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The frog genus Odorrana is distributed across east and southeastern Asia. Based on morphological differences and molecular phylogenetics, a new species of the genus occurring from Leigong Mountain in Guizhou Province, China is described. Phylogenetic analyses based on DNA sequences of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, and ND2 genes supported the new species as an independent lineage. The uncorrected genetic distances between the 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, and ND2 genes between the new species and its closest congener were 5.0%, 4.9%, and 16.3%, respectively. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: body size moderate (SVL 39.1–49.4 mm in males, 49.7 mm in female); head width larger than head length; tympanum distinctly visible; small rounded granules scattered all over dorsal body and limbs; dorsolateral folds absent; heels overlapping when thighs are positioned at right angles to the body; tibiotarsal articulation reaching the level between eye to nostril when leg stretched forward; vocal sacs absent in male and nuptial pads present on the base of finger I. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we achieved a green and efficient dearomatization for the synthesis of 2,3-functionalized polycyclic indolines in an electrochemical way. This avoiding of external oxidants and metals approach allowed various nucleophilic sources (Nu = anilines, TMSN3 and ROH) to perform the products, representing an environmentally benign means. Additionally, the continuous flow electrosynthesis and synthetic transformations also reveal the strong practicality of electrochemistry in organic synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the various roles of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in cancer progression and treatment. TAMs are immune cells that can either promote or inhibit tumor growth depending on their activation state. Recent advancements in single-cell omics methods have revealed the diverse subpopulations of TAMs in different types of cancer. Understanding the origins, plasticity, and specific functions of these TAM subpopulations can lead to more refined and effective therapeutic approaches for cancer. The article also discusses strategies for targeting TAMs in cancer therapy, such as inhibiting macrophage recruitment and diminishing macrophage longevity. Overall, the article provides valuable insights into the complex nature of TAMs and their potential as therapeutic targets in cancer. [Extracted from the article]

The experiment used Scorias spongiosa as the material, to develop a new limiting resistance feed additive. An orthogonal test was used to determine the optimum extraction conditions of Scorias spongiosa extract. The Oxford cup method was employed to investigate the antibacterial effects of ethanol extracts from Scorias spongiosa on three Grampositive bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis) and three Gramnegative bacteria (Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella pullorum, and Escherichia coli). The results indicated that the optimal extraction process for Scorias spongiosa inhibitory extracts was an ethanol concentration of 85%, a liquid-to-material ratio of 5 mL/g, an extraction time of 180 minutes, and an extraction temperature of 50 t. The inhibitory effect of Scorias spongiosa ethanol extracts on Gram-positive bacteria was superior to that on Gram-negative bacteria. The study clarifies the potential application value of Scorias spongiosa in terms of antibacterial properties, providing reference for the development of antibacterial products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes differentiated fees based on parking space attributes to regulate the turnover rate and utilization of parking spaces. To understand parkers' willingness to pay differentiated parking fees, the study employs structural equation modeling to analyze data collected from a questionnaire that identifies the significant factors impacting parking space selection. The questionnaire also captures personal socioeconomic characteristics of drivers. The study uses K-means clustering to classify drivers based on their varying willingness to pay differentiated parking fees. Based on these results, the study establishes an appropriate price fluctuation range for different parking attributes. The study proposes measures to attract different types of drivers to select differentiated parking fees options. This approach can serve as a valuable reference for parking lot managers seeking to optimize their service capacity and revenue levels. In conclusion, this study presents a comprehensive and systematic approach to understanding the willingness of drivers to pay for differentiated parking fees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the anesthetic effect and safety issues when lidocaine is combined with dexmedetomidine in laparoscopic hysterectomy. Methods: The data for 100 patients from the Anesthesiology Department of Changzhou Second People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University who underwent laparoscopic total hysterectomy were randomly but equally divided into a control group and a combination group. Lidocaine hydrochloride was administered by infusion in the control group, while dexmedetomidine and lidocaine were administered together in the combination group. Inflammatory factors and stress hormone levels before and after the operation, as well as the incidence of adverse reactions following the operation, hemodynamic index, visual pain simulation (VAS) score, and sedation score at various times after the operation were evaluated in the two groups. Furthermore, the incidence of postoperative adverse reactions were also recorded and compared between the two groups. Results: The combination group's recovery time was significantly longer than that of the control group (p < 0.05). At the point of extubation and 10 min after, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) in the combination group were significantly lower than those of the control group, respectively (p < 0.05), while the combination group's VAS and Ramsay scores were statistically lower than those of the control group at 30 min, 24 h, and 48 h following surgery, respectively (p < 0.05). The incidence of nausea and vomiting in the combination group was significantly lower than that in the control group (28.0% vs 58.0%, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Lidocaine and dexmedetomidine, when combined, enhance hemodynamics, postoperative analgesia, and sedation in laparoscopic hysterectomy patients. The combination also lowers inflammatory stress and stress hormone levels, as well as the risk of nausea and vomiting, leading to better safety in the patients. However, multicenter trials are recommended to validate these findings prior to its use clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transverse relaxation time (T2) cut-off value plays a crucial role in nuclear magnetic resonance for identifying movable and immovable boundaries, evaluating permeability, and determining fluid saturation in petrophysical characterization of petroleum reservoirs. This study focuses on the systematic analysis of T2 spectra and T2 cut-off values in low-permeability reservoir rocks. Analysis of 36 low-permeability cores revealed a wide distribution of T2 cut-off values, ranging from 7 to 50 ms. Additionally, the T2 spectra exhibited multimodal characteristics, predominantly displaying unimodal and bimodal morphologies, with a few trimodal morphologies, which are inherently influenced by different pore types. Fractal characteristics of pore structure in fully water-saturated cores were captured through the T2 spectra, which were calculated using generalized fractal and multifractal theories. To augment the limited dataset of 36 cores, the synthetic minority oversampling technique was employed. Models for evaluating the T2 cut-off value were separately developed based on the classified T2 spectra, considering the number of peaks, and utilizing generalized fractal dimensions at the weight <0 and the singular intensity range. The underlying mechanism is that the singular intensity and generalized fractal dimensions at the weight <0 can detect the T2 spectral shift. However, the T2 spectral shift has negligible effects on multifractal spectrum function difference and generalized fractal dimensions at the weight >0. The primary objective of this work is to gain insights into the relationship between the kurtosis of the T2 spectrum and pore types, as well as to predict the T2 cut-off value of low-permeability rocks using machine learning and data augmentation techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solving linear equations is a basic and significant mathematical task, and it can be executed by variational quantum algorithm (VQA) with quantum advantages by leveraging near‐term quantum device and classical optimizer. In the above algorithm, the coefficient matrix should be decomposed first but slowly with the traditional method, for realizing an effective quantum circuit. In this paper, a general framework for preparing a fast Pauli decomposition for solving arbitrary linear equations using VQA is proposed. This method has a simpler form and reduces the complexity of matrix decomposition compared with the traditional one. Moreover, the concrete tables of two and three qubits cases are given for looking up quickly and the instances of Toeplitz matrix, Yule–Walker, and arbitrary equations are demonstrated. Finally, numerical simulations are given to verify this method. This work provides a more convenient and faster preparatory phase for solving linear equations using VQA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective management of the high-speed railways (HSR) system requires an in-depth understanding of the HSR stations in the network, e.g., the time-dependent volume distribution. The classification of HSR stations is the scientific basis for transport policymaking and land-use planning. Existing classification methods cannot meet the needs of temporal variation of passenger flow or the refined design and operation of HSR stations. This study adopts the Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN) algorithm to classify HSR stations in different years. Using the data of Jiangsu Province, China, as an example, the time series of arrival and departure passenger flow at HSR stations are clustered via the DBSCAN algorithm, and the HSR stations are clustered into three classes. To determine the hierarchical structure of HSR stations representing the evolution of HSR networks, we use large-scale panel data obtained from mobile phone cellular data across years (July 1–14 from each of the years 2018, 2020, and 2021) to capture and analyze the spatial-temporal evolution characteristics of massive passenger flow at HSR stations. It is indicated that both HSR station hierarchy and passenger flow have the characteristics of spatial-temporal evolution across years, and the classification results are influenced by the geographical positions of cities and HSR layout. Accurate clustering of HSR stations via large-scale actual passenger flow data enables railway authorities and operators to identify critical nodes for efficient HSR network performance. The resulting classification would contribute to an in-depth understanding of the evolution characteristics of passenger flow in different years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Kimura disease (KD) presents a diagnostic challenge to clinicians because of its rarity and atypical symptoms in its early stages, and it is difficult to treat and prone to recurrence or involvement of other organs. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to investigate the possible relevance of renal involvement and recurrence by analysing the clinical presentations, laboratory results, histopathological features, therapeutic data and follow-up results of KD. Materials and Methods: A total of 27 patients diagnosed as KD in two hospitals from January 1999 to December 2021 were analysed retrospectively in this study based on the diagnosis of histopathology. Results: KD mainly affected male more than female (8:1) with the onset age ranging from 3 to 58 years (median 29.8 years). The common initial symptoms included subcutaneous soft tissue or lymph node enlargement, non-specific skin lesions and proteinuria. One patient presented cough and expectoration as the first symptoms. KD patients often had high levels of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and basophils, which exhibited a significantly positive correlation with renal involvement and recurrence (p < 0.05). Early mass resection could prevent the development of nephritis and decrease the risk of relapse (p < 0.05). Conclusion: KD should be noted in patients presenting with intractable and relapsing atopic skin lesions and (or) subcutaneous mass. Patients with high levels of serum IgE and blood basophils may be prone to developing KD-associated nephritis and predict a high risk of recurrence. Early surgical removal of the mass may result in a better prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a novel Fenton reaction system which was called MHACF-MIL-100(Fe) was constructed. In this system, based on active hydrogen-accelerated FeIII reduction, the hydroxyl radical was continuously produced with a trace amount of total iron. The MIL-100(Fe) modified with the nano-Pd0 particle could be used to activate the H2. Under normal temperature and pressure, the target organic pollutants, such as sulfamethazine and 4-chloro phenol, could be degraded fast. In the condition of initial aqueous solution pH 3, 2 g L-1 dosage of MIL-100(Fe) catalyst loaded with nano-Pd0, Pd/MIL-100(Fe), 20 mM 30 wt% hydrogen peroxide, 25 µM ferrous chloride and 60 mL H2 min-1, 97.8% of sulfamethazine and 100% 4-chloro phenol could be degraded within only 5 min, respectively. Although the surface of the catalyst exhibited more obvious defects and roughness after 5 consecutive destructive experiment cycles, its basic structure could be maintained. The removal efficiency could be maintained at least more than 79% (sulfamethazine) and 94% (4-chloro phenol). That may be mainly attributed to the degradation of hydroxyl radical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disorder that primarily causes symmetrical polyarthritis and bone deformity. In RA patients, sight-threatening inflammatory eye complications would be expected. Objective: The objective of the study is to ascertain the macular retinal vessel density changes in RA patients and controls using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), and to investigate the association between disease and microvascular density alterations. Methods: A total of 12 RA patients (24 eyes) and 12 age- and gender-matched control participants (24 eyes) were recruited to the study. We used the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study partitioning, hemispheric quadrants and annular partitioning to segment each image into different subregions. The vascular density of superficial retina layer, deep retina layer and conjunctival capillary plexus was quantitatively measured by OCTA and compared with the control group. Correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between STMI and conjunctival capillaries densities. Results: In the superficial retinal layer, the vascular density of S, I, L, SL, SR, IL and C1-C5 were significantly decreased in the RA group compared with the control group (P<0.05). For the deep retinal layer, the vascular density of S, SL, SR, IL, C1, C2 and C4 also decreased in RA group. A significant positive correlation was indicated between conjunctival vascular and STMI densities (r = 0.713, P<0.05). Conclusion: OCTA results suggest that RA patients present with a reduced macular retinal vascular density. These subtle alterations of ocular microcirculation may precede severe eye involvements and may be a potential biomarker for early distinguishing abnormal eyes from healthy eyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steel-concrete composite beams are widely used in building structures due to the excellent mechanical performances. In the application of steel-concrete composite beam, the problem exists in the coordination between concrete slab and steel beam. In this work, based on the Eurocode-4, a series of four 1:1 full-size push-out specimens were designed to study the influence of different napping arrangement styles on the shear performance of the napping joints in the cast-in-place specimens and prefabricated specimens. Based on the test results, finite element analysis was finished for parametric analysis. The test results show that the final failure modes of the specimens include concrete failure and bolt shear. Increasing the concrete grade of the precast specimen can improve the shear resistance of the bolt group. The uniformly arranged specimens show higher shear stiffness and ductility compared to the non-uniformly arranged specimens. The results of finite element analysis showed that the shear capacity of the group nails was increased with the increase of the compressive strength grade of the post-pouring material and the longitudinal spacing of the bolts, and the increase of the spacing of the bolts was more effective in improving the shear capacity of the group nails. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we introduce the concept of p-mean θ-pseudo almost periodic stochastic processes, which is slightly weaker than p-mean pseudo almost periodic stochastic processes. Using the operator semigroup theory and stochastic analysis theory, we obtain the existence and uniqueness of squaremean θ-pseudo almost periodic mild solutions for a semilinear stochastic differential equation in infinite dimensions. Moreover, we prove that the obtained solution is also pseudo almost periodic in path distribution. It is noteworthy that the ergodic part of the obtained solution is not only ergodic in squaremean but also ergodic in path distribution. Our main results are even new for the corresponding stochastic differential equations (SDEs) in finite dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SNAP25 is a core protein of the SNARE complex, which mediates stimulus-dependent secretion of insulin from the pancreatic β cells. SNAP23 is a SNAP25 homolog, however, the functional role of SNAP23 in the exocytic secretion of insulin is not known. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the functional role of SNAP23 in the insulin secretory pathway. Our results demonstrated that over-expression of SNAP23 inhibited the secretion of insulin from the INS-1 cells. Conversely, SNAP23 depletion increased insulin secretion. Mechanistically, overexpression of SNAP23 decreased SNARE complex formation by blocking the binding of SNAP25 to STX1A. The full-length SNAP23 protein with the N-terminal and C-terminal SNARE binding domains was required for competition. Moreover, SNAP23 serine 95 phosphorylation plays a crucial function in insulin secretion by enhancing the interaction between SNAP23 and STX1A. The present study presents a new pathway regulating insulin secretion. Therefore, SNAP23 may be a potential therapeutic target for diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of mixing temperature, i.e., the temperatures of two precursor melts (pure Al and Al-12Si), on the temperature and solute fields of resultant mixture, the nucleation and growth, and the size and morphology of primary grains during controlled diffusion solidification (CDS) of Al-8Si alloy were investigated by using simulation and calculation. The results indicate that a lower mixing temperature is helpful for achieving more supercooled microscale Al-rich pockets in the mixture, and increasing the width and supercooling degree of supercooling zone in the Al-rich pockets, and thus, the nucleation rate. The nuclei grow up in nondendritic mode, resulting in spheroidal, at least, nondendritic grains. In a successful CDS, the superheat degrees of the two precursor melts should be limited within several degrees, and it is not necessary to extra stipulate the superheat degree of target alloy melt (Al-8Si) when the requirement about Gibbs energies of the three melts is matched. Subsequent observation on casting microstructures shows that the employed simulation and calculation processes are reasonable and the achieved results are reliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing popularity of personal wearable electronic devices used for healthcare, entertainment, and sports applications, the corresponding energy supply and space adaptability of devices are required to meet higher standards. Owing to large energy densities and intrinsic safety, wearable aqueous metal-air batteries have shown great potential to be energy storage/conversion integrated systems for wearable electronic devices characterized by long-term low-power operation. In contrast to non-aqueous electrolytes, aqueous-based electrolytes exhibit greater ionic conductivity, higher operational safety, lower cost, and superior environmental benignity, making them more suitable for a wearable power source. Herein, the most recent advances in wearable aqueous metal-air battery systems are comprehensively summarized from the viewpoint of configuration design, materials fabrication, and property optimization. Specifically, the rational design of wearable battery configurations, including sandwich-type, cable/fiber-type, coplanar-type, and integrated coplanar-type configurations, are first discussed, followed by a detailed discussion of constituent components, including flexible air cathode, flexible anode, and quasi-solid-state gel electrolyte in wearable metal-air batteries. Finally, the existing technical hurdles and recommended future research perspectives of wearable aqueous metal-air battery systems are proposed to stimulate the broader interest of interdisciplinary researchers and try to shed some light on future advancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mantle plume rich in gold is considered to be important for the formation of giant epigenetic gold deposits. The Youjiang basin, SW China, is the world's second largest Carlin-type gold province, but the ultimate source of its gold remains enigmatic. In this study, we report that the Middle-Late Permian basaltic rocks in the basin are rich in native gold grains. These gold grains are scattered in the interstices of pyrite and marcasite and in the amorphous silica cavities. Mineralogy and S-Pb isotope geochemistry of the auriferous sulfides suggest that the gold was largely derived from the gold-rich Late Permian (ca. 260 Ma) Emeishan plume and was released to a near-surface volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) metallogenic system, where it accumulated. The native gold grains from the basalts may have been inherited by the younger (ca. 140 Ma) Carlin-type ores in the Youjiang basin, which are indicative of gold pre-enrichment in the basin. Our study highlights that golden plume upwelling could carry abundant gold into the upper crust, even into shallow-level metallogenic systems, and thus provides an alternative view on the source of gold in the Youjiang basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytokinins (CKs) function in plant development and during stress responses, but their role in drought tolerance in wheat is unknown. In the present study, 24 isopentenyltransferase (IPT) genes, encoding ratelimiting enzymes in CK biosynthesis were identified in the wheat genome. The chromosomal locations and structures of the genes, protein properties, and phylogenetic relationships were characterized. ATP/ADP TaIPT genes showed tissue-specific expression. TaIPT2, TaIPT7, and TaIPT8 expression was rapidly induced by 0.5-1 h drought treatments, which decreased to low levels after 2 h drought treatment, as did most other TaIPT genes. TaIPT8-5a/5b/5d triple mutants showed decreased levels of tZtype CK under normal and drought conditions and reduced drought tolerance, which, however, did not manifest as phenotype alterations. By contrast, transgenic wheat plants with drought-induced TaIPT8 showed increased drought tolerance. Our study provides a foundation for further investigation of TaIPT genes and novel insights into the role of CKs in the drought response of wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integuments form important protective cell layers surrounding the developing ovules in gymno- and angiosperms. Although several genes have been shown to influence the development of integuments, the transcriptional regulatory mechanism is still poorly understood. In this work, we report that the Class II KNOTTED1-LIKE HOMEOBOX (KNOX II) transcription factors KNOTTED1-LIKE HOMEBOX GENE 3 (KNAT3) and KNAT4 regulate integument development in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). KNAT3 and KNAT4 were co-expressed in inflorescences and especially in young developing ovules. The loss-of-function double mutant knat3 knat4 showed an infertility phenotype, in which both inner and outer integuments of the ovule are arrested at an early stage and form an amorphous structure as in the bell1 (bel1) mutant. The expression of chimeric KNAT3- and KNAT4-EAR motif repression domain (SRDX repressors) resulted in severe seed abortion. Protein-protein interaction assays demonstrated that KNAT3 and KNAT4 interact with each other and also with INNER NO OUTER (INO), a key transcription factor required for the outer integument formation. Transcriptome analysis showed that the expression of genes related with integument development is influenced in the knat3 knat4 mutant. The knat3 knat4 mutant also had a lower indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) content, and some auxin signaling pathway genes were downregulated. Moreover, transactivation analysis indicated that KNAT3/4 and INO activate the auxin signaling gene IAA INDUCIBLE 14 (IAA14). Taken together, our study identified KNAT3 and KNAT4 as key factors in integument development in Arabidopsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we introduce the concept of p-mean θ-pseudo almost periodic stochastic processes, which is slightly weaker than p-mean pseudo almost periodic stochastic processes. Using the operator semigroup theory and stochastic analysis theory, we obtain the existence and uniqueness of squaremean θ-pseudo almost periodic mild solutions for a semilinear stochastic differential equation in infinite dimensions. Moreover, we prove that the obtained solution is also pseudo almost periodic in path distribution. It is noteworthy that the ergodic part of the obtained solution is not only ergodic in squaremean but also ergodic in path distribution. Our main results are even new for the corresponding stochastic differential equations (SDEs) in finite dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combination therapy combining two drugs in one modified drug delivery system is used to achieve synergistic analgesic effect, and bring effective control of pain management, especially postoperative pain management. In the present study, a combination of drug delivery technologies was utilized. Transcriptional transactivator (TAT) peptide modified, transdermal nanocarriers were designed to codeliver ropivacaine (RVC) and meloxicam (MLX) and anticipated to achieve longer analgesic effect and lower side effect. TAT modified nanostructured lipid carriers (TAT-NLCs) were used to co-deliver RVC and MLX. RVC and MLX co-loaded TAT-NLCs (TAT-NLCs-RVC/MLX) were evaluated through in vitro skin permeation and in vivo treatment studies. NLCs-RVC/MLX showed uniform and spherical morphology, with a size of 133.4 ± 4.6nm and a zeta potential of 20.6 ± 1.8 mV. The results illustrated the anesthetic pain relief ability of the present constructed system was significantly improved by the TAT modification through the enhanced skin permeation efficiency and the co-delivery of MLX along with RVC that improved pain management by reducing inflammation at the injured area. This study provides an efficient and facile method for preparing TAT-NLCs-RVC/MLX as a promising system to achieve synergistic analgesic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We aimed to test the hypothesis that using lung ultrasound (LUS) to assess the severity of transient tachypnea in newborns can predict the mode of respiratory support that will be needed. Methods: We conducted a prospective study on late-preterm and term infants at more than 34 weeks of gestation. LUS was performed on admission by an investigator, and basic demographic data, LUS scores, respiratory mode and parameters were measured after admission. A receiver operator curve was utilized to assess the ability to predict the respiratory mode that would be needed. A correlation analysis was performed between the LUS scores and the artery blood gas results. Results: The mean age at the first LUS examination was 1.22 ± 0.81 hours on admission. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were revealed among the three groups in the left anterior area, right lateral area, left lateral area and total LUS scores. The LUS scores in the NRS group were lower than those in the other groups. The infants with NIV and MVwere more likely to have higher LUS scores (P< 0.05). The LUS scores were negatively correlated with the PaO2 results (r =-0.25, P= 0.073), positively correlated with the PaCO2 results (r= 0.41, P = 0.003), and significantly correlated with SaO2 (r= 0.35, P= 0.015). LUS scores of > 6 (AUC= 0.85, P< 0.001) show the requirement of respiratory support in newborns. Conclusions: We conclude that LUS scores are correlated with the severity of transient tachypnea of the newborn and can predict an infant's required respiratory support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Rongjin Niantong Fang (RJNTF) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine formulation with a good therapeutic effect on osteoarthritis (OA). However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Objective: This study investigates whether RJNTF could delay OA cartilage degeneration by regulating the SDF-1/CXCR4-p38MAPK signalling pathway. Materials and methods: The Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used to establish the OA model by a modified Hulth's method. SD rats were divided into three groups (n=10): blank group, model group (0.9% saline, 10 mL/kg/day), and treatment group (RJNTF, 4.5 g/kg/day). After 12 weeks of treatment, each group was analysed by H&E, Safranine-O solid green, ELISA, Immunohistochemistry, and Western blot. An in vitro model was induced with 100 ng/mL SDF-1 by ELISA, the blank group, model group, RJNTF group, and inhibitor group with intervention for 12 h, each group was analysed by Immunofluorescence staining and Western blot. Results: SDF-1 content in the synovium was reduced in RJNTF treatment group compared to non-treatment model group (788.10 vs. 867.32 pg/mL) and down-regulation of CXCR4, MMP-3, MMP-9, MMP-13 protein expression, along with p38 protein phosphorylated were observed in RJNTF treatment group. In vitro results showed that RJNTF (IC50 = 8.925mg/mL) intervention could down-regulate SDF-1 induced CXCR4 and p38 protein phosphorylated and reduce the synthesis of MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-13 proteins of chondrocytes from SD rat cartilage tissues. Discussion and conclusion: RJNTF alleviates OA cartilage damage by SDF-1/CXCR4-p38MAPK signalling pathway inhibition. Our ongoing research focuses on Whether RJNTF treats OA through alternative pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past few years, wireless communications based on digital coding metasurfaces have gained research interest owing to their simplified architectures and low cost. However, in most of the metasurface-based wireless systems, a single-polarization scenario is used, limiting the channel capacities. To solve the problem, multiplexing methods have been adopted, but the system complexity is inevitably increased. Here, a space-frequency-polarization-division multiplexed wireless communication system is proposed using an anisotropic space-time-coding digital metasurface. By separately designing time-varying control voltage sequences for differently oriented varactor diodes integrated on the metasurface, we achieve frequency-polarization-division multiplexed modulations. By further introducing different time-delay gradients to the control voltage sequences in two polarization directions, we successfully obtain space-frequency-polarization-division multiplexed modulations to realize a wireless communication system with a new architecture. The new communication system is designed with compact dual-polarized meta-elements, and can improve channel capacity and space utilization. Experimental results demonstrate the high-performance and real-time transmission capability of the proposed communication system, confirming its potential application in multiple-user collaborative wireless communications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced motion-sensitized driven equilibrium (MSDE) based black blood three-dimensional (3D) turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence in the detection of brain metastases compared with 3D Turbo Field Echo (TFE) sequence. 53 patients with suspected brain metastases were included in this study between November 2021 and February 2022. Contrast-enhanced cranial 3D TFE and MSDE-based 3D black blood TSE MR imaging were performed for each patient. Two senior neuroradiologists independently evaluated all contrast-enhanced 3D TFE and 3D black blood TSE images to detect brain metastases. The images were divided into two groups: the TFE group and the black blood TSE group. Agreement between the two reviewers for detection of the brain metastases in each group was performed using the kappa test. The two reviewers determined the final result for brain metastasis in the two groups by consensus. A paired t- test was performed for the final detection of brain metastases between the black blood TSE group and the TFE group. There was a very good agreement between the two reviewers for the TSE group (kappa = 0.823) and a good agreement for the TFE group (kappa = 0.663). There was a statistical difference in the detection of small cortical and subcortical metastases between the TFE and the black blood TSE groups (t = 5.039, P = 0.000 < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the detection of small supratentorial deep lesions and subtentorial lesions between the two groups. Compared with conventional 3D TFE sequence, MSDE-based black blood 3D TSE sequence was superior for visualizing small brain metastases, especially small cortical and subcortical metastases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coffin-Siris syndrome (CSS) (OMIM #135900) involves multiple congenital malformations, including hypotonia, short stature, sparse scalp hair, a coarse face, prominent eyebrows, a wide mouth, delayed bone age, and hypoplastic or absent fifth fingers/toes or nails, together with developmental delay. The cause of CSS is suggested to be related to alterations in the BRG- or HRBM-associated factor (BAF) pathway in humans. In this gene family, pathogenic variations in the AT-rich interactive domain-containing protein 1B (ARID1B) gene are revealed to be a significant element causing neurodevelopmental disability in patients with CSS. Herein, we describe the clinical features and gene variations in four Chinese patients with CSS. All the patients shared common features of short fifth fingers/toes or hypoplastic nails, coarse facial features, thick eyebrows, long cilia, a flat nasal bridge, a broad nose, a wide mouth, a high palate, and hypotonia. Besides, they had an intellectual disability, language, and motor developmental delay. Candidate genes were screened for variations using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing. The variations were sequenced by next-generation sequencing and confirmed by first-generation sequencing. Exome sequencing suggested four de novo variations in the ARID1B gene in four unrelated patients. These included two frameshift variations (c.3581delC, c.6661_6662insG) and two nonsense variations (c.1936C>T, c.2248C>T). Of the four variations, three variations were novel. The results in our present study broaden the understanding of the disease and further interpret the molecular genetic mechanism of these rare variations in CSS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eosinophilic angiocentric fibrosis (EAF) has been postulated to lie on the spectrum of IgG4‐related disease (IgG4‐RD) in a study reported in 2011. However, the aetiology of EAF remains controversial, despite increasing literature reporting IgG4‐RD targeted investigations in those studies. This review aims to formally evaluate the relationship between EAF and IgG4‐RD using the latest 2019 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) classification scheme for IgG4‐RD. A literature search was performed on the PubMed database for all studies describing patients diagnosed with EAF. Additionally, two EAF cases were retrospectively identified from our institution and presented. The demographics, clinical presentation, histological and serological data of each patient were analysed. A total of 20 cases were evaluated, including 18 patients from 14 articles in the English literature and two cases from our institution. Six of 20 (30%) patients with EAF met the criteria for IgG4‐RD with the 2019 ACR/EULAR classification scheme. This represents the first attempt at formally evaluating the relationship between EAF and IgG4‐RD using a validated set of classification criteria. Using the currently available data, a small proportion of patients with EAF met the criteria for IgG4‐RD. However, various limitations of this study suggest that further efforts at disease characterization of EAF may be required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Range issue has become the concern focus in the field of electric vehicles. In contrast to the generally used State-of-Charge (SoC), battery State-of-Energy (SoE) is regarded more appropriate in representing the remnant driving range by taking account of the voltage decline across the discharging process. In this paper, a SoE estimator is constructed using a pseudo power definition upon battery open-circuit-voltage (OCV) to exclude the energy loss on internal resistance; simultaneously, by combining with an equivalent circuit model (ECM), the unscented particle filter (UPF) is exploited to deal with problems of model nonlinearities, internal interferences, sensor noises and accumulated errors. Further, to adapt to battery time-variant features, the ECM parameters are on-line identified resorting to the recursive least square with forgetting factor algorithm. Finally, SoE estimation experiments using the proposed estimator on a LiFePO4 battery show superior performance regarding robustness and accuracy against high-dynamic loads and various temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shock-induced pore collapsing and hot spot formation processes of plastic bonded explosives are simulated by molecular dynamics. After shock loading, the temperature field, pressure field, particle velocity field, energy field, plastic work field, and plastic temperature field are calculated by using the virtual grid method. A set of microscopic parameters about the hot spot are evaluated, including the pore collapsing time, pore collapsing speed, plastic work, and hot spot radius. The physical models to describe the energy dissipation and temperature relaxation behaviors of the hot spot are developed. We find that the hot spot formation consists of three steps: pore collapsing, work-heat transition, and temperature relaxation. The pore collapsing speed is proportional to the piston speed, and the temperature relaxation time is proportional to the square of the hot spot radius. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phase transitions and deformation twins are constantly reported in many BCC metals under high pressure, whose interactions are of fundamental importance to understand the strengthening mechanism of these metals under extreme conditions. However, the interactions between twins and phase transition in BCC metals remain largely unexplored. In this work, interactions between coherent twin boundaries and α ↔ ε phase transition of iron are investigated using both nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations and the nudged elastic band method. Mechanisms of both twin-assisted phase transition and reverse phase transition are studied, and orientation relationships between BCC and HCP phases are found to be <111>BCC||<1210>HCP and <110>BCC||<0001>HCP for both cases. The twin boundary corresponds to {1010}HCP after the phase transition. It is amazing that the reverse transition seems to be able to "memorize" and recover the initial BCC twins. The memory would be partly lost when plastic slips take place in the HCP phase before the reverse transition. In the recovered initial BCC twins, three major twin spacings are observed, which are well explained in terms of energy barriers of transition from the HCP phase to the BCC twin. Besides, the variant selection rule of the twin assisted phase transition is also discussed. The results of present work could be expected to give some clues for producing ultra-fine grain structures in materials exhibiting martensitic phase transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We establish the existence, uniqueness, and stability of subsonic flows past an airfoil with a vortex line at the trailing edge. Such a flow pattern is governed by the two-dimensional steady compressible Euler equations. The vortex line attached to the trailing edge is a contact discontinuity for the Euler system and is treated as a free boundary. The problem is formulated and solved by using the implicit function theorem. The main difficulties are due to the fitting of the vortex line with the profile at the trailing edge and the possible subtle instability of the vortex line at the far field. Suitable choices of the weights and elaborate barrier functions are found to deal with such difficulties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To accurately compute the rates of the abstraction channels of hydrogen plus ethane (Et), propane (Pr), and dimethyl ether (DME), ring-polymer molecular dynamics (RPMD) method is used in conjunction with the recently constructed local permutation invariant polynomial neural-networks potential energy surface of the parent H + CH4 system [Q. Meng et al., J. Chem. Phys. 144, 154312 (2016)]. For H + Et, one of the H atoms in CH4 of the parent system is replaced by a methyl group, while for the H + DME reaction, it is replaced by the methoxyl group. For the H + Pr reaction, replacing one of the H atoms in CH4 by an ethyl group, the terminal channel is built, meanwhile the middle channel is considered through replacing two H atoms in CH4 by two methyl groups. Since the potential energy barriers of the title reactions must differ from the H + CH4 barrier, the corrections have to be made by computing the ratio of free-energy barriers between H + CH4 and the title reactions at coupled cluster with a full treatment singles and doubles (where the triples contribution is calculated by perturbation theory, that is, CCSD(T)) level. Comparing the present RPMD rates with the previous theoretical and experimental results, good agreement can be found. Moreover, probable reasons for the deviation between the present RPMD rates and the previous experimental ones are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We simulate the reaction process of 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene in wide temperature and pressure ranges by molecular dynamics and evaluate the intermediate molecules, chemical reaction rates, and Hugoniot relations. Based on them, the leading shock wave, fast reaction zone, Chapman- Jouguet state, and slow reaction zone under detonation are investigated by different theoretical methods. A complete structure of the detonation wave is obtained. The calculated detonation velocity, detonation pressure, detonation products, and the length of the reaction zone are in agreement with the experiments and others' calculations. We find that some intermediate molecules play an important role in determining the reaction path of explosives but just remain a little after detonation, such as H2 and NH3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A more flexible neural network (NN) method using the fundamental invariants (FIs) as the input vector is proposed in the construction of potential energy surfaces for molecular systems involving identical atoms. Mathematically, FIs finitely generate the permutation invariant polynomial (PIP) ring. In combination with NN, fundamental invariant neural network (FI-NN) can approximate any function to arbitrary accuracy. Because FI-NN minimizes the size of input permutation invariant polynomials, it can efficiently reduce the evaluation time of potential energy, in particular for polyatomic systems. In this work, we provide the FIs for all possible molecular systems up to five atoms. Potential energy surfaces for OH3 and CH4 were constructed with FI-NN, with the accuracy confirmed by full-dimensional quantum dynamic scattering and bound state calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric field-induced changes in the domain wall motion of (1-x)Bi(Mg0.5Ti0.5)O3-xPbTiO3 (BMT-xPT) near the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) where x = 0.37 (BMT-37PT) and x = 0.38 (BMT-38PT), are studied by means of synchrotron x-ray diffraction. Through Rietveld analysis and profile fitting, a mixture of coexisting monoclinic (Cm) and tetragonal (P4mm) phases is identified at room temperature. Extrinsic contributions to the property coefficients are evident from electric-field-induced domain wall motion in both the tetragonal and monoclinic phases, as well as through the interphase boundary motion between the two phases. Domain wall motion in the tetragonal and monoclinic phases for BMT-37PT is larger than that of BMT-38PT, possibly due to this composition's closer proximity to the MPB. Increased interphase boundary motion was also observed in BMT-37PT. Lattice strain, which is a function of both intrinsic piezoelectric strain and elastic interactions of the grains (the latter originating from domain wall and interphase boundary motion), is similar for the respective tetragonal and monoclinic phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro‐Doppler effect is a vital feature of a target that reflects its oscillatory motions apart from bulk motion and provides an important evidence for target recognition with radars. However, establishing the micro‐Doppler database poses a great challenge, since plenty of experiments are required to get the micro‐Doppler signatures of different targets for the purpose of analyses and interpretations with radars, which are dramatically limited by high cost and time‐consuming. Aiming to overcome these limits, a low‐cost and powerful simulation platform of the micro‐Doppler effects is proposed based on time‐domain digital coding metasurface (TDCM). Owing to the outstanding capabilities of TDCM in generating and manipulating nonlinear harmonics during wave‐matter interactions, it enables to supply rich and high‐precision electromagnetic signals with multiple micro‐Doppler frequencies to describe the micro‐motions of different objects, which are especially favored for the training of artificial intelligence algorithms in automatic target recognition and benefit a host of applications like imaging and biosensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary somatosensory cortex (S1) plays a critical role in processing multiple somatosensations, but the mechanism underlying the representation of different submodalities of somatosensation in S1 remains unclear. Using in vivo two-photon calcium imaging that simultaneously monitors hundreds of layer 2/3 pyramidal S1 neurons of awake male mice, we examined neuronal responses triggered by mechanical, thermal, or pruritic stimuli. We found that mechanical, thermal, and pruritic stimuli activated largely overlapping neuronal populations in the same somatotopic S1 subregion. Population decoding analysis revealed that the local neuronal population in S1 encoded sufficient information to distinguish different somatosensory submodalities. Although multimodal S1 neurons responding to multiple types of stimuli exhibited no spatial clustering, S1 neurons preferring mechanical and thermal stimuli tended to show local clustering. These findings demonstrated the coding scheme of different submodalities of somatosensation in S1, paving the way for a deeper understanding of the processing and integration of multimodal somatosensory information in the cortex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work includes taxonomic data on four species of oribatid mites of the family Otocepheidae from Yunnan, China. Two new species of the genera Basiceramerus and Eurostocepheus are described, respectively. Basiceramerus ovatus sp. nov. differs from B. bangladeshensis Corpuz-Raros & Gruèzo, 2008 by the wavy marginalis passing the base of the adanal setae, prodorsal condyles well separated from median ones, a ventral ridge present, and the anal plate foveolate; it differs from B. igorotus Corpuz-Raros & Gruèzo, 2011 from Vietnam by the wavy marginalis passing the base of the adanal setae, a connected tutorium and lamelliform expansion, a ventral ridge present, a smooth genital plate, and seta an2 located close to the median margin of the anal opening; it differs from B. igorotus from the Philippines by the lamellar setae inserted behind the tip of the lamella, separated prodorsal condyles, lyrifissure im posterior to gla, genital plate smooth, anal plate foveolate, and the wavy marginalis passing the base of the adanal setae. Eurostocepheus (Eurostocepheus) sinutus sp. nov. differs from other known species of this genus by having a ventral groove between the genital aperture and the ventral ridge, eight pairs of notogastral setae, and distinctly shorter and thinner notogastral setae p1, p2, p3, h3. Eurostocepheus (Eurostocepheus) aquilinus Aoki, 1965 and E. (E.) mahunkai Mondal & Kundu, 1999 are reported for the first time from China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metasurfaces are artificially engineered two‐dimensional materials composed of sub‐wavelength meta‐atoms, which have shown unprecedented capabilities in manipulating the amplitude, phase, frequency, and polarization states of electromagnetic waves. Specifically, polarization control can be attained via suitable anisotropic, linear, and time‐invariant designs, while frequency conversion is realized via nonlinear or time‐varying platforms. Simultaneous manipulations of polarization and frequency would be of considerable practical interest in many application scenarios, but remain unattainable with current approaches. Here, a time‐division‐multiplexing metasurface is proposed to realize the simultaneous conversion of polarization and frequency. The platform relies on time‐modulated polarization switches and, by varying the duty cycle and time delays of the polarization channels, can arbitrarily rotate the polarization at the central frequency of operation, and synthesize various polarization states at selected harmonic frequencies. Theoretical predictions are validated via measurements on a prototype operating at microwave frequencies, providing the first experimental evidence of simultaneous polarization and frequency conversions via time‐division‐multiplexing metasurfaces. The outcomes open a new pathway in manipulating the electromagnetic waves via time‐varying metasurfaces, and may be of interest for a broad variety of applications in scenarios ranging from polarization imaging to quantum optics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis (referred to here as L. lactis) is a model lactic acid bacterium and one of the main constituents of the mesophilic cheese starter used for producing soft or semihard cheeses. Most dairy L. lactis strains grow optimally at around 30°C and are not particularly well adapted to the elevated temperatures (37 to 39°C) to which they are often exposed during cheese production. To overcome this challenge, we used adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) in milk, using a setup where the temperature was gradually increased over time, and isolated two evolved strains (RD01 and RD07) better able to tolerate high growth temperatures. One of these, strain RD07, was isolated after 1.5 years of evolution (400 generations) and efficiently acidified milk at 41°C, which has not been reported for industrial L. lactis strains until now. Moreover, RD07 appeared to autolyze 2 to 3 times faster than its parent strain, which is another highly desired property of dairy lactococci and rarely observed in the L. lactis subspecies used in this study. Model cheese trials indicated that RD07 could potentially accelerate cheese ripening. Transcriptomics analysis revealed the potential underlying causes responsible for the enhanced growth at high temperatures for the mutants. These included downregulation of the pleiotropic transcription factor CodY and overexpression of genes, which most likely lowered the guanidine nucleotide pool. Cheese trials at ARLA Foods using RD01 blended with the commercial Flora Danica starter culture, including a 39.5°C cooking step, revealed better acidification and flavor formation than the pure starter culture. IMPORTANCE In commercial mesophilic starter cultures, L. lactis is generally more thermotolerant than Lactococcus cremoris, whereas L. cremoris is more prone to autolysis, which is the key to flavor and aroma formation. In this study, we found that adaptation to higher thermotolerance can improve autolysis. Using whole-genome sequencing and RNA sequencing, we attempt to determine the underlying reason for the observed behavior. In terms of dairy applications, there are obvious advantages associated with using L. lactis strains with high thermotolerance, as these are less affected by curd cooking, which generally hampers the performance of the mesophilic starter. Cheese ripening, the costliest part of cheese manufacturing, can be reduced using autolytic strains. Thus, the solution presented here could simplify starter cultures, make the cheese manufacturing process more efficient, and enable novel types of harder cheese variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ela tablets contain an optimized extract of a Chinese herbal prescription. The original prescription has been used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), while the detailed indications and specific treatment mechanisms of Ela tablets remain unclear. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether Ela tablets could protect mice from ED caused by repeated restraint stress and to explore the possible mechanisms. Mice were restrained daily in centrifuge tubes with venting holes for 14 consecutive days and administered Ela tablets at 1 h before restraining. On the 14th night, mating experiments were conducted. Thereafter, blood, testicular, and penile samples were collected. Serum testosterone levels were measured using a kit. Testicular tissue morphology was observed by H&E staining. The PDE5 expression in the corpus cavernosum was measured by Western blotting analysis. The results indicated that Ela tablets significantly shortened the sexual arousal time, increased the number of sexual encounters, maintained the normal morphology of testicular tissue, increased the serum testosterone levels, and decreased the PDE5 expression in the corpus cavernosum. Our data showed that Ela tablets elicited protective effects on the sexual ability of mice exposed to repeated restraint stress. Moreover, the underlying mechanism was related to the preservation of testicular tissue morphology, maintenance of testosterone levels, and inhibition of penile PDE5 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) continues to rage as a global pandemic. A number of potential therapeutic agents have been explored over the past year or two. However, numerous drugs that were expected to prove highly effective, such as lopinavir/ritonavir and remdesivir, have been found to have little benefit in large clinical trials. Interleukin-6 receptor antagonists, glucocorticoids, Janus kinase inhibitors, and some antivirals have been found to provide significant benefits in terms of reducing viral load, reducing the time of nucleic acid conversion, or improving survival. For example, bamlanivimab and etesevimab, which are newly designed monoclonal antibodies against the surface spike protein S1 subunit receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2, have a significant effect on reducing the viral load and the hospitalization rate of patients with mild COVID-19. Several vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have been widely administered worldwide and have provided good protection. Nevertheless, the increasingly hardy variants of the virus have raised the requirements for vaccine design. Perhaps RBD-based vaccines are a viable way to defend against variants, but this still needs to be verified in a large sample. Therefore, this paper provides an update on the treatment options for COVID-19 based on three previously proposed dimensions of drug screening: standard assays of existing broad-spectrum antivirals, screening of chemical libraries, and redevelopment of new, specific drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When the unmanned vehicle is disturbed by the outside world or carries out dangerous actions such as steering and continuous lane changing, the yaw stability of the unmanned vehicle decreases and the dangerous situation such as rollover is easy to occur. In this paper, the intelligent detection method for roll stability of unmanned vehicles based on fuzzy control is studied. The roll control system of the unmanned vehicle based on a double-layer control strategy is designed. The roll stability of the unmanned vehicle is controlled by an upper-layer fuzzy controller and lower-layer differential braking control. The dynamic model and tire model are built in MATLAB/Simulink to restore the running characteristics of unmanned vehicles. Based on the operation characteristics, the roll stability of the unmanned vehicle’s roll control system based on fuzzy control is tested from three aspects: steady-state response, roll stability and dynamic stability coefficient. The experimental results show that the transverse load’s transfer rate of the proposed method is reduced by more than 0.2% compared with the contrast method, the yaw angular velocity, centroid’s roll angle and roll angle measured under the two working conditions are closer to the actual values, which shows that the method has better control effect and detection accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. KLF4 and KLF5 are members of the KLF transcription factor family, which play an important role in many gastrointestinal tumors. To gain a deeper insight into its function and role, bioinformatics was used to analyze the function and role of KLF4 and KLF5 in gastrointestinal tumors. Methods. Data were collected from several online databases. Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), UALCAN database analysis, Kaplan-Meier Plotter analysis, LOGpc system, the Pathology Atlas, and the STRING website were used to analyze the data. We download relevant data from TCGA and then perform GO enrichment and KEGG enrichment analysis. The effects of KLF5 on gastric cancer cell proliferation were measured by CCK-8 assay. The effect of KLF5 on the expression of CyclinD1 and MMP9 was detected by Western blot. Results. KLF4 and KLF5 were differentially expressed in normal and tumor tissues of the gastrointestinal tract, and their differential expression is related to several genes or pathways. KEGG analysis showed that KLF5 was coexpressed with endocytosis-related genes. KLF5 promotes the proliferation of gastric cancer cells and the expression of metastasis-related molecules. Conclusion. KLF4 and KLF5 are of great significance for developing gastrointestinal tumors and can be used as therapeutic targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extended defects in m-plane seed-grown GaN substrate have been investigated by cathodoluminescence (CL) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The presence of basal-plane stacking faults (BSFs) has been confirmed in the edge part of seed growth. The luminescence features of BSFs are characterized by high-resolution CL with monochromatic image and spatially resolved spectral analysis. Most stacking faults are intrinsic I1 BSFs with characteristic emission peak centered at 3.42 eV. There are a few intrinsic I2 BSFs which show varied emission energies of 3.33–3.38 eV. The motion of dislocations under electron beam irradiation has also been monitored and the correlation with stacking faults is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Full quantum mechanical calculations of vibrational energies of methane and fluoromethane are carried out using a polyspherical description combining Radau and Jacobi coordinates. The Hamiltonian is built in a potential-optimized discrete variable representation, and vibrational energies are solved using an iterative eigensolver. This new approach can be applied to a large variety of molecules. In particular, we show that it is able to accurately and efficiently compute eigenstates for four different molecules : CH4, CHD3, CH2D2, and CH3F. Very good agreement is obtained with the results reported previously in the literature with different approaches and with experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To fast and accurately compute rate coefficients of the H/D + CH4→H2/HD + CH3 reactions, we propose a segmented strategy for fitting suitable potential energy surface (PES), on which ring-polymer molecular dynamics (RPMD) simulations are performed. On the basis of recently developed permutation invariant polynomial neural-network approach [J. Li et al., J. Chem. Phys. 142, 204302 (2015)], PESs in local configuration spaces are constructed. In this strategy, global PES is divided into three parts, including asymptotic, intermediate, and interaction parts, along the reaction coordinate. Since less fitting parameters are involved in the local PESs, the computational efficiency for operating the PES routine is largely enhanced by a factor of ~20, comparing with that for global PES. On interaction part, the RPMD computational time for the transmission coefficient can be further efficiently reduced by cutting off the redundant part of the child trajectories. For H + CH4, good agreements among the present RPMD rates and those from previous simulations as well as experimental results are found. For D + CH4, on the other hand, qualitative agreement between present RPMD and experimental results is predicted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]