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Intelligent control algorithms have been extensively utilized for adaptive controller parameter adjustment. While the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm has several issues: slow convergence speed requiring a large number of iterations, a tendency to get trapped in local optima, and difficulty escaping from them. It is also sensitive to the distribution of the solution space, where uneven distribution can lead to inefficient contraction. On the other hand, the Beetle Antennae Search (BAS) algorithm is robust, precise, and has strong global search capabilities. However, its limitation lies in focusing on a single individual. As the number of iterations increases, the step size decays, causing it to get stuck in local extrema and preventing escape. Although setting a fixed or larger initial step size can avoid this, it results in poor stability. The PSO algorithm, which targets a population, can help the BAS algorithm increase diversity and address its deficiencies. Conversely, the characteristics of the BAS algorithm can aid the PSO algorithm in finding the optimal solution early in the optimization process, accelerating convergence. Therefore, considering the combination of BAS and PSO algorithms can leverage their respective advantages and enhance overall algorithm performance. This paper proposes an improved algorithm, W-K-BSO, which integrates the Beetle Antennae Search strategy into the local search phase of PSO. By leveraging chaotic mapping, the algorithm enhances population diversity and accelerates convergence speed. Additionally, the adoption of linearly decreasing inertia weight enhances algorithm performance, while the coordinated control of the contraction factor and inertia weight regulates global and local optimization performance. Furthermore, the influence of beetle antennae position increments on particles is incorporated, along with the establishment of new velocity update rules. Simulation experiments conducted on nine benchmark functions demonstrate that the W-K-BSO algorithm consistently exhibits strong optimization capabilities. It significantly improves the ability to escape local optima, convergence precision, and algorithm stability across various dimensions, with enhancements ranging from 7 to 9 orders of magnitude compared to the BAS algorithm. Application of the W-K-BSO algorithm to PID optimization for the Pointing and Tracking System (PTS) reduced system stabilization time by 28.5%, confirming the algorithm's superiority and competitiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is a fungal pulmonary disease with high mortality in immunocompromised patients. Neutrophils are essential in defending against fungal infections; however, their role in PCP is controversial. Here we aim to investigate the effects of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) on Pneumocystis clearance and lung injury using a mouse model of PCP. Intriguingly, although neutrophils play a fundamental role in defending against fungal infections, NETs failed to eliminate Pneumocystis, but instead impaired the killing of Pneumocystis. Mechanically, Pneumocystis triggered Leukotriene B4 (LTB4)‐dependent neutrophil swarming, leading to agglutinative NET formation. Blocking Leukotriene B4 with its receptor antagonist Etalocib significantly reduced the accumulation and NET release of neutrophils in vitro and in vivo, enhanced the killing ability of neutrophils against Pneumocystis, and alleviated lung injury in PCP mice. This study identifies the deleterious role of agglutinative NETs in Pneumocystis infection and reveals a new way to prevent NET formation, which provides new insights into the pathogenesis of PCP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional metal–organic frameworks (2D MOFs) as an ideal prototype material for the electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) can expose more metal active sites due to their ultrathin 2D structure. Herein, a two-dimensional Co3BDC6Py3DMF1 (termed Co MOF-Py3, BDC = 1,4-benzene dicarboxylic acid, Py = pyridine, and DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide) catalyst was prepared by a solvothermal bottom-up method by introducing pyridine to replace the triethylenediamine organic coordination in three-dimensional (3D) Co2(BDC)2(DABCO)·4DMF·H2O (termed Co MOF, DABCO = 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane). Compared to the 3D columnar Co MOF, the overpotential of ultrathin 2D nanosheet Co MOF-Py3 at 10 mA cm−2 decreased by 55 mV to 307 mV, and the Tafel slope was 52.14 mV dec−1. To further improve the catalytic capability of Co MOF-Py3, the Fe element was introduced into Co MOF-Py3 by impregnation to obtain a Co3Fe1 MOF-Py3 catalyst, which exhibited excellent OER performance with a low overpotential of 269 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and a small Tafel slope of 45.29 mV dec−1. Structural characterization reveals that the addition of a specific quantity of pyridine could completely replace the triethylenediamine ligands, thus leading to structural reconfiguration of the entire MOF, resulting in a structural alteration from 3D to 2D and enhancing the number of metal active sites to catalyze the OER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing chemically and thermally stable, highly efficient green-emitting inorganic phosphors is a significant research field in solid-state lighting. In this work, we successfully tailor the properties of an yttrium silicate based Na3(Y,Sc)Si3O9:Eu2+ phosphor as a highly efficient green phosphor via crystal field engineering. The quantum efficiency (QE) and thermal stability of Na3(Y,Sc)Si3O9:Eu2+ were increased by 33% and 35%, respectively, via the combination of structure and bandgap engineering. Meanwhile, persistent luminescence (PersL) was observed, followed by a more thorough investigation of the relationship between the intensity of afterglow and Sc3+ concentration. Accordingly, the excitation temperature-dependent and fading thermoluminescence experiments are conducted, and the trap properties are deeply studied by the initial rising method. The results reveal the PersL mechanism and the significant role of Sc3+ as substitute ions. These results clearly indicate that our proposed designing concept of PersL materials are indeed effective and feasible, and the as-prepared Na3Y0.5Sc0.5Si3O9:Eu2+ phosphors are certainly promising for multifunctional applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transparent glass-ceramics are a highly attractive class of materials for photonic applications. Transition metal ions are promising candidates for luminescence centers thanks to the sensitivity of the ligand ions to d–d electron transition. Here, broadband second near-infrared (NIR-II) photoluminescence was achieved via precipitation of ZnGa2O4:Ni2+ nanocrystals within a zinc gallium–silicate glass matrix by a crystallization process. Excited by 260 nm UV photons, ZnGa2O4:Ni2+ GC displays NIR-II emission peaking at 1240 nm and has a full width at half maximum wider than 288 nm, attributed to 3T2g(3F) → 3A2g(3F) electronic transition of octahedrally coordinated Ni2+ ions. Moreover, broad persistent luminescence of Ni2+ ions can be effectively obtained after irradiation in UV light. Based on the electron paramagnetic resonance spectra and a thermoluminescence method, a physical model was constructed to demonstrate the mechanism of persistent luminescence. This developed afterglow luminescent glass-ceramic exhibits potential applications in biological imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transparent glass-ceramics are a highly attractive class of materials for photonic applications. Transition metal ions are promising candidates for luminescence centers thanks to the sensitivity of the ligand ions to d–d electron transition. Here, broadband second near-infrared (NIR-II) photoluminescence was achieved via precipitation of ZnGa2O4:Ni2+ nanocrystals within a zinc gallium–silicate glass matrix by a crystallization process. Excited by 260 nm UV photons, ZnGa2O4:Ni2+ GC displays NIR-II emission peaking at 1240 nm and has a full width at half maximum wider than 288 nm, attributed to 3T2g(3F) → 3A2g(3F) electronic transition of octahedrally coordinated Ni2+ ions. Moreover, broad persistent luminescence of Ni2+ ions can be effectively obtained after irradiation in UV light. Based on the electron paramagnetic resonance spectra and a thermoluminescence method, a physical model was constructed to demonstrate the mechanism of persistent luminescence. This developed afterglow luminescent glass-ceramic exhibits potential applications in biological imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a challenging complication in liver cirrhosis, with no currently available sensitive diagnostic markers. This study aimed to investigate the potential of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and Deoxyribonuclease (DNase) as diagnostic indicators for PVT in chronic hepatitis B (CHB)-related decompensated cirrhosis., Methods: We analyzed 145 CHB-related decompensated cirrhosis patients from the Ditan study and 33 from the Changgung validation study, categorizing them based on PVT occurrence. Plasma samples were assessed for NET markers, including cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and histone-DNA complexes, along with DNase activity., Results: PVT patients exhibited elevated levels of cfDNA and histone-DNA complexes, and reduced DNase activity. This pattern persisted regardless of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) status. Histone-DNA levels, DNase activity, and hemoglobin were identified as independent risk factors for PVT. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that high histone-DNA levels may serve as a potential diagnostic marker for PVT, with an area under the curve of 0.8628 in the Ditan study and 0.7521 in the Changgung study. When combined with cfDNA and DNase activity, the area under the curve improved to 0.8774 in the Ditan study and 0.7975 in the Changgung study., Conclusions: Imbalances in NET homeostasis are associated with PVT in CHB-related decompensated cirrhosis, including cases involving HCC. Histone-DNA complexes, a significant risk factor for PVT, show potential as a diagnostic marker for PVT in decompensated cirrhosis, particularly in HBV-related HCC., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflict of interests related to this publication., (© 2024 Authors.)