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This paper proposes a multimodal information fusion neural network model that integrates visual, radar, and proprioceptive information. The model uses a spatial crossmodal attention mechanism to fuse the information, allowing the robot to focus on the most relevant information for obstacle avoidance. The attention mechanism enables the robot to selectively focus on the most relevant informative sensory inputs, which improves its ability to navigate complex terrain. The proposed method was evaluated using multiple experiments in challenging simulated environments, and the results showed a significant improvement in the obstacle avoidance success rate. The proposed method uses an actor–critic architecture and a proximal policy optimization (PPO) algorithm to train the robot in a simulated environment. The training process aims to reduce the difference between the robot’s performance in simulated and real-world environments. To achieve this, we randomly adjust the simulation environment’s parameters and add random noise to the robot’s sensory inputs. This approach allows the robot to learn a robust planning strategy that can be deployed in real-world environments. The multimodal information fusion neural network model is designed using a transformer-based architecture. The model shares the encoding of three types of tokens and generates features for the robot’s proprioceptive, visual, and point cloud inputs. The transformer encoder layers are stacked such that the token information from the three modalities can be fuzed at multiple levels. To balance the information from the three modalities, we first separately collect information for each modality and calculate the average value of all tokens from the same modality to obtain a single feature vector. This multimodal information fusion approach improves the robot’s decision-making capabilities in complex environments. The novelty of the proposed method lies in the introduction of a spatial crossmodal attention mechanism that allows the robot to selectively attend to the most informative sensory inputs. This attention mechanism improves the robot’s ability to navigate complex terrain and provides a certain degree of reliability for the quadruped robot in dynamic unknown environments. The combination of multimodal information fusion and attention mechanism enables the robot to adapt better to complex environments, thus improving its obstacle avoidance capabilities. Therefore, the proposed method provides a promising approach for improving the obstacle avoidance capabilities of quadruped robots in complex environments. The proposed method is based on the multimodal information fusion neural network model and spatial crossmodal attention mechanism. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in improving the robot’s obstacle avoidance success rate. Moreover, the potential applications of the proposed method include search and rescue missions, exploration, and surveillance in complex environments.

Abstract Background The metastasis of cancer cells is influenced by both their intrinsic characteristics and the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying pre-nodal metastases of breast cancer remain unclear. Methods We integrated a total of 216,963 cells from 54 samples across 6 single-cell datasets to profile the cellular landscape differences between primary tumors and pre-nodal metastases. Results We revealed three distinct metastatic epithelial cell subtypes (Epi1, Epi2 and Epi3), which exhibited different metastatic mechanisms. Specifically, the marker gene KCNK15 of the Epi1 subtype exhibited increased gene expression along the cell differentiation trajectory and was specifically regulated by the transcription factor ASCL1. In the Epi3 subtype, we highlighted NR2F1 as a regulator targeting the marker gene MUCL1. Additionally, we found that the Epi2 and Epi3 subtypes shared some regulons, such as ZEB1 and NR2C1. Similarly, we identified specific subtypes of stromal and immune cells in the TME, and discovered that vascular cancer-associated fibroblasts might promote capillary formation through CXCL9+ macrophages in pre-nodal metastases. All three subtypes of metastatic epithelial cells were associated with poor prognosis. Conclusions In summary, this study dissects the intratumoral heterogeneity and remodeling of the TME in pre-nodal metastases of breast cancer, providing novel insights into the mechanisms underlying breast cancer metastasis.

Abstract Background Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important proangiogenic factor and has been considered as a key target of antiangiogenetic therapy in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, clinical application of bevacizumab, a specific VEGF antibody, didn’t improve the survival rate of OSCC patients. One possible explanation is that VEGF gene expresses diverse isoforms, which associate with extracellular vesicles (EVs), and EVs potentially contribute to VEGF resistance to bevacizumab. However, clear solution is lacking in addressing this issue. Methods Expression of VEGF isoforms in OSCC cells was confirmed by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot. EVs isolated from OSCC cell’s conditioned medium (CM) were characterized by western blot, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). Flow cytometry, immunogold labeling and western blot were applied to study the VEGF on EVs. Tube formation assay and Matrigel plug angiogenesis assay were used for analyzing the angiogenesis capacity of EV-VEGF. Results The most popular isoforms expressed by VEGF gene are VEGF121, VEGF165 and VEGF189. In this study, we demonstrated that all three isoforms of mRNA could be detected at varying levels in OSCC cells, while only VEGF165 and VEGF189 proteins were found. CM derived from OSCC cells, both soluble and non-soluble forms of VEGF could be detected. We further confirmed the presence of VGEF189 bound to EVs as a non-soluble form. EV-bound VEGF189 presented angiogenic activity, which could not be neutralized by bevacizumab. It was found that VEGF189 bound to EVs by heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG). In addition, the angiogenic effect of EV-VEGF could be reversed by surfen, a kind of HSPG antagonist both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion Antagonists targeting HSPG might potentially overcome the resistance of EV-VEGF to bevacizumab and serve as an alternative for anti-VEGF therapy in OSCC.

Abstract The safety of rock landscapes in Mount Wuyi is significantly impacted by acid rain and wet-dry cycles. In this paper, the decay characteristics of the physical–mechanical properties of red glutenite were investigated under acidic wet-dry cycles. A systematic approach, including cold field emission scanning electron microscopy (CFE-SEM), image processing techniques, and X-ray diffraction (XRD), was proposed to investigate the damage mechanism of red glutenite under acidic wet-dry cycles. The results indicate that with increasing solution acidity and wet-dry cycles, dry density (DD), longitudinal wave velocity (LWV), uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), and elastic modulus (EM) of red glutenite significantly decrease. Under different acidic conditions, DD, LWV, and UCS exhibit exponential decay with wet-dry cycles, while EM exhibits linear decay. A regression fitting was employed to establish a prediction model for UCS, which exhibited a better capability in predicting the correlation between UCS, pH, and the number of wet-dry cycles. Microscopic comprehensive analysis reveals that the interaction between rock dissolution and desiccation is the primary factor leading to changes in the microstructure and mineral composition of red glutenite, culminating in the decay of its physical–mechanical properties. This study holds significant guidance implications for the preservation of cultural and natural heritage in Mount Wuyi.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a common and serious complication of diabetes, contributing significantly to patient mortality. Complication of DN (CDN) ranks as the second leading cause of end-stage renal disease globally. To address this, understanding the genetic regulation underlying DN is crucial for personalized treatment strategies. In this study, we identified genes and lncRNAs associated with diabetes and diabetic nephropathy constructing a DN-related lncRNA–mRNA network (DNLMN). This network, characterized by scale-free biomolecular properties, generated through the study of topological properties, elucidates key regulatory interactions. Enrichment analysis of important network modules revealed critical biological processes and pathways involved in DN pathogenesis. In the second step, we investigated the differential expression and co-expression of hub nodes in diseased and normal individuals, identifying lncRNA-mRNA relationships implicated in disease regulation. Finally, we gathered DN-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and lncRNAs from the LincSNP 3.0 database. The DNLMN encompasses SNP-associated lncRNAs, and transcription factors (TFs) linked to differentially expressed lncRNAs between diseased and normal samples. These results underscore the significance of biomolecular networks in disease progression and highlighting the role of biomolecular variability contributes to personalized disease phenotyping and treatment.

Reinforcement learning, a cornerstone in the expansive landscape of artificial intelligence, has asserted its dominance as the prevailing methodology in contemporary multiagent system decision-making because of its formidable efficacy. However, the path to the zenith of algorithmic excellence is fraught with challenges intrinsic to traditional multiagent reinforcement learning algorithms, such as dimensionality explosion, scarcity of training samples, and the labyrinthine nature of migration processes. In a concerted effort to surmount these formidable challenges and propel the evolution of algorithmic prowess, this paper unfurls its inquiry from the perspective of learning mechanisms and undertakes an exhaustive exploration of the symbiotic integration of learning mechanisms and reinforcement learning. At the inception of this scholarly expedition, we meticulously delineate the rudimentary principles underpinning multiagent algorithms, present a historical trajectory tracing their developmental evolution, and cast a discerning eye upon the salient challenges that have been formidable impediments in their trajectory. The ensuing narrative charts a course into the avant-garde realm of multiagent reinforcement learning methods anchored in learning mechanisms, a paradigmatic shift that emerges as an innovative frontier in the field. Among these learning mechanisms, meta-learning and transfer learning are empirically validated as useful instruments in hastening the learning trajectory of multiagent systems and simultaneously mitigating the intricate challenges posed by dimensionality explosion. This paper assumes the role of a sagacious guide through the labyrinthine landscape of multiagent reinforcement learning, focusing on the manifold applications of learning mechanisms across diverse domains. A comprehensive review delineates the impact of learning mechanisms in curriculum learning, evolutionary games, meta-learning, hierarchical learning, and transfer learning. The research outcomes within these thematic realms are methodically cataloged, with a discerning eye cast upon the limitations inherent in each methodology and erudite propositions for the trajectory of future improvements. The discourse pivots toward synthesizing advancements and accomplishments wrought by fusion algorithms in practical milieus. This paper meticulously examines the transformative impact of fusion algorithms in real-world applications, with a detailed exposition of their deployment in domains as diverse as traffic control and gaming. Simultaneously, an incisive analysis charting the future trajectory of fusion algorithms is conducted. This prediction encompasses exploring nascent theories, refining algorithmic efficacy, and expanding dissemination and application across a broader spectrum of domains. Through this scholarly odyssey, this paper provides an invaluable compass for navigating the uncharted waters of future research endeavors and the judicious deployment of multiagent reinforcement learning algorithms in pragmatic scenarios.

Long-term mapping of winter wheat is vital for assessing food security and formulating agricultural policies. Landsat data are the only available source for long-term winter wheat mapping in the North China Plain due to the fragmented landscape in this area. Although various methods, such as index-based methods, curve similarity-based methods and machine learning-based methods, have been developed for winter wheat mapping based on remote sensing, the former two often require satellite data with high temporal resolution, which are unsuitable for Landsat data with sparse time-series. Machine learning is an effective method for crop classification using Landsat data. Yet, applying machine learning for winter wheat mapping in the North China Plain encounters two main issues: 1) the lack of adequate and accurate samples for classifier training; and 2) the difficulty of training a single classifier to accomplish the large-scale crop mapping due to the high spatial heterogeneity in this area. To address these two issues, we first designed a sample selection rule to build a large sample set based on several existing crop maps derived from recent Sentinel data, with specific consideration of the confusion error between winter wheat and winter rapeseed in the available crop maps. Then, we developed an optimal zoning method based on the quadtree region splitting algorithm with classification feature consistency criterion, which divided the study area into six subzones with uniform classification features. For each subzone, a specific random forest classifier was trained and used to generate annual winter wheat maps from 2013 to 2022 using Landsat 8 OLI data. Field sample validation confirmed the high accuracy of the produced maps, with an average overall accuracy of 91.1% and an average kappa coefficient of 0.810 across different years. The derived winter wheat area also has a good correlation (R2 = 0.949) with census area at the provincial level. The results underscore the reliability of the produced annual winter wheat maps. Additional experiments demonstrate that our proposed optimal zoning method outperforms other zoning methods, including Köppen climate zoning, wheat planting zoning and non-zoning methods, in enhancing wheat mapping accuracy. It indicates that the proposed zoning is capable of generating more reasonable subzones for large-scale crop mapping.

Abstract Background The trajectory of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children and adolescents, encompassing descending, stable, and ascending patterns, delineates their ADHD status as remission, persistence or late onset. However, the neural and genetic underpinnings governing the trajectory of ADHD remain inadequately elucidated. Methods In this study, we employed neuroimaging techniques, behavioral assessments, and genetic analyses on a cohort of 487 children aged 6–15 from the Children School Functions and Brain Development project at baseline and two follow-up tests for 1 year each (interval 1: 1.14 ± 0.32 years; interval 2: 1.14 ± 0.30 years). We applied a Latent class mixed model (LCMM) to identify the developmental trajectory of ADHD symptoms in children and adolescents, while investigating the neural correlates through gray matter volume (GMV) analysis and exploring the genetic underpinnings using polygenic risk scores (PRS). Results This study identified three distinct trajectories (ascending-high, stable-low, and descending-medium) of ADHD symptoms from childhood through adolescence. Utilizing the linear mixed-effects (LME) model, we discovered that attention hub regions served as the neural basis for these three developmental trajectories. These regions encompassed the left anterior cingulate cortex/medial prefrontal cortex (ACC/mPFC), responsible for inhibitory control; the right inferior parietal lobule (IPL), which facilitated conscious focus on exogenous stimuli; and the bilateral middle frontal gyrus/precentral gyrus (MFG/PCG), accountable for regulating both dorsal and ventral attention networks while playing a crucial role in flexible modulation of endogenous and extrinsic attention. Furthermore, our findings revealed that individuals in the ascending-high group exhibited the highest PRS for ADHD, followed by those in the descending-medium group, with individuals in the stable-low group displaying the lowest PRS. Notably, both ascending-high and descending-medium groups had significantly higher PRS compared to the stable-low group. Conclusions The developmental trajectory of ADHD symptoms in the general population throughout childhood and adolescence can be reliably classified into ascending-high, stable-low, and descending-medium groups. The bilateral MFG/PCG, left ACC/mPFC, and right IPL may serve as crucial brain regions involved in attention processing, potentially determining these trajectories. Furthermore, the ascending-high pattern of ADHD symptoms exhibited the highest PRS for ADHD.

Brain development is characterized by an increase in structural and functional segregation, which supports the specialization of cognitive processes within the context of network neuroscience. In this study, we investigated age-related changes in morphological segregation using individual Regional Radiomics Similarity Networks (R2SNs) constructed with a longitudinal dataset of 494 T1-weighted MR scans from 309 typically developing children aged 6.2 to 13 years at baseline. Segertation indices were defined as the relative difference in connectivity strengths within and between modules and cacluated at the global, system and local levels. Linear mixed-effect models revealed longitudinal increases in both global and system segregation indices, particularly within the limbic and dorsal attention network, and decreases within the ventral attention network. Superior performance in working memory and inhibitory control was associated with higher system-level segregation indices in default, frontoparietal, ventral attention, somatomotor and subcortical systems, and lower local segregation indices in visual network regions, regardless of age. Furthermore, gene enrichment analysis revealed correlations between age-related changes in local segregation indices and regional expression levels of genes related to developmental processes. These findings provide novel insights into typical brain developmental changes using R2SN-derived segregation indices, offering a valuable tool for understanding human brain structural and cognitive maturation.

This study aimed to optimize subcritical water extraction process, characterize chemical composition and investigate the biological activities of Nitraria sibirica Pall. (NSP) anthocyanin. Overall, the optimization was achieved under following conditions: extraction temperature 140 °C, extraction time 45 min and flow rate 7 mL/min with the extraction yield of 1.075 mg/g. 3 cyanidin, 3 petunidin, 1 delphinidin and 1 pelargonidin compounds were identified in the anthocyanic extract from NSP via UPLC–Triple–TOF–MS/MS. NSP anthocyanin exhibited better DPPH free-radical scavenging activity than ascorbic acid. It displayed superior α-glucosidase inhibition activity, which was ∼14 times higher than that of acarbose. Moreover, enzyme kinetics results indicated that NSP anthocyanin behaved as a reversible, mixed-type inhibitor. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation results revealed that NSP anthocyanin interacted with α-glucosidase mainly via van der Waals forces, hydrogen bond and possessed fairly stable configuration. Therefore, NSP anthocyanin is a promising α-glucosidase inhibitor for diabetes mellitus.

IntroductionDeaf students have more difficulties with emotion regulation due to their hearing loss. They are suffering higher socio-emotional risk than the hearing person. But there are few studies explored the neural mechanisms of impaired emotion regulation in the deaf college students.MethodsThirty hearing college students and 27 deaf college students completed the emotion regulation task while recording ERP data and subjective emotion intensity.ResultsBehavioral results found that deaf college students had higher emotional experience intensity compared to healthy controls. The ERP results showed the deaf college students had lower LPP amplitudes both using reappraisal and suppression strategies. Moreover, the LPP of expression suppression was associated with the increase of depression scores among deaf college students.DiscussionDeaf college students may have impaired emotion regulation so that they are more accustomed to using expression suppression strategies to regulate their negative emotions which lead to high risk to be depression.

Abstract Uncontrollable zinc (Zn) plating and hydrogen evolution greatly undermine Zn anode reversibility. Previous electrolyte designs focus on suppressing H2O reactivity, however, the accumulation of alkaline byproducts during battery calendar aging and cycling still deteriorates the battery performance. Here, we present a direct strategy to tackle such problems using a strong Brønsted acid, bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (HTFSI), as the electrolyte additive. This approach reformulates battery interfacial chemistry on both electrodes, suppresses continuous corrosion reactions and promotes uniform Zn deposition. The enrichment of hydrophobic TFSI– anions at the Zn|electrolyte interface creates an H2O-deficient micro-environment, thus inhibiting Zn corrosion reactions and inducing a ZnS-rich interphase. This highly acidic electrolyte demonstrates high Zn plating/stripping Coulombic efficiency up to 99.7% at 1 mA cm–2 ( > 99.8% under higher current density and areal capacity). Additionally, Zn | |ZnV6O9 full cells exhibit a high capacity retention of 76.8% after 2000 cycles.

Abstract Background Mothers of children with autism reported higher levels of anxiety than mothers of typical children. This study revealed the relationship between parent-child conflict, children’s problem behavior, parenting stress, and maternal anxiety from the perspective of the relationship within the family. Methods The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Caregiver Strain Questionnaire (CGSQ) were used to measure maternal anxiety and parenting stress respectively from 102 mothers of children with autism. We also collected information on parent-child relationships and children’s problem behaviors by using the Child-Parent Relationship Scale (CPRS) and Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire (PSQ). Results Parent-child conflict positively predicted state and trait anxiety in mothers of children with autism. The severity of children’s psychosomatic disorders fully mediated the positive association between parent-child conflict and state-trait anxiety in mothers of children with autism. Parenting stress significantly moderated the impact of parent-child conflict on maternal state anxiety and trait anxiety. Conclusion In the case of children with autism spectrum disorders, parent-child conflict can directly affect maternal anxiety levels, especially when mothers have low levels of parenting stress. Parent-child conflict can also affect children’s problem behaviors and thus indirectly affect maternal anxiety. Therefore, this study is of great significance for the alleviation of anxiety of mothers of autistic children and the family intervention for the early rehabilitation of autistic children.

Abstract Adverse perinatal factors can interfere with the normal development of the brain, potentially resulting in long-term effects on the comprehensive development of children. Presently, the understanding of cognitive and neurodevelopmental processes under conditions of adverse perinatal factors is substantially limited. There is a critical need for an open resource that integrates various perinatal factors with the development of the brain and mental health to facilitate a deeper understanding of these developmental trajectories. In this Data Descriptor, we introduce a multicenter database containing information on perinatal factors that can potentially influence children’s brain-mind development, namely, periCBD, that combines neuroimaging and behavioural phenotypes with perinatal factors at county/region/central district hospitals. PeriCBD was designed to establish a platform for the investigation of individual differences in brain-mind development associated with perinatal factors among children aged 3–10 years. Ultimately, our goal is to help understand how different adverse perinatal factors specifically impact cognitive development and neurodevelopment. Herein, we provide a systematic overview of the data acquisition/cleaning/quality control/sharing, processes of periCBD.

Zein is widely used in loading and delivery of food functional components due to its unique self-assembly properties. However, due to the strong hydrophobicity, the interface stability of the pure Zein-based Pickering emulsion is difficult to meet the needs of practical applications, and the construction of a composite system with appropriate polysaccharides is an effective strategy to improve the stability of its emulsion. On account of this, composite particles (NZPs) using Zein and Nicandra physaloides gum (NPG) with different protein-polysaccharide compounding ratios were prepared in this work by complex coacervation method. The physicochemical properties, structure and emulsion properties of NZPs were characterized. The results showed that the surface wettability of NZPs increased with the increasing addition of NPG, and meanwhile the formed composite particles became smaller with better dispersity, caused by the specific electrostatic force between protein and polysaccharide. The endogenous fluorescence spectrum of NZPs showed that the peak intensity of the corresponding characteristic peaks was proportional to the content of Zein and NPG, respectively, and the introduction of NPG affected the microenvironment polarity of tyrosine residues in Zein molecules. The shift of the absorption peak in Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) indicated the enhanced hydrogen bond interaction and the generation of new peaks indicated the formation of new chemical bonds in NZPs. The storage modulus (G') of NZPs-based Pickering emulsions was higher than the loss modulus (G"). When the compounding ratio was 1:1 (Zein:NPG), both G' and G" of emulsions reached the maximum, obtaining the optimum emulsion system structure. The creaming index (CI) results showed that the stability of NZPs-based Pickering emulsions was generally higher than that of the pure Zein or NPG emulsions under different pH and heating treatments. This study provides a theoretical reference for the development of new Zein-polysaccharide composite system and its highly efficient and stable Pickering emulsions.

Abstract Osteoporosis (OP) is a prevalent global disease characterized by bone mass loss and microstructural destruction, resulting in increased bone fragility and fracture susceptibility. Our study aims to investigate the potential of kaempferol in preventing and treating OP through a combination of network pharmacology and molecular experiments. Kaempferol and OP-related targets were retrieved from the public database. A protein–protein interaction (PPI) network of common targets was constructed using the STRING database and visualized with Cytoscape 3.9.1 software. Enrichment analyses for GO and KEGG of potential therapeutic targets were conducted using the Hiplot platform. Molecular docking was performed using Molecular operating environment (MOE) software, and cell experiments were conducted to validate the mechanism of kaempferol in treating OP. Network pharmacology analysis identified 54 overlapping targets between kaempferol and OP, with 10 core targets identified. The primarily enriched pathways included atherosclerosis-related signaling pathways, the AGE/RAGE signaling pathway, and the TNF signaling pathway. Molecular docking results indicated stable binding of kaempferol and two target proteins, AKT1 and MMP9. In vitro cell experiments demonstrated significant upregulation of AKT1 expression in MC3T3-E1 cells (p

Abstract Pediatric perforated appendicitis, prone to multiple complications, necessitates identifying potential serum biomarkers for early diagnosis and intervention. A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients under 16 with acute appendicitis, admitted to Hainan Women and Children’s Medical Center from January 2019 to July 2023. The patients were categorized into perforated and non-perforated groups. Among the 313 included patients, 106 (33.87%, 95% CI 28.59–39.14%) developed perforation. The C-reactive protein to prealbumin ratio (CPA) showed a significant difference between the perforated and non-perforated groups [6.63 (2.9–13.02) vs. 0.7 (0.11–2.18), p 3 predicting perforation was 76.2%, with a specificity of 81.6%, and an AUC of 0.816 (95% CI 0.747–0.886, p 2.2 predicting perforation was 85%, with a specificity of 85.7%, and an AUC of 0.919 (95% CI 0.859–0.979, p 3 and CPA > 2.2 can predict perforated appendicitis in patients aged 4–9 and 9–16, respectively.

This paper investigated the impact of different b-value acquisition ranges (from 0 to 2 500 s/mm2) on the quantitative parameter calculation of six body diffusion models, including mono-exponential (Mono), diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI), intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM), stretch exponential model (SEM), fractional-order calculus model (FROC), and continuous time random walk model (CTRW). The influence of different b-value acquisition ranges on parameter calculation was evaluated through correlation between diffusion model parameters, t-test, and the ability to differentiate benign and malignant prostate lesions. The results showed that compared with that of the reference sampling scheme (0~2 500 s/mm2), the difference of the mean value of region of interest (ROI) with the same diffusion parameters gradually increases as the maximum b-value decreases, but the correlation decreases only slightly, and the ability to differentiate between benign and malignant prostate lesions remains at a similar level. Based on the experimental results, a b-value range of 0~1 500 s/mm2 is recommended for clinical practice, because this scheme takes collection efficiency into account, the correlation of more than half of its parameters with those of the reference sampling scheme is not less than 0.98, and the difference in the values of area under the curve (AUC) between benign and malignant differentiation is less than 0.01. In addition, the sensitivity of different diffusion models to the b-value scheme varies, with the parameters of SEM and CTRW models being relatively less affected by the b-value range.

BackgroundDubin-Johnson Syndrome (DJS) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder, with most cases presenting in adolescence, but rare in newborns.ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of DJS in a newborn.MethodsWe present the clinical features of a newborn diagnosed with DJS through molecular genetic testing.ResultsThe patient was a male newborn who developed jaundice and scleral icterus on the 6th day of life. Both direct and indirect bilirubin levels were elevated. After treatment with phototherapy, indirect bilirubin levels decreased, but direct bilirubin remained unchanged, and the stool color gradually lightened. At 56 days of age, the patient underwent laparoscopic cholecystostomy, which revealed viscous bile plugs in the bile ducts. Following the surgery, the patient received oral ursodeoxycholic acid, compound glycyrrhizin, and methylprednisolone. Follow-up until one year post-surgery showed a gradual reduction in direct bilirubin levels to the normal range. Molecular genetic testing revealed three heterozygous mutations in the ABCC2 gene on chromosome 10, with one pathogenic variant inherited from the father and two from the mother, confirming the diagnosis of DJS.ConclusionDJS is a benign condition with a favorable prognosis. In newborns, it should be differentiated from other causes of cholestasis, and compared to cholestasis, jaundice in newborns with DJS responds more slowly to treatment.

Uromodulin, also referred to as Tamm Horsfall protein (THP), is a renal protein exclusively synthesized by the kidneys and represents the predominant urinary protein under normal physiological conditions. It assumes a pivotal role within the renal system, contributing not only to ion transport and immune modulation but also serving as a critical factor in the prevention of urinary tract infections and kidney stone formation. Emerging evidence indicates that uromodulin may serve as a potential biomarker extending beyond renal function. Recent clinical investigations and Mendelian randomization studies have unveiled a discernible association between urinary regulatory protein levels and cardiovascular events and mortality. This review primarily delineates the intricate relationship between uromodulin and cardiovascular disease, elucidates its predictive utility as a novel biomarker for cardiovascular events, and delves into its involvement in various physiological and pathophysiological facets of the cardiovascular system, incorporating recent advancements in corresponding genetics.

Abstract The absence of nationwide distribution data regarding heavy metal emissions into the atmosphere poses a significant constraint in environmental research and public health assessment. In response to the critical data deficiency, we have established a dataset covering Cr, Cd, As, and Pb emissions into the atmosphere (HMEAs, unit: ton) across 367 municipalities in China. Initially, we collected HMEAs data and covariates such as industrial emissions, vehicle emissions, meteorological variables, among other ten indicators. Following this, nine machine learning models, including Linear Regression (LR), Ridge, Bayesian Ridge (Bayesian), K-Neighbors Regressor (KNN), MLP Regressor (MLP), Random Forest Regressor (RF), LGBM Regressor (LGBM), Lasso, and ElasticNet, were assessed using coefficient of determination (R2), root-mean-square error (RMSE) and Mean Absolute Error (MAE) on the testing dataset. RF and LGBM models were chosen, due to their favorable predictive performance (R2: 0.58–0.84, lower RMSE/MAE), confirming their robustness in modelling. This dataset serves as a valuable resource for informing environmental policies, monitoring air quality, conducting environmental assessments, and facilitating academic research.

Abstract The substantia nigra (SN), subthalamic nucleus (STN), and red nucleus (RN) have been widely studied as important biomarkers of degenerative diseases. However, how they develop in childhood and adolescence and are affected by emotional behavior has not been studied thus far. This population-based longitudinal cohort study used data from a representative sample followed two to five times. Emotional and behavioral problems were assessed with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Linear mixed models were used to map developmental trajectories and behavioral regulation. Using an innovative automated image segmentation technique, we quantified the volumes and asymmetries of the SN, STN and RN with 1226 MRI scans of a large longitudinal sample of 667 subjects aged 6–15 years and mapped their developmental trajectories. The results showed that the absolute and relative volumes of the bilateral SN and right STN showed linear increases, while the absolute volume of the right RN and relative volume of the bilateral RN decreased linearly, these effects were not affected by gender. Hyperactivity/inattention weakened the increase in SN volume and reduced the absolute volume of the STN, conduct problems impeded the RN volume from decreasing, and emotional symptoms changed the direction of SN lateralization. This longitudinal cohort study mapped the developmental trajectories of SN, STN, and RN volumes and asymmetries from childhood to adolescence, and found the association of emotional symptoms, conduct problems, and hyperactivity/inattention with these trajectories, providing guidance for preventing and intervening in cognitive and emotional behavioral problems.

Abstract Cortical thinning is an important hallmark of the maturation of brain morphology during childhood and adolescence. However, the connectome-based wiring mechanism that underlies cortical maturation remains unclear. Here, we show cortical thinning patterns primarily located in the lateral frontal and parietal heteromodal nodes during childhood and adolescence, which are structurally constrained by white matter network architecture and are particularly represented using a network-based diffusion model. Furthermore, connectome-based constraints are regionally heterogeneous, with the largest constraints residing in frontoparietal nodes, and are associated with gene expression signatures of microstructural neurodevelopmental events. These results are highly reproducible in another independent dataset. These findings advance our understanding of network-level mechanisms and the associated genetic basis that underlies the maturational process of cortical morphology during childhood and adolescence.

Abstract Background Alveolar hypercoagulation and fibrinolytic inhibition are mainly responsible for massive alveolar fibrin deposition, which are closely related with refractory hypoxemia in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Our previous study testified runt-related transcription factor (RUNX1) participated in the regulation of this pathophysiology in this syndrome, but the mechanism is unknown. We speculate that screening the downstream genes associated with RUNX1 will presumably help uncover the mechanism of RUNX1. Methods Genes associated with RUNX1 were screened by CHIP-seq, among which the target gene was verified by Dual Luciferase experiment. Then the efficacy of the target gene on alveolar hypercoagulation and fibrinolytic inhibition in LPS-induced ARDS was explored in vivo as well as in vitro. Finally, whether the regulatory effects of RUNX1 on alveolar hypercoagulation and fibrinolytic in ARDS would be related with the screened target gene was also sufficiently explored. Results Among these screened genes, AKT3 was verified to be the direct target gene of RUNX1. Results showed that AKT3 was highly expressed either in lung tissues of LPS-induced rat ARDS or in LPS-treated alveolar epithelia cell type II (AECII). Tissue factor (TF) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) were increasingly expressed both in lung tissues of ARDS and in LPS-induced AECII, which were all significantly attenuated by down-regulation of AKT3. Inhibition of AKT3 gene obviously ameliorated the LPS-induced lung injury as well as the collagen I expression in ARDS. RUNX1 overexpression not only promoted the expressions of TF, PAI-1, but also boosted AKT3 expression in vitro. More importantly, the efficacy of RUNX1 on TF, PAI-1 were all effectively reversed by down-regulation of AKT3 gene. Conclusion AKT3 is an important target gene of RUNX1, through which RUNX1 exerted its regulatory role on alveolar hypercoagulation and fibrinolytic inhibition in LPS-induced ARDS. RUNX1/ATK3 signaling axis is expected to be a new target for the exploration of ARDS genesis and treatment.

Abstract Background Researches have used intra-compartmental infusion and ballon tourniquest to create high intra-compartmental pressure in animal models of Acute Compartment Syndrome (ACS). However, due to the large differences in the modeling methods and the evaluation criteria of ACS, further researches of its pathophysiology and pathogenesis are hindered. Currently, there is no ideal animal model for ACS and this study aimed to establish a reproducible, clinically relevant animal model. Methods Blunt trauma and fracture were caused by the free falling of weights (0.5 kg, 1 kg, 2 kg) from a height of 40 cm onto the lower legs of rats, and the application of pressures of 100 mmHg, 200 mmHg, 300 mmHg and 400 mmHg to the lower limbs of rats using a modified pressurizing device for 6 h. The intra-compartmental pressure (ICP) and the pressure change (ΔP) of rats with single and combined injury were continuously recorded, and the pathophysiology of the rats was assessed based on serum biochemistry, histological and hemodynamic changes. Results The ΔP caused by single injury method of different weights falling onto the lower leg did not meet the diagnosis criteria for ACS (

Abstract From childhood to adolescence, the spatiotemporal development pattern of the human brain white matter connectome and its underlying transcriptomic and cellular mechanisms remain largely unknown. With a longitudinal diffusion MRI cohort of 604 participants, we map the developmental trajectory of the white matter connectome from global to regional levels and identify that most brain network properties followed a linear developmental trajectory. Importantly, connectome-transcriptomic analysis reveals that the spatial development pattern of white matter connectome is potentially regulated by the transcriptomic architecture, with positively correlated genes involve in ion transport- and development-related pathways expressed in excitatory and inhibitory neurons, and negatively correlated genes enriches in synapse- and development-related pathways expressed in astrocytes, inhibitory neurons and microglia. Additionally, the macroscale developmental pattern is also associated with myelin content and thicknesses of specific laminas. These findings offer insights into the underlying genetics and neural mechanisms of macroscale white matter connectome development from childhood to adolescence.

Citrobacter freundii is an opportunistic pathogen of freshwater aquatic animals, which severely restricts the sustainable development of the aquaculture industry. In this study, a dominant strain, named FSNM-1, was isolated from the hepatopancreas of diseased Macrobrachium rosenbergii. This strain was identified as C. freundii based on a comprehensive analysis of its morphological, physiological, and biochemical features and molecular identification. Challenge experiments were conducted to assess the pathogenicity of C. freundii to M. rosenbergii. The results showed that the FSNM-1 strain had high virulence to M. rosenbergii with a median lethal dose (LD50) of 1.1 × 106 CFU/mL. Histopathological analysis revealed that C. freundii infection caused different degrees of inflammation in the hepatopancreas, gills, and intestines of M. rosenbergii. The detection of virulence-related genes revealed that the FSNM-1 strain carried colonization factor antigen (cfa1, cfa2), ureases (ureG, ureF, ureD, ureE), and outer membrane protein (ompX), and virulence factor detection showed that the FSNM-1 strain had lecithinase, amylase, lipase, gelatinase, and hemolysin activities but did not produce protease and DNase activities. To investigate the immune response of M. rosenbergii to C. freundii, the expression levels of ALF3, MyD88, SOD, proPO, TRAF6, and TNF immune-related genes were monitored at different points of time in the hepatopancreas, gills, intestines, and hemocytes of M. rosenbergii after infection. The results demonstrated a significant upregulation in the expression levels of the ALF3, MyD88, SOD, proPO, TRAF6, and TNF genes in M. rosenbergii at the early stage of C. freundii infection. This study highlights C. freundii as a major pathogen causing mass mortality in M. rosenbergii and provides valuable insights into its virulence mechanisms and the host’s immune response.

Cholestasis refers to a physiological and pathological process caused by bile acid (BA) overaccumulation inside the circulatory system and liver, leading to systemic and hepatocellular damage. Activating the farnesol X receptor (FXR) to restore BA homeostasis is a promising strategy for treating cholestasis. The objective of this research is to reveal solid evidence for the fact that the total iridoid glycosides from Swertia mussotii Franch. (IGSM) alleviate cholestasis. In this research, the whole plant of S. mussotii was extracted with 70% ethanol and separated by macroporous adsorption resin. A rat cholestasis model was established by the injection of α-naphthyl isothiocyanate (ANIT) at a dose of 75 mg/kg. Biochemical and oxidative stress indicators were determined using commercial assay kits. The mRNA abundance of FXR and target proteins was assessed using RT-qPCR. In addition, the effects of main compounds with FXR were evaluated by molecular docking after IGSM analysis using UPLC. The results indicated that IGSM alleviated ANIT-induced cholestasis through reducing serum ALT, AST, AKP, and TBA levels; increasing the mRNA levels of Fxr, Besp, Ntcp, and Mep2; and reducing oxidative stress. The proportion of iridoid compounds in IGSM exceeded 50%, which may be the active substance basis of IGSM. This study provides a theoretical reference for IGSM in the treatment of cholestasis, and future studies may delve more deeply into the FXR regulatory pathway.

Introduction Specific treatment for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is still lacking, and acupuncture may relieve the symptoms. We intend to investigate the efficacy and safety of electro-acupuncture (EA) in alleviating symptoms associated with DPN in diabetes.Methods and analysis This multicentre, three-armed, participant- and assessor-blind, randomised, sham-controlled trial will recruit 240 eligible participants from four hospitals in China and will randomly assign (1:1:1) them to EA, sham acupuncture (SA) or usual care (UC) group. Participants in the EA and SA groups willl receive either 24-session EA or SA treatment over 8 weeks, followed by an 8-week follow-up period, while participants in the UC group will be followed up for 16 weeks. The primary outcome of this trial is the change in DPN symptoms from baseline to week 8, as rated by using the Total Symptom Score. The scale assesses four symptoms: pain, burning, paraesthesia and numbness, by evaluating the frequency and severity of each. All results will be analysed with the intention-to-treat population.Ethics and dissemination The protocol has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (Identifier: 2022BZYLL0509). Every participant will be informed of detailed information about the study before signing informed consent. The results of this trial will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.Trial registration number ChiCTR2200061408.

Risk-taking often occurs in childhood as a compex outcome influenced by individual, family, and social factors. The ability to govern risky decision-making in a balanced manner is a hallmark of the integrity of cognitive and affective development from childhood to adulthood. The Triadic Neural Systems Model posits that the nuanced coordination of motivational approach, avoidance and prefrontal control systems is crucial to regulate adaptive risk-taking and related behaviors. Although widely studied in adolescence and adulthood, how these systems develop in childhood remains elusive. Here, we show heterogenous age-related differences in the triadic neural systems involved in risky decision-making in 218 school-age children relative to 80 young adults. Children were generally less reward-seeking and less risk-taking than adults, and exhibited gradual increases in risk-taking behaviors from 6 to 12 years-old, which are associated with age-related differences in brain activation patterns underlying reward and risk processing. In comparison to adults, children exhibited weaker activation in control-related prefrontal systems, but stronger activation in reward-related striatal systems. Network analyses revealed that children showed greater reward-related functional connectivity within and between the triadic systems. Our findings support an immature and unbalanced developmental view of the core neurocognitive systems involved in risky decision-making and related behaviors in middle to late childhood.

High entropy alloys have the potential to be used as coating materials in many fields due to their excellent mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and high-temperature stability. Based on the application requirements of high-entropy alloys, this study aims to explore how tungsten carbide can optimize the properties of high-entropy alloys. Through theoretical research and experimental validation, the effects of the organizational structure of high-entropy alloy coatings on their properties and the effects of tungsten carbide content on the properties of high-entropy alloy coatings were investigated. The micro hardness of the coatings is relatively high at low power laser melting, while it decreases with the increase of laser power. After laser melting of different materials, the average impact toughness of the studied materials exceeded 70 J/cm2, and the average values of microhardness of the optimized coatings prepared at laser powers of 1400 W and 1600 W were more than 160 HV0.2. In addition, the properties of the high-entropy alloys were significantly improved when the content of tungsten carbide reached a certain percentage. The composite coatings have excellent wear resistance, corrosion resistance and thermal stability. Overall, the optimized tungsten carbide on high entropy alloys in this study has good performance, which is of great theoretical and practical significance for understanding the performance regulation and optimal design of high entropy alloy coatings.

Abstract Background The reconstruction of tendons with large defects requires grafts with high mechanical strength and is often hindered by complications such as infection and adhesion. Hence, grafts combining the advantages of mechanical resilience and antibacterial/antiadhesion activity are highly sought after. Methods The silver nanoparticles (GA-Ag NPs) synthesized from gallic acid and silver nitrate were attached to a decellularized extracellular matrix (Decellularized Tendon crosslinking GA-AgNPs, DT-Ag). We examined the histological structure, mechanical property, morphology, Zeta potential, cytotoxicity, antibacterial properties, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and ability of the DT-Ag to treat tendon defects in animals. Results Approximately 108.57 ± 0.94 μg GA-Ag NPs loaded per 50 mg DT, the cross-linked part of GA-Ag NPs was 65.47 ± 0.57%, which provided DT-Ag with long-lasting antibacterial activity. Meanwhile, GA endowed DT-Ag with good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Additionally, The DT-Ag facilitated M2 macrophage polarization, and suppressed fibrin deposition by hindering fibroblast adhesion. Mormore, the main advantages of DT-Ag, namely its long-lasting antibacterial activity (tested using Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus as models) and the ability to prevent tissue adhesion were confirmed in vivo. Conclusion The fabricated multifunctional tendon graft was highly hydrophilic, biocompatible, and mechanically resilient, and concluded to be well suited for dealing with the main complications of surgical tendon reconstruction and has bright application prospects. Graphical Abstract

To better understand the individual differences in fairness, we used event-related potentials (ERPs) to explore the fairness characteristics of deaf college students through the ultimatum game task. Behaviorally, the significant main effect of the proposal type was found, which meant both deaf and hearing college students showed a lower acceptance rate for the more unfair proposal. Interestingly, we found a significant interaction between group and proposal type in the early stage (N1). Moreover, in the deaf college group, N1 (induced by moderately and very unfair proposals) was significantly larger than that of fair proposals. However, we found that deaf college students had smaller amplitudes on P2 and P3 than hearing college students. These results suggested that deaf college students might pursue more equity strongly so they are more sensitive to unfair information in the early stage. In a word, we should provide more fair allocations for deaf college students in our harmonious society.

As global climate change intensifies and environmental awareness increases, investing in renewable energy has become a primary economic and social development priority. Photovoltaic (PV) projects, as a clean and sustainable energy technology, have garnered significant attention due to their notable environmental and economic benefits. However, traditional investment evaluation methods such as net present value (NPV) analysis fail to adequately capture the flexibility and future uncertainties inherent in PV project investments. This paper presents a case study analysis proposing a delay option model that incorporates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, providing a more scientific and flexible investment decision framework for PV projects. The case study results indicate that considering ESG factors significantly enhances the investment value of PV projects. This model not only provides comprehensive support for PV project investment decisions but also underscores the importance of establishing stringent carbon trading markets and policy incentive mechanisms to promote the widespread adoption and sustainable development of renewable energy projects.

A weld is the main connection form of special equipment, and a weld is also the most vulnerable part of special equipment. Therefore, an effective detection of a weld is of great significance to improve the safety of special equipment. The traditional inspection method is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive, but also expensive. The welding seam tracking and inspection robot can greatly improve the inspection efficiency and save on inspection costs. Therefore, this paper proposes a welding seam tracking and inspection robot based on YOLOv8s-seg. Firstly, the MobileNetV3 lightweight backbone network is used to replace the backbone part of YOLOv8s-seg to reduce the model parameters. Secondly, we reconstruct C2f and prune the number of output channels of the new building module C2fGhost. Finally, in order to make up for the precision loss caused by the lightweight model, we add an EMA attention mechanism after each detection layer in the neck part of the model. The experimental results show that the accuracy of weld recognition reaches 97.8%, and the model size is only 4.88 MB. The improved model is embedded in Jetson nano, a robot control system for seam tracking and detection, and TensorRT is used to accelerate the reasoning of the model. The total reasoning time from image segmentation to path fitting is only 54 ms, which meets the real-time requirements of the robot for seam tracking and detection, and realizes the path planning of the robot for inspecting the seam efficiently and accurately.

3D object detection is a challenging and promising task for autonomous driving and robotics, benefiting significantly from multi-sensor fusion, such as LiDAR and cameras. Conventional methods for sensor fusion rely on a projection matrix to align the features from LiDAR and cameras. However, these methods often suffer from inadequate flexibility and robustness, leading to lower alignment accuracy under complex environmental conditions. Addressing these challenges, in this paper, we propose a novel Bidirectional Attention Fusion module, named BAFusion, which effectively fuses the information from LiDAR and cameras using cross-attention. Unlike the conventional methods, our BAFusion module can adaptively learn the cross-modal attention weights, making the approach more flexible and robust. Moreover, drawing inspiration from advanced attention optimization techniques in 2D vision, we developed the Cross Focused Linear Attention Fusion Layer (CFLAF Layer) and integrated it into our BAFusion pipeline. This layer optimizes the computational complexity of attention mechanisms and facilitates advanced interactions between image and point cloud data, showcasing a novel approach to addressing the challenges of cross-modal attention calculations. We evaluated our method on the KITTI dataset using various baseline networks, such as PointPillars, SECOND, and Part-A2, and demonstrated consistent improvements in 3D object detection performance over these baselines, especially for smaller objects like cyclists and pedestrians. Our approach achieves competitive results on the KITTI benchmark.

Abstract Background A minority of children experience in-hospital recurrence of intestinal intussusception after treatment. This study investigated the factors associated with in-hospital recurrence of intussusception in pediatric patients in China. Methods This retrospective study included patients aged 0–18 years-old with intestinal intussusception treated at Hainan Women and Children’s Medical Center between January 2019 and December 2019. Demographic and clinical characteristics were extracted from the medical records. Factors associated with in-hospital recurrence of intussusception were identified by logistic regression analysis. Results The analysis included 624 children (400 boys) with a median age of 1.8 years (range, 2 months and 6 days to 9 years). Seventy-three children (11.7%) had in-hospital recurrence of intussusception after successful reduction with air enema. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified age > 1 year-old (odds ratio [OR]: 7.65; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 2.70–21.71; P 1 year-old, secondary intussusception and mesenteric lymph node enlargement were independently associated with increased odds of in-hospital recurrence of intussusception after successful reduction with air enema.

Promoting the social integration of rural migrants is key to improving the mechanism of rural-urban integration and development. This study utilizes the 2017 China Migrants Dynamic Survey and matched urban macro data to systematically explore the impact of homesteads on the social integration of rural migrants. Research has shown that social integration of rural migrants will be inhibited if they own homesteads. Simultaneously, the degree of inhibition varies according to the individual characteristics of rural migrants, the region to which they belong, and other factors. Specifically, when rural migrants aged 18 to 50 own homesteads, their degree of social integration into the cities they move into will be low. At the same time, for rural migrants in the central region, homestead ownership will not affect their degree of social integration. In addition, the mechanism analysis shows that increased housing expenditure inhibits rural migrants' willingness to integrate. Meanwhile, owning contracted land and owning a house in the city also affect the degree of social integration of rural migrants to a certain extent. The findings of this study can broaden research on the effects of land on the free movement of population factors. In the meantime, it provides theoretical references for improving the level of social integration of migrants, enhancing people's well-being, and improving the mechanism of urban-rural integration and development.

In recent years, the integration of wind power into the grid has steadily increased, but the volatility and uncertainty of wind power pose significant challenges to grid planning, scheduling and operation. Ultra-short term wind power forecasting technology as the basis of daily scheduling decision can accurately predict the future hourly wind power output, and has important research significance for ensuring the safe and stable operation of power grid. Although research on ultra-short-term wind power forecasting technology has reached maturity, practical engineering applications still face several challenges. These challenges include the limited potential for improving the accuracy of numerical weather forecasts, the issue of missing historical data from new wind farms, and the need to achieve accurate power prediction under extreme weather scenarios. Therefore, this paper aims to critically review the current proposed ultra-short-term wind power forecasting methods. On this basis, analyze the combined power forecasting method under extreme weather scenarios, and illustrate its effectiveness through wind farm case studies. Finally, according to the development trend and demand of future power systems, future research directions are proposed.

Objective: To study the mechanism of ultrasonic emulsification of soy protein isolate (SPI) and to investigate the emulsification efficiency of SPI under different ultrasonic powers. Methods: Different ultrasonic powers of 28, 47, 69, 88 and 109 W were used to treat SPI emulsions. The finite element analysis method was applied to simulate the phenomenon of acoustic streaming in the sound field and obtain the distribution of acoustic flow field under different ultrasonic powers. The distribution characteristics of the ultrasonic cavitation field were analyzed by sonochemiluminescence assay. The particle size, emulsification activity, and emulsion stability of SPI emulsions were measured. Results: The effect of ultrasonic cavitation, the cavitation enhancement of acoustic flow, the dispersion and mixing of acoustic flow were the main mechanisms for the homogeneous stabilization of ultrasonic emulsification. Ultrasonic disruption and homogenization as a result of acoustic cavitation could reduce the particle size of SPI emulsions. The acoustic flow effect caused by an increase in ultrasonic power could increase the action area of ultrasonic cavitation enhancing the cavitation effect. Meanwhile, the impact, gyration and vortex motion of acoustic flow could cause the emulsion to be fully stirred, dispersed and mixed, effectively improving the emulsification activity, emulsion stability and apparent stability. The emulsification efficiency of SPI was highest when the ultrasonic power was 88 W. Conclusion: Increased ultrasonic power can effectively improve the emulsification characteristics of SPI.

With the rapid development of China’s railways, ensuring the safety of the operating environment of high-speed railways faces daunting challenges. In response to safety hazards posed by light and heavy floating objects during the operation of trains, we propose a dual-branch semantic segmentation network with the fusion of large models (SAMUnet). The encoder part of this network uses a dual-branch structure, in which the backbone branch uses a residual network for feature extraction and the large-model branch leverages the results of feature extraction generated by the segment anything model (SAM). Moreover, a decoding attention module is fused with the results of prediction of the SAM in the decoder part to enhance the performance of the network. We conducted experiments on the Inria Aerial Image Labeling (IAIL), Massachusetts, and high-speed railway hazards datasets to verify the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed SAMUnet network in comparison with commonly used semantic segmentation networks. The results demonstrated its superiority in terms of both the accuracies of segmentation and feature extraction. It was able to precisely extract hazards in the environment of high-speed railways to significantly improve the accuracy of semantic segmentation.

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPis) are approved for cancer therapy according to their synthetic lethal interactions, and clinical trials have been applied in non–small cell lung cancer. However, the therapeutic efficacy of PARPis in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is still unknown. We explored the effect of a mutated retinoblastoma gene (RB1) on PARPi sensitivity in LUAD. Bioinformatic screening was performed to identify PARPi-sensitive biomarkers. Here, we showed that viability of LUAD cell lines with mutated RB1 was significantly decreased by PARPis (niraparib, rucaparib, and olaparib). RB1 deficiency induced genomic instability, prompted cytosolic double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) formation, activated the cGAS/STING pathway, and upregulated downstream chemokines CCL5 and CXCL10, triggering immune cell infiltration. Xenograft experiments indicated that PARPi treatment reduced tumorigenesis in RB1-KO mice. Additionally, single-cell RNA sequencing analysis showed that malignant cells with downregulated expression of RB1 had more communications with other cell types, exhibiting activation of specific signaling such as GAS, IFN response, and antigen-presenting and cytokine activities. Our findings suggest that RB1 mutation mediates the sensitivity to PARPis through a synthetic lethal effect by triggering the cGAS/STING pathway and upregulation of immune infiltration in LUAD, which may be a potential therapeutic strategy.

Summary: High-entropy alloys are claimed to possess superior stability due to thermodynamic contributions. However, this statement mostly lies on a hypothetical basis. In this study, we use on-line inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer to investigate the dissolution of five representative electrocatalysts in acidic and alkaline media and a wide potential window targeting the most important applications. To address both model and applied systems, we synthesized thin films and carbon-supported nanoparticles ranging from an elemental (Pt) sample to binary (PtRu), ternary (PtRuIr), quaternary (PtRuIrRh), and quinary (PtRuIrRhPd) alloy samples. For certain metals in the high-entropy alloy under alkaline conditions, lower dissolution was observed. Still, the improvement was not striking and can be rather explained by the lowered concentration of elements in the multinary alloys instead of the synergistic effects of thermodynamics. We postulate that this is because of dissolution kinetic effects, which are always present under electrocatalytic conditions, overcompensating thermodynamic contributions.

Predicting the risk for general psychopathology (the p factor) requires the examination of multiple factors ranging from brain to cognitive skills. While an increasing number of findings have reported the roles of the cerebral cortex and executive functions, it is much less clear whether and how the cerebellum and cognitive flexibility (a core component of executive function) may be associated with the risk for general psychopathology. Based on the data from more than 400 children aged 6–12 in the Children School Functions and Brain Development (CBD) Project, this study examined whether the left cerebellar lobule VIIb and its connectivity within the cerebellum may prospectively predict the risk for general psychopathology one year later and whether cognitive flexibility may mediate such predictions in school-age children. The reduced gray matter volume in the left cerebellar lobule VIIb and the increased connectivity of this region to the left cerebellar lobule VI prospectively predicted the risk for general psychopathology and was partially mediated by worse cognitive flexibility. Deficits in cognitive flexibility may play an important role in linking cerebellar structure and function to the risk for general psychopathology.

The construction industry significantly impacts climate change, highlighting the urgent need for exploring sustainable building solutions. Among the potential candidates, straw bale constructions have emerged as a promising alternative with low environmental impact and commendable thermal performance. This paper aims to review the thermal performance of straw bale constructions and assess the benefits of utilizing straw bales as a sustainable building solution. The findings demonstrate the outstanding thermal performance of straw bales, emphasizing their significant potential as a viable alternative to conventional insulation materials. Nevertheless, the extensive integration of straw bale constructions into the mainstream market is facing challenges from various aspects of the construction industry.

BackgroundThe influence of vertebral augmentation on adjacent intervertebral discs remains controversial. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of bone cement distribution on adjacent disc degeneration after vertebral augmentation for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs).MethodsPatients with single level OVCF and upper endplate injury who underwent vertebral augmentation were enrolled. The patients were divided into four groups: Group A: bone cement contacted both the cranial and the distal endplates; Group B: bone cement only contacted the cranial endplate; Group C: bone cement only contacted the distal endplate; and Group D: bone cement contacted neither the cranial nor the distal endplates. The cranial discs of the fractured vertebrae were defined as adjacent discs and the upper discs proximally to the adjacent discs were defined as control discs. Degenerative disc change (DDC) was defined as a deteriorated postoperative Pfirrmann score compared with the preoperative score on MR images. The number of DDC cases and the disc heights were analyzed among the groups.ResultsA total of 184 patients with an average follow-up time of 28.6 months were included. The number of DDC cases in the adjacent discs was significantly higher than in the control discs in groups A (p

Unlike the traditional multichannel synthetic aperture radar (SAR) 3-D reconstruction technology, the single-channel SAR with two synthetic apertures in the vertical and horizontal planes, realized by curved trajectory, has the advantages of requiring less acquisition data, lower device cost, and fewer limitations on trajectories. However, due to the complex aerodynamic configuration and flight characteristics, critical challenges are faced, including the mathematical model establishment, signal property analyses, and reconstruction approach design. In this article, to address these issues, a 3-D vector geometry model of the curvilinear SAR (CLSAR) system is presented and its properties, including elevation bandwidth and resolution, are studied in detail. Then, a novel 3-D reconstruction approach for a single-channel CLSAR system based on azimuth prefocusing is presented, in which the cylindrical symmetry of the SAR system is utilized to provide accurate azimuth information of targets in observing scenes. With the assisted azimuths, the scene imaged in the vertical plane can be performed, and the 3-D reconstruction of interested targets can be obtained. Numerical results using simulated data demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.