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With the development of urbanization and industrialization, more and more chemicals were produced in large quantities and widely used. As a result, they entered the water environment through sewage discharge and agricultural drainage. Currently, the analytical methods of contaminants in water include three main strategies, including target screening, suspect analysis and nontarget screening. The number of compounds identified using target screening methods has increased to hundreds, which is far from meeting the current demand for emerging contaminants (ECs) detection in water environment. To comprehensively screen potential emerging contaminants in the Yangtze River in Jiangsu Province, a nontarget screening strategy combined spectral library search with a molecular network was proposed in Jiangsu-Anhui provincial boundary cross section and 22 drinking water sources in Jiangsu section of Yangtze River. Under this strategy, through spectral library screening using a in-house library, a total of 118 emerging contaminants were identified by accurate mass, isotope distribution and MS/MS fragment ions. These contaminants involved pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, drugs, antibiotics, persistent organic pollutants, flame retardants, plasticizers, indicated active agents, chemical intermediates, and other categories. Since traditional targeted screening relies on commercial standards and screening lists, nontarget screening is a more favorable approach to study ECs and their transformation products in water. Therefore, unannotated chemical substances with similar structures to known contaminants were identified through molecular network technology based on the premise that structurally similar compounds have similar fragment ions. Through using the Global Natural Products Society molecular network (GNPS) to extract molecular families, another contaminant with similar toxicity to amantadine, N-methyl-1-adamantaneamine was found. Furthermore, twenty-three contaminants were confirmed through commercial standard, and 14 of them were detected at a rate of 100%. The quantitative analysis revealed the prevalence of perfluorinated compounds, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products in water bodies, and the total concentrations of the 23 contaminants in each sample ranged from 6.46×102 ng/L to 1.72×103 ng/L. Seven drugs and personal care products were detected. Amantadine was detected at the highest concentration among all locations, and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), amantadine and 2,4-dinitrophenol were detected with the highest mean concentration levels in each location. The nontarget screening strategy using spectral library search and molecular network enabled high-throughput identification of contaminants in water without prior information and standards, in which the structures of unannotated characteristic peaks were inferred from annotated substances with spectral libraries. This strategy will accelerate the systematic discovery of emerging and unknown contaminants in the aqueous environment.

Objective To investigate the effects of acute exposure to predator odor (2, 4, 5-trimethylthiazole, TMT) on the activity of the paraventricular thalamic nucleus (PVT)-central amygdala (CeA) neural pathway in mice. Methods CTB555 was injected into CeA in 3 mice of the same lineage, and the neurons projected to CeA in the midline thalamus nuclei were observed. Eight male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal saline group and TMT group (exposed to predator odor), with 4 mice in each group. The effects of acute exposure to TMT on c-Fos expression in the midline thalamus nuclei and amygdala of mice were observed. Six mice of the same lineage were injected with RetroBeads in CeA, and then randomly and equally divided into normal saline group and TMT group. The effects of acute exposure to TMT on c-Fos expression in CeA projecting-PVT neurons were observed. The changes in calcium signals of CeA projecting-PVT neurons in vivo under acute exposure to TMT were recorded. AAV-EF1α-DIO-GCaMp7b was injected in PVT and AAV/retro-Syn-Cre was injected in CeA of 6 mice of the same lineage. In 3 weeks later, optical fiber was embedded above the injection site of PVT to in vivo record the changes in calcium signals of CeA projecting-PVT neurons before and after acute exposure to TMT. Results By injecting CTB555 into CeA, it was found that CeA selectively receives a large number of PVT projections in the midline thalamus nuclei. Compared with the control group, the expression of c-Fos in PVT (P < 0.01) and CeA (P < 0.05) was significantly increased after acute exposure to TMT. After injection RetroBeads in CeA, c-Fos expression in CeA projecting-PVT neurons was significantly enhanced after exposure to TMT (P < 0.05). Fiber photometry revealed that the ΔF/F values of CeA projecting-PVT neurons exposed to TMT were significantly higher than those exposed to normal saline (P < 0.01). Conclusion CeA projecting-PVT neurons are activated significantly after acute exposure to TMT.

Background/Aim. There are limited data examining variations in the local expression of inflammatory mediators in anal fistulas where it is anticipated that an improved understanding of the inflammatory milieu might lead to the potential therapeutic option of instillation therapy in complicated cases. The aim of the present study was to examine prolactin receptors (PRLR) as inflammatory markers and to correlate their expression with both the complexity of anal fistulas and the likelihood of fistula recurrence. Methods. Microarray was used to screen the differentially expressed gene profile of anal fistula using anal mucosa samples with hemorrhoids with ageand sex-matched patients as controls and then a prospective analysis of 65 patients was conducted with anal fistulas. PRLR immunohistochemistry was performed to define expression in simple, complex and recurrent anal fistula cases. The quantitative image comparison was performed combining staining intensity with cellular distribution in order to create high and low score PRLR immunohistochemical groupings. Results. A differential expression profile of 190 genes was found. PRLR expression was 2.91 times lower in anal fistula compared with control. Sixty-five patients were assessed (35 simple, 30 complex cases). Simple fistulas showed significantly higher PRLR expression than complex cases with recurrent fistulae showing overall lower PRLR expression than de novo cases (p = 0.001). These findings were reflected in measurable integrated optical density for complex and recurrent cases (complex cases, 8.31 ± 4.91 x 104 vs simple cases, 12.30 ± 6.91 x 104; p < 0.01; recurrent cases, 7.21 ± 3.51 x 104 vs primarily healing cases, 8.31 ± 4.91 x 104; p < 0.05). In univariate regression analysis, low PRLR expression correlated with fistula complexity; a significant independent effect maintained in multivariate analysis odds ratio [(OR) low to high PRLR expression = 9.52; p = 0.001)]. Conclusion. PRLR expression inversely correlates with anal fistula complexity. Further work must define the specificity of this finding and its relationship to other conventional mediators of inflammation.

Abstract Cavernous malformation (CM) is a vascular malformation disorder characterized by a berry-like mass of expanded blood vessels. CM, originating from the optic chiasm. usually leads to chiasma syndrome presenting with bitemporal hemianopsia. We report a 28-year-old male presenting with left homonymous hemianopsia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an occupied lesion located in the right side of the optic chiasm, and a clinical diagnosis of chiasmal CM was made. Microsurgical excision was performed via anterolateral pterional craniotomy. The patient showed good recovery with slight improvement of the visual field deficits after the operation. No CM recurrence was discovered during the follow-up MRI scans.

Abstract Background Cavernous malformations (CMs) in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) are rare, and most of such CMs reported to date are solid and extend from the internal auditory canal into the CPA. In contrast, cystic CMs that arise in the CPA and do not involve the internal auditory canal and dura of the skull base are extremely rare. Case presentation A 50-year-old man presented with vertigo and progressive hearing loss in the right ear. MRI examination revealed a lesion in the CPA with solid and cystic components. Surgery was performed. Well-circumscribed adhesion to cranial nerves, the cerebellum, or the brain stem was noted during surgery. The lesion was totally resected. Pathological examination suggested the lesion to be a CM. At 1-year follow-up, the symptoms at presentation had resolved and no complications had occurred. Conclusion Although cystic CMs of the CPA have no established imaging features, a diagnosis of CMs may be suspected when a cystic lesion is present in the CPA and does not involve internal acoustic meatus or dura mater of the skull base. Skillful microsurgical techniques and monitoring of cranial nerves will secure good outcomes for patients with cystic CMs in the CPA.

Airway dendritic cells (DCs) are recognized as important factors in the mechanisms of allergic inflammatory diseases. Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) is involved in regulating the functions of T cells and macrophages, but the roles of SOCS3-expressing DCs in the pathogeneses of allergic inflammatory diseases are still controversial. We compared the effects of adoptively transferred SOCS3-/- and SOCS3+/+ bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) on airway inflammation in ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized asthmatic mice. Adoptive transfer of mature DCs (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]-induced DCs, DClps) with or without SOCS3 gene expression significantly ameliorated allergic airway inflammation. SOCS3-/- DCs slightly attenuated BMDC-induced immunogenic tolerance. DClps migrated to OVA-sensitized lungs with higher efficiency than immature DCs (DCim). DClps with or without SOCS3 greatly improved lung pathology scores and alleviated airway inflammatory cell infiltration after adoptive transfer into mice; they also increased interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) production and inhibited signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 4 and STAT6 signaling in the lungs after OVA sensitization. In conclusion, the BMDC adoptive transfer-induced immunogenic tolerance in OVA-sensitized mice might not be due to SOCS3 gene depletion. BMDC adoptive transfer may be developed into a new approach that alleviates asthma by modulating the balance between immune tolerance and inflammation.

GNSS attitude determination has been widely adopted due to its high efficiency, absence of cumulative errors, and ease of installation. However, practical navigation and attitude determination systems often rely on low-cost receivers that struggle with substantial multipath effects, frequent cycle slips, and satellite signal loss, significantly impairing attitude determination accuracy in challenging urban environments. To address this issue, this contribution proposes a constrained dynamic prediction model (C-Dynamics), which enables more accurate initial coordinates and thereby increases the effectiveness of the constrained LAMBDA (CLAMBDA) technique. To evaluate the practical performance of C-Dynamics, two sets of real-world data collected from a vehicle platform were analyzed. The results demonstrate that C-Dynamics significantly enhances the accuracy of initial coordinate estimations across various environments. Compared with the lambda method, the CLAMBDA method + C-Dynamics method (CLAMBDA+CD) improves the fixing rate in the urban environment by 5.6%, and the accuracy of the heading angle, pitch angle, and baseline length improved by 66%, 70.9%, and 84.2%, respectively. Moreover, in challenging high obstruction environments, the fixing rate increased by 43.5%, while the accuracy of heading angle, pitch angle, and baseline length improved by 76.4%, 69.2%, and 94%, respectively. The proposed algorithm effectively addresses the low fixing rate and insufficient accuracy of the LAMBDA method in high obstruction environments and holds practical value for widespread adoption in the mass market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving significant breakthroughs in both the fundamental theories and technological applications of artificial intelligence is essential for fostering its long-term development. Under the guidance of Professor Qian Xuesen's theory of technological science, exploring the internal mechanisms of knowledge evolution in artificial intelligence holds profound theoretical and practical significance for promoting sustainable technological advancement. This study draws on literature from the Web of Science (WOS) database and employs methods such as knowledge mapping, natural language processing, clustering analysis, and citation analysis to outline the knowledge structure of the field, clarify the trajectory of sustainable development, and trace the technological genealogy of VR/AR technologies.This study divides the knowledge structure within the field of technological science into "basic theoretical knowledge—applied basic knowledge—applied knowledge", enriching Qian's theory of technological science from within and providing strong intellectual support and technological pathways for sustainable technological development in practice. Artificial intelligence encompasses 10 distinct knowledge domains, among which machine learning and deep learning constitute the basic theoretical knowledge, data intelligence, computer vision, and swarm intelligence are the applied basic knowledge, and image processing and human-computer intelligence are the applied knowledge. The development of VR/AR technology has formed two main sustainable development paths: "machine learning—data intelligence—intelligent systems—human computer intelligence", and "deep learning—computer vision—image processing". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the path planning problem for automated guided vehicles (AGVs) in challenging and complex industrial environments, a hybrid optimization approach is proposed, integrating a Kalman filter with grey wolf optimization (GWO), as well as incorporating partially matched crossover (PMX) mutation operations and roulette wheel selection. Paths are first optimized using GWO, then refined with Kalman filter corrections every ten iterations. Moreover, roulette wheel selection guides robust parent path selection, while an elite strategy and partially matched crossover (PMX) with mutation generate diverse offspring. Extensive simulations and experiments were carried out under a densely packed goods scenario and complex indoor layout scenario, within a fully automated warehouse environment. The results showed that this hybrid method not only enhanced the various optimization metrics but also ensured more predictable and collision-free navigation paths, particularly in environments with complex obstacles. These improvements lead to increased operational efficiency and safety, highlighting the method's potential in real-world applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The themes in higher education research in different countries vary to some extent. This research takes 15 SSCI journals of higher education as examples. A scientometric method was used to classify the themes in higher education research, and a vector space model was employed to calculate the similarities in different countries active in the research hot spots in the cognate area. The results show that the top five ranked keywords of higher education research are assessment, university, sustainability, feedback, and diversity. Higher education research was classified into 20 areas, and different countries were focused on different areas. The number of publications was mainly led by the USA, the UK, and Australia. The most similar countries in the higher education research field were Australia and the UK. European countries had a higher similarity in higher education research with each other, but the similarity between Asian countries was very low. The similarity between different countries exhibited different characteristics, which has important significance for the development of higher education research.

In this study, we present a novel dual-loop robust trajectory tracking framework for autonomous underwater vehicles, with the objective of enhancing their performance in underwater searching tasks amidst oceanic disturbances. Initially, a real-world AUV experiment is conducted to validate the efficacy of a cross-rudder AUV configuration in maintaining sailing angle stability during the diving stage, which exhibits a strong capability for straight-line sailing. Building upon the experimental findings, we introduce a state-transform-model predictive guide law to compute the desired velocity for the dynamics loop. This guide law dynamically adjusts the controller across varying depths, thereby reducing model predictive control (MPC) computation while optimizing timing without compromising precision or convergence speed. Subsequently, we incorporate a sliding mode controller with a prescribed disturbance observer into the velocity control loop to concurrently enhance the robustness and convergence rate of the system. This innovative amalgamation of controllers significantly improves tracking precision and convergence rate, while also alleviating the computational burden—a pervasive challenge in AUV MPC control. Finally, various condition simulations are conducted to validate the robustness, effectiveness, and superiority of the proposed method. These simulations underscore the enhanced performance and reliability of our proposed trajectory tracking framework, highlighting its potential utility in real-world AUV applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]