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Abstract Expiratory CO2 concentrations can directly reflect human physiological conditions, and their detection is highly important in the treatment and rehabilitation of critically ill patients. Existing respiratory gas analyzers suffer from large sizes and high power consumption due to the limitations of the internal CO2 sensors, which prevent them from being wearable to track active people. The internal and external interference and sensitivity limitations must be overcome to realize wearable respiratory monitoring applications for CO2 sensors. In this work, an ultra-compact CO2 sensor was developed by integrating a microelectromechanical system emitter and thermopile detectors with an optical gas chamber; the power consumption of the light source and ambient temperature of the thermally sensitive devices were reduced by heat transfer control; the time to reach stabilization of the sensor was shortened; the humidity resistance of the sensor was improved by a dual-channel design; the light loss of the sensor was compensated by improving the optical coupling efficiency, which was combined with the amplitude trimming network to equivalently improve the sensitivity of the sensor. The minimum size of the developed sensor was 12 mm × 6 mm × 4 mm, and the reading error was

Abstract In this rapidly evolving era of multimodal generation, diffusion models exhibit impressive generative capabilities, significantly enhancing the realm of creative image synthesis by intricately textual prompts. Yet, their effectiveness is limited in certain niche sectors, like depicting Chinese ancient architecture. This limitation is primarily due to the insufficient data that fails to encompass the unique architectural features and corresponding text information. Hence, we build an extensive multimodal dataset capturing the essence of Chinese architectures mostly from the Tang to the Yuan Dynasties. The dataset is categorized on the types, including image&text, video, and style models. In details, images and videos are methodically categorized based on locations. All images are annotated at two levels: initial annotations and descriptive terms based on distinctive characteristics and official information. Moreover, seven artistic styles fine-tuning models are provided in our dataset for further innovations. Significantly, this is the first Chinese ancient architecture dataset and the instance of using the Pinyin system to annotate unique terms related to Chinese architectural styles.

Abstract Among the fascinating phenomena observed in two-dimensional (2D) magnets, the magneto-exciton effect stands out as a pivotal link between optics and magnetism. Although the excitonic effect has been revealed and exhibits a considerable correlation with the spin structures in certain 2D magnets, the underlying mechanism of the magneto-exciton effect remains underexplored, especially under high magnetic fields. Here we perform a systematic investigation of the spin-exciton coupling in 2D antiferromagnetic NiPS3 under high magnetic fields. When an in-plane magnetic field is applied, the exceptional sharp excitonic emission at ~1.4756 eV exhibits a Zeeman-like splitting with g ≈ 2.0, experimentally identifying the exciton as an excitation of dominant triplet-singlet character. By examining the polarization of excitonic emission and simulating the spin evolution, we further verify the correlation between excitonic emission and Néel vector in NiPS3. Our work elucidates the mechanism behind the spin-exciton coupling in NiPS3 and establishes a strategy for optically probing the spin evolutions in 2D magnets.

This paper introduces the concept of generalized conditional spacings and establishes partial order relations between different generalized spacings. First, we derive the survival function of the generalized conditional spacings. Second, we construct the stochastic and hazard rate order relationships between different generalized conditional spacings and generalized normal conditional spacings, considering parent distributions that belong to the decreasing failure rate (DFR) and increasing likelihood rate (ILR) classes. Finally, for parent distributions within the DFR class, we obtain the dispersive order between different conditional spacings, along with an inequality for the variance. Additionally, we present illustrative examples involving Pareto and Gamma distributions.

Abstract Histone deacetylases (HDACs) have a wide range of targets and can rewire both the chromatin and lipidome of cancer cells. In this study, we show that valproic acid (VPA), a brain penetrant anti-seizure medication and histone deacetylase inhibitor, inhibits the growth of IDH1 mutant tumors in vivo and in vitro, with at least some selectivity over IDH1 wild-type tumors. Surprisingly, genes upregulated by VPA showed no enhanced chromatin accessibility at the promoter, but there was a correlation between VPA-downregulated genes and diminished promoter chromatin accessibility. VPA inhibited the transcription of lipogenic genes and these lipogenic genes showed significant decreases in promoter chromatin accessibility only in the IDH1 MT glioma cell lines tested. VPA inhibited the mTOR pathway and a key lipogenic gene, fatty acid synthase (FASN). Both VPA and a selective FASN inhibitor TVB-2640 rewired the lipidome and promoted apoptosis in an IDH1 MT but not in an IDH1 WT glioma cell line. We further find that HDACs are involved in the regulation of lipogenic genes and HDAC6 is particularly important for the regulation of FASN in IDH1 MT glioma. Finally, we show that FASN knockdown alone and VPA in combination with FASN knockdown significantly improved the survival of mice in an IDH1 MT primary orthotopic xenograft model in vivo. We conclude that targeting fatty acid metabolism through HDAC inhibition and/or FASN inhibition may be a novel therapeutic opportunity in IDH1 mutant gliomas.

Abstract Flexible sensors are essential components in emerging fields such as epidermal electronics, biomedicine, and human-computer interactions, and creating high-performance sensors through simple structural design for practical applications is increasingly needed. Presently, challenges still exist in establishing efficient models of flexible piezoresistive pressure sensors to predict the design required for achieving target performance. This work establishes a theoretical model of a flexible pressure sensor with a simple laminated and enclosed structure. In the modeling, the electrical constriction effect is innovatively introduced to explain the sensitization mechanism of the laminated structure to a broad range of pressures and to predict the sensor performance. The experimental results confirmed the effectiveness of the theoretical model. The sensor exhibited excellent stability for up to three million cycles and superior durability when exposed to salt solution owing to its simple laminated and enclosed structural design. Finally, a wearable sensing system for real-time collection and analysis of plantar pressure is constructed for exercise and rehabilitation monitoring applications. This work aims to provide theoretical guidance for the rapid design and construction of flexible pressure sensors with target performance for practical applications.

Background and aim: The most effective among the acupoints remains to be determined for treating diabetic gastroparesis (DGP). This study aimed to compare single and combination acupoints for their effectiveness in DGP. Experimental procedure: A prospective, patient-assessor-blinded randomised controlled trial was designed to compare the efficacy of 8-week acupuncture at a single acupoint (Zhongwan, CV-12), combination acupoints (Zhongwan, CV-12 and Zusanli, ST-36), and a sham-acupoint, in 99 adults with DGP. The primary clinical outcome was measured using the Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI), while barium meal examination, fasting plasma glucose, the 2-h plasma glucose, short-form health survey (SF-36), and GCSI subscales were performed for evaluating secondary clinical outcomes. These results were analysed by two factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, Chi-Square, Fisher Exact, Kruskal–Wallis tests and Tukey's Honest Significant Difference (HSD) test. Results: After randomization, 97 patients completed the study. GCSI scores of all groups decreased during both post-treatment and the follow-up period, they were statistically significant compared to the baseline period (p 0.05) during the post-treatment period. GCSI scores improved more in the combination acupoints group than in the single acupoint group which was better than the sham group after treatment. During the follow-up period, the same trend was observed. Conclusions: Among patients with DGP, the combination acupoints were more beneficial compared with single and sham acupoints. Trial registration number: NCT02452489.

Introduction Stimulating acupoints is beneficial for improving heart health but the clinical efficacy of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) as a complementary therapy for chronic coronary syndromes (CCSs) remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate whether TEAS can alleviate angina severity in patients with CCS and to explore the potential mechanisms underlying TEAS.Methods and analysis This study, conducted across two clinical centres, involved 90 participants distributed equally into three groups via simple randomisation (1:1:1 ratio). The research cycle was 28 weeks including a 4-week baseline, 12-week treatment and 12-week follow-up period. All groups will receive basic treatment with the TEAS group additionally receiving 36 sessions of TEAS stimulation over the 12 weeks. The two control groups will either undergo sham TEAS or no additional intervention alongside their basic treatment. The primary outcome is the 6-minute walk test; eight other indicators will serve as secondary outcomes.Ethics and dissemination Approval for this study was granted by the Medical Research Ethics Committee of the Third Clinical Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine in May 2023. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications.Trial registration number ChiCTR2400079383.

BackgroundThe global prevalence of stroke has been increasing. Motor dysfunction is observed in approximately 55 to 75% of stroke patients, with upper limb impairment affecting around 85% of them. Following upper limb dysfunction, the body’s recovery time is not only slower compared to the lower limbs, but the restoration of its fine motor skills is significantly more challenging, greatly impacting the daily lives of patients. Consequently, there is an increasing urgency for study on the upper limb function in stroke.MethodsA search was conducted in the Web of Science Core Collection: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-Expanded) database for material published from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2023. We included all relevant literature reports and conducted an analysis of annual publications, countries/regions, institutions, journals, co-cited references, and keywords using the software packages CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Bibliometrix R. Next, we succinctly outlined the research trends and hotspots in post-stroke upper limb dysfunction.ResultsThis analysis comprised 1,938 articles from 1,897 institutions, 354 journals, and 53 countries or regions. A yearly rise in the production of publications was noted. The United States is the foremost nation on the issue. Northwestern University has the most amounts of papers compared to all other institutions. The journal Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair is a highly significant publication in this field, with Catherine E. Lang serving as the principal author. The majority of the most-cited references focus on subjects such as the reliability and validity of assessment instruments, RCT of therapies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. The intervention measures primarily comprise three types of high-frequency phrases that are related, as determined by keyword analysis: intelligent rehabilitation, physical factor therapy, and occupational therapy. Current areas of focus in research include randomized clinical trials, neurorehabilitation, and robot-assisted therapy.ConclusionCurrent research has shown a growing interest in studying upper limb function assessment, occupational therapy, physical therapy, robot-assisted therapy, virtual reality, brain-computer interface, telerehabilitation, cortical reorganisation, and neural plasticity. These topics have become popular and are expected to be the focus of future research.

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a brain–gut interaction disorder located in the stomach and duodenum, which has complex pathophysiological mechanisms, and there is no effective treatment for FD. Acupuncture and moxibustion have been proven to have definite and significant efficacy on FD. Focusing on the affected area and combined with the potential pathophysiology of FD, here we discuss the possible mechanisms of acupuncture and moxibustion in treating FD to guide future clinical and experimental research. We argue that the pathological causes of FD can be roughly divided into gastrointestinal dysfunction, duodenal low-grade inflammation, visceral hypersensitivity, and duodenal intestinal barrier and microbial imbalance. Correspondingly, the possible mechanisms of acupuncture and moxibustion in treating FD are elucidated from the perspective of how they improve gastric accommodation, regulate gastrointestinal motility, reduce gastric visceral sensitivity, regulate eosinophil–mast cell axis, inhibit low-grade inflammatory responses, and possibly regulate intestinal microbial homeostasis and duodenal barrier function through the microbiota–gut–brain axis. Although some evidence is still lacking, acupuncture remains a promising treatment for FD. In the future, it is necessary to conduct additional clinical and experimental research on acupuncture and moxibustion in treating FD to further explore their effects and mechanisms.

Abstract A comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted ramifications of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on transit ridership is imperative for the optimization of judicious traffic management policies. The intricate influences of this pandemic exhibit a high degree of complexity, dynamically evolving across spatial and temporal dimensions. At present, a nuanced understanding remains elusive regarding whether disparate influencing factors govern inbound and outbound passenger flows. This study propels the discourse forward by introducing a methodological synthesis that integrates time series anomaly detection, impact inference, and spatiotemporal analysis. This amalgamation establishes an analytical framework instrumental in elucidating the spatiotemporal heterogeneity intrinsic to individual impact events, grounded in extensive time series data. The resulting framework facilitates a nuanced delineation, affording a more precise extraction of the COVID-19 impact on subway ridership. Empirical findings derived from the daily trip data of the Beijing subway in 2020 substantiate the existence of conspicuous spatiotemporal variability in the determinants influencing relative shifts in inbound and outbound ridership. Notably, stations situated in high-risk areas manifest a conspicuous absence of correlation with outbound trips, exhibiting a discernibly negative impact solely on inbound trips. Conversely, stations servicing residential and enterprise locales demonstrate resilience, evincing an absence of significant perturbation induced by the outbreak.

Abstract Pilot-diesel-ignition ammonia combustion engines have attracted widespread attentions from the maritime sector, but there are still bottleneck problems such as high unburned NH3 and N2O emissions as well as low thermal efficiency that need to be solved before further applications. In this study, a concept termed as in-cylinder reforming gas recirculation is initiated to simultaneously improve the thermal efficiency and reduce the unburned NH3, NOx, N2O and greenhouse gas emissions of pilot-diesel-ignition ammonia combustion engine. For this concept, one cylinder of the multi-cylinder engine operates rich of stoichiometric and the excess ammonia in the cylinder is partially decomposed into hydrogen, then the exhaust of this dedicated reforming cylinder is recirculated into the other cylinders and therefore the advantages of hydrogen-enriched combustion and exhaust gas recirculation can be combined. The results show that at 3% diesel energetic ratio and 1000 rpm, the engine can increase the indicated thermal efficiency by 15.8% and reduce the unburned NH3 by 89.3%, N2O by 91.2% compared to the base/traditional ammonia engine without the proposed method. At the same time, it is able to reduce carbon footprint by 97.0% and greenhouse gases by 94.0% compared to the traditional pure diesel mode.

Abstract Background Central nervous system (CNS) disorders, such as stroke, often lead to spasticity, which result in limb deformities and significant reduction in quality of life. Spasticity arises from disruptions in the normal functioning of cortical and descending inhibitory pathways in the brainstem, leading to abnormal muscle contractions. Contralateral seventh cervical nerve cross transfer (CC7) surgery has been proven to effectively reduce spasticity, but the specific mechanism for its effectiveness is unclear. Methods This study aimed to investigate the changes in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) following CC7 surgery. A comprehensive anatomical analysis was conducted through cadaveric study and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study, to accurately measure the regional anatomy of the C7 DRG. DRG perfusion changes were quantitatively assessed by comparing pre‐ and postoperative dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE) MRI. Results In CC7 surgery, the C7 nerve root on the affected side is cut close to the DRG (3.6 ± 1.0 mm), while the C7 nerve root on the healthy side is cut further away from the DRG (65.0 ± 10.0 mm). MRI studies revealed that after C7 proximal neurotomy on the affected side, there was an increase in DRG volume, vascular permeability, and perfusion; after C7 distal neurotomy on the healthy side, there was a decrease in DRG volume, with no significant changes in vascular permeability and perfusion. Conclusion This study provides preliminary insights into the mechanisms of spasticity reduction following CC7 surgery, indicating that changes in the DRG, such as increased vascular permeability and perfusion, could disrupt abnormal spinal γ‐circuits. The resulting high‐perfusion state of DRG, possibly due to heightened neuronal activity and metabolic demands, necessitating further research to verify this hypothesis.

Developing an efficient power system is an important way for icebreakers to respond to high maneuverability and strong fluctuation loads under icebreaking conditions. The performance of power systems under short-period, regularly fluctuating load-sea conditions has been intensively studied. However, the performance of the power system in the face of a long-period, stochastic multi-frequency fluctuation icebreaking process has not been fully explored, especially the parameter uncertainty and battery cycle life. In this study, an integrated electric propulsion system with an optimal control strategy is suggested for improving the power system’s dynamic performance and battery cycle life. First, an energy flow model with a diesel–electric unit as the main body and coupled energy storage system/hybrid energy storage system has been constructed. A comparative analysis of rule-based and optimization-based energy management strategies has been performed, and an optimized strategy with dynamic programming as global regulation at the upper level and model predictive control at the lower level is suggested to integrate the slow and fast dynamic powers and achieve adaptability to strong fluctuation loads. In this control strategy, the uncertainties of energy storage system/hybrid energy storage system parameters have been introduced to eliminate their impact on the system performance. Then, the icebreaking process with multi-frequency fluctuation has been simulated, and the hybrid energy storage system with battery and supercapacitor is recommended to reach multi-objective with the lowest power fluctuation of diesel–electric unit, highest efficiency, and the minimum battery degradation. Finally, the fuel oil consumption and emissions of the hybrid energy storage system have been discussed, and the optimized strategy can save fuel oil by up to 5.33% and reduce the CO2 emission by 22% during the icebreaking process, exhibiting great potential in the environmental friendliness and significant advantages in terms of low fuel oil consumption.

Oily sludge (OS) has long been regarded as a hazardous waste, and improper disposal may lead to serious environmental concerns and human health risks. Despite various methods having been proposed and applied to the treatment of OS, the oil occurrence states and properties in sludge are rarely characterized, which may directly link to the selection and effectiveness of treatment methods. Here, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), gas chromatography (GC), and four components (SARA) analysis were utilized to characterize the changes in the oil occurrence states and compositions in OS samples before and after high-speed stirring (HSS) treatment. Our results show a substantial reduction in the oil concentration of OS after HSS treatment (from 32.98% to 1.65%), while SARA analysis reveals a similar oil composition before and after treatment, suggesting the broad applicability of HSS in removing oil and its insignificant selectivity towards various hydrocarbon components. This is further supported by the total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) analysis results, which show that the separated oil phase has a hydrocarbon composition similar to that of the original OS sample. The CLSM and fluorescence analysis suggest a homogeneous distribution of oil in the sludge, with relatively light components more concentrated in the pore systems between coarse mineral particles, whereas relatively heavy components tend to coexist with clay minerals. After HSS cleaning, both light and heavy components are removed to varying degrees, but light components are preferentially removed while heavy components tend to be retained in the sludge due to adsorption by clay minerals. This is consistent with TPH analysis, where a significant decrease in n-alkanes with lower carbon numbers (n-C14 to n-C20) was observed in the residual sample. Our findings demonstrate the dynamic response of oil occurrence states and compositions to the OS treatment process and highlight the importance of characterizing these fundamental properties prior to the selection of OS treatment methods.

Graphene-based warm uterus acupoint paste (GWUAP) is an emerging non-drug alternative therapy for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea (PD), but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. SD female rats were randomly divided into control group, model group and treatment group to explore the mechanism of GWUAP in the treatment of PD. Combined with 16S rDNA and fecal metabolomics, the diversity of microbiota and metabolites in each group was comprehensively evaluated. In this study, GWUAP reduced the torsion score of PD model rats, improved the pathological morphology of uterine tissue, reduced the pathological damage score of uterine tissue, and reversed the expression levels of inflammatory factors, pain factors and sex hormones. The 16 S rDNA sequencing of fecal samples showed that the abundance of Lactobacillus in the intestinal flora of the model group decreased and the abundance of Romboutsia increased, while the abundance of Lactobacillus in the intestinal flora of the treatment group increased and the abundance of Romboutsia decreased, which improved the imbalance of flora diversity in PD rats. In addition, 32 metabolites related to therapeutic effects were identified by metabolomics of fecal samples. Moreover, there is a close correlation between fecal microbiota and metabolites. Therefore, the mechanism of GWUAP in the treatment of PD remains to be further studied.

The inadequacy of tactile perception systems in humanoid robotic manipulators limits the breadth of available robotic applications. Here, we designed a multifunctional flexible tactile sensor for robotic fingers that provides capabilities similar to those of human skin sensing modalities. This sensor utilizes a novel PI-MXene/SrTiO3 hybrid aerogel developed as a sensing unit with the additional abilities of electromagnetic transmission and thermal insulation to adapt to certain complex environments. Moreover, polyimide (PI) provides a high-strength skeleton, MXene realizes a pressure-sensing function, and MXene/SrTiO3 achieves both thermoelectric and infrared radiation response behaviors. Furthermore, via the pressure response mechanism and unsteady-state heat transfer, these aerogel-derived flexible sensors realize multimodal sensing and recognition capabilities with minimal cross-coupling. They can differentiate among 13 types of hardness and four types of material from objects with accuracies of 94% and 85%, respectively, using a decision tree algorithm. In addition, based on the infrared radiation-sensing function, a sensory array was assembled, and different shapes of objects were successfully recognized. These findings demonstrate that this PI-MXene/SrTiO3 aerogel provides a new concept for expanding the multifunctionality of flexible sensors such that the manipulator can more closely reach the tactile level of the human hand. This advancement reduces the difficulty of integrating humanoid robots and provides a new breadth of application scenarios for their possibility.

BackgroundAdvanced prosthetic hands may embed nanosensors and microelectronics in their cosmetic skin. Heat influx may cause damage to these delicate structures. Protecting the integrity of the prosthetic hand becomes critical and necessary to ensure sustainable function. This study aims to mimic the sensorimotor control strategy of the human hand in perceiving nociceptive stimuli and triggering self-protective mechanisms and to investigate how similar neuromorphic mechanisms implemented in prosthetic hand can allow amputees to both volitionally release a hot object upon a nociceptive warning and achieve reinforced release via a bionic withdrawal reflex.MethodsA steady-state temperature prediction algorithm was proposed to shorten the long response time of a thermosensitive temperature sensor. A hybrid sensory strategy for transmitting force and a nociceptive temperature warning using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation based on evoked tactile sensations was designed to reconstruct the nociceptive sensory loop for amputees. A bionic withdrawal reflex using neuromorphic muscle control technology was used so that the prosthetic hand reflexively opened when a harmful temperature was detected. Four able-bodied subjects and two forearm amputees randomly grasped a tube at the different temperatures based on these strategies.ResultsThe average prediction error of temperature prediction algorithm was 8.30 ± 6.00%. The average success rate of six subjects in perceiving force and nociceptive temperature warnings was 86.90 and 94.30%, respectively. Under the reinforcement control mode in Test 2, the median reaction time of all subjects was 1.39 s, which was significantly faster than the median reaction time of 1.93 s in Test 1, in which two able-bodied subjects and two amputees participated. Results demonstrated the effectiveness of the integration of nociceptive sensory strategy and withdrawal reflex control strategy in a closed loop and also showed that amputees restored the warning of nociceptive sensation while also being able to withdraw from thermal danger through both voluntary and reflexive protection.ConclusionThis study demonstrated that it is feasible to restore the sensorimotor ability of amputees to warn and react against thermal nociceptive stimuli. Results further showed that the voluntary release and withdrawal reflex can work together to reinforce heat protection. Nevertheless, fusing voluntary and reflex functions for prosthetic performance in activities of daily living awaits a more cogent strategy in sensorimotor control.

Abstract Background Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are an important subset of innate immune cells in the tumor microenvironment, and they are pivotal regulators of tumor-promoting inflammation and tumor progression. Evidence has proven that TAM numbers are substantially increased in cancers, and most of these TAMs are polarized toward the alternatively activated M2 phenotype; Thus, these TAMs strongly promote the progression of cancer diseases. Type 1 innate lymphocytes (ILC1s) are present in high numbers in intestinal tissues and are characterized by the expression of the transcription factor T-bet and the secretion of interferon (IFN)-γ, which can promote macrophages to polarize toward the classically activated antitumor M1 phenotype. However, the relationship between these two cell subsets in colon cancer remains unclear. Methods Flow cytometry was used to determine the percentages of M1-like macrophages, M2-like macrophages and ILC1s in colon cancer tissues and paracancerous healthy colon tissues in the AOM/DSS-induced mouse model of colon cancer. Furthermore, ILC1s were isolated and bone marrow-derived macrophages were generated to analyze the crosstalk that occurred between these cells when cocultured in vitro. Moreover, ILC1s were adoptively transferred or inhibited in vivo to explore the effects of ILC1s on tumor-infiltrating macrophages and tumor growth. Results We found that the percentages of M1-like macrophages and ILC1s were decreased in colon cancer tissues, and these populations were positively correlated. ILC1s promoted the polarization of macrophages toward the classically activated M1-like phenotype in vitro, and this effect could be blocked by an anti-IFN-γ antibody. The in vivo results showed that the administration of the Group 1 innate lymphocyte-blocking anti-NK1.1 antibody decreased the number of M1-like macrophages in the tumor tissues of MC38 tumor-bearing mice and promoted tumor growth, and adoptive transfer of ILC1s inhibited tumors and increased the percentage of M1-like macrophages in MC38 tumor-bearing mice. Conclusions Our studies preliminarily prove for the first time that ILC1s promote the activation of M1-like macrophages by secreting IFN-γ and inhibit the progression of colon cancer, which may provide insight into immunotherapeutic approaches for colon cancer.

The cruise industry is obliged by economic and environmental initiatives to pursue fuel-efficient solutions and lower ship exhaust emissions. The medium voltage DC (MVDC) distribution with intelligent power management has become a concept for next-generation onboard power systems as its energy-saving feature is to eliminate the frequency constraint and simultaneously optimize engine loads and speed in response to load variations. The incentive for this transition lies on one hand in the fuel efficiency consideration and the reduction of power losses from serial conversion stages. On the other hand, the DC-based technology has been conceived as high-power density design, thus significantly increasing the payload. This study investigates such potential benefits focusing exclusively on large cruise vessels. A highly representative model of the integrated power platform that incorporates all dynamic interactions from the ship hull and essential machinery typically installed on board cruise ships is proposed. The power management strategy also takes account of actual sea conditions and real-time operation requirements. The simulation results demonstrate that the optimization-based MVDC system is able to maximize the opportunity of search agents in finding optimum fuel efficiency areas throughout the scenario time. An analysis of the system structure weight and space reduction of the MVDC architecture is also performed through the utilization of more compact electrical distribution devices and very high power-dense combustion turbines.

The influence mechanism of tensile stress and tensile stress annealing on the strength and residual stress of the C19400 alloy is proved. The results show that after annealing at 100 °C under 35 MPa tensile stress, the tensile strength is 428.2 MPa, and the TD and RD residual stresses are −2 MPa and −8 MPa, respectively, which are 94.4% and 87.9% lower than that of the untreated state. This treatment can significantly reduce the residual stress of the C19400 alloy while maintaining its original tensile strength. The main factor affecting strength is the interaction between the precipitates and dislocations. Interestingly, the tensile stress has not no obvious relationship with the overall texture strength, but is positively related to the volume fraction of Brass texture. In addition, this study find that under the same level of dislocation density, no direct correlation exists between the magnitude of the residual stress and that of dislocation density. The ordered arrangement of dislocations is conducive to reducing the residual stress of the alloy. The results provide a reference for improving the performance of C19400 alloy.

IntroductionLupus nephritis (LN) is a severe manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study aimed to identify LN specific-genes and potential therapeutic targets.MethodsWe performed high-throughput transcriptome sequencing on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from LN patients. Healthy individuals and SLE patients without LN were used as controls. To validate the sequencing results, qRT-PCR was performed for 5 upregulated and 5 downregulated genes. Furthermore, the effect of the TNFRSF17-targeting drug IBI379 on patient plasma cells and B cells was evaluated by flow cytometry.ResultsOur analysis identified 1493 and 205 differential genes in the LN group compared to the control and SLE without LN groups respectively, with 70 genes common to both sets, marking them as LN-specific. These LN-specific genes were significantly enriched in the ‘regulation of biological quality’ GO term and the cell cycle pathway. Notably, several genes including TNFRSF17 were significantly overexpressed in the kidneys of both LN patients and NZB/W mice. TNFRSF17 levels correlated positively with urinary protein levels, and negatively with complement C3 and C4 levels in LN patients. The TNFRSF17-targeting drug IBI379 effectively induced apoptosis in patient plasma cells without significantly affecting B cells.DiscussionOur findings suggest that TNFRSF17 could serve as a potential therapeutic target for LN. Moreover, IBI379 is presented as a promising treatment option for LN.

Zanthoxylum motuoense (Tibetan prickly ash, MTHJ), different from the Chinese prickly ash species, is distributed only in the Tibet. Now the chemical characterization and antibacterial activity of MTHJ extracts were analyzed for the first time. As a result, Schinifoline (12), γ-Fagarine (8), (2E,7E,9E)-6 S-Hydroxy-N-(2-methylpropyl)-11-oxo-2, 7, 9-Dodecatrienamide (6), and Neoechinulin A (17) were found to be the major different factors by untarget LC-MS metabolomics together with quantitative analysis on target. These four compounds were also the major antibacterial constituents. Then, the antimicrobial activity of MTHJ fractions was evaluated with colony forming units (CFU), fluorescence microscopy imaging, SEM and investigating the potential food preservation. Nutritional composition, colour and sensory evaluation of extract-treated samples were evaluated along storage time. The results suggested the MTHJ may be used for meat products preservation, and the scores were significantly higher for its unique flavor, which offered a promising choice for food safety, preservation and reducing foodborne illness.

The direct injection of ethanol-gasoline blended fuel into the engine cylinder near the top dead center (TDC) is evitable to suffer from the wall impingement due to more injection mass required to maintain the same air/fuel ratio with traditional fossil fuels. In this study, the evaporation characteristics of E85 cold-start impinging spray were investigated by experiments and numerical simulation. A constant volume vessel was used to produce the direct-injection spark-ignition (DISI) engine-like conditions. The ultraviolet (UV) – visible (Vis) dual-wavelength laser absorption scattering (LAS) technique was employed to quantitatively measure the individual components evaporation in E85, with the emphasis on the effects of impinging distance, wall temperature and injection pressure on the mixture formation. The results show that although the larger impinging distance rarely influences the evaporation before impingement, it facilitates the E85 evaporation process after impingement due to the better atomization by low boiling point (LBP) components (e.g. ethanol). The effects of cold-start wall temperature on the E85 impinging spray are greatly dependent on the impinging distance. Under the small impinging distance, the ethanol and low boiling point (LBP) components of gasoline evaporate faster after impingement at higher wall temperature, but such effect becomes absent under long impinging distance. Therefore, the smaller impinging distance shows a higher sensitivity to wall temperature. Lower wall temperature leads to a high wall heat transfer, thus potentially extend the evaporation time at the near wall region along the spray axis. At either impingement timing or initial impingement, the LBP component with high latent heat evaporates fast, leading to a decrease of surrounding gas temperature. Increasing injection pressure helps to greatly improve the evaporation of the high boiling point (HBP) component in gasoline under cold-start impingement. The evaporation ratio of E85 increases up to about 18% ∼ 30% than that of E100 at the initial impinging period under cold-start condition.

Highlights A novel strategy was developed to construct ultrathin microfiber composite hydrogel films (< 5 μm) by embedding an electrospun fiber network into a hydrogel. The microfiber composite hydrogel offers tunable modulus in a broad range (from ~ 5 kPa to tens of MPa), which matches the modulus of most biological tissues and organs. The ultrathin configuration and ultrasoft nature allow the microfiber composite hydrogel seamlessly attaching to various rough surfaces.

To understand the influences of emulsified fuel on ship exhaust emissions more comprehensively, the emissions of particulate matter (PM), nitrated, oxygenated and parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were studied on a ship main engine burning emulsified heavy fuel oil (EHFO) and heavy fuel oil (HFO) as a reference. The results demonstrate that EHFO (emulsified heavy fuel oil) exhibits notable abilities to significantly reduce emissions of particulate matter (PM) and low molecular weight PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) in the gas phase, particularly showcasing maximum reductions of 13.99% and 40.5%, respectively. Nevertheless, burning EHFO could increase the emission of high molecular weight PAHs in fine particles and pose a consequent higher carcinogenic risk for individual particles. The total average (gaseous plus particulate) ΣBEQ of EHFO exhausts (41.5 μg/m3) was generally higher than that of HFO exhausts (18.7 μg/m3). Additionally, the combustion of EHFO (extra-heavy fuel oil) can significantly alter the emission quantity, composition, and particle-size distribution of PAH derivatives. These changes may be linked to molecular structures, such as zigzag configurations in C=O bonds. Our findings may favor the comprehensive environmental assessments on the onboard application of EHFO.

Abstract The absence of tactile perception limits the dexterity of a prosthetic hand and its acceptance by amputees. Recreating the sensing properties of the skin using a flexible tactile sensor could have profound implications for prosthetics, whereas existing tactile sensors often have limited functionality with cross‐interference. In this study, we propose a machine‐learning‐assisted multifunctional tactile sensor for smart prosthetics, providing a human‐like tactile sensing approach for amputations. This flexible sensor is based on a poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)–melamine sponge, which enables the detection of force and temperature with low cross‐coupling owing to two separate sensing mechanisms: the open‐circuit voltage of the sensor as a force‐insensitive intrinsic variable to measure the absolute temperature and the resistance as a temperature‐insensitive extrinsic variable to measure force. Furthermore, by analyzing the unsteady heat conduction and characterizing it using real‐time thermal imaging, we demonstrated that the process of open‐circuit voltage variation resulting from the unsteady heat conduction is closely correlated with the heat‐conducting capabilities of materials, which can be utilized to discriminate between substances. Assisted by the decision tree algorithm, the device is endowed with thermal conductivity sensing ability, which allows it to identify 10 types of substances with an accuracy of 94.7%. Furthermore, an individual wearing an advanced myoelectric prosthesis equipped with the above sensor can sense pressure, temperature, and recognize different materials. We demonstrated that our multifunctional tactile sensor provides a new strategy to help amputees feel force, temperature and identify the material of objects without the aid of vision.

Abstract The imbalance between the supply and demand of shared bikes is prominent in many urban rail transit stations, which urgently requires an efficient vehicle deployment strategy. In this paper, we propose an integrated model to optimize the deployment of shared bikes around urban rail transit stations, incorporating a seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average with long short-term memory (SARIMA-LSTM) hybrid model that is used to predict the heterogeneous demand for shared bikes in space and time. The shared bike deployment strategy was formulated based on the actual deployment process and under the principle of cost minimization involving labor and transportation. The model is applied using the big data of shared bikes in Xicheng District, Beijing. Results show that the SARIMA-LSTM hybrid model has great advantages in predicting the demand for shared bikes. The proposed allocation strategy provides a new way to solve the imbalance challenge between the supply and demand of shared bikes and contributes to the development of a sustainable transportation system.

Background: Inflammation has a significant role in the onset and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Increasing attention has been paid to the use of acupuncture in IBD patients; however, its regulatory effects on inflammatory factors in IBD still require validation. Here, we systematically evaluated the effects of acupuncture on inflammatory factors in IBD patients. Methods: Eight electronic databases were searched for studies that met the inclusion criteria. After evaluating the quality of the studies selected by two reviewers, the meta-analysis was performed to assess the efficacy of acupuncture in IBD patients and the impact on inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1, IL-8 and IL-10). Results: Four randomized controlled trials with a total of 228 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria. Acupuncture has a positive therapeutic impact on IBD (MD = 1.22, 95% CI [1.07, 1.39], P = 0.003). Moreover, it regulates the levels of TNF-α (MD =−60.58, 95% CI [−100.30, −20.89], P = 0.003), IL-8 (MD =−56.40, 95% CI [−60.02, −52.14], P

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is widely regarded as the midterm solution toward zero-carbon transportation at sea. However, further applications of gas engines are challenging due to their weak dynamic load performance. Therefore, the comprehension of and improvements in the dynamic performance of gas-engine-based power systems are necessary and urgent. A detailed review of research on mechanisms, modeling, and optimization is indispensable to summarize current studies and solutions. Developments in engine air-path systems and power system load control have been summarized and compared. Mechanism studies and modeling methods for engine dynamic performance were investigated and concluded considering the trade-off between precision and simulation cost. Beyond existing studies, this review provides insights into the challenges and potential pathways for future applications in decarbonization and energy diversification. For further utilization of clean fuels, like ammonia and hydrogen, the need for advanced air–fuel ratio control becomes apparent. These measures should be grounded in a deep understanding of current gas engines and the combustion characteristics of new fuels. Additionally, the inherent low inertia feature of electric power systems, and consequently the weak dynamic performance when adopting renewable energies, must be considered and studied to ensure system reliability and safety during transient conditions.

Black carbon (BC) emissions from shipboard diesel engines are the next potentially important issue of interest to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and are considered to have a significant impact on the climate environment and human health. However, theories and technologies regarding the mechanisms of black carbon formation, oxidizing and influencing factors, emission detection methods, and abatement techniques are still missing in science and engineering. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of relevant advances in international maritime regulations, the frontier theory on formation mechanisms, comprehensive physical and chemical properties, and the potential reduction measures and control measures of emissions. These results suggest that BC is produced in the combustion flame of fuel and is related to the nucleation as well as the formation of PAHs. It helps to understand the initial generation process of black carbon and reduce its emission by studying it in detail and revealing some key factors, including micromorphology, nanostructural features, surface functional groups, oxidizing activity, size distribution, and elemental composition. Further, an in-depth understanding of the complex characteristics of BC can also help to identify viable BC measurement techniques and instrumentation for marine engines, thereby enhancing emission regulation. Overall, extensive technology can reduce BC emissions from marine diesel engines by approximately 50%. The information contained in this report can be used as a significant reference to further explore the BC formation mechanism and develop exclusive BC emission control strategies.

Abstract The development of high-performance, portable and miniaturized gas sensors has aroused increasing interest in the fields of environmental monitoring, security, medical diagnosis, and agriculture. Among different detection tools, metal oxide semiconductor (MOS)-based chemiresistive gas sensors are the most popular choice in commercial applications and have the advantages of high stability, low cost, and high sensitivity. One of the most important ways to further enhance the sensor performance is to construct MOS-based nanoscale heterojunctions (heteronanostructural MOSs) from MOS nanomaterials. However, the sensing mechanism of heteronanostructural MOS-based sensors is different from that of single MOS-based gas sensors in that it is fairly complex. The performance of the sensors is influenced by various parameters, including the physical and chemical properties of the sensing materials (e.g., grain size, density of defects, and oxygen vacancies of materials), working temperatures, and device structures. This review introduces several concepts in the design of high-performance gas sensors by analyzing the sensing mechanism of heteronanostructural MOS-based sensors. In addition, the influence of the geometric device structure determined by the interconnection between the sensing materials and the working electrodes is discussed. To systematically investigate the sensing behavior of the sensor, the general sensing mechanism of three typical types of geometric device structures based on different heteronanostructural materials are introduced and discussed in this review. This review will provide guidelines for readers studying the sensing mechanism of gas sensors and designing high-performance gas sensors in the future.

Abstract A tactile sensor system enables natural interaction between humans and machines; this interaction is crucial for dexterous robotic hands, interactive entertainment, and other smart scenarios. However, the lack of sliding friction detection significantly limits the accuracy and scope of interactions due to the absence of sophisticated information, such as slippage, material and roughness of held objects. Here, inspired by the stick-slip phenomena in the sliding process, we have developed a multifunctional biomimetic tactile system based on the stick-slip sensing strategy, which is a universal method to detect slippage and estimate the surface properties of objects by sliding. This system consists of a flexible fingertip-inspired tactile sensor, a read-out circuit and a machine-learning module. Based on the stick-slip sensing strategy, our system was endowed with high recognition rates for slippage detection (100.0%), material classification (93.3%) and roughness discrimination (92.8%). Moreover, robotic hand manipulation, interactive games and object classification are demonstrated with this multifunctional system for comprehensive and promising human–machine interactions.

Introduction Aphasia affects many stroke survivors; therefore, effective treatments are urgently needed. Preliminary clinical findings have suggested an association between contralateral C7–C7 cross nerve transfer and recovery from chronic aphasia. Randomised controlled trials supporting the efficacy of C7 neurotomy (NC7) are lacking. This study will explore the efficacy of NC7 at the intervertebral foramen for improving chronic poststroke aphasia.Methods and analysis This study protocol reports a multicentre, randomised, assessor-blinded active-controlled trial. A total of 50 patients with chronic poststroke aphasia for over 1 year and with a aphasia quotient calculated by Western Aphasia Battery Aphasia Quotient (WAB-AQ) score below 93.8 will be recruited. Participants will be randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups (25 individuals each) to receive NC7 plus intensive speech and language therapy (iSLT), or iSLT alone programme. The primary outcome is the change in Boston Naming Test score from baseline to the first follow-up after NC7 plus 3 weeks of iSLT or iSLT alone. The secondary outcomes include the changes in the WAB-AQ, Communication Activities of Daily Living-3, International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) speech language function, Barthel Index, Stroke Aphasic Depression Questionnaire-hospital version and sensorimotor assessments. The study will also collect functional imaging outcomes of naming and semantic violation tasks through functional MRI and electroencephalogram to evaluate the intervention-induced neuroplasticity.Ethics and dissemination This study was approved by the institutional review boards of Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, and all participating institutions. The study findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.Trial registration number ChiCTR2200057180.

Abstract This paper presents the design and implementation of an expandable neural recording ASIC for multiple‐channel neural recording applications. The ASIC consists of 36 modular digital pixels (MDPs) and a global digital controller (GDC) circuit. Each MDP has an analog frontend (AFE) circuit, a 12‐bit successive approximation register ADC (SAR ADC), and a local digital controller (LDC) circuit. It achieves 5.9‐μV input referred noise (IRN), 10.8‐effective number of bits (ENOB), 37.8‐μW power consumption, and 0.095 mm2 area per channel. The ASIC is implemented in commercial SMIC 0.18‐μm CMOS process and validated by in‐vivo experiment on a lab mouse with a 36‐channel silicon‐based neural probe.

Abstract Iron (Fe), sulfur (S), and molybdenum (Mo) geochemistry in marine sediments impacted by hydrothermal plumes and/or cold seeps is complex and has not been systematically documented. Here we characterize Fe, S, and Mo diagenesis in sediments between the Minami‐Ensei Knoll hydrothermal field and a cold‐seep site of the middle Okinawa Trough. Results show that distances away from the hydrothermal field and the steep trough slope may significantly affect the transport of hydrothermal Fe. The transformation of hydrothermal reactive Fe to poorly reactive or unreactive Fe‐bearing phyllosilicates decreased the relative fractions of highly reactive Fe (FeHR) in total Fe (FeHR/FeT). Despite this, the standing stocks of Fe oxides in the methane‐free sediments have not been dampened, indicating no net impacts of hydrothermal Fe inputs on the size of Fe oxides. In the methane‐free sediments, low ratios of total reduced inorganic sulfide (TRIS) to total organic carbon (TOC) (TRIS/TOC), highly 34S‐depleted pyrite, and low Mo contents suggest that organoclastic sulfate reduction is at low rates and plays a limited role in carbon cycle. In the cold‐seep sediments, however, intense sulfate reduction coupled to anaerobic methane oxidation significantly elevate TRIS/TOC ratios, Mo enrichment, and isotope compositions of Mo and pyrite‐S. This pathway is expected to be important in carbon cycle in the basin due to the wide occurrence of cold seeps. Our results highlight the important controls of the local extreme depositional/diagenetic conditions on sedimentary S and Mo records, with implications for the reconstruction of paleoredox states of the past earth's surface.

As the size of SiC crystals gradually increase, it becomes increasingly difficult to control the temperature distribution inside the crucible. In this study, numerical simulation tools were used to model the thermal field of SiC single crystal growth using the resistance heating PVT method. Through adjusting the relative position of the heater, adjusting the crucible and insulation structure, and setting up dual heaters, the temperature field distribution patterns under different conditions were obtained. The research results indicate that adjusting the relative positions of the heater, the crucible and insulation structure can achieve uniform temperature conditions under specific conditions. The use of dual heaters can achieve ideal crystal growth conditions with a growth interface temperature difference of less than 10 K, and an axial temperature gradient magnitude of about 10 K/cm, with a smaller edge axial temperature gradient, which is helpful to avoid edge polycrystalline formation and improve crystal quality. Meanwhile, combined with the top insulation layer, more energy-saving effects can be achieved, providing a reference for the preparation of large-sized SiC crystals.

Cu–Sn shape-memory microw ires were fabricated by a glass-coated melt spinning method. Effects of Sn content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of microwires were investigated. The phase transforms from martensite to austenite with an increase in Sn from 14.0 atomic percent (at.%) to 16.5 at.%. When the Sn content exceeds 16.5 at.%, a highly ordered intermetallic phase, δ, formed. The fracture stress (σf) and the critical stress for martensitic transformation (σMs) increases with an increase in Sn content. The mechanical properties as well as the superelasticity were greatly improved by a high cooling rate in the glass-coated melt spinning method. A bamboo-grained structure was formed in the Cu–Sn microwire with a Sn content of 16 at.% by annealing at 750 °C for 5 h before quenching in water. The results indicate that two opposite strategies of refining the grain size to the micrometer level, or increasing the grain size to a one dimensional size of specimen, e.g., the diameter of the wire, are both effective in improving the superelasticity of the Cu–Sn alloy.

The detection of β-galactosidase (β-gal) activity produced by Escherichia coli (E. coli) can quickly analyze the pollution degree of seawater bodies in bathing and fishing grounds to avoid large-scale outbreaks of water pollution. Here, a functionalized biosensor based on graphene-based field effect transistor (GFET) modified with heat-denatured casein was developed for the ultrasensitive and label-free detection of the β-gal produced by E. coli in real water samples. The heat-denatured casein coated on the graphene surface, as a probe linker and blocker, plays an important role in fabricating GEFT biosensor. The GFET biosensor response to the β-gal produced by E. coli has a wide concentration dynamic range spanning nine orders of magnitude, in a concentration range of 1 fg·mL−1–100 ng·mL−1, with a limit of detection (LOD) 0.187 fg·mL−1 (1.61 aM). In addition to its attomole sensitivity, the GFET biosensor selectively recognized the β-gal in the water sample and showed good selectivity. Importantly, the detection process of the β-gal produced by E. coli can be completed by a straightforward one-step specific immune recognition reaction. These results demonstrated the usefulness of the approach, meeting environmental monitoring requirements for future use.

Abstract To achieve stretchable inorganic electronics, improving elastic stretchability of the electrical interconnects becomes a bottleneck needed to be addressed. Here, we propose a material of Ni-Ti superelastic alloy for the design and fabrication of deformable interconnects, whose intrinsic elastic property overcomes the low intrinsic elastic strain limit of conventional metals. The serpentine interconnect made by Ni-Ti alloy with an intrinsic elastic strain limit of ~7.5% represents a much higher elastic stretchability than conventional Cu interconnect. The deformation behavior of the interconnect is systematically investigated through finite element analysis (FEA) simulations and experiments. The results reveal that the interconnect exhibits an elastic stretchability up to 196%, and its resistance only changes by 0.4% with 100% strain. Moreover, the potentials and challenges of other superelastic alloys as electrical interconnects are discussed. The proposed superelastic alloys fundamentally boost the stretchable properties of electrical interconnects, which would open up opportunities for flexible and stretchable electronics.

Brain organoids are produced by the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells under three-dimensional culture conditions by adding neurodevelopment-related regulatory signals. They are similar to the cell composition and anatomical structure of the brain, and can reflect the developmental process of the brain, as well as their physiology, pathology, and pharmacology. Brain organoids are good models to study human brain development and brain-related diseases in vitro. Here, we mainly focus on the construction of brain organoids and review the application of brain organoids in disease modelingand drug screening.

Background Although the association between shift work and individual cardiometabolic diseases has been well studied, its role in the progression to cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM) remains unclear. In this study, we investigate the association between shift work and the incidence of CMM in patients with hypertension. Methods and Results This study is a population‐based and prospective cohort study on 36 939 UK Biobank participants. We used competing risk models to examine the association between shift work and the risk of CMM, which was defined as coexistence of hypertension and diabetes, coronary heart disease, or stroke in our study. We also investigated the association between the frequency and duration of shift work and CMM risks. In addition, we conducted a cross‐classification analysis with the combination of frequency and duration of shift work, chronotype and sleep duration as the exposure metrics. During a median follow‐up of 11.6 years, a total of 5935 participants developed CMM. We found that usually/always night shift workers were associated with a 16% higher risk of CMM compared with day workers (hazard ratio [HR], 1.16 [95% CI, 1.02–1.31]). We also found that a higher frequency of night shifts (>10/month) was associated with increased risk of CMM (HR, 1.19 [95% CI, 1.06–1.34]) that was more pronounced for >10/month in combination with a morning chronotype or 8 hours of sleep duration (HR, 1.26 [95% CI, 1.02–1.56]; HR, 1.43 [95% CI, 1.19–1.72], respectively). Conclusions We find that night shift work is associated with higher CMM risk in patients with hypertension.

Epigenetic modifications are closely related to diseases and physiological health, mainly including DNA methylation, RNA methylation, histone acetylation, and noncoding RNA. Recently, a large amount of research has been conducted on the detection of epigenetic modifications. Electrochemical biosensors, with their low cost, high sensitivity, high compatibility, and simple operation, have been widely used in the detection of epigenetic biomarkers. This review discusses the detection of epigenetic biomarkers using different electrochemical sensing methods. Here we discuss various aspects, including free labels, signal labeling, signal amplification, nano-based electrodes, and the combined use of other methods. By summarizing the existing electrochemical detection methods for epigenetic modifications, this review also proposes future development trends and challenges for electrochemical biosensors in this field.

Abstract A new method was used to study the performance of pile across cave. This paper investigated the vertical bearing characteristics of piles cross caves using centrifugal model tests and a theoretical model of sensitivity. Twelve pile scenarios were selected, the first was a conventional pile, 24 cm long and 2.5 cm in diameter, with no karst cave as a control. In the other eleven scenarios the piles passed through karst caves of four different heights, of four different spans, and three different numbers of caves. The results reveal that increasing the height, span, and number of caves all are negative for vertical ultimate bearing capacity of piles. The axial force and unit shaft resistance of piles are great different. According to the ratios of the tip and shaft resistance, caves change the type of piles. The sensitivity of vertical ultimate bearing capacity to these factors from high to low is height, number, and span of caves. Importantly, the bearing characteristics of piles decrease faster once the height of the prototype karst cave is higher than 9 m, but decreases slowly when the cave’s span is greater than 9 m × 9 m.

Abstract Epidermal electronics play increasingly important roles in human-machine interfaces. However, their efficient fabrication while maintaining device stability and reliability remains an unresolved challenge. Here, a facile in situ Joule heating method is proposed for fabricating stable epidermal electronics on a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) substrate. Benefitting from the precise control of heating locations, the crystallization and enhanced rigidity of PVA are restricted to desired areas, leading to strain isolation of the active regions. As a result, the electronic device can be conformably attached to skin while showing negligible degradation in device performance during deformation. Based on this method, a flexible surface electromyography (sEMG) sensor with outstanding stability and highly comfortable wearability is demonstrated, showing high accuracy (91.83%) for human hand gesture recognition. These results imply that the fabrication method proposed in this research is a facile and reliable approach for the fabrication of epidermal electronics.

Abstract The heat conduction and infrared absorption properties of the dielectric film have a great influence on the thermopile performance. Thinning the dielectric film, reducing its contact area with the silicon substrate, or adding high-absorptivity nanomaterials has been proven to be effective in improving thermopiles. However, these methods may result in a decrease in the structural mechanical strength and increases in the fabrication complexity and cost. In this work, a new performance-enhancement strategy for thermopiles by simultaneously controlling the heat conduction and infrared absorption with a TExtured DIelectric (TEDI) film is developed and presented. The TEDI film is formed in situ by a simple hard-molding process that is compatible with the fabrication of traditional thermopiles. Compared to the control FLat DIelectric (FLDI) film, the intrinsic thermal conductance of the TEDI film can be reduced by ~18–30%, while the infrared absorption can be increased by ~7–13%. Correspondingly, the responsivity and detectivity of the fabricated TEDI film-based thermopile can be significantly enhanced by ~38–64%. An optimized TEDI film-based thermopile has achieved a responsivity of 156.89 V·W−1 and a detectivity of 2.16 × 108 cm·Hz1/2·W−1, while the response time constant can remain

This paper proposes an online data splicing power flow analysis method based on sensitivity analysis. Since the step-down transformer in the whole network data is usually equivalent to the 220 kV side, the equipment below 220 kV is not modeled in detail, and the provincial network data is modeled to 110kV and 35 kV voltage level equipment in detail. Different levels of modeling have a greater impact on the accuracy of stability analysis and calculation. Therefore, the purpose of improving data accuracy is achieved by splicing the entire network data (external network) and provincial network data (internal network). This paper is based on the sensitivity analysis method to stabilize the tie-line power by adjusting the output of the external network units, and form the whole network data that can accurately analyze the stability characteristics of the provincial network. The problem of power flow deviation caused by the voltage and angle deviation of the nodes at both ends of the regional tie line during the data splicing process is solved. Through the actual application of splicing the entire network and Hunan Provincial Network data, the effectiveness and necessity of the proposed method have been verified.

Abstract Silicon nanowire devices employed traditional MEMS technology has the advantages of low cost and easy to batch fabricated, which can be applied for high‐sensitivity biological and chemical species detection. In the preparation process, the device performance would be greatly influenced by the BOE corrosion process of silicon oxide outside silicon nanowires, which will define the performance of devices in subsequent test. In this paper, pH solution test was used to characterize the response sensitivity of silicon nanowires in different etching times, with the help of SEM and I–V characteristics before and after corrosion, it can be found that the thickness of silicon oxide layer enclosed nanowires was gradually reduced until completely etched in about five minutes to expose the silicon nanowires, which revealed that the silicon nanowires could start to sense and respond to external stimulus only when the silicon oxide was very thin even disappeared. The effect of corrosion could be equivalent to the influence of silicon oxide thickness on device performance. It provides an effective way to control the fabrication process of high performance devices.