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Abstract One of the major problem in the cultivation of sugar beets is continuous cropping obstacle in China. In order to evaluate the effects of continuous cropping year on the photosynthetic performance, dry matter accumulation, and distribution of sugar beet, this study was conducted in the 2020–2021 crop season at the Agriculture and Forestry Sciences of Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia. A split plot system arrangement with three replications was set up to carry out the field testing. The main plots had five planting years, with the a first cropping of each growing season serving as the control (CK) and four continuous cropping treatments for one, two, three, and four years (designated as C1, C2, C3, and C4, respectively). The subplot consisted of two fertilization treatments designated as 0 kg ha−1 bio-organic fertilization (N) and 6000 kg ha−1 bio-organic fertilization (Y). The findings demonstrated that the continuous cropping impeded sugar beet photosynthesis as well as the accumulation and dispersion of the dry matter in leaf, petiole, and root. The intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), transpiration rate (Tr), stomatal conductance (Gs), net photosynthetic rate (Pn), and SPAD value were dramatically dropped as the number of continuous cropping years increased under the crop. Compared with CK, the SPAD value, Pn, Ci, Tr, Gs of continuous cropping treatments were significantly reduced by an average of 10.09–48.21%, 14.60–43.19%, 12.00–42.86%, 7.77–43.83%, 9.61–37.68%, respectively. The dry matter accumulation of leaf, petiole, root, and the whole plant were also reduced by 11.86–49.61%, 9.58–44.77%, 17.26–53.76%, and 10.62–49.79%, respectively. With the increasing of continuous cropping year, the growth of sugar beet was significantly inhibited. Study revealed that continuous cropping had an impact on the distribution of dry matter accumulation of sugar beet; it considerably raised the dry matter ratio above ground, lowered the dry matter ratio below ground, and prevented dry matter from moving from aboveground towards root, whitch caused a decline in sugar beet root production and disturbed the root shoot ratio. Compared with CK, the root shoot ratio significantly decreased by 3.62–19.76%. Under continuous cropping stystem, the application of bio-organic fertilizer had an effect on promoting the photosynthesis of sugar beet, and regulating the distribution and transport of dry matter. The effects of bio-organic fertilizer were significantly under continuous cropping for 1–2 years. Compared with C1N and C2N, the Pn, Ci, Tr, Gs of C1Y and C2Y were significantly increased by 12.79–22.50%, 14.76–16.47%, 4.76–13.08%, 8.51–12.70%, and 13.69–18.91%, 12.17–14.60%, 5.71–15.14%, 7.58–15.41%, respectively. Dry matter accumulation of leaf, petiole, root, whole plant were significantly increased by 8.32–16.18%, 10.80–13.33%, 14.93–20.13%, 14.12–15.43%, and 10.65–15.32%, 6.58–15.63%, 15.37–20.94%, 12.68–16.85%, respectively. Nonetheless, the root shoot ratio increased by 4.58–8.56% and 4.52–7.35%. Above all, Under continuous cropping conditions, the application of 6000 kg ha−1 bio-organic fertilizer could effectively promote the photosynthesis of sugar beet, and better regulate the distribution and transport of dry matter of sugar beet. These results can provide scientific basis for bio-organic fertilizer to alleviate the problem of sugar beet continuous cropping.

Abstract Background Neuropathic pain resulting from spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with persistent hyperactivity of primary nociceptors. Anandamide (AEA) has been reported to modulate neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission through activation of cannabinoid type-1 receptors (CB1Rs) and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). However, the role of AEA and these receptors in the hyperactivity of nociceptors after SCI remains unclear. Results In this study, we investigated the effects of AEA and its receptors on the hyperexcitability of mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons after SCI. Using a whole-cell patch-clamp technique, we found that the timing of SCI-induced hyperexcitability in nociceptors paralleled an increase in the endocannabinoid AEA content. The expression of TRPV1 and CB1R was also upregulated at different time points after SCI. High-dose extracellular administration of AEA increased the excitability of naive DRG neurons, leading to the transition from a rapidly accommodating (RA) hypoexcitable state to a highly excitable non-accommodating (NA) state. These AEA-induced transitions were facilitated by increased TRPV1 transcription. Pharmacological and Ca2+ imaging experiments revealed that AEA induced hyperexcitability in nociceptors after SCI via the AEA-TRPV1-Ca2+ pathway, whereas activation of CB1Rs reduced SCI-induced hyperexcitability and maintained cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]cyto) at low levels in the early stages of SCI. As the AEA and TRPV1 levels increased after SCI, adaptive neuroprotection transitioned to a maladaptive hyperactive state, leading to sustained pain. Conclusions Taken together, this study provides new insights into how endocannabinoids regulate nociceptor activity after SCI, offering potential targets for the treatment of neuropathic pain.

The male genitalia characters of four species, Botys iopasalis Walker, 1859, Pleuroptya obfuscalis Yamanaka, 1998, Botys plagiatalis Walker, 1859 and Patania shompen Singh et Ahmad, 2022, placed in the genus Patania Moore, 1888 before the present study, do not conform to the diagnosis of Patania. A new genus, Purpurata gen. nov., is established for these four species, and two new species, Purpurata directa sp. nov. and Purpurata lurida sp. nov. are described based on their external morphology and genitalia characters. Purpurata directa sp. nov. is designated as the type species of the new genus. Five species of the new genus were clearly separated from Patania species in the Maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree constructed based on COI sequence data. Compared to Patania, the new genus Purpurata exhibits distinctive characters in male genitalia: the uncus is short, broad, and arc-shaped posteriorly; the gnathos is present and setose, or reduced; and the fibula is very small and setose. In addition, Patania clava (Xu & Du), syn. nov. is synonymized with Purpurata iopasalis comb. nov. An identification key to species of the new genus is presented based on morphological characters of habitus and genitalia. Images of the habitus and genitalia are provided.

Abstract The lower respiratory tract (LRT) microbiome impacts human health, especially among critically ill patients. However, comprehensive characterizations of the LRT microbiome remain challenging due to low microbial mass and host contamination. We develop a chelex100-based low-biomass microbial-enrichment method (CMEM) that enables deep metagenomic profiling of LRT samples to recover near-complete microbial genomes. We apply the method to 453 longitudinal LRT samples from 157 intensive care unit (ICU) patients in three geographically distant hospitals. We recover 120 high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) and associated plasmids without culturing. We detect divergent longitudinal microbiome dynamics and hospital-specific dominant opportunistic pathogens and resistomes in pneumonia patients. Diagnosed pneumonia and the ICU stay duration were associated with the abundance of specific antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs). Moreover, CMEM can serve as a robust tool for genome-resolved analyses. MAG-based analyses reveal strain-specific resistome and virulome among opportunistic pathogen strains. Evolutionary analyses discover increased mobilome in prevailing opportunistic pathogens, highly conserved plasmids, and new recombination hotspots associated with conjugative elements and prophages. Integrative analysis with epidemiological data reveals frequent putative inter-patient strain transmissions in ICUs. In summary, we present a genome-resolved functional, transmission, and evolutionary landscape of the LRT microbiota in critically ill patients.

Introduction: Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is mainly due to the chromosome translocation t(15; 17) (q22; q12), leading to the formation of PML-RARα fusion protein. However, some patients carried rare translocation involving RARα gene, and they were referred to as variant APL caused by the RAR family (RARα, RARB, and RARG) and partner genes. PLZF-RARα was a rare type of molecular genetic abnormality with unfavorable prognosis that has been reported in few cases in variant APL. Knowledge of PLZF-RARα (+) APL treatment remains limited understood.Case report: We presented a case of variant APL in a 47-year-old female, who was PLZF-RARα positive detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR). The patient did not respond to all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), idarubicin, and arsenic trioxide (As2O3) combined induction chemotherapy. Then, the patient was treated with Venetoclax combining with decitabine as the salvage therapy and achieved morphological remission and PLZF/RARα gene negative.Conclusion: Venetoclax combining with decitabine can be used as an effective therapy in the PLZF-RARα positive APL.

Abstract Background NUAK family kinase 2 (NUAK2) has been identified as an important mediator for tumor progression in multiple malignancies. Nevertheless, its role in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains unclear. Methods Bioinformatic analysis was performed to assess the expression and prognosis of NUAK2 in patients with LUAD. The NUAK2 expression was measured in multiple LUAD cell lines, and the loss-of-function experiment was conducted. Cell proliferation ability was assessed using CCK-8 and colony formation assays. Spheroid formation, alkaline phosphatase (AP) staining, tube formation and SA-β-gal staining assays were performed to examine stemness, angiogenesis and senescence. Lipid peroxidase was assessed by TBARS production and lipid ROS. Western blot was used to detect critical proteins. In addition, A549 cells were treated with ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) for a rescue assay. Finally, A549 cells were subcutaneously injected into the right flank of mice to establish LUAD-bearing mouse model, and the tumor weight and size were detected. Results NUAK2 was upregulated in patients with LUAD and LUAD cell lines. NUAK2 depletion inhibited cell viability, colonies, tumor spheres and decreased Oct4 and Nanog expression, confirming NUAK2 depletion inhibited proliferation and stemness of A549 cells. Meanwhile, NUAK2 depletion blocked angiogenesis via reducing formed tubes and VEGFR1/2 expression, and promoted senescence of A549 cells by elevating SA-β-gal-positive cells and p16, p21 and p53 expression. Moreover, NUAK2 depletion elevated lipid ROS, TBARS production and Fe2+ level, demonstrating that NUAK2 depletion could trigger ferroptosis in A549 cells. Furthermore, the rescue experiments revealed that the impacts of NUAK2 depletion on malignant behaviors in A549 cells were partly weakened by additional Fer-1 treatment. Finally, in vivo experiments demonstrated that NUAK2 knockdown greatly inhibited tumor growth in LUAD-bearing mice. Conclusion In summary, NUAK2 depletion impeded oncogenic phenotypes of A549 cells partly via triggering ferroptosis, suggesting NUAK2 as a novel target for treating LUAD.

The nature of gig work and its growth have important implications for organizational justice theory. Aspects of gig work, including the transactional compensation arrangement, strict algorithmic rating system, and power asymmetry between drivers and customers, have implications for understanding how dimensions of distributive, informational, and interpersonal injustice manifest and impact job performance in the gig context. An understanding of this topic can inform justice theory more broadly and help explain inconsistent findings in the literature. Here, we report the results of two studies examining the unique effects of these respective dimensions of injustice on emotions and, ultimately, the driving performance and service quality in a ridesharing service context. In Study 1, we modeled the passenger-driver interaction of the ridesharing context using a driving simulator in a laboratory setting to differentiate the real-time and carry-over effects of specific dimensions of injustice. The results from 99 participants showed that perceptions of interpersonal injustice increased anger and unhappiness during the ride, in turn impairing driving and service performance. Antecedent-focused emotion regulation strategies (ERS) reduced felt unhappiness. Moreover, unexpectedly, perceived distributive injustice as caused by the customer rating had opposite (direct versus indirect) effects on service performance in the subsequent ride. Study 2 was an online simulation vignette scenario with 294 participants. The results replicated the findings of Study 1 and revealed two moderators of the unexpected distributive justice-performance relationship., Author(s): Xue Lei [sup.1] [sup.2] , Seth A. Kaplan [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (1) https://ror.org/01vyrm377, grid.28056.39, 0000 0001 2163 4895, School of Business, East China University of Science and Technology, , [...]

In this paper, the microstructure and mechanical properties of SLM-GH3230 superalloy treated by different post treatments (single hot isostatic pressing and heat treatments after hot isostatic pressing) were studied. The micro-morphologies show that the grains along building direction after HIP + HT are mainly columnar grains, which is consistent to that after single HIP. The granular precipitates distribute intergranularly and intragranularly after HIP, but gradually re-dissolve into matrix with the increase of the temperature of the post HT processes. XRD and EDS analyses results indicate that the matrix mainly consists of austenitic γ phase and the granular precipitates are mainly M6C carbides enriched in W element. The average grain size decreases after HT compared to that after HIP, and the crystallographic orientation of grains tends to be more uniform. The Vickers hardness decreases after HIP and HIP + HT processes within a certain degree. According to tensile test results, the sample shows a better combination of strength and plastic performance under HIP+1250 °C/30 min processing, which can also be verified by the characteristic of the fracture morphology with more tearing dimples.

IntroductionAssessing the influence of respiratory assistive devices on the diaphragm mobility is essential for advancing patient care and improving treatment outcomes. Existing respiratory assistive robots have not yet effectively assessed their impact on diaphragm mobility. In this study, we introduce for the first time a non-invasive, real-time clinically feasible ultrasound method to evaluate the impact of soft wearable robots on diaphragm displacement.MethodsWe measured and compared diaphragm displacement and lung volume in eight participants during both spontaneous and robotic-assisted respiration. Building on these measurements, we proposed a human-robot coupled two-compartment respiratory mechanics model that elucidates the underlying mechanism by which our extracorporeal wearable robots augments respiration. Specifically, the soft robot applies external compression to the abdominal wall muscles, inducing their inward movement, which consequently pushes the diaphragm upward and enhances respiratory function. Finally, we investigated the level and shape of various robotic assistive forces on diaphragm motion.ResultsThis robotic intervention leads to a significant increase in average diaphragm displacement by 1.95 times and in lung volume by 2.14 times compared to spontaneous respiration. Furthermore, the accuracy of the proposed respiratory mechanics model is confirmed by the experimental results, with less than 7% error in measurements of both diaphragm displacement and lung volume. Finally, the magnitude of robotic assistive forces positively correlates with diaphragm movement, while the shape of the forces shows no significant relationship with diaphragm activity.ConclusionOur experimental findings validate the effective assistance mechanism of the proposed robot, which enhances diaphragm mobility and assists in ventilation through extracorporeal robotic intervention. This robotic system can assist with ventilation while increasing diaphragm mobility, potentially resolving the issue of diaphragm atrophy. Additionally, this work paves the way for improved robotic designs and personalized assistance, tailored to the dynamics of the diaphragm in respiratory rehabilitation.

As the utilization of renewable energy sources continues to expand, energy storage systems assume a crucial role in enabling the effective integration and utilization of renewable energy. This underscores their fundamental significance in mitigating the inherent intermittency and variability associated with renewable energy sources. This study focuses on the involvement of photovoltaic (PV) plants in medium and long-term transactions. It also explores the participation of battery energy storage system (BESS) in electricity trading and frequency regulation ancillary services. The objective is to establish a strategic research model for maximizing the benefits of PV plant and the BESS in the energy arbitrage and frequency regulation markets. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the impact of variations in both the rated power and maximum continuous energy storage duration of the BESS. Base on the NSGA-II algorithm and TOPSIS algorithm, an optimization model for energy storage capacity configuration is developed. The optimal capacity configuration and maximum continuous energy storage duration are determined through computational analysis, yielding values of 30.8 MW and 4.521 h, respectively. At this configuration, the daily average revenue is 2.362 × 105 yuan, the initial investment cost is 1.45 × 109 yuan, and the payback period is 4.562 years.

Application of deep learning (DL) and machine learning (ML) is rapidly increasing in the medical field. DL is gaining significance for medical image analysis, particularly, in oral and maxillofacial surgeries. Owing to the ability to accurately identify and categorize both diseased and normal soft- and hard-tissue structures, DL has high application potential in the diagnosis and treatment of tumors and in orthognathic surgeries. Moreover, DL and ML can be used to develop prediction models that can aid surgeons to assess prognosis by analyzing the patient's medical history, imaging data, and surgical records, develop more effective treatment strategies, select appropriate surgical modalities, and evaluate the risk of postoperative complications. Such prediction models can play a crucial role in the selection of treatment strategies for oral and maxillofacial surgeries. Their practical application can improve the utilization of medical staff, increase the treatment accuracy and efficiency, reduce surgical risks, and provide an enhanced treatment experience to patients. However, DL and ML face limitations, such as data drift, unstable model results, and vulnerable social trust. With the advancement of social concepts and technologies, the use of these models in oral and maxillofacial surgery is anticipated to become more comprehensive and extensive.

Significant coupling exists between DC and AC lines erected on the same tower or sharing transmission corridors. Electromagnetic and electrostatic coupling between DC and AC lines are investigated based on ± 500 kV MMC-HVDC and 500 kV double-circuit AC lines on the same tower. The interactive coupling characteristics and their impacts on protective relaying are analyzed during normal operation and after DC or AC faults. Voltage coupling ratio and current coupling ratio are defined. The 50 Hz components in MMC-HVDC line may be higher than ripple criterion under the coupling of AC line and can be even more significant when a fault occurs on adjacent AC line. The DC reactor with larger inductance can reduce its impact on MMC-HVDC system. Zero-sequence overcurrent relaying and zero-sequence directional relaying for AC lines may mal-operate when a fault occurs on adjacent MMC-HVDC line. And there is also an interruption risk for AC systems. Improvement schemes are proposed to avoid the mal-operation of protective relaying. Simulation case studies verify the correctness of coupling characteristic analysis and the effectiveness of proposed improvement scheme.

Differences in preferences for body size between cultures are well documented. A well known explanation is that differences are a result of psychological adaptation to local environments. Since the optimal body size (often measured as Body Mass Index/BMI, weight divided by squared height kg/m.sup.2) for health differs between areas, the attractiveness and health judgements should also be different. Until now, no study has directly tested whether the difference in attractiveness perception is accompanied by a difference in health perception. In the current study, we compared the attractiveness and health judgements of male and female bodies varying in BMI and muscularity between British and Chinese participants. Since the health risks are greater for Chinese than British individuals with increasing BMI, one may expect Chinese participants to perceive a lower BMI as more attractive and healthier than British participants. Analyses showed that, although the Chinese participants preferred thinner partners compared to their British counterparts, there was no difference in the health judgements made by Chinese and British participants. Moreover, the male and female bodies that were seen as most attractive were thinner than those perceived as most healthy by Chinese participants. These findings challenge the adaptation account that people adjust their mate preferences to match what is most healthy in local environments., Author(s): Xue Lei [sup.1] , David Perrett [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (1) https://ror.org/055vj5234, grid.463102.2, 0000 0004 1761 3129, School of Business Administration, Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics, , 18 Xueyuan [...]

Few studies have been done on the effects of video games on social perception, especially on the faces of players. The present study investigated how people's gaming skill influences their perceived facial attractiveness, and also how sexual dimorphism features (masculine and feminine) interplayed with displayed gaming skill. We asked players (N = 147) and non-players (N = 167) to evaluate the attractiveness of masculinized and feminized facial images, along with perception of gaming skills (high gaming skill or low gaming skill). The results indicated that game players perceived facial images accompanied by higher gaming skill information were more attractive than facial images accompanied by lower gaming skill information. However, for participants without gaming experience (i.e., non-players), gaming skill information did not influence their evaluation of attractiveness. We believe players might consider higher gaming skills as social knowledge which can positively influence people's perception of their attractiveness; on the other hand, non-players did not perceive gaming skills as important social knowledge, hence attractiveness ratings were unaffected. We did not find any interactions between sexual dimorphism features and gaming skill information. To our surprise, only non-players exhibited classic sexual dimorphism effects in facial evaluations, whereas for players, the sexual dimorphism effect disappeared completely. We speculate that players rely more on social knowledge and less on configuration cues during facial evaluation, hence the effects of sexual dimorphism were obscured., Author(s): Xiangqian Li [sup.1] [sup.2] , Xue Lei [sup.3] , Ruxue Xie [sup.4] , Chen Xu [sup.2] , Shitao Chen [sup.5] , Chengyang Han [sup.5] , Shichang Deng [sup.6] Author [...]

Abstract The significance means of the seismic reinforcement effect of a pile-anchor system for slope reinforcement has been widely recognized. However, cases of deformation failure and instability sliding of the pile-anchor system itself and the reinforced slope under seismic action continue to be recorded. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the seismic performance of slopes reinforced by a pile-anchor system to prevent the system’s failure. Current evaluation models of a slope reinforced by a pile-anchor system mainly focus on slope stability; however, the safety of the pile-anchor system itself is not sufficiently considered in these models. Consequently, in this study, we propose a multi-objective optimization evaluation (MOE) model for evaluating the seismic performance of slopes reinforced by a pile-anchor system that considers slope stability, safety of the pile-anchor system, and dynamic response of the slope. This model considers slope displacement, acceleration amplification factor of a slope, pile displacement, and anchor displacement as negative indexes, and anti-slide pile bending moment, shear force, and anchor axial force as intermediate indexes. The comprehensive weight of relevant indexes is obtained by combining subjective and objective weights, and the seismic reinforcement effect of the pile-anchor system is evaluated subsequently. In conclusion, the MOE model proposed in this study provides a novel solution for the optimization evaluation of a slope reinforced by a pile-anchor system in forthcoming projects.

Ice cream has the characteristic of thermodynamic instability. During processing, storage, transportation, and sales, temperature fluctuations cause recrystallization of ice crystals and then increase the average size of ice crystals, which leads to rough texture and poor taste of ice cream. Therefore, inhibiting the recrystallization of ice crystals in ice cream is the key to ensure the quality of ice cream. This paper reviews the formation mechanism and research progress of supercooling, nucleation, growth and recrystallization of ice crystals during freezing. The inhibitory effects of emulsifiers, stabilizers, sweeteners, and proteins in ice cream raw materials on ice crystal recrystallization are introduced in detail. Meanwhile, it also list the contents of freezing technologies such as ultrasonic assisted freezing, magnetic field assisted freezing, high-pressure assisted freezing, and electric field assisted freezing to inhibit ice cream recrystallization. The development direction of that is prospected, which provides a theoretical reference for adapting to the trend of online sales, developing new ice cream products and solving the problem of its crystal recrystallization.