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To enhance the efficiency and accuracy of response analysis in practical multivariable complex engineering problems, we introduced a new interval analysis method—multi-body dynamic evolution sequence-assisted particle swarm optimization (DES-PSO) is introduced in this research. This method optimizes the heterogeneous comprehensive learning particle swarm optimization algorithm (HCLPSO) by incorporating a dynamic evolution sequence (DES), addressing the difficulty of HCLPSO in covering the search space, which makes this method suitable for solving multivariable interval analysis problems. The results of two numerical examples prove that both DES-PSO and HCLPSO can give the accurate upper and lower bounds of the response interval. Compared with HCLPSO, DES-PSO improves the computing speed by about 50%.

Abstract Background Uveal melanoma (UVM) stands as the predominant type of primary intraocular malignancy among adults. The clinical significance of N7-methylguanosine (m7G), a prevalent RNA modifications, in UVM remains unclear. Methods Primary information from 80 UVM patients were analyzed as the training set, incorporating clinical information, mutation annotations and mRNA expression obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) website. The validation set was carried out using Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database GSE22138 and GSE84976. Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression of univariate analyses were subjected to identify m7G-related regulators as prognostic genes. Result A prognostic risk model comprising EIF4E2, NUDT16, SNUPN and WDR4 was established through Cox regression of LASSO. Evaluation of the model’s predictability for UVM patients’ prognosis by Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves in the training set, demonstrated excellent performance Area Under the Curve (AUC) > 0.75. The high-risk prognosis within the TCGA cohort exhibit a notable worse outcome. Additionally, an independent correlation between the risk score and overall survival (OS) among UVM patients were identified. External validation of this model was carried out using the validation sets (GSE22138 and GSE84976). Immune-related analysis revealed that patients with high score of m7G-related risk model exhibited elevated level of immune infiltration and immune checkpoint gene expression. Conclusion We have developed a risk prediction model based on four m7G-related regulators, facilitating effective estimate UVM patients’ survival by clinicians. Our findings shed novel light on essential role of m7G-related regulators in UVM and suggest potential novel targets for the diagnosis, prognosis and therapy of UVM.

Transparent photoresists with a high refractive index (RI) and high transmittance in visible wavelengths have promising functionalities in optical fields. This work reports a kind of tunable optical material composed of titanium dioxide nanoparticles embedded in acrylic resin with a high RI for ultraviolet (UV)-imprint lithography. The hybrid film exhibits a tunable RI of up to 1.67 (589 nm) after being cured by UV light, while maintaining both a high transparency of over 98% in the visible light range and a low haze of less than 0.05%. The precision machining of optical microstructures can be imprinted easily and efficiently using the hybrid resin, which acts as a light guide plate (LGP) to guide the light from the side to the top in order to conserve the energy of the display device. These preliminary studies based on both laboratory and commercial experiments pave the way for exploiting the unparalleled optical properties of nanocomposite resins and promoting their industrial application.

Background: The level of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer (BC) is positively correlated with pathological complete response. Aims: To investigate the relationship between ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features and the level of CD8-positive TILs (CD8+-TILs) in patients with HER2-positive BC. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: This retrospective study included 155 consecutive women with HER2-positive BC. Patients were divided into two groups: CD8+-TILlow (< 35%) and CD8+-TILhigh (≥ 35%) groups. US and MRI features were evaluated using the BI-RADS lexicon, and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value was calculated using RadiAnt software. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed the optimal US and MRI features for predicting CD8+-TIL levels. Receiver operating characteristic analysis and the Delong test were used to compare the diagnostic performance of US and MRI features. Furthermore, implementing a nomogram will increase clinical utility. Results: Univariate analysis of US features showed significant differences in shape, orientation, and posterior echo between the two groups; however, there were no significant differences in margins, internal echo, and microcalcification. Multifactorial analysis revealed that shape, orientation, and posterior echo were independent risk factors, with odds ratios of 11.62, 2.70, and 0.16, respectively. In terms of MRI features, ADC was an independent predictor of CD8+-TIL levels. These three US features and the ADC performed well, with area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.802 and 0.705, respectively. The combination of US and ADC values had higher predictive efficacy (AUC = 0.888) than either US or ADC alone (p = 0.009, US_ADC vs. US; p

Objective: To investigate the effect and mechanism of Lactobacillus reuteri on the inflammatory response and apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells. Methods: Immunofluorescence and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to detect the effect of L. reuteri on the inflammatory response and apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells. Bioinformatics analysis, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the dual-luciferase reporter gene assay were used to analyze downstream miRNA expression under the action of L. reuteri. The downstream target gene of miR-196a and its function were investigated using the dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and Western blot (WB). Results: L. reuteri inhibited inflammatory responses and apoptosis induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in intestinal epithelial cells by up-regulating miR-196a. miR-196a could protect intestinal epithelial cells by targeting the expression of programmed cell death factor 4 (PDCD4). Conclusion: L. reuteri could inhibit the expression of the PDCD4 gene through miR-196a, thereby alleviating the inflammatory response and apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells.

Abstract Background Downregulated expression of cold-inducible RNA binding protein (CIRP), a stress-response protein, has been demonstrated in the hearts of patients with heart failure (HF). However, whether CIRP plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of HF remains unknown. Zr17-2 is a recently identified CIRP agonist, which can enhance the expression of CIRP in hearts. Herein, we evaluated the effects of zr17-2 on the development of HF in a rat model of myocardial infarction (MI). Methods Male SD rats were pretreated with CIRP agonist zr17-2 or vehicle saline for 6 consecutive days, followed by MI induction. 1-week post-MI, cardiac function, and structural and molecular changes were determined by echocardiography and molecular biology methods. Results Excitingly, we found that pretreatment with zr17-2 significantly attenuated MI-induced cardiac dysfunction and dilation, coupled with reduced infarction size and cardiac remodeling. In addition, increased inflammatory response in the peri-infarcted heart including macrophage infiltration and the expression of inflammatory genes were all significantly decreased by zr17-2 pretreatment, suggesting an anti-inflammatory effect of zr17-2. Moreover, zr17-2 pretreatment also upregulated the antioxidant genes (e.g. NQO-1, Nrf2, and HO-1) level in the hearts. In isolated cultured cardiomyocytes, pretreatment with zr17-2 markedly attenuated cell injury and apoptosis induced by oxidative injury, along with elevation of Nrf2-related antioxidant genes and CIRP. However, silencing CIRP abolished zr17-2’s antioxidant effects against oxidative injury, confirming that zr17-2’s role is dependent on CIRP. Conclusion Collectively, our study suggests CIRP plays a crucial role in the development of HF and a beneficial effect of CIRP agonist in preventing MI-induced HF, possibly via anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant pathways.

Abstract Photonic quantum computation plays an important role and offers unique advantages. Two decades after the milestone work of Knill-Laflamme-Milburn, various architectures of photonic processors have been proposed, and quantum advantage over classical computers has also been demonstrated. It is now the opportune time to apply this technology to real-world applications. However, at current technology level, this aim is restricted by either programmability in bulk optics or loss in integrated optics for the existing architectures of processors, for which the resource cost is also a problem. Here we present a von-Neumann-like architecture based on temporal-mode encoding and looped structure on table, which is capable of multimode-universal programmability, resource-efficiency, phase-stability and software-scalability. In order to illustrate these merits, we execute two different programs with varying resource requirements on the same processor, to investigate quantum signature of chaos from two aspects: the signature behaviors exhibited in phase space (13 modes), and the Fermi golden rule which has not been experimentally studied in quantitative way before (26 modes). The maximal program contains an optical interferometer network with 1694 freely-adjustable phases. Considering current state-of-the-art, our architecture stands as the most promising candidate for real-world applications.

321 stainless steel (SS) is one kind of austenitic stainless steel, in which Ti is added as stabilizing element. Due to its excellent corrosion resistance and comprehensive mechanical properties under high temperature, 321SS is an important construction material in light water reactor (LWR). It is prone to cold work due to various factors in the whole cycle, which changes its working performance, especially corrosion resistance and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) property, while corrosion and SCC are main failure forms of 321SS in LWR. The mainstream view is that the transformation of grain boundary type, the increase of slip lines, the formation of voids and the phase change from austenite to martensite caused by cold work will increase the probability of failure. However, the dominant factors and main mechanisms are still controversial. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of cold work on corrosion and SCC of 321SS and preliminarily explain the mechanism. Samples with different work rate and martensite fraction were acquired through different extent of cold work and hot work. The as-received specimen was remarked as SA, the cold worked specimen was remarked as CW20 and the hot worked HW20. The corrosion behavior was studied by high temperature electrochemical tests. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of SA and CW20 was measured in a simulated pressurized water reactor (PWR) first circuit environment, and HW20 was used as a comparison. The SCC performance of specimens was tested by stress corrosion test under slow strain rate tensile (SSRT) loading mode. After tensile tests, micro cracks initiated on the surface were counted and the average crack length was calculated to evaluate SCC sensitivity. The microscopic characteristics of the samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). XRD analysis shows that barely no martensite exists in SA, the martensite volume fraction in CW20 is 22% and 11% in HW20. In EIS tests, the charge transfer resistance rises both in CW20 and HW20 compared with SA. SA has the highest film resistance, HW20 the second, and CW20 has the lowest. After SCC test, the most cracks initiated on the surface of HW, and the least on SA. The conclusions can be drawn as following: The cold work causes the transformation from austenite to martensite in the matrix, and the high temperature inhibits this process. With the increase of strain degree, the charge transfer resistance increases, and the film resistance decreases with the increase of martensite content. A Cr-depleted zone is caused by martensite at the interface between the oxidize layer and the matrix, thus leads to the reduction in protective effect of the passivation film. With the increase of martensite content, the film resistance decreases, and the corrosion resistance of the passivation film decreases. Micro cracks tend to initiate more easily after either cold work or hot work compared with primary solution annealed 321SS. The martensite phase distributed in the matrix is oxidized preferentially and suppresses the corrosion of austenitic phase. Under the conditions of this research, strain-induced martensite inhibits SCC crack initiation.

Spinal pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) is a rare disorder with atypical, clinical and imaging characteristics, and generally limited to case reports. We analysed the clinical manifestations, imaging findings, treatment and prognostic follow-up of 12 patients with spinal PA admitted from January 2010 to July 2021, and reviewed the relevant literature. Radiological assessment, especially magnetic resonance imaging, can help to provide effective diagnostic information. The diagnosis and differentiation of this disease is discussed in an attempt to contribute to a more comprehensive preoperative assessment.

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of dietary administration of sodium humate (HNa) and its zinc and selenium chelate (Zn/Se-HNa) in mitigating Salmonella Typhimurium (S. Typhi) induced intestinal injury in broiler chickens. Following the gavage of 109 CFU S. Typhi to 240 broilers from 21-d to 23-d aged, various growth performance parameters such as body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed ratio (FCR) were measured before and after infection. Intestinal morphology was assessed to determine the villus height, crypt depth, and chorionic cryptologic ratio. To evaluate intestinal barrier integrity, levels of serum diamine oxidase (DAO), D-lactic acid, tight junction proteins, and the related genes were measured in each group of broilers. An analysis was conducted on inflammatory-related cytokines, oxidase activity, and Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-κB) and Nuclear factor erythroid2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway-related proteins and mRNA expression. The results revealed a significant decrease in BW, ADG, and FCR in S. typhi-infected broilers. HNa tended to increase FCR (P = 0.056) while the supplementation of Zn/Se-HNa significantly restored BW and ADG (P < 0.05). HNa and Zn/Se-HNa exhibit favorable and comparable effects in enhancing the levels of serum DAO, D-lactate, and mRNA and protein expression of jejunum and ileal tight junction. In comparison to HNa, Zn/Se-HNa demonstrates a greater reduction in S. Typhi shedding in feces, as well as superior efficacy in enhancing the intestinal morphology, increasing serum catalase (CAT) activity, inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines, and suppressing the activation of the NF-κB pathway. Collectively, Zn/Se-HNa was a more effective treatment than HNa to alleviate adverse impact of S. Typhi infection in broiler chickens.

Abstract Background We aimed to explore the prognostic differences among T1‐4N0‐2M0 non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with bronchus involvements and to validate the T category of these patients in an external cohort. Methods Univariable and multivariable Cox analysis was performed to determine the prognostic factors. Kaplan–Meier method with a log‐rank test was used to compare overall survival differences between groups. Propensity score matching method was used to minimize the bias caused by the imbalanced covariates between groups. Results A total of 169 390 eligible T1‐4N0‐2M0 NSCLC cases were included. There were 2354, 3367, 1638, 75, 87 585, 42 056, 19 246, and 13 069 cases in the group of superficial tumors of any size with invasive component limited to bronchial wall (T1‐bronchus), tumors involving main stem bronchus ≥2 cm from carina (T2‐main bronchus [≥2 cm]), tumors involving main stem bronchus