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Based on 1038 knots from 42 sample trees from 14 standard plots in Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis Sieb. et Zucc.) plantations in Heilongjiang Province, China, we developed a knot profile model system. The concepts of growth inflection point and death inflection point were proposed. Depending on the growth conditions near the growth inflection point of the knot, we divided the knots into two types: curved knots and linear knots. A logistic regression model was constructed to predict the shape of the knots. The area under the curve of the logistic regression model was 0.699 (95% confidence interval 0.661~0.736), and the prediction accuracy was 0.69. Our research shows that for middle-aged and young forests, the relative radial distances of the growth inflection points at the upper edge and bottom edge of curved knots were larger than those in linear knots. The curved knots did not bend at the death inflection point, but linear knots may bend at the death inflection point. Models were constructed separately for curved knots and linear knots. The results showed that the application of the mixed- effects model significantly improves the model fitting effect. Key words: Korean pine plantation, mixed-effects model, knot profile, growth inflection point, death inflection point. A partir de 1 038 noeuds de 42 arbres d'echantillonnage de 14 parcelles standard de pins de la Coree (Pinus koraiensis Sieb. et Zucc.) dans la province de Heilongjiang, en Chine, nous avons developpe un systeme de modele de profil de noeud. Les concepts de point d'inflexion de la croissance et de point d'inflexion de la mort ont ete proposes. Selon les conditions de croissance proche du point d'inflexion de la croissance du noeud, nous avons divise les noeuds en deux types : noeuds courbes et noeuds lineaires. Un modele de regression logistique a ete elabore pour prevoir la forme des noeuds. La surface sous la courbe (SSC) du modele de regression logistique etait de 0,699 (95 % de la zone d'incertitude de mesure de 0,661~0,736) et la precision de la prevision etait de 0,69. La recherche indique que pour les jeunes forets et les forets d'age moyen, les distances radiales relatives des points d'inflexion de la croissance du bord superieur et du bord inferieur des noeuds courbes etaient plus larges que ceux des noeuds lineaires. Les noeuds courbes ne pliaient pas au point d'inflexion de la mort, mais les noeuds lineaires pouvaient plier au point d'inflexion de la mort. Les modeles ont ete elabores separement pour les noeuds courbes et les noeuds lineaires. Les resultats ont indique que l'application du modele d'effets contrastes ameliore considerablement l'effet d'ajustement du modele. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : plantation de pins de la Coree, modele d'effets contrastes, profil du noeud, point d'inflexion de la croissance, point d'inflexion de la mort., 1. Introduction Knots are one of the most important characteristics affecting the quality and value of wood (Gartner 2005), as they reduce the continuity of wood fibers and the strength [...]

Objective To investigate the role of period 2 (Per2) protein in the death of cardiomyocytes induced by β1-adrenergic receptor autoantibodies (β1-AA). Methods Sixteen male SD rats aged 6~8 weeks were randomly divided into active immunization (model) group and control group (n=8). The model group was immunized with the second extracellular loop of beta1-adrenoceptor (β1-AR-EC Ⅱ), and the control group was injected with Na2CO3 and other solutions. The rat serum was subsequently collected at 8 weeks, followed by the purification of β1-AA. H9c2 cardiomyocyte were selected and randomly divided into control group, β1-AA group, and β1-AR+β1-AA group. Cell viability of each group was detected by CCK-8 assay (n=8). Then H9c2 cells in the control group and β1-AA 1 μmol/L group were synchronized with dexamethasone for 4 h, the expression of Per2 in cardiomyocytes at different circadian time (CT) points was measured by Western blotting, and JTK_CYCLE was used to analyze the circadian rhythm parameters (n=11). Moreover, Per2 in H9c2 cells was knocked down or overexpressed by lentiviral shPer2 and lentiviral Per2, respectively; RT-PCR and Western blotting were performed to detect the changes of Per2 expression (n=6). On the basis of knockdown (n=8) or overexpression (n=10) of Per2, the H9c2 cells were further treated with β1-AA, and the cell survival rate was tested by CCK-8 assay. Results CCK-8 assay showed that the survival rate of H9c2 cells was significantly decreased after β1-AA treatment (P < 0.05). Western blotting demonstrated that β1-AA remarkably inhibited the rhythmic expression of Per2 protein in the cardiomyocytes (JTK_CYCLE, P>0.05), with the decrease at CT8 and CT16 most obviously (P < 0.01). Knockdown of Per2 expression reduced the survival rate of cardiomyocytes, which was further lowered after β1-AA treatment (P < 0.001). However, overexpression of Per2 notably reversed the decline in H9c2 survival rate induced by β1-AA (P < 0.001). Conclusion Per2 protein inhibits β1-AA induced H9c2 cardiomyocyte death.

Background: Retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RLPS) typically shows limited response to standard chemotherapy, presenting a challenge in treating advanced or metastatic RLPS. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the potential advantages of a combined therapeutic strategy utilizing eribulin, anlotinib, and camrelizumab. Design: Between December 2020 and March 2023, this retrospective study enrolled patients with advanced or metastatic RLPS who received treatment at Peking University Cancer Hospital Sarcoma Center. The treatment regimen involved eribulin plus anlotinib and camrelizumab administered every 3 weeks (Q3W). Methods: Efficacy was assessed following the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1, while safety was evaluated using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. Results: The study included 47 patients with RLPS with a median age of 55.5 years. Patients received a median of 4.5 (range, 2–21) cycles of treatment. Notably, partial response was observed in 8 patients (18.2%), while 25 (56.8%) exhibited stable disease. The objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate were 18.2% and 75%, respectively. Significant differences in ORR were observed among histological subtypes (well-differentiated vs de-differentiated vs myxoid: 0 vs 17.9% vs 50%; p = 0.039). Six patients underwent surgery before disease progression, and one patient with myxoid liposarcoma (MLPS) had a pathological complete response. With a median follow-up of 21.8 (range, 2.7–30.7) months, the median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 6.9 (95% confidence interval (CI), 4.7–9.1) months, and the 6-month PFS rate was 60.5%. Based on various histological subtypes, the mPFS was 8.4 (95% CI, 4.1–12.7) months with well-differentiated liposarcoma, 5.8 (95% CI, 3.3–8.3) months with de-differentiated liposarcoma and not reached with MLPS, respectively. Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) of any grade occurred in 36 (76.6%) patients, with grade 3 or higher TRAEs in 21 (44.7%) patients. The most common TRAEs were neutropenia (53.2%), proteinuria (21.3%), and anorexia (21.3%). Conclusion: The combined treatment strategy involving eribulin, anlotinib, and camrelizumab showed promising efficacy and manageable safety in patients with advanced or metastatic RLPS, particularly in those with MLPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elastic polymer-based conductive composites (EPCCs) are of great potential in the field of flexible sensors due to the advantages of designable functionality and thermal and chemical stability. As one of the popular choices for sensor electrodes and sensitive materials, considerable progress in EPCCs used in sensors has been made in recent years. In this review, we introduce the types and the conductive mechanisms of EPCCs. Furthermore, the recent advances in the application of EPCCs to sensors are also summarized. This review will provide guidance for the design and optimization of EPCCs and offer more possibilities for the development and application of flexible sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we collected the individual tree point cloud data in the plots of Larix olgensis plantations with different thinning intensities in Mengjiagang Forest Farm, applied the fractal analysis theory to extract box dimensions (Db) on MATLAB platform, and characterized the structural complexity of L. olgensis. We assessed the effect of different thinning intensities and tree attributes on the structural complexity of L. olgensis. The results showed significant differences in L. olgensis Db between control (CK: 1.68 ±0.07), low and medium intensity thinning (T1; T2, T3: 1.74 ±0.07), and high intensity thinning (T4: 1.81 ±0.06), which indicated that the thinning intensity increased tree structural complexity. For trunk attribute, the diameter at breast height and tree height was significantly positively correlated with Db, while the height-to-diameter ratio was significantly negatively correlated with Db. For canopy attribute, crown volume, surface area, projected area, and crown diameter was significantly positively correlated with Db. Hegyi competition index was significantly negatively correlated with Db in the control and low-moderate-intensity thinning treatments, but not significantly correlated with Db in the high-intensity thinning treatment. It indicated that thinning influenced L. olgensis structural complexity, with trunk attribute and canopy attribute as the main drivers of L. olgensis structural complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to analyze the growth pattern of tree height of planted Pinus koraiensis and screen the provenances with fastest growth, we grouped the provenances using the differences in tree height, diameter at breast height (DBH) and volume of timber of 234 individuals of planted P. koraiensis from 26 provenances in Maoershan Experimental Forest Farm. We constructed the growth equation for tree height by combining the base models of Gompertz, Korf, Richards, Logistic, and Schumacher, and then selected the optimal one. We introduced the provenance grouping as a dummy variable into the base model, and evaluated the optimal tree height growth equation by a comprehensive evaluation of the model according to the coefficient of determination (R²), the root-mean-square error (RMSE), the Akaikei Information Criterion (AIC), and the model's predictive precision (FP). The results showed that the growth traits of the 26 provenances had significant difference among the groups, and that tree height and DBH showed significant differences among the provenances. According to the comprehensive consideration of different growth traits, the four groups of provenance growth were divided into group A (Wuying, Hebei, Linjiang, Dongfanghong, Huanan, Lushuihe, Fangzheng) >group B (Aihuisanzhan, Liangshui, Tieli, Qinghe) > group C (Wuyiling, Zhanhe, Liangzihe, Baihe, Chaihe, Caohekou, Bajiazi) >group D (Tongzigou, Dashitou, Wangqing, Helong, Yanshou, Dahailin, Xiaobeihu, Muling). The optimal base tree height growth model of the four groups was the Gompertz model, and the fitting accuracy of the model after the introduction of dummy variables (R² = 0.9353) was higher than that of the base model (R² = 0.9303), and the model prediction accuracy was also improved. The tree height growth curves of each provenance group conformed to the "S"-shaped rule of change. There were obvious differences among the groups, with the best performance of the provenances in group A. The growth of P. koraiensis from different provenances was different, and the tree height growth model with dummy variables of provenance groups could effectively improve the prediction accuracy of the model, reflect the differences in height growth of P. koraiensis of different provenances, which could provide the scientific basis for the selection and cultivation of P. koraiensis plantations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid proliferation of COVID‐19 has dealt a heavy blow to many companies. Under these circumstances, employee‐sharing has become a valuable strategy to help enterprises resume work and production. Based on the event system theory, we explored the impact of employee‐sharing event strength on consumers' brand attitudes during the COVID‐19 pandemic through a corporate social responsibility (CSR) lens. Also, we verified that employee‐sharing event strength during the COVID‐19 pandemic positively affected consumers' internal (ICSR) and external (ECSR) perceptions of enterprises, improving consumers' brand attitudes and validating the positive moderating effect of customer‐company identification. Thus, this study provides theoretical insights and managerial implications for CSR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]