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Tactile perception is one of the crucial ways humans interact with their surrounding environment. In recent years, many artificial tactile perception systems that mimic the biological structure have been reported, integrating various pressure sensors and neuromorphic devices. However, current works primarily focus on encoding single‐point pressure information, neglecting the spatio‐temporal information of pressure stimuli, which is important for distinguishing the spatial orientation and pressing sequences. In this study, an artificial tactile perception system capable of sensing, encoding, and learning spatio‐temporal information of pressure stimuli is presented. The system integrates piezoelectric nanogenerators and a multiple‐gate synaptic transistor, serving as the pressure sensing units and information processing unit, respectively. Exploiting the modulation capability of the gate electrode positioned variably relative to the channel on the proton migration, the spatial position and time sequence of the applied pressure can be distinguished through the change of channel conductance. The substantial potential of this system for applications is manifested in pattern lock systems, paving the way for its potential use in innovative tactile information encoding systems, intelligent unlocking systems, and other smart devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A urea-based covalent organic polymer (UCOP), was synthesized using 1,4-phenylene diisocyanate (PPDI) and 4,4′,4″-(1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triyl) trianiline (TTTA) and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm analysis. The prepared material was employed as an adsorbent for pipette tip–solid-phase extraction (PT–SPE) for benzimidazoles before high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analysis (HPLC–MS). The parameters affecting the isolation efficiency, including salt concentration, sample pH, mass of adsorbent, and types and volumes of eluent, were optimized. Using these conditions, PT–SPE provided good linearity from 0.1 to 10 μg kg−1 with low limits of detections (LODs) of 0.02 μg kg−1 together with good precision (relative standard deviations from 4.2 to 8.3%) and accuracy (recoveries from 76.2 to 84.8%). The results demonstrate that the urea-based covalent organic polymer has the potential for the enrichment of trace benzimidazoles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gut microbiota of poultry is influenced by a variety of factors, including feed, drinking water, airborne dust, and footpads, among others. Gut microbiota can affect the immune reaction and inflammation in the lungs. To investigate the effect of gut microbiota variation on lung inflammation induced by PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) in broilers, 36 Arbor Acres (AA) broilers were randomly assigned to three groups: control group (CON), PM2.5 exposure group (PM), and PM2.5 exposure plus oral antibiotics group (PMA). We used non-absorbable antibiotics (ABX: neomycin and amikacin) to modify the microbiota composition in the PMA group. The intervention was conducted from the 18th to the 28th day of age. Broilers in the PM and PMA groups were exposed to PM by a systemic exposure method from 21 to 28 days old, and the concentration of PM2.5 was controlled at 2 mg/m3. At 28 days old, the lung injury score, relative mRNA expression of inflammatory factors, T-cell differentiation, and dendritic cell function were significantly increased in the PM group compared to the CON group, and those of the PMA group were significantly decreased compared to the PM group. There were significant differences in both α and β diversity of cecal microbiota among these three groups. Numerous bacterial genera showed significant differences in relative abundance among the three groups. In conclusion, gut microbiota could affect PM2.5-induced lung inflammation in broilers by adjusting the capacity of antigen-presenting cells to activate T-cell differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global energy landscape faces significant challenges in meeting the demands of modern industries for stable and efficient energy supply. Laser wireless power transmission (LWPT) systems, which utilize the photovoltaic effect to convert laser beam energy, hold great promise due to their long-range transmission capability and high precision. However, the current energy conversion efficiency of these systems requires further improvement to achieve optimal performance. To enhance concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) system performance, the study examines different nonimaging concentrators such as reverse truncated pyramid, cross-compound parabolic concentrator, and square elliptical hyperboloid. Numerical simulations using the finite element method analyze the multifield coupling mechanism of PV modules with various concentration lenses. Three CPV systems with RTP concentrators of different heights were studied to understand the impact of geometry on CPV performance. And the main impact of rotation angle was discussed. The research findings provide essential insights into CPV system performance and the influence of different concentration lenses, contributing valuable knowledge towards improving LWPT technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has shown that teacher–student relationships influence student engagement, which, in turn, plays a key role in academic achievement. However, few studies have focused on the mechanism between the teacher–student relationship and student engagement. To address this gap in the literature, this study examined the link between teacher–student relationships and college students' engagement via the mediator of peer relationships. The sample consisted of 222 university students in Southwest China. Results of structural equation modeling showed that a positive teacher–student relationship was positively related to student engagement, and peer relationships partially mediated this relationship. Our findings will help researchers and educators to better understand the mechanism of the link between teacher–student relationships and student engagement, and provide practical suggestions for improving college students' engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing photothermal anti/deicing fluor‐free composite coatings with high wear resistance and liquid puncture resistance is an interesting challenge. Herein, a new biomass benzoxazine monomer (C‐d) was synthesized, which was then sprayed on a glass slide, followed by spraying hyperbranched polysiloxane (HSi), polydopamine‐coated micro AlN (P@mAlN), and polydopamine‐coated nano AlN (P@nAlN), successively, to develop a new type of photothermal anti/deicing four‐layer fluor‐free composite coatings with high wear resistance and liquid puncture resistance (C‐d/yHSi/0.4P@2bAlN, y is the mass ratio of HSi to C‐d). Three‐layer composite coatings (C‐d/0.4P@zbAlN, z is the mass ratio of P@mAlN to P@nAlN) and two‐layer composite coatings (C‐d/xP@mAlN, x is the mass ratio of P@mAlN to C‐d) were also prepared to study the influence of compositions on comprehensive properties of coatings. The results show that C‐d/0.4P@zbAlN has significantly longer icing delay time (IDT) than C‐d and C‐d/xP@mAlN coatings but still shows poor wear resistance and liquid puncture resistance. Interestingly, C‐d/yHSi/0.4P@2bAlN coatings have good superhydrophobicity; as y increases, both IDT and wear resistance increase significantly. When y = 0.5, the obtained C‐d/0.5HSi/0.4P@2bAlN coating has the best integrated performance, including high anti‐deicing property (IDT = 627 s), high wear resistance, and liquid puncture resistance as well as good photothermal deicing performance, the ice melts in 343 s under the irradiation with 808 nm infrared light, overcoming the bottleneck of poor wear resistance and liquid puncture resistance of photothermal anti/deicing coatings. Besides, C‐d/0.5HSi/0.4P@2bAlN coating can effectively prevent the adhesion of pollutants and remain superhydrophobicity after soaked in different solutions (pH = 1–10). Highlights: A new biomass benzoxazine with good flexibility was synthesized.Photo‐thermal anti/deicing coatings with micro/nanostructured surfaces are built.The fluor‐free coatings have excellent wear resistance and chemical resistance.The mechanism behind was elucidated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honeysuckle, as an important medicinal and edible plant, contains a variety of chemical active components, mainly including volatile oils, flavonoids, organic acids and iridoid glycosides, etc., which have antibacterial, antiinflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, antipyretic, and immunomodulatory effects. Honeysuckle and its extract can improve the digestion, absorption and utilization rate of feed, promote the growth and development of livestock and poultry and meat quality, regulate the metabolism of energy, protein, lipids and sugar of livestock and poultry, and improve the immune function and antioxidant capacity of livestock and poultry. In the paper, the main active components, physiological functions, and application status of honeysuckle and its extracts in livestock and poultry production were summarized, in order to provide a reference for honeysuckle and its extracts to improve the production efficiency and product quality of livestock and poultry, and to replace antibiotics in livestock and poultry production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background To explore whether SARS-CoV-2 infection affects the pregnancy outcomes of assisted reproductive techniques (ART). Methods A prospective cohort study recruited patients for embryo transfer from December 01, 2022, to December 31, 2022. All patients were closely followed up for SARS-CoV-2 infection after embryo transfer. The SARS-CoV-2 “diagnosed group” was defined as RNA or antigen-positive. The SARS-CoV-2 “suspected infection group” was defined as having apparent SARS-CoV-2 symptoms without an RNA or antigen test, while the “uninfected group” was defined as having a negative SARS-CoV-2 RNA or antigen test and no SARS-CoV-2 symptoms. Results A total of 1330 patients participated in the study, 687 of whom were in the SARS-CoV-2 diagnosed group, 219 in the suspected infection group, and 424 in the uninfected group. There was no significant difference in basic characteristics among the three groups. The clinical pregnancy rate was 68% in the SARS-CoV-2 diagnosed group, 63% in the uninfected group, and 51% in the suspected infection group (P<0.001). The ongoing pregnancy rate was 58% in the SARS-CoV-2 diagnosed group, 53% in the uninfected group, and 45% in the suspected infection group (P<0.001). Upon analyzing the factors influencing clinical pregnancy, it was found that suspected infection (odds ratio [OR] 0.618, 95% CI 0.444–0.862, P=0.005) and the short time (≤22 days) between embryo transfer and SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 3.76, 95% CI 1.92–8.24, P<0.001) were not conducive to clinical pregnancy. In addition, the concurrent presence of fever and dizziness/headache SARS-CoV-2 symptoms (OR 0.715, 95% CI 0.526–0.972, P=0.032) decreased the clinical pregnancy rate. However, vaccination administered 2–3 times (OR 1.804, 95% CI 1.332–2.444, P<0.001) was associated with an improvement in clinical pregnancy rate. Conclusions This prospective cohort study shows that SARS-CoV-2 infection in a short period of time after embryo transfer is not conducive to clinical pregnancy. Reproductive physicians should advise patients to avoid SARS-CoV-2 infection shortly after embryo transfer. Meanwhile, women should be encouraged to vaccinate at least 2–3 times before embryo transfer or pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumors represent ecosystems where subclones compete during tumor growth. While extensively investigated, a comprehensive picture of the interplay of clonal lineages during dissemination is still lacking. Using patientderived pancreatic cancer cells, we created orthotopically implanted clonal replica tumors to trace clonal dynamics of unperturbed tumor expansion and dissemination. This model revealed the multifaceted nature of tumor growth, with rapid changes in clonal fitness leading to continuous reshuffling of tumor architecture and alternating clonal dominance as a distinct feature of cancer growth. Regarding dissemination, a large fraction of tumor lineages could be found at secondary sites each having distinctive organ growth patterns as well as numerous undescribed behaviors such as abortive colonization. Paired analysis of primary and secondary sites revealed fitness as major contributor to dissemination. From the analysis of pro- and nonmetastatic isogenic subclones, we identified a transcriptomic signature able to identify metastatic cells in human tumors and predict patients' survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several large high-grade iron skarn deposits in the Laiwu district of Shandong Province (North China Craton) are developed along the contact zone between the Early Cretaceous Kuangshan diorite pluton and Middle Ordovician dolomitic limestone. In sharp contrast, no iron skarn mineralization has been recognized in association with other contemporaneous dioritic intrusions (Jiaoyu, Jinniushan, Tietonggou) in this district. The reason for this contrast remains elusive. Here we present a comparative study of the orerelated Kuangshan pluton and its barren equivalents using whole-rock and mineral (zircon, apatite) geochemistry combined with existing Sr-Nd isotope data to provide new insights into the critical controls on iron skarn mineralization and shed light on future mineral exploration. Geochemical and Sr-Nd isotope data suggest that both the ore-related and barren intrusions were derived from a common enriched lithospheric mantle source following variable degrees of fractional crystallization and crustal assimilation. Modeling based on whole-rock Sr-Nd isotopes implies that the magmas responsible for the Kuangshan and Jinniushan diorite plutons assimilated significant quantities of the Ordovician evaporite-bearing carbonates. Both the fertile and barren diorites show high wholerock Sr/Y ratios, high zircon Eu/Eu* and Eu/Eu*/Y ratios, and low zircon Dy/Yb ratios. These data, combined with high magmatic water contents (4.4-8.0 wt%) calculated from amphibole compositions, indicate that those four plutons crystallized from hydrous magmas. High whole-rock Fe2O3/FeO, and high ΔFMQ values (mostly >1; fayalitemagnetite-quartz oxygen buffers) estimated from zircon, apatite, and amphibole suggest that the magmas from which the diorite intrusions crystallized were all oxidized. Using available partitioning coefficients for Cl between apatite and magma, the parental melts of the Kuangshan and Jinniushan diorite are estimated to have had higher Cl contents (0.15-0.77 wt%) than the Jiaoyu and Tietonggou diorites (0.06-0.34 wt%). Two types of apatite from the intrusions studied are recognized based on their paragenetic relations: Type 1 apatite (Ap1) is an early-formed phase enclosed in euhedral amphibole, plagioclase, and biotite, whereas type 2 (Ap2) is a late-formed variety hosted in, or intergrown with, anhedral K-feldspar (± anhedral amphibole ± subhedral to anhedral quartz). In the fertile Kuangshan diorite, Cl and OH contents of apatite decrease, but Sr contents increase from Ap1 to Ap2. However, those parameters show reverse trends or remain constant from Ap1 to Ap2 in barren diorites. Such distinctive apatite geochemical signatures are best interpreted as reflecting more efficient fluid exsolution from the parental magma of the Kuangshan diorite than from the barren intrusions. This view is supported by the presence of abundant fluid inclusions in apatite and quartz exclusively from the mineralized intrusion, indicating its crystallization from volatile oversaturated melts. The results presented here indicate that elevated magma Cl contents and efficient separation of magmatic hydrothermal fluid from cooling magmas have been the critical factors controlling iron skarn mineralization in the Laiwu district. Mass balance constraints on Cl budget indicate that a minimum of 44-60 km3 of magma was required to form the Fe deposits associated with the Kuangshan pluton. Our preliminary results suggest that decreasing OH and Cl contents from early to late apatite in intermediate rocks can be used as an indicator for efficient fluid exsolution and consequently metal fertility of those rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gut microbiome (GMB) has been extensively reported to be associated with the development and prognosis of human diseases. This study aims to investigate the relationship between GMB composition and chemotherapy efficacy in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We demonstrated that DLBCL patients at diagnosis have altered GMB compositions. Significant enrichment of the Proteobacteria phylum in DLBCL patients was observed. Gene analysis showed a high abundance of virulence factors genes. We found baseline GMB to be associated with clinical outcomes. The emergence of Lactobacillus fermentum was correlated with better treatment outcome. Our pilot results suggested a correlation between GMB composition and DLBCL development and prognosis. Clues from our study, together with previous research, provided a rational foundation for further investigation on the pathogenesis, prognosis value, and targeted therapy of GMB in DLBCL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medium-coarse-crystalline dolomite is a major variant of dolomite, and its structural heterogeneity inside and outside the crystals makes it an ideal vehicle for studies of dolomite genesis, fluid evolution and elemental migration. In this paper, the medium-coarse crystalline dolomite from the fifth section of the Majiagou Formation of the Lower Ordos Basin was systematically studied by petrographic, cathodoluminescence and related geochemical methods. The rock is developed in the context of mud powder crystal dolomite and granular dolomite, possessing significant ring band structure, fluorite and quartz intergrowth. Compared with other dolomites, it is characterized by Fe and Mn enrichment and low Na and Sr contents, as well as a negative δEu anomaly and a strong negative δ18 O offset. Combined with the evolutionary history of diagenesis, it is believed that the medium-coarse-crystal dolomite is the end product of a series of diagenetic effects such as early dolomitization-atmospheric freshwater leaching-secondary burial recrystallization-deep burial dissolution. Electron microprobe analysis reveals the structural and compositional heterogeneity inside and outside the crystals. The formation of mediumcoarse- crystalline dolomite is associated with an increase in Fe-Mn content, a rise in the Mn/Sr ratio, a decrease in Sr, and a first rise and then a fall in Na concentration. This study provides a valuable reference for further research on the genesis of the medium-coarse crystalline dolomite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circadian clocks are endogenous timekeeping mechanisms that coordinate internal physiological responses with the external environment. EARLY FLOWERING3 (ELF3), PSEUDO RESPONSE REGULATOR (PRR9), and PRR7 are essential components of the plant circadian clock and facilitate entrainment of the clock to internal and external stimuli. Previous studies have highlighted a critical role for ELF3 in repressing the expression of PRR9 and PRR7. However, the functional significance of activity in regulating circadian clock dynamics and plant development is unknown. To explore this regulatory dynamic further, we first employed mathematical modeling to simulate the effect of the prr9/prr7 mutation on the elf3 circadian phenotype. These simulations suggested that simultaneous mutations in prr9/prr7 could rescue the elf3 circadian arrhythmia. Following these simulations, we generated all Arabidopsis elf3/prr9/prr7 mutant combinations and investigated their circadian and developmental phenotypes. Although these assays could not replicate the results from the mathematical modeling, our results have revealed a complex epistatic relationship between ELF3 and PRR9/7 in regulating different aspects of plant development. ELF3 was essential for hypocotyl development under ambient and warm temperatures, while PRR9 was critical for root thermomorphogenesis. Finally, mutations in prr9 and prr7 rescued the photoperiod-insensitive flowering phenotype of the elf3 mutant. Together, our results highlight the importance of investigating the genetic relationship among plant circadian genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, featuring di[2.2]paracyclophane (DpCp) amine derivatives as electron donors and 4‐(4,6‐diphenyl‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐yl)phenyl (Trz) as the electron acceptor, four thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) molecules are disclosed. The C2 symmetric molecules, DpCpN‐Trz and DpCpCz‐Trz, bearing a chair‐like planar chiral di[2.2]paracyclophane moiety, are obtained as optically pure enantiomers (R/S)‐C‐DpCpN‐Trz and (R/S)‐C‐DpCpCz‐Trz. And the compounds B‐DpCpN‐Trz and B‐DpCpCz‐Trz with a bridge‐like di[2.2]paracyclophane skeleton are meso‐compounds, thus without optically activity. All emitters show blue emissions peaking from 464 to 485 nm, accompanied by high photoluminescence quantum efficiency (up to 93%). The enantiomers (R/S)‐C‐DpCpN‐Trz and (R/S)‐C‐DpCpCz‐Trz exhibit symmetric circularly polarized photoluminescence spectra with dissymmetry factors (|gPL|) ranging from 3.8 × 10−4 to 6.7 × 10−4 in toluene and films. The organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) fabricated with these emitters achieve maximum external quantum efficiencies of up to 19.5%. Notably, the circularly polarized OLEDs (CP‐OLEDs) with (R/S)‐C‐DpCpN‐Trz and (R/S)‐C‐DpCpCz‐Trz demonstrate |gEL| factors of up to 7.6 × 10−4. This study demonstrates a feasible way to design TADF materials and enantiomers by incorporating DpCp derivatives for CP‐OLEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We designed three‐dimensional (3D) structures through a combination of glass fiber cloth and in situ formation of nano polyphenylene oxide (PPE) fibers during the fabrication process of thermosetting cyanate ester/bismaleimide composites and developed a self‐stitching technique based on PPE fiber and interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) for aiding the crack self‐healing. The building of 3D structure effectively improves the interface interaction between fiber and matrix and suppresses the crack propagation process in composite, leading to significant enhancement in the mechanical properties. When PPE content is 20%, the interlaminar shear strength, flexural strength, impact strength, and tensile strength of the resulting composite are 98%, 74%, 95%, and 101% higher than those of the composite without PPE. The resulting composites possess excellent thermomechanical and lower dielectric properties. Because IPNs within composites can create interspaces and easily deform above glass‐transition temperature, PPE components may penetrate through the interspaces under thermal expansion force, and the contraction stresses of polymers generate strong locking effects in composite after cooling to room temperature, then the crack surfaces of composites can be stitched by PPE fibers, significantly recovering the mechanical properties. The healing efficiency of the composite with 30% PPE after impact and then heating at approximately 280°C can reach 96%. Highlights: 3D structures were constructed during the fabrication process of glass‐fiber‐reinforced thermosetting cyanate ester/bismaleimide composite.A self‐stitching technique was developed for aiding the crack self‐healing of composite.3D structures significantly improved the interface interaction between fiber and matrix in laminated composite.The mechanical properties of the resulting composite could be significantly improved by 3D structures.The healing efficiency of the healed composite could reach 96%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) such as extracellular ATP and nigericin (a bacterial toxin) not only act as potassium ion (K+) efflux inducers to activate NLRP3 inflammasome, leading to pyroptosis, but also induce cell death independently of NLRP3 expression. However, the roles of energy metabolism in determining NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis and -independent necrosis upon K+ efflux are incompletely understood. Here we established cellular models by pharmacological blockade of energy metabolism, followed by stimulation with a K+ efflux inducer (ATP or nigericin). Two energy metabolic inhibitors, namely CPI-613 that targets α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase and pyruvate dehydrogenase (a rate-limiting enzyme) and 2-deoxy- d -glucose (2-DG) that targets hexokinase, are recruited in this study, and Nlrp3 gene knockout macrophages were used. Our data showed that CPI-613 and 2-DG dose-dependently inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation, but profoundly increased cell death in the presence of ATP or nigericin. The cell death was K+ efflux-induced but NLRP3-independent, which was associated with abrupt reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential, and oligomerization of mitochondrial proteins, all indicating mitochondrial damage. Notably, the cell death induced by K+ efflux and blockade of energy metabolism was distinct from pyroptosis, apoptosis, necroptosis or ferroptosis. Furthermore, fructose 1,6-bisphosphate, a high-energy intermediate of glycolysis, significantly suppressed CPI-613+nigericin-induced mitochondrial damage and cell death. Collectively, our data show that energy deficiency diverts NLRP3 inflammasome activation-dependent pyroptosis to Nlrp3 -independent necrosis upon K+ efflux inducers, which can be dampened by high-energy intermediate, highlighting a critical role of energy metabolism in cell survival and death under inflammatory conditions. [Display omitted] • ATP or nigericin induces potassium ion (K+) efflux, thus inducing NLRP3 inflammasome activation. • K+ efflux leads to exaggerated cell death when energy metabolism is pharmacologically blocked. • The cell death induced by K+ efflux and energy metabolism blockade is independent of Nlrp3. • K+ efflux induces oxidative burst in mitochondria under condition of energy metabolism blockade. • K+ efflux induces exaggerated mitochondrial damage when energy metabolism is blocked. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to develop a method to rapidly detect the content of tylosin tartrate. In Clark-Lubs buffer solution with pH 6.6, malachite green can induce strong resonance light scattering due to the construction of supermolecule aggregates, and tylosin tartrate can react with malachite green cations, resulting in the decomposition of supermolecule aggregates constructed by malachite green, which significantly weakens the resonance light scattering intensity of the system. The maximum detection wavelengths are at 285 nm and 332 nm. Due to the additive nature of the resonance light intensity ( I), the two wavelengths are superimposed for measurement. The linear range of tylosin tartrate is 0.2-0.6 mg/L, the linear regression equation is IRLS= 5 299 C-766.4, the correlation coefficient ( R) is 0.999 8, and the detection limit is 0.004 1 mg/L. The result indicates that the method is simple and sensitive, and can be successfully applied for the determination of tylosin tartrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) formation following open surgical treatment of hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC) is a common and troublesome complication. To date, the postoperative protocol of restarting oral intake is not clear, and vast discrepancies exist in the literature and among institutions. This study aimed to explore the impact of a postoperative protocol of restarting oral intake on PCF formation after open surgical treatment of primary HPC, and its impact on overall survival (OS) and swallowing function based on the functional outcome swallowing scale (FOSS). Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational study of 42 patients who received open surgical treatment for primary HPC at Beijing Friendship Hospital between April 2019 and August 2021. This cohort included two groups: patients who restarted oral intake on the 10th postoperative day (Group 1), and those who started on the 20th (Group 2). The Chi-square test and Fisher's exact chi-squared test were used for comparing qualitative data among the groups. Results: Group 1 (n = 27) and Group 2 (n = 15) were comparable in clinical characteristics. PCF occurred in 7 (25.9%) patients in Group 1, while none occurred in Group 2 (P = 0.038). The 2-year OS of all 42 patients was 75.6%; 65.8% and 93.3% for Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P = 0.07). The swallowing function was satisfactory (FOSS Grades 0–III) for 19 (70.4%) patients in Group 1 and 15 (100%) patients in Group 2 (P = 0.035). Laryngeal preservation was achieved in 25 (59.5%) patients, while decannulation was successful in 22 (88.0%) patients. Conclusions: Delayed oral feeding significantly reduces PCF after open surgical treatment of primary HPC, and improves the swallowing function outcome without jeopardizing the OS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background objective: This study aimed to understand the basic situation of adults with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Meigu County, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture. The information of patients who had been on ART for more than 6 months, the effect of ART, the possible reasons for ART failure, knowledge of drug resistance among patients with ART failure and the possible reasons for the emergence of drug resistance were analyzed. Methods: A total of 2753 people living with HIV (PLWH) were collected for HIV-1 RNA virus nucleic acid testing. Plasma specimens with HIV-1 RNA ≥ 1000 copies/mL were sent to the laboratory for nucleic acid extraction, PCR, electrophoresis and sequencing, and the sequencing results were submitted to the HIV drug resistance database of Stanford University for subtyping to determine the drug resistance mutation sites and drug sensitivity levels. Results: A total of 2753 patients were enrolled in this study. Antiviral therapy failed in 288 patients and was successfully amplified in 245, of which 111 had resistance genes. The resistance rate to failure of viral suppression was 45.3% (111/245). The highest rates of resistance to NNRTIs were found for efavirenz (EFV) and nevirapine (NVP) (42.9%), and the highest rates of resistance to NRTIs were found for 3TC and emtricitabine (FTC) (15.9%). The most common NNRTI resistance mutation site was K103N (20.8%), followed by V179D (9.4%) and V106M (7.8%); the most common NRTI resistance mutation site was M184V/I/MV (14.3%), followed by K65R (6.9%); three PI-associated resistance mutation sites were identified. The subtype of the resistant strain was CRF07-BC in almost all patients (98.9%). Conclusions: Compared with the previous low ART efficacy in the county, this study showed that the overall virological failure (VF) resistance rate in the county is still low, dominated by resistance to EFV, NVP, 3TC, FTC, and didanosine (DDI). Due to economic constraints, the core regimen is still 3TC + TDF, but before initiating ART, testing for HIV-1 subtypes and resistance should be conducted to avoid resistance that can lead to VF, especially for patients with high risk factors for resistance as shown by epidemiologic investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High levels of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) are linked to cancer development, which is tightly controlled by the electron transport chain (ETC). However, the epigenetic mechanisms governing ETC gene transcription to drive mROS production and cancer cell growth remain to be fully characterized. Here, we report that protein demethylase PHF8 is overexpressed in many types of cancers, including colon and lung cancer, and is negatively correlated with ETC gene expression. While it is well known to demethylate histones to activate transcription, PHF8 demethylates transcription factor YY1, functioning as a co-repressor for a large set of nuclear-coded ETC genes to drive mROS production and cancer development. In addition to genetically ablating PHF8, pharmacologically targeting PHF8 with a specific chemical inhibitor, iPHF8, is potent in regulating YY1 methylation, ETC gene transcription, mROS production, and cell growth in colon and lung cancer cells. iPHF8 exhibits potency and safety in suppressing tumor growth in cell-line- and patient-derived xenografts in vivo. Our data uncover a key epigenetic mechanism underlying ETC gene transcriptional regulation, demonstrating that targeting the PHF8/YY1 axis has great potential to treat cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In early adolescence, youth are highly prone to suicidal behaviours. Identifying modifiable risk factors during this critical phase is a priority to inform effective suicide prevention strategies. Aims To explore the risk and protective factors of suicidal behaviours (ie, suicidal ideation, plans and attempts) in early adolescence in China using a social-ecological perspective. Methods Using data from the cross-sectional project 'Healthy and Risky Behaviours Among Middle School Students in Anhui Province, China', stratified random cluster sampling was used to select 5724 middle school students who had completed self-report questionnaires in November 2020. Network analysis was employed to examine the correlates of suicidal ideation, plans and attempts at four levels, namely individual (sex, academic performance, serious physical illness/disability, history of self-harm, depression, impulsivity, sleep problems, resilience), family (family economic status, relationship with mother, relationship with father, family violence, childhood abuse, parental mental illness), school (relationship with teachers, relationship with classmates, school-bullying victimisation and perpetration) and social (social support, satisfaction with society). Results In total, 37.9%, 19.0% and 5.5% of the students reported suicidal ideation, plans and attempts in the past 6 months, respectively. The estimated network revealed that suicidal ideation, plans and attempts were collectively associated with a history of self-harm, sleep problems, childhood abuse, school bullying and victimisation. Centrality analysis indicated that the most influential nodes in the network were history of self-harm and childhood abuse. Notably, the network also showed unique correlates of suicidal ideation (sex, weight=0.60; impulsivity, weight=0.24; family violence, weight=0.17; relationship with teachers, weight=-0.03; school-bullying perpetration, weight=0.22), suicidal plans (social support, weight=-0.15) and suicidal attempts (relationship with mother, weight=-0.10; parental mental illness, weight=0.61). Conclusions This study identified the correlates of suicidal ideation, plans and attempts, and provided practical implications for suicide prevention for young adolescents in China. Firstly, this study highlighted the importance of joint interventions across multiple departments. Secondly, the common risk factors of suicidal ideation, plans and attempts were elucidated. Thirdly, this study proposed target interventions to address the unique influencing factors of suicidal ideation, plans and attempts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of rehabilitation robots has long been an issue of increasing interest in a wide range of fields. An important aspect of the ongoing research field is applying flexible components to rehabilitation equipment to enhance human-machine interaction. Another major challenge is to accurately estimate the individual's intention to achieve safe operation and efficient training. In this article, a robotic knee-ankle orthosis (KAO) with shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators is developed, and the estimation method is proposed to determine the joint torque. First, based on the analysis of human lower limb structure and walking patterns, the mechanical design of the KAO that can achieve various rehabilitation training modes is detailed. Next, the dynamic model of the hybrid-driven KAO is established using the thermodynamic constitutive equation and Lagrange formalism. In addition, the joint torque estimation is realized by the nonlinear Kalman filter method. Finally, the prototype and human subject experiments are conducted, and the experimental results demonstrate that the KAO can assist lower limb movements. In the three experimental scenarios, reductions of 59.1%, 16.5%, and 73% of the torque estimation error during the knee joint movement are observed, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crystalline–amorphous–crystalline transition process of an oxygen-tuned Sb phase-change material has been obtained by employing ab initio molecular dynamic calculations. By analyzing the local atomic arrangement and the electron structure of the SbO system, the intrinsic mechanism is explored to comprehend the material function: (1) ultrafast crystallization and difficulty in creating a glassy state of a pure Sb material might be caused by the resonance bonding of linear arrangement Sb atoms in the rhombohedral phase; (2) the impurity oxygen atoms break the medium and long-range linear arrangement of the Sb network by steric effects and change the electronic structure of these Sb atoms bonded to oxygen atoms, i.e., the obvious increase in electron localization and the great decrease in state distribution around the Fermi surface due to the high electronegativity of oxygen. These factors set an effective barrier for crystallization and improve the amorphous stability and, thus, data retention. The present research and scheme provide important insights into the engineering and manipulation of a phase-change material through first-principles calculations toward non-volatile phase change memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are numerous design possibilities for vibration-suppression systems considering components from multiple domains (e.g., mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical). Traditional vibration absorber design approach could only explore limited possibilities, of which the performance is away from optimal. Since the 2000s, network synthesis-based approach has been applied. It allows identification of optimal absorber properties represented by networks consisting of modeling elements (stiffness, damping, inertance), providing significant theoretical performance improvements. However, such improvements have not yet been realized in industry. This is because the following questions have not been answered: (1) What are the network-represented properties of the conventional absorber? (2) How can the optimal network-represented properties be realized considering multidomain physical components? This article provides a method for answering these questions by proposing a novel multidomain synthesis technique, allowing bidirectional transformation between networks and multidomain components. Building on this technique, a vibration-absorber design methodology is proposed, which can construct physical realizations of optimal absorbers considering multidomain components. Another contribution of this work is to propose a novel component, providing a hydraulic realization of compliance 'embedded' in a hydraulic network. This methodology is demonstrated using an automotive case study, where the constructed optimal hydraulic suspension provides 23% ride comfort enhancement over the conventional one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influenza virus polymerase is central to influenza virus evolution. Adaptive mutations within the polymerase are often a prerequisite for efficient spread of novel animal-derived viruses in human populations. The polymerase also determines fidelity and, therefore, the rate at which the virus will acquire mutations that lead to host range expansion, drug resistance, or antigenic drift. Despite its importance to viral replication and evolution, our understanding of the mutational effects and associated constraints on the influenza RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is relatively limited. We performed deep mutational scanning of the A/WSN/1933(H1N1) polymerase basic 1 (PB1), generating a library of 95.4% of amino acid substitutions at 757 sites. After accuracy filters, we were able to measure replicative fitness for 13,354 (84%) of all possible amino acid substitutions, and 13 were validated by results from pairwise competition assays. Functional and structural constraints were better revealed by individual sites involved in RNA or protein interactions than by major subdomains defined by sequence conservation. Mutational tolerance, as defined by site entropy, was correlated with evolutionary potential, as captured by diversity in the available H1N1 sequences. Of the 29 beneficial sites, many have either been identified in the natural evolution of PB1 or shown experimentally to have important impacts on replication and adaptation. Accessibility of amino acid substitutions by single nucleotide mutation was a key factor in determining whether mutations appeared in natural PB1 evolution. Our work provides a comprehensive map of mutational effects on a viral RdRp and a valuable resource for subsequent studies of influenza replication and evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From 2015–2018 to 2019‒2021, hypertoxigenic M1UK lineage among invasive group A Streptococcus increased in the United States (1.7%, 21/1,230 to 11%, 65/603; p<0.001). M1UK was observed in 9 of 10 states, concentrated in Georgia (n = 41), Tennessee (n = 13), and New York (n = 13). Genomic cluster analysis indicated recent expansions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we investigate the tr-convexity and the rectangular biconvexity in Euclidean spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carboxylated graphene (CG) with functional group was blended with polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), CG enhanced the tensile, thermal properties, crystallinity and barrier performance of PPS. Through tensile test, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, evaluation of S. aureus inhibition, and barrier performance, the properties of pure PPS and PPS/CG nanocomposites were characterized and compared. The FTIR results demonstrate that the reaction between the sulfur-containing linkage in PPS and the carboxylic acid group in CG culminates in the creation of both a thioester bond and a hydrogen bond. The results showed that CG acted a role in heterogeneous nucleation and reinforcement. When the concentration of CG was 0.2 %, the tensile strength, elongation at break, thermostability, crystallinity and water vapor permeability coefficients (WVPC) approached maximum values, and the microscopic morphology changed from the original brittle fracture to a relatively tough fracture. Compared with pure PPS, when CG was added to PPS at 0.2 %, the tensile strength, elongation at break and WVPC of PPS were significantly increased by 23.9%, 17.2%, and 18.3% respectively. This improvement in barrier performance might be attributed to two reasons: (1) The presence of CG extended the penetration path of molecules; (2) The hydrogen bond from PPS matrix and CG nanofiller, so as to narrow the H2O transmission path. Antibacterial testing shows that both PPS and PPS/CG nanocomposite materials exhibit excellent antibacterial properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current optical temperature measurements are confined to materials with high sensitivity, while probes with fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) sensitivity above 12% K−1 still confront severe challenges. Therefore, we propose a novel strategy to obtain temperatures in one step from the temperature-dependent emission spectra by establishing a chemometrics model instead of calculating FIR values to improve temperature measurement accuracy of materials with a low FIR sensitivity. Here, Er3+-doped Na 0.5 Gd 0.5 TiO 3 with low sensitivity and the monotonic variation of FIR is used as a temperature sensing material. The temperature-dependent spectra are preprocessed by the moving average filter method, and the useful information is extracted from the preprocessed spectra by the synergy interval partial least squares (siPLS) algorithm. The extracted spectra are then combined with the partial least squares regression (PLSR), the principal component regression (PCR), the multiple linear regression (MLR), and the support vector machine regression (SVM) respectively to build chemometrics models. The errors between the predicted and the actual temperatures of different models are evaluated to verify the feasibility of the proposed strategy and to select the optimal temperature measurement model for Na 0.5 Gd 0.5 TiO 3 : Er3+. The results show small errors and high correlation coefficients over 0.98 between the predicted and the actual temperatures of all models, indicating the applicability of the chemometrics model strategy in optical thermometry. Finally, the best model (a combination of siPLS-PCR + SVM) and the periodic testing of FIR with temperature may make Na 0.5 Gd 0.5 TiO 3 : Er3+ a candidate for optical thermometer with rapidity, durability and accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slickwater-based fracturing fluid has recently garnered significant attention as the major fluid for volumetric fracturing; however, lots of challenges and limitations such as low viscosity, poor salt tolerance, and possible formation damage hinder the application of the conventional simple slickwaterbased fracturing fluid. In addition, nanomaterials have proven to be potential solutions or improvements to a number of challenges associated with the slickwater. In this paper, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets were chemically synthesized by hydrothermal method and applied to improve the performance of conventional slickwater-based fracturing fluid. Firstly, the microstructure characteristics and crystal type of the MoS2 nanosheets were analyzed by SEM, EDS, TEM, XPS, and Raman spectroscopy techniques. Then, a series of evaluation experiments were carried out to compare the performance of MoS2 nanosheet-modified slickwater with the conventional slickwater, including rheology, drag reduction, and sand suspension. Finally, the enhanced imbibition capacity and potential mechanism of the nanosheet-modified slickwater were systematically investigated. The results showed that the selfsynthesized MoS2 nanosheets displayed a distinct ultrathin flake-like morphology and a lateral size in the range of tens of nanometers. In the nano-composites, each MoS2 nanosheet plays the role of crosslinking point, so as to make the spatial structure of the entire system more compact. Moreover, nanosheet-modified slickwater demonstrates more excellent properties in rheology, drag reduction, and sand suspension. The nanosheet-modified slickwater has a higher apparent viscosity after shearing 120 min under 90 °C and 170 s-1. The maximum drag reduction rate achieved 76.3% at 20 °C, and the sand settling time of proppants with different mesh in the nano-composites was prolonged. Spontaneous imbibition experiments showed that the gel-breaking fluid of nanosheet-modified slickwater exhibited excellent capability of oil-detaching, and increase the oil recovery to ~35.43%. By observing and analyzing the interfacial behavior of MoS2 nanosheets under stimulated reservoir conditions, it was found that the presence of an interfacial tension gradient and the formation of a climbing film may play an essential role in the spontaneous imbibition mechanism. This work innovatively uses two-dimensional MoS2 nanosheets to modify regular slickwater and confirms the feasibility of flake-like nanomaterials to improve the performance of slickwater. The study also reveals the underlying mechanism of enhanced imbibition efficiency of the nano-composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The corrosion resistance, interfacial contact resistance (ICR), and hydrophobicity of cathodic arc deposited TiN films on 316L stainless steels at different nitrogen flow rates as bipolar plates (BPs) for the proton‐exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) are investigated. It is shown in the results that the TiN‐coated 316L stainless steel prepared at a moderate nitrogen flow rate (250 sccm) exhibits a low stable corrosion current density of 6.5 × 10−8 A cm−2 in the simulated corrosive cathode environment of PEMFC, and a low ICR of 8.94 mΩ cm−2 at a pressure of 1.38 MPa after corrosion, meanwhile presents a good hydrophobicity before and after corrosion. These results are discussed by considering the probable effects of the nitrogen flow rate on the substrate/coating system based on the microstructural characterization of the substrate/coating interface and the coating, which shows that the interdiffusion will be started in the deposition process and a moderate nitrogen flow rate during the coating process will promote to the broadening of interface region and lead to the formation of a robust and high‐quality coating with fewer defects that can effectively improve the performances of the 316L stainless steel substrate as the BP for PEMFC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imposter syndrome is the experience of persistently feeling like a fraud despite one's achievements. This article explores student experiences of imposter syndrome, based on 27 interviews with marginalised STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine) undergraduates at two pre-1992 elite UK universities. We argue that imposter feelings are a form of unevenly distributed emotional work, which we call imposter work. Drawing on Sara Ahmed's 'diversity work' concept we explore how marginalised students' imposter feelings are often in response to, and reinforced by, the exclusionary atmosphere of university, resulting in more imposter work to survive and thrive at university. Three key themes are explored – the situated and relational nature of imposter feelings; the uneven distribution of imposter work; and the myth of individual overcoming – before concluding with suggestions for collective responses to addressing imposter feelings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lysosomal integrity is vital for cell homeostasis, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we identify CLH-6, the C. elegans ortholog of the lysosomal Cl-/H+ antiporter ClC-7, as an important factor for protecting lysosomal integrity. Loss of CLH-6 affects lysosomal degradation, causing cargo accumulation and membrane rupture. Reducing cargo delivery or increasing CPL-1/cathepsin L or CPR-2/cathepsin B expression suppresses these lysosomal defects. Inactivation of CPL-1 or CPR-2, like CLH-6 inactivation, affects cargo digestion and causes lysosomal membrane rupture. Thus, loss of CLH-6 impairs cargo degradation, leading to membrane damage of lysosomes. In clh-6(lf) mutants, lysosomes are acidified as in wild type but contain lower chloride levels, and cathepsin B and L activities are significantly reduced. Cl- binds to CPL-1 and CPR-2 in vitro, and Cl- supplementation increases lysosomal cathepsin B and L activities. Altogether, these findings suggest that CLH-6 maintains the luminal chloride levels required for cathepsin activity, thus facilitating substrate digestion to protect lysosomal membrane integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper demonstrates the mechanical design, analysis, and evaluation of a knee-ankle orthosis (KAO) for lower limb rehabilitation, including shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators and DC brushless motor actuators. First, the mechanical structure of the KAO is detailed, including the actuator system, transmission mechanism, monitoring device, and processing method of SMA actuators. Next, the dynamic model of SMA spring actuators in the phase transition process is established based on the thermal constitutive model of SMA. In addition, the dynamic output response of the knee joint under three working states is analyzed, and the rotation angle of SMA soft actuator during bending is described by pseudo rigid body model. Finally, the output of SMA actuator is preliminarily evaluated through experiments. The experimental results show that the maximum displacement of SMA spring actuator is 54.36 mm, the maximum restoring force during phase transformation is 4.14 N, and the maximum rotation angle of SMA soft actuator is 43.18 deg. The experimental results are consistent with the theoretical model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To provide an updated summary of recent advances in our understanding of the noncanonical roles of apoptotic and DNA double-strand break repair factors in various biological processes, especially in the cellular response to radiotherapy. Conclusion: Apoptotic caspases are usually considered as "executioners" of unwanted or damaged cells or tissues. However, recent studies indicated they play multiple additional, often counterintuitive roles in many biological processes. Similarly, DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair factors were also found to play unexpected roles beyond repairing damaged DNA. In this review, I will summarize key findings on the non-canonical roles of apoptotic and DSB repair factors in disparate biological and pathological processes such as radiation-induced genetic instability and carcinogenesis, wound healing and tissue regeneration, induced pluripotent stem cell induction, spontaneous and stochastic generation of cancer stem cells, and cancer immunotherapy. I believe these findings will usher in more studies in this exciting and rapidly evolving field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This research investigated the dynamic changes and correlations of protease activity, material texture and flavour compounds during the fermentation (13 days) of crucian (Carassius auratus). Mixed starter fermentation (Enterococcus rivorum and Enterococcus lactis) and natural fermentation were used for the study. Results showed that the protease activity, TCA‐soluble protein and flavour substances were increased with fermentation time and were higher in the mixed fermentation group. The results of relative odour activity value showed that some aldehydes played a major role in the flavour of the product, such as octanal, nonanal and (E)‐2‐nonenal. The correlation analysis showed that protease activity and material texture (hardness and chewiness) had a significantly positive correlation with many flavour compounds (octanal, nonanal, glutamic acid, etc.). This work will provide a theoretical reference for the application of mixed starter cultures and for improving the quality of suanyu by increasing protease activity and changing the texture of the material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cross-PhRMA working group has proposed using the MaxCombo test in place of the log-rank test to evaluate treatment differences based on time-to-event endpoints, particularly if nonproportional hazards are expected. Despite demonstrating improved power and overall Type I error control, concerns about using this test for inferential purposes remain. We evaluated the MaxCombo test by reanalyzing data from six cancer clinical trials submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Interpretation of the MaxCombo test results is not clear when the Kaplan–Meier curves crossed or had early separation. In addition, we note difficulty in interpretation of the results from the MaxCombo test when the source cause of deviation from proportionality of the survival distributions is due to underlying factors such as differential treatment effect of subgroups or intercurrent events. We illustrate these concerns based on the case examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Pulmonary hypertension is a well-known risk factor for hemodynamic instability after heart transplantation. However, it remains unclear whether a mild elevation of pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) is associated with higher risks of graft dysfunction and resultant extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. Methods. From 2016 to 2021, 102 adult recipients undergoing orthotopic heart transplantation at our institution were investigated (mean age, 48.5 ± 13.2 years; 22.5% female). This study cohort was stratified into 3 groups based on the PASP measured by right heart catheterization before surgery: >50 mmHg, 35–50 mmHg, and <35 mmHg. The primary end point was ECMO support after procedure. Results. ECMO was implemented in 24 (23.5%) patients due to difficult weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass or cardiac low output in the intensive care unit, which was likely to be associated with higher mortality (P = 0.053). Age, gender, comorbidities, preoperative medications, and graft ischemia time were comparable across the 3 groups. The use of ECMO was significantly more common in patients with baseline PASP >50 mmHg (11/36, 30.6%) and 35–50 mmHg (12/38, 31.6%), while only 1 (3.6%) patient with baseline PASP <35 mmHg required ECMO support after transplant (P = 0.007). Multivariate logistic models demonstrated that PASP (odds ratio = 2.34; P = 0.028) and cardiopulmonary bypass time (odds ratio = 1.01; P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for postoperative ECMO. Conclusions. A mild elevation of pretransplant PASP (e.g., 35–50 mmHg) is related to low cardiac output and subsequent ECMO after heart transplantation, for which prompt administration of vasodilators before transplant may be protective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to develop a fermentation method instead of fruiting body extraction for Cordyceps polysaccharide (CP). The fermentation characteristics of P. dubia at different pH were inspected. The mechanism of microcycle conidiation of P. dubia was activated under pH 9.0 and produced yeast-like spores. A pH-shift strategy was raised based on the analysis of fermentation kinetics parameters. And, yeast-like spores were used as fermentation seeds to increase culture density. To further improve efficiency, a fed-batch fermentation with a pH-shift strategy was executed, CP production reached 13.54 g/L, with the productivity of 0.42 g/(L d), and the specific rate of CP to biomass was increased to 0.27, which improved by 47.6 %, 64.3 % and 97.1 % respectively, compared with fermentation without process controls. And, CP from fermented and extracted had the same monosaccharide composition except for differences in molecular weight. This study provides a feasible strategy for the efficient preparation of CP through spores fermentation. [Display omitted] • Microcycle conidiation of P. dubia was activated at pH 9.0 and produced spores. • A spores fermentation method was first introduced to the production of CP. • The stage kinetic characteristics of CP fermentation by P. dubia were proposed. • A maximum CP yield of 13.54 g/L was gained in fed-batch with pH-shift strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To find out a better propaganda and education plan for the popularization of the ground‑glass opacities‑related (GGO‑related) lung cancer screening. Methods and Material: The control group took a lung cancer screening knowledge test directly before receiving the health education. By contrast, the experimental group took the same knowledge test after receiving health education. This study designed unimodal and multimodal materials about GGO‑related lung cancer. The text and graph were considered unimodal information, while the video was multimodal information. According to the different information forms they were exposed to, the experimental group was further divided into text, graphic, and video groups. An eye‑tracking system was performed to record eye‑tracking data synchronously. Results: Compared with the control group, the knowledge test scores of each experimental group were remarkably improved. Furthermore, the graphic group had a significantly higher correct rate on the No. 7 question, while the video group had the lowest. In terms of saccades, the video group had significantly higher speed and amplitude of saccades than the other two groups. In terms of fixation, the interval duration, total duration of whole fixations, and a number of whole fixations of the graphic group were significantly lower than those of the other two groups, while the video group had the highest values for these variables. Conclusions: It was on the unimodal information, such as text and graphics, that people can spend less time and cost to achieve effective acquisition of GGO‑related lung cancer screening knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Submergence limits plants' access to oxygen and light, causing massive changes in metabolism; after submergence, plants experience additional stresses, including reoxygenation, dehydration, photoinhibition and accelerated senescence. Plant responses to waterlogging and partial or complete submergence have been well studied, but our understanding of plant responses during post‐submergence recovery remains limited. During post‐submergence recovery, whether a plant can repair the damage caused by submergence and reoxygenation and re‐activate key processes to continue to grow, determines whether the plant survives. Here, we summarize the challenges plants face when recovering from submergence, primarily focusing on studies of Arabidopsis thaliana and rice (Oryza sativa). We also highlight recent progress in elucidating the interplay among various regulatory pathways, compare post‐hypoxia reoxygenation between plants and animals and provide new perspectives for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Seed-based analysis has shown that transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) can modulate the dysfunctional brain network in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the voxel-based neuropsychological mechanism of taVNS on patients with firstepisode MDD is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of an 8-week course of taVNS on patients with first-episode MDD. Methods: Twenty-two patients with first-episode MDD accepted an 8-week course of taVNS treatment. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scans were performed before and after treatment. Voxel-based analyses were performed to characterize spontaneous brain activity. Healthy controls (n=23) were recruited to minimize test-retest effects. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed to ascertain treatment-related changes. Then, correlations between changes in brain activity and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D)/Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) remission rate were estimated. Results: Significant group-by-time interactions on voxel-based analyses were observed in the inferior ventral striatum (VSi) and precuneus. Post-hoc analyses showed that taVNS inhibited higher brain activity in the VSi, while upregulating it in the precuneus. Functional connectivity (FC) between the VSi and precuneus decreased. Positive correlations were found between the HAM-D remission rate and changes in brain activity in the VSi. Conclusion: taVNS reduced the FC between VSi and precuneus by normalizing the abnormal spontaneous brain activity of VSi in first-episode MDD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper draws upon in-depth interviews with 89 students from two UK universities to explore how students from Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) degrees describe the ideal as well as the typical student in their respective disciplines. We provide a comparative insight into the similarities and differences between disciplinary identities based on student perceptions. More specifically, we consider how undergraduates from biology, engineering, mathematics and physics construct the ideal and the typical student in their degree, highlighting the popular discourses and desirable traits that appear to characterise students in these disciplines. In addition to a masculinised construction of students in engineering, mathematics and physics, we found a social hierarchy within STEM degrees where biology was perceived as the easier STEM subject. We conclude with a discussion of the impact of such hierarchies on student identities in STEM, and potential implications for equality, diversity and inclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-temperature curable negative-tone photosensitive polyimide (n-LTPI) viscous solutions were prepared by dissolving photo-crosslinkable poly (amic ester) (pc-PAE) resin, photophotocrosslinker, photoinitiator, and the heteroaromatic base as curing catalysts, and other additives in organic solvents. Among them, the pc-PAE resin was synthesized by polycondensation of aromatic diacid chloride and diester of 2-ethoxymathacrylate, aromatic diamines in aprotic solvents. After being spun-coated on a silicon wafer surface, soft-baked, exposed to UV light, and developed, the n-LTPI with 2% of imidazole (IMZ) as a curing catalyst produced high-quality photo-patterns with line via resolution of 5 μm at 5 μm film thickness. The photo-patterned polymer films thermally cured at 230 °C/2 h in nitrogen showed 100% of the imidization degree (ID) determined by in situ FT-IR spectroscopy. The thermally cured polymer films exhibited great combined mechanical and thermal properties, including mechanical properties with tensile strength of as high as 189.0 MPa, tensile modulus of 3.7 GP, and elongation at breakage of 59.2%, as well as glass transition temperature of 282.0 °C, showing great potential in advanced microelectronic packaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leptin exerts its biological actions by activating the long-form leptin receptor (LepRb). LepRb signaling impairment and leptin resistance are believed to cause obesity. The transcription factor Slug -- also known as Snai2 -- recruits epigenetic modifiers and regulates gene expression by an epigenetic mechanism; however, its epigenetic action has not been explored in leptin resistance. Here, we uncover a proobesity function of neuronal Slug. Hypothalamic Slug was upregulated in obese mice. LepRb+ cell-specific Slug-knockout (SlugΔLepRb) mice were resistant to diet-induced obesity, type 2 diabetes, and liver steatosis and experienced decreased food intake and increased fat thermogenesis. Leptin stimulated hypothalamic Stat3 phosphorylation and weight loss to a markedly higher level in SlugΔLepRb than in Slugfl/fl mice, even before their body weight divergence. Conversely, hypothalamic LepRb+ neuron-specific overexpression of Slug, mediated by AAV-hSyn-DIO-Slug transduction, induced leptin resistance, obesity, and metabolic disorders in mice on a chow diet. At the genomic level, Slug bound to and repressed the LepRb promoter, thereby inhibiting LepRb transcription. Consistently, Slug deficiency decreased methylation of LepRb promoter H3K27, a repressive epigenetic mark, and increased LepRb mRNA levels in the hypothalamus. Collectively, these results unravel what we believe to be a previously unrecognized hypothalamic neuronal Slug/epigenetic reprogramming/leptin resistance axis that promotes energy imbalance, obesity, and metabolic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The systems of alkali metal atom doped boron have been investigative topics over the years because of their diverse configurations and unique properties. Based on this, with the assistance of the CALYPSO software facilitates the structure prediction process, our group went into the geometric structures and bonding characteristics of the NaBn (n = 1-12) clusters. From the structural analysis, the participation of the Na atom does not dramatically change the configurations of the clusters, and the NaBn (n = 1-12) clusters maintain the parallel planar configuration evolution model with the pure boron clusters. The local most stable structures emerge at n = 3, 5, 8, the NEC result shows electrons transfer from Na-3s and B-2s orbitals to B-2p orbitals, indicating the s-p hybridisation exists between Na-B, B-B atoms, and the DOS analysis also prove this point. In the subsequent bonding analysis of the NaB3 and NaB8 clusters, the high proportions of B-2s, B-2p, or Na-3s orbitals at HOMO, LUMO, demonstrate the formation of strong B-B, Na-B covalent bonds, which is the benefit to forming high stability. Last, the calculations of ICSS show, perpendicular to the boron ring plane direction, the NaB3 exhibits strong aromaticity while the NaB8 shows anti-aromaticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been an important change in the clinical characteristics and immune profile of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) patients during the pandemic thanks to the extensive vaccination programs. Here, we highlight recent studies on COVID‐19, from the clinical and immunological characteristics to the protective and risk factors for severity and mortality of COVID‐19. The efficacy of the COVID‐19 vaccines and potential allergic reactions after administration are also discussed. The occurrence of new variants of concerns such as Omicron BA.2, BA.4, and BA.5 and the global administration of COVID‐19 vaccines have changed the clinical scenario of COVID‐19. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS‐C) may cause severe and heterogeneous disease but with a lower mortality rate. Perturbations in immunity of T cells, B cells, and mast cells, as well as autoantibodies and metabolic reprogramming may contribute to the long‐term symptoms of COVID‐19. There is conflicting evidence about whether atopic diseases, such as allergic asthma and rhinitis, are associated with a lower susceptibility and better outcomes of COVID‐19. At the beginning of pandemic, the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) developed guidelines that provided timely information for the management of allergic diseases and preventive measures to reduce transmission in the allergic clinics. The global distribution of COVID‐19 vaccines and emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) variants with reduced pathogenic potential dramatically decreased the morbidity, severity, and mortality of COVID‐19. Nevertheless, breakthrough infection remains a challenge for disease control. Hypersensitivity reactions (HSR) to COVID‐19 vaccines are low compared to other vaccines, and these were addressed in EAACI statements that provided indications for the management of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis to COVID‐19 vaccines. We have gained a depth knowledge and experience in the over 2 years since the start of the pandemic, and yet a full eradication of SARS‐CoV‐2 is not on the horizon. Novel strategies are warranted to prevent severe disease in high‐risk groups, the development of MIS‐C and long COVID‐19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. QiHuangYiShen granules (QHYS), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine formula, have been used in clinical practice for treating diabetic kidney disease for several years by our team. The efficacy of reducing proteinuria and delaying the decline of renal function of QHYS has been proved by our previous studies. However, the exact mechanism by which QHYS exerts its renoprotection remains largely unknown. Emerging evidence suggests that lncRNA MALAT1 is abnormally expressed in diabetic nephropathy (DN) and can attenuate renal fibrosis by modulating podocyte epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Objective. In the present study, we aimed to explore whether QHYS could modulate lncRNA MALAT1 expression and attenuate the podocyte EMT as well as the potential mechanism related to the Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway. Methods. SD rats were fed with the high-fat-high-sucrose diet for 8 weeks and thereafter administered with 30 mg/kg streptozotocin intraperitoneally to replicate the DN model. Quality control of QHYS was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography. QHYS were orally administered at 1.25, 2.5, and 5 g/kg doses, respectively, to the DN model rats for 12 weeks. Body weight, glycated haemoglobin, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, 24-h proteinuria, and kidney index were measured. The morphologic pathology of the kidney was evaluated by Hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome staining. The expression level of lncRNA MALAT1 was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. In addition, the expression levels of podocyte EMT protein markers and Wnt/β-catenin pathway proteins in renal tissues were evaluated by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Results. The results showed that QHYS significantly reduced 24-h proteinuria, blood urea nitrogen, kidney index, and ameliorated glomerular hypertrophy and collagen fiber deposition in the kidney of DN rats. Importantly, QHYS significantly downregulated the expression level of lncRNA MALAT1, upregulated the expression of nephrin, the podocyte marker protein, downregulated the expression of desmin and FSP-1, and mesenchymal cell markers. Furthermore, QHYS significantly downregulated the expression levels of Wnt1, β-catenin, and active β-catenin. Conclusion. Conclusively, our study revealed that QHYS significantly reduced proteinuria, alleviated renal fibrosis, and attenuated the podocyte EMT in DN rats, which may be associated with the downregulation of lncRNA MALAT1 expression and inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Straight plasma channels are widely used to guide relativistic intense laser pulses over several Rayleigh lengths for laser wakefield acceleration. Recently, a curved plasma channel with gradually varied curvature was suggested to guide a fresh intense laser pulse and merge it into a straight channel for staged wakefield acceleration [Phys. Rev. Lett. 120, 154801 (2018)]. In this work, we report the generation of such a curved plasma channel from a discharged capillary. Both longitudinal and transverse density distributions of the plasma inside the channel were diagnosed by analyzing the discharging spectroscopy. Effects of the gas-filling mode, back pressure and discharging voltage on the plasma density distribution inside the specially designed capillary are studied. Experiments show that a longitudinally uniform and transversely parabolic plasma channel with a maximum channel depth of 47.5 µm and length of 3 cm can be produced, which is temporally stable enough for laser guiding. Using such a plasma channel, a laser pulse with duration of 30 fs has been successfully guided along the channel with the propagation direction bent by 10.4°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]