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In low-pressure gas reservoirs, water-based fracture fluid is difficult to flowback, which is unfavorable for several tight sandstone gas reservoirs in the Sichuan Basin with low pressure and high permeability geological characteristics. Supercritical CO2 possesses a number of remarkable physical and chemical features, including a density near to water, a viscosity close to gas, and high diffusion. Supercritical CO2 fracturing is a new type of non-aqueous fracturing method that is favorable to fracturing flowback in low-pressure tight sandstone and has a wide range of applications. To discuss on whether supercritical CO2 fracturing with low pressure tight sandstone is feasible. Tight sandstone cores from the Jinqiu gas field in the Sichuan Basin were used to study the influence of supercritical CO2 on the physical properties of sandstone reservoirs. Supercritical CO2 was used to interact with tight sandstone samples, and then the changes in porosity, permeability, and rock microstructure of tight sandstone were observed under various time, pressure, and temperature conditions. After the interaction between tight sandstone and supercritical CO2, new dissolution pores will appear, or the original pores will be increased, and the width of some natural fractures will also be increased, and the porosity will increase by 1.09%–8.85%, and the permeability will increase by 2.34%–21.26%, quantifying the influence of supercritical CO2 on physical properties of tight sandstone, and further improving the interaction mechanism between supercritical CO2 and tight sandstone. This study improves in the understanding of the tight sandstone-supercritical CO2 interaction mechanism, as well as providing an experimental foundation and technological guarantee for field testing and use of supercritical CO2 in low-pressure tight sandstone gas reservoirs.

Abstract The association of cardio‐ankle vascular index (CAVI), with subclinical cardiac dysfunction in hypertensive patients is unclear. We aim to examine their relationship in hypertensive patients compared with that in normotensive subjects. Our study included 1887 subjects enrolled from Danyang between 2018 and 2019. CAVI was measured using VaSera VS‐1500A device. We performed conventional echocardiography to measure ejection fraction (EF) and E/A, tissue Doppler to measure mitral annular early diastolic velocities (e’), and speckle‐tracking to estimate left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS). LV mass index (76.3, 80.0, and 84.0 g/m2), and E/e’ (7.6, 8.2, and 8.8) were increased and GLS (21.1, 21.0, and 20.4%), E/A (1.2, 1.0, and 0.8) and e’ velocity (11.2, 9.4, and 8.2 cm/s) was decreased from tertiles 1–3 of CAVI on unadjusted analyses (P

Abstract Background Patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) exhibit sex differences in various aspects, and patients with SCZ have a high prevalence of internet addiction (IA). However, sex differences in IA among patients with SCZ mostly remain unstudied, particularly in Chinese adolescent patients with SCZ. This study investigated sex differences in prevalence, risk factors, and clinical correlates of IA among Chinese adolescent patients with SCZ. Methods A total of 706 adolescent patients with SCZ were enrolled in this study using a cross-sectional design and a convenience sampling method. Demographics and clinical data of the patients were collected using a standardized clinical assessment form. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Young’s Internet Addiction Test were used to evaluate psychopathological symptoms and IA respectively. Results Overall, the prevalence of IA among Chinese adolescent patients with SCZ was 26.30% (95% CI: 23.09-29.60%). In Chinese adolescents with SCZ, there was a sex difference in the comorbidity of IA (males: 33.33% vs. females: 21.69%). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that IA was significantly predicted by good socioeconomic status in male and female patients with SCZ. City of living and PANSS total score were associated with IA in male patients with SCZ. In contrast, hospitalization rate and depression score were associated with IA in female patients with SCZ. Conclusion Our study suggests sex differences in clinical correlates of IA in Chinese adolescent patients with SCZ. An additional longitudinal study is required to confirm the findings of the present study.

BackgroundCardioembolic Stroke (CS) and Atrial Fibrillation (AF) are prevalent diseases that significantly impact the quality of life and impose considerable financial burdens on society. Despite increasing evidence of a significant association between the two diseases, their complex interactions remain inadequately understood. We conducted bioinformatics analysis and employed machine learning techniques to investigate potential shared biomarkers between CS and AF.MethodsWe retrieved the CS and AF datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and applied Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) to develop co-expression networks aimed at identifying pivotal modules. Next, we performed Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis on the shared genes within the modules related to CS and AF. The STRING database was used to build a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, facilitating the discovery of hub genes within the network. Finally, several common used machine learning approaches were applied to construct the clinical predictive model of CS and AF. ROC curve analysis to evaluate the diagnostic value of the identified biomarkers for AF and CS.ResultsFunctional enrichment analysis indicated that pathways intrinsic to the immune response may be significantly involved in CS and AF. PPI network analysis identified a potential association of 4 key genes with both CS and AF, specifically PIK3R1, ITGAM, FOS, and TLR4.ConclusionIn our study, we utilized WGCNA, PPI network analysis, and machine learning to identify four hub genes significantly associated with CS and AF. Functional annotation outcomes revealed that inherent pathways related to the immune response connected to the recognized genes might could pave the way for further research on the etiological mechanisms and therapeutic targets for CS and AF.

Summary: Sunitinib, a primary treatment for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), frequently encounters the challenge of resistance development. Metabolic reprogramming, a characteristic change in ccRCC, is likely linked to this resistance. Our research revealed a notable decrease in the expression of the key metabolic gene ABAT in ccRCC, which contributed to diminished sensitivity to sunitinib. Downregulation of ABAT led to an increase in the intracellular level of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), triggering abnormal activation of the G-protein-coupled receptor GABA-B. This activation resulted in increased transactivation of the tyrosine kinase receptors SYK and LYN, thereby reducing the antitumor and antiangiogenic properties of sunitinib. However, the application of SYK and LYN inhibitors successfully inhibited this effect. The transactivation of SYK and LYN caused resistance to the antiangiogenic effects of sunitinib through the upregulation of PGF protein levels. Furthermore, the combined application of an LYN inhibitor with sunitinib has been shown to enhance therapeutic efficacy.

Objective The analysis of pore structure and movable fluid distribution characteristics is the key element of reservoir research and is also the focus and hotspot of current research. It is of great significance for exploring tight sandstone oil and gas and improving oil and gas recovery. Methods The Chang-7 Member tight sandstone reservoir in the Qingcheng area of Ordos Basin was selected as the research object in this paper. Combined with fractal theory, through physical property tests, casting thin section, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-pressure mercury injection, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments, the pore throat structure, heterogeneity, and movable fluid distribution characteristics of tight sandstone reservoirs were analysed, and the influence of the pore throat structure and heterogeneity on movable fluid occurrence was discussed. Results The results show that the reservoir space of the Chang-7 Member reservoir in the study area is mainly contributed by micro-nanopores, which have poor pore connectivity. The pore throat radius is mainly 0.050-0.500 μm. The heterogeneity of the pore throat structure is strong, and the fractal dimension distribution is between 2.65 and 2.90. The fluid mobility is poor, and the movable fluid saturation is distributed between 16.68 % and 51.74 %, the movable fluid is mostly distributed in medium and small pores. The Chang-7 Member reservoirs in the study area can be divided into three types. From the type Ⅰ reservoir to the type Ⅲ reservoir, the development of residual intergranular pores and intergranular dissolution pores decreases, and the pore connectivity becomes poorer, and the pore throat size decreases, and the content of larger pore throats decreases, and the heterogeneity becomes stronger, and the fluid mobility is worse, and the movable fluid content in the medium and large pores tends to decrease, and movable fluid tends to occur in the small pores. Conclusion This study provides a theoretical basis for tight sandstone oil and gas exploration and improving oil and gas recovery.

The speed regulation technology for energy conservation of pump and fan systems occupies an important position in industrial field. The paper focuses on the rapid development and research significance of speed regulation technology for energy conservation based on different permanent magnet adjustable speed drives (PMASDs). The development history and speed regulation scheme for energy conservation are introduced step by step. The features of theoretical model based on magnetic vector potential and equivalent magnetic circuit methods are presented and studied in the paper, which is benefit to select a suitable method for a specific drive. Several optimization methods of design parameters of PMASDs are given in the paper. The structure and operating principle of some new speed regulation scheme are described, and their advantages, disadvantages and feasibility of engineering application are analyzed. Finally, the proposed speed regulation technologies for energy conservation are summarized and classified from the aspects of magnetic circuit structure, permanent magnet rotor structure, conductor rotor structure, and the slip power conversion scheme. In a conclusion, the power-fed PMASD will be the future of energy conservation technology for the high-efficiency and low-cost large pump and fan systems.

BackgroundN-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is a neurotoxin widely used to induce PD models, but the effect of MPTP on the cells and genes of PD has not been fully elucidated.MethodsSingle-nucleus RNA sequencing was performed in the Substantia Nigra (SN) of MPTP mice. UMAP analysis was used for the dimensionality reduction visualization of the SN in the MPTP mice. Known marker genes highly expressed genes in each cluster were used to annotate most clusters. Specific Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) and PD risk genes analysis were used to find MPTP-associated cells. GO, KEGG, PPI network, GSEA and CellChat analysis were used to reveal cell type-specific functional alterations and disruption of cell-cell communication networks. Subset reconstruction and pseudotime analysis were used to reveal the activation status of the cells, and to find the transcription factors with trajectory characterized.ResultsInitially, we observed specific DEGs and PD risk genes enrichment in microglia. Next, We obtained the functional phenotype changes in microglia and found that IGF, AGRN and PTN pathways were reduced in MPTP mice. Finally, we analyzed the activation state of microglia and revealed a pro-inflammatory trajectory characterized by transcription factors Nfe2l2 and Runx1.ConclusionOur work revealed alterations in microglia function, signaling pathways and key genes in the SN of MPTP mice.

IntroductionSeveral studies have reported that Internet addiction (IA) is more prevalent in the psychiatric disorder population. However, the prevalence of IA and its relationship with clinical variables among Chinese adolescents with schizophrenia is unclear. This study sought to investigate the prevalence of IA and its clinical correlates in Chinese adolescents with schizophrenia, which has not yet been reported.MethodsSeven hundred and six inpatient adolescents with schizophrenia were recruited. All patients underwent Young’s Internet Addiction Test (IAT) to measure Internet addiction, as well as the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) for psychopathology.ResultsOur results showed that 186 patients had a total IAT score of 50 or more, bringing the prevalence of IA to 26.3%. Girls (21.7%, 92/424) were less likely to have combined IA than boys (33.3%, 94/282). Compared to those patients without IA, patients with IA had better socioeconomic status, higher probability of living in the city, higher levels of depressive symptoms, excited symptoms, and lower levels of concrete symptoms and PANSS total scores (all p

Water-lubricated oil–water flow is an effective low-energy consumption method for pipeline transportation. This study proposes a novel wellbore lubrication fitting (WLF) for developing a core-swirling flow to reduce flow resistance and enhance lubrication efficiency. The pressure drop across the lubricating fitting, the maximum oil volume fraction at the overflow outlet and the drag reduction percentage of core-swirling flow were taken as the indicators, and the fluid calculation software Ansys Fluent was applied to optimize the structural parameters of the WLF with orthogonal and single-factor methods. The experimental study was carried out with mineral oil and tap water. The results indicate that the swirl generator can develop a stable and low-viscosity liquid annulus to isolate the oil from the pipe wall and reduce the flow resistance of viscous oil. The optimized WLF demonstrates the clear core-swirling flow with input velocity between 0.48 and 0.62 m/s. The experimental pressure drops deviate from the simulated data within ±25%. The drag reduction percentage of the core-swirling flow is above 90% with the input velocity above 0.51 m/s. The results of this study have important engineering value for efficient application of WLFs.

BackgroundIn recent years, the Chinese government has placed growing emphasis on environmental development. The implementation of effective waste separation practices in schools is crucial for establishing an ecological civilization in China.ObjectiveThe present study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of waste separation among Chinese university students and to understand the demographic factors influencing the KAP of the interviewed students. These sociodemographic factors include gender, age, education, and family environment.MethodsBased on the KAP theoretical model and the Lewin behavioral model (LBM), this study developed its questionnaire on college students’ KAP of rubbish sorting. A survey was conducted on 1,282 college students from five colleges and universities in Beijing. A one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and multiple linear stepwise regression analyzes were employed to explore the factors influencing college students’ KAP scores on waste sorting. The questionnaire’s reliability and validity were effectively verified through two rounds of Delphi expert consultation.ResultsThe scores for KAP dimensions were 55.64, 69.18, and 54.8%, respectively. The overall KAP score of university students in waste classification was 46.93 ± 9.93, with a percentage score of 62.57%. More than half of the college students lack a clear understanding of waste classification. Grade, gender, major, highest family education, and family economic status all influence college students’ KAP scores on waste classification. There is a notable deficiency in school education regarding waste classification, with only 30.7% reporting having received such education.ConclusionThis study unveils the overall KAP score of waste separation among Chinese college students, which is marginally acceptable. The interviewed students exhibit a positive attitude and a willingness to participate in waste separation. However, there is room for improvement in both knowledge and practices. A lack of knowledge about waste sorting emerges as the primary influence on individual-level practices. Consideration should be given to enhancing education and management of waste separation among college students, emphasizing the cultivation of an eco-conscious culture, and guiding students to establish correct ecological values.

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of environmental education on students' attitudes about the environment in Chinese higher education. The findings showed that students' environmental attitudes can be greatly enhanced by college-level ecology and environmental education. One of the most major factors influencing students' environmental attitudes in the context of college environmental education is subjective norms, and curriculum education also has a big impact on this. It is possible that Chinese college students today lack the self-efficacy necessary to safeguard the environment since perceived behavioral control has less of an impact on college students' environmental attitudes than subjective norms and curricular education. This highlights the need of promoting environmental practices and improving college students' self-perceive and capacity for environmental protection. The study also showed that factors including gender, location, educational level, and economic status of the family had no impact on college students' environmental attitudes. The results of this study can be used to examine the factors influencing the environmental views of Chinese college students and to teach educators how to raise college students' awareness of the environment through curricular modifications, classroom instruction, and perceived behavioral control.

Objective: To investigate the differences between meditation and resting states using infrared thermal imaging (IRTI) to determine facial temperature distribution features during meditation and annotate the patterns of facial temperature changes during meditation from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine facial diagnosis. Methods: Each participant performed 10 min meditation and 10 min resting but in different sequences. A concentration test was set as the task load, followed by a meditation/resting or resting/meditation session, during which the participants' facial temperatures were observed using IRTI. Participants were scored on the Big Five Inventory (BFI) and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS). Results: Forehead temperatures decreased more during meditation than during the resting state. The chin temperature increased only during meditation (P

Abstract Background Predicting relationships between plant functional traits and environmental effects in their habitats is a central issue in terms of classic ecological theories. Yet, only weak correlation with functional trait composition of local plant communities may occur, implying that some essential information might be ignored. In this study, to address this uncertainty, the objective of the study is to test whether and how the consistency of trait relationships occurs by analyzing broad variation in eight traits related to leaf morphological structure, nutrition status and physiological activity, within a large number of plant species in two distinctive but comparable harsh habitats (high-cold alpine fir forest vs. north-cold boreal coniferous forest). Results The contrasting and/or consistent relationships between leaf functional traits in the two distinctive climate regions were observed. Higher specific leaf area, photosynthetic rate, and photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE) with lower N concentration occurred in north-cold boreal forest rather than in high-cold alpine forest, indicating the acquisitive vs. conservative resource utilizing strategies in both habitats. The principal component analysis illuminated the divergent distributions of herb and xylophyta groups at both sites. Herbs tend to have a resource acquisition strategy, particularly in boreal forest. The structural equation modeling revealed that leaf density had an indirect effect on PNUE, primarily mediated by leaf structure and photosynthesis. Most of the traits were strongly correlated with each other, highlighting the coordination and/or trade-offs. Conclusions We can conclude that the variations in leaf functional traits in north-cold boreal forest were largely distributed in the resource-acquisitive strategy spectrum, a quick investment-return behavior; while those in the high-cold alpine forest tended to be mainly placed at the resource-conservative strategy end. The habitat specificity for the relationships between key functional traits could be a critical determinant of local plant communities. Therefore, elucidating plant economic spectrum derived from variation in major functional traits can provide a fundamental insight into how plants cope with ecological adaptation and evolutionary strategies under environmental changes, particularly in these specific habitats.

MF59 and AS03 are squalene emulsion-based vaccine adjuvants with similar compositions and droplet sizes. Despite their broad use in licensed influenza vaccines, few studies compared their adjuvant effects and action mechanisms side by side. Considering the majority of adjuvants act on dendritic cells (DCs) to achieve their adjuvant effects, this study compared MF59 and AS03-like adjuvants (AddaVax and AddaS03, respectively) to enhance antigen uptake, DC maturation, ovalbumin (OVA) and seasonal influenza vaccine-induced immune responses. Considering MF59 was reported to activate MyD88 to mediate its adjuvant effects, this study also investigated whether the above-explored adjuvant effects of AddaVax and AddaS03 depended on MyD88. We found AddaVax more potently enhanced antigen uptake at the local injection site, while AddaS03 more potently enhanced antigen uptake in the draining lymph nodes. AddaS03 but not AddaVax stimulated DC maturation. Adjuvant-enhanced antigen uptake was MyD88 independent, while AddaS03-induced DC maturation was MyD88 dependent. AddaVax and AddaS03 similarly enhanced OVA-induced IgG and subtype IgG1 antibody responses as well as influenza vaccine-induced hemagglutination inhibition antibody titers, whileAddaS03 more potently enhanced OVA-specific IgG2c antibody responses. Both adjuvants depended on MyD88 to enhance vaccine-induced antibody responses, while AddaVax depended more on MyD88 to achieve its adjuvant effects. Our study reveals similarities and differences of the two squalene emulsion-based vaccine adjuvants, contributing to our improved understanding of their action mechanisms.

As seafarers are involved in Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS), except for those in the fourth level of autonomy, the decision making of autonomous berthing should be carried out and be understood by human beings. This paper proposes a fuzzy logic-based human-like decision-making method for ultra-large ship berthing, which considers locations, ship particulars and the natural environment, and these factors are treated as the input variables. The IF–THEN rules are then established after the fuzzification of the input variables and are used for fuzzy inference to derive the decision of ship handling. It can be implemented in the decision-making system for safe navigation or be included in the process of autonomous berthing. The pilotage data are collected with nautical instruments and a distance measurement system during the berthing process, which are used to validate the proposed model and calculate the speed and turn errors. The overall and individual error of the decision-making model is in a reasonable and small range, which indicates that the model has good accuracy. The results of this research offer theoretical and practical insights into the development of a human-like decision-making method for autonomous navigation in port waters and maritime safety management in the shipping industry. The model can be further applied to develop a more widely applicable decision-making system for autonomous navigation in confined waters.

Hydroponic experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of varying particle sizes (5 μm, 0.1 μm, and 0.08 μm) and concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/L) of polystyrene plastic microspheres (PS-MPs) on the germination and growth of P. sativum seeds in order to investigate the effects of the microplastic environment on crop seed germination and seedling growth. The findings demonstrated that PS-MPs significantly harmed P. sativum seed germination. Specifically, low concentrations or high particle sizes weakened or promoted P. sativum seed germination, indicating varying susceptibilities to PS-MP treatment at different particle sizes. The strongest inhibitory effect on growth was observed under small particle size (0.08 μm) and high concentration (2000 mg/L). Stress had less of an impact on P. sativum in environments with low concentrations of PS-MPs, but in environments with medium and high concentrations, physiological and biochemical indicators like germination rate, stem length, and root length were significantly impacted. Furthermore, the particle size and concentration of PS-MPs had an impact on the growth effect of P. sativum seedlings. The indices of P. sativum seed germination were significantly impacted by the particle size of PS-MPs, despite the fact that PS-MP concentration was low. When the concentration of PS-MPs is low, the effects of varying PS-MP particle sizes on seed germination and root length are as follows: 0.1 μm > 5 μm > 0.08 μm. The concentration of PS-MPs had a significant impact on how it affected the buildup of dry matter and photosynthetic pigment.

Abstract Objective Epilepsy can be comorbid with cognitive impairments. Recent evidence suggests the possibility that cognitive decline in epilepsy may be associated with mechanisms typical of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Neuropathological hallmarks of AD have been found in brain biopsies surgically resected from patients with drug‐resistant epilepsies. These include hyperphosphorylation of the tau protein (p‐tau) that aggregates into neuropil threads (NT) or neurofibrillary tangles (NFT), as well as the presence of β‐amyloid (Aβ) deposits. While recent studies agree on these AD neuropathological findings in epilepsy, some contrast in their correlation to cognitive decline. Thus, to further address this question we determined the abundance of p‐tau and Aβ proteins along with their association with cognitive function in 12 cases of refractory epilepsy. Methods Cortical biopsies surgically extracted from the temporal lobes of patients with refractory epilepsy were processed for immunohistology and enzyme‐linked immunoassays to assess distribution and levels, respectively, of p‐tau (Antibodies: Ser202/Thr205; Thr205; Thr181) and Aβ proteins. In parallel, we measured the activation of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) via p‐S6 (Antibodies: Ser240/244; Ser235/236). Pearson correlation coefficient analysis determined associations between these proteins and neurophysiological scores for full‐scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ). Results We found a robust presence of p‐tau (Ser202/Thr205)‐related NT and NFT pathology, as well as Aβ deposits, and p‐S6 (Ser240/244; Ser235/236) in the epilepsy biopsies. We found no significant correlations between p‐tau (Thr205; Thr181), Aβ, or mTOR markers with FSIQ scores, although some correlation coefficients were modest to strong. Significance These findings strongly support the existence of hyperphosphorylated tau protein and Aβ deposits in patients with human refractory epilepsy. However, their relation to cognitive decline is still unclear and requires further investigation.

Guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and guanine nucleotide-dissociation inhibitors (GDIs) regulate small GTPase proteins, which function as molecular switches in various signaling pathways, but their identification and functions in plants are not well understood. Using in-silico analysis and transgenic approaches, respectively, we dissected the evolutionary relationships and functions of all GEF and GDI genes in rice. Intron-exon distribution and phylogenetic analyses identified 30 GEF and 10 GDI genes in rice that shared close evolutionary relationships with other eukaryotes. Tissue-specific expression and co-expression analyses revealed that phylogenetically related genes had similar expression patterns. GEF and GDI genes were highly expressed in panicles, hulls, and stamens. Co-expression network analysis identified panicle and stamen-specific modules of co-expressed genes in both families. Mapping of these genes in known protein interactomes further identified two and one small G-protein sub-networks. A mutant library of GEF and GDI families was constructed by CRISPR knockout of each gene, and their genotypes and phenotypes were confirmed. Phenotype changes occurred with the mutation of only three genes (OsGEF5, OsGDI1, and OsGEF3). OsGEF5 and OsGDI1 single mutants exhibited significantly reduced height and longer and thinner grains, whereas OsGEF3 mutants had reduced grain length compared to the wild type. Haplotype and eGWAS analyses showed that natural variations in the three genes affected gene expression in reproductive tissues that were significantly associated with the phenotypic variation. BiFC assays demonstrated that GDI1 and GEF3 interacted with grain-size protein GS3, pointing to a role of these genes in the regulation of grain size and plant architecture connected to heterotrimeric G-proteins in rice.

Carbon fiber/Poly ether ether ketone (CF/PEEK) subjects to external loads during service life, high bonding quality of the interface is the key to structural integrity. In order to control the creep slippage of CF/PEEK, explaining the interfacial creep mechanism details are essential. This paper constructs an intercalation model for the CF/PEEK molecular interface and uses molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to demonstrate the evolution mechanism of the interface under different load levels. To verify the effectiveness of the model, the structural morphology, glass-transition temperature, and density of the molecular model were compared with experimental measurements. In terms of interface shear creep, stage Ш creep transitioned from constant to accelerated, the creep curves and corresponding interface microstructure under different stress states were simulated by MD. At the same time, the sliding and debonding processes were explained from an energy perspective. Furthermore, a creep constitutive model was proposed to fit the molecular scale. This study comprehensively interprets the shear creep behavior of the CF/PEEK interface from simulation to constitution.

IntroductionStatus epilepticus (SE) can significantly increase the risk of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and cognitive comorbidities. A potential candidate mechanism underlying memory defects in epilepsy may be the immune complement system. The complement cascade, part of the innate immune system, modulates inflammatory and phagocytosis signaling, and has been shown to contribute to learning and memory dysfunctions in neurodegenerative disorders. We previously reported that complement C3 is elevated in brain biopsies from human drug-resistant epilepsy and in experimental rodent models. We also found that SE-induced increases in hippocampal C3 levels paralleled the development of hippocampal-dependent spatial learning and memory deficits in rats. Thus, we hypothesized that SE-induced C3 activation contributes to this pathophysiology in a mouse model of SE and acquired TLE.MethodsIn this study C3 knockout (KO) and wild type (WT) mice were subjected to one hour of pilocarpine-induced SE or sham conditions (control; C). Following a latent period of two weeks, recognition memory was assessed utilizing the novel object recognition (NOR) test. Western blotting was utilized to determine the protein levels of C3 in hippocampal lysates. In addition, we assessed the protein levels and distribution of the astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP).ResultsIn the NOR test, control WT + C or C3 KO + C mice spent significantly more time exploring the novel object compared to the familiar object. In contrast, WT+SE mice did not show preference for either object, indicating a memory defect. This deficit was prevented in C3 KO + SE mice, which performed similarly to controls. In addition, we found that SE triggered significant increases in the protein levels of GFAP in hippocampi of WT mice but not in C3 KO mice.DiscussionThese findings suggest that ablation of C3 prevents SE-induced recognition memory deficits and that a C3-astrocyte interplay may play a role. Therefore, it is possible that enhanced C3 signaling contributes to SE-associated cognitive decline during epileptogenesis and may serve as a potential therapeutic target for treating cognitive comorbidities in acquired TLE.

Syndrome types are important for diagnosis and treatment in traditional Chinese medicine. Syndrome types can be summarized by domain experts as formula clusters. In this paper, we propose seven feature models for the formula clustering problem based on categories, subcategories, functional tendencies and names of Chinese materia medica. A novel multi-objective clustering hyper-heuristic algorithm is obtained. In our proposed algorithm, 12 low-level heuristics are used for clustering solution perturbation by merging clusters, dividing clusters or moving points between clusters based on received solutions from the high-level heuristic. The high-level heuristic evaluates the received solutions from low-level heuristics, updates the solution pool, and selects initial solutions for the next iteration via roulette wheel selection on the Pareto front. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms other clustering algorithms in most datasets. The initial number of clusters has less influence on the final clustering solutions for our proposed algorithm than for other clustering algorithms. For most datasets, the roulette wheel selection mechanism on the Pareto front shows higher convergence rates and accuracy than a random selection mechanism. Accuracy was higher for feature models based on functional tendencies than for the other feature models.

Due to the rapid development of the economy, science, and technology, we have noticed a trend where less and less attention is being paid to the modernization and development of labor and reading concerning agricultural teaching methods. Using the entropy weight method and the analytic hierarchy process, this paper empirically evaluates the practical aspects of interdisciplinary farming at agricultural colleges. In addition, it analyzes problems with current practical teaching methods from the perspectives of curriculum materials, practical education, educational platforms, and teachers. We also put forward corresponding ideas and suggestions for practical teaching methods related to interdisciplinary farming. The results show the following: ⅰ) A student's sense of responsibility to develop agriculture should be cultivated by integrating the cultural elements of agriculture with science curricula. ⅱ) Faculties with knowledge of interdisciplinary practices should be set up to improve students' abilities regarding practical activities. ⅲ) A practical teaching platform should be established to provide conditions for interdisciplinary integration. ⅳ) The previous conclusion requires schools to cultivate high-level teachers to maximize their leading role; only in this way can the process of agricultural education be comprehensively promoted. In this paper, by studying practical farming teaching methods at agricultural colleges and universities, we found that farming culture can be enhanced by educational culture. The cultivation of agricultural talents in the new era can be aided by helping students understand and appreciate agriculture, and by disseminating farming culture, agricultural talent can be cultivated among these students. Furthermore, this study focuses on cultivating excellent talent in terms of technical agriculture and rural management, thus combining theory and practice, which will promote the spirit of labor among students, as well as professional quality. This will ensure the constant innovation of agricultural and nonagricultural professional services for agriculture, rural areas, and farmers.

The attainment of a substantial aperture in the rotating synthetic aperture imaging system involves the rotation of a slender rectangular primary mirror. This constitutes a pivotal avenue of exploration in space telescope research. Due to the considerable aspect ratio of the primary mirror, environmental disturbances can significantly impact its surface shape. Active optical technology can rectify surface shape irregularities through the detection of wavefront information. The Phase Diversity (PD) method utilizes images captured by the imaging system to compute wavefront information. In this study, the PD method is applied to rotating synthetic and other rectangular aperture imaging systems, employing Legendre polynomials to model the wavefront. The study delved into the ramifications stemming from the aperture aspect ratio and aberration size.

Segmented plane mirrors constitute a crucial component in the self-aligned detection process for large-aperture space optical imaging systems. Surface shape errors inherent in segmented plane mirrors primarily manifest as tilt errors and piston errors between sub-mirrors. While the detection and adjustment techniques for tilt errors are well-established, addressing piston errors poses a more formidable challenge. This study introduces a novel approach to achieve long-range, high-precision, and efficient co-phase detection of segmented plane mirrors by proposing a segmented plane mirror shape detection method based on grazing incidence interferometry. This method serves to broaden the detection range of piston errors, mitigate the issue of the 2π ambiguity resulting from piston errors in co-phase detection, and extend the detection capabilities of the interferometer. By manipulating the incident angle of the interferometer, both rough and precise adjustments of the segmented plane mirrors can be effectively executed.

AimThis study aimed to evaluate the utility and complications of ultra-short cecum (USC) in the reconstruction of digestive tract after total gastrectomy (TG) for the alleviation of reflux esophagitis and to determine its effect on long-term nutritional status.MethodsPatients who underwent TG with USC or normal cecum (NC) at a single institution between June 2018 and December 2020 were included in this study. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined, and the primary endpoints were reflux esophagitis, anastomotic leakage and postoperative nutritional status. The long-term nutritional status was evaluated by the change trend of laboratory blood tests, including total protein, prealbumin, hemoglobin, and total leukocytes.ResultsTotally 240 cases were included in the final analysis out of 496 patients who received TG with USC or NC. Postoperative reflux esophagitis was significantly higher in the NC group than in the USC group (24.7% versus 7.7%, P = 0.001), and the NC group had a higher incidence of severe esophagitis symptoms compared to the USC group (13.6% versus 0.00%, P < 0.001), and the incidence of anastomotic leakage in the USC group was similar to that in the NC group (9.0% versus 6.2%, P = 0.6). There was no significant difference in long-term nutritional status between the USC and NC groups in the two years following the surgery (P > 0.05).ConclusionUltra-short cecum after total gastrectomy should be more actively recommended due to its significant reduction in reflux esophagitis and similar incidence of anastomotic leakage and nutritional status compared with normal cecum after total gastrectomy.

Summary: Understanding the mechanisms of action of adjuvants at the tissue level is crucial to the development of more potent and safer versions for human use. Comparative tissue proteomics presents a novel tool to study their unique action mechanisms. Here, we present a protocol for preparing murine tissue for comparative proteomics study of vaccine adjuvant mechanisms. We describe steps for adjuvant treatment in live animals, tissue harvesting, and homogenization. We then detail protein extraction and digestion to prepare for liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis.For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Li et al.1 : Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.

Water production in the bottom hole is a frequent occurrence during gas drilling, posing a significant threat to the safety of the process. Obtaining the water flow rate quickly is critical to making further engineering decisions. This paper proposes a rapid calculation method of water flow rate based on the principle of pressure drop. The method can quickly identify the multiphase flow pattern and calculate the flow pressure drop, thereby establishing the relationship between the gas injection pressure and the water flow rate. At the gas drilling site, the gas injection pressure is continuously monitored in real-time, which enables rapid acquisition of the real-time water flow rate. The concept of ultimate water-carrying kinetic energy is introduced, which combined with the boundary of annular flow to other flow patterns, can determine the maximum water-carrying flow rate. The feasibility of this method is validated using the field-measured data of well X8-3.

Introduction: As a congenital and genetically related disease, many single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been reported to be associated with the risk of HSCR. Our previous research showed that SNP rs2439302 (NRG1) interacted with rs2435357 (RET) to increase the risk of HSCR development. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is still not well understood.Methods: SNP rs2439302 (NRG1) and rs2435357 (RET) were genotyped in 470 HSCR cases. The expression of NRG1 and RET was investigated in the colon of HSCR patients. Knockdown of the NRG1 and RET homologs was performed in zebrafish to investigate their synergistic effect on ENS development. The effect of SNP rs2439302 and rs2435357 polymorphism on neuron proliferation, migration, and differentiation were investigated in SHSY-5Y cells and IPSCs.Results: Significant downregulation of NRG1 and RET expression was noticed in the aganglionic segment of HSCR patients and SHSY-5Y cells with rs2439302 GG/rs2435357 TT genotype. NRG1 and RET double mutants caused the most severe reduction in enteric neuron numbers than NRG1 single mutant or RET single mutant in the hindgut of zebrafish. SHSY-5Y cells and IPSCs with rs2439302 GG/rs2435357 TT genotype exhibited a decreased proliferative, migration, and differentiative capacity. CTCF showed a considerably higher binding ability to SNP rs2439302 CC than GG. NRG1 reduction caused a further decrease in SOX10 expression via the PI3K/Akt pathway, which regulates RET expression by directly binding to rs2435357.Discussion: SNP rs2439302 (NRG1) GG increases the risk of developing HSCR by affecting the binding of transcription factor CTCF and interacting with rs2435357 (RET) to regulate RET expression via the PI3K/Akt/SOX10 pathway.

Abstract Novel adjuvants are highly demanded to aid in development of improved or new vaccines against existing or emerging infectious diseases. Considering commonly used Alum and MF59 adjuvants induce tissue stress and release of endogenous danger signals to mediate their adjuvant effects, physical modalities may be used to induce tissue stress and endogenous danger signal release to enhance vaccine-induced immune responses. Furthermore, physical adjuvants are less likely to induce significant systemic adverse reactions due to their localized effects. Recently we found non-invasive radiofrequency (RF) pretreatment of the skin could significantly enhance intradermal vaccine-induced immune responses in murine models that included pandemic influenza vaccine, pre-pandemic vaccine, and influenza internal antigen vaccine. It remained to be explored whether the physical RF adjuvant (RFA) could be used to boost seasonal influenza vaccination, spare vaccine doses, and induce cross-protective immunity. This study found the physical RFA could significantly enhance seasonal influenza vaccine-induced immune responses against each viral strain and robustly enhance low-dose (nanograms) H3N2 vaccine-induced immune responses and protection in murine models. RFA also induced cross-protective immunity against heterologous and heterosubtypic influenza viruses. Further studies found heat shock protein 70 (inducible endogenous danger signal) and myeloid differentiation primary response 88 adaptor played a crucial role in dose-sparing effects of RFA. These data strongly support further development of the physical RFA to boost influenza vaccination.

This paper proposes a commutative flow technology of drip irrigation in a looped pipe network. Switching the flow direction of the drip irrigation pipe can improve the flow velocity in the lateral, consequently washing up the sediment deposited in the lateral and flow channel of the emitter. Thus, this technology can reduce sediment deposition and prevent blockage of the drip irrigation pipe. To verify the effectiveness of the commutative flow technology, the drip irrigation experiment was conducted, and the unidirectional flow technology experiment was the control. At the end of the tests, the emitter average relative discharge (Dra) of the commutative and unidirectional flow drip irrigation pipes decreased to 92.8 and 62.9%, the emitter blocking rate was 7.7 and 35.9%, respectively; the total amount of sediment deposited in the commutative flow lateral was 37.5% of that in the unidirectional flow lateral. Compared with the unidirectional flow technology, the commutative flow technology could significantly mitigate the decline rate of flow discharge, and effectively reduce the emitter blockage rate and the lateral sediment amount. Thus, the application of the commutative flow technology in the drip irrigation field pipe network can improve irrigation quality and promote the development of muddy water drip irrigation. HIGHLIGHTS Commutative flow technology changes the flow direction and velocity of drip irrigation pipes.; Large sediment particles settle at the front of the drip irrigation pipe causing emitter blockage.; Small sediment particles settle at the second half of the drip irrigation pipe causing lateral deposition.; Commutative flow technology can promote the applying and development of muddy water drip irrigation.;

BackgroundCurrently, few studies have examined the mental states of Women methamphetamine patients, and the influence of impulsivity and perceived social support on substance misuse-induced mental disorders is unclear. We want to examine the mental state of women with methamphetamine use disorder and compare it to the Chinese norm value of healthy women. Investigate the connection between impulsivity, perceived social support and mental state of women with methamphetamine use disorder.MethodTwo hundred thirty women subjects with a history of methamphetamine usage were recruited. The Chinese version of the SCL-90-R, (SCL-90) was used to evaluate psychological health problems, while the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and Barratt Impulsiveness Seale-11 (BIS-11) were utilized to evaluate perceived social support and impulsivity, respectively. The t-test, Pearson correlation analysis, multivariable linear regression, stepwise regression models, moderating effect analysis were used to analyze the statistics.ResultsThere was a noticeable difference between the Chinese norm and all participants’ SCL-90 ratings, especially for Somatization (t = 24.34, p

Abstract Circular RNA (circRNA) is a type of non-coding RNA that is widely expressed in mammals. It is highly conserved and abundantly expressed in the brain. Here, we report the regulatory role of circRNA derived from the pantothenate kinase 1 (Pank1) gene (circ-Pank1) in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Circ-Pank1 is highly expressed in the substantia nigra (SN) of PD model mice treated with rotenone and in the MN9D cell model of dopaminergic neurons. The circ-Pank1 knockdown ameliorated dopaminergic neuron damage and locomotor dysfunction after the treatment with rotenone. We found that circ-Pank1 could adsorb miR-7a-5p and upregulate the expression of α-synuclein (α-syn), which is a molecular hallmark closely related to PD. The inhibition of miR-7a-5p reversed the circ-Pank1 knockdown-induced amelioration of dopaminergic neuron injury. In conclusion, circ-Pank1 is overexpressed in PD and enhances the locomotor dysfunction via the miR-7a-5p/α-syn signaling axis. We revealed the functional role of circRNAs in the progression of PD and provided a potential target for noncoding RNAs in delaying the progression of PD.

The purpose of this study was to determine which shrub species will enhance soil anti-scouring resistance on an ecological slope. Root traits and soil anti-scouring resistance of three shrubs (Amorpha fruticosa Linn (AFL), Swida alba Opiz (SAO) and Lespedeza bicolor Turcz (LBT)) were measured. Results showed that root biomass and root morphological traits of three shrubs were significantly correlated with the soil anti-scouring resistance index. According to the composition characteristic values, root morphological traits among the three shrubs had a high contribution rate. Under two slopes and two rainfall conditions, when root biomass and root morphological traits (e.g., root length, root volume and root surface area) were identical, AFL had the highest soil anti-scouring resistance index. These results suggested that root biomass and morphological traits of AFL had more significant effects on soil anti-scouring resistance comparing with SAO and LBT. Therefore, in engineering practice, AFL with stronger soil anti-scouring resistance can be selected as slope plants.

Summary: Radiofrequency adjuvant (RFA) was recently developed to boost influenza vaccination without the safety concerns of chemical adjuvants due to their physical nature. Yet, the action mechanisms of RFA remain largely unknown. Omics techniques offer new opportunities to identify molecular mechanisms of RFA. This study utilized comparative tissue proteomics to explore molecular mechanisms of the physical RFA. Comparison of RFA and chemical adjuvant (Alum, AddaVax, MPL, MPL/Alum)-induced tissue proteome changes identified 14 exclusively induced proteins by RFA, among which heat shock protein (HSP) 70 was selected for further analysis due to its known immune-modulating functions. RFA showed much weakened ability to boost ovalbumin and pandemic influenza vaccination in HSP70 knockout than wild-type mice, hinting crucial roles of HSP70 in RFA effects. This study supports comparative tissue proteomics to be an effective tool to study molecular mechanisms of vaccine adjuvants.

The mode of future wars is mainly local wars and regional conflicts. This style of war is characterized by unpredictability and instability, which can happen anytime and anywhere. Once it happens, the battlefield is vast, short-range and fast-changing. In order to adapt to the characteristics of this kind of warfare, simple equipment and short reaction time have become two important factors in selecting weapons. Coaxial rotorcraft has been widely studied and applied in future wars due to its convenient carrying, strong environmental adaptability, and rich load capacity. This paper conducts an overview of the Coaxial rotorcraft. Furthermore, we also identify its key technologies, warfare scenarios and future directions. We anticipate that this survey can shed new light on the coaxial rotorcraft systems.

Abstract Background Currently, the population with myopia climbs steadily, and is developing toward younger age, posing a great concern to the health of adolescents. Myopia in severe cases can cause irreversible consequences such as glaucoma, blindness, and other complications. At present, the solutions for myopia are glasses, medication, and surgery. This study aims to investigate the role of a physiotherapy category based on guided meditation for vision acuity training on adolescent myopia. Methods This is a prospective, randomized, multicenter clinical trial. One thousand one hundred forty primary and secondary school students aged 8–18 years old from 27 schools will be recruited and randomly divided into an experimental and a control group at a ratio of 2:1 in two phases, with a training period of 30 days in each phase and a follow-up period of 3 months. No interventions will be conducted during the follow-up period, nor will other interventions employed. Inclusion criteria will meet the diagnostic criteria for simple myopia and −6.00D ≤ spherical lenses ≤ −0.50D and cylindrical lenses ≤1.50D. The primary observation index will be to compare the statistical differences in distant visual acuity between the two groups; the secondary observation indexes will be ocular symptoms (mainly including eye fatigue, dryness, pain, double vision, neck pain, thought disorders, and lags in response), diopter, and astigmatism. Discussion The purpose of this two-phase trial is to compare the clinical effectiveness of focused vision-guided meditation with Chinese eye exercises that are also non-pharmacological, non-invasive interventions for myopia, and to maximize the benefit to the subjects. The results will indicate whether the training based on focused vision-guided meditation has the ability to improve distant visual acuity, relieve ocular symptoms, and ameliorate diopter. In addition, this trial will provide clinical efficacy of the training, which is expected to provide meaningful data for vision rehabilitation. At the same time, the vision acuity training method, which is permeated with the concept of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) rehabilitation and health maintenance, will be applied to achieve the goal of preventing or alleviating myopic development and reducing myopia rate. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2000038642 . Registered on 26 September 2020

Strontium (Sr) is a trace element in the human body that can promote bone formation and inhibit bone absorption. A conversion coating of strontium phosphate (Sr-P) on the surface of titanium (Ti) can improve its biological properties and has many potential applications in the fields of dentistry and orthopedics. In the present study, Sr-P coatings with SrHPO4 and Sr3(PO4)2 crystals on Ti are prepared by a phosphate chemical conversion (PCC) treatment and the effect of pH values on the properties of the Sr-P coatings is researched. The results prove that the phase composition, morphology, and corrosion resistance of the coated Ti vary according to the pH values of the PCC solution. The morphology of the conversion deposition on Ti changes from plat-like to cluster-like and then to homogeneous microcrystals as the pH value changes from 2.50 to 3.25. Only discrete SrHPO4 crystals are generated on the substrate at lower pH values, while relatively stable Sr3(PO4)2 and SrHPO4 crystals grow and subsequently form an integrated coating on the Ti as the pH exceeds 2.50. The cross-sectional morphologies and bonding strength of different coatings are also researched. The corrosion resistance of coated Ti improves compared with that of bare Ti because of the Sr-P coatings with a Sr3(PO4)2 phase. In addition, it is indicated that the Sr-P coatings on Ti can improve the adhesion and differentiation of BMSCs.

Slope displacement is a crucial factor that affects slope stability in engineering construction. The monitoring and prediction of slope displacement are especially important to ensure slope stability. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to establish an effective prediction model and analyze the patterns and trends of slope displacement. In recent years, monitoring efforts for high slopes have increased. With the growing availability of means and data for slope monitoring, the accurate prediction of slope displacement accidents has become even more critical. However, the lack of an accurate and efficient algorithm has resulted in an underutilization of available data. In this paper, we propose a combined EEMD-IESSA-LSSVM algorithm. Firstly, we use EEMD to decompose the slope displacement data and then introduce a more efficient and improved version of the sparrow search algorithm, called the irrational escape sparrow search algorithm (IESSA), by optimizing it and incorporating adaptive weight factors. We compare the IESSA algorithm with SSA, CSSOA, PSO, and GWO algorithms through validation using three different sets of benchmark functions. This comparison demonstrates that the IESSA algorithm achieves higher accuracy and a faster solving speed in solving these functions. Finally, we optimize LSSVM to predict slope displacement by incorporating rainfall and water level data. To verify the reliability of the algorithm, we conduct simulation analysis using slope data from the xtGTX1 monitoring point and the xtGTX3 monitoring point in the Yangtze River Xin Tan landslide and compare the results with those obtained using EEMD-LSSVM, EEMD-SSA-LSSVM, and EEMD-GWO-LSSVM. After numerical simulation, the goodness-of-fit of the two monitoring points is 0.98998 and 0.97714, respectively, which is 42% and 34% better than before. Using Friedman and Nemenyi tests, the algorithms were ranked as follows: IESSA-LSSVM > GWO-LSSVM > SSA-LSSVM > LSSVM. The findings indicate that the combined EEMD-IESSA-LSSVM algorithm exhibits a superior prediction ability and provides more accurate predictions for slope landslides compared to other algorithms.

IntroductionAge is an established risk factor for neurodegenerative disorders. Aging-related cognitive decline is a common cause of memory impairment in aging individuals, in which hippocampal synaptic plasticity and hippocampus-dependent memory formation are damaged. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been reported in many cognitive disorders, but their role in aging-related memory impairment is unclear.Methods: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of circ-Vps41 on aging-related hippocampus-dependent memory impairment and explore the potential mechanisms. Here, D-galactose was used to produce a conventional aging model resulting in memory dysfunction.ResultsCirc-Vps41 was significantly downregulated in D-galactose-induced aging in vitro and in vivo. The overexpression of circ-Vps41 could upregulate synaptophysin (Syp), thereby promoting the synaptic plasticity and alleviating cognitive impairment in aging mice. Mechanistically, we found that circ-Vps41 upregulated Syp expression by physically binding to miR-24-3p. Moreover, the miR-24-3p mimics reversed the circ-Vps41 overexpression-induced increase in Syp expression.DiscussionOverexpression of circ-Vps41 alleviated the synaptic plasticity and memory dysfunction via the miR-24-3p/Syp axis. These findings revealed circ-Vps41 regulatory network and provided new insights into its potential mechanisms for improving aging-related learning and memory impairment.

The occupational and environmental health safety of rare earths has attracted considerable attention. In China, the rare earth neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) is extensively refined and utilized. However, the mechanisms of Nd2O3-induced lung injury are elusive. In the present study, we found that exposure of mice to Nd2O3 caused an inflammatory reaction and fibrosis in lung tissues, which was in relation to the Nd2O3-induced higher levels of the lncRNA H19 (H19), tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFRSF1A), p-p65, and p-IKKβ and lower levels of miR-29a-3p. Further, in mouse monocyte macrophage leukemia cells (RAW264.7), Nd2O3 induced an inflammatory reaction, increases of H19 and TNFRSF1A levels, decreases of miR-29a-3p levels, and activation of the nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathway. Further, we established that miR-29a-3p regulates TNFRSF1A expression. Up-regulation of miR-29a-3p and down-regulation of H19 blocked the Nd2O3-induced secretion of TNF-α, MIP-1α, and IL-6; the increases of TNFRSF1A levels; and activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway in RAW264.7 cells. Further, in Nd2O3-treated RAW26.4 cells, H19 inhibited the expression of miR-29a-3p, which targets TNFRSF1A, and activated the NF-κB signaling pathway to enhance the expression of TNF-α, MIP-1α, and IL-6. Moreover, for mice, up-regulation of miR-29a-3p reversed lung tissue inflammation, pulmonary fibrosis, and activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway induced by Nd2O3. In sum, the present investigation shows that H19 via miR-29a-3p is involved in lung inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis induced by Nd2O3, which is a mechanism for the Nd2O3-induced lung inflammatory response and pulmonary fibrosis. This information is useful for development of a biomarker of Nd2O3-induced lung injury.

With the advent of emerging markets, the need for low-cost innovation to meet the rising demands of people at the base of the pyramid has increased significantly. Although the critical influence of customer participation on new product development has been recognized, there have been few studies on the effects of customer participation on low-cost innovation. This study builds a moderated mediation model and explores the roles of customer participation on low-cost innovation. Based on the exaptation and strategic flexibility theories, the mediating role of exaptation and the moderating role of strategic flexibility are emphasized. A survey of 348 firms revealed that customer participation positively impacted both exaptation and low-cost innovation. In addition, exaptation mediated the correlation between customer participation and low-cost innovation. Resource flexibility negatively moderated the correlation between customer participation and exaptation and negatively moderated the mediating effect of exaptation. Furthermore, coordinate flexibility positively moderated the correlation between customer participation and exaptation and positively moderated the mediating effect of exaptation.

Circular RNA (circRNA) exists extensively and plays essential roles in serving as microRNA (miRNA) or protein sponges and protein scaffolding in many organisms. However, the profiles and potential functions of the virus-encoded circRNA, including human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-encoded circular RNAs, remain unclear. In the present study, HCMV-encoded circRNAs profile in human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HELF) with lytic infection was investigated using RNA deep sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. In total, 629 HCMV-encoded circRNAs were identified with various expression patterns in our results. The full sequences and alternative splicings of circUS12, circUL55, and circUL89 were verified by reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) with divergent primers followed and Sanger sequencing. Transcription of circUL89 was validated by Northern blot. The HCMV-encoded circRNA-miRNA network analyses revealed the potential function of HCMV-encoded circRNAs during HCMV infection in HELFs. Collectively, HCMV infection deduced abundant HCMV-associated circRNAs during infection, and the HCMV-encoded circRNAs might play important roles in benefiting HCMV infection.

Cloning quantitative trait loci (QTL) in crops is often slow and laborious. Here, the authors describe RapMap, a method to rapidly clone multiple QTL based on F2 gradient populations coupled with a co-segregation standard, and show how it can be used to identify genes controlling grain size in rice.

Understanding how plant ecophysiological traits of coexisting species within a community respond to environmental changes could help to predict the shift in plant community structure and function, but it remains limited in the scenarios of co-occurring precipitation variations and N deposition. A two-year field experiment was conducted to explore the effects of large precipitation changes (reduced and increased precipitation amount by 25% and 50% relative to ambient control) and high N deposition (10 g N m−2 yr−1) on a series of leaf ecophysiological traits of three dominant species (Stipa tianschanica, a C3 grass; Cleistogenes squarrosa, a C4 grass; and Artemisia capillaris, a C3 forb) in a desert steppe in Northern China. Increasing precipitation significantly linearly promoted the leaf light-saturated photosynthesis rate (Asat) and N use efficiency of the two C3 species, irrespective of N addition. The rises in Asat of both C3 species were mainly caused by increased soil moisture, which strongly induced increases in leaf stomatal conductance (gs) and declines in quantum yield of photosystem II (ΦPSII). However, the Asat of the two C3 species was weakly correlated with their specific leaf area and leaf N concentration, whereas the Asat of the C4 grass was negatively related to its leaf N. Moreover, the Asat, height, and aboveground biomass of the forbs were much more water-sensitive than those of both grass species, with a consequence of the most dominant species turning from grass to forbs as precipitation increased. Our findings highlight that water limitation, rather than N deficit, is the largest factor controlling plant growth in drylands, and plant species-specific ecophysiological responses to precipitation fluctuations will cause a substantial shift in the production and composition of plant community.

The special-shaped tank dome of a launch vehicle is a large, thin-walled, curved structure that is difficult to form using the conventional center-restraint spinning method. This study proposes a two-step marginal-restraint mandrel-free spinning method for forming large domes. The finite element analysis results indicate that a larger roller fillet radius and larger feed ratios lead to a larger upper convex angle and the minimum thickness value for the bottom contour. This study explored the impact of shape parameter variations on the upper convexity and transition rounding angle on forming accuracy. The results show that the convexity of the bottom of the special-shaped domes increases with a larger roller fillet radius and larger feed ratios while the overall height decreases. The forming accuracy is adversely affected by larger transition rounding angles and smaller upper convexities. For the accurate forming of domes, the mutual coupling influence during two-step forming should be considered, and a suitable process and suitable trajectory compensation parameters must be carefully selected. Finally, the study verified that a two-step marginal-restraint mandrel-free spinning method with a 10 mm roller fillet radius, a 2 mm/r feed ratio, and the corresponding trajectory compensation can achieve the precise forming of 2250 mm thin-walled special-shaped domes.

With the growing demand of oil worldwide, heavy oil has increasingly become vital in the world energy market. However, further development of heavy oil reservoirs are limited by regular enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods. In situ upgrading technology provides potential for the development of heavy oil and bitumen reservoirs. This study reviews three categories of in situ upgrading methods: solvent-based, in situ combustion (ISC), and catalytic. Solvent-based methods, including cyclic solvent injection, vapor extraction, and hybrid processes, have recently received attention and have been progressed in both laboratory and field applications. However, high solvent costs in relation to the low price of heavy oil have continued to limit the field applications of these techniques. ISC, which may have the potential to develop particularly harsh reservoirs with extremely viscous crude oil, involves complex reaction mechanisms and consists of three main steps: oxidation, combustion, and gas flooding. Yet, complex operating conditions and a low success rate have restricted its application. Catalytic methods, which have demonstrated the potential to refine and upgrade crude oil in a more economic and environmentally friendly way, are often accompanied by conventional thermal EOR methods, such as steam flooding and ISC, and involve a series of hydroprocessing or hydrotreating reactions, such as hydrocracking, hydrodesulfurization, hydrodenitrogenation, hydrodeoxygenation, and hydrodemetallization. However, the high cost and complexity of the reaction mechanisms have limited their applications.

Abstract Background How to control the physical damage during maize kernel harvesting is a major problem for both mechanical designers and plant breeders. A limitation of addressing this problem is lacking a reliable method for assessing the relation between kernel damage susceptibility and threshing quality. The design, construction, and testing of a portable tool called “HANDY”, which can assess the resistance to mechanical crushing in maize kernel. HANDY can impact the kernel with a special accelerator at a given rotating speed and then cause measurable damage to the kernel. These factors are varied to determine the ideal parameters for operating the HANDY. Results Breakage index (BI, target index of HANDY), decreased as the moisture content of kernel increased or the rotating speed decreased within the tested range. Furthermore, the HANDY exhibited a greater sensitivity in testing kernels at higher moisture level influence on the susceptibility of damage kernel than that in Breakage Susceptibility tests, particularly when the centrifugation speed is about 1800 r/min and the centrifugal disc type is curved. Considering that the mechanical properties of kernels vary greatly as the moisture content changes, a subsection linear (average goodness of fit is 0.9) to predict the threshing quality is built by piecewise function analysis, which is divided by kernel moisture. Specifically, threshing quality is regarded as a function of the measured result of the HANDY. Five maize cultivars are identified with higher damage resistance among 21 tested candidate varieties. Conclusions The HANDY provides a quantitative assessment of the mechanical crushing resistance of maize kernel. The BI is demonstrated to be a more robust index than breakage susceptibility (BS) when evaluating threshing quality in harvesting in terms of both reliability and accuracy. This study also offers a new perspective for evaluating the mechanical crushing resistance of grains and provides technical support for breeding and screening maize varieties that are suitable for mechanical harvesting.

ObjectiveOperative cholangiography, the gold standard for the diagnosis of biliary atresia (BA), is being challenged due to an increase in the studies of misdiagnosis. A previous study has shown that the laparoscopic hepatic subcapsular spider-like telangiectasis (HSST) sign was accurate for diagnosing BA. This study aims to compare the performance of the HSST sign with cholangiography in the identification of BA.MethodsWe prospectively screened consecutive infants with cholestasis who underwent laparoscopic exploration in this multicenter study. Demographics, intraoperative findings (videos and images), and outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. The data of the HSST sign and cholangiography were compared according to the final diagnosis. Then, the diagnostic accuracy of the BA using the HSST sign and cholangiography was validated in other independent cohorts.ResultsA total of 2,216 patients were enrolled in this study. The sensitivity and negative predictive values were both 100% for diagnosing BA based on the HSST sign and cholangiography. The specificity, negative predictive value, and accuracy of the HSST sign (97.2, 99.2, 99.3%) in discriminating BA were significantly higher than operative cholangiography (81.6, 94.9, 95.8; p < 0.001). Moreover, to realize the early diagnosis of BA, the accuracy of the HSST sign in identifying BA was better than cholangiography in the subgroup of neonates (98.7% vs. 95.0%; p = 0.032). Interestingly, 92 non-BA patients without the HSST sign had positive cholangiography. Among them, 28 infants had negative cholangiography when the common bile duct was compressed and 39 patients displayed visible bile ducts due to repeated postoperative biliary irrigation. The other 25 patients (18 with the Alagille syndrome, 5 with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis, and 2 with the neonatal hepatitis syndrome) had consistently positive cholangiography. In the independent validation cohort, the diagnostic accuracy of the HSST sign (99.2%) was higher than cholangiography (95.0%, p = 0.012).ConclusionThe laparoscopic HSST sign is superior to cholangiography in the diagnosis of BA in the infants with cholestasis and has advantages in early diagnosis. This method is expected to become a novel shift for diagnosing BA during ongoing laparoscopy.

The quad tilt rotor (QTR) has the problem of manipulation redundancy due to the helicopter and fixed-wing manipulation mechanisms. Solving the problem of manipulation redundancy and develop an effective manipulation strategy is critical for QTR during conversion flight. A novel manipulation strategy based on states of QTR is proposed in this paper to solve the problem of manipulation redundancy in conversion mode. The longitude is controlled by the tilt angle of nacelle in helicopter mode and the course is controlled by the speed error of propellers in fixed-wing mode. The Active Disturbance Rejection Control (ADRC) is adopt into the flight control law, which can observe and compensate for internal and external disturbance. The simulation and flight test are carried out to verify the proposed manipulation strategy and the results show that the proposed manipulation strategy is effective and reasonable.