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Oxygen evolution reaction at the anode consumes about 60–70% of the total power for the solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC), and power consumption can be greatly reduced by introducing hydrocarbon fuels such as methane into the anode for the oxidation reaction. In this work, rare-earth doped CeO 2 is used as catalyst support and oxygen ion conductor with Ni serving as an active metal for methane oxidation at the SOEC anode. The catalyst is synthesized via stepwise hydrolysis and impregnation methods, and the influences of rare-earth oxides on the performance of CH 4 thermal oxidation, SOEC anode oxidation and hydrogen production are studied. The results show that 5%Ni–Ce 0.8 Gd 0.2 O 2-δ exhibits the optimal catalytic oxidation and electrolytic hydrogen production with the lowest cell voltage of 0.38 V at 0.4 A/cm2. The high performance is mainly attributed to the oxygen vacancy, oxygen ion conductivity, and active metal dispersion. It is supposed that oxygen evolution reaction and simultaneous methane oxidation with generated oxygen occur at the SOEC anode can reduce oxygen partial pressure, which results in the ultra-low voltage for hydrogen production. [Display omitted] • Optimized oxygen vacancy and oxygen ion conductivity of rare-earth doped CeO 2 enhance the electrochemical oxidation. • The SOEC anode of Gd-doped CeO 2 realizes an ultra-low voltage of 0.38 V at 0.4 A/cm2. • OER and subsequently CH 4 oxidation is proposed for anode reactions to reduce operation voltage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thymoma is frequently correlated with various autoimmune diseases. However, unequivocal therapeutic targets for thymoma remain undefined, and the role of immune checkpoints in the development of thymoma-related autoimmune illnesses is unclear. We examined 39 thymoma samples and 44 normal control samples from the GEO database. Following batch correction, we identified 224 Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) using the Limma package. We employed Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses to enrich for functional pathways of DEGs. We utilized a Protein–Protein Interaction (PPI) network to identify hub genes and determine their correlation with immune cell infiltration using CIBERSORT. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), western blot, and immunohistochemical staining were implemented to verify identified hub genes in vivo. Simultaneously, we evaluated the prognostic relevance of the hub gene using clinical data. We determined COL1A1, COL1A2, and BGN to be the central hub genes in thymoma. Validation via RT-qPCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemical staining established significant statistical divergence between thymoma tissue and the normal thymus for only BGN. Expression levels of BGN showed strong negative correlation with the infiltration level of B cells and CD4+ T cells, yet a significant positive correlation with the level of neutrophil infiltration. We found high immune infiltration levels of macrophages, NK cells, and Th1 cells in the thymoma microenvironment in patients with a high expression of BGN. Co-localization of BGN and macrophages within thymoma tissue was discerned via tissue staining. Clinical data dictated that thymoma patients exhibiting elevated BGN expression underwent longer hospital stays, longer lengths in intensive care units, greater hospitalization costs, and extended ventilator usage; our study, augmented by clinical information, recognized BGN as possessive of diagnostic and prognostic significance in thymoma through in silico and molecular verification experiments. Our findings offered an important objective for thymoma-treated autoimmune disease comprehension, supplemented by the strong association with immune infiltration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Background: People living with HIV (PLWH) have substantially increased incidence of anal precancer and cancer. There are very little data regarding genomic disturbances in anal precancers among PLWH. In this study, specific chromosomal variants were identified in anal squamous intraepithelial lesions. Methods: Overall, 63 anal biopsy specimens (27 low-grade intraepithelial lesions [LSIL] and 36 high-grade intraepithelial lesions [HSIL]) were collected from PLWH obtained as part of anal cancer screening in our NYC-based health system. Data on patient demographics, anal cytological, and high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) diagnoses were collected. Specimens were tested for a panel of chromosomal alterations associated with HPV-induced oncogenesis using fluorescence in situ hybridization, and analyses compared the associations of these alterations with clinical characteristics. Results: Gains of 3q26, 5p15, 20q13, and cen7 were detected in 42%, 31%, 31%, and 19% of HSIL compared with 7%, 0%, 4%, and 0% of LSIL, respectively. If at least 1 abnormality was observed, 89% had a 3q26 gain. In lesions with 5p15 gains, 20q13 gains co-occurred in 91% of cases, while cen7 gain only co-occurred with the other 3 alterations. The sensitivity and specificity of any alteration to predict HSIL were 47% (95% CI: 30%–65%) and 93% (95% CI: 76%–99%), respectively. Conclusions: Genomic alterations seen in HPV-associated cancers may help distinguish anal LSIL from HSIL. 3q26 amplification may be an early component of anal carcinogenesis, preceding 5p16, 20q13, and/or chr7. Impact: Insights into potential genomic biomarkers for discriminating high-risk anal precancers are shared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractExtant research has demonstrated the positive roles of workplace friendships and has recently found the negative effect or the double-edged effect on employees and organizations. Unfortunately, little is known about the boundary condition of the double-edged effects of workplace friendships and the elaborated understanding of the mechanism of positive and negative effects of workplace friendship simultaneously. Our purpose is to reveal that workplace friendship is a mixed blessing by investigating when and how workplace friendships are likely to promote versus inhibit voice behavior. We propose that the double-edged effect of workplace friendship hinges on the competitive climate. Specifically, when the competitive climate is low, workplace friendship is positively related to employees’ psychological safety, promoting voice behavior. In contrast, workplace friendship is positively related to employees’ face concern, inhibiting voice behavior when the competitive climate is high. Our hypotheses were supported across the three waves of surveys and experimental studies. Taken together, our findings reveal the perils and benefits of workplace friendship and the importance of boundary conditions resulting in employees’ differential psychological processes in friendship interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amniotes differ substantially in absolute and relative brain size after controlling for allometry, and numerous hypotheses have been proposed to explain brain size evolution. Brain size is thought to correlate with processing capacity and the brain's ability to support complex manipulation such as nest‐building skills. The increased complexity of nest structure is supposed to be a measure of an ability to manipulate nesting material into the required shape. The degree of nest‐structure complexity is also supposed to be associated with body mass, partly because small species lose heat faster and delicate and insulated nests are more crucial for temperature control of eggs during incubation by small birds. Here, we conducted comparative analyses to test these hypotheses by investigating whether the complexity of species‐typical nest structure can be explained by brain size and body mass (a covariate also to control for allometric effects on brain size) across 1353 bird species from 147 families. Consistent with these hypotheses, our results revealed that avian brain size increases as the complexity of the nest structure increases after controlling for a significant effect of body size, and also that a negative relationship exists between nest complexity and body mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Bananas, a common fruit in our daily diet, often develop physiological disorders during the late ripening period, resulting in browning, which reduces their suitability for consumption. In this study, we inhibited the browning phenomenon by reducing the oxygen concentration to improve their storage period. Compared with banana fruit treated with high oxygen concentration, banana fruit treated with low oxygen concentration had higher hardness and significantly delayed weight loss. The analysis showed that low oxygen concentration enhanced the antioxidant capacity of banana skin cells by maintaining the DPPH scavenging capacity of antioxidant substances in the banana peel. The activity of the membrane‐degrading enzyme LOX is reduced, and the permeability of the cells is reduced, thus maintaining the structural integrity of the cells. Scanning electron microscope analysis showed that the integrity of the cell membrane was well maintained under low oxygen concentration, which restricted the reaction of phenols and PPO enzymes to produce quinones under the action of oxygen, and inhibited the browning phenomenon. These results suggest that low oxygen concentrations inhibit banana Browning by maintaining the structural integrity of cell membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under divergent electric fields, space charge is locally accumulated and controls the initiation and evolution of insulation degradation phenomena, such as electrical trees and partial discharge. The space charge profiles provide crucial information for evaluating the insulation performance. However, the existing space charge measurement methods are not directly applicable under divergent electric fields. In this paper, a method combining experiment and simulation is proposed to evaluate the space charge distribution around a needle electrode. An experimental system is established, and the acoustic waves are measured with a hydrophone placed on the symmetric axis. In order to obtain the space charge distribution, the space charge injection process is simulated using the bipolar charge transport model to reduce the freedom of the distribution. Then, calculations are made for the acoustic waves produced by the simulated space charge distributions. Using the signals without the contribution of internal charge, a correspondence between the experiment and simulation is established. For each experimental signal, the matched calculated signal is obtained using the zero-crossing time as a reference. A perfect match between them is presented after the amplitude compensation, which indicates that the space charge distribution in the experiment is identical to that in the simulation model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of defective MnmIn2S3+m (m = 1–5, integer) microflowers were successfully synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). These solid solution photocatalysts have similar cubic phase crystal structures. The results of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra showed that the concentration of sulfur vacancy (VS) increased with the increase in Mn/In atomic ratio. The photocatalytic performance of the prepared MnmIn2S3+m was evaluated by the reduction of Cr(VI) in aqueous solution under simulated sunlight, in which Mn4In2S7 showed the highest photocatalytic activity. 40 ppm K2Cr2O7(VI) was almost completely reduced to Cr(III) within 60 minutes. Additionally, the photocatalytic mechanism was investigated and it was demonstrated that the appropriate concentration of VS could accelerate the carrier separation and transfer of Mn4In2S7, so as to improve the photocatalysis efficiency. This work will expand the application of solid solution photocatalysts in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Doctors are at high risk of developing hemorrhoidal disease (HD), but it is unclear whether doctors are aware of this risk. The OASIS (dOctors AS patIentS) study was performed to examine the prevalence, awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of HD among doctors in big cities in China. Methods: An online survey consisting of a structured questionnaire was carried out among doctors in grade-A tertiary hospitals in 29 provinces across China from August to October 2020. Results: A total of 1227 questionnaire responses were collected. HD prevalence was 56.8%, with a significant difference between internists and surgeons (P = 0.01). 15.6% of doctors with HD didn't have serious concerns about the recurrence and severity of HD. 91.5% of doctors adopted general treatments, and 83.0% considered oral medications only when topical medications were ineffective. Among the oral medications, Micronized Purified Flavonoid Fraction (MPFF) was most effective based on the scores from three important parameters, but only 17% of doctors received MPFF. Conclusions: Doctors are at higher risk of developing HD with a high prevalence among Chinese doctors, but they are not fully aware or not concerned about HD. There is a deficiency in treatment recommendations and clinical management of HD even for doctors, including late initiation and inadequate oral drug therapy. Therefore, awareness and standardized treatment of HD should be improved among Chinese doctors, as well as in the general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recycled paper has become increasingly used as a raw material in the paper industry. However, hornification limits its application. Herein, the effect of recycling on the mechanical properties and microstructure of khasi pine pulp was systematically studied. The mechanical properties deteriorated and water retention value decreased after recycling. X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that cellulose crystallinity increased and partial cocrystallization occurred on cellulose microfibrils. Through the analysis of the morphology of secondary fibers by FQA, the loss of fine fibers caused by each reuse was found. Using the filtration method to prepare the recycled paper reduced the loss of fine fibers and improved the mechanical properties, with the tensile strength of a sample prepared using a sand core filter unit for five cycles (8.37 MPa) being like that of a sample prepared using a paper machine after one cycle. The investigation of the internal structure of the paper showed that the retained fine fibers were bonded between the long fibers, promoting the bonding between the fibers. Fine fibers improve the curling and twisting of fibers to some extent, especially in the first three recycling cycles. The hornification phenomenon of recycled paper was studied from the viewpoint of the fiber components, which is important to promote the development and application prospect of recycled paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: To study the role of gene mutations in the development of severe hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) in patients with hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis (HLAP), especially different apolipoprotein A5 (APOA5) mutations. Methods: Whole-exome sequencing was performed on 163 patients with HLAP and 30 patients with biliary acute pancreatitis (BAP). The pathogenicity of mutations was then assessed by combining clinical information, predictions of bioinformatics programs, information from multiple gene databases, and residue location and conservation. The pathogenic mutations of APOA5 were visualized using the software. Results: 1. Compared with BAP patients, pathogenic mutations of APOA5 were frequent in HLAP patients; among them, the heterozygous mutation of p.G185C was the most common. 2. All six pathogenic mutations of APOA5 identified in this study (p.S35N, p.D167V, p.G185C, p.K188I, p.R223C, and p.H182fs) were positively correlated with severe HTG; they were all in the important domains of apolipoprotein A-V (apoA-V). Residue 223 is strictly conserved in multiple mammals and is located in the lipoprotein lipase (LPL)-binding domain (Pro215–Phe261). When Arg 223 is mutated to Cys 223, the positive charge of this residue is reduced, which is potentially destructive to the binding function of apoA-V to LPL. 3. Four new APOA5 mutations were identified, namely c.563A > T, c.667C > T, c.788G > A, and c.544_545 insGGTGC. Conclusions: The pathogenic mutations of APOA5 were specific to the patients with HLAP and severe HTG in China, and identifying such mutations had clinical significance in elucidating the etiology and subsequent treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Styrene butadiene thermoplastic elastomer (SBS)/polystyrene (PS)/sisal fiber (SF) composites were prepared by melt-blending method. The tensile creep behavior of SBS/PS/SF composites was studied and fitted by four viscoelastic models including Findley, Burger, generalized Kelvin-Voigt and Maxwell models. The effects of content and surface properties of SF treated by alkali and silane coupling agent on the creep behavior, structures and thermal properties of the composites under the action of tensile stress were investigated. The results indicated that the generalized Kelvin-Voigt model and generalized Maxwell model could best fit the tensile creep behavior of SBS/PS/SF composites. The creep resistance and thermal stability of the composites improved with the increases of SF content and tensile stress. The interfacial properties of fiber and matrix were enhanced after SF treated by silane, which would be beneficial to the improvements of the creep resistance and thermal stability. The glass transition temperature of the composite increased with the increase of SF content, but decreased after the action of the tensile stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of Ag-modified manganese-mullite (SmMn2O5) catalysts with different Ag contents (1, 3, and 6 wt.%) were prepared via a citric acid sol–gel method for catalytic soot oxidation. The catalysts were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and H2 temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR). The soot oxidation activity of the mullite was significantly promoted by the addition of silver and affected by the loading amount of the metal. Herein, the influences of silver loading on the metal size distribution and its interactions with the mullite were studied. Based on these characterizations, a possible soot oxidation reaction mechanism was proposed for silver-modified SmMn2O5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cirrus thinning, as one kind of geoengineering approach, not only cools our planet but also enhances the amount of sunlight reaching the Earth's surface (brightening effect). This study delves into the brightening effect induced by cirrus thinning with a flexible seeding method. The thinning of cirrus clouds alone leads to a considerable globally averaged cooling effect (−2.46 W m−2), along with a notable globally averaged brightening effect (2.19 W m−2). Cirrus thinning also results in substantial reductions in the cloud radiative effects of the lower mixed-phase and liquid clouds. While these reductions counteract the cooling effect from cirrus clouds, they enhance the brightening effect from cirrus clouds. Consequently, the brightening effect caused by cirrus seeding (4.69 W m−2) is considerably stronger than its cooling effect (−1.21 W m−2). Furthermore, due to the more pronounced changes from the mixed-phase and liquid clouds at low and mid-latitudes, the cooling effect is primarily concentrated at high latitudes. In contrast, the brightening effect is stronger over most low- and mid-latitude regions. Overall, cirrus thinning could lead to a notable brightening effect, which can be leveraged to offset the dimming effect (the opposite of the brightening effect) of other geoengineering approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

B-cell subsets in peripheral blood (PB) and tumor microenvironment (TME) were evaluated to determine myasthenia gravis (MG) severity in patients with thymoma-associated MG (TMG) and the distribution of B cells in type B TMG. The distribution of mature B cells, including Bm1–Bm5, CD19+ and CD20+ B cells and non-switched (NSMBCs) and switched (SMBCs) memory B cells, were determined in 79 patients with thymoma or TMG. Quantitative relationships between the T and TMG groups and the TMG-low and TMG-high subgroups were determined. NSMBCs and SMBCs were compared in TME and PB. Type B thymoma was more likely to develop into MG, with types B2 and B3 being especially associated with MG worsening. The percentage of CD19+ B cells in PB gradually increased, whereas the percentage of CD20+ B cells and the CD19/CD20 ratio were not altered. The (Bm2 + Bm2′)/(eBm5 + Bm5) index was significantly higher in the TMG-high than in thymoma group. The difference between SMBC/CD19+ and NSMBC/CD19+ B cell ratios was significantly lower in the thymoma than TMG group. NSMBCs assembled around tertiary lymphoid tissue in thymomas of patients with TMG. Few NSMBCs were observed in patients with thymoma alone, with these cells being diffusely distributed. MG severity in patients with TMG can be determined by measuring CD19+ B cells and Bm1-Bm5 in PB. The CD19/CD20 ratio is a marker of disease severity in TMG patients. Differences between NSMBCs and SMBCs in PB and TME of thymomas can synergistically determine MG severity in patients with TMG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the theoretical mechanism of the impact of green technology progress on carbon emissions, this article constructs a theoretical mechanism of the impact of green technology progress on carbon emission growth. Explore the conditions for achieving carbon peak and carbon reduction. Based on the Cobb Douglas production function, construct a three sector model that includes capital, labor, and energy. Empirical methods were used to analyze the quantitative impact of green technology progress on carbon emission growth and the moderating effect of energy input share. This study mainly used provincial panel data from 1995 to 2020. Calculate carbon dioxide emissions based on energy consumption and carbon dioxide emission coefficients of various energy sources in different regions. Using the perpetual inventory method to calculate capital growth rate, green computing progress rate, etc., to provide data support for the green technology carbon reduction model. Empirical analysis of the impact of green technology progress on carbon emissions using the FGLS panel model. Theoretical and empirical analyses show that green technological progress promotes an increase in the carbon emission growth rate through the scale effect, with an impact coefficient of 0.607; it promotes a decrease in the carbon emission growth rate through the technological effect, with an impact coefficient of − 0.667; the combined effect promotes a decrease in growth rate of carbon emissions, with an impact coefficient of − 0.06. The share of energy inputs has a positive regulating effect on the scale effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shuttle effect of polysulfides poses a significant obstacle to the commercialization of lithium-sulfur (Li–S) batteries. Covalent organic frameworks have been widely used in Li–S batteries as porous crystalline materials to suppress the shuttle effect. Herein, a 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl (BTFMB-TzDa) modified triazine-based covalent organic framework was synthesized. The high electronegativity and large steric hindrance of the BTFMB-TzDa modified separator successfully suppressed the diffusion of polysulfides, leading to improved capacity and cyclic stability of Li–S batteries. Cells with the BTFMB-TzDa modified separator exhibited a high initial capacity of 1205 mA h g−1 at 0.2C and 657 mA h g−1 at 3.0C. Furthermore, the capacity still remained at 501 mA h g−1 after 500 cycles. The BTFMB-TzDa modified separator provides an alternative strategy for the construction of high-performance Li–S batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile and efficient protocol has been developed for the synthesis of (methylsulfanyl)indolizine derivatives via oxidative [3+2]‐annulation of bis(methylthio)‐2‐nitroethylen(BMTNE) and pyridinium ylides under K2CO3. The target products could be obtained in moderate to good yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the mismatch between gas production and consumption in the gas delivery system (GDS), reduced customer demand can easily lead to overpressure and gas release. Companies mainly use high-pressure release (HPR) to lower the GDS pressure, which results in significant energy losses for compression and gas separation. This paper (1) proposes a low-pressure release method (LPR) for users' low-demand scenarios to avoid regulating air separation units, and (2) provides a way for obtaining optimal parameters for LPR when used alone and together with HPR. LPR released low-pressure gas by lowing the compressor inlet guide vane opening (IGA) or the inlet valve opening to reduce the compressor load, outlet pressure, and GDS pressure, and reduce the energy consumption of the compressor. Case studies showed LPR reduced effectively the gas emissions and compressor operating energy. When LPR is used alone, the maximum reduction in gas emissions and compressor operating energy consumption compared with HPR was 6,049 Nm3 and 900 kW·h , accounting for 62.96% and 2.18%, respectively, and the gas emission rate was reduced from 0.11% to 0.04%. When LPR was used together with HPR, 43.88% oxygen emissions and 0.28% total compressor energy consumption were reduced, and the total conditioning time can be effectively reduced from 42 to 10 min. The method increases the ability of the compressor to regulate the GDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An optical fiber sensor for the simultaneous measurement of microdisplacement and temperature based on balloon-shaped single-mode fibers cascaded with a fiber Bragg grating with two core-offset joints is proposed. The interference between the core mode and cladding mode is caused by the stimulation of the cladding mode by the core-offset joints' structure. The cladding of the core has a distinct refractive index, which causes optical path differences and interference. The balloon-shaped structure realizes mode selection by bending. As the displacement increases, the radius of the balloon-shaped interferometer changes, resulting in a change in the interference fringes of the interferometer, while the Bragg wavelength of the fiber grating remains unchanged. Temperature changes will cause the interference fringes of the interferometer and the Bragg wavelength of the fiber grating to shift. The proposed optical fiber sensor allows for the simultaneous measurement of microdisplacement and temperature. The results of the experiment indicate that the sensitivity of the interferometer to microdisplacement is 0.306 nm/µm in the sensing range of 0 to 200 μm and that the temperature sensitivity is 0.165 nm/°C, respectively. The proposed curvature sensor has the advantages of a compact structure, extensive spectrum of dynamic measurement, high sensitivity, and simple preparation, and has a wide range of potential applications in the fields of structural safety monitoring, aviation industry, and resource exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study intended to understand the variation in egg and clutch mass among coexisting bird species at high altitudes. We investigated several life-history or ecological factors that could explain this variation. The results show that both egg and clutch mass were related to body mass across species. Contrary to the hypothesis of a trade-off between egg mass and clutch size, egg mass variation was not explained by clutch size when accounting for allometric effects. Clutch mass was found to be positively associated with parental care and negatively associated with predation rate. When considering clutch size and egg mass together, clutch size was significantly correlated with parental care, predation rate, and lifespan, while egg mass was only associated with development period. These results support the idea that reduced clutch size or mass is linked to a higher risk of predation, reduced parental care, and longer adult lifespan. Our findings suggest that clutch size has a greater impact on these factors compared to egg mass, possibly because smaller clutches represent a more significant reduction in energetic investment. This study has increased our understanding of how different factors influence the size of eggs and clutches in coexisting high-altitude bird species. The variation in egg and clutch mass in sympatric species at high altitudes is poorly understood, and the potential causes of variation are rarely investigated. This study aimed to describe the interspecific variation in avian egg and clutch mass among 22 sympatric bird species at an altitude of 3430 m. Our objective was to reduce potential confounding effects of biotic/abiotic factors and investigated hypotheses concerning allometry, clutch size, parental care, nest predation, and lifespan as possible correlates and explanations for the observed variation. Our findings indicated that both egg and clutch mass evolve with body mass across species. We found that egg mass variation was not explained by clutch size when controlling for allometric effects, which contrasts the "egg mass vs. clutch size trade-off" hypothesis. Additionally, we found that clutch mass was positively associated with parental care (reflected by development period) but negatively associated with predation rate. By substituting egg mass and clutch size into the models, we found that clutch size was significantly correlated with parental care, predation rate, and lifespan, while egg mass was only significantly associated with development period. Overall, these findings support life-history theories suggesting that reduced clutch size or mass is associated with a higher risk of predation, reduced parental care, but longer adult lifespan. Interestingly, our results indicate that clutch size has a greater influence on these factors compared to egg mass. This could be attributed to the fact that smaller clutch sizes result in a more notable decrease in energetic allocation, as they require a reduced effort in terms of offspring production, incubation, and feeding, as opposed to solely reducing egg size. These findings contribute to the growing evidence that life-history and ecological traits correlate with egg and clutch mass variation in sympatric species. However, further research is needed to explore the potential evolutionary causes underlying these patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impellers are designed and used in the cover-plate cavity of the pre-swirl system of modern gas turbines to keep the circumferential velocity of the airflow consistent with the local velocity of the rotor. This reduces the aerodynamic loss of the pre-swirl air delivery system for turbine cooling and further improves pre-swirl system performance. However, in practical applications, the cover-plate disk with impellers is usually installed and fixed to the turbine disk by buckles, which leads to the possibility of the circumferential position of impellers deviating from the design intention during installation and a certain axial gap between impellers and the turbine disk, resulting in deviations in cooling performance. In this work, low-radius cover-plate pre-swirl systems with and without impellers are compared through numerical simulations, and the effects of the impeller circumferential displacement angle (θ) in the range of −0.5° to 0.5° and the axial gap (Δ) in the range of 0%–25% of the cover-plate cavity width are investigated on the flow characteristics and system cooling performance. Results indicate that the impellers are sensitive to the manufacturing and installation deviations. The non-designed circumferential displacement of the impeller will misalign it with the rotating receiver holes and supply holes, hindering the airflow movement in the radial direction and increasing the back pressure of the impeller. Consequently, the severe vortices on the suction side downstream of the impeller leading edge can occur and the entropy production can increase. Numerical results show that when the impeller is displaced by 0.5° circumferentially, the temperature drop effectiveness decreases significantly, and is about 21% lower than that at the designed condition. Moreover, while the axial gap is small, the overall flow pattern and system temperature drop are only slightly affected. As the axial gap increases, there are more cooling airs flowing through the axial gap and not subject to the work of the impeller. Therefore, the temperature drop starts to fall and the swirl ratio declines. For the system studied, the temperature drop effectiveness decreases by around 7.8% when the axial gap reaches 25% of the cover-plate cavity width. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although previous research has found that workplace friendship has beneficial effects on employees' and organisations' consequences, knowledge regarding the complexity and dark sides of workplace friendship is limited. Our purpose is to develop and test a three‐way interaction model that explains when and how negative outcomes of workplace friendship are likely to unfold considering both individual personality and contextual conditions. Based on the stressor‐emotion model, we argue that workplace friendship may also be a stressor due to its conflicting and contradictory dual roles, which in turn triggers negative employees' emotions, thus, leading to withdrawal behaviour. Furthermore, we propose that emotional reactivity and task interdependence are individual and contextual factors that induce and catalyse the negative effect of workplace friendship. By analysing the data from 429 respondents, the result supported our hypotheses. Overall, our research provides a theoretical and empirical foundation for future research on the dark sides of workplace friendship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generalized reciprocity and negative reciprocity have been demonstrated to influence employees' psychological states and outcomes differently. Drawing upon social exchange theory and emotion regulation theory, we develop a model that specifies whether and how generalized reciprocity and negative reciprocity influence employees' task performance. A cross-sectional survey study (N = 584) reveals that generalized reciprocity is positively related to task performance, whereas negative reciprocity is adversely related to task performance, and both of these relationships are mediated by social exchange. Interestingly, the findings also indicate that emotional labor moderates the associations between generalized reciprocity and social exchange and between negative reciprocity and social exchange. Specifically, individuals with high deep acting or low surface acting can experience higher social exchange after perceiving generalized reciprocity, whereas individuals with high surface acting or low deep acting can experience lower social exchange after perceiving negative reciprocity. These results provide significant implications for academic research and managerial practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A continuous loading experiment of a two-dimensional granular system was carried out and the experimental data were obtained by digital image correlation (DIC). The deformation field of the granular system and the changing laws of the deflection angle and coordination number of the granules on force chains with time were obtained. Based on the granule element method, the quantitative calculation of contact force was realized, and the internal force chains of the granular system were identified. The effects of contact force between granules and mechanical parameters on the evolution of force chains in a two-dimensional granular system under line loads were analyzed. The formation, evolution, and reconstruction of force chains in a granular system during loading, as well as the influence of the force chain network evolution on the macroscopic mechanical properties of granules were discussed. The experimental results indicated that the evolution of force chains was directly related to the number, geometric properties, and permutation distribution of granules in direct contact with the external load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To develop a risk stratification model based on the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging combined with squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) for the classification of patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) into different risk groups. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 664 women with stage IIA–IVB CSCC according to the 2018 FIGO staging system who received definitive radiotherapy from March 2013 to December 2017 at the department of radiation oncology of Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. Cutoff values for continuous variables were estimated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Using recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) modeling, overall survival was predicted based on the prognostic factors determined via Cox regression analysis. The predictive performance of the RPA model was assessed using the consistency index (C-index). Intergroup survival differences were determined and compared using Kaplan–Meier analysis and the log-rank test. Results: Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified post-treatment SCC-Ag (< 1.35 ng/mL and > 1.35 ng/mL; hazard ratio (HR), 4.000; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.911–5.496; P < 0.0001) and FIGO stage (II, III, and IV; HR, 2.582, 95% CI, 1.947–3.426; P < 0.0001) as the independent outcome predictors for overall survival. The RPA model based on the above prognostic factors divided the patients into high-, intermediate-, and low-risk groups. Significant differences in overall survival were observed among the three groups (5-year overall survival: low vs. intermediate vs. high, 91.3% vs. 76.7% vs. 29.5%, P < 0.0001). The predictive performance of the RPA model (C-index, 0.732; 95% CI, 0.701–0.763) was prominently superior to that of post-treatment SCC-Ag (C-index, 0.668; 95% CI, 0.635–0.702; P < 0.0001) and FIGO stage (C-index, 0.663; 95% CI, 0.631–0.695; P < 0.0001). Conclusions: The RPA model based on FIGO staging and post-treatment SCC-Ag can predict the overall survival of patients with CSCC, thereby providing a guide for the formulation of risk-adaptive treatment and individualized follow-up strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, we integrate a three-dimensional micro-/nano-lattice structure metamaterial with conventional helical gears using a composite method to reduce the vibration. A comprehensive six-degree-of-freedom nonlinear dynamics model is constructed to analyze the vibration characteristics of the resulting mechanical metamaterial gear pair. The model incorporates crucial factors such as meshing damping, error excitation, bearing support stiffness, and time-varying meshing stiffness using the dynamic–static method. The results demonstrate the good damping effect of the designed mechanical metamaterial on gear pair vibrations. This research provides theoretical insights for reducing vibrations in gear transmission systems by using mechanical metamaterial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Split Vehicle Routing Problem with Simultaneous Delivery and Pickup (SVRPSDP) consists of two subproblems, i.e., the Vehicle Routing Problem with Simultaneous Delivery and Pickup (VRPSDP) and the Split Delivery Vehicle Routing Problem (SDVRP). Compared to the subproblems, SVRPSDP is much closer to reality. However, some realistic factors are still ignored in SVRPSDP. For example, the shipments are integrated and cannot be infinitely subdivided. Hence, this paper investigates the Granularity-based Split Vehicle Routing Problem with Simultaneous Delivery and Pickup (GSVRPSDP). The characteristics of GSVRPSDP are that the demands of customers are split into individual shipments and both the volume and weight of each shipment are considered. In order to solve GSVRPSDP efficiently, a Genetic-Simulated hybrid algorithm (GA-SA) is proposed, in which Simulated Annealing (SA) is inserted into the Genetic Algorithm (GA) framework to improve the global search abilities of individuals. The experimental results indicate that GA-SA can achieve lower total costs of routes compared to the traditional meta-algorithms, such as GA, SA and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), with a reduction of more than 10%. In the further analysis, the space utilization and capacity utilization of vehicles are calculated, which achieve 86.1% and 88.9%, respectively. These values are much higher than those achieved by GA (71.2% and 74.8%, respectively) and PSO (60.9% and 65.7%, respectively), further confirming the effectiveness of GA-SA. And the superiority of simultaneous delivery and pickup is proved by comparing with separate delivery and pickup. Specifically, the costs of separate delivery and pickup are more than 80% higher than that of simultaneous delivery and pickup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Probiotics can be programmed to sense and respond to intracellular disease signals to deliver the desired therapeutic effectors. The sense-and-respond genetic circuits, especially self-tunable ones, hold promise in improving the precision, effectiveness, and intelligence of therapeutic activities. Here, we present notable advances in the creation of engineered probiotics that harbour sense-and-respond genetic circuits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simultaneous photothermal ablation of multiple tumors is limited by unpredictable photo‐induced apoptosis, caused by individual intratumoral differences. Here, a multi‐channel lanthanide nanocomposite was used to achieve tailored synergistic treatment of multiple subcutaneous orthotopic tumors under non‐uniform whole‐body infrared irradiation prescription. The nanocomposite reduces intratumoral glutathione by simultaneously activating the fluorescence and photothermal channels. The fluorescence provides individual information on different tumors, allowing customized prescriptions to be made. This enables optimal induction of hyperthermia and dosage of chemo drugs, to ensure treatment efficacy, while avoiding overtherapy. With an accessional therapeutic laser system, customized synergistic treatment of subcutaneous orthotopic cancer cases with multiple tumors is possible with both high efficacy and minimized side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simultaneous photothermal ablation of multiple tumors is limited by unpredictable photo‐induced apoptosis, caused by individual intratumoral differences. Here, a multi‐channel lanthanide nanocomposite was used to achieve tailored synergistic treatment of multiple subcutaneous orthotopic tumors under non‐uniform whole‐body infrared irradiation prescription. The nanocomposite reduces intratumoral glutathione by simultaneously activating the fluorescence and photothermal channels. The fluorescence provides individual information on different tumors, allowing customized prescriptions to be made. This enables optimal induction of hyperthermia and dosage of chemo drugs, to ensure treatment efficacy, while avoiding overtherapy. With an accessional therapeutic laser system, customized synergistic treatment of subcutaneous orthotopic cancer cases with multiple tumors is possible with both high efficacy and minimized side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Described by Heald in 1982, total mesorectal excision (TME) is now routinely performed as the standard procedure for mid-low rectal cancer, with remarkable decrease in local recurrence and improved oncology outcome. However, the integrity of the resected mesentery and damage to autonomic nerves still remain challenging for general surgeons, especially in the cohort of neoadjuvant therapy patients. The concept of rectal modular resection (RMR), based on an integral understanding of the regional anatomy, was proposed as a surgical skill for dissociation of the rectum with shorter surgical duration, function preservation, and improved oncology outcome. Methods: This was a retrospective trial. Patients with resectable rectal lesions, ranging between 3 and 7 cm from the anal verge, were enrolled and grouped by TME surgery based on RMR or classical procedure resection (CPR). We estimated perioperative outcomes, including surgery complications such as anastomotic leak, urine retention, and others. Pathological properties, including distal clearance, harvested lymph nodes, tumor differentiation, and specimen grading, were also taken into account. Patients were followed postoperatively and functional evaluation was recorded at the 3-month and 1-year postoperation visits. Results: From January 2019 to December 2021, a total of 92 patients were enrolled in this study. TME surgery complying with the RMR methodology was performed with a back-to-bilateral-to-front modular proceeding. Duration of operation was significantly shortened in the RMR group, without increase in blood loss or failure rate of anus preservation. The quality of the specimen, graded according to integrity of the mesorectum, stands out in the RMR group. Functional evaluation revealed no statistical difference between RMR and CPR groups regarding sexual ability impairment and defecation disorder since follow-up is still ongoing. Conclusions: RMR-based TME was efficient with compressed operation duration compared with CPR and its safety was well validated with regard to the occurrence of complications and function loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is a severe malignancy derived from the skin. Mounting evidence suggests that circular RNAs (circRNAs) participate in diverse biological functions in human cancers, containing CSCC. However, the biological functions and underlying mechanism of hsa_circ_0005085 in CSCC have not been clearly studied. Methods: Expression levels of hsa_circ_0005085, microRNA‐186‐5p (miR‐186‐5p), and Laminin subunit gamma 1 (LAMC1) were detected by reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Cell counting kit‐8 assay, colony formation assay, and 5‐Ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine assay were used to assess cell proliferation. Transwell assay was conducted to detect cell migration and invasion. Cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. Protein expression of LAMC1, E‐cadherin, Snail, and slug were assessed using western blot assay. Using bioinformatics software, the binding between miR‐186‐5p and hsa_circ_0005085 or LAMC1 was predicted, followed by verification using a dual‐luciferase reporter and RNA‐Immunoprecipitation. The mouse xenograft model was established to investigate the role of hsa_circ_0005085 in vivo. Results: Hsa_circ_0005085 level was downregulated in CSCC tissues and cells. Overexpression of hsa_circ_0005085 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion, epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), and promoted cell apoptosis in CSCC. MiR‐186‐5p could restore the effect of hsa_circ_0005085 overexpression on CSCC cells, and the knockdown of LAMC1 reversed the regulation of the miR‐186‐5p inhibitor. In mechanism, hsa_circ_0005085 served as a sponge for miR‐186‐5p to regulate LAMC1 expression. Overexpression of hsa_circ_0005085 reduced growth of tumor via miR‐186‐5p/LAMC1 axis in vivo. Conclusion: In our study, hsa_circ_0005085 might inhibit CSCC development by targeting the miR‐186‐5p/LAMC1 axis, which might provide a promising therapeutic target for CSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the literature has shown that generalized reciprocity and negative reciprocity as exchange norms can significantly influence employees' outcomes, knowledge about how and when the two types of norms influence employees' well-being is limited. Based on social exchange theory and self-determination theory, we built and investigated a model by conducting a large questionnaire survey with 551 employees and managers. The results of the structural equation model supported our hypotheses. First, generalized reciprocity is positively related to well-being, and negative reciprocity is negatively related to well-being. Both intrinsic motivation and perceived organizational obstruction can meditate roles in the above relationships. Moreover, strength use can enhance the relationship between generalized reciprocity and intrinsic motivation, and it can also weaken the relationship between negative reciprocity and perceived organizational obstruction. Our research represents a significant step towards better understanding the work-related implications of imbalanced reciprocity, highlighting the destructive influence of negative reciprocity on employees' well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air separation units (ASUs) integrated with liquid air energy storage (LAES) have the potential to balance grid demand and improve production profits. This study aims to enhance the demand response of a novel co-production air separation system (NCASS) by maximizing the energy arbitrage of a LAES system. We developed a mixed-integer nonlinear programming model to minimize operating costs by using a proxy model to represent the ASU production space and a black box model to represent the material and energy flow balance of LAES. The model is based on rigorous mathematical programming and, considers material and energy flow balance, analyzes the production and delivery processes and constraints for each product, and matches equipment start-up and shutdown time constraints. The case study shows that the model achieves a high level of matter and energy matching between the distillation process and the LAES process, maximizing the LAES peak-shaving capacity and improving system economics. During the 24 h schedule period, the total electricity consumption of NCASS increases by 18.94% during the valley electricity period and decreases by 20.59% during the flat and peak electricity period. The economic benefits increase by 9.51 k$, accounting for 14.29% of the total costs. This study contributes to the wider application of NCAS with LAES technology for sustainable energy management. [Display omitted] • A novel economic scheduling model is proposed to minimize gas production costs. • A black box model represents the conversion process of liquid air energy storage. • High-performance operation of air compressors and zero gas emission are achieved. • The time-of-day tariff is utilized to maximize profits and minimize operating costs. • Liquide air energy storage achieves around 20% power load shifting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simultaneous photothermal ablation of multiple tumors is limited by unpredictable photo‐induced apoptosis, caused by individual intratumoral differences. Here, a multi‐channel lanthanide nanocomposite was used to achieve tailored synergistic treatment of multiple subcutaneous orthotopic tumors under non‐uniform whole‐body infrared irradiation prescription. The nanocomposite reduces intratumoral glutathione by simultaneously activating the fluorescence and photothermal channels. The fluorescence provides individual information on different tumors, allowing customized prescriptions to be made. This enables optimal induction of hyperthermia and dosage of chemo drugs, to ensure treatment efficacy, while avoiding overtherapy. With an accessional therapeutic laser system, customized synergistic treatment of subcutaneous orthotopic cancer cases with multiple tumors is possible with both high efficacy and minimized side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Women with human immunodeficiency virus (WWH) have an elevated risk for human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated anal cancer. Primary anal cancer screening results from this population could inform practice guidelines. Methods In total, 381 WWH with anal cytology screening, high-risk HPV (hrHPV) testing and genital (cervical or vaginal) cotesting within 6 months were identified during 2012–2019. Those with anal cytology of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) or worse underwent high-resolution anoscopy and biopsy. Independent predictors of anal hrHPV, HPV16, and histological anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (aHSIL) were identified using adjusted logistic regression models. Results Prevalence of anal hrHPV, HPV16, and ASCUS or worse cytology was 61%, 13%, and 68%. Histological aHSIL was detected in 42% of WWH with ASCUS or worse anal cytology. Prevalence of genital hrHPV, HPV16, and ASCUS or worse cytology was 30%, 4%, and 28%. Genital hrHPV predicted anal hrHPV (odds ratio [OR], 5.05), while genital HPV16 predicted anal HPV16 (OR, 9.52). Genital hrHPV and anal HPV16 predicted histological aHSIL (ORs, 2.78 and 10.9). Conclusions Anal HPV disease was highly prevalent in this primary screening cohort of WWH. While genital screening results predicted anal disease, rates of isolated anal HPV disease were substantial, supporting universal anal cancer screening for this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-induced death in the world. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) released exosomes that contributed to cancer progression. This research was carried out to study the influence of CRC-associated fibroblasts-derived exosomes on the phenotype of CRC cells and the underlying mechanism. CAFs-derived exosomes (CAFs-exo) and normal fibroblasts (NFs)-derived exosomes (NFs-exo) were recognized by transmission electronic microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis and western blot analysis. Cell counting kit-8, flow cytometry analysis, colony formation assay, Transwell, qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry staining and xenografts model were carried out to proceed with function studies in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that CAFs-exo induced cell proliferation, migration and invasion, while NFs-exo did not influence the tumor biological properties of CRC cells. Using qRT-PCR, miR-345-5p was observed to be a notably up-regulated miRNA in CAFs-exo compared to NFs-exo. CAFs-exo could mediate the transfer of miR-345-5p to CRC cells, and downregulation of miR-345-5p in CAFs notably reversed the pro-tumoral effect of CAFs-exo on CRC cells. Based on online prediction database, CDKN1A was proved as a direct downstream target of miR-345-5p in CRC cells, which was lowly expressed and negatively associated with miR-345-5p in CRC tumors. Furthermore, miR-345-5p upregulation-mediated tumor biological behaviors were abrogated by exogenous CDKN1A. In CRC cells-beared tumor xenograft, CAFs-exo administration promoted tumor growth and decreased CDKN1A expression, whereas miR-345-5p inhibition reversed these effects. The present study revealed that by interacting with CDKN1A, CAF-derived exosomal miR-345-5p promotes CRC progression and metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is the impairment of the biological growth potential of the fetus and often leads to adverse pregnancy outcomes. The molecular mechanisms for the development of FGR, however, are still unclear. The purpose of this study is to identify critical genes associated with FGR through an integrated bioinformatics approach and explore the potential pathogenesis of FGR. Methods. We downloaded FGR-related gene microarray data, used weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks to screen hub genes. The GSE24129 gene set was used for validation of critical gene expression levels and diagnostic capabilities. Results. A weighted gene co-expression network was constructed, and 5000 genes were divided into 12 modules. Of these modules, the blue module showed the closest relationship with FGR. Taking the intersection of the DEGs and genes in the blue module as pivotal genes, 277 genes were identified, and 20 crucial genes were screened from the PPI network. The GSE24129 gene set verified the expression of 20 genes, and CXCL9, CXCR3, and ITGAX genes were identified as actual pivotal genes. The expression levels of CXCL9, CXCR3, and ITGAX were increased in both the training and validation sets, and ROC curve validation revealed that these three pivotal genes had a significant diagnostic ability for FGR. Single-gene GSEA results showed that all three core genes activated "hematopoietic cell lineage" and "cell adhesion molecules" and inhibited the "cGMP-PKG signaling pathway" in the development of FGR. CXCL9, CXCR3, and ITGAX may therefore be closely associated with the development of FGR and may serve as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of FGR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fatigue life and prediction of styrene-butadiene-styrene thermoplastic elastomer (SBS) under the action of uniaxial tension was investigated, and the fatigue fracture mechanism was analyzed. With the increases of amplitude and frequency, the fatigue life of SBS decreases. The fatigue life of SBS under the amplitude and frequency was predicted, and the shift factor was applied to predict the fatigue life of SBS at the other frequency and amplitude. With the increase of temperature, the fatigue life decreases first and then increases. The fatigue fracture surface presents crack source region, crack propagation region, and instantaneous fracture region. At – 40°C, the crack source region is rough, and the crack propagation region and instantaneous fracture region are rough with the rib morphology. With the increase of temperature at 23°C, the crack source region is relatively flat, and the crack propagation region presents the undulant surface. With the temperature further increased up to 50°C, the fracture surface is very flat, and the shell lines could be clearly seen. The crack growth rate of SBS increases with the increase of temperature. The gel structure of SBS is formed at high temperature through the chemical crosslinking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly confined Love modes are demonstrated in a phononic crystal based on a square array of etched holes in SiO 2 deposited on the ST-cut quartz. An optimal choice of the geometrical parameters contributes to a wide stop-band for shear waves' modes. The introduction of a defect by removing lines of holes leads to the nearly flat modes within the bandgap and, consequently, paves the way to implement advanced designs of electroacoustic filters and high-performance cavity resonators. The calculations are based on the finite element method in considering the elastic and piezoelectric properties of the materials. Interdigital transducers are employed to measure the transmission spectra. The geometrical parameters enabling the appearance of confined cavity modes within the bandgap and the efficiency of the electric excitation were investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitraria sibirica is a shrub that can survive in extreme drought environments. The auxin-response factors (ARFs) are a class of transcription factors that are widely involved in plant growth and development, as well as in the regulation of stress resistance. However, the genome-wide identification of the ARF gene family and its responses to environmental stresses, especially drought stress, in N. sibirica has not yet been reported. Here, we identified a total of 12 ARF genes in the genome of N. sibirica, which were distributed over 10 chromosomes and divided into three clades. Intragenome synteny analysis revealed one collinear gene pair in the ARF gene family, i.e., NsARF9a and NsARF9b. Cis-acting element analysis showed that multiple hormones and stress-responsive cis-acting elements were found in the promoters of NsARFs, suggesting that NsARFs may be involved in multiple biological processes. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) showed that many NsARFs had tissue-specific expression patterns, with the highest expression of NsARF16 in the seedlings of N. sibirica. In addition, most of the NsARFs that were upregulated under drought were independent of endogenous ABA biosynthesis, whereas the response of NsARF5 and NsARF7a to drought was disrupted by the ABA-biosynthesis inhibitor fluridone. These studies provide a basis for further research into how NsARFs in N. sibirica respond to hormonal signaling and environmental stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional multichannel wireless power transfer (WPT) systems suffer from the complex system structure and cross-interference among receivers. To solve such problems, this article presents the design and control methods of a decoupled multichannel WPT system based on multilevel inverters. A single-phase multilevel inverter is utilized to drive the transmitter circuit with a voltage waveform consisting of multiple components. Particularly, these components are independent in the frequency spectrum, and their amplitudes can be controlled independently. Moreover, primary compensation is used to offer multiple frequencies for the primary circuit. Additional damping filters are used in the secondary circuits to reduce the cross-interference between the receivers. In addition, the features of the system topology are analyzed, and an exact parameter design method is presented. Furthermore, combined with the neutral point voltage balance strategy, a simple vector-based control method is proposed to regulate the transmitted power in each power channel. As a result, the power can be transferred to loads through the designed power channels simultaneously without mutual interference. Finally, both simulation and experiment of a 1-kW experimental prototype with SIC-MOSFET are given to verify the feasibility of the proposed multichannel WPT system and the control strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent increases in organophosphate ester (OPE) application have led to their widespread presence, yet little is known about their temporal trends in food. This study collected milk samples from 13 countries across three continents during 2020–2023, finding detectable OPEs in all samples (range: 2.25–19.7; median: 7.06 ng/g ww). Although no statistical temporal differences were found for the total OPEs during the 4-year sampling campaign, it was interesting to observe significant variations in the decreasing trend for Cl-OPEs and concentration variations for aryl-OPEs and alkyl-OPEs (p < 0.05), indicating changing OPE use patterns. Packaged milk exhibited significant higher OPE levels than those found in directly collected raw unpackaged milk, and milk with longer shelf-life showed higher OPE levels, revealing packaging material as a contamination source. No significant geographical differences were observed in milk across countries (p > 0.05), but Shandong Province, a major OPE production site in China, showed relatively higher OPE concentrations. The Monte Carlo simulation of estimated daily intakes indicated no exposure risk from OPEs through milk consumption. The molecular docking method was used to assess human hormone binding affinity with OPEs, amongst which aryl-OPEs had the highest binding energies. The Toxicological-Priority-Index method which integrated chemical property, detection frequency, risk quotients, hazardous quotients and endocrine-disrupting effects was employed to prioritize OPEs. Aryl-OPEs showed the highest scores, deserving attention in the future. [Display omitted] • Four year temporal trends of OPEs were studied in global milk, revealing a decline of Cl-OPEs. • Migration from packaging material and cow excretion both contributed to OPE contents in milk. • Higher OPE levels were found in milk from the major OPEs production sites. • Molecular docking results suggested strong human hormone binding affinity with OPEs. • The ToxPi sheme with five domains was employed to prioritize OPE risks to humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • An optimization algorithm for water allocation in long-distance water transfer project. • An Application of Markowitz Investment Portfolio Model in Water Conservancy Engineering. • Nine representative indicators were selected from three aspects: economy, society, and ecology. • Based on the revenue situation from 2015 to 2021 after the opening of the MRP. • Achieve safe water diversion while achieving efficient utilization of water resources. Long-distance water diversion, as an essential degree to alleviate the imbalance of regional water resource distribution, has become a crucial part of the global efforts of water conservancy and water ecology. However, the way to ensure green use of water resources while adequately diverting water is an urgent hassle to be solved. Based on relevant data from 11 cities in the water receiving areas along the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project and Markowitz's portfolio model, this study selects nine independent and representative indicators from the economic, social, and ecological aspects. Using the benefits of these nine indicators in 2015–2021 as a basis, the water diversion allocation portfolio with the greatest comprehensive benefits under normal operation of the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project was calculated and evaluated, and the benefits were measured and verified using the input–output model. The results demonstrate that, taking Beijing as an example, the comprehensive benefits will reach the maximum when the water supplied for economic, social, and ecological aspects is 15.16%, 56.35%, and 28.49%, respectively. At this time, economic benefits scored 9.50, which provide the greatest impetus to promote ecological and social development in water-affected areas along the route. While ecological and social benefits, which aim to protect the ecosystem and improve livelihoods, have a lower ability to promote development in water-affected areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Comprehensive overview of redox-responsive inorganic fluorescent nanoprobes. • Comparison of different types of inorganic fluorescence nanoprobes. • Disease diagnosis and imaging performance of nanoprobes. • Challenges in improving future inorganic fluorescent nanoprobes. Redox reactions play fundamental roles in life and are at the core of metabolism. Thus, observing and quantifying these reactions is crucial for diagnostics and therapy. Recent advances in inorganic fluorescent nanoprobes have revolutionized the field, enabling in vitro diagnostics by providing reliable tools for real-time, quantitative determination of redox biomolecule levels in biological samples and cells. Due to their high stability, these probes are also widely used in bioimaging, providing real-time information for in vivo diagnostics and guiding treatment of diseases associated with redox biomolecules. This review explores the diverse landscape of inorganic fluorescent nanoprobes designed for the detection of biologically relevant reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. The discussion is divided into several sections, each focusing on nanoprobes tailored for specific oxidative species. The impact of tailored nanoprobes in diagnostics and imaging-guided treatment depends on their chemical composition, surface property, and fluorescence mechanism. The discussions highlight the current strengths and weaknesses, which will help to design more efficient redox-responsive inorganic fluorescent nanoprobes in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imbalanced data classification presents a significant challenge when there is a substantial disparity in sample sizes across different classes. This issue severely affects classifier accuracy in predicting minority classes, hampering numerous real-world applications. Traditional methods address data imbalance by using undersampling or oversampling techniques. However, these methods may lead to information loss during sample reduction or introduce noise and model bias through synthetic sample generation. In this paper, we introduce DRIL , an innovative clustering-based incremental learning approach designed to overcome these limitations and improve the classification of minority class samples. Specifically, we employ a "two-step clustering" method to rebalance the dataset, partitioning it into similar and representative sub-dataset. Subsequently, incremental learning is applied to enable the classifier to gradually acquire knowledge about these sub-data, establishing a comprehensive understanding of all features present in the imbalanced dataset. Experimental results on twenty datasets demonstrate that our incremental learning-based algorithm outperforms baseline methods in correctly classifying minority classes while exhibiting improved precision and F1 score performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The tetra- and octacarbazolyl-substituted spirobifluorene star-shaped precursors (TCTSp and OCTSp) were designed. • MPNs films (TCTSp-EP and OCTSp-EP) were constructed by EP method. • The higher number of electroactive carbazolyl substituents in the EP precursors improved the electrical activity and sensing properties. • Synergistic mechanism of F o ¨ rster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and photo-induced electron transfer (PET) as core TNP mechanisms. • A helpful guideline for developing satisfactory MPNs sensing films based on EP method. 2,4,6-Trinitrophenol (TNP) has been widely used as a common explosive, but it pollutes the environment and the water source. The selective and sensitive detection of TNP in a water environment is of great importance. Herein, two facile and sensitive fluorescent sensing films (TCTSp-EP and OCTSp-EP) were constructed using tetrabazolyl- and octacarbazolyl-substituted spirobifluorene star-shaped molecules (TCTSp and OCTSp) by electrochemical polymerization. The TCTSp-EP and OCTSp-EP were found selective and sensitive towards the detection of TNP, with a limit of detection (LOD) value of 47.2 nM and 21.5 nM, respectively. The fluorescence detection of TNP was achieved through Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and photo-induced electron transfer (PET) as core TNP detection mechanisms. Compared with TCTSp-EP, the more carbazoles in the OCTSp-EP improved the electrical activity and increased the film thickness growth rate. The OCTSp-EP was more sensitive to TNP in water than TCTSp-EP. This was due to the hyperbranched structure of OCTSp-EP which had more exciton migration channels. Moreover, both of these films had excellent cycling performance and were successfully applied to detect TNP in real-water samples (deionized water, drinking water, and lake water). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biosensors are powerful tools for improving microbial biosynthesis. For example, biosensors can be used to establish feedback control mechanisms to inhibit the growth of low performing cells in a microbial population. In this study, a previously developed biosensor-assisted cell selection system was further engineered to increase the cell selection pressure for improving the bioproduction of 4-hydroxybenzoate (4HB) in E. coli. First, additional sensor protein PobR binding sites were introduced to reduce the binding of PobR controlling the expression of the selection marker gene (antibiotic tetracycline resistance tetA), which stimulated the engineered cells to produce more 4HB to compensate for the tetA expression reduction due to the loss of the PobR binding. Second, the degradation of the PobR sensor protein was promoted using an E. coli ssrA-SspB system to press the cells to make more 4HB. Third, the dosage of antibiotic tetracycline controlling the selection strengths was dynamically increased during the cultivation to align the selection pressure elevation with the cell growth. Our findings show these strategies all effectively improved the 4HB biosynthesis in E. coli and thus demonstrate their potential of wider applications in microbial biosynthesis. • Three strategies were developed to increase the strength of a biosensor-based cell selection mechanism. • Biosynthesis of 4-hydroxybenzoate was used to test the effectiveness of the adopted strategies. • Extra sensor protein binding sites were added to impose higher cell selection pressure. • Accelerating the degradation of the sensor protein also stimulated the cells to produce more product. • The antibiotic dosage was dynamically increased to align the cell selection pressure elevation with the cell growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on self-determination theory and job characteristics theory, this study aims to provide a systematic and comprehensive model simultaneously investigating the relationship between job characteristics and two forms of work motivation (i.e., controlled motivation and autonomous motivation). To examine the proposed model, we recruited employees working in multiple Chinese industries and collected 435 valid questionnaires. The results indicate that job characteristics have a significantly positive effect on basic psychological needs satisfaction, which, in turn, positively affects autonomous motivation and negatively influences controlled motivation. In addition, basic psychological needs satisfaction mediates the linkage between job characteristics and positive or negative work motivation. Moreover, when an employee had high positive affectivity, job characteristics were more likely to fuel their basic psychological needs satisfaction. In contrast, job characteristics were more likely to be the depressor of these needs satisfaction when an employee possesses high negative affectivity. Our findings revealed that the degree of three needs satisfaction at work is a convincing and identifiable psychological mechanism between job characteristics and two types of work motivation. Also, work affectivity may influence the different perceptions of job characteristics, reminding managers that personality traits are a non-negligible factor in job design. Overall, this paper extends the application of the job characteristics model by revealing when and how job characteristics influence two types of work motivation and further puts forward managerial implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]