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Abstract The neocortex varies in size and complexity among mammals due to the tremendous variability in the number and diversity of neuronal subtypes across species. The increased cellular diversity is paralleled by the expansion of the pool of neocortical progenitors and the emergence of indirect neurogenesis during brain evolution. The molecular pathways that control these biological processes and are disrupted in neurological disorders remain largely unknown. Here we show that the transcription factors BRN1 and BRN2 have an evolutionary conserved function in neocortical progenitors to control their proliferative capacity and the switch from direct to indirect neurogenesis. Functional studies in mice and ferrets show that BRN1/2 act in concert with NOTCH and primary microcephaly genes to regulate progenitor behavior. Analysis of transcriptomics data from genetically modified macaques provides evidence that these molecular pathways are conserved in non-human primates. Our findings thus demonstrate that BRN1/2 are central regulators of gene expression programs in neocortical progenitors critical to determine brain size during evolution.

Abstract Assembling graphene sheets into macroscopic fibers with graphitic layers uniaxially aligned along the fiber axis is of both fundamental and technological importance. However, the optimal performance of graphene-based fibers has been far lower than what is expected based on the properties of individual graphene. Here we show that both mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of graphene-based fibers can be significantly improved if bridges are created between graphene edges through covalent conjugating aromatic amide bonds. The improved electrical conductivity is likely due to extended electron conjugation over the aromatic amide bridged graphene sheets. The larger sheets also result in improved π-π stacking, which, along with the robust aromatic amide linkage, provides high mechanical strength. In our experiments, graphene edges were bridged using the established wet-spinning technique in the presence of an aromatic amine linker, which selectively reacts to carboxyl groups at the graphene edge sites. This technique is already industrial and can be easily upscaled. Our methodology thus paves the way to the fabrication of high-performance macroscopic graphene fibers under optimal techno-economic and ecological conditions.

Abstract Background Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a prevalent cancer with a poor survival rate due to anatomical limitations of the head and a lack of reliable biomarkers. Cuproptosis represents a novel cellular regulated death pathway, and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most common internal RNA modification in mRNA. They are intricately connected to tumor formation, progression, and prognosis. This study aimed to construct a risk model for HNSCC using a set of mRNAs associated with m6A regulators and cuproptosis genes (mcrmRNA). Methods RNA-seq and clinical data of HNSCC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were analyzed to develop a risk model through the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analysis. Survival analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were performed for the high- and low-risk groups. Additionally, the model was validated using the GSE41613 dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. GSEA and CIBERSORT were applied to investigate the immune microenvironment of HNSCC. Results A risk model consisting of 32 mcrmRNA was developed using the LASSO analysis. The risk score of patients was confirmed to be an independent prognostic indicator by multivariate Cox analysis. The high-risk group exhibited a higher tumor mutation burden. Additionally, CIBERSORT analysis indicated varying levels of immune cell infiltration between the two groups. Significant disparities in drug sensitivity to common medications were also observed. Enrichment analysis further unveiled significant differences in metabolic pathways and RNA processing between the two groups. Conclusions Our risk model can predict outcomes for HNSCC patients and offers valuable insights for personalized therapeutic approaches.

The ever-expanding inverter-based microgrids (MGs) require the grid-forming distributed renewable energy resources (DERs) to enhance the system safety. However, the different types of grid-forming DERs are prone to have transient conflicts with each other under short circuit faults, leading to unexpected outage or even system collapse. The fast response and poor overcurrent capability of DERs make transient coordination a challenge. This paper proposes a dynamic master–slave architecture for transient coordination control in islanded MGs under asymmetric faults. A dynamic reconfigurable voltage reference unit (DVRU) is designed according to the real faults. In this manner, the other DERs could comply with this DVRU to achieve both system voltage support, inrush current restraining, and power oscillation suppression. It is action signals instead of phase signals need to be transferred by the communication bus with the proposed local fault current differential time delay method (FCDDM). Thus, the low-bandwidth and the enhanced robust communication could be met under transient state. Additionally, the feasibility of the proposed method to combined with relay protection is analyzed. Finally, case study results on islanded MGs consisting of various grid-forming and grid-following DERs demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method under short circuit faults as well as communication failures.

Coherent plane-wave compounding (CPWC) has attracted significant attention in preclinical research and clinical diagnosis. However, a trade-off exists in CPWC between the image quality and frame rate. Null subtraction imaging (NSI), as a novel beamforming method, can realize high-quality imaging with enhanced lateral resolution and suppressed grating lobes. This study explores NSI to reduce the number of emissions while preserving the imaging quality. The performance of the proposed method is assessed using the Plane-Wave Imaging Challenge in Medical Ultrasound datasets, including phantom and in vivo datasets. The results verify the potential of NSI in terms of frame rate improvement compared to the conventional delay and sum beamforming method. NSI with 5 and 15 plane-wave emissions is evaluated. For example, for the experimental phantom datasets, NSI with 15 plane-wave emissions improves the lateral full-width at half maximum by 0.10 in comparison to DAS with 75 plane-wave emissions. Moreover, the corresponding contrast ratio and generalized contrast-to-noise ratio increase from 25.11 to 31.19 dB and 0.63 to 0.68, respectively, indicating contrast improvement. Thus, compared to DAS with 75 plane-wave emissions, the proposed method accelerates data acquisition by a factor of 5, resulting in remarkable frame rate improvement.

Gut microbiota has been implicated in the initiation and progression of various diseases; however, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive and effective therapeutic strategies are scarce. In this study, we investigated the role and mechanisms of gut microbiota in TNBS-induced colitis and its associated kidney injury while evaluating the potential of dietary protein as a therapeutic intervention. The intrarectal administration of TNBS induced colitis in mice, concurrently with kidney damage. Interestingly, this effect was absent when TNBS was administered intraperitoneally, indicating a potential role of gut microbiota. Depletion of gut bacteria with antibiotics significantly attenuated the severity of TNBS-induced inflammation, oxidative damage, and tissue injury in the colon and kidneys. Mechanistic investigations using cultured colon epithelial cells and bone-marrow macrophages unveiled that TNBS induced cell oxidation, inflammation and injury, which was amplified by the bacterial component LPS and mitigated by thiol antioxidants. Importantly, in vivo administration of thiol-rich whey protein entirely prevented TNBS-induced colonic and kidney injury. Our findings suggest that gut bacteria significantly contribute to the initiation and progression of colitis and associated kidney injury, potentially through mechanisms involving LPS-induced exaggeration of oxidative cellular damage. Furthermore, our research highlights the potential of dietary thiol antioxidants as preventive and therapeutic interventions.

Bridges, as vital infrastructure, require ongoing monitoring to maintain safety and functionality. This study introduces an innovative algorithm that refines bridge component performance assessment through the integration of modified K-means clustering, silhouette coefficient optimization, and cloud model theory. The purpose is to provide a reliable method for monitoring the safety and serviceability of critical infrastructure, particularly double-layer truss arch bridges. The algorithm processes large datasets to identify patterns and manage uncertainties in structural health monitoring (SHM). It includes field monitoring techniques and a model-driven approach for establishing assessment thresholds. The main findings, validated by case studies, show the algorithm’s effectiveness in enhancing clustering quality and accurately evaluating bridge performance using multiple indicators, such as statistical significance, cluster centroids, average silhouette coefficient, Davies–Bouldin index, average deviation, and Sign-Rank test p-values. The conclusions highlight the algorithm’s utility in assessing structural integrity and aiding data-driven maintenance decisions, offering scientific support for bridge preservation efforts.

Abstract The integrated energy system leverages advanced information, communication, and control technology to integrate various energy subsystems, including electricity, heat, and gas, to achieve efficient and coordinated operation of the entire energy system. The integrated energy system further forms an integrated energy cyber physical system (IECPS) through resonant coupling between cyber and physical systems. However, integrating multiple energy subsystems and the deep coupling of cyber and physical procedures in the IECPS increases the risk of cyberattacks, necessitating enhanced cybersecurity measures. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the cyber‐physical coupling modelling, security performance evaluation, attack and defence methods, and operation and recovery strategies of IECPS in response to cybersecurity threats. The coupling modelling of cyber and physical systems is discussed, followed by an evaluation of security performance of IECPS. Next, a range of attack and defence methods and effective IECPS operation and recovery strategies are presented. At last, the future research direction of IECPS cybersecurity is pointed out.

Abstract Background Histone methyltransferases are crucial regulators in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) development. This study explored the mechanism of histone methyltransferase SET domain containing 1A (SETD1A)‐mediated H3K4me2 methylation in NSCLC cell ferroptosis and provides novel targets for NSCLC treatment. Methods Upon downregulation of SETD1A in NSCLC cell lines, cell proliferation potential, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) activities, iron content, and SETD1A, long noncoding RNA HOXC cluster antisense RNA 3 (lncRNA HOXC‐AS3), E1A binding protein p300 (EP300), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) expressions were determined via cell counting kit‐8, ELISA, iron assay kits, RT‐qPCR, and western blot. Enrichment levels of SETD1A and H3K4me3 in the HOXC‐AS3 promotor were measured via chromatin immunoprecipitation, and the binding of HOXC‐AS3 and EP300 was analyzed via RNA immunoprecipitation. Rescue experiments were performed to confirm their roles in NSCLC cell ferroptosis. Xenograft tumor models were established to validate the role of SETD1A in vivo. Results SETD1A, H3K4me3, HOXC‐AS3, and EP300 were highly‐expressed in NSCLC cells. Silencing SETD1A inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation, increased MDA and iron levels, and decreased SOD, GSH, and GPX4 levels. SETD1A downregulation reduced H3K4me3 level, HOXC‐AS3 expression, the binding of HOXC‐AS3 to EP300, and EP300 stability. Overexpression of HOXC‐AS3 or EP300 reversed the promotion of silencing SETD1A on NSCLC cell ferroptosis. Silencing SETD1A reduced tumor volume and weight and positive rate of ki67 and increased ferroptosis through the HOXC‐AS3/EP300 axis. Conclusion SETD1A‐mediated H3K4me2 methylation promoted HOXC‐AS3 expression, binding of HOXC‐AS3 to EP300, and EP300 stability, thereby suppressing NSCLC cell ferroptosis.

Abstract Smart grids are typically modelled as cyber–physical power systems, with limited consideration given to the social aspects. Specifically, traditional power system studies tend to overlook the behaviour of stakeholders, such as end‐users. However, the impact of end‐users and their behaviour on power system operation and response to disturbances is significant, particularly with respect to demand response and distributed energy resources. Therefore, it is essential to plan and operate smart grids by taking into account both the technical and social aspects, given the crucial role of active and passive end‐users, as well as the intermittency of renewable energy sources. In order to optimize system efficiency, reliability, and resilience, it is important to consider the level of cooperation, flexibility, and other social features of various stakeholders, including consumers, prosumers, and microgrids. This article aims to address the gaps and challenges associated with modelling social behaviour in power systems, as well as the human‐centred approach for future development and validation of socio‐technical power system models. As the cyber–physical–social system of energy emerges as an important topic, it is imperative to adopt a human‐centred approach in this domain. Considering the significance of computational social science for power system applications, this article proposes a list of research topics that must be addressed to improve the reliability and resilience of power systems in terms of both operation and planning. Solving these problems could have far‐reaching implications for power systems, energy markets, community usage, and energy strategies.

Abstract Cancer therapy resistance is the main cause of cancer treatment failure. The mechanism of therapy resistance is a hot topic in epigenetics. As one of the most common RNA modifications, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is involved in various processes of RNA metabolism, such as stability, splicing, transcription, translation, and degradation. A large number of studies have shown that m6A RNA methylation regulates the proliferation and invasion of cancer cells, but the role of m6A in cancer therapy resistance is unclear. In this review, we summarized the research progress related to the role of m6A in regulating therapy resistance in cancers.

ObjectiveThis systematic review was performed to identify the role of cognitive reserve (CR) proxies in the functional outcome and mortality prognostication of patients after acute ischemic stroke.MethodsPubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were comprehensively searched by two independent reviewers from their inception to 31 August 2022, with no restrictions on language. The reference lists of reviews or included articles were also searched. Cohort studies with a follow-up period of ≥3 months identifying the association between CR indicators and the post-stroke functional outcome and mortality were included. The outcome records for patients with hemorrhage and ischemic stroke not reported separately were excluded. The Quality In Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) tool was used to assess the quality of included studies.ResultsOur search yielded 28 studies (n = 1,14,212) between 2004 and 2022, of which 14 were prospective cohort studies and 14 were retrospective cohort studies. The follow-up period ranged from 3 months to 36 years, and the mean or median age varied from 39.6 to 77.2 years. Of the 28 studies, 15 studies used the functional outcome as their primary outcome interest, and 11 of the 28 studies included the end-point interest of mortality after ischemic stroke. In addition, two of the 28 studies focused on the interest of functional outcomes and mortality. Among the included studies, CR proxies were measured by education, income, occupation, premorbid intelligence quotient, bilingualism, and socioeconomic status, respectively. The quality of the review studies was affected by low to high risk of bias.ConclusionBased on the current literature, patients with ischemic stroke with higher CR proxies may have a lower risk of adverse outcomes. Further prospective studies involving a combination of CR proxies and residuals of fMRI measurements are warranted to determine the contribution of CR to the adverse outcome of ischemic stroke.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO, identifier CRD42022332810, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/.

ObjectiveBy studying the changes of serum uric acid (SUA) in acute stage and remission stage of gouty arthritis, we aimed to explore the relationship between the changes of SUA level and free glucocorticoids and inflammatory factors.MethodsA prospective, longitudinal study was conducted on 50 acute gout patients in the dedicated gout clinic of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. Blood and 24-hour urine samples were collected during the acute phase and two weeks after the initial visit. Patients with acute gouty arthritis were treated primarily with colchicine and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.ResultsA total of 32 patients completed the two-week follow-up trial. SUA levels were significantly downregulated during the acute flare than after the flare (464.14 ± 90.97 vs. 527.36 ± 86.90 μmol/L, p < 0.001). The 24-hour fractional excretion of uric acid (24 h FEur) (5.54 ± 2.82% vs. 4.68 ± 2.83%, p < 0.001) and 24-hour urinary uric acid excretion (24 h Uur) (663.08 ± 249.48 μmol/L vs. 540.87 ± 263.18 μmol/L, p = 0.001) increased significantly in patients during the acute phase. The percent change in SUA was associated with those in 24 h FEur and C-reactive protein. Meanwhile, the percent change in 24 h Uur was associated with those in 24-hour urinary free cortisol, percent change in interleukin 1β and interleukin 6.ConclusionDecreased SUA level during the acute gout flare was associated with increased excretion of urinary uric acid. Inflammatory factors and bioactive free glucocorticoids may play significant roles in this process.

PurposeTo compare the changes in anatomical structure and visual function after idiopathic macular hole (iMH) treatment with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling and inverted ILM flap and determine the value of the inverted ILM flap for the treatment of iMH.MethodsForty-nine patients with iMH (49 eyes) were included in this study and followed up for 1 year (12 months) after treatment with inverted ILM flap and ILM peeling respectively. The main foveal parameters assessed included the preoperative minimum diameter (MD), intraoperative residual fragments, and postoperative ELM reconstruction. Visual function was assessed using best-corrected visual acuity.ResultsThe hole closure rate was 100% for 49 patients; 15 patients were treated with the inverted ILM flap, and 34 patients underwent ILM peeling. There were no differences between the postoperative best-corrected visual acuities and the rates of ELM reconstruction for the flap and peeling groups with different MDs. In the flap group, ELM reconstruction was associated with the preoperative MD, presence of an ILM flap, and hyperreflective changes in the inner retina 1 month after surgery. In the peeling group, ELM reconstruction was associated with the preoperative MD, intraoperative residual fragments at the hole edge, and hyperreflective changes in the inner retina.ConclusionThe inverted ILM flap and the ILM Peeling were both able to obtain high closure rate. However, the inverted ILM flap showed no obvious advantages related to anatomical morphology and visual function over ILM peeling.

The Kerr nonlinearity in two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials is emerging as an appealing and intriguing research area due to their prominent light processing, modulation, and manipulation abilities. In this contribution, 2D black arsenic-phosphorus (B-AsP) nanosheets (NSs) were applied in nonlinear photonic devices based on spatial self-phase modulation (SSPM) method. By applying the Kerr nonlinearity in 2D B-AsP, an all-optical phase-modulated system is proposed to realize the functions of “on” and “off” in all-optical switching. By using the same all-optical phase-modulated system, another optical logic gate is proposed, and the logical “or” function is obtained based on the 2D B-AsP NSs dispersions. Moreover, by using the SSPM method, a 2D B-AsP/SnS2 hybrid structure is fabricated, and the result illustrates that the hybrid structure possesses the ability of the unidirectional nonlinear excitation, which helps in obtaining the function of spatial asymmetric light propagation. This function is considered an important prerequisite for the realization of diode functionalization, which is believed to be a factor in important basis for the design of isolators as well. The initial investigations indicate that 2D B-AsP is applicable for designing optical logical devices, which can be considered as an important development in all-optical information processing.

Unpaired single-image dehazing has become a challenging research hotspot due to its wide application in modern transportation, remote sensing, and intelligent surveillance, among other applications. Recently, CycleGAN-based approaches have been popularly adopted in single-image dehazing as the foundations of unpaired unsupervised training. However, there are still deficiencies with these approaches, such as obvious artificial recovery traces and the distortion of image processing results. This paper proposes a novel enhanced CycleGAN network with an adaptive dark channel prior for unpaired single-image dehazing. First, a Wave-Vit semantic segmentation model is utilized to achieve the adaption of the dark channel prior (DCP) to accurately recover the transmittance and atmospheric light. Then, the scattering coefficient derived from both physical calculations and random sampling means is utilized to optimize the rehazing process. Bridged by the atmospheric scattering model, the dehazing/rehazing cycle branches are successfully combined to form an enhanced CycleGAN framework. Finally, experiments are conducted on reference/no-reference datasets. The proposed model achieved an SSIM of 94.9% and a PSNR of 26.95 on the SOTS-outdoor dataset and obtained an SSIM of 84.71% and a PSNR of 22.72 on the O-HAZE dataset. The proposed model significantly outperforms typical existing algorithms in both objective quantitative evaluation and subjective visual effect.

Reduction in river discharge and sediment load has left deltaic lobes in the world’s many river deltas starving, but knowledge of how the subaqueous topography of these abandoned subdeltas responds to environmental changes is limited. In this study, we aimed to determine the long-term dynamics of the subaqueous seabed of abandoned delta lobes to advance current knowledge. As a case study, we selected an abandoned subdelta on the Yellow River Delta of the Bohai Sea, China, for which three-decade long (1984–2017) bathymetric data and long-term river discharge and sediment load records are available. We analyzed the seafloor surface change and quantified the void space from the sea water surface to the seafloor. In addition, we surveyed the seafloor surface with an M80 unmanned surface vehicle carrying a multibeam echo sounder system (MBES) in 2019 to obtain high-resolution microtopography information. We found that a net volume of 5.3 × 108 m3 of sediment was eroded from the study seabed within an area of 3.6 × 108 m2 during 1984–2017. This volumetric quantity is equivalent to 6.89 billion metric tons of sediment, assuming a bulk density of 1.3 t/m3 for the seabed sediment. The seabed erosion from 0 to −5 m, from −5 to −10 m, and below −10 m has showed a similar increasing trend over the past 33 years. These findings suggest that seabed erosion in this abandoned subdelta will very likely continue, and that other abandoned delta lobes in the world may have been experiencing similar seabed erosion due to the interruption of the sediment supply and sea level rise. It is not clear if the seabed erosion of abandoned delta lobes would have any effect on the stability of the coastal shoreline and continental shelf.

BackgroundRemarkable evidence indicates that psychological stress is significantly associated with stroke. However, a uniform recommendation to identify and alleviate poststroke psychological stress responses and improve postmorbid outcomes is not currently available. Thus, this systematic review aimed to summarize the types of poststroke psychological stress, measurement tools, contributing factors, and outcomes.MethodsThis systematic review was undertaken in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI, WanFangData, and CQVIP from database inception to November 2021. Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies were included in this research. Quality assessment was performed based on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies.ResultsEighteen quantitative, peer-reviewed studies were included for analysis. Selected articles mainly investigated perceived stress and posttraumatic stress disorder after stroke. We classified the contributing factors into four categories: sociodemographic factors, clinical disease factors, psychological factors, and behavioral and lifestyle factors. The postmorbid outcomes were divided into three categories: clinical disease outcomes, psychological outcomes, and behavioral and quality of life outcomes.ConclusionsCompared to common patients, stroke survivors with the following characteristics suffered an increased psychological stress response: younger age, the presence of caregivers, depression, unsuitable coping strategies, etc. Meanwhile, lower quality of life, worse drug compliance, worse functional independence, and more severe mental disorders were significantly associated with increased psychological stress symptoms. Further studies are required to provide more trustworthy and meaningful references for mitigating the damage caused by psychological stress after stroke.

Abstract Studies have greatly explored the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CI/RI). But the specific mechanism of miR-326-5p in CI/RI is still elusive. Hence, this study was to unmask the mechanism of miR-326-5p/signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) axis in CI/RI. Two models (oxygen and glucose deprivation [OGD] in primary rat cortical neurons and middle cerebral artery occlusion [MCAO] in Sprague–Dawley rats) were established to mimic CI/RI in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Loss- and gain-of function assays were performed with OGD-treated neurons and with MCAO rats. Afterward, viability, apoptosis, oxidative stress and mitochondrial membrane potential in OGD-treated neurons were tested, as well as pathological changes, apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential in brain tissues of MCAO rats. Mitofusin-2 (Mfn2), miR-326-5p and STAT3 expression in OGD-treated neurons and in brain tissues of MCAO rats were detected. Mfn2 and miR-326-5p were reduced, and STAT3 was elevated in OGD-treated neurons and brain tissues of MCAO rats. miR-326-5p targeted and negatively regulated STAT3 expression. Restoring miR-326-5p or reducing STAT3 reinforced viability, inhibited apoptosis and oxidative stress, increased mitochondrial membrane potential and increased Mfn2 expression in OGD-treated neurons. Up-regulating miR-326-5p or down-regulating STAT3 relieved pathological changes, inhibited apoptosis and elevated mitochondrial membrane potential and Mfn2 expression in brain tissues of rats with MCAO. This study elucidates that up-regulated miR-326-5p or down-regulated STAT3 protects against CI/RI by elevating Mfn2 expression.

Abstract Background Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) Linc00337 has been implicated in lung, gastric, colorectal and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression via various mechanisms; however, its clinicopathological significance and role in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) progression remains largely unknown. Methods Multiple approaches such as bioinformatic analysis, Transfection, quantitative real-time-PCR, Western blotting, animal studies, RNA-immunoprecipitation (RIP), RNA-pulldown and RNA-Fluorescence in situ hybridization (RNA-FISH) and were utilized to explore the role of Linc00337 in PDAC. Results Here we identified Linc00337 is an oncogenic lncRNA during PDAC progression. We found that the expression of Linc00337 is elevated in PDAC tissues and the higher Linc00337 predicts dismal prognosis. Functionally, Linc00337 promotes PDAC cell proliferation and cell cycle transition both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, Linc00337 binds to E2F1 and functions as an E2F1 coactivator to trigger the targets expression during PDAC progression. Conclusion Our results demonstrate a reciprocal regulation mechanism between Linc00337 and E2F1 in PDAC progression and report the clinical value of Linc00337 for PDAC prognosis and treatment.

The flow characteristics of reactor fuel assembly always intrigue the designers and the experimentalists among the myriad phenomena that occur simultaneously in a nuclear core. In this work, the visual experimental method has been developed on the basis of refraction index matching (RIM) and particle image velocimetry (PIV) techniques to investigate the detailed flow characteristics in China fast reactor fuel subassembly. A 7-rod bundle of simulated fuel subassembly was fabricated for fine examination of flow characteristics in different subchannels. The experiments were performed at condition of Re = 6500 (axial bulk velocity 1.6 m/s) and the fluid medium was maintained at 30 °C and 1.0 bar during operation. As for results, axial and lateral flow features were observed. It is shown that the spiral wire has an inhibitory effect on axial flow and significant intensity of lateral flow mixing effect is induced by the wire. The root mean square (RMS) of lateral velocity fluctuation was acquired after data processing, which indicates the strong turbulence characteristics in different flow subchannels. Keywords: Lateral flow mixing strength, PIV measurement, Flow characteristics analysis, China fast reactor fuel subassembly

Direct synthesis of large area crystalline black phosphorus films is still challenging. Here, the authors report growth of high-quality black phosphorus films on insulating silicon substrates through a gas-phase epitaxial growth strategy with field-effect and Hall mobilities of over 1200 and 1400 cm2 /Vs at room temperature, respectively and a current on/off ratio of up to 106, comparable to the exfoliated flakes.

Power grids include entities such as home-microgrids (H-MGs), consumers, and retailers, each of which has a unique and sometimes contradictory objective compared with others while exchanging electricity and heat with other H-MGs. Therefore, there is the need for a smart structure to handle the new situation. This paper proposes a bilevel hierarchical structure for designing and planning distributed energy resources (DERs) and energy storage in H-MGs by considering the demand response (DR). In general, the upper-level structure is based on H-MG generation competition to maximize their individual and/or group income in the process of forming a coalition with other H-MGs. The upper-level problem is decomposed into a set of low-level market clearing problems. Both electricity and heat markets are simultaneously modeled in this paper. DERs, including wind turbines (WTs), combined heat and power (CHP) systems, electric boilers (EBs), electric heat pumps (EHPs), and electric energy storage systems, participate in the electricity markets. In addition, CHP systems, gas boilers (GBs), EBs, EHPs, solar thermal panels, and thermal energy storage systems participate in the heat market. Results show that the formation of a coalition among H-MGs present in one grid will not only have a significant effect on programming and regulating the value of the power generated by the generation resources, but also impact the demand consumption and behavior of consumers participating in the DR program with a cheaper market clearing price.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to screen active components and molecular targets of nine prescriptions recommended by the National Health Commission (NHC) of China by network pharmacology, and to explore the potential mechanism of the core active components against COVID-19 with molecular docking.MethodsDifferentially expressed genes of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) screened by edgeR analysis were overlapped with immune-related genes in MMPORT and COVID-19-related genes in GeneCards. The overlapped genes were also COVID-19 immune-related genes in LUAD. TCMSP platform was used to identify active ingredients of the prescription, potential targets were identified by the UniProt database, and the cross genes with COVID-19 immune-related genes in LUAD were used to construct a Chinese Medicine-Logy-immune target network. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed on the target genes of each prescription. Finally, the key active components were selected for molecular docking simulation with ACE2.ResultsWe obtained 15 overlapping immunization target genes from FPQXZ, HSYFZ, HSZFZ, and QFPDT, 16 overlapping immunization target genes from QYLFZ, SDYFZ, SRYFZ, and YDBFZ, and 17 overlapping immunization target genes from QYLXZ. ADRB2, FOS, HMOX1, ICAM1, IL6, JUN, NFKBIA, and STAT1 also had the highest-ranked therapeutic targets for 9 prescriptions, and their expressions were positively correlated with TME-related stromal score, immune score, and ESTIMATE score. Among 9 compounds with the highest frequency of occurrence in the 9 prescriptions, baicalein had the highest ACE2 binding affinity and can be well-combined into the active pocket of ACE2 It is stabilized by forming hydrogen bonds with ASN290 and ILE291 in ACE2 and hydrophobic interaction with PHE438, ILE291, and PRO415.ConclusionThe nine Chinese medicine prescriptions may play an anti-SARS-CoV-2 role via regulating viral transcription and immune function through multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway.

Deltaic channels are significant landforms at the interface of sediment transfer from land to oceanic realms. Understanding the dynamics of these channels is urgent because delta processes are sensitive to climate change and adjustments in human activity. To obtain a better understanding of the morphological processes of large deltaic channels, this study assessed the evolution and response mechanism of the South Channel and South Passage (SCSP) in the Yangtze Estuary between 1983 to 2018 using hydrology, multibeam echo sounding and historical bathymetry datasets. Decadal changes in riverbed volume and erosion/deposition patterns in the SCSP were assessed. The results showed that the SCSP experienced substantial deposition with a total volume of 26.90 × 107 m3 during 1983–2002, but significant bed erosion with a total volume of 26.04 ×107 m3 during 2003–2010. From 2011 to 2018, the estuarine riverbeds shifted from erosive to depositional, even though the deposition was relatively marginal (0.76 ×107 m3). We inferred that the SCSP have most likely changed from a net erosion phase to a deposition stage in response to local human activities including sand mining, river regulation project, and Deep Water Channel Regulation Project). The channel aggradation will possibly continue considering sea level rise and the ongoing anthropogenic impacts. This is the first field evidence reporting that the lowermost Yangtze River is reaching an equilibrium state in terms of channel erosion and, in fact, the Yangtze River Estuary channels are beginning to aggrade. The findings have relevant implications for the management of the Yangtze River and other lowland alluvial rivers in the world as global sea level continues rising and human intervention on estuarine systems persists.

Thrust disk as auxiliary impeller has a vital effect on the big power pump unit with wet motor. It can balance the axial force of the unit, provide power for internal cooling circulation circuit of motor, and further reduce the axial length of the unit. Due to the motor chamber space is limited, and the transmission medium is liquid which needs to consider the effect of cavitation, the research of thrust disk of auxiliary impeller is different from the previous studies of rotating channel. In this paper, the hydraulic performance and cavitation characteristics of thrust disk as auxiliary impeller are investigated experimentally under different conditions. A thrust disk test rig was established to obtain data under different rotation speeds and flow points. Three types of volutes with different outlet angles were designed to match the thrust disk as auxiliary impeller in experiments. Results indicate that the law of speed proportion for the traditional centrifugal pump is not applicable to the head of thrust disk as auxiliary impeller. In addition, the flow coverage increases slightly with rotation speed. Furthermore, the higher the speed is, the larger the NPSH s is, and the narrower the range of NPSH is. Besides, the smaller the outlet angle is, the higher the head of the thrust disk as auxiliary impeller is, the worse anti-cavitation performance is. The research could provide reference and guidance for the design of thrust disk as auxiliary impeller.

Supercapacitors that exhibit flexibility and deformability are attractive for wearable devices; however achieving high energy density remains challenging. Here the authors report a non-woven fabric based on black phosphorus and carbon nanotubes for use in a supercapacitor with notable performance.

Abstract Terahertz (THz) photon detection is of particular appealing for myriad applications, but it still lags behind efficient manipulation with electronics and photonics due to the lack of a suitable principle satisfying both high sensitivity and fast response at room temperature. Here, a new strategy is proposed to overcome these limitations by exploring the photothermoelectric (PTE) effect in an ultrashort (down to 30 nm) channel with black phosphorus as a photoactive material. The preferential flow of hot carriers is enabled by the asymmetric Cr/Au and Ti/Au metallization with the titled‐angle evaporation technique. Most intriguingly, orders of magnitude field‐enhancement beyond the skin‐depth limit and photon absorption across a broadband frequency can be achieved. The PTE detector has excellent sensitivity of 297 V W−1, noise equivalent power less than 58 pW/Hz0.5, and response time below 0.8 ms, which is superior to other thermal‐based detectors at room temperature. A rigorous comparison with existing THz detectors, together with verification by further optical‐pumping and imaging experiments, substantiates the importance of the localized field effect in the skin‐depth limit. The results allow solid understanding on the role of PTE effect played in the THz photoresponse, opening up new opportunities for developing highly sensitive THz detectors for addressing targeted applications.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory disorder of gastro-intestinal tract, lacking effective drug targets and medications. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a phenolic constituent derived from propolis, has been reported to be a potential therapeutic agent for IBD with low water solubility and poor bioavailability. In this study, we synthesized a new CAPE derivative (FA-97) and aimed to investigate the effect of FA-97 on DSS-induced colitis. Here, we found that FA-97 attenuated body weight loss, colon length shortening and colonic pathological damage in colitis mice, as well as inhibited inflammatory cell infiltration and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in colons. In addition, FA-97 reduced ROS production and MDA generation, while total antioxidant capacity both in DSS-induced colitis mice and LPS-stimulated primary BMDMs and RAW 264.7 cells were enhanced. Mechanically, FA-97 activated Nrf2 followed by increased HO-1 and NQO-1 and down-regulated nuclear levels of p65 and c-Jun, to suppress DSS-induced colonic oxidative stress. Moreover, FA-97 decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and increased the antioxidant defenses in RAW 264.7 via Nrf2 activation. In general, this study reveals that FA-97 activates Nrf2/HO-1 pathway to eventually alleviate DSS-induced colitis against oxidative stress, which has potential activity and may serve as a candidate for IBD therapy.

Accumulating evidence highlights the important role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in a large number of biological processes. However, the knowledge of genome scale expression of lncRNAs and their potential biological function in gastric cancer is still lacking. Using RNA-seq data from 420 gastric cancer patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we identified 1,294 lncRNAs differentially expressed in gastric cancer compared with adjacent normal tissues. We also found 247 lncRNAs differentially expressed between intestinal subtype and diffuse subtype. Survival analysis revealed 33 lncRNAs independently associated with patient overall survival, of which 6 lncRNAs were validated in the internal validation set. There were 181 differentially expressed lncRNAs located in the recurrent somatic copy number alterations (SCNAs) regions and their correlations between copy number and RNA expression level were also analyzed. In addition, we inferred the function of lncRNAs by construction of a co-expression network for mRNAs and lncRNAs. Together, this study presented an integrative analysis of lncRNAs in gastric cancer and provided a valuable resource for further functional research of lncRNAs in gastric cancer.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is always accompanied by adverse fetal outcomes such as malfunctions of respiration. Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) plays a critical role in the homeostasis of bile acids. Thus, we are determined to explore the effects of farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and five bile acids on respiratory rhythm generation and modulation of neonatal rats. Spontaneous periodic respiratory-related rhythmical discharge activity (RRDA) was recorded from hypoglossal nerves during the perfusion of modified Krebs solution. Group 1-6 was each given GW4064 and five bile acids of chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), deoxycholic acid (DCA), lithocholic acid (LCA), cholic acid (CA) as well as ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) at different concentrations to identify their specific functions on respiratory rhythm modulations. Group 7 was applied to receive FXR blocker Z-guggulsterone and Z-guggulsterone with the above bile acids separately to explore the role of FXR in the respiratory rhythm modulation. Group 8 was given dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as controls. Apart from UDCA, CDCA, DCA LCA and CA all exerted effects on RRDA recorded from hypoglossal nerves in a concentration-dependent manner. Respiratory cycle (RC), Inspiratory time (TI), Expiratory Time (TE) and Integral Amplitude (IA) were influenced and such effects could be reversed by Z-guggulsterone. FXR may contribute to the effects on the modulation of respiratory rhythm exerted by bile acids.

In this paper, the effect of low energy irradiation on mono-layer graphene was studied. Mono-layer graphene films were irradiated with B, N and F ions at different energy and fluence. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicates that foreign ions implanted at ion energies below 35 eV could dope into the graphene lattice and form new chemical bonds with carbon atoms. The results of Raman measurement indicate that ion beam irradiation causes defects and disorder to the graphene crystal structure, and the level of defects increases with increasing of ion energy and fluence. Surface morphology images also prove that ion beam irradiation creates damages to graphene film. The experiment results suggest that low-energy irradiation with energies of about 30 eV and fluences up to 5·1014 cm−2 could realize small amount of doping, while introducing weak damage to graphene. Low energy ion beam irradiation, provides a promising approach for controlled doping of graphene.