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Coronary atherosclerosis is the main cause of death worldwide. Advancing the understanding of coronary microstructure-based mechanics is fundamental for the development of therapeutic tools and surgical procedures. Although the passive biaxial properties of the coronary arteries have been extensively explored, their regional differences and the relationship between tissue microstructure and mechanics have not been fully characterized. In this study, we characterized the passive biaxial mechanical properties and microstructural properties of the proximal, medial, and distal regions of the porcine left anterior descending artery (LADA). We also attempted to relate the biaxial stress-stretch response of the LADA and its respective birefringent responses to the polarized light for obtaining information about the load-dependent microstructural variations. We found that the LADA extensibility is reduced in the proximal-to-distal direction and that the medial region exhibits more heterogeneous mechanical behavior than the other two regions. We have also observed highly dynamic microstructural behavior where fiber families realign themselves depending on loading. In addition, we found that the microstructure of the distal region exhibited highly aligned fibers along the longitudinal axis of the artery. To verify this microstructural feature, we imaged the LADA specimens with multi-photon microscopy and observed that the adventitia microstructure transitioned from a random fiber network in the proximal region to highly aligned fibers in the distal region. Our findings could offer new perspectives for understanding coronary mechanics and aid in the development of tissue-engineered vascular grafts, which are currently limited due to their mismatch with native tissue in terms of mechanical properties and microstructural features. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The tissue biomechanics of coronary arteries is fundamental for the development of revascularization techniques such as coronary artery bypass. These therapeutics require a deep understanding of arterial mechanics, microstructure, and mechanobiology to prevent graft failure and reoperation. The present study characterizes the unique regional mechanical and microstructural properties of the porcine left anterior descending artery using biaxial testing, polarized-light imaging, and confocal microscopy. This comprehensive characterization provides an improved understanding of the collagen/elastin architecture in response to mechanical loads using a region-specific approach. The unique tissue properties obtained from this study will provide guidance for the selection of anastomotic sites in coronary artery bypass grafting and for the design of tissue-engineered vascular grafts.

Developing CRISPR/Cas9-mediated non-transgenic mutants in asexually propagated perennial crop plants is challenging but highly desirable. Here, we report a highly useful method using an Agrobacterium-mediated transient CRISPR/Cas9 gene expression system to create non-transgenic mutant plants without the need for sexual segregation. We have also developed a rapid, cost-effective, and high-throughput mutant screening protocol based on Illumina sequencing followed by high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis. Using tetraploid tobacco as a model species and the phytoene desaturase (PDS) gene as a target, we successfully created and expediently identified mutant plants, which were verified as tetra-allelic mutants. We produced pds mutant shoots at a rate of 47.5% from tobacco leaf explants, without the use of antibiotic selection. Among these pds plants, 17.2% were confirmed to be non-transgenic, for an overall non-transgenic mutation rate of 8.2%. Our method is reliable and effective in creating non-transgenic mutant plants without the need to segregate out transgenes through sexual reproduction. This method should be applicable to many economically important, heterozygous, perennial crop species that are more difficult to regenerate.

This study investigates the mechanisms by which service-oriented transformation affects employee satisfaction with performance evaluation systems within the context of China's electricity market reform. Using CGN New Energy's Guangxi Branch as a case study and applying the grounded theory method, the research systematically analyzes employees' perceptions of fairness, transparency, and career development during the transition from a product-oriented to a service-oriented model, based on in-depth interviews and surveys. The findings reveal that while servitization enhances employee skill development and career satisfaction, it also introduces challenges, such as increased work pressure and the demand for more transparent performance evaluation systems. This study provides valuable insights into optimizing management practices and performance evaluation systems in renewable energy companies, contributing both theoretically and practically to the literature on organizational transformation in the energy sector. These conclusions are not only significant for Chinese enterprises but also offer important reference points for global energy companies undergoing similar transitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A biocompatible, highly sensitive, and enzyme-free glucose electrochemical sensor was developed based on a copper-cysteamine (Cu-Cy)-modified electrode. The catalytically active biocompatible material Cu-Cy was immobilized on the electrode surface by the natural polymer chitosan (CTS). The electrochemical characterization and glucose response of the Cu-Cy/CTS/glassy carbon electrode (GCE) were investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and constant potential amperometry. The significant electrocatalytic activity of Cu-Cy to the oxidation of glucose in an alkaline environment was revealed. Several crucial parameters, including the number of scanning cycles for electrode activation, applied potential, and the contents of Cu-Cy and chitosan, were investigated to understand their impact on the sensor's response. The proposed sensing platform exhibited linear ranges of 2.7 μM to 1.3 mM and 1.3 mM to 7.7 mM for glucose detection, coupled with high sensitivity (588.28 and 124.42 μA·mM−1·cm−2), and commendable selectivity and stability. Moreover, a Cu-Cy/CTS-modified screen-printed electrode (SPE) was further developed for portable direct detection of glucose in real samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terahertz communication technology holds promise for solving the challenging "blackout" problem. Research has revealed that the spectrum exhibits new peaks when terahertz waves propagate through plasma. In the realm of communications, elucidating the underlying physical mechanisms responsible for these novel peaks is of paramount importance. In this paper, a combination of theoretical analysis and simulation is utilized to investigate the causes of these spectral changes. Theoretically, the expression for the relative dielectric constant of plasma has been refined by incorporating collision terms. Drawing on radiation theory, a particle whose motion is interrupted by collisions can be considered equivalent to a damped harmonic oscillator. Thus, the frequency expression of the new peak was derived. Furthermore, the simulation involved the interaction of a terahertz wave, which had a frequency of 1 THz and lasted for 2 ps, and plasma characterized by a central electron density of 1021 m−3 and a collision frequency of 0.114 THz. The simulation results are consistent with the frequency expression of the new peak. In sum, this study found that collisions between electrons and neutral particles within plasma cause a shift in the frequency of terahertz waves, and has derived the frequency expression. This plasma model can be used to estimate the frequency range of terahertz waves that are generated as they propagate through collisional plasmas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (Rho) can develop a range of strategies to resist the toxicity of heavy metals. This study aimed to investigate the physiological responses and transcriptomic regulation of the fungus under different heavy metal stresses. Methods and results This study applied transmission electron microscopy and RNA-seq to investigate the fungal resistance to Pb, Cd, and Cu stresses. Under Pb stress, the activated autophagy-related genes, vesicle-fusing ATPase, and vacuolar ATP synthase improved vacuolar sequestration. This offsets the loss of lipids. However, the metal sequestration by vacuoles was not improved under Cd stress. Vacuolar fusion was also inhibited following the interference of intravacuolar Ca2+ due to their similar ionic radii. Cu2+ showed the maximum toxic effects due to its lowest cellular sorption (as low as 7%) with respect to Pb2+ and Cd2+, although the efflux pumps and divalent metal ion transporters partially contributed to the detoxification. Conclusions Divalent cation transporters and vacuolar sequestration are the critical strategies for Rho to resist Pb stress. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is the main strategy for Cd resistance in Rho. The intracellular Cu level was decreased by efflux pump and divalent metal ion transporters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]