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Abstract The electrical conductivity of the earth’s mantle can provide important information about geodynamic phenomena. East Asia is associated with complex tectonics and geodynamic processes. Hence, it is necessary to better understand the deep structure beneath East Asia. In this study, geomagnetic data obtained from East Asian observatories are employed to image the conductivity structure of the mantle at depths ranging from 410 to 900 km. First, the data are processed using the modified bounded influence remote reference processing (BIRRP) method and the ratio method is used to correct for the ocean effect. Thereafter, the stable C-response curves at the 27 observatories are estimated, and 1D electrical conductivity models for these observatories are established using the L-BFGS method. The conductivity-depth profiles reveal a heterogeneous distribution of the electrical conductivity beneath East Asia. The mantle transition zone (MTZ) beneath East China and Japan is found to be more conductive, whereas the MTZ beneath central and southern regions of China is more resistive. In East China, the dehydration of the stagnant Pacific slab may lead to an increase in the conductivity of the mantle minerals. There is also the possibility of upwelling of the thermal material from the lower mantle beneath the Japanese Island arc. In Northwest China, there exists a large high-conductive body beneath the Tarim area, which could indicate an upwelling of the Tarim mantle plume. Our results provide insights into the deep structure of the earth at the mantle scale.

Abstract Endoscopic optical coherence tomography (OCT) offers a non-invasive approach to perform the morphological and functional assessment of the middle ear in vivo. However, interpreting such OCT images is challenging and time-consuming due to the shadowing of preceding structures. Deep neural networks have emerged as a promising tool to enhance this process in multiple aspects, including segmentation, classification, and registration. Nevertheless, the scarcity of annotated datasets of OCT middle ear images poses a significant hurdle to the performance of neural networks. We introduce the Dresden in vivo OCT Dataset of the Middle Ear (DIOME) featuring 43 OCT volumes from both healthy and pathological middle ears of 29 subjects. DIOME provides semantic segmentations of five crucial anatomical structures (tympanic membrane, malleus, incus, stapes and promontory), and sparse landmarks delineating the salient features of the structures. The availability of these data facilitates the training and evaluation of algorithms regarding various analysis tasks with middle ear OCT images, e.g. diagnostics.

Abstract In the bicycle-sharing operation network, the mismatch between supply and demand as well as indiscriminate bicycle parking have caused the waste of resources and increased management costs for operators. This study presents design of a bike-sharing electronic fences location developed for Hunan University of Technology and Business. In this paper, we constructed Site Selection Model with Constrained Service Level and use Hybrid Genetic & Annealing algorithm (HGAA) to adjust the location of electronic fences to balance the supply and demand of sharing bicycles with the objective function of minimizing the cost and ensuring the service level, and we use Hunan University of Technology and Industry as an example to verify the effectiveness of the method.

The combination of electrical wire explosion and low sensitivity energetic materials is an efficient and practical method to generate controllable strong pressure waves, which is a potential alternative to explosives in directional fracturing applications. In this paper, a new configuration of hybrid load is proposed to generate synchronized pressure waves for directional fracturing, with the advantages of lower energy storage and smaller blast-hole diameters. The pressure wave of hybrid load explosion is measured, and the explosion synchronicity of the two loads at the microsecond level is verified by self-illumination images. Then, two-hole granite cylinders are used to verify the feasibility of directional fracturing, and the results show that the double loads explosion formed directional fractures connecting the two holes and a horizontal failure plane. The fracturing process, including fracture initiation, propagation, and connection, is recorded with a high-speed camera and is reproduced in numerical simulation. Based on the experimental and numerical results, the fracture morphology is characterized as four areas, and the fracturing mechanism is analyzed.

Abstract Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is an enzyme found in most food sources, might be a candidate to reduce oxidative damage to intestinal barrier, thereby ameliorating the vicious circle between hyperglycemia and the oxidative damage. Here we report the oral administration of SOD, liposome-embedded SOD (L-SOD), and SOD hydrolysate to type 2 diabetic model rats to confirm this hypothesis. Oxidative damage severity in model rat intestine was indicated by malondialdehyde level, GSSG/GSH ratio, and antioxidant enzyme activity. The damage was significantly repaired by L-SOD. Furthermore, blood glucose and related indexes correlated well not only with oxidative damage results but also with indexes indicating physical intestinal damage such as colon density, H&E staining, immunohistochemical analysis of the tight junction proteins occludin and ZO-1 in the colon, as well as lipopolysaccharide and related inflammatory cytokine levels. The order of the magnitude of the effects of these SOD preparations was L-SOD > SOD > SOD hydrolysate. These data indicate that orally administered SOD can exhibit glucose-lowering effect via targeting the intestine of diabetic rats and systemic lipopolysaccharide influx.

Paecilomyces hepiali is a fungus with edible and pharmaceutic value, isolated from Ophiocordyceps sinensis. Its main bioactive constituents contain alkaloids, cyclic dipeptides, steroids, organic acids, and polysaccharides. Due to the huge development potential of P. hepiali in the field of food and medicine, it has been developed into a variety of products that cater to the needs of the public. In this paper, the chemical constituents and their pharmacological effects of P. hepiali are reviewed, which can provide reference for the development and application of P. hepiali.

The performance of a financial portfolio depends on the output of two tasks: first, a forecasting process, where quantities of interest for the investors, such as the rate of return and risk for each stock, are predicted into the future, and second, an optimization process, where those individual stocks are formed into the portfolio optimizing the combined risk and reward features. However, in very large dimensions, when the number of stocks is high, those two quantitative problems often become intractable because of a loss in precision. This paper introduces a forecasting and portfolio formation strategy in multiple periods based on the splitting of the multivariate forecasting model into multiple bivariate forecasting models and updating investment weights at each period based on the predicted target quantities for the returns and the covariances. The methodology proposed is suitable for a very large portfolio of assets. The experimental results are based on a sample of one thousand stocks from the Chinese stock market. For such a large sample, the forecast and optimization process is executed speedily. The investment strategies are benchmarked with the equally weighted portfolio. In the long run, they offer a better investment performance in terms of a higher rate of return or lower risk, compared with this portfolio, demonstrating the applicability and economic value of the proposed methodology in practice.

College students are currently facing various crises due to psychological issues, driving universities to prioritise their mental health. Perceived overqualification negatively affects students' well-being. Drawing on the person-organisation fit theory, we propose that perceived overqualification reduces students' organisational identification, study engagement, and personal accomplishment. Furthermore, serving as a student leader and the frequency of extracurricular activities (ECA) participation play moderating roles. We conducted a two-wave survey with 423 freshmen at a university in China. Results showed that perceived overqualification negatively affected all three outcomes. In addition, serving as a student leader mitigated the negative effects of perceived overqualification on organisational identification and personal accomplishment, whereas the moderating effect of the frequency of ECA participation was not significant. Nonetheless, a supplementary analysis found that when students participated in ECA related to social practice, their perceived overqualification enhanced their personal accomplishment. Finally, our theoretical contributions to the existing literature are discussed, and suggestions are proposed for universities to impede the harmful effects of students' perceived overqualification.

Reproductive behaviour is important for animals to keep their species existing on Earth. A key question is how to generate more and healthier progenies by choosing optimal mates. In Drosophila melanogaster, males use multiple sensory cues, including vision, olfaction and gustation, to achieve reproductive success. These sensory inputs are important, yet not all these different modalities are simultaneously required for courtship behaviour to occur. Moreover, the roles of these sensory inputs for male courtship choice remain largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that males court younger females with greater preference and that olfactory inputs are indispensable for this male courtship choice. Specifically, the olfactory receptor Or47b is required for males to discriminate younger female mates from older ones. In combination with our previous work indicating that gustatory perception is necessary for this preference behaviour, our current study demonstrates the requirement of both olfaction and gustation in Drosophila males' courtship preference, thus providing new insights into the role of sensory cues in reproductive behaviour and success.

We provide empirical evidence of volatility forecasting in relation to asymmetries present in the dynamics of both return and volatility processes. Using recently-developed methodologies to detect jumps from high frequency price data, we estimate the size of positive and negative jumps and propose a methodology to estimate the size of jumps in the quadratic variation. The leverage effect is separated into continuous and discontinuous effects, and past volatility is separated into “good” and “bad”, as well as into continuous and discontinuous risks. Using a long history of the S & P500 price index, we find that the continuous leverage effect lasts about one week, while the discontinuous leverage effect disappears after one day. “Good” and “bad” continuous risks both characterize the volatility persistence, while “bad” jump risk is much more informative than “good” jump risk in forecasting future volatility. The volatility forecasting model proposed is able to capture many empirical stylized facts while still remaining parsimonious in terms of the number of parameters to be estimated.

Abstract Background It is uncertain whether the weekend warrior pattern is associated with all-cause mortality among adults living with type 2 diabetes. This study explored how the ‘weekend warrior’ physical activity (PA) pattern was associated with all-cause mortality among adults living with type 2 diabetes. Methods This prospective cohort study investigated US adults living with type 2 diabetes in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Mortality data was linked to the National Death Index. Based on self-reported leisure-time and occupational moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), participants were categorized into 3 groups: physically inactive (

Abstract Background Insulin resistance is linked to an increased risk of frailty, yet the comprehensive relationship between the triglyceride glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI), which reflects weight, and frailty, remains unclear. This relationship is investigated in this study. Methods Data from 9135 participants in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (2011–2020) were analysed. Baseline TyG-BMI, changes in the TyG-BMI and cumulative TyG-BMI between baseline and 2015, along with the frailty index (FI) over nine years, were calculated. Participants were grouped into different categories based on TyG-BMI changes using K-means clustering. FI trajectories were assessed using a group-based trajectory model. Logistic and Cox regression models were used to analyse the associations between the TyG-BMI and FI trajectory and frail incidence. Nonlinear relationships were explored using restricted cubic splines, and a linear mixed-effects model was used to evaluate FI development speed. Weighted quantile regression was used to identify the primary contributing factors. Results Four classes of changes in the TyG-BMI and two FI trajectories were identified. Individuals in the third (OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.10–1.42) and fourth (OR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.61–2.09) quartiles of baseline TyG-BMI, those with consistently second to highest (OR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.32–1.70) and the highest (OR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.84–2.56) TyG-BMI changes, and those in the third (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.05–1.36) and fourth (OR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.70–2.22) quartiles of the cumulative TyG-BMI had greater odds of experiencing a rapid FI trajectory. Higher frail risk was noted in those in the fourth quartile of baseline TyG-BMI (HR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.28–1.58), with consistently second to highest (HR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.12–1.34) and the highest TyG-BMI changes (HR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.42–1.77), and those in the third (HR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.00-1.21) and fourth quartile of cumulative TyG-BMI (HR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.33–1.60). Participants with persistently second-lowest to the highest TyG-BMI changes (β = 0.15, 0.38 and 0.76 respectively) and those experiencing the third to fourth cumulative TyG-BMI (β = 0.25 and 0.56, respectively) demonstrated accelerated FI progression. A U-shaped association was observed between TyG-BMI levels and both rapid FI trajectory and higher frail risk, with BMI being the primary factor. Conclusion A higher TyG-BMI is associated with the rapid development of FI trajectory and a greater frail risk. However, excessively low TyG-BMI levels also appear to contribute to frail development. Maintaining a healthy TyG-BMI, especially a healthy BMI, may help prevent or delay the frail onset.

Abstract It was observed that a super-efficient gel adsorbent system (RRQG@CDC) could be obtained when a matrix material of polyquaternium gel with a flat distribution (RRQG) was loaded onto a skeleton material of cyclodextrin carbide (CDC). The results showed that the adsorption capacity of RRQG@CDC towards dyes was 1250 times higher than that of commonly used activated carbon, enabling highly efficient purification of dyeing wastewater through superior adsorption. In addition, RRQG@CDC demonstrated adaptability to a range of different pH values and salinity conditions, showing super-efficient adsorption abilities towards various types of dyes. Moreover, simulated scale-up tests confirmed the feasibility of this super-efficient adsorbent for practical engineering applications. An enhanced quasi-planar electrostatic adsorption mechanism model was established, which has changed the traditional understanding of adsorption mechanisms. Furthermore, the waste residues of RRQG@CDC, after dye adsorption, can be directly utilized as high-calorific fuels, showcasing the resourcefulness of these residues while eliminating the risk of secondary pollution. In conclusion, this study achieved a remarkably efficient and resource-based purification of dyeing wastewater by developing a highly effective adsorbent system.

This study aims to experimentally and numerically explore the bearing capacity of windshield glass for rail vehicles under projectile impact by gravel along the railway. The gravel particle sizes, ranging from 0.5 to 10 mm, were divided into 7 levels, and two conditions were chosen based on loading angles: 90° vertical impact and 45° oblique impact. Multiple gravel impacts were conducted based on the conversion of wind-blown sand flow intensity, analysing the difference in fracture velocity of windshield glass compared with single gravel impact. Finally, a stable 4 kPa wind pressure was applied to the windshield glass, and simultaneous gravel impact was performed. By comparing the impact test results without wind pressure, the weakening effect of wind pressure load on the impact resistance of windshield glass was analysed. Lastly, the dynamic process of projectile penetration and fracture of windshield glass was numerically simulated. This involved studying the crack propagation process and analysing the fracture velocity of windshield glass under projectiles made of different materials. By comparing the simulation and experimental results, the accuracy and reliability of this study were verified. The research results show that the larger the gravel particle size, the lower the chip and fracture velocities of the windshield glass. The chip velocity and fracture velocity of windshield glass under single gravel oblique impact at 45° are higher than those under vertical impact conditions, approximately 1.2 times and 1.13 times higher, respectively. Moreover, the fracture velocities under 3 and 6 gravel impacts are approximately 12 % and 20 % lower, respectively, compared to single gravel impact condition. Additionally, stress oscillations were observed to occur due to the cyclic process of stress accumulation, energy release through crack propagation, stress decline, and further stress accumulation. This was observed by tracking the stress state near the crack tip of the windshield glass.