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Unmodelled searches and reconstruction is a critical aspect of gravitational wave data analysis, requiring sophisticated software tools for robust data analysis. This paper introduces PycWB, a user-friendly and modular Python-based framework developed to enhance such analyses based on the widely used unmodelled search and reconstruction algorithm Coherent Wave Burst (cWB). The main features include a transition from C++ scripts to YAML format for user-defined parameters, improved modularity, and a shift from complex class-encapsulated algorithms to compartmentalized modules. The PycWB architecture facilitates efficient dependency management, better error-checking, and the use of parallel computation for performance enhancement. Moreover, the use of Python harnesses its rich library of packages, facilitating post-production analysis and visualization. The PycWB framework is designed to improve the user experience and accelerate the development of unmodelled gravitational wave analysis.

Owing to its high concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus, the slurry from water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes) biogas production cannot be discharged directly without further treatment. To achieve the target of water recycling, a new strategy of combining a Carrousel oxidation ditch with a water spinach wetland was developed in this study for the harmless treatment of Pontederia crassipes biogas slurry. First, the water quality characteristics of the biogas slurry were measured. Then, comprehensive tests of the combined slurry treatment system were carried out to verify pollutant removal performance and mechanism. The results showed that the Carrousel oxidation ditch reduced the inlet pollutant load of the subsequent water spinach wetland. The chemical oxygen demand (COD), and ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) contents of the average effluent from the combined system were less than 50 mg/L, 1.6 mg/L, 6 mg/L, and 0.5 mg/L, respectively, which means that all met urban sewage treatment standard of Level 1 Grade A (GB18918-2002). Gas chromatography – mass spectrometry analysis showed that the combined system had decreased various types of organic pollutants in the biogas slurry exponentially, efficiently removing alkane pollutants, aromatic hydrocarbons, and heterocyclic compounds. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed very large surface area of the water spinach roots in the wetland, which played important roles in enriching the microorganisms and trapping organic matter. Plant absorption, microbial degradation, and filtration were the primary ways in which the water spinach wetland purified the biogas slurry.

While previous research on cancer biology has focused on genes that code for proteins, in recent years it has been discovered that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs)play key regulatory roles in cell biological functions. NcRNAs account for more than 95% of human transcripts and are an important entry point for the study of the mechanism of cancer development. An increasing number of studies have demonstrated that ncRNAs can act as tumor suppressor genes or oncogenes to regulate tumor development at the epigenetic level, transcriptional level, as well as post-transcriptional level. Because of the importance of ncRNAs in cancer, most clinical trials have focused on ncRNAs to explore whether ncRNAs can be used as new biomarkers or therapies. In this review, we focus on recent studies of ncRNAs including microRNAs (miRNAs), long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), circle RNAs (circRNAs), PIWI interacting RNAs (piRNAs), and tRNA in different types of cancer and explore the application of these ncRNAs in the development of cancer and the identification of relevant therapeutic targets and tumor biomarkers. Graphical abstract drawn by Fidraw.

Abstract Although perovskite solar cells have achieved efficiency over 25%, the toxic of Pb content remains severe problem given its commercial prospect. Especially when the devices suffer harsh weather, the Pb content can easily leak out to soil and water. Chelating resins (CRs) exhibit excellent superiority in treating waste water in industrial field, since the functional groups in CRs can adsorb divalent metal ion to soften and purify waste water. Herein, an iminodiacetic acid (IDA)‐CR is introduced as encapsulation over perovskite solar cells for the first time. The IDA‐CR exhibits high surface area and excellent adsorption capability. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of Pb leakage are studied, and the devices with encapsulation of IDA‐CR can detain over 90% of Pb compared with control devices without encapsulation after immersed in deionized water for 12 h even in acid situation or after heating. This IDA‐CR method provides a new strategy towards environmental and biological‐friendly perovskite optoelectronic devices.

The present study investigated the inhibitory role of ginkgo fallen leaves on scale generation in industrial circulating cooling water (ICCW), and the dual scale inhibition mechanism was revealed to demonstrate the ICCW engineering application potential of ginkgo fallen leaves treatment. The results showed that pH, alkalinity and turbidity decreased from 8.68, 295.74 mg/L and 2.482 NTU to 7.27, 111.23 mg/L and 0.483 NTU, respectively, after adding 7.5 g/L fallen leaves in 2 h. The ascorbic acid released by the fallen leaves not only decreased the ICCW alkalinity, but also complexed with the residual Ca2+ to form calcium ascorbate, which combined to inhibit the ICCW scale generation. Finally, compared to other chemical scale inhibition methods, fallen leaves treatment could save 0.34–850 CNY/ton in agent costs. Also, no additional building area was required, saving infrastructure costs. Therefore, turning fallen leaves waste into treasure provided the green and sustainable innovative strategy for scale inhibition in the ICCW, and has significant potential for engineering applications.

Gastric cancer is a common malignant tumor of the digestive tract, with a low early diagnosis rate. N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitroguanidine (MNNG) is one of the main risk factors for gastric cancer. Phytochemicals are healthy active substances derived from vegetables, fruits, nuts, tea, herbal medicines and other plants. Taking phytochemicals is a very promising strategy for the prevention and treatment of gastric cancer. Many studies have proved that phytochemicals have protective effects on MNNG induced gastric cancer via inhibiting cell proliferation, enhancing immunity, suppressing cell invasion and migration, inducing apoptosis and autophagy, blocking angiogenesis, inhibiting Helicobacter pylori infection as well as regulating metabolism and microbiota. The intervention and therapeutic effects of phytochemicals in MNNG induced gastric cancer have attracted more and more attention. In order to better study and explore the role, advantages and challenges of phytochemicals in MNNG induced gastric cancer, we summarized the intervention and therapeutic effects of phytochemicals in MNNG induced gastric cancer. This review may help to further promote the research and clinical application of phytochemicals in MNNG induced gastric cancer, and provide some new insights.

Amendment of fertilized arable soil with alkaline industrial waste has the potential to ameliorate soil acidification whilst also improving crop yield. Another co-benefit is nitrous oxide (N2O) emission abatement but the contribution of fungi and bacteria involved in this process remains unclear. Two incubation experiments were conducted to: 1) examine how amendment of acidic soils with a mixture of phosphorus tailings mixture and insoluble potassium-containing rocks (PT) affect N2O emissions and 2) understand the microbial mechanisms and relative contributions of fungi and bacteria responsible for N2O emissions. In the first incubation experiment, the four treatments consisted of: i) the study control, ii) urea, iii) PT amendment and iv) PT amendment plus urea. Results showed that the PT amendment significantly increased soil pH from 4.8 to above 6.0, and reduced N2O emissions by 65.7%. PT-amended soils had higher N2 emissions and faster O2 consumption. The PT amendment significantly increased extracellular enzyme activities of leucine aminopeptidase and N-Acetyl-β-glucosaminidase, while it significantly decreased activities of β-1, 4-glucosidase and β-cellobiosidase. Two antibiotics (cycloheximide and streptomycin) combined with substrate-induced respiration method were used in the second incubation experiment. Compared to soil with urea, urea with PT amendment raised soil bacteria-related N2O from 9.2% to 18.8% while decreasing fungi-related N2O from 50.5% to 43.2%. These findings suggest that the N2O emissions from acidic soils can be considerably mitigated by the application of alkaline industrial wastes. The contribution of fungi should be considered when designing and applying N2O mitigation strategies in acidic soils. Data Availability: Data will be made available on request.

Abstract Flexible perovskite solar cells (FPSCs) have attracted enormous interest in wearable and portable electronics due to their high power-per-weight and low cost. Flexible and efficient perovskite solar cells require the development of flexible electrodes compatible with the optoelectronic properties of perovskite. In this review, the recent progress of flexible electrodes used in FPSCs is comprehensively reviewed. The major features of flexible transparent electrodes, including transparent conductive oxides, conductive polymer, carbon nanomaterials and nanostructured metallic materials are systematically compared. And the corresponding modification strategies and device performance are summarized. Moreover, flexible opaque electrodes including metal films, opaque carbon materials and metal foils are critically assessed. Finally, the development directions and difficulties of flexible electrodes are given.

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth most common malignant cancer and is a life-threatening disease worldwide. Phytochemicals have been shown to be a rational, safe, non-toxic, and very promising approach to the prevention and treatment of cancer. It has been found that phytochemicals have protective effects against GC through inhibiting cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis and autophagy, suppressing cell invasion and migration, anti-angiogenesis, inhibit Helicobacter pylori infection, regulating the microenvironment. In recent years, the role of phytochemicals in the occurrence, development, drug resistance and prognosis of GC has attracted more and more attention. In order to better understand the relationship between phytochemicals and gastric cancer, we briefly summarize the roles and functions of phytochemicals in GC tumorigenesis, development and prognosis. This review will probably help guide the public to prevent the occurrence and development of GC through phytochemicals, and develop functional foods or drugs for the prevention and treatment of gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) is a malignant cancer of the digestive tract and is a life-threatening disease worldwide. Ferroptosis is a newly discovered form of regulated cell death, which involves the accumulation of iron-dependent lipid peroxides. It has been found that ferroptosis plays an important regulatory role in the occurrence, development, drug resistance, and prognosis of GC. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play a critical role in the occurrence and progression of a variety of diseases including GC. In recent years, the role of ferroptosis and ferroptosis-related ncRNAs (miRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA) in the occurrence, development, drug resistance, and prognosis of GC has attracted more and more attention. Herein, we briefly summarize the roles and functions of ferroptosis and ferroptosis-related ncRNAs in GC tumorigenesis, development, and prognosis. We also prospected the future research direction and challenges of ferroptosis and ferroptosis-related ncRNAs in GC.

Cigarette smoke is a major risk factor for gastric cancer. Exosomes are an important part of intercellular and intra-organ communication systems and can carry circRNA and other components to play a regulatory role in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer. However, it is unclear whether cigarette smoke can affect exosomes and exosomal circRNA to promote the development of gastric cancer. Exosomes secreted by cancer cells promote cancer development by affecting surrounding normal cells. Herein, we aimed to clarify whether the exosomes secreted by cigarette smoke-induced gastric cancer cells can promote the development of gastric cancer by affecting the surrounding gastric mucosal epithelial cells (GES-1). In the present study, we treated gastric cancer cells with cigarette smoke extract for 4 days and demonstrated that cigarette smoke promotes the stemness and EMT of gastric cancer cells and cigarette smoke-induced exosomes promote stemness gene expression, EMT processes and the proliferation of GES-1 cells. We further found that circ0000670 was up-regulated in tissues of gastric cancer patients with smoking history, cigarette smoke-induced gastric cancer cells and their exosomes. Functional assays showed that circ0000670 knockdown inhibited the promoting effects of cigarette smoke-induced exosomes on the stemness and EMT characteristic of GES-1 cells, whereas its overexpression had the opposite effect. In addition, exosomal circ0000670 was found to promote the development of gastric cancer by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Our findings indicated that exosomal circ0000670 promotes cigarette smoke-induced gastric cancer development, which might provide a new basis for the treatment of cigarette smoke-related gastric cancer.

Abstract With efficiency surpassing 25%, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have received much attention because of their excellent potential in photovoltaic field. However, there are some challenging issues still exist which need to be addressed. One issue is that the surface/interface and grain boundaries related defects and traps could work as charge recombination centers during the device operation, compromising the charge transfer as well as the device performance. Another issue is the leakage of toxic Pb, which may cause undesired contamination to water or soil and make devices not appropriate to work outdoors. Herein, the dithiol molecule was introduced to passivate surface defects and traps as well as reduce the Pb leakage. The unsaturated Pb2+ usually acting as recombination centers could coordinate with thiol group to reduce the recombination. Meanwhile, the beneficial band bend was observed, which facilitates the interface charge transfer. Crucially, we confirmed dithiol molecule could help reduce the Pb leakage. Retarded dissolution of PbI2 into water was observed for perovskite films after dithiol treatment, which eventually contributed less Pb leakage. Overall, this study proposes a universal strategy for defects passivation and reduced lead leakage, which is promising for environmental stable optoelectronic applications.

AimEmerging evidence indicates that palmitic acid (PA) can regulate the progression and development of many diseases. However, the studies examining the association between PA and thyroid function remain sparse. We aimed to investigate the association between serum PA (sPA) and thyroid function in the US population.MethodsIn this retrospective study, a cross-sectional analysis was performed using the data pooled from the database of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 to 2012. The thyroid parameters investigated were mainly free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), total T3 (TT3), TT4, thyroglobulin (Tg), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), anti-thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb), and anti-thyroperoxidase antibody (TPOAb). The central sensitivity to thyroid function was evaluated by the thyroid feedback quantile-based index (TFQI), thyrotrophin thyroxine resistance index (TT4RI), and thyrotropin index (TSHI). The FT3 to FT4 ratio (FT3/FT4) was employed to evaluate peripheral sensitivity to thyroid hormones. Multiple imputation was applied to handle the missing data, and weighted multivariable linear regression, subgroup, and interaction analyses were then employed to estimate the association between sPA and thyroid parameters.ResultsIn the 737 adults, after adjusting covariates, we demonstrated a significant negative association between sPA and FT4 [β = -1.078, 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.729 to -0.427], as well as a positive relationship between sPA and FT3/FT4 ratio (β = 0.073, 95% CI: 0.044 to 0.102). These results did not change on multiple imputations. In the subgroup analyses, the associations were more significant in male and obese subjects.ConclusionThis investigation demonstrated the significant correlation between sPA and thyroid dysfunction, which suggested the close relationship between lipotoxicity and hypothyroidism or subclinical hypothyroidism. Future research is required to confirm these findings.

ObjectiveChronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are more likely to die from cardiovascular disease (CVD) than develop renal failure. This study aimed to develop a new nomogram for predicting the risk of cardiovascular death in CKD patients.MethodsThis study enrolled 1656 CKD patients from NHANES 2003 to 2006 survey. Data sets from 2005 to 2006 survey population were used to build a nomogram for predicting the risk of cardiovascular death, and the nomogram was validated using data from 2003 to 2004 survey population. To identify the main determinants of cardiovascular death, we performed univariate analysis and backward-stepwise regression to select the key factors. The probability of cardiovascular death for each patient in 5, 7, and 9 years was calculated using a nomogram based on the predictors. To assess the nomogram’s performance, the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and the calibration curve with 1,000 bootstraps resamples were utilized. The prediction model’s discrimination was examined using cumulative incidence function (CIF).ResultsAge, homocysteine, potassium levels, CKD stage, and anemia were included in the nomogram after screening risk factors using univariate analysis and backward-stepwise regression. Internal validation revealed that this nomogram possesses high discrimination and calibration (AUC values of 5–, 7–, and 9-years were 0.79, 0.81, and 0.81, respectively). External validation confirmed the same findings (AUC values of 5–, 7– and 9-years were 0.76, 0.73, and 0.73, respectively). According to CIF, the established nomogram effectively differentiates patients at a high risk of cardiovascular death from those at low risk.ConclusionThis work develops a novel nomogram that integrates age, homocysteine, potassium levels, CKD stage, and anemia and can be used to more easily predict cardiovascular death in CKD patients, highlighting its potential value in clinical application.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are non-coding single-stranded covalently closed circular RNA, mainly produced by reverse splicing of exons of precursor mRNAs (pre-mRNAs). The characteristics of high abundance, strong specificity, and good stability of circRNAs have been discovered. A large number of studies have reported its various functions and mechanisms in biological events, such as the occurrence and development of cancer. In this review, we focus on the classification, characterization, biogenesis, functions of circRNAs, and the latest advances in cancer research. The development of circRNAs as biomarkers in cancer diagnosis and treatment also provides new ideas for studying circRNAs research.

This paper proposes an adaptive fuzzy observer-based command filtered discrete-time control method for permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) with input constraint. First, the rotor angular velocity is estimated by using an adaptive fuzzy observer and the unknown nonlinear function is approximated by using fuzzy logic systems (FLSs) in the PMSMs drive systems. Then, compared with the traditional backstepping method, command filtered backstepping method is developed to solve the “complexity of computation” problem. It is shown that all signals of the closed-loop system are semi-globally uniformly ultimately bounded. Finally, the results of the simulation and experiment demonstrate that the new design method can fully consider the influence of input constraint and load disturbance, and improve the tracking performance for PMSMs drive systems.

Gastric cancer is a common malignant tumor worldwide. N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitroguanidine (MNNG) is one of the most important inducing factors of gastric cancer. Autophagy can affect the occurrence and development of gastric cancer, but the mechanism is not clear. Chemoprevention has been shown to be a rational and very promising approach to the prevention of gastric cancer. Hesperidin is a citrus flavone, an abundant polyphenol in citrus fruits and traditional Chinese medicine. It has an excellent phytochemistry that plays an intervention role in gastric cancer. However, it is unclear whether long-term exposure to MNNG will affect the occurrence of gastric cancer by regulating autophagy and whether hesperidin can play an intervention role in this process. In the present study, we demonstrated that long-term MNNG exposure inhibits autophagy in stomach tissues of rats, promotes the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and cell proliferation and suppresses the activity of the PI3K/AKT pathway. We further found that after rapamycin-activated autophagy, long-term MNNG exposure promoted cell proliferation and EMT were inhibited. In addition, hesperidin promotes autophagy and the activity of the PI3K/AKT pathway, as well as the suppression of proliferation and EMT in the stomach tissues of rats. Our findings indicate that hesperidin reverses MNNG-induced gastric cancer by activating autophagy and the PI3K/AKT pathway, which may provide a new basis for the early prevention and treatment of MNNG-induced gastric cancer.

The passivation effects of SF6 plasma on zinc oxide (ZnO) films prepared by magnetron sputtering were researched. After the SF6 plasma passivation of ZnO films, the grain size increases, there is low surface roughness, and a small amount of Zn-F bonds are formed, resulting in the narrowing of band gap. The photoluminescence (PL) intensity of SF6-passivated ZnO films has a 120% increase compared to the untreated samples, and the reduction in defects can increase the resistivity and stability of ZnO films. ZnO films are used in the preparation of ZnO/p-Si heterojunction diodes. The results of the measurement of current voltage (J−V) show that the reverse current is reduced after SF6 plasma passivation, indicating an improvement in the electrical properties of ZnO films.

The passivation effects of the SF6 plasma on a GaAs surface has been investigated by using the radio frequency (RF) plasma method. The RF’s power, chamber pressure, and plasma treatment time are optimized by photoluminescence (PL), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The PL intensity of passivated GaAs samples is about 1.8 times higher than those which are untreated. The oxide traps and As-As dimers can be removed effectively by using SF6 plasma treatment, and Ga-F can form on the surface of GaAs. It has also been found that the stability of the passivated GaAs surface can be enhanced by depositing SiO2 films onto the GaAs surface. These indicate that the passivation of GaAs surfaces can be achieved by using SF6 plasma treatment.

Gastric cancer is a common malignant tumor of the digestive tract, with a low early diagnosis rate. N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitroguanidine (MNNG) is one of the main risk factors for gastric cancer. Phytochemicals are healthy active substances derived from vegetables, fruits, nuts, tea, herbal medicines and other plants. Taking phytochemicals is a very promising strategy for the prevention and treatment of gastric cancer. Many studies have proved that phytochemicals have protective effects on MNNG induced gastric cancer via inhibiting cell proliferation, enhancing immunity, suppressing cell invasion and migration, inducing apoptosis and autophagy, blocking angiogenesis, inhibiting Helicobacter pylori infection as well as regulating metabolism and microbiota. The intervention and therapeutic effects of phytochemicals in MNNG induced gastric cancer have attracted more and more attention. In order to better study and explore the role, advantages and challenges of phytochemicals in MNNG induced gastric cancer, we summarized the intervention and therapeutic effects of phytochemicals in MNNG induced gastric cancer. This review may help to further promote the research and clinical application of phytochemicals in MNNG induced gastric cancer, and provide some new insights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid progress in point-of-care testing (POCT) has become a promising decentralized patient-centered approach for the control of infectious diseases, especially in resource-limited settings. POCT devices should be inexpensive, rapid, simple operation and preferably require no power supply. Here, we developed a simple bacterial sensing platform that can be operated by a smartphone for bacteria identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) based on using a polydiacetylene (PDA) arrayed membrane chip. Each PDA array produced a unique color ‘fingerprint’ pattern for each bacteria based on different modes of action of toxins from bacteria on biomimetic lipid bilayers within PDA-lipid assemblies. We show that the PDA-based device can detect viable cells of bacteria as low as 104 ​CFU/mL within 1.5 ​h compared with several days of conventional bacterial identification, with the aid of a smartphone app. The device can also be used for an antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) for at least two broad-spectrum antimicrobials within 4 ​h and provide identification of antimicrobial susceptibility and resistance, enabling the selection of appropriate therapies. This PDA-based sensing platform provides an alternative way for bacterial detection and could be used as a portable and inexpensive POCT device for the rapid detection of bacterial infection in limited-resource settings.