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Heterostructured ferritic steels with bimodal-grained lamellar (BG-L) and ultrafine-grained lamellar (UFG-L) microstructure were prepared through a warm deformation process. The BG-L steel exhibits enhanced mechanical properties compared to conventional quenched and tempered (QT) steel. While the UFG-L steel demonstrates an outstanding combination of strength, ductility, and toughness. Furthermore, the UFG-L steels exhibit no ductile-to-brittle transition (DBT) from room temperature (RT) to liquid nitrogen temperature (LNT) and the Charpy impact energy remains as high as 314 J at LNT. The enhanced toughness at LNT can be attributed to the crack-arrester mechanism caused by grain-boundary delamination.

Abstract Nonlinear optical responses in two-dimensional (2D) materials can build free-space optical neuromorphic computing systems. Ensuring the high performance and the tunability of the system is essential to encode diverse functions. However, common strategies, including the integration of external electrode arrays or photonic structures with 2D materials, and barely patterned 2D materials, exhibit a contradiction between performance and tunability. Because the unique band dispersions of 2D materials can provide hidden paths to boost nonlinear responses independently, here we introduced a new free-space optical computing concept within a bare molybdenum disulfide array. This system can preserve high modulation performance with fast speed, low energy consumption, and high signal-to-noise ratio. Due to the freedom from the restrictions of fixed photonic structures, the tunability is also enhanced through the synergistic encodings of the 2D cells and the excitation pulses. The computing mechanism of transition from two-photon absorption to synergistic excited states absorption intrinsically improved the modulation capability of nonlinear optical responses, revealed from the relative transmittance modulated by a pump-probe-control strategy. Optical artificial neural network (ANN) and digital processing were demonstrated, revealing the feasibility of the free-space optical computing based on bare 2D materials toward neuromorphic applications.

In this study, we examine in detail the hot deformation mechanism and dynamic recrystallization (DRX) behavior in a novel precipitate-free Mg-0.1Bi-0.1Sn alloy during hot compression conducted at 200–350 °C, with strain rate of 0.33–10 s−1. The obtained correlation coefficient is 0.98024, indicating that the present constitutive equation can adequately predict the hot deformation behavior of the studied alloy. The calculated average activation energy is 180.427 kJ/mol. According to the processing maps, the ideal processing areas correspond to the conditions of 325–350 °C/0.33–1 s−1. Under the low Z deformation condition, the basal slip dominates at the initial and later stages, while the pyramidal slip is dominate at the intermediate stage. Meanwhile, the continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX) and discontinuous dynamic recrystallization (DDRX) processes co-occur during hot compression. More specifically, in the initial stage, DDRX dominates over the DRX mechanism, and is accompanied by twinning induced dynamic recrystallization (TDRX). In the intermediate stage, CDRX, TDRX and DDRX prevail as the dominant DRX mechanisms. Throughout the strain stage, DDRX dominates over the DRX mechanism. The occurrence of TDRX and CDRX is beneficial to weakening the texture intensity and promoting the development of CD-tilted texture.

In order to investigate the differences in weight proportion and nutrient composition of different by-products of yellowfin tuna, this study investigated the differences in the ratio of the by-products weight to the body weight of yellowfin tuna in different sizes. The differences in the content of moisture, protein, fat, ash and the profile of fatty acids were also analyzed. The results showed that the ratio of dark meat, head, and viscera weight to body weight ranged from 5.85% to 6.81%, from 10.62% to 21.05%, and from 4.20% to 7.47%, respectively. There was a significant difference in the moisture content of the different by-products (P

Abstract Background Combination therapy is required for the treatment of moderate acne vulgaris. However, patient compliance in applying multiple topical formulations is poor. Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of a fixed-dose combination gel with adapalene 0.1% and clindamycin 1% (adapalene-clindamycin) relative to adapalene 0.1% monotherapy and clindamycin 1% monotherapy in patients with moderate facial acne vulgaris. Methods This was a randomized, controlled, assessor-blind, phase III study conducted in patients with moderate facial acne vulgaris. Results A total of 1617 patients were enrolled. At week 12, patients in the adapalene–clindamycin gel treatment group showed a significant reduction in the percentage change from baseline in total lesion count (− 66.85%), compared with adapalene alone (− 50.82%) or clindamycin gel alone (− 57.61%). The difference in the least square means of the adapalene–clindamycin gel group and adapalene group, or clindamycin gel group was − 16.08% (95% CI − 19.95% to − 12.21%) and − 9.38% (95% CI − 13.25% to − 5.51%;), respectively. At week 12, 19.28% of participants who received adapalene–clindamycin gel achieved at least 2-grade improvement in IGA, versus 7.74% with adapalene gel (OR 3.05, 95% CI 1.93, 4.80) and 14.77% with clindamycin gel (OR 1.42, 95% CI 0.97, 2.07). The study also achieved all its secondary endpoints. Adverse event rates were mostly mild to moderate and comparable across the three treatment groups. Conclusion Adapalene 0.1%–clindamycin 1% combination gel is well tolerated and demonstrated superior efficacy over 0.1% adapalene gel monotherapy and 1% clindamycin gel monotherapy for the treatment of moderate acne vulgaris. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03615768.

Abstract Survival risk prediction models have become important tools for clinicians to improve cancer treatment decisions. In the medical field, using gene expression data to build deep survival neural network models significantly improves accurate survival prognosis. However, it still poses a challenge in building an efficient method to improve the accuracy of cancer-specific survival risk prediction, such as data noise problem. In order to solve the above problem, we propose a diversity reweighted deep survival neural network method with grid optimization (DRGONet) to improve the accuracy of cancer-specific survival risk prediction. Specifically, reweighting can be employed to adjust the weights assigned to each data point in the dataset based on their importance or relevance, thereby mitigating the impact of noisy or irrelevant data and improving model performance. Incorporating diversity into the goal of multiple learning models can help minimize bias and improve learning outcomes. Furthermore, hyperparameters can be optimized with grid optimization. Experimental results have demonstrated that our proposed approach has significant advantages (improved about 5%) in real-world medical scenarios, outperforming state-of-the-art comparison methods by a large margin. Our study highlights the significance of using DRGONet to overcome the limitations of building accurate survival prediction models. By implementing our technique in cancer research, we hope to reduce the suffering experienced by cancer patients and improve the effectiveness of treatment.

Abstract Backgrounds Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) have a high rate of metabolic syndrome (MetS), which could worsen disease progression. One of the most serious progressions in MDD is suicide attempts (SAs). Previous studies have found gender differences in MetS and SAs among MDD patients respectively. Therefore, we aimed to explore gender differences of SAs in first-episode and drug-naïve (FEDN) MDD patients with comorbid MetS. Methods 1718 outpatients with FEDN MDD were recruited. Depression, anxiety and psychotic symptoms were evaluated using the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) positive subscale, respectively. Blood sugar, blood fat, blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) were measured to evaluate MetS. Results 34.4% patients with FEDN MDD were diagnosed as MetS and those subjects with or without MetS differed in the distribution of SAs and gender. In MetS subgroup, 29.5% and 29.7% of male and female subjects had SAs respectively, without significant differences. However, compared with non-suicide attempters, suicide attempters had higher level of blood pressure in female subjects, while there are no differences in any clinical variables in male subjects. Additionally, the influencing factors for SAs differed by gender. The HAMA scores and BMI were variables associated with SAs in male patients while HAMA scores, marital status and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were associated with SAs in female patients. Furthermore, the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves, demonstrating the combination all influencing factors by gender, showed good performance and model accuracy. Conclusions In FEDN MDD patients with comorbid MetS, there were no gender differences in SAs. However, clinical characteristics and influencing factors of SAs differed in different gender groups.

Abstract Automated radio telemetry systems are one of the most widely applicable methods for tracking wildlife at fine spatiotemporal scales. A growing trend is for these systems to apply large networks of receivers to detect radio signal strength (RSS) from radio‐tagged individuals. Analytical methods to derive position estimates using RSS localisation, however, are relatively underdeveloped in the field of wildlife tracking. Here, we apply approaches from indoor positioning systems to develop a new method, radio fingerprinting, for localising radio‐tagged animals in structurally complex, outdoor environments. This method characterises the RSS patterns at known locations to generate a radio map of the study area, which is then used to predict the location of new RSS patterns. We conducted field tests to evaluate the localisation accuracy of radio fingerprinting relative to multilateration, a commonly used method for RSS localisation. To do so, we established an experimental receiver network covering multiple habitat types and compared the localisation accuracy of radio fingerprinting to multilateration. Additionally, we evaluated how a variety of features characteristic of typical tracking data sets affected the accuracy of both methods. While both methods had a similar median error under ideal conditions (~30 m), radio fingerprint localisation method offered several advantages over multilateration. Multilateration localisation estimates were highly affected by missed detections from the nearest receiver to the test point, which occurred in 30% of cases. In these cases, the median error was 103 m, over a 3.5‐fold increase. Distance to the nearest receiver also biased multilateration estimates with error increasing as the distance increased. Additionally, errors from multilateration estimates were higher in more densely vegetated areas. In contrast, fingerprinting position estimates were largely robust to each of these scenarios. Automated radio telemetry enables the fine‐scale, continuous tracking of range‐resident animals. We present radio fingerprinting as a localisation method in outdoor environments where standard localisation methods are error‐prone due to habitat heterogeneity and missed detections. This approach can be applied to any automated radio telemetry hardware and to any study system where a radio map can be generated.

Abstract Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multifaceted autoimmune disorder characterized by dysregulated immune responses and autoantibody production, which affects multiple organs and varies in clinical presentation and disease severity. The development of SLE is intricate, encompassing dysregulation within the immune system, a collapse of immunological tolerance, genetic susceptibilities to the disease, and a variety of environmental factors that can act as triggers. This review provides a comprehensive discussion of the pathogenesis and treatment strategies of SLE and focuses on the progress and status of traditional and emerging treatment strategies for SLE. Traditional treatment strategies for SLE have mainly employed non-specific approaches, including cytotoxic and immunosuppressive drugs, antimalarials, glucocorticoids, and NSAIDs. These strategies are effective in mitigating the effects of the disease, but they are not a complete cure and are often accompanied by adverse reactions. Emerging targeted therapeutic drugs, on the other hand, aim to control and treat SLE by targeting B and T cells, inhibiting their activation and function, as well as the abnormal activation of the immune system. A deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of SLE and the exploration of new targeted treatment strategies are essential to advance the treatment of this complex autoimmune disease.

In order to solve the problems existing in the traditional frequency analysis method for the frequency analysis of grids with a high proportion of new energy, such as the large amount of calculation, the difficulty of modeling, and the prominent contradiction between the calculation speed and the calculation accuracy, this paper proposes a new frequency characteristic prediction method for the new power system based on convolutional neural network (CNN). First, the main frequency indexes of the power system with a high proportion of new energy under power disturbances are predicted using one-dimensional CNN, including the initial frequency change rate, frequency extremum, and frequency steady-state value. The prediction accuracy is improved by setting reasonable input characteristics and optimizing the parameters of the neural network. Then, the impact of disturbance location and disturbance type is further considered, and the power system characteristic data set containing disturbance information is established by the method of data dimensionality reduction. The input characteristics are constructed by using the principle of three primary channels for reference, and the extended two-dimensional CNN is used to predict the frequency security index, which improves the adaptability of CNN in the frequency analysis of grids with a high proportion of new energy. Finally, the method is verified by an example in the improved BPA 10-machine 39-node model, and the results are compared with the prediction results of the recurrent neural network, which proves that the proposed method has a high accuracy and adaptability.

Abstract LiInSe2 crystals are promising semiconductor materials for neutron detectors due to the large neutron capture cross-sectional area of the specific isotopes (6Li) and high charge transport properties. However, the optoelectronic performance fails to reach the expected level due to the difficulty of controlling the crystal defects. Herein, we modulate the stoichiometric ratio to control the type of defects in single LiInSe2 crystals grown by the vertical Bridgman method. The UV‒vis–NIR transmission results indicate that the band gap of the yellow colored Li1.01In1Se2 sample is close to ~ 2.83 eV at room temperature, and this value is consistent with the theoretical band gap of LiInSe2 (~ 2.86 eV). Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy was used to analyze the defect concentration. The results indicate that the defect types in the yellow Li1.01In1Se2 single crystal are VSe + and LiIn 2−; these result from the introduction of excess Li and the suppression of the adverse defects in InLi 2+ and VLi −. These results demonstrate a feasible route for obtaining high-quality yellow 6LiInSe2 crystals and promote the application of 6LiInSe2 neutron detectors.

Abstract In this paper, we propose an efficient target detection algorithm, ASF-Sim-YOLO, to address issues encountered in escalator step defect detection, such as an excessive number of parameters in the detection network model, poor adaptability, and difficulties in real-time processing of video streams. Firstly, to address the characteristics of escalator step defects, we designed the ASF-Sim-P2 structure to improve the detection accuracy of small targets, such as step defects. Additionally, we incorporated the SimAM (Similarity-based Attention Mechanism) by combining SimAM with SPPF (Spatial Pyramid Pooling-Fast) to enhance the model’s ability to capture key information by assigning importance weights to each pixel. Furthermore, to address the challenge posed by the small size of step defects, we replaced the traditional CIoU (Complete-Intersection-over-Union) loss function with NWD (Normalized Wasserstein Distance), which alleviated the problem of defect missing. Finally, to meet the deployment requirements of mobile devices, we performed channel pruning on the model. The experimental results showed that the improved ASF-Sim-YOLO model achieved an average accuracy (mAP50) of 96.8% on the test data set, which was a 22.1% improvement in accuracy compared to the baseline model. Meanwhile, the computational complexity (in GFLOPS) of the model was reduced to a quarter of that of the baseline model, while the frame rate (FPS) was improved to 575.1. Compared with YOLOv3-tiny, YOLOv5s, YOLOv8s, Faster-RCNN, TOOD, RTMDET and other deep learning-based target recognition algorithms, ASF-Sim-YOLO has better detection accuracy and real-time processing capability. These results demonstrate that ASF-Sim-YOLO effectively balances lightweight design and performance improvement, making it highly suitable for real-time detection of step defects, which can meet the demands of escalator inspection operations.

Abstract Background The widespread acceptance of early surgery as a treatment for acute intertrochanteric fracture (ITF) has been accompanied by ongoing controversy due to conflicting conclusions presented in previous studies. This study aims to compare the occurrence of perioperative complications and mortality, as well as functional outcomes in older patients with ITF who underwent either early or delayed surgery. Methods A retrospective multicenter cohort study involving 7414 patients with ITF between Jan. 2017 and Dec. 2021 was conducted. After predefined participants selection inclusion and exclusion criteria, 2323 surgically treated ITF patients were included and analyzed utilizing propensity score matching (PSM) method. Their demographics, injury-related data, surgery-related data, and perioperative adverse outcomes during hospitalization were collected and compared between the early or delayed surgery groups by PSM with a 1:4 ratio. All participants received a minimum of two-year follow-up and perioperative outcomes, functional outcomes, and survival analyses were conducted and compared. Results After adjustment for potential confounders, there were no significant difference in surgery duration, intraoperative blood loss, transfusion rate, mortality rates, functional outcomes, and perioperative complications rates including severe complications, cardiac complications, pulmonary complications, and neurological complications regardless of whether the patient was treated with early or delayed surgery (all P > 0.05). Although length of hospital stay (mean, 11.5 versus 14.4 days, P

Abstract Background Sarcopenia, a group of muscle‐related disorders, leads to the gradual decline and weakening of skeletal muscle over time. Recognizing the pivotal role of gastrointestinal conditions in maintaining metabolic homeostasis within skeletal muscle, we hypothesize that the effectiveness of the myogenic programme is influenced by the levels of gastrointestinal hormones in the bloodstream, and this connection is associated with the onset of sarcopenia. Methods We first categorized 145 individuals from the Emergency Room of Taipei Veterans General Hospital into sarcopenia and non‐sarcopenia groups, following the criteria established by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. A thorough examination of specific gastrointestinal hormone levels in plasma was conducted to identify the one most closely associated with sarcopenia. Techniques, including immunofluorescence, western blotting, glucose uptake assays, seahorse real‐time cell metabolic analysis, flow cytometry analysis, kinesin‐1 activity assays and qPCR analysis, were applied to investigate its impacts and mechanisms on myogenic differentiation. Results Individuals in the sarcopenia group exhibited elevated plasma levels of glucagon‐like peptide 1 (GLP‐1) at 1021.5 ± 313.5 pg/mL, in contrast to non‐sarcopenic individuals with levels at 351.1 ± 39.0 pg/mL (P

In order to reduce deformation during the processing of slender rods by thermal spraying and improve coating quality and processing efficiency， a temperature control system for thermal spraying of slender rods was developed based on programmable logic controller (PLC) automatic control technology， and the temperature automatic control during the spraying process of slender rods was achieved.Though the system，the performance of plasma sprayed Al2O3-13TiO2 ceramic coatings on three different temperature substrates was compared.Results showed that when the substrate temperature was controlled between 100～150 ℃， the deformation of the workpiece and the comprehensive performance of the coating were better.The automatic temperature control system could achieve continuous and uninterrupted processing of workpieces， which increased the production efficiency by 50%compared to the traditional thermal spraying method that relied on stopping the gun for cooling.

Traditionally, an empirical speed-up factor was introduced to reflect the effects of nonflat terrain on near-surface wind speeds. In this paper, the resistance effects of nonflat terrain are considered by introducing the terrain drag coefficient in the parametric wind field model for tropical cyclones (TCs) with a theoretical method. Terrain effects on wind fields are investigated in complex areas along the coastal zone in China under TC conditions. The results show that the terrain drag coefficient is the function of the slope angle and is sensitive to the spatial resolution. After including the resistance effect of nonflat terrain, the TC intensities weaken overall during landfall, with a slight enhancement near the coastal zone. The wind speeds outside the radius of the maximum wind speed decrease, while the wind speeds within the radius of the maximum wind speed increase. Both the TC eye and the radius of maximum wind speed shrink, which is more obvious when the TC center is entirely over land. As a result, the location and magnitude of the maximum wind speed are affected by the nonflat terrain. The changed structure of the wind fields demonstrates the necessity of considering the effects of nonflat terrain in simulating the wind fields under TC conditions.

Abstract The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficiency and safety of total body irradiation plus cyclophosphamide (TBI/Cy) followed by autogenetic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) in T-LBL/ALL patients that cannot receive allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT). Between 2013 and 2023, 24 patients received auto-HSCT following by TBI/Cy, 26 patients underwent allo-HSCT, all patients achieved completed hematopoietic reconstitution after HSCT. The progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) had no statistically significant differences between the two groups (P = 0.791, HR 1.127, 95%CI 0.456–2.785; P = 0.456, HR 0.685, 95%CI 0.256–1.828). Although the cumulative incidence of relapse was lower for patients who received allo-HSCT than auto-HSCT (P = 0.033, HR 3.707, 95%CI 1.188–11.570, 2-year relapse 11.5% vs. 33.3%), the incidence of non-relapse mortality (NRM) was higher than that in the auto-HSCT group (P = 0.014, HR 0.000, 95%CI -1.000 - -1.000, 2-year NRM, 23.1% vs. 0%). Trough Landmark analysis, the two groups showed a statistically significant difference in 3-year PFS and 4-year OS curves (Figure S2A&B, P = 0.039, HR 0.426, 95%CI 0.163–1.117; P = 0.014, HR 0.317, 95%CI 0.113–0.887). By COX analysis, poor baseline performance status (ECOG-PS ≥ 2) and CNS involvement were risk factors for PFS and OS. In conclusion, TBI/Cy followed by auto-HSCT is a good choice next to allo-HSCT for patients with T-LBL/ALL.

Abstract Background Aims of this study were to compare the functional and radiographic results, perioperative complication after lateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (LUKA) with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and the legacy constrained condylar knee (LCCK) arthroplasty for the treatment of lateral compartmental knee osteoarthritis (LCKOA), and to provide a basis for the treatment of LCKOA. Methods From January 2021 to January 2024, analyzed retrospectively clinical data of 74 patients with LCKOA treated with LUKA, TKA and LCCK arthroplasty. According to the operation plan, the patients were divided into three groups: LUKA group (23 cases), TKA group (23 cases) and LCCK group (28 cases). The changes of hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle of the affected knee before and after operation were measured. All patients were assessed using the operation time, blood loss during operation, incision length, visual analogue scale (VAS) score before operation and after operation, Hospital for Special Surgery score (HSS), Oxford Knee Score (OKS), range of motion (ROM). Results All 74 patients were followed up for (2.38 ± 0.33) years. The operation time, blood loss during operation, incision length and VAS score after operation in the LUKA group were significantly less than those in the TKA group and LCCK group (P 0.05). Conclusion LUKA, TKA and LCCK arthroplasty have good clinical effect in the treatment of LCKOA; Compared with TKA and LCCK arthroplasty, LUKA has the advantages of less trauma, less bleeding, less pain and quick recovery. The short-term effect is satisfactory, and the long-term effect remains to be observed.

The rapid development of cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) has enabled more suppliers to expand into overseas markets, meeting increasingly diverse consumer demands. Selecting an effective logistics mode is a crucial issue for suppliers, yet uncertainty in demand and exchange rate fluctuations make this problem challenging. This paper considers a supply chain consisting of a supplier and a CBEC platform. Using a distributionally robust optimization approach, we provide optimal overseas warehousing strategies and logistics mode selection for suppliers, given partial distribution information of market demand and exchange rate, such as means, variances, and covariances. It is found that when demand and exchange rate fluctuations are small, the supplier chooses the bonded warehouse logistics mode to reduce costs. Conversely, when demand and exchange rate fluctuations increase, the supplier opts for the direct mail mode to respond flexibly to market risk. The correlation between exchange rate and demand also affects the choice of logistics mode. Specifically, with low correlation, the preference is for the bonded warehouse mode, whereas high correlation leads suppliers to choose the direct mail mode. In addition, the impact of demand and exchange rate fluctuations on suppliers’ overseas warehousing volumes depends on the product’s profit margin. These findings provide guidance for the selection of CBEC logistics under exchange rate risk.

Abstract Background Uncertainty remains about the long-term effects of air pollutants (AP) on multiple diseases, especially subtypes of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to assess the individual and joint associations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), along with its chemical components, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3), with risks of 32 health conditions. Methods A total of 17,566 participants in Sichuan Province, China, were included in 2018 and followed until 2022, with an average follow-up period of 4.2 years. The concentrations of AP were measured using a machine-learning approach. The Cox proportional hazards model and quantile g-computation were applied to assess the associations between AP and CVD. Results Per interquartile range (IQR) increase in PM2.5 mass, NO2, O3, nitrate, ammonium, organic matter (OM), black carbon (BC), chloride, and sulfate were significantly associated with increased risks of various conditions, with hazard ratios (HRs) ranging from 1.06 to 2.48. Exposure to multiple air pollutants was associated with total cardiovascular disease (HR 1.75, 95% confidence intervals (CIs) 1.62–1.89), hypertensive diseases (1.49, 1.38–1.62), cardiac arrests (1.52, 1.30–1.77), arrhythmia (1.76, 1.44–2.15), cerebrovascular diseases (1.86, 1.65–2.10), stroke (1.77, 1.54–2.03), ischemic stroke (1.85, 1.61–2.12), atherosclerosis (1.77, 1.57–1.99), diseases of veins, lymphatic vessels, and lymph nodes (1.32, 1.15–1.51), pneumonia (1.37, 1.16–1.61), inflammatory bowel diseases (1.34, 1.16–1.55), liver diseases (1.59, 1.43–1.77), type 2 diabetes (1.48, 1.26–1.73), lipoprotein metabolism disorders (2.20, 1.96–2.47), purine metabolism disorders (1.61, 1.38–1.88), anemia (1.29, 1.15–1.45), sleep disorders (1.54, 1.33–1.78), renal failure (1.44, 1.21–1.72), kidney stone (1.27, 1.13–1.43), osteoarthritis (2.18, 2.00–2.39), osteoporosis (1.36, 1.14–1.61). OM had max weights for joint effects of AP on many conditions. Conclusions Long-term exposure to increased levels of multiple air pollutants was associated with risks of multiple health conditions. OM accounted for substantial weight for these increased risks, suggesting it may play an important role in these associations.

Abstract Background Bi-allelic variants in DNAH11 have been identified as causative factors in Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia, leading to abnormal respiratory cilia. Nonetheless, the specific impact of these variants on human sperm flagellar and their involvement in male infertility remain largely unknown. Methods A collaborative effort involving two Chinese reproductive centers conducted a study with 975 unrelated infertile men. Whole-exome sequencing was employed for variant screening, and Sanger sequencing confirmed the identified variants. Morphological and ultrastructural analyses of sperm were conducted using Scanning Electron Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy. Western Blot Analysis and Immunofluorescence Analysis were utilized to assess protein levels and localization. ICSI was performed to evaluate its efficacy in achieving favorable pregnancy outcomes for individuals with DNAH11 variants. Results In this study, we identified seven novel variants in the DNAH11 gene in four asthenoteratozoospermia subjects. These variants led the absence of DNAH11 proteins and ultrastructure defects in sperm flagella, particularly affecting the outer dynein arms (ODAs) and adjacent structures. The levels of ODA protein DNAI2 and axoneme related proteins were down regulated, instead of inner dynein arms (IDA) proteins DNAH1 and DNAH6. Two out of four individuals with DNAH11 variants achieved clinical pregnancies through ICSI. The findings confirm the association between male infertility and bi-allelic deleterious variants in DNAH11, resulting in the aberrant assembly of sperm flagella and contributing to asthenoteratozoospermia. Importantly, ICSI emerges as an effective intervention for overcoming reproductive challenges caused by DNAH11 gene variants.

Abstract Background Differences of sex development (DSD) are congenital conditions in which chromosomal, gonadal, or phenotypic sex is atypical. In more than 50% of human DSD cases, a molecular diagnosis is not available. In intensively farmed pig populations, the incidence of XX DSD pigs is relatively high, leading to economic losses for pig breeders. Interestingly, in the majority of 38, XX DSD pigs, gonads still develop into testis-like structures or ovotestes despite the absence of the testis-determining gene (SRY). However, the current understanding of the molecular background of XX DSD pigs remains limited. Methods Anatomical and histological characteristics of XX DSD pigs were analysed using necropsy and HE staining. We employed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) with 10× Genomics technology and used de novo assembly methodology to study normal female and XX DSD pigs. Finally, the identified variants were validated in 32 XX DSD pigs, and the expression levels of the candidate variants in the gonads of XX DSD pigs were further examined. Results XX DSD pigs are characterised by the intersex reproductive organs and the absence of germ cells in the seminiferous tubules of the gonads. We identified 4,950 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from non-synonymous mutations in XX DSD pigs. Cohort validation results highlighted two specific SNPs, “c.218T > C” in the “Interferon-induced transmembrane protein 1 gene (IFITM1)” and “c.1043C > G” in the “Newborn ovary homeobox gene (NOBOX)”, which were found exclusively in XX DSD pigs. Moreover, we verified 14 candidate structural variants (SVs) from 1,474 SVs, identifying a 70 bp deletion fragment in intron 5 of the WW domain-containing oxidoreductase gene (WWOX) in 62.5% of XX DSD pigs. The expression levels of these three candidate genes in the gonads of XX DSD pigs were significantly different from those of normal female pigs. Conclusion The nucleotide changes of IFITM1 (c.218T > C), NOBOX (c.1043 C > G), and a 70 bp deletion fragment of the WWOX were the most dominant variants among XX DSD pigs. This study provides a theoretical basis for better understanding the molecular background of XX DSD pigs. Plain language summary DSD are conditions affecting development of the gonads or genitalia. These disorders can happen in many different types of animals, including pigs, goats, dogs, and people. In people, DSD happens in about 0.02–0.13% of births, and in pigs, the rate is between 0.08% and 0.75%. Pigs have a common type of DSD where the animal has female chromosomes (38, XX) but no SRY gene, which is usually found on the Y chromosome in males. XX DSD pigs may look like both males and females on the outside and have testis-like or ovotestis (a mix of ovary and testis) gonads inside. XX DSD pigs often lead to not being able to have piglets, slower growth, lower chance of survival, and poorer meat quality. Here, we used a method called whole-genome de novo sequencing to look for variants in the DNA of XX DSD pigs. We then checked these differences in a larger group of pigs. Our results reveal the nucleotide changes in IFITM1 (c.218T > C), NOBOX (c.1043 C > G), and a 70 bp deletion fragment in intron 5 of the WWOX, all linked to XX DSD pigs. The expression levels of these three genes were also different in the gonads of XX DSD pigs compared to normal female pigs. These variants are expected to serve as valuable molecular markers for XX DSD pigs. Because pigs are a lot like humans in their genes, physiology, and body structure, this research could help us learn more about what causes DSD in people.

The development of pipeline steels with exceptional cryogenic toughness is deemed imperative for their applications in various engineering fields. In this work, API X65 steel with lamellar grain (LG) structure is constructed through warm deformation techniques. Comparative analysis with raw API X65 steel revealed notable enhancements in both yield strength (YS) and ultimate strength (UTS), exhibiting increments of 315 MPa and 164 MPa, respectively, while retaining substantial fracture toughness (KIc = 251.14 MPa m0.5). Remarkably, the LG steel exhibits a distinct absence of a ductile-brittle transition behavior over a wide temperature range, maintaining an exceptionally high impact energy from room temperature (RT) to liquid nitrogen temperature (LNT), and the Charpy impact energy exceeding 330 J at LNT, nearly 16 times higher than the raw API X65 steel. This performance can be primarily attributed to the superior plastic deformation capability, coupled with the delamination toughening mechanism. The resultant tortuous path of crack propagation effectively facilitates the absorption of substantial energy, decreases notch tip sensitivity depending on the temperature, stress triaxiality, and strain rate, thereby fostering excellent cryogenic toughness.

Abstract Depression is a prevalent and intricate mental disorder. The involvement of small RNA molecules, such as microRNAs in the pathogenesis and neuronal mechanisms underlying the depression have been documented. Previous studies have demonstrated the involvement of microRNA-143-3p (miR-143-3p) in the process of fear memory and pathogenesis of ischemia; however, the relationship between miR-143-3p and depression remains poorly understood. Here we utilized two kinds of mouse models to investigate the role of miR-143-3p in the pathogenesis of depression. Our findings reveal that the expression of miR-143-3p is upregulated in the ventral hippocampus (VH) of mice subjected to chronic restraint stress (CRS) or acute Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment. Inhibiting the expression of miR-143-3p in the VH effectively alleviates depressive-like behaviors in CRS and LPS-treated mice. Furthermore, we identify Lasp1 as one of the downstream target genes regulated by miR-143-3p. The miR-143-3p/Lasp1 axis primarily affects the occurrence of depressive-like behaviors in mice by modulating synapse numbers in the VH. Finally, miR-143-3p/Lasp1-induced F-actin change is responsible for the synaptic number variations in the VH. In conclusion, this study enhances our understanding of microRNA-mediated depression pathogenesis and provides novel prospects for developing therapeutic approaches for this intractable mood disorder.

In this commentary, we elucidate two distinctive characteristics of China's primary health care system relative to the global primary health care framework: a more narrowly defined patient population and scope of services, along with a diminished clinical capacity in primary care. Building upon this foundation, we critically examine and juxtapose the two quintessential theoretical-practical models of the 20th century that are intimately linked with the integration of medication and prevention. They are the "Community-Oriented Primary Care" Model and the "Barefoot Doctor" Model. Additionally, leveraging a series of practical cases observed within Shanghai's primary care settings in the fourth quarter of 2023, we deliberate on viable approaches for adapting and applying these models in China's primary care infrastructure. We further delineate the requisite external conditions for such a transformation and offer targeted recommendations for the deployment of these models across diverse locales.

Abstract Background Surgery is the primary treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but microscopic residual disease may be unavoidable. Preclinical studies have shown that volatile anesthetics might suppress host immunity and promote a pro-malignant environment that supports cancer cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis, whereas propofol may preserve cell-mediated immunity and inhibit tumor angiogenesis. However, clinical evidence that propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) can reduce tumor recurrence after curative resection remains inconsistent due to the retrospective observational nature of previous studies. Therefore, we will test the hypothesis that the recurrence-free survival (RFS) after curative resection of NSCLC is higher in patients who received TIVA than volatile anesthetics (GAS) in this multicenter randomized trial. Methods This double-blind, randomized trial will enroll patients at 22 international sites, subject to study registration, institutional review board approval, and patient written informed consent. Eligible patients are adult patients undergoing lung resection surgery with curative intent for NSCLC. Exclusion criteria will be contraindications to study drugs, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status IV or higher, or preexisting distant metastasis or malignant tumor in other organs. At each study site, enrolled subjects will be randomly allocated into the TIVA and GAS groups with a 1:1 ratio. This pragmatic trial does not standardize any aspect of patient care. However, potential confounders will be balanced between the study arms. The primary outcome will be RFS. Secondary outcomes will be overall survival and complications within postoperative 7 days. Enrollment of 5384 patients will provide 80% power to detect a 3% treatment effect (hazard ratio of 0.83) at alpha 0.05 for RFS at 3 years. Discussion Confirmation of the study hypothesis would demonstrate that a relatively minor and low-cost alteration in anesthetic management has the potential to reduce cancer recurrence risk in NSCLC, an ultimately fatal complication. Rejection of the hypothesis would end the ongoing debate about the relationship between cancer recurrence and anesthetic management. Trial registration The study protocol was prospectively registered at the Clinical trials ( https://clinicaltrials.gov , NCT06330038, principal investigator: Hyun Joo Ahn; date of first public release: March 25, 2024) before the recruitment of the first participant.

Abstract Using a symmetry-preserving formulation of a vector $$\,\times \,$$ × vector contact interaction (SCI) and treating the proton as a quark + interacting-diquark bound state, whose structure is obtained by solving a Poincaré-covariant Faddeev equation, we provide a comprehensive, coherent set of predictions for unpolarised and polarised proton parton distribution functions (DFs): valence, glue, and four-flavour separated sea. The results enable many themes to be addressed, including: the asymmetry of antimatter in the proton; the neutron:proton structure function ratio; helicity retention in hard scattering processes; the charm quark momentum fraction; the sign and size of the polarised gluon DF; and the origin of the proton spin. In all cases where sound analyses of data are available, SCI predictions are semiquantitatively in agreement with the results. Those mismatches which exist are typically attributable to the momentum-independence of the underlying interaction. Judiciously interpreted, the SCI delivers a sound and insightful explanation of proton structure as expressed in DFs.

Water is a vital resource on the earth, serving as the foundation of life and playing a crucial role in our daily activities. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is an organic compound, which poses a significant threat to the environment due to its persistence and bioaccumulation. PFOA exhibits various toxicities, including neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, and carcinogenicity. It has been detected in worldwide of air and water samples, as it can easily move through different environmental media such as water, soil, and the atmosphere. The widespread distribution of PFOA in these media poses potential risks to both ecosystems and human health over the long term. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to develop a rapid detection method for accurately monitoring PFOA levels in water. In this study, the electrospray extraction ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (EESI-MS/MS) technique was utilized to directly and rapidly detect PFOA in tap water and river water. To achieve the highest ionization efficiency of PFOA in EESI-MS/MS across different water samples, the experimental parameters such as ion transfer tube temperature, spray voltage, electrospray solvent flow rate, and sample flow rate were optimized. The optimal conditions were temperature of 200 °C for the ion transfer tube, spray voltage of 2 kV, electrospray solvent flow rate of 4 µL/min, and sample flow rate of 6 µL/min. The experiments were conducted under negative ion mode with a mass scan range of m/z 50-500. Methanol solution was used as the electrospray solvent, and collision-induced dissociation (CID) was employed. The secondary characteristic fragment ion m/z 369 of m/z 413 for qualitative and quantitative analysis, enabling direct and rapid detection of PFOA in various water samples. The experimental results demonstrated good linearity of PFOA in the concentration range of 1-500 ng/L, with a linear correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.9976. The detection limit (LOD) of the proposed method is 0.57 ng/L, and the limit of quantification (LOQ) is 1.73 ng/L. The recovery rate ranges from 92.1% to 105.2%, with a relative standard deviation (RSD, n=6) of 1.89%-5.45%. In summary, this method has the advantages of high sensitivity, accuracy, and fast analysis speed, without the need of sample pretreatment. The established EESI-MS/MS method can be effectively applied for direct and rapid detection of PFOA in different water samples, showing promising prospects for monitoring environmental water pollutants. Moreover, it provides valuable references and technical means for the detection of other pollutants.

This study investigates the influence of extrusion conditions on the microstructure and tensile properties of Mg–6Al–0.3Mn–0.3Ca–0.2Y (SEN6) alloy, which is processed at various extrusion temperatures and ratios. An increase in both the extrusion temperature and ratio facilitates dynamic recrystallization during hot extrusion by enhancing thermal and strain energies, increasing the area fraction of recrystallized grains within the extruded material. As either the extrusion temperature or ratio increases, lattice rotation within the recrystallized grains intensifies, resulting in a stronger basal texture in the extruded material. During extrusion, the undissolved Al2Y, Al8Mn4Y, and Al2Ca particles within the billets are partially fragmented and realigned along the extrusion direction. However, the quantity, size, and dispersion of these particles are largely unaffected by variations in extrusion temperature and ratio. The tensile yield strength of the extruded material shows a positive correlation with increasing extrusion temperature and ratio, predominantly due to enhanced texture hardening. Specifically, the tensile yield strength of the material extruded at 400 °C with an extrusion ratio of 25 is 23.2 MPa higher than that of the material extruded at 300 °C with an extrusion ratio of 10. Despite the presence of non-recrystallized grains in materials extruded at the lower extrusion ratio of 10, compression and double twins form uniformly throughout the material during tension, as the widths of non-recrystallized grains are similar to those of recrystallized grains. Consequently, all extruded materials exhibit high tensile elongations, exceeding 20%.

Abstract Background The high prevalence of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in the United States necessitates further investigation into its impact on complications associated with total hip arthroplasty (THA). This study utilizes a large nationwide database to explore risk factors in DKD cases undergoing THA. Methods This research utilized a case–control design, leveraging data from the national inpatient sample for the years 2016 to 2019. Employing propensity score matching (PSM), patients diagnosed with DKD were paired on a 1:1 basis with individuals free of DKD, ensuring equivalent age, sex, race, Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (ECI), and insurance coverage. Subsequently, comparisons were drawn between these PSM-matched cohorts, examining their characteristics and the incidence of post-THA complications. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was then employed to evaluate the risk of early complications after surgery. Results DKD's prevalence in the THA cohort was 2.38%. A 7-year age gap separated DKD and non-DKD patients (74 vs. 67 years, P

Introduction: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of autoimmune disease. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at high risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF), while whether PCSK9 is involved in the onset of AF among RA patients remains unclear. Objectives: To explore the role of PCSK9 in the occurrence of AF in RA patients and decipher the underlying mechanism. Methods: We established a rat model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) by immunization with type II collagen in Freund’s incomplete adjuvant. Atrial electrophysiological test was used to evaluate AF susceptibility. We performed a clinical study to examine the correlation between PCSK9 level and AF, which recruited healthy control, RA patients and RA patients complicated with AF. Evolocumab (a monoclonal antibody of PCSK9) is administered via intraperitoneal injection in CIA rats to assess the role of PCSK9 in RA-related AF. LPS-RS (LPS inhibitor), clodronate liposomes (depletion of macrophages), and cell co-culture model were used to dissect the mechanism underlying PCSK9 promotes AF. Results: AF inducibility and duration were higher in CIA rats, accompanied by elevated plasma and atrial PCSK9. Interestingly, compared with healthy control subjects, patients with RA showed an increase in PCSK9, and the PCSK9 is much higher in RA patients complicated with AF. The level of PCSK9 was independently associated with AF risk in RA patients. In the in vivo experiment, evolocumab reduced AF susceptibility, and ameliorated atrial structural remodeling of CIA rats. Mechanistically, augmented LPS in CIA rats led to an increase in PCSK9, which exacerbated fibrosis of cardiac fibroblasts and apoptosis of cardiac myocytes by enhancement of M1 macrophages polarization and inflammation, thereby contributing to AF. Conclusion: This study suggests that elevated PCSK9 causes atrial structural remodeling by enhancement of M1 macrophages polarization in atria, and evolocumab can effectively protects CIA rats from AF.

Yupingfeng polysaccharide (YPP) is a powerful composite polysaccharide with various potential effects. In this experiment, largemouth bass with an initial weight of 8.7 ± 0.05 g were fed five different diets. These included a normal control group diet (NC) containing 12 % lipids, a high lipid control group diet (HC) with 18 % lipids, and three high lipid diets supplemented with varying amounts of YPP at 4 g/kg (YP1), 8 g/kg (YP8), and 16 g/kg (YP16). After an 8-week feeding experiment, various indicators were measured to assess the effects of YPP. The growth performance results showed significant improvements in the weight gain rate (WGR) and specific growth rate (SGR) of the YP8 group compared to the HC group, Moreover, inclusion of 0.4 %YPP and 0.8 %YPP elevated the crude protein content in the body of largemouth bass. Observation of antioxidant indicators reveals that adding 0.4 %YPP and 0.8 %YPP to the diet can alleviate oxidative damage caused by a high-lipid diet in largemouth bass. YPP also improves liver and intestinal health. Additionally, incorporating 0.4 % YPP and 0.8 % YPP into the diet can lead to a significant reduction in triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (T-CHO) levels in both the liver and serum of largemouth bass. Similarly, adding 0.4 %YPP and 0.8 %YPP to a high-lipid diet resulted in the upregulation the expression levels of fatty acid metabolism genes such as peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARα) and carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (CPT1). Conversely, it led to the downregulation the expression levels of genes involved in fatty acid synthesis and cholesterol synthesis such as fatty acid synthase (FASN), Sterol-regulatory element binding proteins (SREBP-1) and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-Coenzyme (HMGCR). In summary, YPP has a significant effect in improving oxidative stress and lipid metabolism disorders caused by high-lipid diets. Additionally, it can enhance the Protein-Sparing effect in fish, and promote their growth.

In the dynamic and unstructured environment of human–robot symbiosis, companion robots require natural human–robot interaction and autonomous intelligence through multimodal information fusion to achieve effective collaboration. Nevertheless, the control precision and coordination of the accompanying actions are not satisfactory in practical applications. This is primarily attributed to the difficulties in the motion coordination between the accompanying target and the mobile robot. This paper proposes a companion control strategy based on the Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) to enhance the coordination and precision of robot companion tasks. This method enables the robot to adapt to sudden changes in the companion target’s motion. Besides, the robot could smoothly avoid obstacles during the companion process. Firstly, a human–robot companion interaction model based on nonholonomic constraints is developed to determine the relative position and orientation between the robot and the companion target. Then, an LQR-based companion controller incorporating behavioral dynamics is introduced to simultaneously avoid obstacles and track the companion target’s direction and velocity. Finally, various simulations and real-world human–robot companion experiments are conducted to regulate the relative position, orientation, and velocity between the target object and the robot platform. Experimental results demonstrate the superiority of this approach over conventional control algorithms in terms of control distance and directional errors throughout system operation. The proposed LQR-based control strategy ensures coordinated and consistent motion with target persons in social companion scenarios.

ABSTRACTObjectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the combination of venetoclax and hypomethylating agents with the HAG regimen.Methods: We studied 52 cases of newly diagnosed AML and 26 cases of relapsed refractory AML, (including AML patients with treatment-related and ELN-adverse risk disease (n = 50)). These patients were treated with venetoclax and hypomethylating agents and HAG regimens, respectively.Results: Twenty-nine patients newly diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia were treated with VEN-HMA (venetoclax-hypomethylating agent), while 23 patients were treated with HAG. The median age of the VEN-HMA group was 70 years, while the HAG group had a median age of 69 years. The VEN-HMA group achieved a significantly higher rate of complete remission (82.7%) compared to the cohort treated with the HAG regimen (21.7%) (P 0.99). The median overall survival was similar between the VEN-HMA and HAG groups, with 4 and 3.67 months, respectively (P = 0.290).Conclusions: In conclusion, our analyses indicated that VEN-HMA resulted in better therapeutic outcomes compared to HAG for newly diagnosed AML patients, with higher rates of complete remission and overall survival. In relapsed/refractory AML patients, there was no significant difference in the efficacy of the two treatments and further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted.