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Ubiquitin-proteasome system dysfunction triggers α-synuclein aggregation, a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the crosstalk between deubiquitinating enzyme (DUBs) and α-synuclein pathology remains unclear. In this study, we observed a decrease in the level of ubiquitin-specific protease 14 (USP14), a DUB, in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of PD patients, particularly females. Moreover, CSF USP14 exhibited a dual correlation with α-synuclein in male and female PD patients. To investigate the impact of USP14 deficiency, we crossed USP14 heterozygous mouse (USP14+/−) with transgenic A53T PD mouse (A53T-Tg) or injected adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying human α-synuclein (AAV-hα-Syn) in USP14+/− mice. We found that Usp14 deficiency improved the behavioral abnormities and pathological α-synuclein deposition in female A53T-Tg or AAV-hα-Syn mice. Additionally, Usp14 inactivation attenuates the pro-inflammatory response in female AAV-hα-Syn mice, whereas Usp14 inactivation demonstrated opposite effects in male AAV-hα-Syn mice. Mechanistically, the heterodimeric protein S100A8/A9 may be the downstream target of Usp14 deficiency in female mouse models of α-synucleinopathies. Furthermore, upregulated S100A8/A9 was responsible for α-synuclein degradation by autophagy and the suppression of the pro-inflammatory response in microglia after Usp14 knockdown. Consequently, our study suggests that USP14 could serve as a novel therapeutic target in PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: External fixation is widely used in the treatment of traumatic fractures; however, orthopedic surgeons encounter challenges in deciding the optimal time for fixator removal. The axial load-share ratio (LS) of the fixator is a quantitative index to evaluate the stiffness of callus healing. This paper introduces an innovative method for measuring the LS and assesses the method's feasibility and efficacy. Based on a novel hexapod LS-measurement system, the proposed method is to improve the convenience and precision of measuring LS in vivo, hence facilitating the safe removal of external fixators. Methods: A novel hexapod system is introduced, including its composition, theoretical model, and method for LS measurement. We conducted a retrospective study on 82 patients with tibial fractures treated by the Taylor Spatial Frame in our hospital from September 2018 to June 2020, of which 35 took LS measurements with our novel method (Group I), and 47 were with the traditional method (Group II). The external fixator was removed when the measurement outcome (LS < 10%) was consistent with the surgeon's diagnosis based on the clinical and radiological assessment (bone union achieved). Results: No significant difference was found in the fracture healing time (mean 25.3 weeks vs. 24.9 weeks, P > 0.05), frame-wearing duration (mean 25.5 weeks vs. 25.8 weeks, P > 0.05), or LS measurement frequency (mean 1.1 times vs. 1.2 times, P > 0.05). The measurement system installation time in Group I was significantly shorter compared to Group II (mean 14.8 min vs. 81.3 min, P < 0.001). The LS value of the first measurement in Group I was lower than that of Group II (mean 5.1% vs. 6.9%, P = 0.011). In Group I, the refracture rate was 0, but in Group II it was 4.3% (2/47, P > 0.05). Conclusion: The novel hexapod LS-measurement system and involved method demonstrated enhanced convenience and precision in measuring the LS of the external fixator in vivo. The LS measurement indicates the callus stiffness of fracture healing, and is applicable to evaluate the safety of removing the fixator. Consequently, it is highly recommended for widespread adoption in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obtaining higher-resolution and more realistic characteristics of tectonic stress fields is the goal of research into tectonic stress field simulations. In this study, a regional heterogeneous rock mechanics model was established on the basis of seismic, logging, and sample experimental data. The simulation results show that the minimum principal stress values in the lower Niutitang formation are between 25.0 and 120.0 MPa. The quantitative distribution prediction results for shale reservoir fractures based on the high-resolution tectonic stress field numerical model show that the fracture development zones in the Sangzhi block are mainly distributed near the fault, fold axis turning, and fold wing in an NE–SW orientation. There are two types of fractures developed in this region: shear fractures and tensile fractures. The shear fractures mainly developed near the NE–SW-oriented faults, with shear fracture rates ranging from 1 to 3, and the tensile fractures mainly developed in the southeast wing of the Wudaoshui anticline, with tensile fracture rates ranging from 1 to 2. The low fracture development zone is mainly located in the western slope of the block, with shear fracture rates and tensile fracture rates that are both < 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although gastrointestinal endoscopy with sedation is increasingly performed in older patients, the optimal level of sedation remains open to debate. In this study, our objective was to compare the effects of moderate sedation (MS) and deep sedation (DS) on recovery following outpatient gastroscopy in elderly patients. Methods: In this randomized, partially blinded, controlled trial, we randomly divided 270 patients older than 60 years who were scheduled for elective outpatient gastroscopy into the MS or DS group based on the Modified Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation (MOAA/S) scale. The primary outcome was the duration of stay in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). Secondary outcomes included the duration of the total hospital stay, frequency of retching, bucking, and body movements during the examination, endoscopist and patient satisfaction, and sedation-associated adverse events during the procedure. Results: A total of 264 patients completed the study, of whom 131 received MS and 133 received DS. MS was associated with a shorter PACU stay [16.15 ± 9.01 min vs. 20.02 ± 11.13 min, P < 0.01] and total hospital stay [27.32 ± 9.86 min vs. 30.82 ± 12.37 min, P < 0.05], lesser hypoxemia [2.3% (3/131) vs. 12.8% (17/133), P < 0.01], use of fewer vasoactive drugs (P < 0.001), and more retching (P < 0.001). There was no difference in the incidence of bucking and body movements or endoscopist and patient satisfaction between the two groups. Conclusion: Compared to deep sedation, moderate sedation may be a preferable choice for American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Grade I–III elderly patients undergoing outpatient gastroscopies, as demonstrated by shorter PACU stays and total hospital stays, lower sedation-associated adverse events, and similar levels of endoscopist and patient satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Iron accumulation is associated with osteoporosis. This study aims to explore the effect of chronic iron accumulation induced by hepcidin1 deficiency on aging osteoporosis. Methods: Iron accumulation in hepcidin1 knockout aging mice was assessed by atomic absorption spectroscopy and Perl's staining. Bone microarchitecture was observed using Micro-CT. Hepcidin, ferritin, oxidative stress, and markers of bone turnover in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Bone formation and resorption markers were measured by real-time quantitative PCR. Cell aging was induced by D-galactose treatment. CCK-8, flow cytometry, EdU assays, and Alizarin red staining were performed to reveal the role of hepcidin1 knockout in cell model. Iron Colorimetric Assay Kit and western blot were applied to detect iron and ferritin levels in cells, respectively. Results: In hepcidin1-knockout mice, the ferritin and iron contents in liver and tibia were significantly increased. Iron accumulation induced by hepcidin1 knockout caused a phenotype of low bone mass and deteriorated bone microarchitecture. Osteogenic marker was decreased and osteoclast marker was increased in mice, accompanied by increased oxidative stress level. The mRNA expression levels of osteoclast differentiation markers (RANKL, Mmp9, OPG, Trap, and CTSK) were up-regulated, while bone formation markers (OCN, ALP, Runx2, SP7, and Col-1) were down-regulated in model group, compared to wild type mice. In vitro, hepcidin1 knockdown inhibited proliferation and osteogenic differentiation, while promoted apoptosis, with increased levels of iron and ferritin. Conclusion: Iron accumulation induced by hepcidin1 deficiency aggravates the progression of aging osteoporosis via inhibiting osteogenesis and promoting osteoclast genesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wide-band laser cladding technology has emerged as a solution to the limitations of traditional cladding techniques, which are small single-path dimensions and low processing efficiency. The existing wide-band cladding technology presents challenges related to the high precision required for the laser–powder coupling and the significant powder-divergence phenomenon. Based on the inside-beam powder-feeding technology, a wide-band powder-feeding nozzle was designed using the multi-channel powder flow shaping method. The size of the powder spot obtained at the processing location can reach 40 mm × 3 mm. A computational fluid dynamics analysis using the FLUENT software was conducted to investigate the impact of the nozzle's structural parameters on the powder distribution. It was determined that the optimal configuration was achieved when the powder-feeding channel was 8, and the transverse and longitudinal dimensions for the collimating gas outlet were 0.5 mm and 1 mm, respectively. Among the process parameters, an increase in the carrier gas flow rate was found to effectively enhance the stability of powder transportation. However, the powder feed rate had minimal impact on the powder concentration distribution, and the collimating gas flow rate appeared to have a minimal effect on the divergence angle of the powder stream. Wide-band laser cladding experiments were conducted using the designed powder-feeding nozzle, and a single-path cladding with a width of 39.96 mm was finally obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most exhausting and common complications of cancer and its treatments is cancer-related fatigue. According to the results reported from various studies, non-pharmacological interventions are preferable to pharmaceutical treatments. The purpose of the present study was to investigate nonpharmacological approaches effective on cancer-related fatigue. Based on the results of various studies, there is much evidence of the positive effect of exercise and acupuncture on reducing cancerrelated fatigue during and after treatments. Existing studies on psycho-social support, sleep modification, nutrition, and complementary and alternative medicine methods, such as massage and touch, yoga, relaxation and meditation, and herbal medicines, suggest that these methods can reduce or eliminate related fatigue. In general, it seems that all the methods discussed in this study are noninvasive, low-risk, and relatively cheap methods that can be used alongside common treatments or even replace pharmaceutical methods. It is hoped that such studies will be used for evidence-based performance in reducing fatigue in cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Chinese chest pain centers (CPCs) have been expanding and maturing for the past decade, but patient wait times for pre-hospital care remain long. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that the remote electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring system can ensure more efficient treatment for patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in CPCs, we compared patients with high-risk chest pain who used remote ECG monitoring systems to those who used conventional ECGs in retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 290 patients who visited our CPC between June 2019 and March 2022 with acute chest pain and a diagnosis of STEMI as well as patients who had undergone an emergency primary percutaneous coronary intervention were selected. Among them, 73 patients with STEMI had employed remote real-time dynamic 12-lead ECG monitoring devices, while 217 patients with STEMI (i.e., the controls) had used conventional ECG monitoring. The effectiveness of treatment procedures for the two groups was investigated. As statistical measures, the symptom onset-to-wire times, first medical contact (FMC)-to-wire times, door-to-wire times, major adverse cardiac events in hospital, and the troponin T levels were analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the patients with remote real-time dynamic 12-lead ECG monitoring devices showed shorter times for both symptom onset-to-wire (234.8 ± 95.8 min vs. 317.6 ± 129.6 min, P = 0.0321) and from symptom onset-to-FMC (170.5 ± 86.3 min vs. 245.3 ± 115.6 min, P = 0.0287); this group also had a lower 30-day mortality rate (2.73% vs. 4.14%, P = 0.003). The differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: With remote real-time dynamic 12-lead ECG monitoring equipment, myocardial ischemia can be treated more quickly, leading to fewer possible cardiac events and a better prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines two important mediating roles, namely, technology diversity (TD) and intellectual property protection, in the relationship between product innovativeness and entrepreneurial orientation (EO) in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Based on survey data from 119 Taiwanese SMEs, EO enhances product innovativeness indirectly through TD and IP protection. In addition, market uncertainty moderates three relationships, as follows: TD/product innovativeness positively, and EO/IP protection and IP protection/product innovativeness negatively. Our results improve knowledge of EO and product innovativeness in SMEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study aimed to analyze the association between tumor makers and Peritoneal Dissemination (PD) detection in patients with Colorectal Cancer (CRC). Background: The eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system expanded the classification of the M category with the addition of M1c for PD due to its worse prognosis compared to other visceral organ metastases. The lack of specific symptoms and varying sensitivities of imaging studies leads to difficulty in PD detection. Methods: A total of 1,109 patients with CRC who underwent tumor resection between June 2000 and December 2017 were included in this retrospective study. Serum tumor markers, including Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA), Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), and CA125, were analyzed preoperatively. The grading of PD was performed based on the findings during surgical exploration and further confirmed by pathology. Results: CA125 had the lowest sensitivity; however, it showed the highest specificity and diagnostic accuracy compared to CEA and CA19-9. Based on the analysis of tumor marker levels in advancing stages, the levels of CA125 did not rise until stage IVC. CEA and CA19-9 levels increased significantly at stage IV; however, it was not possible to differentiate between stage IVC and other organ metastases. Conclusion: Among the three tumor markers, CA125 levels were closely correlated with PD compared to CEA and CA19-9 levels. The present analysis of tumor markers poses a better chance of diagnosis of stage IVC preoperatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supply chain resilience has garnered significant attention from both scholars and practitioners. However, the complex nature of the topic has resulted in a dearth of research on its key elements and formation mechanisms. To bridge this knowledge gap, we implemented grounded theory and conducted semi-structured interviews with 23 interviewees, which led to the identification of six key elements of supply chain resilience through open coding, axial coding, selective coding, and theoretical model saturation testing. These elements are product supply resilience, resource resilience, partner resilience, information response resilience, capital resilience, and knowledge resilience. Drawing from the key elements and the three phases of supply chain resilience (readiness, response, and recovery), we illustrated its formation mechanism and constructed a theoretical model of the influencing factors and pathways of supply chain resilience. We devised a questionnaire based on the coding results and confirmed its reasonableness and validity with a small sample of 109 questionnaires. Subsequently, a large sample of 409 questionnaires was used to test and validate the theoretical model using structural equation modeling, demonstrating that the identified key elements positively impact supply chain resilience. In sum, our paper enriches the comprehension of supply chain resilience by identifying its key elements and elaborating on its formation mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice blast is a very serious disease caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, which threatens rice production and food supply throughout the world. The avirulence (AVR) genes of rice blast are perceived by the corresponding rice blast resistance (R) genes and prompt specific resistance. A mutation in AVR is a major force for new virulence. Exploring mutations in AVR among M. oryzae isolates from rice production fields could aid assessment of the efficacy and durability of R genes. We studied the probable molecular-evolutionary patterns of AVR-Pib alleles by assaying their DNA-sequence diversification and examining their avirulence to the corresponding Pib resistance gene under natural conditions in the extremely genetically diverse of rice resources of Yunnan, China. PCRs detected results from M. oryzae genomic DNA and revealed that 162 out of 366 isolates collected from Yunnan Province contained AVR-Pib alleles. Among them, 36.1–73.3% isolates from six different rice production areas of Yunnan contained AVR-Pib alleles. Furthermore, 36 (28.6%) out of 126 isolates had a transposable element (TE) insertion in AVR-Pib, which resulted in altered virulence. The TE insertion was identified in isolates from rice rather than from Musa nana Lour. Twelve AVR-Pib haplotypes encoding three novel AVR-Pib variants were identified among the remaining 90 isolates. AVR-Pib alleles evolved to virulent forms from avirulent forms by base substitution and TE insertion of Pot2 and Pot3 in the 5′ untranslated region of AVR-Pib. These findings support the hypothesis that functional AVR-Pib possesses varied sequence structures and can escape surveillance by hosts via multiple variation manners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The mathematical model of the reachable domain of the contingency return trajectories. • Reachable domain calculation method of the contingency return trajectories based on interval analysis. • Parameter characteristic analysis of reachable domain. The investigation on reachable domain based on interval analysis is performed, which is aimed for the contingency return trajectories during the circumlunar flight stage in manned lunar landing engineering. First, the issue of contingency return trajectory, which adopts a non-coplanar maneuver during the circumlunar flight phase, is expounded upon. The mathematical model of the reachable domain of contingency return trajectories is established. Second, the contingency return trajectory is designed. An improved interval branch and bound algorithm is introduced and a reachable domain calculation method of the contingency return trajectories is proposed. Third, in numerical simulations, by comparing the reachable domain obtained by the traditional brute force method, the accuracy of the method presented in this paper is verified. It also indicates that this method has a higher calculation efficiency. Finally, numerous simulations are conducted to discuss the parameter characteristic of reachable domain by adopting this method. The study conclusions can serve as an important reference for the selection and decision of contingency return trajectory plans in the future manned lunar landing engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oscillatory flows past two identical circular cylinders are investigated by two-dimensional direct numerical simulations in the parameter space of gap ratio (0.5 ≤ G ≤ 4.0), angle of flow incidence (0° ≤ α ≤ 90°) and Keulegan–Carpenter number (4 ≤ KC ≤ 12) with a constant Reynolds number Re = 150, where G = L/D, KC = UmT/D and Re = UmD/υ with D being the dimeter of the identical cylinders, L the shortest surface-to-surface distance between the two cylinders, Um and T being the velocity amplitude and period of the sinusoidal oscillatory flow, respectively, and α is defined as the angle between the flow direction to the line connecting the centers of the two cylinders. Comparing with the tandem or side-by-side arrangements of twin circular cylinders in oscillatory flows, the staggered twin cylinders (0° < α < 90°) involve more diverse flow regimes, including the periodic, quasi-periodic and chaotic flow states, due to the inherent asymmetric flow interference around the cylinder pair. In addition to introducing four flow regimes for the tandem and side-by-side arrangements, this study newly identifies 11 flow regimes for the staggered twin cylinders. The newly reported flow regimes in this work are collaboratively identified through the flow visualizations, steady streaming, frequency spectra of fluid forces and Lissajous phase diagrams, as well as the temporal-spatial symmetry features of the wake flows. Connecting with the previous work by Zhao and Cheng ["Two-dimensional numerical study of vortex shedding regimes of oscillatory flow past two circular cylinders in side-by-side and tandem arrangements at low Reynolds numbers," J. Fluid Mech. 751, 1–37 (2014)], this study presents overall regime maps in the KC-α plane for varied gap ratios. It is found that the flow regimes previously and presently identified for the tandem and side-by-side arrangements may also appear for the staggered twin cylinders. The present numerical results suggest the sensitive dependence of the flow regimes on the parameters of KC, α, and G. It is also found that a specific flow regime with narrow parameter bands may appear within another flow regime, forming the abnormal regime hole in the regime map. To understand the profound influence of the control parameters on the flow regime transition, and the relevant temporal-spatial symmetry breaking, the linear Floquet stability analysis is conducted in this work. It was confirmed that the variation of the KC number may result in the Ky symmetry breaking over several periodic flow regimes, while the change of the angle of flow incidence may account for the H2 symmetry covering various periodic and quasi-periodic flow regimes. The stability analysis also explains the temporal flow transition and the abnormal occurrence of the regime holes within either quasi-periodic or chaotic flow regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge construction can be facilitated through different types of social interactive environment. A knowledge network environment (KN) develops a knowledge-centered network visualizing the structure of collective knowledge. A social network environment (SN) creates a people-centered network visualizing the social relationships among people. Considering the connectedness of knowledge and people, this study moves the conversation forward by introducing an integrated environment of both knowledge- and people-centered network, a social knowledge network environment (SKN). The study aimed at comparing the three types of environments and investigated their effect on collaborative knowledge construction processes and individual learning outcomes. The quasi-experiment results indicated that these three environments differed in their effects on learners' knowledge construction levels, the sequential patterns, as well as individual learning outcomes. Learners in SN had a highest rate of social interaction than the learners in the other environments. KN learners had a higher rate of allocentric elaboration than SN learners. SKN learners showed a higher level of surface and elaborative application, reflection, and knowledge construction outcomes than KN and SN learners. The different roles of social interactions were further discussed across three environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the integration of carbon nanotube (CNT), graphene, and biochar (BC) with zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO NRs) was investigated for efficient water pollutant removal. Two types of ZnO NRs/BC hybrids (BC on top and bottom of ZnO NRs) were synthesized and compared to other carbon material‐based ZnO NRs combinations. Methylene blue (MB) adsorption efficiency was evaluated for various carbon material‐based ZnO NRs composites, revealing good performance in ZnO NRs/BC hybrids, particularly with BC on top. The adsorption efficiency reached an impressive 61.79% for ZnO NRs/BC, surpassing other configurations. MB removal by ZnO NRs/BC fitted well with pseudo‐first‐order kinetics and the rate constants of MB adsorption is 9.19 × 10−2 1/min (R2 = 0.9237). Surface characterizations revealed a distinctive distribution of BC grains, with denser aggregation observed on top of ZnO NRs. This unique distribution contributed to higher MB adsorption rates, substantiated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis that showcased stronger MB adsorption in ZnO NRs/BC hybrids. Notably, the enhanced MB adsorption rates were attributed to the population of BC grains. This research establishes ZnO NRs/BC composites as promising candidates for effective water pollutant removal. The developed materials can be combined with the existed conventional wastewater treatment systems to further purify the water quality. Practitioner Points: ZnO NRs/BC hybrids achieve a remarkable 61.79% efficiency in removing MB pollutants, surpassing other carbon materials.MB removal using BC‐based materials follows pseudo‐first‐order kinetics.BC grains exhibit unique distribution patterns on ZnO NRs, with densely packed grains atop contributing to higher MB removal.FTIR analysis confirms increased MB‐related bond vibration, supporting the effectiveness of ZnO NRs/BC hybrids for water pollutant removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The controllable set of contingency return trajectories for crewed lunar missions is studied on the basis of interval analysis. Firstly, in the light of the statement of the contingency return trajectory departing from the low lunar orbit, the mathematical model of the controllable set problem is presented. Secondly, based on interval analysis and contingency return trajectory design, a controllable set algorithm is put forward by combining a modified branch and bound method. Thirdly, using numerical simulations, the accuracy of this algorithm is verified by comparing with the results acquired from the classical brute force method. In addition, the comparison indicates this algorithm has higher calculation efficiency. Finally, the controllable set parameter characteristic analysis of contingency return trajectories is performed. The investigation conclusions can supply a decision basis for the plan and selection of a contingency return scheme in the future crewed lunar missions. • Mathematical model of controllable set of the contingency return trajectories. • Controllable set algorithm of the contingency return trajectories based on interval analysis. • Controllable set parameter characteristic analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cardioprotective mechanisms of bradykinin-(1–9) in myocardial infarction were unclear. We investigated the effect of bradykinin-(1–9) on cardiac function, fibrosis, and autophagy induced by myocardial infarction and identified the mechanisms involved. To investigate the cardioprotective effect of bradykinin-(1–9), various doses of bradykinin-(1–9), its B2 receptor blocker HOE140, or their combination were administered to rats via subcutaneous osmotic minipump implantation before myocardial infarction. After 2 days, myocardial infarction was induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. After 2 weeks, echocardiographic measurements and euthanasia were performed. Bradykinin-(1–9) treatment attenuated left ventricular dysfunction, fibrosis, and autophagy in rats with myocardial infarction, which was partially reversed by HOE140 administration. Moreover, the downregulatory effect of bradykinin-(1–9) on autophagy was partially reversed by combination with the PI3K inhibitor LY294002. Thus, bradykinin-(1–9) inhibits myocardial infarction-induced cardiomyocyte autophagy by upregulating the PI3K/Akt pathway. • Bradykinin-(1–9) is a core component of the kallikrein–kinin system, which is released in the heart during ischemia. • Bradykinin-(1–9) protects against cardiac fibrosis and inhibits cardiomyocyte autophagy induced by myocardial infarction. • The cardioprotective action of bradykinin-(1–9) is dependent on the activation of PI3K/Akt signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The irradiance model is significant for accurately modelling the electrical and thermal performance of bifacial photovoltaic (bPV) modules, but existing irradiance models fail to be employed for bPV modules in a simple but reliable way. Therefore, this paper presented a concise and anisotropic irradiance model to predict the irradiance received by bPV modules, in which an improved view factor-based model was adopted to calculate the ground-reflected irradiance. In addition to its computational simplicity, the proposed model can satisfy the assumption of an anisotropic irradiance at both sides of the horizontal, tilted, and vertical bPV modules. Outdoor experiments were conducted to validate the proposed model under different conditions. Results show that the proposed model can well predict the irradiance of bPV modules placed above a concrete ground. The prediction errors of the front/rear/total irradiance are 7.1%/12.5%/6.1% and 11.9%/16.5%/8.7% for tilted and vertical bPV modules, respectively. In addition, the prediction performance decreases when a high-reflective ground made of aluminum foil is used. It is found that the albedo of the high-reflective ground will vary significantly on sunny days, mainly due to the incident-angle dependence of the ground reflection. Grounds with more diffuse reflections can improve the accuracy of the model's predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Dysphagia is one of the most common complications of anterior cervical spine surgery. Local steroid was widely used to reduce the postoperative swallowing pain. However, the effect of local steroid application on dysphagia after anterior cervical spine surgery was still uncertain. Materials and methods: We searched Medline (PubMed), Embase and the Cochrane Library on July 27, 2021 for studies investigating the effect of local steroid application on dysphagia after anterior cervical spine surgery from their date of inception to 2021. The relative risk or weighted mean difference with 95% confidence interval was recorded as a summary statistic consist of postoperative dysphagia, swallowing VAS scores, SWAL-QOL scores, PSTSI, and steroid related complications. Results: This meta-analysis included 7 RCT studies involving 254 patients in the steroid group and 232 patients in the placebo group. Results showed local steroid group had less patients with dysphagia, lower swallowing VAS scores and less severe of prevertebral soft-tissue edema on the fourth day after surgery. No significant difference in non-fusion rate between the two groups was observed. And all included studies had no serious steroid related complications reported. Conclusions: The use of local steroid in anterior cervical spine surgery could reduce the early postoperative dysphagia without serious steroid related complication. However, the safety of local steroid application still need further studies with larger samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rice blast disease (caused by Magnaporthe oryzae) is a devastating disease in China. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of interaction for the cognate avirulence (AVR) gene with host resistance (R) genes, as well as their genetic evolution is essential for sustainable rice production. In the present study, we conducted a high-throughput nucleotide sequence polymorphism analysis of the AVR-Pi9 gene that was amplified from the rice-growing regions of the Yunnan Province in China. We detected the presence of seven novel haplotypes from 326 rice samples. In addition, the sequences of AVR-Pi9 were also obtained from two non-rice hosts, Eleusine coracana and Eleusine indica. The sequence analysis revealed the insertions and deletions in the coding and non-coding regions of the gene. The pathogenicity experiments of these haplotypes on previously characterized monogenic lines showed that the newly identified haplotypes are virulent in nature. The breakdown of resistance was attributed to the development of new haplotypes. Our results suggest that the mutation in the AVR-Pi9 gene is an alarming situation in the Yunnan province and thus needs attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Developing a novel scalable polymer-based radiative cooling coating. • Manufacturing process of aqueous coatings without volatile organic compounds emission. • Excellent cooling capability of achieving sub-ambient temperatures in high humidity region. • In-depth evaluation on the cooling power of the developed cooling paints in a variety of cities. Passive daytime radiative cooling (PDRC) is an emerging technology that dissipates heat from terrestrial objects to the cold universe directly via the atmospheric transparency window. Along with the advancement of PDRC materials, fabrication methods by precision lithography or phase change chemistry are no longer a preferred option due to the concomitant hazardous organic solvents. Instead, it is desirable to develop radiative coolers by aqueous processing-based and cost-effective methods so as to promote their mass production and applications. Herein, we report a new scalable polymer-based aqueous paint without volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emission. By using the simple mechanical agitation-based synthetic method with mixing polymer emulsion as the matrix and glass beads as the functional additive, the cooling paint exhibits an average infrared emissivity of 92% and a solar reflectivity of 94%. A detailed field experiment was conducted in sub-tropical climates to verify the practical cooling performance of the developed cooling paint, and the experimental results showed that the achievable sub-ambient cooling temperature was up to 6 °C under high humidity conditions without any solar shading or convection cover. Meanwhile, in-depth evaluation on the cooling power of the developed cooling paints in a variety of cities was conducted, which shows its wide application potential in building roof across varying climate regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Diaporthe (Diaporthaceae, Diaporthales) comprises endophytes, pathogens and saprophytes, inhabiting a wide range of woody hosts and resulting in serious canker disease. To determine the diversity of Diaporthe species associated with canker disease of host plants in Beijing, China, a total of 35 representative strains were isolated from 18 host genera. Three novel species (D. changpingensis, D. diospyrina and D. ulmina) and four known species (D. corylicola, D. donglingensis, D. eres and D. rostrata) were identified, based on morphological comparison and phylogenetic analyses using partial ITS, cal, his3, tef1-a and tub2 loci. These results provide an understanding of the taxonomy of Diaporthe species associated with canker diseases in Beijing, China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of side‐chain liquid crystalline polymers P4VP(CN‐DBE)x, where x is the molar ratio of cyanostilbene (CN‐DBE) to poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (P4VP) repeating unit, was synthesized based on the intermolecular hydrogen bonding between P4VP and CN‐DBE. Their luminescent property, liquid crystalline structure and photo‐thermo‐electric property were elucidated using photoluminescence spectra, X‐ray diffraction, thermal imaging and thermoelectric experiments. With the increase of x, the supramolecular system can be changed from lamellar structure to hexagonal columnar structure. Moreover, the P4VP(CN‐DBE)x polymer with columnar structure exhibits more efficient photothermal effect. The temperature of P4VP(CN‐DBE)0.6 can rise to 130 °C within 10 s under the irradiation of ultraviolet lamp. In addition, the supramolecular system possesses unique photo‐thermo‐electric conversion ability, and 25 mA current can be detected in the circuit coupled with the thermoelectric module. This work broadens the potential applications of hydrogen‐bonded polymer, and provides a simple and facile strategy to prepare liquid crystalline polymers with photo‐thermo‐electric property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steroid 11β‐hydroxylase deficiency (11β‐OHD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by pathogenic variants of CYP11B1 gene. This study aimed to perform molecular analysis of a Chinese 11β‐OHD series and in vitro functional study of twenty CYP11B1 missense variants. Twelve Chinese patients with clinical diagnosis of 11β‐OHD were included in the study to analyze their molecular etiology. Genomic DNA of patients was extracted to be sequenced all coding exons and intronic flanking sequences of CYP11B1. Fourteen missense variants found in 12 patients mentioned above along with 6 missense variants previously reported by our team were evaluated functionally. Amino acid substitutions were analyzed with computational program to determine their effects on the three‐dimensional structure of CYP11B1 protein. Clinical characteristics and hormone levels at baseline of the 18 patients carrying 18 missense variants aforementioned were recorded to perform genotype–phenotype correlation. A total of 21 rare variants including 9 novel and 12 recurrent ones were identified in 12 patients, out of which 17 were missense, 2 were nonsense, 1 was a splice site variant, and 1 was a deletion–insertion variant. Results of in vitro functional study revealed that 3 out of 20 missense mutants (p.Leu3Pro, p.Gly267Ser, and p.Ala367Ser) had partial enzyme activity and the other 17 had little enzymatic activity. The impairment degree of enzymatic activity in vitro functional study was also reflected in the severity degree of interaction change between the wild‐type/mutant‐type amino acid and its adjacent amino acids in three‐dimensional model. In conclusion, the addition of 9 novel variants expands the spectrum of CYP11B1 pathogenic variants. Our results demonstrate that twenty CYP11B1 variants lead to impaired 11β‐hydroxylase activity in vitro. Visualizing these variants in the three‐dimensional model structure of CYP11B1 protein can provide a plausible explanation for the results measured in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Botryosphaeriales represents an ecologically diverse group of fungi, comprising endophytes, saprobes, and plant pathogens. In this study, taxonomic analyses were conducted based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of multi-gene sequence data from four loci (ITS, LSU, tef1-a, and tub2). Thirteen isolates obtained from Beijing and Yunnan Province were identified as seven species of Botryosphaeriales, including Aplosporella javeedii, Dothiorella alpina, Phaeobotryon aplosporum and Ph. rhois, and three previously undescribed species, namely Aplosporella yanqingensis, Dothiorella baihuashanensis, and Phaeobotryon platycladi. Additionally, the new records of Dothiorella alpina from the host species Populus szechuanica, Phaeobotryon aplosporum from Juglans mandshurica, and Phaeobotryon rhois from Populus alba var. pyramidalis are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the prevalence of stress-related mental disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD, in contemporary society. It highlights the importance of considering factors beyond the brain, such as autoimmune diseases and disruptions in glucose metabolism, in understanding and treating these disorders. The article also presents studies on bipolar disorder, depression, and non-suicidal self-injury, exploring various aspects including neural substrates, biomarkers, and treatment strategies. The findings suggest the need for early management of comorbidities and the potential for novel perspectives to redefine these mental disorders and develop effective therapies. [Extracted from the article]

Background: To evaluate the association between gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and infant outcomes in women of very advanced maternal age (vAMA) (≥45 years). Methods: This cohort study utilized data from the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) database (2014–2019) in the United States. Preterm birth was the primary outcome, which was subdivided into extremely preterm, very preterm, and moderate or late preterm. The secondary outcomes were neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, low birthweight and small for gestational age. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to explore the association between GDM and infant outcomes among vAMA women. Subgroup analyses were performed based on race and use of infertility treatment. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated. Results: A total of 52,544 vAMA pregnant women were included. All analysis made comparisons between women with vAMA and GDM and women with vAMA and no GDM. Women with GDM had a significantly higher risk of preterm birth than those without GDM (OR = 1.26, 95%CI = 1.18–1.36, P < 0.001). Compared with women without GDM, those with GDM had a significantly increased risk of moderate or late preterm birth (OR = 1.27, 95%CI = 1.18–1.37, P < 0.001); no significant association of GDM with extremely preterm birth and very preterm birth was observed. Women with GDM had a significantly greater risk of NICU admission than those without (OR = 1.33, 95%CI = 1.23–1.43, P < 0.001). GDM was associated with a significantly lower risk of low birthweight (OR = 0.91, 95%CI = 0.84–0.98, P = 0.010), and no significant association was found between GDM and small for gestational age (OR = 0.95, 95%CI = 0.87–1.03, P = 0.200) in vAMA women. Conclusion: vAMA women with GDM had an increased risk of preterm birth, especially moderate or late preterm birth. NICU admission and low birthweight were also associated with GDM among vAMA women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antiaromaticity is extended from aromaticity as a complement to describe the unsaturated cyclic molecules with antiaromatic destabilization. To prepare antiaromatic species is a particularly challenging goal in synthetic chemistry because of the thermodynamic instability of such molecules. Among that, both Hückel and Möbius antiaromatic species have been reported, whereas the Craig one has not been realized to date. Here, we report the first example of planar Craig antiaromatic species. Eight Craig antiaromatic compounds were synthesized by deprotonation-induced reduction process and were fully characterized as follows. Single-crystal X-ray crystallography showed that these complexes have planar structures composed of fused five-membered rings with clearly alternating carbon--carbon bond lengths. In addition, spectroscopy in these structures showed distinctive upfield shifts of the proton peaks to the range of antiaromatic peripheral hydrogens. Experimental spectroscopy observations, along with density-functional theory (DFT) calculations, provided evidence for the Craig antiaromaticity of these complexes. Further study experimentally and theoretically revealed that the strong exothermicity of the acid-base neutralization process was the driving force for this challenging transformation forming Craig antiaromatic species. Our findings complete a full cycle of aromatic chemistry, opening an avenue for the development of new class of antiaromatic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the dual background of global industrial value chain and low-carbon emission reduction, the green transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry is an important way to promote production and promote sustainable economic development. Considering that the green transformation of the manufacturing industry is a typical complex adaptation system, based on the intrinsic relationship between the dynamic theory and the green transformation of the manufacturing industry, this paper takes the endogenous variable of the transformation of manufacturing enterprises as the entry point, simulates the transformation of new and old dynamic energy of green transformation, and explores the mechanism of green transformation and upgrading of manufacturing industry and the conversion process. According to the model, it is concluded that the green transformation of manufacturing enterprises is the result of the multi-stage transformation of enterprises. In this process, the change inertia overcomes old dynamic inertia and promotes the new dynamic to gradually replace the old dynamic. At the end of the article, specific suggestions are given to promote the green transformation of manufacturing enterprises from the aspects of ideology, policy support, digital empowerment, financial service guarantee system and communication and cooperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During decidualization in rodents, uterine stromal cells undergo extensive reprogramming to differentiate into distinct cell types, forming primary decidual zones (PDZs), secondary decidual zones (SDZs), and layers of undifferentiated stromal cells. The formation of secondary decidual zones is accompanied by extensive angiogenesis. During early pregnancy, besides ovarian estrogen, de novo synthesis of estrogen in the uterus is essential for the progress of decidualization. However, the molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Studies have shown that Cystatin B (Cstb) is highly expressed in the decidual tissue of the uterus, but the regulation and mechanism of Cstb in the process of decidualization have not been reported. Our results showed that Cstb was highly expressed in mouse decidua and artificially induced deciduoma via in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence. Estrogen stimulates the expression of Cstb through the Estrogen receptor (ER)α. Moreover, in situ synthesis of estrogen in the uterus during decidualization regulates the expression of Cstb. Silencing the expression of Cstb affects the migration ability of stromal cells. Knockdown Cstb by siRNA significantly inhibits the expression of Dtprp, a marker for mouse decidualization. Our study identifies a novel estrogen target, Cstb, during decidualization and reveals that Cstb may play a pivotal role in angiogenesis during mouse decidualization via the Angptl7. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper carried out the environmental and economic evaluation for the hydrogen storage technologies on the sedan with Type 3 and Type 4 high-pressured and cryogenic vessels based on life cycle analysis (LCA) method. It is found that Type 4 high-pressured vessel manufacture emits minimum greenhouse gas (GHG) with 5539 kgCO2 eq, which is lower than Type 3 high-pressured vessel of 7219 kgCO2 eq and cryogenic vessel of 135 000 kgCO2 eq in their whole life cycle. The economic analysis shows that Type 4 high-pressure vessel has the lowest cost of 10.4 US$/kgH2 and the minimum energy consumption of 5.2 kWh/kgH2, which is lower than Type 3 high-pressure vessel and cryogenic vessel. With this result, Type 4 high-pressure vessel is a promising choice for hydrogen mobility on the sedan regarding its environmental impact and economic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional wave-induced fluid oscillations in two narrow gaps are numerically investigated in the time domain. The arbitrary-Lagrangian–Eulerian finite element model for free-surface flow problems is implemented based on the fully nonlinear potential flow theory. The aim of this study is to study the dynamic evolutions of gap resonance problems with focusing on both the initial transient and the final quasi-steady states, especially for the piston-mode oscillations of fluid bulk in multiple gaps that generally involve multiple response components and the nonlinear dynamic interactions between them. The transient and quasi-steady responses are examined through amplitude and phase analyses. The radiation damping and the time-dependent period-averaged phase adjustment are demonstrated to play significant roles in establishing the dynamic equilibrium process from the transient state to the quasi-steady state. The characteristics of the intrinsic synchronization modes of the quasi-steady oscillations allow us to derive the simplified formulas to predict the resonant and anti-resonant frequencies of the two-gaps system (two degrees-of-freedom) based on a simplified model of one degree-of-freedom. The predictive formulas provide useful insights into the dependence of resonant/anti-resonant frequencies on the relevant geometries of floating bodies. Significant nonlinear hardening stiffness behaviors of fluid responses between multiple bodies in close proximity are further demonstrated by different incident wave amplitudes. The effects of incident wave amplitudes on the amplitudes of responses and higher order harmonics are found to be highly dependent on the frequency bands. The contributions of the higher-order harmonics on the overall responses are explained utilizing the Fourier transformations analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we represent the bio-synthesis of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) employing Oak gum extract as the green template, an efficient natural and non-toxic reductant and stabilizer based on its phytochemicals. The characterization of as-synthesized Au NPs was performed through Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), elemental mapping, UV-Vis and X-ray diffraction (XRD). TEM analysis explored the average particle size being 10-15 nm. The as-developed material was biologically explored in the inhibition of human colon cancer. Cytotoxicity of assessed over standard colon cancer cell line HT-29 and Caco-2. Cell viability of the two cell lines showed excellent outcomes, as observed by MTT assay. Futhermore, the Au@O. Gum nanocomposite was employed in the determination of the antioxidant properties following DPPH radical scavenging potential in presence of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) as the positive control and the result was compared to the raw Oak gum which resulted the scavenging activity as 21.54 and 54.56% respectively. The obtained results evidently validate the Au@O. Gum material as a potent colon cancer protective drug for the treatment of human colon cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to solve the problem that the test time is long and the test efficiency is affected in the process of IC test. With the increase in the complexity of integrated circuits, it is difficult now to diagnose the faults. To overcome this situation, there is a need to upgrade the test strategies. Based on the fault probability model, the order of test types and test vector is being adjusted. To improve the test efficiency, the high-quality test types and test vectors are loaded first, and the fault circuits are hit earlier. A hierarchical dynamic method for IC test flow is proposed. The Bayesian probability model was established by counting the failure rates of each test type and each test vector in the sample integrated circuit, and the loading sequence of each test vector was adjusted according to the probability of hitting the fault point. As the test progresses, the test data are collected constantly, the test failure rates of test type and test vector are dynamically updated, and the loading sequence of test type and test vector is adjusted synchronously. It is proved that the final circuit test time is reduced to 32.172s by the dynamic adjustment method, and the test time is reduced by 53.9%. The use of dynamically adjusted test process can find the fault circuit earlier, significantly reduce the test time of the fault circuit, and improve the test efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MYB transcription factor, which contains a conserved DNA binding domain, has been found in almost all eukaryotes. MYB genes have variable functions in plants and are involved in many pathways. We systemically analyzed the MYB gene family in three Ericaceae species, Rhododendron williamsianum Rehder & E.H. Wilson, Rhododendron delavayi Franch., and Vaccinium corymbosum L., and one outgroup, Actinidia chinensis Planch., with 99, 156, 480, and 185 MYB genes found, respectively. The MYB genes were classified into five types based on the number of conserved MYB motifs, and the two repeat (2R) types were dominant in all four species. The percentage of 2R type MYB ranged from 48.5% to 87.9% depending on the species. We further classified the conserved MYB motifs into M1, M2, and M3 types based on motif definition. We found an abundance of 3xM2 type in the 3R group, but found a species-specific type preference for 1R and 2R genes. In searching for Arabidopsis drought-resistant genes, we detected 34 potential candidates in four species. The expression profile of R. delavayi showed 11 candidate drought-resistant RdMYB genes, which provide a potential molecular design target for breeders. Our results describe the MYB gene family in these four species and could play an important role in future analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid development of the Internet has accelerated the expansion of e-commerce sacle of fresh agricultural products. The actual audience of smart logistics distribution of fresh agricultural products is customers, and customers enjoy the process and results of distribution services. However, the current research mainly selects indicators from the aspects of enterprise performance, cost and technical level based on the perspective of managers and technicians, which make it difficult to truly reflect customers' feelings in the evaluation results. At the same time, the evaluation methods mainly focus on the comprehensive evaluation method and fuzzy evaluation method. These evaluation methods are greatly affected by subjective factors in the evaluation grade distribution, and the assignment is often relatively complete and inaccurate. To solve these problems, this paper constructs the evaluation index system of intelligent logistics distribution of fresh agricultural products from the perspective of customers, so that the selection of indicators is more in line with the real wishes of customers. And we use the extension function to construct the correlation function for multi-level extension evaluation to ensure the accuracy of the evaluation results. Taking X logistics enterprise as an example, this paper verifies the scientificity of the evaluation index system of intelligent logistics distribution of fresh agricultural products through empirical research, which has reference significance for further improving the intelligent logistics distribution of fresh agricultural products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to overcome the quality problem of reconstructed meshes caused by the restrictive factors such as sparse and uneven density or wrong normal vector of original point cloud data, a three-dimensional reconstruction method of point cloud based on Countermeasure network is proposed by using the characteristics of weight sharing in adversarial neural network and adversarial training process. Firstly, the predictor is used to predict the offset of the edge of the mesh model, so as to obtain the displacement of each vertex, and perform the vertex redirection of the topology preservation to obtain a new mesh. Secondly, the point cloud classifier in the discriminator is used to extract the high-dimensional features of the original point cloud data and the sampled point set of the mesh surface, and the spatial perception discrimination based on the high-dimensional features is performed to distinguish the original point cloud from the samples point set data. Finally, the output data of the predictor and the discriminator are correlated by the adversarial training method, and the network model is optimized through multiple iterations to obtain a three-dimensional mesh model that meets the spatial characteristics of the point cloud. Experiments are carried out on different point cloud datasets, and the results are displayed by using MeshLab software. The results show that the method can reconstruct the 3D mesh model that meets the spatial information of point cloud, and overcome the mesh quality problems caused by poor point cloud data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regenerator plays a crucial role in determining the energy efficiency of green liquid desiccant air-conditioning systems. This paper presents a novel air gap membrane distillation regenerator featuring heat recovery and portable water production. Based on a validated numerical model, performance evaluation of the regenerator combined with an external heat exchanger is conducted in terms of regeneration capacity (RC) and energy consumption (Q in). The comparison of flow patterns demonstrates that the counter-flow has a slightly higher RC , while the parallel-flow has a significantly lower Q in and is therefore preferable from the perspective of COP. The effects of key parameters including feed and coolant desiccant inlet temperatures (T f,in & T c,in), mass flow rate (m dil), membrane length (L), air gap thickness (δ ag), desiccant concentration (X dil) and solution heat exchanger effectiveness (ε she) on the performance are investigated. The results show that T f,in is the dominant factor on performance compared to T c,in and m dil , and increasing L leads to a marked growth in both RC and COP regardless of the raised Q in. Additionally, it is found that narrowing the air gap from 3 mm to 1 mm can improve RC and COP by 69.9 % and 50.1 % respectively. As for ε she , it has no influence on RC but remarkable impacts on Q in and COP. Moreover, the heat recovery by the coolant channel is proved to save nearly 8 % of energy input under the involved conditions. Finally, the NSGA-Ⅱ based multi-objective optimization is performed to obtain the Pareto front for maximizing RC and minimizing Q in. And the optimal solution through TOPSIS decision-making offers a RC = 975.8 g/h and a Q in = 1938 W. The findings provide a basis for design and application of the novel regenerator. • A novel air gap membrane distillation liquid desiccant regenerator is investigated. • Parallel-flow pattern is superior to counter-flow pattern in terms of energy efficiency. • Heat recovery by the regenerator can achieve about 8 % energy savings. • Effects of various design and operation parameters on the performance are explored. • Trade-off between regeneration capacity and energy consumption is realized by NSGA-Ⅱ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This correction notice is for an article titled "In vivo axial load-share ratio measurement using a novel hexapod system for safe external fixator removal" published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. The correction addresses an error in the affiliations of the authors. Sida Liu, Lin Lu, and Tao Chen were incorrectly assigned to the same affiliations in the original article, but the correction clarifies that Sida Liu belongs to affiliation 1, Lin Lu belongs to affiliation 2, and Tao Chen belongs to affiliation 3. The correction has been made to the article, and Springer Nature, the publisher, remains neutral regarding jurisdictional claims and institutional affiliations. [Extracted from the article]

• This paper integrates bifacial photovoltaics as sunshades into buildings. • The impact of installation and building factors on power generation is studied. • The impact of installation factors of bPV on the energy savings is studied. • The south orientation, small tilt angle and wide bPV are recommended to install. • The buildings with high wall reflectivity and low WWR achieve more energy savings. Solar photovoltaic (PV) shading systems are of great significance for achieving low-carbon buildings. Bifacial photovoltaics (bPV) is a promising technology that can generate electricity from both the front and rear sides of bPV modules. By integrating bPV shading systems into buildings, more power generation and less building energy consumption can be achieved compared to traditional shading systems. This study aims to integrate and optimize bPV shading systems into the building vertical façades in hot and humid regions, considering varying installation and building parameters. The evaluations of electricity generation and energy saving were conducted based on a typical three-story office building in Hong Kong. The evaluation of electricity generation reveals that the optimal installation condition for bPV sunshades in Hong Kong is south orientation with a tilt angle of 35°. Regarding the width of bPV sunshades, as the width increases, the annual electricity generation per unit area (AEGPA) decreases, but the total annual electricity generation (TAEG) increases. Besides, the bifacial gain of optimized bPV sunshades increases from 3.3% to 6.1% as the wall reflectivity increases from 0.15 to 0.7, while being insensitive to window reflectivity. Similarly, when the window-to-wall ratio (WWR) increases, the bifacial gain decreases. Furthermore, the energy-saving evaluation indicates that the south orientation with small tilt angles and wide sunshades tends to achieve much more energy savings benefits. The findings of this study provide practical guidance for maximizing the power generation and optimizing the design of building-integrated bPV sunshades to achieve maximum energy savings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the importance of glocalisation for developing tourism destinations has long been recognised, there needs to be more research on the dynamics of its emergence and developmental changes. Taking Wuzhen, a historical village in China, as an example, using semi-structured interviews from three field surveys and historical archives as data sources and combining tourism history and the critical event technique method, this paper applies qualitative research to analyse the process of glocalisation practice in Wuzhen. It is found that glocalisation is a basic fact that objectively exists in the development process of Wuzhen. At different stages of development, Wuzhen has actively faced the influence of globalisation in different attitudes. Organising and hosting international conferences and exhibitions has been a guide for Wuzhen to overcome the homogenisation crisis. The theoretical research contribution of this paper is to provide an example to test the applicability of the glocalisation theory in the field of tourism destination evolution research and to expand the theoretical boundaries of tourism destination evolution research further. The practical research contribution is to help people understand and know Wuzhen comprehensively, thus providing a reference for the transformation and development of historic villages and towns in globalisation. • Glocalisation in Tourism Destination Evolution (TDE). • Global ties key for historic village revival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents an analytical model for the radiative SkyCool radiators (RSCR) with various interior flowing channels by using Laplace transformations. Moreover, the convolution theory is applied to solve the problem of nonuniform temperature distribution on the RSCR. Then, an outdoor experiment is carried out to verify the proposed model. Subsequently, the influence of different channel geometries, flow rates, tilt angles and wind velocities on the cooling performances of RSCRs are investigated. The results indicate that increasing the RSCR's length, enlarging the pipe spacing, and decreasing the flow rate and thickness of RSCR can definitely intensify the cooling performances. The application suggestions for S-channel RSCR (SRSCR) and I-channel RSCR (IRSCR) are given. When the pipe spacing ratio is smaller than five, the IRSCR is recommended because of lower thermal interferences. By contrast, SRSCR is recommended once the dimensionless pipe spacing is greater than ten. For cases with smaller tilt angles but larger wind velocities, IRSCR is suggested, while SRSCR is prioritized for cases with opposite conditions. This research provides an effective analytical tool in the evaluation of cooling power generation by producing cold water, contributing valuable insights for the optimization of cooling efficiencies of RSCRs under varied configuration scenarios. • The analytical models of RSCR with different channel configurations are proposed. • The outdoor experiments are carried out for the analytical model validations. • The influence of design and operation parameters on cooling performances is investigated. • The application suggestions on selecting the different RSCRs are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bifacial photovoltaic (bPV) technologies have been garnering increasing attention in recent years due to their ability to generate more power than conventional PV systems. Passive radiative cooling through spectrally selective absorption/emission is considered one of the most practical and cost-effective solutions for the thermal management of bPV modules. In this study, a full-spectrum radiative cooling (FRC) strategy was proposed to maximize the thermal and electrical performance of bPV modules by enhancing above-bandgap absorption, sub-bandgap reflection, and thermal radiation. A multi-physics model was established to characterize bPV performance, enabling analysis of the module's spectral and thermal responses to full-spectrum light under dynamic weather conditions. The proposed model was validated through outdoor experiments with a commercial bPV module, demonstrating good prediction accuracy. To quantify the radiative cooling effect of the ideal FRC strategy and compare it with the ideal traditional radiative cooling (TRC) strategy, a nationwide simulation analysis was conducted across 32 cities in China. The results indicate that the ideal FRC strategy can achieve an annual average temperature reduction of 2.3–4.4 °C and an additional power gain of 7.3%–8.4% for commercial bPV modules. In comparison, the ideal TRC strategy can only achieve an annual average temperature reduction of 1.1–2.2 °C and an additional power gain of 0.38%–0.89%. Results from correlation analysis and sensitivity analysis show that among environmental parameters, wind speed has the most significant positive effect on lowering module temperature, while precipitable water vapor has a relatively small negative impact. Overall, this research demonstrates that the FRC strategy holds great potential for reducing temperature and boosting power output in PV devices, paving the way for promoting the development of sustainable and efficient PV systems. • A full-spectrum radiative cooling strategy was proposed to enhance bPV performance. • A multi-physics model was established allowing for response to full-spectrum light. • Nationwide analysis was conducted in China to quantify radiative cooling effects. • Annual module power output can be increased by 7.3%–8.4% with the proposed strategy. • Wind speed plays the most significant positive effect on reducing module temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public interest in information about the origin of products triggered the development of the concept of supply chain transparency, when products change ownership from supplier to manufacturer, no information is exchanged between the two parties. It is more proper to start with a firm's perspective in order to discuss the supply chain transparency more deeply, and then extend it to the supply chain. Firms are responsible for environmental and social issues within the sphere of action of their suppliers, and need to meet the challenges of transparency and compliance in the supply chain. Supplier audits are often criticized for lacking authenticity and objectivity, and supplier transparency assessments are central to achieving supply chain transparency. Moreover, there is still no independent standard framework for assessing transparency performance. This study attempts to develop a model for supplier evaluation considering transparency practices with the aim of increasing transparency practices when selecting suppliers. Transparency is a multidimensional concept with different meanings and functions. We interpret the meaning of transparency from the literature, analyze the advantages and needs of suppliers in supply chain transparency practices, and build a supplier transparency evaluation system by taking into account transparency practices. A comprehensive assessment framework is then proposed to unwind the impact of transparency on the three dimensions of sustainability, the neutrosophic set is used to deal with the uncertainty and inconsistency of information to improve the authenticity of information inputs. We have developed a new hybrid multi-criteria decision model for evaluating the transparency performance of suppliers, and checking the robustness of the assessment by using sensitivity analyses. This study quantifies the impact of suppliers on supply chain transparency and makes recommendations on how to make more effective and positive contributions to improving supply chain transparency through supplier management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat conduction in heterogeneous solid mixtures is a crucial problem across various engineering domains. There are two types of assumptions to build the heat conduction model for such mixtures, local thermal equilibrium (LTE) and local thermal non-equilibrium (LTNE). However, a general model works for both LTE and LTNE models for different mixture structures is still to be developed. In this research, we propose a flexible heat conduction model for two-phase solid mixtures under both LTE and local thermal non-equilibrium (LTNE) conditions. The model innovates by introducing an effective volume fraction that aligns with the heat flow direction, eschewing the need for empirical quantities. Our research demonstrates that the LTE model can be directly derived from the LTNE model when constituential temperatures are equal, ensuring methodological consistency. Four mixture structures are numerically analyzed using the finite difference method, validating the model's predictive accuracy and computational efficiency. It is shown that this general heat conduction model offers an effective approach to analyzing heat transfer behavior in different types of two-phase solid mixtures, and it can be extended to multi-phase problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional MXenes exhibit excellent sensing performance for gaseous ammonia at room temperature; nevertheless, their widespread usefulness is somewhat limited because they are oxidizable and poorly moisture resistant. In this study, MXene-derived sodium titanate (Na 2 Ti 3 O 7) nanofibers were hydrothermally grown on MXene surfaces and then encapsulated by polyaniline (PANI) via polymerization. The resulting MXene/Na 2 Ti 3 O 7 @PANI composite is humidity resistant and highly sensitive to gaseous NH 3 at room temperature. The Na 2 Ti 3 O 7 nanofibers prevent MXene-layer stacking and provide more active sites for gas absorption, whereas PANI inhibits MXene oxidation and enhances moisture resistance. The MXene/Na 2 Ti 3 O 7 @PANI-composite-based gas sensor is highly sensitive (185.44%) to 100 ppm NH 3 at 45% RH. Interestingly, the sensor response was observed to improve with increasing humidity (30–90% RH range); a relative response of 283.8% was obtained at 90% RH along with a low detection limit of 186 ppb. The sensor still detected 91.1% of its initial value after 30 d, highlighting its stability. The prepared MXene/Na 2 Ti 3 O 7 @PANI composite is a promising highly sensitive NH 3 detector even under high-humidity conditions. • MXene-derived Na 2 Ti 3 O 7 (NTO) nanofibers were hydrothermally grown on MXene surfaces. • NTO nanofibers were encapsulated by polyaniline (PANI) via in-situ polymerization. • MXene/Na 2 Ti 3 O 7 @PANI is humidity resistant and highly sensitive to NH 3 at 25 °C. • MXene/Na 2 Ti 3 O 7 @PANI is a promising highly sensitive NH 3 sensor even at high RH. • NH 3 gas-sensing ability is ideal for detecting renal failure through respiration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cushing's disease (CD) is rare in pediatric patients. It is characterized by elevated plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from pituitary adenomas, with damage to multiple systems and development. In recent years, genetic studies have shed light on the etiology and several mutations have been identified in patients with CD. Case presentation: A girl presented at the age of 10 years and 9 months with facial plethora, hirsutism and acne. Her vision and eye movements were impaired. A quick weight gain and slow growth were also observed. Physical examination revealed central obesity, moon face, buffalo hump, supra-clavicular fat pads and bruising. Her plasma ACTH level ranged between 118 and 151 pg/ml, and sella enhanced MRI showed a giant pituitary tumor of 51.8 × 29.3 × 14.0 mm. Transsphenoidal pituitary debulk adenomectomy was performed and immunohistochemical staining confirmed an ACTH-secreting adenoma. Genetic analysis identified a novel germline GPR101 (p.G169R) and a somatic USP8 (p. S719del) mutation. They were hypothesized to impact tumor growth and function, respectively. Conclusions: We reported a rare case of pediatric giant pituitary ACTH adenoma and pointed out that unusual concurrent mutations might contribute to its early onset and large volume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]