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The as-cast specimens of Ti48Zr18V12Cu5Be17 amorphous composites were prepared by copper mold suction casting. Next, the as-cast specimens were treated using semi-solid isothermal treatment (SSIT) and recrystallization and partial remelting (RAP). The effects of SSIT and RAP on the microstructure and plasticity were analyzed. The results showed that the microstructure changed from fine crystals in the as-cast specimens to coarse bar crystals and near-spherical crystals in the SSIT and RAP specimens, respectively. The crystals of RAP specimens were finer and rounder than those of SSIT specimens due to recrystallization. In addition, the RAP specimens had high plasticity (20.93%), which is 428.5% and 45.2% higher than the as-cast and SSIT specimens, respectively. By observing the shear bands of the fractured specimens, it was found that the expansion of shear bands could not be impeded by the fine β-Ti crystals in the as-cast specimens, leading to an infinite extension that induces brittle fracture in the specimens. The essential cause of the poor plasticity of the as-cast specimens was revealed. In addition, the coarse β-Ti crystals effectively blocked the shear band expansion in the SSIT specimens, and a large number of shear bands were generated in these crystals. In contrast, the crystals of the RAP specimens had a greater number and density of shear bands compared to those of the SSIT specimens, and these shear bands intersected with each other in different directions. This revealed the mechanism by which the SSIT and RAP methods enhance the plasticity of amorphous composites.

BackgroundIn the aftermath of bereavement, our research explores the subtleties of Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD), focusing particularly on its correlation with suicidal behaviors and their variation across genders. This study seeks to elucidate the impact of gender on these behaviors among individuals suffering from PGD, thereby enhancing our understanding and facilitating the development of tailored therapeutic interventions.MethodsBy November 24th, 2023, we had rigorously reviewed key databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, and Embase. Independently, two researchers conducted detailed interviews and filled out questionnaires with participants to gather demographic information and record instances of prolonged grief disorder. The study also meticulously tracked occurrences of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, suicide deaths, and self-injury among the participants.ResultsThe findings indicate that 22.34% of males reported suicidal ideation (95% CI: 21.33–23.35), a figure that rises to 26.84% among females (95% CI: 25.99–27.69). Notably, 12.11% of males attempted suicide (95% CI: 11.49–12.72), marginally surpassing the 9.60% observed in females (95% CI: 9.17–10.04). More striking disparities were observed in suicide deaths, with rates for males at 3.66% (95% CI: 3.32–4.00) compared to a notably higher 7.12% for females (95% CI: 6.44–7.81). Furthermore, the incidence of self-injury was lower among males, at 2.48% (95% CI: 2.03–2.94), than in females, who reported a rate of 5.09% (95% CI: 4.69–5.49). These patterns underscore the critical need for gender-specific interventions aimed at reducing these significant disparities.ConclusionThis study distinctly underscores the profound impact of gender on the manifestation of suicidal behaviors in individuals afflicted with prolonged grief disorder. It reveals that females are more prone to suicidal ideation, self-injury, and suicide deaths, while males predominantly exhibit a higher incidence of suicide attempts and risk-taking behaviors. These unmediated trends highlight the necessity for gender-specific clinical interventions tailored to address particular behaviors and modify prevalent patterns that typically resist conventional approaches.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO (york.ac.uk), identifier CRD42023480035.

The bump-on-tail (BOT) instability is generally caused by a beam of energetic particles existing in relatively cold background plasma. The employment of second-stage wave-driven module in the variable specific impulse magnetoplasma rocket (VASIMR) yields the production of energetic ions, which could drive the BOT instability. The present work explores this possibility for the first time via numerical simulations based on the experimental data on the VASIMR, i.e., referring to VX-50. It is found that the BOT instability does exist even in the plume region away from antenna. The results indicate that velocity space diffusion provides a stabilizing effect on the nonlinear evolution of waves, while dissipation in the bulk plasma essentially impedes it. To show the practical values implied by these computations, the influences of this BOT instability on the power coupling and thrust are investigated particularly. These findings are valuable for VASIMR, as well as other plasma thrusters that yield energetic particles inside relatively cold background plasma, to suppress BOT instability and thus increase the power coupling efficiency and thrust performance.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common clinical complication characterized by a sudden deterioration of the kidney's excretory function, which normally occurs secondary to another serious illness. AKI is an important risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD) occurrence and progression to kidney failure. It is, therefore, crucial to block the development of AKI as early as possible. To date, existing animal studies have shown that senescence occurs in the early stage of AKI and is extremely critical to prognosis. Cellular senescence is an irreversible process of cell cycle arrest that is accompanied by alterations at the transcriptional, metabolic, and secretory levels along with modified cellular morphology and chromatin organization. Acute cellular senescence tends to play an active role, whereas chronic senescence plays a dominant role in the progression of AKI to CKD. The occurrence of chronic senescence is inseparable from senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) and senescence-related pathways. SASP acts on normal cells to amplify the senescence signal through senescence-related pathways. Senescence can be improved by initiating reprogramming, which plays a crucial role in blocking the progression of AKI to CKD. This review integrates the existing studies on senescence in AKI from several aspects to find meaningful research directions to improve the prognosis of AKI and prevent the progression of CKD., Author(s): Xiaoxi Lin [sup.1] , Heng Jin [sup.1] , Yanfen Chai [sup.1] , Songtao Shou [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.412645.0, 0000 0004 1757 9434, Department of Emergency Medicine, Tianjin Medical [...]

The increase in the level of neutrophils following subclinical Cushing’s disease is an uncommon clinical phenomenon that is characterized by insignificant biochemical or clinical evidence of hypercortisolism. In this study, we reported a 37-year-old female patient who presented with palpitations and fatigue, and showed increased neutrophils that were unaffected by anti-infection therapy. The patient was suspected of having a urinary tract infection because of occasionally with urinary frequency, urgency, increased procalcitonin, leukocytosis, and an increased proportion of neutrophils. The ineffectiveness of anti-infection therapy ruled out the possibility of urinary tract infection. Further examination of the bone marrow excluded the possibility of blood disease. However, the levels of blood cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) increased, and a magnetic resonance imaging examination revealed lesions in the sphenoidal sinus and sella area of the sphenoidal bone, which confirmed the relationship between increased glucocorticoids and increased neutrophils. This was further confirmed by follow-up surgery and pathological examination, which revealed silent corticotropin adenomas, which are characterized by the lack of biochemical or clinical evidence of hypercortisolism with positive immunostaining for ACTH.

Sepsis is a syndrome caused by an imbalance in the inflammatory response of the body caused by an infection that leads to organ dysfunction, with the kidney being one of the most commonly affected organs. Sepsis-related acute kidney injury (SAKI) is strongly linked to increased mortality and poor clinical outcomes. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly reduce patient mortality. On the other hand, the pathogenesis of SAKI is not fully understood, and early diagnosis of SAKI is a clinical challenge. Therefore, the current review describes biomarkers of acute kidney injury in sepsis and discusses the various pathogenic mechanisms involved in the progression of acute kidney injury in sepsis to develop new clinical treatment avenues.

Proper temporal and spatial activation of stem cells relies on highly coordinated cell signaling. The primary cilium is the sensory organelle that is responsible for transmitting extracellular signals into a cell. Primary cilium size, architecture, and assembly-disassembly dynamics are under rigid cell cycle-dependent control. Using mouse incisor tooth epithelia as a model, we show that ciliary dynamics in stem cells require the proper functions of a cholesterol-binding membrane glycoprotein, Prominin-1 (Prom1/CD133), which controls sequential recruitment of ciliary membrane components, histone deacetylase, and transcription factors. Nuclear translocation of Prom1 and these molecules is particularly evident in transit amplifying cells, the immediate derivatives of stem cells. The absence of Prom1 impairs ciliary dynamics and abolishes the growth stimulation effects of sonic hedgehog (SHH) treatment, resulting in the disruption of stem cell quiescence maintenance and activation. We propose that Prom1 is a key regulator ensuring appropriate response of stem cells to extracellular signals, with important implications for development, regeneration, and diseases.

Purpose: To examine the associations between higher order aberrations (HOAs), visual performance, demographics, and ocular characteristics in a young Asian population with high myopia. Methods: This was a retrospective review of military pre-enlistees conducted between March 2014 to September 2018. Visual acuity and contrast sensitivity were tested under photopic, mesopic and simulated night conditions. Ocular, corneal and internal HOAs were measured with a Hartmann–Shack wavefront aberrometer (KR-1W, Topcon Co., Tokyo, Japan). Results: 522 eyes of 263 consecutive subjects with severe high myopia (defined as spherical equivalent refraction [SER] ≤ −10.00D) in at least one eye, and high myopia (SER ≤ −6.00D) in the fellow eye, [mean (SD) SER −11.85 (2.03D)] were analysed. The mean (SD) age of subjects was 18.5 (1.6) years. Chinese eyes had significantly greater internal total HOA root-mean-square (RMS) compared to Malay eyes [mean difference (SD) 0.0246 (0.007) μm, p