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Abstract Reactive capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) offers an electrified pathway to produce renewable carbon monoxide (CO), which can then be upgraded into long-chain hydrocarbons and fuels. Previous reactive capture systems relied on hydroxide- or amine-based capture solutions. However, selectivity for CO remains low (

Abstract Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common and prevalent cancers in men worldwide. The majority of PCa-related deaths result from metastasis rather than primary tumors. Several studies have focused on the relationship between male-specific genes encoded on the Y chromosome and PCa metastasis; however, the relationship between the male specific protein encoded on the Y chromosome and tumor suppression has not been fully clarified. Here, we report a male specific protein of this type, the histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) demethylase JARID1D, which has the ability to inhibit the gene expression program related to cell invasion, and can thus form a phenotype that inhibits the invasion of PCa cells. However, JARID1D exhibits low expression level in advanced PCa, and which is related to rapid invasion and metastasis in patients with PCa. Curcumin, as a multi-target drug, can enhance the expression and demethylation activity of JARID1D, affect the androgen receptor (AR) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signaling cascade, and inhibit the metastatic potential of castration resistant cancer (CRPC). These findings suggest that using curcumin to increase the expression and demethylation activity of JARID1D may be a feasible strategy to inhibit PCa metastasis by regulating EMT and AR.

The undercooled solidification of the Inconel 718 superalloy under high magnetic field was performed for the first time at high undercoolings (∼ 200 °C). The results show that the high magnetic field can significantly refine the grains of the undercooled alloys, with the average grain size decreasing from 241 ± 92 μm at 0 T to about a third under high magnetic fields (3 T ∼ 9 T). Detailed EBSD analysis provides clear evidence that Icosahedral Short-Range Order (ISRO) enhanced nucleation occurs. The present work opens up a new way for grain refinement of alloys.

Abstract Background Intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor is considered the first-line treatment for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. It has potential risks for circulatory system, which should be particularly carefully evaluated in older patients. In this case study, we aim to discuss the potential impact of this treatment regimen on cardiac health. Case presentation This case report describes an elderly patient with no prior history of heart disease who exhibited unexpected heart enlargement and dysfunction. Throughout the patient’s hospital stay, various potential causes were investigated, leading to the hypothesis that a 10-year history of intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor could be related to the observed clinical manifestations. The patient was advised to discontinue this treatment, and after a 2-month follow-up period, there was a gradual improvement in the patient’s cardiac structure and function. Conclusion This manuscript highlights the importance of conducting cardiac examinations before and after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment, especially for individuals at risk of heart diseases like the elderly. It emphasizes the need to carefully weigh the benefits and risks of treatment regimens to ensure optimal therapeutic outcomes.

Abstract Accurately determining the extraction volumes from various aquifers is crucial for effectively managing groundwater overexploitation. A key initial step in quantifying extracted groundwater volumes involves the classification of groundwater wells as either deep or shallow. This study evaluated 881,872 groundwater wells in the Hebei Plain, applying machine learning techniques to classify wells with unknown depths. Through the hydrogeological borehole data, the groundwater wells with known depth are divided into deep wells and shallow wells. Four machine learning algorithms—Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, Logistic Regression, and Naive Bayes—were employed to classify groundwater wells with unknown depths. The accuracy of these models was validated using known-depth well classifications. The results reveal that the Random Forest algorithm exhibited the highest performance among the models, achieving an overall accuracy of 91.23%. According to the Random Forest model, 43.51% of groundwater wells with unknown depths were classified as deep, while 56.49% were classified as shallow. The study also found that wells in areas where salinity exceeds 2 g/L are primarily deep groundwater wells. These findings provide valuable technical insight for groundwater well decommissioning and facilitate the assessment of extracted volumes of deep and shallow groundwater.

Abstract We present a direct lattice QCD calculation of the x-dependence of the pion distribution amplitude (DA), which is performed using the quasi-DA in large momentum effective theory on a domain-wall fermion ensemble at physical quark masses and spacing a ≈ 0.084 fm. The bare quais-DA matrix elements are renormalized in the hybrid scheme and matched to MS ¯ $$ \overline{\textrm{MS}} $$ with a subtraction of the leading renormalon in the Wilson-line mass. For the first time, we include threshold resummation in the perturbative matching onto the light-cone DA, which resums the large logarithms in the soft gluon limit at next-to-next-to-leading log. The resummed results show controlled scale-variation uncertainty within the range of momentum fraction x ∈ [0.25, 0.75] at the largest pion momentum P z ≈ 1.85 GeV. In addition, we apply the same analysis to quasi-DAs from a highly-improved-staggered-quark ensemble at physical pion mass and a = 0.076 fm. By comparison we find with 2σ confidence level that the DA obtained from chiral fermions is flatter and lower near x = 0.5.

Abstract Background The role of miR-145-5p in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been studied, however, the regulation of hBMSCs-derived exosomes (Exo) transmitted miR-145-5p in NSCLC was still unknown. This study aimed to investigate the role of hBMSCs-derived exosomes (Exo) in the progression of NSCLC. Methods The Exo was extracted from hBMSCs and added to A549 and H1299 cell culture, followed by the detection of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. The correlation between the expression of miR-145-5p and SOX9, as well as their binding relationship was determined by correlation analysis, luciferase gene reporter assay and RNA pull-down assays. The in vivo animal model was established to further verify the impact of hBMSCs-Exo. Results It showed that miR-145-5p was downregulated and SOX9 was upregulated in NSCLC tissues. HBMSCs-derived Exo, and hBMSCs-Exo with overexpression of miR-145-5p could inhibit cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of both A549 and H1299 cells, and prevent against tumor progression in vivo. MiR-145-5p and SOX9 were found to be able to bind to each other, and a negative correlation were observed between the expression of them in NSCLC tissues. Furthermore, inhibition of SOX9 could reversed the suppressed role of miR-145-5p in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion Therefore, HBMSCs-Exo effectively transmitted miR-145-5p, leading to the suppression of malignant development in NSCLC through the regulation of SOX9.

Abstract Cholestatic liver diseases (CLD) are characterized by impaired normal bile flow, culminating in excessive accumulation of toxic bile acids. The majority of patients with CLD ultimately progress to liver cirrhosis and hepatic failure, necessitating liver transplantation due to the lack of effective treatment. Recent investigations have underscored the pivotal role of the gut microbiota-bile acid axis in the progression of hepatic fibrosis via various pathways. The obstruction of bile drainage can induce gut microbiota dysbiosis and disrupt the intestinal mucosal barrier, leading to bacteria translocation. The microbial translocation activates the immune response and promotes liver fibrosis progression. The identification of therapeutic targets for modulating the gut microbiota-bile acid axis represents a promising strategy to ameliorate or perhaps reverse liver fibrosis in CLD. This review focuses on the mechanisms in the gut microbiota-bile acids axis in CLD and highlights potential therapeutic targets, aiming to lay a foundation for innovative treatment approaches.

Suppression of roots and/or their symbiotic microorganisms, such as mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobia, is an effective way for alien plants to outcompete native plants. However, little is known about how invasive and native plants interact with the quantity and activity of nutrient-acquisition agents. Here a pot experiment was conducted with monoculture and mixed plantings of an invasive plant, Xanthium strumarium, and a common native legume, Glycine max. We measured traits related to root and nodule quantity and activity and mycorrhizal colonization. Compared to the monoculture, fine root quantity (biomass, surface area) and activity (root nitrogen (N) concentration, acid phosphatase activity) of G. max decreased in mixed plantings; nodule quantity (biomass) decreased by 45%, while nodule activity in N-fixing via rhizobium increased by 106%; mycorrhizal colonization was unaffected. Contribution of N fixation to leaf N content in G. max increased in the mixed plantings, and this increase was attributed to a decrease in the rhizosphere soil N of G. max in the mixed plantings. Increased root quantity and activity, along with a higher mycorrhizal association was observed in X. strumarium in the mixed compared to monoculture. Together, the invasive plant did not directly scavenge N from nodule-fixed N, but rather depleted the rhizosphere soil N of the legume, thereby stimulating the activity of N-fixation and increasing the dependence of the native legume on this N source. The quantity–activity framework holds promise for future studies on how native legumes respond to alien plant invasions.

Abstract Drought is one of the natural stresses that greatly impact plants. Castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) is an oil crop with high economic value. Drought is one of the factors limiting castor bean growth. The drought resistance mechanisms of castor bean have become a research focus. In this study, we used castor germinating embryos as experimental materials, and screened genes related to drought resistance through physiological measurements, proteomics and metabolomics joint analysis; castor drought-related genes were subjected to transient silencing expression analysis in castor leaves to validate their drought-resistant functions, and heterologous overexpression and backward complementary expression in Arabidopsis thaliana, and analysed the mechanism of the genes' response to the participation of Arabidopsis thaliana in drought-resistance. Three drought tolerance-related genes, RcECP 63, RcDDX 31 and RcA/HD1, were obtained by screening and analysis, and transient silencing of expression in castor leaves further verified that these three genes corresponded to drought stress, and heterologous overexpression and back-complementary expression of the three genes in Arabidopsis thaliana revealed that the function of these three genes in drought stress response. In this study, three drought tolerance related genes, RcECP 63, RcDDX 31 and RcA/HD1, were screened and analysed for gene function, which were found to be responsive to drought stress and to function in drought stress, laying the foundation for the study of drought tolerance mechanism in castor bean.

In order to study the effects of different lactic acid bacteria on the quality of pickled radish, pickled radish was prepared with Leuconostoc mesenteroides AP7, Lactiplantibacillus pentosus LP10 and AP7-LP10 combination. The changes in physicochemical indicators, color differences, texture properties and sensory indicators during the fermentation process were analyzed. The results showed that the decrease rate of pH and reducing sugar content and the increase rate of total acid and lactic acid in the inoculated group were better than those in the natural fermentation group (P

In order to improve the safety and preservability of fermented vegetables, strain Leuconostoc mesenteroides AP7, with potent inhibitory effects on foodborne pathogens and bacteria causing paocai over-acidification, was selected from 8 Leuconostoc strains derived from traditional fermented vegetables in Yunnan, China. The main antimicrobial substance of AP7 was determined by eliminating the effects of organic acid and H2O2 and through protease sensitivity. The acid stability and thermal stability were analyzed and potential bacteriocin gene clusters were mined from the whole genome sequence of AP7. The results showed that the culture supernatant still had obvious antibacterial activity after excluding the influence of acid and H2O2, and after protease treatment, the antibacterial effect decreased significantly. It was speculated that the antibacterial substance in the concentrated culture supernatant was bacteriocin. The bacteriocin was sensitive to pH changes, had high thermal stability, and had a molecular weight of 6.51~14.4 kDa. Whole genome sequencing showed that the whole genome of AP7 contained 1 chromosome (1948310 bp) and 2 plasmids (37366 and 20698 bp), with a GC content of 37.7%. There was a gene cluster with Enterocin_X_chain_beta bacteriocin as the core. Its encoded product was predicted to be a positively charged hydrophilic stable protein, the secondary structure was dominated by α-helix, and the tertiary structure was mainly composed of loose peptide chains at both ends and an α-helix in the middle. In summary, the bacteriocin-producing Leuconostoc mesenteroides AP7 has excellent antibacterial properties and has the potential to be applied to the fermentation and preservation of acidic foods.

Fast homogenization without incipient melting is the key to designing solution heat treatment (SHT) process for single crystal superalloys. In this paper, a multicomponent phase-field model coupled with solidus temperature is developed for dynamically tracking incipient melting temperature, TIM, of alloy during SHT. The simulation process runs completely automatically only by inputting the composition information of as-cast specimen. Based on the obtained TIM-time profile, the holding temperature and the time of SHT are determined. Applying this approach to Co–30Ni–11Al–4W–1Ta–4Ti–5Cr single crystal specimen, a gradual increased TIM from 1247 °C to 1293 °C within 72,000 s is obtained, and thus a stepwise SHT process with a short time of less than 20 h is designed. The experimental verification shows that after SHT, the segregation coefficient of the slowest diffusing element W decreased from more than 2 to 1.065, the content of harmful secondary phase has decreased to below 0.1%, and no incipient melting occurs.

Abstract Although tension band wiring (TBW) is popular and recommended by the AO group, the high rate of complications such as skin irritation and migration of the K-wires cannot be ignored. Ding’s screw tension band wiring (DSTBW) is a new TBW technique that has shown positive results in the treatment of other fracture types. The objective of this study was to evaluate the stability of DSTBW in the treatment of olecranon fractures by biomechanical testing. We conducted a Synbone biomechanical model by using three fixation methods: DSTBW, intramedullary screw and tension band wiring (IM-TBW), and K-wire TBW, were simulated to fix the olecranon fractures. We compared the mechanical stability of DSTBW, IM-TBW, and TBW in the Mayo Type IIA olecranon fracture Synbone model using a single cycle loading to failure protocol or pullout force. During biomechanical testing, the average fracture gap measurements were recorded at varying flexion angles in three different groups: TBW, IM-TBW, and DSTBW. The TBW group exhibited measurements of 0.982 mm, 0.380 mm, 0.613 mm, and 1.285 mm at flexion angles of 0°, 30°, 60°, and 90° respectively. The IM-TBW group displayed average fracture gap measurements of 0.953 mm, 0.366 mm, 0.588 mm, and 1.240 mm at each of the corresponding flexion angles. The DSTBW group showed average fracture gap measurements of 0.933 mm, 0.358 mm, 0.543 mm, and 1.106 mm at the same flexion angles. No specimen failed in each group during the cyclic loading phase. Compared with the IM-TBW and TBW groups, the DSTBW group showed significant differences in 60° and 90° flexion angles. The mean maximum failure load was 1229.1 ± 110.0 N in the DSTBW group, 990.3 ± 40.7 N in the IM-TBW group, and 833.1 ± 68.7 N in the TBW group. There was significant difference between each groups (p

Abstract Background Portal hypertension (PHT) has been proven to be closely related to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Whether PHT before liver transplantation (LT) will affect the recurrence of HCC is not clear. Methods 110 patients with depressurization of the portal vein (DPV) operations (Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt—TIPS, surgical portosystemic shunt or/and splenectomy) before LT from a HCC LT cohort, matched with 330 preoperative non-DPV patients; this constituted a nested case-control study. Subgroup analysis was based on the order of DPV before or after the occurrence of HCC. Results The incidence of acute kidney injury and intra-abdominal bleeding after LT in the DPV group was significantly higher than that in non-DPV group. The 5-year survival rates in the DPV and non-DPV group were 83.4% and 82.7% respectively (P = 0.930). In subgroup analysis, patients in the DPV prior to HCC subgroup may have a lower recurrence rate (4.7% vs.16.8%, P = 0.045) and a higher tumor free survival rate (88.9% vs.74.4%, P = 0.044) after LT under the up-to-date TNMI–II stage, while in TNM III stage, there was no difference for DPV prior to HCC subgroup compared with the DPV after HCC subgroup or the non-DPV group. Conclusion Compared with DPV after HCC, DPV treatment before HCC can reduce the recurrence rate of HCC after early transplantation (TNM I-II). DPV before LT can reduce the recurrence of early HCC.

Narrow gap oscillating laser welding with filler wire is a promising technique for joining high-strength steels in construction machinery. In order to investigate the influence of beam oscillation on the surface morphology and microstructure of weld joints of two types of commonly-used high-strength steels, a comparative study between oscillation welding and non-oscillation welding was conducted. High-speed photography technique was employed to reveal the microstructure and mechanical properties of the dissimilar joints. The results showed that laser beam oscillation produces two effects: one was to enlarge the heated surface of molten pool, while the other was to stir the liquid metal in molten pool periodically. Under the first effect, the fusion between sidewall and weld bead layers was promoted, while under the latter, coarse columnar grains ceased to appear, but finer grains were formed. The weld joints between Q355 and 35 steels exhibited excellent tensile impact bending performance, which was attributed to the grain refinement effect. The results also demonstrated that the oscillation welding with a contact angle less than 50° could avoid lack of fusion in multi-pass wire-filling laser welding. The influence of the oscillation welding process on the quality of welding was further discussed.

Abstract To compare the biomechanical properties of several anterior pelvic ring external fixators with two new configurations in the treatment of Tile C pelvic fractures, in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the new configurations and provide a reference for their clinical application. A finite element model of a Tile C pelvic ring injury (unilateral longitudinal sacral fracture and ipsilateral pubic fracture) was constructed. The pelvis was fixed with iliac crest external fixator (IC), anterior inferior iliac spine external fixator (AIIS), combination of IC and AIIS, combination of anterior superior iliac spine external fixator (ASIS) and AIIS, and S1 sacroiliac screw in 5 types of models. The stability indices of the anterior and posterior pelvic rings under vertical longitudinal load, left–right compression load and anterior–posterior shear load were quantified and compared. In the simulated bipedal standing position, the results of the vertical displacement of the midpoint on the upper surface of the sacrum are consistent with the displacement of the posterior rotation angle, and the order from largest to smallest is IC, AIIS, ASIS + AIIS, IC + AIIS and S1 screw. The longitudinal displacement of IC is greater than that of the other models. The displacements of ASIS + AIIS and IC + AIIS are similar and the latter is smaller. In the simulated semi-recumbent position, the vertical displacement and posterior rotation angle displacement of the midpoint on the upper surface of the sacrum are also consistent, ranking from large to small: IC, AIIS, ASIS + AIIS, IC + AIIS and S1 screw. Under the simulated left–right compression load state, the lateral displacements of the highest point of the lateral sacral fracture end are consistent with the highest point of the lateral pubic fracture end, and the order from large to small is S1 screw, IC, AIIS, ASIS + AIIS and IC + AIIS, among which the displacements of S1 screw and IC are larger, and the displacements of ASIS + AIIS and IC + AIIS are similar and smaller than those of other models. The displacements of IC + AIIS are smaller than those of ASIS + AIIS. Under the simulated anterior–posterior shear load condition, the posterior displacements of the highest point of the lateral sacral fracture end and the highest point of the lateral pubic fracture end are also consistent, ranking from large to small: IC, AIIS, ASIS + AIIS, IC + AIIS and S1 screw. Among them, the displacements of IC and AIIS are larger. The displacements of ASIS + AIIS and IC + AIIS are similar and the latter are smaller. For the unstable pelvic injury represented by Tile C pelvic fracture, the biomechanical various stabilities of the combination of IC and AIIS are superior to those of the external fixators of conventional configurations. The biomechanical stabilities of the combination of ASIS and AIIS are also better than those of the external fixators of conventional configurations, and slightly worse than those of the combination of IC and AIIS. Compared with sacroiliac screw and conventional external fixators, the lateral stabilities of IC + AIIS and ASIS + AIIS are particularly prominent.

Selenium (Se) is a vital trace element integral to numerous biological processes in both plants and animals, with significant impacts on soil health and ecosystem stability. This review explores how soil microorganisms facilitate Se transformations through reduction, oxidation, methylation, and demethylation processes, thereby influencing the bioavailability and ecological functions of Se. The microbial reduction of Se compounds, particularly the conversion of selenate and selenite to elemental Se nanoparticles (SeNPs), enhances Se assimilation by plants and impacts soil productivity. Key microbial taxa, including bacteria such as Pseudomonas and Bacillus, exhibit diverse mechanisms for Se reduction and play a substantial role in the global Se cycle. Understanding these microbial processes is essential for advancing soil management practices and improving ecosystem health. This review underscores the intricate interactions between Se and soil microorganisms, emphasizing their significance in maintaining ecological balance and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

BackgroundLong-term care (LTC) homes face the challenges of increasing care needs of residents and a shortage of health care providers. Literature suggests that artificial intelligence (AI)–enabled robots may solve such challenges and support person-centered care. There is a dearth of literature exploring the perspectives of health care providers, which are crucial to implementing AI-enabled robots. ObjectiveThis scoping review aims to explore this scant body of literature to answer two questions: (1) what barriers do health care providers perceive in adopting AI-enabled robots in LTC homes? (2) What strategies can be taken to overcome these barriers to the adoption of AI-enabled robots in LTC homes? MethodsWe are a team consisting of 3 researchers, 2 health care providers, 2 research trainees, and 1 older adult partner with diverse disciplines in nursing, social work, engineering, and medicine. Referring to the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, our team searched databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, ProQuest, and Google Scholar) for peer-reviewed and gray literature, screened the literature, and extracted the data. We analyzed the data as a team. We compared our findings with the Person-Centered Practice Framework and Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to further our understanding of the findings. ResultsThis review includes 33 articles that met the inclusion criteria. We identified three barriers to AI-enabled robot adoption: (1) perceived technical complexity and limitation; (2) negative impact, doubted usefulness, and ethical concerns; and (3) resource limitations. Strategies to mitigate these barriers were also explored: (1) accommodate the various needs of residents and health care providers, (2) increase the understanding of the benefits of using robots, (3) review and overcome the safety issues, and (4) boost interest in the use of robots and provide training. ConclusionsPrevious literature suggested using AI-enabled robots to resolve the challenges of increasing care needs and staff shortages in LTC. Yet, our findings show that health care providers might not use robots because of different considerations. The implication is that the voices of health care providers need to be included in using robots. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR2-doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2023-075278

Free radicals can improve the reaction rate, but most of them are unstable due to unpaired electrons. Simultaneously maintaining their stability and activity is challenging. Herein, taking sulfur (S) radicals as an example, we propose a strategy in which solvated metal complexes constructed by Al(acetylacetonate)3 and different solvents can stabilize high concentrations of S radicals with good activity through ion–dipole interactions. Based on this strategy, it is first demonstrated that S4·− is selectively stabilized by controlling the configurations of the solvated complexes. As a result, the reaction rate of S↔Li2S is increased by 8 times, and the energy efficiency and rate capability of the Li–S batteries are significantly improved, especially the 5-fold increase in cell capacities at a low electrolyte/sulfur ratio. This work provides an important strategy in which solvated metal complexes balance the activity and stability of free radicals to accelerate reactions and their application in various fields.

Background: JianPiTongLuo Recipe (JPTL Recipe) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula commonly used in the clinical treatment of colorectal cancer. Clinical studies have found that it can significantly improve the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer. However, its mechanisms of action are not well understood, which has limited its further clinical application. Methods: We investigated the potential mechanisms of action of the JianPiTongLuo (JPTL) Recipe on colorectal cancer (CRC) using a multi-step approach. Initially, network pharmacology and bioinformatics analyses were conducted using databases such as TCMSP, HERB, BATMAN-TCM, and STRING to identify active components of JPTL Recipe and predict their therapeutic targets. Interaction networks and functional enrichment analyses were constructed to hypothesize relevant biological processes and pathways. In vitro studies involved treating human CRC cell lines HCT116, LoVo and SW480 with varying concentrations of JPTL Recipe extract, measuring cell viability with the CCK-8 assay, assessing apoptosis via flow cytometry, and analyzing signaling pathways through Western blotting. To corroborate these findings, in vivo experiments were performed on BALB/c nude mice implanted with HCT116 cells, divided into control, JPTL Recipe-treated, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-treated, and JPTL Recipe combined with 5-FU groups, with tumor growth and histological changes monitored. Mechanistic studies focused on the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, examining the phosphorylation status of key pathway proteins using immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses to elucidate JPTL Recipe 's interaction with pathway activity. Results: We demonstrated that JPTL Recipe effectively inhibits colorectal cancer cell proliferation, anti-apoptotic ability, and exerts synergistic therapeutic effects with fluorouracil. Further analysis revealed that JPTL Recipe affects the activity of colorectal cancer cells by inhibiting the phosphorylation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Conclusion: In summary, we have discovered and confirmed that the traditional Chinese medicine compound JPTL Recipe can serve as a novel adjuvant therapy for colorectal cancer, offering a new treatment approach for the integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Grouted sleeve connection is the widely used method for the connection of stressed steel reinforcement bars in precast concrete structure. The reliability of the connection depends on the bond strength between the steel bars and the grouting materials. In this study, the uniaxial tensile test of 204 grouted sleeve connection specimens was carried out. The test parameters included steel bar diameter, steel bar anchorage length, grouting material strength, etc. Test results indicate that there are two main failure modes for the specimens, steel reinforcement tensile fracture and bond failure, which are mainly affected by the anchorage length of steel bars. When the anchorage length is greater than 5ds, the main failure mode is steel bar tension fracture. Furthermore, 236 sets of data in the relevant literatures were collected. Combined with the experimental data, a database of bond strength between steel bars and grouting materials containing 334 sets of data was established, and a calculation formula of ultimate bond strength of grouted sleeve with high applicability was proposed. Finally, the reliability of the grouted sleeve connection with different anchorage lengths and the failure probability under different anchorage lengths were analyzed. On this basis, the minimum anchorage length for different types of steel bars was proposed. The minimum anchorage length of HRB400 steel bars ranges from 5ds to 8ds, the minimum anchorage length of HRB500 steel bars ranges from 7ds to 10ds, and the minimum anchorage length of HRB600 steel bar ranges from 9ds to 12ds.

ABSTRACT Importance Type D esophageal atresia (EA) with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is characterized by EA with both proximal and distal TEFs. It is a rare congenital anomaly with a very low incidence. Objective To investigate diagnostic and treatment strategies for this rare condition. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathological features of patients with EA/TEF treated at our institution between January 2007 and September 2021. Results Among 386 patients with EA/TEF, 14 (3.6%) had type D EA/TEF. Only two patients were diagnosed with proximal TEF preoperatively. Seven patients were diagnosed intraoperatively. Five patients were missed for diagnosis during the initial surgery but was later confirmed by bronchoscopy. During the neonatal period, seven patients underwent a one‐stage repair of proximal and distal TEF via thoracoscopy or thoracotomy. Due to missed diagnosis and other reasons, the other 7 patients underwent two‐stage surgery for repair of the proximal TEF, including cervical incision and thoracoscopy. Ten of the 14 patients experienced postoperative complications including anastomotic leakage, pneumothorax, esophageal stricture, and recurrence. Patients who underwent one‐stage repair of distal and proximal TEF during the neonatal period showed a higher incidence of anastomotic leak (4/7). In contrast, only one of seven patients with two‐stage repair of the proximal TEF developed an anastomotic leak. Interpretation Type D EA/TEF is a rare condition, and proximal TEFs are easily missed. Bronchoscopy may aim to diagnose and determine the correct surgical approach. A cervical approach may be more suitable for repairing the proximal TEF.

Abstract Background To investigate the prevalence and risk factors for astigmatism in 7-19-year-old students in Xinjiang, China. Methods A school-based, cross-sectional study was conducted on students who underwent refraction examination in Xinjiang, China, between May and December 2019. The prevalence of astigmatism was determined. Astigmatism was defined as cylinder power (C) ≤-0.75 D, undefined astigmatism as ≤-1.50 D, and high astigmatism as C ≤-3.00 D. Astigmatism types were: against-the-rule astigmatism (maximum refraction of the main meridian in 180° ± 30°), with-the-rule astigmatism (maximum refraction of the main meridian at 90°±30°), and oblique astigmatism (all other cases). Results Of the 71,838 students examined (51.0% boys, 7 − 19 years old), 25,945 (36.1%, 95%CI: 35.52−36.68%) had astigmatism and 1267 (1.8%, 95%CI: 1.07−2.53%) had high astigmatism. The prevalence of astigmatism was greater in Han individuals (39.6%) compared with the Hui (34.0%), Kazakh (34.0%), Kyrgyz (32.1%), and Uyghur (26.4%) populations. Among the 25,945 students with astigmatism, 19,947 had with-the-rule astigmatism (76.9%), 3405 had against-the-rule astigmatism (13.1%), and 2593 had oblique astigmatism (10.0%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that ethnicity (Han individuals more susceptible), male gender, age, and refractive errors (myopia and hyperopia) were independently associated with astigmatism, high astigmatism, and with-the-rule astigmatism (all P

Objectives: While the decision of abortion is undeniably complex, there are situations where it becomes a necessary choice. In such circumstances, a secure abortion procedure is essential to safeguard the physical and mental well-being of women. A uterine direct visualization system was designed to fulfill the requirements and this study undertook an assessment of the system's safety and effectiveness within a medical facility setting. Materials and methods: Induced abortion requested women in 17 institutions across the country between December 2016 and February 2017 were enrolled. Subjects were separated to the study and control group randomly. Induced abortion was conducted by a uterine direct visualization system and an ultrasound-guided system in the study and control group, respectively. The clinical indexes collected during intra- and post-procedures were analyzed and compared between groups. Results: Overall, 392 and 339 subjects were included in the study and control group, respectively. The baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were similar between two groups. Subjects in the study group had significant smaller number of uterine cavity entry (p

Abstract Background Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a severe complication of joint arthroplasty that causes significant pain and economic loss. This study aimed to determine whether the current evidence supports single-stage revision for PJI based on reinfection and reoperation rates. Methods We searched the PubMed, EBSCO, Medline, and Cochrane Library databases from inception to 30 May 2023 to identify studies that compared single-stage revision and two-stage revision for PJI. Data on reinfection and reoperation rates were pooled. Results This meta-analysis included a total of 40 studies with 8711 patients. Overall, there was no significant difference between single- and two-stage revision regarding the postoperative reinfection rate and reoperation rate. Subgroup analysis by surgery period and different surgical sites revealed no difference between the two groups in the reinfection and reoperation rates. Conclusions Based on the available evidence, our study did not identify a significant difference in reinfection and reoperation rates between single- and two-stage revision for PJI. Given the limitations in inclusion/exclusion criteria and the observed heterogeneity, we acknowledge the complexity of drawing strong conclusions. Therefore, we suggest that the choice between single- and two-stage revision should be carefully considered on an individual basis, taking into account patient-specific factors and further research developments.

This paper proposes a method based on the attention mechanism combined with a pointer network for rapidly generating sequences of Active debris removal (ADR) missions. Initially, the paper introduces the problem and modeling of ADR missions, establishing the multi-target planning problem as a time-dependent traveling salesman problem (TDTSP) considering the time dimension. Subsequently, during the spacecraft transfer process, it considers using continuous-thrust transfer, utilizing Pontryagin’s minimum principle to transform the fuel-optimal continuous-thrust transfer problem into a two-point boundary value problem (TPBVP), then rapidly generating a continuous-thrust dataset to train a surrogate model for evaluating continuous-thrust cost. Furthermore, PN-attention is proposed, which is derived from a pointer network (PN) model that incorporates attention computation, aimed at learning the sequence planning of ADR problems. In the validation and discussion section, PN-attention’s performance in solving ADR problems is compared with various heuristic algorithms, verifying its effectiveness, optimality, generalizability, and solution speed.

Abstract With the increasing demand for deep engineering development, there is an urgent need to study the evolution and formation mechanisms of the stick–slip process in faults at high temperatures. Although research on fault stick–slip behaviors at room temperature and laboratory scales has yielded some findings, exploring them at high temperatures is challenging, especially when acoustic emission (AE) monitoring is involved. To address this, the research conducted numerical simulations of fault stick–slip characteristics under thermo-mechanical coupling using the discrete element method to solve the problem. This approach aimed to provide insights into fault stick–slip behaviors and AE characteristics across different temperature fields. Subsequently, the evolution of the stress–strain characteristics (the number of stick–slip cycles, slip-initiation stress, slip-initiation stress drop, and maximum stress drop), energy dissipation, and AE characteristics (energy, magnitude, failure mechanism, and b-value) in the stick–slip process were systematically analyzed. The findings of this study aim to address existing shortcomings in AE tests and simulation methods related to fault stick–slip behaviors at high temperatures.

Abstract Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is extremely hepatotoxic, a causative agent of liver cancer, and can cause symptoms of acute or chronic liver damage. Chito-oligosaccharides (COS), obtained from the degradation of chitosan derived from shrimp and crab shells, is a natural antioxidant substance and its antitumor properties have been widely studied, but less research has been done on the prevention of AFB1-induced acute liver injury. In this study, rats were acutely exposed to 1 mg/kg BW AFB1 and simultaneously gavaged with different doses of COS for 8 days. The results showed that COS attenuated the hepatic histopathological changes and reduced serum biochemical indices (ALT, AST, ALP, and TBIL) in rats. It significantly inhibited MDA content and promoted SOD and GSH-Px activity production. Moreover, it also improved hepatocyte apoptosis. Furthermore, AFB1-vs-HCOS differential genes were enriched with 622 GO entries, and 380 were Biological Processes, 170 were Molecular Functions, 72 were Cellular Components. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) analyzed by KEGG enrichment were more enriched in pathways, such as metabolism, PPAR signaling pathway, and peroxisome. Q-PCR technique verified that Lama5, Egr1, Cyp2b1, and Gadd45g in DEGs were associated with oxidative stress damage and apoptosis. In conclusion, COS intervention reduces the effect of AFB1 on hepatic genes and thus reduces the changes in hepatic gene function. Graphical abstract

Abstract Background Good food safety practices are essential to minimizing foodborne diseases. The present study explored the food safety-related practices of residents during the COVID-19 pandemic in Southwest China and identified the impacting factors. Methods Residents aged 18–75 years from Guizhou, Yunnan, Sichuan, and Chongqing, China, were included in our study. The convenience sampling method was used to select participants, and face-to-face surveys were conducted in households and communities to collect data. Descriptive statistics including sociodemographic characteristics of respondents and weighted percentages were obtained and the log-binomial regression was used to evaluate the influencing factors associated with food safety-related practices. Results Overall, 7,848 respondents were involved, with 97.5% efficacy. Disparities in food safety-related practices were observed between males and females, with the former performing poorer practices than the latter (70.5% vs. 68.0%, respectively). Notably, paying attention to nutrition labels when shopping for prepackaged foods was the worst practice. Age, ethnicity, region, occupation, education level, and income were identified as significant determinants of food safety-related practices. Moreover, in comparison to males, females were more likely to acquire pertinent knowledge from diverse sources, including social media, family members/ friends, books/ newspapers/ magazines, experts, and food sales staff (p

AiiA can be targeted to quench N-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) quorum sensing signaling molecules. In this paper, we extracted and purified AiiA protein by constructing recombinant engineering bacteria to analyze the effect of AiiA on the formation of Vibrio parahaemolyticus biofilm. The results suggest that AiiA has a particular potential in inhibiting the formation of biofilms and extracellular polymers. The ability of AiiA to inhibit biofilm increased and then decreased, with the lowest biofilm decomposition concentration of 8 μg/mL and the optimal inhibitor concentration of 85 μg/mL (86.9% biofilm inhibition). LC-MS results showed that when the concentration of C4-HSL in Vibrio parahaemolyticus ATCC33847 biofilm exceeded 3.70 μg/L, the content of quorum sensing signaling molecules reached a threshold and began to activate LuxR protein to regulate the expression of related genes. These results provide relevant experimental guidance for the clinical treatment of biofilm infections and the development of novel QS inhibitors.

In reinforced concrete structures, the interface between old and new concrete is commonplace in precast splices, repairs, and construction joints, and is vital for structural integrity. While extensive research has been conducted on the mechanical bonding properties of interfaces between new and old concrete, there remains a notable gap in understanding the shear behavior under various interfacial treatments. To investigate the influence of interface preparation methods and surface roughness on the shear performance of new-to-old concrete interface, direct shear tests were conducted on Z-shaped specimens. The surface roughness of the initially cast specimens was measured using 3D laser scanning, and the interface morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy. A comprehensive analysis of comparison between calculated and experimental shear strength values was conducted on 243 sets of direct shear test data. Results revealed that the surface roughness of the specimens ranged from 0.13–3.69 mm, with voids of 0.5–10 μm width present in the bond interfaces. Two failure modes, namely cohesion and adhesion, were identified in the aggregates on the bond interfaces. Within a specific range, the shear strength of bond interfaces increased with an increase in surface roughness. Additionally, bond interfaces with the same roughness but different surface process methods exhibited varying shear bearing capacities. Furthermore, the formula for calculating the shear strength of bond interfaces based on different surface preparation processes and segmented roughness was developed.

Influenza vaccination is the most cost-effective strategy for influenza prevention. Influenza vaccines have been found to be effective against symptomatic and medically attended outpatient influenza illnesses. However, there is currently a lack of data regarding the effectiveness of inactivated influenza vaccines in Chongqing, China. We conducted a prospective observational test-negative design study. Outpatient and emergency cases presenting with influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and available influenza reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were selected and classified as cases (positive influenza RT-PCR) or controls (negative influenza RT-PCR). A total of 7,307 cases of influenza and 7,905 control subjects were included in this study. The overall adjusted influenza vaccine effectiveness (IVE) was 44.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 32.5–54.2%). In the age groups of less than 6 years old, 6–18 years old, and 19–59 years old, the adjusted IVE were 32.2% (95% CI: 10.0–48.9%), 48.2% (95% CI: 30.6–61.4%), and 72.0% (95% CI: 43.6–86.1%). The adjusted IVE for H1N1, H3N2 and B (Victoria) were 71.1% (95% CI: 55.4–81.3%), 36.1% (95% CI: 14.6–52.2%) and 33.7% (95% CI: 14.6–48.5%). Influenza vaccination was effective in Chongqing from 2018 to 2022. Evaluating IVE in this area is feasible and should be conducted annually in the future.

ABSTRACTAntibiotics are commonly used to address animal health issues and enhance overall productivity in animal agriculture. However, overuse and misuse of antibiotics has become a concern in the field of agriculture and pose potential food safety risks. Efficiently controlling antibiotic resistance in animal agriculture is of vital importance. Various technologies have been developed and employed to prevent and control antibiotic-resistant bacteria in this field, such as ozone sterilization technology, among others. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current sterilization technologies in animal agriculture, including chemical sanitizers, plasma oxidation, bacteriophage, ozone, ultraviolet, ultrasonic irradiation, and photodynamic inactivation. Furthermore, we present novel insights and future perspectives on the prevention and control of antibiotic resistance in animal agriculture.

Developing highly efficient single-atom catalysts (SACs) for electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) is a promising approach to promoting carbon neutrality. However, challenges such as low activity, selectivity and high costs hinder industrial scaling, attributed to the lack of innate activity or insufficient transition metal (TM) active site density in current catalysts. Therefore, the focus of CO2RR research remains on developing SACs with intrinsic catalytic activity, high TM coverage and cost-effectiveness. This study presents the design of carbon-based materials with ultra-high TM coverage (TM2C12) (TM = Mo, Ru, Rh, W, Re, Os and Ir) as electrocatalyst SACs for CO2RR using density functional theory calculations. Among these materials, W2C12 (W represents tungsten) demonstrates superior selectivity and catalytic activity for CO2RR to carbon monoxide (CO) products with overpotentials of 0.45 V and a W coverage of up to 71.84 wt%. To further enhance its catalytic activity, non-metallic (NM) coordination modification (NM = B, N, O, P doping and C vacancy) was explored on W2C12. The results indicate that N-doped W2C12 (N-W2C12) can significantly improve selectivity and catalytic activity, achieving an extremely low overpotential of 0.34 V. This research offers valuable insights into designing SACs with high activity, selectivity and stability for CO2RR and other catalytic reactions.

Background: Cerebral infarct associated with varicella-zoster virus (VZV) has been reported in the literature, while isolated central dizziness due to lateral medullary infarct (LMI) following VZV infection is rarely reported. Case report: We report the case of a 65-year-old man who presented to the neurology department because of herpes zoster on the right trigeminal nerve distribution. At 12 hours after admission, he developed transient vertigo along with nausea and unsteady walking and left-sided spontaneous horizontal nystagmus, gaze-evoked nystagmus, and upbeat nystagmus. The other usual signs of LMI including Horner syndrome, dysarthria, swallowing difficulty, and hemibody sensory change were absent. Video head impulse indicated decreased head impulse gain of the vestibulo-ocular reflex for the bilateral horizontal, anterior, and posterior semicircular canals with abnormal saccade waves. Suppression head impulse paradigm showed few downward saccades reflecting anti-compensatory saccades after the end of the head impulse back to the head-fixed target and decreased vestibulo-ocular reflex gain values of bilateral semicircular canals. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a small infarct in the far dorsolateral portion of the left rostral medulla. The cerebrospinal fluid was positive for VZV DNA. Conclusions: In patients with VZV infection who develop dizziness, the possibility of cerebral infarct should be considered. Patients with facial herpes zoster and neurological symptoms always be screened for stroke using MRI and lumbar puncture should be performed and acyclovir administered empirically.

Study region: The Yangtze−Huang−Huai−Hai River basin (3.19 million km2) in China, which is vital for China's economic development. Study focus: We employed the Eulerian method to identify the primary water vapor channels from 2005 to 2020, and the water vapor net budget over the basin was calculated. Additionally, the Lagrangian method was utilized to simulate water vapor transport trajectories across four seasons, with the aim of investigating the influence of changes in water vapor on precipitation. New hydrological insights for the region: Utilizing both Eulerian and Lagrangian methods, the findings indicate that: (1) Precipitation in the basin experienced a downward trend of −3.5 mm·a−1 during 2005−2020, mainly in spring (−1.4 mm·a−1) and summer (−1.7 mm·a−1); (2) The water vapor net budget has a substantial downward trend (−0.9 kg·m−1·s−1·a−1), mainly in spring (−0.4 kg·m−1·s−1·a−1) and summer (−0.3 kg·m−1·s−1·a−1), which aligns with the declining trend of precipitation. (3) The Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory Model demonstrates that the decrease in long−distance water vapor transport trajectories impacts the basin’s water vapor channels. The decline in spring is predominantly influenced by the water vapor transport trajectories from Asia, Europe, and Africa−Arctic Ocean (−0.7 %·a−1), while the summer is mainly driven by the water vapor transport trajectory from the Indian Ocean−South China Sea (−0.3 %·a−1). This study improves the existing understanding of the hydrological cycle in the context of the basin, and offers a crucial scientific basis for water resource management and regulation.

Deficits in executive control of attention have been reported in schizophrenia patients, but can be ameliorated by treatment of atypical antipsychotics along with the symptoms. However, it remains unclear whether this effect is related to a modulation of hemispheric asymmetry in executive control by the medicine. In this behavioral study, we employed a lateralized version of the attention network test to examine the hemispheric asymmetry of executive control in schizophrenia patients before and after olanzapine treatment, compared to matched healthy controls. Executive control was measured as a conflict effect, indexed as the response time (RT) difference between incongruent versus congruent flanker conditions, and was compared between stimuli presented in the left and the right visual field (i.e., processed by right versus left hemisphere of the brain). Results showed that pre-treatment schizophrenia patients revealed a right hemisphere superiority in conflict effect (i.e., a smaller effect in the right hemisphere than in the left hemisphere), driven by the incongruent condition. Olanzapine treatment reduced this right hemisphere superiority by improving the efficiency of the left hemisphere in the incongruent condition. These results suggested that olanzapine treatment may improve the efficiency of executive control in the left hemisphere in schizophrenia patients.

“Sharing economy” refers to a transformative socio-economic phenomenon where individuals or institution with idle resources transfer the right to use resources for economic compensation. With the widespread adoption of distributed photovoltaic generation and energy storage (ES) device in residential communities, there is a growing interest in establishing a suitable platform for residential users to share their ES capacity with community shared equipment controllers (CSECs). This paper proposes a local ES capacity sharing market, and presents the market trading process, pricing and allocation rules using an iterative uniform-price bidding mechanism Acknowledging the selfish-interest of both RUs and CSECs, we introduce the resource management organization (RMO) as a regulated third-party organization responsible for administering the market. To evaluate the proposed scheme, we conduct case studies based on real-life data from Pecan Street. The numerical experiment results demonstrate the effectiveness and applicability of our approach.

Introduction The rapid growth of the ageing population underscores the critical need for dementia care training among care providers. Innovative virtual reality (VR) technology has created opportunities to improve dementia care training. This scoping review will specifically focus on the barriers, facilitators and impacts of implementing fully immersive VR training for dementia care among staff in long-term care (LTC) settings.Methods and analysis We will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute’s scoping review methodology to ensure scientific rigour. We will collect literature of all languages with abstracts in English from CINAHL, Medline, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science and ProQuest database until 31 December 2023. Grey literature from Google Scholar and AgeWell websites will be included. Inclusion criteria encompass papers involving paid staff (Population), fully immersive VR training on dementia care (Concept) and LTC settings (Context). Literature referring only to non-paid caregivers, non-fully immersive VR or other chronic diseases will be excluded. Literature screening, data extraction and analysis will be conducted by two reviewers separately. We will present a narrative summary with a charting table on the main findings.Ethics and dissemination This work does not require ethics approval, given the public data availability for this scoping review. Through a comprehensive overview of the current evidence regarding impacts, barriers and facilitators on this topic, potential insights and practical recommendations will be generated to support the implementation of VR training to enhance staff competence in LTC settings. The findings will be presented in a journal article and shared with practitioners on the frontline.

We present a lattice QCD calculation of the rapidity anomalous dimension of quark transverse-momentum-dependent distributions, i.e., the Collins-Soper (CS) kernel, up to transverse separations of about 1 fm. This unitary lattice calculation is conducted, for the first time, employing the chiral-symmetry-preserving domain wall fermion discretization and physical values of light and strange quark masses. The CS kernel is extracted from the ratios of pion quasi-transverse-momentum-dependent wave functions (quasi-TMDWFs) at next-to-leading logarithmic perturbative accuracy. Also for the first time, we utilize the recently proposed Coulomb-gauge-fixed quasi-TMDWF correlator without a Wilson line. We observe significantly slower signal decay with increasing quark separations compared to the established gauge-invariant method with a staple-shaped Wilson line. This enables us to determine the CS kernel at large nonperturbative transverse separations and find its near-linear dependence on the latter. Our result is consistent with the recent lattice calculation using gauge-invariant quasi-TMDWFs, and agrees with various recent phenomenological parametrizations of experimental data.

Abstract Asthenozoospermia (AZS) is a prevalent contributor to male infertility, characterized by a substantial decline in sperm motility. In recent years, large‐scale studies have explored the interplay between the male reproductive system's microecology and its implications for reproductive health. Nevertheless, the direct association between seminal microecology and male infertility pathogenesis remains inconclusive. This study used 16S rDNA sequencing and multi‐omics analysis to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the seminal microbial community and metabolites in AZS patients. Patients were categorized into four distinct groups: Normal, mild AZS (AZS‐I), moderate AZS (AZS‐II), and severe AZS (AZS‐III). Microbiome differential abundance analysis revealed significant differences in microbial composition and metabolite profiles within the seminal plasma of these groups. Subsequently, patients were classified into a control group (Normal and AZS‐I) and an AZS group (AZS‐II and AZS‐III). Correlation and cross‐reference analyses identified distinct microbial genera and metabolites. Notably, the AZS group exhibited a reduced abundance of bacterial genera such as Pseudomonas, Serratia, and Methylobacterium‐Methylorubrum in seminal plasma, positively correlating with core differential metabolite (hexadecanamide). Conversely, the AZS group displayed an increased abundance of bacterial genera such as Uruburuella, Vibrio, and Pseudoalteromonas, with a negative correlation with core differential metabolite (hexadecanamide). In vitro and in vivo experiments validated that hexadecanamide significantly enhanced sperm motility. Using predictive metabolite‐targeting gene analysis and single‐cell transcriptome sequencing, we profiled the gene expression of candidate target genes PAOX and CA2. Protein immunoblotting techniques validated the upregulation protein levels of PAOX and CA2 in sperm samples after hexadecanamide treatment, enhancing sperm motility. In conclusion, this study uncovered a significant correlation between six microbial genera in seminal plasma and the content of the metabolite hexadecanamide, which is related to AZS. Hexadecanamide notably enhances sperm motility, suggesting its potential integration into clinical strategies for managing AZS, providing a foundational framework for diagnostic and therapeutic advancements.

ObjectivesAlthough metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is commonly used for diagnosing infectious diseases, clinicians face limited options due to the high costs that are not covered by basic medical insurance. The goal of this research is to challenge this bias through a thorough examination and evaluation of the clinical importance of mNGS in precisely identifying pathogenic microorganisms in cases of sepsis acquired in the community or in hospitals.MethodsA retrospective observational study took place at a tertiary teaching hospital in China from January to December 2021. Data on 308 sepsis patients were collected, and the performance of etiological examination was compared between mNGS and traditional culture method.ResultsTwo hundred twenty-nine cases were observed in the community-acquired sepsis (CAS) group and 79 cases in the hospital-acquired sepsis (HAS) group. In comparison with conventional culture, mNGS showed a significantly higher rate of positivity in both the CAS group (88.21% vs. 25.76%, adj.P < 0.001) and the HAS group (87.34% vs. 44.30%, adj.P < 0.001), particularly across various infection sites and specimens, which were not influenced by factors like antibiotic exposure or the timing and frequency of mNGS technology. Sepsis pathogens detected by mNGS were broad, especially viruses, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and atypical pathogens, with mixed pathogens being common, particularly bacterial-viral co-detection. Based on the optimization of antimicrobial therapy using mNGS, 58 patients underwent antibiotic de-escalation, two patients were switched to antiviral therapy, and 14 patients initiated treatment for tuberculosis, resulting in a reduction in antibiotic overuse but without significant impact on sepsis prognosis. The HAS group exhibited a critical condition, poor prognosis, high medical expenses, and variations in etiology, yet the mNGS results did not result in increased medical costs for either group.ConclusionsmNGS demonstrates efficacy in identifying multiple pathogens responsible for sepsis, with mixed pathogens of bacteria and viruses being prevalent. Variability in microbiological profiles among different infection setting underscores the importance of clinical vigilance. Therefore, the adoption of mNGS for microbiological diagnosis of sepsis warrants acknowledgment and promotion.

We present a qualitatively investigation on the influence of thermal fluctuation on flux motion and vortex dynamic of (Li0.8Fe0.2)OHFeSe single crystals. The importance of thermal fluctuations has been assessed through the Ginzburg number Gi. The resistivity in the mixed state for (Li0.8Fe0.2)OHFeSe exhibits a thermally activated behavior investigated by TAFF theory. The field-dependent activation energy follows the relation U0 (H) ∼ H-α. The appearance of crossover at 2 T is related to the different pinning mechanisms. Single-vortex pinning occurs in the low fields range at H

Abstract In this paper, a new concept of forward-pumped random Raman fiber laser (RRFL)-based liquid refractive index sensing is proposed for the first time. For liquid refractive index sensing, the flat fiber end immersed in the liquid can act as the point reflector for generating random fiber lasing and also as the sensing head. Due to the high sensitivity of the output power of the RRFL to the reflectivity provided by the point reflector in the ultralow reflectivity regime, the proposed RRFL is capable of achieving liquid refractive index sensing by measuring the random lasing output power. We theoretically investigate the effects of the operating pump power and fiber length on the refractive index sensitivity for the proposed RRFL. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, we experimentally realize high-sensitivity half-open short-cavity RRFL-based liquid refractive index sensing with the maximum sensitivity and the sensing resolution of–39.88W/RIU and 2.5075×10−5 RIU, respectively. We also experimentally verify that the refractive index sensitivity can be enhanced with the shorter fiber length of the RRFL. This work extends the application of the random fiber laser as a new platform for highly-sensitive refractive index sensing in chemical, biomedical, and environmental monitoring applications, etc.

Abstract Background Unhealthy snacking behaviors and body weight misperception are both significant concerns in adolescent health. Weight misperception are common among youth and may influence their motivation to engage in health-related behaviors, however, the effect on snacking patterns choice remains unclear. Our study aimed to examine the relationship between body weight misperception and snacking pattern choice among school adolescents. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey platform. Body weight misperception was defined based on perceived body weight and true weight. Snack intake was measured using a qualitative food-frequency questionnaire. Factor analysis was used to identify snacking patterns, and multiple linear regression was employed to examine the association between body weight misperception and snacking patterns. Results 190,296 students with the average age of 13.3 ± 1.0 years was included, and 44.5% of students misperceived their weight. Overestimation was more prevalent than underestimation. Two snacking patterns, namely a high-calorie snacking pattern and a healthy snacking pattern, were identified with eigenvalues > 1. Weight underestimation was positively linked to high-calorie snacking pattern scores for both normal weight students (β: 0.16, 95% CI: 0.11, 0.21) and students with overweight/obesity (β: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.35, 0.52), and to healthy snacking scores for students with overweight/obesity (β: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.22, 0.33), but negatively linked to healthy snacking pattern scores for normal weight students (β: -0.12, 95% CI: -0.15, -0.09). Conversely, weight overestimation was negatively linked to both high-calorie and healthy snacking pattern scores for normal weight students (β: -0.07, 95% CI: -0.11, -0.04 and β: -0.13, 95% CI: -0.15, -0.10), but positively linked to healthy snacking scores for underweight students (β: 0.15, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.21). Interactions were found between sex, grade, accommodation, only child, primary guardians, parental education level and weight misperception to snacking patterns. Conclusions Adolescents with normal weight and overweight/obesity who misperceived their weight exhibited less healthy snacking patterns, whereas underweight students who misperceived their weight displayed healthier snacking patterns. Comprehensive programs are crucial to educate and guide adolescents in understanding their weight status and making healthier snack choices, involving families, schools, and society.