, photosynthesis, and endogenous hormone secretion primarily correlated with the host plant species. Infection with all four bolete species significantly promoted the host plants’ growth and photosynthesis rates; indole-3-acetic acid, zeatin, and gibberellic acid secretion increased, and the abscisic acid level significantly decreased. Indole-3-acetic acid was also detected in the fermentation broths of all bolete species. Conclusions Inoculation with bolete and subsequent mycorrhizae formation significantly altered the morphology and hormone content in the host seedlings, indicating growth promotion. These findings have practical implications for culturing pine and oak tree species.

At the height of the national independence movements in Asia, Africa, and Latin America in the first half of the 20th century, postcolonial thought began to emerge in Brazil, reconstructing the self-other relation between Brazil and the West. The imaginative geography of Brazil, one of the most important southern countries, is of great local and global geopolitical significance. In contrast to the general imagination centered on the West and other developed countries, Brazil has the particular imaginative geographies of another large southern country, China. One of the symbolic imaginaries of China in Brazilian scholarship is human geographer Gilberto Freyre's China Tropical, which he likens to China in Latin America. Freyre studied under American geographer and anthropologist Franz Boas, who was a vocal opponent of scientific racism. Therefore, in China Tropical, Freyre advocates for the equality of Brazilian civilization by imagining its structure, continuing Boas's thoughts, and developing a series of postcolonial critiques. This article uses Freyre and his book China Tropical and related thoughts as analysis objectives to explore Freyre's view of Brazil as a tropical China in the process of spatial othering. This study finds that Freyre constructed his postcolonial ideology of Brazil's nation-state development both geo-culturally and geopolitically by imagining Brazil's tropicality and Chineseness. Freyre's portrayal of Brazil as a third space belonging neither to the West nor the East disrupts the colonial hegemony of the discourse of a uniform and homogeneous culture between suzerain and colony and seeks the subversive power of postcolonialism through hybridity and in-betweenness. Second, Freyre conducted an analysis of the human-environment relation in cultural geography from the perspective of historical science, refuted the natural science perspective of environmental determinism, which was prevalent in Western academia at that time, and reshaped the visual balance within the framework of the human-environment relation. This is a side effect of the transformation and change in human geographical thinking. Third, Freyre's concept of tropical China is a prominent achievement in the embryonic period of postcolonial thought in Brazil as well as an important ideological foundation for contemporary Sino-Brazilian exchanges and cooperation. Freyre proposed commonalities and identities between China and Brazil in this field of thought, offering more possibilities for international cooperation beyond human- and poverty-based interactions. This article focuses on the imaginative geographies of former colonial countries, which are conducive to promoting China's understanding of Brazilian society. In addition, we believe that, in the future, Chinese scholarship should pay greater attention to small languages, such as French, Spanish, and Portuguese, which are widely spoken in the former colonial countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. With these small language texts at the core, we will continue to study imaginative geographies and country and area studies in Asia, Africa, and Latin America to improve the global understanding of Chinese scholarship.

The current research status of refractory high-entropy alloys（RHEAs） is reviewed，the composition design of RHEAs is described，and the effects of metal elements and non-metal elements on the structure and properties of RHEAs are summarized. In addition，the microstructure and mechanical properties of RHEAs under different preparation methods are described，and the strengthening mechanism of RHEAs matrix composites is discussed. The future development of RHEAs is prospected，and the following suggestions are put forward for its future research direction: enhancing of RHEAs by multiphase synergistic effects through the interface design between different phases；designing and optimizing the composition of RHEAs to develop RHEAs that are easy to process at room temperature；quickly screening the composition and microstructure of RHEAs by combining with high-throughput calculation methods；regulating and controlling the microstructure and structure of RHEAs by additive manufacturing technology；carrying out the configuration design of RHEAs matrix composites to balance the strength and plasticity of RHEAs matrix composites.

The emerging technologies at the industrial level have deployed rapidly within the energy transition process innovations. The nuclear industry incorporates several technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Digital Twins, High-Performance-Computing (HPC) and Quantum Computing (QC), among others. Factors identifications are explained to set up a regulatory framework in the digitalization era, providing new capabilities paths for nuclear technologies in the forthcoming years. The Analytical Network Process (ANP) integrates the quantitative-qualitative decision-making analysis to assess the implementation of different aspects in the digital transformation for the New-Energy Transition Era (NETE) with a Nuclear Power Infrastructure Development (NPID).2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Objective·To investigate the effects of trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) on cardiac function in mice with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and its potential molecular mechanism.Methods·Mice with myosin heavy chain 6 (Myh6) c.1211G>A (p.R404Q+/-) point mutation were used as the animal model. According to dietary supplementation of TMAO and TMAO inhibitor iodomethylcholine (IMC), the wild type (WT) mice and HCM mice were divided into WT group, HCM group (HCM-1 group, HCM-2 group), WT+TMAO group, HCM+TMAO group and HCM+IMC group, respectively. Left ventricular fraction shortening (FS) and left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPW) were assessed by echocardiography in all mice. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the serum TMAO concentration of mice in the HCM-1 group and WT group. The regularity of myocardial cell arrangement of mice was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining (HE staining). The proportion of myocardial fibrosis was evaluated by Masson staining. The activity of protein kinase A (PKA) in mouse myocardial tissue was detected by PKA kit. The expression of ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2) and p-RyR2(S2808) in mouse myocardial tissue was detected by Western blotting.Results·The results of echocardiography showed that at 12 months of age, the FS of mice in the WT+TMAO group and HCM+TMAO group were lower than those in the corresponding WT group and HCM-1 group, respectively (P

In this paper we are concerned with the existence of segregated non-radial solutions for nonlinear Schrödinger systems with a large number of components in a weak fully attractive or repulsive regime in presence of a suitable external radial potential.

The comprehensive detection and identification of active ingredients in complex matrices is a crucial challenge. Liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) is the most prominent analytical platform for the exploration of novel active compounds from complex matrices. However, the LC-HRMS-based analysis workflow suffers from several bottleneck issues, such as trace content of target compounds, limited acquisition for fragment information, and uncertainty in interpreting relevant MS2 spectra. Lycibarbarspermidines are vital antioxidant active ingredients in Lycii Fructus, while the reported structures are merely focused on dicaffeoylspermidines due to their low content. To comprehensively detect the new structures of lycibarbarspermidine derivatives, a “depict” strategy was developed in this study. First, potential new lycibarbarspermidine derivatives were designed according to the biosynthetic pathway, and a comprehensive database was established, which enlarged the coverage of lycibarbarspermidine derivatives. Second, the polarity-oriented sample preparation of potential new compounds increased the concentration of the target compounds. Third, the construction of the molecular network based on the fragmentation pathway of lycibarbarspermidine derivatives broadened the comprehensiveness of identification. Finally, the weak response signals were captured by data-dependent scanning (DDA) followed by parallel reaction monitoring (PRM), and the efficiency of acquiring MS2 fragment ions of target compounds was significantly improved. Based on the integrated strategy above, 210 lycibarbarspermidine derivatives were detected and identified from Lycii Fructus, and in particular, 170 potential new compounds were structurally characterized. The integrated strategy improved the sensitivity of detection and the coverage of low-response components, and it is expected to be a promising pipeline for discovering new compounds.

To improve fault identification accuracy in power distribution systems, a model named gated recurrent attention network is proposed. First, a higher weight is put on the key cycles of fault phase based on the attention mechanism, making the model focus more on these key messages by weight assignment. Then, the gated recurrent network is adopted, which controls the memory transmission with gate signal and constructs the relationship between input waveform and probability of events at different stages to process the waveform sequence, thereby improving recognition accuracy. Experiments based on both simulation and field data show that the proposed method, under the small-sample-learning condition, is much better than other commonly-used classification models, such as support vector machine, gradient boosting decision tree, and convolutional neural network, providing new insights into fault identification technology in power distribution systems.