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Purpose: To explore the relationship between preoperative J‐sign grading and structural bone abnormalities in patients with recurrent patellar dislocation (RPD). Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on RPD patients over 5 years. Patients were categorised based on J‐sign grade into low (J‐ and J1+), moderate (J2+) and high groups (J3+). Trochlear dysplasia (TD) and osseous structures (femoral anteversion angle [FAA], knee torsion, tibial tuberosity‐trochlear groove [TT‐TG] distance, Caton–Deschamps index) were assessed and grouped according to risk factor thresholds. The χ2 test was used to compare composition ratio differences of structural bone abnormalities among the groups. Results: A total of 256 patients were included, with 206 (80.5%) females. The distribution of J‐sign grade was as follows: 89 knees (34.8%) of low grade, 86 moderate (33.6%) and 81 high (31.6%). Among the five structural bone abnormalities, TD was the most common with a prevalence of 78.5%, followed by increased TT‐TG at 47.4%. Excessive tibiofemoral rotation had the lowest occurrence at 28.9%. There were 173 (67.6%) patients who had two or more abnormalities, while 45 (17.6%) had four to five bony abnormalities. Among patients with any bony abnormality, the proportion of high‐grade J‐sign surpassed 40%. Patients with moderate and high‐grade J‐sign had more increased FAA and more pronounced patella alta (all p < 0.001). The proportion of excessive knee torsion and TD increased with increasing each J‐sign grade, with the more notable tendency in knee torsion (high vs. moderate vs. low‐grade: 61% vs. 22% vs 7%, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the higher J‐sign grade was also associated with more combined bony abnormalities (p < 0.001). In the high‐grade J‐sign group, 90.2% of the knees had two or more bony risk factors and 40.7% had four or more, which were significantly higher than the moderate and low‐grade J‐sign groups (40.7% vs. 11.6% vs. 2.2%, p < 0.001). Conclusion: In patients with a high‐grade J‐sign, over 90% of the lower limbs had two or more structural bone risk factors, and more than 40% had four or more. These proportions were significantly higher compared to knees with low‐grade and moderate J‐sign. In clinical practice, when treating high‐grade patellar mal‐tracking, it is important to focus on and correct these strongly correlated abnormal bone structures. Level of Evidence: Level III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The second near‐infrared (NIR‐II, 1000–1700 nm) light‐activated organic photothermal agent that synchronously enables satisfying NIR‐II fluorescence imaging is highly warranted yet rather challenging on the basis of the overwhelming nonradiative decay. Herein, such an agent, namely TPABT‐TD, was tactfully designed and constructed via employing benzo[c]thiophene moiety as bulky electron donor/π‐bridge and tailoring the peripheral molecular rotors. Benefitting from its high electron donor–acceptor strength and finely modulated intramolecular motion, TPABT‐TD simultaneously exhibits ultralong absorption in NIR‐II region, intense fluorescence emission in the NIR‐IIa (1300–1500 nm) region as nanoaggregates, and high photothermal conversion upon 1064 nm laser irradiation. Those intrinsic advantages endow TPABT‐TD nanoparticles with prominent fluorescence/photoacoustic/photothermal trimodal imaging‐guided NIR‐II photothermal therapy against orthotopic 4T1 breast tumor with negligible adverse effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The second near‐infrared (NIR‐II, 1000–1700 nm) light‐activated organic photothermal agent that synchronously enables satisfying NIR‐II fluorescence imaging is highly warranted yet rather challenging on the basis of the overwhelming nonradiative decay. Herein, such an agent, namely TPABT‐TD, was tactfully designed and constructed via employing benzo[c]thiophene moiety as bulky electron donor/π‐bridge and tailoring the peripheral molecular rotors. Benefitting from its high electron donor–acceptor strength and finely modulated intramolecular motion, TPABT‐TD simultaneously exhibits ultralong absorption in NIR‐II region, intense fluorescence emission in the NIR‐IIa (1300–1500 nm) region as nanoaggregates, and high photothermal conversion upon 1064 nm laser irradiation. Those intrinsic advantages endow TPABT‐TD nanoparticles with prominent fluorescence/photoacoustic/photothermal trimodal imaging‐guided NIR‐II photothermal therapy against orthotopic 4T1 breast tumor with negligible adverse effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Methods Results Conclusion Level of Evidence The purpose of this study was to investigate whether double‐level (femur + tibia) derotational osteotomy is superior to single‐level femoral derotational osteotomy for recurrent patellar dislocation with severe femoral and tibial rotational deformities (femoral anteversion >30° and external tibial torsion >30°).Between January 2015 and June 2020, a total of 115 knees with recurrent patellar dislocation treated with combined medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFL‐R) and derotational osteotomies were evaluated after a minimum follow‐up of 2 years. Among these cases, 15 knees that underwent double‐level derotational osteotomy were included in the double‐level group, which was propensity‐matched in a 1:2 ratio to a single‐level group of patients who underwent single‐level femoral derotational osteotomy (30 knees). The clinical and radiological outcomes were evaluated and compared between the groups. Furthermore, the foot progression angle was measured preoperatively and 2 years after surgery.The patient‐specific variables did not differ significantly between the double‐ and the single‐level groups after propensity score matching. The postoperative mean foot progression angle was significantly lower in the double‐level group than in the single‐level group (9° ± 8° vs. 15° ± 11°; p = 0.014); however, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of any other clinical and radiological assessments.For patients with severe femoral and tibial torsional deformities (femoral anteversion >30° and external tibial torsion >30°), the double‐level derotational osteotomy is superior to single‐level osteotomy in maintaining normal foot progression angle, but it does not show an advantage in terms of patient‐reported outcomes, radiological results and redislocation rate at minimum 2 years of follow‐up. Furthermore, concomitant excessive external tibial torsion (>30°) did not have an adverse effect on clinical outcomes in patients who underwent derotational distal femoral osteotomy with MPFL‐R due to excessive femoral anteversion.Level III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), as an emerging cancer treatment, requires the development of highly desirable photosensitizers (PSs) with integrated functional groups to achieve enhanced therapeutic efficacy. Coordination‐driven self‐assembly (CDSA) would provide an alternative approach for combining multiple PSs synergistically. Here, we demonstrate a simple yet powerful strategy of combining conventional chromophores (tetraphenylethylene, porphyrin, or Zn‐porphyrin) with pyridinium salt PSs together through condensation reactions, followed by CDSA to construct a series of novel metallo‐supramolecular PSs (S1–S3). The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is dramatically enhanced by the direct combination of two different PSs, and further reinforced in the subsequent ensembles. Among all the ensembles, S2 with two porphyrin cores shows the highest ROS generation efficiency, specific interactions with lysosome, and strong emission for probing cells. Moreover, the cellular and living experiments confirm that S2 has excellent PDT efficacy, biocompatibility, and biosafety. As such, this study will enable the development of more efficient PSs with potential clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), as an emerging cancer treatment, requires the development of highly desirable photosensitizers (PSs) with integrated functional groups to achieve enhanced therapeutic efficacy. Coordination‐driven self‐assembly (CDSA) would provide an alternative approach for combining multiple PSs synergistically. Here, we demonstrate a simple yet powerful strategy of combining conventional chromophores (tetraphenylethylene, porphyrin, or Zn‐porphyrin) with pyridinium salt PSs together through condensation reactions, followed by CDSA to construct a series of novel metallo‐supramolecular PSs (S1–S3). The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is dramatically enhanced by the direct combination of two different PSs, and further reinforced in the subsequent ensembles. Among all the ensembles, S2 with two porphyrin cores shows the highest ROS generation efficiency, specific interactions with lysosome, and strong emission for probing cells. Moreover, the cellular and living experiments confirm that S2 has excellent PDT efficacy, biocompatibility, and biosafety. As such, this study will enable the development of more efficient PSs with potential clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomimetics, which draws inspiration from nature, has emerged as a key approach in the development of underwater vehicles. The integration of this approach with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has further propelled research in this field. CFD, as an effective tool for dynamic analysis, contributes significantly to understanding and resolving complex fluid dynamic problems in underwater vehicles. Biomimetics seeks to harness innovative inspiration from the biological world. Through the imitation of the structure, behavior, and functions of organisms, biomimetics enables the creation of efficient and unique designs. These designs are aimed at enhancing the speed, reliability, and maneuverability of underwater vehicles, as well as reducing drag and noise. CFD technology, which is capable of precisely predicting and simulating fluid flow behaviors, plays a crucial role in optimizing the structural design of underwater vehicles, thereby significantly enhancing their hydrodynamic and kinematic performances. Combining biomimetics and CFD technology introduces a novel approach to underwater vehicle design and unveils broad prospects for research in natural science and engineering applications. Consequently, this paper aims to review the application of CFD technology in the biomimicry of underwater vehicles, with a primary focus on biomimetic propulsion, biomimetic drag reduction, and biomimetic noise reduction. Additionally, it explores the challenges faced in this field and anticipates future advancements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice straighthead disease substantially reduces crop yield, posing a significant threat to global food security. Dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) is the causal agent of straighthead disease and is highly toxic to the reproductive tissue of rice. However, the precise physiological mechanism underlying DMA toxicity remains unknown. In this study, six rice varieties with varying susceptibility to straighthead were utilized to investigate the growth performance and element distribution in rice panicles under DMA stress through pot experiments, as well as to explore the physiological response to DMA using transcriptomic methods. The findings demonstrate significant variations in both DMA accumulation and straighthead sensitivity among cultivars. The susceptible varieties exhibited higher DMA accumulation indices and displayed typical symptoms of straighthead disease, including erect panicles, deformed rachides and husks, and reduced seed setting rate and grain yield when compared to the resistant varieties. Moreover, DMA addition promoted mineral nutrients to accumulate in rachides and husks but less in grains. DMA showed preferential accumulation in rice grains with a distribution pattern similar to that of Copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) within the panicle. Transcriptome analyses underscored the substantial impact of DMA on gene expression related to mineral metabolism. Notably, DMA addition significantly up‐regulated the expression of pectin methylesterase, pectin lyase, polygalacturonase, and exogalacturonase genes in Nanjingxiangzhan, while these genes were down‐regulated or weakly expressed in Ruanhuayou 1179. The alteration of pectin metabolic pathways induced by DMA may lead to abnormality of cell wall assembly and modification, thereby resulting in deformed rice panicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Three-dimensional discrete element method (DEM) models were developed to simulate particle-bubble interactions by utilizing the API function within the EDEM software platform. Geometric grids were constructed using FLUENT software to induce isotropic turbulence, and this turbulence environment was incorporated into the CFD-DEM framework. The simulations focused on the detachment of particles and bubbles, with particle sizes ranging from 0.10 to 0.30 mm, particle densities ranging from 1500 to 2500 kg/m³, and fixed bubble sizes of 1.00, 1.20, 1.60, and 2.00 mm. The detachment processes occurred within a turbulent flow field at distances of 1, 1.5, 2, and 3 mm from the grid. It is found that the particle-bubble bond required more capillary force to maintain attachment equilibrium as the particle density and size, bubble size, and flow field turbulence environment increased, the smaller the initial flow velocity to bring the bubble and particle to a critical desorption state, indicating the increase in all these factors were not conducive to attachment stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serum exosomes frequently are used for liquid biopsy. Serum exosomes normally are isolated using ultracentrifugation; however, ultracentrifugation is time-consuming, labor intensive and requires a high-speed centrifuge. Many commercial kits use a precipitation-based method; however, this process can result in substantial contamination. We developed a new method to isolate pure serum exosomes. We isolated serum exosomes using precipitation, extracted them using acetone, then isolated them again by precipitation. We used transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to examine the morphology of serum exosomes. TEM indicated that our isolated exosomes were pure with typical morphology and with a size ranging from 40 to 150 nm. Flow cytometry revealed expression of exosome markers, CD63, CA81 and CD9. Our double precipitation method enables ready extraction of pure exosomes from serum. Our double precipitation method simplifies detection of serum exosomal biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To further explore the pharmacological effect of pachymaran, this article studied the inhibition of pachymaran on oxidative stress and genetic damage induced by formaldehyde. 40 adult Kunming male mice were randomly divided into four groups with different interventions. One week later, the contents of serum SOD, GR, MDA, DNA–protein crosslink (DPC), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHDG) and DNA adduct were determined by ELISA. The results showed that there were statistically significant differences in the contents of SOD, GR and MDA among the four groups (P < 0.01). The activity of SOD and GR increased along with the increase of pachymaran dosage (SOD: rs = 0.912, P < 0.01; GR: rs = 0.857, P < 0.01), while the content of MDA showing a significant negative correlation (rs = − 0.893, P < 0.01). There were statistically significant differences in the levels of DPC, 8-OHDG and DNA adduct among the four groups (DPC and DNA adduct: P < 0.01, 8-OHDG: P < 0.05), the concentration decreased along with the increase of pachymaran dosage (DPC: rs = − 0.855, P < 0.01; 8-OHDG:rs = − 0.412, P < 0.05, DNA adduct: γs = − 0.869, P < 0.01). It can be inferred that pachymaran can inhibit oxidative stress and DNA damage induced by formaldehyde with the dose–effect relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transmission of insect-borne viruses involves sophisticated interactions between viruses, host plants, and vectors. Chemical compounds play an important role in these interactions. Several studies reported that the plant virus tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus (TSWV) increases host plant quality for its vector and benefits the vector thrips Frankliniella occidentalis. However, few studies have investigated the chemical ecology of thrips vectors, TSWV, and host plants. Here, we demonstrated that in TSWV-infected host plant Datura stramonium, (1) F. occidentalis were more attracted to feeding on TSWV-infected D. stramonium; (2) atropine and scopolamine, the main tropane alkaloids in D. stramonium, which are toxic to animals, were down-regulated by TSWV infection of the plant; and (3) F. occidentalis had better biological performance (prolonged adult longevity and increased fecundity, resulting in accelerated population growth) on TSWV-infected D. stramonium than on TSWV non-infected plants. These findings provide in-depth information about the physiological mechanisms responsible for the virus's benefits to its vector by virus infection of plant regulating alkaloid accumulation in the plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hericium erinaceus (HE), a widely utilized natural remedy and dietary source, has garnered significant attention for its therapeutic potential in various diseases. In this study, we employed supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) technology to isolate the bioactive compounds from HE's fruiting body. Comprehensive assessments of the antioxidant and antibacterial activities were conducted, along with in vitro investigations on the human colon cancer cell line (HCT-8). The SFE rate served as the evaluation metric, while the variables of extraction time, pressure, and temperature were systematically examined. By integrating the response surface center composite design, we successfully optimized the extraction process, yielding optimal parameters of 80 min, 30 MPa, and 35 °C, thus resulting in an extraction rate of 2.51%. These optimized conditions exhibited considerable antioxidant capacity, anticancer activity, and antibacterial potential. Furthermore, we employed graded alcohol extraction to refine the crude extracts, thereby confirming superior anticancer effects under a 70% alcohol precipitation. To elucidate the composition, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were employed to analyze the crude extracts and isolates of HE, facilitating a comparative analysis of six HE varieties. Our findings suggest that sterol derivatives hold promise as the active component against the colon cancer HCT-8 cell line. In conclusion, this study underscores the potential of HE SFE in the development of functional foods or alternative drugs for colon cancer treatment, thus opening new avenues for therapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an endosymbiont, Wolbachia exerts significant effects on the host, including on reproduction, immunity, and metabolism. However, the study of Wolbachia in Thysanopteran insects, such as flower thrips Frankliniella intonsa, remains limited. Here, we assembled a gap-free looped genome assembly of Wolbachia strain wFI in a length of 1,463,884 bp (GC content 33.80%), using Nanopore long reads and Illumina short reads. The annotation of wFI identified a total of 1838 protein-coding genes (including 85 pseudogenes), 3 ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), 35 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), and 1 transfer-messenger RNA (tmRNA). Beyond this basic description, we identified mobile genetic elements, such as prophage and insertion sequences (ISs), which make up 17% of the entire wFI genome, as well as genes involved in riboflavin and biotin synthesis and metabolism. This research lays the foundation for understanding the nutritional mutualism between Wolbachia and flower thrips. It also serves as a valuable resource for future studies delving into the intricate interactions between Wolbachia and its host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the factors that influence the measurement of median nerve elasticity, to provide a more reproducible test for the assessment of median nerve elasticity using shear wave elasticity (SWE), and to reduce operator empirical dependence. To compare the repeatability of the median nerve elasticity measurement using immersion SWE with that using contact SWE, analyze the factors affecting SWE measurement, and provide a more repeatable method for doctors without SWE operation experience. Methods: Two doctors without SWE operation experience measured the median nerve mean elastic modulus (Emean) at the same position and at different time points on the right wrist of 58 healthy volunteers using immersion and contact ultrasound methods. The intraobserver and interobserver repeatability of measurements was assessed using the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC), while the repeatability was assessed using the Bland–Altman diagram. Results: The intraobserver and interobserver repeatability of the median nerve elasticity measured via contact SWE by inexperienced operators were classified as good, with ICCs of 0.633 (95% CI 0.380–0.783) and 0.552 (95% CI 0.243–0.735), respectively. The intraobserver and interobserver repeatability of the median nerve elasticity measured by immersion SWE were very good, with ICCs of 0.975 (95% CI 0.958–0.985) and 0.942 (95% CI 0.902–0.966), respectively. The intraobserver and interobserver Bland–Altman diagram of median nerve elasticity measured by immersion SWE showed that 98% of the points fell within the 95% limits of agreement. The intraobserver and interobserver Bland–Altman diagram of median nerve elasticity measured by contact SWE showed that 94% of the points fell within the 95% limits of agreement. Conclusion: Immersion ultrasound can improve the repeatability of median nerve elasticity measurements by inexperienced operators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall) is a destructive pest of legumes, such as cowpea. The biology, population dynamics and control strategies of this pest have been well studied. However, the lack of a high-quality reference genome for M. usitatus has hindered the understanding of key biological questions, such as the mechanism of adaptation to feed preferentially on high-protein host plants and the resistance to proteinase inhibitors (PIs). In this study, we generated a high-resolution chromosome-level reference genome assembly (247.82 Mb, 16 chromosomes) of M. usitatus by combining Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) and Hi-C sequencing. The genome assembly showed higher proportions of GC and repeat content compared to other Thripinae species. Genome annotation revealed 18,624 protein-coding genes, including 4613 paralogs that were preferentially located in TE-rich regions. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of the paralogs revealed significant enrichment in digestion-related genes. Genome-wide identification uncovered 506 putative digestion-related enzymes; of those, proteases, especially their subgroup serine proteases (SPs), are significantly enriched in paralogs. We hypothesized that the diversity and expansion of the digestion-related genes, especially SPs, could be driven by mobile elements (TEs), which promote the adaptive evolution of M. usitatus to high-protein host plants with high serine protease inhibitors (SPIs). The current study provides a valuable genomic resource for understanding the genetic variation among different pest species adapting to different plant hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to solve a time-varying linear matrix equation with periodic noises, an anti-interference dynamic integral neural network (AI-DINN) is proposed. Based on an indefinite unbounded vector/matrix-type error function, the proposed AI-DINN includes an integral structure, a recursive structure, and an adjustment module. It has the excellent ability to overcome the interference of periodic noises. This paper theoretically proves the convergence and robustness of the proposed AI-DINN for solving the time-varying linear matrix equation with the interference of periodic noises. Computer simulation results verify that the proposed AI-DINN method based on different activation functions can achieve convergence within limited time with the interferences of different periodic noises. In addition, the proposed AI-DINN with different activation functions has its own advantages with the interference of different types of periodic noises. Furthermore, comparative simulation experiments verify that the proposed AI-DINN has better convergence and anti-interference performance compared with state-of-the-art methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper takes the compact tensile specimens manufactured by glass fiber reinforced composites as the research object. Hopkinson tension bar experimental technique was used to study the dynamic fracture toughness. The dynamic fracture toughness of [0/90]n laminated and [45/− 45]n laminated compact tensile specimens was measured by Hopkinson tension bar experimental device; the simulation calculation under the same stress wave loading was carried out by ABAQUS, and the accuracy was verified by comparing with the experimental results; using the verified simulation model, the effect of specimen thickness and crack length on the dynamic fracture toughness of fiber reinforced composites was studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the excavation of underground projects, the rock masses left as the bearing support system are also subjected to dynamic loads from the excavation activities ahead. These rock masses have been damaged and fractured during the initial exposure (dynamic loads) and are subjected to static loads in the subsequent process as the support system. In this study, granite rock samples and specimens with different angles were produced, preloaded with different confining pressure, and under a combination of dynamic and static loading tests using a modified dynamic and static loading system: split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). The peak strain and dynamic modulus of elasticity are weakened by the inclination angle in a similar way to the strength, with the specimens showing an evolutionary pattern from tensile strain to shear damage. The change in the inclination angle of flaws would weaken the dynamic and combined strengths, and a larger inclination flaw results in a significant decrease in its strength. Fractal analysis revealed that the fractural dimension was closely related to the fissure angle and showed a good linear correlation with the strain rate. This study will provide an important security assurance for deep mining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the combined static-dynamic loading tests on refabricated parallel fissured granite were conducted with SHPB system at six confining pressures (0, 10, 20, 30, 50, and 60% of the UCS) and three dip angle (0, 45, and 90 °). Moreover, a non-contact monitoring device, the DIC, was used to fully detect the full-field strain of the specimen. Comprehensively the initiation, expansion, penetration process and failure mode of double-fractured specimens were investigated, and the deformation and failure characteristics and strength change law during the failure process were discussed. The fractures had a significant degradation effect on the dynamic compressive strength of the rock. Parallel double fractures showed the large principal and shear strains at and near the fissure tips firstly during damage and extended through each other, causing damage to the specimens. There were two main types of cracks: tensile cracks and shear cracks in the failure process. The displacements of key cracks in 45 and 90 ° specimens were analyzed, which showed that the slip displacement gradually increased with the increase in axial pressure, while the tension displacement showed an increase first and then a decrease. The angle of inclination of parallel double fissures is critical to the initial generation of tensile strain zones and the subsequent development and expansion of tensile strain zones. The research results will provide an important theoretical basis for the development and utilization of underground engineering structures and disaster prevention and mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'A Mother' by Joyce tells of Mrs. Kearney's effort in enhancing her daughter's musical reputation during the Irish Revival, revolving around a conflict between Mrs. Kearney and a male-dominated group at concerts. Although some studies tend to view Mrs. Kearney as a dominant female and others take her as a victim of gender discrimination, there is no interpretation from the perspective of social minds. This article aims at using social mind theory to explore how the characters manipulate social minds against each other for their own purposes. It is found that Joyce deploys 'covert double cognitive narrative', a new paradigm of social minds, to propel the plot, and utilizes behaviourist narration and dialogue predominantly in rendering social minds. Therefore, this new perspective commands a panoramic view of the social minds manipulations in 'A Mother'. Tracing the social minds this way is essential in understanding the story, shedding light on the Irish cultural paralysis of the time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cation exchange selectivity in the Na-montmorillonite interlayer has been extensively studied as a part of the mechanism of the cation exchange reaction, which also provides an important insight into the inhibition of montmorillonite expansion by inorganic salts. While the variation of interlayer structure associated with interlayer Na+ and water molecules during the ion exchange process has less been explored, to determine the possibility of replacing interlayer Na+ ions by the ion exchange reaction, the present study focuses on the effects of the added electrolyte cation (Mg2+, Ca2+ and K+) on the structure properties, diffusion features and the number of surface hydrogen bonds in hydrated Na-montmorillonite at different hydration stages by using molecular dynamic (MD) simulations. The simulation results showed that Ca2+ has a better tendency to exchange Na+ ions at a high hydration degree, and K+ is easier to exchange Na+ at a low hydration degree. The lower mobility of interlayer species and the relativity large change in the number of hydrogen bonds with the addition of Mg2+ reflected its weak possibility of exchanging Na+ . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Anal fistula is the natural evolution of perianal abscess and one of the most common perianal diseases for adults. For complex fistula, it is still very challenging for anorectal surgeons to manage. With the introduction of laser technique in surgery, it is becoming more and more widely used for the treatment of cryptoglandular anal fistula. During the past decade, numerous studies have reported the clinical effectiveness and postoperative outcomes of different forms of laser treatment for anal fistula. However, as these studies were varied in terms of baseline characteristics, the evidence for the true clinical effectiveness of laser treatment for anal fistula need further critical appraisal. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of surgical laser therapy for cryptoglandular anal fistula stratified by laser type and Parks' classification through a synthesis of quantitative and qualitative evidence. Methods and analysis: This study will be carried out with adherence to the Cochrane Handbook. We will search PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase until June, 2022 to identify all relevant interventional and observational studies examining the effects of laser therapy on the clinical outcomes for cryptoglandular anal fistula. Data extraction from eligible studies will be performed independently by two unblinded authors using standardized extraction forms. Risk of bias assessment for each study will be conducted using Cochrane tool for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and the Newcastle–Ottawa scale (NOS) tool for observational studies. The DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model will be used to calculate the pooled estimates. Heterogeneity will be examined by subgroup analysis stratified by laser type and Parks' classification and other study characteristics. Potential publication bias will be assessed by funnel plot symmetrical and Egger's regression tests. Conclusions: The synthesis of quantitative and qualitative evidence of this systemic review will yield updated and comprehensive evidence of laser treatment on specific outcomes, which can provide anorectal surgeons with high level evidence-based recommendations to improve patient care and clinical outcomes. OSF registration number: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/36ADW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tissue engineering is a new therapeutic strategy used to repair serious damage caused by trauma, a tumor or other major diseases, either for vital organs or tissues sited in the oral cavity. Scaffold materials are an indispensable part of this. As an extracellular-matrix-based bio-material, treated dentin matrixes have become promising tissue engineering scaffolds due to their unique natural structure, astonishing biological induction activity and benign bio-compatibility. Furthermore, it is important to note that besides its high bio-activity, a treated dentin matrix can also serve as a carrier and release controller for drug molecules and bio-active agents to contribute to tissue regeneration and immunomodulation processes. This paper describes the research advances of treated dentin matrixes in tissue regeneration from the aspects of its vital properties, biologically inductive abilities and application explorations. Furthermore, we present the concerning challenges of signaling mechanisms, source extension, individualized 3D printing and drug delivery system construction during our investigation into the treated dentin matrix. This paper is expected to provide a reference for further research on treated dentin matrixes in tissue regeneration and better promote the development of relevant disease treatment approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Large‐scale genome‐wide association studies (GWASs) have reported multiple risk variants for Parkinson's disease (PD). However, little is known about how these reported risk variants confer risk of PD. Objective: To nominate genes whose genetically regulated expression in dopaminergic neurons may have a causal role in PD. Methods: We conducted a two‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study by integrating large‐scale genome‐wide associations and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data from dopaminergic neurons. Results: MR analysis nominated 10 risk genes whose genetically regulated expression in dopaminergic neurons may have a causal role in PD. These MR significant genes include FAM200B, NDUFAF2, NUP42, SH3GL2, STX1B, CCDC189, KAT8, PRSS36, VAMP4, and ZSWIM7. Conclusions: We report the first MR study of PD by using dopaminergic neuron‐specific eQTL and nominate novel risk genes for PD. Further functional characterization of the nominated risk genes will provide mechanistic insights into PD pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets. © 2022 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, foam materials have attracted people's attention in many fields. This study reveals the one-step preparation of polypropylene (PP) foam material with very low carbon nanotubes (CNTs) content via laser irradiation technology. A low-energy near-infrared (1064 nm) laser beam is used to scan the laser-sensitive PP/CNTs composite prepared in the air. The controllable instantaneous thermal energy generated by laser irradiation decomposes CNTs and PP, and forms a foaming layer in situ on the surface of the composite material. CNTs content, laser power and laser scanning rate are key parameters for controlling laser-induced foaming. The results show that the rich carbonized structure induced by the laser envelops the gas generated by thermal degradation to form a porous structure, and form a 3D white pattern with the naked eye. This study can provide a positive reference for directly writing 3D foamed structures on the surface of composite materials on a large scale through a simple and efficient one-step laser irradiation method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce the empirical dependence of ultrasound measurement of the cephalic vein diameter, improve the repeatability of measurements for inexperienced operators, and provide a new method for inexperienced operators. Operators without ultrasound experience used contact ultrasound and immersion ultrasound to measure the diameter of the cephalic vein. The intraobserver and interobserver repeatability of measurements obtained via the two methods were analyzed. The intraobserver and interobserver repeatability of the cephalic vein diameter measured via contact ultrasound by inexperienced operators were average, with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of 0.572 (95% CI: 0.239–0.759) and 0.405 (95% CI: −0.057–0.666), respectively. The intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of the cephalic vein diameter measured by immersion ultrasound were very good, with ICCs of 0.955 (95% CI: 0.922–0.975) and 0.943 (95% CI: 0.900–0.967), respectively. In the Bland–Altman diagram of the intraobserver and interobserver agreement of the immersion ultrasound measurements of the cephalic vein diameter, 96% of the points fell within the 95% limits of agreement. Immersion ultrasonography can be used to measure the cephalic vein diameter while reducing the dependence of the results on operator experience; inexperienced operators can achieve very good repeatability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we derive an upper bound on load-threshold of coded slotted ALOHA (CSA) for slot erasure channel (SEC) and that for packet erasure channel (PEC), respectively. In SEC, by exploiting the analogy between Gaussian elimination of solving linear equations and the iterative successive interference-cancellation (SIC) decoding procedure of CSA, we derive the upper performance bound for SEC. Subsequently, in PEC, utilizing density evolution to track the average probability of packet-decoded failure within the SIC decoding process, we obtain the upper bound for PEC. Moreover, we propose a numerical search algorithm of these bounds under a given calculating precision. The numerical results indicate that the asymptotic upper limit on load-threshold of CSA over SEC is always less than that over PEC with any given erasure probability and average transmission rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: We describe one rare case of successful ablation of a right epicardial accessory pathway (AP) via the right ventricular diverticulum in a patient with Wolff‐Parkinson‐White syndrome. Methods: A 42‐year‐old woman was referred to the hospital for a catheter ablation of Wolf‐Parkinson‐White syndrome. The earliest activation was shown to be present in the region of the tricuspid annulus. However, ablation had no effect on the AP. Results: We decided to do a selected angiography, in which a big diverticulum near the right tricuspid annulus was shown to be present. Ablation in this region successfully repressed the AP without any recurrences within a follow‐up period of 12 months. Conclusion: The ventricular diverticulum‐mediated AP is a novel variant of pre‐excitation. It can serve as an anatomical substrate of supraventricular tachycardia, and can be ablated endocardially using an irrigation tip catheter within the diverticulum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intrinsic link of ferroptosis to neurodegeneration, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, has set promises to apply ferroptosis inhibitors for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Herein, we report that the natural small molecule hinokitiol (Hino) functions as a potent ferroptosis inhibitor to rescue neuronal damages in vitro and in vivo. The action mechanisms of Hino involve chelating irons and activating cytoprotective transcription factor Nrf2 to upregulate the antioxidant genes including solute carrier family 7 member 11, glutathione peroxidase 4 and Heme oxygenase-1. In vivo studies demonstrate that Hino rescues the deficits of locomotor activity and neurodevelopment in zebrafishes. In addition, Hino shows the efficient blood-brain barrier permeability in mice, supporting the application of Hino for brain disorders. Paclitaxel is one of the most widely used broad-spectrum antineoplastic agents. However, its neurotoxic side effect is a severe concern. We demonstrate that the neurotoxicity of paclitaxel is ferroptosis-related and Hino also alleviates the paclitaxel-induced neurotoxicity without compromising its cytotoxicity to cancer cells. Hino also salvages the neurobehavioral impairment by paclitaxel in zebrafishes. Collectively, the discovery of Hino as a novel ferroptosis inhibitor and disclosure of its action mechanisms establish a foundation for the further development of Hino as a neuroprotective agent. [Display omitted] • Hinokitiol significantly enhances cell viability of RSL3-or 6-OHDA-induced PC12 cells and is more potent than DFO. • Hinokitiol exerts neuroprotection through iron chelation and modulation of the Nrf2 pathway. • Hinokitiol rescues the deficits of locomotion and neurodevelopment in 6-OHDA-treated zebrafish model. • Hinokitiol alleviates the ferroptosis-related neurotoxicity induced by paclitaxel without affecting anti-tumor activity. • Hinokitiol shows the efficient blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• To investigate the effect of laser power and scanning speed on the melt pool morphology at constant input volumetric energy density. • The melt pool size and melt pool overlap will directly impact the surface roughness, density and microstructure of the as-built samples. • This research is a guide for the selection of laser power and scanning speed at the optimal volume energy density. Volumetric energy density establishes connections among crucial process parameters, such as laser power, scanning speed, layer thickness, hatch spacing, etc., in laser powder bed fusion processing. The impact of laser power and scanning speed on the melt pool shape, surface morphology, porosity, and microstructure of the as-built samples was investigated while maintaining a constant volumetric energy density. At a constant VED, the depth of the melt pool progressively deepens with increasing laser power, while concurrently, the width of the melt pool tends to diminish. With a laser power of 170 W, the height of the melt pool approaches the layer thickness of 40.0 μm, providing adequate overlap between the two layers. Adequate melt pool height ensures the prevention of incomplete fusion holes and guarantees sample densification. The root width of the melt pool was 41.0 μm and 63.2 μm for laser powers of 100 W and 170 W, respectively. Insufficient overlap between melt pools leads to unfused holes, the primary cause of increased specimen porosity. Distinct processing parameters result in varying times and types of thermal cycles, significantly influencing the degree of refinement of α′-acicular martensite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common nutritional disease worldwide. In this study, a low methoxyl pectin (LMP)‑iron(III) complex was prepared. The physicochemical and structural properties were characterized by HPSEC, HPIC, CV, FTIR, 1H NMR, XRD, SEM and CD. The results showed that iron increased the molecular weight of the LMP‑iron(III) from 11.50 ± 0.32 to 12.70 ± 0.45 kDa and improved its crystallinity. Moreover, the findings demonstrated that -OH and -COOH groups in LMP coordinate with Fe3+ to form β -FeOOH. The water-holding capacity, emulsion stability, and antioxidant activities of the LMP‑iron(III) were lower than those of LMP. Furthermore, the therapeutic effects of LMP‑iron(III) on IDA were investigated in rats. Following LMP‑iron(III) supplementation, compared with the model group, the administration of LMP‑iron(III) significantly increased the body weight, hemoglobin concentration, and serum iron concentration as well as decreased free erythrocyte protoporphyrin concentration. Therefore, the LMP‑iron(III) can potentially treat IDA in rats experiments, providing a theoretical basis for the development of a promising iron supplement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Triethanolamine oleate (TOAM) can effectively separate fluorapatite (FAP) and hematite. • TOAM was a better collector for recovery of FAP at low temperatures compared to NaOL. • TOAM enhanced the surface hydrophobic properties of FAP. • Hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactiont were the main adsorption mechanism of TOAM on FAP. Recovering phosphate ore at low temperatures poses a challenge. In this work, non-ionic surfactant triethanolamine oleate (TOAM) was used as a novel cryogenic collector for the separation of hematite and Fluorapatite (FAP). The flotation test results indicated that under the conditions of TOAM at 100 mg/L, starch at 13 mg/L, and pH 9, it achieved good recovery rate and grade of FAP concentrate in the mixed ore of 88.74 % and 35.32 %. Especially under low temperature conditions (15℃), the recovery rate of TOAM as collector was 29.36 % higher than that of NaOL. This was mainly due to the significantly higher low-temperature solubility of TOAM compared to NaOL. The adsorption mechanism of TOAM on the surface of FAP was studied through PBAI, FTIR, XPS tests, and DFT calculations. The results indicated that TOAM can significantly enhance the hydrophobicity of the FAP surface, primarily through hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. The results of the DFT calculations also confirmed that the hydrogen bonding between the –OH functional group on the TOAM molecule and the O active site on the FAP surface, along with the electrostatic interactions, were the main adsorption mechanisms. This work can provide some guidance for the application of non-ionic collectors in low-temperature flotation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel regularized orthogonal activated inverse-learning (ROAIL) neural network is proposed and investigated for reducing the impact of outliers in regression and classification fields. The proposed ROAIL network does not require extensive iterative computations. Instead, it can achieve the desired results with a single step of computation, allowing for the efficient acquisition of network weights. By extending the Gegenbauer polynomials to a multi-variate version, and integrating the ℓ 2 regularization and Welsch loss function into the orthogonal activated inverse-learning framework, two forms of ROAIL are obtained, i.e., ℓ 2 norm ROAIL (ℓ 2 -ROAIL) and Welsch-ROAIL (W-ROAIL). ℓ 2 -ROAIL neural network is proposed to minimize the empirical and structural risk simultaneously since taking the structural risk as a part of loss function can effectively reduce the complexity of the model and thus improve the generalization ability. W-ROAIL neural network further improves the robustness of the ℓ 2 -ROAIL neural network by replacing the original two-norm in loss function with Welsch function. The Welsch function can determine the weights of each sample according to its output error, and influence of outliers could be weakened since the weights of outliers would be reduced. Both regression and classification experiments show that W-ROAIL neural network has strong ability to suppress the influence of outliers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inspired by the nature of actual dynamics systems with time-varying parameters, varying-parameter convergence differential neural network (termed as VP-CDNN) has been put forward and played a crucial role in obtaining the real-time solution of algebraic equations and optimization problems. Plenty of fruitful literatures report that such a neural network breaks the bottlenecks of the conventional algorithms and presents superior convergence performance and strong anti-noise capability in the time-varying problem solving. This paper presents an overall review about VP-CDNN in different mathematical problems solving such as time-varying quadratic-programming equation, time-varying Sylvester equation, nonlinear and nonconvex equation and so on. Besides its extension forms such as anti-noise VP-CDNN, finite-time VP-CDNN, fuzzy VP-CDNN and discrete-time VP-CDNN are briefly introduced in mathematical problems solving. Additionally, the applications of VP-CDNN in robot motion planning, unmanned aerial vehicles, venture investment and other applications are illustrated for practical implementation. The conclusion summarizes the superiority of VP-CDNN and indicates several future research direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quenching reaction Na(3p) + H2 → Na(3s) + H2 calculations were performed using the time-dependent wave packet method based on the nonadiabatic potential energy surface (PES) reported by Wang et al. The dynamical properties, such as reaction probability, integral cross-section and rate constants, are calculated at the state-to-state level of theory and compared with the reaction and non-reaction processes. The results indicated that the potential well on the V22 PES has a great influence on the oscillation structures on the reaction probability. In addition, the vibrational state-resolved reaction probability and integral cross-section show that the products are mainly distributed in the vibrationally excited state of Na(3s) + H2 (v′ = 3). The quenching efficiency increases slightly with the increase of temperature. The quenching reaction Na(3p) + H2 → Na(3s) + H2 is studied using the quantum mechanical method, and the dynamics properties, such as reaction probability, integral cross-section and rate constant, are reported. The oscillation structures on the reaction probability curves are analysed in detail. The vibrational state distribution of the product is reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of de-rotational distal femoral osteotomy (DDFO) in patients who underwent primary medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLR) failure with increased femoral anteversion along with high-grade J sign. Methods: Between 2011 and 2019, 14 patients underwent DDFO revision surgery due to failed MPFLR. The pre- and postoperative J sign grade, Caton-Deschamps index (CDI), tibial tuberosity–trochlear groove (TT–TG) distance, femoral anteversion angle (FAA), patellar lateral tilt angle (PLTA), MPFL graft laxity, and patient-reported outcomes (Kujala, Lysholm, Tegner, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective scores) were collected. The anterior–posterior and proximal–distal distances between the actual point and the Schöttle point were also calculated. Results: Fourteen patients underwent MPFLR revision by DDFO combined with MPFLR. The mean PLTA improved from 40.7° ± 11.9° to 20.5° ± 8.7° (P < 0.001). The mean FAA significantly decreased from 42.7° ± 12.0° to 14.1° ± 5.2° (P < 0.001). The mean patellar laxity index (PLI) decreased from 82.4% preoperatively to 15.1% postoperatively (P < 0.001). None of these patients experienced subluxation or re-dislocation during follow-up of 29.7 ± 5.0 months after revision surgery. Meanwhile, the Tegner score at the last follow-up ranged from 3 to 6, with a median of 5. The Kujala, Lysholm, and IKDC subjective scores showed significant improvements, from a mean of 51.0 ± 6.8 preoperatively to 75.4 ± 5.1 postoperatively (P < 0.001), 49.2 ± 7.9 to 75.2 ± 7.2 (P < 0.001), and 42.9 ± 6.2 to 76.8 ± 6.0 (P < 0.001), respectively. The proportion of patients with a high-grade J sign was significantly lower postoperatively than preoperatively (100% vs. 14%). Four out of 14 patients (29%) showed femoral tunnel mal-positioning. Conclusion: MPFLR revision by DDFO combined with MPFLR achieved favorable clinical outcomes in patients with increased femoral anteversion along with high-grade J sign. Level of evidence: IV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ship detection in high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images has attracted great attention. As a popular method, a constant false alarm rate (CFAR) detection algorithm is widely used. However, the detection performance of CFAR is easily affected by speckle noise. Moreover, the sliding window technique cannot effectively differentiate between clutter and target pixels and easily leads to a high computation load. In this paper, we propose a new superpixel-based non-window CFAR ship detection method for SAR images, which introduces superpixels to CFAR detection to resolve the aforementioned drawbacks. Firstly, our previously proposed fast density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) superpixel generation method is utilized to produce the superpixels for SAR images. With the assumption that SAR data obeys gamma distribution, the superpixel dissimilarity is defined. Then, superpixels can be accurately used to estimate the clutter parameters for the tested pixel, even in the multi-target situations, avoiding the drawbacks of the sliding window in the traditional CFAR. Moreover, a local superpixel contrast is proposed to optimize CFAR detection, which can eliminate numerous clutter false alarms, such as man-made urban areas and low bushes. Experimental results with real SAR images indicate that the proposed method can achieve ship detection with a higher speed and accuracy in comparison with other state-of-the-art methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photo-driven theranostics, also known as phototheranostics, relying on the diverse excited-state energy conversions of theranostic agents upon photoexcitation represents a significant branch of theranostics, which ingeniously integrate diagnostic imaging and therapeutic interventions into a single formulation. The combined merits of photoexcitation and theranostics endow photo-driven theranostics with numerous superior features. The applications of aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens), a particular category of fluorophores, in the field of photo-driven theranostics have been intensively studied by virtue of their versatile advantageous merits of favorable biocompatibility, tuneable photophysical properties, unique aggregation-enhanced theranostic (AET) features, ideal AET-favored on-site activation ability and ready construction of one-for-all multimodal theranostics. This review summarised the significant achievements of photo-driven theranostics based on AIEgens, which were detailedly elaborated and classified by their diverse theranostic modalities into three groups: fluorescence imaging-guided photodynamic therapy, photoacoustic imaging-guided photothermal therapy, and multi-modality theranostics. Particularly, the tremendous advantages and individual design strategies of AIEgens in pursuit of high-performance photosensitizing output, high photothermal conversion and multimodal function capability by adjusting the excited-state energy dissipation pathways are emphasized in each section. In addition to highlighting AIEgens as promising templates for modulating energy dissipation in the application of photo-driven theranostics, current challenges and opportunities in this field are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly (lactic acid)/thermoplastic polyurethane (PLA/TPU) ductile fibrous porous material was obtained by electrospinning, which has better mechanical properties than pure PLA fibrous material. The effects of TPU on the morphology, hydrophobicity, thermal and mechanical properties of the porous fibrous material were studied. After adding TPU, the fiber diameter increased significantly. The static water contact angle of electrospinning fiber decreased as TPU increased. The addition of TPU reduced the crystallinity of the material, but the crystallinity built up over the rise of TPU. TPU substantially improved the toughness of the material, and the PLA/TPU strain energy can be enhanced by nearly 17 times. When the PLA/TPU mass ratio was 10, the maximum tensile strength could reach 9.2 MPa, and if the mass ratio is 20, it holds the highest elongation at break of 153.1%. The preparation of electrospun PLA ductile porous material would be a reliable foundation for broadening the application range of PLA fibrous material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to resist periodic interfere in robot hardware or environment, a Runge–Kutta type discrete-time circadian rhythms neural network (RK-DCRNN) model is proposed, and investigated to plan the motion of redundant robot manipulators. To achieve the optimal control, a quadratic programming-based acceleration-level hybrid tri-criteria (ALHT) scheme is first designed, which simultaneously minimize the acceleration norm, torque norm, and joint-angle shift-free indices. Second, according to the neural dynamic design method, a continuous-time circadian rhythms neural network model is exploited, and then based on the Runge–Kutta numerical differential method, a discrete-time circadian rhythms neural network model is obtained. Third, the convergence of the proposed RK-DCRNN model is proved by detailed mathematical derivation. Fourth, comparative simulations and physical experiments verify that the proposed RK-DCRNN model can suppress the accumulation of position error in the motion planning of manipulators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process and dynamic force of an air bubble detaching from a flat coal surface were investigated and calculated, respectively. The detachment process was captured by a high-speed camera, the dynamic contact angle and the contact area which obtained from the images indicated that the detachment process can be divided into two phases: bubble stretching phase and bubble sliding phase. The main forces acting on the bubble were confirmed to be a capillary force, the increased pressure force, and external detaching force through dynamic force calculation of the detachment process. Combined with the dynamic force calculation, it was found that there was a maximum external detaching force at the boundary between bubble stretching phase and bubble sliding phase, and the maximum external detaching force is defined as critical detachment force, which determined whether the sliding phase could occur. Under the same conditions of the coal surface and the solution properties, the critical detachment force showed a proportional relationship to the bubble size, it could be used to predict the critical detachment forces of different bubble sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new two-dimensional lattice structure was proposed by embedding a core to a square lattice. Wave propagation of the periodic structure was studied based on Bloch's theorem and finite element method. The effects of similarity ratio (η ) and the shape of nested core (square core, circular core and re-entrant core) on bandgap distribution were investigated. The anisotropy of wave propagation was studied by analyzing phase velocity and group velocity. Via frequency dispersion analysis, the mechanism of η tuning the bandgap distribution was demonstrated. With η increasing, the first bandgap of the square lattice with nested core widened and the total bandgap width increased. The square lattice with nested core of Lf = 50 mm at η = 0.95 had the lowest opening frequency (30.60 Hz) of the first bandgap whose width of the first bandgap was 366.26 Hz and also exhibited apparent anisotropy of wave propagation in the first and fourth mode. Concerning the practical application, a single-phase structure was proposed and studied. Thanks to additive manufacturing technology, the single-phase structure was prepared, and a low amplitude test was performed. The experimental result demonstrated the presence of an ultrawide vibration attenuation zone identical to the numerical results, which may pave the way for the practical application of the proposed lattice metamaterial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malaria is a significant health concern worldwide, particularly in Africa where its prevalence is still alarmingly high. Using artificial intelligence algorithms to diagnose cells with malaria provides great convenience for clinicians. In this paper, a densely connected convolutional dynamic learning network (DCDLN) is proposed for the diagnosis of malaria disease. Specifically, after data processing and partitioning of the dataset, the densely connected block is trained as a feature extractor. To classify the features extracted by the feature extractor, a classifier based on a dynamic learning network is proposed in this paper. Based on experimental results, the proposed DCDLN method demonstrates a diagnostic accuracy rate of 97.23%, surpassing the diagnostic performance than existing advanced methods on an open malaria cell dataset. This accurate diagnostic effect provides convincing evidence for clinicians to make a correct diagnosis. In addition, to validate the superiority and generalization capability of the DCDLN algorithm, we also applied the algorithm to the skin cancer and garbage classification datasets. DCDLN achieved good results on these datasets as well, demonstrating that the DCDLN algorithm possesses superiority and strong generalization performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To solve the time-varying underdetermined linear equation (TVULE), a gain-adjustment neural network (GANN) is proposed, designed and analyzed. First, based on the exploited error monitoring function and neural dynamic method, a GANN based linear equation solving method with gain-adjustment parameter is obtained. Second, the global convergence theorem is proved and shows that the state output of the GANN will converge to the solution of TVULE super-exponentially. Furthermore, the strong robustness of the GANN can be ensured theoretically. Third, compared with some traditional neural networks like the gradient neural network and the zeroing neural network, the computer simulations illustrate that the GANN has the fastest speed, the best accuracy and the best anti-noise capability when considering external disturbances. Meanwhile, a practical application to solve a motion planning scheme of redundant robot manipulators further verifies the flexibility and superiority of the GANN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perilla seed oil (PSO) has a special aromatic odor, which is unpleasant to the personal preferences of some consumers. To this end, this article evaluated the differences in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), physicochemical characteristics, and fatty acid composition of PSO treated with ethanol (PSO‐EA), activated carbon (PSO‐AC), and activated kaolin (PSO‐AK). The results showed that in the PSO, PSO‐EA, PSO‐AC, and PSO‐AK samples, the content of linolenic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid hardly changed. Among the physicochemical characteristics of the four samples, the color difference between PSO and PSO‐EA was greater than the color difference between PSO and PSO‐AC, PSO‐AK. The three treatment methods had the greatest impact on the PSO peroxide value but had little effect on other indicators. Gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrum results identified 28 known volatiles, of which aldehydes, alkenals, alcohols, ketones, and esters were the main groups. Fingerprint analysis found that PSO had an aromatic odor, which includes 1‐hexanol, hexanal, and 2‐pentylfuran; the removal effect of ethanol on VOCs in PSO was better than that of activated carbon and activated kaolin. The difference between the four oil samples was found from the strength of the VOCs' signals in a two‐dimensional map. From the principal components analysis and the "nearest neighbor" fingerprint analysis, it was found that PSO is generally quite different from PSO‐EA, PSO‐AC, and PSO‐AK, while in the "nearest neighbor" fingerprint analysis, PSO‐AC and PSO‐AK are similar in general. In short, PSO will have better applications in the food field. Practical Application: Treatment of PSO with ethanol, activated carbon, and activated kaolin is conducive to the comprehensive utilization of edible resources. In this work, ethanol, activated carbon, and activated kaolin were used to remove VOCs in PSO, and PSO‐EA, PSO‐AC, and PSO‐AK were obtained. The perilla seed oil after these three treatment methods was tested for VOCs, physicochemical characteristics, and fatty acid composition. They can meet the needs of more consumers without affecting the fatty acid composition in the PSO, and have broad development prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents a smart solar energy regulation strategy using photon tunable long persistent phosphors as solar energy harvesting antennas to enhance overall sunlight utilization by photosynthetic organisms in multiple modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]