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Abstract The development of the Internet of Things has led to a significant increase in the number of devices, consequently generating a vast amount of data and resulting in an influx of unlabeled data. Collecting these data enables the training of robust models to support a broader range of applications. However, labeling these data can be costly, and the models dependent on labeled data are often unsuitable for rapidly evolving fields like vehicular networks and mobile Internet of Things, where new data continuously emerge. To address this challenge, Self-Supervised Learning (SSL) offers a way to train models without the need for labels. Nevertheless, the data stored locally in vehicles are considered private, and vehicles are reluctant to share data with others. Federated Learning (FL) is an advanced distributed machine learning approach that protects each vehicle’s privacy by allowing models to be trained locally and the model parameters to be exchanged across multiple devices simultaneously. Additionally, vehicles capture images while driving through cameras mounted on their rooftops. If a vehicle’s velocity is too high, the captured images, donated as local data, may be blurred. Simple aggregation of such data can negatively impact the accuracy of the aggregated model and slow down the convergence speed of FL. This paper proposes a FL algorithm for aggregation based on image blur levels, which is called FLSimCo. This algorithm does not require labels and serves as a pre-training stage for SSL in vehicular networks. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm achieves fast and stable convergence.

Endemic to Taiwan Province, China, Cotoneaster rosiflorus Kun-Cheng Chang & Fu-Yuan Lu 2011 (Rosaceae) holds significant ecological and ornamental importance. Despite its value, research on its molecular data and phylogenetic position has remained limited. In this study, we addressed this gap by sequencing the genome-skimming data, assembling its plastome, and investigating its phylogenetic position. The plastome, spanning 159,449 bp in length, consisted of a large single-copy (87,433 bp), a small single-copy (19,262 bp), and two inverted repeat regions (26,377 bp). We annotated a total of 128 functional genes, including 84 protein-coding genes, 36 transfer genes, and eight ribosomal RNA genes. The phylogenetic results indicated that C. rosiflorus is closely related to C. dammerii, suggesting that C. rosiflorus might have captured its chloroplast from C. dammerii through hybridization and introgression events. This study offered valuable insights for forthcoming phylogenetic and population genetic investigations of Cotoneaster.

Didymocarpus pingyuanensis, endemic to the Danxia landscape in Pingyuan County, Guangdong, China, is described and illustrated here. This species can be distinguished from other members of Didymocarpus sect. Heteroboea by its calyx deeply 5-lobed to about three quarters of its length. The phylogenetic position of the new species within Didymocarpus was examined using nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. Based on phylogenetics analysis and morphological evidence, we propose two new combinations, elevating the two varieties to species level, namely D. yinzhengii and D. gamosepalus.

Paraphlomis qingyuanensis and P. baiwanensis (Lamiaceae), two new species from the limestone area in Guangdong Province, China, are described. Morphologically, both species belong to P. ser. Subcoriaceae C.Y. Wu & H.W. Li. A close relationship between the two new and P. subcoriacea was revealed by molecular phylogenetic analyses based on ETS and ITS. Further morphological and population genetic evidence indicated that they are distinct species in Paraphlomis. According to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, P. qingyuanensis and P. baiwanensis were assessed as Endangered (EN) and Deficient (DD), respectively.

Abstract Although it is well documented that mountains tend to exhibit high biodiversity, how geological processes affect the assemblage of montane floras is a matter of ongoing research. Here, we explore landform-specific differences among montane floras based on a dataset comprising 17,576 angiosperm species representing 140 Chinese mountain floras, which we define as the collection of all angiosperm species growing on a specific mountain. Our results show that igneous bedrock (granitic and karst-granitic landforms) is correlated with higher species richness and phylogenetic overdispersion, while the opposite is true for sedimentary bedrock (karst, Danxia, and desert landforms), which is correlated with phylogenetic clustering. Furthermore, we show that landform type was the primary determinant of the assembly of evolutionarily older species within floras, while climate was a greater determinant for younger species. Our study indicates that landform type not only affects montane species richness, but also contributes to the composition of montane floras. To explain the assembly and differentiation of mountain floras, we propose the ‘floristic geo-lithology hypothesis’, which highlights the role of bedrock and landform processes in montane floristic assembly and provides insights for future research on speciation, migration, and biodiversity in montane regions.

This study addresses the longstanding absence of a comprehensive phylogenetic backbone for the apple tribe Maleae, a deficiency attributed to limited taxon and marker sampling. We conducted an extensive taxon sampling, incorporating 563 plastomes from a diverse range of 370 species encompassing 26 presently recognized genera. Employing a range of phylogenetic inference methods, including RAxML and IQ-TREE2 for Maximum Likelihood (ML) analyses, we established a robust phylogenetic framework for the Maleae tribe. Our phylogenomic investigations provided compelling support for three major clades within Maleae. By integrating nuclear phylogenetic data with morphological and chromosomal evidence, we propose an updated infra-tribal taxonomic system, comprising subtribe Malinae Reveal, subtribe Lindleyinae Reveal, and subtribe Vauqueliniinae B.B.Liu (subtr. nov.). Plastid phylogenetic analysis also confirmed the monophyly of most genera, except for Amelanchier, Malus, Sorbus sensu lato, and Stranvaesia. In addition, we present a comprehensive taxonomic synopsis of Photinia and its morphological allies in the Old World, recognizing 27 species and ten varieties within Photinia, three species and two varieties within Stranvaesia, and two species and three varieties within Weniomeles. Furthermore, we also lectotypified 12 names and made two new combinations, Photinia microphylla (J.E.Vidal) B.B.Liu and Weniomeles atropurpurea (P.L.Chiu ex Z.H.Chen & X.F.Jin) B.B.Liu.

Abstract Background To assess the immunogenicity of the current primary polio vaccination schedule in China and compare it with alternative schedules using Sabin or Salk-strain IPV (sIPV, wIPV). Methods A cross-sectional investigation was conducted at four sites in Chongqing, China, healthy infants aged 60–89 days were conveniently recruited and divided into four groups according to their received primary polio vaccination schedules (2sIPV + bOPV, 2wIPV + bOPV, 3sIPV, and 3wIPV). The sero-protection and neutralizing antibody titers against poliovirus serotypes (type 1, 2, and 3) were compared after the last dose. Results There were 408 infants completed the protocol. The observed seropositivity was more than 96% against poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3 in all groups. IPV-only groups induced higher antibody titers(GMT) against poliovirus type 2 (Median:192, QR: 96–384, P

Abstract Background Relict species are important for enhancing the understanding of modern biogeographic distribution patterns. Although both geological and climatic changes since the Cenozoic have affected the relict flora in East Asia, the contributions of geographical processes remain unclear. In this study, we employed restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq) and shallow genome sequencing data, in conjunction with ecological niche modeling (ENM), to investigate the spatial genetic patterns and population differentiation history of the relict species Rehderodendron kwangtungense Chun. Results A total of 138 individuals from 16 populations were collected, largely covering the natural distribution of R. kwangtungense. The genetic diversity within the R. kwangtungense populations was extremely low (H O = 0.048 ± 0.019; H E = 0.033 ± 0.011). Mantel tests revealed isolation-by-distance pattern (R2 = 0.38, P

Abstract Cotoneaster glaucophyllus is a semi-evergreen plant that blossoms in late summer, producing dense, attractive, fragrant white flowers with significant ornamental and ecological value. Here, a chromosome-scale genome assembly was obtained by integrating PacBio and Illumina sequencing data with the aid of Hi-C technology. The genome assembly was 563.3 Mb in length, with contig N50 and scaffold N50 values of ~6 Mb and ~31 Mb, respectively. Most (95.59%) of the sequences were anchored onto 17 pseudochromosomes (538.4 Mb). We predicted 35,856 protein-coding genes, 1,401 miRNAs, 655 tRNAs, 425 rRNAs, and 795 snRNAs. The functions of 34,967 genes (97.52%) were predicted. The availability of this chromosome-level genome will provide valuable resources for molecular studies of this species, facilitating future research on speciation, functional genomics, and comparative genomics within the Rosaceae family.

Abstract The main objective was to establish a prognostic model utilising long non‐coding RNAs associated with disulfidptosis and cuproptosis. The data for RNA‐Sequence and clinicopathological information of Colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) were acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas. A prognostic model was constructed using Cox regression and the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator method. The model's predictive ability was assessed through principal component analysis, Kaplan–Meier analysis, nomogram etc. The ability of identifying the rates of overall survival, infiltration of immune cells, and chemosensitivity was also explored. In vitro experiments were conducted for the validation of differential expression and function of lncRNAs. A disulfidptosis and cuproptosis‐related lncRNA prognostic model was constructed. The prognostic model exhibits excellent independent predictive capability for patient outcomes. Based on the authors’ model, the high‐risk group exhibited higher tumour mutation burdened worse survival. Besides, differences in immune cell infiltration and responsiveness to chemotherapeutic medications exist among patients with different risk scores. Furthermore, aberrant expressions in certain lncRNAs have been validated in HCT116 cells. In particular, FENDRR and SNHG7 could affect the proliferation and migration of colorectal cancer cells. Our study developed a novel prognostic signature, providing valuable insights into prognosis, immune infiltration, and chemosensitivity in COAD patients.

Abstract Virtual power plant (VPP) can aggregate distributed energy resources (DER) and controllable loads to participate in the bidding of electricity market and carbon trading market. However, the uncertainty of renewable power production brings high transaction risks to VPP. Given this background, this paper proposes a novel Wasserstein‐distance based two‐stage distributionally robust chance constrained (DRCC) bidding model for VPP participating in the electricity‐carbon coupled market. The uncertainties are modelled as an ambiguity set based on Wasserstein distance, in which the two‐sided chance constraints are guaranteed satisfied. In the first stage, VPP's revenue is maximized according to the forecast information. In the second stage, the re‐dispatch measures are determined to hedge against the perturbation of uncertainties under the worst‐case distribution within the ambiguity set. Finally, a reformulation approach based on strong duality theory and conditional value‐at‐risk (CVaR) approximation is proposed to transform the DRCC problem into a tractable mixed‐integer linear programming (MILP) framework. Case studies are carried out on the IEEE 30‐bus system to verify the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed approach.

Abstract As a means of vibration reduction, the ladder track has seen broad implementation in urban rail transit. However, issues such as increased vibration noise, rail corrugation, and fastener failure have been observed in certain sections of the ladder track during later operation. To investigate the mechanisms behind these phenomena and provide comprehensive insights into the system's response to various operational conditions, this study employed vehicle-track coupled dynamic theory to establish a three-dimensional finite element model of the flexible vehicle-ladder track system. The vibration transmission and dynamic response characteristics of the vehicle-ladder track system were analyzed. The findings revealed that the vehicle-track resonance and anti-resonance phenomena were more prominent in the medium- to low-frequency range. At specific frequencies, the wheelset exhibited various vibration modes, and the fastener force was found to closely correlate with the ladder vibration mode. Furthermore, the influence of speed on diverse components of the vehicle-ladder track system, in terms of maximum vibration and the dominant vibration frequency range, differed considerably. This study provides a more comprehensive and reasonable exploration of the modeling and dynamic behavior of vehicle-ladder track systems.

A new species of the genus Camellia (Theaceae), Camellia zijinica, discovered in the Danxia landscape from Guangdong Province, China, is characterized and illustrated. Phylogenetic analysis based on chloroplast genomes suggested its affinity with C. drupifera, C. oleifera and C. fluviatilis, however, it morphologically differs from all of the latter by leaf shape and size. Phonologically, it most closely resembles C. microphylla, but can be distinguished from the latter by its young branchlets glabrous (vs. densely pubescent), fewer bracteoles and sepals, diverse leaf shape, midvein raised slightly with sparsely pubescent or glabrous (vs. prominently with densely pubescent) and leaf adaxially matt (vs. vernicose) when dried. By morphological and molecular analyses, Camellia zijinica represented a distinct new species of C. sect. Paracamellia.

Lysimachia danxiashanensis, a new Primulaceae species, endemic to the Danxia landscape in Guangdong Province, China, is described and illustrated. This new species is morphologically similar to L. pseudohenryi, L. phyllocephala, L. congestiflora and L. kwangtungensis, but it differs from the similar species by its purplish-red plants, petiole without wings, calyx with orange glandular and the corolla margin serrated on upper half with orange-red glandular punctates. This new species belongs to Lysimachia subgen. Lysimachia sect. Nummularia. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that L. danxiashanensis is a distinct clade, based on the combined data of ITS and rbcL sequences. The conservation status of the new species was evaluated as Endangered (EN) according to IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Multi-Label Classification refers to the classification task where a data sample is associated with multiple labels simultaneously, which is widely used in text classification, image classification, and other fields. Different from the traditional single-label classification, each instance in Multi-Label Classification corresponds to multiple labels, and there is a correlation between these labels, which contains a wealth of information. Therefore, the ability to effectively mine and utilize the complex correlations between labels has become a key factor in Multi-Label Classification methods. In recent years, research on label correlations has shown a significant growth trend internationally, reflecting its importance. Given that, this paper presents a survey on the label correlations in Multi-Label Classification to provide valuable references and insights for future researchers. The paper introduces multi-label datasets across various fields, elucidates and categorizes the concept of label correlations, emphasizes their utilization in Multi-Label Classification and associated subproblems, and provides a prospect for future work on label correlations.

The airborne relay system is an important support for improving the stability of communication systems in complex electromagnetic environments. As a key component of the airborne relay system, the antenna needs to have characteristics such as high gain, dual circular polarization, wide beam coverage, and miniaturization. Based on the septum circular polarizer, this paper proposes a high-performance circularly polarized antenna structure suitable for airborne relay systems, named AcpAS. The structure consists of a coaxial feed port, a coaxial-to-waveguide transition, a septum circular polarizer, and a parabolic metal housing. Based on this structure, two antennas operating at 19.6 GHz to 21.6 GHz and 29.2 GHz to 31.2 GHz are designed in this paper. Simulated and measured results show that the two antennas have dual circular polarization characteristics, with beam coverage range of more than ±55° for gains higher than 0 dBi, and the radiation patterns exhibit good symmetry and wide-beam coverage characteristics.

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to investigate the toxicological impact of Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) on the process of liver fibrosis transitioning into cirrhosis and the subsequent development of portal hypertension (PHT) through the mechanism of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) mediated by the ROS/TGF-β/Snail-1 signaling pathway. Method: Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) (1 mg/kg) was introduced in adult rats by oral feeding in CCl4 and CCl4+DBP groups twice a week for 8 weeks, and twice for another 8 week in CCl4 group. DBP was introduced by oral feeding in the CCl4+DBP group twice over the following 8 weeks. We subsequently analyzed hemodynamics measurements and liver cirrhosis degree, hepatic inflammation and liver function in the different groups. EMT related genes expression in rats in the groups of Control, DBP, CCl4 and CCl4+DBP were measured by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), qRT-PCR, western blot were used to detect the EMT related proteins and mRNA gene expression levels in rats and primary hepatocytes (PHCs). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were examined with a ROS detection kit. Results: The results showed that the CCl4+DBP group had higher portal pressure (PP) and lower mean arterial pressure (MAP) than the other groups. Elevated collagen deposition, profibrotic factor, inflammation, EMT levels were detected in DBP and CCl4+DBP groups. ROS, TGF-β1 and Snail-1 were highly expressed after DBP exposure in vitro. TGF-β1 had the potential to regulate Snail-1, and both of them were subject to regulation by ROS. Conclusion: DBP could influence the progression of EMT through its toxicological effect by ROS/TGF-β1/Snail-1 signalling pathway, causing cirrhosis and PHT in final. The findings of this research might contribute to a novel comprehension of the underlying toxicological mechanisms and animal model involved in the progression of cirrhosis and PHT, and potentially offered a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of the disease.

Cotoneaster densiflorus, a new species of Rosaceae from western Sichuan, China, is described and illustrated. Morphologically, we inferred that the new species belongs to Cotoneaster Ser. Salicifolii sensu Yü et al. (1974) in the Flora of China and Fryer and Hylmö (2009). This species is most similar to C. salicifolius, but differs in its leaf blade of ovate-lanceolate to obovate shape (vs. elliptic-oblong to ovate-lanceolate), smaller length-width ratio of 2.37 ± 0.31 (vs. 3.17 ± 0.32), slightly conduplicate (vs. not conduplicate), less lateral veins of 6–8 pairs (vs. 12–16 pairs), upper surface slightly rugose (vs. rugose), leaf margin plane (vs. revolute), lower surface densely grey tomentose (vs. grey tomentose, with bloom), greater corolla diameter of 7–9 mm (vs. 5–6 mm), styles 2 (vs. 2–3), pyrenes 2 (vs. 2–3), larger pollen grains P/E values of 2.05 ± 0.12 (vs. 1.19 ± 0.05) and leaf epidermis type W (vs. type I). Based on phylogenetic analysis of the whole chloroplast genome, C. densiflorus is sister to C. rhytidophyllus, but distantly related to C. salicifolius.

This paper analyzes the current research status of digital platforms for underground coal mine drilling in China from three aspects: digitization of measurement while drilling, digitization of drilling site environment monitoring, and digitization of drilling rig monitoring. Combined with the actual needs of intelligent drilling in coal mines, the overall architecture of the digital platform for directional drilling in coal mines was designed, and the connotation and path of key technologies such as multi-sensor data fusion and remote interaction were analyzed. The engineering practice of related technologies was carried out in Tianrong Coal Mine of Wuhai Mining Area, and the comprehensive management and control capability of the digital platform for drilling was verified through the trial operation system. Finally, it points out the digital development trend of directional drilling in coal mines.

The occurrence of geological hazards is the result of the interaction, constraints, and triggers of various factors. For a long time, researchers have predicted the potential locations and time (or frequency) of future geological hazards in areas prone to historical geological disasters based on environmental factors such as geology, topography, and hydrology, known as geological hazard susceptibility assessment. A prerequisite for geological hazard susceptibility assessment is the selection of impact factors, and there are dozens of factors contributing to the occurrence of geological hazards. Does the accuracy of assessment model increase with the addition of more factors? Is there an “optimal number of factors”? This simple yet crucial question is worth exploring. Taking Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province, as an example, this study selects 11 commonly used influencing factors in geological hazard susceptibility assessment and arranges them into four different combination, superimposing information from 3 to 11 factors to obtain corresponding distribution maps of geological hazard susceptibility indexes. The area under curve (AUC) value was used to evaluate the predictive accuracy of the results. Experimental results show that the prediction accuracy of the model reaches its maximum value when the number of superposition factors added to the model reaches 8 according to the preliminary set four combinations. However, during the process of factor superposition, it is found that there are certain difference between the control of susceptibility by each factor and the control determined by individual experience. When the actual factor control is arranged from largest to smallest or from smallest to largest, the predictive accuracy of the model reaches its peak value after superposition of multiple key factors. The research findings indicates that the more factors added to the geological hazard susceptibility assessment, the higher the predictive accuracy of the model. If key factors are not included during the superimposition process, the predictive accuracy of the model will not reach its peak, indicating that there is no “optimal number of factors” in geological hazard susceptibility assessment.

Abstract The human body transmits directional information between muscles during upper limb movements, and this will be particularly evident when the dominant muscle changes during movement transitions. By capturing the electromyography (EMG) signals of wrist flexion and extension continuous transition movements, we investigated the characteristics of multichannel intermuscular directional coupling and directional information transmission, and consequently explored the control mechanism of Central nervous system (CNS) and the coordination mechanism of motor muscles. Multi-channel EMG was collected from 12 healthy subjects under continuous translational movements of wrist flexion and extension, and the time-varying biased directional coherence analysis (TVPDC) model was constructed using partial directional coherence analysis (PDC) frequency domain directionality to study the directional information transfer characteristics in the time–frequency domain, screen closely related muscle pairs and perform directional coupling significance analysis. Palmaris longus (PL) played a dominant role under wrist flexion movements(WF), Extensor Carpi Radialis (ECR) played a dominant role under wrist extension movements(WE), and the remaining muscles responded to them with information and Biceps Brachii (BB) played a responsive role throughout the movement; flexor pairs had the highest positive coupling values in the beta band during Conversion action1 (MC1) and WF phases, and extensor pairs had the highest positive coupling values in the gamma band during Conversion action2(MC2) phase and the highest coupling values in the beta band during WE phase. TVPDC can effectively analyze the multichannel intermuscular directional coupling and information transmission relationship of surface electromyography under wrist flexion and extension transition movements, providing a reference for exploring the control mechanism of CNS and abnormal control mechanism in patients with motor dysfunction in a new perspective.

As autonomous driving may be the most important application scenario of the next generation, the development of wireless access technologies enabling reliable and low-latency vehicle communication becomes crucial. To address this, 3GPP has developed Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) specifications based on 5G New Radio (NR) technology, where Mode 2 Side-Link (SL) communication resembles Mode 4 in LTE-V2X, allowing direct communication between vehicles. This supplements SL communication in LTE-V2X and represents the latest advancements in cellular V2X (C-V2X) with the improved performance of NR-V2X. However, in NR-V2X Mode 2, resource collisions still occur and thus degrade the age of information (AOI). Therefore, an interference cancellation method is employed to mitigate this impact by combining NR-V2X with Non-Orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) technology. In NR-V2X, when vehicles select smaller resource reservation intervals (RRIs), higher-frequency transmissions use more energy to reduce AoI. Hence, it is important to jointly considerAoI and communication energy consumption based on NR-V2X communication. Then, we formulate such an optimization problem and employ the Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) algorithm to compute the optimal transmission RRI and transmission power for each transmitting vehicle to reduce the energy consumption of each transmitting vehicle and the AoI of each receiving vehicle. Extensive simulations demonstrate the performance of our proposed algorithm.

Abstract Background The oocyte-to-embryo transition (OET) converts terminally differentiated gametes into a totipotent embryo and is critically controlled by maternal mRNAs and proteins, while the genome is silent until zygotic genome activation. How the transcriptome, translatome, and proteome are coordinated during this critical developmental window remains poorly understood. Results Utilizing a highly sensitive and quantitative mass spectrometry approach, we obtain high-quality proteome data spanning seven mouse stages, from full-grown oocyte (FGO) to blastocyst, using 100 oocytes/embryos at each stage. Integrative analyses reveal distinct proteome reprogramming compared to that of the transcriptome or translatome. FGO to 8-cell proteomes are dominated by FGO-stockpiled proteins, while the transcriptome and translatome are more dynamic. FGO-originated proteins frequently persist to blastocyst while corresponding transcripts are already downregulated or decayed. Improved concordance between protein and translation or transcription is observed for genes starting translation upon meiotic resumption, as well as those transcribed and translated only in embryos. Concordance between protein and transcription/translation is also observed for proteins with short half-lives. We built a kinetic model that predicts protein dynamics by incorporating both initial protein abundance in FGOs and translation kinetics across developmental stages. Conclusions Through integrative analyses of datasets generated by ultrasensitive methods, our study reveals that the proteome shows distinct dynamics compared to the translatome and transcriptome during mouse OET. We propose that the remarkably stable oocyte-originated proteome may help save resources to accommodate the demanding needs of growing embryos. This study will advance our understanding of mammalian OET and the fundamental principles governing gene expression.

Abstract Modular multi‐level converters (MMCs) are a mainstay in many HVDC transmission projects worldwide. Half‐bridge MMC (HB‐MMC) is mostly used in the current project. The large capacitor of sub modules (SMs) is often required in MMC to ensure the low voltage ripple. Here, the three‐stage switching MMC (TSS‐MMC) topology is proposed, which can greatly reduce the capacitor voltage ripple of SMs by dynamically adjusting the position of inductance on the upper and down bridge arms. The principle of reducing capacitor voltage ripple based on equal capacitance theory is introduced. The selection of the inductance value of each part in TSS‐MMC is introduced. The start‐up process strategy, capacitor voltage ripple reduction strategy in steady‐state operation, and DC fault ride‐through strategy of TSS‐MMC are proposed. The effectiveness and engineering practicability of the proposed TSS‐MMC is verified by transient simulation program built on PSCAD/EMTDC. The simulation results show that compared with MMC with circulating current suppressing controller (CCSC), it can effectively reduce the capacitor voltage ripple by over 50%. Furthermore, the total used inductance of TSS‐MMC can also be reduced. A comprehensive assessment of TSS‐MMC is also carried out.

As global demand for offshore wind energy continues to rise, the imperative to enhance the profitability of wind power projects and reduce their operational costs becomes increasingly urgent. This study proposes an innovative approach to optimize the inspection routes of offshore wind farms, which integrates the K-means clustering algorithm and genetic algorithm (GA). In this paper, the inspection route planning problem is formulated as a multiple traveling salesman problem (mTSP), and the advantages of the K-means clustering algorithm in distance similarity are utilized to effectively group the positions of wind turbines, thereby optimizing the inspection schedule for vessels. Subsequently, by harnessing the powerful optimization capability and robustness of genetic algorithms, further refinement is conducted to search for the optimal inspection routes, aiming to achieve cost reduction objectives. The results of simulation experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of this integrated approach. Compared to traditional genetic algorithms, the inspection route length has been significantly reduced, from 93 kilometers to 79.36 kilometers. Simultaneously, operational costs have also experienced a notable decrease, dropping from 141,500 Chinese Yuan to 125,600 Chinese Yuan.

Abstract Background The factors that maintain phenotypic and genetic variation within a population have received long-term attention in evolutionary biology. Here the genetic basis and evolution of the geographically widespread variation in twig trichome color (from red to white) in a shrub Melastoma normale was investigated using Pool-seq and evolutionary analyses. Results The results show that the twig trichome coloration is under selection in different light environments and that a 6-kb region containing an R2R3 MYB transcription factor gene is the major region of divergence between the extreme red and white morphs. This gene has two highly divergent groups of alleles, one of which likely originated from introgression from another species in this genus and has risen to high frequency (> 0.6) within each of the three populations under investigation. In contrast, polymorphisms in other regions of the genome show no sign of differentiation between the two morphs, suggesting that genomic patterns of diversity have been shaped by homogenizing gene flow. Population genetics analysis reveals signals of balancing selection acting on this gene, and it is suggested that spatially varying selection is the most likely mechanism of balancing selection in this case. Conclusions This study demonstrate that polymorphisms on a single transcription factor gene largely confer the twig trichome color variation in M. normale, while also explaining how adaptive divergence can occur and be maintained in the face of gene flow.

Sedum jinglanii, a new species of Crassulaceae from Mount Danxia in Guangdong, China, is described and illustrated. Phylogenetic analysis based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nrDNA suggests that the new species belongs to S. sect. Sedum sensu Fu and Ohba (2001) in the “Flora of China”, and is sister to a clade comprising S. alfredi and S. emarginatum with high support values (SH-aLRT = 84, UFBS = 95) but is distantly related to S. baileyi. The new species is morphologically similar to S. alfredi but it can be distinguished from the latter in its opposite leaves (vs. alternate leaves), its usually wider leaves (0.4–1.2 cm vs. 0.2–0.6 cm), its usually shorter petals (3.4–4.5 mm vs. 4–6 mm), its shorter nectar scales (0.4–0.5 mm vs. 0.5–1 mm), its shorter carpels (1.5–2.6 mm vs. 4–5 mm), and its shorter styles (0.6–0.9 mm vs. 1–2 mm). The new species can be easily distinguished from S. emarginatum which both have opposite leaves by its short, erect or ascending rhizome (vs. long and prostrate rhizome in the latter), shorter petals (3.4–4.5 mm vs. 6–8 mm) and shorter carpels (1.5–2.6 mm vs. 4–5 mm). It can also be easily distinguished from S. baileyi by its short, erect or ascending rhizome (vs. long and prostrate rhizome) and its shorter style (0.6–0.9 mm vs. 1–1.5 mm).

Introduction:Camellia, the largest genus of Theaceae, is well-known for having high economic values. Camellia granthamiana demonstrates large beautiful flowers with some primitive characters, such as multiple large and persistent bracteoles and sepals, was listed as Vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List.Methods: In this study, we investigated all possible records of the species, and sampled four natural populations and five cultivated individuals. By applying shallow-genome sequencing for nine individuals and RAD-seq sequencing for all the sampled 77 individuals, we investigated population genetic diversity and population structure of the species.Results and discussion: The results showed that the population sampled from Fengkai, previously identified as C. albogigias, possessed different plastid genome from other species possibly due to plastid capture; the species possesses strong population structure possibly due to the effect of isolation by distance, habitat fragmentation, and self-crossing tendency of the species, whose effective population size declined quickly in the past 4,000 years. Nevertheless, C. granthamiana maintains a medium level of genetic diversity within population, and significant differentiation was observed among the four investigated populations, it is anticipated that more populations are expected to be found and all these extant populations should be taken into instant protection.

The structural, electronic, elastic, hardness, fracture toughness, and thermodynamic properties of the newly synthesized MAX phase Sc2PbC were studied for the first time through the first-principles calculations. The optimized lattice parameters are in agreement with the experimental data. The thermodynamic and mechanical stability of Sc2PbC is verified based on the formation enthalpy and single-crystal elastic constants. By analyzing the polycrystalline elastic moduli, it is found that Sc2PbC is brittle, very soft, easily machinable, and exhibits elastic anisotropy. Finally, thermodynamic properties such as Debye temperatures, thermal conductivity, melting temperature, and the temperature dependence of heat capacity are investigated.

Paraphlomis yingdeensis (Lamiaceae), a new species from the limestone area in northern Guangdong Province, China, is described and illustrated. Phylogenetic analyses, based on two nuclear DNA regions (ITS and ETS) and three plastid DNA regions (rpl32-trnL, rps16 and trnL-trnF), suggest that P. yingdeensis represents a distinct species in Paraphlomis. Morphologically, P. yingdeensis is similar to P. foliata subsp. montigena and P. nana, but can be distinguished from the former by its densely villous lamina and calyx, not decurrent base of lamina and bristle-like-acuminate apex of calyx teeth, and distinguished from the latter by its significantly taller plant (15–20 cm vs. 1–5 cm) and larger lamina (6.2–16.5 × 4–11.5 vs. 2–7 × 1.5–4 cm), densely villous stem, lamina and calyx and yellow corolla.

Abstract Background Although laparoscopic total extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair has the advantages of less bleeding, less trauma, less pain, and fast recovery, there are several issues that need to be addressed. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of preperitoneal closed‑suction drainage on reducing postoperative complications in TEP inguinal hernia repair. Methods A retrospective analysis of 122 patients who underwent TEP inguinal hernia repair between June 2018 and June 2021 was performed. The patients were divided into the drainage group and the non-drainage group according to whether the drainage tube was placed or not. Clinical data, surgical procedures and outcome of these patients were collected and analyzed to assess the effectiveness of drainage. Results A total of 122 patients undergoing TEP surgery were screened, of which 22 were excluded. Most of the patients were male with right indirect inguinal hernia. There was no difference in the mean length of hospital stay between the two groups. Postoperative pain was alleviated by preperitoneal closed‑suction drainage 24 h after operation (p = 0.03). The rate of complications such as scrotal edema, seroma and urinary retention in the drainage group was significantly lower than that in the non-drainage group (p 10 cm3 might receive more clinical benefits by placing drainage tube. Conclusion In TEP inguinal hernia repair, placing drainage tube is a simple and feasible traditional surgical treatment, which can promote postoperative recovery without increasing the risk of infection, especially in patients with large hernia sac volume.

Commelina danxiaensis (Commelinaceae), a remarkable new species from Mount Danxia, Guangdong Province, China, is described and illustrated. This species is similar to C. communis in inflorescences and flowers but readily distinguishable in its nearly erect stems, larger flowers, and different petal colouration.

Abstract Portal hypertension (PHT) is a major cause of liver cirrhosis. The formation of portosystemic collateral vessels and splanchnic vasodilation contribute to the development of hyperdynamic circulation, which in turn aggravates PHT and increases the risk of complications. To investigate the changes in mesenteric arterioles in PHT, cirrhotic rat models were established by ligating the common bile ducts. After 4 weeks, the cirrhotic rats suffered from severe PHT and splanchnic hyperdynamic circulation, characterized by increased portal pressure (PP), cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI), and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) flow. Mesenteric arterioles in cirrhotic rats displayed remarkable vasodilation, vascular remodeling, and hypocontractility. RNA sequencing was performed based on these findings. A total of 1,637 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected, with 889 up-regulated and 748 down-regulated genes. Signaling pathways related to vascular changes were enriched, including the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-AKT (PI3K-AKT), and nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling pathway, among others. Moreover, the top ten hub genes were screened according to the degree nodes in the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network. Functional enrichment analyses indicated that the hub genes were involved in cell cycle regulation, mitosis, and cellular response to oxidative stress and nitric oxide (NO). In addition, promising candidate drugs for ameliorating PHT, such as resveratrol, were predicted based on hub genes. Taken together, our study highlighted remarkable changes in the mesenteric arterioles of cirrhotic rats with PHT. Transcriptome analyses revealed the potential molecular mechanisms of vascular changes in splanchnic hyperdynamic circulation.

Argostemma ehuangzhangense, a new Rubiaceae species from E’huangzhang Nature Reserve, Guangdong Province, China, is here described and illustrated. A morphological comparison between the new species and its putative relatives, A. lamxayanum, A. laotica and A. verticillatum, is presented. The new species is mostly similar to A. laotica, but they can be distinguished from each other since Argostemma ehuangzhangense presents solitary flower (vs. 2-flowered inflorescences), flower lobes 4 (vs. 5) and anthers opening by longitudinal slits (vs. apical pores). In a preliminary IUCN Red List status of Argostemma ehuangzhangense this species is assigned as Vulnerable (VU).

The new species Eriobotrya crassifolia, collected from Yunnan Province, China, is characterised and illustrated. A phylogeny based on chloroplast genomes supported its closest affinity with E. tengyuehensis, while a phylogeny based on 197 single-copy nuclear genes supported its closest affinity with E. fragrans and E. deflexa. Morphologically, however, it resembles E. angustissima. Nevertheless, it can be easily distinguished from E. angustissima by its abaxially retroflexed and sharply serrate leaf margins, densely rusty tomentose inflorescences, and oblong or elliptic leaves.

A new species, Wikstroemia fragrans (Thymelaeaceae, Daphneae), from Danxiashan National Park, Shaoguan, Guangdong of China is described and illustrated. It is similar to the sympatric W. trichotoma, but can be differentiated easily from the latter by its shorter racemose inflorescences, yellowish green calyx tube, and smaller leaves. It also resembles the allopatric W. fargesii, but differs from it by its strigose-pubescent ovary and disk scale that is 2- or 3-dentate apically. Phylogenetic analysis using the nuclear DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region revealed that W. fragrans falls within the Wikstroemia clade; based on current sampling, W. fragrans is closely-related to W. capitata. It is also the first species of Wikstroemia known to be endemic to the Danxia landform and is classified provisionally as Critically Endangered according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Under the background of carbon emission abatement worldwide, carbon trading is becoming an important carbon financing policy to promote emission mitigation. Aiming at the emerging coupling among various energy sectors, this paper proposes a bi-level scheduling model to investigate the low-carbon operation of the electricity and natural gas integrated energy systems (IES). Firstly, an optimal energy flow model considering carbon trading is formulated at the upper level, in which carbon emission flow model is employed to track the carbon flows accompanying energy flows and identify the emission responsibility from the consumption-based perspective, and the locational marginal price is determined at the same time. Then at the lower level, a developed demand-side management strategy is introduced, which can manage demands in response to both the dynamic energy prices and the nodal carbon intensities, enabling the user side to participate in the joint energy and carbon trading. The bi-level model is solved iteratively and reaches an equilibrium. Finally, case studies based on the IEEE 39-bus system and the Belgium 20-node system illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in reducing carbon emissions and improving consumer surplus.

Motivated by the recent experimental synthesis of a new hexagonal two-dimensional GeSe material, γ-GeSe, we systematically investigated the phonon transport properties of two-dimensional IV-VI compounds γ-GeS, γ-GeSe and γ-GeTe using first principles calculation and phonon Boltzmann transport equation. We discussed the basic phonon transport properties, including phonon spectra, group velocity, relaxation time, Grüneisen parameter, scattering phase space, phonon mean free path, potential energy change with respect to atomic displacement, and electron localization function of the three compounds. The intrinsic phonon thermal conductivities of γ-GeX (X = S, Se, Te) are quite low due to the low phonon velocity and large phonon scattering rates. Among the three compounds, γ-GeSe gives the lowest thermal conductivity (4.73 W/mK, at room temperature). The relative atomic mass difference between Ge atom and Se atom for γ-GeSe is the smallest which gives decreasing both the phonon relaxation time and phonon mean free path. This behavior is demonstrated by correlating the phonon dispersion and scattering mechanism of each compound. Besides, the potential energy change with respect to atomic displacement and the distribution of electron localization indicating the anharmonicity of γ-GeSe. This work reveals the low thermal conductivity of the two-dimensional γ-GeX (X = S, Se, Te), shedding light on future study and adding additional feature for thermal applications of two-dimensional IV-VI material.

Multi-input multi-output and non-orthogonal multiple access (MIMO-NOMA) Internet-of-Things (IoT) systems can improve channel capacity and spectrum efficiency distinctly to support real-time applications. Age of information (AoI) plays a crucial role in real-time applications as it determines the timeliness of the extracted information. In MIMO-NOMA IoT systems, the base station (BS) determines the sample collection commands and allocates the transmit power for each IoT device. Each device determines whether to sample data according to the sample collection commands and adopts the allocated power to transmit the sampled data to the BS over the MIMO-NOMA channel. Afterwards, the BS employs the successive interference cancellation (SIC) technique to decode the signal of the data transmitted by each device. The sample collection commands and power allocation may affect the AoI and energy consumption of the system. Optimizing the sample collection commands and power allocation is essential for minimizing both AoI and energy consumption in MIMO-NOMA IoT systems. In this paper, we propose the optimal power allocation to achieve it based on deep reinforcement learning (DRL). Simulations have demonstrated that the optimal power allocation effectively achieves lower AoI and energy consumption compared to other algorithms. Overall, the reward is reduced by 6.44% and 11.78% compared the to GA algorithm and random algorithm, respectively.

Pilea danxiaensis L.F.Fu, A.K.Monro & Y.G.Wei, a new species of Urticaceae from Danxia landform, Guangdong, China, is described and photographed. Phylogenetic analyses based on three DNA regions (ITS, trnL-F and rbcL) suggest that the new species belongs to P. sect. Pilea. Within the section, the new species is morphologically most similar to P. sinocrassifolia and P. peploides. Plastid genome and ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences of the new species are assembled and annotated. The plastid genome is 151,857 bp in length and comprises two inverted repeats (IRs) of 25,307 bp separated by a large single-copy of 82,836 bp and a small single-copy of 18,407 bp. A total of 113 functional genes are recovered, comprising 79 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes. A global conservation assessment suggests that P. danxiaensis should be classified as of Least Concern (LC).

Paraphlomis jinggangshanensis (Lamiaceae), a new species from Jiangxi Province, China, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to P. intermedia, but can be easily distinguished from the latter by its cordate leaf base (vs. cuneate, decurrent), stem and calyx tube with glandular hairs (vs. short pubescent), and glabrous anthers (vs. ciliate anthers). A phylogenetic analysis, based on ITS regions, suggests that P. jinggangshanensis represents a separate branch in Paraphlomis and is closely related to Clade II. It is currently known only from Jinggangshan National Natural Reserve. Because of its limited distribution and small population size, the species was assessed as Near Threatened (NT) according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

The diverse members of the genus Daphne are prized for their fragrant flowers. Despite being promising ornamental plants in many countries, genetic information of Daphne is scarce. In this study, the plastomes of four species and one variety of Daphne were sequenced and analyzed. The plastomes were typical and contained a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions that separated the large single-copy (LSC) region from the small single-copy (SSC) region. With a length ranging from 132,869 bp (D. genkwa) to 174,773 bp (D. championii), 106 to 141 genes were predicted. Comparative plastome analysis of the newly sequenced plastomes with four publicly available Daphne plastomes identified an expansion of the IRs, sequence variations, and mutational hotspots. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that the genus Daphne in its current circumscription is polyphyletic. Daphne genkwa was nested within the genus Wikstroemia, while D. championii was well resolved as sister to Edgeworthia. These findings concurred with results from our study that used nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer sequence data. The conflicts on the molecular placement of D. championii and D. genkwa and the present taxonomic classification in Daphne suggest that a new intergeneric classification system of Daphneae warrants consideration.

Because of the advantages of flexible deployment, low cable cost, strong support for mobility and comprehensive QoS control and high scalability, cellular networks had been widely used in factory scenarios.At the same time, the deterministic service in the factory also puts forward certain requirements for cellular network control.Therefore, in discussions related to 5G-Advanced, the industry also proposes to research a 5G cellular network that supports ultra-low latency.To meet the delay requirement of 2 ms, two key technologies, deterministic N3 interface and cross-layer scheduling optimization were proposed to reduce the transmission or waiting delay on the transport network and air interface.These two technologies were the enhancement based on the current communication mechanism and network protocol between cellular network and deterministic network.The high delay requirement of deterministic services can be met well without changing the existing network protocol too much.

Land surface temperature (LST) is closely associated with urban and rural development. To study the spatiotemporal evolution of the LST, we used daily night light and LST data as well as the gravity model, coupling coordination model, standard deviation ellipse, and other methods. Under the analysis–coordination–gravity framework, we studied the spatiotemporal and gravitational evolution of the nighttime LST in the Henan Province in 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2022. Our research revealed significant differences in the high-brightness values of nighttime lighting between different years and seasons. The maximum offset distance occurred in the winters of 2013–2016 at 20,933.28 m, whereas the minimum offset distance was observed in the autumns of 2019–2022 at 1196.03 m. In addition, the spatiotemporal gravity of the LST exhibits a certain evolution pattern. Although differences in the direction of evolution and the distribution of high gravity density were found, a homogenization trend was observed for the distribution of gravity in the spring of 2016, autumn of 2019, and summer of 2022. LST shows different characteristics over changing space and seasons, and its gravity shows the characteristics of spatial aggregation. The results provide new ideas for LST studies and are of significance for the restoration of ecosystems.

AbstractAbnormal nuclear morphology is suggested to be a hallmark of aging and one such abnormality is nuclear blebbing. However, little is known about whether and how nuclear blebbing participates in animal aging, and what regulates it. In this study, we show that the frequency of nuclear blebbing in the hypodermis increases during aging in wild-type C. elegansC. elegans

Lespedeza danxiaensis (Fabaceae), a new species from Danxiashan National Nature Reserve in Guangdong Province, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to Lespedeza pilosa, but it can be easily distinguished by its thin leathery leaflets and long peduncles. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS confirmed that the new species belongs to Lespedeza subg. Macrolespedeza. The new species is the first known species of Lespedeza endemic to Danxia landform and is currently only known from Mount Danxia, Guangdong.

Abstract MAPK/p38 is an important mammalian signaling cascade that responds to a variety of intracellular or extracellular stimuli, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), and participates in numerous physiological and pathological processes. However, the biological function of p38 in different tumors, and even at different stages of the same tumor, remains elusive. To further understand the regulatory mechanism of p38 and oxidative stress in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer, we report SUMOylation as a novel post-translational modification occurring on lysine 152 of MAPK14/p38α through immunoprecipitation and series of pull-down assays in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, we determine that p38α-SUMOylation functions as an authentic sensor and accelerator of reactive oxygen species generation via interaction with and activation of MK2 in the nucleus, and the ROS accumulation, in turn, promotes the SUMOylation of p38α by stabilizing the PIASxα protein. This precise regulatory mechanism is exploited by gastric cancer cells to create an internal environment for survival and, ultimately, metastasis. This study reveals novel insights into p38α-SUMOylation and its association with the intracellular oxidative stress response, which is closely related to the processes of gastric cancer. Furthermore, the PIASxα/p38α-SUMOylation/MK2 cis-axis may serve as a desirable therapeutic target in gastric cancer as targeting PIASxα, MK2, or a specific peptide region of p38α may reconcile the aberrant oxidative stress response in gastric cancer cells.

Abstract Background The gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio has been reported as an effective predictor of the severity of hepatitis and HCC. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of the GGT/ALT ratio in the prediction of vascular invasion and survival outcomes in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods The risk factors for vascular invasion were determined by univariate/multivariate logistic analysis. The cut-off value of GGT/ALT in predicting vascular invasion was calculated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The prognostic value of GGT/ALT was examined by Cox analysis and Kaplan–Meier curves. Sensitivity analysis, such as subgroup analysis and propensity score matching (PSM), was performed to reduce potential confounding bias. Results A high GGT/ALT ratio was identified as an independent risk factor for vascular invasion (P = 0.03). The correlation analysis suggested that higher GGT/ALT was associated with more severe tumour burdens, including vascular invasion (P 5 cm (P

Abstract Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce (Asparagaceae, Asparagales) is a widely cultivated medicinal herb in China. However, this useful herb is understudied despite being known as a medicinal resource with top grade medical and edible properties since long. In this study, P. odoratum and four cultivars were investigated. The variations in morphological characteristics and vegetative phases of each cultivar were observed. For genetic aspect, the plastid genome of P. odoratum varies in length from 154,569 bp to 155,491 bp, containing a large single‐copy region of 83,486–84,459 bp, a small single‐copy region of 18,292–18,471 bp, and two inverted repeats of 26,302–26,370 bp. A total of 131 genes were predicted, including 85 protein‐coding, 38 tRNA, and eight rRNA genes. Genome comparisons revealed a slight variation in the sequence across the five accessions, but two highly variable regions (trnC‐petN and rpl32‐trnL) were detected when comparing the four different cultivars. For the RAD‐seq markers, a total of 33.64 Gb of clean data, with an average value of 1.08 Gb per sample, were analyzed for the presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Well‐resolved phylogenies of the P. odoratum cultivars are constructed; the nonmonophyletic relationship in the plastome‐based phylogenetic trees, yet monophyletic form in the RAD‐based linkage map suggested possibility of hybrid cultivar for P. odoratum “Dazhu” (GDDZ), which was further supported by morphological observations. Quality assessment based on the standards of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia on Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma (POR) on the four cultivars used in this study recorded that PORs from P. odoratum “Zhongzhu” (GDZZ) met the minimum criteria for the acceptance as raw material for medicinal drug production. This study has provided insights on the morphological variations, genetic background, and medicinal qualities of P. odoratum cultivars that could be explored for future genetic improvement as well as breeding programs of P. odoratum for POR production.

For the first time, the crystal structure, elastic properties, anisotropy, Vickers hardness and Debye temperature of four different phases (cubic, tetragonal, hexagonal and orthorhombic) of Fe2MnGa are investigated by the first-principles calculations. The results demonstrate that those types of Fe2MnGa are thermodynamic and mechanical stability and behave in a ductile manner. The Vickers hardness show that the P4/mmm symmetry is significantly higher than that of the others. Furthermore, the anisotropic properties of Fe2MnGa shows that the I4¯m2 symmetry has the highest anisotropy, while the P4/mmm symmetry has the lowest anisotropy. Finally, the Debye temperatures of four different phases have been obtained.