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Highlights Efficient activation of Ni electrode employs chronopotentiostatic superoxidation. Novel superoxide activation mechanism realizes the redox reaction with three-electron transfer (Ni ↔ Ni3+). As-prepared CPS-Ni||Zn batteries exhibit simultaneously ultrahigh energy and power densities.

Abstract Background Assessment of breast cancer (BC) risk generally relies on mammography, family history, reproductive history, and genotyping of major mutations. However, assessing the impact of environmental factors, such as lifestyle, health-related behavior, or external exposures, is still challenging. DNA methylation (DNAm), capturing both genetic and environmental effects, presents a promising opportunity. Previous studies have identified associations and predicted the risk of BC using DNAm in blood; however, these studies did not distinguish between genetic and environmental contributions to these DNAm sites. In this study, associations between DNAm and BC are assessed using paired twin models, which control for shared genetic and environmental effects, allowing testing for associations between DNAm and non-shared environmental exposures and behavior. Results Pre-diagnosis blood samples of 32 monozygotic (MZ) and 76 dizygotic (DZ) female twin pairs discordant for BC were collected at the mean age of 56.0 years, with the mean age at diagnosis 66.8 years and censoring 75.2 years. We identified 212 CpGs (p

Abstract Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most important health problems among elderly men in China, with the increasing aging of the population. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in eastern China from 2022 to 2023. Recruitment included a total of 70,342 participants aged 60 or older. Social demographic information, such as individual factors like age, education levels and behavior habits, physical examination and laboratory tests results were collected. Age-standardized prevalence rates were estimated by a direct method with a standard population. T test and chi-square test were used to compare the statistical differences. Multivariate regression models were used to identify the risk factors of PCa. Overall, the crude and age-standardized PCa prevalence is 0.93% and 0.91%, respectively in eastern China. When we adjusted all the co-variables, it showed that high age, smoking, having a higher BMI and higher CA19-9 were associated with a higher risk for a prostate cancer diagnosis. Faced with the demographic transition, innovative strategies are needed to control and prevent PCa. Conducting early screening among male population in community health service centers in eastern of China, especially among a population with associated risk factors such as high age, obesity, and conducting community-based intervention programs might be helpful to address this increasingly significant health problem.

Abstract Introduction Robotic-assisted complete mesorectal excision (RATME) is increasingly being used by colorectal surgeons. Most surgeons consider RATME a safe method, and believe it can facilitate total mesorectal excision (TME) in rectal cancer, and may potentially have advantages over intersphincteric resection (ISR) and anus preservation. Therefore, this trial was designed to investigate whether RATME has technical advantages and can increase the ISR rate compared with laparoscopic-assisted TME (LATME) in patients with middle and low rectal cancer. Methods and analysis This is a multicenter, superiority, randomized controlled trial designed to compare RATME and LATME in middle and low rectal cancer. The primary endpoint is the ISR rate. The secondary endpoints are coloanal anastomosis (CAA) rate, conversion to open surgery, conversion to transanal TME (TaTME), abdominoperineal resection (APR) rate, postoperative morbidity and mortality within 30 days, pathological outcomes, long-term survival outcomes, functional outcomes, and quality of life. In addition, certain measurements will be conducted to ensure quality and safety, including centralized photography review and semiannual assessment. Discussion This trial will clarify if RATME improves ISR and promotes anus preservation in patients with mid- and low-rectal cancer. Furthermore, this trial will provide evidence on the optimal treatment strategies for RATME and LATME in patients with mid- and low-rectal cancer regarding improved operational safety. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06105203. Registered on October 27, 2023.

Abstract Seamless integration of three-dimensional (3D) terrain models and hydraulic structure models is a technical challenge in the construction of 3D virtual scenes for irrigation areas. This study proposes a level-of-detail (LOD)-based dynamic classification integration method for hydraulic structure models and 3D terrain models, called CM-D-LOD. Hydraulic structures are classified according to their point, line, and surface morphologies, as well as their dependence on or independence of the terrain into four categories: point-like hydraulic structures independent of terrain, line-like hydraulic structures dependent on terrain, surface-like hydraulic structures dependent on terrain, and surface-like hydraulic structures independent of terrain. By utilizing the proposed model classification integration method, a visualization management platform for virtual geographical environments of irrigation areas is developed, and experiments are conducted in the Zhuluo Ba Irrigation Area within the large economic zone along China’s eastern coast. Results demonstrate that the integration accuracy can be controlled between 0.2 and 0.7 m and that the 3D virtual scene of the irrigation area can be updated in real time. The proposed classification integration method transforms the traditional global model integration approach into a more efficient one, significantly improving the efficiency of constructing virtual geographical scenes for irrigation areas.

Abstract Background This study aimed to investigate whether persistent human papillomavirus integration at the same loci (PHISL) before and after treatment can predict recurrent/residual disease in women with CIN2-3. Methods A total of 151 CIN2-3 women treated with conization between August 2020 and September 2021 were included. To investigate the precision of HPV integration, we further analyzed HPV integration-positive patients. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV, respectively), and the Youden index for predicting recurrence/residual disease were calculated. Results Among the 151 enrolled CIN2-3 women, 56 were HPV integration-positive and 95 had HPV integration-negative results. Six (10.7%) experienced recurrence among 56 HPV integration-positive patients, which was more than those in HPV integration-negative patients (one patient, 1.1%). In the 56 HPV integration-positive patients, 12 had positive HPV results after treatment, seven had PHISL, and two had positive cone margin. Among the seven patients who tested with PHISL, six (85.7%) had residual/recurrent disease. PHISL was a prominent predictor of persistent/recurrent disease. The HPV test, the HPV integration test, and PHISL all had a sensitivity of 100% and a NPV of 100% for residual/recurrent disease. PHISL showed better specificity (98.0% vs. 82.0%, p = 0.005) and PPV (85.7% vs. 40.0%, p = 0.001) than the HPV test for predicting recurrence. Conclusions The HPV-integration-positive CIN2-3 women had much higher relapse rates than HPV-integration-negative CIN2-3 women. The findings indicate that PHISL derived from preoperative and postoperative HPV integration tests may be a precise biomarker for the identification of residual/recurrent CIN 2/3.

BackgroundWhile observational research has highlighted a possible link between ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM), the quality of evidence remains limited, and the causal relationship is yet to be established. This study aims to explore the causal link between AS and T2DM, as well as its impact on traits related to glucose metabolism.MethodTo infer a causal relationship between AS and various diabetes-related traits, including type 1 diabetes (T1DM), T2DM, blood glucose levels, fasting glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and fasting insulin, we employed Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. We sourced GWAS summary data for both exposure and outcome variables from the IEU OpenGWAS database, GWAS Catalog, and FinnGen database. To synthesize the results of the MR analyses, we applied meta-analysis techniques using either a fixed or random effects model. For identifying and excluding instrumental variants (IVs) that exhibit horizontal pleiotropy with the outcomes, we utilized the MR-PRESSO method. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using the MR-Egger method, along with Q and I^2 tests, to ensure the robustness of our findings.ResultsOur analysis revealed a significant association between AS and an increased risk of T1DM with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.5754 (95% CI: 1.2935 to 1.9187) and T2DM with an OR of 1.0519 (95% CI: 1.0059 to 1.1001). Additionally, AS was associated with elevated levels of fasting glucose (beta coefficient = 0.0165, 95% CI: 0.0029 to 0.0301) and blood glucose (beta coefficient = 0.0280, 95% CI: 0.0086 to 0.0474), alongside a decrease in fasting insulin levels (beta coefficient = -0.0190, 95% CI: -0.0330 to -0.0050).ConclusionOur findings collectively underscore the detrimental impact of AS on the development of diabetes, highlighting the critical influence of autoimmune disorders in diabetes onset. This provides profound insights into the pathogenesis of diabetes from an immunological standpoint.

Abstract Current induced spin–orbit torque (SOT) manipulation of magnetization is pivotal in spintronic devices. However, its application for perpendicular magnetic anisotropy magnets, crucial for high‐density storage and memory devices, remains nondeterministic and inefficient. Here, a highly efficient approach is demonstrated to generate collinear spin currents by artificial modulation of interfacial symmetry, achieving 100% current‐induced field‐free SOT switching in CoFeB multilayers with perpendicular magnetization on stepped Al2O3 substrates. This field‐free switching is primarily driven by the out‐of‐plane anti‐damping SOT generated by the planar spin Hall effect (PSHE), resulting from reduced interface symmetry due to orientation‐determined steps. Microscopic theoretical analysis confirms the presence and significance of PSHE in this process. Notably, this method for generating out‐of‐plane spin polarization along the collinear direction of the spin‐current with artificial modulation of interfacial symmetry, overcomes inherent material symmetry constraints. These findings provide a promising avenue for universal control of spin–orbit torque, addressing challenges associated with low crystal symmetry and highlighting its great potential to advance the development of energy‐efficient spintronic devices technology.

This study employs an optimized model to investigate the lattice deformation and band structure evolutions induced by the tensile strain along the zigzag direction of bulk black phosphorus (bulk BP) and the physical mechanisms behind it. It has been found that the tensile strain leads to the lattice expansion along the zigzag direction, while contracting along the armchair direction, and the out-of-plane lattice undergoes sequential expansion and contraction. This is also accompanied by an increasing and decreasing of the bulk energy gap and eventually reaching zero. Furthermore, one hopping factor has been proposed to connecting the interlayer spacing and the interlayer interaction, which successfully explains the strain-induced evolutions of the bulk energy gap. This work provides a theoretical reference for the strain-induced band engineering of bulk BP.

ABSTRACT While the link between plant species diversity and biomass has been well‐studied, the impact of evolutionary diversity on community biomass across long timescales or ongoing change remains a subject of debate. We elucidated the association between evolutionary diversity and community aboveground biomass (AGB) using an ideal experimental system with over 150‐year history of natural vegetation regeneration. Higher phylogenetic diversity facilitated the sampling effect under the influence of environmental filtering, and caused an increase in AGB. Phylogenetic structure varied from aggregation to dispersion during the later period of vegetation recovery (70–150 years), which was correlated with increases in niche complementarity and increasing AGB. Woody plant evolutionary diversity was used as a key to predict the relationship between vegetation recovery and AGB, with a total explanatory power of ~84.7%. Mixed forests composed of evergreen conifers and deciduous broadleaf forests had higher carbon sequestration potential than that of pure forests, which is advantageous for increasing top‐stage AGB. This research expands our knowledge of the causes and effects of biodiversity and ecosystem function dynamics over time and space, which is important for accurately predicting future climate change effects.

Background:Ticks represent a significant vector for the transmission of infectious diseases, with the prevalence of tick-borne diseases becoming a prominent global health concern in recent decades. Anaplasma spp., Rickettsia spp., and Piroplasma have been identified as significant pathogens with the potential to impact human and animal health. However, there is a dearth of data concerning the prevalence of these pathogens in the eastern Tibetan Plateau, China.MethodsIn this study, a total of 643 Dermacentor silvarum and 314 Haemaphysalis longicornis were identified through the application of morphological and molecular identification techniques on 957 ticks collected from yaks in Zoige County. The assessed of Anaplasma spp., Rickettsia spp., Theileria spp., and Babesia spp. was assessed in 957 ticks and 96 blood samples collected from yaks.ResultsSignificant discrepancies were observed in the positivity rates for the four pathogens among the tick species and sampling sites. The identification of different species within the four pathogens was based on the analysis of the 16S rRNA of Anaplasma spp., the ompA and ompB genes of Rickettsia spp., and the 18S rRNA of Theileria spp. and Babesia spp. The prevalence ranges of the four pathogens are 9.9-50.2%, 29.5-100%, 16.2-46.4%, and 14.5-58.4%, respectively.ConclusionIn view of the growing zoonotic risks, further investigations into the prevalence of additional pathogens in ticks and animals, including livestock, in the eastern Tibetan Plateau, China, are essential.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of synthetic bacterial consortia transplantation (SBCT) and compare it with VMT (vaginal microbiota transplantation) in a mouse model of Gardnerella vaginalis-induced Bacterial vaginosis (BV). A murine model of G. vaginalis-induced BV was established, and mice were treated with SBCT, VMT, or saline. Histopathological changes, inflammatory cytokine levels, pro-inflammatory biomarker expression, helper T cell transcription factor expression, and vaginal microbiota composition were assessed. SBCT and VMT effectively suppressed G. vaginalis growth, reduced inflammation, and restored vaginal microbiota diversity. Both treatments attenuated epithelial damage, downregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-8), and upregulated the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. SBCT and VMT also inhibited NF-κB activation, suppressed IL-17 expression, and enhanced Foxp3 expression in vaginal tissues. SBCT is a promising therapeutic approach for treating BV, as it effectively modulates the immune response and restores vaginal microbiota diversity in a mouse model of G. vaginalis-induced BV.

Five-axis machine tools are well-suited for processing complex surface parts. However, during the machining process, thermal error can have a significant impact on the machining accuracy. To propose an accountable on-line compensation method for five-axis milling, this paper developed a new experimental device for in-situ measurements of thermal-induced displacements in both X - and Y -axis directions. With the help of this self-developed device, a five-axis milling experiment was carried out to collect the temperature change of key thermal points and thermal-induced error during continuous impeller milling. A thermal error prediction model was established with collected data and a thermal error compensation system was developed for the five-axis milling accordingly. The following validation experiment showed that the surface profile error of the blades of milled impeller can be stabilized within the range of 0.1 mm with the help of proposed the thermal error compensation system. The results of the validation experiment proved the effectiveness of the proposed method for the reduction of thermal error during the five-axis milling.

Abstract Polyphonic sound source localization and detection (SSLD) task aims to recognize the categories of sound events, identify their onset and offset times, and detect their corresponding direction-of-arrival (DOA), where polyphonic refers to the occurrence of multiple overlapping sound sources in a segment. However, vanilla SSLD methods based on convolutional recurrent neural network (CRNN) suffer from insufficient feature extraction. The convolutions with kernel of single scale in CRNN fail to adequately extract multi-scale features of sound events, which have diverse time-frequency characteristics. It results in that the extracted features lack fine-grained information helpful for the localization of sound sources. In response to these challenges, we propose a polyphonic SSLD network based on global-local feature extraction and recalibration (GLFER-Net), where the global-local feature (GLF) extractor is designed to extract the multi-scale global features through an omni-directional dynamic convolution (ODConv) layer and multi-scale feature extraction (MSFE) module. The local feature extraction (LFE) unit is designed for capturing detailed information. Besides, we design a feature recalibration (FR) module to emphasize the crucial features along multiple dimensions. On the open datasets of Task3 in DCASE 2021 and 2022 Challenges, we compared our proposed GLFER-Net with six and four SSLD methods, respectively. The results show that the GLFER-Net achieves competitive performance. The modules we designed are verified to be effective through a series of ablation experiments and visualization analyses.

Lixiahe Plain's local water resources need to be evaluated effectively and comprehensively. This study is based on the multisource data from 60 natural water samples, 16 rainfall monitoring stations, and 2 evaporation monitoring stations from 1965 to 2020. Synchronous series representativeness analysis, water quality analysis, and water resource availability estimation are conducted to analyze the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of rainfall, evaporation, and water quality and calculate the availability of various types of water resources. The results indicate that the spatiotemporal distribution of rainfall and evapotranspiration in the study area is uneven, which increases the threat of local floods and droughts. The quality of the main rivers and lakes in the region is good, and the water quality of the drinking water source area and groundwater reaches and even exceeds Class III water standards. In the year 2020, the total water usage in the research area reached 341 million m3. However, the available sum of surface water resources and transit water availability in 2022 was only 201 million m3, so local water supply needs cannot be easily met. Exploring the water resource characterization model of the Lower Rivers Plain can help in local water resource management and protection. HIGHLIGHTS A comprehensive evaluation of water resources is a prerequisite for securing regional water resource management.; Exploring the water resource characterization model of the Lower Rivers Plain can help in local water resource management and protection.; This study can provide a reference for the comprehensive evaluation and analysis of water resource characteristics in other global water-networked plain areas.;

Abstract Human activities have increased with urbanisation in the Erhai Lake Basin, considerably impacting its eco-environmental quality (EEQ). This study aims to reveal the evolution and driving forces of the EEQ using water benefit–based ecological index (WBEI) in response to human activities and policy variations in the Erhai Lake Basin from 1990 to 2020. Results show that (1) the EEQ exhibited a pattern of initial degradation, subsequent improvement, further degradation and a rebound from 1990 to 2020, and the areas with poor and fair EEQ levels mainly concentrated around the Erhai Lake Basin with a high level of urbanisation and relatively flat terrain; (2) the EEQ levels were not optimistic in 1990, 1995 and 2015, and areas with poor and fair EEQ levels accounted for 43.41%, 47.01% and 40.05% of the total area, respectively; and (3) an overall improvement in the EEQ was observed in 1995–2000, 2000–2005, 2005–2009 and 2015–2020, and the improvement was most significant in 1995–2000, covering an area of 823.95 km2 and accounting for 31.79% of the total area. Results also confirmed that the EEQ changes in the Erhai Lake Basin were primarily influenced by human activities and policy variations. Moreover, these results can provide a scientific basis for the formulation and planning of sustainable development policy in the Erhai Lake Basin.

Owing to their distinctive novel properties, topological metals hold significant promise for application in spintronics, quantum computing, and superconductivity. Using first-principle calculations, we have elucidated the unfolding band structure of 3d transition metal (3d-TM)-doped CrTe2. Notably, our investigation has revealed band crossings in Cu-doped CrTe2, forming a nodal ring near the Fermi level. Through analyzing Wannier charge centers, we have established the topological nontriviality of CrTe2 upon Cu doping. This study demonstrates a fresh platform for exploring their inherent topological properties and introduces a novel perspective on tectonic topological metals.

BackgroundThe prediction efficiency of long-term cancer-specific survival (CSS) in guiding the treatment of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) patients is still unsatisfactory. We need to refine the system so that it more accurately correlates with survival.MethodsThis is a retrospective study using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, and included patients who underwent surgical treatment and were diagnosed with DTC from 2004 to 2020. Patients were divided into a training cohort (2004–2015) and validation cohort (2016–2020). Decision tree methodology was used to build the model in the training cohort. The newly identified groups were verified in the validation cohort.ResultsDTC patient totals of 52,917 and 48,896 were included in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. Decision tree classification of DTC patients consisted of five categorical variables, which in order of importance were as follows: M categories, age, extrathyroidal extension, tumor size, and N categories. Then, we identified five TNM groups with similar within-group CSS. More patients were classified as stage I, and the number of stage IV patients decreased significantly. The new system had a higher proportion of variance explained (PVE) (5.04%) and lower Akaike information criterion (AIC) (18,331.906) than the 8th TNM staging system (a PVE of 4.11% and AIC of 18,692.282). In the validation cohort, the new system also showed better discrimination for survival.ConclusionThe new system for DTC appeared to be more accurate in distinguishing stages according to the risk of mortality and provided more accurate risk stratifications and potential treatment selections.

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) confined concrete filled steel tube (CFST) structures effectively harness the advantages of FRP materials, improving the performance of CFST structures and overcoming durability issues of steel tubes. Three-dimensional detailed finite element (FE) models are usually employed to estimate the impact-resistant performance of FRP confined CFST members under impact loadings. However, detailed FE models are typically complex in modeling and low in calculation efficiency as well as require high performance in computer hardware. Hence, this paper aims to develop an alternative modeling method that can predict the impact behavior of FRP confined CFST members with high efficiency and low requirements in computer resources. The proposed method includes a contact model using mass-spring-damper elements to describe the contact behavior between the impactor and the impacted FRP confined CFST members and a nonlinear fiber-based beam-column element model to simulate the behavior of FRP-confined CFST members under impact loading. The accuracies of fiber-section beam-column elements are carefully examined for FRP confined CFST members based on quasi-static test data reported in the literature. It is found that the fiber-based elements considering confinement effects provided by FRP and steel tubes can accurately predict the force-deformation relationship of the FRP confined CFST members under monotonic loading. By incorporating the strain-rate effects of concrete, steel, and FRP materials, the validated fiber-section elements are employed to simulate eight impact tests on FRP confined CFST members. Good agreements are observed between the results obtained from the proposed models and the experimental data. The computational efficiency of the developed model is three orders of magnitude faster than that of the conventional detailed FE model.

Fully ceramic microencapsulated (FCM) fuel is a five-layer intercalation system material consisting of a UO2 core, a sparse pyrolytic carbon layer (Buffer), an inner dense pyrolytic carbon layer (IPyC), an outer dense pyrolytic carbon layer (OPyC), and a silicon carbide matrix (SiC). At first, this paper researched the thermodynamic models of the materials, including heat conduction coefficient, Young’s modulus, thermal expansion coefficient, etc. Then DIGIMAT, the finite element software, was used to establish the equivalent volume element (RVE) for the equivalent analysis of the thermodynamic properties of the FCM fuel pellet. Finally, the thermodynamic equivalent performance model of FCM fuel was obtained by multi-factor fitting analysis. The results show that among these thermodynamic properties of FCM fuel pellets, the Young’s modulus, thermal expansion coefficient and plastic performance are mainly affected by temperature, fast neutron fluence, and UO2 volume fraction; the specific heat capacity is mainly affected by UO2 volume fraction and temperature; the heat conduction coefficient is mainly affected by temperature and UO2 volume fraction. The thermal conductivity is mainly affected by temperature, burnup and UO2 volume fraction. In this study, the equivalent models obtained through the fitting analysis of RVE model parameters can well describe the thermodynamic behavior of FCM fuel particles.

Introduction Obesity patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery (LBS) are frequently encountered perioperative adverse events related to opioids-based anaesthesia (OBA) or opioids-free anaesthesia (OFA). While modified opioid-sparing anaesthesia (MOSA) has been shown to lower the occurrence of adverse events related to OBA and OFA. This study is to assess the efficacy of MOSA in enhancing the recovery quality among individuals undergoing LBS.Methods and analysis A single-centre, prospective, double-blind, randomised controlled trial is conducted at a tertiary hospital. A total of 74 eligible participants undergoing elective LBS will be recruited and randomly allocated. Patients in the MOSA group will receive a combination of low-dose opioids, minimal dexmedetomidine, esketamine and lidocaine, while in the OBA group will receive standard general anaesthesia with opioids. Patients in both groups will receive standard perioperative care. The primary outcome is the quality of recovery-15 score assessed at 24 hours after surgery. Secondary outcomes include pain levels, anxiety and depression assessments, gastrointestinal function recovery, perioperative complication rates, opioid consumption and length of hospital stay.Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval has been provided by the Ethical Committee of Yan’an Hospital of Kunming City (approval No. 2023-240-01). Eligible patients will provide written informed consent to the investigator. The outcomes of this trial will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed scholarly journal.Trial registration number The study protocol is registered at https://www.chictr.org.cn/ on 19 December 2023. (identifier: ChiCTR2300078806). The trial was conducted using V.1.0.

Abstract The magnetic type-II Weyl semimetal (MWSM) Co3Sn2S2 has recently been found to host a variety of remarkable phenomena including surface Fermi-arcs, giant anomalous Hall effect, and negative flat band magnetism. However, the dynamic magnetic properties remain relatively unexplored. Here, we investigate the ultrafast spin dynamics of Co3Sn2S2 crystal using time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect and reflectivity spectroscopies. We observe a transient magnetization behavior, consisting of spin-flipping dominated fast demagnetization, slow demagnetization due to overall half-metallic electronic structures, and an unexpected ultrafast magnetization enhancement lasting hundreds of picoseconds upon femtosecond laser excitation. By combining temperature-, pump fluence-, and pump polarization-dependent measurements, we unambiguously demonstrate the correlation between the ultrafast magnetization enhancement and the Weyl nodes. Our theoretical modelling suggests that the excited electrons are spin-polarized when relaxing, leading to the enhanced spin-up density of states near the Fermi level and the consequently unusual magnetization enhancement. Our results reveal the unique role of the Weyl properties of Co3Sn2S2 in femtosecond laser-induced spin dynamics.

Abstract Background Cervical cancer (CC) causes more than 311,000 deaths annually worldwide. The integration of human papillomavirus (HPV) is a crucial genetic event that contributes to cervical carcinogenesis. Despite HPV DNA integration is known to disrupt the genomic architecture of both the host and viral genomes in CC, the complexity of this process remains largely unexplored. Results In this study, we conducted whole-genome sequencing (WGS) at 55-65X coverage utilizing the PacBio long-read sequencing platform in SiHa and HeLa cells, followed by comprehensive analyses of the sequence data to elucidate the complexity of HPV integration. Firstly, our results demonstrated that PacBio long-read sequencing effectively identifies HPV integration breakpoints with comparable accuracy to targeted-capture Next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods. Secondly, we constructed detailed models of complex integrated genome structures that included both the HPV genome and nearby regions of the human genome by utilizing PacBio long-read WGS. Thirdly, our sequencing results revealed the occurrence of a wide variety of genome-wide structural variations (SVs) in SiHa and HeLa cells. Additionally, our analysis further revealed a potential correlation between changes in gene expression levels and SVs on chromosome 13 in the genome of SiHa cells. Conclusions Using PacBio long-read sequencing, we have successfully constructed complex models illustrating HPV integrated genome structures in SiHa and HeLa cells. This accomplishment serves as a compelling demonstration of the valuable capabilities of long-read sequencing in detecting and characterizing HPV genomic integration structures within human cells. Furthermore, these findings offer critical insights into the complex process of HPV16 and HPV18 integration and their potential contribution to the development of cervical cancer.

Objective: To optimize the enzyme-assisted extraction process of polysaccharides from artificially-cultivated Cordyceps cicadae was conducted in this study. Four different parameters were considered to evaluate the yield of polysaccharides including liquid to solid ratio, enzyme dosage, enzymatic temperature and extraction time. Methods: A four-factor-three-level experimental design was employed to establish a mathematical model by Box-Behnken method, and the scavenging capacity of polysaccharides against three radicals was examined. Afterward, Fick's second law was used to build the kinetic model for the extraction of polysaccharide from artificially-cultivated Cordyceps cicadae. The parameters including rate constants, relative extraction rate, and activation energy were employed to analyze the kinetic and thermodynamic features. Results: Based on the response surface analysis, the optimal extraction process was presented to be as following: Liquid to solid ratio 1:30 g/mL, enzyme dosage 1.6%, enzymatic digestion temperature 67 ℃ and extraction time 90 min. The polysaccharide yield under the above condition was 7.91%, which was close to the predicted value. Moreover, the results of antioxidant capacities indicated that the obtained crude polysaccharides under optimal conditions showed strong DPPH radical scavenging and hydroxyl radical scavenging with IC50 values for 0.60 and 0.54 mg/mL, respectively, and its ORAC value was 45.62 Trolox μmol/g, suggesting potent antioxidant activity in vitro. Conclusion：The study of enzyme-assisted extraction of artificially-cultivated Cordyceps cicadae flower polysaccharides provide theoretical support for the production of polysaccharide fractions from this kind of commercialized Cordyceps cicadae resources.

Industrial robots are becoming increasingly vulnerable to cyber incidents and attacks, particularly with the dawn of the Industrial Internet-of-Things (IIoT). To gain a comprehensive understanding of these cyber risks, vulnerabilities of industrial robots were analyzed empirically, using more than three million communication packets collected with testbeds of two ABB IRB120 robots and five other robots from various original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). This analysis, guided by the confidentiality–integrity–availability (CIA) triad, uncovers robot vulnerabilities in three dimensions: confidentiality, integrity, and availability. These vulnerabilities were used to design Covering Robot Manipulation via Data Deception (CORMAND2), an automated cyber–physical attack against industrial robots. CORMAND2 manipulates robot operation while deceiving the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system that the robot is operating normally by modifying the robot's movement data and data deception. CORMAND2 and its capability of degrading the manufacturing was validated experimentally using the aforementioned seven robots from six different OEMs. CORMAND2 unveils the limitations of existing anomaly detection systems, more specifically the assumption of the authenticity of SCADA-received movement data, to which we propose mitigations for.

Abstract Background The selection of diverting ileostomy (DI) is controversial. This study aimed to explore the factors affecting the selection of diverting ileostomy (DI) following laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer. Methods This retrospective, case-control study included patients who underwent laparoscopic-assisted sphincter-saving surgery for mid-low rectal cancer from January 2019 to June 2021. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed on the patient’s clinicopathological characteristics and pelvic dimensions measured by abdominopelvic electron beam computed tomography. Results A total of 382 patients were included in the analysis, of which 182 patients (47.6%) did not undergo DI, and 200 patients (52.4%) underwent DI. The univariate analysis suggested that male sex (p = 0.003), preoperative radiotherapy (p

Background: The chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to enhance cartilage repair and regeneration is a promising strategy to alleviate osteoarthritis (OA) progression. Method: The potency of JD-312 in inducing chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs was assessed and verified. The efficacy of JD-312-treated MSCs was evaluated using a Sprague–Dawley rat DMM model. Additionally, the capacity of JD-312 to successfully recruit bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) for the treatment of OA in vitro was confirmed via intra-articular injection. The repair status of the articular cartilage was analyzed in vivo through histological examination. Result: In this study, we identify JD-312 as a novel non-toxic small molecule that can promote chondrogenic differentiation in human umbilical cord-derived MSCs (hUCMSCs) and human bone marrow MSCS (hBMSCs) in vitro. We also show that transient differentiation of MSCs with JD-312 prior to in vivo administration remarkably improves the regeneration of cartilage and promotes Col2a1 and Acan expression in rat models of DMM, in comparison to kartogenin (KGN) pre-treatment or MSCs alone. Furthermore, direct intra-articular injection of JD-312 in murine model of OA showed reduced loss of articular cartilage and improved pain parameters. Lastly, we identified that the effects of JD-312 are at least in part mediated via upregulation of genes associated with the focal adhesion, PI3K-Akt signaling and the ECM-receptor interaction pathways, and specifically cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) may play a vital role. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that JD-312 showed encouraging repair effects for OA in vivo. The translational potential of this article: Together, our findings demonstrate that JD-312 is a promising new therapeutic molecule for cartilage regeneration with clinical potential.

Origami‐inspired mechanisms have found significant applications in end effector design. So far, the exploration of thick‐panel origami has been relatively limited, but it is worth noting that the incorporation of rigid thick panels can introduce unique mechanical properties, showcasing great potential in addressing manipulation challenges. Our previous work has developed a gripper from thick‐panel waterbomb origami, which can pick up a variety of daily objects. Based on the same prototype, this article extends the gripper's function from grasping to in‐hand manipulation, which is attributed to the kinematic bifurcations and compliance of thick‐panel origami. A kinematic study is carried out to investigate the gripper's bifurcated motion modes. The hinge compliance is also taken into account to enhance the gripper's motion dexterity. Theoretical analysis and experiments are conducted to demonstrate both features, thereby paving the foundation for achieving dexterous motions with a simplified control strategy. Aided by a differential mechanism, the gripper can effectively interact with objects with the actuation inputs from only two motors. Objects including balls, cuboids, and cones are explored for in‐hand manipulation under different motion modes, showing varied trajectories. With the integration of tactile sensors at the fingertips, we have also revealed the gripper's potential for classification tasks.

The marine shale within the Sichuan Basin constitutes China’s significant shale gas production, featuring old formation age, high degree of thermal evolution, multiple tectonic movements, and complex structural conditions. However, there are significant differences in the shale gas preservation conditions and reservoir quality in different areas, limiting future large-scale exploration and development. Pore structure significantly influences shale reservoir quality, gas content, and exploration of shale gas occurrence, migration, and enrichment mechanisms. The influence of structural-dominated preservation conditions on shale pore structures is essential to comprehend for effective shale gas exploitation. This study employs field-emission scanning electron microscopy in conjunction with other techniques (low-temperature N2 adsorption, low-temperature CO2 adsorption, and nuclear magnetic resonance) for detailed analyses of the pore structure across varied structural zones, revealing the influence of structural attributes, fault systems, depth of burial, and formation pressure on pore architecture, and examining the relationship between pore structure and shale gas preservation conditions. The results show that stable structural condition is conducive to the development and preservation of shale pores. Structural compression causes inorganic and organic pores to become narrow and elongated due to shrinkage, with a significant increase in microfractures. The porosity of shale with stable structural conditions exhibits markedly increased porosity compared to samples under structural compressions. Under conditions of similar TOC and mineral composition, the pore size distribution (PSD), pore volume (PV), and specific surface area (SSA) of shale after structural compression are significantly lower than those of samples with stable structural conditions. As the burial depth increases, the shale porosity shows a decreasing trend, but the decrease is limited. Burial depth significantly impacts the SSA and PV of high-TOC samples (3%–6%). As the burial depth increases, both SSA and PV show a significant decreasing trend. When the burial depth reaches 4000 m, SSA and PV tend to concentrate. The formation pressure coefficient is an important factor for the development and preservation of shale pores, and porosity is positively correlated with the formation pressure coefficient. Increased formation pressure coefficient indicates superior preservation conditions and enhanced pore development.

Background Occult lymph node metastasis (OLNM) is an essential prognostic factor for early-stage tongue cancer (cT1-2N0M0) and a determinant of treatment decisions. Therefore, accurate prediction of OLNM can significantly impact the clinical management and outcomes of patients with tongue cancer. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a multiomics-based model to predict OLNM in patients with early-stage tongue cancer. Methods The data of 125 patients diagnosed with early-stage tongue cancer (cT1-2N0M0) who underwent primary surgical treatment and elective neck dissection were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 100 patients were randomly assigned to the training set and 25 to the test set. The preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and clinical data on these patients were collected. Radiomics features were extracted from the primary tumor as the region of interest (ROI) on CT images, and correlation analysis and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method were used to identify the most relevant features. A support vector machine (SVM) classifier was constructed and compared with other machine learning algorithms. With the same method, a clinical model was built and the peri-tumoral and intra-tumoral images were selected as the input for the deep learning model. The stacking ensemble technique was used to combine the multiple models. The predictive performance of the integrated model was evaluated for accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC), and compared with expert assessment. Internal validation was performed using a stratified five-fold cross-validation approach. Results Of the 125 patients, 41 (32.8%) showed OLNM on postoperative pathological examination. The integrated model achieved higher predictive performance compared with the individual models, with an accuracy of 84%, a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 76.5%, and an AUC-ROC of 0.949 (95% CI [0.870–1.000]). In addition, the performance of the integrated model surpassed that of younger doctors and was comparable to the evaluation of experienced doctors. Conclusions The multiomics-based model can accurately predict OLNM in patients with early-stage tongue cancer, and may serve as a valuable decision-making tool to determine the appropriate treatment and avoid unnecessary neck surgery in patients without OLNM.

Abstract Linking cis-regulatory sequences to target genes has been a long-standing challenge. In this study, we introduce CREaTor, an attention-based deep neural network designed to model cis-regulatory patterns for genomic elements up to 2 Mb from target genes. Coupled with a training strategy that predicts gene expression from flanking candidate cis-regulatory elements (cCREs), CREaTor can model cell type-specific cis-regulatory patterns in new cell types without prior knowledge of cCRE-gene interactions or additional training. The zero-shot modeling capability, combined with the use of only RNA-seq and ChIP-seq data, allows for the ready generalization of CREaTor to a broad range of cell types.

Groundwater level dynamic monitoring data have the characteristics of spatio-temporal non-smoothness and strong spatio-temporal correlation. However, the current groundwater level prediction model is insufficient to consider the spatio-temporal factors of the groundwater level and the autocorrelation of spatio-temporal series, particularly the lack of consideration of hydrogeological conditions in the actual study area. Thus, this study constructed a model based on the hydrogeological conditions and the spatio-temporal characteristics of the dynamic monitoring data of groundwater in the porous confined aquifer III in Nantong, the northern wing of the Yangtze River Delta, China. The spatial autocorrelation coefficient of the hydrogeology important parameter, permeability coefficient K, is used to optimize the distance weighting coefficient of monitoring wells obtained by the K-nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithm and then reconstruct the spatio-temporal dataset and long short-term memory (LSTM) network. A spatio-temporal groundwater level prediction model LSTM-K-KNN that introduces the spatial autocorrelation of hydrogeological parameters was constructed. The reliability and accuracy of LSTM-K-KNN, LSTM, autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model, and support vector machine (SVM) were evaluated by a cross-validation algorithm. Results showed that the prediction accuracy of LSTM-K-KNN is 19.86, 43.64, and 52.38% higher than that of the other single prediction models (LSTM, ARIMA, and SVM). HIGHLIGHTS A spatio-temporal prediction model LSTM-K-KNN for groundwater level is constructed.; The spatial autocorrelation of hydrogeological parameters is incorporated into groundwater level prediction.; LSTM-K-KNN model has better applicability and accuracy than the other single prediction models.;

Abstract Non-parallel data voice conversion (VC) has achieved considerable breakthroughs due to self-supervised pre-trained representation (SSPR) being used in recent years. Features extracted by the pre-trained model are expected to contain more content information. However, in common VC with SSPR, there is no special implementation to remove speaker information in the content representation extraction by SSPR, which prevents further purification of the speaker information from SSPR representation. Moreover, in conventional VC, Mel-spectrogram is often selected as the reconstructed acoustic feature, which is not consistent with the input of the content encoder and results in some information lost. Motivated by the above, we proposed W2VC to settle the issues. W2VC consists of three parts: (1) We reconstruct feature from WavLM representation (WLMR) that is more consistent with the input of content encoder; (2) Connectionist temporal classification (CTC) is used to align content representation and text context from phoneme level, content encoder plus gradient reversal layer (GRL) based speaker classifier are used to remove speaker information in the content representation extraction; (3) WLMR-based HiFi-GAN is trained to convert WLMR to waveform speech. VC experimental results show that GRL can purify well the content information of the self-supervised model. The GRL purification and CTC supervision on the content encoder are complementary in improving the VC performance. Moreover, the synthesized speech using the WLMR retrained vocoder achieves better results in both subjective and objective evaluation. The proposed method is evaluated on the VCTK and CMU databases. It is shown the method achieves 8.901 in objective MCD, 4.45 in speech naturalness, and 3.62 in speaker similarity of subjective MOS score, which is superior to the baseline.

The enrichment of organic matter in high-quality marine shale is generally controlled by factors such as the redox conditions of sedimentary environments, productivity levels, terrigenous input, and ancient productivity. However, the controlling effect of the sedimentary environment on organic matter enrichment in intracratonic sag is still unclear. This study takes samples from the Qiongzhusi formation shale in southern Sichuan Basin as the research object, focusing on trace elements as well as rare earth elements in different stratigraphic intervals. The provenance of the Qiongzhusi formation shale is mainly terrigenous, with sediment sources mainly consisting of sedimentary rocks and granites. The primary sedimentary environment transitions from a continental margin setting, influenced by rift-related tectonic activity and sediment influx from adjacent landmasses, to an open oceanic environment characterized by mid-ocean ridge processes and oceanic plate subduction zones. During sedimentation, saline water was present, with predominant sedimentary environments ranging from shallow water to deep water continental shelves. The shale in the study area is characterized by a higher content of silicates and a lower content of carbonate minerals. Its siliceous sources are mainly influenced by biogenic and terrigenous debris, indicating higher ancient primary productivity and representing a favorable target for shale gas exploration.

The knowledge within wheat production chain data has multiple levels and complex semantic relationships, making it difficult to extract knowledge from them. Therefore, this paper proposes a fine-grained knowledge extraction method for the wheat production chain based on ontology. For the first time, the conceptual layers of ploughing, planting, managing, and harvesting were defined around the main agricultural activities of the wheat production chain. Based on this, the entities, relationships, and attributes in the conceptual layers were defined at a fine-grained level, and a spatial–temporal association pattern layer with four conceptual layers, twenty-eight entities, and forty-two relationships was constructed. Then, based on the characteristics of the self-constructed dataset, the Word2vec-BiLSTM-CRF model was designed for extracting the knowledge within it, i.e., the entity–relationship–attribute model and the Word2vec-BiLSTM-CRF model in this paper were compared with the four SOTA models. The results show that the accuracy and F1 value improved by 8.44% and 8.89%, respectively, compared with the BiLSTM-CRF model. Furthermore, the entities of the pest and disease dataset were divided into two different granularities for the comparison experiment; the results show that for entities with “disease names” and “pest names”, the recognition accuracy at the fine-grained level is improved by 32.71% and 31.58%, respectively, compared to the coarse-grained level, and the recognition performance of various fine-grained entities has been improved.

As field effect transistors are reduced to nanometer dimensions, experimental and theoretical research has shown a gradual change in noise generation mechanisms. There are few studies on noise theory for small nanoscale transistors, and Monte Carlo (MC) simulations mainly focus on 2D devices with larger nanoscale dimensions. In this study, we employed MC simulation techniques to establish a 3D device simulation process. By setting device parameters and writing simulation programs, we simulated the raw data of channel current noise for a silicon-based metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) with a 10 nm channel length and calculated the drain output current based on these data, thereby achieving static testing of the simulated device. Additionally, this study obtained a 3D potential distribution map of the device channel surface area. Based on the original data from the simulation analysis, this study further calculated the power spectral density of the channel current noise and analyzed how the channel current noise varies with gate voltage, source–drain voltage, temperature, and substrate doping density. The results indicate that under low-temperature conditions, the channel current noise of the 10 nm MOSFET is primarily composed of suppressed shot noise, with the proportion of thermal noise in the total noise slightly increasing as temperature rises. Under normal operating conditions, the channel current noise characteristics of the 10 nm MOSFET device are jointly characterized by suppressed shot noise, thermal noise, and cross-correlated noise. Among these noise components, shot noise is the main source of noise, and its suppression degree decreases as the bias voltage is reduced. These findings are consistent with experimental observations and theoretical analyses found in the existing literature.

Groundwater is one of the important freshwater resources on Earth and is closely related to human activities. As a good biological vector, a more diverse repertory of antibiotic resistance genes in the water environment would have a profound impact on human medical health. Therefore, this study conducted a metagenomic sequencing analysis of water samples from groundwater monitoring points in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River to characterize microbial community composition and antibiotic resistance in the groundwater environment. Our results show that different microbial communities and community composition were the driving factors in the groundwater environment, and a diversity of antibiotic resistance genes in the groundwater environment was detected. The main source of antibiotic resistance gene host was determined by correlation tests and analyses. In this study, metagenomics was used for the first time to comprehensively analyze microbial communities in groundwater systems in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River basin. The data obtained from this study serve as an invaluable resource and represent the basic metagenomic characteristics of groundwater microbial communities in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River basin. These findings will be useful tools and provide a basis for future research on water microbial community and quality, greatly expanding the depth and breadth of our understanding of groundwater.

Coal mine safety accidents are very likely to occur when the roadway is excavated through tectonic areas such as collapsed pillars. In this paper, Rayleigh wave technology is used to carry out advance detection in heading face of No.8 joint roadway in Zhangcun Coal Mine 480# mining area. Firstly, the phase velocity of the wave is calculated based on the simple harmonic fluctuation displacement equation and spectral analysis technique, and the dispersion curve is obtained by theoretical calculation with the phase velocity as the horizontal coordinate and the half-wavelength of the wave corresponding to the phase velocity as the vertical coordinate. Based on the finite-difference （FDM） method, we obtained that Rayleigh waves would gather energy at the junction of the collapse column and the surrounding rock, and verified that the Rayleigh wave energy decays slowly and propagates slowly. Secondly, according to the mine geological data and the actual production situation of roadway excavation, it is determined that the overall observation distance is 3.5 m to carry out the Rayleigh wave geological structure detection. Finally, using the comprehensive analysis method of the dispersion curve and the coal seam depth profile, it is concluded that there are 3 anomalies in the geological structure of the 8# connecting roadway in Zhangcun Coal Mine, which are located at 20-30 m, 35-45 m, and 55-65 m respectively. The results of this study effectively guide the safe driving of No.8 combined roadway.

Objective: A vicious cycle between circadian disruption and escalating immune responses has been described in diverse inflammatory disease. The current study aimed to explore the role of circadian clock disruption in autoimmune thyroiditi s (AIT). Methods: Thirty AIT patients and 30 controls were enrolled and biopsied for thyroid tissues. Alterations of core clock genes expression in AIT thyr oid tissues, and its association with serum and tissue inflammatory biomarkers were a ssessed. For animal studies, C57BL/6J mice administered with porcine thyroglobulin or PBS (as control) combined with adjuvants were sacrificed at four time points to i nvestigate the circadian characteristic of experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT). Light shift (LS) conditions were used to explore the influence of external circadian disturb ance on EAT. Results: The expression of clock genes BMAL1 and PER2 was significantly reduced in thyroid tissues from AIT patients and was negatively correlated to levels of thyroid peroxidase antibodies. In mouse models, diurnal fluctuations of proinflammatory cytokines were demonstrated, and further exposing mice to LS le d to overproduction of TNF-α, IFN-γ, and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies. Circadian analysis revealed significant oscillations of Bmal1, Clock, Per2, Cry1, Ror, and Rev-erb, which was broadly disturbed in EAT, LS, and EAT + LS groups. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that expression pattern of clock genes was disrupted in AIT thyroid, and chronic circadian disruption may aggravate the inflammatory responses in AIT. Whether maintaining a regular cir cadian rhythm can alleviate autoimmune thyroid diseases warrants further research.

Abstract Background Spectral CT imaging parameters have been reported to be useful in the differentiation of pathological grades in different malignancies. This study aims to investigate the value of spectral CT in the quantitative assessment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) with different degrees of differentiation. Methods There were 191 patients with proven ESCC who underwent enhanced spectral CT from June 2018 to March 2020 retrospectively enrolled. These patients were divided into three groups based on pathological results: well differentiated ESCC, moderately differentiated ESCC, and poorly differentiated ESCC. Virtual monoenergetic 40 keV-equivalent image (VMI40keV), iodine concentration (IC), water concentration (WC), effective atomic number (Eff-Z), and the slope of the spectral curve(λHU) of the arterial phase (AP) and venous phase (VP) were measured or calculated. The quantitative parameters of the three groups were compared by using one-way ANOVA and pairwise comparisons were performed with LSD. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of these parameters in poorly differentiated groups and non-poorly differentiated groups. Results There were significant differences in VMI40keV, IC, Eff-Z, and λHU in AP and VP among the three groups (all p 0.05). The VMI40keV, IC, Eff-Z, and λHU in the poorly differentiated group were significantly higher than those in the other groups both in AP and VP (all p

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. However, current treatment modalities mainly relieve pain and inhibit cartilage degradation, but do not promote cartilage regeneration. In this study, we show that G protein-coupled receptor class C group 5 member B (GPRC5B), an orphan G-protein-couple receptor, not only inhibits cartilage degradation, but also increases cartilage regeneration and thereby is protective against OA. We observed that Gprc5b deficient chondrocytes had an upregulation of cartilage catabolic gene expression, along with downregulation of anabolic genes in vitro. Furthermore, mice deficient in Gprc5b displayed a more severe OA phenotype in the destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) induced OA mouse model, with upregulation of cartilage catabolic factors and downregulation of anabolic factors, consistent with our in vitro findings. Overexpression of Gprc5b by lentiviral vectors alleviated the cartilage degeneration in DMM-induced OA mouse model by inhibiting cartilage degradation and promoting regeneration. We also assessed the molecular mechanisms downstream of Gprc5b that may mediate these observed effects and identify the role of protein kinase B (AKT)-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-autophagy signaling pathway. Thus, we demonstrate an integral role of GPRC5B in OA pathogenesis, and activation of GPRC5B has the potential in preventing the progression of OA.

Land use on the Chinese Loess Plateau has undergone dramatic changes over the past few decades. The implementation of a series of soil and water conservation measures has significantly altered the soil erosion, transportation, and deposition processes on the Loess Plateau. To effectively address and mitigate soil erosion, it is crucial to accurately quantify the soil loss rate and analyze the contributions of soil and water conservation measures over the past several decades. In this study, the Zhifanggou watershed, located in the hilly area of the Chinese Loess Plateau, is utilized as an illustrative example. Using historical data, remote sensing imagery, and on-site data of soil, vegetation, and soil conservation measures, we assessed the soil loss rates from 1938 to 2022 based on long-term land use changes, utilizing the Chinese Soil Loss Equation (CSLE) model. Furthermore, we employed a quantitative evaluation to assess the impacts of vegetation change and terrace construction on soil erosion. The findings of our study reveal significant transformations in land use. Farmland experienced an initial increase followed by a subsequent decline, while the opposite pattern was observed for forest land. The simulated soil loss rate for the entire watershed exhibited an upward trend, rising from 34.86 t·ha−1·yr−1 in 1938 to 104.11 t·ha−1·yr−1 in 1958, before declining to 56.98 t·ha−1·yr−1 in 1999 and reaching 5.87 t·ha−1·yr−1 in 2022. Attribution analysis showed that vegetation change exerted a dominant influence on recent soil erosion dynamics, accounting for 86.10 % of the total contribution in 2022, while terraces contributed 13.90 %. These findings clarify long-term soil erosion mechanisms and provide guidance for watershed soil and water conservation management.

BackgroundObservational studies have reported a possible association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and thyroid autoimmunity. Nevertheless, the relationship between thyroid autoimmunity and MetS remains unclear. The objective of this research was to assess the causal impact of MetS on thyroid autoimmunity through the utilization of Mendelian randomization (MR) methodology.MethodsWe performed bidirectional MR to elucidate the causal relationship between MetS and their components and thyroid autoimmunity (positivity of TPOAb). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of MetS and its components were obtained from the publicly available genetic variation summary database. The Thyroidomics Consortium conducted a genome-wide association analysis, which provided summary-level data pertaining to thyroid autoimmunity. The study included several statistical methods, including the inverse variance weighting method (IVW), weighted median, simple mode, weight mode, and MR-Egger methods, to assess the causal link. In addition, to ensure the stability of the results, a sensitivity analysis was conducted.ResultsIVW showed that MetS reduced the risk of developing thyroid autoimmunity (OR = 0.717, 95% CI = 0.584 - 0.88, P = 1.48E−03). The investigation into the causative association between components of MetS and thyroid autoimmune revealed a statistically significant link between triglycerides levels and the presence of thyroid autoimmunity (IVW analysis, OR = 0.603, 95%CI = 0.45 -0.807, P = 6.82E−04). The reverse analysis did not reveal any causal relationship between thyroid autoimmunity and MetS, including its five components.ConclusionsWe have presented new genetic evidence demonstrating that MetS and its triglyceride components may serve as potential protective factors against thyroid autoimmunity.

We investigate the magnetic and electronic properties of Co films on Fe3O4(001) achieved through epitaxial growth using magnetron sputtering. X-ray magnetic circularly dichroism measurements characterize the atomic magnetism. Compared to Co films on the MgO substrate, Co on Fe3O4 exhibits a 96% enhancement in orbital magnetic moment (from 0.25 to 0.49 µB/atom) and an increase in spin magnetic moment (from 1.37 to 1.53 µB/atom), resulting in an increased mratio(ml/ms) from 0.18 to 0.32. This enhancement of the orbital moment emerges as a consequence of the interface interaction between Co and Fe3O4. Density functional theory calculations attribute this heightened orbital magnetic moment to the robust electronic exchange interactions. Our findings not only offer insights into the modulation of magnetic and electronic characteristics in Co-based magnetic heterostructures but also provide valuable implications for the potential application of magnetic oxide/ferromagnetic heterostructures in future spintronic devices.

BackgroundWhether radiotherapy can improve the long-term survival of HER-2+ metastatic breast cancer remains unclear. We launched this study to explore the effect of HER-2+ metastatic breast cancer patients through anti-HER-2 targeted therapy + radiotherapy.Methods488 HER-2 + metastatic breast cancer patients who received anti-HER2 targeted ± local radiotherapy from March 2006 to September 2021 were retrospectively collected. Patients were divided into a radiotherapy group (n=207) and a non-radiotherapy group (n=281) based on whether they received radiotherapy or not. 1: 1 propensity matching analysis was used to determine two groups of patients with similar baselines.ResultsBefore matching, the radiotherapy group (n=207) had a median overall survival (mOS) of 51.7 months (48.8-63.8), which was superior to the non-radiotherapy group’s (n=281) mOS of 33.9 months (27.9-39.9) (P < 0.0001). Moreover, the radiotherapy group exhibited better 1-year (94.6% vs 83.9%), 3-year (70.8% vs 45.5%), and 5-year (43.3% vs 25.0%) survival rates compared to the control group. Propensity score matching analysis identified 135 pairs of baseline-matched patients. In the matched groups, the mOS was 57.2 (44.5-69.8) months in the radiotherapy group (n=135) and 34.1 (27.5-40.6) months in the non-radiotherapy group (n=135), showing a statistically significant difference (P < 0.0001). Additionally, the radiotherapy group demonstrated 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of 93.2%, 71.5%, and 46.9%, respectively, while those in the non-radiotherapy group were 89.4%, 45.8%, and 22.2%, respectively. Multivariate Cox analysis revealed that the presence of brain metastasis, liver metastasis, and radiotherapy were identified as independent predictive factors significantly associated with OS.ConclusionIn patients with HER-2 positive metastatic breast cancer, radiotherapy was associated with better survival benefits compared to those who did not receive radiotherapy.

Abstract The rapid development of 2D magnetic materials has opened new possibilities in the field of spintronics. CrTe2, a 2D material with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) and ferromagnetic transient temperature near room temperature, holds promise for various applications. However, the underlying mechanism responsible for its global magnetism remains unclear. This work focuses on investigating the magneto‐transport properties of ultra‐thin CrTe2 Field Effect Transistor (FET) under the influence of top gate biases. The application of gate voltage ranging from 25 to −15 V tunes its coercivity (HC) and Curie temperature (TC) (from 152 to 191 K). Notably, a linear correlation is observed between the TC and the hole concentration (np1/3) in the CrTe2 film, indicating the involvement of the Ruderman–Kittel–Kasuya–Yosida interaction. This experimental analysis sheds light on the mechanism of the CrTe2’s ferromagnetism and paves the way for future advancements and applications in this material.