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A middle-aged male came to Peking Union Medical College Hospital for treatment because of "pain for 10+ years, aggravated with emotional instability for 5 years". The patient's pain had a huge impact on life, with poor results even after repeated diagnosis and treatment in other hospitals. After multi-disciplinary discussion, it had been clarified that the pain was mainly caused by gout. The disease was heavily influenced by psychosocial factors. Therefore, the patient fits the diagnosis of "Psychological and Behavioral Factors Affecting Physical Diseases". The multi-disciplinary comprehensive management of the patient was carried out to identify and treat psychological factors affecting other medical conditions. After this mental treatment was performed, the patient's conditions significantly improved. The diagnosis and treatment of this patient demonstrates the importance of the multi-disciplinary treatment team for somatic symptoms (disorders).

SiCf/SiC composites were prepared by melt infiltration（MI）process，chemical vapor infiltration combined with precursor infiltration and pyrolysis（CVI+PIP）process and precursor infiltration and pyrolysis（PIP）process，respectively. The microstructures，compositions and properties of SiCf/SiC composites prepared by different processes before and after water-oxygen corrosion at 1300 ℃ were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and its accompanying EDS and X-ray diffractometer. The results show that the distributions of oxygen elements of the fracture surface is obviously different in the composites prepared by different processes，and the phases after corrosion are closely related to the preparation processes. The strength retention rate and modulus retention rate of SiCf/SiC composites prepared by MI process are 84% and 76% after water oxygen corrosion at 1300 ℃ for 50 hours. The strength retention rate of SiCf/SiC composites prepared by CVI+PIP is 64%，and the modulus is increased by 6%. The SiCf/SiC composites prepared by PIP process has a strength retention rate of 49% and a modulus increase of 17%. The composite materials prepared by MI process show oxidation mass gain，while the composite materials prepared by CVI+PIP and PIP process show oxidation mass loss，which are mainly related to its microstructures and compositions.

Purposes Aiming at the performance conflict between optimization parameters in prior optimization method, a hybrid optimization model based on MOEA/D is proposed, which integrates CNN and genetic algorithm into MOEA/D framework to balance the correlation and complexity between various objective functions. Methods First, the deep learning method is used as a supplement to the conventional fluid mechanics analysis method to establish a highly reliable CNN response prediction model for airfoil aerodynamic characteristics, which can be used to quickly evaluate the aerodynamic parameters of airfoil. Then, the response model and genetic operator are interpolated into the MOEA/D framework to construct a multi-objective hybrid optimization model based on MOEA/D. And the lift drag ratio and moment coefficient of a NACA high lift airfoil under cruise condition are taken as the optimization objectives for testing. Finally, through the analysis of aerodynamic performance and flow field structure of the airfoil on the Pareto front, the distribution law of different airfoil configurations on the front is studied, which further guides the designer to explore the potential basic airfoil in the airfoil selection.

In the context of China’s vigorous promotion of inter-provincial electricity market construction， there exists a competitive dynamic among multiple purchasing provinces participating in the inter-provincial electricity spot market. To devise a rational bidding strategy for these purchasing provinces， a game bidding model for electricity purchasing tailored to the inter-provincial electricity spot market is proposed. Firstly， the marginal inter-provincial electricity purchase quantity-price curve is calculated based on the operational conditions of the electricity market within each province， serving as the bidding curve for its participation in the inter-provincial electricity spot market. Subsequently， a model for market clearance and pricing in the inter-provincial electricity spot market is proposed under the scenario of variable flow directions of tie-lines. A non-cooperative game bidding model for the inter-provincial market， involving multiple purchasing provinces， is established， where the bidding curve obtained under Nash equilibrium represents the optimal electricity purchase bid for the purchasing provinces. Finally， a simulation calculation is conducted on a case study system comprising two selling provinces and three purchasing provinces to validate the effectiveness of the proposed model and obtain the Nash equilibrium solution of the bidding model for electricity purchase.

Acute rejection is an important factor affecting the survival of recipients after liver transplantation. Salidroside has various properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective properties. This study aims to investigate whether salidroside can prevent acute rejection after liver transplantation and to examine the underlying mechanisms involved. An in vivo acute rejection model is established in rats that are pretreated with tacrolimus (1 mg/kg/d) or salidroside (10 or 20 mg/kg/d) for seven days after liver transplantation. In addition, an in vitro experiment is performed using neutrophils incubated with salidroside (1, 10, 50 or 100 μM). Hematoxylin-eosin staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling staining, immunosorbent assays, immunofluorescence analysis, Evans blue staining, and western blot analysis are performed to examine the impact of salidroside on NET formation and acute rejection in vitro and in vivo. We find that Salidroside treatment reduces pathological liver damage, serum aminotransferase level, and serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in vivo. The expressions of proteins associated with the HMGB1/TLR-4/MAPK signaling pathway (HMGB1, TLR-4, p-ERK1/2, p-JNK, p-P38, cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9, Bcl-2, Bax, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6) are also decreased after salidroside treatment. In vitro experiments show that the release of HMGB1/TLR-4/MAPK signaling pathway-associated proteins from neutrophils treated with lipopolysaccharide is decreased by salidroside. Moreover, salidroside inhibits NETosis and protects against acute rejection by regulating the HMGB1/TLR-4/MAPK signaling pathway. Furthermore, salidroside combined with tacrolimus has a better effect than either of the other treatments alone. In summary, salidroside can prevent acute liver rejection after liver transplantation by reducing neutrophil extracellular trap development through the HMGB1/TLR-4/MAPK signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the expression and clinical significance of GATA-3 and H3K27me3 in Tibetan patients with bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC).MethodsBUC and normal bladder tissues were collected retrospectively from January 2016 to December 2021 in the People's Hospital of Tibet Autonomous Region. The expression of GATA-3 and H3K27me3 in both tissues was detected by immunohistochemical method, and the clinical and pathological characteristics were statistically analyzed.ResultsA total of 70 patients with BUC were selected, including 51 males and 19 females, with an average age of (60.5±12.0) years. At the same time, 20 normal bladder tissue samples were collected during the same period. All cases were Tibetan patients. Immunohistochemistry results showed that the high expression rate of GATA-3 in BUC and normal bladder tissue was 70.0%(49/70) and 100%(20/20), respectively. High expression of GATA-3 was associated with male, low pathological grade, and non-invasive tissue(all P < 0.05). The high expression rate of H3K27me3 in BUC and normal bladder tissue was 45.7%(32/70) and 20.0%(4/20), respectively. High expression of H3K27me3 was only associated with male (P=0.011).ConclusionsThe expression of GATA-3 was down regulated in Tibetan BUC patients, and significantly down regulated with the increase of tumor grade, suggesting that GATA-3 may be involved in the occurrence and development of BUC and related to its malignancy, providing reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment as well as judging disease prognosis. The expression of H3K27me3 in Tibetan BUC patients was higher than that in normal bladder tissue, suggesting that H3K27me3 may be a new immune marker for diagnosis of BUC.

Central α‑synucleinopathy includes Parkinson's disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and multiple system atrophy (MSA). The clinical manifestations of these diseases usually overlap, which make the differential diagnosis difficult in clinical practice. Autonomic dysfunction is a common feature of these diseases. Recent studies indicated the autonomic dysfunction would contribute to our further understanding of central α‑synucleinopathy. This article reviews the value of autonomic dysfunction in the predictive diagnosis, differential diagnosis and prognosis of the above diseases, to help clinical practice.

Background Several cross-sectional and longitudinal investigations have demonstrated a robust association between academic stress, physical activity, mental health history, and time management skills. However, the existing literature exhibits inconsistencies in the relationship between academic stress and its predictive effects on physical activity and mental health history. In addition, there is a scarcity of scholarly research that concentrates on the significance of time management skills within this particular context. Furthermore, limited research has investigated these variables’ longitudinal associations and causal pathways. Therefore, the present research explores the longitudinal relationships among academic stress, physical activity, mental health history, and time management skills among university students.Methods The data were gathered from Wuhan University, China, employing a two-wave longitudinal survey methodology with an annual interval. A cohort of 980 university-level students engaged in the completion of questionnaires, which encompassed measures of academic stress via the Educational Stress Scale for Adolescents (ESSA), physical activity ascertained through Cho's five-item questionnaire, mental health history assessed by the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, and time management skills evaluated using the Time Management Behaviour Scale (TMBS). Subsequently, a cross-lagged path model was utilised to examine the prospective associations among these constructs.Results The outcomes of the cross-lagged path analysis indicated the presence of significant bidirectional relationships between academic stress and physical activity, mental health history, and time management skills. In addition, bidirectional interconnections existed between physical activity and mental health history. Furthermore, unilateral correlations were detected between physical activity and time management skills.Conclusions These findings underscore the importance of an integrated approach to student health initiatives and highlight the need for comprehensive support systems that address student well-being's psychological and physical aspects.

PurposeThis study aimed to explore the influence of serum leukocytes on urologic cancers (UC) using observation-based investigations. In the present study, Mendelian randomization (MR) was employed to assess the link between leukocyte count (LC) and the risk of UC development.MethodsFive LC and three major UC patient prognoses were obtained for MR analysis from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Furthermore, in order to evaluate reverse causality, bidirectional studies were conducted. Finally, a sensitivity analysis using multiple methods was carried out.ResultsThere was no significant correlation found in the genetic assessment of differential LC between the co-occurrence of bladder cancer (BCA) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Conversely, an individual 1-standard deviation (SD) rise in neutrophil count was strongly linked to a 9.3% elevation in prostate cancer (PCA) risk ([odd ratio]OR = 1.093, 95% [confidence interval]CI = 0.864–1.383, p = 0.002). Reverse MR analysis suggested that PCA was unlikely to cause changes in neutrophil count. Additional sensitivity studies revealed that the outcomes of all MR evaluations were similar, and there was no horizontal pleiotropy. Primary MR analysis using inverse-variance weighted (IVW) revealed that differential lymphocyte count significantly influenced RCC risk (OR = 1.162, 95%CI = 0.918–1.470, p = 0.001). Moreover, altered basophil count also affected BCA risk (OR = 1.249, 95% CI = 0.904–1.725, p = 0.018). Nonetheless, these causal associations were not significant in the sensitivity analysis.ConclusionIn summary, the results revealed that increased neutrophil counts represent a significant PCA risk factor. The current research indicates a significant relationship between immune cell activity and the cause of UC.

[Objective] Research was conducted on understory litter and soil hydrological function for artificial forests in the forest protection station in the eastern section of the Kubuqi Desert. The comprehensive weight value of various indicators of the artificial forests in this area were scientifically calculated, and the hydrological effect and water conservation function of artificial forest litter and soil were determined in order to provide theoretical guidance for the directional tending of returning sand to forest in this area and related sandy areas. [Methods] Five common types of artificial shelterbelts were used in the Ordos afforestation station in the Kubuqi Desert. The water-holding capacity of litter and soil were determined using field measurements and the indoor immersion method, and the water conservation function of each forest was assessed using a combination of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the entropy-weight method (EWM). [Results] ① The litter thickness in each stand ranged from 6.56 to 22.20 mm, and the litter accumulation ranged from 1.44 to 13.62 t/hm2. Interception capacity for the different forest stands followed the order of Salix matsudana-Populus × euramericana mixed forest > Populus × euramericana forest > Pinus sylvestris forest >3-year S. matsudana forest >8-year S. matsudana forest. ② The maximum water-holding depth of litter was linearly related to the dry mass, and the maximum storage was about 1.36~2.04 L of precipitation in each stand. These results showed that the maximum water-holding capacity of the litter depended mainly on the dry weight of the litter, while related factors such as tree species, age, and meteorology indirectly affected the water-holding capacity by influencing the dry weight of the litter. ③ Logarithmic and power functions provided good representations of the dynamic water-holding capacity and dynamic water uptake of litter, respectively. ④ The saturated water-holding rate, capillary water-holding rate, and total porosity basically showed decreasing trends as soil depth increased, and soil bulk density showed an increasing trend. ⑤ The S. matsudana-Populus × euramericana mixed forest exhibited a higher water conservation function than the other forests, the Populus × euramericana and Pinus sylvestris forests had similar water conservation functions, and the S. matsudana forests had the lowest water conservation functions. [Conclusion] Construction of future artificial shelterbelts in desert regions should prioritize the cultivation of mixed forests, and a more scientific plan for the return of sand to forests should be developed by considering differences in the water conservation function between tree species.

Objective To preliminarily summarize the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of functional movement disorder (FMD) based on movement disorders clinic in China. Methods and Results A total of 593 patients with movement disorders newly diagnosed in movement disorders clinic of 22 clinical medical centers from August to September in 2023 were included, including 37 patients (6.24%) with FMD and 556 patients (93.76%) with organic movement disorder. Comparison of the epidemiological characteristics of the 2 groups, the proportions of corona virus disease (COVID⁃19) infection (χ2 = 4.217, P = 0.040) and psychopsychological symptoms (χ2 = 18.694, P = 0.000) in the FMD group were higher than those in the organic movement disorder group, while age (t = 3.757, P = 0.000), age of onset (t = 3.720, P = 0.000) and proportion of hypertension (χ2 = 4.736, P = 0.030) were lower than those in the organic movement disorder group. Comparison of the clinical characteristics of the 2 groups, the FMD group had higher proportions of tremor (χ2 = 3.955, P = 0.047) and myoclonus (Fisher′s exact probability: P = 0.011) than the organic movement disorder group, and the proportions of parkinsonism (χ2 = 8.491, P = 0.004) and gait disorder (χ2 = 5.028, P = 0.025) were lower than those in the organic movement disorder group. Conclusions The age and age of onset, as well as the proportions of COVID⁃19 infection, hypertension, psychopsychological symptoms, tremor, myoclonus, parkinsonism and gait disorder with FMD were different from those with organic movement disorder in China.

Abstract Background While mean platelet volume (MPV) is linked to severity and all-cause mortality in patients with sepsis, its association with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in patients treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD) remains unknown. Objectives The purpose of this study was to estimate the relationship between MPV and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality among patients treated with PD. Method We retrospectively collected 1322 patients treated with PD from November 1, 2005 to August 31, 2019. All-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality was identified as the primary outcome. MPV was classified into three categories by means of X-tile software. The correlation between MPV and all-cause mortality was assessed by Cox model. Survival curves were performed by Kaplan-Meier method. Results The median follow-up period was 50 months (30–80 months), and a total of 360 deaths were recorded. With respect to all-cause mortality, patients in MVP ≥ 10.2 fL had considerably higher risk of all-cause mortality among three models (HR 0.68, 95%CI 0.56–0.84; HR 0.70, 95%CI 0.56–0.87; HR 0.73, 95%CI 0.59–0.91; respectively). Moreover, patients treated with PD, whose MVP ≥ 10.2 fL, also suffered from significantly higher risk of cardiovascular mortality in model 1, 2, and 3 (HR 0.63, 95%CI 0.46–0.85; HR 0.66, 95%CI 0.48–0.91; HR 0.69, 95%CI 0.50–0.95; respectively). Conclusions This study indicates that MPV is independently correlated with both all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in PD.

Bamboo is widely used in the construction industry due to its excellent mechanical properties, short production cycle, and environmental concerns. Reconstructing and processing bamboo into biomass-based composite materials that can replace wood alleviates the imbalance between wood supply and demand. This article uses cold press setting and hot press curing molding processes to prepare small samples of Hexagonal Recombinant Bamboo Material (glued HexBam). Through orthogonal analysis, the preparation process parameters, adhesive types, adhesive application amounts, and the relationship between the temperature and time of hot pressing solidification molding and the mechanical properties of glued HexBam were determined. A phenolic adhesive (PF) was used with a dosage of 200 g/m2, a heat setting and molding temperature of 130 °C, and a heat setting molding time of 10 minutes. Under these process conditions, the prepared glued HexBam had a longitudinal compressive strength of 73.8 MPa and a specific strength of 0.0535 N•m/kg, which is superior to ordinary steel.

The dwindling reserves of fossil fuels have spurred the expansion of photovoltaic power systems, widely regarded as an alluring solution. Yet, a formidable challenge arises when it comes to optimizing the output of PV systems exposed to irregular irradiance stemming from external environmental factors. Consequently, this research endeavors to advocate the use of the Moth Flame Optimization (MFO) algorithm to search for the highest power output of a solar energy harvesting system. The distinctive behavior of moths proves instrumental in thorough searching of the feasible space, mitigating the risk of entrapment in local optima. To evaluate its efficacy, this algorithm’s performance is validated by comparing its outcomes with those of the Butterfly Optimization Algorithm (BOA). Both algorithms are subjected to experimentation to search for the Global Maximum Power Points (GMPPs) of the PV system under two distinct Partial Shading Condition (PSC) scenarios: Case 1 and Case 2. The results indicate that BOA tends to produce outcomes with a broader data dispersion range relative to the mean, unlike MFO. Specifically, for Case 1, the standard deviation values for MFO and BOA are 2.327040E−02 and 5.777913E−02, respectively, while for Case 2, they are 5.0567340E−02 and 8.519362E−02, respectively. Hence, the proposed approach demonstrates faster and more precise convergence.

The reduction of operation and maintenance costs as well as the improvement of reliability of wind energy conversion systems are of top priorities in the renewable energy industry as the demand for wind energy continuously grow tremendously. With that, the condition monitoring system (CMS) plays a crucial role in maximizing the potential of wind energy in generating electricity. Therefore, this review paper vividly captures the fact that the recent advancements in embedded control in CMS in wind energy conversion systems are able deliver tangible benefits to the renewable energy technology (RET) industry as a whole. It is proven that CMS based maintenance is deemed to be more suitable in multiple aspects with fewer drawbacks, as compared to scheduled and corrective maintenance. In this review paper, an attempt to evaluate the viability of CMS is being made. The main purpose is to shed some light on the significant contributions provided by CMS in shortening the downtime and increasing the production rate of the wind energy conversion system. Forthcoming promising applications with good potential to surpass the recent dilemmas were also explored and analyzed at the end of this paper.

The passivity-based control (PBC) based on energy function has been studied for grid-connected converters to achieve a better performance. However, traditional PBC method relies on the accurate mathematical model of grid-connected inverter. In previous studies on PBC, the effect of digital control delay is rarely considered and the stability under grid impedance uncertainties is not discussed, especially in the capacitive grid or complex weak grid. To address these issues, this paper proposes an improved PBC method to reshape the output admittance for LCL-filtered grid-connected inverters. The system passive region is expanded up to the Nyquist frequency by adding a capacitor current feedback loop which can achieve active damping control of LCL resonant frequency under the wide range of grid impedance changes. The parameter design method is also presented for the proposed PBC control. To verify the correctness of the theoretical analysis, both simulation and experiments are conducted on a 3 kW grid-connected inverter prototype.

Metal hydride hydrogen storage has the advantages of high hydrogen storage volume density, high safety, and high hydrogen purity, which can meet the hydrogen storage and supply needs of fuel cells in both mobile and fixed scenarios. It has become one of the most promising hydrogen storage methods. This work studies the dynamic performance of metal hydride hydrogen storage systems under absorption and desorption process by establishing dynamic models and heat exchange models. The dynamic properties of metal hydride hydrogen storage system are analyzed in different reaction process with the experimental test. Results show that when the ambient temperature is within a certain range, low temperatures are conducive to hydrogen absorption, while high temperatures can improve hydrogen release dynamics. Besides, raising the flow rate of hydrogen and reducing the volume fraction of hydrogen storage materials can help to improve the efficiency of hydrogen absorption and desorption reaction.

【Objective】 Predicting change in groundwater table in response to natural and anthropogenic influence is a prerequisite in groundwater resource management. This paper compares several methods commonly used in studying groundwater dynamics based on the shallow groundwater exploration in plain areas in central China. 【Method】 The study was based on shallow groundwater resources in Puyang City in Henan province. We analyzed the groundwater dynamics in the region using three methods: water balance method, dewatering-volume method, and time series method. 【Result】 The time series method is applicable only to areas where groundwater development and utilization do not show considerable change with time. In contrast, the water balance method and dewatering volume method are more mechanistic, providing more accurate results as they consider potential changes in groundwater usage and management. As the dewatering volume method divides the studied region into subunits based on administrative regions rather than hydrogeological conditions, it could lead to significant differences when compared to measurements from monitoring boreholes. The water balance method considers factors such as current groundwater development, hydrogeological conditions and groundwater management measures, and it is hence more accurate for analyzing groundwater dynamics. 【Conclusion】 Results calculated by the improved groundwater balance method proposed in this paper are consistent with ground-truth data. It is more reliable for evaluating the response of shallow groundwater table to change in management and usages in plain areas.

The surge in computer-based health surveillance applications, leveraging technologies like big data analytics, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things, aims to provide personalized and streamlined medical services. These applications encompass diverse functionalities, from portable health trackers to remote patient monitoring systems, covering aspects such as heart rate tracking, task monitoring, glucose level checking, medication reminders, and sleep pattern assessment. Despite the anticipated benefits, concerns about performance, security, and alignment with healthcare professionals’ needs arise with their widespread deployment. This study introduces a Hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) paradigm, combining the strengths of Additive Ratio Assessment (ARAS) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), to address the intricate nature of decision-making processes. The method involves selecting and structuring criteria hierarchically, providing a detailed evaluation of application efficacy. Professional stakeholders quantify the relative importance of each criterion through pairwise comparisons, generating criteria weights using AHP. The ARAS methodology then ranks applications based on their performance concerning the weighted criteria. This approach delivers a comprehensive assessment, considering factors like real-time capabilities, surgical services, and other crucial aspects. The research results provide valuable insights for healthcare practitioners, legislators, and technologists, aiding in deciding the adoption and integration of computer-based health monitoring applications, ultimately enhancing medical services and healthcare outcomes.

Framingham risk score (FRS), systematic coronary risk evaluation (SCORE), the 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk algorithm (ASCVD), and their modified risk scores are the most common cardiovascular risk scores. The aim of this case–control study was to evaluate the performance of cardiovascular risk scores in detecting carotid subclinical atherosclerosis (SCA) in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs). A total of 123 IIMs patients (71.5% female, mean age 50 ± 14 years) and 123 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were included in this study. Carotid SCA was more prevalent in IIMs patients compared with controls (77.2 vs 50.4%, P < 0.001). Moreover, patients with carotid SCA+ had older age, and all risk scores were significantly higher in IIMs patients with SCA+ compared to subjects with SCA− (all P < 0.001). According to FRS, SCORE, and ASCVD risk scores, 77.9, 96.8, and 66.7% patients with SCA+ were classified as low risk category, respectively. The modified scores also demonstrated a modest improvement in sensitivity. Notably, by adopting the optimal cutoff values, these risk scores had good discrimination on patients with SCA+, with area under curves of 0.802–0.893. In conclusion, all cardiovascular risk scores had a poor performance in identifying IIMs patients at high cardiovascular risk.

This study aims to determine the ultrastructural changes in collagen fibrils in rabbit conjunctiva after conjunctival crosslinking using riboflavin and ultraviolet A (UVA) light at an irradiation intensity of 45 mW/cm2. Conjunctival crosslinking may increase conjunctival stiffness. The supertemporal quadrants of the right eyes of 24 adult rabbits were treated with a topical riboflavin solution (0.25%) before irradiation with UVA light at 45 mW/cm2 for 4 min. After 3 weeks, the collagen fibrils in fibril bundles were examined by electron microscopy. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression levels of collagen I and collagen III in the rabbits’ conjunctiva. The diameter of the collagen fibrils in the fibril bundles varied slightly, ranging from 30 to 60 nm in the conjunctival stroma of the control group. In the treatment group, the diameter of collagen fibrils ranged from 60 to 90 nm. The thickest collagen fibrils were observed in the treatment group (up to 90 nm in diameter). In contrast, those in the conjunctival stroma of the control group were considerably smaller (up to 60 nm in diameter). However, thicknesses of collagen fibrils displayed a unimodal distribution. Both collagen I and collagen III increased after treatment with riboflavin and UVA light irradiation at 45 mW/cm2. The data indicate that in rabbits, conjunctival crosslinking with riboflavin and UVA light at 45 mW/cm2 for 4 min is safe and does not induce ultrastructural alterations of the conjunctival cells. The conjunctival crosslinking with riboflavin and UVA light at 45 mW/cm2 can increase the diameter of collagen fibrils, but the average densities of collagen I and collagen III have no statistical significance.

With the improvement of national and local sewage discharge standards, the upgrading and retrofitting of existing wastewater treatment systems become a major challenging task for wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Specially, meeting the concentration limits for total nitrogen in the effluent is the important and difficult point. Thus, under the "carbon peaking and carbon neutrality" goal, the technological paths for improving the quality and efficiency of biological nitrogen removal (BNR) from low carbon to nitrogen domestic wastewater are elaborated in this review, and future study directions are also suggested. Firstly, the traditional paradigms for enhancing BNR are systematically reviewed, primarily including deep excavation of the BNR potential of the original biological treatment process and incorporation with the denitrification biofilter advanced treatment process. Secondly, the research progress and application prospect of low-carbon autotrophic BNR processes, such as anaerobic ammonium oxidation, sulfur-driven autotrophic denitrification, and nitrate-dependent ferrous oxidation, are comprehensively introduced, which can provide the theoretical basis and technical support for the establishment of environmentally friendly and efficient autotrophic BNR systems or synergistic heterotrophic-autotrophic advanced BNR systems. Finally, future directions and trends of BNR from domestic wastewater are proposed. The integration of biotechnology, material technology, and information technology can drive technological change and innovation in the wastewater BNR field. This review aims to provide guidance for the synergistic effect of pollution and carbon reduction of BNR from domestic wastewater.

In order to explore the removal effect and degradation mechanism of the reactive black 5 dye in the aerobic granular sludge system. a constant working volume sequential batch reactor (SBR) was set up to cultivate aerobic granular sludge under alternative anaerobic and aerobic operating condition to treat synthetic azo dye wastewater. The removal efficiency of COD, NH4+-N and PO43--P and the removal load of reactive black 5 were measured in the SBR system, and the mechanism of azo dyes was further explored by high through-put sequencing of 16S rRNA gene. The results showed that the SBR system had a good effect in removing pollutants, the removal rates of COD, NH4+-N and PO43--P reached 90%, 95% and above 95% at the end of culture period, and the removal of azo dye maintained around 0.005 kg·(kg·d)-1. The azo double bond of the reactive black 5 dye mainly broke at the anaerobic stage, and the intermediates containing benzene and naphthalene rings were degraded at the aerobic stage. High-throughput sequencing analysis of the 16S rRNA gene showed that azo dye increased the nitrogen load of the SBR system, thus increasing the abundance of nitrifying bacteria and the bacteria which had the function of denitrifying or degrading aromatic substances genera such as Paracoccus, Azoarcus and Thauera.

Coinfection of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) and porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) is common in pig farms, but there is currently no effective vaccine to prevent this co-infection. In this study, we used immunoinformatics tools to design a multi-epitope vaccine against PEDV and PDCoV co-infection. The epitopes were screened through a filtering pipeline comprised of antigenic, immunogenic, toxic, and allergenic properties. A new multi-epitope vaccine named rPPMEV, comprising cytotoxic T lymphocyte-, helper T lymphocyte-, and B cell epitopes, was constructed. To enhance immunogenicity, the TLR2 agonist Pam2Cys and the TLR4 agonist RS09 were added to rPPMEV. Molecular docking and dynamics simulation were performed to reveal the stable interactions between rPPMEV and TLR2 as well as TLR4. Additionally, the immune stimulation prediction indicated that rPPMEV could stimulate T and B lymphocytes to induce a robust immune response. Finally, to ensure the expression of the vaccine protein, the sequence of rPPMEV was optimized and further performed in silico cloning. These studies suggest that rPPMEV has the potential to be a vaccine candidate against PEDV and PDCoV co-infection as well as a new strategy for interrupting the spread of both viruses.

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features of colon squamous cell carcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma. Methods: The clinicopathological data and prognosis of 4 patients with colonic squamous cell carcinoma or adenosquamous carcinoma were collected retrospectively. Results: There were 1 male and 3 female, and the age ranged from 29 to 76 years old. Serum CA19-9 was increased in 2 cases, which were 88.25 ng/mL and 553.13 ng/mL, respectively. Serum CEA increased in 2 cases, which were 116.39 U/mL and 37.22 U/mL, respectively. Three cases occurred in ascending colon and 1 case in descending colon. Microscopically, the squamous cell carcinoma of 4 cases was arranged into irregular nesting or flake shape, the tumor cells were polygonal or irregular, the cells were eosinophilic and expressed P40 and P63, while the adenocarcinoma of 2 adenosquamous carcinoma cases was arranged into irregular glandular tubules or cribriform, and the cell nucleus was deeply stained and expressed CAM5.2 and CK20. P16 was expressed in 3 cases. One case was complicated with schistosome. No patient was with human papilloma virus infection. Mismatch repair protein absently expressed in 3 cases. Three cases were complicated with KRAS gene mutation. At the last of follow-up, 1 patient died at 16.4 months after surgery, and the remaining 3 patients survived without recurrence (median follow-up time: 42 months). Conclusions: Squamous cell carcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma are rare histopathological types of colorectal cancer with poor biological behavior, often accompanied by loss of mismatch repair protein expression and KRAS gene mutation. Radical resection is an effective way to obtain a good prognosis.

Under specific circumstances, the liquefaction product of biomass polyol can be converted into hard polyurethane foam. In this study, the rigid foam material (RPUF) was created by reacting the liquefaction product of Salix psammophila with isocyanate. The mechanical properties, chemical structure, cell structure, and thermal stability of RPUF were characterized by mechanical properties tests, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The impact strength, compressive strength, and flexural strength of RPUF after hygrothermal treatment showed a downward trend. FTIR showed that the change of temperature and humidity did not affect the chemical structure of RPUF. SEM showed that the destruction of cell structure of RPUF was increased with the extension of time. TGA showed that the initial decomposition temperature of RPUF was reduced by periodic hydrothermal treatment, and the residual carbon rate decreased with the extension of treatment time.

Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency is a global health issue that afflicts people of different age groups all over the world. As a reliable indicator for the evaluation of vitamin D, 25OHD is usually determined by LC-MS/MS. The tandem mass spectrometry based on ion trap has the characteristics of simple structure and high sensitivity. However, there are some problems such as narrow linear range and space charge effect, which limit its analysis of trace substances in complex matrix samples. In this study, the device and technology of a new quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometry was used to reduce the space charge interference of trace or ultra trace target ions by high abundance impurity ions in complex matrices. For the first time, isotope dilution mass spectrometry for accurate measurement of serum 25OHD was established by QLIT-6610MD, which is quadrupole-linear ion trap tandem mass spectrometer, and was independently developed by Technology Innovation Center of Mass Spectrometry for State Market Regulation, Center for Advanced Measurement Science, National Institute of Metrology. Serum samples were precipitated with methanol, extracted with n-hexane, dried with liquid nitrogen, redissolved in the initial mobile phase, and determined by QLIT-6610MD. The matrix-matched standard curve was used for quantification. The linear ranges of 25OHD2 and 25OHD3 were in the range of 0.78-50 μg/L and 1.56-100 μg/L with R2>0.999 9, respectively. The detection and quantification limits of 25OHD2 and 25OHD3 were 0.06, 0.12 μg/L and 0.02, 0.06 μg/L, respectively. The precision of quality control was better than 4.06%. The recoveries ranged from 99.25% to 108.38%, and the coefficients of variation were all less than 5.1%. After the method confirmation, the quantitative results of clinical samples were compared with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry. 50 Clinical serum samples were measured and compared by QLIT-6610MD, AB 4500MD and YS EXACT 9900MD. The correlation and consistency of the data were analyzed by Pearson and Bland-Altman. The correlation coefficient of the three groups data was R≥0.998 0, P

Objective To explore the clinical and genetic characteristics of a Chinese pedigree affected with a syndromic form of hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF). Methods Clinical data of the pedigree members were collected. The excised gingiva were collected, and the pathological features were observed by histological sectioning. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples, and whole-exome sequencing was used to identify gene mutations. Results The proband, her mother, her maternal grandfather and her maternal grandfather's sister all suffered from gum hyperplasia; female patients had congenital hirsutism and macromastia, while male patients also had congenital hirsutism, which suggests that this pedigree may have a congenital syndrome. The pathological characteristics of the gingival tissue were chronic inflammation with fibromatous hyperplasia, connective tissue enlargement, and filling with thick collagen fiber bundles. In addition, whole-exome sequencing results showed that no mutations related to known pathogenic genes were found, suggesting that new pathogenic gene mutations may be the cause. Conclusion According to the literature and our gene sequencing results, it is suggested that this may be the first pedigree with a new syndrome HGF (gingival fibromatosis + congenital hirsutism + macromastia) caused by an unknown pathogenic gene mutation.

To study the wear evolution process and wear law of involute spur gears under the mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) and consider the lubrication conditions, thermal effects and load changes in the wear process of gear pairs, a wear model of gear pairs under mixed EHL is established. The tooth surface wear depth, contact temperature and contact pressure are calculated, and the changes of tooth surface contact pressure and contact temperature in the wear process of the gear pairs are analyzed. The results show that the wear amount at the meshing-in point of the gear pairs is large, and the tooth surface wear can reduce the contact pressure and contact temperature at the meshing-in point.The wear rate near the meshing-in point decreases with the gear meshing. Besides, the influence of tooth surface roughness, input torque and rotational speed on the wear law of spur gear is analyzed. The results show that the reasonable design of gear parameters is beneficial to resist gear wear.

Objective To investigate the expression and its significance of H3K27me3 in Tibetan patients with gastric cancer. Methods Clinical and pathological data were retrospectively collected from Tibetan patients with gastric cancer in the Tibet Autonomous Region People's Hospital from August 2019 to August 2021 and Tibetan non-gastric cancer patients during the same period. The expression of H3K27me3 in gastric cancer tissues, corresponding adjacent normal gastric mucosa and normal gastric mucosa of Tibetan patients with non-gastric cancer tissues was detected by immunohistochemical method, and the differences of H3K27me3 expression between gastric cancer patients with different clinical and pathological characteristics was compared. Results A total of 54 Tibetan gastric cancer patients and 55 Tibetan non-gastric cancer patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled. H3K27me3 was localized in the nucleus, and the nucleus showed brownish-yellow granular staining when positively expressed. The high expression rate of H3K27me3 in gastric cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent normal gastric mucosa tissue[64.8%(35/54) vs. 29.6%(16/54), P < 0.001]and normal gastric mucosal tissue of Tibetan patients with non-gastric cancer[64.8%(35/54) vs. 34.5%(19/55), P=0.002], and the high expression rate of H3K27me3 in the adjacent normal gastric mucosa tissue was not significantly different from that in normal gastric mucosal tissue of Tibetan patients with non-gastric cancer(P=0.683). H3K27me3 expression in gastric cancer tissues was not related to gender, age, degree of differentiation, depth of invasion, maximum tumor size, Lauren's classification, lymph node metastasis, vascular and nerve invasion and TNM stage. Conclusions H3K27me3 is highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues of Tibetan people in Tibet. There is no significant difference in H3K27me3 positive expression cells in adjacent tissues and normal gastric mucosa. The significance of H3K27me3 in Tibetan patients with gastric cancer is uncertain and requires further investigations.

Geogrids improve pavement performance and extend lifespan by making the unbound aggregate base/subbase course stiffer. Extruded (i.e., punched and drawn) geogrids are widely used in pavement applications. This paper presents an experimental evaluation of multi-axial extruded geogrids with various aperture shapes for pavement applications. The study quantified modulus enhancement ratio and identified the extent of the geogrid-stiffened zone. Two types of aggregates (i.e., crushed limestone and partially crushed gravel), commonly used in Illinois for base or subbase course, were utilized. Repeated load triaxial tests were conducted on 6-in. diameter and 12-in. height cylindrical specimens instrumented with embedded shear wave transducers in the form of Bender Element (BE) sensors. The BE pairs were horizontally placed at three different heights above the geogrid. Resilient moduli of the aggregate samples were determined following the AASHTO T 307 standard test procedure. Concurrently, the localized small-strain moduli at different heights above the midheight of the specimen were determined from the shear wave velocities computed according to the first arrival times from the BE sensors recorded at the end of the application of each stress state. The results reveal that resilient modulus tests do not capture the geogrid effects, while BE sensors can quantify the local stiffness enhancement due to a geogrid, and the extent of the geogrid-stiffened zone. Results show that the multi-axial geogrids provided a 45% increase in small strain modulus for both aggregate types in the vicinity of the geogrid.

The majority of creatures on Earth possess an intrinsic biological clock which situates in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus. It produces a circadian rhythm that coincides with the Earth’s 24-hour cycle through a feedback loop that involves both transcription and translation, which means in regulating metabolism and energy homeostasis of various peripheral organs, such as liver, it plays an vital part. As a result, it has an intricate association in maintaining metabolic health. Outer environmental factors like lifestyle changes may cause Circadian rhythm disorders, and causing higher risk of obesity and metabolic diseases. Moreover, the intricate relationship between circadian rhythms and lipid metabolism is intricately linked to the progression of obesity. The disruption of these processes can significantly heighten the susceptibility to obesity through several mechanisms, therefore intensifying circadian abnormalities and establishing a detrimental cycle. This review will study the correlation between circadian rhythm and obesity, exploring many aspects such as process, influence and various factors.

This study provides a distinctive perspective on the intricate dynamics of penny auctions, which are characterized by incremental bid costs and potential sunk costs, constituting a significant area of research in existing literature. Our research takes a unique approach by specifically delving into the profit mechanisms inherent in penny auctions, with a focused examination on the profound impact of the sunkcost fallacy on bidder behavior. To achieve this, we employ a custom model built upon the structural elements proposed in previous works, aiming to scrutinize the dynamics of bid costs and bid increments. In the course of our investigation, we uncover counterintuitive strategies employed by bidders that have a substantial impact on auctioneer profitability. This revelation contributes to a deeper understanding of bidder decision-making processes and their consequential influence on auction outcomes. By shedding light on these nuanced aspects, our study provides valuable insights that extend the current understanding of the intricate dynamics governing penny auctions. The implications of our findings have relevance not only for academic researchers seeking to expand their knowledge in this domain but also for industry professionals involved in auction platforms, offering practical considerations for optimizing profitability in this unique auction format.

A monitoring device for distributed photovoltaic power stations has been developed to diminish the impact of intermittent and random power generation on the grid voltage and frequency. Firstly， the basic principle of the device and the design of hardware and software are introduced. Secondly， to give full play to the inverters' fast and continuous reactive power and active power adjustment capability， an improved incremental PID （proportional-integral-derivative） control and primary frequency modulation curve are used for reactive power/voltage control and active power/frequency control respectively. Finally， the simulation results， reactive power following test， primary frequency regulation test， and on-site voltage regulation test results have verified the device’s enormous voltage regulation and frequency regulation capabilities.

Poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) is an environment-friendly polymeric biomaterial with good water absorption and slow-release. Its metabolites are non-toxic and edible, and it has hence been widely used in a wide range of fields including cosmetics, food and medicine. Its application in agriculture is mainly as a soil conditioner to improve the ability of soil to retain water, as well as a fertilizer synergistic agent. Studies in recent years have concluded that γ-PGA has a potential application in many areas in agricultural production. In this paper, we reviewed its application as a soil conditioner to improve water bioavailability. We reviewed previous studies on the effects of γ-PGA on physicochemical and biological properties of soil, fertilizer leaching and adsorption, the ultimate crop growth and development, as well as nutrient absorption and physiological traits of different crops. We also outline the existing research challenges and the prospects of γ-PGA in its application in agricultural production.

Objective To investigate the gynecological endocrinology teaching demands and practical effects of rotation for eight-year medical students at Peking Union Medical College(PUMC). On this basis, according to the feedback of the students and the characteristics of gynecological endocrine diseases, the teaching characteristics and the best way of gynecological endocrinology were discussed. Methods The questionnaire survey was issued to the eight-year medical students from September 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020, which investigated the demands of the gynecological endocrine study, the difficulty in learning and the degree of mastery. Results A total of 80 valid questionnaires were received, which showed that the eight-year medical students had a most eager to learn content of the top 3 diseases in turn was polycystic ovary syndrome, uterine bleeding and menopausal syndrome. The top 3 gynecological endocrine diseases with the great difficulty in clinical learning were in turn abnormal sexual development, abnormal uterine bleeding, and recurrent abortion. Both the outpatient and ward teaching were demanded. The most desirable mode of study was outpatient visits. Conclusions Gynecological endocrinology is a unique teaching content of obstetrics and gynecology. The outpatient teaching should be paid more attention. Reasonable arrangement of class hours should be combined with social needs and the difficulty of learning content. In teaching of gynecological endocrine, standardized patients(SP) combining case method of instruction should be effectively achieve ideal teaching results.

Bluff-body swirling flows have been widely employed in gas-turbine combustors to achieve flame stabilization. Meanwhile, considerable efforts have been made to understand swirling flow dynamics, the effects of swirl number and bluff body on flow structure and dynamics are still not well understood. To this end, a series of direct numerical simulations of isothermal swirling flows have been conducted in this work in order to investigate the impact of swirl numbers and bluff-body diameters on the flow structure, Reynolds stresses, and turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) transport. It is found that a change in the swirl number can affect the inner recirculation zone (IRZ) and hence momentum transport. Specifically, as the swirl number increases, the vortex core formed at downstream locations can merge with the IRZ. Moreover, including the bluff body not only contributes to the formation of the IRZ but also serves as a disturbance source for the flow, which is favorable for the formation of large-scale vortex structures. Then, the impact of swirl number and bluff body on Reynolds shear stresses and anisotropy invariants is investigated to identify the locations of the inter shear layer (ISL), the outer shear layer (OSL), and the main swirling zone (MSZ). The results show that as the swirl number increases, both the ISL and MSZ shift to the wall, indicating a large IRZ. Furthermore, the analysis of TKE indicates that for cases with a bluff body, TKE mainly occurs in the ISL and OSL, featuring a dual peak distribution. However, for cases without a bluff body, the distribution of TKE is primarily concentrated in the ISL. These results suggest that both increasing the swirl number and/or including the bluff body could help with TKE transport, which can lead to a wide range of TKE distribution.

ObjectiveTo establish an analysis method for simultaneous determination of 15 kinds of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in tea by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry.MethodsFormic acid aqueous solution and methanol were used as extraction solvent. After the ultrasonic extraction and MCX solid phase extraction purification, the analytes were separated with HSS T3 chromatographic column (50 mm×2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) using 4.0 mmol/L ammonium formate solution(0.1% formic acidinclusive) and methanol as mobile phase for gradient elution. Finally, the eluents were determined by full scan/data independent acquisition (Full MS/DIA) of high resolution mass spectrometry in positive mode.ResultsDepending on the comprehensive data, the characteristic structural fragment ions of 3 kinds of PAs were screened out. Good linearities in the range of 0.5-200 μg/L were observed for 15 kinds of PAs (R2>0.99), the limits of detection (LODs) and the limits of quantification (LOQs) were 0.35-4.69 μg/kg and 1.18-11.17 μg/kg, respectively. In this study, 20 commercial tea samples were analyzed using this method, and Jacobine was detected in 1 camomile tea sample, all the other measured values were lower than the LODs in the method.ConclusionThis method has high sensitivity and stability, can meet the simultaneous detection requirements of 15 kinds of PAs in tea.

Abstract Background In plants, basic leucine zipper transcription factors (TFs) play important roles in multiple biological processes such as anthesis, fruit growth & development and stress responses. However, systematic investigation and characterization of bZIP-TFs remain unclear in Chinese white pear. Chinese white pear is a fruit crop that has important nutritional and medicinal values. Results In this study, 62 bZIP genes were comprehensively identified from Chinese Pear, and 54 genes were distributed among 17 chromosomes. Frequent whole-genome duplication (WGD) and dispersed duplication (DSD) were the major driving forces underlying the bZIP gene family in Chinese white pear. bZIP-TFs are classified into 13 subfamilies according to the phylogenetic tree. Subsequently, purifying selection plays an important role in the evolution process of PbbZIPs. Synteny analysis of bZIP genes revealed that 196 orthologous gene pairs were identified between Pyrus bretschneideri, Fragaria vesca, Prunus mume, and Prunus persica. Moreover, cis-elements that respond to various stresses and hormones were found on the promoter regions of PbbZIP, which were induced by stimuli. Gene structure (intron/exon) and different compositions of motifs revealed that functional divergence among subfamilies. Expression pattern of PbbZIP genes differential expressed under hormonal treatment abscisic acid, salicylic acid, and methyl jasmonate in pear fruits by real-time qRT-PCR. Conclusions Collectively, a systematic analysis of gene structure, motif composition, subcellular localization, synteny analysis, and calculation of synonymous (Ks) and non-synonymous (Ka) was performed in Chinese white pear. Sixty-two bZIP-TFs in Chinese pear were identified, and their expression profiles were comprehensively analyzed under ABA, SA, and MeJa hormones, which respond to multiple abiotic stresses and fruit growth and development. PbbZIP gene occurred through Whole-genome duplication and dispersed duplication events. These results provide a basic framework for further elucidating the biological function characterizations under multiple developmental stages and abiotic stress responses.