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We report unique two-step strain glass transition toward different local strain states in NiTi, i.e. R and B19′ strain glasses. This unique transition is evidenced by dynamic mechanical analysis and in-situ HR-TEM. A comprehensive phase diagram is established to illustrate diverse transition pathways and corresponding tunable superelastic properties. This pathway exploits the integrated transition of different phases, lowering the transition energy barrier, yielding superelasticity with large recoverable strain (6%), ultralow modulus (24 GPa) and robust cyclic and wide-temperature stability. Our investigation provides fresh insights into continuous transition pathways among different strain glass states to achieve exceptional properties in shape memory alloys.

Abstract The development of unstable carotid atherosclerotic plaques is associated with the induction of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) via the activation of diverse inflammatory mediators in the circulating bloodstream. However, the underlying mechanisms through which NETs influence the microenvironment of atherosclerotic plaques and contribute to the development of unstable carotid plaques remain largely elusive. The objective of this study was to elucidate the role of myeloid differentiation protein 1 (MD-1, LY86)-induced NETs underlying the crosstalk between unstable plaque formation and the plaque microenvironment. We employed bioinformatics analysis to identify key genes associated with carotid-unstable plaque, followed by comprehensive validation using various experimental approaches on tissue specimens and plasma samples classified based on pathological characteristics. Patients with carotid-unstable plaques exhibited elevated plasma concentrations of MD-1 (LY86), while patients with stable plaques demonstrated comparatively lower levels. Furthermore, soluble MD-1 was found to induce the formation of NETs through activation of Toll-like receptor signaling pathway. The proliferative and immature vascularization effects of NETs on endothelial cells, as well as their inhibitory impact on cell migration, are directly correlated with the concentration of NETs. Additionally, NETs were found to activate the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby upregulating ICAM1, VCAM1, MMP14, VEGFA, and IL6 expression in both Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and HAECs. Subsequently, a significant increase in intraplaque neovascularization by NETs results in poor carotid plaque stability, and NETs in turn stimulate macrophages to produce more MD-1, generating a harmful positive feedback loop. Our findings suggest that soluble MD-1 in the bloodstream triggers the production of NETs through activation of the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway and further indicate NETs mediate a crosstalk between the microenvironment of the carotid plaque and the neovascularization of the intraplaque region. Inhibiting NETs formation or MD-1 secretion may represent a promising strategy to effectively suppress the development of unstable carotid plaques.

Abstract ARHGAP25, a member of the ARHGAP family, encodes a negative regulator of Rho-GTPase that is important for actin remodeling, cell polarity, and cell migration. ARHGAP25 is down-regulated in a variety of solid tumors and promotes cancer cell growth, migration, and invasion. However, nothing is understood about ARHGAP25’s biological function in osteosarcoma. This work used qPCR and WB to confirm the expression of ARHGAP25 in osteosarcoma following the initial analysis of its expression in pan-cancer. For GO and KEGG analysis, we have chosen 300 genes from the TARGET osteosarcoma data that had the strongest positive correlation with ARHGAP25, and we created nomogram and calibration charts. We simultaneously overexpressed ARHGAP25 in osteosarcoma cells to examine its impact on apoptosis and proliferation. By using MSP, we determined their methylation status in osteosarcoma cells and normal bone cells. We observed that ARHGAP25 was significantly downregulated in a range of malignancies, including osteosarcoma, and was associated with poor patient outcomes. The decrease of ARHGAP25 expression in osteosarcoma is related to DNA methylation. Overexpression of ARHGAP25 induced apoptosis and inhibited the proliferation of osteosarcoma cells in vitro. In addition, ARHGAP25 is also associated with immune-related pathways in osteosarcoma. These findings suggest that ARHGAP25 is a valuable prognostic biomarker in osteosarcoma patients.

Abstract Background Residual symptoms of depressive disorders are serious health problems. However, the progression process is hardly predictable due to high heterogeneity of the disease. This study aims to: (1) classify the patterns of changes in residual symptoms based on homogeneous data, and (2) identify potential predictors for these patterns. Methods In this study, we conducted a data-driven Latent Class Growth Analysis (LCGA) to identify distinct tendencies of changes in residual symptoms, which were longitudinally quantified using the QIDS-SR16 at baseline and 1/3/6 months post-baseline for depressed patients. The association between baseline characteristics (e.g. clinical features and cognitive functions) and different progression tendencies were also identified. Results The tendency of changes in residual symptoms was categorized into four classes: “light residual symptom decline (15.4%)”, “residual symptom disappears (39.3%)”, “steady residual symptom (6.3%)” and “severe residual symptom decline (39.0%)”. We observed that the second class displayed more favorable recuperation outcomes than the rest of patients. The severity, recurrence, polypharmacy, and medication adherence of symptoms are intricately linked to the duration of residual symptoms’ persistence. Additionally, clinical characteristics including sleep disturbances, depressive moods, alterations in appetite or weight, and difficulties with concentration have been identified as significant factors in the recovery process. Conclusions Our research findings indicate that certain clinical characteristics in patients with depressive disorders are associated with poor recovery from residual symptoms following acute treatment. This revelation holds significant value in the targeted attention to specific patients and the development of early intervention strategies for residual symptoms accordingly.

Abstract The efficacy of immunotherapy for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), especially advanced ccRCC, is limited, presenting a clinical challenge. This limitation is closely tied to the immune regulation network. Understanding the heterogeneity of the tumour microenvironment (TME) is crucial for developing advanced ccRCC therapies. Using publicly available ccRCC data (scRNA-seq, bulk RNA-seq, and somatic mutation data), a multiomics study was performed to explore TME heterogeneity. Three distinct ccRCC immune subtypes were identified through combined scRNA-seq and bulk RNA-seq analysis. A prognostic model based on unique cell signalling molecules in immunosuppressive tumour subtype was validated in the TCGA and CheckMate cohorts. MDK emerged as a critical regulatory gene in the immunosuppressive subtype, predicting a poor ccRCC prognosis and a poor immunotherapy response. MDK promotes M2 macrophage polarization via the MDK-LRP1 interaction, and the inhibition of MDK suppressed M2 polarization. This study revealed the heterogeneity of the ccRCC TME and a reliable prognostic model, shedding light on the vital role of MDK in the immunosuppressive TME and paving the way for optimized ccRCC immunotherapy.

Abstract Improvements in the polarization of environmentally-friendly perovskite ferroelectrics have proved to be a challenging task in order to replace the toxic Pb-based counterparts. In contrast to common methods by complex chemical composition designs, we have formed Mn-inlaid antiphase boundaries in Mn-doped (K,Na)NbO3 thin films using pulsed laser deposition method. Here, we observed that mono- or bi-atomic layer of Mn has been identified to inlay along the antiphase boundaries to balance the charges originated from the deficiency of alkali ions and to induce the strain in the KNN films. Thus, rectangular saturated polarization-electric field hysteresis loops have been achieved, with a significantly improved twice remanent polarization of 114 μC/cm2 with an applied electric field of 606 kV/cm, which can be comparable to that of the typical Pb-based thin films. Moreover, we directly see the Mn occupation at the A-site of KNN perovskite structure using atomic-scale microstructure and composition analysis. The Mn-inlaid antiphase boundary can further enrich the understanding of perovskite crystal structure and give more possibilities for the design and optimization of perovskite materials.

Abstract Ultrasonic scalpel design for minimally invasive surgical procedures is mainly focused on optimizing cutting performance. However, an important issue is the low fatigue life of traditional ultrasonic scalpels, which affects their long-term reliability and effectiveness and creates hidden dangers for surgery. In this study, a multi-objective optimal design for the cutting performance and fatigue life of ultrasonic scalpels was proposed using finite element analysis and fatigue simulation. The optimal design parameters of resonance frequency and amplitude were determined. By setting the transition fillet and keeping the gain structure away from the node position to enable the scalpel to have a high service life with excellent cutting performance. The frequency modulation method of setting the vibration node bosses at the node position and setting the vibration antinode grooves at the antinode position was compared. Then, the mechanism of the influence of various design elements, such as tip, shank, node position, and antinode position, on the resonance frequency, amplitude, and fatigue life of the ultrasonic scalpel was analyzed, and the optimal design principles of the ultrasonic scalpel were obtained. The proposed ultrasonic scalpel design was confirmed by simulations, impedance measurements, and liver tissue cutting experiments, demonstrating its feasibility and enhanced performance. This research introduces innovative design strategies to improve the fatigue life and performance of ultrasonic scalpels to address an important issue in minimally invasive surgery.

Abstract Prognostics and health management (PHM) has gotten considerable attention in the background of Industry 4.0. Battery PHM contributes to the reliable and safe operation of electric devices. Nevertheless, relevant reviews are still continuously updated over time. In this paper, we browsed extensive literature related to battery PHM from 2018 to 2023 and summarized advances in battery PHM field, including battery testing and public datasets, fault diagnosis and prediction methods, health status estimation and health management methods. The last topic includes state of health estimation methods, remaining useful life prediction methods and predictive maintenance methods. Each of these categories is introduced and discussed in details. Based on this survey, we accordingly discuss challenges left to battery PHM, and provide future research opportunities. This research systematically reviews recent research about battery PHM from the perspective of key PHM steps and provide some valuable prospects for researchers and practitioners.

Abstract Background This study aimed to assess the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on hospital service utilization and revenue in Chinese tertiary hospitals and develop an optimal pandemic control strategy (OPCS) for the peak period of the Omicron wave. Methods Retrospective data from three Chinese tertiary hospitals (provincial, city, and county level) were analyzed for three phases: pre-outbreak (Jan-Apr 2019), outbreak (Jan-Apr 2020), and post-outbreak (Jan-Apr 2021). OPCS was developed under the guidance of the China government pandemic control policy during post-break phase of COVID-19. A decision-tree model was constructed to compare OPCS to strict pandemic control strategy during outbreak phase for the hospital service utilization and hospital revenue in a provincial tertiary hospital during the Omicron wave. Results Outpatient, emergency room (ER) visits, hospitalizations, and intensive care admissions dropped by 33.8–53.4% during the outbreak, with the provincial hospital being the most affected. Hospital revenue also declined, especially for the provincial hospital (40.1%). Post-outbreak, most services recovered, but ER visits remained lower (11.6% decrease for provincial hospital, 46.5% for county hospital). Total income and expenditure decreased, with the provincial hospital experiencing the most significant revenue reduction (45.7%). OPCS showed greater utilization of medical services (31.6 times more outpatient visits; 1.7 times more inpatient days; 3.4% more surgery volume) and higher revenue (¥220.8 million more) compared to the strict pandemic control strategy. Conclusions COVID-19 measures were associated with less hospital service utilization and revenue in Chinese tertiary hospitals. The developed OPCS in Chinese tertiary hospitals, focusing on isolating infected inpatients but not shutting down the hospital facilities exposed to virus, could be effective in optimizing hospital service utilization and hospital revenue during the Omicron wave.

Abstract Transcription coupled-nucleotide excision repair (TC-NER) removes DNA lesions that block RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcription. A key step in TC-NER is the recruitment of the TFIIH complex, which initiates DNA unwinding and damage verification; however, the mechanism by which TFIIH is recruited during TC-NER, particularly in yeast, remains unclear. Here, we show that the C-terminal domain (CTD) of elongation factor-1 (Elf1) plays a critical role in TC-NER in yeast by binding TFIIH. Analysis of genome-wide repair of UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) using CPD-seq indicates that the Elf1 CTD in yeast is required for efficient TC-NER. We show that the Elf1 CTD binds to the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of the p62 subunit of TFIIH in vitro, and identify a putative TFIIH-interaction region (TIR) in the Elf1 CTD that is important for PH binding and TC-NER. The Elf1 TIR shows functional, structural, and sequence similarities to a conserved TIR in the mammalian UV sensitivity syndrome A (UVSSA) protein, which recruits TFIIH during TC-NER in mammalian cells. These findings suggest that the Elf1 CTD acts as a functional counterpart to mammalian UVSSA in TC-NER by recruiting TFIIH in response to Pol II stalling at DNA lesions.

Abstract Advanced identification of the potential sliding surface of a slope and accurate early warning are crucial prerequisites for effective management of landslides and timely and prevention of catastrophic accidents. This study analyzes the statistical characteristics of landslide displacement evolution. Based on the normal distribution theory, random variables of displacement velocity and acceleration with random errors are introduced into the analysis of surface displacement information, and random variables of relative displacement with random errors are introduced into the analysis of deep displacement information. When the random variables do not follow the normal distribution, the warning time can be obtained. Therefore, an advanced landslide classification warning method is established. The analysis results showed that analysis results from the April 30 landslide project at an open pit mine indicate that the earliest warning time for landslide initiation is 2020/2/19, while the earliest warnings for acceleration occur on 2020/4/15 and the fast acceleration on 2020/4/25. These three-level warning times align with reality, and the inferred slip surface position corresponds to the actual weak layer range. The primary power source driving landslide originates from behind the sliding body which subsequently pushes rock mass along weak layers near the south wing, north wing, and front in succession. Research findings can enhance landslide warning accuracy, facilitate advance identification of sliding surface, provide scientific basis for open-pit slope engineering design, as well as mitigate casualties and property losses.

Abstract Background SII, PNI, SIRI, AAPR, and LIPI are prognostic scores based on inflammation, nutrition, and immunity. The purpose of this study was to examine the prognostic value of the SII, PNI, SIRI, AAPR, and LIPI in patients with UTUC who underwent radical nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision. Materials and methods Data of UTUC patients in Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2017 to December 2021 were collected. The optimal critical values of SII, PNI, SIRI, and AAPR were determined by ROC curve, and LIPI was stratified according to the dNLR and LDH. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to draw the survival curve, and Cox proportional hazard model was used to analyze the factors affecting the prognosis of UTUC patients. Results A total of 81 patients with UTUC were included in this study. The optimal truncation value of PNI, SII, SIRI and AAPR were determined to be 48.15, 596.4, 1.45 and 0.50, respectively. Univariate Cox proportional hazard regression showed that low PNI, high SII, high SIRI, low AAPR and poor LIPI group were effective predictors of postoperative prognosis of UTUC patients. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression showed that high SII was an independent risk factor for postoperative prognosis of UTUC patients. According to ROC curve, the prediction efficiency of fitting indexes of PNI, SII, SIRI, AAPR and LIPI is better than that of using them alone. Conclusions The SII, PNI, SIRI, AAPR, and LIPI was a potential prognostic predictor in UTUC patients who underwent radical nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision.

Abstract Mutations in the Cockayne Syndrome group B (CSB) gene cause cancer in mice, but premature aging and severe neurodevelopmental defects in humans. CSB, a member of the SWI/SNF family of chromatin remodelers, plays diverse roles in regulating gene expression and transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair (TC-NER); however, these functions do not explain the distinct phenotypic differences observed between CSB-deficient mice and humans. During investigating Cockayne Syndrome-associated genome instability, we uncover an intrinsic mechanism that involves elongating RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) undergoing transient pauses at internal T-runs where CSB is required to propel RNAPII forward. Consequently, CSB deficiency retards RNAPII elongation in these regions, and when coupled with G-rich sequences upstream, exacerbates genome instability by promoting R-loop formation. These R-loop prone motifs are notably abundant in relatively long genes related to neuronal functions in the human genome, but less prevalent in the mouse genome. These findings provide mechanistic insights into differential impacts of CSB deficiency on mice versus humans and suggest that the manifestation of the Cockayne Syndrome phenotype in humans results from the progressive evolution of mammalian genomes.

For projects near the tectonic belt, mylonite of varying metamorphic degrees may be present. The matrix proportion of rock reflects its internal microscopic characteristics, thus it is beneficial for engineering geology to study the effect of the matrix proportion on the mechanical properties and rupture behaviors of rock. Samples of mylonitic granite and granitic protomylonite with varying matrix proportions were obtained from a ductile shear zone for a series of uniaxial compression and acoustic emission (AE) tests. The results showed that with the increase in matrix proportion, the average strength and elastic modulus of the samples increased, and the rock sample with the largest matrix proportion exhibited the maximum peak stress of 244.42 MPa, which was 45.86% greater than the average peak stress of the rock samples with the smallest matrix proportions. For the rock samples with larger matrix proportion, their mechanical parameters exhibited greater dispersion and the large-scale appearance of AE events occurred earlier, showing a relatively gradual failure process. These samples had larger accumulated AE parameter values and greater degree of failure. In contrast, for samples with smaller matrix proportions, the large-scale appearance of AE events occurred close to the peak stress, indicating that the occurrence of damage and fractures was centralized and instantaneous. These samples had lower accumulated AE parameter values and fewer cracks after failure. Additionally, for the rock samples with more matrix proportion, the average variance of the b-value was 1.1, which was lower than that of rock samples with the smallest matrix proportion (the average variance of the b-value was 3.7). Furthermore, it can be predicted that under certain stress, the failure depth around a tunnel is generally smaller when the strength of rock samples with larger matrix proportion is greater.

Novel plate-like (Ti, Zr)B2 toughened (Zr, Ti, W, Ta)C medium-entropy ceramics were designed based on the atomic scale, nanoscale, and microscale, and prepared via the in-situ reaction hot-pressing adopting (Ti, W, Ta)C and ZrB2 powders. The multiphase ceramics were primarily composed of the (Zr, Ti, W, Ta)C matrix and plate-like (Ti, Zr)B2. When the addition of ZrB2 exceeds 50 mol%, the residual ZrB2 causes the secondary primary phase to change from (Ti, Zr)B2 to (Zr, Ti)B2. The improvement of fracture toughness is primarily influenced by the plate-like (Ti, Zr)B2 on crack propagation mechanisms such as bridging effect and crack deflection. (Ti, W, Ta)C- 50 mol% ZrB2 (raw powder composition) exhibits outstanding mechanical properties, boasting a Vickers hardness of 24.9 GPa, fracture toughness of 5.5 MPa·m1/2, and flexural strength of 552 MPa, which present a novel avenue for achieving a synergistic enhancement in Vickers hardness and fracture toughness within medium-entropy carbide ceramics.

Abstract This paper introduces a novel meta-heuristic algorithm named Rhinopithecus Swarm Optimization (RSO) to address optimization problems, particularly those involving high dimensions. The proposed algorithm is inspired by the social behaviors of different groups within the rhinopithecus swarm. RSO categorizes the swarm into mature, adolescent, and infancy individuals. Due to this division of labor, each category of individuals employs unique search methods, including vertical migration, concerted search, and mimicry. To evaluate the effectiveness of RSO, we conducted experiments using the CEC2017 test set and three constrained engineering problems. Each function in the test set was independently executed 36 times. Additionally, we used the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the Friedman test to analyze the performance of RSO compared to eight well-known optimization algorithms: Dung Beetle Optimizer (DBO), Beluga Whale Optimization (BWO), Salp Swarm Algorithm (SSA), African Vultures Optimization Algorithm (AVOA), Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA), Atomic Retrospective Learning Bare Bone Particle Swarm Optimization (ARBBPSO), Artificial Gorilla Troops Optimizer (GTO), and Harris Hawks Optimization (HHO). The results indicate that RSO exhibited outstanding performance on the CEC2017 test set for both 30 and 100 dimension. Moreover, RSO ranked first in both dimensions, surpassing the mean rank of the second-ranked algorithms by 7.69% and 42.85%, respectively. Across the three classical engineering design problems, RSO consistently achieves the best results. Overall, it can be concluded that RSO is particularly effective for solving high-dimensional optimization problems.

Abstract Ubiquitination was considered to be a crucial factor in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) development. Herein, we identified Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 8 (USP8) as a key regulator for promoting the tumorigenesis of iCCA cell via stabilizing OGT. USP8 was overexpressed in human tumor tissues and correlated with worse survival. Moreover, the mass spectrometry and co-immunoprecipitation analysis indicated that USP8 interacted with OGT. USP8 worked as a bona fide deubiquitylase of OGT. It stabilized OGT in a deubiquitylation activity-dependent manner. Meanwhile, DUB-IN3, the USP8 inhibitor, could also restrain the malignancy of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. In addition, USP8 depletion promoted the response of iCCA to pemigatinib. In conclusion, our findings pointed to a previously undocumented catalytic role for USP8 as a deubiquitinating enzyme of OGT. The USP8-OGT axis could be a potential target for iCCA therapy.

Abstract Thermal conductivity is one of the most significant criterion of three-dimensional carbon fiber-reinforced SiC matrix composites (3D C/SiC). Represent volume element (RVE) models of microscale, void/matrix and mesoscale proposed in this work are used to simulate the thermal conductivity behaviors of the 3D C/SiC composites. An entirely new process is introduced to weave the preform with three-dimensional orthogonal architecture. The 3D steady-state analysis step is created for assessing the thermal conductivity behaviors of the composites by applying periodic temperature boundary conditions. Three RVE models of cuboid, hexagonal and fiber random distribution are respectively developed to comparatively study the influence of fiber package pattern on the thermal conductivities at the microscale. Besides, the effect of void morphology on the thermal conductivity of the matrix is analyzed by the void/matrix models. The prediction results at the mesoscale correspond closely to the experimental values. The effect of the porosities and fiber volume fractions on the thermal conductivities is also taken into consideration. The multi-scale models mentioned in this paper can be used to predict the thermal conductivity behaviors of other composites with complex structures.

Highlights Inspired by the Chinese Knotting weave structure, an electromagnetic interference (EMI) nanofiber composite membrane with a twill surface was prepared. The EMI shielding efficiency (SE) of the composite membrane was 103.9 dB when the MXene/silver nanowires (MXene/AgNW) content was only 7.4 wt% and the surface twill structure improved the EMI by 38.5%. The nanofiber composite membrane demonstrated an excellent thermal management performance, hydrophobicity, non-flammability, and performance stability, which was demonstrated by an EMI SE of 97.3% in a high-temperature environment at 140 °C.

RNA plays an extensive role in a multi-dimensional regulatory system, and its biomedical relationships are scattered across numerous biological studies. However, text mining works dedicated to the extraction of RNA biomedical relations remain limited. In this study, we established a comprehensive and reliable corpus of RNA biomedical relations, recruiting over 30,000 sentences manually curated from more than 15,000 biomedical literature. We also updated RIscoper 2.0, a BERT-based deep learning tool to extract RNA biomedical relation sentences from literature. Benefiting from approximately 100,000 annotated named entities, we integrated the text classification and named entity recognition tasks in this tool. Additionally, RIscoper 2.0 outperformed the original tool in both tasks and can discover new RNA biomedical relations. Additionally, we provided a user-friendly online search tool that enables rapid scanning of RNA biomedical relationships using local and online resources. Both the online tools and data resources of RIscoper 2.0 are available at http://www.rnainter.org/riscoper.

TRIB3, a pseudokinase, was previously studied within only some specific cancer types, leaving its comprehensive functions in pan-cancer contexts largely unexplored. Here, we performed an integrated analysis of TRIB3 expression, prognosis, genetic alterations, functional enrichment and tumor immune-related characteristics in 33 cancer types. Our results showed that TRIB3 exhibits high expression levels across 24 different cancer types and correlates closely with unfavorable prognoses. Meanwhile, TRIB3 shows mutations in a wide spectrum of 22 distinct cancer types, with the predominant mutation types being missense mutations and gene amplifications, and significant changes in DNA methylation levels in 14 types of cancer. We further discovered that TRIB3 expression is significantly associated with cancer immune-related genome mutations, such as tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI) and DNA mismatch repair (MMR), and infiltration of immunosuppressive cells, such as CD4+ Th2 cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), into the tumor microenvironment. These results indicated that the expression of TRIB3 might reshape the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and lead to immunosuppressive ''cold'' tumors. In addition, our results confirmed that the loss of function of TRIB3 inhibits cell proliferation, promotes apoptosis, and leads to significant enrichment of ''hot'' tumor-related immune pathways, at least in breast cancer cells, which further supports the important role of TRIB3 in cancer prognosis and TIME regulation. Together, this pan-cancer investigation provided a comprehensive understanding of the critical role of TRIB3 in human cancers, and suggested that TRIB3 might be a promising prognostic biomarker and a potential target for cancer immunotherapy.

In individuals afflicted with hemophilia, characterized by a deficiency of coagulation factor VIII (FVIII), the occurrence of spontaneous recurrent intra-articular hemorrhage precipitates the emergence of hemophilic arthropathy (HA). Although clotting factor replacement therapy reduces joint bleeding clinically, clotting factors need to be injected frequently due to the rapid diffusion of the drug. Hence, a novel drug delivery approach may be developed to improve the drug therapy. Platelet-derived extracellular vesicles (PEVs) are known to possess anti-inflammatory and hemostatic properties and could be used as a potential HA therapy. In this study, we constructed a PEV-LS@FVIII nanotherapeutic system by combining thioketal (TK), liposomes (LS), and FVIII to form the LS@FVIII complexes, and then hybridizing PEV with LS@FVIII. Our results demonstrated that PEV-LS@FVIII could efficiently facilitate FVIII delivery and specifically target the injured knee joint. Both in vitro and in vivo studies showed a reduction in the M1 phenotype of macrophages and an enhancement of the M2 phenotype, compared to FVIII free control. Furthermore, PEV-LS@FVIII appeared to alleviate HA-induced cartilage damage. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that PEV-LS@FVIII could delay the progression of HA by targeting bleeding joints, modulating macrophage polarization to suppress inflammation, and mitigating cartilage damage.

Introduction The relationship between smoking and heart disease has been frequently reported. Therefore, we aimed to explore the association between smoking initiation and atrial fibrillation. Methods Genetic association data pertaining to smoking initiation and atrial fibrillation were obtained from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Phenotypically related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected as instrumental variables. Inverse-variance weighted (IVW), weighted median, Mendelian randomization (MR), Egger regression, simple mode, and weighted mode methods were employed to perform the MR study. The association between smoking initiation and atrial fibrillation was evaluated using odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Cochran’s Q test was employed to assess heterogeneity among instrumental variables, utilizing the IVW and MR-Egger methods. The Egger-intercept method was employed to test for horizontal pleiotropy, and the ‘leave-one-out’ method was utilized for sensitivity analysis. Results The MR results for the effect of smoking initiation on atrial fibrillation (IVW, OR=1.11; 95% CI: 1.02–1.20, p=0.013) supported an association between smoking initiation and an increased likelihood of atrial fibrillation. In total, 85 SNPs were extracted from the GWAS pooled data as instrumental variables. The MR-Egger method indicated an intercept close to 0 (Egger intercept= -0.005, p=0.371), suggesting no horizontal pleiotropy in the selected instrumental variables. The ‘leave-one-out’ sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the results were robust and that no instrumental variables significantly influenced the results. Reverse MR analysis indicated no effect of atrial fibrillation on smoking initiation (IVW, OR=1.00; 95% CI: 0.99–1.02, p=0.684). Conclusions Smoking initiation has a significant impact on atrial fibrillation. However, atrial fibrillation did not influence smoking initiation. This study provides novel insights into the genetic relationships between smoking initiation and atrial fibrillation.

Abstract Proline is widely known as the only proteogenic amino acid with a secondary amine. In addition to its crucial role in protein structure, the secondary amino acid modulates neurotransmission and regulates the kinetics of signaling proteins. To understand the structural basis of proline import, we solved the structure of the proline transporter SIT1 in complex with the COVID-19 viral receptor ACE2 by cryo-electron microscopy. The structure of pipecolate-bound SIT1 reveals the specific sequence requirements for proline transport in the SLC6 family and how this protein excludes amino acids with extended side chains. By comparing apo and substrate-bound SIT1 states, we also identify the structural changes that link substrate release and opening of the cytoplasmic gate and provide an explanation for how a missense mutation in the transporter causes iminoglycinuria.

Slope stability control is crucial for safe and efficient coal mining in open-pit mines with soft rock. To address the challenge of stabilizing dip soft rock slope rock slopes, the treatment engineering of inner row tracking pressure side of dip soft rock slope in open-pit mine is proposed based on the analysis of the main controlling factors of slope stability. This study takes the south side of the first mining area of Hesigewula south open-pit coal mine as the engineering background and proposes a synergistic treatment scheme for the slope stability of the stope and inner dump, utilizing the combination of limit equilibrium method and numerical simulation to design the spatial form of the stope slope. This treatment scheme maximizes the safe recovery of the coal resources covered by the slope. The research results indicate that the length of exposed weak layer is the primary controlling factor of the stability in inclined soft rock slopes in open-pit mines. Controlling the tracking distance between the stope and the inner dump is an effective way to improve slope stability. With an increase in tracking distance, the slope damage mode transitions from the cut-layer-sublayer-shear-out sliding with an arc as the side interface and the weak layer as the bottom interface to cut-layer-sublayer sliding with an arc as the side interface and weak layer as the bottom interface, leading to a gradual decrease in slope stability. Moreover, the stability of the inner dump and its composite slope with the stope increases exponentially with an increase in the backfill rock range of the weak layer of the failure floor. The study sets the shallow slope of the south slope of the first mining area of Hesigewula coal mine to be 40 m transportation flat and 15 m security flat, and the deep slope angle of the bottom slope is 29°. When the tracking distance is controlled within 50 m, it can meet the safety requirements. When the weak layer of the inner dump base is destroyed, and the inclined length of the backfill rock is 60 m, it can also meet the safety requirements. The study provides new insights into slope stability control in soft rock open-pit coal mines.

Abstract Exploring the influencing factors and enhancement paths of high-quality development of the construction industry is crucial for promoting sustainable development of the construction industry. Based on the concepts of “five development”, this paper takes the construction industry data of 29 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) in China as a sample, utilizes comprehensively the combination method of NCA and fsQCA to build a high-quality development driving model of the construction industry, and explores the coupling effect of factors, like the level of scientific and technological innovation, structural degree, precast building model, external market vitality, resources, and environment, on the development of the industry, revealing the path of high-quality development of the construction industry and analyze its applicability. These findings demonstrate that: (1) The level of scientific and technological innovation, the degree of structure, and the vitality of the external market are the core conditions, and a single factor does not constitute the necessary conditions for the high-quality development of the construction industry; (2) There are three paths for the high-quality development of the construction industry, among which the number of representative cases of linkage development led by openness innovation coordination is the largest, and has strong applicability; (3) There are two non-high-quality development paths in the construction industry, and there is a non-simple opposition relationship with the three high-quality development paths in the construction industry.

Abstract Persistent inflammatory damage and suppressed immune function play a crucial role in the pathogenesis and progression of the pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PjP). Therefore, we aimed to investigate the correlation between the combined immune and inflammatory indicator: the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and prognosis of non-human immunodeficiency virus (non-HIV) PjP. In the retrospective analysis conducted in ICUs at Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, we examined data from 157 patients diagnosed with non-HIV PjP. Our findings reveal a concerning hospital mortality rate of 43.3%, with the 28-day mortality rate reaching 47.8%. Through multivariable logistic and Cox regression analyses, we established a significant association between elevated NLR levels and hospital mortality (adjusted odd ratio, 1.025; 95% CI, 1.008-1.043; p = 0.004) or 28-day mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.026; 95% CI, 1.008-1.045; p = 0.005). Specifically, patients with an NLR exceeding 20.3 demonstrated markedly lower overall survival rates, underscoring the biomarker's predictive value for both hospital and 28-day mortality. In conclusion, non-HIV PjP patients in the ICU still have a high rate of mortality and a poor short-term prognosis after discharge. A high level of NLR was associated with an increased risk of hospital mortality and 28-day mortality.

Abstract Background The question of whether segmentectomy and lobectomy have similar survival outcomes for patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a matter of debate. Methods A cohort study and randomized controlled trial were included, comparing segmentectomy and lobectomy, by utilizing computerized access to the Pubmed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases up until July 2022. The Cochrane Collaboration tool was used to evaluate the randomized controlled trials, while the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to evaluate the cohort studies. Sensitivity analyses were also carried out. Results The analysis incorporated 17 literature studies, including one randomized controlled trial and 16 cohort studies, and was divided into a segmentectomy group (n = 2081) and a lobectomy group (n = 2395) based on the type of surgery the patient underwent. Each study was followed up from 27 months to 130.8 months after surgery. Over survival (OS): HR = 1.14, 95%CI(0.97,1.32), P = 0.10; disease-free survival (DFS): HR = 1.13, 95%CI(0.91,1.41), P = 0.27; recurrence-free survival (RFS): HR = 0.95, 95%CI(0.81,1.12), P = 0.54. Conclusion The results of the study suggest that the survival outcomes of the segmentectomy group were not inferior to that of the lobectomy group. Segmentectomy should therefore be considered as a treatment option for early stage NSCLC.

Abstract Dielectric ceramic capacitors with ultrahigh power densities are fundamental to modern electrical devices. Nonetheless, the poor energy density confined to the low breakdown strength is a long-standing bottleneck in developing desirable dielectric materials for practical applications. In this instance, we present a high-entropy tungsten bronze-type relaxor ferroelectric achieved through an equimolar-ratio element design, which realizes a giant recoverable energy density of 11.0 J·cm−3 and a high efficiency of 81.9%. Moreover, the atomic-scale microstructural study confirms that the excellent comprehensive energy storage performance is attributed to the increased atomic-scale compositional heterogeneity from high configuration entropy, which modulates the relaxor features as well as induces lattice distortion, resulting in reduced polarization hysteresis and enhanced breakdown endurance. This study provides evidence that developing high-entropy relaxor ferroelectric material via equimolar-ratio element design is an effective strategy for achieving ultrahigh energy storage characteristics. Our results also uncover the immense potential of tetragonal tungsten bronze-type materials for advanced energy storage applications.

Abstract Background The glandular trichomes of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) can efficiently produce secondary metabolites. They act as natural bioreactors, and their natural products function to protect plants against insect-pests and pathogens and are also components of industrial chemicals. To clarify the molecular mechanisms of tobacco glandular trichome development and secondary metabolic regulation, glandular trichomes and glandless trichomes, as well as other different developmental tissues, were used for RNA sequencing and analysis. Results By comparing glandless and glandular trichomes with other tissues, we obtained differentially expressed genes. They were obviously enriched in KEGG pathways, such as cutin, suberine, and wax biosynthesis, flavonoid and isoflavonoid biosynthesis, terpenoid biosynthesis, and plant–pathogen interaction. In particular, the expression levels of genes related to the terpenoid, flavonoid, and wax biosynthesis pathway mainly showed down-regulation in glandless trichomes, implying that they lack the capability to synthesize certain exudate compounds. Among the differentially expressed genes, 234 transcription factors were found, including AP2-ERFs, MYBs, bHLHs, WRKYs, Homeoboxes (HD-ZIP), and C2H2-ZFs. These transcription factor and genes that highly expressed in trichomes or specially expressed in GT or GLT. Following the overexpression of R2R3-MYB transcription factor Nitab4.5_0011760g0030.1 in tobacco, an increase in the number of branched glandular trichomes was observed. Conclusions Our data provide comprehensive gene expression information at the transcriptional level and an understanding of the regulatory pathways involved in glandular trichome development and secondary metabolism.

Abstract To facilitate the regulation of the air‐gap magnetic field of permanent magnet synchronous machines, a novel topology of a high‐speed hybrid excitation synchronous machine (HESM) was presented. The electromagnetic performance of the proposed HESM was evaluated. The air‐gap magnetic field regulation principle was introduced first. Then, a mathematical model of the HESM was established. Based on the characteristics of a 3D magnetic circuit, the HESM equalled three types of 2D magnetic circuit machines in axial parallel superposition, and thus the expressions of inductance parameters were deduced. Subsequently, the voltage regulation performance of the HESM was assessed according to the mathematical model and inductance parameters. The loss and efficiency were calculated. Finally, a HESM prototype was tested and verified.

Abstract The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction diseases (TDFDs) and osteoporosis (OP) is high. Previous studies have indicated a potential association between TDFDs and OP, yet the causal direction remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the potential causal relationship between TDFDs and the risk of developing OP and related fractures. We obtained pooled data from genome-wide association studies (GWASs) conducted on TDFDs and OP in European populations and identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with genome-wide significance levels associated with exposure to TDFDs as instrumental variables. Inverse variance weighted (IVW) was employed as the primary method for Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, supplemented by MR‒Egger, weighted median, simple mode and weighted mode methods. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate the robustness of the findings. The IVW method demonstrated an increased risk of OP in patients with TDFDs, including hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism (TDFDs: OR = 1.11; 95% CI 1.09, 1.13; hypothyroidism: OR = 1.14; 95% CI 1.10, 1.17; hyperthyroidism: OR = 1.09; 95% CI 1.06, 1.12). These findings were supported by supplementary analysis, which revealed a positive correlation between TDFDs and the risk of OP. Multiple sensitivity analyses confirmed the absence of horizontal pleiotropy in the study, thus indicating the robustness of our results. The causal relationship between TDFDs and increased risk of OP implies the need for early bone mineral density (BMD) screening and proactive prevention and treatment strategies for individuals with TDFDs.

Forward-looking imaging of airborne scanning radar is widely used in situation awareness, autonomous navigation and terrain following. When the radar is influenced by unintentional temporally sporadic electromagnetic interference or abnormal equipment performance, the echo signal contains outliers. Existing super-resolution methods can suppress outliers and improve azimuth resolution, but the real-time computing problem is not considered. In this study, we propose an airborne scanning radar super-resolution method to achieve fast forward-looking imaging when echo data are abnormal. First, we propose using the Student-t distribution to model noise. Then, the expectation-maximization method is used to estimate the parameters. Inspired by the truncated singular value decomposition method, we introduce the truncated unitary matrix into the estimation formula of the target scattering coefficient. Finally, the size of inverse matrix is reduced and the computational complexity of parameter estimation is reduced through matrix transformation. The simulation results show that the proposed method can improve the azimuth resolution of forward-looking imaging in a shorter time, and suppress outliers in echo data.

Imaging the wave velocity field surrounding a borehole while drilling is a promising and urgently needed approach for extending the exploration range of the borehole point. This paper develops a drilling process detection (DPD) system consisting of a multifunctional sensor and a pilot geophone installed at the top of the drilling rod, geophones at the tunnel face, a laser rangefinder, and an onsite computer. A weighted adjoint-state first arrival travel time tomography method is used to invert the P-wave velocity field of rock mass while borehole drilling. A field experiment in the ongoing construction of a deep buried tunnel in southwestern China demonstrated the DPD system and the tomography method. Time-frequency analysis of typical borehole drilling detection data shows that the impact drilling source is a pulse-like seismic exploration wavelet. A velocity field of the rock mass in a triangular area defined by the borehole trajectory and geophone receiving line can be obtained. Both the borehole core and optical image validate the inverted P-wave velocity field. A numerical simulation of a checkerboard benchmark model is used to test the tomography method. The rapid convergence of the misfits and consistent agreement between the inverted and observed travel times validate the P-wave velocity imaging.

Abstract Safeguarding water resources, aquatic habitats, and ecosystems is paramount for the well‐being of the populace, the future of the nation, and the sustainable development of China. With the relentless progression of ecological and environmental protection and the establishment of an ecological civilization, China's aquatic ecological environment protection has undergone five decades of exploration. The water environment protection paradigm has gradually transitioned from emphasizing pollutant emission concentration control and total pollutant emission control to prioritizing water environment quality improvement. Particularly in the past decade, regions nationwide have conducted proactive explorations and practices in source control, emission abatement, and quality enhancement. This paper systematically reviews the achievements in China's water environmental quality improvement and the characteristics of water environment management at various stages over the past half‐century. Considering the deployment of “three waters” coordination (water resources, water environment, and water ecology), green development, pollution, carbon reduction, and so forth, this paper analyzes the challenges confronted by China's aquatic ecological environment protection. Finally, future directions are prospected from six aspects: green development, climate change response, water resource allocation optimization, collaborative governance of multiple pollutants, aquatic ecological protection strengthening, and intelligent management improvement.

With the rapid development of the social economy, the importance of water resources is becoming increasingly prominent. Urban water demand in Beijing has been growing rapidly. Accurate water consumption forecasting is of utmost importance for reasonable allocation and optimization of water supply systems. In this study, an innovative multi-variable grey prediction model with adjacent accumulation (AOGM(1,N)) is proposed to predict Beijing's annual water consumption for four different water usage scenarios (domestic water, agricultural water, industrial water, and environmental water) by incorporating the adjacent accumulation into the optimized grey model. Grey relational analysis is used to select the key influence factors. The adjustable parameter of the prediction model is chosen by using the particle swarm optimization algorithm. By comparing with other models in the existing literature, the proposed AOGM(1,N) model has evidently superior prediction performance based on the error indicators, which supports the novel method's merits and validity. This study could help us better understand water usage and be applied to the planning and management problems of urban water supply systems. HIGHLIGHTS An improved multi-variable grey model is proposed for water consumption prediction.; Adjacent accumulation is introduced into the proposed prediction model.; The effects of different external factors on water consumption are quantified.; The optimization method of adjustable parameter in the model is proposed.;

The fully dense Ti3SiC2-(Ti, Zr)B2 toughened (Ti, Zr)C-based composites were fabricated at 1400–1600 °C for the first time by dual in situ reactions hot-pressing with TiC, ZrB2, and Si as the initial powders. The influence of ZrB2, Si content and sintering temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the composite was reported. When 10 mol% ZrB2 was added, Si combined with residual TiC to form Ti3SiC2 and SiC. However, with the addition of ZrB2 increase to 20 mol% and 30 mol%, Si participated in the formation of ZrSi and was not enough to react with TiC to form Ti3SiC2. The low-temperature in situ reactions, multiphase coupling effects, and the pinning effect of nano-SiC refine the microstructure of the composites. There are specific crystal orientation relationships between (Zr, Ti)C and (Ti, Zr)B2, as well as between (Ti, Zr)C and SiC. The layered Ti3SiC2 and plate-like (Ti, Zr)B2 by dual in situ reactions effectively improve the fracture toughness of the composites. The 10 ZB-15 possesses a highest fracture toughness of 6.1 MPa⋅m1/2. The 30 ZB-16 has the good comprehensive mechanical properties. The fracture toughness, flexural strength, and hardness of 30 ZB-16 is 5.6 MPa⋅m1/2, 679 MPa, and 26.4 GPa, respectively. The Ti3SiC2 and TiB2 formed during dual in situ reactions enables the composite to exhibit excellent oxidation resistance and wear resistance.

Abstract Background The contact plate method is widely accepted and used in various fields where hygiene and contamination levels are crucial. Evidence regarding the applicability of the contact plate method for sampling fabric microbial contamination levels in real medical environments was limited. This study aimed to assess the applicability of the contact plate method for detecting microbial contamination on medical fabrics in a real healthcare environment, thereby providing a benchmark for fabric microbial sampling methods. Methods In a level three obstetrics ward of a hospital, twenty-four privacy curtains adjacent to patient beds were selected for this study. The contact plate and swab method were used to collect microbial samples from the privacy curtains on the 1st, 7th, 14th, and 28th days after they were hung. The total colony count on each privacy curtain surface was calculated, and microbial identification was performed. Results After excluding the effects of time, room type, and curtain location on the detected microbial load, the linear mixed-effects model analysis showed that contact plate method yielded lower colony counts compared to swab method (P

Abstract Dynamic regulation of gene expression is fundamental for cellular adaptation to exogenous stressors. P-TEFb-mediated pause-release of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) is a conserved regulatory mechanism for synchronous transcriptional induction in response to heat shock, but this pro-survival role has not been examined in the applied context of cancer therapy. Using model systems of pediatric high-grade glioma, we show that rapid genome-wide reorganization of active chromatin facilitates P-TEFb-mediated nascent transcriptional induction within hours of exposure to therapeutic ionizing radiation. Concurrent inhibition of P-TEFb disrupts this chromatin reorganization and blunts transcriptional induction, abrogating key adaptive programs such as DNA damage repair and cell cycle regulation. This combination demonstrates a potent, synergistic therapeutic potential agnostic of glioma subtype, leading to a marked induction of tumor cell apoptosis and prolongation of xenograft survival. These studies reveal a central role for P-TEFb underpinning the early adaptive response to radiotherapy, opening avenues for combinatorial treatment in these lethal malignancies.

Abstract Controllable photofluorochromic systems with high contrast and multicolor in both solutions and solid states are ideal candidates for the development of dynamic artificial intelligence. However, it is still challenging to realize multiple photochromism within one single molecule, not to mention good controllability. Herein, we report an aggregation-induced emission luminogen TPE-2MO2NT that undergoes oxidation cleavage upon light irradiation and is accompanied by tunable multicolor emission from orange to blue with time-dependence. The photocleavage mechanism revealed that the self-generation of reactive oxidants driving the catalyst-free oxidative cleavage process. A comprehensive analysis of TPE-2MO2NT and other comparative molecules demonstrates that the TPE-2MO2NT molecular scaffold can be easily modified and extended. Further, the multicolor microenvironmental controllability of TPE-2MO2NT photoreaction within polymer matrices enables the fabrication of dynamic fluorescence images and 4D information codes, providing strategies for advanced controllable information encryption.

Abstract Objective Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is a common complication in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Studies have shown that perioperative serum albumin levels may play a role in the occurrence of CI-AKI. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of perioperative serum albumin (delta albumin or &Alb) levels on the occurrence and long-term prognosis of CI-AKI patients after PCI. Methods A total of 959 patients who underwent PCI between January 2017 and January 2019 were selected for this study. A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off value of the &Alb level for predicting CI-AKI after PCI. Patients were divided into two groups based on the optimal cut-off value: the high &Alb group (&Alb ≥ 4.55 g/L) and the control group (&Alb

The integration of vegetable oil-based minimum quantity lubrication (VMQL) and cutting process has received widespread attention due to its great sustainability. Taking the great potential of biomimetics into consideration, constructing biomimetic structure on tool surface is expected to cause effective improvement of VMQL assisted cutting process. Inspired by five different kinds of biological structures, assembled multi-biomimetic structure (AMBS) was designed on Al2O3/TiC micro-nano-composite ceramic tool. Moreover, this work explored the effects of AMBS on VMQL assisted interrupted turning. Durable lubricant-transport behavior was examined experimentally and theoretically for the proposed AMBS. In addition, a theoretical index PAS integrating fracture resistance and cutting load was established to evaluate the mechanical performance of AMBS. Furthermore, tool wear was employed to analyze the experimental performance and validate the effectiveness of AMBS. The present work focused on the influences caused by the side length Lb of the biomimetic hexagonal structure, the laser angle Al and the shape of the superlipophilic region. It was found that impact, scratch and high temperature had limited effects on the wetting behavior of AMBS, resulting in the durable lubricant-transport behavior of AMBS. Index PAS can be utilized as a useful tool for pre-evaluating the mechanical performance of AMBS. The construction of AMBS led to decrease of both fracture resistance and cutting load. The tool performance was effectively enhanced since the decrease of cutting load had a greater impact. The optimum AMBS appeared when Lb was 250 μm, Al was 90° and the superlipophilic region had a convex shape.

Abstract Background Surgical staplers have been widely used to facilitate surgeries, and this study aimed to examine the real-world effectiveness of a new powered stapling system with Gripping Surface Technology (GST) on intraoperative outcomes of gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Method The data were extracted from the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University’s (FHHMU) medical records system. Participants (N = 121 patients) were classified into the GST (n = 59) or non-GST group (n = 62), based on the use of the GST system. The intraoperative outcomes such as bleeding were assessed by reviewing video records. T-tests, Chi-square tests, and Mann–Whitney-U tests were used to compare the baseline characteristics between groups. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted for adjusting outcomes to study the effect of variables. Results Compared with the non-GST group, the GST group had significantly lower risks for intraoperative bleeding, intraoperative anastomosis intervention rate, intraoperative suture, and intraoperative pression (aORs: 0.0853 (p

Abstract Objective Systematic literature reviews (SLRs) are critical for life-science research. However, the manual selection and retrieval of relevant publications can be a time-consuming process. This study aims to (1) develop two disease-specific annotated corpora, one for human papillomavirus (HPV) associated diseases and the other for pneumococcal-associated pediatric diseases (PAPD), and (2) optimize machine- and deep-learning models to facilitate automation of the SLR abstract screening. Methods This study constructed two disease-specific SLR screening corpora for HPV and PAPD, which contained citation metadata and corresponding abstracts. Performance was evaluated using precision, recall, accuracy, and F1-score of multiple combinations of machine- and deep-learning algorithms and features such as keywords and MeSH terms. Results and conclusions The HPV corpus contained 1697 entries, with 538 relevant and 1159 irrelevant articles. The PAPD corpus included 2865 entries, with 711 relevant and 2154 irrelevant articles. Adding additional features beyond title and abstract improved the performance (measured in Accuracy) of machine learning models by 3% for HPV corpus and 2% for PAPD corpus. Transformer-based deep learning models that consistently outperformed conventional machine learning algorithms, highlighting the strength of domain-specific pre-trained language models for SLR abstract screening. This study provides a foundation for the development of more intelligent SLR systems.

Abstract Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is the most common histiocytic disorder in children, and liver involvement in LCH is rare. This retrospective study reported the clinical features and prognosis of patients with hepatic LCH. Liver involvement was defined by histopathological findings, liver dysfunction or abnormalities, or ultrasound imaging. A total of 130 patients (14.5%) with hepatic LCH out of 899 in the LCH population were enrolled. Patients with liver involvement had greater frequencies of skin, lung, hearing system, and haematologic system involvement, and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (P

The vertically integrated emission rate, centroid altitude, peak emission rate, and peak height of the hydroxyl (OH) airglow were calculated from Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED)/Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) observations to study the seasonal and interannual variations in the intensity and location of the OH emission. The emission rate is inversely proportional to the height of the emission, with the semiannual oscillation dominating at low latitudes and the annual oscillation dominating at higher latitudes. The OH emission is modulated by the quasibiennial oscillation at the equator, and the quasibiennial oscillation signal is weak at other latitudes. We represented the vertical transport of atomic oxygen by using atomic oxygen concentrations obtained from a global atmospheric model, the Specified Dynamics Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model with thermosphere and ionosphere eXtension simulations. Compared with the amplitudes of the migrating diurnal tide (DW1) calculated from temperature data observed by TIMED/SABER, we found that both the vertical transport of atomic oxygen and DW1 amplitudes in the equatorial region exhibit semiannual oscillation and quasibiennial oscillation, which have a strong correlation with the variations in the amplitude and phase of semiannual oscillation and quasibiennial oscillation in OH emission. It is likely that the DW1 affects the vertical transport of atomic oxygen that is involved in the reaction to produce O3, thus affecting the OH emission. We analyzed the relationship between OH emission and solar activity by using the solar radio flux at 10.7 cm as a proxy for solar activity. The results showed that the OH emission is well correlated with solar activity, and the modulation of OH emission by solar activity has a significant latitudinal variation. The small correlation between emission height and solar activity indicates that solar activity modulates OH emission mainly through chemical rather than dynamic processes.

Abstract Uniaxial compression tests and cyclic loading acoustic emission tests were conducted on 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, dry and saturated muddy sandstone by using a creep impact loading system to investigate the mechanical properties and acoustic emission characteristics of soft rocks with different water contents under dynamic disturbance. The mechanical properties and acoustic emission characteristics of muddy sandstones at different water contents were analysed. Results of experimental studies show that water is a key factor in the mechanical properties of rocks, softening them, increasing their porosity, reducing their brittleness and increasing their plasticity. Under uniaxial compression, the macroscopic damage characteristics of the muddy sandstone change from mono-bevel shear damage and ‘X’ type conjugate bevel shear damage to a roadway bottom-drum type damage as the water content increases. Dynamic perturbation has a strengthening effect on the mechanical properties of samples with 60% and less water content, and a weakening effect on samples with 80% and more water content, but the weakening effect is not obvious. Macroscopic damage characteristics of dry samples remain unchanged, water samples from shear damage and tensile–shear composite damage gradually transformed into cleavage damage, until saturation transformation monoclinic shear damage. The evolution of acoustic emission energy and event number is mainly divided into four stages: loading stage (I), dynamic loading stage (II), yield failure stage (III), and post-peak stage (IV), the acoustic emission characteristics of the stages were different for different water contents. The characteristic value of acoustic emission key point frequency gradually decreases, and the damage degree of the specimen increases, corresponding to low water content—high main frequency—low damage and high water content—low main frequency—high damage.

The 2D limit equilibrium method is widely used for slope stability analysis. However, with the advancement of dump engineering, composite slopes often exhibit significant 3D mechanical effects. Consequently, it is of significant importance to develop an effective 3D stability calculation method for composite slopes to enhance the design and stability control of open-pit slope engineering. Using the composite slope formed by the mining stope and inner dump in Baiyinhua No. 1 and No. 2 open-pit coal mine as a case study, this research investigates the failure mode of composite slopes and establishes spatial shape equations for the sliding mass. By integrating the shear resistance and sliding force of each row of microstrip columns onto the bottom surface of the strip corresponding to the main sliding surface, a novel 2D equivalent physical and mechanical parameters analysis method for the strips on the main sliding surface of 3D sliding masses is proposed. Subsequently, a comprehensive 3D stability calculation method for composite slopes is developed, and the quantitative relationship between the coordinated development distance and its 3D stability coefficients is examined. The analysis reveals that the failure mode of the composite slope is characterized by cutting-bedding sliding, with the arc serving as the side interface and the weak layer as the bottom interface, while the destabilization mechanism primarily involves shear failure. The spatial form equation of the sliding mass comprises an ellipsoid and weak plane equation. The analysis revealed that when the coordinated development distance is 1500 m, the error rate between the 3D stability calculation result and the 2D stability calculation result of the composite slope is less than 8%, thereby verifying the proposed analytical method of equivalent physical and mechanical parameters and the 3D stability calculation method for composite slopes. Furthermore, the 3D stability coefficient of the composite slope exhibits an exponential correlation with the coordinated development distance, with the coefficient gradually decreasing as the coordinated development distance increases. These findings provide a theoretical guideline for designing similar slope shape parameters and conducting stability analysis.

B4C–TiB2 is an advanced electrically conductive ceramic with excellent mechanical and electrical discharge machinable properties. It is challenging and rewarding to achieve highly conductive and hard B4C–TiB2 composites at a minimum content of conductive TiB2 that has inferior hardness but double specific gravity of the B4C matrix. A novel strategy was used to construct conductive networks in B4C‒15 vol% TiB2 composite ceramics with B4C, TiC, and amorphous B as raw materials by a two-step spark plasma sintering method. The influences of particle size matching between B4C and TiC on the conducting of the strategy and the microstructure were discussed based on the selective matrix grain growth mechanism. The mechanical and electrical properties were also systematically investigated. The B4C–15 vol% TiB2 composite ceramic prepared from 10.29 µm B4C and 0.05 µm TiC powders exhibited a perfect three-dimensional interconnected conductive network with a maximum electrical conductivity of 4.25×104 S/m, together with excellent mechanical properties including flexural strength, Vickers hardness, and fracture toughness of 691±58 MPa, 30.30±0.61 GPa, and 5.75±0.32 MPa·m1/2, respectively, while the composite obtained from 3.12 µm B4C and 0.8 µm TiC powders had the best mechanical properties including flexural strength, Vickers hardness, and fracture toughness of 827±35 MPa, 32.01±0.51 GPa, and 6.45±0.22 MPa·m1/2, together with a decent electrical conductivity of 0.65×104 S/m.

Abstract Aims Risk assessment for triple-vessel disease (TVD) remain challenging. Stress hyperglycemia represents the regulation of glucose metabolism in response to stress, and stress hyperglycemia ratio (SHR) is recently found to reflect true acute hyperglycemic status. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of SHR and its role in risk stratification in TVD patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods A total of 3812 TVD patients with ACS with available baseline SHR measurement were enrolled from two independent centers. The endpoint was cardiovascular mortality. Cox regression was used to evaluate the association between SHR and cardiovascular mortality. The SYNTAX (Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) II (SSII) was used as the reference model in the model improvement analysis. Results During a median follow-up of 5.1 years, 219 (5.8%) TVD patients with ACS suffered cardiovascular mortality. TVD patients with ACS with high SHR had an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality after robust adjustment for confounding (high vs. median SHR: adjusted hazard ratio 1.809, 95% confidence interval 1.160–2.822, P = 0.009), which was fitted as a J-shaped pattern. The prognostic value of the SHR was found exclusively among patients with diabetes instead of those without diabetes. Moreover, addition of SHR improved the reclassification abilities of the SSII model for predicting cardiovascular mortality in TVD patients with ACS. Conclusions The high level of SHR is associated with the long-term risk of cardiovascular mortality in TVD patients with ACS, and is confirmed to have incremental prediction value beyond standard SSII. Assessment of SHR may help to improve the risk stratification strategy in TVD patients who are under acute stress.